Life is a Search

Women of Faith:

If we are willing to admit it, all of life is a search.

For those of us that have faith  in an “after life” (heaven or hell), whether we believe in God, Jesus Christ or some other power higher than ourselves, we are actually following a guide—a guide that says there is more to this life than just today, something richer and fuller than what is here on earth.

And even those who don’t believe in anything are on some sort of a search, somewhere, for something—searching for what to feel, how to feel or for something that will make them feel a particular way—a search for no more searching.

Those who might say today, that they have done everything they desire to do or that they wish to stay exactly the same as they are right now for the rest of their lives, will probably change their minds tomorrow.

So very few can ever say they have found everything they want, that they are truly content with what they have and where they are in life.

And yet, this is exactly what Christ offers to us—a beginning and an end to our search: “Peace be with You.” We are actually searching to answer for our call to holiness, to be holy.

 “To you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy, with all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” 1Cor 1: 2-3

In the first official writing released just this week by Pope Francis he says: “There is an urgent need, then, to see once again that faith is a light, for once the flame of faith dies out, all other lights begin to dim. The light of faith is unique, since it is capable of illuminating every aspect of human existence. A light this powerful cannot come from ourselves but from a more primordial source: in a word, it must come from God. Faith is born of an encounter with the living God who calls us and reveals his love, a love which precedes us and upon which we can lean for security and for building our lives. Transformed by this love, we gain fresh vision, new eyes to see; we realize that it contains a great promise of fulfillment, and that a vision of the future opens up before us. Faith, received from God as a supernatural gift, becomes a light for our way, guiding our journey through time.” Encyclical Letter Lumen Fidei (Light of Faith) Pope Francis http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20130629_enciclica-lumen-fidei_en.html

Instinctively we are seeking peace (in contentment) for ourselves and we seek to offer peace (to give joy) to others.

Heavenly Father, You are our guiding light, the answer to our search. Help me to see and follow You in faith. Give me the grace to put aside the search and the need for the worldly and to be grateful for the opportunity to give joy to others in service. Help me to find peace in my search for holiness and the achievement of Your will. Thank you for meeting all of my daily needs. Amen.

The search can be over. Peace can be achieved. But the work of giving joy is never done.

May the peace of Christ be with you, today, tomorrow and always,

Charlotte

Finding Blessings

Women of Faith:

As summer approaches, the grass turns green, and flowers appear where none existed before, are you in awe of all that God has created? Or are you so wrapped up in your daily duties that you miss the blessings of life?

Pope Francis spoke this week about the world’s worship of the “golden calf” – all that is material and how our wants and desires have become not just needs, but our expected necessities. http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/speeches/2013/may/documents/papa-francesco_20130516_nuovi-ambasciatori_en.html

“Brothers and sisters: Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.” Rm 8: 8-10

We have received many blessings. (Our spouses, our children, our friends, our homes, clean water, ABUNDANT food, clothing, shoes, purses, cars, silverware, toothpaste and even laundry soap.)

But do we give thanks for someone to love and for those who love us; for the freedom to attend church, school and to go shopping; for our own health or the health and ability of those who take care of us; for the opportunity to do or to receive something done for us (like fixing or taking us out to lunch, mowing the lawn or having it mowed for us, or having or working at a job that pays the mortgage); or for all of the pleasures that we have come to expect as necessary?

What everyday blessings are we expecting or taking for granted? What opportunities have become expectations?

God has created each of us in His image (the flesh), and in each of us the ability to accept, receive and recognize His gifts for His glory (the Spirit). The flesh is empty without His spirit.

If I use and abuse the flesh (the human, the material) without recognizing them as a blessing from God, then I will be hungry (empty, a shell) missing His Spirit. When I accept Him and use His blessings to affect others, in the Spirit, I become full, completed, and even more richly blessed.

Creator God! Jesus our brother! Life giving Spirit! For the many wonders of our lives, we bless your name, and find in turn, that we are blessed. Guide and strengthen each of us on life’s journey so that we may be the face and voice of Christ in the world. Give us the desire to bring your blessings into the places of our hearts and homes both now and tomorrow. Amen.

Take the opportunity to find His Spirit within you and give it to others!

Receive His blessing and go forth to be a blessing!

