The Transfiguration

 "Peter, James and John were given a joyful glimpse of Christ's glory - a "mountain top" experience - at the Transfiguration to prepare them for the suffering they would face as Christ's passion began in the garden of Gethsemane." No Greater Love 

Tomorrow's Gospel we hear about the Transfiguration. 

"And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white." Matthew 17:2   

The Transfiguration prepares Peter, James and John to be strong in their faith and to believe that Jesus truly is the Son of God. 

Jesus wanted to prepare their hearts by sharing with them His glory.

He wants to prepare our hearts too.

Our hearts need to be ready for His glory. 

Listen to Him, who is speaking directly to your heart! 

He may be preparing you for the "mountain top" and "garden of Gethsemane" moments in life. 

In moments, both joyful and sorrowful, I pray that we will choose to see God's glory.  

I pray that we will allow God to transfigure each of our hearts. 

 Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31 

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Heart Transformation

"Jesus does not want our applause. He wants to transform our hearts." No Greater Love  

Heart Transformation! 

In other words, our hearts need to be reshaped! 

"Put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12 

Lord, reshape our hearts in such a way that will change us for the better and give glory to God! 

 "There is something in humility which strangely exalts the heart." St. Augustine 

Jesus humbled himself and we should imitate him by humbling our hearts. 

Transformation happens after practicing again and again these virtues. 

The result will be heart changing!  

Transform our hearts, O Lord! 

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts." Colossians 3:15 

 

Run to the Father

"Our hearts are restless until they rest in You." St. Augustine  

Our hearts were made to rest in You, O God! 

When our hearts are restless, the rhythm of our hearts stop.

We become restless and experience spiritual cardiac arrest. 

Our hearts need rhythm! 

Our hearts need God!  

He is our surgeon!   

Bring your restless heart to Him!

Run to the Father! 

Song "Run to the Father" by Matt Maher: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQPfFNRw4Rs

 

Love Endures Forever

 Happy 31st Anniversary to my wonderful parents! 

The world is so very blessed by your example of marriage and I am so very blessed to be your daughter! 

"You have to believe in something before it becomes something." -unknown

Your faith and love give me hope to believe in!   

You give my heart joy!

"Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring." St. Catherine of Siena 

Your faith is steadfast and true, just like your love. 

The endurance found in your hearts inspires me. 

Thank you for being a witness to love and faith.

Thank you for sharing that love and faith with our family and friends. 

I love you both! 

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Rehder! 

O Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love endures forever! Psalm 136:1   

https://youtu.be/gUH_NzfRmbs

Good Overcomes Evil

Our Father, Who art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen. 

Lead us not into temptation!

As human beings, we are going to face temptation. 

Temptations big and small make us question what is good and what is right. 

Discouragement distracts me from growing closer to God. 

Sometimes I am discouraged because I count the things I wish I could change. 

The things I have said or did not say, the things I did do or did not do...

Discouragement tempts me to doubt the good. 

 These are lies from the evil one. 

Do not enter into temptation! 

Jesus was tempted in the desert but he did not give into temptation.

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21

Here are some tips from the book, No Greater Love, to help when tempted:

Say a quick prayer!

Ask God for help! 

Call upon the name of Jesus!

Pray to your guardian angel for assistance!  

Make the sign of the cross!

"A terror to the devils...For when they see the Cross, they are reminded of the crucified; they fear him who has 'smashed the heads of dragons.'" St. Cyril of Jerusalem 

Good overcomes evil! 

Watch & Pray

I am doing a Lenten Bible Study titled, "No Greater Love, A Biblical Walk through Christ's Passion" by Dr. Edward Sri. 

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus tells His apostles to "Keep watch and pray." 

He tells us the same thing.

"Keep watch and pray!"  

Though our lives are busy and we are easily distracted, we need to stop and pray.

We need spiritual awareness and that awareness is found in prayer.

 "Do you love Jesus enough to take time each day to keep watch with him? If we want to be faithful disciples, we, too, must stay awake spiritually amid our daily lives and keep watch and pray with Jesus."

Matthew Kelly encourages us to pray for just ten minutes a day. 

That's a good starting point to "watch and pray." 

"Are you willing to be there for Jesus, to give him your time, attention and devotion?" No Greater Love 

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You Are

Tomorrow we hear from the Gospel of Mark that Jesus went into the desert for forty days and was tempted by the devil.   

We are all tempted at times. 

I am often tempted to doubt myself but I know the doubt does not come from God. 

