Questions I Need to Ask Myself

For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what is lost. (Luke 19:10)

Jesus changed Zacchaeus' life. 

Jesus came into his life and asked to dine with him. He didn't ask Zacchaeus to change first. He loved him the way he was.

Zacchaeus encountered Christ. Then he was healed.

Is there a lesson here for me?

How do I treat sinners, especially the "public" ones? Do I welcome them first? Do I treat them with love and compassion? Do I invite them to the Table of the Lord?

Or do I judge them? Do I ask them to be "perfect" first? Do I want them to "change" first?

Jesus came to heal the sick. Do I forget that?

And what about me? Do I need healing?

Fr. Ron Rolheiser writes in his book, Against An Infinite Horizon - "... that going to eucharist is not a moral statement. We go to eucharist because we need health, not because we are healthy."

Lord, help me to see others through your eyes. Help me to welcome the stranger and the sinner. Help me to bring your love to all. Amen.

Sunday Snippets - October 31

This is the weekly Catholic Carnival! Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?

Here are my contributions for this week:
Let's Get Real
Sabbath Moments - Paying Attention

Sabbath Moments: Paying Attention

Sabbath moments are the moments we rest in God, when we take time to just Be with God rather than Do. Sabbath moments are those times when we live in the moment and find the holy in the ordinary. I invite you to share your Sabbath moment(s) here on Saturdays. Be sure to sign into Mr. Linky below. If you don't have a blog, please share about it in a comment!
Some of my sabbath moments this week:
1. My hubby was gone for 3 days last weekend and so I made it an in-home mini-retreat! I have not been able to get away for my annual silent retreat so I did it at home and it really was awesome. Not the same as getting away but it was still a very prayerful and restful and silent weekend. Just what the doctor ordered. Or should I say my good God? :)
2. A couple of times this week, I took a mini-break at work and looked out through the window at some trees in the distance. I just watched them.
I watched the tops of the trees swaying in the breeze, I watched the clouds in the sky behind them and I watched some birds that flew by. Then I said a silent prayer, thanking God.
It is quite amazing to just sit and look and pay attention to God's gift of nature. Really pay attention. Even for just five minutes. I find it refreshing and comforting, like I can sense God's presence with me.

Thankful for Blessings - Surprises!

Here we are again this week, taking this special time to thank the Lord for our many blessings. Judy is a special blogging friend of mine and she hosts this great meme every Wednesday at her inspiring blog, A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings. In this meme we give thanks for the five things we are most thankful for this past week and then link to Judy's blog. Thank you, Judy!
Here are some of my blessings from this week:
1. My husband - he spent another weekend helping out with Cursillo. I came home to an empty house on the day he left and found a note from him which was just so special. And a sweet chocolate caramel treat for me! Does he know me or what?
2. Old Friends - I was contacted by an old classmate from nursing school - from 35 years ago!! There was a reunion recently that I missed because no one could find me to tell me about it. So my old friend decided she wanted to find me and she hunted me down! What an awesome gift!
3. Thank you, Lord, for the beautiful sky the other morning - pretty pink sky with white fluffy clouds.
4. And then there was that rainbow today on the way home from work - and it never rained! What a beautiful surprise!
5. As I write this, I reached 30 fans on Facebook for my new website, Catholic Prayer Life! Very cool! Thank you, Lord, for the website, for the inspiration, for the fans, and also the guidance and support from Judy (who hosts this meme).
What are some of your blessings this week?

Catholic Prayer Life

Catholic Prayer Life is my new website. I am really enjoying working on it and sharing it with people. I hope you will pay it a visit.

I am trying to create a place where people can find prayer, inspiration and daily reflections. A place to review what you know and learn what you don't know. A place to nourish your soul.

Besides daily reflections, Catholic Prayer Life also has audio talks and reflections. Coming soon will be an online retreat that can be received by email and possibly audio retreats down the road sometime. All of these are free! 

