A Beacon of Light

High tolerance for bad behavior is something I come by naturally (thank you, Mom . . .). I have had "friends" in the past who have done unspeakable things behind my back.  But I forgive (grudgingly at times) and try to move on. I am also blessed with some of the most loving friends who I consider family.  During a difficult time, I decided to disconnect from the toxicity of certain friendships, praying for God to send good Christian women into my life.  Little did I know the day I attended my first Lay Apostle prayer group I would find one of the best friends I'd ever have.  Karen is not only brilliant, but she is calm, humble, and loves the Lord and her family with all her heart.  We can talk for hours on the phone about anything and everything.  Despite the fact our lives have been polar opposites, we are drawn together through Divine Intervention. She brings me to a Defend Religious Freedom rally; I bring her to a Foreigner concert.  She is one of my biggest supporters, sending me emails about how my blog post made her feel which encourages me to keep writing. I tell her all the time she was heaven sent.  She humbly denies any importance. Little does she know how much love and comfort she has brought into my life. She is a true beacon of Light.

Reading todays Gospel (Matthew 5:13-16) made me think of Karen. Knowing her has made me a better woman, and, inspires me to shine His Light even brighter:

Jesus said to his disciples: "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father."

In Volume One, Thoughts on Spirituality, Jesus shows us He intentionally sends people to help lead us toward heaven:

“Remember that your brothers and sisters in heaven walked your paths of conversion. There is nothing new in this world in that respect. The only new occurrence is the level of darkness, which I seek to dispel now. Be at peace and let your heart be filled with My light. There are those who wish to help you in your mission, My little one. You know who they are because they are coming to you in various ways. Use them. You sense I am smiling. It makes me happy to see My children working together and loving each other. My blessing is upon you.”

Lay apostles, is there someone who has been placed in your life who has guided you to a closer relationship with Jesus?  If yes, call or email them with your gratitude for their love and support.  No?  Then be the beacon of Light for someone else.  Many are in darkness or in need of rekindling their faith, waiting for someone who cares enough to light the candle. How can you share the light of Christ today?  


Thank you, Lord, for the love and support of my dear friend Karen. I know You hand picked her to come into my life.  I am forever thankful!


God bless,
Bonnie

Update on DFOT School of Holiness

The School of Holiness is up and running in Ireland!  Every day those on the DFOT Monthly Message mailing list get updates of what the young adults have learned or participated in for the day.  The three week retreat includes some extra-curricular activities in addition to learning about the Catechism of the Catholic Church, DFOT and living life as a Catholic young adult. One of the group outings - surfing:

Day 5 update:

Dear Fellow Lay Apostles, 

Greetings on Day 5. We attended a different type of school today - Surf school. It was windy and rainy but that didn't stop us from having a great time in Bundoran. Even our friend Nabil from Egypt donned a wetsuit and helped us tackle the waves off the shores of Co. Donegal. Thanks for your continued prayers and look forward to more updates soon. 

Jesus Christ the Returning King, 

Have mercy on us! 

God bless, 

Ryan and the team 

DFOT Ireland 

I can't tell you how wonderful it is to see the commitment and love these young adults have for their Catholic faith. Oh wait!  Yes I can . . .they are all truly inspiring!


Remember, sign up for the daily updates at the link above. If you know a young adult who would benefit from the updates, send them the link.  You never know if they will be one of the young adults in the picture next year . . .


God bless,
Bonnie

Bite-Sized Opportunities

A few weeks ago I was shopping with my youngest daughter (somehow we always end up at the mall when she is home for the weekend!). As we were checking out, she complimented the cashier on her beautiful eyes. The cashier, a mature woman, seemed surprised as the previous customer wasn't exactly pleasant. Her entire demeanor changed and she became cheerfully chatty. Made me smile.  When the girls were young and the teenage years challenging, I encouraged them to give compliments to offset all the negativity running rampant in their environments. People are innately good. But good people can say and do bad things. Toxic words and actions are a defense mechanism when feeling insecure or hurt. Nevertheless, when presented with repugnant situations, use them as opportunities to practice turning negatives into positives.  


In todays Gospel (Matthew 5:1-12), Jesus teaches His disciples about the Beatitudes (meaning blessedness): 

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you."


