December 26, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection is from the Mercy Prayer Book:
Today is the feast of the Holy Family.
“We give you thanks, our God, for our parents, brothers and sisters, in whose company we have come to know you and experience your love. Bless them and all who have been as family to us, sustaining us and calling us to the fullness of life. Rejoicing in these relationships, we remember the widow and the orphan, the refugee and the homeless and all who walk through life alone. For the generosity to welcome them into our circle of love, we pray, through the intercession of the Holy Family. Amen.”

December 25, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection is from Living Faith:
… I proclaim to you a good news of great joy… Luke 2:10
“In Christmas art and carols, a glowing baby Jesus sleeps upon soft straw, swaddled in white germ-free linen. Perhaps a scratch-and-sniff Christmas card would better capture the authentic Bethlehem experience!
The reality of Christmas, then and now, is so different from our fantasy. We live in the messy and broken world that God came to save. In our own communities, families face the same plight as Mary and Joseph: unexpected pregnancy. Relocating at the worst possible time. Fleeing to seek refuge in another land. Uncertainty about how everything will turn out.
Our challenge is to live and proclaim the promise of Christmas despite hurts and hardships around us. If we sanitize the story of Christ’s breaking into the world, like a sentimental Hallmark movie, we miss the world shaking magnitude that God accomplished as a tiny Child. May our hearts be stirred in our Christmas worship by the true Nativity scene, so that Jesus may find room to grow and change us from the inside out.”
Steve Pable
I never really thought about the reality of the first Christmas. The struggles that Mary and Joseph went through. May God open our eyes to see what needs to be changed in our individual lives. May God bless us and our world with peace and hope! Merry Christmas!?

December 24, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection is from Living Faith:
Blessed be the Lord… for he has come to his people and set them free Luke 1:67
“Tomorrow is Christmas. We typically have many plans about what we want to do to prepare, both spiritually and for the holiday. Many times, our great plans are not fully realized. We may not feel ready.
No matter. Christmas is not about what we do. It is about what God has done. God knew that we could not save ourselves. So, God sent us Jesus.
What matters most this day is not what we do. Rather, we ought simply to go to the manger and give thanks for what God has done. Kneeling before the Christ child, in the blessed company of Mary and Joseph, we adore him.
Heavenly father, we give thanks for your coming to us in Jesus. We bless you; we adore you; we give you thanks.” Msgr. Stephen J. Rossetti

December 23, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection is from Living Faith:
Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Luke 1:64
“Today’s gospel continues the story of the birth of John the Baptist. Once John (‘gift of God’) was named, Zechariah’s speech was restored and he blessed God. Others came to believe and to discover the miracles, the blessings and gifts of God in their own lives.
So, too, with us. Miracles may come to us in both the small moments of life and in the big events. But we need eyes to see and our hearts to accept that they are real and witness to the power and love of God in our lives. Then we bless God and tell others what God has done for us. Convinced that God’s love is all around us and walks the streets in our neighborhoods, let us commemorate the divine splashes of grace in our lives, in our every day miracles.
Oh God, open my eyes and heart to bless you for the countless miracles in my life.” Sr. Bridget Haase, O.S.U
Let us ask God to open our eyes so we can see the miracles that are around us.?

December 22, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
“Imagine yourself as anything you want to be, and let your spiritual nature lead you to victory. When times are tough, don’t give up. God hears your prayers, and He will answer them.” Donna Fargo
I just heard from two friends that have to have surgery. I asked that God‘s healing power be with them.?

December 21, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection is from Living Faith:
Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled. Luke 1:45
“During Advent, we find ourselves looking all the more to Mary as our model of faith. Whether or not we have any particular devotion to her, the story of her faith during these Advent days can be transforming for us, if we allow it to be. Mary’s ‘yes’ to God her willingness to be and do the impossible, speaks to all of us who are trying to make sense of the puzzles and pain life may throw our way.
With Mary as example and guide, ‘Hail Mary, full of grace’ becomes ‘Here I am, full of grace.’ ‘Blessed are you among women’ becomes ‘blessed am I called to live in the world.’ ‘Blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus’ is transformed into ‘Blesses is the fruit of my life, Jesus. Mary becomes our model of prayer because, like her, we are also called to bring Christ to those who need him.” Steve Givens
Mary can teach us so much if we only take the time and turn to her. ?

December 20, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection is from Living Faith:
And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Luke 1:35
“At first, Mary could not imagine how the angel’s proclamation that she would bear a son would be fulfilled. Yet when the angel assured her of the power of God’s Spirit, Mary responded with faith in God‘s trustworthiness as well as an openness to mystery.
Sooner or later, we all experience moments of doubt and times when we question how some perplexing situation will be resolved. There are no easy explanations for the sometimes wonderful, or sometimes painful, events of our lives.
Like Mary, we are invited to make room in our hearts for mystery.
In these final days of Advent, we are challenged to let go of our natural desire for certainty and security and entrust ourselves and our loved ones to the mystery of God.
Lord, may we trust that your Spirit continues to bring new creation out of chaos or uncertainty.” Terri Mifek
I think that these words are so appropriate for our church today!?

December 19, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
“We cannot choose how many years we will live, but we can choose how much life those years will have. We cannot control the beauty of our face, but we can control the expression on it. We cannot control life‘s difficult moments, but we can choose to make life less difficult. We cannot control the negative atmosphere of the world, but we can control the atmosphere of our minds. Too often we try to choose and control things we cannot. Too seldom we choose to control what we can…our
attitude.” Author unknown
Two people can go through the exact same situation and have different reactions because of attitude.

December 18, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
“All of us long for peace. We search for it in every way and in every place but in the one way and one place where it must eventually be found. And where is it to be found? In thought that is loving…
Peace isn’t separate from you. You are peace. When you think loving thoughts toward others you are peaceful.” W. Norman Cooper

December 17, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
“Spend awhile in the garden or the park or the path amongst the trees. Do the things that please you, as well as the things you have to do. Fulfill the work and the tasks of the day while discovering something new and different along the way. Grow, learn, reach out. Be curious. Be childlike.
Remember what imagination is all about. Share a smile, a feeling, a certain personal thought from the heart, from the soul. Care. Kick off your shoes. Sing along with your song. Be less concerned about what others think of you. Be more accepting of the very special person who lives inside you.” Collin McCarty
Let us pause and remember that each of us was made in the image and likeness of God.
God’sspirit remains in each one of us. Let us share that joy and love with all who we meet