Gospel Reading Today Mathew 26:14-25
"The Chief Priests paid Judas thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over." Mathew 26:5-16
The reflection I read today from Not By Bread Alone is so powerful. I want to share it with you today.
"Thirty pieces of silver. It is one of the coldest phrases in the gospel. That Judas, one of Jesus' most trusted friends, would sell him into death for thirty pieces of silver sickens us. Such greed, such callousness, such evil numbs us.
Thirty pieces of silver- the price for doing away with Jesus. But in our own lives, we do away with Jesus for even lesser amounts. We sell off God and the things of God for far less.
We sell time with our families for a few extra dollars in overtime, for a promotion, for professional affirmation.
We sell those marked as "just a stay at home mom" and "a weird homeschool mom" into abuse and ridicule in order to protect our own false superiority.
We sell the poor into an eternal prison of poverty rather than part with a few pieces of our own silver.
We sell of our relationship with God for anything that is more profitable or more fun.
True, we're nowhere near as evil or as callous as Judas- but we have, at some time, collected our thirty pieces of silver."
NOT BY BREAD ALONE 2010
I replaced "nerds" and "geeks" with "just a stay at home mom" or "a weird homeschool mom". I believe in today's society, moms who devote their lives to their children are such an easy target. Mainly because deep down inside, other moms and dads want to give their time, talents and treasures as much as they can to their children but sell their time to a career or other worldly standards to obtain self worth and materialistic gain. I have many precious friends who balance both career and family. I have many friends who devote their lives solely to their family. I have many friends, my sister being one, who homeschool. They are all beautiful women of the Lord. My opinion is just this: when the career is solely to help climb a worldly ladder of nice clothes, fancy cars and big homes or because motherhood is just too hard, this is wrong. They leave their children at the feet of Jesus, toss the coins to the caregiver and head out to conquer their identity of worldly gain and success. Instead of sitting with Jesus in the precense of their children, they turn to the beauty of the almighty dollar and ego. This makes Jesus sad I am sure. Just as Judas made him sad when he chose money over Him. We are all human and all fail in pleasing God from time to time. This is just one example of our how we can let money overtake our lives and our hearts.
Meditation from Bread Alone: Who or what have you sold for the sake of your own saftey, self-preservation, or gain?
Prayer: Loving God, open our hearts to let go of the silver we stubbornly and greedily cling to. In this season of Easter transformation, refocus our vision in order to see you in every moment of our lives; re-center our spirits in your love that we may treasure the love of family and friends before all else and look forward to bringing your love into the lives of the poor, the lost, the innocent and helpless children and the hopeless among us. AMEN.
Blessings to you this Wednesday!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Preventing Betrayal in Our Children
Gospel Reading today John 13:21-33,36-38
Jesus said to Judas, "What you are going to do, do quickly.".....Jesus answered Peter,..."Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times." John 13:27,38
In regards to motherhood today after reading the gospel, I could only think about how our children in their lifetime will more than likely betray us. I know I betrayed my parents when I was a teenager and I remember I was filled with regret as they were discipling me appropriately. Just as Judas and Peter were filled with regret after turning their back on Jesus, we only hope and pray as a parent that our children will be filled with so much love from us that they will know better when they are about to betray us. And if they go ahead with the betrayal, we hope that they will be filled with regret and turn back to the light. How do we acomplish this as parents? I really don't know the answer because my children are so young and I have so much to learn, but I can only guess that the process begins NOW. Having their "hearts" at an early age will prevent mulitiple betrayals. Strict discipline done with great love is what my parents did with me and I plan on do the exact same with my children. Walking daily with Jesus alongside our children at early ages is crucial in preventing betrayal. Daily prayers, talking openly about Jesus, Heaven, good, bad, light, dark....are all so important to instill in our children daily as we go about our lives. I am already talking to my four year old son to walk in the light.
Another way, as mothers, we can help prevent betrayal of our children, is to pray daily for each one of them. I separately pray for each child daily. I am already praying that they will love the Lord our God at very early ages. I am praying for them to always follow the light. I ask St. Michael Archangel to pray for protection over them from the evil one. I am already praying for their future spouse and marriage. Call me crazy, but this is what I do to prevent fear overtaking me. I give my children to God daily and it actually helps me be at peace. I want nothing but the best for my children's future and Clint & I can only do so much. We can only shape and mold them as best as we can, but Jesus and all of His heavenly court are going to have to step in and take over...especially in this scary world we live in.
So start today! Give your children over to Jesus. You are not alone in this great task of mothering God's children. Start praying daily for your children and start talking openly about Jesus and living for the things above. Children are so receptive and it is actually amazing how they begin talking openly about Jesus and following the light after you teach them.
Blessings to you this Holy Tuesday!
Jesus said to Judas, "What you are going to do, do quickly.".....Jesus answered Peter,..."Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times." John 13:27,38
In regards to motherhood today after reading the gospel, I could only think about how our children in their lifetime will more than likely betray us. I know I betrayed my parents when I was a teenager and I remember I was filled with regret as they were discipling me appropriately. Just as Judas and Peter were filled with regret after turning their back on Jesus, we only hope and pray as a parent that our children will be filled with so much love from us that they will know better when they are about to betray us. And if they go ahead with the betrayal, we hope that they will be filled with regret and turn back to the light. How do we acomplish this as parents? I really don't know the answer because my children are so young and I have so much to learn, but I can only guess that the process begins NOW. Having their "hearts" at an early age will prevent mulitiple betrayals. Strict discipline done with great love is what my parents did with me and I plan on do the exact same with my children. Walking daily with Jesus alongside our children at early ages is crucial in preventing betrayal. Daily prayers, talking openly about Jesus, Heaven, good, bad, light, dark....are all so important to instill in our children daily as we go about our lives. I am already talking to my four year old son to walk in the light.
Another way, as mothers, we can help prevent betrayal of our children, is to pray daily for each one of them. I separately pray for each child daily. I am already praying that they will love the Lord our God at very early ages. I am praying for them to always follow the light. I ask St. Michael Archangel to pray for protection over them from the evil one. I am already praying for their future spouse and marriage. Call me crazy, but this is what I do to prevent fear overtaking me. I give my children to God daily and it actually helps me be at peace. I want nothing but the best for my children's future and Clint & I can only do so much. We can only shape and mold them as best as we can, but Jesus and all of His heavenly court are going to have to step in and take over...especially in this scary world we live in.
So start today! Give your children over to Jesus. You are not alone in this great task of mothering God's children. Start praying daily for your children and start talking openly about Jesus and living for the things above. Children are so receptive and it is actually amazing how they begin talking openly about Jesus and following the light after you teach them.
Blessings to you this Holy Tuesday!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Our Children Won't Always Be Around....
Gospel Reading Today John 12:1-8
“You will always have poor people with you, but you will not always have me.” John 12:8
We all get grouchy from time to time; mainly because we get burned out of all the things that constantly have to be done. Yesterday, I was such a grouch. First of all, my husband has been working nonstop and ended up so sick this weekend. So he was in bed all day and for me, yesterday was just an ordinary day. We had gone to church on Saturday night so we could rest on Sunday…..what wishful thinking that was! My one-day of rest turned into hectic chaos of crabby kids, piles of laundry, dirty baseboards, a flowerbed full of weeds….all staring at me in the face. I was wishing I were the one sick in bed. We went to the park and I found myself filled with self-pity and bitterness. I was thinking to myself, “I don’t want to be swinging my children today!” As I pushed Clementine higher in frustration my resentment rose higher. “Today is my day off from all of this!”, I exclaimed in my soul. So needless to say, Kim had a nice big pity party yesterday.
First of all, we are human. After constantly caring for little ones with no break, we eventually will break ourselves. We lay down our lives day in and day out and there will be days we will be filled with self-pity. A Priest once told me that as mothers, we have to have time away every once in awhile. As Jesus would climb a hill to pray and have “alone time”, so do we mothers need some alone time. Sundays are usually my day to slip away for an hour or two to have a cup of coffee and sift through some gardening books at Borders. But when Clint has a busy week at work and I am caring for these little ones 24/7, I start to get worn out and broken. I was screaming at God in the middle of the night on Friday, because all I wanted was one night of rest. “Just one, God! I am not asking for much….just some sleep!” I usually get a full nights rest every 2-3 weeks.
I am reminded in the gospel reading today that just as Jesus told Mary, Lazarus’s sister, that He would not always be around, our children will not always be around. As I watched quietly yesterday as Clementine danced in her Easter dress and gloves in the other room, I was reminded that she will not always be a little girl. These times are precious and quickly passing. I look to the next couple of weeks with no glimpse of a break from children and chores. Just as Mary broke the expensive jar of oil all over Jesus’ feet, I need to break my vessel of selfishness and self-pity and let the fragrance of compassion and love fill my home and cover my loved ones. This is my prayer today.
