A Leap of Faith

  

As we close the month of May, I hope you all had a chance to spend some extra time with Mary.  Let's spend the day meditating and rejoicing on Elizabeth's words in Luke's gospel.

  When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth filled with the Holy Spirit cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.  And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"

 Let the Holy Spirit fill your being today, and then in a loud voice praise Mary.  Mary's "yes" brought Jesus into the world, and Mary continues to strive to bring Jesus to each of us.  How blessed are we that Mary desires to visit us.  Whether our faith is in it's infancy like John's, or more mature like Elizabeth's, the Holy Spirit desires us to recognize Jesus through Mary and draw near to her.  Today, make a point of welcoming Mary into your home.  Go ahead and leap for joy because the Mother of God is coming to you. Do not hold back, but run to your Mother with open arms, and get lost in Mary's loving embrace.

-Susan

My Future World

  I dream of a world filled with freedom and peace.  A place where my children will live without the fear of violence, crime, and discrimination.  History has passed, but the future is coming.  The hands of the clock move forward.  I believe it is important to know where you came from, and to where you are going.  I came from God, and I am working on my return. I search for God's love and find it in so many places.  Behind the faces of strangers and friends, I see mercy.  God's mercy is changing the world.
  There are some, however, who have built up defenses and it's harder to see God's mercy.  I know God dwells in them as well, because I still feel His Presence. Unfortunately, His love is trapped inside and is guarded by anger, greed, and jealousy.  These guarding oppressors block God's peaceful designs and the world grows more confusing.  This world that I dream of could definitely be, if everyone gave God's love freedom.   Everyone needs to put down their defenses and guarding oppressors, and let God's love go free. I know this future peace I dream about will depend on all of us, and whether we give God the freedom.  Please, for the sake of our future,  feel free to share God's love.

-Susan
  

Let's Start With a Dozen

  Let's change the world!  That sounds great, right?  But how exactly do we go about sharing and spreading the gospel with everyone?  I mean, let's face it, the world is a pretty big place and that's a pretty big job.  It's so big, that it might be easier to say, "I can't do it.  I don't have the skills, the resources, or the time.  I already have enough on my plate."
  Let's look at how Jesus did it.  He didn't have a phone, a computer, television, or any type of social media.  He simply went from town to town talking with those he met along the path.  Jesus not only "talked the talk", He also "walked the walk".  In other words He lived the message He preached.  He then chose 12 people to help Him teach the world about God.
  Jesus shared His insights about God's merciful nature, how we should treat others, and how important prayer is to our relationship with God.  He erased boundaries between Jews and Gentiles, woman and men, children and adults, sinners and the righteous.  Jesus preached that God's love was for everyone.  Jesus began His mission with just a dozen people, and from there it grew to include the ends of the world.
  What if we imitated Jesus and did the same.  I would like to suggest that each of us create a mental list of twelve people in our lives that we could share the gospel with.  Start your mission with a dozen people, and then encourage them to do the same.  I honestly believe a dozen people devoted to God could be the beginning of something really amazing!  I honestly think we could change the world.  Will you help me try?.....

-Susan

Trust Me.

  

My precious child,
  Trust me through your darkest days and longest winters that I am still very much alive within you.  Even though certain hopes and dreams have fallen like leaves to the ground, do not despair.  It is during these times of difficulties, that I am calling you to draw closer to me, so that my words may echo in your thoughts.  My words are the warm blanket that will shield you from the cold, stinging winds of life.  Trust me, always.  I, myself, am transforming you, so that come Spring, our love will blossom for the world to see.  Just keep trusting me.

                                     Love,
                                          God



-Susan

Let's Get Supercharged!

  We live in a world that likes to go to extremes.  We like the danger of extreme sports, the creativity of extreme makeovers,  the mouth watering recipes of extreme baking and the thriftiness of extreme couponing.  This week I would like to suggest that we all go to extremes.  St. Phillip Neri said, "If you wish to go to extremes, let it be in sweetness, patience, humility and charity."   Let us all be supercharged for Jesus. 

   Tonight when you say your prayers, volunteer to offer your time to someone in need.  Go out of your way to be kind to your coworkers and neighbors.  Ask a friend to join you in spontaneous prayer.  Generously give to a favorite charity.  Smile with a contagious fury.  Spend extra time in front of the Blessed Sacrament.  The possibilities are endless!

  Being a follower of Jesus should put joy in our lives.  Let the Holy Spirit get you fired up about your faith.  Get creative and take those God-given talents you were given and share them with the world.  People the challenge is on.  I'm challenging everyone to get supercharged up about Jesus this week, so that we can all live in a world that is a little sweeter, a little more patient, a little more forgiving, a little more generous, and a great deal more faithful.  Let me know if you are up for the challenge.

