Stop Look Listen

Stop Look Listen

  I bet as we all were growing up we were told to Stop, Look, Listen before we crossed the street. It was ingrained in us. Our parents said it over and over and over again an we would yell back I KNOW!!! We always felt we knew better and some of us just might had some close calls with the car because we did the quick version of Stop, Look, Listen and that was Pause, Look one way, Yell to friend across street. 

   We need to do the same with our relationship with God. Stop, Look, Listen. Each one is just as important as the other.  Without doing all three we are putting ourself at risk of getting run over  in our lives. We also risk missing opportunities because we are not paying attention. Each time we pray and ask for guidance or answers we have to Stop, Look, Listen. 

     First thing to do after we pray is that  we have to Stop. Stop everything. Stop the phone, the texts, the tv, the thoughts, the distractions. Stop doing things also. It may feel like the world stopped turning but trust me it will still turn even without all of these things being on in your life. This does not mean we have to remove these things forever but to stop and turn them off now and again so we can do the next part and that is to look. 

      Second we need to Look. Look around you and see the miracles and signs from God. We zoom through life and miss the signs and miracles around us. We miss the “everyday”. Think about those around you and see the blessings they are in your life. What do they bring to your life? What are the miracles around you? They do not have to be just the grand miracles like healing but can just be the simple ones like getting out of bed, being able to see, walking etc... Make a list of some of the miracles you see around you and when you feel life is hard, look them over. Now the signs in your life. Look for them each day. God may not answer right away or make a great grand parting of the Red Sea kind of sign but He will answer you. Just look and then to the next is to listen. 

      Third is to Listen. Listen to your heart and soul. Listen to all the signs around you. Sometimes the answer may come in a song, words of a friend, bible passage, etc.. When we listen with our whole heart and whole soul we are able to be open to hear the message from God. Do not just listen to what you want to hear but listen to everything. We may not like an answer but we still need to listen to it. 

     When we incorporate Stop, Look, Listen into our prayer lives we are able to create the opportunity to come closer to God and understand what He wants for us and has done for us. If we decide to do the quick version we will miss the everyday miracles and signs from God. We need to take the time to do this right so we will have the graces upon us.

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and remember Stop, Look. Listen. 

St. Casimir

St. Casimir

Feast day: March 4

Patron of Poland and Lithuania

1461 - 1484

Casimir grew up in a world where his life was not his own. As a prince of Poland, the second son of King Casimir IV and Elizabeth of Austria, his life was scheduled to cement his father's authority and increase Poland's power.

Casimir realized from an early age that his life belonged to someone else, but to a much higher King than his father. Despite pressure, humiliation, and rejection, he stood by that loyalty through his whole life.

Born the third of thirteen children in 1461, Casimir was committed to God from childhood. Some of that commitment was the result of a tutor, John Dlugosz, whose holiness encouraged Casimir on his own journey.

It may be hard for us to imagine royal luxury as a pressure. But for Casimir, the riches around him were temptations to forget his true loyalties. Rebelling against the rich, fashionable clothes he was expected to enjoy, he wore the plainest of clothes.

Rejecting even ordinary comforts, he slept little, spending his nights in prayer. And when he did sleep, he lay on the floor not on a royal bed. Even though he was a prince, many of those around him must have laughed and joked at his choices. Yet, in the face of any pressure, Casimir was always friendly and calm.

Though his father must have wondered about him, he must have seen and admired Casimir's strength. He showed that he misunderstood this strength when he sent Casimir as head of an army to take over the throne of Hungary at the request of some nobles there. Casimir felt the whole expedition was wrong but was convinced to go out of obedience to his father. He could not help but feel at every step that it was disobedient to his other Father. So when soldiers started deserting, he was only too glad to listen to the advice of his officers and turn back home. His feelings were confirmed when he discovered that Pope Sixtus IV had opposed the move.

His father, however, was furious at being deterred from his plans and banished Casimir to a castle in Dobzki, hoping that imprisonment would change Casimir's mind. Casimir's commitment to what he believed was right only grew stronger in his exile and he refused to cooperate with his father's plans any more despite the pressure to give in. He even rejected a marriage alliance his father tried to form. He participated in his true King's plans wholeheartedly by praying, studying, and helping the poor.

He died at the age of 23 in 1484 from lung disease. He was buried with his favorite song, a Latin hymn to Mary called "Omni die dic Mariae" which we know as "Daily, Daily Sing to Mary." Because of his love for the song, it is known as the Hymn of St. Casimir though he didn't write it.

Casimir is patron saint of Poland and Lithuania.

In His Footsteps:

Where do your loyalties lie? Is there a part of your life where you feel your loyalties divided and feel pressure to follow worldly commitment? Today choose the action that best serves Christ the King.

Prayer:

Saint Casimir, help us to remember that our true King is Jesus Christ and always serve him with joy and love. Help us to turn to our true Father for guidance and protection. Amen

Clossing of the Doors

Dear friends, I’m happy to be with you, surrounded by the beauty of creation and your well-wishes which do me such good. Thank you for your friendship, and your affection. You know this day is different for me than the preceding ones: I am no longer the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, or I will be until 8 o’clock this evening and then no more.

I am simply a pilgrim beginning the last leg of his pilgrimage on this Earth. But I would still with my heart, with my love, with my prayers, with my reflection, and with all my inner strength, like to work for the common good and the good of the church and of humanity. I feel very supported by your kindness.

Let us go forward with the Lord for the good of the church and the world. Thank you, I now wholeheartedly impart my blessing. Blessed be God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Good night! Thank you all!” 

 ~ His Holiness Benedict XVI, Roman pontiff emeritus~

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and may the Spirit guide Mother Church.

