
Topics: everyday prayer, Sharon Krause, The Holy Spirit accompanies us
Here we are, moving fast and counting down the days until Christmas! It is truly a challenge not to get caught up in all the hype and lose sight of the hope of which the season of Advent is supposed to remind us. The hope is all about Jesus rescuing humanity from the throes of sinfulness, selfishness, and misplaced adoration. It is a very joyful hope.
In our haste, how easy it is to think about sales instead of souls! Black Friday sales started even before the day after Thanksgiving this year. Retailers were eager to rid themselves of inventory accumulated during COVID shutdowns. How about spiritual shutdowns? Maybe we should take stock of our immortal soul and those of our beloved family and friends. We all are not preachers and ministers, but we can certainly exemplify simple ways to point to the true spiritual joy of the Christmas preparation time. Advent calendars don’t have to involve only a piece of candy or a little toy each day of the countdown. What if even a small child were blessed with hearing a small prayer or truth about Jesus each day?
Decorations for Christmas have been out in the retail stores and in people’s yards since October! We compete to save money and show our decorating skills. More importantly, wonderful declarations about the promised Savior stand out in numerous verses in the Bible all year long, and especially in this Advent season. The entrance antiphon on the second Sunday of Advent declared:
O people of Zion, behold, the Lord will come to save the nations, and the Lord
will make the glory of his voice heard in the joy of your heart. (Isaiah 30:19, 30)
We are exhorted to rejoice because the Lord is near (Philippians 4:4-5). The gospels of Matthew for the Sunday liturgies have John the Baptist telling people to prepare for the One to come, and later we are reminded of how Mary conceived Jesus (Matt.1:18-24). We are urged by John the Baptist to repent, not to be rushing to store for rebates or refunds.
Hurry up! Get to the Christmas party at work! Or at the sports club! Be careful about priorities though! Parties are fun breaks from work and chances to reconnect socially with friends, family and co-workers. Why not take some important spiritual breaks and attend a few extra masses or some brief prayerful visits before the Blessed Sacrament?
We hear Santa’s laugh often during this holiday season: “Ho! Ho! Ho!” May we try to help ourselves and others to be holy, holy, holy as we await the celebration of our Savior’s coming!
Topics: everyday prayer, Advent, Advent prayer, Sharon Krause
There I sat, in the passenger’s side of our pickup truck, for hours and hours as my husband drove us from Connecticut to our new residence in Royal Palm Beach Florida. Being of short stature, I had the pleasure of the sun in my face when the visors were not long enough; but I also had wonderful views of large birds gliding among the clouds high in the sky above us. I noticed how gracefully they flew, how unencumbered their flights were in contrast to the sometimes jerky, crowded, stop-and-go vehicle traffic below them. I also became aware of how wide open and full the wingspreads of the birds were. Those natural aviators were fully open to the power and directions of the wind currents. While I could not ask the birds their opinions, their travels looked very peaceful and delightful.
So I propose the question to all of us: do we open our wings fully to the power and direction of the Lord? Apart from all the confusion and distractions of our daily lives, are we able to open ourselves up to the love and inspirations from the Holy Spirit? Not one of those birds had its wings open only halfway or one-sided. There was a complete openness to that which would offer efficient and safe propulsion. With the resources of prayer and sacraments, we can get through our busy traffic, and now, the holiday traffic…with a cushion of faith and confidence.
At the same time, we have the joy of the season of Advent when we can try to spread our wings fully, to open up and prepare for the celebration of the Lord’s nativity. It is so easy to get “jammed up” with lists, shopping, decorating, rearranging, parties and party-planning, wrapping, and errands that can really cramp our style. Circumstances can ruffle our feathers! At the end of a busy day, who feels like praying? And yet, what and who should be our real priorities?
I suggest we wrap up a little prayer-time gift for Jesus every day. If we spread ourselves out and lift up our thoughts and imaginations with gratitude and trust in our loving Savior, we can be pleasantly surprised at the gifts we receive, even before Christmas Day! Open up to the Lord!
We might choose to look to St. Paul for some scripture verses to form the bases of our prayer-time gifts:
Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:2)
I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)
Or we might look to Proverbs 3:5-6:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
on your own intelligence do not rely;
In all your ways be mindful of him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Let’s take flight this Advent!
