If you could, Would you?

If you could,
Would you?

If you could be told the date, time, place and method of your death, would you want to know?
Would you want to know if you would face death alone or be held in the warm embrace of your family?
Would this knowledge impact your life?  Would you seek to change?  Would you look for
God or live with abandonment, not caring what you did, only seeking worldly pleasures before you died?
If you knew that, as you walked out the door that morning,  you would never return home again, would you walk out that door?  If you knew that tomorrow you would die, what would you do?

Other than this moment, this second, we are not guaranteed another moment of life.  Do you praise God and thank Him for His great gift  of life?  As I have aged, I have come to realize what an amazing gift life is.  I have been given so many chances to right the wrongs.  Each day gives me that gift.  Each day I am granted the opportunity to grow closer to God, to live in His ways and in His truths. 

When I visit with young couples today, especially those who are pregnant, I am always amazed when I ask if they know the sex of their child and they answer, "No, we want it to be a surprise."
If I could have known the sex of my children before they were born, there would have been no yellow walls, no yellow clothing.  I would have celebrated their births with appropriate themes and colors.  So, I am surprised at this response, but this is birth, not death.

The truth is we are all born to die, but we are also born to love God and live to the fullest extent that we can.  We must navigate our way through the hurdles and challenges of each day as we seek to fulfill what most people don't realize is an inborn longing for God and a return to Him.  Is that statement a surprise?  We are all born with a desire to return to our Creator. 

When a child is conceived, that tiny infant has a craving for God imprinted on its soul.  At that stage of development, the child is not aware of this, but it is there.   As we age, we have that same desire for God.  Too often the desires of the world, presented by satan and his minions, block out the desire for God and God becomes an imaginary creature, a fairy tale.  Yet, even in a soul enthralled with the world, this spark, this desire for God is there.  In the end, most souls look for what they missed during their lives. 

In the movie, "Gravity," the character that Sandra Bullock plays is convinced she is going to die.
She is talking to a monitor that has just died in her space craft and she says, "I'd say a prayer for myself, but no one taught me how."  That inborn longing for God, though weak, is still there. 

Would you want to know the what, when, where,why and how of your death?  I'm not sure, but I'm more inclined, like so many perspective parents today, to be surprised.  I hope to make course corrections, to walk back in God's ways even when I fall off the path and into grave sin.  Each new day is a gift.  However, if I knew that this moment, this hour would be my last, I would want to hug my children and to thank God for the gift of them to me.  Do I want to know everything about my future?  I'm not sure.  How do you feel about this?

Saint John Paul II

Hebrews 10: 16

7 Quick Takes:: Papal Speak

--- 1 ---

"Find new ways to spread the word of God to every corner of the world."
Pope Francis

--- 2 ---

"It often happens that I wake up at night and begin to think about a serious problem and decide I must tell the Pope about it. Then I wake up completely and remember that I am the Pope."
Pope John XXIII

--- 3 ---

"Anybody can be Pope; the proof of this is that I have become one."
Pope John XXIII

--- 4 ---

"I have looked into your eyes with my eyes. I have put my heart near your heart."
Pope John XXIII

--- 5 ---

"Stupidity is also a gift of God, but one mustn't misuse it."
Pope John Paul II

--- 6 ---

"War is a defeat for humanity."
Pope John Paul II

--- 7 ---

"Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song."
Pope John Paul II

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

30 Wore Thursday:: John 2:1-7

"Do Whatever He Tells You."

"On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.  Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.  When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”  And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.”  His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”  Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.  Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim."

John 2: 1-7

 

Of course, this is more than 30 words, but what else is new?

 

A Guided Journey into the Tomb

Go into your quiet place and pray.

Jesus said:: “But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Matthew 6: 6

Entering the Tomb. (An exercise in quiet prayer.)

Kneeling or sitting in a quiet place, close your eyes.

Breathe in and out several times to settle yourself down.

Keeping your eyes closed, ask God to open your heart to Him.

Begin to visualize the quiet place of the Tomb.

Hear the angel roll the stone away.

