Obedience to His Words

(Special message for June 12th - HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY to my oldest daughter Mallorie! Love you always, always!)

Do I really have to obey what I read in the Bible or in the Volumes? The short answer . . . yes! I do have to obey what Christ asks of His lay apostle. He has given us the silver lining playbook for a successful win at the end. I am far from perfect, but I do my best. And let me tell you about one of the graces I have received for my attempted obedience. Last night was our local lay apostle prayer group meeting. My daughter Whitney makes it whenever she can depending on her work schedule. She and I have prayed her husband would attend the prayer group some day. We have prayed this prayer for a long time. When he stepped out of Whit's car, I was overcome with thankfulness. Prayers do get answered. Sometimes so quickly you can hardly believe your eyes. Sometimes, it seems like an eternity, then, when you least expect it, in walks an answer to your prayers. When it came time to pray for intentions, I couldn't contain my tears while I thanked God out loud for my son-in-law being at his first lay apostle meeting. Internally, I thanked Him profusely for this tremendous gift realized in my lifetime. 

The Gospel from 12Jun13 (Matthew 5: 17-19) makes it clear . . . obey:

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”

In Volume One, Jesus reiterates the importance of listening and working toward obedience to Him:

"I would speak to souls today about the value of obedience. My chosen ones believe they should understand everything. This is not always possible. There are times when you must obey Me without understanding why I have chosen to ask a thing of you. I realize this is difficult for you, and that is why I am asking you to practice this virtue. There will come a time when I ask you for obedience and I will need an immediate response. I cannot have My chosen ones wasting time, questioning why I am asking them to complete a task. So now we will practice obedience, dear ones. In your everyday life, I want you to always consider what it is that Jesus is asking from you. You will know, in your heart, what My desires require. Please, begin this today and practice obeying immediately, even though perhaps you do not recognize the merit of the request. How often you will say later, “I see now why my Jesus asked me to do that task.” Children, in this way you will become free. Your liberty will be complete and your slavery to this world will end. I need obedient servants. Again, I tell you, study the Bible. Read the Gospels. My children in the past did not always understand why they were asked to do things. Even My mother, Mary, did not always understand the value of her actions. Saint Joseph, My foster father, is a beautiful example of the reverence a soul must possess for the Divine Will in his life. Ask St. Joseph to help you with obedience and the trust necessary to obey. He will hear you. And you will progress. This is a time, now, for heeding My messages, children. I say this with all solemnity. Be advised. Your God wishes to save you through your obedience."

Lay apostles, the word "obedience" can be difficult pill to swallow. It screams of perfection, doesn't it? But truly, when Jesus uses that word, He is asking us to "practice" being obedient, one step at a time. He knows we are far from perfect. By providing the words above, He gives us encouragement and clear guidelines which lead to Him. After all, it's where we want to end up, right? So try a little obedience today. Maybe it means you pray before a meal, even if you are alone. Or, pull out a children's Bible and read a story to a little one. Whatever you choose to show Him your obedience, do it with love. Do it for Christ!

Thank you, Lord, for teaching me obedience does not equal perfection. If it did, I would be in big trouble! Today, I will read "Thank you, God, for Puppies" to my grandson when he gets here!

God bless,
Bonnie

Misinterpretation

We've all done it, probably more than once just in the past year. It's easy to do if our initial instinct is to react. Misinterpretation of a comment or action from another can lead to wars. Wars between spouses, children, family, friends and countries.  Our wounded little hearts strive for perfection, but where are we getting it wrong? When others don't lead with love, we assume we are not worthy of their love, respect or whatever emotion surfaces. We can become tense and fearful, reacting differently than we would in a calm and peaceful state. For those trying to tame their inner control freak (who me?), the best defense is to listen. If we focus on listening, our thoughts won't spew out of our mouths so quickly. Clarify any misinterpretation first by summarizing what you thought you heard . . . calmly. Then, listen again. Most of the time, it was not the intended message. If what you heard was not a misinterpretation, relax and let it go! Walk away educated for future discussions!

Yesterdays Gospel (Mark 12:18-27) reminds us to listen to and believe what Jesus is saying in Scripture and in the messages given in this apostolate:

Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and put this question to him, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us, If someone’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first married a woman and died, leaving no descendants. So the second brother married her and died, leaving no descendants, and the third likewise. And the seven left no descendants. Last of all the woman also died. At the resurrection when they arise whose wife will she be? For all seven had been married to her.” Jesus said to them, “Are you not misled because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? When they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but they are like the angels in heaven. As for the dead being raised, have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God told him, I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not God of the dead but of the living. You are greatly misled.”

