“ When the challenges seem so much greater than your strength, you may wonder how you will get through this day or even this hour. At times like these you need to look back to past trials and tribulations that you have gone through and survived. Remember them? The same strength that enabled you to get through those earlier storms is still within you. Reach down deep and draw from this wellspring; allow it to replenish your soul.

Borrow strength from others – those ‘warriors ‘who have already fought and won the battles you are struggling with today. Rejoice in their victory; they are with you in spirit. Draw strength from those who are with you in the battle today, none of us truly walk alone.

Draw strength from the good things in your life – from the simplest to the greatest. Whether it’s a pretty little flower, a kind word from a friend, a walk in your favorite place, or a beautiful sunset – draw strength from anything good that touches your heart or your day.

Draw strength from those who love you – those who make your life richer by being a part of your days, those who will be there for you not only on sunny days but also on the cloudy ones, and those who hold you in the storms of life.

Have faith in yourself. Draw strength from your faith. And know in your heart that, just as before, this time will pass – because you have strength for today.” – Nancy Sims

 God is that strength in us! Need I say more? Amen

“ The world will not fall apart or leave you behind if you allow yourself a few moments of quiet.

There is no need for stress and struggle. Everything that is meant to be will be – with or without your help.

So relax, find your balance, and remember… breathe.” Lisa Butler

I don’t know about you but there are times that I think I need to fix everything. I remember reading somewhere …

“Relax, Jesus already saved the world.” Wow, what a liberating statement. Thank you Jesus for taking care of each one of us.

“Repeat after me: I am strong. I am special. I can do anything.

Sometimes life throws hurtles in our path, but we just have to keep on going full speed ahead, looking inside ourselves for the courage to leap over them and never look back.

You are a strong and remarkable person, and you can do anything. May you always believe in yourself.” – Natalie Evans

This is a powerful message.

Do we really believe it? Jesus tells us this every day.

Have we ever thought of God as our cheerleader?

“ Because of the attitude of discipleship we can go to our tasks knowing that God dwells with us, strengthening and encouraging us. The yoke is easier and the burden lighter because it is for him that we are at work. It is his love that gives life to our ministry. It is our great desire to share this love that energizes our work. We follow Jesus and we, too, take care of ourselves by going to the quiet hillside of our lives and renewing our love with the Father. In those moments apart from- as well as deep within- our ministry, we constantly draw strength and encouragement to give ourselves to others. It is a love that ebbs and flows from the Father’s generosity. It moves through us to others. This is how Jesus came to his ministry and it is how we are meant to come to ours.” Joyce Rupp



Each one of us is called to discipleship. Jesus is with us helping us along the way even at times when we don’t feel his presence. It is Jesus’s love that keeps each one of us going. When things are tough we need to stop and reflect how Jesus is there present with each one of us

“ On the bright fall morning of September 11, 2001, firefighters across New York were summoned to a scene of unimaginable horror: two hijacked airliners had crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center. As firefighters rushed into the burning buildings they were accompanied by their chaplain, Father Mychal Judge. Hundreds of them would die that day, among the nearly 3000 fatalities in New York, Washington DC and Pennsylvania. Fr. Judge would be among them.

In the days that followed, the story of his life and his sacrifice would become known around the world: how he had join the Franciscans at the age of 15, how he had acquired a wide reputation for his ministry among the poor and homeless, alcoholics, victims of AIDS, and his outreach to the gay community and to others alienated or marginalized in the Church. There were stories about his own struggles with alcohol and his recovery with the help of Alcoholics Anonymous. And stories of his love for the firefighters, his courage in joining them on the front lines, his support as they coped with stress and sorrow. There seemed to be special meaning in the fact the Father Mychal was listed as the first certified casualty of 9/11. A photograph of his fellow fireman carrying his body from the wreckage to a neighboring church became an icon of that day: an image of loving service and sacrifice, a hopeful answer to messages born of fear and fanaticism.”

“ When I don’t know what’s next, I get down on my knees and pray, Lord, take me, mold me, fashion me, show me what You want. Then I watch and listen and it will come.” – Fr. Mychal Judge

We say we will never forget but unfortunately in some of our cities there are people who have forgotten.

Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will turn their hearts and they work for justice the way Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. worked