Bearing Good Fruit

A million thank you's would never come close to expressing the love and gratitude I have for Anne a lay apostle and the Lay Apostolate of Jesus Christ the Returning King. To be honest, prior to seeing Anne speak in Clearwater, Florida in 2006, I really didn't know the stories of all the visionaries God has blessed our Church with over the years.  I knew nothing of the miracles at Fatima or Medjugorje. Or of the torture, sickness and suffering the young people endured (and still endure in Medjugorje) all for the Blessed Mother and her Son. This apostolate is a rescue mission for souls.  God wants all His children back in His Kingdom and to know His deep love for us. He is calling us to a close and intimate relationship with Him. Jesus and all of heaven have one goal: to save all souls. This mission is a call to holiness. The Lord, through the Volumes, is speaking to us in our times, and with words we understand and relate to. The fruits of this mission are countless and in every corner of the world.  All because a wife and mother of six said "yes" to Jesus.  

Reading todays Gospel (Matthew 7:15-20) immediately reminded me of this mission and how thankful I am Jesus, through Anne, lifted the veil from my eyes:

Jesus said to his disciples: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them."

Instead of taking a quote from one of the Volumes or books today, I want to provide a link to the history of how this mission started and who Anne is:

http://www.directionforourtimes.org/about/history-of-mission/ 

Lay apostles, give someone a Volume today.  If you don't have the physical book, send them the link to the website where they can download them for free. (http://directionforourtimes.com/library/english/) Change someone's life today by giving them Jesus just as my dearest friends Joyce and Paul did for me six years ago.  Because of them, I am forever a Lay Apostle of Jesus Christ the Returning King. 

Thank you, Lord, for leading me to this apostolate.  Your life-changing words through Anne have made me who I am today . . . Your obedient (and far from perfect!) servant.

God bless,

Bonnie

P.S.  Don't forget the Fortnight for Freedom prayer:

O GOD OUR CREATOR,

from your provident hand we have received

our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 

You have called us as your people and given us

the right and the duty to worship you, the only true God,

and your Son, Jesus Christ.

Through the power and working of your Holy Spirit, 

you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world,

bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel 

to every corner of society.

We ask you to bless us

in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty.

Give us the strength of mind and heart

to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened;

give us courage in making our voices heard

on behalf of the rights of your Church 

and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith.

Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father,

a clear and united voice to all your sons and daughters 

gathered in your Church

in this decisive hour in the history of our nation,

so that, with every trial withstood

and every danger overcome—

for the sake of our children, our grandchildren, 

and all who come after us—

this great land will always be “one nation, under God, 

indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Do Unto Others

My worst fear as a teenager?  That my secret would be discovered. It was complete torture trying to hide it. I knew if my friends found out, let alone a boy I liked, it would be . . . well, embarrassing. Yes, I am talking about my curly hair. I did everything in my power to straighten it, and we are talking before the brilliant invention of flatirons!  Hollowed out metal coffee cans bobby pinned to the top of my head; hot rollers (which still gave me curls!); and even tried ironing it once because I saw my oldest sister doing it.  The point I want to make is, nothing else mattered at the time.  I had no other fears. And I took most of my angst out on my younger sister. I didn't care about consequences or how much I hurt her with harsh criticisms.  My mother would always say, "Do unto others as you would have done unto you." My response?  Bring it on. I really could care less what my stupid little sister had to say.  I always had a better zinger to boomerang right back at her. We were both stuck in a toxic environment with a very mentally ill mother after Dad left. Taking it out on her seemed the only way to purge the hurt, anger and frustration of my chaotic world.  I remember the pained look in her eyes when I would erupt. But instead of feeling bad, it made me feel better.  As if there was someone else on this earth who felt as bad as I did. 


You will be happy to know we did grow up and love each other very much. And, we have learned to cope with our past and take it for what is was . . . our journey in life.  


In todays Gospel (Matthew 7:6, 12-14), Jesus reminds us to play nice:


Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.

"Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the Law and the Prophets. "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few."


And in the Monthly Message of December 2005, Jesus gives examples of how to play nice:

“I have given you many examples of how I loved during My time on earth. Read about Me in Scripture, dear apostles, and then be gentle as I was gentle. Be kind as I was kind. Be respectful as I was respectful. Be forgiving as I was forgiving. I am with you in each moment and you may ask me for the grace to love each soul in your life. I will send you this grace and together, you and I will prepare you to love like a resident of heaven. In this process, you will find great joy. This joy is only the very beginning of My reward to you. Be at peace. Your God created you to love and He will teach you how to do this.”

