In Good Times and Bad Times

Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary

~~~ 2 COR 5:14-21~~~ Psalm 103 ~~~ MT 5:33-37 ~~~

Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’

Anything more is from the Evil One.”

Mary, the mother of Jesus,

 never wavered from her 'yes'.

From the minute she agreed

 to be the hand maiden of the Lord,

she never hesitated or turned back. 

She remained committed through 

the good times and the bad times.

Her heart was so in love with the Lord 

that she found the grace to endure all hardships.

Mary let her heart sing of her love for Jesus.

Mary let her heart be touched by the heart of Jesus.

Mary is a real example of how to love with your whole heart.

There may have been times in her life

 when Mary had questions...

Did her son really have to suffer and die

 like a common criminal?

He indeed died for all,

so that those who live might no longer live for themselves

but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Before Jesus suffered and was crucified

Mary was no longer living for herself.

Every breath she took was for her son, Jesus.

She nurtured and cared for him who was to die for us.

The heart of Mary was pure and gentle.

The heart of Mary was strong and courageous.

God bestowed upon her his divine graces.

She kept her heart open for the greatest of love.

There is no greater love than to lay down

 your life for your brother.

Likewise, there is no greater love than to give your 

beloved son to die on the cross.

Mary released Jesus out into the world to do as much 

good as he could accomplish in only three years.

In only three years he was able to lay

 the foundation for Christians of all times.

Mary stood by as her heart was filled with sadness. 

Her son laid down his life for those who would 

never know him as she knew him.

So we are ambassadors for Christ...

It is the heart of Mary which teaches

 us how to be the best follower of Christ.

Whenever you find yourself tempted to say 'no'

remember you are saved because

Mary said 'yes'.

Her 'yes' was for you,

right now, today.

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits.

Thank you, Blessed Mother.

We are Blessed through the love of your heart.

~~~Peace~~~

Just a Pinch of Salt

~~~ 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 ~~~ Psalm 119 ~~~Matthew 5:13-16 ~~~ 

We are called and challenged to be salt and light

to the world.

Unless we can open our heart to saying 'yes' to the Lord

we can never be either salt or light.

 ...the one who gives us security with you in Christ

and who anointed us is God;

he has also put his seal upon us

and given the Spirit in our hearts as a first installment.

The 'yes' that Jesus proclaimed to the Father resulted in our salvation.

All of the most holy men and women we encounter

from the past, present, and future have one thing in common...

they all say 'yes' to the Lord.

They say 'yes' to being one of his chosen...

one of his beloved children.

They say 'yes' to be an active part of God's divine plan for all of us.

So what about you and me; can we declare the same 'yes'?

Can we speak it with the same conviction and commitment?

Or is it easier, less risky to sit back and watch others

live out their 'yes' to the Lord?

Our 'yes' makes it possible to be 

the salt and the light for the kingdom of God.

Every time we are the salt for another 

we are motivated because of our yes.

Each time we are the light for another we draw 

from the source of our yes to the Lord.

The salt that you are will eventually 

loose its seasoning

 if you are not continuing 

to renew your 'yes' to the Lord.

If we cannot continue to say 'yes' 

our salt will gradually loose its flavor.

Being a light to the world is no simple task.

All around us there are people would like 

nothing more than to extinguish your light.

For without salt and light we are stagnant Christians.

Without salt and light our purpose becomes insignificant.

We are not here just for ourselves alone;

we are here to be models for others

leading them to the Lord.

We are here to be the one who's 'yes' 

leaves no doubt in the hearts of those 

whom we encounter.

Blessings that follow in saying 'yes'

keep your salt tasty and your light bright.

Sometimes it only takes a pinch of salt

 to complete the flavors in a recipe.

Sometimes it only takes light 

from one small candle to illuminate 

an entire space.

Be firm with your 'yes';

your salt and light will increase in intensity.

You are the salt of the earth.

You are the light of the world.

Reaping the Blessings of 'Yes' each day.

~~~ Peace~~~