Where is God When You Need Him?

 I've often wondered, Lord, where You are.  I know we can't see You or hear You or feel Your touch, but it would be nice to really know You are there.  We struggle each day, and life is not getting easier.  Our Church is challenged. Christians around the world are being persecuted.  Right now, there's a lady here in adoration with us.  I don't like her at all.  I've asked if You could convince her to attend adoration at another time, but she still comes at this time.  That makes my life more difficult.  I need to confess my irritation with her and with You now.
Where are You, Lord?

 I see you are still irritated with Me.

Why are you behaving this way?  Did you forget that I AM God. 
 

Be still and know that I AM God.
I know what I AM doing.  I know that you don't see it right now, but I love all my children in a way that only I can love.

I love this woman who prays with you as much as I love you.  I know that she irritates you.  Perhaps by practicing the virtues of humility and patience you will find her less irritating.
If you haven't figured it out yet, she is put there so that you will grow closer to me.  You must overcome your pride and learn to discern My Will for you.
You've said, "I'm here to do Your Will, Lord," but you continue to try to convince Me to do your will and not My Will."
That's pride.  satan fell because of his pride.  Is this what you want?
The world is unbalanced because of sin, and pride is one of the great sins that causes this imbalance.

People want to die on their own terms.
People don't want the old or disabled in their midst.
Mothers and fathers abort their babies.
They want to control their world and become who I AM.
If they think this world is as good as it gets, then their hope is lost.
They don't know better.  They need faith.  They need hope.  They need love.
You must learn to die to yourself.  Make room for me.  I will fill you with my graces, but I need room to grow.
Sin leaves little room for me.

Join yourself to Me in prayer.

Be still. 

If you are still, you can hear me when I whisper in your ear.
Listen to the sounds around you.  Sometimes, they drown Me out. 

Be still and grow in trust.

So many of my beloved children have suffered martyrdom.  They gave everything for Me.
My children who are martyred are with me now.  Join with Me and pray for all of my children, especially those who persecute Me. 
I AM with all of them.  They see Me when they die.  Those who were martyred, see and feel the love of God.  They gave their all for Me.
I held their hands as they felt the knife or the bullets pierce their bodies, as I felt the nails in My hands and feet.
Never doubt this.  I AM with them. 
 

Those who murder my children, if they don't repent, then, at death, their fate is grim.  

Pray for them.


The  persecutions will end, but you must pray.  You were put on earth for a reason.  You are part of the imbalance now.  You must pray more and sin less. 

  In many ways, you remind me of Peter.  It took awhile for him to catch on, and he did have the advantage of being with Me daily for 3 years.  He made the choice to give his all for Me.  He learned.  I AM hopeful that you will learn as well.

Trust Me.

Stop whining.

I'm only giving you that which you can handle.

Pick up your cross and follow Me.

Pray more. 


I want to hear from You.  Of course, I know you inside out.  That doesn't matter.
 

You. Are. Mine.

I want you to reach out to me in humility, in obedience, in love.

Listen for Me.

I know, you're ready to go now.

Think.  Pray.  Be ready.

I love you!

Oh, she will be here next week.  If nothing else, offer it up!
 

I Guess We Need to Forgive Ourselves and Pray...

Public Domain

I saw something, at Mass yesterday, that lead to the desecration of a Host.  I was sitting at the side of the altar during Communion.  As a lector at Mass, after we receive the Eucharist, we wait on the side of the altar so as not to distract others when it’s time to read the announcements.  

I happened to notice a mother with 3 young girls coming up to the Eucharistic Minister to receive Holy Communion.  The elder two girls appeared to be old enough to receive.    The younger girl clearly was not old enough to receive.  The mother was the fourth in the line to receive.  All of the children were given the Eucharist.  The mother received, as well.  The two elder girls were waving the Sacred Host around as they walked back to their pew.   

There was no sense of reverence or knowledge of what they had been given in their hands.   

I watched from the side of the altar to see if they consumed the hosts.  I couldn’t tell, but I decided I would check their pew after Mass.  The distributor of the Sacred Blood had pulled the chalice close to her so as not to give the children the Most Precious Blood of Jesus.

I’m not blaming the children or the mother.  Clearly, the children didn’t know about the Eucharist.  According to an usher, the children had been very disruptive during Mass.  I don’t know about that.  I didn’t see.  I’m not judging.  Perhaps the mother had just wanted to make sure the children attended church today.  Perhaps, she was not Catholic.  I don’t know.  Only God knows what was in the mother’s heart.  The problem was that after Mass, we found a consecrated host on the floor.  It had been smashed to pieces.   We notified our pastor, and he came and cleaned up the sacred remains of Jesus on the floor.

I regret that I did not leave my place on the altar and talk with the girls and their mother in order to recover the hosts.

I regret that I allowed this desecration to happen because I did nothing.

“Oh, My Jesus, forgive us our sins.  Save us from the fires of hell.  Lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy Mercy.“

I know that God will forgive me in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

I know that if I ever see the same people who were involved, I will do something about it, with love.

