JB Lifestyle

Pontius Pilate once asked Jesus , "what is truth?" We all have our versions of truth and our own truths but we need to ponder deeper on this question. In my mind being truthful means trying your best to say things as they really are and not as we wish they were or in order to flatter or give false comfort to someone. However we must also be charitable in the way we speak the truth in order not to shame or dishonor them. Sometimes its best to say "i will not talk about this" especially in regard to another person's private affairs. It is best to be silent and not reveal to other people someone's misfortunes or intimate details about their lives. It is none of their business after all! Gossip will never be right even if there is truth behind it because it destroys reputations! Half truths are just as bad as lies so we need to learn to say the truth with charity. We also need to learn to say yes or no and learn to control our tongues as too much talki...

Yesterday's bible readings were themed on the virtue of humility. Yes, very difficult indeed to be humble especially in today's world where we are encouraged to parade our accomplishments before others. Sometimes we are given gifts that we have no control over such as a special talent or beauty or some we have worked hard for , like building a succesful buisness or attaining higher levels of education. It is a good thing to be accomplished indeed but an even greater thing when those accomplishments keep you from pride. Humiltiy can be deifned as thinking less of oneself and what one deserves or needs. We are by nature selfish and move towards pride. We love to be dsitinguished among our peers and flattered . We love to be esteemed by men! God says "those who humble themselves shall be exalted and those who exalt themselves, shall be humbled!". Do not seek favor in men's eyes but  rather seek God's favor, he will reward your humility. Mary is esteemd ...

On Monday, we celebrated the feast of the Queenship of Mary. It is traditionally celebrated a week after the feast of the Assumption. We, as the catholic church, believe that Mary after having been assumed into heaven, body and soul, was crowned Queen of Heaven and earth. By the fact of giving birth to Christ the king, she had already assumed the title of Queen mother which by jewish tradition, was the most important title in the kingdom. Some christian denominations may not understand why we venerate Mary above all created beings and think that we try to make her more important than Jesus. That is not true. Mary has always pointed us in the direction of the savior Jesus, even at the wedding in cana, she tells the servants, " Do whatever he tells you!" Mary is saying the same thing today that she did centuries ago, do what my son tells you! The humility of Mary is unmatched in all of creation and this attracted the favor of the most high. That is why even the angel ...

We are lving in an age which may or may not be the end of an era, that much i cannot deny. However we need to be very careful and seek the spirit of deiscernment when dealing with the so called prophets of our time. Yes, the gift of prophecy is one of the gifts of the spirit but we have to be careful so that we a re not misled by false prophets. There are  alot of messgaes and reports of so called visions about the end of times and the world coming to an end. Yes, indeed the world will come to an end but i recall the words that Jesus said whren he states that no one knows the hour or the day when the world will end except for the father. He also says that the end will come at a time when we least expect it. We are definitelty living in a historic time for the world and the chiurch but for those eagerly seeking the end of the world, are we truly ready? Have we fulfilled God's purpose for our lives here on earth? We nned to ask ourselves those questions and take a hard loo...

In my mind, marriage is a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman in who vow to love and support, trust and support each other always throughout their lives, facing life's challenges together. Note how i wrote commitment, it has to be renewed everyday. Feelings of love will not always be present so do not focus so much on the way you are feeling but rather focus on the commitment you made and honor your vow. In today's world, we keep searching for the "right" or perfect person for one another! If its not working, then why bother? According to stastistics, half of all marriages, (i think today its even more than half), end in divorce. Some couples cannot even make it through a year together or even a few months! (sigh) Our focus is on having lavish weddings but not on building lasting marriages. We are only fooling ourelves. There are no perfect people in this world, we are all flawed. There is no perfect marriage, everyday is a test of your commitment! Le...

Jesus in one of his famed parables, once likened the kindom of heaven to a most precious pearl, which once a merchant finds, sells everything he owns just to posess that pearl! Believe it or not, you and i were created to fulfill a destiny that holds a place for us in God's kingdom. We were created princes and heirs to God's wonderful kingdom! We all have things we treasure in our lives. To some people it is their children, to others it is their wealth and power and to others still pleasure and the love of a spouse or companion. If we could only learn that the world is fleeting and passing away. All things here on earth will eventually fade away not matter how beautiful or good they may seem to be. You have only one thing that will last forever and that is your immortal soul! Jesus has already paid the price for your salvation, he has bought the pearl for you so to speak. It is up  to you to guard it jealously and cherish it or lose it in your own negligence! We must ...

I assume we have all heard about the recent brutal murder of a catholic priest in France for which ISIS claimed responsibility.  I do not understand how someone can take pleasure in taking another human being's life and even gloat about it. Is there anything more despicable in life than the taste for violence, the desire for blood? Moreover inniocent blood. Not long ago , the same ISIS beheaded four children for refusing to rtenounce their faith in Jesus. What kind of barbarians are these? That innocent blood that they keep on spilling cries out to the Lord for vengeance and woe to those who have merited God's wrath, they will be anhilated! Paul was once asked by Jesus , when he was still saul, " why do you persecute me?" . It seems Jesus is asking the same question of ISIS today. They seem to be hell bent on destroying christianity but their efforts will come to nought. The Romans tried it but where are they now? The blood of the matryrs will always be the ...

We are all born with gifts or talents, it is how we use them, to make a life for ourselves and for others that matters. Some people are born into a world of privelege and wealth, others into one of seeming hardship and poverty and others in between. We do not choose the circumstances of our birth but we do choose the way we live our lives! Leaders and wealthy people are charged to an even higher standard of repsonsibiliy than others because their lives and the good or poor choices they make have an impact on the lives of the people around them. They literally have people's lives in their hands. I live in a country in Africa where people die everyday from malaria, many of them children. A few years back there was a donor project that gave aid for malaria and the money ended up in the pockets of some corrupt individuals! People have dulled their consciences to the extent that they will sleep soundly after having done such a duplicitous thing! People will have died because o...

Whether we like to admit or not, all the things in this world will pass and fade away! Material things and all pleasures of this world  will never last and yet we live as if we will never die, as if we think we will live forever in this fallen world. (sigh) Our lives are like a vapor in the wind, here today and gone tomorow. Listen to the lyrics of casting crown's song "who am i"? They are very meaningful. St. Paul tells us to keep our thoughts on God and the things in heaven, the things that last forever. Jesus also warns us against the danger of selfishness and materialism in the parable about a wealthy man who thinks to himself that he has everything he could possibly want and tells his soul to be merry and rest. God says "fool , the demand for your soul will be made this very night and this horde of yours, whose will it be then?" Very sobering words indeed! We need to stop focusing our efforts on gaining wealth for its own sake or on living in purs...

We are utlitmatley responsible for our own fate! God gave us free will when he created us. We are free to either love him or reject him. God in his infinite love and wisdom created us to love him but he did not want to control us. We have to choose either life or death. Sin , which is the choice to reject him, always comes with consequences. Notice how the things you do that go against him always have baggage attached to them. They may seem to make you feel good in the moment but after the monent has passed, they leave lasting negative effects on you and those around you. Sin effectively destroys the life of grace within your soul! You may not know it or believe it but your soul becomes lifeless when you are always steeped in sin and unrepented sin causes you to become dead inside. God always gives us chances to turn back to him, to respond to his love, upto the moment of our death! When you die however, your choices become permanent and if your choice has been to reject him...