Growth in the Spirit for Teens

Growth in the Spirit

Do you have your drivers’ permits or a license yet?
Soon you’ll be graduating from high school and going on to college.
You’ll probably have a big party for your 21st birthday.
These are all social indicators of growth. You will have achieved a certain age in society at which driving or going to college or drinking is allowed. But all that means is you’ve been alive enough years to be able to do those things. It’s physical growth but arguably doesn’t require a lot more from you.
To learn how to drive responsibly….to go to college and achieve your full potential…to be allowed to drink but know your limits…that’s a better kind of growth.
__________________________________________________
Let me talk about a different example of growth. It’s one Jesus gave in John 15:5:
“I am the Vine. You are the branches. With me you will bear much fruit. Apart from Me you will do nothing.”
Obviously the strongest part of the tree is the root b/c it keeps the entire height of the tree and all its branches alive. God is our Root and b/c God is holy, we, the branches, are holy. If the branches stay close on the tree and get their energy from the root they will continue to grow. If a branch breaks off- it doesn’t get fed. It withers away and dies. It’s useless. A branch that remains on the vine not only continues to grow but bears fruit…BECAUSE it got fed from the root, not b/c of anything the branch did itself.
Jesus used that story as a way to explain to his disciples that they should stay close to Him. They should let him feed them so they can grow and “bear much fruit.” That should really give us confidence and self esteem if you think about it. You aren’t some twig growing up in the wilderness all on your own. You lucky people are a part of the Vine. The Vine. And simply b/c of that you are valuable and important. We may all be different branches (oak, dogwood, maple, weeping willow) but we’re connected to the Vine and b/c the Vine is holy so are we. We didn’t do anything to deserve that, God is just that generous. God’s holiness flows through us b/c He is our Root. Remember God said this in John 15. I’m not making this up.

And if we stay close to the vine we will ‘bear much fruit,’ Scripture says. It doesn’t say you stay close to God only – you, yes YOU will Bear Much Fruit. Not a little fruit – MUCH fruit. So that’s all you have to do if you want a great life. Stay close to God. And it works well for God, too b/c you bear fruit for him and the gifts he gave you get shared. Everyone’s happy J
Then~
How do you make sure you stay a part of the Vine? How do you feed from God the Vine so you, the branch can grow?

They say CPR saves lives. Well I’m saying the real answer is CPS.
Communion. Prayer. Scripture.
Communion is Eucharist. Eucharist IS Jesus. It’s not bread. It’s not just something we Catholics do at Mass on Sunday. It’s not symbolic. It IS Jesus. We’re the only religion that can say that. No other faith believes the bread is Jesus Himself. For them it’s only a symbol.
One non Catholic woman in a wheel chair said that if she really believed that nothing would stop her from crawling out of her wheel chair up the aisle to receive the Body of Christ.
If you were home everyday and your mom made you 3 meals a day that you refused to eat, what would happen to your body? Same thing can happen to your hungry soul if it doesn’t get fed with the Eucharist.
I believe God made me.
I believe God put certain ingredients together inside of me and those ingredients make me unique. They make me me. Eg: I am extremely organized. I love Tina Turner, Cher and Rod Stewart. I also love reading the lives of the saints. These are strange ingredients but God made me so I don’t question them.
Anyway if I’m made by God then I should return to him – my Maker – to develop my potential with the ingredients he gave me. It’s like there’s a warranty on me – so for all repairs I have to go my Maker. Receiving the body of my Creator fills me and repairs me. It takes me back to who I’m meant to be. It’s home. I’m fed. I’m strong again.
If God knit me together in my mother’s womb as it says in the Psalms, where else WOULD I go to get fed, fixed up, strengthened and ready to face the world again?

Remember I said CPS was the secret to life, not CPR. C is Communion and the P is Prayer. Don’t get me started on this one. It’s my favorite topic. Let me start this way:
You’ve all got friends right? Friends talk to each other, right? The minute you stop spending time with and talking to your friend your relationship begins to weaken. Like what might happen with your friends at home if you go away to college. Relationships are fragile and need a lot of attention. I’ve heard kids say after a retreat, “Oh, I don’t know how I’m going to keep this alive” The minute you stop spending time with Jesus, your relationship will begin to weaken…but not b/c of God. B/c of how weak we as humans are. It’s like we’ve got spiritual ADHD (know what ADHD is?). We always want to be entertained. That’s not real though. At some point we have to give back – listen- or even just hang out with God. That’s all prayer is. It’s no big deal. It’s just promising God you’ll spend time with Him even if He’s not entertaining you. Friends share. Sometimes you entertain him. Sometimes you listen. Sometimes He does. Sometimes you sit together quietly or you listen to music. But I warn you: the very minute you decide to spend less time with Him your relationship with Jesus will begin to weaken and then the spiritual you will weaken too b/c its not getting fed.

Now we’re up to the S in CPS. Scripture. Eucharist is Jesus’ body and Scripture is His words. If you want to get to know about someone who died you do some research. Maybe you read their biography or autobiography. I’ve never met Princess Diana but I sure feel like I know a lot about her. There are TV shows, movies, magazine articles and books written about her. It’s the same thing with Jesus, only we have one very special extra thing: His exact words. Yes there are also movies, magazines and TV shows but we have Jesus’ own recorded words to learn about who He was and what he said and did. I’m in a Bible Study group that has been meeting once a month for almost 10 years and we still haven’t run out of things to learn about Jesus!
There’s this line: The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. That’s in Luke 6. And do you know the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit? If you don’t know what they are how can you use them or ask God to bless you with more of them?

A lot of people stop praying b/c they don’t know Jesus as a person. Of course! Why would you spend time with or try talking to someone you barely know? Scripture is the best way to get to know Jesus the human being. The apostles could follow him around and listen to his teachings. We can’t do that but we can read about what he did and what he thought. When you know him better then you’ll want to spend time with him faithfully and not give up on him.

So~ that’s the way to grow into a strong Christian whose gifts develop fully and help others. The branch has to stay on the vine to be fed. And if it stays on the vine Jesus remains in you and you bear MUCH fruit. Take His word for it~ literally.

CPS
Communion
Prayer and
Scripture are the gifts God gave us. Big presents just for you. Open them up and use them. God went to a lot of trouble to make sure you get them.

…and good luck with your drivers’ tests.

Simeon

A Reflection on Simeon, the Man who Waited for Jesus
Jesus was circumcised and then taken to the Temple by His parents for the purification. They met Simeon.

Simeon, Luke calls you righteous and devout; the Holy Spirit was with you. What were you like? You must have really been hungry for the coming of the Lord. You were so hungry and prayerful that God filled you. He had promised you'd see Jesus. What a faithful, holy prayerful man you must have been. Hungry yet patient. You lived such a good obedient life God promised you Jesus. You were one of God's extra-ordinary people, Simeon. You made God smile. You must have perservered in your prayer...maybe you were just stubborn! Or were you just so simply good and faithful that God offered you this gift? How excited you must have been when you sensed Jesus was coming.
It might have happened before - you thought he was coming but it wasn't really him. This time the urging is stronger. You get excited and hopeful. Is this the One? Is this really Him? You went to the Temle, prayed and waited. How long did you wait? Did it feel like forever? Did you feel unworthy? Did you straighten up the Temple? Fix your hair and robes? Then, did you finally calm down and wait?
As soon as Mary and Joseph brought the baby in, you knew! I bet they hardly got one sentence out. Did they lookl ike you thought they'd look? Poorer than you'd imagined? Simpler? Younger? You reached for the baby Jesus. You reached and Mary handed him to you. You must have been elated. You knew, really knew this was Jesus. I imagine you lifting Him up to God, His Father. Your heart must have been singing! Holding Jesus, the Savior. Did it confuse you that He was just a normal baby? Or did this miracle just fall in line with other ways God worked in your life? Finally you hold the baby near to your heart. What a sacred moment! All your hunger, fulfilled. All your longings met. All your fears calmed. What a picture that must have been. Simeon holding the baby Jesus, the Savior of the world. Jesus may have looked like a normal baby at that moment, but Simeon, how your eyes must have danced. Your body was elated. What a precious Sacred site. No words are in the Scriptures to describe this moment...its an intimate union of hearts. You are silent holding the baby Savior Jesus for a while. I can feel your elation, comfort and deep peace. Then you pray, "Now Lord, you can dismiss your servant in peace."
We must also reflect on the fact that Simeon was the first one to predict the death of Jesus. Simeon told Mary that her own heart would be pierced. As any mother identifies with and feels her child's pain, Simeon said Mary would experience the pain her son Jesus endured. Anyone who truly identifies with Jesus and shares in his mission can and should expect to experience suffering. The less you identify with him, the less you share in his suffering.

Do you anticipate seeing Jesus during your daily life as much as Simeon did?
Have you recognized his presence in your life? Are you as fulfilled by that presence as Simeon was?