Lay apostles, it all seems so crystal clear, doesn't it?  Then why is it so hard to forgive at times? To be kind, gentle, and respectful in situations where it is so desperately needed? Well, quite frankly, because we are flawed human beings. And, it takes practice! How can you practice being forgiving, kind, gentle or respectful today?  Well, I for one am going to call my baby sister and remind her how much I love her!

Thank you, Lord, for all the lessons You so desperately want us to learn.  Help me to remember all it requires is one step forward, one act of love.  

God bless,

Bonnie

P.S.   Have you prayed for our religious freedom yet today?  If not, here is a quick prayer:

O GOD OUR CREATOR,

from your provident hand we have received

our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 

You have called us as your people and given us

the right and the duty to worship you, the only true God,

and your Son, Jesus Christ.

Through the power and working of your Holy Spirit, 

you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world,

bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel 

to every corner of society.

We ask you to bless us

in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty.

Give us the strength of mind and heart

to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened;

give us courage in making our voices heard

on behalf of the rights of your Church 

and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith.

Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father,

a clear and united voice to all your sons and daughters 

gathered in your Church

in this decisive hour in the history of our nation,

so that, with every trial withstood

and every danger overcome—

for the sake of our children, our grandchildren, 

and all who come after us—

this great land will always be “one nation, under God, 

indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Preconceived Apprehensions

Experiences in my past have jaded me a bit.  Well, to be honest, jaded me a lot. Everything used to be black and white.  Either you did or you didn't, no shades of gray. But as I have aged and grown closer to Christ, the realization of pre-judging situations before they occur and people before I meet them are just that . . . judging.  Even though I only do it to protect myself from hurt and disappointment, it all boils down to this: I am turning a blind eye to opportunities He graciously places in my path. So, I have been working on going with the flow lately.  Expanding my horizons to the unfamiliar and allowing Him to take the lead. This is not a thought process I naturally possess . . . but, it is achievable.  If I would have been closed off to stepping out of my comfort zone this past weekend, I never would have spent time getting to know some incredibly loving Christians. People who will now be a constant in my life. Since dedicating myself to living for Him, miraculous things have and are occurring. Indeed, I still struggle.  But, hurt and disappointment are few and far between these days. I now see all the different shades of gray. 


In todays Gospel (Matthew 7:1-5), Jesus lovingly (yet firmly!) tells us to point the finger at ourselves first:

Jesus said to his disciples: "Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove that splinter from your eye,' while the wooden beam is in your eye? You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother's eye."

And, Jesus shows us in the April 2007 Monthly Message the value of offering love instead of judgment:  

“My dear ones, it is through sharing My experiences that you learn to love others who carry crosses. There are times when your humanity leads you to judge another but because you have suffered, you offer compassion instead of condemnation. Each experience in your life, shared with Me, increases your holiness and your capacity for compassion. Think of the times when someone treated you with compassion when you expected condemnation. Think of the times in your life when someone treated you with kindness and support, overlooking a failure or a flaw. My friends, you do not always understand but it is the crosses you carry that enhance these heavenly capabilities in your soul. I know you struggle. I accept your weaknesses. Do not think that your anguish is a measure of your holiness. Do not think that because you find your cross heavy, you are not making progress. I am with you and I am advancing you, even while you groan with weariness.”

Lay apostles, lead with an open heart.  Be alert to those He has placed in your path. Because, with God, there are no coincidences. Only opportunities to grow in His grace and love.

Thank you, Lord, for the blessings You materialize right before my eyes. There is no other path to follow but Yours. Continue to remind me how important it is to abolish preconceived apprehensions!

God bless,

Bonnie


P.S.  How are you participating in the Fortnight for Freedom?  Are you visiting Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament if your parish offers it?  I am headed there in a few minutes and will keep all of you in my prayers.  

Day Two Fortnight for Freedom Reflections

Reflections for the Fortnight for Freedom


These reflections and readings from the Vatican II document Declaration on Religious Liberty (Dignitatis Humanae) are intended for daily use during the Fortnight for Freedom, a national campaign designated by the U.S. Catholic bishops for teaching and witness in support of religious liberty. The readings and the questions that follow can be used for group discussion or for personal reflection.


Excerpts from The Documents of Vatican II, Walter M. Abbott,
SJ, General Editor, copyright © 1966 by America Press, Inc.
Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved. Copyright ©
2012, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved.


Day 2 - June 22, 2012


It is in accordance with their dignity as persons—that is, being endowed with reason and free will and therefore privileged to bear personal responsibility—that all men should be at once impelled by nature and also bound by a moral obligation to seek the truth, especially religious truth. They are also bound to adhere to the truth, once it is known, and to order their whole lives in accord with the demands of truth.


