Heart to Heart: Faith Seasons Podcast

From the Book of the Prophet Isaiah chapter 42, verse 6
I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand;

In school, he always got top marks on his report cards. Many years later he would be the top story in the newspaper.

In primary school, reading came easy. Writing came easy. Math came easy. He seemed to remember everything he was taught.

In high school, he found that not everything was easy, but he liked learning and he had a near-perfect grade-point average. He finished college in the next three years. Then it was on to medical school.

His faith was important to him. He felt the hand of God was leading him, that he had been blessed with a strong intellect and knew right from wrong. He felt called to use his talents for the greater good. He became a heart surgeon.

He was well liked and extremely competent in his profession. This doctor became a teacher and a mentor to many.

He was promoted to a job that was part administration and part medical staff. That’s when he noticed it. There was something going on at the hospital that would change his life and end his career.

It was about diagnosing certain illnesses that lead to profitable procedures and a systematic way of processing claims that lead to higher revenues. When he went to his superior and hinted at what he knew, he was told in no uncertain terms to mind his own business and to concentrate his efforts on saving lives.

He tried to look away. He reasoned that this was just how the business side of health care sometimes worked. It wasn’t his job to try to fix the problem.

That didn’t work. He woke up one night in a sweat, filled with anxiety. He felt he was being led to expose everything that he had witnessed. He resisted, and his discomfort rose.

God would not leave him alone. He contacted the federal authorities and testified to what he had been witnessing. He was ostracized from the staff and went on permanent leave of duty. There were years of court battles. In the end, the hospital had to pay multimillion dollar fines.

He was of an age that retirement made sense. There were people who clearly hated him. There were others who just as clearly loved and admired him.

What mattered to him most, though, was that at night, he didn’t wake up in distress, trying to resist the pull of God’s hand. He woke up in the morning refreshed.

Isn’t it a beautiful thought that the spirit of the Lord would be upon you? And how wonderful it is, as our scripture today says of God, “I have grasped you by the hand.” Off you go with God’s spirit upon you.

Earlier this Lent, we were reminded of Jesus coming from his baptism with John. The Spirit of the Lord was with Jesus as he was led into the desert to be tempted.

Wait a minute—aren’t good things supposed to happen to us when the spirit of the Lord is upon us? Yes, of course they are. But not all good things are easy. Before long, Jesus will be hanging on the cross.

Is there something we are putting off, because we are afraid we don’t have the strength or courage to face it? This is the week to find where your courage and strength come from. Go ahead, take the hand of the Lord, let the spirit be upon you, and trust the path forward. It’s just what the doctor ordered.

Now let’s take 30 seconds to water the seed…

Where is God leading you today?

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From the Gospel of Luke chapter 22, verses 33 and 34.
Peter said to him, “Lord, I am prepared to go to prison and to die with you.” But Jesus replied, “I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows this day, you will deny three times that you know me.”

A man got down on one knee, looked up at the woman he loved, and asked, “Will you marry me?”

She said, “Yes.”

The wedding was planned, the guests invited. On the big day everyone clearly heard them exchange their vows. They pledged to love each other in sickness and in health, in good times and in hard times, till death do they part.

The woman and the man felt an overpowering sense of love for each other. They were swept up in the emotion of the moment. Their feelings were true.

It didn’t take long for that emotion to change. One day, when the woman came home from work, she found bread crumbs all over the counter once again. She was so aggravated that she began to yell at her husband. “Didn’t I tell you to use a plate when you butter your toast? Once again, you have left crumbs all over the counter. I’m sick of cleaning up your mess.”

The man responded, “I am just trying to NOT use more DISHES so that we don’t have so much washing to do.”

“Sometimes I wonder if you have a brain in your head?” she retorted. “It’s a lot easier to put a plate in the dishwasher than it is to clean the crumbs off the counter, the floor, and the table!”

