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

Gospel Thoughts Today: Wishy Washy Emotions

Wishy-washy emotions. Ugh. Luckily for those interacting with me, I can handle wishy-washy emotions and reactions. A mother with Bipolar Disorder taught me (at a very young age) to understand the climate can change quicker than the blink of an eye. I try, to the best of my ability, staying evenly keeled. My love doesn't change from one day to the next. But I'm pretty lucky. My experience growing up and throughout most of my adulthood gave me a high tolerance for bad behavior. Since becoming a lay apostle, I have become calmer . . . more peaceful. My commitment to this apostolate has not wavered one bit. Jesus has led me here, at this time, in this place. I have seen a few lay apostles be led astray by false accusations. Wishy-washy emotions. After reading today's Gospel (Luke 4:14-22), where everyone thought Jesus was amazing, I find it hard to believe soon after they crucified Him. Do you think wishy-washy emotions are caused by fear of the unknown? Fear of death to self? Fear of showing your weaknesses? Or, fear of admitting you are imperfect? Stand strong, lay apostles. Read the Gospel below and stand up for Jesus:

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region.  He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.

He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day.  He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.  He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.  He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”  And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.

In Volume Four, Jesus the King shows us how to remain calm and steady:

"If I am at all welcomed by you, I reside within you. But I am also beside you. I am in every conversation where someone asks Me to participate. Do you want to know how to please Me? Allow Me to speak through you. Allow Me to act through you. Allow Me to love through you. You have noticed changes since you began to follow Me with decision. You have noticed that as the world attempts to pull you away from peace, I draw you back to peace. You have noticed that is easier to love those around you. You have noticed more patience, more joy, and a deeper contemplation of the world as I see it. Now, little souls, I want you to begin practicing something different. I want you to calmly bring Me with you in everything you do and everything you say. In each part of each day, understand that I, the King of heaven and earth, am working through you."

Lay apostles, if you are one of those people who love one day and are disinterested the next, stop and implement Jesus' words above. Love Him unconditionally.  Love Him no matter what happens in your life. When you do this, loving others becomes easier. I know how much His words have changed me. I promise, if you listen to Him, they will change you.

Thank you, Lord, for opening my ears and eyes to this apostolate. I will continue to pray and show tolerance for those whose emotions fluctuate on a day to day basis.

God bless,
Bonnie

Gospel Thought Today: Misunderstandings

Have you ever said something and immediately realized it could be easily misconstrued as offensive? Admittedly, at times I hear bits and pieces of information and tend to quickly assess if I am being wronged or my opinions are being dismissed . . . both which can generate the surfacing of previous wounds. We all carry emotional baggage. Fighting to keep those past hurts at bay is the challenge. I have discovered a way to help dissipate those feelings . . . unload it quickly and remember . . . listen to what Jesus tells us in the Gospels and in the Volumes. It is the Truth and the Way to our salvation. Don't ignore Him. He is trying to save us a lot of heartache while we are in exile on this earth. Forgive easily. Love always. Clarity can come from any misunderstanding if we view it through the eyes of Christ.

In the Gospel today (Luke 4:24-30), the truth seems to cause fury . . . did they misunderstand, or was it fear? 

Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth: “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built,  to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

In the March 2008 Monthly Message, Jesus asks us to love at all times, despite any misunderstandings:

"My dear friend, you will learn so much about love in heaven. You will look back at your time on earth and you will understand that many things that occurred to you were both exercises in love and opportunities to love. There is misunderstanding about love in the world but those who follow Me, My beloved apostles, seek to master love as I mastered love, in sacrifice. It is true that love creates joy. This is true. But when we take on love, it is also at times like taking on a burden which must then be carried. We should not decide for love and then, finding that love burdensome at times, set it down and walk away from it. This is not how it is done. On the contrary, if you love as I loved, you will find at times that the weight of love is heavy. I experienced this on Calvary when I carried My love for you to My death. Did I make the right decision, to pay the ultimate price for love? Of course I did. What else would I do, given the wonderful creation that is you? In the same way, I want each of My apostles to expect their love for Me to be a burden to them at times. This is normal. I want each of My apostles to expect their love for others to be a burden to them at times. This is also normal. In love, there are times when the decision to love feels light, of course, and there seems to be no burden to it at all. Rejoice in these times. In love, there are other times when the burden causes you to question your commitment. Do not be afraid of these times. This questioning is necessary for your growth. I experienced this, too. I was tempted toward an easier way. When love is tried this way and triumphs, that love becomes firmer and less likely to be disappointed later."

