Live the Moment

"The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for all that He, in His goodness, sends to us day after day." St. Gianna Molla

Some time ago, I traveled to Lourdes. I am not a fan of religious tourism, but my friends wanted to go. My first reaction was the sea of vendors who were selling somewhat tacky things. I tried not let it distract me and my visit. Years later, when my dad died and I received the phone call, my friends had called me from Lourdes and asked me if I needed prayers. I said, no but my dad does. Small miracles. Miguel Juan Pellicer was injured by a cart in the 1600s and his leg was subsequently amputated. He returned to Colanda with his parents. Prayer and hope might have been lost at times, but he did not give up. His mother came to his beside one morning and she saw two feet, not one foot. His leg was back. Investigations were performed and not one person refuted what happened. As a result, the Church recognized this miracle. Recently at mass, the homily touched upon the fact that we do not see to see miracles today. Are they only bible stories or fantasies concocted by people? NO. We need to see miracles every day.

“I am only a very little soul, who can only offer very little things to our Lord.” — St. Thérèse of Lisieux

St. Albert of Trapani joined a new Carmelite Order in Sicily in the 1300s. He was known to have lived a very devout life. He lived an ascetic life with much time devoted to prayer. He is said to have won over many converts. He left behind a legacy that endures today. Solanus Casey is another example. He died in 1959 and worked many miracles. I have visited his centre in Detroit often. When my dad was sick, we went to pray for him there. I wrote a testimony to his cause for beatification. I had no evidence that was concrete, but I was sure something was done. That would have been Solanus’ way of doing things. People came from all over to ask him for help and he obliged often. There is always room for hope.

“Live in faith and hope, though it be in darkness, for in this darkness God protects the soul. Cast your care upon God for you are His and He will not forget you. Do not think that He is leaving you alone, for that would be too wrong for Him.” -St. John of The Cross

Some people wait for miracles all their lives. St. Monica never gave up on St. Augustine. Mothers do not give up on their children. We continue to move forward. Do we want a little magic in our lives? Sometimes, but that is the easy way. We are looking for the answers to fall out of the sky but that is not how our Lord works. We need to respond to what he asks of each one of us. He will give us the strength to endure. When Christ cured people, often his words reflected their faith. Let us try to have that same faith. Miracles might happen.

"Do not lose heart, even if you should discover that you lack qualities necessary for the work to which you are called. He who called you will not desert you, but the moment you are in need he will stretch out his saving hand."St. Angela Merici