Beth Zanotelli – Page 2 – Joy of the Family

You’re Not Alone

Author: Beth Zanotelli, Family Life Coordinator for the Diocese of Palm Beach

Each day you hear in the news and on social media that anxiety and fear are affecting more and more people in their day-to-day lives. Many are struggling with phobias, and anxieties that they didn’t have before. Psalm 23 is one of many reminders in Holy Scripture that we are never alone. Verse one says: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23 continues to give us hope…we are not alone. It is worth posting the entire Psalm here…

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.  He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.  Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff – they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.

The Bible is God’s love letter to us. The Good Shepherd is constantly reminding and encouraging us.

Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in what the world is telling you and it’s even easier to forget your common sense. When you develop the bad habit of focusing on the electronics in your life, it’s easy to feel alone and abandoned. Social Media and the news want you to think there is no hope. The world tempts us with empty promises and lies. Perhaps it’s time to create some distance from what the world is saying and practice focusing on what God is saying. Focus on your relationship with God, your relationship with yourself and your relationships with other people.

Be kind to yourself, when you feel alone, take a walk outside, look at the nature around you; focus on the goodness of God’s Creation. Hopefully, as the weather begins to cool you can take an early morning or early evening walk and breathe in fresh air. As you walk, make a connection with the awe and wonder of the gifts God has given each of us. As you walk or even as you sit, rekindle your relationship with God. You are not alone! Learn something about the creation around you.

It’s amazing how much money we spend on things, try spending money on experiences, like a class learning how to do something you’ve always wanted to try or learning about something you’ve always wanted to know. Feeling lonely? Try to boost your prayer time and rethink how you spend your spare time. Carve out some time without any electronics, no video games, no social media, no Netflix, or TV, and take off your watch if it connects you to all these things.

Do more things with people! Engage in a small group, a book club, a bible study, sports, a club…find ways to be around others. Avoid the self-check- out and say “hi” to the person scanning your purchase or if it can’t be avoided, say “hello” to the person at the self-check-out next to you. While you are being kind to yourself, focus on the present moment, no need to worry about the past or the future, focus on right now. When you have a conversation with someone, focus on what they are saying, look at their eyes when they speak. If you feel alone, stressed, or anxious, remember God is with you. He doesn’t change, He is always present, He doesn’t lie, you can trust Him. James 1:17 says “Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.”

Still feeling anxious and afraid? Try shifting your focus to others, how can you help someone else? Is there a small act of kindness that you could do for someone else today? Helping others is a way to feel connected and less alone. Try thinking about what you can give rather than what you can get. Pray for others and pay attention to the things that matter. Pay attention to the things that make you feel like you belong, things that make you feel connected.

It is easy to get caught up in the world. Create goals for yourself. Who is the person you would like to become? Keep track of your vision and pray that the Lord will keep you on the right path. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.” You are never alone; God is with you!

Here’s what the Scriptures have to say:

Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be brave and steadfast; have no fear or dread of them, for it is the Lord, your God who marches with you; he will never fail you or forsake you.

Joshua 1:9 – I command you: be firm and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go.

John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your heart be troubled or afraid.

Psalm 23 – The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff – they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.

James 1:17 – Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

What’s Your Disposition?

Author: Beth Zanotelli, Family Life Coordinator for the Diocese of Palm Beach

Before you ask what is your disposition, you might have to first ask yourself, what is disposition? It’s a noun, that is, a person, place, or thing. This noun, however, you cannot hold in your hand. It is a part of you; it is your usual mood or temperament. Disposition could also be defined as a tendency. Are you a person who is joyful or do you tend to be gloomy? Are you a Tigger or an Eeyore? Is your “cup half full” or does your cup tend to be “half empty”? Does your disposition lean toward being a person who is receptive and open to what others have to say or do you tend to be close minded? Jesus tells many parables that teach us about disposition. In the Gospel of Matthew, we hear of Jesus talking to the crowds that gather. Just as any great teacher does, Jesus uses more than one explanation to convey His message about the Kingdom of God. Each parable uses a different image to explain His message. In the parable of the Sower, the seeds fall on different types of soil. They fall on the path, on rocky ground, into thorns, or on fertile soil. Jesus explains that the Seeds are the Word of God. The different types of soil reflect the dispositions of our hearts. It’s only in the fertile soil that the Word of God can truly grow, take root, and bear fruit. (Matthew 13:1-15)

