March 29, 2023

Posted on by Johanna Garcia
My reflection is from Living Faith:
I see four men unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire in the fourth looks like a son of God. Daniel 3:92
“Today’s story of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and the fiery furnace was by far my favorite Bible story growing up. It had everything a growing Christian child could ask for in a good story – danger from a wicked king, a challenge and call to faithfulness, courage and victory. And of course, there are heroes. It’s quite an adventure.
But it’s more than an old story. Reading it all these years later, perhaps it’s possible to see ourselves in the times we have walked through fires and come out unscathed. Though our lives of faith may not be as strong as these three men, when we have a hero who ‘looks like a son of God’, we can walk in the world differently and with the courage that allows us to remain unfettered, unhurt and never alone .
Blessed be our God. Blessed be the God of Shadrach Meshach and Abednego.” Steve Givens
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March 28, 2023

Posted on by Johanna Garcia
My reflection:
“Find happiness in nature in the beauty of a mountain in the serenity of the sea. Find happiness and friendship in the fun of doing things together in the sharing and understanding. Find happiness in your family in the stability of knowing that someone cares in the strength of love and honesty. Find happiness in yourself in your mind and body in your values and achievements. Find happiness in everything you do” Susan Polis Schutz

March 27, 2023

Posted on by Johanna Garcia
My reflection:
“Be authentic. Genuine. Honest. Sincere. Flaws and all. Assets galore. Don’t pretend to be someone else. Just be you. Amazing, one-of-a-kind, remarkable, refreshing, what a blessing to have you here… You!” Douglas Pagels
Let gods love shine through your life.?

March 26, 2023

Posted on by Johanna Garcia
My reflection is from Living Faith:
When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. John 11:17
The story of the raising of Lazarus shows a moment when Jesus is most human and most divine. He is most human: He really loves Martha, Mary and Lazarus. When he sees the others weeping for Lazarus, he is ‘perturbed and deeply troubled’ (verse 33). And when he stands outside the tomb of his good friend, he himself weeps. Such actions make us say of him, ‘He is truly one of us.’
At the same time, the account powerfully shows Jesus divinity. He prays to his heavenly Father, he calls Lazarus to come forth and a dead human being-now alive-stumbles out of a dark tomb still wrapped in his burial shroud. Some of the onlookers begin to believe in Jesus. But others run to the authorities to report what Jesus has done. The raising of Lazarus is the last straw: Jesus must be stopped, permanently.
Loving Jesus, may I never forget that you are both human and divine.” Sr. Melanie Svoboda, S.N.D.

March 24, 2023

Posted on by Johanna Garcia
My reflection is from Living Faith:
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. Psalm 34:19
“This can only be learned in the crucible. If you are a person of faith and have lived long enough to experience a crushing, devastating heartbreak, then you know the surreal experience of being carried when you know perfectly well that you do not have the strength to walk a single step. This awareness is a beautiful gift, packaged in the most unattractive, awful wrapping paper.
You can only truly know the Lord saves those who are crushed from the perspective of being crushed. Until you feel it for yourself, the words are a nice sentiment. When you feel it for yourself, the words become personal, experiential, miraculous and lifesaving.
When you walk through a season that buckles your knees, you learned that you are not the one walking at all. You are being carried across the chasm of before and after, and what awaits you on the other side is a new level of faith, a new closeness with God and an experience with the divine that changes you forever.” Kristin Armstrong
Our God is always walking with us.

March 22, 2023

Posted on by Johanna Garcia
My reflection:
“My friendships are a strength that I know I can rely on. When I have true, meaningful friendships in my life, I know I have the support to handle anything that comes my way. I’ve always thought that friends are the angels that are sent down to help you along life’s path. They bring encouragement, understanding strength, fun, and laughter.” Miranda Kerr
I am so lucky to have such good friends in my life. Thank you God!

March 21, 2023

Posted on by Johanna Garcia
My reflection is from Living Faith:
Jesus said to him, “Do you want to be well? …Rise, take up your mat, and walk.”… So the Jews said…, “It is the sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to carry your mat.” John 5:6, 8, 10
“If I were rushing someone to the hospital in my car, I might never wait out a stoplight at an empty intersection. Some laws, if followed to the letter, might do more harm than good. Others prove to be unjust, as did previous laws allowing slavery in years past. When religious leaders in today’s passage nitpick Jesus about the sabbath they’re not exactly wrong, but they’re missing the point. Sabbath rules were meant to uphold it sanctity, but what is holier than the healing power of God?
Rules matter. If we knowingly break them, we should be prepared to accept the consequences. Yet we must also be mindful of whom and what our rules are meant to protect. We must examine them in light of our Lord’s greatest commandments.
Lord God, help us to uphold rules that support love for you, our neighbors and ourselves.” Karla Manternach

March 20, 2023

Posted on by Johanna Garcia
My reflection is from Living Faith:
… the father of many nations. Romans 4:18
“There is a resurgence in devotion to St. Joseph. Many of us grew up thinking him a kindly old man but of little importance. People are now rediscovering the spiritual efficacy of this great saint. For example, given the many assaults on family life today, the fatherly care exercised by St. Joseph can be a source of strength. He can help us regain a sense of a humble and holy example of fatherhood.
In the litany of St. Joseph, one of his titles is ‘terror of demons’. In these days when evil can seem to have the upper hand, St. Joseph is a powerful intercessor in our own struggles against evil.
And is there any saint closer to Jesus besides Mary? If God chose Mary to be the perfect mother for her Son, wouldn’t God also choose the very best of fathers? For our daily petitions, we know this humble father has Jesus’ ear.
St. Joseph is uniquely a man for our time. ” Msgr. Stephen J. Rossetti