7/23 First Reading

              In today’s First Reading (Jeremiah 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13), God speaks through the prophet words of chastisement, as the people have ceased in seeking Him.  “The prophets prophesied by Baal, and went after useless idols.”

                I have found that these verses helped me reflect on my own life, and using them as a means to examine my conscience.  Have I stopped relying on and trusting in God?  What idols are distracting me from the fullness of life in Him?

                Now is the time for reconversion, renewing our relationship with God.  Now is the time!

Forgiving Myself

            I was reflecting on the Gospel earlier this week, from daily Mass (Matthew 7:1-5), and I would like to expand on it a little.  Jesus speaks about not judging others and to humble ourselves; because we probably have similar faults!  (Yep, we are all sinners, and we all have that “splinter” in our eye.)  I think about the times I have made a quick, mental assumption about a friend or family member.  I catch myself being agitated with the situation and want to blame it on their response, rather than taking responsibility for my own behavior.

            When it comes to having an open conversation about what’s really going on and communicating what each other is thinking, I remind myself that it is easier to give them the benefit of the doubt, the next time around.  They really didn’t mean to make me upset or to feel hurt.  But the hardest part I find in making up for my own mistakes is that I often beat myself up, when it is I who is really at fault rather than them. 

            I invite you to take a moment to reflect on this particular “attitude.”  (I don’t always appreciate this term myself.  So if it bothers you, replace it with another word that changes your perspective towards yourself and others.)

Am I willing to forgive and provide myself with the same, compassionate way I forgive others? 

            I find it does no good beating myself up over it.  I know I am still working at this.  The areas where I often fall short causes me to have a lot of anxiety over being “less perfect.”  (Again I say, no one is perfect; so remember to be patient with yourself!)  How harshly do we reprimand ourselves?  Since it gets us nowhere, I find it is better to learn from the mistake, correct it, and not take it so seriously.  Sure, there can be serious mistakes; but what about that time I made a wrong turn while driving?  Or stumbled over one of my talks?  Does that make me a “bad person?”  No! 

            It isn’t always easy to stop judging, especially myself.  But I hope these examples find you more self-compassionate and ready to move forward from what was tripping you up.  I pray for your perseverance.  I hope this insight gives you time to examine and reflect on life’s daily grinds, and to remember that we are all in this together!

“Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself.  Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them- every day begin the task anew.” – St. Francis de Sales

Feast of the Holy Trinity

                Happy Feast of the Most Holy Trinity!  It is truly a delight for me to be joining in the celebration of this particular Sunday on the church calendar, as my alma mater in high school was named after the Trinity!  So Happy Feast Day graduates! 

                In today’s First Reading, we learn in the Book of Exodus how God wanted to describe Himself to Moses and the Israelites.  First, as I Am, and then later on in exclaiming:

“The Lord, the Lord, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity.”

                He is approachable and ever ready to forgive.  How have we imagined God in the past?  This may seem like a review of what I have spoken of before (e.g. who is God to you, and who is He really?)  But I think this is really important to tap in to our prayer lives.  Let God reveal Himself to you. 

                Have a blessed week!

Seeing God As He Is

     What a week!  And now entering into the three-day weekend!  If you get a chance to reflect on this blog entry, I thought I might help you seek out who you see God as.  I have noticed in this past week’s daily readings that the use of Psalm 47 is used at least three times!  What struck me in it was the word King David finds best to see God as: the awesome!  It caused me to think of the way I use this word to delight in an accomplishment or in receiving exciting news:

     “That is so awesome!”

     Yep, they used that word way back then in the OldTestament too!  J  But the real question is: how do you describe your relationship with God?  As a personal example, I appreciate seeing God as “Father.” 

     As we use different titles of praise and reliance on God, know that He did not altogether leave us during the Ascension.  He sent the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, that He may continue to live among us.

     Have a great weekend and be safe!

Choosing to Keep Believing

Welcome back to in-the-presence-of-God blog; I truly hope that everyone has stayed well during this historical virus.  I realize a lot of people have different perspectives, from accepting it, to feeling terrified.  This is all due to experience or situation, and I would like to encourage us (including myself) to pray fervently for our priests and our fellow Catholics.

What with the dispensation from the sacraments (sharing in the Eucharist and Confession), we can increase our longing for God.  We must not let our relationship with Him go lax.  I agree, it is more encouraging to live out the Faith within the support of community; but we live in fear and separation right now. 

Please, go online and look up the Prayer of Spiritual Communion, pray the Chaplets of Divine Mercy and the rosary.  Now is not the time for despair, but of confidence that God is getting us through this mess.  Send a greeting card to your pastor, showing gratitude and encouragement while he Livestreams the Mass in an empty church.

Now is the time for faith!  Don't miss the opportunity.

Going Forth

     All through Holy Week, some of my family members kept a candle constantly burning.  Once one candle burned all the way down, (with the help of a glass holder, a stand, and some foil underneath it,) it was replaced with another one.  The same goes with our Easter celebration.  It goes on in the octave of eight days, goes forth with Our Lord’s Ascension into Heaven, and then we are blessed by the solemnity of Pentecost. 

     Our joy of the gospel must always be fed, and we must never stop bringing it to others.  As the priest or deacon says at the conclusion of Mass, “Go forth,” we must go forth bringing the nourishment of the Word and of the Eucharist to others. 

Don’t let the fire in your hearts burn out!  Jesus is Risen, and we are inspired to bring this joy to others.  Alleluia!

Holy Triduum

    I have wondered if I should sit at my computer and write all of you during this Holy Triduum.  I won’t say much, but I hope that you are able to take the time to contemplate the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Our Lord, Who cares deeply about us.