Journeying With The Saints

Today's readings are from Notebook 2, numbers 742-744.

Jesus is going to talk about works today, so we are going to talk about works today. Faith and works are not in conflict with each other. In fact, works arise naturally out of faith. If you love and believe in Christ then you desire to show your love through works. Words only go so far.

Congrats! Another ten days down. We are moving right along.

Today's readings are from Notebook 2, numbers 736-741.

Let today be a call to evangelization. Sister Faustina visits Hell and her descriptions are horrific. We must live our Catholic Faith with joy and passion so that those who don't believe might see a difference in us. If our lives look just like the culture then we will draw no one to Christ.

Today's readings are from Notebook 2, numbers 731-735.

In our lives today, entertainment is a top priority. The entertainment mentality has pervaded our faith lives. Too many look to sit back and be entertained by religion. If not, well, then it is time to move on till we find something more entertaining. Sister Faustina shows us a deep spiritual life requires worship and praise even when times are hard, even when God's presence pervades us, and when we are discouraged.

Today's readings are from Notebook 2, numbers 725-730.

Who is the number voice that guides your life? Is it your spouse? Your best friend? Your favorite politician? Is it your own voice? Sister Faustina shares how Christ's voice is the only voice she wants to hear. He is her number one. There are many, many voices that influence our life but the voice we should put the most stock in is Christ's.

This week we are reading the 23rd number from "Way to Inner Peace." We are entering into the section on virtues and the first virtue we are going to discuss is selflessness. I think all human beings can say that they have struggled with the opposite of this virtue. I don't think there is any person out there that can say that they have never been selfish. We all struggle with it and I think Bishop Sheen gives us great tips on how to combat selfishness.

Three key points: Lust, egotism, and greed.

Today's readings are from Notebook 2, numbers 720-724.

Sister Faustina shares that it can be hard to live in a community. She ain't kidding! No matter what community we are in, people can be difficult. We ourselves are difficult. It's so important for us to learn to be good community members whether that be at work, school, church, or at home. People need patience and mercy.

Today's readings are from Notebook 2, numbers 714-719.

Christ seems to say some really harsh words to Sister Faustina. He tells her that she needs to be aware of what she truly is. It is so important that we are truthful with ourselves about our sins and about how those sins have made us do things that are not becoming to us. I share my experiences as a counselor. It is very difficult to get people to truly look at who they are and who they have become. Too often we want to blame everyone else for our shortcomings and sins.

Today's readings are from Notebook 2, numbers 709-713.

Apologizes for the mispronunciation of ciborium by me today in the readings and for the scratchy sound at the very end.

Sister Faustina realizes that she may not see the full fruits of her labors with regards to the Divine Mercy message. She knows that her life may end before the message fully spreads. She's okay with that. We, too, should always be ready to make things better even if we never see the full fruits of our efforts.

Today's readings are from Notebook 2, numbers 702-708.

Sister Faustina shares how much she loves to be close to God. She wants to talk to Him, learn from Him, share her life with Him. The good news is that God wants us to be close to Him. He is not a distant, unapproachable God. He is relational. He desires a close relationship with each of His created souls.

Today's readings are from Notebook 2, numbers 697-701.

So often, we look to Christ as a last resort to solve our problems. This is true for individuals, communities, and countries. Too often we look to politicians, the media, and progressive movements to fix problems. If we don't seek Christ's guidance in any problem we try to fix, not only will we not fix it, we will more than likely make the problem worse. Sister Faustina reminds us that God must come first.