Sunday, February 26, 2012

Matthew 13:7

The Parable of the Sower

Matthew 13:7
Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it.

Later in the chapter Jesus explains this parable.

Matthew 13:22
The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit.

What does this mean to us today?  It seems like there are always thing choking God out of our lives.  So many distractions, so many deadlines, so many forms of entertainment that are all blocking our view of our Lord.  There are so many things filling up our lives and our minds that it seems like we have no room for the Lord at all.

What are we to do about this? 

I feel that the first thing to do it to identify what the thorns are in our lives.  What is choking the Lord out of our lives?  What is blocking our view of the Lord?  It seems like often times we don't even realize something is a thorn.  Once we can recognize that something is a thorn in our lives it is much easier to clear it out.  This lenten season is the perfect time to identify our distractions and worldly anxieties and focus on the Lord.  

What is a thorn in my life?

I feel that my biggest thorn is online tv shows.  They are always there and always entertaining but oftentimes pull me away from the Lord by sucking up my time and filling my head with thoughts that block the Lord from my view.

What are some thorns in your lives?


Dear Lord, Help me to clear the thorns out of my life so I can focus on you.



Please join me linking up with Graceful to read some really great reflections 
from the scripture that we can use all week!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

St. Agostina Pietrantoni


I have been reading about the lives of the saints in a book titled "Modern Saints, Their Lives and Faces" by Ann Ball.  I find that I am able to find a take away one point or lesson from each saint's life and learn something from it.  I definitely recommend it!

Here is a line from the book that helps me to understand St. Agostina Pietrantoni:

"Sister Agostina did not need words to speak of God; her actions spoke clearly of her love for Him, and everybody seemed to understand."

She worked in a hospital which forbid the sisters from speaking about God to the patients but she was still able to communicate the message of God to the patients without using words.

This gives us something to think about in our lives.  Very often in our work we want to share the message of the Lord but we are not supposed to talk about God in many settings.  We don't have to and can't let that stop us from spreading the truth.  We need to spread the truth and the love of God with our actions and our lives more than anything.


What are some ways that our lives can show God's love.


Dear Lord, Help me to use my actions and my life to share your message.






For more information about St. Agostina Pietrantoni 
The Vatican Website has a great article.
To read more about my lessons learned from the lives to the saints check out this post:


Linking up with On Your Heart Tuesday

Monday, February 20, 2012

Mark 2:1-2

Mark 2:1-2
When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home.  Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them.

As I listened to yesterday's gospel these lines stood out to me.  Since the people knew that Jesus was their so many of them gathered that they couldn't even fit in around the doors.  They all wanted to see Jesus and hear what he had to say.  Such a beautiful scene!

Then I thought of us today.  We are gathered in the church to hear his words and to then actually receive him in the Eucharist, but the church is not full.  People are not trying to get in.  Most people think it is strange that you would go to church at all.  Even several Catholic's or Christians that I know think it is strange or unnecessary to go to mass every Sunday let alone daily mass.  

Forget about what is necessary or not, mass and the Eucharist is one of the greatest gifts that Jesus gave us.  We should be filling the church every chance we get.

Why are our churches not filled so there isn't even room at the door?

Dear Lord, I pray for your church that it can once again be filled. 



Sunday, February 19, 2012

Matthew 10:32

Matthew 10:32
Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.

How easy it seems to simply acknowledge our Lord to others.  Simply acknowledge, not to defend or praise, (although he teaches us to do this as well) but simply to acknowledge our Lord.
But how often do we pass up this opportunity.  How often are we given an opportunity to acknowledge the Lord and we simply ignore it, or pretend that he doesn't exist.  How often do we share with someone everything else about ourselves besides our faith.  How often do we tell a co-worker about the events of the weekend and conveniently leave out the most important part of our weekend, going to mass.  We see that it is very easy to not acknowledge the Lord in front of others but let us remember how easy it would also be to acknowledge him and how great that would be.


What are some simple ways to acknowledge the Lord?


Dear Lord, Give me the strength and the courage to acknowledge you before others.



Sunday, February 12, 2012

Psalm 37:8

Psalm 37: 8
Give up your anger, abandon your wrath;
do not be provoked; it brings only harm.

This is something so important to remember during times when it feels like everything you hear about in the news is worth getting angry about.  But what purpose is that anger going to bring?  You can disagree with something that work to fix it without showing anger.  This verse reminds us to keep control of our anger so we do not being ourselves and others undo harm.

What are some strategies that you use to keep yourself from getting angry.

Dear Lord, Help me to control my anger.