The Power of Love

  I rediscovered this quote from Pope Benedict XVI.  I had wrote it down in a notebook a few years ago.  When I came across it again it made me smile, so I thought I would share it with you.
                                Let us bear witness
                                     to our faith in such a way
                            that it shines forth as the power of love
                                 "So that the world may believe."

 Love is most powerful when it is given freely, without limitations

or expectations.  Love encourages us to make sacrifices for the purpose of enriching someone else's life.  Jesus showed us what love is. Love is to offer our friendship to those who are lonely. Love is to heal and care for those around us that are suffering.  Love is to offer help without judging and to extend forgiveness even when it hurts.  Love is to completely empty ourselves so that God can completely fill us and change the world.

     The light of God's love must penetrate every cell in our body, so that our bodies and minds always move in the direction of His goodness.  Acts of love can come in all different sizes and styles.  This weekend rediscover the power of love in your faith and commit to one act of love.  Whether it is noticed or not, I'm sure it will make Jesus smile.

-Susan

Think, Pray, Love

Sometimes keeping it simple just makes good sense. Enjoy your day!

-Susan

The things we hear in church...

    Not surprising to anyone, I love the Sunday Mass!  The older I get, the more I fall in love with the mass.  I think it is absolutely beautiful and inspiring.  The music, the readings and gospel, the homily and all the wonderful prayers makes my heart desire the Eucharist even more.  This week I found myself very inspired as the priest began the Eucharistic prayers.  I was taken by a small, insistent voice of a three year old boy on the other side of the aisle.
  "Mom, why he say body?  Why he say blood?  I heard him.  He said body and blood."
  I did not get to hear his mother's response, because we as adults, know to quietly whisper answers to our children during mass. (I have to admit, though, I would have liked to hear his mother's response.)  I would like to extend a word of thanks to his mother.  Thank you for bringing your children to mass.  Often I hear the comment that parents think their children are too young to get anything out of mass. This little boy was obviously listening and wanting to understand.
   I think God speaks to each of us throughout our lives at whatever stage we are experiencing.  What father would wait for his children to become a certain age before he spoke with them?  And even though a small child may not be sitting still, his mind is still taking in all the sights and sounds around him.  How many times are we amazed (or sometimes embarrassed) because our children heard and understood something we said?
  This week I thought we could spend sometime answering this little boy's question.  Why is it so important that we celebrate Jesus sacrificing His Body and Blood for us?  What would you have told this little boy?  And then when you have given this some thought,   I would like to suggest you turn to your mother ask her the same question. "Mary, can you help me to come to a deeper understanding of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross?"  Be ready to spend some quiet moments listening, learning and reflecting.  May the peace of Christ be with you this week.

-Susan

Vacationing with God #5 -Assisi, Italy

  Assisi.  is a beautiful medieval town sitting half way up Mt. Subusio.  The small, narrow steep streets first led us to the Basilica of St. Clare.  Inside this basilica is the Chapel of the Crucifix which displays the crucifix which spoke to Francis.  As St. Francis  prayed before this crucifix, Jesus asked him to rebuild His Church.  As you gaze upon this cross, you can't help but be caught up in that moment.  I imagine St. Francis' heart must have filled with great joy and love as he tried to understand what Jesus was calling him to do.
  Next we entered the large Basilica of St. Francis.  The upper church was flanked with large frescoes telling the story of St. Francis' life.  As we descended into the lower chapel we could hear a group singing "Make me a channel of your peace.." in Italian.  It was if the spirit of St. Francis himself was inviting us to come closer.  The lower chapel displayed the garments of St. Francis and St. Clare and also St. Francis' brevery.  His tomb was in the middle of an enclosed glass wall which reached all the way up to the upper church.  Around St. Francis' tomb were also those of his friends.  As we circled his tomb his peace seemed to linger in the air and you could almost feel the love these men had for Christ and one another.
  After exploring the town of Assisi and imagining St. Francis walking these same streets, we continued traveling up Mt. Subusio to Eremo Delle Carceri.  This monastery is the home of the caves that St. Francis and his friars prayed, meditated, and lived.  You can actually walk through St. Francis' cave which then leads out to an area (marked by a statue) where St. Francis gazed at the stars.  Many paths led in and out of this wooded area where St. Francis taught his friars.  We passed a rough alter made out of giant stone with surrounding smaller stones for seats.
  We decided to sit and meditate here as St. Francis may have done.  Here in the quiet of the forest, with God's beauty all around, I discovered that freedom within.  I thought about how St. Francis gave away all that he possessed.  I thought about how difficult that would be for me to do.  But I think if you gave away all your possessions and sat in these woods meditating on God--His encompassing love and everlasting peace--away from the world's worries and worldliness you would be free.  You would be free to just dwell in God's love.  I sat there placing myself in God's presence and imagining being a follower of St. Francis and it was in this moment that I felt truly free.

