Gospel Thoughts Today: Words = Actions

For some, it's very easy to quote Scripture, to be "book smart" when describing Jesus. It's easy to talk about His work and life on earth with love and adoration. It's easy to describe His kind nature, His healing touch. We can quote Canon Law, we can quote the Catechism of the Catholic Church. But if you don't practice what you preach, it falls on deaf ears. Remember your words should always equal your actions . . . not easy in every situation, but necessary to live a life for Christ.

In today's Gospel (Luke 9:18-22), Jesus is teaching the apostles that namedropping is not allowed:

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" They said in reply, "John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, 'One of the ancient prophets has arisen.'" Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said in reply, "The Christ of God." He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.

He said, "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised."

Jesus wants us to exude Him in how we think, speak and act. Don't judge the level of faith or poor choices of another. As the old saying goes, walk a mile in my shoes . . .

In Anne a lay apostle's book Serving in Clarity, she brilliantly describes Jesus, and, lives her life as Jesus would want of all His servants:

"It is distressing to witness a spirit of pride and arrogance. We must always look for personal outrage as a marker for pride in ourselves. By this I do not refer to the outrage one feels regarding injustice done to others. This is appropriate. By this, the marker for pride, I refer to personal outrage associated with being treated less respectfully than we would like or being judged in a way that is less positive than we feel we deserve or desire. To clarify, we can go, as usual, to the Lord’s example. When people lied about Jesus personally or mistreated Him, He let it go, as in the Garden. He did not puff up and sputter in outrage. He was very consistent in behaving like a lamb. But when people planned to stone an adulteress, He stopped them. He exhibited a sense of outrage, turning the situation on its head and using it to promote non-judgmental treatment of others. Also, when He witnessed His Father’s house being used as a marketplace, He exhibited outrage, even reacting with just anger. Jesus quietly accepted personal insults and slights to Himself. He did not accept cruel behavior against people or blasphemous behavior against His Father."

Lay apostles, read, read, read. Then, practice, practice, practice. What can you do today to witness your love of Christ? Not judge another's mistakes? Defend the unborn? There are so many ways to describe Jesus in our actions. Start practicing today.

Thank you, Lord, for teaching me in addition to describing You, I must exude You, too.

God bless,
Bonnie

Gospel Thought Today: Why Be Confused?

Love and respect. Kindness and compassion. Faith, hope and charity. Words every person, let alone every Christian, should exude. I think some people are becoming confused, or maybe it's just plain ol' fear of not fitting in when standing up for Christ. Could it be some of our youth (or millennials as they are now called!) in this country didn't have role models practicing Christian values? What kind of examples were set or are being set for our children and grandchildren? Who is to blame for this lack of faith blatantly blasted at us on all the liberal news stations? The answer is, we only have ourselves to blame. Yes, we are influenced by our childhood. Yes, our parents unknowingly (and in some cases knowingly) contributed to how we think and assess situations, ourselves and others. But once we become adults, there are no more excuses. We can make the necessary changes needed in our lives by the choices we make every day. Let's begin today by showing no fear when protecting Our Lord's sacred name. As a matter of fact, we must stop being silent when our sweet Jesus is slandered or mocked. He is a God of mercy . . . clear up any confusion or fear within first. Pick up a Volume and get to know Him. Open the Bible to learn about His short life on this earth. Love Him as He loves us.

Today's Gospel (Luke 9:7-9) shows Herod very confused about who Jesus is . . .

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, "John has been raised from the dead"; others were saying, "Elijah has appeared"; still others, "One of the ancient prophets has arisen." But Herod said, "John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?" And he kept trying to see him.

In Volume Three, Our Lady teaches us to seek the good, not be confused, and trust in her Son:

"My dear souls, dedicated to Jesus, I wish to teach you more about goodness. Goodness comes from God. All goodness is rooted in heaven and blooms on earth. Your world is filled with a false goodness, that is really malice, disguised. Your world speaks of choice and lauds the choice of the individual. Well, this is fine, if a soul is choosing God. But to choose against the natural order, set down by God, is to bring the wrath of God down upon the world. These people are not working for goodness and their motives are not good. Do not feel compelled to pay homage to the modern concept of good any longer. Instead, ask the Holy Spirit to help you identify true goodness, the kind that is rooted in heaven, and the Spirit will direct you to examples. This same spirit of truth, will uncover the dark motives and malice of those who talk about good and work for bad. Now, do not be confused or concerned. When you see these individuals spouting their lies, you have felt confusion and suspicion. It is that suspicion I wish to direct your attention to. Pay attention to those feelings and trust a little bit more in your holy instincts. Look at the fruits of various campaigns. Does a certain approach bear good fruit? And by that I mean does it bring souls into a unity with each other and with the Creator? You are not secular, dear ones. Please do not try to be."

Lay apostles, don't let lies and venomous words confuse, causing doubt in God. Why be confused? Rely on your holy instincts as Our Lady states above. Don't react, pray for the offenders.  And just remember, What Would Jesus Do?

Thank you, Lord, for patience and compassion for those spouting evil and hate. Please continue to provide me with Your shield of hope and forgiveness.

