Strive For Holiness

 

 Today is All Saints Day! It is a beautiful feast day where we celebrate with all those people who led lives dedicated to God. Their life stories are incredible. If you are looking for a good read whose main character is a compassionate, courageous, selfless, evil-fighting warrior, open a book on any one of the saints and be amazed. 

 Although we are all called to be saints, I wonder how many of us actually think it’s obtainable? Is it like the lottery? I could do so many good things if I won, but the odds are against me. I’m not even going to buy a ticket. But I’m here to tell you that you should do everything possible to strive for holiness and sainthood. 

 First, the odds are entirely in your favor because God wants you to become a saint. He desires that so much that He is willing to shower you with graces upon graces to make it happen. Day or night, God is there for you. He gives His own body to strengthen us. We have His playbook that has thousands of His own personal thoughts and helpful hints. And He gave us each other. We can help each other to become saints! Come on, people, let’s do this! Set your sights higher than the lottery. Everyone call upon your favorite saint, and let’s join them in doing so many good things!

 -Susan

Happy All Saints and All Souls Day!

 

 There is a legend that someone in heaven is thinking about you when a cardinal comes to visit you. Many believe it is a departed loved one. Personally, I like this legend. It is comforting that the angels and saints in heaven want to be near us.  

 I don’t believe that love has spatial limits. Love is powerful when shared. Heaven can feel the earth’s love, and the world can feel heaven’s love. We are in communion with one another. The body of Christ is made up of the faithful in heaven, in purgatory, and on earth. 

 I like this legend because every time I see a cardinal, I remember those who have gone before me. I remember the love we share. I offer up a prayer for the souls in purgatory, and I wonder about heaven and feeling the embrace of God. So whether the cardinal coincidentally sat outside my window or was inspired by heaven makes no difference to me. That little bird broke into my day and reminded me of the promise of heaven. A promise of love offered to me by an all-loving God. So yes, I smile when I see that beautiful cardinal because I know that the mystical body of Christ is no legend, it is true. The fact that I am allowed to be a part of it is beyond amazing and worth celebrating! I wish great happiness to the saints in heaven and the souls in purgatory. I look forward to the day we will all celebrate together in heaven. 

-Susan

Happy Father's Day!

 

  I wanted to wish all the fathers a Happy Father's Day! Part of my experience every Father's Day was picking out the perfect card. I would search for the card to say, "You're the World's Greatest Dad!"  "You're the Best!" "I could never say thank you enough!" So many cards say this because so many of us feel that way about our Dads. My Dad wasn't perfect, but he was the perfect Dad for me.

  I am confident that St. Joseph was the perfect earthly father for Jesus. God chose someone who was faithful, just, and devoted. Joseph trusted God's Plan without knowing any of the details. Imagine the personal strength Joseph must have had to protect his infant son from being hurt by enemies for years. He probably never felt like he could take a day off and rest. 

  When my siblings and I get together, we often laugh at some of my Dad's idiosyncrasies. We all have our favorite memories of our Dad. He was a father that could make us laugh, wipe away our tears, and help us become the child of God we were born to be. I imagine today, Jesus is sharing some of his favorite stories about St. Joseph with those in heaven.

 I look forward to the day I will be at the table listening to Jesus laughing and retelling some of His favorite stories of St. Joseph! I bet those "hidden years"  were filled with love and laughter. Happy Father's Day!

-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

 

 

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

Join Me If You Dare

 

  It's hard to miss all the Halloween decorations around my neighborhood. Some people really go all out and transform their entire yards. It is definitely more interesting to go for a walk this time of year. I remember when my kids were younger, they would start talking about Halloween costumes in August. I'm not against Halloween. In fact, my older son makes sure our house screams Halloween come October 31st.  I think Halloween can be fun, but I wonder why people don't spend as much time and energy on the actual feast day--All Saints Day.

 I would love to be in a community where everyone decorated their house to reflect their favorite saint. Could you imagine how much we would all learn from each other? What if we took it a step farther by trying to outdo each other in holiness. What if the city sounded its sirens encouraging everyone to visit their favorite church to celebrate mass? What if All Saints Day wasn't overshadowed by Halloween?

  Perhaps these suggestions sound ridiculous, but I would love to live in that reality. This week I'm going to treat myself to unwrapping a sweet inspiring quote from some of my favorite saints. Dressing up as someone else for a day is fun, but really changing yourself to become a saint is the role of a lifetime. I'm gearing up for the big day. I invite all of you who are brave enough to join me!

