A Message of Hope and Resilience

This week's Gospel from Mark, Chapter 13, verses 24-32, talks about the 'coming of the Son of Man'. Jesus paints a vivid picture here: "sun darkened," "moon not giving light," "stars falling." Whoa! It's like a cosmic earthquake, a universal shake-up.

Now, you might be thinking, "This sounds like some end-of-the-world, doom-and-gloom scenario!" And yeah, it can be easy to get caught up in the drama. But let me tell you, this passage is about something way deeper, something that speaks to the core of your being.

Jesus is describing those times in your life when your world gets turned upside down. It could be a global crisis, a personal tragedy, or even just a period of intense uncertainty. It's those moments when you feel like the rug's been pulled out from under you, and you're left wondering, "What the heck just happened?"

I've been there myself. Back in my mid-twenties, I was juggling a demanding job, dealing with a health scare, and caring for a terminally ill family member. Talk about feeling overwhelmed! I was stretched thin, stressed out, and honestly, I felt like I was drowning.

But in the midst of that chaos, I remembered these words from Jesus: "And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory." It was like a lightning bolt of inspiration! I realized that even when things seemed darkest, there was a power greater than myself, a source of strength I could tap into.

And that's what this passage is all about: tapping into your inner strength and resilience. It's about recognizing that even when you feel lost and alone, you are not. There's a force within you, a divine spark, that can guide you through any storm.

This isn't about some distant event in the future. It's about right now, in this moment. It's about facing your fears, overcoming your challenges, and stepping into your true potential.

So, how do you tap into this power? How do you find strength in the face of adversity?

• Embrace your faith: Remember that you are never truly alone. There's a higher power, a loving presence, that's always with you.

• Believe in yourself: You have the power within you to overcome any obstacle. Believe in your abilities, and trust your instincts.

• Take action: Don't let fear paralyze you. Take steps, even small ones, to move forward.

• Focus on what you can control: You can't control everything that happens to you, but you can control your response. Choose to focus on what you can influence, and let go of the rest.

Remember, life is a journey, and there will be ups and downs along the way. But with faith, courage, and a relentless spirit, you can conquer any challenge and create a life of purpose and fulfillment.

So, let's not be afraid of the future. Let's embrace it with open arms, knowing that we have the power within us to create the life we truly desire.

The Secret to Unlocking Your True Potential: Giving

Forget what you think you know about giving! It's not about the size of the check or the hours you log. It's about giving with your whole heart and mind, even when it feels like you have nothing left to give.

Let me tell you a story. In the Gospel of Mark 12:41-44, there's this woman, a widow, who gives everything she has – literally her last two pennies – to the temple. Now, some big shots were throwing in serious cash, but Jesus saw something different. He saw true power in that widow's sacrifice.

Why? Because she wasn't giving from her abundance; she was giving from her heart. She was all in!

This isn't some religious mumbo jumbo, folks. This is about tapping into a force within you, a force that can transform your life. When you give with that kind of intensity, that kind of commitment, you unlock a level of personal power you never knew you had.

Here's the thing: Most of us play it safe. We give our leftovers, the time and money we don't think we'll miss. But that's not where the magic happens. The magic happens when you step up and give when it hurts, when it feels like you're giving too much. That's when you ignite your inner fire.

I have a friend named Annabeth. She works as an office clerk during the day and a waitress at night when she's able to pick up a shift. She works hard and finds herself always struggling. But when someone's in need, she's the first one there with a helping hand, a kind word, whatever it takes. She's living proof that giving isn't about how much you have, it's about how much you give of yourself.

Annabeth once told me, "I don't have a lot to give, but I give what I can." And let me tell you, that woman just radiates positivity and good vibes. She's tapped into something bigger than herself, and it's changing her life.

So here's my challenge to you: Step up your giving game! Don't just give your leftovers, give your all. Give your time, your energy, your passion. Give until it feels uncomfortable, and then give some more.

Trust me, the rewards are immeasurable. You'll unleash a new level of power and fulfillment you never thought possible. You'll connect with something bigger than yourself and transform your life in the process.

Remember God in everything we do! It's all for His glory.

Unleash Your Power: Love's Ultimate Blueprint

Today! We're not just here to sit and listen, we're here to unleash the power within! Today's Gospel, Mark 12:28b-34, isn't just some ordinary Gospel readingl, it's a freakin' blueprint for a life of ultimate fulfillment!

This scribe, he's got the right idea. He's asking the BIG question: "What's the number one commandment?" And Jesus, he doesn't mess around. He throws down the ultimate truth bomb: "Love God with everything you've got!"

Not just a little love, people. We're talking ALL IN! Heart, soul, mind, strength – Everything! This isn't some passive, sit-around-and-pray kind of love. This is a primal force, a fire in your belly that drives you to be your best, to reach your full potential!

Picture this: I was advising this CEO, top of his game, millions in the bank, but empty inside. He had all the success you could dream of, but he was miserable. Why? Because he was chasing the wrong things! He was focused on the externals, the stuff, the status. He'd forgotten the core, the source of true power – his connection to something bigger than himself. Once he tapped into that, his whole life transformed! He found his purpose, his passion, his fire!

But here's the kicker: Jesus throws down another commandment, a one-two punch that'll knock you off your feet: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Boom! Think about it. You can't truly unleash your power, your potential, if you're stuck in negativity, in judgment, in resentment. Love, true love, it breaks down those walls. It connects you to others, it builds trust, it creates a force for good that can change the world!

This isn't some hippie-dippie, let's-all-hold-hands kind of love. This is about taking action, stepping up, making a difference! It's about forgiveness, compassion, and unleashing the best in yourself and others!

So how do we do it? How do we live this ultimate commandment? It's simple, but it ain't easy. It takes commitment, it takes discipline, it takes pushing yourself beyond your limits!

