scripture Archives - Shepherd of Faith

Vanity of vanities, it’s all vanity! Heard this verse proclaimed yesterday and just thought it was so poignant I had to share. Think of it as a reminder that nothing in this life is forever, that nothing in this life is as important as a relationship with Jesus and what He promised us. It’s also a reminder in the current world that “nothing is new under the sun.”

Vanity of vanities, say Qoheleth, vanity of vanities! All things are vanity! What profit has man from all the labor which he toils at under the sun?” One generation passes and another comes, but the world forever stays. The sun rises and the sun goes down; then it presses on to the place where it rises. Blowing now toward the south, then toward the north, the wind turns again and again, resuming its rounds. All rivers go to the sea, yet never does the sea become full. To the place where they go, the rivers keep on going. All speech is labored; there is nothing man can say. The eye is not satisfied with seeing nor is the ear filled with hearing. What has been, that will be; what has been done, that will be done. Nothing is new under the sun. Even the thing of which we say, “See, this is new!” has already existed in the ages that preceded us. There is no remembrance of the men of old, nor of those to come will there be any remembrance among those who come after them. Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 NAB.

God Bless you!

Shake it off!

Shake it off! That’s what I say to those who feel spiritually depleted. I’m there often. No shame. Sometimes I’m on fire! I’m inspired to write often, I have a constant smile on my face, I want to do everything I can to please the Lord. I pray a lot, I attend mass often, I meditate and it’s as if all is right with the world. I have time for everything, all goes according to plan and even things I didn’t expect or plan come to pass. But then there are times, like these past few months, that are trying on my soul. In a nut shell, I’ve been distracted – I’ve felt unable to quiet my mind, my patience has worn thin, I’m easily angered – there’s a sense of “fogginess” in my brain, a loss of clarity and focus. In my quest for holiness I recognize my “one step forward, two steps back” and I am disappointed at myself for falling short, then I recognize the pride implicit in that thought. So I SHAKE IT OFF! My God understands my humanness and He is constantly working within me, so I need not fret. It’s all a part of His plan – the grace filled moments, the blessings AND the stumbling blocks.

As I mentioned earlier, these past few months have been trying. At times I have felt as if God were afar off. However, when I focus and “slap myself back into reality” what I realize is He wasn’t afar off at all, I was! I was off balance. My normal routine for many years now has been to attend mass, meditate and read Sacred Scripture, daily. However, for some reason, in my distraction and spiritual laziness I had changed my routine. Even my eating habits had changed. Once I realized what I was missing, why I was off balance and started my routine again, my outlook changed. I am certain that in addition to eating right, I need to meditate, I need to devour the Word, I need to receive Christ in the Eucharist as often as possible. All these things are what keep me focused, they are what bring me joy, they are what give me peace. Just as it takes time to get off balance, to lose oneself in the daily obligations of life, it also takes time to get back into balance – balance doesn’t come the instant you decide to regroup. Balance takes time, it takes work, it takes awareness. I’m trying to rebuild my balance now. I know I’m not all the way there yet, but I feel much better.

Do you feel “off balance?” Are you distracted? Do you feel spiritually depleted? There’s nothing wrong with that. Remember you are human and never underestimate the transforming power of God – His voice, His Word, His Body and Blood. Scripture says: draw close to the Lord and He will draw close to you! So remember, if He ever feels “afar off” it’s because you’re not doing your part. It takes two to tango! God bless you!