However, men cannot discharge these obligations in a manner in keeping with their own nature unless they enjoy immunity from external coercion as well as psychological freedom. Therefore, the right to religious freedom has its foundation, not in the subjective disposition of the person, but in his very nature.


In consequence, the right to this immunity continues to exist even in those who do not live up to their obligation of seeking the truth and adhering to it. Nor is the exercise of this right to be impeded, provided that the just requirements of public order are observed.


Declaration on Religious Liberty
(Dignitatis Humanae), no. 2
December 7, 1965
Reflection for Day Two


The Council Fathers note that it is precisely because human beings are “endowed with reason and free will” that they naturally seek what is true and good and also, then, have “a moral obligation” to search for the truth. This is especially the case of seeking religious truth. Moreover, the truth they believe they have come to know binds them to that truth. Even if the “truth” they believe is not actually true, yet, because they believe it is true, they are bound to follow their conscience. As long as what they believe does not infringe the just rights of others, they cannot be coerced into giving up or changing what they believe. Moreover, the Council states that in order for human beings to fulfill their obligation to seek the truth and live by it, they must be free to do so. No 
one or no authority is to force them to believe something to which they themselves have not freely given their consent.


Why does the Council stress the need to seek freely religious truth? Why do those who believe what is actually false still possess religious freedom?

Clutter Confusion

Walking into my home office this morning, it was back . . . and with a vengeance.  Last month I worked hard to eradicate it. Yes, I am talking about clutter.  Books I have pulled off shelves for research, coupons and mail I have yet to browse, printouts of articles I want to read, and owner manuals of appliances in need of maintenance are all encroaching my work space. Not to mention the stack of pics and letters on the floor left behind by my mother needing to be scanned. (Yes, my oldest daughter, scanned pictures and letters are sentimental clutter in a non-cluttering kind of way!) I would love to either chuck it all or get in my car and head to the beach.  Alas, neither choice is an option today. So, why do we hang on to so much "stuff?"  Probably because we don't want to let go of what was or what could be.  Old letters and pictures are treasures from the past reminding us of a deceased loved one or good times we cherished. And you never know what good deals or important information may be in the stack of junkmail. Do we hang on to "things" because we're afraid we'll forget or miss out? Just like food overeaten can lead to obesity, too much clutter can impede our focal point . . . Christ. Practice striving for quality rather than quantity.  It's going to be heart-wrenching to throw out the original poems and letters handwritten by my mother. And yes, there are some things I won't be able to part with.  Ultimately, clinging to material things adheres us to the world. Practice letting go little by little.  After all, you can't take it with you! 


In todays Gospel (Matthew 6:19-23) Jesus is asking us to de-clutter:

Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

In Volume One, Jesus shows us the key to happiness:

“If you view the world from a worldly perspective, you will feel fear quite often. But a heavenly perspective grants peace and emotional security. Trust in God, and in His purpose and will moving in your life, grants you a detachment that liberates your spirit and frees you to do many things. You can relinquish the rush to acquire that has consumed much of the world. Dear children, who have been blessed with great wealth, let go of the material now. It is cluttering your outlook and progress. Remember, you are not bringing these things to heaven, nor will you need these things. They are nothings and should be assigned no value. And if you assign no value to the material things, you will not need to acquire them. It is very simple. The happiest people require little and the more pulled into the quest for things without heavenly value, the more difficult for you to be happy.”

Lay apostles, I am no different than anyone else.  I love my home and the memories provided being in the same place for so long. I can't imagine living anywhere else the rest of my life.   But if it all was to disappear tomorrow, I will not have lost the most important thing which can never be taken away from me . . . the love of Jesus in my heart.  Home is where the heart is. And the day will come when He welcomes us into His Kingdom with open arms. For it is there we will finally be clutter-free!

Thank you, Lord, for helping me to slowly detach from worldly possessions.  Please give me the energy and fortitude needed to persevere in de-cluttering my life!

God bless,

Bonnie

Day One of the Fortnight for Freedom

Just a reminder to get involved in prayer and activities surrounding this fight for our religious freedom.  Again, here is the link to find out what events are happening in your state or parish:


Fortnight for Freedom Diocesan Activities




Litany for Liberty


For use during the Fortnight for Freedom
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops


This prayer may be prayed in a group setting led by a leader of prayer, who begins the
litany with the introduction and the announcement of each invocation, or if it is prayed
individually, the individual prays the entire prayer.


