A couple of days ago, I saw a blind man cross Villa Maria at a stoplight. If you don't live in my neck of the woods, it is one of the busier streets, and my least favorite to drive on, much less walk across with my 20/20 (very corrected) vision. I could not believe my eyes. Actually, I thought it was impossible that he should be at a busy intersection. alone. in the darkness. with nothing but a stick. So, I watched him very carefully, looking for any sign that he could see even a little bit.
The traffic stopped at the red light. He proceeded across, waving his stick up and down so as to be seen. When he got to the other side, he stopped abruptly (like you do in the dark when you bump into something), put his stick down and zigzagged it across the ramp into the parking lot. He successfully navigated around the young man on the corner spinning his big "We buy gold!" arrow, and he disappeared from my view.
I still can't get over it. All I could figure out was that he must live nearby, and have every step counted between his house and the grocery store. And how do you shop at the grocery store, by yourself, when you can't see?! Now, that I think about it, he wasn't carrying any bags. So, I wonder what he was after? Could he have just been going for a walk?! Could that possibly be relaxing?! Could the benefits from the exercise outweigh the risk from the stress? Goodness!
Seeing him made me wonder if there is a blind person on the face of the earth who doesn't believe in God. They have to trust to survive. Every step is a step of faith; it is not optional.
I am dying to run into this man again sometime. Maybe I should set up camp at that intersection and wait for him. A little stalker-esque, but I am pretty sure I would never be the same if I could hear his story.
I wanted to write to you about him when I got home that day, but I was pretty sure "I saw a blind man cross a busy street." post would have been lost on you, and I didn't know what else to say. Until now.
This morning's meditation in God Calling connected the dots for me.
I AM with you to guide you and help you. Unseen forces are controlling your destiny. Your petty fears are groundless.
What of a man walking through a glorious glade who fretted because ahead there lay a river and he might not be able to cross it, when all the time, that river was spanned by a bridge? And what if that man had a friend who knew the way -had planned it- and assured him that at no part of the journey would any unforeseen contingency arise, and that all was well?
So leave your foolish fears, and follow Me, your Guide, and determinedly refuse to consider the problems of tomorrow. My message to you is trust, and wait. ~Jesus
Ok, we know God is good, but isn't He GOOD?! I am ecstatic that this reflection is the perfect follow-up for yesterday's post about self-imposed suffering, and that it reminded me of another illustration about God as our guide - the One who knows the way because He planned it!
When God makes Himself the guide of a soul, He exacts from it an absolute confidence in Him, and a freedom from any sort of disquietude as to the way in which He conducts it. This soul, is urged on without perceiving the path traced out before it...When you are conducted by a guide who takes you through an unknown country at night across fields where there are no tracks, by his own skill, without asking advice from anyone, or giving you an inkling of his plans; how can you choose but to abandon yourself? Of what use is it looking about to find out where you are, to ask the passers-by, or to consult maps and travelers? The plans or fancies of a guide who insists on being trusted would not allow this. He would take pleasure in overcoming the anxiety and distrust of the soul, and would insist on an entire surrender to his guidance.
Fr. Jean-Pierre de Caussade, Abandonment to Divine Providence
At the risk of making this post entirely too long, I want to end with some Phineas and Ferb lyrics that stuck this morning when I was helping my youngest pick up the pile of toys in his room.
Not Knowing Where You're Going
It's so much fun not knowin'
where you're goin'
Take a left or a right and just go in
without really knowin'...
There's no surprise in life, if you know
where you're goin'
So walk around like a monkey with a blindfold on...
Sometimes I think it's fun not to know where I'm going, and sometimes I don't. In fact, last year I went with some girlfriends on a "Mystery Bus" tour. Not knowing where you were going was the whole point, and it was a blast!
Anyway, none of us know where we're going. For eternity? Yes. But, daily, weekly, or monthly? Not so much. Whether you like it or not, we're on an adventure full or surprises, and we have been assigned a Most Excellent Guide.
Dear Heavenly Father and Earthly Guide, You are so AWESOME! Thank you for the blind man and the example he gives that he knows nothing about. Thank you for being our guide. You know our trust issues. Maybe because we can see, we try to see too much. Help us to take each step, in faith. There are such things as groundless and foolish fears. Thank you for convicting us of that, again. Sorry to be so slow in getting it. Please give us the grace to see life as an adventure, and the courage to sing with Phineas and Ferb, "It's so much fun not knowin' where you're goin'!" I love you! You never cease to surprise, encourage, and love me. Thank you. Amen.
