Good News ReflectionTuesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary TimeSeptember 25, 2007
Today's Readings:Ezek 6:7-8, 12b, 14-20Ps 122:1-5Luke 8:19-21http://www.usccb.org/nab/092507.shtml
Time for action
The message in today's Gospel reading is short and sweet. Oh how truly sweet it is! To hear Jesus say that we are as dear to him as his own Blessed Mother, not to mention his other close relatives -- this is pure delight. But we're only that special if we're DOING the Word of God.
Jesus is telling each of us that it's possible to be part of his inner circle of closest family. This should motivate us to get off our prayer chairs and fly into action, changed by the Word of God, directed by the Word, empowered by the Word, making a difference in the world through the love that IS the Word, the love WHO is the Word made flesh.
Why do you think so many prayers of Christ's household (the Church) go unanswered? For example, at every Mass the priest prays, "Free us from all anxiety," yet how many of us suddenly stop worrying about our problems? This prayer is only answered when we learn what the Word says about trusting God AND we act upon it.
Why is it that a parish can add the Prayer to Saint Michael ("defend us in battle") to the end of daily Mass yet remain in division or under financial attack? It's because we shouldn't be waiting on angels to do all the work for us; to overcome the enemy while the angels defend us, we have to act upon what the Word says about community and unity or stewardship and generosity.
When we pray the Rosary, what value is there in reciting, "Lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy," unless we are doing acts of mercy and reaching out to lost souls to help guide them to heaven? What good is it to recite the Divine Mercy prayer, "Have mercy on us and on the whole world," if we are not doing acts of mercy to spread God's healing love?
Why has the decline in priesthood and religious vocations continued, even after many years of many prayers for an increase? Praying is not enough. We need to pay attention to what the Word says about our own calling to ministry -- the laity as well as the ordained -- and act upon it. By being joyful, passionate ministers who are motivated by a love that goes the extra mile, our attitude will inspire others to hear and respond to their own callings. Clergy who live their vocation as a pastoral ministry instead of a job and laity who are collaboratively unified with the clergy in doing the work of God's kingdom will inspire energy for new vocations, consecrated lives, and more lay ministers.
Prayer without action is meaningless. Action without knowing the Word of God is misdirected. Hearing the Word and then acting upon it is true kinship with Christ. May we all grow as close to Jesus as his own mother. Amen!
*Taken from GoodNewsReflection*
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Do not worry about tomorrow…
"Once again another ‘easier said then done’ phrase. Since this life-changing accident I’ve really been listening to what God’s been saying. Even in the most insignificant events, phrases, anything. (I know You’re There – Casting Crowns)
So, I am coming to the conclusion that this accident has occurred for many many many many more reasons than I can possibly think of. In not only hearing how so many people where directly /indirectly affected by this accident are nothing short of miracles. However, within myself it seems that so many things were being red flagged. I’m going to only touch on this one realization now…
I was and still struggle with worrying. I must say that I have improved in this department. The accident left me somewhat debilitated and leaving me completely dependent. And for those who really know me (and witnessed it first hand) know that was not OK with me. However, in time I found myself so helpless that I know that I needed the assistance to even brush my teeth or my hair. Nonetheless, the worry level went off the charts… I worried and worried and worried.
o How was this going to affect my three children?
o How was this going to affect my current relationships?
o How was this going to affect my job? After landing a great job with great co-workers and bosses (that doesn’t happen very often).
o When will this all be over?
o When can I get back to the swing of things?
Countless unanswered questions, all covered with a layer of humor. I tried not to show how worried I really was. There came a point in that rut that I started to realize the truth behind ‘Everything Happens for a Reason’. A phrase I used to use so loosely. It gave a whole new meaning to “Let Go and Let God”. I had to let go of everything and I mean everything: Self-Respect, Fear, Worry, Depression, Loneliness, Self-image with my disfigured face, EVERYTHING! After I let it go, I offered it up to God. I basically said Here you go my Lord, I am offering this huge burden up to You. I can’t seem to handle this any longer. I’m so tired. I can’t walk this walk any longer. I am so frustrated and whatever Your will is Be done…
Soon after I started to sift through the rubble of what the accident left behind and start to glue the pieces back together. Don’t get me wrong, I am still fighting with the darn glue. But, I have come to the realization that tomorrow is just that TOMORROW! I need to place more focus on TODAY – Pray about Today – Get through TODAY first.
