Bøger af Edward Kleinguetl

"I am the way and the truth and the life." (John 14:6) Relativism, secularism, sectarianism, wokeness, political correctness, increased hostility towards Christian values and the Church, desertion by the flock-does anyone else feel like we have become strangers in a strange land? Our world has gone bonkers! Today, we live in a society that has forgotten God, and being separated from him, the results are evident: Increasing restlessness, selfishness, depression, despair, hopelessness, and nihilism. This is not the life God desires for us. If we find ourselves lost or separated from the Source of Life, we need to find our way back. But how? Jesus told us: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." It's time to reexamine how to attain the abundant life that Jesus promised us: Happiness and fulfillment in this life and the life to come. We do not need to overthink it. We just need to return to the principles of our faith-the right faith being a living relationship with the ever-living God. "Oh, Christian who has gotten drunk on love of the world! Sober up, while there is still time, and look for the heavenly blessings that God promised to those who love him, lest you seek them later, but do not receive them." (St. Tikhon of Zadonsk)

The objective of this catechetical framework is to help those who seek the truth to look at their faith in a new and refreshing way, to prove that faith has relevance in our daily lives and is not, as many in secular society would like us to think, merely an absurdity. God is ever present, not a mere spectator, and there is a specific purpose for human existence. Striving for greater purpose is natural, yet there is only one way to fill the longing that is at the depth of each human person. That way is to pursue our destiny, which is to live in union with God. The "way" to this destiny is through Jesus, the Incarnate Word of God (Logos), who represents God's personal invitation to each of us and is reflective of the depth of his love for his most prized creation. Humanity is the only part of creation made in the divine image and endowed with reason. We were created with these gifts for a purpose: to achieve our destiny. For those who are skeptical or would rather believe in the absurdity of life or a God who is distant and uncaring, we want to extend a simple invitation: "Come, and see." Take the journey of discovery and determine, once the truth is understood, if we can ever be the same.

From our ministry and retreat work, one message is particularly clear, especially within our youth. People want a faith that is relevant to their daily lives. Faith based solely on doctrine or dogmas and without true experiences of God is not a living faith. Accordingly, we have strived to create an explanation of our Catholic beliefs grounded upon the idea that we can learn something about God through our human experiences. Further, we can experience our God who is active in his creation. This explanation of our faith is entitled, "Encounter: Experiencing the Risen Jesus, Fulfilling Our Deepest Longing." It draws upon the "theology of encounter" evident in Pope Francis' Evangelii Gaudium. In addition, it leverages the perspectives of modern theologians Karl Rahner, SJ and Dumitru Staniloae, modern Athonite ascetics, and earlier Fathers of the Church such as St. Gregory of Nyssa and St. Gregory Palamas. This is a companion book, a retreat, based on this explanation of our faith, inviting participants to discover or re-discover the beauty of the Catholic Christian faith, which we believe has much to say and is a shining lantern in a world filled with darkness, hate, and indifference.

Many struggle on the spiritual journey. There are more valleys and deserts than mountaintop experiences. This book looks at the ups and downs, triumphs and tragedies of our spiritual journey with a focus on the fact that underlying all we experience, we will discover God's Perfect Plan in God's Perfect Time. Our Loving God is present in his Creation and he is there with us in every moment, if we are attuned to his presence.

"Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope." (1 Pet. 3:15)Do you want to go heaven? This is the most important question we need to ask ourselves. Is getting to heaven our single-most important priority in life? Today, the signs indicate we are in a spiritual recession. The fervor of faith is cooling. Many have separated themselves from God, the true source of life, deprived of his life-giving mercy. The landscape has become increasingly bleak as people lose hope, giving into the spirit of the age. We are teetering on spiritual bankruptcy. To thrive in a spiritual recession, we must grow rich in what matters to God, striving for a life of holiness, obedient to the commandments of Jesus Christ, relying on divine grace, and seeking knowledge from above. This means focusing our efforts on that which matters most: Getting to heaven. We must regain the Art of Spiritual Life in which, even in the midst of spiritual poverty, we can find peace and joy, the abundant life that God wishes for us. Heaven is our true home, where there will be no pain, sorrow, or mourning. Are we building up the Kingdom of Heaven in our hearts, investing in our future? Or are storing up treasures on earth that moth and decay will destroy? Where do we want our final destiny to be?

