“Take this Scapular, it shall be a sign of salvation, a protection in danger and a pledge of

peace. Whosoever dies wearing this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire.” This is Mary’s

promise made July 16, 1251 to Saint Simon Stock.

"OUR LADY WANTS EVERYONE TO WEAR IT (THE BROWN SCAPULAR); IT IS THE SIGN OF
CONSECRATION TO HER IMMACULATE HEART.” – Lucia dos Santos (Child seer of Fatima)

Let God's love in

Have you noticed how some people are just naturally negative, always seeing the bad in their life, never appreciating what they have, and seeming to enjoy bringing other people down?  I hate feeling negative and stressed.  It causes me to feel anxious, my heart races, stomach hurts, and I feel sick.  I can't imagine feeling that way all the time. 

I wonder if you just get to used to it you forget what it once felt like to feel good and happy.  Kinda like boiling a frog; slowly over time people let the negative into their heart and it grows slowly there until it overcomes them.  Feeling positive and happy is a distant memory.

But it doesn't have to stay that way.  Just as the negativity slowly took over, the positive can also grow until it overtakes the negative.  Let God's love into your heart and like a seed, take root.  As God is more and more involved in your life, the seed of His love will slowly fill up the negative heart and continue to grow and grow, branching out and expanding. 

Pleasing to God

On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open
and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.
And a voice came from the heavens,
"You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."

 During daily Mass one day last week at the Cathedral, Fr. Van spoke of how beautiful this quote is and how we should strive to please God so we too can hear these words.  He is right.  This needs to be our main focus.  We spend so much time trying to please everyone else, from our spouse, our kids, our boss, our friends, our parents, even ourselves.  But who we really need to strive to please, whose opinion really matters, is not any of the above mentioned, but God our Father.

There are many ways we can please God.  We just need to be more conscientious about it.  Loving our neighbor, caring for the sick and poor, asking forgiveness, spending time in prayer, and following His commandments; these are just some of the ways we can please our Lord.  He is a loving Father who always forgives when we ask and listens when we speak. 

This week, evaluate yourself and whether you are acting in a way that is pleasing to the Lord.  If not, ask forgiveness, receive his blessing, and try again. 

Gifts

It was mentioned today about how God gives us gifts and talents.  I've been in discussions about this topic before and I think it's definitely something that is worthwhile contemplating;
"Do I fully recognize and use the gifts and talents that God has bestowed on me?".  Oftentimes it can be more difficult to recognize these in ourselves but we see them in others. 

I've taught religious awards in Boy Scouts and this is one of the topics.  There is an exercise where each person has to write what gifts and talents they see in their peers.  Of course with 5 teenage boys, there is no telling what you're going to get.  But when they really pause to think about it, they can see some great things in each other.  Usually it ranges from being smart to being good in sports.  While these are wonderful talents, they are not the only gifts that we receive.  They may be the most obvious if someone does well in school or is a star on the football team, but the Holy Spirit has given us gifts through confirmation that take more time to identify.

I feel that I have a talent of teaching children of all ages.  I can relate to the little ones up to the big kids.  I've taught elementary kids in Cub Scouts and Religious Education and the bigger boys religious awards in Boy Scouts.  I love teaching ideas through discussion and examples and love it when you can see something click in a child.  You can literally see it all over their face.  They have made the connection and their eyes light up, they usually sit up straight, mouth open, and are literally absorbing in what you are saying.  They get it. 


However, while I feel I have the talent of teaching, I wish I had more of the gift of wisdom and understanding.  I feel I have had to work hard to understand some concepts of the faith. It has taken me a journey of 37 years to make the connection on some concepts, while others seem to just be born with the natural gift of understanding and the ability to use it.  This is something I feel I need to pray about more; to more fully be able to use the spiritual gifts that were given to me.

Although not a spiritual gift, I have noticed, especially recently as I've joined Toastmasters, that my speeches generally tend to be motivational. I consider myself a pretty positive person, generally seeing the bright side of things, realizing that God has a plan, and as the saying goes, seeing the glass as half full.  As I've been presenting more and more in Toastmasters, my speeches tend to be positive in nature, typically reflecting on determination and success stories.  Someone mentioned that I had a future as a motivational speaker.  While I think that was quite an embellishment, I was honored that they recognized that in me.  I am trying to figure out if this is what God wants me to do.  Not necessarily to be a national motivational speaker, traveling across the world spreading my thoughts, but maybe there is someone at these weekly meetings that is benefiting from what I'm saying.

I believe God puts people in your life at the time you need them.  This was something a favorite instructor said at St. Gregory's College, and I truly do believe it.  People come and go in and out of our lives and I think some are only meant to be in your life for a short period of time.  However, their affects can be everlasting.  That is how this instructor was for me.  I had 2 or 3 classes with her and have not seen her since.  But, the inspirational thoughts she shared during these classes left a permanent impression on me.  Perhaps there is someone in these Toastmaster's meetings that I am able to reach through my speeches and I am just meant to touch their life for a short time.