Unclean, Unclean! - Spirit Speaking through Scripture

When I arrived for Mass this morning, I was not scheduled to serve as Lector; however, I was asked to read the first reading which came from Leviticus. As I grow closer to Christ, I am amazed at how Scripture writings continue to speak to each of us where we are. As I read over the text for the first and second times before Mass, I gained the first impression of what the scripture said about leprosy in the Old Testament times and the law. Then, while reading the passage from Leviticus 13:1-2,44-46 among the assembly, I felt the words speaking of myself when I read that he shall cry out, "Unclean, unclean". Most comforting was coming to the understanding of how Jesus came not to judge as those of the Law did. What comfort there is in knowing that Jesus Christ gave us His Spirit to recognize our own faults, but not to despair. I must seek forgiveness and come to understand the need to be a forgiver as well. Let us not approach our religion or spirituality in a legalistic way, but in how we can come closer to Christ. I pray that I recognize the times that I am unclean and open the door to my heart to Christ. Amen!

Jesus in the Tabernacle

What a wonderful mystery! Our Lord Jesus Christ present with us in the Tabernacle of every Catholic Church. I have come to love spending time with our Lord before the Tabernacle. Sometimes, I get the feeling that we feel that we have to spend hours in front of the Blessed Sacrament to fulfill some type of obligation. My knee bends in awesome wonder each time I open the Tabernacle to retrieve the Blessed Sacrament to take to the homebound. If you ever wonder to yourself about how you feel when you have received communion, I encourage you to spend a few minutes with Jesus in front of His tabernacle. He calls us to be with Him. A loving challenge: After Mass this next week, go to the Blessed Sacrament chapel to spend even a minute or two in Christ's presence. Let Him speak to you. Not sure what to say to Him. How about telling Him that you love Him and ask for His grace to take the food of communion into your daily life? Struggling with prayer? My experience is that when I have approached the Tabernacle, Christ speaks to me and my thoughts (prayer) rests with Him. Peace to you!

Picture of Jesus - Cradling the Lost Sheep

What comfort I find as I gaze at the picture of Jesus holding a single lamb. This is the culmination of the story of Jesus leaving the 99 sheep to find the 1 lost sheep. In so many instances, I feel like the wandering sheep not able to find my way and follow where I know Jesus wants me to follow. No matter how tough some times can be, I find sincere comfort in knowing that, while Jesus will allow me to wander, he will always search for me and every lost soul. Christ, thank you for holding me close to you. Teach me to follow your simple way of searching out the lost sheep and guiding them back to You. Amen!

Picture of Jesus - Knocking at the Door

Have you seen the picture which hangs in so many homes of Jesus knocking at the door to a home? If you look closely, you will see that the door has no knob on the outside for Jesus to open. It reminds me that, although Jesus is all-loving and all-merciful, he does not force himself into our lives. We all have to make the decision to allow him in through the door of our hearts since there is no "knob" on the outside. How often do I keep the door shut? I look through a window in the door and desire the love that only Jesus offers, but, for some reason, I keep him outside. Lord, thank you for giving me the choice, but I ask you to guide my heart to do your will and to never close the door to my heart. Amen!