Tag: Inspiration

Being Loved

Wholeness is Freedom

Smitten With Goodness

I recently came across the concept of the cosmic egg and have been contemplating this idea. This concept is a great visual of the transformation Christ is drawing us into. It is the path of the mystic or someone in a personal, intimate relationship with the divine. The person who lives within the total cosmic egg is the mystic, the prophet, the universal human, the saint, the whole one living in Christ.

True transcendence frees us from the tyranny of I am, the idolatry of we are, and the scapegoating of they are. When all four stories are taken seriously, as the Bible shows us very well, we have a full life—fully human and fully divine.  – Richard Rohr

This path is what is meant by “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” The path of discipleship is the path of self-sacrificing love, and that means the path of suffering.

And the great paradox: “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the Gospel will save it.” Put that over on your screensaver. There is no better one-line guide to the happy life.

Being Loved

Mystery of Relationship

Smitten With Goodness

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day where we honor our love relationships, whether a spouse, trusted friend or child. As you prepare your cards, gifts or make reservations for a special dinner, have you taken the time to reflect on the quality of the relationship you are celebrating?

Relationships are not to be understood and fixed and solved. They are the mysteries of life to be enjoyed and help us grow.

How are your relationships helping you stretch and grow into the best version of yourself? If not, where is the love?

Being Loved

Hope Does Not Disappoint

Smitten With Goodness

Today we celebrate the World Day of the Sick and the Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes. May all who are suffering find consolation and strength through our prayers, and the prayers of the Blessed Mother.

The theme is “Hope Does Not Disappoint” inspired by St. Paul in Romans 5:5. It is a prayer for God’s healing presence in the world’s ailments. 

Our prayer today is grounded in reflection, and solidarity with those who are ill and their caregivers. We recognize the inherent dignity of every person, express commitment to providing support, love, and care to those in need and call upon individuals, communities, and institutions to extend a helping hand.

Our Lady of Lourdes, please 🙏🏻 pray for us!

    Being Loved

    Doing Nothing

    Smitten With Goodness

    Often when we think of the sin of pride, we think of someone (not ourselves), who constantly talks about how amazing they are. We are prideful whenever we seek to divorce ourselves from God, and rely solely on our own merits. Interestingly, we can be prideful when we refuse the gifts God has given us and simply do nothing with them.

    St. Francis de Sales points this out in his Introduction to the Devout Life:

    God’s Will is that we should be perfect, uniting ourselves to Him, and imitating Him to the utmost of our powers. The proud man who trusts in himself may well undertake nothing.

    When we refuse to do God’s will in our lives, or refuse to preach the Gospel in any way, we are being prideful.

    We are trusting more in ourselves than in God.

    Left to ourselves, we cannot do anything and it is only through God’s grace can we accomplish anything on this earth. When we humble ourselves is when we are strong.

    We certainly may be a sinful vessel, but God still can use us if we let him. God may not be calling us to preach on the street corners, or to become a priest or nun, but we can bring Christ to everyone we meet. The key is to do something, letting God use us however he wishes.

    Lord please use me as an instrument of your peace today and do your will. Amen

    Being Loved

    Voice of Our Heart

    Smitten With Goodness

    The process of discovering another person in a relationship is endless. This discovering and rediscovering of each other is intimacy. We long for intimacy.

    Relationships are not a task to be finished so you can move on to the next task. Being in relationship is a process to be enjoyed and is the life work of our hearts. This is true in our relationship with God.

    What words are in your heart today yearning to be heard by your Creator, Comforter, Healer, Savior?

    “When we pray, the voice of the heart must be heard more than the proceedings from the mouth.”— St. Bonaventure

    Being Loved

    Gods Secret

    Smitten With Goodness

    As we read the story of our salvation history in the bible, we see that Israel discovered God had only one motivation, to show gratuitous love. He loved His people so much that He gave his only Son and gave us an everlasting love. But do you believe the words of St John that God IS love?

    God’s very being is love. By sending his only Son and the Spirit of Love in the fullness of time, God has revealed his innermost secret: God himself is an eternal exchange of love, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and he has destined us to share in that exchange. (CCC 221)

    And to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God’s should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. (Ephesians 3:9-12)