INTRODUCTION
Christ the Lord has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Let us turn to him in humble but fervent petition,
seeking the grace to root out from our hearts all trace of darkness,
and all that holds us back
from walking in the full freedom of the children of God.
As Christ is our great model for that inner freedom,
which enables us to do the right,
let us turn to him with confidence
that we, too, may follow him to the fullness of spiritual freedom.


 Lord, have mercy;       Lord, have mercy.
 Christ, have mercy;       Christ, have mercy.
 Lord, have mercy;       Lord, have mercy.


Jesus, victor over sin and death…    Free our hearts.
Jesus, source of light and hope…    Free our hearts.
Jesus, fullness of truth and mystery…   Free our hearts.
Jesus, teacher of seeking hearts…    Free our hearts.
Jesus, healer of body and soul…    Free our hearts.
Jesus, bringer of mercy and justice…    Free our hearts.
Jesus, who humble the heart and mind…   Free our hearts.
Jesus, release of captives…     Free our hearts.
Jesus, voice against violence…      Free our hearts.
Jesus, courage for the lowly/downtrodden…   Free our hearts.
Jesus, origin of all authority and power…   Free our hearts.
Jesus, true lawgiver…      Free our hearts.
Jesus, unity of order and passion…   Free our hearts.
Jesus, freedom of the Spirit…     Free our hearts.
Jesus, obedient Son of the Father…    Free our hearts.
 


For the freedom to love…     Give us your grace.
For the freedom to believe…     Give us your grace.
For the freedom to hope…     Give us your grace.  
For the freedom to worship…     Give us your grace.
For the freedom to serve in charity…    Give us your grace.
For the freedom to care for the suffering…   Give us your grace.
For the freedom to comfort the sick…   Give us your grace.
For the freedom to feed the hungry…   Give us your grace.
For the freedom to shelter the homeless…   Give us your grace.
For the freedom to proclaim the Gospel…   Give us your grace.
For the freedom to walk in chastity…   Give us your grace.
For the freedom to live in peace…    Give us your grace.
For the freedom to work in good conscience…  Give us your grace.
For the freedom to stand in solidarity…   Give us your grace.  
For the freedom to seek justice…    Give us your grace.


For the freedom to reject sin…    Give us your grace.  
For the freedom to reject coercion…    Give us your grace.
For the freedom to reject falsehood…   Give us your grace.
For the freedom to reject evil temptations…   Give us your grace.
For the freedom to reject injustice…    Give us your grace.


CLOSING PRAYER
O God, who gave one origin to all peoples
and willed to gather from them one family for yourself,
fill all hearts, we pray, with the fire of your love
and kindle in them a desire
for the just advancement of their neighbor,
that, through the good things which you richly bestow upon all,
each human person may be brought to perfection,
every division may be removed,
and equity and justice may be established in human society.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.  
Amen.


[Collect for the Mass “For the Progress of the Peoples,”
Masses for Various Needs and Occasions, No. 29,
Roman Missal, Third Edition]

A Flurry of Thoughts

I am an insomniac.  Have been since my first semester of nursing school many years ago. When I decided to go back to school to pursue a BSN, my youngest daughter was two.  My schedule of classes that first semester were College Algebra, Marriage and Family, Communications, and the culprit causing my insomnia, Microbiology.  Early in the semester, we were given the task of determining the bacterial species of the organism distributed to each team of two. My partner Brian and I spent hours in the lab using different identification techniques to figure out what the little sucker was.  Our professor was one of the toughest in the program, and also one of the most brilliant men I had ever met.  Both of us wanted to impress him. As the due date for our project approached, my stress level soared. I remember going to bed one night running all the test results through my head on our dear little bacteria sample. We had it down to two. I tried to fall asleep but gram staining and phenotypic differences kept me drifting in and out.  Then, I remember sitting up in the middle of the night yelling "staphylococcus aureus!"  Brian had come to the same conclusion I discovered the next day.  We proudly handed our brilliant findings to our esteemed professor, feeling we just rocked the Microbiology world!  He took our precious research, smiled, stuck it in a pile, and went back to what he was doing. Not exactly the cheering we expected, but a much needed lesson in humility!

It's so easy to become distracted in this world.  We have jobs, school and/or families. We have the internet, iPhones, TV, and every other form of entertainment at our beck and call. Don't you wish there was a switch you could flip to turn off the world and focus solely on Jesus?  The closest I have found to flipping a switch is going to Adoration and praying the Rosary. Indeed, I still find myself drifting at times to worldly thoughts, but I get back on track faster when immersed in Him and His Life on earth. 

