Can You Hear His Voice?

 

 I was talking with a friend about her one-year-old toddler. She revealed that when her son was frustrated, he would bang his head against a wall. "Why would he purposely choose to hurt himself? I spend all day wondering how to make him happy, and this is what he chooses to do." Most parents can relate. We want what's best for our children. It's hard to watch them make a poor decision. But, unfortunately, we can't make our children or others listen to us. We can talk louder so they hear us, but we can't make someone listen. Listening is a choice.

 I wonder if God ever feels this way? Like my friend, He spends all day giving us what we need to be happy, and we sometimes make poor decisions. We may not be banging our heads against a wall, but our choices may be self-destructive. This is why prayer is vital so we can be tuned in to God's voice.

 Over and over, God calls us to a life of holiness and love. Even when we choose to go our own way, God never gives up on us. He continues to pour His love and grace into us. Sometimes we may feel lost, but God never leaves our side. We are His beloved children, and He is calling us to draw near to Him. We have so many choices in front of us every day. Listening to our loving Father should be the obvious choice. Let's choose God and see if life becomes sweeter and more peaceful.

-Susan

Let Your Heart Shout

 

  As I stood in the gathering space of my Church, I saw my daughter and granddaughters coming through the door. Excitedly the grandchildren ran toward me and gave me big hugs. As I picked up Angelina, a little shy of two years old, she exclaimed, "Jesus!" as she looked over my shoulder. Instinctively I turned and looked at the large picture of Jesus. "You are right! That's Jesus!" It made me so happy that she had already recognized Jesus!

 This got me thinking later. How many of us exclaim Jesus' name as we enter the Church? Unlike children who are put in a car and surprised where they end up, most of us are not surprised when we pull into the church parking lot and get out. We know exactly where we are going, or do we? Yes, we are at Church to celebrate the Mass, but have we forgotten that "the altar on earth is united and fused to the altar in heaven?" (Eucharist Prayer 1) Do we bring an attitude of wonder and awe that matches this reality?  Do you recognize Jesus before you on the altar? Does His Presence take your breath away? It should.

 As we enter the Church this week, let's be excited. Let your heart shout, "Jesus, I see You!" Let your ears hear His voice. And let your lips praise Him joyfully!

-Susan

  

Divine Mercy Sunday!

 

  What a glorious day! Today is Divine Mercy Sunday! The joy of Easter touches us today in a unique celebration of the mercy of God.   Jesus has been so generous to us! First, He gives us the Divine gift of Himself in the Eucharist at the Last Supper. Next, Jesus demonstrates the depth of His love on Good Friday by offering His life so we may be saved. Lastly, He conquers death and sin through His resurrection and opens the gates to the Kingdom for all to enter.  

  There is no love greater than this.   God wants us in Eternity with Him- all of us. And to dispel doubt, He places a magnificent fountain for us to bathe in before we enter the Kingdom. It is the fountain of His Mercy. 

  The appearance of our souls before the fountain should not prevent us from entering. Jesus only desires that we place all our trust in Him, and He will bathe us in His loving mercy. Do not let fear keep you from the Kingdom. You are loved. You are wanted. Your past was yesterday. Today is Divine Mercy Sunday; your future is with Christ the King. Today is a day of celebration! Please join us!

-Susan

Happy Easter!

 

 Just before my morning alarm went off, I felt the light of day caress my cheek and a tiny whisper in my ear. “ Alleluia, He is risen! Alleluia, He is risen!”

 My eyes opened as my heart beat faster. I jumped out of bed and exclaimed, “Yes, Alleluia, He is risen!” Joy overtook my senses. Today was not only Sunday but Resurrection Sunday! The day that changed everything. 

 My Glorious Lord stepped out of the grave and into my life. He has rescued me from sin and death with arms full of merciful love. I begged the Lord to hold me tight and never let me forget this moment. Peace filled my being. Love encompassed my thoughts. Today my King has opened my prison doors and offered me the Kingdom! Rejoice with me!

-Susan

Focas Forwad

 

 "Then Judas, his betrayer, seeing that Jesus had been condemned, deeply regretted what he had done. He returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, "I have sinned in betraying innocent blood." Mark 27:1-4

 Heather closed her bible as those words pierced her heart. She had heard those verses countless times, yet today, she felt a personal pull. Heather allowed herself to consider Judas for a minute. He certainly wasn't the person she wanted to identify with in the gospel. Definitely not. He was so easy to dislike. Heather thought for a minute about Judas. What did she know? He was the one who controlled the money bag. The man who voluntarily sold the whereabouts of Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. He was at the Last supper with Jesus. Allowed Jesus to wash his feet and dipped his hand into the dish with Jesus. He led a crowd carrying swords and clubs and then betrayed Jesus with a kiss.