And I shouldn't forget to tell you about the free Catholic ecards. You can also buy my eBook, Blueberry Muffins!

Be sure to let me know what YOU would like to see on this website.

And please help me spread the word. If you are on Facebook, maybe you could "like" Catholic Prayer Life by clicking on the link in the fan box at the top of my blog here or on the site itself! I am looking for more fans!

I would sure appreciate it if you could also grab my button on my left sidebar and post it on your blog or website!

God bless and thanks for all your support here on my blog. I so appreciate all of you! 
Please come visit!

Let's Get Real

The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity--greedy, dishonest, adulterous--or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.' 
But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.' (Luke 18:11-13)

Interesting that only a few verses after this Gospel reading, verse 19, Jesus says -  "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone."

Both of the men in this gospel are sinners. But only one admits it. Only one tells the truth. Only one is real.

The tax collector has the right idea. He knew he was a sinner and he asked for God's mercy, knowing God's mercy is bigger than any sin.

The Pharisee is more interested in comparing himself to the tax collector and others. He evidently feels superior. He may have many gifts but he is taking credit for them rather than thanking God for them. He too is a sinner but does not seem to recognize it.

When we know we are sinners, we stop comparing ourselves to others. We stop judging others. When we trust in God's love, then we are able to throw ourselves at his feet, asking for His mercy, confident that it will be given to us.
"You may call God love, you may call God goodness, but the best name for God is compassion." - Meister Eckhart
Lord, have mercy on me. Help me to be real. And help me to remember from whom all blessings flow. Amen.

image source

Sunday Snippets - October 24

This is the weekly Catholic Carnival! Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?

Here are my contributions for this week:
Pray Always
Jesus Laughing

Jesus Laughing

People have been asking me about my comment on the laughing Jesus picture. There are many of them out there. Check here to see some of the common ones.

This one has long been a favorite of mine. Looks like he is just throwing his head back, laughing.

Of course Jesus laughed. He was human. And he was God. And he must have enjoyed the life he created.

If we laugh and we are made in the image of God, well, then God must laugh. After all, we give him plenty of reasons to!

LOL.

Sabbath Moments - Fun and Prayer

Sabbath moments are the moments we rest in God, when we take time to just Be with God rather than Do. Sabbath moments are those times when we live in the moment and find the holy in the ordinary. I invite you to share your Sabbath moment(s) here on Saturdays. Be sure to sign into Mr. Linky below. If you don't have a blog, please share about it in a comment!
Some of my sabbath moments this week:
1. Watching my grandson play football. Relaxing after a long day, I was having fun watching my grandson have fun. Made me think of a conversation I had earlier in the day with someone about Jesus probably having fun, playing games, laughing. Have you ever seen that picture of the laughing Jesus?
So I was pondering, if we have fun watching our children and grandchildren playing games and having fun, doesn't Jesus have fun watching us?
2. Watching the sky change colors on my way to work. One morning there were so many different colors! So beautiful. What a gift God gave me, painting the sky like that. And reminding me to thank him for the new day!
3. As a Benedictine oblate, I am supposed to be praying the Liturgy of the Hours every day. At least Morning & Evening prayer. We pray the Morning Prayer together at work, but I am not as faithful as I should be when it comes to Evening prayer. But this week, I am making an extra effort to pray Evening prayer. A beautiful Sabbath Moment.

Thankful for Blessings - Oct 20

Judy is a special blogging friend of mine and she hosts this great meme every Wednesday at her inspiring blog, A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings. In this meme we give thanks for the five things we are most thankful for this past week and then link to Judy's blog. Please join us!
Here are some of my blessings from this week:
1. I was under the weather for a few days but am feeling much better today! Thank you, Lord.
2. My deacon hubby has touched many people with his homilies and reflections and talks. Thank you, Lord, for my husband's vocation to the diaconate.
3. I thought I was looking forward to a few days of silence and solitude last week, when my hubby went to help out at Cursillo. But I started missing him before he even left!! Thank you, Lord, for my husband and for our marriage (my hubby's OTHER vocation!).
4. My grandchildren are growing like weeds! I have a few in college and a 4 month old and several inbetween! Thank you, Lord, for my family.
5. It is so wonderful to be able to work at a place where our "business" is all about God. Thank you, Lord, for my job and my co-workers and my pastor.