After reading todays Gospel (Matthew 6:7-15), Jesus teaches us it's quality, not quantity when praying:

Jesus said to his disciples: "In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

This is how you are to pray:

Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions."

Do you struggle with prayer?  If you do, just pray the Our Father.  As you grow into a closer relationship with Christ, prayer becomes as easy as talking to your best friend.  

In Volume Two, Jesus asks us to rely on Him when having a flurry of thoughts:

“It is not in My nature to confuse, so you must believe that confusion does not come from Me. Fear, anxiety, restlessness do not come from Me. Bitterness, hatred, deceit do not come from Me. Does that mean you will never experience these things? No. It is part of your earthly cross that you will encounter these things. What I am telling you is that you must bring these things to Me. I will then take them from you and you will be free of them. You may encounter these things again, perhaps within the hour. Come back to Me, in your heart, where I remain, and I will take them from you again. You see, My little dear one, your struggles are Mine now. I am stronger, wiser, more able for these things and I want to remove any negative thoughts from you. I seek to heal you and renew you. I can do this if you will let Me. I do not make this promise for now, this moment. I make this a lifetime pledge to you. When you experience a difficulty with your emotions, you bring it right to Me. And that’s where it will end.”

Thank you, Lord, for showing me that reliance on You for everything eases my mind of useless anxiety and distractions. 

God bless,

Bonnie

In The Shadows

The Lay Apostolate of Jesus Christ the Returning King has introduced me to some of the holiest people I know.  They are loving, kind and humble. Some have suffered unfathomable tragedies.  Just read the Tragedy section in Heavenly Healing.  Holiness seems to come naturally, like smiling or scratching an itch. They never boast or brag or deem themselves above any other. They just serve and exude Christ.  They share their stories of triumph over evil and temptation not to be heroes or derive sympathy, but to deliver the light of Christ to listeners and readers.  In other words, they stay in the shadows so Jesus can work through them to reach those in darkness. 


Todays Gospel (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18) reminds me, as the Litany of Humility does, to do good for His Glory, not our own:

Jesus said to his disciples: "Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

In Anne a lay apostle's book Serving in Clarity, she points out the problem when comparing our holiness to others:

“People look at someone who evidences a high level of holiness and they think to themselves, if I were as holy as he is it would be easy. This is the opposite of the truth. The holier one becomes, the more intense the battle, and the greater the necessity for vigilant struggle. The opposite of this might be someone comparing himself to another and saying, “Thank God I am holier than that person.” But how does he know where the other is doing battle? How does he know the place of departure in the holiness journey for another? Perhaps this person has made vast gains in holiness over time. People must remember that the authentic struggle for holiness is completed in the privacy of the soul. Holiness is not a competitive sport.”


Lay apostles, I haven't met one holy person who hasn't struggled to get where they are.  And each one will tell you they have a long way to go.  The lesson here is to see holiness as a path to salvation. The challenge is withholding complaints about the bumps and turns when there is no recompense from the world for your efforts. I know I sound like a broken record, but aim to please Him, not the world.


Thank you, Lord, for teaching me to stay small and quiet so You can shine through me.  I am far from perfect, but I am trying!


God bless,
Bonnie

Fortnight for Freedom

Lay apostles, it's time to stand up and take action to ensure our religious liberties stay intact!  I also implore lay apostles from countries other than the U. S. to participate with your prayers and support.  Links are provided below for further information on how you can make an impact.  My parish, St. Cecilia's, will have Eucharistic Holy Hour from 5pm to 6pm every night during the Fortnight for Freedom. Let's show America what prayer can accomplish! 


From the USCCB website:


The fourteen days from June 21—the vigil of the Feasts of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More—to July 4, Independence Day, are dedicated to this “fortnight for freedom”—a great hymn of prayer for our country. Our liturgical calendar celebrates a series of great martyrs who remained faithful in the face of persecution by political power—St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More, St. John the Baptist, SS. Peter and Paul, and the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome.  Culminating on Independence Day, this special period of prayer, study, catechesis, and public action will emphasize both our Christian and American heritage of liberty. Dioceses and parishes around the country have scheduled special events that support a great national campaign of teaching and witness for religious liberty.











I welcome any and all comments as to how you are participating in the Fortnight for Freedom.  Remember, this is not only for Catholics, but all faiths who join the fight to keep their religious freedom.


