God bless all!!
God's greatest blessing - Children!!
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Grandsons!!
How Blessed we are for the gift of life in our seven grandsons and the new baby coming in September 2007. Here is the great joy of life - FAMILY!!
God bless all!!
God bless all!!
Monday, January 22, 2007
Roe v. Wade Anniversary - Sadness!
Today is the anniversary of the law that allows people to justify the killing of babies. At first it was when life began, but now it's after life has had a chance to develop and the babe could be held in your arms. Life is so precious and yet in our medical world today the taking of life is justified. The prevention of life is justified. And the pleasures of life are glorified. I pray, Sweet Jesus, for all those who abort their babies, who contemplate aborting their babies, who use contraception in any form, who prefer self-seeking and the ways of the world over your ways. Obedience to God in everything is the only way to true peace and happiness. What the world offers is short-lived. When we choose death, we invite evil into our lives and life can only get worse in spite of the false promises evil makes.
On retreat this past weekend, we talked about mystical moments. I pray that all can experience - at least once in their lives - a mystical moment. A moment when the Holy Spirit can send the fruits of knowledge so eyes will be opened and ears will hear the goodness of the Lord!!
God bless all!!
On retreat this past weekend, we talked about mystical moments. I pray that all can experience - at least once in their lives - a mystical moment. A moment when the Holy Spirit can send the fruits of knowledge so eyes will be opened and ears will hear the goodness of the Lord!!
God bless all!!
Monday, January 15, 2007
Hope at the beginning of each new day!
Some readings from this morning's Magnificat:
"The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent; they are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness." (Lam 3:22-23)
"Jesus Christ is our light and our life. To him we pray:
R: O Lord of salvation, bless your people!
Grant us fresh hope at the beginning of this day:
- that we may live it for your glory and our neighbor's good. R
Relieve us of the burden of old worries and stored grievances:
-that we may pass through the narrow gate that leads to the kingdom. R
Protect us from recurring fears:
-that we may serve you in freedom and in peace. R
Heal all those who labor under the pain of depression, scrupulosity, and anxiety:
-that all may know the joy of your love. R
Our Father...
Lord Jesus Christ, you have brought us safely to this new day as you have promised to bring us safely to dwell with you one day in your kingdom of light. Defend us against all that would weigh us down and slow our steps, so that we may run with delight in the way of your Gospel, who live and reign with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen."
If only the world would know your great love and mercy, dear Lord. What a different world it would be. I praise you this morning and thank you for your mercy and love!!
God bless all!!
"The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent; they are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness." (Lam 3:22-23)
"Jesus Christ is our light and our life. To him we pray:
R: O Lord of salvation, bless your people!
Grant us fresh hope at the beginning of this day:
- that we may live it for your glory and our neighbor's good. R
Relieve us of the burden of old worries and stored grievances:
-that we may pass through the narrow gate that leads to the kingdom. R
Protect us from recurring fears:
-that we may serve you in freedom and in peace. R
Heal all those who labor under the pain of depression, scrupulosity, and anxiety:
-that all may know the joy of your love. R
Our Father...
Lord Jesus Christ, you have brought us safely to this new day as you have promised to bring us safely to dwell with you one day in your kingdom of light. Defend us against all that would weigh us down and slow our steps, so that we may run with delight in the way of your Gospel, who live and reign with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen."
If only the world would know your great love and mercy, dear Lord. What a different world it would be. I praise you this morning and thank you for your mercy and love!!
God bless all!!
Friday, January 12, 2007
Sinners and Forgiveness
We are all sinners. For some of us the awareness takes a long time to come. The ability to admit ones sinfulness is humbling at best. In my morning prayer, there was a beautiful prayer to the Father:
"God of mercy and compassion, you hold out to us the hand of your mercy to raise us up from the misery our selfish sinfulenss has brought upon us and upon those whose lives we touch. Teach us to weep where we have caused weeping, to mourn where we have caused mourning, and to lift up what we have brought low. In hope and trust, we turn to you for healing, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen."
Saint Gregory Palamas who died in 1359 writes the following:
"There are times when illness is better for sinners than good health, because it helps them towards salvation and blunts their inborn evil impulses. Inasmuch as it repays the debt of sins by means of suffering, it makes them able to receive healing of their souls in the first instance, then healing of their bodies. This happens most of all when the sick person, understanding that the affliction is a remedy from God, bears it courageously, falls down before God with faith, and asks for forgiveness, through whatever works he can manage."
This writing was based on the story of the paralytic who was brought to Jesus to be cured. Jesus forgave his sins and then healed him. There are so many stories in the Bible of forgiveness and healing that we begin to realize how intertwined the two are.
God is so gracious and everloving to us, most especially in our sinfulness. If people only knew how much God truly loves them, more would turn to God in prayer.
God bless all!!
"God of mercy and compassion, you hold out to us the hand of your mercy to raise us up from the misery our selfish sinfulenss has brought upon us and upon those whose lives we touch. Teach us to weep where we have caused weeping, to mourn where we have caused mourning, and to lift up what we have brought low. In hope and trust, we turn to you for healing, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen."
