Gospel Thoughts Today: Truth vs. Dishonesty

Years ago, in the pharmaceutical world, I worked as a Medical Science Liaison.  I was responsible for marketing a pain medication and educating physicians on speaking points for the product.  Prior to this my only contact with the pharmaceutical world was distributing medications as an RN and then in oncology clinical research.  Boy did I learn fast how the competition would say (and even do) anything to get a physician to write their product instead of ours. Lies upon lies. But, the truth would always debunk the myths the competition created. Kind of reminds me of the political battles raging these days.  Rabid lies being spread about people who only want to make America great again . . . to see her prosper. In the end, the truth will always prevail. And as Jesus tells us in the Gospel today, There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Dishonesty is born when poor choices are made for the wrong reasons . . . self-indulgence or celebrity to name a few. When we tend to overlook what is honest and good, the end result will almost always be worse than the right choice made in the first place.

Today's Gospel (Luke 12:1-7) reveals this: be brave and speak the truth:

At that time: So many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples, "Beware of the leaven--that is, the hypocrisy--of the Pharisees. "There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows."

In Volume Ten, Jesus instructs us to ask one simple question to determine what is from Him and what is from evil:

"Children, when you are concerned about the many misleading powers in your world today, ask this simple question. 'Does the power for the alleged claim come from God the Father who sent His only Son into the world?' If the answer is no, then the power is being obtained from the enemy. Does this sound confusing to you? It should not sound confusing because it is clear. If you are still confused, it is because you do not want to relinquish some habit that has gotten hold of you. Be vigilant here, brothers and sisters. There are impostors everywhere and the impostors do not seek the good of your soul. The enemy, in the form of these powers, seeks the destruction of anything that is holy in you. The enemy seeks your soul."

Lay apostles, base your decisions on what is right with God, not society.  Stay focused on heaven and climbing the mountain. Bring Light to those around you, not darkness.  You know in your heart right from wrong. Beware the traps set forth by the enemy . . .

Thank you, Lord, for teaching me to base all my decisions with Your Eyes, not mine. I'm far from perfect, but I am getting there!

God bless,

Bonnie

Gospel Word Today: Beware

Years ago, in the pharmaceutical world, I worked as a Medical Science Liaison.  I was responsible for marketing a pain medication and educating physicians on speaking points for the product.  Prior to this my only contact with the pharmaceutical world was distributing medications as an RN and then in oncology clinical research.  Boy did I learn fast how the competition would say (and even do) anything to get a physician to write their product instead of ours. Lies upon lies. But, the truth would always debunk the myths the competition created. Kind of reminds me of the political battles raging these days.  Rabid lies being spread about people who only want to make America great again . . . to see her prosper. In the end, the truth will always prevail. And as Jesus tells us in the Gospel today, There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Dishonesty is born when poor choices are made for the wrong reasons . . . self-indulgence or celebrity to name a few. When we tend to overlook what is honest and good, the end result will almost always be worse than the right choice made in the first place.

Today's Gospel (Luke 12:1-7) reveals this: be brave and speak the truth:

At that time: So many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples, "Beware of the leaven--that is, the hypocrisy--of the Pharisees. "There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows."

In Volume Ten, Jesus instructs us to ask one simple question to determine what is from Him and what is from evil:

"Children, when you are concerned about the many misleading powers in your world today, ask this simple question. 'Does the power for the alleged claim come from God the Father who sent His only Son into the world?' If the answer is no, then the power is being obtained from the enemy. Does this sound confusing to you? It should not sound confusing because it is clear. If you are still confused, it is because you do not want to relinquish some habit that has gotten hold of you. Be vigilant here, brothers and sisters. There are impostors everywhere and the impostors do not seek the good of your soul. The enemy, in the form of these powers, seeks the destruction of anything that is holy in you. The enemy seeks your soul."

Lay apostles, base your decisions on what is right with God, not society.  Stay focused on heaven and climbing the mountain. Bring Light to those around you, not darkness.  You know in your heart right from wrong. Beware the traps set forth by the enemy . . .

