Cross

In the last two days, the Lord has told me four different ways that what I was hoping to be rescued from is my cross to bear... at least for now. I can relate to St. Paul and his thorn in the flesh. He prayed three times for its removal, but it was there to stay.

This evening at Stations of the Cross, Christ's words showed me that it is my (difficult) privilege to carry a sliver of His cross. His quiet strength in the face of tormentors can bring me courage if I let it. It will help me be silent when everything in me is crying out to do otherwise. My prayer is to wear this cross beautifully. May I not resist, but follow His example. The good news is that when St. Paul discovered his thorn would not be removed, he also found this: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (II Corinthians 12:9)

Strength for the Journey

Tomorrow I will spend a precious hour before the Holy Eucharist in a sweetly hushed church. The smell of incense will be in the air, and our sung Latin will linger as memories in my ears.

I find such peace as I sit still before Him who created the universe. What will He say to me tomorrow, I wonder?

He who made the stars, hushed the storm, came to earth, bore the cross, resurrected, ascended to Heaven and sent the Holy Spirit comes to us in a simple church on the back streets of a humble town. He visits His people in bread and wine. He enters our bodies and gives us peace. He has been here, always, through the ages, in the hearts of His people, just as He promised when He walked the earth.

I cannot wait for my appointment with the King!

Light

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light." I Peter 2:9

Wow! Really? It's hard to think of myself that way. I sort of see myself as a little candle, like the one above, and even then my flame does not always flicker so steadily.

Many candles together can shine brightly for Him, like a holy nation. As Jesus says, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden." Matthew 5:14

St. John calls Christ the Light. Think of it. Light… illuminating, warm, healing, dispelling darkness, revealing truth, filling all space… light.

And this great Light tells us we are His lights in the world, individually and corporately. What an incredible honor, what great responsibility! But take heart - even a little light chases away the darkness, and small sparks grow into great bonfires.

"...let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven." Matthew 5:16

Pathways

I once knew a woman who was intrigued by clotheslines. She had a photo collection of them in her home. In a similar way, I am attracted to pathways, maybe because I find them mysterious and hopeful all at once. This picture I found on the Internet is of a pathway in Scotland. The bright sunlight captured at the top of the photo seems to pull me in and beckon me forward.

In a certain area of my life, I am on a path with an unknown end. I am seeking God for answers and I do not know where He will lead. I do not know what God wants of me in the situation, and I pray I will be brave enough to follow the path He has for me.

A friend said this to me in an email yesterday: "We put our worries in His hands and then we are assured no matter what the outcome, it was for our best. This is the beauty of our faith." It was in relation to something completely different, and while I had no idea it would apply to me today, God did. :)

Psalm 119:105 says: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."

I will take heart in the light He gives now, and trust Him for more up ahead.

Blushing Bride

I love this picture: its sweetness, expectancy, innocence. I love the joy and anticipation in her face, as though she's looking at her beloved. It exudes purity.

Jesus makes me feel this way. He makes me feel pure and sweet, even when I've made choices that say otherwise. He gives me a new start, He wipes away my old mistakes. He wants the best for me, knowing I will stand before Him someday, along with the rest of His church. In His wisdom and mercy He brings me experiences, even painful ones, that teach me how to be His child. Slowly... surely... sweetly... He is making my crooked little heart straight.

Encourage One Another

"But encourage one another daily..." Hebrews 3:13

There is someone I know who never fails to provide encouragement just by being who they are. Their words make my soul feel wrapped in a blanket of spiritual soundness, so full are they of faith and commitment.

God is so creative in how He brings encouragement. Sometimes it's a "Veronica" to help for a moment, sometimes a "Simon" to help for a day, and sometimes a "Jonathan" to help for a lifetime.

I see each one as a holy messenger and am thankful for them all! I pray I may have the grace to pass forward what they give to me, like ripples in a pool.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up..."
I Thessalonians 5:11

What's in a Name?

A friend once said in jest, "I wish God would send us notes from Heaven in answer to our prayers!" I laughed along with her. Little did I know that years later, amazing as it sounds, He would do that for me!

Our parish is in the midst of preparing a dozen or so adults to receive sacraments on Easter Vigil. I feel like a proud mother when I think of what they will receive in just a short time, and their journeys are making me reminisce about mine. This Easter Vigil will mark the five year anniversary of my receiving Christ in the Eucharist for the first time.

A couple of them have asked me how to choose a confirmation name, which takes me back to when I chose my patron saint. I knew immediately (without pausing for thought) what my name would be: Teresa. Blessed Mother Teresa had been a great influence in my life, even before my journey toward the Catholic Church. Her "humble passion" was a great attraction to me. (Because she has not yet been declared a saint, the name is also in honor of St. Therese of Liseux and St. Teresa of Avila.)

I began to wonder later if I should have asked God for His input on the choice. Was I too hasty? Just in case, I said a little prayer asking Him to show me what name He wanted me to take.

I went about my day and almost forgot about the prayer. A couple hours later, the doorbell rang. It was my birthday, and a neighbor was at the door with a gift in hand. She was a little perplexed as she explained that her intention was to give it to me at Christmas, but it didn't arrive in time; instead it arrived just a few days before my birthday. All she could figure is that God wanted me to have it now, rather than then. She handed me the gift, then turned to go. Her words as she gave me the gift were, "This is so you!"

Feeling grateful, I took the gift inside and unwrapped it. Can you imagine how stunned I was when the paper unfolded and revealed a book of quotes from Mother Teresa?! That was a much bigger gift than I had expected to receive!

I am grateful for my trio of patron saints Teresa, and for God who gave me my marching orders that day. :)