"Do good while you still have time."

St. John Bosco

Jesus Came for Sinners

“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”  (Mark 2:17)

Jesus came to call all people to His Father.  None are without sin.  Everyone sins.  It's just that the righteous choose to live their lives in obedience to God’s will and seek to walk in grace.  They sin, but they are aware of the immensity of Jesus' love and the depth of His mercy and seek Him regularly through prayer and forgiveness.

The unrighteous may have known Jesus' love at some point but they have chosen sinful lives over lives of virtue and grace.  They choose to walk in darkness.  They are precisely the ones Jesus pursues tirelessly with His love, mercy and forgiveness.

We should pray for all those who are far from God and love them no matter what they have said or done.  At some point we may have been the ones who were far from God and afraid that we were too sinful for His love and forgiveness.  We may have been the ones living immersed in sin.  We may now choose grace and virtue, but that may not have always been the case.

Jesus calls us to be loving and forgiving of ourselves and others, to lead people to Him through our prayers and actions.  If we let His presence within us shine brightly, maybe others will be drawn to Him.  If we let the Holy Spirit move within us maybe those who encounter us will question some of their choices and begin to seek grace.  Maybe, just maybe, they will see Jesus within us if we love unconditionally and be drawn back into the fullness of His love.  May we be His instruments of love.

Prayer:

Jesus, I know You came for all sinners and I am so grateful for Your mercy, love and forgiveness. May those who are far from You choose to turn to You and seek Your forgiveness and healing love.  May they choose virtue over vice and become Your living presence in the world.  Amen.

"The Holy Spirit is the one who teaches us every truth."

St. Angela Merici

"Do now - Do now - what you'll wish you had done when your moment comes to die."

St. Angela Merici

Love One Another

"Let us love one another, because love is from God." (1 John 4:7)

Jesus tells us to love one another.  He asks us to place the needs of others above our own and desire what is best for one another.  It is when we love one another that His love flows forth from our hearts manifesting itself for all the world to see.  It is His love pouring forth from us that will draw hearts to Him.  We know that it is His desire that not one soul be lost.  May we love deeply, and fully and allow Jesus to bless through us.

Prayer:

Lord, I know that You are love itself.  May I not only love You, but may I allow You to love others through me at all times.  Help me to love fully and deeply as You do.  Amen.

Hope Eternal

"May the eyes of your heart be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing power for us who believe."  (Ephesians 1:18)

Jesus calls us to be a people of hope - for a joyful life in this world and eternal happiness in heaven. We are called to await with hope-filled anticipation the day we will be joined with Jesus forever in heaven.  Eternal life is the greatest gift He gives us - an inheritance of eternal peace and joy, of eternal hymns of praise and thanksgiving, of eternal union with Him in His Triune form.

God's power surpasses all understanding.  He has the power to give life in this world and to raise life to the fullness of glory in heaven.  He has the power to forgive, transform, and heal us in body, mind, heart, and soul.  He has defeated Satan with His almighty power and there is nothing He cannot do.  If we believe in His power it will be manifest in our lives through the Holy Spirit. So, let's embrace the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives and move in God's power and love with faith, hope, and trust.

Prayer:

Lord, You have overcome all.  You are all-powerful and all-knowing.  Fill my heart, mind and soul with the gifts of Your Spirit.  I want to be a person of hope and love.  Help me to be that for those around me.  Let Your hope and love, peace and joy fill me and through me touch the hearts of others.  Thank You for saving me.  Thank You for blessing me.  Thank You for all You do in my life.  Amen.

"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself.  Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them - every day begin the task anew."

St. Francis de Sales

Give Freely

"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded." ( Luke 12:48)

All of us have been given much.  We have so much in the way of blessings from God: talents we've been given; loved ones with which to share our lives; monetary sustenance; supportive and wonderful friends; homes in which to live; spiritual gifts to treasure and share.  Even if we do not have an over abundance of these things we always will have more than some and less than others.  But because we have been blessed with so much God will ask a great deal of us.  He will ask us to step out of our comfort zones and give what we have to others.  He will challenge us to give even when we think we do not have enough to share or think we have little or nothing to give.

The challenge is giving when we are asked to give no matter how we perceive the cost.  If we give much we will be given much more because God will not be outdone in generosity.  He gave entirely of Himself for us and He will give us everything we need to be generous, charitable, and caring in every circumstance.  So let's freely give from our hearts our gifts, talents, time, possessions, and money as soon as we are asked and stand back and watch with awe how abundantly God will bless those with whom we share and as well as us.

Prayer:

Lord, You have been immeasurably generous with me.  Help me to open my heart and be kind, caring, and generous with all those You send into my life.  I want to do Your will and share all You have blessed me with.  Help me to see the opportunities You give me to bless others and help me give without counting the cost.  Thank You , Lord.  Amen.

From a new prayer book I am writing/compiling.  It should be available in a couple of months.