How can we change and prepare our hearts to receive the Word of God? What should be our disposition when we pray; when we read, listen to, or hear God’s Sacred Word? Jesus tells us to be open and receptive – “Harden NOT your hearts” (Hebrews 4:8). Let your heart be fertile and take time to cultivate your soul to be open to His Words, His Love, and His plan for you. Just like most of us, soil does not have the disposition to provide the seed with what it needs to survive AND thrive. That’s why a farmer prepares his field to receive the seed; tilling it, watering it, adding nutrients, giving the soil what it needs to produce an abundant harvest.

Look to Mary as an example of how to improve your disposition, she is the best example of one who is open and receptive to the Lord. She is totally attuned to God. Her Immaculate Heart is not hindered by sin or the world. Our Lady appeared to St. Brigid and told her, “The rose gives a fragrant odor; it is beautiful to the sight, and tender to the touch, and yet it grows among thorns, inimical (hostile) to the beauty and tenderness. So may also those who are mild, patient, beautiful in virtue, be put to the test among adversaries. And as the thorn, on the other hand, guards, so do wicked surroundings protect the just against sin, by demonstrating to them the destructiveness of sin.” Mary is designated as the Mystical Rose because her beauty leads us to God, and her fragrance attracts our souls to Christ.

Prepare the soil of your heart. Don’t let the world distract you, instead, allow adversity to inspire you to remain open. The first and easiest step might be to find your Bible and take it off the shelf, join a small group, read the Sunday readings the week before each Sunday Mass, and try to set aside time each day to prepare the soil of your heart.

Here’s what the Scriptures have to say:

Matthew 13:1-14 – On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying: “A Sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear.” The disciples approached him and said, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” He said to them in reply, “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. To anyone who has, more will be given, and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because ‘they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand.’

Hebrews 3:13 – Encourage yourselves daily while it is still “today,” so that none of you may grow hardened by the deceit of sin. We have become partners of Christ if only we hold the beginning of the reality firm until the beginning of the reality firm until the end, for it is said: “Oh, that today you would hear his voice: ‘Harden not your hearts as at the rebellion.’”

2 Timothy 3:14-16 – But you, remain faithful to what you have learned and believed, because you know from whom you learned it, and that from infancy you have known the sacred scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

In the Name of the Father

Author: Beth Zanotelli, Family Life Coordinator for the Diocese of Palm Beach

When we make the Sign of the Cross, we pray, “In the name of the Father”, so we begin this prayer with the Father. God, our Father! He is the beginning, our beginning, He is our Creator. God the Father is our true source of strength, and God is Love. He hears our prayers and knows our joys and our sorrows. There is nothing that can compare to God’s great love! Most important, there is nothing that can separate us from God’s great love – nothing.

When we pray the prayer that Jesus taught us, again we begin with “Our Father who art in heaven. We give him the praise that is due when we pray, “Hallowed be thy name”. He should be our most important relationship, and we revere Him with the utmost love and loyalty.

So, how do we learn about God’s great love? How do we know the love of the Father? How do we appreciate the gift of our life, given by God the Father? One, very important way that we first come to know the love of our heavenly Father….is through our earthly father. The gift of fatherhood is such a special role and so often overlooked. Our Heavenly Father loves us, so too our earthly dads love us giving us a glimpse of the Father’s great love for us! Earthly dads can be our biological dads or sometimes we have “father-figures” who are our spiritual dads. These great men have a special role to play in their children’s lives. Our earthly fathers are called to sacrifice for us, to teach us, and to bear witness to the faith. They point us to our heavenly Father. If our families could be seen as a team, dads would be the most beloved coach of our family team.

