Everyday Apostles

The Pope Podcast!

2008-05-09T09:16:00.002-05:00

Well, we've now done 45 podcasts at ChristLife! Its really amazing how many we've done - how many different people we've interviewed. This podcast is a first though. It is the first to have audio of the Pope speaking!

So, the top three reasons to listen to this podcast are-

A clip of the Pope speaking at Yankee stadium
A song by Matt Maher
Testimonies from our young adult Following Christ course at UMBC

Listen in!

Amazing testimony of disabled young man!

2008-05-08T14:41:00.002-05:00

This is really an amazing video, worth seeing. If you have anyone in your life going through suffering or who is physically disabled - this is quite an inspiration. Born with no arms or legs, Nick Vujicic gives an inspiring testimony about overcoming circumstances in one's life.

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God is on the move and is using all sorts of people in their different circumstances in powerful ways to get His message out there! This reminds me of the First Reading today, the Lord Jesus speaks to Paul and says, "Take courage. For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome" (Acts 23:11). Particularly the phrase "my cause" caught my eye - and made me think about this grand cause, this divine conspiracy that Jesus initiated to destroy sin and death in our lives - and bring us to life, peace, and confidence in Him and His plan for our lives now, and eternally. No matter our circumstances.

Nick's circumstances in the above video - and how he deals with them - and gives glory to God - is really the miracle. And in my own life it seems that it is particularly in those times of suffering where God uses us to broadcast his message of love to the world. A video I watched several months ago called the Megaphone of Hope by Christian speaker Louie Giglio - is all about this. If you have time check it out - it is powerful - and such an integral connection between suffering and evangelization.

ChristLife on EWTN

2008-05-06T09:41:00.004-05:00

Dave Nodar was asked to join Ralph Martin on The Choices We Face Show to discuss Sharing Christ, the new evangelization, and the work of ChristLife. The show sponsored by Ralph Martin of Renewal Ministries, called The Choices We Face aired on EWTN last week. And due to the amazing technology of GodTube you can now view the show below:

Part I:

Part II:

Telling the Story

2008-05-02T12:18:00.001-05:00

The other day a friend asked me to write a note to a friend of his that has no Christian background. His friend is interested in moving forward, in knowing God, knowing what Christianity and following Jesus is all about. But my friend asked me to try to offer encouragement in a way that a non-Christian would understand. Here was my stab at that... It was a wonderful exercise... that really helped me think about ways to reach outsiders with the Gospel. It also challenged me to “always be ready to make an account of the hope that lies within you.” (1 Peter) To learn how to do stuff like this, especially tell your personal story, visit http://www.christlife.org/sharefaith/SharingChrist.html

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Well, we are clearly more than a collection of meaningless material elements. We have dignity, our lives have meaning. This to me seems obvious when I really reflect on life. I love living, I love the adventure, I love to love others and to be loved. I love to get out into nature and the mountains and get some fresh air. Something is transcendent about it. All cultures speak of this clearly. We are more than just material elements. And if our lives have meaning than Someone has personally created each one of us for a purpose. We have purpose- to love and to be loved.

Our creator gave us the option, unlike animals, to be free, to have a mind, a will, a conscience – a “soul” in biblical language. God made us absolutely free to choose to live a life worth living – a life that connects to his purpose for our lives – a life that connects to the deepest fabric of our universe. We also have the opportunity to reject this life and choose to run our own lives – this, however, leads to “me first.” And what follows is the whole history of “sin” - putting myself and my needs before others – and even trouncing on them to meet my needs. This leads to death and separation from God and his purposes.

He could foresee this though. He first told us how to live through a people he interacted with (Israel) and he gave them a law to live by. This wasn’t sufficient. They just tried to meet the basic requirement of the law (and even make their own) and didn’t see the deep meaning behind the law. He knew this was going to happen. So he gave himself to us so completely by becoming like us, by becoming human. He gave himself to us through his Son. He sent his son to us. His Son, Jesus, showed us how to live. He was the most impressive person who ever walked this earth. He said amazing things for his times.

Since that time millions and millions of peoples all around the globe, throughout history- have found in this God-man – the ultimate meaning of there lives. He entered our space for a life-time (33 years) and he was killed by the Jewish authorities via Rome. As a God-man he chose instead of punishing his people for disobeying the law (and for killing him!) – he showed them the ultimate meaning of all things – love – by dying on a cross freely – and bearing the punishment (needed because of God’s absolute justice) of all the people’s disobedience. God raised his Son, the God-man, from the dead – and not only destroyed the power of sin, but death itself. So that for those of us who put our trust, our reliance in this God-man – Jesus who died for us and was raised from the dead – we are promised His very divine life. And it begins now! We live connected to Jesus as our life-source. And we are promised, just like him – to be raised from the dead after our death. So that we too can experience the life of God forever – in love.

God makes this very easy for people to enter into this life. He draws near to us through simply elements – bread, water, oil. Especially in water. And this is where “baptism” (being immersed) comes in. Jesus gave all his followers – his community of disciples, his Church - a powerful reality – that when we are baptized with water – we are joined to the life of Jesus –as we are immersed in the water- we are immersed in the burial of his death – and we rise out of the water – just as Jesus rose from the dead. This symbol is powerful and God promises to send his very life-force, his Spirit to give us the power to live this new divinely-connected life. And on a personal note- its awesome! What a great adventure! I have learned what life really means by being a Christian, I have learned to love, and I have a wonderful hope and joy of being connected to the source of love for all eternity.

What's happening at ChristLife?

2008-04-30T13:27:00.003-05:00

Hello! Good stuff is happening at ChristLife. Click on the picture below to read our Spring 2008 Newsletter!

If you would like to receive our newsletters by mail or by email, let us know!

Jesus Saves!

2008-04-29T12:57:00.003-05:00

"We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world." - 1 John 4:13-14

What an incredible witness to share with others the amazing things God has done in our lives and His saving power! Our friend Jen King who went through ChristLife's Discovering Christ and Following Christ courses, has a powerful story of the Lord saving her and drastically changing her life! It is such a privilege to know Jen and her story is such an inspiration to me!
To listen to her testimony click here or press play below:

ChristLife on EWTN

2008-04-28T10:47:00.004-05:00

Great news! ChristLife's director, Dave Nodar, will be on EWTN tomorrow (Tuesday) at 6pm EST. Tune in if you can!

