Saturday, September 30, 2023

Daily Thoughts - Make God Known.


Daily Thoughts - Make God Known. 

1251 Christian parents will recognize that this practice also accords with their role as nurturers of the life that God has entrusted to them.52


Real life.  Morning prayer is the best, you enter into the holy of holies with God encircled around you.  He dwells with you in your day and like a child, He takes you by the hand and instills His joy within you.  These are the experiences of a faithful, consistent prayer life.  Many mornings, I reflect back upon what is written down and there is the realization that God is with me.  Life is to be experienced and lived, the same is true with the life of God.  

As parents, we are to nurture our children in a life with God.  Our children will emulate what they see and experience.  "but Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.""  Matthew‬ ‭19‬:‭14‬.  As a child of God it begins with self each day, entering the holy of of holies and entrusting yourself and your day to the King of Kings.  Recognize your own role with God and experience real life.  This is the continuation of your baptism.  

Dear Father, You awake me again to Your reality of another day to live out the calling of loving You.  Father I am thankful for this joy that You are instilling within.  You share the secrets of Heaven and give blessings that will produce fruit for the Kingdom.  We see what is going on and I know He who has secured our victory.  Prayers for a young man caught in the vice of drugs, prayers for another who is laying down his life to serve You.  Bless this day Lord, Love Your son.  

Mary, Our Lady of Victory, Pray for us.  
St Joesph, Pray for us. 
St Patrick, Pray for us. 


image0.jpeg
Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Friday, September 29, 2023

Daily Thoughts - Make God Known.


Daily Thoughts - Make God Known. 

The Baptism of infants

1250 Born with a fallen human nature and tainted by original sin, children also have need of the new birth in Baptism to be freed from the power of darkness and brought into the realm of the freedom of the children of God, to which all men are called.50 The sheer gratuitousness of the grace of salvation is particularly manifest in infant Baptism. The Church and the parents would deny a child the priceless grace of becoming a child of God were they not to confer Baptism shortly after birth.51

 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092923.cfm

Sacrifice.  I stand with Nathaniel under the fig tree this morning and look with eyes of faith.  What did he see when he stood there with eyes closed.  I imagined what were in his thoughts as he prayed to God the Father.  He was faithful to his faith, his life in God and his prayer life.  He had learned the power of prayer and the faithfulness it produced is its fruit.


He encounters Jesus in the flesh and he is reliving his prayer in the flesh.  The Son of God was not someone he did not know but the One he encountered in his prayer under the fig tree.   It was only natural to call him the Son of God, God was his teacher.  

The fruit of prayer is faithfulness, it must be experienced if we are to taste its fruit.  Nathaniel experienced God in prayer king before he encountered him.  You as well are given the same opportunity to experience God in prayer.  Give of your precious  time a sacrifice to God and experience His love.

Dear Father, the fruit of its mystery is love, standing there with Nathaniel opened up scripture and the joy of knowing You.  We encounter You in prayer and I am thankful for the fruits it produces in my life.  Father I see You at work as others learn to give of themselves in prayer, we are all Your children.  Watch over us this day and may we recognize Your watchful eye in our lives.  Love Your son.  

Mary, Mother of the Child Jesus, Pray for us.

St Joesph, Pray for us.

St Patrick, Pray for us.




Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Thursday, September 28, 2023

Daily Thoughts - Make God Known.


Daily Thoughts - Make God Known.

1249 Catechumens "are already joined to the Church, they are already of the household of Christ, and are quite frequently already living a life of faith, hope, and charity."48 "With love and solicitude mother Church already embraces them as her own."49


Now is the acceptable time.  Catechumens are seekers of God through holy mother Church.  They have the desire to know God and develop their relationship with God through the Sacraments.  We each have the inner desire to have a deeper relationship with God, do we recognize that within ourselves?  Do we see the gifts that He gives us each day and do we hear the calling of our heart for something greater?

In todays readings they speak of recognizing that inner desire that only God can satisfy.  We may try and fill that void with something other than God but it is only God that truly satisfies.  The prophet Haggai speaks to God's children to awaken them to that desire, to spend time building self with God and God's house.  Herod hears the same truth through Jesus that he heard through John the Baptist.  We never stop seeking God, do we slow down and realize the beauty of His faithfulness in our own lives as He draws us into a deeper relationship.  

Dear Father, I see a sea of people going about their day, do we hear the calling of our hearts to become  Your students in all that we do.  Do we see the gifts that You give us to build up the body of Christ?  Thank You Father for allowing us to hear Your call and to recognize what it is You are asking of us.  Your Spirit still speaks into the world, knowing it will not return without accomplishing the mission it was sent forth for.  Prayers for hearts to hear the silent whisper of Peace.  Love Your son. 