The role of fatherhood is daunting and is filled with many joys, sacrifices, and trials. We know our earthly father can only give us a glimpse of God. Our dads are human, and they need a Savior, just like us. Often our earthly dads need to learn how to love rightly. They may not understand how to love as the Father has loved us.

Pray for fathers! Pray that they find healing from any brokenness. Pray that they can inspire their children; pray that they can forgive like God the Father; pray that they can be supportive and understanding. Pray for fathers to always be concerned for others, especially the members of their family so they can be a witness of the strength and love of God, our heavenly Father. Pray for fathers that they can love their heavenly Father, their wives and in turn their children with Christ-like love. Take the time to say, “thank you and I love you”. Thank them for their sacrifices, for teaching us, and for giving us a glimpse of God the Father’s love.

Here’s what the scriptures have to say:

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.

1 John 4:8-10 – Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him.

Deuteronomy 4:29 – Yet there too you shall seek the Lord, your God; and you shall indeed find him when you search after him with your whole heart and your whole soul. In your distress, when all these things shall have come upon you, you shall finally return to the Lord, your God and heed his voice. Since the Lord, your God is a merciful God, he will not abandon and destroy you, nor forget the covenant which under oath he made with your fathers.

John 13:34-35 – I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.

Radiant Joy

Author: Beth Zanotelli, Family Life Coordinator for the Diocese of Palm Beach

Are the 10 Commandments a set of miserable laws that we are to follow because God wants to take the fun out of life? Does God intend for us to be filled with gloom and despair? In fact, the 10 commandments forbid sin, but they also point us to virtues to help us avoid sin! In this life, God desires joy for us. Make no mistake we must “labor in the fields” of life, but God gave us the gift of life and created us in His likeness and image…He desires for us to have a loving relationship with Him. The 10 Commandments allow us to enter into God’s love, they are not restrictions to our freedom. A life lived in a loving relationship with God, will be one filled with joy…radiant Joy! The problem is that many of us haven’t experienced this radiant joy, so many of us settle for what we know…fleeting happiness. If joy is found in the virtuous life of generosity, humility, gentleness, purity of heart, temperance, and fortitude, why would we want to live the temporary pleasures of a life of pride, greed, envy, anger, lust, gluttony, and laziness? Perhaps it’s easier to focus on ourselves in the present moment than on the ever-present love of God; perhaps we don’t have a relationship with God that fosters a virtuous life.

So, what is the difference between happiness and joy? Happiness is a reaction to pleasure. We are happy when we eat something delicious, when something good happens in our life, it is pleasurable. It is a reaction to an outside influence that we do not control. Happiness can be taken away when the flavor of the food is gone, when the good thing happening fades away. Joy is so much more.

In the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1720-1723), in the section about Christian Beatitude, we are called to “enter into the joy of the Lord”, this “beatitude” surpasses the understanding and powers of man. “It comes from an entirely free gift from God: whence it is called supernatural, as is the grace that disposes man to enter into the divine joy.” Paragraph 1723 says that “true happiness (joy) is not found in riches or well-being, in human fame or power, or in any human achievement – however beneficial it may be – such as science, technology, and art, or indeed in any creature but in God alone, the source of every good and of all love.”

Joy has many deeper meanings that can be seen more clearly in Holy Scripture. In Luke 1:44, joy is the response of the soul when “the child in my womb leaped for joy.” And when Zacchaeus met Christ, “He made haste, and came down; and received Him with joy. (Luke 1:44) Joy also is a personal fullness or completeness; it is a deep peace which comes from the Holy Spirit naturally dwelling within you. The joy from this indwelling stays with you even in difficult times. In John 16:22, “So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.” Best of all, joy is the fruit of faith, hope, and love. To be radiant with joy, have faith in God, hope in Him and above all know His love…this is true goodness that brings lasting peace.

Here’s what Scripture has to say:

Psalm 34:6 – Look to God that you may be radiant with joy and your faces may not blush for shame.