Lay apostles, are you holding a grudge due to a potential misunderstanding? Well, Jay loves to make T charts with pros on one side and cons on the other. Write down your side of the story and why you are right (pros). Then take the other person's side. List the cons by making their point. After you're done, what do you end up with? Two individuals with life experiences unique only to them. No one can think what we think or respond as we respond. Let it go. Pray about it. Then make that phone call, walk into the next room, or send an email. Go ahead, do it now. Resolve misunderstanding with love in your heart. 

Thank you, Lord, for encouraging me to resolve conflict quickly and with love. Man, this stuff is not easy but the end result is a beautiful gift You designed just for me.

God bless,

Bonnie

Misunderstandings

Have you ever said something and immediately realized it could be easily misconstrued as offensive? Sometimes we hear bits and pieces of information as we want to hear it, carefully assessing if we are being wronged or it's just old patterns of behavior surfacing. We all carry emotional baggage. Unload it quickly and remember . . . listen to what Jesus tells us in the Gospels and in the Volumes. It is the Truth and the Way to our salvation. Don't ignore Him. He is trying to save us a lot of heartache while we are in exile on this earth. Forgive easily. Love always. Clarity can come from any misunderstanding if we view it through the eyes of Christ.

In the Gospel today (Luke 4:24-30), the truth seems to cause fury . . . did they misunderstand, or was it fear? 

Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth: “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built,  to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

In the March 2008 Monthly Message, Jesus asks us to love at all times, despite any misunderstandings:

"My dear friend, you will learn so much about love in heaven. You will look back at your time on earth and you will understand that many things that occurred to you were both exercises in love and opportunities to love. There is misunderstanding about love in the world but those who follow Me, My beloved apostles, seek to master love as I mastered love, in sacrifice. It is true that love creates joy. This is true. But when we take on love, it is also at times like taking on a burden which must then be carried. We should not decide for love and then, finding that love burdensome at times, set it down and walk away from it. This is not how it is done. On the contrary, if you love as I loved, you will find at times that the weight of love is heavy. I experienced this on Calvary when I carried My love for you to My death. Did I make the right decision, to pay the ultimate price for love? Of course I did. What else would I do, given the wonderful creation that is you? In the same way, I want each of My apostles to expect their love for Me to be a burden to them at times. This is normal. I want each of My apostles to expect their love for others to be a burden to them at times. This is also normal. In love, there are times when the decision to love feels light, of course, and there seems to be no burden to it at all. Rejoice in these times. In love, there are other times when the burden causes you to question your commitment. Do not be afraid of these times. This questioning is necessary for your growth. I experienced this, too. I was tempted toward an easier way. When love is tried this way and triumphs, that love becomes firmer and less likely to be disappointed later."

Lay apostles, are you holding a grudge due to a potential misunderstanding? Well, Jay loves to make T charts with pros on one side and cons on the other. Write down your side of the story and why you are right (pros). Then take the other person's side. List the cons by making their point. After you're done, what do you end up with? Two individuals with life experiences unique only to them. No one can think what we think or respond as we respond. Let it go. Pray about it. Then make that phone call, walk into the next room, or send an email. Go ahead, do it now. Resolve misunderstanding with love in your heart. 

Thank you, Lord, for encouraging me to resolve conflict quickly and with love. Man, this stuff is not easy but the end result is a beautiful gift You designed just for me.

God bless,

Bonnie

Good Ol’ Temptation

February 14, 2016 - Happy Valentine's Day!

