Scripture Reference #1 from SCRC 2016

Romans 12: 1-2  The New Life in Christ

12 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

2 Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Totally diggin' this song

Wake up with JOY

I invite all of us to examine our consciences, repent and ask forgiveness for our sins from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, taking comfort in His Forgiveness and Love for us.

Let's wake up in the morning, clothed in His Love for us, fresh, anew, pure and clean.  We have been forgiven our sins, from our baptism from Original Sin, and venial sins forgiven through His Graces and Sacraments.  I love Reconciliation/Confession, which is needed for forgiveness of mortal sins, and is wonderful for venial sins as well. But our venial sins are forgiven in other ways as well.

It's so easy to feel that we are stained with sin, but let us remember that we are pure and clothed in His Mercy and Forgiveness. Remember this, not our own selves.

Let us wake up with JOY, filled with His Love, and bask in the warmth of knowing of all He has for us.  Today, let us not go about our ways as if we are nothing more than sinners; for while we sin and are sinners, more importantly, we are His, God's Children. He created us, He knows us from our weaknesses and sins, to our joys and triumphs.  Let His Gifts REIGN all over us.

Begin each day draped in His Love, Mercy, Forgiveness, knowing that while you sin, ultimately, you are God's Creation, and He loves no one more than He loves you. He wants us to be happy, succeed in His Plan for us and be with Him in Heaven when our time here is done.

Thank you Papa, for Your Grace

Proverbs 19:17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed.

Yesterday, I was just having a bur or two under my saddle. I overslept and missed the Latin Mass we had planned to go to; one thing led to another, and we were on track for 8 PM Mass at the Cathedral across town.  It's a beautiful building, but there are some human things inside that really distract from its beauty, and underwhelm the Mass as well. (We like the priest; it isn't him.)

Anyway, the bur under my saddle was just rubbing me the wrong way, but I was managing not to let it get to me.  That is, until we got to the Church.  Then it went wrong.  No parking, no parking assistance, and it's not an area I'm that familiar with. They will tow you if you are parked in the wrong spot.  The security guard did his best to annoy me, both when I asked him where to park, and when we finally were making our way to the Church, and it was like he was trying to argue with me about his directions (which were not good).  I didn't initiate the conversation, but kept on going, as now we were late for Mass. ARGH.  I much prefer being early, and we had arrived in plenty of time essentially.  It was hot inside, I was cranky, Mass was starting, people were talking all through Mass, being disrespectful, the acoustics were impossible..........oh how I could go on!! (I promise not to go on, so read more after the break!!)

Little consolations are BIG in my heart and soul

I posted this a year ago, regarding stained glass windows: "When you let the sun shine through, it becomes more stunning.

When you let the Son shine through you, you become more brilliant. When His Light shines, you are even more beautiful, starting from the inside out.  Your face becomes a beacon for His Love; your joy is in the warm glow of His Love."
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So, I recently visited Denver and attended Mass at the Cathedral at Logan and Colfax.  During my conversation I posted about earlier this week, I spent a LOT of time gazing upon a certain stained glass window. I mentioned it in the earlier post.

I've been away from my page more than I would have liked this past year, but I'm working on that.  I know even if no one else is listening, God is, and this blog is a prayer, an honor, to Him, for Him.

So, I was reflecting on some of my posts of the past year, and came upon this post, with these three stained glass pictures; the one on the top looked familiar. I realized suddenly that it was the same one that I gazed upon, and prayed with Mary in it, during Saturday afternoon.  I don't remember knowing it was from the Denver Cathedral.    The above quote is written, by me, right next to the picture I'd never seen before.

A few days ago, I let His Light shine through me; I obeyed Him from His Command from a year ago, and I was rewarded with putting all this together; I didn't ask for a reward or consolation for doing what He placed in my heart.  I thanked Him for it, for the opportunity to share His Love for us, and the blessing that the young man was to me, but I never expected I would be touched even deeper by anything else regarding it, especially a sign of His Love for me.

It's so amazing that I posted that in the last year or so, when there are literally tens of thousands stained glass windows, plus pictures on the internet.  Thank you, Papa, for knowing long before I did what I would need before I needed it.

