Seek God's Way of Thinking

December 02, 2013 Message through Mirjana:

"Dear children, with a motherly love and a motherly patience I am looking at your ceaseless wandering and how lost you are. That is why I am with you. I desire to help you to first find and come to know yourself, so that, then, you would be able to recognize and to admit everything that does not permit you to get to know the love of the Heavenly Father, honestly and wholeheartedly. My children, the Father comes to be known through the cross. Therefore, do not reject the cross. Strive to comprehend and accept it with my help. When you will be able to accept the cross you will also understand the love of the Heavenly Father; you will walk with my Son and with me; you will differ from those who have not come to know the love of the Heavenly Father, those who listen to Him but do not understand Him, those who do not walk with Him - who have not come to know Him. I desire for you to come to know the truth of my Son and to be my apostles; that, as children of God, you may rise above the human way of thinking and always, and in everything, seek God's way of thinking, anew. My children, pray and fast that you may be able to recognize all of this which I am seeking of you. Pray for your shepherds and long to come to know the love of your Heavenly Father, in union with them. Thank you." 

Our Lady Queen of Peace, pray for us during this season of Advent, that we may seek God's way of thinking, anew.

Strengthen Me Oh Lord

It started as a tiny thought,

I would not let it go.

Then I started to nurture it,

 and it began to grow.

It followed me with every step,

It wouldn’t go away.

Like wild winds of a tempest storm,

I was battered night and day.

 I threw myself onto my knees

And I began to pray:

Forgive me Lord for the wrong I've done,

I long to start anew;

To live each day with joy and peace,

To live each day for you.

Heavenly Father, thank you form my being able today to decide for You in all my thought, feelings and actions. Now, too, I decide for You as Your Son Jesus Christ decided for You and as His and our Mother decided for You. Strengthen me this day my Lord, that if I am shaken like the branches of a tree in a tempest storm, that I cling to the vine that gives life to the branches, Your Son Jesus Christ.  Amen

“Dear children! Today I call you to open yourselves to prayer. Prayer works miracles in you and through you. Therefore, little children, in the simplicity of heart seek of the Most High to give you the strength to be God’s children and for Satan not to shake you like the wind shakes the branches. Little children, decide for God anew and seek only His will – and then you will find joy and peace in Him. Thank you for having responded to my call.” Message to Marija , BVM, Medjugorje 10/25/2013

When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God...

Dawn has not yet broken. Slowly she rises and makes her way down stairs.

“The coffee smells so good”, she says to herself. Grabbing her favorite mug, the beige one with the lavender flowers, she pours herself a cup and holds it close to her face, taking in both the warmth and the aroma it offers. “Thank you Lord”, she says quietly, and walks over to the sofa.

 She loves this time of the morning. The house is still and the dog is nestled by the fireplace that her husband has lit for her.

After a few sips of coffee, she pulls out her rosary beads. She kisses the crucifix before beginning to pray and wonders how many others throughout the world are doing the same thing right now.

An image of God’s children comes to mind. They have all just risen and are gathering themselves together. They lift their voices in praise for the many gifts they have received and in prayer for the many needs for themselves and those closest to them. Like the holy apostles and the saints that had come before them, these children of God pray that they, too, might imitate the divine light.

“Imagine if we all begin each day like this”, she thought to herself…….

Peacefulness settles into her soul and she begins to pray for all though who do not believe.

Our Lady Queen Of Peace of Medjugorje’s March 2, 2012 Message Given To Mirjana  On The Day of Non-Believers

"Dear children; through the immeasurable love of God I am coming among you and I am persistently calling you into the arms of my Son. With a motherly heart I am imploring you, my children, but I am also repeatedly warning you, that concern for those who have not come to know my Son be in the first place for you. Do not permit that by looking at you and your life, they are not overcome by a desire to come to know Him. Pray to the Holy Spirit for my Son to be impressed within you. Pray that you can be apostles of the divine light in this time of darkness and hopelessness. This is a time of your trial. With a rosary in hand and love in the heart set out with me. I am leading you towards Easter in my Son. Pray for those whom my Son has chosen that they can always live through Him and in Him - the High Priest. Thank you." 03/02/2012

May we all lift our prayers for those that do not believe in God and for all those that do not yet know him.