Thank you, Lord, for teaching me to base all my decisions with Your Eyes, not mine. I'm far from perfect, but I am getting there!

God bless,

Bonnie

What Will It Be? Dark or Light?

My mornings don't get jumpstarted without a cup (or two!) of coffee. I love the smell as it is brewing. It all began when Delta Airlines stopped serving hot chocolate. The Medical Liaison position I held for over 5 years required a lot of traveling, which meant a lot of early morning flights. As I boarded on those early mornings, I looked forward to my cup of hot chocolate and then falling asleep until I felt the plane land. Alas, when they did away with the hot chocolate, the only choices were tea or coffee. I knew tea was not going to win. Black coffee by itself was not going to cut it, either. Something was missing. Adding creamer made it more palatable, but still not something I could drink to warm me up on a cold plane. Next came the Splenda. Now, it was something I could enjoy. And my preference has remained the same 15 years later. It's kind of like faith. Take the base which is faith in God. Then add Scripture, the Volumes and other spiritual readings, the cream.  To top it off, add in good works, love, kindness, forgiveness and everything else Jesus has taught us . . . the Splenda. Just like the perfect cup of coffee radiates contentment in a sometimes chilled early morning plane, choosing to live and participate in our Catholic faith fully radiates the Light of our Savior through us in a world where others may feel drowned in darkness.

The Gospel (John 3:16-21) from 10Apr2013 reminds us to never stop seeking the Light:

God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

In Volume Five, Jesus tells us even in the worst of times we are still able to shine His Light:

"These dark times, such as the one you are living in, create the most beautiful opportunities for holiness and sainthood. You look around and all seems hopeless. How challenging it is then to continue to hope and to allow My joy an avenue through which to flow into the darkness of your world. That, all by itself, is an opportunity for the holiest of acts, the most heroic deed of selflessness."

Lay apostles, are you choosing to live in the Light of His Love or the darkness of the enemy? The darkness provides empty promises. You will always feel something missing after the excitement or thrill is gone. It's the "God hole." Can't fill it with anything else but Him!

Thank you, Lord, for showing me choosing Your Light means graces galore, in good times and in bad.

God bless,
Bonnie

The Practice of Misleading

Years ago, in the pharmaceutical world, I worked as a Medical Science Liaison.  I was responsible for marketing a pain medication and educating physicians on speaking points for the product.  Prior to this my only contact with the pharmaceutical world was distributing medications as an RN and then in oncology clinical research.  Boy did I learn fast how the competition will say (and even do) anything to get a doc to write their product instead of ours. Lies upon lies. But, the truth would always prevail and debunk the myths the competition created. Kind of reminds me of the political battle occurring these days.  Rabid lies being spread that all women believe as the president does.  Lies about Planned Parenthood providing mammograms.  Lies this is about women's health.  Well, there is an organization called Women Speak For Themselves who are setting the record straight. 

  

And, todays Gospel (Luke 12:1-7) reveals the truth. Be brave, speak the truth:


At that time: So many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples, "Beware of the leaven--that is, the hypocrisy--of the Pharisees. "There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows."

In Volume Ten, Jesus instructs us to ask one simple question to determine what is from Him and what is from evil:


"Children, when you are concerned about the many misleading powers in your world today, ask this simple question. 'Does the power for the alleged claim come from God the Father who sent His only Son into the world?' If the answer is no, then the power is being obtained from the enemy. Does this sound confusing to you? It should not sound confusing, because it is clear. If you are still confused, it is because you do not want to relinquish some habit that has gotten hold of you. Be vigilant here, brothers and sisters. There are impostors everywhere and the impostors do not seek the good of your soul. The enemy, in the form of these powers, seeks the destruction of anything that is holy in you. The enemy seeks your soul."


Lay apostles, base your decisions on what is right with God, not society.  Stay focused on heaven and climbing the mountain. Bring light to those around you, not the darkness of the enemy.  You know in your heart what is right.  Bring God with into the voting booth.  Bring Him with you to work.  Bring Him into your home.  


Thank you, Lord, for teaching me to base all my decisions with Your Eyes, not mine. I'm far from perfect, but I am getting there!


God bless,

Bonnie