2012 Archives - Live Holiness

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A Christmas Meditation

Written by Michael Najim on December 24, 2012 - Leave an Awesome Comment

Note: This is an edited post from a blog I had written in 2009. I thought it would be fitting to repost it for Christmas.

In 1925, the New York World publication celebrated the birthday of Abraham Lincoln with a cartoon that has become something of a classic. Two Kentucky farmers are pictured talking over a picket fence. One asks, “Anything new happen lately?” The other responds, “Nothing much. A new baby was born over at Tom Lincoln’s place, but nothing much ever happens around here.”

Can you imagine the same thing happening in Bethlehem on the night that Jesus was born? Can you picture some people standing just outside the Inn? “Anything new happen around here?” “Nothing much, just a baby born down in the stable, but nothing much ever happens around here.”

The point of the cartoon in the New York World was obvious: when Lincoln was born, no one knew how much he would impact history. But what makes the birth of Jesus Christ different? This is the ultimate question for us as Christians. Read more »

All Saints Day Reflection: What is Holiness?

Written by Michael Najim on November 1, 2012 - Leave an Awesome Comment

This is a re-post from Sept. 2009. I thought it was fitting for this wonderful Solemnity of All Saints. Enjoy. And, as always, feel free to comment and to spread the word about liveholiness.com.

Above my desk where my Macbook, printer, and lamp share their home, hangs a large framed print of one of my favorite saints, Ignatius of Loyola. He’s dressed in a red chasuble and stole, the traditional vestments for the celebration of Mass. His eyes gaze heavenward; there is a glow on his face and an aura of light around his head. His right arm is bent upward; his hand, fingers and palm also pointing upward, is open in a gesture of praise. His left hand rests on the top of an open book and on the left page are written the words “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam”: For the greater glory of God. It is the image of a saint, an image of holiness. Read more »

Amazing Love

Written by Michael Najim on October 14, 2012 - 1 Comment

Recently I read Mother Teresa’s Secret Fire by Fr. Joseph Langford and I rate it as one of the best spiritual books I’ve ever read. It touched me deeply. At some point I hope to write a review; but for now, here’s a beautiful quote from the book to start your week.

“If we were to take all the love in every heart of everyone on earth, and add to it all the love of all those who ever existed throughout history, then add the love of all the saints in heaven, and all the angels, cherubim and seraphim, and pour all that love into one heart, and direct all that love on ourselves, it would still fall infinitely short of the love God is pouring out on each one of us, right now.”

Encountering Christ in the Orphans

Written by Michael Najim on October 1, 2012 - 2 Comments

One of the great blessings of my life is being chaplain at La Salle Academy. It’s hard to describe the joy I experience being with 1500 teenagers on an almost daily basis. I see so much good in these young people. Psalm 16 states, “You have put into my heart a marvelous love for the faithful ones who dwell in your land.” Truly, the Lord has put a marvelous love in my heart for the La Salle Community.

What follows is a very touching reflection written by Briana Hanson, a student at La Salle, who in July traveled to Blessed Assurance Orphanage in Montego Bay Jamaica. Read Briana’s reflection slowly and prayerfully. I hope you are as touched by it as I was. Read more »

Being over Doing

Written by Michael Najim on August 18, 2012 - 1 Comment

Do we give primacy to being over doing? I’ve been thinking about this question a lot. For me, this summer has been quieter than usual. Yes, I’ve had office work to do, some meetings, and have been helping in parishes, but it’s been a far cry from the rat race of the academic year. In [...]

Why Do You Seek Jesus?

Written by Michael Najim on August 8, 2012 - 1 Comment

Priests receive many phone calls. Some people want to speak about a crisis they’re going through; others want information on how to get married; still others need copies of their sacrament certificates. When the phone rings late at night, however, the first thought that goes through a priest’s mind is, this must be an emergency. [...]

Book Review: Learning to Pray in Scripture by Stephen Binz

Written by Michael Najim on July 18, 2012 - Leave an Awesome Comment

One of the most effective ways to grow in the spiritual life is by praying with the Word of God. The ancient practice of Lectio Divina (prayerfully meditating on the Scriptures) holds a privileged place in the Church’s spiritual tradition. In 2005 Pope Benedict said that “Assiduous reading of sacred Scripture accompanied by prayer makes [...]

Revelation and the Interior Life

Written by Michael Najim on April 13, 2012 - 2 Comments

I studied Theology and Philosophy in college, and I loved it. Recently, I started to delve back into reading philosophy, and I still love it. In fact, I forgot how much I enjoy reading it. I posted the following on the members section of The Personalist Project: In Christian spirituality we often refer to growth [...]

Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

Written by Michael Najim on April 1, 2012 - 2 Comments

If you asked me to choose my “favorite” station of the Cross, it would be the 6th station: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus. For many years I’ve been drawn to this station because I see in this scene what actually happens to us when we meditate on the life of Jesus. The name Veronica [...]

Thought for the Week: True Freedom

Written by Michael Najim on March 25, 2012 - 2 Comments

What is true freedom? It’s when I am standing in the fire of temptation and I decide to choose virtue over vice, right over wrong, good over evil. By remaining in Christ and His Word, I am able to grow in true freedom. This week, I will use my freedom to choose holiness rather than [...]

In Conversation with God

Written by Michael Najim on March 15, 2012 - 6 Comments

Thought for the Week: The Way to Happiness

Written by Michael Najim on March 11, 2012 - Leave an Awesome Comment

The Way of the Cross is the way to happiness, because the Way of Cross is self-giving love. It’s not possible to be happy by living selfishly; the only way to authentic happiness is to be selfless. Embrace the Cross in your daily life, and you will know true happiness.

Thought for the Week: Always Begin Again

Written by Michael Najim on March 4, 2012 - Leave an Awesome Comment

One lesson that I continue to learn is that my life in the Lord is about starting over and over again. I fall, and I get up; but, with God’s grace, I keep getting up. Never despair! Remember: you can always begin again. Always.

Encountering Christ in Jamaica

Written by Michael Najim on February 27, 2012 - 2 Comments

The Path of Prayer

Written by Michael Najim on February 13, 2012 - 3 Comments

There’s a path you can walk that leads to peace A path that leads to joy There’s a path you can walk that leads to faith A path that leads to hope There’s a path you can walk that leads to love A path that leads to God It’s the path of prayer On the [...]