Believe In Your Prayers

Most of us pray we'll win the lottery.  Come on, admit it!  But do we really believe we will win? No, not really.  It's all about luck of the draw and we know the odds.  And, will winning the lottery help you glorify the Lord? For some people, absolutely.  For most people, it means bigger houses and more material "things." So what about real prayers?  For example, healings, financial concerns, or broken relationships. When you pray for healing, do you trust God with all your heart you will be healed?  Do you stop worrying about the future and what it holds?  If deep down you have doubts, you are not trusting God. No matter what you are facing, know, with every fiber of your being, He will take care of you. And when you put all your trust in the Lord, your prayers will be answered in some way, shape or form. All you have to do is believe.


In reading today's Gospel (Mark 11:11-26), Jesus assures us if we chase away doubt, He can move mountains for us:


Early in the morning, as they were walking along, they saw the fig tree withered to its roots. Peter remembered and said to him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered." Jesus said to them in reply, "Have faith in God. Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him. Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours. When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions.'

Wow, huh?  Sounds so easy.  But we are only human and must practice letting go of doubt. Let Him deal with your worries and concerns. Because when you do, the answers to your prayers are much better than winning the lottery!


In Volume One, our Blessed Mother assures us our prayers are heard:

“Jesus is waiting for you, my little one. I will help you and show you the way. Pray more, even when you do not feel like praying. Pray always, even if it is just a simple sentence, a simple thought. We are slaves to your prayers, my dear little struggling souls. We hear a plea from you and we hasten to provide every assistance. Look closely for the answers to your prayers and you will find them. Never be fooled into thinking your prayers fall on deaf ears. We work quietly and sometimes our time is not like earthly time. But we hear your pleas and share in your concerns. Be certain that we have the answers. They are here for you and we will not leave you without guidance.”

Practice, lay apostles. Practice trust in every situation you encounter.  Evil lurks about everywhere. Evil will condemn your beliefs, our Church, this apostolate, trying to draw you away from Christ.  Trust Jesus knows what He is doing.  If something brings you closer to Him, you know in your heart it is from Him. 


Thank you, Lord, for showing me what trusting You completely feels like.  Continue to help me eradicate doubt from my mind and believe in my prayers.


God bless,
Bonnie

The 3rd Annual Global Rosary Relay for Priests

Please plan to take part in this important event June 15, 2012.  It begins at 5:00PM PT, 8:00PM ET.  60 Rosaries in 60 countries in 24 hours! Our priests need our prayers!  

Go to www.worldpriestday.com to find out how to participate.

As Good As It Gets

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Mary travelled to the town of Judah where her older cousin Elizabeth (six months pregnant) and husband Zechariah lived. Her compassion and love for her cousin drew her to Elizabeth's side to assist with the difficulties of pregnancy and childbirth. This journey took place after Mary was visited by the angel and told she would be carrying our Savior. If you pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, you know this line well when Elizabeth hears Mary's greeting upon her arrival: "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.” 


One morning in early December 2011, I sat on my back patio praying the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.  My oldest daughter was six months pregnant at the time.  My middle daughter and her husband were patiently trying conceive for almost a year. When I got to the second Joyful Mystery when Mary visited Elizabeth, I knew.  My middle daughter was pregnant. She lives close to me and we work out together during the week.  That day, when she arrived for our daily routine, I told her about the Rosary and that I was sure she was pregnant.  Being the skeptic she is, she told me she wasn't getting her hopes up.  But her faith is strong and she was ready to accept any outcome as God's Will.  About a week before Christmas, I received a text with a picture of a positive pregnancy test! And, she is now seven months pregnant with my second grandson. This, my friends, is as good as it gets. If we say "yes" to Christ and believe as our Blessed Mother and Elizabeth did, miracles can happen! 

Today’s first reading (Romans 12:9-16) is printing as I write this. Basically, rules for living the Christian life on the path to heaven:

Brothers and sisters: Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality. Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not be wise in your own estimation.

In Anne a lay apostle’s book The Mist of Mercy, she defines the mercy of God for any sinner willing to live their life in humility for His Son.  It all starts with you:

“Think small steps and the Lord will do big things. Do not avoid your role in the renewal because you have sinned. If you are repentant, you are just the type of person needed. One who comes to God in humility can be restored to purity in an instant. God has no difficulty in forgiving a repentant sinner. It is far more difficult for God to deal with a person who serves heaven but takes all the credit. It is God who grants holiness, after all. It is God who performs miracles.”

Miracles are happening all around us.  Sometimes we get caught up in our own chaotic lives and become jaded. We forget to slow down and look for the blessings.  Today, lay apostles, stop for a minute and write a list of all the positives in your life.  Forget the negatives for a minute.  Take that list and post it somewhere convenient to view every day.  Even add to the list as new miracles and blessings occur.  When you are having a rough day, look at that list.  When you are having a wonderful day, add to it.  Soon you will be focusing a majority of your time looking for the blessings instead of letting them pass right by. You will begin to see Jesus more clearly and the impact He can have on your life. 

Thank you, Lord, for the miracles and blessings you have bestowed on my family and me. Focusing on the good sure beats dwelling on the bad!

