Brighter Days

 The group of people gathered around the fire. The flames were warm and inviting.  The chill each of them had felt during the day had been chased away. Here they felt loved.  The power of the Spirit ignited desires to grow closer to God.  A small voice echoed through the cracklings of the fire. “Come and see where I abide. Draw closer to Me.”
 “Yes, let’s draw closer to God,” they agreed. “We have witnessed others carrying His Light.  We long for this as well.  Tomorrow.  Our journey will begin tomorrow. Tomorrow will be a great day!”  Eager and excited they returned to their lodgings.  
 Night came and darkness followed. The group individually heard other sounds. An annoying buzzing of self doubt slowly crawled through the camp.  “Why would God want to draw close to you?”  Followed by false whispers, “It will be too hard for you. You really don’t have the time for this. Quick get up there is something better down the road.”
 Unfortunately, some listened to the darkness and left the Light behind-- but not all. When morning came a few stepped out and saw the flame still burning brightly before them. “Yes, we are coming!” They stepped onto the path illuminated before them. 
 When they reached their destination, they heard His familiar  voice, “Welcome my friends, Mass is about to begin.  I am so happy you came!”  God hugged each and every one of them at Mass. He loved being so close to their hearts. Softly, He allowed His words to gently caress their ears, “I love you. I always will.  Remember to stay close to My Light so the sounds of the night do not confuse you.”

-Susan

Praise the Lord!

 Nick tossed and turned in bed.  He couldn’t get back to sleep again.  He looked at the clock across the room.  It was 3:00 am.  He didn’t even know what had woken him, but once again he found himself awake when he should have been sleeping.  The more he thought about sleeping, the more awake he seemed to become. After 45 minutes of trying to fall back asleep, he decided to try praying. 
 Nick was no stranger to prayer.  In fact, he dedicated time  every day to praying with God.  Lately, though, he found himself distracted and depressed.   He always seemed to find his thoughts wandering back to his good friend Russell.  Russell had been killed in a motorcycle accident 8 weeks ago.  When Nick heard the news, he felt as if someone had just kicked him in the gut, leaving him painfully wounded. 
    Nick tried to imagine what heaven might be like for Russell. He just couldn’t picture it. First of all, Russell was just a soul.  No body.  What was that like? Secondly, he couldn’t imagine Russell just singing praises day and night.  Russell was a good guy, but he also loved adventure. Would heaven be too boring for him?  Nick looked at the clock again.  It was 3:55 am.  Nick tried to imagine what heaven could be like—and that’s when it happened.  
 Nick clearly heard a voice in his mind, “Come, let me show you.” Nick did not “see” anyone, yet he felt a “presence”.  Nick rose from his bed quickly, at least part of him did.  Only Nick’s soul followed the voice. An instant later Nick found himself soaring over an ocean. Without speaking words, Nick knew to follow the voice’s instructions. 
 Together they were diving towards the ocean at an incredible speed, and just before hitting the water they leveled out. Nick was “flying” an inch above the water. It was incredible!  He was moving so fast, yet he noticed everything. The water was a deep sapphire blue. It was so clear, he could see to the bottom, and all the exotic fish swimming at the different depths. Large, colorful birds flew above and next to him.  The wind rushed by as cool sprays from the waves crashed just beneath him.  Nick could hear voices singing, “Praise the Lord!” and Nick began singing as well!  He could feel God’s love growing inside him, filling him completely.  He had never experienced anything like this before!  It was exhilarating!  He never felt so alive in his life!   Nick was so aware of the goodness of God!  It was so clear, so obvious, so amazing!  He sang louder and louder as joy consumed him. He was laughing and singing and crying all at the same time!
 Then without warning, the voice said, "It's time to return."
 Nick pleaded, “Please let me stay here. I never want to leave!  Please, please let me sing more praises to God!"
 “I’m sorry,” said the voice.  “It is not your time yet.”  In an instant, Nick could feel his pillow under his head, his blanket across his body. His body. He had a body again.  Nick looked across the darkened room to his alarm clock. It was 3:56 am. Only a minute had gone by. Nick smiled as he realized that one minute in eternity completely surpassed all the minutes he had experienced during his lifetime. He thought about his good friend Russell and smiled.  Nick knew that Russell was experiencing the most incredible adventure ever!  Nick knew without any doubts that Russell was completely happy and completely loved.  
 Just before falling asleep, Nick heard that incredible song in his head.  He fell asleep singing, “Praise the Lord!”

