 Reflections of 48 parishioners on facing crises with the Word of God in our heart. Facing a difficulty? Thirsting to grow closer to the Lord? Below are reflections by 48 parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi on their favorite verses of Holy Scripture. |
Holy Scripture
is the mind of God. Find a relevant topic among these reflections.
Then click that topic to go directly to the reflection. You can also use your
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These reflections
first appeared in booklets in 1997 and 1998. Two of the writers
have gone to be with the Lord. May the Holy Spirit fill the hearts
and minds of all who read these words.
Click one of the following: Finding God in silence Making decisions God's unconditional love Fear: When faith is weak Jesus, our help Handling daily worries Finding God in the shadows Finding Jesus in others Carried in Jesus arms Approaching Jesus as a couple God is sovereign in details Love casts out all fear Listening to the Lord's voice Unity in Marriage Dwelling place prepared for us Healing touch of Lord Love overcomes confusion Sharing God's love Suffering for love of Jesus Scripture rekindles our love Like a little child Jesus knows my family God's timing is best He will provide what we need Jesus bears our suffering Jesus, our safety net Seeing and hearing Jesus Living without fear Holy Spirit, our Guide Jesus is present in our Gethsemani Jesus always with us Putting God first Eucharist heals our brokenness His will, not my will God in the midst of trials From darkness into the Lord's light God, passionate lover of His People Trials we do not choose Jesus never turns away Assured of God's endless love God is greater than any difficulty Sowing seeds, reaping harvest Mary brings us to Jesus Growing closer to Jesus God's angels Strength from the Risen Jesus Love never fails Jesus' heart
SILENCE OF THE HEART
"There is an appointed time for everything...a time to
be silent, and a time to speak. "
Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 7b
In my life I have found that in moments of silence the Lord speaks
most clearly to me. A quiet snowfall, a stunning sunset, and a
hike in the woods give me inner silence; listening to meditative
music, the stillness of a silent weekend retreat, and the breathtaking
view from a mountain top create spaces of quiet within my heart.
The most profound silence I ever experienced, however, was in
the Maine wilderness at a remote area called Lobster Lake. The
silence was deep, pervasive, and complete. God spoke in that silence,
as I had never heard before. It was a deeply spiritual experience
of intimacy and connection with my Creator. Total darkness and
silence, normally associated with fear, now became for me profound
peace. In this season of Lent, let us journey without fear into
the silent wilderness of our hearts and allow the Lord to speak
to us about those areas of our life that need our reflection and
the Lord's healing.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you often journeyed to quiet places so that
you could listen to your Father's voice. Help us to be still in
this time of Lent so that we may hear your words of guidance and
be embraced by your healing love. Amen. -Caryl Conroy Johnson
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MAKING DECISIONS WITH THE LORD
'Trust in the Lord and do well; dwell in the land and enjoy safe
pasture. "
Psalm 37: 3
It is comforting to know that the Lord has intended our lives
to be full of peace, joy, security and contentment if we would
only surrender our lives to his way. I often find myself wondering
how burdensome this life may be if the Holy Spirit is not with
us, guiding our every move. Psalm 37 is explicit as to how we
are to live-and through our deep faith in Jesus Christ that peace
will reign in our lives. I refer to this passage time and time
again to remind myself of what the Lord expects of us. To know
that Jesus loves us so much that he would provide a blueprint
for us to follow in our life's journey is reassuring. With all
the possibilities that this world presents, it is comforting to
know that any decision that is made with our Lord and Savior's
influence is a safe one.
Psalm 37: The Lord's game plan for life.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, please be present in all that I think
and all that I do. May I realize that all that is blessed by you
is good. Please provide me with the strength to surrender to you,
so that I may be saved. May your peace, contentment, security
and confidence reign. May I be one with you, for you are everything
that is good. -Ed Coll
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UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
"Excellence of the Gift of Love."( Read the entire
passage.)
I Corinthians
This chapter of the bible has always had strong significance for
both of us, and like many couples we had it read at our wedding.
The message put forth sounds so very simple, but it is one of
the most difficult to live by.
God's message of love was so freely given and through Christ's
death on the cross he gave us the ultimate gift of selfless love.
Yet we in our daily lives are always looking for what's in it
for us before we are willing to give of ourselves. This passage
reminds us of how God wants us to live our lives. How much better
the world would be if we could give our love without conditions.
We strive to live our lives in the spirit of love in our marriage,
in raising our children, and in our interaction with those around
us.
Lent is a particularly special time to reflect on God's love and
to give our love to others.
Prayer: God of love, you gave yourself to us so freely. Help us
to live our lives with true love that we may give our love to
others without the expectation of something in return.
-Bill and Marilyn Bayer
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WHEN FAITH IS WEAK
"Lord, if it is thou, bid me come to thee over the water.
And he said, "Come". Then Peter got out of the boat
and walked on the water to come to Jesus But seeing the wind was
strong, he
Was afraid: and as he began to sink he cried out saying, "Lord,
save me! And Jesus at once stretched forth his hand and took hold
of him saying to him to thou of little faith, why midst thou doubt?",
Matthew 15: 28-31
As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus he could walk on water.
Nothing is impossible for God. When we become distracted by the
world around the trials or us in our life, we can lose sight of
Him just as Peter was distracted by the storm. Even if our faith
should weaken, Jesus will still reach out his hand to pull us
safely back to him.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us never to lose sight of the light that
is you even through our darkest, most trying storms in life. -Mike
Davey
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JESUS, OUR RIGHT HAND
"So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them,
was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
'" Mark 16: 19
Having lost my faith in God and the church many years ago, I needed
traumatic events to occur in my life to point me back to him.
Losing my right arm in a car accident was one of those events.
In the past year the Holy Spirit has opened my eyes, returning
me to worship the Lord and allowing me to feel his presence
in many ways. I began to refer to the scriptures, seeking to find
explanations behind the symbolic way the Holy Spirit was calling
me. Writing down the verses containing the symbols of light, water
and birds, I noticed many verses involving the "right hand
(arm)" of God. Reading these "right hand" verses,
I established a trust in God that I never had before. I became
quickly dependent on my new "right-hand man"-Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Dear God, continue to show me your will, so I can understand
how adversities bring me closer to serving you. Thank you for
the way you answer prayers- with surprises.
-Dennis Coyle
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HANDLING DAILY WORRIES
"My brothers, count it pure joy when you arc involved
in every sort of trial Realize that when your faith is tested
this makes for endurance. Let endurance come to its perfection
so that you may be fully mature and lacking in nothing. "
James 1: 2 -
Our daily lives are sometimes full of problems. Some small, some
not so small.
When I begin my day, I ask the Lord for wisdom and discernment
along with my long list of petitions for my family and friends.
