Mary McComb
October 15, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2017)
Keep your focus on Me
The way to keep from straying from Jesus, and staying on the path with Him is to ‘keep my focus on Him’ always. I must learn not to give in to the temptation to listen to others who often bring about negativity. I sometimes feel like I get swallowed up whole when I listen to and buy into others perspectives. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and often others seem to force their ideas on me. They are only opinions. The facts and truths of the world come from Jesus.
When I get wrapped up in others ideas and opinions I open the door to discord for myself and others. Pride and self-will enter into my soul and I find myself farther and farther away from Jesus. His Presence is ‘a promise and a protection.’ Jesus is the only way I can successfully walk the tricky path of my daily life.
I will ask Jesus to help me keep my focus on my path with Him. I will turn my head back to the path when He sees me wandering.
October 14, 2022
Blessed Carlo Acutis
You may not have heard of this young man before. I learned about him a few years ago. He was a boy who was interested in the Eucharist. He came from a wealthy family and they were not particularly religious. When He made his First Communion at age seven, he started going to Communion often. He took several young saints to be his model: Francis of Assisi, Bernadette Soubirous, Jacinto and Franscisco Marty, and Dominic Savio.
He was a typical boy, into sports, video games, comics, etc. He was kind to his fellow students and comforted those who were suffering, helping the disabled, keeping the bullies away. He volunteered his after school hours with the homeless. Many considered Carol an computer geek. It took him four years to create a website cataloguing every reported Eucharist miracle around the world. You can find this wonderful exhibit online by Googling Carlo Acutis website. His desire was to visit as many sites of Eucharistic miracles. This journey was cut short when he was diagnosed with leukemia. He died at age fifteen in 2006 and beatified in 2020.
Carlo did not consider himself special in any way. He was driven by his love for the Eucharist. He truly wanted to serve God and others. His liturgical feast is celebrated on October 12th. Imagine, an ordinary boy doing the things he loved most, becoming a saint someday!
October 13, 2022
From Jesus Calling
“Be still and know that I am God. . .”—Psalm 46:10
This is one of my favorite verses. Quite a few years ago my then church choir learned a beautiful song based on the verse. The theme: “be still” is tiny but powerful. It is a lesson we should all learn. What is it to be still with Jesus? That is up to you. You create your stillness with Him.
Jesus suggest that you begin to breathe slowly and deeply.Taking some deep belly breaths will automatically call you. Breathe in slowly and breath out slowly. Put all thoughts and ideas out of your mind. You will have time for them later. This is just you and Jesus time.
Image His Holy Face shining upon you. You can see it and feel it. In these days of autumn you can go outside and feel the warmth of sun on you. Walk out of the sun, into the shade and it is chilly. Jesus wants you to learn how to stay in His warm sunlight.
He tells us that He feel pain when He see us tied up in anxious knots, ignoring His gift of Peace. His Peace is an inner treasure; keep it, hide it in your heart allowing it to become trust in Jesus. Be still, enjoying Peace in Jesus’ Presence.
October 12, 2022
From the Wisdom of Bishop Fulton J Sheen
“Most commit the same mistake with God that they do with their friends; they do all the talking”.—Bishop Fulton J Sheen
When you talk to God, do you do all the talking? Do you keep quiet so that God might give you some wisdom? I personally believe that it is more important to be a good listener than a good speaker. Speaking involves giving information while listening absorbs information. Speaking can become tiring, giving a dry mouth, maybe a cough. But listening only require to keep your ears open.
I try to listen to Jesus when I visit Him in the Adoration Chapel. I go to quiet time frequently. A few years ago I was praying in the Chapel and asking Jesus what was I to do with my life; my purpose. I felt like I needed something special to pray about. While meditating, I saw in my head the outline of two hands help as a cup or scoop, and inside the hands was the outline of a baby. I quickly sketched it in the back of the book I had. I knew immediately what that picture meant. Pray for the unborn babies, those torn from their mothers wombs, the unwanted.
Abortions, pro-life, pro-choice has become a major topic for discussion. Most discussions end up in shouting matches. I wonder if the mothers truly understand what is happening to her baby? Let us pray for the lost babies and their mothers that they will feel the loving comfort of Jesus.
October 11, 2019: from Jesus Calling; James 1:17
All gifts come from our Heavenly Father and we know that everything we receive is good for us. The Jesus Calling meditation says: ‘Though I have brought many pleasures into your life, not one of them is essential.” Think about that. Jesus wants us to receive His gifts with open hands of joy and thanksgiving. He asks that we do indeed enjoy them, but that we do not cling to them. When we are given a gift from above, we are intended to receive it. Our Heavenly Father will not be like the shifting shadows that we see on a dark windy night. Shadows move to and fro and seem to change every second. Our Godhead (Father, Son & Spirit) is not going to tease us with what He gives to us.
Of all the possible gifts we could receive from our Lord, we can rest assured that we will never lose His Presence with us. This gift is ongoing. It goes on forever. Gifts can sometimes be a disappointment, especially when you believe you are receiving one thing, then end up with something you really did not want. Cling to those gifts, because He has a purpose for everything and someday that unwanted gift will become very special.
October 10, 2022
Jesus Always (2018)
Fix your thoughts on Me
An interesting read for me today. Jesus tells me how focusing on a situation or problem, good or bad, can lead to a form of idolatry. Giving all of my time and attention to this one particular situation can and will take over my life. I do find myself in situations like that sometimes. Obsession. That is the correct word for it. What Jesus wants me to do when I have obsessive feelings is to go to Him and carefully examine my thoughts and discuss the situation with Jesus. Let Him help me solve the problem.
Putting my focus on Jesus is a good way to rid myself of unnecessary negative thinking. It takes discipline to keep my focus on Jesus. He is my teacher and is working with me to learn how to turn negative focus into positive focus on Him. I know that I can find an escape from issues just by saying His Holy Name. Jesus. Plain and simple, just one word. The Name of Jesus somehow forces me to take a deep breath, fresh and cleansing. I can ask Jesus for His help by telling Him my problem, or I can just ask Him to take this problem from my hands. If I do this, I must not try to take the problem back. Once I give it to Jesus, I am letting it go. So for today, I need to fix my thoughts on Jesus and His special love for me.
October 9, 2022
Gratitude for Everything
In the Gospel today, we learned about the ten lepers that Jesus healed. He sent them on their way, but one returned to pay homage to Jesus and thank Him. Jesus asked where the nine others were. We are to be grateful for all things, good and bad. When your world is beautiful and sunny, and everything is flowing comfortably, its easy to be grateful. But when the skies turn black and it begins to storm, it is not so easy to find gratitude.
I realized that both good and discomfort can appear in the same event. Parents about to give birth to their child is bittersweet. They’ve been told their baby has a life-long disease. This saddens them so much. But when the baby is born, they see only the beautiful child God gave to them and the disease is temporarily overlooked.
A few years ago after Covid began, I was uncertain about it. This was 2020, and there have been major advancements in medicine. I remained uncertain until the 2020 election. I knew something was wrong. I seriously doubted the outcome. I started to explore and research, and went down many rabbit holes. And I began to become enlightened. The more I looked, the more I knew God was behind this, and for some reason I was to keep looking. Needless to say I found so much more than I wanted. I feel honored that God sent me on this journey. Gratitude. But, I have suffered more in these past two years than I could ever imagine. It is hard to be patient and endure. And yet, I still have gratitude for all the pieces of this puzzle I found.
Do you have things in your life that make you grateful, even though it isn’t pleasing? Can you be grateful for some of the heartaches in your life? Jesus was always grateful, even when He asked God to remove His day(s) ahead of Him. The next time you feel burdened with something negative, stop and think about what about it can you be grateful for?
October 7, 2022
Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary
Today is the feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary. According to tradition, Mary appeared to St. Dominic in 1208 at which time she gave him the rosary. It is said that Dominic devised the rosary as we know it. There have been other versions which include one of one hundred Hail Marys! Mary gave Dominic fifteen promises of the Rosary. Among them is: you shall receive graces, special protection, armor against hell, virtue and good works. Mary is often seen holding the rosary in her hands or on her arm.
The Rosary is very flexible. There are many ways to recite it. Saying the Rosary before Mass with the congregation, in a Holy Hour of devotion in a chapel. You can recite the rosary at home; outdoors, under the starts, in a special place in Honor of Mary, in bed before sleep. While you are cleaning, or doing chores, you can recite the Rosary by listening to a recorded Rosary. If you are truly stretched for time, you can ask four friends or family members to each say one decade on one day. You can listen to the Rosary online.
My favorite is the Holy Family School of Faith which you can find online and sign up for a daily email. This Rosary is a bit different in that the Mysteries are not recited, but instead, a theme is talked about in its place. For instance today they will Use the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. You will learn some of the history and about people of the Rosary. One other way is through picture books. They are available at Amazon. I have the Illustrated Rosary by Karina Tabone. There are other similar books with pictures to help you meditate.
No matter how, where or when you recite the Rosary, know that Our Blessed Mother is aware and this is pleasing to her. More than ever before, it is so important to keep the Rosaries going. It might be the only way we can bring back the peace we once had.
I used to make Rosaries. Then Covid came and I lost interest. I recently picked up my beads and wire. Last night I listened to the rosary while I linked the beads together!
October 6, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2017)
Follow Me wholeheartedly
I am willing to follow Jesus with my whole heart no matter where He goes. I go with Him not knowing what lies ahead. Jesus DOES know where and how we will travel in my daily journey. I know that some of my greatest blessings are to be found when I am with Jesus. He is my Shepherd. He is the Shepherd of my soul. Jesus tells me to walk by faith—not by sight.
Jesus tells me that He may only lead me with My Hand to support me. But that is more than enough to get me safely to where I need to be. Along the way there may be rushing rivers or streams that may be difficult to cross. These could be the troublesome times that I periodically have to go through; difficult and dangerous during the crossing, but eventually safely across. There may be mountains to climb. These could be some of the tough decisions that I have to make. But, I know that the view from the top of the mountain is beautiful and a reward for the trek up the dangerous slope. Then, there are the wild animals who threaten to tear me apart. They could be Satan and his evil ways of destruction and killing. Sin kills my soul. I will not close my eyes to what is around me, but rather follow Jesus wholeheartedly.
October 5, 2022
From The Wisdom of Fulton J Sheen
“Patience is the great remedy against becoming panicky. To be able to use reason and good judgment when everyone else goes to pieces not only saves self, but also neighbor.” Bishop Fulton J Sheen
At first the words patience and panic didn’t seem to work for me. They didn’t go together. But then I thought about the past few days when my patience was very short. Things kept going wrong and I became panicky. Worrying about what will go wrong next was on my mind.
I learned to pray during these times. I only said, “give me patience and endurance.” I figured out I and endure if I have patience. I can get through anything if I have patience. Patient and calm are two words that go together in my mind. You have to be calm to be patient and patient to be calm. Bishop Sheen tells us to use reason and good judgement when everyone else goes to pieces. I think about the people of Florida who have lost so much. I have watched videos of people going back to their houses for the first time. I cannot imagine how In would feel if I walked into my house to find a waterline taller than me! I think these people will have to strive for patience, calmness, reasoning and endurance.
Let us pray for those who have been affected by this great tragedy. Let us pray for their homeland, for their beautiful beaches, waterways, beautiful islands. Let us pray for their families who will be affected by the hurricane. Let us pray for patience and endurance.
October 3, 2022
From Jesus Always
I am always within whispering-distance
Jesus lives so close to me that He can even hear my quiet whisper. In fact, Jesus KNOWS my thoughts before I do! I don’t understand Jesus’ ways and I never will but this is the way He wants it to be. What this means to me is that I am to put all my trust in Jesus. So much of my life depends on my trust in Him. He died on the cross for me, so how much more evidence do I need to understand that I can truly trust Jesus.
One way I know that I can let Jesus know that I trust in Him is by being close to Him, realizing that He is with me at all times, at my side. He is close enough to me to whisper in my ear while also able to put His hand on my mouth before I speak with injustice. I like to just say His precious Name: Jesus. I consider this to be a complete prayer. Saying His Name is shows my trust in Jesus. I would not call upon a stranger in my time of need. Jesus keeps at my side to help me along my daily journey. It is He who guides me in the wilderness of this busy world. He keeps me from distracting from the path and picks me up if I fall. I like to have Jesus so close that I barely have to whisper His Name!
October 2, 2022
Feast of our Guarding Angels
Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day, be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule, and guide. Amen
Many will remember saying this prayer as children. We said it as our night prayer, substituting “ever this day” to “ever this night”. So, I ask, why did we stop saying that beautiful prayer? Did we think it was only for children, or as adults we don’t need help from them anymore. As adults we think of Jesus or God at our side.
Our guardian angels in the role of intermediaries between us and God. I never thought of asking my angel to go to Jesus or God for me. From birth to death we are surrounded by our angel(s) surrounding watchful care and intercession for us. They also act as a shepherd, guiding us through the rough terrains of life.
Our guardian angel is given to us and no one else. We might think of our angel as a symbol of God’s enduring love for us. I plan to be more aware of this special protector given to me. I plan to say the prayer of the guarding angel at bedtime. Hopefully in time, my guarding angel will be of importance in my life.
October 1, 2022
Feast of St Therese Lisieux
The Little Flower
I have prayed to St Therese and have received the gift of an unexpected rose twice in my life. I said the nine-day novena which is very easy. You are to try to say it everyday at the same time. If St Therese is going to grant your request, you will receive a rose. Sometimes your prayer is answered without saying the novena. But is so special to ask for something very specific and have your prayer answered with the gift of a rose. Below is the novena prayer:
St Therese, the Little Flower, please pick me a rose from your heavenly garden and send it to me as a message of love. Ask God to grant me the favor I implore, and tell Him I will love Him each day more and more. After this request, say an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be to the Father. Do this for nine days straight.
When you start your novena with St Therese, you will look for roses. The idea, or belief is that when you receive a rose, on or about the ninth day, you will know that your prayers were heard. Your rose, if you receive one, may not be a live rose. It may be parking on an unfamiliar street only to find the street is named Rose Street, or you may be overwhelmed by the scent of roses.
Today we celebrate her feast day. She is known as “The Little Flower”. When she was young, God revealed to her that she would die at an early age. She became a Carmelite at an early age. She died at the age of 24.
September 30, 2022
Thoughts of the day
Yesterday we learned about the horrific hurricane that ravaged parts of SW Florida. It is a beautiful place. I have two time shares on Ft. Myers Beach. The building is still standing but I don’t know what kind of damage it sustained. Looking at videos this morning I saw the the bridge to Bonita Springs is closed. The bridge to the beautiful island of Sanibel is severely damaged and one part is gone. Many people have lived on the island of Fr. Myers Beach The main shopping (souvenir) district is half gone, and the remaining severely damaged.
Many people are left to deal with the loss of their home, their island. I wonder why God let this happen? I know that everyone suffers in their lifetime. Some very serious suffering and/or not so much suffering. Maybe we should ask why is there suffering? Suffering is a product of the fall of Adam and Eve. We suffer because we live in a broken world. We suffer because we sin and make wrong choices, and some of it is simply because the world is fallen. Sometimes we suffer as a test of faith. Suffering can be made purposeful. As children of God “we must see suffering as a threefold call for a better world, to seek to become a better person, and to live out a better witness.”—from Grand Canyon University—The purpose of Suffering
We now have to help those whose lives are changed by the hurricane. Some people can go down to help; remove debris, help feed those in need of food. They will need people who have good organizational skills to help with the data keeping. I have strong ties to the affected area, and I know I cannot go due to age. Get in touch with the Red Cross and see if you can do anything remotely. I can pray for those people. Mostly I can say a rosary just for them. I can pray to God to keep their families together, to keep them safe, to help them to restore their homes. I’m quite sure my church will take up a special collection for them. Please keep the people of Florida in you heart and prayers.
September 28, 2022
From Jesus Always
Pour out your heart to Me
Our world looks dark and threatening; we can become afraid of what might happen. Jesus wants us to go to Him and pour out our hearts to Him. He understands just how we feel. We will find comfort in His Supreme Power. Even though the future may look bleak, Jesus is in control. In todays reading, He tells us that actually many things are not as they should be; not as they were created to be. With Jesus we can be assured that one day the goodness we seek will be satisfied.
He tells us that we should feel free to talk, or complain, to Him about our concerns. If we have trust in Jesus, we will be able to talk to Him about anything and everything. Jesus does not tell us that He will have all the answers we are seeking. Some things are meant to be. Having trust in Jesus will help you find the hope and help you are looking for. Even in times of stress, we still need to show our gratitude to Him. Trust that all will work out for the best of us all.
September 27, 2022
From Catholic Quotes
“When we must do something we dislike, let us say to God: ‘My God, I offer You this in honor of the moment when You died for me.’”—St John Vianney
Jesus tells us to be grateful for the bad things in our life as well as the good things. The good things are easy to thank Him for. Getting up and out of bed is one thing many people tell Jesus they are grateful for the new day. The same for bedtime. I would guess that most people say something to Jesus when they go to bed. Being grateful is one; specific things that happened is another. Maybe you go to bed and just tell Jesus “Im tired!”
We can offer up a moment that we dislike to Jesus in honor of His crucifixion. Your back hurts, maybe you can sit down for a moment and offer up your pain to Jesus. Afraid to go in for surgery is frightening; give it up to Jesus for His time on the Cross. When something bad is handed to you, say: Jesus, I offer this up in honor of the pain and sorrow when You were crucified.
We should meditate on Jesus’ suffering on the Cross. Think about the Sorrowful Mysteries. Pictures cannot show you how Jesus really looked. The scouring alone would have killed most men. The thorns were laid on Jesus’ head with pliers-like tools. How close did the thorns get to Jesus’ eyes? For me the worst was when Jesus had a dirty robe thrown on His shoulders, and I reef in His hands, mocking Jesus while spitting in His face. Find something to meditate on; better yet say the Sorrowful Mysteries.
September 26, 2022
From the Wisdom of Bishop Fulton Sheen
“Prayer begins by talking to God, but it ends by listening to Him. In the face of Absolute Truth, silence is the soul’s language.”—Bishop Fulton Sheen
What caught my eye in this quote were the words “listening to Him.” It is easy to talk TO God. Just start out as you talking to anyone. But talking to God is different. The person you talk to may not understand what you are saying; they may misinterpret or not get the point. When talking to God, there is never a misunderstanding on His part. God knows what is in your mind, therefore He truly understands.
When we talk to God, it is not always just your words that are important. Just as in any conversation, the other person will be able to respond. God does not just sit there listening, but with deep understanding, He wishes to communicate back to you. In talking with God it is hard not to take over. We have to begin our conversations with the understand that God might have something to say to you too.
Absolute Truth comes through the words of God. His words are not an audible thing, but something you feel in your soul, or words you think of that were not your idea. I have had a few occasions where I was talking to God; talking out loud, that words came from my mouth, and I had no idea where they came from. That is God talking! We have to keep in mind that God does talk to us in a way easy for us to comprehend. This is so we can really hear Him.
September 25, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2017)
Do not judge others
There is much judgement going on in this world today. I admit with shame that I am one of those who judge. The good thing is, often Jesus will remind me somehow of what I am doing. I don’t know the whole story behind any one person on this earth, so what gives me the right to judge. Many times there are circumstances that are not really what they appear to be. I don’t like to be falsely judged by others, but I must ask myself if I really care what others think of me?
Today’s reading tells me that I am to focus my attention on the path just ahead of me. This means I’m not to be looking behind me to see where I have gone, nor am I to look to the left or right of me to see what other route I might be able to take. When Jesus is at my side I am only to focus on the road ahead. Jesus is at my side at all time; He will never leave me. Jesus knows how easy or difficult my journey will be and if I am distracted by looking backwards or sideways, I might miss an important step along the way.
I thank Jesus for the beauty of the Autumn season. I truly love all the little changes that are beginning to bring about the Autumn season. I can see the detail of God’s love in all of nature.
September 23, 2022
From the Wisdom of Bishop Fulton Sheen
“The Rosary is the best therapy for these distraught, unhappy, fearful, and frustrated souls, precisely because it involves the simultaneous use of three powers: the physical, the vocal, and the spiritual, and in that order.”—Bishop Fulton Sheen
Many people have a hard time saying the rosary. Not so much saying it as taking time to pray it. You don’t have to go to church so say it, You don’t have to say it all at one time. You don’t have to have rosary beads to say it. You don’t have to use the Five Mysteries of the rosary.
I like to say the rosary during my adoration hours. I don’t have to try to get it prayed before I go to bed. I have a comfy chair in my bedroom, with a small table covered with a hand crocheted doily on it and a statue of Mary and some artificial flowers. Sometimes, if I can’t clear my head I might cover up with a blanket, putting it on my head. It knocks out light, visuals and is quiet.
The Holy Family Rosary Hour pops up on my email every day. This rosary is spoken and each decade is a segment of a dedicated topic. I have learned a lot from listening to this. This group has suggested to those who don’t have the time for a complete rosary, to break it up; ten Hail Marys here and the others when convenient. You can also ask four friends or family to each say one decade, and together you will have a completed rosary.
You don’t have to have rosary beads. I have said rosaries using my ten fingers. There are also books available to read and use as a guide. One book has a piece of artwork on each page and the words of the Hail Mary, Glory Be and Our Father. I say the rosary while looking at the art and it takes me there. Mary wants us to say the rosary every day. Our world needs this prayer.
September 22, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2017)
Come home to Me in the present
Jesus lives in the present and that is where He wants me to put my focus. He asks me to trust Him and refuse to worry. Furthermore, I am to leave tomorrow’s tasks and problems in the future. Jesus will be waiting for me there. It goes without saying that when I leave the future with Jesus, that I also leave all my yesterdays behind where Jesus was at my side.
Jesus wants me to keep bringing back my mind to the present. I tend to get lost in both the past and the future. I am very good at creating dialogues that will happen in the future. . . but they never come to fruition. If I am to think or dream of my future, it would be best for me to fill my mind with the hope of heaven. I can’t do anything about tomorrow but see what happens when it gets here.
Looking at the past is like looking in the rear-view mirror, looking what’s behind me. If I do that often enough, not only will I be living in the past, but I will not be looking out at what is ahead of me and CRASH! It is comforting to know that Jesus WAS with me in my past. I needn’t have been so scared. A glance at the past (rear-view mirror) can help me correct the things I did wrong before.
Jesus will help me keep focused on the here and now, on today, the present. I know that you were with me yesterday, that You will be with me tomorrow, and that you ARE with me at this very moment!
September 20, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2018)
What’s important?
Jesus wants me to see things from His perspective. He knows just what the important issues are and what issues are not important. A question presented to me many years ago was: “Just how important is it?” I try to live by this wonderful thought. Some years ago my then teenage granddaughter came to me with a problem with her friends. It was one of those she’s my friend first, and she told her some things about me, etc. She was upset and crying. She went on and on. Then she asked me what she should say and do. I asked her “Just how important is this in the whole scheme of life?” She stopped and thought and told me that it wasn’t important at all.
I want to take an ‘oh, well’ attitude about the many little things that bug me. If I do that then I will have some reserve for the real problems, the big problems. Most things I worry about are silly petty issues of no great importance. It is when I look at the world through the eyes of Jesus that things come into focus more clear. Since Jesus is in charge of my life I have nothing to worry about anyway!
September 19, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2018)
Focus on My Presence
In today’s reading, Jesus tells me that the world presents a battle that goes on for control of my mind. I feel the tension that is thriving in the country/world and it impacts and influences my thinking. I recently read that evil wants to create chaos in the lives of all the people. Satan is doing a good job. People are pitted against one another. Even within families, there are arguments and disagreements.
I believe the way I can cope with this is to be calm and not be tempted to rebut those who disagree with me. Let them win the argument. They are not always right. I am right sometimes but I must try not to force my ideas and ideals on to others. I can think about Jesus when he was put before Pilate. Jesus was quiet and calm. He did not argue, agree, or disagree. So the plan for today is to shut out the world and focus on the Presence of Jesus.
I will ask Jesus to help me, and close my eyes to all the noise and clatter of the busy world. Be with Him and Him alone. Just me and Jesus.
September 18, 2022
From then Wisdom of Bishop Fulton Sheen
“In every friendship hearts grow and entwine themselves together, so that the two hearts seem to make only one heart with only a common thought. That is why separation is so painful; it is not so much two hearts separating, but one being torn asunder.”—Bishop Fulton Sheen
I’m not sure why this reading, or quote from Bishop Sheen, intrigued me. We all know what separation feels like. It could be due to a move, broken relationship, an argument, a difference of opinion. It hurts. This is about human separation. What I thought of was the separation of human from God. Those who are separated from Our Lord can pretend they are just fine without a Savior, but deep inside they will suffer. They may not know what is causing this feeling that a piece of life’s puzzle is missing. Some people feel down all the time and don’t know why. They may have a sense of loneliness, or that something is missing.
This quote from Bishop Sheen tells how friendships grow and entwine themselves together. They become one. Our relationship with Our Creator should be like this. I truly consider Jesus as my friend, counselor, guide, companion in every way. I know this because I can call on Him anytime I want. I know He is next to me and will hear me when I talk to Him or ask Him a question, or tell Him my troubles. This kind of friendship with Jesus can only grow deeper. It is such a blessing to be in the Presence of Jesus. Never let go of Jesus at your side.
September 17, 2022
From Rhetorical Jesus
What are you holding onto today that you need to let go to God?
I read this and thought this might be a good one for me to dig into. I read the reflection for this quote and this was eye-opening. “If we keep holding onto things too tightly, we cannot have open hands that can receive.” I hadn’t thought about that!
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that when you give something to God, it stays with Him, and you cannot take it back. Once in His Hands, it belongs to Him. It doesn’t mean that you can’t ever think about it, but you no longer own what you gave to God. The reflection reminds us of Lot’s wife. She looked back, and you know what happened to her.
Most of us have something difficult to let go of. We have to sit down and be quiet with God and figure out what is holding us back from releasing our “something”. Discern as long as it takes, remembering that when we give this “something” to God, it no longer belongs to us. Hopefully the day will come within we will finally be able to “release our grip and, empty our hands, and give it up to God.
September, 15, 2022
From Jesus Always
Let Me help you with your problems
Jesus tells us that He can help us with all our problems and difficulties. All we have to do is to Go To Jesus! You may have several things going on at once. No worries; Jesus can help you. Some messes we get into are too difficult for us to solve. We need help. We need Jesus.
We have to be willing to take responsibility for our own mistakes and sin. Jesus doesn’t want us to feel responsible for the sins and failures of others. Jesus is here to help us find solutions for our issues. As Christians we spend our lives transforming which is a lifelong process.We cannot allow our issues to overtake our lives.
There are some ways to help you to turn towards Jesus. We have to keep turning to Him, not just once, but often. We have to seek Jesus’ Face and His will. We need to be patient and wait with Jesus. Trust in Jesus’ timing (it probably won’t match ours). A very important thing is to be willing to live with unresolved problems. Don’t allow for them to be our main focus. “I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:24
September 13, 2022
From The Wisdom of Bishop Fulton Sheen
“If it be a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God, it is a more terrible thing to fall out of them.”
God is looking out for us; ready to catch us if we fall. He protects us from the physical injures we may sustain as well as the emotional and spiritual injures. God holds us in His hands. It is the safest place to be. There might be times when after sin, we don’t really want to be in God’s hands; so full of guilt. But we belong in His hands.
Most of know the song: He’s Got the Whole World in His Hand. We are not alone in God’s hands. As the lyrics go: He’s got the wind and rain, the little bitty baby, you and me sister. He’s got everybody in His hands.
We should not try to wiggle out of His protective Hands. This world we live in is very nasty these days. Being so close to God will make you forget about the chaos. To me, being held in God’s loving hands is very similar to little birds in their nests. It is a safe place. We need the comfort and care that God gives us today.
September 11, 2022
From Jesus Always
911
Yesterdays reading was about us being the light of the world. The world does indeed seem to be very dark these days. Because of the events of 911 in 2001, a lot of people feel they are not safe any more; that no place is really safe. While it is true that evil people are unpredictable and ruthless, we as Christians believe that there is no place that is un-safe.
We recall where we were on that day when we saw the first plane hit a tower. It wasn’t long after that we saw things quickly happening in in succession. Boom, boom, boom, boom! Never have we witnessed anything so horrific. We could not believe what we saw; we hoped it was all a dream. We watched people dying before our eyes. They died in the most awful of ways possible. So many lost their lives that day.
We need to pray for those who died, for their families that still grieve their loss. We need to pray for the first responders. Never have we witnessed such heroism. They ran into the buildings knowing they would probably not come out alive, but they were only thinking about getting as many out into safety as they could.
Those who planned this are evil to the core. They will meet God, their Savior and have to explain. God will not accept “I just did what I was told to do”. As Christians, we also need to pray for those who are responsible for this destruction of lives and property. God will help those who are struggling to move on, those who cannot forgive, those who do not know what happened to their loved ones. We need to pray that things like 911 will never happen again.
September 10, 2022
From Jesus Always
You are the Light of the World
We are the light of the world in this increasingly dark world. Jesus asks us not to waste our energy thinking about some of the awfulness around us. We have no control over those things. Instead, He asks that we pray about them. I think everyone thinks that at this time of the world, prayer is absolutely necessary.
Jesus also asks us not to let these bad things haunt us. Since we cannot do anything about these issues, we can focus our energies on what we can do to brighten our place in this world. We all have time, talents and resources to push back the darkness.
Prayer is one source that helps both us and those we pray for. Spending time with Jesus is a blessing we can give to ourselves. Being with Jesus is both comforting and encouraging. And, Jesus will give us what we need to keep close to Him.
An old saying: Even from the bottom of the well, we can still see the light. We have to have positive energy, believing that we are not alone. Jesus is always at our side. He is the Light of our World.
September 8, 2022
The Birthday of Mary
What an interesting life Mary had; full of love and joy and of pain. Mary’s story begins with the Angel Gabriel appearing to Mary. The angel told Mary that God had chosen her to become the Mother of the Messiah. Troubled at this because she had not been with a man, she asked the angel how it was possible. The angel told her that the Holy Spirit would come to her.
What an amazing moment when Jesus was conceived. There she was in a small room with God overseeing this great gift, and the Holy Spirit who was with Mary, and of course, Jesus in the womb. The Holy Trinity together with Mary.
She probably lived a normal life of a wife and mother, except that her child was the Messiah. I wonder if she protected Him more because of who He was to be? On the other hand, she knew that Jesus would be taken care of until His death.
Mary is depicted in art in so many ways from being a young girl to the age of her death. She is painted with Jesus in her arms, both as a baby and as her deceased son. She probably saw many of His miracles in person. And, she was responsible for Jesus’ first miracle at the Wedding Feast in Cana.
I don’t know much about Mary; I want to learn more. One thing I know is that Mary wants us to say the rosary daily. We need the prayer of the rosary now more than ever before. Our world is crumbling. Mary promised to take care of us, so we must do as she asks and say the rosary every day. You don’t have to say it all at once. One decade at a time works. A new concept is to get four friends or family to each say a decade every day and with your one decade you will have completed a rosary. Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners.
September 7, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2017)
I look at your heart
Jesus does not want me to be guilt-ridden. He wants me to live a happy life without guilt, but also one of obedience and faith. Jesus knows what I feel in my heart and that is what He judges me on. I can be guilted into doing good deeds and being obedient, but if I only obey and be Christian-like because someone has guilted me, it invalidates my feelings in my heart. Guilt should never be used as a motivation among Christians.
I need to follow my heart in all that I do. I have the Ten Commandments as my guide for rules to follow. These commands were often taught to the people by Jesus. I will have challenges on my life journey where I will want to stray off track. I will always make good decisions when I walk with Jesus.
Jesus wants me to bask in His Love-Light. It surrounds me with light, of course, but it also comforts me with warmth, as though I were covered in a warm soft blanket. When I am comfortable with Jesus at my side, I will be like a beacon of light that shines out to others. This is the way I want to be! I ask Jesus to help me fight off the guilt that comes before me and help me to use the good judgement you have given to me as a great gift.
September 5, 2022
from Jesus Always
Joy is a Choice
Living with the Spirit within me allows me to be aware of the things God has given to me. And, God has given me, and all humans, an amazing mind. I can use my mind to make decisions, think things through, make choices and emit emotions. I can choose to be happy or sad, good or bad, friendly or unfriendly, helpful or unhelpful, caring or non-caring…you get the idea. Being AWARE of the Presence of Jesus should keep me joyful, but us humans are not perfect.
I go to the Holy Spirit and I ask Him for help often: before I have to speak before people, before I write, when I need help. I never know when I sit down to write where my inspirations will come from, or what I will write. But, if I pray a little prayer for help from the Holy Spirit, the words will come.
I rely on the Holy Spirt for many things. Some of my big decisions were made at the will of the Holy Spirit. I just know when He is helping me.
September 3, 2022
From Jesus Always
Have a positive focus
You know when you start to watch the news you are hear mostly negative things. I don’t know why they leave out the positive, praiseworthy things. After a while, one begins to believe that the world is a negative place, when in actuality, there is much that is good.
If you begin to think in the negative, take a walk and see how many things you see that are beautiful. The earth’s creations are full of beauty and joy. Soon we will experience the change of seasons and the earth’s beauty will be at its peak.
Focusing on negatives makes one negative himself. When we hear/see mostly negative things we might lose hope in our world. This is not what Jesus wants from us. The earth was created for our enjoyment. People who are negative thinkers will bring us down. They are sometimes called Debby Downers. They are no fun to be around.
Daily, moment by moment, choose to look for what is good. Jesus is with you always. How would He feel if you only talked to Him negatively? He wants us to be happy, to enjoy ourselves. In Philippians 4:8 St. Paul tells us that if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
August 31, 2022
From Jesus Calling
Grow Strong in Your Weakness
Jesus tells us in this reading that some of us are gifted with strength and some of us gifted with fragility. Being seventy-seven, my body does feel frail often. But some of us, who are more frail, need to call on Jesus more. He likes that! Be assured that fragility is not a punishment; nor does it indicate lack of faith.
Last evening, I had a difficult time. Little things. Problems with my iPhone and my iPad. Added to that the other things are the dropping, spilling, unplugging, lost things. I truly became frustrated. I kept saying over and over, “I can’t do this anymore.” I must have said a twenty times. I went to bed frustrated and angry. This morning, after sleeping in late, I lay in bed thinking and talking to Jesus. The world is going through difficult times and this perpetuates the problem. I ask myself: what can I do about it? Nothing, really. I can’t undo things I have learned, nor forget them. I must go through this difficult time. I came up with a theme to say instead of “I can’t”. HME: help me endure.
We must trust that Jesus is developing our ability to trust Him in troubling times. Weakness is not a bad thing in the eyes of Jesus. He asks that we depend on Him continually, trusting Him to guide us and strengthen us as needed. This is how we grow strong in our weakness. Thinking about strength, I though of another theme. GMS: give me strength.
August 30, 2022
From Rhetorical Jesus
Are you following traditions or God’s commandments?
Most of us know the Ten Commandments by heart, or at least most of them. We learned them as children. We also know our traditions; family traditions; faith traditions. The Commandments God gave us are absolute, they cannot be changed or altered. Traditions sometimes change due to circumstances.
Think about some of your traditions. Thanksgiving dinner at mom’s house, family vacation at the lake, Midnight Mass on Christmas. There are also some church traditions such as a May Procession to Mary, fasting during Lent, displaying a Nativity set at Christmas. These can and will change from time to time. Recently being apart from family due to Covid. We create the traditions or they are passed down form our family elders. We strive to keep them alive.
The Ten Commandments are were literally “set in stone” and are not subject to change. They read the way God wants them to read. There are no exceptions to these laws of God. I recently found this quote: “You cannot believe what you want to believe and call yourself a Catholic.” It can be very hard to follow the Commandments as they were written, but that is the way God wants it. The Commandments can not be changed or altered. Being Catholic, one must decide if they want to follow God’s way or not. There is no alternative.
August 27, 2022
From Jesus Always
I give strength to the weary
We all feel weary at times. Some of us, all the time. This has become a new normal since Covid entered our lives. Many people were stuck at home; and for those who live alone, weary was your mood. Many became discouraged. We felt weak. But that is just our perception. Weakness and/or weariness are not bad for us.
Jesus tells us that there are many kinds of weaknesses, and no one is exempt form all of them. Even Jesus grew weary. He would sometimes go off alone, to be still. Imagine the weariness Jesus felt the short days before His arrest. He knew what was coming, but did not know how, where or when it would come. Knowing this, He had to wait on God’s time.
We are promised that we will gain new strength when we wait on Jesus. He tells us that waiting on Him is closely related to trusting Him. “The more time you spend focusing on Me, the more you will trust Me. And the more you trust Me, the more you will want to spend time with Me.”
August 26, 2022
From Jesus Calling
Do not let your heart be troubled
The first line of this reading is “trust Me in the midst of a messy day.” My day started out like that yesterday. I had a fluoroscopically guided epidural inject in the lumbar on Wednesday. Simply put, I had an injection of steroid in my lower back for chronic leg pain from sciatica nerve. I stayed mostly in bed yesterday so as to rest my back. I adjusted my sleep number bed to a comfortable position and brought my coffee and toast and eggs to bed. For some reason the coffee, covered with a lid, fell over, and as I tried to recover it, not thinking, I knocked my eggs and toast on the floor. I had one bite and it was really good. After cleaning up I decided not to let that set the pace for the day.
We are told by Jesus in this reading to detach ourselves from the disturbances around up when we begin to feel stressed. He tells us we don’t have to strive to maintain order and control in our little world. Also, any of our bothersome circumstances cannot touch Jesus’ Peace.
Seek His face and He will share His mind with us, and open our eyes to see things from His perspective. He asks that we not let our hearts be troubled, and most importantly, do not be afraid. Jesus’ Peace that He gives us is sufficient for us. “ Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.”—Psalm 105:4
August 25, 2022
From Spiritual Quotes
Mother Angelica
“I want you to have a new concept of holiness. You’ve got to be holy where you are: washing dishes, at the office, at school. Wherever you are, you can be holy there.”—Mother Angelica
Under the definition for the word holy on the internet this question came up: Does God make us holy? “We become holy as we stay close to God, learning about God’s ways through His holy word, the Bible. God calls each of us to mature in His plan for our lives, following His gracious instructions from the Bible. Yes, we are called to be holy. We are not perfect, but we can stay close to God, and learn His ways.”
Mother Angelica’s quote makes sense. Being close to God, or Jesus, helps us to grow holy. We have to make a decision to give glory to God, even if it is doing dishes. It requires discipline, focus and attention to matters of righteous living. We must live our lives according to His will and give Him glory. We must be loving, merciful and forgiving.
An easy way to be close is to talk to God or Jesus throughout your day. Talk to Him while you are driving, or cleaning or doing dishes. Just talk to Him like He is standing right next to you, because He is, standing right next to you.
August 24, 2022
From the Wisdom of Bishop Fulton J Sheen
“Each of us makes his own weather, determines the color of the skies in the emotional universe which he inhabits.”
I had to stop and think what this meant to me. I understand that even though it may be sunny outside, we may not see it that way if we don’t feel well, spiritually, emotionally and physically. One may perceive that nice sunny day as too darn hot to go out. Speaking of weather, think about how people differ on winter weather, especially snow. I personally hate winter, but I love a beautiful snow.
We, as humans, cannot control most things in life, but God, being all good, usually gives us a choice. This is how I interpret this meditation. I have a sign in my kitchen that I look at every day. It says: Happiness Is A Choice. How true that is! I can choose to be happy or sad, kind or mean, polite or un-polite. We can choose to love God, or turn away from Him. We can choose to trust Him or not.
We need to pray about our choices that we make. Remember your choices can and will affect others. Trusting in God is the best way to make good choice, especially the life-changing choices and decisions. Call on God to help you with even the tiniest choices. It’s good practice for learning to get close to Our Lord.
August 23, 2022
From Jesus Always (2020)
Regret
We are told to not waste energy regretting the way things are, or wishing you could go back to yesterday. Do not confuse this regret with memories. How I envision the two words is when I think about the past hurts, the ones that held me captive for years. Going over and over what I did, what someone else did, will not change the outcome. There are no re-dos in our yesterdays. Memories, for me, are going back to yesterdays and recalling things I did that bring joy to me. A week or so ago, I sent my sisters a memory email. I told stories that I recalled from my childhood; fishing with my dad, baking cookies without my mother’s help, Christmases, and other celebrations. In turn each of my four sisters wrote an email to all of us and told of their memories. This then causes more wonderful memories to surface. I had a memory smile on my face for a good while.
Jesus is with us now just as He was in the past. While going through difficult times, He was there for us. He is with us now, here, today. And, of course, He will be with us in all our tomorrows. Jesus does not want us to regret things from the past but to use them to get through troubling times now. Taking the experience of the past and using it to mold our present is more in line with what He wants. We must go through difficult time patiently. We cannot rush for it to end prematurely. We must persevere in finishing what trials we have. It is going THROUGH the pain that makes us stronger.
August 22, 2022
From Catholic Quotes
I found this interesting piece on Pinterest. It is from CatholicLink.
Tips to pray the Rosary every day:
Fall asleep praying the rosary. It is better than counting sheep.
Carry a rosary in your pocket (purse).
Recite the rosary while doing chores or while you work out.
Use images and music. The Rosary is a contemplative prayer.
If you’re upset, pray for the situation that worries you.
Pray while you walk and think of the people in your life.
Use each mystery to ask for a particular intention.
If you can’t pray a whole Rosary at once, break it into parts.
Say it in moments of sadness or spiritual drought.
I love every one of those suggestions. I especially like the first one about falling asleep saying the Rosary; it is better than counting sheep. I feel guilty when I fall asleep saying the Rosary. Last week, I wasn’t all that tired and so I said the Rosary when I went to bed. The next thing I know, the Rosary was over! Maybe there is something about having good intentions.
I hadn’t thought of saying a Rosary while doing chores. I often talk to Jesus while cleaning in the kitchen. I like being a “Mary”, but sometimes we have to become the “Martha” too. I don’t how background music would work for me. I’m afraid I would end up humming to the music and lose my focus on the prayer.
One thing I do often is not say the Mysteries, but meditate on one of Jesus’ miracles. I start with the Wedding of Cana, The Loaves and Fishes, Jesus calms the storm, The Hemorrhaging Woman, and Jesus raises Lazarus. You might want to give each decade a famous story from the Bible to meditate on such as, Noah and the Ark, Moses crossing the Sea, Daniel and the Lion….etc. It’s not how or where you say the Rosary, it is only important that you pray it.
August 20, 2022
From Jesus Calling
I am a God who heals
The opening line of this meditation is: “I am a God who heals. I heal broken bodies, broken minds, broken hears, broken lives, and broken relationships.” I believe every one of us has been broken in one or more of these ways. Some will have suffered every broken element of this statement. We live in a world where I think people expect to be broken in one way or another. Jesus tells us that we don’t have to suffer through these tough times. He is here to help us.
If you feel that you may not have the help you need, stop and think. Have you asked Jesus for help? Jesus heals regardless of our asking, but, there is more available to those who ask. Do you take time to have a little chat with Jesus every day. Do you talk to Him continually throughout your day? I tell Jesus that when I am talking vocally or quietly in my mind, I am always talking to Him.
When you ask Jesus for healing, you will receive it. The catch is that the timing is up to God. You may have to wait a while, or your healing may begin right away. Man was not put on earth without needing some healing. Jesus will give you what you need, not what you want. He will give you as much as you need; not a bit more, nor a bit less. Living close to Jesus will better help you receive your healing.
July 19, 2022
from Jesus Calling (2019)
Bring Me all your feelings
Jesus wants me to bring Him ALL my feelings: good or bad, happy or sad, charitable or greedy. He wants to hear from me ALL my feelings that plague me. Jesus knows that fear and anxiety are living in me. I am assured that my feelings are not bad in themselves, but I must watch them as they can become temptation to sin.
I cannot hide my fears and anxiety from Jesus even if I tried. I need to bring them out of the darkness and into the Light of Jesus. He will help me deal with them. Jesus will show me how to trust Him in such a way that I will begin to gladly share all my feelings with Him. Jesus only wants what is best for me. When I keep my focus on Jesus, fear and anxiety lose their strength. It makes perfect sense for me to bring all my feelings to Jesus!
August 17, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2017)
Pray My Name
Going through my archives, I look for the message of the date from the past. This was a good one for me:
As my days go, they are never as I would want them to be. There is generally a snag somewhere within the day. In today’s reading, Jesus tells me exactly what to do when I hit a bump in the road. Pray His Name. Just the simple word: Jesus, is a prayer. It usually helps me through the moment, then I can talk to Jesus later about all the details later. I find saying the prayer: Jesus, is more calming when I deeply inhale and exhale.
Jesus wants me to accept each day as it come to me. I am not to waste my time or energy trying to change circumstances or outcomes or wish them away. My life is the way Jesus had it planned before I was even born. Since He is all-knowing, Jesus is the only one who knows what is on my path for today. There is a saying, “It is what it is” and this is something I must keep in mind. I see on the news, chaos overcoming my country and the world, yet I should not worry because no one other than Jesus knows what the outcome is to be. It may be bad news, but He is still in charge. The world will move the way Jesus wants it to move. I will do my best to trust Jesus in all things.
August 16, 2022
From The Universal Prayer of Pope Clement Xl
Yesterday I downloaded an app for my iphone called “Amen”. It looked good. Today my first “Amen” was delivered via email. I didn’t dig into it, but rather, listened to the Universal Prayer of Pope Clement Xl. There were a few lines I’d like to share with you.
“One paragraph about half way through caught my attention:
Help me to conquer anger with gentleness
Greed by generosity
Apathy by fervor
Help me forget myself
And reach out toward others.”
I have become somewhat angry in the past few years. Sometimes I think it is my greatest fault. On bad days, I find it hard to find the goodness in others, focusing only on the negatives. A few days ago, I was taking my two trash cans back to the garage. My driveway opens up to other driveways. I would guess it is the same as two long driveways. A woman walking by on her daily walk, ear buds in her ears, stopped and asked if she could help me with one of the trash cans! I greatly thanked her and told her I could get it. Then today, I stopped at Dunkin Donuts and the young woman ahead of me held the door open for a time so I could grab it. I thanked her profusely. This kind of thing doesn’t happen all the time. On the way out, an incoming girl held the door open for me. I smiled and thanked her and told her she was the second woman to help me with the door. (It wasn’t that I needed help, they were both generous.)
I will safe this prayer to my iphone. I know I will read it again. Every paragraph has a message I need. You may see more of this prayer in my writings, but you can read it for yourself on Google: The Universal Prayer by Pope Clement Xl. Acts of mercy like the above can wash away a lot of anger. Then while writing this, I read the last two lines: Help me forget myself and reach out toward others.
August 15, 2022
Feast of Assumption of Mary into Heaven
We celebrate the feast of Assumption of Mary today. This is a short short story about Mary you might enjoy.
Jesus goes to His Mother 8/1/18.
The women and John, who were all at the cross with Jesus have been staying since His death. Mary is contemplating whether to go with the women to anoint Jesus’ body. She doesn’t think she could stand to have one last look at her son’s battered body. No! She won’t go.
She will remember the beauty of her son instead, remember his birth and his early childhood. That is the Jesus she will hold in her heart. She will remember Jesus’ early ministry, and especially the day of the wedding in Cana. She doesn’t know why she told the servant to do as Jesus instructed. She wanted to take those words back as soon as she said them. But then her son did the impossible; he turned water into wine!
The people in her house were all busy gathering things to take to the burial site. She needed to get some fresh air, and the rising sun has always been her favorite part of the day. Mary slipped out the door and walked to the large tree and rested her head on the horizontal branch. Jesus climbed this tree and sat here as a child, and he read the scriptures sitting under it, enjoying its bountiful shade.
She heard shuffling of feet. She stopped and turned to the house but no one was there. When she turned back around she gasped. She closed her eyes and cover them with her hands. She thought for a second she saw Jesus! When she took her hands down and opened her eyes her son was standing in front of her under their tree!
He did rise from the dead!
Stepping forward, Jesus embraced his mother and held her tightly to him. He stepped back to look at her, holding her at arms length. She placed her hands on his cheeks and kissed her son. She then took his hands and held them. My son she whispered. She looked at the wounds on his hands and kissed them.
With tears streaming from her eyes, she told Jesus she was so sorry he had to go through so much torture. He did not speak to her but only smiled at his mother. He kissed his mother on her forehead then turned to leave. She called out to him, but he nodded his head.
She understood he had to leave. Mary knew she would soon see him again. She watched her son walk away. She understood he still had much work to do.
Mary put her hand on her heart, looked up to the heavens and thanked God that her son loved her so much.
August 14, 2022
From Jesus Calling
I never change
Jesus is the one consistency in my life. He NEVER changes. Everyone and everything else DOES change. Even the weather can change from hot to cold within hours. Our planet changes. Take a drive down a highway to drive to your “downtown”. Road changes are always ongoing. People change too. I am not the same person I was a few years ago. I am now growing gray hair! Children change the most. They want pizza, no, they want hamburgers, no, they want pizza! You get the idea.
Because Jesus never changes, I am provided with a “rock-solid foundation” in my life. Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. With Jesus, I know that He is with me through my night’s sleep and is there to comfort me if I should awaken and not be able to go back to sleep. Jesus is with me when I awake, and hopefully He is my first thought. I like to talk to Jesus about how I am feeling first thing in the morning. He is at my side throughout the day, guiding me along my path. He will nudge me one way to keep me falling into a bad situation; He will encourage me to turn where I never thought to turn. I try to remember to thank Him for everything I have. And when the day is done and I am ready to close my eyes, I try to remember to tell Jesus what it is that I am grateful for that day.
I am so grateful that Jesus never changes. His love and protection is consistent. As my faith grows stronger, I appreciate Jesus more than ever before!
August 12, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2020)
Weak and Weary
Weak and weary describe how I feel today. I sense I am on a spiral, and it is not moving upward! But this read seems as though it were written specifically for me. First, Jesus tells me not to hate my weakness, that it in fact draws Jesus closer to me! He tells me that my weakness stirs up His compassion. Jesus wants to help me. The outbreak of Covid changed my life two and a half years ago. I don’t know where it is going or when or if it will end. I know my life will not be the way it was before, but perhaps this is a good thing, to begin all over, but in a different way and style? Different challenges for different times.
We often compare our life journeys with others who skate right through the day with no trips or tumbles. But we are not supposed to compare ourselves with others and the way their life path works. Some have been provided with the energies to succeed, while others need more help.
We are told to call on the Spirit for help in accepting what lies ahead of us and to trust Him to show us the way. The following verse is what drew me to this reading: In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.—Romans 8:26
August 10, 2022
Spiritual Quotes
Do not accept anything as the truth if it lacks love. And do not accept anything as love which lacks truth.—Edith Stein (St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross)
I watched the moon last night from my patio while I said my rosary. The Holy Family School of Faith is the rosary I pray. There are no mysteries to meditate on but rather, teachings of the church, saints, sacraments, sin etc. Yesterday, August 9th was the feast day of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.
Edith Stein was a brilliant German Jew who became an atheist when she was a teenager. She later became a philosophy professor, and became a Carmelite nun. She lived in the time of the Nazis and saw early on the dangers of the group. She predicted the suffering of her people long before it began. She greatly opposed the twisted ideology of the Nazis, while recognizing the dignity of every human person. Her conversion came about after reading the autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila. She and her sister Rosa were seized by the Gestapo and sent to the gas chambers in Auschwitz for not denying her Jewish heritage.
Most of the saints we are familiar with were just ordinary people in ordinary lives. What sets them apart is that they never give in from their beliefs of their faith. Jesus walks with us everyday as He did with St. Teresa Benedicta. She probably had doubts and questions just as we do, but she did not let them interfere with her journey towards sainthood. She did not know she would become a saint. In fact, like most saints, she thought herself unworthy to even be with Jesus. Never forget about the love Jesus has for us. You never know who the next saint will be.
August 8, 2022
Spiritual Quotes
Proclaim the truth and do not be silent through fear.—St. Catherine of Sienna
St. Catherine of Sienna was a bold woman in the Church. She spoke outright to the popes and she was considered to be a truth-teller. She is considered to be the patron saint of Europe. Her Feast Day is April 29th. It is said that we can learn from her that “virtue stems from knowledge of self and knowledge of God.” She is depicted with a crown of thorns upon her head. This refers to a vision she had when she was twenty-eight. In the vision Christ appeared to Catherine, asking her to choose between a golden crown, ensuring riches in her earthly life, or the crown of thorns, guaranteeing her glory in heaven.
She is noted for speaking the truth, and that is what caught my attention. Her quote says to not be silent through fear. We all know about that. The little child who does not want to be punished will tell a lie. People may not be truthful to others in order not to offend them. We must learn to speak the truth, regardless of someone’s response. Jesus did not spare others feelings; He told them the what He thought. . . The truth.
Sometimes the truth is hard to take. “You can’t handle the truth!” is a line from a movie that is repeated often. I think that many people would rather not know the truth because it is more comfortable. Maybe those who feel uncomfortable learning the truth can go to Jesus and ask for His help. Remember that He is always at your side. It’s okay to tell Jesus that you are afraid. Jesus was afraid on the night of His arrest. You also have a Guardian Angel at your side. Don’t forget about your angel. Your angel is there to protect you in all things.
August 7, 2022
Spiritual Quotes
People who are spiritually minded tend to suffer from anxiety and depression more. But this is because their eyes are open to a world that is in need of repair. They literally have an increased ability to feel the emotions of people around them.—Simple Reminders (Shonda Broom)
This quote includes a spiritual memo for the reader. I truly believe that more people suffer from depression today perhaps the Great Depression. The people who suffer from anxiety and depression tend to see what others can’t see. I am one of those people. My curiosity drives me to look for the unknown; research.
This is written by Shonda Broom and she gives advice for those who may feel this kind of anxiety and depression. Her advice, for everyone is to learn to do a few simple things. The first is meditate. For me, mediation is a form of silence; complete silence. I also need to see or hear. A quiet living room, on the sofa, with my eyes closed can work. This is how I do my rosary. At my Friday Adoration Hour, I did not say the rosary or read. I closed my eyes and just talked to Jesus in the form of the Eucharist. I talked for almost an hour. And, it felt good.
Another suggestion by Ms. Broom is to journal. I know that journaling can bring out thoughts or words you were not expecting to write. Maybe this is when the Holy Spirit helps you out. If you can’t journal every day, do it as often as possible. For some reason, the truth appears on paper more easily than the voice.
Finding an outlet. Maybe its walking in nature, going to the gym, gardening, writing, cooking and baking or even bing-watching some comedies. I love to color on my ipad and I do spend many hours enjoying playing with colors. I also consider my research as an outlet.
Something not on her list is prayer. Quiet prayer or in a group; long memorized prayers, or just saying the name of Jesus. Always, always go to our Father!
August 5, 2022
From Jesus Calling
Sit Quietly in My Presence
On Fridays, I spend an hour in the Adoration Chapel at my parish. I normally say a rosary and then read from a spiritual or inspirational book. I was extra tired from not sleeping well last night. I made the choice not to say a rosary; I’ll do it later tonight.
I got comfortable in my chair and closed my eyes. And then I started talking in my head to God, then Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the Blessed Virgin Mary. I was careful not to complain about pain, the world condition or family issues. I also was careful not to ask for too much. At least nothing for myself, but others, including the world.
If I could describe what it was like, or how it felt, I could have been sitting across from Them at a Starbucks or on a park bench. I told how I felt, deep, deep down. I told what I was grateful for and thanked for it. I went over all the issues in my world and knew that my words were heard. I felt I was given a sense of peace; that all would be well.
August 4, 2022
Inspirational Quotes (2021)
“At the end of the day, the only questions I will ask myself are . . . Did I love enough? Did I laugh enough? Did I make a difference.” —Unknown
I chose this, not because it is what I do, but what I would like to do. I ask myself, did I love enough? I can show my love by going to Jesus and asking Him who needs my love the most. I can ask Him to take care of that person in my place. I can love enough by praying for the people who most need prayers.
I ask myself if I laughed enough. No, I’m sure I didn’t, but I do find things to laugh about. Sometimes its just a simple little thing with my cat; a special leap to the bed, or being mesmerized with a TV program. Sometimes I do something silly and I laugh at it. I have imagined being with Jesus in a simple setting and laughing with Him. Oh, yes, I’m sure Jesus has a keen sense of humor. He would have had to in this world!
Did I make a difference. I like to think I have. I use my writing as a way to inspire others. Sometimes I feel I did, and other times, I failed. But in my writings I have to research and I often use the Bible. Getting a few words from the Bible out to others can make a difference. I definitely make a difference out in public. I can interact with people, smile at them, hold a door etc.
These are good questions to ask of yourself at the end of the day. I wonder if having a set of questions for ourselves might inspire us to ask more questions of ourselves?
August 2, 2022
Spiritual Quotes
To pass from sadness to joy requires a birth, a moment of travail and labor, for not one ever mounts to a higher level of life without death to the lower.—Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
Some people seem to have the perfect life. Everything falls into place all the time. This might be true, but most people who look happy and perfect on the outside have had some pain in the past.
You have to get through the storm to see the sun. Even from the bottom of the well, you can still see the sun. These sayings are basically true. If you think back at your life, go the low points and remember sometime after. Maybe it was months or years that you see the how the low times were the beginning of the good times.
We all have to suffer in life. Some people more than others. But think of the suffering Jesus endured. But, He had to do it or we would not be redeemed. He did it because He loves us, every one of us. We tend to endure suffering more when we know we are doing it for someone we love. What mother would not die for her child?
When you think you have hit rock bottom, you may not have…yet. It will happen and then, some time later, you will see the sun shining brightly. At the end of our lives, we will experience the greatest joy possible! When you feel you can’t go on, think about the ending!
August 1, 2022
Spiritual Quotes
You could say, “Well, I don’t know what my mission is.” No one wrote Joseph a detailed description of his mission either. He knew only one thing at a time. He knew he had to take care of Mary and Jesus, and that’s all he knew.—Mother Angelica
I know a widow, who shortly after her husband’s death told me that she did not know what her purpose in life was now. She knew, while she took care of her ailing husband, that her care of him was her purpose; and now that was gone.
As children we question and wonder what we will be when we grow up. I’ve asked myself that question for many years, and now in my golden years, I’m beginning to sense just what God wants from me. I know it includes a stronger faith, closer attention to the Eucharist.
Just as Joseph lived one day at a time, his mission was given to him through prayer. He had no idea what his life with Mary and her unborn child would be like. He strongly trusted God to show him the way. God is just waiting for us to ask Him what our mission in life is!
July 31, 2022
From Jesus Calling
Trust Me in the Depths
Jesus tells us that He is always with us, in the depths of our being. He is there when we feel flustered and frazzled on the outside. He tells us not to blame ourselves; we are only human. He reminds us that we live in a very topsy-turvy world.
Jesus is with us at all times. He is here to support us. He does not condemn us. We seem to do that for ourselves. We need to BE with Jesus. We can do that through silent prayer. We don’t have to get on our knees or recite long memorized prayers; just saying Jesus’ name is prayer enough.
We are encouraged through Jesus, as He supports us. In order to obtain the comfort of Jesus we have to quiet our minds and bodies. Turn off the world! You will find that you will be able to hear His words to you. He will give you peace.
July 30, 2022
Spiritual Quotes
Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.—St. Francis de Sales
Calmness, inner peace, quietly, slowly. . . are the words of this quote from St. Francis de Sales. Most of us do not follow the Saint’s advice. Most of us live in a world of chaos. I wonder if we really know or understand what peace is?
How to we achieve this calmness of peace, quietly and slowly? We have to make ourselves close out the world around us. We have to close our eyes and ears to the chaos around us. We need to find a place where we can think only of Jesus.
I can find this in my parish’s Adoration Chapel. Just me and Jesus. If no one is in the room with me, I can sing to Jesus. In my bedroom at home, I have a comfy reclining chair in the corner. A statue of Mary with a vase of flowers sit on a small table next to the chair. I can further the quiet peace by covering up with a blanket, and maybe even covering my head and eyes and ears.
We might find some calm while driving in our car. Turn off the radio and pretend that Jesus is sitting in the passenger seat, and talk to Him. Talk to Him as you would any passenger in your car. But, you can ask Jesus for favors, for advice, for His love and comfort. You must keep your eyes on the road, but let the cars in a hurry, pass you by and don’t try to keep up with them. Slow down your pace; walk slower, speak slower, move slower. We can achieve the calmness, inner peace, quiet and slowness, but WE have to create it. We have to make that decision to be calm and at peace with Jesus.
July 28, 2022
A Reflective Walk (2021)
Come take a walk with me. Let’s go to the park! The birds sound extra happy today; chirping messages to each other. The air feels especially nice today; not hot, but not cold. . . just right. There is a little breeze that feels so good on my face. As I enter the gate, I notice the sky is a crystal blue, just like the ocean. There is a hint of lilac, and perhaps lavender. Oh, so refreshing!
The path is wide enough for several people to walk on. There are huge oak and elm trees that must be very old. They stand tall and proud as they provide shelter. Over there is the pond. It is so beautiful with a waterfall wall. The swans floating as if on air provide a serene picture. Around the bend up there is a nice bench that faces the pond and the rose garden on the side.
I see someone is on the bench. I hope they will let me sit there too. As I approach the bench, I see Jesus! He stands to greet me. We hug. He asks me to please join Him. He asks how I am doing; am I happy. I tell Him that I am as happy as one can be. He asks what I’ve been up to lately and tell Him everything that has been happening lately. I don’t shy away from telling Him the wonderful things that have happened, and, the horrible things; the ones that scare me. He assures me that I have nothing to be afraid of.
We sit back on the bench and just relax. After a little while I tell Him that I must leave. I look around and take in all the beauty of the park. I tell Him how much I love this place; that it must be like heaven. I tell Him it would be so wonderful to live here. We stand and hug again. I tell Him I will come back again. Jesus tells me to keep Him in my mind always. As I walk away, I turn to wave again and He shouts at me, “Someday you will live here!”
July 27, 2022
Short Story
Anne
Yesterday was the feast day of St. Anne, mother of Mary.
Jesus got up off His knees. He had been praying to His Father in Heaven. He was taken off guard when His mother told the servants to do as Jesus told them when the father of the bride told her they had run out of wine. He allowed God to lead Him. And, even a bit to His own surprise, the water had changed into wine. Not just wine, but fine wine.
He walked around the side of the building to rejoin the bride and groom and the wedding guests. His mother, Mary, was busy with other women layering the roasted lamb, sliced, onto platters. It does smell good, Jesus thought.
He heard a group entering the courtyard. He saw a rather small person with a large man on either side. He looked again, and yes, it was His Grandmother Anne! He ran to her! She looked so tiny in old age. He hugged her as she reminded Him that she had frail bones. They both laughed.
Jesus escorted her to a table and called His mother over. Mary ran to the table and embraced her mother. Mary told her mother that she did not expect to see her at this wedding. Grandmother Anne explained to Mary and Jesus that she knew she did not have much time left on this earth and wanted to see Jesus before He began His ministry.
Mary and Jesus told her of the great first miracle. Grandmother Anne insisted on a goblet of the new wine. Jesus saw to it that His grandmother had eaten; His mother still helping the women serve others. She didn’t have to do that, she was an invited guest, but His mother enjoyed this so much.
Grandmother Anne told Jesus she knew she didn’t have much time and she wanted to see Him before he started traveling. She told Him that she was sure people would find Him when she was on her death bed. She confided to Him that she did not want Him to come. She wanted to go when God wanted her to go, and besides Mary would be at her side. Jesus envisioned Himself reviving His grandmother on her death bed. But He would honor His grandmother’s wishes.
Jesus felt very sad to see His grandmother leave at the end of the day. She told Jesus she would think of Him everyday and would keep in touch with Mary to learn of His journeys. She knew He would perform miracles. Why, He had just performed His first one today.
Mary stood next to Jesus with her motherly arm around His waist as Grandmother Anne left with the two large men who brought her. Jesus had tears in His eyes knowing He would never see her again. Mary reached up to His face and wiped away the tears on her Son’s face. Mary told Him that she still had some time left, and that He should pray for Grandmother Anne, and leave her to God’s care.
Then Mary told Jesus to go back with the wedding guests who were starting to dance. Jesus loved to dance, and obeying His beloved mother He danced His way back to the guests.
July 26, 2022
From the Wisdom of Fulton J. Sheen
Doing Big things
It is typically American to feel that we are not doing anything unless we are doing something big. But from the Christian point of view, there is no one thing that is bigger than any other thing.—Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
This reminds me of the story in the Bible of the scribes giving their offering in front of all the people, with pride coming from their hearts. Then the poor widow gives her offering, which is a mere few coins. Jesus responds to this: “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
Often large donations are made to a group or agency by the wealthy. They are praised and honored for their donation. But they only gave a small portion of their wealth. The hard-working man who make a donation, stretches his budget so he can help out with the cause. He doesn’t expect to be praised for his small contribution because he knows that he gave what he could.
Our gifts to the Church or other worthy causes should not be boasted about. When God sees the gifts, He accepts every one with His Love. He does not see the difference between the large gift and the small one.
It is the same with acts of mercy and kindness. The person who gives their last change to the corner homeless man does so with the hope that the small amount will help in some way. Did you know a simple smile or greeting is a very large gift in the eyes of God?
July 24, 2022
From the Wisdom of Fulton J. Sheen
Disappointments
The fact is: you want to be perfectly happy, but you are not. Your life has been a series of disappointment, shocks, and disillusionments. How have you reacted to your disappointments? Either you became cynical or else you became religious.—Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
Such wise words! I liked this quote because I can relate to it. I’ve suffered many disappointments and disillusionments. Well, we all do. Sometimes for me, it seems they happen close together, so that I have several always on my mind. Some may be small and on the unimportant side, while others are such heavy burdens, one can hardly move.
I can tell you personally that I normally grow from such experiences. My biggest shock was in 1997. It took some years to get over it, or actually used to it, but I came out on the sunny side. My faith grew quite a bit back then, almost like getting a second chance with Jesus.
I believe it is when you realize, or rather KNOW that Jesus is at your side that it becomes easier to cope. It’s always good to have someone to share your burdens with you. It is important to have a friend who is like-minded to share with too, but, I don’t think you will survive without Jesus.
Some people become cynical and can lose their faith. With them, hopefully when the issue is over, they will see Jesus next to them again. We need to pray for those who allow troubles separate us from God.
July 22, 2022
from Jesus Calling (2019)
Be who and what you are
It can be hard for me to be me. I feel like some people expect to be a certain way and I certainly want to accommodate them. But Jesus made me exactly who and how I am. I accept that I am not perfect, nor do I strive to be perfect. My ultimate goal is to be the way Jesus wants me to be, the way I was made. The best way I know how to be who and what I am is to serve Jesus by embracing His Presence. I need to concentrate on staying close to Him at all times. Not just the times when I pray or talk to Him, but in the times that I am so busy, I couldn’t possibly think of or about Him. Those busy times are the best times to call on Jesus’ Name.
“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” —Matthew 6:1. I have to ask myself if I am guilty of this? Thinking of some of Jesus’ miracles in the Bible, He often asked the recipient not to tell anyone about their miracle. Perhaps if the general population of Jesus’ time knew of every single miracle He created, He would only be known as the miracle worker and not the Son of God, The Messiah, the Savior. Usually at the beginning of Lent, we are reminded to not go out in public wearing our sack-cloth and ashes to let everyone know that we are sacrificing. I am to go about my day just being me.
July 21, 2022
From The Wisdom of Fulton J. Sheen
Prayer
In moments when fever, agony and pain make it hard to pray, the suggestion of prayer that comes from merely holding the rosary—or better still, from caressing the Crucifix at the end of it—is tremendous!—Bishop Fulton J Sheen
Prayer comes in all sizes and shapes.There are the long chapters and verses of the Bible. Meditation books are helpful. It’s not so much how long you pray, or what you pray, it is just the simple fact that you are praying. Simples sentences to Jesus throughout the day are easy and Jesus appreciates them. The rosary should be prayed daily.
Bishop Sheen suggests when you are too tired, too sick, to scared to pray that you just hold onto your rosary; hold the crucifix in your hands. Close your eyes and picture standing at the foot of the cross. How do you feel? What can you say to Jesus?
We all have times when we are on overload. We know we should slow down. Sometimes we crash, and that is the time we need Jesus the most. Say His Name: Jesus, over and over. Imagine taking a walk with Jesus, or sharing a meal with Him. Imagine He knocks at your door. Let Him in. He does not care about any mess you have. He doesn’t care if you don’t have something special to feed Him. He only cares about you and how you are feeling. Carry a rosary with you then you will always have His Cross near by.
July 20, 2022
From Jesus Always
My right hand supports you
We can find a reference to Jesus holding out His right hand to support us. It’s a very comforting concept. We need Jesus to always be at our side; today especially. We live in a world like never before. It is difficult to try to understand who and what we are.
When we hold Jesus’ hand, He looks upon us as being childlike dependent. That’s the way He wants it. I am happy to be His child! What little one does not like to hold their parent’s hand? The child knows they will be safe, that their parents will keep them from falling, or going into dangerous places.
Jesus tells us in this reading that He uses difficult times to refine our faith and prove to Him that is is genuine. Our faith will grow stronger if we cling to Jesus in the midst of trials. We gain confidence that we can cope with future hardships with His help. Jesus’ hand is strong and righteous and there is no limit to how much support He will provide. Jesus tells us: Do not fear, for I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with His righteous right hand.
July 19, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2021)
Bring Me all your feelings
Do you talk with Jesus throughout the day and at anight? He wants us to talk with Him ALL THE TIME! Jesus asks that we bring Him feelings that you have and don’t like. Things like fear and anxiety. Living in a world that seem so uncertain can become a mental, emotional, physical and spiritual burden. Have you ever had feelings that you wished to never have? Maybe something form your past that frightened you or hurt you? There are times when I wish I could un-know some things.
Jesus wants to make sure we realize that feelings of fear and anxiety are not sinful. They are part of being human. But keeping those feelings around can lead to temptations of sin. Look for those temptations when you are in a state of panic or fear. Once the feelings begin, they can be hard to stop. I often wish that when I get in that kind of state of fear or panic that I would remember to ask St Michael for his shield and sword! Maybe we don’t need a shield and sword. Maybe all we need is the Name of Jesus!
We are told by Jesus that we are not to HIDE our fear. It is a real feeling and we must face it. It is how we face it—handle it that matters.
July 18, 2022
Retreat Reflections
How great to meet 20 new women at the retreat. We attended a Welcome Retreat for Women otherwise known at CHRP. This could not happen unless we had the help of so many people. We wanted the retreatants (Team 4) to be fully taken care of. They were greeted by some men from earlier retreats who carried in their luggage and sleeping bags/air mattresses. They were whisked off for an early and hearty breakfast. As they filled their trays with their food choices, their trays were taken by the hosting Team 3. This was done at every meal. They were escorted to the dining area. Now how is that for a Welcome?
The weekend was long but time went so fast! By the way, watches and iPhones were locked up for safety. We were on God’s Time! It would take a long time to go through all the activities we did. At each of the five tables, four women were from the new Team 4 and two were from team 3. It didn’t take long to get to know each other. Some of the Team 3 members and two from the Team 2 group gave witness to the women. They were based on various stages of their lives that were difficult as well as those of blessings. After each witness, we engaged in simple challenges of writing a poem or prayer; drawing a story on paper, or singing a song or rap, ie games. And yes, these ladies dreaded it, but we had so much fun!
A room was set up as an Adoration chapel. Two women were in there at all times since the Monstrance was present. I’ve never seen a small room transformed in to such a beautiful worship space! We went as a group several times. So quiet and peaceful and full of the Holy Spirit. We had a filling dinner of lasagna, salad, bread sticks salad, and some delicious sweet treats. We attended a late night Mass, celebrated by Fr. Augustine. After the homily, much to the surprise of the retreatants, there was a Feet Washing ceremony. This was very moving to the women and to Fr. Augustine. I remembered the tears I shed on feeling so unworthy of this great act.
When it was time for bed, the retreatants found their sleeping bags and air beds blown up and ready to be situation in each woman’s choice of space in our church space…on the floor. I remember the floor was cold and I didn’t sleep, but I can’t remember a more peaceful time. Teams 3, 2 and 1 slept in the classrooms on the second level.
Morning came so early and we started off with another good breakfast. We continued with the witnesses stories and games. By the way, coffee, tea and bottled water was available. The tables had a small lamp on it, bowls of candy and nuts, and our Bibles, notebooks, and activities folder. The Witness room that we spent most of our time in was beautifully decorated and all windows were blacked out with black curtains. As the morning grew later, the retreatants and the members of the other teams received a paper bag full of letters and cards from family and friends, and from supporting teams of the past. These women were surely aware of how much they were loved.
After only being together for the short weekend, we felt like we were leaving close sisters when we left. Well, we were. The space was filled with the Holy Spirit and we could sense other Holy entities surrounding us, including Angels. Someday, I hope you may experience this life changing event growing your faith with God.
July 15, 2022
Reflections
Getting a few things packed for my overnight women’s retreat. A lot of time and effort has been put into this great event. We have gone over the space; where things will be; where tables will be set. Even the luggage room will be set up so that each woman will have her own “parking space”. Food is being dropped off as I write. I will head over to church in an hour or so, bringing my air mattress, clothes and other necessities, and start to set up my area.
Will you please pray for the twenty women who will experience this for the first time? I remember how awe struck I was the whole time. They will hear about eight witnesses share their story of going through rough times and coming out into the light. I will be a witness as well. This is a very inspirational time.
A late evening Mass will be held at ten pm, with a foot washing to the new members, after which confessions will be heard. We only have one priest at this time, so prayers for Father Augustine are needed as well.
My wish is that everyone could experience a retreat like this. The Holy Spirit surrounds us, and we can feel His Presence. It can be a life changing experience. I know my faith became stronger after the retreat. My experience has been that I have made new friends from my faith community and we are creating a strong spiritual bond. Keep us in your prayers.
July 13, 2022
From Jesus Always
Ask for My help
We all know that we need to go to Jesus for His help, and most of the time, we think we can go it alone. Its not the big things we need help with, but the every day busyness. I am on a committee to sponsor a two day retreat for women this weekend. Nothing has be left undone as far as I know. We spent hours deciding who will sit where, what we will eat, who will be in charge of bringing in luggage and putting it away, where we will sleep etc… all details taken care of. Planning big events work the same way such as planning a wedding; details, details, details. Look at how much time we spend on planning a family gathering like Thanksgiving or a reunion.
We know how to do the big things. It’s the little things that cause us problems. You might start out well in the morning then you find yourself moving faster and faster—interrupting one thing to do another. Sometimes something will happen to throw you really off course, like a ringing phone. There is a way to deal with this. STOP everything. Take some deep breaths and whisper His Name: Jesus. If you can sit down for a bit, close your eyes. We have to be honest with Jesus and tell Him we can’t do it alone. He will get you through.
The Lord restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Psalm 23:3
July 12, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2018)
Reach up and grasp My hand
This is what Jesus wants me to do when I feel that I am in a bottomless pit. When I fall into a pool of self-pity. The longer I stay in this ugly mire, the closer I get to becoming depressed. That is not a good place to be. I speak from experience.
Jesus wants me to look up. Look up for the Light that He cast down. At first, it might just appear to be a speck of light, but the longer I focus on the Light, the larger it appears. Jesus is the speck of light. Further, it doesn’t matter how deep into this pit I am, the Light of Jesus can reach me anywhere! Jesus also asks that I reach up and grasp His hand. He will pull me into the Light and out of the pit. I will be cleansed by Jesus. He will wash all of the dirt and self-pity from me and then cover me in His goodness.
July 11, 2022
Gratitude and Patience
I had my second cataract surgery today. They were running about an hour and fifteen minutes behind schedule, but I sat with as much patience as I could muster. I thought it a good time to recognize my patience with time with Jesus. He sat in the chair next to me. I imagined His hand rub my back as a way to sooth me.
Eyesight is a beautiful gift! The blinds in my bedroom no longer have a yellow tinge to them. I will be patient as my eye begins to heal. I will see the outdoor world in a different way; the grass I look at will be the green grass that God created. The leaves will no longer look a little gray, but full on green. The interior of my house will/does look a little different.
I have gratitude for the doctors who so carefully remove a foggy lens and replace it with a clean, new lens. I thank the nurses who took care of me pre-op; checking to see that I was comfortable. Gratitude to the nurses who wheeled patients to surgery and back from surgery. The office staff who were compassionate to the waiting patients. Most of all I am grateful to my grandson, Zach, who has been my driver for both surgeries; grateful that he made time from his busy work to help his grandma. Sometimes gratitude is the same as blessings.
July10, 2022
From Rhetorical Jesus
Will you use this day I have given you to surrender your worries to Me?
It’s so easy to say yes to this, but can you really do it? How many times have you verbally told Jesus you are “giving it to Him” then turn around and take it back? This is an old story of mine but worth repeating:
You hold a beautiful apple; full and plump. The red of the skin is brilliant. But this apple is not for you. You have decided to give this to God. So before you begin, you put a little polish on it with a clean cloth. Now its better. Then you get a tiny whiff of the apple; you can tell it will be juicy, so you just take a tiny bite, just to make sure. Gosh, that is good! But look what you did to the apple! It has a bite in it. That tiny bite you took let a few drops of juice drip. You lick it so it doesn’t get the floor sticky, but instead you take a bite, a big bite. It is so sweet and crispy. Now you’ve made a mess of it. It looks all lopsided. So you take just a little bite over here and there. Now, that’s better. But it’s not. Maybe if you eat just one side, God won’t notice. So you take a few more bites. It’s not bad if you hold the eaten part facing you. Then the juice of the apple rolls onto the skin of the other side. You mean to lick it off, but you bite it instead. And then take another bite, and another. How awful! You only have a core of apple left. God knows you were going to take something to Him and you know He must be waiting on you. There is no other choice but to give to God what is left. You hang your head low, so ashamed. You hold it out to God, cringing at what He might think. He takes it from your hand and says “Thank you!” You look up at God and He is smiling.
July 9, 2022
From Jesus Calling
Stop Worrying; Be Quiet
We can’t hear others when our minds are spinning around and around. It takes a quiet mind to properly hear/listen. Have you ever been with people and while they are talking, you are, in your mind, rehearsing what you are going to say next?
Jesus tells us that we have to be quiet long enough to hear His Voice. It is when your thoughts are on Jesus, AND you are quiet, that you will hear His Voice. When your mind is so full of thoughts and ideas, it is like your mind is on a fast carnival ride.
Jesus speaks softly for a reason. The quieter He is, the harder we have to try to hear His words. Quiet, for me, includes blocking out vision. It is easier to be mind-quiet if your vision is blocked. He puts His thoughts into our minds and wants us to know what it is He wants us to know. Your busy mind can create anxiety and confusion. Time with Jesus means that He is the only one you are to think about and be with.
Asking the Spirit (Holy Spirit) to quiet our minds and bodies is the best way to insure a good experience with Jesus. Ask for help from the Spirit for quiet; mind and body. We have to turn off the outside world to do this. Make time to be quiet with Jesus. Put it on your calendar and use an alarm to notify you. We all need this quiet time with Jesus, every one of us.
July 7, 2020
From Jesus Today
Look the
Right Way
In today’s reading we are told to look the right way. This does not mean how we actually look; what we wear, our hairstyle, our shoes. But, the meaning is how we look at things, as in positive or negative, hopeful or lost, happy or sad, beauty or ugly. Looking at the Lord is always the right way, because He is the Way. The earth has land that is beautiful and land that is just vast wastelands. God created both, with a purpose for both. God intends for us to look at the beauty and enjoy it; thanking Him for it.
There is much ugliness in the world today. We are asked by Jesus not to focus on it. We have to deal with it, because it exists, but we should never allow the ugliness to be our main focus. I know that it will make us sick. I can become hooked on watching the terribleness going on all around me on the TV. I have come to not watching the news. I don’t know what is true or not, but if I turn to Jesus, He will help me sort it out.
We all yearn for positivity in this world, but we have no control over the events of the day. When things are negative and ugly, we need to call on Jesus for help. Take a little time out of your day and just sit and be with Jesus. You don’t have to talk. He knows what you think and feel.
We are the sheep and Jesus is the Shepherd. As sheep we listen for His voice. We trust Him, and we know He will keep us safe. As Jesus’ sheep we look to Him for blessings. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”—John 10:27
July 5, 2022
Spiritual Quotes
No one was ever lost because his sin was too great, but because his trust was too small.—St. Francis Xavier Seelos
Being lost is a very scary thing. Lost in the woods; department store, new town. It is even worse to be lost spiritually or emotionally. We go around in circles looking for. . .what are we looking for? When you are in sin, you may feel lost, but you are never lost with Jesus. You may feel spiritually lost even though you know that Jesus is at your side.
Sometimes we think we can not be worthy of Jesus’ love because of our sin. But that is the exact opposite of how Jesus’ love works. He does not look and you and see your sin, but He sees the child that God created.
We have to learn to trust Our Lord in everything and in every way. Trust is hard to do if you have ever been betrayed or lied to. But once you put all that in the past, you are on the right road to trust. Trust is a sign of Love. Jesus loves us all so very much and wants us to trust Him no matter how you think your soul looks.
July 4, 2022
Reflecting on this holiday
I wanted to give some patriotic reflection on this great holiday of America’s Independence. I ran across 50 quotes for Independence Day. They say it all:
America is another name for opportunity.—Ralph Waldo Emerson
America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination, and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.—President Harry S Truman
Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.—President George Washington
I’d like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free and wanted other people to be also free.—Rosa Parks
Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.—President John F Kennedy
Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.—President Abraham Lincoln
I believe we should send our prayers to those who fought for our country. They are with God. We ask that we all should have the courage to stand for our nation as well. We will only be strong enough if we walk with Jesus daily. Remember that He is always with us. If He isn’t, we must have turned away.
July 3, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2018)
Judging and Condemning
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” —Luke 6:37.
This passage stood out over the actual reading today which focuses on judging others. I am guilty of judging other people. I know it is wrong to do, but yet, I still make those quick split-second judgements. I think about how often I might judge someone based on how they are dressed, or how they speak. I judge people based on their political affiliation. I know this is not what Jesus wants from me! God is the only judge and He alone can judge others. I can make it seem less offensive if I just say that I’m stating my impression of someone, but to be honest, that is still judgement and I have no right to judge others.
I am greatly offended when someone judges me incorrectly, so how can I justify my judgement of others? It’s what our country does these days. Everyone has an opinion about others. I would guess that our judgements are mostly wrong too. I don’t walk in other peoples shoes, so I don’t really know what is going on or how they feel. So now I feel I have yet another change to make in my life. Can I do it? I honestly don’t know, but I sure can try to change and I will try not to judge anyone today!
July 1, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2018)
Transfer your
heavy burdens to Me
Jesus wants to carry my burdens, and He is so fully capable with His strong shoulders. When I try to carry my burdens on my shoulders, I simply create stress and tightness in my shoulders. I have to tell Jesus I am giving Him my problems, but then I must let Him keep them. I, like most people, want to give my problem to Jesus, but then I start to second-guess and believe that I can handle it all on my own. But that never works out.
I wrote a short story some years ago that was based on a homily I heard at Mass one Sunday. As the story goes, I have a beautiful apple to give to God. I hold it up to Him, but looking at the smooth red skin I am tempted; then I take a bite. I compose myself and lift it up to the Lord once again, but I see that the bite was a bit crooked and it would look better if I evened it out. And it goes on and on. I finally have nothing left but the apple core itself. Ashamed, I lift it up to God and He takes if from me, smiles, and says “Thank You.”
