April 27, 2022

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today is from The Little White Book:
Jesus said: “A second time, the king sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: Behold I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast. Mt 22:4
“Who would turn down an invitation to a banquet with delicious food, choice wine, and good company?
The people in this Gospel parable would.
They were too busy.
Sometimes like the people in the Gospel, I am an invited guest to a feast and I am too busy to attend. Or maybe there’s a division or bad feeling between myself and the host or the guests, and I can’t bring myself to sit next to them-literally or figuratively. So I don’t go to the feast.
Do I except God’s invitation to the feast and join in, or do I just stay home?
Why would I refuse to attend?”
God has prepared so many things for us are we aware of God’s generosity?

April 26, 2022

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection is from the Little White Book:
Jesus said: The king dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come.” Mt. 22:3
“In the Gospels, a banquet is traditionally the symbol for gathering in God’s kingdom, heaven.
In this week’s parable, Jesus looks ahead to the time when he has already died, risen, and ascended into heaven.
Parables are very roomy in their meaning, and have many applications. This parable makes me think about the Eucharist. The people were gathered from the streets to celebrate the wedding banquet of the king’s son, just as we gather together to celebrate the Eucharist.
As a Catholic, I believe that at every Eucharist I am joined with the whole Church worldwide and with the Church in heaven.
At the Eucharist, the altar is the great banquet table where Christ brings the whole Church together – the Church in heaven and on earth. people whom I love are part of this banquet. People I do not know are also part of this banquet. Fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, and children who have died are part of this banquet. Because the Lord rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, and has poured his own Spirit upon us, all of us have a bond of divine life that not even death can break.
Gathering together for Sunday Eucharist is as important for the Church as a Thanksgiving meal is for a family.
This should truly be for me.
Let us take time today to remember all of our loved ones those living and those who have died.

April 25, 2022

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberate others.” Marianne Williamson
Left God‘s love shine through each one of us every day.❤️

April 24, 2022

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
“Treat yourself to something that makes you happy. Give yourself permission to be wrong. Applaud yourself for the smallest success; forgive yourself for the greatest defeat. Appreciate yourself for the effort you made, the good you did, and the joy you shared. Accept yourself for what you are, for what you are… is beautiful.” Paula Finn
God wants us to be happy, focus on what is good in your life and not the negativity.?

April 23, 2022

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
“Remember that you are part of the limitless love and you will find strength you never imagined.
The combination of your faith and God‘s power can achieve things beyond your wildest dreams.
Allow His love into your soul, and let Him guide you along the path you were always meant to follow.
Trust that things will turn out as they were meant to be. God has brought you this far, and He will always be close by your side.” Jason Blume

April 22, 2022

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection is from Living Faith:
So (Jesus)said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” John 21:6
“My brain seems wired to notice imperfections. When I walk into a room, I immediately spot stains in the rug, pictures hanging askew and the fraying edges of curtains. My daughter, on the other hand, delights in beauty. She can walk into the same room and see instead a vase of wildflowers, a handmade quilt and the way sunlight slants through the window. I admire how attentive she is to the endless goodness all around her. It reminds me that our God is a God of abundance. He promised Abraham and Sarah descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. He multiplied a few loaves and fishes to feed thousands. He called us to forgive seven times seventy times.
This Easter season, let’s pay attention to the abundance. Today alone, we will take thousands of breaths. Each one is a gift from God!
Generous God, make me mindful of the many good gifts you give me today and every day.” Karla Manternach
God‘s gifts are all around us and within us. Let us take time and thank God for the abundance of graces.?

April 20, 2022

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today is from Living Faith:
… their eyes were opened…
Luke 24:31
“At times, our story is quite like today’s Emmaus story. As we journey along, we often share with anyone who will listen all the hardships we have endured or how we wonder if God knows or even cares about them. As with the disciples, someone comes along who reminds them – and us – of all that we need to suffer to bring us to glory. And our faith is rekindled, and we return to our daily duties.
In Eucharistic moments, whether at Mass or breaking bread, we are blessedly assured that Jesus still accompanies us in all the ups and downs of life. Even when he seems to disappear and we feel we are on our own, we remain with opened eyes, knowing that carrying the cross is necessary for salvation. we continue to walk by faith. Knowing that the Risen Jesus has our backs, we encourage others to accept whatever life brings.
Transformed by faith, let us become disciples of hope.” Sr. Bridget Haase,
O.S.U.
We are still in the Easter season let us reach out to the risen Jesus in quiet reflection

April 19, 2022

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection is from The Little White Book:
“Christian art often uses the butterfly as a symbol of Christ’s resurrection.
In its earlier stages of development, the butterfly is an earthbound caterpillar that crawls along the ground. Then it enters its cocoon as into a tomb. After a death-like sleep, it emerges in a new and beautiful form. No longer bound to the earth, it freely and gloriously soars where it will.
That is why the butterfly became a symbol for the life cycle of Jesus – the caterpillar symbolizes his humanity; the cocoon his death, and the butterfly emerging from the cocoon his resurrection.”
Let us take time today to thank our risen Lord for all the gifts that we have been given.?

Holy Saturday, April 16,2022

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
“The paschal Sabbath lasts from Good Friday sunset to Holy Saturday sunset. This is the middle day of the Triduum. It is perhaps the strangest, most mysterious, most puzzling day on the calendar.
In the tomb, Jesus rested on the Sabbath. The church rests in Christ today. It’s customary to keep Holy Saturday free from all kinds of work.
At nightfall on Holy Saturday, the blessed Sabbath is over. The first day of the week begins. After the Sabbath, according to custom, the first work to be done is to make a fire and to kindle the evening lamp. That is what the church does. That is how the Easter vigil begins.
On this night, every member of the church is asked to gather with the soon to be baptized. We keep watch together. We settle down and listen to the Paschal Scriptures. Saint Augustine said that, on this night above all other nights, the church keeps watch for the Lord and the Lord keeps watch over the church.”
Today let us take a little extra time to stop and thank Jesus for the ultimate gift of love!?

Good Friday, April 15, 2022

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today:
“This day is part of something bigger than itself. It is the first day of the Paschal Triduum. The liturgical services of Good Friday have no formal beginnings or endings, no greetings or dismissals. The services are all part of the single, three day liturgy of the Triduum.
John’s account of the passion is heard today. This account is in many ways different from those of the other three gospels. John shows us how God‘s glory is seen in the suffering and death of Jesus. We hear that Jesus was buried like a monarch, with a hundred pounds of sweet smelling myrrh. The tomb was in a garden. Perhaps John is telling us that, because of the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord, we are welcome back to paradise.
On Good Friday the gathered church prays for the world and all its peoples. We do this every day, but today the prayer takes an ancient form, with kneeling and standing so that even the movement of our bodies becomes part of the prayer.
A large wooden cross is carried into the church. Then, in most parishes everyone comes forward in procession to honor the holy wood, ‘on which hung the Savior of the world.’”
Let us take time today to thank God for the gift of his life and love for each one of us.