LENT!

  Lent begins tomorrow.  This Lent let's do something bold!  Let's love everyone New Testament style.  What does that mean?  Take your faith to a new level.  Actively search for Jesus the Nazarene.  Look for Him in the faces of the poor, those who are ill, the social outcasts, and all your neighbors!  Pray that you may become an instrument of God's mercy to someone who really needs it.  Look at your own hands and ask yourself could these be the mighty hands of God?  If you are bold enough to let God use them, then the answer is YES!  
  Before Lent starts pray that you encounter Jesus, not just in His words written in the Bible, but in His very Spirit living in you.

-Susan

Theology 101

  

  Alex walked down the path towards his new Theology 101 class.  This should be an easy class he thought to himself.  He had done his homework and checked out all the reviews on the professors. Professor Kathryn Pointe scored high on: respected, gives good feedback, participation matters, and clear grading criteria.  She was known as an easy grader and did not give a lot of homework.  That was exactly the kind of teacher Alex was looking for to get this required prerequisite class out of the way.  Alex found a seat towards the front and sat down.  As he glanced towards the front of the class, he noticed a sign:  Professor Pointe will be unable to teach this semester due to an unforeseen health issue.  An expert will be taking her place.
  "Oh that's just great," Alex thought to himself. "I was counting on this being an easy class.  I have too many important classes this semester to let this unnecessary one screw me up.  I hope this 'expert' realizes this class doesn't really mean much to most of us."  Alex turned around and began talking to some of the other students when the new teacher walked into the classroom.
 Suddenly a voice yelled out, "Oh, my God!  Are you serious?!"
 "Well I see we are off to a good start.  At least one of you recognized me.  Thanks Nick for the formal introduction, but you all can just call me Jesus.  And to answer your question, no I'm not always serious.  I like to think I have a good sense of humor as well," Jesus said with a smile.  "I am excited to be formally teaching you this semester.  Kathryn has had a little mishap, but she is in good hands and is receiving excellent care.  The two of us talk on a regular basis, so I will be able to give you updates as the weeks pass."
  "Generally I am not big on giving people 'grades'.  I tend to look at the bigger picture and the smaller details.  I prefer a good examination of conscience and heartfelt responses.  However, the university has asked that I comply with their issuing of 'grades' for completed assignments, and I have agreed."
  Just then a hand shot up.  "Just how hard is your grading scale?"
  "I feel I am pretty generous.  I'm not expecting perfection, but I do believe a lot can be learned when you are challenged. The semester will consist of one project--Be the best you can be by loving others.  We will meet in the classroom twice a week to discuss how love is essential to everything you do.  Attendance is not mandatory, it's your choice, but I feel if we spend more time together, you will begin to truly understand the meaning of love."
  Alex raised his hand. "How exactly are we going to be graded?  I really need to get a good grade to maintain my grade point average."
  "Alex, I know you are very 'goal oriented' and this may be a little difficult for you.  When setting goals, make sure you are looking at the big picture.  What is your ultimate goal in life?  Money, happiness, prestige, or eternal life?  You have to know what your big goal is before you start making all the smaller goals.  You know what I mean?  To answer your question, though, this is what you will be graded on this semester.  You will be graded on the number of times you forgive someone, the number of times you choose to say something kind instead or something cruel, the number of times you showed generosity to someone in need, and the number of times you broke down barriers that get in the way of extending mercy to all people.  You will be graded not on the love you receive, but on the love you give."
  Again, Alex raised his hand and asked, "How could you measure such a thing?"
  Jesus smiled and answered, "If the number is small, it will be quite easy.  However, I'm hoping the number is so great that I will be overwhelmed while counting.  So, who's ready to get started?"  

-Susan    

Though She Be Small, She Be Mighty

 Sometimes as a parent or catechist you wonder if anyone is listening.  And then there are moments like this, that you have to just sit back and smile.  Maria was inspired to write a rap song and then bravely sing it in front of everyone at church.  Besides being supportive and very proud, I had nothing to do with it.  This moment was all hers.  Maria is hoping to encourage others to get excited about their faith.  She wanted to reach out to kids and encourage them to go to church.  Please help Maria get the word out by sharing this song with others.  She is hoping it starts something amazing!

