Body of Christ by Sue Werner

 Before the earth was created,

He knew you by your name

You had a special purpose,

Because of you He came...

Knowing you would stumble,

Sin would not define,

The uniqueness of your purpose, 

Thus He whispers

"You are mine"

My Longing

 

What are you looking for? You asked me. 

I heard it while reading a father.

It was not with words that you spoke,

Tell me if I can answer.

In life you never limited me,

But the answer, how will I explain?

I was looking for you and you always loved me,

I may have been a nun, but also a mother.

Maybe it's late, but my consolation,

It will be your face, to see it in heaven

When my soul will take flight.

I seek you, remove the veil,

Make my soul love you with zeal.

My good Jesus: You are my longing!

The Power of Prayer

 Today (Sunday), the priest began his homily with a story. He told us that a man wrote a letter, I think to a priest, but it could have been to a newspaper. In it, he explained that he would no longer attend Mass because he had been going to Mass for 20 years and couldn't remember a single homily. He felt he was wasting his time. This started a discussion, and many people wrote letters for or against his position. Until one letter put an end to the discussion. In it, a man explained that he had been married for 20 years and that his wife had prepared thousands of meals for him, but he couldn't remember a single day's menu. However, he was certain that the food had nourished him and his body. The priest continued by telling us that every prayer has an answer, although it's often not the answer we expect. Furthermore, prayer brings us closer to God, which is why it's important to pray. And as Jesus told us: just as the unjust judge granted justice to the widow because of her persistence, even more so God, who is a good and loving Father, will hear our prayers. The Father also told us that impossible things become possible through prayer. And I remembered the ceasefire in the Holy Land. Something that seemed endless, and now the end of the war is a reality. Thank you to those who worked for peace, but also to the thousands of human beings who prayed for peace. Blessed be God.

Confession

How good God is to forgive us

Only going to the confessional

And he does it all to love us.

For it does not please him to condemn us.

And we must go to confession

Well this is very necessary

And so arm us with his grace

It is something very extraordinary.

Let us draw near, repentant.

To the fountain of mercy:

He offers it to us because we are his.

So we will have a new day

And forgiven, let us begin

To give thanks, honor and glory. 

We are all called to be saints

Revelation 14:12-13

Here is what sustains the holy ones who keep God's commandments and their faith in Jesus.  I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," said the Spirit, "let them find rest from their labors, for their works accompany them."

We are all called to be saints,

How much I would like to be and I am not,

Because I would also like to rest

In the lap of our Lord.

We are all called to be saints,

To obey the Father's commands

And faithfully follow my Jesus,

That following him gives us eternal life

And happiness already from today.

We are all called to be saints

To resist the evil temptation,

That without noticing it puts in the way

Because he does not want our salvation.

We are all called to be saints,

How far from that ideal I feel today

Step by step I keep getting up

If I don't know where I'm going, I follow the cross.

We are all called to be saints

For he loves us all and has created us all

To reach heaven and be happy

Here, there, even in purgatory

So that upon reaching salvation

We will rest in Him

And be His heaven

The house in which we will live

For centuries. 

Hallowed be Thy name

 Hallowed be Thy name

Through the green meadows, - along the banks

of the sea, over the waters, cerules and depths

through the bright spaces in the sky

burning desires

pass, they pass again, - God, what a poem

to Your name - holy and by trembling

in soft air

for you the great heartbeat of the universe.

Rest

 

I want to rest in You

Oh, Eternal and Uncreated Good

Yes then here on Earth

Even if at my earthly end

I want to rest in You

Even at the end of each day

And every week

You are my rest

My source of peace

I miss you if I go away

Of your sacred commandments

Don't you despise this crazy woman

Come to my heart,

Let me rest in Your goodness,

When the heart is already tired.

Because we do not rest

Until we rest in You,

Until I find you Lord

In every moment, in every human being

Princess

  August 23, 2019

Sometimes I feel guilty about a poem I wrote for another blog, where my name is God's princess when I proclaim His Word at Mass. Yesterday I felt that way. It's because it's my turn to proclaim at Mass. But God, who loves us so much, reminded me of something. Some time ago, I read on Facebook the true story of a girl who asked a priest if the Virgin Mary was actually our mother. The priest said yes. She asked again, "Is she a queen?" The priest replied, "Yes." At that moment, the girl smiled and said to her mother, "It's true, it's true, I am a princess!" Then God made me feel better; every woman is a princess of God!