In Anne a lay apostle's book The Mist of Mercy, she advises us to be aware of what is from the enemy and what is from heaven:

"Even the most seasoned apostle can suddenly find himself tumbling about in the grip of something that feels a bit like being a gym shoe in a clothes dryer. Such pain and confusion! This should be our first clue, of course, that we are being targeted. A fellow apostle once said, “It’s no problem once you know it’s the devil. But usually someone else has to tell you that.” How true. Who would fail to pick up a sword if someone approached them and began to duel? The enemy is more clever than that, though. The enemy comes in the form of a hurtful comment from a friend, an overdrawn bank account, a misunderstanding where our words are twisted and thrown back at us in mockery. The enemy can come dressed in perfect logic, with a superior attitude and a patronizing smile offering some “good advice.” Much of what we are asked to do as lay apostles will not make sense when measured against the world’s standards of what is right and wrong, wise or unwise. We will sometimes appear foolish if we work for heaven, particularly in the eyes of those who work for heaven but do so safely within the limits of worldly acceptance. We must always identify the author of the thoughts. My friends, the more we love God and the more we are asked to work for God, the more committed we must be to conversation with God."

Lay apostles, work on listening more and talking less today. Don't let pride get in the way of reality. Remember, the enemy can be a wolf in sheep's clothing. Stay focused on Christ in every conversation. Remembering He is with you at all times (this is a conscious effort for me!) will begin to slow your reaction time to negativity.  My life is so much more peaceful and stress free nowadays!

Thank you, Lord, for helping to slow my brain down so as not to misinterpret what others are saying. Life is so much easier this way . . . sorry it took me so long to get here!

God bless,
Bonnie

Be Perfect

Perfectionist.  One of the many words I use to describe myself.  An exuberant amount of time has been wasted internally demanding perfection. I set the bar pretty high. I wanted to be the most outstanding wife, mother, daughter, sister, and aunt.  I strived to be accomplished in my career, the best in my field. And, should I even get started about my physical appearance?  Probably, because it's where I've been the hardest on myself.  If I gain a few pounds, my brain goes into panic mode.  Wrinkles as I age?  Oh, good Lord, I don't even want to think about that!  The ongoing battle I have with my curly hair?  Thank God for flatirons.  I'm not suggesting you give up on being the best you. But, do you understand what I mean about wasted time?  I know every one of us struggles with perfectionism in one way or another. After reading todays Gospel (Matthew 5: 43-48), I realized I wish I would have spent more time perfecting my soul for Jesus instead of perfecting my appearance for an imperfect world:


Jesus said to his disciples: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Clearly, Jesus is asking us to perfect our soul.  He's not asking us to strive toward driving a Mercedes or clothe ourselves in expensive designer labels.  For even the most perfectly straightened hair caught in the rain will frizz and curl, revealing what lies underneath.

In Volume Two, Jesus shows us the way to perfection begins with humility:

“My children, would you like to know how to please Me? Would you like to know what consoles Me and comforts Me in the face of widespread disobedience and hatred? Humility comforts Me. Humility consoles Me. Truly, the humility of My chosen souls softens My heart and deflects punishment from a cold world, undeserving of the mercy of its God. My children, the closer you come to Me, the more you recognize My goodness. Your intellect will automatically compare your holiness to My perfection and the result is humility. This is good. Do not fear the knowledge that you are imperfect and must improve. That is the journey, My child.”

And, in Anne a lay apostle's book Climbing the Mountain, she simply affirms:

“Facing the perfection of Christ keeps us clear on exactly how far we have to go until we reach perfection. The way in which we continue to face in His direction, upward, is through prayer.”

Lay apostles, let's all work together perfecting our souls.  What can you do today to move one step closer to perfection in God's Eyes?  Spend more time in silence with Him by heading to the nearest Adoration chapel? Take the first step to reconciliation with a family member?  Instead of concentrating on how something makes you feel, focus on how what you do will make Jesus feel.  Making Him happy will never be the wrong decision.

Thank you, Lord, for teaching me perfecting the inside is much more important than perfecting the outside.  After all, beauty fades and careers end.  But You are everlasting!

God bless,

Bonnie