Step back!

A great article from Spirit Daily, http://www.spiritdaily.com/:

WHEN A SUDDEN INCLINATION ARRIVES, TIME HAS COME TO DISCERN IT BY STEPPING BACK

If you want a safe voyage here on earth, and then to the hereafter, watch that first thought. Watch the first impulses you have. Watch the first thing you want to think or do -- and don't hover over it until you have discerned it.

It's a real Lenten exercise: stepping back from the constant choices winged our way from angels and devils and our own subconscious (or concupiscence).

One way to step back? Say a Hail Mary, before allowing another thought in enter.

Step back from your first inclination. Any inclination. Mary even discerned the angel.

Reflect. Meditate as Mary reflected. Take a deep breath.

Step back, for example, from first thoughts of feeling puffed up. Step back from first thoughts of superiority. Step back from first thoughts of aggravation. Step back from jealousy or it will bite you back.

How many times during a typical day are you inclined to be aggravated or at least mildly disturbed with something or somebody? Isn't that a constant temptation? There are many reasons for disliking people and it is a test of life because it's a test of love.

Yet, life is too short for even a moment of agitation.

Often you have heard us discuss the power of forgiveness -- and the detriment of holding a grudge. To love we must first forgive. When you don't forgive -- when you give into the inclination to dislike (and even hate) a person -- you step into that person's darkness.

Step back from anxiety. It does you no good to fret over matters. Reflect on your circumstances, then move on. Anxiety is often the first sign (along with confusion) of evil.

Step back from pride. This is perhaps the true root of "all evil." Think about it: pride inspires greed for money as well as many other transgressions that are not related to money itself (including using another for lust; one must have pride -- think one superior -- to do that).

Step back from lust: When a sinful thought wings its way into your thought stream -- into your interior dialogue or visual imagination -- step back and expunge it before it takes root, which can be almost immediate. We're not responsible for those first thoughts sent by the flesh or devil but we are responsible to allowing our minds to hover over them (enjoying the titillation). It's that second thought that gets us into trouble. And with three you are out.

"As long as we live in this world we cannot be fully without temptation, for, as Job says, the life of man upon earth is warfare," says the classic Imitation of Christ. "There is no man so perfect or so holy in this world that he does not sometimes have temptations, and we cannot be fully without them. He who merely flees the outward occasions and does not cut away the inordinate desires hidden inwardly in his heart shall gain little; temptation will easily come to him again and grieve him more than it did at first."

It's spring. Root evil inclinations out. It's the time to notice weeds. It's time to clean house.

Step back, with prayer, from discouragement. All day every day the devil tries to bring you down. Don't let him. His exhaust fume is despair. When a negative thought arrives, reject it. Toss away the "evil report." One negative grows another.

Step back from the inclination for money. Material things are a great obstacle to the spiritual and you can not have it both ways. Is it God or mammon? Life is a tightrope between the two; beneath is a chasm.

Step back from criticism. Do you whittle away time by finding fault with others? Do you get enjoyment by citing the negatives of neighbors? Nothing sweeps away grace quicker than judging others. To God, even our thoughts count.

Step back from gluttony. When the "munchies" try to take hold, cast them away and pray like Jesus in the desert. Fast and you will suspend even the laws of nature. Fast from all darkness and let the Light in.

Step back from competition. Unless it's a game of fun, the Lord wants us to cooperate, not gnash our teeth at each other. "I love that person. I think well of that person," we should say when there is the temptation to do otherwise.

Step back from harsh language. When we die, we are going to be amazed at how important "little" words and small conversations are to the Lord -- especially our tones of voice. Are we inclined to be abrupt? Do we raise our voices more than we think? Do we tend to bark and debate and argue? Are we condescending or braggarts?

Step back from whatever takes you away from the Sermon on the Mount and take the bad inclinations to the foot of the Cross (to be disposed according to the Will of the Father; cast them out!). True grit. True Lent! Rid the ego. Be humble. It is your true strength because it is everlasting.

