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Do you ever wonder exactly what it is that God has in mind for you, not only for today but for the future? Now in the fourth quarter of my life, I do spend a lot of time pondering that question. Not so much as in what does he want from me today, but have I really done what He has asked me to do in my life here on earth. Have I REALLY done that for Him? I pray about it often.

Jesus Himself went apart from the group many times to pray and talk to His Father. He prayed for which 12 men to call His Apostles and through discernment and listening to His Father, Jesus chose wisely. The first apostles were not well educated men; they were not wealthy; they had their human flaws and one would even betray him. Here’s the thing: THEY HEARD JESUS CALL AND CHO0SE THEM, SO, THEY DROPPED EVERYTHING AND FOLLOWED HIM. They gave up their homes, families and livelihoods because they were chosen.

We too are chosen, everyday of our lives; God choses us over and over and asks things of us and from us. No matter what our past has been; God continues to choose us again and again, asking us to follow Him, to discern His Will and to lead others to Him.

Just like the picture in the featured image of this blog, life can get pretty tangled up and so many things compete at the root of our lives. Yet, God is still choosing us and calling us to get to the core of things and figure out the best way to follow Him and do His Will in our lives. I don’t know about you all, but I know I have A LOT of work to do and will be praying about how best to do it.

Blessings,

PJP

Today’s Gospel is an interesting one from Matthew 25:14-30 in that it talks about how we use our God Given Gifts in this life. Now, the gospel reading itself is about a Master who gives his servants Talents, which was a form of currency in that time. Two of the servants reinvest the talents to make more for the Master. The third servant; however, buries his treasure in the ground to basically become stagnant and produce nothing.

So, let’s look at this from the perspective of what blessings God has given each of us and what we do with them. Each one of us receives unique blessings and insights from God Every. Single. Day. Many. Times. A. Day. But what do we do with them? Do we invest them and give them to others or do we bury them in our thoughts and let the moments or situations pass by? We need to be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit so we can share or pass on our blessings. This isn’t about money….no it’s about our time, our skills to help others, our thoughtful notes to others, our little phone messages or texts to someone we know who is going through ‘things’, our unexpected gift or bag of goodies to someone, a word of forgiveness for something said in haste without really thinking, an offer to lend a hand to others, and most of all praying throughout the day for others.

All we have to do is really just stop and look around our family, our neighborhood or pay attention to other’s request for some type of support or help. These opportunities are everywhere…..But We Have To Hear and See them; then Act.

What can you do today to share a simple blessing with someone?

PJP

August is the month the church has long dedicated to Mary’s Immaculate Heart. She is our Heavenly Mother who longs to intercede for us to her son Jesus.

This devotion was put forward by St. John Eudes in the 17th century after the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima to the three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal (Lucia, Francisco and Jacinto). She appeared to the three children six times between May 13 and October 13, 1917, revealing her Immaculate Heart and asking for the people to pray the daily rosary for peace and the conversion of sinners. This is looked upon as a long reaching and powerful message of faith, hope and charity that we are called to live.

Often times, I think Mary is misunderstood by many. We do not worship her or adore her as we do Jesus; however, we greatly honor her and pray for her help in leading our lives on this journey. We honor her for her ‘Yes” to God to bear Our Savior Jesus. She plays an amazing part in the history of salvation.

The Hail Mary is one of my favorite prayers: “Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”

PJP

One of my favorite music listens is Christian Worship Music. This is one of my all time favorites: Enjoy!

Step by Step by Rich Mullins. Search on You Tube to play (couldn’t get it to copy to here).

Bonus great song: https://open.spotify.com/track/2fKnX8RINrl4eOG5klOhcZ?si=4ojkNfAVSEK8wbSVd9bDTg&context=spotify%3Aplaylist%3A37i9dQZF1DWVlWpJblBvap

PJP

The last two Sunday’s gospels have dealt with Jesus sending out his disciples in pairs to preach the gospel of peace and the parable of the Good Samaritan, respectively. They go hand in hand in my mind.

First in week 14, the primary message is one of discipleship: with difficulties, challenges and joys encountered. We are to be the hands, ears, eyes, mouth and feet of Jesus here on earth that others may know of His mercy, peace and all encompassing love for all. It is not always easy to share this message, and at times we may even be fearful of sharing the message. However, that being said, we have all been called to share in the Good News of our Lord. Maybe it is in a simple conversation with a friend; maybe it is in responding to someone asking for prayers; maybe it is in a kind unrequested deed to someone. Always it is as we model Jesus way in keeping of the 10 Commandments. That is a given. I do believe that it is true that others may never remember what you say, but they will remember what you did or did not do.

This past Sunday week 15 in the parable of the Good Samaritan, a man has been attacked and left to die along the road. Three people pass him: one goes across the road; the second does basically the same; but the third, a Samaritan, tends to the man. Not only does he rescue him, but he goes the next step and provides for his care during recovery. He a the good neighbor, compassionate, caring and loving the other.

Which one are we in our life journey? Are we the first, second, or are we the Good Neighbor, even to those we do not know? That choice is ours and it must come from our heart, freely given without cost or repayment of our time, effort or money.

Blessings to you Good Neighbor,

PJP

On the first Sunday after Pentecost, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity reminding us of what God tells us about the Trinity….one God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The teaching in most Christian denominations is that these three persons are distinct but share the same divine essence. The teaching further says that they eternally exist together, not separate, or one before or after the other. John 10:30 : “I and the Father are one” .

Last Sunday during the sermon, the priest gave an excellent analogy of the Trinity. Here it is: So, take an earthly father. He has the job as a father to his children; a job as a spouse to his wife; and a job as either an employer or employee for a company. Each job has a different role, but each role exists within this same man and each role has a different purpose he must fulfill.

For me, this was a helpful analogy. God our Father is the creator role, Jesus the Son is the redeemer role, and the Holy Spirit unites the believer with Christ providing those seven gifts we receive at Baptism, Confirmation and come to us again in Pentecost. (Shared last week on the blog).

Yes the Holy Trinity is complex, but isn’t it beautiful and the essence of our faith.

PJP

A day to remember; a day to give thanks; a day to appreciate our freedom that was won by others gone before us. Many are out there still fighting for our freedom; thank you!

When I was a kid, this day was called Decoration Day and our family met with other family members to decorate the graves of our grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Then there would be a big picnic after the visitation of the graves at the park. To this day, I still decorate several of those same graves and a few new ones that have been added to the group. It is a good tradition and one that I hope I pass on to my own children and grandchildren.

Many also observe the 3PM moment when Americans may chose to participate in the “National Moment of Remembrance”, moments of silence and prayer to honor those who have died in the military. Sacrifices were made for each of us so that we could experience the freedoms provided through their sacrifices.

My own father was in the Army as a communication radio operator. He knew Morse code like you would not believe. He was overseas for 2 1/2 years in many European countries during WW II and was a part of the Normandy landings, Omaha Beach June 4, 1944. He survived this and came home, but it is the one thing my dad never talked about…..ever.

Thank you for each and every life that participated; those lives that were lost and for those who have and/or currently serve to protect our great country ….The United States of America!!

PJP

In honor of all Mothers, Grandmothers, Step Mothers, Adoptive Mothers, Mothers to Be, New Mothers and to all who aspire to be Mothers one day and to those who have been Mothers to us in our lives in many ways. Above all, we honor and thank our heavenly Mother, Mary, in all things.

Blessings to you all on this beautiful day!

PJP