Trials and Tribulations

My Children

In your lives are many trials and tribulations.  In the midst of them you often ask Me: "Why me, Lord?"  The trite answer would be for me to say: "Why not you?"  But My real Answer to you My Child is: "Because I love you."

It is in the trials and tribulations that you must turn to Me to endure.  I walk beside you through them all.  I weep with you.  I hurt alongside you.  I mourn your losses. I love you through each one.

You say to Me: "Lord, you could make it all go away.  You are the Lord, after all."  That is true, My Child.  But, you see only a small part of a gigantic picture.  You have no idea how your triumph in these trials brings glory and honor to Me, and sanctification to you. 

I invite you to persevere in these trials, knowing that I am always with you.  Even though you do not see Me, you can come to Me in My Sacraments, which were created to draw you closer to Me.  There you will encounter Me in the depths of your heart.

July 14, 2016

Gird Your Loins

Jeremiah 1:17-19
17 But you, gird up your loins; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them.
18 And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its princes, its priests, and the people of the land.
19 They will fight against you; but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, says the LORD, to deliver you."

To gird up the loins means to draw all the loose fabric, that could get in the way when running, up into the belt, to essentially "tie up loose ends".

Jeremiah was anointed a prophet, even though he claimed he was too young and did not know how to speak.  It was true that he did not know how to speak, but the Lord touched his mouth and gave him the words to speak.

The Lord, in a moment, took away his spirit of timidity, as in 2Ti 1:7, and gave him a spirit of power, love and self control.

So it is with us.  According to our station in life, and the circumstances we encounter we are to speak truth to falsehood, integrity into deception.  We must proclaim that the emperor has no clothes, and not be afraid of the consequences.  But we, like Jeremiah must also speak under the anointing of God, not out of our own pride and self righteousness.

We are not unlike David, as a shepherd boy.  With a mere stone, he slew a giant, not by his power, but by his trust in God to make his aim true.  Our Acknowledgement of God must lead us to that trust in Him to be the Lord of our lives, and to build up in us His Power, His Love and His Self Control.

As Catholics we are encouraged to attend Mass more regularly, to pray our devotions more, to visit with the Lord in Adoration, and also we must seek out the sacrament of Reconciliation regularly, now more than ever.

Girding of the loins is not just about pant legs and extra fabric, but about all the loose ends that may prevent us from hearing and responding to the call moment by moment in our lives.

Manifestation of the Holy Spirit

Pentecost Vigil

My Children, I have called each of you to be here this evening, as I am calling others around the world to celebrate this Vigil of Pentecost.  I thank you for hearing my call and obeying it.

I am pouring out upon you a new and fresh anointing of my Holy Spirit.  This new anointing is for you, to draw you ever closer to Me, and so that you may witness to My Abundant Love to all you encounter in your daily lives.

This manifestation of My Holy Spirit is a counter to the evil that is abounding in this world. I am reclaiming my people who I have called by My Name.  So often, you have wandered in the darkness of the world as it has been succumbing to the wiles of the evil one.

But I am Your God, the Holy One of Israel, and I am pouring My Mercy out upon you, before My Justice will come.  When My Justice comes upon the earth, the people of the earth will have no choice but to choose to follow Me, or to follow the evil one. Their blindness will fall away, and they will see the Truth.

But, in My Mercy, I am anointing you and many others in this world, to provide signs of hope to your brothers and sisters both now and when that time comes.

You will perform signs and wonders in My Name, but your greatest sign from Me will be your love for each other and for all those who will be lost if they do not turn from their wickedness in the time of My Justice.

Receive what I am giving you this evening.  Open your hearts to receive from Me, and let My Power come upon you, and fill you with Love, a Love that is greater than you could ever have imagined, but a Love that is given to you to grow in you and to burst forth upon this sin sickened world.