"Lord, You are in control of my life, my sufferings, and my death.  May I never forget that." - reflection from the Padre Pio Prayer Group of Cleveland prayer calendar, 10/1/2020 

Wow.  What a game-changer.  Obvious, but way too often forgotten. 

How many times (a day!) do I want to be in control of myself, of situations, of others?  I know it's too many to count. 

When times get tough, when challenges pile up, when pandemic fatigue sets in, when I am too ill to lift my head, when I am not able to do what I want to do when I want to do it, when my plans and dreams cannot be fulfilled, when my neighbors irritate me ... I will remember these words and repeat them often: "Lord, You are in control of my life, my sufferings, and my death." 

And may I never forget that.  Amen.

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" - John 14:6 

We are connected.  We are plugged in.  Our electricity runs through us to Him and Him to us.  It is a two-way connection.  If the connection is broken, the energy stops flowing. 

Fortify your connection.  Tighten your fittings.  Stay grounded. 

Guiding Spirit, charge me with the surge of your Love.  Amen.

"Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me." - John 15:4 

The survey asked whether the COVID-19 pandemic weakened my faith or strengthened my faith..  It was definitely food for thought. 

It's easy to get lax in your faith.  As restrictions increase and fear persists, we find other ways to spend our regular Mass time.  Watching live-streamed Mass at our convenience instead of gathering as a community can become a new norm for many. 

On the other hand, as the pandemic continues and staying at home is common, many have lengthened their regular Mass time by adding spiritual reading or uplifting religious programming to their weekly or daily routine. 

Psychologists and theorists can cite many examples of scientific behavior modification in people.  Here's two theories for consideration: (1) Classical (or Pavlovian) Conditioning, which refers to a learning procedure in which two conditions linked together produce a new learned response in a person.  (2) The 21/90 Rule, which states that it takes 21 days to make a habit and 90 days to make it a permanent lifestyle change. 

We've all had months to change our behavior due to new learned procedures and habits  Have you remained on the vine or separated from it? 

Now it's your turn.  Take the survey. 

This is not intended to be a debate about whether the team logo should be changed or not, or whether the baseball team should be renamed or not, or whether the logo/name is a sign of racism or not. 

What it is intended to be is seen in the picture above:  love of country over tension in our country. 

In a similar way, the Holy Cross can be seen as an instrument of torture for hardened criminals, or an instrument of salvation for triumphant souls.  As Catholics, we rejoice in the glory of the Lord as we face the crucifix and all of the good that it beholds. 

As you reflect on the picture above, and the striking contrasts on display, remember the Holy Cross.  Just as there was victory in the Holy Cross, we have trust and confidence that our country will prevail over injustices and the violence that grasps it. 

"In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world." - John 16:33

"Lift up your heads, O gates; be lifted, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may enter." - Psalm 24:7 

This sign is all too familiar lately as services shut down and businesses close due to the pandemic. 

Have you shut down?  Have you closed your heart and mind to God's love and mercy? 

King of Glory, my doors are open for business in Your kingdom.  Enter the store of my heart, and fill my waiting shelves with Your grace.  Amen.

" 'Do not be afraid; just have faith.' " - Mark 5:36 

What's hiding under this cloth?  Our imagination goes into overdrive as we conjure up all of the possibilities that we think the cloth could be hiding. 

What are you hiding?  We all hide something, whether it is big or small.  Maybe we don't want others to see our true personality, a trial we are going through at home, or a birthday party we are planning for a friend. 

But God sees all.  He sees through and under our "cloth".  All of our secrets are laid bare.  Go to Him.  Do not be afraid.  There is nothing you can hide from Him. 

Merciful Father, you know me inside and out.  Give me the courage and the strength to share with you all that is hidden within me.  Amen.

"... yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom all things are and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things are and through whom we exist." - 1 Corinthians 8:6 

Have you ever been around someone who denies the presence of God?  Take them into a Catholic church and you can see their anxiety as they can't wait to get out of the building. 

How do they justify the beauty of creation: the sun, the moon, the stars, the hills, and the valleys?  How do they justify the reason for the good and the bad in their life?  How do they justify the joy of a newborn or the hope in a death? 

Am I doing my part to be a spokesperson for Jesus Christ?  Do I continue to show them the places that are uncomfortable to them as I witness to Jesus Christ? 

Most Faithful Jesus, help those with unbelief to believe, and help those with belief to lead.  Amen.

Although the lyrics to this song were written in 2002, they still tug at our heart today. 

Hello, God, are You out there? 
Can You hear me, are You listenin' anymore? 
Hello, God, if we're still on speakin' terms 
Can You help me like before? 
I have questioned Your existence, 
My resistance leaves me cold 
Can you help me go the distance? 
Hello God, hello, hello? 

This old world has gone to pieces 
Can we fix it, is there time? 
Hate and violence just increases 
We're so selfish, cruel, and blind 
We fight and kill each other 
In Your name defending You 
Do You love some more than others? 
We're so lost and confused 

Hello, God, are you out there? 
Can you hear us, are you listenin' anymore? 
Hello, God, if we're still on speakin' terms 
Can You help us like before? 
Oh, the free will You have given 
We have made a mockery of 
This is no way to be livin' 
We're in great need of Your love 
Hello, God? 

Hello, God, can You grant us 
Love enough to start again? 
(Hello, God) Is there still a chance 
That we can make amends? 
Hello, God, we've learned our lesson 
Oh God, don't let us go 
(Hello, hello) 
Now more than ever 
Hello God, hello, hello? 
Hello, God, we really need You 
We can't make it without You 
(Hello, God) We beseech You 
In the name of all that's true 
Hello, God, please forgive us 
For we know not what we do 

Hello, God, give us one more chance to prove ourselves to You 
Hello, God; hello, God? 


Source: LyricFind; Songwriters: Dolly Parton; Hello God lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Just like you don't want to stand in the path of a golf ball, you don't want to be in the way as we swing to new heights with Our Blog!  We teed off four years ago, so we're celebrating around here.  From the fairway to the greens, this foursome of years has stayed focused on "looking at little life moments with a spiritual eye." 

We birdied on these posts this year ... 

• TASSEL ON HIS CLOAK 
  
• BLESSED 
• ME, THREE?! 
  
• BUTTERFLY TICKLES 
• BANDAGED SOULS 
  

... and we're on par to keep the momentum going and our handicap low, so hop on board for another great round.  There will be plenty of rough, hazards, and bunkers along the way to keep it challenging!