Showing posts with label Courage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Courage. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Your Cross Is You
"Remember, you are only an instrument. Not yours to decide how or when or where you act. I plan all that. Make yourself very fit to do My work. All that hinders your activity must be cured.
Mine is the Cross on which the burdens of the world are laid. How foolish is any one of My disciples who seeks to bear his own burdens, when there is only one place for them - My Cross.
It is like a weary man on a hot and dusty road, bearing a heavy load, when all plans have been made for its carriage. The road, the scenery, flowers, beauty around - all are lost.
But, My children, you may think I did say, "Take up your cross daily and follow Me."
Yes, but the cross given to each one of you is only a cross provided on which you can crucify the self of yours that hinders progress and Joy, and prevents the flow through your being of My invigorating Life and Spirit.
Listen to Me, love Me, joy in Me. Rejoice."
Jesus, in God Calling
Today, in my women's study, On The Christian Meaning of Suffering, we reflected on the life of a woman named (Saint) Gianna Beretta Molla, who voluntarily gave her life at age 40 for her unborn child. Upon discovering a large ovarian cyst during her second month of pregnancy, she refused an abortion or complete hysterectomy, both of which would have spared her life at the expense of her child's. Instead, she chose surgical removal of the cyst, which would not compromise the baby, but would leave her vulnerable to further complications. "A few days before the birth, anticipating that the delivery might be dangerous, she said to her husband, "If you must decide between me and the child, do not hesitate: choose the child - I insist on it. Save him!" She had a healthy baby girl and died one week later. She already had 3 children, ages 6, 5, and 3.
Our room full of mothers took a collective deep breath, and followed it with "Well, she must have known her family would take good care of her children..., But...". We admired her conviction but felt reasonably sure we lacked the same. "I don't know if I could do it." echoed around the room. There was a palpable weighing of consciences and the discomfort which always follows coming up short.
In the conversation that followed, we discussed our awareness of God's grace, and the fact that it only accompanies real situations. Most of us have not been given that grace, because that situation is not our own. Abandonment to Divine Providence offers the perfect advice at this uncomfortable juncture. "If it [the soul] should feel neither attraction nor grace to do those things that make the saints so much admired, it must, in justice to itself, say, 'God has willed it thus for the saints, but not for me.'"
We are all called to shoulder different crosses because we are unique, and the part of ourselves that "hinders progress and Joy" is what needs to be crucified. However, most of us focus our attention outwardly, instead of focusing on what needs to change within. We live in fear and wait for the next big cross to be lashed to our back.
Etty Hillesum, a 29-year-old writer who died in Auschwitz, said, "Man suffers most through his fear of suffering." "Reality is something one shoulders together with all the suffering that goes with it...But the idea of suffering (which is not the reality, for real suffering is always fruitful and can turn life into a precious thing) must be destroyed. And if you destroy the ideas behind which life lies imprisoned as behind bars, then you liberate your true life, its real mainsprings, and you will also have the strength to bear real suffering, your own and the world's."
We throw away our peace in times of calm, when all is well. We feel justified in skimming over the joys of today because we're "waiting for the other shoe to drop". We want to be ready! We're not sure for what, but we want to be ready.
Instead of borrowing suffering, let's borrow a page from the diary of Sister Faustina, "I regard the time of peace as a time of preparation of victory..."
The Lord has already carried His Cross. He is proven. He is calling us to follow Him. "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 16:24-25). Let's climb out from under our cross, and get on it. It's the only way we can be like Him, and it's a lot easier for Him to carry.
Dear God of All That Is Good, Thank you for the gorgeous weather and so many opportunities to experience You. Thank you for God Calling, and continually revealing Yourself and Your plan to us. Thank you for the examples of the saints, and people who model heroic charity and courage. Thank you for the reminder that real suffering is always bearable, because Your grace is abundant in reality. Help me to destroy imagined suffering in my life.
Lord, please give me the courage to climb upon my cross. Help me to see and know those things that hinder my progress and Joy, and to do whatever is necessary to remove them. Please give me and all others who are pursuing You, the grace of knowing when we are comparing our relationship with You to someone else's relationship with You, and spare us the confusion and feelings of inferiority that come with that comparison. Thank You for making our burdens light and for the rest we find when we come to You. Amen.
