Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Feast Day of the Archangels!

FEAST DAY OF THE ARCHANGELS!
First Reading today in Mass: Revelation 12:7-12
"Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven."

Goodness, it has been way too long since I have written.  I miss reflecting and writing on the daily gospel dearly; however, I still don't have my own computer!  Life has been just trying to keep our heads above water....with our own growing business, three little ones and another on the way.  I know you ALL understand what I am talking about. :)

Today is the Feast of Day of the Archangels!  What wonderful intercessors we have in these powerful, strong armed Angels of Heaven.  I ask for St. Michael's help daily to defend my family and our home against the evil one.  My son, Benjamin, loves to talk about St. Michael's sword and how tough he is.  I have already been teaching my children about the difference between light and dark and how they should always strive to walk in the light. It is important for we mothers in today's society to become educated and aware of the Spiritual Warfare that goes on.  The constant battle, not between flesh and blood, but between good and evil.  Souls are at stake....our children's souls and we have to do everything we can to defend them in this battle.  Thanks to our Archangels, we have the most powerful intercessors fighting for our families! A wonderful resource to become educated on Spiritual Warefare is Father John Corapi. 

Off to take care of my little ones.  Hope you all have a blessed day!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Cuddles and Kisses from God....we are children too!

Gospel Reading today Luke 15:1-32
"I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you;  I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants. And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him." Luke 15:18-20

Lately I feel like I have been in a spiritual wilderness.  This verse brings such refreshment to me.  As I am so tired and grouchy, pregnant with my fourth and chasing three little ones, I admit that I haven't been on top of my game of motherhood/wifehood.  Last week I was maybe the worst mother on the planet and I fell to my knees in tears before the dishwasher.  I asked God, "and you think I am cut out for this?  Well, let me just tell you....you have chosen the wrong person!" ( I love that we sometimes think we know best! :) I think sometimes during our spiritual pilgrimage on earth, there are times we might feel distant from God.  One of the fruits from this, I believe, is that it makes us yearn for God's presence even more and it is a good thing when we realize that we are wondering lost in the dark.  We realize that all we need is God and nothing else.  He brings us the peace, joy and self-fullment that the world can not give to us.  I am so excited to receive spiritual nourishment from Heaven this morning in Mass.  What a gift we have in the Eucharist.  Not knowing what is going to happen in our crazy world in this lifetime, I am so comforted to know that if all I have is the Eucharist, than I have everything I need.

I am so happy to know that even though we are all sinners and fall from time to time, we have a loving God who will run to us with compassion and a kiss the moment we repent of our sins.  This sounds familiar in motherhood as well.  These little souls are so forgiving.  The moment I ask for forgiveness or put myself in the naughty corner for acting up, they embrace me with a kiss and say, "it's okay mama!"  And we do the same as mothers, the moment our child says they are sorry, we kiss them and forgive them and move on with the day.  Forgiveness is also such a gift.  What would our hearts and this world be like without it.  Forgiveness brings such freedom of the heart.

Through quiet prayer time this morning and reading the gospel today, I already feel embraced by Our Loving Shepherd.  He cuddles us and kisses us, just as we do to our little ones.  We are not alone on our walk of motherhood.  He gently picks us back up and leads us back to Him. Rejoice today in our loving and merciful God!  We can learn a great lesson from the gospel reading today....being forgiving of ourselves and of others.  None of us are perfect and we are all going to stray and fall to our knees but lift your eyes to Heaven and be thankful, for when we repent, all of Heaven rejoices! 
Have a blessed Sabbath.