This morning I researched the true meaning of All Saints Day and Halloween. Ofcourse, like most everything else, it all goes back to the Catholic Church. One of the many reasons I love being catholic is our belief in the Saints. I like to explain it to protestants that just as we ask each other to pray for each other here on earth, we ask the Saints and the Blessed Mother to pray for us. We believe that they are just as present here on earth as all of us. They are walking beside us waiting to be called upon for help. Is that not cool or what? The only difference is they are in Heaven with God our Father! I love it that Halloween is a mockery of evil. Isn't that great? We are saying ha ha Satan....you can't touch us because we love Jesus! I can't wait to teach that to my children when they are older. That makes me want to dress them extra scary so we can really laugh in Satan's face because we strive for holiness, not evil!
Below you will find the information I found at www.churchyear.net. Enjoy reading the history and becoming more educated about the Catholic Faith! And for those protestants out there, the Catholic Churh loves all religions and we are all in this together.....loving the same God and trying to get to the same place! I am not trying to push the catholic faith on you, but I think it is fun to learn about all religions!
The Feast of All Saints is a holy day of the Church honoring all saints, known and unknown. This is much like the American holidays Veterans Day and Presidents Day, where many people are honored on one day. While we have information about many saints, and we honor them on specific days, there are many unknown or unsung saints, who may have been forgotten, or never been specifically honored. On All Saints Day, we celebrate these saints of the Lord, and ask for their prayers and intercessions. The whole concept of All Saints Day is tied in with the concept of the Communion of Saints. This is the belief that all of God's people, on heaven, earth, and in the state of purification (called Purgatory in the West), are connected in a communion. In other words, Catholic and Orthodox Christians believe that the saints of God are just as alive as you and I, and are constantly interceding on our behalf. Remember, our connection with the saints in heaven is one grounded in a tight-knit communion. The saints are not divine, nor omnipresent or omniscient. However, because of our common communion with and through Jesus Christ, our prayers are joined with the heavenly community of Christians. St. Cyril of Jerusalem (AD 350) testifies to this belief:
We mention those who have fallen asleep: first the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, that through their prayers and supplications God would receive our petition...(Catechetical Lecture 23:9).
The Catholic Catechism concisely describes this communion among believers, by which we are connected to Christ, and thus to one another:
"Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness...They do not cease to intercede with the Father for us...So by their fraternal concern is our weakness greatly helped.""...as Christian communion among our fellow pilgrims brings us closer to Christ, so our communion with the saints joins us to Christ, from whom as from its fountain and head issues all grace, and the life of the People of God itself: We worship Christ as God's Son; we love the martyrs as the Lord's disciples and imitators, and rightly so because of their matchless devotion towards their king and master. May we also be their companions and fellow disciples (CCC 956, 957)!
There are thousands of canonized saints, that is those individuals officially recognized by the Church as holy men and women worthy of imitation. Because miracles have been associated with these people, and their lives have been fully examined and found holy by the Church, we can be assured they are prime examples of holiness, and powerful intercessors before God on our behalf. There are also many patron saints, guardians or protectors of different areas and states of life. For instance, St. Vitus is the patron saint against oversleeping, and St. Joseph of Cupertino is the patron saint of air travelers. It may sound crazy to have a patron saint against oversleeping, but keep in mind the Church has something meaningful for every area of our human lives. All of these saints are celebrated throughout the year, as many have their own feast days (for instance, St. Hilary of Poitiers, whose feast day is celebrated January 13).
The vigil of the Feast (the eve) has grown up in the English speaking countries as a festival in itself, All Hallows Eve, or Halloween. While many consider Halloween pagan (and in many instances the celebrations are for many), as far as the Church is concerned the date is simply the eve of the feast of All Saints. Many customs of Halloween reflect the Christian belief that on the feast's vigils we mock evil, because as Christians, it has no real power over us. However, for some Halloween is used for evil purposes, in which many Christians dabble unknowingly. David Morrison explains the proper relationship between Christians and Halloween. Various customs have developed related to Halloween. In the Middle Ages, poor people in the community begged for "soul cakes," and upon receiving these doughnuts, they would agree to pray for departed souls. This is the root of our modern day "trick-or-treat." The custom of masks and costumes developed to mock evil and perhaps confuse the evil spirits by dressing as one of their own. Some Christians visit cemeteries on Halloween, not to practice evil, but to commemorate departed relatives and friends, with picnics and the last flowers of the year. The day after All Saints day is called All Soul's Day, a day to remember and offer prayers up on behalf of all of the faithful departed. In many cultures it seems the two days share many customs.
PRAYER FOR HALLOWEEN
Christ Our LordYou suffered and were tempted.You are powerful to come to the aid of those who are assailed by the devil,For you are the support of Christian people.O Lord, protect with Your Right Hand those who trust in Your Name. Deliver them from the Evil One,and grant them everlasting joy. AmenSt. Gregory of Khandzta (759-861)
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
FORGET ALL OF THE RULES AND TRUST YOUR GOD GIVEN GUT!
Gospel Reading for today Luke 14:1-6
First reading Romans 9:15
Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20
"Does our Law allow healing on the Sabbath or not?" Luke 14:3
"If any one of you had a son or an ox that happened to fall in a well on a sabbath, would you not pull him out at once on the Sabbath itself?" Luke:14:5
This gospel reading reminded me of all of the "rules" in mothering our children and life in general. Jesus is telling us in the gospel that sometimes you have to use common sense or your instinct instead of being so absorbed in the rules. Our society has their nose in a book more than they have a voice. There are so many rules on how to best "parent" your child, but what I have found (not that I know much) is you just have to use what works best for your family. Last night my middle child, Clementine (2.5), likes to have her back scratched while she falls asleep. I know I need to nip that one in the bud, but as I layed their scratching her back and watching her fall asleep feeling safe, I thought to myself that that is our job....to make our children feel safe and loved. She will grow up faster than I want her to so just enjoying the moment of watching my sweet little 2 year fall asleep is okay. We need to stop worry so much about what the books say and just use our instinct.
Some mothers don't mind leaving their children in the hands of someone else while they go and work outside the home, but the mothers who yearn to be at home with their children and be their first teacher, forget the rules and what the world says you should do. Give up all of the materialistic garbage or selfish desires that is forcing you to leave your child and go with your instinct. We are inundated with rules, opinions, worldly views and sometimes you have to go to the core of your soul and find out what is best for you and your family. This is just one example of how women are being ruled by man made regulations and Jesus is telling us in the gospel that you have to not be so absorbed with the rules that you let something so important "go".
So today, I hope you feel a little more free after you read this. Let it go! Let all of those darn rules and opinions of what you "should be doing" fly out the window. God gives us women an amazing intuition so let's use it!
Have a blessed Friday and a Happy Halloween!
First reading Romans 9:15
Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20
"Does our Law allow healing on the Sabbath or not?" Luke 14:3
"If any one of you had a son or an ox that happened to fall in a well on a sabbath, would you not pull him out at once on the Sabbath itself?" Luke:14:5
This gospel reading reminded me of all of the "rules" in mothering our children and life in general. Jesus is telling us in the gospel that sometimes you have to use common sense or your instinct instead of being so absorbed in the rules. Our society has their nose in a book more than they have a voice. There are so many rules on how to best "parent" your child, but what I have found (not that I know much) is you just have to use what works best for your family. Last night my middle child, Clementine (2.5), likes to have her back scratched while she falls asleep. I know I need to nip that one in the bud, but as I layed their scratching her back and watching her fall asleep feeling safe, I thought to myself that that is our job....to make our children feel safe and loved. She will grow up faster than I want her to so just enjoying the moment of watching my sweet little 2 year fall asleep is okay. We need to stop worry so much about what the books say and just use our instinct.
Some mothers don't mind leaving their children in the hands of someone else while they go and work outside the home, but the mothers who yearn to be at home with their children and be their first teacher, forget the rules and what the world says you should do. Give up all of the materialistic garbage or selfish desires that is forcing you to leave your child and go with your instinct. We are inundated with rules, opinions, worldly views and sometimes you have to go to the core of your soul and find out what is best for you and your family. This is just one example of how women are being ruled by man made regulations and Jesus is telling us in the gospel that you have to not be so absorbed with the rules that you let something so important "go".
So today, I hope you feel a little more free after you read this. Let it go! Let all of those darn rules and opinions of what you "should be doing" fly out the window. God gives us women an amazing intuition so let's use it!
Have a blessed Friday and a Happy Halloween!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
GOD'S LOVE NEVER LEAVES US AND OUR LOVE NEVER LEAVES OUR CHILDREN
Gospel Reading today: Luke 13:31-35
First Reading: Romans 8:31-39
"Who then can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble do it, or hardship or persecution or hunger or poverty or danger or death?" Romans 8:35
I read the passage from Romans this morning and took amazing comfort that nothing here on earth can separate us from God's love. Just as I talked about yesterday that our love we have welled up inside for our family and for others is the Kingdom of God at hand, for nothing about love comes from ourselves but is only the pureness and goodness of God. We are all suffering with some sort of troubles right now I am sure.....troubles with finances, troubles with pregnancies, troubles with family, troubles with co-workers, troubles with neighbors, troubles with health, troubles with disabilities, troubles with anxiety....you name it, one of us has got it. How wonderful to know through all of these troubles, we are never separated from God's love. His love is like a warm blanket wrapped around us in the cold. His love is like our Mother's arms wrapped around us telling us everything is going to be okay. We are guaranteed in this life no matter what happens that God's love is always present among us and in us. This goes back to yesterday again with mother's being the kingdom of God at hand. Nothing can separate our love for our children....nothing! Just as our children need to be comforted by our love, we need to be wrapped in the arms of Jesus and comforted as well. This is one beautiful circle of love and LOVE is what it all boils down to in life. Are you loving your children in others the way God loves you? Are you constantly wrapping your arms of love around your children and husband reassuring them that everything is going to be okay? For this is what God does to us and in turn we are to be Christ (the kingdom of God) for our families. Never abandoning them, never forsaking them, but always loving them. They will know God's love by our love.