Jesus and Daniel

     May the Child Jesus be the star that guides you through the desert of your present life.

     St. Pio

  I came across this quote by St. Pio and it got me thinking about Jesus as a child.  The thought of Jesus as a child just brings me such joy.  It has inspired me to write this purely fictional story about Jesus at the age of ten.  It is written with the hope that it draws you closer to the child Jesus and increases your wonder and love for the very human Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus and Daniel

  Daniel was eager to finish washing the dishes from lunch.  He put the last bowl away and ran to find his mother.  'Mamma can I please go play with Jesus now?  He's waiting for me."

  "Did you finish all your chores?"

  "Yes and Papa says he doesn't need my help until later. Please can I go?  I don't want him to get mad at me "

  "Does he get mad at you often?"

  "No, he actually never gets mad at me.  He always understands.  But I get mad at myself when I make him wait.  So please can I go now?"

  "Well you can go but be back in time to help Papa. "

  " I will. Thanks Mamma."  Daniel ran as fast as he could.  He had seen Jesus up on the hill by his house an hour earlier and hoped he would still be there.  Jesus was his best friend. It just felt good being around him.  He told great stories and always made Daniel smile. He wondered how Jesus seemed to know so much more than him.

  "Hey Jesus," yelled Daniel as he began running up the hill.

  Jesus looked up and smiled as Daniel got close. "Hi Daniel.  You ran up the hill pretty fast today."

  "Ya, I know. Now I need to catch my breath.  So what were you doing?"

  "I was just praying."

  "You sure do pray a lot.  Does your mom make you?" inquired Daniel.

  "No one makes me pray.  I like praying to Yahweh.  I think my praying makes my mom smile though. She likes to pray a lot,  too."

  "My Papa said he was going to work with your Dad in town today. I think they're building a house.  Papa said pretty soon I'll be joining him and we will work together.  I want to be just like my Papa. How about you?  Do you want to be a carpenter, too?"

  "I'm going to build, too.  But not just one or two houses,  I'm going to build a whole kingdom here.  It's going to be called the Kingdom of God."

  "You can't build a whole kingdom yourself." said Daniel shaking his head.

  "I could," said Jesus,"but I don't want to do it alone. I want lots of people to help me.  I'm going to invite everyone to be a part of it."

  "Why would you want everyone to be a part of it?  I think you should just ask the really strong people or maybe the really smart people."

  Jesus picked up a stick and started drawing in the sand.  "I'm going to invite all the people who know how to love."

    "What?  That's stupid.  Why would you want to live in a kingdom where people just loved each other?"

  Jesus started drawing a stick person in the sand,  "Well wouldn't you want to live in a kingdom where people really cared about each other and nobody was jealous, greedy, or hurtful?  A place filled with peace and happiness.  Everyone would love each other not because they had to, but because they really wanted too."

  "Why would they want to?"

  "Because when they looked at each other, they would see each other the way Yahweh sees them."

  "Hmmm..... That does sound good....I think I would like to live there.  When are you going to start building it?"

 Jesus looked up from his drawing and said, "Well, will you help me?"

  "Sure, I guess." agreed Daniel.

  "Then I have already started.  I am just going to keep telling people about the Kingdom of God until everyone wants to join."

  "Well that sounds like a pretty good plan, do you think it will work?"

  Jesus started drawing in the sand again, "I think so, in fact, I would bet my life on it."

  Daniel smiled.  He wished he had thought about building a whole kingdom. "Hey do you want to race me down the hill?"

  Jesus set his stick down and said, "Okay, let's do it!" 

  

Striking it Rich!

