Be Like Jesus

Good Morning, dear reader. We are another step closer to the end of our story. It's been a pleasure for me to bring you along. 

This morning, we once again learn about being a humble servant to God. He has carefully crafted each and every one of us according to His purpose. We are reminded that the work we do for His glory is not in vain. My husband said basically this same thing to me when I complained that no one was following my blog. He said that God knew what I was doing and that is all that mattered, which is very true. This has been a labour of love and learning. 

As we move on to our Gospel reading, we see that Jesus makes it known that He knows who the one is that will betray Him and also deny Him. I imagine this must've been quite heart breaking to Him. He had hand-picked these twelve men because of what He saw in them. These were His faithful ones. Once Judas was identified, he beat a hasty retreat rather than face Jesus. 

Betrayal and denial are hard things to fathom. What would move a person to do that? In Judas's case, it was greed. With Simon Peter, it was just a case of him wanting to save his own skin (by denying the fact that he was a follower of Jesus). Actions such as these say a lot about our character. It says we are not to be trusted and that we are not loyal to those who are important to us. It says that you think of yourself first. This is not how someone who revers and treasures their relationship with Jesus should act or have a reputation such as this. I imagine, though, that this must've been a poignant moment, as Jesus had been nothing but kind and loving to everyone, and yet His closest ones still turned on Him. However, Jesus being the kind and loving Person He was, He did not lash out at these two. He did not get angry. I think, because of this, Jesus decided to remind his disciples that we should treat others as He has treated us. We are to show mercy and forgiveness. It is in this way that we can be known as followers of Jesus. 

When we are faced with troubling and difficult people, rather than acting in a similar manner, take a deep breath and think for a moment. You need to chose your battles carefully. Most are not worth getting upset over. Sometimes it's easier to not say anything and just walk away. And, as I always remind you... be a nice human. 😇

Have a listen to Father Bill and his wise words to us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNQTg31Zrxc

Humility

Happy Monday, dear reader! Today we are taking another step into Holy Week. In our readings, we are reminded that we are in humble servitude to God, but we do this willingly because of His unending love for us.

The reading in Isaiah foretells that God is sending us a servant. But not just any servant. He will be someone who will save those who believe in God, who will glorify His name and that He will bring peace and unity to those who wait for Him. 

It also mentions the fact that before this happens, God will send a messenger to announce this arrival and that the things He has said will happen will be confirmed, "See, the earlier things have come to pass, new ones I now foretell" (Is 42:9, NAB). God is saying "look, I kept my word. Did these things not happen already? There are also new things to come." This instills in us our belief that we can trust in God's words and promises. It gives us a hope to hold on to as we move forward. It's sort of a cliffhanger! We need to hold on so we can see how this all ends. 

John's Gospel tells the story of the woman who comes to annoint the feet of Jesus. She uses an oil that is very expensive, and this angers Judas. This is the same man who will betray Jesus. So we already know what a lowlife he is. Judas wanted the money that the oil would bring, for himself. Jesus quietly and calmly explains that the oil is not wasted. This will be the same oil that will be used to annoint His body upon His death, "So Jesus said, 'Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, buy you do not always have Me.'" (Jn 12:7-8). Jesus saw that this act was important to Mary (not Mary, His mother). He also knew that the oil would be needed upon His death, as Jewish tradition called for the anointing of the dead. Again, He is prophesying His death. 

Our readings today are rather heavy. But, that's a good thing, as it gets us thinking. And Holy Week is a good time for that. We reflect on those things that we gave up for Lent, we reflect on our faith and the suffering that Jesus endured, we reflect on what's really imporant in this life. We see how far we've come, but also how much further we have yet to go. Let this week remind you that nothing comes easy, especially when it comes to our faith. The next time you grumble about how unfair life is, remember Jesus on that cross. An innocent Man killed because of the injustice of man. An innocent Man put to death so that you can be free. Kind of puts things in a different light, doesn't it?

