Ground Hogs Day AND the Presentation of Our Lord

Friends of Faith:

February 2^nd—Ground Hogs Day AND the Presentation of Our Lord. What might the two have in common?

Thus says the Lord God: Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; And suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek, And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire, or like the fuller’s lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, Refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD. Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will please the LORD, as in the days of old, as in years gone by. Mal 3: 1-4

The presentation of the ground hog or Christ: in whom do I place my I trust? In who’s appearance and opportunity do I place my excitement? In which media am I refined: the bible or today’s media: reality TV, Facebook, and YouTube?

The ground hog will either see his shadow or he won’t, he will either go back to sleep or professes to stay awake and present us spring. And he does it year after year, Feb 2^nd after Feb 2^nd – but regardless of today’s weather, spring always comes whether he actually sees his shadow or not.

And The messenger, Our Lord, was sent to prepare us in a much different way: He came once, He died for our salvation, and then He left us his Church with an invitation--Come follow me. He gave us a choice. Will we endure, will we stand, will we be refined by His message? Is there as much excitement, media and press for Our Lord as the ground hog seems to get each year?

Do we place as much trust in Jesus as we do in the ground hog? Or do we see more opportunity and value in the secular news media—forgetting that it was God who created the seasons, and that it is God who is always present, and that it is God who reveals the truth?

And like the ground hog – how often do I bury my head back underground, saying it’s too cold, too tough to come out and then I miss the true warmth of the sun, the Son of God?

I would like to personally invite each of you to two Christian enrichment opportunities this month:

For those of you who are married or soon will be: Archbishop Jackels will be the presenter for the VALENTINE’s Covenant of Love Date Night on February 15^th at 5:00 at St. Pat’s Tama. RSVP’s are needed for both the candle lit meal and daycare. Freewill donation. Reply to me for additional details or to RSVP. askupah@yahoo.com

And the Lincoln Highway CEW (Christian Experience Weekend) (for women Feb 20-22 and men Feb 27-Mar 1) to be held at Pilgrim Heights between Tama and Marshalltown on Hwy 30. Cost $60. (Scholarships available) Again registration is needed—the form may be accessed at http://www.sthenrychurch.com/CEW.htm

Lord, may my eyes be opened to see Your truth and grace. May my heart be warmed by Your loving embrace. May I place my trust wholeheartedly in You. Thank you for sending down the gifts of the Holy Spirit to refine my wants and desires so that I can more fully experience Your love and Your mercy. Help me to come out of the cold, to unbury my sins, to accept your invitation for forgiveness, and to allow myself to grow closer to You each day. Amen.

Christ has come. So, regardless of what the ground hog sees today, spring will also come because the truth will reign forever.

May you be warmed and refined by His loving embrace,

Blessings,

Charlotte

www.morningreflection.blogspot.com

Let the Lord Enter "Inn"

Friends of Faith:

Our family is looking forward to the arrival of Sara, Luke, Colby and Karolina today from Colorado. They were traveling last night despite snowy roads as anxious to get here as we are to have them arrive. Andy is home and Kristy, Tyler and Avery will be back tomorrow morning.

I spent the day yesterday decorating so that I could see eyes sparkle in glee, making kolaches for Colby & Karolina’s tummies and wrapping gifts in anticipation of their unwrapping on Christmas morning. I want them to “feel” my love by meeting their every need.

“Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory. He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, a reward from God his savior. Such is the race that seeks for him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.” Ps 24: 5-6

Our blessing just like Christ’s blessing is seeing each others faces. All they (and we) really want are our hugs that say “I love you” and their presence in our house. They are the present themselves, and none of the things that I have been doing in anticipation of their coming speak as loudly as our thoughts, anticipation, or the time we will spend together and the joy their presence will bring.

It isn’t the gifts, or the kolaches, or the glittering lights that really make the kids and the grandkids happy. It is the time I spend with them and the fact that I thought enough ABOUT them to get ready for them,  that want to be “inn” my space. That is what truly says “I love you.”

So how do we prepare, how do we anticipate allowing and making our home, our heart, our life worthy of Christ’s coming? How do we anticipate and prepare to accept the ultimate love that the true king, Jesus Christ, presents to us?

Do we truly seek to know those we love so that we can do what is best for them? Do we listen to and know our spouses, family, and friends worries, cares and dreams?

And if I truly understood and believed that a king was coming to my house today what would I do to get ready? How would I prepare myself? Would my house, my heart anticipate his coming? Would I make room for the king “at the inn?” What actions would I do to “clean” my home (my heart, my life)? What “jobs” (kolaches/gifts) would be important enough to take the time to seek and to finish?

It isn’t about the instant gratification of the “feeling” of all of the goods “things” I can give someone I love but about the fact that I love them enough to do be ready and waiting for them.  The fact that I would do anything and everything possible FOR them is what really expresses the love I have for them.

