My Ways are Not Your Ways

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. 

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Isaiah 55: 8-9 

Life.

Precious.

Sacred.

Unpredictable.

Valleys.

Mountains.

Plains.

 

Balance.

Chaos.

Peace.

 

Thunder.

Warmth.

Blizzard.

 

“The nitrogen in our DNA, the calcium in our teeth, the iron in our blood, the carbon in our apple pies were made in the interiors of collapsing stars. We are made of star stuff.”   Carl Sagan, Cosmos 

"God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day."  Genesis 1:31

We're made from stardust.

God has our backs.

No, matter what, God knows what He's doing.

"Jesus, I trust in You!"

 

 

Life is good!

Ending the Week with Praise and Thanksgiving

"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

 

1) According to my Facebook memories, last year, on this date there was a huge snowstorm.  This is the picture I found.  I am very grateful that, this year, the sun is shining and the snow is melting.

I'm ready for spring.  Please!

2) Since I took Pixie off of the medication she was taking, her tummy has been much better.

The bone broth is almost finished.

The yogurt will be ready soon.

Her tummy will be better soon!

3) I'm thankful that I know some wonderful and holy women who inspire me and uplift me to the Lord.  They are prayerful women.  They are devout women.  They are very close to God.

Praise God from Whom all Blessings flow.

Praise Him all creatures here below.

Praise Him above the Heavenly Host.

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!!!!

The Examen

If you've never heard of the 

EXAMEN,

you'll learn about it now.

The EXAMEN is a 500 year old prayer

 developed by

St. Ignatius of Loyola 

as a part of his spiritual exercises.

St. Ignatius founded the 

Jesuit order, 

and

he required of their prayer life,  to pray the 

EXAMEN

twice a day.

From my experience,

the process takes about 5-10 minutes.

The EXAMEN helps you to see God in all areas of your life, and the EXAMEN helps you to review your day to discern God's path for you.  The EXAMEN can also be used as an 

EXAMINATION of CONSCIENCE.

You will become aware of your weaknesses and strengths.

God will enlighten you.

Today, there are many types of EXAMENS.  There are books written soley about the EXAMEN.

If you click HERE, you will find a Jesuit page that explains, more fully, the EXAMEN.

If you click HERE, you can read one of my articles on the EXAMEN.

How do you pray the EXAMEN?

1) Still your mind and become aware of God's Presence. (Don't worry about distractions.  Just know that God is with you.)
2) Review your day with gratitude. (Very important.)
3) Pay Attention to your emotions.  (Why?  Because there is a reason for anger, tears, joy, etc)
4) Choose one thing from your day, and pray from it.  (Today, I prayed in thanksgiving for the day, so far.)
5) Look forward to tomorrow or the rest of your day.   (Looking forward gives you hope, and knowing that God is with you, even if your day is ugly.

One thing I forgot to add:  Keep a notebook and pen or pencil handy.  It helps me to organize my thoughts better when I write them down. 

Now, the time has come.
EXAMEN your day.

1. Become aware of God’s presence.
2. Review the day with gratitude.
3. Pay attention to your emotions.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.
5. Look toward tomorrow. - See more at: http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-examen#sthash.cFqsw9C3.dpuf

1. Become aware of God’s presence.
2. Review the day with gratitude.
3. Pay attention to your emotions.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.
5. Look toward tomorrow. - See more at: http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-examen#sthash.cFqsw9C3.dpuf

Worth Repeating: Are You Ready to Step Out of the Boat?

The night was tremulous.  The boat, which should have been a comfortable nest for the men in it, was creaking and groaning as it was battered about by waves.  Several of the men were bailing water from the boat.  The boat seemed to fill up as quickly as they bailed. The other men were trying to steer the boat into calmer waters, but the storm was stronger than they were.  They were exhausted and lost.  Their skin was sliced by the sea spray that slapped their faces like whips on bare backs .  They were cold and soaked.  They were all terrified as the boat shifted and groaned.  The youngest sailor threw up.  The leader grabbed him before he went overboard.  He was pale and shivering.