Mary, Queen of Peace, Pray for us. 
St Joesph, Pray for us. 
St Patrick, Pray for us. 



Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Daily Thoughts - Make God Known.


Daily Thoughts - Make God Known. 

1248 The catechumenate, or formation of catechumens, aims at bringing their conversion and faith to maturity, in response to the divine initiative and in union with an ecclesial community. The catechumenate is to be "a formation in the whole Christian life . . . during which the disciples will be joined to Christ their teacher. The catechumens should be properly initiated into the mystery of salvation and the practice of the evangelical virtues, and they should be introduced into the life of faith, liturgy, and charity of the People of God by successive sacred rites."47

Delivered.  At what part of our adult formation do we recognize we are joined with Christ our Teacher.   We can go through life living in ways that are not of God, when we recognize Him as Teacher we are joined with Him.  Will we lift ourselves up from the pit of darkness and seek Christ.  Will we spend time in prayer with an open heart and listen for the will of God.  


Todays readings speak of what a believer does, how he is to respond to God.  Even in our captivity, we are no longer slaves if it is Christ we are joined with.  He will teach, His message is one of mercy, one of healing and one of giving.  Giving what one has already received, this is Christ and your baptism into the Kingdom of God.  Your baptism is a life long journey not a singular point in time, when will some realize this?

Do you recognize the gift of life in your baptism?

Dear Father God, it is a blessed morning recounting the ways You have entered our days to show us what brings about peace in another weary traveler.  I thank You Father for the lessons that are revealing the mysteries of Heaven.  You send us forth to give what we have received, multiplying the gift so when You return we may be counted amongst Your faithful servants.  Prayers for a friend not realizing their full potential in Christ, may they recognize that You are close to them.  Love Your son.  

Mary, Most Holy, Pray for us. 
St Joesph, Pray for us. 
St Patrick, Pray for us.  



Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Daily Thoughts - Make God Known.


Daily Thoughts - Make God Known. 

The Baptism of adults

1247 Since the beginning of the Church, adult Baptism is the common practice where the proclamation of the Gospel is still new. The catechumenate (preparation for Baptism) therefore occupies an important place. This initiation into Christian faith and life should dispose the catechumen to receive the gift of God in Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist.


Lookup - Pray - Ask

"He said to them in reply, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it."  ‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭21‬

I have often struggled with this verse, why would Jesus say such a thing about His mother.  What I have learned is I was showing my ignorance on Mary and His brothers.  At the foot of the cross stands Mary and John: "When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home."  ‭‭John‬ ‭19‬:‭26‬-‭27‬.  He was pointing to Mary and His brothers as the ones who were acting upon His word as a teaching lesson for all those listening.  

We are each called to build the Church, one stone at a time by following the example Mary and the disciples give us, by the examples given in the Old Testament of building up the Church which had structure to it.  The daily readings have purpose and we are to act upon them.  

Once one has learned the teachings of the Church, they will naturally bubble out of you as you live the life God gives us.  Be a living stone for Christ, one solidified on His foundation, Holy Mother Church.

Dear Father God, I sit in the darkness and ponder life, the life You have given and the one that we live together.  Go before us this day and prepare the way so we may do what You ask of us.   Fortify these holy walls of Yours and give us the grace to speak only when necessary.  Thank You for answered prayers.  Prayers for a family deciding on divorce, may You intervene in a special way and awaken them to the reality of a potential poor decision that is not of Your will.  For better or worse, help them see worse only lasts but a little bit if You are the one guiding the way.  Love Your son.  



Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Sunday, September 24, 2023

Daily Thoughts - Make God Known.


Daily Thoughts - Make God Known. 

IV. WHO CAN RECEIVE BAPTISM?

1246 "Every person not yet baptized and only such a person is able to be baptized."46

Look up, Pray and ask.  The power of God, if we look at the readings for today.  God tells us His ways are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts, His thoughts are pure, just and right.  

We live in a broken world surrounded by the effects of sin but God gives us the answers, do we turn to Him in our moments of despair.  Do we know how much He loves us?  The answer is no because if we really knew then our lives would be perfect and we would go to Him when we were in need instead of all the vices and mental road blocks we put in front of ourselves.  

Lookup, stop and look up to God, He is the Great Healer, only He can resolve your situations in the most effective way.

Pray, is looking up and knowing that He loves you and hears you even before you ask.  