"Oh, if you saw the everlasting crowns of My saints in Heaven, if you saw in how great joy and glory they are who sometimes seemed to be despised in the world, you would soon humble yourself low to the ground," says Imitation, "and you would rather be subject to all men than to have authority over any one person."

[resources: The Imitation of Christ]

Just for today

Many years ago, when I felt far from God, I was advised to read the following passage every morning and evening for one month... without particularly striving to do anything differently. By the end of the month, the distance between myself and God had shrunk considerably. I'll be away from cyberspace for a few days, but perhaps you'll find reading this will occupy you nicely until I resume daily posts. God bless you!

Just for today I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle all my problems at once. I can do something for twelve hours that would appall me if I felt that I had to keep it up for a lifetime.

Just for today I will be happy. This assumes to be true what Abraham Lincoln said, that most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.

Just for today I will adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will take my luck as it comes, and fit myself to it.

Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind. I will study. I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires effort, thought, and concentration.

Just for today I will exercise my soul in three ways: I will do somebody a good turn, and not get found out; if anybody knows of it, it will not count. I will do at least two things I don’t want to do – just for exercise. I will not show anyone that my feelings are hurt; they may be hurt, but today I will not show it.

Just for today I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress becomingly, keep my voice low, be courteous, criticize not one bit. I won’t find fault with anything, nor try to improve or regulate anybody but myself.

Just for today I will have a program. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. I will save myself from two pests: hurry and indecision. Just for today I will have a quiet half hour all by myself, and relax. During this half hour, sometime, I will try to get a better perspective on my life.

Just for today I will be unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful, and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me.

Saved alone - *

In the 1870’s, a succesful attorney named Horatio Spafford experienced a series of personal tragedies. Shortly after his only son died in 1871, he suffered financial ruin as a consequence of the great Chicago fire. He sent his wife and their four daughters to Europe, where he was to join them after attending to some business matters. The ship his family was on collided with a sailing ship and rapidly sank. All four of his daughters perished. Spafford set sail to join his grieving wife, and as he passed near the site where his daughters died, he was inspired to write the now-famous hymn, "It Is Well with My Soul":

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul

This hymn is beloved and the story behind its composition is familiar to many. Less familiar, however, are the words of the brief telegram his wife sent to notify Spafford of the deaths of his daughters: “Saved alone”.

I recently read that the primary role of spouses is “to help one another to heaven”. This thought was a new one to me. And when I reflected on the words of Spafford’s wife – “Saved alone” – it reminded me that we have a responsibility to pray for our families and to help them to prepare for eternity.

Hang in there. - *

De Sales said, “Those who never check such outbursts of temper eventually become victims of such rages that they are impossible to live with.”

Most sin is like that, when you think about it. Our consciences become dulled when we stray short distances from the path God lays before us, and we can become hopelessly lost.

Or so it seems…

But if we are steadfast in resisting evil and in yielding to God, we don’t need to stay lost:

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. - James 4:7-8

Godly glue?

Have you ever heard of “laminin”? I hadn’t… until yesterday. It turns out that it’s the substance that holds us together. Laminin is a protein molecule that lines our organs and blood vessels and anchors the epithelium (which covers our entire body) to the connective tissue beneath.

So what?

Watch this 8-minute video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4zgJXPpI4.

The speaker gets wound up, but hang in there… I think you’ll find his message to be intriguing.

And then reread the words of Paul in Colossians 1:15-17:

He [Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Be careful what you pray for... - *

Have you ever noticed that sometimes when we ask God to help us to develop a virtue, we run into constant challenges that seem to frustrate our aims?

• Pray for patience, and there will be red lights and slow grocery checkout lives.
• Pray to become more loving, and there will be an onslaught of pesky people to deal with.
• Pray to grow closer to God, and a thousand temptations will spring up.

Perhaps there have been instances where God instantly transforms a person’s vice into virtue. Normally, though, he gives us opportunities to practice the quality we seek to develop.

Saint Francis de Sales said, “There is big difference between the absence of vice and the presence of a virtue. Many people seem to be virtuous but do not actually possess a virtue because they have not had to fight to acquire it.”