An infinite amount of wisdom exists in the Bible. If we truly believe in Jesus Christ, we must believe in the words we read. But to live and breathe what we are called to do seems a little daunting, doesn't it? The beauty of it all is God doesn't expect perfection.  Only to strive toward perfection. Don't fear living what Jesus preaches because you can't (or won't) abide by all the "rules." Jesus has provided guidelines on how we should live our lives and we must aspire to adopt them. 

The following quote from Anne a lay apostle in her book Whispers from the Cross eases any fear we may have when thinking we have to be perfect: 

"The average struggling apostle (most of us fall into this category) knows he is no saint. He has a realistic attitude about his gaps in holiness and he is striving to do better. He understands that to protect God's interests, he has to exert himself and even then God's interests are at risk from his humanity.  The average struggling apostle will have the ability to laugh at himself when he is ridiculous and he will have a good working knowledge of his weaknesses and temptations."


Do you have the ability to laugh at yourself? Do you know your weaknesses and temptations?  If not, practice and discover.  For when you acquire these skills and knowledge, following Christ is a cake walk.  Practice living the Beatitudes.  It's really not that hard if you think about it.  Compliment someone. Instead of becoming embarrassed and defensive when you misstep, admit your mistake. Live small in humility. Clean your heart and your mind by purging impure thoughts and images. What can you do to strive toward perfection in God's eyes?


Thank you, Lord, for accepting me when I fail and blessings when I strive toward perfection in Your eyes. Keep me vigilant for the bite-sized opportunities to show Your Love to those placed in my path.   


God bless,
Bonnie

Defend Religious Freedom Rally

The Defend Religious Freedom rally in Naples, FL was inspiring today.  We had the largest turnout in the nation, around 3,000 people!  Remember, it's full-blown summer here in southwest Florida.  When we arrived at the rally, we saw Bishop Frank Dewane from the Diocese of Venice wandering through the crowds meeting all those in his jurisdiction.  Such a gracious man making sure he shook every outstretched hand in the crowd and stopped for every photo. (Below: Jenna Wells, Bishop Dewane, and me).  

My own parish priest, Fr. Stan Dombrowski (white shirt and collar), enjoying the spirit of the crowd:

My dear friends Karen and Stan Wells with daughter Jenna who let me tag along today!

Dr. Angela Flippin-Trainer, an OB/GYN in Naples, FL is a pro-life physician.  She made the following comment which sums up Obamacare: "Obamacare is a government jobs program for Planned Parenthood." (Photo by Damian Hanley)

A young woman representing the youth of southwest Florida (Photo by Damian Hanley):

The first reading today (2 Timothy 3: 10-17) demonstrates the need for rallies like today. We must become knowledgable to defend our faith:

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

In Anne a lay apostle's book Serving in Clarity, her point in this quote reflects why rallies like today are desperately needed:

“In this period of history, as in every period, there exist many realities which call for change. Human beings must always seek to perfect their behavior toward each other and this continuing process of improving man’s condition is positive and necessary and, I believe, blessed and ordained by God. This stated, I believe that certain current attempts to improve mankind have spiraled into a widespread spirit of disobedience.”

Seeing thousands of committed Americans of all faiths band together today was astonishing.  Because religious freedom isn't just a Catholic thing.  It affects all those who value their faith. I will end today with pictures from the rally, thankful to have been a part of it.

Thank you, Lord, for inspiring me to stand up and defend my religious freedom! Please lead those who are luke warm in their faith to view the current condition of our country with Your eyes and stand beside their brothers and sisters in Christ.

God bless,

Bonnie

The Truth With Love

My sister Diane has been visiting for the last few days to help me sort through mementos lingering in my closets since the death of both parents in 2006 and 2007.  I have made several attempts over the years to discard unimportant items in the stacks of cards, letters, pictures and keepsakes to cut down the total volume of "stuff."  Dad lived a simple uncluttered life. Most of his memorabilia consists of photographs documenting his 77 years on this earth. My mother, on the other hand, well . . . let's just say she kept anything and everything. Among her keepsakes was a piece of paper with her breastfeeding schedule for Diane (not to give away age, but it was over 50 years ago!), a gazillion notes to herself, and recipes she copied from magazines but never cooked.  We have also discovered letters she never sent describing her life.  Beautiful poems she never shared with us while she was alive. The mother we knew was demanding, never satisfied, depressed, defensive, and stubborn.  She was also a woman of great faith and generosity when she was stable. From the outside, she seemed a chaotic mess to us.  However, reading slips of paper with her thoughts and poems shows a different side of her we wish she would have given us more of. A very loving woman who adored God, her daughters and grandchildren. I found this on a small 3 x 5 index card in a pile of random letters:


"My thoughts: A broken heart is not a broken mind (in defense of peoples minds wrongly interpreted)."


