408. We see God


As Jesus said in the Beatitudes:
“Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.” Matthew, chapter 5, verse 8

It’s important to see God one day, if not in our time, in eternity. To see him, let’s let God turn our heart into a pure heart.

To see God, let’s welcome his Love into our life and accept to joyfully share our experience of faith. The more we share the Love received from God, the more it grows in us. The more the flower receives sun, water and nutrients from the soil, the more it will grow and offer the beauty it receives from God, for the eyes of passers-by.

Let’s not be afraid to be so much in Jesus that he will show himself to us. And for people who have never seen Jesus, it’s not a lack, it’s only because Jesus is so close to their heart that he doesn’t seem to be perceptible to their senses.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas

409. Intense joy


Seeing God doesn’t necessarily mean seeing him with our eyes. We can see him with the eyes of the heart, in the good deeds of people, in us and in all that is realized of good, beautiful and true in the world. The pure heart is to become like a child, to shed oneself of what isn’t necessary, of what keeps us captive.

To see Jesus is to see Love and to see Love is to see the Trinity. Humanly, with our eyes we do not see Love. But the Love we receive from God is what motivates us during life. We all seek love when the Love of God is offered for free. As soon as we feel the true, pure, real love, we actually receive the Love that comes from God, which comes from Jesus.

Then, there was a multitude of people who had the privilege of knowing Jesus, who had the deep and intense joy of entering into a deep relationship with him. We may have had this chance to feel Jesus’s presence in our heart, to discover his person in our lives and to understand that he is the Master and Lord, then to grasp that his only judgment is his Love, that he Loves us with a total and definitive Love.

Paul gives us the purpose of faith. In Christ Jesus:
“You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God.” Ephesians, chapter 2, verse 19

Do we believe it? In Jesus, we become saints, people of his family? Let’s share what we lived with the Trinity. It’s a good time to testify.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas

410. The nobility of work


How much time is spent at work, how many dialogues are there between two employees on multiple topics? It can also become an opportunity to slowly and gradually implant an important topic of faith.

In Genesis, God says that we will work at the sweat of our forehead. But this reality happened after the human got scared of God.

In fact, when we walk with Jesus, it’s no longer a job, much less forehead sweat, it becomes a vocation. It’s works, and it is time and energy. But it’s really different with Jesus.

When we are on a mission with Jesus, it’s no longer a job, it’s to let God be God in our life, to let Jesus be in our heart and to share his Love with others. How sweet! For the rest of the work and because of sin, yes, it’s through the sweat of our forehead.

The more we achieve his will, the more we’ll discover Jesus in our lives and in those of others.

By becoming workers of Jesus, we help the world to find him. It would be nice if each person had a little something to realize, simply, for evangelization in their environment. Only through prayer, we participate in evangelization.

There are also other ways. The Lord hires all the time. Let’s ask him to work in his vineyard.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas

411. Pray for his people


On the road:
“They went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.” Mark, chapter 16, verse 20

As soon as we think about the people around us who don’t walk, who don’t pray, who don’t go to Mass, Jesus invites us to the mission. He offers us the Holy Spirit, so that we may be little igniters of love in all hearts.

We can pray for his people, give them to Jesus, love them from a distance. And above all, send them the Holy Spirit every day that is given to us to transform their lives and to embellish their hearts.

The Holy Spirit is the breeze of fresh air that we can send to the people we love, to our children, so that the oxygen of their faith can be cleansed and cleared.

May the Holy Spirit invade every person we love.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas

412. Sowing widely


“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” 2 Corinthians, chapter 9, verse 6

It’s Paul who tells us that! It’s true in the garden as in life. The more we sow what we have and who we are, even with smaller seeds, the more we’ll harvest or others will reap the fruit of our labour. Let’s check that we receive everything from Jesus:
“For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich.” 2 Corinthians, chapter 8, verse 9

Jesus confirms it to us, he knows that the Father will restore it to us a hundredfold:
“When you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.” Matthew, chapter 6, verse 17

Let’s offer what is most precious for a mission that is precious to God, for the salvation of all people. God gives to us accordingly to what we offer of him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas

413. Love is transmitted


The saints give freely:
“Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.” John, chapter 12, verse 25

God’s Love costs nothing. It’s always transmitted in freedom and it joins the freedom of the person who receives it.