Saint Gregory Palamas who died in 1359 writes the following:
"There are times when illness is better for sinners than good health, because it helps them towards salvation and blunts their inborn evil impulses. Inasmuch as it repays the debt of sins by means of suffering, it makes them able to receive healing of their souls in the first instance, then healing of their bodies. This happens most of all when the sick person, understanding that the affliction is a remedy from God, bears it courageously, falls down before God with faith, and asks for forgiveness, through whatever works he can manage."
This writing was based on the story of the paralytic who was brought to Jesus to be cured. Jesus forgave his sins and then healed him. There are so many stories in the Bible of forgiveness and healing that we begin to realize how intertwined the two are.
God is so gracious and everloving to us, most especially in our sinfulness. If people only knew how much God truly loves them, more would turn to God in prayer.
God bless all!!
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
Turning back to God
The morning readings were very fruitful and full of God's love and passion for us - his creatures. The first that touched me is from Tobit 13:
"When you turn back to him with all your heart, to do what is right before him, then he will turn back to you, and no longer hide his face from you."
I think too many today do not see or feel God's presence in their lives. Their lives are too full of the material world and what others think.
Another reading was from Psalm 33:
"They are happy, whose God is the Lord, the people he has chosen as his own from the heavens the Lord looks forth, he sees all the children of men."
When God's presence is real in our lives we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. You know when you meet someone who has these gifts. There is much patience and understanding in them and it all comes from God. God is love and he is real. He's calling each one of us to come back to him.
God bless all!!
"When you turn back to him with all your heart, to do what is right before him, then he will turn back to you, and no longer hide his face from you."
I think too many today do not see or feel God's presence in their lives. Their lives are too full of the material world and what others think.
Another reading was from Psalm 33:
"They are happy, whose God is the Lord, the people he has chosen as his own from the heavens the Lord looks forth, he sees all the children of men."
When God's presence is real in our lives we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. You know when you meet someone who has these gifts. There is much patience and understanding in them and it all comes from God. God is love and he is real. He's calling each one of us to come back to him.
God bless all!!
Monday, January 8, 2007
Sacrament of Marriage
Working with RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation) teaches me as much as it teaches the catechumenates. This week we spoke of the Sacrament of Marriage and the following struck me as its ideal!!
"God's faithfulness to people is evident in the commitment a couple makes to love each other for a lifetime. That love requires a sacrifice for the good of the other. This is not just in the major things like illness or tragedy. It is getting up at an awful hour just to have breakfast together; it is listening when the other needs to talk rather than going to sleep.
It is trying to affirm instead of criticize; it is allowing laughter to end a quarrel instead of insisting on being right. It is sharing hurts and fears instead of hiding them and being independent. It is understanding that some people just can't balance a checkbook; it is disciplining the children together. It is asking the other's opinion and responding to it.
God's faithfulness accepts us for who we are, affirms us, looks for the good in us, and helps us grow. A married couple should challenge all of us to an understanding that doesn't give up on others, but looks for the gifts in each one, affirms those gifts, and draws them forth for the good of the community."
Marriage can be everyone's ideal if we remember that marriage is not two people but three. The presence of Jesus in the relationship should be strong and it's made stronger each day through prayer - prayer shared by couples.
God bless all!!
"God's faithfulness to people is evident in the commitment a couple makes to love each other for a lifetime. That love requires a sacrifice for the good of the other. This is not just in the major things like illness or tragedy. It is getting up at an awful hour just to have breakfast together; it is listening when the other needs to talk rather than going to sleep.
It is trying to affirm instead of criticize; it is allowing laughter to end a quarrel instead of insisting on being right. It is sharing hurts and fears instead of hiding them and being independent. It is understanding that some people just can't balance a checkbook; it is disciplining the children together. It is asking the other's opinion and responding to it.
God's faithfulness accepts us for who we are, affirms us, looks for the good in us, and helps us grow. A married couple should challenge all of us to an understanding that doesn't give up on others, but looks for the gifts in each one, affirms those gifts, and draws them forth for the good of the community."
Marriage can be everyone's ideal if we remember that marriage is not two people but three. The presence of Jesus in the relationship should be strong and it's made stronger each day through prayer - prayer shared by couples.
God bless all!!
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Blessings
I have many blessings too numerous to list, but here are a few:
1. My husband, Dick, who has supported me in many ways as I have worked on my education over the years; who has been willing to take on the tasks of cooking and cleaning; and who continues to love and accept me where I am.
2. My children, Paul, Peter, James, and Elizabeth, who taught me all I know about being a mother and still continue to love me.
3. For my children's spouses, Renee, Leah and Amy and the spouse-to-be Adam who are strong and wise and loving beyond their years and who continue to love me unconditionally as we continue to grow in relationship.
4. For my seven grandsons and the one to be born this year of 2007 - they have confirmed my awareness of the value and richness of children and helped me to grow in kindness and compassion and love.
For all these blessings I am grateful but most especially grateful to the one who loves us all with GREAT LOVE, my God and Creator. As we enter into a brand new year with all of its joys and sufferings I know that the Father will be with me always - guiding me in my choices, holding me close in my trials, and laughing with me in my joys.