Reminder: Red Envelope Day is Coming! - *

On March 31, please send a sealed but empty red envelope to the White House with the following message on the back:

This envelope represents one child who died because of an abortion. It is empty because the life that was taken is now unable to be a part of our world.

The White House Address is:

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington DC 20500

The Red Envelope group on Facebook alone currently has more than 238,000 members. If all of us follow through, we can give our pro-life stance a resounding voice!

These are the words of Pope John Paul II: "Today, the conflict is between a culture that affirms, cherished and celebrates the gift of life, and a culture that seeks to declare entire groups of human beings – the unborn, the terminally ill, the handicapped, and others considered “unuseful” – to be outside the boundaries of legal protection."

Be heard!

The sound of silence - *

The Spiritual Combat, published in 1589, sets forth a program for achieving spiritual perfection. It was the favorite book of Saint Francis de Sales, who carried a copy in his pocket for 18 years, read from it every day and recommended it to everyone under his direction. The passage below is excerpted from the chapter on the value of silence.

Consider well the things which your heart suggests to you before they pass on to your tongue; for you will perceive that many of them would be better suppressed. Nay, I can still farther assure you, that not a few even of those which you will then think it expedient to speak would be far better buried in silence; and so you will perceive, upon reflection, when the opportunity for speaking is past. Silence is a strong fortress in the spiritual combat, and a sure pledge of victory.

What did you say? - *

Jesus didn’t come to make us comfortable. Frequently, he made people squirm, and there are times when he continues to do so. One example can be found in Matthew 12:34-37 when he confronted the Pharisees with these words:

… how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the
heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored
up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for
every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted,
and by your words you will be condemned.

Certainly there is reason for me to be concerned when reading this passage in that I know that I’ve spoken far too many “careless words”. But there’s not much I can do about the past. I can only ask forgiveness of God and anyone I’ve harmed with my words or actions.

But there is something I can do about today.

I can allow God’s grace to help me to change. As this happens, the words I speak “out of the overflow of the heart” can be used by God to heal rather than to harm.

What should we do when God and the government conflict? - *

In Romans 13:1-7, we read “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”

So how should I respond when my government takes actions which are at variance with my faith? If I truly believe in the sanctity of life, can I stand idly by while my government removes protection for the unborn? Can I ignore the fact that 130 people have been released from death row after evidence showed them to be innocent? As a health care worker, can I simply shrug my shoulders when protection for “conscience rights” is eliminated, thus placing me in the position where I may be compelled to assist in an abortion?

What about you? How do you respond to these or other issues that seem at variance with your understanding of the Christian faith?

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! - *

Although known as the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick was actually born in Scotland in 387 of Roman parents. In his early teens, he was abducted and taken to Ireland as a slave, where he tended sheep. At the time, Ireland was a pagan land. During his captivity, he developed an active prayer life; he later wrote, "The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was roused, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same... I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain."

When he was about 20 years old, he told in a dream to escape his captivity and return to Britain, where he was reunited with his family. There he studied for the priesthood and returned to Ireland after his ordination. For 40 years, he preached the Gospel there, converting nearly the whole of Ireland. He died in 461 at the age of 74.

Let us imitate Patrick in his fearlessness, his steadfastness in prayer, and his constancy to the Gospel of Christ!

Happy “Act Happy Week” (?) - *

I was poking around on the web the other day and found a site that lists “holidays” for the year (www.dailyholidays.net/). Most of them I’d never heard of, and some I wish I hadn’t heard of (such as National Scoop the Poop Week, which begins April 24.) (Yuck.)

But today marks the start of “Act Happy Week”.

It seems that we are on a constant chase to capture happiness, little realizing that the only time to be happy is now, and the only way to achieve happiness is to stop our frantic search for it. Albert Schweitzer had another interesting perspective on happiness. He said, “The only ones among you who will be truly happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.”