   

All Creation Groans

And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. Mark 7:32

How many times have I sat before you, O Lord,

begging you to hear my cries,

filling your ears with my many wants,

my many needs.

Groaning before you I come…But like the deaf man, I do not hear….

Then you groan…”Ephphatha!.....be open”

Be open to the beauty that surrounds you,

to my presents in your life.

be open to the sound of the morning song bird.

She sings to you so sweetly this morning.

She has come to wake you,

to fill your heart with joy.

Be open to the sun that rises this day,

 as it peaks through the trees,

shinning into your bedroom window,

a hint of what this day has to offer if you will only see.

Be open to the one I put before you today,

the one who stands in need of your love,

your understanding,

your time…..yes... your time.

For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Romans 8:22

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,

Open my ears, that I might hear your voice.

Open my heart, that I might be filled with your tender mercy.

Let Love Be Contagious

There is one ONLY THING to do here below: to love Jesus, to win souls for Him so that He may be loved.

-St. Therese

How can I look at the brilliant stars in the sky,

Watch the ocean waves crash on the shore,

admire rolling hills and mountains high

And not think of your majesty?

How can I see the young family playing all the while

hear their laughter,

watch their smiles,

and not think of you?

How can I look at the elderly couple walking hand and hand

And not think of what their years together might have to offer me;

The wisdom of age is also hope for the future.

The gift of life is so precious and your love is all around me.

Yet, I easily get distracted and caught up in my own now.

Sometimes I become the center of my own world.

In my constant busyness I become

Indifferent to the needs of others, sometimes indifferent to you.

Scripture tells me " So because you are lukewarm,and neither hot not cold, I will spit you out of my mouth" Revelations 3:16

Let that never be!

Help me to live everyday in the presence of your son, Jesus Christ,

And may the joy of your love in me be contagious to all I meet.

"Dear children! Today also I am calling you to

live and follow with a special love all the messages which I am

giving you. Dear children, God does not want you lukewarm and

undecided, but that you totally surrender to Him. You know that I

love you and that out of love I long for you. Therefore, dear

children, you also decide for love so that you will long for and

daily experience God's love. Dear children, decide for love so

that love prevails in all of you, but not human love, rather

God's love. Thank you for having responded to my call." BVM, Medjugorge, November 20, 1986

I Say My "Fiat" for All of You

Quietly sitting in her room, she waits.

Born to parents in their later years of life,
And dedicated to God from the earliest part of her youth,
She waits.

Prayer and fasting are her constant companions,
For the eyes of her soul are turned inward as she watches for things to come.

The ears of her spirit listen as she reads the Holy Scriptures,
Always contemplating on the One,
The One who would bring salvation to her people.

She is no more than a girl by some standards,
Around fifteen years of age.
And while quietly sitting in her room,
She begins to sing softly.
Her heart lifted in prayer.

It is nearing dusk, and the dim light that has entered her room begins to brighten.
Increasing slowly at first, the light becomes radiant.
She is filled with awe as the angel of the Lord stands before her.

“Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus” Luke 1:31

Bowing low, arms crossed on her breast, she responds…..

…….“May it be done to me according to your word” Luke 1:38

Yes….forever yes….

She and the light are now one,

Its radiance consumes her.
A lifetime of waiting is fulfilled.

God has brought salvation to his people.

“Today, before God, I say my “Fiat” for all of you. I repeat it: I say my “Yes” for all of you. Dear children, pray, so that the kingdom of love may come into the whole world. How mankind would be happy if love reigned.” BVM, Medjugorje March 25, 1986


March 25, 2011 Message to Marija

"Dear children! In a special way today I desire to call you to conversion. As of today, may new life begin in your heart. Children, I desire to see your ‘yes’, and may your life be a joyful living of God’s will at every moment of your life. In a special way today, I bless you with my motherly blessing of peace, love and unity in my heart and in the heart of my Son Jesus. Thank you for having responded to my call."



