Before I was humiliated I was like a stone that lies in deep mud, and he who is mighty came and in his compassion raised me up and exalted me very high and placed me on the top of the wall. St. Patrick In today’s language and grammar, this statement could be confusing. I would like to put a comma after the preposition at the beginning! But I know that in other languages, the meaning is a bit different. I imagine the stone walls or buildings of old. Could this be a stone wall around the sheep’s field? Or the high fortress wall of a great city? This analogy for our little resurrection is literally uplifting! Today, I may be stuck in the chaos and cares I face. Today, I may be stuck in bad habits that I don’t even see anymore! The image of feeling lighter and dropping all the useless baggage I carry has been a theme for me this year. I’m letting go. If the person I want to be is free, I want to let go of the things holding me back. Sometimes, that can be material possessions like clothing or shoes I don’t wear or even need anymore. It could be spending less time with negative people and more time with people that bring me joy. All of this reflection needs to be done with God’s glasses on and prayer. God knows when to help […]

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Scripture focus for the JAN 31 Mass DRIVING OUT DEMONS! In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit;he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet!  Come out of him!”The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another,“What is this? A new teaching with authority.He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.”His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee. This Gospel from Mark challenges us today. What do we believe? What signs or miracles do we need? There were others during Jesus time who healed people, too. This time the unclean spirit recognizes Jesus and calls him the Holy One of God. Even the demons recognize Jesus. Jesus heals this poor man. Jesus is waiting to heal us, too. Maybe we don’t have any demons kick out but we could probably clean house. Maybe we have bad habits or attachments to things that aren’t good for us or the people around us. In a few weeks, we begin our journey through Lent hoping for transformation. Don’t wait to go to confession. Clean house and get started now. Jesus is just waiting to heal you, too. Blessings, Donna P.S. The Our Father prayer is a deliverance prayer. Are you in […]

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Do you want peace? Are you worried? What are you thinking about? Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,make your requests known to God.Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters,whatever is true, whatever is honorable,whatever is just, whatever is pure,whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious,if there is any excellenceand if there is anything worthy of praise,think about these things.Keep on doing what you have learned and receivedand heard and seen in me.Then the God of peace will be with you. St. Paul assures us that there is a great way to live! Print out this Scripture and put it somewhere you will see it every day. Pray it with confidence and try to live it! Just think about these things and keep doing what you learned. Then you will have the God of peace with you. MT 21:33-43

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