  Last week there was a lot of talk about winning the huge lottery jackpot.  Many of us made mental lists of what we would do if we won.  Of course our lists contained charitable acts and names of those we would like to help, but most of us dreamed of quitting our jobs, buying things, and leading a life of luxury.  It is so easy to let the love of material things distract us.  Sometimes those dollar signs can obstruct our vision.  Taking off our money blinders may help unite our thoughts and dreams with the Lord so that we can see Him more clearly.
  Let's play a different game.  What if you had the chance to win perfect joy, unwavering faith, everlasting love, or a multitude of graces?  Would you buy a ticket?  What would you do with a million days of perfect joy?  Who would you share the secretes of unwavering faith with?  How could a million days of everlasting love be invested to become two million?  If you could chose 20 people to share everlasting love with who would you choose?  Would you choose family and friends or terrorists and criminals?  If you could gain one thousand graces or one thousand dollars, which would you choose?  The Lord wants us all to win big.  We just have to love Him more than the world.  Striking it rich is entirely up to us.

-Susan

Joyful mysteries

I.  The Annunciation 

When the angel Gabriel came to ask Mary to be the mother of Jesus, he knew exactly where to find her.  Mary was praying, like she did every night.  Prayer was a priority in Mary's life.  She didn't just squeeze it in when she had a few extra minutes or quickly rush through it so she could go on to do other things.  God  came first in Mary's life.  Her life of prayer and devotion to God filled her with tremendous graces.  Mary was about fourteen years old when she said "yes" to God and His Will to be the Mother of the Messiah.  Each of us will be asked to carry out God's will in different ways and at different times in our lives.  It may, however, be difficult to accept if we have not spent the time praying to God.  We might not recognize His voice.  As we reflect on Jesus being conceived in Mary's womb, let us follow Mary's example and be vigilant in prayer so that when the time comes we, too, can give God our "yes".

II.  The Visitation

Three days after the Annunciation , the Lord revealed to Mary in a vision that the child Elizabeth had conceived was a son and was to be a great prophet and forerunner of the Messiah.  For four days, Mary and Joseph journeyed to her cousin Elizabeth's house.  Upon their arrival, the sound of Mary's voice fills Elizabeth with the Holy Spirit and her child leaps for joy in her womb.  Mary, too, is filled with joy in her heart as she begins to pray what we now call the Magnificat.  Mary  exclaims, "My soul depth magnify the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.". When was the last time you allowed your own spirit to rejoice in God your Savior?  While you pray this mystery, close your eyes and picture Mary sitting next to you.  She is inviting you to rejoice with her.  Just look at how radiant  Mary is while she prays. With your eyes closed,  smile as you pray and allow your heart to be filled with joy.

III.  The Birth of our Lord

Again I'm going to invite you to close your eyes and imagine that you are entering into the manger where baby Jesus was just born.  Reverently bow before the Holy Family and then slowly come closer to baby Jesus lying in the bed of hay.  Look at how tiny and beautiful He is.  Now glance at His lovely young mother Mary and her devout and humbled husband Joseph beside her.  As you take a look at the Holy Family, ask yourself what could you do to make your own family more holy?   As you pray this next decade ask Mary what she would recommend.

IV.  The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

According to the Law of Moses, every first born male was to be brought to the Temple to be dedicated to God on the 40th day after their birth.  Mary and Joseph in obedience walked the five mile journey to Jerusalem.  Mary and Joseph were faithful Jews and knew their religion.  How well do you know yours?  Would you be described as a faithful Catholic?  
Think about it.....  

V.  Finding Jesus in the Temple

When Jesus was 12 years old, the Holy Family made their yearly pilgrimage to the Temple.  On their way back to Nazareth, Jesus secretly withdrew from his parents.  Jesus spent the next 3 days answering the questions of the scribes in the Temple.  Meanwhile during these 3 days, Mary and Joseph desperately searched for Jesus.  This was a time of great sorrow and suffering for both of them. During this mystery let us consider that even during our times of suffering and trials, God's Will is being done.  Though we might feel frustrated and exhausted, God has a plan for us.  We may not understand it because we can't always see the big picture. Often God challenges us to become something more. We must seek the Truth with humble and loving hearts, eyes that are open to the needs of those around us, and arms that are willing to serve.  It is through our constant prayers, obedience and our search for holiness that we will find Jesus waiting for us at the church smiling with His arms extended and eager to embrace us with His love and grace.

-Susan

Believe

  

One of those days...