He will be the main guest on The Choices We Face, hosted by Ralph Martin (who we just did a podcast interview with) from Renewal Ministries. Dave will be speaking on the new evangelization and the work of ChristLife. EWTN desribes Ralph's show-

Each week Ralph Martin, on his weekly television series The Choices We Face, proclaims the basic truths of Christianity. He urges repentance and faithfulness to scripture; he emphasizes the need for all to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ; he imparts the courage to stand firm over the long haul as together we cope with an increasingly secular society.

I hope you can check it out!

Drawn to the Light

2008-04-25T09:41:00.001-05:00

This is a fascinating article Chuck Colson wrote Wednesday the 23rd on why Muslims are converting to Christianity. It really is a wonderful read, pointing us to ways we can reach out to Muslims in our own neighborhoods.

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Drawn to the Light: Why Muslims Convert to Christianity
Chuck Colson

A few days ago, Fox News ran a grim special titled "Jihad USA: Confronting the Threat of Homegrown Terror." It was a warning of the continuing danger of Islamo-fascism.

The program probably deepened many Americans' fear of and hostility toward Muslims. That is unfortunate, because most Muslims are not would-be jihadists. But we Christians especially need to guard our emotions so we can be a good witness to Muslims a caution raised by Dr. Dudley Woodberry, professor of Islamic Studies at Fuller.

Woodberry, aware that throughout the world Muslims have been turning to Christ, was curious about the reasons why especially in countries where the cost of converting is so high.

To find the answer, he created a detailed questionnaire. Over a 16-year period, some 750 Muslims from 30 countries filled it out and the results are eye-opening. The number one reason Muslim converts listed for their decision to follow Christ was the lifestyle of the Christians among them.

As Woodberry, Russell Shubin, and G. Marks write in Christianity Today, Muslim converts noted that "there was no gap between the moral profession and the practice of Christians" they knew. An Egyptian convert contrasted the love shown by Christians "with the unloving treatment of Muslim students and faculty he encountered at a university in Medina." Other converts were impressed that "Christians treat women as equals" and enjoy loving marriages. And poor Muslims observed that "the expatriate Christian workers they knew had adopted, contrary to their expectations, a simple lifestyle." They wore locally made clothes and abstained from pork and alcohol, so as not to offend Muslim neighbors.

Second, converts identified "the power of God in answered prayers and healing." For instance, in North Africa, a Muslim family asked Christian neighbors to pray for a sick daughter; and then the girl recovered. Some converts "noted deliverance from demonic power as another reason they were attracted to Jesus."

Converts also mentioned unhappiness with Islam itself, especially the Koran's emphasis on God's punishment and the uncertainty of salvation. By contrast, Woodberry notes, the biblical teaching that God loved us so much that "He sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins" is deeply attractive to Muslims.

Converts are also attracted to "the love expressed through the life and teachings of Christ." Ironically, Muslims first learn about Christ through the Koran, but then read the Gospels to find out more about Him.

Finally and this is the key˜"When Christ's love transforms committed Christians into a loving community, many Muslims [identified] a desire to join such a fellowship."

Woodberry's research shows that when the Church is being the Church witnessing to the love of Christ and of His transforming power Muslims are drawn both to us and to Him.

When is the last time you welcomed a Muslim family to the neighborhood, or invited a Muslim co-worker for a cup of coffee?

Even though we are in the midst of a worldwide war against Islamo-fascism, we must never forget Christ's command to witness to our neighbors to all of our neighbors of His redeeming love.

http://www.breakpoint.org
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/october/42.80.html?start=1

Shawn McDonald

2008-04-23T11:31:00.004-05:00

Shawn McDonald is living proof of how Jesus Christ is active and working among us to "seek and to save the lost." I personally can relate to being lost in the world of sin and brokenness and despair... I think we all can to different degrees - but this story takes it to a new level. Abandoned by his parents at a young age, Shawn was lost in a world of endless raves and dealing drugs. This video shows how God busted into his life and saved him sin and hopelessness.

Shawn is now a well known Christian recording artist. He's got a great sound and authenticity to his music - I have his first album, Simply Nothing.

U.S. Papal Visit 2008!

2008-04-22T10:14:00.005-05:00

What an incredible gift of hope for our nation to experience the presence of our Holy Father! I had the honor of attending the Papal Mass in New York on April 20th. It was an inexpressible blessing to experience the Mass with Pope Benedict XVI, gathered in unity with so many Catholics to receive Christ through His vicar on earth! As a young adult, it is so impacting to have such a humble, wise and joyful Shepherd who so deeply loves the youth! Below is an excerpt from Pope Benedict XVI's homily in New York last Sunday:

Real freedom, then, is God’s gracious gift, the fruit of conversion to his truth, the truth which makes us free (cf. Jn 8:32). And this freedom in truth brings in its wake a new and liberating way of seeing reality. When we put on "the mind of Christ" (cf. Phil 2:5), new horizons open before us! In the light of faith, within the communion of the Church, we also find the inspiration and strength to become a leaven of the Gospel in the world. We become the light of the world, the salt of the earth (cf. Mt 5:13-14), entrusted with the "apostolate" of making our own lives, and the world in which we live, conform ever more fully to God’s saving plan. This magnificent vision of a world being transformed by the liberating truth of the Gospel is reflected in the description of the Church found in today’s second reading. The Apostle tells us that Christ, risen from the dead, is the keystone of a great temple which is even now rising in the Spirit. And we, the members of his body, through Baptism have become "living stones" in that temple, sharing in the life of God by grace, blessed with the freedom of the sons of God, and empowered to offer spiritual sacrifices pleasing to him (cf. 1 Pet 2:5). And what is this offering which we are called to make, if not to direct our every thought, word and action to the truth of the Gospel and to harness all our energies in the service of God’s Kingdom? Only in this way can we build with God, on the one foundation which is Christ (cf. 1 Cor 3:11). Only in this way can we build something that will truly endure. Only in this way can our lives find ultimate meaning and bear lasting fruit.

