Monday of Holy Week - What's Important To You?

I could literally live in a box with Jay and be happy for the rest of my life. I have discovered, through graces Jesus has bestowed upon me, true love. The only way I can experience this true love is through my relationship with Christ. Because I trust Him completely, He has shown me how to trust others . . . to be vulnerable even though it's counterintuitive to my very nature. What's important to me is important to Jay. Jesus is #1 for both of us. He is part of every decision we make. We go to Him when chaos tries to disrupt our peace. We sit with Him in Adoration for an hour each week, confident the minute we step out the door of the chapel, everything in the world is right again. It's amazing . . . when both people in a relationship are focused on Christ, everything seems to fall into place. 

In yesterdays Gospel (John 12:1-11), Mary has no doubt about what is important:

Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him.  Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples, and the one who would betray him, said, “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages and given to the poor?” He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions. So Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him.

In Volume One, Jesus asks us to focus on love:

"Today, I speak to souls about love. Love is important. Indeed, it is the most important thing of all things. That is the reason it has become so distorted in your modern world. The side of darkness would like to see love destroyed. The modern world would put this distorted version in its place so that no one would be able to find love and their hearts would then become like ice. Many of My children are ignorant of true, genuine love. It is for this reason that children are unwelcome unless they fill a need for their parents. My dear ones, if you follow Me, you will learn about genuine love, which offers untold fruits and opportunities for growth."

Lay apostles, what's important to you? Is Jesus the focus? If He isn't, contemplate your situation with Him. He will make chaos disappear (or, help you to stay out of it!). 

Thank you, Lord, for teaching me that when I focus on You, everything becomes very clear.

God bless,
Bonnie 

Lent Day 38 - Anything Can Happen

I believe in every message I've read from Jesus and all of heaven through Anne a lay apostle. As a matter of fact, I hold Jesus to His Words . . . to what He promises us as lay apostles. And, He holds me (and all lay apostles) to helping Him rescue souls through this mission. The graces and blessings I have received in spreading this mission have been beyond anything I could ever have imagined. A few days ago I received a random phone call from a good friend from high school. We keep in touch, but I hadn't talked to her in awhile. She didn't call for any particular reason. As we caught up, I told her I was going to send my book Can You Text Me Directions? to Pope Francis along with a personal letter asking for help and guidance concerning a situation occurring in our diocese. I know it is a long shot the Holy Father would ever receive my book. But I have faith that if Jesus wants it to happen, He will make it happen. So, my friend says one of her consultants went to Rome for her honeymoon. While on a tour of the Vatican, a nun befriended the couple and they have stayed in touch with her since. This nun happens to be close to Pope Francis. I could feel the tears well up when she said she would see if she could get this nun's address. With Jesus, anything can happen . . . 

In todays Gospel (John 10:31-42), Jesus attempts to "educate" again:

The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God.” Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, ‘You are gods”‘?  If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came, and Scripture cannot be set aside, can you say that the one whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world blasphemes because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?  If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” Then they tried again to arrest him; but he escaped from their power.

He went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained.  Many came to him and said, “John performed no sign, but everything John said about this man was true.” And many there began to believe in him.

In the Monthly Message of November 2007, Jesus urges us to be His Light on earth:

"Show constant compassion, never judgement, to those who do not understand what they lack. I am trying to show you, My beloved apostle, that you have begun a journey that must be taken by each person who will spend eternity in the family of God. If others delay the journey, that is their affair. My beloved apostles understand that this journey, the journey to holiness, is the most important journey they will ever take. This is your first priority, My friends. Continue to make your pledge and I will see to it that you become holier."

Lay apostles, I used to try to control everything in my environment . . . which I now see as thinking I knew how to do things better than God. My grip was so tight I finally got to a breaking point . . . I couldn't do it alone anymore. Then along came the Volumes. It's been 8 years since I read Volume One. Christ has shown me time after time that when I let Him have all the control, He can do miraculous things! Boy oh boy, I have seen a few miracles since 2006. So maybe, just maybe, my book will be in the hands of our dear Pope Francis some day . . . if it's His Will, anything can happen!

Thank you, Lord, for knowing what is best for me . . . keeping me humble . . . and allowing so many blessings in my life! 