Be humble enough to laugh

“Laughter is a divine gift to the human who is humble. A proud man cannot laugh because he must watch his dignity; he cannot give himself over to the rocking and rolling of his belly. But a poor and happy man laughs heartily because he gives no serious attention to his ego.”
The Comic World of CS Lewis by Terry Lindvall

on House Cleaning (?)

on House Cleaning
I know I'm a sinner and if Jesus walked through that door right now I'd fall on my knees. On my own, I'm not good enough to stand and reach out for his hand or to let him touch me or hug me. I know my heart and you know yours. When was the last time your soul was absolutely clean? When was it a place good enough to welcome Jesus the Savior into?
What if we were interrupted right now by a phone call from Celene Dion or some other famous singer/star? She and TV crews are at your home right now. They're ringing your doorbell at this moment and they want to know what time you can get there. Is your home ready for National TV? Are you ready for the world to sit in your kitchen? Would you happily welcome them in? Would you focus on Celene and her crew's comfort and needs? Or would you be distracted by the dish someone left in you sink...would you be worrying about the smudges on your mirror...or the fuzz ball under your coffee table? You wouldn't be focused on Celene because you'd be worried about your house being on TV for the world to see. But the truth is, in 50 years no one will care!
Name me something you did on January 16 in 1983. Tell me about any movie you saw or novel you read in 1985. What did you wear after school or to work in the spring of 1989. In August of '96 what were you worried about?
We can't remember any of those things now and they don't even matter. They seemed to matter very much at the time, though. So even if Celene Dion herself was at your house right now you'd be worried about something that would eventually be forgotten. In 5 years, you won't remember what you wore here today, nor any book or TV show. No one will really care if your dishes were done or your beds were made. But these are the things we DO with our lives. We prepare meals, wash dishes, go to work, and have conversations with friends. We shop, we clean, and we go to Baptisms, showers and weddings. But none of these things have lasting impact.
The one thing that could have an impact on your eternal life is being offered to you right now. The Sacrament of Reconciliation could make an eternal difference not only because it forgives sins but because in this Sacrament Jesus gives you the strength you need to live your life. So you need to make a decision. We are going to give you a written examination of conscience. The Joshua 2 group has used this examen once before. Review it very carefully and examine your soul. Then, make your decision. Will you spend your eternity with Jesus and your loved ones or will you choose something else? Do you choose- not to receive this Sacrament of God's mercy for some silly reason like pride? Or for some self righteous reason like you don't think you should have to tell your sins to another human being? If you're going to risk Jesus' completely loving presence in your soul for those reasons or any other, you're really taking a risk that could have everlasting results.
My suggestion is to clean your house, your soul-house. If you'd run home to prepare your human house for a star, they stay here and do some really important house keeping. Your soul is Jesus' home. I wouldn't invite any guest into an unwelcome place, would you? Clean up your soul now!
Sins are like burnt toast, let Reconciliation scrape away the bad parts. Scrape your soul clean and white. Make it pure and new. The Virgin Mary was blessed with a pure soul since her own conception. Then God decided to live inside her body for 9 months so she could give birth to his Son. Jesus can live inside our bodies, too, but we have to make our souls clean.
As Catholics we are blessed with a sacred ritual, it's a Sacrament that allows us the chance to start all over again. We get to clean up and become brand new. We get to scrape away our sins simply by being honest with ourselves and with God. And when we've asked for forgiveness, we receive the blessings of Jesus' love and mercy. He takes our dry, crusty old self and fills us up again. He gives us strength for the journey and peace for our souls. He fills up those empty holes our sins left behind and we are rejuvenated. We are made healthy and whole. We are again, the pure and innocent persons God created us to be. We get to start over WITH Him. Our souls are brand new like they were when we were baptized.
Can you imagine being brand new again? With your soul as whole and pure and white as a baby's? It can be clean and new because of this Sacrament. That's the kind of soul-home Jesus can get welcomed into. He can live in you completely and he won't be crowded out by your sins. Jesus Christ our Savior will make his home in you if you want him to. That's where he belongs. That's where he wants to be - as close to you as he can get.
He knows how hard this life is. He know all about your struggles. He knows you judge yourself and that others judge you harshly sometimes. People categorize us and place limits on us. We all do that to each other.
But now Jesus wants to remove all those uglies. All the sins listed on the examination of conscience can be admitted and forgiven. Now, in the Sacrament of Reconciliation Jesus wants to meet you face to face. He wants to look at you the way he looked at the Adulterous woman after others judged her and, probably, she judged herself. He wants to take your face into his hands and look into your eyes so he can forgive you. However, he will do that through the priest who is consecrated in his name. When the priest looks into your eyes, it is Jesus gazing at you. When the priest hears your sins, it is Jesus listening. When the priest speaks the words of forgiveness, it is Jesus speaking to you.
The priest is not waiting to condemn you, but to welcome you home. It is his function to celebrate the forgiveness that has already occurred between you and Jesus. The priest formally wipes the slate of your soul clean. He offers you the chance to begin again. He blesses you and gives you the strength you will need to stay on the right path.
Go meet him. Meet your Lord and Savior in the face of the priest during this sacred moment of reconciliation with your God and yourself.

Imagery Prayer Experience

IMAGERY: GOD KNOWS BETTER...

Get yourself comfortable. Make sure your body is relaxed and not touching anyone else. Make sure your clothes are not uncomfortable or tight in any area. Relax. Breathe slowly in and out. Take a slow deep breath in and release it very slowly. Do that one more time. Breathe regularly now, but with each release of your breath, release any tension you may be feeling. Try not to be conscious of anyone around you. Concentrate only on yourself and your body right now. With the release of your next breath let out your inhibitions, release your anger or tension. With each breath, let go of your fears. Be comfortable and relaxed.

Get ready to clear your mind of anything that is filling it. Whatever happened today, wipe out of your mind. Whatever you're worrying or even just thinking about...forget. Clear your mind to the point that you see only a clean white space. The space is empty of words and thoughts. The space is free and clean. It is empty. You see only white space...air.

In your mind, fill your entire body with this clean white space. The inside of your body in empty...nothing is there. Your body is only a shell, holding inside of it the clean white air. From your toes through your knees there is nothing but white. The white air fills the space between your knees and your hips. Let the whiteness circle around inside you. The clean space moves from your hips to your shoulders. It then flows upwards through your neck, your jaw and mouth. The white air fills your nose and eyes then goes backwards to your ears and the back of your head.
Your whole body is empty and white.

Rest there for a minute.

Now imagine yourself standing at the intersection of a street. As you look down the block you see a clearing that you never noticed before and you walk toward it. When you get to the clearing you can see a lake surrounded by trees. The lake is peaceful and calm. There are no boats and no people there. It is just a calm body of water.

Everything inside you wants to run toward the lake. It is new. It was never there before and you want to examine it more closely. But you cannot get to it. You find yourself frozen there. Then, out of the corner of your eye you see someone walking toward you. As the man gets nearer, you realize that it is Jesus. You tell him how much you want to move toward the lake and see it more closely, but you cannot. You ask him to help you.



Jesus says that is not what he wants for you. The lake is not in his plan. He has other ideas in his mind for you. You disagree. You tell Jesus that the lake looks calm and peaceful. You tell him what a difficult day you've had. You tell him about the hard time you're having with your parents. You tell him about the argument you just had with your friend. You keep trying to convince Jesus that it really is a good idea for you to see the lake and experience it up close. You insist, almost, that it really is the best idea and ask for his help again.

Look into Jesus' eyes. He looks at you with love and understanding. His eyes are filled with love and patience. He just looks at you and you realize how agitated you have become. You were sure Jesus would help you. Now you feel disappointed and confused. You say to Jesus, if you love me so much why won't you help me? Can't you see that this would be good for me? Can't you tell that I know what I'm doing? Don't you want me to be happy and joyful?

Jesus says that there is nothing more he could want for you. But he has a better plan. He asks you to take his hand and trust him. He asks you to walk with him in another direction.

You respond by taking one long last look at the lake and wishing that this was the plan Jesus had for you. You have no idea where he may be leading you now. You are uncertain. But you look again into his eyes and you agree to walk with him. You take his hand and walk where he leads you.

Jesus walks with you past the lake and behind the trees surrounding it. His hand feels strong and large in yours. But you find comfort in the fact that he is leading you and so you go on with him. You walk behind the trees with Jesus. The sun had blinded you momentarily so you blink your eyes. When they open again you finally see what Jesus' other plan for you was.

It isn't just a lake. It's an ocean surrounded by a long stretch of beach. The beach is filled with your friends and they are all cheering you. Your family is there too and they, also, express their sheer joy at your decision to walk with Jesus to this wonderful place. There is food cooking on the grill and games being played. Laughter fills the air.

Finally you understand why Jesus didn't want you to go to the empty lake. He knew what was behind the water and the trees, but you didn't. He knew everyone was waiting for you. Jesus knew what you couldn't have known. He saw the big picture. He knew what was ahead for you.





You look at Jesus with your eyes big and filled with gratitude. You make your apologies to him and ask him to forgive your insistence on staying at the lake. You thank him for knowing exactly what you really needed and for not listening to you when you insisted on something else.

Jesus hugs you, then he fades away and you move toward the ocean, the beach, the games, your family and your friends.

Enjoy this experience.

