Blog Posts - CR Cards

Who Do You Pray For?

7/14/2016

I just came from a routine doctor's appointment and had a wonderful chat with my doctor about prayer. Simply sharing, she told me that she prays for each of her patients every day. I asked her to pray for a few people who have also asked me for health concerns and she promised she would do that too. I am blessed to know people like this! I am sure you are too! :)

Who have I already prayed for today and who will I remember throughout the rest of this day in prayer? I read yesterday how everything can be turned into a prayer: cooking, taking out the garbage, yard work, work at the office. Our whole day, with all of the activities that will come and go, can be a prayer.

Who will you pray for today? I will pray for you! Oh yes, and please pay it forward and pray for my very good doctor too!

It Is Husking Time!

7/12/2016

Finished! 3 dozen corn cobs husked and ready for our cookout tonight! Couldn't help but use the time to think about what it means to husk a cob of corn. Well, it could mean removing the outer protective layer to prepare the corn for the service it would soon render. It could mean learning how to gently handle each cob, so that the delicate kernels are not crushed while removing the husks. It could mean learning to be more patient as I see there are 24 more corn cobs waiting for me. Husking corn is a process I have always taken for granted before, but today it has become a meditation.

In a way, I see the gift of life as something that I have been given to handle carefully, especially when I or someone else begins to remove the comfort zone I like or the sense of security that gives me peace. Looking back on my childhood, my parents and family had provided all the comforts and security I needed. Growing older, I see that the real world often does not look out for me or for others. Life is something given to each of us to treasure and to live as fully as possible. We have been created for a purpose, but sometimes that purpose is compromised, delayed or interrupted by what we call the human condition. I need to learn patience with the art of fulfilling my God-given purpose in life. As an American, I am too used to instant feedback or problem solving. My life is too precious to have it all in one swoop of awareness. Instead, like the corn in the field, I am sheltered, cared for and brought to harvest at the best time.

If you think this meditation is a little "corny," I understand. :)

A blessed day, everyone!

Summer DAZE

7/11/2016

Have you ever been in a real daze??

"Go in Peace."

6/14/2016

Today's Gospel for the weekend Masses, speaks of a sinful woman of the city who goes to a Pharisee's home express her sorrow for her sins to Jesus. The Gospel does not identify this woman as Mary Magdalene, but because of their similar stories, many confuse the two when this Gospel is proclaimed. It does not really matter, for the point of this passage is that God is merciful. God forgives fully. There is always second chances with God.

The Pharisee cannot understand how Jesus could allow such a woman to come close to him, to talk to him and even dare to wash his feet with her tears. Jesus should have known better, according to the Pharisee. Before I go thinking about how hypocritical the Pharisee is, perhaps I should stand back to ask myself how forgiving I am?

This beautiful work is attributed to an "unknown artist." Although it is intended to depict Mary Magdalene looking up at the Risen Jesus in the Garden of the Resurrection, it could also stand in as depicting the sinful woman hearing Jesus words to her in today's Gospel. How incredulous to see him risen from the dead! How incredulous to be forgiven so totally!

Each time I avail myself of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the last word the priest says to me is "Go in peace." This is what Jesus said to the sinful woman as she was about to leave. This is what he says to me too. How wonderful a gift to be forgiven over and over again, so incredibly. Can I be as forgiving to others as Jesus is to this woman and to me?

The Sacred Heart

6/3/2016

Today is the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the readings from Mass speak of God's tender love for the sheep. This painting of The Lost Sheep

The Word of God is not Chained.

6/2/2016

My apologies for not writing these past days! Have they been busy days for you too? :)

Today's first reading from St. Paul is written to Timothy during Paul's time of imprisonment. He is imprisoned, yet he is still free because nothing can chain, stop or inhibit the grace of God from working within and outside of a disciple of Jesus. I cannot help but consider the things, attitudes, or other human realities that I allow to imprison me. If I would only let go of some of these unnecessary possessions!

My true freedom can only be taken away from me if I allow it to be taken away, or if I give it away. Jesus' words that "No one takes my life from me. I lay it down of my own free will" is a noble reminder in retrospect, of how he stood before Pilate as a truly free man, though he was about to be taken away to scourging and the cross.

I can live in the freedom that God created me to live in if I allow God to help me. I am free to accept or to reject God's graces and love. I am free to go it my own, through life, without God. I am free to alienate myself from family, friends and strangers. I can freely choose to hurt others. But why would I want to use my gift of freedom like that?

Lord God, help me to be truly free and to let you help me break the chains that bind me. Let me soar like and eagle!

Or . . . Fly like a BIRD! :)

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!