In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.
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THE HUMAN CONDITION AND OUR "QUEST"
Every human being - perhaps from the moment of their conception - has embedded within them a "Quest"... which, like a magnetic compass, orients their whole life towards the discovery of answers to "life's great questions"; while at the same time this quest guides them as they strive to "give meaning and purpose to their life" through what they choose to read and learn, through their thoughts and writings, by the ways they choose to relate to others, and through what they choose to say and do.
There are many uncertainties in this life and on this quest, and we are all in need of approval and support from those whom we love and trust and about whom we care the most. Further, we cannot attain the full deployment of meaning and purpose in our life or on our quest without also approving and supporting the other in their quest. We are never alone.
KEYS TO INTIMACY WITH GOD AND WITH OTHERS
God the Father sent his Son into the world, taking flesh in Mary and born as Jesus of Nazareth, with Mary's husband Joseph as his foster father and protector; in order to save humanity. Jesus gave us an example of the new life offered to us in Him, as sons and daughters of the Father. This new life is lived in a relationship of intimacy and communion with God and with other human beings, forgiving faults, and living in peace and harmony, accepting to endure whatever sufferings and troubles that come to us in life.
Our common human condition, due to the "original sin", inclines us away from this new life and tends to drag us down into an "old life" bound by fear of death, rebellion against God, unwillingness to trust in God, wariness of others, harboring of resentment over offences, accumulation of material goods, distrust and unwillingness to share, and myriad forms of selfishness, unwillingness to forgive, and preoccupation with oneself.
In order to resist the "old life" and instead to choose to live the "new life"; we need:
1. To praise and worship God alone, in family, and in the faith assembly;
2. To want to be aware of our own thoughts, words, decisions, actions, and behavior;
3. To seek God from within and turn to Him for help;
4. With God's help, to know and repent of our faults and repair any harm done;
5. To seek forgiveness from God and from others;
6. To seek God in prayer and the Bible and rest in Him, in his love and mercy;
7. To generously show mercy to others as we have received mercy from God;
8. To do our best to give witness to God and to come to the help of others.
More specifically, on entering into Marriage, the man and woman need:
1. Do their best from day to day to "know themselves";
2. Take interest in the other and seek from day to day to "know their spouse";
3. Resist the "old life" inclination to take offence and resent the other's faults;
4. Have compassion on the other for their faults and seek to support them;
5. Commit daily to repent one's own faults and make efforts to become better;
6. Be ever ready to forgive the other and to ask forgiveness as needed;
7. Daily to take responsibility for myself and care for my own needs;
8. To daily express love for one's spouse, support them, and supply their needs;
9. To be on the watch for reasons to be grateful and express gratitude to the other;
10. Pray constantly, that is, ever seeking to live in the presence and love of God;
11. Live ever in communion with one's spouse, whether nearby or at a distance;
12. Rest in God so as to take delight constantly in one's spouse and appreciate them.
What about our "Life Quest"?
1. Ponder your own life history, successes, and struggles: what do you seek?
2. In light of what you seek, what is your true "quest"?
3. Bring your needs, what you seek, and your "quest" to God in prayer daily.
4. If you are married, what does your spouse need and seek?
5. In light of what your spouse needs and seeks, what is your spouse's "quest"?
6. Bring your spouse's needs, what they seek, and their "quest" to God daily.
7. How can you and your spouse support one another in your needs and quests?
8. How can you accompany your spouse in being self-critical about their quest?
9. Seek the advice of wise, admirable, and proven individuals.
10. Let God guide you in his Word and in prayer and "edit" your quest.
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In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.
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© 2006-2021 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal QC
© 2006-2021 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC
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