Getting some constructive criticism this morning that I am too wordy....I will try to make this more concise today. Fr Pinckaers (2008) speaks of the beatitudes - our Gospel reading for today's mass- as "the responce of Christ to the question of happiness." To fulfill the beatitudes "is only attainable through the way of love... This love makes us free because it makes us act of our own accord,by our own inclination and spiritual enjoyment, in immitation of Christ and according to the preferences of the Spirit... This is the work of the Beatitudes which lead us from poverty and humility to purity and peace in hearts that have become entirely receptive to the action of the Spirit."
Our first calf arrives healthy and two weeks old...by trailer. "The Beatitudes express the meaning of discipleship...What the Beatitudes mean cannot be expressed in purely theoretical terms; it is proclaimed in the life and suffering, and in the mysterious joy, of the disciple who gives himself over completely to following the Lord." Pope Benedict XVI
Using little sister Marianna's photography - that shows in a small way - Susan's/Hallel's journey into falling in love with the Community of the Lamb, and then entering the Community.... I will concisely reflect on the wonderful gift that Jesus gave us in teaching us the Beatitudes as He taught us - The Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5: 1-12 - "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs in the kingdom of heaven." The less distracted we are by all that there is pulling at us in our lives, and all those things that we allow into our hearts and minds - the closer we are at each moment to Him, and the little piece of heaven we can find in His presence... deep within our hearts and minds. WE need to protect that simplicity with a vengence!
"Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted." The tears shed for the unborn that are killed by abortion every minute of every day comes to mind here. I am in the midst of reading the book Unplanned by Abby Johnson... she was a director at a Planned Parenthood in Texas, who came over to prolife now.... after seeing an abortion done while using ultrasound... a sister in full habit would stand outside her abortion clinic, and fall to her knees in tears as a woman would come out of the clinic after having aborted her child... All working inside were wrenched by the sight of this, and little by little it had it's life changing effect on Abby! We must continue to work for LIFE,and to weep and so many lights that have been lost!
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land." My nephew, Sam, is here and I put in a Danielle Rose's CD called, I Thirst... On it is the litany of Humility that she put to song, while sitting in the presence of the Euchasist in Adoration - in the Presence of HIM she writes all he amazing songs! The Litany ends with a plea to Jesus to teach us how to accept all the hard things that come to us in life, with the humility that Christ has due to the "meek and humble of heart, Jesus." In Him we truly are able to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven - life forever with Him! 
"Blessed are those that hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied." I am thinking about the book that I just finished about the life of Mother Angelica... She faced so many odds , but always clearly saw the Truth, and felt that Jesus, her spouse, was asking her to accomplish things that were crazy out of this world amazing! Like starting a printing business, or starting a Catholic TV network from nothing and with no materials, or equipment, or understanding of how it all has to happen. But she felt deeply led to educate and encourage the Catholic population to see the Truth of our wise and all seeing Church, and therefore no obstacle was too large to surmount even with numerous physical problems and handicaps... She surely saw huge results from her work, and even Pope John Paul II... appreciated her hard and tireless work, and encouraged her! What she accomplished through her perseverance is such a powerful lesson to us, that go forward with our small sharing in the ministry of our Church, and the Lord calls us to small stands for righteousness compared to her! Yet, we too are satisfied as we charge forward into battle!
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." The life story of ST Faustina is what speaks to me here as she was a powerful instrument, who was used by the Lord.... directing us to his heart burning with love and mercy for us - his endless mercy! The Divine Mercy chaplet is powerful for me... as I pray for those loved ones in my life that have gone before me into death! I feel that we all need additional prayers, as we face our maker in our imperfections - and I hope and pray that I will have many behind here on earth to be praying for me!
"Blessed are the clean of heart,for they will see God." Wow! This one is crystal clear to me... as I see how the two religious communities in our lives work very hard to keep the distractions of life from entering in, and taking their time with our Lord away.... NO TV, NO newspaper, No internet for anything other than buisness... so much clouding our thoughts, and minds, and hearts... keep us from clearly seeing God! Turn off the TV at night and do some amazing spiritual reading, and you will see God with new and open eyes! 
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God." All children are happiest when they are getting along with their siblings, and their parent smiles at them, and gives them a hug, and thanks them for sharing or playing nicely... a lesson to us all!
"Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." How many times do we face the sad state of affairs in our lives? The many times that we "see" the Truth, and hear with disbelief from those that have no understanding of it, or desire to follow it... Our beliefs are trampled, and we try to speak up for them, or take to prayer the intention of this sad state of affairs! We need to put our voice behind the Truth more! We want the kingdom of heaven to become more and more recognized as a place that we all want to strive for! Heaven comes to meet earth when the sacrament of the Eucharist is shared!
"Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven." How can this mean that we will find happiness by being ridiculed and persecuted for our following Christ? - it sounds like an awful existance... But where do we find eternal happiness - IN HEAVEN! Forever with the source of life and love - our Lord and Savior! Thinking of the Martyrs here and how we are too called upon to stand for the Truth no matter what! Will we be ready, and able, and willing? 
Bless-bless, Barb
"Let your face shine on your servant, and save me by your love. Lord, keep me from shame, for I have called to you." Psalm 30: 17-18
No comments:
Post a Comment