June 30, 2022
From Spiritual Quotes
St Francis de Sales
Never be in hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose you inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.—St Francis de Sales
What followed this great quote were seven Tips to Inner Peace (from Wendy’s blog-Gukierski Family) First and most important is to make time for prayer. Set an alarm clock if you have to. I know some people pray by the clock. They start at a certain time and then time their prayer time and do not stop until the time is up.
We need to pay attention to the people that give us stress. It is not healthy to get stressed because of another person. Be nice to them, but limit your time with them. The best thing to do is to pray for them.
Music is very important for finding inner peace. Maybe you like classical music, or maybe the new Christian music. Maybe you like the old songs of the past with the great voices of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. Sometimes something we sing at Mass sticks with me. Lately I find myself singing the Gloria during the day. I know it by heart and maybe that’s why I like it.
You can’t win every battle. I know I can’t. There are certain topics that I cannot talk about with other people. Its hard, because I want to share my information. So, it is best to pick and choose your battles. No topic of conversation is worth losing a friend or family member over.
We always feel good when we help someone out, whether it is money or a meal, used clothing, or time. It is when we give more daily that one can begin to experience peace. It doesn’t matter how big or much you give. Even a smile at a person in the grocery store is a great gift.
Reading is something many people enjoy doing. Maybe it is the daily newspaper or a new novel. One can find peace if you read uplifting things. There are so many books and magazines for prayer and meditation available today. Stay away from reading (or listening to) the news on cable. Try reading the Bible. When I can, and/or think about it, I read just s few chapters. Reading more than that a one time can cause me overload.
If you attend Mass on a regular basis, it is best you hang out with friends who do the same. Don’t be with people (in person or online) who drag you down. You have to choose your friends wisely. There is a saying: Birds of a feather flock together!
June 29, 2022
From Jesus Lives (2021)
Trust
Many of us fear tomorrow. We worry about bad news or tragedy around the corner. Jesus tells us that He loves us the same whether we have fears or worries. But, He would like for us to make progress in our trust in Him. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but, we know that Jesus is and will always be at our side. It’s easy to get off track of “right-thinking” when we forget Who walks with us.
We may travel a bumpy road with many twists and turns along the way. At our side is Jesus, holding our hand if we need Him to. He points out areas to avoid; there is much there that can hurt you there, He says. Don’t always think that you have to take the shortest route either. There are hidden dangers along that road. He tells me to “just stay close to me and I will keep you safe.”
Begin your day by greeting Our Lord. Tell Him of your plans for the day, making sure you acknowledge His plans for you. Throughout the day, say: “Jesus, I trust in you” multiple times. I try to say that as soon a I hit a snag in my day. Before you go to sleep, make sure you make amends with those around you, and then go to Jesus and discuss your day; your successes and failures. Also, forgive yourself for things you did not do right.
June 28, 2022
Spiritual Quotes
Mother Angelica
It’s your obligation to speak the truth, and everyone can either take it or leave it. But truth must be in us. We live in such a poverty of truth today.—Mother Angelica
It is hard to believe you have the truth only to find out that others think you are crazy. I get it. Some things being said today seem out of the realm of reality. Those who know the truth, must share it regardless of other peoples opinions.
I understand when a person hears something strange and are expected to accept it as true. But, do those same people bother to look into the strangeness they hear of? We have to think outside the box; an old cliché to be certain. Some people don’t want the truth, because they don’t want change. It is hard to change thoughts and ideas that were instilled in your since you were born. Look at the apostles for example. They were living a decent life. Then Jesus came along and told them things they could not fathom. But they did not run away from Jesus. They kept an open mind and heart and listened to what Jesus had to say. They eventually found the truth through Jesus.
The truth is out there; we just have to be willing to accept that not all things are the way we want them to be. Think of the college student going off to college for the first time. My how their lives changed. Think of the newlyweds; their first year is full of changes and challenges. Remember how your life changed when you had a baby? Sure, you were scared, but you stayed with it and became the person you are today. Ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten you with the Truth. Then make sure you listen for His Truth.
June 27, 2022
from Jesus Calling (2019)
Rest with Me a while
Sometimes it feels like all I do is rest. I’m not lazy but I’m not doing much. Perhaps I should enjoy this time, after all, I am retired! When I rest, am I aware that Jesus is at my side? Acknowledging Jesus’ Presence would certainly make my rest-time seem more purposeful. For me the heading should read: Rest patiently with Me a while. The key word is patience. I know that I am in a morphing mode, that things or something is changing for, me. I always want to “understand” everything but Jesus asks me not to try to understand; it is like ‘Give it to God’.
Some of my day’s journeys were filled with hardship and trials. And, the journey forward is full of uncertainty. Jesus asks me not to try to look ahead, see what lies before me. He also asks that I not keep looking behind me. I can’t change the past. What He asks instead is to focus on Him. He is at my side always, my constant companion. I am trying to think of Jesus more in my daily activities.
I can refresh myself in Jesus’ company. He tells me that the highest level of trust is simply enjoying His Presence at my side. He knows when I talk, either out loud or quietly in my head, that I am talking to Him. I may appear to be crazy when I am talking to Jesus when I am in a public space. Someone may see my lips move and wonder what that woman is up to. But it is just conversing with Jesus; asking His advice or why something works the way it does. The more I try to keep my focus on Jesus the better I get at feeling His Presence. So, today, if I look like I’m just sitting idle on the couch, I might really be talking with Jesus and resting with Him a while.
June 26, 2022
From Jesus Always
I am for you
What, then, shall we
say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us.
Romans 8:31
We need to know as children of God, that we are truly loved. It may be difficult to understand the depth of Gods love for us. He promises all of us that He is truly with us; He is truly for us. He is on our side.
When we don’t seem to feel the presence of God in our lives, its easy to feel somewhat abandoned. But, if the truth be told, God never turns His back on us. If we feel that absence of Him, it is likely because we have turned our back on Him. Not intentionally of course!
During these times we need to tell ourselves the truth: God is not only with us always, but He is for us all the time… even when we are in sin. It doesn’t matter how well behaved we are. Some days we do very well and some days not so much. Even though our behavior can change from day to day, God’s love is always there, always and always permanent.
When we realize that God is for us, the fears and anxiety we have will diminish and we will be able to face adversity more calmly. Just knowing that God is for us and not person, no thing will be able to separate us from His love Presence.
June 25, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2018)
Open your hands
and heart to this day
When I open my hands and heart to this day, Jesus fills it with many gifts. His first gift of the day is the sunrise. It is how he announces His Presence! Jesus has my day planned even before I wake up in the morning. Jesus would love for me to greet Him first thing. That is usually my intention, however, other situations pop up that cause me to delay my greeting to Him.
Jesus wants me to worship Him and sing my praises to Him. I don’t think He expects me to spend my entire day with this praise, but He at least wants an acknowledgement from me. If I only can talk to Jesus in short periods He is happy with that. It is ideal to schedule a blocked period of time to spend with Jesus. He does appreciate my effort.
June 24, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2020)
Umbrella of Light
What is an umbrella of light? It is how I imagine being with Jesus in the Light. In todays Jesus Calling we are asked to hold Jesus’ hand—and trust. He wants us to stay away from the fear and anxiety that hovers around us daily. Picture this: you are standing next to Jesus, and He is on your right side. Now, above you is His Light that is shaped somewhat like an umbrella. When you walk with Jesus, you stay under the Light with Him. Just as with a material umbrella, if you walk away from it, you will get wet. Just as an umbrella protects us from rain and hail, the Umbrella of Light protects us from sin and other dangers.
We can find refuge with Jesus during this trying times just by staying close to Him. Being under the Umbrella of Light keeps us close. So close, in fact, that we tend to talk to Jesus as we share the Light. It feels protective to be under that precious Light with Jesus.
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.—Psalm 62:5-6
June 23, 2022
Spiritual Quotes
I found this piece and thought it would be nice to share. It is very simple.
Seven daily prayers.
They are: Pray for Love, Pray for Peace, Pray for Others Pray for Forgiveness, Pray for Guidance, Pray for Protection, and Pray for Faith.
Love is an action of doing right by a person, even if they have done you wrong. Jesus did this everyday in His Ministry. He was rarely trusted or believed. It was only when people saw His actions of Love, did they begin to understand Him.
Peace. World Peace or Peace of Mind? I think they go hand in hand. If you have peace of mind, you will be accepting of the world, no matter what state the world is in. Peace of Mind is having a trust in Jesus.
Pray for Others. We often say we will pray for others then forget about them when we pray. I have found that when someone asks for prayers, or I say I will pray for someone, I do it right away. Ask Jesus to help the person you wish to pray for. and tell Him your prayer intention for them.
Forgiveness is difficult for many people; myself included. I want to be forgiven, but I must forgive others first.
Pray for Guidance. As I walk with Jesus everyday, I trust Him to guide me safely through the day. He may whisper something to me, or put His hand on my mouth to prevent me from saying or doing something to hurt another person.
I depend on Jesus’ Protection daily. I often forget about my Guardian Angel, who is also at my side. I have thanked my Angel while driving in my car, or climbing a ladder or anything that I do that puts me at risk.
Pray for Faith. One can never have too much Faith, but it is not always easy to keep your Faith strong. The Holy Spirit can help you to grow in your Faith.
June 22, 2022
Prayer Journaling
I saw an article about prayer journaling the other day and I want to share its main points. I have journaled before and it is very helpful. Since I write this post everyday (or almost everyday) I don’t feel the need to write with pen and paper. But I know I would benefit if I started again.
There are six main
points to ponder:
1. Spiritual journaling creates a habit
2. Spiritual journaling helps us self-examine
3. Journaling helps you focus your prayer
4. Prayer journaling helps you understand your past
5. Journaling helps you understand
your prayer seasons
6. You prayer journal may become a witness to future generations.
All of these points are important to you when you journal. First it does create a habit. About a year and a half ago, at Easter, I decided to say a daily rosary. It was hard at first, but now I can’t go to bed without saying it. When journaling its all about you and God, Jesus, Holy Spirit. You can become intimate with your Lord. You will become more honest with your words. It takes some focus to write pen and paper, and this helps you maintain your focus on your writing.
Something that surprised me when I journaled was learning to understand my past. Things will pop up from the past. They will make you think. The Holy Spirit will be with you and you will be able to feel His presence and understand that it was the Holy Spirit that had you write certain things. Many saints used journaling as part of their prayer practice. These have become records of some of the most beautiful lives ever lived in Christ. Pick up a pen/pencil and a journal book and let your heart and soul speak to you.
June 2022
Year of the Eucharist
Yesterday at Sunday Mass we learned that we, the Catholic Church will have a 3-year Eucharistic revival. The US Bishops approved a motion on November 17, 2021 to focus on the Eucharist in the life of the church. It will be a three-year Eucharistic revival that will end with the National Eucharistic Congress, 2024, in Indianapolis.
This “could be a time of healing for the entire church as well as a movement of evangelization and a reawakening of understanding the sacrament of the Eucharist for Catholics across the country.”—americamagazine.org
According to the plan, in 2023, the emphasis will be on parishes and resources aimed at increasing our understanding of what the Eucharist really means. Blessed Carlo Acutis will be the patron for the first year of the revival. “The Italian teen who was beatified in October 2020, died of leukemia at age 15. He was a programmer who used social media to unite many people and spread Christian values.”—americamagazine.org
I look forward to this revival. My pastor told us that we will learn more about the Eucharist form the pulpit. I think many of us would like to have a closer connection to Jesus in the Eucharist. Spending time with Him in the adoration chapel is always an hour well-spent. It would wonderful if all churches could have a 24-7 open chapel of the Eucharist. And I think most of us would like our Eucharist experience help us grow closer to Jesus. Let us pray for the success of this Eucharistic revival.
June 19, 2022
From Jesus Always (2020)
Walk Close to Me
Most of us want to walk close to Jesus every day and we do our best. But we need reminders ever so often. Jesus tries to keep us on the straight road but other terrains often distract us. One thing Jesus wants to emphasize in todays reading is that we stay next to Him. He is always there for us and He does not turn away or walk away from us. When we see that we are not as close as we used to be, it is us who is moving away from Jesus, unintentionally. We become so distracted by the outside world. And, the past two-plus years are an example of distraction.
Jesus wants us to walk with Him in the moment. He does not want us to look ahead. If we do, we tend to look only at terrain that might be difficult for us. We become so focused on what lies ahead that we forget to watch where we step in the here and now. Looking back does not help us at all. The past is done and it cannot be undone. You will also see how much ground you have covered with Jesus, and that He has truly taken care of you, shielded and protected you.
Walking with Jesus in the here and now is how we need to walk, remembering that Jesus was in the past with us, He will be in the future with us, and He is with us now. “I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.”—Proverbs 4:11
June
18, 2022
Catholic Spiritual Quotes
Acquire the habit of speaking to God a if you were alone with Him, familiarly and with confidence and love, as to the dearest and most loving of friends.—St Alphonsus Ligouri
How do you communicate to God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit? Do you say the memorized prayers from your childhood? Or, do you talk with Our Lord as if He were sitting with you on a park bench or your couch at home? It doesn’t matter; it is the communicating that is important to Him.
I personally like to talk with Jesus. I can relate to Him because He walked the earth like I do. He did all the normal things I have and will do. The stone in His sandal hurts just like the stone in my sandal. He grieves at the death of someone He knows just as I grieve people I know. If I complain about how hot it is outside, (and trust me it is hot) He and his apostles probably complained about it too.
We are to look upon Our Lord as a friend, a dear and loving friend. We know we can go to Him with confidence, and trust that He really hears us. We can go to Him any time. We don’t have to call or text or email Him and wait for a response. He’s right there next to us.
If we call upon Him frequently, it will become a habit; a good habit. I sometimes find myself talking when I unload or load the dishwasher or other chores. I will tell Jesus that I am not talking to myself, but to Him, because I know He hears me. You can also keep a prayer journal where you write the things you want Jesus to know. Just keep in touch with Our Lord daily.
June 17, 2022
From Jesus Always (2019)
Relax and Laugh
I love this reading! It helps me get back my perspective. I take most things in life so seriously and that just puts me in a stressful state. I sometimes think that I’ve forgotten how to relax. In my mind’s eye, I envision a beach with gentle breezes, the smell of the salty air, clear blue sky and temperatures just right! But it is nearly one hundred degrees and humid. I guess I can’t have the beach scene today, but I will find other ways to relax. One of the most relaxing and restful things is my rosary hour. I like to sit outside at night, if it isn’t too hot and watch nature at night. If I stay in the house, I light my candles and keep my eyes closed. I finished well rested.
Jesus wants me to laugh too! There is a beautiful picture of Jesus laughing; laughing out loud. It shows a very human side of Jesus. I think a lot of people have forgotten how to smile. They are so embittered in their anger. Covid has not helped to lighten our lives nor the state of the world. I have taken a Laughter Yoga class several times. When I am finished with it, my face hurts from smiling, my tummy muscles are sore from laughing. It is an actual exercise that leaves me with a smile on my face for a long time.Today is my day to relax and laugh and I intend to do my best at both.
June 16, 2022
From Rhetorical Jesus
Motivation
The question in Rhetorical Jesus is “What is the greatest motivation in your life?” I suppose it depends on where you are at in your life. A teenager graduating from high school would be different from a person like me; a widow in my golden years. A young mother with small children would be different from the CEO of a great corporation. I think to answer this question, one has to figure out where you are at this present time.
The greatest motivation in our lives should be to glorify God;
to give Him glory. We all have different ways of doing that. St. Teresa of Calcutta knew that her glory to God was caring for the sick, lonely, poor and dying of India. When did she know that was her motivation for glory? Do you know what your motivation is?
Is there something special you do to show glory to God?
How does one know what their motivation is? These are some questions to ask yourself. Maybe you don’t know yet what your motivation is to be? Maybe it is different today than it was, say, ten
or twenty years ago?
I know that my motivation has changed several times. In fact, I had many years of not having any motivation at all to give Glory to God. I might have been wrapped up in my family life, or a job. What I like about being older is that I can see more clearly what God wants of me. For the past seven or eight years, I learned that I can write in a spiritual way, sometimes giving motivation to others to seek out the peace and comfort of Jesus. Writing my monthly short biblical fiction story, puts me inside the Bible. I know that my writing is what I am to be doing today. Think about your motivation to give God glory, and it will come to you.
June 15, 2022
Spiritual Quotes
You are not too dirty for God to cleanse. You are not too broken for God to fix. You are not too far for God to reach. You are not too guilty for God to forgive. And you are not too worthless for God to love.—Unknown
Many people think they are unworthy of God’s love. And they are truly wrong. I believe that God loves us not matter who or what we are. He especially likes when we go to Him with our problems first. God loves the poor who live in shacks as much as the rich who live in mansions. God loves the broken as much, if not more than the strong. And we know that all sins can be forgiven, whether small or major.
The first line: ‘you are not to dirty for God to cleanse’ brought back a memory I had some years ago. I volunteered on Friday mornings and would usually stop at the McDonalds down the street for a coffee and egg McMuffin. Going through the drive thru I noticed a man who looked to be homeless standing outside the building. He was there in the heat and the cold. One cold day I went inside to get my breakfast as I was unusually early. I saw him sitting in the back, sipping on a hot coffee. It was shortly before Christmas. I went to the counter and bought a couple of gift cards. I took them back to him and noticed the filth and dirt on this man. I looked at his knuckles which had dirt embedded in the creases. I gave him the cards and told him to get something good to eat. He said he’d get a nice hot chocolate. Then I really looked into his eyes. They were gentle and beautiful! Captivating, I would say. I knew at that moment that I was looking into the eyes of Jesus!
June 14, 2022
Spiritual Quotes
God promises to make something good out of the storms that bring devastation to your life.
Romans 8:28
I have a weekend retreat coming up next month. I will be giving a witness; sharing some of my life. I wrote one three years ago but it needed some updating. My main theme is going through the darkness so that you can see the light. I had a very turbulent time in my life, the bottom of the pit. And because of it, because I could go no lower, I started to open my eyes and climb up out of the dark hole to see the light. I know I would be a different person if I had not had that pain. Seeking the light became a spiritual thing for me and it was the first time I saw my faith grow.
Jesus tells us to have gratitude for everything, even the not so nice things. It sounds impossible, but it can happen. One time when I went to Mass I saw someone sitting my “my seat”, the one I sat in every Sunday. I was pouting about it when I recalled what Jesus said about gratitude for everything. I began to look for the good. Looking out the window, I saw an old man walking with a walker. Gosh! I have two good legs to walk on. I am able to attend Mass, I have my own transportation. I am able to stand and sit, and I can receive The Eucharist! By the time Mass started I had figured myself out. I was grateful for everything Jesus had given me!
June 13, 2022
Practical Guide to
Holiness
This is something I found today. I think we all need some reminders. This is from Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos C. Ss. R.
1. Go to Mass with deepest devotion.
2. Spend a half hour to reflect upon your main failing and make resolutions to avoid it.
3. Do daily spiritual reading for at least 15 minutes, if a half hour is not possible.
4. Say a rosary every day.
5. Also daily, if at all possible, visit the Blessed Sacrament and toward evening, meditate on the Passion of Christ for a half hour.
6. Conclude the day with evening prayer, and an examination of conscience over al the faults and sins of the day.
7. Every month make a review of the month in Confession.
8. Choose a special patron every month and imitate that patron in some special virtue.
9. Precede every great feast with a Novena, that is, nine days of devotion.
10. Try to begin and end very activity with a “Hail Mary.”
I know this seems out dated; Blessed Francis died in 1867. Even so, I’m sure most of us can do many of the things on the list. I especially like #8; choosing a special patron every month (or week) and imitate that patron in some special way.
June 12, 2022
Holy Trinity
Sunday
Today we celebrate the Holy Trinity. God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. How does the Holy Trinity work in our lives? In Romans, Paul reminds us that we have received a Spirit of adoption; we are sons and daughters of God.
“The Holy Spirit makes possible the wholeness or oneness in us to enable Christ to work through us.”
The Trinity is a difficult concept to understand. Well, we are not supposed to understand it. It is far above any comprehension we have. One woman told me that she thinks of the Trinity as herself, a person. She is mother, sister and daughter. Another way to explain, which is particularly good for children is that the Trinity is like an egg. One egg has three parts; the shell, the white and the yoke. God has three different persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
An example of the Holy Trinity and how we worship: we offer our worship and praise “to God through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit.” Blessings are given in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. This simple prayer may have been one of the first prayers you learned as a child.
We know that God, the Father, is the creator of all things. We know that Jesus walked this earth as a man and suffered and died for our sins. From the Nicene Creed: By the power of the Holy Spirit He (Christ) was born of the Virgin Mary. . .
June 10, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2017)
Remember that you are on a journey with Me
I must remember that my life’s journey is not mine to travel alone. I have Jesus with me everyday. Life is a journey…with twists and turns, ups and down and long stretches of flatland. Even though the flatlands are easy, they can also be boring. Nothing to look at along the way; making it easy to be distracted by negative thoughts.
When I plan for the future, imagining every possibility, I ignore the fact that I have a Companion with me who will guide me when I get to the future. Jesus sustains me along the way, every moment along the way. When I become too distracted, I forget that Jesus is holding my hand. I lose all sense of His powerful grip on my hands.
I must never lose sight of Jesus’ Presence with me. I must keep my thoughts on Him. Jesus talks to me constantly and when I become distracted, I cannot hear Him. (1-Thessalonians 5:17 has a great bit of advice… “Pray continually.”) This is straight to the point!
June 9, 2022
from Jesus Always
Surely
the Lord is in this place
Am I comfortable saying this when I am in my house? I know the Lord (Jesus) is in church and in nature, but my home? Last Sunday was Pentecost Sunday. What a time that must have been for the apostles! On Pentecost Mass the priest alluded to the wind, not as a breeze, but as a powerful wind, such as we see in tornados. How could anyone in that sacred room not know that Jesus was with them! Jesus tells me to go to Him as often as I can. He wants me to whisper the words: Surely the Lord is in this place. Jesus is with me everywhere, all the time.
I am to go to Jesus with all my problems, my wants, my feelings. This is probably the best way to learn to “feel” the presence of Him with me daily. He wants me to relax; to know that I am not alone and He is with me to help me. And, Jesus loves me just the way I am. I don’t have to try and be like anyone but myself. I am the way Jesus created me to be. Calling Jesus, whispering little things to Him, will help to keep me on the right path in this life. Is the Lord in my home? Yes, I believe He is, but it is up to me to create an environment where His Holy Presence can be felt.
June 7, 2022
From the Wisdom of Bishop Fulton J Sheen
Our personal dispositions
are as windowpanes through which we see the world either as rosy or dull. The way we color the glasses we wear is the way the world seems to us.
Bishop Fulton J Sheen
This quote caught my attention. I had my first cataract surgery two weeks ago. The eye that I had surgery on sees light and bright. I have my second surgery next week. This eye sees everything with a yellow overcast. It does make a difference how we see things, and how we see things creates our dispositions.
If you live in a state of anxiety, you become suspicious of the world around you. However, if you live in a state of relative peace, you accept things for just the way they are.
What if we could see through the eyes of Jesus. We would see a sick man wanting to be cured instead of a dangerous leper. If you see the scene of the adulteress, you may not pay so much attention to the woman, but rather, you would focus on the men ready to stone her. We can choose how we want to see things. Happiness is a choice, as is sadness. We can be optimists or pessimists. We get to choose which glasses we will wear.
June 6, 2022
From Mornings with Jesus (2020)
Goals
This reading written by Heidi Gaul, focused on a time her family went to play miniature golf. She realized that everyone had the same goal; to complete the shot and sink the ball. She watched how each member of her family had a different technique. One studied the traps and embankments with thoughtfulness. Just the way he lives his life! Her daughter who is known for her joking and kidding and only concentrated once she swung.
Her story made me think about the different ways we address our life with Jesus. We all have the same goal, to go to heaven. But it is interesting how differently. Some people will size up each situation in their life and act accordingly to its urgency. Others want to go to heaven but they always wait until tomorrow to worry about it. Some live their lives devoted to Christ and His Church and really don’t worry or think about their end goal; they trust God!
I think about how I approach reaching my goal of heaven. I try to live the best life I can, but I can always look back and realize I could have done more. Sometimes I try to “turn it over to God” and when I can truly let go of what I turned over, I feel a wonderful peace. I have no worries when God is in charge. If my goal is heaven, then everyday should be turned over to God.
There are many different way we live our faith. We all have the same goal. Where are you at in your goal?
June 5, 2022
Pentecost
If asked when the Church was born, most of us would say Christmas, when Jesus was born. But the truth is that Pentecost is the birthday of the Church. This is because it is when the reason for Christ’s birth has been fulfilled. He was born, then served His Ministry under God, died for our sins, rose from the dead, ascended into Heaven and finally returned as the Holy Spirit who will be with us forever.
Imagine what it would be like to have been in the Room with the disciples. Still nervous from the death and Resurrection of Jesus, then watching Him disappear into the Heavens. There were many people outside who came from all parts of the land. Suddenly, a strong wind blew, creating a great noise. I would imagine the disciples were frightened until each of them had a burning flame above their heads. This gift of the Holy Spirit calmed them and they began to understand. They went to the people outside and spoke to them. Even though the people were from many lands and languages, they understood what the disciples had to say in their own language. Imagine the shock of this to everyone gathered out side of the upper Room!
The Holy Spirit comes to us all the time, and, we may not be aware of it. The Holy Spirit will protect you by surrounding you with His Wings of Love. He will help you solve your problems, often through a thought or image, a sound or sight, or maybe with a gentle breeze passing by or through your body. Today is the birthday of the Church. Let us celebrate with great joy!
June 4, 2022
From Jesus Calling
Welcome Challenging Times
No one wants to welcome challenging times. But these times can become opportunities to trust Jesus. He is with us and at our sides at all times. His Spirit is within us and no circumstances will be too big to handle. We can get through all the bad times with Jesus. When we lean on Him in times of trial, the easy times are even easier. We do have to recognize what our level of strength is. We should never measure our strength against those challenges. We will be full of anxiety if we do.
Jesus offers His hand to hold on to. He will hold it tightly while He stays in close communication with us. Then there is trust. We have to have trust, always. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”—Philippians 4:13. We can be in perfect Peace as long as we stay close to Jesus; no matter what kind of problems we are having.
There will always be challenges in our lives; there is no escaping them. Don’t look for them, but accept them as they come. No problem is too big for Jesus to solve. We just have to keep our heart, eyes and ears open to Him.
June,
3, 2022
From the Wisdom of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
To pass from sadness to joy requires a birth, a moment of travail and labor, for no one ever mounts to a higher level of life without death to the lower.—Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
I have been a bit lazy about getting these out, but I am working making it better.
Most of us were born the womb passage to the outside world. I don’t know if the baby feels pain or not, but I know there is a struggle. The world is different for the baby in the world of light and sound after peacefully enjoying the womb of the mother. There are certain butterflies that have a very difficult time emerging from the chrysalis, longer than most butterflies. It might be tempting to help it out but if you do, the emerged butterfly will not be able to use its wings. That is because it is emerging itself that pumps life into the wings.
We all go through tough times. We might look back on it as the worst time of our lives. But we get through it. I had a patch of a very difficult time about 25 years ago. I didn’t think I could make it. I knew my life would forever be changed; and I was right. Today, I think of how hard those months were and realize that it was indeed a turning point for me. I am grateful to have gone through it as I look back, because I am now who I am.
“The only way out is through.”—Robert Frost. How do we get through? We seek out Jesus for His help. No One is happier to help us than Jesus. We have to remember that our trials are a part of the life God create for us. There are somethings we need when in a difficult situation. First and foremost, we need our Faith. It is like crutches for those who cannot walk. And when walking with Jesus, we can through the crutches out! We also need the loving support of family and friends. This is paramount for healing. We have to let others help even if we think we can go it alone. And we cannot give into fear and anxiety. This can hold up the process. As in most things in our lives, we have choices. We can choose to be afraid, or we can choose to be fearless.
June 1, 2022
From the Wisdom of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
Solitude can be very rewarding and full of blessing because in the silence of the inner being, one finds God.—Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
I do well in silence. Noise, of many people talking at once, bothers me. I do much better in the quiet places. If I have difficulty trying to be quiet to pray or to talk to Jesus, I have gone so far as to put a blanket over my head. This works for me because I cannot see the surrounding distractions.
Jesus went off to be alone during His ministry here on earth. Most notable is the forty days in the desert. It was at the end of his silent retreat that Satan came to Him. We should all have a time of silence in our lives. If the desert works for you; great! Most of have to find other ways to find silent prayer. After doing a little research, I found some ways to help with silence.
You have to control your breathing first and foremost. Concentrating on our inhaling and exhaling will help you to focus your attention. Find some words that you can repeat like “Jesus I trust in You”, “Jesus, have mercy on me”, “You are the son of the Living God”. You will undoubtedly become distracted. When you do, go back to your silence without becoming upset. Distractions are inevitable. It is the time Satan will want to tempt you the most.
The purpose of silence is to stop talking and begin listening. Too often, we do not listen. But it is important to listen in your silence, because that is the time that Our Lord will come to you. Don’t become discouraged if you cannot find your place of silence. It doesn’t happen every time. You just have to be diligent. Jesus understands your desire to be quiet with Him. That is enough.
May 30, 2022
Memorial Day
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.—John 15:13
Today we honor those who laid down their lives for us; all of us. Jesus also laid down His life for us. Soldiers are like Jesus in the way that they unselfishly enter into turbulent times. Jesus was not a soldier per say, but He did die for us just as the soldiers die for us and our freedom.
Jesus was not treated kindly for most of His ministry life. Our soldiers who go to war are not treated kindly either. Foremost in my mind, I think of the soldiers of the Vietnam war. They went through and saw horrible things, only to come home to protests against them and the war. We are at a time when wars will be different.
We are at war today; a very different war. A war between good and evil. If I never thought that Satan was real, I do today. We now all have to put on our armor of Faith and fight this great fight against the evil. It is a hard war but we can fight through prayer, especially the rosary. Mary promised to take care of us. She just wants us to pray the rosary.
I don’t know what the outcome of any wars of today will be. But we can be certain that we will not walk alone.
May 29, 2022
My Birthday Wish
Today is my birthday. I am now seventy-seven years old. Sometimes I feel like it, and sometimes I feel like I did as a teenager; my mind, not my body. There is much I am grateful for. I was a born into a great family. Number two of seven. Did you know that the number seven means perfection, completeness in the Bible? I’m grateful for the faith in God that my parents showed me. My life has been. . . interesting, I’d say. Ive had ups and downs, joys and sadness, times of strength and times of weakness. I’ve had times of great faith, and times when I could not find Jesus at all.
We live in a topsy-turvy world. Up is down, and down is up. Nothing is as it seems. It is a hard time for us. Many of us are confused; wondering why this or that is happening. I know people sense something is off; something weird going on. Some of you pretend everything is good; when you know deep, deep down it is not good at all.
God has a plan for us. I don’t know what it is. But He will be with all of us, all the time. If a crisis strikes, or an earthly disaster occurs, He will be here for us. He does not want us to be frightened about anything, because He will be here for us.
My birthday wish is for all of mankind to see Jesus in every person in this world. This includes the homeless, the addicts, the wealthy, the religious faithful, the atheist, the hungry, the poor, the wealthy elite. We are to enjoy our time here on earth as best we can while we are here. This means taking time to pray and play, time to work and rest, time to love and fight. We should live everyday as if it is our birthday. Not, the birthday of a seventy-seven year old, but of a child; a child of Jesus. Remember the birthdays you had as a kid. Maybe a party, maybe company or friends, and probably some cake, and maybe ice cream. We should live our days as if we were celebrating a childhood birthday. And, remember, Jesus loves the little children!
May 27, 2022
From the Wisdom of Fulton J. Sheen
Silent Leisure
Leisure is a form of silence, not noiselessness. It is the silence of contemplation such as occurs when we let our minds rest on a rosebud, a child at play, a Divine mystery, or a waterfall.—Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
We all need to take a break with silence once in awhile. Well, often I should say. We live in a very noisy world. Music is louder than ever before, and it is filled with percussions so loud we can feel the beat in our bodies. TVs blaring, household appliances, lawn mowers; and the list goes on.
We cannot focus on the beauty of God’s creations if we don’t have silence. Looking at a rosebud next to a jack-hammer is not going to be appealing. When contemplating on a beautiful thing, you want to look at all the little details. Watching a toddler walking for the first time, you watch their little arms in the air, waving with each step. All things of God’s creations are for our enjoyment.
Make some time to just sit and be still. Close your eyes and use ear plugs if you have them. Don’t think about anything; nothing at all. Patience will pay off and you will feel the Presence of Jesus. Stay still and envision what He looks like to you. Pretend He is next to you. Now slowly talk to Him. Soon you will be in dialogue with Him. Tell Him about your problems, your successes and joys. Ask questions. Then listen. Maybe all He wants to hear is silence.
May 26, 2022
from Jesus Always (2019)
Find Me in My written Word
I grew up not knowing anything about the Bible. We had one in the house, but we never used it. That’s just the way things were back then. I did a Bible Study about twenty years ago. We studied John. That was a good one to start with, since I was familiar with the gospels. I also did a second Bible Study about five years ago. Today, I use the Bible to help prepare my short stories. I will go on the internet and research these stories, as well as watch documentaries or programs about the Bible on TV. Going to the Holy Land in 2018 made so many stories come to life for me.
I try to talk to Jesus as often as I can during the day, as He walks by my side. I can simply say His Precious Name: Jesus, and it becomes a prayer. I am trying to talk to Jesus about everything going on in my life. I have found myself talking about why a certain recipe would use so many eggs. As I talk out loud, I will occasionally remind Jesus, that I am not talking to myself, but to Him! Jesus is my Joy, and He will protect me form grumbling about the negative things that occur in my life. Likewise, Jesus shares my joy when I go to Him with good news, positive situations. I see Jesus all around me; in nature, in peoples faces, in church. But, I can see Jesus so much better when I read about Him in His written Word.
May 25, 2022
From The Wisdom of Fulton J. Sheen
Disposition
Our humor and disposition are not so much the reflection of the weather or the wrong side of the bed, as they are the reflections of the state of our soul.—Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
A good sense of humor makes for a pleasant person to be around. Their humor a disposition of optimism, perhaps even a sense of hope and a positive outlook. We all want to be with people like that. We know how contagious laughter can be, and laughter is absolutely good for us. Weather can affect us just as humor does. I personally can vouch for the achy legs when we have a change in weather. Long stretches of rainy, cloudy, gloomy days can, and will, affect our outlook, just as a long stretch of warm sunny days.
Our disposition also shows the state of our soul. A person struggling with pain or conflict is easy to spot. I believe that a person of faith, in a state of grave sin, displays a certain disposition of conflict, unhappiness, and restlessness. In this state of sin, the person is under the control of Satan. There is only one way to get rid of this conflict. Confession, or Reconciliation. We are obligated to go to Confession during the weeks of Easter Time. Its not necessarily something we look forward to, but we always feel a sense of calm and peace after we have been forgiven.
As with most dispositions, we have choices. Happiness is a Choice! To be in a state of grace is also a choice. We have to decide how we want to be. The choice is ours.
May 24, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2017)
Rest and Renewal
I believe that Jesus wants me to think of rest and renewal not only for my mind, but for my body as well. The mind and body have to work together. I can have my mind free of busy, negative thoughts, but if my back hurts, I’m not going to get much rest or renewal. Perhaps I can control my mind, but how can I control my body with aches and pains, headaches and stomach aches, sleep-deprivation etc? When I turn over my mind to thoughts of Jesus, I have to give Him my body too. I have to give him the throbbing headache, the sore muscles, the arthritic joints. I’m sure Jesus will help me work through the physical issues as long as I keep Him in my thoughts, in my heart.
When I bring Jesus my mind for rest and renewal, everything else about me must be left behind me, and no fair turning around to look at what I left there! If I can be close to Jesus in mind then I believe He will help me with the physical issues. Sometimes the “help” can be that I must sustain the pain for another hour or another day. But if I can graciously accept Jesus’ plans for me as the only plans for me, then I will be one step closer to communion with Him.
May 22, 2022
From Dynamic Catholic
Bishop Sheen
“We think we make the picture hang straight on our wall by telling our neighbors that all his pictures are crooked.” Bishop Sheen
The above quote is similar to one in the Bible. Jesus argues that “one must first remove the plank before going on to remover the speck.” —Matthew 7:5
Jesus says in Matthew 7:1 not to judge or we will be judged. As humans it can be easy for us to see the faults of others, and not even be remotely aware of our own faults. Some people can become experts at finding fault in others. Jesus tells us to look at our own sins before judging someone else. Another good example in the Gospels is the woman adulteress. She was caught in adultery and made to stand before the teachers of the law and the Pharisees. When Jesus was called in and asked to make a judgment, He stayed silent and bent down and started to write in the sand. They wanted to trap Jesus into saying they could use against Him.
Jesus spoke, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” And again He stooped down and wrote more in the sand. Slowly, one by one the men walked away.
“When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.”—James 4:11.
We all know there is only
one true Judge, the one who can save and destroy. Jesus asks us: But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
May 21, 2022
From Jesus Calling
Godliness with contentment is great gain
In this reading, Jesus tells jus that He is the Gate and whoever enters through Him will be saved. Further, He tells us that He is not a locked door; a barrier, but an open door. It is for us. He came into the world so we can have Life and have it to the full.
What is your idea of a full life. A full life means different things to different people. We are to learn to be satisfied with what we are given. We are not to compare our circumstances that match other people. Jesus tells us that we do not need money and luxuries to live well. He tells us to be satisfied with what He gives us. Almost everyone has the basics of life; food, clothing and shelter. We are to pray to be content with what we have.
We are not to cling to what we have. We are not to covet things we do not have. There is an exception to this, however. Jesus wants us to cling to Him. This will not harm our soul. Jesus gives us this reminder: Little (or much) plus Him equals everything!
May 20, 2022
From Jesus Always (2021)
Be content
We should be content with what we have. We all wish to live in great abundance, but we are all given as much as we need; as much as Jesus sees we need. We are not to look at our neighbors with jealousy. Being satisfied, and thanking Jesus for what we have is contentment. It is His desire for us to be satisfied the His provisions for us. The truth is, if we have food, shelter and clothing, we have everything. . . everything we need.
There is a famous painting of Jesus knocking on a door. That is Him knocking on our door. If you look closely, there is no doorknob or handle on the outside of the door where Jesus stands. He cannot enter. We must open the door for Him. Invite Jesus in when you hear His knock. Better still, leave your door open for Him, or walk out to greet Him! You will never have a greater guest than Jesus. He doesn’t care if your dishes are in the sink, or your floors unswept. He only cares about you; about spending time with you. Keep your ears alert for the knock on the door!
May 19, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2017)
You are safe in My Presence
I am comforted by these words from Jesus. Even if I don’t feel safe, I am. These words are meant to comfort me, in assurance that I will see Jesus face to Face in heaven. Jesus tells me that I will be happy in a way that I cannot be here on earth. I want to keep Jesus close to me, feel His Presence as often as possible. I know that I cannot feel Jesus’ Presence just by saying the words, though that helps. I must learn to “be with Jesus” and that means talking and praying to Him. Quick little thoughts or words of Jesus are little “prayers on the go” and are important to me.
When you forget I am with you, you may experience loneliness or fear. This does happen to me and then when I don’t stop it, I allow myself to spiral in a downward spin into anxiety. This is NOT what Jesus wants for me. Slowly I learn to just say His name: Jesus, and the comfort begins to pour over me. Satan is out there working hard to keep me from thinking of Jesus. But I am aware of his clever ways and will ask Jesus to help me fight him off. Jesus is all I need. Always.
May 18, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2020)
Guidance
I often think of Jesus as my Guide. I depend on Him to keep me on the right path. He lets me know which way to go when I am lost like a sheep. He is my Guide and my Shepherd. The sheep follow the shepherd because they know his voice. They trust their shepherd. So it is with us. We must know our guide/shepherd’s voice; and trust the way we are lead.
When I went to the Holy Land, my group had a guide. He gave us advice on where to eat and shop and who to avoid so we were not scammed. The guide gave us deep information about the places we toured. We learn the history of the land. We learn about the people who lived there at the time of Christ and before Him. We had to pay attention to the guide. We could easily be lost if we lost contact with our guide. I would never dream of heading off in a different direction than the guide. My guide kept me safe, and showed me places visitors without guides would never see. I needed my guide, and I was grateful for him.
Jesus walks with me every day. He is my guide. Just as the Holy Land guide showed me around, kept me from danger, and educated me about the Holy Land, Jesus does the same for me everyday. I cannot go off in my own direction. I might get lost or hurt. Satan loves it when we make our own decisions. When I keep focus on Jesus at my side, I know I am safe. But I also have to listen to Him. Keep my eyes and ears open for information, education, lessons to be learned. Spending quiet time with Jesus every day increases my chances to receive the subtle lessons He is teaching me. I follow my Guide-Jesus just as the sheep follow their shepherd.
May 17, 2022
From Jesus Always
Cast Your Cares on Me
Jesus does not want us to carry our own burdens. They can be very heavy and too much for one person to carry alone. How heavy is my burden? At times it feels too heavy for me, and other times, I think I can go it alone. But even if our burden is not too heavy, Jesus still wants to help us. Imagine trying to move a fallen tree by yourself. It is nearly impossible. But just having one other person to help will make it more easy. I don’t think Jesus wants us to carry all the weight of our burden alone. He would gladly do it Himself.
We have to recognize when something is weighing us down. We have to figure out if it is our problem or that of another person. If we are carrying someone else’s burden, we should leave it alone. It is not ours to carry! We start talking to Jesus about the burden and He will show us the way to deal with it. Its possible that He will tell us that it is not that important and to put the problem aside. Or, He will see how serious this is for us and will be there for us. Jesus also asks us not to let our burdens become our main focus. This will make it even heavier.
Make a concerted effort to give our burdens to Jesus; for He has strong shoulders. And, He is always happy when we depend on Him with joy. If we keep in mind that Jesus always gives us our needs. He will sustain us, and hold us up.
May 16, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2019)
Trust Me to show you what to do
This is something I really need to work on. I am always thinking-planning what I will do next. This shows a lack of Trust in Jesus, and that does not make me happy either. Jesus wants
me to bend my will to His. I am in a state in my life that I am seeking my purpose. What exactly does He want me to do? Should I continue with what I am doing now? Is there something I’m missing? Will I see/hear His wishes?
I will continue my day as it is now and seek out Jesus as a Friend. I will try to learn to talk to Him constantly, whispering His Name. And I will hold onto my “plans” tentatively, knowing that Jesus may have other plans for me. Jesus asks me that I not scan around me to see what needs to be done. I am to stay on task with what I am doing at this moment, and that is writing this blog.
As I continue on this crossroads of my life, I know that Jesus will be at my side when the next adventure or project comes along. For today, I am just going to finish what I am doing now then wait to be guided by my Friend, Jesus!
May 16, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2019)
Trust Me to show you what to do
This is something I really need to work on. I am always
thinking-planning what I will do next. This shows a lack of Trust in Jesus, and that does not make me happy either. Jesus wants me to bend my will to His. I am in a state in my life that I am seeking my purpose. What exactly does He want me to do? Should I
continue with what I am doing now? Is there something I’m missing? Will I see/hear His wishes?
I will continue my day as it is now and seek out Jesus as a Friend. I will try to learn to talk to Him constantly, whispering His Name. And I will hold onto my “plans” tentatively, knowing that Jesus may have other plans for me. Jesus asks me that I not scan around me to see what needs to be done. I am to stay on task with what I am doing at this moment, and that is writing this blog.
As I continue on this crossroads of my life, I know that Jesus will be at my side when the next adventure or project comes along. For today, I am just going to finish what I am doing now then wait to be guided by my Friend, Jesus!
y 15, 2022
From
Jesus Calling
Spend Time with Me
Jesus tells us that spending time with Him is necessary for us; for our well-being. He further tells us that spending time with Him is not an option, but it is very necessary. We always say how busy we are; and we truly are busy people today, but what we are busy with, is it important? What are you doing when you say you are busy? Cleaning? Baking? Reading? Driving? Let’s just take these four.
While cleaning, you can talk to Jesus. Talk to him about the grain of wood in your floors, and what kind of tree it came from, and how wonderful that God made the trees. You are baking in the kitchen. Talk to Jesus about how His Mother baked. Did she bake her bread on a hot stone over a fire? How did she serve the bread? Most of us like to read, but instead of reading a murder mystery, pick up a book about the Saints and read about their lives. When I’m in the car I tend to talk to Jesus. There’s not much on the radio worth listening to, so why not talk to Him? I usually imagine Him in my passenger seat and I ask Him to alert me to any dangers ahead.
We are not to feel guilty about taking time with Jesus. Even when you are not busy or physically active, stop what you are doing and sit down with Jesus. If you have little ones at home, its okay to lock yourself in the bathroom for a quick prayer with Jesus. Jesus wants us to remember that Satan delights in laying guilt on us, and even more when we are present with Jesus. This is important too: if you feel Satan’s “arrows of accusation” of guilt, you are probably on the right track.
We have a shield of faith to protect ourselves from outside sources of distraction and evil. When you feel this, talk to Jesus and He will show you the way forward. “Come near to Me, and I will come near to you.”
May 14, 2022
From Spiritual Quotes
St. Catherine of Siena
“Start being brave about very thing. Drive out darkness and spread light. Don’t
look at your weaknesses. Realize instead that in Christ crucified you can do everything.”
St. Catherine of Siena
I’ve taken an interest in St. Catherine of Siena lately. For some reason, her name keeps popping up in different places. The above quote was from my Welcome handbook. It was in a section of the book that I will speak about at our July Retreat. One thought about it is “don’t look at your weaknesses.” This week at a Widows group and at a Bible Study the topic of what our purpose is in life. We are to look at the gifts and talents that we were given. It amazed me to see that most of the women don’t believe they have any talents. I told one friend, who is over 80 years old, that she is the best grandma and great-grandma ever. She takes care of the little ones frequently. I don’t know how she does it! Little children are exhausting. I must have told the same sort of thing to several other women.
We are to be brave. What does that mean? To me, it is standing up and protecting our Catholic Church that is in serious danger. Churches are being violated with slang written on the buildings. One church in Texas had the Tabernacle torn out of it. The Tabernacle was found behind a Burger King and the hosts were missing. We have to stand up for our civil liberties as well.
It is so easy to fall into darkness: sadness, depression, loneliness, or a sense of doom and gloom. There is light out there, just beyond the darkness and Jesus is at your side to help you through. As St. Catherine says: Realize instead that in Christ crucified you can do everything.
May 13, 2022
Feast of Our Lady of Fatima
Today we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Fatima. Mary first appeared to three children on May 13, 1917. They were just mere shepherd children in Portugal. Mary’s last appearance was on October 13, 1917. Mary gave three secrets to the children to be opened at specific times in the future.
These children were from Catholic families and knew about Mary and the teachings of the Church. Imagine your child coming home to you and telling you that they saw the Blessed Virgin Mary; and that She gave them secrets. As a parent I’m sure we would ask repeatedly what the secrets were.
Mary asked the children to tell the world to pray the rosary every day. She foretold that WWI would end and if the people of the world do not offending God, a worse war will occur. There is a good part of Her message. She tells us that we can prevent the world from becoming laden with war, famine, crimes and the persecution of the Church.
Mary said, “to prevent this, I shall come to ask for the consecration of Russia to My Immaculate Heart, and the Communion of Reparation on the First Saturdays. If my requests are heeded, Russia will be converted, and there will be peace; if not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred, the Holy Father will have much to suffer, various nations will be annihilated. In the end, My Immaculate Heart will triumph.”
There is much written about the three secrets. The third may be a mystery to some. Scheduled to be opened to the public in 1960, the third was opened in 2000. It is said that Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, on June 26, 2000 revealed the third part of the secret of Fatima and explained its meaning. The most important phrase from the 1st and 2nd part of the secret is “to save souls;” the three-fold cry for “penance, penance, penance.”
May 12, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2017)
Take time to rest in My Presence
Jesus tells me today that we humans tend to burn-out in our daily routine of life. He calls it a “drain-out.” It is the daily routines, interactions and sometime needy people who aid in draining our awareness of Jesus’ Presence. Knowing this full well, I allow it to happen all the time. I think I can do so much for other people. I feel powerful in aiding them. Yet, I forget about who is important here…me and Jesus. . . together. I cannot drain myself in order to fill others up. Jesus tells me today that I, like a wounded soldier, need some R & R like they do. Soldiers are sent home or to a place of comfort like the beach or the mountains to rest. I coincidentally need some R & R myself and plan a small trip to Florida in September. Sometimes I follow Jesus’ words perfectly!
We have to learn to relate to others through Jesus’ love rather than ours. My love is very limited. I know that I have a hard time loving unconditionally. Often, I expect something in return. Unlike Jesus, I don’t know how to love for the sake of loving someone. Jesus’ love is everlasting-eternal; He will never stop loving me. His love is unconditional; He does not love me less when I sin. He loves me with His whole heart. He loves me as a single individual, not as part of a group or family. Jesus’ love is pure love. When I am helping someone, I need to put all my love in that person and focus on the love not the deed which I perform. I need to ask Jesus to help me with my love and ask Him to allow His love to pour through me and into the person I am helping. This will make my service easier and make it more pure.
May 10, 2022
From Jesus Always (2021)
Decisions
We are free to make our own choices, but do we always make the right ones? No, of course not. We always have to live with our choices however. As we are told in todays reading: A good decision you make today, however small, may set you on a path to accomplish something very important. A bad decision, seemingly minor, can lead to serious failure in the future.”
It’s not hard to call on Jesus when we are making a major decision such as a job change, buying a new house or car, getting married; or divorced. But the simple things are what we tend to keep to ourselves. We can make a habit of asking for help in all decision-making, however major or small. One thing we can do is talk to Jesus constantly.
Since Covid, I do find myself talking with Jesus more and more. Someone watching me during these talks might think I am crazy. When I broke a glass the other day, I talked with Him continuously as I cleaned up the slivers of glass. This kept me from becoming upset about it.
We make most of our choices/decisions alone and in the solitude of our heart and mind. We must remember that Jesus is IN US! He knows everything before we think it, and every decision before we make it. Trying to please Jesus in all things may change the way we think and live. Maybe we should go back to the popular quote of years gone by: WWJD—What would Jesus do?
May 8, 2022
THE GREATEST MOTHER OF ALL
Mother’s
Day, 2018
(This was the inspiration from a beautiful homily on Mothers Day 2018. It is a bit long)
I became a mother at a young age. It was very different for me than most women my age. I was betrothed to Joseph, a loving, caring man. He was a bit older than me, but he was very good to me.
In the middle of one dark night, I awoke to a bright light in my sleeping quarters. It took the shape of an angel clothed in white light. The angel told me his name was Gabriel, and that he was sent from God.
He said to me, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.” He told me that I would be giving birth to a son who I will name, Jesus; that he will be called the Son of the Most High.
I thought Imight be ill with fever, and hallucinating. But I was not! This was real!
‘How will this be,” I asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
Gabriel told me that the Holy Spirit would be upon me and the power of God will overshadow me. Gabriel then told me about my cousin, Elizabeth who was with child at her old age.
He then told me, “For nothing is impossible with God.” I then told the angel that I would be the Lord’s servant, done according to His word.
And it all came to be, just as the angel had said.
Joseph was troubled when I told him of the angel’s story. I believed at the time he would quietly divorce me. And, I wouldn’t blame him. Then one night an angel appeared to Joseph and assured him that this conceived child was from the Holy Spirit, that he should marry me; and that this child, Jesus, will save his people from their sins.
After that night, Joseph took me as his wife.
As time grew closer to the birth of my child, Joseph and I embarked on a trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the town of David, for a census decreed by Caesar Augustus. It was a difficult trip and I prayed to the Lord that I would not give birth until we were safely settled. But the town was so overwhelmed with people that Joseph could not find a room for us to stay.
We were given a small, but comfortable cave for the birth of Jesus. Joseph did a wonderful job of cleaning it out, building a fire and getting water
for us. The birth of my son was imminent!
A woman, a midwife actually, helped me with the birth while Joseph kept busy preparing straw beds for us and our newborn. I had brought many blanket and wraps to use for warmth for us and for the baby.
With a beautiful cry, the baby Jesus was born into the world! A short time after Jesus came, we received visitors from the hill across the valley. The shepherds told us that they saw the bright star over Bethlehem and that they were visited by angels who sang “Glory to God” from the heavens. They were told to come pay homage to the new king.
Jesus was presented in the Temple when he was eight days old as was prescribed. A man named Simeon had been told by the Holy Spirit years before that he would not die before the Messiah would be revealed to him. Simeon blessed the baby Jesus and then told me how wonderful my baby will be someday, but that I would have a sword pierce my soul. This troubled me.
We stayed in Bethlehem for a while. Joseph had secured a small house for us to live in. Three Kings from different countries came to bring gifts to Jesus. They brought gifts of gold, incense and myrrh for Jesus. They had studied the stars and had to see what this great star had to show them.
One night, not long after the Kings visit, Joseph was woken by an angel in his dream . He was told that we were to leave immediately for Egypt. Herod had spoken with the Kings and asked them to tell him where we were staying. The angel told Joseph that Herod was searching for Jesus and planned to kill him when he found him. So with just the few things we had with us, we headed for Egypt.
We lived in Egypt for several years when Joseph was again visited by an angel in a dream and was told that Herod had died and it was now safe to go back to Israel. As a family we headed to Nazareth in the district of Galilee.
Jesus was a good little boy, but not without mischief. He loved everything about the earth from bugs, butterflies, fish, birds and larger animals. Jesus was always full of sand or mud! He learned to fish from Joseph. He struggled with the nets until Joseph made a net that was child-size for Jesus. And Joseph allowed Jesus in his workshop where Jesus picked up carpentry skills. When he was a toddler I spied Joseph with Jesus standing on a stool by Joseph’s bench. Jesus wanted to use the heavy hammer that Joseph was using. Joseph helped Jesus with the smaller, lighter one instead. But Jesus insisted he could use the same hammer his father was using, so Joseph let him try. Jesus could barely lift it. Joseph held the long end of othe handle without Jesus’ knowledge and Jesus hit the wooden peg into the wood. “I did it!”, Jesus shouted.
When Jesus was around twelve years old we headed to Jerusalem
for the Passover at the Temple. Somehow Jesus got lost in the crowd and we didn’t realize unti we got home that he was missing. So we headed back, and after much searching we found Jesus in the Temple, sitting with the teachers, listening to them and
asking questions. They seemed amazed at his understanding. I was not so understanding and asked him how he could do this to us. He replied, “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”
It
was at this moment I realized the greatness of Jesus’ future.
Joseph died not too many years after that. Jesus was my strength, though I don’t know that he knew it. He loved and protected me until it time for him to do his Father’s work. It was so sad to see my son leave, though in my heart, I knew it was necessary. We hugged goodbye. I told him to come visit me often and he invited me to follow him whenever I could. I gave him a beautiful shawl I had made for Joseph. He held it to his chest, smelled it and said, “It smells like Joseph!”
Then he gave me a small wooden heart that he had carved from olive wood. It was so beautiful and smooth. Then we hugged one last time, both with tears in our eyes. Jesus whispered in my ear, “It is God’s will.” He then headed to the Jordan River where he would meet with his cousin, John and be baptized.
I was with Jesus early in his ministry at a very large wedding. It was the most lavish and beautiful wedding I had ever attended. Jesus had so much fun with his friends and relatives. He danced and sang with them. One of the hosts was disturbed that on the third day of celebration there was no wine left. I went to Jesus to tell him. I don’t know why, but I had a pressing instinct to do so.
“Mother, why do you tell me this? My time has not yet come.”
Ignoring Jesus’ comment, I told the head servant, “Do whatever he tells you to do.”
With that, Jesus had the servants fill up six stone jars with water. Then he had them draw some the water into serving pitchers and give it to the master of the banquet. The bridegroom was called to the master and complimented on serving the best wine last.
That was the beginning for Jesus. I was not with Jesus as often as I would have liked. But I heard his stories from many people. He healed the sick. All kinds of ailments! He multiplied bread and fish to feed thousands. I heard Jesus had walked on water, calmed a storm at sea. Our friends Mary and Martha told me that Lazarus had died; and that Jesus brought him back to life! Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, told parables to the crowds that followed him.
After three years, I heard from friends that Jesus was going to Jerusalem and the people were celebrating his return with palms waving a welcome to him. That was a celebration that turned into my worst nightmare.
Jesus was arrested for proclaiming to be the King of Truth. I arrived at the palace of Caiaphas just after Jesus’ sentencing. He was then scourged at a pillar. No mother should ever see or hear anything like that, ever! Each swing of the whip tore at my heart and the words of Simeon came back to me. I saw Jesus’ blood spill on the stone floor of the palace and I was helpless. Then the soldiers mocked my boy, spat at him, cursed him and pressed a crown of thorns on his head. They put a purple robe on him and a reed in his hand in mockery. He was forced to walk the streets of Jerusalem. He stopped when he saw me, but was pushed on by the guard. We had a moment when our eyes saw into each other. I knew he was telling me to be strong. I wanted to break from the crowd, but my friends held me back so that I would not be hurt.
They nailed my son to a cross. He was bleeding from the beatings he had indured. He was barely alive. “Why?” I keep asking why? But I knew that this was God’s will, but as a mother I only saw my son’s agony. I wanted to hold him again as I did when he was a child. My son asked John to take care of me and he asked me to take John as my son. I didn’t want to live without my son!
The sky grew very dark and the winds blew as the earth quaked. I prayed that God might take me with my son. Jesus quietly died in agony on a wooden cross. I did hold him again, but he was lifeless. My beautiful son was gone! My son’s death was the end of my life.
May 7, 2022
Good Shepherd weekend
Psalm 23:1
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
We all know this verse. We’ve probably heard it all of our lives. The words that jump out to me are shepherd and want. The shepherd takes care of his sheep all day and all night. He takes the sheep through flatlands and hills, level turf and rocky terrain. The shepherd will leave ninety-nine of his sheep to go look for one that is lost. The shepherd sees to it that his sheep have enough to graze on and enough water to drink. He probably talks to them and maybe sings to them. He knows each sheep as an individual. He knows everything about each sheep. He more than likely raised each sheep from the time of their births. He knows what each sheep likes and dislikes; which sheep are likely to stray and which will walk close to him.
Want is not the same as need. We all have needs; the basics of food, shelter, clothing, warmth. Then over and above those are our wants. They include a nice car, vacations, tickets to sports and theater, nice furniture, nice clothes, big house and all the newest gadgets and do-dads. We ask God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit for our needs and also our wants. God gives us exactly what He wants to give us. We learn to trust God to take care of us in all things. Sometimes we get more than just our needs, but some of our wants. We trust we will never have to go without. One of our greatest needs is to be with Jesus daily; to walk with Him, talk to and with Him and, just be with Him.
The sheep trust their shepherd, just as we trust God when we ask for a favor. The shepherd makes sure the sheep have all they need, just as God sees to it we have all we need. The shepherd knows his sheep, just as God knows us. The shepherd walks with his sheep over rocky terrain, just as Jesus walks with us down difficult paths.The shepherd is with his sheep all day and night, just as God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are with us all day and night. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
May 6, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2020)
Checklists
We all have checklists. Groceries, to dos, appointments. It always feels so good to have everything with a checkmark behind it. But, as in Jesus Calling today, that list never seems to go away. We think that if I get all these household chores on my list finished then I can sit down and read a book. A lot of times when you sit down, you see something that should be done first, then something else and so on. The end of the list is supposed to bring us security and peace.
In Jesus Calling, we are asked to find this security and peace. We work so hard to keep our focus on the list, and we forget to look to Jesus. I wonder how many times we would skip the list if we first went to Jesus. He keeps the focus on Himself, and what is important. There are things on our lists that we WANT to finish, and things that NEED to be done. It’s the need list that is important. And, even at that, Jesus gives us all we need. We don’t even have to ask. He knows before us what is important and what is not important.
One suggestion if today’s reading, is that we focus not on the seen, but the unseen. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. —2 Corinthians 4:18. If we keep this verse in mind, it might help us when we are over-loaded with all the things of this world. I had a thought when I started writing this. Why don’t we put Jesus’ name on our lists!
May 5, 2022
From Mornings with Jesus (2020)
Struggling
I’m glad I looked at some of my previous writings. I often go back to the same date to see where my inspiration came from. Some time ago I got inspiration from Mornings with Jesus in which a story was related. It is a story I heard many years ago and is one of my favorites:
“There is a story about a man who was given a very rare caterpillar moving into the pupa stage of emerging. It was place on a window ledge so that the butterfly could leave as it emerged. He checked on it until he noticed that it was indeed emerging. He watched as a tiny opening appeared, then another. It got to a point where the man could see it was struggling. The anxious man got a tweezer so he could help the butterfly. He picked at a piece to create another small opening, then another. Soon the butterfly was out of the cocoon. But the butterfly did not move. Nudging it, the butterfly still did not move. The man call the person who gave him this butterfly. The man was told he should not touch it during its emergence stage; that the butterfly needed to struggle. The struggle forced more blood into its wings which it needed to fly. The man looked at the butterfly, now dead.”
We have all heard things like “you have to go through the storm” or “you have to go through darkness to see the light”. These things are true. Years ago I went through a very traumatizing time that was very dark for me. At the time I thought of it as the worst time in my life. But after I worked through it, I began to see that those very dark days were also the very days that I became a different person, the person who I am today.
Jesus is always with us, whether we are have a good day or a bad day. We only have to remember His Presences with us to turn around a bad day. We have to call on Jesus; spend as much time as you can with Him, or just say His Holy Name: Jesus. The more we think about Jesus, and talk to Him, the brighter our days.
May 4, 2022
From Jesus Always
I know every one of your troubles
This comes from Psalm 56:8. . . “You have seen me tossing and turning through the night. You have collected all my tears and preserved them in your bottle! You have recorded every one in your book.
I’m sure most of you have a sense of something being wrong in the world. If not, maybe you are hiding your head in the sand? These are very stressful times. Some have a harder time than others, depending on the measure of your knowledge. Things can be scary and will make us afraid. It is okay to cry when you are afraid. Jesus cried when He was afraid as well.
How full would your bottle of tears be today? Just a little in the bottom, half full, or overflowing? Tears are allowed in our time with Jesus. He knows the cause of them. He wants to help us share our pain and sorrows. But we have to trust Him first and foremost. We don’t know what we don’t know, and Jesus knows everything. He will wipe our tears from our eyes and we will be able to see much clearer.
We live in a world full of mystery and uncertainty, full of troubles and problems and Jesus is right next to us to help us out. Talk to Him constantly about how you feel, about your troubles. He is here for us to lighten that load of darkness that some of us carry. Give it to Jesus! Give it all to Jesus! He knows just what to do with it.
May 3, 2022
From Spiritual Quotes
St. Catherine of Sienna
“Preach the Truth as if you had a million voices. It is silence that kills the world.”
Saint Catherine of Sienna
St. Catherine has been on my mind a little bit since I listened to her story the other day. I noticed that in most or all of her pictures, she wears a sort of crown of thorns. It is said that in a vision of Jesus, He asked her to choose between a golden crown, ensuring riches in her earthly life, or the crown of thorns, guaranteeing her glory in heaven. Catherine chose the latter. What would you choose? I think most everyone would like to have the gold crown and have all the luxuries of this world. It would be hard to choose the crown of thorns, but I think we all know that the crown of thorns is what Jesus would want.
Think about it. Think of all the Hollywood elites and the elites of the world, royalty, politically. They have tons of money, but are they happy? Most never stay in their first marriage, they live with scandal just around the corner and they are always worried about money.
Catherine says to preach the truth as if you had a million voices. Silence kills the world. There are things going on in the world that should catch your attention for the evil that it is. We must be ready to go out and tell the world about these evils. If you know about them, you must speak about them. Our Church’s life is at stake. It is slowing trying to turn us in another direction than that of Jesus. It only takes one voice to start change. Will you be a voice?
May 2, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2020)
Displeasing Others
Jesus Calling today has a common theme: depend on Jesus, ask for His help. But there was a sentence that jumped out at me. “Your fear of displeasing people puts you in bondage to them, and they become your primary focus.” The reading further mentioned that it is much easier to talk, make contact with Jesus when we are alone. It is when we are with people, that we find ourselves behaving in a way that is intended to please the people around us. I have done this as I am sure you have as well.
When I am with Jesus, it is just us, especially when I set aside time to be with Him; when I close off any distractions I have. It’s just Jesus and me; like two best friends. I can tell Him everything and if I stop and listen, He will often give me a message from Him. Remember when you were younger and you had your group of friends, and then you had that one, very special friend. A special friend you could and did confide in. That is the kind of relationship we have with Jesus when we are one-on-one.
When you find yourself trying to please others,
stop and remember that the only one you have to please is Jesus. You can do that by simply calling out His Name!
May 1, 2022
From Jesus Calling
You are on the Path
What is this path mentioned here? I think it is our everyday lives. We are mostly unaware that there is no randomness in our everyday lives. Everything is planned from the moment of our conception or even before. We sometimes let our lives just slip by, not living to the fullest as we should.
People like to avoid the present, especially when it seems to become to hard, or because we don’t like what we see and hear. Instead, we worry about the future where we hope for a better time and place. We have to remember that we are human creatures and we are limited to time and space. We walk around like we are alone, forgetting that we have our Creator with us at all times. He was with us in the past, will be with us in the future, and is here and present with us today.
Jesus makes every moment alive with His great Presence. Actually the more time we spend with Him, the less time we have to worry. If we make up our minds that we are going to focus on Jesus’ Presence every day, we will also allow for the Holy Spirit to direct our steps, which will enable us to walk along the path of Peace.
April 30, 2022
From School of Faith: Rosary
April 29, 2022
Yesterday I said my rosary of the Holy Family School of Faith by audio. The topic was St. Catherine of Sienna and some of the miracles she experienced. She first saw Jesus when she was a little girl. On a walk she looked up and saw Jesus sitting in a Throne, clothed like a King with a crown on His head. Peter, Paul and John were with Him. She stared at Him without blinking. He smiled at her and raised His right hand over her and made the sign of the cross in a blessing.
Her older brother, who was with her had continued walking until he realized she was behind. He tugged her arm as he called her name. “If you could see what I can you would not be so cruel and disturb me out of this vision.”
A story I like about St. Catherine was about a time in the 14th century when the water was not safe to drink. So the people drank a weak wine instead of the water. One year there was a grape blight that caused a serious shortage of wine. Catherine decided to share her family’s last cask, which would last for a few weeks. She gave to the poor, a daily generous helping. The wine showed no signs of running out, and it became more delicious every day. Finally the new grape harvest came and it time to empty the cask so it could be filled with the new wine. When the cask was opened it was completely dry, as though there had never been any wine in it. The barrel of endless wine was a great sign from God that He took care of her family in proportion to her trust in Him and her generosity to the thirsty.
Jesus once said to St. Faustian. “My daughter, I assure you of a permanent income on which you will live. Your duty will be to trust completely in My goodness, and My duty will be to give you all you need. I am making Myself dependent upon your trust: if your trust is great then My generosity will be without limit.”
We need to keep God’s words close to our hearts, as He will do the same for us.
April 28, 2022
From Jesus Calling
Beginning the Day with Jesus
When we awake in the morning, we know that we will have choices to make; many choices. We are easily confused by the choice we have to make each day. Jesus wants us to think back to the beginning of the day and remember that He was at your side. He will prepare you for what lies ahead.
Some days are so nice with no foreseen difficulties ahead of us. This is what we all wish for. Thinking about Jesus preparing for what is ahead, prepares you in the fullest. You don’t have to write down things to do or make a list of any kind. You only have to remember that Jesus will be with us every step of the way.
We cannot try to do everything at once. Each choice deserves time for you to think things through. And, remember that each choice is contingent upon the the decision that you make before, and after each choice. If you can trust Jesus enough to get you through the day, you will see that things begin to fall in place like a jigsaw puzzle. If you feel inadequate at one choice, keep going, because Jesus is going to be at your side and He will help you. Don’t be afraid to ask for His help. He will give us exactly what we need when we need it!
April 27, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2020)
He gives us strength
He gives strength to the weary and increased the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.—Isaiah 40:29-31
There was not one word that jumped out at me in Jesus Calling today. But, the verse of Isaiah (see above) is so perfect for these troubling times. Hope in the Lord. Do I, or do I just fuss about things instead. To truly hope in the Lord, one must turn themselves over to the Lord! One must trust the Lord and give Him all your problems. Sounds easy, but I assure you that many times you will turn yourself over to the Lord, give Him everything; then find yourself trying to grab back you you gave.
I particularly like the part of the reading where young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord renew their strength, and they will soar on wings like eagles; and not grow weary. This sounds like the plan God has for us in heaven. In 2018, I went to the Holy Land with a group of Pilgrims from around the country. One day we had Mass at the church of the Transfiguration. It was a steep climb in the vans, up the hairpin turns! As the priest gave the homily, he read the story of the Transfiguration. I filled with awe as I realized that I was on that mountain! Another thing about that Mass, something I remind myself of when I don’t feel free; when I feel tied down, is that we were told to soar like the eagles. We are to fly like eagles. “You are not chickens; you are eagles!”
April 26, 2022
Morning Thoughts
Enjoying my sleep this morning, I was awoken by the sound of the lawn mowers. I live in a maintenance-free community so I don’t have to cut the yard, but I do have to listen to it being cut. I just wanted to sleep in longer. The loud machine started up but didn’t kick into proper gear and it died. The yard-man started it up and and the same thing happened. It cut out. He repeated this for many times. I felt bad for him. What was he going to do?
I thought about how I would react. No question there; I would just sit and cry. I would look up to the heavens and ask “why God, why?” It would be my only reaction until I gathered my thoughts. As I lay in bed, trying earnestly to get up, I thought about how other people would react to this situation.
There were four ways I thought about. First, my way, just sit and cry. Then I thought about the person who would get angry. Angry at the machine, I guess. They might shout cursing, kick the machine, and maybe throw something at it. Another person might just keep trying. Keep starting the machine all day long, covering a very small area. A fourth person might look at the machine trying to figure out what was wrong, then call or radio their boss for help.
When life throws you a curve, do you just sit, pout and cry? Or, do you get angry. Maybe you persevere through the situation. Or, maybe you ask for help. Ask God for help. I want to be the one who asks God for help, but I don’t always react that way. How would you react in a situation like this? Be honest….
April 25, 2022
From Jesus Calling
Make Me your focal point
In this reading we are told about the ballerina. When she is spinning round and round, she must keep her eyes on a particular point. This is to keep her balance. I’m sure you have seen a ballerina spinning and her head does not stay stationary, but she moves it to her focal point. She would lose her balance if she did not do this.
We will lose our balance in life if we don’t have a focal point to look at as we spin around in this crazy world. Our focal point is Jesus. He never ever takes His eyes off of us, so we will have moments of eye contact. When the world starts to spin around you, close your eyes and envision the face of Jesus. What every your imagination is what he looks like. If you think of Him with brown hair and blue eyes or dark hair and dark eyes or something else, He is Who you want to be with. This takes practice. So be patient. You can also just say His Name several times and make a connection that way.
Jesus never changes and He will be there to help you through any trials you might have. When you allow yourself to get caught up in the whirlwind of life, you will become dizzy and confused. Look at Jesus in the way you can, and you will be refreshed in His Presence and He will be sure to make all your steps to be steady and sure.
April 25, 2022
From Jesus Calling
Make Me your focal point
In this reading we are told about the ballerina. When she is spinning round and round, she must keep her eyes on a particular point. This is to keep her balance. I’m sure you have seen a ballerina spinning and her head does not stay stationary, but she moves it to her focal point. She would lose her balance if she did not do this.
We will lose our balance in life if we don’t have a focal point to look at as we spin around in this crazy world. Our focal point is Jesus. He never ever takes His eyes off of us, so we will have moments of eye contact. When the world starts to spin around you, close your eyes and envision the face of Jesus. What every your imagination is what he looks like. If you think of Him with brown hair and blue eyes or dark hair and dark eyes or something else, He is Who you want to be with. This takes practice. So be patient. You can also just say His Name several times and make a connection that way.
Jesus never changes and He will be there to help you through any trials you might have. When you allow yourself to get caught up in the whirlwind of life, you will become dizzy and confused. Look at Jesus in the way you can, and you will be refreshed in His Presence and He will be sure to make all your steps to be steady and sure.
April Story
The Sheep
(this story may seem like a simple, silly
story, but perhaps a few will understand the meaning.)
The shepherd led his sheep towards the gate. His job was to keep them moving, and keep them together. He was concerned about getting water for his flock. They were in a deep drought and all the ponds and streams were dried up. He had heard that even the lake over the next hill was wash dried up.
He got his sheep to the gate and he moved up to the gate to open it for them. Once unlatched, the sheep walked through the gate. All except one. This sheep was different from the others. She didn’t know why, she just was different. She looked like all the others in the flock. Something was calling her away from the rest of the sheep. She quickly ran down the hill on her left, as the flock went through the gate. She didn’t know if the shepherd saw her or not, she only knew she needed to run. She heard the shepherd latch the gate and she knew she was alone.
She went to a bramble bush to sniff it out only to get stuck by some thorns on her nose. This place was no good, so she moved on. She walked along a stony path thinking it would take her someplace, but it never seemed to end and all the walking on the rocks made her concerned that a tiny stone would get lodged under her hoof. As she walked along she discovered a rabbit hole. Being nosy, she peeked in and something bit or nipped her face. She ran from that scary place. She found another rabbit hole and it was bigger and she tried to get into it only to get caught. She wiggled her way out and continued walking. She found several other rabbit holes, but they were all unpleasant encounters.
She heard something like running water and ran over to it. There coming from the ground, under some rocks was running water. She had found a spring! She tasted it and it was good! She took a long cool drink until she had her fill.
She became concerned about her shepherd and the other sheep. Where were they. She hoped they would find her so they could also drink of the waters. So she laid down on a grassy spot next to the water. She so enjoyed the sound of the running water.
She waited for days and she was still alone. She waited for weeks. She knew that the sheep and shepherd come find her someday soon. She was glad that she had found this great discovery and wanted so badly to share it with the others. She just had to be patient.
April 23, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2020)
Direction
Jesus asks that we keep our eyes on Him, for direction and empowerment. We all need a good set of directions for life. We can try and wing it, but, we will fail without direction. I often refer to Jesus as my guide. I imagine being on a path with Jesus at my side. When we come to the swiftly moving stream, He holds my right hand tightly as I cross. As my guide He shows me how to walk on the rocky terrain. Yes, He points out danger and things to avoid, but He also shows me other things, just as a good guide would. He points out the field of wild flowers that paint a beautiful picture for me. He shows me the sheep up on the hillside, grazing with their shepherd at their side.
We need His directions even to just get through the day sometimes. I would never try to put together a Lego kit without the easy-to-read directions. I would never try to make a pastry without a recipe. I would never go on a trip without my GPS. We need direction for most parts of our life. Even when threatening weather heads our way, we get direction from the weather experts on how to keep safe.
After we spend a lot of time with Jesus, following His direction, we get to know Him a little better. We begin to know which path he will choose, which detour He will take on the road ahead. We become more in sync with Jesus, the more we listen to Him and follow His directions. All we have to do is keep our eyes fixed on Him and listen for His word.
April 22, 2022
From Spiritual Quotes (2021)
There will be times when the will of God will not be abundantly clear to us. During those occasions we are expected to retain our faith and “wait on the Lord.’’—Dr James Dobson
We like when we feel, sense, or known God’s plans for us. Sometimes it can be abundantly clear. And other times, we feel like we are lost in a big dark forest, not knowing North from South or East from West. These are the times that we have to put our faith in God. We must trust that what He wants done will be done, but only on His time.
I can feel tension in the air as I am sure you do too. There’s really no comfort
in knowing you are not the only one stressed. As humans we are always busy. Working, traveling, studying. Jesus knows about this. People in the Bible had stresses too. Think back to the birth of Jesus.
Imagine Mary and Joseph as Mary goes into labor.
How will they help this Child of God be born into this world. As with most pregnancies, all the worries before birth disappear after birth. Maybe God sent them angels to help? Mary and Joseph had to have a very strong trust in God. They certainly did not know
God’s full plan for them; when and where the birth would be. They, like us, had to wait on God to present His Son to the world.
April 21, 2022
Spiritual Quotes
“God is saying to you today, ‘Change is coming! I will open doors no man can shut. This is a season where I am bringing you to your destiny. I understand what you are going through and I promise to be with you in every trial of life. Remember, your destiny is not determined by the economy, or how you were raised, or your education. Your destiny is determined by your Heavenly Father.’” Unknown
This is a bit long but I believe it said what I needed to hear today. We know change is coming. You can smell it in the air. People are restless and stressed. I believe doors will open unlike any doors in the past. No man will be able to shut these doors. What is behind the door? We certainly do not know, nor or we to know. Jesus tells us we are entering into our destiny. What is our destiny? Each and every one of us will have, and does have their own destiny. Some people will know their destiny at an early age, and some of us are still looking in our golden years.
We know there will trials for all of us; but we must remember that Jesus understands everything we are going through, and He assures us that He will be there with us. Our destiny has nothing to do with things like economy, or how we were raised, or our education. Everyone of us has our own special destiny, but we will never be alone going through it. Our Heavenly Father has determined our destiny, so how can it not be good?
April 20, 2022
From Jesus Calling
Do not be Afraid
This is the reading from Jesus Call on this date of every year. I love the words! This is from Psalm 46:10. Jesus tells us that He will never abandon us, never forsake us. We must soak our minds in the Love of Jesus for us. Further we aren told that even in times of stress He is with us. “Though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea” we need not fear.
One of the biggest problems we have is the media. They love to proclaim bad news. The good news gets put on page 15 of 16 pages. The media feeds us bad and shocking news for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This is a nice steady diet that will eventually make us sick. Sick of heart. If you cannot go without your daily intake of news, there are channels where you can get the true news, and as a bonus, maybe a little prayer.
We are to read the Gospels. We are to saturate our minds and hearts to help us walk steadily along the path of life. There have been times when I have become very upset with things and the words: Be still can help calm me. Remember that Jesus is always there to hold our right hand. This is the same hand that He will hold on our way to Glory.
April 19, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2017)
I love you unconditionally
Jesus loves us regardless of our performance. We may wonder if we are sufficient for the task at hand, or feel that we don’t have enough experience to do something. Jesus does not equate our behavior to the amount of Love He gives us.
We may ask if we are worthy of His love. This is a non-issue with Jesus. We are His children and He loves us as if we were children of His. We would never tell our children that because they have done wrong we love them less. We tell our children that even though they broke the disobeyed, we still love them the same. On a more serious note, We might tell our children that even though they were arrested for stealing, drugs, drunkeness, speeding, fighting etc.. we still love them the same. We are there for our children and will help them through any difficult times, give them the support they need, and the punishment they must take. Jesus loves us because we am who we are
Jesus tells us that our accomplishments or failures as Christians has no bearing on His love for us. We am not capable of seeing the good in the same way that Jesus sees it in us. Only when we are in sync with Jesus can we see this more clearly. We need to talk to Jesus constantly…praying, thanking, inquiring. Jesus is here for us to direct my steps and we can listen and follow or we can do what we think is best. However, we will fail if we do not follow Jesus’ way. He knows best for all of us. Jesus loves us because we are just the way He wants us to be!
April 18, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2018)
“Peace is my continual gift to you”
Jesus gives me Peace, constantly, but He does not give me more than I need for any one moment, nor does He give me less than I need. This reading references the manna in the desert. The Israelites were to gather each morning ONLY what they needed for the day. I know there were probably people who took more manna knowingly, and they were greatly surprised to find their extra manna had turned to maggots. I can’t outsmart Jesus and I don’t really want to, but sometimes I, like many other people, think I know what is best for me.
Jesus created me to need Him moment by moment. When my neediness increases, so does His gift of Peace to me. This usually comes to me by an eye-opening realization of this great gift. What Jesus wants from me most is to receive His Peace
with a thankful heart. I believe He wants me to thank Him often during the day, and thank Him for things that do not appear to be gifts to me. It is these subtle moment that I can grow closer to my Friend, Jesus. I ask Him to
Help me keep my eyes and
ears open to His continual gift of Peace!
EASTER STORY
“I Know What I Saw” (4-11-20)
I am an old man. A very old man, my legs don’t move like they used to and my hands are crippled, but, my eyes are very good. I have no problem with my eyes. I know what I saw.
Some people call me a nomad. But, I am a shepherd who has outlived his flock of sheep. I travel from place to place because that is what I’ve done all my life. I stay within the confines of a small area, near a road well traveled. There are a few small caves on this side of the road that I sleep in. Everything I own is in a bag that I carry over my shoulder. My shepherd’s staff that I used to stear the sheep is now used to help me navigate the rocky terrain.
I saw what the soldiers did to the man called Jesus. Golgotha isn’t a very big hill, not too far from where I was that day, and, I know what I saw. I wanted to go up there to be closer but I was afraid the soldiers might come after me. They don’t like people like me, so I watched from a distance. My eyes are good.
In my travels I saw Jesus quite a few times. I listened to Him. I liked what He said. Some people close to Him said He was the Messiah. I don’t know about that. I did see Him heal a sick woman one time. I don’t know what I think about that either.
Right before Jesus called out the last time, the sky darkened very quickly and the wind picked up fiercely. Then I saw His head drop onto His chest and the earth quaked. I saw the land open up leaving deep pockets in the earth. I also saw several of the soldiers fall into one of those craters. I walked as fast as I could back to the cave where I had been staying. I covered myself and hid.
It was a few hours later when I heard people coming down the road. I saw Joseph of Arimathea leading the group who was carrying Jesus. Joseph owns a tomb on the other side of the road. He was a follower of Jesus. A generous man, he often brought me food.
I saw that they stopped at Joseph’s tomb. Perhaps they were going to lay Jesus’ body to rest in Joseph’s tomb? And that is just what they did. It took the whole group of people to move that stone away. The women in the group were comforting each other while the men laid the body of Jesus in the tomb. They were in the tomb just a short while before they came out. Then the whole group including the women rolled the stone to seal the tomb. I wanted to go over and help, but my body is too feeble to be of any help to them. They did get the tomb securely sealed and they walked slowly down the road, mourning. One woman turned and extended her hand towards the tomb and called out, “Jesus!”
It was getting dark so I opened my bag and pulled out a nice fig. I had gathered some olives earlier in the day and I ate them as well. I closed my eyes to rest and contemplate all that I had seen that day. Later, I heard the footsteps of marching and opened my eyes to see two very large soldiers at the tomb. I wondered what they were doing there? They tried to push the large stone but they could not budge it. Were they going to take the body of Jesus? Then, they talked quietly to each other and nodded in agreement. They each stood at a side of the tomb and took guard. Then I understood they were there to protect the tomb of Jesus from thieves.
A whole day went by with nothing happening, but then it was the Sabbath and it is always quiet on that day. I stayed close to the cave I was in and only left when I saw that the soldiers were asleep. I was able to gather a little food without being noticed.
The next morning before dawn, I heard a rumble in the earth. I wondered if the earth was quaking again. But it was not the earth quaking but the stone moving. I saw that the soldiers were fast asleep, in fact, I thought they might be dead. How could they not hear that? The stone moved slowly grinding rock against rock. When the stone was rolled back all the way, I saw a bright light come from the opening of the tomb. It was whiter and brighter than anything I’ve ever seen! I saw Jesus walk out of the tomb. He was dressed in a white robe. He took a few steps out and looked up to heaven and raised His hands in praise. I saw the wounds from the nails in His hands. My eyes are good. I know what I saw!
Jesus began to walk down the road. I wanted to go follow Him but I felt something that I could not see, holding me back, as Jesus walked down the road.