There are many other letters and poems to my sisters and me.  The woman writing beautiful words is the woman we all knew Mother could be. After much laughter and many tears these past few days, it solidified this for us: how we appear on the outside is not always how we feel on the inside. 

Todays Gospel (2 Timothy 2:8-15) reminds us to stop judging others and focus on our own actions:

If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him. But if we deny him he will deny us. If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.

Remind people of these things and charge them before God to stop disputing about words. This serves no useful purpose since it harms those who listen. Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation.

Mom struggled with not disputing anything in opposition to her feelings.  It was a constant battle.  In reflecting on all my mother's writings, she had been so wounded as a child and young adult, she never learned how to love herself let alone others. One thing is for sure, she loved God with all her heart and soul. But she didn't have the direction or guidance to look to Him for strength to express the truth so deeply tucked away for so long. It took 5 years after Mom's death to really get to know her.  I promise Mal, Whit and Tay, you will not have any questions after I'm gone. 


In Anne a lay apostle's book Serving in Clarity, she shows us truth is the way to Jesus:

“It can be difficult to speak the truth. It can be frightening. God will give us the courage we need, though, if we ask Him. God will not abandon us to the falseness of the world. When the world around us is proceeding in greater truth than falseness, we will know that God’s Kingdom comes.”

My mother withheld the truth of her past and who she really was until end of life, literally.  I suppose she felt if she revealed the brutalities she encountered as a child it would somehow cause us to think she was weak, even unloveable.  Maybe she thought we wouldn't believe the cruelty experienced was real just like the adults who didn't believe her when she was young.  Of course, we loved our mother dearly despite the drama. Lay apostles, if you struggle with something from your past, try to acknowledge the truth to loved ones. If not them, your priest  or someone you trust. I can only speak from my own experience, but finding the answers to a puzzle you have been trying to piece together your entire life is exhausting.  If I would have known what my mother went through at an earlier age, I believe I would have had more compassion during the rough times. Although I am very thankful the truth has been revealed, my heart hurts I didn't spend more time enjoying my mother before she died. So how do I soften this hurt?  By being the best mother (and grandma) I can possibly be. 


Thank you, Lord, for leading Diane and me to all the letters and poems we came across these past few days.  I think we are finally starting to understand Mother, and much more importantly, ourselves.


God bless,
Bonnie  

Faith From Our Ancestors

Growing up, my parents were very involved in our church parish, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Ft. Lauderdale. The priests were a huge part of my life.  Several were close personal friends of the family. They were all very kind, loving men who knew my father needed a little extra support due to my mother's mental illness. As I was going through some of Mom's pictures the other day, I found this one:

Too funny! Only would a close personal friend allow a young girl to wear his collar, right?  I didn't remember ever seeing this picture until the other day. I look pretty proud wearing it and I'm sure I bugged him to let me put it on!  Seeing this picture reminded me of the faith my parents bestowed upon me at an early age.  I think God had some plans for my future. My love for Him never ceased during the good, bad and the ugly of my life. My parents gave me a gift which will last throughout all eternity. I pray I have passed the same gift to my daughters and continue to pass it on to my grandchildren.  

In todays first reading (2 Timothy 1:1-3, 6-12) Paul is writing a letter to a young man he spent  some time with behind bars. He is obviously very fond of Timothy and considers him dear. After reading this, I get the impression Timothy is a little apprehensive in proclaiming his faith in Jesus:

For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God.

Encouraging words for us all.  I remember a few years back, after I was set on fire by this apostolate, my son-in-law landed a job in Ft. Myers after he and my daughter received their Master's. They would have to reside with us for a few months until they found a place to live. One day I was speaking with my daughter about any concerns Kev would have living in my home.  She said, with a smile on her face, "Well, he thinks you are a Jesus freak!" Now, some people would be offended by that comment.  Not me!  I was so excited my love for Jesus was evident to others!  