A Memory

There are memories that often come to us with the help of images, sounds, words, or scents. Experiences that remain etched in our memory, waiting for something to awaken them. 

 Remembering God in the diary of our lives may seem difficult for those who don't initially believe in Him, but for those who do, it's enough to wake up, to open our eyes. God is the creator of all things, and everything we have is thanks to Him, beginning with life itself. Still, sometimes I feel the need to see God, something that reminds me of Him, that makes me feel His presence, and I wish I had some religious image nearby. And then I wonder, what is God the Father like? And I remember Jesus' words when he says that whoever has seen Him has seen the Father. And they are one true God, together with the Holy Spirit. And God in His simplicity is Love, pure, divine Love, as the priest told us this Sunday, Agape: Love of understanding. And then comes my other memory, an image that I have engraved in my memory with everything and the feeling it awakens in me, of feeling cherished and loved by God. It's an illustration from the catechism I studied for my First Communion. In this drawing, we see a large circle like a host, but in gold, yellow, and white. From this circle, a hand extends to a girl who stands in front of Him and who, to me, also seems to be leaning her hands toward this divine hand. Obviously, it represents the hand of God, who is always there to help us, who never leaves us, and to whom we say the now. 

As Saint John Paul II says, we must draw near not only in prayer of petition, but also in praise, in contemplation, in joy and in sorrow. Recalling this image reminds me, in turn, of the presence of Christ in the Consecrated Host, and how He, God, is always there, always.

This is the image:

It says: God is our Creator, knows everything, loves us, makes us his children and can do everything. God is our Father, good and loving, who has no end.

Away with the Wind

 

On the lawn of a public garden, in the warm spring sun, amidst the tender grass, the robust, toothed leaves of dandelions had sprouted. 

One of them displayed a magnificent yellow flower, innocent, golden and serene like a May sunset. 

After a while, the flower turned into a "showerhead": a light sphere, embroidered with feather crowns attached to seeds that were tightly packed in the center of the showerhead.

And how many conjectures the tiny seeds made. How many dreams the breeze made at dusk, when the first timid crickets sang their serenade.

"Where are we going to germinate?"

"Who knows?" Yes.

"Only the wind knows."

One morning, the showerhead was grabbed by the invisible and strong fingers of the wind. 

The seeds were attached to their small parachute and flew away, caught by the air current.

"Goodbye... goodbye," the little seeds greeted each other.

While most landed on the good soil of orchards and meadows, one, the smallest of all, made a very short flight and ended up in a crack in the cement of a sidewalk. 

There was a hint of dust deposited by the wind and rain, so small compared to the good, fat soil of the meadow.

"But it's all mine!" the seed said to itself. 

Without a second thought, he snuggled up tight and got to work on the roots.

In front of the crack in the cement was a leaning, scribbled-on bench. A young man often sat on that very bench. He was a young man with a tormented face and a restless gaze.

Dark clouds weighed on his heart and his hands were always clenched into fists.

When he saw two jagged, tender green leaves pushing their way through the cement, he laughed bitterly: "You won't make it! You're just like me!" and stepped on them with his foot.

But the next day he saw that the leaves had risen and become four. From that moment on, he couldn't take his eyes off the stubborn and brave little plant. After a few days, the flower appeared, bright yellow, like a cry of happiness.

For the first time in a long time, the grieving young man felt the resentment and bitterness weighing on his heart begin to melt. 

He raised his head and took a deep breath. He slammed his fist on the back of the bench and shouted, "Of course! We can do this!"

She felt like crying and laughing. She touched the small yellow flower head with her fingers.

Plants feel the love and kindness of humans. For the brave little Dandelion, the young man's caress was the most beautiful thing in life.

Don't ask the Wind why it brought you here.

Even if you're drowning in cement, work from your roots and live.

You are the message.

- Bruno Ferrero -

From: "Solo il Vento lo Sa", by Bruno Ferrero, Ed. Elledici.

Grow Christian

 

Look, oh Christian, at the precious plant

when touching the ground with its stem

It grows, grows and rises

as if it wanted to rise to heaven.

Look in its nest at the shy chick

when it can barely flap its wings

but it grows and grows until one day

dares to challenge the clouds with its flight.

See how it is born, calm and noisy

 the crystalline and placid stream

that becomes passing through the ground

in a powerful and fast-flowing river.

Watch the sun rise in the East

with a weak light, radiant, beautiful

that changes its star glow

in a brilliant, diamond-like light.

