Psalm 34: I Will Always Thank The Lord

For the past two weeks, in thinking about my renewed health over the past two years, I have been acutely aware of, and completely humbled by, the Greatness of our Lord, the generous Blessings He has bestowed upon me, and the Never-ending, Unconditional Love that He has for me and all of Creation. At this morning's Mass, I was extremely moved by the Responsorial Hymn "I Will Always Thank The Lord," which is based upon Psalm 34.

I will always thank the Lord; I will always praise God's name.
I will always thank the Lord; I will always praise God's name.

I will thank the Lord at all times,
I will always praise God's name.
My soul will boast of the Lord;
the poor will hear and be glad.

I will always thank the Lord; I will always praise God's name.
I will always thank the Lord; I will always praise God's name.

Join with me in the praise of the Lord;
together we shall sing God's praise.
I called, and God answered my plea;
from my fears the Lord set me free.

I will always thank the Lord; I will always praise God's name.
I will always thank the Lord; I will always praise God's name.

Look to God and shine with joy;
you will never be ashamed.
I begged God to listen to me;
God took my burdens away.

I will always thank the Lord; I will always praise God's name.
I will always thank the Lord; I will always praise God's name.

Pick Up Your Mat... and Walk!

During the early Sunday morning of Memorial Day Weekend 2008, I had a fainting spell and suffered seizure-like symptoms. After being taken by ambulance to the Emergency Room and put through several tests, it was decided that I had been dehydrated and that I should drink plenty of fluids and increase my salt intake to keep my normally low blood pressure elevated. After a few days of continued weakness and dizziness, I exhibited some mild stroke-like symptoms. Again, I was taken to the Emergency Room by ambulance. There I had several more tests and an MRI and was put on a 48 hour seizure watch. Over the next two days, I made a few phone calls to doctors and had one appointment. I was told that there was really nothing wrong with me and was told that I could drive and go on the silent retreat that I had been planning to attend that weekend. While at the retreat, I again exhibited seizure-like symptoms. When I returned home, I made another call to my doctor. Still, she thought there was nothing wrong with me. But, despite what the doctors were saying, I knew there was something very wrong with me. I lay on the sofa and prayed, "God, I want to be well." I was surprised, but comforted, by what God spoke to my heart: You are a very sick little girl, but you will be well. Pick up your mat and walk. Recognizing God's Presence immediately, I knew exactly what He was telling me. God made it very clear to me that I would be well, but my healing would not be instantaneous. I needed to do the work to get well. Not knowing how to even begin, I prayed again, "God, I will do whatever you want me to do. Please put the right people and things in my path." And He graciously did. I was led to a path of Holistic Health by my sister. God then led me to several doctors who support homeopathic forms of treatment. Over the next four months, it was determined that I suffered from a weak heart, seizures, mitral valve prolapse, early symptoms of MS, CFS, fibromyalgia, severe arrhythmias, severe arthritis in my lower back and hips, kidney stones, Hypothyroidism, Systemic Candida, NMH, IC, allergies, a weakened immune system, low blood pressure, and more. Now, after two years of doctors' appointments; research; support from my sister, family and friends; vitamins and supplements; walking, sunshine, and fresh air; a "caveman diet" of mostly whole, raw, organic foods; and much prayer and trust in God, I have recovered from my many ailments. When I asked God why the doctors who treated me in the beginning didn't recognize the seizures and my other health issues, He said to me I closed their eyes to keep them from maiming you. My current cardiologist confirmed this. Had the doctors really known what was going on with me, many drastic measures would probably have been taken to treat me, including putting in a pace maker. I am abundantly grateful for the Love and Direction that our Lord has given me and continues to give me. Pick up your mat and walk. These words have forever changed my life, not just in my physical health, but in all areas of my life. In the Gospel according to St. John (John 5: 6-9), Jesus asks the man who had been ill for 38 years, "Do you want to be well?" He asks us the same thing... Do we want to be well? If so, we need to "pick up our mats and walk". Complaining, blaming, and staying "stuck" won't heal us. Do you want to be well? Do you REALLY want to be well? If so, then take back your life! Pick up your mat and walk!!! Follow our Lord on the path to wellness... mind, body, soul, and spirit.

Happy Mother's Day

To all of the moms out there, to those who have played a "mothering" role, and in memory of the moms who will forever be in our hearts, have a very blessed and joyful Mother's Day!