Mine is the Cross on which the burdens of the world are laid. How foolish is any one of My disciples who seeks to bear his own burdens, when there is only one place for them - My Cross.
It is like a weary man on a hot and dusty road, bearing a heavy load, when all plans have been made for its carriage. The road, the scenery, flowers, beauty around - all are lost.
But, My children, you may think I did say, "Take up your cross daily and follow Me."
Yes, but the cross given to each one of you is only a cross provided on which you can crucify the self of yours that hinders progress and Joy, and prevents the flow through your being of My invigorating Life and Spirit.
Listen to Me, love Me, joy in Me. Rejoice."
Jesus, in God Calling
Today, in my women's study, On The Christian Meaning of Suffering, we reflected on the life of a woman named (Saint) Gianna Beretta Molla, who voluntarily gave her life at age 40 for her unborn child. Upon discovering a large ovarian cyst during her second month of pregnancy, she refused an abortion or complete hysterectomy, both of which would have spared her life at the expense of her child's. Instead, she chose surgical removal of the cyst, which would not compromise the baby, but would leave her vulnerable to further complications. "A few days before the birth, anticipating that the delivery might be dangerous, she said to her husband, "If you must decide between me and the child, do not hesitate: choose the child - I insist on it. Save him!" She had a healthy baby girl and died one week later. She already had 3 children, ages 6, 5, and 3.
Our room full of mothers took a collective deep breath, and followed it with "Well, she must have known her family would take good care of her children..., But...". We admired her conviction but felt reasonably sure we lacked the same. "I don't know if I could do it." echoed around the room. There was a palpable weighing of consciences and the discomfort which always follows coming up short.
In the conversation that followed, we discussed our awareness of God's grace, and the fact that it only accompanies real situations. Most of us have not been given that grace, because that situation is not our own. Abandonment to Divine Providence offers the perfect advice at this uncomfortable juncture. "If it [the soul] should feel neither attraction nor grace to do those things that make the saints so much admired, it must, in justice to itself, say, 'God has willed it thus for the saints, but not for me.'"
We are all called to shoulder different crosses because we are unique, and the part of ourselves that "hinders progress and Joy" is what needs to be crucified. However, most of us focus our attention outwardly, instead of focusing on what needs to change within. We live in fear and wait for the next big cross to be lashed to our back.
Etty Hillesum, a 29-year-old writer who died in Auschwitz, said, "Man suffers most through his fear of suffering." "Reality is something one shoulders together with all the suffering that goes with it...But the idea of suffering (which is not the reality, for real suffering is always fruitful and can turn life into a precious thing) must be destroyed. And if you destroy the ideas behind which life lies imprisoned as behind bars, then you liberate your true life, its real mainsprings, and you will also have the strength to bear real suffering, your own and the world's."
We throw away our peace in times of calm, when all is well. We feel justified in skimming over the joys of today because we're "waiting for the other shoe to drop". We want to be ready! We're not sure for what, but we want to be ready.
Instead of borrowing suffering, let's borrow a page from the diary of Sister Faustina, "I regard the time of peace as a time of preparation of victory..."
The Lord has already carried His Cross. He is proven. He is calling us to follow Him. "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 16:24-25). Let's climb out from under our cross, and get on it. It's the only way we can be like Him, and it's a lot easier for Him to carry.
Dear God of All That Is Good, Thank you for the gorgeous weather and so many opportunities to experience You. Thank you for God Calling, and continually revealing Yourself and Your plan to us. Thank you for the examples of the saints, and people who model heroic charity and courage. Thank you for the reminder that real suffering is always bearable, because Your grace is abundant in reality. Help me to destroy imagined suffering in my life.
Lord, please give me the courage to climb upon my cross. Help me to see and know those things that hinder my progress and Joy, and to do whatever is necessary to remove them. Please give me and all others who are pursuing You, the grace of knowing when we are comparing our relationship with You to someone else's relationship with You, and spare us the confusion and feelings of inferiority that come with that comparison. Thank You for making our burdens light and for the rest we find when we come to You. Amen.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Confrontation for Christ
I've been praying for the courage to be bold for Christ for two years now. Today, I got some.
My husband had to work today, so I was at Mass with my three boys. One section over, slightly in front of where we were sitting, were two beautiful, college-aged girls. The beautiful girls were wearing shirts that left their backs and shoulders completely exposed, animal-print bra showing, and at best, a skirt that landed mid-thigh.