I am a worrier by nature. I worry about some things before they
happen. Being positive can be difficult at times, when so much
around us is negative.
This is when the scripture passage takes on a new meaning for
me. We must follow the rules, do our best and then turn the rest
over to the Lord. We know he loves us, but we must believe
this and trust Him. If we persevere and pray, he will lessen our
fears and strengthen our faith. It's not easy. We will fall, but
we must pick ourselves up and try again.
Jesus fell three times on the way to Calvary, but he continued
on to die a horrible death on the cross for our sins. On the third
day, though, he rose from the dead in all his glory. Look to the
cross and resurrection and we will find hope and peace.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, please strengthen our faith. Bless us
with your wisdom and discernment. Calm our fears teach us to endure,
and fill us with total trust in you. Praise you Lord! - Anna
M. Carullo
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FINDING GOD IN THE SHADOWS
"O Lord, my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God,
my rock of refuge." 2 Samuel 22: 2-3a
You rely on the Lord for many things-for breathing, walking, feelings
(good or bad), and life of loved ones. Then one day the phone
rings and you wonder "where did the Lord go?" How could
he let it happen, or what did you do to make it happen? Something
just happened and now, although you thought you had control, you
didn't.
My grandfather died. My family and I though he would outlive all
of us, but we were wrong. And life for me was different because
I felt God had gone and that my enemies of death had come for
me. But through the help of a retreat priest I came to realize
that our God is just, and that he brought my grandfather out of
his pain by bringing him to heaven. Sometimes we need to look
for God in the shadows of our fears. God is always there, and
he wants us to rely on him.
Prayer: Lord, help us to rely on you even in the dark shadows
of our life and to remember that you love us. -Gina Shields
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FINDING CHRIST IN OTHERS
"With that their eyes were opened and they recognized
him; whereupon he vanished from their sight. " (Read
all of Luke 24: 13 - 35.) Luke 24: 31
This passage has always struck me as one of the most important
lessons in the New Testament. It gives us the key to finding Christ
in daily life, two thousand years after he walked the earth. In
this story, as in most of the post-Resurrection sightings, Christ
appears as a stranger and goes unrecognized by those closest to
Him until something in his words or actions brings about a spiritual
epiphany of recognition. In the man of the road to Emmys, or the
man on the shore of the lake, we find Christ when we recognize
the Spirit of God in the unlikeliest of our fellow men.
Prayer: Lord, help me to see you in the eyes of a stranger. -Lisa
Franks
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JESUS CARRIES ME
"I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know
me." John 10: 14
My image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd has always been near to
my heart. To see myself as a little lamb in his arms gives me
much comfort and security. I feel protected from all the "wolves"
in the world. I know my savior loves me in a very unique way.
He carries me to high ground and allows me to run free and happy,
praising Him all the days of my life.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for calling me your own. I am not
worthy of such unconditional love. Be present in my life filling
me always with your grace. -Rita Clark
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APPROACING GOD AS A COUPLE
"Yet he must ask in faith, never doubting, for the doubter
is
like the surf tossed and driven by the wind. " James
1: 6
There are times in our faith when we have asked God to help u:
deal with a situation or to provide guidance. It's easy to look
for a sign when we already know what we are seeking-when we simply
want confirmation of a decision already made in our hearts.
At other times it might seem that the messages might be mixed.
Is that because we aren't willing to listen to what God might
be telling us? The above passage follows a message about trial
and endurance. James encourages us to face trouble head-on and
not to be afraid.
When we are deciding about whether to have another baby, to take
a new job or face some other major hurdle, we must be willing
to ask and listen honestly for God's plan for us. It took us time
and growth together as a couple and as a family to realize that
God always answers our prayers, but sometimes the best answer
is "no."
Prayer: Dear Lord, in your wisdom, help us to open our hearts
and our minds to your Word. Guide us and give us strength to listen
to the answers you give us. Make us mindful of your presence in
our lives. Amen. -Matthew and Donna Pawloski
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GOD IS SOVEREIGN IN DETAILS OF LIFE
In the best of times, seventh grade can be a difficult
year. We begin to realize the complexities of the world around
us. It's a time that can be both exciting and frightful.
My seventh grade year occurred in 1969-a very turbulent year in
our country's history. Two of our political leaders were assassinated,
there was civil unrest, the Vietnam war continued, and the nuclear
weapons buildup was in high gear. The world was, in a word, pessimistic.
My perception of the future was filled with fear and uncertainty.
On Christmas Eve of that year, as I drove with my parents to midnight
Mass, the radio was on-history was befog made-three astronauts
were journeying for the first time ever to the moon. They had
a Christmas message which would help shape my outlook on life.
They read from the book of Genesis:
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth,
the Earth was without form and void, and darkness covered the
abyss. Then God said, "Let there be light, n and there
was light. God saw the light and it was good. Then God separated
the light from the darkness. God called the light "day, "
and the darkness he called "night." Thus evening
came, and morning followed -the first day." Genesis:
1: 1-5
Today, the "fears" and "uncertainties"
I had as a seventh grader are now my "downside risks"
and "what-if' scenarios (in many ways they're still the same).
But now, I draw upon the wisdom of those words from Genesis to
realize that darkness is something we must experience in order
to see light and, more importantly, that light will always
follow darkness.
Prayer: Lord, help us to remember that your light will always
outshine the deepest darkness. Thank you for your presence in
my life. - Steven Sanislo
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LOVE CASTS OUT ALL FEAR
There is no fear in love.... 1 John 4: 13-21
I have just started reading the Bible, trying to find out more
about our Lord. Each time I read a passage from the Bible, I realize
why this book has lasted so long. The readings are a guide for
how we should live our lives day in and day out.
I read I John and feel he is trying to tell us we must love all
people; we must find the good in everyone, for God made all things
good. Sometimes it is very hard for me to remember this, when
I judge others unfairly. But now I try to remember what John said,
"God is love." "There is no fear in love,"
move each other." We must all find it in our hearts to LOVE
each other, good and bad, then we will have no fears.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, help us to find the love in each other so
that we may conquer our fears and find peace and love in You!
Amen. -Joan McMenamin
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LISTEN TO THE LORD IN SILENCE
"Be still and know that I am God. " Psalm 46:
1 l
In this busy, noisy, hustle, bustle world of ours there doesn't
seem to be time to be still-to be quiet-to relax-to pray.
Prayer is conversation with God. I speak and He listens; then
I listen for Him to speak to my heart. Certainly we can pray our
conventional prayers while driving to work, on the bus, or waiting
in line at the supermarket. But we can only listen and hear in
the quiet and stillness.
It's very hard to find a quiet, still moment these days with children
claiming all our attention, TV, radio, the telephone ringing.
But we must make time to be quiet.