-Susan

All Saints Day

 

  I have a beautiful statue of St Anthony in the corner of my backyard. St Anthony is one of my favorite saints.  This summer I have enjoyed sharing St Anthony with my two year old granddaughter .  We hold hands as we walk up the garden path and then we say, “Hi, Jesus!  Hi, St. Anthony !”  My granddaughter is fascinated with the statue. She always smiles and touches baby Jesus.  I was pleasantly surprised one day when she put both arms around Jesus and whispered, “I love you!”  It was such a sweet moment and I wanted to cry with joy.  When she started walking away I asked her, “ What is St Anthony doing?”  In her very cute two year old voice she said, “He’s holding baby Jesus.”

 I think she summed up in one sentence why St. Anthony is a saint. He always kept his gaze on Jesus and held him close to his heart.  Sure he was an incredible preacher and a wonder worker, but it was his great love for Jesus that made him a saint.   I think that is the common thread all the saints share.  Their love for Jesus was obvious to everyone around them.

  As we celebrate All Saints Day today be sure to thank those men and women  who inspired your faith by their life stories.   Learn as much as you can from them and imitate their virtues.  Live your life in such a way that  everyone (even a child ) will look at you and  say, “They’re holding baby Jesus!”

-Susan

The Present Moment

  This week I had the opportunity to venerate a relic of Blessed Solanus Casey at my church.  It's hard to believe that two years have already passed since I attended his beatification ceremony.  It's so easy to love Father Solanus. Some of his superiors may have thought him to be too simple at first, but in fact, he simply loved Jesus-- and it was his love that made him extraordinary.  Day after day he happily opened the door to Christ's heart to everyone he met.
  As I waited my turn in line, I prayerfully allowed my heart's intentions to ask Father Solanus for his prayers.  Was I hoping for a miracle? Yep.  I'm sure everyone else in line was as well.  I know that God is a God of miracles.  I know that God loves and cares for each one of us. So why not me?
  Not only does God have extraordinary love for each of us, He wants what is best for our soul. It is hard to understand how our crosses lead us closer to God.  Crosses are painful. It is difficult to appreciate spiritual growth when we are exhausted physically and emotionally, or when we have to watch loved ones suffer.   I stood in line I hoping for healing, but more importantly, I stood trusting that God's plan for me is better than anything I could hope for. Regardless if my prayers are answered the way I hoped they would be, I really enjoyed spending time with Father Solanus. As I knelt down in front of his relic, I sensed a door opening for me. Father Solanus opened the door to Christ's heart and I was happy to enjoy being totally present in that moment.

-Susan

But What If.....

  How many of us have bought a product that promised to stop the effects of aging?  Of course, none of us can escape aging, we will all eventually wrinkle, go gray, move slower, and struggle with vision and memory.  We know that.  But what if ....there was a secret to slow down the process.  There are definitely some people who seem to age better than others.  If we didn't at least try, we might miss the opportunity that could really improve our lifestyles.  What if that product worked for us?
  I imagine millions of dollars are spent every year chasing that dream.  But what if. . . there was a better dream to chase.  What if you embraced the Truth? What if you could find a way to stop the effects of sin in your life?  What if you could discover the path that led to eternity?  Would that be worth pursuing?  It is easy to believe the promises of advertisers, but what about the promises and suggestions of the saints?  Why is it easier to believe we can beat the effects of aging, rather than believe we have the power within us to become saints?
  Today is All Saints Day.  Let's not just admire those who lived faithful lives even through difficult circumstances.  Let's ask them for their advice. Let's not be content with having mediocre faith lives, let's aim for something extraordinary.  What if we seriously took their advice and it worked!  What if the Lord has been waiting for us to jump at this opportunity? Shouldn't we at least try? 

-Susan

All Saints Day

  Sometimes when I read about the lives of the saints, my mouth just drops open, and I think, "WOW!"  I want to love Jesus like that!  Wouldn't it be amazing if we could sit alongside the saints at a long banquet table and listen to their personal stories?
  Today is All Saints Day.  Today is a great day to call upon any one of the saints, and ask them for a little advice. Ask them how you could follow Jesus more closely?  Having friends in high places is a very good thing.  They have a unique perspective which allows them to see the obstacles standing in your way.
  Draw close to the saints.  Don't be afraid of holiness.  Holiness was their calling, but God is calling you as well.  God is calling you to be holy.  He wants you at the banquet table, too, but not just as an observer, but someone who has their own faith story to tell as well. God has set the table and has prepared the banquet.  Don't make the mistake of being too late for dinner.