And you who have such a holy vocation

to live next to God up there in heaven

you have to grow like the plant

you have to grow like a chick.

YOU have, like the sun, to be fiery,

illuminating the world with your light

like the stream in the deep sea

turned into a river it drains gently.

Grow Christian, grow, it is your task,

watch all nature grow;

you have to reach the height

of the immense Rabbi of Galilee.

José María Castillo.

I am not moved, my God - Saint Teresa of Avila

 

 I am not moved, my God, to love Thee 

by the Heaven Thou hast promised me; 

nor am I moved by fear of Hell 

to cease for that reason to offend Thee. 

Thou art what moves me, Lord; 

it moves me to see Thee 

nailed to a cross and scorned; 

it moves me to see Thy body so wounded; 

I am moved by the insults and death 

that Thou undergoest. 

I am moved, in sum, by love for Thee, 

and so greatly, that, 

even if there were no Heaven, 

I would love Thee, 

and even if there were no Hell, 

I would still fear Thee. 

Thou dost not have to give me 

anything to make me love Thee, 

for even if I did not hope 

for what I do hope for, 

I would love Thee just the same.

Prayer to my Guardian Angel

 

Angel

 Server of God

 Assigned to protect us

 You give glory to God

 At all hours

 You free the soul from danger

 Angel

 If you have to guide me

 Don't let me lose the way

 Keep me from all sin

 Give light to my thoughts

 Care in all my words

 Warn me of my actions

 Keep misfortune away from my house

 As God has recommended you

 Angel

 Guardian angel

 Pray for me,

 Fight the fight

 To the enemy of the soul

 And so I can be carried

 On time marked by God

 To contemplate Jesus

 Love that gives life to the soul

I have a God

 I have a unique God, nothing and no one compares to Him. I have a God who reveals Himself to me, I have a God who becomes flesh, I have a God who becomes poor. I have a God who forgives me, and always forgives me.

I have a God who loves me "without makeup," and that reassures me. I have a God who gives me Life, because I don't have any. I have a God who doesn't judge me, doesn't overwhelm me, doesn't call me to account, but encourages and comforts me along the way. I have a God who waits for me, as long as it takes. I have a God available, at all times and always. I have a God who always gives himself to me, every day. I have an incomparable God; no one and nothing compares to Him. Amen.

(Jacobo Espinos)

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 “[On the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary], we are contemplating a little girl like every other, yet at the same time the only one who was ‘blessed among women’ (Luke 1:42). Mary was the immaculate ‘Daughter of Zion,’ destined to become the Mother of the Messiah.”

- Pope St. John Paul II

Isaiah 43:1-4

1

But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, and formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine.

2

When you pass through the water, I will be with you; in the rivers you shall not drown. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned; the flames shall not consume you.

3

1 For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in return for you.

4

Because you are precious in my eyes and glorious, and because I love you, I give men in return for you and peoples in exchange for your life.

Reflection:

We are valuable in the eyes of God, so much so that he wanted to redeem us and not let us get lost in sin, so much so that we belong to him, and so he takes care of us, because we are his, there is no need to fear, he is always with us, having already paid a high price for our soul: Jesus on the cross paid the price of our redemption, to give us a second chance, and even more, as long as we allow ourselves to be transformed by Jesus and repentantly return to the Father.

Nobody loves you like Me - Martin Valverde

 How long have I waited for this moment

How much I've waited for you to be here

How long have I waited for you to talk to me

How much have I waited for you to come to me

I know well what you have experienced

I know well why you have cried

I know well why you have suffered

Well, I have not left your side

Well, no one loves you like me

Well, no one loves you like me

Look at the cross, that is my greatest proof

Nobody loves you like me

Well, no one loves you like me

Well, no one loves you like me

Look at the cross, it was for you, it was because I love you

Nobody loves you like me

I know well what you are telling me

Although sometimes you don't talk to me

I know well what you feel in you

Even if you never share it

I have walked by your side

I have always gone with you

I have still sometimes carried you

I have been your best friend

Well, no one loves you like me

Well, no one loves you like me

Look at the cross, that is my greatest proof

Nobody loves you like me

Well, no one loves you like me

Well, no one loves you like me

Look at the cross, it was for you, it was because I love you

Nobody loves you like me

Like me

Like me

Like me

Note: This is a translation of a beautiful song in Spanish where Jesus tells you that He loves you.