Very slowly, enter the darkened tomb.

Smell the dampness of the tomb.

Breathe slowly and evenly.

See a dim light in the room as the angels guard the body of our Savior.

Feel the dirt floor as kneel in homage to the Lamb of God.

Touch the cold earth with your hands. 

Taste the fragrance of the air as the heavenly smell exudes from the still body of Jesus.

Bow in homage to our God.

You are now in the quiet place of the tomb.

Sit in silence as you contemplate the Passion of Jesus.

When your time is over in the tomb begin your journey out of the tomb.

Bow in homage to Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

Breathe slowly.

Thank the Father for this grace to pray in this quiet place.

Praise God for His gift of Jesus.

Breathing slowly open your eyes.

Sit for a few moments in peace and gratitude.

*****This exercise works beautifully during Eucharistic Adoration, too!*****

101 Reasons Why God is AWESOME!!!!

He is God!
He loves us!
He will never forget us.
He will always forgive us if we ask Him.
He has carved us in the palm of His Hand.
He sent His only begotten Son so that we might have eternal life.
He knows what we will think before we think it.
He has prepared a place for us in Heaven.
He gives us all we need.
He is our strength.
He is our armor.
He can do no wrong.
He forgives us our sins, and they are forgotten.
He is our shepherd.
He gave us free will to chose Him or not.
He's got our backs.
He is the Bread of Life.
He died for us.
He is our creator.
He is the source of life.
He keeps His promises to us.
He is the Living Bread.
He heals us.
He has counted every hair on our heads.
He has given us an angel guardian.
He chose to be born of a woman and live among us.
He gave us His Mother as our Mother.
He will never leave us.
He is always willing to take us back even after we stumble and fall.
He lived like us.
He was tempted like us.
He felt pain and sorrow like us.
He is our Father and our Brother.
He sent us the Paraclete, the third person of the Trinity.
He is our Counselor.
He is our Redeemer.
He is the great I AM.
He leads us through the valley of death.
He is the greatest.  There is no one like Him.
He died for us.
He fulfilled the covenant.
He gave us His Body and Blood.
He bore our sins on the cross that we might live.
He is the God of wonders.
He can do anything.
He can do everything,
He is holy. 
He is the Alpha and the Omega.
He is the beginning and the end.
His love for us is unending. 
He is love.
He inspires.
He guides.
He died on the cross for us.
He forgave His tormentors.
He forgave His executioners.
He gave us eternal life, and we can choose where we spend it.
He lived among us both human and Divine.
He established His church to fulfill the covenant.
He taught us how to pray.
He earned His living as a carpenter.
His burden is easy.
His yolk is light.
His heart is Sacred.
He is always with us.
He hears our prayers.
He has a plan for each of us.
He has given each of us a mission.
He was human.
He was divine.
He created everything and it was good.
He is the source of all blessings.
He is all that is sacred.
He is all the is Holy.
He is the promised Messiah.
He is the fulfillment of the covenant.
He carries us when we cannot walk.
He gives us strength.
He is the giver of life.
He is the source of salvation.
He is our intercessor before the Throne of the Father.
He is our deliverer.
He stands before the Father as Mercy.
He is the font of all Mercy.
His Mercy is unending.
He is the Sheep Gate.
He is the Door.
He is the God of Justice.
He is the Giver of all that is good.
He gives us all that we need.
He is the God of Abraham.
He is the God of Jacob.
He is the God of all.
He Author of all that is holy.
He is the Eucharist.
He is present in the Monstrance for us to adore.
He gave us the 10 Commandments.
He has prepared a home for us in heaven.
He showed His Mercy with the gift of Purgatory.
He is the Divine Healer.
He is.

What Does the Priest See From the Altar?

Mr. Jones already sleeping in the back of the church.
A mentally ill man trying to give someone a dollar.
Eyes shut during the homily.
Someone putting away their hymnal during the song.
Someone busy writing during the homily.
A teen aged girl in a  low cut tank top and tight jeans.
Two women glaring at each other across the church.
Two men holding hands thinking no one can see.
Many Empty pews.
People rolling their eyes when someone sings off key and loud.
People moving from the front to the back.
A family arriving late during the Mass. 
Someone playing games on their smart phone.
Two people leaving Mass early.
An active group in the back talking.

