Taking The Next Step

 

  Due to northern wildfires, the unhealthy air quality turned my fun, outdoor summer days with my grandchildren into "we have to stay in the house" days. We were forced to come up with different ways to have fun. One of our activities was a scavenger-hunt clue game. It was a game I always enjoyed playing with my children when they were young. My daughter, Theresa, began writing the clues, and the fun followed. My granddaughters had to solve each clue, which led them to the next. It was fun to watch them figure out the answers. What seemed obvious at times left them bewildered and needing more insight.

  I was thinking about this later on, and noticed some similarities between this game and a life of prayer.  Please keep in mind, that I am not suggesting that God is playing games with us.  Nothing could be further from the truth. What I am suggesting, though, is that through prayer, God leads us where we need to go.  If we listen to His voice, God gently guides us from one day to the next.  It's not always easy, though.  Sometimes we just don't pick up on God's clues. We may have to go back and spend even more time in prayer to discern where God is leading us- especially if we are being led to carry a cross. Often our hearts are heavy, and our heads are down when carrying a cross, making it difficult to see where we are being led. During these times, complete trust in God is needed.

  Unfortunately, wildfires touch everyone's lives. They can be completely unexpected and beyond our control. Keep in mind, though, that God is in control.  He will never abandon us. He loves us, and with each prayer, He will guide us away from pain and danger and into His world of love and peace. Never stop praying.  Prayer purifies us and fills us with His Spirit. And if you're too tired to say another prayer or take another step, just say four small words.  Holy Spirit, help me. Let His breath fill your lungs, enlighten your mind, and clear your vision. Praying in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit is the best way to discover The Way.

-Susan

Is That the Holy Spirit?

 

  My granddaughter and I were swinging in the backyard when I looked up and spotted a white bird high in the sky. My first thought was, “Oh my gosh, is that the Holy Spirit?”   My one-year-old granddaughter did not reply. 

  Now I know you may think I’m crazy, but hear me out. I have never seen a white bird in my backyard. I have seen robins, blue jays, cardinals, sparrows, ducks, and hawks, but never a white bird. Although you could easily argue this case otherwise, my heart wants to believe the Holy Spirit hovers around me. In fact, I love that idea. 

  We recently celebrated the feast of Pentecost, but why not celebrate it every day? Our Baptism marked and changed our lives in ways we can’t even comprehend. We sometimes say too casually that we have received the gift of the Holy Spirit at our Baptism. The Divine chooses to dwell in us. That should make our heads spin and our hearts swell. To say God is generous is an understatement. God has given us everything we need to live holy lives. He believes we can do it. Shouldn’t we live as if we believe this as well?

  So I say with confidence, “I saw the Holy Spirit today.”  He was flying over my neighborhood.  He is present in my granddaughter’s smile, and He was present in my daughter’s hands earlier that morning as she helped me. I see the Holy Spirit everywhere, and it fills me with joy! Join my enthusiasm for the Holy Spirit, and be sure to look for Him in your life as well!

-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

God's Awesome Generosity

 

  Today, my youngest granddaughter will be baptized!  I'm so excited! She will be cleansed of all sin, become a child of God, a member of the Church, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit!  What an incredible day! Could our Lord be any more generous?  Well, the answer to this is yes! This is just the beginning.  The graces my granddaughter will receive today and in the sacraments to come are incredible!

  Unfortunately, I sometimes can take God's generosity for granted. But when big events occur,  I believe it's important to reflect on God's goodness. Jesus came to usher in the Kingdom of God so that we could all benefit.  The Kingdom is more than a physical place that one can visit. Through the Church, the Kingdom extends to the ends of the earth and resides in the hearts of the baptized. Once baptized, God chooses to dwell within us through the Holy Spirit.  God's love is perfect, and He is always with us! In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we are loved beyond measure! After being showered with all His love, how could our hearts not fall in love with God too?!

  God, you are an awesome God! Thank you for loving me so much! Each day, open my eyes to your Presence, and open my heart to love you more. Let your Kingdom grow deep roots in my soul, and let your living water produce a bountiful harvest within me to share with the world.

-Susan

I Love You , Holy Spirit!

 

  Today, we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles! What an incredible moment that must have been. Even though it was extraordinary, I hope today isn't the only day you celebrate the Presence of the Holy Spirit. I often hear people say, "I forget to pray to the Holy Spirit, or I would rather just pray to Jesus." I love praying to Jesus, too, but let me share some thoughts on why you shouldn't forget about the Holy Spirit. He is much more than just a Pentecost or Confirmation idea. The Holy Spirit is not a separate entity from Jesus; rather, He is part of the Trinity, the three persons in one God. Each person of the Trinity —the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit —has a unique role in our lives.

