Random Thoughts - New Evangelizers

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹ What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.  Philippians 4:8-9

I live in the Southwest part of the Province of Ontario, Canada. I have family that lives in Sudbury, Ontario (Northern-Central Ontario); Ottawa, Ontario (Eastern Ontario); Toronto and Oakville, Ontario (Central Ontario). Whenever I want to visit my family, my shortest drive is a 3 hour drive and my longest is about an 8 hour drive (though it has taken me as long as 11 hours!)

Needless to say, it leaves me with a great deal of time to think and reflect upon my faith, pray the Rosary and meditate on Christ. My most recent trip was no different other than the fact that I took notice of my thoughts this time and wrote them down. I would like to share them with you in the hope that you will think about them too.

Here is a random summary of my thoughts:

• When praying the Rosary on my trip, I thought about what would have been The Virgin Mary’s very first thought or reaction as she saw the Angel Gabriel? I think about how I would react if Angel Gabriel, (or any Angel), approached me. I ask myself – Why would an Angel even approach me? Then it hit me…am I being prideful?

• Tradition teaches us that 10 of  Jesus’ Apostles were martyred. Judas hung himself and John died of natural causes. Do I have faith that is so strong that I would be willing to die for Christ? I comfort myself with a yes, while I sit in a climate controlled car, sipping my freshly brewed coffee, snacking on a warm bagel and cheese, listening to country music and watching the countryside roll past me from my tinted car windows.

• Many of the characters that we meet in the bible were poor and persecuted. What does it feel like to live in an era where you could be physically attacked, abused or killed for what you believed in? My thoughts immediately went to the Middle East. Many still live this way. I take note that we in North America are headed that way. Some would argue that we are already there. A sense of relief comes over me for having been born in North America. This is immediately followed by a sense of guilt; Not for having been born in North America, but for the sense of relief.

• What a horrible yet beautiful contrast of the cheering/jeering of a crowd, the roar of lions and Christians singing hymns and keeping the faith in the midst of death. I wonder what hymn I would sing? I think I am assuming too much. Am I being prideful again?

• How would I have greeted Christ if I were present at the Nativity? What gifts would I present to Him? How would I know He was the Christ? 2,017 years later and I still find that at times I lapse in faith.

• What does the voice of God sound like? I wish Moses was still around. I could have asked him.

God Bless,

Luciano Corbo

Copyright 2017, Luciano Corbo

Luciano Corbo

Luciano Corbo holds a Master of Arts - Integrated Studies from Athabasca University. His major interests are Culture, Work, Organizations and Leadership, within a context of Catholic Social Teaching Principles. He writes from Canada.