Two or three times a year I like to go to the beach-usually after
the crowds are gone. Here I find complete peace and quiet. As
I look out over the ocean, I am reminded of God's love. As vast
and deep and never ending is the ocean, so, too, is God's love
for me (and you, too). As I watch the waves come crashing to the
shore, I recall times when God's love for me was so powerfully
felt in my life. Sometimes I think of the healing effect of the
salt water on my feet and I dwell on God's healing love.
One time as I sat on a bench and meditated, I thought, "How
hard it is to walk through the sand to get to the water."
The thought came to me that sometimes we have to walk through
our difficulties (whatever they may be) before we realize how
much God loves us.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, your love for me is so awesome.
Sometimes I am just overwhelmed! I praise and
thank you for first loving me and calling me to a
closer relationship with you. Thank you for the m
ways you speak to my heart. May I always be op.
to hear your word for me? Amen. - Dorothy Jones
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UNITY OF MARRIAGE
"I pray not only for them, but also for those who will
believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one,
as you, Father, arc in me and I in you, that they may also be
m us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have
given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as
we are one, I in them and you in me.... " John 17: 2~23
This passage of John's gospel has special meaning for us, since
this is the passage we chose as the gospel reading when we received
the sacrament of marriage. This was Jesus' prayer at the Last
Supper for his immediate and future disciples, and the passage
is so beautiful and deeply spiritual as a petition for unity with
the Father. We felt it was so appropriate for the spiritual unity
that is professed in the sacrament of marriage.
Yet, Jesus' prayer has special mean Is for each of us in everyday
life and is important to remember during the Lenten season. Each
of us is called to be witness to Christ-to be open enough to see
Jesus in others and allow others to see Jesus in us. For although
we are many parts, we are one body, one spirit in Christ.
Prayer: Loving Jesus, as You prayed so beautifully for us the
night before You gave Your life for us, help us to be, through
word and deed, mirrors that reflect Your light to each other,
so that we may be one in You. -Marianne & Robert Schuster
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HEALING TOUCH OF LORD
"Aloud to God I cry, aloud to God to hear me, on the
day of distress I seek the Lord. ~ Psalm 77: 1-
Raised by my maternal grandparents, from the age of five months,
I considered them my parents. My grandfather was a Presbyterian
but always went to Mass with us. As a small child, I suffered
with severe asthma. One day, the doctor said it was touch and
go because my heart couldn't take much more labored breathing.
Working for the state, my grandfather traveled many miles inspecting
watersheds. One particular day, when I was so ill, he stopped
in at St. Helena's Church in Center Square, Montgomery County
(the shrine of St. Therese the Little Flower). He prayed to God
and St. Therese, asking them to help me. When he returned home,
I was much better and my grandmother said "it was like a
miracle, at about 1:00 p.m. she stopped having labored breathing."
After that day, I never suffered as much with severe asthma. I
thank my grandfather for seeking our Lord in his distress. After
that we had great devotion to St. Therese. In 1942, my grandfather
became a Catholic and was very devout until his death at the age
of 93 in 1984.
Prayer: God our Father, help us to follow your way through the
intercession of St. Therese so that by her prayers we may come
to know your eternal glory. Grant this through our Lord Jesus
Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God forever and ever. Amen.
-Marie O'Brien
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A DWELLING PLACE PREPARED FOR US
"How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Hosts.
My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the Lord....Better
is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere."Psalm
84: 2-3, 11
I always thought how wonderful it will be to finally get to this
"lovely" dwelling place! We have in our minds an idea
of what a "lovely" dwelling place it will be, but we
really cannot conceive of what wonderful things God has in store
for us-there is just no way we can possibly imagine it because
God and his thoughts are so infinitely above and beyond our wildest
dreams of beauty and loveliness.
It will behoove us, therefore, to live our lives in such a way
that we will ultimately gain this wondrous gift. Also, I am sure
the gift of a "lovely dwelling place" will be far outshone
by the gift of our coming face to face with our Lord and God!
Prayer: Dear Lord, let me remember that you are always there for
me to take refuge under your wings and to keep me safe on my journey
to you; never let me forget to do all I can to reach a glorious
destination with you. -Mary Jane Gallagher
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LOVE OVERCOMES CONFUSION
"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another;
be
sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. ~I
Peter 3: 8
(Read entire passage of I Peter 3: 8-22.)
I wake up in the morning and begin to feel the world pull me into
all of the confusion. I start to think about paying bills, getting
ahead, whatever it takes to get it done, then I start to run in
the race with all the other people. I think there is no time to
help this person or talk to that individual, my patience with
my family and other people is not what it should be. Then the
Lord taps me on the shoulder or sometimes smacks me on the head
and asks "Where are your running to?" I then stop, which
is not always easy, and listen to what the Lord is saying.
The world at times is not an easy place to live and raise a family,
but the Lord made it easier to deal with by giving us guidelines
through the Bible. When I read the Bible and listen to what Jesus
is telling me, I have found out it makes life so much more rewarding.
The greatest way to deal with things that this world dishes out
is to love God with all your heart and soul and live in harmony
with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate
and humble. The Lord will then guide you through the rest of the
course.
Prayer: Lord, give me the strength and patience to ask and listen
to you throughout each day of my life. Guide me to do your will
at all times. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Bill McMenamin
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SHARING GOD'S LOVE
"This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice
and be glad. " Psalm 118: 24
What beautiful words to reflect on at the start of each day. The
Lord gives us new hope as we begin each day.
That is why I kneel before the Father and thank him for this day.
Each day is a new challenge and I am gratful that I can return
thanks by giving service, hospitality, kindness to a stranger,
and concern for each other.
We give you all the glory when our job is well done.
Prayer: May we never forget his everlasting love and share the
good news. May His Spirit guide and direct us as we grow closer
to him during this season of Lent. God Bless!
-Caroline Hamilton
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BEARING SUFFERING FOR LOVE OF JESUS
"If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me."
Matthew 16: 24
Lord, you invite me to carry the cross with you. You suffered
for
me that I might walk in your steps. Suffering can be unbearable
if we see no reason for it. We ask to be taken down from the
cross, like the thief on your left. Suffering is bearable if we
see it
with purpose and unite it with your sufferings. The thief on your
right didn't ask to be taken down, but asked to be taken up-to
You. "Upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole,
by
his wounds we were healed!" (1s. 53: 5). Jesus willingly
took
upon himself poverty, bodily suffering, mental anguish, bitter
disappointment, the false judgment of justice, the betrayal of
true
friendship, the court's perversion of honesty, and the violent
separation from a mother's love. Suffering gives a broader view
of life and teaches that this life is but a preparation for the
next.