Go to Jesus

"Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

I believe that Jesus calls to our hearts saying, "Come to Me.  Come to Me in prayer.  Come to Me in song.  Come to Me in the Blessed Sacrament.  Come to Me in Reconciliation.  Come to Me in Eucharist.  Come to Me at all times for I wait patiently for you to turn your eyes, ears, heart, mind, and soul to Me."  And, when we come to Jesus, He blesses us with the fullness of His love.  When we come to Him, He pours forth His mercy upon us.  When we come to Jesus, He opens His Heart to us and embraces us.  Only by resting in Him can we truly be refreshed and renewed.  Only in Jesus can we find peace for our weary souls.  And, as we rest in Jesus' love, He fortifies us and grants us every grace we need to be sustained in joy.  So let's go to Him and discover true rest.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, may I always come to You.  Help me to trust You and rest in You every moment of every day.  I know that only in You can I find true peace and true rest for my heart, mind, and soul.  Thank You for Your love.  Thank You for Your peace.  Thank You for always being there to bless me and fill me with Your merciful love.    Amen.

There are so many reasons for which we need to seek forgiveness on a daily basis.  So, I wrote this to help myself at the end of the day.

From a new book I am writing/compiling.  It should be available in a couple of months.

God's Grace

"My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Sometimes we try to live our lives outside grace.  We want peace and joy but find ourselves anxious and disturbed.  We struggle to find our way but everything is difficult for us.  We try to do all on our own without inviting God into our lives.  Life becomes a constant struggle as we place others and our work before God.  Outside God's grace we flounder.

If we only realized that when we are weakest God is strongest we would seek to be weak and small in His sight.  It is in our weakness that God moves in power and might.  It is precisely at our weakest moment that God is there to bless us with His love and mercy, to fill us with His grace.

God's grace is truly all we need.  His grace directs and perfects us.  His grace leads us to His love and the fullness of His mercy.  God's grace blesses us with the power of His Spirit.  God's grace strengthens and fortifies us with courage. God's grace fills us with every good gift.  His grace is all we need to have peace and joy.  May we live in God's grace.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, I wish to walk always in Your grace.  Send Your Spirit upon me to remind me to place everything I attempt in Your hands.  Outside You I can do nothing, but in Your grace I am strong and able.  Help me to turn to You when I am weak so that Your strength may be manifest in me. Amen.

There are so many kinds of addiction and addictions can be so difficult to overcome.  I know so many who are fighting the battle.  I hope this prayer will help.

From a new prayer book I am writing/compiling.  It should be available in a couple of months.

Be Reconciled

"I said, 'I confess my transgressions to the Lord,' and you forgave the guilt of my sin." (Psalm 32:5)

How true that the Lord forgives our sins and remembers them no more once confessed.  In Reconciliation He cleanses us of our sins and blesses us with restored grace.  We should turn to Him often and seek His forgiveness.  It awaits us and is there for us.  It is the Lord's joy to pour forth His mercy and love and forgive every transgression.  There is nothing He will not forgive.

As soon as we sin, we should turn to Jesus for forgiveness.  If we turn to Him in Reconciliation He will wipe our souls clean.  Once we are forgiven we need to let go of our guilt and walk joyfully in the assurance that God has forgiven us in His infinite mercy.  God loves us and wants us to walk in His grace with peace and joy, wisdom and understanding.  Let's not persist in feeling guilty or unforgiven, but walk humbly with the dignity of a loved, redeemed, forgiven child of God.

Prayer:

Lord, when I sin help me to turn immediately to You for forgiveness. Inspire me to go to the sacrament of Reconciliation often so I can walk in Your grace.  Help me to give You all the guilt and shame I feel over my sins and help me to openly and humbly receive all the mercy and love You pour out on me through forgiveness.  Thank You, Lord.  Amen.

Humbled or Exalted?

"For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." (Luke 14:11)

Everything we do we are called to do with humble submission to God Who is love.  No matter what we do we should allow God to love in us and through us.  When we humbly allow God to love in us and through us He is glorified and exalted.  In our humble surrender God can move with great power and majesty and it is God Who is experienced and seen not us.  

When we do things in order to be seen or acknowledged we are seeking glory for ourselves.  When we seek praise from others we are seeking to be lifted up and recognized for what we have done. And in that we have already received our reward.  We have not directed all the honor and glory to Gd Who has moved us to do and loved through us.

When the time comes for us to stand before God at judgement will we be humbled or exalted?  Will our actions have glorified God and pointed others to Him, to His love?  When asks, "How have You loved me?", what will our answer be?

Prayer:

Lord, I want to step aside and allow You to love in me and through me.  I want to have everything I do point to Your love, to honor and glorify You. Help me to be truly humble.  Help me to allow You to move with power and majesty in my life.  Thank You for all You do for me.  Amen.

Miracles

"You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples." (Psalm 77:14)

God works miracles all around us every day.  Miracles of healing of body, mind and soul.  Miracles in relationships.  Miracles of the heart.  His power is infinite and He manifests it mightily at all times in all places.

Some people do not believe in miracles, but I believe God works them all the time for the benefit of His people and out of His love for us.  Every person at some time has heard of the magnificence of God's power.  It is up to each of us to decide if we believe in His unlimited power to work miracles or not.  

Believe in miracles.  Open your eyes and your mind to the beauty of miracles. They are all around us.

Prayer:

Lord, open my eyes to all the miracles You work in my life.  I ask You to help me recognize when You have moved in my life or in the lives of those I care for with power and glory.  Help me to see Your movement clearly and give thanks always.   Amen.

"Time is short - eternity is long."

St. John Neumann