Topics: everyday prayer, Advent, Advent prayer, Sharon Krause
The presiding priest gave the final blessing at the Saturday vigil Mass, and then the deacon said, “Go forth in the peace of Jesus.” I have heard similar dismissals many times, but for some reason, the invitation to peace resounded in my brain.
I was struck by just how dimensional that peace of Jesus really is and was prompted to suggest some of the facets of that peace as I see it.
P - Pastoral. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, offers guidance and direction to all of us. We can easily be lost sheep in this busy environment of ours. If we just keep our eyes on Jesus and humbly acknowledge that our loving Savior hears our prayers and knows what is best for us in his time, we can be peaceful. Joyfully, follow our Leader!
E- Evangelical. When we have Jesus’ peace, we know we cannot keep it to ourselves. We can happily spread it through witness stories that we share with others. Jesus’ peace is far-reaching and meant to be contagious. It helps us to be open and eager to be loving. Pass on the peace to others!
A - All-encompassing. The peace of Jesus affects all areas of our lives: our personal prayer life, our social life, our family life, our moral decisions, our work life. When we are truly open to experience Jesus, we can experience new vigor, strength, and perseverance. We see broader pictures in life. We are more open to forgiveness. Bring it on!
C - Calming. Many movies and television shows nowadays encourage and dramatize rushes of adrenalin in us. Everything has to be exciting and grossly stimulating! With the Lord’s peace, a calmness comes with more patience and ease. Easy does it!
E - Everlasting. So many things come and go quickly. Everything and everyone seem to be in a big hurry. The peace of Jesus is time-tested and guaranteed never to expire so long as we stay close to him through prayer and a humble willingness to follow scripture teaching. Happily ever after!
We read in John’s Gospel (20:19-23) that when Jesus’ first appeared to his apostles after his resurrection, his first words to them were, “Peace be with you.” He then gave them the power to forgive sins: “Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” (v. 22b-23)
Did you see? The peace came first. Let’s try to put Jesus’ peace first in our daily lives.
Topics: everyday prayer, go in peace, inner peace, Sharon Krause
Ah! What a fine specimen! Right there on the table! A big, fat, orange, round pumpkin, waiting for a carved personality!
The young man grabbed his carving knife, cut a circle around the stem, cleaned out the pulp and seeds, and proceeded to create his masterpiece for the Halloween season. Carefully, he carved first the right triangular eye, and then the left.
Lord, help me to keep my eyes on you.
Help me to see others as you do,
with compassion and forgiveness and generous love.
Give me clear focus on what is truly and purely truth in this world.
Guide my eyes toward opportunities to share your Good News.
Ah! Next came the nose! With precision, the man carefully cut the big nose triangle from the middle of the evolving Jack-o’-lantern face. Plop! Out popped the chunk! No nostrils needed!
Jesus! Help me to keep my nose away from others’ business where it doesn’t
belong. May I offer good help and Christian advice when it is called for,
knowing my limitations.
With every breath I take, may I somehow give glory to my Creator who loves
me and made me in his image.
And the smiling mouth! The fellow carved a big, happy mouth for Mr. Pumpkin! The momentum was building. His masterpiece was almost finished! Up and down, carefully scraping! There! All complete!
Lord, help me to be careful what I say to others. May my words be wise and
effective. May my smiles brighten people’s days and lift their spirits. May I give
you praise by echoing your message of compassion and understanding. Help
me to speak up courageously in defense of those who have no means of
speaking for themselves.
Ah, again! The last creative touch! The lighted candle inside, so that Mr. Pumpkin can shine brightly for all to appreciate! Flickers of autumnal joy! He rests on the porch step, and he beckons those who pass by to enjoy the warmth of his pretty face and spirited grin! Well done, Mr. Pumpkin-Carver!
Come Holy Spirit! Be my inspirational Light in a world that can easily ramp up
darkness and despair! Shine forth with goodness and genuine, contagious
hope! Help me to be a light to others.
Creator, Carver God! Sculpt me into the creation you want me to be! May I
sit still long enough to glow with your saving light and be attentive to your many
graces.