Matthew Kelly advises, "Don't dialogue with temptation. Don't dialogue with the devil."  

The devil is going to try and make us doubt. 

The devil is going to try and trick us with lies.

But God's love and goodness prevails. 

"You can live differently than the world lives. You can possess a patience that the world does not have. Why? Because You know that the purpose of God will prevail in the end." Allen Hunt 

The word repent is the Gospel means turn back to God. 

In moments of doubt, in moments of what you see as failure, in moments of any kind of temptation, turn to God and turn your hearts to become your best self. 

"The world needs the very best of YOU." Matthew Kelly 

That's who YOU are! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dbWtuhxNug

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Hope & Healing

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:4  

A beautiful picture is painted in my mind as I read that scripture verse from Revelation. 

 Though there is tragedy and heartache in our broken world, God promises hope and healing.

Every tear will be wiped away by God Himself.

I am lifting up my friends, who are experiencing loss. 

I am praying for their heavy hearts to be consoled.  

May they feel God's hand wiping away their tears and restoring their hope. 

Hope is the doorway for healing. 

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPKyTY71iRM

Hope for the Soul

 "Fasting of the body is food for the soul." St. John Chrysostom 

I used this quote yesterday for my Ash Wednesday post but was inspired to use it again after watching Matthew Kelly's Best Lent Ever video this morning. 

Our souls are hungry! 

Matthew Kelly shares we are hungry for hope! 

Hope feeds the soul. 

The more we feed our souls the more hope is infused in every aspect of our lives.

Cling to hope! 

Hope helps us be more aware and attentive to our souls. 

Hope does not disappoint! Romans 5:5 

I encourage you to watch or listen to this three minute Best Lent Ever video.  Also, I invite you to  subscribe by email to receive these reflections daily throughout Lent from Dynamic Catholic. 

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Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday reminds us, "You are dust and to dust you shall return." Genesis 3:19  

Lent has begun! 

"Fasting of the body is food for the soul." St. John Chrysostom 

Though fasting is not easy, fasting helps us grow closer to God. 

Growing closer to the Lord feeds our souls. 

We need to be fed. 

How are we going to feed our souls this Lent? 

Open the Bible or listen to Fr. Mike Schmitz's Bible in a Year podcast. 

God wants to feed us with His word. 

There is more to Lent than just giving things up. 

 "There are a lot of things you can give to Jesus- I don't like to say, 'Give it up.' Well, you're going to take it back. But give it to Jesus for Lent." Mother Angelica 

Give Jesus your heart. 

Take Heart! 

Change My Heart

"The nation doesn't simply need what we have, it needs what we are." St. Edith Stein

Our nation has been so divided and so have our hearts.

 We have forgotten we are all part of one nation under God.  

We have forgotten we are all human beings. 

We are His people! 

We need to start seeing each other as people. 

This doesn't happen over night though... We are still human and do not always see eye to eye. 

The change has to come from within. 

I cannot wish to see change in the world and stay exactly as I am. 

I need to allow change in my heart and be who I am supposed to be. 

That is the change I hope to see. 

Change my heart, Lord. 

Prayers for conversion of heart in all of us. 

We are what the nation needs. 

 "Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies." St. Mother Teresa 

True Love

 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life." John 3:16 

This is true love!

God so loved the world! 

You and I are so deeply loved!

He gave us His only Son. 

We are His beloved! 

He wants to spend eternity with us! 

"Jesus does not consider time, since He is eternal. He considers only Love." St. Therese the Little Flower  

Happy Valentine's Day! 

Remember His love! 

https://youtu.be/sG6yoghwa9A

Make My Soul Your Home

"You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all of your heart." Jeremiah 29:13 

All of your heart. 

We cannot be lukewarm.

"He wants you entirely for Himself. He wants you to place all of your trust and all your affection in Him alone." St. Padre Pio   

Take Heart! Dare to trust Him with your heart.

"I will love the Lord with all of my heart and with all of my soul." Matthew 22:37

This is what our hearts and souls were made for. 

Love. 

God loves each of us and wants to dwell within us.

His home is in our hearts. 

His love is in our souls. 

Welcome Him in. 

Make My Soul Your Home, A Prayer by the Sisters of Life  

Most Holy Trinity, source of my life, I believe You dwell in my soul. Teach me to adore You in this inner sanctuary. Let your love fill my entire being. Immerse me in Yourself. Make my soul Your home and beloved rest. 