After a little time I felt the barrier that was holding me back release and I was going to try to catch up with Jesus, but I saw the soldiers waking up. They were not dead. They stood up and looked at the empty tomb, walked in and came back out. They were shouting. It sounded like they were yelling at each other. Then they both grabbed their swords and headed up the road.
The sky was waking up with a beautiful gold and pink glow. It was dawn and it was beautiful. Later I attempted to venture out but I heard women’s voices. Stepping back into my cave I saw some of the women from a few days ago walking towards the tomb of Jesus. They had spices and oils in their hands that I assumed were for the final anointing. Then one of them screamed, “They’ve taken Jesus!” One of the women walked into the tomb and told the others, “Jesus is gone!”
I sat down, stunned by what I had just seen this morning. I had a hard time comprehending what I saw. I know my eyes are good. I know what I saw. I sat very still and, for the first time in my long life, I prayed. I asked God to confirm what I saw. Then I had a flash of memory of people talking about what Jesus said He would do. He told them that He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.
My eyes are good. I know what I saw.
April 16, 2022
STORY: Jesus goes to His Mother 8/1/18.
The women and John, who were all at the cross with Jesus have been staying since His death. She was contemplating whether to go with the women to anoint Jesus’ body. She didn’t think she could stand to have one last look at her son’s battered body. No! She won’t go.
She will remember the beauty of her son instead, remember his birth and his early childhood. That is the Jesus she will hold in her heart. She will remember Jesus’ early ministry, and especially the day of the wedding in Cana. She doesn’t know why she told the servant to do as Jesus instructed. She wanted to take those words back as soon as she said them. But then her son did the impossible; he turned water into wine!
The people in her house were all busy gathering things to take to the burial site. She needed to get some fresh air, and the rising sun has always been her favorite part of the day. Mary slipped out the door and walked to the large tree and rested her head on the horizontal branch. Jesus climbed this tree and sat here as a child, and he read the scriptures sitting under it, enjoying its bountiful shade.
She heard shuffling of feet. She stopped and turned to the house but no one was there. When she turned back around she gasped. She closed her eyes and cover them with her hands. She thought for a second she saw Jesus! When she took her hands down and opened her eyes her son was standing in front of her under their tree!
He did rise from the dead!
Stepping forward, Jesus embraced his mother and held her tightly to him. He stepped back to look at her, holding her at arms length. She placed her hands on his cheeks and kissed her son. She then took his hands and held them. My son she whispered. She looked at the wounds on his hands and kissed them.
With tears streaming from her eyes, she told Jesus she was so sorry he had to go through so much torture. He did not speak to her but only smiled at his mother. He kissed his mother on her forehead then turned to leave. She called out to him, but he nodded his head.
She understood he had to leave. Mary knew she would soon see him again. She watched her son walk away. She understood he still had much work to do.
Mary put her hand on her heart, looked up to the heavens and thanked God that her son loved her so much.
April 15, 2022
Jesus is Crucified
Jesus arrived at the top of Calvary with His cross. He was barely able to walk. He dropped the cross to the dismay of the soldiers. They had a hole dug to place the bottom of the cross in; to stabilize it. The cross was lain flat on the ground as Jesus was shoved onto it. His back, badly torn, slapped onto the board of wood. His head, wrapped tightly in the thorny crown, bounced on the top part to the cross. Jesus winced in pain, while the soldiers laughed at Him. Once elevated and secured the soldiers persistently mocked Jesus.
Mary, His Mother, stood as close to the cross as the soldiers would allow. Mary looked around at the small crowd of people on the hill. Where were Jesus’ apostles and friends? Is John the only apostle here? At that thought, Jesus spoke. Looking at Mary, Jesus said, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He looked at John and said, “Behold your Mother!” John decided at that moment to take Mary into his home.
The soldiers divided Jesus’ clothes among four of them. They also took His robe. It was seamless, woven into one piece. So, rather than tearing it apart, they decided to throw dice for it. Sometime later, Jesus said, “I thirst.” On the ground sat a jar of sour wine. A soldier soaked a sponge in the putrid wine, put it on a hyssop branch, and offered it to Jesus. After Jesus tasted it, He said, “It is finished!” He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. Mary went to the cross and kissed Her son’s feet.
The dark, cloudy sky opened upon the earth, drenching the soil in a heavy rain as lightning and thunder lit the sky and shook the earth. The earth opened and swallowed up a few soldiers. When the storm finished, the people with Mary began to take the beaten body of Jesus from the cross. His dead body was placed in His crying Mother’s arms as she sat on the wet ground.
April 14, 2022
Jesus Carries His Cross
The road to Calvary is not necessarily a long one, but it is curvy and mostly uphill. Not an easy route for a man to carry a heavy cross. I have a few ideas of how I think things may have been. The cross was obviously heavy; a lot of weight to carry on one’s shoulders, and the wood may have been wet, making it even heavier. Surely there were sprinters that caught Jesus’ hands or the hem of His robe. The beams were very wide, making it awkward to hold.
In the movie “The Passion of Christ”, Jim Cavielzel who played the role of Christ was said to have dislocated his shoulder during a fall. He carried the cross the rest of the way with an injured shoulder.
I would imagine that the cross was physically drug on the rocky road, causing the cross to get caught on an uneven rock and jerking Jesus backward. Many people watched as Jesus went along His way, including His Mother, Mary. I’m sure He did not want her to see Him like this. The soldiers would probably whip Jesus if they felt He was going too slow. And, I am sure that Jesus was so very grateful to Simon of Cyrene was ordered to help with the cross.
Today is also Holy Thursday, the Last Supper. Jesus may have known it was His last, but I’m sure the apostles were clueless. All but Jesus were probably shocked to have Jesus tell them that one of them was a betrayer. The apostles celebrated this Last Supper as the first Eucharistic celebration; and the beginning of the priesthood.
April 13, 2022
The Crowing of Thorns
When I was in the Holy Land a few years ago, a tree was pointed out to us as the type that was used to make the crown for Jesus’ head. They were three to five inches long and very sharp. I have also been told (or read) that the crown was not like a simple ring of thorns, but more like a basket upside down.
Imagine something like that being put on your head. Actually, I believe that the soldiers would have had to press it on to make it stick. Imagine thorns so close to your eyes, perhaps piercing an eye. Surely the blood dripped down Jesus’ face as well as His eyes. Every movement would pinch in a different place.
Using a crown like that to nook Jesus as King was bad enough, but then they put a reed in His hand to be His staff…the King’s staff. A purple robe was thrown on Jesus’ shoulders. It was probably smelly and dirty. Then they verbally mocked Him. Rude, cruel words. They probably hit him, irritating the already beaten body of Jesus.
They spat at Jesus. They spat it His face and laughed. This was beyond cruel. There were probably people around watching the theatrics. They would have laughed with the soldiers and cheered them on. There was no one there to wipe Jesus’ face of blood and spit. This was a humiliation of the worst kind.
In some places of the world the Wednesday of Holy Week is call “Spy Wednesday”. This is the day that allegedly Judas went to make a deal with the chief priests and offered to turn over Jesus to them. Maybe today you can think of someone who betrayed you and offer forgiveness.
April 12, 2022
The Scourging at the
Pillar
Pilate preferred to wash his hands of the case of Jesus set before him. He wanted nothing to do with this man. Yet, when the people yelled out to kill Jesus, he had no choice but to serve his people. Jesus was taken away, hands tied in front of Him to be punished through scourging. His hands were untied and bound with rope to a high pillar in the courtyard. Soldiers were selected to use the whips on Jesus. Only the biggest and strongest were chosen.
The whips were made of thin straps of leather. Pieces of metal, with tiny sharp tips were tied into various lengths of the leather strap. There were different sizes and shape of whips so each soldier could choose his own. The soldiers were limited to forty swipes each, taking turns until it was decided by the soldier’s sergeant to stop.
This was a horrible event for those who watched. Some of the people watching cheered as each whip whistled through the air before striking. The wounds were deep; often with pieces of flesh flying into the crowd. Some of the women fainted from sight of blood and flesh.
When the soldiers were told to stop, they left the courtyard, slipping and sliding on the blood and flesh of Jesus. Despite the brutal beating, Jesus slowly got to His feet and again His hands were tied in front of Him. Soldiers pushed Jesus to move faster, nearly causing Him to fall.
Through out all of His agony, Jesus kept as quiet as He could. Yes, He flinched at every swipe of the whip. He know worse was to come.
April 11, 2022
The Agony in the Garden
It seems it was just yesterday that I watched Jesus ride a mule into Jerusalem with all the people cheering. Palms waved and were tossed on the road ahead of Jesus out of respect. I don’t know where everyone went after that, but I do know that Jesus set up a supper for His disciples. It was held in the upper room. Only the apostles were present and two women serving them. I also know that Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist. (I must learn more about that.) One of the twelve ran from the room before the supper was finished.
I found out later that Jesus took several of the apostles with Him to the Mount of Olives garden. He often went there to pray. Jesus asked the apostles to sit under a tree, to stay awake, and to pray with Him. He walked over to a boulder that sat low to the ground and threw Himself upon it. Jesus wept fiercely. He called out to God to allow coming hours to pass.
A short while later, Jesus walked to the apostles and found them asleep. The all sat alert and agreed to pray with Jesus. Again, Jesus went to the boulder and prayed to His Heavenly Father again. His prayers were so intense that the tears He wept fell on the stone as blood. He again got up to check on His apostles. He was not surprised to see them sleeping again. He awoke them as He saw in the distance torches of light coming towards Him and the apostles. Once the small army reached Jesus a soldier asked Judas (the one who ran from the supper) which man was Jesus. Judas went to Jesus and kissed Him on the cheek.
Peter pulled his sword and cut off one of the soldiers. Jesus picked up the ear and pressed to the soldiers head and it was healed. Jesus had His hands tied with rope. A soldier pulled the rope attached to Jesus’ hands. They lead Jesus from the garden. The apostles, confused, ran.
I once meditation on this scenario. I kept telling Jesus that I would never fall asleep; never desert Him. I had this thought a few times when I realized that of course, I would pray with Jesus. I know the end of the story. I know what happens to Jesus next and the final outcome. The apostles were completely clueless.
April 10, 2022
Palm Sunday
The first reading of today’s Gospel tells of the glorious arrival of Jesus in Bethany, near the Mount of Olives. He was welcomed with cheers and the waving of psalms. “Hosanna” they said. The people were so happy to have their Master back after an absence.
Did Jesus know exactly what was to happen? Or did He just know that He had great suffering ahead? He was preparing to have a supper with His disciples first. It would be His Last Supper, but He knew that He would give the great gift of the Eucharist to His disciples. He also instinctively knew that He would be betrayed.
The people near the Mount of Olives were hoping to see Jesus in the next few days; to listen to a sermon or a parable of His. He always had a large gathering of people who followed Him, and it pleased Him to teach them.
This day was so joyous for the people. They were so hopeful of the days ahead with Jesus. But, they did not know what was to happen shortly. Would they follow Jesus after He was arrested? Surely they would be in the crowd to shout out “Free Him, Free Jesus”! Would they follow Him through the scourging and the crowing of thorns? Who would follow Jesus as He carried the heavy cross? In His final moments, who would be standing at the foot of His cross? Where will you be at His final breath?
April
9, 2022
From Religious Quotes
“Right is Right even if no on is doing it. Wrong is Wrong even if everyone is doing it.”—Augustine
When I was a kid and I wanted to do something or go somewhere I had to ask for permission. Sometimes the answer was “no”. Then I would tell mother that everybody else is allowed. And then I could always count on her to ask, “If everyone else jumps off a cliff are you going to?”
Today it can be hard to know what is right and what is wrong. Keeping close to Jesus will make it a little easier to decide. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut feeling. But if you think about how it fits in with the Ten Commandments, you might be able to decide what is right and what is wrong. No fair changing anything in the Ten Commandments! If God has written it as a sin, it is a sin. There are not “except whens” in the Commandments. Modern day Catholics sometimes change the position of the Commandments to match their wants and desires.
Don’t listen to Satan! He will convince you that what the Bible says; what the Ten Commandments say is really not the way God intended them and that it is okay to tweak the laws just a little bit.
We don’t follow other people, we follow Jesus. He is with us every day, all day. He never leaves our side and is always there for us. We can ask Him anything at anytime. He encourages us to call upon Him. He will give you guidance as to what is right and what is wrong, regardless of what everyone else is doing.
April 7, 2022
From Jesus Always
Know Me as your Savior
We walk this earth not knowing that we have a Savior at our side. He can save us from any fate we may face. He gives us eternal Light that shines brightly even on the darkest of days. Keep your focus on this Light for it is your salvation.
We cannot let hard circumstances drag us down, not the wickedness of this world. We will look ahead to the Glory that awaits us. It is in the distance, though we cannot see it. It sparkles in the distance and it is just beyond the horizon.
We often have to go through some deep and dangerous waters on our daily journey with Jesus. He will be with you as you pass through the rough waters. He will not let the waters sweep over us. Even if we cannot swim, we do not need to worry. We only have to allow Jesus to keep holding our hand. Don’t try to shake His hand off, believing that you do not need His help. You truly do need His help and more than anything, He wants to help us.
April 5, 2022
From Jesus Calling
Let Me fill you with My Presence
Jesus tells us that He wants to fill us with His Love, Joy and Peace. He alls them His Glory-gifts. We were created as earthen vessels, designed to to be filled with heavenly contents. Do not take any of your weaknesses as a deterrent, but instead it provides an opportunity for His Power to shine more brightly.
We are told that as we go through our days that we need to trust Jesus to give us the strength we need. He does this on a minute by minute basis. He asks that we not waste any energy wondering if we are strong enough to handle what He has for us on our journey. We should know that Jesus Spirit is always with us and what He gives us is more than adequate for our day.
Again, as always, it goes back to how much we trust Jesus. If you spend more alone time with Him, you will see your trust grow. And, your confidence will also grow. Spending time with Jesus can sound like taking time from your work, cleaning, cooking etc…to be with Jesus. While it is true we may leave a tall temporarily, the time spent with Jesus is such awesome quality time!
April 4, 2022
from Jesus Always (2019)
Your times are in my
Hands
Jesus reminds me that I have to follow the law of time. I cannot change how it moves; cannot speed it up or slow it down. The bride-to-be sets her wedding date and thinks about how far out it seems; that it will never get here. Though she may want to speed up time, she can’t. She has to go through the times up to her wedding day.
A new mother may feel the same way about her unborn baby. I’ve heard pregnant women talk to their baby and tell them to hurry up! There are times when we want time to slow down. Perhaps the last day before your child goes off to college. Yet, the days before your spouse comes home from serving in the military cant go fast enough! Sometimes I wish time would slow down for me. As I am int the midst of my Golden Years, the days fly by so fast! It’s Monday morning then the next thing, it’s the weekend!
I know that all time is in the Hands of Jesus. I cannot plan on time tomorrow; only Jesus knows if tomorrow will come. I cannot go back to yesterday. It is gone; never to be again. Living in the past or presence is always pointless. Though I often daydream of my tomorrows, I don’t know how they will develop. I don’t live my my past as often as I used to. I would think about an even, usually a negative time, and dwell on it; thinking that I shoulda, coulda, woulda. It can never change. The past was exactly the way Jesus wanted it to be. As is the future; it will be exactly as Jesus plans it. I don’t own any time; past, present or future. I can only exist in this moment. I only have this time, right here and how. When I turn my life over to Jesus, I place myself in Jesus’ Hands.
April 3, 2022
Judgement
Today’s Gospel is a well-known one. It is from John
8:1-11; the story of the adulterous woman.
Jesus came into the Temple to teach the people. The scribes and Pharisees brought to Jesus a woman whom they claimed was guilty of adultery. They pushed her toward Jesus and told Him that she was caught in the
act of adultery. This act was subject to punishment of stoning. It is believed that they brought this woman to Him mostly as a test; that He might do something that they might find a charge to bring on to Jesus.
Without speaking, Jesus stooped down and began writing in the sand while the men continued to ask Jesus what He was going to do about her. Jesus stood up and said, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” They slowly left, one by one. Jesus was left with just the woman in His presence. He asked her where they went, and who condemned her? She replied that no one had condemned her. He than told her “Neither do I condemn you; go and do not sin again.”
This story tells us several things. First that Jesus was always very patient. He did not get riled up as the presence of the accusers. Jesus also did not accuse the woman. The men were very eager to catch Jesus in a chargeable offense. Imagine the disappointment when Jesus quietly and gently put the men into their places. Jesus did not judge the woman. A woman would be stoned when accused of adultery, with no mention of the man who was with her.
We often judge people without hearing both sides; hearing all the information. We need to be patient and gently as Jesus was when confronted in these kinds of things. An apple with with any ugly skin may be sweet and juicy on the inside.
April 2, 2022
Women’s Retreat
My home parish had a Women’s Retreat today. The theme was based on 1 Thessalonians 5:12-25, and the main part was from verses, 16, 17, 18. “Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.”
How can we be joyful always? I know of only one way and that is to make Jesus your priority every day. Invite Him into your day as soon as you wake up. Keep Him mind as you go about your day. Use your imagination to picture Him at your side; always ready to help you when things go awry.
The second step to keep Jesus as your priority is to pray without ceasing. We know that we cannot go around with our hands folded in prayer. You don’t have to stop and kneel down in prayer unless it one way that helps you with your prayers. Your prayers do not have to be the memorized prayers we learned as children. Simply saying the name: Jesus, is a prayer. He wants to hear from you often, so don’t wait for Jesus to come to you, but instead, go to Him!
Lastly, in all circumstances give thanks. You can thank Jesus for the unfortunate things that happen sometimes. There could always be a worse outcome. If your feet hurt, think about the soldier that lost both legs in war. Maybe an argument with your teenager has you upset. Think of the parents that are grieving their child, killed in a car accident. Don’t go through life expecting things to always work out for you. We all have struggles. Accept them and thank Jesus for them. These three things are the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Treat others the way you would like to be treated.
April 1, 2022
Acknowledging a Stranger
Acknowledging a stranger is one of the Eight Beatitudes. It seems to me that this is a very special time to acknowledge a stranger, as we slowly get back to our lives we are out and about in public more. We shouldn’t ignore the stranger we might see on the street while walking, biking or walking the dog.
Is Jesus a stranger to you? Do you sometimes pretend He is not there, hide your face? He understands if you do. But He wants us to keep our eyes and ears open to Him. He wants us to face any stranger we encounter as being Him, in person! Even though we are separated by the virus we need to acknowledge those we may meet outside our house. A nod, a smile, a wave are all ways to make a stranger feel important.
Do you have strangers living in your house? Are there family members that you typically stay away from? It’s time to make amends. Try your best not to be at ends with someone in your house. “I was a stranger, and you welcomed me.”—Matthew 25:35
March 31, 2022
from Jesus Calling (2019)
Mysterious Blessings
I’m sure most people have had an unusual, difficult or glorious event in their lives that may have changed the course of their life. I know, it happened to me. I was as low as a human could go, and I had no choice but to go up! And UP I did! The unexpected can take us by surprise. This in itself can be good or bad. I see the bad times as the corner I had to turn in order to be where I am today.
Today’s Gospel reading is about the Prodigal Son. I ponder over this parable often. I feel like I am the older son; the one who stays out of trouble and does what he is told. And yet, the one who was gone, spent all his money through sin, gets all the praise. I know that this parable is not about justice, but about the joy that Jesus has when one returns home to Him. I know if one of my children left for places unknown to me, that I would definitely greet them with hugs and kisses. The lost son was truly “lost” in the eyes of God, but he found his way back to Him through humility and by asking for forgiveness. This is hard to do. Jesus wants me to celebrate the homecoming of the prodigal son with Him.
This parable is also about life not being fair. Think of the workers in another parable. They were all paid the same, even though some worked all day and some only one hour. This in its conception does not seem fair, but the truth is the “boss” paid what he said he would. There was no discussion about an hourly wage. No one was promised fairness in all things in life. The father in the parable was able experience one of those mysterious blessings the day his lost son came home.
March 30, 2022
From Jesus Calling
Really “See”
It is when we truly trust in Jesus that we are able too really “see”. Things do and will go wrong and we are left to decide whether to trust Jesus or try to solve our issues alone, with no help. Sometimes things are very difficult and we can’t see a way out. Call on Jesus, tell Him that you trust Him. Then release your problems to Him and let Him take control. After all, He always has the solution. Giving up what we believe is control to Jesus will help us to fall back into the security of His Arms. Jesus tells us that Signs of His Presence brightens our day when we really “see”. He asks that we search for Him as though He were hidden treasure. He knows we will find Him.
What does it mean to really “see”? I think it is beyond the vision of our eyes. To “see” Jesus and all His acts of love and kindness goes deeper than vision. We have an internal vision that comes from our hearts and souls. You might even call it instinct. This inner vision may feel like a nudge from someone, or an idea or thought that really grabs your attention. This kind of vision needs to be taken seriously, as Jesus often comes to us through this.
I spent three hours at the eye doctor’s office yesterday having my eyes tested lie never before. I am grateful that I can see, even if I wear contacts or glasses. Next month I will have cataracts removed from my eyes. If I never saw any better than I can today, I would still be grateful. But I’ve been told that I will see better than ever after surgery! I will see sharper, clearer, brighter and more colorful. Eyesight is truly a great gift of God.
March 29, 2022
from Jesus Calling (2019)
A time for everything, and everything in its time
Not pushing for tomorrow’s issues into today’s is sometimes hard for me to follow. The other day I told some friends that when I have something going on tomorrow, especially if it stresses me, I will project how the whole thing plays out. I will create a dialogue in my head knowing what I will say and what the other person says back to me. Rarely, does it ever play out the way I projected it to be.
A way to keep a time for everything and everything in its time is to turn things over to Jesus. Talk to Jesus and tell Him what is on your mind, especially tomorrow’s issues, and stop worrying about them. Give them to Jesus. For me, it is better to have a visual. So I can pretend to put the issue in my hands, crush it, then blow on my hands so that the issue flies off like feathers and goes to Jesus. Some years back, I decided to create a God-Box. Its just a smallish box, covered nicely with a slot at the top. The lid was taped on for good measure. When I have an issue I can write the problem or issue on a piece of paper. Pray about it, talk to Jesus about it, then put it in the God-Box. Once its in there, it can’t come out. It is easier to forget about it, or leave it alone when you do something physical with the problem. I would never have problems or issues, if I would understand that there truly is a time for everything, and everything in its time.
March 28, 2022
from Jesus Calling (2019)
Be receptive and
attentive to Me
I need two traits in my intimacy with Jesus. Receptivity and attentiveness. This is a little like asking what comes first: the chicken or the egg? If I am receptive to Jesus will I be more attentive? Or if I am attentive will I be more receptive? I think they actually go together, side by side. The more I increase one trait the stronger the other will become. This meditation tells me exactly what these words should mean to me.
Receptivity is “opening up your innermost being to be filled with Jesus’ abundant riches.” How do I accept the abundance’s that Jesus gives to me? Do I take them and thank Him immediately or do I hold off thanking Him, often forgetting to? I must also ask myself if I am receptive to Jesus’ gifts. He wants me to be able to receive His blessings and gifts in full measure. To me that means, without question, without doubt.
Being attentive is “directing my gaze to Jesus, searching for Him in all my moments.” The prophet Isaiah says: You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trust in You. —Isaiah 26:3. I can receive perfect Peace by being attentive to Jesus daily. The easiest way is to simply say Jesus’ name throughout the day, calling on Him when I am unsure about anything. “Jesus, help me” is a powerful prayer. Because Jesus suffered so much for me, I do owe to Him anything He asks or wants of me.
March 27, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2017)
Be Still
in My Presence
Even though I have written these words or similar words before, they are still the most wonderful. A very short instruction on how to live a happy, peaceful life! And the words are from Jesus! I am very slowly learning to learn how to live these words. When I am truly “still” in Jesus’ Presence I do not think about how poorly I may feel, what has to be done, what may come in my future…I am only focused on Jesus.
Nothing is as important as spending time with Jesus. This time has become important to me. It doesn’t matter that there are dishes in the sink, vacuuming to be done, floors to mop and vacuum. Nothing matters at that time but Jesus and me…talking and thinking!
Jesus does not want us to skimp on our time with Him. Not spending proper time with Him, I may plunge into the wrong activities. And He is so right! Time with Jesus is time away from all the noise and chaos that is in main stream media. Spending time listening and watching all the blabber is wasted time when I could be outdoors with Jesus in His creation of Nature!
Sometimes we are given a gift intended for joy and fun. Then we become obsessed with it so much that it takes us away from Jesus. If we make Jesus our priority, this will not happen. We need to find the right time for the right things. Jesus does want us to be involved with sports, music, the arts, reading etc… but we need to make sure we don’t let our activities overtake our time with Jesus.
March 26, 2022
Religious Quote
“Your beliefs don’t make you a better person, your behavior does.”
This is a parallel to the saying, “Do as I say, not as I do.” Its easy to tell people what to do and how to behave, but that doesn’t mean they will follow your words. However, if you allow them to see what you are doing, they will understand you.
We all want to be the best that we can be; be a better person. But we have to go through trials to get there. It’s like going through the storm to see the light. If you feel you are not heading in the right direction, you can start all over; anywhere, anytime. And if you fail, you start again. People who watch you go through something like this can see that your behavior is one of determination. You will inspire them to do the same.
To be a better person, you need to get rid of negativity. Also, stop worrying! Worry does nothing positive for you. It drains you of your energy and joy. And always remember that you are only human. Step back in all situations to observe it before you say or do anything. Just as happiness is a choice, so is good behavior.
March 25, 2022
The Annunciation
A short story from 2016
I am a young servant girl for Mary’s family. One night I heard a rush of air, like a soft wind. I peeked around the corner into Mary’s room and saw her sitting up, in the middle of her bed. Next to her was a spirit. I think it was an angel. I couldn’t hear everything, but I did hear the angel tell Mary that the Lord was with her. Mary looked frightened and I wondered if I should go to her. But I couldn’t seem to move from where I was standing!
Then the Angel told Mary she would give birth to a son – the Son of the Most High. I knew this was not possible as Mary is still a young virgin like me and she is pledged to wed Joseph. I couldn’t hear what else the Angel said, then Mary sat up so tall I thought she might stand up on her bed. Mary spoke. I heard Mary tell the Angel that she was a virgin, how could this happen? I then heard the Angel tell Mary that the Holy Spirit would come upon Mary, and I heard something about the Most High would over-shadow her.
As soon as the Angel said that, Mary was surrounded in the most beautiful white light! Wind swirled around her! I saw Mary tremble slightly. Mary’s face glowed; she looked as though she was filled with Joy! The Angel told Mary the child would be called the Son of God. I then hear the Angel tell Mary that her relative, Elizabeth, was with child. Now that could not be true…Elizabeth was old, and she was unable to conceive. Mary just nodded in the affirmative as if she understood.
Mary then told the Angel that she was the Lord’s servant and that the Lords Will will be done. Then the Angel disappeared. I wanted to go to Mary but I felt a sense that I should leave Mary to herself for now. She looked so differently to me now. I know what I witnessed was truly the greatest of all miracles.
March 24, 2022
from Jesus Always (2019)
Simply visualize Me
When it comes to honoring, praying to, or communicating with Jesus, I don’t have to do anything special to get His attention. I don’t have to call first or make an appointment. He is always ready for me. Jesus doesn’t ask me to seek Him in a special place or speak elegant words because He loves me just where I am, and how I am. The conversations I have with Jesus in my car have the same love and meaning as those I have in church. It is not the place or the language that counts in my communications with Jesus, it is the effort that Jesus looks at.
Jesus wants me to also look at my abilities. I cannot do the same things today that I could ten or twenty years ago. Jesus knows that my body is slowing down, that my brain isn’t at brilliant as it used to be. He wants me to accept the way I am today, just as He accepts me the way I am today. To acknowledge that I might be inadequate is a good start for me. The more pressure I put on myself to be “special” for Jesus, the least effective is my prayer and conversation with Him. All I have to do is say a quick prayer. A simple “Jesus, help me” is more than sufficient. Just saying His Holy Name is a prayer in itself. Or I can visualize Him. Thinking of Jesus when I look at His creations is sufficient. Knowing that He is always at my side is another way to acknowledge the great Love He has for me.
March
23, 2019
from Jesus Calling
Come to Me in joyful expectation
Jesus tells me that He takes pleasure in hearing my prayers; the more I pray, the more I can receive. Why then, do I not pray constantly? The human factor of who I am plays a big part in the answer. He tells me that the more I pray the more I can receive. This makes sense to me. Also, the bonus is that the more I pray, the stronger my faith will be.
One of the verses today is from John 6: 12-13; The story of the loaves and fishes. This story is used as an example of how Jesus answers my prayers and request in abundance. The apostles give to Jesus five barley loaves and two fish. This is barely enough to feed those with Jesus. And yet, through the abundant love of God, they gathered twelve basketfuls of leftovers. Has Jesus given me more than I asked for? I never directly asked Him to visit the Holy Land. I thought it was just something that could never happen to me, and yet, it did! I never thought about going to Lourdes, but this gift was given to me when I least would have expected it.
When I write my daily blog and when I write my stories, I ask for help from Jesus and the Holy Spirit for the words and ideas that I need. There are days when I sit down not knowing what I am going to write, yet, through the abundance of His love, the words come. Perhaps when I take quiet time before I write, I am really going to Jesus in joyful expectation?
March 22, 2022
From Jesus Always
Endure your difficulties
A timely reading for me. God does put me to the test sometimes. My last adventure that I had was last night. While getting ready for dinner, I cleaned out my refrigerator. There was large container of spaghetti noodles, a container of spaghetti sauce and one of pork bbq. I really jammed it down the disposal. My feet felt wet, even though I had slippers on. When I looked down orange greasy water was coming from my sink cabinet. I opened and it poured out. I shut off the water and disposal. I can tell you that a disposer does not grin up spaghetti noodles all that well. I told Jesus I knew He was with me, but why? It took hours to clean up and a call to the plumber resolved the issue with a new disposer.
This reading tells us that when problems are weighing heavily on us, our natural tendency is to speed up our pace of living, searching for answers. But, Jesus tells us what we really need is to slow down and seek His Face. We are to invite the Holy Spirit to help us as we discuss our issues with Jesus. Then the hard part: leave it all with Jesus and wait, knowing that He may not answer our prayers quickly. Sometimes we may have to wait years for an answer.
Trust is the ultimate answer for us. Trust Jesus with our whole hearts and souls. When we tell Jesus we trust Him, we should do so with thanksgiving. Praying persistently to Jesus will eventually make a difference in our lives.
March 21, 2022
from Jesus Calling (2019)
Trust Me and don’t be afraid
I admit that I do have trust issues. Certain things, certain people have let me down, betraying me. I understand that is where my lack of trust comes from. But I cannot figure out why I would ever have any problem with trusting in Jesus. I do trust Jesus, but I have about a half percent that wonders about trusting Jesus. Sometimes I believe this comes from the fact I can’t physically see Jesus in all His Wonders.
I was reading the account of Lazarus in John 11. Mary and Martha were good friends of Jesus as was their brother, Lazarus. Jesus loved them like family. Yet, when Jesus arrived in Bethany, both women were upset that Jesus did not come before Lazarus died. They trusted Jesus implicitly, yet they lacked a tiny bit of trust. Some of the apostles and disciples of Jesus lacked a tiny bit of trust. They allowed fear to wiggle into their lives. Many of the people who surrounded Jesus’ life saw His miracles and they trusted. But, many who did not see were skeptic. Think about Thomas’ statement that he would trust that Jesus had appeared if he could touch Jesus’ wounds!
The best way to build trust in Jesus is for me to be as close to Him as I can. Whispering His Name, calling on Him for help, or better yet, turning over any issues I have to Him completely. I have to do this without trying to take back what I give to Jesus. As I increase my trust in Jesus, I will also see my fears dissipate.
March 19, 2022
St Joseph
Today is the feast of St. Joseph. While looking for something to use for today, I found this prayer. I said it many years ago; so much so that I had it memorized. Time to say this prayer to St. Joseph again.
Oh St. Joseph whose protection is to great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires.
Oh St. Joseph do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your Heavenly power I may offer my Thanksgiving and Homage to the most Loving of Fathers.
Oh St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart.
Press him in my name and kiss His find Head for me, and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for us. Amen
March 18, 2022
Quote
From Bishop Sheen
“The Lord hears us more readily than we suspect; it is our listening to God that needs to be improved.”—Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
I have always enjoyed Bishop Sheens words. As a kid, we watched him on TV as he took his chalk in his hand, swung his cape behind him as he turned to the chalkboard. I remember he could get very loud. Sadly, I didn’t appreciate him as a child. How I would love to see some of the old footage of his program. He had a special wisdom about the state of the world. Some of his quotes and words are in fact, prophetic.
I don’t think I ever thought about the love between us and Jesus. We love Jesus and we love Him. It is true that often Jesus is trying to tell or show us something and for some reason, we are not listening. Maybe we are busy with work or crying children. I think we need to stop frequently during the day to open our ears, eyes and heart for Jesus to enter.
We don’t intentionally turn our backs on Jesus, it’s just that as humans, we get distracted. Modern day technology is the big interference. We can’t go anywhere without our iPhones, iPads, lap tops, and even our little Apple watches. Why is it that we crave the attention of a data-making gadget? We tend to feel better after we spend time with Jesus. Many churches have a 24/7 Adoration Chapel and we are free to visit anytime. There are no distractions there. Try to find a quiet place to be alone; then call on Jesus to be with you. You won’t regret it!
March 17, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2017)
Come to Me for understanding
Jesus knows us better than I know myself. We think we know ourselves well, but, we only know what we allow ourselves to believe. I don’t think we look deep down inside to see who we really are. We can receive understanding from Jesus since He is so aware of all of our complexities. Nothing is ever hidden from Jesus. But the great thing is He sees all of us through eyes of grace and love. Never, never judgement!
The healing Light of Jesus’ Healing presence is meant to shine into the deepest recesses of our being. This light cleanses, heals, refreshes and renews us. When Jesus fills us with His love, we become a reservoir of love. This then overflows into the lives of other people. We want to be a beacon of light to others through Jesus. Ask Jesus to help us to be the person who can shine out to others. We ask Jesus to show us the best ways to be His light.
March 16, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2018)
Lighten up and laugh with Me
Jesus does not want me to worry. He will ask me what is it that I am worried about. He will ask me if I don’t know that He will take care of me. He will ask me if I don’t know that He is on my side. So today I will ease up and laugh with Jesus. I have no doubt that Jesus laughed hard and frequently. He loved life and lived it to its fullest. I can imagine Jesus at a wedding feast, perhaps the wedding at Cana. I can see Him dancing and laughing with His friends and family. I can envision Jesus watching little boys attempting to fish with a too-large net and getting tangled in it and laughing out loud with them.
Laughter eases anxiety. Anxiety traps my mind and generates negative thoughts. Laughter erases those thoughts. Good clean humor is good for everyone at every age. Laughter generates a different breathing pattern that is healthy for my lungs. Ultimately, laughter can bring about Peace. One of the verses written in today’s reading says: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”—Proverbs 17:22. I can choose to have a cheerful heart or a crushed spirit. A steady smile makes others smile and that is a very good thing.
March 15, 2022
From Jesus Lives (2021)
Protection
I often forget that Jesus is always with me to protect me and keep me safe. I guess it is a human thing to lose focus. One of the wording in all my meditations is, “I hold your right hand”.
Why the right hand? For one thing, Jesus sits at the right hand of His Father. This is high place of honor. Also, the right hand if a symbol of blessings, power and strength. The hand, spiritually speaking, gives blessings. We use our right hands to signal many things. A policeman directing traffic, holds up the right hand, meaning Stop. Since the majority of people are right-handed, it is used to wave a greeting hello or goodby. A right hand angled at the forehead is a salute. It is the hand that Jesus will grab if you come into danger.
Jesus is my protector. He walks with me daily. He is my own personal secret service. Throughout the day if I have a feeling I am not going in the right direction, headed for something I shouldn’t me near, or just feel something is not right, I must stope and look at where I am and where I am headed. I may be going off the trek that Jesus has planned for me today. When we enjoy good times, we often forget that we have the Great Protector at our side. I often thought that Jesus walks on my right side so that He is close enough to my right ear to whisper in my ear. Also, His right hand is ready to cover my mouth, protecting me from saying something I should not say.
March 14, 2022
From Jesus Always
I rejoice over you with singing
I wondered WHO is the singer in the above phrase? It comes from Zephaniah 3:17. “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”
I imagined a mother holding her baby while rocking in her chair and singing soft a lullaby. This is way she comforts her baby. I wrote a short story at Christmas years ago. It was a visual piece in which I, as a child, approached Jesus as He sat in a rocking chair. I climbed up and He gently rocked me. It was a soothing thought.
Jesus sings to us in delight. He does this unbiased of performance, appearance, and status. He wants us to spend time with Him, everyday, for as long as we can. Although this requires discipline and determination, it is well the worth the effort. Living close to Jesus brightens our live immeasurably. Have you ever thought about singing TO Jesus? Sing to Him your favorite Christmas Carols, a favorite hymn from church, or just make up something. Sing as the angels sang from the heavens when Jesus was born. Rejoice in song!
March 13, 2022
From Jesus Always
Do not dwell on the Past
We are told that we can learn from the past, but we can’t live in it, nor should we let it be our focus. There may times in your past that were very painful and somehow you just can’t let go of it. Every time you turn around those thoughts haunt you. You can’t make the past go away, and you can’t forget the past, but you can learn to deal with the negatives of your past. When you begin to think of those things, ask Jesus for help, say ten Hail Marys, do some quick exercise. Pour you heart out to Jesus!
“Jesus, I trust in You” has become a favorite saying for me in times of trouble. Say it when you do not have any problems. Say it often as a training. When you have these words in your mind, they will eventually become a habit for you.
We should ask Jesus to open the eyes of our mind so we can see the many opportunities that He has placed along our daily path with Him. Look for new things. Don’t rely on the the past things. Jesus wants you to be adventurous with Him at your side. He can change the path you are on, or take you a new way. With Jesus, all things are possible.
March 12, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2018)
Wait for Me; keep you eyes on Me
This is a two-fold message. First, I must wait for Jesus to do His work, second: keep my eyes on Him. It does me no good to wait for Jesus to do His work if I am looking into the future of tomorrows, or if I am looking backwards into my past. I must stay in the present, the here and now, BUT, with my eyes on Jesus! It also is of no avail to keep my eyes on Jesus while being impatient for results. Waiting for Jesus to do His work with my eyes on Him is a way of showing my TRUST in Jesus.
Jesus does not want me to say the words: I trust You, if I am trying to make things go my way. Trust in Jesus is “turning over” to Jesus. I must be ready to let Jesus do all the work that I think I am supposed to do. I am Jesus “helper”. It is not the other way around, Jesus being my helper.
Hope is future-directed. It connects me with my inheritance in heaven. But I must be in the present to Hope. Hoping for something in the past will never come to be. And, hoping for something in the future is mostly a waste of time. I can say I hope to get to heaven, but just saying those words will not make it happen. I have to LIVE the life Jesus wants me live to ensure the gift of heaven.
March 11, 2022
Words of Jesus
I could not find the author of this verse; I believe it is a compilation several verses. That said, I really like it. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his soul?”
Jesus does not want mankind to be troubled, however, we all have some problems. It is when we trust in Jesus that our troubles go away. It doesn’t happen instantly, but it takes time to truly trust in Jesus. Sometimes, some people will turn their problems over to Jesus, just to take it back later. This trust can be our salvation. People who lose their souls to evil do not have any trust in Jesus. All their trust goes to Lucifer.
No one really wants to lose their soul. There is a small percentage of people that will do anything to become successful, and that small group of people will turn their souls over to Satan/Lucifer. We see these people all around us. Most of them are the elite and Hollywood set. Having a career is more important to them than anything else; family included. They work and become successful, having all the money they could ever need. But, somehow, this is never enough for them. It seems the more they have, the more they want.
Those who can/will accept what they have in life will be happy. Acceptance of less than we want is a blessing in Jesus’ eyes. It is a good thing to look around and see those who have less than you. There are plenty of those people around. Be happy with what God gave to you, accept it with great gratitude. Give your problems to Jesus to solve. And, always, always trust in Him!
March 10, 2022
Time (2020)
Time. Whose time? Mine or God’s? During Lent I think we should focus on God’s time. His time is not like chronological time that we use daily. God’s time is something we can never change or control. We need to be patient in and with God’s time. He creates the schedule, we follow it. If we knew what God’s timing plan was for us, many would give up waiting. If we can be patient with God’s time, we show Him that we trust Him. Know that God will take care of you, even if you have to wait a long time.
We must rely on God’s time. Again, we need to trust God. We need to understand that we can’t always have things our way. Jesus may have come into this world, not knowing everything God had planned for Him, but He knew to rely on His Heavenly Father.
Another element of God’s time is accepting God’s time. We must learn to accept His schedule. Trying to go against God’s time will only create disappointment in our life. When you have to wait on God’s time, raise your hands up to Him and tell Him that you give yourself to Him in His time. Learning to accept God’s wishes will give you peace and happiness.
March 8, 2022
From Holy Family School of Faith
I said the rosary with the Holy Family, School of Faith. Several things struck a chord with me. “What is prayer? Prayer is friendship with God/Jesus/Holy Spirit.” Our friendship with Our Lord is different from what we have with our friends. When with friends, we talk and listen and enjoy each other’s company. When you meet with a friend, you tell them what is going on in your life, how its going, what problems you have, what joy you have had. We learn from St. Faustina’s diary that Jesus said to her, “Talk to Me simply, as a friend to a friend.”
Friendship requires not only talking, but listening as well. When we read His Word, and meditate on it, we are listening to Him. God does speak to us through Scripture, Tradition and the teaching of the church. Sometimes it is possible to hear God through deep meditation or prayer. Many years ago, I went through a traumatic time and could not sleep at night. I sat on my bedspread and cried and talked to God for hours. One night I surprised myself when I said, “Why do you not trust me, my child?” What? Where did that come from? I know. It was God.
Most of us are distracted at Mass. It is suggested that we make Mass a meditation. Listen to the words that are read; they are from God. Perhaps a special word or phrase will stick with you. That is God speaking to you. Stay with the thought and go to God with it.
Reflect what God has said: so that we understand it; so that we love God even more; so that it will lead us to form firm convictions. The steps of mediation, which is a conversation with a friend tells us to: Tell God whats on your mind; listen to God by reading or listening to His word; think about it and apply it to your life. Consider saying your daily rosary with the School of Faith at schooloffaith.com. Go to rosary podcasts and sign up. You won’t regret it!
March 7, 2022
From Jesus Calling
Let Me Help You
Jesus is always with us, eager to help with any problems. He knows that the challenges we will face are far to big for us to handle alone. We need a partner, a guide, a counselor, a friend to go along with us on our daily trek of life. Jesus knows that we are aware that we cannot handle this alone, but we don’t want to admit it to Jesus or to ourselves.
It’s a good thing to have this awareness. It gives us a choice to boldly go it alone or to walk at Jesus side. He wants to hold your right hand on this daily journey. Choosing to go with Jesus is a humble act of dependence. This is an offer from Jesus everyday, not just the days that we feel burdened. In the easy days, having Jesus with you gives you companionship like none ever! The easy days are when you can talk things through with Him; tell Him what you want to do with your life, tell Him whats going wrong for you.
Don’t let difficulties get in the way of letting Jesus help you. Leaning on Jesus in times of trial will help you to accept the problems. You will learn to accept problems with joy. And, remember that letting Jesus help you, walk with you is a gift from Him.
March 6, 2021
From Jesus Calling & Jesus Always
I go before you
Both books of meditations with Jesus had the same theme; that of Him always going before us. He tells us He will lead us down our daily paths. He also walks on our right side. Neither book says that He walks behind me, but I know that He does. Jesus has save me many times when I try to look behind me and gaze upon my past. We are not to look back with regrets and missed opportunities. Leave the past in the past is what Jesus tells me.
Further in both readings, we are told that there is no valley so deep, so treacherous that we can become lost or injured. Jesus is like our own personal bodyguard twenty-four/seven. We are asked to call on Jesus when we become afraid, or unsure of our trek. He will counsel us and will also send the Holy Spirit to help protect us, but, we must let Jesus take the lead; go before us.
I had a thought today while saying a rosary. When I think of Mary, I think of Our Lady of Lourdes because I went there some years ago. When I talk to Mary I sense her on my right side. I also sense the Holy Spirit on my right side. I have heard/felt a puff of wind pass my right ear with a message from Him. And I always take my imagined my walk with Jesus at my right side. When I feel Satan taunting me, I always seem to look to my left as I curse him and send him from my home. This is just a random thought that I wanted to share.
March 5, 2022
From Jesus Calling
Make Friends with the Problems in Your Life
This sounds nearly impossible to me. Why would I want to embrace my problems? They are bad enough; I don’t need them as a friend! But this is what Jesus is asking of us . . . Make friends with our problems. One thought I had was we can often see others who are worse off than we are. You get a flat tire: at least you have a car. You had a deep snow last night and can’t get out of the driveway: now you have a snow day! In other words, look for the silver linings.
Sometimes a problem becomes permanent, like chronic pain. You just get used to it. But Jesus wants you to do more; embrace the pain. Don’t think of it as something you have to live with. Jesus wants you to thank Him for it. Sounds weird, I know, but I believe it works.
Once you make your problem your friend, then you introduce the problem to Jesus. He will not necessarily remove your problem, but through His wisdom, He will help you to find what good can come of it. It becomes Jesus’ problem which in turn takes it away from you.
We complain too much. Jesus was quiet all through His torture and crucifixion. He does not expect that from us, but perhaps we can think about His pain when we have problems.
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Apparently, I have let this blog slide, and I apologize for it. I’m working thru some issues with my website and hope to correct it soon. Below is an homage to my Mother from 2021.
March 4, 2022
Homage to my Mother
Happy Birthday to my heavenly Mother! She died on July 8, 1999, and she would have been 103! Where have the past twenty-three years gone!
The older I get, the more I appreciate her. Having seven children was not easy, but we were well-taken care of. We had plenty of food; and my family of nine lived under one roof; a three-bedroom, one bath house. We wore a lot of hand-me-downs, but my mother could make anything on her sewing machine; doll clothes, Easter dresses and even a couple of wedding dresses.
Our house is one of my fondest memories. Our house was clean; messy at times, but always clean. My mother saw to that! Us older girls were put to task to clean on Saturdays. And during Easter break (spring break) we washed walls. It wasn’t that the walls were dirty, but it was Spring and that meant it was Spring cleaning! Somehow my mother arranged the bedrooms so we all had a place to sleep. Two boys in the back bedroom and four girls in the middle room and my baby sister in a crib in my parent’s room. My oldest sister got married when the baby was eighteen months old and she moved in with the rest of us girls.
My mother was a religious person. She was a rule-follower. We were raised somewhat strict Catholic. Thank You, Mother! We prayed before meals and I remember saying a family rosary during Lent and in times of trouble. She had good health until she was older when her diabetes messed with her. I remember watching her measure out exactly how much water she drank and she followed her strict diet.
We had very good food. My mother was a very good baker and cook. Leftovers found in the refrigerator were put in a soup made from scratch. Relatives stopped over during the Christmas holidays to visit, and I believe to take home one of my mother’s coffee cakes!
I could write all day about my mother! I am glad she is not alive to see the world and the church the way it is now. It would be so hard on her. I know she is looking down on the seven of us and all her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. I love mother and know she will be the first one I see in Heaven.
March 1, 2022
Lent
“What are you giving up for Lent?” This is a question that people are asking today. Tomorrow, Wednesday, March 2, 2022 is Ash Wednesday. It seems at times that more people go to church on Ash Wednesday than any other day besides Christmas and Easter. I think that is a good sign that people are wanting to change their lives in a more positive way.
As a kid, we, my siblings and myself, gave up candy and movies. We didn’t eat a lot of candy nor attend a lot of movies, but it seemed that during Lent, good movies were released and there seemed to be an abundance of candy around. Some people give up their bad habit like snacking, drinking, and maybe getting off the couch once in a while.
If you give up anything, it really need to do it for the right reason. Your “sacrifice” has to be a true sacrifice. Are you doing this or that for your own good? If the sole benefit of your sacrifice is for your own purpose or profit, you have missed the point. “The purpose is to cultivate space for reflection on the suffering, death, and sacrifice of Jesus.” (From the internet site: saturatetheworld.com)
You do not have to actually “give” up something. You might do more to increase your faith and love for Jesus’ sacrifice. How about going to daily Mass? Maybe a couple of times a week? What about making frequent visits to your church’s Adoration Chapel? Almsgiving is part of Lent. Give more to those in need. Be more polite, smile and make someone feel good. Hold the door for the person behind you. Read the Bible daily. There are many things to DO instead of GIVING UP for Lent. Ask Jesus for help to find what you can do.
The Annunciation
February/August 1, 2016
February is such a short month! So much so that I never wrote a short story for February. I went into my archives for a short-short story. I decided that I could spotlight a short story for the month of February. Enjoy!
I am a young servant girl for Mary’s family. One night I heard a rush of air, like a soft wind. I peeked around the corner into Mary’s room and saw her sitting up, in the middle of her bed. Next to her was a spirit. I think it was an angel. I couldn’t hear everything, but I did hear the angel tell Mary that the Lord was with her. Mary looked frightened and I wondered if I should go to her. But I couldn’t seem to move from where I was standing!
Then the Angel told Mary she would give birth to a son – the Son of the Most High. I knew this was not possible as Mary is still a young virgin like me and she is pledged to wed Joseph. I couldn’t hear what else the Angel said, then Mary sat up so tall I thought she might stand up on her bed. Mary spoke. I heard Mary tell the Angel that she was a virgin, how could this happen? I then heard the Angel tell Mary that the Holy Spirit would come upon Mary, and something about the Most High would over-shadow her.
As soon as the Angel said that, Mary was surrounded in the most beautiful white light! Wind swirled around her! I saw Mary tremble slightly. Mary’s face glowed; she looked as though she was filled with Joy! The Angel told Mary the child would be called the Son of God. I then hear the Angel tell Mary that her relative, Elizabeth, was with child. Now that could not be true…Elizabeth was old, and she was unable to conceive. Mary just nodded in the affirmative as if she understood.
Mary then told the Angel that
she was the Lord’s servant and that the Lords Will will be done. Then the Angel disappeared. I wanted to go to Mary but I felt a sense that I should leave Mary to herself for now. She looked so differently to me now. I know what I witnessed was truly
the greatest of all miracles.
February 28, 2022
From Jesus Calling
Evaluating and Judging yourself
No one likes to be criticized or judged. Only Jesus can do that. But as simple humans we DO judge and evaluate ourselves. Some people are very critical of themselves, while others may be a little too prideful. It’s easy to get caught into the trap of judging other people. We do not have the right to judge, that is Our Lord’s position.
We need to remember that each of us was created uniquely by Our Creator. No two people are exactly alike. We are like snowflakes in that there are no two snowflakes are alike. Think about how many snowflakes there are in a three to four inch snow! Think of how many millions of people are on this earth! So many differences! And those differences are what set us apart from everyone else.
We are to be humble enough to not seek others affirmation. We don’t need to be liked or accepted by anyone except for Jesus. Many people think that Jesus/God is a harsh judge, but that is not true for in fact, Jesus died for all our sins and clothes us in His garment of salvation.
February 27, 2022
from Jesus Calling
Live today
I wonder how many people live in the tomorrows of their lives and in the yesterdays of their life. I am one of those people, but I am working on staying in the present. It is normal for a young woman to daydream about her wedding day; the gowns, flowers, music. Or, the college student thinking of how they will conquer the world after graduation. These are things we all think about but we don’t live them. Jesus wants us to live in this day and this day only. Sometimes the problem is that I think about a specific time in a tomorrow and dwell on it by creating the scene in my mind, creating the dialogue the outcome. This is not the general daydreaming that we all do at times.
Just as bad as trying to visualize the outcome of a tomorrow is re-living a yesterday. I have been bogged down into a past time in my life, becoming almost obsessed with it. This is not where Jesus wants me to be either. I cannot change the past no matter how many times I go back and replay it in my mind.
Today is where Jesus wants me to be. Today is where I AM! I can stay in the todays of my life when I know that Jesus is right there at my side. He wants to help me carry the burdens that I feel I have. Often, what I think is a burden turns out to be a blessing or a lesson. Jesus does not want me to fall along my daily journey with Him. It is when I try to carry yesterday’s or tomorrow’s burdens with me that I am sure to fall. This is all I have: today, this day, this hour, this minute. And remembering this will help me to live within the boundaries of today.
February 26, 2022
from Jesus Calling (2019)
Turn to Me
Today’s message is to turn to Jesus whenever I begin to wonder and worry about the future. By holding Jesus’ hand I gain the trust I need to go through my day. Today is all I have now. Looking to tomorrow is a waste of time. Only Jesus knows what tomorrow will bring. One line I especially like: “Secret things belong to the Lord, and future things are secret things.” I translate that to mean that the tomorrows are only to be known by Jesus. If I truly knew the future, I don’t think I could handle it. I would probably be working non-stop to change this thing or that.
Grasping at the things that belong to Jesus is like doubting Him. I certainly don’t want to do that! I want to trust, with all my heart, that Jesus will and does take care of me. Turning to Him more frequently is a good way to live my day. I am working on trying to say or think His name before I begin anything, whether it is preparing a meal, driving my car, cleaning. Jesus wants me to enjoy the daily journey with Him, and as my trust grows, I will find myself turning to Him.
February 25, 2022
from Jesus Calling (2019)
Walk purposefully with Me
Jesus wants to take charge of my day for me as He directs my course one step at a time. I am not to rush into the day, trying to get everything done as quickly as possible. Take my time and enjoy the companionship of Jesus is the way to start my day. Exerting so much energy first thing will only tire me out. Long purposeful walks with Jesus is the best way to travel on my daily journey with Him at my side.
Along my journey with Jesus, I am to thank Him for each blessing along the way. This would be the sky and birds, the flowers and trees, the fields and rivers. It is easy to thank Jesus for His creativity in nature. But Jesus wants me to thank Him for everything! Even the things that I would not ordinarily thank Him for; the disappointments of the day, any pain and suffering along the way. The more I thank Jesus for all His gifts the more abundant they seem to be. I wake each morning with the intention for walk purposefully with Jesus.
February 24, 2022”S
From Spiritual Quotes
Mother Angelica
“Sometimes we ask God for things, and we seem to get the exact opposite. God sees the whole chapter. You just see the beginning.”—Mother Angelica
This is something that I can relate to. I ask God for something, maybe even something necessary, and I either end up with something totally different or I end up with nothing. And, yes, we don’t know the end of the book. It doesn’t seem to matter if you are in the beginning of the book, or almost finished. God still has the perfect answer to our requests.
Trying to find a way to explain this, I came up with this: A husband buys his wife the newest and best flashlight out on the market for her birthday. He is impressed with himself. She graciously take the gift and thanks him for his thoughtfulness. But, when she is alone, she lets her disappointment get to her and cries a little. She was hoping for flowers or a dinner out. She accepts that her birthday was a disappointment, but she loves her husband and accepts that he is not the best at gift choices. Later in the month, late one night, they are hit with a great ice storm. All the lines are down and there is no electricity or heat. The wife gets the flashlight out and they are able to get a fire going in the fireplace. And she thanks her husband for the great birthday present.
What we think we need may only be something we want. God always provides us with our needs. He is generous with our wants as well. But, we will never get everything we want. God knows what is best for us. We think we know, but we really don’t. Some things need to be left up to the “experts”!
February 23, 2022
From Jesus Today (2021)
Trust Me!
There are many messages from Jesus in Sarah Young’s Jesus books. But “Trust Me” is a message that is repeated often, yet many times it is as if I am hearing it for the first time. The theme of these messages is to trust Jesus as we travel along our daily trek with Him. Often the message warns me of the dangerous obstacles along the path. Dangers on the path with Jesus are like walking into a very scary woods. Danger lies in every step of the way. Becoming lost is another danger. The salvation of the messages is that Jesus is always with me. He never leaves my side; and He always holds my hand.
No matter how many times we hear this message from Jesus, we always seem to forget everything we learned when we are hit with difficulties. Jesus assures us that He is with us and reminds us to trust Him. We are told to focus on Him constantly and to avoid and ignore circumstances that are uncomfortable. We are to put fears of bad news into Jesus’ Hands.
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”—Psalm 143:8
February 22, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2019)
You need Me every moment
(I looked at, and read from several meditation books this morning, but I could not come up with words. . . words that I want to share. So I went back a few years for the meditation for this date, February 22nd and I couldn’t be happier to find this meditation below!)
Everyone needs Jesus’ help, but not everyone asks for it, myself included. Jesus wants me to be needy for Him. The term of ‘being needy’ sometimes carries with it negativity. I wonder if a person can be too needy? I think so in our human relationships, but not so in our relationship with Jesus. He wants me to tug on His shirt sleeve and complain that I didn’t get what I wanted, or that I wasn’t invited somewhere; or worse, he or she has more than me. Sounds like a whiny child. But aren’t we just that?
Where I have to be careful in my neediness with Jesus is not to become preoccupied with my needs or having self-pity. Self-pity will give me a sense of not being good enough. I can let this grow in my heart or stop it in its tracks as soon as I feel pity coming on. I don’t want to feel empty or in despair.
I need to call on Jesus frequently. Just short simple prayers will do. Just saying the name of Jesus is a prayer in itself. I will keep on asking and I will receive. Acknowledge that of my need for Jesus every moment is what I must learn to practice.
February 21, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2021)
Sister Sins
This is one of my favorite messages from Jesus Calling. Every thing was so spot on for me. The ‘sister sins’ mentioned are: worry, obsession, criticism, complaining. Looking at the words put together as ‘sisters’ makes sense to me. They entangle me so quickly and keep me from trust and thankfulness.
How do these ‘sister sins’ affect you? Are they somehow linked together for you? Trust protects you from worrying and obsessing. I’m sure you will have worry today and if you are like me, you sometimes let that worry take you to the next step, obsessing. Thankfulness prevents us from going into the childish complaining and criticizing. And, I find myself in both of those quite often too. These days of great trouble for the world do not need these ‘sisters’ but rather they need for us to trust in Jesus and be thankful for everything, including things we don’t like.
Jesus tells us that keeping our eyes and attention on Him can be the same thing as trusting Him. Further He tells us that we have free choices to make throughout the day. I believe the more we choose Jesus over problems the easier it will become. Jesus tells us to send the troubles in our mind to the outer sides of your mind, leaving the center, your focus, which is Jesus.
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”—1 Peter 5:7
February 20, 2022
From Jesus Lives
Attitude
The attitude Jesus is referring to in this reading is the attitude of being at peace with everyone. That means to forgive those who hurt you. You should be the first one to make a move. Things get more tense when both parties wait for the other to make the first move.
In order to be at peace with everyone, one must need to control not only what they say but also what they think. Your thoughts about others do matter. . . a lot! You thoughts matter even if you keep them to yourself. Jesus is fully aware of all our thoughts. Negative thinking about others can damage your relationship.
We have to go to Jesus for help. Ask Him to forgive you for causing a failed relationship with someone. Ask Him for His forgiveness too. Also, ask the Holy Spirit to control your mind and think the thoughts of Jesus. It is a good thing to stop before you speak. Another good thing is to listen to the person speaking instead of thinking of what you want to say. I have been interrupted before I could speak, and I am so grateful for that, because after thinking it through, my words may have been hurtful. I also have to ask Jesus to let my tongue be slower than my mind.
February 19, 2022
From Jesus Today
Give Me your burdens
We all have burdens that we wish would just go away. We find ourselves thinking about it and how to resolve it all the time. We become consumed with a situation that we cannot solve. It would feel so good to give this problem to someone qualified to solve it.
Image your boss put you on as head of the committee for a new project coming up. You know you are not qualified for it and you feel overwhelmed by it. Thinking about it is making you sick and anxious. You are afraid your co-workers will think you are the wrong person for this project. Then your boss announces that there has been a change in the project and it will be moved to another department. You are off the hook!
We can put ourselves in the same position as the worker. We don’t have to carry every burden alone. We have Jesus at our side. He will carry all our worries. There is a catch however. Once we give our burden to Jesus, we have to try to forget about it; put it on the back burner. You no longer have to worry. No fair cheating, and sneak in little thoughts about it. Just like the worker above, you will be happy to be rid of your problem. When you begin to think about it, stop and remember that Jesus already has the problem handled!
February 18, 2022
from Jesus Calling (2019)
Fix your thoughts on Me
Jesus asks that I think of Him often as we walk the path of Life with Him. He wants me to enjoy His company. I can stay in communication with Him by talking to Him or whispering His Name. He wants me to stay in touch with Him through my thoughts, even songs. I need to spend some good time with Him and keep my eyes, ears and heart open to see, hear and feel His Words.
Song is a wonderful way for me to spend time with Jesus. I can be busy doing chores around the house while in my mind that beautiful song we sang at Mass keeps playing on a loop. “Jesus, I Trust in You” was the song of yesterday. I don’t remember all the words, but I know the melody. All I really need is to sing in my head, or out loud: “Jesus I Trust in You.” Those are the most important words for me anyway.
Music is a way for me to praise Jesus. I sang in my parish choir for many years. It was a beautiful way to communicate with Jesus. I am in a different parish now, and they don’t have a choir, but I do sing at Mass. I sing loudly at times. I also sing the harmony that I memorized from all the years as an alto in the choir. It can be annoying to get a song stuck in my head, but music from the Mass is the exception. I often find myself singing or humming the Glory to God, Sanctus or Agnus Dei. And of course I love Christmas music. I found a channel on Sirius that played “real” Christmas music, mostly hymns and carols. Music (church music) is a way for me to stay close to Jesus and this gives me Peace. I just have to fix my thoughts on Jesus.
February 17, 2022
From Promises from God for women
Perseverance
When the storms of life hit we should look for perseverance, persistence, and courage. Jesus considers these anchors. These anchors are the things we should cling to during our life’s storm. Jesus also gives us a life belt: Faith. With Faith we have a steady persistence. We can never give up on Jesus or our Faith.
This reading gives an example for those who are looking for something to help in the circumstances that threaten to overwhelm us. His advice is the same for a person drowning: don’t struggle or squirm, or fight against the waves. We are to lay our lives in the Hands of Jesus. Turning a storm over to Jesus will bring us peace. But we can’t give Jesus our problem then try to take it back later. Once we give Him the problem, it becomes His problem. This peace becomes the power that gives us courage and the ability to persist.
“Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwelt on the earth.”—Revelation 3:10
February 16, 2022
from Jesus Always (2019)
Take time to pray about it
I visualize “take time to pray” as someone sitting in a quiet place, eyes closed, hands folded in prayer. I know this is what Jesus wants, but He knows that as humans this doesn’t happen as often as He would like. On the other hand, “take time to pray about it” brings me a vision of a busy mother sorting her family’s three or four loads of laundry. I see myself at the sink, washing all those plastic containers filled with old, spoiled food. I’m busy, but not so wrapped up in what I am doing that I couldn’t talk to Jesus while I’m working.
The difference between praying and praying about it are obvious to me. I often don’t have, or take the time to sit and talk/pray with Jesus. But I can imagine myself talking and praying while on the run. For me, ‘on the run’ could be a trip to the store, on my way to volunteer, or mopping the floor. I realize that I really NEED Jesus 24/7. The way I can see how to accomplish taking time to pray about it is to pause before I start any work, project, drive or any activities I may have to do. This will take a lot of practice but it is a spiritual routine that could very well change my life. I did ask Jesus and the Holy Spirit to be with me when I started writing this. I knew the phrase I wanted to focus on, but I did not know what I would write. I now take the time to thank Jesus for being my guide.
February 15, 2022
from Jesus Calling
Remember that I am your Shepherd
What does it mean to me that Jesus is my Shepherd? He tells me that I am like a sheep to Him, the Shepherd. The shepherd watches over his sheep from morning until night. They spend the whole day together. I observed shepherds in fields when I went to the Holy Land. The shepherds did not wear robes and sandals, but jeans and sweatshirts. But their job was the same the first shepherds on earth. The landscape that I saw the shepherds on was not a nice green pasture, but a very hilly, rocky and uneven terrain.
Just as the terrain of most shepherds is dangerous, so is my daily journey with Jesus. I know that I will be safe with Him watching over me. He will save me from the waters we might cross, He will get me out of the prickly bushes, He will find me when I am lost. Jesus doesn’t want me to be afraid since He is with me every minute, every inch of my daily trek. He doesn’t want me to take the lead because He knows the way to go; and, He does not want me to worry how we will get to where we are going. He does not want me to be frightened since I am His little sheep and He is my Shepherd.
February 14, 2022
from Jesus Always (2019)
Let My Love be your comfort
What is comfort? For little ones it might be a blanket, a binky, a stuffed animal, or maybe a warm bottle of milk. Our comforts change to different material things as we grow up; books, soft bed, hot chocolate; but then we begin to include people into our list of comforts. They might be a best friend, a favorite teacher, our parents.
I would say a nice creamy cup of hot coffee on a cold morning is one of my comforts, maybe drinking a nice beverage on my patio with the sun warming me. It might be a phone call, text or message from someone that I haven’t heard from in a while. One of my favorite comforts is sitting quietly in a church, alone, no one around. There are special people around us whose job is to give comfort; parent, friend, priest, nurse, and even our pets.
Jesus offers us a different kind of comfort. It is the comfort of His Love. In this crazy world, I find myself calling on Jesus more and more every day. I know that His Love is never-ending, that it will never go away. I only have to call on Him, anytime. He doesn’t have to come to me, because He is already with me. I am the one who steps away.
pIt is a wonderful thing when we can give comfort to others. It is truly a gift for some people. St. Theresa of Calcutta comes to mind. During an illness of oneself, friend or family, the comfort of someone is so special. For those who grieve, we can be a great source of comfort. Often, just sitting and listening can be a comfort for someone in distress. Jesus gives us His comfort so that we, in turn, can give comfort to others.
February 13, 2022
From Jesus Calling
Peace be with you
In the Catholic Church the congregation takes pause for greet those around them peace. Before Covid we shook hands and even hugged each other. “Peace be with you” used to be a way saying hello or good-bye. It would be nice to say that to each other again. We can always think peace for those who are leaving, whether it be leaving for a flight, leaving for school, or maybe parents leaving their adult children’s house.
Being one of Jesus’ special children, we are provided peace from Him. We can receive Jesus’ Peace by just thinking about Him during the day, or sitting quietly with Him in prayer or conversation. His Peace will settle over us like a warm, soft blanket. Thank Jesus for His Peace, remembering that He died a criminal’s death. He has abundant Peace to give to us.
We should think of Jesus’ Peace as a great treasure. It is a gift to all His children. When we are at peace with Jesus, we will feel His Presence even greater. We hear from Jesus in this verse from John. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”—John 14:27
February 12, 2021
From Genesis 3:1-8
Genesis tells the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The story of Satan spewing his venom. God created the universe and the element of all creatures of the land. But He wasn’t quite satisfied. He wanted something else. So, God created man, Adam. God let Adam name all the creatures and animals newly created. But once that was finished, Adam was again lonely. So God made Eve; taking one of Adams ribs and turning it in a suitable partner for Adam. She was named Eve. They seemed to be a very good match for each other. They strolled in the garden enjoying all the flora and animals. When Eve was alone, she was near the forbidden tree in the center of the garden. A snake nearby started talking to Eve. And you know the rest.
So why did she disobey the orders of God? She wasn’t yet one of the flawed people of the earth yet. Let’s say you are driving on the highway, going eighty-five miles an hour. The speed limit is seventy miles an hour. You know you are speeding, yet you do it anyway. You think, however, you are running really late and there aren’t many cars on the highway, so what can it hurt? A consequence might be a ticket or perhaps an accident. But maybe nothing happens. You are safe!
Why did Eve listen to the snake? Why did you ignore the speed limit? The only thing that I can think of that these two situations have in common, is choice. Eve chose to disobey God and listen to and follow the snake. You know you are speeding, yet you choose to speed. Eve condemned all peoples to the earth with all the hardships with her actions. You, well, if you got home safely with no ticket or accident, you were lucky; ie…blessed by God.Consider just how powerful the gift of choice really is. God lets you choose what you want to do. But, with this gift you have to choose wisely. Before you make decisions ask yourself if there will be any repercussions of your choice. Better yet, ask God to help you decide.
February 11, 2022
Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes
Our Blessed Lady told Bernadette that the people of the world needed to pray the rosary. Say the rosary every day! The Lady of Fatima, and the Lady of Medjugorje asked the same of us. I believe it is important for us to remember that Mary is our heavenly mother. She takes care of us just as our earthly mother did. She is there to help us with anything problems. We can ask her to go to her Son, Jesus and ask for His intervention.
Miracles have occurred at these places of the Holy Mary. My sister and I took a trip to Lourdes in 2015. Just the two of us. We were filled with the Holy Spirit while we were there. We took the bath that visitors to Lourdes often take. My sister and I feel something very powerful happened to us on that day. I had been walking with serious pain in my legs and my sister had very bad back and foot pain. Neither us of walked with any grace! The water that continues to come from the original spring that Bernadette dug was a chilly 55 degrees. We were helped to discretely undress wearing just a towel around us. Two tiny old women stood on either side of the marble tub. There were three or four steps down to the water. I was asked if I wanted to sit. I replied that I wanted to but I couldn’t because of my knees. As soon as I finished saying that, holding onto the two women’s hands, I walked down the steps into the cold water and gracefully sat down. A few seconds later, I gracefully stood up. I didn’t realize the great gift I had received! My sister had the same experience!
Make time to say a rosary every day, even if you can only say one decade at a time. If you don’t remember the Mysteries of the Rosary, dedicate each decade to a cause. Sometimes I meditate on five miracles of Jesus. Another easy way to pray the rosary is to find a site online and recite it with the people saying it online. Recently I found another beautiful method of praying the rosary. You can find it at Holy Family School of Faith online. You can have it set up to receive the daily meditation by email. This rosary focuses on a theme; and today was Our Lady of Lourdes. (Instead of reciting and reflecting on the mysteries, you will listen to a recorded message for each decade.
It is very important that we say the rosary daily. Our world is in distress. Mary will help us if we ask through the rosary!
February 9, 2022
From Spiritual Quotes
Archbishop Fulton J Sheen
“When our will is one with God’s will, then nothing can happen to us except what God wills; thus, we will never be disappointed.” Archbishop Fulton J Sheen
It seems as if people have a hard time aligning our wills to Gods. Maybe it is because we want what we want? Often the things God wants for us is just about the opposite of our wants. The harder we fight for our will, the more disappointed we will be. Mass is a good time to align our will with God’s just as Confession and the Rosary.
I found this on the internet today: Following God’s Pan for Your Life:
- Be in prayer. A way to know that you are following God’s plea for your life is by being in prayer
- Be actively reading in the Word
- Follow the commands He puts on your heart
- Seek a godly community
- Obey the Truth
From Campbellsville University
If we knew just what it is that God wants of us, we would be in complete alignment with Him. It is harder to know what God wants when we live in a loud and busy world. He knows His plans for us and we can hear Him if we live closely with Him. Although we might not believe it, but suffering produces perseverance and character. This leads to hope that allows God to come into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.
February 8, 2022
From Woman’s Day Reflection (2021)
Strength
This is from a prayer for strength. Sometimes I ask myself if I am lazy. Sometimes I don’t think I have the energy to finish a household chore. But it is amazing when I finish how well I feel! I know that Covid has changed me a lot. I live a much simpler life, one without many days marked on the calendar.
We can’t let changes like Covid change who we are. We know that Our Lord, Jesus Christ is always with us. We often forget that. We need the spiritual strength to remind us. The Holy Spirit will also send us the spiritual strength we need for every day. Jesus does not want us to beat ourselves down when we feel we don’t the the strength we need. We gain strength by living one day at a time. We gain strength through accepting the world God wants it and not the way we want it.
Since we don’t know what lies ahead, we ask for strength to get through the day. We finish our day by giving thanks to Him for getting through. And thank Him for those days that are so very easy. We ask Him to give us strength and armor such as His great Angel, Michael. Call on Michael the Archangel to support us and give us strength.
February
7, 2022
From Rhetorical Jesus
“You can ask me anything. You know that I have walked in your shoes, right?”
I know intellectually that I can ask Jesus anything, but emotionally and spiritually, I feel unworthy. Even though I sometimes want to ask Him something, I don’t because it is a stupid question, or, He already knows that. Asking Jesus something is not like asking a fellow person. If, or when, we ask the same thing over and over, they get frustrated at us and maybe even a bit angry. Jesus never gets upset with us, ever!
Jesus knows how I feel before I even talk to Him. He knows when I struggle to ask Him for something. Sometimes I think I don’t deserve what I ask for, after all, look at all my blessings. But Jesus doesn’t see it that way at all. He would encourage us to ask, ask, ask. Even if we go to Him upset, maybe a little angry, He is so happy that we asked Him. Asking questions to Jesus helps us to get closer to Him.
It is my belief that asking questions of Jesus can get easier if we stay in close contact with him. Think about His Presence with us at all times. Talk to Him about things you are doing, such as laundry, sweeping, dishes, paying bills. He is apart of all of our life, not just the serious things or the spiritual or holy things. Imagine if Jesus could actually spend a day with you! Would you take Him somewhere special, or stay at home? If, face to face with Jesus would be possible, how would you like it to be for yourself and for Jesus. Remember, He is always with us.
February 6, 2022
From Inspiration from Psalms
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4
I would imagine everyone has read/hear the verse above. It might be a verse for someone who is in a bad situation; or it might be a verse for someone needing hope. We all go through difficult times. Some are so bad we can barely face them; we want to run away and leave the troubles behind. Hopefully we receive a glimmer of Hope through Jesus. Maybe we think about Him and His death and crucifixion. Then we think about how He did it all for us. He sacrificed His life so we can live our lives.
Most situations don’t last forever. Simple problems like your three-year old dropping their plate of spaghetti on your freshly mopped floor. Yes, it is upsetting, but not to long after dinner, your three-year old will be asleep in bed. On the extreme end of this situation is one of death of a loved one. Maybe they were dying for a long time and their death might be a blessing. But some deaths are sudden and unexpected. This situation will take a longer time to get over, if ever.
Knowing that Jesus is with us all the time should be comforting to us, but, because we are human, we often forget about Jesus during our troubling times. Maybe we are so wrapped up in the problem and take our mind off of it for even a minute. Having Jesus at our side is such a great blessing. He will come to us if we forget to ask for His help. He will guide us through any and all of our problems, not matter how big or small they are. Don’t think because your problem isn’t big, Jesus won’t want to be bothered. Or your problem is so huge, you are so sure that He cannot help at all. We have to learn that we are not alone with our problems; that we always have the loving care of Jesus.
February 5, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2021)
Trust or Worry
As Jesus tells me, today, I have two choices: trust Him or worry. It is obvious to me that will choose trusting Him. Yet, in the middle of the day, or the beginning, or the evening, I will find myself worrying about one thing or the other. Silly stuff….. the weather, what to fix or dinner and I even find myself worrying about worrying. Jesus is at my side, and the Holy Spirit is at my side. They always are and will always be there. If I choose to trust Him, I would not worry about whether He is at my side.
Jesus tells me that I will never run out to things to worry about. I will always have problems of some kind or other. With all the worry out there for me to choose from, I still can choose Peace if I learn to completely trust Jesus. Further, Jesus says, “To receive My Peace, you must change your grasping, controlling stance to one of openness and trust.”
I can have as much of Jesus’ Peace as I want. Remembering that Jesus has the control, I have the choices. He decides what will happen and I get to choose which way I want to go. Intellectually, I understand that worry is not good for me, but spiritually it is hard for me to go back to worry when I don’t know how to make good choices. Maybe the real problem is not to worry or trust, but to learn to listen to Jesus and the Holy Spirit to help me make the simple decisions. Leaning complete trust in Jesus is hard as a human being, but if I call Him or just say His Name: Jesus, I will learn to choose trust over worry.
February 4, 2022
Spiritual Quotes
“Pray when you feel like worrying. Give thanks when you feel like complaining. Keep going when you feel like quitting.” DaveWillis.org
I like all three elements of this quote. Three things to do when things go bad. Most people worry; some worry a lot. Some worry about this day while some worry about tomorrow; and all the tomorrows after that. And, some worry about the past. The author suggests prayer when we worry. If we can even just remember that Jesus was with us in the past when things went wrong. Jesus is going to be with us in all of our tomorrows; and He is with us right now. Recognizing that Jesus is always with us and stating this fact to ourselves and Jesus, could be, a type of prayer.
We all like to complain. We need to give thanks to Jesus instead of complaining. If it is pain you are complaining about, think of all the people who are in severe, constant pain. If you you complain because you don’t have something you want, think of the people who literally have nothing. Give gratitude to the positive things in your life. Do you have food, shelter, a bed to sleep in, warmth in your house? Thank Jesus for these things. If your complaint is about a person, then thank Jesus for all your family and friends.
Keep going when you feel like quitting. We all get to this point as some time or another. Instead of running off to get a divorce, try working on your marriage. If you can’t get that complicated math problem solved, step away for a few minutes and go back. If you give up you will never get to the top of the mountain. We must persevere, always.
All these things apply to our spiritual life as well. Don’t worry about where you are in your faith journey, don’t complain about it to others, and don’t give up on God. He never gives up on you!
February 2, 2022
From Jesus Always (2021)
I will help you
This message from Jesus asks us to think of Him first and foremost when we get up in the morning. It seems we all have our own routines. I like to lay around and try to wake up. Often I talk to Jesus, but other times I want to hurry, take my pill, put in eye drops, feed the cat so that I can have my coffee! I can see when I write down my actions, that I could be doing something far more different with a better outcome. I can see that those few moments trying to awake could be spent saying good morning to Jesus, thank Him for the nights rest, ask Him to help me with my life today. “Jesus, I want to be with you first thing in the morning and the last thing at night!”
If communication with Jesus is lacking in something, I will tell Him something is off, not right. He will straighten it out. He will unfold my day at my side and straighten the rocky, crooked paths into smooth, straight paths. He will remove the obstacles that get in my way. It’s also important to make sure to create time for Jesus. It is easy to get wrapped up in the busyness of the day and make that your priority.
February 1, 2022
From Jesus Calling
Follow Me one step at a time
“One step at a time” is used to encourage one not to give up on something. The AA and Alanon groups use it. I heard it used when someone is healing, from surgery or illness. They are told to take one step at a time. I think back to when I was a kid how I would take the stairs two at a time. It didn’t get me anywhere faster. When we follow Jesus everyday, He will guide us at a “one step at a time” pace. It is the only way to ensure safety.
For some reason, when I think of this phrase, the word “patience” pops up. This morning while I was trying to get up and out of bed, I talked to Jesus. I told Him how anxious I feel about the events of the world. I was going to ask Him, “Please give me a word to focus on.” I got the words “please give me….” And then I said, “Patience.” I don’t know where it came from but I know it is something Jesus wants me to focus on.
So now I will associate “One step at a time” with “patience.” It makes sense to me. People who constantly hurry tend to make more mistakes. We are not to hurry through our days without enjoying the blessings of the day. Most things in life require taking or doing one step at a time. Making a stew or chili takes time to simmer, slowly. Cooking at high temperatures will get it done but you will be short on flavor. You cant go to step two if you haven’t done step one. Everything in life has a process. We must learn to slow down with patience and take ahold of Jesus’ hand as you walk your daily journey.
January 31, 2022
From Jesus Calling
I am your shield and strength
There is a plan for every day of our life. Before we wake each morning, our day ahead is planned and ready for us to get going. I believe Jesus has every day planned for us until our time on earth is over. Rest assured that not only is your day planned ahead, but He is also there to provide the strength we will need. This also comes with guidance from Him; keeping us safe and on the right path. Jesus tells us we do not have to worry about whats on the road ahead; we need only keep in touch with Him.
We are advised by Jesus to refuse to waste energy on worry. It is a waste of time and gets you nowhere. Trust that Jesus has the foresight, energy, strength to get us through this day. When we begin to feel afraid, remember that Jesus is our Shield; a protective barrier around us. His watching and caring gives us the best security system! He reminds us that it doesn’t matter where we go; to the store, parent’s house, overseas or at home, Jesus is with us and will watch over us no matter where we go.
When I am afraid, I will trust in you, in God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?—Psalm 56:3-4
January 30, 2022
From todays second reading
1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13
The second reading for today is one that we have all heard; at least a portion of it. “Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things endures all things. Love never ends.”
I don’t want to dwell on what love is not; but rather what it is. I love all the positives of love. They describe Jesus so well: patient, kind, rejoices in the right, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things and it never ends. Humans think they have perfect love, but since we are not flawless, their love is not perfect. Humans make mistakes and wrong decisions, but Jesus never makes a mistake or a wrong decision. Human love is very powerful, but is not without doubts or shortcomings.
It would be impossible to achieve the love described in 1 Corinthians. Only Jesus can, but He wants to share that with us, love us with His perfect love. The closer we become to Jesus the closer we get to His Love. Who wouldn’t want to be loved with perfect love. And, we are! Jesus’ love makes us happy and fulfilled. His love never hurts as human love sometimes does.
We need to practice the positive elements of love the best we can. Practice this love on family and friends; enemy and opposition. The more love we have/show, the more it comes back to us. Loving as perfectly as we can will ensure an everlasting love. This perfect love is ours when we reach heaven.
January 29, 2022
from Jesus Calling (2018)
Keep your focus on Me
I know that I have many thoughts throughout the course of the day and many, or I should say, MOST, are not focused on Jesus. My goal is to bring every thought to Jesus. Even, and especially, the negative thoughts. It’s easy to think of Jesus when I see wonders of the earth. Just this morning I opened the curtain at the patio door and the wonderfully warm sun hit my face. (I could have stood there with my eyes closed all day.) Then I noticed there were lite snow flurries floating to my patio. The snowflakes on my glass-top table were cookie-cutter perfect! When I gazed back to the sunlight, the flurries looked like glitter sprinkling the earth.
Not all of my thoughts are beautiful like that one. Quite a few of my thoughts are negative thoughts. I have anxious thoughts about what might happen today, mostly what might happen in my tomorrows. I have confused thoughts that get me tangled in decisions to make. My worst negative thoughts are the judgmental thoughts. These are the ones I wish to rid myself of the most. But, if I can turn to focus on Jesus, the anxious thoughts shrink and shrive away. The confused thoughts become unraveled and tangle-free. And, my judgmental thoughts become blatantly obvious to me. Upon focusing on Jesus, He dissolves the negative thoughts like heavy snowflakes touching a warm earth.
January 28, 2022
From Day 17 in The Chosen book
The theme on day seventeen coincided with my idea for my short story. It is about some of the disciples met and followed Jesus. I wrote about Nathaniel. (He later went by Bartholomew) One of the first miracle Nathaniel saw was Jesus changing the water to wine at the wedding feast of Cana. And that is where the story started. (You can find it on FB)
Phillip had been invited by Jesus to follow him, so Phillip went to find his friend, Nathaniel. He told him what he knew about Jesus, that He was from Nazareth and the son, of Joseph. Nathaniel’s response was: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”
The disciples came from many places and many backgrounds. Most were on the poor-side and a few had wealth. I believe all were somewhat skeptical of this man, Jesus. Regardless of their financial and family history, they left their families and homes. They would have also left their work; their livelihood. Jesus must have had an alluring effect on them. I’m sure He held their interest with His stories and parables.
Jesus calls to us everyday. How often to we decide to leave things as they are and spend the time with Him. To know Jesus today, we do not have to leave our families and homes. We only have to make some time to spend with Jesus. If you have a difficult busy life, use your bathroom break to talk to Him. Trust me, He will not mind. Five minutes here and there will add up. The rosary takes about twenty minutes. Maybe you can take five minutes before and after to just BE with Him.