God bless,
Bonnie

Gospel Thoughts Today: Complete Attention

There are times in our life when we feel beaten down . . . whether we feel we are not good enough, smart enough, faithful enough, or you-fill-in-the-blank enough. Despite how others treat us, we only have to please one Person . . . Christ. We are always good enough for Him. Think about it this way . . . who are the people consistently loving and supporting you? There is usually nothing you wouldn't do for them in return, right? Fight for them, love them, comfort them. So why do we treat Our Heavenly Father with sporadic trust? As Christians, we must walk the walk. And, not just occasionally. It's time for action my dear fellow lay apostles. It's time to give Him our complete attention and trust, just as we do for those we love on earth.

In today's Gospel (Luke 8:19-21), Jesus makes a very clear point: it's easy to talk the talk, but you also have to walk the walk: 

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers  are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

In Volume One, our Blessed Mother advises her children on earth to take action:

"Remember to pray, children. In this way, every action throughout your day can be sanctified. Think of all the small tasks you complete, barely giving any thought to them. If you offer them to us with love, we can use even the smallest action for the salvation of sinners. It is time now to pay attention. Do not put our words down and forget them. I want you to act in obedience to our words and let them change your life. It will feel like the most natural thing in the world, this transition to holiness. Once you make the decision, begin to pray. Once you begin to pray, obedience will come naturally. After obedience, we can move you swiftly to great levels of holiness. My dear one, you will then see the coming of God’s kingdom." 

Lay apostles, young or old, it is never too late to be a part of God's Renewal. Strive to do His Will and continue on the path to salvation. You can change your life.  I did.  Accept the fact you are worthy of His Love and make peace with your past. Once you do, you will be amazed at all the beauty despite the thorns.

Thank you, Lord, for quick recoveries and a joyful spirit.  Your spiritual bulletproof armor is working perfectly.

God bless,
Bonnie

Gospel Thoughts Today: It Wasn't Me!

I must first preface what I'm about to write. Flatulence is not exactly the best topic to write about (although I am a nurse!). My daughters would be horrified (in a funny good way I hope!) this movie came to mind after reading today's Gospel (Luke 6:39-42)! It's all about blaming others for something you contributed to . . . or obviously did and completely denying it! The movie? RocketMan starring Harland Williams playing Fred Randall:

Fred Randall: It wasn't me!
William Overbeck: What do you mean "It wasn't you"? We're 35 million miles from the nearest person!
Fred Randall: Maybe it was Julie.
William Overbeck: Your dog!
Fred Randall: Hey! Miracles can happen.
William Overbeck: Blaming this on Julie!
Fred Randall: Okay. I admit. It was me.
William Overbeck: Thank you.
[Fred farts again]
Fred Randall: Now, THAT was Julie!

(Note: Jay asked me to clarify that I cut and pasted the above quote from the actual script! I did not insert my own words!)

Reading the lines from this scene in the movie brings back such good memories of the goofiness I share with my daughters. And they didn't hesitate to use the "It wasn't me!" line at every opportunity to place blame on one another! OK, enough of the nostalgia. The bottom line is to take responsibility for yourself and your actions before blaming others. It's exactly what Jesus is asking of us in the Gospel:

Jesus told his disciples a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’ when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.”

In Anne a lay apostle's book Lessons in Love, she perfectly identifies the necessity to work on ourselves before pointing out the error of others: 

"Any apostle could name another who behaves like a Pharisee but that will not be helpful, beyond advancing our understanding of the phenomenon. Jesus would be happier if every apostle scrutinized himself and worked with Him on eradicating any judgmental attitude in the apostle’s own soul. We see that the Pharisees were looking to condemn. Remember that this is the opposite of what Jesus did. Jesus looked to save. We must look for evidence of hope and potential in those around us. Some search constantly for evidence of unholiness in others. I think this might be their way of trying to fuel or protect their superiority or obtaining value for themselves in an unhealthy way. Superiority is something that requires constant feeding, like an addiction. Just as a cigarette smoker needs a nicotine fix periodically, a superiority addict needs to look down on someone periodically. Anyone will do. Those around this type of addict will suffer the most but if the superiority addict must go outside of his inner circle, he is happy to do that. Reading the daily newspaper can work for him in a pinch, but one addicted to superiority will eventually find himself searching for reasons to condemn even the holiest souls. This should make our skin crawl with revulsion. Really. It should. I suspect that what is happening is that it is easier to snatch affirmation in small unhealthy doses this way than to actually look within, meet the eyes of Christ and take whatever affirmation we merit in truth while accepting the growth challenges that Jesus puts before us. I often wonder if these people think they are going to get into heaven by citing the unholiness of others rather than standing on their own holiness. Do they think Jesus will ask them to regale Him with stories about the darkness of the times and the sins committed by those around them? Jesus Christ knows the sins of others and instantly factors in all mitigating and aggravating circumstances in each life. The life we will be accounting for is our own. Jesus knew the law but He was not rigid because He applied it with love and mercy. Remember that the characteristics of the Trinity include gentleness, kindness, generosity of heart, truthfulness, eagerness to serve, prudence, and humility."

Lay apostles, do you frequently blame others for something you've done and don't want to admit? What about little white lies because you don't want to offend or be embarrassed by your own actions? Well, it's time for all of us to work on getting that wooden beam out of our own eyes before pointing out the splinter in our brothers and sisters. It's time to say, "It WAS me!"