  The Holy Spirit is God. He is the divine Presence within us. God is not out there somewhere; He is so close that He touches our thoughts, dwells in our hearts, and opens our eyes to all the glories of God and the needs of our neighbors. The Holy Spirit amplifies the Word of God so that our ears hear and our thoughts extend beyond ourselves. The Holy Spirit helps us contemplate God and teaches us how to love one another. More than that, the Holy Spirit assists us in becoming holy. He empowers us to overcome our weaknesses, grow in faith, and become more like Christ.

  We cannot see the Holy Spirit, but we feel Him moving within us. Similarly, we cannot see the Kingdom, yet it exists, and the Spirit calls us to live in this Kingdom and embrace the love that pours from its foundation. The Holy Spirit is the invisible movement of God within us. There is no one closer to us than the Holy Spirit. He hears our every sigh, encourages all our dreams, and strengthens us to carry our crosses. Pray that this powerful fire of God burns brightly within you and that the embers of His fire draw others close to experience His Love through you.

-Susan

  

Linger With Me

 

  While praying the rosary this week, I felt the pull to linger on the Transfiguration a little longer. Of course, the Transfiguration is a significant moment for Jesus, Peter, James, and John. It is a moment when the apostles come face to face with Jesus' divinity. They witness the Presence of the Holy Spirit and God as a bright cloud and then audibly hear the voice of God speak directly to them.  Wow!

  The apostles experienced the Divine with their senses. But how do we experience God’s Divine Presence? The Holy Spirit has been dwelling within us since our baptism.  Do you allow yourself to fully embrace this truth?  Have you truly taken the time to consider how incredibly unique and miraculous this reality is?  The Transfiguration was a miraculous moment in time, and since Pentecost and our own Baptisms, we have been living miraculous lives!  And if this was not enough, we touch the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ every time we receive the Holy Eucharist! What a privilege! Wow!

  I need to address a question that came to mind while praying.  Do I believe God is who He has revealed himself to be?  Do I believe He is truly present in me and my life, or am I like so many in the crowds that followed Jesus shouting, “Give us another miracle so we can believe!”

-Susan

Come Holy Spirit

 

  It's a truly awe-inspiring coincidence that Pentecost falls in May this year, a time when we celebrate the profound connection between the Holy Spirit and Mary.  The Holy Spirit is not just active, but truly alive in the souls that hold Mary in their hearts. As St. Lois De Montfort beautifully articulates, 'When the Holy Spirit finds Mary in a soul, He flies to it.'  What better way to honor this connection than by praying the Rosary, allowing Mary to share her deep love of the Holy Spirit with you.

  Today is a very special day to acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit in yourself, the Church, and throughout the world. I was recently facilitating a Confirmation retreat. I encouraged the teens to pray to the Holy Spirit.  Praying to the Holy Spirit is not just a Confirmation thing or a Pentecost thing. Pray to the Holy Spirit every day. The Holy Spirit is the Divine person living inside of you.  Talk to Him.  Listen to Him.  Allow the Holy Spirit to inspire and transform you to be a disciple of Christ!

  The Holy Spirit is my closest friend.  He knows my thoughts, my fears, and my weaknesses, and he's okay with them because He knows that I can rely on His courage, wisdom, and understanding. I am a simple soul, but He guides me to deeper waters and enlightens me little by little. He constantly calls me to be more holy when my actions are disappointing. He heals me, comforts me, and opens my eyes to see clearly. Yes, he is indeed my best friend, and he would happily be yours as well. Just give Him a call.

-Susan

Nightly Inspirations

 

 

 This Easter season, I have been trying to carve out small moments of silence for meditation. Unfortunately, my dog sees me sitting on the couch and determines this is the best time to either bark nonstop at a squirrel across the street, throw five toys at me, or bark to go outside. I could be home all day, but those few minutes are when my kids want to tell me about their day, inquire about dinner, or tell me what I should buy at the grocery store. Moments of silence can prove quite tricky some days.

 I talk a lot about praying. Praying is simply a conversation between you and God. It involves both speaking and listening. I know this, but so many times, I focus on my fears and disappointments, and  I realize I'm not being the best listener. Some days, listening to the voice of God can prove challenging. It requires reducing the noise around me and quieting all my random "me" thoughts.