God bless,
Bonnie

Lent Day 37 - Comprehend This

I am, by no means, fluent in Spanish (or any language other than English!). I can get by, understanding what is said more than I can speak it. When my oldest daughter Mallorie was studying abroad in Salamanca, Spain her junior year of college, I planned a trip to visit her over Easter break. She met me at the bus station and we walked down cobblestone roads to her host mom's flat where I would be staying a few nights. Her "senora" Maria was a single parent with a young daughter, Iris. Iris was a little shy at first. Then she started chatting away (I could understand enough of what she was saying to respond). She was describing a game she wanted me to play with her, and was using Mallorie to translate. Mallorie was not getting what she was describing correctly, and Iris would become irritated. Finally I caught on to what she was talking about . . . a game I played when I was young (where you slap hands together to a beat - a hand-slap game?). Iris could barely contain herself that I got it . . . then she said something to Mallorie in Spanish I didn't understand. Mallorie, exasperated, responded to her. I asked what she said. "Iris told me she couldn't believe my mother doesn't even speak Spanish and you understood what she was saying when I didn't!" Sometimes you just have to trust your gut and hope you are getting it right! There is a lot I can't even begin to comprehend in this life, but I trust Someone is always there to translate what I need to know!

In todays Gospel (John 8:51-59), Jesus continues to communicate who He IS:

Jesus said to the Jews: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.”  So the Jews said to him, “Now we are sure that you are possessed. Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died?  Or the prophets, who died? Who do you make yourself out to be?”  Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ You do not know him, but I know him. And if I should say that I do not know him, I would be like you a liar. But I do know him and I keep his word.  Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad.” 
So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.” So they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.

In the Monthly Message from January 2010, Jesus reminds us there is so much we don't and can't comprehend . . . so we must rely on His Guidance:

"When you become discouraged, please sit with Me and I will help you to grasp the limited nature of your vision. Concentrate on My will for your day. Concentrate on remaining in the present, connected to your service in each moment. Avoid being trapped by the past and avoid being drawn into a future on earth which may not include you. You do not know when I will come for you. But I am with you now, as you read these words, and I have work for you today. Look, together with Me, at what I am asking of you and together we will be a successful force for love. I crave love from you. When you trust Me and reject fear, I am delighted. Calm, steady service is what I require from My beloved apostles who seek to serve Me. Be at peace. I am with you."

Lay apostles, life is complicated enough as it is. So instead of trying to figure out the why's, just trust Jesus to give you what you need to know. Let Him handle the why's. When He is in control, I could care less about the why's!

Thank you, Lord, for helping me to understand You will provide me with whatever it is You need me to accomplish. Please continue to send the graces I need to let You be in control.

God bless,
Bonnie

Lent Day 36 - No Better Time Than Now

This morning my daughter Taylor tagged me in a post on Facebook. The article she tagged me in was this: (click on picture to read article)

Mars, Earth And Sun All Align Tonight…Blood Moons Start Next Week…Is The End Near?

Her comment: OMG . . .
My comment to her: Always be prepared, my love! Jesus is always with us, don't forget that! Love you with all my heart and soul TayLo!

There is no better time than now to fully commit yourself to Jesus, lay apostles. No one can predict the Second Coming of Christ, but we can pay attention to what He tells us in the Bible and the Volumes. Be prepared. Forgive. Love each other. Help save souls for Him. 

Todays Gospel (John 8:31-42) brings to mind the word BELIEVE:

Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone.  How can you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains.  So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free. I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you.  I tell you what I have seen in the Father’s presence; then do what you have heard from the Father.”

They answered and said to him, “Our father is Abraham.”  Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works of Abraham.  But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God; Abraham did not do this. You are doing the works of your father!” So they said to him, “We were not born of fornication.  We have one Father, God.”  Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me.”

In Volume Five, Jesus gives comfort where fear could take over:

"Children of the world, I call out to you in warning. I do not desire to watch your world generate more darkness. I am allowing My angels to strike at the world in order to distract souls from their worldly pursuits and draw attention to their God. When a soul lies down to die, that soul is not concerned with the things of the world, but considers then the things of the next world. Because man has been deceived, man thinks nothing of the next world. Souls following the world have turned their attention almost exclusively inward, giving constant and total consideration to self. This, of course, will cease when man is forced to look up to the heavens because the heavens have opened, releasing warnings and punishment. I do not seek revenge, dear ones, only justice and an end to the darkness. You have been told of the coming physical darkness which will entomb the earth. Before that time you will have warnings in the form of disturbances in the sky. The moon will glow with a red color that will be easily seen. Men will attempt to explain this scientifically. You will know it is a warning. When you see this, prepare yourselves for the time of darkness because it is imminent. To prepare you must remain recollected in prayer. Consider heaven and your transition from earth to heaven. We have spoken about this at length and you know that you need not fear. I will never leave you and I will be with you in every moment. Remain in the state of grace so that My graces flow freely to you. Be reconciled with loved ones and cast away grudges. If I desire that you prepare in practical and concrete ways, you will be told. I will see to everything. Dear ones, I give you these words because there are those among you who will witness these events. This is a time of grace and these words are a portion