“Yeah,” he said, “It’s not like you spend a lot of time cleaning. Our house is a wreck, and it’s not because I don’t use a plate with my toast. Why don’t you try vacuuming once in a while?”
“Why don’t you try vacuuming?” she taunted. “It might help you to lose some weight.”

“Why don’t you try shutting your mouth,” he said.

“I guess doing the laundry, cooking the food, and walking the dog isn’t enough for you?” She stomped her foot on the ground and shouted, “This is not what I signed up for!”

This same story has been played out a billion times. People make vows. They believe with their whole heart they will follow them always, and then life happens. All of us make mistakes. All of us say things we later regret.

It seems pretty clear that Jesus knows about this. Why do you think he tells Peter in front of everyone that Peter will deny him three times? Is he trying to humiliate Peter? Is he saying, Peter really doesn’t love him? Of course not.

It seems clear that Jesus is teaching all of us a lesson. Even the person who loves him the most, who would do anything for him, is, at least at times, weak. We all come up short at some point.
This is good news for married couples. You can work out your differences. Love is more than an emotion. It is a decision to act in loving ways, and when we fail, we try again.

As we begin the holiest of weeks, let’s look for chances today to fulfill our vows, to find our strength in the Lord, to put our actions behind our words. Let us get down on one knee and profess our love for the Lord, then get up, and bring that love to the world.

Now let’s take 30 seconds to water the seed…

What do you need a second, third, or fourth chance to accomplish?

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Barrington, IL 60010

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Today’s story seed is The Miracle

From the Gospel of John chapter 10, verses 37 and 38
If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”

Today is the Feast Day of St. Julie Billiart, the foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. She experienced a profound miracle in her life. She was born in 1751 and died 64 years later. She was joyful, prayerful, and full of wisdom even though her legs were paralyzed for much of her life.
At a very young age, Julie learned to love God and showed that love through her devotion to the Lord. By 16 years old, she was helping her family by working as a teacher. She was described as “a woman overflowing with energy” as she worked to fulfill her spiritual calling.

One day at her home, while speaking with her father, a large rock was thrown through the window and a gunshot fired. Although neither she nor her father were physically wounded, the event was such a shock to Julie’s overworked system, she was confined to her bed and became seriously ill. The treatment for this at the time was blood-letting through the feet. This process was performed so many times, Julie’s legs became paralyzed.

In her pain, she grew stronger in her love for God.

One day, she had a vision and saw Jesus crucified with a large group of religious women surrounding him. They were wearing a habit that she did not recognize. An inner voice told her that these were to be the women of the congregation she would start. It would be dedicated to serving the needs, and the Christian instruction, of poor girls.

While her legs were still paralyzed, she started her congregation and retook her vows along with two others. Her legs had been paralyzed for decades when a priest friend secretly began a novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus praying for the recovery of her ability to walk.

On the fifth day of the prayer, the priest, Fr. Enfantin visited Julie. While they were together, the congregational records describe what he said to her: “‘If you have faith, Mother, take a step in honor of the Heart of Jesus.’  Julie rose and took a step, something she had not done for twenty-two years. ‘Take another,’ he said.  ‘Another.’  Then, ‘That will do; you may sit down now.’  Julie took her seat, though she assured Father that she was able to walk even further.”

Can you imagine that moment? Her ability to walk returned. For the remainder of her life, 12 years, Mother Julie was on the move doing the work of organizing and inspiring her congregation. Today, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur are in five continents and 20 countries.

St. Julie’s story is an example of what Jesus is talking about in our scripture passage today. The Jews Jesus is addressing don’t believe in him. Jesus says, “OK, don’t believe in me, but believe in the works that the Father is doing through me. Can you at least believe in that? Come on, the blind see, the lame walk, what more do you want?”

But they won’t have it. They focus on him claiming out to be the Son of God. They want to kill him right then and there. St. Julie lost the ability to walk, and she loved God even more. How about you? Is your heart touched by Jesus? If not, will any amount of miracles sway you?

Holy Week will soon start. This is a time to be drawn closer to Jesus. Like St. Julie, you’re never too old to learn to walk again with the Lord.