God desires a dignified, abundant life for each of us. The way to this life is through a personal relationship with him. Faith is first-and-foremost relational. It is not just an intellectual pursuit-knowing something about God-it is tangibly experiencing God, having hearts afire with love for Jesus Christ. Nothing will fill a weary soul or dispel darkness, confusion, and gloom like fervent Christian zeal. In this work, we focus on encounter, the spiritual or relational element of faith, to consider how God is near, active in his creation, and readily available to us. The offer is always there; we simply need to accept it. We are at an inflection point. With secular society rapidly drifting away from God, many people are left empty, weary, tired, and searching. It is time to evangelize with the urgency of the early missionaries who zealously spanned the globe to deliver the Christian message to the remotest corners. Today, these "remote corners" are much closer to home. Now, more than ever, it is time to return to the Lord, to reignite the fire within, to experience God who is always near, and reclaim the dignified life he intended for us.

We are in a spiritual pandemic, the long-term effects are hopelessness and delusion with only one way to happiness. This retreat examines the narrow way; focus on 2 questions: Do we desire life with God in eternity and is our faith important

The world is on fire. People seem to have forgotten God. Yet, are we happier without God? Evidence suggests an answer: increased cynicism, hopelessness, despondency, despair, burnout, and depression. We find ourselves chasing after the world, jumping on a veritable treadmill of dissatisfaction-seeking, finding, casting away, seeking again-always coming up empty. Churches are emptying and prescriptions for anti-depressants are increasing. Love of neighbor has given way to love of self. Me, me, me ... I myself. The further we find ourselves from God, the more ravenous wolves hem us in. This is not the life God wants for us. Jesus is the good shepherd who came so that we might have life and have it more abundantly. He tells us that his sheep hear his voice and follow him. Are we listening? Or are we seduced by the noise of the world. Today, spiritual dryness has created a tinderbox, ever at risk of erupting into destructive flames. Consciously or unconsciously, we need God-the living waters of salvation. The greatest challenge is to abandon the broad, comfortable thoroughfare of sin and return to God with humility and repentance. God loves us and sent his Incarnate Son to lead us back to him. Jesus is the gate and only he can fulfill the desires of every human heart. Let us take time to listen to the voice of Jesus.

Jesus tells us that the seed is the Word of God, planted in every human heart. If each person is made in the image of God, why is there such a difference in the quantity of fruit produced? The parable tells us that the only difference is the condition of the soil, its receptivity to the seed. Rich soil requires hard work and constant struggle. God provides the seed and we must provide the desire and effort. The Holy Fathers provide us with the wisdom as to what is required to have a prayer life which produces fruit-a genuine encounter with Jesus and a close relationship with him. This is the work required for our salvation. What fruit are we producing? What is the condition of our heart? How is the soil? Let us explore what is required for a rich spiritual harvest. Let us accept the invitation of Jesus: "Go out and work in the vineyard today" (cf. Matt. 21:28). Let us reflect upon the Art of Spiritual Life, "the art of arts and science of sciences."

The cooling of faith is a reality. It appears that we as a country have become so progressive that we no longer need God. Christians are feeling increasingly like outsiders. How do we remain grounded in Gospel values?Christ himself described the two ways and that few will find the narrow gate (see Matt. 7:14). There is no middle way or compromise with the spirit of the age.Cardinal Ignatius Kung Pin Mei spent 30 years in solitary confinement for refusing to compromise with the prevailing culture. His advice in the face of inhospitality was this: “Practice prayer, which is the most subversive of liberties; it can never be taken from you, and is a source of power and strength. Train yourself in prayer. Begin now, so that you are a fit, skilled practitioner when the need arises.”As a Church, it is time to return to basics, The Art of Spiritual Life, an essential component of which is prayer.The Jesus Prayer is a proven technique for turning hearts to God. It is the oldest form of contemplative prayer originating in the Early Church. We encourage our fellow pilgrims to a renewal in the spiritual life, practicing prayer to keep our feet steady on the narrow road.“Prayer and silence will save the world.” - Robert Cardinal Sarah

"Follow me." The invitation of Jesus is not ambiguous. He asks us to remain with him, to be led, formed, and taught by him, to be strengthened by him. He will lead us to the abundant life God wants for each of us. Accepting the invitation of Jesus will set us free from sin, death, sorrow, inner emptiness, and loneliness. So, today, why is there so much confusion?The challenge is when some try to distort the truth, trying to find a compromise between the Gospel, which is eternal, and the spirit of the age. The dominant culture is moving increasingly away from the Gospel, even becoming hostile to it. Accordingly, we must make a choice, life in Christ or the way of the secular world, eternal life or darkness and despair. There is no middle way.We are all called to a vocation to holiness, preparing us for eternal blessed with God in heaven. This is the purpose for which we were created and the only way to find fulfillment and meaning in life. The first step on the journey is to say "yes" to Jesus's invitation: "Follow me.""Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb. 13:8).