The final segment of Pope Benedict's homily was directed toward young people of America! His words are so encouraging and challenging - I hope that myself and the young people of America can truly give our hearts to Jesus and apply the words of our Holy Father to our personal lives. The closing of His homily is below:

Yesterday, not far from here, I was moved by the joy, the hope and the generous love of Christ which I saw on the faces of the many young people assembled in Dunwoodie. They are the Church’s future, and they deserve all the prayer and support that you can give them. And so I wish to close by adding a special word of encouragement to them. My dear young friends, like the seven men, "filled with the Spirit and wisdom" whom the Apostles charged with care for the young Church, may you step forward and take up the responsibility which your faith in Christ sets before you! May you find the courage to proclaim Christ, "the same, yesterday, and today and for ever" and the unchanging truths which have their foundation in him (cf. Gaudium et Spes, 10; Heb 13:8). These are the truths that set us free! They are the truths which alone can guarantee respect for the inalienable dignity and rights of each man, woman and child in our world -- including the most defenseless of all human beings, the unborn child in the mother’s womb. In a world where, as Pope John Paul II, speaking in this very place, reminded us, Lazarus continues to stand at our door (Homily at Yankee Stadium, October 2, 1979, No. 7), let your faith and love bear rich fruit in outreach to the poor, the needy and those without a voice. Young men and women of America, I urge you: open your hearts to the Lord’s call to follow him in the priesthood and the religious life. Can there be any greater mark of love than this: to follow in the footsteps of Christ, who was willing to lay down his life for his friends (cf. Jn 15:13)? In today’s Gospel, the Lord promises his disciples that they will perform works even greater than his (cf. Jn 14:12). Dear friends, only God in his providence knows what works his grace has yet to bring forth in your lives and in the life of the Church in the United States. Yet Christ’s promise fills us with sure hope. Let us now join our prayers to his, as living stones in that spiritual temple which is his one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. Let us lift our eyes to him, for even now he is preparing for us a place in his Father’s house. And empowered by his Holy Spirit, let us work with renewed zeal for the spread of his Kingdom. "Happy are you who believe!" (cf. 1 Pet 2:7). Let us turn to Jesus! He alone is the way that leads to eternal happiness, the truth who satisfies the deepest longings of every heart, and the life who brings ever new joy and hope, to us and to our world. Amen.

To get more information about Pope Benedict's visit to the United States go to Zenit News.

Call to Mission!

2008-04-17T13:09:00.009-05:00

I recently was able to speak with Ralph Martin about his conversion and the call to mission and a missionary spirituality! It was an incredible experience for me to speak with someone who is so knowledgeable about the faith - not just head knowledge but from the depths of his heart!

Ralph Martin is the President of Renewal Ministries, the host of the weekly television program The Choices We Face, has written several books on Catholicism and the saints, and works with several universities and seminaries.

In ChristLife's 44th podcast, Ralph shares about the call to mission in the Church. Also, Jen, a friend of ChristLife, shares the incredible things that God has done in her life! There is also great news about Ben Stein's new documentary called Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed .

To listen in to this podcast click here, or press play below:

Pope B16's visit to the US, get the nets ready!

2008-04-14T10:37:00.006-05:00

This week, Pope Benedict will begin his apostolic trip to the United States with celebrations and various meetings in Washington, D.C and New York City.

The theme of his visit is, Christ our Hope. And Pope Benedict's conviction is that Jesus alone can bring humanity hope.

Whenever there have been Apostolic visits, they have been times of extraordinary grace and conversion. This visit will be a time when thousands upon thousands of people will be provoked to curiosity about Jesus Christ and his Church. A window of opportunity will be presented to us. Are we prepared to respond? Are you ready to put down the nets(Luke 5)?

I would like to encourage each of us to continue praying for Pope Benedict's mission and for personal opportunities to share with others! This visit is Apostolic. The Lord is sending the Holy Father to proclaim Jesus! And as disciples of the Lord we are entrusted with helping those who are asking questions, who are moved in their hearts with the questions of life, to serve them in knowing the reason for our hope, Jesus Christ.

May the Lord Jesus bring many to new life in him, and to a place of welcome and support in our parishes.

Be Pre-prayered and ready to help others to come to know the love of God we know in Jesus our Lord!

Lord God, we ask you to bless Pope Benedict's apostolic journey to the US. May it be a time of renewed hope and life changing encounter with you, for millions. And may we your people be ready to answer peoples questions. Give us opportunities to share your love with others. In Jesus' holy name and in the power of your Spirit we pray, Amen!

Ben Stein's Documentary

2008-04-13T15:36:00.008-05:00

Ben Stein's controversial documentary, Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, about the possibility of an intelligent designer who created the universe (i.e. God) is coming to theaters this weekend! He interviews scientists who have lost their careers and reputations for questioning the theory of Darwinism and suggesting that, scientifically, there may be evidence of an superior intelligent being who created the universe. Ben Stein shows how the theory of Darwinism is infiltrating the media, the courtrooms, school systems and society in general. Freedom of speech is impeded on those who point out the flaws in this theory. If you would like more information on this documentary or to find it in theaters near you click here, and check out the trailer below:

Discovering Christ Session 2

2008-04-10T13:07:00.006-05:00

"Draw near to God and he will draw near to you." James 4:8

God makes this promise to us, and if we take that first step and seek Him, He will give us all we need. Last night we had the second Discovering Christ course at OLPH. Dave Nodar gave a talk about the person of Jesus Christ and who He is in our lives. He opened up scripture and gave examples of the many signs and wonders Jesus worked and how his disciples and followers were so amazed that they were continuously exclaiming, "who is this man!" That is the very question that everyone in my small group was asking themselves last night, who is Jesus Christ in my life? It's a question worth pondering.
One point Dave Nodar made that really hit home for me was that our faith is about a personal relationship with Christ much more than belief in some doctrine. We must first ask ourselves the same question that Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" (Matthew 16:15-17), then doctrine and everything else can follow.

Please continue to pray for every person that attends this course that we may all accept Jesus into our hearts and lives and believe with our whole being that He is our Lord!

Charisms at Following Christ

2008-04-07T14:30:00.004-05:00

The Following Christ course we've been running at UMBC has been going very well. This is our second pilot course that is still in production phase. The first Following Christ course we did as after the St. Agnes young adult Discovering Christ course.

At UMBC we've been teaming up with Fr. Richard Gray, MSA and the Newman Club to help a group of 12-15 students grow as followers of Jesus. Each night we combine praise and worship, testimonies and teachings on Christian discipleship, small group discussion and fellowship. Thus far its gone very well. We are all learning so much and growing in our love for Jesus! The topics touched in this course include: an overview of discipleship, personal prayer, Scripture, guidance, the sacramental life of a disciple, the charism, the world the flesh and the devil (2), & evangelization.

Anyway, last night's topic was the charisms (or gifts of the Holy Spirit). Fr. Rich's friend, Kate, gave the talk and it was superb. She talked all about the gifts, the fruits, and the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit. This was the real focus.
Anyway, following her talk we spent time praying for the gifts and worshiping God using these gifts. One gift several people received was the gift of tongues! After I finished worship we asked if anyone had anything to share and one guy, kind of stunned, said, "wow, this is so crazy, but I was speaking in tongues..." A second later another young adult exclaimed the same thing!

