Conflict Resolution

 Conflict. We all experience it. Whether in our families, at work, our small communities, our own countries, or the world. Conflict is almost as old as peace, but there was peace first.  In the beginning, there was peace among all of God’s creatures. But one apple, one bite, one snake changed everything. 

 So, how do we restore that peace?  God still desires that we live in harmony.  The Ten Commandments could be viewed as an anti-conflict ten-step resolution program to live peacefully with one another.  There is a room in every Catholic Church where Jesus calls us to deeply consider embracing the program. He knows there will be setbacks, but He will give us the grace to succeed. 

 God has been dreaming of peace on this earth for a long time.  Let’s do our best to commit ourselves to this ten-step program and see if we can make God's dream a reality. Imagine being part of the team that makes God’s dream come true. Wouldn’t that be the best birthday present we could give the newborn King?  Advent is coming, are we ready to change?

-Susan

SPOILER ALERT: CHANGE IS COMING

 

 I love all the beautiful colors of Fall.  Fall is a season of change, with the days growing shorter, the weather turning cooler, and the trees becoming magnificent!  And it's no coincidence that Fall comes just before Advent.  It's as if the earth itself is preparing everyone for a season of transformation.

 In a few short weeks, Advent will begin, and the gospels will call us to prepare our hearts for Jesus. John the Baptist will ask us to make definite changes in our lives. John isn't interested in decorating, so our lives look good. John encourages us to become good. We must become God's holy people, prepared to encounter the Messiah.

 Change can be challenging. We need to take some quiet time to discuss this with Jesus. If we start this conversation now, we will have time to consider how we should adjust our lives. We also need to train our ears to hear Jesus' voice over the jingle bells of the season. 

 Change isn't a passing thought but a commitment that demands real effort.  It may not always be easy, but becoming the child of God you were created to be will be so beautiful!  Go ahead and prepare to become beautiful. Embrace this change.  It was who you were always meant to be.

-Susan

  

HELP WANTED

 

 George saw the Help Wanted sign in the window.  He wasn’t really familiar with this building. He looked at the company’s name above the window: United Savings.  George had never heard of the company, but he needed a job. George slowly opened the door and timidly looked around. He saw a causally dressed man standing behind a large reception desk.

  “ Can I help you?” The man asked pleasantly. 

  “I noticed the sign in the window and wondered what kind of help you were looking for?” George replied. 

  The man smiled, “We are very short-handed and can use all the help we can get.”

  “What are the qualifications for the job?” inquired George. 

  “Oh, don’t worry about that. You are definitely qualified.  Can you start right away?”

  “I guess, but what exactly would I be doing?” George inquired. 

  “Let’s begin here,” the man said, handing George a piece of paper with three names on it. 

  George read the names but was very confused. “What am I supposed to do with this?”

  “Start praying for them right away.” 

  “I don’t even know these people. What’s wrong with them?” George asked. 

  The man answered, “It doesn’t matter if you know them. Believe me, they really need your prayers.  They left this world yesterday, and no one is praying for them.”

  George was baffled. “They left this world? Are you saying they died?”

  “Yes, that is exactly what I meant.  Please, they are in the process of purification, and prayers help them immensely.”

  George scowled, “ I was looking for a real job. Something that would pay.”

  “Sir, believe me when I say this is one of the most valuable jobs you could perform.  The benefits are priceless!  These souls will be grateful to you for all eternity.   This will also add incredible value to your resume when you leave this world!  Please, we really need your help.”

  Just then, a mighty wind blew the door open. George turned to see what was happening.  It felt as if the wind blew right through him.   George looked at the list and suddenly had a desire to pray. George looked at the man and said, “I’ll get right on this. Does it matter where I pray or what prayer I say?”

  “You can pray wherever you like. Just invoke God’s mercy for these souls.”

  “I will!  And thank you for giving me a sign.“

-Susan

Happy All Saints Day!

 

 

 Being a part of our large, loving family is a blessing I cherish! We are fortunate that God's saintly children intercede for us and guide our lives. God's love surrounds us, not just in the inspiring people we meet on earth but also in the inspiring souls from all times and places! Today, let's revel in the joy of conversing and celebrating with our heavenly family. May their stories light our path to heaven and highlight the joy of being home with the Father.

-Susan

Walking With Mary (Part 4)

 

  

  The crowd slowly walked down the mountain as they headed back toward Jerusalem.  They began to discuss Jesus' words, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, through Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

 They were filled with questions and speculations, their minds swirling in uncertainty.  Is Jesus truly gone?  Will He not return to establish His Kingdom? How can we, mere men, accomplish this monumental task?  Peter was bombarded with these questions, but he had no answers. His head was spinning when he noticed Mary walking behind him.  She seemed completely at peace. How could she be so calm? Her beloved son had just left her. Perhaps Jesus had shared something with her to bring her such tranquility.

 "Mary, do you know what we are to do next?" Peter asked.

 Mary smiled, "Jesus told us He was sending us the Holy Spirit, and then we will begin."

 "Begin what, exactly?"

 "We will continue what Jesus has begun.  We will spread the word about Jesus and the love of the Father," Mary declared with unwavering determination. "But we must first prepare ourselves for this sacred task."

 "How does anyone prepare for such an enormous task?"

 "Peter, we will pray for the arrival of the Holy Spirit," Mary reassured him, her voice filled with faith and confidence in the power of prayer.

 "How will we know when the Holy Spirit has come upon us?"

