September 23, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection from Give Us this Day:
“Padre Pio, a capuchin friar of peasant background, spent virtually his entire life in a monastery in southern Italy. In most respects he was indistinguishable from his fellow friars. But for some mysterious purpose padre Pio was set apart. For the thousands of pilgrims who flock to hear him say mass, or to have him hear their confessions, or simply to rest their gaze on his bandaged hands, he was living proof for the existence of God.
Like Saint Francis, Pio was a stigmatic; he bore on his hands, feet, and sideshow the wounds of Christ. These mysterious open wounds, for which there was no natural explanation, appeared on his body in 1910 and remained until some months before his death. He was credited with thousands of miracles and enjoyed other extraordinary gifts, including the ability to ‘read the hearts’ of penitence. It was even said that he had the rare gift of bilocation – the ability to be in more than one
place at once. In other words, he was endowed with the full repertoire of supernatural gifts typically a scribed to medieval saints – though he was a man living in the glare of modern skepticism.”
“Pray, hope, and don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer.” Saint Pio

September 22, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
“ Love is the strongest and most fulfilling emotion possible
It lets you share your goals, your desires your experiences
It lets you share your life with someone who will always support you
It lets you speak your inner most feelings to someone who understands you
It let you feel tenderness and warmth -a wholeness that avoids loneliness
Love let you feel complete” Susan Polis Schutz

September 21, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
“To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring” George Santayana
Cold weather helps us appreciate warm weather more – and warm weather helps us appreciate cold weather. With a change in seasons, there are so many things to anticipate. During the course of a year we watch trees change from bare to green to orange and red and gold to brown and back to bare again. Then there’s the miracle of budding and greening all over again the next year.
As I enjoy the change of seasons, I can enjoy the changes in my life. I realize that God is always with me through all the changes in my life.?

September 20, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
“I will never stop thanking God,
with constant words of praise.
My soul will boast of God;
the poor will hear me and be glad.
Join me in praising the Lord,
together tell of God’s name.
I asked and the Lord responded, freed me from all my fears.
Turn to God, be bright with joy;
you shall never be let down.
I begged and got heard,
took my burdens from me.
God’s angel defends the faithful, guards them on every side.
Drink in the richness of God,
enjoy the strength of the Lord.
Live in awe of God, you saints:
you will want for nothing.
Even if lions go hungry,
those seeking God are fed.
Come to me, children, listen:
learn to cherish the Lord.
Do you long for life,
for time to enjoy success?
Keep your tongue from evil,
keep lies far from your lips.
Shun evil, go after good,
press on, seek after peace.
God confronts the wicked
to block them out forever,
but turns toward the just
to hear their cry for help.
The troubled call out; God hears, saves them from all distress.
God stays near broken hearts,
heals the wounded spirit.
The good endure great trials,
but God comes to the rescue
and guards their every bone
so not one is broken.”
Psalm 34:1 – 21
I believe that no matter what we are going through our God always remains with us and walks with us.?

September 19, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
“Guarantee your peace of mind, contentment, faith, and strength, as well as the constant ability to find joy in all the things that sometimes go unnoticed. Find moments to connect with other individuals who are full of smiles and hugs to give away and stories and laughter to share.” Barbara Cage
God gives us so many wonderful gifts. Thank you God for this gorgeous day

September 17, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
“Settle into yourself
Be truly alone
And not the kind of alone
that makes your heart sore
but the kind that causes
your breath to slow
your limbs to go weightless
your thoughts to fall from you
one by one
Embrace the moment
that leaves you in
complete solitude
Welcome these times
as a gift of peace
for your spirit and soul
Your sustenance”
Elle Mastro

September 15, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection is from Living Faith:
…. so must the Son of Man be lifted up… John 3:14
It is perhaps the most difficult challenge of our faith lives. Why does God allow such horrible suffering in the world? Some of it is so horrible that we are at a loss for words.
All of us who are ministers of the Gospel should refrain from offering glib answers. Empty words do not honor the searing pain of a parent who has lost a child, a young child who has watched a parent die and agonizing death of cancer or a crucified world devastated by a pandemic. These sacred moments demand a reverential silence.
This, too, must be our bearing as we kneel before the crucified One. We sit in silence and honor the infinite agony of a God made flesh. Our mouths are closed, our hearts are rent into, and our tears water the earth.
All of creation is silent as the Cross is lifted up and towers over our crucified world.” Msgr. Stephen J. Rossetti
God so loved the world that he took the cross and suffering upon Himself

September 14, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
“ I would have all busy people make times in their lives… when they should try to be alone with nature and their own hearts. They should try to realize the quiet, unwearying life that manifests itself in field and wood. They should wander alone in solitary places where the hazel hidden stream makes music and the bird sings out of the heart of the forest; in meadows where the flowers grow brightly… I will go further and say that a man or woman who does not wish to do these things is shutting one of the doors of their spirit, a door through which many sweet and true things come in.”Arthur C. Benson
Jesus gave us that example when the crowds were upon him he would go away for a while to pray.
Each of us needs some solitary moments in our lives.?