-Susan

Angels Before Us

   
  Today I was thinking about my guardian angel.  I am so grateful for his constant companionship.  It got me thinking.......what if we could see everyone's guardian angels?  Would we act the same way?  Would we gossip about others if we could see the angels in our midst? Could we really mistreat one another?  Would we praise God more?  
  I think we often forget that we walk among the angels everyday. This week try to imagine everyone's guardian angel next to them and see how that changes your disposition.  Heaven is closer than you think.

-Susan

Is There Anything Easier Than This?

  Prayer isn't supposed to be difficult.  Keep it simple.  Keep it honest, and allow your mind to be at peace.  Let your heart be filled with joy.  The beauty of prayer is not in the words you choose, but rather, it is in your choice to spend time opening your heart to God. Prayer can be absolutely breathtaking when you allow God to illuminate the way. You may find that some moments are just too beautiful for words. And although we marvel at a magnificent  sunset, God marvels at us as the sun sets.  Go ahead and take His hand.  He's waiting just for you.  Being with God is just that simple.

-Susan

Beatification of Father Solanus Casey

  My family and I had the privilege to attend the Beatification Mass of Father Solanus Casey at Ford Field on Saturday.  It was an incredible experience!  The stadium was filled with over 60,000 people.  It was amazing to see so many cardinals, bishops, priests, Capuchins, and other religious orders all at one mass.  At different points of the mass I would glance up and be almost overwhelmed with the number of people all gathered around the alter.  A passage from the book of Revelation kept coming to mind, "After this I had a vision of a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue.  They stood before the Lamb....."  This was just one small corner of the world, I can't even imagine the multitudes in heaven.
  I have been at Ford Field many times as the football players from the Detroit Lions have run out of the tunnel and onto the field with fans screaming, but I have never been as deeply touched, as when I saw the long procession of bishops come out of that same tunnel in order to honor our own hometown boy, Father Solanus.  Father Solanus was a very humble man who dedicated his life to prayer.  His prayers were a visible witness of his love for Christ as he served the poor and the sick.  He was the beloved door keeper at St. Bonaventure.  He physically opened the door of the church, and  the door to Christ's heart to so many in need.  I would definitely recommend reading the story of Blessed Father Solanus' life if you are not familiar with it.
  Part of the beauty of our faith is that we are able to join with the angels and saints in praising God.  My eyes fill with tears when I try to even comprehend that.  I, who am sinful, weak, and undeserving, am loved by God so much that He calls me His child, gathers me into His arms, and allows me to share in the joys of His magnificent family.  I felt so blessed to be a part of this celebration.  The mass was beautiful from the beginning to the the end, and the music was extraordinarily moving.  I am looking forward to the day Father Solanus will be called St. Solanus.


-Susan

All Souls Day

Each life is important.  
      Every soul is precious.  
          Remember to pray for the holy souls 
       Who have gone before us.
           Especially today.
                  They need our prayers.
          Our prayers can touch them,
       Just as their prayers can touch us.

-Susan

Celebrating the Saint's Stories

  Have you ever read a really good book and found yourself both happy and sad when you finished, because you don't want the story to end? I sometimes feel this way when I read about the lives of the saints. I get so immersed in their story, that I don't want it to end.  And the "good news" is their story hasn't ended, the saints are still very actively building up the Kingdom. They have seen God face to face, and they want to share this joy with us! They want to intercede for us.  
  Do yourself a favor and start to build an everlasting friendship with the saints. Call out to them. Learn from them.  Follow their footsteps.  Follow a trail that has already been blazed by a soul filled with the Holy Spirit, because it will lead you directly to God.
  Today, let us celebrate the beauty of a life devoted to God.  Let us celebrate the beauty of God's love. Let us remember that the grace to become a saint was given to each of us at our Baptism. Let us live lives that inspire others to follow Christ. Let us live so that the last sentence of our life reads,"and they lived happily ever after."

-Susan

It's Going To Be Sweet!