Temptation presents itself in many ways . . . it can be as subtle as a candy bar to a diabetic or a simple flirtation with a married co-worker. There is the temptation to judge, ridicule, demean or terrorize. Temptation to inflict the pain inward, believing the words self hatred spews when we look in the mirror.  So what makes temptation so “tempting?” When we really dig down deep, the underlying emotion is fear. Fear of not being smart enough, pretty enough, lovable enough, or respected. All wounds of an imperfect childhood infecting any self worth we struggle to hang on to. Evaluating ourselves with worldly eyes will almost always cause us to doubt our goodness. So, here is my question. Why aren’t we seeing ourselves through the eyes of Christ? He suffered every temptation possible as a man on this earth. He overcame those temptations by seeing everything with the eyes of Our Heavenly Father. By staying focused on God, Jesus was able to save all of us. Just think of all we can do through Christ to lead others to heaven, lay apostles! He has given us the recipe to reject temptation in the Bible and in the Volumes. Time to start preparing!

Todays Gospel (Luke 4:1-13) is clear . . . reject temptation as it is only from the evil one:

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan  and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days,  to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days,  and when they were over he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God,  command this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered him,  “It is written, One does not live on bread alone.” Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to him, “I shall give to you all this power and glory;  for it has been handed over to me,  and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written: You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.” Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you, and: With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” When the devil had finished every temptation,  he departed from him for a time.

In Anne a lay apostle’s book The Mist of Mercy, there is no question as to behavior characteristic of evil:

“Who is the Devil? The FBI uses criminal profiling to assist with crime investigation and prevention. Profiling an offender helps to identify one likely to commit a certain type of crime. It is good to know our enemy because we can then protect ourselves from those who seek to hurt us. Below is a list of characteristics of the devil.

• Arrogant • Cruel • Proud • Hateful • Envious • Angry • Jealous 

Liar • Cold • Unfeeling • Duplicitous • Callous • Selfish in the extreme • Unkind • Sneaky • Sly • Unscrupulous • Manipulative • Stubborn • Hates innocence • Unfaithful • Mocking • Destructive • Slippery • Gleeful at humanity’s pain • False, phoney, fake • Mimics holiness/ goodness/honesty • Disobedient • Dishonest • Evil • Tricky • Never changing in terms of his goals • Always seeking destruction of mankind • Slave to his hatred, it rules him, dictates his every action and emotion                                                                           

Remember that the devil despises obedience because he is powerless against it. When he approaches a person who is obedient, the devil slams into an impenetrable barrier. This fills him with fury because he is helpless. The devil can use a guilty conscience powerfully so we must be diligent about accepting God’s forgiveness and making the most of the abundant graces dispensed in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Consider that God has a gift for each of us in the confessional. This gift has been hand designed by God, who looks deeply into our soul and determines exactly what we need at a particular moment. Nobody knows us like our Savior.”

Lay apostles, do any of the above characteristics describe you? Be honest with yourself. Most of us are not any of the above to the extreme, but I know I am guilty of a few to some degree at times. I am confident that with Christ, I can overcome anything. And, so can you.

Thank you, Lord, for gently nudging me when my behaviors become characteristic of evil. Your mercy is so great and this sinner so thankful!

God bless,

Bonnie

The Struggling Servant

Guest blogger today is Annie, and boy is she on point:

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 todays 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

The Smallest Gap

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.

Todays 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? As we learned in kindergarten, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. 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

Brutal Honesty Within Ourselves

No one wants to admit their sins out loud (except in the Sacrament of Confession with a priest [if you are Catholic] . . . which is still tough but full of graces!). There is a book called A Million Little Pieces by James Frey. Now, this book has been questioned if it is truly a work of non-fiction, but honestly, I really didn't care. It is brutal and beautiful and eye-opening to the world of addiction. I read it long ago, but will never erase the part where he admits all his sins . . . literally lists every one of them. My point is . . . healing will never take place if we aren't brutally honest within ourselves first. How can we avoid judgement if we haven't taken a good look at our own behavior? How can we forgive if we haven't forgiven ourselves for our imperfections? Admitting your sins is the first step to true realization of how much we all need God in our lives. He is the Great Forgiver and loves us despite our transgressions. Never mind what the world defines us as. In His Eyes, we are beautiful, smart, protected and loved. 