Notes:

Miryam of Nazareth, Woman of Strenth & Wisdom, Ann Johnson, 1984 by Ave Maria Press, Inc.

The Joy of Finding Jesus

What a friend we have in Jesus

All our sins and grief to bear
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer ~ Tennessee Ernie Ford


When Jesus is with us, the going seems easy and life seems less difficult.
When Jesus is not with us life seems harder, empty, and desolate.


They had journeyed quite awhile before she realized he was he was nowhere to be found. Fear overcomes her as she runs from group to group looking for her son, “Have you seen him?” she asks.”Please, will you pray that we find him, please?” Turning to her husband with pain and anguish in her eyes she says, “We must go back; he’s got to still be there.” And so they go.


Each moment he is missing seems like an eternity to her. Each passing hour is filled with anxiety. Every child’s voice she hears toys with her emotions as she makes the long way back Jerusalem. She can barely contain her tears. It has been three days and she is exhausted. As she enters the temple her fears turns to joy as she hears his voice. He is teaching the elders. Quickly she makes her way forward to him. He stands up and embraces her. He had remained behind to do the Father’s will.


Oh, the joy of finding Jesus. He that finds him has found a treasure and he who loses him loses everything.

 Many follow Jesus to the breaking of the bread, but few to drinkinking His chalice of suffering.1 Imitation of Christ, St. Louis de Montfort  


"Dear children! May this time be a time of prayer for you. My call, little children, desires to be for you a call to decide to follow the way of conversion; therefore, pray and seek the intercession of all the saints. May they be for you an example, an incentive and a joy towards eternal life. Thank you for having responded to my call." BVM October 25 2010 Message to Marija

Our Lady’s Armor

If you desire peace in your hearts, in your homes, and in your country, assemble each evening to recite the Rosary. Let not even one day pass without saying it, no matter how burdened you may be…….Pope Pius XI


“Among all the devotions approved by the Church, none has been so favored by so many miracles as the Rosary devotion.” Pope Pius IX

I can’t ever remember a time while growing up that our family went on car trip without reciting the Rosary. My dad, always the driver, would only be on the road for just a few minutes before mom would reach down for her purse. My younger sister Mary knew exactly what that meant and would immediately close her eyes pretending that she was asleep. So, as soon as I heard the beads rattle and mom say, “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit”, I would loudly protest, “Mary’s not sleeping. She has to say the Rosary too!”

This seen played out each and every time we went on a trip. Who would have known that years later I would be carrying on the same tradition with my family, and they in turn would be offering me similar forms of protest!

Many miracles throughout history have been attributed to devoutly praying the Holy Rosary. Wars have been won, the sick have been healed, marriages have been saved and family members have come back to the faith, all because people have believed in the power of the Rosary.

I read a article yesterday about a young British soldier in Afghanistan,  Glen Hockton, who believes that the Rosary saved his life, just like his great-grandfather in WWII.

While Glenn was on patrol with his unit, his rosary suddenly fell from his neck. Thinking it was broken, he bent down to pick it up and realized he was on a landmine.

After 45 terrifying minutes, his colleagues managed to rescue him.

His great-grandfather Joseph ‘Sunny’ Truman also credited a rosary with saving his life in World War II. He was walking across a field with half a dozen of his platoon. He bent down to pick something up and was the only one to survive a sudden bomb blast. He had picked up a rosary.

For these men and many others, the Rosary truly was Our Lady's armor.

"Pray the Rosary everyday in order to obtain peace for the world and the end of the war." Our Lady of Fatima May 13, 1917


"Dear children! Today I call you especially now to advance against Satan by means of prayer. Satan wants to work still more now that you know he is at work. Dear children, put on the armor for battle and with the Rosary in your hand defeat him! Thank you for having responded to my call." BVM, Medjugorje August 8, 1985

Show Unto Us The Blessed Fruit of Thy Womb Jesus

"Blessed are you, daughter, by the Most High God, above all the women on earth; and blessed be the Lord God, the creator of heaven and earth.......” Judith 13:18


Oh Mary most holy
Mother of our Lord,
Mother of us all

Ark of the Covenant
You carried Him in your womb,
The bread of Life

In humble obedience your bore Him,
Mother of the Redeemer

In silence you watched Him grow,
Cause of  joy

You shared in His suffering,
Our Lady of Sorrows

Remaining sinless throughout your life,
You were assumed body and soul into Heaven

Oh Queen of the angels,
You continue to show sinners the way


"....after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus."



