Category Archives: Reflections

Reflections to cause change and understanding

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All Souls Day

On this day, as we dedicate our thoughts and prayers to those that have gone before us, in many if not all cases, we still carry those pains and heart aches. It is all so very tender that feeling of loss, but it is important to think of our loved ones in a place we all aspire to attain. Even as we never completely get over their absence, however, getting through it can give us peace remembering that for our loved ones; life is changed not ended. “The souls of the just are in the hands of God” (Wisdom 3:13).

Maybe on days past we’ve had those times when we felt so very close to them. It may be a place, a particular song or a smell, or maybe we found something that was theirs. Coincidence? And yes, it might be the closeness, out of nowhere, that you feel them with you. Their presence is so strong you don’t know where to look or what to say. Whatever it is, you know they are there and it is real. Yes, we all have those reminders they are still with us and looking after us on our journey.

We are all connected.

These times hopefully help us understand our need to look to God and ask for his continued help and guidance. Thanking Him for all He has done for us and making Him part of our life every day; even in just some small way. It may be a kind and helpful act towards others, sharing our love with those we encounter, or a quiet moment of prayer alone or just silence, alone; just with Him.

“Lord, shine your everlasting light on all my departed loved ones.
May they find rest in your loving arms.
Thank you for giving so that we can live
forever with you in heaven!”

Learn to love God as He loves you.

Find a way.

_Conor

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“How can we expect to find Jesus if we do not
seek him in the states of this earthly life, in
loneliness and silence, in poverty and suffering,
in persecution and contempt, in annihilation
and the cross.”

_Francois Fenelon

Finding God

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PSALM 32: 1-7

“Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”-and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”

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As we celebrate the solemnity of All Saints (November 1st), I have listed quotes from various Saints for reflection.

• St. Justin Martyr: “The greatest grace God can give someone is to send him a trial he cannot bear with his own powers-and then sustain him with his grace so he may endure to the end and be saved.”

• Saint Benedict: “What is more delightful than this voice of the Lord calling to us? See how the Lord in his love shows us the way of life.”

• Saint Augustine: “We have been promised something we do not yet possess. It is good for us to persevere in longing until we receive what was promised, and yearning is over.”

• Saint Francis of Assisi: “May I feel in my heart, as far as possible, that abundance of love with which you, Son of God, were inflamed.”

• Saint Thomas Aquinas: “The life of man consists in the love that principally sustains him and in which he finds his greatest satisfaction.”

• Saint Catherine of Siena: “When we love something we don’t care of abuse or injury or pain we might have to endure to get it; we are concerned only with satisfying our desire for the things we love.”

• Saint Catherine of Genoa: “God lets the soul share his goodness so that it becomes one with him. The nearer the soul comes to him, the more it partakes of what is his.”

• Saint Paul of the Cross: “The soul whom God wants to draw the deepest union with him by means of holy prayer must pass through the way of suffering during prayer.”

• Saint Alphonsus Liguori: “We must love God in the way that pleases him, and not just in a way that suits ourselves. God wishes people to empty themselves of everything and to be filled with his divine love.”

• Saint Maximilian Kolbe: “Shall the urge for complete and total happiness, inherent to human nature, be the only need to remain unfilled and unsatisfied? No, even this longing can be fulfilled by the infinite and eternal God.”

• Saint Katharine Drexel: “May your faith be increased so as to realize the fact that you are never alone, wheresoever you may be, that the great God is with you, in you.”

• Saint Faustina: “Jesus, I trust in you.”

• Saint Pio of Pietrelcina: “If the soul longs for nothing else than to love its God, then don’t worry and be quite sure that this soul possesses everything, that it possesses God himself.”

• Saint Damien Joseph de Veuster of Moloka”i: “In the face of the too real dangers that surround me I repeat: ‘Lord, I have placed all my hope in you. I will never be confounded.’”

All Saints Day_November 1st

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The Purpose of Me

I must be willing to give up what I am in order to become what I need to be.

How often, if not always, do we think and dream of what we want to be and accomplish in life? Those thoughts, in many cases, reflect our age, where we are trying to go and how fast we want to get there. What standard of life are we trying to attain? Obligations to meet, children to raise and care for, opportunities, college… and the list goes on endlessly. What needs do I have and what path, job, and skill sets do I have to master? What do I need to do to pull all of this off?

All good things. Great goals, and the satisfaction that comes with all that, is what I need and all I’ll ever want. And yes, lest we forget, what sacrifices do I need to make for all of that, for me? Time away from loved ones, missed games and recitals, loneliness, missing the important things in life like family time together and teaching and leading by example to those around me. The important things in life.

A tough balancing act!

So we fast forward 20, 30 or 40 years and what? What is that nagging feeling inside of me? I have all the money I’ll ever need and I have accomplished all I intended to do. Something is missing and how did I not see it? I feel like I lost something and never found it. This is exactly what I wanted to do! And I did “my way.”

I’m not saying the above path is wrong. It’s admirable to set lofty goals and go for them. But remember, this is your agenda and what you set out your purpose in life to be. But, is it God’s path for you? Is this how and what he has asked you to do? Maybe yes, maybe no. Or maybe a different version of what you have done.

Balance? Not “my way,” but maybe “Your Way Together.”

God is love, all forgiving, merciful and patient. Yes, patient. He has given all creation Free Will to do all that they want. But; could I have done what I did in life a little different? Could I have even done it without other’s help, including God’s? Would I of made different decisions if He was part of my life? Would I have had the strength to do more? Would I of found peace that I lost a long time ago? Would my life of been the same, but differ at the same time?

Only one way to find out. Maybe you can begin to pray like you did when you were a child. No? Well, can you just talk to God from your heart like He is your best friend? Can you act like a child again, and just say what you see and think, to Him? He will listen; but then it will be your turn to be quiet, still, patient and listen. And yes, you will know.

Yes, God is patient! Yes, He is loving and does care for me, and I am important to Him! Yes, I know I’ll be alright, and most importantly, He needs to be part of my life, and He is!

That is the purpose of my life!

Thank you God.

“Find a way.”
Conor

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God’s Me

You are who you are for a reason,
You’re part of an intricate plan.
You’re a precious and perfect unique design,
Called God’s special woman or man.

You look like you look for a reason.
Our God made no mistake.
He knit you together within the womb,
You’re just what he wanted to make.

The parents you had were the ones he chose,
And no matter how you feel,
They were custom-designed with God’s plan in mind,
And they bear the Master’s seal.

No, that trauma you faced was not easy.
And God wept that it hurt you so;
But it was allowed to shape your heart
So that into his likeness you’d grow.

You are who you are for a reason,
You’ve been formed by the Master’s rod
You are who you are, beloved,
Because there is a God!!!

_Poem by Russell Kelfer
Atheist

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“Go and do likewise”

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered right; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, `Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed mercy on him.” And Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Meditation
If God is all-loving and compassionate, then why is there so much suffering and evil in this world? Many agnostics refuse to believe in God because of this seemingly imponderable problem. If God is love then evil and suffering must be eliminated in all its forms. What is God’s answer to this human dilemma? Jesus’ parable about a highway robbery gives us a helpful hint. Jesus told this dramatic story in response to a devout Jew who wanted to understand how to apply God’s great commandment of love to his everyday life circumstances. In so many words this religious-minded Jew said: “I want to love God as best as I can and I want to love my neighbor as well. But how do I know that I am fulfilling my duty to love my neighbor as myself?” Jesus must have smiled when he heard this man challenge him to explain one’s duty towards their neighbor. For the Jewish believer the law of love was plain and simple: “treat your neighbor as you would treat yourself.” The real issue for this believer was the correct definition of who is “my neighbor”. He understood “neighbor” to mean one’s fellow Jew who belonged to the same covenant which God made with the people of Israel. Up to a certain point, Jesus agreed with this sincere expert but, at the same time, he challenged him to see that God’s view of neighbor went far beyond his narrow definition.

Jesus told a parable to show how wide God’s love and mercy is towards every fellow human being. Jesus’s story of a brutal highway robbery was all too familiar to his audience. The road from Jerusalem to Jericho went through a narrow winding valley surrounded by steep rocky cliffs. Many wealthy Jews from Jerusalem had winter homes in Jerico. This narrow highway was dangerous and notorious for its robbers who could easily ambush their victim and escape into the hills. No one in his right mind would think of traveling through this dangerous highway alone. It was far safer to travel with others for protection and defense.

So why did the religious leaders refuse to give any help when they saw a half-dead victim lying by the roadside? Didn’t they recognize that this victim was their neighbor? And why did a Samaritan, an outsider who was despised by the Jews, treat this victim with special care at his own expense as he would care for his own family? Who was the real neighbor who showed brotherly compassion and mercy? Jesus makes the supposed villain, the despised Samaritan, the merciful one as an example for the status conscious Jews. Why didn’t the priest and Levite stop to help? The priest probably didn’t want to risk the possibility of ritual impurity. His piety got in the way of charity. The Levite approached close to the victim, but stopped short of actually helping him. Perhaps he feared that bandits were using a decoy to ambush him. The Levite put personal safety ahead of saving his neighbor.

