Comments on: Sunday, 3/11/18 – For We Are His Handiwork https://www.acatholic.org/sunday-3-11-18-for-we-are-his-handiwork/ DAILY MASS READINGS AND REFLECTIONS @ ACATHOLIC.ORG Mon, 13 Apr 2020 21:24:01 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Joe https://www.acatholic.org/sunday-3-11-18-for-we-are-his-handiwork/#comment-10718 Mon, 12 Mar 2018 23:10:21 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=62809#comment-10718 I believe that the “fire and brimstone” portrayal of God in the OT should be attributed to the human author’s immature perception of God. Over the years, the way man views the world changes, and so does our values and relationship with God. Why should it surprise us that a person from a nomadic/tribal background would view God with a less regard for human life than we do now? God was present then, but we’re just seeing Him from the perspective of the human author, and the challenge is to find the constant/unchanging God through it. Kind of like looking at a person in a picture before HD cameras were invented.

]]> By: Lisa https://www.acatholic.org/sunday-3-11-18-for-we-are-his-handiwork/#comment-10711 Mon, 12 Mar 2018 10:13:01 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=62809#comment-10711 Oddly enough, at when I went to mass yesterday, the alternate readings were used. There was a message to me to consider in those readings in relation to the anger of God presenting in the Old Testament reading.
The alternate Gospel was the story of Jesus healing the blind man. It starts off with the disciples questioning as to whether the man’s blindness is his fault or the fault of his parents. They espoused a belief of that day that God punishes people with blindness. Jesus corrects them in saying that this man’s blindness is so that “the works of God might be made manifest in him”.
Jesus was correcting a previous interpretation of God. God is so great! His way is so much bigger than our way of thinking. We see the problems of this world and ask “why”, but God’s plans are so big that we just have to say, “lead me God. I trust you!”
Although The Old Testament is God’s word, it is explained through the people of that time. But as Jesus explained, “blindness” was not a punishment, but an opportunity to open our eyes to God.

]]> By: Mark Misencik https://www.acatholic.org/sunday-3-11-18-for-we-are-his-handiwork/#comment-10705 Sun, 11 Mar 2018 17:02:14 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=62809#comment-10705 Hey Laura,

I don’t know if I agree with you take of Jn 3:16,17. The word “might” is used 3 times in those verses. If the word “will” was used instead, then I would agree with you and of course life would be much simpler. But “might” is used, which of course places doubt in how God is going to judge us. In other words, sure, believe in Jesus as our Savior, but that doesn’t guarantee eternal life for one’s soul. There’s more to it than that. Just read Mt 25:31-46.

As for Mr Findley’s observation, I do agree. Anyone who has read the Bible from cover to cover will scratch head more than once wondering about what seems to be the utter lack of respect for life by God. Personally I just chalk to another aspect of God that I do not understand. Which is fine with me. Heck, I have a hard enough time trying to figure out my wife, let alone God.

Mark

]]> By: Anonymous https://www.acatholic.org/sunday-3-11-18-for-we-are-his-handiwork/#comment-10704 Sun, 11 Mar 2018 12:14:28 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=62809#comment-10704 I try not to let the darkness of the world wear me down. Lately there have been some really tough moments and events that brings a very strong challenge to our faith and trust in God. For me todays Gospel and reflection remind me that there is always hope in the light of Christ and we must persevere through dark times to really appreciate it. Thanks Laura for your thoughts and words today.

]]> By: Lisa https://www.acatholic.org/sunday-3-11-18-for-we-are-his-handiwork/#comment-10703 Sun, 11 Mar 2018 11:40:48 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=62809#comment-10703 Jack,
I understand completely where you are coming from. I don’t have an answer except to tell you how I try to come to grips with it. I read the 1st reading today and though the same thing, but then I remember the love and mercy expressed to us through the teachings of Jesus Christ. I know that His teachings are a way to bring truth and light to those who came before him. Many times my spiritual questions are answered through time and prayer. The Lord works in mysterious ways.
Terrible things continue to happen in this world today. Daily, I need to remind myself to have faith and trust in God. We do not always understand, but God does and that is where faith comes in.
Thank you, Jesus, for your love and mercy. Help me to put all my trust in you.

]]> By: barbara shaidnagle https://www.acatholic.org/sunday-3-11-18-for-we-are-his-handiwork/#comment-10701 Sun, 11 Mar 2018 10:56:39 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=62809#comment-10701 My late husband was blind so I am very familiar with the gospel, as far too often, people asked me what doe “he” want or wanted me to speak for him or a blind person, and I would say, “ask him.” And when talking to someone about my husband who did not know him, I never made mention of his blindness, so that once they met him they could see for themself that he could talk for himself…

]]> By: Jennifer Pereira https://www.acatholic.org/sunday-3-11-18-for-we-are-his-handiwork/#comment-10700 Sun, 11 Mar 2018 06:18:46 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=62809#comment-10700 Beautiful reflection

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