  Everybody has them.  Those days where nothing seems to go in our favor.  Stress and anxiety can really take a toll on us both physically and spiritually.  When your having one of those days (or weeks) please remember to ask the Lord to help and refresh you.  Prayer doesn't magically take away our problems, instead it allows God to enter our lives and help us.  Immersing ourselves in the presence of God can add a dimension of hope, understanding, or patience that we formally lacked.  Let's take a moment to sit back and just be with God with this simple meditation.
  Imagine that you hear God calling your name and He invites you to come to the water.  He is near the ocean shore and is waving to you, beckoning you to come closer.  You take your shoes and socks off and feel the warm sand beneath your feet as you walk towards Him.  He smiles as you approach and points to two empty beach chairs.  As you both sit down, you feel the waves of the ocean gently splashing over your legs and feet.  The water is a warm and relaxing.  God reaches for your hand and says, "I really just want to be with you right now."  As God holds the palm of your hand in His, you close your eyes and feel the gentle breeze of the Holy Spirit moving through you.  Feel the warm rays of God's love on your face as your mind relaxes and releases the stress of the day.  Take in a deep breath and then exhale allowing your body to sink deeply into the chair.  Spend a few moments doing nothing else but just being with God.  
  After a few moments you feel someone touch your other hand and you smile when you see that Jesus has pulled another chair up next to you.  He looks at you and then places something very tiny into your hand-a few grains of salt.  As you close your eyes again you hear Jesus say, "Remember you are the salt of the earth do not lose your flavor.  Relax and let us restore you."  Just stay here and dwell with the Holy Trinity as long as you are able to....

-Susan
  

Your Baptism

  On your baptism, God's Plan for you was to be surrounded by the the love and light of the Holy Trinity and to have a life freed from sin.  Each week as we place our hand in the holy water of the Baptismal font we should take a look at our reflection.  Does your life still reflect God's holy plan for you?

-Susan

God could use your help....

  I came upon this quote by Mother Theresa (soon to be a saint) and I thought I would it was something we could all meditate upon.

  "The very fact that God has placed a certain soul in our way is a sign that God wants us to do something for him or her.  It is not be chance, it has been planned by God.  We are bound by conscience to help him or her out."

  Let's spend the next week really noticing and listening to those God has placed in our lives.  Not all of us are called to solve world problems.  Most of us are called to come to the aid of those we encounter in our every day lives.  Instead of just feeling sorry for someone we are called to be compassionate and merciful.  Sometimes it may be as simple as listening to someone who is obviously hurting.  Painful situations can leave a person feeling isolated and confused.  Allowing them to express themselves and feel cared about could be one of many steps needed for their healing. The thought that God put this person in your path because He felt you could help is pretty amazing.  God loves each of us and hears are cries for help.  Perhaps we are meant to share our own experiences so that others can benefit from what we have already learned.  We need each other.  That was always God's design.  Love one another.  

-Susan

Walking in His paths

  The cold shorter days of winter have me longing for Spring already.  I am one of those people who loves to take long walks everyday. (And unfortunately, I am also one of those people who thinks the temperature should never drop below 45 degrees.)  I came upon these words from the prophet Micah.  I think during these colder days and nights I will concentrate on some spiritual walks with the Lord.   Anyone else interested in some mountain climbing?  I found a great path.

In the days to come the mount of the Lord’s house

Shall be established higher than the mountains;

it shall rise high above the hills,

And people shall stream to it.

Many nations shall come, and say,

“Come, let us climb the mount of the Lord,

to the house of the God of Jacob,

That he may instruct us in his ways,

that we may walk in his paths.”

-Susan

Making a difference...