And if the priest sees so much lack of reverence,
Remember,
God sees all and His Heart aches.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Luke 1: 46-49

7 Quick Takes This Week- Rain, Rain, Go Away!!!!

--- 1 ---

Rain! Rain! Go Away!!!  We are now going on 5 straight days of rain with more to come.  Living in South Central Minnesota, this is not the norm for this time of year.  I just drove past our main drive which is up a big hill.  The road was closed today because a large tree had fallen and was covering the entire road.  As I write this, the thunder has started again, and the rain is pounding on the roof.  My deck, which is covered, and had some rotted wood that was replaced the day before the rain began, is a concern because water is pooling in this area.  I have been sweeping the water off daily, but the wood is still very wet.

--- 2 ---

The rain brings out some interesting bugs.  I have no idea what they are, but they are pretty.  I love red!  I think these critters have a face only a mother could love.  I also think this bug would make a beautiful bead! 

--- 3 ---

The milkweeds are budding now.  I found one bud that will be open soon.  Milkweeds, which are often considered a weed, have one of the more fragrant blossoms I have ever had the opportunity to inhale.  I often wonder if these flowers are treasured in heaven because of their fragrance.  Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on the leaves.  My neighbor takes some of these leaves and helps the monarchs to hatch.  Last year, she “raised” 8 monarchs from the egg to the caterpillar to the butterfly.  These monarchs feed on the milkweed leaves, so Sandy was over taking leaves for to feed her babies.

--- 4 ---

This rain is wonderful for the rhubarb!  I have yet to make some rhubarb sauce, jam, or pie.  One of these days, I have to slow down, pull the rhubarb, and make some wonderful treats from this fruit or vegetable.  I also want to freeze some for the winter.  What a special treat!

--- 5 ---

The rosemary is benefiting from the rain.  I can hardly wait to harvest the rosemary.  Fresh dried rosemary is succulent.  I plan to bring the plant in to enjoy it’s harvest in the winter.  Fresh rosemary is even better than dried.  Other than rhubarb pie, I can’t think of a more delicious winter treat.

--- 6 ---

I am a bit disappointed.  The roses, although this one is beautiful, are very sparse this year.  I’m not sure why they flowers are so sparse, but the buds that do bloom are beautiful.  I love roses!  Our Blessed Mother has told the visionaries at Medjugorje that yellow roses are her favorite.  I don’t have yellow roses, but I do love pink roses.  I hope she approves!!!

--- 7 ---

I am a bit disappointed.  The roses, although this one is beautiful, are very sparse this year.  I’m not sure why they flowers are so sparse, but the buds that do bloom are beautiful.  I love roses!  Our Blessed Mother has told the visionaries at Medjugorje that yellow roses are her favorite.  I don’t have yellow roses, but I do love pink roses.  I hope she approves!!!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

30 Words Thursday:: Matthew 6: 25-30

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin,

yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? "

I know.  This is way over the 30 word limit, but this passage is so beautiful and relevant,

I had to use the entire passage.

oooooops!

