Everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
– Matthew 7:8
It might not seem it because we don’t always get the answer we want, but the answers are there. We continue seeking and our eyes will be opened to other possibilities, different perspectives.
1. If you forgot to bring it, you don’t need it.
2. If you need to check in at home, do that, but turn off your cell phone and give your family an emergency number to contact you at.
3. Dress comfortably, and it doesn’t matter what season it is, bring an extra sweater.
4. Safety First for Travel – flashlight, nightlight, doorstop, non-skid socks or slip-on shoes/slippers.
5. Bring a camera and a journal.
Where there’s life, there’s hope.
I heard this today on Supernatural. It was said in a glib, facetious way to put on a happy face, to show that the character didn’t care about his future, but the fact is that he does care. Underneath it all, he’s an optimist.
I would always call myself a realist; or even a pessimist. I have a knack for finding the dark cloud in every silver lining, but slowly, that seems to be changing.
My mantra drones on in my head, it will all be alright, and I think…. I think I might actually meant it.
“How little today resembles what yesterday thought it would look like.”
– Jim Beaver
Life’s That Way, p. 33
Intentions are important. My decision to miss morning mass this morning was with the intention of going to tonight’s mass.
Unfortunately, I fell asleep this afternoon, and now I feel like Rip Van Winkle. My head is groggy, my mind is foggy, my hands are tingling, and the last thing I want to do is go out in the cold.
I will probably stay home, and read my devotional. Although I find that positive, it’s not the same as being in the community of church.
Intentions are important.
I must remember that follow throughs are more so.
Yesterday was the first Sunday in Lent, when the Bishops greet those in their Diocese who are preparing for their baptism into the Catholic Church.
One year ago, I was one of the Elect, called by name at our Cathedral. I met our Bishop, and I signed my name in the book. There were prayers, and hymns. My family was there, my husband, my kids; my priest and a church friend standing in as sponsor.
The nervousness of being on display subsided with a calm I’ve only found through Jesus; that unfailing faith that only He can bring.
Surety.
This decision was unwavering; the only one before or since.
This weekend, I’m going on a the-day retreat. I’m looking forward to being energized and rejuvenated, and I’ve been thinking of my recent retreats and how to use my time this Lent to keep that energy flowing.
Tell us about the last experience you had that left you feeling fresh, energized, and rejuvenated. What was it that had such a positive effect on you?
Led by the spirit of our G-d, we go to fast and pray
With Christ into the wilderness; we join his paschal way.
“Rend not your garments, rend your hearts.
Turn back your lives to me.”*
This was our closing hymn on this first Sunday of Lent. As soon as those words came from my lips, I was reminded that Lent is not a solitary disposition.
As we fast and pray throughout the rest of these forty days, Christ is with us as He is always with us.
It is not solitary, but it is also not public. No need to make a show of our sacrifices, our abstentions, to announce our Lenten deeds by rending our garments for the world to see. Instead keep Lent where it is supposed to be: in our hearts where G-d can always see our underlying intentions.
* adaptation by Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958
In today’s reflection from Give Us This Day, Fr. Paul Boudreau wrote,
“The love of Jesus makes water into wine, traitors into apostles, and is given to us in order to transform the world, starting with ourselves and the people we encounter today.”
Transformation can be a somewhat daunting prospect when looked at as the big picture of our lives; as a journey’s end rather than the journey itself. However, as we teach kids to walk beginning with baby steps, we can see that transformation is best achieved with baby steps.
Little by little, through Jesus’ love and our self-awareness, we can follow our transformation, and reflect on it quietly and thoughtfully in small increments that we each find doable.
Griffins and Ginger Snaps 