Seek His Heart

 

  Every night I pray for peace. Every morning I listen to the news and realize how far we are from living in harmony. I often wonder why we find it so difficult to live in peace as a community, a nation, or a world. Sometimes I wonder if Jesus will ask this question of each of us after we pass from this world? Did our hearts, thoughts, or words seek His truth and love? 

 I know my own heart is flawed. Without the grace of God, I am motivated by self-love rather than the merciful heart of our Savior. So every night after I pray for peace, I also thank God for the gift of the Sacraments. I don't go to Mass because I have to. I go because I desperately need His graces, especially those I receive in the Eucharist. I am not the most intelligent person, but if the Lord desires to so generously share His love with me, I am smart enough to run to Him, open my heart, and beg to be filled.

 God's graces are for everyone! His love has no limits! Even though my heart is flawed, I know He can heal me. I only need to immerse myself in His heart to discover the peace I desperately desire.

-Susan

  

Happy Father's Day!

 

  I wanted to wish all the fathers a Happy Father's Day! Part of my experience every Father's Day was picking out the perfect card. I would search for the card to say, "You're the World's Greatest Dad!"  "You're the Best!" "I could never say thank you enough!" So many cards say this because so many of us feel that way about our Dads. My Dad wasn't perfect, but he was the perfect Dad for me.

  I am confident that St. Joseph was the perfect earthly father for Jesus. God chose someone who was faithful, just, and devoted. Joseph trusted God's Plan without knowing any of the details. Imagine the personal strength Joseph must have had to protect his infant son from being hurt by enemies for years. He probably never felt like he could take a day off and rest. 

  When my siblings and I get together, we often laugh at some of my Dad's idiosyncrasies. We all have our favorite memories of our Dad. He was a father that could make us laugh, wipe away our tears, and help us become the child of God we were born to be. I imagine today, Jesus is sharing some of his favorite stories about St. Joseph with those in heaven.

 I look forward to the day I will be at the table listening to Jesus laughing and retelling some of His favorite stories of St. Joseph! I bet those "hidden years"  were filled with love and laughter. Happy Father's Day!

-Susan

 

Vacationing With God #15-Bascilica di Santo Antonio, Padova Italy

 

  I have always been drawn to St. Anthony. He has always felt like a dear friend to me. Do I ask for his intercession when I lose things? Definitely more times than I would like to admit, but that's not why he is one of my favorite saints., but rather his commitment to preaching the gospel. He was a fantastic preacher! So, with the feast day of St. Anthony being June 13th, I thought I would share my experience of visiting the Basilica di Santo Antonio in Italy.

 The basilica is beautiful, with large frescoes depicting the life of St. Anthony. However, it was not the artwork that made my heart race. The moment I walked into the basilica, I felt like I had entered a good friend's home. There is no mistaking Saint Anthony's presence. I wish I could explain it more clearly, but my heart felt warm as if I had just been embraced by a close friend. I prayed by his tomb and then by the relics displayed behind the glass enclosure. His holy tongue and vocal cords still remain intact hundreds of years later. I imagined how amazing it would have been to listen to St Anthony teach and preach with the power of the Holy Spirit! He touched the lives of so many during his lifetime and still continues to do so.

 I would like to share a portion of one of St. Anthony's prayers. "You who made the darkness and the light put forth your hand and touch my mouth. Make it like a sharp sword to utter eloquently your words, make my tongue, O Lord, like a chosen arrow to declare faithfully your wonders. Put your Spirit, O Lord, in my heart that I may perceive. Put it in my soul that I may retain. Put it in my conscience that I may meditate. Lovingly, holily, mercifully, clemently, and gently inspire me with Your grace."  There is no doubt that God answered "yes" to his prayer.  

-Susan

Pentecost!

 

  "There appeared to them tongues of fire. The Spirit came and rested on each one of them." It was personal. One-on-one. And they began to speak in different languages as the Spirit enabled them. 

 The Holy Spirit isn't looking for a one size fits all experience. The Holy Spirit is looking for a very personal one-on-one relationship. The Holy Spirit wants to be connected to each of us. We must recognize that we are not flying solo through life. Jesus promised he would be with us, and He is. He gives us His body in the Eucharist and His Spirit in Baptism. Jesus pours His divine love into us. So why don't we always feel Spirit-filled?

 Perhaps it's just because we are better at looking outward rather than inward. The Holy Spirit dwells in us. Sure we would like to see tongues of fire and feel powerful winds when we pray, but the outward signs are the exception and not the norm. The inward signs should help us recognize the Holy Spirit. The burning in your heart to pray, help, and speak out. A sudden moment of inspiration or clarity that changes everything. The ability to love and forgive through your pain. The strength and courage it takes to fight loneliness, injustice, and loss come from the Holy Spirit. 

The apostles did not walk around with tongues of fire over their heads throughout their ministry. That outward sign changed them once and forever. Once they recognized the power of the Holy Spirit, the inward movements changed them and the world. And so it is with us. The sacraments are the outward signs that invite us into a deeper, closer relationship with Jesus. The Holy Spirit is as powerful to us today as 2000 years ago. Each of us can change the face of the earth. How? Turn inward. Pray to the Holy Spirit. Close your eyes and see things the Holy Spirit wants you to see and let Him change you.

-Susan