What is the quality of your heart this week?

Today’s gospel can be challenging as it calls us to look at our own faults before judging others. In order to bear good fruit we must continually pay attention to what is in our heart.  Do you see the good in others or do you look for what is wrong or imperfect? It is important to remember that recognizing good in others, acknowledging someone’s gift does not diminish the gifts we have been given. We are all needed to build up the Kingdom of God here on earth.

To grow in holiness, we need to look at how often we wound our Lord with unkind words, actions, and even judgment of others.  The season of Lent is upon us. Now is the time to grown in understanding of our own failures, and to turn to God in humility, so we will be open to receive His Mercy.

Let us be a witness of compassion and surround ourselves with friends who speak words of love, encouragement and blessing instead of resentment, bitterness, and gossip. Remember, the quality of fruit we bear will be determined on how well we care for the quality of our heart.

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

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