Home Sweet Home

 

  "Home is where the heart is" is a saying most people are familiar with and would agree is true.  Our homes are the place we feel safe and loved.  It is the place we feel most comfortable.  It is where we gather as a family to share meals, memories, and everyday moments.  You can put a price on how much a house is worth, but your home is priceless.

  I felt very blessed to have been a part of the consecration to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary at my parish this week. There are twelve promises that Jesus desires to share with those who will have a devotion to His Sacred Heart. One of the promises is that "I will bless every dwelling where an image of My heart is both exposed and honored." My heart swelled with love as I brought my blessed image into my home, and my children joined me in praying the consecration prayer.

  My house may appear ordinary from the street, but the inside will enthrone the King of Mercy and Love and His beloved Mother. If "home is where the heart is" then I am blessed beyond measure because Jesus and Mary can call my house their home as well!

-Susan

Hands Up

 I had the opportunity to escape to the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains this past week.  While visiting I attended Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Hands up this was a wonderful experience. 

  As my family and I approached the church, an usher greeted us with a warm hello and asked us if we would like to receive holy water. “Yes!” I replied and held my hands up as he placed a small amount of water in them so I could bless myself with The Sign of the Cross.  As I sat in the pew before Mass began, I was intrigued with a banner of St. Joseph near the altar.  St. Joseph held the child Jesus in one hand and the other hand was stretched out.  

  The deacon gave a very moving homily centered on the need for our hands to be held up in life, so that we may receive the graces God desires to bestow upon us.  Filled with God’s graces we would be equipped to lend a hand to those who needed our help.  If we walked through life with our hands in fists or our arms crossed tightly across our bodies, we would be unprepared to receive God’s graces and the gifts of the Holy Spirit  

  After receiving Communion my eyes were again drawn to the banner of St. Joseph.  St. Joseph held Jesus close to his heart with one hand, and the other hand was open to God’s plan. As I continued to pray I realized that I had just received Jesus in one hand, and I too, must keep my other hand open and available to God.  I felt overwhelmed with God’s Presence. He had inspired me to come and receive Him high up on these mountains.   I was in awe of the beautiful mountains He had created, but I felt more than experiencing the beauty around me; He needed me to hear this important message of love.  

  My stay on this mountain will not be long, but it will be remembered.  Refreshed and strengthened,  I will come down the mountain holding my hands up. In fact, my hands look so much different to me now.  I realize that God will touch my hands with graces.  God allows me the privilege of holding the Body of Christ in them.  Now as I look at my hands, they appear to be stronger and more beautiful than I have ever remembered.  

-Susan

  

Feast of the Nativity of Mary

"We become what we love

and who we love

shapes what we become"

St. Clare of Assisi

  Let us generously love our Heavenly Mother, for she does more for us than we could ever imagine. No soul has ever pleased God more than Mary's. The best present you could give her today is your heart.  Allow Mary to unwrap anything that stands in the way of you loving God, for it is Mary's desire to fill every heart with great love for God.

-Susan

 

Simply Beautiful

  

 One day when my granddaughter was visiting, she followed me into my bedroom. She looked at my bed and giggled. "What are they doing there?" she asked. She immediately jumped up on my bed and grabbed the plush dolls of Mary and Jesus.

 I smiled back as I sat next to her. "Well, I just feel better when Mary and Jesus are close to me. They make me smile, and they are fun to hug." We both laughed as I gave Jesus a hug.

 Later, when it was time for my granddaughter to go home, she grabbed the Mary doll, "I have to take her!" she announced.

 "You can," I said, "Just bring her back the next time you come." 

  My granddaughter brought the Mary doll back the following week. My daughter told me that Mary had joined them every night for prayers and my granddaughter went to sleep with the doll next to her. I couldn't have been happier. My granddaughter's loving relationship with Mary is already beginning.

 There are so many wonderful ways to share our faith with others. It doesn't have to be complicated. It doesn't require memorized passages from the Bible or the Catechism. The message just needs to be genuine and come from your heart. Now when my granddaughter goes into my room she says, "There they are!" and jumps up on my bed and plays with Jesus and Mary. I know in my heart that it is the beginning of something very beautiful.

 -Susan