Mary Still Has Answers

It has been a long journey discovering one of the most beautiful gifts given to us by Our Lord in Our Blessed Mother since returning to the church many years ago.

On top of being a comfort, guide, and teacher, Mother Mary has answered a prayer that I have asked of her for over a year:

Because I did not grow up in the Church the mystery of the Eucharist was just that: a mystery! I was told that at the Consecration we actually enter into time where we are present at the Cross when Jesus was crucified. So…about a year ago I began to ask Mary to show me the truth about this mystery. Every time I went to Mass, when it came time for the consecration, I asked: “Mother Mary please show me the truth about this mystery.” I wasn’t stressed out, I just asked…over and over again…for about a year.

Then one day, out of nowhere it seemed, a memory of a movie I had seen when I was about 10 years old came back to me. The movie was called The Robe and I was reminded of the scene at the crucifixion: It was raining and Jesus had just died on the cross. I “watched” as the camera followed the blood and water that had flowed out of Jesus’ body…it flowed down the hill over rough ground and rocks all the way down to the Leper colony! When the blood and water touched the people who were cursed with Leprosy they were HEALED!

It was then that I saw the truth of the mystery: JESUS IS TRULY ALIVE AND PRESENT AND IS STILL HEALING!…I was so moved by this revelation that now, during communion,  I bring every person that is connected to me in any way shape or form, living or deceased to the foot of the cross!  I ask for even just a tiny drop of that blood or water to touch them and heal them spiritually, physically, emotionally, or mentally!!!!! Amazing!!!

Thank you my precious Mother Mary!!!!!!!!!!!!

Photo: CrisG/Pixabay

Mother Mary and Trust in God

Although I am Roman Catholic by birth, I did not grow up in the Church. When I finally decided to search out my faith, I did so in many different churches before returning to the Catholic Church.

I was misinformed when it came to Mary, the Mother of God. It has been a long journey discovering one of the most beautiful gifts given to us by Our Lord in Our Blessed Mother. In recent years, she has been holding my broken heart in her loving hands and helping to heal it. She has also been guiding and teaching me the ways of God’s Kingdom.

Mother Mary has so much wisdom, gentleness, love, knowledge, and power. She is a most perfect model for us in the practice of putting our trust in God.

Think about it: An angel comes to Mary and tells her she will have a son by the Holy Spirit. This child will be God’s own son, and His name will be Jesus.

Mary says OK.

Wow! She doesn’t freak out about the fact that she is not yet married and could be put to death. All her plans for her own life were changed in an instant. How many of us would accept a change in our plans that readily?

I know, you think: But she saw an angel. And I say to you: Even when you hear God, do you listen?

I sure don’t. But I’m learning to.

It is that childlike trust that we must have if we are to walk the ways of God. Follow and trust in Him, and not ourselves.

Mary trusted God all the way to Bethlehem where she gave birth to the Savior of the world. I had a revelation about this holy of nights and realized that the wise men brought all those expensive gifts to Mary and Joseph before they knew they would be needing money to travel to Egypt.

Remember: In a dream, God told Joseph to run to Egypt with the baby so that Jesus’ life would be saved from the king who was killing all infants. God instructs his follower to do something, provides the way to do it and it is done. Joseph trusted and acted on it.

I can’t find a Scripture anywhere that says Mary fought any of the “happenings” in her life, even when she witnessed the brutal death of her son. Now that is childlike trust!

Think of a time when you were young and wanted to play with something dangerous. That pocket knife, maybe? Matches? Your parents said no, and you were so upset you felt like you couldn’t handle it, but your parents loved you so much they knew you were not ready to handle knives or matches. They wanted to keep you safe.

That is how our Father in heaven is with us. He knows what is dangerous. He knows what we need for our safety, for our growth. He only wants good for us. He loves us. He is trustworthy.

When we rebel against the “happenings” in our lives, whether large or small, we are rejecting the good that God has for us. Again, we are using our judgments, our imaginations, our wills, instead of trusting God.

Mary, Mother of God, teach us to have that childlike trust as you did!

This blog is taken from the author's book, “Strength for Your Journey.”

Originally published in the Archdiocese of Miami Let’s Talk Blog.

Photo: Aktim/Pixabay

Trust Takes Time

The key to spiritual freedom that I will be talking about this week is the key of trust. Remember, by spiritual freedom I mean the ability to "act" on God's ways, not "react" from ours. These keys are tools to help with that process.

Like the perfect diamond, trust is crystal clear, harder than steel and flawless. One who trusts the Lord sees through their daily trials as if they were transparent. Through those trials they see the Lord's abiding love. They see that trust in Him is perfect, flawless, and they are not easily broken.

But trust, in my experience, takes time: 30 long years, in my case!

When I came to the Lord 30 years ago, I delved into Scripture. I was so hungry for God's words. At that time I was walking through one of the hardest trials of my life: I gave birth to a son who had multiple heart defects and I was told that he would die before he was 5 months old. In my sorrow and striving, I turned to Scripture - to God - or some sense to all of this. Little by little I had enough faith to try God at his words: to trust, to stand firm on, to believe in, his words.