"Dear children! Today I call you, together with me, to begin to build the Kingdom of Heaven in your hearts; that you may forget that what is personal and – led by the example of my Son – think of what is of God. What does He desire of you? Do not permit Satan to open the paths of earthly happiness, the paths without my Son. My children, they are false and last a short while. My Son exists. I offer you eternal happiness and peace and unity with my Son, with God; I offer you the Kingdom of God. Thank you." BVM August 2, 2010 Medjugorje

Motherhood, A Vocation of Life

She often thought of those days, long ago, when she held him in her arms soothing him to sleep with a gentle lullaby. The shape of his little fingers that clenched tightly to hers, the softness of his skin, the warmth of his little body as he smuggled close to her heart; time goes so quickly.

He was her eldest son and brilliant by all accounts. Yet, in his youth he had grown lazy and rebellious. He had cast aside the religious beliefs that his mother had strived so hard to instill in him. Self-indulgence and the endless pursuit of pleasure had long replaced that guiding light; spiritual darkness was the direction he seemed to follow.

As his mother watched the path her son had chosen, her grief intensified. Yet, she never gave up on him. She prayed for him continually; morning and night she prayed. In anguish she consulted a bishop who had once followed a similar path before becoming a Christian. But, he could not help at this point because her son was not open to hearing the truth. Nevertheless, the bishop did console her by saying that "the child of those tears shall never perish", which she took as a sign from God. For nine more years he continued his behavior and his mother continued her prayers for his conversion.

This mother's name was Monica and her son was St. Augustine, one of the most influential thinkers in the entire history of the Church. ~

One of God’s greatest gifts to us is motherhood, for He has blessed a mother in such a way that she becomes a dwelling place for an immortal soul; not even the holy angels have been given such grace.

But with this gift comes tremendous responsibility. We must care for and nurture His little ones in the ways of the faith in a world that cares little for the things of God.

We must be an example to them of purity and virtue amongst those who have lost the meaning and value of such things.

A mother’s love is always constant, ever tireless and forever steadfast. Her love knows no boundaries. She gives her all for her children and would go to great lengths to help them when they are troubled or in danger.


Let us pray today for all mothers, especially those that struggle in their vocations that they find the strength and courage they need to embrace the many challenges that come their way by knowing that the Lord is always by their side. In Jesus name….

Lift Me Up, Oh Lord

 "When he perceived how strong the wind was, becoming frightened, he began to sink." –Matthew 14:30

How often Lord, have I been like Peter,

ready to step out in faith.

I look into the gentle beauty of your eyes,

Your arms stretched out,

our fingers almost touch,

almost intertwine.

Then I take my eyes off you,

I lose focus 

only to hear the howling of the wind

and feel the cold, strong churning of the sea.

Fear takes over faith

and I begin to slowly sink.

"Lord, save me!", I cry.

But your focus, Oh Lord,

does not waver like mine

and your eyes remain upon me always.

Lovingly, you reach out for me

and lift me up to safety.

"O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

 

“Dear children! God wants to make you holy. Therefore, through me He is inviting you to complete surrender. Let holy mass be your life. Understand that the church is God's palace, the place in which I gather you and want to show you the way to God. Come and pray. Neither look at others nor slander them, but rather, let your life be a testimony on the way of holiness. Churches deserve respect and are set apart as holy because God, who became man, dwells in them day and night. Therefore, little children, believe and pray that the Father increase your faith, and then ask for whatever you need. I am with you and I am rejoicing because of you conversion and I am protecting you with my motherly mantle. Thank you for having responded to my call. ”
BVM, Medjugorje, April 25, 1988

We Are Made by God And For God

As I woke early this morning before dawn and walked downstairs to the kitchen to fill my teakettle with water, I looked out the window into the darkness of my backyard. A single lamplight shown on the face of St. Francis as he waited patiently for the first of the three Hummingbirds that come each morning to drink from the fountain beneath his feet.