A letter from Jesus to you

You don't belong to this world anymore than I did. And my prayer is that one day we will be united forever with my Father. That's the day I'm waiting for because I want you to finally meet Him.
But in the meantime I'm depending on you to love all others the way I love you. That's how you can show your love for me. Follow my example and stay close by my side. You will never be alone.
I know you. I know your weaknesses and your strengths. You can trust me to lead you. Don't hold back, don't hesitate or doubt. I will be your guide and your protector. My Father and I are looking forward to the day when we can be joined together. Just stay by my side until then.

badge

A Maryknoll Mission Story

Written in the Maryknoll Mission magazine in September of 2005. The following takes place in the Sudan in Africa:

The army on horses came upon the house so the father met them at the door while mom and kids huddled outside behind the house. One soldier grabbed the mom and oldest daughter bringing them to the front of the house. They then set fire to the house and the remaining family.
After tying the father, the soldiers raped his wife and daughter in front of him. They then took a piece of burning wood from the house and branded the young daughter with it. When all that was done, they shot the father in the head, killing him instantly and rode off.
The branded young girl was scarred for life as an outcast and would never be able to be with a man or marry. The Maryknoll mission rescued these two women.

Please pray for peace.

On Pride

"Pride takes innumerable forms but has only one end: Self glorification. It is contending with God for supremacy. It is the sacrilegious arrogance of those who praise themselves. " Humility True Greatness by CJ Mahaney

• Consider inviting correction or
• Pursue opportunities to be humble

"It's serious business to say YES to the Lord and then not allow Him to transform our character." Dr Carol Razza, author of Sonblock.

He's Still A Carpenter

I hurt others. Jesus heals others.
I worry. Jesus works wonders.
I fear. Jesus faces situations head on.
I intrude. Jesus invites.
I brag. Jesus bears all.
I give bad example. Jesus gives.
I am a poor role model. Jesus was poor.
I'm proud. Jesus was pure.
I correct others. Jesus celebrates others.
I sin. Jesus suffered.
Despite my sinfulness Jesus continues to work in me and through me. He fixes my mistakes. As a carpenter Jesus created wonderful pieces out of wood. As our Savior Jesus created the doorway to heaven from the wood of the cross.

Poetry Praise

Faithful Forever Forgiving
LOVE
Unbelievable Unforgettable Unrelenting
MERCY
Deep Dependable Divine
WISDOM
Unending Undeserving Unmatched
PATIENCE

sinfulness selfishness self centered

Extreme Extraordinary
GENTLENESS
Tender Timeless
KINDNESS
Precious Perfect
PEACE

talking taking

Suffered Surrendered Silent
SAVIOR
Artist All Knowing Almighty
CREATOR
Wonderful Working Worshipping
SPIRIT

unworthy

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Humility: how do you do it?

Consider inviting correction and pursuing opportunities to be humble. Follow Jesus’ example. Jesus walked of his own free will into Gethsemane and said, “Father not my will but yours be done.” It’s serious business to say yes to the Lord and then not allow Him to transform our character.

Ask yourself, “How can I wash others’ feet?” Some examples below:

See others as better/more deserving than myself.
Be available and look for ways to meet others’ needs
be sensitive to others
deny my own needs
be patient and forgiving
listen more to others
encourage and motivate others

Readers: what ideas do you have about how you can practice humility?

For what do you depend on God?

For what do you depend on God?

1. Keeping me balanced so that I see the big picture and can keep all of life's events in perspective.
2. Strength to keep trying to be the person God made me to be and who He wants me to be.
3. Faithful, unconditional love.
4. Mercy.
5. Wisdom.
6. Sense of direction.
7. Eucharist
8. His Word.
9. Good example.
10. Peace like the world cannot give.
11. Surprises and challenges.
What would you add?

Jesus' Humility

Jesus, you learned humility
1.First from your parents, Mary and Joseph.
a) Your conception caused public speculation for them
b) Your birth place must have been hard for Joseph, the family's breadwinner, to handle. Surely he wanted to be a good provider.
c) Your parents were only able to offer pigeons at your Presentation...the offering of the poor.
d) Mary and Joseph must have been embarrassed at having lost you in the Temple at age 12.
2. During your own active ministry you didn't even have a home
3. Very few, including the Apostles, knew what you were preaching about
4. During your public life you were questioned and tested frequently by the "authorities"
5. An attempt was made to kill you by stoning
6. They ignored your values in turning the synagogue into a market place
7. the people in your hometown rejected your mission and others asked "can anything good come from Nazareth?"
8. You healed hundreds of people who never even said thank you.
9. You washed your apostles feet
10. You allowed yourself to be arrested by soldiers over whom you had real authority and power.
11. You allowed Judas to turn you in and Peter to deny he even knew you.
12. You were tortured, mocked and spit upon by the soldiers.
13. You were judged and condemned by Pilate , a frightened leader
14. You were stripped publicly.
15 You were given vinegar to drink while on the cross
16. You were nailed to a cross without complaining and left to die.
17. Like your birth, your burial place was not your own.

Readers: any other ideas?