-Susan

Holy Trinity

  Yesterday we celebrated the Feast of the Holy Trinity. Every time we pray we begin with our belief in the Holy Trinity—"In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit." The sign of the cross is easy to do, but wrapping your head around the mystery of the Holy Trinity is not. To be honest, I’m ok with not being able to comprehend the depth of this mystery, because just scratching the surface of this relationship of love is so incredible to me. I don’t have to understand it completely, I just want to be completely a part of it. 

  St. Thomas tells us that the “Holy Spirit, Himself is Love.” The Holy Spirit is the love the Father and Son share for each other.  The Trinity is the most powerful example of love, and  is often symbolized as a triangle. (The triangle is structurally the strongest geometrical shape.)  It is this amazing, powerful love that God shares with each of us. It's okay that we don’t completely comprehend three persons in One God, we merely need to be open to placing ourselves in the midst of this triangle of love. We then need to love others the way God does. As we invite others to experience God's love, we build the Kingdom. 

  I like to imagine that each of us is a triangle in the Kingdom.  Each of us is surrounded by the love of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  We are bonded one to another in this Kingdom of Love. A Kingdom so strong, no power of evil could destroy it. The Kingdom is not waiting until the end of time to be built, it is only waiting for you to begin each day of your life “In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

-Susan

Good Bye Upper Room!

  Today is Pentecost!  A very exciting and enlightening day for all of us!  It is a day to celebrate how the Holy Spirit powerfully entered the Upper Room and ignited the courage of those present to go out and live the Gospel!  Those first disciples dramatically changed their lives and all those they encountered.  They went out and preached the Good News-- and we are called to do the same!
  The world still needs to hear the words of Jesus.  The world needs to know that God the Father loves each of us tremendously.  The world still needs Spirit-filled people to reveal God's Kingdom, because people often don't see God in their life. 
  Today I challenge you to let the Holy Spirit ignite your faith.  Spend sometime alone in prayer today.  Ask yourself some tough questions:  What do you really believe?  Do you believe that the Third Person of the Holy Trinity really lives within you?  Do you allow the Holy Spirit to have a voice in your life?  Do you allow the Holy Spirit to speak through you? What is the Holy Spirit inspiring you to do?  
  You no longer need to be afraid, hiding in your Upper Room.  Allow the Holy Spirit to use your voice to speak His words of Truth! Let the Spirit of God ignite you!

-Susan

Home Sweet Home

 This week many of us were able to return to Sunday Mass at our home parishes!  As I entered into the church, I was greeted with, “Good morning!  Welcome home!”  Believe me it felt good to be back!  Although I truly appreciated all the masses available on social media during our time of quarantine, I really missed receiving our Lord in the Eucharist.  I needed to see and touch Him once again.  I needed His healing graces.  I needed His Divine Love to reside in me.  
 A very familiar saying is “Home is where your heart is.”  The Eucharist is all heart. One small host contains more love than we can ever imagine.  One human heart needs His Love more than we can truly understand. One heart, no matter where it is in the world, can be united with Christ through the Eucharist. The thought that Jesus infuses our hearts with His Love is beyond amazing!  We should definitely let everyone know it--all the way to the ends of the earth!

