In these turbulent times that we live in, I often feel called to pray for the ones who are alone. So many of our brothers and sisters are ill, elderly, lonely, and separated from their loved ones, and it breaks my heart. Yet, this time is an opportunity for all of us to help carry each other’s burdens in physical action and mindful prayer.
May we always pray for and support one another, for where one might fail, two might succeed by helping each other. It is in our fellowship that we express our unity. Those of us who follow the way of the cross, are aware of the weight. We may be encouraged when we find someone walking with us to lighten the burden, in this we become of one mind and heart. If you ever had the chance to hear a heart synchronized with yours, then you know how joyful it is to come together like that… I visualize us as a rowing team, a group united in fellowship, a choreography of movement, working together as a singular effort to the urging of a guiding voice. This sounds to me like the Christian life for those of us out in the world, as it is in the sharing of a purpose and in the merging of our actions that we come together in Christ. Sharing this heavenly purpose makes us part of something greater than our single selves and closer to what we are called to be: the body of Christ. It is like the image of Moses and Levi from the Book of Exodus, with the Hebrews following shoulder to shoulder as they cross through the desert together (c.f. Exodus 32:26). This is meant to be the same way for us today. Our priests do not walk alone but alongside God and abreast of us, the lay people. We are a modern version of the Exodus, leaving the old world behind... but while our walk through life looks different than a desert crossing, the mission of hope is still lived, suffered, and shared together. We are still meant to go forward in the fulness of hope, active in faith and with charity towards our fellow brothers and sisters.
Let us consider that what we do with our lives really does mean something, and our sacrifices are not so insignificant as to have no value in the eyes of God. On the contrary, they are as much a treasure to share and offer as those of anybody, for their real value is tied to our dignity as the beloved children of the Heavenly Father.
Our fellowship has value, and our hope helps define us. With God’s help, we shall continually strengthen our hope that our stride may be purposeful on our path home.
During the Exodus, Moses, in anger, lost the right to step foot on the Holy Land… but even then, he kept his hope… so our merciful God allowed him to glimpse at the land of milk and honey (c.f. Deuteronomy 34:1-5). In time, those of us, brothers and sisters who persist in our faith and our hope, shall also get to see the promised land, for it has been promised by the One who is worthy. In fact, whenever we partake of the Holy Eucharist, in that most beautifully intimate moment when we commune with Christ directly, we glimpse Heaven in fellowship with all the faithful! Let us embrace our hope and continue along our path, together in fellowship with our brothers and sisters that walk alongside Christ. May we go through our modern Exodus and prevail on the blessed road to Heaven. Let us pray: Lord, help us remain faithful and hopeful. May we stay firmly together on the road to Heaven. Amen.
0 Comments
 Dearest Eucharistic Family, In the Gospel of Mark, the crowd proclaims that Jesus is out of His mind. (cf. Mark 3:20-21) Perhaps Jesus is out of His mind and in His heart. In a heart that beats to glorify God, Our Heavenly Father. We are in ordinary time after a busy Christmas Season, with Lent only a few weeks away. We have received the gift of the Christ Child. We are in Ordinary Time now to serve Christ's Church and soon to recall the Passion of God's love for us. What keeps us out of our minds? Prayer! Prayer aids us to find the pulsation of God within. The world is dismissed in its madly manner as we pray, and the divine life is revealed.
To find the loveable within comes from an annihilation of the spirit, an emptying of self and grace to find its way from the mind to the heart. For God so loved the world. His mind was animated by the perfection of love, and the heart of God gave us everything; He gave to us His only begotten Son. In the world's creation, there was love in the heart of God. In the creation of humanity God was crazed with hope for loveable children.
It may be a good time to examine our minds and hearts. In prayer, we can find truth in our relationships that may need mending. Working from the heart to reach out and pray for souls is possible. With Mary, we can accomplish more, for Our Mother aids us in our heart's desires.
Mary lived by the heart, her mind submissive to the beat within by the Incarnation of Christ's Eucharistic love for the world, creation, Mary exemplifies to us how we live in God’s love. Many live in a fury of spirit, trapped in their victimhood. It is Jesus who releases the bonds of death that the mind can trap us into. Jesus calls Satan out. We are to call out the demons of our lives since we are invited by our baptism to live in the heart of the Eucharist.
In this reality of spirit, we live in the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven now. We function as the loveable ones; when we fail, we humble ourselves to reconciliation with God and one another. To live in the heart of Christ is to live a newness of life. Christ born to us, gifted by the wise with an epiphany of hope. Ordinary time becomes a manifestation of glory and a happy issue of mind to spirit. Mary shows us the way to live this pathway to God. Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament never wavered, even holding the Body of Christ dead to the world in its mind of manor—the heart of God with Our Lady and the triumph of Jesus' love surpassing everything.
 There is something lovely about new beginnings. In fact, many childhood tales end with the words: “And they lived happily ever after…” Like a newlywed couple driving out into the sunset with a string of cans tied to the tailpipe of their car, new beginnings bring us hope. There is still time to change; there is still time to grow. Perhaps the best is yet to come. The beginning of a new year is a natural transition that invites us to take stock of where we are and where we want to go. We can do this as individuals, families, communities, and as a family of God.
A symphony of prayer denotes that there are different movements and different parts. Each of our instruments, coming together as one, expressing the desire of God’s own heart.
Many voices are trying to get our attention, but God speaks in the silence of our hearts. This is why prayer begins with listening. It is God who begins. It is God who speaks. We must learn to recognize His voice.
His asking arises from God’s desire for us…
Wherever we find ourselves this new year, whether in the midst of suffering or great joy, let us remember to raise our hearts and minds to God. Let us ask for the grace to become better listeners, to listen to each other, as we sing a hymn of praise to God.
|
Categories
All
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
AuthorsWe are Ivonne J. Hernandez, Rick Hernandez and Laura Worhacz, Lay Associates of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, and brothers and sisters in Christ. 
Archives
May 2025
|
RSS Feed