They didn’t understand.  I know that.  However, it was tragic that the desecration of the Sacred Host happened at all.

I know that God will bring good out of this for everyone.

I forgive all involved.

I forgive the girls and their mother.

I forgive me for my inaction.

Praise to You, Lord, Jesus Christ!

I would ask that you pray for all who were involved in this desecration.

Hail, Holy Queen!

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears! Turn, then, O most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us Pray. O God, whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

May is the month we honor Our Mother...

Say a Rosary each day...

Hold your children in your arms and teach them to love 

Our Lady,

the 

Mother of God.

At the End of the Day, At the End of the Week, At all Times, Give Thanks to God!

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

1 Thessalonians 5:18

I'm giving thanks to God this week because:

1) Flowers are blooming again.  It takes a long time to see this after a Minnesota winter!

Thank You, Heavenly Father!

2) I mowed the lawn for the first time this season!  I love to mow the lawn, and if the lawn needs mowing, spring or summer is here!

Thank You, Heavenly Father!

3) The yogurt is fermenting!  I hope to have fresh yogurt tomorrow!

Thank You, Heavenly Father!

There is always a reason to give thanks!

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to the God of praises,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to the guardian of Israel,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to him who formed all things,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to the redeemer of Israel,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to him who gathers the dispersed of Israel,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to him who rebuilt his city and his sanctuary,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to him who makes a horn to sprout for the house of David,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to him who has chosen the sons of Zadok to be priests,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to the shield of Abraham,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to the rock of Isaac,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to the mighty one of Jacob,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to him who has chosen Zion,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to the King of the kings of kings,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

He has raised up a horn for his people,
    praise for all his loyal ones.

For the children of Israel, the people close to him.
    Praise the Lord!

Sirach 51:12

Lead Me In Your Paths, Oh, Lord!

Lord,
Lead me in Your paths.
My soul is aching for You.
The rocks on this path are sharp,
And my ankles twist as I walk.
My heart is open, sliced.
I am confused.
I hear not Your voice.
Lord, what am I to do?


What do you think?
Are you looking for Me or just a release from your pain?
Yes, your road is rough.
It's covered with thistles and burrs that will cling to you.
The rocks will only get sharper and more pointed.
The slope will rise higher.
This is Your life.
My children suffer for love of souls.
They feel pain.
They suffer.
 

They offer their pains for the salvation of souls.
My heart overflows for my children who give their all for souls.
 Your journey can be made safe.
Your road can be made smooth.
You must discern which road you want to walk.
My ways are not easy.
You must choose.

You complain that your journey is painful.
I fell three times under my cross.
I thought I would die from that pain alone.
 

My Mother gave Me consolation.
Veronica, with great courage, wiped My face so that I might see the road ahead of Me.
The women of Jerusalem wept as I walked past.
Simone of Cyrene carried My cross with Me.
I wanted to stop the world, change the world so that this pain would cease.
 

My angels could not even come near.
Yet, I walked
Knowing this final walk of my life was for souls.
My triumph would give honor and glory to My Father,
And Salvation would come to the world,
 

I walked with love to
The place of the skull
Where I submitted to my tormentors as they beat Me,
Whipped Me,
And pounded nails into My Body which screamed in pain.
I forgave them as My Body bled out.
I had so little in my Body left to give.
 

Now,
You must choose.

Each road will lead you to Me,
Even if you stumble and fall.
There will be challenges on both roads,

Offer up your sufferings to Me

with great love for souls.

I will make you whole.

The pain will overwhelm you,

but the love of souls will free you from that pain. 

You will see where I walked.

The blood will lead you to Me.

 

I promise that you will suffer.
You will stumble and fall.
Just know that this is the road I carved out for you.
Will you walk in my footsteps?

Worth Repeating: Lord, Fill Me with Your Joy!

Public Domain: Wikimedia, Bockhorst

Lord, fill me with Your joy,
For I am nothing without You.
When life wears me down,
And desperate tears flow,
Lord, fill me with Your joy.

When Your blessings poured forth are bitter,
The nights are long and sleepless,
Lord, fill me with Your joy.
Remind me I serve You only,
Lord, fill me with Your joy.

When endurance reaches the bitter end,
When the cross becomes too heavy,
Lord, fill me with Your joy.
When others reach out and see You in me,
Lord, fill me with Your joy.
When the summit of my pain is reached,
Lord, fill me with Your joy.

When I seek and find you not,
Lord, fill me with Your joy.
When prayer is empty, without words,
The boulder blocks Your tomb,
Lord, fill me with Your joy.

In flowers, snow, rain, and worms,
Lord, fill me with Your joy.
In sorrow, pain, loneliness, and grief,
Lord, fill me with Your joy.
When I fall hard and scrape my knees,
Lord, fill me with Your joy.

When I have sinned and You have forgiven me,
Lord, fill me with Your joy.
When life is bleak and all seems lost,
Lord, fill me with Your joy.
When l am weak and death is near,
Lord, fill me with Your joy.

Lord, fill me with Your joy.
Lord, fill me with Your joy.
Lord, fill me with Your joy.
I am Yours!

 

mmh