In the distance, these men saw a dim light.  One of them shouted, "The shore, a light on the shore."  They turned to see the light growing brighter and moving closer to them.  Then, one of the men yelled, "A ghost!" They were all seized with fear and terror as the figure came closer to them. Fear seized their hearts. 

"Take heart, it is I.  Do not be afraid."  said The Lord.  The Divine had come to the Apostles.

Peter gasped when He saw The Lord walking on the water.  "Lord," Peter said, "if it is You,  command me to come to You on the water."  Peter thought he saw the Master shake His Head, but he looked at Peter and said, "Come."

Fearfully, Peter stepped out on the water.  The water was wet, but he walked as though on dry land.  He took his eyes off of Jesus for a moment, and feeling the wind whip his face, Peter ’s terror encased him, and Peter began to sink, quickly. 

Peter cried out in fear, "Lord, save me!"  Peter felt the Hand of God clutching his.  The hand of Jesus was stronger than the wind and the storm.  He was safe.   Jesus looked at Peter and said, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"  Peter felt ashamed as he warmed up in the arms of the Master.  Jesus rebuked the wind and the rain.  The storm ended.  They were safe in the boat.  The Apostles knelt in adoration of the Master, "Truly you are the Son of God!”

They looked around.  The Master stood at the helm gazing out on the water. The sea was calm.  The night was clear.  The Apostles sweat as they rowed toward the shore.  There was talk of casting out nets, but the Master wanted to reach the shore.  He was tired, but He planned to rise early for prayer.  The moon was bright.  The Master seemed to glow in the night. 

The Divine had touched these men.  They could never be the same.   Whatever the Master requested, they would do.  Peter had vowed to his brothers in the boat that he would die for the Master.  Jesus seemed to sigh, but He smiled at this rowdy group of men.  He knew they would follow Him, but He also knew that they would stumble and fall.  They weren’t ready yet, but they would be. 

Jesus could hear His Mother praying.  He spoke to her silently in His heart.  He could feel her smile in His Heart.  He left His friends to dock the boat.  He needed to join with His Father in prayer.  He was proud of Peter for stepping out of the boat.  He knew that one day, Peter would die for him, but Peter’s time was not now.  He needed to grow to be the leader of His Church, this man who would deny the God-Man three times, would lead the new Church.  Jesus knew He had chosen well.  He also knew that there would be many to follow who, without ever seeing Him, hearing Him,  or touching Him, would step out of that boar in faith and love, to do as He asked them to do.  The harvest, well, the harvest needed workers.  He would plant the seeds.  The seeds would die and through future generations, new workers would arrive to gather the harvest.  The Divine would touch them, too.  They would never be same.

Are you ready to step out of the boat? 

“Do what ever He tells you, “ His Mother had said.

“And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.  When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;  therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Matthew 9: 35-38

It's Not My Favorite Thing to Do....

My dog, Pixie, was a gift from God and the best dog I could have owned at a very difficult time in our lives.

Pixie's job has been to bring great happiness and joy into our lives and the lives of others

and

to get along with two bossy cats

for long periods of time.

She's not aware of her job,

loving people 

and

allowing bossy cats to be dominant 

comes naturally to her.  

She did great in her job as a

therapy dog

working with hospice patients.

She also did well by allowing two bossy cats to be the 

"top dog"

in their relationship.

One cat, Walter, made up his mind that Pixie would be his friend, and that was that.  Pixie would often look at me with eyes pleading,

"Help!" when Walter would insist on snuggling with her.  She was not given a choice.

The other cat, Fred, does not like her, and he hisses at her and refuses to allow her free passage past him.  When I walk her past Fred, he glares at me, but he knows I'm not afraid of him.

Marvin, the third cat in the equation, really doesn't care.  He simply ignores the drama and cuddles with my daughter.  

Now, Pixie is a senior cat.  She's 11.  She's developed a stenosis in her back which requires her to take medications that upset her tummy.  Her tummy is now very sensitive to foods that are good for her.

I'm forced to make her food, and she's picky!!!

Mother Teresa said,

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

So, I make Pixie her food.