Charlotte

Amen! It's D-Day!

Friends of Faith:

Amen! It’s D Day! That’s what my family calls April 15, the end of tax season.  I think the “D” meant “it is done.”

But while I think they thought there joy was in the end (a done) to mom’s endless hours of work and my being “done” with tax returns, I think it was much more the joy of a beginning, that they had me back as a full time family member. I know there was a sense of gratefulness on Stan’s part that my stress level would be lower and I’m sure a sense of relief that he no longer had to be both dad and mom when there was a kid emergency, or something a little out of the ordinary needed done around the house. And I’m sure the kids were happy that mom was back cooking “real” meals and that the laundry seemed to end up in the drawers a little more often without their help.

So, how is D-Day like an Amen? Does D-Day mean an Amen that ends or an Amen that begins? Is it for heaven, or for earth, for what is done, or for what is being done?

“I, John, looked and heard the voices of many angels who surrounded the throne and the living creatures and the elders. They were countless in number, and they cried out in a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing.” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe, cry out: “To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever.” The four living creatures answered, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshipped. Rev 5: 11-14

Amen means to solemnly affirm. When I say Amen I say, “I believe.”  And if I say “I believe” than I believe saying Amen isn’t about saying “It is done,” but rather it says “I’ll do it!”

I am not worthy, unless, and until, I truly believe. And being worthy means I must do everything for God.

My beliefs, my Amen’s, give me what God promised me when he was slain—heavenly “power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory—every blessing.” All of these blessings are gifts I receive because of his death on the cross, but I must BEGIN by believing. And I affirm my belief by doing as I profess to believe.

I say Amen at the end of every prayer, every Our Father, every prayer of thanksgiving, every prayer of request.

Do I really believe that what I have received is a gift? How am I using the gifts he has given me?

Do I really believe that God can grant me every request, or do I try to take control and make my own destiny? Do I let God work in my life, or do I forget to ask him for his help, or ignore his answers and listen to societies “everyone is doing it?”

I say Amen each time I take the Eucharist—do I really believe? Do I go out and do something with that belief? Do I live each day as if I believe Christ is really present within me?

“I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do. Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master, nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.” Jn 13: 15-17

Heavenly Father, You are my Amen. Make every day D-day, my day to DO your will. Thank you for the gift of faith. Help me to follow your influence and to have the wisdom to discern what is Your will. Help me to have the courage and strength to stand against what society wants me to say an unholy amen to. “To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever.” Amen!!!!

Every day is D-Day, discernment day, God’s “to do” day. Every day is a day to do something with what we say we believe. Am I? Are you?

Amen! Believe! Do! It’s D-Day!
Blessings,
Charlotte

New Wine

Friends of Faith

Last week I wrote about sticking with the familiar, brand names, the tried and true—even how we “get branded” by how we act and what we do.

But what about all of those brand names that deceive us with false advertising. What about when the brand DOESN’T stand the test of time, the test of God, or even the test of science? (“For more pure pleasure, have a Camel” and “Winston tastes good, like a cigarette should”) 

I find that I must often be tested before I really begin to search for, taste or seek the “better part.”

So do I continue to believe the “Marlboro” man? Or am I ready to look for healthier options, new wine, and new brands? (GNC, Weight Watchers and Curves.)

In Sunday’s gospel of the Wedding Feast at Cana (Jn 2: 1-11), Jesus miraculously delivered new wine—a wine which tasted better than the wine drank earlier that wedding day.

But new wine appeared only AFTER the wedding party was tested and ran out of wine. Then they looked to Jesus, through Mary, to find something better—then they sought new wine.

Imitators are deceptive—they look fine, until we finally taste the new wine. Then just like those brands that have been exposed (like cigarettes), the imitators, which spoke of pleasure and getting what an individual wants, they become tasteless because we now know something better. Then we wonder HOW we could ever have been so deceived.

Since the children share in blood and Flesh, Jesus likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the Devil, and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life. Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. Heb 2:14-18

Because he himself was tested, Jesus was given the power to destroy the deceptive. And through our union with Him on the cross we have also been given the power to expose the deceptions, to choose the new wine, to choose His help.

