9/24                              RANDOM THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS, by Deacon Sam
 
Jesus showed us by His life that there are things more important than our own comfort. He dropped everything to show the hurting and the needy His compassion. He taught that charity should come before everything. We can choose to love instead of hate, be generous instead of selfish, make peace instead of war. This is what being a faithful disciple of Christ does – we do the right stuff on the right path that leads us to eternal life.
 
Holiness is possible for everyone. A holy moment is that time when we acknowledge that God is present in the moment, open ourselves to God, and do what we believe God is calling us to do. Every moment, even our dark moments, can be a holy moment. God wants us to live in harmony with Him, to do everything for His glory so that He is seen, known and loved.
 
In this life we journey with Jesus – we come from God and travel through life with Him. Life is not a race but an experience to be savored each step of the way. Love and knowledge are weightless – they are treasures we can all easily carry with us on our journey through life.
 
When Jesus surrendered to the cross He saved the world. He does not need our best performance to accomplish His will – but He does look for our humility and willingness to do it. Never should we underestimate the power of good example. And, since our minds may tend to wander in prayer, it is helpful to approach Jesus in prayer with faith and perseverance. God the Father's love for us draws us to Him, to Jesus, to the church and to the Eucharist.
 
Jesus gives us the Bread of Heaven in the Eucharist. We all long to reach heaven – how wonderful it is that in the Eucharist heaven comes down to us. The primary nourishment in our life is LOVE and Jesus is the source.
 
To lose courage is to lose heart. By our sins we reject the God who loves us. God is not surprised or shocked by our weakness and failures. Hope allows us to begin again – to do the next right thing. Hope tells us that God loves us and that we do not have to be afraid because He is with us. Hope tells us that we can trust in God's help and that there is no limit to His mercy and love.
 
"Put your heart at his feet. It is the gift he loves most." St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
 
"I have been all things unholy. If God can work through me, he can work through anyone."       St. Francis of Assisi
 
“Health is God's great gift and we must spend it entirely for Him. Our eyes should see only for God; our feet walk only for Him; our hands labor for Him alone; in short, our entire body should serve God while we still have the time. Then, when He shall take our health and we shall near our last day, our conscience will not reproach us for having misused it." St. John Bosco
 
"A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love." St. Basil the Great