In Volume Three, our Blessed Mother emphasizes now is not the time to be timid about your love for her Son:

"Wear your faith as the badge of honor that it is. You work for truth. You cannot work for truth and be ashamed of truth. This will never work. You must shout truth from the rooftops now and stand firmly behind it. I will show you how. I am not looking for anything that is either beyond your reach or outside of your capabilities. But I promise you, if you let us work in you, you will see accomplishments you never dreamed would be associated with yourself. This is a time for great confidence. This is a time for great faith. And this is a time when great trust is necessary. Ask for these graces and these graces will be yours. Do you again see the trend? This is a trend away from the superficial tenets of your world and a trend toward the one truth. The truth is God."

Today, lay apostles, speak about your love for Jesus.  Whether it be to a family member, a friend or a complete stranger, shout it from the rooftops.  And don't worry about what others think of you.  Be confident all of heaven is on your side!

Thank you, Lord, for the confidence to speak freely of my love for You!  Supply the words others need to hear, not what I think I should say. 

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

Got Virtues?

What exactly is a virtue? According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (no. 1803): A virtue is a habitual and firm disposition to do the good. It allows the person not only to perform good acts, but to give the best of himself. Ok, makes sense. But what exactly do virtues look like? There are two forms of virtue: human and theological. Human virtues include loyalty, honesty, compassion, courage, self-discipline and restraint, responsibility and a sense of duty. Basically, our moral standards. Theological virtues are faith, hope and charity (love). These virtues are a direct connection to God. We are gifted with these virtues at Baptism, leading us to live moral lives. Can you see how practicing faith, hope and charity lead to acquiring the human virtues we all must strive for? 

Living a virtuous life takes practice and dedication. It means changing our way of thinking and acting. It means making choices which lead you to Christ and His Kingdom. And, it may not always be what feels good at the moment. Perseverance, my friends. 

Todays Gospel (2 Peter 1:2-7) encourages us to "make every effort" in living a moral life. In other words, practice:

Beloved: May grace and peace be yours in abundance through knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has bestowed on us everything that makes for life and devotion, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and power. Through these, he has bestowed on us the precious and very great promises, so that through them you may come to share in the divine nature, after escaping from the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion, devotion with mutual affection, mutual affection with love.

In Anne a lay apostle’s book Lessons in Love, she compassionately reassures us of God's Mercy in our humanness: 

“We may say, ‘It is too hard. I cannot do it. I will never succeed.’ But most people initially feel this way when they begin to work on a virtue. If we turn away, giving up, what we are really saying is, ‘I do not want this virtue.’ This is fair enough. Our free will allows for this, but we must be honest and admit that we are refusing to try rather than make a claim that God has made it impossible for us to succeed. Who is to judge success? Only God is the legitimate judge of success and failure with regard to humanity and our struggle with any of the virtues. There is a reason for the Sacrament of Confession. God’s expectations are realistic. He expects us to struggle at times, meaning, to be perfectly clear, He knows that we will sin and He also hopes that we will repent. Even the greatest saints sinned, repented, then tried again.”

Today, lay apostles, think about the above virtues where you lack perseverance.  Are you demonstrating self-control in relationships, in caring for your body or in controlling your anger? Are you struggling with your faith? Get your theological virtues in order first.  Master them and human virtues become much easier to achieve.

Thank you, Lord, for loving me while I learn to master virtues I have struggled with in the past and forgive me when I temporarily slip into old habits. 

God bless,

Bonnie

   

No Joking Around

In yesterday's Gospel, Jesus shows us we better take Him seriously.  After reading todays Gospel, I just had to go back and add this piece from Mark 11:

They came to Jerusalem, and on entering the temple area he began to drive out those selling and buying there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. He did not permit anyone to carry anything through the temple area. Then he taught them saying, "Is it not written: My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples? But you have made it a den of thieves."

Go Jesus!  Now that is what real men should act like.  Not turning over tables, but demanding respect for God and His Church.  It's how we all should act.  


Today's Gospel (Mark 11:27-33) brings Jesus back to Jerusalem. After His "teaching" the day before, He faces authority and beautifully makes His point:

Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached him and said to him, "By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?" Jesus said to them, "I shall ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was John's baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me." They discussed this among themselves and said, "If we say, 'Of heavenly origin,' he will say, 'Then why did you not believe him?' But shall we say, 'Of human origin'?"-- they feared the crowd, for they all thought John really was a prophet. So they said to Jesus in reply, "We do not know." Then Jesus said to them, "Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things."