I was shocked at their lack of discretion, but also remembered being ignorant of affecting others with my clothing choices in my youth. I found them to be a continual distraction through Mass, and felt more and more certain that I was being called to "fraternally correct" these girls. So, after receiving communion, I wrote them a little note that went something like this:
Beautiful Girls,
When I was your age, I did not know that bare skin was a distraction and obstacle for men. (I wish someone had told me). In an effort to help them praise and worship their God, please consider dressing more consciously for Mass.
I only communicate this for love of God, your beautiful selves, and the Body of Christ.
Thank you for your consideration. (end)
I exited my pew and handed it to one of the girls in the aisle, saying "Here's something for your consideration." She looked at me suspiciously, and I walked away.
I felt nervous, but was pretty sure I had done the right thing by all. Until they caught up with me in the parking lot as I was getting into my car (they were already in theirs). Then, they let me have it. Their comments went something like...
"So, you had to write it down; You couldn't tell us to our face? You must not have been paying attention in Mass if you were writing. You were too busy judging us. Some women can't wear whatever they want. We can wear whatever we want. This is why some people don't even come to Mass. You are the only one who had a problem with it. No one else said anything..."
I listened patiently (although I was shaking inside). I tried to explain that I thought they were beautiful, but that the men had to work twice as hard to pray and worship because of the distraction. They told me how fake I was being. So, I walked away, and they peeled out of the parking lot.
Yuck.
Suddenly, I wasn't feeling so confident in my decision.
My boys were already in the car and privy to all that transpired. "Mom, were those girls being mean to you?!" I said "Yes. I wrote them a note encouraging them to dress more respectfully when they come to God's house, and that made them mad."
I was expecting a chorus of disapproval because my boys hate confrontation (like me!). But, my oldest said, "Mom, I think God would be very happy for what you did." Whoa. He took my breath away. This is the kid who finds fault with almost everything I do, so the weight of his timely compliment was tremendous. I was and am extremely grateful, and made sure to let him know.
I was aching for some reassurance, but am really trying to lean on God alone this Lenten season, so I said a little prayer. "Lord, I really want to share this with somebody, but I want to trust in You more. So, if you want me to talk to someone about it, please have them call me."
Crickets. That's what I was afraid of.
Fortunately, we had a wonderful afternoon at a friend's house, celebrating her baby girl's baptism, and I was able to keep mum on the whole thing. I did share with my husband when we got home, and he said he was proud of his "soldier". I thought he was going to be embarrassed, but instead just laughed that I pulled the "When I was your age" card. So, I'm feeling better about it as the night winds down, but might reconsider praying for courage tomorrow. ;)
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for another gorgeous day, for new souls added to the Christian family, for great-grandmothers who have 10 children, 29 grandchildren, and their wits. Thank you for the example of the Christian families who are open to life. Thank you for the Eucharist and the priests who make celebrating Mass and receiving You possible. Thank you for answering our prayers.
Lord, please bless those beautiful girls and all who are tempted to use their God-given beauty to draw others to themselves. Please convict them of Your love, and grant them wisdom, prudence, and modesty. Please help them overlook my faults, so that they may know the good that You intend for them.
Lord, I hope I pleased You today, as I made three people very uncomfortable. Lord, please continue to give me the courage to act for You, and out of love for my brothers and sisters. I believe it is true that you call us to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. Please grant me wisdom and charity, Lord. I never want to be a stumbling block for those who are seeking You. Please help me to rest in Your opinion, alone. Amen.
My husband had to work today, so I was at Mass with my three boys. One section over, slightly in front of where we were sitting, were two beautiful, college-aged girls. The beautiful girls were wearing shirts that left their backs and shoulders completely exposed, animal-print bra showing, and at best, a skirt that landed mid-thigh.
I was shocked at their lack of discretion, but also remembered being ignorant of affecting others with my clothing choices in my youth. I found them to be a continual distraction through Mass, and felt more and more certain that I was being called to "fraternally correct" these girls. So, after receiving communion, I wrote them a little note that went something like this:
Beautiful Girls,
When I was your age, I did not know that bare skin was a distraction and obstacle for men. (I wish someone had told me). In an effort to help them praise and worship their God, please consider dressing more consciously for Mass.