We are invited to offer 100% of what we receive from God. If we think we cannot give a lot, let’s give 100% of the little we can offer. The Lord will be happy because we give the maximum of what we can:
“God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.” 2 Corinthians, chapter 9, verses 7 to 8

It’s quite special that we have so many graces and overabundance, because God doesn’t know how to count. He gives too much, and after having given everything, we still have some superfluous to do all kinds of good.

For children, when they share their candies, candies disappear quickly. The more they share, the less they have and the little bag becomes empty. It’s different for what God gives us. Even though we share God’s Love, the more we share it, the more we receive. Then, we have forevermore.

Many of the holy people we met showed to us by their lives that God’s Love was possible and easy to share. This is the easiest thing to offer. Their hearts were swollen with the divine sap that overflows on their surroundings.

There’s no question of tests of strength or exhausting us too much wanting to convert the world, in what Jesus offers us, but to share what he himself offers us simply for the faith of people.

To love one’s life is selfish, it’s to take it strictly on oneself. But to offer what we receive from God, to be just, is to become more and more generous with the Love we receive from him. The more experience we have in transmitting what God gives us, the more we develop ways for him to pass through us, to the hearts of people.

We are created to offer the Love of our life, the Love of God, in abundance. Sharing the graces (evangelization), we receive (mission) from God is the summit of the mission.

The love that nourishes and water our life, when it’s lived happily, gives good fruit in abundance. All people can come to feed and drink from our tree filled with fruit. Then we will tell them that these fruits are provided by God to feed them.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas

414. Make Christ present


What goods received from God can we waste and lose? The first good is the Love of God. We are not always aware in us of the Love of God.

When we sleep, when we eat, work, celebrate, watch, we always have the opportunity to make Christ present in us, thinking of him.

Sometimes we keep the Love of God for us. Or we don’t know how to share it. But just to realize that Jesus is with us soothes us and that can reach others. They will feel that we are not alone in life and that we are in peace.

And it’s true, we are accompanied by the Presence of the Holy Spirit. He transforms us while we pay attention to him when we’re aware that he’s with us.

If we don’t have water, we dry. We only need to drink. When we drank water, this reserve follows us everywhere. It’s even simpler with Jesus. We have only to drink to his Sacred Heart and he is in us. We only have to think of him and he is Present. God is the eternal present. We drink from him, otherwise we do not drink from him.

When we receive the Eucharist, it’s the presence of God who is there. Like water, we carry God with us after Mass, wherever we go. Its luminous rays coming out of us (like Jesus in Mary’s womb) join the souls of the people we meet. In his rays are transported his Love and all that he offers us. Let’s carry his Eucharist within us and let his rays transform the world.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas

415. In thanksgiving


May we transport Jesus like in vases of great price, the price of salvation for oneself and for everyone:
“Whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him.” 1 John, chapter 2, verse 5

He who keeps the reality of Christ in him receives the Love of God in its perfection. May the Love of God overflow us to invade all the people we meet. Let’s be children of light, life, of the way and the truth.

Let’s live in thanksgiving. Let’s offer our heart and body to Jesus to cover them with his Love so that it may be reflected in us and on all.

Let’s become skilled in fighting, without violence, for the faith. May Mary and Joseph be examples of life for us, since they have remained close to Jesus by offering the gift of their lives.

Paul says to the Romans and to us:
“I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: for Jew first, and then Greek.” Romans, chapter 1, verse 16

The four key words in this sentence are: “To serve the gospel (French version)”. To receive the service of Jesus and his Word, his Verb.

We have here the first step to begin to know Jesus Christ, and then to make him known. Paul seems to go beyond reading the gospel, since he speaks of the service of the gospel. The gospel, the good news is all about service.

When we share the gospel or prayer, even though it’s in the kitchen, the Lord will pass. Even if it’s sitting in the stands during a sports game, the Lord passes.

We understand that we can share the Word, live evangelizing gestures, but the summit is to live accordingly to the Word, and the Lord will pass. Jesus is simply asking us to enter into intense communion with his Word and he will do the rest. To share one’s Word has the effect of increasing happiness a hundredfold. But all too often, we seek our happiness rather than receive it from Jesus. We seek to transmit our word instead of his.

If we let the Word act powerfully in our heart, it will be transmitted with power, through gentleness and respect, to other people. This is evangelization. Let’s live a deeper conversion, listening to Jesus in our heart.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas

416. Disciples’ language


“The Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue. That I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear.” Isaiah, chapter 50, verse 4

Let’s listen to Jesus. Let’s listen to others to “rouse them”.
Jesus came into our world to assume our human nature and he took advantage of it to bear it on him, with him. He asks us to give him all the burdens, ours, as well as those of others.