If you want to be led in rosary, go online to Holy Family school of faith. You can sign up for a daily meditative rosary. You can receive it by email. This is a bit different from we are used to, but I learn so much! If you cannot do a rosary, make sure you talk to Our Lord before you fall to sleep and when you wake up. Talk, pray to Jesus while cleaning, driving, or at anytime. Turn off the TV for ten to fifteen minutes and close your eyes and visit with Jesus. He really wants to hear from you!
January Story
Finding Jesus
There was much joy at that wedding! I came because I am related to the bride. Since I am one of Jesus’ newest disciples, I was also His guest. His mother is a cousin of the groom. She came a few days earlier to help decorate and prepare the food. There was lots of food; lots! Trays filled with figs, olives, grapes and other delectables. Breads and other baked grains and sweet foods filled most of one table. The fatted cow has been roasting for many hours and will soon be served at our dinner.
Just as the sun was about to set, trays and trays of roasted beef were brought out. Oh! The aroma! I sat at a table with Jesus and the other disciples. Mary sat with her cousins who arrived early this morning. I watched as a wine steward went to Mary and whispered in her ear. She had a strange look on her face, bewilderment perhaps. She got up from her seat and came over to Jesus who was sitting next to me. I tried not to listen, but they were just too close. Mary told Jesus that they no wine. Jesus asked her how this happened, and why did she tell Jesus? I heard Him ask her what it had to do with Him. I thought the same thing. He told her His hour had not yet come. What does that mean? Mary kissed her son on his cheek and smiling at Him with loving eyes, then called the wine steward and told him to do whatever Jesus said.
Jesus excused himself from the table. I watched as He followed the steward to a darkened room that I suspect is the room where the wine was stored. I know there are stone water jars used for purification; and they can hold twenty to thirty gallons each. I wonder what Jesus is doing in there? Within a short time, the wine steward came from the room and went to the groom’s table and poured some of the liquid into the Master of the Feast’s goblet. He took a sip and smiled. He stood up and called the groom over to him. He complimented the groom, telling him that everyone serves the good wine first then the poor wine. He was pleased the prime wine was served first.
Few people understood what was going on as they were eating the served roasted beef and enjoying the delicious new wine. When Jesus sat down next to me, He gave me a knowing-look and at once I understood what Jesus had done. I was at the Jordan when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist; I saw the Holy Spirit come down from heaven telling everyone that Jesus was His own dear Son in whom he was pleased.
I thought about the first time I met Jesus. I was with Phillip, my friend, sitting under a fig tree. Phillip grabbed my hand and pulled me up. Phillip was very excited. He told me that we had found the one Moses wrote about and who the prophets also wrote about. Phillip dragged me with him. He started to tell me all about this man who came from Nazareth. I asked Phillip if anything good can from there. Phillip kept me walking quickly with him.
When Jesus saw me, he told me that I was truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit. I asked Him how He knew me. Then He told me that He saw me sitting under the fig tree. I gasped at this and told Him that I believed He was the Son of God. Jesus may have doubted me some and asked if I believed because He said He saw me under the fig tree. I accepted Jesus’ request to follow Him.
Nathaniel did not know that by following Jesus, he would see many miracles. He would see Jesus heal the sick, the lame, blind, deaf, possessed, and would even see Him bring life into the dead. He did not know how many miles he would have to walk with this man, Jesus, but he wanted to be with Him and His disciples. He wanted to teach other about Jesus. He did not know that he would not be with Jesus when He was executed on the cross. He did not know that he would die a martyr. What he did know was that he was a chosen one and would see the heavenly gates of heaven.
January 27, 2022
From Jesus Always
Walk with Me
Jesus asks us to walk with Him in close, trusting Love-bonds of joyful dependence. Although this sounds a little like contradiction, we are told it is the most fulfilling way to live. Think of how a child feels when taking a walk with a parent. The parent guides the child, points out pieces of God’s creation. The child feels safe and happy to be dependent on their parent. They won’t have to worry about anything. If their safety is in peril, the parent does what it takes to keep the child safe. Sometimes they even carry the child. This parent and child situation is really about us and Jesus. Jesus as the parent and we are the child.
Further Jesus tells us that a happily married man and woman are connected by more than law and morality. They share memories. Their warm memories draw them close and committed to each other. Happy memories are like good medicine. They help us when we feel sad and lonely. Some of our warm memories make us laugh. We can bring up these happy memories while we walk with Jesus. He would love to hear what you have to say. There will be days when you will feel sad and lonely, or scared and anxious. The things that make you feel that way are the things you should talk about to Jesus. Remember, He will take care of you always!
January 26, 2022
From Jesus Alive (2021)
Anticipating the Storm
We spend a lot of time worrying about whats around the corner, what will happen next, what does tomorrow look like. We guess and imagine, but the things of the future hardly ever are what we think they will be. Worry can make a person physically sick, as well as emotionally and spiritually. Anticipating the future is a waste of energy. We know we will have storms in the future, but don’t know what kind of storm or when it will hit. If you think back to the story of Jesus calming the sea, the disciples did not know they would run into a storm shortly after they left the shore. They certainly did not expect a storm. And, when it hit, it was fast and strong, giving the disciples no time to plan. They acted out of fear. Had they known what was to happen, they would have prepared for the trip differently.
We need to understand a few things to be successful in ridding ourselves of worry. First of all, Jesus is always with us. Some people call on God, the Great Creator; others call on the Holy Spirit for council and guidance; and others call on Jesus, the Man-God who walked on this earth and lived with and like other people. Another thing is to always have Hope. Hope is essential to survive a more calm life. A third thing is to keep your communication with Jesus active. Talk to Him all day if you can. You can think your thoughts and words; keeping them close to your heart. Maybe you can stop in a church or chapel for a quick prayer. For me, I like to envision Jesus always at my side, ready to grab my hand. We know bad times are coming, but we cannot do anything to stop them from coming, but we can be more prepared and ready to fight for our peace of mind.
January 25, 2022
From Spiritual Quotes
St. Padre Pio
“The Lord sometimes make you feel the weight of the cross. Although the weight seems intolerable, you are able to carry it, because the Lord, in his love and mercy extends a hand to you and gives you strength.”—St. Padre Pio
This quote makes me think of Jesus carrying the cross. He may have had a full cross, or the horizontal piece of wood. Either way, it was heavy. How did He continue to carry it? He had help from Simon, but we don’t know when he came to help Jesus. Jesus carrying the weight of the cross is intolerable.
I recently saw an interview with Jim Caviziel, who played the role of Jesus in The Passion of Christ movie. It was intolerable for him to carry the cross. It was not a prop, but heavy wood. During the filming his shoulder separated adding to the pain. In the third fall, the one when he dislocated his shoulder, he screamed out in real pain as he fell. It was decided to leave that piece of film in the movie, as it was real. Real pain.
Have you ever had to do something that you don’t think you can finish? It may be due to fatigue, disinterest or any other number of reasons. I can remember many years ago when I would walk everyday. Towards the end of the walk I would just sit down on the sidewalk. Yet, somehow, I made it home. When we are given a heavy cross to carry, we have to remember that Jesus is with us every step of the way. “the Lord, in his love and mercy extends a hand to you and gives you strength.”
January 24, 2022
Feast of St Francis de Sales
Today is the feast day of St Francis de Sales. I recently found out that he is the patron saint of Christian writers. I guess I consider that is what I am; or want to be. Francis wanted to become a priest, but his father was opposed. Reluctantly, his father relented and it became obvious that his talents and skills validated his decision. Francis was asked to become a Bishop, but flatly turned down the idea of it. He was continually asked to become a Bishop and finally relented at the age of thirty one.
Some of Francis’ accomplishments were: he was a mystic, director of souls, founder of a religious order and spiritual writer. He is said to convert eighty thousand plus people, many of whom were fallen away Catholics. He began the sisterhood of the Visitation of Holy Mary. He wanted to give women to have a place where they could dedicate their lives to Jesus. At one time Francis was sent to a place called Chablis in France. This was considered a dangerous place to convert people. The Catholic Church was not well accepted there.
De Sales wrote a book “An introduction to the Devout Life” in which he wrote: Do not be surprised at your sins and imperfections, for perfection consists precisely in fighting against them. He also wrote: You are guaranteed victory provided you don’t give up.
January 23, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2021)
Wandering minds
Jesus tells us in His message today that we should not feel bad about our wandering minds. We need the Light of His Presence to keep us on our prayer track. But this can be difficult. He advises us to just return to our prayer or time with Him when we find ourselves distracted. The minute you realize you are now thinking about your grocery list instead of the Hail Mary, stop, say the Name of Jesus and/or ask for His help. He assures us that He truly understands this problem. We must also keep in mind that He will never leave us or forsake us. Maybe saying His name: Jesus, throughout the day for no particular reason may help us to build a trigger for said disruptions.
I don’t normally suggest books but ironically I just receive a set of rosary books. They are by Karina Tabone. They are illustrated pages with every prayer of the rosary on each page. . . Every Hail Mary has a beautiful illustrated piece of art depicting the story of the mystery you are praying. The art is beautiful! I find myself saying the Hail Mary while looking at the Blessed Lady as she cradles her newborn baby. Every time I use these books I see something different. A priest once told his congregation that when you hear or read the Word of God, try to imagine it. Imagine the sounds, smells, and every detail. It truly does make the Word come to life. I have found the rosary said with the aid of these books to be most satisfying. I feel as though I have been on a journey with Our Lady and Jesus. I hope you get a chance to look as these wonderful books for yourself!
January 21, 2022
From school of faith.com rosary
I've been following Dr Mike Scherschligt’s daily meditative rosary. Today was focused on the parable of the Sower and what happened to the seeds dropped onto the earth’s ground. If you recall, some seed fell on the edge of the path, and the birds ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground where it found a little soil and grew right away, but because there was no depth to the soil, it grew no roots. When tithe sun came out, it was scorched and withered away. Some seed fell into thorns and as the thorns grew up they choked it, producing no crop. Finally, some seeds fell into rich soil, growing tall and strong.
Our soul is the soil and the Word of God is the seed. We must tend to that seed and nurture it as it grows. We nurture the seeds as they grow by daily meditation, through prayerfully reading Scripture and praying the Rosary. When we skip meditation on the Word of God, there is no seed, and all we have is dirt.
We need to be productive and take action. The problem is we are doing our will, not God’s. You will understand this when you are successful, but bored, overwhelmed, exhausted and sick. We are tempted to become couch potatoes. This can cause you to be vegged-out, or brain dead. Sadly that means your soul is dead.
We can learn what God wants by asking Him what it is He wants to do with our lives. You have to shut off noise and light to get really quiet. Sit, be still and listen, seeking the will of God and His plan your our lives.
January 20, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2018)
Simply trust Me
The word ‘simply’ is very important in this remark. Jesus is asking me to trust Him without any doubt or second-guessing. Simplicity is pure and singular; it means to me to be broken down to the smallest denominator. It also implies to me to mean ‘only trust Me.’ Jesus doesn’t want me to complicate my trust in Him. Clean and pure and simple.
When my day goes smoothly, I might take credit for planning well for the day. But how my day goes has nothing to do with my planning, but what Jesus has chosen for me that day. Those are the days Jesus gifts me. Then there are the days with problems and issues that make me want to pull my hair out or sit down and cry. These are the days that I must give credit to Jesus as well. He will be with me throughout the day, especially in times of trial. What I must learn is that many lessons can be learned during those trying times. Jesus gets my attention the best He can when He has something important for me to know or understand. It could be something so different from any other experience I have ever had. Jesus wants me to accept what He sends my way without trying to understand what it all means. Jesus is in charge and that is all I really need to know!
January 19, 2022
Spiritual quotes
Mother Angelica
“I want you to have a new concept of holiness. You’ve got to be holy where you are: washing dishes, at the office, at school. Wherever you are, you can be holy there.” —Mother Angelica
I have often thought of talking to Jesus while doing simple chores. In fact, I do that very thing. Oh, not all the time! If the vacuum isn’t working right, the pile of dirty dishes is too tall, the sweaters you need to add to the washing machine are missing. . . You get the idea. In those times of ‘things going bad’ we often leave Jesus behind us. But as soon as you realize whats happening, start talking, start praying, start giving thanks.
To me it seems logical to talk and pray to Mary when doing household chores. She certainly had to sweep her floors, clean up after meals, wash their clothing and many other things. I wonder if she asked the child Jesus to help her at times? He could surely sweep the floor. Maybe He helped her with gardening. They probably grew many of their foods. I would love to see a picture of Jesus, Mary and Joseph all working together. That’s what families are about.
We need to take time out to sit and be quiet. I have two hours slated for Adoration Hour this week. That’s two hours of rosary and prayer; and often just sitting quietly. Sometimes there are tears when I think about the destruction of our current world. I have even sung songs we sing at Mass when I am alone in the room. Maybe Jesus likes to hear us sing? We have many opportunities to be holy throughout the day. We just have to put Jesus, Mary and Joseph ahead or our wants and needs.
January 18, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2018)
Trust Me when things go wrong
In today’s meditation, Jesus tells me that I will have disruptions in my everyday life. I must know they are going to happen. But, He doesn’t want me to go searching for them either. Just know that things can, and do happen. Jesus talks about seeing snow-covered peaks glistening in the sun. I want to go to them, but I have to take the safe route to the top, not the easy shortcut. I had a thought after reading this. Maybe I am not to get to the peak. It may be too icy and slippery to be there today.
Jesus gives me an assignment in the Jesus Calling today. I am to FOLLOW Him. I am to allow Jesus to direct my path. I am to stay close to Him. It is a good thing for me to reach out my hand to His Hand. Being dependent on Jesus is the best way to get through my day. I will be happy if I allow this day to unfold according to Jesus’ plan. He knows if and when there will be detours and difficulties. I don’t. I can’t even try to anticipate what may lurk around the next corner. But, if I am walking with Jesus, and I TRUST Him, I will do very well today.
January 17, 2022
from Jesus Calling (2020)
I will meet all your needs
When I read this the word “needs” jumps out to me. God/Jesus will never deny our needs. He may not give us our “wants” but we can ask. My needs are the things that help me survive each day: shelter, warmth, food, clothing. Pretty much of the rest is all surplus. Yes, I would like to have beautiful furniture, a modern, up-to-date kitchen, a new car, money for traveling. I get what God wants me to have; not one bit more and not one bit less. The items on my “want” list are always a bonus for me.
From doing a little research, I find that Paul is telling us in one of his last writings to the Philippians that God wants us to go THROUGH Jesus, who sacrificed His life for us. This is the way that God wishes to supply His people. It is not the material needs that are important, but the spiritual needs. I can live without many of the material things I have, but I cannot live without Jesus, Who is my daily companion; Who is my guide, leader and counselor. Jesus is my go-to when I am stressed, worried, scared, and weak. And I can reach Him just by saying His Precious Name: Jesus. In fact, I believe that saying His name is a complete prayer. It is a good thing to ask Jesus for help. He is happy to help me and show me the Way as I find all my needs met in His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
January 16, 2022
From Jesus Always
Seek My Face
Jesus knows all of us so well. In this reading we are told by Jesus not to get flustered when things are not going our way. I would guess this happens to us almost on a daily basis. When we are frustrated, angry or upset, we need to stop what we are doing. Take some deep breaths. Deep from the stomach. Put your hand on your stomach and on your inhale push your stomach out. Then close your eyes and imagine the face of Jesus. Spend a few minutes just being you with Jesus in your mind.
We need to tell Jesus everything that is bothering us. He wants us to tell all. You might be surprised to find out that sometimes telling your problems to Jesus, you will see that they are not really all that important. Jesus does help us get a perspective of the important things. As He learns of our issues, Jesus will begin to open up ways to solutions that will amaze you.
It is well known that we humans like to be in charge, in control. This is often the reason we get frustrated. We have an image of things that do not match Jesus’ image. We set up a plan or situation in our mind and when it doesn’t go our way, we become full of frustration. We expect everyone to be a part of our plans and that just doesn’t happen. Jesus is in control, and He knows what is best for us. So instead of becoming agitated about our wants, we need to stop and seek the face of Jesus.
January 15, 2022
Jesus Always (2020)
Psalm 139:10
Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.
When we ask Jesus for help, or the Holy Spirit, they are already there. They never left us! Not only does Jesus guide me, but His right Hand will hold me. This sounds a bit like how a child is cared for by a parent. The parent is always guiding the child, showing them which way to go, teaching them life-lessons; and, they are right at the child’s side holding their hand. Have you ever had a parent or teacher put their hand over yours, guiding you the correct way to hold a pencil? Often golf pros, wrap their arms around the student guiding them the correct way to swing.
Being a child-like person to Jesus requires a bit of patience on my part. I have to be quiet while I am being taught a lesson; I have to keep my focus on my Teacher-Jesus. I may not grasp what it is I am to learn or know, but I must be patient; not give up. This morning I had my Bible open to try to find my January story. Many of the “good” stories of the New Testament have been used. So I took my time, found a bible story one that would make a good story for me to write. But I didn’t close the book. I kept it opened and continued to scan the pages. I found a second story, but by-passed it because it was too short. Then I turned to a page I had first looked at. I opened my iphone and Googled a few names and places to get some background on the people and places I would soon write about. I knew, in my heart, that this was the story that I am to write, because Jesus was leading me and His Right Hand held mine.
January 14, 2022
From Jesus Calling
Let Me Bless you
Blessings are beautiful gifts to receive. We receive blessings at the end of every Mass. There are blessings given at the sacraments. Some people bless their children when they leave for school, whether it be away at college or middle school just down the street. Special blessings are for those who are dying, the sick and the lost people. We receive a blessing just for us at the end of confession. People in high places; politics, theater, big business, often give a “God Bless You” at the end of a ceremony or speech. We even bless people when they sneeze!
In order to receive a blessing, we have to have an open heart and mind. Jesus asks us not to feel shame for any emptiness you have. Jesus sees this as a great condition for us to be filled with His Peace. We can’t pretend to be someone who we are not by dressing to the nines. But, Jesus can see through us into the depths of our hearts, souls and minds. He knows when we are hurting or sad. There is no way to hide it from Jesus. He can see right through the fancy dress or suit and the perfect hair and makeup.
It can be hard to know what to talk to Jesus about. I used to think that talking to Jesus was an actual prayer. And, I haven’t memorized most of them. What Jesus wants from us is “small talk”. Talk to Him about how we feel. Give Him all the emotion you have. If you can’t “small talk”, just sit still. Sit still and don’t say anything, don’t think about anything, just be quiet. Many times you will hear from Jesus through a thought word or an idea, or even something you visualized. Jesus wants to bless us and we have to let Him. It makes us feel blessed and happy and it makes Jesus feel blessed and happy too!
January 13, 2022
From Inspirational Quotes
“Don’t give up because you had a bad day. Forgive yourself and do better tomorrow. From Lifehacks—Pinterest
The thing about Jesus, is that He always gives you a second chance, and a third, and fourth, fifth etc. We can never do anything so wrong that He can’t forgive us. We all have bad days; even Jesus had some. If we can truly trust Jesus, we will learn how to ‘pick ourselves up, brush ourselves off and start over again.’ Trusting means that whatever we suffer, in the end, can be used for our own good.
In marriage, the couple usually begins to trust each other with each passing year. The parents have to trust their teenager to take the car out for the first time. Babies have an instilled trust that they will be fed and changed. Paul says, “Faith comes by hearing the word of God” (Romans10:17) We hear the word of God at Mass. We hear the word of God when we read the Bible. We hear the word of God when we talk to Him, pray to Him.
We need to trust Jesus with the past, present, and future. As you know, Jesus is with us always and everywhere. He asks us not to look at the past. Don’t try to go into the future, but stay with Him, here, in the present.
January 12, 2022
From Jesus Always
I am with you wherever you go
This reading begins telling us not to be terrified or discouraged, for Jesus is with us wherever we go. He tells us that He understand that we feel frightened and pessimistic when the mainstream voices in this world speak so heavily against them. It is comforting to me to know that Jesus truly understands the situation at hand. I am one of those who are worried about the things of tomorrow. I know that things are changing in the world, and there is nothing I can do about it. No, that’s not right! I can pray and I do. I pray for our beloved America, for her safety and the safety of the world. I saw a T-shirt today that said: Normal isn’t coming back, Jesus is. That is from Revelation 14.
Jesus wants us to look at they world with hope. After all, He will be here too! He wants us to remember that what we see is only a small piece of the puzzle. We must have the courage to fight for our churches, our faith. We must trust in Jesus. Often, during the day, I say that to myself. When I thought my cat had gotten out, I repeated it and repeated it. (She was hiding in a corner). Jesus also reminds us that He has unlimited resources to help us. We are asked to look beyond the way things appear. We must take courage!
Jesus wants us to focus on today. He will take care of it. He does not want us looking back. It’s over, gone, done with. We can’t go back and wishing we’d done things differently will not change it. We should not look at tomorrow, as it will be what it will be. We should remember that Jesus will be with us tomorrow too. Live today, for Jesus is at our side today, all day long.
January 11, 2022
From Jesus Always
A time for Everything
From Ecclesiastes 3:1– There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.
Our world is very strange these days. Some people do not see anything unusual or strange. They live where they are comfortable, trying not to rock the boat. But it is time that we take a good look around at the things that are changing.
We transition from one weather cycle (season) to the next. We mostly know what is to come. After the green summer ends, we have cooler, more colorful autumn, followed by winter. It is also the holiday season, but it can be cold and dreary. Then spring comes along bringing new and fresh life. We know what is ahead weather-wise, but we have no clues about the activities of the world. We don’t know if war will break our or if we will have tragedies and crisis’. We don’t know if we will be blessed with great gifts from God; joy, peace, and love. We just have to wait and see.
One thing we know for sure is that Jesus will walk with us every single day, guiding us where we need to go. He will point out any dangers in the way, keeping us from harm. We may not know where the road with Jesus is going, but we know He will be with us. Rest assured, that no matter what happens, we will be doing the very things Jesus has planned for us. We have no reason to worry when we remember who is at our side.
January 10, 2021
From Jesus Always (2020)
Overthinking Things
I am certainly guilty of overthinking things. If I were given a pocketful of coins and sent into a candy store, I doubt I would be able to make a decision. Not knowing what I want for dinner, which fruit do I want. When I look at what I write, I notice that these are such insignificant things to worry about. What is even worse is when I took into my tomorrows. I don’t make many plans now, and I don’t have the busy life I used to have.
The state of the world is another way I can overthink. What about the covid vaccine? Will there be enough vaccine for everyone? Will there be lockdowns again? I cannot solve one of these problems. They are for Jesus. I wonder if Jesus is ever offended at the many times people overthink that Jesus had a perfect plan all along.
Seeking to be with Jesus is the best way to prevent overthinking. I cannot think about problems when I am in dialogue with Jesus. And, if something is bothering you, tell Jesus! Don’t sit and worry! Little issues that don’t matter much will fade away when we are busy with Jesus. You don’t have to pray the learned, memorized prayers of childhood. Just tell Him whats on your mind. Leave the overthinking to Jesus!
I want to pass along the rosary I am saying these days. It doesn’t necessarily follow the norm but it is approved by our Archbishop. Go to: Holy Family school of Faith.com. You can have the daily meditation emailed to you daily.
January 9, 2019
from Jesus Calling
Let Me set the pace
What does this mean? To me, it means that Jesus is the clock, the time-keeper. It is by His schedule that I live. I might think I am in control of all my daily activities but the truth is that when my day works out the way I planned it, it is because I was on Jesus’ schedule. Jesus wants me to keep pace with Him. He doesn’t want me running ahead, because that is when I get into trouble. Think about the things that can happen when a child begins to stray too far ahead of their parents. It’s not always a disaster, but Jesus wants me to know that when I get lost in the future, I am like the child who runs too far ahead.
Jesus wants me to slow down and enjoy my daily adventure of life with Him. He doesn’t mean that I will only encounter hearts and flowers along the way, but when I run into danger or trouble, He is at my side to protect and guide me. I have to keep my eyes, ears and heart open to any message He may send me. For me, my instincts usually align with what Jesus wants from me. When I let Jesus set the pace, I can look forward to an enjoyable adventure with my Guide, Counselor and Friend.
January 8, 2022
Spiritual
Quote
“When you are hanging on by a thread, make sure it is the hem of His garment.” —Unknown
I like the concept of this quote. We often feel we are hanging on by a thread, fearful it will not be strong enough to hold us. Well, we know it will not hold us. Just asking Jesus for help is good enough for Him. This reminds me of a story I wrote some time ago. Here is the synopsis.
Two sisters lived together. The older sister suffered from hemorrhaging. She was not permitted to go out in public as she was viewed as unclean. She was trapped in her house, quite often alone. She sat by the window and look down the road where the people gathered. She listened to all the gossip.
One day she heard that Jesus was on His way into town. She desperately needed to see Jesus and ask for healing. But she could not leave her home. Then an idea struck her.
She told her sister and she laughed at the idea. The older sister convinced her sister to go along with the plan. Shortly after they both left the house, veiled and dressed all in black, as widows. No one gave them a second look, and they knew the plan was working. As they joined the large crowd, some people began pushing. The older sister fell. No one helped her up. She got to her knees and looked at all the garment hems and dirty feet in dirty sandals. Then she saw it! The hem of Jesus’ cloak. She knew if she just touched the hem of His cloak, she would be healed. Scooting closer, she saw the worn and loose fibers dangled from the hem. She touched His hem. Jesus felt a burst of energy leave His body and He knew someone had touched Him. He turned around and asked the crowd, who had touched Him. His disciples told Jesus that people were pushing and shoving and that it could be anyone.
The woman got to her feet and told Jesus that it had been her who touched Him. Jesus blessed her and told her that her faith had healed her and told her go on her way; she was healed!
January 7, 2022
From Spiritual Quotes
“Patience takes root, when we learn to love people just as they are, not as we want them to be. Patience accepts the other person even when he or she acts differently than I would like.” Christopher West—Love is Patient, but I’m not
During my adoration hour in the chapel this morning, I listened to the rosary from the website: Holy Family School of Faith—Rosary. The topic was goodness and loving people for who they are. Goodness is saying something nice. . . Someone asks if the chili they made is good. You loved it so you praised the cook. However, if it tasted bad, or you just didn’t like it, and you tel the cook, it was good, your are doing an injustice to them; giving them a false compliment. It is also telling a lie. Lying so you don’t hurt someone’s feelings is still lying.
God made us just the
way He wanted us; short, tall, fat or skinny. He doesn’t say after our creation, that He thinks he should be taller and she needed bigger eyes. He is satisfied with the way things were done. Being good is behind honest. You don’t have to say things
to upset someone, but just be polite and caring in your words.
Some people are different and you just don’t like them; they whine and complain all the time. No one wants to sit next to them at the dinner table. But God loves them the
way they are. So if you don’t like them for the way they behave, isn’t that an insult to God. If you show your love from inside, and be kind to those who irritate you, you are good. When you accept someone just the way you are, you are on the same
page with God. That’s a good place to be.
January 6, 2022
From Jesus Calling
Trust Me in the Dark
“Trust Me in the dark” . . . It is easy for me to trust someone if I can see them and observe what they are doing. But to trust someone in the dark is a different story. I cannot see their face. Sometimes I can read some people’s face and body language. Trusting in the dark is a lot like being blind and having to depend on someone. Jesus tells me that time is a trainer and that time teaches me to wait upon Him. It is usually in times of extreme circumstances that I am more likely to see the Power and Glory of Jesus. It is in a time of difficulty that I do call upon Jesus. This is the time Jesus wants me to stop and ask Him for His help.
Often when my prayers don’t get answered I wonder if Jesus really heard them, did I really explain it correctly to Him what it was that I wanted? He does not want me to become discouraged by prayers that are not answered. Some answers are not what I want. I imagine Jesus laying on the stone in the Garden of Gethsemane, full of angst and fear, begging His Father to release this from Him. God could have done it differently, but it would not be best for the people of the world. Jesus had to accept the answer that He was not to be saved that day. Jesus had a sense of dark trust in His Father (God). This is what He wants of me. To trust Him so explicitly that I do not question the answers I receive. I can begin by trusting Jesus in the dark.
January 5, 2022
From Jesus Calling (2017)
Rely on Me
I really like this reading. I saw myself in it. I am the person Jesus refers to in these words: "...those who are successful in their own strength tend to go their own way, forgetting about Me." I think that I can do everything myself, I don't need help, I've been doing this a long time etc... But then Jesus continues telling me that it is through difficulties and problems, failure, weakness and neediness that I learn to rely on Him.
I sometimes think because I am older, I know more, and while it is true, in concerns of faith and spirituality, I know nothing. I tell myself that I have life experiences, that I've been around the block a few times. All true...but, what I am learning is that maybe the next time I go around the block, there will be a large crack in the sidewalk causing me to fall. Or maybe there will be a detour taking me out of my way; or maybe the next time I go around the block, the street will be closed. I don't know what is around the next corner so I must make sure I grab Jesus' hand before I leave.
I need Jesus at my side. With Him next to me I know that He will guide me with His words for my writings. I also know that as with all things in life, that it will not always be easy. I have many days where my written words do not seem to be anywhere in sight. And, then there are the beautiful days when ideas and words just flow.
I know that when Jesus gives us a gift we are often expected to use the gift in His honor. I am trying to do just that. Very few people read my blog and it is for Jesus and those special people that I write my blog and short stories. I enjoy giving my perspective on the words of Jesus and spiritual quotes. A priest once said during his homily that we should try to picture ourselves in the readings. We are to try and visualize the settings, the characters and the story we written don us to hear. With Jesus at my side I will hear those words.
January 4, 2022
Spiritual Quotes
Moral principles do not depend on a majority vote. Wrong is wrong, even is everybody is wrong.
Rite is right even if nobody is right.—Archbishop Fulton Sheen
We all want to be right; all the time! Well, at least some of the time. Many are swayed by the majority. They want to be a part of the general majority. But they are not always right just because they are the majority or tell you they are right. Often you will be told that what you believe is wrong is actually right; and what you believe to be right is actually wrong.
We must follow our hearts and souls. We must believe, with conviction what we see as right or wrong. It’s important to listen to other’s opinions. You get to decide how you think or feel about everything. Always keep an open mind, and listen carefully. Then decide for yourself. In important issues, ask Jesus to help you. Do your own research.
There are things that are right or wrong because God said so. The Ten Commandments are the rules we must follow. We cannot pick the ones we agree with, or make our own adjustments. Don’t. be too quick to decide how you feel. Sometimes the answer you know in your heart comes early and fast. Other times you have to be patient and pray for an answer. Remember the words of Archbishop Fulton Sheen: Right is right and wrong is wrong.
January 3, 2019
from Jesus Always
Be with Me
“Take time, take time with Me” . . . I want to take more time to be with Jesus in 2022. I talk a lot during the day and sometimes out loud. I know I am not talking to myself, but because I know that Jesus is with me all the time, I assume I am talking to Him. I try to call on Him by name as often as possible. Jesus helps to clear the cobwebs that grow around my brain. He helps me by showing me little snippets from the Bible that solve a problem I might be having. Jesus lightens up my world, my path that I walk daily, so that I can better see what lies ahead.
Jesus calls me a sheep of His Pasture. Sheep are not the most intelligent animals on this earth. They have a very limited understanding. But, they always follow their shepherd. As I am Jesus’ sheep, I too follow Him. If I get caught in a bramble He is there to untangle and clean any wounds. The sheep’s job is basically to trust and follow their shepherd. And as for me, I am a sheep who wants to follow my shepherd wherever He goes.
January 2, 2022
From Jesus Always
To Jesus: You certainly know me well! When my mind is idle, it veers toward planning and evaluating, both for today and my tomorrows. Many of us become addicted to planning, believing we will be more at peace. All that planning can do the opposite; increase anxiety. Evaluating falls in line behind planning. It is not up to us to pass judgement on everything and everyone. We need help in breaking free of these tendencies.
When we find ourselves going down that road of planning and evaluating, we must learn to trust Jesus. I find that saying “Jesus, I trust in You” three times slowly brings a sense of calm to me. The difficult part is to remember that Jesus is always with us. We know this in an intellectual way, but I don’t think we always grasp it from an emotional and spiritual way. When you find yourself planning or evaluating; complaining and criticizing, try to replace these thoughts with thankful words. We all have much to thank Our Lord for. Instead of going to places that could be come negative, make a mental list of all the blessings you have been given and thank Jesus. Changing thought patterns is very hard and it requires time and mental discipline. This will become an abundant blessing to you and good pleasure to Jesus!
January 1, 2022
A New Year; new beginnings
Growing up and even as an adult, I never thought that I would write the date-year of 2000. And, now I’ve been doing it for twenty-two years! New Years are full of hope, as we leave last year behind. Most of us are happy to have another chance at a New Year, even though we don’t know what it holds for us.
We can never forget that Jesus will be with us every single day of 2022, just as He was with us every single day in 2021. Think about all the chaos, fear, divisiveness of last year. Did you stop to realize that Jesus was right there with you? In the moment we probably did not, but looking back we can see that we were never alone; without Jesus.
Now is the time to leave 2021 in the past. We cannot go back and undo anything. Jesus wants us to seek out Joy and Hope for the new year. Now is the time to trust Jesus with all your heart! Only He knows what the future will bring. Things may get bad, but we do not have to fear anything we may be thinking about. What we think will happen normally does not occur. Jesus is here today just as He was in the past. He will be in the future too. But more importantly, He is with us Now; today! This is where we are to live! We need to stop following the hype and fear of the media. If we listen to anyone, it needs to be Jesus. We all have brains and instincts and we need to let Jesus help to guide us along this new year. No matter what happens, we are all held in the loving arms of the Messiah, Jesus.
December 31, 2021
Receive My Peace
Jesus’ message to me, and to all of His children. . . As this year draws to a close, receive my Peace. This is still your deepest need. Peace is what I wish for myself, my family and friends, and all the people of the world. If there will be chaos, fighting and war, help me to find my tiny world of Peace with You, Jesus.
I know you will be at my side; be with me in times of stress and comfort. I know you will walk by my side every day, 24/7. Help me to never let me forget that You are ever-present in my life, and that I have nothing to fear. I ask that the upcoming new year be fulfilling to me and those around me; that I may find myself ever-closer to You, Jesus.
My prayer for you and the world is Peace. Peace without the division of the people. Peace and Freedom for every man, woman and child. Freedom to practice your faith and the freedoms of the Constitution. My prayer includes an end to the pandemic situation that lays heavy in our hearts. Prayers for people to go back to work, open shops and stores. My prayer is for a sense of normalcy among the people of the world.
May God bless all of the people of the world.
December 30, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2016)
Find yourself by losing yourself in Me
One of the things Jesus tells me today is that the closer I grow to Him, the more I become true to myself. I like that! I feel that by becoming true to myself is also learning who I am. I must confess, I really don't know who I am, but I have begun to learn about this person, Me, in the past years. We ask little children what they want to be when they grow up, and here I am in my golden years and I still don't know what/who I want to be!
I know that the path Jesus has made for me is not the same path as others, it is my unique path, sort of like a fingerprint path. I also know that this path created for me will take me into areas of beauty and oppresssion; peace and trouble; good and bad. I will never travel my life path alone. Jesus is always with me. I just have to remember His Presence.
I like people and enjoy being around others. Jesus tells me that He allows me to stay close to others while I am on my path with Him. And, furthermore, the closer I get to Jesus, the more freely I will be able to be with people, to love them as Jesus wants me to love them. Sounds like a win-win to me!
In just hours, a new year will be upon me. For 2022, I am going to work on finding myself by losing myself in Jesus' Presence. How could I become anything but wonderful? Perhaps I will even learn to ignore the negatives of life, to see the good while acknowledging that evil exits but I do not have to dwell on it. There is a saying: Happiness is a Choice. I choose happiness. Jesus is also a Choice. I choose Jesus!
December 29, 2021
Quote: When God closes one door, He opens another
We’ve all heard this saying many times. We know that God is about to close one door on us and He will open another at the same time. We say goodbye to 2021 and welcome in 2022. We ask what will next year be like? Will it be more of the same of the past two years? Will we be strong enough to open the door to the new year? What lies behind the door?
We survived 2021. It was a tough year. In many ways, harder than 2020. When Covid first emerged, we were shocked and scared. This had never happened before. Empty streets, stores, businesses. No physical contact. . . that was hard. We missed out on so much. Children grew up without their friends, always behind a mask. How can you tell if someone is smiling with a mask on?
It is time to open the door to 2022. What lies behind it? There will be challenges, that is for sure. There will be sadness and fear; but there will also be joy and security. God is not going to desert us in 2022. He will be evermore present to those of us who will call on Him. He is always at our side, and all we have to do is think of God. We had many blessings in 2021, and we can look forward to even more blessings in 2022.
We all have a challenge. We must seek God; we must call on Him, trust Him, believe Him. We need Our Lord more today than ever before. We must pray, and pray often. We need to read the Bible, say the rosary, attend Mass and confession. The year 2022 can be a good year for us as long as we believe we will not be alone, but will always have Him with us.
December 28, 2021
How would your life be different if you saw me in everyone you encountered?
What would you do if you met Jesus? What would you do if you met a beggar on the street corner? They could be, or maybe they really are one and the same. I heard a story about a new priest assigned to a wealthy parish. Knowing this parish had people with money, he was unsure how he would interact with them. He came from a large low-income family. The day of his first Mass, he dressed as a street man; one who lives on the street and begs for whatever he could get. The priest sat on the steps of the church sometime before Mass began. An usher came out of the church and told the man he would have to move off the steps. The usher went back in but the man did not move. The usher did not want to create a scene so he left the man alone.
As people walked past the man they shook their heads. Some people went to the other side of the stairway entrance so as not to have to go past him. Families with young children went past him; as the parents told the children not to look at him.
As Mass time approached, the people sat anxiously in their pews, excited to meet the new priest. They had not heard much about him. Everyone sat in silence until the church door opened again. No one looked as the man on the steps walked slightly bent over down the aisle. The ushers motioned for the people people not to move. They didn’t know if the man would rob them, or if he had a gun or knife on him.
The dirty man went up to the sacristy. People watched in fear. Then the man pulled off his dirty hat, jacket, shirt and jeans. He was wearing a black cassock. As the cassock unraveled to the ground, the man reached in his pocket and pulled out several hand wipes and cleaned his face and hands. Then he stood there dressed as the fine priest he was. He kicked the dirty clothes to the side and then began with the Sign of the Cross: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
December 27, 2021
from Jesus Calling (2019)
I am preparing for what lies ahead
Since I plan to to walk with Jesus, wherever I am to go, I will do my best to heed His words. In today’s meditation we are told to walk close to Him, trust Him in every situation. If we follow His plan, we will do less, but accomplish more. We are not meant to move at a rush-crazed speed, but at a much slower pace. In our daily journey we are to move at a pace that we will be able to see all what is around us. It is possible some people may think we are lazy, but Jesus tells us that many more w ill be blessed by our peacefulness.
On Friday mornings, I do an hour of devotion in the adoration chapel at nine am. There are always a few people there who attended the eight am Mass. Sometimes, I never have the precious space to myself and Jesus. I noticed when I was first got there, I was thinking of at least one hundred things at once. Then I said to myself (Probably really Jesus’ words), “slow down, you don’t have to think of anything but Me here.” I felt myself releasing a lot of tension and my mind slowed to only one or two thoughts.
December 26, 2021
Thoughts on Christmas
Sometimes I wish Christmas could last a whole week. So much is put into the day of celebration. And then, in the blink of an eye, its over. In the church, the celebration of Christmas continues until January 6th. We sing the carols we love so much up to that time. There is a real feeling of joy about Christmas that I wish would last a whole year.
We celebrate the Family on the first Sunday after Christmas. This is so appropriate, since most people were able to be with family on Christmas. The church wants us to know how important family really is. Jesus was born into a family. Joseph and Mary created a home for their son. They started out their faith family when Jesus was taken to the temple for the purification, according to the law of Moses.
There were two key people in this story. Simeon and Anna. Simeon had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he saw the Christ Child, Jesus. Simeon held up Jesus, blessed God, and said that he had seen what was promised to him. Mary and Joseph were impressed by his words: “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against, and a sword will pierce through your own soul also, that thoughts our of many hearts may be revealed.”
There was also a prophetess, Anna, who was very old and widowed. She stayed in the day and night, fasting and praying. And she thanked God when she saw the baby Jesus. She spoke of the redeemer to all who would listen to her in Jerusalem.
Perhaps we can keep the spirit of Christmas with us throughout the year. Maybe we can put our families in high esteem, keeping the gift of the Holy Family alive.
December 25, 2021
Meditation (2020)
Peace
One of the greatest gifts we can receive is peace. Wonderful, calming, quieting peace. Some may think that peace is environmental or situational but we all have peace within us. A perfect example is Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She had very little material things in her life, but you could see she was at peace. After her death some writings of hers were discovered. In these writings it was learned that there were times in her life where she struggled with her faith, times she felt she was inadequate. These feelings are normal in all of us. But, Mother Teresa pushed through those times and moved on.
God does not give us control, but He gives us choices. I have a plaque on my wall that says “Happiness is a Choice”. The same can be said about peace. If you want peace in your life, it is there, you have to push to get it. Just as we choose happiness and peace, we can also choose anger and hatred. Both the good feelings and the negative feelings are within us; we have to choose which we want and seek it out. God would be delighted to have you ask Him to help you find peace and happiness. We sometimes look in the wrong places. The good things are within you, and they are the result of the kind of life you live. The negative are also within you, but you can often link the negative with material things in this world; money and fame.
God could have had Jesus born in a palace with much wealth. But He knew that we would not be able to relate to Jesus. By having Jesus’ birth in a dirty place with animals around Him, we see another human being, like all of us. Seek out Jesus, and you will be seeking out Peace.
December 24, 2021
Rosary Meditation
In the Adoration Chapel this morning, I decided to create my own decades of the rosary. I began with Joseph. An angel came to him in a dream telling him about Mary becoming the Mother of God. The angel told Joseph to take Mary as his wife and that they were to name the baby Jesus. Joseph did this because he trusted God.
As they traveled to Bethlehem, which I believe is a five-day journey, Joseph and Mary relied on each other during their travels. It could not have been an easy trip, especially for Mary, who was almost to term in her pregnancy. They didn’t complain about their discomforts, because they trusted God.
Upon entering Bethlehem, they found that there were no rooms for them to stay in. Surely the people saw that Mary was with child, but, if you don’t have any room, you don’t have any room. They did not give up and complain, but instead, they somehow ended up in a stable or cave. They knew they would be alright, because they trusted God.
As Mary began her labor, Jospeh started to make clean the place where Jesus would be born. He wanted a clean environment for his earthly son. He knew nothing of child birth and wanted to help Mary the best he could. They made the place as comfortable as they could, and did not worry about it because they trusted God.
After the birth of Jesus, shepherds saw the star in the sky. They wanted to follow it, but did not know what or where it would take them to. They decided to seek out the star. They found the newborn Jesus in Mary’s arms and Joseph at her side. Their decision to follow the star was good, because they trusted God.
December 23, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2017)
Jesus, my Shepherd, Companion and Fiend
How wonderful that the King of Kings is all these things to me. They are each important to me. How I need Jesus as my Shepherd. His role in that is to protect me and guide me. As a shepherd leads his flock, he stops to rescue the one who gets lost, or trapped in briarwood. The shepherd leads his flock through the gate and into a safe environment. (Jesus leads me through life and into the gates of Heaven.)
Jesus is my Companion. A companion can be anyone who goes along with me. They may guide me and show me the right places to turn or go straight. My companion also keeps me company. We talk about anything and everything. (Jesus is always at my my side. He is there to listen to me and advises me on what to do. We go everywhere together!)
As my Friend, Jesus is true to me. A friend can be trusted with my deepest secrets. My friend understands my quirky ways and thoughts; and accepts them because they are what makes me who I am! A friend will come to help me at a moments notice. They will do things for me without question. My friend is loyal to me. (Jesus is the epitome of a best friend. He loves and protects me without a second thought. He understands things about me that even my friends and family don’t understand. Jesus is my BFF!)
December 22, 2021
From Spiritual Quotes/Sayings
There will be times when the will of God will not be abundantly clear to us. During those occasions we are expected to retain our faith and “wait on the Lord.’’—Dr James Dobson
We like when we feel, sense, or known God’s plans for us. Sometimes it can be abundantly clear. And other times, we feel like we are lost in a big dark forest, not knowing North from South or East from West. These are the times that we have to put our faith in God. We must trust that what He wants done will be done, but only on His time.
I can feel a little tension in the air with Christmas just a few days away. There are people who are still struggling with last minute purchases and meal preparations. There are people who are about to depart on a road trip or take a plane to a relative for Christmas. If we had true faith in God, truly trusted Him, these things would have no way to cause any stress.
Stress is normal, so we will never be free of it. Imagine Mary and Joseph as Mary goes into labor. How will they help this Child of God be born into this world. As with most pregnancies, all the worries before birth disappear after birth. Maybe God sent them angels to help? Mary and Joseph had to have a very strong trust in God. They certainly did not know God’s full plan for them; when and where the birth would be. They, like us, had to wait on God to present His Son to the world.
December/Christmas Story
The Angel who could not sing
“Everyone pay attention! We need to get this right!” All the angels stood in their position while the music director paused before beginning. One angel stepped forward and when the director nodded, the angel began speaking: “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David.”
“Very good! You have that down very well. Now lets begin our first carol. ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven’ . . .” The angels began to sing beautifully and in perfect harmony. But then there was a sound; a strange sound, impossible to tell if it were man or mammal! Tap, tap, tap went the directors baton. He had to find out what, who or where this noise came from. Raising his baton, they began again. They sounded so good. After several measures of the music the noice returned. It was coming from the left side of the choir. He stopped the music again.
“Second row, I want everyone to sing the first measures. . .”Glory to God in the highest.” They began to sing well, but that sound reappeared. “Okay, now we will sing one angel at a time, beginning with you on the far left. The angel sang beautifully. The next angel also sang beautifully. Then the third angel, a freckled angel with unruly wild red hair began to sing. Oh, my! The director stopped the angel at once. He spoke directly to the angel. “How did you get in the choir? Who told you to join this choir?” The little red-headed angel told the director, “God told me to come here and join the choir.”
“When did God tell you this?” The little angel looked at the ground, “Yesterday, because I could not stay in line with the angels who will first appear on earth.” The director was ready to curse under his breath, but realized who he was and where he was. “Okay, get back in line where you were. Angels, it looks as if this little angel is to sing with us.”
“No fair!
“If you can’t sing, you can’t be with us!”
“That’s not singing; it’s groaning!”
Tap, tap, tap went the directors baton. “Enough! If God sent this angel we must include the angel in our choir.” All the angels looked upset. They had been singing so well until this red-headed angel appeared.
The director had an idea. He nodded for the red-headed angel to come forward. He whispered something in the angel’s ear. The angel smiled. The director told the choir that he would be back. And when he returned he was carrying a wooden box. He set it on the ground next to himself. Then he took the angel’s hand and helped the angel up on the box. The director handed the angel his baton. “Now let us continue.”
As the director began, using his hands instead of a baton, the angels began to sing. He nodded at the angel next to him. The angel began using the baton just as the director had. In fact the angel was just as good if not better than the director. The freckled, red-headed angel had a huge smile as the choir sung.
Soon the sky would open for the angels to appear. The red-headed angel and the director were ready to sing the music that would welcome Jesus, the Messiah, the Savior of the world. The director looked down through clouds beginning to separate. He nodded at the little angel and the angel took the baton, and reached out for the music stand. Tap, tap, tap.
December 21, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2020)
God’s plan
We do not have control over our day. We can plan and prepare, but we do not control. We can make choices, but not control. This message in Jesus Calling tells us about the detours we have to take in our life, in our day. Jesus unfolds His plan as we begin our daily walk with Him. There can be many obstacles to get in the way. When you walk with Jesus, you only have to ask Him for His help when you run into a problem. He has your plan! He will get you where you need to go. Make your plans, but be prepared to go an alternate route, or to stop and go no further.
Part of Our Lord’s plan is for our weakness to play a role in our day. It is when we are the weakest, that Jesus will be the strongest. He has strength to sustain us. He will show you miracles along the way. Some miracles are unseen, but if you live by faith you will see them unfold. I can look back at my life and see where times of turmoil turned into a new beginning or a restart. It is when we accept Jesus’ plans that our lives move smoothly. Sometimes it is the little, barely noticed miracles that turn out to be the greatest.
Our paths have been prepared for us. We only need to keep our focus on Jesus. We can do this by talking to Him. You don’t have to speak out loud; you can “think” your words and Jesus will know exactly what you are saying. Simple words or thoughts of “Jesus help me” are wonderful little prayers. He is always at your side.
December 20, 2021
Christmas Poem
“Bless us Lord, this Christmas, with quietness of mind; teach us to be patient and always to be kind.”—Helen Steiner Rice
I found this on Pinterest this morning. A few words draw my attention: quietness of mind. Many people’s minds this week have a “to do” list. They scramble to get things done. Shopping, baking, meal planning, gift wrapping, cleaning, house decorations . . . and the list goes on and on. This is a season for joy and happiness with family, but it often turns into a disaster. We have to stop and think about how much we really can do? Is it necessary to have two or three meats for dinner to satisfy everyone? Think of the time and energy if you kept your meals for family and friends simple. Do you think anyone will think back to the food served? Most likely the memories of this Christmas will be the joy of getting together with family and friends. It will be the games and gift exchanges, and the laughter that will remain in our hearts.
Last year we all had a quiet Christmas. Most people stayed home, isolated. We survived it. It had it many blessings as well as sadness. There was no clean up! No meals to cook! Yes, we were alone and some of us do not have family that lives with us to enjoy. Some years ago we had a terrible snow storm that started on Christmas Eve. I couldn’t go to late night Mass, as it was too dangerous. We didn’t have Christmas together on Christmas Day. People could not get out of their driveways. There is a particular quietness when it snows. It is like a filter to all the sounds around us. Would it be so bad to down-scale and have a quiet Christmas? What is Christmas all about anyway? Not food, family, gifts, trees, games; but the birth of our Savior, the One God chose to come and die for us on the cross; for our sins. A baby, born poor in a shelter of some sort, with animals around. Put this foremost in your mind and heart and the rest, the celebration with family, will fall in place.
December 19, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Do not be weighed down
This is an interesting read for me. It is so timely. Jesus doesn’t want us to be weighed down by the clutter in our lives. All the simple little chores we need to do sometime. They are not in any order, but if we focus on them too much and try to get them all done, we will find that they are endless. They can eat up our whole day.
This reading suggest that we do the ones that need to be done today. The rest can slip into the background of our mind. Then we can put Jesus in the forefront of our minds. He reminds us that our ultimate goal is to live close to Him. If you feel trapped by your chores, ask Jesus to help you pick out what really needs to be done.
We are to live more like Mary, and less like Martha. Poor Martha spent her time preparing things for Jesus, and she missed out on her time with Him, and then she became upset that she was working while Mary was spending time with Jesus. My house is sort of messy. The clean dishes sit in the dishwasher and a scattering of dirty dishes are in the sink. If Jesus were to come to my house, I would tell Him not to be surprised or disappointed, He already knows how I am. This time of year it is especially important to not allow yourself become overloaded. Everything does not have to be perfect, but the time we spend with Jesus is perfection!
December 18, 2021
From Jesus Calling
When you are plagued
What to do when you are plagued with a persistent problem? You know the kind. . . it goes on and on. It can be like a bad toothache on a Friday night; the dentist won’t be in until Monday. Seems pretty hopeless sometimes. Financial, employment, family, illness, weather are all things we have to deal with.
Jesus asks us to view these things; problems, as opportunities. He always asks us to look for the good in what seems like bad. We have to look for that silver lining. An ongoing problem is like a tutor who is always by your side. Jesus is that tutor. Open your heart to Him. Be willing to be teachable in faith and thank Jesus for the problem. Ask Jesus to open your eyes and heart to all that He is accomplishing through your difficulty.
Once you become grateful for a problem, it loses its power to dray you down. In fact, your thankful attitude will lift you up. Jesus tells us that we need to look at our problems a slight temporary distresses. You need to look for happiness in all things. We choose happiness, or we choose sadness. It may not be as hard as you think if you keep in mind that you are not alone and that Jesus is always at your side.
December 17, 2021
From Jesus Always
Christmas Carols
In this Jesus Always we read: “sing for joy to Me, your strength”. It refers to Christmas music. Who doesn’t like most of the Christmas music of today. There are some that I don’t like at all. My favorites are the Carols, the ones written about the birth of Jesus. Silent Night may be the most known, and tells the story of Christmas beginning with setting the scene; silent, holy, calm and bright. Then the shepherds enter into the scene. They see the radiant beams from Jesus’ face. This carol is often sung in German.
Away in a Manger tells the story of “no room at the inn” as it sets the scene in the manger. We sing about the hay that He lay in while the cattle moo awakening the Baby Jesus. We ask the Lord Jesus to stay close to us. We hear the angels sing from the heavens in Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. They send messages to us of peace on earth, joy to all nations. Jesus is called the newborn King, Christ, the everlasting Lord, the incarnate Deity, and Emmanuel.
A popular carol that does tell the story of Jesus’ birth is The First Noel. The word Noel is of Cornish origin. Nowell is another word for Christmas. It perfectly describes the story of the Star of Bethlehem and the shepherds as they settle in for the night. They are surprised by the bright and shining star. This star leads three wise men to the infant Jesus as the star is right over the place where Jesus lay.
December 16, 2021
From Jesus Always (2020)
Do not be afraid
The words brought to the shepherd probably did not calm them at first. It took a little time for this sight and sound of angels to sink in. Perhaps they thought it might be the end of the world? Did they think they were going to die? What would you think if you suddenly heard and saw angels singing? The shepherds would have also noticed the Bethlehem star. What did they think was happening?
I’ve read somewhere that the words “do not be afraid” appear in the Bible more than any other words given as a command. Many people live in fear these days. It’s just not one day here and there, but every single day. People are “afraid” to turn on the news, fearing more bad news. We cannot allow fear to take over our lives!
The antidote for fear is joy. I had to think about this for a moment. But, if you are full of joy, you are not afraid. Think back at a time you were full of joy. A party, a sports event, a wedding, a birth. These events fill you with joy and fear is not in the picture for you. Look up! The angels will be appearing soon, to bring you the good news of the birth of Jesus! Think of the great miracle of Jesus’ birth!
December 15, 2021
Prayer for the Power of Kindness
In searching for something new to focus on in my writing, I found a group of prayers for special needs. Prayers to fight anger, the enemy, fear, lack of faith; so many different prayers. I knew I was to look for something that would catch my eye and this is it:
Heavenly Father, thank You for displaying Your character of love and kindness through me. I choose to show kindness and goodness to others, so that I can honor You with my thoughts, words and actions each and every day. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen
The idea that came to me with this prayer is the time we live in. We live in a confused, frightened world. We are also living in Advent. Advent is a great time for kindness to be in our lives. As we prepare for the Christ Baby, we can also prepare ourselves for what God has in store for us in this scary world.
Go out of your way to show kindness. Hold doors open, greet those who you may know or who may be a stranger. If you nod your head and smile, they will usually greet you with the same. It makes a person feel good to be recognized. There are many acts of kindness we can do every day. Just eh slightest thing can make someone’s day.
We can ask God to help us use kindness as a stepping stone to the unknown future. There are many people who are evil, mean, angry, unhappy in the world. We never know what a simple act of kindness can do to open up a hurting heart.
December 14, 2021
Jesus Always (2019)
Do not grow weary and lose heart
This meditation encourages us not to give up; when we feel overloaded with problems and troubles, we are encouraged to look for Jesus and worship Him. Chronic problems wear us out, and lead us to stop going forward. Chronic pain does the same thing. Many people are in chronic pain, especially the older generation. There are days that I have chronic knee and leg pain. I don’t want to do anything when that happens, but if I force myself to get moving, there is a great chance that I might be distracted and the pain will not be foremost in my mind.
Just as we can take our attention away from pain, we can also direct our problems and troubles to fade by thinking, talking and praying to Jesus. Getting you mind off what ails you by getting close to Jesus and focusing on Him. Closeness with Jesus can keep me from growing weary and losing heart.
December 13, 2021
Spiritual Quotes
Bishop Fulton J Sheen
“Conflict of the future will be between a God-religion and a state religion, between Christ and anti-Christ in political disguise.”—Bishop Fulton J Sheen
When I read this, I had to read it again. This is where we are today. It reads as if it were written today! Now, for us, we have a decision to make. Which side are we on? God-religion or anti-Christ? I don’t believe there is another alternative, a middle; no gray side. Bishop Sheen seemed to have insight on the future; to know that one day we would be a divided world through politics. It is said: don’t mix religion with politics, but that is exactly what is happening now. Our beloved Church is in dire trouble while the disguised political group is thriving.
So where do you stand? On the side of God’s religion, or the political anti-Christ? We have to make a choice, no matter how uncomfortable it is. We have to decide if we trust God enough to get us through tough times, or are we going stay where we are and let others tell us what to do? Are you brave enough to seek out what God wants to tell us, or are you staying comfortable and ignoring the issues? Are you afraid of the future?
We have the gift of prayer. We can pray by talking to Jesus, asking Him for favors, thank Him for our blessings, or just talk to Him about life, and how you feel. Having Jesus as our daily companion enables us to talk with Him at any time or place, under any circumstances. He is with us.
December 12, 2021
Reflections for today
It is not very long until Christmas! Most of us did not spend Christmas with family and friends last year. From what I see in the stores, people are tying to make up for it this year. Many things are sold out. The Christmas aisles were thin and picked over; no peppermint ice cream in the store; less Christmas cards being sent out this year.
In all this busyness, we have to take time out to be with Jesus. You can sit quietly in prayer, visit an adoration chapel, read from the Bible. At this time of year, I usually think back on a short story. A story I wrote many years ago. It goes something like this:
So much hustle and bustle these days. I must find a way to slow down and rest…rest in Jesus’ arms. I imagine myself as a child. I see Jesus not too far from me. He is sitting in a large rocking chair. I shyly walk closer to Him. He motions for me to go to Him. When I am standing in from of Jesus, He smiles at me and picks me up and sets me on His lap and I lay my head on His chest I am feeling so blessed and loved. I look up into His smiling eyes.
I close my eyes. I feel the gentle, rhythmic rocking…back and forth, back and forth. I can feel His heart beating within His chest. It is so soothing to me. I hear His steady breathing, and I feel it on my face. I feel so safe with Him. He gently brushes a loose cluster of hair off my forehead. This is what it feels like to be loved by Jesus.
We are all children of God and He likes it when we respond to His call. Take some time during these busy days and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Imagine the story of Jesus’ birth; what do you see, feel, smell? Imagine the shepherds in the fields and the angels singing. Go back as a child to be with Jesus.
December 11, 2021
Spiritual Quotes
Mother Teresa
“Wash the plate not because it is dirty, nor because you are told to wash it, but because you love the person will use it next.” St Teresa of Calcutta
I have never heard a quote like this before. It is most practical. It asks why we do what we do. Clean the plate because its dirty? Most of us would say this because it is logical and practical. Clean it because we are told to? This becomes an act of obedience whether it is your mother telling you to clean the plate or your boss. Clean it because you love the person who will use it next. This is an act of love.
We are challenged with why we do what we do. I’ve heard of people who make a generous donation for the shear glory it brings to them. Others give because they see that someone needs help. Hold many of us, growing up, went to Mass because we “had to”? In elementary we had assigned day for confession and we went then, regardless of the state of our soul.
If we saw every human as Jesus, we would be able to follow the example of Mother Teresa. Most of us would wash the plate because it is dirty or because we are told to. But to take a simple task and do it out of love is thinking of others before ourselves. It is being unselfish through kindness. Think about this next time you have a sink full of dirty dishes.
December 10, 2021
From Jesus Always (2020)
Persistence in Stillness
Being still can be hard for a lot of people. Have you ever watched a little kid fidget and squirm? It is usually because they can’t pay attention, or maybe they are bored. It is not so much that the body to be still, as it is the mind. Some people do not know how to quiet themselves.
With a pandemic and unsettled elections going on around us, most of us feel some anxiety. The best way to get rid of anxiety is to quiet your mind. I am finding, through trial and error what works for me and what doesn’t. I have a nice chair in my bedroom by the window and I often sit in it to do my writing. I also use that space to quiet myself physically, spiritually and emotionally. Arms on the arm rests, head back on the chair, feet flat on the floor. Oh, and eyes must be closed. If you can physically calm your body, and emotionally rid yourselves of problems, then your spiritual self will be calm as well.
Jesus does not expect us to be perfect while seeking solace in His Face, but He treasures our persistence in our efforts. It might take a little while to get used to this kind of quiet, but I know it will pay off for you. Even if you can only sit down for a few minutes, they will be minutes well spent. It is in this stillness that and our patience that Jesus talks to us. Be quiet and listen for Him.
December 9, 2021
from Jesus Calling (2019)
Be with Me
I trust in Jesus because I know Him. Those who have not had the pleasure to know Jesus, will not trust Him. If I ask someone to watch my grocery cart, would I ask the person shopping with me or a complete stranger? The person I know, of course. It takes a while to build up a good relationship with our Higher Power, whether it is God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, or a Higher Power of Good. Several times, I’ve met someone new and knew right away that they were trustworthy, that they were someone I wanted to spend time with. Other times, I’ve met someone who at first meeting, I thought I would not become friends with this person. Sometimes I am right and sometimes I am truly wrong; that the person I didn’t think I would like turns out to be a good friend. Maybe this has to do with judgement at first sight. Though I cannot physically see Jesus, I know Him well as someone to confide in, to trust with everything in my life.
The only way to get to know God, Jesus, Holy Spirit is to spend time with Him. I am talking quiet time. Time away from the world. For me it is in a comfy chair with a blanket over my head. I am so easily distracted. Maybe an adoration chapel is a good place for you, or in the sanctuary in your church. I know an elderly priest who said he could feel God’s Presence on a mountain. Nothing but the sky, air, trees and God! I also like the beach, sitting so close to the water my feet are in it, and just closing my eyes. . . I can feel the salt air, the breeze it creates, and feel the sun upon my face. The most prominent sound is the water coming on shore in crashing waves.
Find a place where you can be alone with God, Jesus, Holy Spirit. Just sit and be still even if you have nothing to say. He will let you know what His words to you are. Tell Him your problems. It’s okay. He wants us to tell Him everything. And it is best to thank Him for all the blessings you have received from Him. He will never forsake you, when you seek Him out and learn to trust Him.
In Honor of the Feast of
the Immaculate Conception
December 8, 2021
From the Joyful Mysteries
The Annunciation: a short story
I am a young servant girl for Mary’s family. One night I heard a rush of air, like wind. I peeked around the corner into Mary’s room and saw her sitting up in the middle of her bed. Next to her was a spirit. I think it was an angel. I couldn’t hear everything, but I did hear the angel tell Mary that the Lord was with her. Mary looked frightened and I wondered if I should go to her. But I couldn’t seem to move from where I was standing!
Then the Angel told Mary she would give birth to a son – the Son of the Most High. I knew this was not possible as Mary is still a young virgin and pledged to wed Joseph. I couldn’t hear what else the Angel said, then Mary sat up so tall I thought she might stand up on her bed. Mary spoke. I heard Mary tell the Angel that she was a virgin, how could this happen? Then the Angel told Mary that the Holy Spirit would come upon Mary, and words that the Most High would over-shadow her.
As soon as the Angel said that, Mary was surrounded in the most beautiful white light! Wind swirled around her! I saw Mary tremble slightly. Mary’s face glowed;
she looked as though she was filled with Joy! The Angel told Mary the child would be called the Son of God, and that her relative, Elizabeth, was with child. Now that could not be true…Elizabeth was old, and she was unable to conceive. Mary just nodded
in the affirmative as if she understood.
Mary then told the Angel that she was the Lord’s servant and that the Lords will be done. Then the Angel disappeared. I wanted to go to Mary but I felt a sense that I should leave Mary to herself
for now. She looked so differently to me now. I know what I witnessed was truly the greatest of all miracles.
December 6, 2021
Time flies
I cannot believe we are getting close to mid-December. In past years, normal years, most of us would be in the middle of Christmas shopping or finishing up. Last year we did not have a Christmas. I don’t know what this Christmas will be like. Some people will gather up the whole family, even those from out-of-town; big gatherings and lots of noise, wrapping paper and food. This year some will spend a similar celebration to last year. (I accidentally typed ‘lost year’, but, hey, that’s what it was.) I know there will be people home alone this Christmas, and my heart goes out to them. One thing I know is that God will reward us with a better time; whether on this earth or in His Heavenly Home.
It’s very hard to keep away from anger and depression. I know that there are more people suffering from depression than we’ve ever experienced. We cannot let ourselves fall down that dangerous hole. It is dark down there. You can’t always fight it alone. We need to seek and talk to other people; especially those who are isolated. You might try finding a nice comfy and quiet place to just sit and “be.” Just “be” with Jesus. If you are not comfortable with Him right now, “be” with a loved one who has passed.
The family is very important to most people and we have already endured over a year separated in unusual ways. But, we can be grateful for the electronics which keep us in contact with our loved ones. Imagine going through this inn the 1990’s! Snail mail and long distance phone calls that cost a fortune. We sent Christmas cards with a few pictures of the kids. We shipped gifts to all over the country and overseas. We spent a lot work addressing the card envelopes and signing every card and maybe stick in a personal note. We might feel like we are living in a very gray place, but, that gray will soon turn to silver!
December 5, 2021
Spiritual Quotes
Love and Sacrifice
I was checking out Pinterest for quote to remark about. There was a theme about suffering and love. “Love Jesus, Love Him very much. But to do this, be ready to Love Sacrifice More.”—Saint Padre Pio
“Pain and suffering have come into your life, but remember pain, sorrow, suffering are but the kiss of Jesus—A sign that you have come so close to Him that He can kiss you.”—Mother Teresa
We have all experienced suffering at one time or another in our lives. My personal experience was devastating at the time; but looking back, I grew stronger in my faith and spiritual life. It is said that suffering purifies our love for Christ; it may also be purified. However, when we seek sympathy and consolation, it muddies our suffering, “for Christ was denied this balms.”’’
Prayer is needed these days. We must try to learn how to pray often; quietly with Jesus. “Acquire the habit of speaking to God as if you were alone with Him, familiarly and with confidence and love, as to the dearest and most loving of friends.”—St Alphonsus Liguria
We each have to find out what will work for us. For some people, daily Mass is just part of their routine. Daily rosary has become easier for me. If you have trouble paying attention, search the internet for “pray-along” audios or videos. Lastly, we should keep a prayer journal. *It will become a habit *it helps us to self-examine ourselves *it helps you focus on your prayer *it will help you understand your past* it helps you understand your prayer seasons *it might also become a witness to future generations, and will make you closer to Jesus.
December 4, 2021
From Jesus Always (2020)
Lean on Me
To lean on Jesus is to show your trust in Him. It is when you lean on Jesus that you can enjoy His Presence. His Light shines upon us and we begin to relax in His healing Light.
Relaxing is very important today. We live in a busy, noisy world. The TV is on most of the time, with banners running at the bottom of the screen and a small box in a corner showing who will be up next on the program. I notice that newscasters do not read or tell the news; they shout opinions and editorials, mostly using foul language. That is not a healthy way to relax with Jesus. I don’t think anyone can sit in front of a loud TV while praying or talking to Jesus. It’s just too disruptive.
Being with Jesus allows Him to shine Peace into our minds and hearts. We need to look for ways to be quiet with Jesus. I have an assigned an hour of Adoration in our Eucharistic chapel every Friday morning. And while hating to get up earlier, I am always so glad I had that quiet time with Him. Find a quiet time and place to be with Jesus!
December 3, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Call on My Name
This particular reading speaks to me. Jesus tells us not to be surprised by wicked attacks on our minds. These are the nasty acts of the devil. We are told that Satan hates when we get close to Jesus. He tries many ways to keep us from thinking and talking to Jesus. When we are troubled by Satan, we become discouraged. We become engaged in spiritual warfare with the evil one. His desire is to undermine any and all the time we spend with Our Lord. It really makes him mad.
Jesus wants us to call upon Him, call His Holy Name. Just say: Jesus help me! I must say that a hundred times a day! The devil’s time on this earth is running out and he is becoming desperate. He can have no part of us or our lives when we stay in touch with Jesus. We are told that the Name of Jesus repeated throughout the day will help keep Satan away.
It is important to use the Name of Jesus properly. His Holy Name is often called in vain when we are frustrated, scared, anxious and upset. I am guilty of this. I am not proud of it. I usually catch myself and ask for His forgiveness. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”—Philippians 29:10
December 1, 2021
From Jesus Always
Keep away from negative attitudes
The first sentence in this reading is: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for Me, not for men.” Jesus does not want us to be half-hearted in trying to please Him. It’s not good for us. We become tempted to rush through routine tasks, doing them sloppily, just to get them done. This is a negative attitude that we have to lose. It pulls us down and we begin to lower our sense of worth.
When we put our “all” into our tasks we get better results. When we remember that every moment of our life is a gift from Jesus we great better results. Imagine a mother rushing through baking a cake for her child’s birthday. The cake sinks in the middle, the bottom is burned, the frosting is sliding off the sides of the cake. That poor child will always remember that awful cake. It will more than likely send the child a message that their mother didn’t really care.
When God put Adam and Eve into the Garden of Eden, He instructed them to work it and take care of it. They were privileged to be in the most beautiful of all places. But they did not sit around eating fruit and exploring trees. They had to work the garden. It was not a place of idleness. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”Colossians 3:23
November 30, 2021
from Jesus Calling (2019)
Everyone has problems
There were two sentences in the Jesus Calling meditation today that I especially liked. “Problems are part of life” and “Do not let fixing things be your top priority.” First of all, I and the rest of humanity must accept that we all have problems in varying degrees. No one escapes problems. Not even Jesus. One of the most extreme problems for Jesus was His trial, torture and crucifixion. He could not escape them, even though He asked His Heavenly Father to take them away. Joseph and Mary had their problems as well when Joseph found out Mary was to have a child, and after the birth of Jesus, when the Holy Family had to flee from Herod. In this world, there are people who have very big, serious problems and those whose problems are small, but we all have them and the best way to have relief, is to call on Jesus for help.
As humans when we have questions, problems or anxiety, we want help. We have directions what to do in this verse. We have to first go to God, Jesus, Holy Spirit and tell Him what is going on in your life. Then you must stop, and listen. Open your eyes, ears, heart and soul to find out how He will help you come to a resolution. Trust that you will be given the help you need. You may not get the answer you hoped for, or wanted; but be assured that it will the best answer for you!
November Story
Jesus and Jonathan
Jesus felt a tug at His sleeve. He knew who it was. He smiled as He looked down at Jonathan. This young boy had been following Jesus for over a year. He was always a shadow behind and along side Jesus. Jesus had come to look for Jonathan when He was in a crowd. Whenever Jesus came to Jerusalem, Jonathan somehow knew about Jesus’ return. Jesus dismissed His apostles and stooped down to the boys height. “And how are you Jonathan?”
“I’m good, Jesus. Can I be an apostle today? Am I big enough? My mother told me this morning that I am growing like a weed. So am I big enough?”
“My boy, you will have to be as big as a man, as I told you. You would not be able to keep up the pace when we walk from town to town. But I know that you will grow into a fine man and you will certainly become an apostle.”
Jonathan looked a little sad, and headed home. A few weeks passed. Jonathan had not seen Jesus. But he did hear that Jesus was coming back to Jerusalem tomorrow. People prepared for Jesus’ return and began to line the street with palms so as to soften the walk for Jesus. The next morning Jesus came through the gate riding a donkey. The people fanned their palms in honor of Jesus. When Jesus dismounted He was greeted by His apostles. . . and, Jonathan. There was much cheering. Jesus saw Jonathan jumping up to catch a glimpse of Him. Jesus pulled His apostle John aside and whispered in his ear.
As the group of people began to return to their homes, some continued to follow Jesus. John stopped Jonathan from following and asked him to go with him. John took him to a creek and sat on the bank of the water. He patted the ground next to him for Jonathan to sit. John explained to Jonathan that Jesus would not be able to see him for a few days. He would be very busy at the Temple. He told Jonathan that he would not be able to see Jesus during that time; that only the high priests would be there. “It would be boring for me, right?” Grinning, John patted the boys head and told him he was right.
Jonathan noticed the next few days people were anxious and worried. They whispered to each other. Jonathan was forbidden by his mother and the apostles to go in certain areas during this time. And, Jonathan was a good boy and obeyed. Then the big storm hit severely. He was in his house with his mother. She would never let him out in the heavy rain and lightening. He felt the earth shake and knew that it was an earthquake. As it became dusk, Jonathan’s father entered their home. He looked very sad and worried.
“What is wrong, father?” His father assured him that he was fine. But after he was settled in bed, he overhear his father and mother talking quietly. He only caught pieces of words like nails, blood, thorns, and Mary. He knew Mary. She is the mother of Jesus. Jonathan slept restlessly as he felt something bad had happened. His parents and all the people in his village seemed very sad. He didn’t know why.
Then a few days later, the sun rose in brilliant color. The air seemed lighter and everything smelled fresh from dew on the grass. Jonathan’s mother had ran an errand to a neighbors house. When she came back she was ecstatic. She whispered to her husband and as he listened his smile grew. Jonathan asked what they were talking about. “Oh, nothing, dear. It’s just that Jesus has been sighted on the way to Emmaus.” Said his mother. Jonathan asked where Jesus was and his mother did not answer. Jonathan know that no answer meant, not his business.
As the days passed Jonathan heard people talk of the miracle, of the resurrection, but he did not know what that meant. It had been a long time since Jonathan had seen Jesus. Jonathan thought perhaps Jesus was angry at him, so he stayed out the way of Jesus. One day Jesus was preaching to a group of people when Jonathan spotted Him. He stayed in the back of the crowd, not running up to Jesus as he usually did. When the crowd dispersed, Jesus saw Jonathan, and Jonathan ran to Jesus, jumping into His arms. Jesus put Jonathan down and asked him how he was. Jonathan began to rattle all the news that had happened since he last saw Jesus. Then Jonathan spotted the nail marks on Jesus’ hand and feet. Jonathan took a step back, surprised at what he saw. “What happened to you, Jesus?”
“These are the marks of sacrifice, my boy. They were made so that all humankind can be saved.” Jonathan looked at Jesus puzzled. He asked Jesus what that meant and how did He get those wounds. Again, Jesus said, “These are the marks of sacrifice make so that all people can be saved.” Jonathan again looked puzzled. Then Jesus stooped down to Jonathan. “My son, you cannot understand all of this. You are too young, and your heart is too pure to understand the corruption of the world. But someday you will, and you will become a apostle of Mine.”
Just then the apostles came back to Jesus in a group. Jesus kissed the head of Jonathan, and told him He had to leave now. Jonathan watched the apostles and Jesus walk away. But, of course, Jonathan would try to follow, and he did. They went to a place near the Mount of Olives. Jonathan hid behind a large rock. He heard Jesus give the apostles instructions. The apostles were to stay in Jerusalem and not leave until the Holy Spirit came.
Then the apostles took a step back as Jesus began to rise into the clouds. Jonathan could not believe what he saw. He understood now that Jesus would not be coming back again. He turned his back to the large rock and sat on the ground. He wept. He wept for Jesus. He wept for himself. He did not understand everything but he trusted Jesus, and knew that he truly would become an apostle someday. He so wanted to be like Jesus.
November 29, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Let Me Give You Peace
Today I was to pick up my grandson from the airport. Getting dressed I fell I was on time since I didn’t have to leave for thirty minutes. I got a call on my iPhone and it was my grandson. His plane arrived an hour early. So I left my makeup and hair, threw on a baseball cap and headed out. It’s a good twenty-five to thirty minutes drive. I felt rushed knowing he would be waiting for me. I remembered that I can quiet myself. I put hand on my heart and said “Jesus, I trust in You” maybe five times. Each time I voiced this statement I felt the tension and anxiety melt from me. So, I know how I can take the Peace that Jesus offers me every day.
Jesus tells us in this reading that His Peace is not something that we accomplish through self-discipline and willpower. Rather it is opening ourselves to receive His blessings that we receive His Peace. We have to be willing to GO TO Jesus and not wait for Him to come to us.
He realizes that we live in an age of independence and we people find it hard to acknowledge out neediness. No one wants to ask for help! Jesus, in fact, puts us int situations where our strengths are not important and our weaknesses stand out like a bright light. It is through the daily journey with Jesus that we will draw closer to Him. And, we have to trust Him, truly trust; Him. It’s okay if you don’t have genuine trust in Him; tell Him about it, and ask for help with trusting Him. The more you say “Jesus, I trust in You” the more that small trust grows. From John 14:27–“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
November 28, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2017)
Release your troubles into My Care
Jesus wants me to release everything into His care, but especially my troubles and problems. By going to Jesus first, I will better understand what issues I can or can’t handle or change. Jesus wants me to cast all my anxieties on Him. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” —1 Peter 5:7. As we move into the holiday season I find that I am a bit more anxious. Commercialism drives the holidays! I don’t want to fall into that trap of consumerism and commercialism. Holidays are meant to be a time of joy and celebration; a time for families.
By thanking Jesus for everything, I am acknowledging that Jesus is my Lord and my Provider. In the eyes of Jesus, this makes more child-like. Being child-like means to me that I love and trust Jesus in all things, that I allow Him to take care of everything for me. A child-like nature puts me in the proper perspective with Jesus, making me totally dependent on Him for everything. It will take a lot of practice, but I believe that I can one day put aside the issues that arrive unexpectedly with a firm trust that all will be well with me, because of Jesus! Ask Jesus to help you to turn everything over to Him, and to not let you try to take back what He wants me to give to Him for Jesus and I to fix.
November 27, 2021
Spiritual Quotes
Mother Angelica
I must try to keep my soul quiet in order to hear the Voice of the spirit as He guides me along the path of holiness.—Mother Angelica
Mother Angelica has always given good advice. This is just but one. We live in a very busy world. TV’s, music, traffic, trains and planes, children outdoors, sports activities, computer games are just some of the things that cause noise. And noise can interfere with the quiet we need for prayer. A person can pray on crowded trains and buses, with people surrounding you, but it doesn’t last; too many distractions.
Quiet is not a requirement for prayer, but we all agree it is easier to talk to our Lord when we have peace and quiet. Mothers can multitask, but they still need the quiet for prayer. For me, personally, nothing is better than sitting in the Adoration chapel with the Eucharist…Jesus. I find that people don’t speak in the chapel; they nod and motion; while in church, people seem to talk more freely.
What’s important here is to LISTEN, so that you can hear the Voice of the Holy Spirit. I find that the Holy Spirit can communicate to us in various ways. One is to have a thought; a thought you have no idea where it came from. Some people may hear a word, or see an object and get a message. I feel the Holy Spirit comes to me from behind my right side, like a breeze. I have also received a message through an image in my mind. We must be quiet enough to hear the Voice of the Holy Spirit. We want to be alert to anything He may have to say to us.
November 26, 2021
Remembrance
This was written in 2016. It is a remembrance of my husband who died on this day sixteen years ago. These edited words say what was in my heart, so there is no need to write new ones. They are the perfect words for me today.
November 26, 2016
"This is the day that I have made"... Such a beautiful day out today...we don't get many at this time of the year. Thank You, Jesus, for such a great day! Having such a nice day is a gift of nature from You. A day like this lifts up my spirit.
This day is very much like the Saturday after the 2005 Thanksgiving, the 26th, sixteen years ago. My children and I were with my husband, their dad, as he left us here on earth. We were called to the hospital very early and told that he was dying. We sat around his bed telling stories. The sun shone in through the window and gently lay on his body. My son-in-law was sharing his story of the great sand sculpture he made of Bill’s head at the Florida beach, complete with sunglasses and beard. It was at that moment of joy that the Lord decided to release Bill from this earth.
I am thankful for the years we had together. Early in our marriage, we ventured a move from my home town to the Minneapolis area, taking three little girls under the age of seven. It was an adventure and a gift to experience our family. Blessed with a son after living in our new home for two years our family was complete. There were years of hardship and years of devastation for me, but the negatives built in with all the positives, gave me the sound foundation for the wonderful life I have today.
I was never promised a life without pain and suffering. I know this well. But because I have Jesus at my side, His arm firmly around my shoulder, I believe I can tackle any day that is put before me. It is with this renewed energy and passion for this stage of my life that I try to accept everything that is put before me.
November 25, 2021
Thanksgiving
How can we be thankful when the world is in such a state of chaos? Jesus asks us to thank Him for everything and that includes the negative things. I told a true story some years ago and it is worth repeating today.
I was attending the Saturday 5:00 Mass. We had Mass in a chapel at the high school. Two or three metal folding chairs were added to the end of each aisle to accommodate everyone. I always sat in the same row. . . on the end. This particular Saturday when I arrived a bit early, I noticed that “my seat” was occupied. When I looked at her and the empty pews next to her, she tapped the wooden seat and told me she was saving those seats. What to do? The pews were pretty full and didn’t see any good seats available.
I decided I’d might just as well sit in the cold, hard metal chair. It was not comfortable. Then I remembered the lesson I had read recently: to be thankful in all things, even the unpleasant ones. So I closed my eyes and tried to humble my self. I then saw gratitude in the fact that I was able to get to Mass. Sometimes the elderly get left at home if they don’t have a ride to church. I was able to walk in on my own. There were several people who walked in with canes, walkers and wheelchairs. I saw a family who looked poor and their clothes were well-worn. I looked at my nice clothes and shoes and thanked Jesus for that. My legs were aching, thenI saw a soldier with only one leg.
Several people came to "my row"and I thought they would be told that they were saved. The woman looked at her watch and told them to come in, she didn’t think the people she was saving a seat for weren’t going to show. I told myself that it was okay. I was very happy with my metal chair and thanked Jesus over and over for “my seat that evening.”
November 24, 2021
From Jesus Always (2020)
Receive My Blessings
In times of turmoil, we often forget that we are blessed every day with blessings from Jesus. He showers them on us like the steady rain in the summer. Jesus asks us not to hold onto them too tightly; we are not guaranteed to keep them. He asks that we release them back to Him through gratitude. We are to enjoy all the things given to us, but not to take them for granted. We do this by living in the present moment and not thinking about tomorrow. In fact, He asks that we refuse to worry about tomorrow. This is hard, since we live in a world that changes very quickly. We go to bed knowing something only to find out in the morning that, actually that was not true. It is easier to live in the present if you can live in the Truth!
While we live in today, we need to be grateful of what we have; family, friends, talents, possessions. We are to look for opportunities to be a blessing to others. Often the things we cherish are removed from us for one reason or another. This is the time to grow closer to Jesus. Cling to Him, focus on Him constantly. No one can take away our relationship with Jesus. We are the ones who walk away from, or avoid Jesus. Turn back, turn back. He is our hope! Jesus has everything we need to give us refuge from the chaos of the world, from illnesses, from anxiety, from fear, from loss.
November 23, 2021
From Jesus Always
Give Thanks
We are probably all getting ready for Thanksgiving two days away. There is always a lot of preparation involved. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our preparations that we forget what the day is all about. Yes, it is a celebration of the Pilgrims, but we should think of it more as a Day of Thanks to God. He has given us so much. We have the gift of life, ours and those we love. We have the gift of daily provisions of food, water, shelter, clothing and many others.
The greatest gift we have received is the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross…all for our sins. This sacrifice gives us the Gift of Light! Jesus is the Light of the World! He holds us in His loving Presence. He is with us not matter what happens or what is going on. He is with us in the good times of our lives, and He is with us when we hit rock bottom.
Along with Thanksgiving, we need to add Trust to this Thanksgiving. The world is in turmoil. We are divided, angry, and very lost. Trust is maybe the best gift we can receive. But we have to accept it, not knowing any kind of outcome. When we finally live in Trust with Jesus, we will see the Light that Jesus wants to give to us.
