Blessed Are You

Friends of Faith:

Life as we know it here on earth is a constant battle between good and evil: of being challenged to use our gifts so that we can be made aware of the many blessings God gives us or to be tempted by societies promised pleasures which cause us to hide, miss or outright turn away from the peace and joy He promises.

That is why it is so appropriate to follow yesterday’s feast of Pentecost, the sending of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the Church here on earth with today’s famous blessings of the challenges of the Sermon on the Mount passage.

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.  He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Mt 5: 1-12

The fire used to symbolize the coming and the presence of the Spirit leads us by it’s light, moves us by it’s energy, melds and molds us into whatever shape we allow.

God wants us to accept the gifts of the Spirit:  wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, fortitude, piety and fear of the Lord (wonder and awe) so that we can receive the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

In turn both the gifts and the fruits become our blessings when they are used to answer the call of His famous Sermon, the blessings of giving back the gifts and spreading the fruits to others through His Christian Church.

So blessed and loved are we all to be a part of His Church and a child of His through our Baptism.

Come Holy Spirit, Come. May we accept the gifts you present us and use them wisely for the benefit of others. Help us to allow others to see Christ through the fire you light in our hearts by the sending of Your Spirit. Thank you for the gift of your Church which becomes our family and community of support for our faith journey. Amen.

Blessed are you who believe. May your faith burn brightly for all to see,
Charlotte

In Awe

Women of Faith:
My first title this morning was Rise Up and Say Amen. I wanted to write about Ash Wednesday and beginning anew. But there are some mornings when I don’t seem to have words, when I know what is in my heart but I don’t have the energy to think so I just want to use someone else’s words.

Not only am I searching for words, but for hope and light. I just want to be able to say “yes, amen, that’s right.”

I suppose it is human nature to doubt. I feel like my faith is strong, like I should have enough faith to always believe, but yet I am constantly awed by what is set before me.

I said to someone earlier this week, “Things just keep happening, in a good way, but not always in good circumstances. And I continue to feel, each time, “wow” can that really be. What just happened? I am awed by God’s presence. But, why am I still surprised and in awe? Awe and wonder is one of the seven gifts of the Spirit we receive at confirmation.”
So while some of you may be doubting and/or searching, I pray that you will have the faith to believe and have hope.

And for those of you who have been given, by the Spirit, the gift of awe in His presence, I pray that you will share your faith by being an example of hope, joy and love for others.

These are the words set before me this morning, the first song I heard, the bible verse I last read and words from both yesterday and today’s readings. I am so in awe!

“Everybody falls sometimes. Gotta find the strength to rise from the ashes and make a new beginning. Anyone can feel the ache. You think it’s more than you can take. But you're stronger, stronger than you know. Don’t you give up now. The sun will soon be shining. You gotta face the clouds to find the silver lining.

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains, hope that doesn’t ever end. Even when the sky is falling I’ve seen miracles just happen, silent prayers get answered, broken hearts become brand new. That’s what faith can do.

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard. Impossible is not a word. It’s jus t a reason for someone not to try. Everybody’s scared to death when they decide to take that step, out on the water. It’ll be alright. Life is so much more than what your eyes are seeing. You will find your way. If you keep believing.” What Faith Can Do – Kutless

“For however many are the promises of God, their Yes is in him; therefore, the Amen from us also goes through him to God for glory. But the one who gives us security with you in Christ and who anointed us is God; he has also put his seal upon us and given the Spirit in our hearts as a first installment.” 2 Cor 1: 20-22

“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”* Eph 5: 14

"Why could we not drive the spirit out?" He said to them, "This kind can only come out through prayer." Mk 9:29

I am so in AWE!!

Heavenly Father, It is in your presence that I am awed! Thank you for the gift of awe and wonder sent by your Spirit. Give us strength to begin anew in this Lenten season and to rise from the ashes!! Help those who are struggling to find You. May they have the faith, strength and courage to ask for your guidance and wisdom. May they answer your call and do your will. Help me to continue to feel that “WOW!” To see the silver lining in the clouds and to pray unceasingly. I say, “Yes! Amen! I believe!” Amen.

God says it all! I can say no more—Have an AWEsome week,
Blessings,
Charlotte