Last Night

Last Night

   With only a few hours left of Pope Benedict's Papacy I am asking for each of us to join in Prayer and Thanksgiving for all that He has done for us and Mother Church. 

Today at 8PM Italian Time (2PM EST) the Seat of Peter will be vacant. Take some time today to reflect on what it means to be part of the Catholic Church as a whole and also for yourself as a Catholic in your personal life. It is important to remember during this time of transition to hold onto the truth and doctrine of our Faith. 

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and may the Spirit guide the Conclave and all of us during this time.

I will follow You

I will follow You

   On my way home tonight the song “ I will follow You” by Chris Tomlin came on and I thought how perfect for the blog. The song made me think of how well or not well am I follow Jesus and with it being just about 1/3 of the way through Lent, it is a great time to reflect. 

     How have you been doing with your Lenten goals? Did you start of strong but you kind of have been fading some? Did you fall somewhat but have gotten back on track? Lent is not over and if you have not decided on anything or have fallen short there is still time.  We are called to follow Jesus not just to Calvary but to all areas of His life. We are to follow Him as He spoke, helped, reached out, fed, clothed, listened, laughed, loved. It is more then a Lenten Journey. It is a Life Journey, a Life calling.  

      In the song there is a line that says “ If this life I lose, I will follow you”. We are to lose our chains to this world so we may follow Jesus and serve as He served, love as He loved. It is a great message to carry with us as we enter the remaining 2/3 of Lent and beyond until we are no longer here. I have included the video and lyrics below and I hope that they give you the strength to carry on with your journey with Jesus this lent and for eternity. 

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and may we, and the church, follow Jesus. 

"I Will Follow"

Where you go, I'll go

Where you stay, I'll stay

When you move, I'll move

I will follow...

All your ways are good

All your ways are sure

I will trust in you alone

Higher than my sight

High above my life

I will trust in you alone (trust in you alone)

Where you go, I'll go

Where you stay, I'll stay

When you move, I'll move

I will follow you

Who you love, I'll love

How you serve I'll serve

If this life I lose, I will follow you, yeah

I will follow you, yeah

Light unto the world

Light unto my life

I will live for you alone

You're the one I seek

Knowing I will find

All I need in you alone, in you alone

Where you go, I'll go

Where you stay, I'll stay

When you move, I'll move

I will follow you

Who you love, I'll love

How you serve, I'll serve

If this life I lose, I will follow you

I will follow you, yeah

In you there's life everlasting

In you there's freedom for my soul

In you there's joy, unending joy

And I will follow

Where you go, I'll go

Where you stay, I'll stay

When you move, I'll move

I will follow

Who you love, I'll love

How you serve, I'll serve

If this life I lose, I will follow

Where you go, I'll go

Where you stay, I'll stay

When you move, I'll move

I will follow you

Who you love, I'll love

How you serve, I'll serve

If this life I lose, I will follow you, yeah

I will follow you, yeah

I will follow you, yeah

I will follow you, yeah

Prayers for Pope Benedict & Election

   

Prayers for Pope Benedict & Election

    With just a few days left of Pope Benedict Papacy I came across a prayer for Him and also for the Election of the New Pope. Please join me in prayer over the next few days for Pope Benedict and then again in prayer for our new Pope. 

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and may we all join together as Catholic in Prayer for Pope Benedict and for the future Pope of the Catholic Church. 

Prayer for Pope Benedict

O God, true shepherd of all the faithful, look with kindness on your servant 

Pope Benedict XVI, whom you set as head and shepherd of your Church.

We give you thanks for your grace at work in him as he has led us by word and example: in his teaching, in his prayer, and in his great love. Grant him your strength in frailty, comfort in sorrow, and serenity amid the trials of this world; and guide your Church, built on therock of Peter, with the power of your Spirit as we continue on the path that leads to you. Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Prayer for the Election of New Pope

O God, eternal shepherd, who govern your flock with unfailing care, grant in your boundless fatherly love a pastor for your Church who will please you by his holiness and to us show watchful care. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. 

Amen.

Fifth Station: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry His cross

Fifth Station: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry His cross

  Simon of Cyrene is forced to help Jesus to carry His cross to Calvary. Simon was just a bystander watching what was going on with Jesus. Simon did not plan on helping Jesus and becoming part of His journey. Jesus was not moving as fast as the soldiers wanted and was becoming weaker and weaker with each step. They knew He would not be able to do this Himself and longer so they pulled Simon from the crowd and forced him to help. 

    This station like the first can be seen from both persons. First being Jesus. Jesus is beaten down and tired, both physically, emotional and I wonder if spiritually as well. We know Jesus could have called on Heaven to give Him strength but He allowed another to help Him with His struggle. How good are you at asking for help when going through something? Are you able to ask someone to help with a task that you will need help with? I must admit that this I am not good at. I do not ask for help and if I am asked if I need help I will say no but Thank You for asking and continue on. I know this is not something that is a good trait in myself. If Jesus was able to accept help I also need to learn to do that as well. I must be able to humble myself as Jesus shows us all to do and ask and accept that help from others. People feel needed and wanted when we allow them to help. It shows that we trust and need them in our lives. It is not showing a weakness but a strength. 

     The second perspective is that of Simon. Simon had no intention of helping Jesus but is forced to by the soldiers. Have you watched someone who needed help and did nothing to help them? Have you given excuses so you would not have to help someone? We are all called to help others. Jesus helped those He knew and also those who He did not know. There are plenty of ways we can help others. We are able to help other by bring food and drink to those in need and bring clothes to them as well. There are many organizations that ask for our help both monetarily and physically. It is up to us to be the hands and feet of Jesus today on earth by helping others. No one will force us like they did Simon. Look around you and see what you can do to help others in need. 

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and may you find ways to help and be helped by others.