of those graces that have been reserved for this time. You are benefiting from the graces obtained by souls who have gone before you. You should give thanks for these graces because through them many souls are being saved. I also give you these warnings so that you will heed the words in this series of messages and prepare your souls accordingly. You

know that you will not remain on earth forever. You have always known that. I simply wish you to be informed that you live in a grave time, a time that will know many changes. If you are following Me you will not be afraid. You will welcome the changes because you will welcome an end to the darkness. Only My true followers recognize the extent of the darkness

and the extent of My disappointment and revulsion. Be at peace. Continue to pray because your prayers change the course of events on earth and many souls avoid eternal exile because of the prayers of the just. How you will be rewarded, dear followers. How you will be celebrated. If most behave in a holy way, it is easier to be holy. If most behave in an evil way, it is more difficult. Your God is grateful for each sacrifice and each decision for heaven."

Lay apostles, I felt it important to post the above quote from Volume Five in full. We cannot waste one day of this life on worldly concerns. Focus on Christ, prepare yourself and your loved ones. Not because of some event occurring . . . but in anticipation of heaven! I used a quote from the movie Bella a while ago . . . "I've done the research and ten out of ten people die." If you knew today was your last day on this earth, how would you spend it? Begin each day with that question, and I believe you would be preparing to meet your Maker.

Thank you, Lord, for the comforting words from Volume Five today. I pray they give the comfort You provide to everyone who reads this.

God bless,

Bonnie

Lent Day 35 - Be Brave

There is a reason God blessed me with daughters . . . I do not like anything slimy, slithering, or jumpy. A ferocious barking dog doesn't make me even flinch . . . but the little frogs gathering around the edge of the (uncaged) pool during the summer cause me to shriek like a little girl. A cockroach scampering across the floor can almost invoke a syncopal episode! But I have had to quiet my squeamish tendencies since Colton and Connor arrived! Three days a week with my 20 month old grandson who loves to be outside always presents itself with some kind of critter of which he has no fear. Just to give you an example, I received this picture on my phone last month:

Yes, that is a snake my grandson is holding with his brave daddy!

I shudder every time I see this picture, but it reminds me of how we must all be brave when it comes to defending our faith in Jesus Christ. It's not always easy at first, but with a little practice, it's as easy as a baby boy holding a snake around his neck without an ounce of fear! 

In todays Gospel (John 8:21-30), Jesus shows us that when we do the will of Our Heavenly Father, bravery is easy to master:

Jesus said to the Pharisees: “I am going away and you will look for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going you cannot come.” So the Jews said, “He is not going to kill himself, is he, because he said, ‘Where I am going you cannot come’?” He said to them, “You belong to what is below, I belong to what is above. You belong to this world, but I do not belong to this world. That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins.” So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “What I told you from the beginning. I have much to say about you in condemnation. But the one who sent me is true, and what I heard from him I tell the world.” They did not realize that he was speaking to them of the Father. So Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM, and that I do nothing on my own, but I say only what the Father taught me. The one who sent me is with me.  He has not left me alone, because I always do what is pleasing to him.” Because he spoke this way, many came to believe in him.

In Volume Four, Jesus the King asks us to rely on Him when fear overcomes us:

"My brothers and sisters in this suffering world, follow My example. Be brave as your Savior was brave. When you are frightened, immerse yourself in My passion and ask yourself, “How did Jesus handle fear?” I tell you, My friends, I rested in My fears. I examined My fears closely because through that examination I discovered and reminded Myself that truly, the fear was natural, but unnecessary. My only true fear should have been that I would fail God and lose My soul through a permanent rejection of God. You, children, have seen how I lived through scripture and through the revelations I have made through many servants across the ages. What chance was there that I would have permanently rejected God? There was no chance of that, of course. My fears were groundless. And yet, I had to spend time with My fear and examine My fear so that I could come to that conclusion. Once I had come to the conclusion that I was going to serve God, and through that service to God save humanity, there was nothing left to fear. My future was decided. My path was lit up and I followed that path. From the time of My arrest I felt no uncertainty. Those holy souls who witnessed My passion would tell you that I did not rail against My fate. I did not curse God. I did not even curse humanity or My persecutors. I was the lamb. My sacrifice was perfect, both physically and mentally. Dearest brothers and sisters, whom I call as friends, you have the perfect example in Me. Follow My lead and look closely at your fears. When you have done this you will see that there is no good reason to spend time with fear and your time is much better spent consoling others, spreading My peace and Good News, and praising God, with Whom you are destined to spend eternity." 