Be humble and enter through the narrow door

 This Sunday, Jesus asks us to strive to enter through the narrow door into the Kingdom of Heaven.  For he says that there is another wider door through which many enter and are lost, which is the door of the world.  The deacon tells us that Jesus himself is that narrow door, for he has already told us that he is the way, the truth and the life.  So if we want to enter through the narrow door we must be like Jesus, make ourselves small, humble as Jesus, who is worthy to become man to give us salvation through his sacrifice on the cross, so, humble we can enter through that narrow door.  And in what does this humility consist?  I think of it in obeying the Father and imitating Jesus, becoming a servant of all.  Let us not fall into the false humility, which I read recently does not come from God but from the evil one who wants to turn us away from God by wanting us to think that there is no forgiveness for our sins.  Instead the humility that comes from God, it shows us the sins committed without forgetting that God is merciful and that we all need his mercy, that is, we all need his forgiveness that Jesus brings to us in the sacrament of reconciliation.  And not only his forgiveness, but we have to recognize that we need God in every aspect of our lives.  As the deacon told us, Jesus is the way of goodness, of love, of the sacraments of the church.  Hope and at the end of our days Jesus recognize us and do not close the door, so we strive to be humble and imitate Jesus, as Saint Francis of Assisi would say, in being a living Gospel.  

The fool rich

 

Today, the Gospel tells us about Jesus' encounter with two men who ask him to divide their inheritance. Jesus refuses, even though it was customary at that time to seek advice from a rabbi on property matters. Jesus takes the opportunity to tell them the parable of the rich fool. This man had a huge harvest. He told himself he would build a barn, store everything, and then devote himself to drinking and enjoying life. However, God said, "You fool, you don't know that this very night you will die." The Father tells us that having riches isn't bad, and that we've all been like the rich fool by worrying about tomorrow's future. And it's not bad to plan for the future, but that shouldn't be our goal. In other words, we should use that treasure to build a bridge from earth to Heaven, as the Father tells us. I read in a story I've published previously about a rich man who went to heaven and there was a market with very low prices. But when he tried to buy with his money, the angel replied, "That money has no value here." Here, only the money that was donated on earth has value. That is, our money should also be used for the good of others. The Father reminded us of the man who found a treasure and, very happy, sold everything he had to buy the land where the treasure was located. The Father tells us that our supreme treasure is God Himself. In other words, the most important thing in our lives should be our relationship with God.

Talk to God

"Acquire the habit of speaking to God as if you were alone with Him.  Familiarly and with confidence and love, as to the dearest and most loving of friends."

- St. Alphonso Liguori

Return to your first love!

 

One of the passages of the Bible that has caught my attention the most while reading it is found in the Book of Revelation. It's the message to the Angel of Ephesus. In it, he's asked to return to his first love, to remember where he has fallen. My life has been full of spiritual ups and downs, and it seems that when I read it, I was a little angry with God. However, through this reading, He reminded me of my first love, Jesus. I remembered my history within the Church, within its doctrine, and little by little I returned to that first love. Although I will never again have the innocence of childhood, a prayer in one of the prefaces of the Mass says that God returns it to whomever He desires. Hopefully, if we stray from that first love, we will return with renewed innocence and not forget why we learned to love God and His Church. Innocence because Jesus already said that we must be like children to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Revelation 2:1-7

1

1 2 "To the angel of the church 3 in Ephesus, write this: " 'The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands says this:

2

"I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate the wicked; you have tested those who call themselves apostles but are not, and discovered that they are impostors. 4

3

Moreover, you have endurance and have suffered for my name, and you have not grown weary.

4

Yet I hold this against you: you have lost the love you had at first.

5

Realize how far you have fallen. Repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

6

But you have this in your favor: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, 5 which I also hate.

7

" '"Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the victor 6 I will give the right to eat from the tree of life that is in the garden of God."'

St. Mary of Magdala

 “The story of Mary of Magdala reminds us all of a fundamental truth. A disciple of Christ is one who, in the experience of human weakness, has had the humility to ask for His help, has been healed by Him, and has set out following closely after Him, becoming a witness of the power of His merciful love that is stronger than sin and death.”