Called to be Saints

Called to be Saints

Going to Mass on Sunday isn't enough. Trying to be a good person isn't enough. Never using bad language doesn't cut it. Being kind and patient to your kids and your neighbors is, at least, a step in the right direction. Scripture says in the Gospel of Luke, "When you have done all you have been commanded to do, say 'We are useless servants. We have done no more than our duty.'"
that's yucky, I know
You've all heard about Good Friday: The agony in the Garden, the scourging at the pillar. You heard how Jesus sweat drops of blood while he was hanging on the cross. And you remember His last words were "Father, forgive them."
I want to remind you of everything else your God has done for you, too. He woke you this morning to do his work. He gave you a job and the skills to do it well. He gave you a sense of sight, hearing and smell. He gave you people that love you and maybe even, people who don't. He waits for you everyday in every situation to turn your face toward him in prayer so he can share the experience with you. That's because, as Scripture says again, He delights in you. And lastly, though the list could go on and on, he gifts you with salvation - everlasting happiness awaits you in heaven. It's like knowing there's going to be a surprise party for you, the biggest one you've ever seen, but you just don't know when it is.
Jesus lived for you, died for you and still lives in and with you. God the Father designed you uniquely; sent his Son so you could enjoy heaven and delights in you at every moment of the day. The Holy Spirit is God's gift to you, too, so you'd never feel lonely after Jesus left this earth. We have our own, personal guardian angels to support and protect us and another precious gift: a nurturing, spiritual, very Blessed Mother.
If I kept listing God's gifts to us, I could honestly go on all night. I cite them here to give us motivation. As humans we require reasons to sacrifice for others. God has given us more reasons that we need and certainly more than we deserve.
Everyone feels like they are a good person and I'm absolutely sure you are. But I am looking at your potential. I see the creation your God made you to be and the work of art you can become. God, the Creator of the whole world, created you. He chose certain elements to be a part of your personality and purposely omitted others. From his closet shelf marked "talents" he selected a very special one for you. You may already know what it is or you may still need to discover it. Ask God about that. He can help you.
So you are a work of art, a unique and unrepeated design created by God Himself. What a blessing you are! What wonderful gifts He gave you to share with others. Are you sharing them? Have you even decided in which direction your life is headed? Do you have a goal?
What is your personal mission while you are on this earth? What is the one point you want to make with your life? If we just live day after day, responding spontaneously and haphazardly to situations around us, we become eclectic. That's fine in a living room, but its not a mission statement. You need an identified spiritual purpose: a message you think people need to hear. But it can't be your own message. It has to come from God, therefore, it requires prayer. In your private conversations with Jesus, ask him what message he wants you to bring his people. Some one theme will repeat in your head and your heart over time. It will feel really right. It will be a good "fit", so to speak. It will be a message you'll feel comfortable with. In your spiritual conversations here or with others, it will be your theme. It will be a reminder from Jesus through you to others.
Find out your purpose. Ask God what your mission is. Without a goal, we are simply walking along the road with no destination. Find your mission and use it as a measuring tool for your spiritual life's journey. That's what all the prophets and the saints did. They all had a goal for God, a race to run and a prize to capture. (That's from Scripture, too.)
When God made us with all the blessing and gifts and talents we have, he saw our potential. He saw what HE wanted us to become, and it is our purpose in this life. All the saints realized that, in order to attain God's mission for them on this earth, they had to put aside their own wants and needs many times. You know what that's like. You swallow a word of anger at someone who you think really deserves it. You allow that car to cut in front of you so as not to feed into road rage. You smile and are polite to people you don't really like.
The saints did that and much, much more. They did it to an elaborate degree because they knew God deserved it and that's what made them saints. They swallowed their self will and followed God's will for them. They figured God's will needed to be accomplished more that their own will and they didn't want to be in God's way.
Being in God's way means not having a spiritual goal or not living up to your potential. It means God has to work around you because you are not cooperating with him. It means you don't recognize the gifts God gave you and therefore don't use them. Or it could mean that you know you are gifted and use those gifts only to meet your own needs. You've forgotten that God made you, gave you those gifts and that He intended for you to use them to help Him help others. These are not easy words to hear, I know. We are not doing what we can. We forget. We are not doing what we should. We are mediocre and lukewarm.
The word I used is WE and I really mean that! I am a terrible sinner in this regard. It's my biggest weakness. I am NOT preaching or admonishing at all. I am a part of the problem.
I've gotten some support and motivation from reading the lives of some Saints, and I thought I'd share some of what I learned with you; I strongly recommend you read them for yourself.
St. Clare of Assisi was impressed by Jesus' poverty. He was born in a stable and died naked on a Cross. This caused her to leave her wealthy family and live in absolute poverty, owning nothing. The religious order she created still follows that rule. We may not live in that strict kind of poverty, but we can think about the possessions we tend to accumulate.
Sister Faustina, was completely overwhelmed by Jesus' mercy and forgiveness. She felt utterly unworthy of God's blessings because of her sinfulness. She said we would be too if we could see our souls as Jesus sees them. I dread to think of Jesus looking at my soul everyday; especially if Sister Faustina was ashamed of hers. St. Therese of Liseaux is one of my very favorites. She wanted everyone everywhere to love God as he deserved to be loved and she knew that would never happen in hell. So she offered her life and made sacrifices to make up for that. She was so caught up in reverencing God that she was sad that drops of blood fell from his cross and no one could catch them. That takes real sensitivity to Jesus as a person. Our prayer life can create a personal relationship with Jesus just like St. Therese had. All we have to do is look at him very, very closely and listen to him.
St.Catherine of Sienna changed the entire course of the Catholic Church all by herself by changing the Pope's location and status. Also, to personally sacrifice for Jesus she slept and ate as little as possible. She served the poor and helped the sick whom no one else wanted to be near.
Billy Simpson was born in Cincinnati and died at age 30 in 1970. He is described in a book of saints because of his sense of humor, and service to the poor. Both Billy and St.Catherine make us think about what we are really doing for the poor. When was the last time you visited a food pantry or made a meal for the homeless?
Padre Pio died in 1968 and had the bleeding stigmata for 50 years. He spent 12 hours a day hearing confessions, because that's what he believed his mission was. He also said, "It would be easier for the earth to carry on without the sun, than without Holy Mass." Reading his life can motivate us to name our life's mission and to set a spiritual goal. Mary Ann Long died in 1959 at the age of 12. She had cancer and felt her job was to go around the hospital and comfort everyone else who was sick. At age 12 she said she did not pray for a cure, she only wanted to be that way God wanted her to be. How many times do we complain when we've got a headache or the flu? Saints frequently want to offer personal gifts to God and realize they really have nothing to offer but themselves. That's our situation, too. They often tried to overcome small personal faults. One saint's name was Teresita. She died in 1950, but spent her life overcoming her impulsive tendency.
One Beatified person (that means almost-saint) that I am growing to really admire was born in Bayonne in 1901 and died at the age of 26. She was a Sister of Charity and taught at St. Aloysius's Academy in Jersey City. Sister Miriam Teresa was brilliant, but unaccepted by the sisters in her community. They completely misunderstood her. Her spiritual director knew all of this and also knew that Sister Miriam had visions and conversations with Jesus and even experienced the gift of wearing the Crown of Thorns. He did not share this with her community, but asked her to write instructions for him to give to the other novices in that community. She wrote 2 books which the priest used to educate not only the Sisters of Charity, but Congregations world wide. It was not until after Sister Miriam's death that this information was revealed. Listen to some comments she made in the book.
The reason why we have not yet become saints is because we have not understood what it means to love. We think we do; but we do not. To love means to annihilate ones' self for the beloved. The self sacrifice of a mother for her child is only a shadow of the love with which we should love the Beloved of our soul. We must conform our lives with his in the most intimate way possible.
In another section she says, "The saints only did one thing: the will of God. But they did it with all their might." Sister Miriam always says we need to give our liberty and free will over to God. "To bring that will into submission requires persistence and sacrifice - a constant and resolute effort in the monotony of daily tasks and frequent failures; a daily struggle to conquer self. Only one thing in the world is strong enough to overcome the love of self, and that is the love of God." It's so honestly difficult, even for Sister Miriam, that she says to her spiritual director: My physical strength decreases, until what with the heat and the weariness and the sleepiness and the mosquitoes and the incessant strain of doing things I naturally don't want to do, I wonder that I am able to take another step or even stand up straight.
We don't need to change the course of history in order to become saints. We only need to love God with all our might. We need to be so in love with him that we commit ourselves to doing something about it. One saint said that feelings are utterly worthless. How we feel about God is all well and good, but what we DO about it is much more important. God set the example. His love for us made him sacrifice his only Son. Jesus followed the example. His love for us committed him to crucifixion by sinners. What does our love say? How many petty annoyances do we suffer with silently? When your personal plans are upset or tossed aside by others, what is your reaction? I actually tried this and failed miserably. I prayed and asked God to let me be annoyed. He did. I didn't even come close to the challenge. I grunted and complained. When someone disagreed with me I felt the need to clarify myself and my view. When embarrassed and corrected in front of others I needed to defend myself. When I make plans and schedule something for my own convenience I am not exactly the picture of Sister Miriam's self annihilation if those plans get changed. I get stressed.
I am not talking here about self degradation. I do not feel as God's work of art that I should put my gifts aside and be the target of others scorn. Let's not go there. Let's not get this mixed up with poor self esteem or lack of self worth. I do not mean that. I mean honest self sacrifice. If your tendency is toward self degradation, pray about that so that you don't get carried away with this in an unhealthy way.
For the most part, we know deep in our hearts how self centered we are. To be a saint, to live up to our potential means to be Jesus centered and to make his message our mission.

As I said in the beginning, we really aren't just talking about going to Mass on Sunday and not using bad language. We are talking about much, much more. We are talking about giving back to Jesus the love he deserves. We need to learn how to love the one who loves us so completely. Go to him in prayer and ask him how you can do this in your own personal life. And then, let's pray for each other to become saints.

Novena to St. Therese of Lisieux

This novena is special in that it prays for the blessing of spiritual gifts rather than earthly favors.

Saint Therese, who in your short life attained to angelic purity, generous love, and wholehearted surrender to Almighty God, pray for us who trust in you. You have received the reward of your virtues; obtain for us the grace to be pure of heart and to avoid whatever may tarnish any virtue pleasing to God. May we know in every need the power of your prayer for us. Comfort us in the sorrows of this life and especially at its end, that we be worthy to share your happiness in Heaven. Amen.
Pray for us, blessed Therese, that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.
O Lord Who has said: "Unless you become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven," grant us, we implore you, to walk in the footsteps of Saint Therese. Amen.

Intention for the FIRST DAY - Faith Almighty God and Creator of all things, to overcome lukewarmness and inflame souls with Your love, you have enriched the soul of Your Little Flower with such firm faith that she longed to give her life for You. I ask You, by the merits of her lively faith, to infuse in me a like faith. Grant that I may believe all the truths taught by the Catholic Church and practice until death all virtues. Amen.
Our Father Hail Mary Glory Be
Intention for the SECOND DAY - Hope Almighty God, You Who are glorified in Your saints, grant me the gift of hope as was evident in the life of Saint Therese, that I may believe firmly in Your words:
Whatever you ask in My Name shall be given to you."
As Saint Therese turned away from the vanities of this world and consecrated herself to You with complete confidence, may I also turn from those vanities and seek You alone, my love and my all. Amen.
Our Father Hail Mary Glory Be
Intention for the THIRD DAY - Love My Jesus, grant that I may love You as much as Saint Therese, Your Little Flower, and say with her: "My Jesus, I beg You only for Your love, without limits and without bounds. Grant, my Jesus that I may love you with the strength of a martyr. I wish to love You as You have never been loved."
And you, Saint Therese, help me to be ever grateful to Him Who loves me so much. Amen.

Our Father Hail Mary Glory Be
Intention for the FOURTH DAY - Submission My Lord and my God, You always will what is best for me. As Your Little Flower consecrated herself to You to endure all sufferings and pain, may I accept with perfect resignation and even cheerfulness all the hardships that come to me in life, that I may be able to say, as did Your beloved spouse:
"Jesus, I offer my hardships to You in the name of Your love."
Our Father Hail Mary Glory Be
Intention for the FIFTH DAY - Patience My Lord, Innocence Itself, You endured all forms of shameful treatment for love of me. Give me the humility, self-denial, and patience to imitate Your spouse, Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, and say with all my heart:
My despised Jesus, grant me, by the merits of Your humility and patience, to bear with a a calm spirit all the sufferings of this life, and then to enjoy Your company with Your spouse, the Little Flower. Amen.
Our Father Hail Mary Glory Be
Intention for the SIXTH DAY - Simplicity My sweet Jesus, give me the charity and simplicity of Saint Therese. She said her mission in Heaven would be to make others love God as she loved Him, and to teach others to seek and find God in the little things in life. Grant that I may not rest until I love God with all my strength and with the childlike simplicity of the Little Flower.
Our Father Hail Mary Glory Be
Intention for the SEVENTH DAY - Humility My Jesus, give me the grace to practice virtue in little things. It is sometimes difficult, but I trust in Your goodness, and Your love for humble persons. I am too weak to climb he ladder of perfection alone, but I know that I shall obtain from You the help I hope for. I join the Little Flower in asking You for this blessing. Amen. Our Father Hail Mary Glory Be
Intention for the EIGHTH DAY - Doing for Others My God and my Love, give me on earth the same mission You gave Your Little Flower in Heaven, of spending my life doing good to my neighbor. My Jesus, help me to console all men and encourage them to love You. May all love You as Your Immaculate Mother, Your foster father, Saint Joseph, Your holy angels, and Saint Therese love you. Allow me to pray with her: "Let Your divine glance rest upon a vast number of little souls, worthy of Your love."
Our Father Hail Mary Glory Be
Intention for the NINTH DAY - Happy Death My dear Lord, grant me the same childlike love for Your foster father and Your holy and immaculate Mother as Saint Therese had. And you, Saint Therese, ask my great protector and father, Saint Joseph, and my holy Mother, Mary, to obtain for me the grace of dying the friendship of Jesus, and expressing in your own words: "My God, I love You." Amen.
Our Father Hail Mary Glory Be

Examination of Conscience

The following is a thorough examination of conscience. Hopefully it can be helpful in your prayerful, personal reflection.