Whatever you are going through today, take a deep breath and rest in the arms of Jesus. He is all you need.....you need nothing more. His love will see you through all trials and heartaches. Just breath and pray.
Have a blessed Thursday!
First Reading: Romans 8:31-39
"Who then can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble do it, or hardship or persecution or hunger or poverty or danger or death?" Romans 8:35
I read the passage from Romans this morning and took amazing comfort that nothing here on earth can separate us from God's love. Just as I talked about yesterday that our love we have welled up inside for our family and for others is the Kingdom of God at hand, for nothing about love comes from ourselves but is only the pureness and goodness of God. We are all suffering with some sort of troubles right now I am sure.....troubles with finances, troubles with pregnancies, troubles with family, troubles with co-workers, troubles with neighbors, troubles with health, troubles with disabilities, troubles with anxiety....you name it, one of us has got it. How wonderful to know through all of these troubles, we are never separated from God's love. His love is like a warm blanket wrapped around us in the cold. His love is like our Mother's arms wrapped around us telling us everything is going to be okay. We are guaranteed in this life no matter what happens that God's love is always present among us and in us. This goes back to yesterday again with mother's being the kingdom of God at hand. Nothing can separate our love for our children....nothing! Just as our children need to be comforted by our love, we need to be wrapped in the arms of Jesus and comforted as well. This is one beautiful circle of love and LOVE is what it all boils down to in life. Are you loving your children in others the way God loves you? Are you constantly wrapping your arms of love around your children and husband reassuring them that everything is going to be okay? For this is what God does to us and in turn we are to be Christ (the kingdom of God) for our families. Never abandoning them, never forsaking them, but always loving them. They will know God's love by our love.
Whatever you are going through today, take a deep breath and rest in the arms of Jesus. He is all you need.....you need nothing more. His love will see you through all trials and heartaches. Just breath and pray.
Have a blessed Thursday!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
MOTHERS ARE THE MUSTARD SEED
Gospel Reading today: Luke 6:12-16
Gospel Reading from Tuesday: Luke 13:18-21
"The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed that a person took and planted in the garden. The plant grows and becomes a tree and the birds make their nests in its branches. Luke 13:19
When I read this scripture yesterday with motherhood in mind, a whole new meaning took place in my heart and it was such an amazing thought that kept reoccurring throughout my day yesterday. We are told in scripture that we can experience the Kingdom of God here on earth and I realized yesterday after I read the parable of the mustard seed that a Mother's Love IS the kingdom of God of at hand. For God is love and gives us mothers this perfect love to perform on earth by giving birth to new life and loving these little creatures like we have never loved before. A mother and father's love for their children is like no other love on earth. THIS is the kingdom of God at hand! We are to spread this love to our children and in turn they will spread the love to others in their life and then onto their family. Just like the seed that grows into a tree and the birds make their nests, so does a mothers love grow into a beautiful tree and from there, branches are formed and the tree continues to grow. How blessed we are as women that God chose US to be a pillar that is holding up the Kingdom of God. He chose us women to be the forefront of the battle of good verses evil. What we do as mothers is absolute goodness, which is only from God. Our day to day tasks that we perform in love is performing for the Kingdom. We humble our selves and say yes to life, we put ourselves aside as we grow life inside of us, we put all of our fears aside as we give birth to new life and become the care-taker of the soul that has been given to us. As mothers, we lay down our lives the rest of our life to care and nurture these souls. THIS is the greatest form of love and sacrifice and THIS is the Kingdom of God at hand!
Wow, powerful words from the Holy Spirit that wanted me to pass this on to all of you. The work you do is holy and good. The work you do is for our Lord Jesus and you will be rewarded abundantly in Heaven.
Have a blessed Wednesday and don't forget to water your seed with prayer and thanksgiving to our Lord Jesus!
Gospel Reading from Tuesday: Luke 13:18-21
"The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed that a person took and planted in the garden. The plant grows and becomes a tree and the birds make their nests in its branches. Luke 13:19
When I read this scripture yesterday with motherhood in mind, a whole new meaning took place in my heart and it was such an amazing thought that kept reoccurring throughout my day yesterday. We are told in scripture that we can experience the Kingdom of God here on earth and I realized yesterday after I read the parable of the mustard seed that a Mother's Love IS the kingdom of God of at hand. For God is love and gives us mothers this perfect love to perform on earth by giving birth to new life and loving these little creatures like we have never loved before. A mother and father's love for their children is like no other love on earth. THIS is the kingdom of God at hand! We are to spread this love to our children and in turn they will spread the love to others in their life and then onto their family. Just like the seed that grows into a tree and the birds make their nests, so does a mothers love grow into a beautiful tree and from there, branches are formed and the tree continues to grow. How blessed we are as women that God chose US to be a pillar that is holding up the Kingdom of God. He chose us women to be the forefront of the battle of good verses evil. What we do as mothers is absolute goodness, which is only from God. Our day to day tasks that we perform in love is performing for the Kingdom. We humble our selves and say yes to life, we put ourselves aside as we grow life inside of us, we put all of our fears aside as we give birth to new life and become the care-taker of the soul that has been given to us. As mothers, we lay down our lives the rest of our life to care and nurture these souls. THIS is the greatest form of love and sacrifice and THIS is the Kingdom of God at hand!
Wow, powerful words from the Holy Spirit that wanted me to pass this on to all of you. The work you do is holy and good. The work you do is for our Lord Jesus and you will be rewarded abundantly in Heaven.
Have a blessed Wednesday and don't forget to water your seed with prayer and thanksgiving to our Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
HI, I AM A MOTHER OF THREE.....and I lose it with my children from time to time.
First Reading today in Mass: 7:18-25
Gospel Reading: Luke 12:54-59
"For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want." Romans 7:19
There you have it, I confessed in the headlines what we all long to hear.....that other mothers lose their mind from time to time. I had to write the reflection on the first reading today instead of the gospel. I think it is a message all of us mothers can relate to. Whether we want to admit or not, we have all "lost it" with our children (maybe their are a few saints out there who haven't and I would love to know your remedy!). The momen we finally break we realize we did wrong and go to sleep at night with a heavy heart because we beat ourselves up for being human. So many times I wish I had handled situations differently instead of throwing something across the room and screaming at the top of my lungs, but dang it feels good at the time. After a few moments, I have to apologize to my children for my behavior....I have even put myself in the naughty corner from time to time. But I think the lesson is, we are human and sometimes we do things we wish we wouldn't have. However, I believe all of the goodness we show our children over powers the times we mess up. We have to give ourselves a break and realize we are human. A priest once told me in confession as I was confessing the anger I had shown towards my children, that the Saints struggled mostly with patience. That was music to my ears!
So today or the next day or next week, when you find yourself about to break, try stopping and saying a simple yet powerful prayer such as "Jesus, feel me with your presence." or "Mary, mother of God, be a mother to me now", a prayer taught to me by author Donna Marie Cooper Oboyle. These are prayers taught by very faithful women who have struggled through motherhood and other hard times. Keep in mind how merciful Jesus is and how He understands that we will fall many times on the path to holiness. He is walking by your side and picking you up when you fall. We can see His forgiveness through our children. They are so forgiving and merciful towards all of us dear mothers.
Have a blessed Friday and a wonderful weekend!
Gospel Reading: Luke 12:54-59
"For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want." Romans 7:19
There you have it, I confessed in the headlines what we all long to hear.....that other mothers lose their mind from time to time. I had to write the reflection on the first reading today instead of the gospel. I think it is a message all of us mothers can relate to. Whether we want to admit or not, we have all "lost it" with our children (maybe their are a few saints out there who haven't and I would love to know your remedy!). The momen we finally break we realize we did wrong and go to sleep at night with a heavy heart because we beat ourselves up for being human. So many times I wish I had handled situations differently instead of throwing something across the room and screaming at the top of my lungs, but dang it feels good at the time. After a few moments, I have to apologize to my children for my behavior....I have even put myself in the naughty corner from time to time. But I think the lesson is, we are human and sometimes we do things we wish we wouldn't have. However, I believe all of the goodness we show our children over powers the times we mess up. We have to give ourselves a break and realize we are human. A priest once told me in confession as I was confessing the anger I had shown towards my children, that the Saints struggled mostly with patience. That was music to my ears!
So today or the next day or next week, when you find yourself about to break, try stopping and saying a simple yet powerful prayer such as "Jesus, feel me with your presence." or "Mary, mother of God, be a mother to me now", a prayer taught to me by author Donna Marie Cooper Oboyle. These are prayers taught by very faithful women who have struggled through motherhood and other hard times. Keep in mind how merciful Jesus is and how He understands that we will fall many times on the path to holiness. He is walking by your side and picking you up when you fall. We can see His forgiveness through our children. They are so forgiving and merciful towards all of us dear mothers.
Have a blessed Friday and a wonderful weekend!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
DREADFUL DAYS OF MOTHERHOOD....paves your path to Holiness
Gospel reading today: Luke 12:49-53
"I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!" Luke 12:49
I was relieved when I read this verse today as we now how proof that Jesus dreaded tasks that he was given. I think we can all relate as mothers to Jesus today in the Gospel. I don't know how many days I wish things were "already a blazin' " without me having to do anything! The dreaded feeling of the days ahead of sickness and dog-beat tired when you find out you are pregnant or the days when you have been up all night with a sick one but you have to face a normal day of taking care of all your little ones. How about the dreaded 7 hour drive with screaming toddlers strapped into their car seats or the dread of another ordinary day of spills, screams, fights or in one word to sum it up CHAOS! Just as Jesus did, we dread tasks as mothers, but have to remember we have greatness to achieve through the dreaded days. We have work to be done to bring souls to meet Jesus. If life was easy and fun all of the time, we would take the good times for granted and not have anything to truly work for. Life is meant to be mundane, hard, dreadful, and tiresome sometimes but keeping your eyes focused on Heaven will help you through these days and keep you fixed on the eternal goal. Jesus' life was hard but look at the dreaded work that became fruitful.