– Pope Benedict XVI

The Story of Paisia

 

Extracted from the stories of the desert fathers :

This story was also told about Father John: A young girl named Paisia was orphaned by both her father and mother. She then considered converting her house into an inn for the guests of her parents in Scetis. For a considerable time she stayed there, offering hospitality and serving the priests. But in time, when she had consumed her wealth, she began to suffer hardship. Then, stray men attached themselves to her and diverted her from her good purpose, so much so that she began to behave badly, even to the point of prostitution.  The priests heard about this and were very sad. They called Father John the Dwarf and said to him: "We have heard that this sister is behaving badly, the same one who, when she could, showed us her love. We too would like to show her our love now by helping her. Take the trouble to go to her and, according to the wisdom that God has given you, take charge of her." Father John then went to her and said to the old doorkeeper: "Announce your mistress for me." But the doorkeeper tried to dismiss him with these words: "First you devoured her riches, and now she is in misery." Father John said to her: "Tell her precisely that I can be very useful to her." The servants, laughing, said to him: "What do you have to give him, for her to want to see you?" And he replied: "How will you know what I am going to give her?" The old woman went up to her and told her the story. The young woman said: "These monks always pass by the shore of the Red Sea and find pearls." She dressed herself and said: "Yes, send him to me." When she had gone up, she, warning him, placed herself on the couch. Father John went and sat down beside her and, looking into her face, said: "What reason do you have to complain about Jesus, that you have come to this point?" Hearing these words, she was completely frozen. Father John, bowing his head, began to cry profusely. She asked him: "Why are you crying, Father?" After a small gesture, he drew back again, weeping, and said to her: "I see Satan playing on your face, and should I not weep?" The woman then asked: "Father, is there penitence?" He said to her: "Yes." And she: "Take me wherever you want." He said to her: "Let's go." And she got up to follow him. Father John noticed with amazement that she gave no orders or said anything about her house. When they arrived in the desert it was late; he made a small pillow of sand, made the sign of the cross on it, and said to her: "Sleep here." He went a little way, recited his prayers, and lay down. Awakening around midnight, he saw something like a path of light descending from heaven to her, and saw the angels of God carrying her soul on high. Getting up, he approached her and touched her with his foot; and he saw that she was dead. Then he fell face down on the ground, praying to God. And he heard that the Lord had accepted one hour of her repentance more than many of those who are not animated by such fervor.

Alms

  Long ago, in England, a damsel wrapped in a torn dress walked through the streets of a village, knocking on doors and begging for alms. Many addressed offensive words to her, others incited the dog to let her escape. Someone poured pieces of moldy bread and rotten potatoes on her lap. Only two old people let the poor woman in.

«Sit down and warm up,» said the old man, while his wife prepared a bowl of hot milk and a large slice of bread. As the woman ate, the two elders gave her some words and a little comfort.

The next day, an extraordinary event occurred in that village. A royal envoy brought to every house a card inviting all families to the king’s castle. The invitation caused a great stir in the village, and in the evening all the families, dressed in the robes of the feast, arrived at the castle. They were introduced into an imposing dining room and each was assigned a seat.

As everyone sat down, the waiters began to serve the dishes. They immediately rose from a murmur of disgust and anger. The diligent waiters indeed poured into the plates potato skins, stones, bits of moldy bread. Only on the plates of the two elderly people, sitting in a corner, were delicately deposited refined foods and exquisite dishes. Suddenly the maiden with torn robes entered the room. They all shut up. «Today - said the woman - you have found exactly what you offered me yesterday».

She took off her dirty clothes. Underneath, she wore a golden dress. It was the Queen.

A rich man came to heaven. He first walked around the market and was surprised to see that the goods were sold at very low prices. He immediately grabbed his wallet and began to sort out the most beautiful things he saw.

At the time of payment he gave to the angel, who was a salesman, a handful of bills of great value. 

The angel smiled and said, "I’m sorry, but this money has no value".

"How?" surprised the rich man.

"Here only the money that on earth has been donated is worth," answered the angel.

- Mr Bruno Ferrero

From "Cerchi nel Acqua"

Jesus Uses the Broken

 Mary Magdalene had SEVEN demons. Seven. Sis was walking around like a whole haunted house—and yet she was the first to see the empty tomb. 👀🙌🏼

The woman at the well? Married five times and still flirtin’ in the heat of the day. And yet, she’s the first person Jesus ever told, “Hey, I’m the Messiah.” Not a priest. Not a king. A woman with a past and a pitcher.

Let that sink in.

So before you disqualify yourself because of what you did, who you were, or what they still call you behind your back—remember this:

Your past doesn’t cancel your purpose. Your past points to your purpose.

God isn’t intimidated by your mess. He specializes in it. That addiction? That heartbreak? That jail cell, bad relationship, or wild season you barely crawled out of? He uses that to reach the people still stuck in it.