We have had this garden statue of Francis for over twenty years. It was blessed by a dear priest friend of ours, and the sound of the water trickling into the fountain can be heard from my bedroom window at night. It is quite soothing on a hot summer eve.


 I poured my tea and was saying my prayers, when sure enough, just as the sun took its place in the sky and the sparrows began to sing their morning praises to the Lord, there they came to take their morning dip into the fountain and to feast on the sweet nectar of the nearby Jasmine. We all need our daily nourishment to survive.

“As the body cannot live without nourishment, so our souls cannot be spiritually kept alive without prayer” St. Augustine

We were made by God and for God. Jesus says “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (Jn 10:10). This life that he refers to is eternal life and consists of sharing in the very life of God himself, and dwelling in His presence.


It is not enough to be a good person. We are called to be holy people. Prayer calls us to holiness because it calls us into the presence of God who is all love and all holiness.



Just as most of us not only nourish our bodies in the morning or the evening, so too, our souls need nourishment throughout the day. Prayer is our spiritual nourishment that keeps us in the presence of our Almighty God.

The spirit of the world keeps us busy and it keeps us preoccupied. We become so busy that we often forget to notice the spirit of Christ in the ordinary things and situations around us. We fail to notice the presence of God dwelling in our midst.


How do we place ourselves in the presence of God? To do this we must cultivate a spirit of prayer; one that is always with us, like the air we breathe. We must realize that God’s presence is in all things and in all places. We must remember that His divine spirit entered us through baptism and His loving gaze is upon those who love Him, especially those in prayer. (Taken from St.Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life)


COME, Holy Spirit, Creator blest,
and in our souls take up Thy rest;
come with Thy grace and heavenly aid
to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.

Let My Cup Overflow

“For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.” Matthew 7:2



Dear Jesus,

I want to offer this day to you in love, to unit my every thought, every word and every action with you. Remove from my heart any unkind or critical thoughts or speech and please use me today as you will, so that your will is my will.

May I share a large measure of your love with all those I come in contact with today ,that they too might recognize in me the greatness of your loving kindness and in turn sing your praises.
In your name I pray. Amen


"I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth." Ps 34: 2

Fearless Fridays

“They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.” ~ Psalm 112:7-8 NLT

Welcome to Fearless Fridays!
A day where I commit to pray for you.

I have join Angela   of Free Spirit Haven and other precious prayer warriors that have also committed to pray for you, your families and friends.

To participate in Fearless Fridays please leave a comment sharing your prayer request.

You don't have to list details.


Pray for God's will alone to be done in our lives.

God knows all the details.

God knows all of our needs.
So... when I ask for your prayers I believe that God will answer them.

“Dear children! God gave you the grace to live and to defend all the good that is in you and around you, and to inspire others to be better and holier; but Satan, too, does not sleep and through modernism diverts you and leads you to his way. Therefore, little children, in the love for my Immaculate Heart, love God above everything and live His commandments. In this way, your life will have meaning and peace will rule on earth. Thank you for having responded to my call. ” BVM May 25, 2010


May the Sacred Heart of Jesus hold you close to his heart today and always.

Indeed, It Was Good

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good."

 Genesis 1, 31

Waves that swell and crash to the shore,
tell  more of a tale than they told before.

Seashells that once glinted pearly white,
have a crimson tint in the bright sunlight.

The pelican struggles to stretch out her wings,
and  beachgoers wonder what the future will bring.

Scenes like these play out along the shore
as millions of gallons of crude oil pour.

What some had considered their own paradise,
they now are calling a toxic waste site.

Oh people of God, I beg you to pray
and continue it on by night and by day,

That we do what we can and do what we should,
for what the Lord gave us was, indeed, very good.

