Mercy and Forgiveness

In this mortal life mercy and forgiveness are
the part that always leads us to grace.

~Blessed Julian of Norwich~~

~~~^j^~~~
Encouraging words.
Thanks be to God!!

Cathy

Begin With Thanksgiving

Southern Illinois, 12/30/2011

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.  ~~2Peter 3: 18~~

~~~~~

You can never say

Thank you to God too often

God is generous

All that I receive 

Is generously given

I reply, thank you

~~~^j^~~

Thanks be to God!!

Cathy

Note: This picture has not been enhanced, only cropped.  This is the glory of God!

Seeds of Sin

Do you know that often a root has split a rock
when allowed to remain in it?
Give no place to the seed of evil, seeing that it
break up your faith.
~Saint Cyril of Jerusalem~

This is a wonderful analogy. Read it again. I have considered my soul a garden. Yes, and have even compared the Sacrament of Reconciliation as the pruning hook. At the same time I have only considered the visible results of my weeds and flowers. I haven't considered the roots. In order for the garden to flourish it needs to be tended in other ways that by pruning. It needs to be cultivated and fed. I overlook that at times and like today I am reminded again. There is a lot of work to do in the garden if it is to flower in grace to avoid a "break up in [my] faith."

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

Music Monday~~Amazing Grace

One of my favorite hymns sung by three angelic voices!!! Let the words and music settle deep inside you! God be praised!!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

If you wish to join in this Music Monday visit 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.

Lesson Well Learned Again

So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.
Hebrews 4:16

I was taught a lesson in accepting grace this morning by Duchess, our dog. As Ron was leaving for work, she rushed passed him and jumped in the car. Coaxing her to come in didn't work. When she got out of the car she ran to the other side of the street, all of this in the dark, fog of a 5:00 a.m. morning. One cannot yell at that hour, though I really wanted to, so I thought enticing her with a treat. After several minutes she was in the house, sitting "pretty" for her treat. I really didn't want to give her the treat because she had been such a pest, but she got the treat non-the-less. In just a few more minutes she would probably do something again that would annoy me, but because she is so cute, she'll get the treat again.

It occurred to me, when I was giving Duchess the treat, that God performs this same ritual with me several times a day! I am given his glorious gift of grace each time I follow his way! And when I "rush pass" him doing my own thing, he is still there coaxing me back with that "treat" called grace. So, even though he probably doesn't want to give me the grace because I don't deserve it, he loves me so much that he bestows it on me anyway. It is comforting to know that God thinks I'm worth coaxing. It is wonderful to know that when I fail, I have been redeemed. So, it is that I am so grateful for the gift of GRACE!

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

Living the Faith

Providence Cross
Picture by Jody O'Neil, SP
2009

Since it belongs to the supernatural order, grace escapes our experience and cannot be know except by faith. We cannot therefore rely on our feelings or our works to conclude that we are justified and saved. [Council of Trent, 1547] However, according to the Lord's words, "Thus you will know them by their fruits." [Matthew 7:20]--reflection God's blessing in our life and in the lives of the saints offers us a guarantee that grace is the work in us and spurs us on to an ever greater faith and an attitude of trustful poverty.

A pleasing illustration of this attitude is found in the reply of St. Joan of Arc to a question posed as a trap by her ecclesiastical judges. 'Asked id she knew that she was in God's grace, she replied, "If am not, may it please God to put me int; if I am , May it please god to keep me there. [Acts of the Trial of St. Joan of Arc] (Catechism of the catholic Church)

This was the introduction to today's Mass in the Daily Roman Missal. A number of times in my life I have been told that because I was not born again by Protestant standards I was condemned to Hell. When I was six years old and was told this, I was devastated. By the grace of God and the love of family I was encouraged to continue faithfully on my journey.

Some 25 years later when playing cards with friends one rainy afternoon, I was again asked if I was born again. It was suggested at that time if I wanted to be saved I would have to leave the church I was attending and be baptized again in the Lord. Confident that I was where I should be in my faith life and certain that this judgment of me and my faith did not come from my Father, I could smile and say, " God bless you. "

Trials like this have had an impact on the life of everyone born into this world. Judgments and claims against our faith come from everywhere. Our Catholic Christian witness comes from the works of good we attempt to perform daily in our lives. Some days these are successful and other days they fail. Through it all the Holy Spirit is the guide, and the grace He infuses into our being is what gives us the strength to carry on. It gives us the courage to say, I am Roman Catholic. I am born again in the body and blood of my Savior, Jesus Christ, every day! With each profession of faith I renew that Baptismal Promise.

I am truly blessed to be a member of the Family of God that supports, nurtures and loves me. Joy is overwhelming at times when I am privileged to CELEBRATE the Mass with this family, joy to the point of tears!

I have learned that though it is easy for me to judge others regarding their practices, religion, or philosophies because they are not mine, it is not my place to place judgement on another. I remember how I have been judged, though not harshly, and remind myself that an act of charity is what I am called to offer not one of anger, disgust or derision. Constructive criticism not judgment is the task set forth for me. I am NOT the Judge. That is left to the God-Who-Created-All. I can only express my regret or disappointment.

As Joan of Arc was judged by jealous members of the hierarchy, she had the "grace" and spirit-filled wisdom to answer with serenity. I find that in the lives of the saints we find models of justice and truth that many cannot or will not accept, because that requires submission of all that we are to the God-Who-Created-All.

I remind myself that casting stones very often means I might end up with a stone in my own shoe that becomes a painful reminder. A reminder that I am not superior to all others, if anything in the scheme of things I am the very least!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!