Inspiration

Halloween Goodness

Reflections for contemplative living

Did you know that the true substance of Halloween belongs to the Catholic Church?

Any violence, gore, sensuality, or demonism now commonly associated with Halloween is not, in fact, true to the origins of this holiday (by the way, the word “holiday” comes from the words “holy day”).

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Inspiration

Whose Am I?

Reflections for contemplative living

As I reflect on my life, most things have come easy to me.  Seeking to understand myself better, I see how this draws me towards comfort rather than greatness.  I tend to take the path of least resistance until I take the first step to do something different.

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Inspiration

A New Heart

Reflections for contemplative living

Do I allow negative self-talk, fear, guilt, selfishness, or pride stop me from giving my heart completely to God? Are there hidden wounds stopping me from trusting in God and His goodness? Am I allowing Jesus to go deeper into my heart and heal me?

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Inspiration

Key to Life

Reflections for contemplative living

It is said that righteousness is the key to life. I’ve always struggled with this word because it seemed judgy or pompous. But in wrestling with its definition as defined in its deeper spiritual meaning, I’m learning that righteousness is the quality of being right in the eyes of God, including character (nature), conscience (attitude), conduct (action), and command (word). Righteousness is, therefore, based upon God’s standard because He is the ultimate Lawgiver (Isaiah 33:22)

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Inspiration

Missing Ingredient 

Reflections for contemplative living

In our beautiful and broken world, we see hostile situations arise daily, whether it’s a new war between countries or conflict in our homes. As Christians, we are given God’s gift of peace. This is a choice to always turn to peace and we need to nurture and grow this within ourselves.  Our peace directly impacts our families and those we encounter each day, bringing light into the world. This is creating a culture of mercy and compassion which calls for a constant state of forgiveness.  Without forgiveness, there is no peace.

Forgiveness adds dignity. 

As Pope Francis recently said, “forgiveness takes away nothing from you but adds dignity to the person, it makes us lift our gaze from ourselves towards others, to see them as fragile as we are, yet always brothers and sisters in the Lord. Brothers and sisters, forgiveness is the wellspring of a zeal that becomes mercy and calls us to a humble and joyful holiness.”

Thank you, Lord, for helping us see that Your peace is the missing ingredient in our hearts. 

Inspiration

Seeking Peace and Justice

Reflections for contemplative living

Our hearts are heavy with the weight of the world right now.  I’m realizing what Pope St. John XXIII meant “When the family suffers, the rest of society crumbles.” We are definitely living in times where the walls of society feel like they are tumbling down. 

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Inspiration

Who God Meant Me To Be

Reflections for contemplative living

Priorities, we all have them. I don’t know about you, but I know when mine are out of whack. At times, I used to race from one thing to another barely having time to go to the bathroom. I bought into the lie that my worthiness was defined by my productivity.

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