John 15:11 – I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. (Keep reading…)

John 17:13 – But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. (Keep reading…)

Romans 15:13 — May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 8:2 — for in a severe test of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their profound poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

Galatians 5:16-22 — In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

Hebrews 10:34 – You even joined in the suffering of those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you had a better and lasting possession.

What Were You Thinking…

*Author: Beth Zanotelli, Family Life Coordinator for the Diocese of Palm Beach*

A wise priest recently spoke about parenting in his homily. He said, “When your kids do something wrong rather than asking them, ‘What were you thinking?’…ask them, ‘What did you expect would happen?’”. It is a great question that can help all of us learn from our mistakes. This question causes us to intentionally think about our actions, something we could all benefit from! This question makes a case for being intentional and thinking before we act. Perhaps we would make fewer poor choices if we paused to think about the outcome of our actions more often and before we acted. It is important to consider that the outcome of our actions most often affects someone else’s life. Think about selfish actions like gossip, being judgmental, even speeding; on the positive side, think about giving a gift, saying something kind, offering help, or stopping when the light turns yellow. Each of these actions affects another person. Perhaps we should think of others more than we think of ourselves! Being more intentional in our actions, making ourselves a gift to others, thinking before we act and speak. All these things seem simple enough!

How can we be more intentional? At the beginning of the day, wake up thinking of the actions that will glorify God. We can offer our day to the Lord by saying, “This day is Yours, God – I give it to you!” We can think of ways to sacrifice for others, instead of ways to personally gain. We can ask ourselves, “What do I expect will happen?”

At the end of the day, we can do an examination of conscience. We can take time to think about the things that happened during the day; Ask ourselves if we thought before we acted; Ask ourselves how we impacted the life of another; ask ourselves if things turned out the way we expected…would God be glorified by our actions?

“What did we expect would happen?”, makes a great question for an examination of conscience before the Sacrament of Reconciliation. What did we think would happen if we were lazy and didn’t go to mass? What did we expect to happen when we judged someone by how they looked, or what they did? What did we expect to happen when we gossiped? What did we expect would happen when we ignored someone or cast them aside because we were too busy? What did we expect to happen when _______? Fill in the blanks.

Here’s what the scriptures have to say:

Ephesians 5:15-17 – Watch carefully then how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise, making the most of the opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 10:31 – So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.

John 15:13 – No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Hebrews 10:24-25 – We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works. We should not stay away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another, and this all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Philippians 3:13-14 – Brothers, I for my part do not consider myself to have taken possession. Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead, I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 4:32 – And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.

Squirrel!

The Collect for mass a few days ago said, “Show gracious favor, O Lord, we pray, to the works of penance we have begun, that we may have the strength to accomplish with sincerity the bodily observances we undertake.” We are in the first week of Lent and many, if not most of us have made some kind of commitment to fast, pray and give alms. Each of us has the best of intentions, however, we easily get distracted, especially from new undertakings. Some might call this the “squirrel effect”. We can be focused on one thing and then something else catches our attention, and “squirrel” we are off doing something completely different. How many times have we gone to do something, and then accomplished five other things but not the thing we originally set out to do? Probably several times each day!

Whether it is the season of Lent or any other time, it is important to try to rid ourselves of the vices in our lives and to build virtuous habits. Along the way, there are distractions that keep us from fully reaching our goal. Each day we need to wake up and be reminded of what our good intentions are for the day and pray “for the strength to accomplish with sincerity the bodily observances we undertake.” When we attempt to avoid distractions, we need to have a plan, we need strength for the journey! First, we must remember each day what we want to accomplish or avoid, and second, we need to keep the manner, or sincerity of the fast that God desires us to have. The first thoughts or words we have in the morning could be, “Good Morning, Lord, please help me keep my promises today!” or “Today, help me be faithful”. Beyond remembering our acts of penance for Lent, what is the manner we are making them happen? The prophet Isaiah asks “Is this the manner of fasting I wish, of keeping a day of penance?” (Isaiah 58:5) For many of us, this is quite a huge undertaking…remember the task and do it in a manner worthy of God. The truth of the Word of God exists to help us. Take time to pray with His Word. Avoid the Squirrels and focus on what matters! Here’s some strength for the journey:

Pray for the ability to focus, not on ourselves, but rather to make a gift of our lives. (1Peter4:10)
Help us to learn to always seek to do His will, not our own. (Matthew 6:33)
Make love the rule, in all relationships (even our relationship with ourselves) disregard self-interest and always think of others. (Philippians 2:4)
Prefer the good of others to our own. (Colossians 1: 9-12)

Here’s what the Scriptures have to say:

1 Peter 4:10 – As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.

Matthew 6:33 – But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.