In todays Gospel (Luke 4:16-30), Jesus brilliantly gives the crowd an opportunity to be brutally honest within. Alas, some are just not able to:

Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, “Is this not the son of Joseph?” He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb, ‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’” And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

In Anne a lay apostle's book Serving in Clarity, she gracefully gives us a nudge to look within first:

"When we face God and account for our life, we will not be able to produce other people’s sinfulness as evidence of our holiness. We will stand alone, accounting for the way in which we behaved. As apostles, we must flee from any type of smug thinking. I have said this before in other places but I will continue to say it because it is dangerous and destructive in terms of both our personal movement to holiness and the coming of God’s Kingdom. When we find ourselves considering the unworthiness, sinfulness, or mistakes of another, we must get silent immediately, lest we do damage to the other person or to his reputation. Then we must beg Jesus to enlighten our own soul in order that we see where we need to improve. If we do this, we will become as holy as we should. Consider a woman examining her neighbor’s garden with the greatest disdain. She remarks to others that her neighbor has weeds around her rose bushes, overgrown grass, and unswept and untidy sidewalks. She tsk tsk tsks that women today do not seem to care about their duty. She points to one small area of her own garden that is tidy and uses this to show others how dutiful she herself is. The back of her house, however, is a disastrous mess with overgrown bushes, tall grass, and refuse strewn all over. Additionally, the inside of her house is disorderly and cold. Does she see to her own mess? No. She stands facing her neighbor’s garden. She points continually to the one small area of her yard that looks clean so that others will both admire her and denounce the neighbor. To be clear, I am speaking in a metaphor. The garden I refer to is actually the soul of the woman in question. She is so busy criticizing her neighbor that she pays no heed to the work she herself needs to do. Before any of us enter heaven, we will have to be honest about our flaws. We can do the work here or in the hereafter but God is clear that He wants us to do this honesty work here."

Lay apostles, have you been brutally honest with yourself and all your beautiful imperfections? As the author does in the above mentioned book, write them down for your eyes only. Say them out loud (preferably in Confession or in the privacy of your own home!). Take responsibility for each realizing we are all sinners. If writing all of them seems a daunting task, start with one or two. Soon the realization of judging others and their imperfections seems unjustified. Remember, Christ brutally died for our sins. Love Him as He loves us.

Thank you, Lord, for giving me the ability to face my imperfections with honesty and grace. 

God bless,

Bonnie

Lent Day 20 - In My Own Town

About a month ago, Jay and I decided to check out the new library in downtown Ft. Myers.I had brought a copy of my book (Can You Text Me Directions?) and headed for the young adult (YA)/teen section of the library. A woman sat behind a desk and Jay encouraged me to ask her about having my book available for local teens/YA. She seemed nice enough and seemed very excited about my book. She went on and on about another local YA writer who wrote a book on the paranormal. I was hopeful the library would be supportive. The librarian said she would take it home and read it and get back to me in a few days. Well, as you can guess, I have never heard from her. I have sent her several emails as follow up with no response. My initial reaction was surprise/frustration that a paranormal book was promoted while my Christian book wasn't. But then, Jay lovingly pointed out we must move on as Jesus did in todays Gospel (Luke 4:24-30). As disappointing as it is, Jesus is very quick to show me where to go next. I just received a beautiful letter from a woman up north whose brother I met at a business lunch with Jay. He had asked me if I could send a copy of my book to his sister. She leads (non-Catholic) a youth group in her local church. She was so impressed with the book and said she was excited to share it with her young people! So, the lesson is . . . keep being the invitation, keep evangelizing, and keep my eyes on Christ . . . for only He knows the way!

Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth: “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

In Volume Two, Jesus beautifully and perfectly gives us reason to let go of disappointment quickly and move on: 

"Perhaps you have a disappointment today. Taken alone, without My assistance, you might feel down, sad and discouraged. If pride is a problem for you, and many suffer from pride, you might not share your sadness and disappointment with even another soul. It remains on your poor heart and, after a time, this turns to bitterness. Now, earthly life being what it is, and human beings being flawed, as they are in their search for perfection, you encounter yet another disappointment or betrayal. Pride asserts itself and again you do not adequately share your grief. Another patch of disappointment turns to bitterness and covers another area of your poor little heart. My child, when this process continues, you have a heart enclosed in bitterness. A heart needs love, in the same way your lungs need oxygen. Your heart was designed this way, dearest, and if your heart is enclosed, the love is blocked off. How handicapped you are in the spiritual sense. How it grieves Me to see you so disturbed and unhappy. My little one, I am coming to clean every mark from your heart so that you will love freely, as I love. Do not think this is an impossible task. I am Jesus. I am God. I can cleanse your heart in no time at all if you are willing to let Me. I will restore order to your soul, I will adjust your thinking, and I will place the kind of love in your heart that is so genuine and abundant that this love reaches your eyes."

Lay apostles, the more I read the words of Jesus in the Gospels and in the Volumes, the quicker I give up disappointment and move on. The old Bonnie hung on to disappointments taking them personally. Not anymore. I choose to focus on where my next adventure is . . . and marvel at how He gets me there!

Thank you, Lord, for turning disappointments into acceptance so quickly in my heart now. Most importantly, thanks for the kick in the behind when I let it get to me!

God bless,
Bonnie

It All Boils Down to Love

My 17-month old grandson Colton is a hoot. He has the cutest sayings . . . "abobbin" means "I want more." When he spots my computer, he rushes to it saying "bra! bra!" Which means he wants to watch the Disney trailer for the movie Planes called "Meet El Chupacabra." And one of my favorites . . . when I am pushing him on his swing, I'll say, "ready, set . . ." and Colt will say "goo!" Phonically, he doesn't say it like "go" is pronounced. He kind of says it like goo (as in muck, or gunk!). His little personality is really becoming apparent . . . he loves being silly and loves when I try to scare him playing hide and seek. He squeals with laughter and then runs to hide so I can surprise him again (we do this for a least 10 minutes several times a day when I watch him!). The love I feel for this baby boy when he snuggles against me to rock him to sleep is immense. He brings me so much joy and hope. Joy knowing he will know Jesus and feel loved. Hope that in a world where many distance themselves from Christ, Colt will be one of the good guys. It all boils down to love, lay apostles. Love like you've never loved before. Start now, beginning with Our Savior.

In todays Gospel (Luke 4:14-22), Jesus begins His public ministry in His own hometown . . . where His Words bring those listening and ready to hear the truth . . . hope:

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.

He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.  He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to bring glad tidings to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives

and recovery of sight to the blind,

to let the oppressed go free,

and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”  And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. 


In Volume Three, our Blessed Mother clearly defines a true follower of Christ (and what each of us must strive for every day):

"We have talked in the past about the modern version of love, which is not love at all, but exploitation. True love, heavenly love, is genuine. You know it is genuine because it creates security. Consider those with whom you are comfortable. Do you see that those souls carry true love within them? It is safe to be with them because they carry a seed of God in them and that is what generates love. It is that seed you respond to when you feel comfortable and safe with a person. Well, dear ones, I have to tell you that fewer and fewer carry that seed of love and that is why so many of your fellow brothers and sisters have fallen prey to diseases of the mind. Man was not meant to live without love in his life. He should walk through each day and experience a little love in this person, that person, and ideally, through every soul who has contact with him. The light has been extinguished in many souls and they have nothing to give in the way of love. Gradually, love in this person goes out too. Now a person can survive quite nicely if he is nurtured by divine love. That is not a problem. But few souls are accepting divine love. Think about most of the souls you know. How many can you say have a lively connection to Jesus Christ? You will know them because they stand out. Why do they stand out? Because they are joyful. They smile. They love others with simplicity and easiness. They worry for each other and tolerate and understand the faults of others. They seek to help others whenever they can. They are not ruled by addictions and jealousies. They do not acquire goods for the sake of acquiring goods. They speak the truth. They accept responsibility for their actions. And they like and respect children. How many souls of this description did you identify, dear one? I leave you with that thought and ask you to understand that this description should fit everyone." 

