Community Chat

[gloriajean]

Let nothing that others do alter how you treat them. Lord, may I treat
all with love and consideration.

S C R I P T U R E F O R T H E D A Y

"Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life." ~John
6:68

M E D I T A T I O N F O R T H E D A Y

"Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life." The
words of eternal life are the words from God reaching out into our true
being, our spiritual selves. They are the words from God which are
heard by us in our hearts and minds when these are wide open to God's
spirit. These are the words of eternal life, which express the true way
we are to live. They say to us in the stillness of our heart and mind
and soul: "Do this and live."

P R A Y E R F O R T H E D A Y

I pray that I may follow the dictates of my conscience. I pray that I
may follow he inner urging of my soul.

Homily of the Day for Sunday

He´ll Help You Remember
by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.


Acts 2:14, 22-33 / 1 Pt 1:17-21/ Lk 24:13-35

There's something thrilling about attending a wedding, a baptism, or a graduation. All of life's possibilities seem stretched out before us, and most of their costs are still hidden from view. It's so much like the beginning of a summer day: soft breezes, sweet smells, lush lawns and flowers. And then before you know it, it's fall and time to prepare for the siege of winter.

If we're working hard to be faithful to God and to one another, to do our best and to share our gifts, we get tired. And sometimes after a while, things that used to be easy and even a joy become a burden instead. Somewhere along the line, we lose the joy and we find ourselves echoing those two apostles in today's gospel, "We used to hope," but not anymore.

How does that happen? Is it simply a matter of working too hard and getting tired? Not really. The real problem is losing our vision, our sense of purpose, which can come only from a trust-connection with the Lord.

If you find yourself burning out and finding life burdensome, spend some time renewing your vision and remembering where you're going. And the only place to do that is in his presence. He'll help you remember, and he'll give you back your joy.

May 7, 2011

Blessed Mother

"Hail to you forever, O virgin mother of God, our unceasing joy. You are the pearl of great price that belongs to the kingdom; the fate of every victim, the living altar of the bread of life. Hail, O treasure of God. Hail, O fount of the Son's love for man."
St. Methodius of Olympus

For Reflection:
Why do you think Mary is our "unceasing joy?" Why do you think she is the "pearl of great price that belongs to the kingdom?" How is Mary "the living altar of the bread of life" and, therefore, "the fate of every victim?" Why do you think she is the "treasure of God" and the fount of the Son's love for man?" In considering all of this, is my appreciation and love of the Virgin Mary deepened? To what extent?


Story of the three red marbles

Many of you may have read this before; though it is worth reading again with a tear in the eye:

IT'S WHAT YOU SCATTER"
I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes... I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas.

I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes.
Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr.. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.
'Hello Barry, how are you today?'
'H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure look good.'

'They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?'
'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time.'
'Good. Anything I can help you with?'
'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas.'

'Would you like to take some home?' Asked Mr. Miller.
'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.'

'Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?'

'All I got's my prize marble here.'
'Is that right? Let me see it' said Miller.
'Here 'tis. She's a dandy.'
'I can see that. Hmm mmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?' the store owner asked.

'Not zackley but almost.'

'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble'. Mr. Miller told the boy.

'Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.'
Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever.
When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.'
I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man.. A short time later I moved to Colorado , but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.
Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.
Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket.
Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket.
Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one; each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.
Our turn came to meet Mrs.. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.

'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about.

They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them.. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt.'
'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,' she confided, 'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho ..'
With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.

The Moral:
We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath.
Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ~ A fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself...
An unexpected phone call from an old friend.... Green stoplights on your way to work....
The fastest line at the grocery store....
A good sing-along song on the radio...
Your keys found right where you left them.

Send this to the people you'll never forget. I just did...

If you don't send it to anyone, it means you are in way too much of a hurry to even notice the ordinary miracles when they occur.
IT'S NOT WHAT YOU GATHER, BUT WHAT YOU SCATTER THAT TELLS WHAT KIND OF LIFE YOU HAVE LIVED!