55 Reasons Why I Need God

I need to know Your presence here, Lord.
I need to know You are here with me, especially in moments when I feel rejected, disappointed.
I need to know I can trust You, Lord.
I need Your graces to strengthen and fortify me.
I need the sweetness of Your healing balm in my soul.
I need healing, strength, and compassion.
I need to know where I fit in this scheme of Yours.
I need the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
I need to feel Your love.
I need to trust You, Lord.
I need to feel the strength of Your armor around me, Lord.
I need reassurance that, no matter what, all will be well.
I need to know that You are with me in the trials and storms.
I need to know that You trust me in my mission on earth.
I need to know your glory and strength.
I need to appreciate Your creations.
I need the graces to love all of Your children.
I need Your strength and compassion.
I need Your love and kindness.
I need Your gift of compassion.
I need the gift of Your love.
I need to embrace the crosses You send me.
I need to join my sufferings to Yours in the garden.
I need to walk Your way of the cross with You.
I need to drink of Your cup with joy.
I need to be filled with Your joy.
I need focus on You as I travel the path You have chosen for me.
I need to reach out to others and be Your Hands, Your feet, Your eyes, Your Heart.
I need to adore and worship You, as You deserve.
I need to forsake sin.
I need to love without conditions.
I need to be joy to others.
I need to see You in everyone.
I need to pray, honor and afore You.
I need to use my gifts in the service of others.
I need to be grateful to You for all Your gifts.
I need to sing Your praises.
I need to forgive unconditionally.
I need to love me.
I need to love You above all else.
I need to love all of Your children as I love me.
I need to hear Your voice in my heart.
I need to hear the gentleness of Your Sacred Heart beating in my ear.
I need to join with the angels and saints praising You.
I need to open My heart to You.
I need to feel Your Presence in the dark, sacred nights.
I need to be still and silent to hear Your voice.
I need to let go and fall into the deep chasm of Your love.
I need to pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
I need to pray with my intercessors in heaven.
I need to sit in Your Holy Presence in silence.
I need to abandon that which keeps me from You.
I need to be repentant.
I need the sacrament of confession.
I need You.

Lord, Let Me Be...

Lord,
Let me be a source of grace for others.
Let me be the one who helps you carry your cross.
As I plunge into the depths of the ocean and the desert,
I am alone, abandoned, rejected.
You withdraw, too!!!
My pain is covered by the salve of Your Precious Blood and Sacred,
Beating heart.
My pain is silent except for the screams that
No one hears,
That no one wants to hear.
Lord, come to my aid.
I offer this up to You.
Let me be a source of grace.
May souls be won for you.
I give myself to you.
Amen.

Psalm 37: 3

On Saturdays, We Honor, Mary, the Mother of God!

7 Quick Takes This Week!

--- 1 ---

Some weeks are topsy turvy.  Believe me, when you ask the Holy Spirit to shake up your life, He will not decline that invitation.  I've learned that it's all about TRUST.  TRUST.  TRUST.  ALWAYS TRUST. The Holy Spirit will calm and guide us, and all we have to do is TRUST! 

--- 2 ---

Pentecost was most eventful.  I cantored at the 11:30 Mass.  I had the songs down, or so I thought, but the Holy Spirit was determined to teach me HUMILITY.  I made more mistakes singing than I have since I began to cantor.  However, God does send His consolations.  As I walked to the car  to put my things away before the afternoon activities, I saw this on a license plate::

IT'S OKAY

 I thought that was very nice of Him.  Thank You, God.  Thank You!

 --- 3 ---

I made history at church this week!  I became the first person, male or female, to be photographed for the church directory with pink hair!

I can hardly wait for the book to be finished!

  --- 4 ---

 Pixie, my dog, is fine.  We were afraid that she was very ill since her platelet count had dropped dramatically.  I took her back to the vet today, which she didn't like, but the vet noted that her platelets were still low, then, she remembered that unlike other dogs, greyhounds have, what would be considered, a low platelet count compared to other dogs.  Pixie is just fine.  Thank you, Jesus!

--- 5 ---

I designed a new set of beads that I actually like.  I used polymer clay to make these beads. 
They aren't finished yet.
I still need to add some coloring to them.
I used a lot of texture because I wanted them to look like broken pieces of coral.  I think I like them.

Thank You, Holy Spirit for the inspiration! 








 --- 6 ---

We've actually had a couple of "fall" like days.  Makes me wonder where summer went, but it's been a cold spring, and, so far, a cool summer.  

I'm not complaining.  I remember those frigid days of winter.

Way too cold for me.

Yet, the cycle of seasons, from one to another, is normal and natural.  

I think of 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;  

a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up; 

 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 

 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away; 

 a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 

 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

 

--- 7 ---

 Pray for Peace!

