Measure of Success

Success is often measured by many different yardsticks in our secular society. Some measure “success” by how much money they make, or how many material possessions they have at their disposal. Athletes often measure “success” by how many victories they have or championship rings they have won, records held, and the like. A smaller segment of society measures success by their health and the number of close and personal friends they have.

Holy Name Society members have a different measure of success. In the Gospel of John we are taught, "I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly. (Jn 10:10) and Pope John Paul II taught us “God, who alone is goodness, fullness of life, the final end of human activity, and perfect happiness.” (Pope John Paul II, Veritatas Splendor). From this HNS members understand that success comes from perfect happiness and that his can only come from one source - a live centered on Jesus Christ and following His teachings.

Sometimes God has to take almost everything we hold near and dear to our human hearts, before we take the time to realize what success truly is and is not! Read the note below from a man who discovered the true meaning of success.

Lost Sheep - Good Shepherd

Have you ever contemplated upon the mental image of the shepherd from Matthew and Luke's gospels -- the shepherd who leaves the flock of ninety-nine sheep to find the one that was lost? Have you ever noticed that in some of the paintings of Jesus as the shepherd, the lamb hoisted upon His shoulders has a bandage around one leg? Sheep ranchers will tell you that in some cases, a young lamb will habitually stray -- no matter how many times the shepherd brings it back to the flock, it continues to run off - leading other members of the flock to stray as well.


In severe cases, in order to protect the life of the young lamb and the rest of the flock, the shepherd is forced to do the unthinkable...... the shepherd intentionally breaks the leg of the habitually wandering lamb.

Redemption

One of the songs from the alternative Christian band, Jars of Clay, is called: Redemption.

We look out way down past the road we came from ...
We're looking at redemption;
It was hidden in the landscape
Of loss and love and fire and rain.
Never would have come this way.
Looking for Redemption.

There is a truth in these lyrics many of us can easily recognize, especially those who have dealt with serious hardships and setbacks in relationships, employment, finances, or health. It is oftentimes through these crosses that we ultimately find God "hiding".

A Letter - A Prayer - A Life

One of the awesome things about Sacred Scripture is the many ways it can touch your heart.  You can read a passage or hear it read a dozen times and each time something new will be placed on your heart.  Sometimes a message or meaning is so obvious, so in-your-face, that you wonder how you could have missed it.  One day, I had one of those moments while I was reading Matthew's account of Judgement Day, as illustrated by the Separation of the Sheep and Goats. 

Entertaining Angels

I’ve been a witness countless times over the past 8 years or so of the significance -- moreover the need -- of prison ministry.  I've read numerous testimonials and letters of gratitude and appreciation to persons or groups "outside the walls" who have taken their time and energy to share their faith with total strangers.  I've seen attitudes and even lives changed by simple, thoughtful, prayerful contact and conversation with Christians.

There are more than a few good people out there just trying to live the gospel message –- trying to take serious Jesus’ gentle reminders that we are our brother’s keeper. We are all called, as members of the Mystical Body of Christ, to spread the gospel, to spread His love.  And neither trial, nor distress, nor persecution, nor famine, nor nakedness, nor peril, nor the sword can separate us from His love. Nothing -- not even prison walls.