Love God? That means diving deep into your faith, finding your purpose, and living it with every fiber of your being! Pray with passion, study with intensity, and take action with unwavering belief!

Love your neighbor? That means treating everyone with respect, kindness, and compassion. It means forgiving those who've hurt you, lending a hand to those in need, and inspiring others to be their best selves!

Don't just sit there, people! Get out there and live this message! Unleash the power within you, and together, we can create a world where love reigns supreme!

Are you with me?

Silence the Doubt, Cry Out to God: Unleashing the Power of Faith in Your Life

Life can feel like you're stumbling around in the dark, blinded by fear, doubt, and uncertainty. You yearn for clarity, for direction, for a way out of the darkness. But I'm here to tell you there's a light. A source of healing and restoration, waiting for you to call upon it. That light is the Lord.

In Mark 10:46, we meet Bartimaeus, a blind man begging on the roadside. He hears that Jesus is passing by and cries out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Now, people try to silence him. They tell him to be quiet, to give up. But Bartimaeus refuses. He knows what he needs, and he cries out even louder! How many of you are letting others silence your cries for help? How many of you are giving up on your faith because of the noise around you?

But here's the key: Jesus hears Bartimaeus. He stops and calls for him.

Think about that! The Son of God, the Messiah, stopped for a blind beggar. He sees you too! He hears your cries, even when others don't.

And when Jesus asks Bartimaeus, "What do you want me to do for you?" his answer is simple: "Rabbi, I want to see."

Boom! He doesn't overthink it. He doesn't hesitate. He knows what he needs and he asks for it with unwavering faith.

And what does Jesus say? "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you."

Just like that, Bartimaeus receives his sight and follows Jesus.

This is the power of faith, people! It's about crying out to the Lord, even when the world tries to shut you down. It's about believing in His power to heal, to restore, to transform. It's about taking that leap of faith and following Him, no matter what.

So I challenge you:

• Cry out to the Lord. Don't let fear or doubt hold you back.

• Be persistent. Don't let anyone silence your faith.

• Believe in His power to heal and restore. He sees you. He hears you. He's waiting for you to ask.

• Follow Him. Take that leap of faith and watch your life transform.

Remember: You are not defined by your circumstances. You are defined by your faith. And with faith, all things are possible.

That's What Fills Me Up

Today's Gospel reading brought back memories of my childhood, when my parents loved to entertain on weekends.I remember my mother worked in the kitchen all day and then when dinner was ready, you would never see her with a plate. She just sat in her chair observing everyone chatting and enjoying themselves. One day, I finally asked her, "Mom, why do you always do that? Why do you always put yourself last?" And she smiled and said, "Well, someone has to. And besides, seeing you all happy and taken care of, that's what fills me up."

In the Gospel of Mark, we encounter James and John, two disciples who approach Jesus with a rather ambitious request. They yearn to be at his side when he comes into his glory. "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory," they implore.

This request, while seemingly bold, reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of Jesus' mission and the nature of true greatness. James and John, like many of us, are caught up in worldly notions of power and authority. They envision a kingdom where status and dominance reign supreme.

But Jesus gently redirects their focus, reminding them that true greatness lies not in ruling over others, but in serving them. "Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant," he declares. "Whoever wishes to be first among you must be the slave of all."

This teaching profoundly challenges our deeply ingrained human tendencies. We are often driven by ambition, by the desire for recognition and control. Yet, Jesus calls us to a different path, a path of humility and selflessness.

He reminds us that even he, the Son of Man, "came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." His example of ultimate service, of giving his life for the salvation of humanity, sets the standard for all disciples.

This Gospel passage invites us to reflect on our own lives. Are we seeking true greatness, the greatness that comes from serving others? Or are we chasing after worldly ambitions and empty honors?

How can we embrace this call to servant leadership in our daily lives?

To begin with, we can practice servant leadership in our families by putting the needs of our loved ones before our own, by offering support and understanding. Stepping outside our homes, we find opportunities to serve by volunteering our time and talents to those in need, by working for justice and peace. Even in our workplaces, we can strive to serve by treating our colleagues with respect and dignity, by being willing to lend a helping hand.

The path of servant leadership is not always easy. It requires sacrifice, humility, and a willingness to put others first. But it is the path that leads to true greatness, the greatness that reflects the heart of Christ.

Loving Father, 

Thank you for the reminder that true greatness lies in serving others, just as your Son, Jesus, came not to be served but to serve. Help me to release my grip on worldly ambitions and the desire for recognition. Guide me to follow the path of humility and selflessness, putting the needs of others before my own, in my family, my community, and my workplace. Fill me with your grace that I may become a true servant to all.

Amen.

The Real Treasure Chest

I used to think my life was about checking boxes. Good grades, prestigious college, high-paying job, fancy car – those were the treasures I was after. In this Sunday’s Gospel, Mark introduces us to a wealthy young man, who was also convinced that ticking off the "success" list would bring happiness. Like the man in the Gospel,  the more boxes I checked, the emptier I felt. It was like chasing butterflies in a meadow; the closer I got, the more they flitted away, always just beyond my grasp.

In today’s first reading, Wisdom 7:7-11, provides us with a beautiful reflection on the value of wisdom and its superiority to all other earthly treasures. I stumbled upon verses 8-9 "I preferred her [wisdom] to scepter and thrones, and I accounted wealth as nothing in comparison with her." These verses stopped me in my tracks. Was I chasing the wrong things? Was there a treasure more valuable than all the worldly possessions I craved?

Again, reflecting on this week’s Gospel reading, I reread the story of the rich young man who asked Jesus how to inherit eternal life. He had everything the world considers valuable, yet he felt something was missing. Jesus' answer struck a chord: "Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."