Be blessed, dear reader. And, as always... be a nice human. 😇

Father Bill's reflection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofBTYDROJMc

Even though this is a more of a Christmas song, I thought it rather fitting for this post: https://youtu.be/ifCWN5pJGIE

Serving Faith

We often struggle in our own lives with finding that balance between living in "the world" and following Jesus, living by His example. This is the problem Jeremiah faced. He wanted to follow God and what He had in mind for him, but more often than not, Jeremiah found himself overwhelmed by it all. To further complicate matters, we have these men who wanted to discredit Jeremiah. They wanted to use Jeremiah's words against him. But, Jeremiah, this humble person who struggled to follow God, called out to Him. "Heed me, O Lord, and listen to what my adversaries say. Must good be repaid with evil that they should dig a pit to take my life?" (Jer 18:19-20, NAB). How often have we wondered the same thing? We have to remember that, in times like that, we need to seek the Lord even more, to allow Him to guide us, to be reassured that we are doing just what we need to. 

In turning to our Gospel reading, we see the mother of James and John asking Jesus to assure that her sons will be favored and be seated with Him in Heaven. The crowd that had gathered wondered why these two men should be so privledged as to receive favor in Heaven. Jesus promptly replies that that is not His choice to make, it is whatever His Father has predestined for these men. You see, Jesus was just a humble servant of His Father. He tells the crowd that even though the Gentiles may hold power over people and seek glory for themselves, this is not how it's done in Heaven. Those who are willing to humble themselves, to do for others without glorification are the ones who are the most blessed. They will see their reward in Heaven. 

In everything Jesus did, it was with kindness, understanding and compassion. Knowing He was the Savior of the world did not inflate His ego. It could have. For most folks it would have. But not Jesus. He showed that He was ready and eager to serve the needs of others. Are we ready to take on that challenge? Are we willing to humble ourselves in the service of Jesus? Are we willing to be the least among others? It is something to think about. 

With so much strife and unrest in the world today, take time to pray for others. Pray for peace. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them." (Mt 18:20, NAB)

Be blessed dear friends. And as always, be a nice human. 😇

Humility

For today's reflection, I decided to go with a website instead of writing my own. Sometimes other sources can do better than I could do. So read on, lovely people......

Humility seems like such a contradiction.  We are easily tempted to think that the way to greatness involves letting everyone know all that we do well.  There is a constant temptation for most people to put forward their best face and to hope others will see that and admire it.  We want to be noticed and praised.  And we often try to make that happen by the little things we do and say.  And often we tend to exaggerate who we are.

On the flip side, if someone criticizes us and thinks ill of us it has the potential of being devastating.  If we hear that someone said something negative about us we may go home and be depressed or angry about it the rest of the day, or even the rest of the week!  Why?  Because our pride is wounded and that wound can hurt.  It can hurt unless we have discovered the incredible gift of humility.

Humility is a virtue that enables us to be real.  It enables us to cut through any false persona we may have and simply be who we are.  It enables us to be comfortable with our good qualities as well as our failures.  Humility is nothing other than being honest and true about our lives and being comfortable with that person.

Humility is sincerity and genuineness.  And when people see this quality in us they are impressed.  Not so much in a worldly way but in an authentic human way.  They will not look at us and be envious, rather, they will look at us and see the true qualities we have and enjoy them, admire them and want to imitate them.  Humility enables the real you to shine through.  And, believe it or not, the real you is someone who others want to meet and get to know.

Jesus gives us a wonderful lesson in today's Gospel reading that is very hard to live but is absolutely key to living a happy life.  He wants us to be exalted!  He wants us to be noticed by others.  He wants our light of goodness to shine for all to see and for that light to make a difference.  But He wants it done in truth, not by presenting a false persona.  He wants the real “me” to shine forth.  And that is humility.

Reflect, today, on how genuine you are.  Make this time of Lent a time when the foolishness of pride is shattered.  Let God strip away every false image of yourself so that the true you can shine forth.  Humble yourself in this way and God will take you and exalt you in His way so that your heart can be seen and loved by those around you.

**Be Blessed, dear reader. And, as always, be a nice human.😇**

PRAYER:

Lord of perfect humility, make me humble.  Help me to be sincere and honest about who I am.  And in that honesty, help me to let Your Heart, living in mine, shine through for others to see.  Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.

