Lent Day 8 - Signs

Busy, busy, busy. The years seem to be flying by. Seems like just yesterday I became a grandma for the first time . . . now, four grandkids later, my oldest grandson starts kindergarten this fall! And, it has been almost nine months since our beautiful Catholic wedding at Tearmann Anama (Soul Sanctuary - DFOT HQ) in Ireland!  

This Lent, I am trying to slow down and savor every day . . . to take notice of all God has placed in my life, in full view. I see His blessing when my husband lovingly puts his arm around my shoulder while we pray in Adoration; in the delight of my granddaughter when she rushes into my arms when I pick her up from preschool. When life goes awry or busyness occupies our fleeting days, stop and notice the beauty, love and graces placed in your surroundings. He is everywhere . . . just slow down enough to notice.

Today's Gospel (Luke 11:29-32) provides a simple truth, stop searching for proof of God's existence, and look to His Son for confirmation:

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, "This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah.  Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them,
because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here.  At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here."

In Anne a lay apostle's new book Staying in Place: Recovery in the Church, she reminds us we are all here on Earth for a reason . . . and how important each of us are in leading others to Heaven:

"We are in a time of reform. The signs are all around us. While we must reform our hearts, we must also remember why we have been assembled and for what purpose. We are the yeast which is to raise the children of God toward the dignity of Heaven. Everyone counts. Everyone is crucially valuable. Everyone is lovable and has the dignity of the Father who created us." 

Lay apostles, if you haven't fully committed yourself to walking this journey with Christ, what is your hesitation? Think about that today. It's surprising how what we think is a hurdle is actually a curb. 

Thank you, Lord, for the constant reminders of Your love and the sense to know I am needed by You.

God bless,
Bonnie