It is in our nature that if we see evil, we will choose good. But the devil likes to work in secret, hiding behind a sham of deception—just like the Marlboro man.

So what might we be missing, how might we be deceived by the devil in today’s culture? Is there a deception in the ideas that “sex” is free and “it is better to have no child, than to have a child who will live in poverty?”

Christ was born the poorest of the poor—in a stable—and he grew up the greatest of kings. Which kings, which leaders, have we killed and will we allow to be killed, because we don’t, won’t, or think it is too much of a burden to help our neighbor?

So I wonder as the anniversary of Roe vs Wade nears – is this the year God will fully expose the evils of abortion? Is this the year that the March for Life will expose Planned Parenthood and the devil working silently within, under the disguise of maternal health?

Will every ear hear the testimonies of those who have worked for, witnessed and been affected by the death of a child (like Abby Johnson)?

Will every mindset change and every eye opened to a “new wine” in the design and miracle of Christ’s creation brought by marital love that is faithful, given freely, and open to bear His fruit?

On December 14, 4026 children were killed. Yet we only heard about 26.  The other 4000 were killed by abortion, hidden behind closed doors, too tiny to bleed. Are we as shocked and horrified by the 4000 as we are by the 26 at Sandy Hook? Where is the advertising to keep the 4000 as safe as the 26?

Millions visit the Holocaust memorial, shocked and horrified by the 5.5 million Jews who were killed during WWII by the Nazi’s. Are those same visitors as shocked and horrified by the estimated 55 million innocent babies killed by abortion since 1973?

"Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.” Jn 2: 1-11

Abortion: hidden and silenced by the devil; deceived as “Planned” parenthood; legalized by our government. As women we should be angered that someone/anyone could convince us that our babies are not alive inside of us (although science and those who have survived abortions can prove otherwise.)

Heavenly Father, YOU are THE new wine. Help me to taste and be filled with Your truth, by answering Your call, by doing Your will. May the sanctity of life be exposed and revealed like the taste of new wine. Surround all those who have been affected in any way by abortion with Your loving mercy. Give all young mothers the courage to turn to You for their peace and strength, and help me to do my part in taking care of those who don’t have the means to care for themselves. Amen.

It is my responsibility as a Christian to do what Jesus asks—just like the disciples did at the wedding feast—without knowing for sure what will transpire from that obedience.

It is my responsibility to taste the new wine—for I have the free will to drink when it is set before me.

And it is my call as a Christian to share the new wine with others.

May your week be filled with New Wine. Taste and see the good news of the Lord. Ps 34:9

Blessings,

Charlotte

Brand Me

Friends of Faith:

Do you go out of your way to search for a certain brand name?

Have you ever thought about “Kleenex” for example? All tissues –regardless of their “brand” are associated with Kleenex. I can’t ever recall asking someone for a “Puffs.”

Brands become our identity, our label. Good or bad. We can even change that label if we want with a new ad campaign, by promoting ourselves differently to those around us. But there are also many “imitators” of those brands, imitators which can also become good or bad.

We are given our “brands” at our baptisms as Christians. We are marked with our identity. We are given a name, chosen by our parents, and accepted by God as His child. He has called each of us by name.  

Have you ever looked at the meaning of the name you were given? I find it interesting and surprising how often that name, chosen when we were infants, chosen before we had personality, even sometimes chosen when we were still within the womb, can have such truth in its meaning.

We celebrated Jesus Christ’s baptism this weekend. His baptism was the public revealing of his ministry here on earth. But his name, like ours, his eternal identity, was given to him by God before he was conceived.

“Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,^* because he will save his people from their sins.” Mt 1: 20-21

Jesus means God Saves, Emmanuel—God is with Us.  

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet. “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.” Mt 1: 22-23

And whether he is denied, or he is embraced, he is known. His brand “is with us” through our own baptisms, so that we to might be saved.

There is only one Jesus, true God, true Son, and true man.

His brand has stood the same test of time. 2013 years!

So what makes a brand as timeless and enduring as Jesus Christ? TRUTH! Truth that can’t be denied, truth that can’t be changed, and truth that doesn’t wear out its welcome, truth that is “identifiable.”

And the Church Jesus instituted has also stood this same test of time. It too is branded, named Catholic, universal and one. “We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.” Nicene Creed 325 A.D.

