Reflection for March 3, 2013
posted on: Wednesday, February 27, 2013 by: renaebauer
Like an optimistic gardener, God is always
working on us
"'For three years now I have come in search of fruit on
this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it
exhaust the soil?' [The gardener said to the owner,] 'Sir, leave it
for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and
fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut
it down.'" -- Luke 13:6-9
by Sister Renee Delvaux
Have you ever attempted to revive an "almost dead" potted plant?
You pamper it along with new soil, plant food, proper watering,
just the right sunlight. Yes, you give the plant a boost and a
second chance. As plant lovers suggest, you then talk to it and
wait … patiently!
God is truly the gardener in our lives. He is constantly
pruning, watering, and fertilizing us so we can produce fruit. He
talks to us in many subtle and not so subtle ways! He never
gives up on us, never condemns or rejects us. Even with all of our
weakness and failures, he still works in us to make us more
fruitful. God is filled with the ultimate compassion and love for
us.
Reflection questions:
- What is my response to God's tender loving care for me?
Do I open my heart to humbly receive His love?
- Being filled with God's unconditional love how do I extend that
same compassion, forgiveness, and love to others, especially during
Lent?
Celebrating the
'Year of Faith'
The Creed -- The Four Marks of the
Church
chapter 11,
US Catholic Catechism for Adults
"... striving to preserve the unity of the spirit
through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were
also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one
baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all
and in all." -- Ephesians 4:
3-5
by Sister Laura Zelten
In describing the Church, the
Nicene Creed states, "I believe in one, holy, catholic and
apostolic Church." (The term "catholic" with a little "c" is
correct. See more below.) The four words used to describe the
Catholic Church -- one, holy, catholic and apostolic --
were chosen with great care. They are commonly called the marks of
the Church, and each one describes something essential about the
Church and its mission. The Church has these qualities because of
Christ who, through the Holy Spirit, makes them real in the
Church.
One:
The Church acknowledges one Lord, confesses one faith, is born
of one Baptism, forms only one Body, is given life by one Spirit,
for the sake of the one hope. The foundation of the Church is
the Holy Trinity; thus, the unity of the Church reflects the unity
of the Trinity.
Holy:
To be holy is to be united with God. With Christ as her
head and the Holy Spirit to guide her, the Church strives to be the
holy people of God.
Catholic:
In its generic form, the word "catholic" means "universal." The
Catholic Church is universal because she has a mission from Jesus
Christ to the whole human race. People of all races, all
nationalities, all ages, and all personalities are not only welcome
in the Church but they enrich the Church with their diversity.
Apostolic:
Apostolic means that the Church is founded on the Apostles,
those who were close to Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit to
pass on the essential truths revealed by God through Christ.