August 6, 2020

My reflection today comes from Give Us This Day:

“ The story of the Transfiguration is a fantastic Gospel. It always cheered me up in my poverty, in my loneliness. It is my companion. Without it I don’t think I would have survived.  In this scene of the transfiguration, one line stands out for me: ‘Jesus then came up to them, touched them and said, ‘Stand up, do not be afraid.’ And when they raised their eyes they saw no one but Jesus.’
That, to me, is the only thing that matters. In the terrible, horrendous, awful, lonely days of my life, it seemed as if he touched me and I opened my eyes filled with tears and despair. Suddenly, I saw Jesus, and I got up and washed my face and went on about the duty of the moment. It gives me courage. It gives me food, nourishment, strength, and the ability to keep plugging along against every opposition.”  – Catherine de Hueck Doherty

 I thought that this particular passage would be helpful for those who are struggling today.
In the gospel, I was struck by the phrase, “But Jesus came and touched them, saying,’Rise, and do not be afraid.’ And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.”
Whether we are doing well or we are going through difficult times we need to keep our eyes on Jesus.

August 4, 2020

My reflection today:

“Be true to the light that is deep within you. Hold on to your joy for life. Keep good thoughts in your mind and good feelings in your heart. Keep love in your life, and you will find the love and light in everyone.

Be giving, forgiving, patient, and kind. Have faith in yourself. Be your own best friend, and listen to the voice that tells you to be your best self.

Be true to yourself in the paths that you choose. Follow your talents and passions; don’t take the roads others say you must follow because they are the most popular. Take the paths where your talents will thrive – the ones that will keep your spirits alive with enthusiasm and everlasting joy.

Most of all, never forget that there is no brighter light than the one within you. Keep on being true to yourself. Keep shining your light on others so they will have a reason to smile. Follow your inner light to your own personal greatness, and remember that you are admired and loved just as you are.” –  Jacqueline Schiff

Today it is scary, watching the winds toss everything around.

This poem is very affirming that God‘s love is present even in the craziest times.?

August 3, 2020

My reflection today:

“ 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.”  – Rick Norman

God is present in our joyful times as well as are sad times. Each day let us offer our day to our loving God.?

August 2, 2020

My reflection today comes from today’s reading at Mass:

“ Brothers and sisters: what will separate us from the love of Christ question Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. “
Romans: 8:35, 37-39.

I chose this reading 47 years ago for my entrance ceremony to the Sisters of Mercy.
It’s still resounds in my heart, the fact that nothing can separate us from God!
I’m the only one that can separate myself from God.
Yes there are struggles but God is there with me and with you

August 1, 2020

My reflection today:

“ Love your life. Believe in your own power, your own potential, and your own innate goodness. Every morning, wake with the awe of just being alive. Each day, discover the magnificent, awesome beauty in the world. Explore and embrace life in yourself and in everyone you see each day. Reach within to find your own specialness. Amaze yourself, and rouse those around you to the potential of each new day. Don’t be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect; this is the essence of your humanity. Let those who love you help you. Trust enough to be able to take. Look with hope to the horizon of today, for today is all we truly have. Live this day well. Let a little sunshine out as well as in. Create your own rainbows. Be open to all your possibilities; possibilities can be miracles. Believe in miracles!” – Vickie M. Worsham

Wow, this is powerful! The beginning sentence: love your life. Believe in your own power. This afternoon, I had the privilege of watching hummingbirds come to the feeder. Each day we are giving new miracles. What a gift of God‘s love!

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July 31, 2020

My reflection today:

“ When life overwhelms you and you feel like you can’t carry on, hold out your hand to God. He will give you strength and walk beside you when you think you can’t walk another step. God will carry you through life‘s trials; he will  help you make it through this day and all those to come. And he is always watching over you.” -Barbara J. Hall

I believe God is always with us whether we feel God’s presence or not. God is like the sun… always shining even if it’s behind a cloud.

July 30, 2020

My reflection today:

“ Life can make choices for us. Sometimes these choices seem unhappy or unfair, but in the end we control our own destiny because we can decide how people and events affect us.
So much of our happiness lies within the choices we make. We can accept that life isn’t the way we want it to be, or we can change it so that it will be.
We can walk through the shadows, or we can choose to smile and seek out the sunlight.
We can create grand dreams that never leave the ground, or we can be builders of dreams that come true.
We can look at only the negative aspects of ourselves, or we can lift ourselves up by being our own best friend.
We can live in the past or dream about the future, or we can live for today.
We can give up when the road becomes difficult, or we can keep on going until the view is much better.
The choices in life are endless, and so is the potential for happiness.“ – Nancy Sims

We have no control over what is going on around us.
What we do have control over is how we respond or react to the situations that happen to us.
I believe that God does not cause suffering but is present with us during the difficult time.?

July 29, 2020

My reflection today:

“ Life is like a giant puzzle. Each of us has a picture in our mind of how our lives will turn out.
We keep adding pieces, one at a time, attempting to create that beautiful picture.
If one piece does not fit, we replace it with another.
We never get all the pieces in the right place on the first try.
It’s all about experimenting until each piece fits together with the next.
Though our futures may not be clear or turn out exactly as we expected, each of us has the strength inside to put the puzzle together.
We just have to look for the right pieces. It may seem impossible, but keep striving.
Life‘s pieces have a way of falling into place when you least expect it. ” – Renee M. Brtalik

As Saint Paul says nothing is impossible with God. More and more we need to put our trust in God.?

July 28, 2020

My reflection today comes from our Mercy Prayer Book:
Psalm 96
“A new song for the Lord! Sing it and bless God’s name, everyone, everywhere! Tell the whole world God’s triumph day to day, God’s glory, God’s wonder.

A noble God deserving praise, the dread of other gods, the puny gods of pagans; for our God made the heavens – the Lord of majestic light who fills the temple with beauty.

Proclaim the Lord, you nations, praise the glory of God’s power, praise the glory of God’s name! Bring gifts to the temple, bow down, all the earth, tremble in God’s holy presence.

Tell the nations, “The Lord rules!“ As the firm earth is not swayed nothing can sway God’s judgment. Let heaven and earth be glad, the sea and sea creatures roar, the field and its beasts exult.

Then let the trees of the forest sing before the coming of the Lord, who comes to judge the nations, to set the earth a right restoring the world
to order.”

This psalm was written over 1500 years ago and I think it is still relevant today.

In spite of all that is going on …we need to bless God’s name and sing God’s praise.

I think the puny god are those who are looting and rioting; those who refuse to wear masks.

Eventually God will restore the world to order. Let us pray that is sooner than later.?

July 27, 2020

My reflection today:

“ Lean against a tree and dream your world of dreams
 Work hard at what you like to do and try to overcome all obstacles
Laugh at your mistakes and praise yourself for learning from them
Pick some flowers and appreciate the beauty of nature
Be honest with people and enjoy the good in them
Don’t be afraid to show your emotions
Laughing and crying make you feel better
They are the most important part of your life
Feel the calmness on a quiet sunny day and plan what you want to accomplish in life
Find a rainbow and live your world of dreams”  – Susan Polis Schutz

 My dream right now is that COVID-19 will be under control and that we will have peace throughout our country.
I am so thankful that we are doing so well in Connecticut right now.
It is heartbreaking to see what is going on in the rest of the country.
Dear Lord, please guide our vaccine researchers and let the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King and John Lewis enter the hearts of those who are violent.