What does Jesus’ story tell us about true love for one’s neighbor? First, we must be willing to help even if others brought trouble on themselves through their own fault or negligence. Second, our love and concern to help others in need must be practical. Good intentions and showing pity, or emphathizing with others, are not enough. And lastly, our love for others must be as wide and as inclusive as God’s love. God excludes no one from his care and concern. God’s love is unconditional. So we must be ready to do good to others for their sake, just as God is good to us. Jesus not only taught God’s way of love, but he showed how far God was willing to go to share in our suffering and to restore us to wholeness of life and happiness. Jesus overcame sin, suffering, and death through his victory on the cross. His death brought us freedom from slavery to sin and the promise of everlasting life with God. He willingly shared in our suffering to bring us to the source of true healing and freedom from sin and oppression. True compassion not only identifies and emphathizes with the one who is in pain, but takes that pain on oneself in order to bring freedom and restoration. Jesus truly identified with our plight, and he took the burden of our sinful condition upon himself. He showed us the depths of God’s love and compassion, by sharing in our suffering and by offering his life as an atoning sacrifice for our sins upon the cross. His suffering is redemptive because it brings us healing and restoration and the fulness of eternal life. God offers us true freedom from every form of oppression, sin, and suffering. And that way is through the cross of Jesus Christ. Are you ready to embrace the cross of Christ, to suffer for his sake, and to lay down your life out of love for your neighbor?

“Lord Jesus, may your love always be the foundation of my life. Free me from every fear and selfish-concern that I may freely give myself in loving service to others, even to the point of laying my life down for their sake.”

_Kairo’s

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Psalm 111:1-2,7-10_Reflection

Psalm 111:1-2,7-10

Praise the LORD. I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who have pleasure in them.
The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy,
they are established for ever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant for ever.
Holy and awesome is his name!
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
a good understanding have all those who practice it. His praise endures for ever!

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“The Narrow Door”

“Strive to enter through the narrow door.”
_Luke 13:24

Striving forward requires contending with whatever comes your way. Making good out of bad, and becoming a better person for your efforts. Choosing encouragement instead of criticism; choosing love rather than disrespect or hatred. We are all challenged with choices, hardships and disappointments, along with pain and suffering and the weight of our cross. How do we choose to manage this, and what decisions are we making to control all of this in our lives? But also, how do we manage this so we can put the beauty of life in front of our challenges, to treasure and share the love around us?

It is hard to find those answers when you in the valley rather than on top of the mountain. However, being in the valley allows us to get to the top of the mountain, as we learn and grow by the lessons and experiences of the valley. It is in the valley where we learn the important lessons of life.

Prayer should be part of our daily life, but even more so during those difficult times. Prayer, along with our quiet time talking to God from your heart, is the best way to attain the waiting love, strength, and the understanding and forgiveness of Our Lord.

I have included the following posts, St. Francis’ famous Canticle of the Sun, followed by Psalm 1. Reflect on these writings as you conquer the challenges of the narrow door.

“Find a Way.”

_Conor

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Canticle of the Sun

Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. Praise and exalt Him above all forever.

Angels of the Lord: (bless the Lord.) Repeat after every line.
You heavens:
Sun and Moon:
Stars of Heaven:

Every shower and dew:
All you winds:
Fire and heat:
Cold and chill:
Night and days:
Lightning and clouds:

Let the earth bless the Lord. Praise and exalt Him above all forever.

Mountains and hills:
Everything growing from the earth:
Seas and rivers:
You dolphins and all water creatures:
All you birds of the air:
All you beasts, wild and tame:
You sons of men:
Holy men of humble heart:

_St. Francis

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Emily the Elephant

Emily was a couple of years older than Edward. She knew so much more than Edward and told Edward that every day. I mean everyday! That did not bother Edward though, as he really liked his sister. He loved her and liked following her all around the fields looking for food, and he liked meeting all of her friends too. They were so nice to him. Sometimes better than Emily. She could be a mean sister!

One day as Emily was supposed to be watching Edward, she got involved with her elephant friends and lost sight of Edward. He must have wandered away, she thought. She looked around and did not see him. All of a sudden she got scared! Edward was too young to be out here in the fields all by himself. She thought, “What am I going to do? Where do I start looking for Edward? Oh NO! What have I done?

Emily was having so much fun with her friends, she had no idea how long Edward was gone. As often as she told Edward how much more she knew than him, she felt real bad about losing Edward. She became real sad! She was worried! She knows the danger with other animals here in jungle.

Edward was off running around, and guess what! He found a bunch of puddles and could not wait to get in them. He was having so much fun just rolling around and getting muddy. Boy, did he love being muddy!

Edward did not realize that Emily was not around, because all he was thinking about was rolling in the water and dirt. He just loved doing that and liked filling up his trunk, again and again, with water! But then Edward looked around and realized what he did—He walked away from Emily and got so involved with the puddles, that now, he doesn’t know where Emily is. He cannot see her anywhere. Oh no! Where am I?

