Blog Archives - CR Cards

Do Not Complain

5/20/2016

No whining! That's what the Letter from James tells us today. No judging others either. It seems as if there is always something to complain about: the weather, the political scene, the news, the next door neighbor, teacher or pastor . . . the list goes on! Sometimes we are never satisfied until we realize that we have been given very much. I whined once because of a bad day at the office and came home to later visit someone my age in the rehab center who could not longer talk or move because of a stroke. My whining stopped immediately that day.

The Responsorial Psalm from today gives us more to think about. Our God is kind and merciful. We have never heard God whine. There is no Gospel passage that we will find where Jesus whines to his apostles or followers. He was more concerned with giving and not with what he was not getting. He focused on others who needed him, less than upon himself.

Jesus, please help me to live the grace of what you have said to me today. No more whining for me!

A Cup of Water

5/19/2016

Jesus said to his disciples and to me today that "Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward." (Mk 9:41-50)

I get that, and I am grateful for all the "cups of water" that have been given to me throughout my life: the understanding smiles, the kindnesses, the assistance with an enormous task --- too many cups to count! Today in prayer, I revisited some of Pope Francis' words during this Year of Mercy and thought of those in my life who are in need of "a cup of water" from me. There are many reasons why I refuse to give it to some individuals. Sometimes I am too tired. Sometimes I decide not to like a person and refuse this act of love because of it. Sometimes I pretend that I just don't see and thereby pass many missed opportunities to do unto others as others have done for me. There is no getting around it. It is tough to love like this. It is very admirable but it is very tough.

Jesus understand the effort. He even compares it to the pain and effort it takes to cut an arm or a leg off if it causes me to sin or to not love. He doesn't take my excuses, though he does understand them.

Jesus sent us Pope Francis to help us to better understand the need to make the effort. Pope Francis leads the way.

Who will I offer a cup of water to today?

If God Is For Us . . .

5/18/2016

. . . who can be against?

I wonder as I look at the picture of this woman, if her wrinkles indicate that she has lived quite a journey and despite the difficulties, she realizes that "If God is with us, who can be against us?"
Faith grows within us as we move through our lives. The down times can even be more helpful than the up times. The sufferings can be more strengthening. The disappointments can be more enriching as time goes on.

How is my life going today? Can I say in my heart that I am okay, no matter what or who is against me, because I know God is with me?
Does my faith depend upon feelings or upon a deep down conviction of God's love?

Veni Sanctae Spiritus!

5/14/2016

May the Spirit of God reign in every heart and whisper to each person the things he / she needs to know, say and do to be holy. That is the only goal we should have: to be holy. Holiness is life-giving for the saint-in-the-making and for others who benefit from the influence and love of this person. In today's language, I suppose you could say that listening to the Holy Spirit within and without us, is a win-win.

Listening to the Spirit is not always easy. It is often challenging for God will ask us to take the necessary steps in our lives towards transformation and change. Any kind of change can be difficult and can cost. For the saint-in-the-making, the change asked for and aided by the Holy Spirit is worth that cost.

Let us prepare our hearts and souls for the beautiful feast of Pentecost!

The Plot Thickens

5/13/2016

Today's firsts reading for Mass describes Paul's decision to have his case reviewed as a Roman Citizen. Though we know the end of the story, at the time he was living, I wonder what was going through Paul's mind while he awaited judgment form Caesar.
It could not have been a comfortable time for him.

All of our lives have serious side trips, if you will, which throw us off course from our daily endeavors and concerns. We lose control of the situation, as Paul did, by surrendering his life into another's judgment and hands. I see this every day with those who await a doctor's report, an upcoming medical test or an unexpected death of a loved one. Our "Plot thickens" in ways that we do not understand and we lose a sense of control.

In a sense, Paul did not lose control. His faith anchored him, no matter what. His meeting with Christ on the way to Damascus must have been an extraordinary event, for it signed, sealed and delivered him to be faithful to him to the end. Can I say the same/

It Is More Blessed To Give Than To Receive

5/11/2016

The title to our blog reflection today speaks about generosity. Today's reading from the Acts of the Apostles, (Acts 20:28-38), tells us how Paul, using Jesus' words, urges the Early Church to be generous people in thought, word, work and deed. I could not help but think of this as Jesus' and Paul's "spiritual growth strategy" for all who would bear the name "Christian."

How generous am I?   Sometimes, when has little, the little one has becomes very important.  When one has much, then giving much can be easy. Think of a locale that has been found to have contaminated water in the city. To ask for a clean cup of water from them would be like asking for gold.   Think of a financially successful person who deals with thousands of dollars each day.  His or her giving financial assistance would be something easy to do. Which one of these two examples would be more generous: the one who gave a cup of "gold" to another or the one who gave money that he / she would not even miss?

