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Holy Spirit

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This weekend was busy. The family celebrated my dad’s 85 th birthday. Of course, Sunday was Mother’s Day. This morning I was thinking about how the busyness of life can engulf a person and they forget about time with God. The apostles knew that at some point Jesus would be going to the Father. They knew they would be left on their own. Yet Jesus states he only goes so the advocate can do His work. Jesus knows how life unfolds and how easy it is to be sucked into worldly things. Jesus talks to his apostles reassuring them of the advocate. He ends with “I have told you this so that you may not fall away.” (John 16:1) Today’s readings are a reminder to include the Holy Spirit in your life, so that the world does not become our focus, our worries, our goal. Hear is a Holy Spirit prayer from St. Augustine: Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, That my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, That my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, That I love but what is holy. Stre...
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Love

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  The Priest at mass today mentioned how the 4 th commandment is the key pin between the first three commandments that talk about God and the rest that talk about loving actions towards each other. Honor thy father and mother is key because to love, we must know love. We are not talking about hallmark love, that butterfly feeling, but the deep commitment of love, no matter what. There is love of parents who love unconditionally, no matter how difficult raising their child is. I have been blessed with a family easy to love. But that doesn’t mean there aren't difficult times. I will always love my family; I might not like their actions at times, but true love is seeing the best in them, believing in them, and fighting for them. I stand by them through prayers and listening. Today, update your definition of love to include Colossians 3:14: “and over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Note, it didn’t say harmony, but unity. Stand by your lo...
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Quiet Rest

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 As we awake, get ready to face our day, pause. For it is through the Lord that you lie down and sleep and through the Lord that you awake. Psalm 23:2 states: He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. The Lord provides opportunities for physical and spiritual rest. I am a restless sleeper, yet I know that I must sleep. In the morning, I pause and thank the Lord, no matter how bad the sleep I received for being given another day. I usually have lots of agenda items, most likely the reason for my lack of solid sleep, but I know I must pause. My routine is disrupted on vacations and summer, for every morning I listen to mass on the way to work and pray a rosary. Yet I know even if I am not driving, I can still place these prayerful moments (moments of rest beside quiet waters) in my routine. Hence, the pause on a Saturday morning, my rest isn’t complete without prayer time and a conversation with God. Carve out your pause time and sit beside quiet waters...
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Changes

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I’ve been thinking a lot about how life changes. When I grew up, we had big gardens, my mom sewed, knit our sweaters, and canned food. These are things I have done. Yet I have realized that the reason she did those things does not bind me to them. I have horrible allergies. I tried the shots, yet at 1 part per billion they were still poking me with an epi. I think about expanding my gardening efforts and then I realize that it probably would not be in my best interest to be amongst the weeds and pollen. Letting go of activities is hard, but I also have different interests and things I want to do. I want to learn to play the cello, for one. Maybe I’ll get my pilot’s license, who knows. No matter what I do, I carry Isaiah 41:10 with me. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Yes God is with us. Sift through your activities and days, and make sure they align with God’s ...
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Be a spirt of Love

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 Wisconsin weather has proven again that for those who are eager to get in the garden, patience is a virtue to practice. We are getting a slow start this spring. However, I must say we have spring. Sometimes we go from winter to jumping into summer. Right now, it is 29 degrees. A cool start to the morning. Yet, I like the cooler temps. 60’s are perfect. I don’t mind the 50’s either. Summer will come, and I am enjoying the slow start. I will admit I do get anxious about things. Does my anxiety paralyze me? At times. I have learned, like the slow start to spring, that patience and acceptance are part of the process. 2  Timothy 1:7 states, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” This month is Mental Health Month. I don’t talk much about my PTSD. I don’t share the crippling effects. I have experienced those who dismiss it or say to put your big girl panties on…I have experienced many who have committed suicide, and the horrible li...
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Trust

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Psalm 40:4 “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the outs, to those who turn aside to false gods.” I had a moment of realization yesterday. I might be retiring from my current job, but I have always felt I work for God, and to that I will never retire, just change where I work. For this, I need to trust. In today’s climate and political static energy, I do believe trust is something that is hard to come by. Yet, we must trust. Without trust, there is no hope. Without trust love is not a strong link in the chain. Without trust relationships are broken. Trust. I believe that we must go, on bended knee if need be and start with trusting the Lord. Ask for trust, be filled with trust and ask for God’s wisdom to know who, what, when and where to trust. Do a quick sift today, asking yourself if there are any false God’s to whom you have put your trust in. Then turn to the Lord, and ask for a heart worthy of his trust on the path…
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Monday mornings

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Monday mornings. Sometimes Monday mornings can seem like a burden. Grade updates; students lessons, planning a party…and the list goes on. Yet Matthew reminds us that when we need rest and we feel like we carry burdens to turn to Christ: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden s light.” (Mt. 11:28-30) Mondays are new beginnings, the week before in the past. Only hope should rule on Mondays. I always tell my students we have to go through a day to get to the next one. Yet, we shouldn’t just “get through” but pause and enjoy little moments and find beauty, joy, friendship and Christ’s presence on the path….
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