As we begin Holy Week, let us remind ourselves that we are human. But let us also remind ourselves of the agony and heartbreak Jesus and the Blessed Mother felt through the Passion. Instead of becoming angry and bitter, they embraced the cross with Love for all of us. Because we are human, we are broken and let us ask Jesus to pick us up and carry us through the trenches of Motherhood.
Blessings to you all this Monday!
“You will always have poor people with you, but you will not always have me.” John 12:8
We all get grouchy from time to time; mainly because we get burned out of all the things that constantly have to be done. Yesterday, I was such a grouch. First of all, my husband has been working nonstop and ended up so sick this weekend. So he was in bed all day and for me, yesterday was just an ordinary day. We had gone to church on Saturday night so we could rest on Sunday…..what wishful thinking that was! My one-day of rest turned into hectic chaos of crabby kids, piles of laundry, dirty baseboards, a flowerbed full of weeds….all staring at me in the face. I was wishing I were the one sick in bed. We went to the park and I found myself filled with self-pity and bitterness. I was thinking to myself, “I don’t want to be swinging my children today!” As I pushed Clementine higher in frustration my resentment rose higher. “Today is my day off from all of this!”, I exclaimed in my soul. So needless to say, Kim had a nice big pity party yesterday.
First of all, we are human. After constantly caring for little ones with no break, we eventually will break ourselves. We lay down our lives day in and day out and there will be days we will be filled with self-pity. A Priest once told me that as mothers, we have to have time away every once in awhile. As Jesus would climb a hill to pray and have “alone time”, so do we mothers need some alone time. Sundays are usually my day to slip away for an hour or two to have a cup of coffee and sift through some gardening books at Borders. But when Clint has a busy week at work and I am caring for these little ones 24/7, I start to get worn out and broken. I was screaming at God in the middle of the night on Friday, because all I wanted was one night of rest. “Just one, God! I am not asking for much….just some sleep!” I usually get a full nights rest every 2-3 weeks.
I am reminded in the gospel reading today that just as Jesus told Mary, Lazarus’s sister, that He would not always be around, our children will not always be around. As I watched quietly yesterday as Clementine danced in her Easter dress and gloves in the other room, I was reminded that she will not always be a little girl. These times are precious and quickly passing. I look to the next couple of weeks with no glimpse of a break from children and chores. Just as Mary broke the expensive jar of oil all over Jesus’ feet, I need to break my vessel of selfishness and self-pity and let the fragrance of compassion and love fill my home and cover my loved ones. This is my prayer today.
As we begin Holy Week, let us remind ourselves that we are human. But let us also remind ourselves of the agony and heartbreak Jesus and the Blessed Mother felt through the Passion. Instead of becoming angry and bitter, they embraced the cross with Love for all of us. Because we are human, we are broken and let us ask Jesus to pick us up and carry us through the trenches of Motherhood.
Blessings to you all this Monday!
Friday, March 26, 2010
"Live" Your Marriage
Gospel Reading today John 10:31-42
"If I do not perform my Father's works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father." John 10:37-38
How many times have we heard the saying, "Actions speak louder than words"? The gospel is telling us today that you have to play the game, not just stand on the sidelines and coach it. I am reminded this morning that one of the greatest purposes of marriage is to help each other get to Heaven. Bringing our husbands closer to Christ each and every day is so important in our vocation of marriage and vice versa. If we are so consumed in raising our children and taking care of our home or having a career and trying to balance it all, our husbands will begin to take back seat. This is a spiral down effect. We have to remember the marriage came before children. So as we meditate daily on the gospel readings and focus on motherhood through this blog, it is essential to remember that our husbands and marriages come first. As hard as it is at times, we have to remember this great lesson. IF our actions and energy are so focused on raising disciples for Christ that our husbands get lost in between, this is not living the gospel fully. To completely have "the Father in us", means to be able to love everyone in our care with total and selfless love. As we become so tired of giving of ourselves all through the day to the little ones, that doesn't mean we can withhold ourselves from our husband at the end of the day. It only means to give of ourselves even more to the one who we had in our care way before the little turkeys showed up.
Tuesday night, Clint and I went on a date. We went to a local seafood joint, bellied up to the bar, and had more fun eating 2 dozen oysters, 4 lbs of crawfish and a few cold schooners of beer! We have to remember of where it all began... On our way home we were singing old songs that reminded us of when we fell in love. After almost ten years of marriage, we like to return back in our hearts of when we first met. This is so important to do. It helps you to fall in love all over again. Just like when reading and meditating on the Passion of Christ before Easter, so it is important for us to reminisce on falling in love.
So in order to bring our husbands closer to Christ, we have to "live" our marriages...not just talk about it or look in the distance. So get a baby sitter and go out on the town with your hubby. Laugh, love and have good talks. In this way, you will be the face of Christ for your husband. Give your all and everything to him.....don't hold anything back and something "magical" will happen. Abundant graces will flow from Heaven and will bless your marriage. You and your husband will be reconnected and all will be well. :)
Blessings to you this Friday!
"If I do not perform my Father's works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father." John 10:37-38
How many times have we heard the saying, "Actions speak louder than words"? The gospel is telling us today that you have to play the game, not just stand on the sidelines and coach it. I am reminded this morning that one of the greatest purposes of marriage is to help each other get to Heaven. Bringing our husbands closer to Christ each and every day is so important in our vocation of marriage and vice versa. If we are so consumed in raising our children and taking care of our home or having a career and trying to balance it all, our husbands will begin to take back seat. This is a spiral down effect. We have to remember the marriage came before children. So as we meditate daily on the gospel readings and focus on motherhood through this blog, it is essential to remember that our husbands and marriages come first. As hard as it is at times, we have to remember this great lesson. IF our actions and energy are so focused on raising disciples for Christ that our husbands get lost in between, this is not living the gospel fully. To completely have "the Father in us", means to be able to love everyone in our care with total and selfless love. As we become so tired of giving of ourselves all through the day to the little ones, that doesn't mean we can withhold ourselves from our husband at the end of the day. It only means to give of ourselves even more to the one who we had in our care way before the little turkeys showed up.
Tuesday night, Clint and I went on a date. We went to a local seafood joint, bellied up to the bar, and had more fun eating 2 dozen oysters, 4 lbs of crawfish and a few cold schooners of beer! We have to remember of where it all began... On our way home we were singing old songs that reminded us of when we fell in love. After almost ten years of marriage, we like to return back in our hearts of when we first met. This is so important to do. It helps you to fall in love all over again. Just like when reading and meditating on the Passion of Christ before Easter, so it is important for us to reminisce on falling in love.
So in order to bring our husbands closer to Christ, we have to "live" our marriages...not just talk about it or look in the distance. So get a baby sitter and go out on the town with your hubby. Laugh, love and have good talks. In this way, you will be the face of Christ for your husband. Give your all and everything to him.....don't hold anything back and something "magical" will happen. Abundant graces will flow from Heaven and will bless your marriage. You and your husband will be reconnected and all will be well. :)
Blessings to you this Friday!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Confession is like a Holy Therapy Session
The Annunciation of the Lord
Gospel Reading today Luke 1:26-38
"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Luke 1:38
Today is the feast day of the Annunciation of the Lord.....when Mary said, "Yes" to be the Mother of Jesus. What a friend, mother and example we have in Mary. Our faith gives us so many abundant gifts, one in which is the love and example of the Mother of Jesus. Being cradle Catholic (catholic since birth), I knew we honored her but it is not until I became a mother that I have grown to appreciate her friendship and constant care for us...the children of her Son. There are so many misconceptions of the importance the Catholic Church places upon Mary, the Mother of God. I like to say it is like asking a friend to pray for you, but the only difference is that she is the Mother of Jesus! We simply ask Mary to pray for us....we don't worship her, we don't place her equal or higher than God. We simply honor her because she is the Mother of Jesus and we ask her to pray for us. Mary's greatest goal is to bring us closer to her Son. By praying the rosary, we pray the gospels. We meditate on the life of Jesus. The rosary is like beautiful background music to the gospels as we pray the Hail Mary's (which is a gospel reading Luke 1:28)we are watching Christ's life unfold before our eyes. The rosary has brought me so much closer to Christ....it has been life changing for me. So thank goodness for her YES, we have eternal life. Thank you, Mary! I have to admit that I am not as faithful in saying yes to God's Will. I tend to want my own will at times, especially when it is a little scary (like the thought of having more children!). But I am reminded in today's gospel that God's Will is perfect. Although Mary was so scared and worried, she trusted in the Lord and His plan was make perfect through her. If we could only be more willing to say Yes, this world would probably be so much of a better place.