Lay apostles, the passage above from Volume Three profoundly affected Jay and me this morning. This is what we both strive for every day. This is what Jesus Christ the Returning King has blessed us with . . . true love. A love free of fear or insecurities. We accept each other completely, for better or for worse. Read and reread the words of Our Lady. Print them out or write them down. Then check in at the end of the day, asking yourself if the description fits you. As she said, it should fit everyone.

Thank you, Lord, for teaching me how to love with all my heart and all my soul. And for all the love You have brought into my life! 

God bless,
Bonnie

Misunderstandings

Have you ever said something and immediately realized it could be easily misconstrued as offensive? Sometimes we hear bits and pieces of information as we want to hear it, carefully assessing if we are being wronged or it's just old patterns of behavior surfacing. We all carry emotional baggage. Unload it quickly and remember . . . listen to what Jesus tells us in the Gospels and in the Volumes. It is the Truth and the Way to our salvation. Don't ignore Him. He is trying to save us a lot of heartache while we are in exile on this earth. Forgive easily. Love always. Clarity can come from any misunderstanding if we view it through the eyes of Christ.

In the Gospel from 04Mar2013 (Luke 4:24-30), the truth seems to cause fury . . . did they misunderstand, or was it fear? 

Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth: “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built,  to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

In the March 2008 Monthly Message, Jesus asks us to love at all times, despite any misunderstandings:

"My dear friend, you will learn so much about love in heaven. You will look back at your time on earth and you will understand that many things that occurred to you were both exercises in love and opportunities to love. There is misunderstanding about love in the world but those who follow Me, My beloved apostles, seek to master love as I mastered love, in sacrifice. It is true that love creates joy. This is true. But when we take on love, it is also at times like taking on a burden which must then be carried. We should not decide for love and then, finding that love burdensome at times, set it down and walk away from it. This is not how it is done. On the contrary, if you love as I loved, you will find at times that the weight of love is heavy. I experienced this on Calvary when I carried My love for you to My death. Did I make the right decision, to pay the ultimate price for love? Of course I did. What else would I do, given the wonderful creation that is you? In the same way, I want each of My apostles to expect their love for Me to be a burden to them at times. This is normal. I want each of My apostles to expect their love for others to be a burden to them at times. This is also normal. In love, there are times when the decision to love feels light, of course, and there seems to be no burden to it at all. Rejoice in these times. In love, there are other times when the burden causes you to question your commitment. Do not be afraid of these times. This questioning is necessary for your growth. I experienced this, too. I was tempted toward an easier way. When love is tried this way and triumphs, that love becomes firmer and less likely to be disappointed later."

Lay apostles, are you holding a grudge due to a potential misunderstanding? Well, Jay loves to make T charts with pros on one side and cons on the other. Write down your side of the story and why you are right (pros). Then take the other person's side. List the cons by making their point. After you're done, what do you end up with? Two individuals with life experiences unique only to them. No one can think what we think or respond as we respond. Let it go. Pray about it. Then make that phone call, walk into the next room, or send an email. Go ahead, do it now. Resolve misunderstanding with love in your heart. 

Thank you, Lord, for encouraging me to resolve conflict quickly and with love. Man, this stuff is not easy but the end result is a beautiful gift You designed just for me.

