Sunday Wisdom

Last week we heard about the beatitudes and now this week, Jesus is calling us to go deeper and actually love our enemies. This is difficult on a good day, let alone if we are struggling to forgive someone who has wounded us.  But the, God is love and his Mercy is unfathomable, so what do we do. 

Well, if we want to live God’s Kingdom here on earth and actually make a difference in our world, we need to do good to those who hate us, bless those who cure us, and most importantly pray for those who abuse us.  Now my friends, that is a tall order as we enter the Lenten Season, but with God’s grace, it is possible.

It seems so counter-cultural right? Society teaches us to give because we will get back, or be nice so others are nice to us. So loving our enemies is certainly uncomfortable, but then again, so is the cross. Jesus asks us to take up our cross and follow him. Follow him in this life and into paradise.  We are called to love others not because they love us, but because it is the right thing to do. 

As we prepare for the Lenten season, take some time to ask God what he wants you to do this Lent and how we can change the world, one act of kindness at a time.

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

Today’s gospel is familiar and yet at times uncomfortable. It calls us to seriously look at what is important in our lives.  The Beatitudes are often described as a guideline for Christian living. One thing I like to focus on when I hear this reading is how much God wants to bless us all. His Mercy is for everyone and he wants nothing more than for us to hear the truth, live the truth, and discover joy. Sometimes this might seem like an upside down gospel, right? Because really “Blessed are those who weep and mourn”? But, this message from Jesus is hopeful for all of us because the Kingdom of God is for the poor and the outcast. It is for the persecuted and the peacemaker. And thank God it is for sinners and the unwanted.  I am not sure about you, but at one time or another in my life I have fallen into one or more of these categories.  So let’s put a little more trust in Jesus today and open our eyes and ears to be more faithful.  Let’s stop looking for happiness in all the wrong places and invest in people. If we do, I am sure we will find the Kingdom of God here on earth and discover the true joy of being a Christian. Remember, the gospel also says, “Blessed are you, holy are you. Rejoice and be glad.”  

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

God trusts you more than you will ever know and today’s gospel reading reminds us that everything we own and everything we are belongs to God. God has given us all many and very different gifts. It is up to us to use those gifts to honor and glorify God. Our parable today reminds us that God is always in control and while he is not physically on earth with us today as he was with his apostles, if we allow him, He will walk each step of our journey with us.

Don’t waste your gifts and don’t waste precious time. Invite God into your life! We all have different gifts, one is not more important than the other, but what is important is to use your gifts to better the Kingdom of God on earth so we will be prepared to spend eternity in the Kingdom of Heaven.

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

“Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”  (Matthew 22:21)

In today’s gospel Jesus reminds us that it is important to meet both our earthly and heavenly needs. As a member of society, it is important for us to pay taxes, exercise the right to vote, and defend our country. Regardless of our faith, nationality, or citizenship we also have the obligation to practice obedience by giving to God what is God’s.

What exactly belongs to God? Well, in my opinion, everything! We are all made in the likeness of God and depend upon Him for our very next breath. Our time, talent, and treasure are all graces given to us by our loving God. Being obedient in prayer, practicing the Sacraments, and showing mercy to others is part of our heavenly need and God is forever calling us and challenging us to surrender to Him.

So today, let us listen deeply, practice obedience and entrust our lives to the Lord. Peace!

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

Today’s gospel is all about a wedding feast which also represents our eternal banquet in heaven.  Seems simple right? Our God is a merciful and loving God so all are invited. The young and old, rich and poor, sick and healthy and yet, the king refuses some because they are not properly dressed in the wedding garment.

We spend all of our lives preparing for this eternal banquet and so having a relationship with Christ that focuses on prayer, trust, love and forgiveness is how we prepare our final garments. We have a merciful and loving God has given us all free will, an opportunity to choose Him, to choose love over hate, peace over violence, truth over lies and most importantly forgiveness for all who hurt us.

We can accept or refuse His invitation. We can accept the invitation and refuse His grace.  This is why many are invited but only a few are chosen. So let us choose to accept His invitation, and choose to clothe ourselves with love, forgiveness and peace.

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