Last night, we had reconcilation Mass. As I have become closer to Christ, I yearn for confession. For me, it is a holy therapy session! To actually say out loud your sins is so theraputic and then to know like it says in today's gospel, "the power of the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you." Luke 1:26-38 We become full of grace when the Priest prays over us and through the Holy Spirit we are forgiven. The amazing freedom and grace you feel the days following confession is amazing! So for all of the Catholic moms out there, this is such a wonderful therapy session for you if you have been angry with your children, bitter or angry with your husband.....go to confession and feel the peace and grace from Heaven decsend upon you the minute you walk outside. This is what Lent calls us to do....repent, turn from sin, and follow the light of Christ.
Blessings to you this Thursday!
Gospel Reading today Luke 1:26-38
"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Luke 1:38
Today is the feast day of the Annunciation of the Lord.....when Mary said, "Yes" to be the Mother of Jesus. What a friend, mother and example we have in Mary. Our faith gives us so many abundant gifts, one in which is the love and example of the Mother of Jesus. Being cradle Catholic (catholic since birth), I knew we honored her but it is not until I became a mother that I have grown to appreciate her friendship and constant care for us...the children of her Son. There are so many misconceptions of the importance the Catholic Church places upon Mary, the Mother of God. I like to say it is like asking a friend to pray for you, but the only difference is that she is the Mother of Jesus! We simply ask Mary to pray for us....we don't worship her, we don't place her equal or higher than God. We simply honor her because she is the Mother of Jesus and we ask her to pray for us. Mary's greatest goal is to bring us closer to her Son. By praying the rosary, we pray the gospels. We meditate on the life of Jesus. The rosary is like beautiful background music to the gospels as we pray the Hail Mary's (which is a gospel reading Luke 1:28)we are watching Christ's life unfold before our eyes. The rosary has brought me so much closer to Christ....it has been life changing for me. So thank goodness for her YES, we have eternal life. Thank you, Mary! I have to admit that I am not as faithful in saying yes to God's Will. I tend to want my own will at times, especially when it is a little scary (like the thought of having more children!). But I am reminded in today's gospel that God's Will is perfect. Although Mary was so scared and worried, she trusted in the Lord and His plan was make perfect through her. If we could only be more willing to say Yes, this world would probably be so much of a better place.
Last night, we had reconcilation Mass. As I have become closer to Christ, I yearn for confession. For me, it is a holy therapy session! To actually say out loud your sins is so theraputic and then to know like it says in today's gospel, "the power of the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you." Luke 1:26-38 We become full of grace when the Priest prays over us and through the Holy Spirit we are forgiven. The amazing freedom and grace you feel the days following confession is amazing! So for all of the Catholic moms out there, this is such a wonderful therapy session for you if you have been angry with your children, bitter or angry with your husband.....go to confession and feel the peace and grace from Heaven decsend upon you the minute you walk outside. This is what Lent calls us to do....repent, turn from sin, and follow the light of Christ.
Blessings to you this Thursday!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
The Truth of Motherhood Will Set You Free!
Gospel Reading Today John 8:31-42
"If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32
The gospel reading today immediately made me think of realizing the truth in motherhood. Once a mother knows the truth & purpose of motherhood, she becomes free. Free from the lies of Satan and the world regarding motherhood. When the mother knows the truth, the chains are broken. She is released from the prison of self pity, self worthiness and selfishness and set free to run in the lush green pastures of joy through self abandonment to Christ. As we begin to see our lives played out as servants of Christ, our daily works become noble, honorable, good, pleasing, and perfect. Each diaper we change, sippy cup we give, knee we kiss becomes holy. We hear the cries in the middle of the night as the voice of Christ and go in haste to care for Him in our little ones. We lay down our yearnings to keep sleeping to go and check on the sick. Instead of throwing a pillow and yelling out a curse word (like I use to do), I offer it up as a form of fasting/prayer ang gently and lovingly tend to their needs.
Our little homes become Cathedrals & we start living the gospel when we are set free with the truth. The truth of motherhood is: Mothers did not come to this earth to be served, but to serve. The mother who is humble shall be exhaulted. The mother who is exhaulted shall be humbled. Our Queenship lies in Heaven not with the ways of this world. That is why every mother's knee shall bend in the name of Jesus. When a mother bends her knees to pick up a child, she picks up Jesus. When a mother bends down to wash her children in the bathtub, she is being cleansed in Christ as the bathwater transforms into Holy Water. Every act of motherhood when performed in love is holy. Perfect Love=Sacrifice. We have the greatest example in Jesus who sacrificed His life for us. He didn't expect to have praises, he didn't demand luxury, he didn't become bitter towards His Father....He did everything with a servants heart and everything out of complete and perfect love. As mothers, we can accomplish pure joy in our duties here on earth by seeing Marriage & Motherhood as the works of Christ on earth. This is the exact reason why our vocation is one of, if not the, holiest & greatest work we can do on earth. Nothing else matters when compared to this vocation.....no career, no wardrobe, no house, no vacation can measure up to the great importance that we have under the roof of our homes. This is the truth of motherhood and I hope in hearing this message to day you will start living in Freedom.
Today, look around you and see the face of Christ in your husband and children. Whatever you do for the least of these people, you do for Him.
Blessings to you this Wednesday!
"If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32
The gospel reading today immediately made me think of realizing the truth in motherhood. Once a mother knows the truth & purpose of motherhood, she becomes free. Free from the lies of Satan and the world regarding motherhood. When the mother knows the truth, the chains are broken. She is released from the prison of self pity, self worthiness and selfishness and set free to run in the lush green pastures of joy through self abandonment to Christ. As we begin to see our lives played out as servants of Christ, our daily works become noble, honorable, good, pleasing, and perfect. Each diaper we change, sippy cup we give, knee we kiss becomes holy. We hear the cries in the middle of the night as the voice of Christ and go in haste to care for Him in our little ones. We lay down our yearnings to keep sleeping to go and check on the sick. Instead of throwing a pillow and yelling out a curse word (like I use to do), I offer it up as a form of fasting/prayer ang gently and lovingly tend to their needs.
Our little homes become Cathedrals & we start living the gospel when we are set free with the truth. The truth of motherhood is: Mothers did not come to this earth to be served, but to serve. The mother who is humble shall be exhaulted. The mother who is exhaulted shall be humbled. Our Queenship lies in Heaven not with the ways of this world. That is why every mother's knee shall bend in the name of Jesus. When a mother bends her knees to pick up a child, she picks up Jesus. When a mother bends down to wash her children in the bathtub, she is being cleansed in Christ as the bathwater transforms into Holy Water. Every act of motherhood when performed in love is holy. Perfect Love=Sacrifice. We have the greatest example in Jesus who sacrificed His life for us. He didn't expect to have praises, he didn't demand luxury, he didn't become bitter towards His Father....He did everything with a servants heart and everything out of complete and perfect love. As mothers, we can accomplish pure joy in our duties here on earth by seeing Marriage & Motherhood as the works of Christ on earth. This is the exact reason why our vocation is one of, if not the, holiest & greatest work we can do on earth. Nothing else matters when compared to this vocation.....no career, no wardrobe, no house, no vacation can measure up to the great importance that we have under the roof of our homes. This is the truth of motherhood and I hope in hearing this message to day you will start living in Freedom.
Today, look around you and see the face of Christ in your husband and children. Whatever you do for the least of these people, you do for Him.
Blessings to you this Wednesday!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Experiencing the Life of Christ in our Midst
Gospel reading today John 8:21-30
"You belong to what is below, I belong to what is above. You belong woth this world, but I do not belong to this world." John 8:23
This morning I reflected on The Passion and then wrote a Lenton/Easter letter to my family; therefore that doesn't leave me much time to write this morning on the blog. This past year, my brother and his wife suffered the loss of their 19 year old daughter to a 2 year battle of brain cancer. Morgan suffered more than I might ever witness intense suffering ever again. She endured 9 brain surgeries and the day before she died, her way of getting around was by crawling. Her mother had to feed her three times a day through a feeding tube. My letter to the family was to compare Morgan's suffering to The Passion and the sorrow of the Blessed Mother to Morgan's mother and father. I realized as I wrote the letter that in this world "below", we can experience what Jesus himself experienced as well as His Mother....the good, the bad and the ugly. My ,just the other day, experienced a "transfiguration" through confession. She walked away seeing all of the blessings in her life instead of the negative aspects. She realized through God's mercifu love that life is hard for everyone in all different types of ways. While some are witnessing the Passion of Christ in their loved ones others are witnessing the Birth of Christ, the Discipleship of Christ, the Transfiguration of Christ, the Tempation of Christ through a desert experience. Here below, we can experience Heaven and the Life of Christ if we just look around among us.
As mothers, hopefully we can open our minds up to living in Christ's precense every step of the way of raising children and caring for our families. We can help open the eyes of our husband and children (someday adults) to the life of Christ in each of us and those around us. Below is the letter to my family. Feel free to replace your loved ones or someone you know in the place of my brother, sister-in-law and loved ones in Heaven.
