I Found a Treasure!

While I was looking for my copy of the Collegeville Biblical Commentary for Marianne I ran across this in another of my resource books. What a wonderful surprise. It is my pleasure to share it with you. Wishing all a safe and happy Memorial Weekend.

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Thanks be to God!

Top o' the Mornin'

What a glorious day it is here today. Just wanted to say, "Good Day" to you all!!!!

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"May our lives be

illumined

by the steady radiance,

renewed daily,

of a wonder,

the Source of which

is beyond reason.

Dag Hammerskjold

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Thanks be to God!

The Dance Recital

This last week at work has been a real challenge. Having new "tools" to use and others that must be given up to the new technology have caused me to be tired, frustrated and sometimes, as I was yesterday, just plain sad...SO

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Last night was Kellie's dance recital. It was a short program, not elaborate, and great fun. It was such a treat to see the talents of each of the kids in the show. It's especially delightful to see how Kellie has improved in all her skills since I first saw her perform as a small child. I reflect on this because this week my oldest grandchild has become a teenager. She continues to bloom, as we are all meant to, into a young lady now on the threshold of young adulthood. These thirteen years have flashed by. And in those thirteen years Kelly has been so very good at entertaining. Singing and dancing and now ,starting next school year, as member of the Memorial High School Marching band as a member of the Color Guard, she will again be sharing with all of us her talent to entertain.

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Thank you, Kellie, for all the smiles you bring to others through your beautiful smile and "happy feet", especially to your Grandma.

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I was allowed to share last night, also, in the world of Laura's "school" life, as some of her students arrived to take pictures of the recital, much to her delight. But that wasn't the only thing I noticed. Not only at the recital, but at the Dairy Queen after, when students of hers are around her she is treated with much respect and she shares in their fun without relinquishing or diminishing her role as teacher and mentor. She was able to cajole and they could respond without fear of reprisal...Was a sight to behold. Makes me wish I could be a mouse in the corner one day to attend one of her classes.

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Another of those "Christ" moments when I can be aware of his presence in my life.

Thanks be to God!!!

Another Pot of Gold

Gold can be found just about anywhere.

Take one of your favorite books from the shelf

and "re-read" it this week.

As Wes used to say as a very small boy,

"Wouldn't that be a good idea?"

The lost has been found...

I am on a journey. Yes, a journey. And on this journey I have been guided to different sources of reflection and meditation. A couple of years ago I found little book called Set Aside Every Fear, Love and Trust in the Spirituality of Catherine of Siena. I picked up the book in the first place because St. Catherine of Siena is the saint chosen by my parents as my namesake. Knowing of her determination and her wisdom, I wanted to learn from her example. She was advisor of Popes and Bishops and as a woman of her time this was nearly unheard of. She was one of the original "liberated women." And finally, a Doctor of the Church.

It is a book that allows short reflections in which first God speaks to the reader as she begins the day. She is given a verse to reflect on through the day and then at the end of the day she responds in prayer. Well....I have been searching high and low for this book and today it has "been found." In this text is my favorite "reminder" of how we are called to love. And so now, I can share it. too. I hope you will find it, as I have, to be a profound statement of who we are as Christians and how we are called to be Christian.

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"Love is a debt you owe to everyone."

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Why is it a debt I owe everyone? Because the salvation of my immortal soul was purchased at a very high price. This verse is profound to me because the debt I incur comes from our Savior, when He gave his life in my name. Yes, in my name. A debt I can only repay by loving as he loves me. I was awakened to the truth that love is no longer passive (saying you love your neighbor), but an ACTION in which we are to participate at all times (finding a means to participate in the sharing of that Divine Love). It is not an easy debt to repay, but then I owe a great deal through the purchase of my salvation by the death and resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. I have been called to reflect this Easter Season on the ways I must actively participate in my own salvation.

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Nothing can be more difficult and simple at the same time. Some days the love comes easy and we can smile in the presence of the Lord. Other days we are tested in our love and those are the days when it is most difficult to say "thank you" for the challenge to love in the presence of the Lord. But by reminding myself that I am in the presence of the Lord at all times makes me appreciate even more family, friends and co-workers. Because, on any given day, these are the one who can be the hardest to love.

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And so in my indebtedness, I say Thank You, Lord, for this day in all its goodness. Thank you for the gift of tomorrow. I get another chance to get it right.