Monday, December 21, 2009

Arise!



USCCB - (NAB) - December 21, 2009:

"“Arise, my beloved, my dove, my beautiful one,
and come!
“For see, the winter is past,
the rains are over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth,
the time of pruning the vines has come,
and the song of the dove is heard in our land.
The fig tree puts forth its figs,
and the vines, in bloom, give forth fragrance.
Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one,
and come!"

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Take refuge in the name of the Lord



USCCB - (NAB) - December 15, 2009

But I will leave as a remnant in your midst
a people humble and lowly,
Who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD:
the remnant of Israel.


Why is humility so darn important in the spiritual life...and what does it mean to be humble anyway? First of all 'humility' is not about debasing yourself in anyway. True humility is about accepting youself exactly as you are as a child of God and in need of His mercy. The importance of it is that without coming to grips with who you are and who God is, you will not be able to fully rely on Him (take refuge in his name) the way you were designed to.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Captured by J-O-Y




USCCB - (NAB) - December 13, 2009

"Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!
The LORD, your God, is in your midst,
a mighty savior;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
and renew you in his love,
he will sing joyfully because of you,
as one sings at festivals."


What an amazing picture this paints...the Lord singing for joy on our behalf. Woohooo. On this Gaudete Sunday, what if we change our perspective a little bit. Instead of focusing on our own JOY, or lack of it. What if we put the focus on how much the Lord loves us and how happy we make Him. Then go ahead and spread it around to others.

J=Jesus
O=Others
Y=You

Who knows maybe you'll even be captured by joy. God bless!

Saturday, December 12, 2009

December 12th (rejoice)




USCCB - (NAB) - December 12, 2009

Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
“Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled.”

And Mary said:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”



"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice; let your forbearance be known to all, for the Lord is near at hand; have no anxiety about anything, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God."

Tomorrow we light the pink candle in our Advent wreath and celebrate Gaudete Sunday...and the command is to rejoice. Even from His hiding place in His mother's womb, Jesus has been bringing joy to the world.

Even when circumstances are difficult, may this weekend be filled with hope and may the Lord fill our hearts with joy!

Friday, December 11, 2009

Obedience



USCCB - (NAB) - December 11, 2009

Reading 1
Is 48:17-19

Thus says the LORD, your redeemer,
the Holy One of Israel:
I, the LORD, your God,
teach you what is for your good,
and lead you on the way you should go.
If you would hearken to my commandments,
your prosperity would be like a river,
and your vindication like the waves of the sea;
Your descendants would be like the sand,
and those born of your stock like its grains,
Their name never cut off
or blotted out from my presence.


The Lord is pleading with us to obey Him and even goes as far as to offer us incentive after incentive to do so. So...here we go...another day...another opportunity to re-dedicate our lives to the Lord and be in His service (which simply means obedience to His will). This realy is the only path that leads to life!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

December 10, 2009






USCCB - (NAB) - December 10, 2009

"The afflicted and the needy seek water in vain,
their tongues are parched with thirst.
I, the LORD, will answer them;
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
I will open up rivers on the bare heights,
and fountains in the broad valleys;
I will turn the desert into a marshland,
and the dry ground into springs of water.
I will plant in the desert the cedar,
acacia, myrtle, and olive;
I will set in the wasteland the cypress,
together with the plane tree and the pine,
That all may see and know,
observe and understand,
That the hand of the LORD has done this,
the Holy One of Israel has created it
."


How often do we ourselves 'seek water in vain'...we look for and try to grab whatever we think will console our longing hearts. However, it is the Lord alone that can truly satisfy. The amazing, beautiful things that He has in store for us if only we trust Him is beyond our comprehension.

May you experience God's abundant blessings today.

Essy

Catholic Reflections

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

YouTube - While I'm Waiting by John Waller {Fireproof music video with lyrics}

Renewal of Strength

USCCB - (NAB) - December 9, 2009: "They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength,
they will soar as with eagles’ wings;
They will run and not grow weary,
walk and not grow faint."


I just LOVE today's readings. God is so good and gives me just what I need, when I need it.

Gospel
Mt 11:28-30

Jesus said to the crowds:
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

You would think that the days that lead up to Christmas would be filled with peace of mind and joy filled hearts. Instead we often find that so many things come along to pull us away and we lose our focus. In these readings, the Lord is gently pulling us back and showing us the One True thing that really matters...Him. He is the One that will provide what our hearts are searching for (and then some). What are you 'laboring' for this Advent Season? What is burdening you? Take His yoke upon you and learn from Him! (submission and obedience are key in this)

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Loved beyond Measure

Loved Beyond Measure

In case you are wondering...I've started blogging again. You can check it out at the ablove link. It is a bit more personal then this one.

Monday, June 1, 2009

YouTube - trust in the lord

YouTube - trust in the lord

Happy are those who fear the LORD

USCCB - NAB - Psalm 112: "Psalms
Chapter 112
1
1 Hallelujah! 2 Happy are those who fear the LORD, who greatly delight in God's commands.
2
Their descendants shall be mighty in the land, generation upright and blessed.
3
3 Wealth and riches shall be in their homes; their prosperity shall endure forever.
4
They shine through the darkness, a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and just.
5
All goes well for those gracious in lending, who conduct their affairs with justice.
6
They shall never be shaken; the just shall be remembered forever.
7
They shall not fear an ill report; their hearts are steadfast, trusting the LORD.
8
Their hearts are tranquil, without fear, till at last they look down on their foes.
9
4 Lavishly they give to the poor; their prosperity shall endure forever; their horn shall be exalted in honor.
10
The wicked shall be angry to see this; they will gnash their teeth and waste away; the desires of the wicked come to nothing."