And to the ones sittin’ on the pew polishin’ halos instead of bringing people to the baptism pool… ask them gently:

👉🏼 “So… how many folks have YOU led to Jesus this year?”

Go ahead. I’ll wait. ⏳😇

Don’t you dare give up on yourself. You haven’t gone too far—you’re exactly who He came for.

He left the 99 for the 1.

And baby, sometimes you are that one. 💜

~Nicole Pearso  Chatagnier

The Mission of My Life

 God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it if I do but keep His commandments. Therefore, I will trust Him, whatever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him, in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him. If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends. He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me. Still, He knows what He is about.

- Beato John Henry Newman

Two by Two

 A Gospel hymn says, "The harvest is plentiful, the need is great, and few laborers go to the fields. Today many are lost, wandering aimlessly, like sheep without a shepherd. Here I am, send me, I will go to those who live without you." And the truth is, yes, we need to go out to evangelize, which is nothing other than speaking about Jesus to those in need. I read in my parish bulletin that we can offer to pray for someone in need or even pray with them. The deacon told us today that those of us who are baptized have the commitment to tell others about Jesus. And it's a mission that Jesus himself asks of us. And he's been asking it of us forever. Yesterday, I saw a very moving example. I saw a film about the Italian Chiara Lubich and how her "Focolari" movement began. It began during World War II in Trento, Italy, under the Gospel principle that Jesus asked: if you have two cloaks, give one to the one who doesn't have one. Thus, she evangelized an entire town, and organized them so that together they might be stronger, so that together they might be one in Christ Jesus. And although she suffered opposition, her movement is now found throughout the world. We may not be Chiara Lubich, but we can all lead by example, with kindness, with prayer, with charity. I remembered when I was part of the Legion of Mary and we carried out our apostolate two by two. In my case, by taking the rosary and the Pilgrim Mother to different houses. It was a very beautiful experience. So there is always a way to carry out our mission, which is above all to love our fellow human beings, to let them know that God loves them from eternity, that Jesus died for us and paid for our sins so that whoever believes in Him should never perish but have eternal life. That He rose again and went to the Father to prepare a place for us in His Kingdom.

A Prayer

 My God

Today I ask you

For all those affected

Due to the floods

In the Texas Hill Country

You know Lord

Why do you allow these things?

I ask you Lord

For the souls of those

Who lost their lives,

For their families,

Give them comfort, Lord,

Dry their tears,

For those 

That they have not yet rescued 

Don't let them get lost

Hope.

I know it's been a long time.

But I also know that you are

The God of miracles.

And to all those who have lost their homes, their things,

I pray for them, Lord,

For the rescuers, for the authorities, for all the people along the water cause, 

For the volunteers,

And for all Texans, 

Protect them Lord.

Saints Peter and Paul

 This Sunday, Mass was celebrated for Saints Peter and Paul. The priest told us that despite being very different, Jesus chose them to be the first missionaries of the Church. Saint Peter was a fisherman, and despite having been with Jesus proclaiming the Kingdom of God, Peter denied Jesus three times. However, it was Peter who, moved by God the Father, recognized that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God. It was he to whom Jesus said he would build his Church. It was Peter who led the early Church and evangelized the first communities. Paul was a scholar, an expert in the Holy Scriptures, and an avid persecutor of Christians. However, Jesus chose him to be the evangelizer of the pagans, of the first Christian communities. Paul, before being called Paul, was called Saul. But on a journey, he fell—I don't quite remember the animal that was carrying him—a bright light blinded him, and he heard, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" He asked who was speaking and heard, "It is Jesus whom you are persecuting." From then on, Paul converted to Christianity and began preaching the gospel, now with his sight restored. Both died preaching the truth. Saint Peter died crucified upside down, and Saint Paul was beheaded. The priest tells us that they show us how we are all called to be missionaries, no matter where we come from or where we are. They say that God doesn't choose the prepared, he prepares those he chooses, no matter how you feel at the moment. He has a mission for you. I was listening to a priest the other day advising a man to join the night worshippers. The Lord listened to his advice, and his life changed; it made sense. Take heart; there are countless groups in the church you can participate in. You'll see how God strengthens you and you'll be happier. I've been in several groups, the choir, and I currently proclaim the Word of God at Mass (I read the readings). And God has offered me His friendship and sustains me when I think I can't go on. He has always been with you. Encourage yourself to be a missionary of God's love; you will see that you will not regret it. As Saint Paul said, "Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel."