Gospel Thoughts Today: Leave Toxicity Behind

Communication can sound one way coming out and another way being heard. Old habits of reacting seem to appear immediately when you think you are experiencing déjà vu in a given situation. As much as I like to think I have come a long way in offering everything up to Jesus, every once in awhile I don't seem to quite get it up to Him quick enough. But now, instead of being hurt or angry, I clarify. Sometimes I misinterpret the meaning behind the words. When things are explained in a clear manner with no malice interjected, it is a healthy exchange and everyone walks away understood and understanding. Alas, there are times I have impeccable comprehension and realize it's time to offer it up . . . walk away. I can do that now. I can leave toxicity behind and continue to serve.

Today's Gospel (Luke 12:35-38) shows us the importance of service to our Lord Jesus:

Jesus said to his disciples: "Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants."

In Volume One, Anne a lay apostle describes how vigilance in service can turn our suffering into blessings:

"The Blessed Mother, the Mediatrix of All Grace, takes our little offerings and uses them to buy mercy for souls, despite the horrendous behavior of us in this modern world. Let me put it this way. There is an alcoholic. He is steeped in sin, both with regard to this addiction and in general. Recovering alcoholics will tell you they got a tap on the shoulder at some point and their life changed. They were given the eyes to see their addiction, their selfishness, their sinfulness. They then got sober and became some of the greatest servants of Christ. Truly motivated now, these humble souls commit themselves to helping others to see. Where did the grace come from, to get them the tap on the shoulder? From our suffering, united to the Passion of Jesus."

Lay apostles, be vigilant in your service to Christ. And that means serving others, even when they make it difficult to do so. Sometimes the message is completely different when we listen with our own ears and not the ears of Jesus.  If you are misinterpreting something as offensive, stop and clarify. Show others the Light of Christ.

Thank you, Lord, for the ability to ask questions and communicate when I'm not seeing things clearly. And, for the grace of calmness when I slip back into old thinking patterns.

God bless,
Bonnie

Gospel Thoughts Today: Suffering Turned Into Blessings

Communication can sound one way coming out and another way being heard. Old habits of reacting seem to appear immediately when you think you are experiencing déjà vu in a given situation. As much as I like to think I have come a long way in offering everything up to Jesus, every once in a while I don't seem to quite get it up to Him quick enough. But now, instead of being hurt or angry, I clarify. Sometimes I misinterpret the meaning behind the words. When things are explained in a clear manner with no malice interjected, it is a healthy exchange and everyone walks away understood and understanding. Alas, there are times I have impeccable comprehension and realize it's time to offer it up . . . walk away. I can do that now. I can leave toxicity behind and continue to serve.

Today's Gospel (Luke 12:35-38) shows us the importance of service to our Lord Jesus:

Jesus said to his disciples: "Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants."

In Volume One, Anne a lay apostle describes how vigilance in service can turn our suffering into blessings:

"The Blessed Mother, the Mediatrix of All Grace, takes our little offerings and uses them to buy mercy for souls, despite the horrendous behavior of us in this modern world. Let me put it this way. There is an alcoholic. He is steeped in sin, both with regard to this addiction and in general. Recovering alcoholics will tell you they got a tap on the shoulder at some point and their life changed. They were given the eyes to see their addiction, their selfishness, their sinfulness. They then got sober and became some of the greatest servants of Christ. Truly motivated now, these humble souls commit themselves to helping others to see. Where did the grace come from, to get them the tap on the shoulder? From our suffering, united to the Passion of Jesus."

Lay apostles, be vigilant in your service to Christ. And that means serving others, even when they make it difficult to do so. Sometimes the message is completely different when we listen with our own ears and not the ears of Jesus.  If you are misinterpreting something as offensive, stop and clarify. Show others the Light of Christ.

Thank you, Lord, for the ability to ask questions and communicate when I'm not seeing things clearly. And, for the grace of calmness when I slip back into old thinking patterns.

God bless,
Bonnie

Gospel Word Today: Vigilant

Communication can sound one way coming out of our mouths with the receiver hearing something different. Old habits of reacting seem to appear immediately when you think you are experiencing déjà vu in a given situation. As much as I like to think I have come a long way in offering everything up to Jesus, every once in a while I don't seem to offer it up to Him quick enough. But now, instead of being hurt or angry, I clarify. Sometimes I misinterpret the meaning behind the words. When things are explained in a clear manner with no malice interjected, it is a healthy exchange and everyone walks away understood and understanding. Alas, there are times I have impeccable comprehension and realize it's time to offer it up . . . walk away. I can do that now. I can leave toxicity behind and continue to serve.

Today's Gospel (Luke 12:35-38) shows us the importance of service to our Lord Jesus:

Jesus said to his disciples: "Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants."

