Sunday Wisdom

In this story of Jesus and Peter walking on water, I think it is important to note that the story comes immediately after the feeding of the 5000. So one might ask, how on earth could Peter doubt after such a miracle? Did Peter really doubt Jesus or was the doubt within himself? Did Peter doubt or was he just afraid. Was Peter testing Jesus when he said “Lord if it is really you” or was he just asking for a sign?

Peter obviously trusted Jesus or he would never have stepped outside the boat. We trust Jesus as well, but sometimes it would be nice to have a sign.
Sometimes we need to doubt so that we can increase our faith. Bad things happen to good people and accepting it all with joy is hard. We cannot do it alone. We need His grace.

I think it is interesting to note that as long as Peter remained focused on Jesus he was calm, and once the distraction of the storms upon him, he began to sink. It appears as though Peter lost faith, but did he really or was he just afraid? How often have we allowed fear to keep us from moving forward, or moving at all?

There are times in our life when we lose focus and become discouraged, but that does not mean we have lost faith. Peter realized he was sinking and immediately called out in a panic, “Lord, save me.” And what did Jesus do, He immediately reached out His hand and rescued Peter. The same goes for us. Jesus is always waiting to meet us wherever we are, but we do need to cry out.

When Jesus challenges Peter for having little faith, it was not a rebuke, but an invitation to go deeper, to have more faith and increase his trust in what he already knew.  So go ahead and ask questions and if needed doubt things you do not understand, but let us always keep our focus on Jesus in the present moment because He will never abandon us.

This gospel is a simple reminder to all of us that no matter what storms hit our lives the glorious truth is that Jesus is in the midst of our storms. All we need to do is cry out.

Thanks for stopping by!
Until next time, be blessed, Renae

“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.”

The Lord was preparing his disciples to grow deeper in their trust as they set out to spread the Good News of the gospel. The apostles where not teaching on their own authority. Throughout all their preaching and teaching there was always the authority of Jesus Christ. I believe our Lord knew there would be controversy and rejection. And yet, He calls us to the same mission today to love God with all our heart, mind, and soul.

My friends, those who seek happiness in life by pursing only their own interests will never be fulfilled. How often have we tried to solve a problem or get through a struggle on our own? It never works. Jesus is not asking us to abandon our mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters. He is not in competition for our love, He wants us to love our family through Him, with Him and in Him.

When we put the love of God first in our lives everything else falls into place. The key is accepting all the graces God bestows upon us. Yes, every those graces that feel more like a punishment. God knows what is best for us, always.

Let us take some time today to allow the Lord to shine light on whatever attachment, habit, or plan that exists in our life that competes with our love for Christ. Let’s take time to allow Christ to be in the center of the all our decisions, not just this week, but always. And not just the big decisions but the little ones as well.

May the God of all understanding and compassion empower us to follow the right path in doing His will. May we learn to become worthy and true disciples always acknowledging His glory and then in peace, live in His everlasting joy. ~Amen

Thanks for stopping by!
Until next time, be blessed, Renae

Did you know that back in the day salt was a very valuable rock? When Jesus said you are the salt of the earth He was telling us we are valuable, maybe more that we think, especially in Jesus’ time. The disciples would have known that salt was hard to find and that it could be quite expensive. So lean into the value the Lord is giving you when He says, “You are the salt of the earth.”

The fun thing about salt is that is spices things up a bit, right? Adding salt to a tomato or our bowl of popcorn just makes it taste better.  But have you ever tried eating salt on its own? Don’t try it! I think Jesus is trying to tell us that as salt, we cannot do everything on our own, that what we do does matter and as long as we are giving the glory to God, we are the salt of the earth. Remember what John the Baptist said, “He must increase, I must decrease.”

“You are the light of the world.” We all have special gifts but the gifts we have and the light that shines is not our own, it is just a reflection of His light, the true light of God. When we do things in love and for the glory of God, that selfless loves shines through even in the darkness because goodness shines through and can never be hidden.

I know it seems like our world is a dark place, and at times it can be, but that should not stop us for letting our light shine. Jesus did not let it stop him. He was the true light and His light could not be hidden even in the darkness of His Passion. So, “Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.”

Thanks for stopping by!
Until next time, be blessed, Renae

I am sure you are familiar with today’s gospel reading, the Sermon on the Mount and sometimes when a reading is familiar, we tend to skip over its importance.  It was important for Matthew to point out that Jesus was on a mountain and that he sat down to teach. The gift of the beatitudes is really about our relationship with God and not our worldly situation.  We see in the beatitudes that we are blessed regardless of our status in life.

Jesus reminds us that life will not be easy. It will be filled with suffering and setbacks. But He also encourages us to have hope and to not be afraid. We don’t have to be perfect and we aren’t. We don’t have to hide our weaknesses or problems.  He goes as far as to suggest that perhaps through our suffering and weakness we will be a blessing to others. We can be a light for others just as we are, just as God made us and if we listen to how God is calling us, we will make a difference.

So today, let us reflect on the beatitudes because the Lord had given them to use as a roadmap to deepen our relationship with Him and get to Heaven. The Lord has given us everything we need, life, love, and strength for the journey. “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.” The Lord is helping us learn how to live humbly. We are blessed and we can become more humble if we focus on His compassion, His Divine Mercy, and His sacrifice on the Cross.

Thanks for stopping by!
Until next time, be blessed, Renae

Have faith the size of a mustard seed.

Matthew’s gospel tells us that faith can move mountains. Today, Luke tells us that faith can uproot a tree and replant it in the sea. Jesus reminds us that even the smallest of faith is powerful. There is a reason Jesus chose the mustard seed. It is the tiniest of seeds. Today Jesus reminds us that our faith even if it is small, is powerful.

It is good that the apostles turned to Jesus for help to increase their faith. It shows humility and the need for our Lord. With God all things are possible. Without God we can do nothing. One of the first steps to increasing our faith is to humbly admit our lack of faith and our need for the Lord.

Don’t be confused, faith does bring about magical powers but through prayer, we can obtain holiness. Take some time today to reflect upon the prayer of the apostles: “Lord, Increase our faith.” Let us put aside our pride and humbly pray to our Lord for a renewed faith.

Oh loving Savior, increase our faith. Fill us with the Holy Spirit that we may lead others to Your glory. Remind us of your infinite Mercy. J
Jesus, I trust in You.

Thanks for stopping by!
Until next time, be blessed, Renae