Writing this daily blog has brought me deeper into the Bible.  I look forward to reading Scripture and fall more in love with Jesus every morning.  Quotes from the Volumes and all of Anne's books compliment each Gospel or reading, deepening my understanding of each passage. It's a killer combo!

Lay Apostles, I urge you to stand up for our beloved Church.  Demand respect and give respect to it.  If we don't fight for Jesus, who will?  

Have a wonderful weekend!

God bless,

Bonnie

June Monthly Message is Here!

This month's message is a breath of fresh air (although, all the Monthly Messages are!).  But this one in particular couldn't have come at a better time for me.  Lay apostles, any effort you make to become holier is not going unnoticed by heaven:

On the first of every month, our Lord gives Anne a new message about His call to service.

June 1, 2012

Jesus

"Dear apostles, it is with all hope that I speak to you today. I have hope in the vision held by heaven of the future of My Church on earth. I am pleased when I see holiness increasing in My friends and this increase in holiness is what gives Me hope for the Church. Yes, I am urging My followers toward sacrifice and service and many of you are answering with your whole hearts. You, listening to My words and allowing them to change you, are giving Me great hope. With this hope I push on into the world, confident, that while some resist change, others embrace it. Yes, change is happening, most especially in the heart of every committed apostle. You are becoming holier. As you are becoming holier, My Church is becoming holier. Apostles, hear this call with all seriousness. I, Jesus, have everything needed to advance the Church into greater unity. And I, Jesus, can do this as quickly as you will allow Me. Find Me in your soul in each moment you are questioning your role in the Kingdom. I will direct you. I hear many of you saying, 'Jesus, tell Me what to do'. I am answering, 'Serve Me'. I am answering, 'Be committed to your vocation'. And I am answering, 'Love each person you encounter and My kingdom will come'. Do you see? The details of your life can be discerned with me over time by examining your circumstances with the Spirit I have sent to you. There is no need to be anxious about My will. You will know it in each day and in each day My will can be noted in the duties and opportunities for service. Are you sitting with Me quietly? Are you asking Me to help you become holier? Are you offering Me your will? Or are you serving in the way you desire without willingness to change and adapt when I need you to adapt? My friends, your life will always be changing. This should not alarm you because I do not change and My love for you does not change. Be at peace. Accept that if you are not open to change then you are not open to becoming holier. All is well and I am holding you very close to Me."

Be open, lay apostles, to Christ's call. He needs each and every one of us to do our part in the Renewal.  How blessed are we as lay apostles to be receiving direction and encouragement from Jesus?  Very blessed.

God bless,

Bonnie

Believe In Your Prayers

Most of us pray we'll win the lottery.  Come on, admit it!  But do we really believe we will win? No, not really.  It's all about luck of the draw and we know the odds.  And, will winning the lottery help you glorify the Lord? For some people, absolutely.  For most people, it means bigger houses and more material "things." So what about real prayers?  For example, healings, financial concerns, or broken relationships. When you pray for healing, do you trust God with all your heart you will be healed?  Do you stop worrying about the future and what it holds?  If deep down you have doubts, you are not trusting God. No matter what you are facing, know, with every fiber of your being, He will take care of you. And when you put all your trust in the Lord, your prayers will be answered in some way, shape or form. All you have to do is believe.


In reading todays Gospel (Mark 11:11-26), Jesus assures us if we chase away doubt, He can move mountains for us:


Early in the morning, as they were walking along, they saw the fig tree withered to its roots. Peter remembered and said to him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered." Jesus said to them in reply, "Have faith in God. Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him. Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours. When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions.'

Wow, huh?  Sounds so easy.  But we are only human and must practice letting go of doubt. Let Him deal with your worries and concerns. Because when you do, the answers to your prayers are much better than winning the lottery!


In Volume One, our Blessed Mother assures us our prayers are heard:

“Jesus is waiting for you, my little one. I will help you and show you the way. Pray more, even when you do not feel like praying. Pray always, even if it is just a simple sentence, a simple thought. We are slaves to your prayers, my dear little struggling souls. We hear a plea from you and we hasten to provide every assistance. Look closely for the answers to your prayers and you will find them. Never be fooled into thinking your prayers fall on deaf ears. We work quietly and sometimes our time is not like earthly time. But we hear your pleas and share in your concerns. Be certain that we have the answers. They are here for you and we will not leave you without guidance.”

