Thursday, October 7, 2010

1 Thessalonians 2:8

8

With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved had you become to us.

What strikes me most today

St. Paul and all the subsequent missionaries - who risked their lives to make Jesus and His Gospel known to the world. If I love Christ as much as I say I do, shouldn't I be that willing to evangelize the world. I surely shouldn't hesitate due to fear of what others would think when so many missionaries suffered torture and death for standing up for Christ and the Gospel. I have a lot of work to live up to being the type of Christian I want to think I am!

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Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Colossians 4:17-18

17

"See that you fulfill the ministry that you received in the Lord."

18

The greeting is in my own hand, Paul's. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

What strikes me most today

This is the very end of St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians. What struck me first was the quote about being sure to fulfill the ministry received from the Lord. I am always wondering if I am doing God's will, living my life how He wants me to, and fulfilling the ministry of evangelization and living the Gospel that we are called to through our Baptism. I sometimes wish I would receive more explicit instructions for the right decisions to make on a daily basis - but I guess that could interfere with free will. In becoming more like Christ and trying to think in a WWJD way, we are becoming more like Christ, more fulfilled, and more free.

While thinking of this, St. Paul throws us the left hook of "Remember my chains," realizing that the right decisions are not always going to be the easy ones. How can we do this? "GRACE!" So he finishes with "Grace be with you."

It just amazes me that such perfect writings by St. Paul were written nearly 2000 years ago and are just as true today as they ever were.

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Sunday, September 26, 2010

Colossians 4:2

2

Persevere in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

What strikes me most today

Today's passage made me realize that most of my prayers are prayers of petition - I'm asking for something. I try to remember to pray a prayer of thanksgiving - when I get what I want. But I really should be praying prayers of thanksgiving the most. I have the life that God gave me and the lives God gave my family and friends. He certainly didn't have to create us or the world we live in - but He did. And because He gave us life, we will live for all eternity. Maybe I'll be more likely to spend that eternity in Heaven if I'm a little more grateful and spend more time thanking God for this life and all that's in it.

What strikes you most today?

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Monday, September 7, 2010

Colossians 2:6-7

6

So, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him,

7

rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

What strikes me most today

"abounding in thanksgiving." So my oldest son told us he would be unable to come home for Labor Day weekend, but my daughter surprised us by driving to Columbia, MO by herself and bringing him home - I'm glad I didn't know she was doing this until she was back home safely!

It was awesome having him home for the weekend, but today I had to say goodbye again. He drove there, and my 15 year old drove home (he has his permit.)

I was feeling a little sorry for myself that my kids are getting older, and therefore I am getting older. Then I realized I really should be thankful. Kids are meant to grow up, and so are we. Then I started thinking about all I had to be thankful for, starting with the gift of life itself God gave me and my family - we certainly did nothing to deserve it, but how awesome that God has given us life!

I need to focus on the blessings in my life; just meditating on those as my son drove me home from Mizzou made me much less anxious about all the details of my life - even his driving!

What strikes you most today?

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Sunday, August 29, 2010

Colossians 2:1-3

1

all who have not seen me face to face,

2

that their hearts may be encouraged as they are brought together in love, to have all the richness of fully assured understanding, for the knowledge of the mystery of God, Christ,

3

in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

What strikes me most today

the idea that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in the person of Jesus Christ. Our faith is not just a set of beliefs --> it is the Truth of the person Jesus Christ, Who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. His bride is the Church He founded when He handed the Keys of the Kingdom to St. Paul. And here in today's reading we have St. Paul passing on this Truth to us.

Awesome!

What strikes you most today?

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Monday, August 23, 2010

Colossians 1:15-17

15

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

16

For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him.

17

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

What strikes me most today

OK, first, just reading the word firstborn, I have to admit I thought of my firstborn who is now away at college. Today's picture is my youngest daughter with him. She misses him terribly. She was so excited this morning when she received an e-mail from him, telling her how much he missed her.

I also thought of my college son in the rest of the reading today. God is our Creator - he made the world where kids are attending college just as He made the world we raised our children in and continue to live in. That realization is such a comfort to a parent - God made the part of the world my son is in now, and God is just as present to my son there as He was here at home.