Now let’s take 30 seconds to water the seed…

What hardship draws you closer to God?

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420 W County Line Rd, Suite 200
Barrington, IL 60010

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John 8:51-52
Jesus said to the Jews: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.” So the Jews said to him, “Now we are sure that you are possessed.”

A seven-year-old girl went back in time. She had made a time machine out of a cardboard box. When she opened her eyes and stepped out of her cardboard box, she didn’t recognize her surroundings.

Her house was gone. The car in the driveway was missing. The streetlights weren’t there. She called for her mother, but there was no answer. She began to cry and scream for “Mommy.”

A woman wearing old-fashioned clothing came to her side. “What’s the matter child?”

“I can’t find my mom and my house is gone.”

“Oh my,” said the woman as she took a good look at this strange girl in unusual clothes. 

“Well, your house couldn’t have been here. This is a field, and there has never been a house on it. How about I take you to see the sheriff. He’ll know how to find your folks.”

“I’m not leaving,” said the girl. “I’ll just get back in my box. When she turned to go back to her cardboard box, she couldn’t find it. My box is gone!”

“Missy,” the young woman said, “you’re acting mighty strange. Sit yourself down in the comfortable grass. I’ll get some help.”

Before long there was a group of people standing around the little girl. She repeated, “My family’s house is gone. Our car is gone. The street lights are missing.”

“Now, just hold on, little lady,” said one of the men of the group. “What do you mean by a car?”

“I’m talking about an automobile, a car, our family car that drives me to school.”
“Do you use a horse or a mule to power it?” asked the man.

The little girl laughed. The engine powers it. We put gas in it, but it’s a hybrid, so we also plug it in for power.”

“Plug it into what?”

The girl was puzzled. “We plug it into the power socket to get electricity. Don’t tell me you don’t know about electricity.”

“What is it?” asked the woman who had found this girl.

“It’s what powers your lights so you can see at night.”

“Candles?”

“No, you flip the switch and that turns on the light so it can be like daylight at night,” said the girl.

The crowd stared at her. Then the man said, “Now, we know you are possessed. You are telling us you can make night into day by flipping a switch.”

Do you think people from the past would believe you if you told them about electricity, computers, and cellular phones? They would think you, too, were possessed. And they would have proof, because the things you would be telling them would be impossible in their day.

They would be sure of it.

The people Jesus is talking to in our scripture today have proof positive that Jesus is possessed. He is telling them if they listen and obey his word that they will never die. They know everyone dies. Jesus must clearly be deranged.

Here’s the important part. Jesus tells them, and us, he is not talking about the world as we know it. He is talking about another truth. It is the world that he belongs to, the world of his Father, the world of the Spirit.

He makes a promise. If you come to this world, you will never die. He is not saying your life on earth will never end. He is promising that there is something else, another kind of reality.

He invites us to join him. Your Lenten journey is a step in this direction. Join him. You won’t need a cardboard box to enter. 

Now let’s take 30 seconds to water the seed…

What do you know about the kingdom Jesus is talking about?

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Today’s story seed is The Love of Family

From the Gospel of John chapter 11, verse 21
“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

Without her love, the United States of America would not be the same. It still hasn’t reached the potential she prayed for, but she did her best to bring that dream forth. The struggle continues.

Alberta Williams King lived a life devoted to God, to her family, her community, and her country. Her father was the pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. She spent her 69 years of life devoted to the success of that church and the gospel message of Jesus.

Extremely intelligent, she earned her B.A. from Morris Brown College. When she married Martin Luther King Sr. (at the time known as Michael King) she helped him with his studies and tutored him through college.
Eventually, her husband became the pastor of her father’s church. They had three children—Christine, Martin, and Alfred. She used her teaching skills to guide them through school.

After completing his schooling, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. joined his father as co-pastor of Ebenezer Church. He wrote that his mother “was behind the scenes setting forth those motherly cares, the lack of which leaves a missing link in life.”

