"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!

... LIFTOFF! 

And with that call, the SpaceX rocket blasted off into the atmosphere.  A decade of preparation, research, and testing culminated in the successful launch of a new era in space travel for the United States. 

The plan, in the not-too-distant future, is to open up the heavens and the stars as a vacation destination for those seeking an out-of-this world travel experience. 

Not sure if I would want to step on the moon or go to Mars, but perhaps it would be intriguing to visit Heaven for a bit in order to "check it out".  Wonder if that would be a locale you could select when flipping through the time-share brochure. 

What about you?  Have you booked your reservation yet? 


PHOTO: REUTERS/Thom Baur

We can grow where we're planted. 
We can bloom where we're planted. 
We can thrive where we're planted. 
God has placed you where you are right now for some specific reason. 
-- SOURCE: "Best Lent Ever", 3/23/2019 
 
You are exactly where God wants you to be.  Don't fight it. 


Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

With a keen eye, sometimes it seems as though everywhere you look, there are encouraging photos, scriptures, songs, or quotes.  As you reflect on the following, share your thoughts in the Comments.  What are you feeling?  How has this current trial affected you? Changed you? Strengthened you? 

"Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you. Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings." - 1 Peter 5:7-9 

"Without the sacraments of the Church, primarily the Eucharist, the Lord’s Supper as it is sometimes called, I certainly do not think that I could go on. I do not ­always approach it from need, or with joy and thanksgiving. After thirty-eight years of almost daily Communion, one can confess to a routine, but it is like a routine of taking daily food. But Jesus himself told us at that last supper, Do this in memory of me (Luke 22:19)…." - Servant of God Dorothy Day 

"Almighty and eternal God, provident refuge in every danger, kindly turn your gaze toward us, who with faith implore you in tribulation, and grant eternal rest to the deceased, comfort to those who weep, health to the sick, peace to those who are dying, strength to healthcare providers, a spirit of wisdom to civil authorities, and a heart to draw near to everyone with love so that together we might glorify your holy name." - Opening Prayer from the Votive Mass in Time of Pandemic 

"Despite the strains and stresses we have felt as a nation, and the long road that lies ahead, we remain confident in Christ’s final victory over sin and death. Illness, poverty, conflict, and death cannot triumph over Christ’s love and grace. We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28)." - Fr. Sebastian White, O.P., MAGNIFICAT 

"Each one of us can say: 'I hope, because God is beside me.'" - Pope Francis 

"Green pastures are before me, 
Which yet I have not seen; 
Bright skies will soon be o’er me, 
Where the dark clouds have been." 
- In Heavenly Love Abiding by Anna L. Waring (published 1850) 

"Death is not the end.  We were made for life.  We were made for joy.  Death brings the fulfillment of that life and joy, but we can live in it now.  Even in the midst of grief.  Even in the midst of plagues and poverty and confusion.  If we are in Christ, we have nothing to fear from the terrors of the world.  They cannot kill the life inside us." - Dr. Scott Hahn

"Never permit me to be separated from You." - from an Act of Spiritual Communion by Saint Alphonsus Ligouri 

As the sun sets on another day, I ponder the trials of today for me, for our country, and for our world in these uncertain pandemic times.  I dream of a better tomorrow, and I am certain that You will be there then as You are there now. 

I am one with You and You are one with me.  You will never separate from me, and You will never permit me to be separated from You.  We are inseparable. 

Thank you, Jesus, for reaching out to me during those times when I failed to reach out to You.  Thank you for showing me Your beauty and Your love.  Thank you for life and learning, for fears and mercy, for hardships and joys. 

Thank you, Jesus, for bending Your ear to me during those times when I reached out to You.  Thank you for seeing my tears and my love.  Thank you for listening and sharing, for helping and caring, for being my shining light. 

Thank you, my Jesus.  I love You above all things. 

Amen.