-Susan

Tessa

(Please read previous posts first: Paradise 4/16 & Greetings from Paradise 4/19.)

Hey everyone I'm back!  This past month has felt more like a mission than a vacation.  I have seen and experienced things which cannot be described with words, but only felt with the heart.  The wonders I have seen are not connected to any geographical landmarks.  I have seen and experienced the wonder of God's amazing love for all people.  I now realize, that my comfortable life back here at home,  isolated me from the cries of so many that need help.  I couldn't hear them because my ears were closed to so much.  I am a changed person now.  My life before was good, but now I realize it could be so much more. I have decided to join a missionary team that desperately needs help.  I will be leaving in one month.  I wish I could take all of you with me.  I really do.

  My parents completely support my decision and have offered to organize a get-together at the community center this Saturday night.  I have so much to tell you all.  I have missed you all so much!  Please come hang out with me for awhile.  My new-found mission is big enough for all of us.  I would love for you to join me in whatever capacity you can.  I know this sounds crazy.  I assure you I am not.  I will explain everything on Saturday!  I'll see you then!




-Susan

Celebrating Pentecost

 Theresa and I would like to invite you to celebrate Pentecost with us!  Please help yourself to some cake (seconds and thirds are allowed)!  We hope you have praying along with us for the Holy Spirit to renew the face of the earth.  We hope that His Presence fills you with joy so that you have the wisdom and knowledge to courageously change the world!!  Let's join together and get the job done!

-Susan & Theresa

I Feel the Spirit

Vacationing with God #7 -Basilica della Santa Casa, Loreto, Italy

  We had been driving down the western Italian coast towards Loreto that summer evening.  We had never been to Loreto before, and we hoped it would be easy to find as evening turned into night.  Our nerves were instantly soothed when we saw a beautiful basilica radiating light from it's mountain ridge.  Instantly, I smiled.  Like any good mother, Mary had left the light on for her children who were arriving late.
  The next morning we awoke anxious to discover the Basilica dell Santa Casa, the home of the Virgin Mary.  The basilica was very, very beautiful.  As you walked into the basilica the sides of the church were adorned with numerous pictures of saints all in large gold frames.  Again, I was not surprised that Mary would have pictures of all her children on display.  The duomo of this basilica was absolutely amazing with breathtaking murals.  The most endearing part of the basilica, of course, was in the center- the home of the Virgin Mary and later the Holy Family.  Legend states that the house was carried by angels from Nazareth to avoid destruction during the Holy Wars.

   

  I slowly stepped inside the home with great reverence.  It was an honor to be within the walls of this holy home.  Imagine what these walls had witnessed and encompassed-family meals, conversations, jokes, and prayer.  I felt joy and peace as I reached out and touched the walls that had been a witness to so much.  At one end of the room there was an ebony statue of Mary and baby Jesus.  I knelt before the statue and allowed the wonder of Mary to fill my heart.  Ave Maria!

-Susan

Getting to Church Isn't Always Easy

 A group of four individuals gathered in the middle of a beautiful garden in Heaven.  Flowers of every color scented the air with a touch of honeysuckle-rose. The four sat comfortably with each other, laughing and enjoying each other's company. Although each spoke a different language, they understood each other perfectly. 

  Philomena said, "I have been here almost two thousand years and I am stilled amazed and overjoyed with love every time I see Our Lord."

  "I know what you mean. Every day, I am grateful that I made the right choices during my earthly life." replied Charles. "Sometimes getting to mass was a challenge,  but when the Lord showed me all the graces He had bestowed upon me with each mass,  I cried like a baby.  I knew the Lord was good, but I didn't realize the extent to which He loved me.  If I had known then, I never would have complained while walking those three miles to mass each Sunday."
  Philomena smiled and nodded.  "There were a few times the Roman guards were watching my family so closely that I feared we would not make it to the catacombs alive to celebrate mass with the others."
  Marvin looked with admiration at Philomena.  "I never feared for my life when going to mass, except maybe in the winter," he said with a chuckle.  "It seemed I never had enough blankets to keep me warm while I encouraged the horses to keep pulling the carriage faster and closer to the church."
  George shook his head a little before he admitted, "You know I lived five minutes from my church.  I drove my well-equipped four door sedan in comfort every week to mass.  Do you want to know what I complained about on the way to church?  I  complained about being tired and wanting to sleep a little more.  I shake my head when I imagine what I might have missed just for an extra hour of sleep.  I am lucky that God loved me so much, and was always patient with me.  Like you, Charles, I cried with joy when I saw all the graces God had given me at each mass."
  "I guess that's why it is written, 'Eye has not seen, nor hear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.' " added Marvin.
  "Perhaps if the world understood the beauty of a soul touched by God's grace, every church in every nation would be filled to capacity." said Philomena.
  "I hope we all witness that one day," declared Charles. 
  "Praise God!" they all said in unison.

