November 19, 2020

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today:
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”- Thessalonians 5:16-18
In this reading, St. Paul words are short, simple and to the point but powerful.
Each one of us is called to do this each day, not just in November or at Thanksgiving but every day of our lives.?

November 17, 2020

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today:
“Gratitude is the expression of appreciation for what one has. It is a recognition of value independent of monetary worth. Spontaneously generated from within, it is an affirmation of goodness and warmth. This social emotion strengthens relationships, and its roots run deep in evolutionary history-emanating from the survival value of helping others and being helped in return. Studies show that specific areas of the brain are involved in experiencing and expressing gratitude.
Gratitude is a spontaneous feeling but increasingly, research demonstrates its value as a practice – that is, making conscious efforts to count ones blessings. Studies show that people can deliberately cultivate gratitude-and there are important social and personal benefits to doing so. It is possible to feel grateful for loved ones, colleagues, animals, nature, and life in general. The emotion generates a climate of positivity that both reaches inward and extends outward.” – Psychology Today
There are so many things going on in our world right now that caused so much stress.
My mother always said of all the holidays she loved Thanksgiving most of all because it was a day set aside to be thankful for everything. Each one of us can make a conscious effort to be grateful for at least one thing every day.
Now thank we all our God with hearts and hands and voices

November 16, 2020

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today:
“Gratitude has a wonderful effect on our soul. it opens our mind, clearing the way for wisdom and contentment to enter. Once you become grateful, the prison bars of your mind fall away. Peace of mind and contentment will be yours”  – Sydney Banks
We can show our gratitude to God by praying and thanking God for the many gifts that have been given to us.
During the rest of this month of November, let us stop and thank God for all the many gifts given to us.

November 14, 2020

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today:
“Jesus calls us to gratitude. He calls us to recognize that gladness and sadness are never separate, that joy and sorrow really belong together, and that mourning and dancing are part of the same movement. That is why Jesus calls us to be grateful for every moment that we have lived and to claim our unique journey as God’s way to mold our hearts to greater conformity with God’s own. The cross is the main symbol of our faith, and it invites us to find hope where we see pain and to reaffirm the resurrection where we see death. The call to be grateful is a call to trust that every moment of our life can be claimed as the way of the cross that leads us to new life.”  – Henri Nouwen
Each day during this November let us pause and thank God for all of life.
Unfortunately, suffering is a part of our life but Jesus takes our suffering and gives us the grace to get through difficult times. Jesus also is there celebrating with us when we are happy.
When I first entered the Sisters of Mercy, I met Sister Miriam who was blind. I will never forget when she said she saw her blindness as a gift. She told me she “saw” more things being blind than if she could see. She was one of the happiest people that I ever met. What a grace!?

November 13, 2020

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today:
“ Gracious God, thank you for the gift of today. Refresh me… invite me… to discover your presence in each person that I meet and every event encountered. Teach me when to speak and when to listen; when to ponder and when to share. In moments of challenge and decision attune my heart to the whispering of Your wisdom. As I undertake ordinary and unnoticed tasks gift me with simple joy. When the day goes well may I rejoice! When it grows difficult, surprise me with new possibilities. When life is overwhelming call me to Sabbath moments to restore Your peace and harmony. May my living today reveal Your goodness. Amen” – Anonymous
This prayer reminds us of how God’s love is so intertwined in our lives.
Many times we just go on with our life not stopping and reflecting.
One of the gifts of this pandemic is that I have heard many people have taken the time to stop and reflect. Taking time to thank God for the “little things” in our lives.

November 12, 2020

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today:
“When you sit down to eat, pray. When you eat bread, do so thanking God for being so generous to you. If you drink wine (or coffee), be mindful of God who has given it to you for your pleasure and as a relief in sickness. When you dress, thank God for His kindness in providing you with clothes. When you look at the sky and the beauty of the stars, throw yourself at God’s feet and adore Him who ordered things this way. When the sun goes down and when it rises, when you are asleep or awake, give thanks to God, who created and arranged all things for your benefit, to have you know, love and praise their creator.”  – Basil the Great
I can’t believe that this was written in 330 AD.
It’s amazing how fitting it is for today as well.
During this month let us take each day and thank God for the many gifts that have been given to each one of us. ?

November 11, 2020

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today:
“Dear Lord, today we honor our veterans, worthy men and women who gave their best when they were called upon to serve and protect their country. We pray that you will bless them, Lord, for their unselfish service in the continual struggle to preserve our freedoms, our safety, and our countries heritage, for all of us.
Bless them abundantly for the hardships they faced, for the sacrifices they made, for their many different contributions to America’s victories over tyranny and oppression. We respect them, we thank them, we honor them, we are proud of them, and we pray that you will watch over these special people and bless them with peace and happiness. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.”  – Joanna Fuchs
Thank you God for all those who have served our country through all the different military services.
May God continue to bless them and keep them. I pray in a special way for my uncles and my grand nephew.???

November 9, 2020

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today is from our Mercy Prayer Book:
“ The joys and sorrows of our lives follow one another, O God, as night follows day. Help us to accept moments of doubt or discouragement as readily as we accept times of joy and gladness, knowing that you ‘will soon come, both hands filled with favors and blessings.’ We ask this through Jesus who sufferings gave way to resurrection. Amen”
There are so many ups and downs in our lives but God is always faithful.
This prayer reminds us that Jesus lead by example. He enjoyed life to the fullest: sharing meals with friends, having a sense of humor, taking time for prayer, and in the end taking on his sufferings which eventually turned to resurrection. whatever we are going through, whether great times or difficult times Jesus understands 100%.
Let us thank God for giving us the gift of Jesus

November 8, 2020

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera

My reflection today: Let us stop and thank God for all of our days! I thank God for the Saint Joseph community!
These past two days, I did two graveside services.
It was so touching to see families from the Saint Joseph church community and the Saint Joseph school community.??