So today, if you are in the dreaded trenches, lift your head up and look at the big picture. Your work is holy and the work you do is paving your path to sheer bliss and happiness. When you leave this earth, you will hear what we all yearn to hear someday..."well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter into the gates of Heaven." Today you are among the Saints and Angels helping you with the greatest task God can give someone on earth....seeing to every need of the Souls that He created.
Have a blessed Thursday!
"I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!" Luke 12:49
I was relieved when I read this verse today as we now how proof that Jesus dreaded tasks that he was given. I think we can all relate as mothers to Jesus today in the Gospel. I don't know how many days I wish things were "already a blazin' " without me having to do anything! The dreaded feeling of the days ahead of sickness and dog-beat tired when you find out you are pregnant or the days when you have been up all night with a sick one but you have to face a normal day of taking care of all your little ones. How about the dreaded 7 hour drive with screaming toddlers strapped into their car seats or the dread of another ordinary day of spills, screams, fights or in one word to sum it up CHAOS! Just as Jesus did, we dread tasks as mothers, but have to remember we have greatness to achieve through the dreaded days. We have work to be done to bring souls to meet Jesus. If life was easy and fun all of the time, we would take the good times for granted and not have anything to truly work for. Life is meant to be mundane, hard, dreadful, and tiresome sometimes but keeping your eyes focused on Heaven will help you through these days and keep you fixed on the eternal goal. Jesus' life was hard but look at the dreaded work that became fruitful.
So today, if you are in the dreaded trenches, lift your head up and look at the big picture. Your work is holy and the work you do is paving your path to sheer bliss and happiness. When you leave this earth, you will hear what we all yearn to hear someday..."well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter into the gates of Heaven." Today you are among the Saints and Angels helping you with the greatest task God can give someone on earth....seeing to every need of the Souls that He created.
Have a blessed Thursday!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
FOR WHOM DO YOU SERVE?
Gospel Reading for today: Luke 12:39-48
"For who, then, is my faithful and wise servant?" Luke 12:42
We are reminded in the gospel today of being a faithful servant to God. I listened to a very powerful sermon from Father Barron at http://www.wordonfire.org/ in regards to being a faithful servant. He asks the question "Of whom do you serve?". He opened my eyes to the reality of whatever we are serving each day, we should be serving God with all of our heart. For us mothers, we can get caught up in focusing on serving our family only instead of serving God through serving our family. So as I scrambled the eggs this morning, I thought to myself I am serving God by feeding my family. As I have already broken up many fights between my 2 &4 year old this morning (is it only 8:30am?), I was reminding myself that I was serving God by disciplining my children.
Another thought that came to me as I was meditating on the gospel while my children were performing a puppet show at 7:00 AM, is we are on God's time watch. Just as an employee is on the clock and being payed by the employer for the work they do, we are all on God's time watch and will be paid for the work we do for Him. I think a huge problem in our society today is the disrespect of the employer. So many are sitting at their desks all day surfing the web and not doing their job. But the minute their employer walks through the door, they frantically minimize what they were reading and click on the screen that looks like they are working. Same is happening in the home. It is way too easy to surf the web while your children are watching TV and while there are many chores to be done. In the daily mundane of being a mother and a homemaker, it is all too easy to get sidetracked by surfing the web for hours. The saying of "everything in moderation" holds true in this circumstance. A little surfing the web through the day is fine but do not become a slave to it. If Jesus walked through my door as I was looking at potterybarn.com while my children were in front of the TV or crying in the other room, I don't think He would be too pleased. Just as an employer would not be happy that she was paying this person a salary to surf the web all day. It is so disrespectful what is happening today. Jesus knows our every move and we have to be fearful of that. Fear of God is a good thing.....that means you want to live your life to please Him and that you hold the greatest respect for Him. We need to be ready for Him to walk in the door at any moment in our day. And if we are serving him joyfully by serving our family, the very task He has given us, we will be ready to meet Him.
Have a blessed day and as you are doing the mundane tasks of motherhood and caring for your home today, remember these tasks are holy because they have been given to you by Jesus himself. You are climbing the corporate ladder of heaven by being watchful and attentive.
"For who, then, is my faithful and wise servant?" Luke 12:42
We are reminded in the gospel today of being a faithful servant to God. I listened to a very powerful sermon from Father Barron at http://www.wordonfire.org/ in regards to being a faithful servant. He asks the question "Of whom do you serve?". He opened my eyes to the reality of whatever we are serving each day, we should be serving God with all of our heart. For us mothers, we can get caught up in focusing on serving our family only instead of serving God through serving our family. So as I scrambled the eggs this morning, I thought to myself I am serving God by feeding my family. As I have already broken up many fights between my 2 &4 year old this morning (is it only 8:30am?), I was reminding myself that I was serving God by disciplining my children.
Another thought that came to me as I was meditating on the gospel while my children were performing a puppet show at 7:00 AM, is we are on God's time watch. Just as an employee is on the clock and being payed by the employer for the work they do, we are all on God's time watch and will be paid for the work we do for Him. I think a huge problem in our society today is the disrespect of the employer. So many are sitting at their desks all day surfing the web and not doing their job. But the minute their employer walks through the door, they frantically minimize what they were reading and click on the screen that looks like they are working. Same is happening in the home. It is way too easy to surf the web while your children are watching TV and while there are many chores to be done. In the daily mundane of being a mother and a homemaker, it is all too easy to get sidetracked by surfing the web for hours. The saying of "everything in moderation" holds true in this circumstance. A little surfing the web through the day is fine but do not become a slave to it. If Jesus walked through my door as I was looking at potterybarn.com while my children were in front of the TV or crying in the other room, I don't think He would be too pleased. Just as an employer would not be happy that she was paying this person a salary to surf the web all day. It is so disrespectful what is happening today. Jesus knows our every move and we have to be fearful of that. Fear of God is a good thing.....that means you want to live your life to please Him and that you hold the greatest respect for Him. We need to be ready for Him to walk in the door at any moment in our day. And if we are serving him joyfully by serving our family, the very task He has given us, we will be ready to meet Him.
Have a blessed day and as you are doing the mundane tasks of motherhood and caring for your home today, remember these tasks are holy because they have been given to you by Jesus himself. You are climbing the corporate ladder of heaven by being watchful and attentive.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
NO TIME TO WASTE....embracing our cross and preparing for Jesus' arrival
Gospel Reading for today: Luke 12:35-38
"Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on His arrival." Luke 12:37
Before sharing with you a devotion I read on the gospel this morning, I am going to share with you something so amazing that can happen through praying the rosary. First of all, I'll begin the story with yesterday. I have a new found freedom in working out. Nothing has ever been able to get me motivated to go to the gym other than the wonderful childcare that the work-out facility of my home town provides. Several times I have found myself in the locker room after putting the kids in the childcare just sitting there and staring at the TV. Not wanting to work out, not wanting to talk to anybody, just wanting to BE. However, my new motivation is Father Robert Barron. He is the founder of Word On Fire and has amazing messages. You can download his sermons on your ipod and get physically fit and spiritually fit all at the same time! http://www.wordonfire.org/. Yesterday his sermon was on redemptive suffering. He explained how a mother's suffering when her child is sick is a beautiful form of suffering....as she gives up sleeping at night to be at her child's bedside, as she is worried about his fever, as she goes to the pharmacy to get medicine, this is all a form of redemptive suffering. Redemptive suffering is when suffering comes upon you that you did not ask for or expect but you bare the suffering with patience and endurance.
So this morning, as I was meditating on the fourth sorrowful mystery of Jesus carrying the cross the thought came to me from heaven that just as Simon helped carry Jesus' cross, I have helped my son, Benjamin, carry his cross of a hearing loss since his birth. From worrying constantly about so many things, to putting his hearing aides on over 100 times a day when he was one year old, enduring his loud voice and screams the past four years, having to read a book extra loud at night, taking him to speech therapy once a week and then on the bus for speech school everyday....and the list goes on....Jesus and His mother told me this morning that I have suffered with Ben and have picked up his cross to help him carry the heavy load. This is a form of redemptive suffering and I am going to start offering it up as a form of prayer. I am so thankful that my Father and Mother in heaven opened my eyes to the beauty of this so-called "impairment". I have cried many hours over my son's suffering. I have begged the Lord to heal him and give me the hearing loss. Maybe instead of looking at it as an "impairment", I need to teach Ben and myself to look at it as a pathway to Heaven. Ben is blessed to have such a cross and I am blessed and honored as his mother to help carry his cross. I am so thankful for this new outlook I received from Heaven today. I will walk with a skip in my step today because I received a beautiful message from Jesus, the one who actually carried THE CROSS and his blessed Mother who painfully witnessed such a tragic event and carried her son's cross as her heart was broken.
So today, whatever cross you are carrying yourself or for others, think of it as a blessing. For you are redeeming souls for eternity through patiently and willingly carrying a heavy load. It might not be "fair" in the world's eyes but sacrifices and suffering equals eternal rewards. For you have shared the cross of Christ. Have a blessed Tuesday and hug your babies tight and pray for whatever cross they might have to endure in the future. That you can be their first teachers to embrace the cross as a gift. Just as the gospel says today that we have to get ready for Jesus to come at any hour, one form of getting ready is embracing our cross with patience and exceptance.