Pixie is not aware of her job on earth, but she's done it well.

Her love for people has brought joy to them.

On social media, she still makes people smile.

She's doing a great job!

I'd rather buy her food than make her food.

For me, it's a big thing.

One a life scale, making Pixie's food is a small sacrifice.

It's not a great thing, but if I offer this with great love,

making Pixie's food will become a big thing!

Lord, it's not what I would like to be doing now, but it is in thanksgiving that I offer this act of making Pixie's food to You.  Thank you for the gift of her!

I know that one day, and it might not be that far away, Pixie will die.  That will be Your Will.

  She was born with a task, and she has served You well.

Lord, I hope that someday, You will say that I served You, as well as, Pixie has done.

Amen.

 

The Master

Simon Peter sat in the boat with the Master.  Jesus often took Peter aside to talk with him, more so than He did with the others.  Peter felt a great deal of love from the Master.  

Peter knew that He would always remain faithful to Him.  Peter knew that He would choose death before He would deny the Master.  

 

The year that Peter and the others had walked with the Master had meant so much.

Jesus taught them about God, heaven, and how to live in God's love.

Peter had seen miracles! 

 

Peter remembered the day he had brought the Master home to meet his family.   Peter's mother-in-law had been very ill when their group had arrived.  People had begun to gather to mourn.  His mother-in-law was so ill, everyone thought she was near death.  

When Peter entered his home, Peter's wife and children were gathered around the bed.  He saw his mother-in-law looking pale.  Her lips were blue and she was gasping for air.  Peter grabbed his mother-in-law's hand.  She was hot with a fever.  His mother-in-law looked at him and tried to speak, but she was too weak.   He felt his wife crying quietly on his shoulder.  Peter turned and saw the Master.  The Master had asked everyone to leave but Peter and his wife.  The Apostles were helping the criers out of the home.  Jesus smiled at Peter's mother.   He reached out to her, and grabbed her hand.  She sat up in bed.  Her color was normal.  Her breathing was fine.  Peter touched her hand and she was cool.  His wife gasped and knelt in the presence of Jesus.  

Jesus smiled and said to Peter's mother-in-law.  "I'm very hungry.  Would you fix us something to eat?"  Even Peter shook his head to see the mother of his wife chopping vegetables and beginning to cook.  He was amazed!

The breeze was cool that evening.  Jesus had asked Peter to take him to a quiet, island that very few people could reach with out a boat.  Peter put the sails out and the boat began to move.

"Would you like to fish, Master?"

'Peter, tonight I'm tired.  I will be in prayer."

Peter was silent and began to pray to God as he steered the boat.

They arrived at the small island, and Jesus departed.  He smiled at Peter.  

"Peter, I'll see you in the morning."

Jesus wanted to be alone and pray.

Peter turned the boat around.

He reached the shore and joined the other Apostles.

"Did He say anything to you, Peter?"

"No, it was a quiet, peaceful ride to the island.  We'll pick Him up in the morning.  We had better get some sleep.  We will need to rise at first light."

The men had already pitched the tents.  

They were all filled with peace.

Jesus was praying for them.

They slept in the glory of the Lord.

When the sun began to rise, they set sail.  People were already looking for Jesus.  Peter knew their lives would always be changed.  He didn't know of anyone who was the same after they encountered Jesus.  

The Glory of the Lord had become man.

Jesus, God, brother.  

If Your Lent is Like Mine....An Epic Fail....

Ending the Week with Thanksgiving and Praise

"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

1) Even when the circumstances are difficult, such as the media's manipulation of what they call
The War of Words
between the Pope and a candidate for President,
also calling this an attack on the candidate,
I feel thankful to see this exposition of words and their lies.

2) Politics.  I need to pray more.
The dragon is exposing his ugly head.  Thank God for His love and Mercy.

3) I'm tired.  In my fatigue, it's difficult to find the beauty in life.  My peace has been disturbed.  I will be thankful when I shut off the TV.  Thank you, Lord, for the off button.

Praise God from Whom all Blessings flow.

Praise Him all creatures here below.

Praise Him above the Heavenly Host.