I only communicate this for love of God, your beautiful selves, and the Body of Christ.
Thank you for your consideration. (end)
I exited my pew and handed it to one of the girls in the aisle, saying "Here's something for your consideration." She looked at me suspiciously, and I walked away.
I felt nervous, but was pretty sure I had done the right thing by all. Until they caught up with me in the parking lot as I was getting into my car (they were already in theirs). Then, they let me have it. Their comments went something like...
"So, you had to write it down; You couldn't tell us to our face? You must not have been paying attention in Mass if you were writing. You were too busy judging us. Some women can't wear whatever they want. We can wear whatever we want. This is why some people don't even come to Mass. You are the only one who had a problem with it. No one else said anything..."
I listened patiently (although I was shaking inside). I tried to explain that I thought they were beautiful, but that the men had to work twice as hard to pray and worship because of the distraction. They told me how fake I was being. So, I walked away, and they peeled out of the parking lot.
Yuck.
Suddenly, I wasn't feeling so confident in my decision.
My boys were already in the car and privy to all that transpired. "Mom, were those girls being mean to you?!" I said "Yes. I wrote them a note encouraging them to dress more respectfully when they come to God's house, and that made them mad."
I was expecting a chorus of disapproval because my boys hate confrontation (like me!). But, my oldest said, "Mom, I think God would be very happy for what you did." Whoa. He took my breath away. This is the kid who finds fault with almost everything I do, so the weight of his timely compliment was tremendous. I was and am extremely grateful, and made sure to let him know.
I was aching for some reassurance, but am really trying to lean on God alone this Lenten season, so I said a little prayer. "Lord, I really want to share this with somebody, but I want to trust in You more. So, if you want me to talk to someone about it, please have them call me."
Crickets. That's what I was afraid of.
Fortunately, we had a wonderful afternoon at a friend's house, celebrating her baby girl's baptism, and I was able to keep mum on the whole thing. I did share with my husband when we got home, and he said he was proud of his "soldier". I thought he was going to be embarrassed, but instead just laughed that I pulled the "When I was your age" card. So, I'm feeling better about it as the night winds down, but might reconsider praying for courage tomorrow. ;)
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for another gorgeous day, for new souls added to the Christian family, for great-grandmothers who have 10 children, 29 grandchildren, and their wits. Thank you for the example of the Christian families who are open to life. Thank you for the Eucharist and the priests who make celebrating Mass and receiving You possible. Thank you for answering our prayers.
Lord, please bless those beautiful girls and all who are tempted to use their God-given beauty to draw others to themselves. Please convict them of Your love, and grant them wisdom, prudence, and modesty. Please help them overlook my faults, so that they may know the good that You intend for them.
Lord, I hope I pleased You today, as I made three people very uncomfortable. Lord, please continue to give me the courage to act for You, and out of love for my brothers and sisters. I believe it is true that you call us to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. Please grant me wisdom and charity, Lord. I never want to be a stumbling block for those who are seeking You. Please help me to rest in Your opinion, alone. Amen.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
One Cruel Mark At A Time
The following applies to us any time God is at work in our life, but we don't have a clue what He's up to. All we know is that it hurts. Here is another view, from a distance:
It is true that a canvas simply and blindly given up to the work of the pencil only feels its movement at each moment. Each blow of the hammer on the chisel can only produce one cruel mark at a time, and the stone struck by repeated blows cannot know, nor see the form produced by them. It only feels that it is being diminished, filed, cut, and altered by the chisel. And a stone that is destined to become a crucifix or a statue without knowing it, if it were asked, "What is happening to you?" would reply if it could speak, "Do not ask me, I only know one thing, and that is, to remain immovable in the hands of my master, to love him, and to endure all that he inflicts upon me. As for the end for which I am destined, it is his business to understand how it is to be accomplished; I am as ignorant of what he is doing as of what I am destined to become; all I know is that his work is the best, and the most perfect that could be, and I receive each blow of the chisel as the most excellent thing that could happen to me, although, truth to tell, each blow, in my opinion, causes the idea of ruin, destruction, and disfigurement. But that is not my affair; content with the present moment, I think of nothing but my duty, and I endure the work of this clever master without knowing, or occupying myself about it.
Yes! give to God what belongs to Him, and remain lovingly passive in his hands. Hold for certain that what takes place either exteriorly or interiorly is best for you."