Philippians 2:3-4 – Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also everyone for those of others.

Colossians 1:9-12 – Therefore, from the day we heard this, 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 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, strengthened with every power, in accord with his glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy giving thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light.

God is Love

Keep God as the focus of everything in your life, receive Him in the Eucharist and you will receive His grace, be healed, forgiven, and made whole because – God is Love!

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 begins with a list of characteristics describing love. Love is patient, kind, not jealous, not pompous, not inflated, not rude. The passage goes on to include that love does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, and doesn’t brood over injury. There is so much here, but to be clear, the opposite of brooding over injuries is forgiving those who offend us right away and from the heart. The list is not finished because 1 Corinthians continues by telling us that Love does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, which means it is willing to carry our load and sacrifice for each of us. To Love is to will the good of others. Love believes, hopes, and endures. Finally, Love never fails. What a beautiful description of God’s authentic love for His children.

God’s authentic love is far beyond what most of us are used to giving and receiving from one another. God loves us so much that he calls us to something greater. He welcomes us with open arms when we mess up and His love includes mercy and compassion. Even though we often fall short, we should not hesitate to ask Him for more than we feel worthy of receiving. In Matthew 8:8 the Centurion says, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.” These are the same words we recite before receiving Him in the Eucharist. All He has to do is say a word and we are healed, forgiven, and made whole. We receive His grace as we receive Him; With His grace we can authentically love one another.

Keep God as the focus of everything in your life, receive Him in the Eucharist and you will receive His grace, be healed, forgiven, and made whole because – God is Love!

Here’s what the Scriptures have to say:

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 – Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things endures all things. Love never fails…

1 John 4:7-8 – Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.

John 13:34-35 – I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

What are You Searching For?

The Feast of the Epiphany, this year, observed on January 8, is the celebration of the Magi who come from the East to find the King of Kings, the Christ child, so they could worship Him. They were searching for the fulfillment of prophecy, but it is likely they didn’t know what they would find. They knew there was something great, they knew there was something more. “Do you see what I see?” A star, announcing the birth of Christ! St. John Chrysostom spoke of “the star that remained after bringing them to the place, in order that the child might also be seen. For there is nothing conspicuous about the place. The inn was ordinary. The mother was not celebrated or notable. The star was needed to manifest and illumine the lowly place, until they had reached their destination at the manger.” At the manger, they encountered the Christ Child! They worshipped Him and gave Him gifts.

We all have a desire for something more, perhaps a quest for greatness. We are all searching in our own way. To know God and to know that He loves us is our greatest desire. We need to have faith, the size of a mustard seed to find what we search for. We need faith to encounter Jesus, the King of Kings. We need to follow the Light. When we have the grace of faith, we can recognize and believe what has been with us all along! What does it mean to believe? St. Thomas Aquinas says that “believing is an act of the intellect assenting to the divine truth by command of the will moved by God through grace”.

The kings traveled from afar to find Truth, to find the Prince of Peace, to find the King of Kings! When they found Him, they worshipped Him, and they gave Him extravagant gifts. They took the message of the Christ child back to their homeland so that others might share the light of Christ. Pray that you will find Him! Pray that you will be a good witness of the joy of the Christ child, the Gospel, the Light of the World! Take Him with you to the ends of the earth to help others find what they are searching for.

Here’s what the Scriptures have to say:

Matthew 2: 9-10 – …and behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star.

Matthew 5:14-16 – You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.

Isaiah 52:7 – How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, and saying to Zion, “Your God is King!”