Come, O Spirit of the living God! Live Your life in me. May I delight in Your abiding presence and enjoy Your fellowship. Let my heart be wholly fixed upon Your loving gaze. 

Jesus, illumine my heart and mind with Your resplendent light. Transform my sight, so that I may have eyes to see You dwelling in the heart of every human person. Flood my heart so that it may be an ocean of peace, a ray of your mercy, an anchor of hope. 

Thank you for uniting Yourself so intimately with me. May I be one in You and You in me. Amen.  

Our Lady of Lourdes

 "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes!

I remember feeling anxious on our pilgrimage ten years ago. 

As I have mentioned before, I feared I would let people down if I was not healed.

 Despite my fears, there was peace in the grotto. 

This hidden grotto, where the Mother of God appeared to St. Bernadette.

"Pause for a moment. Breathe peace in. Where do you need peace?" Allen Hunt 

Our Lady desires to give us peace. 

But the peace she promises is not from this world. 

The peace she promises is eternal. 

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us! 

"Life with God is not immunity from difficulties but peace in difficulties." C.S. Lewis 

Viva Cristo Rey!

Today is the Feast of St. Jose Sanchez del Rio.

St. Jose had a love for our Lady of Guadalupe and the Blessed Sacrament. 

He lived during the Cristeros war and was persecuted for his Catholic faith. 

The skin on his feet were flayed off and he was marched to his death at age 14. 

He courageously yelled before his martyrdom, 

"Viva Cristo Rey! Viva Guadalupe!"

(Long live Christ the King! Long live Our Lady of Guadalupe!) 

St. Jose is a bold and fearless example of courage for us. 

Can you imagine being so young and so brave? 

His love for God and love for Our Lady of Guadalupe inspires me to love without limits.

In what ways do you long to be courageous and loving?

Bring those intentions to prayer. 

St. Jose Sanchez del Rio, pray for us!  

Prayer for Life

Eternal Father, Source of life, open our hearts to see and desire the beauty of your plan for life and love. Fill us with your Holy Spirit so that our love will be generous and self-giving and we may be blessed with joy. Grant us great trust in your mercy. Forgive us for not receiving your gift of life and heal us from the effects of the culture of death. Instill in us and in all people a sense of the sacredness of every human life. Inspire our efforts to protect and care for the most vulnerable; especially women who are pregnant and their unborn children, the sick, and the elderly. Strengthen us in the hope that with you nothing is impossible. We ask this in the name of Jesus, who by his Cross makes all things new. Amen.  

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us! 

Sisters of Life 

(Our Lady of Guadalupe is also known by the title Mother of Mercy.) 

Heart & Hope

Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us. Romans 3:5 

This verse is perfect because February is the month of the heart! 

God's love is poured out for us! 

Take Heart! 

He has filled our hearts with love and hope! 

"I satiate your thirst with my love and the suffering of my heart." 

33 Days to Morning Glory   

We have hope by knowing we are loved. 

We have hope in a loving God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

And you shall be secure, because there is hope;/ you shall look round you and lie down in safety. Jb 11:18

Prove it

How do you prove who you say you are? 

 I can say I am Catholic but I should prove that acclamation by living out my Catholic faith. 

As a Catholic and as a child of God, I am called to follow Him and to grow closer to Him by sharing and growing in my faith.  

If I do nothing to help protect the unborn and those vulnerable to death, how can I call myself pro-life?

Through prayer, fasting, giving and service, I can do my little part to help the lives of those most vulnerable. 

"The value of life depends not on what you have or what you can do, but on who you are; A child of God made in His image, destined for eternity, put here for a purpose, an identity made the stronger the more it is tested."  Cardinal O'Connor 

When someone doesn't practice what they preach, we question how they identify themselves. 

Why all of these questions? What do we have to prove? 

My answer is that we have to prove who we claim to be. 

In fact, I think we want proof. 

We don't have to prove our worth but we have to prove our love.

How do I show I am kind? 

How do I share that I listen? 

How do I show compassion?

We have to invest our hearts in who and what we claim to be.  

 "Love is a choice, and an important one, because we become what we love." Matthew Kelly 

What is the proof of your love?  

LOVE

"My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love you. I ask pardon of You for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love you." Fatima Prayer - Prayers of the Angels 

Do we believe?

It is sometimes difficult to believe that God loves us.

Yet, His love remains. 

He asks us to trust Him and to have faith. 

He's got this. 

Do we adore?

Jesus is waiting to spend time with us. 

We need to make time to be with Him.  

He knows our hearts and hears our prayers of thanks and praise.