~Abandonment to Divine Providence by Jean Pierre de Caussade
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for Fr. Jean Pierre de Caussade and his writings. Thank you for this one, in particular. Please help us to remain lovingly passive in Your hands, and endure Your work, in whatever form it may present itself, with peace. Please purify our self-love, which always demands to know what is going on, and help us rest in our ignorance of Your divine plan. Amen.
It is true that a canvas simply and blindly given up to the work of the pencil only feels its movement at each moment. Each blow of the hammer on the chisel can only produce one cruel mark at a time, and the stone struck by repeated blows cannot know, nor see the form produced by them. It only feels that it is being diminished, filed, cut, and altered by the chisel. And a stone that is destined to become a crucifix or a statue without knowing it, if it were asked, "What is happening to you?" would reply if it could speak, "Do not ask me, I only know one thing, and that is, to remain immovable in the hands of my master, to love him, and to endure all that he inflicts upon me. As for the end for which I am destined, it is his business to understand how it is to be accomplished; I am as ignorant of what he is doing as of what I am destined to become; all I know is that his work is the best, and the most perfect that could be, and I receive each blow of the chisel as the most excellent thing that could happen to me, although, truth to tell, each blow, in my opinion, causes the idea of ruin, destruction, and disfigurement. But that is not my affair; content with the present moment, I think of nothing but my duty, and I endure the work of this clever master without knowing, or occupying myself about it.
Yes! give to God what belongs to Him, and remain lovingly passive in his hands. Hold for certain that what takes place either exteriorly or interiorly is best for you."
~Abandonment to Divine Providence by Jean Pierre de Caussade
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for Fr. Jean Pierre de Caussade and his writings. Thank you for this one, in particular. Please help us to remain lovingly passive in Your hands, and endure Your work, in whatever form it may present itself, with peace. Please purify our self-love, which always demands to know what is going on, and help us rest in our ignorance of Your divine plan. Amen.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
A New Heart - Part I
The theme for the Women's Day of Reflection that I attended over the weekend was "A New Heart". I'm not sure why, but attendance was down this year, and everyone should hear what we heard! Because I wish you were there, and want you to know that Christ loves you, and encourage you in your walk with Him, I'll do my best to recap here...
A new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my ordinances, and do them. And you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers and you shall be my people and I will be your God.
~Ezekiel 36:26-29
For his first talk, Fr. Scott Reilly, LC led us toward the goal of understanding that Jesus is in love with each one of us. Although, we will never comprehend fully the heart of Jesus. That's what Heaven is about - discovering the heart of Jesus."
1. "Jesus is close to us, because love is always loving. It never takes a break."
2. "Jesus' love is not in a vacuum. It is not oblivious. However, this is a perpetual temptation for us. We enjoy this temptation because we - circle around it, consider it, nibble on it, get hooked on it, and finally embrace the lie that Jesus doesn't care."
3. Jesus commands us, "DON'T LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED." It is not a suggestion. We cannot connect with Jesus if we are troubled. We need to give our troubles to him. How do we know when we've done that? We won't "have" them anymore. We have peace. We must not let our hearts be troubled, because it is a choice. Worrying is a choice, and it is a sin against hope.
4. When Christ touches us, as he did when he healed Simon Peter's mother, we rise up with love and energy, and we serve.
5. Jesus didn't heal people en masse. Every single person is different. Their needs are different. He touches us individually.
6. When we think (or say to ourselves), "God doesn't hear my prayer", we need to follow it with "Buck up, girl! That's from the devil!"
For his second talk, Fr. Scott explored three aspects of Jesus' heart.
1. Simplicity. Christ has a simple heart. He can answer every cry with, "I forgive you." and "I love you." "We don't owe anything to Jesus. He paid the debt. He loves us unconditionally. We cannot destroy or diminish His love. This love is independent of our merits or demerits." With Christ, there is no second-guessing. No complications. No conniving. An understanding of eternity brings simplicity. What is anything compared with eternity? Simplicity is about depth and is a shield that protects us from the complication of satan. We only need one thing. A TRUST button. Push it and doors will open to you.
2. Gratitude. We celebrate extremes in our culture. Let's practice extreme gratitude. When we're grateful, we're much more aware of God. When we're aware of God, He can act.