Thank you for your multitude of daily blessings that I often take for granted!
Amen.
Topics: everyday prayer, Creator God, spontaneous prayer, Sharon Krause
With the change of the seasons comes pleasant memories of when my husband and I would go on little road trips to Maine and New Hampshire to moose watch. We were often successful in catching sight of those big animals and, in the process, I was made much more aware of the variety and beauty of the trees we would often just drive by and take for granted.
So many majestic trees proudly lift their limbs and branches skyward! The strong evergreens remind us of the ever-loving, ever-present, unchanging Lord! Nesting places for birds and forest creatures stand strong in the forests in all kinds of weather. Orchards provide wonderful fruits thanks to a God who loves to see his creation fulfill its true potential—and that includes us! Our prayer can rise to God that we may be more and more fruitful as we try to live out our holy potential. Our merciful Father gives us so many chances to turn over new leaves and show our true colors.
We might be moved to pray with Psalm 1:1-3:
Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path
that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law
of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night.
They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its
season, and their leaves do not wither. In all they do, they prosper. (NRSV)
In the splendor of autumn’s colors, we can give glory to our Artist Creator. The cooler temperatures and decrease of daylight time bring about chemical changes in the deciduous trees. Because of these chemical changes, the green chlorophyll color goes away, and we see the beautiful leaf shades of red, orange, and yellow. What an amazing process! Thank you, Father, for such delight to our eyes!
When we think about some of the many trees mentioned in the Bible, we remember the Lord’s appearance to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre (Genesis 18:1), a detail that helps us get a picture in our mind’s eye in this life-changing story. And in the 19th chapter of Luke’s Gospel, we read of the short tax collector, Zacchaeus, climbing a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus among the crowd. We might find it inspiring to take leaf-peeping rides or hikes and unite ourselves with the mighty oak trees. We also might see Jesus a little better if we lift ourselves up higher above our everyday routines, challenges, and worries.
Nowadays it is easy to take photos with our cell phones; we can easily take little notes of inspirations we might receive. We can find prayers easily online. I don’t think I am going out on a limb here when I suggest that autumn, with its numerous trees, could be one of the holiest and prayerful times of the year if we give it a chance! And if we happen to see a moose pass by, what a bonus!
Topics: everyday prayer, spontaneous prayer, Sharon Krause
Nighttime can be noisy, at least in my house. Our cat, Buddy, likes to sleep with my husband and me every night. Buddy is a good ol’ cat, but he snores. He usually sleeps on the bottom right side of our bed, just below my feet. My six-foot husband, to my left, also snores—not necessarily in harmony with Buddy. It has been suggested that I join that snore symphony, but I never hear that!
Add to that cacophony the occasional sounds of emergency sirens from the vehicles at the firehouse a couple of streets from our house. And I cannot forget the young gent who lives across the street from us who, for reasons I don’t know, sometimes decides to warm up his large diesel-fueled pickup truck to go out driving at about 12:45 a.m. I think he works for a repair garage, so he may be going out to rescue a driver in need, so I should not really pronounce judgement.
With the various night sounds comes the opportunity for me to be awake in the darkness of the room. Instead of being annoyed, I can decide to add a little prayer time to my tossing and turning. Certainly it is good to have a regular daily prayer routine, but impromptu prayer minutes can be stress-free and thought-provoking.
One such prayer-poem I have written could, perhaps, find a place on someone’s nightstand.
Sing me a lullaby, Jesus.
Put a love song in my heart.
Fondle my fears ‘til they fizzle;
Give my sleep time a good start.
Christ, be the Lord of my dreaming;
Send all my nightmares away.
Grant me forgiveness and mercy
For sins I chose yesterday.
Thank you for all of my blessings.
I know there are more to come.
Tuck me into your joy and peace,
Keep my loved ones safe, every one.
Topics: everyday prayer, Holy Spirit, spontaneous prayer, Sharon Krause
When my three grandchildren were little, we would often sit on my couch, and I would read to them from numerous popular softcover books. There was a very lightweight quilt on that couch that we would carefully throw over our laps as the reading session proceeded. We called it the “story blanket.” It added to the fun and magic of those shared moments. The four of us were unified and joyful as we shared the tales about pokey puppies and silly bears and adventuresome spiders. Those were the good old days!