It opens souls to God's gifts and affects our virtues as fire
affects
gold. St. Theresa assures us that more souls are saved by the
patient acceptance of sufferings than by preaching. Jesus saw
the
Father in everything, so trials became opportunities to practice
some virtue and offer a pleasing sacrifice to the Father. We have
the chance to give ourselves totally to Jesus, and use our trials
to
help us to heaven. From this, we receive a peace and joy that
surpasses all worldly understanding, which tells us to come down
off the cross.
Prayer: Lord, let me suffer my whole life with all its suffering
as a
sacrifice of love to You, for the salvation of souls. Teach
me to be patient when I must suffer unjustly. Help me
love my enemies, and forgive and pray for those who nail
me to the cross. Let me have no part in fault-finding.
May 1 continually practice contrition for my sins and the
sins of the world. Help me to suffer silently for love of
You, just as You suffered silently for love of me. Amen.
- Peter Scarani
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KINGDOM BELONGS TO CHILD-LIKE
"...but Jesus said, 'Let the children come to me. Do not
hinder them.Je The kingdom of God belongs to such as these. "'
Matthew 19: 14
This is one of my favorite Biblical passages. There are a few
different ways we could look at it, but as a Lenten meditation,
I like to put the emphasis on the latter part of the passage-"the
kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
God's kingdom belongs to those with child-like qualities. Lent
is
a time for us to dwell on and, if need be, return to the basics
of
our faith. What could be more basic than rekindling the child-like
qualities of innocence, trust, honesty, and unconditional love?
Anyone who has spent any time with children knows the
sweetness of these beautiful qualities. For today, try to recapture
the child within you. Put your complete trust in the Lord. Be
honest with yourselves in assessing your faith and prayer life.
Let
the Lord's unconditional love wrap you in warmth and joy and
spill over into the encounters you have with the people you meet
today. Remember how special your faith used to be when you
were a child, before it became routine.
Prayer: Sweet Jesus, help bring out the beautiful child hidden
inside us. Let us allow ourselves to trust and be trusted, to
love and be loved. Amen. -Peggy Dudrick
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SCRIPTURE REKINDLES OUR LOVE
"Were not our hearts burning inside us as he talked to
us on the road ant explained the Scripturcs to us? " Luke
24:
Over the years our family's journey has been much like that of
other families, and like that of the disciples. The road is easy
at times, at other times dark clouds and storms in our life interfere
with our perception of God's presence. Again like the disciples
in Luke 24 as we walked our road, Jesus accompanied us and taught
us from His Scripture as faith and hope dwindled. Scripture has
been our mainstay. The words of Luke 24: 32 encapsulate how our
hearts are affected by the words of Scripture when the flame of
faith burns low in our life. At Emmaus after the crucifixion,
all hopes dashed, Jesus walks along with the distraught disciples.
He stays with them at the close of day and interprets for them
every passage of Scripture which refers to Him, then breaks the
bread and their eyes are opened. Their exclamation as He seemingly
vanishes is, 'Were not our hearts burning inside us as he talked
to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?" Like
the disciples, my family and I are on a particular road and His
Scriptures have many times revitalize i our hearts, opened our
eyes so with renewed courage, faith, and love we meet the tasks
and challenges for the day.
Prayer: O Lord, like your disciples, open our eyes to your presence,
our hearts to your Word, and please, Lord, leave our hearts burning-so
at the end of the day, every home is Emmaus.
-Mary C. Marchini
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JESUS KNOWS MY FAMILY
"...But that we may not offend them, go to the
sea, drop in a
hook, and take the fish that comes up. Open its mouth
and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax. Give that
to them for me and for you. " Matthew 17: 24-21
As a fisherman, I have always been impressed by this passage.
Jesus, through his conversation with Peter, indicates that only
foreigners should pay taxes and that he and Peter, therefore,
should not have to pay the temple tax. However, to not offend
the tax collectors, Jesus miraculously provides the means of paying
the temple tax for both Peter and himself through a fish.
Whenever I question God's action in my life I remember this event
and realize that Jesus knows everything, is always present in
my life, and is concerned for me and my family. He knows when
I sit, when I stand, when I go in or come out, when I sleep, when
I'm awake. He knows my sins and failures but forgives them all.
Prayer: Dearest Jesus, in Your mercy and compassion help me to
depend on You for my every need and to be grateful for everything
You have done for me and the things You will do for me in the
future. Be with me, along with Your holy Mother and St. Joseph,
at the moment of my death. Amen and thank you. -Sam Jones
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GOD'S TIMING IS BEST
"There is an appointed time for everything.... "
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8
This beautiful passage from the Book of Ecclesiastes has never
failed to inspire me and put my life in proper perspective whenever
I read it. From these words I gain my strength, my faith and my
courage to go on with my life no matter what I have facing me
or how spiritually low I may feel. My first memory of these verses
was as a young child during the bombing of London. My teacher
of Religious Instruction at school had read this passage to the
class and we had discussed its meaning. Those words stayed in
my memory from that time on-during those terrible months of war-during
my adult life-up until the present day. Whenever I feel overwhelmed
with life's problems I re-read that passage and my spirits are
restored. I realize that for "everything there is a season
a time to laugh and a time to cry, a time to be born and a time
to die."
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me accept life with its peaks and valleys,
its joys and sorrows, for I know you are walking with me and will
never abandon me. You be with me today and for all the days of
my life. -Sheila J. Cook
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HE WILL PROVIDE WHAT WE NEED
"The Lord is my shepherd there is nothing I lack.
In green pastures you let me "raze; to safe wafers you lead
me; you restore my strength.
You guide me along the right path
for the sake of your name
Even when I walk through a dark valley,
If fear no harm for you are at my side;
your rod and staff give me courage.
You set a table before me as my enemies watch;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows
Only goodness and love will pursue me all the days of my life;
I will dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come "
Psalm 23
When life gets too hectic and I forget what is important, I remember
this passage and realize that all I have to do is put myself in
the Lord's hands and He will provide. He will provide peace of
mind, which in turn will enable me to help myself understand that
His house is always open to me.
Prayer: Lord, shepherd me through difficulties and allow me to
feel the comfort and peace of your love that is always with me.
Amen. - Ruth Thomas
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JESUS BEARS OUR SUFFERING
The Agony in the Garden. "Remain here and keep watch with
"... When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep.
He said to Peter, "So you could not keep watch with me for
one hours: Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test....
Matthew 26: 36~6
Have you ever suffered? Everyone has. The kind of pain
where you feel your heart bursting from your chest. It is when
you are suffering that you find who your real friends are. You
might find yourself completely alone. For as scripture says, he
who finds one is truly blessed.
But we are never really alone. There is one who will never
abandon us who truly understands sufferings and being alone and
who loves us even in our wrongs. Even if we leave him.
