It seems to be something so foreign that it is seldom talked about as of it is verboten, probably because there is not much pure joy to be experienced in this world, but that is not why this blog rarely mentions it. Joy is mostly absent here because it is at a level high beyond this blogger's reach, although it had been felt. None of those very rare times lasted very long; they were more like fleeting moments. However fleeting, no moment of joy was ever haphazard or predictable, but one thing was certain: only in an environment of interior peace would it arise, but not necessarily. In other words, the presence of Christ in one's heart and mind, and in every fiber of one's entire being, must precede, whether joy comes into existence or not.
The attainment of inner peace is the goal of this blog--one that is seldom, if ever, reached. Ideally, every entry transports the reader away from the cares of this world to another place where worries can be forgotten, at least for a while when the dream of Heaven can begin. That is not now happening. What this blogger is unable to deliver, Psalm 23 can. Quoted in part:
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.(Picture oneself in a timeless vignette lying down on a field of soft green grass, yearning for Christ Who is tending sheep at a distance in a shepherd's robe, then seeing Christ approaching unhurriedly with kindness, love and a cheerful smile on His radiant face, then feeling one's hand being held securely in Christ's, and led to a stream, where crystal clear waters from Heaven flow gently along, then watching Christ bend down to fetch some of it for the one who was lost and afraid and whose soul is thirsting for renewal.)
"In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
"Beside restful waters he leads me;
"he refreshes my soul." [1]
If this dream could continue, not only could one live in peace, but also in joy forever in the company of Christ Himself. For those who wish this dream to last a while longer should stop here. What follows is reality, the destroyer of dreams.
Christ has ascended into Heaven and is no longer in the flesh to hold anybody's hand. He had give His peace to His disciples and left them His peace. [2] This peace had not lasted because a number of the later followers had and today's priests, from the pope down, have become Satan's pawns. In this evil-saturated world, this blogger wanted to be a messenger delivering inner peace, despite being troubled by what he reads, sees and hears.
To deliver inner peace, one has to first possess it. It is not easy when hypocrites are everywhere, especially when many of them profess to be disciples of Jesus. To not agitate further whatever scintilla of peace that may be left in one's interior, the question not to ask is how can the religious hypocrites live with themselves? Having just stated that very question is to have rung the bell that cannot be unrung.
The good news is that inner peace cannot be extinguished by whatever that troubles the heart and mind because it comes from Heaven and is embodied in Christ, the Prince of Peace, Whose triumph over death made peace eternal. Therefore, however stormy one's heart and mind may be, inner peace will calm the storms within provided that one allows Christ to enter into one's interior. "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them." [3]
When God and the Son of God reside with whoever it maybe, one can be certain interior peace will prevail. With nothing to worry or be upset about, true joy can at last come into being.
"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls." [4]
[1] SENIOR, D. & COLLINS, J. J. (1990). The Catholic Study Bible: the New American Bible, including the revised New Testament and Psalms, translated from the original languages with critical use of all the ancient sources. Oxford, Oxford University Press.
[2] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A27
[3] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A23&version=NIV
[4] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%201:8-9
When God and the Son of God reside with whoever it maybe, one can be certain interior peace will prevail. With nothing to worry or be upset about, true joy can at last come into being.
"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls." [4]
[1] SENIOR, D. & COLLINS, J. J. (1990). The Catholic Study Bible: the New American Bible, including the revised New Testament and Psalms, translated from the original languages with critical use of all the ancient sources. Oxford, Oxford University Press.
[2] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A27
[3] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A23&version=NIV
[4] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%201:8-9
No comments:
Post a Comment