‘DO NOT WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW, TOMORROW WILL TAKE CARE OF ITSELF’
MATT6:34
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
WHO AM I? Evngelist Dorinda Hicks
(Forwarded by Ivonne)
Who am I? This is a question we should ask ourselves from time to time. I am not the same person I was a year ago. I am not the same person I was before I dedicated my life to God. With each day of life, our circumstances and life experiences help us to answer that question. Many times we answer this question by what we did in our past or for some of us what we are still doing.
Some of us value who we are by what type of job we have, or by how much money we have. But let us look deeper than just our occupations to answer this question. Let us check on ourselves, inside ourselves.
Who am I? I did not always like the answer that came with that question. Ok, facts, I have not always liked the person I was. I had a lot of issues. I was tore up from the floor up and believe it or not that is the time in my life I really thought I had it going on. I was sadly mistaken. I am not perfect today, but I thank God today, to want to know the things about myself that are not like Him that need to go. Do I like it? Not always, but for me to get closer to Him, there are some things about me that need to check out.
There is a side of all of us, that we do not want no one else to know about. It is usually that side of you, that needs to go. We all have issues. The person who thinks they do not have one has one. PRIDE! We do not have to think low of ourselves but the Word tells us not to think to highly of ourselves. As long as we got breathe to breath there is hope. You may be one of those lucky people who feel you do not have issues, but as long as you live on this earth with imperfect people, you will be challenged. Do you always hold your cool? Do you always answer everybody with a sweet, happy response? I'm just checking! People make life hard sometimes. It is hard to love the unlovable, but guess what, we are called to do it. Can it be done? Yes! Will it always be an easy task? No! But in this, try to see God in everything you do. He is teaching you patience. So was that journey in vain? No! If you learned something, then you have something under your belt to take with you to the next level in God. You have another tool to help you with the next unlovable person that will cross your path, and believe me someone else will cross your path.
When I think about who I am, I think about who I use to be. Thank God that when we give our lives to him, we become new creatures. I will never forget where I came from, but I no longer dwell there. Today, realizing that God had a plan for me, and once I got back on track with God, the plan was reactivated. More important today, is not who I am, but who God says I am. I know I am a child of God. I know I am more than a conqueror. I know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I know that no weapon formed against me will prosper. I know that God has a plan for my life. I know today that I am walking in the purpose and destiny that God ordained for me.
Nothing happens by chance. There is not anyone who crosses your path for no reason. It is up to us to find out what part in your life they are to play. Is your secret more important than helping someone else walk in their deliverance? If we choose to hide behind our scars, or keep them to ourself, it may be a soul that you can help by just telling your story that will not get helped. You may be the one chosen to give them a smile today. You may be the one chosen to encourage them today. You may be the one chosen to help them lift their head up today. We never know what others are going through. We have our sister and brothers medicine, but will we share what we have? We all have some skeletons in our closets. I made choices in my life that I am not proud of, but I thank God today for just being God. Because of his grace and mercy I am still here. He saved me and I have a chance today to make better choices. The same things in my life that once had me so bound, were stepping stones to get me to where I am today. It is because of my past, I have such a passion for my relationship with God. It means so much to me to know that through it all, God loved me when I did not love myself. That through it all, He never left me or forsaked me. That through it all, He gave me his grace and mercy and not the justice that I so deserved. That is why I love God with all my heart and soul.
Today, I challenge you to check on yourself. Who are you? Who does God say you are? Are you walking in your purpose? If not then why not? There is so much work to do for the kingdom. We have to get in our places. There is a God sized assignment for each of us that was chosen for us before the beginning of time. Everybody is not a preacher, but we are all teachers. We teach by example. Someone is always watching you. What type of standards are you living by? We are to represent Jesus Christ? What type of representative are you? Who we are in God is awesome! It is better than any job description I could ever give you!
You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
Who am I? This is a question we should ask ourselves from time to time. I am not the same person I was a year ago. I am not the same person I was before I dedicated my life to God. With each day of life, our circumstances and life experiences help us to answer that question. Many times we answer this question by what we did in our past or for some of us what we are still doing.
Some of us value who we are by what type of job we have, or by how much money we have. But let us look deeper than just our occupations to answer this question. Let us check on ourselves, inside ourselves.