It was really really awesome - because all of the openness to the gifts - just opened us even more to God's great love for us and allowed us to express our love to Him. It was a wonderful time that brought us all closer to God and one another.

In my own life the first time I remember speaking to God in "tongues" was during an extended time of worship I was really "caught in the presence" of God and experientially felt His great love for me. I began to respond to him in prayer and I ran out of words and I realized I was speaking in tongues! What a beautiful gift of love to the Lord!

Unfortunately the charisms tend to be undervalued by many Catholics and we choose to say "no" to the Holy Spirit. I sure have done this in the past! Anyway, point being - we often haven't adequately received formation in this area and even more seldom is - seeing these gifts used!

For those not familiar with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, you can read about them in Acts 2, 1 Corinthians 12 or for an excellent introduction - on Page 12 of the Fall 2006 issue of Pentecost Today (PDF) or checkout this link which includes lots of articles on the charismatic renewal and the specific charisms.

The last three popes have begun to talk more about the charisms, and now it is more normal to hear about priests and even bishops involved with the Charismatic Renewal.

Matt Maher and the New Evangelization

2008-04-03T13:39:00.005-05:00

I had the privilege of speaking with Matt Maher recently about the New Evangelization and the role of the Blessed Mother. It was great to hear his reflections about how humility and smallness are the foundation of evangelization, and Mary is our model! ChristLife's 43rd podcast, includes his reflections and a discussion about his new album Empty and Beautiful.

Also on this podcast is a song from Empty and Beautiful called "Great Things" about Mary's Magnificat, and some catching up with ChristLife's previous intern Chad about his experiences in the seminary.

You can listen to this new podcast here, or press play below:

Discovering Christ Session 1

2008-04-03T10:27:00.005-05:00

“It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.”
- St Paul to the Ephesians 1: 11-12, The Message translation

We began the Discovering Christ course at Our Lady of Perpetual Help last night, April 2nd. Father Erik Arnold, the Pastor at OLPH, gave a talk on the meaning of life and how there's a reason why were are here. He sent out a letter to the leaders of the course to sum it up and invite prayers. The letter is below:

Dear Discovering Christ team, Thank you for making our first night such a great success! The evening flowed well, the food was great, the small group leaders did a great job, the set-up created a wonderful atmosphere, and, above all, I know that much prayer went into the night. Thank you! I believe so deeply in what we are doing and I am grateful to the Lord that you share the same desire to help others experience the Lord in a life-changing way that will also bring about renewal in our parish and Church. Next week Dave Nodar will offer the teaching as we look at the question "Why does Jesus matter?" Please continue to pray, asking the Lord to open hearts to conversion. Thank you again for your hard work and dedication! You are in my prayers
In Christ,
Fr. Arnold

All in all I'd say it was a great night - good food, songs, fellowship with our small groups, and a profound teaching! During the small group discussion the Associate Pastor, Fr. Larry Adamczyk, went to the Church and prayed for each of the leaders by name. Prayers are definitely the power behind this course, please keep us in your prayers!

Search engine worth knowing about

2008-04-03T09:22:00.003-05:00

If you have a question about the faith and you are sick of spending extra time rummaging through secular search engines to find what you are looking for, try this new Catholic search engine called "Faith Knowledge". This site was developed by Peter Berners-Lee, who is a freelance consultant in theology, science and technology. It has five categories to search within: Bible, Catechism, Councils, Popes, and Summa. You can type in a search word or phrase and specify the category to find specific, authoritative documents on Catholic teaching and scripture.

Below is a picture of Peter who developed this site:

This is a great resource to take advantage of! Thank you Peter for working so diligently to make this available to the public.

Reflections on the Modern World and the Call to Holiness

2008-03-29T08:32:00.002-05:00

Let us take a moment to survey the contemporary world and see if we can get our heads and hearts into an active engagement with the witness of the Christian faith under these circumstances. At the heart of many of the current debates between the Church and the world (social policy, ethics and science, etc) there lies the tension of the pursuit of the good and the evil that "must" be done. We all seem to desire good living in this world, but we must ask what does this mean, and what are its implications? Over the last 500 years, we have been ever so gradually indoctrinated into a worldview in which we are at war with nature--ever so constantly fighting for our right for survival in such a hostile and unforgiving place. And our response? Science and technology will save us--we have everything we need to secure our estate in this world, just forget about religion and work for the utopia that lies at our fingertips.

At this point, perhaps we should ask if we can really save ourselves, and what does it really mean to be saved? At the depth of the human person, Fulton Sheen wrote that our deepest needs and desires are for infinite truth, infinite love, and infinite life. Can we, mere men, ever satisfy our noble longings with such weak and innocuous "treatments" as perpetual entertainment and glorified selfishness? Can we ever hope to conquer death with our own power, knowing that we will die before that is accomplished?

Just consider, perhaps the world isn't so hostile and unforgiving as we might think. Perhaps death really isn't the greatest evil in the world--maybe it is a necessary part of our growth. And ultimately, might this wonderful universe of which we are privileged to be a part have a generous and benevolent creator who has entered into the drama our our existence to illuminate our condition and fulfill our deepest needs and desires?

Here is a bold proposition to all who are wondering about the deepest meaning of your existence. Consider the drama of the Incarnation of Jesus as God speaking to you in a beautiful mystery that answers those deepest longings: the yearning for truth, because Jesus has taken the greatest mystery, that of suffering and death, into himself and revealed the Resurrection; the yearning for love, because only a heart of unimaginable depth and benevolence could ever love tax collectors and prostitutes, and forgive his own executioners; the yearning for life, because once freed of the fears and insecurities surrounding the necessary event of our own death, we can truly live in the freedom of love. Take the risk of faith, and follow your wildest hopes and dreams into the ultimate reality they bespeak!

Missionary of Jesus’ Resurrection in Turkmenistan

2008-03-27T13:00:00.011-05:00

A dear friend of ChristLife’s, Hana Simcikova – a young woman from Slovakia – wrote us an update on her missionary work in Turkmenistan. Her work is very inspiring. She first came across ChristLife during training Dave Nodar was doing in Eastern Europe during the 1990s. We met up with her in 2007 in Slovakia – and Pete also had the chance to interview her for a podcast on her missionary work.

Here is her letter:

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"'There is no need for you to be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
He is not here, for he has risen, as he said he would. Come and see the place where he lay, then go quickly and tell his disciples, "He has risen from the dead and now he is going ahead of you to Galilee; that is where you will see him." Look! I have told you.'
Filled with awe and great joy the women came quickly away from the tomb and ran to tell his disciples." (Mt 28)

Dear friends!

