Come Lord Jesus Bible Study ‐ Meet weekly exploring the message that God has for us in weekly readings; a true blessing! You can even start your own group.
Contact Andy Norton at 788‐2977, meets Thursday evenings at 7:00 pm.
David Cook at 504‐812-9630, meets on Wednesdays at 9:00 am.
Dolores Rouly at 882‐7508, meets on Wednesdays at 9:00 am.
Hello, my name is David Cook. I started with the Come Lord Jesus program when it began at St. John of the Cross Church in Lacombe a little over 2 years ago. The name we chose for my CLJ group is “We Live for the Lord” from Romans 14. This saying was true when we first chose it, but after 2 years of preparing for the meetings, studying and understanding the Gospels, praying and sharing at the meetings, living for the Lord has come to mean so much more. We always talk about how Jesus should be the center of our lives and we should do everything for His glory.
I find myself paying more attention to homilies now because I want to hear what the Priest or Deacon have to say about the Gospel, and if it is different then what was discussed at our CLJ meeting. Sometimes I hear myself saying to myself “that’s exactly what we discussed at our meeting”. Gospels make so much more sense now!
Going to Mass and Confession has also taken on more importance for me since joining CLJ. I retired from work about 7 years ago, so 1 year for Lent I decided to make daily mass. I had gotten up at 5:00 am when I was working, so sleeping late was something I looked forward to. Now I would have to get up at 6:30 to make daily mass. I could do that for 40 days! So when Lent ended I decided to continue going to Mass on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays, but not Tuesdays and Thursdays because those were my jogging days, and I couldn’t let Mass interfere with jogging anymore. Now fortunately, because of being involved every week with CLJ, my jogging now revolves around Mass, and not Mass around jogging, which meant in those times I didn’t attend Mass on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I feel like I’m missing something when I can’t make daily Mass. I’m missing the Eucharist and feeling close to Jesus.
As for Confession, I use to go once or twice a year, when it was convenient. It was always a little scary for me to go to Confession; what am I going to say? Not that I am perfect, or even close to it, but like what sins do I want to confess. Now because of CLJ and wanting to be so close to God in this life and the next life, I look forward to going every month to feel that peace that comes from having your sins forgiven.
In closing, I would like to say that as parents we always wanted our child, or children, to hang around with the good kids; those that would be a good influence for them, and not a bad one. I think this applies to us as adults also. Sharing and associating with a group of people on a weekly basis that have the same values as you when it comes to our Lord is definitely the way to go. There is so much evil in the world today. Because of CLJ we come together and nourish each other and pray for each other and for those around us.
CLJ has definitely had a positive impact in my life.
Thank you and God bless.