Today's Gospel Reading 6:7-15
Wednesday Gospel Reading:
Mathew 6:1-6, 16-18"...so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. Mathew 6:4,5,16
As mothers, we are constantly giving alms, praying, and fasting. We don't throw money at our children, we give ourselves instead. Each day is a form of prayer as we lay down our life for our family. We fast daily from selfish desires and selfish plans as we serve our families day and night. As we fast through children at our feet while getting ready for the day, we don't just throw on a sloppy T-shirt and a frown. Instead, we brush our hair, put on some lipgloss and a skirt with a smile and good attitude. We are joyful out in public amongst the agony of whiny children. We don't complain as we fast from selfishness, we raise our praises to Heaven.
Our daily plan is God's plan, not our own. As I read the gospel reading, I immediately thought of a mother's quite sacrificial life behind closed doors. We do not receive praise worthy compliments for our works, instead we usually get ridiculed in the grocery store. We don't get an award or cash bonus for our hard work, we get throw-up stains on our new shirt. We don't get a pat on the back, instead we feel like a lowly servant on our hands and knees cleaning up yet another spill. However, the most important person sees our every action. The CEO of Motherhood....Jesus. He is our boss who we have to answer to. He is the one we strive to impress every day while caring for the business he founded, the family. Although this ignorant world sees our works as lowly and mindless, God sees our work as the greatest work on earth. So remember the next time you are feeling unappreciated for all the work you do behind closed doors, that the only one that truly matters witnesses everything you do. Your reward may not be instant, but it is eternal. You will be so glad you gave alms quietly, prayed within your home, and fasted with a smile. Your bonus will be abundant when you meet the CEO of Motherhood face to face. He will say to you the words we all want to hear someday, "Well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter into the Kingdom of Heaven!".
Blessings to you this Thursday!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
We are One under the Same Sun
Mathew 5:43-48
"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." Mathew 5:44-45
This morning there was a light rain that left the morning air cool and crisp....a nice and refreshing break from the humid heat of June weather in central Texas. I drank my coffee on my front porch and felt as if I was one with Heaven. The perfectly clear blue sky and evenly placed white clouds let the sun seem as if it was truly beaming from Heaven. My sweet little friend, Mr. Blue Bird, was going from one tree to the next and the blooming impatients and hydranges in my shaded garden still had rain drops from Heaven rested on their leaves. I hadn't read the gospel reading yet but how ironically I thought about that the same sunrise that I see as pure Heaven's light, others that are living in darkness might find it beautiful too. We are all one under the same God and the same sky. The same sunrise that we witness with our little ones under are feet is the same sunrise that our enemies and the evil ones witness. This is proof that we are all one in the same family of God....some striving to live their lives as best as we can so we can spend Eternity in Heaven and others that can not see the light because they are encompassed by the darkness of evil.
So here we have these pure and innocent precious children under our roof and care. How do we keep them all the days of their lives under the brightness of Heaven's light in a world where so many live in darkness? It begins with us, the mothers(and ofcourse Fathers too). We have to be in daily prayer and conversation with Heaven regarding these little souls entrusted to us. We have to be witnessing to them through our daily actions of joyful living and unity with God. We have to teach them about forgiveness by first forgiving our own enemies. We have a big, big job in front of us and we have to fight for the light through prayer and LOVE.
So today, Ladies, don't waste time. Forgive your enemies and pray for the ones who persecute you. For if we do this, we are that much closer of teaching our children about the Love of God. Pray daily for your family....for each child and their future. A mothers job is the greatest in the world.....for we are not only performing daily tasks of child-rearing and home making, we are shaping and molding souls that will live forever! As the world has started taking this job lightly and pushing it aside and onto others, we have to stand up and believe that there is no greater work in the world. We have no time to waste....the world is passing us by in a hurry. We are all one under the same sun, so teach your children to follow the light of the sun always. Start today on forgiving your enemies and praying for your family's salvation!
Blessings to you this Tuesday!
"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." Mathew 5:44-45
This morning there was a light rain that left the morning air cool and crisp....a nice and refreshing break from the humid heat of June weather in central Texas. I drank my coffee on my front porch and felt as if I was one with Heaven. The perfectly clear blue sky and evenly placed white clouds let the sun seem as if it was truly beaming from Heaven. My sweet little friend, Mr. Blue Bird, was going from one tree to the next and the blooming impatients and hydranges in my shaded garden still had rain drops from Heaven rested on their leaves. I hadn't read the gospel reading yet but how ironically I thought about that the same sunrise that I see as pure Heaven's light, others that are living in darkness might find it beautiful too. We are all one under the same God and the same sky. The same sunrise that we witness with our little ones under are feet is the same sunrise that our enemies and the evil ones witness. This is proof that we are all one in the same family of God....some striving to live their lives as best as we can so we can spend Eternity in Heaven and others that can not see the light because they are encompassed by the darkness of evil.
