Author: hermitageofpeace

The Hermit of Peace following the Rule of St. Benedict.

Be Led by the Spirit!

Make this Lent Life Changing!

The glorious season of Lent we enter into again! We need Lent because there are so many distractions that are present in our lives that can take us from our true purpose as Children of God. If we allow ourselves to enter deep into the Lenten Fast, we will receive a renewed life of peace, hope and love.

Our example for Lent and, hopefully, for all aspects of our lives, is Jesus. We read in St. Mark’s Gospel:

The Spirit immediately drove Him (Jesus) out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.

Mark 1: 12-13.

In this short section of the Scriptures which describes the first Lent, we see things that we must be aware of for our Lenten experience.

We will be tempted, but we will also experience the consolation of God through the Angels. Be strong during the rough times of these forty days and and allow ourselves to be transformed into the Children of God, in the way we live, as we are in fact, by our Baptism.

The things in this world war against the love we were created to share. Let this Lenten Season bring us back to who we truly are made to be.

Let this Lent radically change us and in doing so improve the world around us!

Be renewed!

Pax. The Hermit of Peace.

https://gofund.me/3599664e

Enter Into the Mystery and Be Renewed!

Happy Ash Wednesday!

We now enter into Holy Season of Lent, and it is a special time for us. This is a wonderful time to develop a closer relationship with Jesus, with our loved ones and with one another. This is our time to grow our faith and become the people that we were created to be, Children of God!

We read is the Gospel of St. Matthew:

Jesus said to his disciples, “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your Heavenly Father.”

Matthew 6:1

The message given by Jesus to His disciples is given to us today. We are the disciples today! We are in relationship with the Father through Jesus. Our righteous actions give glory to the Lord, and it is the Lord who will reward us because we do these things for the Greater Glory of God!

The Season of Lent can become a life changing experience if we enter into the mystery of God’s Love for us! It is a time to allow ourselves to be transformed into the people we were created to be, Children of God!

May we we allow ourselves to be recreated during this Holy Season!

Pax. The Hermit of Peace.

Come to Jesus and Be Healed!

We have reached the last Sunday before the Lenten Fast. Today in our Gospel section we meet Jesus our only hope. He is the one that can reconnect us to ourselves and to others.

We read in St. Mark’s Gospel:

And a leper came to him (Jesus) begging Him, and kneeling said to Him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, He stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I will;be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him and he was made clean.”

Mark 1:40-42.

The man seeking Jesus knew there was no other way in his world without the intervention of Jesus in his life.  Jesus, in His part, came into this World to do exactly what this leper needed; to be a healer.  Among many different reasons Jesus came to be with us, to be a healing presence in our lives.

As we conclude, for a while, these general Sunday topics, we leave with the knowledge that Jesus can and will heal our deepest concerns that keep us from living wholesome lives. Jesus can bring us to healing of what keeps us from Him and from one another.

Our requirement is to call on Jesus and to let Him take control!

Be healed!

Pax. The Hermit of Peace.

https://gofund.me/a1d90db2

 

 

 

We Have A Purpose!

Life may slow us down, but when Jesus lifts us up, we have work to do!

We read in St. Mark’s Gospel:

And immediately He (Jesus) left the synagogue, and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told Him of her. And He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her; and she served them.

Mark 1:29-31

Simon’s mother-in-law knew she had work to do, but she could not do it. She needed a healing that only the Master could do! Fever had got her down and she could not get out of bed. Her son-in-law knew what to do, his brother and his friends, knew what to do; they brought Jesus to her! The chains of fever had her down, but the Great Physician, Jesus, took over and she was healed and praised Him my serving Him and everyone in their midst.

This could be our story! We are to serve one another and in doing so we bring them Jesus. These encounters changed everything because:

When Jesus set you free, you are free indeed! John 8:36

We are called to bring healing in our world. We do this by serving one another and in doing so, we bring them Jesus and we all participate in Jesus healing the world!

Share Jesus and heal the world!

Pax. The Hermit of Peace.

https://gofund.me/e4fbd23a

Call On Jesus!

True Freedom Is Possible!

There are many things that can enslave us, our past, our future hopes, the opinions of people, to name a few. But we see in St. Mark 1:21 and following a person trapped by an evil presence. However, he happened to be at the right place and at the right time!

We read:

Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are-the Holy One of God!”

“Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

Mark 1:23-26

Obviously, this is a very dramatic scene, however it may allow us to enter into what God can do for us if we make ourselves available to God! Whatever our situation is, we need freedom from what is holding us down.