Practice, lay apostles. Practice trust in every situation you encounter.  Evil lurks about everywhere. Evil will condemn your beliefs, our Church, this apostolate, trying to draw you away from Christ.  Trust Jesus knows what He is doing.  If something brings you closer to Him, you know in your heart it is from Him. 


Thank you, Lord, for showing me what trusting You completely feels like.  Continue to help me eradicate doubt from my mind and believe in my prayers.


God bless,
Bonnie

The 3rd Annual Global Rosary Relay for Priests

Please plan to take part in this important event June 15, 2012.  It begins at 5:00PM PT, 8:00PM ET.  60 Rosaries in 60 countries in 24 hours! Our priests need our prayers!  

Go to www.worldpriestday.com to find out how to participate.

As Good As It Gets

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Mary travelled to the town of Judah where her older cousin Elizabeth (six months pregnant) and husband Zechariah lived. Her compassion and love for her cousin drew her to Elizabeth's side to assist with the difficulties of pregnancy and childbirth. This journey took place after Mary was visited by the angel and told she would be carrying our Savior. If you pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, you know this line well when Elizabeth hears Mary's greeting upon her arrival: "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.” 


One morning in early December 2011, I sat on my back patio praying the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.  My oldest daughter was six months pregnant at the time.  My middle daughter and her husband were patiently trying conceive for almost a year. When I got to the second Joyful Mystery when Mary visited Elizabeth, I knew.  My middle daughter was pregnant. She lives close to me and we work out together during the week.  That day, when she arrived for our daily routine, I told her about the Rosary and that I was sure she was pregnant.  Being the skeptic she is, she told me she wasn't getting her hopes up.  But her faith is strong and she was ready to accept any outcome as God's Will.  About a week before Christmas, I received a text with a picture of a positive pregnancy test! And, she is now seven months pregnant with my second grandson. This, my friends, is as good as it gets. If we say "yes" to Christ and believe as our Blessed Mother and Elizabeth did, miracles can happen! 

Todays first reading (Romans 12:9-16) is printing as I write this. Basically, rules for living the Christian life on the path to heaven:

Brothers and sisters: Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality. Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not be wise in your own estimation.

In Anne a lay apostle’s book The Mist of Mercy, she defines the mercy of God for any sinner willing to live their life in humility for His Son.  It all starts with you:

“Think small steps and the Lord will do big things. Do not avoid your role in the renewal because you have sinned. If you are repentant, you are just the type of person needed. One who comes to God in humility can be restored to purity in an instant. God has no difficulty in forgiving a repentant sinner. It is far more difficult for God to deal with a person who serves heaven but takes all the credit. It is God who grants holiness, after all. It is God who performs miracles.”

Miracles are happening all around us.  Sometimes we get caught up in our own chaotic lives and become jaded. We forget to slow down and look for the blessings.  Today, lay apostles, stop for a minute and write a list of all the positives in your life.  Forget the negatives for a minute.  Take that list and post it somewhere convenient to view every day.  Even add to the list as new miracles and blessings occur.  When you are having a rough day, look at that list.  When you are having a wonderful day, add to it.  Soon you will be focusing a majority of your time looking for the blessings instead of letting them pass right by. You will begin to see Jesus more clearly and the impact He can have on your life. 

Thank you, Lord, for the miracles and blessings you have bestowed on my family and me. Focusing on the good sure beats dwelling on the bad!

God bless,

Bonnie

Service Without Recognition

Have you ever had anyone take credit for your hard work?  What about praise given to those contributing mediocre effort while you have given your all and received none?  Presuming it's happened to most of us at some point, it's tough feeling unappreciated. Our initial instinct is to make the "praiser" aware of our labors.  Let them know we are due the notoriety. But this is where we get it wrong as Christians. Humility is what Jesus preaches, not seeking approval and praise. I highly recommend reading the Litany of Humility on a daily basis.  I posted it here: http://ftmyerslayapostles.blogspot.com/2011/12/difficult-request-from-our-lord.html

Reading it every day strengthens my commitment of service to Him, not the world.  

In todays Gospel (Mark 10:32-45), James and John are seeking a little recognition for their own efforts.  They ask Jesus, "Grant that in Your glory we may sit one at Your right and the other at Your left." You can imagine the other ten apostles were a tad bit upset with the two men asking for something they all felt worthy of.  Being the Divine Teacher Jesus is, He uses this opportunity to educate His apostles:

"You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."