Pray Always

Pray always.

In the earliest days of my life as a Catholic, when I had no clue as to what prayer really was, I prayed whenever I needed something or whenever I wanted to thank God for something.

I was a beginner in the spiritual journey and I just didn't know.  I didn't know that prayer is more than just reciting some words.

Prayer is relationship with God.

Prayer is intimacy with God.

Prayer is offering our whole lives to God.

Prayer is anything from praying the rosary... to attending Mass... to offering up our pain... to listening to some Gregorian chant... to reading scripture... to offering thanks... to caring for our loved ones... to adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament... to cleaning our home... to working in the garden... to being still... to treating strangers with loving kindness.

What does "Pray always" mean to you?

image source

Sunday Snippets - October 17

This is the weekly Catholic Carnival! Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?

Here are my contributions for this week:
A Grateful Heart
Sabbath Moments-Rosary

Sabbath Moments - Rosary

Sabbath moments are the moments we rest in God, when we take time to just Be with God rather than Do. Sabbath moments are those times when we live in the moment and find the holy in the ordinary. I invite you to share your Sabbath moment(s) here on Saturdays. Be sure to sign into Mr. Linky below. If you don't have a blog, please share about it in a comment!
Some of my sabbath moments this week:
1. Friday - I spent the day in solitude and silence. Praying and listening can really help me listen better to the Lord. Certainly one way to rest in God.
2. Rosary - I have already posted many times my difficulty with praying the rosary. Well, I found a free e-book on the Our Sunday Visitor page about the Rosary of the Hours. I chose an hour to pray a decade of the rosary and read the meditations and I was amazed at how joyful I felt praying the rosary that way. Maybe that is because it is just a different way to pray it.
Did you have some Sabbath moments this week that you wish to share!

Praying the Psalms - Psalm 40

I just love the Psalms. And I love joining Jenny at Just A Minute in Praying the Psalms every weekend. Won't you join us? This week is Psalm 40.

He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the Lord. - Psalm 40:4

God put a new song in my mouth.
I still whine a lot. But I am learning to sing praises to God and to see the blessings He has given me every day of my life.
I am learning to see my cup half full rather than half empty.
Sometimes my cup is overflowing.
But more and more, I remember to thank God. And I share with others so they can see how good is our God.
Thank you, Jesus. Thank you for the new song!

Thankful for Blessings - October 13

Judy is a special blogging friend of mine and she hosts this great meme every Wednesday at her inspiring blog, A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings. In this meme we give thanks for the five things we are most thankful for this past week and then link to Judy's blog.
Here are some of my blessings from this week:
1. Sunday's gospel reading was all about gratitude for me. On my post on Sunday, I reflected on the years that I didn't know to thank God. I am grateful that I have grown in faith and know my Lord whom I thank for all my blessings!
2. I am grateful for my husband  - I always write about how much he makes me laugh and how he is a great cook and takes such good care of me. Have I told you how compassionate and gentle he is?
3. Thank you, Lord, for my best girlfriend of 50 years. We do not see each other often - we live hundreds of miles apart - but we stay in touch and support each other and cry on each other's shoulders, so to speak.
4. And so I am thankful for email! I email my mom everyday (who also lives far away) and it is like having coffee together, reviewing our day, chatting about whatever. AND my best friend and I stay in touch through email as well. I am a terrible letter-writer so email has really been a blessing!
5. Books. I love books. I love reading them and sharing them. As a child, they gave me a safe place to escape to and such grand adventures! As an adult, they teach and inspire and entertain. Thank you, Lord, for books and writers and stories!
What are some of your blessings this week?

