Do you feel like you are being tossed in waves that could sink your boat? Life has dealt me more than one challenge. Staying positive and encouraging through the storms of life is difficult. One thing that has helped me is to stop, breath and sit. I’m not really in a boat during a terrible storm. I am here in […]
As director of a faith formation program, I enjoy sharing my newsletters. I also post resources each week on my web pages. This week’s inspiration is Walking in faith, a reason for hope. Our classes start on September 3 so we are getting prepared now. I really appreciate all of our volunteers who help to make this a dynamic and […]
Scripture Focus for July 2 R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. Ps89:2a Are you righteous? Are you welcoming Jesus? “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me…And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because the little one is a disciple—amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.” – Jesus (Mt 10:37-42) Giving and Receiving Christ The only real oneness possible [is] Christ in us….In Holy Communion, millions of small hosts are given to millions of people; this does not mean Christ is divided into millions, but that the millions are made one in Christ. {Caryll met a woman during a Mass where there were no Communion hosts to receive. A ragged woman told her to come and a priest would divide her reserved host for them both. Caryll went. She gave Christ to me, Christ’s Passion to the world.] At first sight, suffering seems broken up, unfairly divided. In reality it is the human race that is divided, suffering is a communion that makes us one, as sacramental Communion does. We can give Christ’s Passion to one another, as the poor woman gave Christ to me, and we can comfort Christ in one another in doing so…He gave us his Passion in his body, gave us himself, his suffering and his sacrifice, […]
R. Lord come and save us. Cf. ISAIAH 35:4 (Psalm 146) This is the one whom I sent—a PROPHET! John the Baptist has lived like a patient farmer awaiting “the precious fruit of the earth.” From the midst of the “hardship and patience” that he suffers in prison for being a prophet “who spoke in the name of the Lord,” […]
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever. Cf. Psalm 72:7 Is anyone listening?! As a parent, Catechist (teacher) or even friend, we can feel like we are John the Baptist! We are a voice crying out in the desert. Is anyone listening? Our message that Jesus is coming can get lost in the noise […]
Are you comparing? Are you for or against? Are you an obstacle for others? In this Gospel, the disciple John questions Jesus about an unknown exorcist who was driving out demons in Jesus’ name. John’s question might have been motivated by jealousy. Previously in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus healed a boy whom the disciples had been unable to heal. John’s question is further evidence that the disciples have not yet grasped Jesus’ words to them. They continue to compare themselves to others who seem to have greater healing powers, and they do not want to share the power of Jesus’ name with others…The disciples observed that the unknown exorcist invoked Jesus’ name and was successful in his healing efforts. This unknown healer recognized the power of Jesus’ name, yet he was not a follower of Jesus. Later in this Gospel, Jesus teaches us not to create obstacles for those who are just beginning to have faith but to encourage even the smallest signs of faith. The Greek word used here for sin also connotes “stumbling” or “causing scandal.” In vivid terms Jesus teaches his disciples the consequences to those who would put obstacles before people who are on the road to faith. – Excerpt from the Sunday Connection by Loyola Press. While the miracles that happen in these stories can be unbelievable, they are eyewitness accounts recorded for us in the Gospel. We learn that so much can happen in Jesus’ […]
Changing your mind often gets a bad wrap in our modern world. Changing your mind can mean you are flaky, indecisive or frustrating to deal with. Jokes abound about how women are always changing their mind (especially when we can’t figure out what to wear! Lol). Metanoia is usually translated as repent or turn around. Today’s translation could be to change your […]
A week ago I read the Sunday Readings for July 19 that focused on Christ’s peace and this was my summary: St. Paul says Christ is our peace. He will bring us together. We all have access to the Holy Spirit! We are brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ. How can you make peace? Mark tells us how […]
Yesterday’s Reading contains my favorite Scripture passage. It has kept me going for many years! * but he [God] said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses,* in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with […]
peacenhopeexchange 
Recent Comments