Blessings to you this Tuesday!
A Lenton Reflection and Easter Blessing March 23, 2010
To my dear family,
As I was praying the rosary this morning and meditating on the Passion of Christ, a story unfolded in my mind of how our family has witnessed the Passion right in our very midst. Some of our family members have lived the Passion. We have witnessed the love and sorrow of the Blessed Mother through Traci, the care and compassion of Simon who helped Jesus carry his cross through Klint.
Agony in the Garden
As I reflected on the Agony in the Garden, I thought about Dr. Garnett telling Traci & Klint the news of the brain tumor with tears streaming down his face. I can only imagine Klint and Traci behind closed doors as they fell to their knees in agony of the news. Praying for God to take this suffering away from Morgan, but also asking for His will to be done, just as Jesus did.
Scourging at the Pillar
After hearing the news, the dread of what was to take place lingered in their hearts and in their minds, just as it did when Jesus was handcuffed and taken to be scourged. Through all of the surgeries, Morgan was scourged and just as the Blessed Mother watched Jesus in complete grief and agony, so did Morgan’s blessed mother along with all of her loved ones watch in sorrow.
Crowning of the Thorns
Little Morgan experienced the crowning of the thorns through multiple brain surgeries. She wore her crown with courage and with out self-pity. With each “stab of the crown” (brain surgery), she had fear but complete trust in God’s will. I will never forget what she said about her last and final surgery. “If I make it, I make it. If I don’t, I don’t.” She had suffered so much that she had given everything up to God. I assume that is how Jesus himself felt as He stood before the crowd.
The Carrying of the Cross
We witnessed Christ’s love through Klint & Traci as they helped Morgan carry her cross. Just as Mary was able to reach Jesus on his third fall and they embraced each other in love through their eyes, so did Traci embrace Morgan with God’s love every moment of her suffering. Just as Simon was chosen to help Jesus carry His cross, so was Klint chosen to help Morgan carry her cross in this life…and Klinty helped carry her cross with God’s complete and perfect love.
The Crucifixion
The agony Mother Mary and Simon felt as they watched Jesus crawl to the cross and be crucified and given a sponge of wine to drink, so was the agony of Klint and Traci as they watched Morgan crawl on her hands and knees and how they had to give her food and water to drink. Just as Jesus cried out, “My God, My God! Why have you forsaken me!”, so too did Morgan cry the same words. And in the middle of the night of May 27th, Morgan breathed her last.
We all say the same thing that people have been saying about Jesus for over 2,000 years. Why did God take Morgan in this way? Why did He take Morgan so young, just as Jesus was only 33 and still had His whole life ahead of Him? We don’t know the answers, but what we do know is that our beloved family members, Klint and Traci, kissed the face of Jesus. They held His hand through Morgan’s suffering. They experienced the complete horrifying agony of Jesus and they continue to experience the complete sorrow of the Blessed Mother. Good Friday for them, will last longer than three days….it will last until they die. Morgan’s resurrection has already taken place. And someday, Traci and Klint’s faces will shine like the sun and their smiles will be as big as all of the disciples when Jesus descended up them. For they will see Morgan again, just as we are promised to see Jesus face to face. This is what Easter is all about. We celebrate death being only the beginning of life. Because Jesus suffered on the Cross we get to live forever. And through Morgan’s redemptive suffering, one or many of us might be saved. Because of her suffering, one of us might have been given eternal life. We don’t know why this happened to our sweet Morgan, but we can only believe it was for the most amazing purpose….a purpose so big that it was only created by God himself.
Every Sunday as I witness the miracle at Mass as bread is turned into the actual Body and Blood of Christ, I picture our loved ones descending from Heaven and standing next to the alter. I see Pappy just as clear as day, standing their with his hands folded with his little sweet smile. I see Grandma looking so beautiful in her 30’s with her hair done just right and that sparkle in her eye. I see Mary Elizabeth so happy to be standing next to her daddy. I see Teteen, pleased as a peach that I am in Mass and receiving Jesus. And Gussy, is smiling and just thrilled to be in Heaven.
And then there is Morgan…….I see her sitting next to Jesus on the steps in front of the alter. She has a cute little bob haircut and she is laughing with Jesus and is blissfully happy. She and Jesus sit there side by side, understanding one another as they have shared the Passion and Resurrection.
This coming Holy Week, I hope you all can take this and find a new meaning in the Passion and in Easter. That there is HOPE. That even though we are here on earth and our loved ones are in Heaven, we are one. That when you receive Jesus’ body and blood, you are united with Him along with our loved ones. We are the closest to our loved ones through the Eucharist. As we take in the body and blood of Christ into our bodies, we are fed with Eternal Life. We have been given food from Heaven…..the very food that now nourishes Morgan.
I hope you all have a blessed Holy Week and Happy Easter. Just as Jesus is risen, so will we ALL be risen together and spend eternity in Heaven as one happy family.
I love you all very much.
In Christ,
Kimmy
"You belong to what is below, I belong to what is above. You belong woth this world, but I do not belong to this world." John 8:23
This morning I reflected on The Passion and then wrote a Lenton/Easter letter to my family; therefore that doesn't leave me much time to write this morning on the blog. This past year, my brother and his wife suffered the loss of their 19 year old daughter to a 2 year battle of brain cancer. Morgan suffered more than I might ever witness intense suffering ever again. She endured 9 brain surgeries and the day before she died, her way of getting around was by crawling. Her mother had to feed her three times a day through a feeding tube. My letter to the family was to compare Morgan's suffering to The Passion and the sorrow of the Blessed Mother to Morgan's mother and father. I realized as I wrote the letter that in this world "below", we can experience what Jesus himself experienced as well as His Mother....the good, the bad and the ugly. My ,just the other day, experienced a "transfiguration" through confession. She walked away seeing all of the blessings in her life instead of the negative aspects. She realized through God's mercifu love that life is hard for everyone in all different types of ways. While some are witnessing the Passion of Christ in their loved ones others are witnessing the Birth of Christ, the Discipleship of Christ, the Transfiguration of Christ, the Tempation of Christ through a desert experience. Here below, we can experience Heaven and the Life of Christ if we just look around among us.
As mothers, hopefully we can open our minds up to living in Christ's precense every step of the way of raising children and caring for our families. We can help open the eyes of our husband and children (someday adults) to the life of Christ in each of us and those around us. Below is the letter to my family. Feel free to replace your loved ones or someone you know in the place of my brother, sister-in-law and loved ones in Heaven.
Blessings to you this Tuesday!
A Lenton Reflection and Easter Blessing March 23, 2010
To my dear family,
As I was praying the rosary this morning and meditating on the Passion of Christ, a story unfolded in my mind of how our family has witnessed the Passion right in our very midst. Some of our family members have lived the Passion. We have witnessed the love and sorrow of the Blessed Mother through Traci, the care and compassion of Simon who helped Jesus carry his cross through Klint.
Agony in the Garden
As I reflected on the Agony in the Garden, I thought about Dr. Garnett telling Traci & Klint the news of the brain tumor with tears streaming down his face. I can only imagine Klint and Traci behind closed doors as they fell to their knees in agony of the news. Praying for God to take this suffering away from Morgan, but also asking for His will to be done, just as Jesus did.
Scourging at the Pillar
After hearing the news, the dread of what was to take place lingered in their hearts and in their minds, just as it did when Jesus was handcuffed and taken to be scourged. Through all of the surgeries, Morgan was scourged and just as the Blessed Mother watched Jesus in complete grief and agony, so did Morgan’s blessed mother along with all of her loved ones watch in sorrow.
Crowning of the Thorns
Little Morgan experienced the crowning of the thorns through multiple brain surgeries. She wore her crown with courage and with out self-pity. With each “stab of the crown” (brain surgery), she had fear but complete trust in God’s will. I will never forget what she said about her last and final surgery. “If I make it, I make it. If I don’t, I don’t.” She had suffered so much that she had given everything up to God. I assume that is how Jesus himself felt as He stood before the crowd.
The Carrying of the Cross
We witnessed Christ’s love through Klint & Traci as they helped Morgan carry her cross. Just as Mary was able to reach Jesus on his third fall and they embraced each other in love through their eyes, so did Traci embrace Morgan with God’s love every moment of her suffering. Just as Simon was chosen to help Jesus carry His cross, so was Klint chosen to help Morgan carry her cross in this life…and Klinty helped carry her cross with God’s complete and perfect love.
The Crucifixion
The agony Mother Mary and Simon felt as they watched Jesus crawl to the cross and be crucified and given a sponge of wine to drink, so was the agony of Klint and Traci as they watched Morgan crawl on her hands and knees and how they had to give her food and water to drink. Just as Jesus cried out, “My God, My God! Why have you forsaken me!”, so too did Morgan cry the same words. And in the middle of the night of May 27th, Morgan breathed her last.