Monday Daybook

Reading

The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything, by Fr. James Martin. Excellent book on Ignatian spirituality. I've read two other books by Father Martin and I like the way he writes. It's really funny but for years I did not really feel drawn to Ignatian spirituality at all but nowadays I seem to be reading more and more about it. Hmmm.

Beauty in the Ordinary 

My husband teasing me and giving me that "little boy" grin. 

Moment(s) of gratitude 

I am so grateful for my husband and for our life together.

I am so grateful for today. 

The Scripture in my heart

"Seek and you will find..." Matthew 7:7

Meditation

Seeking and longing seem to be on my mind and heart this week. That longing for God that pulls me (or should I say "calls " me) into prayer.

Words of prayer to carry with me this week 

Seek ye first the kingdom of God

Praying

Dear Lord, help me to keep my eyes on you and put you first before all.

Picture to Share

For Respect Life Month - 50 Crosses at our church surrounding a statue of Mary, each representing a state that legalizes abortion

A Grateful Heart

Jesus said in reply, "Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God? Then he said to him, "Stand up and go; your faith has saved you." - Luke 17:17-19

I have always wondered about the nine lepers who did not come back to thank Jesus. They had to be grateful. Leprosy is a death sentence. Not to mention the stigma attached to it  - being thought “unclean.” And they were separated from friends and family. Forever.

Maybe they didn't realize the healing came from Jesus. Jesus had not “done” anything. He didn’t touch them or pray over them. He told them to show themselves to the priest. They were obedient and did what they were told. And they were healed on the way.

Only one leper realized that Jesus had healed them. Only one came back, overflowing with gratitude and falling at the feet of Jesus.

I used to think, many years ago, that I got myself through the rough times. That I pulled myself up by my own "bootstraps." When good things happened, I did not know to thank God. I did not know that all good things come from the Lord, even the strength that helped me through the rough times.

So I didn't know to thank Him. I didn't know to be grateful.

Now I know better.

But it's more than just knowing who to thank. It's taking the time to do so. It's cultivating that "attitude of gratitude." It's having the faith to know that God's hand is in every second of our lives, whether we "see" him doing anything or not.

Dear Lord, please give me a grateful heart. And help me to show my gratitude by falling at your feet, praying and praising you, through all the days of my life. Amen.

Sunday Snippets - October 10

This is the weekly Catholic Carnival! Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?

Here are my contributions for this week:
Dear Mary
Sabbath Moments - Mini Moments

Sabbath Moments - Mini Moments

Sabbath moments are the moments we rest in God, when we take time to just Be with God rather than Do. Sabbath moments are those times when we live in the moment and find the holy in the ordinary. I invite you to share your Sabbath moment(s) here on Saturdays. Be sure to sign into Mr. Linky below. If you don't have a blog, please share about it in a comment!
1. One day this week I had a quiet evening to myself. I rested. I prayed. I read. Silence and solitude. It was like a mini-retreat!
2. I have a little alarm on my cell phone that reminds me to take a deep breath at various times throughout the day. Then I pray the name of Jesus, no matter how busy I am. These short little prayers help keep me mindful of Jesus' presence throughout the day.
What are some of your sabbath moments this week?

Dear Mary

Dear Mary,

Today we honor you as Our Lady of the Rosary. It is a beautiful Feast. It is a beautiful prayer.

I still struggle with praying the rosary. I have struggled for years. And I am pretty sure you understand. The difference these days, however, seems to be that I do not beat up on myself about it. I do not feel like there is anything wrong with me like I used to feel. I just do the best I can with it.

I pray the rosary when I feel the "call" from your Son.

I pray the rosary when there is someone in need.

I pray the rosary when I am afraid. It seems to soothe me somehow.

I pray it alone and I pray it with others. Mostly alone. I prefer alone. I can meditate on the mysteries better.

I have been pondering today about why you have so many images and names. Could it be that we just have so many needs? Is this another way for Jesus to show his loving concern for us?