It is what it is... and we are what we are... - *

It is so easy to get frustrated with the failings of other people and to become even more frustrated when they don't change their behavior despite our best efforts to lead them in a different direction. Here's some good advice from Fenelon:

You can’t change men from being men. People will always be weak, vain, unreliable, unfair, hypocritical and arrogant. The world will always be worldly. And you cannot change it. People will follow their own inclinations and habits. And since you cannot recast their personalities, the best course of action is to let them be what they are and bear with them. Do not allow yourself to be troubled and perplexed when you see people being unreasonable and unjust. Rest in peace in the bosom of God. He sees it all more clearly than you do, and yet he permits it. So be content to do whatever you feel you should, quietly and gently, and don’t worry about anything else.

A lesson from the butterfly

One day a small opening appeared on a cocoon, a man sat and watched for the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could go no further. So the man decided to help the butterfly, he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings.

The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.

What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were God's way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If God allowed us to go through our life without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. We could never fly.

• I asked for strength......... And God gave me difficulties to make me strong.
• I asked for wisdom......... And God gave me problems to solve.
• I asked for prosperity......... And God gave me a brain and brawn to work.
• I asked for courage......... And God gave me danger to overcome.
• I asked for love......... And God gave me troubled people to help.
• I asked for favors......... And God gave me opportunities.
• I received nothing I wanted-- I received everything I needed.

-Anonymous

Who's afraid of the big bad wolf? - *

What is our reponse when tempted? Do we focus on the struggle, or on the solution? If we direct our attention to the temptation, we risk allowing it to grow larger and gain more power. Rather, let us look to God as the source of our strength.

It's important to remember the promise found in 1 Corinthians 10:13: "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

St. Francis de Sales wrote these words:

As soon as you are conscious of being tempted, follow the example of children when they see a wolf or a bear out in the country. They immediately run to the arms of their father or mother, or at least call to them for help and protection. In the same way, turn to God and implore His mercy and help. This is the remedy Our Lord Himself has taught us: "Be on guard and pray that you may not be put to the test." [Mk 14:38]

Holy "Hide and Seek"? - *

Most of us know someone who "sets our teeth on edge", someone who irritates us almost every time we meet. This presents quite a challenge when we are trying to follow in the footsteps of Christ. The autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux offers the following account of her method of responding to the challenge:

A holy nun of our community annoyed me in all that she did… I did not want to yield to my natural antipathy, for I remembered that charity ought to betray itself in deeds, and not exist merely in the feelings, so I set myself to do for this sister all I should do for the one I loved most. Every time I met her I prayed for her, and offered to God her virtues and merits. I felt that this was very pleasing to Our Lord… I did not rest satisfied with praying for this Sister, who gave me such occasions for self-mastery, I tried to render her as many services as I could and when tempted to answer her sharply, I made haste to smile and change the subject… One day she said to me with a beaming face: "My dear Soeur (Sister) Therese, tell me what attraction you find in me, for whenever we meet, you greet me with such a sweet smile." Ah! What attracted me was Jesus hidden in the depths of her soul!

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Where is God in all this? - *

I recently reread the passage in Mark 6 which tells of Jesus’ walking on water and calming the sea. I was struck by verses 47-48 “When it was evening, the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore. Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them.”

Why did he intend to pass by them if he saw that they were in trouble?

I looked at the Navarre Bible’s “take” on this and on the comparable passage in Matthew (from chapter 14:24-33).

“He wishes to teach us that even when we are in very pressurized and difficult situations, he is nearby, ready to help us; but he expects us to make an effort, to strengthen our hope and temper our resolve...” (From the commentary on Mark)

“The Church, like the apostle’s boat, also gets into difficulties, and Jesus who watches over his Church comes to its rescue also, after allowing it to wrestle with obstacles and be strengthened in the process.” (From the commentary on Matthew.)

The Lord is with us always, but at those moments when it seems He is “passing us by”, He has a greater purpose in mind: to allow us to be strengthened.

Division problem?

According to www.brownielocks.com/month2.html, 2009 is The International Year of Reconciliation. But as the Body of Christ, should we not strive for reconciliation at all times? We read in Colossians 3:11-15:

Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

The seeds of bitterness and resentment take root in the heart of those who do not forgive. Can the Holy Spirit thrive in such an environment?

• Is there division between myself and another person?
• Have I wronged this person?
• Do I need to ask for forgiveness?
• Do I need to forgive?