Who am I? I did not always like the answer that came with that question. Ok, facts, I have not always liked the person I was. I had a lot of issues. I was tore up from the floor up and believe it or not that is the time in my life I really thought I had it going on. I was sadly mistaken. I am not perfect today, but I thank God today, to want to know the things about myself that are not like Him that need to go. Do I like it? Not always, but for me to get closer to Him, there are some things about me that need to check out.
There is a side of all of us, that we do not want no one else to know about. It is usually that side of you, that needs to go. We all have issues. The person who thinks they do not have one has one. PRIDE! We do not have to think low of ourselves but the Word tells us not to think to highly of ourselves. As long as we got breathe to breath there is hope. You may be one of those lucky people who feel you do not have issues, but as long as you live on this earth with imperfect people, you will be challenged. Do you always hold your cool? Do you always answer everybody with a sweet, happy response? I'm just checking! People make life hard sometimes. It is hard to love the unlovable, but guess what, we are called to do it. Can it be done? Yes! Will it always be an easy task? No! But in this, try to see God in everything you do. He is teaching you patience. So was that journey in vain? No! If you learned something, then you have something under your belt to take with you to the next level in God. You have another tool to help you with the next unlovable person that will cross your path, and believe me someone else will cross your path.
When I think about who I am, I think about who I use to be. Thank God that when we give our lives to him, we become new creatures. I will never forget where I came from, but I no longer dwell there. Today, realizing that God had a plan for me, and once I got back on track with God, the plan was reactivated. More important today, is not who I am, but who God says I am. I know I am a child of God. I know I am more than a conqueror. I know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I know that no weapon formed against me will prosper. I know that God has a plan for my life. I know today that I am walking in the purpose and destiny that God ordained for me.
Nothing happens by chance. There is not anyone who crosses your path for no reason. It is up to us to find out what part in your life they are to play. Is your secret more important than helping someone else walk in their deliverance? If we choose to hide behind our scars, or keep them to ourself, it may be a soul that you can help by just telling your story that will not get helped. You may be the one chosen to give them a smile today. You may be the one chosen to encourage them today. You may be the one chosen to help them lift their head up today. We never know what others are going through. We have our sister and brothers medicine, but will we share what we have? We all have some skeletons in our closets. I made choices in my life that I am not proud of, but I thank God today for just being God. Because of his grace and mercy I am still here. He saved me and I have a chance today to make better choices. The same things in my life that once had me so bound, were stepping stones to get me to where I am today. It is because of my past, I have such a passion for my relationship with God. It means so much to me to know that through it all, God loved me when I did not love myself. That through it all, He never left me or forsaked me. That through it all, He gave me his grace and mercy and not the justice that I so deserved. That is why I love God with all my heart and soul.
Today, I challenge you to check on yourself. Who are you? Who does God say you are? Are you walking in your purpose? If not then why not? There is so much work to do for the kingdom. We have to get in our places. There is a God sized assignment for each of us that was chosen for us before the beginning of time. Everybody is not a preacher, but we are all teachers. We teach by example. Someone is always watching you. What type of standards are you living by? We are to represent Jesus Christ? What type of representative are you? Who we are in God is awesome! It is better than any job description I could ever give you!
You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
What Music Means To Me
(Written by Alysa Vazquez, 11 yrs old)
Music means everything to me. There is at least one song to fit any of my different moods. I like all kinds of music. If you would ask me to pick a favorite song, I can’t because I like a lot of songs from different genres. For instance, I like Pop, Country-Pop, Hip Hop, Classical, Classic Rock, Smooth Jazz, Motown and Christian music. My mother used to tell me that she would play classical and smooth jazz music through head phones and place it on her tummy to calm me down. I guess that’s why I like listening to these types of music. My family loves to listen to music. We can just be cleaning the house and jamming to Motown and study listening to Tchaikovsky. We are always listening to something good.