November 22, 2021
From Spiritual Quotes
The Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardship as the pathway to peace. Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it. Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; that I may be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.
Most everyone knows the first sentence of the Serenity Prayer, but there is more, and I think the rest deserves to be shared. It continues from the beginning that we are to take one day at a time. We’ve heard that a lot! We are to enjoy one moment at a time; and to accept hardship as the pathway to peace. We can only live one day at a time, although some of us try to stay in the past, and some of us try to project themselves into the future. Hardship is always going to be a part of our lives, so we must learn to accept them. Often they are the last wall to knock down before seeing the light.
We pray that we can take the world as it is right now! Jesus accepted all things they way they were. Yes, we would all like to change the world, but it is in God’s hands, not ours. This goes along with trusting Him that He will make thing all right; but we have to first surrender to His Will. This involves trusting Jesus. If we comply with this prayer, we ask that we will be happy in our world, and trust that we will be supremely happy with Him in Heaven.
November 21, 2021
From Rhetorical Jesus
When you help someone, do you ever think, “What’s in it for me?”
I always feel good when I give someone money who needs it, or make a donation to a cause. But this feeling doesn’t make one selfish. It is natural to see someone receive something they need. I once told someone that I gave money to a man at a traffic stop. She informed me that that is selfish and it doesn’t count if you feel good. This is wrong. I know that Jesus felt happy when He healed someone, or gave back the use of an arm or leg. I can see Him smile as He is being thanked.
There is a difference from feeling good that someone has been taken care of and looking for something in return from giving something to someone. When giving, one must be selfless, and not think of themselves, but of the gifted person. All thoughts go to the person in need. As the holiday season gets closer, people will see more people with their signs looking for someone to give them money. Many people have lost their jobs, homes and their self-esteem. We need to take care of them. It could be you on the corner asking for help. Many people do not like to give cash, and I don’t always like to either, but we can have items in our cars to hand out without using cash. Have some grocery bags with health bars, bottled water, maybe an apple or orange, cookies and small packages of good things to eat. I usually carry an inexpensive small blanket that I got at Walmart. Some people are homeless and anything for extra warmth will help. Use your imagination to help those that need our help.
Put those in need in front of our own needs during this upcoming holiday. Never ask, “whats in it for me?” Remember, we are often put in certain situations by God just to help another human.
November 20, 2021
from Jesus Always (2018)
Spend more of your time in the present
I love to go to the future where I imagine all sorts of events, discussions, tragedies, dramas and hope. This is NOT where Jesus wants me to spend my time. What I envision in my future is just my visions. They hold no truth or promise. They are just day-dreams, stories of imagination. Jesus knows what is in my future and it is for Him and Him alone to know.
I can become a free person by letting my future rest in Jesus’ Hands. I can put my trust in Jesus and know that my future will be with Him. I ask Jesus to take me out of the fantasyland of dreaming of my future. I ask Jesus to awaking me to His Presence. I ask Him to help me stay in the present and leave the future to Him. The verse from Ecclesiastes is so suitable for today’s reading: “Since no man knows the future, who can tell him what is to come?”—Ecclesiastes 8:7
November 19, 2021
from Jesus Calling (2018)
Leave outcomes up to Me
Jesus doesn’t want me to worry or wonder about what lies ahead of me. On our daily journey, He walks at my side, protecting me every step of the way. Things will turn out how they are supposed to turn out. It may not always be the way I would want things to go, but knowing that Jesus has my future planned, it should be easier for me to keep my steps with His.
In my daily walk with Jesus I know that when I see the steep cliff, I know that I will not fall off if I stay close to Jesus. He will help me up the steep hills and I am grateful for that. (At the grocery store today my leg hurt, but I kept thinking to push through the pain, and I was able to finish my shopping. I wish now I had asked Jesus for His help.) When we come across a resting place, I need to sit down and rest with Jesus. This is a good time to talk to Him. He does not want me to pretend to be a marathon walker, just be plain ole me. My walk with Jesus usually establishes a rhythm with Him at my side. Just leave it up to Me, says Jesus.
November 18, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Come, rest in My Peace
I could almost feel a calmness come over me as I read the first few sentences: Come to Me, and rest in My Peace. My Face is shining upon you. How do you picture a calmness with Jesus? Do you talk to Him throughout the day? Do you take some time to be quiet with Him? I had this flash of vision where I was in bed about to go to sleep and Jesus was sitting on the side of the bed, gently brushing my hair from my face with His hand. This is what children love most about having their parents put them to bed.
Jesus asks us not to try to figure things out by ourselves, but try to relax in the Presence of the One who knows all things. He knows what we need, and when we need it. He knows how wonderful it would be to live in a peaceful world, but, we don’t. We have to learn to live with a pandemic, unemployment, high prices, riots, and hatred for others. I think everyone can find a few minutes of quiet to be with Jesus. Maybe you can start a rosary and finish it later if you don’t have time now.
We tend to cater to others expectations, whether real or imagined. We want to please others. It is very important to some people. But, why not please yourself by talking to Jesus, quietly and alone if possible. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you offer these people the living water of His Spirit which flows through us. Always ask the Holy Spirit to give you words of grace. And remember to always give thanks to Jesus!
November 17, 2021
Picture: Jesus Knocking on the Door
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.—Revelation 3:20
I was so pleased to see a picture in my Facebook. It is the picture of Jesus knocking on a door. This is a more modern picture; the house looks like anybody’s. Jesus is dressed in white and knocking on the door; but in this picture He does not have a lantern in His other hand, as usually depicted. We have all seen this picture at one time or another. My maternal grandparents had one hanging on their wall.
The original was painted by William Holman Hunt in 1851 and finished in 1853. It has traveled all over the world. It is titled: The Light of the World. In his depiction, the door is overgrown with weeds and the nails and hinges are rusted. This would indicate that the door has never been open. You can find the original painting by Googling “The Light of the World” painting.
What I’ve always liked about this painting is that there is no door knob or handle on the outside of the door. Jesus cannot enter; the door must be opened from the inside. I was thinking about Mary and Martha. If this door was to their house, Mary would run to the door to open it, while Martha would tell Mary to wait as she picked up around the house. If Jesus came to my door, I’m not sure I would apologize for any mess. Jesus knows that I am a messy housekeeper! Will you answer the knock on your door? Will you open it with open arms? We will soon begin the season of Advent. Get ready for a special guest!
November 16, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2017)
Enjoy My Presence
I saw a picture early this morning of Jesus walking with a young child. In the picture, Jesus was holding the child’s hand, and the child was bending over a little to observe something on the ground. That picture told me a story of Jesus being with me as though I were a young child. I want to be that child in that picture. I want to feel like that child, who must have felt so protected and loved. I could see by the smile on Jesus’ face that He was enjoying the presence of the child. I want to be like a child and have the strong faith and trust that children have.
Today’s reading tells of a peaceful fog that obscures my view as I walk with Jesus. In this scenario I can only see a few steps in front of me. This helps me turn my attention back to Jesus. The fog distracts me from my journey so I am forced to turn my attention back to Jesus and let Him show me the way. The fog is necessary for me since I do get easily distracted in life. When things get too foggy for me to see where I am going, it is actually a reminder to turn to Jesus. I am assured in today’s reading that someday I will no longer need the fog as a reminder to focus on Jesus. I will learn to keep my focus on Jesus and on my daily path; and Jesus will be at my side.
November 15, 2021
from Jesus Always (2019)
Have you ever had a day that seemed to get worse and worse? That was my yesterday. It started with my oversleeping, then my car battery was dead. Things did work out just fine, and I was to say goodnight to the day. In the Jesus always meditation, Jesus tells me how I seem to leave Him out of my life when things seem to flow. It is when I encounter bumps in the road, that I become anxious and upset. . . Then I call on Him. And Jesus takes care of everything; and yesterday turned out okay for me.
He wants us to tell Him all our troubles while remembering who He is. He doesn’t like us to shake a finger at Him, blaming Him and demanding He do things my way. We are to trust in Jesus. I often say/sing “Jesus, I trust in You” throughout my day. It is my prayer of peace and calm.
When we take all our troubles to Jesus, we must remember to thank Him for all the gifts He bestows on us, for the things He has done in the past. We are not always going to have a positive outcome. Ask Him, thank Him, Praise Him.
But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.— Psalm 31:14-15
November 14, 2021
Spiritual Quotes
“Humility, humility, and always humility. Satan fears and trembles before humble souls.” St. Padre Pio
Such a simple quote, and yet, according to Padre Pio, humility frightens Satan. We think of Satan as being powerful, and he is, but he is somewhat of a scaredy cat. What would happen if the whole world became humble, for just one day. It might be enough to scare him off permanently.
Once again I find information from the internet. The Saints say “There is something in humility which, strangely enough, exalts the heart, and something in pride which debases it.” Satan is proud and boastful so I can see how humility affects him so. There are virtues of humility that we can practice: kindness, patience, diligence, charity, temperance and chastity. Humility is often thought to occur in the absence of pride. False humility, is pridefulness in disguise.
We can do simple acts of humility every day…letting someone ahead of you in line; cleaning your house as if it belonged to Jesus; athletes who give credit to their team mates. Mainly we need to treat others better than ourselves. Remember that Jesus humbly served everyone, even those who were mean to him. Meditate on His humility to help yourself. Pray to Jesus to show you how to be humble and to be modest about your successes.
November 13, 2021
Spiritual Quotes
“Anxiety is the greatest evil that can befall a soul, except sin. God commands you to pray, but He forbids you to worry.”— St. Francis De Sales
I am a great worrier, usually full of anxiety. I don’t want to be this way, but I am. This quote struck a chord with me. I get from it that when we worry and get anxious, its like we are saying we don’t trust in God. If we trusted in God, we would not have to worry, since we turn everything over to Him.
Searching for more information I ran across some good advice. When we feel that anxiety or worry taking over there are some simple things we can do. Take a brisk walk. Talk it out with a good friend. Pray the rosary. If you have much difficulty with your stress level, seek a professional for help. Dance around the house. Do something to divert your attention.
One article gave the names of some saints we can pray to who can help us in times of worry. St. Padre Pio had a saying for those afflicted: “Pray, hope, and don’t worry. God is merciful and will hear your prayer.” St, Therese of Lisieux struggled with thinking she was not good enough and often thought things were sins when they were not. She did overcome this flaw with the help of her sister. St. Francis de Sales is the patron saint of writers and journalist. A popular prayer of St. Francis is: “The same Eternal Father who cares for you today will take good care of you tomorrow and every day of your life.” These are just a few saints you can go to for help with your anxiety and stress. Many saints went through some very difficult times and they had to face their anxiety. Just as they triumphed by continually striving to trust God, we can strive—and succeed—in doing so as well.
November 12, 2021
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
( I don’t know how I missed writing yesterday. Sorry about that)
“Love I’d patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives us, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”—1 Corinthians 13:4-7
This verse from 1 Corinthians is often read at weddings, and it is very fitting for that occasion. In fact, I, like most people, believe it was written for weddings, but I think it wasn’t. I see Jesus in this verse. He was never boastful or proud. He was always patient and kind. He would never be jealous of anyone. Jesus stood for justice. He never gave up until the last minute. Jesus never lost faith, and was always hopeful. He endured through every circumstance.
I see a lot of hate in this world. I asked myself how I stood up against these virtues of life. I don’t want to concentrate on the negatives, but I want to try to make my positives grow. I know that I am not patient, but I am kind. I have been jealous, but I don’t think I am proud. Irritable, yes, that’s me. I am always happy when justice is served, and upset about the injustices. I seek for TRUTH daily. I just want the truth! I am in a place where I would like to give up, but I know I can’t and I really don’t want to give up. I am blessed that I have not lost my faith, and still remain hopeful.
How would you rate yourselves using this verse from 1 Corinthians? The way I interpreted this reading was not from the standpoint of married love. I am thinking about the Love of Neighbors that Jesus talked about. How do we feel about mankind?
November 10, 2021
From Rhetorical Jesus
“Is Prayer more of a ritual for you or a conversation?”
I found this question very interesting since I found myself in a place where the words of the rosary were becoming words said without focus. I mean that I was not focused on the prayer, and just saying the words instead. I was in the Adoration Chapel at the time. I tried to see the words being written as I said them. It was like looking at the computer screen as you type. It did help a little.
“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”—Matthew 6:6. We have to find a way to connect us with Our Lord. Lately I say the rosary while reclining (not laying or sitting) on my couch so that my knees don’t hurt. I close my eyes in the quiet room. I try to concentrate on the Mysteries of the Rosary, visually picturing them in my mind. I also reflect on five of Jesus’ miracles. And in times of world stress, I ask for prayers for my country, out officials etc.
During Mass I can say the words of the priest with him most of the time. I read with the priest the Eucharistic Liturgy and say it along with him since this is long and it changes occasionally. This is all well and good, but, am I saying a ritual or having a conversation. Do I really hear the words? Do I understand what they mean? Jesus does not ask for any kind of formal prayer. Just close your eye and call His Name: Jesus, and start talking. Have a conversation with Him today.
November 9, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Sit Quietly with Me
Jesus wants us to find some quiet time with Him where we can let all our fears and worries bubble up to the surface of our consciousness. There is a Light of His Presence, and in that the bubbles pop and disappear. We tend to worry or be anxious again after having quiet time with Jesus. But we are, after all, human beings. Most of those fears that come back are the ones of the future. We tend to through ourselves into tomorrow, the next day, week, month, year and even the next decade. We rarely look at ourselves in a good light in those scary thoughts. We think the worst, and consequently we end up believing the worst.
We need to remember that Jesus is with us today. He is at our side right now. He waits for us to talk to Him, pray to Him, ask of Him. Jesus was with us yesterday when we had all sorts of problems; and yet, we got through them. We got through them because Jesus was with us. So it makes perfect sense to believe that Jesus will be with us in all of our tomorrows. If we could just trust that Jesus WILL BE in our tomorrows, we may be able to let go of some of the fear we have of our tomorrows.
Today, my mind went to a strange place thinking about my tomorrows. I chose words that I say often: could be—might be—will be. These are so similar to: could have—would have—should have. Since we cannot predict the future, we need to drop these thoughts. Try to remember that Jesus is always with us; He will NEVER leave our side, so why not let tomorrow without trying to predict what it will be and just find time to sit quietly with Jesus instead?
November 8, 2021
from Jesus Calling (2020)
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
The Jesus Calling meditation today begins: Learn to appreciate difficult days. When I have a difficult day, I struggle to not blow my top, curse or cry. The things that make my day are embarrassingly trivial. I am so please with myself when I obviously stayed calm and quiet. Spilling on the floor. . . who doesn’t do that, but have you ever spilled and gotten angry! Did you ever have a day where you seem to fumble with everything? You can’t find something important, you just spilled the sugar canister, drank a sip of milk only to find that it had soured? These simple petty things tend to get the best of us.
When I remember that Jesus walks at my side, I do much better. I will find myself asking Jesus to help me with this mess; keep me calm. I call on Jesus or the Holy Spirit to hold my right hand. When I know that He is next to me, I do much better. Constant commentaries with Jesus or the Holy Spirit will keep me in a spiritual mode and that can only help to adjust my attitude!
November 7, 2021
From Spiritual Quotes
“Satan always aims at destroying the ROSARY, but he will never succeed. It is the prayer of Her who prevails over each and all. It is She that taught it to us, as Jesus taught us the Our Father.”—St. Padre Pio
The rosary is a very important prayer since it was given to us from Mary. As St Pio said in the above quote: Mary taught us the rosary and Jesus taught us the Our Father. The rosary is the prayer Mary gave to Saint Dominic during an apparition. He was in a state of struggle when she appeared in 1221. When Mary gave the rosary to him, she told him to teach people this devotion, and that his apostolic efforts would be blessed with much succeed if he did. Mary also told the children of Fatima to say the rosary daily. She gave them this message: “Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall receive signal graces. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary. The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.”
Quite a powerful message from Mary. It is a powerful prayer. It is not the easiest of prayer or devotion to say. It is easy to become distracted. But I believe if one starts saying a daily rosary, it will become part of their daily routine.
Jesus taught the Our Father when one of the disciples asked Jesus how to pray. We say the Our Father almost word for word of Jesus. What is the message of the Our Father? “We pray to our Heavenly Father who lives in heaven. God like it when we call Him Father, and He wants us to talk to Him just like we talk to our own father. God is our loving Father, and we are His special children.” Two great prayers/devotions if the Rosary and the Our Father. We are blessed to have Jesus’ own prayer included in the devotion of His Mother, the Rosary.
November 6, 2021
From Jesus Always (2020)
Love is Patient
Most of us are familiar with the words of Paul. There are different types of love, but the most endearing and true is the love of a parent for his/her child/children. Parents give up a good nights sleep, having a quiet dinner, watching a TV program in peace. But the parent is devoted to the needs of their child/children. Parents make sacrifices for their child/children, putting aside their own needs and wants.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.—Galatians 5:22-23
When people live by the laws described by Paul, there is no need for law. These nine attributes are called the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. Jesus used fruit to explain good and bad. Fruit does not grow on thorny bushes or trees, nor does it grow on a dried out, dead tree. If everyone lived by the Fruits of the Holy Spirit, we would need no law in our land. What we see in our land today is mostly the opposites of those lovely attributes. Where has all the goodness gone? Imagine if all peoples treated other people like their precious children?
Let us all pray to the Holy Spirit to instill in us the attributes put forth by Paul. Love is so important to us. We need the love of others in order to survive. But I see love these days being stomped upon, set on fire, kicked and beaten, all by hatred. It makes me think that hatred is more powerful than love. When Jesus was asked which was the greatest commandments were, He respond with, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your hear and with all your soul and with all your mind”. And the second greatest commandment is like it, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
November 5, 2021
From Jesus Calling and Jesus Always
Being Close to Me
We are invited, by Jesus, to be as close to Him as we choose. The key word here is “choose.” I have a plaque on my kitchen wall that says: Happiness is a choice. We choose how we feel, even if we are not aware of it. In the midst of sorrow or pain, we can choose Jesus to be at our side.
Jesus wants us to be as close as we can. He does not set up any barriers between us, but, He will not tear down any barriers we erect. We can never be “too close” to Jesus. The words: too close makes me chuckle. As children we set forth how close or far someone is from us. In my day, sitting in the back seat of the car could be problematic. “She’s on my side; he’s too close to me.” Today, we are restricted how close we should be from others: six feet.
We are asked not to be afraid. Jesus tells us that fear can provide a wake-up call to our hearts, telling us we need to reconnect with Jesus. He tells us that when we feel our anxiety rising, we need to take some time to relax and let the Light of His Presence shine upon us and within us.
The closeness Jesus wants to have with Him is for protection. He guards us from harm. The greatest harm to us today is Satan. He is everywhere on this earth. He is greedy and wants everyone to fall under his control. Maybe when you are feeling restless, Satan is trying to get close to your soul. Always, always turn back to Jesus!
November 4, 2021
From Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
I was overwhelmed by the many quotes I found from Bishop Sheen. Everything he says is honest and true. Here are two that I liked and surprisingly they are somewhat related to each other.
“Sometimes the only way the Good Lord can get into some hearts is to break it.”
This may sound cruel or indifferent, but I know it is true. Some experiences in my life have made me terribly heart-broken, but once through the issue, I usually see a blessing on the other side. God doesn’t want to break our hearts to hurt us, but to use that pain to teach us a lesson. A broken heart can heal, but it takes time, patience and courage to keep going. We can never give up in our times of trouble, because that is when we may have the opportunity to learn something.
“Unless there is a Good Friday in your life, there can be no Easter Sunday.”
Here again is the concept of suffering; Jesus on the Cross. Had He not done this, we would not be saved. Jesus’ suffering was more than any of us could ever go through. When I think of the things He went through, I am filled with sorrow. The more I think of them, the more I can envision what it might be like. In the Garden must seem psychologically impossible. The Scourging is the one that bothers me the most. Not even the Passion of Christ could depict it the way it would have been. There would have been much blood and torn flesh. The Crowning of Thorns was bad. I’ve seen the size of those thorns, and they did not just set it on His head but pushed and pounded it on. I always envision one of those long thorns just missing His eyes.
I recently saw an interview with Jim Caviezel; the man who played Christ in the movie, The Passion of Christ. He was struck by lightening on the cross three times, was accidentally scourged two times and dislocated his shoulder while carrying the cross. This was an actor protected by props and illusions to keep him safe. Think of Jesus; He went through all of it and no one was there to call a time out. We are blessed with Good Friday, because we have Easter Sunday after it.
November 3, 2021
from Jesus Calling (2019)
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
One thing I’ve learned in my golden years is that I cannot change God’s mind. What He wants is what will happen, no matter what. I liked the reading in Jesus Calling as well as the reflective verse from Proverbs. The book tells me that every time my plans are changed should be a reminder to communicate to Him. Talking to God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit builds up my relationship with him. A benefit of this is that often these changed plans turn into golden opportunities. Looking back at my life I can clearly see how some terrible things in my past are actually a turning point for me.
Jesus wants us to look at what we believe are setbacks, and see how we can gain from the experience. And we must remember that Jesus always has the final word!
November 2, 2020
All Souls Day
What exactly is All Souls Day? It is a day to commemoration of the Faithful Departed. It is a day to attend a remembrance service, honoring those who have died. Very similar to All Saints Day, where we honor all the saints and angels in Heaven. We don’t know for sure if our departed ones have gotten to Heaven yet.
We honor many people on this day. We all have family and friends who have died. Our grandparents, parents, siblings, children, all the unborn babies, those killed in action, missionaries in foreign countries and many others. Many people travel to the cemeteries where their loved ones are buried, or to a special location that has meaning. You might light a candle in their honor, or maybe reminisce about your loved one with family.
We pray for the aborted babies, the children who were trafficked and used for ungodly purposes. We remember the little old man who lived down the street who had no family when he died. We remember those who took their own lives. We ask God to let all those who have died Rest In Peace.
November 1, 2021
From today’s Gospel
The Beatitudes and Sainthood
(NOTE: while searching for inspiration, I went to previous writings for this day, All Saints Day and saw this from last year, and am sharing again this year.)
What a great connection! Following the beatitudes can lead to sainthood! The beatitudes were taught to us by Jesus Himself. They are like a list of “to dos” in order to get to heaven. They all make sense, as they all show the qualities we need to live out the word of God. We must see the sin and harshness of world, mourn for it, and do our best to change it. Those who follow these guides will have a pure relationship with God. We are blessed for having honorable qualities such as being meek, righteous, merciful, pure and peacemakers.
Following the great guidelines of Jesus will help us reach our final goal of heaven. Heaven is the home of the saints who have passed before us. Some saints were very wealthy such as St. Helena, mother of Constantine. One saint who chose to be poor was St. Francis of Assisi. Saints were sinners, St. Thomas Becket; and some were holy. My favorite St. Therese of Calcutta. St. Monica was a mother. Her son was St. Augustine. Even saints served as soldiers. Joan of Arc was a soldier and a woman. St. Gianna Beretta Molla was not only a mother, but also a doctor. She is a later day saint, canonized in May, 2004. These are just a few saints who lived fairly normal lives. Carlo Acutis was fifteen when he died of leukemia. He lived in Italy and studied the miracles of the Eucharist. He created a website of theses miracles. He died in April, 2006 and was just beatified October 10, 2020. He is set to be canonized as a saint that teens can relate to.
October 31, 2021
Halloween
In the time of the old church Halloween was celebrated as All Hallows Eve. All Hallows’ Eve eventually became known as Halloween. All Hallows’ Eve itself means “holy evening.”This was a day to celebrate all the Saints and Martyrs. This is similar to the way we celebrate Christmas and New Years by having the celebration begin the evening before. Three days are now somewhat of a trio celebration in the church and out of the church.
Huge bonfires were built and the people danced around by the Halloween celebrants, dressed as saints, martyrs, angels and demons. The Catholic Church created a feast day to celebrate all the martyrs and saints. This is November 1st, All Saints Day. The Church also created a day for al the souls who did not ascend to Heaven, but remained in Purgatory.This is All Souls Day, November 2nd.
Today Halloween is celebrated by dressing up as a favorite person, or a person of interest. In Catholic schools the children celebrate by dressing as their patron saint or a favorite saint. The general population has taken this holiday as a marketing, money-making strategy. Costumes, candy, decorations and lights. Some people dress their house with everything Halloween! And the candy industry makes a bundle. Costumes are not the same today and they were when I was a child. They were scratchy, itchy, and hot. We hated when Halloween was cold because we had to wear our coat over our costume. Halloween is a time for children and families to have some fun.
In the Church we can have our fun night of parties, begging and eating candy, but then we begin a two-day celebration in the Church. All Saints Day and All Souls Day. We celebrate the saints and martyrs that we like on All Saints Day, November 1st. And we celebrate All Souls Day on November 2nd. We pray to and for those who have gone before us. And, in a way we owe these two days to the Church. Let us remember all the angels and saints and all of our loved ones who have died.
October 30, 2018
from Jesus Always
Walk closely with Me
Jesus offers me a companionship unlike any other on earth. He tells me that He loves me with perfect, everlasting Love. There are some things He wants me to understand and know with all my heart. He LOVES me with all His heart; He is always WITH me; He KNOWS everything about me; He has PAID for my sins; He will GUIDE me through my life; He will TAKE me into His Glory.
He wants me to be dependent on Him for everything, understanding that I do not like my neediness, but that it is a part of my human condition. He understands that I will try to create an illusion of being self-sufficient. He wants me to accept the way He created me and embrace my need for Him to be constantly at my side. Further, Jesus wants me to be joyful about my reliance on Him. He wants this for me because this will draw me closer to Him. Jesus invites me to be in constant communication with Him, whether it be verbally or through thought. This will bring me to joyfully walking my pathway of my life. . . with Jesus!
October 29, 2021
From Jesus Always/Jesus Calling (2020)
Evil
Both books had very good messages and so I am combing them. Jesus Always is about good verses evil, while Jesus Calling is the familiar theme of starting your day with Jesus and trusting Him since He alone knows what will happen. We are told to overcome evil, and not let it overcome us. The news has become something people don’t even want to watch anymore. News reports are alarming and evil is called good, and good is called evil. It is only by staying in close communication with Jesus that we can keep from becoming overwhelmed. Jesus tells us in His message today that “I am saddened but not surprised by the horrors around you.” Jesus understands the “deceitful, wicked condition of human hearts.”
We are not to be disheartened by the world’s condition today. We are asked by Jesus to be His followers of shining light in the darkness. When we have the Light of Jesus within us, we become a beacon in the dark. His Light shines through us. When things look as though evil is winning, we need to become more determined to accomplish something good. Do whatever you can to promote biblical goodness. This can be done according to your gifts and abilities; and the circumstance around you. Maybe it is reading the Bible more, saying more rosaries, doing little acts of kindness for others. And something that was not mentioned in the message of today is to pray for those we consider to be evil. Pray for them to see the Truth of Jesus.
October 28, 2021
from Jesus Always (2018)
Ask Me for help
So many of the readings/meditations in Jesus Always read as if they were written for me specifically. This is one of them. I walk through life carrying burdens that I wish I did not have. Day after day, I carry this load and yet, I never think to ask Jesus to help me with it. I will ask when a crisis arises, but not for the “regular” load I pull around; the everyday, routine things that weigh me down. They sometimes keep me from seeing the whole picture of the day which includes the beauty of nature, the laughter of children and the love of God’s people. I know that I am not strong enough to carry my painful feelings by myself. I think about ways to help myself, pulling them behind me in a cart or a wagon. Then I find that it will only hurt me more in the long run. I need Jesus’ help with my painful feelings.
Jesus tells me that some of my painful feelings have been with me so long that I believe they are part of who I am, what makes me, ME! I know that when I lost weight a few years ago, I found energy that I never knew I had. I walked happier because I felt better. The loving Presence of Jesus will bring me long-term healing. But, I have to do my part, I have to take of my human body the best I can. I MUST ask Jesus for His help with burdens that I carry. He will happily carry them for me. He can even carry me on His shoulders while He carries my burdens! I just need to ask for His help with my painful feelings!
October 27, 2021
From Jesus Always
Come to Me
We are reminded that we sometimes forget about Jesus; about Him being at our side, always. He truly wants to help us with everything. He knows we get weary and tired, maybe grumpy and angry; sad and lonely. . . but He is our cure for such things.
He knows we get distracted by the outside world. Distracted by other people who make demands on us. They expect things from us that we don’t necessarily want to give. These people can make demands in a cruel way or in a kind way. We are more receptive to the kind and gentle way. They may make demands on us that get to be too much. There is only one person you have to please: Jesus.
We often feel as if we are sinking into darkness, under heavy burdens. This is the time to turn to Jesus for His help. He will help us lift those heavy weights off our shoulders. He is happy to help. Talking to Jesus is necessary if we want help with our concerns. Jesus will shine His Light on us and it will also reach those around us. The Light we receive from Jesus, will shine from us on to others.
We need to take time to rest. There is so much commotion in the world that some of us think only of the world and not about ourselves. We are blessed when we relax with Jesus, and He will surely bless us in return.
October 26, 2021
First Communion
Today is the sixty-ninth anniversary of my First Holy Communion. I remember some part very well. I remember the second-graders process around the block. The entire block was church property so we left at the school side and walked around the playground and around to the front doors of church. I remember the song we sang. “Jesus thou are coming”, melody and some of the words. We were little kids and I can remember the screech at the high notes. We did not get to taste the host before our First Communion and children do today. So I do remember some faces. I couldn’t fully comprehend the concept of the Eucharist being the body and blood of Christ. I sometimes struggle with this concept as an adult.
A very important word is “transubstantiation” which is the act where the host becomes the body of Christ and the blood becomes the blood of Christ. The bread represents the body of Jesus which was broken for the forgiveness of sin. The wine represents His blood that was shed for the sealing of the new covenant. Bread is used to demonstrate that Jesus is the bread of life/the lamb of sacrifice. Both bread and wine were a part of the Last Supper of Christ. The words Jesus used that night are the same as the words used at the altar today. I say them along with the priest as a reminder of what they have become.
Communion is a sign of unity. . . a preparation for the messianic banquet. We are invited to sup with Jesus. How often do people not attend Mass, not partaking in a the meal that Jesus personally invites us to? If you had a supper for your family and friends, how would you feel if they did not attend? I wish I had been mature enough spiritually to grasp the concept of the Holy Eucharist as a child. But, now I know.
October Story
Elizabeth
Elizabeth was sweeping the dirt away from her door when she looked up and saw a small caravan approaching. She wondered who it could be. The caravan leader helps a woman off her mule. Her veil blowing into her face and Elizabeth could not see her. Then the wind blew the veil back and Elizabeth saw that it was Mary! Elizabeth ran to Mary and Mary ran to Elizabeth. They embraced each other tearfully. Elizabeth looked at the broom in her hand and tossed it to the ground which made the two cousins laugh.
She told Mary that the moment she heard her voice the child in her womb leaped for joy. “Why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?” Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Mary answered with a prayer.
“I didn’t know that you were coming!” Elizabeth replied, “I wanted to surprised you!” Arm in arm the two women went into the small house. It had a door in the front of the house and one on the backside. There was a nice breeze blowing through. Mary commented on how nice it was that they had a good breeze through the house.
“Are you prepared for the birth of your baby?” Elizabeth laughed and gave a resounding no! Zechariah walked in the back door with some herbs in a basket. Mary ran to him and hugged him. “How are you doing?” He didn’t answer and looked down at the floor instead. Then he went to a small table and picked up a flat slab of white slate in one hand and a piece of charcoal in the other. He wrote “I am fine.” Mary looked at Elizabeth with question on her face. Elizabeth held Mary’s hand and took her to the garden out the back door.
As the women walked around the small garden Elizabeth told Mary, Zechariah’s story. He had been in the sanctuary praying when an angel of the Lord appeared to him. The angel told him not to be afraid. The angel told Zechariah that God had heard his and Elizabeth’s prayer to have a child. “This troubled Zechariah because we are old. . . Look at us Mary!” Elizabeth continued to tell Mary all that the angel had told him; how her baby would be filled with the Holy Spirit and will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. Zechariah doubted the angel, asking how this was possible? How could he be sure, after all we are both old.
Elizabeth took Mary’s hands into hers and looked her in the face. The angel told Zechariah that he was Gabriel! That he had been sent by God to bring the good news. And then Gabriel told Zechariah that he would not be able to speak until the baby is born. Mary was shocked at this. She held Elizabeth in her arms and let Elizabeth cry on her shoulder. Mary assured her that every thing will work out alright; God always does so.
The next few months, Mary stayed with Elizabeth and Zechariah. She got used to communicating with Zechariah through his slate writing. Mary helped Elizabeth make the necessary linens they would need for the birth and after. Elizabeth proudly showed Mary a lambs wool blanket that she made when she first found out about her pregnancy. Elizabeth asked Zechariah to bring in the cradle. He had carved from wood a small cradle for the baby. It had straw in it much like a manger for animals to feed from. Elizabeth laid the blanket on the top and and both women put their hands on it and were surprised at how soft it was. Mary delighted in it and told Elizabeth that she will have Joseph make one for her too.
When the time came for Elizabeths birth, they sent Zechariah away. Mary went to the woman who lived in the house next to them. She had attended many births, and Mary had only observed a few. Mary was surprised at how easy Elizabeth’s birth was. She thought that at her older age, she might have trouble. Elizabeth was holding her son in her arms when Zechariah returned home.
Mary stayed for the circumcision ceremony. Friends and family were encouraging Elizabeth to name the baby after his father, Zechariah. Elizabeth was adamant that the child be named John. The people told her they had no one named John in the family and that he should be Zechariah. Then they turned to Zechariah and asked him what the baby’s name should be. He motioned for his writing tablet and wrote: “His name is John!” Instantly Zechariah was able to speak again.
Mary’s pregnancy was coming close to the end and after seeing that Elizabeth was comfortable and had everything she needed, she got with a caravan and went home to Joseph. On her way home Mary thought about how Gabriel had appeared to her and Zechariah. She also made a note to tell Joseph about the unique cradle Zechariah had made and she would have Joseph make on for her too.
October 25, 2021
from Jesus Always (2018)
Comfort eases grief and trouble
Most people recognize this statement from today’s reading in Jesus Always. It is easy to remember when things are going well, but in a time of crisis, it may be harder to embrace it. I feel I can talk to Jesus most of the time; both in good times and bad. But sometimes I get so wrapped up in a problem or a bad situation, feeling lost and alone, I forget to call on Jesus. I become so set on solving the problem that I forget that I AM NOT alone! As soon as I realize this I need to turn to Jesus with a brief prayer: “Help Me, Jesus.” With Jesus at my side all things are possible.
One thing I need to be aware of is that I cannot have a a perfect understanding of my circumstances. Only Jesus can. I often become so engrossed in a situation that I turn inward, believing that I will come up with a solution or plan for my problem. The truth is that I don’t really have a grasp on most things in my life. Jesus has complete and total understanding of me and my life. He wants to be with me, to help me. I need to look outward when I have problems and ask Jesus to come to me, be at my side, guide me. In the midst of grief and trouble, I can find the comfort I so desire by calling Jesus’ Name.
October 24, 2021
from Jesus Always (2018)
Looking for Joy
“Lasting Joy can be found only in Me” Why look anywhere else for Joy? If I found what I thought was joy, it would only be temporary. There is no lasting Joy on this earth except Jesus. I have Joy when I look at the beautiful foliage that is developing in nature as the leaves turn to autumn colors. I know where that beauty comes from. I have Joy when I am able to fully participate at Mass. Those times when I am able to focus on the words and actions of the priest. Both of these examples are temporary joys. The leaves will change and fall and nature will take on a darker dreary look. After Mass I may leave with my heart full of Joy and Jesus, but it doesn’t take long for that Joy to leave me. A car nearly missing me at an intersection would be enough to shake off that piece of Joy. I can find that Joy by thinking of Jesus often.
Jesus assures me that He continually holds my right hand. He guides me through counsel. He keeps me on the right path. But, I must keep my focus on Jesus to hear what He has to say to me. Jesus knows that I (we) live in a broken world; that this broken world seems to grow worse every day. By holding on to the truths of Jesus in His Presence, I will make my way through each day with Joy.
October 23, 2021
From Spiritual Quotes
Mother Angelica
“Simply believing in the existence of God is not exactly what I would call a commitment. After all even the devil believes that God exists! Believing has to change the way we live.” —Mother Angelica
I know people who say "I believe in God. I pray to Him." Yet they don’t go to church. I think that Mother Angelica is referring to this type of belief. I was always taught that you show others through your actions. Generally parents who do not go to church will have children that do not attend also when they become adults. It’s what they were taught after all. There is more to believing in God than just saying so.
“After all, even the devil believes that God exists!” This made me chuckle. I would not have thought that my biggest and most dangerous enemy would believe in God. In fact, I would think that the devil has a stronger belief in God than most people do.
It comes down to if you talk-the-talk, you must also walk-the-walk. No one needs to know anything about your faith. It should be obvious to those who see you or know you what your beliefs are. Many Catholic-Christians do not want to talk about matters of God or religion. It’s okay to have differing opinions; in fact it is good. I can imagine the smile on God’s face when a group of people get together and share their convictions and ideas about their faith. We have to live in a way that shows we truly believe in God.
October 22, 2021
From Jesus Always (2018)
Share your struggles with Me
This is one really great reading for me! How often do I not go to Jesus with my problems? Why not? I know that I don’t want to sound like a whining kid, complaining all the time. I want to show Jesus just how strong I am. I can handle all things! Jesus knows this is not true, just at I do. First off, I must be honest with myself and not be afraid to tell Jesus just how weak and weary I am; that I am overwhelmed. He already knows that! He is happy when I go to him. Maybe He doesn’t see it as complaining, but as a way to communicate with Him. He wants me to be honest and straight-forward with Him, get real with Him. He sits in loving patience for me to go to Him with everywhere and do everything!
I must learn to relax deeply with Jesus, thus releasing myself from trying to always perform. He asks me to be still. This comes from my favorite Psalm: “Be still and know that I am God…”—Psalm 46:10. Jesus wants me to refresh and renew myself through His Perfect Presence. He will show me the way forward when His time is right for me. Jesus doesn’t put me on a timeline or a schedule to be with Him. He lets me decide when I am ready. As I continue on my journey with Jesus, He holds me my right hand so as to give me courage to keep going. He whispers to me along the path: “Do not fear; I will help you.”—Isaiah 41:13
October 21, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2017)
Hold My Hand
Jesus talks of me having resentment when there is an interference in my plans or desires. This resentment is what Jesus wants me to release. To accept things as they ARE, not as I wish them to be. Jesus wants me to let The resentment surface so that He and I can deal with them. Jesus will free me of negative feelings, but I have to do my part and LET JESUS HELP ME.
The solution to many feelings of resentment is to hold on to Jesus’ hand with all the strength I can muster. I am told in today’s reading that I need to be prepared to let go of anything Jesus may take from me…but the one thing to hang onto is His Hand. To hang onto the “things” in my life often gives me a sense of entitlement, a sense of control. And, I have neither. I know on an intellectual level that I am not entitled to anything in this life. All that I have are gifts. Jesus gives, and Jesus can take. When something is taken from me, it is usually a lesson that is given to me.
October 20, 2021
From Spiritual Quotes
Mother Angelica
“Sometimes we ask God for things, and we seem to get the exact opposite. God sees the whole chapter. You just see the beginning.”—Mother Angelica
It does seem that we often don’t get what we ask for, but something entirely different. Why? We may be asking with the wrong motives; that what we ask for is not good for us, or could lead us into sin. Sometimes the answer is a flat NO! Do you recall asking your parents for something you were certain they would give you and the answer is no? “No” can be a protection word; it may be our salvation.
Since Our Father knows us so well, He is going to KNOW what we really need. But you can be assured that what we do receive will be just what we need. When you don’t get what you ask for, has nothing to do with how much He loves us. Usually God has another plan for us; a better plan. We will not get what we ask for if it is detrimental to our soul and body.
We often think we know what is best for us, but we really don’t; only God knows. And we have to put our trust in Him and accept, with thanksgiving, His answer. Another thing, we live on God’s time and what we ask for may not be granted for a very long time. If you believe that your prayers and questions are not answered, do not think for one minute that it is because He doesn’t love us. Thinking that way is a lie from the enemy, Satan. Remember, that God truly does hear us; we just have to be patient.
October 19, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Come to Me
Jesus wants us to be who we are. He does not think us better if we can do everything. We need to learn that we cannot do it all on our own. We need to be dependent on Jesus, and forget what others might think of us. We all have weaknesses; physical, emotional, spiritual. Admitting these weaknesses to Jesus makes us very human, just the way He wants us. Jesus likes us to be dependent on Him; to be like little children. Remember when you were a child, how safe and loved you felt while walking with a parent and holding their hand? That’s just what Jesus wants us to feel with Him. Close your eyes and envision yourself as a child with Jesus and soak in all that cared-for, safe, comforting love.
In this reading, we are told the be free to be ourselves. And the best way to do that is to be themselves at church; at Mass. Some people can hardly wait for Mass to be over. They are out the door before the closing hymn begins. Jesus asks us to be a part of Jesus’ Presence at Mass. Listen closely to the words. Close your eyes and imagine Jesus at the Last Supper, breaking the bread and sharing the wine. Imagine what it must feel like to be with Jesus as He changes the bread and wine into His body and blood. I sit up front at Mass so that I can see the priest clearly and hear the words of Jesus just as He did on that dark night of the Last Supper.
October 18, 2021
from Jesus Calling
Proverbs 3:25-26
(I had nothing actually planned for today, but for some reason I checked back to last year and 2019’s blog. And as the Holy Spirit often does, He lets me know what I should do. I never dreamt that when I wrote this that we would be living through what we most fear.)
“Have no fear of sudden disaster or the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.”—Proverbs 3:25-26
Words like these from Proverbs pop up quite frequently in the Bible. One common idea in these verses is the thought or idea that our God (Father, Son and Spirit) will, and is, always be with us. He is our guide on our daily travels. Within any one day we might see rough, rocky terrain (our problems); wild and dangerous animals (Satan); flooding, fast-moving waters (our sorrows). He is there to make sure we have on our safety rope (our faith); our good walking shoes (our trust); our helmet (Jesus).
Notice the words: sudden disaster in the verse above. This is different from the bad things we know are coming. We can plan for them, prepare and be ready to meet those situations head on. But the sudden disaster or terror is the one that strikes in the middle of the night. It might be a serious car accident, a sudden illness (heart attack), a storm; tornado, flood or hurricane. We cannot be totally prepared for those things. They come fast and furious.
Our God does not want us to live in fear of an unexpected event of tragedy. Worrying about what might happen only makes us anxious people. Anxiety takes away our ability to be completely with Jesus during our daily trek with Him. We have Jesus with us, so that IF something happens, we know we have everything covered by His Presence!
October 17, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Anxiety
Today’s reading tells us that anxiety is the result of seeing or imagining the future without Jesus. But when we are in constant communication with Jesus, we can defend ourselves against such worry. How bad can a worry be when you envision it with Jesus at your side? We know that Jesus was with us in all our troubled times in the past; that He will be with us today in whatever situations we find ourselves and He will be with us in our tomorrows.
We usually talk to Our Lord about our troubles, and we know that He hears. But did you know that Jesus also talks to us? We have to be able to listen as well as speak. It will not be like you and Jesus sitting down at a table talking to each other. It is more difficult to listen for His words. You have to be able to shut out the world to communicate properly with Jesus. After telling what you need to tell Jesus, be quiet, close your eyes and listen. Notice is there is a word or phase that comes to your mind or if you may see an image of something in your mind’s eye. This is Jesus talking to you. And, sometimes, you just have an instinct about something and that might be Jesus as well.
When considering upcoming events, don’t stay in the future because your anxieties will blow up into something bigger. It is suggested that when we think in the future to be sure and include Jesus. When a fear about the future frightens you, picture Jesus at your side. Remember, we are not in charge of our future; the future belongs to Jesus.
October 16, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Look to Me continually
Because Jesus is our help, comfort and companion, we look to Him all the time; continually. He tells us that all that is needed is just a quick glance can connect us to Him. Jesus’ help flows into us freely from Him. We need to admit to ourselves that we truly need Jesus. We need Him for the big problems of life and for the tiny everyday petty things that go wrong.
In this reading we are told that when we need comfort, it is Jesus’ desire to hold us in His arms. What a gift of comfort! We remember being hugged by our parents growing up, and what a great comfort it was to have loving arms wrapped around us. Jesus tells us that this comfort can be channeled through Him to others.
We are told that the constant companionship of Jesus is the greatest blessing! We may lose many things, but never will we lose the many blessings. This great blessing experience can never be taken away from us; no one can take it away. In Psalm 34:4-6 we are told that those who look to Jesus become radiant, and never covered in shame. Looking to the Lord, we seek His Face through His Strength. Remember, you only need to give a quick glance at Jesus to connect with Him.
October 15, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2017)
Keep your focus on Me
The way to keep from straying from Jesus, and staying on the path with Him is to ‘keep my focus on Him’ always. I must learn not to give in to the temptation to listen to others who often bring about negativity. I sometimes feel like I get swallowed up whole when I listen to and buy into others perspectives. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and often others seem to force their ideas on me. They are only opinions. The facts and truths of the world come from Jesus.
When I get wrapped up in others ideas and opinions I open the door to discord for myself and others. Pride and self-will enter into my soul and I find myself farther and farther away from Jesus. His Presence is ‘a promise and a protection.’ Jesus is the only way I can successfully walk the tricky path of my daily life.
This is from 2017. The message has not changed at all! During these strange times, we need to keep our focus on Jesus. He will help us with the anxiety we have and will put to rest, some of our fears. I suppose, as humans, we will always “worry” about what others think about us. But the only person we should care to think about us is Jesus.
October 14, 2021
From Jesus Today (2020)
One Step at a Time
We’ve all heard these words before and we should be practicing them. It can get hard to put these words into practice when the world seems to be spinning faster than ever! Sometimes it seems as if the path that Jesus chose for today is too difficult; too steep and rocky, or unknown terrain, or maybe you just feel too tired to even go today. Jesus was human when He was on earth and He knows what it feels like to be tired and weary. Think about how He might have felt after His forty days of fasting in the desert, only to have Satan challenge Him at His weakest. But that is what Satan does, catches us off guard, when we are tired, or when we are depressed.
Jesus walks before us, at our side and behind us. He is there to protect us from all elements and dangers. But, we have to continue to walk WITH Jesus; taking one step at a time. When you feel like you cannot even move your feet for one more step, look around you. Jesus is everywhere. Look, and see Jesus at work with you, helping you to lift your left foot, then your right foot, then your left. . . . .
Never give up! Keep trying and that is when you will find one of God’s wonders; when you least expect it. It might be the sun peeking through the clouds that covered the sky all day. It might be finding a lost item that you’ve been searching for. Maybe a song that gives you peace. Remember that our ultimate goal is the same for all of us; the hope of heaven.
October 13, 2021
From Spiritual Quotes
St. Padre Pio
While looking at spiritual quotes today, I seemed to have found those relating to Satan. So perhaps this is what I am to write today.
“Have courage and do not fear the assault of the Devil. Remember this forever; it is a healthy sign if the devil shouts and roars around your conscience since this shows that he is not inside your will.”—Padre Pio
I certainly feel and see the works of the devil around me and in the world. Those people who believe Lucifer is their god, are openly evil. I don’t think they even have a soul. The people who Padre Pio refers to must have the devil in their will. It’s easy to close our eyes to the evils of the world; it is a much better life without them around. But, the evil one is here, and I believe we are in a war with him. Good verses evil.
I believe God wants us all to pay particular attention to the world with Satan. He has been here for a long time, and I’m sure he plans to stay longer. But the children of God are putting on their armor of prayer and are standing up to Satan. We will battle him with the prayer and good deeds; sacrifice and alms and most importantly, we will keep our hearts and souls open to the good around us. We ask Mary to help us protect our beloved United States. We ask St Michael to be at our sides. We ask our guardian angel to keep us alert. You know when you take the “D” off of devil, you have evil…
October 12, 2021
From Jesus Always
Lean on Me
There was a song, and a movie years ago call “Lean on Me”. Some of the words in the song are: Lean on me when you’re not strong. This is also the message that Jesus gives to us. He tells us He is our Shield. He will work to give us strength. The key to accepting those words is TRUST. We will not be able to walk with Jesus if we don’t trust Him. And, He tells us the more we trust in Him, the happier our hearts will be.
Jesus knows that it seems in the world are spinning out of control. Even though we know it is part of His plan, we still seem to lack in the trust in Him that allows us to lean on Him. He also knows how hard it is for us to keep up our trust in Him during great adversity. We are not to try to understand Jesus’ ways.
Another element we need to be able to lean on Jesus is to accept what comes to us. Accept the pain, loneliness, fear, anxiety with thanksgiving. I know, that sounds impossible, but we can do it. There is always something, however tiny it may be, that gives us cause for thanksgiving in the midst of darkness.
“I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.”—Psalm 18: 1-2
October 11, 2021
From Spiritual Quotes
Psalm 25: 4-5
“Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior; and my hope is in you all day long.”—Psalm 25: 4-5
We all pray to God, or Jesus, or the Holy Spirit. We know that they are one and the same. But sometimes we need something more special. So it is with Jesus for me. I know He walks with me daily and He, Himself, has walked this earth. He has gone through some of the same things I have. As a child, He lost His first tooth. As a young carpenter-in-training, He surely had some sort of injury. As a young man, He suffered the loss of His earthly father, Joseph. Jesus knew what it felt like to have a pebble in His sandal, but He also knew the joys of life.
I want Jesus to teach me what I need to know. I don’t ask for specifics because I don’t know what I need; I don’t even know what I want. Jesus teaches me as we walk together through each day. He points out the dangers that lay ahead and He shows me the beauty of nature. He expects me to tell Him my problems. He will understand. He may even give me ideas of how to solve the problem. Jesus will always give me the truth. He will show me how and where to get the truth. If I can just remember that I am not alone, that Jesus is always with me, I know the path will be easier. I can hope in Jesus all day long.
October 10, 2021
From Spiritual Quotes
St. Martin de Porres
“Everything, even sweeping, scraping vegetables, weeding a garden and waiting on the sick could be a prayer if it were offered to God.”—St Martin de Porres
Just as I was writing the quote from St Martin de Porres, I realized I could offer up this writing task, and so I am. I talk to Jesus sometimes while doing a chore. Things like rinsing dishes and loading the dishwasher. It’s a good time for me to talk/pray because my vision is right in front of me; there are no distractions for my eyes to go to. I see only the sink, dishes and dishwasher. Sitting in in my “prayer” chair I have many visual distractions. I can see through the dining room into the kitchen. Sometimes its better to cover my head so as not to be distracted.
Simple chores are a perfect time to spend with Jesus. You can ask Him how He thinks that dish got a chip in it, or ask Him why this crusted-on food will not come off. As long as you know you are talking to Jesus, it can become a prayer. I live alone and so I talk to myself a lot. But, I try to make it talk with Jesus. I may talking to myself about something, then I will stop and tell Jesus, that I am talking to Him too. Walking is a good way to pray/talk to Jesus. I have said the rosary late at night on my patio and the prayer was more powerful looking at the sky and stars. This may seem strange, but I think of Jesus when I am showering. I’m pretty sure no one had anything like our hot showers in His day. How blessed we are to enjoy all the comforts of life. Chores and Jesus seem to go hand-in-hand and that is a good thing.
October 9, 2021
From Spiritual Quotes
St. Francis de Sales
“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.”—St. Francis de Sales
I’ve noticed lately that when I walk fast, my body starts to hurt. Then I tell myself to slow down, and when I do, I feel better. I have no reason to hurry. The only time for hurrying would be if the building is on fire, or there is an emergency. Moving a little slower allows one to see the beauty around them, whether it is the blue sky and puffy clouds or the green grass, or soon the colorful leaves of autumn.
Being quiet and calm can be hard for some people. I think of the mother with toddlers under her feet. She would like the calm and quiet but it doesn’t happen until the kiddies are in bed. Lately I have found myself complaining. I complain about everything! It might be painful legs, or a dropped and broken glass, or a lost item. I am saying the rosary more often and I find it a calming and soothing time. So, I decided that every time I start to complain, we will say a Hail Mary. Sometimes I have to say several, but it does calm me down. It has also made me aware of how much I complain!
We live in a world that does seem to be upside down. The news seems to be a joke many times. I see people who are still angry from 2016. I see people who walk around with a perpetual frown on their faces. They don’t even laugh at jokes! How sad for them. These people probably have never felt inner peace. They don’t know what they are missing. I think you need to have Jesus in your heart to know what peace, calm and quiet really mean.
October 8, 201
From Spiritual Quotes
St. Padre Pio
“Listen to the Mass, the way the Virgin Mary, stood at Calvary”—St. Padre Pio
What did Mary go through as she watched her only Son die on the cross. For a parent to watch a child die, regardless of their age, must be heart-wrenching. She would have seen things that the others may not have noticed while watching Jesus. As His mother, she might have watched the rhythm of his heart beating, watching it grow slow. May be she watched as the last of His blood was drained from His body. How did she feel when the soldier dipped a sponge attached to his sword into sour, spoiled wine and offer it to Jesus? This was not done with compassion but with hate. How the mocking and provocative actions must have hurt her.
We go through Calvary at every Mass. The words of the Liturgy of the Eucharist take us back to the Last Supper, where the Words of Jesus to His apostles are repeated at every Mass. It is like a re-inactment of that night; from the taking of the bread, breaking it, and to giving it to his disciples. “Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my Body, which will be given up for you.” This is followed by the same words Jesus used at the Last Supper as He offered up the cup of wine. “Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is the chalice of My Blood, the Blood of the New and Eternal Covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of Me.”
We can try to listen to the Mass the way Mary stood at the Cross. Listen to the words and think about the suffering that Jesus went through for our sins.
October 7, 2021
From Spiritual Quotes
Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
“Each day: Hold back the sarcastic word. Return a kindly answer to a sneer. Seal the lips on the scandal you just heard (which probably, like all scandals, is 99.99% untrue.) It is the motive that matters —do this out of love of God.”
I kept going back to this one when looking for inspiration. This is something for everyone. It is not about taking sides, or differing opinions. This is an every day experience that we have had, or will have. It is difficult to do. Imagine someone telling you something is a very snarky tone. It is instinctive to be sarcastic back. It’s human nature. But many of us can overcome that nasty urge to be mean if we walk with Jesus every day. If we remember that He is at our side. In fact, if we envisioned Jesus next to us when someone is sarcastic, we would probably be kind, because we would not allow ourselves to be offensive in front of Jesus.
Fighting to hold back a nice juicy scandal from escaping our mouths is just as hard. But when we think about the words of Bishop Sheen, that like all scandal are 99.99% untrue, we might be able to stop ourselves from spreading gossip. One of the worst things we can do to someone is spread gossip about them. Since we are not the topic of the gossip, we have no way of knowing what is true and what is not. It’s best to keep our mouths shut. Truth always comes out, so if by chance, there was any truth, it will be exposed.
Why we stop ourselves from being involved in sarcasm and gossip is because we love Jesus. We love Him so much we cannot imagine we would behave in an unkind way, with Jesus at our side. No matter what we do, good or bad, mean or nice, gentle or rude, Jesus is always there. He will not go away! Thank goodness!
October 6, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2017)
Follow Me wholeheartedly
I am willing to follow Jesus with my whole heart no matter where He goes. I go with Him not knowing what lies ahead. Jesus DOES know where and how we will travel in my daily journey. I know that some of my greatest blessings are to be found when I am with Jesus. He is my Shepherd. He is the Shepherd of my soul. Jesus tells me to walk by faith—not by sight.
Jesus warns me that He may only lead me with My Hand to support me. But that is more than enough to get me safely to where I need to be. Along the way there may be rushing rivers or streams that may be difficult to cross. These could be the troublesome times that I periodically have to go through; difficult and dangerous during the crossing, but eventually safely across. There may be mountains to climb. These could be some of the tough decisions that I have to make. But, I know that the view from the top of the mountain is beautiful and a reward for the trek up the dangerous slope. Then, there are the wild animals who threaten to tear me apart. They could be Satan and his evil ways of destruction and killing. Sin kills my soul. I will not close my eyes to what is around me, but rather follow Jesus wholeheartedly.
October 5, 2021
From Spiritual Quotes
The Crucifix
“Never let your home be without a crucifix upon its walls, to the end that all who enter it may now that you are a disciple of a Crucified Lord, and that you are not ashamed to own it.” Saint Jean Vianney
Do you have a crucifix on the wall(s) of your home? When I married in the mid sixties, a crucifix was often given as a gift. It was usually what was called a “sick call crucifix”. This crucifix was to be hung on the wall of your home and used when the priest came to give the Last Rites. The cross itself was a sliding lid or cover, and when opened, it contained a small bottle for holy water and beeswax candles. I don’t know why it is not used when Last Rights are given in the home. When a priest anoints someone, he brings all the elements he needs for the rite. Most anointings take place in a hospital or hospice setting.
My crucifix hangs by my front door in the entryway. And I have a second crucifix on my bedroom wall, which belonged to my parents. I remember seeing it on their bedroom wall. They were often found in Catholic home in the late 1800s and early 1900s to be used by a priest when he goes to a home to anoint a dying person.
A cross or crucifix is hung on a wall of your home as a reminder of Christ’s redemptive sacrifice, and is often used in prayer or devotion to Our Lord; as a guard against evil. Prayer in front of a crucifix is encouraged as a means of focusing contemplation on Christ.—from an internet post.
The crucifix is one of the most recognizable images in the world and for many it evokes a range of emotions. The crucifix is a powerful image. Unlike a simple cross, the wall crucifix features the figure of Christ being crucified. This raw, visual reminder of how much Jesus suffered can be difficult to look at. Yet, as sorrowful as this image is, it’s also a beautiful triumphant image.
It reminds us that Jesus’ suffering was for out benefit—our sins will be forgiven and we will gain everlasting life; after our death, we’ll experience no more pain, sadness, or anything bad. There is so much more to learn about this precious symbol.—From the Daily Bread online.
October 4, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2017)
The Glory of My Spirit is within you
I am grateful that The Spirit lives within my soul. Sometimes The Spirit is like a censor or a deflector, signaling me to go in a different direction. This is very necessary in my life! The Spirit helps me every step along the way.
Is Jesus and The Spirit one and the same? I believe so, just as God, Jesus and The Spirit are all One and the same. Someone told me years ago about a way she thought about the Trinity that helped her understand the mystery of the Trinity. She told me that she was a mother, a sister and a daughter. This makes perfect sense to me. As a being I have three entities. At various times in my life I will call upon my mother, or my sister, or my daughter.
The Spirit and Jesus work hand-in-hand in guiding me every day on my life journey. I can associate with Jesus on a more human level since He was human on earth. I know He knows what it feels like to have a pebble stuck in His sandal. Jesus had the emotions of a human being as well. He felt sorrow and joy. Especially in my feelings, I know Jesus truly understands me when I am hurting emotionally. But both The Spirit and Jesus are there to comfort me.
October 3, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2020)
Trust Me
I am working diligently on making my trust in Jesus stronger. It is hard when there is so much doubt around me. But in the past few weeks I find myself turning my worries and fears over to Him and the reward is finding that my trust has strengthened. I am still concerned about my tomorrows, but because I know that God is in charge of all things, I know that no matter what happens, He is behind it with me.
I am watching The Chosen on my iPad for about the fifth time. I like to watch it right before I go to sleep, then my mind if full of the beauty of the program. I seem to get something different from it each time I watch. It is beautifully written and filmed and I feel as though I am right there, next to Jesus and His disciples. Many things in this program make me smile as well as cry. There is a hint of humor but it is mostly the way the characters are developed. Who could not smile while Jesus is talking with the little children. I cry in awe of the miracles Jesus performs. I cry in sorrow that I am not there, with the people in Capernaum, watching the vendors hawking their goods to the people in the streets. I realize how blessed I was to go to the Holy Land a few years ago, and now I can truly see the lay of the land.
We see people in The Chosen who find it hard to trust Jesus at first. Simon was not impressed with Jesus at first sight, but once Jesus told them to throw their fish nets over the side and their boat was overloaded with fish, Simon believed. We don’t have the events of Jesus’ day to help our trust grow. We have to work on it; we have to believe!
October 2, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Jesus Loves US
We may take it for granted, Jesus’ love for us. We forget just how much He loves us. First He is with us at all times. He never leaves us for one minute. Your most precious love on earth, your soulmate, your precious child cannot love you in the way that Jesus does. You may think you know everything about your loved one, or that they know everything about you, but they are not always with you. Generally you are separated during the day because of working jobs. Sometimes there is even a distance that keeps you apart. But they are not with you at all times. Jesus is the only human who can be with you at all times.
He knows everything about you as well. He even knows the number of hairs on your head. Jesus was with you from the moment of your conception. He knows things about us before we do. He knows our future.
People search diligently for someone who can love and understand them. And sometimes they think they have found it. But there is always one thing different from the love of Jesus. He is always with us. He can understand us even when we don’t understand our selves. Jesus is there to protect us always, at all times. Even the most ardent lover, is not able to do that.
We must open our hearts to Jesus to receive Him as our Savior. You will find that you can truly depend on Jesus for anything and everything you need. “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him in truth.”—Psalm 145:18
October 1, 2021
Spiritual Quotes
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
“Oh my God, forgive what I have been, correct what I am, and direct what I will be.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
I love the above quote. It is very similar to the Serenity Prayer. In it we ask God for three things: Serenity, Courage and Wisdom. In St. Elizabeth’s quote we ask God to Forgive, Correct and Direct. In many ways they carry the same theme in asking God to help us in our past actions, our present actions and our future actions.
We all want forgiveness from God for our sins and faults of the past. We then ask Him to correct the things that are not right. Finally we ask Him to show us the way; direct us to what He wants in us. We must first be alert to God or Jesus. We have to keep our eyes open for what opportunities He gives us; then we have to act upon them. We need to keep our ears open to hear His word. Sometimes a word or words is given to us when we are quiet and at peace. We think we have stumbled on an idea. Most often, it is the Holy Spirit whispering in our ear. Or, you may “see” something in your mind.
(Pay attention. One day, a year or so ago, I was in the Adoration Chapel. I was asking for guidance at to who or what needs the most prayers. In my mind, I clearly saw the outline of two large hands, holding the outline of a baby. I felt abortion was the idea I needed to have. But in the time since then, I have learned about other babies. Other babies, children and adults. They are the trafficked children. They disappear from their families, never to be seen again. They are purchased at a high price. You can research them, because I will not print what happens to them.)
September 30, 2021
Catholic Faith
Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
“Moral principles do not depend on a majority vote. Wrong is wrong, even if everybody is wrong. Right is right, even if nobody is right.”—Venerable Fulton J. Sheen 1953
Bishop Sheen was a man with so much wisdom. Everything he said made sense. Though as a child, I was bored with his program, there was always something in his eyes that made me feel as though he could look through to my soul. He believed in the Ten Commandments exactly the way they were written. Word for word, from God. Today, many people want to adjust the words a little, add on a few or omit some words. But Bishop Sheen is right. Just because most people believe one way, doesn’t mean that they are correct. Majority rules only in some places, but not with our faith. God wrote the words the way He meant them.
I remember as a kid, my mother would tell me: if everybody jumped off a cliff, would you? And I said no then and I say no today. It can be difficult to have differing opinions. I can be hard to hang on to your beliefs when everyone else believes differently. When we follow the commandments of God, we must learn to stand firmly in His Words. You don’t have to trust other people’s opinions or ideas, but you do have to trust God’s Words. In fact, you should want to trust God’s Words over all other words.
September 29, 2021
From Catholics Faith
Padre Pio
“The rosary was Padre Pio’s favored prayer. He prayed it many times a day, decade after decade. He had always a rosary wrapped around his hands or are, as if was a jewel or a shield. He had other rosaries under the pillow and on the nightstand. He called the rosary his ‘weapon’. He had made a resolution years earlier to say ‘daily no less than five complete rosaries.’” Padre Fernando da Reese
So what am I writing about today? In looking for something different, I found several pieces on Padre Pio. I don’t know very much about him, except that he is a modern-day saint. The more I read about him the more I like him. Saying the daily rosary has been a nemesis to me, until earlier this year. I decided I wanted to say the rosary everyday. After a while, maybe a few months, I could not go to sleep unless I had said a rosary. I try to say it during the day, when I less likely to fall asleep. I like to meditate on the mysteries of the rosary, make a visual in my mind. I also say the rosary with five miracles of Jesus. The Wedding at Cana, Feeding 5000, Calming the Sea, The hemorrhaging woman, and Jesus ‘awakening’ Lazarus. I have written stories about most of the mysteries and miracles, so I have a clear picture in my mind.
In this world of stress and anxiety, we need to say the rosary as often as we can. It is hard to get started but it becomes a routine after a while. It’s like going to the gym; difficult at first, then you find yourself lost without your routine at the gym. Padre Pio wore a rosary on him. He didn’t carry it, but wore it like a bracelet. He had on his nightstand and under his pillow. Maybe if you are having a hard time, begin with just having the rosary under your pillow, and being aware of it. May hold it in your hand and feel the beads; their shape, size and texture. You might begin holding your rosary in your hand and just saying maybe five Our Fathers, Hail Mary’s and Glory Be. If you can’t remember the mysteries, think of some of the major stories of the Bible. If you have the time, and many and most of you don’t, stop in your church adoration chapel, unplanned, and say a rosary. Maybe have a statue of Mary in your house that you can look at while praying. Or, like I do sometimes, late at night, sit on the quiet cool patio and say a rosary looking at the stars.
I know that Mary looks down on all of us and is joyful when we say the rosary. She is the patroness of our country. Our country is in trouble now and there is no better time to pray the rosary than right now. Think of Mary often and the rosary and ask for Her blessings as you pray.
September 28, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2018)
Resist the devil
“Resist the devil in My Name” . . . The devil appears to be more prevalent in the world today. I see him in the hate that people have for others. The devil has a tight grip on America. We can fight him. I can fight him, but I must stay close to Jesus. I have to look for Jesus in around every corner, behind every door, in every person. Spending time with Jesus helps me fight off the evil tactics of the devil. One way the devil tries to undermine me is to try and convince me that I am not totally loved by Jesus. He makes me doubt that Jesus could ever love me like the child I am in His eyes.
I know that Jesus loves me. I know that He is always on my right side, He is close to my ear so as to whisper the things I need to know and understand. When I walk my daily journey with Jesus, He keeps me from going off track; from tripping and falling; from being distracted by things that are not of my business. I feel the Presence of Jesus when I go to a quiet place and focus on Him. I can hear His voice sometimes in response to my questions and problems. As long as I hang onto the sleeve of Jesus’ garment, I will be able to resist the devil in His Name.
September 27, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Relax with Jesus
How wonderful to relax with Jesus. How would you imagine it? I could see a tropical place, by the water, soft waves lapping the shore, the air smelling of the sea. Perhaps a seagull or two. Comfortably sitting in cushioned chairs. If the sun is too bright, a nice umbrella for shade. We would talk about anything and everything. But mostly we would enjoy the relaxing atmosphere.
Well, I know that’s not going to happen, but I can go there in my imagination. Jesus tells us in this reading that our weakness is an opportunity to grow strong. He tells us that when our energy fails us not to look inside ourselves and bemoan ourselves. If Jesus allows us to be weak, it is for a purpose. Know that you can go to Him and ask for His help with your energy. I wonder if when people go through stages of weakness or low-energy if it isn’t because it is time to charge up. When a battery is charging, it just sits and pulls in the energy from the charge. It doesn’t have to give any energy away while charging.
We need to take time to relax. Some people work seven days a week. They never take time off. It may bring in more money, but money for what? If you have no time, what good is money? We need to rest when we are tired. Listen to your body. Jesus rested when He needed to. Resting is a good time to take an imaginary trip with Jesus. Maybe the mountains to enjoy the beauty. Maybe a little cabin int the woods. Relax. Relax with Jesus.
MY SEPTEMBER STORY
September, 2021
Cain and Abel
Adam and Eve were banned from the Garden. They would have to make their own lives, living off the land. Adam had to build shelter and till the soil. Eve had to help Adam with his labor.
Eve gave birth to two sons, Cain, the first son and Abel the second son. The boys helped work the land and tend to the sheep. As they grew up they each chose what they wanted to do. Cain chose to work the land. He tilled the soil and grew beautiful crops. Abel, on the other hand enjoyed working the sheep. He loved the gentleness of the sheep and how they always followed him.
It was during harvest time that each was to make an offering to God. Cain picked his finest wheat, which he took a personal pride in. Abel offered one of his first and best offspring from his flock.
God was most pleased with Abel’s offering. God accepted Abel’s offering but not Cain’s. Dejected, Cain became angry. God asked Cain, “Why are you so angry? Why do you look so dejected?” Further He told Cain, “You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then beware! Sin is sitting at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”
Cain took what God told him lightly. Evil began to grow inside Cain. The same evil that provoked Adam and Eve. It grew and grew, and then he had an idea.
One day, Cain went to Abel and said, “It’s a beautiful day! Let’s to out into the fields.”
When they got to a secluded place, Cain attacked Abel and killed him. A short time later, God asked Cain where his brother, Abel was.
With anger, Cain snapped, “How should I know? I’m not my brothers keeper!”
“What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground,” said the Lord. “Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has swallowed your brother’s blood. No longer will the ground yield good crops for you, no matter how hard you work! From now own you are banished from my presence and will be homeless and will have to wander the earth for the rest of your life!”
Cain cried out to God! “My punishment is too great for me to bear! Wandering in a land unknown, and without your presence, will make me vulnerable for anyone to kill me!”
“No, for I will give a sevenfold punishment to anyone who kills you.” Then God put a mark on Cain to warn anyone who might to kill him. Cain, truly dejected, left and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
September 26, 2021
Inspirational Quotes
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”—Martin Luther King
There are many quotes from Martin Luther King, but I don’t recall ever hearing this one. He was a very smart man. He knew that it wasn’t the color of ones skin that was the problem, but the hatred it carried with it. We all have ways of thinking about light and darkness. I can see it as Light is Love; Dark is Hate. Light is Good; Dark is Evil. Light is Giving; Hate is Taking. Light is Joy; Dark is Sadness. Light is God; Dark is Satan.
When I equate material things with things of the heart, I can better see, better understand. Light and darkness are like a good blend of spices that work so well together, like salt and pepper. We know that sugar does not go with pepper or salt. But, sugar works well with cinnamon, however. It is good to be in the light. We can get there by keeping Jesus close to our hearts. Think about Him throughout the day. Darkness will approach us. We need to recognize what it is and avoid it at all costs.
We find ourselves in a troubled world, just as Martin Luther King did. We must learn how to fight the challenge of worldly problems. We will not be deserted by our God, but we must not desert Him either.
September 25, 2021
From Jesus Always (2020)
Live with Peace with Everyone
This message begins: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Sounds to me like Jesus understands that it is not always possible to be at peace with everyone. Jesus was calm when he had to deal with Satan after His forty-day fast. Jesus finally cast the devil out. Had Jesus reached His limit with the devil? “At times there will be someone who is determined to oppose you—without good cause. In this case, I don’t hold you accountable for the conflict.”
We know that we are always going to have to deal with people who oppose us. We see it all the time these days.We are told that more often than not we contribute to the dissension. We are told by Jesus that we are to do what we can to restore a peaceful relationship. And, in either situation, we have to forgive the person who offended us.
We must learn to listen. Not just hear the word, but what the other person is saying without allowing our mind to distort it. So being quick to listen is the first step and the second is being slow to anger. We need to take time to think through things, thoroughly. Listening then taking a breath or two before responding. This will help us to carefully HEAR what the other person is saying.
I believe that most people today who are struggling with communicating with others due to opposite views feel that they are right and the opposition is wrong. Is the truth somewhere in between? No one person knows everything! Only God knows everything, and He doesn’t share what He knows.
September 24, 2021
Inspirational Quotes
“Two things you are in total control of in your life are your ATTITUDE and your EFFORT. @ashley_welborn
These two words work so well together. Attitude and Effort. I believe when you have a better attitude, your effort is greater, and when you put forth your greatest effort, you have a better attitude. When a person’s attitude is poor they don’t want to keep going. They want to quit. Perhaps their effort is good while attitude is poor, you can still come out on top. Because you have a healthy effort, you can’t help but increase your attitude.
Jesus gives us access to both of these gifts. He expects us to use them wisely. He expects a good attitude with great effort. After all, that is the way He lived His life here on earth. Jesus was not a negative person. Everything He did, was done with the best effort and for the good of the people. He was understanding, gentle, kind, personable and caring. He did die on the cross for us after all.
Sometimes we just can’t seem to try any harder. That happens sometimes. No one is expected to be perfect. But we are expected to try our hardest. We are all going to face a time when we feel we have truly run out of gas. That’s okay too. This creates a great opportunity for us. Call on Jesus for help. He’s there, waiting for us to ask. If you don’t have it in you to ask, just say His Holy Name: Jesus. He’s waiting for you.
September 23, 2021
Isaiah 58:9
“Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.”
I belong to a widows group; have for over ten years. We met last night and a topic that came up was loneliness. Most of us like being alone; having the freedom to do what we want, when we want. But there is always an element of loneliness. We have all felt this more strongly since Covid and isolation. We don’t know how long all of this distancing will go on and what do we do about those feelings of loneliness.
I saw this passage this morning and thought it reminded me of the discussion of loneliness. We know intellectually and spiritually that we are NOT alone. But I think the emotional element gets in the way. We NEED Jesus in our lives, just not in times of prayer, but all the time. We need to keep it foremost in our minds that Jesus LIVES with us.
Jesus knows when we are lonely or sad. And once in a while He comes to us to comfort us. But in Isaiah’s words it seems we are to call on Him! When we call, He will answer, and quickly. But how often do we put off asking Jesus for His help with our loneliness? Jesus surely understands us. I am sure there were times that Jesus felt lonely. Perhaps after His earthly father’s death, He felt alone. We know that Jesus felt alone in the Garden of Gethsemane the night He was arrested. It’s okay to feel lonely, we all do. But we cannot let those sad feelings take over our lives. We just have to remember that Jesus will answer, and quickly.
September 22, 2021
From Inspirational Quotes
“Waiting times are growing times and learning times. As you quiet your heart, you enter His peace. . .as you sense your weakness, you receive His strength. . .as you lay down your will, you hear His calling.”—Roy Lessin
“As you lay down your will” . . . These words speak out to me today. It isn’t saying turn over your will, or give it to God, but LAY DOWN YOUR WILL. I can see this idea in my mind. I have done several things to give my will to God. One is to pretend your problem is in your hands; crumble it up in a tight ball, then gently blow on it and watch the issue float away as feathers.
Lay down your will has a comforting sound to me. It’s sounds like lay your sleepy baby in the crib. It is a quiet and gentle action. It is when we are quiet that we can hear the voice of God in our minds. “As you quiet your heart, you enter His peace”. . . His peace allows us to accept our weaknesses so that we can gain His strength. And all of this is done so that we can learn and grow. We do our best to live the way God wants us too. Then, we lay down our will, turning everything over to Him.
September 20, 2021
From Inspirational Quotes
24 Hours in a Day. . . No more. No less. That’s all I have to work with. To do my best to keep my thinking in check. To pray often. To trusts that God cares about me and wants me to succeed. To hold on and not give up. To do for others what I can. To give God my weaknesses and triggers. To grow humility and a deeper gratitude. To give God all the credit. To have peace at the end of every day.—C L Murphy 2014
I could say this any better! For me this is set of rules or guides to a happy life. A to-do list to repeat every day. If this seems a bit too much, how about taking it apart and doing one think at a time. You could begin with the beginning: 24 hours in a day. . . no more, no less. Accepting that no matter how hard you try, you cannot squeeze out even one more second. Maybe one day you could just settle on three words: To pray often. I tell myself to do this everyday and I am not always successful. What about you?
The thought of: To hold on and not give up is an important one for me, as it is with many people. During Covid, we’ve probably said this to ourselves often. For those with illnesses, you understand the power of this. Those who are waiting for someone to come home, from war, school, running away. . .you have no choice but to hang on; you have nothing else. Those of us who believe the world we live in is extraordinarily weird and off somehow. We have to believe that there will be an end to the madness.
24 Hours in a Day. . .
September 19, 2021
From Inspirational Quotes
(I’ve been writing from Jesus Calling and Jesus Always since 2016, and I have written about each date at least three or four times. I keep looking at the inspirational quotes and want to write from some of those.)
Happy Moments, praise God. . . Difficult Moments, seek God. . . Quiet Moments, worship God. .
Painful Moments, trust God. . . Every Moment, thank God.
One wouldn’t think you would need a guide to tell you when and how to connect with God, but I find the above extremely helpful. Many times in the painful times, we want to strike out at God, or maybe in the quiet moments, we don’t know what to say. I can see some using this very quote as a guideline. I can line them up the way I see them in order of importance as well. First of all, seek God, then praise Him, trust Him, worship Him and thank Him. Always, thank Him.
The truth is we don’t really need any guide to tell us when and how to connect to Jesus. He is always at our sides. Simply saying the precious name of God or Jesus is a prayer in itself. And, if you can’t remember how to connect with Him according to the above quote, do whatever feels right for you. It is most important that you remember that He is there for us everyday. Talking to Jesus, or God should be part of our daily routine. It does take a little time. I started saying a rosary everyday at Easter and it was hard at first to get started. I began listening to the rosary on my iphone and prayed along with it. But now, I choose a time that I often need to be quiet. It has become part of my daily routine. Late at night, under a bright moon and light breeze is my favorite however!
September 18, 2021
From Inspirational Quotes
“Listen to your own voice, your own soul, too many people listen to the noise of the world, instead of themselves. Deep inside, you know what you want, let no one decide that for you.”
I ran across this quote this morning and thought about how many times a day people are telling other people what to do or say; and in the same thought, how many people allow other to tell them what to do. God gave each of us our own mind, our own thoughts and ideas. If our mind has something developing in it, it belongs to us. If it comes from someone else, it belongs to them. We are most likely to be in touch with God’s thoughts and ideas, if they are original in us. God doesn’t always go along with everything, but, if you are quiet and patient, you will most likely find what you want.
I can envision friend, telling another friend, what to do about a particular issue. Or a mother telling her daughter how she should feel, because she did at that age. Adult children often want to make decisions for their elderly parents. This is in-asked for advice or decisions. It is different when you ask for outside ideas and decision-making.
We all have choices we can make. We cannot control things, but make choices. It is when we walk with Jesus, and hold Him close to our heart, that choices become a bit easier. Don’t pay attention to the voices of the world. They are usually wrong for you. As you learn to talk or pray with Jesus throughout the day, you will begin to rely on Him to help you with any decisions you have to make.
September 17, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2020)
Knowing the Future
Jesus tells us in this reading of Jesus Calling today, that we are not meant to know the future. It is beyond what we are capable of doing. Further, we will not find peace through excessive planning of our tomorrows. This is an attempt to control what will happen to us. You know how it goes sometimes. Everything is planned an put in place, then something happens to throw everything off. It is like the bride, planning her perfect wedding day. She has a gazebo in the garden for her wedding, and tables will be set up for dining, with a good view of the water. Her dress is perfect, the bridesmaids are stunning, the cake looks delicious and all the people are excited for the big day. Then right before the ceremony, a dark cloud opens and pours on the people, the cake, food, the bride and the groom.
Our minds were not created to read the future, but for constant communication with Jesus. He asks us to bring Him all our needs. Set them before Jesus and He will see to it that you received what you need. Bring Jesus your hopes and He will help you to put your hopes in proper perspective. Bring Jesus your fears and He will help to calm you. You have to turn these things over to Jesus and never try to take them back. Commit to what you say to Jesus.
“Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.”—Psalm 37:5
September 16, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2017)
Following Jesus
I have prayed to Jesus, “Not my will, but Yours” many times. I say this to Him when I am unwilling to bend to His wishes. I often allow myself to believe that I know what is best for me. I actually know that only Jesus knows what is in my future therefore, He knows what is best for me.
Trying to live independent of Jesus will only bring me unhappiness and a sense of emptiness. When my life seems to be going well when I live apart from Jesus, I am not really gaining anything. These times are a façade, making it seem to me that I am growing and gaining in the things that are not really important in the whole scheme of Christian living. I’m sure Satan has his nasty hand in my thinking at those times.
It is only when I follow Jesus wholeheartedly, that I will begin to see in myself the greatness of the gifts and the love of Jesus that may have been hidden. Jesus truly knows me better than I know myself. As a much younger person, I would have thought that by this age I would know every facet of myself. But here I am, and I sometimes think I know nothing of myself. I can still be a stranger to myself! But since I am trying to yield myself to Jesus’ purposes for me, I not only grow closer to Jesus, but I am growing closer to who Jesus made me to be.
September 15, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Rest in Me, my child
I love it when Jesus refers to me as His chid. It’s so easy to imagine being a child around Jesus. It’s easy to be free of stress; peaceful in fact. Children don’t normally feel they have to “perform” in order to receive love. It comes naturally in loving homes. A child feels free to tell their mother or father about the bully at school, or maybe, a poor grade. They (they child) knows that they will be loved unconditionally by the parent. Love is never something you should have to work for.
One thing that Jesus tells us today is not to let our devotion and prayer to Him become a task. It is not something that you check off your list of chores for the day. Your time with Jesus should be something you look forward to, and, you will probably find yourself talking with Jesus throughout the day. Many people go to church because they have to, because of the sin it brings. It’s a little like going to your mother-in-law’s house because you have to.
Love is free. Prayer is free. They don’t hold you responsible to a form of works. I occasionally will meditate on being a child and approaching Jesus, who sits in a comfortable rocking chair. He opens His arms to me and holds me on His lap. As I become at peace and a bit sleepy, I feel the gentle rocking of the chair, as I hear the steady beat of His heart. I can feel His warm breath on my face. I am at peace. I am at rest in Jesus’ arms.
September 14, 2021
From Inspirational Prayer
“May your guardian angels watch over and protect you today. May the Lord fill you with new strength to face any trial you may be going through. Always remember the Lord is right by your side.”—Unknown
(I realized late last night that I never posted anything. I could hurry through a short writing, but decided that it wasn’t necessary, since I am wholly human and I can make mistakes.)
I found this nice little prayer asking my guardian angel to watch and protect me today. How often do you think of your guardian angel? Who do you think your angel is? Could it be someone from your past life? Could it be someone you actually knew of? I have fantasized that my guardian angel is my grandfather. He died when my dad was fifteen years old. I don’t know much about him, but I have seen pictures of him. Some years ago I pondered over my guardian angel. I took myself into deep thought. I had a quick vision of my grandfather and thought maybe he was my angel! Have you ever given your guardian angel a face, or a name? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to know your angel?
As I talk to Jesus throughout the day, it would be so nice to be able to address my angel as well. I would like to have a name and face. I need to thank my angel for all the times I was saved by him/her. It has probably been a lot more than I might imagine. I can imagine my angel and a reinforcement of Jesus. Together they are so strong. They make a perfect duo to protect me. Think about your guardian angel today; talk to your angel and get to know them.
September 12, 2021
From Jesus Always
Trust in Me
Your times are in My Hands. So trust in Me, beloved. . . so goes the first words of this meditation. We are assured that we are being “trained” to feel secure in the midst of change and uncertainty. Sometimes it’s good not to be in control. Think back to your childhood. Think about times you had to make decisions that seemed to big for you. How nice it was to have a parent or teacher there to show you the way. Jesus is that parent or teacher who will encourage us one way or the other. Knowing that Jesus is control of your life can be very freeing.