It wasn't about abandoning all material possessions, but about shifting my priorities. Jesus was asking the young man – and me – to recognize that true wealth lies in following Him, in seeking a relationship with God, and in allowing that relationship to transform us from the inside out.

Had I just discovered and unlocked a hidden treasure chest? What was I supposed to think about the things I  once valued so much – status, wealth, appearances. All of it now seemed insignificant compared to the riches of faith, love, and service. I had to shift my focus. Now was the time to cultivate my relationship with God and seek His wisdom. Sure, there are things I still desire and need, but my focus is now steadfast in my priority of being mindful and  placing God first in everything I do. 

It's not always easy. The world constantly bombards us with messages about what we "should" value. But when I find myself getting caught up in the pursuit of worldly treasures, I remember the words of Wisdom and the story of the rich young man. They remind me that true fulfillment and eternal life are found not in what we own, but in who we follow.

My journey is far from over, but I'm learning to prioritize the things that truly matter. I'm discovering that the real treasure chest isn't filled with gold and jewels, but with the love of God, the guidance of His wisdom, and the joy of walking with Him. 

"What steps can you take today to shift your priorities and seek true riches beyond worldly possessions? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

Loving Father,

Thank you for opening my eyes to the true treasures in life. Help me to release my grip on fleeting possessions and prioritize the riches of your wisdom and love. Guide me to follow your path, allowing your grace to transform my heart and lead me to lasting fulfillment.

Amen.

Finding My Kingdom Within

Mark 10:2-16 feels like two separate stories – one about divorce and one about kids – but now I see how they weave together to paint a picture of God's kingdom. It's a picture I'm learning to color in with mindfulness.

During my teenage years, I remember when my best friend's parents were going through a divorce. It was messy, full of anger and hurt. Seeing their pain made me think about Jesus's words on marriage.  In this Sunday’s Gospel, Mark describes to us how Jesus wasn't just laying down the law; He was pointing to something deeper – a lifelong bond, two people becoming one. It made me realize that relationships need nurturing, a kind of mindful attention.

Now, years later, I see that mindfulness in action. Have you ever taken a step back and tried to really listen to your partner or spouse, and not just wait your turn to talk? I know for me I constantly catch myself noticing my own reactions, the little judgments and frustrations. I often try to cover my mouth before they spill. Listen, it's not about being perfect, but about showing up with awareness, with a willingness to connect in the present moment.

The second part of this Sunday’s Gospel, about Jesus welcoming the children, always makes me smile. I picture those kids, so excited to see Jesus, and the disciples trying to shoo them away! It reminds me that sometimes, faith is about letting go of being "grown-up" and embracing that childlike wonder.

Mindfulness helps me do that. It's about noticing the world with fresh eyes, like a kid seeing a ladybug for the first time. It's about finding joy in simple things – a warm cup of tea, a walk in the park, the laughter of friends. It's about trusting that things will work out, even when I don't have all the answers.

I challenge you to bring mindfulness into your day with allowing yourself to embrace the following: 

Just breathe: A few deep breaths can change everything. I focus on the air going in and out, feeling my chest rise and fall.

Body check-in: I take a moment to scan my body, noticing any tension or tightness. It's a way of tuning in to how I'm really feeling.

Walking meditation: Even a short walk can be a mindfulness practice. I pay attention to my feet on the pavement, the sounds around me, the feeling of the sun on my skin.

Gratitude list: Before bed, I think of a few things I'm grateful for. It shifts my focus to the positive.

Today’s Gospel isn’t just a story from the past; it's a guide for living a more mindful, connected life. It's about finding the Kingdom of God within ourselves, in the quiet spaces between our thoughts, in the openness of our hearts.

Loving Father,

I surrender to Your loving embrace, just as Jesus welcomed the little children with open arms. Your love fills me with childlike wonder, reminding me that Your kingdom belongs to those who approach You with humility and trust.

Just as Jesus revealed the true meaning of marriage beyond the legalistic interpretations, help me to see beyond the surface and find deeper meaning in all my relationships. Guide me to communicate mindfully, listen with compassion, and be present in each moment with my loved ones.

Thank You for the countless blessings You shower upon me, just as You bless each child who comes to You. Help me to cultivate a beginner's mind, approaching each day with fresh eyes and an open heart, ready to receive the gifts You offer.

Fill me with Your saving grace, so that I may love others with the same unconditional love You have for me. Teach me to let go of worry and fear, just as a child trusts in their parent's care.

May I always remember that Your love is the source of my hope and strength. In Your presence, I find peace and joy, and I know that everything will be okay.

Amen.

Fearless in the Face of the New Normal

For months now, I have battled the fear and anxiety of what the news headlines call “our new normal.” I struggle to comprehend all the devastation, the suffering, and all the lost families across the world have had to endure during this difficult time.

Suffering is a very personal and lonely experience. These past months, I have been suffering alone and with each day, I wake up to a new uncertain future. I am unclear, if it is this feeling of uncertainty that causes this never- ending cycle of negative thinking that works me into a most certain panic.  This frenzy overwhelms me and I sit there or lie there motionless in a paralytic state. It is at this point, the worries flood my mind – Can I get a new job? Can I pay my rent or mortgage? Will I be able to eat tomorrow? Can I recover? How can I be there for my loved ones? The list of worries never ceases to be.

I invited panic and worry into my life and its shadow casts over me. I do what people do. I withdrew.  Then one day, after another sleepless night due to worrying, I prayed. It had been months since I prayed. My faith has not been the strongest during this time. I am unsure why it was shaken so much. However, it was not that I did not believe, but more that I just did not understand why suffering has to have a meaning. What is there to learn from all of this? How do I transform tragedy into triumph?