Recently I got thinking about that story blanket and wondering if something similar might be useful in times of stress or anxiety. It could be an actual or even virtual “prayer blanket” or “no-worries blanket” that could be thrown over one or more of us together to offer a respite from discomfort. For a little while, we could distance ourselves from whatever is causing any upset in our lives. Blankets cover up people and things. They provide protection, a measure of warmth, inclusivity, and privacy. Most blankets are soft; so much in our world is abrasive and rough.
With the constant presence of cellphones and computers nowadays, it is not so easy to separate ourselves from outside stimuli. I see people walking, talking, texting, and listening everywhere I go. While it is all done in the name of convenience, there is something to be said for being able to take time to clear one’s head, connect with our loving Father God, and feel a non-technological connection with others. The comfort of the real or imagined “prayer blanket” could give gentle peace a chance.
So many times I hear people say in an effort to comfort others: “We are sending you our thoughts and prayers.” Can that become a stock expression? Do we always really follow through and take the time to think and pray for those individuals as we plow through our busy days and nights?
So let’s frequently pull our prayer blankets over ourselves and be comforted by what St. Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans (8:38-39):
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.
Topics: everyday prayer, Sharon Krause, serenity
The other day I watched a local news story about the increase of whale sightings here in New England. A little boy was interviewed and said there were three things he really loves—music, video games, and whales. I thought it would have been good if one of his professed loves was God, but I realize that he also may not have thought about the individuals he loves, such as his family members. Still, it was a chance for me to offer a tiny prayer for that little boy, a prayer that he understands that God, our Creator, is responsible for all those blessings, including music, video games, and whales.
I was outside with Buddy, our old cat, and a bunch of young boys whizzed by on their bikes. For no apparent reason, one older fellow yelled out, “Oh my God!” I got thinking about how many times I hear that exclamation or read:”OMG” on the computer. Is that expression a prayer, or is it comparable to “Gee whiz” or “ Wow!” or something as secular as that? Is it an attention-getting outburst or as repeatedly mundane as a habitual “Bless you”? Is the person really calling on God for help, as in a prayer? Well, again, that was a little chance for me to offer a prayer for that young man that God would bless him and protect him on his speedy bicycle travels.
I sometimes get annoying phone calls from people or recordings that don’t speak but just hold open the phone line. I could just hang up, but, since the line is still open, lately I have taken a minute to pray the Lord’s Prayer out loud before I or they hang up. Maybe only God hears me, but I pray.
Topics: everyday prayer, prayer, spontaneous prayer, Sharon Krause
Subscribe Here!
Recent Posts
Posts by Tag
- RENEW International (227)
- Sharon Krause (148)
- Reflections on the coming Sunday's Gospel (86)
- prayer (61)
- Jesus Christ (58)
- Hear the Word! by Bill Ayres (41)
- catholic program renew (33)
- prayer life (31)
- catholic renew progam (24)
- renew catholic program (22)
- Lent (21)
- Advent (17)
- God's love (17)
- catholic RENEW program (17)
- Christmas (16)
- Indwelling of the Holy Spirit (15)
- a reflection on the coming Sunday's Gospel (15)
- COVID (12)