Thank you, Lord, for the ability to admit when I am wrong . . . instead of making excuses. And, thank you for the humor and humility needed to do it!

God bless,
Bonnie

Gospel Thoughts Today: Justifying Attitudes

I do not sugar coat. Period. I refuse to enable others despite their fragile egos. I would rather tell them the truth gently than placate them with falsities.

My dad spent his last 4 months on this earth in my home. My sister and I were his caregivers until he took his last breath. Dad was a simple man with an optimistic outlook on life. About a month before his death, the three of us were sitting out on the back patio while Dad had his morning coffee and cigarette. Then came a question out of the blue. "So, will I be able to get back into my own apartment again?" My sister responded with something like, "Well, maybe Dad. We will see how things go." Now, my dad had Metastatic Malignant Melanoma and it was everywhere in his body. I kept the protest going on in my head silent as he had not asked me directly. He knew if he asked me, I would tell him the truth (I'm a nurse by education with a lot of experience in Oncology). I figured he wasn't ready for that reality. So I waited. A few days later, Dad and I were alone on the patio. And he asked me that same question. As heartbreaking as it was to tell him the truth, I did. "No Dad, you will be living here with us until the end. But I promise you will not suffer and we will be holding your hands when you take your last breath." He was silent for a few seconds, then said, "Ok. Can I get some more coffee?" As difficult as the truth is, it is so important not to live in a fantasy world, imagining it is everyone else who is getting it wrong. Truth is Jesus Christ. Truth is seeing our frailties for what they are . . . we are all imperfect beings. Today, stop justifying your attitude to make yourself feel better or more important. Live the Truth. Live Jesus Christ.

In today's Gospel (Luke 7:31-35), the ill will is so evident it needs no proof:

Jesus said to the crowds:

"To what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another,

'We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.'

For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, 'He is possessed by a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, 'Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is vindicated by all her children."

In Anne a lay apostle's book Suspended in Mystery, she ties in how attitudes, with the Truth, can be corrected:

"Mary would have detected pride or arrogance without effort. She would have helped to gently shape the disposition of those early fathers so that they never lost sight of the Spirit of her son, who was all love. Jesus did not reject sinners. He rejected sin. Mary, as the mother of all people, would have made certain that the distinction remained pronounced, so as to fully conflict with and contradict the attitudes of the Pharisees who so hated her son and whom she, herself, felt puzzled by."

Lay apostles, are you justifying behaviors because it is too difficult to acknowledge the truth? The younger version of myself would justify away any negative truths. My woundedness couldn't take any criticism. Now I live my life knowing any false arrows thrown my way are not my problem but the "archer's" problem.

Thank you, Lord, for all the wisdom You send me through Your Gospels, Anne, and all the Volumes/books. My life is incredibly peaceful when I let You control outcomes.

God bless,
Bonnie

Gospel Thoughts Today: It's a Scary Thing

Everything comes with a price.  Everybody expects something in return. From an early age, I developed the attitude of "I can do it myself."  Repercussions, when I didn't live up to the expectations of others, could be brutal, despite doing the best I could.  I learned to rely on myself, having very little trust in the good deeds performed on my behalf. Just when I would think the winds were shifting in my direction, a hurricane would appear out of nowhere. Inconsistency drives me nuts. So, what happens when someone consistently acts in a loving manner toward me with no expectations of anything in return?  Revolt, of course, right? Revert back to my old ways, keeping the wall of bricks around my heart? It's a scary thing when a change occurs . . . being vulnerable and believing I am worth loving.  But trusting in Jesus as I do, I have let myself become exposed.  The result is I have found true love, my husband Jay.  Good changes can be frightening, but accepting the good with love and thankfulness is heavenly.

Today's Gospel (Luke 7:11-17) teaches us to believe in good changes knowing the Lord can do all things:

Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, "Do not weep." He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!" The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, "A great prophet has arisen in our midst," and "God has visited his people." This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.

In Volume One, Our Lady lovingly guides us straight to her Son assuring change for Him is the path to salvation:

"Remember to pray, children. In this way, every action throughout your day can be sanctified. Think of all the small tasks you complete, barely giving any thought to them. If you offer them to us with love, we can use even the smallest action for the salvation of sinners. It is time now to pay attention. Do not put our words down and forget them. I want you to act in obedience to our words and let them change your life. It will feel like the most natural thing in the world, this transition to holiness. Once you make the decision, begin to pray. Once you begin to pray, obedience will come naturally. After obedience, we can move you swiftly to great levels of holiness. My dear one, you will then see the coming of God’s kingdom. The more you obey, the more we can reveal to you. There are many souls who allow their lives to be led by the enemy. They are leading others after them. This must cease. Answer “yes” to your mother and feel the closeness of Jesus, my Son. He will change you and introduce great beauty to your life. Be at peace as you follow the path to holiness. We are with you, and ask only that you do your best."

Lay apostles, what's changing in your life right now?  A new job?  A new relationship? A child leaving for college? Whatever it is, let go of fear and look for the good in these changes. Believe Jesus is leading you on a journey and has your back.  Look at each new situation as a chance to shine the Light of Jesus with love and compassion.  If things don't work out the way you expected, know Jesus is taking you off course to avoid a wipeout. Face every day with the knowledge you are loved, no matter what, by our heavenly Father. He is all we need.  Everyone else is icing on the cake!