A brand, yes, but like Christ instituted by God: an institution to join us to Him, to unify us and to help us through a community and in communion with him, understand His truth.

Jesus Christ cannot be “disproved” or disgraced in the eyes of the true judge, God. Jesus Christ was put here on earth to help us to better identify God himself. Jesus was put here on earth to help us “see” God’s brand of love. The kind of love which chooses a path of sacrifice, of service, and of humility, even to give to those whom we have never met, or for whom we do not yet personally know.

Will our “brand” say that to others—I have given up everything for you? Will we be remembered for all eternity? Or will our brand be short lived and pass away without having left its mark? Do we need to change our identity with a new ad campaign?

God gave us life so that we would be “imitators” of Jesus, imitators of himself. But just like Puff’s is to Kleenex, when we are asked to serve God, we are asked to be “Jesus” to others.

This is what I promised at my baptism, and renewed at my confirmation: to live as Jesus did, with the same service, the same sacrifice, the same compassion and the same repenting and forgiving mercy as He lived for us.

Heavenly Father, You gave us your son, Jesus, to show us the way. You have branded me as Your child, to be Your imitator, to be You for all eternity. Help me to live my baptismal promises, by serving my spouse, my family, my neighbors, with my whole being, without thought as to what I must give up, but rather with the grace and strength, the courage and the wisdom, to live up to Your brand, to be a true “Christ”ian. Thank you for claiming me, for branding me, as Yours. Amen.

Let us be a brand that others desire. Become, and be, an asked for brand, a Jesus, this week.

Because it is in Jesus, through Jesus, and for Jesus, that we are blessed,

Charlotte

With Humility

Women of Faith:

Someone (aka God) has been telling me to be humble. I say this because anytime the same message “shouts” out to me during the week I know that it is not just a coincidence, but a God incidence. HE is trying to get through to me about something.

Jesus began the Sermon on the Mount with these words: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Mt 5:3

He could just as easily have said: blessed are the humble, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

I may think I deserve acknowledgment for what I have done, but is what I have done really as important as I think it is? And really, the only person that I should be trying to impress is God himself. And I’m pretty sure I am not as perfect as his image—the image that I have been created to be.

Praise God. Often heard, but not often enough done.

Praise (insert your name). While it may not be often heard, it is something many of us often receive and even more often many of us expect to receive.

But praise in itself should be humbling. What I achieve is not from my making, nor do I make good things happen. Everything I do, everything I achieve comes from God. Because with God, all things are possible.

And likewise a reward should not to be expected, or asked for. I shouldn’t “do good” so that I will receive something in return. I should instead “do good” because God created me to be capable of doing good and our God given purpose is to love, through service of one another, as He has served (loved) us.

And humility makes me teachable, changeable, and ready to be formed by God’s messages. Only in humility will I be willing and able to accept and change as He wants me to change. If I act as if I know it all, then why would anyone, including God, bother to teach me the valuable lessons that living life here on earth is all about?

So let me be like—
Mary. With deep humility she received from the Angel Gabriel the news that she was about to be the Mother of God’s Son. She accepted the challenge (and in those days, death by stoning was the fate of an unwed mother). She didn’t shout from the mountain top that Christ was coming. She didn’t broadcast her obvious holiness. And she certainly didn’t expect to receive any reward for the work of being a mother and even more so the suffering she would have to undergo when her son was hung to death on the cross.

She simply accepted. She humbly said “why me, I am not worthy.” She allowed herself to be formed by God.

The Three Wise Men. Thank God they were humble. They silently adored. But their faith, their wisdom was sharp enough to detect the sham delight and murderous intentions of the wily Herod. And so they paid their respects, left their gifts, and modestly departed for their homeland, sorrowfully aware of the terrible price justice had to pay for peace.

Jesus.  As always, God’s son is our greatest example: born in a stable. Humble enough to lay with the animals in a smelly manager. And yet he was the greatest human, ever born. He was the greatest of all kings. He deserved more than anything we could ever imagine or begin to deserve.

