August 22, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection is from Living Faith:
Simon Peter answered him, “Master to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” John 6:68
“To live long, rich and fulfilling lives, we turn to many different kinds of people. We turn to our parents and teachers to instruct us in what we need to succeed and prosper. We turn to doctors and other scientists to guide us toward healthy lives. Perhaps we look to inspirational writers and speakers to point us toward more interesting, successful and ethical lives. These people can be a blessing.
But none of them – however beneficial – can offer what only God can give through a life in Christ. It’s good to reach our fullest potential, but only God can give us life beyond this all-too-fleeting moment in time, however fulfilling it has been.
To whom else can we turn? Only to you, Jesus.” Steve Givens

August 21, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
“Acceptance means that you can find the serenity within to let go of the past with its mistakes and regrets, move into the future with a new perspective, and appreciate the opportunity to take a second chance.
Acceptance means that when difficult times come into your life, you’ll find security again and comfort to relieve any pain. You’ll find new dreams, fresh hopes, and forgiveness of the heart.
Acceptance does not mean that you will always be perfect. It’s simply means that you’ll always overcome imperfection.
Acceptance is the road to peace-Letting go of the worst holding on to the best, and finding the hope inside that continues throughout life.
Acceptance is the hearts best defense, loves greatest asset, and the easiest way to keep believing in yourself and others.” Regina Hill

August 19, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection is from Living Faith:
Blessed the person who trusts on God; who turns not to idolatry… Psalm 40:5
“We can mistakenly believe that we are not prone to creating idols; we don’t worship golden statues or create temples to false gods. I contend that we are far from off the hook. In fact, I bet you have one of your idols right nearby on the table, in your pocket or in your purse. It makes one sound and we respond immediately. We stare at it, intently and often. It’s the last thing we look at before we go to bed and the first thing we look at in the morning. It wakes us up, keeps our calendar and manages all our communication. We often pay more time and attention to it than we do our spouses, children, friends or Bibles.
Our cell phone-technology created to help us manage our lives- more often than not, manages us. Let’s challenge ourselves to intentionally shift our focus away from screens and back to God.” Kristin Armstrong
There is a lot to think about in this passage. Check our screen time and then check our God time. Wow!?

August 18, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera

May be a closeup of flower and nature

From Kathleen O’Connell, Route 65, Mendon,NY

The sunflower pod has opened. Did you even imagine such beauty? My mind boggles to see such a demonstration of God’s creativity and love. Just look at the intricate detail. The tiny seeds that will feed the finch and other small birds. Hidden in the small flowerets is a busy little bee gathering pollen for the hive. How wonderfully made the sunflower is! When Jesus tells us to “consider the lilies of the field,” we must consider also ourselves. How wonderfully are we made! With the intricate details of who we are, we too reflect the sunshine of God’s glory. Like the sunflowers of the field where no two are identical, no two of us are alike and that makes for a wonderfully diverse garden. May each of us reflect the glory of God to all those who inhabit our garden. Praise God for these summer wonders of his creation that gives us so much joy.

August 17, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection is from Living Faith:
…the angel of the Lord appeared to[Gideon] and said, “The Lord is with you, oh champion! “ Gideon said to him, “My Lord, if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us?”
“One particularly stressful day my pastor offered words of comfort, reminding me that God loves me, but just because this is true, I should not think everything is going to be a bed of roses. ‘It won’t be,’ he said with certainty. ‘In the end, everything will be okay. Meantime all sorts of things can happen.’
I imagine that’s what the angel was trying to tell Gideon when he, his family and Israel were in a very tough spot.
We believe in the presence of God in our lives and with God all things are possible. Our gifts from the Holy Spirit help us meet the ever-changing and complex world. When we are prepared and willing to serve as God calls us, anything can happen, and often on the most stressful days. Our faith upholds us, and all will be well.” Deborah A. Meister
I think this is so appropriate considering what’s happening in Haiti and Afghanistan. Let us pray for all the people of Haiti the people of Afghanistan, and all those who served in Afghanistan. Let us also remember our Goldstar mothers and fathers.?

August 16, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
“You can be optimistic because people who expect things to turn out for the best often set the stage to receive a beautiful result.
You can put things in perspective. Because some things are important, and others are definitely not.
You can remember that beyond the clouds, the sun is still shining. You can meet each challenge and give it all you’ve got.
You can count your blessings. You can be inspired to climb your ladders and have some nice, long talks with your wishing stars. You can be strong and patient. You can be gentle and wise.
And you can believe in happy endings. Because you are the author of the story of your life.” Douglas Pagels

August 15, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection is from Living Faith:
From this day all generations will call me blessed. Luke 1:48
“Sometimes when we look to heaven in the midst of our pain, it feels like no one is listening. Some find it hard to relate to a God whom Jesus told us to call ‘Father,’ especially if their relationship with their own father wasn’t good.
Today, God has given us another avenue of hope. We are given a Mother. Mary is assumed into heaven. For all of us who feel an immediate connection with the warmth and compassion of a mother, we look to our heavenly mother and know in our hearts that she is listening.
What mother stops listening to her children when they are in pain? She flies to their aid. So, too, it is with our God. Mary’s motherly face tells us something important about who God is. She helps us look to the heavens with confidence. Mary shows us the face of God our father, who also is our mother.” Msgr. Stephen J. Rossetti
Today is the feast of the assumption of Mary. Let us turn to her for our needs and assistance.?

August 14, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection:
“Dreams that are always deep enough to bless you, strong enough to guide you, and big enough to take you to the stars and beyond; small pleasures and big joys and happy skies that always shine down upon you; more smiles and laughter than you have ever had before; contentment and well-being that follow you everywhere; all the things that mean the world to you; prayers that soar to heaven; and a guardian angel at your side.
May every dawn be a place full of beauty and happy endings. May you feel glad in your heart, joyous in your spirit, and grateful for your life.” Linda E. Knight
I believe if we begin each new day with these positive thoughts; it will definitely affect our life for the positive.?

August 13, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection is from Living Faith:
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever; give thanks to the God of gods for his mercy endures forever; give thanks to the Lord of lords for his mercy endures forever. Psalm 136 1-3
“ In today’s Mass we hear the refrains-
“for his mercy endures forever”-
fourteen times!(Incidentally, if you open your Bible to Psalm 136, you’ll read that 26 times.)This psalm of thanksgiving extols God’s majestic work in Creation and his faithful love throughout Israel’s history. It keeps alive the memory of the goodness of God. How important this is for us.
I wonder what we might learn if we took the psalmist’s approach-And wrote a brief history of our lives punctuated by the constant refrain of gods forever mercy? It might become our own prayer inviting God’s mercy to speak his goodness and steadfast love over all of it, over our memories of good or ill.
Lord help me to better trust you and all the circumstances of my life.”
Pat Gohn

August 12, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection from The Daily Book of Positive Quotations:
“ The crisis of today is the joke of tomorrow.” H. G. Wells
“When we’re in the midst of a dreadful time, it often helps to remember that one day we’ll be able to tell a great story about it, one we’ll laugh at. We’ll laugh because, in retrospect, what we thought was a crisis really wasn’t so serious after all. Or we’ll laugh because we made it through the crisis and come out stronger on the other side.”
“I’ll try to keep my perspective, remembering that even the worst day is only one small moment in my life.”
Let us ask God to keep things in perspective.?