So, I prayed. This time it felt different. I laid there looking up at the white ceiling of my bedroom, and I chose to surrender. I surrendered my negative thinking and I asked God for help. I asked Him to restore my faith and trust. I also asked for the ability to realize when I go into this negative catatonic thought cycle, so that I can stop it. I thanked God for listening to me and I apologized for leaving Him out of my life while I was distracted with my own uncertainty.

I awoke the next morning feeling rested. As I laid there trying to get out of bed, my mind started to conjure worrying thoughts. For me, I have been constantly worrying about money and being able to pay my bills. My mind focused on my expensive health insurance premium and wondering where I would find the money for it. However, before the racing panic came, a text noise filled the room. Thank God, for the ability for me to be distracted by anything my phone has to offer. I instantly reach for my phone and look to see what came in. It was from a distant family friend, who I am not close with, reaching out to me to see if I was available to talk. I instantly sprang out of bed rushing to the bathroom to take care of the morning essentials. I called back, but no answer.  

My first thought was that I hope everything is ok. My next thought - why would that friend call me? My feelings had changed. I no longer had the time to deal with my one-man pity party. I had to be present for someone else. I felt needed and feelings of hope started to take over. Hours later, my friend called me back. I did not realize it right away, but God was answering my prayer. He had somehow sent me a person who was feeling the same way I was. I was relieved to find out that I was not alone in my suffering. However, others all over the world were possibly feeling the same panic and anxiety. After that first phone call, I made a conscience decision that I no longer wanted to live in the darkness of panic and worry. I now had a choice to make every day when I woke up. Do I let darkness in or seek out love and hope?

I asked God for hope, faith, and trust. He sent me a stranger who was lost too. Unknowingly that stranger became a good friend, who has saved me in more ways than I have ever helped him. Each of us on a daily basis will have to endure an uncertain future. The choice is ours to be present and to choose hope over worry.  We can no longer give power to negative and clouded thinking, instead, we have to give ourselves a break and trust that it will all work itself out. Things will be fine. It will be ok. Only then will we be able to move away from worry so that we can finally let in all the good stuff - love and hope.

The days ahead will be difficult and challenging. It is so easy to succumb to old habits of panic and worry. But, what if today is the day you choose love instead of despair? What if, you place your faith in knowing that it will be ok?  

I made the decision to surrender to God’s love. I placed my faith in Him so that I can trust that each day will be ok. I look for the light of hope He sends me every morning and I do my very best to stay cautious of the darkness that surrounds me. I pray for all of you, hoping you each find your own way and that you will seek out love and hope instead of panic and worry.

Loving Father,

I surrender. Your love gives me the hope I need to fight my worries away. Let my faith remain steadfast, knowing that everything will be ok. Thank you for the many blessings you send my way. Help me to love the way you do so that others may experience your saving grace.

Amen.  

Abandoned & Afraid No More

I am going to come out and just say it. I am a couch potato and certain shows just grab my attention. Lately, I catch myself watching this one show on the Discovery Channel where a man and a woman have to survive 21 days in the wild with little or no resources. A few things scare me about my fondness of this show. One, I am fascinated with the premise of the show, but do not really understand why if you found yourself in the wild and had to survive I am not sure why you would be nude. Secondly, I might like to watch people choose to make themselves miserable.

 I really enjoy the show because it makes me reflect on my own. Face it. Life really sucks sometimes and situations in life can really make you feel miserable, confused, alone, and abandoned all without being naked and in the wilderness. Frankly, I just want to know how I can keep my head above water before I drown in all life’s stress and misery.

The one thing that has worked for me has always been prayer. Now, it is not for everyone, and I encourage you all to find out what works for you. I can only attest to my own experiences and my beliefs. Too many times, I have been so distracted in my own needs and wants that I placed God in the back burner only to find myself feeling miserable, alone, and afraid. However, when I remember to put God at the core of everything I do, there is nothing to fear.

Remembering to put God first is hard work. It is a constant daily challenge where some days I lose out to my selfishness. In Matthew 4:19, Jesus invites us into His way of life, which entails abandonment of a former way of life. That former life being where God was put on the back burner and God was placed second and our needs came first. We need to break out of our selfish shells and return to Him.  That is why, Jesus tells us to “Repent, for the kingdom is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17) Because God has always been with us. We are not alone.  It has always been our choice to accept Him. It is important to remember that placing God first doesn’t mean that you will automatically become a millionaire or get that new car. It means that in whatever we do we choose love first and our needs last. It means taking the time to placing God in everything we do.

Loving Father,

Help me battle my selfishness today. Help me to shed away my former life and look to you as the focus my life. Help be mindful of your presence and love so that I can be your humble servant.

Amen.

God has no Favorites

As a child, I had a favorite toy that I brought everywhere. That toy was a teddy bear named Jeffrey. Jeffrey wasn’t my only teddy bear, but he was my favorite. I packed him up in my oversized backpack and brought him to school, to church, to restaurants, and most importantly, he was always there right next to me when I went to bed.

As I grew up, I spent less and less time with Jeffrey. I also moved him to his own little spot on my desk where he could read and watch me do my homework. As I entered high school, my father was cleaning up because we were having family coming over to stay with us for a few weeks. That day, I stood there and watched as Jeffrey was put into a cardboard box and shuffled up into the attic. If he was my favorite, why didn’t I keep him with me? Why didn’t I watch over him?

I think all of you notice it too. We live in a very great and awesome time, but with that greatness and abundance comes very scary times. The news networks report terrible things happening all around our world. Every channel or internet article focuses on new details about the Australian brush fires, news about protests and the brink of military war, and massive earthquakes crumbling our world like a puff pastry.

I watch all of this and ask. Is God still watching over us?

