Three beautiful words

"Love never fails."

1 Corinthians 13:8

 

This struck be powerfully this morning because it is only three little words, but it is everything. It is something that, no matter what ever happens to us, we can hang our hats on this.  Love never fails.  Ever.  God is love and God never fails us. Things may sometimes look dreary or dismal but that is just our human perspective.  Only God is God and only God never fails.  I'm headed to Marymount Hermitage today, Friends, so I will have a lovely opportunity to ponder these three words.  I pray you, too, will get a chance to sit with Jesus and think about the only thing we have that is truly ours and truly lasts. Love, heidi

Be kind!

"Be kind! Be the loving expression of God's kindness: kindness in your eyes, kindness in your face, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greetings. I believe that the way in which an act of kindness is done is as important as the action itself."

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, as quoted in "Living With Christ"

 

This is certainly what I need to hear today, Friends!  We may say the right things and perform acts of good will, but do we grit our teeth while doing them? Do we do a kind act with our hands while our heads are judging harshly?  Do we do nice things begrudgingly?  Today, let's be especially aware of how kind we are to every single person we meet!  Let's let our kindness show on our faces...in our actions, and in our greetings to others.  Love, heidi

Accept what we cannot change...

"We are invited by God, as Jesus was, to accept our crosses."

James Martin, SJ, "Jesus: A Pilgrimage"

 

Yesterday, I read a bit more about Jesus' suffering and acceptance of his cross, and today, we read about Mary's acceptance of Jesus' suffering and her own sorrows.  Fr. Martin talks about the acceptance of suffering as the acceptance that some things cannot be changed.  Certainly Jesus demonstrates that as he walks the arduous journey to Calvary.  He accepts that his mission is to walk this painful road and suffer.  Well, Mary has to accept that as well.  And all of us parents know how hard it is to watch our kids go through anything difficult!  Fr. Martin says that we don't have to go looking for our crosses...life has a way of doling them out to us.  But, as followers of Jesus, we can accept them with dignity and grace.  As Jesus did. And as Mary did.  Mary, please pray for us that we can accept the things we cannot change.  We look to you as an example of a woman who trusted implicitly in God, even when things may not have make sense at all. Jesus, thank you for giving us a loving Mother! (see John 19:26)  Love, heidi