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!!!!

Bubblewrap, Patience, and Spiritual Growth

I'm stuck.

I had planned to write a light hearted post comparing popping bubble wrap to the ability to grow in the virtue of patience 

because

it takes patience to pop all those bubbles.

I've worked on this post all day.

I have erased and deleted more words than I can count right now.

(I wish I had kept track.)o

Then, I realized, as I worked,

that, maybe, just maybe,

God had other plans.

Maybe God was trying to show me something as I wrote.

Type. Delete. Type. Delete.

Well, you get the idea.

I had to leave this post blank, and go to the doctor.

Again, God's plans were different than mine.

She was a lovely young woman.  She seemed friendly, but I felt that she didn't know very much about diabetes.  I didn't feel that she had studied my chart before she came into the exam room.  I didn't feel that she had a plan in place.  She also seemed  unsure about the questions I asked her regarding other conditions.  Normally, I might get upset about this.  This time, I bit my tongue and waited until the visit was over.  At the least, we simply didn't connect.  At the most, she won't be able to help me.  I think both conditions are correct.  I have 3 more visits scheduled with her, and I will keep one of them.  After that, I will find a new provider.  I'm not angry.  I'm not impatient, but I am concerned.  

(Insert sound of a needle scratching a record here.)

Impatient?  What has today been about?

Patience.  More specifically, 

Learning to BE patient.

Even the ride home brought more lessons.

I drove behind a truck whose driver adhered to the speed limit to the point where he went 2 miles per hour under the speed limit,

all. the. way. home.

Patience.

Then, he turned on the same two lane road that I would be turning on, and there, he drove above the speed limit.  

(Who says God does not have a sense of humor?)

Even when I came home, I found I was still stuck, below the speed limit, on this post.

Why God chose today, I don't know.

Will He also use tomorrow to teach me the virtue of patience?

I don't know.

However, in my opinion, popping bubble wrap might be a more acceptable way to teach me patience.

How has God used events in your life to teach you a lesson in spiritual growth?
Oh, if you want to pop some bubble wrap online, here's the link.
BUBBLE WRAP 

 

Worth Repeating: The Need for Prayer

As I write this blog, really, as I take dictation from the Holy Spirit, I have come to realize how important prayer is to our relationship with God.  Our God wants to hear from us.  He wants to establish a relationship with us.  His love is unending!  Prayer is the only way we have to connect with Him on a one to one basis.

Pope Francis has said,
"How powerful prayer is! May we never lose the courage to say: Lord, give us your peace."

Peace, always peace in our troubled world. 

Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid." John 14: 27

Even Jesus prayed:

"Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God." Luke 6: 12

"In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed." Luke 1: 35

 "And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone." Matthew 14: 23 

 "But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray." Luke 5:16 

The Apostles exhorted the newly formed Church to pray.
 
"Do not worry 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 surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4: 6-7

"Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving."
Colossians 4:2  

"When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, 'Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and everything in them, And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts: 4: 25, 29-30

"While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died." Acts 7: 59-60

Prayer is not new.  References to prayer abound in the Old Testament.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me, bless his holy name.                               
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and do not forget all His benefits who forgives all your iniquities,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good as long as you live
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s." Psalm 103: 1-5

"My soul yearns for you in the night,
    my spirit within me earnestly seeks you.
For when your judgments are in the earth,
    the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness." Isaiah 26: 9

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place." 2 Chronicles 7: 14-15

"O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;
    in the morning I plead my case to you, and watch." Psalms 5: 3

The list continues.  Prayer.  Communication with God.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says of prayer (2559):
"Prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God."

God waits to hear your voice!

The Prayer of Queen Esther

Public Domain  Wikimedia Commons

“My Lord, our King, You alone are our God.
Please help me, for I am alone and I have no one else
but You to turn to; my life is in danger.
As a child I was always told by the people of the land
of my forefathers that You, O Lord, chose Israel
from among all peoples and designated our fathers
from among all their ancestors as a perpetual heritage,
and that all of Your promises to them were fulfilled.
Now, however, we have sinned in Your sight
by worshiping the gods of our enemies,
and You have delivered us into their hands
because You are just, O Lord …
Do not forget us, O Lord.
Be present to us in the time of our distress and grant me courage,
O King of gods and Ruler of every earthly power …
Save us by Your power, and come to my aid,
for I am alone and have no one but You on whom to depend, O Lord.”