3. Courage. John 13 - Jesus' agony in the garden. Knowing all that was to come, He got up and met Judas and the soldiers, and said to them, "Whom are you looking for?" Courage comes from prayer. People who pray are the most courageous people on earth. All things are possible with God. We need to pray at the beginning of each day and nourish our hearts with the Living Word of God, the Bible. This will fortify our hearts. If we don't do this, we can easily be fed with the stuff of the world.
If we can embrace the new heart that Jesus continually offers, the conversations in your life may go something like this (based on conversation between Claudia Procula and her servant girl, Dinah):
C: "You've changed. You're different."
D: "Yes. I've changed."
C: "What happened?"
D: "Jesus gave me a new heart."
In my next post, I will review four ways to honor and preserve the gift of a new heart...
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the Women's Day of Reflection. Thank you for Fr. Scott. Thank you for Linda Frost-Clark and her insightful portrayal of Claudia, Pontius Pilate's wife. Thank you for all of the Regnum Christi women who worked tirelessly to deliver this day for You and for souls. Thank you for letting me participate, absorb, and contribute in moments, days, and weekends filled with spiritual nourishment. They are food for my soul. I love You and I am eternally grateful for the glimpses of You I have already received and for those to come. Amen.
A new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my ordinances, and do them. And you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers and you shall be my people and I will be your God.
~Ezekiel 36:26-29
For his first talk, Fr. Scott Reilly, LC led us toward the goal of understanding that Jesus is in love with each one of us. Although, we will never comprehend fully the heart of Jesus. That's what Heaven is about - discovering the heart of Jesus."
1. "Jesus is close to us, because love is always loving. It never takes a break."
2. "Jesus' love is not in a vacuum. It is not oblivious. However, this is a perpetual temptation for us. We enjoy this temptation because we - circle around it, consider it, nibble on it, get hooked on it, and finally embrace the lie that Jesus doesn't care."
3. Jesus commands us, "DON'T LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED." It is not a suggestion. We cannot connect with Jesus if we are troubled. We need to give our troubles to him. How do we know when we've done that? We won't "have" them anymore. We have peace. We must not let our hearts be troubled, because it is a choice. Worrying is a choice, and it is a sin against hope.
4. When Christ touches us, as he did when he healed Simon Peter's mother, we rise up with love and energy, and we serve.
5. Jesus didn't heal people en masse. Every single person is different. Their needs are different. He touches us individually.
6. When we think (or say to ourselves), "God doesn't hear my prayer", we need to follow it with "Buck up, girl! That's from the devil!"
For his second talk, Fr. Scott explored three aspects of Jesus' heart.
1. Simplicity. Christ has a simple heart. He can answer every cry with, "I forgive you." and "I love you." "We don't owe anything to Jesus. He paid the debt. He loves us unconditionally. We cannot destroy or diminish His love. This love is independent of our merits or demerits." With Christ, there is no second-guessing. No complications. No conniving. An understanding of eternity brings simplicity. What is anything compared with eternity? Simplicity is about depth and is a shield that protects us from the complication of satan. We only need one thing. A TRUST button. Push it and doors will open to you.
2. Gratitude. We celebrate extremes in our culture. Let's practice extreme gratitude. When we're grateful, we're much more aware of God. When we're aware of God, He can act.
3. Courage. John 13 - Jesus' agony in the garden. Knowing all that was to come, He got up and met Judas and the soldiers, and said to them, "Whom are you looking for?" Courage comes from prayer. People who pray are the most courageous people on earth. All things are possible with God. We need to pray at the beginning of each day and nourish our hearts with the Living Word of God, the Bible. This will fortify our hearts. If we don't do this, we can easily be fed with the stuff of the world.
If we can embrace the new heart that Jesus continually offers, the conversations in your life may go something like this (based on conversation between Claudia Procula and her servant girl, Dinah):
C: "You've changed. You're different."
D: "Yes. I've changed."
C: "What happened?"
D: "Jesus gave me a new heart."
In my next post, I will review four ways to honor and preserve the gift of a new heart...
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the Women's Day of Reflection. Thank you for Fr. Scott. Thank you for Linda Frost-Clark and her insightful portrayal of Claudia, Pontius Pilate's wife. Thank you for all of the Regnum Christi women who worked tirelessly to deliver this day for You and for souls. Thank you for letting me participate, absorb, and contribute in moments, days, and weekends filled with spiritual nourishment. They are food for my soul. I love You and I am eternally grateful for the glimpses of You I have already received and for those to come. Amen.
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