Jesus was all alone in the garden begging for his suffering to
pa" but still obedient. He turns to his three best friends
for help and finds them sleeping! And the response from his Father
is that he must drink the cup of betrayal, suffering, and death.
Prayer: Jesus help us to remember you know our suffering and even
more: You will never fall asleep, but will take our hand and walk
with us. -Mike Davey
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JESUS, OUR SAFETY NET
"Are not four sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not
one
of them has escaped the notice of God Even the hairs of your
head have all been counted Do nd be afraid You arc worth
more than many sparrows.... Can any of you by worrying add
a moment to your life-span? If even the smallest things are
beyond your control, why are you anxious about the rest?"
Luke 12: 6-26
The images and thoughts flowing from this Bible passage help me
to quiet the worry and anxiety which naturally come with parenthood.
Parenthood means worry. Sometimes the worry is like a mild buzz,
but at other times the worry decibel hits 10.
This passage helps me to seek reliance on the Lord instead of
worrying. To have faith. Faith in knowing that he loves me and
all of us even more than a mother loves her child. Every hair
on our heads have been counted. In my heart I know that dependence
on and faith in the Lord are key for a peaceful existence.
I know none of us is exempt from danger, but for me the idea is
to have faith in the Lord. Faith in and dependence on the Lord
are like "working with a net" so to speak because no
matter what, the Lord loves us enough to be there.
Prayer: Lord, you have said, DO not be afraid." Lift our
fears and let us find your peace.
-Eleanor Liccio
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SEEING AND HEARING JESUS
"I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk,
give you counsel and watch over you.
(Read entire Psalm.) Psalm 32:
Praise and honor and glory be to You, Dear Lord, for You have
touched my heart and my soul-the very core of my being, with the
reality of Your real presence in my life. Thank You for reaching
out and renewing Your touch in my life. You have opened my eyes
to see You in my everyday activities, and You have made me aware
of more and more of my shortcomings, Dear Lord, so that I might
repent of them and have their burden lifted from my shoulders.
Lord, now I will go forward in my life aware of Your supporting
embrace every day. Knowing that You will guide me in Your ways,
if I but ask for Your assistance. You will reveal to me the work
which You have planned for me to do. Without fear, I will go forth
to face whatever is to come in my life.
Thank You for the gift of trust, which You have planted so firmly
in my heart. Please renew it daily that I might know that I can
turn to You again and again, if on occasion, by mistake, I slip
away from Your embrace and into the grasp of sin. Lord, hold me
firmly. Let me see and hear You constantly, in all the events
of my life. Surround me with Your ever present love that I might
come to know and live in that love and bring it daily to the others
I meet along life's pathways.
Prayer: Lord, that I might see Your face (in the faces I meet
daily); Lord, that I might hear Your voice (in the voices of
those I meet); Lord, that I might feel Your touch (in the
physical contacts of my daily life); Lord, that I might
know Your will (in the actions and choices that I face);
Lord, that I might do Your work (recognizing and never
missing any opportunity which You set before me to do
Your will); Lord, let Your most perfect will be
accomplished in my life. - Geri Gorman
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LIVING WITHOUT FEAR
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
(Read entire Psalm.) Psalm 23: 1
This Old Testament prayer of praise to our God always lifts my
spirit. It is an "Act of Faith" by King David, who has
been raised by God from a humble shepherd boy to King of all Israel.
I believe David first felt the awesome presence of our Father
under the stars as he watched his family's floc.: of sheep. Sometimes
on a clear summer night in the mountains of Pennsylvania I can
imagine what that must have been like. David must have been special,
and I know his faith is what gave him great courage. He faced
wild beasts defer ding his sheep, and felled Goliath with that
deadly sling as his main weapon. The power to face and kill a
lion or the giant Philistine with a sling and a smooth stone is
something that can only be described as supernatural. Even the
great Joe Montana or a Roger Clemens would not be up to what David
did. He is definitely a biblical "Hall of Famer."
Well, I feel my pen "runneth over" and I hope my faith
does, too, because I know that is how David lived his whole life
without fear. He knew in his heart of hearts that all he had to
do was to stay close to his God. I pray I can do the same.
Prayer: Be with me, Lord, in all things that I might live without
fear and with complete trust in you. Amen. -Pat Milliken
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HOLY SPIRIT, OUR GUIDE
"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work
in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ
Jesus." Philippians 1: 6
God made each of us with a special purpose in mind. Ultimately,
we are here to carry out God's will and to glorify Him. God does
not leave us alone to work out this task. He has provided each
of us with special talents and abilities. He has given us his
Holy Spirit to dwell within us. Each of us is filled with goodness.
We need to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in using our special
talents to do God's work and to glorify him. In doing so, God's
"good work in us. shines forth and gives glory to him who
began the good work.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for creating me with special abilities
and talents. These gifts were bestowed upon me to give you glory
by sharing them with others. Help me to allow your Holy Spirit
to be my guide in using these "good works" to serve
you and others.
-Maria Lynch
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JESUS IS PRESENT IN OUR Gethsemani
"Then Jesus went with than to a place called Gethsemani
He said to His disciples, 'Stay here while I go over there and
pray.'"
Matthew 26: 36
Gethsemani comes in many forms: the life-shattering words "You
have cancer"; the inexplicable break-up of a deep and once-thought
lasting relationship; being let go as non-essential personnel
after years of loyalty and devotion; standing helplessly by while
watching a beloved die. All my life I have heard and read the
words about the agony in the garden and naively thought I knew
what they meant. But it was not until I watched my sister die
of cancer that I truly understood, with every fiber of my being,
what that horrific word "agony" truly defined. As her
body changed to an unrecognizable, twisted throne of pain, I knew,
deep within a heart that was breaking, what every letter of agony
meant. 1, too, joined my words with those of Christ, begging the
Father to take away this cup. Together, we drank from it, to the
bitter dregs and together we watched and waited, seemingly for
an eternity, for the cruelty to end. Imprinted deep within my
soul are her last hours of gasping for just one more breath, until
there came the screaming silence, and I knew she was home at last--it
was only my family and I who must find the strength to accept
and continue on.
Yes, Gethsemani comes in many forms. But the lessons learned at
Gethsemani are that it was not the end of the story, only the
means to the end--only the essential means to the end--and
that we are never alone with our pain. The One who was there first
walks with us every step of the way. There are times I still live
those last hours and am learning that healing takes a long, long
time. But I know I am not walking through all this alone and that
is the most reassuring thought of all.
Prayer: Father, thank You for being with us in every Gethsemani
we face, enfolding us in Your strong, loving arms and embracing
us with Your gentle, quieting peace. Help us to hold tight to
Your hand as You walk with us -always with us -understanding our
every fear and pain. And help us to reach out to all we meet,
never knowing what agony may be hiding deep within.