As I said before there are at least one song that fits any of my mood. My typical mood of is mostly happy. When I am happy I usually listen to The Jonas Brothers, Kenny Chesney, or Rascal Flatts. They keep making me feel good inside. For instance, Hold On from the Jonas Brothers talks about if you were having a bad day to just
I am Christian/Catholic and I don’t listen to a lot of music they play on the radio. I do listen to 89.7 SPIRIT FM; it is an all CHRIST related positive music. They play Christian Pop, Rock, Hip-Hop and Rap. You do get used to listening to it, it is pretty cool. Actually, I listen to more Christian music than any other type of music. One of my favorite bands is Casting Crowns. They write their own music and it is absolutely awesome. They just released a new album called The Altar and The Door. There is a song on this album called East to West. It is basically talking about how much Christ loved us to choose to die on the cross for us. The way His hands are nailed to the cross “from East to West – from one scarred hand to the other”. Christian music tends to be how He sends messages to us. I love to listen to it and reflect on it.
Country Music can be positive as well. I usually listen to Country-Pop. It is regular Pop music with a country beat and flare. Some bands and singers I like listening to are Brooks and Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Billy Ray Cyrus, Sugarland, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Gretchen Wilson. Carrie Underwood has a great song called Jesus Take The Wheel. Gretchen Wilson has a song that we are not all
Another of my favorite genres to listen to is Motown. My parents listen to Motown when they were growing up and they had us do the same. One of my favorite is Diana Ross and the Supremes, ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’ or ‘Stop in the Name of Love’. Also another Motown group is Earth, Wind and Fire with ‘September’ and ‘Boogie Wonderland’. There are so many kinds of songs that I like in the Motown section. It makes me feel like dancing especially with my parents.
I also like to listen to Pop. I listen to Radio Disney on 990 AM. They play a lot of kid music for my little brother. But, they also play good music for my sister and me. For instance, they do play Jonas Brothers as I said before. They also play Hanna Montana (Miley Cyrus – Billy Ray Cyrus’ daughter), High School Musical 1 and 2 songs. A lot of these songs make me want to dance and sing along. Some of them are sad but since I know them by heart it makes it so much better. I can relate to some of the songs since they are talking about kids and their everyday lives. For instance, I play Softball and the song Hey Batter-Batter from High School Musical 2 is one that I can relate to. Another one is Nobody’s Perfect from Hanna Montana. It is so true, nobody is perfect and sometimes I think I am, but I remember that I am not.
I know I am not alone in thinking that music has lost its touch over time. It’s hard to find good music now-a-days. What you hear is things kids our age shouldn’t be listening to. A lot of people these days think music has come back from its “shell”. Other people think that music is “dead”. By saying dead I mean that over the years good music has become extinct. It seems that the more popular music has no meaning to it. It’s just a bunch of words with a catchy beat.
I think that you would have to listen and determine what you think about different music. Some people may like certain kinds of music and others will disagree. We should be thinking about what is important in life and not worrying about material things which seems to be more popular. Music is a cool way to express your self in any way. We should make it a positive way.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Relationships are a science: some elements work great together, others not so much? The dynamics of a destructive relationship isn't the subject at hand here. Today, I'd like to talk about the aftermath...
Have you ever noticed that every kind of relationship can result in the same kind of emotional scars? The kind of relationship isn't what defines the aftermath (brother/sister, friendship, bf/gf, etc.) It's the elements that were involved in the relationship that produce these emotional battle wounds. For instance, is there any type of a lie? No, a lie is a lie, no matter which way you cut it, or who was the liar. Is there different types of betrayal. Nope...the circumstances are different but when the sun goes down, betrayal is betrayal. How about disillusion? Nope, the journey of disillusion is a complex and unique one for each of us. But at the end of the day, disillusion in a person, thing, idea,plan....hurts just the same. So how come we find it so difficult to reach out to each other in the aftermath of relationships? The common demoninator in all of these is that we became vulnerable to a person, thing, idea, plan and what you would have bet the house on, turned out to be a complete fallacy that left you bruised and battered.
"Once upon a time, there was a dog named Puppy. Puppy came into this world ready to love and hug and cherish everyone in Puppy's life because that is what drove it's heart: unconditional love. But Puppy ran into people who did not share in it's ideals about love. They told it that they did but then why did they hurt, lie, deceive it the way that they did? In the beginning of the trials that Puppy faced, it took all the emotional and sometimes physical beatings that it received from the people Puppy wanted to love and hug and cherish unconditionally and did not fight back. But eventually, Puppy began to hold back on his desire to love and hug and cherish everyone unconditionally. In fact, Puppy began to fight back and adapted a defensive, aggressive, ultra-independent approach to dealing with the elements that tortured it's fragile little heart. One day, the abuse stopped, and Puppy began to be taken care of by different people who wanted to love and hug and cherish Puppy like it was initially born to do. But Puppy could not let it's guard down. Puppy maintained the defensive, ultra-independent position on life and barked and bit those that approached it, regardless if there intentions were to give Puppy what it most desired in the world..."
