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Let our charity be courageous…
A smile in a crowd of stony faces,
A kind word let loose in the air of judgment.
Let our charity be courageous…
A gentle touch in a violent world,
Salt in all that has lost its flavor,
Let our charity be courageous…
Light in the shadows of darkness,
Life in a culture of death.
Let our CHARITY be COURAGEOUS!
“Love never fails” 1 Cor 13:8a
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Holiness is an Everyday YES…
In the midst of life’s ups and downs.
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“It is the Paraclete Spirit, the Comforter, who grants us the courage to take to the streets of the world bringing the Gospel! The Holy Spirit makes us to look to the horizon and drives us to the very outskirts of existence in order to proclaim life in Jesus Christ. Let us ask ourselves: do we tend to stay closed in on ourselves, on our group, or do we let the Holy Spirit open us to mission?” (Pope Francis)
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Your love!
Blessed Pentecost to all of you,
Fromtheheartofj
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Make us today preachers of the Resurrection by Your Light in our lives.
Work and Prayer…
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We don’t have an either…or… Faith.
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We don’t have a neither…nor… Faith.
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We have a both…and… Faith!
Work and Prayer.
May everything we do begin with God’s inspiration. May everything we do continue on with His guidance. And may everything we do come to completion all for the glory of God.
“Pray without ceasing” 1 Th 5:17
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A “bummer lamb” is rejected by her mother, so tries to “bum” milk from other ewes, who too reject her. The bummer lamb may have been rejected for being different, the runt, or the third of a triplet. The mother ewe will kick the lamb away. The lamb will die without milk
But…
The Good Shepherd is on the look out for bummer sheep (Lk 15:4). He will take a bummer lamb from the flock and hand feeds the lamb sometimes 5 times a day (Is 40:11). The Good Shepherd talks to the lamb and once a day holds the lamb to his chest so she can hear the Good Shepherd’s heartbeat (John 10:14). Eventually the bummer lamb can be introduced back to the flock (John 10:9) and yet the bummer lamb will always be the first to come running when the Good Shepherd calls because she recognizes His voice (John 10:27).
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Aren’t we all bummer sheep? In need of His reassuring presence with us? Knowing we are connected Heart-to-heart? Hearing His voice as His grace feeds us? It is the bummer sheep who know the Good Shepherd most intimately…and who follow Him most obediently.We are bummer sheep when we recognize our brokenness…our littlenss…our need for Him.
“As a shepherd tends his flock when he finds himself among his scattered sheep, so will I tend my sheep. I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered when it was cludy and dark.” Ez 34:12
A Real Bummer Lamb!
Mercy the eyes searching down into the valley for any sign of return…
Mercy the eyes of love awaiting.
Mercy the ears attuned to the cry of souls drowning in their stench…
Mercy the ears of love listening.
Mercy the lips inhaling/exhaling the names of the lost ones…
Mercy the lips of love calling.
Mercy the feet trudging through the ditch to rescue the bondaged …
Mercy the feet of love running.
Mercy the arms of strength magnificent lifting in resurrection the lifeless souls…
Mercy the arms of love lifting.
Mercy the embrace of extravagant love wrapping the broken in wholeness and healing…
Mercy the embrace of love encircling.
Mercy the love that invites us home.
I just got glasses…Been a bit strange wearing them.
I feel very tall…everyone looks short…I feel like I’m walking downhill uphill.
Has made me think about Perspective.
“Let your nose point first to what you want to look at…then find the sweet spot where things that are blurry become clear, ” said Martha with the white hair.
Good advice. Don’t you think?
It’s not enough just to set your eyes on where you want to go…your body needs to move in the same direction.
And aren’t we all looking for that sweet spot – that God perspective – where things blurry become focused and clear?
I’m finding it takes some practice…and patience… intention… and good humor.
Hopefully in time the journey will no longer all seem downhill uphill.
It will become level ground.
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your kind spirit guide me on ground that is level. ” Psalm 143:10
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“Christmas is the birthday of Life” St. Leo the Great!
An Irish Christmas Blessing…
The Light of the Christmas star to you…
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The warmth of home and hearth to you…
The cheer and good will of friends to you…
The hope of a childlike heart to you…
The joy of a thousand angels to you…
The Love of the Son and God’s peace to you.
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MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL…a bit late …but still in the Octave of Christmas!
God’s Peace, Love and Joy in abundance, Fromtheheartofj : )
through Him with Him in Him... 