-Jill Carroll
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JESUS ALWAYS WITH US
"I am with you always, until the end of the world. Matt
28:20
Jesus promises to be with each of us within our heart. This great
promise was all I had to hold on to for six months when I lost
my job at the Philadelphia Bulletin when the newspaper closed
in 1982. The Lord provided for my family's needs through a good
severance, but the future looked bleak. The oldest of our five
children was only 14. There was a recession. No doors were opening.
I had no options.
Then one Sunday, at Mass in the auditorium with my family, there
was a sense that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit were very much
aware of my situation, and even cared about my job search. It
was almost like, "Don't worry; I will take care of this personnel
matter." Fourteen years later, I can still feel the comfort
it gave. Well, the job came - at one third less than what I earned
at the Bulletin. BUT, what I leamed at this job helped me start
my own business six years later. Eventually, I was able to provide
for my family beyond anything I could have hoped for.
I tell all this especially to encourage those looking for work.
On dark days when it hurts so much, remember there is One who
knows and cares deeply about your pain-who will be your personnel
director. Keep looking hard for work, but rest in the arms of
your Father. You are not alone. The Holy Spirit is your comforter.
And Jesus Himself is there in your heart. "I AM. promises
to be with you through it all.
Prayer: Father, let me glorify you in Jesus by trusting in your
goodness no matter how dark the trial. -Art McGuire
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PUTTING GOD FIRST
"Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
and all
these things will be given you besides " Matthew 7: 33
The polls tell us that the number one concern of the American
people is the economy. We are worried about job security, taxes,
health care, social security, Medicare, retirement, education
costs, etc. The list is endless. Yet Jesus in the above passage
tells us not to worry about any of these things.
Why is it that we are not following his advice? Is it because
we do not believe Him? If we would spend half as much energy on
seeking the kingdom of God and storing up treasures in heaven
as we do chasing after things that are supposed to make us happy,
we would be living saints and we would be truly happy.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, give us the wisdom to follow your advice and
example so that we will keep our eyes on the prize-Eternity in
Heaven.
-Deacon Jim Kane
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EUCHARIST HEALS OUR BROKENNESS
"l am the bread of life"John 6: 35
"Through Holy Communion Jesus Christ is born, develops,
and
perfects Himself within us. If we but knew the gifts and virtues
that Holy Communion brings to us, we would continuously long
for it." (St. Peter Julian Eymard) As a wife, mother and
businesswoman, the Holy Eucharist provides a source of spiritual
nourishment for me on a daily basis; a starting point of the day
to
make sound, fair and Christian decisions. It is the Bread of the
weak and of the strong, a spiritual remedy for our daily
weaknesses, a source of peace, of joy and happiness. It is
important to understand how Jesus desires an intimate union with
you and your family through the Holy Eucharist. The Eucharist,
after all, is a sacrament of love. If you are experiencing an
emptiness or sadness in your life this Lenten season, turn to
the
Eucharistic Heart of Jesus for healing. Spend time with Him in
adore n simply opening your heart to Him. St. Therese of
Lisieux once wrote, "Our Lord does not come just to be left
waiting for long periods of time in a golden tabernacle. He comes
to be taken into the living temple of our hearts."
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to reflect on Your unconditional
love and mercy for us even in our brokenness. Help
us to become living examples of a Eucharistic
community carrying the gifts of the Holy Spirit from
beyond the church walls to our neighborhoods.
-Anne McGlone
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HIS WILL, NOT MY WILL
"When Jesus took the wine, he said, 'Now it Is finished
' Then
be bowed hfs head, and delivered aver his spirit." (Read
the entire Passion John 18: 1-19, 42)
John 18: 30
Good Friday is the most sober day of the entire Church year. There
are no sacraments celebrated on this day. The altar is bare. There
is no gathering hymn. There are no genuflections or processions.
We simply come and prostrate ourselves in humble submission before
the Word and the Cross of Christ.
We hear the Passion according to John. This account is different
from the account we heard on Passion Sunday. In John's Gospel,
Jesus is victorious on the cross: Jesus reigns from the tree.
The cross is our glory. The instrument of death is the instrument
of salvation The universe is changed The world will
never be the same.
On Good Friday we are invited to come and venerate the large
cross. Whenever I approach to touch the cross I ask myself: "Where
am I with death? What part of me has died this Lent? Where has
the Cross led me to hope?
Prayer: Father, when I was baptized, 1, like every other
Christian died with Christ and because of this I shall
live with Him. Help us to be more like your Son.
Give us the grace to always accept your will, not our
will be done. Let us see our crosses as instruments to
eternal life. We pray this through Jesus Christ, our
crucified and victorious King. Amen.
- Rev. Louis C. Bier
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GOD IS IN MIDST OF OUR TRIALS
"God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present
help in distress.... Desist and confess that I am God." Psalm
46: 2, 1
It is very hard to accept the news that your husband has a serious
cancer and must have a bone marrow transplant to arrest it. It
is even harder to be told that he may not recover from emergency
surgery for something else in the midst of all this chaos because
his body might have a difficult time fighting infection.
At these moments the Lord came to me through Scripture with this
comforting psalm.
Reading it, I lost all fear.
It was a strong reminder, a powerful reminder, that God was in
the midst of all the sadness life was handing to our family. God
truly is our "stronghold if we allow Him. I had to "desist
and confess that He is God..
I love my husband very much but there is no greater love than
God's love, and I know that God's arms are around him with more
love than mine could ever offer.
The crisis has not passed but all fear has ceased in my heart.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the strength you have given
to me through your holy word. Thank you for your
presence in my time of distress. Amen.
-Madelyn McBride
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FROM DARKNESS INTO THE LORD'S LIGHT
"He is risen." Matthew 28:6
Death, darkness, sin are conquered. Jesus suffers, dies, and then
is raised to new life by the Father. In Jesus we are given new
hope. He is a model for us of what the Father has in mind for
each of us. Even when we will experience the worst thing we can
think of that can happen to us in this life-death-it will be a
passing to new life. This new life will be a reunion with the
One who made us for himself. Fullness of happiness, joy, peace,
a becoming whole in Him. Our spiritual and real Spring, a new
awakening!
We are also reminded through the Easter event that we go through
various types of death-resurrections in our daily life. Hurts,
disappointments (many relational and spiritual), health problems,
job-related problems are a part of our life. Many times we feel
dead in their wake. And then new life comes along. With the gift
of hindsight we see so many times that the Lord has drawn us out
of darkness and death and given us light and new life.
Prayer: Lord, your death and resurrection touches us each
day of our life. We celebrate the new life you give us
now and in the hour of our death. Help us to bring to
others the new life and hope you give us.