So am I ready to do the same with Christ Jesus? Am I willing to set aside just 10, 15, or 30 minutes today, tomorrow and every day to prepare, in the same manner, with the same thoughts of showing love, for the coming of the King of Glory?

I often wonder what would happen to the world if every person would take SOME time to let Christ Enter In. If all of us had more than one fleeting thought and took the time to really pray and to really spend time worshiping HIM—as much time as we do training and educating ourselves about our careers, favorite team, attending sporting and shopping events, or coaching a game or a fellow employee.

What if we spent the same amount of time learning about God’s plan for marriage, attending a bible study, listening to a Christian CD or music or mentoring a young adult—with the thought that this is how GOD wants  me to get ready for His coming, how God sees my face, my true self?

Heavenly Father: My hope today is that Christ will truly be my reason for the season. And that I will prepare to let the Lord enter by making room at the real “inn” -- my heart. Thank you for all of the gifts you have given to me—so that I may do with them for others. May I be open to your call and always preparing and ready to do your will. Amen.

God won’t come in if we don’t ask. He is only the king if we make him so.
Let the Lord enter!
May the true Spirit of Christmas enter your “inn” this week,
Blessings,
Charlotte

"Advent"ure

Women of Faith:

They say two things in life are certain: death and taxes. Both evils were created by humans—by our sin, and as a human way to give back to a human “king.”

But God had a much better plan for us, so He gave us a second chance, an “Advent-ure.” He gave us the chance to renew our eternal LIFE by giving us His son, Jesus, who by His own life redeemed our sins. And He asks us to give back to Him, the almighty King, our STEWARDSHIP—a return of Christ’s example—a portion of the gifts He gave us in this lifetime: our time, talent and treasure.

Just as we celebrate Advent to prepare for Christmas, God’s second chance for us includes a lifetime of “Advent-ure,” a time of preparation and reparation. A second chance to choose Him: by our faith, our trust, and our hope and a second chance to choose to live by Christ’s example of love for God and love for each other.

‘In days to come, the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it; many people’s shall come and say: “Come, let us climb the LORD’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.”’ Is 2:2-3

God planned our “adventures” as a preparation for His coming. He gave us the TIME to climb towards Him to the truth Christ revealed through His Church; the TALENT to stream towards the truth of His instruction; and the TREASURES to walk along His path in the Adventure of life.

He wrote a plan in the Holy words of Scripture. And he gave us the Church (Spirit) to guide us and the Eucharist (food) to sustain us during this adventure.

In true“Advent-ure” we await the birth of His living example, Jesus.

Jesus said to his disciples: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. In those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man. ….Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. …So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” Mt 24: 37-44

It is not enough to live this adventure just in the weeks leading up to Christmas (as in Noah’s time). My faithful choice means I cannot wait until I “feel” I have the time or it is convenient, but that I must continually prepare and live ready as if every tomorrow will be Christmas, the coming of the flood, and the coming of Jesus the Christ.

And I must constantly be alert to the dangers and the unexpected lures that try to pull me off His path and away from His plan, His hopes and His desires for me to live with Him eternally. I must be as ready today for Christ, as I am every tomorrow into the future.

Life is an adventure—a time of preparation. Life here on earth will have an unknown end. But God’s eternal life has a promise that says: “Brothers and sisters: You know the time; it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and lust, not in rivalry and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.” Rom 13: 11-14

Advent, the adventure, this preparation time on earth, is about preparing to put on the Lord Jesus Christ eternally: bearing our sacrifices and putting on the armor of Christ. Adventure is not about being happy or living for our own selfish desires or through our own making, adventure is about rejoicing that we have God with us on this journey.

Adventure is about loving each other (in service) and living that adventure in joy (rejoicing in holiness and peace) of our many blessings. Advent is living in the sure knowledge that Christ can be found in the center of our lives—all the time! Because God is good, all the time!

Heavenly Father: You graciously give both Your son and Your Church to show me how to live the “Advent-ure” of life. You have promised Your mercy and Your everlasting love to all who have faith, to all who are ready. Help me to prepare for Your coming by honoring your commands and by not being caught off guard when You arrive. I place my trust in the Advent of your promises. Amen.

Prepare, Be ready, and Live the “Adventure” in Christ’s peace, love and joy.

Blessings,

Charlotte

Simple Focus

Friends of Faith:

I am a little late this week, because I chose a simple focus: to deepen relationships designed by God. First, my marriage by attending the Alexander House marriage retreat, and then with the Alexander family as they simply chose to wind down at our house. Put quite simply, it is difficult to go back to all the complications of “life.”

Because—if it isn’t simple, it isn’t God’s.

What a profound statement.

Think about the basis for the complication in our lives: our jobs, our computers, our ipads and kindles, our cell phones, schedules, and an ever increasing desire to have more stuff. To say nothing of the evils which complicate life by destroying a natural order: addictions to alcohol, drugs, and pornography; the greed of money, power, and the need to have more; and the anger of misunderstanding and unforgiveness, in family (divorce) and in the world (war).