Sinfulness at work:

Do I go to my place of work knowing that this is the place God sent me?
Do I arrive prepared and eager to meet God throughout my day?
Do I look for God in everyone I meet throughout the day?
Do I get distracted and upset if things don't go smoothly or if things don't go my way?
Do I give my coworkers good example?
Do my coworkers know I am a Christian? Does my interaction with them indicate this?
Do I worry about my job stability?
Do I worry about anything in the work place so that it distracts me from looking for the gifts God is sending me?
Do I live out Christ's qualities of patience, joy, kindness, and understanding in my work place?
Do I forgive others in the work place when I am misjudged or misunderstood?
Do I work to the best of my ability? Am I just and fair in my dealings with others?
Do I leave my job at the end of the day knowing that I did the best I could, and satisfied that I fulfilled God's role for me this day?

Sinfulness in my Family Life:

Do I see my family as my chosen vocation in life?
Do I look for the good in each person in my family?
Do I appreciate each member...do I tell them that I love and appreciate them?
Do I pray for each member of my family by name?
Do I take my family for granted?
Do I impose my moodiness on my family members?
Am I selfless in my personal decision making with regards to my family? Do I prefer the good of others to my own personal convenience?
Do I pray for guidance in each decision that needs to be made in my family?
Do I reflect Christ's qualities of patience, kindness, joy and understanding to my family?
Is prayer an integral part of my family life?
Do I set a good example to my family by going to Mass, daily private prayer, prayer before Meals?

Personal Sinfulness:

Do I recognize that I am God's beautiful creation?
Do I know and accept the gifts God has given me?
Do I develop and foster the relationship I have with my God through daily prayer?
Do I ask God for forgiveness for the sins I may have committed this day?
Do I seek direction from God in the way that my life continues to unfold?
Do I read Scripture in order to learn more about my God?
Do I thank God daily for the many gifts he has given me?
Do I fear and worry... or do I trust in God's unconditional love for me?
Do I live in peace, knowing that God is my Father and I am his beloved son/daughter?
Do I joyfully live out the Christian life style or do I complain when things don't go the way I think they should be going?
Do I see trials and other difficulties God allows me to experience as gifts from him?
Do I believe I am living out God's will in my life?

PRAYER BEFORE THE EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE

I stand in the Jordan and experience the healing flow of the waters upon me. Acknowledging my part in perpetuating the patterns of sinfulness, I pray to be cleansed and refreshed by the waters of God's free gift of grace and love. I beg God for a deep felt understanding of my sin and the disordered tendencies in my life. With Christ at my side, I allow myself to reflect freely, without inhibition. I pray to release any hurt or sorrow with tears, if God desires to grace me in this way.

Reflection of my sinfulness.(examination of conscience)

I turn to God for healing and forgiveness. Laying my wounds, my unfreedoms, my compulsions at the feet of Jesus I humbly acknowledge my need for Him to be my Savior. I thank Jesus for his love and healing. I thank him, too, for the cool water which will symbolize his healing touch and refreshment.
As I move toward the point where I am ready to feel the healing touch of God I walk toward the altar. My movement indicated my willingness to take steps toward being the person I was created to be. My movement also shows my need to be touched by God and to encounter him tonight.

re St Therese of Lisieux's prayers for a criminal

Letting Jesus into Our Boat

May your love draw down upon you the mercy of the Lord, and may he let you see that within your soul a saint is sleeping. I shall ask him to make you so open and supple that you will be able to understand and do what he wants you to do. Your life is nothing; it is not even your own. Each time you say, “I’d like to do this or that,” you wound Christ, robbing him of what is his. You have to put to death everything within you except the desire to love God. This is not at all hard work to do. It is enough to have confidence and to thank the little Jesus for all the potentialities he has placed within you. You are called to holiness, like me, like everyone, don’t forget.

You have a large ship to steer. You must set about it courageously, but don’t count on yourself, for alone you can do nothing. It is not YOU who must act, but CHRIST in you. And then you will taste the marvels of divine love, prayers filled with honey, ravishing delights and ecstasies, and your soul will climb, without you noticing it, to the summit of love. But for this, you must put self-love to death, and pray. Become like the slave of others. Renounce yourself completely. Be like the clay which the divine potter can shape as he wills. The one who abandons himself to God in this way no longer has a heart of flesh in his breast but a ball of fire. And I assure you that when the Lord begins to kindle the fire of his love, his victim is quick to cry for mercy, for the joy is beyond our human strength to bear. May you, too, penetrate into this world! But don’t forget, you have to give everything.

By Jacques Fesch , a murderer who experienced a profound conversion before his death by execution. St. Therese of Lisieux prayed for this conversion

Jesus and His Father

3/24/00 JESUS AND HIS FATHER

Jesus, your relationship with your Father amazes and impresses me. You constantly refer people to Him. You won’t take any glory apart from Him. You receive all your power from Him, and all your instructions. All you want to do is please Him. He gives you tasks to do and you are completely obedient.

Was St. Joseph a good model father to you? He heard a message from God that changed his life. “Take Mary as your wife.” Joseph responded without hesitation to God’s word and surrendered His will. He was completely obedient and submissive. There isn’t much else we know about Joseph so that must be the lesson we’re to learn from him just like Jesus did. “Pray to God, your Father. Listen to His instructions for you and then obey them. Whatever God asks, you must obey. It is the least you can do. And you must follow God’s instructions above and beyond your own desires.” I can just hear Joseph saying that to his son as they wait for the dinner Mary prepared. “Do you hear me, son? This is important. Obey God above all else.” Jesus, you must have thought this was a very important message because Joseph didn’t usually speak this forcefully. And so it became a memory from your childhood that would never fade. It was a vivid memory with a very clear message. I’m sure you didn’t even understand the message at first. It must have become clearer to you as you watched your parents live their lives. They both spoke the same message of surrender and submission to God’s will by the way they chose to live.

It all began there with a very humble man and a very prayerful young woman. From them you learned whom God is and how to relate to Him. That’s where your desire to please Him began. That was the beginning of a relationship that can’t be duplicated. You read the Scriptures like all young Jewish boys. You learned about Adam and Eve and Moses and Noah. You saw how God worked through these people and events. You saw that God continuously chose to forgive us and love again. You saw the great plans God has for His people. And your relationship grew. You wanted to know more about Him. You wanted to speak to Him, listen to Him and understand Him. So you spent more time with Him. That’s when it became a Sacred Event. Your relationship with God the Father began and with it the growing knowledge that you were Chosen. You and God enjoyed a very intimate relationship. All you wanted to do was to please Him and so that was what you did. I feel like I’m interfering here – intruding. I have no right to the details. I am not worthy of that knowledge. I can only imagine how you felt when you realized your life’s mission fully. I can’t begin to grasp the love you know God has for us that made you submit to crucifixion. It was a love so deep and so pure that you never questioned the mission. In fact, that love became yours. You spent so much time with God your Father that you loved with His love. I don’t claim to understand the mystery of your being fully human and fully divine, but I don’t need to understand it when I can feel it. I don’t’ know how you can be Jesus, the Lord and Savior when you were born in a manger and lived with your mother and foster father. It’s beyond my scope. But I believe it and I love you for it. I believe it and I thank you for it. I believe it and I praise and worship you for it! And it all remains a mystery, a precious and Sacred mystery. Your relationship with your Father is that you and He are One.

But there’s another mystery, another very precious gift here. You taught us to pray by saying Our Father. I am silenced. I am awestruck and humbled. I run to you to say, “O no! I am not worthy. I am a sinner in need of repentance.” You answer, “You are a sinner in need of a Father.” “Well that may be true,” I answer, “ but YOUR Father?” You say, “No, OUR Father”. All my protestations fly in the wind. They are useless bantering like so many other words I’ve said. “The point remains”, You insist. “He is OUR Father.”

That means the relationship you have with God the Father is one I can strive for. It means that You are my Brother. It also means I am chosen and we are members of one family.


Dear friends, do you hear what Jesus is saying to us? If God is our Father, you and I have an intimate relationship with the Creator of the Universe. Doesn’t that make you feel special? We also have a Protector, one who can truly save us from any adversary (including ourselves). God is our Father. Having the All Perfect Father means He knows our souls, our dreams, fears and hopes. He knows our talents and gifts. He knows our thought ant the number of hairs on our head. He can challenge us because that’s what a good father does. He can encourage us to be the persons we can be because He knows us so well. He cleans up after our mistakes and clears the path for us to go forward. God is in constant contact with us because we cannot leave His presence. That means He supports us, encourages us and forgives us all the time though we may no recognize or admit His presence.

So if God does all that because He is our Father, what is our role as His child? We can take our cue from Jesus for that. As I said in the opening sentences, Jesus gave all the glory to His Father. He wouldn’t take any glory for His won. He recognized He had no power apart form the Father. Jesus only wanted to please His Father and follow His instructions. Jesus and Our Father spent so much time together that Jesus felt the love God has for His children. Jesus felt it so much that He was willing to die for it.