What an awesome God!

What strikes you most today?

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Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Colossians 1:9-12

9

we do not cease praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding

10

to live in a manner worthy of the Lord, so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God,

11

strengthened with every power, in accord with his glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy

12

giving thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light.

What strikes me most today

OK, so maybe everything I am reading now makes me thinking of my son moving away to college. But if you reread the lines above, I really think it fits. My son is a young man. He's ready to move into a dorm, make decisions and choices (all right choices, I'm hoping, even though all the choices I made certainly weren't perfect!) So what is there left for me to do? First --> pray for him. Second --> be ready to give him good advice based on mistakes I've made and learned from. Thirdly --> try to be ready with financial support as needed. (I wonder if his order of these 3 would be the same as mine?)

As St. Paul says to the Colossians, our family says to our son, "We do not cease praying for you..."

What strikes you most today?

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Monday, August 16, 2010

Philippians 4:4-5

4

Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!

5

Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near.

What strikes me most today

Jeff Jr is packing up for college. Elizabeth is next - about to start her senior year and looking at colleges.

As we pack Jeff up, we come across so many old memories and photos. The photo above is our two oldest after they snuck into a bag of M&M's (which are supposed to only melt in your mouth, not in your hands or around your mouth!). We didn't find out until we wondered why they went to brush their teeth on their own without being asked.

They had had their own little party. I remember this evening well - they were so happy, just rejoicing in the chocolate stash they had discovered. And it was good to see them happy and rejoicing. They were and are the kindest children (OK, young man and young woman) you could hope to meet. And they were loving the present moment and enjoying their lives - the lives that are God's greatest gift to them. God wants us to be happy in this world and the next. And that is precisely my prayer for them. Happiness now and in Eternity - for all of us! Rejoice! The Lord is near!

What strikes you most today?

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Friday, August 13, 2010

The Biggest Loser - Daris, age 25 - 346 to 178 pounds!

Philippians 3:18-21

18

For many, as I have often told you and now tell you even in tears, conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ.

19

Their end is destruction. Their God is their stomach; their glory is in their "shame." Their minds are occupied with earthly things.

20

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

21

He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself.

What strikes me most today

The Biggest Loser is my wife's favorite show. I believe this show is so popular because we can relate to letting parts of our life get out of control. Today's reading reminds me of this - especially verse 19 above - read that one above again. Ouch! Unfortunately, I can relate to that. Too often I overeat, especially when stressed. What if instead of eating ice cream or pie or pretzels or chips and salsa or leftovers, what if I said a Divine Mercy Chaplet - it would take the same amount of time, but be good for my body and soul rather than bad to both, and no guilt! I usually have trouble sticking to ideas like that, but I'm going to remember that I can choose to turn to my God, my faith, the Church and Her teachings and practices (maybe even actually fasting one day - and not just eating two really large meals so the 3rd will be smaller!) If I prefer to be weak and give in to the temptation of overeating, I am acting like those in verse 18, who "conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ." Big time OUCH!!!

In fact, I'm stressed enough that a Divine Mercy Chaplet may be too quick - I'm going to go pray a Rosary. We can also offer up sacrifices (like not eating late and praying a Rosary) for any intentions - I'm going to offer mine tonight for my children - that they grow ever closer to Christ, especially the one whose moving out to go to college in 6 days! Wow, thinking of that usually calls for about a pound of dry roasted cashews - I better start those Luminous Mysteries right away! Gotta go! Good night!

What strikes you most tonight?

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Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Philippians 2:28

"so that... I may have less anxiety."

What strikes me most today

The word "anxiety" jumped out at me as I finished the 2nd chapter of Philippians. I do get nervous/anxious about confession - so I went to a new priest this weekend. He was great - he told me none of the things I wanted to hear and all the things I needed to hear. And although I don't picture myself as an anxious person, the ways I deal with stress could be better (and at least he told me most people sin more when they are stressed - e.g. overeating, drinking, losing temper, withdrawing and ignoring family and loved ones, avoiding mass and prayer, etc.)
So I am hitting the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplets now - trying to make them a habit - hopefully to decrease stress and anxiety, and give me alternate ways to deal with them when I need to.
And I really hate going back and telling the same sins over and over... so I really am going to try!