Lay apostles, I don't think I'll ever be brave enough to have a snake wrapped around my neck or hold a slimy frog in my hands, but with Jesus, I have no fear of any circumstance presented to me. If others reject me, well, Jesus was rejected, too. If others try to hurt me, well, Jesus was brutally tortured, too. If someone tries to kill me, well, the only Perfect Man on this earth was murdered on a cross. Unite your suffering to Christ's suffering. Soon you will see there is nothing to fear.

Thank you, Lord, for teaching me how to be brave where I used to fear. Continue to teach me how to look at all potential fear as an opportunity to sacrifice for You. 

God bless,
Bonnie

First Thursday Talk by Anne a lay apostle

Lent Day 32 - The God Box

Guest blogger: my first, my last, my everything, Jay!

I have a business colleague "Arthur" who describes himself as an atheist (. . . or as he goes on to elucidate . . . a rationalist). I know him to be a learned man, very ethical in his business dealings, and one of the most well-read people I know when it comes to all major religions in the world. In fact, when I asked him what he had been up to recently, he answered he was reading a fascinating book on the pre-Nicene gospels.

I introduced Arthur to a gentleman "Stan" who we had just finished a business transaction with. Bonnie and I were meeting he and his wife for breakfast. Stan had just finished sharing he wanted to give us a few copies of the book he had written recently. We had no idea he was Christian author. I’m not sure what denomination he is yet . . . all I know is two really important things came out of a conversation which occurred when Arthur came over to our table and I introduced him to Stan.

Stan had just finished saying one book was for us and the other was for us to give to someone else. When Arthur approached (a man I knew to be an avid reader) I immediately offered him the second book. Arthur quickly scanned the back cover and in a jovial manner began to ask Stan about the book and his beliefs. Stan remained calm and first described that one thing he realized early in his book research was how God thinks cannot be understood by the human mind . . . especially in real time. Arthur turned slightly agitated and it wasn’t until after the meeting I realized what Stan had shared was we can’t put God into any box. We can’t figure Him out through an intellectual pursuit or rational thinking.  The truth is we can be in relationship, we can love and be loved by Him . . . but we will never figure Him out. His ways are not our ways! Stan very politely shared that Arthur's approach would not get him to where he wanted to go.

Arthur then shot back with a series of questions about early Christianity, questions about the apostles, and how a number of the historical events did not make sense. Stan very calmly began to  describe why in hindsight, the logic behind those events were nothing short of Divine. He not only spoke in a very relaxed manner using his deep knowledge and respect for our Lord . . . along with a little  humor . . . and with the intrigue of a best-selling novel. For me, it was one of the greatest examples of why knowing and being able to defend the faith and our Lord (Apologetics) is not only a great skill to acquire . . . it can be fascinating and fun.

In todays Gospel (John 7: 40-53) we see the people are trying their best trying to figure out if Jesus is God and then following up with the questions on how could God be from a certain area (an area that did not fit into the box):

Some in the crowd who heard these words of Jesus said, “This is truly the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But others said, “The Christ will not come from Galilee, will he?Does not Scripture say that the Christ will be of David’s family and come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” So a division occurred in the crowd because of him. Some of them even wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.

So the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why did you not bring him?” The guards answered, “Never before has anyone spoken like this man.” So the Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed.” Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them, “Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?” They answered and said to him, “You are not from Galilee also, are you? Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.” Then each went to his own house.

In the booklet Heaven Speaks to Those Who Have Rejected God, our Blessed Mother shares her thoughts on the futility of using our intellect to figure out our Limitless God:

"Dearest little child of heaven, you are not as intellectually advanced as you think. If you were truly advanced in your intellect, you would be working hard to become a saint because when one authentically applies the intellect to the consideration of truth, one is enchanted with the limitlessness of God’s knowledge. One then desires to proceed more and more deeply into these heavenly truths. This can be done during your time on earth. You are loved. You are cherished." 