Thank you, Lord, for teaching me to be open to change, accepting the fact I am worthy of love and respect. Because of my full trust in You, You led me to Jay. I am forever grateful!

God bless,
Bonnie

Gospel Thoughts Today: Be Grateful Today

Beware of people who are rude to waiters/servers! The advice I wish I had been given at a much younger age. In my pharmaceutical days as a Medical Liaison, I had a boss who treated servers as if they were idiots. I dreaded going out to eat when together as a group. I always found myself trying to make up for his poor behavior by complementing the server (and, I really didn't want to consume anyone else's spit other than my own!). A former waitress in my high school days, I was treated similarly at times. Well, I won't divulge what ended up in, uh, coffee or a salad. ;-) Terrible on my part but such satisfaction at the time. Maybe that's why I am so grateful for anyone serving me. It's a tough job and we don't walk in any other shoes but our own. What about when we are on the receiving end of the rudeness from a server? Not my monkey, not my circus! I can choose to either be rude back or let it go and remain focused on the joy of being a Christian . . . which requires a lot of forgiveness in certain situations and at a moment's notice. I am not perfect, but the more I see through the eyes of Jesus, the more tolerant I automatically become.

Today's Gospel (Luke 7:1-10) finds Jesus amazed by a man's great faith and love of his servant:

When Jesus had finished all his words to the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave who was ill and about to die, and he was valuable to him. When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and save the life of his slave. They approached Jesus and strongly urged him to come, saying, "He deserves to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation and he built the synagogue for us." And Jesus went with them, but when he was only a short distance from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof. Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word and let my servant be healed. For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come here,' and he comes; and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him and, turning, said to the crowd following him, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." When the messengers returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

In the June 2012 Monthly Message, Jesus lovingly acknowledges His lay apostles' commitment to furthering His Kingdom:

"I am pleased when I see holiness increasing in My friends and this increase in holiness is what gives Me hope for the Church. Yes, I am urging My followers toward sacrifice and service and many of you are answering with your whole hearts. You, listening to My words and allowing them to change you, are giving Me great hope. With this hope I push on into the world, confident, that while some resist change, others embrace it. Yes, change is happening, most especially in the heart of every committed apostle. You are becoming holier. As you are becoming holier, My Church is becoming holier. Apostles, hear this call with all seriousness. I, Jesus, have everything needed to advance the Church into greater unity. And I, Jesus, can do this as quickly as you will allow Me. Find Me in your soul in each moment you are questioning your role in the Kingdom. I will direct you."

Lay apostles, be thankful to those who serve us.  From the waitress serving you coffee to the mechanic fixing your brakes to the dentist filling your tooth.  We all serve in some capacity, don't we?  Serve unconditionally for love of Christ. Every kind gesture made shines His Light in a dark world. What service can you provide in the name of Jesus Christ today?

Thank you, Lord, for changing my perspective of how I view others/situations to more resemble Yours. Please give me a nudge when I am seeing through worldly eyes!

God bless,
Bonnie

Gospel Thoughts Today: It's Hard To Stay Delightful

My favorite Guest Blogger: Annie!

As a teenager I always used to pride myself on being extremely good at not judging people. It was my favourite Catholic teaching, one I felt that the Church could do with advertising a little better– you know, let’s talk less about hellfire and damnation and start hyping up the peace-and-love part of the Catechism. I was well versed in not judging people for bad attitudes, past mistakes or poor life decisions; none of it fazed me. God loved them and me and everyone and we were all sinners and all saints and all together, lalalala, hi I’m basically a hippie.

Enter college. I wasn’t exactly prepared for some certain social challenges of a small, Catholic, American university. (If you went to a small Catholic American university, you may see where this is going.) There was a small group of people that seemed to take an instant dislike to me, for reasons that evaded my understanding, because as my mom tells me, I’m delightful. But it’s hard to stay delightful when people are looking you up and down and you can FEEL them judging your clothes, your appearance, your language, everything about you, before they even open their mouths to assure you with false kindness that that is exactly what they are doing. I just could not be Catholic, or pure, or good enough for these people. The unfairness of it drove me insane and I retaliated to the hate vibes by labeling them with my friends as hypocrites and meanies and something that rhymes which clucking glass bowls (I shall preserve the integrity of Bonnie’s blog by not even rhyming some of the other words I may have used!) It took me a while to realize what had happened, and when I finally did I actually burst out laughing at myself; I had become what I loathed by being just as judgmental as they were. The Gospel today (Luke 6:39-42) talks about the importance of focusing on fixing our own flaws and not micro-analyzing everything our neighbors are doing wrong:

Jesus told his disciples a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’ when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.”

The thing is if your brother was walking around with literally a giant wooden beam in his eye, how hard would it be not to notice??? I mean, come on, that’s probably the first thing you’d see! It’s probably unpleasant and very distracting to look at. Likewise, with other people’s shortcomings, they can be, frankly, really annoying, and it’s hard not to judge on that level. But nobody likes to be on the receiving end of “that person” and we have to be careful about not allowing such an experience to make us become “that person.” The good news is we don’t have to be blind; we can be fully trained, loving disciples instead of the word that rhymes with glass bowls.

