Friar’s Corner: Our joy is getting closer to Jesus

Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR

Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR

Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:21-23; Ps 90:3-6, 12-13; Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11; Luke 12:13-21

Please continue to pray daily a Chaplet of Divine Mercy for the conversion of our country. And continue to pray for the conversion of all terrorists and a greater outpouring of God’s merciful love on all his children on earth. Thank you in Jesus holy Name.

Lord Jesus, please enlighten us to know the joy of being with you and living in your kingdom. Just focusing on the worldly things around us with all its electronic gadgets leads us in the wrong direction, like the gospel parable of building more barns to store our excess. Eternal life here on earth is not God’s final plan for us. We may be called “to leave earth” tonight. Then to whom will our possessions go? This is all vanity as the first reading states, Ecclesiastes 1:2.

St. Paul said to the Colossians and to us today, by our baptism we were brought into God’s kingdom. And Jesus gave us a paid-up credit card for his country club (his kingdom). We are offered God’s power (grace) to live in his kingdom. As infants, at our baptism, our parents made a commitment for us.

As adults, to claim more of God’s power we must make our own commitment to live and work in God’s kingdom. As we live and work in his kingdom we get more filled with confidence and joy in knowing and living with Jesus. We are made “new creations.” As we spend daily prayer time with Jesus, he pierces our heart with more of his love and gives more understanding in our minds. This continues to transform us into other Christs. And our joy becomes greater as we reach out to help others. Jesus said, “What you do to the least of mine, you do to me.”

Psalm 90:12 asks God to, “teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.” Then in verse 14, we read: “Fill us at daybreak with your kindness, that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.” As we follow Jesus each day, we are on our “pilgrimage” to heaven where our delight in his presence will bring us joys beyond our greatest dreams. May the precious heart of Jesus draw us all closer to him each day. The Blood of Jesus over us.

Today I am leaving to drive from Loretto, PA, to Kansas City, KS, for days of prayer with other special priests. As I drive I shall be praying for you and your needs.

Peace and much joy,
+ Fr. Bob Hilz
(© 2016 Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR)

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Nancy Ward

Nancy Ward writes about conversion, Christian community, and Catholicism. After earning a journalism degree, she worked for the Diocese of Dallas newspaper and the Archbishop Sheen Center for Evangelization, then began her own editing service. She’s a regular contributor to CatholicMom.com, SpiritualDirection.com, CatholicWritersGuild.com, NewEvangelizers.com and a contributing author to The Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion. Now, through her Sharing Your Catholic Faith Story: Tools, Tips, and Testimonies workshops, retreats, book, and DVD, she shares her conversion story at Catholic parishes and conferences, equipping others to share their own stories.

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