Security in Obeying God's Representatives – It's a Promise!
The Computer Between Your Ears
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The most complex object in the known material universe is the human brain. No other physical entity even knows there is a universe. Cats, cows, and cockroaches don't know there's a universe or that it has a Creator. Neither do crocuses, carrots, or cacti. More obviously, neither do crystals, chrome, or cyrolite. Only an intellect - which in living humans is instrumented by the brain - can consciously appreciate the ingenious Creator of the universe.
Conscious, deliberate honoring of the Creator constitues "formal" praise. But every creature by its very existence gives "material" praise (see Psalm 148) - reflecting God's own "be-ing"." Christians give material praise - "that we...might be for the praise of his glory" (Eph. 1:12) - but we also give formal praise by declaring his praises (see 1 Peter 2:9). Persons who seldom or never formally praise God fail in their ultimare human destiny.
The third way we bring honor to our Creator is by imitating his holiness to the best of our ability. Renew your resolve to become and stay holy, for "the fruit of righteousness...[is] the praise of God" (Phil 1:11).
This excerpt is from the book One-Minute Meditations for Busy People, by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/video recordings can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408 or www.Catholicbooks.net
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About the Author
The Rev. John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., ordained as a Catholic priest in 1952, is a member of the Claretian Missionaries, and is founder and director of the Claretian Teaching Ministry. Listed in Who’s Who in Religion in America, he has served as parish priest, seminary professor and rector, college professor, lecturer, magazine writer, newspaper columnist, editor, retreat master, hospital chaplain, prison chaplain, campus chaplain, Cursillo director and director of suicide prevention programs in Texas and California.
He earned degrees in philosophy from Loyola-Marymount University in Los Angeles and from Notre Dame University, with postgraduate work at the University of Southern California and the Dominican House of Studies in River Forest, Illinois, in ascetical and mystical theology.
Find his many books and audio/visual recordings at www.Catholicbooks.net
