Saturday, May 22, 2021

GOOD COMPANY


Whenever we have the gift of being in Good Company, we will find ourselves liberated and able to have courage to do many things we might never do alone.

We are so affected by our environment / our upbringing/ our education.  We become part of what we know and believe to be right.

However, as we develop as a person, we may need to stand alone, out of respect for what we believe to be true.  Just like the saints of old; their Faith was so strong that they could not deny the Truth, and they were willing to die for love of God.

We may not be asked to become a Hero or a Saint, yet each day we are obliged to live according to our Faith. Being in Good Company will offer us support and encouragement to be true to ourselves.

'Where two or more are gathered together in My Name, there I am  in their midst.'

 

Monday, May 17, 2021

LOVE ONE ANOTHER...


 The Christian Message is all about Love.  We are commanded to Love One Another as Christ loves us.  A very positive and inspiring command, yet not always easy to put into practice. 

Perhaps the challenge lies mostly in our love for ourselves.  This may be positive, because if we cannot love ourselves, then it will be difficult for us to learn to love others.

However, in practice, loving ourselves can lead on to a certain worship of a faulty creature who is already flawed with weaknesses.  This is not God's intention.

The person who loves themselves truly, will be honest / brave / unselfish in the true sense.  This person would be a saint!  

Well, I for one, know I am not a saint.  I can and will try to attain this honorable  state of being, and in doing so will realize that when I care for and love others, I learn to be true to myself and hopefully learn to follow the examples of the saints.

Such a happy challenge, to put LOVE first. We have no right to feel bad about others, or ourselves.  We are made in the image and likeness of God.  Imagine that.

Love and then Love will become our best Teacher.

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

WEAK versus STRONG

Being strong and able to face the challenges that come our way, is good.  We are in a state of grace and able to respond to the inspirations that God sends us. In a way, we can feel on top of the World!

However, when we are feeling weak and unable to respond to grace, we are left in a state of weakness.  What might have seemed easy at one time, now becomes a challenge for us. We need help.

Being weak does not agree with our natural state and so, we can feel discouraged.  All the positive things we were able to do before, now seem impossible.  Our spirits are low, yet deep within we realize that it may simply be a natural state.  We need a rest, or a walk near the sea.  What is most important is to give no attention to how we feel.

Feelings take us UP and DOWN.  Some days we are able to do the most heroic actions.  Next day, we are like a child who needs a mother to guide and help us.

This is the most positive side to being WEAK.  We can simply ask our blessed Mother Mary, to help us.  She doesn't need to be asked twice.  As soon as we know and confirm our state of weakness, Mary will be beside us, helping us to be the best that we can be.

When we are WEAK, then we are STRONG, because the whole of Heaven and especially our blessed Mother will come to  our aid.  We just have to acknowledge how weak we are and have the courage and good sense to ask for help!



  

Thursday, May 6, 2021

RESILIENCE

 The word RESILIENCE means to 'jump back', to recover quickly from trouble or illness; a good word for us coming away from our pandemic world of fear and worry and uncertainty of what the future has to offer.

We can be like children, looking for comfort in the freedom we hope to have.  Most of us will enjoy the simple pleasures of meeting up with friends and the luxury of sitting down to share a coffee and a chat.

For myself, a trip to Glendalough was a pure delight. We were blessed with sunshine, The place was filled with families, enjoying the monastic city as if it was a giant playground!

This was a great example for me to see how resilient families with small children have adapted to a new way of life.  The place was a 'picnic' haven with most people using the picnic benches and tables, and others relaxing on the grass with plenty of room to have their family 'bubble' and still meet friends in an atmosphere of playful enjoyment.

I enjoyed the board walk which led down to God's Cottage where one can enjoy quiet meditation in the little Chapel, and buy cards and books in the shop. Such a good lesson to see how simple life can be, with the addition of a takeway coffee or ice-cream!