Reflections on past week

As I said last refection I felt the past week went by with a host of emotions, feelings and what did really happen. I did take a nap today, wonderful practice for healing and now I feel I can share some things with you.

Monday 10 was the remembrance of Mollie Rogers. She was know as Sister Mary Joseph. She is the foundress of the Maryknoll Sisters. Now why is that of any significance? As a teen my mother attended Mother of Perpetual help devotions every Tues night and dragged, I mean took me along. The only think I liked about this weekly church happening, was to be able to pick up the Maryknoll magazine in the back of church and see all the exciting things the Sisters were doing with poor people.
Later when in Nursing school ,at age of 19 taught by the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother,  I experienced God calling me to become a bearer of good news as a religious woman. I wanted to be a Maryknoll and did apply but they said wait until you finished Nursing School. Back then wait was a unfamiliar word to me. For those who know me see how I have grown.(smile) I responded by praying the stations of the Sorrowful Mother to become a Maryknoll.
While working in Maternity department nursery there was a statue of baby Jesus with inscription Come follow me. Every time I worked I turned it around so I could see it.

Do you believe God sends signs? Well let me tell you of a powerful one. As student nurses we were required to make a annual retreat. Catholic, protestant it didn't matter you were there. The priest my freshman year was a Passionist religious order priest. They wore a symbol on their clothing which looked like a police badge to me at that time. I said to God if  you want me to be a Sister he will come down from the table where he was sitting and tap me on the shoulder and ask me to come and talk to him. At the end of the conference before we all left church behold he came down tapped me on the shoulder and said I need to speak with you. Now it was about something the head of the school thought I knew something about, like where had one of our classmates disappeared to. However a sign is a sign no matter how it comes about.
the rest of that story later. I entered the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother a year later.

Have you asked God for any signs for discernment for yourself? If not try it and be surprised.
Also you never know what effect parents have on their children by the things they involve them in. Think about it

Here I am Lord I think!

What a week. I am not sure what really went on this week. I will take some time this weekend to process it all. A whole mixture of feelings of sadness, anger, hope, possibilities. I guess that pretty much sums up why I feel tired today which is the end of my week at work. I hope to take sometime this week to review the events of the week and reflect on God's gift in it all.

Tomorrow I  will travel 2hrs to visit my brother in his assisted living situation. We go out to eat and gab.There is not a lot of news on his side but we are enjoying each others company and finally bonding as brother and sister. I am glad my cold is over as I would not go if I thought I would give it to him.

Today is the First Day of Sukkot a Jewish festival which Jesus would have had as part of his life.

The Jewish festival known as Sukkot (“sue-COAT”)—“booths”—involves two apparent opposites: gathering and scattering. It’s a harvest festival, but it also commemorates the 40-year journey of the Israelites in the desert, when they lived in temporary shelters (booths). Originally Jews making the Sukkot pilgrimage to sacrifice in the Temple would stay in tents or booths while they were in Jerusalem. The practice continues today in the construction of open outdoor shelters Jews live in during the seven days of Sukkot—if it rains, one rabbi in the Talmud ruled, the sign that you can go in is if the soup gets too watery! Like the Jewish people, we are called to be grateful for God’s gifts and presence with us on the journey of faith.

 

It is a good remembrance for me that no matter how many stories I heard this past week, how much pain and the joyful ones they are all part of the journey and what is the gift from God for me.

 

I hope you too get a few moments this weekend to look at the past weeks events whatever the theme or event and find the gift there for you.

God's saving grace in Jesus

This week is 28th week in ordinary time. The readings for the week are all from Paul. Paul's theme is we are humans and can't save ourselves. I know that for sure.

God revealed his saving grace through Jesus. The grace of this saving grace is available to all through faith. If we believe in Jesus' acts and words we will also do good to others. The readings from Paul all week show how God's grace is working. We are encouraged to live as people saved.

Each day I need to pray for the gift of grace and faith to live as a saved person. I don't know about you but for me some of daily enounters lead to feelings and thoughts if acted on would not be actions of a saved person.

During this week I pray to keep in mind Jesus saved me and I pray to behave accordingly doing good wherever I can.

Paul in his letter to the philippians said "My God will fully supply whatever you need." I am counting on it.