REFLECTION OF THE GOSPEL FROM "LIVING FAITH" (a catholic daily devotional book):
"Just as parents arriving home from a vacation do not want to find their teenager hosting a raging party, Jesus doesn't want to return to a disrespectful mess either. How will he feel if he comes back to collect his beloved people, the ones he gave his life for, only to discover that we have let our families and churches fall apart, made idols of money and worldly success, and allowed sin to pollute us? Like the parents of the teenager, I imagine he will not be amused.
The party's over. It's time to abandon our excess and be vigilant about our faith. It's time to prepare our hearts, our homes and our communities for the arrival of the master.
When Jesus gets here, I want to be ready to go. I want my things in order, my work complete, my house clean, my relationships tidy and my children prepared to join me. I have a lot to do, not time to waste." Karen Armstrong, Living Faith October 2009
"Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on His arrival." Luke 12:37
Before sharing with you a devotion I read on the gospel this morning, I am going to share with you something so amazing that can happen through praying the rosary. First of all, I'll begin the story with yesterday. I have a new found freedom in working out. Nothing has ever been able to get me motivated to go to the gym other than the wonderful childcare that the work-out facility of my home town provides. Several times I have found myself in the locker room after putting the kids in the childcare just sitting there and staring at the TV. Not wanting to work out, not wanting to talk to anybody, just wanting to BE. However, my new motivation is Father Robert Barron. He is the founder of Word On Fire and has amazing messages. You can download his sermons on your ipod and get physically fit and spiritually fit all at the same time! http://www.wordonfire.org/. Yesterday his sermon was on redemptive suffering. He explained how a mother's suffering when her child is sick is a beautiful form of suffering....as she gives up sleeping at night to be at her child's bedside, as she is worried about his fever, as she goes to the pharmacy to get medicine, this is all a form of redemptive suffering. Redemptive suffering is when suffering comes upon you that you did not ask for or expect but you bare the suffering with patience and endurance.
So this morning, as I was meditating on the fourth sorrowful mystery of Jesus carrying the cross the thought came to me from heaven that just as Simon helped carry Jesus' cross, I have helped my son, Benjamin, carry his cross of a hearing loss since his birth. From worrying constantly about so many things, to putting his hearing aides on over 100 times a day when he was one year old, enduring his loud voice and screams the past four years, having to read a book extra loud at night, taking him to speech therapy once a week and then on the bus for speech school everyday....and the list goes on....Jesus and His mother told me this morning that I have suffered with Ben and have picked up his cross to help him carry the heavy load. This is a form of redemptive suffering and I am going to start offering it up as a form of prayer. I am so thankful that my Father and Mother in heaven opened my eyes to the beauty of this so-called "impairment". I have cried many hours over my son's suffering. I have begged the Lord to heal him and give me the hearing loss. Maybe instead of looking at it as an "impairment", I need to teach Ben and myself to look at it as a pathway to Heaven. Ben is blessed to have such a cross and I am blessed and honored as his mother to help carry his cross. I am so thankful for this new outlook I received from Heaven today. I will walk with a skip in my step today because I received a beautiful message from Jesus, the one who actually carried THE CROSS and his blessed Mother who painfully witnessed such a tragic event and carried her son's cross as her heart was broken.
So today, whatever cross you are carrying yourself or for others, think of it as a blessing. For you are redeeming souls for eternity through patiently and willingly carrying a heavy load. It might not be "fair" in the world's eyes but sacrifices and suffering equals eternal rewards. For you have shared the cross of Christ. Have a blessed Tuesday and hug your babies tight and pray for whatever cross they might have to endure in the future. That you can be their first teachers to embrace the cross as a gift. Just as the gospel says today that we have to get ready for Jesus to come at any hour, one form of getting ready is embracing our cross with patience and exceptance.
REFLECTION OF THE GOSPEL FROM "LIVING FAITH" (a catholic daily devotional book):
"Just as parents arriving home from a vacation do not want to find their teenager hosting a raging party, Jesus doesn't want to return to a disrespectful mess either. How will he feel if he comes back to collect his beloved people, the ones he gave his life for, only to discover that we have let our families and churches fall apart, made idols of money and worldly success, and allowed sin to pollute us? Like the parents of the teenager, I imagine he will not be amused.
The party's over. It's time to abandon our excess and be vigilant about our faith. It's time to prepare our hearts, our homes and our communities for the arrival of the master.
When Jesus gets here, I want to be ready to go. I want my things in order, my work complete, my house clean, my relationships tidy and my children prepared to join me. I have a lot to do, not time to waste." Karen Armstrong, Living Faith October 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
ENJOYING THE SIMPLICITIES OF LIFE
Gospel Reading Today: Luke 12:13-21
"Watch out and guard yourselves from every kind of greed; because a person's true life is not made up of the things he owns, no matter how rich he may be." Luke 12:15
What a contradiction to the world we live in today. Aren't we all guilty of wanting more? How many of us say that maybe next year we will be able to afford that or maybe with the next job we will be more financially stable....and so forth. But we are told point blank by Jesus himself that storing up riches here on earth is NOT the answer. So why do we continue to be consumed with it? We live in a society that teaches us that worldly goods will make us happy. It is that instant high that we get when we buy something new and we enjoy it for awhile and then the newness wears off and we want more. And the vicious cycle continues.
This morning as I meditated on the gospel I looked around at my little home and my pumpkins on the front porch and my hot coffee in my cup and the sound of a quiet home of healthy sleeping babies and thought, "I have more than I could have ever dreamed of". I am the first to admit I am so guilty of getting caught up in the lies of the world of wanting more. But when you really think about it, we have way more than we need. I think it is so important to show our children joy and happiness in the simple things in life. To not give them everything or to not be consumed with the expectations you had for your life and family and be grateful for what God has given you at the present moment. Be happy with what you have NOW. Be happy with your life NOW. This life is passing away fast and we will someday yearn to hear our children's little voices when they are older, we will yearn for the days with our husbands of having nothing but each other, we will yearn for the simple life of little toddlers when they are teenagers.
So today, my focus is going to try to live in the here and now. Pray for God's Will to be done TODAY. Be thankful for all of the blessings God has bestowed on my family. My husband and I started a business over 6 years ago and it has been such a long road. As we talked this morning about our future with the business, I see that it is going to continue to be a long road for awhile. But more importantly we are sacrificing so much to build a legacy for our family. A legacy of sacrifices, hard work and perseverance. In a world were we want instant gratification, sometimes having patience and enjoying the moment teaches us more about our faith journey.
Try to enjoy the simplicities of life today. Your children's giggles, your little baby's smile, a hot cup of homemade soup, a fresh budded rose, pumpkins on your front porch, the smell of your husband as he kisses you goodbye or as you welcome him home. These are the things to live for each day, forget about the materialistic things that will NEVER make you truly happy. Let's try storing up heavenly riches that matter most in this life.....loving and caring for our children, making our homes a nurturing dwelling place, loving our neighbor as ourselves, using our gifts for God's glory. This will do more for our spirit and our children's spirit than money could ever buy. It is enjoying and living for simplicities of life that will give us true happiness and eternal rewards.
Have a blessed Monday!
"Watch out and guard yourselves from every kind of greed; because a person's true life is not made up of the things he owns, no matter how rich he may be." Luke 12:15
What a contradiction to the world we live in today. Aren't we all guilty of wanting more? How many of us say that maybe next year we will be able to afford that or maybe with the next job we will be more financially stable....and so forth. But we are told point blank by Jesus himself that storing up riches here on earth is NOT the answer. So why do we continue to be consumed with it? We live in a society that teaches us that worldly goods will make us happy. It is that instant high that we get when we buy something new and we enjoy it for awhile and then the newness wears off and we want more. And the vicious cycle continues.
This morning as I meditated on the gospel I looked around at my little home and my pumpkins on the front porch and my hot coffee in my cup and the sound of a quiet home of healthy sleeping babies and thought, "I have more than I could have ever dreamed of". I am the first to admit I am so guilty of getting caught up in the lies of the world of wanting more. But when you really think about it, we have way more than we need. I think it is so important to show our children joy and happiness in the simple things in life. To not give them everything or to not be consumed with the expectations you had for your life and family and be grateful for what God has given you at the present moment. Be happy with what you have NOW. Be happy with your life NOW. This life is passing away fast and we will someday yearn to hear our children's little voices when they are older, we will yearn for the days with our husbands of having nothing but each other, we will yearn for the simple life of little toddlers when they are teenagers.
So today, my focus is going to try to live in the here and now. Pray for God's Will to be done TODAY. Be thankful for all of the blessings God has bestowed on my family. My husband and I started a business over 6 years ago and it has been such a long road. As we talked this morning about our future with the business, I see that it is going to continue to be a long road for awhile. But more importantly we are sacrificing so much to build a legacy for our family. A legacy of sacrifices, hard work and perseverance. In a world were we want instant gratification, sometimes having patience and enjoying the moment teaches us more about our faith journey.
Try to enjoy the simplicities of life today. Your children's giggles, your little baby's smile, a hot cup of homemade soup, a fresh budded rose, pumpkins on your front porch, the smell of your husband as he kisses you goodbye or as you welcome him home. These are the things to live for each day, forget about the materialistic things that will NEVER make you truly happy. Let's try storing up heavenly riches that matter most in this life.....loving and caring for our children, making our homes a nurturing dwelling place, loving our neighbor as ourselves, using our gifts for God's glory. This will do more for our spirit and our children's spirit than money could ever buy. It is enjoying and living for simplicities of life that will give us true happiness and eternal rewards.
Have a blessed Monday!
Friday, October 16, 2009
WE ALL HAVE "ISSUES"...WE ARE HUMAN!
