A Little Soul Housecleaning

Sister Mary Lucy couldn't be missed walking the aisles at the CMN trade show. Her habit is pink, with white trim. Here is a pic from her website Heart of Mary Ministry, Inc.:

She exuded joy and peace as she approached our booth, immediately pulling out a copy of her Rosary CD after giving her a copy of my book, Can You Text Me Directions?. Jay and I came home from the CMN trade show with so many new books to read and CDs to listen to, I think I will be posting about this experience for the next few months! As a music lover, I am always looking for beautiful music to play in the background while I write. Oh my goodness! What an angelic voice! Here is a servant of Christ not only committing to Him on the outside with her God-given singing voice, but committed to Him as a consecrated soul! This is exactly what the Gospel is speaking about today . . . to make the outside = the inside. Thank you, Sister Mary Lucy, for being a shining example of His Love! 

The Gospel today (Matthew 23:23-26) teaches us to spend more time cleaning up the inside, our souls, than our outward appearances:

Jesus said: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes of mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. But these you should have done, without neglecting the others. Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean.”

In Volume Seven, St. Philomena assures us a little courageous cleansing of our own souls will attract others to do the same:

"Dear brothers and sisters, you must be joyful during this time. Whenever you are tempted toward despair, you must think of heaven and how Jesus is making the earth like heaven by allowing this cleansing. Jesus is reclaiming the earth. That is a wonderful thing and will ensure that your children’s children will not have to contend with the darkness of sin that surrounds your children. It would please Jesus if you would be thankful to Him, despite any circumstances. A saint conducts herself this way and finds that she is joyful regardless of any and all hardships. Dear friends of heaven, the enemy will not prevail. You know this because you have been told this. At the end of this time, Jesus will return and the earth will be beautiful again. Before that, there will be a time when it will appear that the enemy has taken control of the world. The darkness of sin will reign and our beloved Church will suffer even more. Followers will face grave and constant attacks for their faith in many areas of the world. They will persevere and set the most beautiful example for others. This will draw others back to the faith in great numbers, so you see, the enemy’s strategy will backfire. The more God’s enemies persecute His children, the more children will choose God and remain true. It has always been this way, sadly. God’s children should serve Him faithfully in good times also, but many do not. Many become worldly when the times are easy. Be brave. Your courage will come from heaven and inspire many."

Lay apostles, I don't know about you, but I sure have some soul housecleaning left to do! I strive to be better every day by keeping Christ as my center . . . knowing He is by my side always. I do forget at times when my thoughts drift to the worldly view, but He gets my attention aligned with His very quickly these days. In what area do you need a little soul cleansing today? Maybe you can achieve that cleansing with #ActionsofCompassion? Just a thought . . .

Thank you, Lord, for all the beauty You have placed in the world like Sr. Mary Lucy and her stunning voice! Please continue to open my eyes to all the good!

God bless,
Bonnie