Ash Wednesday

 

  Today, we begin another season of Lent!  Are you ready?  So many times I hear people singing the Lenten blues, "I don't know what to give up?" And although Lent is a time of fasting and self-sacrifice, it is also a time to renew and reinvigorate our relationship with Jesus.  Growing closer to Jesus should ignite a desire in our hearts.  Jesus didn't spend three years down in the dumps, wishing Good Friday would come and go so He could get on with His life.  No.  Jesus laughed, prayed, and spent time with friends. He hoped His example of love would inspire others to a deeper understanding of the Father. Jesus' sacrifice is life-giving.  We should embrace this time, praying for a deeper understanding and commitment to God.

  This Lent, I will start a series called The Beloved Disciple.  It is the name the apostle John uses to refer to himself in his gospel.  It is also a name he hoped each of us would embrace.  John's understanding of who Jesus is began in shallow waters on the Sea of Galilee and grew throughout his life.  He could call himself the beloved disciple because, by the end of his life, he knew Jesus deep in his soul.

  This Lent, let us follow John's life as he draws near to his teacher, his friend, and our God.

The Best "I Love You" On the Planet

 

  A friend asked me if I had plans for Valentine's Day. I replied, "I'm going to Mass."

  She shrugged and said, "Yeah, I'm not doing anything special either."

  She looked genuinely confused when I said, "Oh, I think I have really special plans." I thought about this later that day. When did worshiping God become just an ordinary activity? I love God, and I love the Mass! An opportunity to catch a glimpse of heaven at the altar of my home church is truly incredible! As I gaze at the large crucifix hanging on the wall, I am filled with love. I am moved not by the love in my heart, but by the love in Christ's heart. He knows all my sins and flaws, and yet He chose to die for me. Knowing I would stumble many times along the way, He still calls me to come closer.

  Jesus looks directly into my soul and says, "I want you to have the very best of Me." Like a child begging for candy, I hold my empty hands stretched out toward Him. The Lord then gives me everything--His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity!  This pure gift of love has no rivals.  Nothing even comes close. It is the best "I love you" on the planet! And in my opinion, it is the perfect way to spend Valentine's Day. I can't think of anything more special!

-Susan

God's Awesome Generosity

 

  Today, my youngest granddaughter will be baptized!  I'm so excited! She will be cleansed of all sin, become a child of God, a member of the Church, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit!  What an incredible day! Could our Lord be any more generous?  Well, the answer to this is yes! This is just the beginning.  The graces my granddaughter will receive today and in the sacraments to come are incredible!

  Unfortunately, I sometimes can take God's generosity for granted. But when big events occur,  I believe it's important to reflect on God's goodness. Jesus came to usher in the Kingdom of God so that we could all benefit.  The Kingdom is more than a physical place that one can visit. Through the Church, the Kingdom extends to the ends of the earth and resides in the hearts of the baptized. Once baptized, God chooses to dwell within us through the Holy Spirit.  God's love is perfect, and He is always with us! In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we are loved beyond measure! After being showered with all His love, how could our hearts not fall in love with God too?!

  God, you are an awesome God! Thank you for loving me so much! Each day, open my eyes to your Presence, and open my heart to love you more. Let your Kingdom grow deep roots in my soul, and let your living water produce a bountiful harvest within me to share with the world.

-Susan

Rejoice In The Lord Always

 

  Have you ever experienced one of those moments of utter disappointment, and you thought to yourself, "I really thought things would have turned out better." I wish I could say that thought was unfamiliar to me, but it has surfaced here and there throughout my life. I was counseling someone once, and I said, "If you put God first in your life, everything else will fall into place."  They looked me straight in the eye and said, "Yeah, look how that's worked out for you." Ouch.

  I am the first to admit that my life isn't perfect. But I am also the first to acknowledge that I could never have overcome my disappointments without trusting in God's love. I believe that's why the Beatitudes are such a breath of fresh air. Jesus reminds us that God is always with us. Even when we are struggling, God is doing something in our lives. The world may not see it, and we may not notice, but God's hand is holding us up, and His breath gives us the courage and strength to keep going.

  As I was headed for Mass today, one of my favorite Christian songs,  "Good God Almighty" by Crowder, came on. I smiled, turned up the volume, and sang as loudly as I could. I'll share a couple of lines so you get the idea:

  "Good God Almighty/ I hope you find me/ Praising Your name no matter what comes/ Cause I know where I"d be without mercy/ So I keep praising Your name at the top of my lungs." (song by Crowder 2021)

  Through the highs and definitely through the lows, keep praising God. Put God first, and everything else will fall into place.

-Susan