Gaudete Sunday: Rejoice!

 As we approach the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, I reflect on the First Reading of

Isaiah 35:1-6a-, 10.  I would especially like to draw on the phrase "Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not!  Here is your God...  He comes to save you."  

It is so easy to be caught up in our troubles and anxieties.  But now is also the time to cry out to those in need, and to heal our own hearts as we rejoice in our hope: "He comes to save you."

Lord, help me to know that these concerns are valid, but that I must not stop there.  Let me see that You, the healer and savior, will provide.  

When we choose to live in a spirit of gratitude, our courage is gained in Christ and we rejoice.  No suffering is wasted, and our hope is restored!

A Quick Check-In

 How is Advent going for everyone?

I still feel caught up in the marathon of prepping kids for the day, fun songs, making meals, squeezing in some housecleaning, and squeezing in- even more so- some "me time."

I hope you are able to take the time to breathe, as much as I am striving to, and live in the Presence of God.  He is ever with us!  To find peace, and make a resolution to keep that peace of soul, even though life can seem crazy, in many ways.  

Life goes on, and so does our relationship with Our Lord.  Let us continue to keep watch with Our Lady and St. Joseph, as they journey to Bethlehem.

Come, Lord Jesus!  Maranatha!

Loving Like Jesus

Sometimes, I feel like I'm not doing "enough" for God.  How can I do more?  As a wife and mother, I have my share of household duties, as well as the loving attentiveness I give to my husband and children.  Though I must confess that I miss being part of a parish ministry that is more direct, teaching others about God's Love.  Then again, I can do this at home too!

While in this season of life, I am realizing more and more how I am called to live like the Holy Family, Jesus Mary and Joseph, in those beginnings where a child needs the most assistance and love, as they develop and grow.  I have learned that this time of hiddenness can be united with all cloistered religious, who work diligently for the Kingdom "behind the scenes."  

I like to offer up my intentions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, plus show my husband and kids that same, Christlike Love.  Let every sweep of the broom, sauteeing of the skillet, and, of course, the pausing to look at a loved one count!  Yes, sometimes I fall short in the sometimes-rush-of-things, but He and my "flexible" family take what they receive all the same.  We are united in that love.  

It is my hope that my actions say "I care about you, you can trust me."  And not just me, but trust and know of that care, where love is drawn and nurtured from: the Heart of Jesus.  

May our examples bring others to know what love is, and Where that Love comes from.

Living in the Love of God

As Catholics, we try to place a crucifix somewhere in our home, to remind us of what, and Who, Love is.  This image describes God: He is ever willing to die for us, to win us back!  I bask in that love, and not let His love be in vain.  

On the day I am writing this blog entry, I was led to remember to bask in this knowing.  Jesus, thank You for reminding me to live not only in Your Presence, but in the presence of Your great Love for me!  To feel loved no matter what I am going through, and also to bring this kind of love to others.

Maybe I am not called to die, at least not beyond my little acts of self denial.  But I can have a willing heart and a gentle spirit, just as Our Lord exemplifies through His own self sacrifice and caring love.  

Bask in His Love, feel His Love, give His Love!

God be Ever Praised!

Surrendering

 Sometimes our trust in God is put to the test, and boy was my trust- and managing my anxiety- tested, as of late.  I have been planning a YouTube video on the infamous Surrender Novena for awhile now.  It is still in the filming phase, but first I wanted to actually pray it through a series of nine days, to testify to its effects.  Well, it wasn't long after those days that I went through some minor health difficulties.  (As many of you may already know, I deal with a few chronic health problems.  But don't worry, everything turned out fine in the end of these recent difficulties.)  As time went on, one after another, I began to wonder "what next?" "is it going to get worse?" "not now!"

Then I remembered the many times I had gone to the doctor for a nerve-racking checkup, took a good look at an image of Jesus and said firmly: I trust in You.  So many times now, this has given me not only better blood pressure readings, but a more positive outlook when facing symptoms.

I am called to repeat these words every time I must go forward in courage in taking care of my health or some other challenging "mission."  And this recent novena of surrender has led me to not only trust, but strive to LET GO of the anxiety, and the fear of a worst-case, foreseen-scenario. 

But I don't want to quite give away my intro for the video!  Stay tuned on YouTube and Facebook under "A Catholic Presence" as me and my husband share this beautiful novena with you, and what I continue to learn from it.

In the Presence of God, Who is Love

God be Praised!  I have been studying various quotes from contemplatives of old from the daily "devotional" called Wisdom of the Cloister, 365 Daily Readings From the Greatest Monastic Writings.  These holy people help me in my current "season" of busyness of having two small kids, to pause and think of God.  Allow me to share this thoughtful quote from Saturday Week 5, by St Clement of Alexandria:

"[The man's] inmost conviction is that God is everywhere: no particular place marks his limits, and nowhere, by day or by night, can we imagine that he is absent and allow ourselves to grow lax.  In this belief that God is everywhere, an enveloping presence whichever way we look, our life becomes an unending solemnity; we praise him as we till the fields, we sing of him as we sail the seas; whatever we do, this is the wisdom that is our guide." (St Clement of Alexandria)

This really spoke to me, as it speaks loudly of my blog's title: In the Presence of God!  Thank you St. Clement!  

Though life may be bombarded with the daily mundane and sometimes endless duties, we must never forget to live Present, in the Presence of God!  I, personally, must also add that my life has a more beautifully present outlook when I do things with focused intentionality, and for the glory of God.  

We just celebrated the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and I want to offer everything to this Heart, for as St. Francis of Assisi once said (I think it was him): "Love is not loved!"  To add, St. John of the Cross wrote: "Put love where there is no love and you will draw out love."  We must console His Sacred Heart!

In our present day and age, since the time of dealing with covid, mental health has been struggling, and I often hear of practicing Mindfulness.  Well, let us be mindful of God's Love, believe in this Love, and bring that Love to others.  Be mindful of His Presence!

God be Praised!  Always!

Reflection

 Third Sunday of Easter

In today's Sunday gospel at Mass, Jesus asks Peter three times "Do you love Me?"  I let Jesus ask me this question in every stage, and every season, of my life.  

Do I still love Him?  

How am I showing Jesus that I love Him? 

I think He is challenging each one of us to do everything for love of Him, and that adds value to all of our works, doesn't it?!  How awesome, to offer everything for Jesus, and to make decisions WITH Jesus- to have Him in mind!  

Let us not miss opportunities to transform every action- to do everything in the Presence of God!- and love Him.

 Isn't it interesting that Pope Francis died on Easter Monday?  With yesterday's celebratory reminder of the Resurrection fresh on our minds, how can we not keep this in mind with hope, while mourning his death?  

Easter is not meant to be observed just once a year.  Notice we sing the "Alleluia" before the gospel at Mass, beyond that joyous day?  

Further, let us pray for our next pope, and the decision the cardinals must soon make in choosing one.  Who will lead the Church, the Bride of Christ?  We pray for a down pouring of the Holy Spirit upon them, and upon the man who will be divinely selected to witness to and instruct the sheep.  

Come Holy Spirit!

Seasons

 I have been away for awhile!  Everyone goes through different seasons of life and I am no different than anyone else.  There are life transitions and new experiences to be lived, and days where life can seem a little unpredictable.

But what always remains is the love of God, and so should our love for Him.  To see Christ in one another, and to be consistent in that love.  Isn't it great to be loved?  

Praying that you all have a blessed Holy Week, and I hope to return to this blog again soon!