So here we have these pure and innocent precious children under our roof and care. How do we keep them all the days of their lives under the brightness of Heaven's light in a world where so many live in darkness? It begins with us, the mothers(and ofcourse Fathers too). We have to be in daily prayer and conversation with Heaven regarding these little souls entrusted to us. We have to be witnessing to them through our daily actions of joyful living and unity with God. We have to teach them about forgiveness by first forgiving our own enemies. We have a big, big job in front of us and we have to fight for the light through prayer and LOVE.
So today, Ladies, don't waste time. Forgive your enemies and pray for the ones who persecute you. For if we do this, we are that much closer of teaching our children about the Love of God. Pray daily for your family....for each child and their future. A mothers job is the greatest in the world.....for we are not only performing daily tasks of child-rearing and home making, we are shaping and molding souls that will live forever! As the world has started taking this job lightly and pushing it aside and onto others, we have to stand up and believe that there is no greater work in the world. We have no time to waste....the world is passing us by in a hurry. We are all one under the same sun, so teach your children to follow the light of the sun always. Start today on forgiving your enemies and praying for your family's salvation!
Blessings to you this Tuesday!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Going the Extra Mile in Motherhood
Gospel Reading Today Mathew 5:38-42
"....and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles." Mathew 5:42
In the vocation of Motherhood, the moment a child is born, we are forced to go one mile. Forced out of bed in the middle of the night, forced to give up your freedom, forced to feed the baby on her time watch, not yours...be it every 3 hours or every 30 minutes. In the toddler years, we force diapers on them (maybe not yours but that has been the case with all three of mine!), we force children in their car seats while singing "Lord Have Mercy, Christ have Mercy" (and a few curse words under your breath..), force them to eat fruits and vegetables, force them to get dressed, force them to brush their hair and teeth, force them to church, force them to clean up their toys....and the list goes on. We are constantly being forced to go one mile, but how many of us go the extra mile? The extra mile meaning not just the basics of child rearing, but the extra acts of disciplining them to be good stewards of the community by holding a door for someone, the extra mile of shaking someones hand and looking them in the eyes, the extra mile of saying excuse me when you are talking to an adult instead of rudly interupting you, the extra mile of talking to them about Jesus...light and dark...good and evil, going the extra mile of rising early in the morning to say your prayers for your children, husband and to help get you through another day of motherhood. And the list goes on of the different moments we have throughout our day of going the extra mile in motherhood. Now don't stress out or beat yourself up. I am constantly falling short of going the extra mile and tend to be way too hard on myself when I do fall short. However, "we can do anything through Christ who strengthens us". OUr greatest task in life is to care for our family the best we can and to raise these children to do good and follow Jesus. So striving to go the extra mile will only help us in this great task. I believe today that too many mothers are being idle with their time. On facebook, on the phone, consumed with shopping and being with friends.....anything to avoid the task of mothering God's children the best they can and going the extra mile for their family. This is dangerous living if you ask me. Do not look at the vocation of motherhood as being forced to go one mile. Instead, look at it as going the extra mile for Jesus and His Kingdom. With each moment of forcing children to do something, lift the difficult moment up as a prayer. These moments are only helping your faith become stronger and better your character.
Be cautious of things that can be forms of idleness. I am constantly having to be aware and asking the Lord to keep me from the diversions that hinder his daily Will for my life.
Keeping going that extra mile, Moms! You and your family will be blessed abundantly when you cross that finish line!
Blessings to you this Monday!
"....and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles." Mathew 5:42
In the vocation of Motherhood, the moment a child is born, we are forced to go one mile. Forced out of bed in the middle of the night, forced to give up your freedom, forced to feed the baby on her time watch, not yours...be it every 3 hours or every 30 minutes. In the toddler years, we force diapers on them (maybe not yours but that has been the case with all three of mine!), we force children in their car seats while singing "Lord Have Mercy, Christ have Mercy" (and a few curse words under your breath..), force them to eat fruits and vegetables, force them to get dressed, force them to brush their hair and teeth, force them to church, force them to clean up their toys....and the list goes on. We are constantly being forced to go one mile, but how many of us go the extra mile? The extra mile meaning not just the basics of child rearing, but the extra acts of disciplining them to be good stewards of the community by holding a door for someone, the extra mile of shaking someones hand and looking them in the eyes, the extra mile of saying excuse me when you are talking to an adult instead of rudly interupting you, the extra mile of talking to them about Jesus...light and dark...good and evil, going the extra mile of rising early in the morning to say your prayers for your children, husband and to help get you through another day of motherhood. And the list goes on of the different moments we have throughout our day of going the extra mile in motherhood. Now don't stress out or beat yourself up. I am constantly falling short of going the extra mile and tend to be way too hard on myself when I do fall short. However, "we can do anything through Christ who strengthens us". OUr greatest task in life is to care for our family the best we can and to raise these children to do good and follow Jesus. So striving to go the extra mile will only help us in this great task. I believe today that too many mothers are being idle with their time. On facebook, on the phone, consumed with shopping and being with friends.....anything to avoid the task of mothering God's children the best they can and going the extra mile for their family. This is dangerous living if you ask me. Do not look at the vocation of motherhood as being forced to go one mile. Instead, look at it as going the extra mile for Jesus and His Kingdom. With each moment of forcing children to do something, lift the difficult moment up as a prayer. These moments are only helping your faith become stronger and better your character.