Lay apostles, are you prepared to defend your spouse and your children against an attack, even to the point of giving your own life? I venture to say that most of you would answer yes. Then why wouldn't we be willing to do the same for our Lord? We do not need to ask if He would do the same for us . . . He did!

Thank you, Lord, for allowing us to get closer to you via our hearts, our souls, and our minds. Thank you for revealing Yourself often in ways defying logic . . . defying rationale not fitting into a box, thus making our walk with You so much more exciting and intriguing.

Humbly and gratefully yours,

Jay

Lent Day 31 - Patience Like Jesus

Reading the daily Gospels over the last few days leads me to one conclusion . . . poor Jesus!!! It must have been so frustrating knowing the thoughts of and hearing those who couldn't grasp He was the Son of God. This is really important for me during my Lenten journey trying to practice patience. I realize my frustrations don't even compare to what our dear Savior experienced (and continues to experience from His Children today). I probably would have been asking my Heavenly Father if I could just throw a few lightening bolts around to wake them up. But of course, that wouldn't have worked, right? I can only strive to have the patience of Jesus . . . as always, I am a work in progress! 

In todays Gospel (John 7: 1-2, 10, 25-30), Jesus continues His mission of saving souls: 

Jesus moved about within Galilee; he did not wish to travel in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him. But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near.

But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret.

Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said, “Is he not the one they are trying to kill? And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him. Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ? But we know where he is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.” So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said, “You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.” So they tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand upon him, because his hour had not yet come.

In Anne a lay apostle's book Whispers From the Cross, Jesus urges us to patience and love for one another:

"I am grateful to all who give their life to Me. My gratitude will accompany those who served me throughout their eternity. But I beg each of you to hear Me. Do you recognize the promptings of the Spirit? I will tell you how you will know. Is your heart often moved to pity? Do you find that there are times when you feel impatience and instead offer gentleness? Are you one who conducts others to peace or do you gather round and contribute condemnation when it is being levied against another? Do you talk about Me or about My enemy? Do you look out at a world in pain and see goodness or do you see darkness everywhere? Please, stop your service long enough each day to listen for My whispers from the cross. I am begging you to love each other. Very often I am rejected but I never stop loving. You must be like Me. Love, regardless of how you are repaid. I cannot force anyone to love Me, dear apostles. But I can love them. I want you to do the same. Love God’s children in My name and you will be rewarded. Love for Me."

Lay apostles, we have so many opportunities to practice patience every day . . . in the grocery store checkout line; with our children and/or grandchildren; with moody co-workers. It's quite amazing . . . since I have been focusing on patience this Lent, I am annoyed less! And at times when I find myself growing impatient with a situation, I call on Him to send some graces down . . . in an instant, my joy returns. Now if I could only shorten the time between impatient and calling on Him! Pray for me!

Thank you, Lord, for the lessons in patience You send my way. I know I need a lot of practice, so please remind me to call on You sooner!

God bless,
Bonnie

Lent Day 30 - Earthly Pride

"If you are discouraged it is a sign of pride, because it shows you trust in your own powers. Never bother about other people's opinions. Be humble and you will never be disturbed."  Mother Theresa

We all love to talk about the accomplishments of our children (and grandchildren!). It's a natural instinct. When I became a registered nurse, you would think, according to my mom, I just won the Nobel Prize! She would tell everyone and anyone . . . to the point I would beg her to stop. It was as if going on and on about my accomplishment made her feel more important, that she had value. Earthly pride . . . the need to feel superior . . . important. Pride is exactly the opposite of what Christ asks of us. Give Him all the glory, be humble. A life lived for Him is a life full of graces and blessings. 

Todays Gospel (John 5:31-47) has a pretty powerful message . . . believe what Scriptures say:

Jesus said to the Jews:  “If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not true. But there is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true. You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth. I do not accept human testimony, but I say this so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. But I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf. But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form, and you do not have his word remaining in you, because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent. You search the Scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf. But you do not want to come to me to have life.