Almost a year ago I was writing to ask for your help with the Turkmenistan mission.

First of all, I want to say THANK YOU! Thanks so much to every one of you for your prayers, thoughts, financial support, emails, greetings, and every kind of support that helped us to serve in Turkmenistan last year. You have a special place in all that is going on in that country, and in the small Catholic community there.

The Catholic Church in Turkmenistan still lives underground.
During this mission we were able to meet many more native Turkmen people then during our first mission. We were blessed through those simple, mostly Islamic, people who were open to talking about God; they are so thirsty for His love and presence. We prayed together with them and they were touched by the Father's love through our Lord Jesus! Hope and peace changed their desperation. Their simple and joyful testimonies about Gods miracles strengthened our faith.

In two years, since our last mission, many things are still the same in Turkmenistan. There are still just two catholic priests for the whole country. However, there are many changes – much more people are coming every day, coming to hear about Jesus, seeking His love and help, ready to give Him their all. Mostly they are poor people who suffered a lot in their lives. When they come to Jesus they are blessed by His forgiveness, deep healing and new life in Him! We prayed over them almost every day and we led all the meetings for catechumens, youth and kids, which was so helpful for the priests. We also prepared simple evangelization training, where we taught them how to proclaim the Good News. We saw how the first small prayer group was born--just a few people who want to worship Jesus, and serve others by intercessory prayer.

The Priests also sent us to other places in Turkmenistan, where we spent some time with people sharing Gods love with them. More and more people were coming every day, hungry for His word which many of them heard for the first time in their lives. Their desire for more priests and missionaries in their towns didn't surprise us.

We could see the big gift of God that we have at home– daily Mass and Holy Communion especially.

I personally was especially touched by the warm-heartedness, kindness and hospitality of the poorest people in the village called Arzuw. They told us things like: "If I didn't meet you two years ago, today I would be addicted to heroine and I would also sell it as the rest of my family does." "We know, God has sent you to us – just for me!" – told with thankful heart.

I also met a woman at the market place, whom I had promised two years ago that I would come back. Her first reaction when she saw me at the same place was: "Ooooo – she came!" and invitation she invited us to visit her house. I could write a book about that meeting. Their clear eyes spoke about clear hearts, which we could also visit. In the family, everyone works from the sunrise to the late night. Love, respect and care are given to each other in all small situations, where members of that Islamic family speak so nice about each other, pray together and have God among them – it is a small (or big?) miracle in that nation.
We had a very nice time with the youth during retreats we prepared for them. Their testimonies among their friends and schoolmates bears fruit, and more and more youth came later to the meetings, to pray together, to hear Gods word, or just to play together.

We wouldn't have been able to do any of this without you!

When I was on the plane going into Turkmenistan, I saw a desert named Kara-Kum from above. It looked like a lot of small rivers, or water sources but they were empty and dry. I was thinking about the land, which is ready, rivers which are waiting for water, water which will bring the life to that land. And a prayer grew up in my heart – giving thanks to God and asking Him for living waters of His presence and love to flood this country.

I apologize I haven't updated you about our mission in Turkmenistan earlier. Thank God for these last months. They were full of challenges. I was working on my dissertation, our mission in Turkmenistan was very intense, coming back home I defended my PhD, and started my new job, so I can make some money, pay my loans, and go back to Turkmenistan as soon as possible.

Please, pray for Turkmenistan, pray for the priests. Pray for those, who are going to be baptized tonight; pray for more missionaries in that country; pray for us to be ready to give our time, money and all lives to that mission when Jesus calls us again. I hope that time will come soon!
Lord Jesus, we thank You for the free given gift of being a part of that mission, for every miracle of healing, deliverance and conversion. Thank You for your faithfulness, for your favor, and that we can come personally closer to You!

I wish you a blessed Easter. May your Easter season be filled with the grace and love of Our Risen Savior!

Hana Simcikova (in the black shirt in the above picture)
Slovakia

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Isn’t that an awesome testimony of how our Risen Lord is still using his Church to accomplish his great mission to save souls! If you would like to donate to Hana’s work or get on her update email list – please contact us

God is doing a mighty work among Muslims!

2008-03-26T12:17:00.005-05:00

Muslims need to hear the good news of Jesus, our LORD and Savior!

Jesus wants all people to know the forgiveness of sins and the power of the Holy Spirit to give us new life in the loving embrace of God the Father! And the Holy Spirit is working among Muslim people in a very revolutionary way, to bring them to the knowledge of the love of God the Father through the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God! It is a fact! One that we should pay attention to and pray for!

I am including two excellent articles that appeared within days of one another. Take the time to read and pray about both! The first is a letter from a Muslim journalist who was baptized by Pope Benedict at the Easter Vigil. The letter is courageous and inspiring. It should provoke us to an eagerness to share the love of Christ with our Muslim friends. The second article is by Chuck Colson, which highlights the significant numbers of Muslims who are converting to Christianity.

I would also encourage you to listen to ChristLife’s podcast with a Muslim convert to Christ, who shares some practical advice for sharing Christ with Muslims.

Magdi Allam’s conversion to Christ and the Catholic Church
Pope Benedict joyfully baptized seven people from five countries: Italy, Cameroon, China, the United States and Peru, during Saturday’s Easter Vigil Mass.

Among those being baptized was Magdi Allam, a well known journalist who is deputy director of Corriere della Sera, one of Italy’s largest and oldest newspapers. Allam who was originally from Egypt, has lived in Italy for almost 35 years. More significant for many is the fact that Mr. Allam converted from Islam.

Explaining what led the Pope to administer baptism to the journalist, Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said, “For the Catholic Church, every person who asks to receive baptism after a deep personal search, a completely free choice and adequate preparation, has the right to receive it.”

The day Mr. Allam became a Catholic was the most beautiful day of his life, according to the Muslim journalist who received the sacraments of initiation by Benedict XVI at Saturday's Easter Vigil Mass. Here is a translation of Magdi Allam’s account of his conversion to Catholicism.

* * *
Dear Friends,

I am particularly happy to share with you my immense joy for this Easter of Resurrection that has brought me the gift of the Christian faith. I gladly propose the letter that I sent to the director of the Corriere della Sera, Paolo Mieli, in which I tell the story of the interior journey that brought me to the choice of conversion to Catholicism. This is the complete version of the letter, which was published by the Corriere della Sera only in part.