O Come, Let Us Adore Him

“O Come Let Us Adore Him!” This phrase is heard so often during the Advent and Christmas Season. What does it mean to adore? If we break the word down, “adore” comes from the Latin “adorare” which means to speak to formally; to ask in prayer; to beseech. Let us Adore Him, is so much more than looking at the sweet newborn baby who is “adorable.” Perhaps the phrase should say, “O come let us pay honor to the One who deserves all praise”. Or better, “O come let us spend time face-to-face with the living God.” It might be best to say, “O come let us spend time gazing at Him in love and awe.”

When we make the sign of the cross – if done with reverence, it can be a moment of adoration, we can encounter His blessing and His love. Another sign of encounter is the incense that is used to show honor to the presence of Christ among us. Psalm 141 verse 2 says, “Let my prayer be incense before you”, the incense rises like our prayers to God. Incense is meant to call us deeper into worship of Our Lord.

When we adore the Lord in Eucharistic Adoration, we can increase our desire to receive Christ in the Eucharist at Mass. Pope Benedict XVI teaches us in his letter, Sacrimentum Caritatis, “In the Eucharist, the Son of God comes to meet us and desires to become one with us; Eucharistic Adoration is simply the natural consequence of the Eucharistic celebration, which is itself the Church’s supreme act of adoration.”

During prayer and reflection time, adore Him, adore Christ. Do we believe that He is truly present in the Eucharist? Do we trust Him with our whole life, our future? Could we trust Him more? Are we grateful for what God has done in our life? Especially during this season of Advent, let us be intentional in our prayers and take time to find Him, to spend time with Him and to Adore Him.

Here’s what the Scriptures have to say:

Psalm 95: 1-5 – Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord: cry out to the rock of our salvation. Let us greet him with a song of praise, joyfully sing out our psalms. For the Lord is the great God, the great king over all gods, whose hand holds the depths of the earth, who owns the tops of the mountains. The sea and dry land belong to God, how made them, formed them by hand.

Revelation 4:11 – Worthy are you, Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things; because of your will they came to be and were created.

Luke 4:8 – Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.’”

Ephesians 3:14 -19 – For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Thank You God!

How many times a day do you stop to say, “Thank You”? How often do you express your thanks, especially to God, your Creator? For your alarm clock…thank you God! For gainful employment…thank you God! Maybe you are blessed to raise your children and not work outside the home…thank you God! For a cup of coffee…thank you God! When it is someone’s birthday, do you thank God for the gift of this person’s life…THANK YOU GOD!

God created us in His divine image, male and female He created us. (Genesis 1:27) This means He made each of us good, in fact very good, both body and soul. It means He didn’t want us to be alone, so He gave us one another for loving relationships. He created Male and Female to complement each other. God created you OUT of His love for you. God created you FOR love from others. And God created you TO love others. Our lives are to be a gift of love to one another. God created us, with our bodies, to make visible the seemingly invisible love of God. “The body, in fact, and only the body, is capable of making visible what is invisible; the spiritual and the divine. It has been created to transfer into the visible reality of the world the mystery hidden from eternity in God, and thus to be a sign of it.” (Theology of the Body 19:4) Let that settle in your heart, YOU were created specifically to be a visible reality to others in our world of the mystery of our God and to be a sign of it…Thank you God!

God created us in His divine image, male and female He created us. (Still from Genesis 1:27) God is perfect and everything He does is perfect. In the Catechism of the Catholic Church it says, “The divine image is present in everyone. It shines forth in the communion of persons, in the likeness of the unity of the divine persons among themselves.” (CCC 1702) You and every person you know are made in God’s image and so reflect some aspect of God to the world. Human persons most clearly reflect God in our relationships. Our relationship with God, with ourselves, with one another, and with creation.

Take time to say, “Thank You God!” for your relationships…if they are not loving relationships, ask God how you can make them more loving. Thank God for helping you as you mend your relationships with Him, with yourself, with others and with creation. Thank God for His Mercy and for creating you, creating you VERY GOOD…THANK YOU GOD!