Gospel Reading today: Luke 12:1-7
"Be on guard against the yeast of the Pharisees-I mean their hypocrisy. What ever is covered up will be uncovered, and every secret will be made known. Luke 12:1-3
It has been a crazy morning and I am rushing out the door with my three kids for our Archangel Moms gathering this morning. I had to write a quick thought on this gospel because it pertains so much to our world, especially our age group. I don't know if you notice, but some mothers and families in general seem like they have it all together. When asked how they are doing, they smile and say "Everything is great! Life is perfect!" I call "bull chute" (a rancher's daughter saying) on that! Nobody's life is perfect and everybody/family has their issues. We all have problems and struggles. So enough already with the facade as we talked about earlier this week. Struggles and problems no matter what they are in life are a good thing...beacause they bring you closer to Christ and your faith. So be happy and thankful if you have "issues" and your life isn't perfect. That means God is at work in you!
Have a blessed Friday and weekend!
"Be on guard against the yeast of the Pharisees-I mean their hypocrisy. What ever is covered up will be uncovered, and every secret will be made known. Luke 12:1-3
It has been a crazy morning and I am rushing out the door with my three kids for our Archangel Moms gathering this morning. I had to write a quick thought on this gospel because it pertains so much to our world, especially our age group. I don't know if you notice, but some mothers and families in general seem like they have it all together. When asked how they are doing, they smile and say "Everything is great! Life is perfect!" I call "bull chute" (a rancher's daughter saying) on that! Nobody's life is perfect and everybody/family has their issues. We all have problems and struggles. So enough already with the facade as we talked about earlier this week. Struggles and problems no matter what they are in life are a good thing...beacause they bring you closer to Christ and your faith. So be happy and thankful if you have "issues" and your life isn't perfect. That means God is at work in you!
Have a blessed Friday and weekend!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
CHRIST HAS NO BODY NOW BUT YOURS
Feast Day of St. Teresa of Avila
Gospel Reading today: Luke 11:47-52
"You put onto people's backs loads which are hard to carry, but you yourselves will not stretch a finger to help them carry those loads." Luke 11:46
I don't know why today when I study the gospel I think of lessons learned from the grocery store. Maybe because it is now my second home? I literally thought that yesterday as I ran in to grab some diapers, I was saying hi to my friends who worked there and got such a warm feeling as I was dashing through the store in a hurry. Who would have ever thought I would take such comfort in a grocery store? Wow, my life is nothing what I expected it to be! In highschool I had big plans to own a fashion store on 5th Avenue in NYC. My, how my expectations have changed.
As I read the above exerpt from Luke, I thought how important it is to teach our children that they are NEVER above anyone. I was wondering how do we teach our children in daily living to reach out to others no matter what they look like and what their status may be. I believe that it begins with us. I think about my second home, the grocery store, and how busy the store is on sundays and how there are lines at every check-counter. I find myself helping out when the store is short handed. I can not stand there with my pile of groceries and watch the checker frazzled to try to get to the next customer. I put my kids to work and we start piling our groceries onto the counter and get a little assembly line going. I see in the face of the checker a smile and sense of relief. If there isn't a bagger available, I start bagging my own groceries (It's kind of fun...). As a result, we get through the check-out line alot faster than what we would have, the kids witnessed helping out someone carrying a heavy load...a load we were putting on them, and the guy behind us witnessed helping out someone in need. Who are we to think we are above bagging our own groceries? Or becoming friends with the sweet young man who always helps you out to your car and talks so kindly to your children? These are crucial lessons in teaching children that they are no better than ANYONE. There might not be anything I dispise more than people acting better than others. It shows nothing but ignorance, cowardness, and a lack of self confidence.
As Jesus tells us today in Luke, "How terrible you teachers of the Law! You have kept the key that opens the door to the house of knowledge (wisdom); you yourselves will not go in, and you stop those who are trying to learn." Luke 11:52
So start today, by opening the door for your children to wisdom.....don't keep the key hidden. Teach them to love others as they love themselves by helping out the ones carrying heavy loads and befriend the ones that others ignore. By doing this, you are stretching out Jesus' hands to others and teaching your children to become more like Christ. Today is the Feast Day of St. Teresa of Avila. She wrote something so beautiful that John Michael Talbott sings as a song that will make you cry. Here is what she wrote in one of her classic writings in the 1500's. This reminds me of Motherhood and living our daily lives for Christ:
"Christ has no body now on earth, but yours,
No hands but yours,
No feet but yours,
Yours are the eyes through which the
compassion of
Christ must look out on the world.
Yours are the feet with which he is to go about
doing good.
Yours are the hands with which he is to bless his people."
Have a blessed Thursday!
Gospel Reading today: Luke 11:47-52
"You put onto people's backs loads which are hard to carry, but you yourselves will not stretch a finger to help them carry those loads." Luke 11:46
I don't know why today when I study the gospel I think of lessons learned from the grocery store. Maybe because it is now my second home? I literally thought that yesterday as I ran in to grab some diapers, I was saying hi to my friends who worked there and got such a warm feeling as I was dashing through the store in a hurry. Who would have ever thought I would take such comfort in a grocery store? Wow, my life is nothing what I expected it to be! In highschool I had big plans to own a fashion store on 5th Avenue in NYC. My, how my expectations have changed.
As I read the above exerpt from Luke, I thought how important it is to teach our children that they are NEVER above anyone. I was wondering how do we teach our children in daily living to reach out to others no matter what they look like and what their status may be. I believe that it begins with us. I think about my second home, the grocery store, and how busy the store is on sundays and how there are lines at every check-counter. I find myself helping out when the store is short handed. I can not stand there with my pile of groceries and watch the checker frazzled to try to get to the next customer. I put my kids to work and we start piling our groceries onto the counter and get a little assembly line going. I see in the face of the checker a smile and sense of relief. If there isn't a bagger available, I start bagging my own groceries (It's kind of fun...). As a result, we get through the check-out line alot faster than what we would have, the kids witnessed helping out someone carrying a heavy load...a load we were putting on them, and the guy behind us witnessed helping out someone in need. Who are we to think we are above bagging our own groceries? Or becoming friends with the sweet young man who always helps you out to your car and talks so kindly to your children? These are crucial lessons in teaching children that they are no better than ANYONE. There might not be anything I dispise more than people acting better than others. It shows nothing but ignorance, cowardness, and a lack of self confidence.
As Jesus tells us today in Luke, "How terrible you teachers of the Law! You have kept the key that opens the door to the house of knowledge (wisdom); you yourselves will not go in, and you stop those who are trying to learn." Luke 11:52
So start today, by opening the door for your children to wisdom.....don't keep the key hidden. Teach them to love others as they love themselves by helping out the ones carrying heavy loads and befriend the ones that others ignore. By doing this, you are stretching out Jesus' hands to others and teaching your children to become more like Christ. Today is the Feast Day of St. Teresa of Avila. She wrote something so beautiful that John Michael Talbott sings as a song that will make you cry. Here is what she wrote in one of her classic writings in the 1500's. This reminds me of Motherhood and living our daily lives for Christ:
"Christ has no body now on earth, but yours,
No hands but yours,
No feet but yours,
Yours are the eyes through which the
compassion of
Christ must look out on the world.
Yours are the feet with which he is to go about
doing good.
Yours are the hands with which he is to bless his people."
Have a blessed Thursday!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
TEACHING OUR CHILDREN INTEGRITY
Gospel Reading for today: Luke 11:42-46
"One of the teachers of the Law said to Jesus, 'Teacher, when you say this, you insult us'." Luke 11:45
We are all called to always speak the truth. Speaking or hearing the truth can be very uncomfortable at times. I know very few people who enjoy confrontation. However, Jesus is telling the Pharisees that they have been complete hypocrites and this made them feel insulted because they did not like what they were hearing.
As mothers, we have to speak up for the truth. I believe living and speaking the truth teaches children how important it is to live a life of truth, own up for their wrong doings and sometimes do things they don't want to do. So many today point the finger at others instead of admitting when they are in the wrong. Parents today are not teaching children work ethic and responsibility because the children "don't want to clean their room or they don't want to mow the lawn" and the parents are giving in! We get lazy in our parenting and sometimes we do not discipline like we should. This is crucial in teaching them responsibility and to own up for their wrong doings. We have to teach our children that in life you have to do things you sometimes don't want to do. I remember growing up on a farm and ranch, my dad made my sister and I mow all summer and we would dread for days ahead as the grass started to rise. We were also in 4-H and showed livestock. Our dad would make us go out to the barn to feed our animals and break ice in freezing weather. At the time, we didn't want to do it but the lessons learned were invaluable. My father taught us integrity and responsibility by making us do what we didn't want to do.
Throughout our lives as mothers, we will be confronted with the easy road of keeping our mouths shut and not causing an uproar or we will have the chance to speak the truth and stand up for what is right. Remember, although it is sometimes hard to speak the truth, our children's character lies mostly in our hands and there is not a more important aspect of character that we can teach our children than integrity.
Just as Jesus spoke the truth, He wants us mothers to follow His example and speak the truth.....always! I am going to work hard on this lesson for today. As easy as it is to know it and write it, it is much harder to live it. Motherhood truly teaches us to work on being better people!Have a blessed Wednesday!
"One of the teachers of the Law said to Jesus, 'Teacher, when you say this, you insult us'." Luke 11:45
We are all called to always speak the truth. Speaking or hearing the truth can be very uncomfortable at times. I know very few people who enjoy confrontation. However, Jesus is telling the Pharisees that they have been complete hypocrites and this made them feel insulted because they did not like what they were hearing.
As mothers, we have to speak up for the truth. I believe living and speaking the truth teaches children how important it is to live a life of truth, own up for their wrong doings and sometimes do things they don't want to do. So many today point the finger at others instead of admitting when they are in the wrong. Parents today are not teaching children work ethic and responsibility because the children "don't want to clean their room or they don't want to mow the lawn" and the parents are giving in! We get lazy in our parenting and sometimes we do not discipline like we should. This is crucial in teaching them responsibility and to own up for their wrong doings. We have to teach our children that in life you have to do things you sometimes don't want to do. I remember growing up on a farm and ranch, my dad made my sister and I mow all summer and we would dread for days ahead as the grass started to rise. We were also in 4-H and showed livestock. Our dad would make us go out to the barn to feed our animals and break ice in freezing weather. At the time, we didn't want to do it but the lessons learned were invaluable. My father taught us integrity and responsibility by making us do what we didn't want to do.
