REMEMBERING

It is a great gift to lay down one's life for their friend. Greater still to lay down ones life that others may live in freedom.

Today may we take a few moments to pray for those who have given up school plans, jobs, families, friends to serve our country that we and others may live in freedom.

I am sure no one plans to die but is aware there is a possibility that may happen.

 Firefighters, police and medical transport people also risk giving their live in service for us. If you see one today or this week please go up to them and thank them for their service that you may to continue to live in peace.

Have a safe holiday and enjoy the freedom to do what ever you find relaxing today.

Pentecost reminder of gifts given for good of all

Recently have you been aware of your gifts? Can you share what gifts you have been given?

For example, I am aware I have the gift of justice, compassion and listening.

Today we celebrate Pentecost. The remembering when the Holy Spirit came down upon the apostles as Jesus had promised.

In todays reading St. Paul mentions that there are a variety of gifts given to each of us for the purpose of service to others. This means these gifts are not for us alone but for service to others.

On some days I am sure we really dont feel like being of service to anyone. At these times we need to ask the Holy Spirit to come and strengthen us and refresh us.

Tomorrow we celebrate Memorial day a day in which we remember those who gave their lives that we may be free to give our gifts for others.

Come Holy Spirit and strengthen us, fill our hearts with the Love of God that we can do what each of us can do to make this world a better world.
May we realize we all have gifts, different but all the same for the good of all. No one gift is better than the other.

The greatest gift is to lay down ones life that others may have life

Longed for long weekend

1st really long weekend where we are out and about. Some I heard are camping, swimming, fishing, or just sitting on the deck with a cup of coffee and enjoying the weekend.

I prayed you all were safe in the storms of yesterday.

As we begin the real summer, with kids out of school I offer a prayer

A Summer Prayer

 

 
 

Long warm days...
The pace of life slows...
A time for picnics and rest in the shade...
Lord,
help me to rest awhile in the cooling shade of your presence.
Slow down my restless heart and fill me with gentle compassion for all your people.
Amen.

  Enjoy the weekend in whatever you are doing, wherever you are. Blessings to you and all those you love

God's day of rest

Today is God's rest. Thank you God for your forethought for us crazy treadmill people of yours.

A day to mediate, enjoy creation, look at the flowers planted yesterday, day to remember to pray for the many who asked for prayers last week.

Oh, St. Francis, pray for me. The birds were singing so much this morning outside my window they woke me up to their chorus. A true symphony. Yes, after I woke up I did enjoy it. Plenty of people in the world do not have the pleasure of hearing birds sing, watching them at the feeders and noticing the variety of their colors.

If I listen carefully I believe, I can hear the grass grow. Our new tree is sprouting its leaves. Creation is praising their Creator by being just who they are.

How about us?

Bloom where you are planted

Planning on planting our flowers this weekend. Last year we waited until end of May and all the flowers we wanted were gone. So off we are this weekend to prepare earth, weed removal(yuck) and planting.
I am so happy to see the day lilies come up and the iris blooming. It is a wonderful time of the year for watching the earth come alive again after the winters rest.
There is a saying bloom where you are planted.

Perhaps there are a few weeds to extract as well without damaging the new growth. Sometimes it takes discernment to know if the weeds should be removed or is that God's job. With God's help we can bloom in any situations.

Our role in plan of God

Today in the Catholic Church  we celebrate the feast of Ascension which is Jesus leaving this earth and going to the Father.
Why are you looking up?
Get about the work I left you to do. It was a invitation to all of us.

We all have a gift to let others know God's love for them that he sent Jesus to be among us to show us the Love of God.
Each day there is an opportunity to let someone know of God's love for us and that they may experience the same for themselves.
In many countries it is a holiday, some places have processions, and other ways they celebrate this feast.
Perhaps we have lost some of the tradition that our ancestors had in this regard.
Are we too driven to work, be busy that we have lost the ability to take time to celebrate? I for myself miss some of the older traditions.
Are you aware of any traditions your grandparents had that you might to practice in your life?