As Edward got up from the mud, he heard noises from other animals that he did not know. From the noises, it sounded like quite a few animals. He heard elephants yelling too! They were yelling at each other and at the other animals too! What was going on? That is Emily and her friends!! I hear Emily screaming. I got to find her!

Edward started walking slowly towards all the noise he heard in the distance. He then started to run, because he was worried about his sister. What am I’m going to do? I’m scared! Then he remembered what his mother told him after he got in trouble last time with the puddles. She said, “It is ok to be scared. We all get scared sometimes, but we must be brave and always do the right thing. We must always help family and friends, and other animals too that need help. And yes, you always need to listen to what Mom and Dad tell you.”

Edward then started to run even faster now. The noises were louder and he could not stop thinking about Emily. She’s my sister! My sometimes mean sister! He got behind the trees and he could see 3 young lions running around the elephants trying to get one of them alone. They were much faster than the elephants, but the elephants were bigger. It looked like they were trying to get Arnold, my friend, one of the smaller elephants like me.

Edward just watch them trying to figure out what they were going to do next. Edward slipped around the side where there were more trees so he could get even closer. He knew he had to surprise the lions, so the other elephants could help him chase the lions away.

Edward knew what he was going to do. He was so glad he did what he always loved doing in the puddles. He had filled his trunk up to the top with water. Now, he was ready!

Edward waited for the right moment and then charged the lions. Emily saw Edward, so she charged from the other side towards Edward. The lions were caught in the middle! The lions saw elephants coming at them from all sides. They knew they had to run and get away or they would be hurt.

It worked! The lions left. Emily could not wait to get to Edward and say how sorry she was for not looking after him. She promised that it would never happen again. And she told Edward she was sorry for always telling him she knew more than him. She was wrong. Emily also told Edward, that because of what he did, he saved everyone from getting hurt. Yes Edward, you knew more than me today. I am so proud of you Edward! Thank you for helping and I want you to know, I love my little brother. She put her trunk around his head and gave him a hug!

The elephants all gathered together and started a line to go back home. Edward was feeling pretty good for helping, but it meant so much more to him to hear his sister tell him she loves him. Emily means so much to me too I love her too!

Edward now couldn’t wait to get home and tell Mom and Dad.

“Find a way.”
_Conor

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“As I have loved you, so you should also love one another.”

_John 13:34

Love

As one reads the bible and reflects on its passages, some more than others have huge impacts on our lives. Some speak to our heart and reflect the needed changes we need to make in our thinking and behavior. Others offer peace and direction, and the needed insight for our lives and beliefs. The above passage from John, speaks to what God has said about love, its importance in our lives, and the call to sharing it.

I have just finished reading “Proof of Heaven” by Eben Alexander, M.D. He acquired bacterial meningitis in his brain, a bacteria known as E. coli, which has a 99+% fatality rate. Within 3 days, his brain shut down and he slipped into a coma, which lasted for 7 days. After a miraculous recovery, he faced a difficult road to full recovery and rehabilitation. During this time, he had the overwhelming drive to speak and write of the many things he had experienced. This is what he referred too as “Unpacking.”

Eben, highly educated and a neurosurgeon surgeon himself, found he could not explain what he saw and experienced. Words from this world could not begin to adequately explain the world of Heaven. One experience, more than all the others, was experiencing the Love from God and being in His presence. This is the most common and similar experience of all NDE experiences (Near Death Experience). For everyone who has returned, they talk of their encounters in heaven, their journey and what they saw, and the miraculous aspects of their tragedies; but the Love of God is indescribable. (Not only beyond words, but too wonderful for words.)

When we think of love today in our life, what comes to your mind? The love of God, family and children? Seeing the joy of good happening to others? Finding a lost friend or receiving a letter from one so important to you, or experiencing God’s overwhelming presence and love? Has it brought tears of joy and the feeling of love over you?

Today’s bible quote is all encompassing. It sums up all we have been asked to do, and what should guide our actions. It speaks loudly of God’s unconditional love for us, and the action we need to take. God is all understanding and all forgiving. We need to keep listening to God and remaning close Him.

“What lies before us and what lies behind us, are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”

Think of the gifts of love you have in your life and pass it on. A gift is not a gift until it is given to others.

“Find a way.”

_Conor

Love

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Don’t Quit

“When things go wrong as
sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging
seems all up hill,
When the funds are low
and the debts are high
And you want to smile,
but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won
had he stuck it out;
Don’t give up though the pace
seems slow-
You may succeed with
another blow.
Success is failure turned
inside out-
The silver tint of the clouds
of doubt,
And you can never tell
how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when
you’re hardest hit-
It’s when things seem worst
that you must not quit.”

_Unknown