 When I feel my connection is off, I pray to the Holy Spirit to continue talking to me in my sleep. I pray this not because I'm lazy in my prayer life but because of my weaknesses and environment; I sometimes can't hear God's voice. So many times, I have awoken in the middle of the night with inspiration or guidance that seems familiar but much clearer. Sometimes, I feel compelled to write the message down; other times, I ask the Holy Spirit to help me remember this when I wake up.

  I often feel there aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done. God, in His goodness, smiles (and probably laughs) at me and whispers, "Don't worry, child. I never sleep and can do so many amazing things in twenty-four hours. Just leave your heart and mind open to me, and I will do the rest."

-Susan

  

Praying for A Powerful Pentecost

 

  It's Pentecost! What an exciting day for all of us! I can only imagine the excitement in the upper room that day. Mighty winds and tongues of fire sound absolutely incredible! I understand why everyone was excited that day. But I wonder why people also don't allow that same power to consume them today. If you don't feel the Presence of the Spirit in you, do something about it. The Holy Spirit's power is as transforming today as ever.

 Pray with Mary and the disciples. Be willing to make changes in your life. The apostles didn't return to their everyday lives after receiving the Holy Spirit. Instead, they opened their eyes and hearts to grow more lively with love for God. The fire may have begun as a flame above them, but they embraced it and allowed it to burn in their hearts.

 Today allow each of your "Amen(s)" to ignite the power of the Holy Spirit within you. Be brave and allow the Holy Spirit to transform you into the child of God you were destined to be! You were formed by God to change the world. Let's not waste another minute. You got this because the Holy Spirit's got you. Today is our Pentecost, and it's going to be great!  

-Susan

The Joy of the Holy Spirit

 

After John had baptized Jesus, he saw "the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him" (Matt 2:16). John must have been overwhelmed with joy to actually see the Holy Spirit. My grandson was baptized recently. Although none of us saw a dove during the ceremony, my grandson had the biggest smile on his face after the waters of Baptism were poured on his head. His smile generated joy in all of us present. We did not see the Holy Spirit, but we definitely felt His Presence.

 Many of us do not remember our Baptism because of our young age. It's okay that we don't recall when we received the gift of the Holy Spirit, but it's not okay to forget that we have received the Holy Spirit. How often do you speak to the Holy Spirit? How often do you listen to His voice?

 I remember how happy and excited I was to baptize each of my children into the Catholic faith, and this feeling has only grown stronger. As I watch my children baptize their children, I know the gift of the Holy Spirit given to me is just going to keep growing in all their lives. I would like to know if my parents and grandparents had any idea that their gift of the Holy Spirit would grow past their lives. The blessing of the Holy Spirit is so incredible we can not even comprehend it. I don't mind that I can't fully understand the Holy Spirit. I would hate for the Holy Spirit to be limited by me and my understanding. I am much happier knowing that the work the Holy Spirit has begun in me can become a seed in someone else.

 I'm looking forward to watching the Holy Spirit "renew the face of the earth." I hope you are as well.

-Susan 

Pentecost!

 

  "There appeared to them tongues of fire. The Spirit came and rested on each one of them." It was personal. One-on-one. And they began to speak in different languages as the Spirit enabled them. 

 The Holy Spirit isn't looking for a one size fits all experience. The Holy Spirit is looking for a very personal one-on-one relationship. The Holy Spirit wants to be connected to each of us. We must recognize that we are not flying solo through life. Jesus promised he would be with us, and He is. He gives us His body in the Eucharist and His Spirit in Baptism. Jesus pours His divine love into us. So why don't we always feel Spirit-filled?

 Perhaps it's just because we are better at looking outward rather than inward. The Holy Spirit dwells in us. Sure we would like to see tongues of fire and feel powerful winds when we pray, but the outward signs are the exception and not the norm. The inward signs should help us recognize the Holy Spirit. The burning in your heart to pray, help, and speak out. A sudden moment of inspiration or clarity that changes everything. The ability to love and forgive through your pain. The strength and courage it takes to fight loneliness, injustice, and loss come from the Holy Spirit. 

The apostles did not walk around with tongues of fire over their heads throughout their ministry. That outward sign changed them once and forever. Once they recognized the power of the Holy Spirit, the inward movements changed them and the world. And so it is with us. The sacraments are the outward signs that invite us into a deeper, closer relationship with Jesus. The Holy Spirit is as powerful to us today as 2000 years ago. Each of us can change the face of the earth. How? Turn inward. Pray to the Holy Spirit. Close your eyes and see things the Holy Spirit wants you to see and let Him change you.

-Susan