Heavenly Father, To You I Give all Praise and all Glory. In your name I pray this: A Prayer for Humility:
O Jesus! Meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being loved, deliver me Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled , Deliver me Jesus
From the desire of being honored, Deliver me Jesus
From the desire of being praised, Deliver me Jesus
From the desire of being preferred to others, deliver me Jesus
From the desire of being consulted, deliver me Jesus
From the desire of being approved, deliver me Jesus
From the fear of being humiliated, deliver me Jesus
From the fear of being despised, deliver me Jesus
From the fear of suffering rebukes, deliver me Jesus
From the fear of being calumniated (falsely accused), deliver me Jesus
From the fear of being forgotten, deliver me Jesus
From the fear of being ridiculed, deliver me Jesus
From the fear of being wronged, deliver me Jesus
From the fear of being suspected, deliver me Jesus
That others may be loved more than I. Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I. Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease.  Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside. Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed. Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything. Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should. Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. Amen.

 With all humility, seek to find what God is calling you to do this week for someone else,

And may your reward be with God,

Charlotte

Our Christmas Prayer

Families of Faith:

Our family sends this prayer to each of you and to your families as we await the Light of the World, Jesus Christ Our Savior.

“Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: grace to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayers, unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father, knowing, brothers loved by God, how you were chosen.” 1Thes 1:1-4

Come Holy Spirit and enrich our lives. We have all been called to this place, at this time, for Your purpose. Help us to accept Your call as did Mary and Joseph, in faith without knowing why they were chosen.

May we come to recognize you in our spouses, in our neighbors, and in those we do not yet know—because if we search, you are in each of us, manifested in the love we have for each other.

May we become more like You: unrecognizable by our humble faith and memorable because of our actions in love.

Our family thanks You for the richness of friends and the wealth of health. And we remember with love and thanksgiving all of those we have given back to you this year.

We thank you for the communities in which we live and work—Toledo, Dubuque and Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Avon/Gypsum, CO.

We thank you for the blessing of wonderful employees and loyal clientele at the places ==where we are so fortunate to gather daily amongst friends—USS Polaris, Upah Tax Service, Loras Seminary, North Tama and Eagle Valley Schools, HyVee,  and Coe College.

Our family asks for your continued blessings on Andy and his fellow seminarians as they discern Your call to their vocations. Guide the priests and all religious who serve them and us. May the leadership of the Church continue to guide all Christians to truth and to forming God’s promised Holy, Apostolic, and unified body of Christ.

We thank you and ask your blessings on the staff and volunteers that we have come to know through in any way at St. Patrick’s, Holy Cross, St. Mary’s and St. Pius churches; The Alexander House marriage enrichment ministry; and Bridgehaven Pregnancy Support Center.

We thank you for the gifts of Colby (4) and Karolina (2) who’s hugs, smiles, innocence, mischief and sweetness remind us constantly of the blessings of all children. May all parents and grandparents be guided in teaching their children to live in faith.

Our family asks for the protection of the tiny baby growing inside of Kristy. May Kristy and Tyler’s anticipation for new life, become contagious attitudes for new life throughout the world, so that the most innocent, the pre-born will be given the regard and blessing of Your most heavenly miracle, birth.

We ask your continued guidance on life’s coaches, especially Stan and myself, Andy, Sara and Luke, and Kristy & Tyler. Thank you for the blessings we have received through the couples, religious ed students, and athletes we coach and mentor. May every spouse, student and athlete become a large part of a much larger team. We praise each achievement and ask you to lead us to train others in Your Spirit, to a greater life challenge with a greater reward, heaven.

We pray for the protection of educators and students. May Sara, Luke and Tyler as educators and Andy, Sara and Kristy, as students, serve You in greater knowledge.

We pray for Your grace on families, especially in those families who’s spouses seek enrichment through Godly instruction. Open the lines of communication and give us the courage to serve each other, dying to self and living as Christ lived: suffering, forgiving unconditionally and finding joy and hope by trusting in God’s will. May these words guide us:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”  1 Cor 13: 4-8

“In God all things are possible.”

And when all is said and done, what truly matters is that “Thy Will Be Done.”

Thank you for granting me my prayer, the greatest gift on earth, our family to be together this Christmas –see the picture below.

May each of you be as blessed this Christmas as we have been. AMEN!!