Throughout our lives as mothers, we will be confronted with the easy road of keeping our mouths shut and not causing an uproar or we will have the chance to speak the truth and stand up for what is right. Remember, although it is sometimes hard to speak the truth, our children's character lies mostly in our hands and there is not a more important aspect of character that we can teach our children than integrity.
Just as Jesus spoke the truth, He wants us mothers to follow His example and speak the truth.....always! I am going to work hard on this lesson for today. As easy as it is to know it and write it, it is much harder to live it. Motherhood truly teaches us to work on being better people!Have a blessed Wednesday!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
THE OUTWARD FACADE THAT BOGS US ALL DOWN
Gospel Reading today: Luke 11:37-41
"Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of your cup and plate, but inside you are full of violence and evil. Fools! Did not God, who made the outside, also make the inside?" Luke:39-40
I think we are all probably guilty from time to time of having a facade covering the outside of what is really going on inside. How many of when asked how we are doing say "great!" when actually "great" is an all out joke? We are angry, sleep deprived, feeling ugly & unappreciated, and just plain sick of everything! Rarely does both feelings of looking great and feeling great coincide when mothering young children and when it does, we rejoice in a miracle for the moment! If we are rested, we might look great on the outside, but we might have not had a chance to make time for prayer. When we are tired from being up all night, our souls might be nourished from praying throughout the night while up with a little one or by lifting up our sleep deprevation as a form of prayer. We might have received abundant graces internally but our outward appearance sparkles of black circles under our eyes, dirty hair, and unshaven legs. God tells us today in the gospel that although our homes might be clean and our appearance close to perfect, if we do not take care of our "inside" that He masterfully put together, we are missing the boat. My personal opinion is that our world is full of Pharisees, me being one of them. We live in a world that appearance is everything. Nice house, car and clothes...styled hair, glossy lipstick and fine jewelry.....are what we are told we have to work for and live for. How many mothers are looking fabulous and "have the world in their hands" with an amazing career and lifestyle but are dying inside because all they want to do is be at home taking care of their children? Or how many mothers at home are dying inside because they think they have no self-worth raising their children and taking care of their family because they listen to the lies of the world? I see it all too many times mothers who experience the miracle of having a baby and bask in heaven's amazing presence by becoming a mother to that little soul. They are drawn naturally to be the sole care taker of that little one and almost feel panicked at the thought of going back to work and leaving their precious little one in the hands of someone else..something that is not natural. However, with time, the world takes hold of them and they start believing the lies and end up going back to work and letting someone else take care of the precious soul entrusted to them. They put on the facade and move forward while they are dying inside. While there is a choice for mothers who really don't have to work, there are the mothers who HAVE to leave their baby to go to work to help provide for their family. I am sure those mothers are dying inside because the work load of a full time job as well as caring for her family is overwhelming. God will bless them abundantly for the sacrifices they make for their family. God will give them the grace and peace that is needed to balance both. They are nothing short of heroic.
Jesus is clear in the gospel reading today that taking care of our inside soul is most important. We can't beam of joy for our Lord Jesus and our love for our families if we do not find time to be spiritually nourished. As mothers, we do not have much time on our hands to sit and "be" with our Lord. By offering up little prayers throughout the day, praying while up at night with your children, saying a prayer as we fold laundry or swing by the Blessed Sacrament for five minutes on your way to the grocery store will help nourish your soul. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta says that little acts of love and prayers turns into the most beautiful tapestry for Heaven(I don't have the quote in front of me but it is something to that effect...).
So today, make your first priority nourishment for your soul and then you will be able to nourish your family. You will be taking care of your "inside" and then your outside appearance is just a bonus. Some days as mothers we look fabulous and other days we look worn-out and very unfashionable. That just goes with the job. If we try working on our inside appearance first, our outward appearance will naturally glow and draw others to Christ....especially our husband and children. So forget the facade of the world and work on being true to your self by being true to Christ ....the one who created your beautiful soul.
Have a blessed Tuesday!
"Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of your cup and plate, but inside you are full of violence and evil. Fools! Did not God, who made the outside, also make the inside?" Luke:39-40
I think we are all probably guilty from time to time of having a facade covering the outside of what is really going on inside. How many of when asked how we are doing say "great!" when actually "great" is an all out joke? We are angry, sleep deprived, feeling ugly & unappreciated, and just plain sick of everything! Rarely does both feelings of looking great and feeling great coincide when mothering young children and when it does, we rejoice in a miracle for the moment! If we are rested, we might look great on the outside, but we might have not had a chance to make time for prayer. When we are tired from being up all night, our souls might be nourished from praying throughout the night while up with a little one or by lifting up our sleep deprevation as a form of prayer. We might have received abundant graces internally but our outward appearance sparkles of black circles under our eyes, dirty hair, and unshaven legs. God tells us today in the gospel that although our homes might be clean and our appearance close to perfect, if we do not take care of our "inside" that He masterfully put together, we are missing the boat. My personal opinion is that our world is full of Pharisees, me being one of them. We live in a world that appearance is everything. Nice house, car and clothes...styled hair, glossy lipstick and fine jewelry.....are what we are told we have to work for and live for. How many mothers are looking fabulous and "have the world in their hands" with an amazing career and lifestyle but are dying inside because all they want to do is be at home taking care of their children? Or how many mothers at home are dying inside because they think they have no self-worth raising their children and taking care of their family because they listen to the lies of the world? I see it all too many times mothers who experience the miracle of having a baby and bask in heaven's amazing presence by becoming a mother to that little soul. They are drawn naturally to be the sole care taker of that little one and almost feel panicked at the thought of going back to work and leaving their precious little one in the hands of someone else..something that is not natural. However, with time, the world takes hold of them and they start believing the lies and end up going back to work and letting someone else take care of the precious soul entrusted to them. They put on the facade and move forward while they are dying inside. While there is a choice for mothers who really don't have to work, there are the mothers who HAVE to leave their baby to go to work to help provide for their family. I am sure those mothers are dying inside because the work load of a full time job as well as caring for her family is overwhelming. God will bless them abundantly for the sacrifices they make for their family. God will give them the grace and peace that is needed to balance both. They are nothing short of heroic.
Jesus is clear in the gospel reading today that taking care of our inside soul is most important. We can't beam of joy for our Lord Jesus and our love for our families if we do not find time to be spiritually nourished. As mothers, we do not have much time on our hands to sit and "be" with our Lord. By offering up little prayers throughout the day, praying while up at night with your children, saying a prayer as we fold laundry or swing by the Blessed Sacrament for five minutes on your way to the grocery store will help nourish your soul. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta says that little acts of love and prayers turns into the most beautiful tapestry for Heaven(I don't have the quote in front of me but it is something to that effect...).
So today, make your first priority nourishment for your soul and then you will be able to nourish your family. You will be taking care of your "inside" and then your outside appearance is just a bonus. Some days as mothers we look fabulous and other days we look worn-out and very unfashionable. That just goes with the job. If we try working on our inside appearance first, our outward appearance will naturally glow and draw others to Christ....especially our husband and children. So forget the facade of the world and work on being true to your self by being true to Christ ....the one who created your beautiful soul.
Have a blessed Tuesday!
Monday, October 12, 2009
THE DANGEROUS MESSAGES OF THE MEDIA
Gospel Reading today: Luke 11:29-32
"..Because they turned from their sins when they heard Jonah preach; and I assure you that there is something here greater than Jonah!"
The reading today reminded me of the power and danger of Oprah Winfrey and her remedies on "how to be a better you"...."the power is within you"....and the list goes on of all the scary messages she tells millions of viewers. I watched a show the other night on CNN called "The Oprah Winfrey Effect" and it was about how companies became instant successes after appearing on Oprah. That proves the power that she has over people. It is not only with the Oprah Winfrey show, the other morning I had Good Morning America on while I made my bed (I thought maybe I could come back to planet earth for 2 minutes and see what was going on)and Diane Sawyer was interviewing an author who's book was endorsed by Brad Pitt and the message was how we need to become "intune" with the power within us....."we have the power to do anything" is what this author was saying. I just shook my head and thought how scary our world has become and how fearless people are of God. When our world stops fearing God, we are in trouble.
So just as the gospel says there is something greater than these teachers and these power tools on earth, we are reminded to not listen to these dangerous messages in our society. We have to build a strong foundation at home with our family and our faith so our children won't get mixed up in these messages while they get worse as our children get older. How can we do this? First of all by not listening and believing these false messages. Also, by realizing the power within us only comes from the Almighty God who created us. We are told in scripture that "we CAN do anything through Christ who strengthens us". By living our lives for our faith and family we can keep focused on the great task at hand and not get mixed up in the lies and corruption of the world. I don't know much but I do know as mothers if we are in daily prayer and walking with the Lord hand in hand, He will guide our family on the straight and narrow path. We can't get lazy on our journey....there is no room for laziness. As soon as we become lazy in prayer and our faith, that gives a green light for Satan.
So today, look around your home and your family. As you yearn to be out in the world do something else besides the monotony of caring for your family, remind yourself that "there is something greater" ...there is a greater purpose in all of this than we can ever imagine. Keep focused on the greater task at hand.....raising your children to be soldiers of Christ and helping them march into Eternity.
Have a blessed Monday!
"..Because they turned from their sins when they heard Jonah preach; and I assure you that there is something here greater than Jonah!"