The most important person on earth is a mother.
She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral.
She need not.
She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral --
a dwelling for an immortal soul,
the tiny perfection of her baby's body...
The angels have not been blessed with such a grace.
They cannot share in God's creative miracle to bring new saints to heaven.
Only a human mother can.
Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creature;
God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation...
What on God's good earth is more glorious than this: to be a mother?
Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty

I Didn't Ask You To Fix Them

What is our responsibility to others in this world, especially those who are not acting "right" (read: not acting the way WE think they should)? God answered this question very clearly last year. I didn't ask you to fix them, I asked you to love them. We have not been called to change others. We are called to change ourselves. By our own good example and encouragement, others may find the desire and courage to change in themselves what would bring them true peace and happiness. By living out our lives and faith joyfully, others may "want what we have". If we are giving others unsolicited advice in order to "help" them, what we are really saying is, "You are not living up to my expectations." In other words, we are only offering conditional love. We will never attract by judging. Who would ever want anything we have if what we have to offer is condemnation? As always, it goes without saying, we shouldn't put up with or condone abuse. There are times that we do need to speak up. But abuse is where I try to draw the line when I'm carefully choosing my battles. I don't always succeed, but it is the guideline which God has made so clear to me: I didn't ask you to fix them, I asked you to love them.

Jesus, I Trust In You

"Go and learn the meaning of the words, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'" (Matthew 9:13) Today is Divine Mercy Sunday. "Pope John Paul II, both in his teaching and personal life, strove to live and teach the message of Divine Mercy. As the great Mercy Pope, he wrote an encyclical on Divine Mercy: 'The Message of Divine Mercy has always been near and dear to me... which I took with me to the See of Peter and which, in a sense, forms the image of this Pontificate.' In his writings and homilies, he has described Divine Mercy as the answer to the world's problems and the message of the third millennium. He beatified and canonized Sister Maria Faustina Kowalska, the nun associated with the message, and he did it in Rome and not in Poland to underscore that Divine Mercy is for the whole world." (www.thedivinemercy.org) So, what is mercy? Forgiveness, love, and charity toward those (including ourselves) who don't seem to "deserve" it. "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have Mercy on us, and on the whole world."

Easter's Promise by Winterberry

Many years ago, before I was really sure that God Is real (and definitely before I recognized Jesus as the Christ), I had an experience one Easter Morning, which I believe was a "seed" that God planted in my heart. I was at my in-laws' house. When we left to go to Mass, I noticed that all of the daffodils were hunched over and facing West. When we returned, the sun was streaming through the trees and morning mist. The daffodils had all turned toward the East and were stretching toward the light and warmed air. I wrote a poem several years later to convey the deeply moving spiritual experience that grew within.

Huddled together with covered heads,
Fear and sadness consumed the bed.

Bonnets of yellow, orange, and white,
Hiding numb faces, sign of their plight.

Torment, regret -- all hope was lost;
Love, it seemed, destroyed; Prince of Peace the cost.

How could it be? He promised so much.
How could He leave, in times of such?

Going unnoticed, rays of light
Pierced morning mist, ending the fight.

Turning to greet Him, Emmanuel,
Recognized slowly, to knees they fell.

Warmth slowly entered bodies so cold,
Broken hearts healed, freeing hurt souls.

Hearts filled with gladness, Hope now restored,
Reaching, receiving; Love freely poured.

Spirit among them, Mercy and Love
Grace given to all, from Heaven above.

Incense

Incense is the term used to denote the material that is burned and the smoke it produces. Historically, incense was used to perfume the homes of the rich and mask unpleasant odors. The Old Testament speaks of incense. Zachary was burning incense at God's altar when an angel appeared to him. Incense is a clear symbol of the way in which our prayer rises to God. In the psalms we read, "Let my prayer rise like incense before You, O Lord; and my song like an evening offering." The use of burning incense in religious ceremonies is a symbol of prayer and worship of God which dates back to ancient times. It is both a symbol of our prayer rising to God and a way to honor holy things. That is why the altar, the Word of God, the people, the Easter Candle and the cross are incensed. Probably today the most common use of incense is at a funeral to honor the body of the deceased.

(From Mountain Maryland 6 Parishes Bulletin 3/7/10)