Timely words from The Author of timely words

Today, by God's grace, I was able to get to morning mass. The Lord didn't let my paltry effort go to waste, either, as the liturgy hit me right between the eyes. Several times. In a good way.


Here is a snippet from the first reading: (from Hebrews 10:32-39)

Therefore, do not throw away your confidence; 
it will have great recompense.
You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised.

Left jab!


And another from the Reponsorial Psalm: (From Psalm 37)



. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
By the LORD are the steps of a man made firm, 
and he approves his way.
Though he fall, he does not lie prostrate,
for the hand of the LORD sustains him.

Right cross!

And then the Gospel: (From St. Mark 4:26-34)


Jesus said to the crowds:
“This is how it is with the Kingdom of God;
it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land
and would sleep and rise night and day
and the seed would sprout and grow,
he knows not how.
Of its own accord the land yields fruit,


And just for good measure, the communion antiphon: 

Look toward the Lord and be radiant, let your faces not be ashamed.

Annd, the KO.


Father's homily went on to describe how the mustard seed of faith is accepted by God and multiplied beyond our human ability and comprehension. How Mother Teresa carried one person off the street at a time. How God's power is what is needed, not our own. We just have to come up with that little seed. That small act. Offer that sore heart.

Today, He lovingly encouraged me. I always can recognize His voice because of the profound love and gentleness, even as I am corrected.

Once again I am overwhelmingly grateful for the gift of the Church, where I can go and just plug into the mass, or adoration, or if I can, say a Rosary, and if I can't, just hold some Rosary beads. I don't have to come up with anything on my own at all, except the mustard seed of getting myself in the doors. 

As Father said, " We just provide the mustard seed of faith, and God does all the rest. All we can do is what we are able." He even mentioned letting go of control. Nice one, Father.

How true, how comforting. What a relief when life threatens to overwhelm, and I am tempted to try to tough it out  on my own. How easy to forget! 








*no idea why all the white boxes around the text. will come back and fix it later!

7 quick takes

1. Thankfully and happily made it to 6:30 mass this AM. So far this is the first year I have been able to keep up with my First Fridays. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us! Three more...I have only once ever made it through a whole novena...consecutively, anyways.







2. Wading, wading through the financial aid sea of forms. Two applying for college, one for next year's Catholic school.

 I am hoping to be past all this soon. Seems to be a February thing--like taxes, for us.


3.The news is all so completely unsettling. Even the weather. Poor Australia! Us too, but not nearly as catastrophic. Plus, let's not forget Egypt, Fr. E...can't spell it, but you know, health care, Planned Parenthood, "Dr." Gosnell....on and on. Lent=TV, OFF.



4.Speaking of Lent, it is going to be Fasting from Facebook, too. (gee, that sounds like a book...) The only media left will be you all! That will either be really good, or...ah, let's not think on that too hard. I guess I will still email too. Perhaps aside from not gorging, I am not planning on doing any really huge dietary thing. Just try to maintain what I have going already. How about you? what do you do--or plan to do this year?

5. Still kind of overwhelmed and fighting the depression devil. Prayers accepted. Just a lot of things hitting fans and irons in fires and whatever other cliche for overwhelmed people.


6. This is usually the time of year I get the cleaning and doing house projects bug. Still waiting. I think some other bug beat it out.


7. Scriptures I am leaning on-

 Matthew 14:22-33

 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.  After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone,  and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it  Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.  When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.  “Come,” he said.Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!^" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.  Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” 

and-

Heb 12:1-4 Brothers and sisters: Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him Jesus endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God. Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.