Pope Francis

"I would like that all of us, after these days of grace, might have the courage - the courage - to walk in the presence of the Lord, with the Cross of the Lord: to build the Church on the Blood of the Lord, which is shed on the Cross, and to profess the one glory, Christ Crucified. In this way, the Church will go forward. My hope for all of us is that the Holy Spirit, that the prayer of Our Lady, our Mother, might grant us this grace: to walk, to build, to profess Jesus Christ Crucified. So be it." 
~Pope Francis, 1st Homily 3/14/13

Perspective

I was at mass this morning and before father gave his homily he told us that things were going to be a bit hurried. He explained there were four funerals today. The first one beginning immediately after mass. I don't think he needed to say anymore, that was a homily in itself. Four funerals. I thought no matter what happens to me today, my day is already good. I'm alive, healthy, my family (all things considered) is relatively healthy. While we have concerns with my 6 year old niece (we are offering prayers and some things are unknown right now, and my Aunt's cancer hasn't miraculously disappeared) they are alive and we as a family, are blessed in many ways. 

As I was leaving church I saw a younger guy, maybe around my age, crouched down talking to a child. I thought probably preparing him for the funeral and my heart sank even further. This perspective, outlook, attitude (whatever you want to call it) today, every day, can be life changing. I want to hold on to this perspective, though many times I fail and get caught-up in my own "business" or needs, desires and I forget.

So today I offer my day for those four families and their beloved dead. I also pray for our priests who are giving so much of themselves, always, but especially today. And I pray for my own conversion of heart. That I may look outward towards others and their needs, vs. looking inward at my own satisfaction and desires. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

Litany of Humility

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
Fromthe desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved...
From the desire of being extolled ...
From the desire of being honored ...
From the desire of being praised ...
From the desire of being preferred to others...
From the desire of being consulted ...
From the desire of being approved ...
From the fear of being humiliated ...
Fromthe fear of being despised...
From the fear of suffering rebukes ...
From the fear of being calumniated ...
From the fear of being forgotten ...
From the fear of being ridiculed ...
From the fear of being wronged ...
From the fear of being suspected ...

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I ...
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease ...
That others may be chosen and I set aside ...
That others may be praised and I unnoticed ...
That others may be preferred to me in everything...
That others may become holier than I,provided that I may become as holy as I should…

Amen.

Invite God Into It 

Having a good day? Thank God for it. Struggling through a bad day? Invite God into it. Just another “ordinary” day? Find God in it. And—every day—praise God, for life is a gift never to be wasted. 

— from Tweet Inspiration
Source: http://www.americancatholic.org/

Can I Get a Witness?

Working on writing a witness for an upcoming retreat. Theme; Living My Paschal Mystery. Gotta write about my Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Resurrection. Holy Spirit please help me, guide my fingers as they peck away on the keyboard. 

3rd Sunday of Lent

Bless the Lord

This week I've been playing catch-up from being away last weekend. Lots of studying, school work, sleep (what's that??) to catch-up on. Needless to say, I've failed in all departments. Lessons late, didn't complete all my reading for class, thank God an assignment was extended (still amazed no matter how many times things like that happen, God is so good) in spite of all that my prayer life unfortunately is suffering too. I can't muster up the energy to stay awake long enough, hitting snooze a couple more times (yes that S is intentional) than I should. I have been late to mass not once but twice. And one of those times I was going to be so late, I couldn't even bring myself to going, I was ashamed. So I turned around and went to the adoration chapel. Disappointed I wasn't able to receive him, yet humbled I could still sit in his presence in spite of my lack of efforts to be on time to mass. Tried to blame it on traffic, etc. still have to think I could have put God first and left just a little bit earlier, put forth that extra effort what a difference that could have made.

It's moments like these that really humble me. I was thinking about that this morning during mass . (Yes I was on time...early in fact!). The gospel reading for today, The Parable of the Lost Son, Luke 15:1-3,11-32 left me with much to think about. Father asked us to reflect which character we are from the parable...I thought I've been all of them. I've been the brother who's jealous and not understanding God's mercy. I've been the lost son. And sometimes, when I'm blessed by God's grace,  I can be like the merciful father. But I can be more and I'm called to be more each day. I need to keep trying in spite of my unworthiness and failed attempts realizing I can do all things only through Christ.

"Bless the LORD, my soul; all my being, bless his holy name! 

Bless the LORD, my soul; and do not forget all his gifts, 

Who pardons all your sins, and heals all your ills, 

Who redeems your life from the pit, and crowns you with mercy and compassion, 

Who fills your days with good things, so your youth is renewed like the eagle’s."

 Psalm  103:1-5