There
Is No Need To Despair - Don't Ever Give Up!
You are not expected to become a saint
instantaneously
It is one step at a time
People are led to believe that from the moment they have encountered
God (1) they are supposed to
automatically become saints and go through life without ever committing
a sin again. Nonsense and theologically incorrect! That is one of the
many weapons evil uses to discourage us from a relationship with God.
We practically give up even before giving it a fair try.
Unfortunately, most Christian churches have fallen into this trap which
has, in essence, rendered their Evangelization effort null and void; a
reality which the condition of the 21st Century world attest to.
Open all the windows, let the sunshine in because... here are some good
news:
God does not judge man
based on his level of sanctity...
...but on how hard
that individual has truly tried to sanctify himself.
A Graphic
Example
Think about this: A father has two sons. One was genetically gifted
with a near perfect physique which he kept in shape by exercising at a
gymnasium only once a week for one hour.
The other son was thin and quite underdeveloped. This second son
acknowledged that, physically speaking, he was not much of a male
specimen and decided to improve his physical appearance no matter how
difficult a task that could be.
With the loving encouragement and support of his father, the second son
enrolled in a gymnasium and started a physical fitness program which
called for eighteen hour per week work outs and a special diet which
did not include the "junk food" so appealing to the young generation.
Weeks turned into months, months into years and, after a few setbacks
-"falls"- but with his father encouragement, the second son developed a
physique which would make Michelangelo’s David look imperfect.
Which of the two sons would have the greatest admiration from his
family and friends? Which of the two sons would you employ if you
needed a reliable and persistent employee? The second son, of course!
Theology
Behind This
Think of our soul as our "spiritual body". If we are persistent in
"exercising" our souls in accordance with the teachings of Our Lord
Jesus Christ, eventually it will attain the level of perfection which
God intended it to reach. Certainly, on the way there will be falls,
temptations and discouragement but Jesus will always be there with you,
walking step by step with you, your own personal "trainer", cheering
you on and giving you the strength needed to achieve your goal.
You think of this as a fantastic made up story? Someone may even dare
to say: "Without Biblical foundation!"
Nonsense! If you look in the famous Prodigal [Lost?] Son Parable that
may be found in St. Luke, Chapter 15 verses 11 through 32 of the Holy
Bible, you will be amazed. This parable is among the most
misunderstood, and it probably contains the greatest consolation for
mankind as we journey through this veritable valley of tears which we
call "Life".
In verses 17-19 the lost son come to his senses: he has done wrong. He
is determined to go back to his father, hat in hand, so to speak, and
serve him, not as a son, but as one of his father's laborers. In verses
20 through 24 we read:
"So he got up and
went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father
caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son,
embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father I have sinned
against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your
son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest
robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his
feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate
with a feast, because this son of mine was lost, and has been found."
Here is the magnificent key: "While he was still a
long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with
compassion. He ran to his son..."
The father did not just sit around the house until his son made the
journey back home by himself, nor did he ignore his son's fall. What
the father did was "...ran to his son..." and, obviously, walked back
home with him, step by step. Home, what home? The Father's home:
Heaven, Paradise.
Courage my dear ones! Make
amends with our Father, we all make mistakes - we are all sinners. Try
to live right. Try to reach Heaven on earth, which is a Peace that only
God can give, and then supernatural Heaven after you finish your
physical life on earth. He will walk with you, step by step, as long as
it takes, and will see you home! (2)
I promise you, it
is true!
NOTES
(1) Had a Conversion of
Heart;
that is, became aware of the reality of God.
(2) Take
up your cross and follow Me!
En Español: ¡No desespere! ¡No se dé
por vencido! Es un pasito cada vez
Em Portugues: Não há razão para
desesperar nem para se dar por vencido
Originally Prepared on
September 1997. Texas, U.S.A.
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