I Feel the Spirit

Vacationing with God #7 -Basilica della Santa Casa, Loreto, Italy

  We had been driving down the western Italian coast towards Loreto that summer evening.  We had never been to Loreto before, and we hoped it would be easy to find as evening turned into night.  Our nerves were instantly soothed when we saw a beautiful basilica radiating light from it's mountain ridge.  Instantly, I smiled.  Like any good mother, Mary had left the light on for her children who were arriving late.
  The next morning we awoke anxious to discover the Basilica dell Santa Casa, the home of the Virgin Mary.  The basilica was very, very beautiful.  As you walked into the basilica the sides of the church were adorned with numerous pictures of saints all in large gold frames.  Again, I was not surprised that Mary would have pictures of all her children on display.  The duomo of this basilica was absolutely amazing with breathtaking murals.  The most endearing part of the basilica, of course, was in the center- the home of the Virgin Mary and later the Holy Family.  Legend states that the house was carried by angels from Nazareth to avoid destruction during the Holy Wars.

   

  I slowly stepped inside the home with great reverence.  It was an honor to be within the walls of this holy home.  Imagine what these walls had witnessed and encompassed-family meals, conversations, jokes, and prayer.  I felt joy and peace as I reached out and touched the walls that had been a witness to so much.  At one end of the room there was an ebony statue of Mary and baby Jesus.  I knelt before the statue and allowed the wonder of Mary to fill my heart.  Ave Maria!

-Susan

Getting to Church Isn't Always Easy

 A group of four individuals gathered in the middle of a beautiful garden in Heaven.  Flowers of every color scented the air with a touch of honeysuckle-rose. The four sat comfortably with each other, laughing and enjoying each other's company. Although each spoke a different language, they understood each other perfectly. 

  Philomena said, "I have been here almost two thousand years and I am stilled amazed and overjoyed with love every time I see Our Lord."

  "I know what you mean. Every day, I am grateful that I made the right choices during my earthly life." replied Charles. "Sometimes getting to mass was a challenge,  but when the Lord showed me all the graces He had bestowed upon me with each mass,  I cried like a baby.  I knew the Lord was good, but I didn't realize the extent to which He loved me.  If I had known then, I never would have complained while walking those three miles to mass each Sunday."
  Philomena smiled and nodded.  "There were a few times the Roman guards were watching my family so closely that I feared we would not make it to the catacombs alive to celebrate mass with the others."
  Marvin looked with admiration at Philomena.  "I never feared for my life when going to mass, except maybe in the winter," he said with a chuckle.  "It seemed I never had enough blankets to keep me warm while I encouraged the horses to keep pulling the carriage faster and closer to the church."
  George shook his head a little before he admitted, "You know I lived five minutes from my church.  I drove my well-equipped four door sedan in comfort every week to mass.  Do you want to know what I complained about on the way to church?  I  complained about being tired and wanting to sleep a little more.  I shake my head when I imagine what I might have missed just for an extra hour of sleep.  I am lucky that God loved me so much, and was always patient with me.  Like you, Charles, I cried with joy when I saw all the graces God had given me at each mass."
  "I guess that's why it is written, 'Eye has not seen, nor hear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.' " added Marvin.
  "Perhaps if the world understood the beauty of a soul touched by God's grace, every church in every nation would be filled to capacity." said Philomena.
  "I hope we all witness that one day," declared Charles. 
  "Praise God!" they all said in unison.

  

Happy Mother's Day!

       How does a child begin to thank their Mother for all the tender
       moments you spent patiently guiding me along the path?  

How can I thank you for wiping my tears when I was in pain, holding my hand when I was scared, and quietly sitting next to me when I was completely without words?  

How can I thank you for inspiring and teaching me to draw closer to our Lord? 

I don't think I know how, but I will spend all my days and all     eternity trying.  

         Happy Mother's Day,  

                 Mary!

                                                  Love,
                                                      Susan

Did You Get the Job Done?

    I often feel like I have so many things to do and not enough time to do them.  Sometimes I have to leave my children notes to take care of a few small things while I'm running around doing the necessary errands.  The notes usually include the jobs they know they have to do, but would rather avoid.  When I get home I always ask, "Did you get your jobs done?"  I wish I could say the answer was always "Yes", but that often is not the case.  Instead I will hear  excuses such as: "It's not my job."   "I did it last time." "I think somebody else should take care of it."  "It's not my mess so why should I have to clean it up?", etc. etc

  Before Jesus' Ascension into Heaven,  He gave us, His disciples, some very important last minute instructions.  Jesus has a job for each of us.  He said we would receive the power of the Holy Spirit and then we are to be witnesses to His life and teachings.  So, if Jesus came to your house and asked, "Did you get the job done?", what would your answer be?  Would you answer with a definite "Yes" or would there be a long explanation of why you didn't?


  Perhaps this would be a good time to slow down our hectic lives, put away all our excuses and ask the Holy Spirit to help us be better 
disciples of Christ.  Pentecost is just a week away.  Go find your own "Upper Room" and pray for a new awakening to the Holy

Spirit's Presence in your life.  Let us all individually pray that the Holy Spirit transforms each of us into powerful witnesses to Christ.  Then on Pentecost let's all come together and "renew the face of the earth" and share the gospel with others.
  Who's with me?

-Susan

Coloring With God

  Five year old Emily came over and sat on God's lap.  She had a coloring book and crayons with her.  She looked up at God and said, "God, do you want to color with me?"
  God gave Emily a big smile and answered, "Yes, child, I would love too!"
  Emily was very excited.  She could only imagine how beautiful her new coloring book would be if God colored one of the pages. This would be the best coloring book she ever owned and she imagined how she would take it to school and show all her friends. Emily carefully looked through her book and picked a page that contained two large Valentine hearts.  She thought this page would please God.  She carefully began to color her heart page first.  She tried very hard to stay in the lines so it would look pretty to God.  She wanted God to be proud of her.  
  She was almost done when she looked with anticipation at God.  "Aren't you going to color your page?" she asked.
  "Of course I am." He replied.
  Emily watched as God picked out several different crayons.  He held them all at once and then colored over the entire page.  Emily looked at the scribbling and was very disappointed.  She looked at God and said, "You are not very good at staying in the lines."
  God laughed and said, "You're right.  When it comes to love,  I can not contain myself to boundaries.  I desire to spread my love over everything!"
  Emily smiled, kissed God on the cheek, and then began scribbling all over her page as well.  When she was done she looked back at God and said, "Look I want to be just like you.  I'm not going to let any lines hold back my love either!"


--Susan

One on One Time With Mom

  May is one the special months dedicated to the Virgin Mary.  I feel fortunate that my parish always celebrates Mary with a Living Rosary and May Crowning.  I remember how proud I felt when Theresa was  asked to crown Mary.  As a mother,  I try my best to guide my children in their faith life.  I like to share my experiences and understanding of our Lord.  That is my role as a mother, and that is also Mary’s role as our spiritual mother. 

   Mary is the quiet whisper that encourages you to walk with courage and faith when you are worn and tired.  Mary is the sweet melody that echoes “Love my Son”.  Mary is the hand holding ours as we walk into church and the gentle reminder that calls us to prayer.  Knowing that I can always turn to my mother for help and wisdom is a great comfort and source of inner strength for me.

  I would like to encourage everyone to spend some extra time with our mother this month.  She does so much of us, things we don’t even realize.  Every mother cherishes a hug and an “I love you” from their child, and I’m sure that is quite true of Mary as well. I, myself, am looking forward to spending some special one-on-one time with Mom.

-Susan