In Acts 10:34-35, Peter states, “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.”

God is always with us, but the true question we all need to face. Do we favor God every day? Do we place God at the forefront of our everyday living? From personal experience, this is a constant battle for me every single day. At different decisions I make during a course of a day, I know I somehow place God second to my impatience. For example, at the grocery store a new cashier opened up and said I was next. I noticed the person behind me had only a few things so I let her go before me. Of course, that she had to pick up the one item that needed a price check. Internally, I was fuming with impatience ready to burst into anger. It was so fast. I had placed God on the back burner. I had acted selfish and that selfishness got me all disturbed and worked up for really no reason.

This happens to us all. For some, many times a day at work or at home. The truth is when we place God, as our favorite things get easier. When we remember that He is with is in everything we do we can live with no fear. God is love and there is no fear in love. 

Loving Father,

Help us to put You first in our lives. Help us to favor love first and everything else second. Help us to keep the fear out of our lives so that we can only feel your warming love over us.

Amen.

Rediscover Faith

I love celebrating New Year’s. Not because of the ball dropping or spending time with family and friends, but rather the time I make sure to take to reflect on the past year of my life. I find the process sometimes yet refreshing and most times quite humiliating. Taking time to rediscover yourself takes courage, especially when we like to think we are truly better than we really are.

I know I have slacked so much with the goals of themindfulcatholic.com. I wanted to create a community of hope and inspiration to any who wanted to take the time to be a part of it. But, I also was facing a world of doubt.  Yes, I was doubting my faith in people, in myself, and more importantly in God. As I reflect now, I actually believe it’s a healthy process to undergo. Faith is a great power. However, faith is constantly challenged because there is so much social proof that contradicts its being. The thing is with faith you don’t need proof to have it.

So, as this New Year starts I want to turn the tables. I want to challenge myself in working in creating a community where in some way or another you, the readers, can be encouraged. That yes, we will accept that life can often be stressful, difficult, and humiliating, but we will have the faith to persevere through it all and perhaps we can get through it together. Let us also celebrate the blessings and wins of our life. If you are a parent, perhaps it’s when you see your child run to you as soon as they see you come from work and give you a great big hug, or perhaps you got the promotion or salary increase. I don’t think it has to be big win to celebrate. Small wins work fine too. Learn to rejoice in being kind to yourself. Quite often, are self-criticism can be too harsh that we make ourselves paralyzed to action. Inaction is the best way to lose faith in anything.

Everyone has a story. A story that is untold and kept within. Let’s begin this year writing our stories with renewed vigor and faith. Numbers 6:26 states, “The Lord look upon your kindly and give you peace!” I believe “peace” in this case means that God gives us happiness, good health, prosperity, friendship, and good vibes. Let us pray with “peace” over ourselves, our families, and all the neighbors we will encounter this New Year, this new beginning.

Peaceful Father,

Fill our hearts today with renewed faith and vigor in your love. As we go throughout our day today, let us be grateful of the blessings you provide us thus far, and let us share with others your loving peace with all those we will encounter. Let your love shine through me that it will help inspire someone else.

Amen.

Where Are My Prayers Going?

I am losing my mind. I pray and I pray, but I still don’t know what to do. I want to be hopeful, but the sadness I experience overwhelms me. I start to panic and my heart rate speeds up. I try to calm myself down, but my attempts are thwarted by more negative thinking. I fall to my knees. I beg God to relieve me from this suffering, and I ask for things to get better.

A few days past, I have managed to motivate myself to get out of bed and try to get on with my regular routine. I still feel the same. I feel like God has abandoned me. The people around me look like they are living such great lives. My friends and family all seem to be living the dream, but have no clue that I am struggling so much.

Why does it seem like everyone else has it so easy? Being me just feels so tough. I can’t get a break. If not for the tree falling on the house after the storm last week, things would seem better. Also, why did my SUV need brake repairs now? The expenses are mounting up, and I am already short this week. God, where are you?

For the past few months, this has been my trend of thought. One mishap after the other come and graces me with its presence. All I really want to do is throw in the towel. I have had enough of God not answering me. I need answers. I need a solution. I need help.

Then today happened. Something at my very core told me to go 12 noon mass today. Something I don’t do. I usually pray a lot and try to talk to God throughout the day. But, the last few months I noticed I was trying to solve things on my own. I wasn’t interacting with God as much as I did. In honestly, I had forgotten my own motto “God in Everything I do.” You can imagine why I find it so hard to write something when I am so uninspired to do so. While the troubles I am currently going through haven’t gone away, I am working on putting my trust in God again so that I don’t have to go through my sufferings on my own.

It has just been such a horrible time lately. I needed to take a step back and reflect. I don’t know much. But, I learned that sometimes God answers us in silence. I really wish He didn’t do that. I am just really glad that He didn’t leave me. In silence, I learned that I was running away from Him. I was too proud thinking I could solve everything on my own. The thing is I chose to suffer alone. Yes, I prayed to Him. But, I didn’t trust in Him. I didn’t trust that He would be there to help me during this tough time. Today’s Gospel reading, talks about us needing to humble ourselves like children before we can receive the rewards of heaven.

I had to humble myself today to let my faith grow. The future will bring about days of discouragement, stress, hopelessness, and sufferings. Will we remember to trust that God is there watching over us? Will we remember that in His silence He is always there fighting with us against our own demons and sufferings of today.  

What are you suffering from today? Will you humble yourself to let it be known? Please feel free to comment below and let me know how you are feeling. God gives us all that we can handle and He also provides us with hope to fight another day. You are never alone unless you chose it.

Have I Lost My Way?