Be cautious of things that can be forms of idleness. I am constantly having to be aware and asking the Lord to keep me from the diversions that hinder his daily Will for my life.
Keeping going that extra mile, Moms! You and your family will be blessed abundantly when you cross that finish line!
Blessings to you this Monday!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Helping Heaven Find the Lost Sheep One Diaper at a Time!
Gospel Reading Luke 15:3-7
"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it?....Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance."
Our daily actions in Motherhood when lifted up as self giving sacrifices to Heaven can actually be transformed into helping the lost sheep in the world. As we are tucked away inside our homes serving Christ through our family, if offered as a prayer, can change not only the hearts of the ones under our roof, but the entire world.
Last Sunday, I was at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the very church that was funded and built by my Great Grandparents and Grandparents. The church where the seed of my faith was planted through all of the sacraments, including the sacrament of Marriage to Clint. One of the parishoners there is a beautiful loving mother in her forties who has battled breast cancer and now battling bone cancer. She has two high school boys. She is not asking for much in her life, but to see her boys graduate from High school. She inspires my mom, sister and I to keep life in perspective. As I received Holy communion from her that sunday, tears welled up in my eyes, as I saw Christ through her. You could see Christ's eyes through her humble and loving eyes with each host she presented. I realized that morning, that through her suffering and the cross she is bearing, souls that she doesn't even know are being saved. This is so powerful to me! We have no idea why people suffer and it seems there is more suffering going on now than ever through cancer. Could it be there are more sheep lost than ever? And through the suffering of Christ's servants on earth, the lost sheep are being found?
During the hard days of mothering my brood, I offer up the sacrifices of those "living hell" moments of kids screaming all at one time, a seven hour drive by myself with three toddlers, sleepless and grouchy days where all I want to do is run away.....I offer them up to the Lord and for the lost souls. Or sometimes I offer my hard day up for my children's salvation. Through suffering, when offered in prayer, can not only change our family's direction, but our world. This is the power of bearing the hard times of motherhood or any kind of cross for that matter.
This is just one of a thousand examples of the beauty and holiness of the vocation of motherhood. It is not just about making PBJ sandwiches, cleaning up spills, or changing diapers. This vocation is way more than that.....are work is eternal. Inside the home and out in the world souls are being saved one diaper at a time through the selfless acts of motherhood. Don't forget to offer your days up as a prayer....for the intentions of your family, a sick loved one or the lost sheep.
Blessings to you this Friday.
"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it?....Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance."
Our daily actions in Motherhood when lifted up as self giving sacrifices to Heaven can actually be transformed into helping the lost sheep in the world. As we are tucked away inside our homes serving Christ through our family, if offered as a prayer, can change not only the hearts of the ones under our roof, but the entire world.
Last Sunday, I was at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the very church that was funded and built by my Great Grandparents and Grandparents. The church where the seed of my faith was planted through all of the sacraments, including the sacrament of Marriage to Clint. One of the parishoners there is a beautiful loving mother in her forties who has battled breast cancer and now battling bone cancer. She has two high school boys. She is not asking for much in her life, but to see her boys graduate from High school. She inspires my mom, sister and I to keep life in perspective. As I received Holy communion from her that sunday, tears welled up in my eyes, as I saw Christ through her. You could see Christ's eyes through her humble and loving eyes with each host she presented. I realized that morning, that through her suffering and the cross she is bearing, souls that she doesn't even know are being saved. This is so powerful to me! We have no idea why people suffer and it seems there is more suffering going on now than ever through cancer. Could it be there are more sheep lost than ever? And through the suffering of Christ's servants on earth, the lost sheep are being found?
During the hard days of mothering my brood, I offer up the sacrifices of those "living hell" moments of kids screaming all at one time, a seven hour drive by myself with three toddlers, sleepless and grouchy days where all I want to do is run away.....I offer them up to the Lord and for the lost souls. Or sometimes I offer my hard day up for my children's salvation. Through suffering, when offered in prayer, can not only change our family's direction, but our world. This is the power of bearing the hard times of motherhood or any kind of cross for that matter.