So that is the example our brother Jesus left us. Love God back. Follow His instructions. Spend time with your Sacred family and be a good child to the Father. Your Holy Mother will help you and so will your Brother, Jesus. Make your Father proud. If you enter into the relationship with God our Father more fully, He’ll be sure to teach you how. Remember, you’re constantly in His presence and He promised He’d never abandon us. He may ask us to do some hard things, just like He asked Jesus. But just like Jesus He’ll love us through it and give us all the strength we need. And I can guarantee you this, too: when its all over, Our Father will be waiting for us on the other side and He’ll com running to welcome us home.

Thy Kingdom Come Thy Will Be Done

Thy Kingdom Come Thy Will Be Done

Psalm 19: “ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

During the 1980’s my great, great aunt Esther died. She had written the song, “Tea for two and two for tea; me for you and you for me” ♫. Anyway, when she died, I wasn’t mentioned in her will. My mother thought we were going to be rich! But we weren’t even mentioned!
A friend of mine died (of course, He rose again but we’ll put that aside for the moment). I was mentioned in His Will. I was given honorable mention. My inheritance is eternal. I became a part of His Kingdom. Trés cool. I didn’t even do anything to deserve it. It just goes to show what a great guy my friend Jesus is!
Do you want to be in God’s will?
It’s true that the rewards are unbeatable. But what do you need to do, you ask? How do you get honorable mention and an eternal reward? Here’s the secret: The only way to be In God’s will is to DO God’s will.
Obviously, the purest motivation for doing God’s will is love for Him. We do what He wants us to do simply because we love Him that much and we want to please Him. It’s not about agreeing with His philosophy of love and giving necessarily, although that would certainly help. It’s about blind faith, total self-giving and complete trust in His love for us. In its purest sense obeying God’s will is doing what He wants us to do because we believe in Him. We know He only has our best intentions in mind. So, in return, we love Him back completely. I get the image in my mind of a toddler that trusts in her parents, believes they will take care of her and knows that they love her. That child does what they want just because she loves them that much. She doesn’t need to understand their reasoning. It’s just pure, unadulterated, obedient love.
A second not so selfless reason for obeying God’s will is that we want to get to heaven. We want eternal life and happiness. If we’re honest with ourselves, most of us can admit
that that is the reason for our obedience to God. We just fear living in hell forever. That’s not the purest motivation, but it certainly works.

What are some other reasons for following God’s will? If you heard a ping or a clanking sound in your car and I told you it was the alternator, would you believe me? I hope not. I’m no car expert! If you coughed and someone said that meant you had diabetes, would you begin taking insulin? Never! So why do we listen to ourselves or each other solely when it comes to something as important as life? We’re not the experts! If we want to live our life according to God’s plan, we’d better talk with Him about it. He is the Lord. He is the Teacher; we’re only the students.
The two disciples on the road to Emmaus got confused about this. They moaned and complained because they thought they had figured God’s plan out all by themselves. They figured they knew how it was all going to turn out. When it didn’t turn out that way, they got confused and frustrated. They complained all the way from Jerusalem to Emmaus, which would have been an 8-hour walk. God had to appear right in front of them to get them to understand. They hadn’t asked God what the plan was. They hadn’t really listened to Him. How frustrated God must have been. He was the One who knew all the answers to their Jeopardy questions, but they didn’t ask Him.
Neither did the other apostles, the Jewish people or the Leaders of Jesus’ time. They all had their own expectations. They expected a rich King and an earthly kingdom. They didn’t ask enough questions and they didn’t listen to God’s answers so they messed up. They got it all wrong. What they figured would happen, didn’t and so they missed the mark. They really did get it all wrong. This must have frustrated Jesus. I’m sure we still do frustrate Him. In Jeremiah 29:11 He says, “ I have plans for you, plans not to hurt you but to give you hope and a good future.” The Emmaus guys, the Jewish people and leaders of the day never asked Him what those plans were. Have you?

I‘m going to tell you a Max Lucado story as an example.
Ever try to convince a mouse not to worry? Ever succeeded in pacifying the panic of a rodent? If so, you are wiser than I. My attempt was not successful. My comforting words fell on tiny, deaf ears.
Not that the little fellow deserved my kindness. Because of him, my wife Denalyn screamed. Because of that scream, the garage shook. I was yanked out of dreamland and off my LaZ Boy and called to defend my wife and country. I was proud to go. With shoulders high, I marched into the garage.
The mouse never had a chance. I know jujitsu, karate, tae Kwan do and several other…uh, phrases. I’ve even watched self-defense infomercials.
This mouse had met its match.
Besides, he was in an empty trashcan. How he got there, only he knows, and he aint’ telling. I know, I asked him. His only reply was a mad rush around the base of the can.
The poor guy was scared to the top of his whiskers. And who wouldn’t be? Imagine being caged in a plastic container and looking up to see the large (albeit handsome) face of a human. Would be enough to make you chuck up your cheese.
“What are you going to do with him?” Denalyn asked, clutching my arm for courage.
“Don’t worry, lil darlin’, " I replied with a swagger that made her swoon and would have made John Wayne jealous. “I’ll go easy on the little fellow.”
So, off we went – the mouse, the trashcan, and me, marching down the cul-de-sac toward an empty lot. “Stick with me, little guy, I’ll have you home in no time” He didn’t listen. You’d have thought we were walking to death row. Had I not placed a lid on the can, the furry fellow would have jumped out. “I’m not going to hurt you,” I explained. “I’m going to release you. You got yourself into a mess; I’m going to get you out.”He never calmed down. He never sat still. He never- well, he never trusted me. Even at the last moment, when I tilted the can on the ground and set him free,
did he turn around and say thank you? Did he invite me to his mouse house for a meal? No. He just ran.
Honestly. What would I have to do to win his trust? Learn to speak Mouse-agse? Grow beady eyes and a long tail? Get down in the trash with him? Thanks, but no thanks. I mean, the mouse was cute and all, but he wasn’t worth that much.

Apparently you and I are, because that’s what Jesus did. And when He hung on the cross with lips cracked and a throat so dry He could hardly speak he said,
“ You can trust me.”

Let me give you fair warning: when you ask God about His plans for you, you’re really inviting Him into your life. You’re saying, “Come into my home. Walk into my world. Be present in my heart, my office, my family, my fear, my doubts.” That’s a bold statement! It’s totally anti-Satan. It means handing our lives over to God. It means we don’t complain when we don’t sleep well, or when drop a pile of papers. It means we don’t get frustrated when our plans don’t turn out the way we expected them to. Satan would just hate it if that happened. He smiles when we get frustrated with life’s confusion and annoyances. Because when we complain about things not going our way, things are going Satan’s way.
When we invite God into our lives we agree to be in suspense. That’s not always such a comfortable place to be. We are the clay constantly being remolded by the potter. We are the diamonds in the fire that have to believe we won’t get burned; we’ll just get better.
The clay doesn’t know what new circumstances are going to be required of it. Only the potter knows. The coal doesn’t know it will soon turn into a diamond. Only the jewel maker knows. But while the clay is being molded, the potter’s eyes are focused entirely on his creation. And most times it can’t be done quickly. His hands are holding the clay securely, yet gently. He never lets go. He has a plan for the clay, it’s a plan much bigger and better than the clay could ever imagine. The potter is filled with a sense of anticipation. The clay remains in suspense. If we are the clay and God is the potter, we
have to be comfortable with living in anticipation. We have to be comfortable with having God’s hands on us. We have to be comfortable with getting remolded. We have to trust that we are very important to Him.
I personally have discovered God’s will by talking things out with other people, by reading the Scriptures, in prayer and in knowing what causes the fire and passion in my heart. A frequent point when we examine God’s will for us is when we think about our careers. On two occasions, I was laid off from my job. Both times it blinded me. Both times, I thought I had been doing God’s will and spreading His word. But God knew (and I found out in retrospect) that I really didn’t belong in either job. I was getting physically and emotionally sick. I dreaded every day and cried every night. I thought I was a pioneer for God at the time. I thought working at those two places was like being a missionary for Him. I should have realized that if I was doing God’s Will I would have had a joyful heart. I wouldn’t have gotten sick, or felt the intense negative pressure. According to Philippians 4:7, doing God’s will brings love, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self control. Being united to God brings peace, which surpasses all understanding. All I had in those two jobs was confusion, pressure, tension and brokenness. In 1Cor 10:13 God says He won’t ever let us be tested beyond our strength. I should have believed Him. I’m not the one who knows the number of hairs on my own head. He does.
Does anyone of us really want to be in control of your life? Or of anyone else’s life? Do you trust your own intelligence that much? Have you lived such a wonderful life that you deserve to be IN CHARGE? Maybe there’s another human being you’d like to be In Charge of us all. Is there someone that you trust that much? I certainly don’t. And I don’t even want that. I’ve learned that it’s much better to be incomplete and in suspense, to abandon my life to God and to learn how to love and trust Him more. I don’t have to be afraid of anything that comes from a hand that was pierced and nailed to a tree.
To be in God’s will means we’ll receive a great inheritance. It means we need to love someone more than we love ourselves. It means to trust someone more that we trust ourselves. It means we desire what He wants, more than what we want. God is wiser and knows the big picture. He loves much more perfectly and selflessly than we do.
We can’t forget that Jesus lived on this very earth we’re living on. While He was here, he suffered, he grew hungry, and he felt pain. And He did that so we could go to Him in our need. He suffered so that we’d know we could identify with Him. He wanted all of us who struggle to hear this invitation: Trust me.
10/8/2000

on God's will by Walter Ciszek

"It is in choosing to serve God, to do his will, that man achieves his highest and fullest freedom. It may seem paradoxical to say that our highest and fullest freedom comes when we follow to the least detail the will of another, but it is true nonetheless when that other is God. I could testify from my own experiences, especially from my darkest hours in Lubianke, that the greatest sense of freedom, along with peace of soul and an abiding sense of security, comes when a man totally abandons his own will in order to follow the will of God. Never again could I doubt that the greatest assurance I could have in my life came from knowingly and willingly following God's will as manifested to me. I knew only too well how shallow and unsafe it was for me to follow my own will, my own inclinations and desires, unless they were in conformity to his. I realized then, and I felt it more deeply each day, that true freedom meant nothing else than letting God operate within my soul without interference, giving preference to God's will as manifested in the promptings, inspirations, and other means he chose to communitcate rather than in acting on my own initiatives."
"God's will was not in the situation or circumstances, but actually WAS the situation itself, as it occurred moment by moment."
from In the Land I Have Shown You Jeanne Kun, Editor