Her daughter, Christine King Farris wrote in her memoir Through It All, “…I have to chuckle as I realize there are people who actually believe ML just appeared… ready to change the world…Take it from his big sister, that’s simply not the case.”

A woman of faith and service, Momma King, as she became known, started the church choir and taught hundreds of singers and instrumentalists. She was the church’s organist from 1932 until 1972. She was active in a long list of community and national organizations.
When her son was assassinated, she continued with her church duties, volunteering, and community work. It was said that a question she often asked was: “Why should we be spared from a difficult time?”

The following year, her other son died in a tragic drowning accident. Momma King and her husband continued to devote their lives to their church ministry.

Five years later, on a day her husband was away, she was at the organ about to play the Lord’s Prayer. A gunman came into the church and fatally shot her in the head, and killed another man as well.

The assassin said he did it “because all Christians are my enemies.” Although his lawyers plead insanity for him, he was sentenced to death. That ruling was appealed and overturned to life in prison, at least in part because the surviving King family was against the death penalty.

We are all going to face death, and many of us already have seen our loved ones go.

Death, it comes for us all.

And in our scripture today, Martha says, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

A question that lots of us ask is: “How could you let this happen?”
One thing is for sure. It’s going to happen. We are going to die. Before long, we will be reading about Jesus’ crucifixion.

The message of Jesus, and that of Alberta Williams King is not about death. It’s about life. It’s about the way, the truth, and the resurrection. It is about giving your life to what you believe in. It is about following the example of those who showed us how to love.

That love is for God, and for the world, our country, our community, and our family. That’s a mother’s dream worth holding on to.

Now let’s take 30 seconds to water the seed…

What dream are you working toward?

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Heart to Heart, a Catholic Media Ministry: htoh.us
420 W County Line Rd, Suite 200
Barrington, IL 60010

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John 8:23
He said to them, “You belong to what is below, I belong to what is above. You belong to this world, but I do not belong to this world.”

There was a certain priest, a rather charismatic, young fellow. He was often requested to visit other churches to say mass. On one such occasion, he was driving across town during early morning rush hour. The sun had not yet come up, but the traffic certainly had.

He had gotten up early that morning so he wouldn’t have to worry about being late, yet he had looked at his emails before he left and saw an urgent prayer request. Father took the time to open that email, prayed about it, and sent a thoughtful response.

Just before he got into his car, the maintenance man of the parish said hello. The priest said, “How are you today?” The maintenance man revealed that his back had gone out the previous night, and he was in significant pain. He had forgotten his Ibuprofen and wondered if the priest had some, which, of course, he did. So, Padre Perfect, as he was sometimes called, rushed up three flights of stairs to get the medicine.

After all this, his GPS showed that he would arrive at the church about five minutes before mass began. He had hoped to be there 30 minutes ahead of time. And now, he was stuck in traffic. The GPS added a minute to his arrival time.

The lane next to his was moving, so when there was an opening, he darted into that lane. The driver in the car he cut in front of laid on the horn, not a polite little tap, but a jarring, blaring, extended honk. When Padre Perfect looked in his rearview mirror, the man behind him raised up his hand with his middle finger prominently above the other clinched fingers.

The priest said a prayer for the driver behind him. Really, he did. And the priest felt a bit of calm as he said the prayer.

When the priest looked again in his rearview mirror, the driver behind him was now tailgating him. They were inches away from an accident. Padre Perfect sped up a bit, but the car behind him kept right on his rear end.

To get this fellow off his back, the priest switched lanes, but a blinding light was suddenly hitting his mirror and going directly into his eye.

The car from the other lane had followed him and the driver had now turned on his bright lights. Padre Perfect flipped his rearview mirror so the lights were no longer shining in his eyes. And since his hand was already up in the air, he considered flipping the driver off as well. He resisted that temptation but found himself slowing his vehicle down to a snail’s pace. The car in front of him pulled away, but he barely budged. “How do you like that?” he asked out loud to the driver behind him. 

