Some wonder what role temptation plays in the story of salvation and why the First Sunday of Lent focuses us on the Temptation of Jesus in the Desert. We must understand why God allows us to be tempted, and how temptation and spiritual warfare are related so that we can grow closer to God through Jesus during Lent.
The Church Visible
Some have declared that how we worship is not so very important, and that apparent extravagance is a misplaced distraction from the truth of the Gospel message. Perhaps, though, there is value in the manner in which our Church gathers to worship and that the Sacred Scriptures can help us see this.
Soul Esteem
For some, there is an apparent contradiction between the Catholic concepts of dying to self and self esteem. Many think it impossible that both can be true goals at once. When you consider the self to be a soul, however, and pursue soul esteem, then dying to self becomes more apparent as a beneficial path of the spiritual life.
The Vocational Call
Many people feel that God has not spoken to them or called them in any way. They see God as silent in their lives. Perhaps it is possible they have not put themselves in the right place or the right frame of mind to hear God calling them to their vocation. Take the examples of Samuel and Saint Peter.
Intimacy With God
So many folks have fallen into the throws of addiction. The worldly doctors tell us sobriety is the answer, when in reality the true cure for addition to anything is total faith, submission and intimacy with God, who fulfills all desires.
Making Reparations To God
The Catholic notion of making reparations to God for sin, especially blasphemy, is an ancient and constant teaching of our faith. As we prepare our spiritual houses for Christmas this Advent season, we need to start making amends for our poor and sinful choices.
Unforgiveness
Many of us have places or rooms within our hearts where no one, not even our Lord, is welcome. Perhaps as we enter the season of Advent, we should learn to forgive and forget so that we can best prepare for the Coming of the Lord at Christmas.
The Universal Destination Of Goods
As we prepare for the season of Christmas, a season which for many in the modern culture has become very materialistic, perhaps we should take this time of Advent to look into what the Catholic Church teaches us about the universal destination of goods.
You Are
Spending time in Adoration before our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is a wonderful time to ponder His might, and to realize you are sitting before a person, the Second Divine Person of the Trinity. That is Who He is. So, this is also the perfect time to listen to the Lord and hear who He thinks that we are.
Church Politics
With the innovations which modern technology have afforded us, there is a superabundance of information available to everyone about virtually everything. While this transparency and opportunity can be very good for society, it is also can a create an unnecessary distraction which can actually challenge us in our faith life.