“I do not accept human praise; moreover, I know that you do not have the love of God in you.  I came in the name of my Father, but you do not accept me; yet if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father: the one who will accuse you is Moses, in whom you have placed your hope. For if you had believed Moses, you would have believed me because he wrote about me.  But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”

In the booklet Heaven Speaks to Those Who Do Not Know Jesus, Our Lord promises love and protection . . . all we have to do is accept Him:

"My friend, this is between you and Me. By “this” I refer to both this conversation and your ultimate decision of whether to accept Me or reject Me. When you are asked to make an important decision on earth, you consider your options. You take time and weigh both sides. Perhaps you waver between one course and another. I want you to consider both sides of this decision. If you accept Me, you will have entry into the most loving and secure family of all. If you accept Me, you will have security for the rest of your life in that I will lay out the course in front of you, guiding you, protecting you, and never leaving you. If you accept Me, you will come to heaven in triumph, bringing with you the great benefits that your cooperation secured for your family. You will walk in truth and in calm. Your life on earth will not suddenly become easy, but it will be filled with God’s peace and God’s grace. If you reject Me, you will continue on, vulnerable to the deceit of My enemy. You will delude yourself at times, thinking that you are wise. Perhaps you will feel superior to many of your brothers and sisters, but I tell you today, in all of My truth, that the most humble one in heaven holds all of God’s mysteries in his soul. You will not be privy to these mystical realities if you reject Me. How could you be if you did not want to be? I conclude with one of the greatest truth of all and that is that I do not force My children to choose Me. I do not force humanity to work for heaven. If I did, we would not have a family, but a master and his slaves. No. This is not for Me and this is not for you. The heavenly Kingdom would not be the heavenly Kingdom if it were not filled with willing and beloved children. Everyone in heaven works for each other in great joy. Everyone in heaven works for our family members on earth in great hope. As you read these words, there is great hope in heaven that you will choose Me, Jesus Christ, and embark upon the journey to truth. It is here for you. I have truth and I have a course laid out for you that will bring you to this destination. I love you. I will take care of you. Choose Me and I will begin to reveal Myself to you. You will know peace, My friend."

Lay apostles, do you find yourself dropping names? Going on and on about your child's accomplishments? Feeling superior as the Pharisees demonstrate in Scripture? Or, are you on the receiving end of some who brag a little too much? Next time you feel yourself dominating a conversation with your successes or your child's successes, stop and give the other person a chance to share. Focus on listening rather than talking. Eradicate pride in exchange for humility. 

Thank you, Lord, for teaching me to listen more and talk less . . . not an easy task for this Italian!

God bless,
Bonnie

Lent Day 29 - Chaos Free

“It’s a lack of clarity that creates chaos and frustration. Those emotions are poison to any living goal.” ― Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free
My life today, I am happy to say, is chaos free. Not that situations don't pop up where I could be dragged into my old way of thinking and reacting. Maybe it's my age, maybe it's having a partner who desires a "chaoticless" life, too. If only I knew then what I know now, right? Chaos is a choice. You can either choose to participate or let the whirling dervishes whirl. I choose to stay focused on what Jesus is asking of me. What do you choose today?

In todays Gospel (John 5: 17-30), Our Savior defines how we are saved:

Jesus answered the Jews:  “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.” For this reason they tried all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath but he also called God his own father, making himself equal to God.

Jesus answered and said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, the Son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for what he does, the Son will do also. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything that he himself does, and he will show him greater works than these, so that you may be amazed. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives life, so also does the Son give life to whomever he wishes. Nor does the Father judge anyone, but he has given all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to life. Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he gave to the Son the possession of life in himself. And he gave him power to exercise judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, because the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and will come out, those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked deeds to the resurrection of condemnation.

“I cannot do anything on my own; I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me.”

In Anne a lay apostle's book The Mist of Mercy, she is very clear in directing us to live our lives in service to Christ:

"Some souls understand that Jesus exists. They believe in God. They do not live this belief, however, and they do not make decisions based on their belief. They do not serve. Some souls understand that Jesus exists. They believe in God. They make many decisions based on this belief and live good lives. They serve partially. Some souls understand that Jesus exists. They believe in God. They live this belief and make most or all of their decisions based on this belief. These souls are saints. They serve in near totality. It is a challenge for a person to conform his life to something he has not seen but therein lay the merit of our earthly service. We do not see this heavenly Kingdom. We do not see the saints who have gone before us. We cannot touch the stones or trees or water in heaven. We are, however, given great grace in our souls with which to understand and believe the truths of God. The Sacraments provide treasures of grace to strengthen our understanding of God. Souls who live for the world deny these truths. They do not wish to believe because they do not wish to serve God. They desire their own will. When these souls die, they have to come to terms with the fact that they knew God existed and chose against Him on some occasions. They have to admit and acknowledge that they knew of God’s existence because this is the land of truth and there is no bantering or word play. The truth is plain to see here. On earth souls try to tie each other up in knots with clever arguments designed to distract from the truth. This will not work in the heavenly Kingdom. We will be able to relax there and there will be no need to be clever in that respect. This will be a relief because one gets tired of having to constantly expose the enemy’s distortions and traps. I find that some souls try to put me in a paper bag with their words and I am always trying to fight my way out. I am at peace about this, as every soul should be. When we are being challenged and we lack the words, we must simply say nothing. Ultimately, it is God’s fight, not ours. He always wins in the end."