God bless,
Bonnie

Be Perfect

Perfectionist.  One of the many words I use to describe myself.  An exuberant amount of time has been wasted internally demanding perfection. I set the bar pretty high. I wanted to be the most outstanding wife, mother, daughter, sister, and aunt.  I strived to be accomplished in my career, the best in my field. And, should I even get started about my physical appearance?  Probably, because it's where I've been the hardest on myself.  If I gain a few pounds, my brain goes into panic mode.  Wrinkles as I age?  Oh, good Lord, I don't even want to think about that!  The ongoing battle I have with my curly hair?  Thank God for flatirons.  I'm not suggesting you give up on being the best you. But, do you understand what I mean about wasted time?  I know every one of us struggles with perfectionism in one way or another. After reading todays Gospel (Matthew 5: 43-48), I realized I wish I would have spent more time perfecting my soul for Jesus instead of perfecting my appearance for an imperfect world:


Jesus said to his disciples: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Clearly, Jesus is asking us to perfect our soul.  He's not asking us to strive toward driving a Mercedes or clothe ourselves in expensive designer labels.  For even the most perfectly straightened hair caught in the rain will frizz and curl, revealing what lies underneath.

In Volume Two, Jesus shows us the way to perfection begins with humility:

“My children, would you like to know how to please Me? Would you like to know what consoles Me and comforts Me in the face of widespread disobedience and hatred? Humility comforts Me. Humility consoles Me. Truly, the humility of My chosen souls softens My heart and deflects punishment from a cold world, undeserving of the mercy of its God. My children, the closer you come to Me, the more you recognize My goodness. Your intellect will automatically compare your holiness to My perfection and the result is humility. This is good. Do not fear the knowledge that you are imperfect and must improve. That is the journey, My child.”

And, in Anne a lay apostle's book Climbing the Mountain, she simply affirms:

“Facing the perfection of Christ keeps us clear on exactly how far we have to go until we reach perfection. The way in which we continue to face in His direction, upward, is through prayer.”

Lay apostles, let's all work together perfecting our souls.  What can you do today to move one step closer to perfection in God's Eyes?  Spend more time in silence with Him by heading to the nearest Adoration chapel? Take the first step to reconciliation with a family member?  Instead of concentrating on how something makes you feel, focus on how what you do will make Jesus feel.  Making Him happy will never be the wrong decision.

Thank you, Lord, for teaching me perfecting the inside is much more important than perfecting the outside.  After all, beauty fades and careers end.  But You are everlasting!

God bless,

Bonnie

The Extra Mile

Years ago I was visiting my sister and nieces in Colorado a few weeks before Christmas.  We were in the shopping mood and went to Flatirons Mall outside of Boulder.  It was freezing, snowing and windy that day, the worst combination for this thin-blooded Floridian!  The great thing about shopping in Colorado during the winter is all the summer clothes are on clearance.  Perfect gifts for my daughters in Florida. After hours of shopping, we made our way out to valet parking (it was much too cold for my sister to park herself). There is a small enclosed seating area behind the valet attendant providing warmth to weary shoppers.  The girls and I huddled together in this cozy little haven with shopping bags surrounding our feet, trying to stay warm.  Luckily all my gifts fit into the big A & F bag I snuggled between my legs as we shivered. As our car pulled up, we all made a mad dash for it, grabbing our bargains and treasures from the day's outing. No sooner did we get in the car, I noticed my bag was missing. I thought I may have kicked it under the bench as I helped my nieces grab their bags. My sister turned the car around and drove back to the valet. I jumped out only to find there weren't any bags, or people, in the seating area. Gone.  All the gifts I bought to give my daughters vanished. My sister kept the car running as my nieces and I retraced our steps and ended up at Lost and Found.   Nothing.  The girls (probably 10 and 13 at the time) were so upset for me.  Trying not to put a damper on our Christmas spirit, I told them that whoever stole the clothes needed them more than I did. So I wished the thieves a Merry Christmas. We all giggled, then sprinted out the mall doors to the warmth of my sister's car.

After reading todays Gospel (Matthew 5:38-42), the situation above came to mind.  But when the offense is perceived as unforgivable, how do we interpret and apply the following?   


Jesus said to his disciples: "You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow."


Man, this is a tough one.  Probably one of the hardest lessons Jesus preached, but a virtue worth attaining. 


In Anne a lay apostle's book Whispers from the Cross, she illuminates how evil influences: 


"To clarify, we must not allow Satan to persuade us that the people around us are like him.  Satan will always try to destroy what is good and holy.  He will try to tempt us against each other.  He will try to persuade us that we are being treated badly or worse than we are or that we are owed something from someone that they either cannot give or do not understand that they owe or that they do not even possess.  I am searching and hoping to land, randomly if necessary, on the way the devil works against God's willed relationships.  How often have we worked ourselves into a full fledged war against someone only to find out the person never fired the first shot? I am talking about 
misunderstandings and assumptions . . ."


