Transcript of Abbot Clement=s Talk on July 26, 2005
We
=ve been observing in the effort of the European Union, which is really a good idea that there should be a United States of Europe since it would be very advantageous. But as Pope John Paul II has insisted that they have neglected their very essence. They have side stepped the Gospel. The heritage that=s in the Europe history, it=s in the genes of the people. Already, even though it=s still nascent in it=s effortsthey already are pushing things like abortion, same sex marriage, and other things which means the doubtful which was predicted by Hillary Bellock eighty-five years ago. They said that Europe would either come to the faith or disappear. So the attitude toward the Gospel doesn
=t exist in the leadership and the net result is already showing.We would think that in the church itself we would have a better response. But it
=s interesting that in one of the appearances that Jesus made to Sr. Josepha Menendez when he had a message for the bishop he said he wanted to talk to the Catholics. Basically he said something like this: AI know you don=t know me very well and you don=t love me very well, but I want you to know the heritage that is yours because you are my children. You sin against me and I am willing to forgive you, if you repent. You wound me in word and deed and I have no other intention but doing good to you and sharing my gifts to you.@In this particular passage we see the thrust of God
=s action in our life to move us to the kingdom. To grant us an opportunity to grow in grace and therefore also in glory. God=s plan is still being executed.I wonder if we ever reflect about heaven. What it would be like to pray for someone or live your spiritual life so that you increase your spirituality, your investment in eternity by let
=s say 10%. What are you dealing with? You=re going to have a closer union with divinity. You will have a greater experiential knowledge of God=s tender love for you. And you will be the recipient of all God=s goodness. His love, his light, his fire, the sense of his aliveness is intense aliveness and many other gifts will be yours. Especially the one you are most naturally attended to is you=re going to have the incomprehensible plunging of yourself in infinite endless happiness.So we need to ask ourselves how are we motivated to really live for the kingdom? Not just for ourselves but to pray for others as well. So that they may not miss their opportunities of being transformed and receive the great gifts of God.