 Heather shook her head, "I am nothing like Judas... am I?" She sat with that thought for a long time, wrestling with her conscience. What had she confessed last week in the Reconciliation room? "Okay, well ya, I'm obviously not perfect. Those were just small betrayals. Everyone sins. Is Jesus as okay with my small betrayals as I am?" She let out a big sigh. "Probably not." She continued to think. "Have I ever cared more about money than my faith?" She looked around at all the things she possessed. The answer to that question was obvious. "Well, at least I never betrayed Jesus with a kiss...have I? Have I ever kissed Jesus on Sunday morning at Mass and then focused the rest of the week on my own agenda?" Tears began to run down Heather's face. "I don't want to be like Judas. Holy Spirit, please help me!"  

-Susan

Could You Do It?

 

  John watched his daughter, Kendra, sitting at the kitchen table, staring at her homework assignment. John asked his daughter, "So, is this an assignment on staring, or does your teacher expect you to write something?"

 "Hilarious, Dad." Kendra let out a big sigh before answering. "I'm supposed to write a paper on how to obtain world peace. But I have no idea how that could ever happen. There is conflict everywhere. I want to write that I think world peace is a myth. It is unattainable. People talk about world peace to have hope for a future that will never exist. But I'm sure I would flunk the assignment if I wrote that."

 "I agree with you on that. That you would flunk the assignment, that is. But, hey, I know a famous historical figure that would disagree with you. I'll be right back. " Five minutes later, Tom returned with a book in hand.

 "Seriously, Dad, the Bible? I go to public school, remember?"

 "Just hear me out. Read this line right here." John set the Bible on the table while holding his finger on Mark 10:34.

 Kendra began reading, "But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves in the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and servant to all." So what am I supposed to do with that, Dad?

 "You said you had no idea how peace could come to this world. Jesus gave us the answer some two thousand years ago. We have to care more about others than ourselves. He said we had to be servants to all, not just to whatever group we feel affiliated with."

 "So you want me to suggest that society has to become more humble and caring before we will know peace? Do you have any idea of how social media works? No one is following the humble, do-gooder. No political leader is going to rule because their greatest attribute is humility. You really don't get this at all, Dad."

 "I didn't say I had all the answers. You said it yourself there is conflict everywhere. The conflict must be answered on a personal level first before it can spread worldwide. Are you strong enough to put the needs of others before your own? It takes work to do that. But I like to imagine a world like this. It sounds very peaceful to me. It's worth considering."

 "It's definitely not the answer I was looking for, but it may be something to consider."

-Susan

 

That's Not My Problem

 Kristy and Don pulled into their favorite breakfast place after Mass. The restaurant was unusually crowded today. They waited a little longer to get seated, and once they ordered, they were informed the kitchen needed to catch up on orders. Polite as always, Kristie smiled at the waitress and told her that would be okay. After that, Kristy and Don had no problem filling the time talking about their kids, jobs, and upcoming events. After a while, there was a lull in the conversation. Kristy found herself thinking about the priest's homily. "What did you think of Father Tom's homily today?"

 "It was pretty good," Don replied. "Except I just don't know why having a good faith life is not enough. Why do you have to go out and tell everyone about it? That just makes me uncomfortable."

 "I understand what you're saying, but Jesus did ask us to go out and make disciples of all nations. A good disciple wants to share the good news of Jesus with others. Aren't you glad someone shared their faith with you? It didn't just happen on its own."

 Don made a face. "Well, parents should share their faith with their kids, and we've done that. I don't think it's up to me to tell everyone to go to church."

 Kristy took a sip of her coffee before she replied. "So what if your parents hadn't shared the faith with you because their parents never shared the faith with them. How will these people ever learn how amazing God's love is?"

 Don shrugged and said, "That's not really my problem." 

 "I think God would disagree."

 "I'm not about to hand out flyers inviting people to come to Mass. It's not my place to judge them."

 "I think you're looking at this wrong. Sharing your faith is different than telling people they should have faith. I find little ways to let people know my faith is important. You would be surprised how many conversations have begun because people notice my cross necklace at work. When people tell me about a problem, I give advice if I can, but I always let them know that I will pray for them. Sometimes people are surprised when I mention that I am still praying for them months later. My coworkers know I prefer to eat lunch alone to pray the Rosary or listen to my podcasts. Those are just some little ways. I may not exactly be yelling. "Hey, go to church!" but people know my faith is important to me, and some have even come up to me when they have questions."

 Don thoughtfully looked at his wife. She obviously had a better handle on this than he did. "Hmm, I see what you're saying. I'm not really sure how that would work for me. I'll have to think about it."

 Kristy smiled and added, "Oh, I think our waitress is coming with our food."

-Susan