A few seconds later, the car behind him pulled into the other lane and sped away—obnoxiously honking as he passed by.

When we get caught up in a shouting match, or try to outdo each other in being nasty, nobody wins. And you can tell this, because you never feel good about it. You become all worked up—can’t think straight, can’t enjoy dinner, can’t sleep. Does this sound familiar? It’s the low road.

That is not the way of Jesus, which isn’t to say he never gets upset, or he never speaks his mind. He does speak his mind. He does get upset. He is trying to save as many people as he can. He wants them to believe in what the Father has revealed to him.

That message is to take the high road, to devote yourself to caring for others even when they attack you. Remember that—next time you’re in rush-hour traffic.

Take 30 seconds to water the seed…

What’s a time you took the high road?

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From the Gospel of John chapter 8, verse 12
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 

She never would have guessed that this would be the night that she would have a nightmare. And yet it came. She woke up terrified in her sleeping bag nestled in the tent.

For weeks she had been waiting for this camping trip, longing for it. So far it had been everything she wanted. The cave tour was particularly wonderful. The thing that impressed her the most was the dark.

When they were deep into the cave, the guide said, “I’m going to turn off the lights, and it will become totally dark. No walking, no talking, just experience total darkness.”

The guide flipped three switches and one by one, the strands of lights in the cave went off. The tour group was engulfed in total darkness. After a few seconds, the guide said, “Raise your hand so it’s right in front of your face. Wave it back and forth. It can’t be seen.”

It was amazing and a bit frightening to not be able to see anything. It felt like a thick blanket was over the crowd of people. The guide continued, “Now, I’m going to light a single match. Notice what it does to the cave.”
The guide struck the match on the flint. The sound and the sudden glow were simultaneous. Suddenly she could see again. She could see the whole crowd from her tour group. She could see the walls and ceiling of the cavern she was in—all from a single match.

That night after sunset, she sat by the campfire. The blaze of the branches and logs seemed to have new meaning. Any one of those sticks could light up an entire cave of darkness.

Her flashlight in her hand, she made her way down the trail to the bathroom. She heard something moving through the woods. Her light caught the yellow eyes of a raccoon. It startled her, and she quickly moved away from the creature. When she left the bathroom, she walked the camp road, not the dirt path.

Sleep came easy, but in the middle of the night, she dreamt she was walking along a hiking trail. Her footing gave way, and the earth opened up. She rolled deep underground and found herself in total darkness. She couldn’t see anything, but she heard something walking on the stones near her.

“Who’s there?” she asked. There was no response. The sound of footsteps on loose gravel kept getting closer and finally she saw it. Yellow eyes coming from the ground. Not just one set of eyes, but dozens of them surrounding her. That’s when she woke up. She laid in her sleeping bag shaking.

After a couple of minutes, she noticed through the screen window of the tent the stars shining brightly in the sky. She slipped out of her sleeping bag and unzipped the door of the tent. There were no street lights, no fires, no lanterns.

Tilting her head back, her jaw went slack as she looked at the sky. She saw more stars than she could ever remember, all set in the beautiful blackness of night. She felt she was standing in God’s house. A tremendous calm came over her, she yawned and returned to the tent where she fell peacefully back to sleep.

Do you sometimes feel like you are stuck in total darkness, no way out.

Our passage from scripture today is reassuring. Jesus is the light of the world. No matter your situation, Jesus can bring light to help you.

Sometimes, all we need is a single match to suddenly see everything clearly. Kindle a prayer in your heart. Waiting for you in the dark is the light of the world.

Now let’s take 30 seconds to water the seed…

What darkness are you experiencing?

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Heart to Heart, a Catholic Media Ministry: htoh.us
420 W County Line Rd, Suite 200
Barrington, IL 60010

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Today’s story seed is Green as Ireland.

From the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah chapter 17: 7
Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD.

It is sometimes said that on St. Patrick’s Day everyone is Irish, and many support the tradition by wearing green. 