Lay apostles, Jesus isn't asking us to lay down and be doormats.  He is telling us to peacefully walk away.  Take no revenge.  Hold no grudges. Hate the sin, not the sinner!


Thank you, Lord, for enhancing my ability to remain humble and go the extra mile when You need me to.  It sure is a long walk sometimes, but I can do anything with You by my side!  


God bless,
Bonnie

Falling Asleep

Reading the Volumes set me on fire six years ago.  Every page I read ignited my heart like a raging bonfire (Hey!  I kind of like that! Bonnie + fire = Bonfire. Yes, girls, your mother is a dork!).  And, the inferno is even stronger today then it was years ago.  So, how do you react when a person who was on fire not too long ago becomes distant, declaring going to Mass is not a priority?  My initial reaction? My heart hurt for Jesus.  He loves us so much and all He asks in addition to daily prayer is we worship Him for one hour, once a week. But no matter what I say or how I try to explain the importance, it falls upon deaf ears.  In my opinion, avoiding church only happens when you aren't following the rules.  Somehow, hearing what is right and good makes you feel worse about the choices you are making.  Sometimes, it's easier to avoid and have a good time.  After all, you deserve it, right? Wrong! Every one of God's children struggle. Some worse than others.  But don't stop loving and worshipping Jesus because it's just too much effort. Or, it just doesn't work for you at this time in your life. And most especially, stop calling interventions to get you back on track judgmental. Judgement is God's domain, not ours. We care because we love you.  For if you truly love the Lord, you know deep in your heart what is right. 


Todays reading (Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19) defines what the Volumes and all of heaven's messages through Anne have kindled within me:

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.


And for those who think they don't need to spend time with Christ in His Church, Jesus has this to say from Volume One:

“I refer to prayer in a church now, and structured prayer. As My mother said, you should be in a united form of prayer as often as you can throughout the day. But we are also increasing your structured prayer if it is necessary that we do so. Many of My children have stopped visiting churches. They say they can pray at home. But alas, they do not. This is yet another sign of The Great Disobedience. My children who speak this way, I am calling out to you in firmness. I did not ask you to pray at home on the Sabbath. I asked you to attend to your religious duties. When you die, and you face Me, I will ask you if you completed these duties. Woe be to those who dared to make their own rules, and superimpose those rules over the law of God. What audacity they practice. What a bad example they set for others. Again, I say, “No longer.” God’s law will preside, children.”

Don't think I haven't tried to make my own rules in the past. Guess what?  They never worked and only led me further from Christ.  He doesn't expect us to become saints overnight.  It will take a lifetime.  So I have a question for you.  Do you truly and honestly believe the words from the Bible to be true?  Do you believe in Jesus Christ?  If you answered yes, then get your act together.  Live for Him and only Him.  All the rest will beautifully fall into place. 


Thank you, Lord, for the wake up calls You have given me throughout my life. If I start to get lazy when life isn't easy, remind me of the agony You experienced when Your apostles fell asleep the night You were condemned. I promise I will never fall asleep again.


God bless,
Bonnie

Superficial Wounds

Note: I've had no internet for the past 24 hours, so here is my post from yesterday:

The Litany of Humility saved me again. And, within seconds of being offended.  Just as my heart and mind were about to “go there,” the words in this beautiful prayer came alive as if Jesus Himself was reciting them in my head. From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.  From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus.  That others may increase and I may decrease, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.  Those three verses get me over the initial sting every time. Most people don’t intentionally hurt us.  They become absorbed within themselves and what they want. And that’s ok.  We all have the right to choose options benefiting our own needs.  But when my “pleaser” mentality isn’t reciprocated, it can hurt.  Yet, as the Black Knight says to King Arthur (after Arthur has cut off both his arms) in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, “It’s just a flesh wound!” Lay apostles, insults are only superficial.  Remember the Litany of Humility and I promise you will learn not to take things so personally.

In todays Gospel (Matthew 5:20-26), Jesus reminds us not to hold grudges lest we be judged accordingly by the Father:

Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, 'You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment . . .'