 Mary smiled, "Trust me, Peter, you will know. Pray, Peter.  Invite the Holy Spirit to come and rest within you.  Do not waste any time, Peter.  Begin praying now. Pray without ceasing. Prepare for the mission.  The Lord is counting on you."

 -Susan

Walking With Mary (Part 3)

 

    The shouting of the crowd gathered before Pilate was deafening. "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"  John watched the crowd and kept Mary protected.  It was unsafe here, but he couldn't convince Mary to leave.  Her face, a canvas of distress and tears, searched for Jesus while her lips moved with prayers only God could hear.

  Suddenly, the crowd cheered with delight. Pilate was handing Jesus over to be crucified. John ushered Mary and the other woman away from this maddening crowd. John feared for all their lives. None of this was making any sense.  How could this be happening? John led the group to a deserted side street.

  Mary's grip on John's arm tightened, her voice quivering with determination, "John, I can't leave Him.  I have to be there for Him." John saw the depth of her sorrow in her eyes.  Her plea was filled with a desperate need,  and John met her gaze. "Please, John, help me get near him."

  "Mary, it really isn't safe for you to be in that crowd." It wasn't safe, but John, like Mary, would not desert Jesus. Suddenly, an idea came to John.  "Mary, follow me.  I will do my best to get you near Jesus before he gets to Golgotha."

  Mary nodded.  John led them down a few side streets and around a building.  As Mary rounded the building, she saw Him, her precious son, carrying His own cross.  His face was almost unrecognizable.  Blood was everywhere!  What was on His head?  Are those thorns?  "Heavenly Father, please aid Him in this suffering."

  Jesus was put a few steps away when he collapsed under the weight of the cross.  He fell down hard.  Instinctively, Mary lunged forward to be at his side.  Jesus lifted up His head to meet Mary's gaze.  No audible words were spoken, but their hearts joined in prayer to the Father. Then, suddenly, the soldiers were pushing Mary away and forcing Jesus to get up.

  John grabbed Mary as she was pushed into the crowd. He pulled her to safety as Jesus struggled to stand again. Mary looked into John's eyes and murmured, "He's in so much pain.  So much pain." 

  Mary allowed John to lead her out of the screaming mobs of people.  Her head was spinning, and an overwhelming nausea engulfed her.  Mary knew her legs were moving, but she could not feel them.  Every prayer she uttered to the Father was in obedience to His Will, but it broke her heart as they were said. Her precious, beautiful son had been beaten badly, and what was to come next would be even worse.

  Her words physically hurt her as she said, "John, I need to be there. I need to be at Golgotha."

-Susan

Walking With Mary (Paert 2)

  

  Mary walked alongside the rest of the group as they returned to Nazareth. Most of the women enjoyed each other's small talk and company, but Mary was content to remain quiet. Her thoughts were on special moments she shared with God during Passover. Mary loved Passover.  Each year, she prayed for God to open her mind to God's love for His people. "My God, I could never tire of contemplating your love."  Her mind was so far from the voices of the others that she did not even hear Joseph's voice as he approached.

  Joseph was all too familiar with Mary's smile as he approached. She did not ignore his voice but focused entirely on her silent conversation with God. Joseph gently touched Mary's arm as he asked, "Mary, where is Jesus?"

  Joseph's soft touch gently brought her back to the world's reality. "Hello, Joseph. I thought Jesus was walking with you and the men. When did you see him last?"

  "Mary, I thought he was with you and the woman.  Some of the other boys were looking for him."

  Mary's eyes grew wide with worry. "Joseph, we have traveled all day, and he wasn't with either of us?"

  "Mary, I'm sure he is somewhere in the group. Let's look for him together." Joseph and Mary grew more worried as each moment passed, and no one had seen Jesus since leaving Jerusalem.

  "Joseph, he is not here. What could have happened?  He knew we were leaving for home.  He helped us pack up."  The silence grew heavy as Mary and Joseph each imagined the worst. "Joseph, we have to go back!  We have to find him!"

  As they gathered their belongings, the others pleaded to wait until morning.  It was too dangerous to be alone on the road in the dark. Joseph understood the danger but could not escape the thought that Jesus was in danger.  He had promised God, and he had promised Mary that he would protect them.  He felt as if he had failed everyone. Joseph's head was spinning, and his stomach was nauseous as they began the trip back to Jerusalem.  

  He and Mary walked quickly without a word. Both were praying and pleading that Jesus was somewhere safe. Both were struggling with imagined horrible fears of what Jesus may be experiencing. A group of loud men were coming closer to them.  Joseph could tell they had been drinking, and he pulled Mary close. The men made rude comments as they passed, but that was all.

  "Joseph, do you think Simeon's prophecy is coming true?  We never knew how things were to occur.  Will we not be around him as he grows?"

  "I am as frightened as you, Mary.  I keep asking myself how this could have happened.  He has never wandered from us.  Did someone snatch him?'

  "Joesph, there is nothing for us to do but trust and pray to the Lord. We found ourselves on a dark path when we fled to Egypt.  It was difficult, but the Lord guided us."

  "Mary, I have been praying but have not received any answers.  Forgive me, Mary.  I have failed you and God.  I am afraid His silence is all my fault."

 Mary stopped walking and forced Josesh to turn and look at her.  "Joseph, do not stop trusting God. He has been silent with me as well.  I don't know why our prayers have not been answered yet. Let's pray together, 'Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy."

  For three days, they prayed without ceasing. They barely slept or ate as they searched for Jesus. And then, on the third day, their prayers were answered.    

-Susan