The World's Greatest Love

Pope Francis

Journey through Lent: Carrying our crosses

Public Domain Wikimedia Commons

Then he said to all,
“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself
and take up his cross daily and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
What profit is there for one to gain the whole world
yet lose or forfeit himself?”

Luke 9: 24-25

What does it mean to take up your cross daily?
Crosses = sufferings.
Don't we have enough suffering in our world?  Shouldn't we seek to eliminate suffering, not only in our lives, but in the lives of others?

Why should we embrace our crosses?

The answer to that question is never easy.

Why do we see babies get sick and die?

Why are Christians, men, women and children, tortured, burned alive, and beheaded because they refuse to deny Jesus?
Why does God allow the suffering of a family member or friend.
Why must I bear that burden, my cross?

The answer is in this name.
Jesus,
Our God,
who took on our human nature and willingly suffered and died so that we might be saved. 
Jesus, who chose the will of the Father, knowing and seeing the pain, the rejection, the suffering for love of us.
The God-Man accepted the torture.  The God-Man, whose blood was shed that we might live, prayed with great love that we might be saved.

Jesus, whose love for us was greater than any other love that could be, gave His life for us.
Jesus, Our God.
Jesus, Our Brother.
Jesus, both divine and human.
Jesus bore His cross for love of us.

When your cross becomes heavy,
reach out to Jesus.
Life your cross high.

The Cross is the anchor.

The Cross is the key that opens heaven for us.

We cannot escape suffering.

Suffering is inevitable in life.
We can choose how we will bear our crosses.
We can choose to bear them with love for Him and others,
or,
we can bear them with bitterness and sorrow.

 One choice decreases the weight of each cross.  The other does not.
How will you carry your cross?

Today's prayer intention:  All persecuted Christians in the world.

Ash Wednesday: The Lenten Journey Begins

"Even now, says the LORD,
return to me with your whole heart,
with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;
Rend your hearts, not your garments,
and return to the LORD, your God."

Joel 2: 12

Reflection.

I walk alongside of Him as He teaches the multitudes.  Jesus, the one whom some believe is the Messiah, is a charismatic teacher. 

There are those who believe He is God,  and there  are those who do not.  

I've seen the miracles.  I've heard the demons screaming in fear as Jesus frees the people from their grasp.  I hear His words.  I see His Apostles.  I hear them speak.  I hear their doubts.  

What am I supposed to do?

Then, He turns to me and looks into my eyes.

He is smiling at me!  He sees my soul, and He knows it's a mess.  He knows my doubts and fears.

He knows I have sinned, yet, He is smiling at me!  He places His Hands on my head.  I feel His power flow through me.  Jesus says to me, "Your sins are forgiven.  Go in peace and sin no more."

I look at His eyes, and they are filling my soul with His love.  My heart cannot contain the love He Has for me.  He knows what will happen to Him if He continues to preach, to change, to challenge people to be better each day than they are today.  He knows He has enemies, and He loves His enemies.  He is the Son of God, He says.  I believe Him now.  Only God can forgive sins.  Only God has this love for me. 

I am forgiven.  I am loved by God.  I am forgiven by the grace of His Mercy.  

I can no longer be the same.   

My Lord!  My God!  My All!

Amen.

Prayer intention for today:  Priests.  Please pray for all priests.

So What's Wrong with Fasting?

I'm old enough to remember when you wished to receive the Eucharist,

you were required to fast from food from midnight the night before until you were Eucharist at Mass.

I'm also old enough to remember when we Catholics fasted everyday during Lent.

The requirements for fasting were similar to the ones today.

We Catholics were allowed to eat one full meal a day with two very small meals during the day.

There was no snacking allowed during the day.

We were also, as we are today, required to abstain from meat on Fridays.