Pray for Pope Francis!

Pray for Priests!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Life is...

Life is God’s love for us, our sorrows, our joys, our hopes, our dreams, our sufferings, our journey.  It’s all about God’s love for us.

God’s will is love.  When we pray, “May His Holy Will be done,” we pray for love.  Just as a parent loves a child, so God’s love for us is there:: Molding us. Forming us. Feeding us. Nurturing us. Sending graces to help us survive the trials of this world.  God’s love focuses on the love we will inherit in eternity.

God’s ways are not our ways.  When pain and sufferings plague us, God’s loving arms reach out to embrace us in His Most Sacred Heart.  They lift us up when we stumble.  They carry us when we cannot walk.  They lift the weight of the cross off our shoulders as did Simon the Cyrene when he shouldered Jesus’ cross, only more.

When trials encircle us and rip our hearts to shreds, God waits for us.  He knows us so well that before we can utter a sound, He knows.  He knows what we say.  He knows what we see.  He knows what we hear.  God surrounds each of us with a circle of love.

Each one of us has been given a life, and we can choose the final outcome of those final moments when we breathe our last.  We can either deny God, or we can pick up our crosses and follow Him.  With our feet, we can walk the paths of our lives knowing that each pain, each sorrow, each joy is a gift from God. 

When a metal smith works with silver, he knows that the silver must be bent and pounded into shape.  Silver is softer than gold, but it must be worked harder than fine gold.  After the silver is pounded and shaped in the heat of a flaming torch, it is dunked in icy waters to cool it and make it malleable again. 

If silver could feel pain, pain would be its companion as it is fashioned into pieces that reflect its beauty.  Before the reflecting beauty can be seen, the fire scale, ugly and black, which was a reaction to the flame, must be removed in an acid solution.  Again, the silver must be fired and shaped, cooled, then plunged into the acid to remove the scale. 

So, our lives are purged with fire, softening the core of our souls, pounded to be shaped, then plunged into the acid bath to remove the ugly, blackening fire scale. 

God takes our sufferings and empties us of ourselves so that we can be filled with Him and Him alone.  When we have become less, He is able to pour His Holy Spirit into our souls so that we grow closer to Him. 

He becomes the Focus,
the bridegroom,
the spouse.

Yet, God will never force Himself on us.  Without our fiat, our Yes to Him, He will not intrude on us. He will offer His graces, but if we refuse, God will step back.  He will never stop loving us, He is God and God is Love, but He will wait until we accept His gifts, then He will lovingly, painfully, openly work on our souls. 
We don’t see the top piece of the embroidery.  We only see the knots and tangles. It is only through faith that we can move forward.  It is only in faith that we can accept that which is unseen. that which is unknown, that which has not yet been revealed.  Faith, that’s that challenge.  The gift of the Holy Spirit. 

Faith gives us Hope.  Through Faith we cling to Jesus and walk our path.  Faith delivers us on this journey.  The storms will end and all we need to do is to keep going, keep walking. 

We walk the Master’s path by walking where He has already gone.  He goes ahead of us and prepares the way.  We walk in the desert and follow His path.  We walk in His protection knowing that, in the storm, “God’s Will be done.”

When You're Different, You Know, Like When You Dye Your Hair Pink....

Of course, there will be those who will stare, or those who will try to look as if  you can't see them looking.  There are those who will repeatedly walk by you to look at your hair.  There are those who will ignore you.  There are those who will be rude to you.  There are those who will say, "I wish I had your courage."  There are those who have a hard time accepting, and there are those who are open to the change and will love and accept you, no matter what. 

Choices and consequences.  My choice was to dye my hair pink, and I must accept the  consequences of being the lady with pink hair.

Today, I met a kindred soul, a much younger soul with streaks of teal in her hair.  She asked me about people and what they said or did when they saw my hair.  I told her that for the most part, I forget I have pink hair until I see the looks of approval or disapproval.  She told me that she gets stared at a lot, and the looks are not approving.  She asked me what I did when someone looked at me and said something mean or glared at me.   I told her that I just ignore people like that.  She smiled at me, "So you just keep on being awesome?"  I smiled at her.  "Yes," I said, "YOU just keep on being awesome."  I hope she knows she is REALLY AWESOME!


