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Someone Up There Has Got It In For Me!
Topic Started: Sunday, 24. October 2010, 06:24 (97 Views)
Peter

My wife and I were very fortunate to attend a Mass yesterday in which the priest gave a short homily, which made such a postive impact on all present. He illustrated it by saying that there was a man for whom life was full of difficulties.

Each time something happened the man would remark, "Someone up there has got it in for me!" This drew a few smiles from us all.

The priest then looked at us all and said that in our sorrows God is not "up there" but with us, beside us in our trials, giving us the strength and the will to carry on.

I wish I could articulate and convey more clearly what effect this homily had on all present (there were less than 2 dozen of us) but sometimes words are simply not sufficient. The homily was not "acted out" but given so gently, so warmly, it was straight from the heart.

Emotionally ( to use a boxing metaphor) I was on the ropes as I listened to this homily which couldn't have lasted more than 5 minutes. It's still in the forefront of my mind this morning, such was its power.

Never has the term "less is more" been more appropriate and the priest's words are still with me, in me, this morning as I complete this post.

I sometimes need to be reminded that our Creator is always with us, beside us in our bad times as well as the good.

I feel very fortunate and blessed.



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Gerard

Amen to that Peter.
"The institutional and charismatic aspects are quasi coessential to the Church's constitution" (Pope John Paul II, 1998).
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Rose of York
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Peter
Sunday, 24. October 2010, 06:24
My wife and I were very fortunate to attend a Mass yesterday in which the priest gave a short homily, which made such a postive impact on all present. He illustrated it by saying that there was a man for whom life was full of difficulties.

Each time something happened the man would remark, "Someone up there has got it in for me!" This drew a few smiles from us all.

When life is difficult, it is so easy to think "God has it in for me". How often, when we see others suffering do we blame it on God?

When the sickness is cured, a job found, arrears paid, family rift healed I do hope the man says "God is looking after me".

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The priest then looked at us all and said that in our sorrows God is not "up there" but with us, beside us in our trials, giving us the strength and the will to carry on.

I wonder how atheists cope with bereavement? However young or tragically our loved ones die, the day comes when we hear the Holy Spirit assuring us, if they lived decent lives, they are now content, free of the cares of this world.

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Emotionally ( to use a boxing metaphor) I was on the ropes as I listened to this homily which couldn't have lasted more than 5 minutes. It's still in the forefront of my mind this morning, such was its power.

Your priest sounds like a wise man, giving you the message of Christ in five minutes flat, no waffle or showmanship, nothing complicated.

[qupteNever has the term "less is more" been more appropriate and the priest's words are still with me, in me, this morning as I complete this post.[/quote]

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More can be less. We read of very wealthy people being found in their flash cars or country mansions, dead at their own hand because they cannot face the perceived humilation of business failure and bankruptcy. Sick and poor people get the pity and the public prayers. Healthy and wealthy people can be in need.


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I feel very fortunate and blessed.

May I make a personal comment, Peter? You seem to have a more well rounded personality than some of the rich people I know, and I know plenty. Rural areas are splattered with houses worth a million, some of the occupants feel compelled to let people know how much they have, money is the only thing that gives them self respect. Lots of the poorer people are happy.

I might sound chirpy, today I am. Some days I think nothing will ever be right.




Keep the Faith!

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