"Moreover, that all can eat and drink and enjoy the good of all their toil -- this is a gift of God." - Ecclesiastes 3:13 

The dolphins were playing in the sun-drenched sea. They jumped and flipped in the air, then used their flukes to make a big splash when re-entering the water. 

Taking time to play, to "enjoy the good of all their toil", is a gift from God. We spend so much of our life at work, either through an occupation, doing chores around the house, or busying ourselves in some other way. But do we take our share of time at play to enjoy the fruits of our labor or the fruits of God? 

Find time to play and spend time at play. Make good use of this gift that God wants you to have. 

TAGS: Reflection

"Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you." - James 4:10 

Commonly known as a medical alert bracelet, they are a means to communicate important information regarding your health to first responders in a medical emergency. 

But she calls hers a "Humility Bracelet." "When I look at it," she says, "I am reminded that a Power greater than me is in charge, and that I am not invincible or perfect." 

She also says her "Humility Bracelet" reminds her to slow down, calm down, and take it easy because of the health condition given to her by God. 

Perhaps we should all wear a "Humility Bracelet" to remind us continuously of our need for God and His Presence in our life. 

Slow down, calm down, and take it easy. Good advice for all of us, with or without a "Humility Bracelet." 

TAGS: Reflection, Story

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself." - Matthew 22:39 

While paging through the advertising/coupon magazine that came in the mail, this "ad" was discovered tucked within its pages. 

"Love thy neighbor," it stated, and it was written as though spoken by Jesus. 

The juxtaposition of this message with refinishing, mulch, and window covering messages was definitely an attention-grabber. There it was, smacking you in the face. 

"Love thy neighbor," it stated. 

You couldn't miss it. Subtle evangelization in the strangest, yet most prominent, of places. 

"Love thy neighbor." 

You have to wonder how many people did that simple message reach. Did you see it? 

TAGS: Story

It is said that the Three Kings who traveled to Bethlehem to adore the newborn King were radically changed by the experience and abandoned their pagan ways. According to one account, the Magi traveled to India and were eventually baptized by St. Thomas the Apostle before their deaths. 
 
Tradition has since held Balthasar, Melchior and Caspar as “saints,” and throughout the centuries various prayers have been composed to them. Below is one such prayer. 
 
O Holy Magi, you were living in continual expectation of the rising of the Star of Jacob, which would announce the birth of the true Son of justice; obtain for me an increase of faith and charity, and the grace to live in continual hope of beholding, one day, the light of heavenly glory and eternal joy. 
 
(Share your request …) 
 
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 
 
Prayer to the Infant Jesus: Infant Jesus, meek and mild, look on me a little child. Pity mine and pity me, suffer me to come to Thee. 
 
Heart of Jesus, I adore Thee. Heart of Mary, I implore Thee. Heart of Joseph, pure and just. In these three hearts, I put my trust. 
 
Help us Joseph in our early strife, ever to lead a pure and blameless life. 
 
O Holy Magi, Pray for Us. 

TAGS: Prayer

December 12 was National Poinsettia Day, so let's continue our celebration with a heartwarming legend regarding this traditional Christmas plant. 

During the weeks before Christmas, a young Mexican girl named Miranda had worked hard with her mother to weave a beautiful blanket.  She and her parents planned to bring it to the church on Christmas Eve when everyone came forward to present a gift to the baby Jesus lying in the manger. 

Shortly before Christmas, her mother became sick and when Miranda tried to weave the blanket on her own, the yarns became hopelessly tangled.  She couldn't finish it. 

When Miranda and her father went to church that Christmas Eve, she was sad they had no gift to bring to the manger.  Neither the candles nor the singing could cheer her.  Then an angel comforted her, saying, "Your mother will get well, and you should bring to the Lord any gift you can find.  It's the giving, not the gift, that matters." 

Miranda went outside, picked some weeds from the roadside, and brought them to the manger.  There was a sudden stir among the people.  When Miranda looked at the weeds in her hand, they had become bright red flowers, each like a flaming red star. 

When the people went home that night, the roadside weeds had all become bright red flowers -- the Flor de la Navidad (the Christmas Flower). 

TAGS: Reflection 


SOURCE: The Little Blue Book: Advent and Christmas Seasons 2019-2020, 12/19/2019.

If anything says “Christmas!” it’s a tree. Whether it’s a live tree or an artificial one, when we see an evergreen tree, we think of Christmas. 

Trees have been important symbols in many religions, and from earliest times, evergreen trees have reminded people of life through winter and darkness. The evergreen tree has a specific meaning for Christians. 

Long ago, European Christians celebrated December 24 as the feast of Adam and Eve, our first parents. They put up a “Paradise Tree” decorated with fruit. It was a way of remembering how human beings had eaten fruit from the forbidden Tree of Knowledge of good and evil. That sadness was replaced by joy the next day, December 25, when they could celebrate Jesus, born to save us from that sin and open the way back to God. Jesus would demonstrate his love by dying on a cross, made from a tree. A Christmas tree is a tree of life! 

In the 17th century, the custom of putting toys and gifts at the foot of the Christmas tree was adopted, and it was in the 19th century that the tradition of the Christmas tree became widespread. 

TAGS: Reflection

"He has a name written on his cloak and on his thigh, 'King of kings and Lord of lords.'" - Revelation 19:16 

Talking politics is quite trendy these days, whether it is locally, nationally or internationally. Regardless of which side you are on, this bumper sticker seems to put everything into perspective. 

Politics ebb and flow; politicians come and go; political rhetoric calms or excites. But the Truth never wanes. 

Jesus Is King: "King of kings and Lord of lords." Let us rejoice. Amen. 

TAGS: Reflection

"For no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely Jesus Christ." - 1 Corinthians 3:11 

Take sand, gravel or crushed stone, mix it with water and cement, and you have concrete. Concrete is strong in compression (it won't bend) but weak in tension (it can crack); therefore, you usually have to reinforce it with steel, carbon, glass or plastic bars or fibers. Now throw in some agents or additives to handle freeze-thaw cycles, temperature swings, and corrosion resistance. Because concrete production is time-sensitive, once the ingredients are mixed, you must put the concrete in place before it hardens. 

You can look at your spiritual life as being similar to concrete production. 

What are your ingredients? What makes you strong (you won't bend) or weak (you can crack)? What are your reinforcements? What is needed to keep you stable, balanced and grounded? 

Unlike concrete, it takes a lifetime before the ingredients are mixed, placed, and hardened to form the basis of your spirituality. 

Master Builder, show me the right recipe for creating a strong foundation. Amen. 

TAGS: Inspiration, Prayer

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." - 2 Corinthians 3:17 

The Swallow-tailed Kite bird, unique in its shape, is a beauty to behold as it swoops left and right, high and low.  Gliding so effortlessly through the air.  Its wings barely move as it virtually hangs motionless in the sky. 

Already unique in our form, we would do good to emulate the Swallow-tailed Kite's gracefulness.  To be so spiritually free.  Loving God, self, and neighbor with an unconditional love. 

A kite without strings.  A spirit mercifully free. 

Holy Spirit, I yearn for Thee.  Amen. 

TAGS: Prayer, Reflection

"He said to them, 'Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.'" - Mark 6:31 

The little critters seem to get it. Perched on a stoop in solitude, they can sit and watch and be still for long periods of time until something disrupts their peace. 

People don't get it. They need a lot more prodding to silence themselves and become lost in quiet reflection. 

Have you gone to a deserted place today to rest a while? If not today, did you go yesterday? This week? Last week? This month? Last month? 

Be like the chipmunk and rest a while. 

TAGS: Inspiration