- pandemic (12)
- Holy Spirit (11)
- gratitude (10)
- Good News (9)
- Lenten season (9)
- Sunday readings (9)
- The Everyday Gospel: Deacon Charles Paolino (9)
- everyday prayer (9)
- John the Baptist (8)
- Scripture (8)
- Gospel According to Matthew (7)
- Gratitude to God (7)
- resurrection (7)
- Catholic social teaching (6)
- daily prayer (6)
- justice (6)
- spiritual life (6)
- Dignity and the Death Penalty (5)
- Easter (5)
- God's gifts (5)
- RENEW prayers (5)
- forgiveness (5)
- hope (5)
- spontaneous prayer (5)
- virus (5)
- Advent journey (4)
- Advent prayer (4)
- Book of the Prophet Isaiah (4)
- First Sunday of Advent (4)
- Gifts of the Holy Spirit (4)
- Gospel According to Mark (4)
- Holy Trinity (4)
- New Year (4)
- Ordinary Time (4)
- Psalm 23 (4)
- St. Joseph (4)
- The Resurrection of the Lord (4)
- care for those in poverty (4)
- celebration of the Eucharist (4)
- creation (4)
- death penalty (4)
- mercy (4)
- rosary (4)
- scripture readings (4)
- season of preparation (4)
- suffering servant (4)
- time of anticipation (4)
- trust in God (4)
- Awaken to the Spirit (3)
- Babylonian Exile (3)
- Bill Ayres (3)
- Book of Wisdom (3)
- Christmas season (3)
- Church (3)
- Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (3)
- Fifth Sunday of Lent (3)
- Fourth Sunday in Lent (3)
- God's call (3)
- Good Shepherd (3)
- Gospel according to John (3)
- Jesus Christ the King (3)
- Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians (3)
- Marian devotion (3)
- New Covenant (3)
- Palm Sunday (3)
- Second Sunday of Advent (3)
- Second Sunday of Lent (3)
- Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (3)
- Sunday Mass (3)
- The Ascension (3)
- The Good Shepherd (3)
- The Gospel (3)
- The Holy Spirit accompanies us (3)
- Third Sunday of Lent (3)
- beatitudes (3)
- counting our blessings (3)
- dignity of each person (3)
- disciples (3)
- epiphany (3)
- evangelization (3)
- feast of pentecost (3)
- first sunday of Lent (3)
- gifts from God (3)
- joy (3)
- personal reflection (3)
- pray (3)
- priorities (3)
- recreate yourself this New Year (3)
- repentance (3)
- say yes to God's will (3)
- sharing our gifts (3)
- sins (3)
- thanksgiving (3)
- third sunday in ordinary time (3)
- welcome (3)
- 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time (2)
- Abba (2)
- Assumption of Mary (2)
- Bible (2)
- Crucifxion (2)
- Dying to new life (2)
- Easter Season (2)
- Easter joy (2)
- Easter season of rebirth (2)
- Emmanuel (2)
- Eucharist (2)
- Feast of the Holy Family (2)
- Feeding the hungry (2)
- Fifth Sunday of Easter (2)
- God is love (2)
- God who loves you (2)
- God with us (2)
- God's blessings (2)
- God's forgiveness (2)
- Gospel according to Luke (2)
- Holy Communion (2)
- Jesus (2)
- Magnificat (2)
- Mary (2)
- Mary and Joseph (2)
- Nativity of the Lord (2)
- Questions and Answers (2)
- Seventh Sunday of Easter (2)
- Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2)
- Sixth Sunday of Easter (2)
- Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (2)
- Spirit of love (2)
- St John the Baptist (2)
- Suffering Messiah (2)
- The Rosary (2)
- Virgin Mary (2)
- You shall love the Lord your God (2)
- attitude of gratitude (2)
- authority of Jesus (2)
- baptism (2)
- birth of our Savior (2)
- body and blood of Christ (2)
- bread of life (2)
- covid-19 (2)
- crèche (2)
- decorations (2)
- doubting Thomas (2)
- eternal life (2)
- every knee shall bend (2)
- faith in Jesus (2)
- faithful (2)
- fourth sunday in ordinary time (2)
- fourth sunday of advent (2)
- gift of faith (2)
- greatest commandment (2)
- growing in faith (2)
- having faith (2)
- holding grudges (2)
- holiness (2)
- holy spirit at work (2)
- hope in God (2)
- hope in the Lord (2)
- humility (2)
- inclusion (2)
- insight (2)