In Volume One, Anne a lay apostle describes how vigilance in service can turn our suffering into blessings:

"The Blessed Mother, the Mediatrix of All Grace, takes our little offerings and uses them to buy mercy for souls, despite the horrendous behavior of us in this modern world. Let me put it this way. There is an alcoholic. He is steeped in sin, both with regard to this addiction and in general. Recovering alcoholics will tell you they got a tap on the shoulder at some point and their life changed. They were given the eyes to see their addiction, their selfishness, their sinfulness. They then got sober and became some of the greatest servants of Christ. Truly motivated now, these humble souls commit themselves to helping others to see. Where did the grace come from, to get them the tap on the shoulder? From our suffering, united to the Passion of Jesus."

Lay apostles, be vigilant in your service to Christ. And that means serving others, even when they make it difficult to do so. Sometimes the message is completely different when we listen with our own ears and not the ears of Christ.  If you are misinterpreting something as offensive, stop and clarify. Show others the Light of Christ.

Thank you, Lord, for the ability to ask questions and communicate when I'm not seeing things clearly. And, for the grace of calmness when I slip back into old thinking patterns.

God bless,
Bonnie

Offer It Up

Communication can sound one way coming out and another way being heard. Old habits of reacting seem to appear immediately when you think you are experiencing déjà vu in a given situation. As much as I like to think I have come a long way in offering everything up to Jesus, every once in a while I don't seem to quite get it up to Him quick enough. But now, instead of being hurt or angry, I clarify. Some times I misinterpret the meaning behind the words. When things are explained in a clear manner with no malice interjected, it is a healthy exchange and everyone walks away understood and understanding. Alas, there are times I have impeccable comprehension and realize it's time to offer it up . . . walk away. I can do that now. I can leave toxicity behind and continue to serve. 


Todays Gospel (Luke 12:35-38) shows us the importance of service to our Lord Jesus:

Jesus said to his disciples: "Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants."

In Volume One, Anne a lay apostle describes how vigilance in service can turn our suffering into blessings:

"The Blessed Mother, the Mediatrix of All Grace, takes our little offerings and uses them to buy mercy for souls, despite the horrendous behavior of us in this modern world. Let me put it this way. There is an alcoholic. He is steeped in sin, both with regard to this addiction and in general. Recovering alcoholics will tell you they got a tap on the shoulder at some point and their life changed. They were given the eyes to see their addiction, their selfishness, their sinfulness. They then got sober and became some of the greatest servants of Christ. Truly motivated now, these humble souls commit themselves to helping others to see. Where did the grace come from, to get them the tap on the shoulder? From our suffering, united to the Passion of Jesus."


Lay apostles, be vigilant in your service to Christ. And that means serving others, even when they make it difficult to do so. Some times the message is completely different when we listen with our own ears and not the ears of Jesus.  If you are misinterpreting something as offensive, stop and clarify. Show others the Light of Christ.  

Thank you, Lord, for the ability to ask questions and communicate when I'm not seeing things clearly. And, for the grace of calmness when I slip back into old thinking patterns.

God bless,
Bonnie 

Lazy in Faith

Health and beauty.  Two American obsessions.  Standing in the checkout line at the grocery store last night, just about every magazine had beautiful (photoshopped I'm sure!) faces and articles about how to lose weight fast. This, they purport, is what will make you happy. Better makeup, better workouts. I have to admit, I get caught up in all of it at times. But look closer at the headlines.  Beneath those beautiful faces gracing the cover of a magazine are words of affairs, abandonment, and lies. Bottom line is, beauty and health don't create a better life. There is nothing wrong with taking care of yourself.  But think about how much better the world would be if it focused on spiritual health and beauty. Devoting time and energy toward growing closer to Christ.  Giving children the gift of faith. Making it to Mass every Sunday and not just when you feel like going. If you've never prayed the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary and want to learn how Jesus suffered for us, pray them!  Don't be lazy when it comes to your faith. Jesus deserves complete dedication.


Todays first reading (2 Peter 3:12-15a,17-18) advises us to be vigilant:

Beloved: Wait for and hasten the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames and the elements melted by fire. But according to his promise we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace. And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation.

Therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled and to fall from your own stability. But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

In Volume One, Thoughts on Spirituality, Jesus expresses the security He provides when we follow Him:

“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.”

Lay apostles, no more excuses. Yes, Jesus notices when we choose sleeping in over Him on Sunday mornings. Yes, He notices when the world becomes much more important to us than He is.  If we truly believe in Jesus Christ, then we must believe He lives within each and every one of us, 24/7. The next time you are tempted to become lazy in faith, put on those boxing gloves and fight for your spirituality. This is where true health and beauty reside.

Thank you, Lord, for showing me the outside isn't as important as the inside. Impressing you is actually easier and more fulfilling than impressing the world!

God bless,

Bonnie