It's Definitely Possible

 

  I've been planning an upcoming summer vacation in the mountains. I always check out the local Catholic churches and their Masses ahead of time.  I was shocked to discover that the churches were not that close and that there was only one Mass time.  It made me realize how fortunate I am.  In my hometown, I have at least seven churches within fifteen minutes of me, each offering multiple Masses. The Church may be flourishing where I live, but there is still much work to be done.

  As we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus into heaven, my thoughts turn to the apostles' faith. They were given a task that seemed almost impossible — to share the Gospel throughout the world. Without the help of the Holy Spirit, this task would have been impossible, but the gift of the Holy Spirit opens the heart to God in ways beyond our comprehension.  Everything is possible!

  Let's all continue spreading the Gospel. The Holy Spirit is as strong today as He was for the apostles. Let's spend the next week in prayer with Mary.  Let's pray that God opens our eyes to see who else needs to hear the Good News.  It's possible you may not even have to venture more than fifteen minutes from your home. You can do this! The Holy Spirit dwells in you.  Your faith can move mountains and people, too!

-Susan

When Jesus Walks In

  

  I enjoy reading the Sunday Gospel to prepare for Mass. The Baptism of Jesus is one of my favorites!  I love all the imagery in this setting-the Spirit of God descending upon Jesus, the voice of God proclaiming His love for His Son, and Jesus blessing the waters of Baptism for all of us.  I have to admit, I also like the little interaction between John the Baptist and Jesus. John the Baptist is preaching and baptizing sinners. He fully understands his mission, and then... Jesus walks in. At first, John is reluctant to baptize Jesus. In John's eyes, this doesn't make sense, but Jesus reassures John to trust in God's Plan.

  How many times in my life have I had a similar conversation with Jesus?  "Jesus, is this really the Plan? I didn't see it going this way.  How is that supposed to work?  I don't really understand this." These questions rarely provide quick clarity. Instead, they often lead to more prayer, where I feel Jesus gently prompting my heart with the words, "Trust Me."

  As we pull out our new 2026 calendars to plan, remember that God also has plans for us. It might be wise to pray about these first.  It's okay to pencil in our own ideas, as long as we remember that some may need to be erased or adjusted by God's plan. It is through obedience and trust that the Spirit will come upon us and we will hear God's voice.

-Susan

A Son Is Given To Us

 

 

 I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas!  I love that Christmas is a whole season and not just a single day. I really enjoy the days after Christmas. All the busy, running around town is over, and the Christmas peace, which is what I truly wanted for Christmas, finds me. As I gaze upon my manger, I am so grateful that I opened the door to Mary and Joseph again this year.  They came and placed the Christ Child into my home. My heart overflows with joy and love. With Elizabeth I ponder the incredible blessing, “ And how does this happen to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me,” and share the Son of God with me?

 "For a child is born to us, a son given to us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful..." (Isaiah 9: 5-6). I hope you all continue to enjoy the blessings of this Christmas.

-Susan

You Can Bank On It

 

  My kids and I were sitting around the kitchen snack bar when a bank commercial came on TV. The bank's name started with the letters "JE" and ended with an "S". My son laughed and said, "Oh, I thought that said Jesus Bank." 

  We all laughed at his comment, and I replied, "I'm glad you see Jesus in everything!" Then I started thinking...what would a Jesus bank be like?  That sounds like the kind of bank I would want to belong to

  I imagine that a Jesus bank would have vast deposits of faith. This family bank has existed for thousands of centuries and is known for its loyalty. Built on the cornerstone of love, you can trust every promise made to you. Everyone's saving grace accounts would be freely given and yield a high return. Bonuses are often awarded for good works and acts of charity.  A checking account of actual grace is linked to the savings grace account for those daily situations when extra help is needed.  This bank becomes personally invested in everything you do, and its doors are open to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  No matter what stage of life you're at, the Jesus Bank is committed to being there for you always. 

  Would I bank at this bank?  Absolutely! I would bank on Jesus every day of my life, and every day in eternity!

-Susan

No Fear Lives Here

 

  It's that time of year when haunted houses pop up everywhere. Sometimes it's the neighbor a few houses down, and sometimes it's a paid attraction. I have little interest in adding fear and anxiety to my life. I would much rather walk into a house where the peace of Christ surrounds me.

  Imagine living in a world that doesn't want to increase our fears but instead takes them away. Imagine a world where people turn to God and trust His wisdom and love. Imagine a world where Jesus, Mary, and the saints walk among us and guide our steps. Imagine a world where everyone gathers in prayer, and your faith grows because of your neighbor's prayer. Imagine a world where the Gospel is not just a story in a book, but the driving force behind all your decisions. 

  This is the world I want in to live in.  It sounds heavenly, and it is entirely possible.  Jesus gives us His divine life and soul in every Eucharist we receive.  Jesus said, "I came that they may have life and have it more abundantly." Jesus came to establish God's Kingdom here on Earth. There is no lock on the door to the Kingdom.  Jesus has flung the gates wide open. Don't let any fears hold you back.  Why celebrate your love of fear when you can celebrate the love of Christ?

-Susan

What Path Are You On?

