Just Be You

  

  This quote by St. Anthony is timeless and the perfect midsummer reflection. Go find your favorite spot, close your eyes, and relax in the Presence of God. Listen to God's voice in the breeze. Listen to Him speak your name. He is calling you. Just be still and listen. This moment is perfect not because you are, but because God's love is. God perfectly loves you. God has waited thousands of years for this exact moment to be with you. Listen as the Lord says, "I came so that (you) may have life and have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). "Remain in Me, and I will remain in you" (John 15:4). 

  Life is so good. Try to catch your reflection in God's eyes. This is the real you. This is the person created to bring God's love to the world.

-Susan

Meditating With Mary

  

  With your eyes closed, envision the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Your desire to draw nearer grows as you whisper prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Mary quietly enters your thoughts as you pray and says, "Would you like to come closer? I know the way in." You nod. Mary reaches for your hand and gently holds it in hers. She raises her other hand, and suddenly, a door appears. She smiles and says, "Let me show you how to draw nearer to Him." Mary’s love pulls you closer to the love of Jesus.

 Mary tells you, "We can stay here as long as you desire." With Mary by your side, your heart beats in unison with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and warmth engulfs your heart, almost overwhelming yet exhilarating at the same time. You close your eyes and allow the peace of Christ's love to fill you. Let go of all your stress and worries. Relax and remain silent as He whispers His desires. Listen carefully and allow His Words to realign your heart with His.  Remember, you can stay here as long as you desire.

-Susan

A Touching Meditation

 

  Imagine if you could place your hand in the hand of Jesus, what would you feel? Would you be consumed with love?  Would you feel like a small child trusting to follow where you are led?  Would you feel the history of time in the lines of His palm?  Would all of your loneliness fade away?  Would you feel empowered, joyous, healed, or timid? Would you feel all the missed opportunities you had to love Him? 

 Would you dare to feel the nail marks in His hand?  If you had the courage to touch the nail marks, would you suddenly realize how much pain each sin can cause?  Would you be able to look Jesus in the eye as your finger penetrated the mark?
  

  This week look closely at the hand of Jesus. What do you see?  What do you feel?  Open your mind to new possibilities. How would your life be different if you lived the rest of your life always holding Jesus’ hand?