Of course, you don’t want to go too far with this. You have to co-operate with Jesus, not ignore Him or His guidance. Ask for His help and guidance in a prayerful way. Add some patience to that as well. Jesus answers in His time, not ours.
The key here is prayer. We are asked to pray about everything; to seek Jesus in all our moments. And, expect Jesus in unexpected places. You can be going about your day when you are suddenly struck with a moment with Jesus. Maybe it comes in nature, or kind words, or even a smile. Use prayer to combat your anxiety. Use prayer to combat rushing things. You will have to let Jesus set the pace, and you only have to follow.
September 11, 2021
from Jesus Always (2019)
1 Peter: 5-8
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
The Jesus Always mediation today makes reference to the tragic event of 9/11/01. It also says that the world has been at war ever since Adam and Eve first sinned. They never learned of the evil of Satan until AFTER he tricked them. We on earth are a bit luckier in that we KNOW about Satan. Many people do not believe in him. But, I do. I have felt an evil presence at different times in my life. Perhaps a time of trial when I lost control and went on a rampage. The evil one stood next to me, rubbing his ugly hands together in hopes that I would continue. But when I stop and realize what is going on, I call on Jesus to help me.
Verse 7 of 1 Peter reads: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Very comforting words. For me, this is a lesson reminder to let go of the anxiety that befalls me. In times of trial, we, God’s children, Americans, Christians, need to pull together in prayer. I remember the day after 9/11. It was a Wednesday, and everyone was proudly flying the Stars and Stripes. People went to churches to pray together. Strangers meeting on the streets cried together. We were a unit of God’s children.
Sadly, we are not that way today. But I know that it only takes a few people to get things started. In the song: Let There Be Peace on Earth, the last words are “and let it begin with me.”
September 10, 2021
From Jesus Always (2020)
Teachable Attitudes
Jesus wants us to know that our calls to Him do not go unheard. He does hear us. He does not want us to cry in the dark, out of fear. Instead, He wants us to call on Him and expect glorious Light. We are told in this reading that mankind does not always see what is important. He tells us that we often do not see the obvious. He can perform miracles, which we see, yet we shrug them off as coincidences; mundane occurrences. If we have a teachable attitude, one where we are eager to learn, to discover. A teacher is delighted in a classroom of students who pay attention to the teacher and take interest in what the teacher is saying. A classroom full of sleepy, tired, bored students is a nightmare for a good teacher.
It is interesting to me how differently people see things. Two people see an accident happen and each sees something different. Which one is right? Which one saw what really happened? If both had teachable attitudes, they might discuss what each saw. Through discussion, perhaps the incidents of the accident might be found out. But, teachable attitudes require that both have the desire to listen. This happens far too often today. People get so wrapped up in their own opinion that they do not bother to listen to another side or theory. How would it be for us to call on Jesus, and not have Him listen to us? Teachable attitudes open the mind to learn more, and this happens when we remember to listen before we speak.
September 9, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2020)
I Trust You, Jesus
We walk with Jesus everyday. We are to stay close to Him and follow His lead. But we are mere humans and we often want to venture out on our own. Jesus allows us to do this, but it can be risky. Jesus plans a certain route for us based on the kind of day we will have. If we wander off the trail, we will usually get where we need to be, but we will be late, and perhaps a bit beaten up from the trials we encounter. We need to learn to recognize our faltering as soon as we can. We do this by saying, “I trust You, Jesus.” Simple words, yet powerful. The more often we wander away and the farther we wander, the harder it is to get back to Jesus. Anxious thoughts creep in and take over. We end up feeling stranded and afraid.
Having faith in Jesus is a learned practice. Even when you don’t feel like you really trust Jesus, say it anyway. You can’t learn to play the piano if you don’t practice. You have to force yourself to call on Jesus when you are in need. Eventually you will be telling Jesus you trust Him, because you truly do. It is when we truly trust Jesus that He makes our pathways easier.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”—Proverbs 3:5-6
September 8, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Accept Each Day
Jesus gives us an assignment: To trust Him absolutely. He wants us to accept each day exactly as it comes to us. He wants us to accept the day completely. He understands that there will be days when we do not feel well and it will be harder to accept that day. There are days when our minds are not as clear as we would like and those days will be harder to deal with. But, understand, that no matter the circumstances of our day, Jesus will be with us. We are never to give up on Jesus.
Have you ever asked Jesus for something and you were very specific about it? Maybe that was a problem. I sometimes think we have to learn how to ask Jesus to help us. The carefully planned request is usually not granted in the same way we ask. I read the story of Jesus calming the storm. When it appeared the boat would overturn, Peter asked Jesus to wake up and help them. He did not ask Jesus to calm the storm, or settle their boat. By asking for help, without specifics, Jesus gave the best response to the disciples.
When we accept each day, we don’t ask for particulars. And when asking for help we do not specify. We put our trust in Jesus to be at our sides each day just as Jesus was as the side of the disciples in the storm at sea. We don’t need to specific or articulate; we only have to trust Jesus.
September 7, 2021
From a Spiritual Quote
Pray when you feel like worrying. Give thanks when you feel like complaining. Keep going when you feel like quitting.—DaveWillis.org
The above is like a three-step answer to many of our problems. We worry, we complain and we feel like quitting. I have and do get these feelings. . . often. I was thinking last night while trying to go to sleep, not a good idea. I had imagined a conversation with someone I was to see in the next few days. I admit I am afraid of conflict. And in my imaginary scenario I felt the panic set in. As I imagined a bad dialogue, I suddenly stopped. I tole myself that I was making up something to worry about! I was worried about an event that had not happened, and most probably will not happen. It felt so good not to be worrying about it. I knew the thing that would help me would be to pray. So I did.
I am a complainer. I can’t tell you many times, just today, that I complained. It began when I felt like I couldn’t open my eyes; I was so sleepy. It continued when I couldn’t find a container that I knew I had put into the refrigerator. It kept going when I felt I was complaining to much. Yes, I complained to myself about complaining. But I went to Jesus for help. The above quote says to give thanks when you feel like complaining. I recently injured my hand. It was nothing serious; it just looked worse. But it could have been bad. Every time I look at the bruises on my hand; and I thankJesus that nothing was broke or bleeding.
A lot of people want to quit when things get to be too much. Athletes are people who can show you how to keep going. I like to watch survivor type shows and the person who does not give up or quit is so delighted when they finish. The only way I can think of to keep going is to ask Jesus help me keep going. I ask for strength and help. With Jesus at my side, and me, asking for His help, I can keep going.
September 6, 2021
Reflection
The Gift of America
Today we celebrate Labor Day. For most people it symbolizes the end of summer. As a child, Labor was the day before the first day of school. Most people celebrate it with picnics, swimming, get-to-gathers, a day to have fun. I decided to do some research to see where and how we come to celebrate this day.
“Following the deaths of 13 workers during the Pullman Strike in June of 1894, President Grover Cleveland made reconciliation with the labor movement a top priority of his administration, making Labor Day a federal holiday in 1894.”
This day celebrates the social and economic achievements of workers in the United States according to the Department of Labor. It’s a day to “recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity and well-being.” We are blessed to live in a country today where anyone can have a job.
Our beautiful land is a Gift from God. I like to think that in some way, we are very special to God. He has helped us through ward, famine, natural disasters as well as times of great patriotism and love. We probably don’t look so favorable in God’s eyes today, but we can get back to the country where we have peace, pride and growth. But we will only get there is we continue to pray and pray hard. If you have a hard time thinking about how blessed we are, just look outside your window. Even if you see dark skies and rain, It far more than many lands who live without the beauty of the land. Pray! Ask for healing for our land. And, God Bless America!
September 5, 2021
From Mornings with the Holy Spirit
Listen to my Voice
The first thing Jesus wants us to know is that He hears us when we call to Him. He wants to make sure we understand that. Did you know that Jesus calls out to us? Do we hear Him? We don’t always hear Jesus when He first calls out to us and He may have to repeat Himself or maybe make His call more clear? Sometimes when we call out to Jesus, we feel as if we have to repeat ourselves. Rest assured, He does hear us, but perhaps the timing is off.
We become so distracted sometimes that we seem to block out Jesus’ Voice. When I say “Jesus’ Voice” I don’t necessarily mean a physical sound of voice. His voice can come to us through thoughts and ideas. Sometimes His Voice is a kind of instinct, where we just “know”. Looking out at the world may give you His Voice. If a word, thought, or idea keep coming back it is probably Jesus trying to get your attention.
It is best to always be on the alert for His Voice. Finding a quiet time and quiet place is a good start. When you quietly sit and talk with Jesus, you have to give Him a chance to talk to you. It is not a one-sided conversation. Pray to hear Jesus. Ask Him to give you ears to hear what He is saying so that you don’t miss anything. Ask for revelation and truth.
September 4, 2021
From Jesus Lives (2020)
Control
Some people feel it is their duty or obligation to take control of their family, and friends, lives. But this reading says to leave it up to Jesus. He asks that we entrust our loved ones to Him. “They are much safer with Me than in your clinging hands.” Often LOVE and RESCUE are blended as one concept. But they are not. If you love someone you put their care into the best hands. Most often the best hands are not ours, but Jesus’. Parents especially feel they have to take care of their children’s problems, that they have to find the solution. You want to give good, sound advice, but just because you are a parent, does not mean you have all the answers.
When Jesus institutes a situation for one of our loved ones, we want to solve it for them. We give advice. What happens if what we believe is the solution goes against the grain of Jesus’ solution? Chaos, of course. We are invited to “help” Jesus solve problems, but the solution must be Jesus’. We are not in charge, our He is.
We are given choices. We can choose good or evil. But we do not control any problem or situation. We have to “Let Go, Let God.” Release your loved ones into the Hands of our Lord. You have to trust Him. You have to believe in Him. You have to be ready to go with His solutions. Jesus will work changes in our lives if we release that tight hold we have on our loved ones. They do not belong to us, but they do belong to Jesus.
September 3, 2021
From Mornings with the Holy Spirit
Our Enemy
We probably all have what we think is an enemy, or enemies. Sometimes countries have enemies. Maybe you have a nasty, mean neighbor you might consider your enemy. But the real enemy, the true enemy is Satan, Lucifer! Never have I felt his evil more than I do today. He has a real grip on this world. And, we can get rid of him; send back to where he came from. But we have to pray! Pray hard and long!
This meditation from the Holy Spirit tells us that we are not to be discouraged when things go wrong. We are not to fall into the trap of him. When we are doing the right things, he gets upset with us. He tries to confuse us into believing that right is left; light is dark. He tries to get us off track to get us to forget to pray, or just brush it off as insignificant.
Jesus wants us to know that we make a difference to Him when we continue with prayer. It can become very easy to become frustrated and skip the prayer, but then you are following the path of Lucifer. God will deal with the devil in His own time and His own way. We just need to stay consistent.
September 2, 2021
Jesus is Truly with Me
It’s getting close to 6:00 pm and I am just now getting to writing. I thought about my day and what lessons had I learned. Plenty! I was frustrated a good part of the day. I had an appointment (via computer) with my therapist. She takes very good care of me. She’s observing me to see if I am depressed. No, I am not. And she saw that. We had a good chat. However when I went to write out her check I had two addresses typed in. she just moved to Colorado and I can’t remember which is the correct one.
I needed to run to the store to pick up a few items. I was low on gas so I decided to fill up. When it finished, I took out the nozzle and somehow it did not turn off and gasoline was pouring at my feet. I got it turned off. Quite a bit splashed on my dress, but it can be washed. As I checked out at the grocery store, (I did the self-check) I had everything packed up and ready to go. Then I noticed I had forgotten to ring in my toilet paper and paper towels! The nice lady overseeing the self-checkers came over to me to check on me. I explained to her what happened. I wanted to tell her I was a clown and the circus was in town. But I remained a dignified woman.
Once at home I started to put groceries away. Then sprayed the nice lavender-scented cleaner on the car seats in the front of the car. After changing from my flammable dress. I started to clean up the kitchen counters. I had my hand mixer out from earlier. I tried to pull out the beaters. One always gets stuck. I pulled harder and my thumb accidentally turned on the mixer. Yes, I screamed and quickly turned off while it was trying to distort my hand. I was truly afraid to look at my hand. But I looked at it and it was not deformed like I thought it might be. I could bend everything and that’s good. As an older woman I have thin skin and any little bump caused one of those purple spots like your grandma had. There is a slight gash but it is okay.
My day should have ended, but it is the second of the month and I always pay the bills the first three days of the month. I HATE paying bills. I have two bills that go on my credit card and it seems I never have the right user name or password. I could have written fifteen checks in the time it took to sort it out. But now I sit at my table and I am finished.
What I learned today, was that I was never alone; not for one second! Jesus was with me the whole time. Perhaps he whispered in my ear to turn off the gasoline, or turn off the hand mixer. Even though I was frustrated, I am at peace with my day. I’m so glad that I have Jesus as my daily companion!
September 1, 2021
Spiritual reflection
GIVE IT TO GOD AND GO TO SLEEP. GOD ALREADY HAS A SOLUTION.
I love this message. It is something that I need to take to bed every night. As I lay there tossing and turning, my mind spinning with what to do’s, what if’s, when will I’s. I have planned foods to prepare, written short stories in my mind, made a plan for tomorrow. These things clutter my mind. And, they are of no importance to anything! What I should be thinking of are the many blessings given to me; itemized. I need to talk to Jesus and spill my heart out to him. Begin with my love for Him, my trust, faith, hope. And, I must also leave a quiet time of no thinking so that He can talk to me. If I am so busy talking, I won’t hear His thoughts.
It is amazing when I think about God already knows tomorrow. He knows ten, twenty years from now. He knew all of this long before I was even conceived. Everything is planned; nothing left for me to do. Greyhound Bus company used to have a TV commercial in which the main thought was: leave the driving to us. It is nice to sit in a car, bus, train or plane and not have to be responsible for staying on the road, track, or airspace. It is His great pleasure to take care of us. Giving it to God allows us to sleep better and better sleep means more energy. Sort of a win-win situation. Whatever problems you have right now, stop, and give them to God, then FORGET about them. Trust Him to take care of you and everything.
August 31, 2021
From Mornings with the Holy Spirit
Facing difficulties
We all have problems; problems every day. We learn to deal with them. Do you ever feel like you have more than your fair share? Of course! We all do. But stop and think a minute about the problems that Jesus had as well. Think of the people around Him. Many were good to Him, becoming His followers and disciples. But then think of the people who were always trying to trap Him. Trying to catch Him in some wrong-doing. They hated Jesus; so much so that they finally killed Him. They didn’t kill Him because they thought they were justified in doing so, but because they were afraid of Him. Afraid of the Truth.
What meditation reminds us that if the world Hated Jesus, the world will hate you. If people misunderstood Jesus, the world will misunderstand you. Certain people tend to associate with people with like traits. Widows tend to have other widows for their friends. Young families tend to hang out with other families like theirs. People like to associate with people who think like them. Often, it is the same neighborhood that brings friends together.
We are told that our time on this earth would not be easy. It certainly was not easy for Jesus. Most Saints did not have an easy life; there was always some sort of struggle. Jesus asks us to walk with Him in righteousness, peace and joy.
Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered Hebrews 5:8
Words of Jesus, from John 15:18—“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.”
August 30, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2018)
Jesus can always see me
Jesus sees me always and everywhere. I can not be isolated or separated from Him. If there is a distance between us, it is because I have moved away from Jesus. Why would I move away from Him? I could become so self-involved that I look right past Him. If I am at a successful point in my life, I might feel I don’t really need Jesus. I know that Jesus will never turn His back on me, but I cannot say with conviction that I would never turn my back on Him.
Frequent stops for short prayer or just saying His Precious Name: Jesus, is enough to keep me in touch with Jesus. He understands me so well, better than I do myself. As I go through difficult days within the Catholic Church, Jesus gives me hope. He KNOWS what is going on. He KNOWS the truth. Same in the world of politics in the USA; Jesus knows what is truly going on. He knows who is fair and just, who is lying and cheating. He knows the good and the bad. And, most amazingly, He loves us all equally! Only Jesus can love those who hurt Him. Keep your eyes on me, Jesus, as I often stray.
August 29, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2020)
Sit Quietly
Jesus asks us in today’s Jesus Calling to just sit quietly with Him. He wants us to put aside any and all chores or duties to be done. And, this is important, sit, and do not worry. It is thought that the best time to do this quiet sitting is first thing in the morning, before you day begins. This can be done while still in bed; if there is no chance of you falling back to sleep! I like my quiet chair in my bedroom. It seems to be the quietest place for now. The chair is comfortable enough that I can put a pillow on my lap, iPad on top of that for writing. I do have to call on the Holy Spirit for inspiration most days. I find that even throughout the day, I go to that chair to rest or cool off after household activities.
Our world is made in such a way that we are constantly being overstimulated. This might cause us to lose our sense of direction. It is when we do countless unnecessary activities that our energy is zapped. Spending time with Jesus renews our energy and gives a good sense of direction. Think about what you believe has to be done. I know that the floors need to be vacuumed and mopped; the dishwasher unloaded and dirty dishes loaded. But do I have to do all of that today, just because it is not finished? I have to rethink how much I can do in one day. I know there were many people at the beginning of COVID who relished the thought of getting so much accomplished in their time off. But it didn’t usually work that way. Our world is lacking energy at this time. Maybe God is telling us that we need to pay more attention to Him? Leave the things behind that can be done another time. Maybe God just wants us to slow down and take it easy and be with Him?
August 28, 2021
from Jesus Always (2019)
Genesis 28:15
“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
It is believed that Moses wrote the book of Genesis. From Moses’ perspective this verse makes perfect sense. Moses was assured by God that He would always be with him. Moses saw this when he led the way across the desert. Further, Mose was told that he would not be left alone until God’s promises were fulfilled. Moses saw all of this except he did not get to cross with the people he lead. After his death, Moses’ son, Joshua took over the leadership of his father.
We are all on a journey to the land promised to us by Jesus: Heaven. Jesus asks that we envision Him holding our hand as we walk. I imagine walking with Jesus as He holds my hand. I don’t really think I need His help, but will not say anything to Him. While looking into the trees at a flock of birds, Jesus stops in His tracks. I stop with Him. He looks at the ground just in front of my feet. There is a large hole in the dirt road. I would have walked right into it a almost certainly would have fallen; perhaps injuring myself. Jesus is my Guide as well as my Counselor and Friend. I will never get lost if I stay with Jesus. He will walk me to the Heavenly Gates.
August 27, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Spend time with Me
Why do we sometimes put off spending time with Jesus? You might say, well, we can’t see Him and that is true. But we know He is real; that He exists. If I were to explain the concept of Jesus to a child I might say that we can think of Jesus like a deceased family member. You feel to call upon them when you feel you need them. I have called on my parents for help at times. I knew them. I can picture what they looked like, how they sounded, even maybe a smell that reminds me of them. Maybe because we have not had true human contact with Jesus, it is harder to be with Him.
For us humans, it is the daily routine of doing the same thing every day. The same tasks, the same routines. This can create monotony which will dull your mind. We can then get stuck in a vulnerable place in the world. A world where we allow ourselves to pull our thoughts down; down to a deteriorating place. This place is where Satan waits for you. He knows you will go there.
The worst of days can be opened to a place of peace and harmony. This happens when we decide to walk with Jesus, step by step. Talk to Him constantly. Pray to Him and with Him. Tell Him all the good in your life and all the bad. Holding onto Jesus right hand is referred to in the Bible and Hymns several times. Imagine yourselves with Jesus. He holding your right hand. Imagine the peace and comfort it brings.
Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My souls clings to you; your right hand upholds me.—Psalm 63:7-8
August 26, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2019)
John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in my you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.—John 16:33
This passage from Chapter 16 in John is about Jesus preparing His disciples for Him no longer being with them. Jesus explains to them about the Holy Spirit will come to them after He is gone. He wants them to listen to the Spirit of truth who will guide them.
The world is full of problems on every continent. The problems cause us great concern, but as Jesus tells us in this passage, He has overcome the world. This reminds that Jesus is always in control. God has planned everything we see and hear in the world. He does not create the tragedies, but rather lets them happen. I think the Holy Spirit can give the world great comfort if we just see and hear Him. Problems will always be with us, but the Holy Spirit can make things a bit more comfortable.
This morning while thinking of the Holy Spirit, I thanked God for the wonderful gifts of the Holy Spirit. I am more aware of His Presence today. I stop to ask Him for inspiration before I begin to write. I can sense His Presence in so many ways! “The Holy Spirit lives within me. He orchestrates my words and actions. When I turn my back on Him, I am surely going to find trouble.”
My AUGUST STORY
August, 2021
The Young Soldier
The soldiers all sat around the table, laughing and talking loudly. They had all had too many cups of wine. The tavern owner kept a keen eye on them, in case he had to toss them out. But, one of the soldiers was not like the others. He was young and quiet, maybe too young to be a soldier. He sipped his wine but did not engage in the raucous commotion.
“What’s the matter with you boy? Not thirsty? Or, was today too much for you?” The soldiers all laughed at the young soldier. He shook his head and looked down at the table. He didn’t want to be here, but he was expected to engage with the other soldiers this evening. The evening of three crucifixions.
What he saw that day had upset him greatly. It was not his first crucifixion, but it was the worst he’d ever seen. From the moment Jesus set foot in front of Pilate, he knew this would not work out well for Jesus. The young soldier remembered when it began for him. It was when Jesus was taken to the courtyard and scourged. As if the soldiers knew what he was thinking, one of the big men asked, “I noticed you threw up, boy. Did you eat something that didn’t agree with you?” The soldiers laughed harder. “We wanted you to take a turn with the whips but you were on yours knees tossing up everything!”
They were right, he did get sick. He never saw so much blood. He never saw flesh split so easily. He saw bits and pieces of flesh and blood fly every time the whips tore into Jesus. The young soldier was afraid he might have to run from the table now, but if he did, he might be reported to the senior officer.
“Why didn’t you take the hammer when it was offered to you? Why did you step back? You only had to pound the thorny crown on His head a few times to make sure it was secure!” More laughter from the soldiers.
The young soldier remembered the face of Jesus’ mother, Mary, when the crown was forced on His head. Then it was as if she were taking the hammering to her head with each blow to Jesus’ head. He was glad he did not see her at the scourging, but then, his head was down most of the time.
The bearded soldier yelled to the young soldier. “You seemed to be pretty tough when we went to get Jesus from the garden! You were the first to pull out your sword!” This made the other soldiers laugh all the more. The bearded soldier went on, “I didn’t see you walk with the other soldiers as Jesus carried His cross. Where were you? Hiding?” This brought on a bout of exuberant laughter. The young soldier said nothing; trying to think up something to say that might make sense.
“The senior officer called me to him and he reprimanded me for my conduct unbecoming of a good Roman soldier. And then he sent me on forward to the hill to help set up the grounds for the crosses.” The others were quiet. They believed his lie. He could not tell them that he hid on the common grounds until a soldier found him and sent him away. That’s when he went to the hill.
The young soldier watched as the other soldiers prepared for the three criminals to arrive. He stayed in the background, pretending to be busy with clearing the grounds. He kept his eyes on Jesus’ mother, Mary. She looked exhausted and in pain. He tried not to pay any attention to the actual crucifixion. He’d never seen anyone beaten to a pulp like Jesus was.
When the sky got dark the wind picked up as the lightning pounded into the earth and the thunder shook the ground into an earthquake. Several large splits in the earth opened and several soldiers fell to their death in the deep crevice of the earth.
As Jesus’ family and friends began to remove his broken body from the cross, the soldiers saw the clothes of Jesus and they tore them and cast lots for them. But when they saw the nice tunic of Jesus, which had no seams in it, they decided not to tear it, as it was considered valuable.
The young soldier did not want to partake in the casting of lots, but was forced to partake in the game. When the lots were cast for Jesus’ tunic, the young soldier won! He did not want to take the tunic, but, again, following the orders of the other soldiers, he took it with him. And then they ended up at the tavern later in the evening. The soldiers were getting too loud for the tavern owner so he stopped pouring wine for them. And they all left.
The young soldier was on his way home when he was struck with thoughts of Mary again. He walked into the small village and went to a house that had many people in it. There were many candles and lanterns lit. The people were very quiet. He peeked into the window and knew it was the right house. He quietly knocked on the door. Mary answered it. She had been crying. The soldier handed the folded tunic to Mary then turned and ran away. Mary pressed the tunic to her face and breathed in the scent of her dead son. But she was so glad to have this little piece of Him.
August 25, 2021
Jesus Calling (2019)
Fear of the Lord
This is a complicated verse for me. I learned in my adult life that fear of the Lord was not the same as being afraid of the Lord. I think as a young child, I feared God. I imagined Him sitting on His Throne, eyes on me, just waiting for me to make a mistake. But the translation I now understand is fear of separating myself from God; fear of offending God. So as you can see, it is a very good thing. It is one of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. I remember memorizing them in elementary school.
It is when I keep my eyes on the Lord that I am more likely to stay away from trouble and danger. Instead of stepping in the snare and having to be freed, when I keep my eyes on the Lord, I learn to walk around the snare. Jesus knows how my mind can wander and that the quickest way to get back on course with the Lord is to whisper His Name. The Bible is full of stories where people suffering, call on the Lord and try to bring my thoughts back to Him.
The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare.—Psalm 25:14-15
August 24, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2020)v
Awareness
How often are you aware of the Lord’s Presence? He is with us always, so how is it that we can “forget” or be “unaware” of Him? This devotion today tells us that He knows everything about us, even before we were in the womb. He knows every strand of hair on our heads! Even the best scientists cannot have that kind of knowledge.
Do we possibly fear God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit? I know as a child, I did fear God. I envisioned Him in a white robe, sitting upon His Throne, watching me every second, waiting for me to make a mistake; sin. His job, as I saw it, was the guard, the punisher, the judge. How sad that I didn’t grow up knowing how much He loves me. He knows so much about me so that He can always be one step ahead of me, to prevent me from falling, from injuring myself by sin.
I feel sorry for those people who do not know God; to look at creation and marvel at what He has made. I sit under a shade tree as I write, a gentle breeze blowing. I can almost see the leaves on the trees begin to yellow, just a tiny bit. God is getting the earth ready for a marvelously beautiful time of the year. But, can those who don’t know God see it? If you think you are not as aware of Him as you should be, then think about how often you marvel at nature. You are acknowledging God’s Creations! See Psalm 139:1-4
August 23, 2021
From Jesus Today
The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
The above is Psalm 145:20. We all know that Jesus loves us all with great intensity. He loves us the way He would like us to love Him. We love Jesus because He is our protector, guide, comforter, advisor and friend. We know we can lean on Him. He will never lead us astray. Jesus promises us that we will take care of us, comfort us, especially during difficult days. We tend to look upon Jesus as we would a parent.
We all need a parent to call on, even if our parents are deceased. I talk to my parents as though they were still here on earth. I call on them for strength in time of need. I had a bad dream a few weeks ago, maybe it was a nightmare. I thought I was behind the wheel of a car that was driving too fast up a hill that when round and round. I knew I was going to crash, when I realized I was actually sitting behind the passenger seat, clinging to the back of the seat. There was nothing I could do. Then I heard myself call my mother’s name, three times and I woke up. I’m not sure why I called her name, but I knew I needed her.
We have to make sure we trust Jesus. Trust that He is always with us. Trust that He always looks out for us; protecting us. He wants us to pour out our hearts to Him. Let Him know how we really feel. As I have written many times, just call out Jesus’ Name: JESUS! Ask for His help or guidance or whatever it is you need. Sometimes you just need a little quiet time with Jesus, away from people and the busyness of the world. Take this time with Jesus! It is so important to develop a great relationship with Him!
August 22, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Trust, Trials, Assurance
If we listen to Jesus, we will hear Him say to us: Trust Me, and don’t be afraid. Many of us live in some sort of fear. Who can blame us? Look at the conditions of the world! But fear is Satan’s number one weapons. He showed us this when Covid began; and he continues to instill fear every day. I will not let him scare me about Covid. I trust that Jesus will keep me safe, and if by chance I do become ill, Jesus will make sure that I receive the necessary treatments,
When we feel that ugly fear creeping upon us, we need to put our trust in Jesus; go to Him first! Call His Holy Name: Jesus. Ask Him for help with your fear. Tell Him you trust Him, even if you do not 100%. The more you tell Jesus you trust Him, the more you WILL trust Him.
We all have trials. It seems the world is full of them now. There is everything from, hurricanes, earthquakes, smoking volcanos, floods, heat waves, famine. . . and the list goes on and on. One thing I know for sure is that when you get through a trial, you will be a stronger, better person. You may not see or feel it at first but it will happen.
Be assured that Jesus is your strength. He does not judge you on this earth; that comes later, at the end. Jesus assures us He loves us just as we are. After all, He made us this way. Find some ways to take quiet time with Jesus. There are so many ways of doing this. I found my choir book in the garage and I placed it on my table by my prayer chair. Today, I sang three or four songs from the book. This was a nice way for me to spend some quality time with Jesus.
August 21, 2021
From Jesus Always (2020)
Transformation
We live in a time where everything is changing. It sometimes changes too fast. We have no time to prepare! But, that is okay, says Jesus. He will bless us with His Peace. He tells us that this is the biblical promise for everyone who trusts Him. We lack trust for our fellow humans, so naturally we carry that over to our spiritual life with Jesus. But He has never let us down unlike people who surround us.
We have to gain a stronger trust in Jesus by talking to Him frequently. Talk to Him while you are walking or jogging; working or relaxing; day or night. You don’t have to use what I call “formal prayer;” the ones we memorized as children. They are good if you can’t think of anything to say to Jesus. When in trouble, just saying His name: Jesus, brings you close to Him.
Jesus knows that we live in troubled times. He tells us that the more we lean on Him in confidence the less fearful we will be. He doesn’t want us to be afraid of bad news. He assures us that the world is not spinning out of control. He is well aware of everything, AND, He knows what’s coming next!
August 20, 2021
From Reflection
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah gives us a beautiful message; a beautiful way to make life easier. He begins by reminding us that Jesus/God/Holy Spirit is always with us. Always. This means every hour of every day. He will never leave us. Never. Even when we cannot fell His Presence, He is there for us. Because He is with us, we are not to be dismayed; afraid or anxious. These feelings weaken us and don’t allow for us to absorb all of His Presence.
We are told by Isaiah that He is our God. He is the Trinity. Some of us pray to God, some to Jesus and some to the Holy Spirit. Do you pray to a particular person of the Trinity or to all? Jesus is my daily companion and I talk to Him throughout the day. I call on the Holy Spirit when I want some inspiration, particularly in my writing ideas. And God, to me, is All Powerful. He is the Creator.
When we pray to Our Lord, however and whoever He is to us, we are granted strength and will certainly be helped by Him. We are led by Jesus everyday. He is at our right side and He will never let us go! We don’t have to worry about getting lost, or falling along our daily trek. We will be protected from evil as we walk together. Jesus upholds us as He guides us daily.
August 19, 2021
From Jesus Calling
I continually call you
Jesus calls us. Do we answer? Do we even know He is calling us? He tells us that He knows when we are feeling empty. He is there for us. Are we there to receive Him?
We can receive rest for our souls as well as refreshment for our minds; rest and refreshment for out bodies. When we focus on Jesus being at our side, we can better put things into perspective. When focusing on Jesus, other things in our lives that we thought were important, turn out not to be important.
This meditation has some wonderfully helpful verses from the Bible. If I were to make one statement that has something from each reading, it might be like this: But I have stilled your soul, granting you the joy of my presence. You will be still as you wait for me, and know that you, who trusts the Lord is blessed.
We live in a very busy, hectic world and trying to still ourselves can be difficult. But when we truly trust in Jesus, it does become easier. We are not to feel as though we do not deserve Jesus. We are never judged on our worthiness. We are all just the way Jesus wants us to be.
August 18, 2021
From Jesus Always
Regretting Yesterday’s
We all have regrets about some of our yesterdays. We can’t go back and fix them, yet some of us dwell in the past; imagining the what ifs of it, how it could have played differently. Acceptance is so important when we look back at our past. We have to accept that what was, or what happened, is just as Jesus planned. To Him, everything worked out perfectly. It is nice to have memories of the past as long as we do not become obsessed with them.
Jesus hates to see us bogged down in the past, re-thinking events, wondering about the what ifs. In this mediation, Jesus tells us that trying to live in the past, or carrying the past with us is liken to having heavy chains attached to our legs. Imagine the weight of the chains. Some people have dreams that their legs are stuck in heavy sludge, and they can barely move them.
Go to Jesus, and ask for His help; ask Him to free you of your past. Ask Him to help you enjoy this day, this moment. Stay in the Presence of Jesus. Try not to look to far into the future. It will put a headlock on you just as the past does. You don’t know your future, so you can’t really worry about it or change it today.
Jesus sets us free from letting our thoughts about the past or present overtaking our lives. If you need to make changes, ask Jesus to show you the way. We need to remember that Jesus is with us at all times. He is with us when we feel far from Him. He is with us yesterday, today, and tomorrow. (Therefore if the Son makes you free you shall be free indeed.—John 8:36)
August 17, 2021
Reflection
Another spiritual quote today. I know many of you are feeling stress, and even finding it hard to keep going. But if you can get your thinking back to Jesus, you will find a piece of comfort.
“Pray when you feel like worrying. Give thanks when you feel like complaining. Keep going when you feel like quitting.”—DaveWillis.org
Some days I feel all three concepts: worrying, complaining and quitting. But what good does it do? Everyone worries. Even Jesus worried at the Garden of Gethsemane. I’m sure He worried when Hie earthly father, Joseph, died. And, as the quote says: Pray when you feel like worrying. That is just what Jesus did the night He was arrested, as He laid on the boulder and prayed to His Heavenly Father. His worry so fierce He sweat droplets of blood. But when He finished praying, He got up and went forward, giving His worry to God.
Who doesn’t feel like complaining these days. This is hard to do, but I’m sure you have all done this at one time or another. I find myself thanking Jesus that the mug didn’t break when I dropped my coffee, or, thank Him when I find my iphone; when only minutes before I was complaining about not being able to find it. In everything, we can find a reason for thanks.
These trying days probably make most of feel like quitting. But you have to keep going on. When you reach that weight plateau and can’t seem to drop even a half pound. Kids might feel like quitting when their team is so far behind, they could never catch up. But the good lesson is to keep on going, and good coaches don’t let their team quit or give up.There is always a good answer to all of our problems, and the answer is Jesus.
August 16, 2021
Reflection
Looking at meditative reflections today, I ran into this one:
The quieter you become the more you can hear.—Ram Dass
This caught my eye because it says a lot to me. We know we have to be quiet to when we are with Jesus, so that we can hear and/or see what He has to say. As I write this, I am sitting comfortably in my bedroom chair. My body is quiet and relaxed. One would think this is the perfect time for being with Jesus. There’s just one problem however. Although my body is quiet, my mind and thoughts are screaming loudly and running around in circles.
Have you ever experienced this? I’m sure most people have. How is it possible to be calm on the outside and noisy in the head? I don’t think anyone has ever experienced the opposite: Quiet mind, loud, noisy body. I believe that to be impossible.
We have to think of ways to calm our minds. I get relief by coloring. I have an ipencil and an ipad and I can sit for hours coloring. I get relief by writing. I enjoy the research as much as writing down the wonderful things the Holy Spirit has inspired me with. Yesterday at Mass we sang song to and about Mary. I had a sudden thought. I can get the words from these songs and the note of the song from my choir book. I not longer sing in a choir, but I bought the book and it is mine, I found it in the garage where I put it and brought it in the house. It sits on the table next to my chair. Now I can sing myself into a calm state.
Everyone has to find their way to be quiet. And we have to be quiet if we want to put our heart into what we are going to do. When things start to get too loud for you, find ways that can slow down and quiet you. If you can sit for a while, that is best. We live in a very busy world, and taking a quiet break is the best thing we can do for ourselves.
August 15, 2021
Reflection
The Assumption of Mary
This is just a part of a story I wrote on Mother’s Day, 2018. I was in Florida on vacation and the homily at Mass was about Mary. I was so inspired that I wrote a story about Mary. This is from the beginning, how it all began:
I became a mother at a young age. It was very different for me than most women my age. I was betrothed to Joseph, a loving, caring man. He was a bit older than me, but he was very good to me.
In the middle of one dark night, I awoke to a bright light in my sleeping quarters. It took the shape of an angel clothed in white light. The angel told me his name was Gabriel, and that he was sent from God.
He said to me, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.” He told me that I would be giving birth to a son who I will name, Jesus; that he will be called the Son of the Most High.
I thought Imight be ill with fever, and hallucinating. But I was not! This was real!
‘How will this be,” I asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
Gabriel told me that the Holy Spirit would be upon me and the power of God will overshadow me. Gabriel then told me about my cousin, Elizabeth who was with child at her old age.
He then told me, “For nothing is impossible with God.” I then told the angel that I would be the Lord’s servant, done according to His word. Then the Holy Spirit filled Mary with God’s Light.
And it all came to be, just as the angel had said.
August 14, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Jesus never changes
Because Jesus never changes, because He always was and always will be, He will never leave my side. Being deserted, abandoned, left behind is a great fear in most people, but with Jesus, I never have to worry about Him leaving me. He won’t because He is same today as He was when He walked the earth.
Today’s reading tells me about the ever-changing world that I live in. It changes faster than I can adapt to even simple changes. Even my body is in a constant state of change. I am feeling my age more than ever. I am so extremely grateful to Jesus that I still can walk (not far), take care of myself, and have a pretty clear mind. I have health issues, but they are under control. But even as I grow older, I know that Jesus will be there to walk with me every day. In the future, He will walk with me even if I am wheelchair-bound, blind, or even incompetent. I hope that day never comes, but I do have a good friend who will be with me in every way, every day. I know You never change, Jesus. Help me to adapt to the many changes that come my way.
August 13, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Enjoy Life More
The past year and a half have been a challenge to most of us. Masks, sanitizer, distancing, staying inside have been a burden to most of us. This will all come to an end. We will develop a new way of living. I think Jesus wants us to live joy and happiness, even if we are not feeling that way. He does not want us to go around with a scowl on my faces. Sour, scowling faces become ugly very quickly. One thing that puts those grumpy faces on us is the avoidance of spending time with Jesus.
Again, Jesus asks us to be childlike. Children seem to appreciate and enjoy the smallest of things. Parents may buy an expensive toy and ignore it. When I was a children, being one of seven kids, money was short. We received inexpensive gifts at Christmas, but they were things we loved. Games that we could play with our siblings, paper dolls for the girls, coloring and activity books. In those days people dropped in during the holidays. Some of my cousins had expensive gifts yet they were mesmerized with our inexpensive toys and games. They also liked running around in our house with us.
I can enjoy life more but I have to make up my mind to keep myself in a childlike mode. Maybe I will watch some cartoons or watch a kids movie today. I know I will color on my ipad; I do that every day. I might pull out some paper dolls that I’ve been given. If I thought no one was looking I might like to cross the street and swing on one of the swings. It is easier for me to feel loved by Jesus when I am childlike. How about trying to think more like a child today?
August 12, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Accept your weariness
I like this reading because it tells me its okay to be weary and weak. There are many days that I feel both weariness and weakness. I might chalk it up to age, or the weather, or lack of sleep. But that is not really the case with me. I am spiritual, emotionally and physically tired.
Jesus asks that we go to Him. He does not dislike our weakness, but He tells us that it draws us closer to Him. He asks us to rest snugly in His arms. Can you imagine that? I have often, but I am not as a 76 year old woman, but that little child that I was when I was 6 or 7. I fit into His arms so well. I feel so protected with Jesus’ arms around me. I image Him humming a soft lullaby to me. Close to His chest I can hear His strong heart beating. This imagined vision is one of the most powerful that I’ve ever had!
One thing Jesus does not want me to do is compare myself to others who seem to glide along in their lives; even some that are older than me. We are told that others paths are going to be different from ours. We are not to feel envious of their energy. They have different gifts than we do. We all have our own talents and gifts and we are to use them the best we can. Even in families there will be some who are talented in the kitchen, while their sibling can play the piano beautifully. We are to accept the gifts and talents we have been given with the amount of energy or weakness we have. We must allow Jesus to bless us through it.
August 11, 2021
From Jesus Always
My Light shines upon you
In this meditation, Jesus tells us that His Face is shining upon us. He would like us to take time to linger in His joyous Light. I can see the tree blowing in the breeze outside my window. It makes me think of the Springtime when the leaves are bright green. There is a smell of grass and cool air. With my head tilted towards the sun, I can feel the warmth of the sun. It feels so good in the coolness of the breeze. It is so comforting!
We are told not to try to understand Jesus or His ways. But, He does want us to go to Him often, whether we have a problem or are just lonely. He will reward us with His wisdom and knowledge. Jesus reminds us of Job. Anything and everything that could go wrong, did! He fell to the ground in prayer.
I think the Light of Jesus shines on us when we become more aware of His Presence. Creating time and space for just you and Jesus is a great blessing. You can form habits that just become part of your day. Pray for the Light of Jesus’ Presence. When you have Jesus’ Light within you it comes through your face and soul. This will touch many people in turn. Never turn from the Light, but always to the Light.
August 10, 2021
From Pinterest Daily Inspirations
Jesus Saves
Years ago, I remember being on highways and seeing a sign that simply said: Jesus Saves. Short, simple and to the point. I found something similar in my Pinterest Inspirations. I wanted something short and simple; meaningful and empowering.
He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters.—1 Samuel 22:17 This was printed on a beautiful piece of art. It showed the Hand and Arm of God, coming from the sky, clutched to the arm of someone in deep waters. The coloring was beautiful from the golden orange sky to the teal of the deep waters.
Have I been rescued in a similar way? I believe so. There have been times that I felt as if I were drowning in deep waters. Nothing could be more fearful for me. I have been that frightened before and the Hand of God truly rescued me from the deep dark waters. When I talk about my daily trek with Jesus, I feel that strong hand holding me back from the dangers in a dark woods. His hand holds tightly as we cross the rapid stream. And this powerful Hand has held me close to Him in my times of sadness and sorrow.
Do you have a Saving Moment with Him? Have you ever felt you were rescued by Him? Do you call on Him? This is important to remember. We have some responsibility in saving ourselves by asking for help from Jesus. It is important to remember that like the old highway sign: Jesus Saves, He truly is there for us in all we do, every day, every hour, and every minute.
August 9, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2017)
Wear My Garment of Righteousness
Jesus asks of me today to keep my eyes on Him as I practice walking in His garment of Righteousness, His garment of salvation. What IS Jesus’ garment of Righteousness? I had to look up the word “righteousness” and I found it can refer to justice, fairness and virtue. Also, it can mean devoutness, godliness and holiness. I did a little more research and found an article that discussed the Garment of Righteousness and it referred to it as “the knowledge of good and evil” and this is the definition that makes the most sense to me.
When I wear the garment that Jesus has given me, the one He shed His blood for me to wear, He gives me the knowledge to know the difference between good and evil. This garment was given to all people when Moses brought the tablet of the Ten Commandments to the people of Israel. When I think of this garment in this way, I can see it for the great gift it is. Jesus puts a lot of trust in me to “do the right thing” in my daily walk. He has given me the tools I need to walk with Him. Wearing this robe/garment is my passport to Heaven. I must keep this garment clean and wear it with pride.
I am told in today’s reading of Jesus Calling that I am not to cast off this robe when I fall into bad behavior, but to toss off the bad behavior instead and continue to wear His Garment. I will grow comfortable in Jesus’ Garment of Righteousness, and I thank Him for this gift!
August 8, 2021
From Rhetorical Jesus
Taking Risks
What is the last big risk you have taken for Me?
I kept going back to this question. I thought that maybe it was not appropriate. But then I started thinking about the times we live in. We have to take risks every day. There are many risks with covid. We all have to make decisions what we are to do next. This is a good time to “Turn it over to God.”
In Johns Gospel Jesus tells us: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” This is a big risk to take. We Catholics/Christians must take that risk often. The most important and special risk we take is the Holy Eucharist. We have been taught from an early age to put our trust and faith in God; and now as adults, we do this on a daily basis. Just think about the risks we take. Changing jobs; buying a house, a car; having a baby; moving to another city; retiring; even just crossing a street or driving a car.
Do you trust in Jesus enough to take the risk of following Him every day, without question? Do you trust Jesus enough to turn over your problems to Him? Do you trust your faith enough to share it with others? Sometimes it is easier to walk close to the ground and make ourselves invisible, but that is not what Jesus wants from us. Love your faith! Be proud of what your faith is doing for you! Share your faith! Pray for those who do not share your ideals. Pray for those who may persecute you for your faith. Take the risk of being a good person, someone who fights evil. Take this risk for Jesus!
August 7, 2021
Inspirational Quotes
“Two things to remember in life. Take care of your thoughts when you are alone, and take care of your words when you are with people.”
This reminds me of August 3rd quote: If you want to find God, hang out in the space between your thoughts.—Alan Cohen
What we think is important. Our thoughts are like tiny companions throughout the day. They can make you laugh or cry; happy or sad; angry or calm. But what every single thought needs is the presence of Jesus. We need Jesus to be in all our thoughts. When thoughts become too much for you, you need to get quiet and call out Jesus’ Name.
When you are alone, without input from anyone else, its possible to let your thoughts take you to dark places. It is easy to fall into this pit today; we live in a very troubled world. But trying to keep Jesus close to you and in your heart and thoughts, will give you more a sense of peace and tranquility. He can quiet a disturbed mind full of anxious thoughts. And we have the secret how to achieve peace. It is Jesus. Make Him your faithful companion every day.
Some people, like me, speak before we think. Out comes the words and it seems impossible to stop them. I often think Jesus stands at my side so that He can put His hand over my mouth before I say something I regret. This usually happens when I in engrossed in conversation. I find myself planning what I will say next. Often, I don’t fully hear what the other person is saying. This can lead you into hot water! We have to be careful what and how we say things when we are around people. Words can hurt as much as physical pain. We are so blessed to have a companion like Jesus who will help us learn about speaking out, keeping quiet, and listen first. Out safe space is that space between our thoughts.
August 6, 2021
From Jesus Always
Turn to Me
When things don’t seem to be going the right way, or everything seems to be going wrong, I need to turn to Jesus. I have learned to turn to Jesus more since the beginning of Covid. I don’t think I think about my personal life as it will be in the future. I don’t try to imagine the visit to the dentist, or trip to the grocery, or the conversation I will have with someone I am meeting.
When I am afraid I turn to Jesus right away, well mostly. I do envision Him at my side, while the Holy Spirit is behind me with wings spread, and God in front of me; He is where I am heading.
Jesus want us to ask Him to illuminate the path ahead. This will help me see what lies ahead. I will ask Jesus to help me to do the things I need to do. Not everything on my list is necessary. I must reflect to the time when Jesus visited Mary and Martha. Mary sat on the floor at Jesus’ feet hanging on to every word in awe, while Martha slaved away in the next room, not quite able to hear what Jesus was saying.
Reading the Bible is a perfect way to be with Jesus. It is not an easy read, but if you start with John, you will be able to understand the words. You can also find interpretations of certain readings at a Catholic website on the internet. Just as you create a habit by reading the Bible, you can create a habit of turning to Jesus when you are in need, or you just need someone to share your thoughts with, or you can just sit quietly with Him.
“Casting the whole of your care (all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all) on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” 1 Peter 5:7
August 5, 2018
From Jesus calling
Worry
I worry about the tomorrows that may lay ahead of me. I worry about where I will go, what I will eat, how I will sleep, what I will say, how I will react to different situations. I worry about worrying! Jesus does not want this for me. He wants me to leave any worries I may have tomorrow!
Jesus assures me that whatever is ahead of me will be all right since He will be with me. I wonder if I can cope and He assures me that I can indeed cope with ANYTHING that comes my way. Jesus holds my hand as I walk my daily journey. When I communicate with Jesus often, I keep my chances for a successful day very high. Jesus always wants me to take time to rest as well. It is when I try to do too much that I will fall flat on my face. I don’t need a fancy calendar for my daily schedule; I only need to walk with Jesus! So today I will do my best not to worry.
August 4, 2021
Inspirational Quotes
“At the end of the day, the only questions I will ask myself are . . . Did I love enough? Did I laugh enough? Did I make a difference.” —Unknown
Again, today, I went to the inspirational quotes. I chose this, not because it is what I do, but what I would like to do. I ask myself, did I love enough? How do I love enough when I stay mostly at home, with only my cat? I realize that I do not have to be around people to ‘love enough.’ I can show my love by going to Jesus and asking Him who needs my love the most. I can ask Him to take care of that person in my place. I can love enough by praying for the people who most need prayers. I know two families who lost a son unexpectedly. One was fifty and the other twenty-one. Both of these families will need my prayers.
I ask myself if I laughed enough. No, I’m sure I didn’t, but I do find things to laugh about. Sometimes its just a simple little thing with my cat; a special leap to the bed, or being mesmerized with a TV program. Sometimes I do something silly and I do take time to laugh at that. I love looking at the videos on Facebook. My favorites are babies and pets. They make me laugh. I have imagined being with Jesus in a simple setting and laughing at Him. Oh, yes, I’m sure Jesus has a keen sense of humor. He would have had to in this world!
Did I make a difference. I like to think I have. I use my writing as a way to inspire others. Sometimes I feel I did, and other times, I failed. But in my writings I have to research and I often use the Bible. Getting a few words from the Bible out to others can make a difference. I definitely make a difference out in public. After Covid, I so enjoy the task of grocery shopping. I can interact with people, smile at them, hold a door etc.
These are good questions to ask of yourself at the end of the day. I wonder if having a set of questions for ourselves might inspire us to ask more questions of ourselves?
August 3, 2021
Inspirational Quotes
If you want to find God, hang out in the space between your thoughts.—Alan Cohen
What a wonderful concept! So simple! Why didn’t I come up with that? Sometimes I find myself hanging out everywhere but in that special space BETWEEN my thoughts. A good idea is to try and find that space. This can be done through meditation, prayer or just being quiet. Jesus is with us no matter where we are and is there to hear us, listen to our thoughts. You can pray/talk to Jesus while being busy, but you are very likely to become distracted.
As this quote suggests to me is that we have to find a quiet space in our mind. We all have one. Have you ever tried to just sit and be still; no thoughts allowed? It is very hard but can be done with practice. I used to belong to a support group and at the last half hour, we would meditate. This was a lead meditation. A CD played soft, soothing music. It had no particular melody. This is important because if you meditate to music, if there is a melody, you begin to think about the music and not your thoughts. It’s a little like you get a song stuck in your head and can’t get it out. The voice of our leader in our group had many, many meditations she read to us. Sometimes we, in our thoughts, were to do something specific. Perhaps we would walk through the woods. But before we could try any of these wonderful things, we had to clear our mind.
Clearing your mind can be hard. I squint my eyes tight to total darkness; black. Often I see a color and I am told it is the color of your chakra that is being used. Look up the colors of your chakra and try to see if you can see your color. Another important thing is perfect silence. If you have to cover your ears, that is okay. There is a beautiful space between your thoughts that is all set up for you to be with Jesus.
August 2, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2017)
Sit Quietly with Me
One of the benefits of writing this blog is that I take time every day to sit quietly with Jesus. I read the daily reading of Jesus Calling, Jesus Always, or another of my meditation books. I look and listen for words that inspire me or give me food for thought. Then I choose the title or theme for my blog. I know that the Holy Spirit will enlighten me and words will flow from my mind thoughts down my arms to the keyboard. Some days nothing seems to come to light for me, so those are the days I just sit with Jesus and wait.
The words: blessings flow like streams of living water are particularly special to me. I was in Colorado a few years back and I sat on a large rock that was similar to a chair. The river glistened in the sun as it roiled down. That was a time of sitting quietly with Jesus that I will never forget.
It is important for me to find time to sit with Jesus everyday, as often as possible. It is in these quiet moments that I center myself and align myself with Jesus. He knows what a chaotic world I live in. I am aware that all the commotion of the world is not what my body and soul needs. I am slowly turning away from media-hyped noise. I decided that I don’t have to know everything that is going on in the world; God is in charge and knows what He is doing. I want to walk the path that Jesus has planned out for me and I have to pay attention to His Presence so that I don’t get lost or off track. “Hold my hand, Jesus, I’m ready for today!”
August 1, 2021
From Do Something Beautiful
By Mother Teresa
“One day right in the beginning, we had no rice for dinner and then then a lady came and brought rice. She said she was coming back from the office ‘and something in me told me to go to Mother Teresa and bring her rice.’ How beautiful it is when we listen to the Holy Spirit.”
Jesus said about the Holy Spirit: “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth, who proceeded from the Father, he will bear witness about Me.” This is found in John 15:26. Do you KNOW the Holy Spirit? Have you ever encountered Him? Do you go to Him in times of need?
I think, sometimes, that the Holy Spirit is an extension of Jesus. They are not quite as partners as the one and the same, but different. Some people say they have not been exposed to the beauty of the Holy Spirit. But I think we all experience the Holy Spirit in different ways. I can tell you that I have had and continue to have experiences with the Holy Spirit. One way is I pray to the Holy Spirit before I write. On those days when I have no inspiration, I sit quietly and ask for help; then I sit and be quiet so that I can mentally hear His word. I envision The Holy Spirit behind me, with His wings open to protect me. And, as always, Jesus sits on my right.
There have been a few experiences in my life where I knew I had encountered the Holy Spirit. Once, I was at a women’s retreat, at a table of ten. We took turns speaking. One woman with beautiful straight, long black hair told us that she was widowed but she never told people about it. She told us that her husband had hung himself and she found him. As she was speaking, it was as if a breeze blew past my right ear. The words I felt were: I must start a new widows group. (I had started a group about a year before, but it fell apart) When it was time to split up into partners, I asked her to sit with me. I did start another group. I gave up the leadership a year or so ago and we are ready to pick up where we left off with Covid. We have meet for almost twelve years now.
The Holy Spirit is always there for us, just as Jesus is. For me, the Holy Spirit gives me inspiration. You may feel you receive strength or wisdom from the Holy Spirit. Get to know the Holy Spirit better and I can assure you that your will see, feel, hear from this wonderful extension of God.
July 31, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Trust Me
Jesus wants to assure us that He is always with us. We all know that on an intellectual way, but not so much in a spiritual or emotional way. He reminds us that he is always with us, in the depths of our being. It is when we seem to be distracted or flustered on the outside that we forget about what is happening on the inside.
One thing Jesus asks of us is not get upset with ourselves for any shortcomings. He wants us to remember that we are only human, and that we can easily become overwhelmed. And we are not to scold ourselves for being “only human.”
We are to believe that Jesus lives with us. He is always with us, and He is always within us. Those times you call on Jesus for help, remember that He is within us and knows and feels everything we do. He is within us to encourage and support us. But, I think we often forget about that. Or, maybe we are so involved with out outside self, where all the heartache, pain, sorrow, fear, anxiety and loneliness lives.
One thing Jesus asks of us is to slow down. Slow down our pace. Quiet our minds. Sit and be still. It is during these times that we are most able to connect the way Jesus wants us to connect with Him. One of the verses listed is John 20:19. It is when the disciples are gathered in the room, with the doors locked. Then Jesus suddenly appeared before them saying to them, “Peace be with you.”
July 30, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2017)
The Beauty of the world
I proclaim Jesus’ Presence in the world by enjoying the beauty of His creations in nature. Some of the things that cause me to pause with wonder are the birds that sing in the early morning. They sound to me as if they just got up and have so much to say. Sunsets are one of my favorite works of God’s art. We have many beautiful sunsets in Kansas, but on the Gulf Coast in Florida, they are breath-taking. Another favorite is the flower, especially the rose. When I look deep into the rose I see an amazing beauty of color. And, the green grass outside my patio takes me to a colorful place. I can see at least 30 colors of green, with the colors varying in just the slightest way.
Animals are magnificent! Who can deny the beauty of the tiger, the elegance of the walk of a giraffe, or the oddness of a porcupine? Why were these creatures made the way they are? The intricacies of each creature are so unique. I looked at my cat’s eyes this morning as she was spying on a bug or a bird outside the window’s ledge. Her eyes are so different from mine. Her eyes are not like any other animal except the cat family. Why?
When I think of the human body I am just without words. For a human to be formed from conception is a miracle! I am learning about the human heart through my Women’s Heart Group. The heart is such an amazing organ. It has so much power, and it can self heal in many cases. Think about the vascular system, all those veins and arteries moving around like super highways in my body! What is amazing is that every single part of the human body works together in sync.
Our Lord created all the beauty of creation to declare the existence of His Holy Being. How can anyone deny the existence of Him when they really look at His creations? I am precious in Jesus’ eyes when I take time to ponder over His creations. I ask Jesus for opportunities to “stop and smell the roses” today!
July 29, 2021
Reflections
The Miracles of Jesus
This is the last of Jesus’ miracles that I use in praying my rosary. This is the Gospel/story of Lazarus rising from the dead. We know that when Jesus found out about Lazarus, He did not immediately go to him. Why did Jesus do that?
Jesus was in a town preaching when He received a message from Mary and Martha, His very good friends. Jesus was told that Lazarus, Mary and Martha’s brother was dying. They asked that Jesus go to him. But Jesus decided to stay for a few more days where He was at. Then Jesus and the apostles that were with Him left to go Bethany to see Lazarus, who had fallen asleep.The apostles did not understand. They told Jesus that if Lazarus was asleep, he will soon get well. Since they did not understand, Jesus told them that Lazarus was dead. As Jesus approached the town, Martha ran towards Jesus until she met up with Him. She scolded Him, telling Him if He had just come right away, Lazarus would not have died. He challenged Martha by asking her if she believed He was the Resurrection of Life. She did. Mary was being consoled by friends and family and she abruptly left to go to Jesus. She also chided Jesus for not coming sooner. Jesus asked the sisters where they had laid their brother. When Jesus reached the place, He wept. The stone was rolled aside and Jesus began to enter. But Martha told Jesus that the stench would Abe terrible as Lazarus had been dead for four days. Jesus told Martha, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” Jesus looked up to the heavens and thanked His Father for hearing Him. Then he shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” Lazarus emerged bandaged with gravecloths. Jesus told them to unwrap and and let him go.
Lesson: What lesson do you see in this reading? I come away from it with two words: trust and patience. Trust that Jesus will always take of you. And, patience to wait for Jesus to take care of things IN HIS TIME. Jesus staying away was part of His plan. I’m sure He would have liked to go to Mary and Martha immediately, but to delay was part of Jesus’ lesson to Mary and Martha, and to all those with the sisters.
July 28, 2021
A Reflective Walk
Come take a walk with me. Let’s go to the park! The birds sound extra happy today; chirping messages to each other. The air feels especially nice today; not hot, but not cold. . .just right. There is a little breeze that feels so good on my face. As I enter the gate, I notice the sky is a crystal blue, just like the ocean. There is a hint of lilac, and perhaps lavender. Oh, so refreshing!
The path is wide enough for several people to walk on. There are huge oak and elm trees that must be very old. They stand tall and proud as they provide shelter. Over there is the pond. It is so beautiful with a waterfall wall. The swans floating as if on air provide a serene picture. Around the bend up there is a nice bench that faces the pond and the rose garden on the side.
I see someone is on the bench. I hope they will let me sit there too. As I approach the bench, I see Jesus! He stands to greet me. We hug. He asks me to please join Him. He asks how I am doing; am I happy. I tell Him that I am as happy as one can be. He asks what I’ve been up to lately and tell Him everything that has been happening lately. I don’t shy away from telling Him the wonderful things that have happened, and, the horrible things; the ones that scare. He assures me that I have nothing to be afraid of.
We sit back on the bench and just relax. After a little while I tell Him that I must leave. I look around and take in all the beauty of the park. I tell Him how much I love this place; that it must be like heaven. I tell Him it would be so wonderful to live here. We stand and hug again. I tell Him I will come back again; and wouldn’t it be nice to live here someday. Jesus tells me to keep Him in mind always. As I walk away, I turn to wave again and He shouts at me, “Someday you will live here!”
July 27, 2021
Reflections
The Miracles of Jesus
Here is the fourth miracle of Jesus that I use for praying the rosary. If I were an apostle in Jesus’ time, this might be the scariest incident, aside from the Crucifixion of Jesus. Picture yourself in this boat with the apostles.
After a tiring day, the apostles and Jesus left in the boat. Jesus, especially tired, lay in the back of the boat on a bench. As the apostles continued out farther and farther, the water turned rough and the boat began to rock. It creaked as the waves hit the side of the boat. Water poured in as the boat descended under the great waves. The boat was in danger of sinking as it took on more and more water. The apostles did their best. To navigate the boat, but they kept slipping and sliding on the deck. They were surely going drown! Peter called out to Jesus, asking for help. Jesus got up and stood in the middle of the boat. He raised His hands upward to the sea. The rough water calmed. The apostles knew without a doubt that Jesus was truly the Messiah.
Lesson: Jesus hears our every word, every fear. He is happy to help us out. He especially likes it when we go to Him and ASK for His help. Peter only asked Jesus for help. He did not ask Him to calm the sea. Ask Jesus for what you need: help, comfort, love, health, food, shelter and so on. You don’t need to be specific with the details. He always knows what is best for you.
July, 2021
Baby Moses
In the times after Joseph and his brothers, a new king came to power in Egypt. He did not know anything of Joseph or what he had done. The new king went before his people concerned that the Israelites were becoming many in number and stronger than his Egyptian people. The king was concerned that the Israelites may turn against the Egyptians if there was a war.
The kings solution was to make the Israelites slaves to the Egyptians. They were forced into crushing labor, forced to build the cities of Pithom and Rameses. Unfortunately for the kings the Israelites continued to multiply in number.
Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, gave an order to the two Hebrew midwives. They were told that when a Hebrew woman gave birth, to kill any boys, but let the girls live. The Hebrew women feared God and so they did not follow the orders of Pharaoh. When the king found out about this he asked, “Why have you done this? Why have you allowed the boys to live?”
The midwives, in fear of God, replied to Pharaoh, “The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; they are more vigorous and deliver their babies so quickly that we cannot get there in time.”
Pharaoh then gave an order to all his people to throw every newborn Hebrew boy into the Nile River. But they could let the Hebrew girls live.
It was at about this time that Amram married Jochebed and she gave birth to a son. Jochebed could see that her son was indeed very special. She protected him by hiding him for three months. Afraid that she would be caught with a Hebrew baby boy she made a plan. She made a sturdy basket made of papyrus reeds and used tar and pitch to make it waterproofed. After saying goodbye to her precious baby she laid him in the basket and set the basket among the reeds of the Nile River. She sent Miriam, the baby’s older sister to stand a distance away to watch the basket and see what would happen to it.
Down the river a short distance was a beautiful palace that sat on the banks of the Nile River. Pharaohs daughter, who lived there, was at the shoreline bathing while her attendants walked along the riverbank. The princess spotted the basket in the reeds and sent her maid to fetch it for her. When the princess opened the basket she saw a beautiful baby boy crying. She felt sorry for him, knowing that he was probably one of the Hebrew boys.
Miriam, who followed the basket closely, came from the reeds and went to the princess. “Should I go and find one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?” The princess was overjoyed and told Miriam to fetch one for her. Miriam ran home to her mother and brought her back to the princess.
“Take this baby and nurse him for me. I will pay you for your help.” So the mother took her baby back home to nurse and care for him.
When the boy was older his mother brought him back to the Princess, who adopted the boy as her own son. She named him Moses. She explained that was because she lifted him out of the water.
Moses was raised by the princess. He was aware of his story and that he was Hebrew. Eventually, Moses would see how poorly the Israelites were being treated and would need to find a way to set them free. The beginning of the exodus…
July 26, 2021
Reflections
The Miracles of Jesus
Continuing with my reflections on some of the miracles from July 23, I tell about the story about the hemorrhaging woman. This may be my favorite story. Why? Because the faith of this woman is one I desire. I wrote a short story about his some time ago, and will tell it now from my perspective.
In my story I had the hemorrhaging woman living with her sister. She would sit at the window to watch the people in the street and to listen to their gossip. She could not leave her house as she was considered unclean. And that is why her sister lived with her. The woman heard one day gossip from the street that Jesus was to be in their village that day. She wanted so badly to see Jesus; and she just knew that he would heal her. All she had to do was touch Him. She made a plan and talked her sister into going along with it. They would dress as widows in black with heavy veils to cover their faces. As the approached the crowd around Jesus, there was some shoving and pushing and the woman fell to the ground. As she gathered her strength to get up she saw the sandals of Jesus. She only thought about it for a minute before she touched the hem of Jesus’ robe. Jesus felt the energy of her touch and asked the apostles who had touched Him. They told Him it could be anyone as they were all very close. The woman stood up and told Jesus that it was she who touched Him. He then said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be cured of your disease.”
Who wouldn’t want to have the strong faith of the woman. I’m not sure I would. But, I so admire he for her courage. Yes, it took a lot of courage. First to be in a public place where she was forbidden, and then to touch the hem of Jesus’ robe. Jesus lets those who approach Him for healing know that it was their faith that healed them.
Lesson: Jesus heals those who ask for healing. He gives us what we want; but we do have to ask for it. What is it that you want from Jesus? Ask Him for it boldly with faith that He will answer you and He will.
July 25, 2021
Reflections
The Miracles of Jesus
Continuing my reflections on some of the miracles of Jesus from July 23rd, I pick up with the Miracle of the loaves and fishes. Ironically, this is the story of the Gospel reading for today.
The Loaves and Fishes
After a long day with the people, Jesus was ready to retire to the mountain for some peace and quiet. However, the people followed Jesus along the shore. He began to speak to the people. There were 5,000 men sitting upon the grassy hill. As the afternoon grew late, Jesus suggested that the apostles feed the people. They assured Jesus that it would take months of wages to feed them all. One came to Jesus with a basket of five loaves of barley bread and two fish. It must have seemed laughable to show that small basket to Jesus. But, Jesus had the apostles settle the people on the grass. Jesus picked up the bread and fish, raised it to the heavens and blessed it, broke it, and gave it to the apostles to give to the people. When everyone had eaten enough, they collected twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish.
Have you ever been given a task that you know is impossible? Think about what the apostles must have thought when Jesus picked up that first loaf of five, and blessed. Do you think they thought Him crazy? Have you ever been hungry, really hungry and had no food? It must be an awful feeling! But Jesus showed the apostles that it was possible to feed all the people, and that everyone ate their fill.
Lesson: Jesus always has a solution no matter how big it may seem. Jesus always tends to our needs. And, He always has words for us, just as He did for the people on the grassy hill.
July 24, 2021
Psalm 91
I don’t think I’ve ever written directly from the Bible before, but this morning, while browsing through the internet, I found an article about how Psalm 91 seem to be a close connection with todays world; the coronavirus. After reading it, I decided to share this lovely reading. Many of you know a song: “On Eagles Wings”. This is the source of the song. If I could sum up what I get from this Psalm I would say—security for those who trust in God.
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”
Surely he will save you from the Fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys midday. A thousand may fall at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” ---Psalm 91
July 23, 2021
Reflections
Miracle of Jesus
Often when I pray the rosary, I use my own “mysteries”, except they aren’t mysteries but miracles. I find them easy to envision, and I have done a short story on each of them. I was thinking during my Adoration time at church about the miracles I use: Wedding Feast at Cana, Jesus feeds 5000, Jesus calms the storm, the hemorrhaging woman, and Jesus wakes Lazarus. Each of these miracles have a meaning for me. Perhaps you will find a special meaning for yourself.
The Wedding Feast at Cana
At the wedding feast at Cana, Jesus was enjoying Himself for sure. Then His mother tells Him to see the wine steward. I’m sure Jesus did not like the interruption, but He was an obedient son, therefore He did as His mother asked. Why did Mary go to Jesus? How did she know it was time? Did the Holy Spirit come as a whisper to her? As an adult, Jesus was still Mary’s son and He was obedient to His mother, and ultimately His Father. Did Jesus know what He was going to do, or did God show Him?
How often are we asked to do something and have no clue what to do? It can be scary. We think there is no way we can accomplish what we want. We may balk at the quest; try to put it off. I wonder if Jesus was hoping to get a little more time with His friends and family before Mary went to Him. Imagine being at that wedding. There would be music and lots of food; and of course, wine. I would imagine that some of the friends and family did not get to see each other for long periods of time, and a big wedding was just the place for a reunion!
Lesson: whenever something challenging comes to us, we need not worry how we will meet it; because Jesus, as His Father, is at our side. A way will be shown to us.
July 22, 2021
From Mornings with the Holy Spirit (2020)
Just Surrender
Surrender is not the same as giving up or quitting. When we quit, we tend to walk away. In surrendering we give it to someone else to take over. Surrender in this context does not refer to armies who surrender to the other side. They are surrendering themselves for the sake of others; perhaps so no more soldiers will be killed. When we surrender to Jesus, we are basically saying: I need help. Jesus is there to help us always. We turn ourselves over to Jesus, then listen carefully for Him to guide us.
Jesus surrendered on the Cross. He did not quit. He went as far as He physicality could. Then, He turned Himself over to God, His Heavenly Father. To me, surrender is going as far as you know you can go. Quitting is going until you break. The difference as I see it is choice. Through surrendering, we choose to do so. But when we quit, we are forced to quit by our own physical, emotional or spiritual strength. You might feel sadness when you quit, but more than likely when your surrender you have a bit of relief.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.—James 4:7
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
—Matthew 7:7
Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!—Psalm 46:10
July 21, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2017)
Quietness, trust and strength
Jesus wants me to rest in His Presence when I need refreshment. He tells me that resting is not necessarily idleness as it is often perceived. Furthermore, when I relax in His company, I am demonstrating trust in Him. I have a little seating area set up in my bedroom with a comfy chair. I can also listen to music on a radio/cd player. In between the music stand and my chair I have set up a prayer space to Mary. I recently bought a beautiful statue of Mary with a little candle holder and a a small vase of yellow roses behind it. It is be my space for quiet, prayer, meditation and music!
Today’s reading states that “trust is a rich word” that gives me meaning and direction for my life. I don’t always feel like I trust in the manner Jesus wants me to. But then I ask myself if I really know the meaning of the word “trust?” Merriam-Webster gives this definition: The belief that someone or something is reliable, good, honest or effective. I believe that in today’s society, we are more programmed NOT to trust anyone or anything. I believe that the “too good to be true” statement has me by its grip.
I searched online for ways to build my trust with Jesus and I found a church, Calvary Chapel from South Bay, that had a short article on just this matter. The article gives three important ways to build that trust I so badly want with Jesus. First, I must surrender myself and my trouble to Him. My God Box is a good way to learn surrendering to Jesus. I simply write down the situation or problem on a small piece of paper and put it in the little box, and LEAVE IT THERE! Second, I must learn to replace the negatives in my life with positives. This is especially true for my negative thoughts. If I am faced with negativity, try to find a couple positives about it too. Third, ask Jesus for patience. I forget to ask Him for patience. Will Jesus send me an issue that will force me to patient? If so, I must learn to deal with patience in the manner of Jesus’ choice.Today’s lesson for me is to find time to rest with Jesus and build my trust in Him. Life is meant to be enjoyed, not endured.
July 20, 2021
From The Chosen: 40 days with Jesus
Worry
I tend to write about worry a lot. I guess you might call me a worrywort. And what do I worry about? Usually the tomorrows in my future. I certainly do not know what will happen and I really don’t know why I worry about something that I can do nothing about! Jesus told the disciples several times not to worry. He asked that they trust in Him and put the worrying aside.
An interesting story about worry is demonstrated in the Wedding Feast at Cana. Jesus was enjoying himself with family and friends. Mary was the one who began to worry about the wine shortage. We are told that every predicament is an opportunity for diving intervention. We have to ask Jesus for help with our worrying. If not, we will begin to worry about worrying!
Jesus wants us to go to Him with all our worries, big or small. He advises us to not try and conquer our worries on our own. He doesn’t want us to worry about whether we have the ability to stop worrying. We don’t! It is up to us to let Jesus take over our worries. He knows the best way to handle them. A couple of questions from this meditation. Do you struggle with anxiety? What things do you tend to worry about the most? Do you ask Jesus for the seemingly small things?
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough to trouble of its own.—Matthew 6:33-34
July 19, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Bring Me all your feelings
Do you talk with Jesus throughout the day and night? He wants us to talk with Him ALL THE TIME! Jesus asks that we bring Him feelings that you have and don’t like. Things like fear and anxiety. Living in a world that seem so uncertain can become a mental, emotional, physical and spiritual burden. Have you ever had feelings that you wished to never have? Maybe something form your past that frightened you or hurt you? There are times when I wish I could un-know some things.
Jesus wants to make sure we realize that feelings of fear and anxiety are not sinful. They are part of being human. But keeping those feelings around can lead to temptations of sin. Look for those temptations when you are in a state of panic or fear. Once the feelings begin, they can be hard to stop. I often wish that when I get in that kind of state of fear or panic that I would remember to ask St Michael for his shield and sword! Maybe we don’t need a shield and sword. Maybe all we need is the Name of Jesus!
We are told by Jesus that we are not to HIDE our fear. It is a real feeling and we must face it. It is how we face it—handle it that matters. Jesus tells us that anxiety that we hide in our hearts will bring about having fear of fear. That would be just awful! We must learn to take our anxieties into the Light of Jesus’ Presence. It is when we begin to fully trust Jesus that our hearts will begin to lose its grip on us.
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.—Ephesians 6:16
July 18, 2021
From Jesus Always
Rejoice Always
There are a few very short verses in the Bible. One is “Jesus cried” and another is “Rejoice Always”. I know of people who make a list, either on paper, iphone or in their head of all the things they are great full for at the end of the day. Rejoice Always brings to mind for us the Heavenly Light of Jesus. His Light shines to us and through us. When things feel like they are becoming dark, stop and remind yourselves to Rejoice Always.
Being joyful is a wonderful gift we can give to Jesus. While being joyful, think about specific reasons for rejoicing. We can begin with the simple things of life; food, shelter, clothing. There is another tier which includes people; family, friends, church family, grandchildren. These things to rejoice in can be found in every single aspect of our lives.
Something that is important to know is that rejoicing is a choice. We choose to be grateful, or not to be grateful. We get to decide. I have a sign on my kitchen wall that reads: Happiness is a choice. And the same thing goes for rejoicing and gratitude.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!—Philippians 4:4
Rejoice always.—1 Thessalonians 5:16
July 17, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2018)
Make Time for Me
This should be my highest priority for Jesus. I am like many people of this busy world in that I often give Jesus my left over time. While I have no problem putting my laundry or cleaning on hold, I should never put Jesus on hold. Jesus would prefer for me to drop what I am doing and take some quiet, prayerful time to be with Him.
One of the Bible verses at the end of todays reading is the story about Mary and Martha. Mary devotes herself entirely to Jesus, while Martha stays busy preparing food for Jesus. He reprimands Martha when she complains to Jesus, telling her that Mary has chosen the better thing. I’m sure Jesus did not visit Mary and Martha for the sole purpose of sharing a meal with them.
Jesus also tells me that the more I push Him and my time with Him in the background, the harder it will be to find Him. I may be hesitant to call on Jesus in my time of need. It is a matter of creating a habit. Taking time for Jesus daily is becoming part of my daily routine. Being with Jesus daily for prayer, talking, writing makes me more likely to call on Jesus during down times. A good habit to get into!
July 16, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2017)
See the Light of My Presence
I look up to the heavens with hope to catch a glimpse of Jesus. But I can not see Him. What I can see is the Light of His Presence. I can see it anywhere, anytime. I can see the Light of His Presence from the bottom of a well. Just as the Sun always shines, so does the Light of Jesus’ Presence. I must reach out to this Light as it is my only salvation when I am troubled.
Jesus does not want me to live in the self-pity pit. It is bottomless and there seems to be no way out. Self-pity brings on depression. Depression is a sad and lonely place to live. When I am depressed, I cannot love myself. I cannot love. I haven’t enough energy to love. When I am depressed I live in Satan’s world. He takes total control over my life.
But I only have to look up, out of the deep, dark pit and I will see the twinkling of the Lights of Jesus’ Presence. The longer I look, the more intense they become. Soon, I will be able to raise my hand upward, toward the Hand of Jesus that is reaching into the pit to rescue me. I become lighter the more I focus on the Light and I slowly begin to rise up until Jesus firmly grasps my hand and pulls me up and out of the dark pit. Jesus will cleanse me of the sludge and I will be clean when I confess my sins. He will forgive me as always.
July 15, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2018)
Do not worry about tomorrow
Jesus says in today’s reading that this is not a suggestion, but a command! He divided time into days and nights so that I would have manageable portions of life. Jesus created life to be lived one day at a time. When I worry about the tomorrows that lie ahead of me, I filling myself with an overload of trouble. Most of what I worry about in my tomorrows will never even happen. They occur only in my mind.
Jesus knows how many problems I can tolerate in a day and He will never give more than I can handle, even though it might seem impossible to make it through the day. Jesus never intended for me to carry a burden too heavy for me. As soon as the load seem to be too much, Jesus is at my side to help me out. He does not intend for me to carry a burden too heavy.
Today, I ask Jesus to help me not to worry about tomorrow since I don’t even know what tomorrow will bring!
July 14, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Keep Walking
Jesus reminds us that He always walks with us everyday. He, Himself, has chosen the path we will follow. It may be a beautiful walk, overlooking the mountaintops. There may be running streams to cross, cooling our feet. We may see an abundance of flora; both trees and flowers; and the weeds even are beautiful. We may have the sun shining on our faces as we look up to the heavens. We might be able to smell all the different herbs and spices growing wildly in the fields. The conversation be us and Jesus is full of His wisdom and advice.
That’s what a good walk with Jesus would be. Of the opposite, the trek with Jesus might be arduous. Maybe its chilly and damp, or even raining. Maybe the mud is slick, causing us to slide into a fall; or maybe the mud is very thick and heavy. Your shoes are covered in this mud; and every step you take you shoes get heavier with mud. Maybe your walk with Jesus is dark and hard to see where you are stepping. Maybe the air is filled with an ugly stench. You might be so miserable that you have no interest in talking with Jesus.
[pJesus tells us how to get through His walks with us, regardless of the conditions. He knows we are weak and may stumble, but He is next to you so He will hold your hand. He will encourage you to take the next step, even though it may be difficult. Jesus will show you beauty of Creation, even if it is the ugliest of days. Jesus knows whats behind the next bend. We don’t. He will have wonderful surprises somewhere along the way; maybe around that next bend? We only have to stay on the path with Jesus and He will take care of the rest. “If the LORD delights in a mans way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.”—Psalm 37:23-24
July 13, 2021
From Jesus Always
STOP everything
I’m sure you’ve had experiences where you know you’ve been busy, but you didn’t get things done. Let’s create a scenario. You take the box of tissue off the kitchen counter to bring to the bathroom. On the way you see a glass you left on the dining room table last night, so you put the box of tissues on the table and take the glass to the sink. There’s a few dishes in the sink so you rinse them and put them in the dishwasher. Then you remember there were strawberries in the frig that are going bad so you go to the frig and take them out, but you also see some left over veggies that are old. So while you have the frig open you start to clean it out; tossing old and spoiled food. You set the foods to be discarded in the sink and notice your little plant on the window ledge is drooping so you water it. Then head to the other plants in the house and water them. You decide to freshen up and go to the bathroom. There are no tissues! Where are they! You know you had them. You go to your bedroom and sit on the bed and close your eyes. You ask Jesus for His help. You ask Him to slow you down and to do one chore at a time. Calm you head to the kitchen for a tall glass of iced tea. On the way there, you see the box of tissue you left sitting there. It feels like it’s been hours since you decided to bring the box of tissue to the bathroom!
The lesson here is obvious. Go to Jesus first. Don’t wait until you are completely undone! When you get up in the morning ask Jesus to show you how to stop your busyness when you get in a turmoil. Ask Him to remind you to stop and breathe and whisper His name. We always think how we ask Jesus for help when we are doing something challenging. We know we need help then; but we also need His help and guidance in all the small things. Sometimes the small things create more stress than a big problem. Don’t believe that you can handle anything alone. You can’t. Make yourself humble and ask Jesus for His help. Stop and talk to Jesus when you are quiet too. Don’t just use His help for problems. Jesus will joyfully guide you along your day.
July 12, 2021
From Jesus Calling
“Jesus”
I have often written that saying the name of Jesus is a prayer. It is so simple; it is fast; it is calming and soothing to say “Jesus”. Jesus tells us to just whisper His Name when we feel that we are distant from Him. Calling on Jesus by name is sign of trust. It has helped me many times. I break a bottle of olive oil, trip on a rug, lose my keys, feel sad and lonely are all reasons to let Jesus know you need Him at your side.
Jesus reminds us how His Name is abused harshly in this world. I am guilty as well. The Name of the Lord is used as a curse word. Where did this come from? Did we hear it from our parents, on the street, from friends? Even in the middle of a terrible situation, whispering His name as a curse word can reach all the way to heaven. He hears it and it hurts Him. He tells us that the rancor of the world’s blasphemies cannot compete with a trusting child’s utterance: “Jesus.” Oh, the sweetness of the children!
Perhaps if we put ourselves in a more child-like mode, we might be able to capture the beautiful innocence of children. Just as the child rushes to their parent, so should we rush to Jesus, whispering His Name. “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”—Proverbs 18:10
July 11, 2021
From Jesus Always
Your competence comes from Me
Your competence comes from Me is the first sentence, the second one reads: there is no place for pride in your achievements. This wonderstruck me. For the past thirty minutes or more, have been trying to log on to my website without any luck. I had the correct username and password. I admit I did get angry and cursed. Only my cat heard me. And, of course, Jesus.
I was at a point where I wondered if I would ever get on the website again. Then something caught my eye. Trying to download something I thought might help, the message boards said that I was not connected to the internet. I check and it looked like I was but I pushed the buttons again. When I got back to my problem with the website, the problem had resolved by making sure I was online.
There are several lessons here. I jumped to a false conclusion. I put anger before common sense. I let my pride get the best of me. I am capable of much more than I think. I hesitated to ask for help. I did call on Jesus, but did it in a hurried way; sort of “fix it right now.” I think if I had closed my mind and quieted myself with prayer to Jesus and the Holy Spirit, I might have solved the problem quickly.
Jesus asks us in this mediation not to hesitate to ask for His help. Jesus would have shown me the way to a solution. There are steps to take when we call on Jesus. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”— 1 Thessalonians: 5:16-18. We thank Him for the abilities He has given us; our talents, skills, opportunities. We want to thank Him for all His plentiful blessings no matter what our situations are. The great lesson for me today is to go to Jesus first. Don’t run and throw open the door, yelling. The way is to quietly seek Jesus and/or the Holy Spirit. Tell them what is wrong, and ask for their help; and remember to thank Him for all our blessings.
July 10, 2021
From Jesus Lives (2020)
Worry
Worry is a topic worth going back to, especially in these trying times. What Jesus asks of us is not to worry about tomorrow. He understands that this is very difficult. But maybe we can do things to get us out of the worry rut. We need to find ways to interrupt any worry about tomorrow. We can try to talk our way out of it if we think of it in time. Tell ourselves that tomorrow is not here in the present. So put the worry aside until tomorrow. More than likely that particular worry will not even be there tomorrow.
Another idea when worrying about something is asking WWJD: what would Jesus do? As a human Jesus did worry. He knew long in advance of His suffering. We see Jesus actively in a state of worry in the Garden of Gethsemane. Was He worried at His supper with His disciples? From the readings, He didn’t seem to be distracted. His focus at that time is introducing His followers to the concept of Jesus’ Body and Blood.
Another way to deal with worry is to write your worry down on a piece of paper and drop it in a God box. A God box is a smallish box, decorated nicely; lid secured on with tape or glue, and a slit on the top of the lid to drop off your worry. The reason for the lid being secured on is so that you don’t try to take out your little paper containing your written worry. Once you give it to God, you cannot take it back. It belongs to Him. Try not to think about it anymore since you turned it over to God who can handle all things. Take some deep breaths and go about your day!