Charlotte & Stan Upah; Andy Upah, Sara, Luke, Colby and Karolina Cross and Kristy, Tyler & Baby Staker

 

 

JOY

Friends of Faith:

Our hearts go out to all those impacted by the evils of violence, death, and grief.

First, I would like thank all who called, emailed or were concerned for my safety after receiving the spam email last week which appeared to be from my blog—it was not. I apologize for the inconvenience to you, and for not replying sooner, but I wanted to complete all necessary precautions to be sure that my email was completely secured.

If you still have reservations about receiving further email from me, you can continue to receive my weekly reflection by becoming a friend at my blog: www.morningreflection.blogspot.com

“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.” Jn 15: 18

I believe this occurrence, like many others in our lives, was just another worldly “darkness” meant to remind me to humbly search and become more aware of God’s “light” in my life. Light is much brighter and a much clearer guide when anyone is in darkness, we only need to look for the light.

“Brothers and sisters:  Rejoice in the Lord always.  I shall say it again: rejoice!  Your kindness should be known to all.  The Lord is near.  Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.  Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4: 4-7

Rejoice—find JOY! Always look and pray to the Lord who is near. Stay vigilant in searching for the light and realizing that He is in control so that His peace will guard your hearts and minds.

“For God did not give us a cowardly spirit but one which would make us strong, loving, and wise.” 2 Tim 1: 7

God tells us we will find JOY and peace if we live with courage, love and faith, by setting our priority to become Holy—to become Christ like—to become a gift to others—by living thru Him and reflecting His light with the help, guidance and power of the Spirit of God.

An easy way to remember our priority is to live with JOY as your guide.

J – Jesus (Do we HONOR Him with our actions? Do we accept our sufferings as He did for us? WWJD?)

O – Others (Does it serve our spouse, our family, our neighbor, like He served us?)

Y – Yourself (Have I laid down my life for another and denied myself?)

O God our Father, in Jesus you call all Christian families and homes to be signs of living faith. By the light of the Holy Spirit, lead us to be thankful for the gift of faith, and by that gift may we grow in our relationship with Jesus, your Son, and be confident witnesses to Christian hope and joy to all we meet. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (USCCB Prayer for Families in the Year of Faith)

“God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid.  My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation.” Is 12: 2-3

As we realize in this time of another national tragedy, JOY is ultimately found in caring for what is truly cherished, Love and Life. And it (tragedy and evil) provides us as Christians the opportunity to talk about how our faith in God helps us find Joy by looking for and seeing the light even when it is darkest.

May you find JOY and Peace as you and your family eagerly await Christ(mas),

Blessings,

Charlotte

Instructions That Add Up

Friends of Faith:

We probably all have things that we think “add up”— that always seem to come out the same way—that are clearly right.

I have always appreciated black and white, a clear right and a clear wrong, and knowing that numbers added correctly would always add up to the same number.

And when I am struggling, when I am in the midst of a problem and asking for help from an “authority” on the problem, I still tend to try to “manipulate” either the problem or the instruction into something that will add up, that will produce MY own desired end result.

And of course, not every problem, not every choice, is as clear or as easily solved as adding 2 plus 2 and getting 4.

But easy or not, even the basic instructions and the daily chores that I do, don’t always have the same end results, end answers, or produce the same feelings each and every time. Recipes, music, tax returns and even hugs, call all to have a different outcome, a different taste, touch or feeling.

Actually I can’t think of anything else, other than simple math, which always achieves exactly the same answer. Even those things that happen by nature—some would say science—are ultimately things that we have no control over, things that God controls.  

This is because anything created by humans, can or could be changed by God—even simple math.

In fact, HE is the only thing that always Adds UP!! To forgiveness, To Love and To an Ultimate Goal, Heaven.

This is what my faith has taught me, that there is only ONE right that matters.

A right God and a right-given Godly plan: a plan which was designed by God, in His image, and in His desire to get me to be in heaven with Him.

A right way that isn’t always easy and doesn’t always work into me and my plan, and will in the end have a result greater than anything I can currently even think about having a desire for here on earth.

To this end, God gives us many instructions. Instructions which for the past 2000 years He has kept “right” thru Peter, upon whom he built his rock, the Church.

“And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.* Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Mt 16: 18-19

And He left us a continuous succession of Popes from Peter, the first Pope, have been continuously bound to carry out and pass down His truth to us, His kingdom, the Church.