Call on Jesus!

What Jesus did for this person two thousand years ago, He can do for us today!

Trust in the power of Jesus to save!

Bring to Him all of the troubles you experienced and let Him free you!

Many of our ancestors went through horrific situations and turn to Jesus and we are result of them trusting in the Lord and doing the best that they could do!

When Jesus sets you free, you are free indeed!

John 8:36

Jesus is able to deal with our situations and we can pass that healing forward to our loved ones and the world!

Let Jesus take control of our situations!

Pax. The Hermit of Peace.

https://gofund.me/e4fbd23a

 

 

Become a Jesus Follower!

Happy Lord’s Day!

Becoming a follower of Jesus changes our whole perspective in our lives. We allow Jesus to use us wherever we are. We bring all of gifts, all the skills that we have, but use them now for the greater glory of God!

We read in the Gospel of Mark:

And passing along by the Sea of Galilee, He (Jesus) saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said he them, “Follow me and I will make you become fishers of people.”Mark 1:16-17

Simon and Andrew had a major life shift. They would be reworked as instruments of Kingdom Building! But they were still Simon and Andrew. They would use their knowledge base, their expertise in a new way, Jesus’ Way!

As followers of Jesus, we too make use of our knowledge base and our expertise, that does not change. However, what changes is how we use these gifts.

Let us reflect on the gifts that we have and discern how we are using them to bring the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth!

May we be the change that changes our world!

Pax. The Hermit of Peace

https://gofund.me/e7ad6a0b

Let God and Follow Jesus!

There are so many things in our world that may occupy our thoughts and actions. These things may have value or may be a distraction. We may be able to do something about them or maybe it is out of our control.

But what brings meaning to our lives?

What is the purpose of our lives?

The Disciples in today’s Gospel selection from St. John helps us to see what brought meaning to their lives.

We read:

The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as He walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.

John 1:35-37

These two disciples were looking for something to make sense out of their lives. We can imagine that they had the normal concerns for people in their time, but something was missing.

This may be a reminder to us. We may be going through some situation that is occupying our lives. But if we follow these Disciples, and follow Jesus, we will find peace!

We may be in the midst of a stormy time, but do not focus on the storm, focus on Jesus and walk through the storm doing what you are able to do!

May we bring Jesus into our lives and TAKE BACK OUR PEACE!

Pax. The Hermit of Peace

https://gofund.me/e4fbd23a

Be A Gift to the Baby Jesus!

The Magi Brought Gifts and Received the Greatest Gift!

Gifts are important items during Christmastide, but the gift that we receive needs to last us for the rest of our lives, Jesus! The Spirit of Christmas can be life changing if we allow the Meaning of Christmas to take us over.

The Magi travelled to find the source of light and was transformed by it. We read in St. Matthew’s Gospel:

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the Child with Mary His Mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Matthew 2:10-11

We join these Magi every day of our lives. May we bring whatever gift we have today to the Lord! May we be open to receive the gift that only this encounter can bring, the light of Christ!

May we carry Christmas with us all of our days!

Epiphany Blessings!

Pax. Hermit of Peace.

https://gofund.me/e4fbd23a

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Our Family!

The Holy Family of Nazareth as a model for the Family.

We read in St. Luke’s Gospel:

And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their town of Nazareth.

And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him.

St. Luke 2:39-40

The Christmas Season, for those who want to delve into the mystery, has much to teach us and to meditate on.

The family unit of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph reminds us of how sacred the family is. God became Emmanuel, God-with-us, in this unit. For us to delve into this mystery, if we choose, it can be a helpful mediation for our spiritual and emotional growth. As we prepare to close 2023 and enter into 2024, here are three points we may use from today’s Feast:

Jesus

God loved us so much that God chose to become on of us and be obedient to Mary and Joseph. God chose to be teacheable and learn human culture so that God could transform it!

Mary

Her yes to Father-God begins this transformation of the World. If individuals choose to follow her yes to doing whatever God wants us to do, we can continue making present Jesus in the World!

Joseph

He provided for God with his own resources. Jesus was threatened by King Herod, and not wanted by others, the Posada Experience (the were no rooms available in the Inns), yet Jesus reached adulthood because Joseph gave his life for Jesus and Mary!

How does these mysteries apply to how we ought to live?

Happy Feast of the Holy Family!

Have a blessed and safe New Year’s Eve!

Pax. The Hermit of Peace

https://gofund.me/e4fbd23a