I did not grow up knowing you, Mary, but I want to know you. I do know I love you. I love you because Jesus loves you. I love you because you help me feel closer to Jesus.

Thank you for saying Yes to God.

Happy Feast Day!

Thankful for Blessings - Family, Friends and Fans

Judy is a special blogging friend of mine and she hosts this great meme every Wednesday at her inspiring blog, A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings. In this meme we give thanks for the five things we are most thankful for this past week and then link to Judy's blog.
Here are some of my blessings from this week:
1. This has been an exciting week as I launched my new website - Catholic Prayer Life. I am so grateful for this new way of sharing my love of God and the Catholic Church and I am so thankful for all my new "fans!" Be sure to grab my button above!
2. I am grateful for my special blogging friend, Judy, who hosts this meme and helped me start my new website and has continued to help me in countless ways. Her support means so much to me. Check out her blogs and her website.
3. Thank you, Lord, for my hubby. He had a colonoscopy last week which turned out perfect and we are both grateful and glad it is over!
4. Thank you, Lord for this cooler weather. I actually took a sweater with me to work this morning. That's unheard of in Florida in early October!
5. I am grateful for my children and grandchildren. My newest grandson is growing soo fast. The picture below is too cute, but I am wondering, just what is he thinking about that is so serious?

Music Monday - Lord Lift Us Up Where We Belong

This Music Monday meme is hosted by Shawntele at Saved By Grace. Join in by clicking on the link here or the Music Monday image in my sidebar. Shawntele is now hosting this meme on the first Monday of each month. Share your favorite songs and learn some new ones! Thank you, Shawntele, for hosting this great meme!
It has been a while since I last joined in this meme, but this song has been on my mind so I decided to share it here! It is a song sung by Bebe and Cece Winans. I had a hard time finding a decent video of them singing it. This is a bit old, not sure what the year is. But their voices are so beautiful. I had the pleasure of seeing Cece in person once. She has such a powerful voice! Hope you enjoy it!

A Little Faith Goes A Long Way

And the apostles said to the Lord,
"Increase our faith." - Luke 17:5

The apostles ask Jesus for more faith and he goes on to tell the apostles that even if their faith was as small as a mustard seed, great things can happen. The amount of faith does not seem to be the issue.

I too sometimes think that if I have more faith, I can do more for God. Bear more fruit. But Jesus seems to be saying that we do not need to worry about such things.

We need only to believe. We need only to keep the faith and nourish it. Keep the faith and trust. Trust that God will use our faith and bear fruit. 

Trust that God can use our faith and move mulberry trees. And mountains (Mt 17:20).

It is not about how much faith we have. It is what we do with it. Do we give it to the Lord? Do we trust, that God will move the mountain for us?

Lord, help me to trust in you with all my heart and soul. Help me to believe that you can take my little offering of faith and move mountains!

Amen.

Sunday Snippets - October 3

This is the weekly Catholic Carnival! Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?

Here are my contributions for this week:
Lord, Set Me Free
Sabbath Moments - Finding Rest

Sabbath Moments - Finding Rest

Sabbath moments are the moments we rest in God, when we take time to just Be with God rather than Do. Sabbath moments are those times when we live in the moment and find the holy in the ordinary. I invite you to share your Sabbath moment(s) here on Saturdays. Be sure to sign into Mr. Linky below. If you don't have a blog, please share about it in a comment!
I had some concerns this week. Some heavy burdens. They were weighing me down. And I could not seem to hand them over to God.
Then one day I had lunch with a friend. What a peaceful oasis that was. We shared our worries and burdens with each other and it was like Jesus was right there, lifting the weight off of our shoulders. By the end of the lunch, we were both cracking jokes and laughing. And we walked out of the restaurant much lighter than we went in.
"Come to me all you who labor and are burdened and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

St. Therese of the Child Jesus

Without love, deeds, even the most brilliant, count as nothing.

- St. Therese of Lisieux

image source