Sermons I See

I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell me the way.

The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
fine counsel is confusing, but example is always clear

And the best of all preachers are the ones who live their creeds,
for to see good in action is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn how to do it if you'll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run

And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,
but I'd rather get my lessons by observing what you do.

For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give,
But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.


Author: Edgar A. Guest

Hello! Is there too much noise in your life?

I AM your Lord God speaking!
Would you like me to speak louder?
Is it you who can't hear me already,
in the mere creation that was made by my hands;
Like the sun, which I shine on your face everyday,
or the wind, that blows through your window,
which you don't notice because you´re always in a hurry?
Can you not hear me in the Mass,
where I offer up myself to you through the Eucharist,
in a homily where my child speaks my words,
in the Bible - where I teach you how to live,
in prayer - where you listen and hear me speak,
or in any act of Love you experience
through another one of my children during a normal day?

I AM with you always, right here,
but unless you have time
and turn down the volume of the stereo of life,
how do you expect to hear me?

Closing prayer:

A Salutation to the virtues
by St. Francis of Assisi

Hail Queen Wisdom, the Lord salute thee with thy sister Holy-Pure Simplicity.
Lady Holy Poverty, the Lord salute thee with thy sister Holy Humility.
Lady Holy Charity, the Lord salute thee with thy sister Holy Obedience.

Most holy virtues, the Lord salute all of you, He from whom you come and proceed.
There is scarcely a man in all the world, who can have one of you, before he dies.
He who has one and offends not the others, has all.
And he who offends one, has none and offends all. (cf. Jm 2:10)
And any whatsoever confounds vices and sins.

Holy Wisdom confounds Satan and all his wickednesses.
Pure Holy Simplicity confounds all the wisdom of this world (cf. 1 Cor. 2:6) and the wisdom of the body.
Holy Poverty confounds cupidity and avarice and the cares of this world.
Holy Humility confounds pride and all the men, who are in the world, and likewise all the things, which are in the world.
Holy Charity confounds all the diabolic and carnal temptations and all carnal fears.
Holy Obedience confounds all things corporal both carnal and one's own willings and holds the body mortified in obedience to the spirit and in obedience to one's brother and is subject and submissive to all the men, who are in the world and not only to men, but even to all the beasts and wildlife, so that they might do with him, whatever they will, as much as it will have been given them from above by the Lord (cf. Jn 19:11).

Peace to you all! Hope your day went well - here we had a very nice, gorgeous day and Linus went to an auction this morning and did get some good deals for Lori's deck - lots of lumbar for such a good price, also got some insulation for her garage. And she got lots of plants etc. from one of her client friends. So this afternoon, Linus helped her do landscaping all around the house, bought just enough mulch to go around, then put plastic over plants, that she just planted, and the mulch over that. It sure looks nice and will look even better when all in bloom. I can't be on my hands and knees, so I made a hot dish for supper. It was a perfect day for this, and I could be outside watching without a sweater on, very nice place she has. Oh and she met two more neighbors that live in back of her, very nice ladies. Her neighbor, Mark, across the street, roto-tilled her garden for her, ready to plant now. Linus made her a nice strawberry bed next to her garden. We do want to look at that house next door that's for sale by her. Her neighbors in back said that the owner left because he got a job up north, so he's renting it now until it gets sold. It's different in that he moved the living room downstairs, made it a good sized family room, and where it was on main floor, he made the kitchen and dining area bigger, and she said it was so beautiful so we do want to see it. Price is only $104,000. But it's a short sale.

Good night all - Sweet Dreams! Have a wonderful Mother's day and I plan to too!! Got a really nice Mother's Day card today from Darla!
Lori will be going to Mass with us and cook for us. I like that much better than going out to eat - it's always so crowded then.

Thanks for all your prayers - praying for you all, too!