Our computers and our cell phones form a constant connection to the world around us – particularly our friends. But do we take as much time to connect with God?

Did God really create these things, or did I? Is their purpose to elevate God or myself? Is their purpose to put me in control or God?

God’s commandments: Love me and love one another as I have loved you.” Jn 13: 34 (He died for us. Are we also willing to die for those we love?)

Are my choices loving and respecting of 1) God and 2) those around me? Am I offending or hurting my relationship with God or anyone else (my spouse) by the choice/s I make?

Is my focus upwards to God, by honoring and loving my husband, my children, my family, and my neighbor OR about elevating myself with money or power? “You cannot serve God and mammon.” Lk 16:13

God’s designing order: He created man and a helpmate for man, woman— marriage between a man and woman, perfect unity, so that they would help each other, to bring each other, to holiness. Gen 2: 23-24, 1 Peter 3

And he gave them a focus: Be fruitful and multiply (have children) and be in charge of all of his other creations (we are a higher being). We are created in his image. We are co-creators with God thru the pro-creation of children.

To help us focus, he asks us to Pray—unceasingly. 1Thess 1: 2

If we don’t know how, the perfect prayer: The Lord’s prayer. Lk 11: 2-4

If we need someone to pray for us, Mary, Jesus’ mother – the perfect example of how to say yes to God.  We ask people on earth to pray for us so how much more effective will the prayers for us from those already in heaven be.

And prayer that helps me focus, meditative prayer, the Rosary, not a babbling repetition, but a meditation on Christ’s earthly journey, and Christ’s exampling purpose for me.

And simply to be prepared. To always live for the simple goal, to be with Him for all eternity—“you do not know when that time will come.”Mk 13: 32-33

Heavenly Father, You have given us simple and we have created complications. Help me to make my choices based on your plan, not mine. Thank you for the Alexander family who opened my eyes once again to a simpler life. Amen.

Focus on the simple: allow yourself to take the time to pray more and love (serve others) more, as God simply asked us to do. My life is much richer because of the choice.

Blessings,

Charlotte

 

Get in Shape

Women of Faith:
I set several “deadlines” this year to lose a few pounds, but I kept putting it off. I kept saying, “I’ll do that later.” And then the next holiday or special event arrived and the new outfit I bought got left hanging in the closet, tags still on, because it didn’t look quite the way I envisioned it looking on me when I bought it.

A new liturgical year began yesterday with readings which reminded me that it’s time to “get in shape.” Blessed Pope John Paul II said in a 1996 homily, “Advent is the liturgical season that prepares us for the Lord’s birth, but it is also the time of expectation for the definitive return of Christ.”

Christ’s coming is just 26 days away! It is time to get my life “in shape!”

I never know when I might need to wear that outfit, or when God will look to see what I “have on” in my faith. I shouldn’t wait for a New Year’s resolution to get in shape physically and definitely I shouldn’t wait spiritually. I should always be “in shape” and ready for Him. “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.” Mk 13:33-37

So this is a great time not just to get my body in shape, but also my soul; my physical body and my spiritual body; my relationship with Him and also my relationship with others; my heart internally and His temple--my body.

God’s plan for us is given to us in His Scripture and Spirit drawing a parallel, a correlation between our body and soul; between our relationship with Him and our relationships with our spouses (family, friends, or world).

"Would that you might meet us doing right, that we were mindful of you in our ways! Behold, you are angry, and we are sinful….There is none who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to cling to you; for you have hidden your face from us and have delivered us up to our guilt. Yet, O LORD, you are our father, we are the clay and You are the potter: we are all the work of your hands." Is 64:2-7

God tells us that he will SHAPE us—mold us like clay. But our hearts must be open to change.

God tells us that even though we are sinful, if we cling to him he will deliver us. We cannot hide in our guilt. We are to trust His forgiveness and His will.

Lord: “Make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved. Rouse your power, and come to save us”. Ps 80: 2-3 May I always be ready for Your call. Help me to trust in your mercy. Take away my guilt and help me to feel Your strength, comfort, joy and peace. Thank you for Your eternal love. Keep me in Your care. Mold me with Your grace. Shape me with Your Spirit. In Your name, I pray. Amen.

If your body needs to be “shaped” be filled by the discipline of prayer, not food; be “molded” by God, not calories.

If your relationship with Him needs to be “shaped” give Him control of your life so that you may feel the power of His forgiveness, be released of shame and guilt and feel His love.

If your relationship with a loved one needs to be “shaped” open your heart to patiently trust in the conversion found through the graces received in the sacraments of marriage, the Eucharist, and penance.

May God’s will be done in your life this week and may we all be “shaped” by His perfect plan for our lives,

Blessings,
Charlotte