This is just one of a thousand examples of the beauty and holiness of the vocation of motherhood. It is not just about making PBJ sandwiches, cleaning up spills, or changing diapers. This vocation is way more than that.....are work is eternal. Inside the home and out in the world souls are being saved one diaper at a time through the selfless acts of motherhood. Don't forget to offer your days up as a prayer....for the intentions of your family, a sick loved one or the lost sheep.
Blessings to you this Friday.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
HEAVEN'S THERAPY SESSION: Forgiveness
Gospel Mathew 5:20-26
"Remember that if your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." Mathew 5:23-24
It feels so good to be back in my Little House in the City. As much as I would love the role of "Ma" and Clementine run out in the vast prairie with her handstitched dress to go gather eggs, God has planted me in the heart of the City and I am reminded in prayer this morning that there is work to do. Life is not about our plans, it is about God's plan for us. We had a wonderful time at the ranch, but there is no better feeling than coming back to your own home and space where God has planted you for the time being.
We have a dreadful reminder in today's gospel to love our enemies. This is one of the hardest aspects of being a Christian, I believe. As I read the gospel this morning, I am reminded of Jesus on the cross when He said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." This is amazing to me! If Jesus can forgive the very men who beat him and murdered him, can we not forgive the mother-in-law who made us mad? Or can we not forgive the "friend" who treated us bad? I am also reminded in the gospel this morning of forgiveness in motherhood. There are many times that I lash out at my children without thinking things through and I have to ask for their forgiveness for my behavior. I have even put myself in the "naughty corner" before! As mothers, we have to remind ourselves that we are human, for goodness sake! We are going to make mistakes and sometimes treat our children as we DON'T want to be treated. These very moments, I belive, are great teaching moments about forgiveness. We live in a world where everyone points the finger. No one owns up to their mistakes. This is a vital lesson for our children to learn through us.....to own up to their mistakes and ask for forgiveness.
So whatever "bad chi" is out their between you and your fellow brother or sister, husband or children.....forgive them in your heart and ask for forgiveness if need be. The chains will be broken and you will be FREE. If you keep it all bottled up inside, this is free reign for the great rot of Satan. He will slowly eat away your joyful soul and bind you up in the prison of bitterness, self-absorbtion, and egotism. Let it go....whatever is eating you up inside. Talk to the person, pray for him/her, ask for forgiveness, go to confession and experience God's grace and freedom in your soul. There is no better therapy than that!
Blessings to you this Thursday! Glad to be back to writing!
"Remember that if your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." Mathew 5:23-24
It feels so good to be back in my Little House in the City. As much as I would love the role of "Ma" and Clementine run out in the vast prairie with her handstitched dress to go gather eggs, God has planted me in the heart of the City and I am reminded in prayer this morning that there is work to do. Life is not about our plans, it is about God's plan for us. We had a wonderful time at the ranch, but there is no better feeling than coming back to your own home and space where God has planted you for the time being.
We have a dreadful reminder in today's gospel to love our enemies. This is one of the hardest aspects of being a Christian, I believe. As I read the gospel this morning, I am reminded of Jesus on the cross when He said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." This is amazing to me! If Jesus can forgive the very men who beat him and murdered him, can we not forgive the mother-in-law who made us mad? Or can we not forgive the "friend" who treated us bad? I am also reminded in the gospel this morning of forgiveness in motherhood. There are many times that I lash out at my children without thinking things through and I have to ask for their forgiveness for my behavior. I have even put myself in the "naughty corner" before! As mothers, we have to remind ourselves that we are human, for goodness sake! We are going to make mistakes and sometimes treat our children as we DON'T want to be treated. These very moments, I belive, are great teaching moments about forgiveness. We live in a world where everyone points the finger. No one owns up to their mistakes. This is a vital lesson for our children to learn through us.....to own up to their mistakes and ask for forgiveness.
So whatever "bad chi" is out their between you and your fellow brother or sister, husband or children.....forgive them in your heart and ask for forgiveness if need be. The chains will be broken and you will be FREE. If you keep it all bottled up inside, this is free reign for the great rot of Satan. He will slowly eat away your joyful soul and bind you up in the prison of bitterness, self-absorbtion, and egotism. Let it go....whatever is eating you up inside. Talk to the person, pray for him/her, ask for forgiveness, go to confession and experience God's grace and freedom in your soul. There is no better therapy than that!
Blessings to you this Thursday! Glad to be back to writing!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
HOME SWEET HOME!
I am here at the beloved place I hold so dear to my heart....the 100 year old farm and ranch where I grew up. This morning, I watched the sun rise over the canyons and prayed my rosary while listening to the cows mooing in the distance and birds chirping in the trees. Pure Heaven on earth. I miss writing and will start back up when I return home....probably in a week. Blessings to you all!
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