He is looking out for us, even when we don't know what is coming.  Trust and believe in Him at all times.  He is showing Himself to you, through all your senses, and beyond, deep in your soul.  Thank you, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for showing me your love today, one year ago, and every second of my life.

Evangelizing in the Church before Mass with a stranger

I've had need to go to Confession, and had some time on my business trip to do so, and attend Mass afterwards.  Preface: apparently, I was attending Mass in one of the areas that a large part of the homeless gather, the doors in the bathrooms at McDonald's are locked, and there was little to no parking.  (Denver-ites....the Cathedral)  I wondered why I was meant to be there that day, and just chalked it up to God would let me know if He wanted me to know, if it was more than doing as I was expected (Confession and Mass). (I have to do that a lot.)  I did it just over a week ago as well.

Anyway, after encountering more than a few people asking for help or money, and even being approached directly while eating, along with a few more adventures, I decided to see if the Church was open an hour before Confession and 2 before Mass. It was. YAY! I didn't have to sit in my car surrounded by strangers! (Not really afraid, but not completely comfortable either, given what I'd seen.)  I was one of the first to get in line after praying, and confessed my sins.  I then went to the 'side' near Mary's statues and pictures to pray.

I sat down shortly thereafter, and turned to face the main part of the Church, to enjoy the beauty and artwork, especially the stained glass of Mary (at Assumption?).  I felt someone's eyes on me, and turned to look.  A young man smiled shyly at me, and I smiled back.  This happened a couple times, and he then asked me if he could ask me a question.  I said of course, and moved back a few pews to him.  (He didn't seem to be homeless, but I could be wrong. Doesn't matter; was just giving background on the area I was in.)

He asked: "What is faith, to you?"  The only thing I could think of to respond was, "A gift from God, to believe in Him and to return to Him."  He was apparently satisfied with this answer.  He continued on with other questions, and somehow, God shut my mouth and opened my ears to hear both the young man and God.  For some reason, he reminded me of David from the Old Testament.  Not really sure why, but I shared this with him.  When things come to me like that at these times, God seems to let me know when to share and trust in Him and His Plan.  It's easier than arguing with God in my head; He always wins in these cases... ;)  Sometimes His 'win' is to let me win, which is pretty cool when it happens, but I know that was His Plan for me to get me way, as long as I give in to His Will.

I also had on, as always, my silver chain with a number of blessed medals on it.  I took it off, and for the first time (that I can remember, anyway), gave one of these medals to him.  I've given away extras, but never off my own chain.  It was my blessed Holy Spirit medal, which I love, but can be easily replaced.  We had kind of a deep discussion about God, whether or not God is 'He' or 'She', meditation versus praying, fear, and many other things.  He isn't sure if he believes in God, and seemed very tortured. I think he was afraid of giving in to that push from the Holy Spirit. I fought it hard when I was away from the Church too.  He wanted to know how we knew Jesus was real.  He wanted to talk about Heaven and Hell.  He claimed he wasn't religious, just spiritual, but I believe he'll be coming Home to the Faith soon. He asked how we could know who we are; he was worried about his life and direction.  He was carrying a wooden Rosary in a pristine white cloth. He said he didn't know why.

I asked "David" (his real name might have been Lawrence....) what brought him to Church that day, he told me didn't really know.  He just ended up there.  I smiled on the inside, because I knew that wasn't true........even if he didn't.  God brought him there, just as he brought me there, just as He has done many times before for me; He puts me where I can do His Work, when I turn my decision and acquiescence over to Him.

I really didn't expect to evangelize for over an hour before Mass (he did not stay). It was a good experience, and a reminder to carry extra medals and nice rosaries, along with booklets.  We did talk about using the Rosary to pray "Jesus, I love you." or something of the sort, while moving along the beads.

Please pray for "David", and all young men and women, especially those away from God, and the Faith.  He was a blessing to me, and I hope we meet again, and that his life gets better.

PS: How awesome is it, Denver, that y'all had 3 priests hearing Confessions, and it still went an hour, at least? :) Sooooo awesome!