It's Friday

1. A favorite song for you to listen to : Sometimes by Step.

2. How does the devil distract us from God?

The head devil is going to send the trainees to earth to convince the people they do not need to be concerned about serving God. He asks the questions, "How will you do this?" #1 says, "I will tell them there is no God." "Won't work, in their hearts people know God exists." #2 says, "I will tell them there is no hell." "No, people know there are consequences for actions." #3 says, "I will tell them "Don't worry about it today, you have plenty of time." "Excellent, that will work."

And that is the truth, isn't it. How often do we put off what we know we should do because we have time? This week many of the scripture readings have pointed out to us that we do not know when Jesus is coming and so we must be prepared.

3. Two friends told me something extremely uplifting about their impression of me, as a person of faith. It was totally unexpected. It made me think about how often I deny that I have any positive impact on others, and put myself down. I didn't even tell me husband what they said to me, I feel if I tell anyone, it will tarnish it somehow. I just want to treasure and remember it.

4. Speaking of friends, I will be the mother of 4 next week, well 6 if you include my own. "D" has to go to Houston for a cancer check-up and our friend "T", who is an oncology nurse, is going with her. But, "T's" husband has an unexpected business trip, so I'm on for her. It was going to be 3 days, now it is just overnight. We've already planned dinner, chocolate chip pancakes. Maybe I'll make smiley faces with the chips like I did when my children were little. Not that these are little children, a senior, sophomore and freshman in high school and a 6th grader. But then, who can resist smiley faced chocolate chip pancakes?

5. If you ever have a chance to go on a Cursillo weekend, GO! I went at the end of June and it has been wonderful support as I journey in my faith.

6. I have completed paper #1 and 1/4 of paper #2. It turns out not to have been as difficult as I thought it would be, considering the topic. What is the topic? Basically, to analyze and then make a proposal about how to improve a system. The system I choose is the parish staff which I am a part of. My pastor asked if he was going to see the paper, I said probably not the paper, maybe the proposal. From my research though, I have a new name for myself, "equilibrium buster." Think about it.

7. Prayer of St. Augustine

Love and Do what You Will

Therefore once for all this short command is given to you:"Love and do what you will."If you keep silent, keep silent by love:if you speak, speak by love; if you correct, correct by love; if you pardon, pardon by love; let love be rooted in you, and from the root nothing but good can grow.

For more Quick Takes click on over to Conversion Diary.

By My Side - Godspell

A favorite song

Word in Action

Think about this: faithfulness, perseverance, steadfast, and secure all words we could use to describe the faith we see in today’s readings. Can your faith be described using those words?

To Do: Begin to put into practice service to others as a way of serving God.

Why: Serving others according to God’s will is a way to live our faith.

Today Readings:

Largest Prayer Group in History

Please join the worldwide "Pray to end Abortion" cause on Facebook. Be a part of the largest prayer group in history, sponsored by Priests for Life.

Thoughts on my Blog

I have figured out why I have not been posting as frequently as I'd like. The main reason is that often I decide that I am going to have a good rant on a topic and after writing I realize I just can't stand the griping all the time. And yes, I mean my own, not others'.I realized it the other day as I was listening to a person talk back to all the other drivers, parked cars and lights on the road. Apparently, this person also critiques others as they drive. It was annoying to listen to and then I realized I do it too, only in writing! And then I thought, there is slim chance the people or situation I am griping about could see this.
Of course, there is also the spiritual growth that comes from refraining from constantly picking the speck out of another's eye before I take the plank from my own.
So, I will have to post on the higher things or my own personal life, as opposed to complaining. This is going to require effort on my part, but I think it will be worth it. Just remember, I'm not promising perfection so check back to see if I am ranting.

Friday

1. Prayers for our diocese's Rachel's Vineyard Retreat going on this weekend. This is a wonderful retreat to heal the hearts of those who are post-abortive. We have a wonderful team and priest who minister to the women and men who are in need of restoration. During the retreat different people go to the site and pray in Adoration during the entire weekend. Put, we can always use more prayer.
2. My daughter is on her way back to college today with her dad. I figured it was his turn to make the drive as I did two weeks ago when we set up her apartment.
3. My son (the chef) made his annual summer visit to the ER. He cut his hand when the knife slipped while he was cutting a roasted duck. What's so interesting is that this time around, he just casually mentions it along with the fact that he talked the nurse into giving me a tool to take the stitches out on his own. Silly me, I never realized he'd paid his tuition so he could be a doctor and a chef!
4. I have allowed myself to become re-addicted to sugar. Bad, very very bad. I must get back up and stop the sugar train before it does even more damage.
5. I was able to spend some time sewing this week, which is always rewarding. I have a new skirt and so does my daughter.
6. Next week I hope to have completed one of my two papers which are due in September. By actually writing this down it helps me to be accountable because here it is now in black and white, no excuses. I must do it!
7. I'm going to the movies tonight to see Julie and Julia with some friends. Girls night out, can't wait.