“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged.  For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.  Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s^[ eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?  Or how can yo: 1- 4

God Sends His Consolations

It was the LONGEST Mass I have ever attended.  It only lasted one hour, but when Father said, "The Mass is ended," and I responded, "THANKS BE TO GOD!!!!!" I meant that prayer with my entire being, my heart, and my soul. 

Yes, it had been my hour to cantor at Mass.  Unexpectedly, our music director could not sing, and he brought a new cantor along to learn the ropes.  The music was difficult.
It was Pentecost.

The Holy Spirit worked with me on the virtue of Humility, again.  Mistakes.  Mistakes.  Mistakes.  And I don't mean from our novice cantor.  She did a beautiful job!  She really did.  No.  It was me.  I thought I was starting at the right time.  I missed it.  On one song, I started too early.  Name it.  I did it.

When Mass ended,  I had to pick up the purificators to wash them.  Of course, I ran into Father.  I said, "The Holy Spirit taught me Humility, again."  He replied, "That's a good way to look at it."  I wanted to crawl into a hole, but I had to help with the graduation party.

I took the box of purificators to the car to store them before I went downstairs to help.  As I walked down to Jesuit Hall, I walked past a car in the parking lot.  Then, I saw it.  God's consolation to me. 

"It's OK."

Thank you, Jesus!

Mathew 5: 14

Join with Pope Francis, the President of Israel, and the President of Palestine in praying for Peace today!

Oh, Lord, Send down your peace!

Your beloved son, Francis brought these world leaders together to pray.

Bless his efforts, Oh, Lord.

Bless these men and send Your Holy Spirit to guide and direct this meeting of prayer.

Let all nations join in to pray for peace.

Let us all pray for peace in our hearts,

peace in our minds,

peace in our lives,

peace in our families,

peace in our world.

Let peace reign on earth!

Praise be to You, Oh, Holy One of Israel!

7 Quick Takes - #7QT's- Thoughts on Gratitude

--- 1 ---

Don’t you feel good when someone says, “Thank you.”  Pay this act of kindness forward and say, “Thank you.  I appreciate what you did for me.” 

"For it is in giving that we receive," St. Francis of Assisi.

--- 2 ---

How many times this week have you said, “Thank you," to someone you love?  How many times this week have you said, “Thank you” to God?

"O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    for his steadfast love endures forever."
1 Chronicles 16:34

--- 3 ---

Begin your day by thanking God.  End your day by thanking God.  Soon you’ll realize that all that happens is a gift from God.

Rejoice always,  pray without ceasing,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 

 

 

--- 4 ---

Life isn’t easy.  At times, life can be downright nasty.  Even though life isn’t easy, I would rather be alive, tackling those difficulties and knowing that, at the end, I can face God and say, “I did the best I could.  Thank You for the gift.”

"Do not fear, for I am with you,
    do not be afraid, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,    I will uphold you with my victorious right hand."  Isaiah 41: 10

 

--- 5 ---

Pie is good.  Cake is good.  Hamburgers are good.  Picnics are good.  Merry-go-rounds are good.   Make a list each day of what is good.  You will be amazed at how much you have in your life that’s good.  We also need to look at our sisters and brothers in need.  As we recognize the needs of our fellow man, we will learn to recognize that when we see them, we see Jesus in need.  Can we let any of these children of God suffer?  Love empowers us.  The Holy Spirit enlightens us.


"We must recover the whole sense of gift, of gratuitousness, of solidarity. Rampant capitalism has taught the logic of profit at all costs, of giving to get, of exploitation without looking at the person… and we see the results in the crisis we are experiencing! This Home is a place that teaches charity, a “school” of charity, which instructs me to go encounter every person, not for profit, but for love." (5/21/13) Pope Francis

--- 6 ---

Thank you is balm for the soul.
 