  Today on all Hallow's Eve, the neighborhoods will be filled with kids chanting "Trick or Treat" as their bags get heavier with candy.  I have passed this fun tradition down to my children as well.  But it got me thinking....instead of going trick-or-treating, what if I had taught my children to say, "Bless and guide" as we remembered as many saints as we could from 6-8pm?  Would we be amazed at how generous the saints were to us?  Would we sort out all our blessings and talk about our favorites? Would we trade and share their words of wisdom with each other? Would our lives be completely different?  
  I hope you all enjoy the festivities of today, but more importantly, I hope you remember how much more important, celebrating the festivities of tomorrow will be.  I hope you find attending mass on All Saints Day to be even sweeter than a bag of candy. God is gathering us all around the family table tomorrow,  don't miss out on the big family reunion! See you there!

-Susan

Mercy, Mary, and Me

  Theresa and I had a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a "Mercy and Mary Retreat" given by Father Michael Gaitley of the Marian Missionaries of Divine Mercy.  He enthusiastically encouraged all of  us to strive to become saints. We are living in a time when it is easier than ever to become a saint, because "It is the Time of Mercy!"
  Does Father Gaitley know some secret or short cut to sainthood?  He definitely knows a short cut, and he is not keeping it a secret. Consecrate your heart to Mary. "Mary, is the safest, easiest, shortest and most perfect way of approaching Jesus," according to St. Louis De Montfort.  Mary teaches us to trust in Jesus.  She directs our steps.  Trusting in Jesus and His merciful love will transform us into saints!
  I consecrated myself to Mary more than a decade ago.  Little by little, Mary brings me closer to the sacred heart of her Son. I have so much to learn, and I am relying on Mary to show me her ways.
  Father Gaitley has written several good books.  He has a gift for simplifying spiritual truths into small bite size pieces that are easy to digest.  All his books are wonderful but I would like to recommend starting with "33 Days to Morning Glory" or the "Second Greatest Story Ever Told".  Sainthood isn't just for a lucky few, sainthood is also being offered to you. This is an opportunity to wonderful to pass up.  We plan for so many things during our lifetime, be sure you are planning for eternity as well.

-Susan

Less is More

  Funny how the world is always telling us we need more.  Jesus tells us we need less.  We need to empty ourselves of the foolishness of this world, so that He may fill our hearts completely.  This weekend spend some quality time preparing for the Eucharist in prayer.  Try to mentally imagine all that your heart holds dear.  One by one remove each thought.  Do not be afraid.  The Lord will refill and magnify your heart with all that is pleasing to Him, and then fill you with whatever you were lacking.  We have nothing to lose and everything to gain.  Only a God who loves with no bounds could be this generous!

-Susan

Anything But Boring

  God is anything but boring.  Christianity is anything but boring.  Christianity started with a small group of people on fire with the joy of the Holy Spirit.  These men and woman were passionate, courageous, and willing to risk their lives for Jesus. Whenever I read about the lives of the saints, I am completely amazed how active and full their lives were.  Based on your own experiences, I would like to ask you, "Do you think God is exciting?"
  I guess your answer might depend on how active God is in your life.  Do you invite God into your life while you are praying or at church?  Do you invite God to come along when you are having fun with family and friends?  How about when your bike riding, jogging, singing in the car, swimming, etc.?  If you only experience God in church, you are really missing out on half the adventure.  The saints had such amazing lives because they never left God in church, they shared all of life's experience with Him.  Their prayers never ended, they flowed from one experience to the next.  They saw God in everything they did!
   Life is an adventure and it can be completely amazing if we invite God to be a part of our experiences.  I have been white water rafting, parasailing, zip lining, mountain climbing, and snorkeling all with God by my side.  My experiences are heightened by His Presence!  And to tell you the truth, I have had some very intense prayer moments on a rollercoaster car as it climbed to the very top of a step hill and plunged into the unknown with my heart racing and my voice screaming with fear.  Life is meant to be lived with joy and excitement.  I hope you experience some of your own fantastic moments with God this summer.

-Susan

Bursting With Joy

  I remember being in line for Communion when Theresa was just a toddler.  As she watched me receive the Holy Eucharist, she would  reach her hands out as well, and then immediately begin crying when she was not able to receive the host.  She, of course, would continue to cry all the way back to our seats.  My husband would give me the look--the please make her stop look.  All I could do was hold her close and think, "Why wasn't everyone else crying out to receive the Eucharist?"  
  The living God stands before us at the alter waiting to enter into our hearts and lives, where is our excitement?  Do yourself a favor this week, as you walk towards the alter, allow your heart to blissfully expand with each step you take. Yes, we want to be reverent, but that doesn't mean we can't be bursting with pure joy as well. Go ahead and smile--God is totally in love with you!

-Susan