Americans don green hats, green shirts, green dresses, green socks. If you can wear it on St. Paddy’s day, wear it in green.

Here in Chicago, we even dye the river green. And we don’t stop with the river, we dye the beer green, too!

It is interesting to note, though, that originally the color associated with St. Patrick was actually blue. A sky-blue color was chosen for the order of St. Patrick to differ in tone from the Irish Coat of Arms, which used a darker blue.

Legend has it that St. Patrick taught the trinity by using a three-leaf clover. Many of our greatest teachers use the simplest lessons to convey important truths of life. The lesson had such an impact, that people started to associate St. Patrick with the color green, like the clover. And it certainly helped that with all the rain Ireland receives, it was, and is, known as the Emerald Isle, because it is so green.

But it is not the color of the clover that St. Patrick taught. Faith in God was his teaching. He taught his listeners to trust in the strength of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that it was as abundantly available as the clover that grew on the hillsides.

He knew great pain in his life. He was once a slave, brought to Ireland. But God turned around his life. And that is what God will do for us—turn our life around, send us back to some place to change it for the better. 

St. Patrick, as a free man, returned to Ireland to convert it to Christianity. There is no doubt that he was successful in his efforts. Four out of five people today identify as Christian in Ireland.

God does that—converts us. The conversion isn’t about always getting our way. The conversion is about trust.

Do you feel trust in God growing in your life? If not, seize the opportunity in lent to turn your life around so that you find yourself growing closer to God.

God grows something new inside of us. It could be the belief, like St. Patrick had, that all things are possible, even the conversion of an entire nation. More commonly for us, it’s little things like the ability to be patient, like the insight to find the words for forgiveness, or like the awareness to take delight in the small children that cross our path.

We could say that God is always growing something new in our life. We are forever green, even into our ripe old age.

So, sport your green today, and your blue on this St. Patrick’s Day. Raise a glass of green beer if you choose, but remember, this day is about faith in the Lord.

Now let’s take 30 seconds to water the seed…

What new thing is God starting to grow in your life?

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Heart to Heart, a Catholic Media Ministry: htoh.us
420 W County Line Rd, Suite 200
Barrington, IL 60010

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From the Book of Wisdom chapter 2, verse 19
With revilement and torture let us put him to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience.

He sat on the grass reading his book as the other fourth-grade kids raced around the playground and field. Three boys were huddled together, their knees resting on the playground woodchips as they figured out the final details of their hilarious plan.

A moment later, they got up, and two of them went off into the field. The other boy walked over to the one sitting quietly on the grass reading. “Hey,” said the taller boy to the one reading, “you need to get some exercise and have some fun. Come with me.”

“No thanks.”

“Seriously, you’re coming with me. Too much reading is bad for your eyes.” He reached down and grabbed the arm of the other boy and pulled him up.
“I really don’t feel like playing. I just want to read.”

“No way! You’re coming with me. Let’s have some fun.” The bigger boy pushed the book out of the other’s hand and carried him onto the playground.

“Cut it out. I told you, I don’t want to play.”

“Let’s just do the swings for a little bit.” They were now next to the three unoccupied swings.

“Alright,” said the smaller boy. It was the one thing on the playground he liked. They began to swing.

The bigger one said, “Let’s see who can jump off farthest. I’ll go first.” He released himself from the seat, soared through the air, and landed on the mulch.

The smaller boy did two more pumps of his legs to go higher and higher, then jumped from the swing. He landed further than the first boy had gone.

“That’s crazy. You beat me by like a mile. Let’s do it again. This time, I know I can beat you.”

They hopped on the swings. Higher and faster they went. The two boys jumped at the same time. They flew through the air together. When they landed, the small boy had gone further than the other.

“You’re amazing at that! I don’t know how a kid who reads all the time could be that good.”

“You might try reading some time. You learn about everything in books.”
The bigger boy shouted, “Come on, let’s do the slide.” As he had hoped, the smaller boy followed. When they got to the ladder, he said, “Champions go first.”