What strikes you most today?
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Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Philippians 2:14

14

Do everything without grumbling or questioning.

What strikes me most today

I'm on call this week. There are 8 physicians in my group, so every 8th week we each take call for a week at a time. This is my week. That means that in addition to working all day, I can be called in at any time of night for emergencies. It is mostly the unknowing of how many phone calls and how many emergencies each day and night will bring that makes it so stressful.

So as this evening kept getting busier, I found myself grumbling and questioning (that's why this passage stuck out to me this evening).

I need to be more like Marcus Welby, MD (Robert Young), or his young partner Steven Kiley, MD (James Brolin). What a great show that was (Elena Verdugo as Consuela was one of my first crushes!)

I recall them absolutely loving the opportunity to help others. They did have times they were tired and frustrated and anxious - but what great docs they were. I need to offer up any fatigue or stress or anxiety for those who are suffering much more than I am.

I don't think God could have spoken any plainer to me than the words of Philippians 2:14. So I'll try to get back to post throughout the week - but "without grumbling or complaining!"

What strikes you most today?

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Monday, August 2, 2010

Philippians 2:3-4

3

Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves,

4

each looking out not for his own interests, but (also) everyone for those of others.

What strikes me most today

Regarding others as more important than ourselves. I just finished reading the book, Man of God: Young at Heart (The Life of Blessed Timothy Giaccardo). He was the first priest of the Society of St. Paul, and vital to the early Pauline life. However, he was willing to offer his life as a sacrifice to help the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master to gain Papal approval. He died on January 24, 1948, just days after the Pious Disciples received the Papal Decree of Praise (This was January 12, 1948, just after Blessed Timothy celebrated his last Mass.) Although he was so important, he regarded the Sister Disciples more important, offering his life for them. What an inspiration for us!

What strikes you most today?

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Sunday, August 1, 2010

Philippians 1:29

29

For to you has been granted, for the sake of Christ, not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him.

What strikes me most today

As I read the rest of the first Chapter of Philippians, the above passage stood out the most for me. As I try to advance on my journey to eternity with the Blessed Trinity, I am sometimes surprised that bad things still happen in my work and home life; mortgages, tuitions, and other bills just keep pouring in, and life is just not perfect liked I had hoped it would be! It reminded me of St. Theresa of Avila, who I remember writing about how even the closest relationship with God will not prevent us from suffering in this life. She is one of my favorite writers to quote (FYI Sr. Julia Darrenkamp, fsp, is the one who has taught me to LOVE quotes - she always finds the BEST!)

Below are some of my favorite quotes of St. Theresa of Avila that demonstrate what I mean:

“Let nothing disturb thee; Let nothing dismay thee; All thing pass; God never changes. Patience attains All that it strives for. He who has God Finds he lacks nothing:God alone suffices.”

“Pain is never permanent”

“To have courage for whatever comes in life - everything lies in that.”

“More tears are shed over answered prayers than unanswered ones.”

“It is true that we cannot be free from sin, but at least let our sins not be always the same.”

“Let nothing disturb thee, nothing affright thee; all things are passing; God never changeth.”

and my favorite St. Theresa of Avila quote, as she is praying to God...

“If this is the way you treat your friends, it's no wonder you have so few!”

What strikes you most today?

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Friday, July 30, 2010

Philippians 1:9-10

9

And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception,

10

to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.

What strikes me most today

This reminds me of Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body. And speaking of TOB, the TOB Congress in Philadelphia has been sold out with a waiting list, and all the speakers are getting fantastic reviews. This evening, awards were presented - and the Daughters of St. Paul were honored for their service and dedication in spreading the messages of Theology of the Body using all means of media and social communication to the world. Sr. Helena Burns, FSP, gave one of the talks at the conference. Congratulations to the Daughters of St. Paul, and you for your efforts to increase our "knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that [we] may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ."