  Father Ben spent hour upon hour on his Sunday homilies.  He eagerly wanted to share his insights with his parish family.  To Father Ben, reflecting on the the weekly readings and gospel with a good cup of coffee was like inviting Jesus to his kitchen table and having a heart to heart talk about life. Those moments at the kitchen table were some of his favorite every week.  He sometimes wondered, though, how many people were actually listening.  His heart felt warm with love as he delivered his homily, and yet he often experienced the unmoved, disinterested gaze of many of the parishioners.  Sometimes he wondered if he was making a difference at all.
  Years and years went by and Father Ben continued to faithfully preach the gospel.  Towards the end of his life, his genetically predisposed high blood pressure and heart disease took a toll on his body.  He spent his last days laying in a hospital bed, his worn bible within arms reach, and wondering...did I make a difference?  It was as a tear rolled down the side of his face that Jesus, himself, appeared at his bedside.
  Jesus was radiantly smiling as he embraced Father Ben.  Jesus poured Father Ben and himself a cup of coffee, picked up his bible and said, "The difference you made, Ben, is quite amazing.  Your homilies touched my children in ways you never knew.  Your words inspired, healed and strengthened so many.  Perhaps few came and said, 'Great homily, Father', but I saw them say it by the way they changed their lives.  You have been a good and faithful servant, come see what I have prepared for you for Eternity.  You shared your love for the Trinity with so many,  now the Father has chosen to magnify this outpouring of love a thousand times!  Soon you will see the difference you made."  Jesus then smiled and reached out for Father Ben's hand, and together they walked to the heavenly banquet table that was all prepared.
  To the world, Father Ben had peacefully passed away.  His nurse told his friends, "I was in the room checking his declining vitals, when suddenly I saw Father Ben's face light up with a smile I will never forget.  His eyes opened wide for a second as if he saw a close friend approaching.  With his last breath I heard him whisper, 'I love you.'  I wonder who he saw?"
  His friends had no doubt that those words "I love you" must have been for Jesus, for his friends had heard these words echoed for years in every homily Father Ben had given.  His friends shared some of their favorite memories of Father Ben before leaving his hospital room.  Larry sat quietly in the corner chair listening.  Silently he prayed for Father Ben's soul.  As he prayed,  he wished he had told Father Ben the impact he had on his life.  "Jesus, could you please let Father Ben know how much he inspired me and all those in the parish?  Thank you."  
  As Larry got up to leave he noticed the two half filled cups of coffee on Father Ben's bedside tray next to his bible.  As Larry picked up the bible Father Ben's nurse came back in the room and said, "Don't forget to take your coffee, too."
  "Oh, those aren't ours."  Larry replied.
  "Well that's strange", she said,  "No one else has been in this room today.  Just leave them there then, I'll take care of them."
  As Larry carried the bible out of the room, he pressed it close to his aching heart.  As he walked down the hall an unusual thought came him, "I think I'll buy a cup of coffee and spend some time reading the good book today."

-Susan

Feast of the Epiphany

  The Magi followed a sign- a star which led them to the newborn king of the Jews.  How was it that the Magi were able to recognize Jesus as the newborn king?  What did the Magi see that convinced them?  I wonder if the Magi began by following the wondrous star, but continued the journey because they were drawn to the Light- the Light of Christ.  During His preaching Jesus said. "I am the Light of the world, he who follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."  They recognized Jesus because they saw His Light,  and they reverently bowed down and adored Him.  I hope this is what heaven is like.  I hope that followers from all nations will bask in the light of Christ and reverently bow down and praise Him.  I hope that at the end of my journey, I will be as fortunate as the Magi.  I hope to lay my humble gifts before Christ and praise Him! 

-Susan

It's A New Year!

  It's a new year and I'm ready for a new me, how about you?  I know I've made this resolution before, but this time I'm ready to lose the weight.  This year I intend to shed that extra weight that's been holding me back.  In the past I know I have tried and failed.  I would loose the sin for a while, but then I would get lazy or stressed out, and I would put it right back on.  But this is the year I am going to work on being sin-free and I'm inviting all you to join me.
  I think the trick to losing the sin and keeping it off is to develop some healthy habits that you can live with and don't leave you with that "I want what they have" attitude which can be so destructive.  For instance when your at a party avoid the rumor appetizers and instead bring your own tray of compliments that you will enjoy and can share with others.  Saving your appetite for a healthy portion of truth will be much more satisfying.  And as pretty as some can make those chewy, gooey lies look, simply just walk away and go for an entire bowl of kindness or an after dinner cup of mercy.
  I also find it is helpful to detoxify your body by occasionally practice sin-cleansing.  Too much sin in your body is a breeding ground for evil desires and darkness. Purging your body of these toxins actually allows your soul to be filled with God's light and love.  Sin cleansing is so much easier than it sounds.  Most of your area churches have a room dedicated to do just this.  Step inside, expose your sin and sorrow, and watch the weight off sin roll of your body.  Any well trained priest can get you back on the right track again in minutes.
  Staying sin free isn't easy, but definitely worthwhile, so don't sell yourself short.  You can do this!  Look to the heavens for motivation and find the inner strength to do this.  Work out with a couple of spiritual aids-a five pound bible, some resistive bands, and a prayer mat can really make a difference. Invite friends to work out with you.  Let's support and encourage each other!
  Let's make 2016 the year we love our souls!  Together we can make it happen!