Don't you wish you could send Jesus a "hugs" emoji? Really. One BIG hug.  

To thank him for everything. To tell him you love him. To show your appreciation. To just wrap your arms around him.  

Do it now. Imagine you and Jesus together. Maybe you're talking; maybe you're silent. He is so loving; you are so in need. Your eyes meet. Reach out to him. Embrace him, and feel his arms embrace you. It feels so comforting and warm.  

Jesus is there. He is always near. Go ahead. Give him a hug.  

Thank you, Jesus. I love you. Hugs.  

TAGS: Prayer, Reflection

Looked at the step counter on my phone one morning. Exactly “923”. That’s the Feast Day of St. Padre Pio (September 23)! What’s the odds of that? Not “922” or “924”, but “923”. There must be some significance to this. Something more than just the number of steps that were taken.  
 
It’s an indicator of being alert, looking around, noticing the little things in life and finding meaning in it all. God is present; God is omnipresent (that is, present everywhere at the same time).  
 
So, take note of your surroundings, whether it be large oak trees, small fingers of a newborn baby, or the step counter on your phone. There’s a purpose and a message in all of creation. Or, as we like to say around here, “looking at little life moments with a spiritual eye.”  
 
Perhaps the intention was to draw attention to the closeness of the saints, and in this case Padre Pio, around us.  
 
Thanks be to God.  

TAGS: Reflection, Story

"Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer." - Romans 12:11-12  

When our hearts are broken and we can’t find the words,  
Lord teach us to pray.  
When noise overpowers the stillness of silence,  
Lord teach us to pray.  
When destruction is rampant and peace can’t be found,  
Lord teach us to pray.  
When lies and confusion distort the truth,  
Lord teach us to pray.  
 
When the darkness of sin casts a shadow on the goodness of humanity,  
Lord teach us to pray.  
When despair blinds our eyes of faith,  
Lord teach us to pray.  
When doubt darkens our flame of hope,  
Lord teach us to pray.  
When hate hardens our hearts made for love,  
Lord teach us to pray.  
 
Teach us to pray with words,  
with silence,  
with action,  
with pondering.  

--Sr. Kara Davis  
SOURCE: https://www.thegodminute.org/wix-podcast-player/episode/7f82f5e2/prayer  

TAGS: Reflection

"As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ." - 1 Corinthians 12:12  

It's hard to believe that the skinny pillar on the corner is expected to hold up the whole side of the building. What an awesome responsibility! It seems like the weakest point needs to be the strongest point. But somehow it manages to do just that, and it works.  

​We often do the same. We rely on each other, as well we should, as the many make up the whole. Christ has graced the parts, that is, the people, with varied and unique gifts so that together they make up the body (the Church).  

Whereas the column may look insignificant and ineffective to hold up the building, without it, the building would surely collapse.  

O God, enable me to know that the gifts and talents you bestowed on me, though seemly so unsubstantial, help to hold up the body of the Church. Amen.  

TAGS: Prayer, Reflection

The plane contrails were dancing in the sky. One would fade away, and then another one or two would replace it. At times they were running parallel; at times they were crossing paths. It was fascinating to daydream as the show played out in the blue sky.  

Who were the people on the planes? Where were they heading? Going or returning? Business or vacation? So many stories were being written within those planes.  

So much goes into the formation of the contrails. Hot, moist air from the jet engines mixes with cold, humid air at high altitudes. In much the same way, the plans, aspirations, and lives of each passenger and employee in the plane mixed to form a unique trail through the sky.  

What will become of them?  

​TAGS: Reflection

"For in the image of God have human beings been made." - Genesis 9:6  

The building was being erected block by block. You could see this happening before your eyes. It seemed like one day they were working on the first floor, and the next day they were working on the second floor. Block by block.  

It's like our spiritual life. Each day we strive to be bigger and stronger than the previous day. In retrospect, it seems like it's day by day. But in reality, it takes a lifetime. Block by block.  

O God, construct me in your image and likeness. Build me block by block, day by day, until you call me home at the end of my life. Amen.  

TAGS: Prayer, Reflection

As you reflect on this poem, remember that you always have a faithful friend in Jesus.  

How many of you can find a faithful friend?  
That will stick close by you unto the very end  
When trouble comes they will never forsake  
Always ready to give more than they will take  
 
A friend like that is so very hard to find  
One you can count on to talk and unwind  
Someone that's concerned about how you feel  
Cares for you deeply with a love that's real  
 
A friend when in need is a friend indeed  
Show yourself friendly by sowing the seed  
How sweet are the words spoken between friends  
Just like a balm that heals or a needle that mends  
 
A friend that sticks closer than any brother  
Very trustworthy and not the same as another  
You can count on them to answer when you call  
There to help you when your back is to the wall  

--Written by Patricia Grantham, copyright 2013  

TAGS: Reflection

If you could have coffee with St. Joseph, what would you ask him? Here is a compilation of some responses to that question that were collected from the internet.  
 
“What were your favorite memories of Jesus as he was growing up?”  
 
“Were there times after you committed to raising Jesus as your own son that you felt your patience and understanding wear thin?”  
 
“What was living with a teenage Jesus like?”  
 
“Could you pray for my husband’s and my sons’ holiness, and how can I be an aid in that as a wife and mother?”  
 
“What was it like to teach Jesus?”  
 
“What was it like to hold the Creator of the universe in your arms?”  
 
“How did you maintain your composure and trust during the sudden flight to Egypt?”  
 
“Could you teach me to love your son Jesus in the Holy Eucharist the way you did?”  
 
“Could you tell me your story with Mary and Jesus through your perspective, and how you experienced those things?”  
 
“When Mother Mary wasn’t looking, did you do anything with Jesus that would have given her a heart attack?”  
 
“Can you teach me how to be silent and to hear Our Lord in my soul?”  
 
“What did you learn from Jesus firsthand?”  
 
“How should I pray to you and ask your help to meet a Godly life partner?”  
 
 
So, now it’s your turn. What would YOU ask him?  
 
PHOTO: AI-generated on grok.com  
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​TAGS: Reflection

Meditate on these words from Irish writer John O’Donohue from his book Beauty.  
 
“When you take the time to draw on your listening-imagination, you will begin to hear this gentle voice at the heart of your life. It is deeper and surer than all the other voices of disappointment, unease, self-criticism and bleakness.  
 
All holiness is about learning to hear the voice of your own soul…  
 
To enter into the gentleness of your own soul changes the tone and quality of your life. Your life is no longer consumed by hunger for the next event, experience or achievement. You learn to come down from the treadmill and walk on the earth.  
 
You gain a new respect for yourself and others and you learn to see how wonderfully precious this one life is…You no longer squander yourself on things and situations that deplete your essence. You know now that your true source is not outside you. Your soul is your true source and a new energy and passion awakens in you.”  
 
As Lent begins, come down from the treadmill of busyness and noise, and simply walk in silence. And listen.  
 
God wants to speak to you.  

TAGS: Reflection