Keep smiling...

We live in a world of unique and gifted people.

Last night was Culture Night in Wicklow and I guess everywhere in Ireland too.

One of the many performances was in the Dominican Chapel which is blessed with many stained glass windows by Harry Clarke, a genius in his given craft.

Musicians / singers / choirs took part to make it a magical evening for all those who came to listen and enjoy.

This is just a small picture of the wonderfully talented people of Ireland.

We have a lot to smile about, so please, keep smiling!

Forgiveness...

It's not always easy to forgive, especially when we feel hurt by the words or actions of another person.  It might even feel out of the question to do so.

Why should I forgive?

The answer, if we reflect for a moment in peaceful silence, is because we want to be free!

There is a great freedom given to us when we are able and willing to forgive someone who has hurt us, willingly or unwillingly..  

The hurt could be something great or something small. No matter, what matters most is that we can come away from the hurtful feelings inside and openly forgive the wrong done to us.

Feelings can be deceitful and may even be untrue, yet the truth remains that we 'feel' hurt.

Freedom is the prize that we aim for when we are of a good heart and are willing to forgive.

Perhaps one of the persons we may also need to forgive is ourselves.

The action may be unwarranted, yet the hurt feeling is real.

A forgiving heart heals All! 

Happy am I...

What a wonderful statement to make, ' Happy am I... '

No matter what happens in our lives, we can always put love first and say to ourselves, Happy am I.

When our image of God is that of a loving Father, then we are reassured that we are worthy of love and so we are able to love.

Good days come our way and also days that bring about anxiety and worry.

Never mind, we are called to be saints and yet we can allow ourselves to a 'work in progress'.

Being imperfect and making mistakes does not trouble God,  only us and our opinion of ourselves.

Put anxiety aside and focus on being a happy person.

This is how we show our love for God and each other too.

COMPASSION

Today is a 'sad-memory' day for a lot of people who suffered the loss of loved ones and awakened in the world a huge need for an understanding of evil.
Each one of us has such an ability to love / to care / to share our lives with others.
We also have a dark side where hate can creep in and destroy our lives and the lives of others.
God, who is Love,  created us in His Image and Likeness, to bring a Light into the world.
Whoever we are and wherever we are, this is our calling in life, to ensure that Love is put first in our lives above everything else.
We might ask ourselves, how do we do this?
The answer is so simple, it can be almost overlooked...
It's a question of honesty with ourselves and how we live our lives.
Do I make room others in my life?
Do I love those I live with and ensure they are part of my reason for living.
The Christian-minded person will look to the example of Christ and His teachings,
'Love one another as I have loves you'.  

GOD'S ARMY

When visiting Knock, a few days ago, I became aware of the need for 'soldiers' to fight on the good side in the battle against evil.
We may be a person who believes in the Presence of God and also His absence where evil seems to thrive.  Or, we may simply like to move with the flow and happy to believe in a Divine Presence.

In truth, who and whatever we are is of less importance than who we believe God to be.

The Bible tells us about Jesus and how He has redeemed the world by dying on the Cross.

Are we able to believe this or is it a struggle to come to terms with the Gift of our Faith?

I believe there is a battle going on, the force of good versus the force of evil.

How effective we can be will be determined by how strong our belief is in God Almighty..

Confirmation is the Sacrament that empowers us to become a soldier of Christ.

We are told, God can do anything and yet the respect and reverence God has for our freedom of choice curtails His influence on our lives.

God depends on the good will of each person to be true to themselves and their commitment to willingly respond to God's love for us.

The battle is on in the world today.  Evil does exist.

Can we be faithful to our calling to become a soldier of Christ, someone who truly loves God..

Am I willing to be a member of God's Army?
When I recall the people I met and saw in Knock; families with children / religious / older couples / single folk / workers etc.  quietly praying and giving time to God, then I realise that these are truly God's Army!

KNOCK

A recent visit to Knock revived and renewed my faith in God and especially in people.

It makes sense that when Our Lady appeared in Knock, she showed herself to the local people, young and old, people of simple Faith.

Times have changed and the present standard of the world affords us opportunities to gain knowledge and education and better standards of living etc.

This is good, up to a point, yet what a shame if we lose the wisdom and knowledge that comes from having and using our Faith in God's goodness.

My impression of Knock is a place where simplicity and honesty and good-will are fostered and welcomed and helps us to go back to the roots of our beliefs, in knowing that we have a Loving Mother and that God is present in our lives and loves us with all the wonder of a Father's Love.