St Teresa of Avila on the Stages of Spiritual Growth

St Teresa of Avila on the Stages of Spiritual Growth
Taken in part from
Praying with Teresa of Avila
by Rosemary Broughton


St. Teresa of Avila made this comparison to a silkworm and the stages of spiritual growth.
1) a tiny seed was non living until warm weather and leaves come to the mulberry tree
2) silkworms eat the leaf, settle on a twig and begin making thick silk cocoons around themselves
3) The fat ugly silkworm dies within and a small pretty white butterfly emerges.

It could be birth, life and rebirth.
Or it could be the same 3 stage process in any life event. It could be anytime we were unaware of an issue that would bring us spiritual growth such as our own selfishness. That would be followed by our awareness of it and the subsequent change we make from that behavior. One of the traits of humility is to recognize and live in the stage that is true to us and to do the work that is given us to do. The caterpillar cannot fly; it eats. The butterfly no longer creeps; it need not spin silk. Teresa helps us to recognize that there are differing possibilities in each stage.
One aspect of discernment is the ability to recognize who and what we really are and what we can and cannot do, and to live contentedly, knowing that God will call us to grow, to move into new stages, to be transformed – even by passing through a death. Those who believe in Christ live in hope of a final beauty and freedom that God will bring about in us.

As you read this, what is it for you today? Do you want to remain a dead seed or a fat ugly worm? Ask God for insight into your answer.

In what way are you “making silk” for other people? How does that help you to die to self?

A study of the Gospel of John

Part 1
John 14:15 “If you love me…”
1. Humans sometimes say, “if you love me you would just do this one thing for me…or ..you would understand me better…or … you would just know what I need.
What have you ever said to someone? Or, consider the reverse. What demand has been said to you? Jesus says: “If you love me you will obey.” Pure love doesn’t usually put conditions on the recipient. But this time Jesus does. Vs 21 says, “Whoever obeys my command is the one who loves me.

What do you think was the Father’s command to the Son? ( see John 14: 31) What is God’s command to you?

2. “If you love me and obey my Father, I will love you and we will make our home in you.”

“Obedience is an essential ingredient in intimacy with God and the key to having a receptive heart. Either we take Christ’s word to heart and we change or we listen but disregard them. To disregard the voice of God is worse than not listening at all, especially if we say we love him.”
Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World.

“Obligation asks us to pour a glass of milk but love tells us to add a little chocolate.”
Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World.

Have you disregarded the voice of God? Have you ignored any of his commands to you? Have you ever added a little chocolate to your obligation? Please give an example if you can.

Given the above definition, do you love God?
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Part 2
John 17: 4 “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.”

1. Jesus confidently makes the above statement to his Father. In order for you to be able to make that statement, you need to know about the work the Father is asking you to do.
If God handed you a TO DO list, what would be on it? Please be as specific as you can.

2. How will you know when you’ve completed God’s work? Will God add/subtract from your TO DO list?

3. What accomplished tasks have you checked off?
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Part 3
Jesus prays for us to his Father in Chapter 17. Please read that prayer in verses 6 to 26.
Why would the one thing Jesus prayed for us be unity? Vs 21
In vs 11 Jesus says, “Holy Father, protect them.” How has the Father protected you?
Write this prayer from Jesus’ perspective for you today.

To Mary~ by Pope John Paul II

I wish to repeat now before you all Totus Tuus~ all yours, O Mother! I ask you to offer me and all these others up to the "Father of Mercies", in homage and gratitude, hiding and covering our poverty with your merits and those of your Divine Son. And may we be accepted, blessed and strengthened in our good resolve which we wish to bind up like a bunch of flowers with a ribbon "woven and gilded" for you O Mother.
"Do whatever He tells you."
Give us your blessing Lady, our most beloved Mother!

During the month of May let us remember to be grateful for the Holy Mother of God!

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On Mary our Role Model

REFLECTION ON MARY OUR ROLE MODEL
When I was 14 years old I started in a High School for girls in Philadelphia. I was nervous, of course, but soon got very excited when I learned they had a music program. My biggest problem was trying to decide which instrument I wanted to learn. I finally decided on the clarinet.
When Mary was 14, an angel appeared to her and asked her if she would consent to being the mother of Jesus. At 14, she said YES. She didn't run to ask her mother or even to talk it over with her best friend or boyfriend like most teenagers would. Without hesitation, she said YES to the angel and to God, her Father. She said she would do whatever God wanted her to do. Her life from that moment on was radically changed. Mary didn't know what would be happen because she said yes. But she did know that was what she needed to do. So she did it.
OK, so once you say yes to God like Mary did you should be doing well, right? Not necessarily. God is kind of funny that way. It didn't get any easier for Mary at all. She had to tell her boyfriend that she was pregnant and that didn’t go over very well. He didn't jump up and say YES right away like she did. Mary had to quietly suffer through that. The Bible doesn't describe the conversation between 14-year-old Mary and her mother either. If you went home and told your mom that you were (or your girlfriend was) pregnant (that's shock #1!) and that her baby was going to be the Son of God (there's #2) how would you expect her to react? We can only imagine what went on in Mary's mother's heart and mind.

Young Mary didn't go back to God in prayer and say, "I'm not sure about this! Can we work this out another way?" Mary stayed committed to the YES and did what she knew she should do.
Did it get easier then? Not exactly. An angel appears to Joseph so he finally accepts the fact that Mary is pregnant with the Savior and then they travel to Bethlehem - on a donkey! Did God at least arrange for them to stay at a nice hotel? No. Not quite.
Today we complain because the HMO's only let a new mother stay in the hospital for 24 to 48 hours after giving birth. Has God asked any of you to give birth lying on hay surrounded by cows and sheep without even a mid-wife? Just picture yourself doing that!
When Mary said YES to the angel I doubt that she thought the plan would unfold quite this way. What do you think she was thinking in that stable with her baby in the manger? Remember, she was 14. Do you think she doubted herself? Was she unsure about God's will? Did Mary wonder about what her baby would look and act like? After all, she knew he was to be the Lord, the Chosen One, and the Long Awaited Messiah. Was she confused?
Wouldn't you be?
Aren't you, sometimes, confused by the way God's plan seems to unfold in your life? Do you have expectations for your family or your future that don't seem like they're being met? Let's look at Mary, our role model for saying YES to the unexpected.
If she was experiencing any doubt, fear, concern or even questioning her own adequacy, God took care of it in a very unusual way when Jesus was born. Within hours, shepherds, wise men bearing gifts and angels singing songs of praise surrounded their little stable. It's one of the few stories in the Bible where we can picture Mary smiling. They all came to see this blessed child. She hadn't even sent out birth announcements with a picture of Jesus and his weight and length on them. They all came and worshipped her child and the God who had allowed all this to happen. Mary must have smiled. And it wasn't just a smile on her face. It was a smile in her heart. If she needed confirmation, she had it then. It was after the long ride on the donkey, after not being able to find a place to live, after giving birth to the Son of God in a stable, but she had it. And she smiled straight through to her toes.
When we say YES to God, we sometimes have trouble accepting God's will as it unfolds. If we look at Mary as our role model, we may remember that we need to hang in there. She can help us to be patient, keep saying YES and wait for the big picture to come together. We may not figure things out until after it’s all over. Mary could never have dreamed that angels, shepherds and wise men would have surrounded her and Joseph and their tiny son in that stable. But God is the Author of the Book, the Singer of the Song and the Artist of the Big Picture we call life. She just waited. Patience and prayer are all that Mary had. It's what got her through it all. Like us,it was all she needed.
So then, like in the fairy tales it ended with "and they all lived happily ever after". Right? Wrong. That's not your life or my life and it surely wasn't Mary's life. St. Therese once said to God: "The way you treat your friends, its no wonder you have so few of them!" Mary really got special treatment.
Mary lost her son when he was about 12. Can anyone tell me how you say your daily prayers to God when you've lost His son? She really must have been panicking. He was missing for 3 days and when they found him did he show remorse or concern for what his mother was feeling? Do kids usually show immediate sorrow for what they’ve done? I don’t think so. So the teenager Jesus says, "Didn't you know I had to be about my Father's business?" What is Mary supposed to say to that? It must have pulled at her heartstrings. Try to feel what she was feeling. She had been taking care of this boy for 12 years. All these years he had been a relatively normal child and they lived a relatively normal life together. Then this happens. Mary remembers then, that this is God's child- not hers alone. She wasn't raising her own child.
Every mother can say that. Remember that, because you’ll probably all be parents someday. Your child is not yours alone, it's God's too. At some point, kids pull on their parent's heartstrings. Mothers learn to let go just like Mary had to that day. "She kept all these things deep in her heart," Scripture says. Mary, our role model, teaches us not to be possessive, to look for God's movements in our lives, to listen with our hearts and to be silent instead of arguing, becoming defensive or asking why.
She learned the same lesson years later. Like us, Mary had to learn some God-lessons twice. Jesus lived with his mom until he was 30. Imagine the relationship they had with each other after living together for 30 years. He never went away to college or got married. Even by today's standards when kids seem to be living at home longer and longer, by 30 they are usually living on their own. I wonder, don't you, why 30? Is that the age when real maturity sets in? Maybe it took that long for Mary to adjust to the idea. Or did God not give Jesus his mission until then? Whatever the reason, Mary had her first-born Son at home with her for most of His life. After Jesus left his home and while he was doing his public ministry, Mary went to visit her Son. He was talking to a group inside a house somewhere. The crowd tells him that his mother is outside looking for him. Does he drop everything and go to welcome her with a hug? No. Scripture doesn't say he went out there at all. Instead it is recorded that Jesus says, "Anyone who does the will of my Father is my mother and brother and sister."
Did Mary say, "You tell him to get out here and do it right now!" No, Mary knew God was working through her Son. She knew this because she was in tune with God. She knew his voice. She listened for it daily and she recognized it. She knew God was the Author of the Book and the Artist of the Big Picture. She knew her role was not to get in God's way, but to listen and say YES.
Did you learn that lesson? Do you recognize God's voice? You have to listen to hear God's voice. It's hard for me to not get upset during difficult times. It's hard to just listen to God and say YES. It's hard to step back and look and the big picture.

