"appearances" and "hiddeness"

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In the First Reading for Mass today (1 Samuel 16:1-13), I was blessed to hear:

…Not as man sees does God see,
because he sees the appearance
but the LORD looks into the heart…

It is a verse familiar to many us, yet how often do we make more of “appearances” than we do of the “hidden” recesses of our hearts and the hearts of others?

I was also blessed by today’s Alleluia verse ( cf Ephesians 1:17-18):

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
that we may know what is the hope
that belongs to our call.

When I ponder the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary today, I want to keep those words of God in my heart. I want to see with the eyes of my heart what many still do not see today in the appearance of Jesus on the Cross and His sorrowful Mother. I want to learn from the Meek and Humble Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

By His Grace, I want to see by faith, as God sees: Jesus living in His Body the Church!

“O Jesus living in Mary, come and live in your servants, in the spirit of holiness, in the fullness of your power, in the perfection of your ways, in the truth of your virtues, in the communion of your mysteries. Rule over every adverse power, in your Spirit, for the glory of the Father. Amen.” (prayer of Fr. Jean Jacques Olier, S.S. (1608-1657)

 

[petra22]

Maria, I have experienced something about this just this week. I was working in the garage with my DH who is wheel-chair bound and a “diamond in the rough” in my judgement. Suddenly, I had the feeling I was in the presence of a FUTURE saint who would stand before the Almighty some day!!! How could I negatively judge my DH? OMGosh! It sure made me think twice…!

 

[MariaChristi]

Maria, I have experienced something about this just this week. I was working in the garage with my DH who is wheel-chair bound and a “diamond in the rough” in my judgement. Suddenly, I had the feeling I was in the presence of a FUTURE saint who would stand before the Almighty some day!!! How could I negatively judge my DH? OMGosh! It sure made me think twice…!

Dear petra,

What a grace for you! May God continue to give us all grace to see by faith the beautiful plan He has for all His children. St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians continually encourages me as does all of Scripture to learn from Mary our Mother to believe without seeing, and to hope beyond hope because Love makes all things possible. Thanks so much for your reply. May you and your husband continue to grow in grace. Please let us pray for one another, and for all those in most need of His Mercy.