In the May 2009 Monthly Message, Jesus continues to teach us of service to the Kingdom:

“How often have I called you ‘My little apostles’? Have I ever called you ‘My big apostles’? Why do you think it is that I call you ‘little’? I will tell you. It is because each apostle, by his desire to serve, becomes little. He becomes little so that God can be glorified. If a person is serving Me, that person desires only My glory. If a person is serving Me, he desires to be seen as a servant of men, not as a master of men. In the case of leaders, this desire for humility must be even more pronounced lest the leader begin to believe that he himself is leading, as opposed to My great hope which is that I, Jesus, am leading through the man. I intend to send leaders during this time. You will know them by their spirit of service. You will know them by their humility. You will know them because they will help you to think of Me and what I need from you. No man is entitled to the glory reserved for God.”

Lay apostles, I know how disheartening lack of appreciation can feel. It hurts. It makes me question my motives. So now I ask myself in all situations, am I doing this for the Glory of God? "Yes" is always the correct answer. I must say a "no" sneaks in once in a while. I'm only human.  I can choose to be sad and depressed because I'm not recognized.  Or, I can live and serve in humility, waiting for my reward in heaven.  I choose the latter.  Not the easiest choice, but "I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength." (Phil 4:13)

Thank you, Lord, for showing me the value of service to others. Give me the strength I need to fight the temptation of wanting recognition from the world.  Feel free to continue nudging me back into place when I go there!

God bless,

Bonnie

What We Inherit

Why is it so hard to let go of material things after a loved one has passed away?  My house holds almost everything both parents had at end of life.  It's not much, but there are some items I just can't part with.  For example, my mother's white poodle lipstick holder. My childhood pet was a French Poodle of who Mom was very proud to say was bilingual (she was fluent in French and taught Pepe commands in both languages!). So, I made it part of the guest bathroom decor.  Then there's the carousel picture made of puzzle pieces my father glued together and framed. His father owned a carousel on Coney Island when he and his brothers were growing up. It's hanging by the entrance to my house through the garage. Both reminders of two people I love and miss terribly.  One day when I'm gone, my daughters will have the pleasure of going through all my belongings. What will they choose as a reminder of me?  Material things only take up space and eventually fall apart or decay. But there is one inheritance from my parents which I have given my girls. The gift of faith.  For truly eternal inheritance comes from God, not something money can buy to be passed on generation after generation. 

In todays first reading (1 Pt 1:3-9) Peter speaks of our heavenly inheritance:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time. In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet you believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of faith, the salvation of your souls.

In the Monthly Message of January 2006, Jesus explains how to achieve eternal life:

“Dear friends of the Saviour, together We are changing your world. When souls feel fear, We will bring calm. When souls feel anger, We will bring forgiveness. When souls feel abandoned, We will bring love. When souls feel great grief, We will bring comfort. And when souls see death, We will bring them to an acceptance of heaven so that they understand eternal life. Many in the world today do not understand their inheritance. This creates a fear of death that prevents souls from living fully. If a soul accepts the Truth about eternity, that soul works for Me because the soul knows that glory only lasts if it is obtained for heaven. The glory of heaven is love and is obtained by how much one loved on earth. Souls will be disappointed when they look back on their life if their life was lived in selfishness and if their purpose in life was to obtain worldly goods. This will be a disappointment for them, for Me, and for their families if their families were led astray by this flawed vision of the purpose of life. If you realign the purpose in your life, I will then help to realign the purpose for each member of your family. This is My promise to you. Make Me, Jesus Christ, the purpose of your life, and I will work through you to claim the world.”

And in Volume One, Jesus has this to add:

“The world offers you nothing. The world does not love you. Indeed, you will find only rejection and hatred in the world. Come back to Me and begin to examine your inheritance, which is goodness, love, and eternal security and joy.”

Lay apostles, while material possessions may provide temporary comfort, don't place too high a value on them. The real comfort lies with Christ.  Let your legacy be one of faith.  Get to know Jesus intimately through the Bible, through this apostolate, and through your church community. When you do, life becomes . . . easier and less disappointing.

Thank you, Lord, for the promise of eternal life with You.  Please help me to continue guiding my daughters toward heaven and not toward Ruffy (my stuffed dog from childhood which I will be discarding today)! 

God bless,

Bonnie