Can you relate to Puppy? Have you been hurt, betrayed, deceived and disillusioned so bad that you bite now, but not as a defense but because you don't know any better? I can relate to Puppy. It's only logical! Why would I continually put myself out there so that all I can get in return is people hurting me? I am not a masochist! I want to be adored, respected, trust and be trusted....but if I go by my past, if I go by what people have shown me are capable of doing to me once I let my guard down, I should lock myself in my room and never leave. In fact, the wise plan seems to be that I completely numb myself from everyone, everything...the whole world. Robots have it easy dude, they function and they never have to worry about people hurting them or becoming vulnerable. Robots can carry the whole weight of the world and not break a sweat. Sounds like a plan to me....
And it was my plan, until I met the person that changed my whole life. This person touched my heart, my soul and the closer I get to this person, the more healing I receive. The tears of the past have turned into healing tears, each drop mending everything inside of me that was broken. This person was the first rebel to walk this earth, never cursed, never raised his voice, always loved selflessly, only so that he can be crucified and disrespected from the first scourge to this very moment. His name is Jesus.
Who is this King of Glory that pursues me with his love?And haunts me with each hearing of His softly spoken words. My conscience, a reminder of forgiveness that I need. Who is this King of Glory who offers it to me? Who is this King of angels, O blessed Prince of Peace. Revealing things of Heaven and all its mysteries.My spirit's ever longing for His grace in which to stand. Who's this King of glory, Son of God and son of man.His name is Jesus, precious Jesus. The Lord Almighty, the King of my heart.The King of glory. Who is this King of Glory with strength and majesty. And wisdom beyond measure, the gracious King of kings.The Lord of Earth and Heaven, the Creator of all things. He is the King of Glory, He's everything to me.
We become bitter, distrustful, hyper-sensitive, emotionally introverted, and even cold hearted when our whole heart is placed in the hands of another person and they beat it, crush it, hurt it, burn it and tear it apart. It's painful, it's almost in-human to want to do it to yourself again. But things change when you place your heart first and foremost in Jesus' hands. Your best friend is not the friend you've known since 6th grade. Your best friend will always be Jesus. Once he becomes your motive for everything you do, say, think, plan, etc., you will be guided to the people who will have no other intention but to be there the way you need, deserve, and yearn for. A relationship built on the love for Christ can weather all storms, all misunderstandings. A relationship built on the love for Christ is bound by the blood he shed for us because he loves us. Even then, there is never a guarantee that you will never get hurt again. But meditate on this: Does Jesus get respected the way he should? Does he get loved the way that he should? Has he ever gone thru some kind of betrayal, deception and abuse? Would you agree, that if JESUS gave himself selflessly for the gifts of eternal life for US and we, 2 thousand and seven years later, are still incapable of giving him the love and honor and respect that he deserved, that he earned, perfection and love in the flesh.... ask yourself, how we can expect imperfect people to love us in the perfect way that each one of us hungers for, when Jesus himself does not get what he deserves from us?
People will continue to hurt each other because we are imperfect. People will continue to hurt each other because they don't know any better. If you know better, then you will love better. Know Jesus and you will love better. Know Jesus, and he will provide people in your life that will heal every part of your broken heart and soul. Not because they, mere mortals, know how. But because if the people in your life, truly know Jesus, they will love you like Jesus would if he was here with us in the flesh today. My healers are my friends. Who are your healers? If you are at a place in your life where you find yourself living the "battered puppy syndrome", pray for guidance and ask God to unveil your eyes from the pain of yesterday to the people in your life meant to be there for you. If there is a relationship that has left you broken and scared, and you don't even know how to get on the road of recovery, Jesus style....here are your guidelines:
1. The Bible
2. The Mass
3. The Rosary (or any form of prayer)
4. The Blessed Sacrament
5. Confession
It is definitely a process that is easier said than done. No arguments here!!! But, keep in mind that you are never alone.
P.S. "Forgiveness is relieving a person from the obligations that resulted when they injured you"-Dr. James McDonald
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