[Prayer adapted from Washington’s Circular Letter to the States, which he wrote on June 8, 1783 as the commander in chief, at his headquarters in Newburgh, New York.]
Pray to St. Thomas More for his guidance as a citizen and as an intercessor for our elected political leaders.
May God Be Praised.
Five [More] Suggestions for Making Today an Exceptional Day
1. Today is a gift for you to honor God, do that joyfully.
2. Choose to give God the gift of your actions today.
3. Starting over and over is acknowledging that you are human.
4. Choose a virtue to work on today and practice it all day.
5. Show gratitude often today, and when tomorrow gets here it will be today, so you can show gratitude again.
May God Be Praised.
Five Suggestions for Making Today an Exceptional Day:
1. 1. Be appreciative often.
2. 2. Faith has all the answers you need, but you must TRUST.
3. 3. Don’t be too proud to laugh at yourself.
4. 4. Talk a walk enjoy the air.
5. 5. Develop a short memory for hurts and a long memory helps.
Check back tomorrow for five more suggestions.
May God Be Praised.
Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110324.cfm
“What To Say When You Roll Out of Bed?”
Several years ago, a radio station ran a contest. DJs invited their listeners "Just for fun, … when you wake up to the sound of FM-106, call and tell us the first words you said when you rolled out of bed…. the third caller will win $106."
The next morning, "Caller number three, what did you say when you rolled out of bed this morning?"
A groggy voice said, "Do I smell coffee burning?"
Another day, a sleepy worker said, “Oh no, I am late for work.” It was a funny contest and got a big audience.
One morning, however, the third caller said something unusual.
The station phone rang. "Good morning, this is FM-106. You're on the air. What did you say when you rolled out of bed this morning?"
A voice with a Bronx accent replied, "You want to know my first words in the morning?" The enthusiastic DJ said, "Yes, sir! Tell us what you said."
The caller responded, "[Shema, Israel]... Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might."
After a moment of embarrassing silence, the radio announcer said, "Sorry, wrong number," & went to a commercial. [Adopted from Sermons.com 11/03/2024]
Our society pushes against religion in the public square. But our Readings offer us two takeaways: 1. we should not be embarrassed or afraid to share our faith, our religion and 2. Our faith should inform and guide our daily life.
In our Gospel Jesus answers the scribe by synthesizing The Shema, [Deuteronomy 6] love of God, with “love our neighbor.” [Leviticus 19:18] Interestingly the scribe responds by referring to the Book of Hosea [6], God desires that we know Him and love Him. Jesus tells the scribe he; the scribe is not far from the Kingdom.
Most of us learned in grade school that we needed to show our work; how we arrived at our answers on our homework or on tests. We show our work of loving God by loving our neighbor. This proverb might help us discern the reality of God and our neighbor.
“I sought God, my God I could not see.
I sought my soul, my soul eluded me.
I sought my neighbor and I found both.”
[William Bausch, Once Upon A Gospel, p. 305, A Persian Proverb]
In 1955 the famous singer, Frank Sinatra recorded the song, “Love and Marriage.” It contains these lyrics, “Love & Marriage … go together like a horse & carriage … You can’t have one without the other.” Jesus proclaims that Love of God and love of neighbor go together; you cannot have one without the other.
In the Synod that just conclude in Rome, Pope Francis said, “[As] … the Church we are called to ‘dream’ …. A Church is the servant of all, the servant of the least of our brothers & sisters…. with open doors that is a haven of mercy.” [St. Louis University Sunday Web Site, Anne Osdieck]
“To have a Christian love for our neighbors is to love God in them, or them in God.” [de Sales, Treatise on the Love of God]
Today we are reminded, Hear, O Catholics at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, “…. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself.”
For a few minutes think about what you will say when you roll out of bed tomorrow?
May God Be Praised.
Today our scriptures remind us to “fear no evil.”
Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110224.cfm
And, this morning, I want to share two stories with you.
1. Bishop Ricardo Ramirez was the Bishop of Las Cruces [New Mexico] 1982 to 2013.
His Grandma visited a few days before his ordination as a bishop. “Abuela [Grandma] what have you been doing lately?”
She said, “Having a good time.” “What do you do at 90 to have a good time?”
“I’ve been going to funerals.”
“You’ve been having a good time going to funerals.”
“Yes, we drink coffee, tell stories, meet old friends, it is wonderful, we have a great time.”
“Grandma, how can you have a good time when somebody dies?”
She looked straight into the bishop’s eyes and said, “Haven’t you learned yet, it is a privilege to die!” Bishop Ramirez reflected, “In all my years of theological study and reflection, I never heard it put that way.” A couple of weeks later as his grandma was near death, she kept repeating, “I just want to see the face of God.”
What a beautiful way to live while here on earth.
2. The second story is about the ordinary
Mike Billas! Mike’s Dad had Alzheimer’s disease. Every other weekend for ten years Mike drove 85 miles [one way] to his boyhood home to help his mom take care of his dad. Mike was a teacher, a principal, a coach, and a devoted husband. After that ten-year pilgrimage, his dad died in the summer. The November after his dad’s death Mike was diagnosed with cancer shortly after Thanksgiving. Mike was my brother’s best friend; he was 50 years old when he died from stomach cancer. In January, my brother visited Mike and during the visit, he asked Mike if he was mad at God. Mike said “No, Jim – God gave me 50 wonderful years, great parents, super sisters, a loving wife and terrific friends.”
What a wonderful Attitude for any Christian to have, Mike’s last act on this earth was an ordinary one [one that you and I often do], he blessed himself. Then he folded his arms and went home to God. St. Francis de Sales said, “Saints are people who people who do ordinary things extraordinarily well.” This morning as we celebrate and pray for All Souls remember Mike Billas, “In the name ….” and Grandma Ramirez “It’s a privilege to die.”
Spend some time Reflecting on how you are living?
May God Be Blessed.