Dear Director,
That which I am about to relate to you concerns my choice of religious faith and personal life in which I do not wish to involve in any way the Corriere della Sera, which it has been an honor to be a part of as deputy director “ad personam” since 2003. I write you thus as protagonist of the event, as private citizen.

Yesterday evening I converted to the Christian Catholic religion, renouncing my previous Islamic faith. Thus, I finally saw the light, by divine grace -- the healthy fruit of a long, matured gestation, lived in suffering and joy, together with intimate reflection and conscious and manifest expression. I am especially grateful to his holiness Pope Benedict XVI, who imparted the sacraments of Christian initiation to me, baptism, confirmation and Eucharist, in the Basilica of St. Peter’s during the course of the solemn celebration of the Easter Vigil. And I took the simplest and most explicit Christian name: “Cristiano.” Since yesterday evening therefore my name is Magdi Crisitano Allam.

For me it is the most beautiful day of [my] life. To acquire the gift of the Christian faith during the commemoration of Christ’s resurrection by the hand of the Holy Father is, for a believer, an incomparable and inestimable privilege. At almost 56 […], it is a historical, exceptional and unforgettable event, which marks a radical and definitive turn with respect to the past. The miracle of Christ’s resurrection reverberated through my soul, liberating it from the darkness in which the preaching of hatred and intolerance in the face of the “different,” uncritically condemned as “enemy,” were privileged over love and respect of “neighbor,” who is always, an in every case, “person”; thus, as my mind was freed from the obscurantism of an ideology that legitimates lies and deception, violent death that leads to murder and suicide, the blind submission to tyranny, I was able to adhere to the authentic religion of truth, of life and of freedom.

On my first Easter as a Christian I not only discovered Jesus, I discovered for the first time the face of the true and only God, who is the God of faith and reason. My conversion to Catholicism is the touching down of a gradual and profound interior meditation from which I could not pull myself away, given that for five years I have been confined to a life under guard, with permanent surveillance at home and a police escort for my every movement, because of death threats and death sentences from Islamic extremists and terrorists, both those in and outside of Italy.

I had to ask myself about the attitude of those who publicly declared fatwas, Islamic juridical verdicts, against me -- I who was a Muslim -- as an “enemy of Islam,” “hypocrite because he is a Coptic Christian who pretends to be a Muslim to do damage to Islam,” “liar and vilifier of Islam,” legitimating my death sentence in this way. I asked myself how it was possible that those who, like me, sincerely and boldly called for a “moderate Islam,” assuming the responsibility of exposing themselves in the first person in denouncing Islamic extremism and terrorism, ended up being sentenced to death in the name of Islam on the basis of the Quran. I was forced to see that, beyond the contingency of the phenomenon of Islamic extremism and terrorism that has appeared on a global level, the root of evil is inherent in an Islam that is physiologically violent and historically conflictive.

At the same time providence brought me to meet practicing Catholics of good will who, in virtue of their witness and friendship, gradually became a point of reference in regard to the certainty of truth and the solidity of values. [Here Mr. Allam sites many Catholics who were witnesses to him. See full article for their names.]

But undoubtedly the most extraordinary and important encounter in my decision to convert was that with Pope Benedict XVI, whom I admired and defended as a Muslim for his mastery in setting down the indissoluble link between faith and reason as a basis for authentic religion and human civilization, and to whom I fully adhere as a Christian to inspire me with new light in the fulfillment of the mission God has reserved for me.

Mine was a journey that began when at four years old, my mother Safeya -- a believing and practicing Muslim -- in the first in the series of “fortuitous events” that would prove to be not at all the product of chance but rather an integral part of a divine destiny to which all of us have been assigned -- entrusted me to the loving care of Sister Lavinia of the Comboni Missionary Sisters, convinced of the goodness of the education that would be imparted by the Catholic and Italian religious, who had come to Cairo, the city of my birth, to witness to their Christian faith through a work aimed at the common good. I thus began an experience of life in boarding school, followed by the Salesians of the Institute of Don Bosco in junior high and high school, which transmitted to me not only the science of knowledge but above all the awareness of values.

It is thanks to members of Catholic religious orders that I acquired a profoundly and essentially an ethical conception of life, in which the person created in the image and likeness of God is called to undertake a mission that inserts itself in the framework of a universal and eternal design directed toward the interior resurrection of individuals on this earth and the whole of humanity on the day of judgment, which is founded on faith in God and the primacy of values, which is based on the sense of individual responsibility and on the sense of duty toward the collective. It is in virtue of a Christian education and of the sharing of the experience of life with Catholic religious that I cultivated a profound faith in the transcendent dimension and also sought the certainty of truth in absolute and universal values.

There was a time when my mother’s loving presence and religious zeal brought me closer to Islam, which I occasionally practiced at a cultural level and in which I believed at a spiritual level according to an interpretation that at the time -- it was the 1970s -- summarily corresponded to a faith respectful of persons and tolerant toward the neighbor, in a context -- that of the Nasser regime -- in which the secular principle of the separation of the religious sphere and the secular sphere prevailed.

My father Muhammad was completely secular and agreed with the opinion of the majority of Egyptians who took the West as a model in regard to individual freedom, social customs and cultural and artistic fashions, even if the political totalitarianism of Nasser and the bellicose ideology of Pan-Arabism that aimed at the physical elimination of Israel unfortunately led to disaster for Egypt and opened the way to the resumption of Pan-Islamism, to the ascent of Islamic extremists to power and the explosion of globalized Islamic terrorism.
The long years at school allowed me to know Catholicism well and up close and the women and men who dedicated their life to serve God in the womb of the Church. Already then I read the Bible and the Gospels and I was especially fascinated by the human and divine figure of Jesus. I had a way to attend Holy Mass and it also happened, only once, that I went to the altar to receive communion. It was a gesture that evidently signaled my attraction to Christianity and my desire to feel a part of the Catholic religious community.
Then, on my arrival in Italy at the beginning of the 1970s between the rivers of student revolts and the difficulties of integration, I went through a period of atheism understood as a faith, which nevertheless was also founded on absolute and universal values. I was never indifferent to the presence of God even if only now I feel that the God of love, of faith and reason reconciles himself completely with the patrimony of values that are rooted in me.
Dear Director, you asked me whether I fear for my life, in the awareness that conversion to Christianity will certainly procure for me yet another, and much more grave, death sentence for apostasy. You are perfectly right. I know what I am headed for but I face my destiny with my head held high, standing upright and with the interior solidity of one who has the certainty of his faith. And I will be more so after the courageous and historical gesture of the Pope, who, as soon has he knew of my desire, immediately agreed to personally impart the Christian sacraments of initiation to me. His Holiness has sent an explicit and revolutionary message to a Church that until now has been too prudent in the conversion of Muslims, abstaining from proselytizing in majority Muslim countries and keeping quiet about the reality of converts in Christian countries. Out of fear. The fear of not being able to protect converts in the face of their being condemned to death for apostasy and fear of reprisals against Christians living in Islamic countries. Well, today Benedict XVI, with his witness, tells us that we must overcome fear and not be afraid to affirm the truth of Jesus even with Muslims.