Are we losing our religion? - *

The headline on MSNBC when I woke up this morning said, "Americans Losing Their Religion". The article - which can be found in full at www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29585222/ - had some rather disturbing figures. 15% of Americans now say they have no religion; in Vermont, the numbers are even higher at 34%. And 12% of Americans indicate they believe in a higher power, but not in the monotheistic God which characterizes most major world religions.

Of those who claim to have a religious faith, I wonder how many actually attend services regularly, try to put their faith into action, or demonstrate a willigness to share their beliefs.

What about us - are we, too, "losing our religion"? And what does it mean to have one? These are questions worth considering.

To truly "have" faith requires effort. There is a long-standing debate about whether faith alone leads to salvation or whether good works are required. But if we are truly faithful, our lives will reveal it. Good works are an outgrowth of faith.

Mark 1:5 says, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." The Greek word "metanoia", translated in this passage as "repent" also speaks to the concept of conversion.

As we "practice our faith", true conversion occurs.

Happy Purim!

Purim is the most festive of Jewish holidays, commemorating a major victory over oppression as recounted in the book of Esther. The feast of Purim is celebrated on the 14th day of the Hebrew Month of Adar.

This year, Purim begins at sundown on March 9. It is a time of prizes, noisemakers, costumes and treats. Tradition calls for Jews to perform 4 mitzvot (plural of “mitzvah”, a commandment or act of human kindness):

• Listening to the public reading of the Book of Esther in the evening and again in the following morning
• Sending food gifts to friends
• Giving charity to the poor
• Eating a festive meal

What act of human kindness will you perform today?

Witness from prison

On February 24, 1952, a young French playboy named Jacques Fesch committed a robbery and, while fleeing the scene, shot and killed a pursuing policeman. He was condemned to death.

During the 3 ½ years of his imprisonment, he became a devout Christian. His letters, which reveal his struggles and, ultimately, his spiritual maturity, can be read in a book entitled “Light Over the Scaffold" and "Cell 18” (by Jacques Fesch and Augustin-Michel Lemonnier). The following letter was written on the night before his death:

We have been writing so often to each other in the last six months that in this final letter I can only urge you to persevere in the way you are going, in which you have just made a little progress, for now you know the way. Try to open your eyes wide and to discern, behind what seems like chastisement, the manifestation of the divine will, which is love.

Do not turn in on your grief. Take it to God, and let only one thing cause you to suffer: offenses committed against Him. This, you see, is the great goal of life. We are all mortal, and must leave this valley of tears sooner or later. The essential thing is to leave it in a good state of soul. Be confident about me. God has given me the great grace of drawing me to Himself, and when you read these lines I shall be looking upon our Lord Jesus Christ.

I confess that I am a little fearful of your impulsive reactions, dictated by your profound grief. Above all, remain calm; be moderate in everything, and try to plunge your sorrow in the love of Jesus, who waits only for your appeal to come and console you. Leave all justice, all vengeance, in God’s hands; this is my formal will… Seek peace.

...I want to thank you deeply for all the love with which you have surrounded me during these last months. I am looking at the pile of your letters, which have strengthened me. Each one has been the center of every day for me, and without them I should have suffered deeply. You know what Jesus said in His gospel: “I was in prison and you visited Me...” In surrounding your child with love, it is also Christ you have comforted, and I am very sure he will reward you…

With these lines, I entrust my little girl to you. Take good care of her, with love and serenity. Think that Jesus loves her infinitely and that what you do for one of these little ones, you do for Him. Love her in God and be sure that from heaven I will protect her and watch over her with all the love Jesus will give me. Abide you, too, in the love of Christ, and you will see God.

Now, my life is finished. “Like a little spring flower which the divine Gardener plucks
for His pleasure,” so my head will fall – glorious ignominy – with heaven for its prize!

I am happy.

He was guillotined on the following day, October 1, 1957. Pray that we can grow in the Spirit as he did!

Looking my way?