I am going to be frank about it. I am a big big coward. As soon as things get tough, all I really feel like doing is to curl up into a ball and just give up. The reason I started this website is to glorify God and I thought that would be simple enough. It is not that my belief in God has changed in any way, but my faith and trust in God has been tested and tried this past month to the fullest that I couldn’t provide hope to all of you when I was need of so much hope myself.

The thing is I know that everyone has problems. Everyone is going through something that tests them. But, this time I folded my cards and I succumbed to a world without God. It was a horrible month to say the least. I am just so ashamed that I let myself down. I let my mental and physical illness get the best of me. I allowed it to lose my focus on what is important to me – my faith in God.

I found myself praying and praying, but I could not feel or hear God in my life. Where did He go? Why was He not with me? Was I selfish to believe that God would also grant me success? I used to feel His presence in my life, but it felt as if He just abandoned me.  On top of all my negative thinking, I would also find myself sitting in front of the evening news watching one tragic story after the other. In the past month or so, we heard tragic stories of mass shootings, and catastrophic natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes wreak havoc on people’s lives. How could we believe that God would let this happen to innocent people let alone believe that He took a vacation from my life too? My thoughts and prayers go out to those families who had to go through so much devastation.

Then one day, I saw this t-shirt with the saying “I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.” And, I felt a jolt go through my body. I was in a rut and I needed to find way out of it. I had stopped praying my evening prayers, I had stopped taking my mindful minutes to reflect on all the good that was happening in my life. At this moment, I was going to rid myself of these negative thoughts about that I had to wait for God to answer me. I had forgotten that God granted me a mind with abilities and the power to act.

So I decided to act. I decided that I would live by this mantra – Grateful Effort Matters. Step one is to be grateful that God has given me this day to live and breathe. Step two is make sure to put maximum effort into everything I do no matter what the task. I need to stop taking for granted that I have the ability to do something now, when others don’t so I can’t waste it doing things half-assed. And, the third step, what I did today matters. All I that I do is for a purpose. The purpose to utilize each and every day to be a better human than the day before. It is with that purpose that I can use my talents to glorify God and hopefully be a contributing person in this world.  

Perhaps it’s not that God abandoned me, but rather helped me grow. The fact of the matter is it is our responsibility to invite God into our lives if we chose to do so.  I know for fact it easier said than done, but I it’s worth taking the leap. This will be a long journey one I hope to share with you and I hope you will share with me. There are so many more obstacles to overcome. I may have lost my way for a bit, but I know that trusting in God is definitely the path I will take.

Is Your Heart Closed for Business?

Faith is a hard thing to come by. It is a constant work in progress. Sometimes in our frustration our faith is encumbered and our ability to be with God becomes that more difficult. I think we all suffer through this ebb and flow with dealing with our faith in God. It is not like we cut God out completely, it is that we allow ourselves to focus on the distractions of life that we no longer put our trust in Him to lead us in His path. I think we forget that we are in the passenger seat, and God wants to be our chauffeur. However, it is hard to give up that sense of control. And, that is where our faith is most tested.

Be honest, we all want good things and to be happy. The truth is our happiest and fulfillment comes from our faith. If it is strong, we can conquer the obstacles that come in our way and we fight through our struggles. If it is weak, we often complain and like kids we whine about it. Faith is something we earn not something that is given. It takes practice and dedication to build our faith up to where its ability can move mountains. If our body needs exercise to thrive and remain healthy, likewise our hearts and souls need faith to fuel us for victory against evil and injustice.

In today’s Gospel, we learn about hospitality and openness. We learn that Jesus visits the home of Martha and Mary. Martha is annoyed at her sister, Mary, for sitting and listening to Jesus speak instead of helping her with the duties of welcoming a special guest. This Gospel shows us how Jesus is inclusive of everyone and open to all, which is something we are still striving for today. We also learn the importance of Jesus’ words and how our faith in Him needs to be strong.

Luke 10:40-42 states, “Martha burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her is reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”

I think we all feel like Martha at times. Our lives demand a lot just to keep going for our sake and the sake of our families. But, is that focus on dealing with life instead of keeping our focus on God that tests our faith. God wants all of us, not half of us or just piece of us. He wants us entirely to himself. Will our faith be strong enough to give up ourselves for his glory?

The time to choose “the better part” is now. We need to choose God in everything we do. Only then will our hearts and souls be finally open for business and our anxiety and worries will go away.    

Love, Where are you Hiding?

Love, where are you hiding? That is a question I ponder a lot these days. It seems to me like these days we are more inundated with more negativity and hate than positivity. I am not saying kindness and acceptance isn’t happening every day. But, I am saying that we don’t hear enough of the stories of love and hope.

As children, we would imitate what we saw. In some cases, we imitated bad gestures and were reprimanded. Is it really any different now? If all we see is hate, injustice, and negativity, will we just imitate and accept it as the new normal. Social media and the news are so fast to report the bad and the negative that it seems all the good just becomes a blur. On occasion, we get an inspiring story about how strangers come together to help each other in time of need. We are so touched by the story it makes us stop and think for a second. It provides us with hope and faith in people. It allows to see that positivity does in fact exists. Moreover, it makes us think of the possibility of a world filled with more love than hate.

Luke 10:25-28 states, “There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus said to him. “What is written in the law? How do you read it? He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.”   

Jesus illustrates the superiority of love above all things. Although, Jesus gives us just this simple task. We all realize and understand that the task at hand is quite difficult and challenging. To love your neighbor is really hard.  Just because you tell yourself you love them, doesn’t really mean you do. I can recall so many situations when I should have showed more compassion to someone in need, but instead I looked away and just went on with my day. Have you ever stopped and helped a stranger change his or her flat tire?  Did you just continue driving along rushing to your destination?  I bet some of you didn’t think anything of the situation or think of how that person could be in serious distress over a flat tire.  Still, some of us, drove away thinking “sucks for you” and continued forward without a pause. Too many times we are just so distracted surviving our day to day, we don’t have time to deal with being compassionate for others.

I like to think that we are more compassionate than it seems.  But, our environment and experiences have distracted us from our priorities. When we allow God into your lives, we can slowly retrain our minds to again focus on what is important and reprioritize God’s place in our life. By bringing God into everything you do, allows us to take baby steps into practicing love above all things.

Dear God,

Help me to be more compassionate, and understanding today and the days to come. Help me to keep my focus on my priority of loving you. I realize you may call upon me to help a fellow neighbor in need. Be with me and help me accept this important task.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Mission Probable; Not Mission Impossible

I always loved playing chess with my father. I liked the strategy and the thought process behind the game. But, I have to admit it I was never really good at it. I recall my father always trapping me in a few moves and just in a short time I would hear the words “Checkmate.” Then, we would just set up the board again and repeat the process. I played each time hoping that I would make a better move that would finally outsmart my father so I could finally win. Until his death, I had never won a game of chess against my father, but I was almost a victor on several occasions.

In today’s Gospel (Luke 10:1-9), Jesus sends out his followers on a mission.  Like the rigid movements of chess pieces, Jesus gives his followers specific instructions on what to take and how to handle themselves as they go about their mission. He urges them to “carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals, and greet no one along the way” (Luke 10:4) Jesus does this to emphasize that his mission is too important and that these missionaries need a singlemindedness focus to complete the task ahead. Theses missionaries needed to free themselves from their attachment to material possessions and greetings to people should be avoided as not to distract them from the fulfillment of their task.

Our mission every day if we to choose to accept it is to give glory to God. As followers of Jesus, we must take the time to be mindful and place God in everything we do. Jesus reminds us to keep the focus on Him. By keeping God our focal point, our tasks are easily performed so that we can get back to focusing on him. I believe that when Jesus asks us to rid of our attachment of material possessions it is a call to get rid of the distractions that take us away from his Father. The distractions of where we don’t put God first in our life. There is nothing wrong with wanting and desiring material blessings. It is wrong when we forget God in the process of obtaining those material things and in an effort to achieve our desires we do something bad or wrong. God wants us to be in our lives and when we place God first in our lives some us will just notice that what we once desired isn’t as important has that feeling of God being present in our lives. Many times I catch myself desiring something and then I pray to God and God answers me with something else and for some reason that thing I wanted so badly just dissipates. The truth is we want more of God in our lives, but some of us aren’t ready to make the winning move to actually take that step. We may feel like we are close on some days, but until we fully accept that God is all we need, we will never be say “checkmate” on our own distractions or desires.

Dear God,

Give me strength and give me courage to make you a priority in my life. All that I have and want is for your glory. Help me to be a humble servant to your will.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Keep Moving Forward

I recall being a child and constantly getting yelled at for running around everywhere. My father and mother had to be embarrassed because I would run up and down the aisles at movie theaters and at church. I was just being a kid enjoying the notion of never looking back. What happened to those days? As an adult, I notice we aren’t as adventurous or daring as we once were. Maybe its wisdom, or maybe we are just too lazy to be curious again – to look at things as if we were seeing them for the first time. As adults, we also find ourselves constantly being haunted by our pasts. Yes, we don’t want to make the mistakes of yesterday, but instead, we dwell in fear and we find ourselves paralyzed not being able to act. In some cases, it is simply just easier not to look ahead.

Life is filled with ongoing choices of sorting out priorities, which are important to us. For some us, we don’t seek to look what is ahead because we are too distracted with so many tasks in front of us. We wake up each day being a zombie going through the same schedule as the day before. Others, plan the day to the exact detail filling their itineraries to the max, and they too are distracted to see what still lies ahead – God.

Jesus calls us to follow him and to not look back. He wants us to make him a priority in our lives. He wants us to experience our life plans with Him in it. He wants to be apart or our decision making so that we can prepare for what is ahead in life- our eternal salvation. Jesus has the power to fill you with his grace so that we can be freed from our past so that we can live with him for God’s glory.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62) Jesus speaks about the severity and the unconditional nature of Christian discipleship. Jesus wants us to live in him at all times so as not to be distracted from our purpose of glorying God.

Every person has the choice to accept God into our lives. God calls us each differently and individually. We can choose to accept the love and grace He has provided for us or choose to continue to look backward and live in the past. God is what is forward in our lives. When we acknowledge that God is in everything we do our lives are filled with opportunity. When we place God as the most important priority in our life, things just get easier. Our daily activities become acts of glory. When we choose God first, we choose to the important work of proclaiming his kingdom. Will you accept this opportunity?

Dear God,

Help me to move forward in my life. Help me not to dwell in the past. Grant me strength and courage to make you a priority in my life. I understand that placing you first in my life allows me to offer up all my obligations and duties for your glory. Send forth your Spirit that I remain steadfast in proclaiming your everlasting kingdom.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

What Do You Hunger For?

I told myself this is the year that I would get myself into shape. So, I do what most people do. I joined a gym. I admit working out and getting healthy has really never been high on my priority list. But, I made this goal and I want to commit to it. My hopes are that my weak damaged heart will get stronger and stronger. I also hope those pants I bought will fit me better. So far, I have been making every effort to get the gym at least three times a week. I noticed that while my cardio sessions at the gym; I have developed this rather unique habit. I am not sure if it’s good or bad. I just know that I do it for some reason.