"O come, let us sing to the Lord;
    let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! 

 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
    let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! 

 For the Lord is a great God,
    and a great King above all gods."

Psalm 95: 1-3

 

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When you say, "Thank you," to God or to God's other children, you are blessed with the gift of humility and love.  When you say, "Thank you," you are a beloved child of God.

"I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus,  for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind—  just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you—  so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ."
1 Corinthians 1: 4-8

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

30 Words Thursday:: Pope Francis (I Love Pope Francis!)

"Jesus teaches us another way: Go out. Go out and share your testimony, go out and interact with your brothers, go out and share, go out and ask. Become the Word in body as well as spirit."

Pope Francis

Oh, and this one is only a little over 30 words!

Praying for Priests

Although not yet an approved apparition, Our Lady of Medjugorje is always here for her children.  She begs with us and pleads with us.  She asks, more and more frequently, for us to pray for our priests. 

This is the latest message to Mirjana Soldo on June 2nd.  Again she asks us to pray for her sons.

"Dear children, I call you all and accept you as my children. I am praying that you may accept me and love me as a mother. I have united all of you in my heart, I have descended among you and I bless you. I know that you desire consolation and hope from me because I love you and intercede for you. I ask of you to unite with me in my Son and to be my apostles. For you to be able to do so, I am calling you, anew, to love. There is no love without prayer - there is no prayer without forgiveness; because love is prayer - forgiveness is love. My children, God created you to love and you love so as to forgive. Every prayer that comes out of love unites you with my Son and the Holy Spirit; and the Holy Spirit illuminates you and makes you my apostles - apostles who will do everything they do in the name of the Lord. They will pray with their works and not just with words, because they love my Son and comprehend the way of truth which leads to eternal life. Pray for your shepherds that they may always lead you with a pure heart on the way of truth and love - the way of my Son. Thank you."

A Prayer for Priests

Heavenly Father, 

We thank You and Praise You for the gifts of our priests.

The Sacrament of Holy Orders insured that through these men you called,

the way to heaven would be paved with Masses, sacraments, and prayers.

Thank you, Father, for this gift.

Bless, them, Creator, Bless them, 

and cover them with Your Son's Most Precious Blood.

Give them strength and courage,

especially in the face of temptation.

Give them patience when they minister to Your Flock.

Endow them with all the Gifts of Your Most Holy Spirit.

Make them wise.

Give them knowledge.

Fill them with joy as they serve You.

Keep them straight in Your Path.

Fill the tired with energy,

the burnt out with grace,

those who have strayed,

bring them back, Father,

Let them seek forgiveness.

Keep their hearts pure.

Let them tend their flocks with Love.

Thank You, Most gracious, Creator.

Thank you.

Please pray.

They need our prayers.

Thank you.

 

 

 "This is my new commandment: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." 

5 Reasons to be Grateful to God and Be Filled with Joy

1. God loves you.  No matter who you are.  No matter what you do.  God loves you.  He will never not love you.  He will never stop loving you.  God loves you.

“Can a woman forget her child…?
    Even if these may forget…,
    I will not forget you.
I have carved you on the palms of my hands.”
Isaiah 49: 16

2. Even if life is challenging, you are alive.  You still have a chance to make things right or good.  You can still make this world a better place in which to live.

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Matthew 5: 14-16

3. God is good.  God is good.  You are His Beloved Child.  God is good.

“O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his steadfast love endures for ever!”
Psalm 118: 1

4. If you are suffering, you can always offer your sufferings up and unite your sorrows to the love of Jesus.  You can help to save souls.  Even in suffering, you can make a difference.   Jesus knows how much you suffer.  He loves you for this.  Even in your suffering, you can embrace the cross.

And he said to all, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  Luke 9: 23

*(There are those who can be joyful in suffering.)

“I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much.”
Mother Theresa

5. There is power behind prayer.  You can pray.  Prayer is the balm for the soul.

“Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Phillipians 4: 6-7

Gratitude