- kingdom of God (2)
- listening to God (2)
- love of neighbor (2)
- magi (2)
- meditation (2)
- mental incompetence (2)
- optimism (2)
- patience (2)
- peace (2)
- penance (2)
- praise God (2)
- pray for peace (2)
- prayer of thanksgiving (2)
- prayers of gratitude (2)
- prepare for Christmas (2)
- raising of Lazarus (2)
- reconciliation (2)
- repent and believe in the gospel (2)
- resurrection in our lives (2)
- road to Emmaus (2)
- sabbath (2)
- savior (2)
- second coming of Christ (2)
- servant leadership (2)
- share your faith (2)
- social justice (2)
- something new (2)
- spend time with God (2)
- spirit of the lord (2)
- spirituality (2)
- temptation (2)
- the examined life (2)
- thoughtfulness (2)
- trust in the Lord (2)
- use your gifts (2)
- vineyard of the Lord (2)
- wedding garment (2)
- wisdom (2)
- woman at the well (2)
- 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (1)
- 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (1)
- 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (1)
- 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time (1)
- 2021 (1)
- 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (1)
- 3rd Sunday of Advent (1)
- 4th Sunday of Advent (1)
- Acts of love (1)
- Adam and Eve (1)
- Advent Wreath (1)
- Advent calendar (1)
- Annunciation (1)
- Apostle Andrew (1)
- Ascension (1)
- Ash Wednesday (1)
- Autumn (1)
- Awake (1)
- Baptism of Our Lord (1)
- Baptism of the Lord (1)
- Be still (1)
- Be watchful (1)
- Behold (1)
- Benedictine nun (1)
- Blessed Mother (1)
- Blessed Trinity (1)
- Blessed Virgin Mary (1)
- Body of Christ (1)
- Book of Judges (1)
- Book of Kings (1)
- Book of Proverbs (1)
- Book of the Prophet Amos (1)
- Book of the Prophet Ezekiel (1)
- Catechism (1)
- Catholic (1)
- Catholic Faith (1)
- Catholic education (1)
- Charity (1)
- Children's Easter story (1)
- Christ child (1)
- Christ's love (1)
- Christian unity (1)
- Christian witness (1)
- Christmas Day (1)
- Christmas Star (1)
- Christmas carols (1)
- Christmas pageant (1)
- Christmas shopping (1)
- Covenant with Israel (1)
- Creation at the Crossroads (1)
- Creator God (1)
- Diocese of Brooklyn (1)
- Divine Office (1)
- Easter Sunday (1)
- Elijah (1)
- Father Son and Holy Spirit (1)
- Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (1)
- First Book of Samuel (1)
- First Commandment (1)
- First letter of Saint John (1)
- Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (1)
- Fourth Sunday of Easter (1)
- Genesis (1)
- Gentiles (1)
- God forgives (1)
- God full of love (1)
- God is our help (1)
- God is with us (1)
- God works in mysterious ways (1)
- God's guidance (1)
- God's mercy (1)
- God's plan (1)
- God's presence (1)
- God's unconditional love for all (1)
- God's voice (1)
- Gospel of John (1)
- Gospel of Mark (1)
- Hail Holy Queen (1)
- Haitian Creole (1)
- Holy Eucharist (1)
- Holy Week (1)
- HolySpirit (1)
- I am the light of the world (1)
- Immaculate Conception (1)
- In God We Trust (1)
- In the beginning was the Word (1)
- Jesus as high priest (1)
- Jesus as teacher (1)
- Jesus feeds the multitude (1)
- Jesus forgives (1)
- Jesus healing (1)
- Jesus heals (1)
- Jesus loves us (1)
- Jesus' call (1)
- Jesus’ Resurrection (1)
- Jews (1)
- Jonah (1)
- Joseph Mohr (1)
- Last Supper (1)
- Laudato Si" (1)
- Lenticular printing (1)
- Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (1)
- Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians (1)
- Letter to the Hebrews (1)
- Love your neighbor as yourself (1)
- Marian Prayer (1)
- Martha and Mary (1)
- Mary mother of God (1)
- Mary's intercession (1)
- Matthew 25 Christians (1)
- Meaning of Christmas (1)
- Meet Mary in Prayer (1)
- Messiah (1)
- Moses (1)
- Nativity scene (1)
- Natvity set (1)
- Nearness of God (1)