-Rev. Salvatore M. Riccio
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GOD, PASSIONATE LOVER OF HIS PEOPLE
"0 Lord, your kindness reaches to heaven, your faithfulness
to
the clouds. How precious is your love, O God, that your
children take refuge in the shadow of your wings." Psalm
36: 6, 8
"But God is rich in mercy; because of His great love for
us, He
brought us to life with Christ when we were dead in sin. By
this favor, you were saved I repeat it is owing to His favor
that salvation is yours through faith. This is not your own
doing; it is God's gift. Ephesians 2: 4-5, 8
God has demonstrated through his word in Holy Scripture that He
is a passionate lover of His people, ever ready with His grace
to help strengthen our Faith and lead us home. When the old covenant
was not complied with to His satisfaction, He gave us His greatest
gift - Christ Jesus, the New Covenant, who by His death and resurrection
secured our salvation.
No greater love can be found than God's love. The Lover of Us
All.
Prayer: O God, your love is like the warm rays of the sun,
Ever present, Everlasting.
In turn, I will try to love you more each and every day.
But if I fail, help me to remember that what is more important
than my love for you, is your love for me.
-Tom Kelly
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TRIALS WE DO NOT CHOOSE
"My Father, if this cup cannot be spared me, and l must
drink
it, may your will be done. Matthew 26: 42
During this holy season of Lent we tend to consider what we can
do at this time that we ordinarily do not do. I'll go to Mass
daily. I will refrain from alcoholic beverages. As a family we
will avoid any expensive dining out and instead give the money
saved to the poor. I will fast several days a week. I will observe
abstinence on the Fridays of Lent. And so on.
Such resolutions are indeed laudatory. But in the spirituality
of St. Francis de Sales there is something lacking in the above
aspirations. They all stress what I will do. He would want us
to look at Lent in another way. Learn to accept more completely
the mortifications already built into our lives. A student in
high school tends to complain about a particular teacher; during
Lent, stop complaining and do the work of the course. The person
with whom you share an office is often rude and vulgar in her
conversation, accept the irritation it causes you, and rise above
it. Your spouse is always rushing at the last minute in the morning,
while you have been ready for hours. Learn to live with your irritations.
One can add other examples of built-in mortifications.. The Lord
Himself has suggested one: "Eat such things as are set before
you." That includes oatmeal and carrots.
The point that St. Francis makes in the Devout Life is that
the mortifications most pleasing to Jesus are those which we did
not choose. In one of his letters he asserts that where there
is less of your will there is generally more of God's will. This
is true, particularly when the suffering we experience is not
a matter of our choice. There are all kinds of suffering which
come into our lives without our consent. As lesus said in the
Garden on the eve of His passion and death, "Not My will,
but Thine be done." During Lent, then, let us practice resignation
to the various sufferings we experience in life.
Prayer: Lord, help me to accept the difficulties in life with
gracefulness and love. Amen.
- John F. Harvey, OSFS
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JESUS NEVER TURNS AWAY
"People were bringing even infants to hem that hc might
touch them, and when the disciples saw this, they rebuked them
Jesus, however, called the children to himself and said, "Let
the children come to me and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom
of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say, to you, whoever
does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter
it. "
Luke 18: 15-17
How innocent and eager to learn are our children. This passage
has touched my heart many times. As a parent, I know I could never
turn away from one of my children - when they are sad, when they
want forgiveness, when they need a hug, or when they want to share
a happy experience. I think of this when I think of my relationship
with the Lord. We are like little children, and Jesus would never
turn us away. He is always near to wipe a tear, to forgive our
wrongs, to send a hug, and to rejoice in our happy times.
Prayer: O Lord, help me to live my life as a child does, with
an eager heart and open mind. Keep me close to you as I travel
on a Journey through life. Thank you for my own children, who
constantly teach me the true meaning of your presence and remind
me of the beauty in all things I take for granted.
-Maureen Fleagle
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ASSURED OF GOD'S ENDLESS LOVE
"I will never forget you . See, upon thc palms of my
hands I have written your name. "
Isaiah 49: 15-
I am fortunate to be blessed with friends and family with whom
I feel a great sense of love and belonging. However, this passage
holds special meaning for me because it contains the personal
reassurance of God's endless love and understanding. This sense
of love and belonging has caused my faith to be deepened by allowing
the peace of Christ into my life. Feeling the peace of Christ
in my life is truly the greatest gift of my faith. I am grateful
for this faith because it makes me realize that all things are
possible when we allow God into our lives.
Prayer: Father, help us to !et your love fill our hearts. May
your peace fill us and enable us to bear witness every day of
our life.
-Eileen Lyons
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GOD IS GREATER THAN ANY DIFFICULTY
"You who dwell in the shelter of thc Most High, who abide
in thc shadow of the Almighty, say to the Lord, 'My refuge and
my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." on Psalm 91: 1-2
This section of the psalms, but Psalm 91: 2 in particular, has
a powerful effect on my life. I believe that the strength of God
is greater than any of the difficulties I face, whether they are
day-today struggles or life changes that result in making new
plans for my present and future.
By praying these words, I am able to surrender my fears and concerns
and turn my life back to praising and glorifying God, thanking
Him for the many ways he blesses me.
Prayer: Dear God, I accept your plan for me and 1 ask for the
strength to do Your will. I know that You love me and will provide
for me. Thank You for the many blessings in my life. Please bless
all the people I love and especially bless all the people who
love me."
-Maria O'Neill
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SOWING SEEDS, REAPING HARVEST
"He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and
hc who
sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do
as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under
compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to
provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may
always have enough of everything and may provide in
abundance for every good work. ... He who supplies seed to
the sower and bread fo rfood will supply and multiply your
resources and increase thc harvest of your righteousness. You
will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which
through us will produce thanksgiving to God; for the
rendering of this service not only supplies the wants of thc
saints but also overflows in many thanksgivings to God.
2 Corrinthians 9: 6-8, 10-12
When I was very young my father was disabled and unable to work.
My older brother had a scholarship to LaSalle College but had
to quit school to support our family. Dad died when I was a freshman
in high school. Many friends and relatives helped my family at
that time and then as a senior another brother sent me money from
Korea so I could attend my senior prom.
I'm sure God has blessed all those who helped my family during
those hard years, and by their example and the seeds that they
sowed, I have been trying to help my fellow man by volunteering
wherever I can.
The Lord has blessed me and my family, and for that I am most
grateful. I firmly believe that anyone who helps their "neighbor"
will be blessed by the Lord a hundredfold. For the Lord said,
"Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of
these my brethren, you did it to me."
Prayer: Dear Lord, please give me the grace to look for ways to
sow bountifully.
- Marty Stenson
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MARY BRINGS US TO JESUS
"And why is this granted me, that thc mother of my Lord
should come to me?" Luke 1:43
This passage is special to me because it was through the intercession
of our Holy Mother Mary that I fell in love with her Son, Jesus.
