Saturday, April 19, 2014

Magnificat of Resurrection

John 20:19-21

My soul sings and
my spirit delights and rejoices,
O faithful God,
because you have removed the stone which was
rolled over our hearts and
we are risen.

Yes, from this day forward all generations
will call us blessed
for the Almighty has called us forth from death
and we have responded.

Holy is the name of God,
and compassion reaches from age to age
for those who walk hand in hand with the Everlasting One.

You have shown power over death.
You have humiliated those who believed
they could destroy your living Word.

You have enfeebled those who would rule by their own
might and
empowered the simple people who trust in you,
O God who creates and companions.

The anguished of heart are stilled,
made whole again by this good news,
and the arrogant are reduced to eternal confusion.

You have come to the help of Israel, your faithful one,
Israel who remembers you are the God who saves
...according to the history of our time with you...
Israel who remembers you are the God who saves us
from bondage,
from faithlessness,
and from ultimate violence.
You are the Forever Living One,
the Shatterer of Death.


Miryam of Nazareth Woman of Strength & Wisdom

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Lent, 40 Days of Renewal

Much like a good spring cleaning, the season of Lent gives us the opportunity to put our spiritual house in order. Like a closet, drawer or garage that becomes cluttered over time with junk we really don’t need, so do our daily lives become cluttered with things that keep us from God.

If we stop to take a look at our lives, we probably see that our days become so full that we need to view our planners before we say yes to another event. With my family we usually need through out a series of dates for everyone to review before we can come up with a date we can all get together.

Our children and grandchildren come home from school, only to change clothes and grab a snack before they rush off to another activity. Family meal time often evolves around a take out/drive-thru due to our fast pace of life.

Don't get me wrong, some extra activities are good for us and the occasional pizza, burgers, or whatever your particular fast food pick might be, isn't a big deal. This is the American lifestyle right? Don't we enjoy this?

What I'm referring to is the simple fact that we are so busy being busy!

I need my time with God; I need my quiet time of prayer.  I'm guessing ,you probably need it  too!

Jesus needed that time in the desert. He needed that 40 Days.

As I received my ashes on Ash Wednesday, the lay minister marked my head and said, “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel”. Returning to my seat, I pondered these words and what they specifically meant for me. Great challenges came to mind. And, like the clutter in my closet, I knew it was time to do some spiritual house cleaning.


Create a clean heart in me, O God; give me a new steadfast spirit.    (Ps 50:12)

"Dear children! I invite you to surrender to God. In this season I specially want you to renounce all the things to which you are attached but which are hurting your spiritual life. Therefore, little children, decide completely for God, and do not allow Satan to come into your life through those things that hurt both you and your spiritual life. Little children, God is offering Himself to you in fullness, and you can discover and recognize Him only in prayer. Therefore make a decision for prayer. Thank you for having responded to call" BVM, Medjugorge, February 25, 1990


Dear Children, I am coming to you as a mother and I desire that in me, as in a mother, you may find your abode, consolation and rest. Therefore, my children, apostles of my love, pray. Pray with humble devotion, obedience and complete trust in the Heavenly Father. Trust as I have trusted when it was said to me that I will bring the blessing of the promise. May out of your hearts, from your lips, always come forth: 'May Your will be done!'. Therefore, trust and pray so that I can intercede for you before the Lord, for Him to give you the heavenly blessing and fill you with the Holy Spirit. Then you will be able to help all those who do not know the Lord - you, apostles of my love, will help them to call Him 'Father' with complete trust. Pray for your shepherds and place your trust in their blessed hands. Thank you.BVM, Medjugorge,  March 2, 2014