-Susan & Maria

Don't Leave Home Unprepared

 We all piled into the car and headed for Sunday mass.  I wish I could say we all joyously sang hymns of praise as we drove, but that would not be an accurate description of this or any of our car rides to church.  It seems someone is always a little tired and crabby, or someone else didn't allow enough time to get ready, or two are fighting over a certain seat, etc, etc.  This week was no exception.  As the voices grew louder, I felt the need to remind everyone, "You all should be preparing your hearts to receive Jesus."
  "Ya, ya....I'll think about it," said a voice from the back seat.
  "Don't just think about it.  Actually do it.  Change your heart."

   We can't just change our hearts with a switch the way we would turn on the lights in a room.  Having a change of heart requires us to spend some one on one time with God in order to receive His Light.  Sometimes going to church is such a habit, that we may forget to prepare our hearts and minds to receive Jesus in the Eucharist.
   Our encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist should never become common place.  It's not just something we do, it is a miraculous moment where we physically touch the Body of Christ, and He touches us.  His life and love become a part of our life and love.  Our blindness disappears as Christ opens our eyes to the splendor of the Father's love.  It is not enough to open our mouths to receive His Sacred Body, we must open the door to our heart as well. We need to remove whatever obstacles block the door, lay out the welcome mat, and allow the grace of God to transform us.  This is one of those heart to heart moments you don't want to miss, so take some time and be prepared.

-Susan

Don't Miss This Opportunity

  A few weeks past (Jan 20 post), I challenged everyone to spread the message "Think God."  Amazingly the next day, the weather became unseasonably warm, and my daughters and I hit the sidewalks with the "Think God" message.  Later that day I was hooking the dog to his leash to go for a walk.  As I was getting ready, I saw a father and son walking down the sidewalk.  The young son looked down at our pictures and read the message.  "Think God, Think God, Think God.  Dad, why would someone want you to think about God?"
  A smile started to form on my face anticipating the answer.  I wondered how the man would answer his son.
  The man never took his eyes off  his cell phone and said, "I don't know," and continued to look for Pokemon. 
  My mouth dropped open.  I shook my head with disbelief as I thought to myself, "Do you realize the opportunity you just missed with your son?" 

  Please don't miss the opportunity to tell others about God.  Wherever you are, whatever you are doing "Think God."  The message still needs to be heard.

-Susan

Fight the Good Fight

  Satan is not one of my favorite subjects to talk about.  In fact I prefer not to think of him at all.  Unfortunately, his cunning lies weave in and out of our lives.  This past week I had the opportunity to speak about the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil with group of young people.  As expected, the students were quick to recognize Adam and Eve's mistake in listening to the serpent's lies.  After some discussion of the effects of this encounter, I asked them, "Has the serpent bothered you at all today?"
  I heard numerous "What?" and "No."
  "Are you sure?" I asked.  "How many of you have been tempted to do something you knew was wrong?"  One by one hands began to rise and they shared their experiences.  We then preceded to have a little fun with this.  As they shared their experiences, I pretended to be the serpent whispering the lies in an attempt to justify bad decisions.  Of course my lies were over exaggerated, obvious, and dripping with humor. We all laughed as I told them they deserved to stay mad, not share, or demand all the attention.  After we had a good laugh, we talked about how all of us have to fight temptation every day.  We may not be having an actual discussion with a talking serpent, but unfortunately his lies are still confusing us today.
  So what is one of the best ways to fight the serpent?  Pick up your rosary and ask two people who never listened to his lies-Jesus and Mary. As you pray, let each bead guide you back to the garden, where God is waiting with open arms.

-Susan

A Valentine Message

---  Susan

What Is Truth?

  Truth is not always popular.  