The reading today reminded me of the power and danger of Oprah Winfrey and her remedies on "how to be a better you"...."the power is within you"....and the list goes on of all the scary messages she tells millions of viewers. I watched a show the other night on CNN called "The Oprah Winfrey Effect" and it was about how companies became instant successes after appearing on Oprah. That proves the power that she has over people. It is not only with the Oprah Winfrey show, the other morning I had Good Morning America on while I made my bed (I thought maybe I could come back to planet earth for 2 minutes and see what was going on)and Diane Sawyer was interviewing an author who's book was endorsed by Brad Pitt and the message was how we need to become "intune" with the power within us....."we have the power to do anything" is what this author was saying. I just shook my head and thought how scary our world has become and how fearless people are of God. When our world stops fearing God, we are in trouble.
So just as the gospel says there is something greater than these teachers and these power tools on earth, we are reminded to not listen to these dangerous messages in our society. We have to build a strong foundation at home with our family and our faith so our children won't get mixed up in these messages while they get worse as our children get older. How can we do this? First of all by not listening and believing these false messages. Also, by realizing the power within us only comes from the Almighty God who created us. We are told in scripture that "we CAN do anything through Christ who strengthens us". By living our lives for our faith and family we can keep focused on the great task at hand and not get mixed up in the lies and corruption of the world. I don't know much but I do know as mothers if we are in daily prayer and walking with the Lord hand in hand, He will guide our family on the straight and narrow path. We can't get lazy on our journey....there is no room for laziness. As soon as we become lazy in prayer and our faith, that gives a green light for Satan.
So today, look around your home and your family. As you yearn to be out in the world do something else besides the monotony of caring for your family, remind yourself that "there is something greater" ...there is a greater purpose in all of this than we can ever imagine. Keep focused on the greater task at hand.....raising your children to be soldiers of Christ and helping them march into Eternity.
Have a blessed Monday!
Friday, October 9, 2009
GATHER YOUR WEAPONS AND START FIGHTING FOR YOUR FAMILY
Gospel Reading today: Luke 11:15-26
"When a strong man, with all his weapons ready, guards his own house, all his belongings are safe." Luke 11:21
As I read the gospel today, this particular message stood out in regards to motherhood. It is a reminder to us mothers of how we are to be strong in prayer with our weapons ready to guard our family..."our belongings". There are no weapons more powerful than prayer to keep your husband and children safe from the evils of this world. I believe the world has always been corrupt. In the grand scheme of things it has always come down to good verses evil in this life. It started with the fall of Satan. That is why it is so important to create a strong foundation at home with weapons of prayer surrounding your home and family to guard you and keep you safe.
I am already praying every morning for my children to love the Lord at early ages and that Jesus, the Blessed Mother and all of the angels and saints will guide them to follow the straight and narrow road all the days of their lives. I ask for St. Michael Archangel to stand guard at my front door and to not let any evil influences into my home. I am also praying for my children's spouses....already! Crazy as it might sound, when our children decide to marry it is truly the most important decision of their life. So why not start praying for their most important decision now? With all of the sex and drugs spinning out of control, it is only neccessary that we prioritize our days to make prayer the most important aspect of our day ....to pray for these little souls entrusted to us. Satan's greatest goal is destruction of souls. Our greatest goal as mothers is our family's salvation.....so let's begin the battle today! Gather your weapons together and stand strong against the world and the King of Evil. Your husband and children's souls are at stake so don't mess around and begin today to be a Prayer Warrior for your family. They are depending on you to be the person God created them to be.
Have a blessed Friday!
"When a strong man, with all his weapons ready, guards his own house, all his belongings are safe." Luke 11:21
As I read the gospel today, this particular message stood out in regards to motherhood. It is a reminder to us mothers of how we are to be strong in prayer with our weapons ready to guard our family..."our belongings". There are no weapons more powerful than prayer to keep your husband and children safe from the evils of this world. I believe the world has always been corrupt. In the grand scheme of things it has always come down to good verses evil in this life. It started with the fall of Satan. That is why it is so important to create a strong foundation at home with weapons of prayer surrounding your home and family to guard you and keep you safe.
I am already praying every morning for my children to love the Lord at early ages and that Jesus, the Blessed Mother and all of the angels and saints will guide them to follow the straight and narrow road all the days of their lives. I ask for St. Michael Archangel to stand guard at my front door and to not let any evil influences into my home. I am also praying for my children's spouses....already! Crazy as it might sound, when our children decide to marry it is truly the most important decision of their life. So why not start praying for their most important decision now? With all of the sex and drugs spinning out of control, it is only neccessary that we prioritize our days to make prayer the most important aspect of our day ....to pray for these little souls entrusted to us. Satan's greatest goal is destruction of souls. Our greatest goal as mothers is our family's salvation.....so let's begin the battle today! Gather your weapons together and stand strong against the world and the King of Evil. Your husband and children's souls are at stake so don't mess around and begin today to be a Prayer Warrior for your family. They are depending on you to be the person God created them to be.
Have a blessed Friday!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
NAGGING OF OUR CHILDREN CAN BE A GOOD LESSON FOR MOMS
Gospel Reading today Luke 11:5-13:
"Ask and you will recieve; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened unto you." Luke 11:9
"Jesus teaches that we shoukd not only ask God our loving Father for what we and others need, we should also nag him about it. Asking, seeking and knocking are basic to a Christian life and spirituality." Mitch Finley, Living Faith Catholic Devotional
When I read this this morning, I immediately thought of the life of a mother. The constant nagging we hear throughout each day of little toddlers or crying babies. When my baby, Anna Claire, won't stop crying in the middle of the night, I give in and warm her a bottle....mainly because I want her to hush up so I can go back to sleep. Or if I am at the kitchen sink and my son is nagging at me, asking for another "big milk" (which is his pacifier for when he is tired), I finally give in and give him the fourth sippy cup of milk for crying out loud! (Did you know there is a limit to milk you should give your child each day? Who would have ever thought, but it is true!). So, I believe if we are told if we continue to seek, knock, pound the door, we will recieve and our prayers will be answered.
However, there are times where the Holy Spirit is at work in you when you do not get the answer you have been asking for. So I believe, when you don't recieve the answer immediately, try to be at peace knowing the Lord is at great work in you and remember He always knows best. Just like when your child is nagging at you for more candy or for more TV and you know it is not best for him/her, you will not give in and grant him his request. (okay, maybe if you are sleep deprived or sick or just losing your mind you will give in!)
So we have a lot to learn from these little ones under our feet. The next time your child is nagging you for something, let that be a reminder to continue nagging our Lord for your needs and requests. Our children are truly wonderful "tools" in helping us grow spiritually in our daily walk with the Lord.
Have a blessed Thursday! Keep knocking!
"Ask and you will recieve; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened unto you." Luke 11:9
"Jesus teaches that we shoukd not only ask God our loving Father for what we and others need, we should also nag him about it. Asking, seeking and knocking are basic to a Christian life and spirituality." Mitch Finley, Living Faith Catholic Devotional
When I read this this morning, I immediately thought of the life of a mother. The constant nagging we hear throughout each day of little toddlers or crying babies. When my baby, Anna Claire, won't stop crying in the middle of the night, I give in and warm her a bottle....mainly because I want her to hush up so I can go back to sleep. Or if I am at the kitchen sink and my son is nagging at me, asking for another "big milk" (which is his pacifier for when he is tired), I finally give in and give him the fourth sippy cup of milk for crying out loud! (Did you know there is a limit to milk you should give your child each day? Who would have ever thought, but it is true!). So, I believe if we are told if we continue to seek, knock, pound the door, we will recieve and our prayers will be answered.
However, there are times where the Holy Spirit is at work in you when you do not get the answer you have been asking for. So I believe, when you don't recieve the answer immediately, try to be at peace knowing the Lord is at great work in you and remember He always knows best. Just like when your child is nagging at you for more candy or for more TV and you know it is not best for him/her, you will not give in and grant him his request. (okay, maybe if you are sleep deprived or sick or just losing your mind you will give in!)
So we have a lot to learn from these little ones under our feet. The next time your child is nagging you for something, let that be a reminder to continue nagging our Lord for your needs and requests. Our children are truly wonderful "tools" in helping us grow spiritually in our daily walk with the Lord.
Have a blessed Thursday! Keep knocking!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
TEACHING OUR CHILDREN TO PRAY
FEAST DAY OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY! ....what a celebration!
Gospel Reading today: Luke 11:1-4
"Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples." Luke 11:1
Just as John had to teach his disciples to pray, we have to teach our little disciples to pray. For we are our children's first teachers. How do we teach our children to pray? I am sure there are several different methods that I am not aware of, but what I have learned from experience is that we lead and teach by example. I am amazed at my 15 month old, Anna Claire. Just this past week she grasped the meaning of prayer. At the dinner table, I sit her down, buckle her into her highchair and before she puts anything in her mouth, she folds her hands together and looks at all of us like "Okay, let's pray everyone!". On Monday we were on our way to speech therapy for my son and I was listening to Catholic Talk radio and as they were praying on the radio I looked back at Anna Claire and she had her hands folded in prayer! I couldn't believe it! And this morning when she got up (extra early), I sat her next to me on the couch and continued praying the rosary aloud. She immediately folded her hands and started mumbling (like she was praying the rosary) and she kepts saying "Jesus". I have been in awe this week of how she has picked up prayer through our actions at home. Another example is teaching our children verses from the bible and also through song. My sister, Holly, gathers her children (ages 6,4, & 2)together around the breakfast table every morning and they say a bible verse and then they listen to children's christian music while they eat. Simple little acts throughout the day that are teaching moments for our children to learn how to pray.
It is vital that we teach our children to pray, especially in the society that we live in today. If we can instill prayer at the beginning of our children's lives, they will hopefully carry that example throughout their lives here on earth. They will learn to always turn to prayer in any circumstance. Remember, simplicity is always the best method. Simple little acts of prayer with your children throughout the day will eventually become a beautiful tapestry of prayer to heaven and will help shape and mold our children's souls into the people God created them to be.