For my part, I say that it is time to put an end to the abuse and the violence of Muslims who do not respect the freedom of religious choice. In Italy there are thousands of converts to Islam who live their new faith in peace. But there are also thousands of Muslim converts to Christianity who are forced to hide their faith out of fear of being assassinated by Islamic extremists who lurk among us. By one of those “fortuitous events” that evoke the discreet hand of the Lord, the first article that I wrote for the Corriere on Sept. 3, 2003 was entitled “The new Catacombs of Islamic Converts.” It was an investigation of recent Muslim converts to Christianity in Italy who decry their profound spiritual and human solitude in the face of absconding state institutions that do not protect them and the silence of the Church itself. Well, I hope that the Pope’s historical gesture and my testimony will lead to the conviction that the moment has come to leave the darkness of the catacombs and to publicly declare their desire to be fully themselves. If in Italy, in our home, the cradle of Catholicism, we are not prepared to guarantee complete religious freedom to everyone, how can we ever be credible when we denounce the violation of this freedom elsewhere in the world? I pray to God that on this special Easter he give the gift of the resurrection of the spirit to all the faithful in Christ who have until now been subjugated by fear. Happy Easter to everyone.

Dear friends, let us go forward on the way of truth, of life and of freedom with my best wishes for every success and good thing.

Magdi Allam

'They Want Jesus Instead' - Why Muslims Convert

In church yesterday, as you celebrated Easter, did you notice anything or anyone unusual?
In churches all over the world, there were millions of people celebrating the resurrection of Christ, who were not there just a few years ago because they were worshipping in a mosque instead.

It is thrilling evidence that God is doing a mighty work among Muslims.

According to the website Islam Watch, in Russia, some two million ethnic Muslims converted to Christianity last year. Ten thousand French Muslims converted, as did 35,000 Turkish Muslims. In India, approximately 10,000 people abandoned Islam for Christianity.

In his book Epicenter, author Joel Rosenberg details amazing stories of Muslims converting to Christianity. In Algeria, the birthplace of St. Augustine, more than 80,000 Muslims have turned to Christ in recent years. This, despite the stiff opposition from Islamic clerics who have passed laws banning evangelism.

In Morocco, newspaper articles openly worry that 25,000 to 40,000 Muslims have become followers of Christ in recent years.

The stories are even more amazing in the heart of the Middle East. In 1996, the Egyptian Bible Society sold just 3,000 video copies of the JESUS film. In the year 2000, they sold an incredible 600,000 copies.

In Sudan, as many as five million Muslims have accepted Christ since the early 1990s, despite horrific persecution of Christians by the Sudanese government. What is behind the mass conversions? According to a Sudanese evangelical leader, "People have seen real Islam, and they want Jesus instead."

In Iraq, "More than 5,000 Muslim converts to Christianity have been identified since the end of major combat operations," says Islam Watch. And just a few days ago, the first-ever Roman Catholic church was consecrated in Qatar, a Sunni Muslim state where the Wahhabi brand of Islam is practiced. This was the first time Christians in Qatar have been allowed to practice their faith openly. Ten thousand people attended the opening mass.

These conversions have not escaped the notice of Islamic leaders. In 2001, Sheik Ahmad Al Qatanni, a leading Saudi cleric, delivered the disturbing news on Al-Jazeera: Every day, he said, "16,000 Muslims convert to Christianity . . . every year, that is six million Muslims becoming Christians . . . A tragedy has happened." It is possible the sheik was inflating high numbers to incite a reaction against Christianity. But clearly, something is happening.

How thrilling to learn that so many Muslims have been set free from the chains of their sins˜just as you and I have˜by the power of Christ's blood! We must pray for these new brothers and sisters; many are being violently persecuted for their new-found faith.
These millions of conversions give us one more reason to rejoice this Easter season. Yes, we may be in a great clash of civilizations; battling Islamic-extremists who threaten to kill us. And the future may at times look bleak. But never despair: God is on His throne, bringing people into His kingdom from the very heart of Islam.

In Closing:

At this time when we rejoice in our Lord’s victory over sin and death, may we pray for the Muslim people and ask the Holy Spirit to give us opportunities to share the good news of our Lord’s mercy and grace with them!

"Lord Jesus, we praise and thank you for your cross and resurrection. We thank you that you are the Savior of the world. We pray for our Muslim friends to come to know the love of the Father and life changing power of your Holy Spirit as they turn to you to receive grace and mercy that you freely give to all who ask. And we thank you for the joy of allowing us to know you and make you known to all! Amen, Alleluia!"

Interview with Matt Maher

2008-03-20T10:42:00.003-05:00

Earlier this week, Christy and I had the great privilege of interviewing Matt Maher who is a leading Catholic-Christian singer/songwriter/worship leader. An awesome, down-to-earth guy.
This interview is now our latest podcast, Podcast 42. Listen below to his conversion story, how he fell in love with Jesus, a song from his new album Empty and Beautiful, and some great wisdom on being a worship leader (plus the usual news and updates from what's happening at ChristLife!).

An Easter Message

2008-03-20T10:29:00.003-05:00

A friend of ChristLife's, Lilian Schmid from Australia, sent the following testimony to me about her background as a Lebanese Christian - and how we as Christians should be more united - especially at Easter as we celebrate together Jesus Christ's resurrection. Inspiring!

I was born in Beirut, at the age of 13 the civil war of Lebanon broke in 1975. Our shelter was the small living room where many of our neighbours and relatives use to gather to feel safe and protection. Young high school Christian students left their school, Christian students left their universities to join the Christian Militia to fight Muslims. It was a nasty war, I won’t go in details because I hate politics. I didn’t have a happy teen age years, war affected everything, I remember my father use to travel under the bombs, to feed a family of 4, my mother, myself the eldest, my sister and my brother. My parents were always under stress and fear but what kept us going was faith. Being Christian Lebanese means our culture is based on our religion. So in Lebanon we have 2 cultures the Christian and the Muslim Cultures.

