December 21, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection is from Living Faith:
Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled. Luke 1:45
“During Advent, we find ourselves looking all the more to Mary as our model of faith. Whether or not we have any particular devotion to her, the story of her faith during these Advent days can be transforming for us, if we allow it to be. Mary’s ‘yes’ to God her willingness to be and do the impossible, speaks to all of us who are trying to make sense of the puzzles and pain life may throw our way.
With Mary as example and guide, ‘Hail Mary, full of grace’ becomes ‘Here I am, full of grace.’ ‘Blessed are you among women’ becomes ‘blessed am I called to live in the world.’ ‘Blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus’ is transformed into ‘Blesses is the fruit of my life, Jesus. Mary becomes our model of prayer because, like her, we are also called to bring Christ to those who need him.” Steve Givens
Mary can teach us so much if we only take the time and turn to her. ?

December 20, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection is from Living Faith:
And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Luke 1:35
“At first, Mary could not imagine how the angel’s proclamation that she would bear a son would be fulfilled. Yet when the angel assured her of the power of God’s Spirit, Mary responded with faith in God‘s trustworthiness as well as an openness to mystery.
Sooner or later, we all experience moments of doubt and times when we question how some perplexing situation will be resolved. There are no easy explanations for the sometimes wonderful, or sometimes painful, events of our lives.
Like Mary, we are invited to make room in our hearts for mystery.
In these final days of Advent, we are challenged to let go of our natural desire for certainty and security and entrust ourselves and our loved ones to the mystery of God.
Lord, may we trust that your Spirit continues to bring new creation out of chaos or uncertainty.” Terri Mifek
I think that these words are so appropriate for our church today!?

December 19, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
“We cannot choose how many years we will live, but we can choose how much life those years will have. We cannot control the beauty of our face, but we can control the expression on it. We cannot control life‘s difficult moments, but we can choose to make life less difficult. We cannot control the negative atmosphere of the world, but we can control the atmosphere of our minds. Too often we try to choose and control things we cannot. Too seldom we choose to control what we can…our
attitude.” Author unknown
Two people can go through the exact same situation and have different reactions because of attitude.

December 18, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
“All of us long for peace. We search for it in every way and in every place but in the one way and one place where it must eventually be found. And where is it to be found? In thought that is loving…
Peace isn’t separate from you. You are peace. When you think loving thoughts toward others you are peaceful.” W. Norman Cooper

December 17, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
“Spend awhile in the garden or the park or the path amongst the trees. Do the things that please you, as well as the things you have to do. Fulfill the work and the tasks of the day while discovering something new and different along the way. Grow, learn, reach out. Be curious. Be childlike.
Remember what imagination is all about. Share a smile, a feeling, a certain personal thought from the heart, from the soul. Care. Kick off your shoes. Sing along with your song. Be less concerned about what others think of you. Be more accepting of the very special person who lives inside you.” Collin McCarty
Let us pause and remember that each of us was made in the image and likeness of God.
God’sspirit remains in each one of us. Let us share that joy and love with all who we meet

December 16, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
“Make time in your busy schedule now and then to contemplate and slow way down-to gaze at the landscape, marvel at the beauty and the majesty of the trees, and look up until you can almost touch that big, out of reach blue sky. Be thankful you can see.
Be still and hear the sounds around you. Listen to the birds speaking their own language. Hear the universe singing and the world making its music in concert with the rhythms of the traffic. Tune in to those melodies in your heart for inspiration. Be glad you can hear.
Breathe in hope and joy, and feel the life-giving air. Breathe out fear and regret. Don’t worry about doing anything this moment except being where you are. Feel the harmony of your relationship with every living thing. Be mindful of the people who are positive influences in your life.
Take the time to fall in love with life with the innocence and wonder of a child.” Donna Fargo
God has given us so many gifts! Let us pause and think God for the beauty that surrounds us.

December 15, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
“Never allow anyone to discourage you from following your dreams. Surround yourself with encouraging and helpful people -optimists who will get you excited about your dreams and goals.
Surround yourself with supportive people – the ones who tell you that giving up is crazy because you are so good at what you do.
You cannot waste the passion and talent you have been blessed with. Don’t allow the negative people to bring you down… let the positive ones lift you up.” April Aragam

December 14, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
“Never allow anyone to discourage you from following your dreams. Surround yourself with encouraging and helpful people -optimists who will get you excited about your dreams and goals.
Surround yourself with supportive people – the ones who tell you that giving up is crazy because you are so good at what you do.
You cannot waste the passion and talent you have been blessed with. Don’t allow the negative people to bring you down… let the positive ones lift you up.” April Aragam

December 13, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today is from Living Faith:
I see him, though not now; I behold him, though not near. Numbers 24:17
“My dear aunt and godmother, Lucy, had keen eyesight. I don’t know if that’s attributable to her name saint, Lucia, patron of eyes. Lucy had keen inner sight too-a woman of faith and prayer all her life. Even when her body and mind were less strong, she kept her eyes focused on what really matters.
Today we hear the words ‘of one who sees what the Almighty sees, enraptured and with eyes
unveiled’ (verse 4), joyful and full of wonder. These Advent days are given to help us come closer to seeing things as they really are. It is the pure of heart, Jesus told us, who will see God. Our inner vision is strengthened by prayer, and Advent can help us pray. Can we encourage each other in staying strong in prayer and purifying our hearts? We want to be able to recognize Christ whenever and wherever he arrives, as the shepherds recognized him even in a lowly manger.
Teach me to see, dear Lord to see you and to see as you see.” Mary Marrocco
Advent is a time to come closer to our God.?

December 12, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
Take nothing for granted: the sheer act of waking each day; fresh air upon your cheeks; each effort expended on self or another-walking the dog, shopping for food, toiling at home, in an office, or on the road. Every moment is rare, short, and full of glory. Every word is magic; a story achieved through will. Marvel at nature’s moods as mirror of your own. Recall a sunrise or sunset, a flock of geese in the sky.
Care about parents or children as fragile gifts, like petals on a rose, like songs from one bird. Praise the simple or complex-the invention of flight above clouds; the wheel; a rocking chair. We rise and fall in the moon or a wave, in a smile or many tears. And being brave is to be alive as we give and share love always, only and ever to survive.” Rochelle Lynn Holt