Do we hope?

Sometimes we lose hope by putting our faith in humanity instead of in God.  

When hope is lost, hope can be found in the Lord. 

He gives us hope when we feel hopeless. 

Do we love?  

Love comes from the heart.

How is that love shown? 

 "No job, no plans, no possessions, no idea of "freedom" can take the place of love." St. Mother Teresa

Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary 

Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, to your Immaculate Heart we consecrate ourselves, in an act of total entrustment to the Lord. By You we will be led to Christ. By Him and with Him we will be led to the Father. We will walk in the light of faith, and we will do everything so that the world may believe that Jesus Christ is the One sent by the Father. With Him we wish to carry His Love and Salvation to the ends of the earth. Under the protection of your Immaculate Heart, we will be one People with Christ. We will be witnesses of the Resurrection. By Him we will be led to the Father, for the glory of the Most Holy Trinity, Whom we adore, praise and bless forever. Amen.    

 "Everything we say and do reveals something about who we are." Matthew Kelly 

Who are we?

We are His sons and daughters! 

Do we live our lives according to this truth? 

If we all lived in a way that showed we are followers of Christ, there would be no question about who we are. 

However, we are human and we forget who we follow sometimes. 

We question the truth when instead we should ask,

"Who do You say that I am?" Matthew 16:15 

Who are you? 

How do your words and actions describe your character? 

What are you revealing to those around you? 

In everything you do or say, remember to reveal God's love.   

He is love and we are loved by Him. 

Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world." Matthew 17:24-26 

To Be

"We must understand that in order "to do", we must first learn "to be", that is to say, in the sweet company of Jesus in Adoration." St. Pope John Paul II  

I always thought one had "to do" in order "to be". 

Now I realize, I need to be with Him in the quiet of my heart. 

There God will reveal what I am to do. 

Instead of thinking about what I have to do, I am going to think about who He wants me to be.

Tomorrow I am looking forward to being with Jesus in Adoration. 

There will be First Friday Adoration at St. Mary's Church all day tomorrow. 

All are welcome to come and be with the Lord!  

"O my God, Trinity whom I adore...grant my soul peace; make it your heaven, your beloved dwelling, and the place of your rest. May I never abandon you there, but may I be there, whole and entire, completely vigilant in my faith, entirely adoring, and wholly given over to your creative action." (Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity)

Happiness Wins

 "Ask Him to teach you how to be happy when someone else wins." Jane Trufant Harvey 

We all want to win.

It doesn't matter if you're competitive or not, we all want to be the best. 

We should all want to be the best.

By "best" I don't mean better than someone else. 

By "best" I mean seeing someone else being at their best and being sincerely happy for them. 

Sadly though, we compare ourselves and our happiness with others.  

It can be challenging to be happy when someone else is happy.

We see happiness as a win and that win can sometimes feel like a loss. 

However, the real loss is choosing to not be happy. 

"People are made for happiness. Rightly, then, you thirst for happiness. Christ has the answer to this desire of yours. But he asks you to trust him." St. Pope JPII  

One Day at a Time

 "Ask Him to help you master the discipline of simply living one day at a time." Jane Trufant Harvey 

I wonder how I am going to master discipline. 

I wonder how I am going to simply live one day at a time.

I know I can't master those things on my own. 

I definitely need His help.

He listens to the worries we have. 

The worries that keep us from living in the today.  

"Let me get through today, and I shall not fear tomorrow." St. Philip Neri

He doesn't expect us to do it all in one day!  

"Worry weighs down the heart, but a kind word gives it joy," Proverbs 12:25 

One day at a time! 

Bloom and Grow

"Wherever God has put you, that is your vocation. It is not what we do but how much love we put into it." St. Mother Teresa   

Bloom where you are planted. 

It's not about how much you do but how much you love. 

Let love grow within you from exactly where you are.

Feed your soul with good things that will help you blossom and grow. 

"If you want to know what God wants you to do - ask Him, and He will gladly tell you." James 1:5  

Things like inspirational stories, motivational books and uplifting music help remind us to grow in love.

The Chosen series is my favorite and it helps remind me of my true vocation...

"My vocation is love." -St. Therese of Liseux

Edelweiss, Edelweiss,

Every morning you greet me

Small and white clean and bright 

You look happy to meet me  

Blossom of snow 

May you bloom and grow 

Bloom and grow forever 

Edelweiss, Edelweiss 

Bless my home land forever 

https://youtu.be/8bL2BCiFkTk