Sunday Snippets

Check out other Sunday posts on This, That and the Other Thing.

In Another's Words

"When a soul has understood the greatness of life, when it has grasped that the wellspring of it is to be found in union with Christ through faith and charity, it aspires to the perfection of that union; it seeks the fullness of the life that it should, in accordance with the thought of God, possess within itself. That union - might it be just a dream, the soul asks itself? No, it is not a dream; it can-it should-become a reality, sublime as that may be."

Blessed Columba Marmion from the Magnifcat, 8/16/09

I seek to be in union with Christ so that I have the fullness of life and that in turn I can share that fullness with others. The difficulty lies in my lack of faith in myself. I believe that union with Christ can come about with frequent reception to the sacraments, especially Confession and Eucharist. I also believe that I block the union because I do not always want the responsibility that comes with that union. There is also doubt that God can work through me. And yet, I do desire that union with Christ to be mine each day. What does the life of a person who aspires to understand the greatness of life look like? Right now I am working on getting rid of the fear which at times paralyzes me. I do this with prayer and the sacraments.

Each day I receive communion I pray that this day I will be as Christ like as possible in all my dealings with people. And each day, I fall short. Usually it is the fault of my tongue. Either I over use it or under use it. It is over used when I say things I shouldn't about others or let little things out that should not be said to to others. It is under used when I stay silent when people are judgemental or mock people. It is also under used when I don't remind people of what our purpose is as a parish in discussions.
Sometimes it is my emotions, which I allow to ride roughshod over my thoughts and actions. Faith is like love in that it is much more than a feeling, it is something which gives meaning to my life and propels me to be much better person. It is what sustains me in difficulties. And yet, I allow my emotions to take over instead of focusing on Christ. Julian of Norwich, in her revelations speaks about wanting only to focus on Christ because she was afraid that if she saw something else, she would forget what she was about. Sometimes, that is how I feel. If I sat each day in the chapel and focused on Christ on the cross and in the tabernacle I would not have difficulty being in union with Christ. But that is not the life I lead.
So, how does a person achieve this sublime reality Marmion speaks of? Prayer, sacraments, and community are my answers. What are yours?

Sunday Word in Action

Think about this: Our Catholic faith is alive and today we are called to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We ought to live in thankfulness always for all that God has done for us.

To Do: Spend some deciding how you will share your gifts with your parish family.

Why: Jesus’ ultimate gift of himself in the Eucharist is fulfilled in bringing him to others.

St. Lawrence

Today is the feast of St. Lawrence. He has a unique martyrdom story. He is also the patron saint of chefs, which is why my son choose Lawrence as his confirmation name. I do hope though, he does meet with the same end.

Face my Fear

I have been in an emotionally tough place for the last two weeks. Each time I think I will overcome something happens to send me right back to the not so happy place. It is a place filled with fear, which is not of God. However, no matter how much prayer, thought, logic, or reason I used, I could not get over my fear.
I went to Mass twice on Sunday, 8 am and then 5:30 pm. Each celebrated by a favorite priest 0f mine, so I was really paying attention to their homilies. At 8:00 what hit me was from Psalm 34, "I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears." I have been gripped with fear, almost paralyzed with it and as Fr. Tom said that verse, and explained that God really will take care of me I felt comfort and was reminded that God always answers me.
At 5:30 Fr. Glen spoke about the 40 days Elijah walked through the desert and reminded me that 40 is the length of time it takes for change, to put away the old and become new.
So, my plan is simply this, each and every day, for the next 40, I will claim Psalm 34:5 as my own and let it strengthen me and cast away my fears.
If Elijah could face Jezebel, Ahab, and all the prophets of Baal and still do as God asked, surely I can stop living in fear and do as God asks.

Word in Action

Think about this: In today’s Gospel Jesus reminds us of the gift of eternal life. We must listen and learn from our Father to have the eyes of faith so that we believe. Is your faith based on truth you have learned from the Father and the Church?

To Do: Pick a book to read about the Catholic faith and learn.


Why: Faith needs a strong foundation on which to grow.

Sunday Snippets

See what little bits are up to read over at Sunday Snippets. It's a mini-Catholic Carnival!

Word in Action

Think about this: Today's readings point out that trust and faith in God the Father are most important. It is through him we are able to have Jesus as the "true bread from heaven."


To Do: Make a visit this week to the Blessed Sacrament to thank God for all he has done and be with Jesus. It's First Friday!


Why: Gratitude is the best response to the gift we have been given.