July 9, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Hear My Voice
It’s a little strange that this mediation popped up for today. I had been at an Adoration Hour at my church, and I happily had the chapel to myself! I like that because I can talk out loud to Jesus. I felt that He wanted me to be quiet. I cannot hear His Words if I am talking or if my mind is too busy. It is hard to sit and be absolutely quiet. For me it is best to have my eyes closed. It is amazing how many distractions one can have through their vision.
Maybe today you can find some time to just sit and be quiet? Don’t look at anything, don’t listen to anything. Open your mind to Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Sometimes a word or thought will come to you. Remember it. Jesus may be trying to tell you something or inspire thoughts. Try not to worry if nothing happens. Just having some quiet time to yourself is still a good thing. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”—Romans 12:2
Take a break today; one with Jesus. The rest will be good for you. Keep your mind and ears open to anything He may tell you. Sometimes you will receive a thought or idea from Him and you believe it to be random. I don’t think so. Jesus communicates with us more than you might think. Many of my stories are created during a quiet time. One thing that is very important is to stop worrying long enough to hear His Voice.
July 8, 2021
Personal Memories (2018)
Remembering my mother
Jesus loves to bless me with many gifts. One of my biggest blessings is my family. I had two wonderful parents. Today is twenty-three years since my mother passed away. I was not with her when she died. I was, however on my way to Dayton, Ohio where she lived, my home town. This was before I had a cell phone so I had to wait until we could get to a phone booth to call. When I called at 1:00pm I was told she died a few hours before. I stayed a few days in my childhood home while we prepared my mothers funeral. I remember helping my sisters pick out her dress. I could smell my mother as soon as we opened her closet door.
My dad died 8 months before. He died suddenly at home. We wanted the pastor of their parish to use some of the homemade wine my dad had made years before. It wasn’t allowed at my father’s funeral but the pastor gave us permission for my mother’s.
Most of my family were singers. Some of us sang in the choir, but most of the family (cousins, aunts and uncles) used to sing around the old player pianos that several relatives had. We sang an Ave Maria in harmony. It was beautiful!
After the funeral we had a luncheon at my family home. It was a very hot day! Nearly 100 degrees. The back yard was filled with my relatives. I remember looking out the the bathroom window which overlooked the back yard. It brought tears to my eyes to see all the people! My mothers neighbor, Mrs. Lee, was from Vietnam and she sent a large batch of egg rolls to share with all the other food that was brought to the house. We had some of my dad wine; my it was so strong! I remember a couple of cousins went upstairs to look around. When they came down the stair, they told my siblings and myself that it “looked just like they remembered.” I thank Jesus for the blessing of my mother and my family.
July 7, 2021
From Moments of Peace for Moms
Storms
A hurricane is brewing in Florida and heading north. This puts many people into a state of fear.There are other kinds of storms besides those of the weather. Many people have storms in their heads; thunderstorms. They can be very noisy too. A tragedy in our lives can cause a storm in our heads. Like many people, the storms in our heads can grow in strength just as the storms in weather. We have to deal with these storms just as we do the weather storms. We have to take precautions to be safe and protect ourselves, families and homes. The storms in our heads become a series of “what-ifs” for us.
Jesus can quiet that storm you are dealing with today. Just as He calmed the seas in the boat with the apostles. There is no storm that Jesus can’t handle. None too great for Him to quiet. We have to remember that Jesus is with us all day, every day. We only have to ask for His help. Sometimes the storms we go through are not as severe as we think they are. Ask for help from Jesus as soon as you sense any threat. He loves to help us you know. Just as Jesus showed His great strength by calming the sea, He also showed the apostles His great love for them.
Trust Jesus. Choose faith over fear. Remember Who is in control. Jesus is with us in the middle of the storm. Jesus is working in our lives right now.
July 6, 2021
From Personal Meditation
Faith
I couldn’t seem to get out of bed this morning, so I did what I usually do. Stay in bed, but use the time to be with Jesus. I am unhappy with the world we live in and asked Jesus what I could do about it. I talked a while and then I waited to see if He would answer me. The only word I thought or felt was faith.
I decided to look up faith and see what I could come up with. First of all faith comes from belief. If you believe, you can have faith. Faith is much stronger than hope; but if you think about it, I’m sure you can see the relationship. Faith is in the Bible. One story that comes to mind is Peter walking on the water to Jesus, then faltering. Jesus rescuing Peter said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” I’m sure the apostles had many moments of doubt.
So what can we do about building a stronger faith in Jesus? Read the Bible everyday. I know, it is hard to understand much of it. I have a contemporary Bible called “the Message” by Eugene Peterson. It uses everyday language and I feel as if I am reading from a library book. We need to pray everyday. If you are busy, just whisper Jesus’ name; let Him know you are thinking about Him. If you have the time, or, should I say, make the time to set aside time for devotions and prayers. Don’t be intimidated to talk to your friends and family about your faith. We have to be humble; and if we aren’t, sometimes God has a way to humble us. Serve others. We can donate food or money, serve in a food kitchen, or maybe give some money to the beggar on the street corner. Confession is good for the soul and it is something we need to do to build our faith. And, most importantly, love others. Love especially those you you don’t like, or those who don’t like you. Love can be projected in a simple smile! Remember, God loves you!
July 5, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Control
This meditation begins with acknowledging that we should all be filled with gratitude. Jesus tells us that our cups are overflowing with blessings. Gratitude helps us to better perceive Jesus and strengthen our relationship with Him. We are reminded that nothing can separate us from His Presence.
Jesus’ Presence is the basis of our security. We all want to feel secure, taken care of. Jesus knows that we as humans feel anxious at times. We can avoid those negative feelings by staying in Jesus’ Presence. He lets us know that we are never alone, and we will NEVER be alone!
There’s a little twist to this. We can choose, make choices, but we do not have control. Control is for Jesus alone. What He would like from us is to stop trying to predict what tomorrow will bring. Let Jesus control our lives the way He intends if to be. We will have to let go of some old lifestyles in getting used to Jesus as the Control Master. Since we do not know the future, Jesus suggests that we try to make our lives an adventure by giving up our old ways. He tells us to be on the lookout for great and wonderful things to happen.
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?—Psalm 56:3-4
July 4, 2021
From my personal meditation
Gratitude and Hope
This is a great day in America! Yes, there are the picnics, parades and parties, but I wonder how many people KNOW why we are celebrating? We, the people, used to live under the thumb of another country, far, far away. It must have been a dark time for the people to give up their lives and travel so far on an unknown ocean, to a land that they knew nothing about. I recall twelve men who were brave enough to do a similar thing by following Jesus.
We must be grateful for our beautiful America! Many turn their backs on Her and burn Her flag telling us how much they hate her. Simple question. If you don’t like it, why stay? That’s what our forefathers did. We are the greatest country in the world; we have been blessed with much. We should get on our knees and thank our Lord in Heaven for this wonderful land!
Many, including myself, are seeing a very dark side to Our America today. I believe this is just a temporary time for us. Our God does not like to see His children in America suffer under the tyranny of Satan. God will take care of us. No one is more aware of our darkness here than God. Be Patient! God will bring light to all of us, but it will be on His time. Having a strong sense of Hope can help those who are suffering now, to get through this time. God does not want to see His beautiful America suffer. And, He will make things wonderful for us again! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
July 3, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2020)
Judgement
In this meditation Jesus tells us that He, and He alone, is the only capable Judge. We often judge others, and not necessarily in a fair way. We all think we know everything, but we don’t. The idea of Jesus being THE JUDGE takes me back to two days ago when I focused on “Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself.” I can see how these two things go together. If we truly love ourselves, we will love our neighbor. We will accept them for who they are; just the way they are. But when we cast judgement on others, doesn’t that also cast a reflection of who we are? To judge others, we would have to know more, be a better person than those we judge. But we really aren’t. If God doesn’t judge others in this life like we might do, then we have to follow His ways.
We are not capable of judging others. We do not know what is truly in their heart and soul. We do not know all the circumstances of their situations. We, as people, tend to judge our of our feelings or emotions. We cannot see both sides of a story the way Jesus can. Jesus is the one and only capable judge.
When we live close to Jesus, we can pick up on His ways. He will send the Holy Spirit to guide and correct us as needed. The righteous will never condemn us for being close to Jesus; belonging to Him.
Do not judge and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.—Luke 6:37
July 2, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2018)
Trust Me as I work My ways
There was a commercial many years ago for Greyhound Bus Lines. It showed a bus full of people sitting and relaxing while enjoying the scenery. Their slogan was “leave the driving to us”. Taking a long trip in a car can be very stressful, especially if you are the one driving. This commercial came to me while reading today’s Jesus Calling. Jesus would have me sitting and enjoying the ride while He navigates my bus ride. I don’t have to read the road signs, or watch for bumps in the road, just BE with Jesus as He takes me on this journey.
Jesus does not want me to fear His will, what He has planned for me today. He has only my best at heart. Jesus only wants the best for me. And, if a difficulties develop today, He will be at my side to help me navigate through the rough terrain. Jesus wants “absolute trust” from me. I must give Him my trust. When I do, I will reap the rewards of trusting Him!
Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.—Psalm 5:23
July 1, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Time with Me
One of the most precious gifts we have is time. What do you do with this time? How much time do you spend on things that are not important? Think of a few time-consuming things you do everyday and think of how you can shorten the time. What to do with the extra time? Spend it with Jesus.
Jesus is the LIGHT. Spending time with Him is time soaking up His Presence, giving us energy and light. By talking with Jesus, spending time with Him, we are able to transfer the heavy things that burden us. Jesus carries our burdens on His strong shoulders. Spending time with Jesus is necessary for us so that we can unscramble all our thoughts and problems. We want to gain a new perspective on our lives.
It may not always be easy to make time for Jesus. We have to fight for it! We have much opposition to it. Maybe the time you spend with Jesus can be found by getting out of bed instead of lingering there. Or, maybe not watching that TV program will give you the time you need for Jesus. Most of us are often distracted by Satan/Lucifer. He tries to keep us away from. Jesus. He is very much alive today, and I’m sure he is impressed with himself. But frequent time with Jesus will help ward off the evil one. You will surely gain strength in resisting the dark opponent.
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.—Psalm 37:4
June 30, 2021
from Jesus Always (2019)
Trust Me and don’t be Afraid
Jesus asks that I not be frightened or intimidated by world events or news reports. It is true that most news reports leave out the element of God’s role of events. Some news sources become upset and even angry when God’s name is brought into news reporting. Separation of church and state they say, yet, our founding fathers built this great country in gratitude of God’s help.
When I hear horrible news, I have to stop and remind myself that God/Jesus is still in charge, that nothing will happen without His condonation. Some news channels don’t report the news, they only give editorials or opinions. God sees that too. Lack of honesty is rampant today. No one trust anyone, everyone points a finger at another. This makes the world a scary place for me, but I know that Jesus still walks with me everyday.
At Mass today, (2019) our third Communion hymn was God bless America! I was so proud to sing those beautiful words, and I wondered why some people did not join in song. I am so grateful for my country, so glad my family, centuries before me, came to settle in this great land. I ask for Jesus’ courage to stand up for what I believe in. I will trust Jesus and not be afraid.
June 29, 2021
From Jesus Lives
Trust
Many of us fear tomorrow. We worry about bad news or tragedy around the corner. Jesus tells us that He loves us the same whether we have fears or worries. But, He would like for us to make progress in our trust in Him. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but, we know that Jesus is and will always be at our side. It’s easy to get off track of “right-thinking” when we forget Who walks with us.
We may travel a bumpy road with many twists and turns along the way. At our side is Jesus, holding our hand if we need Him to. He points out areas to avoid; there is much there that can hurt you there, He says. Don’t always think that you have to take the shortest route either. There are hidden dangers along that road. He tells me to “just stay close to me and I will keep you safe.”
Begin your day by greeting Our Lord. Tell Him of your plans for the day, making sure you acknowledge His plans for you. Throughout the day, say: Jesus, I trust in you multiple times. I. say that as soon a I hit a snag in my day. Before you go to sleep, make sure you make amends with those around you, and then go to Jesus and discuss your day; your successes and failures. Also, forgive yourself for things you did not do right.
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.—Psalm 143:8
June 28, 2021
from Jesus Calling (2019)
Experience My Goodness
I recently read a long article on all the things we should be grateful for. The list had a lot of things from nature; the beauty of it, such as Queen Anne’s lace, ferns, the face of a lily, the buzzing of a bee, the crickets in their song. There are so many things to be grateful for today. For me, breathing, the steady beat of my heart, legs that move, a sharp mind, my creativity; my children, grand-children and my great-grand children. I am grateful for my ability to write, do needle crafts, and my newest ambition, baking! So many times we (I) take for granted all we (I) have. After the recent tornadoes that hit my hometown, my family that lives there are so grateful that they were all spared any devastation. I am so grateful for my faith, my church. I am in a new parish and am starting to feel like I really belong there, and that is very, very good!
Jesus does not want me to try and understand His ways, rather, He just wants me to spend some quality time with Him. I am working on focusing on His Presence with Me daily. I found myself talking out loud to Jesus the other day when I was baking. I’m sure He was elated to be included in my baking process. I know I don’t talk to Jesus often enough, but I am still working on a stronger focus with Him. I know that the more time I spend with Him, experiencing time with Him, makes my faith and trust in Him stronger. I read in Jesus Always today to try to silently thank Him as in inhale, and declare my trust in Him as I exhale. This is also a relaxing exercise and I begin to feel more relaxed the longer I practice this exercise Today is a good day to spend with Jesus and experience His goodness!
June 27, 2021
From Jesus Always
See Me
What I mean by the words, See Me, is not so much as looking for our Creator, but looking as the Creators world; His works. There is so much beauty in this world. Everything He created from oceans, to forests, to canyons, to flora. Look at the beauty in the foods we eat, the food we grow. The next time you go to the grocery store or farmers market, look closely at the variety and color of the fruits and vegetables. The deep reds, oranges, yellows and greens of the bell peppers. Look at the intricate design of the asparagus. Grapes come in various colors as do apples. These things of beauty were designed by God for us to enjoy. When you see this beauty, think of God/Jesus/Holy Spirit and see Him.
When dealing with things of darkness, also think of Our Creator. Thinking of the beauty He created, may take away some of the darkness. What we are doing is using some of the the beauty as a balm of sorts, for our pain and suffering. Those. Who can SEE Him in beauty AND darkness, will find hope and comfort. This is because we know then that we are in His Hands.
Look to the Lord and his strength; see his face always.—1 Chronicles 16:11
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.—John 1:3
But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in Your hand.—Psalm 31:14-15
June 26, 2021
From Do Something Beautiful for God
Silence
“I always begin my prayer in silence, for it is in the silence of the heart that God speaks. God and silence are great friends. We need to listen to God, because it’s not what we say, but what He says to us and through us that matters.” Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta
We live in an extremely noisy world. Even with no TV, radio or other device playing, it can still seem noisy to me. I hear the cars and trucks drive by. I can hear the children playing across the street, and sometimes someone has their car radio on so loud that I can almost feel the beat of the bass in my house!
I personally do better with prayer in the deep silence. I have taken it to the extreme of sitting with a blanket on my head to block out vision and sound. There have been times that I know that God was talking to me. This does occur in a silent time. Before sleep and first thing in the morning is always a good time to be quiet with Him. Talk to Him before your day starts and at the end when you are about to close the door on this day.
If your church has an Adoration Chapel, it is the best place to have quiet time with Jesus in the Eucharist. If I am alone in the room, it is even better! There are no other people to distract your very personal prayer. Depending on what kind of activity goes on in your church before Mass, it can also be a nice quiet time.
Many of us talk too much. I am one of those people. I find that I learn and understand things better if I don’t talk; just keep silent. The worst thing is when I find myself preparing what I am going to say next while the other person is still speaking! I don’t have to rehearse what I want to say! I must learn to trust that Jesus is at my side and will fully help me to reply to anything that is said to me. Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta says: it’s not what we say, but what He says to us and through us that matters.
June, 2021
A Walk on the Water
The apostles approached Jesus with care and comfort. They told Jesus that they had come to tell Him of His cousin, John’s death. Peter said, “Master, I hate to tell you this, but, John was beheaded. We have just come from burying his body.” Jesus’ eyes filled with tears as He bowed His head in prayer. Jesus told the apostles that He was taking a boat and going to a remote area to be alone.
The crowds that followed Jesus heard where He was going, and they went there on foot. As Jesus arrived to the shore, He saw the multitudes. He saw that they had brought the sick with them, and, Jesus, being compassionate, began to heal them.
Evening came and the disciples went to Jesus to inform Him that this was a remote area, and they thought He should send the people on their way to nearby villages for food. But, Jesus told the disciples to feed the people. “We have no money or food to feed these people!” Jesus then told them to bring what they had. He was handed five loaves and two fish. Jesus looked to heaven and blessed them. Then he began to break the bread and gave it to the disciples to pass out to the people. After the people had eaten their fill, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers.
Jesus said to His disciples, “Get in your boat and cross to the other side of the lake. I will dismiss the people gathered from here.” After all the people left Jesus, still saddened by the horrible death of His cousin, John, went up into the hills to be alone and pray. And then night fell.
While the disciples were in their boat crossing the lake, they chatted with awe and wonder at the great miracle of the feeding of five thousand people. A strong wind began to blow, rocking and shaking the boat. It was the the witching hour, three am. The men were terrified that they would sink in the great waves. Then suddenly they saw a light on the water, a figure was coming towards them! “It is a ghost!” someone shouted. Then they saw that it was Jesus.
He spoke to them at once, “Do not be afraid; take courage, I am here!” Peter did not believe his eyes and shouted back to Jesus. “Lord, if it is really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
“Yes come.”
Peter began to leave the boat and one of the disciples pulled on his clothing. But, Peter broke away and he began to walk on the water! The others were shocked and frightened for Peter. Peter was walking on the water! Then, unfortunately, Peter looked down at the swirling waters and he began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he said.
Jesus grabbed the arms of Peter and pulled him up. Disappointed, Jesus said, “You have so little faith. Why did you doubt me?”
Then Jesus helped the shaken Peter back into the boat. The wind stopped. Realizing what had just happened, they began to worship Jesus as the true Son of God!
June 25, 2021
From Jesus Always (2020)
Praise and Trust
Jesus tell us in this reading from Jesus Always to not worry. In fact, the words are ‘refuse to worry.’ We are told to displace our worry thoughts with trusting and thankful thoughts. Honor God as He is to be honored by praising and thanking Him. Further, we are told that the combination of praise and trust drives the worry, anxiety, fear and darkness away. Use scripture to better communicate with Jesus.
I ask Jesus to take care of all of His children. I envision Him wrapping His arms around ALL His children and holding us tightly. His Love and His Light is so powerful that we all begin to drop hatred and revenge, and embrace Love as He wants it. Being together with all the world in Jesus’ arms will create Peace.
Jesus asks us to thank Him for everything. Even the things that we don’t necessarily like. I recall a time I went to Mass and headed to “my” seat. There were people sitting in “my space”. The woman sitting there told me she was saving the other seats. I had no choice but to sit on the cold metal folding chair at the end of the aisle. I started to complain to myself. The chair was cold and hard and was not at all comfortable. Then I remembered to give thanks in all things. So I thanked Jesus for at least having a chair to sit in; a church to attend Mass; legs to walk in; means of transportation to get to Mass. The chair wasn’t as bad after that.
June 24, 2021
From Jesus Always
New Attitude of Mind
Jesus wants to change our ways. He wants us to have a new attitude in our mind. This means living close to Him, so as to bring about newness and change. He is transforming us by the renewal of our mind. We must pay attention to Him! Basically Jesus has put us “under construction” and we will be a work in progress until the day we die. We are not like the materials that are used to construct houses, but we are living, breathing “material.”
While Jesus holds the control, we are given the ability to choose. We have the ability to think things out and make important decisions. We will have to cooperate with Jesus and make our decisions based on what He wants. He will want us to make good, godly choices. We can do this by knowing Jesus as He truly is. Learn about Him; read the Gospels. Learn about God; read the Bible. Choose to live according to His Will. The more you do, the more you will become like Jesus. And you surely will enjoy walking with Jesus.
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.—Psalm 89:15
June 23, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Come Back to Me
Today’s meditation from Jesus asks that we always go back to Jesus. He wants His love to stream through us which can wash away fear and distrust. He asks that we keep Him with us in our minds and hearts as we go through different situations; whether difficult or easy. He is most pleased when we think of Him first; before we make any decisions. Surely He will never let us down.
Jesus knows that we always seek the truth. Jesus IS the TRUTH! He wants us to understand the truth, through Him. But, we have to learn one important thing. . . when we wander from Him, either spiritually or emotionally, we must go back to Him. Jesus understands that the human being is not capable of staying focused on any one thing for a period of time.
Another thing Jesus wants from us is to be persistent. Persistence over perfection. Jesus would never expect perfection from us, so don’t worry about when you fall short of your expectations. A verse from Deuteronomy in this meditation is: Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you, he will never leave you nor forsake you.—Deuteronomy 31:6. After a bit of research, the word THEM, as mentioned above is a reference to the enemies of his people (Israelites) as they went through the Promised Land. We have enemies too, in our everyday life. We have fears as well. We can substitute our fears in place of the word, THEM. We have to remember that Jesus goes with us everyday!
June 22, 2021
from Jesus Always (2019)
Anticipate Joy
Joy can be simple things. Holding a baby, petting a pet, baking cookies with kids. These are some of the ordinary joys of life,but in the midst of trouble or sadness, joy seems a long way off. Jesus asks me to anticipate joy when I am feeling sad. It sounds very hard to do, but I believe it is possible. Just as Jesus asks me to thank Him for things that I do not consider to be good, I grow from the experience. He knows that I (we) will always experience sadness at times in our lives. Jesus offers me joy throughout all eternity. This joy is part of what He wants me to think about as well.
Sadness loneliness, stress, anxiety are all factors that carry pain with them. He alludes to the pain of giving birth. I can relate to that. The pain keeps getting worse and worse and don’t believe that I will be able to get through it. This is real pain, labor, but it one kind of pain, that comes with a beautiful rainbow at the end of the storm: a new baby! issolves like ice in a hot sun. Amazingly, women even brag about their labor after birth.
Happiness is a choice, hence, Joy is a choice. I can choose the times to be sad or joyful. I cannot change the event that brings on joy or sadness. Acceptance is the best way to get through the sad times. In joy, thanksgiving enhances my joy. However, Jesus does not want thanks and gratitude only in the times of joyful events, but in the troubling times of sadness as well. It is hard for me to absorb this concept. Who hasn’t complained about a painful or sad experience in their life only to see someone in a similar situation? Then they see someone in much greater suffering and realize what they have isn’t so bad after all. There is always joy in the future!
June 21, 2021
Good vs Evil
We all know the concept of an angel sitting on one shoulder while the devil sits on the other It is usually done in humor. But good and evil DO exist. And they are in the here and now. There is currently a war of sorts between the two. I know there are many who want nothing to do with this battle. I understand. To know is to see the truth. And the truth is hope; hope for the future.
I began to see this, world re-set or whatever it is, happening a few months ago. It sounded so scary to me to know that Satan is alive and well. We know he exists because God tells us so, but still, the evil Satan and his plan is something we would rather not know about. I wish I could “un-know” things that make me uncomfortable. But God keeps opening my eyes and I know He wants me to know so that I might be able to share.
When Covid happened, we were all shocked to believe that it was real. It was like a scary sci-fi movie. But as time moved on, we began to accept it a bit more. And now that it is almost over, we easily accept it.
God has a great plan for us in this world. As in early times of the Bible, He called out the people for their sins. He is calling out the great sinners of the world for their role in evil-doing today. They will be punished. This probably doesn’t make any sense to you. I understand. But if you have an inkling that something in the world is off, that doesn’t make sense, maybe God wants you to learn about todays good and evil. Lucifer and his followers are real; they exist. I am happy to message, text or email anyone who wants to know more.
June 20, 2021
Father’s Day
We wish all our dads and fathers a Happy Father’s Day today. Dads are very important in our lives. He is generally the one who supports the family. He is the one who sets the example in the family. I was blessed to have a great dad! He could do anything in my eyes. He had a beautiful garden and we ate the food from the land in the winter and summer. Many vegetables were canned and saved. My dad walked to work and home again. I think it was about five miles one way. My dad could repair nearly anything that broke. He was also a very religious man. He was a man of prayer. I remember a story about him when he was waiting to be picked up by some of my sisters to go to the hospital for a procedure. My mother was ill, either in a hospital or at home. Most of the lights were off in the house. When my sisters got to the front door, they looked in through the glass pane and saw him sitting at the kitchen table, praying a rosary.
Dad’s are so different today from when I was a child. Dads worked and Moms stayed home. That’s just the way it was. Each parent had their own job. Today’s dad and mom share chores and responsibilities. Many dads choose to stay home with the children while the mom goes to work. I know that in many families the children’s bath and bedtime was alternated every night. Generally speaking, one put the children to bed while the other cleaned up the dinner table. Dads and Moms are working as partners these days.
Many of us do not have our fathers with us today. We celebrate them through prayers and memories. We remember the birthdays, picnics, holidays we had with them. We thank Our God for the great gift of a father. Fathers Day was generally a day the family got together. We realize the blessings bestowed on us because of our dads. Let’s not forget our Heavenly Father on this day as well.
June 19, 2021
From Jesus Always
What is Wisdom?
What is Wisdom? According to the Jesus Always meditation today it is: The ability to make good decisions based on knowledge and experience. The first step in wisdom is TRUTH. Wisdom cannot be built upon false facts or ideas. When we walk with Jesus, we trust Him to find the best way for us to go. We know he will take us along the shortest and most straight path. When we look ahead, we believe we see twists and turns, and bends and hills in the road. But when we look back at the ground we covered, we can see that Jesus was at our sides each step of the way. He shielded us against dangers, removing obstacle in the way and He straightened out the path for us.
One can receive Wisdom through experience. When one is interested in trying new things and reflecting on the process, he has the ability to gain wisdom. We need to use the experiences to analyzing them, building your knowledge. We want to pray to Jesus for Wisdom by opening doors, light for the way, for trust and dependence, dealing with difficulties, dealing with confusions, accepting God’s Will. We pray for guidance prayers and honoring God. We pray for Wisdom in our doubts and anxieties. We pray for patience, for the things that don’t work out, for wisdom in opportunities. Pray for wisdom in our hearing and listening. We need to pray to surrender ourselves to Him.
Prayer for Wisdom “Direction from the Holy Spirit”
Loving God, You’ve sent us Your Holy Spirit to be our Comforter, our Teacher, and our Guide. Allow Your Spirit Lord to comfort me in times of anxieties and worries. Let Hm teach me Your ways and guide me into all truth, that I may be blessed with the wisdom to understand and perceive by faith the plans You have for me. Let Him direct my thoughts and guide my decision so that I may make the most of your will in my life. Amen.
June 18, 2021
from Jesus Always (2019)
Be Still
Psalm 46:10 may be my most favorite piece of scripture. (Be still and know that I am God). When I was at a different parish and in the choir, we sang a beautiful song from this passage. It was melodically beautiful and the words were so powerful. When my husband passed away shortly after learning this new song, I asked that the choir sing it at his funeral. It has been sung at most funerals ever since.
Do I know how to be still? I am slowly learning. Yesterday I took my coffee outside and just sat. I listened to the bird song and enjoyed the blue sky, the gentle breeze, and all the green foliage. I was just still. Then a memory came to me. Sitting on a boat with seventy-one other pilgrims in the Holy Land. We had just had the story of Jesus calming the see read to us. We were then told to rest and reflect. The engine was turned off and it was completely quiet. It was cloudy and a little windy. I could hear the water splashing on the side of the boat caused by the wind. Then, it became calm and I felt warmth on my body and opened my eyes to see the sun shining on all of us. We all saw and we all felt it. I don’t know what “it” is, but it was miraculous. Later in the day, someone reminded me of that very moment. It is a very special moment in my life.
It is difficult to find quiet time in this crazy noisy world. But it is possible. Even if I have to throw a blanket over my head, to keep the visuals and noise out, I will. Quiet time with Jesus is really a gift. It is always there for me, and all I have to do is to be still.
June 17, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Laughter
There is a sketched picture of Jesus laughing; laughing out loud! I love that image. We sometimes tend to think that Jesus is very serious, and He is, but we can’t picture Him having fun. One to the best images of Jesus having fun and laughing is the Cana Wedding ceremony as shown on The Chosen. Jesus danced with people and even drank a little. I have found myself laughing at “Jesus” on the The Chosen multiple times. He is portrayed as a real human. Can you image or picture Jesus laughing? What about God? Do you wonder if He ever looks at us and smiles?
A little baby’s giggle is such a heart-warming gift to hear. Belly-laughs are the best! If you see/hear people laughing, you will most probably join in. I can imagine Mary laughing at little Jesus trying to take His first steps!
Laughter lightens your load as well as lifting your heart. Your laughter rises to heaven and mingles with the angels song. Laughing is actually good for you too. You use those stomach muscles, and that is good. Laughter also takes away some of the seriousness of the world, which is in a horrific state at this time. Finding something to laugh at, or even just a good smile, can help you separate from the seriousness of the world, if only for a short time.
We must learn to laugh more often and not take everything so serious. After all, Jesus is at our side to take care of those matters. “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dried up the bones.”—Proverbs 31:25
June 16, 2021
From Rhetorical Jesus
Motivation
The question in Rhetorical Jesus is “What is the greatest motivation in your life?” I suppose it depends on where you are at in your life. A teenager graduating from high school would be different from a person like me; a widow in my golden years. A young mother with small children would be different from the CEO of a great corporation. I think to answer this question, one has to figure out where you are at this present time. As a widow at the age of 76, my motivations would be different from most people.
The greatest motivation in our lives should be to glorify God; to give Him glory. We all have different ways of doing that. St. Teresa of Calcutta knew that her glory to God was caring for the sick, lonely, poor and dying of India. When did she know that was her motivation for glory? Do you know what your motivation is? Is there something special you do to show glory to God? How does one know what their motivation is? These are some questions to ask yourself. Maybe you don’t know yet what your motivation is to be? Maybe it is different today than it was, say, ten or twenty years ago?
I know that my motivation has changed several times. In fact, I had many years of not having any motivation at all to give Glory to God. I might have been wrapped up in my family life, or a job. What I like about being older is that I can see more clearly what God wants of me. For the past seven or eight years, I learned that I can write in a spiritual way, sometimes giving motivation to others to seek out the peace and comfort of Jesus. Writing my monthly short biblical fiction story, puts me inside the Bible. I don’t ever expect to have anything published, as that would go against the grain of glorifying God. But I know that my writing is what I am to be doing today. A secondary motivation is to learn the truth of this world today; what is true and what is a lie. This is something I did not seek out but was rather shown the way.
What is your motivation to give God glory? You don’t have to come up with an answer. Just think about it and in time, it will come to you.
June 15, 2021
From Jesus Always
Draw Near to Me
Sometimes it hard to remember that Jesus is at our side. We know it subconsciously, but we do not put it into our reality. Jesus asks that we try to be still in His Presence. This will bring peace and comfort. Imagine Jesus whispering in your ear: “I have loved you with an everlasting Love.”
We live in a very strange world where everything seems backwards, or upside down. Right is wrong and wrong is right. It is definitely a place of confusion. We live in a world with more hatred than eve before. And, we have have a year and a half of coronavirus and all that it entails. Social-distancing, masks, six feet apart for all this time has taken a toll on our hearts and souls. But as alone as we felt at times, we were never truly alone, for Jesus was always at our side. He invited us to draw near to Him. Did you? Did you call on Jesus when you were in fear and full of questions?
We are challenged to be aware of Jesus as we go about our day today. He will help set the perspective straight if we ask for help. We are told not to worry about all the thoughts and ideas that run through our minds. But, remember to go back to Jesus when those thoughts and ideas become too much to handle. Conjure up images of Jesus being with you, taking a walk, or looking over the mountain top, or sitting next to you in a quiet place. The more time we spend with Jesus, the more full of His Love we will become, and that Love will go to others as a blessing.
June 14, 2021
From Jesus Always
Patience
1 Corinthians 13:4 is a favorite of most of us: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
This verse is often read at weddings. I had it at mine. In Jesus Always we are told that of all the words (adjectives) that Paul could have used in his writing that he choose patient. I can understand the concept of patience inside of love. Look how parents must have patience with their little ones. Oh, and the teens; their parents need even more patience. When a couple first marries, I think they show a great amount of patience, always trying to impress the other. As the years go by, many lose patience with their spouse, yet, they still love them.
We are living in a time that requires great patience. I’m sure everyone can find their own example of working to be patient. Patient people tend to be a little more relaxed. So many times we have to wait through difficulties. Covid is a good example. Now we see the world, so changed from the past, where hatred and dominance is greater than the good. Patience will help us past that.
Pray for patience. Don’t be afraid of the answer Jesus may give you. It is always the right one. We all have to suffer on this earth, so don’t be surprised when it strikes. Pray for the priests that are under scrutiny of their bishops for teaching God’s Word, the way He wrote it. Pray for the children who are being trafficked daily, for their parents who may never see them again. Pray for our politicians; not just the ones you like, but even more so for the ones you do not like. Yes, we are in a very strange world, and we must be patience. All in God’s time. We will all receive just what He wants for us.
June 11, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Trust Me!
Jesus tells us over and over to trust Him and yet we still don’t get the message. He hates to see us afraid; and many of us are afraid at this period of time. Everything seems off; in is out, out is in; truth is a lie and a lie is the truth. No wonder we struggle with trust.
Fear takes a lot of energy; energy that should not be wasted on things we cannot control. Jesus asks that we take that energy and turn it into trust. We find it hard to stay focused on the issues at hand. We worry about tomorrow instead. The enemy, Lucifer, Satan, the devil; whatever you call him works to control our minds. We need to remember that the evil one is always around and is eager to take control.
We need not think that this is a weakness on our part. We are human. Jesus uses this weakness to draw us closer to Him. He understands this battle we face everyday. A verse from Romans explains this clearly. “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.”—Romans 8:9
Many times during the day I say to myself: Jesus, I trust in you. I say it repeatedly, and the more I say it the more I feel a sense of calm overcome me. Jesus is our strength; always at our side, and He will never deceive us.
June 10, 2020
From Jesus Calling
Planning
Jesus asks us to rest in Him, give our mind a break from the constant planning and anticipating what is going to happen. He tells us that putting our focus on planning, takes away the valuable time we could be spending with Him. We journey everyday with Jesus and He wants us to let Him and the Holy Spirit take charge of the details. Also, focusing on ourselves and not on Jesus, we can become distracted. We might forget that Jesus’ strong hand is holding ours. I sometimes wish He would tug on my hand to bring me back to reality.
Holding onto Jesus’ hand is what keeps us safe. Discipling ourselves to keep our focus on Jesus should be constant. We need His guidance. Some of our days are like rocky, hilly terrain. This can be dangerous for us if we are not paying attention. Looking at temptation will take our eyes off of our footing. If we spend too much time looking in the far distance, we can also loose our footing or even pull away from Jesus and get lost.
The following Psalm is beautiful. It makes me think of the sea, ships, and winds and the safety of Jesus hands clinging to me. “If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.”
June 9, 2021
From Jesus Always
Surely the Lord is in this place
Have you ever walked into a place that felt different? Perhaps, a church where you can feel the Presence of Jesus? How about the home of a stranger where you get a bad vibe? Many people, including myself, know when they walk into a prospective new home and realize that “this is it!” There are people like that as well. Some people give off bad vibes or good vibes. I knew a woman who was full of grace; I could see and feel that she walks with Jesus. There is a song my former parish sang at special events to celebrate out unity.
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place
I can feel His mighty
power and His grace
I can hear the brush of angel's wings
I see glory on each face
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place
I love the line: I can hear the brush of angel’s wings. We feel close to Jesus when we feel His Presence. We can feel His Presence when we decide to keep Him close to us; when we give ourselves to Him. “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”—2 Corinthians 17.
We all long to have the Presence of Jesus wherever we are. And, it is especially wonderful when we can physically “feel” that Presence. On my trip to the Holy Land in 2018, I felt that close Presence of Jesus in so many places! I walked on some of the same land as He did. I entered the temple where Jesus prayed. You don’t have to travel to see or feel His Presence. He is with you at all times. Just stop, take a deep breath and open your heart to Him. He is there.
June 8, 2021
From Jesus Today
Rest and Hope
In this meditation from Jesus, we are told that rest and hope are actually a good combination, that they go together. We all want a good nights sleep. We will shop for the best bed, pillow, blankets etc… but these are not the things that Jesus is talking about.
It is Hope that gives us the rest we need. It can be the difference between life and death. This meditation tells us that prisoners of war who stop hoping are much less likely to survive. They simply give up. The same with people fighting like-threatening illnesses. It’s the one who keeps fighting who fares better. Those who give up hope, are in a way saying they quit, give up.
Jesus wants us to place our hope in Him. Give it to Him, mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally. Hope is a great gift for us. It is often a source of comfort and rest. When we give our hope to Jesus, He gives us just the right amount to work with. He will not allow ourselves to be over-extended in hope. If we only need a little hope, that’s what Jesus will give to you.
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.—Psalm 62:5-6
June 7, 2021
from Jesus Calling (2019)
Do not worry: Who is in charge of your Life
I, like many people, think I have complete control over my life, but, I don’t. Jesus tells me that when I let Him take control over my life, I really don’t have anything to worry about. He earnestly wants me to give Him any situation that causes anxiety and stress. He wants me to back off a bit; let my problems fall into Jesus’ capable hands. He will fix the problem or show me what to do.
Jesus is all around me, like a cocoon of light. Picture this: A cold, chilly day, I come in from a freezing outdoors. Jesus greets me with a warm blanket to wrap around my shoulders. He puts warm fuzzy slippers on my feet and hands me a delicious hot cocoa. Then He sits next to me as I shiver the cold from me. He puts He arms around me and I feel His glorious warmth and comfort. Picturing ways Jesus is with me can help me become stronger in my quest to keep my focus on Him.
I know Jesus wants me to look away from the things that drive me crazy. A new neighbor moved in and she has a dog who cries, howls and barks a lot. Another neighbor asked what I was going to do about it. I told her I will get used to it and won’t even notice it someday. It’s not important enough to get excited over it. I want to live a restful, peaceful life and I can only do that if I keep my focus on Jesus, and ask: who is in charge of my life?
June 6, 2021
From the Gospel reading for Today
This is My Body and Blood
This is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The Gospel reading takes place on the same day that Jesus triumphantly entered into Jerusalem on a donkey. In the evening Jesus let the disciples know of the great gift He was giving them; His Body and Blood. Jesus took the bread, broke it and gave it to His disciples and told them, “Take this and eat of it, this is My Body.” He then took the chalice and said to them, “Take this and drink of it, this is my Blood.”
This is a great mystery to us. Not one of us can understand how this can be; yet we all believe with all our hearts. Jesus blesses people at one time telling them that blessed are those who do not see, but believe. The Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ, is sort of our ticket to heaven. When we receive Communion we are acknowledging His Body and Blood, with the knowledge that His Blood was shed for us on the Cross.
It is so good to get back to “regular” Mass. People are singing, sitting close to each other, and praying together. It was nice to have Benediction today as well. The priest entered the sanctuary from the back of the church. We have not seen that in a long time. The Responsorial Psalm was sung. We all gratefully thank Jesus for this!
June 5, 2021
from Jesus Always (2019)
Do what you can
The whole statement is: Do what you can, and leave the rest to Me.
I’ve been told in a support group years ago that after hearing what everyone has spoken to “take what you like, and leave the rest.” Very good advice. I consider this when reading the Bible. Not all the stories are appealing to me, of any pertinent interest, so I don’t go back and read them again. Jesus listens to me and cares for me. He wants to help me when I am in trouble.
I like most people, am not capable of absorbing everything I see and hear in a day’s time. Jesus assures me that I can live with problems; they don’t all have to be solved right away. Some issues are easier to fix if I have some time to think about them. I know there are many problems in this world today, but most don’t have anything to do with me. All I need to do is listen to Jesus; watch what He sends my way. I will do what I can then turn the rest over to Jesus.
June 4, 2021
From Jesus Callng
Challenges
“Welcome challenging times” . . . I never have to walk alone. I have Jesus at my side always; all day, every day. So challenges that come up should not stop me in my tracks. Jesus is well aware of the problems I have and has promised to be with me. Challenges can be good. My life would be very bland without some challenges. Most challenges are like tests. I would never have learned things in American History or Math without taking tests. They show me how much I really know. They point out which areas are my strengths and my weaknesses. I need to know where to improve to prevent the same challenge from occurring again; and, I need to know what I have accomplished, what I can do!
As long as I keep a firm grip on Jesus’ Hand as I walk through this day, I will stay safe despite any problems that pop up along the way. When I hold on to Jesus’ Hand I stay close to Him. I need Him close so that He can steer me in the right direction, help me over a hurdle, pick me up when I fall down.
Most challenges in my life have proved to become turning points for me. I can look back and see how the puzzle pieces of my challenges begin to fit together and create a whole new picture for me. They can make sense after some time has passed. Most people love challenges in this life. Challenges in athletics, art, science, and even simple things like a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle, or an outdoor game. We grow through challenges. If I have any challenges today, Jesus, I know that You will be with me to get through them.
June 3, 2021
From Jesus Calling
My Peace displaces fear and worry
We live in troubled times and it is reflected in the faces and actions of people. There are some who go along all day without a thought about the world. Others focus so much on the problems of the world that they think about nothing else. Neither is good. We should all be aware of our surroundings and the things of the earth, but being careful not to let them take over.
Putting our focus firmly on Jesus will help us find a way to rid the fear and worry we have. But, we have to keep at that focus on Him; not let us be distracted and fall into the trap of fear and worry. Ask Jesus for help. Ask Him to calm you, to distract you. Maybe you can sit down for a few minutes to meditate with Jesus. If you can’t seem to meditate, try something different. How about thinking of one of your favorite Bible story or Gospel. Close your eyes and imagine yourselves in the middle of the story. Try to use your senses to put you into it. What do you smell? See? Hear? How do you see the landscape? Is the terrain dusty and dry or wet and lush. You get to make up your own background. Now, can you sit back and watch the story unfold?
Most people do not have time for a meditation like described above, but you can just whisper Jesus’ name; just say: help! Tell Him you need Him. He will help you. Jesus can come to us, but He prefers for us to invite Him.
June 2, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Know that I Am God
The first paragraph of this meditative reading is like a list of to-dos. So I will write it as a list:
- Relax in my healing, holy Presence.
- Be Still while I transform your heart and mind.
- Let go of cares and worries so that you can receive my Peace.
- Cease striving and know that I am God.
Did you know that when you relax your body begins heal in peace? Maybe this is why Jesus wants us to take time to relax with Him in His Holy Presence.
It is hard to be still sometimes, but it pays off when we do. If we can sit still with Jesus even for a short time He can begin to transform your heart and mind. Jesus wants our hearts and minds to be in sync.
The hardest thing to do sometimes is to let go of your cares and worries. That s the way to receive His Peace. Some people, like me, will turn things over to Him, but then find themselves trying to take it back. When we give our problems to Jesus we have to leave them with Him so He can work on them.
We need to strop trying so hard in our lives, slow down and be with Jesus. Know that He is God. And, God is where we find our Peace. We need to find a time and place for quiet; finding a quiet mind and soul.
June 1, 2021
Jesus Calling (2017)
I never leave your side
The one thing Jesus wants me to keep foremost in my thoughts is that He never leaves my side. I may not feel His presence, but He is there. It is important that I focus on Jesus as often as possible so that I don’t feel lost or deserted. Jesus wants me to call on the Holy Spirit for guidance throughout this day. Doing so will protect me from getting lost, falling and keeping me safe. My focus is to be on Jesus, not on the crazy world around me.
Jesus has planned out ever thing for me today; every inch of my journey! He tells me that I should expect to find some sort of trouble however. If I am truly WITH Jesus I believe that I could go through my troubles without feeling the negativity of it. By keeping my focus on Jesus I can go through the tough spots and not realize that I was being challenged. This is because the focus was on Jesus and not on the issue.
“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you”— Isaiah 41:13. This is a comfort to me, to know that Jesus is always holding my right hand. How can I get into trouble or get hurt when He is holding my hand? I know I can get through this day, whether it will be easy or hard, because I know I am never alone, that I always have Someone holding my hand!
May 31, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2017)
Submit to God and be at peace with Him
This is a verse from Job…Job 22:21 to be exact. This is what Jesus wants from us every day, every hour, every minute. When we turn over our life to Jesus a lot of my anxieties go away, and we don’t worry so much about the what-ifs of tomorrow. Our days were planned for us before we were born. It does not good to try to change plans that were created byJesus long before our time. It is like trying to stop a moving train with our bare hands! We can’t do it!
There is a saying that goes: “It is what it is” and this follows Jesus’ concept of His plans for us. Jesus wants us to be still in His Presence. When we are still, when we are quiet, we can control out thoughts easier. Filling our minds with Jesus and His way of thinking will greatly improve our day. We need to find quiet time to be with Jesus everyday. It can be before we get out of bed or when we go to bed at night. I like to ‘talk’ with Jesus while I’m in my car, with the radio off. I know He sits in my passenger seat and I can tell Him everything on my mind. This is the way I can find Peace with myself and Jesus!
Jesus doesn't want us to try to figure things out, but to just accept them as they are. It is not our job to resolve the problems of the world. Jesus does not like it when our minds are spinning and spinning and yet getting nowhere! We need to look up from the problems at hand and call upon Jesus to help us resolve what we can. There are some things we cannot resolve, even with Jesus’ help. These issues need to be put aside for Jesus to figure out later. Our job is to BE with Jesus and allow His PEACE to hover over us and come into our hearts, mind and souls. This is the way to find happiness and peace!
May 30, 2021
From the Gospel for today-Holy Trinity Sunday
The Holy Trinity
“In the name of the father, the Son and Holy Spirit, Amen.” The Sign of the Cross is one of the first prayers we learn as children. Some people randomly say/do the Sign of the Cross throughout the day. Many people stop when a funeral procession is going down the street and make the Sign of the Cross; or when they hear the sirens of an ambulance, police or fire truck. I admire those who make the Sign of the Cross before eating, especially out in public. It is an easy prayer to build a good habit from.
From Msgr. Charles Pope in an online blog, June, 2012: Perhaps we do best to begin by quoting the Catechism which says, The Trinity s One. We do not confess three Gods, but one God in three persons: (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). The divine persons do not share the one divinity among themselves but each of them is God whole and entire. (Catechism, 253)
I think many people call on one of the Trinity who best suits their needs. I call on the Holy Spirit for all my writing inspiration. Jesus is who I go to for the little daily issues and problems. This is because Jesus walked this earth as a human and He would completely understand things like impatience, frustration, disappointments and other such things. God, for me, is for more formal prayers and talking, such as the ones I say before I get out of bed in the morning, and the discussions at night before I go to sleep.
If you have a problem with trying to understand the Holy Trinity, you are normal. We are not to understand many of God’s secrets and this is one of them. A priest said to think of the family regarding the Holy Trinity: father, mother and child. A wise woman told me years ago she thinks of the Holy Trinity this way: I am a mother, I am a daughter and I am a sister.
May 29, 2021
My Birthday Wish
Today is my birthday. I am now seventy-six years old. Sometimes I feel like it, and sometimes I feel like it did as a teenager; my mind, not my body. There is much I am grateful for. I was a born into a great family. Number two of seven. Did you know that the number seven means perfection, completeness in the Bible? I’m grateful for the faith in God that my parents showed me. My life has been. . . interesting, I’d say. Ive had ups and downs, joys and sadness, times of strength and times of weakness. I’ve had times of great faith, and times when I could not find Jesus at all.
We live in a topsy-turvy world. Up is down, and down is up. Nothing is as it seems. It is a hard time for us. Many of us are confused; wondering why this or that is happening. I know people sense something is off; something weird going on. Some of you pretend everything is good; when you know deep, deep down it is not good at all.
God has a plan for us. I don’t know what it is. But He will be with all of us, all the time. If a crisis strikes, or an earthly disaster occurs, He will be here for us. He does not want us to be frightened about anything, because He will be here for us.
My birthday wish is for all of mankind to see Jesus in every person in this world. This includes the homeless, the addicts, the wealthy, the religious faithful, the atheist, the hungry, the poor, the wealthy elite. We are to enjoy our time here on earth as best we can while we are here. This means taking time to pray and play, time to work and rest, time to love and fight. We should live everyday as if it is our birthday. Not, the birthday of a seventy-six year old, but of a child; a child of Jesus. Remember the birthdays you had as a kid. Maybe a party, maybe company or friends, and probably some cake, and maybe ice cream. We should live our days as if we were celebrating a childhood birthday. And, remember, Jesus loves the little children!
May 28, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2020)
Closeness
There is a line in today’s Jesus Calling that has my attention. “When you draw near to Me, I respond by coming closer to you.” This has the makings for a beautiful unity. But what I also notice is this statement is very specific. It doesn’t start with Jesus coming close to us. He wants us to make the first “move”. Jesus does not want to obligate us in any way. He wants to come to us, but He wants us to ask Him.
Choosing God is something we do because we WANT to; not because we are told to. As a young child, preparing for my First Communion, the nuns told us that Jesus would come into our hearts. I certainly did not understand that. Sister told us how she loved welcoming Jesus into her heart. I was just too young to understand what it was all about. Even to this day, I don’t fully understand the concept of Jesus in my heart and soul.
I do know what it is like to feel the closeness of Jesus. I can sense His Presence next to me. When I go on my imaginary walk with Jesus, I close my eyes and envision the walk, the stop at the creek where we soak our feet. I see the flowers and trees, the birds and sky. He tells me all about the different creations of our Heavenly Father. If I can get myself to a very quiet point and just listen, I might hear the Word of Jesus. It is during these times of prayerful concentration that I feel Jesus speak to me. Great, creative ideas come to me at those times. Solutions to problems can be the end result of the closeness of Jesus. Remember that He is always at your side; day and night. He wants, and expects you to call on Him often. Go to Jesus so that He will come closer to us.
May 27, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Good Morning, Jesus
We all want to start our day our the right way; saying Good Morning to Jesus. I often find myself talking to Him before I greet a Good Morning to Him. It is good to begin the day by talking to Jesus, either by conversation or prayer.
We put on the wrap of Jesus like a shawl or stole around our shoulders. Thinking of wearing the cloak of Jesus during the day is a good reminder that He is always with us. When we have a crisis, we can ask Jesus to wrap tighter around us. If you have a shawl, stole, blanket, sweater you can throw around your shoulders, you can more easily “feel” Jesus next to you. When we “wear” the cloak of Jesus, we need to allow Him to control our day, control our thinking.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.—Colossians 3:12
The cloak of Jesus for me are the things mentioned in Colossians 3:12. Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Wearing these “items” has us dressed in our best finery. They are a good combination of the works of Christ. He was all of those mentioned and He shows us how to use each in different circumstances. Looking back at my day so far, I wish that I had some of the virtues of Jesus’ cloak on me today. The day is not over. I can still wear the righteousness of Jesus today.
May 26, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Uncertainty
Two years ago I would not have thought that I would live in a world of uncertainty. Covid created chaos in my opinion. The uncertainty is slowly starting to recede, but there is still much to be concerned about. We live in a world of extreme hatred. I don’t even know if people know why they are angry and full of hate; and who or what this hated is for or about. I wonder what Jesus would say to us if He were to walk the earth with us? I don’t think He would like it!
Uncertainty can also be about changes. We saw how Covid changed our lives and we didn’t like it. We were afraid in the beginning. We felt like we were in a Twilight Zone episode. And in a way we were. If we are to lose this feeling of uncertainty, we have to remember that there is always one thing that never changes; and never will. Jesus; Jesus and His forever Presence. He was with us the whole time we were self-isolating; we weren’t really alone. Did you call on Jesus for help? Have you found yourself a better person? How is you spiritual life? I wonder if Covid was sent to us as a lesson? I know it changed me. It changed me for the better. I have always found it difficult to pray a rosary. There were too many distractions. But now I can say it with a recorded rosary every night.
We look forward to changes coming. But will they be good changes or bad ones? It is my belief that they will be drastic. It may be hard to understand things. We are held, as a people, in high esteem to Jesus. He will be with us in the future, no matter what it is we will have to go through. Change can be good, if we remember we are never alone.
May 25, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Problems in the Mind
The kind of mind problems I’m talking about are the everyday things that bother us. Jesus tell us in this message that the world is too much with us. He is so right. I feel that I am thinking of the world problems all the time; except when I sleep. I have been researching certain things for several months now and what I am learning is what I constantly think about. Once you’ve seen or heard something, you cannot undo the hearing or visual. I know that I need Jesus more than ever. My best times with Him are during the minutes (sometimes hour) that I try to wake up, and those minutes (sometimes hour) before I go to sleep.
Having something stressful on your mind constantly keeps one from being really close to Jesus. Jesus is not going to grab our arm and pull us towards Him, but rather, He gives us the choice to go to Him. What we have to do is turn away from our thoughts or problems and go to Jesus. This may not make the issues go away, but we will know that we are not alone. Jesus is with us. And we all know that together, we can handle what ever comes our way.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold your with my righteous right hand.—Isaiah 41:10
May 24, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2017)
Rest and Renewal
I believe that Jesus wants me to think of rest and renewal not only for my mind, but for my body as well. The mind and body have to work together. I can have my mind free of busy, negative thoughts, but if my back hurts, I’m not going to get much rest or renewal. Perhaps I can control my mind, but how can I control my body with aches and pains, headaches and stomach aches, sleep-deprivation etc? When I turn over my mind to thoughts of Jesus, I have to give Him my body too. I have to give him the throbbing headache, the sore muscles, the arthritic joints. I’m sure Jesus will help me work through the physical issues as long as I keep Him in my thoughts, in my heart.
When I bring Jesus my mind for rest and renewal, everything else about me must be left behind me, and no fair turning around to look at what I left there! If I can be close to Jesus in mind then I believe He will help me with the physical issues. Sometimes the “help” can be that I must sustain the pain for another hour or another day. But if I can graciously accept Jesus’ plans for me as the only plans for me, then I will be one step closer to communion with Him.
May, 2021
The Garden
Here she comes! Oh, and the man is with her. I really only need her, but that's okay.
I watch them walk around and admiring all the beauty of this garden. Yes, it is beautiful, but it doesn’t belong to them! It’s mine! And I going to take possession of it soon!
Here they come. I put on my cute face, eyes blinking at them; well really just her. He isn’t as interested in me. He’s been around all the animals and is familiar with them, so I’m nothing new to him. She has not seen one of my kind.
Yes, she is smiling at me. She likes me. Now I put on the charm. In my sweetest voice I ask her if its true that she and the man can eat any fruit in this garden. She explains they may eat of any tree, except this one. They would certainly die if they even touched it.
And here I am, sitting in the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil! I’ve got them now. I proceed to tell her that this tree does no such thing; that the truth is, that if they eat of this fruit, they will have all the knowledge of God. He’s selfish and doesn’t want to share.
She looked at me with question; and now I have his attention too! This is working wonderfully.
Just take a bite and you will see that the fruit on this tree is far more sweet and juicier than of any other tree. I tell her to come on, just take a bite. Just a little bite.
She reaches for and grabs the largest and brightest fruit. I put that one there especially to entice them. She takes a large bite and the juice runs down her chin. She hums at the deliciousness of the fruit. Now he is interested. She hands him the fruit and he takes a bite.
Any second now they will realized what they have done! And, there it is! They look down and see that they are naked! Oh, how I love this! I have so much power now! They run away and hide behind the bushes. I creep up the tree branch a bit to get a better view. Oh, yes. A great view here.
They are pulling the leaves off the fig tree. Yes, just as I thought! They are trying to cover their bodies. Oh, this is so fun!
I heard the footsteps of “the big guy”. . . I mean God. He’s going to catch them now. And, there it is! I know what they will tell Him. They were hiding because they were naked and didn’t want Him to see them. Who told them they were naked. Had they taken fruit from the forbidden tree? The woman did, then she gave it to me and yes, I ate it too!
Now for the grand finale! He is kicking them out of the garden! Just as I thought would happen. Now He is declaring war between the woman and me! Ha!
Yes! He really is kicking them out. They just lost the best thing they had. Now they will have to suffer, have pain, work for their things. It worked like a charm.
Here comes God to my tree. He’s angry. He’s kicking me out too? He can’t do that! I have as much power as He does. He is really making me leave!
So as I get thrown out of my sweet haven, I shout back at God! I tell Him that I’m not done yet! I will get to every human He puts on earth. And I shall conquer all of them. I will take over the world! Just you wait and see, God! I will take over the world!
May 23, 2021
From Jesus Lives
The Future
Most people are curious about the future, especially in these days of turmoil and worry. We want to know when all the hate will be over; when we will love one another as family. Part of this worry is Covid. For over a year and a half we have been under the “spell” of this virus. It’s been the topic of discussion for all that time. We lost our closeness to others. A year and a half without hugging, shaking hands, kissing has messed with our sense of touch. But there is a curve in the road, and I believe we will soon be having family reunions with al the love and joy it brings.
Jesus does not want us to feel hopeless about the future, but rather look forward to it the way He sees it. I emphasize “the way He sees it.” We all have our own ideas about our future, but no one really know what will happen, what will be. Jesus has been with us fore the last year and a half, and He will be here for another year and a half and every year after that! People look to the stars for guidance as to what the future holds. We must remember who put those stars there in the first place.
Living in the present is the way to live with happiness, even when we are hit by some disaster or problem. We know that Jesus is at our side and even in the bad times, He is there for us; He wants to hold our hand; He wants to whisper to us that all will be well. If, or when we believe this, we can then say that we have trust. Trust is the secret to living in a world that is ever-changing.
“I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”—Jeremiah 29:11
May 22, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2019)
“Fix your eyes on Me”
Jesus asks that I fix my eyes on Him no matter what is going on around me. When I turn over my day to Jesus, He will become central to my thinking. This in turn, helps me to view circumstances from His perspective. My days are done accordingly to Jesus’ Word.
One thing that Jesus doesn’t want me to do is let any feelings of regret grow into something larger. Slow-burning regret can grow into resentment. When I get into resentment, I often have feelings of anger. This all creates a horrible downward spiral into guaranteed unhappiness.
Jesus doesn’t expect me to understand the why and wherefores of my daily life. When I try to understand all that Jesus is doing, I tend to look to the future and often dwell in the past. These are places that I should never go. I cannot undo anything from the past. It was what it was; it was the way it was supposed to be. And, when looking into tomorrow, I begin to create and dream up all sorts of outcomes. These imagined outcomes do not come to be. They only live in my mind. Jesus wants me to only focus on today. It is all I have, and I can go through it with comfort and ease knowing that Jesus walks with me. Then it is easier to fix my eyes on Him.
May 21, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Refuse to Worry
This is a difficult challenge for us. For the last fifteen months, we have been fed Covid morning, noon and night on the news. Covid comes up in almost every conversation we have. Yes, it is the biggest thing (negative) in our lifetime. How died the people of the world survive WWI and WWII? How did they survive the great dust bowl? Think back to Vietnam; everyday stories of our young men being killed. How did I ever get past my husbands betrayal of infidelity? We get over things. A lot of times another disaster comes and takes over the worry we have for one thing to another.
I wonder if people who truly trust in Jesus worry as much as those who don’t? I can hear the words of parents, teachers, friends saying, “Trust me, I’ll take care of it.” That is exactly what Jesus says to us everyday. And when we truly trust Him, we will find our level of worry diminishing.
Worry is an interesting thing. We have our idea about how it works. But most often it is our “interpretation” of the problem. We seem to blow things out of proportion; imagining them to be worse than they really are. We seem to make mountains out of molehills. Jesus’ solution for this kind of thinking is to go to Him first. Tell Him everything! Give in to the idea that it might not go your way; trust that Jesus is doing what is best for you. Take a step back and watch what Jesus will do. . . stay patient and don’t give up on Jesus.
May 20, 2021
From Jesus Always
Be content
We should be content with what we have. We all wish to live in great abundance, but we are all given as much as we need; as much as Jesus sees we need. We are not to look at our neighbors with jealousy. Being satisfied, and thanking Jesus for what we have is contentment. It is His desire for us to be satisfied the His provisions for us. The truth is, if we have food, shelter and clothing, we have everything. . . everything we need.
To quote the book, “No matter what you possess in this world, remember: Little (or much) plus Me equals everything.”
Jesus tells us that He is the Gate and the way to eternal happiness. He asks us to open the door to Him. There is a famous painting of Jesus knocking on a door. That is Him knocking on our door. If you look closely, there is no doorknob or handle on the outside of the door, where Jesus stands. He cannot enter. We must open the door for Him. Invite Jesus in when you hear His knock. Better still, leave your door open for Him, or walk out to greet Him! You will never have a greater guest than Jesus. He doesn’t care if your dishes are in the sink, or your floors unswept. He only cares about you; about spending time with you. Keep your ears alert for the knock on the door!
May 19, 2021
From Jesus Always
I am always with you
We are assured in this message from Jesus today that He is always with us. Jesus asks that we look for Him in the hard places of our lives. We can easily see Jesus, talk with and to Him when things are going well. We see Him in the beauty of the earth and His creations. Do you ever take a moment to stop and thank Him for the beauty of the earth? Spring is such a beautiful season, and this Spring is no exception. Thankfulness for the daily life that brings no complications is easy. It is when the daily life becomes difficult that we struggle to keep Jesus next to us.
Jesus tells us to search for Him in dark times—both past and present. Look back at the difficult times in your life and think about how Jesus was with you. Keep this in mind when you have a current problem. He is with you in the present as well. Jesus knows all our problems. He knows the depth of the pain it causes us, and He is there to hold our hand. He will help you put back together your broken life.
If you have gone through tough times, or are currently in a difficult situation you may not feel that Jesus is there. This happens because we are absorbed in the problem. But, Jesus IS with us. I believe that as time passes, one can look back and see how Jesus was with us. That same care He had for you then, He has for you now; and, it is the same care that He will have tomorrow.
May 18, 2021
From Jesus Always
Selfishness
This message from Jesus is one of avoiding selfishness. I think we all get a little selfish at times. We all like a little attention now and then, but this can lead to being a selfish person. Jesus tells us to learn the art of forgetfulness; forgetfulness of our own being. We were not designed to focus on ourselves, but rather on those around us.
Where does selfishness come from? In this message we are told that Adam and Eve were disobedient and that caused a natural bend of mankind. They were sent to earth where temptations were rampant around them, luring them into sin. God sent the Holy Spirit to be with them to give them discernment.
We are told to call on the Holy Spirit often. Pray to Him: “Help me, Holy Spirit.” We can ask for help with our selfishness. When we care so much about how we look, how others see us, we become the object of our thoughts. (Covid had taken some selfishness away through isolation and masking. We don’t care as much how we look as we did before.) Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in the direction of others. We ask that we will turn our attention away from ourselves and toward others; those in need, those who are sick; those who need help. The Holy Spirit can help you overcome those thoughts and ideas that are all about us to those who need our prayers.
May 17, 2021
From today’s Gospel reading
John 16:29-33
Jesus’ disciples tell Him that they finally get Him; that He is not speaking in parables and figures of speech. They understood that Jesus truly did understand everything, and more importantly that He came from God. Jesus then warns them that the day is coming when they will all be scattered, leaving Jesus alone. “Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me.”
Our day is coming as well when we will all be scattered through war, earthquakes, floods, fires, and other tragedies. We are told to take courage and know that God is at your side, just as He was with Jesus. We are not to become overwhelmed with the things we hear about on the news and main-stream media. We are not expected to solve the problems of the world, but to accept it as it is and allow God to do His work. We cannot change anything that is written in our Live Book created by God.
Jesus wants us to tell Him how we feel when we are troubled or worried, when we are sad or angry, when we think we cannot go on. He will help you to find some peace if you talk to Him sincerely. No formal prayers are needed. Speak to Him as though you met Him at a café for coffee. Pour your heart out. And, remember to tell Him of all the good things in your life, even the tiniest things will bring joy to His Heart. You will not have complete peace because that only comes when we are Heaven’s door. But pray and talk to Jesus and enjoy the amount of peace that you can handle now.
May 16 2021
From Jesus Calling (2017)
I will never leave you
Jesus will never leave me, never betray me. I can trust Him when He tells me this. When I concentrate on Jesus being at my side I am not worrying about the world’s problems or what I will do today. Perhaps that is why some religious choose a life of sequester…no outside world issues, no traffic, no people, no complications from the outside. Even as I plan out my day, I must be tentative with my agenda. I truly do not know what this day will bring and all my well-layer plans may not come to be. So, when I consider my plans, I need to add: “if it is Your will.”
When I finish a task, I know that Jesus will guide me to the next thing. Sometimes it will be a period of rest. This rest period should be used to spend quality time with my companion, Jesus. It is as if Jesus holds my hand as He whispers in my ear where next to step; He will tell me is that step is deep or shallow, uneven or straight. He will alert me to dangers on the way. I don’t have to do anything other than keep my ears and heart open and trust that it is truly “He” who is leading me.
“Show me the right path, O Lord, point our the road for met to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.”—Psalm 25:4
April 15, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2020)
Fear
I think we have all experienced some level of fear for about a year. It is normal to fear the unknown. Even Jesus experienced fear just before He was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. We have had to change the way we live by staying away from some of the people we are closest to. We could not praise God in our churches. We did not meet in restaurants for meals to be shared with family or friends. Some people are back to work, some people are working from home, and some are not working at all. Everything seems to be topsy-turvy.
Jesus asks us to trust Him, and don’t be afraid. We are to take refuge in the shelter of His wings where we are secure with Him. It is hard to put all your faith and trust in Jesus. We always think we know better. Remember, Jesus walks with us all day, all night. He is there to catch us should we stumble. He keeps us from the evils of Satan, who is waiting for us to turn from Jesus for just a split second.
The way I see it, fear and trust are like opposites. When we are in fear, it is usually because we are not trusting. And we don’t trust, it brings about fear. So if we trust Jesus, our fears will drop. And as our fears fade away, we find our trust in Jesus growing.
May 14, 2021
From today’s Gospel reading
John 15:9-17
The essence of this Gospel is: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
Are we, humans, able to love like Jesus? I know He loves us without question or unconditionally. Can you love without question or unconditionally? Don’t we always a few tiny strings attached? Small children can love, but the might have strings attached. They truly do not know what unconditional love is. I believe Jesus wants us to love the best we can, knowing there are days when our love cannot be great. Being betrayed or lied to by a loved one would no doubt keep one from that great love. It won’t last forever, we will learn to love again, maybe not with the depth we did before.
We are not asked by Jesus to love one another, but we are commanded to love one another. This world is so full of evil, it is hard to love those who are evil. The best way to take steps to loving them is to pray for them. Prayers can do wonderful healing! Some people have been taken over by Satan-Lucifer. We see symbol of the evil one all around us. It has become a theme in Hollywood. We’ve all been taught to love the person, hate the sinner. Can this work for you?
May 13, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Let Go, Let God
Letting go and turning it over to God/Jesus?/Holy Spirit is the theme of this message. Although this message is in many of the meditations, it usually is not the central point. That makes me believe that by having the whole message around one idea the message must be important.
We all want to feel strong and secure enough to make it on our own. But we are not. We often think we can control a situation, but we cannot. We are actually helpless without our Lord. Jesus walks with us every minute of every day. It doesn’t matter what you say or what you talk about, it’s the connection to Him that is important. I was bustling around the kitchen this morning and talking about what I was doing. “Oh that onion is no good. How did the rotten one get in the bag. Oh, that ham. There’s too much for me. I’ll make some ham salad.” I stopped and said, “Jesus you know I’m talking to You!”
Have you ever really turned everything over to God? It’s hard but, oh, the peace it brings. There are many ways to do it. I, myself, need a visual to make it real. I might take the problem and pretend its in my hands; smash it all up then hold my hand up and blow the pieces of the problem away like feathers. Another way is to write down the issue and put it in a little box (God Box) then walk away. The little box must be sealed so you cannot get back in it. You might be able to have a talk with Jesus in which you tell Him that you are turning this thing over, letting Him take care of it.
The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”—Exodus 33:14
May 12, 2021
From Mornings with Jesus
Jesus always loves us
I normally do my writing first thing, but for some reason, I decided to take care of a small problem. I ordered a book on eBay and this morning I received an email that the seller was still waiting for payment. I was sure I paid; I know it did! I decided to go online to Citicard online and look at the current statement. It took over fifteen minutes to find the link. I got into the link for new cards, fraud, add a new card, but could not find the current statement. I had my user name and password ready. I finally get into the link but could not find a way to see my current statement. Another twenty minutes later, I finally found and it and as I thought, I saw where I had paid. This time spent on this made me extremely anxious. I knew I was not in the right frame of mind to begin my writing. And that is when I read a story in Mornings with Jesus.
Written by a woman who had a bad day, she told of all the little things that went wrong. She included a forty-five minute, wasted time on the phone with her cell phone provider. She was very grumpy at the end of her day. She went to her bed and picked up her prayer journal. What she wrote that morning was, “Thank you, Jesus, for always loving me.”
I wonder if I had thought about Jesus being at my side, or the fact that He loves me would have made my morning ordeal easier? I write this about Jesus almost daily, and yet, I keep forgetting or ignoring His love for me. I don’t want to beat myself up for this. So I did something new. I stopped typing. Leaned my head on the back of the chair, closed my eyes and sang this song out loud: “Jesus loves me this I know. . . .”
May 11, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Problems
Jesus asks us to bring our problems to him. He tells us this often. One thing I’ve done is to remember that Jesus knows about the difficult situations we are in. He is there for us to get through the tough times. Jesus doesn’t want us to concentrate on the details of the problems but rather, accept them as they come. This creates negativity and we want to stay away from that.
Our problems will begin to fade eventually, but if we call upon Jesus at the outset, they may fade faster. We usually look back on problems and find that there weren’t really as bad as we thought at the time. Jesus wants to partner with us in our problems. Since He know all about the issues, He also knows the solution or answer. It’s always better to have someone to talk to in times of difficulty. I find it easier to connect with Jesus during these times to find a quiet place to talk; away from people or the ordinary distraction within my home. Talk to Him as long as you can.
What do you worry about? Small things, or do you have some really big problems? I tend to worry about tomorrow even though I know in my mind that there is nothing I can do about what I think is going to happen. Most often what I worry about never comes about. We have to control our imagination when we have problems. We all make mountains out of mole hills. Keeping Jesus close to us at all times will help prevent some of the silly worry we create.
May 10, 2021
From Jesus Always
Decisions
We are free to make our own choices, but do we always make the right ones? No, of course not. We always have to live with our choices however. As we are told in todays reading: A good decision you make today, however small, may set you on a path to accomplish something very important. A bad decision, seemingly minor, can lead to serious failure in the future.”
It’s not hard to call on Jesus when we are making a major decision such as a job change, buying a new house or car, getting married; or divorced. But the simple things are what we tend to keep to ourselves. We can make a habit of asking for help in all decision-making, however major or small. One thing we can do is talk to Jesus constantly.
Since Covid, I do find myself talking with Jesus more and more. Someone watching me during these talks might think I am crazy. When I broke a glass the other day, I talked with Him continuously as I cleaned up the slivers of glass. This kept me from becoming upset about it.
We make most of our choices/decisions alone and in the solitude of our heart and mind. We must remember that Jesus is IN US! He knows everything before we think it, and every decision before we make it. Trying to please Jesus in all things may change the way we think and live. Maybe we should go back to the popular quote of years gone by: WWJD—What would Jesus do?
May 9, 2021
THE GREATEST MOTHER OF ALL
Mother’s Day, 2018
(This is a bit long, but it is so fitting for this Mother’s Day)
I became a mother at a young age. It was very different for me than most women my age. I was betrothed to Joseph, a loving, caring man. He was a bit older than me, but he was very good to me.
In the middle of one dark night, I awoke to a bright light in my sleeping quarters. It took the shape of an angel clothed in white light. The angel told me his name was Gabriel, and that he was sent from God. He said to me, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.” He told me that I would be giving birth to a son who I will name, Jesus; that he will be called the Son of the Most High.
I thought I might be ill with fever, and hallucinating. But I was not! This was real! "How will this be,” I asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
Gabriel told me that the Holy Spirit would be upon me and the power of God will overshadow me. Gabriel then told me about my cousin, Elizabeth who was with child at her old age. He then told me, “For nothing is impossible with God.” I then told the angel that I would be the Lord’s servant, done according to His word.
And it all came to be, just as the angel had said.
Joseph was troubled when I told him of the angel’s story. I believed at the time he would quietly divorce me. And, I wouldn’t blame him. Then one night an angel appeared to Joseph and assured him that this conceived child was from the Holy Spirit, that he should marry me; and that this child, Jesus, will save his people from their sins. After that night, Joseph took me as his wife. As time grew closer to the birth of my child, Joseph and I embarked on a trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the town of David, for a census decreed by Caesar Augustus. It was a difficult trip and I prayed to the Lord that I would not give birth until we were safely settled. But the town was so overwhelmed with people that Joseph could not find a room for us to stay.
We were given a small, but comfortable cave for the birth of Jesus. Joseph did a wonderful job of cleaning it out, building a fire and getting water for us. The birth of my son was imminent! A woman, a midwife actually, helped me with the birth while Joseph kept busy preparing straw beds for us and our newborn. I had brought many blanket and wraps to use for warmth for us and for the baby.
With a beautiful cry, the baby Jesus was born into the world! A short time after Jesus came, we received visitors from the hill across the valley. The shepherds told us that they saw the bright star over Bethlehem and that they were visited by angels who sang “Glory to God” from the heavens. They were told to come pay homage to the new king.
Jesus was presented in the Temple when he was eight days old as was prescribed. A man named Simeon had been told by the Holy Spirit years before that he would not die before the Messiah would be revealed to him. Simeon blessed the baby Jesus and then told me how wonderful my baby will be someday, but that I would have a sword pierce my soul. This troubled me.
We stayed in Bethlehem for a while. Joseph had secured a small house for us to live in. Three Kings from different countries came to bring gifts to Jesus. They brought gifts of gold, incense and myrrh for Jesus. They had studied the stars and had to see what this great star had to show them.
One night, not long after the Kings visit, Joseph was woken by an angel in his dream . He was told that we were to leave immediately for Egypt. Herod had spoken with the Kings and asked them to tell him where we were staying. The angel told Joseph that Herod was searching for Jesus and planned to kill him when he found him. So with just the few things we had with us, we headed for Egypt. We lived in Egypt for several years when Joseph was again visited by an angel in a dream and was told that Herod had died and it was now safe to go back to Israel. As a family we headed to Nazareth in the district of Galilee.
Jesus was a good little boy, but not without mischief. He loved everything about the earth from bugs, butterflies, fish, birds and larger animals. Jesus was always full of sand or mud! He learned to fish from Joseph. He struggled with the nets until Joseph made a net that was child-size for Jesus. And Joseph allowed Jesus in his workshop where Jesus picked up carpentry skills. When he was a toddler I spied Joseph with Jesus standing on a stool by Joseph’s bench. Jesus wanted to use the heavy hammer that Joseph was using. Joseph helped Jesus with the smaller, lighter one instead. But Jesus insisted he could use the same hammer his father was using, so Joseph let him try. Jesus could barely lift it. Joseph held the long end of othe handle without Jesus’ knowledge and Jesus hit the wooden peg into the wood. “I did it!”, Jesus shouted.
When Jesus was around twelve years old we headed to Jerusalem for the Passover at the Temple. Somehow Jesus got lost in the crowd and we didn’t realize unti we got home that he was missing. So we headed back, and after much searching we found Jesus in the Temple, sitting with the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. They seemed amazed at his understanding. I was not so understanding and asked him how he could do this to us. He replied, “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” It was at this moment I realized the greatness of Jesus’ future.
Joseph died not too many years after that. Jesus was my strength, though I don’t know that he knew it. He loved and protected me until it time for him to do his Father’s work. It was so sad to see my son leave, though in my heart, I knew it was necessary. We hugged goodbye. I told him to come visit me often and he invited me to follow him whenever I could. I gave him a beautiful shawl I had made for Joseph. He held it to his chest, smelled it and said, “It smells like Joseph!”
Then he gave me a small wooden heart that he had carved from olive wood. It was so beautiful and smooth. Then we hugged one last time, both with tears in our eyes. Jesus whispered in my ear, “It is God’s will.” He then headed to the Jordan River where he would meet with his cousin, John and be baptized.
I was with Jesus early in his ministry at a very large wedding. It was the most lavish and beautiful wedding I had ever attended. Jesus had so much fun with his friends and relatives. He danced and sang with them. One of the hosts was disturbed that on the third day of celebration there was no wine left. I went to Jesus to tell him. I don’t know why, but I had a pressing instinct to do so.“Mother, why do you tell me this? My time has not yet come.” Ignoring Jesus’ comment, I told the head servant, “Do whatever he tells you to do.”
With that, Jesus had the servants fill up six stone jars with water. Then he had them draw some the water into serving pitchers and give it to the master of the banquet. The bridegroom was called to the master and complimented on serving the best wine last.
That was the beginning for Jesus. I was not with Jesus as often as I would have liked. But I heard his stories from many people. He healed the sick. All kinds of ailments! He multiplied bread and fish to feed thousands. I heard Jesus had walked on water, calmed a storm at sea. Our friends Mary and Martha told me that Lazarus had died; and that Jesus brought him back to life! Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, told parables to the crowds that followed him.
After three years, I heard from friends that Jesus was going to Jerusalem and the people were celebrating his return with palms waving a welcome to him. That was a celebration that turned into my worst nightmare.
Jesus was arrested for proclaiming to be the King of Truth. I arrived at the palace of Caiaphas just after Jesus’ sentencing. He was then scourged at a pillar. No mother should ever see or hear anything like that, ever! Each swing of the whip tore at my heart and the words of Simeon came back to me. I saw Jesus’ blood spill on the stone floor of the palace and I was helpless. Then the soldiers mocked my boy, spat at him, cursed him and pressed a crown of thorns on his head. They put a purple robe on him and a reed in his hand in mockery. He was forced to walk the streets of Jerusalem. He stopped when he saw me, but was pushed on by the guard. We had a moment when our eyes saw into each other. I knew he was telling me to be strong. I wanted to break from the crowd, but my friends held me back so that I would not be hurt.
They nailed my son to a cross. He was bleeding from the beatings he had indured. He was barely alive. “Why?” I keep asking why? But I knew that this was God’s will, but as a mother I only saw my son’s agony. I wanted to hold him again as I did when he was a child. My son asked John to take care of me and he asked me to take John as my son. I didn’t want to live without my son!
The sky grew very dark and the winds blew as the earth quaked. I prayed that God might take me with my son. Jesus quietly died in agony on a wooden cross. I did hold him again, but he was lifeless. My beautiful son was gone! My son’s death was the end of my life.
May 8, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Anticipating Problems
Who doesn’t anticipate problems? We all know we are going to have them. We should not be surprised when we hit a bump in the road. But we usually are. Problems can be big or they can be minor, and sometimes the small things bother us the most. In the midst of a serious issue we will call on Jesus for help, whereas the small things become irritants.
We are not to expect a problem-free world. The problem-free world comes later. We should not be surprised when we find ourselves with a problem. I think we need to decide if “this” problem is big enough to spend time worrying about it.
One thing is this mediation reading tells us to take a lighthearted view of trouble, and see it as something that you and Jesus can handle. I think when we can find patience, we find the lightheartedness we want. I laughed out loud the day I dropped and spilled my third decanter of olive oil on the floor in a six week period. And, by the third spill, I knew how to clean the floor. Trying to find some humor in problems can help you get through it. Asking Jesus for help is necessary. He knows just what issues will pop up on any given day.
Tell Jesus about your problems. But don’t stop there; tell Him about everything. Tell Him about something funny that happened, about the neighbor you ran into at the store, about how well your project is going. Talk to Jesus like He is tethered to you. Because, He is. Jesus is always at our side; He is in front of us and behind us. He longs to hear us call His Name!
May 7, 2021
From Mornings with Jesus
Memories
The story in the day’s reading was sweet. It had hearts and flowers around it. A woman gave her mother a Mother’s Journal. It was self-directive asking questions about mom’s life. The daughter saw the pages of her mothers early life working on the farm, doing homework by the fireplace light and walking pastures to catch the three different buses to high school. The daughter sadly noted there was nothing entered in the vacation, traveling and music lessons pages. She read about her mothers wedding at the justice of the peace and then going back to work in the fields after. She asked her mother to describe her life in one word. “Wonderful!” was what the mother answered.
After more discussion the daughter asked her mother how she could feel that way after all the hardships. Her mother turned to the last page and the daughter read: “Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and your neighbor as yourself.”
When you look back at your memories, what do you see? Can you look past the hardships and trials? If you made a list of good vs bad memories, how would they add up? When you think about your memories, do you see Jesus in them?
Jesus was with you when you struggled and He was with you when you succeeded. He is here with you today, no matter what happens. And, Jesus will be with you tomorrow. Can you find a place for Jesus to be in your memories?
May 6, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Seeking Security
Everyone wants to feel safe and secure. We put alarm systems in our houses and cars, and other buildings. It does give us peace of mind, but what about our spiritual lives? Do we feel secure in our faith? We go about our daily lives trying to do what we need to do to keep security a priority. We make mental lists, lists on the refrigerator and on our iPhone. We work diligently to get everything checked off. And when we get behind, we become frustrated..
In Jesus Calling today, Jesus gives us a better way to find security in this life. Instead of always checking our lists and focus on it, we need to find a better focus for our security. Jesus tells us to try putting our focus on Him instead. Try keeping a continual Presence with Hm. Jesus knows what’s important and what is not. Going to Jesus for help will help us sort out wha is important and what is not. He will fix our eyes on the things that really matter. Jesus tells us to “Fix your eyes not on what is seen (your circumstances), but on what is unseen (My Presence).
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.—2 Corinthians 4:18
May 5, 2021
From Mornings with Jesus (2020)
Struggling
I’m glad I looked at some of my previous writings. I often go back to the same date to see where my inspiration came from. One year ago I got my inspiration from Mornings with Jesus in which a story was related. It is a story I heard many years ago and is one of my favorites:
“There is a story about a man who was given a very rare caterpillar moving into the pupa stage of emerging. It was place on a window ledge so that the butterfly could leave as it emerged. He checked on it until he noticed that it was indeed emerging. He watched as a tiny opening appeared, then another. It got to a point where the man could see it was struggling. The anxious man got a tweezer so he could help the butterfly. He picked at a piece to create another small opening, then another. Soon the butterfly was out of the cocoon. But the butterfly did not move. Nudging it, the butterfly still did not move. The man call the person who gave him this butterfly. The man was told he should not touch it during its emergence stage; that the butterfly needed to struggle. The struggle forced more blood into its wings which it needed to fly. The man looked at the butterfly, now dead.”
We have all heard things like “you have to go through the storm” or “you have to go through darkness to see the light”. These things are true. Years ago I went through a very traumatizing time that was very dark for me. At the time I thought of it as the worst time in my life. But after I worked through it, I began to see that those very dark days were also the very days that I became a different person, the person who I am today.
Jesus is always with us, whether we are have a good day or a bad day. We only have to remember His Presences with us to turn around a bad day. We have to call on Jesus; spend as much time as you can with Him, or just say His Holy Name: Jesus. The more we think about Jesus, and talk to Him, the brighter our days.
May 4, 2021
From Proverbs 1:1-19
A Message from God
I was just browsing through my materials to find a topic for today’s blog. The first book I picked up was a Bible called The Message, a contemporary rendering of the Bible. I like this one because it is not a difficult read as much of the Bible is. Gone is “thee and thou” and other difficult to read and understand. I opened to Proverbs 1.
