8/13/2024  RANDOM THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS, by Deacon Sam

Marriage is a reflection of God’s love for us. It demands 100% on the part of each partner – marriage has to be a love story and not a life sentence. It demands a fidelity that gets one out of him-or-herself and gives to the other. It can be a love story if we imitate the love God has for us. 

We are not residents of the Catholic Church – we are members. I don't expect to show up for Mass and leave as I came in. Nevertheless we can go to Mass every day and walk away unchanged. Some people say "I will accept God on my terms." But being alive is to grow, and to grow is to be changed. God's grace can change us if we are open to it and have faith, "Dear God, I am here, I am yours, change me, grow in me."

Never lose faith and hope - trust in God's goodness. In His time on earth Jesus did what he was called to do – His mission of salvation was done for the poor, the suffering, all of us. God came from heaven that we may have life. There is an unholy Trinity however – "me, myself and I”. Dear God it is "your kingdom come" – not "my kingdom come ". We live our life in this moment to serve God. We commit to put into practice love, justice and compassion. The whole point of life is to give off the light of Jesus. True discipleship demands a re-ordering of our priorities to place God first in our lives. May we appreciate and use the countless gifts God has given to each of us as we respond to our fellow travelers on this planet and don’t fall into the pit of indifference.

God is a Giver – to love is to give. Christ calls us to give according to our means and to give our best first. We have a God who can't get enough of us. He nourishes us, speaks to us, heals us. He gives himself to us in the Eucharist. He comes to us when things in our lives seem impossible and never abandons us in our need. However hard life is for us, Christ asks that we put our faith in Him. Our faith calls us to believe that we are each a beloved child of God. We take His love and give it away as we reach out to people in need. We ask ourselves: "how can I help those who are close to me? How can I serve?" Thank you dear God for giving everyone the opportunity to serve You.

Despite our differences with others in our polarized society, we can still be open to loving each other as children of God. We can take a step back from moral outrage and treat others we disagree with with patience, consideration, compassion and a non-judgmental attitude.

"Actions speak louder than words. Let your words teach and your actions speak." 

                               St. Anthony of Padua

 "We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become." St. Clare of Assisi

“What you are is God's gift to you; what you become is your gift to God."  

                                                                                                               Hans Urs von Balthasar

"Oh my God, fill my soul with holy joy, courage and strength to serve you. Enkindle your love in me and then walk with me along the next stretch of the road before me." 

                                                                                    St. Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)