Jesus helps this every day Catholic

June 7, 2013

Listen more

“…but who can withhold the words he hath conceived. Job 4:2

Sadly not me!

I wrote this quote in my spiritual journal a few months ago with the intention of following up but now I forgot what I wanted to say. It may be that this quote was especially significant for me as I’ve been trying to listen more and talk less but once my words are conceived I find it hard to withhold them. I pray the Holy Spirit will give me good counsel and help me be more selective in speech.

Sometimes at home I hear a conversation in the next room and I want to call out my opinions or comments. Such is the case now as hospice chaplain Herb is visiting in the kitchen with Mom and Wayne. I’m listening but so many things are running in my mind that I want to say. Surprisingly I’m able to hold my words as I write in my spiritual journal.

June 18, 2013

Catholic converts

I’m fascinated by Catholic converts. I used to be surprised to learn they’re converts because they’re usually super-Catholic! I’m no longer surprised. Now it’s like I should have known! Many of the most active people in the Church; the most devout; the most generous turn out to be converts. The other day I learned that Wanda who leads a small bible study group at church is a convert. I asked her to stay a minute after bible study. I asked her to tell me her conversion story. My experience is that converts are happy to tell their story. It was a simple story but I was so moved. I was so moved I cried a little and told her that she is an inspiration to me. I can never pass up the opportunity to hear someone’s conversion story. I’ve heard many conversion stories these past few years. I know it has made my faith stronger.

“Dear Lord, You know what I need. Every day you give me so much. I am richly blessed. Thank you for the people you put in my life. Thank you for the grace you gave me today.”

July 12, 2013

Divine Mercy Friday 3pm

A little before 3pm I was alone in church kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament. For over a year I’d been wanting to start a Divine Mercy Ministry in our parish. Finally with our new pastor I was given permission. That was about 8 months ago. A few people came regularly but I was hoping to build it up. Kneeling before Jesus I asked, “Dear Lord, please help this Divine Mercy Ministry to work out for me by sending more people…” I stopped suddenly. I winced! I apologized to Jesus. I told him, “Not for me! For you, for you, all for your greater honor and glory!”

When I come to the church to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet with the others, I leave the light off if there a sunny spot where we can kneel and pray. I had been kneeling in a sunlit pew but at that moment the sun went behind the clouds and I was kneeling in the dark. I prayed to Jesus again say, “Jesus, please humble me. Send no one today. Leave me in the dark church alone.” Then someone came in the side door. “Thank you Jesus.” Then two more staggered in. “Thank you oh my Jesus.” Then one more came in. Then three more. “Yes Jesus you are helping me.” My heart was bursting and I thought, “It’s much more humbling to see people coming to pray together in the middle of the afternoon then to have no one come.” I told my Lord, “Jesus you did this! Not me! I can do nothing without you.”

“As often as you want to make me happy, speak about my great and unfathomable mercy.” St. Faustina’s Diary