We all say the same thing that people have been saying about Jesus for over 2,000 years. Why did God take Morgan in this way? Why did He take Morgan so young, just as Jesus was only 33 and still had His whole life ahead of Him? We don’t know the answers, but what we do know is that our beloved family members, Klint and Traci, kissed the face of Jesus. They held His hand through Morgan’s suffering. They experienced the complete horrifying agony of Jesus and they continue to experience the complete sorrow of the Blessed Mother. Good Friday for them, will last longer than three days….it will last until they die. Morgan’s resurrection has already taken place. And someday, Traci and Klint’s faces will shine like the sun and their smiles will be as big as all of the disciples when Jesus descended up them. For they will see Morgan again, just as we are promised to see Jesus face to face. This is what Easter is all about. We celebrate death being only the beginning of life. Because Jesus suffered on the Cross we get to live forever. And through Morgan’s redemptive suffering, one or many of us might be saved. Because of her suffering, one of us might have been given eternal life. We don’t know why this happened to our sweet Morgan, but we can only believe it was for the most amazing purpose….a purpose so big that it was only created by God himself.
Every Sunday as I witness the miracle at Mass as bread is turned into the actual Body and Blood of Christ, I picture our loved ones descending from Heaven and standing next to the alter. I see Pappy just as clear as day, standing their with his hands folded with his little sweet smile. I see Grandma looking so beautiful in her 30’s with her hair done just right and that sparkle in her eye. I see Mary Elizabeth so happy to be standing next to her daddy. I see Teteen, pleased as a peach that I am in Mass and receiving Jesus. And Gussy, is smiling and just thrilled to be in Heaven.
And then there is Morgan…….I see her sitting next to Jesus on the steps in front of the alter. She has a cute little bob haircut and she is laughing with Jesus and is blissfully happy. She and Jesus sit there side by side, understanding one another as they have shared the Passion and Resurrection.
This coming Holy Week, I hope you all can take this and find a new meaning in the Passion and in Easter. That there is HOPE. That even though we are here on earth and our loved ones are in Heaven, we are one. That when you receive Jesus’ body and blood, you are united with Him along with our loved ones. We are the closest to our loved ones through the Eucharist. As we take in the body and blood of Christ into our bodies, we are fed with Eternal Life. We have been given food from Heaven…..the very food that now nourishes Morgan.
I hope you all have a blessed Holy Week and Happy Easter. Just as Jesus is risen, so will we ALL be risen together and spend eternity in Heaven as one happy family.
I love you all very much.
In Christ,
Kimmy
Monday, March 22, 2010
Sometime it takes the darkness to see the light.
Gospel Reading Today John 8:12-20
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12
Darkness is not a fun place to be. I feel I have been in darkness or the "desert" this past week. I jumped out of bed this morning at 5:15 because I could not wait to start walking back into the light with my morning offering and prayer time. Since we have been out of town, I have felt very away from the Lord. Usually this doesn't happen but this week it sure did. I haven't prayed much and my mind has wandered far from what is important. Obsessed about marketing for our business and questioning my worthiness of motherhood after comparing my very "spirited children" to my best friend's calm and easy going children....I have wondered, "what are we (Clint and I) doing wrong?". I have slumped back into the mode of self-doubt and concerned with the things of the world. At mass saturday night, I was in tears. I felt the warmth of the Lord and His abundant love nurturing my soul. I felt back in the arms of Christ after being away this past week. This is an example of being in the light but sometimes having a shadow of darkness luring over us. The power of daily prayer has been proven to me this past week. It is essential spiritual food that we need to survive on daily. The moment we start slipping, the more we start experiencing lonliness and darkness. As mothers, to keep our minds on track on the most important task at hand, we have to walk in the light of Christ through prayer. Offering our days up to God's will and His work through us will only nourish us and keep us on the straight and narrow path. The world is hungry and selfish and wants us to be concerned and consumed with its ways. The moment we start slipping away from prayer, the starvation and thirst of this world starts luring us in. We are all guilty of it, but a little time in the desert helps us to thirst and hunger for the light. In a way, it can be a blessing spiritually to have a little "desert time". It makes us thankful to jump out of bed eager to spend time with the Lord. It helps us to take a deep breath and find comfort in realizing we are not in control. It helps us to take a step back and be reminded of what is most important. So a little darkness from time to time will help us see the light better. This is all a part of growing spiritually. This is a wonderful tool in knowing you have a relationship with Christ. Because you "find" yourself in darkness, realize it and turn back to the light.
So this is a reminder of what lent is all about. Calling us back to the light after being in darkness. We all wonder in darkness from time to time, but Jesus reminds us through the gospel reading of the adultress, John 8:1-11,how forgiving He is. He doesn't judge us for wandering in the dark, He forgives us for our sins and welcomes us back with open arms. So if you have felt in the dark lately, know that this is part of your spiritual growth and that the sun always comes up when we get back on the right road of walking daily with Jesus and His heavenly court. Whoo, I already feel better. Jesus teaches me so much when I write....that is one of the main reasons I do this. The Holy Spirit guides my hands and my heart....I just sit back and listen. Thank you, Jesus. I love you so much!
Blessings to you this Monday!
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12
Darkness is not a fun place to be. I feel I have been in darkness or the "desert" this past week. I jumped out of bed this morning at 5:15 because I could not wait to start walking back into the light with my morning offering and prayer time. Since we have been out of town, I have felt very away from the Lord. Usually this doesn't happen but this week it sure did. I haven't prayed much and my mind has wandered far from what is important. Obsessed about marketing for our business and questioning my worthiness of motherhood after comparing my very "spirited children" to my best friend's calm and easy going children....I have wondered, "what are we (Clint and I) doing wrong?". I have slumped back into the mode of self-doubt and concerned with the things of the world. At mass saturday night, I was in tears. I felt the warmth of the Lord and His abundant love nurturing my soul. I felt back in the arms of Christ after being away this past week. This is an example of being in the light but sometimes having a shadow of darkness luring over us. The power of daily prayer has been proven to me this past week. It is essential spiritual food that we need to survive on daily. The moment we start slipping, the more we start experiencing lonliness and darkness. As mothers, to keep our minds on track on the most important task at hand, we have to walk in the light of Christ through prayer. Offering our days up to God's will and His work through us will only nourish us and keep us on the straight and narrow path. The world is hungry and selfish and wants us to be concerned and consumed with its ways. The moment we start slipping away from prayer, the starvation and thirst of this world starts luring us in. We are all guilty of it, but a little time in the desert helps us to thirst and hunger for the light. In a way, it can be a blessing spiritually to have a little "desert time". It makes us thankful to jump out of bed eager to spend time with the Lord. It helps us to take a deep breath and find comfort in realizing we are not in control. It helps us to take a step back and be reminded of what is most important. So a little darkness from time to time will help us see the light better. This is all a part of growing spiritually. This is a wonderful tool in knowing you have a relationship with Christ. Because you "find" yourself in darkness, realize it and turn back to the light.
So this is a reminder of what lent is all about. Calling us back to the light after being in darkness. We all wonder in darkness from time to time, but Jesus reminds us through the gospel reading of the adultress, John 8:1-11,how forgiving He is. He doesn't judge us for wandering in the dark, He forgives us for our sins and welcomes us back with open arms. So if you have felt in the dark lately, know that this is part of your spiritual growth and that the sun always comes up when we get back on the right road of walking daily with Jesus and His heavenly court. Whoo, I already feel better. Jesus teaches me so much when I write....that is one of the main reasons I do this. The Holy Spirit guides my hands and my heart....I just sit back and listen. Thank you, Jesus. I love you so much!
Blessings to you this Monday!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Spring Break in Texas!
It's Spring Break in Texas! I am at my dearest life long friend's house for part of the week. She lives out on a beautiful ranch here in Texas and we are so happy to be together, let the kids play and catch up. Talk, drink wine, talk, drink wine....oh, and take care of the kids too. :) Since the computer is in the barn/office, I probably won't be making it over here to write. I will start back up on Friday. Blessings to you all this week!
Friday, March 12, 2010
LIVING GOD'S GREATEST COMMANDMENT AS A WIFE & MOTHER
Gospel Reading from Thursday Luke 11:14-23
"...anyone who does not help me gather is really scattering." Luke 11:17,21,23
Gospel Reading today Marke 12:28-34
"the most important commandment is this, love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second most important one is to love your neighbor as you love yourself." Mark 12:29-31
I have had a hard time writing this week because I have been off my normal ritual of getting up at 5:30 to pray and write. My 19 month old has had me up for 1-2 hours a night, I have no idea why; therefore, I have been struggling to have a few moments of prayer in the mornings. I do, however, want to touch on yesterday's gospel reading. As mothers, we have to gather our flock and keep them together and not let our little sheep scatter. How do families scatter? I believe by each family member going in all different directions. I see it all too often, families split with different activites, grabbing dinner through the drive through line on their way to the next practice, parents dropping off their middle school child at the local town square to go and do who knows what with there friends.... Especially in today's world, we have to keep our families together and not be too scattered. This is when the little sheep tend to get "lost" and directed on a different path than what God has planned. We have to be aware of these scenerios before they begin to take place so we are ready and equipped to make the best decisions when they are presented to us. I am going to try my best to NOT do what society accepts....having a scattered family.