"Jesus said I am going to prepare a place for you."

St Theresa of the Little flower said in heaven there are many mansions.

I decided I didn't want to be on the porch!! What is your aspiration?

I CALL YOU FRIENDS

In today's scripture Jesus says I call you friends. What does it mean to have a friend?  How is it different than an acquaintance? For you where does Jesus fit in this definition?

A friend is someone we feel free to say what we think and feel. One who we share our joys, frustrations and bumps and bruises.

A friend is someone who will tell us the truth, not sugar coat it for us. One who is interested in our growth.

We in turn are the same for them.

Of course we know this doesn't happen overnight, it takes time, tending, care and concern.

Our relationship with God is no different if we want to be God's friend. Jesus tells us today that God has offered friendship to us.

It is up to us to take the time to share, to be open and honest.

We also can ask God show me today who you would like me to extend your love to.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

Happy Mothers day to all mothers and those who although not physical mothers act as mothers to so many.

It is a great day to say thank you for your guidance, love, good example and patience. For not killing us although you probably thought about it many times.

 For being the first one to talk to us even before we were born.

There is no way we can adequately thank you. May we continue to be all you dreamed we ccould be and pray that we give honor to your name.

May we never forget the little sayings you had, the stories and example you gave us.

More prunning

Ouch!! This must be an important spiritual growth process. The readings today were again on importance of pruning for good fruit.

I ask myself what are the ways we experience pruning that will lead us to grow and have good fruit.

• feedback from friend on how we come across in our relationship with them
• children's comments on what we say but don't do.
• friend needing something and we don't want to give up our time and space.
• evaluations at work, how we act at recreation activities, how we participate in household duties.
• what we read and it strikes a core at us.
• those we don't like who really have the habits we have and not sure we want to admit it.
• I am sure you can think of many more from your own experience.

My prayer for me and you is Oh God you know I don't like pain and to hurt. Give me the grace to be able to accept and grow for the many opportunities to be pruned. Let me not shrink from them.

AMEN

PRUNING=FRUIT

Today's scripture is about how we are the branches and Christ is the vine. Sounds good until I experienced the branches need pruning to have good fruit.

Proper training of grapevines is essential to maintain plant size, shape, and productivity. If left unattended, grapevines can become unruly.

Does this sound at all familiar to you? It sure is to me.

Looking back at my life's journey is the way I can see how God's pruning produced fruit for me.

I know I only leaned the meaning of compassion by being deeply hurt, feeling rejected and all alone. I can now relate,when I see others in this situation and reach out to them.

Left to my own choices without God's guidance I have experienced unruly, chaotic situations. I also learned God was there for me with healing and loving embrace.

Don't fear pruning, the cut is swift and the healing although gradual will result in fruit that you cant imagine.

B reak great idea

Tomorrow I do not have to go to work.
It may take all day to pray for all those who asked for prayers. Know I don't forget you. You and your intentions are in my prayer bowl so God knows your request for prayers.
When you have a break what do you do?

Tomorrow, I get a chance to go to Mass in the parish. Groceries, laundry, recycling, put out hoses, clean out air conditioner outside, get a few moments to do my scripture study of pilgrim people, etc, etc,

What did you think nuns didn't have those things to do?
I am looking forward to a different pace tomorrow.

Don't forget to remember me in prayer as well.
Thanks

TODAYS MIRACLES

How many miracles did you witness today?
I witnessed many:

• tulips blooming in my flower bed
• mother bunny protecting her young from cat
• chimes at work that a baby was born.
• beautiful trees in bloom
• specialist doctors willing to come together with care coordinator, Nursing director and myself to plan care for a patient with him and his family.
• successful heart surgery
• housekeeper taking time to talk to a patient and not just clean the room.
• Care coordinator going to pharmacy to pick up medication for a patient who could go to pharmacy before discharge.
• a Nurse helping housekeeping clean a room for a patient and taking time to wash some of the patients clothes.

These are every day miracles and evidence of God's presence among us. Take time to notice and you too will be energized and amazed at the amount of miracles each day brings.