Jesus shows us how to be a disciple so that with his Word, he supports the exhausted. Every morning Jesus gets up with us for the same Mission. To lead the human family to the Father.

Let’s prepare our heart to go to the Lord’s Supper, then come out from the table with Jesus and observe what he is doing for us in the world. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to allow us to live with Jesus his unique experience, his Mission, his Word in our heart, for the salvation of humanity. May the Father rejoice that we observe his will for Love.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas

417. Serving


Jesus tells us:
“The greatest among you must be your servant.” Matthew, chapter 23, verse 11

Since Jesus is the greatest of all and has been the servant of all, we can imagine what that means for us.

Jesus asks everyone to become servants of one another. To one is given to care for a patient, to the other to be treated, to one to teach, to the other to be taught, for one to improve the world and for all to embark in the mission.

The person who is being cared for serves the caregiver. This allows the caregiver to develop his talents, become more compassionate and loving.
So it’s not just the people who need care that are receiving from God, but also the caregivers through their dedication and attention to the others.

It’s similar for faith. When we share faith, the person who receives it allows us to serve and improve. We receive as much as he does. We’re all winners when we share and receive faith from each other.

We are called to serve the neighbour, as our master, Jesus who’s with us. Let’s continue to follow Christ, to receive his Love and to share it among us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas

418. To encourage

John the Baptist knew how to speak to the people to distract them from what they were doing and to centre them on Jesus, on the Lamb of God. He is also the main actor in the election of the first Apostles, John and Andrew.
We have the same mission. We are invited to encourage people to follow Jesus.

Every person who focuses on Jesus sees his life being transformed. Paul tells us:
“From David’s descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a saviour, Jesus. John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; and as John was completing his course, he would say, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’” Acts, chapter 13, verses 23 to 25

Moses took off his sandals before God:
“Come no nearer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” Exodus, chapter 3, verse 5

John the Baptist is not worthy to remove the sandals from the feet of the Lord. And Jesus does not need to take off his sandals, he is God, he is holiness. Where he stands, the earth is holy.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas

419. The strength to love


It’s for us that Jesus came, but also for people who do not know him yet. They need to know that the Trinity Loves them. Let’s carry them in our prayer.

Jesus invites to believe in him. Jesus answers them:
“Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled.

Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.” John, chapter 6, verses 26 to 27

Jesus makes it plain that he gives eternal bread. This bread that Jesus offers is the bread of the life of God and in God.

During the reception of the Bread of Life, may Jesus grant us the grace to never depart from him or from his Church. May his Bread, his true Body, be the strength to love, health, and be the holiness of our Life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas

420. God is here


With God, everything is too simple, even wisdom is simple. But we tend to complicate it.

We only need to focus on Jesus and wisdom will simply invade us every time. At the same time, we must be willing to meditate and receive it.

With ease:
“As the rising sun is clear to all, so the glory of the Lord fills all his works.” Sirach, chapter 42, verse 16

Still, we must be placed in front of his sun (Son). It’s to blush with joy, as the sun likes to blush our cheeks.

May every moment of our lives be filled with the joy of God’s gaze upon us, look of tenderness, peace and love … and our existence will praise the Lord, that is, our existence will be in so much joy we’ll want to share it with the Lord as a friend.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas

1. The family

Christians want to convert. They want to find every means to stay with God. They want his Love to take root in them, so that their faith improves.

They recognize that God’s Word is important. The Word is like water turning seed into a root, then the root into a shoot, the shoot into a tree, then the tree bears fruit and gives back to humans and to the earth.

To let ourselves be profoundly transformed by the Word allows us to act as christians.

Paul confirms it by this inspiration:
“But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith that we preach).” Romans, chapter 10, verse 8

God lays down his Word in us. It helps us to believe more in Christ and to work with him. Jesus offers everything from his heart. He who receives it thus becomes an abundant source that transmits Love from heart to heart.

