But me no buts.

The word but has stopped so many noble ventures. How many times have you used it to stop you from doing what God wants you to?

When God told Moses to lead his people, Moses replied:"
Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of Egypt?"
Exodus 3:11.

Sound familiar? It does to me. Self doubt is common in most people. We wonder if we are in the right job, being good parents, dating the right person or living in the right city.
When it comes to sharing our wonderful Catholic faith however, God reminds us :
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. "Ah, Lord GOD!" I said, "I know not how to speak; I am too young."
But the LORD answered me, Say not, "I am too young." To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Jeremiah 1:5

Could God be any clearer on this subject? So I encourage you to go deeper into your role as prophet. In your blog, the reading at Mass, giving communion to the sick, your parish group or just in your family. No matter where you are, take stock of these words: YOU have been APPOINTED. No buts about it.

3 am

"3 a.m. is when the pain meds wear off. 3 a.m. is when sleep deserts you. 3 a.m. is when the silent movie of your life begins to roll in front of your staring eyes. 3 a.m. is when the deep, bone deep, gut deep, heart-wrenching grief of the things you haven't done explodes like a grenade . . . But I'll tell you a mystery. Right there. Right then. Right in the middle of 3 a.m. Beside all the pain, physical and emotional . . . in the midst of wrenching grief, God was with me. . . ."


by Sylvia Lefort Masi. Taken from Get Well Wishes -- prayers, poems and blessings author -June Cotner. HarperCollins.

Sweet somthings

A few days ago I went to Mass in order to take the Sacrament of Communion to some people in a nearby hospital.
My parish priest took the time to say to me that it was so good of me to do this.
Of course he knew that the pleasure was just as much mine. However it was the kind word from someone to another that is the point here.

I wasn't feeling particuliarly enthused that cold, rainy evening to go to the hospital but after being praised by someone I look up to, I felt a warmth and energy come over me.

Love doesn't always require us to fast for a day or giving up a new purchase. Sometimes the best thing we can do for someone is to offer a kind word or sing their praises to them.

Could it be that Jesus who loves us more than anyone sings our praises everyday? Are you listening?

Can you hear him tell you how much he loves you?

How wonderful he thinks you are?

How talented you are?

How much he wants to help you?

How everything will work out?

How he is changing you each and every day?

That he will never leave you?

I think you can.

Say it clear

My wife and I watched the WYD mass at Randwick racecourse yesterday and we both felt an immense pride. It was great to see around five hundred thousand brothers and sisters gather to celebrate in my own country. Yet greater still was the sense of connection I felt with all these people from all around the world. I felt part of one big Catholic happy family. There was a sea of coloured flags from so many different nations and I truly felt a part of something so much bigger than my little parish. I could identify with the creed I recite every Sunday-we believe in one holy and apostolic church. When the media talks about religion not being as relevant to people today I was somewhat surprised to see so many attending this mass. Our beloved church is so full of young passion and commitment. Together there is nothing we cannot do. Say it clear and say it loud: I’m Catholic and I’m proud.

Not no way Jose.

Sometimes in life we can get discouraged to say the least. We may seem to feel overwhelmed by our circumstances and feel that we are trapped in by them. Not too unlike the enslaved Israelites in Egypt. We can look around and not see a way out of all our problems. We try too figure out with our finite minds how the problems are going to be resolved. Though we may not be able to see the way, God can. We may feel surrounded by problems but God will make a way. He parted their Red sea and he will do the same for you and I. We may not see it now, but he does. Let us not say No way Jose, but rather yes way His way. To be more succinct, Yahweh.

Move over superman

I love the first reading at Mass today.
But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion (Jeremiah Chapter 20)
How reassuring it is to be reminded that God is with us always. In the missal I use, it refers to God as a hero. I think this one is more apt for me. Like the superhero who always turns up when needed so too does Jesus for me. Always.

I think I know you.

You lay in your bed at night wondering if you will make it. You close your eyes and see the unpaid bills. You pray for your sick children. At 3 am you hear them cry and stumble into their bedroom. You pray and try and rock them back to sleep. I think I know you. Your up at least an hour before the sun gets up. You wonder if you can make a Dr's appointment today. What will the boss say? Here comes that sinking feeling again. Yes I think I know you. The same old problems keep nagging you. Once again you've eaten and drank more than you should and lost your patience with those who you love. So many things to have to deal with. You see loved ones doing it tougher than you and you wonder how you can help them. I do believe I know you. So too does Christ. Though you may not see everything he is doing for you at the moment, it is being done. Your prayers are being answered. You’ll see.