What strikes you most today?

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Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Philippians 1:6

6

I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.

What strikes me most today

Two of my sons and I "began a good work" several years ago and we are trying to complete it. We are trying to see baseball games at all 30 major league stadiums. We just returned from a road trip to Atlanta, Miami, and Tampa. We are up to 22 stadiums now; we have 8 more to go (God willing). It's a great father-son time to share just spending time together traveling and seeing baseball games. The long car rides seem to be the times we talk the most. It's awesome. And we are confident that we can complete this good work (hopefully before they go off to college!)

What strikes you most today?

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Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Ephesians 6:1-3

1
Children, obey your parents (in the Lord), for this is right.
2
"Honor your father and mother." This is the first commandment with a promise,
3
"that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on earth."

What strikes me most today

Wow! This one came at a good time. I need my son (the independent-I-don't-need-parental-interference-anymore-about-to-be-a-college-freshman) to read this. I feel a little guilty because I always thought I'd be a little sadder when my first-born was getting old enough to move out. Uh-uh! I'm as ready as he is. Maybe God implants a timed device in teens to make them push every button and press every rule in the weeks leading up to dorm life - perhaps to ease the separation. If so --> it works!
I know there will be times I will miss him, and I hope there will be times he might even miss me.
Maybe a day will come when he doesn't think I'm a mean-arbitrary-dictator living only to find ways to make his life miserable. Who knows, he could even ask my advice or appreciate me some day. My head spins trying to imagine such a day!
No matter what, I will continue to pray for him daily. I realize the world is a tough place for kids to grow up these days. As difficult as society makes it for faith-filled young men and women - he really is turning into a great young man. I pray he continues to grow in his relationship with Christ into adulthood and whatever God has in store for his future!

What strikes you most today?
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Monday, July 19, 2010

Ephesians 5:25-27

25

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her

26

to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word,

27

that he might present to himself the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

What strikes me most today

Today's reading made me think of Pope John Paul the Great. As the Vicar of Christ, I could imagine he would relax and take it easy and enjoy being Pope. But this Holy Father prayed 8 hours every day - FOR US! He only slept 4 hours each day. He wrote a lot (as we all know, I haven't caught up on reading his encyclicals; I can only imagine how long it take to write them - not to mention his awesome Theology of the Body). The point is that he saw the Church as a bride - and he loved her - meaning he sacrificed all for her.

May I sacrifice for my wife and for Christ and His Church the way Pope John Paul II demonstrated for us.

What strikes you most today?

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Sunday, July 18, 2010

Ephesians 5:13-14

13

Everything exposed by the light becomes visible,

14

for everything that becomes visible is light.

What strikes me most today

Today's passage reminded me of the movie The Miracle Worker, starring Patty Duke and Anne Bancroft.

Helen Keller grew up learning about the world around her without being able to see it. That is how I should be in my faith life - always working to get closer to the Blessed Trinity, even though I can't see them and the whole concept of One God in Three Persons is not that easy to grasp - but with faith I can accept it.

What strikes you most today?

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Friday, July 16, 2010

Ephesians 5:8-10

8

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light,

9

for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.

10

Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord

What strikes me most today

I remember Star Wars making such an impression on me, not just for what seemed like unbelievably great special effects, but for our choice between good and evil in this world. Jesus has brought us the light. We can choose to live as children of light, bringing goodness, righteousness, and truth. This will be pleasing to the Lord, and the key to our own happiness in this life and the next.

May the force be with you!

What strikes you most today?

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Thursday, July 15, 2010

Ephesians 5:5-7

5

Be sure of this, that no immoral or impure or greedy person, that is, an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6

Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient. 2

7

So do not be associated with them.

What strikes me most today

To be honest, it's a little scary to read that no immoral or impure or greedy person has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. My first thought is that no one can even attempt to live such a life. But then I look at the happy faces of Blessed James Alberione and Blessed Timothy Giaccardo - and I know it can be done - I need to be like the Nike commercial and Just Do It!

What strikes you most today?

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