The advice is to pay close attention to what our father tells us and don’t neglect what our mothers tells us. We are to carry with us for live the lessons we learned as children, and to wear them as precious jewels. We are warned to avoid those bad companions who try to lure us into doing evil things. What is mentioned in both the written Bible and The Message, is staying away from those who want to rob and steal, destroy property and kill. They will ask you to follow and then expect you to rejoice in all the all the “loot”. We are strongly warned to stay away from those people who are so greedy for money and power. They want more! This will rob you of your life. “The more you get, the less you are.”
How untimely is this scenario! It sounds a lot like the dark streets of our great cities. We might think that these are times that we have never experienced before, and for most, or all of us this is true. But, the human race of today is not much different from the days in the early Bible. People are greedy for power and money and will do anything for it. What we need to do is to stay away from such people. We are to look back at the great lessons our parents taught. Use your mind, your conscience, and Jesus to lead you in the right way of living.
May 3, 2021
From Jesus Always
Awareness of My Presence
Are you aware of Jesus in your presence? He comes to help us along with what we have to do. In this message, Jesus tells us that when we do the things that are pleasing to Him, things seem to work well. Sometimes we are aware of His Presence; but not always. When I sit down to write this, I often have no clue what words will appear on my screen. These are my most favorite writings. Often the words and ideas flow without effort. I have looked back on some of my writings, wondering how I created those words.
Jesus wants us to look for Him no matter where we are or what we are doing. In the midst of troubles we easily call on Jesus for His help. But, we need His help even when things are going well. I think it is Important to know where your help comes from. We all have talents and Jesus helps us to make them outstanding!
A metaphor in this message is to imagine looking through a dirty window onto a gorgeous garden, drenched in color and sunlight. Some people will choose to look at the window and only see the dirt. They may even become distressed at the thought of cleaning it. Others will be able to see beyond the dirt and focus on a certain color or bit of sunshine. So we have to look beyond what we see in our circumstances and see what Jesus wants us to see. Stay close to Jesus. He is your best friend!
May 2, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2020)
Displeasing Others
Jesus Calling today has a common theme: depend on Jesus, ask for His help. But there was a sentence that jumped out at me. “Your fear of displeasing people puts you in bondage to them, and they become your primary focus.” The reading further mentioned that it is much easier to talk, make contact with Jesus when we are alone. It is when we are with people, that we find ourselves behaving in a way that is intended to please the people around us. I have done this as I am sure you have as well.
When I am with Jesus, it is just us, especially when I set aside time to be with Him; when I close off any distractions I have. It’s just Jesus and me; like two best friends. I can tell Him everything and if I stop and listen, He will often give me a message from Him. Remember when you were younger and you had your group of friends, and then you had that one, very special friend. A special friend you could and did confide in. That is the kind of relationship we have with Jesus when we are one-on-one.
When you find yourself trying to please others, stop and remember that the only one you have to please is Jesus. You can do that by simply calling out His Name!
May 1, 2021
From Jesus Always
Focus on the Present
Jesus was with us in the past and He will be with us in the future; but, what if most important to Him is the Present. He tells us in this message that “the present moment is the point at which time intersects eternity.” Jesus makes it clear that today, this moment, is the time to keep our thoughts focused on Him.
I read somewhere this morning that the best way to fight off stress, anxiety and depression is to keep your mind busy with God/Jesus/Holy Spirit. We are to invite Our Lord into whatever we are doing. If we are working either at a desk, cashier counter, or vacuuming, ask Him to help you do your work with eagerness and joy. If you are sick in bed, ask Him to comfort you and make you well. If you are trying a new baking recipe, ask Him to help you to make sure you measure correctly. If you are driving on a long trip, ask Him to keep you safe and alert. Spend this quiet time in your car with no radio, but only you and Jesus. Have Him sit in the passenger seat! Remember to always include prayers of thanksgiving.
Jesus tells us when we are upset, do not let fear or obsessive thoughts take over your mind. Always tell your troubles to Jesus first. After telling Him what troubles you, in your mind, wrap it up in pretty paper and give it to Jesus. Yes, gift Him with your troubles.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.—1 Peter 5:7
April 30, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2017)
Live in the Present
How often do I find myself living everywhere but in the present? All the time! I fantasize about the future and what it will be, and live in regret for all the “should-have-dones” in the past. But neither will change no matter what I think. Thoughts do not make reality! They are only thoughts and they live within my mind. And, just because they live there, doesn’t mean that they are true, were true or will be true. The present is the only place I can find Jesus. Yes, He was with me in the past and will be with me in the future, but He is only truly WITH me in the present.
If I am lacking time, energy or money, I should consider myself blessed, because it is in circumstances of lacking that I can begin to focus more on Jesus. Needing Jesus at my side and admitting so is a blessing because I become more child-like and dependent on Him. A dependent child easily surrenders themselves to the one loving and supporting them. When I ask Jesus for His help, when I acknowledge His presence at my side, I become more in sync with Him. And, this in turn brings me back to the present. The present is where Jesus always awaits me.
April 29, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2020)
Thankfulness
Todays reading reflects on thankfulness. To begin learning thankfulness, we must first recognize that everything, absolutely everything is a gift from God. Each new day is a gift from God. A quiet mind can better reflect on thankfulness or gratitude. So it is important that we try to quiet our minds so we can see the greatness of God’s gifts. His gifts don’t have to be big fancy; a sunrise or sunset is so memorable and easy to gift thanks to God for. While in my car this morning I enjoyed all the greenery greening up. After a cold, dark winter, the sunshine and greenery makes me smile.
We need to thank God for today. We don’t know how our day is going to go, but we are grateful that we have this new day. I often thank God for His great gifts of my past. Certain events, people, places hold a special place in my heart. When I feel a little dejected in life, sitting in a quiet place and recalling some of the special events of my life, give me hope. We only have have this moment now. . . and I am ever so grateful to God for this moment.
April 28, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Planning
We can expect our plans to work out if they coincide with Jesus’ plans for us. Plan all you want, but you do not have control over what happens. We do, however have choices.The Biblical verse from Proverbs says it best: In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.—Proverbs 16:9
Regardless of where we are or where we will go, we can expect Jesus to be at our side. He tells us that there is a system, so to speak, about planing. It’s like dominos. One has to fall in order for the next to fall, and so on. I think that is why sometimes things don’t go in an order we think it should. Looking back at events we will see that one thing had to happen in order for the next thing to happen.
We are asked by Jesus not to create a mental map of the events you expect today. Instead, just relax and let Jesus take over. In fact, it is a good idea to turn your whole day over to Him. Let Him tell you what He already knows. He is the one running the show. We are only participants in the day, not the owners of the day.
I’ve seen people who literally outline plans and actually lived by them. They plan their engagement, wedding, first house and first child. Sometimes it actually happens that way But if Jesus knows in His plans for you that you will never become engaged or married, have a child, own a house, it will not happen. The old Greyhound bus commercial had a slogan. “Leave the driving to us!” Well today, leave the planning to Jesus.
April, 2021
The Soldier and the Angel
The soldier sat under the tree sobbing. He was deciding which way to do it. The tree or the cliff. About ten yards away was the cliff. It would be a fatal fall for sure. He had the rope for the tree. He had to decide soon how he would die. He knew he could not live for one more day. Suddenly he heard a rush of wind. He looked up and saw the most beautiful creature ever! He didn’t know if it was male or female, but only that its brilliant brightness took his breath away. It spoke.
“What is troubling you, my child? Why are you crying?”
“Who are you? Are you even real?”
“I am an angel of God and I’m here to help you. Why do you sit there with a rope?”
“Go away from me; let me be!”
The angel went over to the soldier and knelt beside him. “I was sent here to help you. God wants to help you!”
“God can’t help me now!”
Grabbing his hands, the angel whispered to him, “Please, let me help. What brought you to this place? Why do you want to end your life?”
Reluctantly the soldier began to talk. He told the angel how he had been part of the regime of soldiers who crucified Jesus. “You know Jesus, don’t you?”
“I know the Lord, Jesus. Please tell me what troubles you.”
“I was selected to be one of those who scourged Him. I didn’t want to, I was forced to. They would have killed right there on the spot if I didn’t ! We took turns so that we wouldn’t tire. But I couldn’t do it. Then the head soldier took the whip upon me, slicing a deep gash in my arm.” He looked at the gash that was just beginning to heal. “Then I took my turn. I didn’t want to. I was yelled at and threatened with another whip if I didn’t put more power into my swing. So, I did. The cry from Jesus was horrific! I looked at Him as He tried to straighten up and saw the deep gashes on His back. I could see body muscle! I thought I would vomit when the head soldier nudged me again. I closed my eyes, but my ears heard the the whistle of the whip and the sound of strips of metal hitting flesh.”
The soldier sobbed even louder. Then He looked at the angel and told her that He had seen Jesus on many occasions speaking to the crowds. He told her that he really liked Jesus, and knew that He was the Messiah and that he wished he could have followed Jesus.
The angel spoke in a soothing voice. “You are not responsible for what happened to Jesus. The orders came from higher up. You see, they don’t want to feel the pain you now have, so they demand those of a lower order to do it for them.”
The soldier looked at the angel and felt a small sense of peace. “Will God ever forgive me?” The angel nodded affirmatively. “What do I do now? I was going to take my own life, because the pain of what I did.”
The angel rubbed the deep gash in the soldiers arm and it began to disappear! The soldier was shocked by this. “What do you think God would want you to do? How do you think He would want you to live your life?”
“I would like to be one of Jesus’ followers. I want to know about Jesus, even though He is dead. The disciples are happy and wear a peaceful face.”
“Jesus is not dead. I know where you can go to wait for Him to show up. Would you like that?”
“Yes! But what do you mean He is not dead? I saw His body taken to the tomb and saw the tomb being sealed.”
The angel told the soldier about the Resurrection; how this was Jesus’ plan all along. She told him that he could become a follower too. “But the disciples know my face!” The angel told him that they only knew his uniform, but not the face behind it.
With that they both stood. The angel had the soldier remove his body armor, sword and leg armor. His helmet was no where to be found. She took him to the edge of the cliff and had him toss the armor over. Then the soldier looked down at his bright red tunic. The angel had him remove it and handed him a gray-colored tunic. “Wait! Where did this come from?”
“Don’t ask so many questions. Come with me and you will find your place on this earth.” The angel took him into the city. He noticed that no one looked at him, and they obviously did not see the angel. They stopped at a large house. The angel knocked on the door and the soldier was sure he saw a deep wound in the palm of the angels right hand.
A short time later one of the disciples opened the door. “What do you want? What are you doing here?”
“The angel brought me here.” He looked to his left and the angel was gone! “I want to follow Jesus. I need to follow Jesus.” The disciple called someone else to the door. The second man listened to what the stranger said and nodded for him to enter the house. Being an honest soldier, he blurted out, “I am a Roman soldier!” Then he burst into tears. The two men led him into the house and asked the stranger to tell them his story. Then the door quietly closed.
April 27, 2021
from Jesus Always (2019)
Love yourself and others
Jesus wants me to look at myself AND others in the same way He looks at me and others. He sees all people as beautiful. So many people, myself included, often don’t see ourselves as beautiful in the eyes of Jesus. However, Christ is in all of us. ‘Created by God’ is our common thread. We all share the same love of Jesus. . . equally. He does not love one person more than another.
Jesus sees us all in the present. He does not look at us as we were in the past or how we will be in the future. Our past, with our mistakes, are behind us, forgiven by Christ. Our future is known to Jesus, but not to us, therefore, we should not spend time thinking about what is ahead for us. The only time we have with Jesus is in the here and now. He will be with us in the future, just as He was with us in our past.
Learning to love ourselves and others is the Great Commandment.When I focus on these words of Jesus, I understand that He wants me to love others the way He loves me. Unconditionally. Love all people, especially those who I oppose; who disagree with me. We are to look into the eyes of others and SEE Christ! I ask Jesus to help me when I am in opposition to others, to stop, and know that He loves that person as much as He loves me, and in turn He wants me to love them the same way.
April 26, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Welcome Problems
This made me laugh for a second. Welcome problems? Who would do that. Yet, that is what Jesus calls on us to do. It’s easy to get through the day when things are going well, but the moment we encounter a problem, we will either face it with acceptance or we will fight it; trying to pretend it isn’t there. Covid was a really, really big problem. Probably the biggest problem of our lives because it affected everyone. No on escaped it. It was on the news 24/7. We were forced to face it. Somehow we managed to get through it all. And as the Covid problem began to slowly shrink, other problems emerged. And to me, these are worse problems. They are worse because we can do something about them. I speak of the widespread hatred and anger.
As with Covid, we cannot escape these issues since they too are on the news 24/7. But unlike Covid which we were at the virus’s mercy, we can do something about current issues. The main thing is to pray. Pray everyday, pray often, pray constantly. Pray for those who choose to burn our cities, for those who threaten violence if an outcome doesn’t go their way. Pray for the enemies that rule the world today.
The Bible verse that accompanied this reading sums it up in a good way: Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.—2 Corinthians 4:16-18
April 25, 2021
From the Gospel of todays Mass
John 10:11-18
The Gospel is about the Good Shepherd. I go to Psalm 23:1 — “The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shalt want.” The priest’s homily was about how caring the shepherd is to his sheep. It is his job to keep them safe and together; fed and watered. He leaves all his sheep when he discovers one of the sheep missing.
Jesus is our Shepherd. He laid down His life for us. He died on the cross for us; every one of us. If you think of Jesus as your shepherd, and you as one of His sheep, you will find yourself walking with Jesus (and the other sheep) every day. He keeps you from getting behind or too far ahead. He takes you around the thick, thorny bushes. He sees to it that you are in a field with much to feed off. He worries about each and every one; and individually, you are special.
The sheep know their shepherd’s voice and they respond to it. They need the shepherd. They would be lost without him. If the sheep were left to their own, they would scatter far; they would become lost, and possibly injured. Jesus is our Shepherd. We are Jesus’ sheep. He loves all of us, and we are all special to Hm. If one of us gets lost or injured, everything stops until the lost if found and injured taken care of. Jesus wants us to be His Sheep, because He is our leader. We are to be followers. Any sheep that tries to venture out will end up in trouble. We must learn to follow Jesus. We don’t need to worry all the other people who tell us daily what we need to do, or how to do it. We have only one leader, Our Shepherd. He will never lead us astray. The Shepherd knows what’s best for us. After all, He died for us.
April 24, 2021
From Thoughts and Memories
Weddings
On my trip to the Holy Land in 2018, one of the first places we stopped was at Cana. We actually had lunch in a small restaurant. We walked to a shelter-like space that was built into the stone. Father said Mass then all the married couples had their marriages blessed. What a wonderful sight that was. Marriage is a sacred vow that God intended to be taken very seriously. But, today we know that the proper preparations and intentions are not always the norm.
My fifty-sixth wedding anniversary is today. I normally don’t use it as the theme for a blog, but this year, my anniversary falls on a Saturday. So I pulled out my wedding album and looked through it. It is so old that there are few photos and they are all black and white. What was unconventional about my wedding day was that I walked down the aisle alone. My father had had an emergency operation the Sunday before. Easter. The doctor, knowing that there was a wedding held my father in the hospital until the wedding and reception was over. The second odd thing was our church was in they midst of a dramatic update. Scaffolding was in the back portion of the church, so that pictures of me have the iron ladders all in view. I remember it was cold, windy and wet. But I still love my memories of that day.
Marriage is hard work. Husbands and wives don’t always get along. Some never get along. The most important things in a marriage is communication and prayer. I love to watch husbands and wives pray together. You have to learn to put everything about yourself second, making your spouse first; that is after God of course. Married was intended to be for life, yet we know that sometimes death and divorce separate couples from their marriage. I hope that couples planning to get married think about their lives after the ceremony and not put all the focus on the day’s events. It is important for people to have someone in their life that they can count on. Unmarried people also need someone. Jesus had His Mother and disciples. As a widow, I have my widow friends, and for that I am greatly blessed!
April 23, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2020)
Direction
Jesus asks that we keep our eyes on Him, for direction and empowerment. We all need a good set of directions for life. We can try and wing it, but, we will fail without direction. I often refer to Jesus as my guide. I imagine being on a path with Jesus at my side. When we come to the swiftly moving stream, He holds my right hand tightly as I cross. As my guide He shows me how to walk on the rocky terrain. Yes, He points out danger and things to avoid, but He also shows me other things, just as a good guide would. He points out the field of wild flowers that paint a beautiful picture for me. He shows me the sheep up on the hillside, grazing with their shepherd at their side.
We need His directions even to just get through the day sometimes. I would never try to put together a Lego kit without the easy-to-read directions. I would never try to make a pastry without a recipe. I would never go on a trip without my GPS. We need direction for most parts of our life. Even when threatening weather heads our way, we get direction from the weather experts on how to keep safe.
After we spend a lot of time with Jesus, following His direction, we get to know Him a little better. We begin to know which path he will choose, which detour He will take on the road ahead. We become more in sync with Jesus, the more we listen to Him and follow His directions. All we have to do is keep our eyes fixed on Him and listen for His word.
April 22, 2021
From Jesus Always
Do not worry about Tomorrow
We frequently read or hear this phrase. It is mentioned in the Gospels. Jesus tried to stress this point with the apostles. We are all disciples of Jesus, so this message is for us as well. I’m sure you find yourselves thinking, wondering, worrying about your tomorrows. I don’t think there has been a time in history when mankind worried so much about what happens tomorrow. We live in an ever-changing world and I know that Jesus understands our concern.
Jesus was with us in all of our yesterdays. We felt His Presence especially when we were wrought with fear. Maybe it was a time of a loved one’s struggle with addiction. Or, maybe it was during a time of a loved-ones last days. Maybe during a severe storm when your home is threatened. Maybe it was time when you were emotionally, physically and spiritually drained. We call on Jesus during the rough times. And, now we realize that He was with us then.
Worrying about tomorrow is a human frailty. But we need to keep it at arms length. We must learn not to focus on tomorrow, but on today. This is the time we have; tomorrow is not promised. Just as Jesus was with us in our yesterdays, He will be with us in our tomorrows. But, more importantly, Jesus is with us now. Right now this minute and He will be with us all day and all night. He just doesn’t leave us. . . ever! And He won’t leave us tomorrow!
April 21, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2020)
Our Minds
“The mind of of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”—Romans 8:6. I have often heard this: The mind is a dangerous place. This is true. I have seen this first hand myself. If I allow my mind to take me where I should not go, from painful pasts to the what ifs of tomorrow, I am headed for trouble. I know that I cannot instantly shut off my mind. Things that live and grow in my mind often keep coming back. For me, joy and peace in my mind do not last as long as the negative things.
What is strange about this, is that I choose what will be in my mind! I have a little sign on my kitchen wall that says: Happiness is a choice. So, if I can choose happiness, that means I can also choose sadness or gloom. The only thing I can think of to have a happy mind is to make sure Jesus is there. If I can have Jesus live in my mind, then I should exude happiness and joy to others. Actually, Jesus does live in my mind. I often find myself talking, sometimes out loud, to myself, when I realize that it is really Jesus that I am sharing my thoughts with.
These are difficult times for all the people of the world. Coronavirus lives in most of our heads. That is okay, as long as we don’t let it take over; as long as we leave room for Jesus. We can choose what will live in our minds today. As I write this, looking out the window, my mind is entertained by the beauty of Spring. After a three inch snowfall yesterday, the grass is so green. I see across the street little dabs of pink from the Magnolias, and the new foliage on the trees is a bright yellow-green. The stillness of this fills my mind. And as with all beautiful moments, it all ends with the sound of lawnmowers firing up their engines. But for just a few moments, I let my my mind fill up with Jesus and the beauty of Creation.
April 20, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Do Not Be Afraid
Jesus tells us “Peace, be still” and most of us need that message. We live in busy worlds; worlds that are changing very quickly. Think back to Easter, April, 21, 2019. Only a mere two years ago. How has your life changed? Do you live with more peace today than you did then? Did you live in a lonely place, isolated from people? We’re you going to a physical workplace everyday? Did you ever think that in April, 2019 that you would ever walk into a grocery store and find some shelves empty; like toilet paper? Would you have laughed if someone told you then that you would not leave your house without your hand sanitizer and mask?
We can’t go back to the calmer times. We are locked into a world that grows more troublesome everyday. We learn new secrets everyday. One thing that has not changed and will never change, is Jesus always at your side. Just as He was with you two years ago, He is still with you today, and He will be here for you in your tomorrows. I’m not sure I would be a sane person today if it weren’t for my relationship with Jesus. In fact, in the last six to twelve months, I have grown even closer to Him.
We can’t seem to get away from the loud noise of mainstream media, but we don’t have to listen to it. The TV and radio has an OFF button. Knowing that we are in a struggling world can be very scary, but Jesus has some things for us to do to help alleviate the negatives. First, remind yourself often that Jesus is still right next to you. Call on Him frequently; talk to Him while you go about your busyness. Pray more often by saying morning prayers and evening prayers, and don’t forget to give thanks for your meals. If you have an Adoration Chapel in your church, stop by once in a while, just to reconnect. Say the rosary. This is very important. Our Lady watches over us, and I know she would be pleased with more rosaries said in Her Son’s name. Don’t be afraid. Believe. Believe in Jesus.
April 19, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2020)
Performance
Jesus assures us today that He loves us no matter what. He does not love us based on our performance. We as humans often think that if we are not living up to higher standards then Jesus may love us less. He does not want us to become anxious over how much or what we do. He doesn’t love us based on looks or age; religious beliefs; how much we contribute to church. He simply loves us just the way we are. After all, we were created this way!
We all strive to be the best we can be. Being the best will not guarantee more love from Jesus. We do not have to strive for perfection, because we could never be perfect. Jesus’ love for us includes all our flaws. We can hurt Him through our sin, but His love never changes for us. Parents love their children through the toddler tantrums, the teenage years, the young adult years of trying to get on their own feet. Parents love their children as they become old.
We are only expected to do our best. Do the best with what we have. Never believe that Jesus doesn’t love you to the fullest. He loves us sins and all. He doesn’t love us based on our performance in this life.
April 18, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2018)
Peace
Jesus gives me Peace, constantly, but He does not give me more than I need for any one moment, nor does He give me less than I need. This reading references the manna in the desert. The Israelites were to gather each morning ONLY what they needed for the day. I know there were probably people who took more manna knowingly, and they were greatly surprised to find their extra manna had turned to maggots. I can’t outsmart Jesus and I don’t really want to, but sometimes I, like many other people, think I know what is best for me.
Jesus created me to need Him moment by moment. When my neediness increases, so does His gift of Peace to me. This usually comes to me by an eye-opening realization of this great gift. What Jesus wants from me most is to receive His Peace with a thankful heart. I believe He wants me to thank Him often during the day, and thank Him for things that do not appear to be gifts to me. It is these subtle moment that I can grow closer to my Friend, Jesus.
April 17, 2021
From Do Something Beautiful for God (Mother Teresa)
Judgement
Judgement is always a good topic to bring up. I find myself being a judge sometimes. I know it is not right; that those who judge will also be judged. This is what Mother Teresa wrote:
Try not to judge people. If you judge others then you are not loving them. You cannot judge and love at the same time. Instead, try to help them by seeing their needs and acting to meet them. It isn’t what anyone may or not have done but what you have done that matters in God’s eyes.
This is a little like trying to take out a splinter in someone’s eye, but not able to see because of the log in their own eye. These are times of media judgement. News channels don’t tell the actual news but rather their perception of it. Facebook and Twitter block and/or kick off people because their message does not match the message they want to push. I don’t understand why people cannot voice or write their own opinion. Why do we have to conform to certain standards?
I think Mother Teresa’s message is not about judging others as much as looking at ourselves and what we are doing. Maybe it’s a little like “mind your own business.” There is only one judge that we should concern ourselves with, and it is not any of those sitting in the Supreme Court. Our judge is Jesus as we walk with Him daily. We will all go before God in the very end. This final judgement does not include anyone other than our selves. He is not going to judge us on our opinions, but on our actions.
April 16, 2021
From Jesus Calling
Thankfulness
In this meditation, Jesus invites us to live a life of thankfulness. Admittedly this is difficult for many of us to do. Yes, we thank Him when things go right; when we have what we need or want. That’s like thanking someone for a birthday gift. It’s expected and the right thing to do. But how do we thank Jesus for everything, when everything is or seems negative. It’s hard to thank Jesus for a beautiful when it is cold and rainy out. Can we find anything in this situation in which we can thank Him? Sure! We can thank Him for the rising sun in the morning, even though it was hidden from us behind the cloud and rain today.
Jesus does not want us to criticize Him, as if we know the world better and could run it better. We are limited to what we see in front of us. We don’t know what is planned for this world. We are in very difficult times now; the world seems to be falling apart at its seams. This world is chaos, but, it is a controlled chaos by God. All we see right now is just what we are to see right now. God does not show us His plans ahead of time. He lets them play out so that we can thank Him for how it all turns out.
April 15, 2021
From Do Something Beautiful for God
Small things are Great things
Today, again, Mother Teresa’s message from her daily meditation caught my eye. This is what she wrote:
We all have a part to play in God’s glorious plans. Even if you write a letter for a blind man, or just sit and listen to someone, or you take the mail for him, and you visit somebody or bring a flower to somebody, or wash clothes for somebody or clean the house—small things, but these are great things in the eyes of God.
I believe it is more important today than ever before to do small acts of kindness for people. We live in a tense-filled world, not knowing what to expect tomorrow or the next day. We live on pins and needles. Some people choose to look away from the actions of this world, so they will miss out on opportunities to serve others. Lent is a time that I always look for different ways to show kindness to others. My favorite is to pay for the order of the car behind me in a drive-thru.
Today, we live in ultra busyness. Even those confined to their homes find themselves working a busy mind. I think of the elderly, especially those who live alone, most of family and friends passed on. How lonely they must feel. Or at the opposite spectrum, a mother with small children at home. I remember the busy, noisy days of having little ones at home all day. A mother truly wishes her child/children takes a nap so that she can accomplish something important or to just sit down.
The most beautiful thing I can think to do today is to visit my Adoration Chapel at church. I’ve noticed people just stopping by for a short break of quiet calmness with Jesus. I have set up in my bedroom a special place for me to sit and pray or just sit and be still. On a lace-covered small table, I have my new Blessed Mary statue with a vase of yellow roses behind her and two candles on either side of her. Above that I have my parents “sick call” crucifix hanging. Watch The Chosen, Second Season, Episode three and you will see Mary, care for her tired Son in a beautiful small thing.
April 14, 2021
From Do Something Beautiful for God
Mother Teresa
“A beggar one day came up to me and said, ‘Mother Teresa, everybody gives you things for the poor. I also want to give you something, but I only have ten pence. I want to give that to you.’ I said to myself that if I take it, he might have to go to bed without eating. If I don’t take it, I will hurt him. So I took it. And I’ve never seen so much joy on anybody’s face who had given food or money as I saw on that man’s face that day. He was happily that he could give something. This is the joy of loving.”
What a beautiful thing to happen. I see the dilemma of Mother Teresas decision of whether to accept the gift or not. I understand that she had to take the man’s gift. I believe that if someone were to give all they had left in their pocket, God would take care of them. If they did not receive food and/or shelter that day, then the Lord would give him something soon.
The joy of loving is another concept for thought. Both Mother Teresa and the man showed great love. Mother Teresa by accepting the very generous gift of a man’s last coin and, the joy of the giver. Have you ever given a gift; something that you worked hard on to find, or make or buy? Often the giver is more excited by the gift than the receiver. That must be how the man in the story felt. Imagine if Mother Teresa had refused the coin. The man would have been devastated and went away feeling very unworthy. We learn from this story how it can often be difficult to receive something from someone. Mother Teresa probably did not need that small ten pence, but by accepting it, she opened the heart of the poor man. When giving or receiving from the heart, it is an act of love.
April 13, 2021
From Jesus Calling (2020)
Dependence
The focus of Jesus Calling is our dependence of Jesus. We were created to be dependent upon Him. We need Him. When we call on Jesus for help or just to pray or talk, we are declaring our dependence on Him. Something that jumped out to me was the concept of seeking His Face in times of quiet. It is tempting to allow ourselves to fall into boredom, but we receive many blessings when we take advantage of quiet time.
Today, we all seem to have a lot of quiet time. We complain of boredom. We want to move about freely like we did a few months ago. But, maybe, just maybe, this quiet, secluded time was given to us as a gift. We have a wonderful opportunity during our self-isolation or quarantine. Most of us have an underlying feeling of anxiety and worry. And well we should. This is a very serious time for all human-kind. Pharaoh would laugh at us for complaining about a plague that has hit us. He and his people went through ten! I honestly don’t know if hailstones of fire or a rain of frogs is worse than what we are going through.
I truly believe that there is a huge message for all of us. We have to pay attention; keep our eyes and ea
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
This may be similar to the Golden Rule. Treat others the way you want to be treated. We all know that saying. Romans is telling us that we do not go for revenge or try to get even. If someone hits you, and you hit back you are as bad as they are. Jesus says in Matthew 5:39:
“ . . . If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. Luke has a similar verse in Luke 6:29. Jesus asks us not to seek revenge, but to show love to the person hurting us.
Jesus takes this a step further by telling us if someone asks for our shirt to give them your coat too. Further, in dealing people who hurt us verbally, emotionally or physically, to respond in kindness, graciously and cheerfully. It will set them off balance. In today’s world, when people slander you verbally, your first instincts is to yell something back. I saw on TV a man get spit on and he never shouted or touched his attacker. He stood his ground quietly and politely. Jesus’ behavior as He appeared in front of Pilate is a good example of responding with no response, lovingly and kindly. Jesus was spit upon. He could have done something horrible to the spitter, but He restrained Himself. We can start with the verse from Romans and Matthew and by being a dedicated Christian.
OCTOBER, 2019
The Rich Man and Lazarus: Luke 16:19-31
The rich man walked out to his beautifully set dining table in the courtyard. He liked to dine outdoors when the weather was nice. He looked at his lavish table set for him and was pleased. A white linen cloth with gold stitching covered the large table. On the table were several gold-plated bowls filled with fresh fruit and figs. There were several different kinds of breads served on a silver platter.
A servant followed the rich man to the table, removing the heavy velvet robe he wore, and the the rich man sat in his lustrous chair. As the servant carried back the robe, another appeared with the wine jug.
His wine goblet was pure gold and he cherished the feel and weight of it. The rich man only drank the very best wine, and often was served imported wine with his meals. The servant poured the dark, rich wine into the golden goblet. He lifted the goblet to his nose and sniffed the bouquet of the wine. He took a tiny sip and nodded in the affirmative to the servant. Then, rich man broke off a large piece of bread and chewed it, followed by a large mouthful of the wine nearly choking on it.
Two servants came down the main steps of the rich man’s mansion carrying two platters. One contained lamb, slaughtered just that morning, and the other held smoked fish, two of the rich man’s favorites. He nodded at another servant standing nearby and six very large dogs ran to the table. The man petted them and let them lick his face. He tore off a piece of fish and two dogs grabbed it from his hands. He laughed at his hungry dogs, then threw a meaty lamb bone out towards the gate and laughed as the dogs ran after it, fighting for a piece.
To look at the table, one would think it was set for a table of six to eight people. But the rich man was the only one devouring the elegant food.
Not far from the mansion was the iron fence which surrounded the rich man’s house. At the gate of the fence sat a poor, sick man, covered with sores . . . Lazarus. The rich man’s dogs were let out the fenced area often to run wild. While Lazarus hoped for a scrap of food from the rich man’s table, the dogs often went to Lazarus to lick his sores.
After the dogs were given large portions of the rich mans meals, the dogs were usually let out to exercise. They ran to Lazarus, who was their friend. They began licking the sores of Lazarus and he held the dogs close to him, smelling the rich aroma of lamb still on their faces.
****************
When Lazarus died, he was taken up by angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died, and he was buried. The rich man went to hell where he was in constant torment.
The rich man looked up and saw Lazarus with Abraham at his side.
“Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.”
But Abraham replied, “Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. Also, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.”
The rich man cried out, “Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.”
Then Abraham said, “Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.”
Upset, the rich man replied, “No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, they they will repent of their sins and turn to God.”
“If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead,” said Abraham.
Where will you be after you die? Will you long for just one drop of water, or will you be sitting at the lavish banquet of the Lord?
October 28, 2019: from Jesus Calling; Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
While thinking about and searching the internet for insight as to what the above reading may mean, the words, “as the Lord forgave you” caught my attention. Where did I hear similar words like that? Then it came to me . . . ‘and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.’ The word trespass makes it confusing. The modern day definition is crossing or being on someone else’s property without consent. But in Jesus’ time trespass could be substituted with the word sin. Therefore, forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Notice it doesn’t say that others should forgive us, but only that God forgives us.
In today’s world, we have much cause to forgive and to be forgiven. Sometimes we have to overlook what others are doing and be the Christ-like person to accept and forgive others without expecting them to ask for forgiveness. Some people just don’t know how to ask for forgiveness. We need to ‘turn-the-other-cheek’ and be more kind and loving than those around us. Sometimes good behavior rubs off on others!
October 27, 2019: from Jesus Calling; Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.
The Jesus Calling meditation for today is about discernment, decisions, planning. Many people plan for the distant future. I could never do that. My late husband and I planned to take a cruise after retirement, but he passed away before it happened. This type of planning is not unusual or presumptuous. We all have to plan for future trips; there are airline tickets, hotels and car rentals to set up. The presumptuous planning I am talking about is often heard in the young adults. They will first buy a house together, then they will have their wedding; then they often plan to wait blank number of years before starting a family. Some succeed, some don’t. The future belongs to our Godhead: Father, Son and Spirit. He will allow our plans to go through if they are what He already planned for us, but most often there will be a glitch in sone of the plans. That is why Psalms 32:8 is so important. We are to be instructed and taught they way to go; and counseled as well.
Discernment is a little different. I had an occasion to discern for myself what role I would have in the 2020 Welcome Retreat (Christ Renews His Parish). I knew from the first time I heard
a speaker that I could do that and it was what I wanted to do. I am a writer and feel like I can get my point or view across. I knew I did not want to be part of the planning committees, or the liturgical committee, or the decorating committee. Writing is
what I do, and I have a pretty good story to tell. Weeks before we were to make a final decision I knew I wanted the topic: New Life in Christ. This was one of ten topics. This one was for me! Then the night of discernment, we were to pray to the Holy Spirit
one last time for guidance. As the instructions were given I happened upon the page of Discipleship. I read a few lines and a word jumped out at me: purpose. This is what I’ve been looking to find for years. In an instant, I knew that witnessing on Discipleship
was what I had to do. I’m not sure why or how, but I know it has to do with my writing. I don’t have all the pieces of the puzzles yet, but I know the Holy Spirit will let me know, just as He did that night. That night was like living the Psalm
32:8!
October 26, 2019: from Mark 14:22-24
While they were eating, He took some bread, and after a blessing He broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is My body.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, and the all drank from it. And He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant which is poured out for many.
I chose this passage today in celebration of my First Holy Communion which happened sixty-seven years ago.The date was October 26, 1952. I remember it so clearly. I was only seven so much of the day was about the dress, company, the procession around the block of the Church. I remember the song we had memorized: “Jesus Thou Art Coming” and how we sang in our little second-grade voices, screaming out the high notes. To be honest, I don’t know what I was expected to feel when I received my first Communion. I remember thinking about the taste of the host, and that Jesus was supposed to be in the host. To be honest, I was too young at seven, to experience and comprehend the Eucharist.
I still have difficulty today, understanding just how Jesus could be in the host. I still do not and cannot understand this concept; but then I don’t think God wants me to understand His Greatest Mystery. After going to the Adoration Chapel for a few months now on Friday mornings, I feel a better connection to the Eucharist. My favorite spot to kneel/sit is the kneeler/chair right in front of the Holy Eucharist. I am so close that I could touch the table covering, and I can the tiny handle that opens that mysterious glass door to the Eucharist. I envision the tabernacle in front of me with the arms of Jesus coming from the sides and reaching around to me in a hug. Those are my most precious and peaceful moments.
The apostles did not know what Jesus was going to do when He first broke the bread and handed it to them. But as He elevated it and said, “Take it; this is My body” they may have sensed a most holy moment. The same with the wine. I do not know positively when the transubstantiation takes place, but I have decided recently that it is at the moment when the host is elevated and the priest says the words of Christ. The same goes for the wine. The reason I think it happens at those moments is because the prayers that follow are mostly prayers of thanksgiving. I cherish the moments after I receive the Body and Blood of Christ and talk to Jesus just as if He were sitting next to me. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to be a part of the Eucharist!
October 25, 2019: from today’s Mass Gospel; Luke12:54-59
And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? —Luke 12:57
Luke’s Gospel continues with the same theme of being alert, watching for the signs of the end of days. This Gospel begins with a lesson in weather predictions. Not really, but it reads: “when you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘a shower is coming’ . . . ‘and when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘there will be scorching heat.’”
I don’t think there is one adult over the age of fifty who sees a different America today from the past. I don’t remember ever seeing and hearing so much hatred; never seen so much entitlement; so much quick to judge others. This behavior makes me believe that those end of times is in the making. Satan has so much power today, and perhaps even the antichrist is among us.
Adults should be able to make fair judgements about things that are right and wrong. Judgment made based on others judgements is not your judgement. Taking for granted others words and judgements is not being fair to yourself. We’ve been given a brain to use and with today’s internet system, we have a link to any subject we want. What you find may not be the truth, but at least you looked for the truth. These are days to keep a close eye things, asking Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God for their help in knowing what is right and wrong. The more you pray and stay close to your Godhead, the more right you will find yourself.
October 24, 2019: from Jesus Calling; Luke 1:79
To shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.
Luke writes about this beautiful prayer that Zechariah said on the eight day after John’s birth. John the Baptist would do much in his ministry. Zechariah’s song is about this baby ‘who will be called a prophet of the Most High.’ John ‘will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.’
John lights the way for us to live through his great acts of Baptism. It was so important that Jesus had John baptize Him before He left to begin His ministry. Jesus then faced forty days of fasting which ended with the evil Satan tempting Him to bow before him, to cast Himself off of a cliff and to turn a stone into bread.
This reading has hints and flavors of Psalm 24 with word such as: living in darkness, shadow of death, guide our feet. But the first part of the prayer is one of thanksgiving to God. Zechariah’s example should be one that we follow.
October 23, 2019: from Jesus Always; 2 Corinthians 1:4
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
This passage sets us up for training on how to comfort. Before we can truly comfort and understand one’s pain, we must go through it ourselves. It is better for a widow to be comforted by someone who has also lost her husband. Or, the best instructor for weight loss would be someone who has had the experience of the stress of weight loss. I think that God puts us through trials so that we will know how to help another through the same kind of trial. When I was widowed, I learn to accept love from others. It was when I learned to hug others. As it turned out I started a widows group. I understand the pain a woman goes through when her husband dies. I do not understand the pain a parent feels when they lose a child, however.
Jesus Always is teaching me today to understand that pain and suffering are temporary. Jesus asks me to reach out to others who are suffering. My experience of setting up a support group for widows was definitely inspired by the Holy Spirit. I felt/heart the words: its time to start up a new widows group. (I had started one shortly after my husbands death but I did not know how to have an agenda or structure for a support group at that time. It lasted about one year.)
We never know how our acts of kindness and comfort can affect someone. Someone observing from a distance, a moment of comforting, could be inspired to do some wonder deed of comfort to another. We are all to go out and teach the Word, and showing comfort to someone in pain, is a great way to start.
October 22, 2019: from today’s Mass Gospel; Luke 12:35-38
Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning—Luke 12:35
Jesus wants us to always be ready as watchful servants, waiting for the master to return home. In this gospel story, the servants do faithfully wait for their master to arrive. The master should not have to knock on the door, as the servants should be waiting with the door open. In this story the master returns the servants faithfulness by dressing himself to serve, and serving his servants a meal at the table. I can see Jesus as the master in this story as He once washed the feet of all His disciples. It tells me that good deeds are rewarded.
Before I began looking for my directive on what reading to choose for today, I was on Facebook and ordered some books of reflection for Advent. The sample page showed the Gospel reading for December 1st which is the first Sunday of Advent where we are told about the signs we will see at the end of times. This one always scared me as a child. The symbolism in the Gospel story is a parallel to watching for the signs just as the servants watched for the master. We must remember that the Lord will come like a thief in the night. And so, just as the master protects his house and keeps a sharp lookout for the thief, we must also be prepared for the Lord to come. We do this by staying spiritually alert and awake. For me, talking to Jesus throughout the day keeps me close to Him.
October 21, 2019: from today’s Mass Gospel; Luke 12:13-21
And he said to them, “Take heed, and beware of al covetousness; for a mans life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Greed. One word sums up the parable in todays Gospel. It is the Parable of the Rich Fool. The rich fool had a bumper crop one year and was extremely proud and boastful about it. He didn’t have the room to store all of his harvest so he tore down his barns and built larger ones instead of adding on to what he already had.
“Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.” —Proverbs 30:8.
Who wouldn’t like to win a lottery, or be born into riches? But often people with, and those without, many possessions are judged differently. For instance, do you think rich people are more successful than poor people? Do you think wealthy people are more important than poor people? Do you think people who are well-to-do are more sought after? Do you believe that wealthy people are more believable than the poor? Jesus’ response to these questions is: “a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” We are to look forward to the riches we will receive in Heaven. The extras that we hav here on earth are just that. . . Extras!
October 20, 2019: from today’s Mass: 1st reading; Exodus 17:11
“Whenever Moses help up his hand, Israel prevailed”
The first reading of Sunday’s Mass was so interesting to me. I remember it from a Bible study on Exodus. This is how it goes: Amalek is a nation described in the Hebrew Bible as being enemies of Israel. Moses went to Joshua and tole him to choose men to fight the next day. Moses told Joshua that he would be atop the hill and would stand there with the rod of God in his hand. Whenever Moses had the rod up, Israel won; and when he lowered his hand Israel lost. Moses grew weary so Aaron and Hur put a large stone under Moses so he could sit and they help up his hands; one on one side and the other on the other side. Moses hands were raised until the sun set and the Israelites won the battle.
I wonder if Moses recalled his night at the Red Sea, holding up the rod of God which parted the Red Sea so the people could pass through. If he thought that, it would because of his great trust in God. Trust and perseverance are a great team. A person needs trust to continue with what they are doing, regardless of how difficult. That trust builds perseverance, fortitude, endurance. And when a person sees how well they are doing, their perseverance builders more trust.
Do you stick with the tasks, jobs, chores you hate to do or do you give up? Do you put it off until tomorrow? What would have happened if Moses, Aaron and Hur had given up?
October 19, 2019: from Jesus Calling; 2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Weakness is a good thing? Being weak and vulnerable are the state that Jesus likes us to be in. Of course, we all consider strength a great thing, and it is, but when we are feeling weaker, we are more apt to call on Jesus for help.
Don’t judge a book by its cover. I usually pick my library books by the covers. I can usually tell if it is a thriller/suspense, love/romance, crime, mystery by the cover. It’s all in the picture and color. Quite often I am disappointed if I don’t read the jacket for the book synopsis. People are like book covers as well. I wonder how many muscle-bound men do not feel good about themselves, deep down. I had a friend many years ago that was very intelligent and self-assured. But when we talked, she never really looked me in the eye; she was always looking just to the side of my eyes, at one of my ears. The more I got to know her the more vulnerable she seemed.
Jesus wants us to be who we are. He does not think us better if we can do everything. We need to learn that we cannot do it all on our own. We need to be dependent on Jesus, and forget what others might think of us. We all have weaknesses; physical, emotional, spiritual. Admitting these weaknesses to Jesus makes us very human, just the way He wants us. Jesus likes us to be dependent on Him; to be like little children. Remember when you was a child, how safe and loved you felt while walking with a parent and holding their hand? That’s just what Jesus wants us to feel with Him. Close your eyes and envision yourself as a child with Jesus and soak in all that cared-for, safe, comforted love.
October 18, 2019: from Jesus Calling; Proverbs 3:25-26
Have no fear of sudden disaster or the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.
Words like these from Proverbs pop up quite frequently in the Bible. One common idea in these verses is the thought or idea that our Godhead (Father, Son and Spirit) will, and is, always be with us. He is our guide on our daily travels. Within any one day we might see rough, rocky terrain (our problems); wild and dangerous animals (Satan); flooding, fast-moving waters (our sorrows). He is there to make sure we have on our safety rope (our faith); our good walking shoes (our trust); our helmet (Jesus).
Notice the words: sudden disaster in the verse above. This is different from the bad things we know are coming. We can plan for them, prepare and be ready to meet those situations head on. But the sudden disaster or terror is the one that strikes in the middle of the night. It might be a serious car accident, a sudden illness (heart attack), a storm; tornado, flood or hurricane. We cannot be totally prepared for those things. The come fast and furious.
Our Godhead does not want us to live in fear of an unexpected event of tragedy. Worrying about what might happen only makes us anxious people. Anxiety takes away our ability to be completely with Jesus during our daily trek with Him. We have Jesus with us, so that IF something happens, we know we have everything covered by His Presence!
October 17, 2019: from Jesus Calling; Luke 12:22-26
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
This passage is rather lengthy, but I’ve always like the above words. It is such a good question. What good does worry do for me? I am an anxious person to begin with and I can be “rattled” quite easily, so worry is just a big bowl of anxiety put in front of me to eat. The reading in Jesus Calling does offer some good advice on this topic. It tells me that if I MUST consider upcoming events, to follow some simple rules: 1) Do not linger in the future, because anxieties sprout up like early crocuses. 2) Remember the promise of My continual Presence; including Jesus in any visual imagination I have.
Focusing on Jesus keeps one attention from their problems, most of the time; well sometimes. It is like having someone step on your toes so that you can focus on that pain, and you will worry less about the pain in your tooth. Talking to Jesus takes practice. It is not easy. I’ve been trying for years. But, I have not given up.
Jesus always takes care of me. I do not have to worry about food or shelter, what I will wear. Life is more that the physical items we need. The word NEED is interesting to me. What I think I need is often what I want. I have more than I want in many respects. I have enough problems in my life to keep me worrying a whole day, but what a waste of time that would be! Instead, talking to Jesus as often as I think about it takes my mind off problems and helps me to strengthen that wonderful link to Jesus, My Guide, Counselor, Friend, Confidant, Partner.
October 16, 2019: from today’s Mass, 1st reading; Romans 2:1-11
…for in passing judgement upon him you condemn yourself…
This tiny passage from the first verse of Romans caught my eye. I did some research and those words are exactly what they mean. Its kind of the old saying: you point your finger at me, yet you have three pointing back at you. I’m sure there are people who do not believe they will be judged in the afterlife. After all, they were never judged down here on earth. Whatever they said or did, was taken as the truth; they could do no wrong. But, they, like every person who ever lived, will be judged.
The Message Bible is a very contemporary version that I use when too many big words are all put together. Let me share some of what it says in Romans 2. But if you think that leaves you on the high ground where you can point your finger at others think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors. But God isn’t so easily diverted. He sees right through all such smoke screen and hold you to what you’ve done.
This reading in Romans is a good scolding for all us to pay attention to. We all need to hear this once in a while. Our country is everything that is in that reading from The Message Bible. It gives me pause to stop and think. What am I doing when I blame and criticize others? It is so easy for me to see the flaws of others while I don’t look at myself. Matthew 7:3 says And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? Another example of judgement is the the story about the woman accused of adultery. Jesus tells her accusers to let the ones without sin toss the first stone. “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.” Matthew 7:1
October 15, 2019: from Jesus Calling; Matthew 28:20
And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20
This verse is often called the Great Commission. It is the final instructions of Jesus to the disciples. Reading this, and knowing that it is considered to be the Great Commission, reminds me of a parent sending their off to school for the first time. The parent reminds the child that ‘we always say please and thank you; chew with your mouth closed’. Or it could be a similar speech to the college student: ‘don’t drink and drive; study before you go out at night.’ The same scenario for the newlywed: ‘don’t go to bed mad, make up first.’ I wonder if Jesus wished He could follow the disciples for just a while longer, just as the parent is practically hanging on to their child who is leaving the home.
Jesus’ instructions are very clear. He tells them to teach and baptize all people—women and men, Gentile and Jew, rich or poor. “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” It appears that Jesus’ intention was to teach His disciples to teach others the same way they were taught by Him. Then that group will go out and teach another group of people. Soon, there would be a ripple effect of the Good News.
We are all to become disciples as well. We may not go out and preach to the world, but we can teach others by example, by sharing prayer experiences, reading the Bible. Just being present to someone in need is a great act of discipleship. Maybe we should go back to the old slogan: What Would Jesus Do?
October 14, 2019: from Jesus Always; Psalm 25:5
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:5
Not only do I want Jesus to hold my hand, I also want for Him to guide me. I want Him to guide me in truth. Jesus is who I put my hope in. These words in Jesus Always intrigued me:
Many people are overly dependent on human leaders because they want someone to make their decisions for them.
I see this a lot in some of the younger people. They seem to expect everything done for them as though they were handicapped. And that goes for their decision-making as well. They want the easy way out. They don’t research. If someone tells them something, they automatically believe it. They trust what they hear without any doubt. This is scary for me to think that these young people will someday be the leaders of our country.
The young are like a lot of us. Or, are we like them! We trust each other, but sometimes have a hard time putting our trust in our Godhead (God, Son and Spirit). He gives us a map to use to help us navigate our lives. He gives us the Bible. The Bible can be our teacher. Whenever I write a story about the Bible, I have to check and get different opinions on just how the events went. Then I decide for myself. But I have to trust in my Lord to lead me to the right words!
October, 2019
The Cure of the Paralytic: Mark 2:1-12
My friend Joseph is paralyzed. He has been for a very long time. Three other friends and myself (the group) heard that Jesus was back home in Capernaum. We heard that Jesus was preaching to a crowd.
“This is our chance,” said one of the the group, “let’s bring Joseph to Jesus so he can be healed.”
The group talked amongst themselves as to whether this was a good idea or not.
“How will we get Joseph to Jesus?” said one.
I replied, “We will just carry him on his mat. One man for each corner; the way we do now.”
So we proceeded to carry Joseph to where Jesus was preaching. Joseph had a difficult time speaking and he was trying to say something to us. We knew he was trying to tell us just to leave him at home. Jesus was inside a house, but so many people had gathered that they spilled out onto the main road.
We carefully set Joseph down on the ground. The group, all speaking at the same time, discussed how to get Joseph to Jesus.
“We could wait until the crowd leaves,” said one.
“But what if Jesus stays and the door is shut to us?” said another.
I spoke. “I see only one way at this point. We must go through the roof.”
“We cannot get Joseph onto the roof!”
“What good is it to put Jospeh on the roof?”
“Jesus is not going to go to Joseph on the roof!”
Then I said, “Listen, I know how this house was built. We can easily take off a section of the roof. Then we secure some rope around the handles on the mat and lower Joseph down to Jesus!”
The group thought about it a minute and all agreed it could work. As in most homes, a ladder is kept on the side of the house to gain access to the roof. People often slept on the roof when it was too hot to sleep inside.
One in the group spotted a large, greatly used piece of old rope sitting in a pile of rubbish. Knowing they had carried Joseph up stairs and on ladders before, the four men, working together, were able to get Joseph up on the roof.
Three of the group were fastening the rope to Josephs mat. I walked around a bit on the roof, tapping my foot for sound. Then I said, “Here is where we will make a hole.”
We pulled off the top layer of straw, and then an older layer of straw until we could see the panels of the roof. As a group we pulled off the panel.
The people below barely noticed us; they were so enthralled with the words of Jesus. We began to carefully and slowly lowered Joseph until the mat was sitting on the floor.
Jesus turned to Joseph; then quickly looked up at the four of us and gave us a quick smile. Jesus then looked down at Joseph.
“Son, your sins are forgiven.”
There were some teachers in the room, standing back against a wall. They looked with disbelief at each other, thinking and whispering, “Why does this fellow talk like that? “
“He’s blaspheming!”
“Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Jesus knew what these men were thinking and whispering about. Then He said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk?’ But that you may know the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . .”
Jesus then turned to Joseph, and said, “I tell you, stand, pick up your mat and go home!”
Everyone in the room looked at Joseph. His fingers and toes which had not moved in so long a time he could not remember, began to wiggle. Joseph smiles as he slowly began to move his arms, then his legs. Then he stood! He stood tall, stretching his unused muscles!
He looked at Jesus, smiling, and gave Him a respectful bow. Then Joseph looked up at his friends and smiled, and they cheered!
Joseph bent over, picked up his mat and put it under his arm and walked to the door.
Everyone was amazed at what they had just witnessed. They praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
The group of four quickly climbed down the ladder from the roof and met up with their friend. The men all hugged each other while singing praises to God. And the people joined in praising God.
October 13, 2019: from Jesus Always; Ephesians 6:18
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:18
I have underlined some words and sentences in today’s Jesus Always. We are warned about excessive noise and visual stimulation making it hard to find Jesus. An example of two people in love; how they want to spend time together. They often can only think of their love. Someone in love can be so distracted by their new infatuation that they are oblivious to the outside world. This is when Satan strikes! Too much stimulation, verbally or visually make us ever so susceptible to fall into the traps of Satan.
I had hand-written a note in the book:
“2018: Sometimes I feel that Satan has a little piece of my soul. . .
Just enough to keep me from being who I want to be.
OR, have I given it to him?
We have to stay alert at all times. Satan is everywhere. I wonder if he is responsible for the way the world is today? Did he create it? Is he dancing with joy today? Do you have enough to fight him off? Does he have a piece of your soul, or have you given it to him?
October 12, 2019: from Jesus Always; Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you.
Let me put this verse in it proper context. The Israelites were getting ready to cross the Jordan into their new land. God had told Moses that he would not be going across the Jordan with the people. Then, Moses spoke to the people, “I am now a hundred and twenty years old and I am no longer able to lead you.” Moses reassured his people that God would be with them and will take care of them, heading off any enemies that they come in contact with. He asks the people to do all that God had commanded of them.
What a bittersweet moment for Moses. He understood why he would not be going with the chosen people. When in the lands of Zin, the Israelites needed water badly. God had instructed Moses to gather the people, then speak to the rock before them. God told him it will pour out water for the people and livestock. Moses was losing patience with the people and struck the rock twice instead. The water did indeed pour out, but the Lord spoke to Moses and told him because of his disobedience he would not bring the people into the land He was giving to them.
The background of this verse is very disturbing. But the positive side of it is that our Godhead (God, Son, Spirit) will never desert us. Moses knew that even though he would not get to the new land, he was still loved and watched over by God. No matter what, God will never leave you. He goes with you always. God does not want us to be afraid of what lies ahead; not to dwell on the future. God does not want us to be discouraged.
October 11, 2019: from Jesus Calling; James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from about, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
All gifts come from our Heavenly Father and we know that everything we receive is good for us. The Jesus Calling meditation says: ‘Though I have brought many pleasures into your life, not one of the is essential.” Think about that. Jesus wants us to receive His gifts with open hands of joy and thanksgiving. He asks that we do indeed enjoy them, but that we do not cling to them. When we are given a gift from above, we are intended to receive it. Our Heavenly Father will not be like the shifting shadows that we see on a dark windy night. Shadows move to and fro and seem to change every second. Our Godhead (Father, Son & Spirit) is not going to tease us with what He gives to us.
Of all the possible gifts we could receive from our Godhead, we can rest assured that we will never lose His Presence with us. This gift is ongoing. It goes on forever. Gifts can sometimes be a disappointment, especially when you believe you are receiving one thing, then end up with something you really did not want. Cling to those gifts, because He has a purpose for everything and someday that unwanted gift will become very special.
October 10, 2019; from todays Mass Gospel reading; Luke 11:5-13
And I tell you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Luke 11:9
I love the whole “ask, seek and knocks” concept from this gospel story. It can’t be any simpler. Jesus is giving us the the basic steps to get what we want. We must be smart enough spiritually to know that He will never give us something that will cause harm. But we have to be bold enough to believe that our prayers and requests will be answered.
We will not always get what we want, when we want it. You may ask for financial security when you are in your forties, yet not achieve this until you are well past retirement. You may ask for a larger home for your family, only to find you have a beautiful large home, but far away from family. These are not tricks that Jesus throws our way, but answers to our requests and prayers the way He sees it. And Jesus always sees it the best way for us.
Ask Jesus for anything at all. Seek what you are searching for. Knock on the scary door of opportunity or chance. Your answers will be sent, just not in the way or timeline that you want.
October 9, 2019: from todays Mass Gospel Reading; Luke 11:1-4
Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples. Luke: 11:1
Last year when I went to the Holy Land, we visited the place believed to be where Jesus taught his disciples to pray. I could almost feel Jesus teaching to His disciples in that tiny room. It was a solemn space and our tour group broke out in prayer, saying The Our Father. I used “The Message”, a contemporary translation of the Bible for a way to break down Jesus’ wonderful prayer.
So he said, “When you pray, say,
Father,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
The Our Father are the words of Jesus Christ no matter who or how it is transcribed. The thoughts are the same. First, one must address their Godhead (God, Son and Spirit) and acknowledge Him as the Eternal God. Next, we ask Him to make the world a better place, asking for peace and justice. We thank Him for our food; the people who grow our food and those who distribute it and process it. We ask our Godhead to forgive all of our sins, and be sincerely sorry for them. This is followed up by forgiving those who wrong us. Finally, we ask Him to keep us safe from ourselves; all of our foolish ways and temptations. And following that, we must ask Him to keep us safe from the Devil, Satan, himself. Know that we do live in a world where evil prevails. It is important to ask our Godhead to deliver us from evil.
October 8, 2019: from Jesus Always; Matthew 22:37-39
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.
The Pharisees, one an expert in the law, tested Jesus by asking Him which is the greatest commandment in the law. In verses 17-21, the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus by asking if it was lawful to pay tribute to Caesar. Jesus was always being tested, and He always had a good answer. I really like this one. The greatest commandment of all! We are told to love God, and how to love Him. Love Him with all your heart, and all your soul, and with all your mind.
To truly love God, one has to put God’s desires above our own. God is the answer we seek in looking for happiness. We can not be selfish; we must put God’s will first and foremost. God created us out of His Love; He loved us first.
To love our neighbor as ourselves for me is treating everyone as you would wish to be treated. (The Golden Rule) But many people do not love their neighbors, but rather hate them. I wonder sometimes to a person who does not love themselves? They move about this world with no purpose. How can you love your neighbor if you don’t love yourself? How can you love God if you don’t love yourself? God loves us so much, and unconditionally. We hav to love ourselves in order to love God back. Ask yourself: What is there NOT to like about me? We can all find things we don’t like, but we should be happy with ourselves if not only because we are a loved creation of God.
October 7, 2019: from todays Mass readings; Luke 1:26-38
And he came to her and said, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you! Luke 1:28
Today is the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. The gospel for today is the story of the Annunciation according to Luke. Verse 28 jumped right out of me because these are the words used in the prayer of the Hail Mary. The Lady of Fatima and the Lady of Lourdes both appeared with a rosary on her right arm. Our Lady of Fatima has asked to pray the rosary as did Our Lady of Lourdes.
Mary was just a young woman when the angel Gabrielle appeared to her. How frightened she must have been! Then to hear an angel tell her that she would be the Mother of God, must have had her wondering if she were dreaming. Yet, Mary’s faith told her that this was real and she, with trust and dignity, accepted the angel’s request.
The Rosary is a powerful prayer and one that I can meditate on. I especially like to meditate on the Joyful and Sorrowful Mysteries. I have a dialogue in my mind about each of these events before I pray the Hail Marys. I have created my own set of mysteries which I call the Miracles of Jesus. I did this because it is easy for me to meditate on the stories. They are: The Wedding Feast at Cana; The miracle of the Loaves and Fishes; Jesus calms the Sea; The Woman with a hemorrhage; and Jesus brings Lazarus back to life. I know of no rule or law that says we cannot use our own imagination to help us meditate on the stories of the Bible. Think about stories from Genesis as an example. There are many stories in Exodus that would make a good set of mysteries to contemplate upon.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen
October 6, 2019: from Jesus Calling; 2 Corinthians 5:7
We live by faith, not by sight.
Faith is trust. Living each day in trust and faith allows us to stay in the moment with Jesus. When we know that Jesus walks by our side; holding our right hand, we feel protected. The meditation in Jesus Calling uses the example of climbing higher and higher. The higher we go, the more spectacular the view is. But it is also more dangerous going up so high. But putting my hand into the Hand of Jesus keeps me safe. And, going down this dangerous trek, Jesus is guiding me and keeping me safe.
I trust in God/Jesus/Holy Spirit therefore my faith is stronger. It is by my conviction that I know my faith. I don’t have to be like Thomas, declaring that I won’t believe until I can see. I can see what He wants me to see. I see God/Jesus/Holy Spirit through my faith. I do not have to have physical sight of Him. I have to look deeper than the surface to find Him, but He is there. He is in nature and His creations. I listen for words and guidance from Him as well. I receive these words when I am present with Him in prayer. But sometimes I am surprised by an unexpected thought or idea that I know comes from Him. I do not have to physically see Him to know Him.
October 5, 2019: from todays Mass 1st Reading; Baruch 4:5-12,27-29
For he who brought these calamities upon you will bring you everlasting joy with your salvation. Baruch 4:29
It is debatable who wrote the Book of Baruch. I know that the Protestants do not have this book in their Bibles. It is believed that Baruch wrote on scrolls the words of Jeremiah.The book of Baruch was canonized at the Council of Trent in 1546.
What is the simple meaning of these words? It has been translated in some versions of the Bible as: For the one who has brought disaster upon you will, in saving you, bring you eternal joy. I have often told grieving widows that they have to find a way to go THROUGH their pain in order to get to the joy. And as a widow of fourteen years, I can assure you that the joy does indeed return.
When I read this Biblical verse as written for the Mass reading of today, I clearly saw that the people were being scolded by God. God was so disappointed in His people who sacrificed to demons and not to God. But the goodness and righteousness of God come through and reminds the people of Israel that even though He punished them, He still continues to love them. God tells them that they, the children of Israel, will enjoy everlasting happiness with their salvation.
October 4, 2019: from todays Mass Readings of the Gospel; Matthew 11:25-30
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
These are the words of Jesus. I like the fact that Jesus understands that we do become weary and problem-burdened. Jesus knows what it is like. There were times in His life that He was weary. The first example to come to mind is in the story of Jesus calming the sea during the storm. Jesus was tired or He would not have laid down. We don’t know when His earthly father, Joseph, died, but Jesus would most certainly have be troubled at that time. Filled with grief, He was suddenly responsible for His mother.
Jesus knows the importance of sleep. But I wonder how many nights did Jesus actually get a good nights sleep. He carried the burdens of the world; He saw so many people with illnesses, disease and handicaps. That would certainly be difficult for me to see every day.
For me, the best way to get some good rest is to sit down with Jesus and just talk to Him. Tell Him your troubles and worries. Tell Him what goodness is happening in your life. Talk with Jesus, then just be still. It is in the stillness that Jesus/God/Holy Spirit will come to you. If you listen you will become enlightened. Jesus is ASKING us to go to Him so that He can take care of us.
October 3, 2019: from todays Mass Reading of the Gospel; Luke 10:1-12
Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. Luke 10:3
Jesus appointed seventy-two disciples to go ahead of him. He sent them in pairs into every town and place that He planned to go to. They were instructed not to carry a money bag, sack; to wear no sandals, and to greet no one along the way.
Doesn’t sound like a very good trip. Would you want to go? Would I? Jesus knew what dangers and trials they would run into; warning them that they may not be welcomed. I’d think I might rather stay home. But, Jesus calls us to be His disciples everyday. We may have the comfort of shoes and a place to stay, but we will still meet those who oppose us. These days being in a public place can make me feel like a lamb being fed to the wolves. Most people won’t want to hear our message. They will not want to engage in conversation; discuss the issues; look at both sides.
Today this world often makes me feels like the lambs in this verse. Being with the wolves who want to devour us because we have different opinions and ideas. Yet, we still are asked to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. How, in this world can we? We can do simple things such as practice our faith with confidence that Jesus walks beside us. We can smile more, talk less and keep our opinions to ourselves. We need to pray for those who oppose us and learn to turn the other cheek. Learn to be a disciple in which ever way works best for you!
October 2, 2019: from Jesus Calling: from Psalm 145:18
The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.
This verse took some looking into for me to get the idea/concept of it. As I understand it, God is near to all who call on Him, but they have to call on Him in truth. God would know if anyone was not truthful anyway. We cannot trick the Lord. But when we go to God/Jesus/Holy Spirit with truth in our heart he truly hears us. He hear all of when we cry to Him.
He also will fulfill our desires. We don’t always get what we think we want, but we will get everything that we need. The key words here are WANT and NEED. Sometimes we (me) get a little selfish and want more; but we don’t always need more.
He will also save us. It is said that He chose the ones He was intent on saving before they were born; before they ever did anything good or bad. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God gives us a new heart with a repentant disposition. He allows us to see the ‘glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.’ God fully transforms all of us. He wants us to call upon Him, and call upon Him often!
October 1, 2019: from Jesus Calling; Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
I suppose we all over-work at times, but some people seem to be tethered to their jobs/work. If I asked them WHY I begin to wonder. So I go to the internet and do some research. One main reason people work so hard is to fulfill a psychological need such as a desire to competence. Often this is because they are deficient in other areas of their lives. Over-workers also work all hours is so that they can avoid an issue. When they are extremely busy, they have no time to think. Some over-work for the money. If this is the case, then when do they get to spend it?
Jesus asks us to go to Him for rest. He wants us to tell Him all our problems; unload our burdens then stop, be quiet, rest and listen. He will often tell you how to get through your day at a slower pace or in an easier way. Jesus loves when we go to Him for rest. Just this morning, I went to my place of rest and quiet with Jesus. I wanted to think about my first day of Bible Study. We are doing the Beatitudes. So I sat in my comfy chair and pulled a blanket over my head to keep all distractions away.
God rested after He created the world. Rest is needed to replenish our bodies. Rest also pushes the RESET button. Leave your burdens and worries with Jesus. He is the One who really knows how to take care of them. He knows how to take care of you!
September 30, 2019: from Jesus Always; 2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
This is a bit confusing to me. What I get from it is that God makes His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of knowledge of His Son, Jesus Christ. First, the light. What is the light? I know that light can help us see, it keeps us from walking into danger. Light shows us direction and guidance. Light can also be a signal, such as the great star of Bethlehem, guiding the Wise Men to Jesus. When the light of God/Jesus/Holy Spirit shines on us, we become like a beacon light, shining out to others. They see this light in our face and through our actions.
What is the knowledge that this verse refers to? Knowledge begins with awareness. We become aware of the Presence of God/Jesus/Holy Spirit. We gain the awareness because of learned lessons, stories from the Bible, through prayer and practicing daily communication with Him. Knowledge of our Lord helps us to see the great light that He shines into our hearts. It is almost like a circle or cycle: learn and accept the knowledge, receive the light; accept the light, receive the knowledge.
September 29, 2019: from Jesus Calling; Psalm 139:14
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well.”
David is singing praise to God for creation. For the human who is so wonderfully and beautifully made. And he is singing praise for all of Gods wonderful works. David is making a declaration that the human did not evolve, but was purposely and deliberately created to function in this world. Think about the human body; how strong and healing it is, how the body can heal itself. Then think about how delicate the body is. One second, you are here; living and breathing, and the next you are gone.
Think of the cardiovascular system, how everything works together. Try calculating how many heart beats you already have. Math is not my thing, but I know it can be done. Think of the five senses how they work together. You can lose your hearing and still function, lose your eyesight and still function. Often we have problems with taste and smell, and yet we still function. Then I think of the human body as a whole. I especially think of a grandson who was born nineteen years ago weighing an astonishing fourteen and a half ounces; three months early. And Jack’s little nephew who was born one year ago, almost three months early weighing two and a half pounds. When I saw both of them for the first time in the NIC unit, They were complete and whole. They had to continue developing, but I noticed their tiny fingernails. Perfect!
This verse has often been used in pro-life activities. At the moment of conception, the color of our eyes is in the cells, all of our features are in those cells. All people are wonderfully made, even those who are born with handicaps or illnesses. They are the beautiful creature God intended to make!
September 27, 2019: from Jesus Calling; Deuteronomy 33:27
“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, ‘Destroy him!’ “
I had to think about this verse a while. I look up a few translations of the meaning of these words and now I can see with better eyes. One thought that occurred to me are the everlasting arms underneath me. God/Jesus/Holy Spirit is my safety net. I can fall, but I will never fall through! This is comforting to me.
The other part of this verse tells me that He will drive our my enemy, Satan. He will destroy Satan. Never in all my years have I ever felt the presence of Satan more than I do today. He must surely be proud of himself; having so many people believing his line of hated and self-righteousness. I have a problem watching cable news. I find myself coming to the point of anger. Today I made a decision to help me. I have two choices. I can watch and get angry; and nothing good comes of that, OR I can turn the channel. If I choose to watch, which I think it is my civic duty to be informed on all sides, I must learn to not become angry. If I feel the anger building, I will remind myself of God’s Righteousness. I will remind myself that God knew about everything that is happening from the beginning of time. He may allow some negative things happen, but it all part of His plan. God is in charge!
September 26, 2019: from Jesus Always; Psalm 73:23-24
“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
I am intrigued with the concept of the right hand. Why does God/Jesus/HolySpirit hold my right hand; what is the significance of holding my right hand? I know that Jesus will sit at the right hand of God at the end of times, so being seated on the right hand of God is the highest and closest position to God.
The right hand also signifies strength as most people are right handed, and it is normally stronger than the left hand. It also represents power; whoever sits on the right has a higher position. In doing some research I found this passage. “James and John once came up to Jesus and asked Him, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.’ (Mark 10:37) But Jesus responded, ‘to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.’” (Mark 10:40) The right hand is generally the hand used for blessing people. Also, as I think about it, Moses held out his right hand at the Red Sea.
There is a lot of information concerning the right hand from the Bible; too much to put here. I am not asking to sit at God’s right hand at this time. I just want to celebrate that Jesus always holds my by my right hand. The times that I felt the Holy Spirit’s word, it also came from my right side.
September 25, 2019: from Jesus Always; James 1:19
“My dear brothers take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
How fitting that this pops up today, with all the craziness on TV. Everyone who gives opinions on TV should have to read this before they speak. I know that sometimes I get very engaged in a conversation and I have been told to calm down. Things start to spin so fast in my mind that I get to the point where I might could get my thought wires crossed.
Jesus became angry when He saw His Temple being used for a trading post. This is justifiable. But the anger I see and hear in the media is not justified in my opinion. People are angry at other peoples thoughts! Think about it, being angry because someone does not taking the same way you think! This anger that I see turns into a childish name-calling fiasco. This is on both sides. I have heard people angry over things that are not really important in the scheme of life.
I know I need to slow down and gather my thoughts before I speak. I need a few nano-seconds to get the words correctly. Once words are out of my mouth, they cannot go back in. Most people today do not know how to listen. I am guilty of this. I often find myself thinking of what my next statement will be while someone is speaking instead of really listening to what they are saying. If we become slow to speak I think we will become slower to get angry. And we need to listen to what people say, so we need to stay quiet and truly listen. How often do we treat God’s words as if they were words from someone we don’t like?
SEPTEMBER, 2019
The Baptism and Temptation of Christ: Matthew 3:13-4:11
John, cousin of Jesus, was preaching in the wilderness. He told the people to repent as he baptized them in the Jordan River.
“And how was your cousin, Jesus?” Mary asked.
“He was fine, and busy doing God’s work. He lives a hard life in the desert, eating bugs and wild honey. He was wearing a heavy robe made of camel’s hair. But, Mother, he is so happy, I could see it in his eyes that the Father is with him. He baptized me too.”
“John baptized you?”
“Yes, he told me that I should baptize him, and asked why I went to him for baptism. Then I told him, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
“Then I entered the water with John and he baptized me and when my face came out of the water, I saw the heavens open and a dove descended upon my head. Then My Heavenly Father spoke, and all who were present heard: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
“Oh, how I wish I could have been with you, my Son. You look so thin, and you must be hungry. Let me fix you something to eat.”
“First, Mother, I must tell you of my 40-day fast in the desert. I was lead by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness. Knowing I must fast, I looked at the barren land and I suspected there would be many temptations laid before me.”
“I trust you had angels among you?”
“No, Mother, I was alone. I fasted as My Heavenly Father wished. For forty days. I became very hungry. I was tired and weary. I wanted to come home to you for food!”
“I am so sorry you had to suffer so much.”
“Satan himself appeared to me.”
Mary gasped as she covered her mouth with her hand.
“Satan knew I was hungry. He first tempted me by picking up several loaf-size stones. He said to me, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.’”
Mary’s eyes grew wider.
“I was very hungry and I knew that I could indeed turn the stones into bread, but I quickly responded a loud, firm NO! Then I told Satan that ‘people do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
“Then Satan took me to the holy city, Jerusalem; to the highest point of the Temple. He tempted me again by saying to me to that ‘if I was the Son of God, to jump off!’”
Mary’s eyes began to fill with tears as her son spoke of his experience.
“Satan continued to tell me that the Scriptures say that ‘God will order His angels to protect me. And they will hold me up with their hands, so I won’t even hurt my foot on a stone.’”
“Jesus, you would never do that!”
“No, Mother, I told Satan the Scriptures also says not to ‘test the Lord your God.’”
“Oh, Jesus, how awful for you!”
“There is more. Satan tempted me a third time when he took me to the peak of a very high mountain. Satan extended his hand out to the land below and the kingdoms of the world and their glory. He then said to me, ‘I will give it all to you, if you will kneel down and worship me.’”
“I turned on Satan immediately and told him to get out of there! And I told him that the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’ Then Satan left me and some angels came to took care of me. They gave me some food and drink.”
“Oh, Jesus, is this what your life will become?”
“Mother, do not worry about me. Everything happens as my Father wishes. I will have trials but I will also have much joy. It will all happen as God plans. Now, Mother, what do you have to eat!”
September 24, 2019: from Jesus Always; Romans 8:9
“You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
We have to choose to live by ourselves or live by the Spirit of God. So many people have not idea what the Spirit of God is. Sadly, Paul tells us that no one can live by the flesh and live by the Spirit. God/Jesus/Holy Spirit wants us to live in the Spirit through our acts. We need to ask the Holy Spirit for His empowerment, to give us strength when we need it. We need all the elements of our faith to work together by prayer, thanksgiving, forgiveness, charity. We also must acquaint ourselves with the Bible.
Spirit-filled comes in three main areas. First, being empowered for ministry; to be disciples and evangelize. Second, over-coming the influences of passion and sin. This might be turning away from Satan, or turning more often to God. The third is to walk by faith under God’s direction. He gave us the Ten Commandments as our direction. We can grow in the Spirit by reading the Bible. Just begin with a passage or two a day. Think about the words, what they mean to use. If you read a story or a parable, close your eyes and try to envision the place down to small details. You might feel as though you are part of the story, and that is a very good thing!
September 23, 2019: from Jesus Calling; 1 John 4:18
“Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.”
I was wondering how I could find an example of perfect love in today’s society. But, I can’t because John in not talking about human love, but spiritual, heavenly love. With this thinking in mind, it makes sense of the statement: “If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment…” My spiritual and Godly love does fear punishment. John is talking about the punishment of the day of judgement. According to the next statement of John: “and this shows that we have not fully experienced His perfect love.”
John continues on in verse 20: “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar.” Jesus taught us to love God as ourselves and our neighbor. We can see our fellow humans and if we say we hate someone who we can see, how can we love God, who we cannot see? So, the bottom line is that if we love God, we must love our fellow believers. That means everyone who believe in God!
September 22, 2019: from Jesus Always; Philippians 4:19
(No blog yesterday, Saturday, September 21. It was a travel day for me. I am at the beach this week. Thank You, Lord for this respite)
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Thirteen verses ahead of the above reading, Paul says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” God/Jesus/Holy Spirit wants us to pray without worry. If we worry while praying, we are showing distrust in His promise to answer our prayers.
In his writing, Paul wants us to follow the pattern laid out for us. He wants us to battle the unbelief of anxiety with God’s promises of future grace. When we feel those ugly bugs, anxiety and worry, creeping around in our heads, we need to call on Christ for comfort. It is normal to feel anxious and to worry, but these two bugs can get inside us and eat away at the trust and belief we have in Christ, Jesus as our daily companion and guide.
A good reference to overcoming fear and worry is to read Isaiah 41:10. “Don’t be afraid, for I am a with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
September 20, 2019: From Jesus Calling; Proverbs 20:24
“A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way.”
I sometimes struggle with my will vs God’s will. His will is what will really happen. I may have to make a lot of choices and decisions today. It would be better if I chose what God wants. I can start by asking Him, before a decision, what is it He wants. I know that God is working for my greater good. All decisions He makes for m have been made long before I was conceived. I need to clearly understand that there is nothing I can do to change what God wants for me, so I might just as well go along with God’s decisions.
The second half of the verse is “how then can man understand his way?” I am NOT to understand God’s way. In trying to understand my way, I set myself up for failure and suffering. What I am to understand is my relationship with God/Jesus/Holy Spirit. I understand by studying the Scriptures. It is within these books that I will find the heart and mind of God. I must make myself open to walking side by side with my Lord daily.
God is my guide; He leads the way for me daily. I walk with Jesus Christ at my side.
September 19, 2019: From Jesus Always; Deuteronomy 31:8
“The Lord himself goes before yo and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
What stands out to me is the last line; the last two phrases. “Do not be afraid” and “do not be discouraged.” Overcoming the daily fear that happens to many of us is a burden to carry. We worry and am afraid of so many things. Things that may never happen; things that will not happen. We can’t go back and undo the past. It does no good to live in the past. We will not go back there and neither will Jesus. Worrying about the future is equally silly. We are not in the future yet. We don’t know what it will bring. But when the future does come, Jesus will be with us to walk our path.
God/Jesus/Holy Spirit asks that we not be discouraged. Just because something did not turn out the way we thought it would is no reason to be discouraged. When something doesn’t happen the way we think or plan it to be, we loose hope and become discouraged. But, think about this. Perhaps there was a logical reason to God as to why something didn’t happen the way you wanted/planned. If so-called event took place just as we thought, perhaps someone we love might get hurt; maybe we will get hurt. I think of all the many people who were discouraged that they were going to be late for work in New Your City on September 11, 2001. They surely counted their blessings that night that they did not get to work on time, or missed their flight, or got sick and stayed home. God/Jesus/Holy Spirit will never leave you nor forsake you!
September 18, 2019: from Jesus Calling; Matthew 6:33
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew writes a section about worry in Book 6, from verse through 34. We’ve heard this all before. We are told not to worry about our life, what we will eat, drink, wear and sleep. Matthew tells us that God will take care of all that. He further explains that God’s divine creations of the earth; the flowers, birds and other creatures do not worry about where they will sleep, or what they will eat. Not of those “worries” really matter, since God assures us He will take care of us.
We are to seek God first, seek His Kingdom of Heaven first and His righteousness. When we do this, all these things will be given to us. We are not to worry about tomorrow since we don’t know if it will even come. We are not to worry about the future since only God knows what is there for us. And we are reassured that no matter what happens in the future, GOD IS WITH US! Worrying about our yesterdays is also a waste of time and energy. I am one of those who worry and stress about my past. I often re-live the bad moments in my head. So sad for me, since yesterday is done and gone, and Jesus was with me all throughout it. Talking about the ‘what ifs’ is only going to create chaos and doubt. Seeking His Kingdom first, allows Gods guiding Hand to take us exactly where He wants us to be. Seeking His Kingdom first, allows us to leave the past days remain in the past. Seeking God and His Kingdom and His righteousness will give us what we need, when we need it
September 17, 2019: from Jesus Always; Psalm 147:11
“The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.”
The words: fear the Lord, when I was child, meant exactly what it sounds like. Being afraid of God. I was. He watched over me, just waiting for me to mess up. I believed the word “fear” meant being afraid until I became an adult. In a spiritual sense, fear of the Lord simply means having reverence, knowledge, awe, adoration and submission to Him.
Knowledge of the Lord means for me that my relationship with Him is personal, between just me and Him. I cannot know the Lord through another person’s experience. Their experience may make me want to learn more, but someone’s communication with the Lord is theirs and theirs alone. I have to make my own knowledge of the Lord.
He wants me to submit to Him. Accept His ideas instead of mine. He wants me to have reverence and adoration to Him. This is not always easy since I think I’m pretty smart and know so much! And, along with fear, there is hope.
Many years ago, at some sort of lecture I heard that fear of the Lord can mean to many that they love Him so much that they fear their sins will hurt Him deeply; that the fear is a form of awe of the Lord. He is so great that we cannot fathom his greatness, but we see Him in awe of His greatness
September 16, 2019: from Jesus Always; Colossians 4:2
“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.”
The reading from Jesus Always stresses the importance of thankful prayer. It is acknowledged that Satan will do his best to undermine your prayer attempts. This can be overcome through training your self to pray; even while engaged in other activities. I tend to talk to myself all day long; out loud or quietly in my head. I often tell Jesus that I am not talking to myself, but to Him! And I am. Jesus is my screener. I might come up with a good idea and then feel troubled by my decision. That is Jesus talking to me. I like to think that Jesus and I are joined at the hip!
To make prayer truly effective, a person will need an alert mind. The alert mind is to keep away the evil one from disrupting my communications with Jesus. The best thing to do is to acknowledge Jesus first thing in the morning; upon awaking. My cat, Brooklyn, tries to get my attention first and often I talk with Jesus while getting her cat food ready. Prayer is possible in a roomful of people as well as in the quiet and comfort in your own home. He is with me always, everywhere, and I don’t have to call on Him and wait for Him to respond, as He is already with me.
Thankful prayer is so easy when you are thanking God/Jesus/Holy Spirit for answered request. It is easy to be thankful in prayer when your day is going well; and no problems to bog you down. But to be thankful in times of crisis, loss, deception, hatred. . . well these are the trying times to thank God. I know for a fact that the most trying time of my life, the most painful time, was a blessing in disguise. I didn’t know it then, and I know my prayers were not thankful. But to at least try to be thankful in times of trouble is one little step forward. I imagine Jesus, just before He was arrested, laying on the rock, sweating blood, begging His Father to take away His Cup. Jesus’ final response was ‘not My will, but Yours.’ Just accepting what is to be, God’s way, not yours, is pretty powerful in itself.
September 15, 2019: from Jesus Calling; Zephaniah 3:17
“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”
To me, this verse sounds a lot like motherhood. She is with me, she will save me. My mother takes great delight in me. She quiets me with her love and rejoices with singing. It is easy to picture a mother being with her child, whether an infant, toddler or school-age child. I can see her always walking a few steps behind to protect her child. She will catch her child before they fall off of the curb into the street. The mother giggles to herself at the wonderment of this little creature of imagination. When the child is hurt or upset, it is mother who holds her child close and quiets them, assuring them that everything will be all right. The she will sing soft, gentle melodies to her child.
We are God’s children and He treats us just like the loving mother. When we have God/Jesus/Holy Spirit at our side, we should have nothing to fear. Many of us, even though we ask Him to be at our side, quickly forget that we just asked Him to help us and go into panic and fear mode. He wants us to love Him back freely. He never wants our prayer and devotion to become a task or a chore. Time with Him is a GIFT!
Time with God/Jesus/Holy Spirit is meant to be a time of peace, not stress. It is good to go to Him and just sit and be quiet; no talking. Give Him a chance to talk to you and then truly listen to what He has to say!
September 14, 2019: from Jesus Always; 1 John 5:21
“Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.”
Such a simple concept! But I read a little around this one line. John tells us this because he is warning us against the devil, the evil one, Satan. We give Satan an easy job when we let our problems become to important to us