The Monthly Message from May 2009 is really consoling and instructive in this area:

"My children, your work stretches out before you. How many serve? How many resist My will for them? When you consider others who do not seem to be serving Me, I want you to turn your face away. I want you to consider only My will for you in a given moment. This will protect you from many temptations. You can answer Me with simplicity when I ask you at the end of the day, 'Have you served Me well today?' You can simply say, 'Yes, Lord. I have done My best.' Then you can lay down your worries and rest. Beloved apostles of God, do not be distracted by others. I know this is hard for you. I know that others can cause you upset. But if you consider how I have asked you to experience others, you will do better. I want you to view those around you as pilgrims journeying toward Me. That is what you are, after all. Can you deny others the need to move gradually to perfection when you, yourself are doing the same? You are involved in a process which means that you remain imperfect. Why would it be different for those around you? You have come to trust My loving compassion, My forgiveness and My uninterrupted affection. That is because you have come to know Me. If others do not know Me as well as you do, they will trust Me less. If they trust Me less, they will experience fear and this will cause them difficulty which moves out from the fear to greater and greater pain. If My apostles will accept that fear of being unloved is the source of great pain for others, My apostles will view the mistakes of others with compassion, as I do. Yes, the pain of humanity can only be remedied by loving compassion. This is why you are sent out by Me. You move into the world with heaven’s healing compassion. My apostles, perhaps you do not feel this compassion from others. Perhaps you feel that you are in need of compassion and find only condemnation. I make two remarks about this. One, please be willing to ask for understanding from other holy apostles and then accept what they offer to you in humility. Next, ask Me if I am judging you. Ask Me if I view you harshly. You know that I do not. I am pleased with whatever you offer Me in terms of fidelity and service. I am pleased with whatever you give to Me in terms of prayer and silence. I work so well in your little soul when you allow Me. I feel the greatest compassion for you. I am happy with your efforts to be holy and to love those around you. I rejoice in you. I rejoice in your commitment to Me. I urge you today in the most serious way to trust Me and trust in My plan for you."

What a great way to look at other people. Jesus basically says it perfectly here, and I think this advice is pretty solid, and something I definitely want to work on. Basically, haters gonna secretly crave affection, and if someone is judging you? The best response is love and kindness.

God bless,

Annie

Gospel Thoughts Today: Heart Healer

Jesus heals all wounds . . . eventually. Although the "eventually" is not His fault, it's my own ego hard at work. We all do battle with darkness when we have been wounded by another. After reading today's Gospel (Luke 6:27-38), I know I have come a long way. A younger me would have poo-pooed most of what Jesus is saying, without the slightest hesitation. My immature mind couldn't dismiss the wrongs or mistreatment. But I get it now. I'm going to use a phrase my husband says in times of wrongdoing: hurt people, hurt people. So next time someone wounds your precious heart, remember the words of Christ in this Gospel. Do it for Him. Resist the urge to get revenge; resist the temptation to spew hatred back. Allow our Divine Healer tend to your heart first. Then, ask Him to heal your offender. Here it is, straight from the lips of Our Lord:

Jesus said to his disciples: “To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.

“Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

In Anne a lay apostle's book Serving in Clarity, Jesus reminds us He is the Healer of all wounds:

"I know what lifts your heart, My beloved one. I know what consoles you and gives you comfort. In the same way, you understand what consoles Me, what lifts Me and gives Me comfort. Shall I remind you? Love. Love gives Me solace in a time when there is great hatred. I look to you and I see suffering, yes, pain, of course, but also love. I see that you suffer for Me and this sustains Me. I see your sacrifices and I see your wounds, and yet you continue to serve your King. You do not melt away into the world as others have. You do not allow your heart to be hardened as some do. You work constantly to allow Me access as the Divine Healer. I require constant access to your little heart, it is true, but you give that to Me through your time in prayer and your willingness to be honest in assessing your actions and motives. Dearest apostle, walk with Me as one of My guards of honor. I love you immeasurably. I will care for everything and I will never fail to sustain you. Bring Me your fears constantly, in every moment. I will eradicate them. If you walk closely with Me, you will exert less effort and I will sow a heavenly garden in your soul as we proceed."

Lay apostles, what are you waiting for? Are you carrying a grudge from an old wound? A recent wound? Pray to Jesus right now. Ask Him to mend your heart and give you the grace needed to forgive. It takes a lot of practice and dedication healing old wounds. But it can be done! I am living proof it does get better the more I cling to Christ and pray for those who offend. The only way I can describe it is like this: it's as if there is a protective shield in front of me when daggers are being thrown. I can hear what is being said but my heart is completely protected. I mistakenly step in front of that shield once in a while (quickly realizing I am unprotected!) and let the pointy little suckers penetrate my heart. But it's not too long before Our Lord swoops in to save it. I just have to let Him!

Thank you, Lord, for truly being my Heart Healer. My life is so different now . . . since I let You completely in!