Source:

Today's reflection comes from My Catholic Life, Catholic Daily Reflections.

https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/2022/03/14/the-exaltation-of-the-humble-of-heart-2/

**Remember, copy and paste link into your browser**

Prayer

 

Good Morning Lovely People!! 😇

Today's word brings us to the topic of prayer. We are reminded that God hears our prayers and often knows what we need before we utter a single word. But, like every good father, He wants us to actually come to Him and tell Him what we need. This is, indeed, a humbling act. Which is why He expects this of us.

In this morning's reading from Isaiah, God reminds us that His word gives us nourishment of the soul, much like bread gives nourishment to the body. In Matthew's Gospel, God tells us HOW to pray, saying "Thy will be done", just as in Isaiah it says "It (our prayers) shall not return to Me void, but shall do My will". 

When we hear "Thy will be done", how do you interpret it? Do you think it means that God hears you and it will get done or do you hear that HIS WILL will be done? There's quite a difference in the meaning of each. When we follow God's plan for us, when we do what He wills us to, then we will achieve what it is that God wants from us. We do His will, His bidding, but it is always all for good. So we must "pray always" with intent, wait to hear God's response and trust that He knows what He's doing. I can promise that it won't be easy, but it will be worth it. 

Be blessed dear friends. Go forth and spread the word of God. 

First Friday of Lent

 Read: Isaiah 58: 1-9; Matthew 9: 14-15

As we begin today, we are reminded of why it is we fast. We make a sacrifice. Sacrifice. A word we see so much of during the Lenten season. It is because all that we deny ourselves brings us closer to Jesus, who made the ultimate sacrifice. It reminds us of that sacrifice. How small what we deny ourselves compared to what Jesus did. 

With that being said, Friday is also about redemption. We need to be reminded that we are sinners, and for that there must be a way for us to atone for our sins. We need to step out of ourselves and see the bigger picture. We need to walk in our faith. We need to humble ourselves at the foot of the cross. Isaiah 58:9 tells us "Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help, and He will say: Here I Am!" It seems a lot to be asking of us. And it is. But that is precisely the point of the whole thing. We are saying that we are imperfect. We are saying that without Jesus to guide us, we become creatures of the flesh. 

When we bring our suffering to Jesus, when we call out for His help, He meets us where we are, and takes up our offering, combining it with His own. And with this we are redeemed and renewed in His love and forgiveness. We are redeemed through His blood that He shed for us. We rejoice in this, and we are reassured of His ever lasting love. 

Be humbled today. Remind yourself that what you are giving up is so much more than the physical. You will walk in His beauty and light. "Then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday" (Isaiah 58:10)

Ash Wednesday

Read: Joel 2: 12-18; 2 Cor 5: 20- 6:2;

Mt 6: 1-6, 16-18

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of 40 days of Lent. It is wholly appropriate that we start this day with the anointing of ashes as we remember Christ's sacrifice for us.

It is also a time for us to renew our relationship with Christ. Joel 2: 12 states it clearly "Yet, even now, says the Lord, return to Me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning". He reminds us that even now, in the middle of the chaos and our sins, He still loves us and wants us to be close to Him. He tells us that we are all to gather in His name, repentant and humble.

We should also take some time to remember the people of Ukraine, who are suffering for their own freedom. If we look further in the reading, it says "Spare, O Lord, Your people and make not Your heritage a reproach, with the nations ruling over them! Why should they say among the peoples "Where is their God?". Why indeed. It is God who ultimately rules the nations. But it is hard to see that these days. I'm sure the brave people of Ukraine feel that God is giving them the strength to carry on, to not fail at their defense of the enemy. Look at David and Goliath, David took him down with just a rock and a sling shot. He had faith that the Lord would sustain him in times of strife. It is the same faith we see in these people, gathering together, helping one another. We can learn a lot from them. Lessons of perseverance, faith and courage. So, as we face the next 40 days, let us persevere in faith and courage. Renew yourself in God's word, remind yourself of God's holy presence in your life. And have courage, for you are never alone.

God Bless and #prayforpeace #prayforUkraine #Lent2022 #AshWednesday