Love is the Answer

Today we not only celebrate our freedom to march for life but celebrate life itself. 

We have overturned Roe Vs Wade! 

Love is the answer! 

Put politics aside! 

It takes courage to love.

"If we want to genuinely practice our faith, don't we need to genuinely listen? How would the world change if we all became masters in the art of hearing heartbeats? God's and His people's."

  Be the Gift, Ann Voskamp 

If you're reading this, your heart is beating. 

Check out the video below - I watched and cried listening to the speakers at Life-fest. 

Even from miles and miles away, my heart was beating with those in our Nation's capital, who are reminding us to love. 

Again, love is the answer. 

Make Heaven

"Live every day like you're terminal. 

Because you are. 

Live every day like your soul’s eternal. 

Because it is." 

Ann Voskamp, Be the Gift 

Eternal and Eternity. 

The Eternal is within us. 

Eternity is ahead of us.

It is our choice to wait an eternity on earth or live now for the Eternal in Heaven.  

Too many days are spent looking forward or backward. 

Today is all we have on earth. 

"If today were your last, would you do what you're doing? Or would you love more, give more, forgive more? Then do so! Forgive and give as if it were your last opportunity. Love like there's no tomorrow, and if tomorrow comes, love again." Max Lucado    

Listen to the Spencer Sisters' song, "Make Heaven" in the link below. 

The lyrics are written from their hearts and speak to all of our hearts as a reminder from our Eternal Father in Heaven, 

https://www.boomplay.com/lyrics/152305036

Safe

 "You are the most loved not when you’re pretending to have it all together; you are actually the most loved when you feel broken and falling apart...There is a cross that makes us all safe. Jesus is drawn to the broken parts of us we would never want to draw attention to. Jesus is the most attracted to the busted and sees the broken as the most beautiful. And our God wants the most unwanted parts of us most...Nothing pleases God more than letting Him touch the places you think don’t please Him. God is drawn to broken things - so He can draw the most beautiful things. " Ann Voskamp, Be the Gift 

Among the most beautiful things Jesus gave us is the cross. 

From the cross He gave us His love.

For our brokenness.

That doesn't make the cross safe but a cross that saves. 

Real love is never safe; real love is sacrifice. 

Safe in His love. 

"The cross makes us all safe." 

Painting by Erin K. McAtee 

Spiritual Communion

"Holiness is not something we do for ourselves; it is something God does in us when we cooperate." 

33 Days to Eucharistic Glory 

Cooperation has to come from the heart. 

The whole heart.

Jesus, I give you my heart. 

"Trust. Surrender. Believe. Receive." 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory  

Spiritual Communion Prayer 

Jesus, 

I believe that You are truly present in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. 

Everyday  I long for more of You.

I love you above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.

Since I cannot receive You sacramentally at this moment, I invite You to come and dwell in my heart. 

May this spiritual communion increase my desire for the Eucharist. 

You are the healer of my soul. 

Take the blindness from my eyes, 

the deafness from my ears, 

the darkness from my mind, 

and the hardness from my heart.  

Fill me with the grace, wisdom, and courage to do Your will in all things. 

My Lord and my God, draw me close to You, nearer than ever before. 

Amen.   

Prayer from 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory 

Painting by Erin McAtee 

The Virtue of Surrender

I am currently reading Dynamic Catholic's book, 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory. 

I have enjoyed the daily readings and reminders of why to sit in the classroom of silence. 

Each day ends with a prayer for spiritual communion and with a virtue challenge. 

Surrender is one of the virtues from last week; one I am still practicing. 

"The virtue of surrender leads to tranquility. If you find yourself wrestling with every situation or doing battle with every person, it's time to explore why you are so insistent on imposing your will on every person and situation. The secret to surrendering to God is knowing your responsibilities and being clear about His responsibilities. Our willingness to surrender says a lot about our understanding of God. " 

33 Days to Eucharistic Glory 

God knew just how to speak to my heart.  

It's the beginning of a new year and I am talking about surrender. 

Surrender is a choice to want to understand. 

A virtue.

Am I willing to surrender? 

"The spiritual life is not about what we are doing. It's about what God is doing in us, through us, and with us - when we surrender and make ourselves available to Him." 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory 

Painting by Erin McAtee 

Enjoy the Year

 Happy New Year! 

As of last year instead of making a new year resolution, I chose a word to focus on throughout the year.

 For 2023 I chose the word “intentional." 

I had gone on a retreat a couple months before 2023 began and desired intentionality. 

My strongest intention from the past year was my desire and effort for daily Mass.

 Waking up early was hard but my intention made it easier. 

This year my word for 2024 was going to be "silence."

In 2023 I listened to the Catechism in a Year podcast and lots of other podcasts or music. Which are all great! However, I realized I didn't make room for silence. I was constantly filling the silence. So I thought, "silence" would be a good idea. 

I went to Adoration on New Year's Eve and knew my word for 2024 needed to be "enjoy." 

So here is to enjoying the moment! 

What word would you use to reflect on this year in your life? 

Picture by Gary Lee