Today, the fasting requirements are very easy.

We are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday with the same food requirements as previously stated.  We are also required to abstain from meat on Fridays.

Even with these modified fasting requirements many of our clergy are downplaying the practice of fasting.

They are encouraging their parishoners to add a rosary a day or some other kind of practice rather than give something up.  They call this positive.

We all need to increase our spiritual practices to come closer to God.

But, what's wrong with fasting?

Fasting is not negative.

When you fast, you give up some thing you desire and give it back to God.

You deny yourself a pleasure to  please God and thank Him for His gifts to you.

I am past the required age for fasting. 

I also have diabetes.

To fast from food is very difficult for me.

However, I have decided, that God willing, I will begin to fast from food again.

My fast will be a modified fast.

Once a week, I will not eat, but I will drink water, from the time I get up until lunch.  At lunch I will break my food fast.  I hope to do this every Wednesday and Friday during Lent.

If I am not able to fast this way, I will give up something I love.

 I used to "fast" three times a week from Pop, popcorn and TV.

When I realized that these things no longer meant anything to me, I stopped that fast.

Perhaps, I was wrong.  Fasting from these things became natural rather than difficult.

I want my fast to be somewhat difficult.

I have no intention of hurting my health.

I want to deny myself something for the love of God.

 So, what are you doing for Lent?

Will you be fasting?

If not, why not?

I'm just curious.

 

The Experiment Began Almost a Year Ago...

After a year of promptings,

last February I began to 

veil at Church.

Here's the article I wrote about my decision.

HERE

Since that time,

which is noted on my blog as

February 10,

I began to veil at Church,

usually Mass.

The time since childhood has passed quickly.

I ceased to veil in the 60's.

I remembered the beautiful mantillas and chapel veils we used to wear.

If we forgot, sometimes, a clean kleenex was attached to my head with a bobby pin.

That was desparation.

Now, as an adult, I have returned to veiling.

A few other older women at church have done the same.

What amazes me is that some of the college aged students have also begun to veil at Mass.

One of the young women told me that, after seeing those of us in church who veiled at Mass,

she felt comfortable veiling along with us!

Why did I decide, after all these years, to return to veiling?

There were two reasons.

1) For a year before I began to veil, the Holy Spirit began to inspire me with thoughts of the veil.

2) I wanted to honor Jesus, present in the tabernacle, with an attempt at humility.

(Humility is not my strength.)

What are the results of this experiment?

1) I feel very comfortable veiling at Mass, even if I am worshiping God at another Catholic Church. a

2) I veil even when I lector at Mass.

3) Other women at church have returned to the practice of veiling.

4) I have grown spiritually, even though, humility is still not my strength.

5) I find quiet in the shield of the veil.  

Do you veil?

What do you think of women who veil?

A Gentle Reminder!

What Will I Pray for This Coming Week?

1. Pope Francis

2) Priests

3) The Holy Souls in Purgatory

4) All Who Die Each Day

5) For God's Graces to Pour Down as Lent Begins.

6) For an election that is full of peaceful, holy candidates who seek, not only the common good,

but who will fight for life in all its stages.

7) An end to abortion

8) For all who are affected by abortion and the salvation of their souls.

9) For those in the medical community who perform and support abortion on demand and post birth abortion.

10) For my children.

11) For peace.

For Whom Will you pray?

Ending the Week in Thanksgiving and Praise

"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

 

1) The Iowa Caucuses are over.  Thank God for that.  I'm not sure that the correct man for either party,  won, but we can only pray that God is with us during this election.  Thank God for that gift!

2) I am grateful that God walks with each of us.  The term "Progressive" has become the byword of the deomocratic party.  Progressive = liberal.  Candidates are fighting it out to see who can claim to be more progressive.

God be with us!

3) In spite of the fact that people are relying on their own "spirituality" to make decisions, I know that if we pray, God will be with us through this life journey.  For that I am grateful. 

Praise God from Whom all Blessings flow.

Praise Him all creatures here below.

Praise Him above the Heavenly Host.

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!!!!

After the Storm...