- Noah (1)
- Oh My God (1)
- Passion of Our Lord (1)
- Pentecost (1)
- Poor Richard's Almanac (1)
- Power of the Holy Spirit (1)
- Prepare (1)
- Prophet Ezekiel (1)
- Prophet Jeremiah (1)
- Psalm 100 (1)
- Psalm 138 (1)
- Psalm 139 (1)
- Psalm 146 (1)
- Psalm 24 (1)
- Psalm 34 (1)
- Psalm 63 (1)
- Psalm 80 (1)
- Psalm 85 (1)
- Rejoice and Be Glad (1)
- Rely on Jesus (1)
- Sadducees (1)
- Saint Blaise (1)
- Saint Jerome Emiliani (1)
- Savior of the world (1)
- Scriptures (1)
- Second Letter of St. Peter (1)
- Second Sunday of Easter (1)
- Silent Night (1)
- Sleeplessness (1)
- Small-Group Ministry (1)
- Solemnity of All Saints (1)
- Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (1)
- Son of God (1)
- Special Rosaries (1)
- Sr. Helen Prejean (1)
- St. Callistus I (1)
- St. Damien (1)
- St. Gertrude (1)
- St. Hippolytus (1)
- St. Therese of Lisieux (1)
- St. Thomas (1)
- St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1)
- St. patrick (1)
- Star of Bethlehem (1)
- Sunday (1)
- Sunday Gospel (1)
- Sunday Matters (1)
- Temptation of Christ (1)
- Thanksgiving parade (1)
- The Apostles (1)
- The Boy Jesus (1)
- The Gift of Faith (1)
- The Lord is my rock (1)
- The Lord's Day (1)
- The Lord's Prayer (1)
- The Memorare (1)
- The Passion of the Lord (1)
- The Prophet Job (1)
- The Word became flesh (1)
- The golden rule (1)
- The kingdom of God is at hand (1)
- The risen Jesus (1)
- Third Sunday of Easter (1)
- Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time (1)
- War in Ukraine (1)
- Wedding Feast (1)
- What would Jesus do (1)
- Word of God (1)
- Zacchaeus (1)
- Zaccheus (1)
- Zoom (1)
- abundant life (1)
- acceptance (1)
- accessible (1)
- adoration (1)
- agapé (1)
- angels (1)
- anxiety (1)
- apostle Peter (1)
- applying Scripture to your life (1)
- appreciation (1)
- ark (1)
- artist creator (1)
- attentiveness (1)
- autumn leaves (1)
- autumn prayer (1)
- awareness (1)
- baby Jesus (1)
- being positive (1)
- bible study (1)
- blessed (1)
- blessing of throats (1)
- bread from heaven (1)
- call to discipleship (1)
- called to follow (1)
- campaign (1)
- census tax (1)
- centering prayer (1)
- choices (1)
- close encounter (1)
- clothe the naked (1)
- comfort and joy (1)
- comfort the sick (1)
- communion of saints (1)
- compassion (1)
- confession (1)
- confirmation sponsor (1)
- courage (1)
- crib (1)
- crucifixion (1)
- despair (1)
- devotion to Saints (1)
- disciples of Jesus (1)
- discipleship (1)
- divine help (1)
- divine intervention (1)
- divine mercy (1)
- divine providence (1)
- divinity of Jesus (1)
- divorce (1)
- do not be afraid (1)
- driving responsibly (1)
- election (1)
- encounter Jesus (1)
- end of liturgical year (1)
- epiphany of the Lord (1)
- examining conscience (1)
- experience god's presence (1)
- faith sharing group (1)
- false prophets (1)
- fasting (1)
- fear not (1)
- feast of unity (1)
- feed the hungry (1)
- first letter of saint paul to the corinthians (1)
- fog (1)
- follow Jesus (1)
- follow the gospel (1)
- generosity (1)
- gift of God (1)
- gift wrapping (1)
- give glory (1)
- give thanks to God (1)
- glory (1)
- glory to god (1)
- go in peace (1)
- godparents (1)
- good Samaritan (1)
- good works (1)
- gospel challenges (1)
- greatest gift (1)
- growing in love (1)
- hallowed be thy name (1)
- handy (1)
- healing of the blind man (1)
- hearts and minds (1)
- his people on earth (1)
- holiday (1)
- hope and promise (1)
- house of the Lord (1)
- human dignity (1)
- humble life (1)
- imitating Jesus (1)
- inner peace (1)
- insomnia (1)
- intercessory prayer (1)
- interior life (1)
- intimacy with Christ (1)
- introspection (1)
- invitation (1)
- joy and wonder of the resurrection (1)
- kindness (1)
- lamb of God (1)
- least of them (1)