To trust that his words were true. Words like: "Do not worry about anything but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding (because his ways are not ours) will guard you hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

As I read the Scripture, trusted his words to be true and acted on them, believed in them, trust grew in my heart. I used my "faith key" and made the decision, again and again, to believe in God's ways, not mine. He blessed me with endurance, wisdom, hope, peace and that blessed assurance that he was with me, understood me, cared for me, would heal me and be with me no matter what happened to my son.

I actually got to the point, within my heart, where I knew that God loved my son more than I ever could and if he decided to take him home (heaven), I knew it was for my son's good. I actually had peace about it.

As the years went on I accumulated a long journal of "God's doings" in my life.  By this I mean, I wrote down what was happening in my life - my joys, sorrows, hurts, praises, etc. Scripture reading became a part of my life, as I found answers in God's word: hope, support, healing, joy, grace, counsel, guidance, and so much more.

I recorded all of it in my journals. It became journals of "God's doings" in my life — and a great gift to me. These "doings" are very valuable because when I doubt, when I look around and not up, when I act on my dysfunction, I have my journal. I look back and meditate on "God's doings" to help me remember what God has done for me. It is then that I realize my God can be trusted. His words are true.

Prayer assignment:

Thank God that he is trustworthy. Think of a circumstance in your life where you need to trust God and read his word. Here are some scriptures that may assist you:  Psalm 18:2, Psalm 25:1-2, Psalm 37:5, Psalm 143:5, Proverbs 3:5, Proverbs 30:5, Isaiah 26:30, John 14:1-3.

Originally published in the Archdiocese of Miami Let’s Talk Blog.

Photo: cygig/Pixabay

Acting on Faith

I want to share with you a most beautiful experience of acting on my faith rather than reacting from myself.  Here is what happened....

I lead an ensemble, Linda Rose and Company, and we were invited, along with Answered Prayers Cross, to minister to women at the Mary Hall Freedom House in Atlanta, Ga.

The ensemble consists of four backup singers and three musicians. The singers and I bought airline tickets and the musicians planned on driving up. But about a week before the trip the musicians informed me that they were not able to go. Each had a good reason.

What to do now? How will we sing without any instrumentation? Normally I would have cancelled the gig, but our singers had bought tickets and taken off work to be there.

In the past I would have felt guilt, fear, embarrassment, anxiety. I would have been so stressed out — crying, thinking of what a disaster this was. Why did I think I could do this? Who do I think I am? Etc.

Instead, I went to the Lord and said, "Well, Lord, apparently you have someone else in mind that you want to have play with us, so this is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Thank you for guiding me to find that person."

The next morning when I got up I had the idea to call a friend of mine in Atlanta whom I had sung with. When I asked her if she or another friend would be available, she informed me that it would be impossible for them but she gave me the name of someone who might help.

I called this young man and told him my story and asked if he would be available. He said, "Sure, I am off on Mondays and would love to play for you." When I asked what he does for a living, he replied, "I am the music minister for the Catholic liturgies at Emory College and work part-time at St. Peter Chanel Church here in Atlanta."

Wow! God is so good! He was also gracious enough to bring with him a bass player!

I didn't even mention that I couldn't get in touch with the foundress of the Mary Hall Freedom House to finalize timing and the program schedule: Could we get into the room to so that the sound equipment could be delivered and so that we could practice? After all we had not played with these musicians and didn't even know if they knew the music. Answered Prayers Cross members also were going to come to set up.

Needless to say this was an experience in acting on my faith. And the blessings were incredible! Since I went to the Lord with this challenge, I was gifted with peace and confidence that God had my back. I even laughed at the seemingly messed up plans.

The keyboard player and bass player seemed like as if they had played with us forever. It turned out that one of my sons played drums with us and the other sang. Double blessings! The backup singers were so "on" and the women who attended were so amazing. They were standing, singing, worshiping with us. We had chances to pray with them and one of our singers handed out rosaries to them. This was so much more than I had ever expected or dreamed of.

When we act on our faith — look up instead of around — there is no telling what God will do.

Prayer assignment: Remember a time when you acted on your faith. Thank God for that time and share it with someone this week.

Originally published in the Archdiocese of Miami Let’s Talk Blog.

Photo: wal_172619/Pixabay

Faith and the Word of God

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8)

In my last blog I spoke about the key of faith — one of the tools to help us follow God's ways, not ours. Faith is the foundation for the building of our spiritual life.

Despite our false visions of God, our life experiences — trials, traumas, disappointments, failures etc. — we need to make a decision over and over again to have faith, to believe in God and his word; to trust in his ways, even when things make no sense, when circumstances become overwhelmingly painful.

Because my dysfunctional actions and thoughts brought much pain, failure and grief into my life, I turned to the word of God for guidance. I made a decision to believe. The Lord gave me the grace to have faith in his words and ways.

I especially love the psalms. In them I find a road map for living in the Kingdom. In the psalms I find healing words, strength, guidance, correct ways to act and think: Everything I need to walk in the ways of God.

