"I will put my spirit in you that you may live, and I will settle you upon your land; thus you shall know that I am the Lord. I have promised, and I will do it, says the Lord." Ezekiel 37:14

This happened to be one of the reading we had to refer to today in our Bible Study on Acts. Hmmm. "I need to be U" has a new meaning now. Sometimes we don't always think that what we do has an effect on those around us. The spirit of the Lord dwells within us and has the capability of using us to bring about love for others. That whole chapter 37 of Ezekiel is packed with examples of life today. Without God we are just a heap of dry bones, with God and His spirit dwelling within us we are alive.

Our next session is on Paul's letter to the Corinthians. Our leader said that it will have a lot to do with the Holy Spirit. He also stated that being as we have been together as a group for a couple years that he would like to bring in any experience we might like to share. Then he said something I haven't heard in a long time and that was; "remember that the gifts you have been given were given to be shared with others so that to strengthen and build others in their faith." These same words I used with a man that roomed with men in Medugorje. He was single, quiet, and lived with his mother. For some reason he was called to Medugorje and he expressed that frustration to me as we talked over dinner a couple nights. On the third night he said nothing. After dinner was over I sat and waited drinking a glass of wine and just mixed in light conversation. When everyone else had got up and left the table except this man I asked him what had happened. His response was the normal nothing, only his voice told a totally different story. I pressed him to open up and talk about it. He did just that amidst tears of joy and the gift that had been given to him. When all was done he said that he couldn't tell anyone back home. I asked him why, and he expressed that everyone would think he was crazy (Jesus). It was then that I gave him the same words that had been given to me; "you have been given a gift now you must share it." It wasn't until a couple years later that I ran into this man again and I could not help but ask him if he ever told anyone. He not only told someone but also talked before a couple groups with his testimony.
A story yes, but a little meaning as well. When I give Communion a lot of times I end with the prayer; may Jesus continue to be our guiding light and our eternal hope. Today as we ended our Bible study my prayer was for our families and that we as parents may continue to be a guiding light to our children.

Passion

Last week being Passion week drew a clearer meaning at our Legion of Mary meeting. The reflection was on things of our life that have caused us pain and take those memories and relate them to Jesus and what He endured. Last week alone brought me a cane to use, a shoe needed to be repaired costing twice as much, a sore on my ankle, and a couple hours extra every night at work with some added attitudes to fill in. When Saturday came I thought of that reflection that was given at the beginning of the week and I thought how very little suffering I had really had. God took all that suffering Jesus did and it was turned into good, in that it save mankind. I thought what could this little suffering I had done bring about. It was then that I offered it up. If I offered it up to be put together with others who did the same I truly feel, like the Passion, we will come into a deeper meaning of the Resurrection, for it is in giving that we receive.
May this Easter season be one of joy with a deeper understanding that we are to follow Christ footsteps in order to come into the fullness of God's love for each of us. The Lord is with me to the end. Lord, your love endures forever. Psalm 138:8

Priest

There is always so much negative reporting going on that sometimes I think it would be good to just have a positive news channel which only highlights the negative. Catholic priest are one that have taken a real hit when it comes to negative reporting and I feel if you put the numbers together you will find the good that has come from them never really gets recognized. It was a Catholic priest that went to my parents and encouraged them to keep me in catholic school and paid my tuition. I was a catholic priest that taught me these key words, that we made fun of in school, to analyze and adapt. It was a catholic priest that welcomed us and introduced us to other members of the parish when we had to move into another town. It was a catholic priest who heard that our children were going to different schools and made all the arrangements possible to get them into one school. It was a catholic priest that heard we were having some financial problems that came over to our house and offered us some financial aid. It was a catholic priest that spoke to us in time of need and helped us get through some difficult times. It is a catholic priest that is my spiritual director and helped me, directed me, and encouraged me then heard my confession and absolved me.
There are many many more examples that would highlight the good works of catholic priest, these are just a few of my own. The major one is that their hands are blessed and they offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, bringing us the gift of the Holy Eucharist. He can bring us the gift of forgiveness through the Sacrament of Penance, and bring us the Sacrament of the Sick. Blessed be his hands, and may he also be blessed in the fullness of Gods Grace to strengthen him.
Prayer for our priest, support them, encourage them, for without them we loose Jesus!!!!