Starting the Day Off Right!

Let's begin the new week aright.

You're dressed, had your morning coffee, and are doing the last touches of getting ready for work/school.

Did you put in your morning exercise?  (I did!)

The question is: are we putting in enough time to be with God?  This is crucial to starting the day off right.  Tell Him "Good Morning!"  Start off with a positive attitude that you are looking forward to a new week.  Share with Him your resolutions.  Make a commitment to keep Him "posted."  

Take the time to meditate on the daily readings from Mass- even better if you have time to go church!

Starting off at peace (even if it's right after your morning exercise) will impact the rest of your day.  And, to know that a loving God is looking out for you, will stick with you that you are loved.

Have a blessed day!

                I frequently worry about the future.  (IF the same goes for you, let this blog post be the point where we both make a conscious effort to acknowledge it and make a change.)

                The future is full of “what-ifs,” making consequences of our actions uncertain.  What if they don’t approve?  What if I fail?  What if things don’t work out?  What if they do work out?  The future is determined by these answers, leading life to go either way.

                To tell you the truth, in my own personal life, I worry about tomorrow as well as what may happen next year.  But, this morning, I stopped myself in my thoughts and remembered something

St. Francis de Sales says:

“Do not fear what may happen tomorrow. The same loving Father who cares for you today will care for you tomorrow and every day. Either he will shield you from suffering or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings.”

                It is time to make a change.

Charisms

We all have our own charisms.  Whether we identify with a certain spirituality or pick up on an individual one while using particular devotions.  St. Therese’s unique mission was to make “Love loved.”  It’s okay to copy the saints’ “ideas.”  I aspire after them wholeheartedly.

            What are you devotions? 

What charism do you feel drawn towards on the path to holiness?

"Be who you are, and be that well."
- St. Francis de Sales, Founder of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary
(Feast Day January 24)

Lectio Divina

Today, I am going to lead us in lectio divina, study and prayer through Sacred Scriptures.  I will not assign a passage yet, but prepare us for today's gospel.

"Jesus entered the synagogue."  What will He do there?  What will He see?  Sometimes He will see it as a corrupted "marketplace" or feel compelled to preach to the curious.  But, this time, He will come across one of the least of people there: a man with a withered hand.

What will be Christ's reaction?  What will He say?  He senses the suspicion of the Pharisees, standing nearby.  He feels "anger" and was "grieved at their hardness of heart."

Does He cure the man?  Yes.  Do we sense further judgment from the Pharisees?  Yes.  

How often do we look negatively upon something good?

Please read Mark 3:1-6.

Have a blessed day.

It’s a chilly, winter’s day in Central California.  Though school hasn’t quite started for me, I find plenty of things to do.

Leaving 7 AM Mass, my dad and I go from the respite of the heated church to the cold of the great outdoors.  My heavy jacket cannot warm me enough, the nippy breeze seeming to crawl up my sleeves.  But, tis the season.  We warm up again within the confines of the car and drive home.  Looking out my window, I see fellow parishioners starting to do the same.

The sun is not shining down on us, like the summers of old; though we have taken a break from a week of heavy rain. 

I check the temperature outside when we get home, reading 50 degrees.  Is that all?

I continue with my morning by putting away my devotional books and warming up some lemon ginger tea with a teaspoon of honey. I’m more of a “lukewarm” drinker, but it is enough to warm my unsettled body.

I remember the chilled cookie dough in the refrigerator and proceed to lay it out on two cookie sheets.  The thought of a fresh, warm, chocolate chip cookie sounds good right now.

The joys of a cold, winter’s morning.

In today’s gospel (please take the time to read Mark 1:29-39), we hear in part that Jesus went into solitude to pray, only to be called back by His disciples to cure the sick.  “Everyone is looking for you” Simon says.

This past Christmas break has been a time of self-discovery for me, and to realize that God is there in spite of any consolation or desolation I may have, in my prayer life. 

Coming to daily Mass this morning, I felt like Jesus.  I wanted to be away from everything and just be with God.  But I also faced the need to be with people.  I’m not in a monastery, and I’ve come to accept that.  With my desire and opportunity to witness to others, I must also be with the people I witness to by word and example.

I need to be there with them, and I would not want to miss these golden opportunities.  Like John the Baptist during the early days of Advent, I want to “prepare the way of the Lord.” 

I’m still learning what it is to seek true life in Christ, but it is what I can already proclaim.  Living is going after one’s potential.  This is what I seek as a writer.  But it is with my life “hidden in God” that I aspire to be a Christian writer.  Everyone can respond to Christ’s Words to “Come, follow Me” in their own personal way, and this is the life I encourage you to live today.  God be Praised!

Just Be

As a writer, I have to be open to the idea of having an audience who will join me on the journey of life.  Today I want to take you on yesterday's day trip to the beaches of Morro Bay.

My family brought the traditional subsandwiches for lunch.  We enjoy a hearty meal at the beginning of every venture here.

I "set up camp" before a low tide and plenty of rocks to explore.  I'm not much of a climber; I simply like to use these outings to either sit or walk, and reflect on my life.  I'm trying not to make any decisions or even worry, today.  It's time to simply be.

To contemplate the roll of the waves and see how they skim the tidal pools...  There is no sign of tomorrow's rain, which my family has purposefully avoided.

The cool breeze occasionally runs through my shoulder-length hair.

There is no need for high emotions.  I can be content, if I choose.  Sometimes we need to go far away from everyday life to find a place of rest.  This is mine.

So this is where I have taken you today.  Let us rest in this picturesque moment, however it has led you.  Let us be content with who we are for awhile.  No striving, no seeking or longing.  Let's just be.

The Crucifix

I haven't contemplated with a crucifix in awhile so I thought I might share a reflection with you.  Even when we "forget" about the Presence of God, God does not forget about us.  Whether we're busy or avoiding Him, He looks upon us with Love.  While in Christ's passion, suffering scourging and mockery, He thought of us with longing Heart.  Isn't that comforting that we have a God Who loves us so much? 

Today, while all of you were still asleep, or wishing you still were, I entered into prayer.  I was inspired by the unrisen sun, a beginning of a new winter's day.  I had a craving for God, and a quieting of the mind.  I didn't know what to say to Him.  I could only feel.
I surfed the Internet, seeking a connection to this inspiration.  I read some vocation stories about this searching of the heart.  I also read about the sorrows of life.  In addition, about embracing the vocation of singleness.
Each day is different.  The way we wake up, or how we see life, and also what today's life will bring.
I hope it is a good day for you.  I hope you find peace in your heart and come to know the Love of God.  Let Him fill you!

Faith

Faith carries us through so many things.
It's alive and active.
Whether we are calm and content, we can thank God for those moments.
When we're wanting to make a difference, we can proclaim it.
But there are the times when we're upset or confused that we need to practice trust.
We need to come back to the moment when we are calm and content.
Emotions are always changing, but faith keeps us strong.

Nothing is impossible for God,
Even our sins are not an overload for Him.
He is greater than any problem we could ever have.
With faith we can be open to growing and becoming better, transformed versions of ourselves.
And we don't have to give up on ourselves.

Sometimes we need a friend's help, and that's okay.

Faith gives hope to life when it seems difficult,
And promises that we are never alone.
It's the strength for the journey
and gives time for renewal.
It helps us pick ourselves up
and move forward.
Faith is always moving forward, and yet always giving time for the presence of the Divine Presence.