Prayer is the most powerful tool we have on earth.
Have a blessed Wednesday!
Gospel Reading today: Luke 11:1-4
"Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples." Luke 11:1
Just as John had to teach his disciples to pray, we have to teach our little disciples to pray. For we are our children's first teachers. How do we teach our children to pray? I am sure there are several different methods that I am not aware of, but what I have learned from experience is that we lead and teach by example. I am amazed at my 15 month old, Anna Claire. Just this past week she grasped the meaning of prayer. At the dinner table, I sit her down, buckle her into her highchair and before she puts anything in her mouth, she folds her hands together and looks at all of us like "Okay, let's pray everyone!". On Monday we were on our way to speech therapy for my son and I was listening to Catholic Talk radio and as they were praying on the radio I looked back at Anna Claire and she had her hands folded in prayer! I couldn't believe it! And this morning when she got up (extra early), I sat her next to me on the couch and continued praying the rosary aloud. She immediately folded her hands and started mumbling (like she was praying the rosary) and she kepts saying "Jesus". I have been in awe this week of how she has picked up prayer through our actions at home. Another example is teaching our children verses from the bible and also through song. My sister, Holly, gathers her children (ages 6,4, & 2)together around the breakfast table every morning and they say a bible verse and then they listen to children's christian music while they eat. Simple little acts throughout the day that are teaching moments for our children to learn how to pray.
It is vital that we teach our children to pray, especially in the society that we live in today. If we can instill prayer at the beginning of our children's lives, they will hopefully carry that example throughout their lives here on earth. They will learn to always turn to prayer in any circumstance. Remember, simplicity is always the best method. Simple little acts of prayer with your children throughout the day will eventually become a beautiful tapestry of prayer to heaven and will help shape and mold our children's souls into the people God created them to be.
Prayer is the most powerful tool we have on earth.
Have a blessed Wednesday!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
BEING MARTHA & MARY TO OUR FAMILIES
Gospel Reading today Luke 10:38-42
"Martha, Martha! You are worried and troubled over so many things, but just one is needed. Mary has chosen the right thing." Luke 10:41-42
I think we can all find ourselves in this Gospel reading for today. There is good in both actions of Martha and Mary. Martha welcomed Jesus and Mary sat at his feet. Relating this scripture to motherhood, I think of how we welcome our children when they are born, like Martha welcoming Jesus. And then I think after welcoming our children, do we sit at the feet of them and tend to their needs? Or do we run around worried and troubled over all of the things of the world and leave our children's emotional and spiritual needs "unattended"?
There is nothing more important in your life right now than sitting at the feet of your family, making sure their needs are being met and tending to the salvation of their souls. The world will try to pull you in all different directions, making sure of it that the souls of your family are put on the back burner. But Jesus tells us there is nothing more important than welcoming him into your hearts and having a relationship with him and then next to that is caring for the souls that have been entrusted to you......your husband's soul through the sacrament of marriage and your children's soul through the gift of life and baptism.
My children are currently at my feet as we speak, so I am off to listen, love and nurture these precious little ones that have been entrusted to me by Our Father in Heaven.
Have a blessed Tuesday!
"Martha, Martha! You are worried and troubled over so many things, but just one is needed. Mary has chosen the right thing." Luke 10:41-42
I think we can all find ourselves in this Gospel reading for today. There is good in both actions of Martha and Mary. Martha welcomed Jesus and Mary sat at his feet. Relating this scripture to motherhood, I think of how we welcome our children when they are born, like Martha welcoming Jesus. And then I think after welcoming our children, do we sit at the feet of them and tend to their needs? Or do we run around worried and troubled over all of the things of the world and leave our children's emotional and spiritual needs "unattended"?
There is nothing more important in your life right now than sitting at the feet of your family, making sure their needs are being met and tending to the salvation of their souls. The world will try to pull you in all different directions, making sure of it that the souls of your family are put on the back burner. But Jesus tells us there is nothing more important than welcoming him into your hearts and having a relationship with him and then next to that is caring for the souls that have been entrusted to you......your husband's soul through the sacrament of marriage and your children's soul through the gift of life and baptism.
My children are currently at my feet as we speak, so I am off to listen, love and nurture these precious little ones that have been entrusted to me by Our Father in Heaven.
Have a blessed Tuesday!
Monday, October 5, 2009
LOVING YOUR FAMILY AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF
Gospel Reading today Luke 10:25-37:
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as you love yourself." Luke 10:27
"..........the Priest and Levite walked by the man who had been stripped and beaten, but a Samaritan who was traveling that way came upon the man, and when he saw him, his heart was filled with pity.....he then went on to take care of him." Luke 10:30-35
As I was reading the gospel of Luke this morning, I thought to myself there is probably no one else on earth that we love with all of our soul, strength, mind and heart than our families. We will do anything for our husband and children.....even lay down our life for them. How can we spread our amazing love for our family into the world and love our neighbor as we love our family? Maybe by being more like the Samaritan, in today's gospel reading, who stopped and cared for the man instead of walking right past him. Loving our neighbor as ourself is not walking past our family and onto something that we think is more fullfilling or more "important" such as our self worth or being more financially hip. When we flea the home for fullfillment in today's world, we are walking right past our children and the home....the very place where souls are nurtured and formed. But when we stop everything we are doing and care for our husband and children, we are like the Samaritan woman who stopped and cared for the man who had been robbed and beaten. When we do this, we are are loving our neighbor as ourself and in turn we shall live. There is no greater fullfillment than laying down your life for a friend. For then is when you are loving the Lord your God with all your strength, heart, mind and soul. Trying to be the example of the Samaritan instead of the Priest and the Levite by not walking past our family and onto something "more important or fullfilling" is something that our selfish world is thirsting for......examples of loving your neighbor as yourself.
Blessings to you this Monday!
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as you love yourself." Luke 10:27
"..........the Priest and Levite walked by the man who had been stripped and beaten, but a Samaritan who was traveling that way came upon the man, and when he saw him, his heart was filled with pity.....he then went on to take care of him." Luke 10:30-35
As I was reading the gospel of Luke this morning, I thought to myself there is probably no one else on earth that we love with all of our soul, strength, mind and heart than our families. We will do anything for our husband and children.....even lay down our life for them. How can we spread our amazing love for our family into the world and love our neighbor as we love our family? Maybe by being more like the Samaritan, in today's gospel reading, who stopped and cared for the man instead of walking right past him. Loving our neighbor as ourself is not walking past our family and onto something that we think is more fullfilling or more "important" such as our self worth or being more financially hip. When we flea the home for fullfillment in today's world, we are walking right past our children and the home....the very place where souls are nurtured and formed. But when we stop everything we are doing and care for our husband and children, we are like the Samaritan woman who stopped and cared for the man who had been robbed and beaten. When we do this, we are are loving our neighbor as ourself and in turn we shall live. There is no greater fullfillment than laying down your life for a friend. For then is when you are loving the Lord your God with all your strength, heart, mind and soul. Trying to be the example of the Samaritan instead of the Priest and the Levite by not walking past our family and onto something "more important or fullfilling" is something that our selfish world is thirsting for......examples of loving your neighbor as yourself.
Blessings to you this Monday!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
LITTLE WAYS
Feast Day of St. Therese of Lisieux
Gospel reading today:
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harves." Luke 10:2
I can't write much this morning because I have a cranky baby.....she has had me up since 4:00am. This will be a long day no doubt....Lord give me strength.
Today is the feast day of St. Therese of Lisieux. I regret to tell you I do not know much about her and hope to learn more when I get more time to read; however, she is the saint of little ways. I hear her story is life changing. What I do know is that she embraced life with a simple heart. So today, let's think of St. Therese and embrace our day with simplicity.... a much needed way in the hectic world we live in. Try to take joy in the little things today....the smell of fall, the babble of your baby, the motor sound your toddler makes as he drives his truck around, colorful mums on your front porch, a good cup of strong coffee or a bold glass of red wine, those precious toddler giggles, a smooch from your husband, a good old song on the radio......the little things in life we are able to embrace in our simple living while mothering our children and being homemakers. We don't have the noise of the world pounding in on us while we embrace the beauty that surrounds us.
Gotta go rescue my crying baby......I guess that is beautiful too! Have a blessed Thursday and asked St. Therese to pray for you to live a more simple life. The more simple we live the more we can see God and his great work in us!
P.S. This is the Year of the Priest.....pray for God to send Laborers to our Catholic Faith....."the harvest is abundant but the laborers are few". We need Priests! I am praying my son will be a priest!
Gospel reading today:
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harves." Luke 10:2
I can't write much this morning because I have a cranky baby.....she has had me up since 4:00am. This will be a long day no doubt....Lord give me strength.
Today is the feast day of St. Therese of Lisieux. I regret to tell you I do not know much about her and hope to learn more when I get more time to read; however, she is the saint of little ways. I hear her story is life changing. What I do know is that she embraced life with a simple heart. So today, let's think of St. Therese and embrace our day with simplicity.... a much needed way in the hectic world we live in. Try to take joy in the little things today....the smell of fall, the babble of your baby, the motor sound your toddler makes as he drives his truck around, colorful mums on your front porch, a good cup of strong coffee or a bold glass of red wine, those precious toddler giggles, a smooch from your husband, a good old song on the radio......the little things in life we are able to embrace in our simple living while mothering our children and being homemakers. We don't have the noise of the world pounding in on us while we embrace the beauty that surrounds us.
Gotta go rescue my crying baby......I guess that is beautiful too! Have a blessed Thursday and asked St. Therese to pray for you to live a more simple life. The more simple we live the more we can see God and his great work in us!
P.S. This is the Year of the Priest.....pray for God to send Laborers to our Catholic Faith....."the harvest is abundant but the laborers are few". We need Priests! I am praying my son will be a priest!
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