One of the purposes of the christian family is to break the chains by and with the Word of God. We are invited to avoid chains by not letting ourselves be captured by them. Then we are called to become people from whom flows a source of peace, with respect and charity, inspired by the Word, so that others are released from their chains.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd’s Mission, Normand Thomas

2. Jesus or darkness


Even if it’s easy to understand, the way doesn’t seem that easy to reach and to find God. Maybe it’s too easy? It’s simple to want to follow the light, but there are shadows that draw us to the side of the road. As Augustine mentions, we have trouble focusing on light:
“The lovely things kept me far from you.” A quote from Confessions

We have fear of the objects that are found in darkness and to think about them too much, to seek too much, we attach ourselves to them. We are attracted by objects, sometimes by people more than God and they distract us away from Light: “The lovely things kept me far from you,” says Augustine.
Instead of seeing the person and the objects under God’s reality, there’s the danger of observing them according to the shadows they offer us.

Jesus invites us to return to the Light to better understand and grasp the world around us, in its reality. He stops and he talks to the blind beggar man:
“‘Call him.’ So they called the blind man, saying to him, ‘Take courage; get up, he is calling you.’” Mark, chapter 10, verse 49

Trust, go to the Light, Jesus is here and he is waiting on you.

We may have this question: What do we want Jesus to do for us here and now? What do we want to see? We want to see the true Light. And Jesus will tell us:
“Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Mark, chapter 10, verse 52

Being blind in this context is not comparable to physical blindness. To be blind is above all to let our soul slip into darkness, alienation contrary to the Light, the unpleasant and disappointing side of the cloudy and dark, of which keeps us away from God.

In reality, all that is realized in the world for God brings graces to all. We will see each other and we will see the world as it is in Truth and in the Light of God. Only then can we be transformed by Truth.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd’s Mission, Normand Thomas

3. In a pilgrimage place


It’s good to say:
“Lord, Lord.” Matthew, chapter 7, verse 21a

It’s a beginning. It’s good to recognize Jesus as our Lord. Then he immediately brings us back to reason:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” Matthew, chapter 7, verse 21b

Works are like fruits on a tree. They are of God for others. What works can we do?

We are invited to open ourselves to the world. But it isn’t enough to be satisfied with what we do, although what we do can already be very good.
A christian cannot be whole if he doesn’t evangelize, if he doesn’t ask Jesus to convert people around him and invite them to walk in faith, if not in our community, at least may they walk in faith.

To offer to others the graces received from God, it’s important to strengthen our foundations continually and also to be patient and gentle with ourselves. Let’s place our pride in God, because with Jesus, we can quickly find ourselves with new people who discover faith, in a short period of time.

Are we ready to open the doors and welcome? Do we leave priests and bishops with this initiative or do we also engage with them?

We’re in a place of pilgrimage, where we are, right now. The people around us are those who seek God, sometimes even without knowing it.

We are pilgrims when we are searching for the presence of God in the hearts of people. We are pilgrims when we look for ways to pray. We are pilgrims when we go to Church and receive the Word of God and Eucharist.

We are very adept at helping a child learn, attain and grow, we can be as skilled at helping people in their faith.

Jesus is Lord and he shines on and in the world. Let’s ask Jesus to touch him with his graces and rays of light. Let’s help, by prayer, to discover it. Let’s become pilgrims of the world around us, where we are. May people become aware that God loves them.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd’s Mission, Normand Thomas

4. Adjusted to God


In God, what seems more fragile is often what’s strongest. The Love of God, life, hope, mercy, joy, among others, are solid. They stay with us. All the rest will pass. Like the house built on rock, we want to put our feet on concrete. It is written:
“A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in you.” Isaiah, chapter 26, verse 3

Let’s put our trust in God. Give him all the space. Let’s find support in him. May the Lord be our home to shelter us from the cold, rainy, windy or snowy weather and even in sunny weather:
“Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith.” Isaiah, chapter 26, verse 2

It’s precise: “let them enter, the righteous (the nation)”! The righteous is the one who is adjusted to God and not the opposite. God doesn’t adjust to us, to what we wish, what we want, what enchants us.

God doesn’t adjust to himself, since he is just. We are invited to focus on the Love of God and our life will have everything it needs, spiritually. God’s Love is… Love is.

Jesus offers us the mission: “It is not by saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ that we will enter the kingdom of heaven, but it’s by doing the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

Let’s do the Father’s will. His will is that we love one another, from his Love. The one who guides us in the way of loving our neighbour is Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd’s Mission, Normand Thomas

5. Deepening our faith


It’s important to nurture our faith in the Church and then become missionaries in our region. Paul tells us:
“I am reminding you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand.” 1 Corinthians, chapter 15, verse 1
We are invited to live every moment of our lives by being aware of the presence of God and also by being conscious of deepening our faith. We stand firm by keeping the Word of the Gospel close at hand and in us. We have received the Gospel, now we are good to announce it.