On today's gospel reading, Jesus talks about the greatest commandment. I meditated on this commandment in regards to motherhood. We love our children with all our HEART....by doing this we love Jesus with all of our heart. We are to give our heart and SOULS to our families....in doing this we are loving Jesus with all of our soul. We are to constantly be using our MINDS in caring for our children...not getting side-tracked to world standards but keeping focused on the task at hand. By doing this, we are loving Jesus with all of our MINDS. We are to give every ounce of our STRENGTH to our family. By doing this, we are loving Jesus with all of our STRENGTH. Are you falling into bed at night completely exhausted? This is proof of loving God with all of your strength. The daily tasks of motherhood should zap you by the end of the day. It actually feels good when you know you have given every ounce of strength to the Lord by loving and taking care of your family..His flock.
The second most important commandment is to "love thy neighbor as you love yourself". Giving our lives up for Jesus by caring and loving our families, we are loving our neighbor as we love ourself. We live in a very selfish society and too often mothers and fathers are loving themselves more than their children. They are putting their family on the back burner while they seek self-importance & self-indulgences. This is dangerous living when you have been given a family. This is only teaching our children to go against one of the greatest commandments. This is teaching them to love themselves more than their neighbor. This again is reassurance that laying down your life for your family is building God's Kingdom.
So today, huddle your family back in. If you are being scattered in all different directions, pull the reigns and gather your flock. There is no better place for your children, even if they are 13, than with your family. Buck the system and keep your children close. Also, as you are losing your mind as all of your children are crying at once, remind yourself that you are obeying God's greatest commandment....you are loving Jesus with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength through your loving and caring for your family. And you are "loving your neighbor as yourself" by caring for your family 24/7. Rest in knowing today you are living God's greatest commandment in your everyday life as a wife and mother.
Blessings to you this Friday!
"...anyone who does not help me gather is really scattering." Luke 11:17,21,23
Gospel Reading today Marke 12:28-34
"the most important commandment is this, love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second most important one is to love your neighbor as you love yourself." Mark 12:29-31
I have had a hard time writing this week because I have been off my normal ritual of getting up at 5:30 to pray and write. My 19 month old has had me up for 1-2 hours a night, I have no idea why; therefore, I have been struggling to have a few moments of prayer in the mornings. I do, however, want to touch on yesterday's gospel reading. As mothers, we have to gather our flock and keep them together and not let our little sheep scatter. How do families scatter? I believe by each family member going in all different directions. I see it all too often, families split with different activites, grabbing dinner through the drive through line on their way to the next practice, parents dropping off their middle school child at the local town square to go and do who knows what with there friends.... Especially in today's world, we have to keep our families together and not be too scattered. This is when the little sheep tend to get "lost" and directed on a different path than what God has planned. We have to be aware of these scenerios before they begin to take place so we are ready and equipped to make the best decisions when they are presented to us. I am going to try my best to NOT do what society accepts....having a scattered family.
On today's gospel reading, Jesus talks about the greatest commandment. I meditated on this commandment in regards to motherhood. We love our children with all our HEART....by doing this we love Jesus with all of our heart. We are to give our heart and SOULS to our families....in doing this we are loving Jesus with all of our soul. We are to constantly be using our MINDS in caring for our children...not getting side-tracked to world standards but keeping focused on the task at hand. By doing this, we are loving Jesus with all of our MINDS. We are to give every ounce of our STRENGTH to our family. By doing this, we are loving Jesus with all of our STRENGTH. Are you falling into bed at night completely exhausted? This is proof of loving God with all of your strength. The daily tasks of motherhood should zap you by the end of the day. It actually feels good when you know you have given every ounce of strength to the Lord by loving and taking care of your family..His flock.
The second most important commandment is to "love thy neighbor as you love yourself". Giving our lives up for Jesus by caring and loving our families, we are loving our neighbor as we love ourself. We live in a very selfish society and too often mothers and fathers are loving themselves more than their children. They are putting their family on the back burner while they seek self-importance & self-indulgences. This is dangerous living when you have been given a family. This is only teaching our children to go against one of the greatest commandments. This is teaching them to love themselves more than their neighbor. This again is reassurance that laying down your life for your family is building God's Kingdom.
So today, huddle your family back in. If you are being scattered in all different directions, pull the reigns and gather your flock. There is no better place for your children, even if they are 13, than with your family. Buck the system and keep your children close. Also, as you are losing your mind as all of your children are crying at once, remind yourself that you are obeying God's greatest commandment....you are loving Jesus with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength through your loving and caring for your family. And you are "loving your neighbor as yourself" by caring for your family 24/7. Rest in knowing today you are living God's greatest commandment in your everyday life as a wife and mother.
Blessings to you this Friday!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
No Cutting Corners in Motherhood
Gospel Reading today Mathew 5:17-19
"Remember that as long as heaven and earth last, not the least point nor the smallest detail of the Law will be done away with-not until the end of all things." Mathew 5:18
We are reminded in the gospel today the importance of every little detail when working for the Kingdom of God. In a world that likes to cut corners, this gospel reading is a contradiction to the world's standards. It tells us we can not cut any corners when living up to God's standards & laws. In motherhood, how many women like to cut corners in raising their family and taking care of their family? It is in the nitty gritty details of what we do every day as mothers and wives that is teaching our families right from wrong, to have compassion for others by caring to the ones entrusted to us. There is so much of the Law of Heaven that we are teaching just through our little acts of service throughout the day. Mother Teresa said "Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies". She also says "There are so many little things which often go unnoticed by others, but are so important to the patients(children/husband) we serve. When done with love and compassion, those small things are transformed into something wonderful, priceless, and intangible".
We can't get this time back....we can't hold it in our hands or store it away. The time is NOW to use every minute given to you to do your best job in raising your children to love the Lord and to serve Him all the days of your life. By LIVING this, we teach our children to live this way. Don't think that someone else can do a better job in raising and teaching your children or that your husband is okay to fend for himself during these hard years of motherhood. It is in the little things where you find strength to rise up and be strong. To not let one day go by without trying with all your might to be the best mother and wife you can be. By doing this, you are tending the smallest details of God's Kingdom. You children and husband will be blessed abundantly for your selfless acts and service to them. Don't cut corners in Motherhood by living up to the world's standards. Build up a strong, steady and sure foundation for the Kingdom and your "home" will be secure and stand tall through the storms of life.
Blessings to you this Wednesday!
"Remember that as long as heaven and earth last, not the least point nor the smallest detail of the Law will be done away with-not until the end of all things." Mathew 5:18
We are reminded in the gospel today the importance of every little detail when working for the Kingdom of God. In a world that likes to cut corners, this gospel reading is a contradiction to the world's standards. It tells us we can not cut any corners when living up to God's standards & laws. In motherhood, how many women like to cut corners in raising their family and taking care of their family? It is in the nitty gritty details of what we do every day as mothers and wives that is teaching our families right from wrong, to have compassion for others by caring to the ones entrusted to us. There is so much of the Law of Heaven that we are teaching just through our little acts of service throughout the day. Mother Teresa said "Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies". She also says "There are so many little things which often go unnoticed by others, but are so important to the patients(children/husband) we serve. When done with love and compassion, those small things are transformed into something wonderful, priceless, and intangible".
We can't get this time back....we can't hold it in our hands or store it away. The time is NOW to use every minute given to you to do your best job in raising your children to love the Lord and to serve Him all the days of your life. By LIVING this, we teach our children to live this way. Don't think that someone else can do a better job in raising and teaching your children or that your husband is okay to fend for himself during these hard years of motherhood. It is in the little things where you find strength to rise up and be strong. To not let one day go by without trying with all your might to be the best mother and wife you can be. By doing this, you are tending the smallest details of God's Kingdom. You children and husband will be blessed abundantly for your selfless acts and service to them. Don't cut corners in Motherhood by living up to the world's standards. Build up a strong, steady and sure foundation for the Kingdom and your "home" will be secure and stand tall through the storms of life.
Blessings to you this Wednesday!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
TEACHING OUR CHILDREN ABOUT BEING LAST
Gospel reading today Luke 16:19-31
"The poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the feast in heaven." Luke 16:22
This is a beautiful gospel reading today about the rich man and the poor man. We are reminded through this gospel that the poor and the lowly will feast at the table in Heaven. And the rich man who didn't even give the poor man scraps from his table on earth gazes at the poor man feasting in Heaven as he thirsts and hungers for eternity. The last will be first and the first will be last.