-Susan

Meditating on God's Will

  Riley pulled into the church parking lot with the music from the car radio blaring.  Riley was having a good day.  Her boss let her off work early for no apparent reason, she just heard her three favorite songs, and now that she didn't have to work, she was going to be able to make the youth group meeting.  "Isn't is funny how sometimes things just work out perfect," she thought to herself.  As she jumped out of the car and headed towards the social hall,  she noticed the pizza delivery truck parked by the curb and smiled.  "Yes, I made it in time for the pizza," she said out loud to herself.
   Riley saw her friends had already grabbed some pizza and were sitting at their usual table.  She quickly grabbed some pizza and pop and joined them.
  "Riley you made it!  I thought you had to work," said Hunter.
  "I know, right?  My boss was in a great mood today and said I could take off early."
  "Lucky you," said Sammy.  "My boss is never in a good mood.  He wanted me to work late tonight and got mad when I said I already had a prior commitment."
  "Well I'm just happy I didn't miss tonight's guest speaker. I forget what his name is, but he's supposed to talk about understanding God's Will in your life.  I really don't get how anybody knows if they're following God's Will."
  The three friends continued to talk and enjoy their  pizza until the youth group leader, Miss Carol, asked everyone to join her in welcoming John Ewing.
  "Hello everyone.   I'm very excited to be sharing the evening with you.  You'll notice I put paper and pens one each table.  I would like to start the evening by asking everyone to write down what they think is God's Will for their life.
  Riley looked around and noticed how some people immediately began writing something down.  Riley looked down at her paper and wondered what she would write.  She really had no idea  It's not like she ever heard God's voice.  She wondered if she was the only one who didn't know.  She picked up a pen and drew a giant question mark.  She figured if she really wanted to know God's Will for her life, she should start by being honest.
  John asked everyone to take their slip of paper and put it in their pocket for safe keeping.  Then he invited everyone to follow him outside into the parking lot.  "Please, everyone spread out.  I don't want you to be close to anyone but God right now.  Next, I'm going to hand you each a mask to place over your eyes.  Right now, I don't want you to be distracted by the world or your friends.  I want you to focus on some one-on-one time with God.  Once you have  your masks on, I wanted you to sit down and be comfortable. 
  Let us invite God into our presence.  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.  Heavenly Father we ask you to bless us hear tonight with your gift of wisdom.  Our lives could take so many different directions, but tonight, we ask that you point us in the direction that is best for us.  We ask that you open our ears to Your Voice and that You guide each of our steps.
  I want each of you to take the next 60 seconds to clear your head of all thoughts.  Picture a giant erase board that is completely blank.   Now, ask God to write on the board three habits He would like you to change in your life.  What three things did you see God write?  Next, spend a few minutes asking God why you need to change those habits.........Now ask God if He will help you.  Ask God to bless you with the gift of understanding and to bestow extra graces upon you so that you will make better decisions.......And now, if you really want to follow God's Will, ask Him for the eraser.  Take the eraser and erase these three habits from your life....... Now ask God to write three new habits He would like you to start doing...............Spend the next few minutes talking about what God would like to see you concentrate on............
 Sometimes change can be difficult.  Sometimes we just need to change our perspective. I want everyone to stand up. Next, I would like you to show God that you really want to make some changes in your life.  I want each of you to turn 90 degrees in either direction.    Now looking at your three items, ask God if praying more would help you accomplish His Will.  If God's answer is 'yes', take three steps forward.  If you will need to spend more time reading scripture take two steps forward.  If you are unsure if you ready to make these changes, take one step sideways.  Now I would like everyone to take their masks off.  Look at the path you are on.  Notice that you are all pointed in a slightly different direction and that's okay, because you are on the path that God has chosen for you.  That is why you can't just do what everyone else is doing.  God has a specific plan and direction for your life, and you need to keep praying and communicating with God to be sure you are moving in the right direction.  Each of our choices matters.  How we respond individually to God matters.  Now pull out those papers I had you put in your pockets.  I want you to turn them over and write the three new habits God would like you to work on and then I would like you to join me back in church for some group prayer."
  Riley pulled out her paper and smiled at her question mark.  She thought to herself, "I always thought God's Will was so mysterious.  I guess I didn't know it, because I never took the time to ask or to listen.  Well, God, starting today that's all going to change."

-Susan

100% Committed- The Conclusion

  As we walked back into the gym, Sister Clara invited us to find a comfortable place to sit.  "I want to tell you how much I have enjoyed these last few weeks with you.  I want to leave you with one last thought before our final meditation.  Never take for granted your relationship with Jesus.  Let your faith be 100% Committed to discovering all you can about Him."

(Press play to start the meditation)

-Susan

Rosary Meditation; Sorrowful Mysteries

1. Agony in the garden

  "Jesus came to a place named Gethsemane, and he said to  the disciples , " Sit here while I pray.". He took with him Peter, James, and John and began to be troubled and distressed. Then He said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch.". After returning to find the disciples asleep, Jesus said, "Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test.  The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak."

I sometimes wonder what might have happened if the apostles had stayed awake. I'm sure they would have heard the crowd with swords and clubs who had been sent to arrest Jesus. I mean it had to have been a decent size crowd. Surely they would have heard them coming.

How often have you been too tired or too distracted to spend time with Jesus in prayer?  Heed Jesus' words keep watch and pray that you will not undergo the test.  The Evil one is quite clever.  He will distract you with all sorts of activities so that you forget to pray. Don't fall into his trap, because evil and selfishness will surround you and you will never see it coming.  Ask Mary to help you put Christ above all else in your life.

II.  Scourging at the Pillar

"Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas and had Jesus scourged."  The guards were close enough to Jesus while they scourged Him, that they were splattered with His blood.  It's hard to understand this scene.  The guards watched Jesus bleed and suffer and then laughed.  Who could do this?  Maybe we need to look only as far as a mirror's reflection.  Have you ever betrayed someone?  Cut someone deeply with your words or actions and then watched them suffer and cry?  Is it easier to whip and wound others with lies, prejudices, and intolerance then offer acceptance, understanding, or forgiveness?

Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test.

III.  Crowning of Thorns

"The soldiers led Jesus away inside the palace.  They clothed Him in purple and weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on Him.  They began to salute Him with "Hail King of the Jews!" and kept striking His head with a reed and spitting on Him."

Mystics tell us, that had Jesus not been crucified, He would have died from the piercing of one of the thorns in His head.  A thorn is something that wounds, annoys, or causes discomfort.  It is a source of continual irritation or suffering.  How do we treat each other and those around us?  On our last day, will Jesus smile and call us"friend" or will He pull a thorn from His Sacred Head?  Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test.

IV.  Carrying of the Cross

The crowds gathered down the streets watching Jesus carry His heavy cross.  They were not attracted by His love, His words, or His Plan of salvation.  They watched as Evil tried to destroy Good.  Why is it easier to sit and be a spectator then to "fight the good fight"? Don't let evil prevail.  Pick up your cross and when you have the strength help someone carry their's as well.  Pray for the Kingdom of God to reign over the evil in this world.  Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test.

V.  The Crucifixion

Around the cross stood several groups of people.  Who would you say most resembles yourself?  Our Mother Mary who always remained faithful.  Who spent her whole life praying  and accepting  God's Will even though it would cause her tremendous pain. Or are you like the faithful disciples John and Mary Magdalen, never abandoning your Lord even when your friends have?  Are you like the criminal on the cross who will not recognize the Savior until your life is about to end? Or perhaps like the other criminal who was more interested in miracles and his earthly life, then the salvation of his soul?  Are you like the Roman soldiers who took a chance gambling over possessions rather then notice that God was in their midst?  Are you like the soldiers who nailed Jesus to the cross because they listened to the will of men over the Will of God?  Are you like some who just stood and watched wanting to be part of the drama for the sake of attention and pretense?  Or those who watched from far away because they were afraid that others would know that Jesus was their Lord and Savior?  Or are you like the Roman soldier, who only after piercing the heart of Jesus, recognized  that truly this man was the Son of God?  Take a look at which group of people you find yourself standing next to.  Now take a look at Jesus suffering on the cross.  I mean really  look at Him.  Now decide where you would like to be standing and ask Mary to help you.  Please, watch and pray that you may not undergo the test.

*Quotes taken from the Gospel of Mark

The Word of Our God will Stand Forever

A short meditation:

Have you ever just took the time to think about eternity? I mean really think about it. The thought of forever can be very frightening in a fast paced world where nothing lasts more than 15 minutes. A trend comes one day and is gone the next. Sometimes we may think, does anything really ever last? The answer to this starling question is yes; God's love will last forever. Even after our life on this earth is over, we get to spend eternity with him in heaven. There is no need to be afraid of what will happen in the future, because you are in God's hands. He will love and protect you always. I guess eternity isn't so scary after all.

-Theresa

The Bridge

A moment of prayerful reflection....

  Imagine that you are walking along a trail.  The tall, shady trees allow just enough sunshine through to keep you warm, without overheating you.  As you walk, you can smell just a hint of clover and hear the upcoming stream, beckoning you to come closer.  Notice the beauty all around you as you slowly continue to walk.  The tree-lined path now brings you to the edge of a river, where you notice a large wooden bridge.  The bridge reminds you of an outstretched hand, willing to help people easily cross to the other side where a beautiful meadow of wildflowers gently sway to the music of a summer breeze.  You smile as you consider this view to be a taste of heaven.  As you begin to cross the bridge,  try to think of three people in your life that could really benefit from a clearer vision or understanding of heaven and God.........  When you reach the middle of the bridge, stretch your arms and hands out in the form of a cross.  Silently tell God the names of these three individuals and ask God if He would use you as a bridge to bring them closer to Him.  (These people may have obstacles in their life that prevent them from moving forward.)  Ask God for the understanding and wisdom to help.  As you continue to cross the bridge you notice a lounge chair in the middle of the field.  Take the next few minutes to sit in the chair and talk to God about bridging the gap for your friends.


Have a great weekend!

Susan

Try to Remember...

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