God bless,
Bonnie

Gospel Thoughts Today: Love Over Money

Love over money, any day, hands down. I have known very wealthy people who have it all but possess no compassion or desire to help those in need. On the contrary, I've witnessed the same attitude in those with financial difficulties, even though compassion is given free of charge.  But then there are the struggling young couples I've been blessed to know living paycheck to paycheck with so much love for each other they continue to persevere, working toward a common goal. And, the affluent so generous not only financially, but volunteering whenever and wherever a need arises. After reading today's Gospel (Luke 6:20-26), I feel blessed to have a roof over my head and food in my refrigerator. I am encouraged to increase my efforts to help the poor and needy, whether it be with an extra donation or committing more time. Every one of us, no matter what our state in life may be, have the ability to provide relief of some means to any of God's children. Relief can mean feeding the hungry in a soup kitchen or loading an elderly woman's grocery bags into her trunk at the supermarket. As I have said in the past, do all for His Glory. Not for kudos, not for status, not for show. Just do it for Him. Give in His Name with no expectations, only love. Your reward will be great in heaven.

From Luke 6:

Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours. Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied.

Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. "Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven. For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way. But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. But woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way."

In the December 2011 Monthly Message, Jesus cheers us on with His hope and encouragement:

"Dear apostles, it is with hope that I come to you today, speaking these words to your heart. I am hoping that the plans I have for your life will come to fruition. Do I require that you be powerful? Important? Do I need you to be people of great wealth or great influence in the eyes of the world? Will My plan be threatened by your imperfection or your difficulty maintaining holiness in every moment? Do I need only angels? Or do I need apostles of goodwill serving exactly where I have placed them? You were created to persevere and even flourish with limited understanding of all that is happening around you and through you. Yes, dear apostles, I am filled with hope. I am hoping that you accept My love. I am hoping that you allow Me to bring you healing, daily. I am hoping that through you I can love and heal others whom you will encounter in your daily experience. I bring you so many gifts of knowing Me, both directly and indirectly. Sometimes, I bring these gifts directly into your soul. Sometimes I send these gifts to you through the soul of another. I am saying that sometimes you will be the recipient of My gifts and sometimes you will be the one delivering My gifts. We are so united, you and I. We are together now and when you are finished on earth you will understand how closely I worked with you."

Lay apostles, I know how busy life can be. So, search for the moments Jesus places in your path to make someone's day a little brighter. Share the gifts He has bestowed upon you to draw others to His loving arms. How else will those who don't know Christ ever discover the Truth. Spread the messages in the Volumes or Heaven Speaks booklets whenever you can. One thing I did . . . I was in Las Vegas for a business trip years ago and brought a stack of Heaven Speaks About Addictions and Heaven Speaks to Those Who Suffer From Financial Need. I tried to leave them scattered throughout the casino . . . ;-)

Thank you, Lord, for encouraging words of love and showing me the importance of using the gifts You have given me for Your Glory. Please help me to remain alert to those in need.

God bless,
Bonnie

Gospel Thoughts Today: Choose Wisely

Do you remember the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade? Action-packed Harrison Ford movie . . . adventures you would never catch this squeamish-at-the-sight-of-anything-slimey-hopping-or-slithering kind of girl in close proximity to. Sitting safely in a movie theater or on the couch in the comfort of my own home makes it a virtual adventure and I can handle that! So, what was it about today's Gospel that made me think of Indiana Jones? Basically, Jesus prayed about who would be His Twelve Apostles. He didn't just randomly pick from all His followers. He prayed for God's guidance in making the right decision . . . to do the Father's Will. There is a line in this movie which I find quite profound and related to today's Gospel:

Grail Knight: But choose wisely, for while the true Grail will bring you life, the false Grail will take it from you.

By Jesus choosing the Twelve He did, God's plan unfolded perfectly. Through His death and resurrection, we are saved (Luke 6:12-19):

Jesus departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,
Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

And he came down with them and stood on a stretch of level ground.
A great crowd of his disciples and a large number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon
came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and even those who were tormented by unclean spirits were cured. Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him because power came forth from him and healed them all.

In Anne a lay apostle's book Lessons in Love, she describes beautifully how choosing wisely leads to living (and thriving in) a life for Christ:

"Young men and women of God, choose wisely. Ask yourself if the person you are dating is willing to view marriage through the eyes of Christ, never mind living it out that way. If the person you are dating does not share this sacramental view of marriage, how can we expect him or her to exercise it later? If the person you are dating does not view the formation of children with the most reverent sense of responsibility, how can we expect them to exercise it fully as a parent? Such cruel disappointment God’s children experience in unwise marriages, and yet, such humility from suffering and such miraculous healing of many marital unions."

Lay apostles, just as Christ called upon Our Father in heaven when He had to make some important choices, we must do the same. Pray for wisdom. Pray for the right answers. Choose wisely.

Thank you, Lord, for the lessons when I have chosen hastily and the graces when I have made choices after discussing it with You!

