Love Your Enemies

And thus we are called.  It is not a request.  It is a command.  As followers of Jesus we are commanded to do one of the most difficult things to do in our lives.  Yes.  Love my enemies.  

I will be on retreat this weekend at St. Meinrad Archabbey and  I will be pondering the words I have been called to print here.  I must be in need of this as the Holy Spirit is not frivolous in his actions.  And so I will pray for you and I ask for prayers for me to our merciful Father. 

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Words of Encouragement!

Let your heart delight in the love your God has for you, personally, individually.

~Saint Katherine Drexel~

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Personally and individually he LOVES me!

Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy

Padre Pio

No pilgrim soul can worthily love God. But when a Soul does everything possible and trust in divine mercy, why would Jesus reject such a spirit? Has he not commanded us to love God according to our strength? If you have given and consecrated everything to God, why be afraid? ~Saint Padre Pio~

Padre Pio, a photo by uCatholic on Flickr.

~~~^j^~~~

Knowing this and having it reaffirmed I say,

Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy

John Angotti "Feed My Lambs"

I am reminded that I am called to feed his lambs. I pray for the strength to do Your will. It was a weekend of joy and jubliation. New birth and family love. "Feed my Sheep."

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Thanks be to God!!!!!

Holy Visitor

I am visited often in the darkness of my soul by the Holy Visitor. He brings me the light of grace. This light brightens my life and gives me hope. He brings with him love that nourishes my soul and gives me the courage to go on. He sees my imperfections and loves me all the same. Having him enter my soul and by making him welcome is the highlight of my life.

Knowing he lives in me and that I carry him wherever I go causes me to frequently pause and thank the Father for sending His Son, the Holy Visitor. I am immanently aware of his presence everyday and even more so when I cause the light of His grace to dim when I am less his friend and more the friend of the "unholy visitor." I am disappointed in myself, but am once again consoled by Him-Who-Is-Holy and am assured that I am worth it.

All praise and glory to the name of Jesus through the Father and the Holy Spirit who provide this grace, this holy light to my soul!

~~~^j^~~~

Truly and sincerely,
Thanks be to God!!!

Practicing Christians

The world's greatest need
is not more Christians
but more Christians
who practice their Christianity.

This was the reflection today in Mission 2000 (B Cycle) It struck me as most true. There are many of us who claim Christianity as our own. If someone asks me if I am Christian I immediately answer, 'Yes." I was born a Christian. I was raised a Christian. And even more important, I was born and raised a Catholic Christian.

The question for me is how well do I LIVE my life as a Catholic Christian. Do I love the Lord my God with all my heart and soul, and do I love my neighbor as myself. Am I selfish or selfless as a Christian. As the song says, "They will know we are Christians by our love." Will they recognize that in me? I wonder! I can only hope so and keep trying to be a "good and faithful servant."

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Thanks be to God!