“Those who with God's help have welcomed Christ's call and freely responded to it are urged on by love of Christ to proclaim the Good News everywhere in the world.” Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 3, website: Catechism of the Catholic Church - IntraText

The best way to know if we are truly and freely attached to the Trinity is to feel “urged on by love of Christ to proclaim the Good News everywhere in the world”.

Let’s bring his love to the world. Let’s go into the world. Unless we have a different calling, of course, which is more related to prayer for the world as for the cloistered Carmelites, Franciscans. It’s their way of being in the world.

These two ways of evangelizing are excellent. All missionaries are thus supported by prayer.

With more people in a hurry and charitably committed to proclaiming the Love of Christ, supported by the prayers of all, there will be an ocean of universal love. Then, the grace of the mission nourishes and deepens our personal faith.

Let’s recognize the Love that God gives us by his Word, by his Body and his Blood, by the Eucharist for our salvation and the salvation of the world.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd’s Mission, Normand Thomas

6. The Lord’s voice


The Lord’s envoy does not always have the simplest mission. And in Jeremiah’s time it was even more difficult. Where he is sent, he risks death, since people consider his message as an obstacle:
“This man deserves death; he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.” Jeremiah, chapter 26, verse 11

This is why the leaders and prophets want to kill him:
Jeremiah gave this answer to the princes and all the people: ‘It was the Lord who sent me to prophesy against this house and city all that you have heard.

Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds; listen to the voice of the Lord your God, so that the Lord will repent of the evil with which he threatens you.’ Jeremiah, chapter 26, verses 12 to 13

Let’s review our actions, our words and listen to the Lord’s voice. Misfortune never comes from the Lord, but our refusal to be on the road and the refusal of others to listen. It is quite brilliant what Jeremiah declares in the name of the Lord.

Conversion involves meditating on the people’s needs and the desire to listen to those who transmit the voice of God. Then the princes and all the people said to the priests and prophets:
“This man does not deserve death; it is in the name of the Lord, our God, that he speaks to us.” Jeremiah, chapter 26, verse 16

When Jeremiah professes that he is the Lord’s messenger, they consider holding their hand and allow him a longer life. They are kind to him. They decide to change lanes.

They recognize in Jeremiah a prophet who wants to help the people become better, holy, thanks to God. A new time of grace begins because the people agree to be transformed by the Voice of God announced by the voice of the prophet. Joy can be replaced in the people.

We don’t have to wait to change lanes. The holy way is to let God be the master of our life, immediately.

Today, however, it is difficult to accept a straight, good and solid path. And not everyone appreciates that christians invite them to change their ways. There are, for example, those who do not want to hear reproach about their unhealthy and destructive practices that can harm them.

Happy are the people who dare to listen to the message of the Lord and who agree to redirect their lives in the good that he proposes to us. The world needs people who listen to the Trinity through the voice of prophets who touch the heart with righteous and loved filled words, with messages that are adapted to them and with gentleness and respect for their journey.

Let’s offer to the Lord everything that can lead us out of his message of conversion, freedom and truth in faith. May he free us from this reckless conduct and keep us with him. Then we can make him be loved by others.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd’s Mission, Normand Thomas

7 Seeing God’s face


We are called to a resplendent life. The Apostle John describes to us all the splendour of the Holy City that he receives in a vision. At that moment, John must be living heaven on earth. These images will remain engraved in his memory forever.

John sees the Lamb and he mentions that those who have accepted the Love of God will see his face:
Nothing accursed will be found there anymore. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will look upon his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. Night will be no more, nor will they need light from lamp or sun, for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever and ever. Revelation, chapter 22, verses 3 to 5

Seeing the face of God is the ultimate dream from the beginning of mankind to its end, when we return in him. Whether they’re aware of it or not, it will happen. But often they look elsewhere and move away from their reality as children of God.

Down here, we carry in ourselves the image of God. But we must also want to welcome the life of Christ in us as Mary made herself available to his will. We will not bear God like her, but we will carry him in the core of who we are.

The Holy Spirit can already place on our faces the light of God, in our hands the gift of God, in our eyes the vision of God on the world, and in our feet the footsteps of little pilgrims of Love who hurry on to go to the people, to lead them to Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd’s Mission, Normand Thomas