I had been caught up in the world and all the world had to offer
in my late teens/early twenties. Unfortunately, that did not include
a personal relationship with Jesus.
My own mother had been praying for my conversion for years, and
she has a special devotion to Our Lady. One night she invited
me, once again, to a healing mass. Only this night, I accepted
her offer. I knew deep down I was not living the life God called
me to live, and that I felt so far away from him. That was the
beginning of my attending weekly prayer meetings with my parents
at Immaculate Heart of Mary Paris4 led by Fr. John McFadden. It
was also my return to the sacraments. I don't know how I lived
without confession and Jesus' precious body, blood, soul and divinity
in the Eucharist. Well, I may hew been alive and breathing at
the time, but I was dead inside. My heart was cold, hard and broken
without Jesus in my life.
Through this prayer group, I discovered that Mary, Our Mother,
wants to draw all her children to her Son, Jesus. As a mother,
she weeps for those children far from Jesus. Her main desire is
to lead us to her Son, despite how far we may have run from Him
through sin and indifference, to His great love and sacrifice
for us. I am so thankful Our Lady came into my life. She is my
Mother and she has my heart. What a great place to rest your heart,
in the heart of Our Mother...for Her heart beats as one with the
heart of Jesus.
"Who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"
Mary has shown me that I am a child of God. Jesus gave us a mother
who reaches out to us, wherever we are in our faith walk.
If you may not have a relationship with Our Lady, won't you open
your heart to her today? Allow her to pick you up in her arms,
wipe away your tears and kiss you on your cheek. After she consoles
her wounded child, she will place you on the path to Jesus. She
will go hand in hand with you to meet Him. When Jesus sees you
holding His mother's hand, He will run to meet you both! You will
never be the same again!
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you so much for giving us our Holy Mother
Mary. We ask for the grace to follow her example, by bringing
Jesus to others through the witness of our daily lives. In Jesus'
name, through Mary Immaculate Queen, we pray. Amen.
-Clare Stenson Flynn
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GROWING CLOSER TO JESUS
"Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of
God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God Whoever
is without love does not know God, for God is love. In this way,
the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into
the world so that we might have life through Him In this is love:
not that we have loved God but that Hc loved us and sent his Son
for expiation of our sins Beloved, if God so loved us, we must
also love one another. No one has ever seen God Yet , if you love
one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection
in us " 1 John 4: 7-12
God's love for us was demonstrated through the gift of His Son,
Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, so that we may be delivered
from our sins and share eternal life with Him. My faith and love
of Our Lord Jesus Christ fill me with the desire to be closer
to Him through prayer, service, and love of others. I know my
faith will continue to grow by looking for Jesus in others and
by trying to listen and respond to others as Jesus would. This
is not always an easy task, but I believe that this is what the
Lord asks of us.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of your only Son. Father,
we pray for the grace to accept others for who they are, without
judgment. We ask that we may be filled with the Holy Spirit so
that we can look for Jesus in others and increase our love for
one another.
-Tim Baxter
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GOD'S ANGELS
"He will command his angels concerning you toguardyou
in allyour ways."
Psalm 91: 11
In today's world of temptation and trials, I find comfort in knowing
that the angels are watching over me and my family. Every day
I thank God for giving me such a wonderful life and pray that
I accept His will. I know that the angels are there providing
guidance and direction. I trust that they are protecting my children
from harm and strengthening their wisdom to know right from wrong.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your endless love. -Joan Meighan
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STRENGTH FROM THE RISEN JESUS
"I can do all things through He who strengthens Me. "
Philippians 4: 13
At first glance, these can seem like arrogant words coming from
the pen of St. Paul. As we look deeper, however, we see that they
are not arrogant words, but bold words. Arrogance focuses upon
oneself. Arrogance says, "Me, me, me." Boldness focuses
upon the Risen Jesus, the victor over sin and death. Boldness
says, "He, He, He!"
Prayer: Lord, thank you for sharing your own resurrected life
with us. Give us the confidence to say along with St. Paul, "I
can do all things through He who strengthens me." Amen.
-Father Jim Otto
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LOVE NEVER FAILS
"...so faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the
greatest of these is love.
I Corinthians 13
This chapter by St. Paul is one of my favorite passages from the
New Testament. My very first recollection of it travels across
the miles to war-torn London and to a small, all girls' grade
school. There I vividly remember not only hearing it for the first
time but the whole class having to learn the words by heart. Even
as a young child these words made an indelible impression on my
mind to remain with me up until the present day.
Later in my life they had a very special meaning as they were
read first at my wedding and later at my daughter Heather's wedding
- times of great joy. More recently deep in sorrow I read them
at the funeral of Zachary Jacob, my six week old grandson. Even
in tears and unbearable grief they comforted me and gave me hope
and strength. In June I am hoping to read them again, this time
with joy at my son Jonathan's wedding.
This passage I believe tells the true meaning of Christian love.
It never fails to inspire and give me strength no matter how stressful
the day may be. St. Paul was a truly great orator. These words
say it all. In whatever translation I read it, this passage from
Corinthians transcends time and distance to remain as fresh and
meaningful, full of joy and hope as when I first heard it as a
child in England during the Blitz when my own world was crashing
down around me-"Love never fails-"
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to realize that without love I am nothing.
Your love is what sustains me and gives my life meaning not only
in times of great joy but also in times of deep sorrow. Your love
is never ending, does not judge me when I sin for I know you still
love me, you heal me and give me the peace I am seeking. May your
love remain with me today and all the days of my life. Amen.
- Sheila J. Cook
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JESUS' HEART
"and Jesus fell thc third time" -The Way of
the Cross
When walking and praying the Way of the Cross in Jerusalem, the
thought struck me that this was probably the way it was at the
time of Jesus. The street seemed only about twelve to fifteen
feet wide. It was made of stone placed side by side with mortar
down in between. Vendors on all sides were trying to sell us their
wares, even as we prayed. There were T-shirts, kabobs, jewelry,
cloths and clothes, souvenirs, carvings. It did not matter that
we were walking the Way of the Cross with Jesus. To them it was
just another day to sell. It was just another Crucifixion, another
opportunity to work the crowds.
One could picture Jesus walking through this morass of vendors
and people shopping, feeling all alone in the realization of what
He was doing for all people - dying for their redemption, their
salvation. He carried the crossbeam on His shoulders and behind
His neck. His arms were strapped to it. When He fell, the weight
of the crossbeam would have hammered His chest and His head into
the stone. Were any of those who seemed detached, touched with
empathy or compassion? Has the world lost its heart? Iesus, the
Lord of Love and Peace, simply wanted to give the world its heart
back. It was not just another Crucifixion.
Prayer: Jesus, let my heart be always in touch with yours. -Father
Sal Riccio
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