In my inmost self I dearly love God’s Law, but I can see that my body follows a different law that battles against the law which my reason dictates. This is what makes me a prisoner of that law of sin which lives inside my body.
Have you noticed how human we are ?
Saints do not have superpowers on earth. Neither do priest, nuns or your next-door neighbor. We can respect people more when we recognize that we are all going through the same struggles in our souls. We know right and wrong. We know the Commandments. Nonetheless, we all fail to some degrees or other and that included our beloved Pope Leo. We all were born with the Original Sin. The important thing is that we try to do good.
I know of nothing good living in me – living, that is, in my unspiritual self – for though the will to do what is good is in me, the performance is not, with the result that instead of doing the good things I want to do, I carry out the sinful things I do not want.
Yes, we have the Sacrament of Reconciliation, but we do not feel we are in the same category as Saint Paul. Still, we are the same. Just like any saint or pope we have control of the outcome. Jesus says in today’s Gospel, ‘Why not judge for yourselves what is right? For example: when you go to court with your opponent, try to settle with him on the way, or he may drag you before the judge and the judge hand you over to the bailiff and the bailiff have you thrown into prison. I tell you, you will not get out till you have paid the very last penny.
The important message is that we have impossible circumstances, but we do have control of the outcome. In respect to our neighbors, family, spouses or children, they have the same struggle. When Jesus says to love one another, He is encouraging us to help others in that struggle.
I have had some recent comments about praying for government officials. Some people have said why? In light of today’s message, I think we all should consider praying a prayer that I found on the internet. It takes me about 45 minutes to complete my morning prayers. That is only if my mind does not wander and then it takes longer. This is normal. Not sure who wrote this prayer, but I say it every morning.
PRAYER FOR REMOVAL OF THE WICKED
Eternal Father, we ask in the name of Jesus that all willful workers of wickedness be removed from positions of power, prominence and prestige. Open the eyes of those being deceived and place people who stand for your righteous cause in high places of government and influence. Furthermore, we ask that you judge them in accordance with your Holy Will in Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
Rest assured that Jesus was also human and understands the struggle of the saints and understands us.
God Love You Always
Bob Burford
PS: Please Pray for Pope Leo XIV. Please Pray for Cancer victims and their caregivers. Pray for the conversion of Russia and the salvation of the Ukrainian and Russian people and their soldiers. Pray for the Holy Land. Pray for peace! The impossible could and can happen. (Saint Rita) Never deny God! Pray for justice for immigrants! Pray for justice for our President and all government officials!