God bless,
Bonnie

Wishy Washy Emotions

Wishy washy emotions. Ugh. Luckily for those interacting with me, I can handle wishy washy emotions and reactions. A mother with Bipolar Disorder taught me (at a very young age) to understand the climate can change quicker than the blink of an eye. I try, to the best of my ability, to stay evenly keeled. My love doesn't change from one day to the next. But I'm pretty lucky. My experience growing up and throughout most of my adulthood gave me a high tolerance for bad behavior. Since becoming a lay apostle, I have become calmer . . . more peaceful. Especially over the past two years. My commitment to this apostolate has not wavered one bit. Jesus has lead me here, in this time, in this place. I have seen a few lay apostles be led astray by false accusations. Wishy washy emotions. After reading todays Gospel (Luke 4:14-22), where everyone thought Jesus was amazing, I find it hard to believe soon after they crucified Him. Do you think wishy washy emotions are caused by fear of the unknown? The fear of death to self? The fear of showing your weaknesses? Stand strong, lay apostles. Read the Gospel below and stand up for Jesus:

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region.  He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.

He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day.  He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.  He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.  He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”  And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.

In Volume Four, Jesus the King shows us how remain calm and steady:

"If I am at all welcomed by you, I reside within you. But I am also beside you. I am in every conversation where someone asks Me to participate. Do you want to know how to please Me? Allow Me to speak through you. Allow Me to act through you. Allow Me to love through you. You have noticed changes since you began to follow Me with decision. You have noticed that as the world attempts to pull you away from peace, I draw you back to peace. You have noticed that is easier to love those around you. You have noticed more patience, more joy, and a deeper contemplation of the world as I see it. Now, little souls, I want you to begin practicing something different. I want you to calmly bring Me with you in everything you do and everything you say. In each part of each day, understand that I, the King of heaven and earth, am working through you."

Lay apostles, if you are one of those people who love one day and are disinterested the next, stop and implement Jesus' words above. Love Him unconditionally.  Love Him no matter what happens in your life. When you do this, loving others on this earth becomes so easy. I know how much His words have changed me. I promise, if you listen to Him, they will change yours. 

Thank you, Lord, for opening my ears and eyes to this apostolate. I will continue to pray and show tolerance for those whose emotions fluctuate on a day to day basis.

God bless,

Bonnie

Boundaries

Note: This is from Wednesday's Gospel reading - still have grandbabies here!

What exactly is the definition of the word "boundary?"  Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as: something that indicates or fixes a limit or extent.  Jesus asks us to be loving and kind.  But what about when people take advantage of our good nature overstepping healthy boundaries?  Do we respond to their selfish behaviors with angry retorts?  Or, do we take the emotion out of it and regain clear boundaries?  It's easy to let manipulators manipulate.  They want what they want, selfishly focused on themselves and their needs regardless of what is best for all.  The lesson I'm learning is to stay focused on the business at hand in these situations leaving emotion out of it, all the while remembering every human being is a child of God deserving of the love of Christ.  Setting clear boundaries (which may or may not be adhered to) fires alerts when it's time to move on.

In todays Gospel (Luke 4:38-44), Jesus firmly declares His boundaries to the crowds:

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.

In the December 2005 Monthly Message, Jesus instructs us to love even those who try to manipulate us:

"Dear children, you were each created by the Father. He takes the greatest joy in watching your progress as you learn how to love during your time in the world. You experience difficulties in this regard but you overcome these difficulties and you grow and advance. This process of learning to love and rejecting all that is not love is the real point of your time on earth. If you were told that you would be coming to heaven soon, how would you treat the souls around you? How would you view them differently if you knew that your time with them was limited? Well, little souls, I am reminding you today that your time with each of the souls around you is finite. Time will pass and your time with that soul will be over. If you love each soul in your life, you will be at peace when your time together is finished. You will feel satisfaction in that you will know that you tried to love them, despite the difficulties that arose to make this difficult."

Lay apostles, one of the hardest things to accomplish in this life is treating those who cause us difficulty with love.  Why would I want to love someone trying to sabotage a business deal, a relationship, or even our self-esteem?  See past the behavior into the wounded soul inflicting the pain.  If you are at peace with Jesus by your side, boundaries are easy to achieve.

Thank you, Lord, for showing me how to set clear boundaries and maintain those boundaries.  Continue to guide me to respond how You would respond!

God bless,

Bonnie

The Smallest Gap

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. 

Todays 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?  As we learned in kindergarten, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.  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