The Truth That Sets Us Free

April 29-Saint Catherine of Siena, a photo by -Sancta Maria, Mater Dei~ on Flickr.

This reflection was offered yesterday in the Magnificat.  To me it is a treasure.  It's here because I don't want to lose it.

Saint Catherine of Siena says:

It is easy to see Christ's patient forbearance...in the face of our sins, how he seems to pretend not to see...  What great patience, that he disregards the wrong done him!  On the cross he hears the clamor of those who first shouted, "Crucify him!" and now challenge him to come down from the cross.  And he cries, "Father, forgive them!"  He does not move when they shout that he should come down, but stays there till the end.

Then he joyously shouts, "It is finished!"  Yes, those seem to be sorrowful words, but they were words of joy to that soul aflame and consumed in the fire of divine charity, the soul of the incarnate Word, God's Son.   It is as if the gentle Jesus  wanted to say, "I have completely fulfilled what was written of me.  Fulfilled too is my painful desire to redeem the human race.  I am happy, exultant, that I have finished this suffering.  I have fulfilled the commission given me by my father, a commission I so longed to accomplish..."

Shame, shame on our human pride, our self complacency, our self-centeredness, when we see how good God has been to us, how many gifts and graces he had given us--and not because he has to but because he wants to.  Obtuse as we are, we seem not to see or feel this love so hot that, if we were made of stone, it would long ago have burst us open!...  Unhappy me!  I can see no other reason except that the eye of our understanding is not focused on the tree of the cross.  For there is revealed such warm love, such gently persuasive teaching has torn open his very body, has shed his life's blood and with that blood has baptized and bathed us.  We can and should make use of the baptism every day with continual remembrance and great love.  ~~Saint Catherin of Siena~~

Saint Catherine of Siena (+1380), Doctor of the Church, was a Dominican, stigmatist, and papal counselor.

Most eye-opening.  A lesson here to be learned by all, especially me!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Music Monday~~Everyday God

This song calls me to my center, My God. I am called to the comfort, the love, to the one who is my salvation, my all!!!

~~^j^~~
Thanks be go God!

Please join in this Music Monday by visiting Shawntele's lovely blog Saved By Grace each Monday for a musical and inspiring start to your week. She hosts Music Monday where we are invited to post a song or video. This is an opportunity to share the music that lift your soul and enlightens your life.

One Thousand Gifts

Gifts
Precious Treasures
Given with love, affection
Welcomed with open arms and love
Presents

On Mondays I write down the things for which I am grateful. The more I do this the more I find I am saying Thank You during each day. This is a blessing!!! And so I begin!

***

36. Colored leaves

37. Smiling faces

38. Barking dogs

39. Singing children

40. Fragrance of roses

41. Cherished memories

42. Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi and his simplicity

43. Lessons learned

44. Well worn shoes

45. Tooth paste

God Calling

I have been reintroduced to God Calling edited by A. J. Russell. I used this book some thirty years ago when we lived in Oklahoma. A friend offered it to me then and now Norma has offered it to me again. I think God did hear my plea. This book as again offered me solace and encouragement in prayer. For several months it seems I have only been treading water. Today with both feet wet I have begun to wade with the Lord in comfortable waters, with less fear of drowning.

Today's reflection:

Learn of no one but Me. Teachers are to point the way to Me. After that you must accept Me, the Great Teacher.

The words of Eternal Life are all the words controlling your being, even controlling your temporal life. Take these too from Me. Have no fear. Abide in Me and accept My ruling.

Be full of gratitude. Wing up your prayers on Praise to Heaven. Take all that happens as My planning. all is well. I have all prepared in My love. Let your heart sing.

~~~^j^~~~
And so I say,
Thanks be to God!!!

One Thousand Gifts

Gifts
Precious Treasures
Given with love, affection
Welcomed with open arms and love
Presents

***+***

16. Glorious blue sky that as my sister-in-law says, offers another "Bluebird Day."

17. Laughter and its healing power.

18. The gathering of people as they witness unconsciously to their loving humanity.

19. Friends smiles.

20. The wonders of the universe.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

There are days when I don't think I'm very special. Those days when I lose my temper over petty things, cleaning up a mess in the kitchen while others are playing or having to do laundry at work because no one else will. I'm a great fan of the "Pity Party." The truth is I really feel awful when I do this. I don't like ME at all when I do this. And no one notices the "pucker lip" or pouty face. They have their own problems...Why do I do it then? I guess it's because Satan gets his greatest pleasure out of seeing me unhappy! And I buy into HIS happiness. SHAME on ME!!!!!

Today I will try very hard to remember that "God Thinks I'm Special" and show the rest of those around me that I BELIEVE it!!! I will do the laundry with a smile and do the dishes humming a tune. God loves me and Satan doesn't. That makes all the difference in the world!!!!!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

When Will I Learn...

Paying bills has been a chore for me this month. For the first time in years here at the Keller Place money is tight. I have been able to pay off all our credit cards completely now for several years. Not so this month. Some I will only be able to pay 50% of. In the process I personally have expanded my greed. Now one must pay the piper.

Vacation Days are upon us. There is the trip this weekend to Charlotte to visit David, Kelly and the kids with a short jaunt to Alpharetta to see Jimmy and Kelly. And for a long time I have taken time off without pay as "a gift" for me so that we could travel. With only two weeks vacation, that doesn't leave a lot of time to travel. This year is an exception as we also have trips to MT/CO, NV and back to GA for the wedding of Jimmy and Kelly.

I am guided, AGAIN, by Matthew 6:25-34.

Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat [or drink], or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more that clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say 'What are we to wear?' All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.

I have to cling to this!!! He has provided for us always. He will continue to provide. I must stop thinking of myself and think of others in real need. When I become greedy I no longer think of others. Because of my extravagance in buying books, clothes, and food, I have diminished my offering at church and have been unable to give to the food bank and to Nick Seib who is in seminary. I must commit myself again to giving to others and not taking sooooo much myself.

Reflecting on these words I am certain, again, that the way has been shown to me. The wisdom of the Spirit has given options that we can pursue. First, we will be cutting the trip to MT/CO short by two days so that I can be back at work and not have to take too many days without pay. That at least is a start!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!!!!