The smaller one climbed the steps, pushed himself off the platform, and slid down the curving track. As he came to the bottom, he was surprised to see a group of kids waiting for him. There was something else waiting for him as well. He tried to stop, but he wasn’t quick enough. He slid into the pile of dog poop squished onto the end of the slide.

An enormous burst of laughter came from the group of kids. “April Fools,” they shouted.

April Fool’s Day is something many of us love. It is fun to do innocent, little pranks on each other. This story is clearly not about that. These kids have done something disgustingly cruel. Could something like this actually happen? You bet it could, and has, and will continue.

It seems there is no limit to the cruelty of people.

Where do you stand? Have you been the perpetrator? The victim? The witness? What would you do if you were this boy?

We learn from our mistakes. Being God’s people, following the path of love and gentleness is a blueprint embedded in our soul, but we have to take the time to look at the directions.

When we find what matters most in life, cruelty is never our path. Our laughter comes from genuine joy, not the misery of others.

Now let’s take 30 seconds to water the seed…

What do you know now that you didn’t as a kid on the playground?

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Heart to Heart, a Catholic Media Ministry: htoh.us
420 W County Line Rd, Suite 200
Barrington, IL 60010

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From John 5:44
How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?

Her daughter cleared her throat and said, “Mom, it’s time for you to move into a retirement home.” Those words struck a chord of terror into this mother’s heart. She was worried that her daughter would suggest this, and now she had. No more subtle hints. She had said it plainly.

At 79 years old, she didn’t feel that old. She was still able to dress and bathe, cook, and drive. She went for a walk most days. She enjoyed reading. Her life was good.

But the yard work was beyond her, and walking down the steps to the laundry was certainly not as easy as it had been even five years ago. She and her husband had been determined to stay in the house as long as they could, but, of course, he got sick. She watched him slip away from 190 pounds to 110 pounds, and then one long, dark night, he smiled and took his last breath.

The retirement home was actually a campus with a variety of levels of care. “It’s perfect for you, Mom,” said her daughter. “There are games, activities, travel possibilities, and a variety of meal plans. Certainly, it would be nice to not have to cook every meal.”

“But I’m not that old. I don’t need to go to the old folks home. At least not for some years to come.”

Then she had the fall. She was fine. All that happened was that her wrist was bruised and sore, but she didn’t break anything.

“It happens to all of us,” said her neighbor. “It doesn’t mean that you’re old. You just have to remember to pay attention.”

She started praying about her situation. She said a decade of the rosary each day and asked Mother Mary to help her make the right choice. After praying like this for a few days, it became clear to her that her husband would have definitely wanted her to stay in the house, and so she should stay.

But she continued over the next few days to pray about this, and it became clear to her that she loved her children, and they clearly thought it was best for her to move, and so she should follow their advice.

After another week of prayer, the good intentions of her neighbor tugged on her heart. That neighbor loved her and wanted what was best for her, and so she should stay in her house.

One night after praying, two words lingered in her mind: “Ask me.” But she didn’t know who to ask. In the subsequent days, the same two words kept surfacing for her. “Ask me.” After another week, one night she said out loud, “Lord, I don’t even know who to ask. Who is ‘me?’”

“It’s me,” came the answer. She didn’t hear this voice, she more or less, felt it. She sat still for a couple of minutes and then asked, “What should I do, Lord?”

She felt the answer was, “You already know. Where are you at peace when you think of the options. That peace is my gift to you. Use it to make your decision.”

“Thank you, Lord,” she said.

How about you? Are you listening to everybody but the Lord? Or maybe you’re listening to everybody including the Lord. It’s hard to make decisions.

Most of us want reassurance from others that we have chosen wisely. We are after the praise of those surrounding us. That’s not necessarily bad. There is something deeper, though.

That is seeking the praise of the one who dwells in each of us, the one who came to show us the way to live our life. The one who offers us peace. The one who whispers, “Ask me.”

What’s the question you need to ask the Lord?

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