God bless,
Bonnie

Gospel Thoughts Today: Sunshine Amidst the Downpour

A few weeks ago, as I was preparing a couple of bedrooms to be painted, it began to rain. I'm talking downpour. Oddly enough, the sun was shining the entire time. It was such a beautiful sight, I stopped for a minute to enjoy that brief moment in time. I used to focus on the downpour (rain and flat ironed hair do not mix!). Now I notice the sun and am soothed by the storm. Think about life as a Christian. Jesus wants us to understand He is always with us, in the darkest of storms and on bright, sunny days. Negative people will always be in our lives trying to upset us, demean us, or persecute us no matter how kind and loving we are. They see our joyfulness which only enhances their state of misery. How do we handle people trying to "catch" us, ready to condemn? Well, we have two choices. Either fall into the darkness they so desperately want us to share, or, rely on Jesus and the joy faith in Him provides, offering love and compassion. Understand offering love and kindness doesn't guarantee the same in return. But, I aspire to see the sunshine amidst the downpour and soothing sound of the rain. I pray those in darkness choose to do the same someday.

In today's Gospel (Luke 6:6-11), Jesus chooses to heal a man despite the hatred of those trying to "catch" Him as evidence to persecute Him:

On a certain sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely to see if he would cure on the sabbath so that they might discover a reason to accuse him. But he realized their intentions and said to the man with the withered hand, "Come up and stand before us." And he rose and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?" Looking around at them all, he then said to him, "Stretch out your hand." He did so and his hand was restored. But they became enraged and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.

In Anne a lay apostle's book Lessons in Love, she affirms we must strive to see through condemnation from others:

"We see that the Pharisees were looking to condemn. Remember that this is the opposite of what Jesus did. Jesus looked to save. We must look for evidence of hope and potential in those around us. Some search constantly for evidence of unholiness in others. I think this might be their way of trying to fuel or protect their superiority or obtaining value for themselves in an unhealthy way. Superiority is something that requires constant feeding, like an addiction. Just as a cigarette smoker needs a nicotine fix periodically, a superiority addict needs to look down on someone periodically. Anyone will do."

Lay apostles, it is so easy to fall into the negative behavior of loved ones, friends or co-workers. Even the negative behavior of a salesperson in the mall. When confronted by someone trying to tear me down or ruin my calm, I try to think of the hurt or pain this person is suffering from causing the nastiness. Maybe they don't have Jesus to comfort them. Maybe they don't have the love of family to cushion the fall. We have no idea where this person has been, even if it is someone in our own family. So, love unconditionally and don't hold condemnation from others internally. More than likely, the reaction is from an open wound and they don't know how or haven't taken the time to heal it. Shine a little sunshine. Shine Jesus Christ.

Thank you, Lord, for teaching me to look past condemnation to the hurt behind the words. And for compassion when others only want to see me fall.

God bless,
Bonnie

Gospel Thoughts Today: Drop What You're Doing!

In my experience as an RN, there were many times my rounds were smooth and peaceful (I always worked 7p - 7a). But there were a few rare times where I had to drop what I was doing (as long as it didn't interfere with care I was responsible for) and beeline to a patient room. I'll never forget one night in particular. It was an ordinary evening, no patients in immediate distress, all meds passed out, dinner eaten and cleared out of rooms. All was calm. I was usually the last (and fairly new RN at the time) nurse on my shift to finish rounds as I took the time to talk with my patients trying to ease any fears or concerns. Sitting at the nurses' station with a pile of charts, the overhead PA called a code blue and on my floor! My first thought was to thank God it wasn't the room number of one of my patients. Quickly running to the room to see if I could help, I stopped dead in my tracks when I got to the door. A sight I will never forget appeared . . . blood beginning to coagulate on the floor surrounding the bed . . . a LOT of blood . . . and a patient that was blue. He was a post-op abdominal surgery. The nurse assigned to that patient was in a bit of shock as they tried to revive him, of which they were not successful. This woman had been a nurse for almost 20 years and at times seemed very calm, almost lackadaisical. When we assume we know everything, all hell can break loose. If we aren't diligent and aware in our fight for Christ on earth, arming ourselves with knowledge from the Bible, the Volumes . . . how can we be prepared for unfortunate situations that may arise, assaulting our difficult to achieve balance? Just as the nurse above should have made sure her rounds were consistent for a post-op patient, we must make sure we are consistent on a daily basis in living the messages of Jesus Christ to the best of our ability.

In today's Gospel (Luke 5:1-11), it proves following Christ is not always easy, but so rewarding in the end:

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.”

When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.

In Anne a lay apostle's new book, Suspended in Mystery, Jesus encourages us to put Him first to fulfill His plan for us:

"The Gospel message is compelling. It is timeless. It is full of love and hope. But, my beloved friends, when people relax their efforts to become holier, they lose the force needed to convict others. You may believe that my call is unfair, given its requirement of personal sacrifice. You may believe that the cost is too high for you to pay. To remain faithful to me, you must sometimes put yourself and your personal plans in the second place and my plan in the first place. You are no different than any other follower in any other time."

Lay apostles, how much time are you dedicating to reading the Gospel messages in the Bible? Have you read a Volume yet? Today is the day. Read the Volumes for free here. Listen to Anne's first Thursday talks here. Drop what you're doing and choose Jesus.

Thank you, Lord, for teaching me the importance of consistent faith in You. 