As mothers, I think it is crucial for us to teach our children to see Jesus in the less fortunate. To teach them how to dine with the Govenor but at the same time sit at the table with the poorest of poor and feel touched and humbled by the presence of God. Our children should NEVER feel they are above ANYONE. They will learn this valuable lesson from their greatest teachers....their parents. So how do we teach our children these gospel lessons? I am constantly asking the Lord myself. I believe they will learn through our actions. For instance, this past weekend after selling our breads at the farmers market, we had alot left over. Instead of taking it back to the bakery and tossing it, we were told there was the hungry unemployed across the street. As my husband moaned and groaned about going over there, I looked at him and said let's go. As these hungry and thirsty souls jumped on the truck and I watched in fear, I saw my sweet husband take control and told them in spanish "no work, just bread". He opened the big back door of the truck and started handing out beautiful artisan bread....the gift of finest wheat to these hungry and poorest of souls. They took the bread and raised it to heaven with the biggest smiles. My three children watched in amazement at all of these people begging for bread and they witnessed their father giving out the bread he had worked so hard to bake. I was overjoyed by what we did as a family and can't wait to do it again. These acts of generosity and kindess are life changing for our children. It is crucial we teach them these valuable lessons. Instead of being at the baseball field, my 4 year old son helped sell bread at the farmers market and then gave to the poor. Not they he won't play baseball (because he LOVES it) but he will do both. I refuse to turn from these ways of the past of working together as a family like the pioneers, to sit at the baseball fields and be filled with pride of how cute my son is and do this just because everyone else is doing it. Yes, children learn so much from sports, but we tend to think that is the only thing we are suppose to be doing on the weekends (especially in Texas). Are we teaching our children how to just be first or are we teaching them how to be last as well? Think outside the box and think of how you can teach your children work ethic and generosity at a young age. I'm constantly thinking outside the box because I refuse to do what is "standard" in today's society. For there is not alot of wisdom in this world who thinks we are so smart and wonderful.
The ways of the past, the ways of the past, the ways of the past......so much wisdom and insight. Think today about your ancestors who have gone before you. You will more than likely learn something very valuable this day just by pondering on the simply, faithful lives they led.
Blessings to you this Thursday!
"The poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the feast in heaven." Luke 16:22
This is a beautiful gospel reading today about the rich man and the poor man. We are reminded through this gospel that the poor and the lowly will feast at the table in Heaven. And the rich man who didn't even give the poor man scraps from his table on earth gazes at the poor man feasting in Heaven as he thirsts and hungers for eternity. The last will be first and the first will be last.
As mothers, I think it is crucial for us to teach our children to see Jesus in the less fortunate. To teach them how to dine with the Govenor but at the same time sit at the table with the poorest of poor and feel touched and humbled by the presence of God. Our children should NEVER feel they are above ANYONE. They will learn this valuable lesson from their greatest teachers....their parents. So how do we teach our children these gospel lessons? I am constantly asking the Lord myself. I believe they will learn through our actions. For instance, this past weekend after selling our breads at the farmers market, we had alot left over. Instead of taking it back to the bakery and tossing it, we were told there was the hungry unemployed across the street. As my husband moaned and groaned about going over there, I looked at him and said let's go. As these hungry and thirsty souls jumped on the truck and I watched in fear, I saw my sweet husband take control and told them in spanish "no work, just bread". He opened the big back door of the truck and started handing out beautiful artisan bread....the gift of finest wheat to these hungry and poorest of souls. They took the bread and raised it to heaven with the biggest smiles. My three children watched in amazement at all of these people begging for bread and they witnessed their father giving out the bread he had worked so hard to bake. I was overjoyed by what we did as a family and can't wait to do it again. These acts of generosity and kindess are life changing for our children. It is crucial we teach them these valuable lessons. Instead of being at the baseball field, my 4 year old son helped sell bread at the farmers market and then gave to the poor. Not they he won't play baseball (because he LOVES it) but he will do both. I refuse to turn from these ways of the past of working together as a family like the pioneers, to sit at the baseball fields and be filled with pride of how cute my son is and do this just because everyone else is doing it. Yes, children learn so much from sports, but we tend to think that is the only thing we are suppose to be doing on the weekends (especially in Texas). Are we teaching our children how to just be first or are we teaching them how to be last as well? Think outside the box and think of how you can teach your children work ethic and generosity at a young age. I'm constantly thinking outside the box because I refuse to do what is "standard" in today's society. For there is not alot of wisdom in this world who thinks we are so smart and wonderful.
The ways of the past, the ways of the past, the ways of the past......so much wisdom and insight. Think today about your ancestors who have gone before you. You will more than likely learn something very valuable this day just by pondering on the simply, faithful lives they led.
Blessings to you this Thursday!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
MOTHERHOOD MIRRORS THE LIFE OF CHRIST
Gospel reading today Mathew 20:17-28
"If one of you wants to be great, he must be the servant of the rest; like the Son of Man, who did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life to redeem many people." Mathew 20:26,28
Well, here it is. My all time favorite verse in regards to motherhood. This verse says it all. If we mothers want to be great, we must be the servant of the rest. Christ did not come to be served here on earth. Instead, he was a humble servant and gave his life up for everyone else. Sound familiar? We, as mothers, constantly give of our life for everyone else. This is why motherhood, I believe, is the greatest vocation on earth. It mirrors so closely the life of Christ. As the mother of the two sons in today's gospel asked Jesus if her sons could sit at the left and the right of him in his Kingdom, she was asking for them to be royalty because in her mind, that is what she thought life would be like with Jesus, our King. And Jesus simply replied, "Can you drink the cup of suffering that I am about to drink?" Walking with Jesus daily and sitting on his left and right side is not easy. It is for sure not royalty on earth! We are told over and over in the gospel that we have to take up our cross to walk with Jesus. We are to lay down our lives for a friend/family....that is serving Jesus through the greatest act we can perform on earth, which is love. Motherhood=love. Love=self-sacrifice. Self-sacrifice=eternal rewards.
It is a crying shame that motherhood has become such a deminished vocation that was once looked upon in the highest regards. The more children one had, the more blessed they were. Satan has had his hand in all of this I guarantee you. If he can break up the family and deminish the vocation of motherhood, than he is deminishing the holiness of society. I believe this is why so many women look outside the home for self-worth as well as materialistic pride. If Satan can gradually take women out of the home and make them think they need to be served instead of served, than he is winning in the battle against the family. However, it is not too late. This is one of the very reasons I am devoted to writing this blog every morning. To remind mothers that the work they do is the holiest work on earth. Is it easy? No. Is it glamorous and thought of as royalty? Heck no! But is it similar to the work of Christ? Yes. Will motherhood bring you face to face with Jesus someday? Yes. Will souls be saved in our care? Yes. THIS is what motherhood is all about. TO SERVE christ by serving others.
So today, as you are going about your daily routines of carpooling, laundry, grocery shopping, sweeping crumbs, breaking up arguments, standing at your holy alter (the kitchen sink)....whatever it is, know it is nothing short of Holy. You are walking in the midst of Heaven by serving God's Kingdom on earth. You may be a "servant" here on earth, but your rewards are abundant for eternity. Life is short, so serve with all your heart!
Blessings to you this Wednesday!
"If one of you wants to be great, he must be the servant of the rest; like the Son of Man, who did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life to redeem many people." Mathew 20:26,28
Well, here it is. My all time favorite verse in regards to motherhood. This verse says it all. If we mothers want to be great, we must be the servant of the rest. Christ did not come to be served here on earth. Instead, he was a humble servant and gave his life up for everyone else. Sound familiar? We, as mothers, constantly give of our life for everyone else. This is why motherhood, I believe, is the greatest vocation on earth. It mirrors so closely the life of Christ. As the mother of the two sons in today's gospel asked Jesus if her sons could sit at the left and the right of him in his Kingdom, she was asking for them to be royalty because in her mind, that is what she thought life would be like with Jesus, our King. And Jesus simply replied, "Can you drink the cup of suffering that I am about to drink?" Walking with Jesus daily and sitting on his left and right side is not easy. It is for sure not royalty on earth! We are told over and over in the gospel that we have to take up our cross to walk with Jesus. We are to lay down our lives for a friend/family....that is serving Jesus through the greatest act we can perform on earth, which is love. Motherhood=love. Love=self-sacrifice. Self-sacrifice=eternal rewards.