In contemplating Psalm 23 during a time of rejection, abandonment, betrayal, shame, loss, etc., the Lord gave me these revelations:

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want": It is his job to supply all my needs — food, shelter, emotional support, etc.

"He makes me lie down in green pastures" He restores my soul: He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake": He will take all my burdens, hurts, brokenness and bring healing. He will guide me, let me know which way to go in accordance with his will. He will do this in me so that people will witness God in me, therefore bring glory to his name.

"Even though I walk through the valley of death, I fear no evil: for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me": When I am in the pit and I don't see any way out, I must know that you are with me and that you will comfort me.

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: you have anointed my head with oil, my cup overflows": You set the time, space, circumstances in front of my enemies. You anoint me with your Holy Spirit and pour down graces overflowing so that I am able to love like you.

"Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life": When I obey and do what God wants, goodness and kindness will be with me all the days of my life.

"And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever": When I walk with the Lord in his kingdom, it is eternal.

Thank the Lord for giving you faith and for speaking to your heart. Go to the Bible and spend time reading and contemplating his words to you.

Originally published in the Archdiocese of Miami Let’s Talk Blog.

Photo: blenderfan/Pixabay

The Key of Faith

Last time I shared with you that, while going through some difficult times in my life, the Lord gave me keys to help me along my journey. I understood that these keys were the tools that would help me to follow God's ways, not mine; another way to say this is to act from my faith, not react from myself, from my dysfunction.

This first key is the key of faith. Faith is the foundation for the building of our spiritual life. It is my hope, my dream, my purpose, my healing, my comfort, my stability, my end and my beginning. Without my faith, what is there? What is my purpose? Why am I alive? I believe that I have been fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps 139:14) That God began a good work in me and He will perfect it until Jesus comes (Phil 1:6).

That I am gifted for the purpose of glorifying God, and that God is with me always and knows me better than I know myself. So I can put all my faith in Him.

Where do you first remember learning about your faith? Was there a person or persons in your past who inspired you? Maybe you are like me and didn't grow up in the Church and had parents who didn't talk about God. Perhaps you grew up in an abusive situation, or were the victim of trauma, loss or any number of other tragedies, and can't wrap your head around the concept of faith: If God is real, where was He for me? More to the point: I can't be very much loved by God after all that has happened to me.

I had a real problem with that very thing. If God is real, where was He for me? Where was He when my child was suffering, my marriage fell apart, my Dad died in a tragic boating accident, I lost all material possessions? How do I have faith in someone I can't see or hear who is supposed to love and care for me? It took lots of decision-making over and over again to try believing, to try standing on faith.

I had to look at the barriers I put up within myself, the false visions I had of God because of my life experience and various other challenges.

Remember, we are not of this world. We are in it. We are to act on what we believe — our faith, not our vision, not our reasoning, not our imagination, not our brokenness.

If you find that you just can't understand many things in your life, if you worry and have anxiety, anger, disappointment, fear, and are unable to act on your faith: Ask for faith! God will give you more than you can imagine. God will give you the grace to look up and not around.

Pray: Thank you Lord for giving me faith so that I will act from faith rather than from myself.

Originally published in the Archdiocese of Miami Let’s Talk Blog.

Photo: carmen6969/Pixabay

How Do We Follow God's Will?

I have been asked many times: What is a spiritual director? So here it is: a spiritual director is one who, through training, is able to help you discern God's movements in your life...a helper along your journey.

How do I help you? Well the first question I ask you is: What is your prayer life like and are you seeking God's will? I ask this because how will you know what God is saying to you if you are not listening? God's will is, most times, different than ours.

Maybe this will help explain: Most people who know me know that I love Star Trek. I just love watching as they explore strange new worlds and seek out new civilizations. They had no guide book on the ways of that new world and this resulted in many hardships, trials, tribulations, etc.

Unlike the Star Trek team, we have a guide book, the Bible, to show us how to live in the Kingdom of God. Jesus tells us that we are IN this world but not OF this world. So, in essence, when we follow God, we are living in an alien world. I love this.  The Kingdom of God, His ways, His laws are so opposite to man's. Think about it: Pray for your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Thank and praise God in ALL circumstances - that means ALL.

I tell you this: if you will walk in His ways and keep His commandments, you will be given the grace to walk through whatever circumstances come your way; but even more, the trials and tribulations in your journey will turn into blessings.

How do we do this? How do we act opposite to what we have learned all our lives? We grew up in this world, have been shaped by our families of origin, teachers, culture, experiences, traumas, disappointments, etc. We all have been on our own unique journey. Much of what we have learned is good. However, our actions are, many times, a result of what we have learned in the world and they may prohibit us from acting on God's ways.

How are we able to keep God's commands when we have been hurt, disappointed and broken? How do we become free to act on our faith rather than from our brokenness?

Some years ago, while in one of my trials, the Lord gave me some keys to help me work to that end and I want to share them with you. These keys are: faith, trust, obedience and love.

I will have more to say about the first key, faith, in my next blog. In the meantime, try this prayer assignment for this week: "Thank you, Lord, for showing me the truth about who it is that I am following in my life."

Originally published in the Archdiocese of Miami Let’s Talk Blog.