Published 11-03-24
FR. DAN SHAUGHNESSY
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
My prayer for the parish is that we might live in abundance, rejecting fear in favor of living a racial Jesus Christ-centered life!
A favorite scripture verse of mine in is John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” I love that Jesus' desire for us is not merely to exist or cope with our circumstances but to live abundantly. It sounds so hopeful and exhilarating. But what is the abundant life? And how do we obtain it? Here are three practices I’ve found that have helped me to embrace this plan for my life.
1. Identify the Thief: The verse that ends exuberantly begins with a solemn warning: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” A thief doesn’t attack an empty house, so to speak. Stay close to Jesus and avoid the thief.
2. Order Your Priorities: Begin with God: Once you identify the thieves in your life, the next step is to properly order your priorities and place God first. Commit yourself to prayer; to reading the Bible. Stay close to Jesus Christ.
3. Immerse Yourself in the Sacraments: Jesus makes it super clear that our source of life comes from Him. If we are not receiving Him, how can we expect to have the abundant life He promises? The Sacraments are salvific and life-giving, always bringing us deeper into communion with the God who is love. These sources of grace transform us further into the person God created us to be. In particular, we should receive the sacrament of the Eucharist and Reconciliation frequently. The Eucharist is the most intimate way we can be united to Jesus on this side of Heaven. The sacrament of Reconciliation allows us to return to God when we have turned away from Him.
To live the John 10:10 life is to live a life committed to Christ. It takes discipline, continual conversion, and a life rooted in Scripture. When we choose this life and ignore the many thieves that surround us, we are sure to have a life of abundance, hope, and peace. May God bless you all!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Dan Shaughnessy
Comments
Dawn LissnerPosted on 11/07/24
It's great to be away and still be able to stay in "the know". Thanks Fr. Shaughnessy for sharing your words of wisdom. I finally found the blog.
Don ThiemePosted on 11/06/24
I look forward to more of these. Thank you.