God bless to all!!
1. My husband, Dick, who has supported me in many ways as I have worked on my education over the years; who has been willing to take on the tasks of cooking and cleaning; and who continues to love and accept me where I am.
2. My children, Paul, Peter, James, and Elizabeth, who taught me all I know about being a mother and still continue to love me.
3. For my children's spouses, Renee, Leah and Amy and the spouse-to-be Adam who are strong and wise and loving beyond their years and who continue to love me unconditionally as we continue to grow in relationship.
4. For my seven grandsons and the one to be born this year of 2007 - they have confirmed my awareness of the value and richness of children and helped me to grow in kindness and compassion and love.
For all these blessings I am grateful but most especially grateful to the one who loves us all with GREAT LOVE, my God and Creator. As we enter into a brand new year with all of its joys and sufferings I know that the Father will be with me always - guiding me in my choices, holding me close in my trials, and laughing with me in my joys.
God bless to all!!
Saturday, January 6, 2007
Miracle of Humility and Exaltation
In my final readings for the Christmas season, which ends today, I found one from Bishop Sheen's book "The Bishop Sheen Catechism" that I found to be profound. It was the story of the lost child Jesus. After three days Mary and Joseph found him in the temple. When Mary said "Why have you done this to us?" Jesus answered " I must be in my Father's house." But then he went home with them and was obedient to them. Bishop Sheen goes on to write about this story the following:
"Imagine, God subject to man - God, before whom the angels and principalities tremble, is subject to Mary and to Joseph. Here are two great miracles of humility and exaltation: the God-man obeying a woman, and a woman commanding the God-man, and that obedience lasted for thirty years."
What a thought!! In this great act Jesus teaches us the power of obedience. For God's ways are not our ways. They are as far above us as the heavens are above the earth. It is in true obedience to the Father that we come to truly know the Father and discover life and love.
God bless all this day!!
"Imagine, God subject to man - God, before whom the angels and principalities tremble, is subject to Mary and to Joseph. Here are two great miracles of humility and exaltation: the God-man obeying a woman, and a woman commanding the God-man, and that obedience lasted for thirty years."
What a thought!! In this great act Jesus teaches us the power of obedience. For God's ways are not our ways. They are as far above us as the heavens are above the earth. It is in true obedience to the Father that we come to truly know the Father and discover life and love.
God bless all this day!!
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Happiness!!
I've been reading Fulton J Sheen for the Christmas season and want to share one of the readings from The Power of Love written in 1964.
"Happiness does not come to those who want to know all, or to possess all, or to enjoy all; rather it comes to those who set limitations upon the satisfaction of self. A man, for example, cannot get the whole world into his hands, but he can wash himself of the world. Our powers of dispossession are greater than our powers of possession; there is a limit to what we can gain, but there is no limit to what we can renounce. In the end, the man who wants nothing is the man who has everything, for there is nothing that he desires....
To deny self is to refuse indulgence to lower desires, to put a restraint upon ourselves, to act differently from the way the sensual in our nature would lead us. Self-denial is the test of love, whether it be human or divine....There may be pain in self-denial for a moment, but pain in the pursuit of the highest is certainly more joyful than ease in the neglect of duty. The agony in self-denial is momentary, but the joy that flows from it is lasting."
These words encourage me to find a way to have less possessions at the end of 2007 than I have at the beginning. It will be a challenge to my weak human nature to let go of things, but with God's help I will make the attempt. Trusting in his goodness, all things are possible.
"Happiness does not come to those who want to know all, or to possess all, or to enjoy all; rather it comes to those who set limitations upon the satisfaction of self. A man, for example, cannot get the whole world into his hands, but he can wash himself of the world. Our powers of dispossession are greater than our powers of possession; there is a limit to what we can gain, but there is no limit to what we can renounce. In the end, the man who wants nothing is the man who has everything, for there is nothing that he desires....
To deny self is to refuse indulgence to lower desires, to put a restraint upon ourselves, to act differently from the way the sensual in our nature would lead us. Self-denial is the test of love, whether it be human or divine....There may be pain in self-denial for a moment, but pain in the pursuit of the highest is certainly more joyful than ease in the neglect of duty. The agony in self-denial is momentary, but the joy that flows from it is lasting."
These words encourage me to find a way to have less possessions at the end of 2007 than I have at the beginning. It will be a challenge to my weak human nature to let go of things, but with God's help I will make the attempt. Trusting in his goodness, all things are possible.
Monday, January 1, 2007
New Life!!
A new year begins and the Doherty family will increase once again. The new grandchild is due in September which will bring us to eight grandchildren. Since we already have seven grandsons, we have hope for a girl. But the truth is we take the gift that God gives us and rejoice. For this gift of life is precious - more precious than many in the world believe. I offer my prayer this day for all those who would seek abortion that they might have a change of heart! I beg those who read this blog to pray for all families as they enter this new year. Pray that all will grow in knowledge and wisdom of God the Father's great love and that they will pass that love on to all they meet. The world would be a better place!
God bless all!!
God bless all!!
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