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The Advocate

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Yesterday, my daughter came over and made her famous biscuits and gravy recipe. It was a fun way to start the morning. Family and good food are good ways to start any day. As I ponder my retirement (starting May 22 nd ), I discern these important things in life. Faith, family, friendship, and continuing to walk in the way of Christ. I am reminded of John 14:16-17: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you.” I am relying on the Holy Spirit to continue to guide my path. I find it interesting when one is retiring that people ask what they are going to do. I think the point of retiring is not to have agendas or plans but to allow life to unfold. I do hope to expand ways to teach and share faith with others. Maybe through podcasts and quick courses. Today is a good day to ask the Holy Spirit ...
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Mirror God

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Today, as you travel your life’s path, think about the scripture verses from John. Know that we, too, are to be that reflection of God to others. Our works should reveal the presence of God to others on the path…John 14:8-12 “Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, *  and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.”
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Do Good

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 “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:10 Opportunities. Many times, I think opportunities do come our way to help others. Yet, I think we can just present ourselves as a person who is kind and good to all we meet. When I drive home, there is one area where two lanes merge into one. This happens right after a stop-and-go light. Sometimes I do get upset when people don’t follow the direction and try to squeeze in. I also get upset when others at school don’t follow the rules. I admit, I need to pause a lot, and remember that they have choices and even when I don’t like their choice and action, I am called to be kind and do good. This can be difficult, but it is something I strive for. Today is a good time to remind yourself of this calling. Speak good, act good and be good towards others on the path…
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Set the World on Fire

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  As I drove to work, I had to chuckle to myself. Drizzle and rain dropped from the sky. Today is the feast day of St. Catherine of Siena, and I think every time at St. Catherine’s high school when we walked to St. Richard’s for the feast day mass it rained! I told students the rain was a blessing from heaven. Well, today we are blessed again. A quote from St. Catherine of Siena that has always inspired me is: “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” Today is a good day, amongst blessings to ask yourself if you are true to who God has meant you to be. Some of us are called to be handyman or women; some of us are called to keep places safe; some of us are called to train first responders and others. We are all called to do something…first though, we are called to be sons and daughters of God. Our life’s work,  careers should reflect the call to being who God meant you to be. We all can set the world on fire through being exactly the unique reflection of ...
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Gray Skies

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Gray skies. Today as I drove to work, the sky’s were gray. Yet through the grey, drabness of the ride I encountered joy. A deer on the side of the road just standing there waiting for me to drive by. A granddaughter up early with lots of joyful energy. The online mass I listen to was all in a female voice…even if I am shrouded in gray, I will look for the joy. Finding joy includes acknowledging those who walk with you, today I borrow from scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:2 “ grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” As you travel today, doing all your activities, meeting with people etc. Know that grace and peace surround you and bring you the light of Christ on the path….
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John 10:11

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There are a lot of things we do for one another; to which gives hope and joy. Yet, there is one more step to contemplate: to what and to who would you lay down you life for? John 10:11 states: I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” This is part of today’s readings. It has inspired me to think on what I would lay down my life for? We fight to stay alive, but to what would we give that all up for? Life is short enough, but what would you be willing to give it all up for? Something that helps put life and death into perspective. Something to help focus one’s life. For it is the things we are willing to lay down our life for, that we should focus on, protect and be our priority on the path…
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The proper gate

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  Sometimes I am amazed at how much energy people use to get around the rules. Students spend more time thinking of ways to get out of something, around something, or finding an easy way to copy. John 10:1-2 states: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.” John presents two kinds of spiritual leadership. Jesus is the shepherd because he enters through the proper gate. A gate makes walking through easy to get to the sheep. Yet there is another kind of leader. One who tries to jump the fence or get in without using a proper gate. You can’t just spout scripture as a way to enter through the gate. You need to have a deep and abiding personal relationship with God. The gate makes getting into a sheep pen easy, but getting to the gate and opening it is not as easy for some. Today, stand at the gate, open it, and walk through to gather...
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