God bless,

Bonnie

Gospel Thoughts Today: The Struggling Servant

Guest blogger today is Annie. She wrote this years ago and boy is she still on point today! This is so good I just had to repost:

Does anybody remember a few years ago when Swine flu was all the rage in the media? Did anybody else get that? Well, I took that little fad quite seriously, and not being one to do things halfway, I got it three times. Yes, three. My crap autoimmune system just thought it was the most exciting thing ever, so I stayed sick with it for about nine months. I remember that year on my birthday, two good friends standing by my death-couch wearing smiles that looked more like grimaces, one holding a candle-lit cake that I could not eat and the other holding a gift-wrapped bottle of Chloraseptic throat spray. Happy birthday! A few years later, in college, I was in the hospital busily having a stomach surgery to get diagnosed with Crohn’s disease (you know, just your average college student) and they wouldn’t let me eat solid food for a full week. I like to think I dealt with that about as well as Mother Teresa might have . . . if Mama T had owned a cell phone and been the kind of gal to repeatedly throw it against a wall and howl at her friend to give it back so she could throw it again until somebody fed her, and by the way, was it time for more painkillers yet? (Somebody once saw me with low blood sugar, then went home and invented the word “hangry” to describe the scene. It caught on.)

My point is, I am the kind of person who actually worried when Ebola hit the headlines. I know my way around a hospital and probably took more sick days in high school than days where I actually attended (I can mentally picture my year head nodding vigorously in agreement with that statement). That’s why today's Gospel (Luke 4:38-44) was particularly consoling for me, and I think anybody with an experience of illness could draw comfort from it:

After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and waited on them.

At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and cured them. And demons also came out from many, shouting, “You are the Son of God.” But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ.

At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, “To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.” And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

Simon’s mother-in-law stands out a lot in this Gospel passage. I love that her first instinct upon being cured was to get up and start serving those around her. We should all try to be more like Simon’s mother-in-law, serving Christ cheerfully, and less like the clingy crowds who don’t have enough faith to let Jesus carry on with His work and focus on our own. (Says the girl who literally wailed at a chocolate cake commercial when she had to go gluten-free. Whatever, I’m working on it!) Whether you’re afflicted by a physical illness, a mental disturbance, or a circumstantial hardship, this message reassures that there is no problem that God cannot diminish if you ask Him for help.

The following message from Volume One further affirms the promise that we will be taken care of, and underscores the value in our suffering:

“I am with you, child. I feel your weakness and sickness and will adjust your responsibilities accordingly. This will pass. Offer your suffering to Me so that I can nourish souls, especially souls who are in error and in danger of falling away. My heart aches for them. They feel they have been abandoned, yet it is they who have abandoned the true faith. Suffer willingly for them, little one. We must draw them back with goodness and joy. A true follower of Mine is joyful and serene. When you see Christians who claim to be following Me, but they are sad and morose, you should be alert. Despair and depression do not come from Me. My followers are given hope and a lightness of spirit, despite difficulties. If you, yourself, notice you are feeling sad more often, it is because you are not connected to Me through prayer and the sacraments. Be vigilant about your faith and you will not falter. I am with you. I will never leave you. Ask Me for courage and courage will be yours.”

The first thought in my mind upon reading this passage was “Adjusted responsibilities?!?! YESSS!!!!!!” But I think the point is also to have faith in God’s plan and wisdom, as well as His ability to lift your burden when the time is right. We are advised to suffer cheerfully, willingly, serenely, joyfully, and hopefully . . . Oh, kind of like Simon’s mother-in-law I guess. (And kind of less like me in the hospital!) If this seems impossible, maybe remember that sometimes struggling is serving, and all you have to do is your best. Aim for at least willing, then, work on cheerful!

Annie

Gospel Thoughts Today: The Smallest of Gaps

All it takes is the smallest of gaps for havoc to erupt in a situation filled with love and joy. People get rushed or things take longer than expected. Instead of slowing down and explaining the delay or asking for clear expectations, assumptions are made. Frustration builds and disarray ensues. Evil lurks, waiting for a small crack to invade harmony. All we need to do is call on the name of the Lord to bring order back and be willing to take a look at our own actions to assess the part we played in the confusion. 

Today's Gospel (Luke 4:31-37) demonstrates the power of Jesus in turning hearts and minds:

Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority. In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out in a loud voice, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!" Jesus rebuked him and said, "Be quiet! Come out of him!" Then the demon threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him any harm. They were all amazed and said to one another, "What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out." And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region.

In Anne a lay apostle's book The Mist of Mercy, she describes an experience which brings me comfort when evil tries to work its way into a situation:

"Our Lord showed me a glimpse of one small area of hell at this time. I saw a soul with the ugliest red eyes. They are vacant, devoid of all humanity. They are evil. This demon’s eyes locked onto something and for a moment I thought it was me but he went right past me and began to assault another one such as himself. They are fighting constantly here. They are assaulting each other. They are molesting each other. They are shaming and humiliating each other. They are in the right place. I felt no fear as they cannot hurt us and I know it."

Lay apostles, so much hurt and pain can be diffused when we acknowledge where the feelings of negativity are rooted. Does delay in service make you feel less important? Do hurtful words sting because there is an essence of truth to them?  Don't let evil sneak in and ruin the joy and protection Christ gives to His children. Love one another and talk it out. 

Thank you, Lord, for quick resolutions to unnecessary upset. I am in awe of how fast You turn things around with prayer!

God bless,
Bonnie