  

Happy Mother's Day!

       How does a child begin to thank their Mother for all the tender
       moments you spent patiently guiding me along the path?  

How can I thank you for wiping my tears when I was in pain, holding my hand when I was scared, and quietly sitting next to me when I was completely without words?  

How can I thank you for inspiring and teaching me to draw closer to our Lord? 

I don't think I know how, but I will spend all my days and all     eternity trying.  

         Happy Mother's Day,  

                 Mary!

                                                  Love,
                                                      Susan

Did You Get the Job Done?

    I often feel like I have so many things to do and not enough time to do them.  Sometimes I have to leave my children notes to take care of a few small things while I'm running around doing the necessary errands.  The notes usually include the jobs they know they have to do, but would rather avoid.  When I get home I always ask, "Did you get your jobs done?"  I wish I could say the answer was always "Yes", but that often is not the case.  Instead I will hear  excuses such as: "It's not my job."   "I did it last time." "I think somebody else should take care of it."  "It's not my mess so why should I have to clean it up?", etc. etc

  Before Jesus' Ascension into Heaven,  He gave us, His disciples, some very important last minute instructions.  Jesus has a job for each of us.  He said we would receive the power of the Holy Spirit and then we are to be witnesses to His life and teachings.  So, if Jesus came to your house and asked, "Did you get the job done?", what would your answer be?  Would you answer with a definite "Yes" or would there be a long explanation of why you didn't?


  Perhaps this would be a good time to slow down our hectic lives, put away all our excuses and ask the Holy Spirit to help us be better 
disciples of Christ.  Pentecost is just a week away.  Go find your own "Upper Room" and pray for a new awakening to the Holy

Spirit's Presence in your life.  Let us all individually pray that the Holy Spirit transforms each of us into powerful witnesses to Christ.  Then on Pentecost let's all come together and "renew the face of the earth" and share the gospel with others.
  Who's with me?

-Susan

Coloring With God

  Five year old Emily came over and sat on God's lap.  She had a coloring book and crayons with her.  She looked up at God and said, "God, do you want to color with me?"
  God gave Emily a big smile and answered, "Yes, child, I would love too!"
  Emily was very excited.  She could only imagine how beautiful her new coloring book would be if God colored one of the pages. This would be the best coloring book she ever owned and she imagined how she would take it to school and show all her friends. Emily carefully looked through her book and picked a page that contained two large Valentine hearts.  She thought this page would please God.  She carefully began to color her heart page first.  She tried very hard to stay in the lines so it would look pretty to God.  She wanted God to be proud of her.  
  She was almost done when she looked with anticipation at God.  "Aren't you going to color your page?" she asked.
  "Of course I am." He replied.
  Emily watched as God picked out several different crayons.  He held them all at once and then colored over the entire page.  Emily looked at the scribbling and was very disappointed.  She looked at God and said, "You are not very good at staying in the lines."
  God laughed and said, "You're right.  When it comes to love,  I can not contain myself to boundaries.  I desire to spread my love over everything!"
  Emily smiled, kissed God on the cheek, and then began scribbling all over her page as well.  When she was done she looked back at God and said, "Look I want to be just like you.  I'm not going to let any lines hold back my love either!"


--Susan

One on One Time With Mom

  May is one the special months dedicated to the Virgin Mary.  I feel fortunate that my parish always celebrates Mary with a Living Rosary and May Crowning.  I remember how proud I felt when Theresa was  asked to crown Mary.  As a mother,  I try my best to guide my children in their faith life.  I like to share my experiences and understanding of our Lord.  That is my role as a mother, and that is also Mary’s role as our spiritual mother. 

   Mary is the quiet whisper that encourages you to walk with courage and faith when you are worn and tired.  Mary is the sweet melody that echoes “Love my Son”.  Mary is the hand holding ours as we walk into church and the gentle reminder that calls us to prayer.  Knowing that I can always turn to my mother for help and wisdom is a great comfort and source of inner strength for me.

  I would like to encourage everyone to spend some extra time with our mother this month.  She does so much of us, things we don’t even realize.  Every mother cherishes a hug and an “I love you” from their child, and I’m sure that is quite true of Mary as well. I, myself, am looking forward to spending some special one-on-one time with Mom.

-Susan