I am not sitting in judgment on either of these fictional character examples. But it is well worth thinking about when I muse on how generous I happen to be.   No one has asked me for water or money.   I have been asked to give of my time, which passes quickly, never returns and in our contemporary culture has become an important "thing" to use for oneself. Still, many people are in need of my time.   Time to listen to them, time to explain something to them, time to help them in some way.

What is my spiritual growth strategy? How generous am I? What is it that I am reluctant to give away?   I think we all can improve on this. I know I can.

Anticipation!

5/6/2016

I can only imagine what great things will happen as I anticipate what God has in plan for me when I let the Holy Spirit fill and guide me. I know I am in good hands. What more is there to say?

. . . As They Were Looking On . . .

5/5/2016

. . . he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. (Acts 1:1-11)

I often wonder how the apostles and disciples felt when Jesus had finally physically left them. It seems to me that it must have been a very sad day for them, sort of like a roller-coaster ride. And I wonder what Jesus' thoughts must have been as he was about to return to the Father? On a human level, I think Jesus knew that he had given his all to this sacred mission and that nothing more could be given, except the Gift of the Holy Spirit Who would remind us of all Jesus had done and said. In human terms, he must have felt a great sense of accomplishment. He also must have felt a deep joy as he anticipated returning to paradise.

Those he left, once more witnessed a miracle that no one else has ever seen. They kept staring at the sky, most probably in wonder and awe. They had just previously been commissioned by Jesus to witness to him to the ends of the earth. It took angels to tell them to stop procrastinating and get on with their lives. They were told that they would see Jesus again, returning in the same way they had seen him leave.

We know that the Early Church at first, had expected Jesus to return soon, within their lifetime. As with all of their experiences in following him, they had to patiently tweak their hopes as they realized that the time of Jesus' second coming was unpredictable.

All Christians and Roman Catholics believe that Jesus will come again and the dead will be raised . From time to time, news reports start the rumor that someone has figured out the exact day and time of Jesus' return, but so far, none of these pseudo-prophecies have proved to be true. One thing is true: Jesus Christ has shown humankind the immeasurable love that God has for each of us. He has patiently revealed this and through his Ascension into heaven, he consoles us with the knowledge that one day, we too will be there as he is, body and soul.

I need not be afraid of his second coming. I need only be assured that he loves me and asks me to witness to his love by the ways I think, act and speak. One day at a time, I move closer to my own entry into paradise. This will not be frightening or something to dread. It will be a time of great joy, supported by the human sense of accomplishment that I too have completed the mission God has asked of me. Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

He Is Not Far From Any One Of Us.

5/4/2016

Liz Lemon Swindle's painting above, is one of my favorites.   I like to picture myself right in back of Him, following Him wherever He wishes me to be.   Today's first reading tells us that people "might seek God, even perhaps grope for him and find him, though indeed, he is not far from any one of us." (Acts 17:15, 22-18:1)

Reading this the day before we commemorate Jesus' Ascension into heaven is very significant for me. I often pray on Ascension Thursday of the heartfelt anguish the disciples must have felt as he left them.   I know how I feel when a good friend moves away or even dies.   It brings great sadness.

To realize that Jesus is not far from any one of us is a great consolation.   Wherever I am in my life right now, He is close by. That is assuring. That is life-giving. That helps me in my efforts to follow him.

Sometimes I seek Him and even grope for Him. That is the way faith is.   One believes even when one does not feel or know His actual presence. I always find Him and thanks to Luke's writing of the Acts of the Apostles, I am reminded of why.   He is always near, always ready to help me.

If You Ask Anything Of Me In My Name . . .

5/3/2016

. . . I will do it." (Jn 14:14)

What does Jesus mean? What does it mean to ask "in Jesus' name"? Perhaps it means to ask with faith. Perhaps it means to ask while not expecting instant gratification when I ask. I don't know exactly what "ask anything in my name" is meant by Jesus, but I believe that it is a promise I can rely upon, without knowing all the specifics.

Faith is not always easy.   Impatient people don't like to wait for an answer to prayer. People who work hard to accomplish what they set out to do may be a little skeptical when asked to wait without the blueprint of Jesus' way of doing what they ask of him, is not forthcoming.   I think too, that Americans, who are living at such a fast pace, may also have difficulty living until manana to find out if and how their petition is answered.

It is easy for me to muse about others and how they may have difficulty with surrendering their needs into the hands of Jesus. I need to look at myself and ask / answer honest questions to see if I am able to surrender too.   What do I ask for in prayer?   Is my prayer self-centered, other-centered or God-centered?   Perhaps all three modes of prayer are part of my life.

I think it would be good for me to take Jesus' promise for today to my personal prayer.   What is it I would like to ask him today?