It's All About The Details

 

  

This past spring, I had the opportunity to hike with my sister on several beautiful trails in Arizona. To my delight, the timing was perfect for seeing the cacti bloom. I was captivated by the different flowers. I snapped picture after picture of these delicate blooms (almost to the point of driving my sister crazy). I was pleased when I returned home and noticed I had captured more than just the flower in one of my pictures.

 What I hadn’t noticed while taking the picture was the bee pollinating the flower. It made me realize that the beauty of God’s creations is even more amazing when you notice the details. It’s so easy to take for granted everything that God has created.

 
 Please join me this week in praising God! Take a closer look at your life. Remember some of your sweetest memories and notice how God was present. Recall a very difficult time in your life and how God helped you through it. What may have seemed like a coincidence or good luck was actually God arranging all the details just so. Take a deep breath in and blow it out. We live and breathe because the breath of God desires you and loves you.  You are an amazing person, and the intricate fingerprint of God is all over you.  We have been blessed with millions of tiny, unnoticed details. Don’t take God for granted this week. Take a closer look at our wonder- working God and love Him even more!

-Susan

Feast Of The Sacrad Heart Of Jesus

 

 "O come let us adore Him

O come let us adore Him

O come let us adore Him

Christ the Lord."

  As I bow down to honor you today, I beg You to pour Your Love and Mercy upon the Church and the whole world. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in You!

-Susan

Your True Presence

 

 Reverently, I walk down the Church aisle. Is this just another ordinary Sunday? Never. My God is calling me forward. Who am I to be invited to receive Jesus?  I am no one special, not at all worthy, yet He loves me anyway.  My heart hears Him call my name.

  Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. I often repeat these words slowly over and over before and after receiving the Holy Eucharist.  I hope that by repeating these words, I will be able to grasp their meaning.  This gift, this moment, this Holy Eucharist is beyond my comprehension, and yet I boldly receive, because I so desperately need Him.  

  Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Jesus gives me all of Himself; why do I give so little in return? Change me, Jesus. My love is too weak.  Strengthen and enlighten me with Your True Presence. Please keep loving me more than I deserve. 

-Susan

Ready To Serve

 

  Often,  as I am getting ready for work, a recurring thought comes to mind, "Why do I have to go to work today?  Why can't I just be independently wealthy?" Those thoughts quickly fade as I put on my uniform and run out the door. Even though I enjoy entertaining the idea of a life of leisure, I know that is not where I will find true happiness. The other day, as I was praying the rosary, I had an epiphany. While meditating on the wedding at Cana, I suddenly realized, "I want to be a servant like those at the wedding."

  Those servants were exactly where God wanted them to be. They instinctively listened to Mary's command, "Do whatever He tells you." They trusted that Mary had insight they lacked. I want to be just like that.  I want Mary to lead me directly to Jesus. I want to hear Jesus' instructions and follow them without question. I want to do Jesus' Will, even when it's hard and I don't understand how it will all work out. 

  I brought this new feeling into prayer later that night. "Jesus, I'm sorry. I complain a lot about having a better life." I closed my eyes and waited for a response. 

  In the moments of prayer that followed, I saw Jesus shake his head and smile at me. "My child, I want that for you, too, but not just yet. If you follow my ways, you will no longer be serving at the wedding feast; you will be sitting with me at the table. I promise you will be happier than you could ever imagine. But right now, I need these jars filled with water. Can I count on you?"

 I returned His smile and replied, "Absolutely."

-Susan

This Is Deeply Personal

  

  The Feast of Pentecost marks the birth of the Catholic Church. The Holy Spirit guides the whole Church, but just as importantly, the Holy Spirit uniquely guides and inspires you. The Holy Spirit can be an incredible wind, but often is a soft whisper. The Spirit speaks every language and moves every heart in a deeply personal way.  Does the Holy Spirit need to send tongues of fire into your life? Usually not, because the Holy Spirit has been speaking to you since your baptism. You know His voice. You know His love.  The Holy Spirit doesn’t need to make grand gestures; He just needs us to be more attentive.  The power of God lives within us. Have you discovered how to say “yes” to the Holy Spirit?

 Mary’s “yes” to the Holy Spirit changed the world forever. We should imitate Mary by saying “yes" to the Holy Spirit every day.  Perhaps we could find simple ways to invite the Holy Spirit to work through us.  We could pray, "Holy Spirit, I give you permission to use my heart to love others. Use my ears to hear and respond to others' needs.  Use my mouth to speak words of comfort,  to encourage peace and justice, and to preach the gospel.  Open my mind, Holy Spirit, to God’s wisdom and make me more aware of all your movements within me."

 Holy Spirit, you know me better than I  know myself. I desire to know you this way as well. This desire is deeply personal. I am yours, Holy Spirit, and I am eternally grateful that you are all mine as well. Holy Spirit, go ahead and love me as much as you can, because I desire to love you this way, too!

-Susan

  

It's Definitely Possible

 

  I've been planning an upcoming summer vacation in the mountains. I always check out the local Catholic churches and their Masses ahead of time.  I was shocked to discover that the churches were not that close and that there was only one Mass time.  It made me realize how fortunate I am.  In my hometown, I have at least seven churches within fifteen minutes of me, each offering multiple Masses. The Church may be flourishing where I live, but there is still much work to be done.

  As we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus into heaven, my thoughts turn to the apostles' faith. They were given a task that seemed almost impossible — to share the Gospel throughout the world. Without the help of the Holy Spirit, this task would have been impossible, but the gift of the Holy Spirit opens the heart to God in ways beyond our comprehension.  Everything is possible!

  Let's all continue spreading the Gospel. The Holy Spirit is as strong today as He was for the apostles. Let's spend the next week in prayer with Mary.  Let's pray that God opens our eyes to see who else needs to hear the Good News.  It's possible you may not even have to venture more than fifteen minutes from your home. You can do this! The Holy Spirit dwells in you.  Your faith can move mountains and people, too!

-Susan

Love You Mom!

 

  Today we celebrate Mother's Day! I have two mothers in heaven-my earthly mother and my heavenly mother. My heart goes out to both of them today, for they have significantly shaped me into the person I am. Today is a day to give our mothers cards, flowers, or special little gifts.  They, of course, will be thoughtful and appreciated, but I would like to suggest another incredible gift. Either begin or renew your devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

  This devotion spans the centuries, but was significantly highlighted at Fatima in 1917. It was initially one of the three secrets given to the children at Fatima.  During an apparition in 1925, Sister Lucia was permitted to reveal the secret.  Jesus desired a devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It was Mary's heart that nourished Him in the womb, Mary's heart that raised Him on earth, and Mary's heart that suffered as He hung on the cross. And now it pleases Jesus to allow many souls to be saved and for peace to come to the world through loving the Immaculate Heart of His mother.

  This Mother's Day, let's make Jesus happy.  Let's give Mary our hearts.  Let our prayers through the Rosary join hers, for faithfulness to God and for peace in the world. If you are looking for the perfect thoughtful gift that could change the world and make heaven sing, this is it! I may never do anything significant in the eyes of men in my lifetime, but I hope that at the end of my life, there will be a tombstone with a rosary on it that reads, "She helped change the world by giving Jesus and Mary her heart."

-Susan