It is a crying shame that motherhood has become such a deminished vocation that was once looked upon in the highest regards. The more children one had, the more blessed they were. Satan has had his hand in all of this I guarantee you. If he can break up the family and deminish the vocation of motherhood, than he is deminishing the holiness of society. I believe this is why so many women look outside the home for self-worth as well as materialistic pride. If Satan can gradually take women out of the home and make them think they need to be served instead of served, than he is winning in the battle against the family. However, it is not too late. This is one of the very reasons I am devoted to writing this blog every morning. To remind mothers that the work they do is the holiest work on earth. Is it easy? No. Is it glamorous and thought of as royalty? Heck no! But is it similar to the work of Christ? Yes. Will motherhood bring you face to face with Jesus someday? Yes. Will souls be saved in our care? Yes. THIS is what motherhood is all about. TO SERVE christ by serving others.
So today, as you are going about your daily routines of carpooling, laundry, grocery shopping, sweeping crumbs, breaking up arguments, standing at your holy alter (the kitchen sink)....whatever it is, know it is nothing short of Holy. You are walking in the midst of Heaven by serving God's Kingdom on earth. You may be a "servant" here on earth, but your rewards are abundant for eternity. Life is short, so serve with all your heart!
Blessings to you this Wednesday!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
It takes a WOMAN to be a MOTHER
Gospel Reading today Mathew 23:1-12
"The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever makes himself great will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be made great." Mathew 23:11-13
It takes a real woman to become a mother and have a servant's heart. In a world that is described in the gospel reading today....."they tie onto people's backs heavy loads that are heavy and hard to carry, yet they aren't willing even to lift a finger to help carry these loads. They do everything so that people will see them. They love the best places at feasts and the reserved seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect at the market place..." Mathew 23:4-8 IF this doesn't desribe our world, I don't know what will. People are consumed with having a "maid", a "nanny", "reserved seating or suite", "second homes", "a name in the town so they will be treated as royalty", these are all things people work towards their whole lives. I frankly can not stand it when a mother/woman says her "maid" is coming to her home. How about "Anna, who helps clean my home is coming today". NO ONE is beneath us....not the sacker at the grocery store, not the non-english speaking waiter who fills your glass with water, not the bellman who helps get your bags in. More than likely these people will be exhaulted and the people who treat them as lowly servants will be humbled before the Lord.
In regards to motherhood, anyone can be a "mother", but it takes a real strong woman to truly be a mother that God has called mothers to be. Women have to dig down deep and get tough and look at themselves as a servant to the rest of their family. Whoo, what a contradiction to the world that is! It is the day-in and day-out exhausting, selfless work in motherhood that makes us great. We humble ourselves before our family and the Lord and when we leave this earth we will be exhaulted. Our work is not of this world....it is Eternal. We live in a world where everyone is looking for the easy road out. For alot of women, motherhood is just too hard. I get asked all of the time, "I just don't know how you do it." The part time moms always ask me this and I simply say, "because it is what we are all called to do." Some of us are tough enough to do the job, others are too weak. Many mothers search to be great outside of their home and choose to be self-fullfilled while someone else does the dirty work. However, I have dear friends who are called to be both outside and inside their homes, not because it is too hard but because God gives them the grace to do both. If you think about it, anything great in this life, even down to The Passion of Christ, is hard. Nothing easy turns out good. In a world who wants to immediately be CEO after graduating college, a "mother" who wants the sassy stroller, nursery and nanny because that is what is "society chic", the child who inherits the family's business and immediately has everything handed to him is looked to be "blessed".....this all is very sad if you ask me. These are the people who look down upon the lowly and exhaults herself. These are the weak souls of society that is making our wholesome country disinegrate. It is the mothers who are tough and take on their job fully and do not complain and perform heroic duties daily in their homes where no one sees. These are the humble servants of today's world that is the backbone of our society. For when you humble yourself and become a servant of the rest, you have taken up your vocation from the Lord fully and will be blessed.
Keep up the hard work, mothers, and don't back down to this pagan world.
Blessings to you this Tuesday!
"The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever makes himself great will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be made great." Mathew 23:11-13
It takes a real woman to become a mother and have a servant's heart. In a world that is described in the gospel reading today....."they tie onto people's backs heavy loads that are heavy and hard to carry, yet they aren't willing even to lift a finger to help carry these loads. They do everything so that people will see them. They love the best places at feasts and the reserved seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect at the market place..." Mathew 23:4-8 IF this doesn't desribe our world, I don't know what will. People are consumed with having a "maid", a "nanny", "reserved seating or suite", "second homes", "a name in the town so they will be treated as royalty", these are all things people work towards their whole lives. I frankly can not stand it when a mother/woman says her "maid" is coming to her home. How about "Anna, who helps clean my home is coming today". NO ONE is beneath us....not the sacker at the grocery store, not the non-english speaking waiter who fills your glass with water, not the bellman who helps get your bags in. More than likely these people will be exhaulted and the people who treat them as lowly servants will be humbled before the Lord.
In regards to motherhood, anyone can be a "mother", but it takes a real strong woman to truly be a mother that God has called mothers to be. Women have to dig down deep and get tough and look at themselves as a servant to the rest of their family. Whoo, what a contradiction to the world that is! It is the day-in and day-out exhausting, selfless work in motherhood that makes us great. We humble ourselves before our family and the Lord and when we leave this earth we will be exhaulted. Our work is not of this world....it is Eternal. We live in a world where everyone is looking for the easy road out. For alot of women, motherhood is just too hard. I get asked all of the time, "I just don't know how you do it." The part time moms always ask me this and I simply say, "because it is what we are all called to do." Some of us are tough enough to do the job, others are too weak. Many mothers search to be great outside of their home and choose to be self-fullfilled while someone else does the dirty work. However, I have dear friends who are called to be both outside and inside their homes, not because it is too hard but because God gives them the grace to do both. If you think about it, anything great in this life, even down to The Passion of Christ, is hard. Nothing easy turns out good. In a world who wants to immediately be CEO after graduating college, a "mother" who wants the sassy stroller, nursery and nanny because that is what is "society chic", the child who inherits the family's business and immediately has everything handed to him is looked to be "blessed".....this all is very sad if you ask me. These are the people who look down upon the lowly and exhaults herself. These are the weak souls of society that is making our wholesome country disinegrate. It is the mothers who are tough and take on their job fully and do not complain and perform heroic duties daily in their homes where no one sees. These are the humble servants of today's world that is the backbone of our society. For when you humble yourself and become a servant of the rest, you have taken up your vocation from the Lord fully and will be blessed.
Keep up the hard work, mothers, and don't back down to this pagan world.
Blessings to you this Tuesday!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Mothers of Compassion
Gospel Reading today Luke 6:36-38
"Do not judge others, and God will not judge you; do not condemn others and God will not condemn you" Luke 6:37
I can't write much this morning....my children are going and blowing extra early for some reason. The thought that came to my mind when I read the gospel is how judgemental mothers are on other mothers. Why do we think how we do things is the best and only way? For instance, my son Benjamin runs on different batteries than most children his age. This morning as I was pouring my cup of coffee and excited to have just one cup and say my prayers before I started my day with children....I heard footsteps coming into the kitchen. As I closed my eyes and sayed a prayer it was my husband, I turned around and saw it was Ben and the clock read 5:40 AM. I said out loud, "Lord, I give up". As most mothers are judging me at this moment and saying in their minds that I need to make him go back to bed, it just doesn't work that way with little Ben (believe me...I have tried it all.) He layed down next to me and I scratched his back while I prayed the rosary. My point is, what works for some children don't work for others. So instead of us immediately judging the child in McDonald's who is throwing a fit and thinking how terrible his mother is, have a little more compassion and pray for the mother and child instead of condemning them. We don't know anyone's background or circumstance. Every soul/child is different and we as parents have to parent each one differently I believe.
So as mothers raising disciples for Christ, let's stop judging and start encouraging one another. We are all in this together!
Blessings to you this Monday.
"Do not judge others, and God will not judge you; do not condemn others and God will not condemn you" Luke 6:37
I can't write much this morning....my children are going and blowing extra early for some reason. The thought that came to my mind when I read the gospel is how judgemental mothers are on other mothers. Why do we think how we do things is the best and only way? For instance, my son Benjamin runs on different batteries than most children his age. This morning as I was pouring my cup of coffee and excited to have just one cup and say my prayers before I started my day with children....I heard footsteps coming into the kitchen. As I closed my eyes and sayed a prayer it was my husband, I turned around and saw it was Ben and the clock read 5:40 AM. I said out loud, "Lord, I give up". As most mothers are judging me at this moment and saying in their minds that I need to make him go back to bed, it just doesn't work that way with little Ben (believe me...I have tried it all.) He layed down next to me and I scratched his back while I prayed the rosary. My point is, what works for some children don't work for others. So instead of us immediately judging the child in McDonald's who is throwing a fit and thinking how terrible his mother is, have a little more compassion and pray for the mother and child instead of condemning them. We don't know anyone's background or circumstance. Every soul/child is different and we as parents have to parent each one differently I believe.
So as mothers raising disciples for Christ, let's stop judging and start encouraging one another. We are all in this together!
Blessings to you this Monday.
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