- life in christ (1)
- like a thief at night (1)
- love of God (1)
- love of self (1)
- love one another (1)
- love one another as I love you (1)
- love your neighbor (1)
- lullaby (1)
- magician (1)
- magnificence of God's love (1)
- man born blind (1)
- marriage (1)
- maturing in faith (1)
- meek and humble of heart (1)
- mental health (1)
- messages (1)
- messengers of God's love (1)
- mind and body (1)
- mission (1)
- multiplication of the loaves and fishes (1)
- new beginnings (1)
- new perspectives (1)
- night prayer (1)
- nourishing the soul (1)
- online community (1)
- online small groups (1)
- open to the Holy Spirit (1)
- openness (1)
- pandemic lessons (1)
- parable (1)
- parable of the 10 virgins (1)
- parable of the talents (1)
- parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee (1)
- parable of the two sons (1)
- parable of the wicked tenants (1)
- parables (1)
- peace be with you (1)
- peace of mind (1)
- persecution (1)
- persist in prayer (1)
- pillar of cloud (1)
- power of the Spirit (1)
- pray together (1)
- praying with a psalm (1)
- prepare for Easter (1)
- prepare the way of the Lord (1)
- procrastination (1)
- promise of new life (1)
- prostitutes (1)
- psalm 131 (1)
- psalms (1)
- reach out to others in mercy and love (1)
- real presence of Christ (1)
- receive the Holy Spirit (1)
- reflect on God's presence (1)
- reflection (1)
- rejoice (1)
- remembering (1)
- render unto caesar (1)
- renewing our faith (1)
- respond "yes" to God's call (1)
- respond to the call (1)
- retreat (1)
- rote learning (1)
- sacrament of baptism (1)
- sacrament of reconciliation (1)
- salt of the earth (1)
- salvation is through Jesus (1)
- saying grace (1)
- second sunday in ordinary time (1)
- seek the Lord (1)
- self control (1)
- self-awareness (1)
- self-sacrifice (1)
- sense of hope (1)
- serenity (1)
- service (1)
- serving others (1)
- seventy seven times (1)
- share love of Christ (1)
- silence (1)
- silent prayer (1)
- sinfulness (1)
- sins of the world (1)
- sleep (1)
- slogans (1)
- slow down (1)
- small faith sharing groups (1)
- social distancing (1)
- solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord (1)
- solemnity of the most holy body and blood of chris (1)
- son of Mary (1)
- spend time with Jesus (1)
- spiritual reading (1)
- spiritual renewal (1)
- spread the Gospel (1)
- spreading good news (1)
- starting fresh (1)
- stations (1)
- status of women (1)
- stay awake (1)
- stress (1)
- suffering (1)
- take time to pray (1)
- talents (1)
- tax collectors (1)
- teaching children about God (1)
- thanking God (1)
- the common good (1)
- the elect (1)
- the just one (1)
- the miraculous catch of fish (1)
- the people's prayer book (1)
- the prophet Jonah (1)
- the stone the builders rejected (1)
- thinking (1)
- third sunday of advent (1)
- thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (1)
- thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time (1)
- three kings (1)
- three meditations (1)
- to serve God (1)
- transfiguration of the Lord (1)
- treasure the faith (1)
- treatment of women (1)
- trimmings (1)
- true wisdom (1)
- trust in God's mercy (1)
- universal Church (1)
- unlocking our potential (1)
- use time well (1)
- using your talents to serve god (1)
- virtual (1)
- voice crying out in the desert (1)
- we remember (1)
- wedding feast at Cana (1)
- welcome the stranger (1)
- whatever you did for the least of brothers of mine (1)
- when the saints go marching in (1)
- widow's mite (1)
- widows and orphans (1)
- wild turkeys (1)
- witness (1)
- witness to matrimony (1)
- witness to the baptism (1)
- woman found in adultery (1)
- women in the Church (1)
- wonder of creation (1)
- workers in the vineyard (1)
- worry closet (1)
- worthy wife (1)