   

  Many years ago, when Maps was a new app on my phone, my family and I had a funny experience. Our vacation was over, and we were heading to the airport. My son entered the airport information. As we drove down the expressway, I saw signs for the airport. "Should I get off here?" I asked my son.

  "No.  Just keep following maps.  It always finds the quickest route."  

  We drove for several more miles following the directions from "Maps." After taking a few more turns down what looked like a back road, the voice announced, "You have arrived. Your destination is on the left. Be prepared to walk two minutes." Stunned, we all looked to our left. Behind a very tall fence were the airport runways. We were close to the airport, but definitely not in the right place. What were we supposed to do? Abandon the car, climb over the fence, and run across the runways?! We can laugh about it now, but it was incredibly frustrating at the time. Circling back definitely put us on a time crunch.

  I share this story because I want everyone to check their path this week. Today's world offers many popular options.  Some paths will definitely lead you away from God.  Some will get you close.  But are you on the path that will get you inside the gates? Double-check the voice of scripture and listen to His guidance. God has a very beautiful, intentional path designed just for you.  Make sure the voice you are hearing is His. And don't short-change yourself on time; be sure you have plenty of time to correct for mistakes. 

 So let's double-check our position and direct our hearts toward heaven. God wants everyone to make it back home. In fact, He's waiting for us with open arms.

-Susan

Keep Striving

 

  I have a running game with the children I teach at the church. I bring to mind a previous Gospel story we discussed, share four statements about it, and ask them which one is correct. I make the game easy for them, so everyone will win a prize.  Last week, however, I was surprised by how many children answered the question incorrectly.  I thought the answer was very obvious.  While preparing for this week, I decided to quiz one of my sons with my question.  Again, I believed the answer was clear.  He said," Well, I think number two is the correct answer. 'If we want to be followers of Jesus, we need to make God our number one priority',  but I don't think number four is wrong."

  I look at the fourth statement.  It read, "There is nothing hard about being a follower of Jesus.  It's super easy." My eyebrows and voice raised at the same time. "You think being a Christian is easy? Really?  I certainly don't."

  "Yes, it is, " he answered.

  "So you have no problem with the ten commandments, forgiving others,  praying for your enemies, or being kind to those who mistreat you? What about always being honest? How's that going for you? Or proclaiming the Gospel to others?"

  My son started laughing. "Ok, I see your point."

  This week, ask yourself, "Which of Jesus' teachings do you find most difficult?"  Spend some time in prayer with the Holy Spirit discussing it.  For most of us, following Jesus is challenging.  It's challenging but not impossible.  The Holy Spirit will give us the necessary graces, but we must do the work and stay committed.

  Now that I have given this question more thought, I have decided to change the fourth statement.  Now it will read, "Following Jesus is impossible, and no one can do it."  That statement should be clearly wrong to all my students, and with the Holy Spirit's help, I will pray that anyone who has walked away from the faith will realize this as well. There is a prize to be won, and Jesus wants everyone to obtain it.

-Susan

The Bridge

 

-Susan

Oh, His Light!

  

 My sister and I went on a girls' trip to Antelope Canyon in Arizona earlier this year. We were lucky enough to take three different tours of the canyons: one by boat and two separate hikes. The canyons were breathtaking and mesmerizing.  Depending on the sunlight filtering through, the canyons looked completely different.  You could stand in one spot and turn 360 degrees, watching the color intensity shift before your eyes. I took picture after picture trying to capture their beauty, but I fell short of doing it justice.

  Faith can be like that, too. Feeling God's love is incredible! Then God reveals a little more, and you are even more amazed. As you turn to focus on His mercy, you can't even fully grasp it! As you try to share this experience and describe God's love to someone else, your words fall short because you can't truly capture how He has touched your life and changed your heart. His beauty can't be contained in just one conversation or thousands of books. His Light transforms everything! God is the adventure of a lifetime, and we are all lucky enough to experience it!

-Susan

Listen Carefully

 

  Last week, I was shopping for a new rocking recliner. With the arrival of another beautiful grandchild, I thought it would be a good idea. I found the perfect chair until I looked at the price tag. I guess it had been a while since I bought my last rocking recliner, and needless to say, prices have increased. I remember the saleswoman telling me there were additional chairs on the other side of the store. I wondered if they would be more affordable. Disappointed, I strolled over to the other side. I told myself it would take an unexpected windfall to afford a new chair. 

  As I went to try another chair, I saw something interesting sticking out of the side of the cushion.  It was a wallet with an outside money clip filled with money! I laughed, thinking, "Wow, my wishes usually don't come true like this."  I immediately turned in the wallet, knowing the owner would soon panic over its disappearance.

  When I returned home and told my daughter the story, she laughed and said, "You know, Mom, if it wasn't for your morals, you would be sitting in a new chair."

  "I'd rather have my morals."

  "What if that was God's way of helping you?' my daughter teased.

  "I don't think that's the way God works.  But that is how someone else works, and I don't like being trapped in his lies."

  I share this story because we live in a world filled with many voices, opinions, and versions of the truth.  There is, however, one Truth.  Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)  Consider how valuable the Truth is.  It is the path that leads to the Father.  Avoid any shortcuts or alternate routes.  Know the voice you are listening to and stay on the path leading to Eternity.

-Susan