Sunday Wisdom

We all know the right thing to do, but we do not always have the strength to do it.

In today’s gospel Jesus draws the battle lines. Jesus already possesses the Holy Spirit and carries the Good News of God’s love for all of us. The unclean spirit represents whatever forces dominate people and make them less free.

This varies depending on our life situation, but make no mistake about it, all is important, but for Jesus, power is simply for the service of others, as He continues to offer His mercy and healing to all.

We have to remember to trust, and that no temptation or sin can ever out power the light of Christ. Let us continue to trust that the light of Christ will expose our darkness and at the same time expel it.

Thank you Jesus for showing me the darkness so that with you, I can overcome it.

Jesus calls us to be united in our differences, to give hope to the world and offer peace to all we meet.

Peace is the treasure of treasures, the Pearl of Great Price, which Jesus purchased for all of us by dying on the cross. And just like Simon, Andrew, James and John, Jesus us is calling us to follow him in faith and in hope and to bring hope to those in need.

It won’t be easy and certainly there will be struggles and as the storms of life rage on, in the midst of it all, let us remember to thank God when things do not go our way because spiritual blessings are often wrapped in trials.

Let us trust and be confident as we continually strive to live in hope and be a beacon of peace for others.

Who is Jesus for you? 

What are you looking for?

What’s the goal of your life? 

Jesus invites each of us to “come and see” for ourselves that his word is true and everlasting.

“Come and see” is God’s invitation to grow closer to the one who created us. The one who loves us, regardless of how far we stray. and without his grace, mercy, and help we could not find him.

So allow yourself to be loved, to be accepted, to know that you are an important piece in the puzzle of life. Let us all grow in the knowledge of His love and truth and may the Holy Spirit set our hearts on fire to be Christ to all we meet.  For we are all His and we are all loved!

“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” ~Mark 1:7-11

Even Jesus needed to hear words of affirmation from his father. These were not empty words, they were loving and encouraging words that Jesus was giving glory to his father through his ministry. Regardless of our ministry, we all need to hear loving and kind words of encouragement . They keep us going, right?

I am not talking about empty compliments, but real and genuine words of affirmation. This is not always easy because we are busy people and sometimes the busy parts of our lives keep us from seeing opportunities to bless those in our presence. But here is some Good news. Our Heavenly Father is never too busy for us and we can stay connected to Him through daily prayer. We don’t even have to be particularly good at it, we just have to do it!

I know there are people in our lives who need encouragement. So let’s notice those around us and tell them how much they are appreciated! It might be the daily meal that is prepared for us, or a single random act of kindness, it could be someone’s generous spirit, or it could be that someone in our life just needs to know they are loved.

Every time we shine a light on the people of God’s kingdom, God blesses us with his loving grace and fills us up. So let God tell you that he loves you today and then go out and do the same thing for others.

We celebrated Christmas, the birth of our Lord just a week ago and now we enter into a New Year, with the hope of the Magi.  If we look closely we will find the light of our Savior and if we allow ourselves to enter into the light we just may find more peace and calm. 

When we work together, pray together, love one another and forgive each other, the light of Christ enters us and is dispelled out into the darkness.  One light can make a difference.  One candle can light our way, but the Lord asks us to unite with one another regardless of our race, religion or financial status to bring that light to all.  He wants us to put aside our selfishness and our prideful attitudes to shine just a bit more brightly. 

So join with the Magi and ask the Holy Spirit to keep purifying us as we strive to bring the light of love into our world.  When we all unite as one, our problems seem more manageable and our hearts are lifted because we know we do not have to go it alone.  The Lord is here for all of us and his Mercy is endless.  Be filled this day and this year with hope so that we can fill the world with His glory.