Advent, The Power of The Holy Spirit: Week 1

 

   Today we begin another Advent season! Like the Wise Men, we begin a journey to discover the newborn King! As I venture down this path, I have decided to let my compass point in the direction of the Holy Spirit. Each week I want to reflect on how the Holy Spirit prepared the world for the birth of Jesus.

  The gifts of the Holy Spirit help us to become holy. The Holy Spirit gives us the help we need to fulfill God's desired mission for each of us. Going it alone would be too hard. The Holy Spirit opens our eyes to God's vision of the world and how we should act towards others and God himself. The Holy Spirit gives us the courage to make difficult decisions and act upon them.

 This week I would like to focus on the Holy Spirit's actions within Mary. The Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will become the mother of Jesus. When Mary asks how this will occur, the angel says, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God." (Luke 1:35). The Holy Spirit fills Mary completely, and she replies, "May it be done to me according to your word."(Luke 1:38). Enlightened with the gifts of Wisdom, Knowledge, and Courage, she perceives this message of truth to be God's Plan and says, "Yes!" 

 Before Jesus was crucified, He told Pilate, "For this I was born and for this I came into the world to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." (John 18:37). Jesus was conceived in the womb of a virgin because Mary was devoted to God and recognized His voice. Mary did not listen to the voice of fear or doubt but trusted God without even knowing all the details. The Holy Spirit helped her understand that all things were possible with God.

 This week I will reflect on seeing what God thinks is possible in my life even though I may not see it. I will ask the Holy Spirit to amplify the truths of the Gospels to me so that I may hear the voice of God in my life. The child Jesus will soon be born, I do not want to be deaf to His cries.

-Susan

  

Counting My Blessings

 

     I really enjoy Thanksgiving! It is a holiday that is entirely centered around sharing a good meal with family and friends. Everyone lingers around the table a little longer conversing. It is a holiday we remember to thank God for our blessings in the past year. Not everyone is crazy about the idea of going around the table and declaring for what you are most grateful. In the past, I have been guilty of cringing when someone would suggest this tradition. Let's face it, some years are more challenging than others. Even when I know I'm blessed, I don't always feel blessed. Sadly. It is easier to remember what's wrong in my life rather than all the right little things.

     Recently, I've found I really don't have to say anything while sitting around the Thanksgiving table with my children and grandchildren. Sometimes, I prefer to remain quiet. I enjoy listening to new stories and recounting the old stories. I like to watch everyone's faces as they indulge in their favorite foods. As each bite is interrupted with laughter and smiles, I know I am richly blessed.

     Even though my life is far from perfect, I am a child of God. I am loved beyond measure on both my good days and my bad days. I am a sinner whose Father always leaves the door to forgiveness open. I am a trusting servant who can hold the hand of the Mother of God as I navigate my path in life. My life is not perfect, but when I look through the eyes of my faith, it really is quite beautiful!

-Susan

Speak Gently

 

  My family and I have been battling an upper respiratory infection this past week. It was a quiet week at my house because we all had varying degrees of laryngitis. There was no idle chatter, no arguing, no harsh words. We spoke only when necessary and we had to listen very carefully to each other. My sons played their video games in silence without any colorful expletives. (Something I have been told was not possible.) Had I physically felt better, a week of silence would have been considered a dream come true. 

 This got me thinking. What if it was physically painful to speak unkind words. Would I speak nicer to others? What if I suffered from laryngitis when my profanity, lies, or gossip damaged my spiritual life? Would that get my attention? Jesus said, "It is not what enters one's mouth that defiles that person, but what comes out of the mouths is what defiles one." (Matthew 15:11)

 I have to admit I spent a lot of time on the couch this week. The commercials and emails encouraging me to get ready for Christmas with early sales have already begun. I currently have a different perspective. Having a voice and being able to speak is a gift I often take for granted. Perhaps this year instead of worrying about choosing just the right present, I will spend more time choosing just the right words. Like overspending, I don't want my careless words to leave me with a debt that is too difficult to repay.

-Susan

Shine Bright

  I couldn’t help but feel blessed as I walked through my neighborhood park. The changing leaves seemed to absorb the sun’s energy shining brighter than ever. I know I will miss the beautiful colors of Fall. 

  Here on earth, things are constantly changing. Our spiritual life can face periods of dryness or challenges. Our health is continuously fighting battles. We lose those who are dearest to us. Through all these changing seasons of our lives, God’s promises and His love are constant. We never walk alone. The more we trust, the more we absorb God’s love, and when we get to heaven, we will shine brighter than ever. When Jesus said, “Follow me,” He was not referring to our feet. It was an invitation for our hearts. 

-Susan

 

 

All Souls Day

 Life does not end with the death of the body;
the soul enters eternity
and continues to exist forever.
-Scott Hahn

 

  Today let us pray for all souls who have departed earth, but especially for the souls going through purification. Let us implore the mercy of God to hasten this process so that they may enjoy the eternal happiness of heaven.  These souls are depending upon our prayers.  Let us not keep them waiting. Praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for them would be a beautiful way to celebrate this special day.

-Susan

P.S.  Don't keep All Souls Day a secret.  Talk about it with others and invite them to pray with you. One day you may be the one who benefits from their prayers.

Celebrate the Feast of All Saints Day!

  

  My three-year-old granddaughter and I decided to do some baking. While I was looking at the recipe she said, “Don’t look at those letters they won't tell you anything."

  I smiled and said, “These are the instructions. Someone else has already figured out how to make it. If I follow the instructions, I know it is going to turn out great."

  There is always an easy and a hard way to do things. We can forge our own path or walk along a path that others have found successful. Have you ever tried to follow the life of a saint?  Many saints had lives that were filled with obstacles. Their faithfulness and trust in God was amazing. We can definitely learn from their insights. The path of holiness is challenging but not impossible. The world is great at selling a worldly point of view, but God does not share this same view. Learning to view life from the saints who saw things more clearly can help correct our own nearsightedness. The saints can act as inspiring trail guides helping us to avoid obstacles that impede our own journey. 

 We all want things to turn out great. We want the beatific vision--the heavenly feast. How can we be assured we are doing it right? What recipe should we follow? There is no one correct recipe to follow. The saints can be likened to master chefs that have left their secret recipes  for us to imitate. God has never left us alone to figure this out. The Holy Trinity is as active in our lives as we are willing to allow. The saints stand as powerful intercessors cheering us on, teaching us, and encouraging us to choose the path of holiness. 

 Today is All Saints Day. Do yourself a favor after Mass and invite a Saint to dinner today. Celebrate their lives! Be bold and ask them to bring one of their tried and true recipes to try. 

-Susan