Uncategorized - Live Holiness

» Uncategorized

Revelation and the Interior Life

Written by Michael Najim on April 13, 2012 - 1 Comment

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 in the “interior life.” The more I ponder this gift of the interior life, the more I am amazed by the very mystery of human interiority. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the human heart is “the place of encounter.” It is in our very interiority that we encounter the living God. Because we possess interiority, we are able to be conscious of God, to communicate with God, to know God and his love for us.

It is because we possess interiority that we are able to receive the revelation of God; in fact, there would be no such thing as revelation without our interiority, for in order for there to be revelation there needs to be one who is able to receive it.

The deeper I enter into the mystery of my interiority, the more open I become to receiving the mystery of God’s presence within me, the revelation of his love. The more I receive God’s love, the more my interiority deepens, expands. As I become interiorly aware of the gift of God’s love, this pure gift that has been given to me, I become aware that I must become a gift to others.

This is the paradox of interiority in the Christian tradition: As I ponder my interiority, I do not become absorbed in myself; rather, I become aware that I am a gift to myself, and I must live my life as a gift. The more deeply I am aware of my interiority, the more deeply I am aware of my capacity for transcendence. From the depths of human interiority springs the capacity to both receive and to give.

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.

How to Pray

Written by Michael Najim on December 12, 2011 - 3 Comments

“Master, teach us how to pray” (Luke 11:1). After being in the company of Jesus, listening to His words, witnessing His healings, and seeing His deep relationship with His Heavenly Father, the Apostles longed to know how to pray as Jesus prayed. They were attracted by His holiness and His peace.

We, too, long to know God in a deeper way. As Jesus shares the most intimate relationship with His Father, we too desire to share that intimacy with God. Prayer is the way to God.

But how to pray? Can we learn how to pray? Can we really have an intimate relationship with God? The answer is, “Yes!” Not only can we have an intimate relationship with God; God desires that we be in an intimate friendship with Him.

So, whether you are just learning how to pray, or you want to deepen your life of prayer, here are four steps to guide you along the path of prayer: Read more »

The Priestly Life

Written by frmike on May 28, 2011 - 9 Comments

I’m so blessed to be the chaplain of the largest Catholic high school in Rhode Island. The administration, faculty, staff, and students are wonderful. Here’s a video that was done by a student at La Salle. It’s sort of “A Day in the life of…”

I hope you enjoy it, not so much because I’m in it, but because it speaks of the beauty and importance of the priesthood.

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/24201440]

One Year Anniversary of Live Holiness

Written by frmike on August 31, 2010 - 11 Comments

Okay, so Father is in a blogging slump. I’m not sure why. I’m tempted to make all kinds of excuses: the busyness of the new academic year, my new assignment as high school chaplain while maintaining my other responsibilities, etc. But the truth is, I’ve just been in a writing slump. So, I apologize for [...]

The Gift of Leisure

Written by frmike on July 4, 2010 - 8 Comments

I just enjoyed a wonderful 4th of July at my parent’s house with family and friends. It was a typical Najim cookout: lots of people, lots of food, and lots of fun. For all intents and purposes, this afternoon was the beginning of my summer reprieve. I usually take some time in July to enjoy [...]

A Pipe and a Prayer

Written by frmike on May 16, 2010 - 15 Comments

“The world is charged with the grandeur of God” (Gerard Manley Hopkins). I’m an extrovert by nature, but over the years I’ve learned to enjoy silence and solitude. Truthfully, I think I’ve always had a contemplative-philosophical side to me. I remember as a child laying in bed at night, driving myself crazy pondering what it [...]

Macey’s Story

Written by frmike on February 6, 2010 - Leave an Awesome Comment

Dear Friends, On this Saturday morning, I wanted to share an inspirational story with you. For the last few years, my dear friends, Scott and Kim King, have experienced every parents worst nightmare: their daughter Macey was diagnosed with cancer over three years ago. Macey is now ten and, thank God, is cancer free. She [...]

Christ in Haiti

Written by frmike on January 20, 2010 - 33 Comments

On Sunday, September 16, 2001, churches and other places of worship across the country were filled to overflowing. I’ll never forget that day. Masses were standing room at St. Philip’s parish where I was serving. As I looked out on the congregation, serious and sorrowful faces stared back at me. Some had tears in their [...]

The Solution to Your Sorrow

Written by frmike on October 11, 2009 - 14 Comments

It’s impossible to be selfish and happy at the same time. I know this from experience, for if I’m honest with myself, I find the days that I am most miserable are the days that I am too focused on myself: on my problems, my frustrations, my weaknesses. I’m certain the same is true for [...]

Have You Noticed?

Written by frmike on September 16, 2009 - 4 Comments

Have You Noticed? Have you noticed the sunrise? Have you noticed the sunset? Have you noticed the clouds as they move in the sky? Have you noticed the moon and the stars in the night? Have you noticed the gentle breeze on your face?