I was lucky because our school was not far from home. Finishing high school, money was an issue during the war and many like me didn’t have the chance to go to uni but to start working at early age to earn money to take their burden off their parents. So I was lucky to start work experience at Beirut Ryad Bank in Beirut CBD at the age of 17. I’ve grown up in a very restrictive Catholic Lebanese family; also Lebanese parents are very protective over their children.

Working in a bank at the age of 17 gave me confidence to meet bank managers, CEO, customers and know at early age how to interact with business people. But the only thing I had to keep to myself is my religion identity, because Beirut CBD was a city on fire at the time. The first week my mother use to travel with me and in the afternoon I may find someone coming to the Christian area who would give me a lift.

Prayers always were on my lips traveling everyday from the Christian area to the Muslim area to work. Many other Lebanese did the same. I worked only 6 moths in Beirut CBD and I did ask for a transfer but the problem they need more people in the city then other branches, because Muslim employees occupied the branches in the Muslim area and the Christian employees occupied the branches in the Christian areas.

I had always a cross around my neck but it was always hidden and once I am in the Christian area I would pull it out.

M parents suggested that I start finding work close to home due to the war situation and they were scared if I would be trapped one day in the other area. It was an adventure at the time and I couldn’t believe that I did it. So what kept me going? And who protected me? It was JESUS. MY FAITH WAS SO STRONG. THAT’S WHY NOW; NOTHING MATTERS TO ME BECAUSE I HAVE FAITH IN HIM WHO KEPT ME ALIVE DURING THE WAR.

I decided to go back to college and study Accounting. So I took evening classes and I was teaching languages in the morning in a Catholic School near by. I met wonderful teachers through my teaching years and we use to share our faith and because it is one Christian community, we all know each other and what we believe. Sometimes Catholics picks on Orthodox or vies versa but we never hated each other.

IN FACT ALL CHRISTIANS IN LEBANON STOOD WITH EACH OTHER (PROTESTANT, CATHOLIC, ORTHODOX) AGAINST THE MUSLIMS. HERE IN THE WEST WE PICK ON EACH OTHER AND WE JUDGE EACH OTHER. WHEN YOU FACE DANGER, YOU FORGET WHAT YOUR DENOMINATION IS, YOU ONLY THINK, THAT YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN AND YOU HAVE TO DEFEND YOUR FAITH.

I HAVE SEEN PEOPLE BEEN KILLED AT THE FRONT OF MY EYES, I HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO DIED TO DEFEND OUR EXISTENCE AS CHRISTIANS IN LEBANON AND YET, I FEEL VERY SHOCKED HERE IN AUSTRALIA TO SEE PEOPLE BECOMING AGGRESSIVE AND JEALOUS FROM EACH OTHER AND THEY WANT TO GRAB EACH OTHER’S TITLE OR POSITION AND THEY SAY:” GOD WANTS ME TO DO THIS AND THAT”

I SAY TO THIS PEOPLE GROW UP. WHAT WE DO AS CHRISTIAN IS WE DO GOD’S WILL; IT IS HIS WILL NOT OURS AND IF WE DO ANY MINISTRY, IT IS HIS MINISTRY.

Unfortunately, Lebanese People who were born in Australian don’t know exactly how much Lebanese in Lebanon suffered. And yes we are very educated and we have very intellectual people who achieved PhDs, Master, and degrees, even the war hit their homes and their parents died either from cancer of bombs or stress, or poverty.

I came to Australian in 1991, I studied hard to achieve something I couldn’t achieve in Lebanon, I was lucky to come here and I thank my God for Australia, it is a great nation, be grateful guys.

To start with 1992 I worked as a machine operator at Sydney Institute of Technology and then from 1994 to 1996 I became a Second Officer in Charge in the Payroll Section. I always shared my love of the Lord and how he saved us to come to Australia.

In 1995 I met my wonderful husband Bjorn and through him I learned not to hate other religions but to love them and pray for them. I have lots of experience in the workplace and I know people from executive to cleaners and to me they are the same. Jesus loves us all the same, and he died for us all.

Maybe the cleaner one day will have a higher place in heaven and the executive will be the last. So be humble and let the light of Christ shine on you and then It will shine on others as well.

Brothers and sisters at this time of Easter let us look and feel the suffering of Christ and remember that He died because He loved us. So let’s love one another and put our hate aside

HAPPY EASTER TO YOU ALL!

Lilian and her husband Bjorn work for a Christian group in Australia called Australian Marketplace Connections focused on helping Christians in the marketplace network and together build the Kingdom of God.

Lenten Retreat!

2008-03-14T08:11:00.007-05:00

"The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." - Mark 6:30-31

Sometimes in ministry it's easy to become caught up in all the work that needs to be done that we don't make enough time to rest and simply be in Christ's presence. We can't give what we don't have ourselves, and even the Apostles went into solitude with Jesus to rest and regain their strength for their mission.

I am so blessed that I am working for an Apostolate that places the greatest emphasis on each person's individual relationship with Christ. From that relationship and the power of the Holy Spirit, the "work" of the ministry flows. As a ministry, ChristLife's staff begin each work day with prayer and praise to God and every year we take two retreats - for Advent and Lent. We recently had our Lenten retreat and it was such an amazing time of refocusing on the Lord and His love, and quieting our souls so that we could listen to His direction in our lives and in our ministry! We were able to use the lovely Franciscan Friary grounds for the retreat, and enjoy the beauty of the Lord in His creation!

One of the things we meditated on during the retreat was a Lenten sermon by Fr. Cantalamessa entitled, "Crucified through weakness, Christ lives through the power of God." It was great being able to reflect on that sermon and allow it to resonate in our hearts, and then discuss it as brothers and sisters in Christ. The part of the sermon that really struck me was when Fr Cantalamessa said "God's weakness is therefore caused by his love for man. What a sorrow it is [for God] to impotently stand while a loved one destroys himself with his own hands." This made me see the love and compassion of God in a whole new light. It amazed me to imagine that God would allow himself to be weak out of love for us. It is by giving us free will that He must stand helplessly and watch us fall, and this fall so greatly wounded God's heart that He allowed himself to become weak "taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearence, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:7-8). Thank you Lord for the becoming weak to show us the debth of your love for us!

Fr. Cantalamessa also comments on Jesus' cry to His Father when he says, "Father forgive them!" Fr. Cantalamessa that these are the most powerful words ever uttered! As we enter into this Holy Week I hope we can reflect on these mighty words of love from our savior that saved us from sin and death!