    Truth is not always appreciated.  

            We often don't mind sacrificing the Truth 

      for our own selfish desires.  

Why do we do that?  

 How much longer must God wait for us to embrace His Truth?  This is our moment-this is your moment.  Take your arms, your head, and your life and wrap them around Jesus. 

     Behold the Truth

    and don't let anything come between you.  

-Susan                                                                                                                                 

The Presence of God

  I remember having a conversation with one of my children after hearing some disappointing news.  I asked them, "Do you think God would approve of this behavior?"  
  They looked at me and said, "Mom don't go bringing God into this.  This has nothing to do with God."  
  I responded by saying, "I don't know how to leave God out.  He is a part of everything I do."
  God doesn't just come to visit us just while we are at church or just while we are praying.  God is always with us.  We don't get to just pick and choose the parts of our life WE want to share with God.  God sees it all--the good, the bad, the ugly. the scary, and the embarrassing.  It sounds like an easy enough concept to handle, but I'm not sure how many people truly get it.  I wonder how different this world might be if everyone saw God standing beside them.  Maybe if we were all better at recognizing Jesus in each other, we would realize how "present" God is to us.  And then I wonder, if we would raise our hearts and minds to be more "present" with Him?

-Susan

This Little Light

  

  I'm not what you would consider a bubbly, optimistic person.  The sun doesn't always shine on me, and I'm not always absolutely positive that tomorrow will be a better day.  Sometimes the clouds rain on my parade, and sometimes they brew storms that shake and scare me.  The storms don't overcome me, however, because I carry the light of Christ in me.  It is His Light and love that break through the fog and rain.  His Light beckons, and I follow.  His Light illuminates, and my faith is strengthened.  His Light is constant, so  I never lose hope.  
  I am so grateful that when I was just a small child my parents  brought me to church.  I remember learning the popular Sunday school song "This Little Light of Mine."  It is a song that has quietly played in the background of my thoughts all these years. It reminds me that I am a child of God and He will never leave me alone.  I will never be lost as long as I have His Light.  And when the worldly winds howl "No!" all around me, and yell, "You have to go this way!", I just hold up my light and say, "No thanks, I'm good.  I'm going to go His Way!" And then I am optimistic enough to ask, "Hey do you want to join us?"

-Susan

Leave Some Evidence

 Your life is not measured by the days and hours, but rather the love you have shared with others.  And not just your love, but your love for God.  How many times have you told someone, "I love you"?  How many times you have told someone, "God loves you"?  Don't be afraid to share God's great love with someone. They may be the very words their soul has been aching to hear.  God has placed you on this particular road to be a powerful expression of His love.  As you walk through life, let your love for God color everything you touch.

-Susan

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

 

  
  Sin.  It's out there. In fact, it's everywhere. And, it is so much easier to recognize when someone else is wearing it.  I guess that's because even when I take a good look at myself in a full length mirror, I can easily miss the blemishes on my back or the ones that get under my skin.  And to be perfectly honest, I am much happier pretending they don't exist.  But unfortunately, they do. Who am I trying to fool?  Do I really think I'm fooling God?  Am I really fooling myself? 
   I know this is a really unpopular subject (unless we are talking about someone else's sins), but I think it deserves our consideration.  Instead of asking, "Mirror, mirror on the wall who's the fairest one of all" maybe we could take a little time this week and ask, "Mirror, mirror on the wall show me my sins big and small."  After you have taken that very honest and difficult look at yourself, spend some quiet moments in prayer.  Ask God for His help.  No one loves you more than He, and no one rejoices more over a repentant sinner.  Sin is definitely out there, but so is the grace of God. God's grace can help us overcome future temptations.
   If you are not sure where to start,  I have found it helpful to begin with psalm 51:10

Create in me a clean heart, 

Oh my God, and renew a right spirit within me.  

Then take a deep breath in, slowly let it go, and let the healing begin.  Allow yourself to discover why God's grace is so amazing!

-Susan