In Volume Two, the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, He tells us the ability to forgive is only a prayer away:

"Dear children of this one true God, seek out people who have hurt you, especially in your family, and offer your forgiveness. You don’t need to look for it. Ask Me where it is, dear child, and indeed, I will hand forgiveness to you. If you do this, you will heal. You may say, “Jesus, it is too hard. I cannot do this as I have been hurt too badly.” My child, again I counsel you to practice. Say these words of forgiveness in your head. Then say them aloud. Become used to the sound of them. With My graces, it will not only be possible, it will be easy. Trust Me, who loves you with a genuine love and seeks your peace. I want no barrier of bitterness between Us. I want to heal you. I want to heal families. Do not be afraid. If someone rejects your forgiveness, that is his loss. You will heal, and you will be rewarded. It matters not to Me what a recipient does with a gift you have given. I look only at the fact that you have given when I examine your life."

Lay apostles, I struggle on my path just as much as you.  All I can do is continue following Christ through the Bible, Volumes and any other spiritual reading I can get my hands on.  The more immersed I become, the closer I feel to the holiness He expects of me. 


Thank you, Lord, for the strength to move past insults quickly and painlessly.  The closer I get to You, the easier life becomes.  


God bless,
Bonnie

Told You So

My oldest daughter had just landed her dream job with the government when she found out she was pregnant.  By the time her security clearance came through, she was five months along.  I remember a conversation with her about choices after the baby was born.  Would she stay home with him or step back into the career she worked long and hard to acquire?  Her immediate answer was she would take a max of three months off, and in no way give up a career she spent years preparing for. As gently as I could, I told her she was going to feel differently when she saw his sweet little face and how difficult it will be to leave him for that great job every morning. It would take becoming a mother for her to comprehend the love she would feel for another human being aside from her husband. Fast forward to this past April, when my grandson Connor was born.  About two days after we brought them home from the hospital, my daughter sat on the couch nursing him with tears pooling in her eyes.  I asked her what was wrong. "There is no way I can go back to work.  I don't want to miss one moment with him," she said as she stared at her beautiful new son. Music to this grandma's ears. Then she looked at me with her big blue eyes adding, "Go ahead, say it."  I smiled and said, "I told you so." 

It's a challenge for some to believe in something they haven't experienced or seen in person.  Take todays first reading (1 Kings 18:20-39) for example.  Elijah is speaking to the people of Israel trying to make them understand there is only one God and they must stop worshipping false gods such as Baal (the god of rain and storm - this was during a time of drought). So he decides to challenge belief in their "god" to give them a visual.  They had to see it with their own eyes and experience it themselves. Hours go by and nothing happens with the offering believers of Baal put forward in sacrifice. Elijah then steps up to the plate:

At the time for offering sacrifice, the prophet Elijah came forward and said, "LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things by your command. Answer me, LORD! Answer me, that this people may know that you, LORD, are God and that you have brought them back to their senses." The LORD's fire came down and consumed the burnt offering, wood, stones, and dust, and it lapped up the water in the trench. Seeing this, all the people fell prostrate and said, "The LORD is God! The LORD is God!"

I can imagine Elijah thinking, "I told you so." 

In Heaven Speaks To Those Who Do Not Know Jesus, the Lord discusses our options:

“You are hesitant to believe in Me. I know that. I understand everything that has gone before this moment in your life. Remember that I have all universal truth available to Me. In that respect, am I not a valuable person for you to know? Could you admit that I am possibly the most valuable person you could ever know? If you knew of someone on earth who had all truth about everything, who understood the purest facts and possessed the cleanest, most pristine vision of reality imaginable, would you not seek out this person’s company? If you were wise, you would do so. If you were a man who desired truth, you would do so. If you were weary of lies and falseness, you would do so. My friend, if you seek truth, you must come with Me. If you seek acceptance, you must come to Me. If you want to be loved, you must rest in My heart because it is the only place where you will find the perfect security you crave. I am with you. I will never leave you. You could not escape My presence, even if you wanted to. You may as well get to know Me better so that you can decide whether you will reject Me or accept Me. This is the ultimate choice that will be yours. Just as you cannot escape My presence, you cannot escape this choice. It is yours. I want you to consider your options.”

Personally, I choose to follow Him. And choosing to follow Him means more than Mass every Sunday.  It requires living with and in Christ every minute, every second of your time here on earth.  Lay apostles, we are blessed to have proof of His existence in the Bible, one of the oldest history books around. Do we question history books speaking of the Holocaust?  Absolutely not.  Even if we didn't experience it, we know for a fact it occurred. Believe in the Word of God.  I know I don't want Him saying 'I told you so' when I'm finally called home. 

Thank you, Lord, for placing beautiful reminders of Your time on earth with guidelines for living in every Scripture I read.  I am especially grateful to Anne for saying "yes" to You.  Without the Volumes, I wouldn't be anywhere near where I am today. 


God bless,
Bonnie