Lay apostles, when chaos erupts, do you? Are you the creator of chaos? Whatever your answer is, make yourself small and ask Jesus to calm your soul before you speak or act. Choose to detach from any situation causing you unrest. Restore calm and unity to the best of your ability. As Anne says above, "Ultimately, it is God's fight, not ours. He always wins in the end." 

Thank you, Lord, for the peace You have given my soul. Continue to help me to stay out of chaos and focused on You!

God bless,
Bonnie

Lent Day 28 - Find Joy in Persecution

If I would have seen an article with the above title 10 years ago, I would have thought the writer was a little on the cuckoo side. Who wants to be persecuted . . . and be happy about it? It's really hard not to take things personally when others don't approve of me or what I do; when they laugh at my best attempts to be holier. Now, reread my last sentence. Remind you of anyone? Yes! Our Lord and Savior experienced the EXACT SAME THING when on this earth. Yet He chose to continue on with His mission . . . to save you and me. Think about the Sorrowful Mysteries and you will see the beauty of His sacrifice. He had us in mind the entire time, enduring persecution at its worst . . . death on the cross. It's easier to find joy in persecution when I remember His suffering . . . and I want so much to give Him comfort and thanks for what He did for me. It's the least I can do.
Todays Gospel (John 5:1-16) is a prime example Jesus teaches us to stay focused on our mission, not the persecution:

There was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem at the Sheep Gate a pool called in Hebrew Bethesda, with five porticoes. In these lay a large number of ill, blind, lame, and crippled. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be well?” The sick man answered him,
“Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.” Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked.

Now that day was a sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, “It is the sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to carry your mat.”  He answered them, “The man who made me well told me, ‘Take up your mat and walk.’“ They asked him, “Who is the man who told you, ‘Take it up and walk’?” The man who was healed did not know who it was,
for Jesus had slipped away, since there was a crowd there. After this Jesus found him in the temple area and said to him, “Look, you are well; do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may happen to you.” The man went and told the Jews that Jesus was the one who had made him well. Therefore, the Jews began to persecute Jesus because he did this on a sabbath.

In Anne a lay apostle's book Whispers From the Cross, she thoroughly explains why we must get past our humanity and seeing everything through the eyes of Christ:

"The head of Jesus is hanging down on the cross. He has given everything. He is finished. The journey has been successfully traversed. Jesus has accepted betrayal and returned love. “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Jesus allows compassion to react, not anger. May He give us all such richness in our service and may we each accept the graces to respond to betrayal as He did. So it might be worthy of consideration that humanity should be suspicious of his first response until each person is well-trained in putting on the mind of Christ. Our first response will usually be generated by our humanity or the instinct of self. We must become adept at overriding this first response and inserting, instead, a second and hopefully more worthy response. We are apostles. We are called to be messengers, envoys. We represent Jesus, not our weak humanity. When we feel betrayed, we are never in a better position to bring Christ to the world. As representatives of Jesus, we are watched, be assured. Others will want to see how we are going to act in conditions of duress. Think of Scripture. The apostles rejoiced at persecution. Do we rejoice at persecution? Much of this has to do with the old, faithful spiritual goal which is trust in God. We can find ourselves objecting strenuously saying, “I’m concerned about God’s plan being protected.” As a wise man once told me, “The Lord can look after Himself.” In other words, God is all powerful and He will not allow any attack, however grave, to interfere with His plan. If we are attacked to a degree that heaven’s plan suffers, then it is not our affair. Often it will be our pride that is suffering, if truth be told."

Lay apostles, the world is full of good people. Sometimes we just have to search them out. And, there are always going to be the nay-sayers, ready to make you as miserable as they are. See each act of persecution as an opportunity to put a smile on our Savior's beautiful face. I try my hardest to be the light, and instead of focusing on the negative, I do my best to make Him happy. It's all that matters!

Thank you, Lord, for the ability to find beauty in ugly. It has taken me awhile to stop internalizing what others say and do. But thank you, most of all, for the joy I now feel when I overcome it!

God bless,
Bonnie

April Monthly Message is Here!

