Now's Your Chance!

-Susan

Best Seat in Town

  Ben smiled as he got out of his car and walked across the parking lot.  He had courtside tickets.  He couldn't believe how lucky he was.  There was no way he deserved them, and yet, there was no way he would give them up either.  He couldn't believe just how close he was going to be!  This was going to be an amazing experience!  As he walked through the main entrance, he could feel his adrenaline kicking in.  He had thought about this moment all day.  He walked down the long aisle and found his seat.  For a few minutes, Ben just kept his eyes focused straight ahead on his favorite guy.  Then he knelt down in front of the Blessed Sacrament and whispered, "Jesus, I'm back just like I promised."  


-Susan

Is There Anything Easier Than This?

  Prayer isn't supposed to be difficult.  Keep it simple.  Keep it honest, and allow your mind to be at peace.  Let your heart be filled with joy.  The beauty of prayer is not in the words you choose, but rather, it is in your choice to spend time opening your heart to God. Prayer can be absolutely breathtaking when you allow God to illuminate the way. You may find that some moments are just too beautiful for words. And although we marvel at a magnificent  sunset, God marvels at us as the sun sets.  Go ahead and take His hand.  He's waiting just for you.  Being with God is just that simple.

-Susan

Choose Wisely

One day we will discover the importance 

of all our choices.

-Susan

I'm Counting On It

  I wear one of those devices on my wrist that counts my steps throughout the day.  I have to admit, I am slightly addicted to it.  Several times throughout the day I check on my progress.  Some days when I feel drained, I am shocked that my number of steps isn't higher, and I will force myself to start moving.  I like reaching my goal every day.  But this got me to thinking......
  What if we could wear a device that could calculate the number of times we thought about God.  What do you think a good number would be for each day?  What if we got a little vibration on our wrist to remind us to start thinking about God again?  How important would it be for us to meet our goal every day?  Would we have days where we would glance at the number and be disappointed?  Would there be days that God would be disappointed?
  Then I started thinking.....what if there was a device that could calculate the number of times God thought about us during the day?  Would we be completely amazed?  Would we begin to realize that we are loved beyond our comprehension, and those little coincidences in our lives were actually arranged by God?  Would we act differently knowing how much we are loved by God? Can love even be measured by looking at a wrist?  Well maybe not ours,  but I bet if we looked at Jesus' wrist on the cross, we would discover that God's love is immeasurable.   This is love you can count on.

-Susan

It's a Good Day

 "It's a good Catholic day," I overheard a woman say in the hospital bed adjacent to my relative.  The curtain between the bed was not completely closed nor was it a good sound barrier.
  I couldn't help but respond, "Every day is a good day to be Catholic!"  The patient and the Eucharistic minister both smiled at me.
  "Oh, would the two of you like to receive Communion, too?"
  "Absolutely!" I said.

  After we received Communion, I thought about how blessed we are to be Catholic.  The love of Jesus is needed everywhere, especially at the side of a hospital bed. How fortunate we are that during our more difficult moments, Jesus draws close to us, reminds of His love, and helps us to heal.  How lost we would be without His Eucharistic love!  Thank you, Jesus, for letting us know that you are always with us.

-Susan

God Knows

  "Would you like try a free sample?" asked a friendly salesperson in the middle of the aisle.
  I didn't want to appear rude, so I smiled and said, "Oh, sure."  
  As I reached for the small sample package she was offering, the salesperson said, "Here sit down while I put it on you."  
  Suddenly I was regretting being nice.  I really didn't have time for this.  The salesperson began telling me all about the facial lotion she was selling.  It was going to take years off my face.  She guessed that I was probably so busy taking care of everyone else in the family, that I didn't spend enough time treating myself. She asked me how many children I had, and then she said something that really got my attention.  She said, "Honey, God knows you deserve this!"
  This line probably works for a lot of people, but I didn't hear anything else she had to say.  I started thinking... "I'm lucky God doesn't give me what I deserve....  I definitely don't want what I deserve.... I'm lucky God gives me His love and mercy instead.  God's mercy is the ointment of healing my soul longs for....  fountain of youth vs. a fountain of mercy..... I would gladly choose a fountain of mercy any day of the week..."
  I politely thanked the woman for her time.  I told her she definitely gave me something to think about.  As I smiled and walked away from her miracle lotion, I bet you could see the wrinkles on my face.  I walked away, however, filled with happiness.  It turns out that sales woman gave me a wonderful free gift after all. She allowed me the opportunity to remember just how blessed I was.  I am blessed that God doesn't give me what I deserve. He spoils me with He love instead.

-Susan

Wise Move

  This weekend we will celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany.  Not a lot is known of these men who traveled from the east in search of the newborn King of the Jews.  So many times I have looked at my own nativity manger set and wondered about them. How long was their travel? What compelled them to leave their homes behind and search for Jesus? Did this encounter with baby Jesus change their lives?
  I don't know the answers, but it might be wise to ask ourselves the same questions.  How far and how long would you travel in search of Jesus? Would you leave the comforts of your life and search for Him?  Hopefully, you were able to spend time adoring Jesus during Christmas mass.  Did this encounter with Jesus change you at all?  Although it may be true that you did not see Jesus face to face at Christmas, you did hold Him in your hands when you received the Eucharist.  After such an amazing moment, can you possibly be the same?
  Many of us will be taking down our Christmas decorations and packing them away until next year. It's okay to pack away the decorations, but don't pack away your encounter with the newborn King.  Christmas, the birth of Jesus, isn't just a story.  The birth of Jesus is the door which leads to eternal salvation.  It would be a wise move to answer God's invitation of love.  The door is open.  How far are you willing to travel with the newborn King?

-Susan

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

  God so loved the world that He gave His only Son...

     The Son so loved us, that He gave us His mother....

          Mary so loves us that she calls us her children.    

The children so loved God,

                            and the Son, and His mother that they....

                   How will you finish this sentence in 2018?  

                  How committed to LOVE are you?

-Susan