The storm is over, and now clean up begins.  Roads were still closed this morning.  Streets were in need of plowing.  My driveway needed to be cleaned since 9 inches of snow had fallen.

In our day and age of instant communication,

my Facebook friends knew I was stuck in the house until the driveway was cleaned. 

Like the storms in our lives,

the landscape was changed after the storm had passed.

People had changed.

Some people began their day outside, blowing the snow out of their driveway.

They were cold and maybe a little wet from the blowing snow.

Some of them were frustrated as they had just cleaned their driveway and the snowplows returned to clean the street, and blocked the driveways with snow, again!

"but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”

2 Corinthians 12: 9

So they returned to the job of cleaning the driveway.

After the storm, the scenery had changed.  We haven't seen this much snow in a long time.

Kids were outside playing, throwing snowballs, building snowmen.

School was delayed two hours.

Parents offered this up.

Children thanked God as they threw the first snow ball.

“Be courageous in suffering and remember that after the Lord will come; after joy will come, after the dark comes the sun” the Pope encouraged in his May 30 daily Mass. “May the Lord give us all this joy in hope.”

Found at the Catholic News Agency. 

My grace is sufficient...

the dark comes after the sun...

Hope

Peace

Joy

The storm has passed, but God remains.

He never changes.

He is the Great I Am!

Worth Repeating: Novena of Surrender

Day 1
Why do you confuse yourselves by worrying? Leave the care of your affairs to me and everything will be peaceful. I say to you in truth that every act of true, blind, complete surrender to me produces the effect that you desire and resolves all difficult situations.

O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything! (10 times)

Day 2
Surrender to me does not mean to fret, to be upset, or to lose hope, nor does it mean offering to me a worried prayer asking me to follow you and change your worry into prayer. It is against this surrender, deeply against it, to worry, to be nervous and to desire to think about the consequences of anything. It is like the confusion that children feel when they ask their mother to see to their needs, and then try to take care of those needs for themselves so that their childlike efforts get in their mother’s way.
Surrender means to placidly close the eyes of the soul, to turn away from thoughts of tribulation and to put yourself in my care, so that only I act. Saying “You take care of it.”

O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything! (10 times)


Day 3
How many things I do when the soul, in so much spiritual and material need turns to me, looks at me and says to me; “You take care of it,” then close its eyes and rests. In pain you pray for me to act, but that I act in the way you want. You do not turn to me, instead, you want me to adapt to your ideas. You are not sick people who ask the doctor to cure you, but rather sick people who tell the doctor how to. So do not act this way, but pray as I taught you in the Our Father: “Hallowed be thy Name”, that is, be glorified in my need. “Thy kingdom come”, that is, let all that is in us and in the world be in accord with your kingdom. “Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven”, that is, in our need, decide as you see fit for our temporal and eternal life.
If you say to me truly: “Thy will be done”. Which is the same as saying: “You take care of it”. I will intervene with all my omnipotence, and I will resolve the most difficult situations.

O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything! (10 times)

Day 4
You see evil growing instead of weakening? Do not worry, Close your eyes and say to me with faith: “Thy will be done, You take care of it.” I say to you that I will take care of it, and that I will intervene as does a doctor and I will accomplish miracles when they are needed. Do you see that the sick person is getting worse? Do not be upset, but close your eyes and say “You take care of it.” I say to you that I will take care of it, and that there is no medicine more powerful than my loving intervention. By my love, I promise this to you.

O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything! (10 times)

Day 5
And when I must lead you on a path different from the one you see, I will prepare you; I will carry you in my arms; I will let you find yourself, like children who have fallen asleep in their mother’s arms, on the other bank of the river. What troubles you and hurts you immensely are your reason, your thoughts and worry, and your desire at all costs to deal with what afflicts you.

O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything! (10 times)

Day 6
You are sleepless; you want to judge everything, direct everything and see to everything and you surrender to human strength, or worse- to men themselves, trusting in their intervention,- this is what hinders my words and my views. Oh how much I wish from you this surrender, to help you and how I suffer when I see you so agitated! Satan tries to do exactly this: to agitate you and to remove you from my protection and to throw you into the jaws of human initiative. So, trust only in me, rest in me, surrender to me in everything.

