WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED SO FAR AS WE HAVE MADE OUR WAY DOWN THE LIST OF INJUNCTIONS GIVEN TO US IN THE TWELFTH BOOK OF ROMANS?
We are learning to walk with God each day, presenting our bodies, living and holy sacrifices;
We are counting this “altar life” as that which is acceptable to God, and the purest form of true worship;
We are being transformed, not conformed . . . making sure our minds are new with God perspective at every turning point;
We are proving in this manner that we can and do know the will of God, and it is proving itself good – acceptable – perfect!
We are thinking of ourselves . . . with sober judgment, recognizing that what we have, we have in trust from God; we rejoice to see others honored; it doesn’t diminish us to do so
We are measuring by the standard, “ Have faith in God!”
We are learning that the Body into which we have been made welcome . . . would not function properly without all the parts, and we have humbled ourselves to that reality;
We are putting the gifts we have been given into play by faith instead of pride . . . and always with mercy and cheerfulness;
We have learned to keep after ourselves that our love will be pure and genuine;
We have seen that some things are hate-worthy, such as idolatry and turning back . . . others we must hold fast, and it is critical to know the difference;
We are whole-heartedly devoted to one another in Christ;
We recognize that diligence is required, more than charisma or good intentions, and so we follow hard after fervency of spirit, honest caring, and unselfish effort, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
At some moment in the day, before our heads rest on our pillows tonight, a test will come our way? How shall we remember all of this? How can we make sure we pass every test?
Our Heavenly Father made it simple, so simple that even the simple may pass with flying colors. With banners of love and justice and faith flying in our hearts, we seek Him that we may serve Him at every crossroad; we ask for the good way and then we walk in it, remembering always . . .
LOVE NEVER FAILS!
(The Abbesses advises – let us take time today or during the weekend to go over this list from Romans 12, asking the Lord to show us how we might do better, trust that He sill encourage us where we’ve done well, and commit ourselves afresh to the Word of God, revealed inside this wonderful L.U.C.I.E. fast, an end to the snares of LETHARGY/UNBELIEF/COVETOUSNESS/IDOLATRY/EXCESS)
I want to thank my nephew-in-law, Andreas Cruz, for the stunning photography used during this month. Each photo more beautiful than the one before, if that were possible.
Cor Unum Abbey 