Yet for some reason we continue to search for some other instructions that will more easily “add up” to the same end—an imminent end which will escape the tribulations, so that it might be easier to stand before God—to be with Him in heaven.

"Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man." Lk 21: 34-36

I am very thankful for a God who keeps putting His instructions in my daily path: the instructions which remind me that not only is He is in charge, but that I must not be anxious, and that I must continue to pray – for His presents/presence because that is how life will truly “add up” to His unfailing love and His unfailing promise, the gift of heaven.

Heavenly Father: All glory and honor be to Your One Church, Your One Truth, Your One Holy and Apostolic succession, thru Peter, here on earth. I pray that you continue to have mercy on me when I am anxious or when I want to become “drunk with human pleasure, or drowsy through the weariness of earthly works.” Help me to stand up for you, to stay strong and vigilant and to follow Your words, which will always “Add UP” to heaven. Amen.

When something isn’t adding up in my life, it usually is because I am not “adding up” to God.

This week: Search for the way to “Add up” with One God, One Faith, One Love, One choice for Heaven,

Blessings,

Charlotte

 

Scrooge

Friends of Faith:

I am a little bit of the Christmas Scrooge because Thanksgiving was followed too closely with Black Friday. I think it was even worse this year though, because the materialism of the “shopping adventure” interfered before Thanksgiving Day was even over.

Since I don’t want to wreck my own love of “the Real Reason for the Season-Christ,” and I really do want to enjoy the Spirit of the true Christmas, I’ll let the scrooge in me have it’s say now rather than later.

Yesterday was the last Sunday of the liturgical year, the celebration of Christ the King. Next week we will begin the season of Advent and the awaiting of the baby, Jesus, who became Christ the King.

The readings near the end of the liturgical year include parts of the Book of Revelations and talk about the end of history as we know it. They are a striking contrast of this world with the heavenly world—much as the Spirit of Christ and Thanksgiving are contrasted with Christmas shopping and the materialism that is Black Friday.

Yesterday’s Mass introduction was a reminder that we don’t always need to receive what we desire; that our wants are much different than our needs, and that we might be better off if we got along without, and appreciated what we have instead.

Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here." So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." Jn 18:35-37

Is it any wonder that God keeps asking us to listen to His truth, and reminding us of the importance of His kingdom, when our culture constantly bombards us with advertising that says we shouldn’t even give thanks for a continuous 24 hours?

Heavenly Father, You are the King, and because of You, I have everything. May I find it in my heart to listen to You, to appreciate my blessings, and to share all that I have with You thru those who you place in my path, especially those who need to see you, in me, each day. Thank You for giving me more than plenty. Amen.

I, like many others, find it difficult to stay on task—to choose “Godly” over what is earthly.

So the earthly Scrooge in me says—stop shopping, learn to give thanks. And the heavenly influence says  enjoy and give thanks for what I already have, because receiving more isn’t necessary.

But I’m sure, just like you, I’ll go shopping, buy presents and eat more than my share of food.

I hope, however, to remember each day, a little bit more than the day before, that it is Jesus who is king; it is Jesus who rules the world; and it is Jesus who I am suppose to imitate.

So this is a reminder: Shop a little less for those who have bounty, and a little more for those who do not; accept the sufferings and irritations of our life because our sufferings are not nearly as great as those without electricity and running water; and serve graciously and humbly by imitating Christ without grumbling—for it is He who was born in an animal’s manger, and it is we who have warm comfortable roofs over our heads.

So this “earthly” Scrooge will continue to work on being a “Christly” imitator—

Peace be in Christ’s reason for the season,

Blessings,

Charlotte

 

The Reward of a Servant

Friends of Faith:

It is human nature to want to be paid for our jobs; and rewarded for doing what is right—treats and stars when we were little, a paycheck when doing our jobs, or rewarding ourselves with a pair of shoes, a great meal or a glass of wine.  We sometimes expectreturned “favors” from those we have helped in the past and like the disciples request (or even demand) a “reserved seat in heaven.”

