Be My Valentine - You Are Mine

No, I'm not talking about a valentine's phrase, exactly, although it could certainly be God's valentine to us.  I'm referring to a song we often sing at church.  It was actually my penance after celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and it was absolutely perfect.  Let me explain.

First, a note about the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  It really gets a bad rap.  If you have not had a a wonderful, positive, freeing experience with that Sacrament, you need to go again.  It is absolutely beautiful.  Let's set aside the discussion on confessing sins to a priest and focus on the deeper purpose:  reconciliation with God.

Thankful Thursday 2/12/15

I am thankful for a life well-lived.  I'm not talking about myself.  Rather, I wish to honor a memory.  Today is the 1-year anniversary of Leo Miller's death.  I did not know him as well as I might have liked, but what I did know, I learned from his kids and daughter-in-law.  I think that is a testament to Leo's life.

In my limited experience with loss and death, I know the best gift I can give is time.  At least for me, those who take time to remember my loved ones help my healing.  That may be time with those who grieve, taking time to remember the person who died, or making time to tell those left behind, 'I will not forget him; his memory lives on.'  Therefore, I would like to share my thoughts of Leo and his legacy.

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Hope & Healing

http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020815.cfm 

Quick recap:

1st Reading - Job - ultimate suffering and hopelessness

Psalm - 147 - Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted

Epistle - 1 Corinthians - stewardship and giving of oneself

Gospel - Mark 1 - healing Simon's mother-in-law

What great Scriptures! These have been more comfort to me as I long for complete health. I have been limited in my actions, and I struggle with accepting God's Will concerning my current state of health.  (See my earlier post on the struggle here).

I find Job to be such an interesting figure. To be stricken with so much desolation and pain, and yet be able to praise God; I am in awe. I come down with a sinus infection and I assume God messed up somewhere in the grand scheme of things. It is not so. This was the first full weekend I've been back to Newman. It's been pretty tiring, and slightly frustrating since I don't have my voice back 100%, but it has been even more fulfilling to be present, celebrating with a community of believers.

Holy Land pictures

Your patience is appreciated - here we go!  I tried to pick out the highlights, but there are still a lot of pictures involved.  I would be happy to go through any and all of my pictures and share my experience in the Holy Land with you more in depth.  What an amazing opportunity!

Holy Land - Best of

Thankful Thursday 2/5/15

It's been a while since I've posted a specific 'Thankful Thursday' post.  The month of January, for me, was characterized by illness and travel.  Thankfully, however, they did not happen concurrently!  That is a definite blessing.  I had bronchitis before I left, and I was rather nervous about being sick during my trip.  Read about it here:  Have patience, my child.  Then, about a week after I returned, I was out sick with sinus infection, sinusitis, etc.  While I am feeling much improved, I am slower than I would like.  So many things I want to do, and I only have energy for half of one item.  So, February 7th's reflection in Jesus Calling was a comfort to me:

"Come to me for rest and refreshment.  The journey has been too much for you, and you are bone-weary.  Do not be ashamed of your exhaustion.  instead, see it as an opportunity for Me to take charge of your life.  Remember that I can fit everything into a pattern for good, including the things you wish were different.  Start with where you are at this point in time and space, accepting that this is where I intend you to be.  You will get through today one step, one moment at a time.  Your main responsibility is to remain attentive to Me, letting Me guide you through the many choices along your pathway. . . "

I know my experiences are minor in comparison to chemotherapy or fibromyalgia or other debilitating disorders.  I am also aware of how blessed I am for my good health, and how easy it is to take for granted.  Regardless of the gravity of any of our current circumstances, we all have experiences where life is not going according to 'our' plan.  Do not despair.  God's got this.

Prayer:  Lord, I am sorry for all of the times I have failed to appreciate the blessings in my life, especially the things I take for granted.  Thank you for this opportunity to grow in awareness of Your presence at all times.  Help me to be open to Your graces.

"We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose."  ~Romans 8:28