God bless,

Bonnie

Service Without Recognition

Have you ever had anyone take credit for your hard work?  What about praise given to those contributing mediocre effort while you have given your all and received none?  Presuming it's happened to most of us at some point, it's tough feeling unappreciated. Our initial instinct is to make the "praiser" aware of our labors.  Let them know we are due the notoriety. But this is where we get it wrong as Christians. Humility is what Jesus preaches, not seeking approval and praise. I highly recommend reading the Litany of Humility on a daily basis.  I posted it here: http://ftmyerslayapostles.blogspot.com/2011/12/difficult-request-from-our-lord.html

Reading it every day strengthens my commitment of service to Him, not the world.  

In today's Gospel (Mark 10:32-45), James and John are seeking a little recognition for their own efforts.  They ask Jesus, "Grant that in Your glory we may sit one at Your right and the other at Your left." You can imagine the other ten apostles were a tad bit upset with the two men asking for something they all felt worthy of.  Being the Divine Teacher Jesus is, He uses this opportunity to educate His apostles:

"You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."

In the May 2009 Monthly Message, Jesus continues to teach us of service to the Kingdom:

“How often have I called you ‘My little apostles’? Have I ever called you ‘My big apostles’? Why do you think it is that I call you ‘little’? I will tell you. It is because each apostle, by his desire to serve, becomes little. He becomes little so that God can be glorified. If a person is serving Me, that person desires only My glory. If a person is serving Me, he desires to be seen as a servant of men, not as a master of men. In the case of leaders, this desire for humility must be even more pronounced lest the leader begin to believe that he himself is leading, as opposed to My great hope which is that I, Jesus, am leading through the man. I intend to send leaders during this time. You will know them by their spirit of service. You will know them by their humility. You will know them because they will help you to think of Me and what I need from you. No man is entitled to the glory reserved for God.”

Lay apostles, I know how disheartening lack of appreciation can feel. It hurts. It makes me question my motives. So now I ask myself in all situations, am I doing this for the Glory of God? "Yes" is always the correct answer. I must say a "no" sneaks in once in a while. I'm only human.  I can choose to be sad and depressed because I'm not recognized.  Or, I can live and serve in humility, waiting for my reward in heaven.  I choose the latter.  Not the easiest choice, but "I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength." (Phil 4:13)

Thank you, Lord, for showing me the value of service to others. Give me the strength I need to fight the temptation of wanting recognition from the world.  Feel free to continue nudging me back into place when I go there!

God bless,

Bonnie

What We Inherit

Why is it so hard to let go of material things after a loved one has passed away?  My house holds almost everything both parents had at end of life.  It's not much, but there are some items I just can't part with.  For example, my mother's white poodle lipstick holder. My childhood pet was a French Poodle of who Mom was very proud to say was bilingual (she was fluent in French and taught Pepe commands in both languages!). So, I made it part of the guest bathroom decor.  Then there's the carousel picture made of puzzle pieces my father glued together and framed. His father owned a carousel on Coney Island when he and his brothers were growing up. It's hanging by the entrance to my house through the garage. Both reminders of two people I love and miss terribly.  One day when I'm gone, my daughters will have the pleasure of going through all my belongings. What will they choose as a reminder of me?  Material things only take up space and eventually fall apart or decay. But there is one inheritance from my parents which I have given my girls. The gift of faith.  For truly eternal inheritance comes from God, not something money can buy to be passed on generation after generation. 

In today's first reading (1 Pt 1:3-9) Peter speaks of our heavenly inheritance:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time. In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet you believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of faith, the salvation of your souls.

In the Monthly Message of January 2006, Jesus explains how to achieve eternal life:

“Dear friends of the Saviour, together We are changing your world. When souls feel fear, We will bring calm. When souls feel anger, We will bring forgiveness. When souls feel abandoned, We will bring love. When souls feel great grief, We will bring comfort. And when souls see death, We will bring them to an acceptance of heaven so that they understand eternal life. Many in the world today do not understand their inheritance. This creates a fear of death that prevents souls from living fully. If a soul accepts the Truth about eternity, that soul works for Me because the soul knows that glory only lasts if it is obtained for heaven. The glory of heaven is love and is obtained by how much one loved on earth. Souls will be disappointed when they look back on their life if their life was lived in selfishness and if their purpose in life was to obtain worldly goods. This will be a disappointment for them, for Me, and for their families if their families were led astray by this flawed vision of the purpose of life. If you realign the purpose in your life, I will then help to realign the purpose for each member of your family. This is My promise to you. Make Me, Jesus Christ, the purpose of your life, and I will work through you to claim the world.”

And in Volume One, Jesus has this to add:

“The world offers you nothing. The world does not love you. Indeed, you will find only rejection and hatred in the world. Come back to Me and begin to examine your inheritance, which is goodness, love, and eternal security and joy.”

Lay apostles, while material possessions may provide temporary comfort, don't place too high a value on them. The real comfort lies with Christ.  Let your legacy be one of faith.  Get to know Jesus intimately through the Bible, through this apostolate, and through your church community. When you do, life becomes . . . easier and less disappointing.

Thank you, Lord, for the promise of eternal life with You.  Please help me to continue guiding my daughters toward heaven and not toward Ruffy (my stuffed dog from childhood which I will be discarding today)! 

God bless,

Bonnie