Making Disciples of All Nations

 

 Before Jesus ascends into heaven, He makes it clear that He desires everyone to be baptized into God's holy family. Therefore, our faith needs to be shared with everyone always. I think every disciple of Jesus needs to take this very seriously. We must pray to the Holy Spirit to strengthen us in this task. We may never even realize the impact we may have on someone else in our lives.

 I am grateful that the parents of my great-grandma in Poland took this command to heart. I'm sure they had no idea that baptizing my great-grandma would spread seeds of faith across the world to the United States one day. My own mother never got to meet my grandchildren, yet the seeds of her faith are in them. I hope my faith will grow in my grandchildren's children as well. I may never know. But what I do know is that I must trust God's Plan. If I don't do my part, a link will be broken, and the world already has too many broken links.

 Our world still needs to be converted. The job is as important today as it was when Jesus commissioned the disciples. Jesus is still hiring for this job. He could use someone just like you. I hope you answer His call because today is a great day to start planting seeds!   

-Susan

Mary Knows

 May has finally brought some nice weather back, and I've been busy uncovering lawn chairs, planting flowers, and opening the pool. I love my backyard in the summer! I also was excited to return my statue of Mary to her place in the garden. I was playing with my granddaughters in the backyard when I said, "Isabella, guess what? Mary is back in her place!"

 Isabella knew just where to go to find her. But, when she returned, she had a confused look on her face. "Why is Mary stepping on that snake?"

 I thought for a minute and answered, "Well, that snake is always trying to be tricky. The snake tries to trick people into being bad and not listening to God. Mary wants everyone to love God and not do bad things."

 "He tries to trick people into doing bad things? Like,
say bad words?" Isabella asked.

 "Yep. Sometimes the snake tricks people into saying things that aren't nice, and sometimes he tricks people into being mean."

 "Oh," Isabella said and then ran away and called out to her aunt. "Theresa, I know why Mary is stepping on that snake!"

 I think we should all follow suit after Isabella. First, let people know if there is a tricky snake in the garden, and if there is, don't listen to his lies. Also, warn others, so they don't get tricked. Then shout out to Mary. Mary knows how to help us stomp out sin in our lives.

-Susan

Mary's Love

 

  This week I was fortunate to attend a tradition that I love, a May Crowning! It is such a beautiful way to celebrate and love Mary. If you don't have the chance to attend a May Crowning, find another way to spend special time with Mary this month. It doesn't have to be anything elaborate. Just find some quiet time to open up your heart and let her in.

  When my daughter was younger, she was looking at a statue of Mary. "Mom, why is Mary wearing purple? Everyone knows she wears blue."

  I smiled and said, "Well, it is popular to paint Mary with a blue garment, but we don't really know what Mary wore every day. The color of her clothes isn't important. What's important is Mary's love for God and how much Mary loves you." 

  Sometimes I worry people might miss out on Mary's love because they only see Mary in a certain way and don't embrace her as their own mother. Jesus wants Mary to be a part of your story. Be open to Mary's love. As she gently reveals to you her faith and how she loves God, you will discover there is so much more to loving God than you had ever imagined!

-Susan

 

Happy Mother's Day!

 

Happy Mother's Day to all who have given the best of themselves to their children!

Blessed With Joy!

 

 I was playing with my granddaughters in the kitchen last week. My 3-year-old granddaughter took a piece of paper towel and rolled it up. Then she asked me to fill a small plastic dish with some water. I thought she was going to wash some of her play dishes. But, instead, she dipped the paper towel in the water and started flinging water everywhere! Surprised by this, I  asked, "Isabella, what are you doing? You are getting water everywhere!"

  She just looked at me and said, "This is how we do it at my Church!"

  Instantly I understood. "Oh, you are blessing me with holy water to remind me of my Baptismal promises!"

  She smiled and nodded yes and continued to bless the kitchen abundantly! I couldn't stop smiling as I went to find some towels. This little girl was definitely paying attention when she went to Mass. Needless to say, her sister and I received numerous blessings that morning!

  I usually don't encourage anyone to throw water around my kitchen. In fact, I frown upon it. So why didn't I stop my granddaughter? Because she had experienced something exciting during Mass that she wanted to share. Shouldn't we all be doing that? So I'm going to challenge each of you to get excited about the Mass. Then go out into the world and share this enthusiasm with others! "The Mass has ended. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!" 

- Susan 

Divine Mercy Sunday!

  I wanted to share a few passages from the Diary of St. Faustina.   When St Faustina asked Jesus the meaning of the two rays in the picture, Jesus told St Faustina, " The two rays denote Blood and Water. The pale ray stands for the Water, which makes souls righteous. The red ray stands for the Blood, which is the life of souls." (299)

  The Lord said to St. Faustina, "How very much I desire the salvation of souls!….write that I want to pour out My divine life into human souls and sanctify them, if only they were willing to accept My grace. If only they would trust in My mercy. The very inner depths of My being are filled to overflowing with mercy, and it is being poured out upon all I have created. My delight is to act in a human soul and to fill it with My mercy and to justify it. My kingdom on earth is My life in the human soul. … I  Myself am the spiritual guide of souls—and I guide them indirectly through the priest, and lead each one to sanctity by a road known to Me alone. "(1784)

  I am amazed at how much God loves us! In the Divine Mercy Image and the "Diary," Jesus reminds us of what he has already revealed in the gospels. The Blood of Christ is what gives life to our souls. In the bread of life discourse, Jesus says, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. "(John 6:53)

 How blessed are we to be called to the Supper of the Lamb! How blessed are we in the Sacraments and the Mass! God didn't leave our salvation to chance. He bestows countless graces on us! He constantly calls us to draw near to Him.

 After the Resurrection, Jesus found the disciples locked in the upper room living in fear. Jesus came into their midst, offered them His peace and forgiveness, and reminded them of their mission. Jesus does the same for us today. Locked up in our own inner room, afraid to live out our faith, Jesus comes to us. He mercifully forgives all our past mistakes and strengthens us to live out our missions. We must be merciful as the Father is merciful. We must love one another. Trust God. The future He is planning for us is brighter than we could ever imagine!

-Susan

  

Divine Mercy Sunday is Only Days Away!

  We all need Jesus' love and mercy. This Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday, and Jesus desires to shower us with special graces. Please help me to spread this good news! Watch the TikTok below and share it with as many people as you can!

-Susan

@dwellingwiththespirit Join us in celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday on April 24th! #catholic #divinemercy #mercy #faith #catholictiktok ♬ Mercy - Live - Matt Redman