June 1, 2020

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera

My reflection today is from the collect prayer from today’s Mass:
“O God Father of mercies, whose only begotten Son, as he hung upon the cross chose the Blessed Virgin Mary, his Mother, to be our mother also, grant we pray, that with her loving help your church may be more fruitful day by day andexulting in the holiness of her children, may draw to her embrace all the families of the peoples. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen”

Today, is the memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church.
Let us call on our Blessed Mother, the mother of all of us, black, white, red, yellow, whatever color, to bring peace and justice to every person throughout the world.
Let us bring peace to the world, let it begin with each one of us doing our small part.
I pray today for all those who protest the death of George Floyd.
I pray that the rioters may have their anger quelled

May 29, 2020

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera

My reflection today comes from our Mercy Prayer Book:

The reading is from Romans 8:14-17
“ All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry,”Abba! Father! “It is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ – if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.”

Today in this reading, Jesus challenges us to reflect on our belief of being a child of God.
It means in good times and in bad times we are called to believe that God is faithful even during these very scary times.
We suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

May 28, 2020

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera

Today’s reflection is a poem:

“This life is yours. Take the power to choose what you want to do and do it well. Take the power to love what you want in life and love it honestly. Take the power to walk in the forest and be a part of nature. Take the power to control your own life,  no one else can do it for you. Take the power to make your life healthy, exciting, worthwhile and very happy.” Susan Polis Schutz

Even during these difficult times, you and I have choices. We can let the difficulties consume us or we can rely on God’s power that is deep within us

May 27, 2020

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera

My reflection today it’s from the Mercy Prayer Book:

“Faithful one, you are our God in whom we trust. Work through us that we may bring wholeness to a world of brokenness, mistrust and fidelety.
Spirit of Life, fill us with new energy: That we may be a source of vitality to the fainthearted.
Spirit of Hope, fill us with expectancy: That we may lift the clouds of darkness from the hearts of those living in the shadow of despair.
Spirit of Joy, fill us with happiness:
That we may break the bonds of sadness in the hearts of our sisters and brothers.
Spirit of Love, grant us your healing power: That we may be a source of your compassion to all we meet today.
Spirit of Mercy, permeate our beings: that we may embrace all human life with gentleness and warmth.”

Amen!?

May 26, 2020

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera

My reflection today is this video. The only thing I want to add is it says to kneel when you pray ….
When you pray you can kneel, sit, lay down, walk, just be in God’s presence.

It also uses God as him I just would like to share a little story. This person got to heaven and she went to meet God she was shocked because God was a woman and wasn’t even Catholic.

I would ask for prayers for me, this afternoon I’m having some gum surgery. Thanks!
Enjoy the video

https://www.facebook.com/pursuedbyGOD/videos/3101864459823875/

May 25, 2020

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera

My reflection today is a prayer for Memorial Day:

“As our nation pauses today to remember those in the military who have given their lives for freedoms we enjoy, we pray you would have us all look to you for strength, comfort and guidance.
Be with all who serve in our Armed Forces. Bless them and their families. Grant your loving protection. Let peace prevail among all the nations, O God. Especially let your mercy rest upon our land, even as we acknowledge with thanksgiving your past goodness on this country. If it is your will, preserve the lives of the men and women in uniform as they defend our citizenry.
Most of all, we pray that you would turn the hearts of all – military and civilian – to your holy Word where we find the true peace for our souls that surpasses all understanding. Move us to know, take hold and treasure your saving grace. In this peace and hope for eternity, we pray.”

Memorial day it’s a day to remember all those who gave their lives in service to our country.
Today I remember in a special way my uncle George, ( I am named after him) he was killed in World War II.
Let us remember all those who fought and died for our freedoms. Amen

May 23, 2020

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera

Today’s reflection comes from our Mercy Prayer Book:

“ Spirit of God, come and transform us. Stir up in us an ardent desire to do your will and bring about the reign of mercy and justice. Holy Spirit, praying unceasingly within us, give our tongues the words to praise you, our hearts the fervor to love you. Sanctify the work of our lives that all our acts may give glory to God, today and always. Abide with us that we may abide with you. This we ask in faith, Amen”

I don’t know about you but I need God’s spirit to transform me now more than ever. What also struck me in this prayer are the words “Holy Spirit, praying unceasingly within us ..I never thought about the Spirit unceasingly praying within me and unceasingly praying within you.

During these times, let’s let the Spirit guide us.

May 21, 2020

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera

Today’s reflection is about this feast of the Ascension.

In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles 1: 9-11:

“ When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their site. While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven. “

In the late fourth century many Christians began to celebrate the feast day in memory of the Ascension of the Lord.

In most places this was kept on the 40th day of the Easter rejoicing. This day is not about the absence of Christ. It is about Christ presence.

Today when we wonder where is God? We can be assured of what Jesus told us, “ I am with you always. ”

Whether we feel God‘s presence in all of this or not our faith tells us that Jesus is here in our midst no matter what we are feeling.

Our faith is more than our feelings… it is our belief and hope in our risen God.

May 20, 2020

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera

Today’s reflection is from the poem:
Difficult Times Don’t Last Forever by Geri Danes

“ Sometimes, the problems you must face are more than you wish to cope with, and tomorrow doesn’t seem to offer any solutions.

You may ask yourself “Why me?“ But the answer is sometimes unclear. You may even tend to feel that life hasn’t been just or fair to burden you with such obstacles

The roads any of us choose to follow are never free of bumps or curves, but eventually the turns lead to a smoother path ahead.

Believe in yourself and your dreams. You will soon realize that the future holds many promises for you. Remember… Difficult times don’t last forever.”

I don’t know about you, but at this point, it does seem like forever.
I do believe that this will eventually end.
I also believe that many of us are different than when all this started.
What is God calling me to do? Where is God leading me?

 I don’t have any answers but I do believe that God is with us