EGO - Edging God Out

Today we deal with the 'ol ego . . . the part of being a human being we all struggle with. I found a quote from writer Paul Sposite on www.Catholic.org about ego:

"The ego’s job is to make you feel better about yourself, and it will do what ever it needs to do to make that happen. The ego is the voice inside of you that tells you to kick them when they are down, to make others feel bad about themselves; all in the name of lifting yourself up, making you feel better about you."

We all want to feel safe, secure, and loved. Seems like it should be easy to obtain, doesn't it? Especially if we try to do it right in the eyes of Christ. But in reality, the closer we get to achieving intimacy with Jesus, the brighter His Light shines from us. And the brighter His Light shines, the more we are "noticed." Sometimes those who notice us haven't yet discovered the security and graces Jesus bestows on His true followers, allowing evil to pounce on that tiny window of self doubt. The self doubt which triggers the ego. I have been in the presence of people who no matter what I say, they've done it better, bigger or grander. Instead of reacting, I now see the ego for what it is . . . our human weakness. We must fight the temptation of making ourselves feel better by parading our strengths (real or perceived!) in order to appear better than we really are . . . which truly places the self before God. Focus on showing God how great you really are, not your spouse, friend, acquaintance, etc. Stop "edging God out." Stop it now. 

In todays Gospel (Mark 6:17-29), ego causes the death of our beloved John the Baptist:

Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias,  the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. Herodias’ own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

In Volume Seven, St. Damien has some great advice about keeping your ego in check:

"Egos are difficult friends and dreadful rulers. Keep your ego on a very short leash and understand that your merit lies in your obedience to Christ. Do not take credit for what Christ does through you. He cannot entrust great missions to you if your ego swells with each success. When your work is successful, praise God. When your work fails, praise God. When the sun shines, praise God. When the rain falls, praise God. Do you get the idea? You serve Him and He will do great things through you. These great things have nothing to do with you except that you allowed heaven to use you as an instrument. Your merit in heaven will not depend on the greatness of your mission or the greatness of what Christ accomplished through you. Your merit will reflect the work you did in your soul, the policing of your ego, the honing of the virtues, the self denial, and the love that you allowed to flow through you to other souls."

Lay apostles, do a little work on your ego today. Read the Litany of Humility, over and over. It will do wonders for that 'ol ego, I promise!

Thank you, Lord, for all the times my ego was bruised and You were there to comfort me. Please continue to give me the grace and fortitude I need to keep my mouth shut when under attack!

God bless,
Bonnie

The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

What exactly is the "Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary?" The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops defines it as "The dogma which recognizes the Blessed Virgin Mary's singular participation in her Son's Resurrection by which she was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, when the course of her earthly life was finished."  Can you imagine what Mary must have felt knowing she carried Our Savior within her womb? A few words come to mind . . . humility, love, thankfulness, with a little bit of overwhelmed thrown in. God chooses wisely, lay apostles. Beginning with Mary, He knows exactly who He needs to carry messages of salvation to the world. We have been blessed over the years by the humility of our visionaries who have said "yes" to spreading God's love and words to a world in desperate need of salvation. Thank you, Mother Mary, for saying "yes" to God. And, thank you, Anne, for your "yes," sacrificing for Our Savior by giving up a normal life.  

Todays Gospel (Luke 1:39-56) shows the humility and obedience of Our Lady:

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “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. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

And Mary said:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.”

Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

In Volume 8, Jesus reminds us how His Mother suffers as He does when souls reject Him:

"Dear children, just as I suffer at the distance many souls have placed between themselves and heaven, Our Mother also suffers. She, more than anyone, shared My Passion. She now shares My anguish at the loss of so many souls. I feel revulsion at the sins of this world. Our Mother shares this revulsion. You must understand that when you are glimpsing My heart, and My feelings, you are also glimpsing the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This precious and pure little heart beats with love and tenderness for each of us. Every soul is precious to Mary. I thank you for all of the little sacrifices that console Me. I want you to know that each prayer and sacrifice given for Me also consoles Our Mother. Great joy comes to Mary when souls give thanks and praise to Me. Truly, if you are devoted to My Mother, and I want you to be, work for Me and she will be happy with you. She seeks only My will and her active and powerful intercession in your world furthers My will in a spectacular fashion. She is the woman clothed with the sun, capable of vanquishing the enemy."

Lay apostles, Our Lady is a true intercessor for us on earth. My mother always said to say a prayer to Mary when in need . . . for what Son doesn't listen to His Mother? And remember, sometimes what we pray for may take a little longer to achieve . . . God's time, right? And, sometimes His answer is "no" for our own good. 

Thank you, Lord, for the intercession and motherly love of Our Lady You allow us. You are a Good Son!

God bless,
Bonnie

First Thursday (August 1) talk by Anne a lay apostle

It's time we all practice our listening skills . . . clearing our minds for Jesus:

Click on picture to hear Anne's talk!

August Monthly Message

What happened to July? Boy, August 1st came and went very quickly! Nevertheless, here is the Monthly Message which brings such comfort in a time of heavy crosses:

We continue our cycle of monthly messages with August 2005 for our prayer groups and personal reflection.

August 1, 2005

Jesus

"Listen to your Saviour, My dear ones. I am speaking to every soul on earth at this time. I am with you in each moment and I will never leave you. You must accept each experience in union with Me. You will have difficulties if you begin to follow Me but you have had difficulties in the past. I do not wish My apostles to believe that life without service to Me would mean life without difficulties. If the cross is weighing you down, bring it to Me. I am the expert at carrying the cross. It is understandable that you will need help with your difficulties and it is only sensible to come to the Expert for that help. This is a sensible approach to living your life and carrying your cross. Together, we will continue on. You will support Me in My mission of mercy and I will support you in everything. The benefits of service to heaven are complete. There is nothing you lack when you serve heaven because heaven knows your every need. You offer Me your day each morning. Be aware that this act is mutual. When you give Me your day, I am allowed into that day and I walk through each moment with you, flowing through you, yes, but also caring for you, alerting you to danger, and ensuring that your soul benefits from each challenge, each joy, each cross. You are not alone. I will not allow anything for you that I will not use for your ultimate holiness. Walk in joy because as an apostle serving in this troubled world, you are entitled to every heavenly protection. My gratitude to you for your friendship is not something you can measure in earthly terms. You must trust Me that my gratitude will astound you. I care for your loved ones, dear apostles. I hear your prayers and I will use a measure of my gratitude to you for the benefit of all of your intentions for other souls. There is no reason, whatever your circumstances, to lose your joy."

The timing of this message is spectacular. Just when I think a cross is too heavy and I struggle finding joy in the cross, Jesus reminds me I am not alone. This is a good one, lay apostles (actually, every Monthly Message brings joy and comfort). Read and reread. Print it out and take it to Adoration to contemplate. As He starts this message . . .  "Listen to your Savior."

Thank you, Lord, for reminding me to see the joy in all challenges I face. Also help me to remember all the graces You have gifted me with in my life.

God bless,

Bonnie