We continue our cycle of monthly messages for 2014 with the message from April 1, 2006 for our prayer groups and personal reflection.

April 1, 2006 (2014)  

Jesus

My apostles seek to please Me. The desire to please your Savior, all by itself, gives Me the greatest consolation. If you have the smallest desire to please Me, little apostle, you can be certain that you have already done so. The desire to please is only the beginning, of course. From that desire, I move you into active service to the Kingdom. How badly the Kingdom of God requires steady apostles in this time. I rely most heavily on those who are consistent in their service. My little ones see My plan for them in the present moment. At times My little ones underestimate how I intend to use them in the future. This is acceptable, of course, because it is best if a serving apostle remains focused on the day in which he finds himself. Let Me assure you though , that the level of service I can gain from you tomorrow, and in every tomorrow I grant you, is directly affected by the level of cooperation I gain from you today. If you serve Me in completeness today, you can be assured that I am preparing you for even greater service tomorrow. It is all about practice, after all. You must practice being holy. My dear friends, My apostles, do not be afraid of tomorrow, regardless of what occurs today. My plan is detailed and accounts for everything. I will care for My beloved friends and their loved ones. I am God. I am all-powerful. You cannot place too much trust in Me because I will always out perform your greatest expectations. Serve completely in today, My friends, and I will use you even more effectively tomorrow. Trust Me. I will protect you.

Lent Day 27 - Hardening of the Attitudes

"The world's most deadly disease is 'hardening of the attitudes." Zig Ziglar 

Last weekend I was speaking with a local consecrated individual regarding some frustrations I am experiencing within our local diocese. This person's frame of mind was, "It may not be right, but this is just the way it is. You have to accept this is never going to happen." My response? "Well, I believe God can do anything. Don't you?" Their response? A quiet head shake in agreement. This Lent I have been praying hard for patience. But when it comes to "hardening of the attitudes," I still find myself to be very impatient . . . and I'm ok with it in this case. Because I believe Jesus is calling us to act with a sense of urgency in reclaiming His Church here on earth. I believe everything Jesus says in the Bible and in the Volumes. He is with me through every frustration, every joy, every pain. I am willing to go through anything for Him. God has a plan . . . 


In todays Gospel (John 4:43-54), I can imagine Jesus thinking . . . another sign? Really?

At that time Jesus left [Samaria] for Galilee. For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his native place. When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves had gone to the feast.

Then he returned to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, who was near death. Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” The royal official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus said to him and left. While the man was on his way back, his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live. He asked them when he began to recover. They told him, “The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.” The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live,” and he and his whole household came to believe. Now this was the second sign Jesus did when he came to Galilee from Judea.

In Volume Five, Jesus puts it all together very clearly for me:

"Now I wish to tell you about something that concerns Me. There are many who claim to be My followers. Some follow My lead, but others do not. They follow their own will, but do so behind a guise of obedience. The reason this obedience is a guise and not a genuine obedience is because they have rejected My Church in that they feel they have a greater wisdom than the soul whom I chose to represent Me. Children of God, you are accountable. Do you think that I made a mistake when I asked this current man to be My earthly Vicar? Well then you must take that up with Me upon your entry into My Kingdom. That will be the appropriate time to discuss what you may feel are the mistakes I have made. Until that time, I am calling on you to be respectful, obedient, and supportive of this man, your Pope. Priests, in particular, are not serving Me when they lead others to doubt the Holy Father. Souls feel that priests have a greater wisdom than others, and if a priest is following My voice, this is usually true. But priests who are following My voice are not behaving in a disobedient and disrespectful manner toward the leader of My Church, even if they do not always agree with how this man is leading. The true spirit of God does not manifest in cynicism, dear souls, so when you see cynicism, you may be assured that I am not present and I am not directing the conversation. This will increase in your world. I do not like to tell you this but I must. You must be alert always for these signs. I would like you to respond with quiet firmness in the face of cynicism. When souls criticize My Church and its leaders, you must direct them to Me. They should never spread disunity among My
followers."

Lay apostles, do you believe God has limitations? Or, is your God a God of limitless possibilities? God is still as powerful as the day He parted the Red Sea or the day He rose from the dead. It may be time to have a spiritual checkup . . . if you find you have hardening of the attitudes, go to Jesus for the cure!

Thank you, Lord, for giving me gumption to overcome obstacles thrown in my way by Your enemy. 

God bless,
Bonnie

P.S. Thanks to my love Jay for helping to edit this . . . he softened it up a bit!