O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything! (10 times)


Day 7
I perform miracles in proportion to your full surrender to me and to your not thinking of yourselves. I sow treasure troves of graces when you are in the deepest poverty. No person of reason, no thinker, has ever performed miracles, not even among the saints. He does divine works whosoever surrenders to God. So don’t think about it any more, because you mind is acute and for you it is very hard to see evil and to trust in me and to not think of yourself. Do this for all your needs, do this all of you and you will see great continual silent miracles. I will take care of things, I promise this to you.

O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything! (10 times)


Day 8
Close your eyes and let yourself be carried away on the flowing current of my grace; close your eyes and do not think of the present, turning your thoughts away from the future just as you would from temptation. Repose in me, believing in my goodness, and I promise you by my love that if you say “You take care of it.” I will take care of it all; I will console you, liberate you and guide you.

O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything! (10 times)

Day 9
Pray always in readiness to surrender, and you will receive from it great peace and great rewards, even when I confer on you the grace of immolation, of repentance and of love. Then what does suffering matter? It seems impossible to you? Close your eyes and say with all your soul, “Jesus, you take care of it.” Do not be afraid, I will take care of things and you will bless my name by humbling yourself. A thousand prayers cannot equal one single act of surrender, remember this well. There is no novena more effective than this:

“O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything!”

O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything! (10 times)

Mother, I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you I always want to belong completely to Jesus.

Preparing for the Storm

And all the weather models suggest that it's going to be a doozie of a storm.  We will probably get hit with 7-10 inches of snow and high winds.

Today was a nice day.

I decided that it was important to prepare for the storm.

I went grocery shopping.

I made sure we have enough dog food for the duration of the storm.

I feel that it's possible I might be home for the next two days.

I don't know for sure, but I just want to be ready for what comes.

The person who cleans out my driveway won't come until the snow has quit flying.

I expect that to be sometime on the second day.

At any rate, I think I'm ready now,

thanks to the good day.

Spiritually, we have many storms.  These storms are caused by satan, and God allows them so that we might come closer to Him in the way He knows best.

Spiritual warfare is real.

We need to be prepared for the storms we will encounter, and we will be attacked in these storms.

What can we do to prepare?

At any time, in any place, in any weather, we can pray.

We can pray that we weather the storm and have faith knowing that God will be with us through this storm.  

He might ask us to trust Him and walk on the water as Peter did.

"Then he made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.  After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone.  Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.  During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea.  When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear.  At once [Jesus] spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”  Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.  But when he saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”  Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”  After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God!"

Matthew 14: 22-23 

In our fear and doubt, we might ask for a sign like Peter did, even though Jesus had reassured Peter and the others in the boat, that He was, indeed, Jesus.  

At once [Jesus] spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”  Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” 

 For a short time,  Peter trusted the Lord, and he stepped out on the water.  Then, he realized how strong the wind was.

But when he saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink,

In his fear, Peter cried out to the Lord, and the Lord, knowing Peter's lack of faith, saved him.

he cried out, “Lord, save me!”  Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”   

^{Even though we doubt,  Jesus will remind us to have faith.}

^{Jesus knows our weaknesses, and He still reaches out to us to save us with His graces.}

^{The miracle caused all in the vote to acknowledge Jesus as God.}

 ^{Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God!"}

^{It took a miracle, but the Apostles learned.}

^{Jesus is the Son of God!}

^{So, as we prepare for the upcoming storms in our lives, we need to pray for the gift of Faith to know that God is with us and will never desert us.}

^{God is good!} 

 

  

As we Walk through the Year of Mercy, We need to know what love is....

Love is patient, 

Love is kind. 

It is not jealous, 

Love is not pompous, 

It is not inflated,  

It is not rude, 

It does not seek its own interests,  

It is not quick-tempered, 

It does not brood over injury,  

It does not rejoice over wrongdoing

but rejoices with the truth.  

 It bears all things, 

Believes all things, 

Hopes all things, 

Endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7