This past week my energy has been zapped with a very bad cold. I beleive as I have gotten older I bounce back slower and my resistence is lower. Hate to admit that but it is the reality. I will need aditional help this week as my energy bucket isnt full yet. Say a prayer for me as well when you have a moment. Much appreciated. Thank you

Yom Kippur is tomorrow -what can we learn

In the Jewish religion tomorrow is the beginning of Yom Kippur. For Christians we need to be aware that Jesus was also involved in Yom Kippur. What can we learn from Yom Kippur?

The name "Yom Kippur" means "Day of Atonement," and that pretty much explains what the holiday is. It is a day set aside to "afflict the soul," to atone for the sins of the past year.

Yom Kippur atones only for sins between man and G-d, not for sins against another person. To atone for sins against another person, you must first seek reconciliation with that person, righting the wrongs you committed against them if possible. That must all be done before Yom Kippur.

You can clearly see examples of these infractions in the Yom Kippur liturgy, for instance in this excerpt from Al Khet:

For the sin that we have committed under stress or through choice;
For the sin that we have committed in stubbornness or in error;
For the sin that we have committed in the evil meditations of the heart;
For the sin that we have committed by word of mouth;
For the sin that we have committed through abuse of power;
For the sin that we have committed by exploitation of neighbors;

For all these sins, O God of forgiveness, bear with us, pardon us, forgive us!

In  listening to the teaching of Jesus we hear many of these words such as  go to the one you offended before you bring your gift to the altar.

I pray in the spirit of atonement we also can reach out to those we have offended. Often I hear said God knows me and forgives me. True but what about seeking forgiveness from others we have wronged.

LISTENING TO MY GUARDIAN ANGEL

Earlier this week we celebrated our guardian angels. In the church there is special mention on many days of holy people to remember, events and the special guides God has for each of us. It is our belief that each of us has been given a angel to be our guardian. Scripture has many references to angels and their role in our lives.
Over the years I have learned to hear the voice of my angel.

Yesterday as I was leaving my driveway for work I looked both ways and saw nothing, in a second the voice said wait a minute and behold a motorcycle driver sped by. I am grateful for the angel as I would have surely hit the person straight on. I hear my angel saying go to this floor and visit and there is someone there I didn't expect that needed something I could provide. I am grateful for this frequent guiding voice in my life.
Have you ever thought of the fact you also have an angel? Ask your angel to speak to you to guide you and you will be surprised. I have heard positive encouragement and also warnings like Don't go there? I headed the warning and was spared harm and grief.
Get to know your angel and you will also be grateful. 

RESPECT FOR LIFE

In the Catholic churches the 1st Sunday of October is designated as Respect for Life Sunday. It is a reminder for us to respect all life

The priest today in his homily said be glad you are alive. Today you are alive so you can extend respect to the world.

We often don't think of ourselves in these remembrance days

I found myself thinking of who are the people I come in contact with whose life is not respected. I couldn't help but think of the older people I meet daily whose families are at a distance and they are facing a illness. They are often all alone and in less than respectful situations. Is there someone elderly you can extend yourself to that will let them know they are not forgotten and are respected.
I also found myself thinking of the many homeless children, children needing school lunch because their parents have no jobs, means to assist them. Food panties in our area are low of food I am sure they are in your area as well. When you go shopping this week could you buy something and take it to a pantry in your area?

In refecting on respecting others what are some ways you could show respect for yourself? In your own quiet space maybe take a little time for your own reflection on what you do to respect yourself and thereby be more able to show respect to others.

Today is the feast of St. Therese known as the little flower.
She died at a young age of T.B.
I am sure you can imagine living with all women in a convent where they do not go out in the public can be very interesting, yet she was cheerful and saw her frustrations, trials and rejection by some as an opportunity to be in solidarity with those who are marginalized, rejected and misunderstood. She daily prayed for missionaries, those sent to help the poor and marginalized. She wanted to be a missionary but God called to a life of prayer. She full filled her desire by praying for missionaries. Who do you pray for?
I was thinking how do I cope with the little irritations and frustrations of daily life. Am I aware of the other? I really don't know the intentions of others so, do I  at first think the best of them, not always!
Today let us say a prayer asking God for whatever grace we need to be patient, kind, cheerful and accepting of each days trials the best we can. Praying for those in need where you may experience them.