At the start of every cardio session, I get my headphones on and I place myself in front of a television that has the food network playing. That’s right. I watch cooking shows or shows about the best food to eat. I am such a sucker for great sandwiches and decadent desserts. Also, I am such fan of great bread. The thing is I love to eat and I love the feeling of great food satisfying my hunger.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, we hear the story of the multiplication of loaves and fishes. We learn about Jesus’ true compassion and hospitality for His people. Jesus also foreshadows the Last Supper as He blesses over the remaining loaves and fishes producing food for five thousand revealing God’s love and how He is committed to feeding His people.

We have that choice to accept God’s nourishment. We have to open up our hearts and minds to His great love and compassion for us. But, I know it’s hard to find God at difficult times. It’s easy to look the other way or ignore Him when you aren’t getting the results you desire.

So, what is it that you hunger for? Maybe it’s a physical, spiritual, or financial need that you desire, whatever it may be; God wants us to be part of it. He wants us to ask Him for our daily bread so that we can be satisfied in everything we do.

Now is the time to offer up our prayers and thoughts to God. Let us continue to remain steadfast in our faith in Him. Let us not get discouraged with how He answers our prayers, but understand that He provides what we need and not with what we want.   

Dear Lord,

Thank you for the many blessings that you have provided to us. Help us to remain faithful, and remind us that Your love and grace is all the nourishment we need. Let us build the habit of coming to You with for our daily bread so we may have our fill of Your love.

In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Take a Minute to Let God In

Have you ever noticed that when a traffic light turns yellow, suddenly drivers near the light accelerate faster? How about if there is a traffic camera or a police officer nearby? How fast are we then to react to the yellow light? I bet when we feel like we can get away with things we tend to get a little riskier with our decision making. But, as soon as we see possible consequences in the form of a camera or police car we react fast enough as not to bring any attention to ourselves. Traffic lights are there to provide order and to provide safety. Most of us, view them as obstacles in our way. When we are running late, we hate them. Yet some of us, are brain dead when we come to one. We see red. We stop. We see green. We go. We are so consumed and distracted in our own thoughts that we sometimes forget, we need to stop and take notice of what is right in front of us.

Today, we celebrate Father’s all across the country. We also celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. God reminds us that He has always been in our lives. He created us and wants to be a part of our daily lives. But, do we really take notice of His presence? For all of you that make the effort to go to Mass or Church services today, I applaud you and I hope you know that you are inspiring others with your willingness to take the time to be with God. However, after services is over, God invites us to remain in Him throughout the minutes of our lives. He doesn’t want to be with you just at Mass or at service. He wants us to invite Him in to our lives. He wants to be present in our decision making and He wants us to know we are never alone.

In Romans 5:1-5,

“Brothers and sister: Therefore since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we gained access by faith to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

God has blessed with His Spirit. With that Spirit, He invites us to stop and take notice the He is with us through all the good and especially through all the bad. He wants us to lean on Him through our darkest hours and to never give up hope and to endure on. We are invited to live in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Let us keep our focus on God, and let’s start inviting Him into everything we do.

Dear Lord,

We are so thankful for your grace and love. Continue to bless us with your grace and Spirit so that all we do may glorify You. Lord, please shower your graces of love onto the many grandfathers, fathers, and fathers to be. May they continue to live in Your Spirit.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Cultivating a Positive Environment

I hate gardening. There I said it. It is just one of the chores like many others that I simply do not care for. Much respect for you garden aficionados out there in the world. Although, I am fascinated with the idea of growing things and keeping my landscapes maintained. I simply refuse to get myself to work outside; get on my hands and knees in the heat, and simply put in the work to maintaining a beautiful garden. It takes patience and dedication to make your garden as beautiful as it is. The thing is; I really crave to be a gardener. Not so much in the physical sense, but a mental gardener or landscaper of sorts.   Just like an overgrown garden filled with weeds and other parasitic plants, our minds fill up with negativity. It is these negative thoughts that must be weeded and dug out before they can grow and infest our way of thinking.

The information age is here and now. Information about everything is simply at our fingertips. However, during the course of this knowledge overshare we cannot simply disseminate all the possible bad weeds of information that clutter our mind. We can find thousands of websites of diet and detox plans. We can watch videos of people becoming healthy and fueling their awesome lifestyles. But, where is the negativity thinking detox plan or guides? If we are what we eat, then perhaps it is true that we think is what we do. The problem is that many of us, sad to say it, don’t want to be mental gardeners. Too often, we get distracted and think that not dealing with the bad will somehow make the bad just go away.

Negative thinking needs to be stopped at the root just like a weed needs to be dug out or it will come back again. When we rid of ourselves of negative thinking, we can be free to finally do better and be better. We have to take small steps in retraining our minds not to focus so much on dark emotions like anger, sadness, pain, and disappointment.  We need to stop our addiction to pain and sadness. Too many times, we easily forget the happy moments we have once shared, but when something bad happens in our life we are left scarred and we dwell in that negativity for weeks, months, and perhaps years. Just think about it now, when was the last time you laughed out loud or so hard that your cheeks started to hurt? How about the last time someone made you smile and it wasn’t forced? Now, think about the last time someone pissed you off? How about the last time you felt alone and sad? Perhaps, now you see how much easier it is to remember negative outcomes than good times.

Here at themindfulcatholic.com, we focus and train very hard to bring God into our daily lives. We make it priority to include God in everything we do. When we turn our focus on God, we finally get ourselves out of own way and realize that this life isn’t just about us. That all that we are, all that we do is really for the Glory of God. By being aware that God is fully with us at all times helps us to weed out and stop negative thinking in its tracks. In no means, are we guaranteed that life will be easy and we are to expect to be walking on rainbows and playing with unicorns all the time. It means that when things get tough, our God is looking out for us. It means that if we keep our faith and focus on Him, He will helps us weed out the bad and overcome negativity because doing God’s work can only bring about positive outcomes.  

Do we dare to cultivate a more positive thinking environment? The choice is always there for you to make.