-Susan

The River of Grace

  After driving aimlessly for an hour, Tori saw a sign-St. Joseph's Retreat Center.  "Retreat is exactly what I need," she thought to herself.  "I need a retreat from all my problems."  She pulled into the small parking lot and put the car in park.  She smiled at the large statue of St. Joseph holding the child Jesus surrounded by a wall maintained garden of flowers.  Tori suddenly felt the urge to draw closer to the statue.  Without thinking she got out of the car and began walking down the short path towards an empty bench in front of the statue.  She just sat there and allowed her tears to slowly roll down her face.  "I've really messed things up this time.  I don't know what to do," she thought to herself.  She looked at how lovingly St. Joseph looked at the little Jesus in his arms, and longed to be able to embrace Jesus as well.
  Tori was so lost in thought that she didn't even notice the priest walking up the path until he cheerfully announced, "Good morning! How are you today?  It sure is pretty out today!"
  Tori did her best to fake a smile.  "Yes, the weather is perfect today." she said without much enthusiasm.
  "You look like you have a lot more than the weather on your mind."
  "Yes, I suppose I do," Tori replied.  "I actually don't know how I even got here.  I just got in my car and started driving, and this is where I ended up.  Is it okay that I am sitting here?"
  "Of course it is.  It's a great place to think.  I come here often myself.  Anything I can help you with?"
  "Not unless you're good at erasing mistakes," admitted Tori.
  "Well...I may be able to help you out.  Have you visited the River of Grace?  It flows right through the Church. It's known for its healing power."
  "River of Grace?  No, I've basically just been sitting outside here."
  "It's really something.  I would love to share it with you."
  "It runs right through the Church?"
  "Yep."
  Tori shrugged her shoulders and then raised her eyebrows, "Ok, that sounds pretty interesting."  Tori followed the priest into the Church.
  "Now it starts right here at the Baptismal font.  Just put your hand in there for a minute.  I want you to close your eyes, bless yourself with the sign of the Cross and then let the Spirit show you the River of Grace."
  Tori followed the priests instruction.  She closed her eyes as her hand went into the water and then blessed herself in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Suddenly Tori's eyes became wide open and she saw the River Of Grace flowing from the Baptismal font.  It was absolutely amazing!  It was so beautiful! Without thinking she removed her shoes and starting wading in the water. The gentle, warm current nudged her forward little by little.  With each step she felt completely immersed in love.  The pain of her mistakes ebbed out of her heart and disappeared into the water.  She felt a peaceful wave flow right through her.  She felt as if she had been reborn! Inspired by the River of Grace, she looked up towards the heavens and cried, "Father, forgive me, I am so sorry."
  And then she heard the Father's voice, "I absolve you of all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
  " I'm ready to begin again."  Tori was silent for a minute. "Father, thank you for inviting me in.  I didn't even realize how much I was missing by staying outside."
  Father Jim smiled.  "Jesus patiently waits for each of us to come inside so that He can heal us through the sacraments with His Divine Love and Mercy.  I'm so happy you said 'Yes' to the invitation."

-Susan
  

Simply Beautiful

   My son and I were outside on our backyard patio enjoying the beautiful weekend weather. "May is the best month," he said.
  "Why's that?" I asked.
  "Look, the grass is green again, the trees are budding, it's not too hot, and there's no bugs yet."
  "Your right," I said.  "It is really nice to enjoy all this again after a long winter."
  Unfortunately, in a few weeks we may not be excited that the grass is still green. We may take for granted all the leaves on the tree, and we may not be thrilled to just be sitting outside enjoying a nice day. It's easy to take such beautiful things for granted. Today, however is the beginning of a new season of growth for nature, and if we are open to it, it is a new season of growth for us as well.  
  May is the month of Mary. It is a time to sit down and take in her beauty that is all around us and in the details of our life.  It's often easy to take our Mother for granted.  We take for granted all the graces she has bestowed on us. All the moments she prayed with us at our side.  All the times she helped us turn our hearts back to God.  All the times she held our hands when we were too afraid or hurt to begin another day. And all the songs of praise and thanks she sang to the Father on our behalf, because we forgot too.  Mary is truly beautiful.
  I would like to encourage you to take some time this month and let Mary know how much you love her.  Allow her love to grow in you.  If you are having any trouble with this, I would encourage you to sit and talk with her Son.  Ask Jesus to tell you what he likes most about His Mom. I imagine she is even more beautiful from His point of view.

-Susan