He replied, "What do you wish me to do for you?" They answered him, "Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left." …Jesus said to them, …but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared." Mt 10: 35-36, 40

But as Jesus said to his disciples, the power, the seat on his right and the seat on his left, is not for Him to give—that will only be judged by the supreme God on the final day. And only he knows what he has prepared, and what we have given of our hearts.

I have come to realize that happiness doesn’t come from instant gratifications or even from the things that “instantaneously gratify” me (like fast food and a drive thru) but rather from the smiles I receive for doing something for someone that isn’t used to receiving, or because someone else has received God’s miracles which we often take for granted:  life, health, happiness, or forgiveness.

How many times have I expected respect, praise or some type of power just like the disciples “expected” to become the authority by having a place reserved in heaven? But Jesus was quick to remind them (and us) that it is the “least” among us who will be rewarded.

Jesus summoned the Twelve and said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mk 10: 42-45

Our prayers are not supposed to be demands with expectations, but rather praise and thanksgiving for all that we have been given, and an invocation for grace (instead of complaint) to accept the sufferings that are a result of our human choice to disobey (sin) in the Garden of Eden.

Heavenly Father, You are the ultimate power and I am Your servant. Help me to see and to not overlook those who are in need of a helping hand. May I have the humility to step forward and selflessly give my time, talents and treasure so that others may come to know the love, hope and the strength which only You can give. Thank you for the opportunities this week to see You in the miracles of innocent children, the smiles of spouses who are working to make their marriages as God designed, and the elderly who so joyously looked forward to the Eucharist. Amen.

Do we ask to receive and serve to be served? Or do we serve those who serve us—our parents, our employees, and our students—by being selfless children, employers and teachers?

Do we demand or assume our place is “reserved” in heaven, or are we constantly serving others as Christ served us—til death do us part?

Blessings in Christ,

Charlotte

"I do it myself"

Friends of Faith:

I’m feeling a little alone this morning as I find myself, for the first time in about four weeks, alone in my own house, with none of our children and no precious grandchildren (ages 2 & 4) saying “I do it myself.”
 

And yet I see God written all over the last four weeks, the last four years, the last forty years plus –in the realization that I didn’t do any of this by myself—God was in complete control—giving me gifts beyond measure—a husband, children and grandchildren, continuing another circle of life.

He gave us life and marriage and life again--“In the beginning God created… (all living creatures)...then the LORD God formed the man out of the dust of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being….The LORD God said: It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suited to him…..The man gave names to all the tame animals, all the birds of the air, and all the wild animals; but none proved to be a helper suited to the man. So the LORD God cast a deep sleep on the man, and while he was asleep, he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. The LORD God then built the rib that he had taken from the man into a woman. When he brought her to the man, the man said: “This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; This one shall be called ‘woman,’ for out of man this one has been taken.” That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body.^*Gn2:7, 18, 20-24

And for the third week in a row we heard that not only did He give us life at creation, but He gives us life through the body and blood of the Eucharist: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." Jn 6:51

I am not to “do it FOR myself” I am to “do it for God.” I was created to be a “helper.”

I am not to “choose” whether I will give life—He has given me the gift of life.

And just as we have to have patience with a two year old who wants to do it herself we are to have patience with God who does it Himself—IF we let him.

“For with God all things are possible.” Mt 19:26

God is in control: of our life and our every blessing here on earth—family, food, shelter and health, and ultimately our spiritual well-being, our eternal health and life in heaven.

Heavenly Father, You are the Maker, the Creator, the Life of us all. Help me to appreciate and never take for granted all of the living gifts you have given me. Thank you for physical health, for the spiritual food of Your word, and for the heavenly food given to us by Your institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper. Praise be your life giving rain and sunshine which provides food for our earthly bodies. Amen.

So while we have gotten very good at “doing it ourselves” have we forgotten that God’s purpose for us was to be “helpmates” for each other?

And has teaching “I do it myself” become “it’s all about me”—selfishness?

Or should it be an opportunity to teach patience, dependence on each other, reliance on God, appreciation of life and thanksgiving for our many gifts, especially the gift of life itself.

Will we teach just as strongly: “I do it for God?”

What can I really do myself? I can choose God’s truth. I can choose life. And I can choose to be a helpmate to all of his human creation.

This week “do it for God and with God”—not by yourself or for yourself,

Blessings,

Charlotte