January 21, 2022

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
“The world is full of miracles for our five senses if we just open ourselves up to receive them. The trick is to look with fresh eyes, hear with new ears. When we do, we come alive again to the wonders all around us – the slant of light on the skyscraper, the smell of hot asphalt as the rain hits the pavement, the sparkle of a strangers smile – and we feel an uplift of emotion. We touch the sheer joy of being alive.
This uplift is available, free, with no expiration date in every moment of our existence. We can tap into it anywhere, any time if we bought tune into the world around us.” Mary Jane Ryan
There is so much beauty around us. Let us pause to thank God for all the little miracles that are in our life.?

January 20, 2022

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
You are not alone and you never will be. God is with you every step of the way. Where the path leads, He is lighting lamps to guide you.
And if you ever do feel for a second that He is not right there beside you, it is only because He has gone ahead for a moment or two to build a bridge that will keep you safe from harm and that will lead you on toward the light shining through. Alin Austin
God is always with us and good times and bad times.?

January 19, 2022

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera

My reflection:

“Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God‘s handwriting – a wayside sacrament. Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
No matter what is going on in our lives, take time to thank God for the blessings.

January 18, 2022

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
“Thoughts that can help or hinder you, but you can control what you think and do. If you just let any old thoughts roam freely, some of them can unnecessarily hurt you. But you don’t need to entertain them. You can choose what you say and do.
Line up your thoughts with your words and actions and it won’t be long until you find that wishes live in your heart and doubts come from the mind. Sometimes you need to doubt your doubts and choose your thoughts and decide if they were a friend or an enemy to you. For every action there’s a consequence – your destiny depends on what you say and do. If you don’t choose your thoughts your thoughts will choose you.” Donna Fargo

January 17, 2022

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
“Knowing God has a plan for your life is very important. When things happen that are out of your control, it can be very discouraging. It’s easy to become frustrated, to feel afraid, and to question what the future holds. Putting your faith in God‘s plan allows you to trust that the events in your life are meant to be. It helps you to make choices that must be made and realize things are not really out of control – they are under His control.
There is a peace that can be found knowing that His plan is playing out in your life. When things are confusing for you, remember that God is in control and He loves you. Trust Him and His plans.”
God gave us the grace to trust each day of our life.?

January 16, 2022

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
“Wrap your arms around life and be the exceptional person you are meant to be
Understand that you’re not alone and lots of people are praying for you
Block out any negative chatter and only listen to the positive voices within you
Value your resilience and keep your integrity
Be your own advocate and treasure your unique qualities and great potential
Live your life in a spirit of cooperation with others
Be someone who thinks outside limitations when you know you need to make a change
Know that attitude is a choice and you can win any battle
Remember that fear must have your permission to occupy your mind
Believe in miracles and realize that God is on your side
Trust that all things are possible (and there are no exceptions) if you can only believe” Donna Fargo

January 15, 2022

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection is from Living Faith:
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners. Mark 2:17
“Saul and Levi are a study in contrasts. Saul looks as if he would be a great king for Israel. He has a fine pedigree, he’s tall and handsome, and he’s extremely responsible. But as a king, Saul will be a failure. in contrast, there’s Levi (Matthew). By collecting taxes for the Romans, he is a traitor to his people. And, like many tax collectors of his day, Levi was probably a cheat as well. But as a disciple of Jesus, Levi will prove to be the real thing.
There are several lessons here: first, you can’t tell a book by its cover. Second, Jesus came to call not perfect people, but ordinary sinners like you and me. And finally, our shortcomings and failures cannot excuse us from accepting Jesus’ invitation: ‘Follow me.’
Jesus, let nothing – not even my unworthiness – get in my way of following you a new each day.”
Sr. Melannie Svoboda, S.N.D.

January 14, 2022

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection is from Give Us This Day:
“Two years ago, while dealing with a serious health problem, I had a deep and abiding sense of being held and supported by a strength that came from beyond my own resources. It came from friends who carried me into the presence of Jesus. They didn’t carry me in on a mat the way friends brought a paralyzed man into Jesus’ presence. No one dug through a roof and removed it. Rather, my friends carried me to Jesus with the resources of faith and in prayer. For the strength and healing that came from that grace, I am deeply grateful.
To demonstrate his authority to heal the deepest, most hidden part of our life through forgiveness, Jesus heals the paralyzed persons physical needs. Body and spirit belong together; the gift of God‘s grace is for life in its fullness. All our needs for healing can be carried into the presence of Jesus.”
I can’t believe how appropriate this is for me at this time. I would like to thank all who carried me into the presence of Jesus. So many people have been so generous. Amen?

January 13,2022

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection is from Living Faith:
“The Israelites believed God wouldn’t allow them to be defeated, but defeated they were. So after losing their first battle with the Philistines they decided to carry the sacred ark of the Lord of hosts – the very presence of God – the next time around. That didn’t work either. This second defeat was even more disastrous: thirty thousand foot soldiers died! In addition, the ark of God was captured. What were the Israelites to think? Why had God abandoned them?
We have all had times when we wondered if God was truly present with us, times when our prayers were not answered as we had asked. In times of serious illness, tragic death, or some other catastrophe, it can be easy to say with the psalmist: ‘Why do you hide your face, oh God?’ yet faith calls us to trust that God is with us even when we feel abandoned or lost or when our prayers are not answered according to our plan.
Prayer is not a magic formula and does not guarantee an outcome. Still, we are called to make our needs known and to trust that God will indeed answer, even if the answer does not come in the manner we desire or in the time frame we wish. That is true faith.
When it seems that our prayer has not been heard or answered, faith allows us to cry aloud to God: Lord have mercy! Lord have mercy!”
Sr. Anita Louise Lowe

January 12, 2022

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection is from Give Us This Day:
“I believe I am finally beginning to understand the words in the Gospel of John where Jesus promises us the advocate – the Holy Spirit – and promises us we will never be alone: ‘I will not leave you orphaned’ (John 14:18). When I think of these words and repeat them to myself, something inside shifts and brings a bit of light into the dark loneliness. Remembering that God promises to be with me and that I am never alone is deeply comforting. When I first began to understand this years ago, it caused a life-altering shift, one I am still trying to deepen and believe in more.
It comforts me to know that I am not left on my own to figure out things. I am not alone in growing in my relationship with God. I am not alone in making any decisions. I am not alone in walking through joys or heartbreaking sorrow.
God is always with me, residing in that chapel I carry with me wherever I go. God‘s friendship and presence are unshakable gifts of companionship and give me a reason to hope. I am never alone, because God is with me. I know and believe this in my bones because of my own experience of God‘s presence.” Becky Eldridge, The Inner Chapel
I can say I agree with Becky 100% but there are times when God‘s presence is not totally felt. There were some days in the hospital that I was questioning God’s presence. but knowing so many people were praying for me gave me much help. I know what got me through this minor ordeal (compared to what some people are going through) was knowing of all my family and friends praying for me. Thank you!