That's one of the lessons our role model, Mary, can teach us. She teaches us patience and prayer. She teaches us how to listen for our Father's voice because she knows that's where her strength will come from.
She teaches us a very hard lesson. The lesson she teaches us is:
How to say YES - and not to ask WHY.
This is especially evident during her Son's crucifixion. None of us will ever be asked to endure anything as painful as what Mary experienced that day. Visualize it with me, please. The first recorded scene is when she met Jesus on the road to Golgatha while he was carrying the cross. Imagine this mother looking at her son. No words are spoken between them. Put yourself in Mary's place - and if you dare, put your future child in Jesus' place just for a moment. How does his mother feel when she sees the scars the scourging left on her son's back? She can feel his blood on her hands when she hugs him and his thorny crown pierces the veil on her own head. She steps back to look at her child. They were silent, but they communicated to each other at that moment. What does your heart think they said in that one look? What are they feeling? EVERYTHING YOU WOULD FEEL.
No mother wants to see her son in pain, especially pain imposed on him by others - by the self-righteous, those who don't understand, those who don't listen or even care. Mary's heart must have broken. Tears filled her eyes. Her son's blood was on her hands and cloak.
But this is Mary and that was Jesus. There had to be another level of communication going on. It's called faith. What did Mary, the woman of faith, say to her Son? What message did she send him through her eyes and her touch? She said YES. It was the only answer she knew how to give when God was the one asking the question. She had practiced it many times over the years. YES. YES, I understand why you are doing this Jesus. Although he had to power to change it all in an instant, she knew he wouldn't. And she knew why. Mary didn't plead or beg. If she had, do you think Jesus could have refused his mother? She didn't. She didn't ask God to stop all that madness. She said YES. YES, my Son, you must do this. YES, my God, I accept your plan. Mary didn't talk or argue or beg or ask why, like you or I might have. She quietly accepted the role her Son had to play for the redemption of the world. She did that because she was a woman of faith. She was a woman who believed that God's will was more important than her own. You see, she was in tune with the voice of her Lord. She recognized it and accepted it no matter what it cost. And the cost was very high indeed. She stood at the foot of the Cross they hung him on and watched him die. He died a slow and painful death and she watched.
Eventually they took his body down from the cross and placed him in his mother's arms. She was a human being with the same feelings you and I have, so I am sure that she cried. I picture Mary drenched in rain, kneeling in the mud and caressing her dead son's body. She must have screamed in anguish. She had to have sobbed and wailed.
Mary's first YES at the age of 14 brought her to this final moment of pain.
And then it was all over. The pain, the suffering, the crucifixion and the burial. Mary had said YES to it all. She never wavered in her faith or in her love. But God being God, things never really end up the way you imagine they will. There is always a surprise. On Easter Sunday, Mary's Son Jesus rose from the dead. I can't imagine that anyone in the Gospel stories was happier that his mother. She was jubilant because her Son was alive. He was whole. He was clean. He was new. Jesus had risen from the grave. Death could not hold him. He had risen.
But she must have been happy about something else, too. She was happy that she had been faithful to God. She was happy that her YES never weakened into a "maybe" or a "Yes, but..." She had been faithful. She stood firm in her faith and believed in her God. She had prayed and listened for his voice. She had been patient and understanding. She did what God wanted her to do with her life.
And so God rewarded her with Easter Sunday. And later, God brought Mary into heaven herself to be with her Son and with him. Can you envision the scene? The quiet, peaceful, accepting woman of faith is welcomed into heaven. She is welcomed by Jesus who is at once her Son and her God.
Do you see what we have to look forward to if we are faithful? God loves each one of us and is looking forward to the day when He can welcome us into heaven with Him. There we will finally meet Jesus and Mary, the woman of faith, and we can enjoy eternity with them. That's the plan, you see. That is the big picture. That is God's will. He wants you to be with Him forever in heaven experiencing eternal joy. All we have to do is say YES and be faithful. Say YES when you wake up in the morning to whatever is in store for you that day. When hard times come -and you know they will- do what Mary did. In the midst of chaos listen for God's voice. It's always there. We may have to get really quiet to hear his gentle whisper, but it will always be there because God is faithful. Who do you think gave Mary the gift of faith to sustain her through each day? God will give you the faith you need to say YES, too. Why? Because He and Mary are looking forward to a wonderful reunion with you in heaven. They want you to say YES. They want to be with you forever. They want you to experience everlasting joy with them.

My prayer for you is that Mary will be the example you need to say YES to all that has been in your life and all that is yet to be.

MEDITATION: SITTING ON MY FATHER'S LAP

What if I had the opportunity to greet God as children greet their father who came home from work at the end of the day?
I DO.

Father God, I missed you today. Will you stay home with me tonight? Don't leave me. Stay here and let me sit in you lap while you rest. I won't bother you, really!
My Father God's big strong hands grab me around my waist and lift me up. At that moment, nothing else matters. There's nowhere else I'd rather be. There's something very secure about being held by God my Father's big, strong hands.
"I'll protect you. You won't get hurt. You'll be safe. I have a good hold on you and I'm not letting go."
I feel carefree, safe and ready for anything. My Father God's big strong hands lift me high into the air. Just for a moment He holds me there and I feel I am taller than the earth. My world looks so different from up here. I am above it all. It can't reach me or bother me. I can look down and see my Father's eyes staring at my face. His smile is as big as my own. What can the world do to me?

After a few moments, my Father God slowly brings me down. I'm nearly level to the earth again but now it's different somehow. God and I had conquered it for a moment. We had risen above it - above the earth and all its problems and distractions. But God, my Father doesn't put me on the floor. He brings me to sit on His lap. God is my big, strong protective Father and He wants me to sit on His lap and rest for a while. He holds me tight and whispers in my ear, "I love you. You are my own very special child." As I rest there, I feel refreshed and warm and comforted. There are many things I want to share with God, my Father, and I begin to tell Him those things now in a private conversation with Him.


My words slowly come to an end and so does my special time with my Father God. I tell Him He is the best Father anyone could have and that I love Him. I thank Him for spending this quiet time with His child. I look forward to the rest of my day knowing my Father God's strong hands will protect me.

a Discussion on How to Pray

The following is an excerpt from Praying with Teresa of Avila
by Rosemary Broughton.

• Do I approach personal prayer as an attempt to speak to God, the One who loves me?
• Do I allow myself to become discouraged when I feel inept in expressing myself to God?
• Do I avoid prayer because it seems so unreal?

Reflect on the quality of the conversation in your daily life: your way of getting another person's attention, your tone of voice, your sincerity about being heard, the content of your message, your ability to hear another person, and the verbal or nonverbal gestures that you use to close the conversation. Continue this reflection by examining how others communicate with you. Write a summary of these considerations.

Next, reflect on the way you approach and speak with God and on the way God approaches and speaks with you.

• Do you speak with God like you speak with other people?
• Are your expectations the same or different?
• Do you find yourself trying to hide aspects of your life from God?
• Do you tiptoe around issues with God the way you might tiptoe with other people? Is this necessary?

End this reflection by talking with God about the relationship and communication that you share. Ask God to send you whatever you need in order to deepen and enliven your relationship.