A few years ago, a dear friend gave me this coffee mug, “All I need is a little bit of coffee, and a whole lot of Jesus.” And that just about sums up my prayer life!
I was born into a faithful family, baptized and confirmed here at Church, so I was blessed with a good foundation. But my personal prayer life started as a young mom when a friend invited me to my very first Bible study. Each Tuesday morning, with babies and toddlers in tow, we’d head off to discuss our study. It was an exciting time, filled with discoveries! I purchased my very first personal Study Bible, and I began to highlight verses, write notes in the margins and favorite verses in the inside cover of my Bible. Scripture came alive and I began to connect Scripture with my crazy, busy, messy life. Sixth Sunday of Easter: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/052117.cfm
“Hurry Mama, hurry,” pleaded three-year-old Freddy. Frightened by his urgent cry for help, Laura sped to the emergency room and insisted he be seen immediately. Her persistence saved Freddy’s life, as they discovered he was experiencing an episode of Myocarditis, a virus to the heart, which has a 40% mortality rate. Laura, like a mama bear, advocates tenaciously for her children, ever since their twins were born prematurely two years earlier. She contends every person needs an advocate in the hospital or care facility. Each person needs the advocacy of a good parent, concerned friend, dedicated teacher, or caring healer. Every few days, another news story surfaces of an adult attempting to lure a teen from home through social media. Often the young person is captivated by the voice of abductor, who entices through seductive words. Certainly, this is a “thief” Jesus refers to in this Sunday’s Gospel, coming “only to steal and slaughter and destroy.” Jesus, on the other hand, is the gate to abundant life ~ here and in heaven!
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ReflectionsThe blog on this page presents reflections on the Sunday readings through the lens of a parent/grandparent, aiding leaders of the domestic church in their vital task as “first heralds” or “first preachers” of the Good News in the home. Archives
December 2021
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