A Joyful Witness

I will witness to you in the world, O Lord. I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers and sisters, alleluia
(Ps 17:50; 21:23)

A warm simile that welcomes the stranger

Arms that reach out to others

Eyes that look into the heart

Ears that take time to listen

Patience to put the need of others before my own

Humility to serve

Energy to endure

Grant me these things today, my Lord that I may joyfully witness your love to those who love not.
                                                                           In Jesus name I pray.
                                                                          Amen

Discovering God in Silence

“The Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth keep silence before Him”  Habakkuk 2:20

God cannot be found in noise and agitation. His true power and love are revealed in what is hardly perceptible, in gentle breeze that requires stillness and quiet to detect.  In silence, God listens to us. In silence, listen to Him.  In silence, God speaks to our souls and the power of His word is enough to transform our very being. We cannot speak to God and to the world at the same time. We need the sacred space that silence creates in order to turn our undivided attention toward God even if it is only for a few precious moments of our day. 

By Sister Mary Clare, O.C.D. , Spirit of Carmel, Spring 2010

“Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.

John 15:4

This is our Eucharistic connection to our Lord. Without him we can do nothing.

May we find that sacred space of silence we need to be with our Lord today.

Everything is God's Gift to You

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me." John 14:1

Sometimes, the sight of our ever changing world can cause us to have feelings of doubt, or even despair. We tend to focus on the negative around us and soon our attitudes and our speech follows suit; much like a domino effect.

It is in times like these that we need to stop, look around and realize all the things we have to be grateful for. A spirit of gratitude brings peace to the soul and joy to the heart!

“Dear children! I am calling you to a complete surrender to God. Let everything that you possess be in the hands of God. Only in that way shall you have joy in your heart. Little children, rejoice in everything that you have. Give thanks to God because everything is God's gift to you. That way in your life you shall be able to give thanks for everything and discover God in everything even in the smallest flower. Thank you for having responded to my call. ” BVM Medjugorje 4-25-1989 

Lord, may the spirit of gratitude bloom within my heart. Amen

How Many Times

“A light from the sky suddenly flashed around him.” He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”….”I am Jesus, whom your are persecuting.” ( From Acts 9:1-20)

How many times Lord have I persecuted you without thinking?

Perhaps it was in the grudge that I held against a brother or sister, a co-worker, a neighbor or a spouse; the sin of pride can run so deep.

Perhaps it was the negative thought about another that I shared with someone else, leading them into the pit of sin with me.

Perhaps it was the time that I did not speak out the truth, but instead took the wide road of comfort, choosing to be liked rather than despised by those around me.

Lord, as you sent Ananias to Saul to lay hands on him that he would regain his sight,

Send your spirit to me that the scales may fall from my eyes and I may regain my sight.

“My Son suffers very much because men do not want to be reconciled. They have not listened to me. Be converted. Be reconciled.” Message from the BVM 10-15-83

Praise the Lord, all you nations; glorify him, all you peoples.
For steadfast is his kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the Lord endures forever. Psalm 117

May Love Flow From Your Heart

Christ has no body now on earth but yours,

no hands but yours,

no feet but yours,

yours are the eyes through which Christ's compassion

is to look out to the earth,

yours are the feet by which He is to go about doing good

and yours are the hands by which He is to bless us now.

St Teresa of Avila

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'

But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. (Matthew 5: 43-45)

"Dear Children! This time also I am inviting you to prayer. Pray that you might be able to comprehend what God desires to tell you through my presence and through the messages I am giving you. I desire to draw you ever closer to Jesus and to His wounded heart that you might be able to comprehend the immeasurable love which gave itself for each one of you. Therefore, dear children, pray that from your heart would flow a fountain of love to every person both to the one who hates you and to the one who despises you. That way you will be able through Jesus' love to overcome all the misery in this world of sorrows, which is without hope for those who do not know Jesus. I am with you and I love you with the immeasurable love of Jesus. Thank you for all your sacrifices and prayers. Pray so I might be able to help you still more. Your prayers are necessary to me. Thank you for having responded to my call." BVM 11-25-91 Monthly Message, Medjugore


May the love and mercy of our risen Lord  Jesus Christ flow from our hearts today touching all those we come in contact with, even to the most difficult.  In His Name, Amen.