It is so easy to notice the flaws of others and to come up with a plan of action for them to follow, while it is often difficult to see the problem areas in our own lives. Perhaps today, I should plan on focusing solely on my own behavior. Ignatius of Loyola recommended the following method of doing so:

1. Begin by becoming quiet. Become conscious of God, of his goodness, and the blessings he bestows, and be thankful.
2. Pray for the grace to see clearly and to understand and respond to the guidance God is giving us.
3. Remember the events of the day, and recall instances where we perceive either God’s action and guidance or, perhaps, the activity and influence of evil.
4. Evaluate instances where we have either collaborated with or resisted God, times when we have yielded to or triumphed over the influence of evil. Express gratitude and regret.
5. Plan and decide how, with God’s assistance, we can avoid or overcome the influence of evil in the future and become more obedient to His will..

Some wisdom from Ann Landers

A man spoke with the Lord about heaven and hell. The Lord said to the man, "Come, I will show you hell." They entered a room where a group of people sat around a huge pot of stew. Everyone was famished, desperate, and starving. Each held a spoon that reached the pot, but each spoon had a handle so much longer than their own arm that it could not be used to get the stew into their own mouths. The suffering was terrible.

"Come, now I will show you heaven," the Lord said after a while. They entered another room, identical to the first – the pot of stew, the group of people, the same long-handled spoons. But there everyone was happy and well-nourished. "I don’t understand," said the man. "Why are they happy here when they were miserable in the other room and everything was the same?"

The Lord smiled. "Ah, it is simple," he said. "Here they have learned to feed each other."

What do they see? - *

Mark 6:53-56: After making the crossing to the other side of the sea, Jesus and
his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there. As they were leaving
the boat, people immediately recognized him. They scurried about the surrounding
country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.
Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the
marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak;
and as many as touched it were healed.

It’s interesting to me that Jesus was recognizable to so many in an era without the media to spread the word. His face wasn’t on People magazine, and there were no TV specials about him. Even as a baby, he was recognized and worshiped by the Magi, by Simeon, by Anna.

What did people see in him? What distinguished him from the crowd? It must have been something quite special. I’d like to be able to emulate that, but something altogether different shows itself to others when they’re in my presence.

How can I become more like Him today? And how can I do this without becoming self-satisfied and thinking myself virtuous?

Father, help me to glorify you today.

Is it a choice, or is it a life? - *

When reading Psalm 139, I cannot doubt that God is the origin of life, and that life begins at conception.

… you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

And yet 1 out of every 4 babies in the United States is aborted.

If you, too, are appalled by this statistic, join with us on Red Envelope Day: http://www.redenvelopeday.com/

A virtual enactment of Psalm 16:1

Keep me safe, O God,
for in you I take refuge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imDFSnklB0k&eurl=http://venturebeat.com/2009/02/09/scene-systems-uses-animations-to-reconstruct-scenes-such-as-sullys-crash-landing/

The people on this plane surely were under God's protection and care that day!

One way of understanding the Spirit of God

While I recognize that there are many ways of understanding the way the Holy Spirit acts in our lives, I found this concept to be helpful to me.

The Spirit acts as a conduit of sorts, bringing Jesus as God-Man to Mary and then to us. In this view, the Spirit is seen a source of a new sort of life: through the Spirit, God is enlivened first in Mary, then in those who come to know Jesus.

Put another way, the Holy Spirit is the “wiring” that connects us to God, enabling us to tap into Him in a new way. If we allow the Spirit to do so, it will transform us more and more into the image of Jesus by uniting us to Him.

John Cardinal Newman is credited with the following prayer. May it come true in our lives!!!

Dear Jesus,

Help me to spread your fragrance wherever I go. Flood my soul with your Spirit and life. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that my life may only be a radiance of yours. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel your presence in my soul. Let them look up, and see no longer me, but only Jesus!

Stay with me and then I will begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others. The light, O Jesus, will be all from you; none of it will be mine. It will be you, shining on others through me.

Let me thus praise you in the way which you love me best, by shining on those around me. Let me preach you without preaching, not by words but by example, by the catching force, the sympathetic influence of what I do, the evident fullness of the love my heart bears for you.

Amen.