Ask, with the faith that He will work it all out if we will do what He ask, be obedient to His will and seek His forgiveness in our errant ways thru this world.  

Know who made You, trust in Him in all situations and seek peace in your life.  This is found when we least expect it and comes when we move towards God and not away from Him.  Talking from personal experience.  


"The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth."  ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭145‬:‭18‬

You can't hide it from Him nor yourself.   If you try, it will manifest itself in ugly ways until you realize God is the Way, the Truth and the Light.   

Have a blessed week with God, lookup, pray and ask.  Then watch what God will do with your faithfulness.  

Dear Father God, THANKYOU, THANKYOU, THANKYOU!  Love Your son.  

Mary, Queen of Heaven, Pray for us. 
St Joesph, Pray for us. 
St Patrick, Pray for us.
St Stephen, Pray for us. 
St John Neumann, Pray for us. 
St Isidore, Pray for us. 
St Nicolas, Pray for us.  
St Christopher, Pray for us. 
St Ignatius of Loyola, Pray for. 
St Padre Pio, Pray for us. 
St Isidore, Pray for us.  



Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Daily Thoughts - Make God Known


Daily Thoughts - Make God Known

1245 The solemn blessing concludes the celebration of Baptism. At the Baptism of newborns the blessing of the mother occupies a special place.

Equipped.  You have been equipped within Baptism with the Body of Christ, it is the first holy communion that you have or will receive.  The blessing is the sending forth of putting God's grace into action.  As a child we don't understand that but that does not change its effectiveness.  You are equipped by GOD, get out of the way.  


Our readings today reaffirm the gift and grace received within Baptism.  We are not blank stones with no purpose, we are part of the Body of Christ, united with Him in building up the Church and making our Father known.  Recognize the gift He has given you, know that we are sinners and nothing changes that other than the blood of Jesus.  You have been equipped from the time of Your baptism for a special purpose.  Just like Saint Matthew, whom God prepared Him for his work and He is doing the same for you.  Enjoy your day and know you are loved by Him.  

Dear Father, it is a beautiful morning, knowing You are here, You are here all day and never leave our side.  May we recognize how we have been equipped in that first holy communion of baptism.  Prayers for the men going on retreat today, watch over them and enflame the gifts they have already been given for your glory.  Thank You for another day to be able to listen with an open and generous heart.  Love Your son.  

Mary, Queen of Heaven, Pray for us. 
St Joesph, Pray for us. 
St Patrick, Pray for us. 



Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Daily Thoughts - Make God Known


Daily Thoughts - Make God Known

1244 First Holy Communion. Having become a child of God clothed with the wedding garment, the neophyte is admitted "to the marriage supper of the Lamb"44 and receives the food of the new life, the body and blood of Christ. The Eastern Churches maintain a lively awareness of the unity of Christian initiation by giving Holy Communion to all the newly baptized and confirmed, even little children, recalling the Lord's words: "Let the children come to me, do not hinder them."45 The Latin Church, which reserves admission to Holy Communion to those who have attained the age of reason, expresses the orientation of Baptism to the Eucharist by having the newly baptized child brought to the altar for the praying of the Our Father

At the heart of it.   The heart of God, that is what is at the heart of it.  His mission and His purpose and our purpose is to be reunited with Him forever.  I have my opinions but it is Jesus, son of man that I seek to emulate.  Baptism as a child, as an adult, does it really matter.  Depends who you ask but I know if the heart is right it will be right no matter when or how.  

Jesus speaks to the crowds and brings up their hardness of heart, shows them where God the Father has sent His prophets to change their ways, has sent His Son to change their heart and gives us an insight into the divine life.  Do we condemn what we hear, do we judge another for his actions or do see with the heart of God.  

God is truly the only one who can transform the heart and mind of a person to become an image of Him.  Wisdom is knowing that we should be receptive to listening to God and following Him.  He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.   So as God speaks into the depths of your soul, will you follow man's ways or God's ways.  Trust where He will take you and discern it with an overwhelming sense of peace.  

Where God is, there is Peace.  

Dear Father, there is lots of noise in the marketplace, lots of reason to become upset and there You stand patiently waiting for Your children to respond to Your voice.  I thank You for Your timing, Your insight, Your love and Your heart.  May You continue to transform mine to be more like Yours.  Love Your son. 

Mary, Queen of Peace, Pray for us. 
St Patrick, Pray for us. 
St Joesph, Pray for us. 



Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Daily Thoughts - Make God Known



Daily Thoughts - Make God Known 

1243 The white garment symbolizes that the person baptized has "put on Christ,"42 has risen with Christ. The candle, lit from the Easter candle, signifies that Christ has enlightened the neophyte. In him the baptized are "the light of the world."43

The newly baptized is now, in the only Son, a child of God entitled to say the prayer of the children of God: "Our Father."

Purified.  The rite of Baptism brings us into new life, we have put on Christ.  He has come alive in us and we have come alive in Him.  Have you considered Jesus your life in Christ?  Is there purpose in your life that brings about the body of Christ.  Have you entered into Your baptism?

In todays Gospel reading, Jesus has pity on the young man who has died, who has fallen asleep in his sin.  Jesus feels the pain of that sin and knows what that does to the soul.  What would God do to awaken the soul?  He touched the casket and the young man came alive.  He awakens to a new world where he recognizes who saved him, he knows who brought him back from death.   That is what happens to us during baptism, it is Him that reaches out from within.  

"He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!""  ‭‭Luke‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬

Dear Father, You are alive within, there is a joy and a peace that surpasses understanding.   I am grateful for arising each day in the body of Christ that recognizes who I belong to.  Prayers for a world that has yet to awake to Your Living presence.  Awaken our senses to Your power and Your glory that comes with knowing You are the Messiah.   Love Your son. 

https://youtu.be/_cLhaZIBSpo?si=Jbqos0CO2JAD2k28


Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Monday, September 18, 2023

Daily Thoughts - Make God Known.


Daily Thoughts - Make God Known. 

1242 In the liturgy of the Eastern Churches, the post-baptismal anointing is the sacrament of Chrismation (Confirmation). In the Roman liturgy the post- baptismal anointing announces a second anointing with sacred chrism to be conferred later by the bishop Confirmation, which will as it were "confirm" and complete the baptismal anointing.

Sacred space.   Do we activate the gifts of Baptism by taken time out of our lives and enter into time with God.  This is sacred space for it is you, God and the gifts that He gives.  Our baptism is to be activated in our lives, we have free will to act, it is not forced upon us.  But conditions are created for us to ponder the gifts of God.  

In today's Gospel reading, Jesus encounters the centurion and a faithful Jewish slave.  As Jesus listens with the heart of God, He hears of His faithful servant building the kingdom of God, one who is sharing the gifts of everlasting life.  The centurion when he comes out to meet Jesus conveys the message of being in His presence before when he speaks.  His life may have appeared perfect but he was far from being at peace.  His slave on the other hand had a gift that he desired, the gift of Peace and Grace.  

In his moments of quiet time, he pondered the glory of God and spent time with Him whether he knew it or not.  He desires what the slave has, even though he was a slave, he was at peace and had a greater purpose.   This is the message the centurion shared with Jesus, he understood who He was and what He was capable of.  Matter of fact he knew by faith that God would heal his slave.  Enter into God's sacred space and have a conversation with Him, what will He reveal to you.  

Dear Father, there is nothing different from this time as during the time of the centurion, You give the gift of everlasting life and confer it upon all those who enter into communion with You.  Prayers for a good week Lord, prayers for healing of souls who have not found the gift of ever lasting life, may they see the joy written upon Your slaves.  Thank You for the rain, please send more.  Love Your son.  

Mary, Queen of Heaven, Pray for us. 
St Joesph, Pray for us. 
St Patrick, Pray for us. 



Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Sunday, September 17, 2023

Daily Thoughts - Make God Known.


Daily Thoughts - Make God Known. 

1241 The anointing with sacred chrism, perfumed oil consecrated by the bishop, signifies the gift of the Holy Spirit to the newly baptized, who has become a Christian, that is, one "anointed" by the Holy Spirit, incorporated into Christ who is anointed priest, prophet, and king.41

Anointed.  Arron was anointed with holy oil and so was David, they were set apart by God for His purpose.  In the rite of baptism, we as well are set apart with holy oil to bring about the fullness of God's kingdom.  David didn't recognize his calling until he accepted the gift of his anointing as not his own.  It wasn't his power that he was operating under but the power of God that brought about being fully alive.  

In todays Gospel reading, Jesus teaches us the power of His forgiveness and what we are called to: to give what we received as a free gift.  The servant begged for his life, it was given only for him to move within his own power and imprison another.  It was his own grave he was digging by holding onto the un-forgiveness in his heart.  Examine your own self, where are you holding onto un-forgiveness and preventing God from bringing about transformation.  

The gifts God gives us are meant to be given away at no cost, not only do they free another, they free yourself as well.  Live out the anointing of His baptism.  

Dear Father God, we visit again this morning, recalling our thoughts and reflecting upon the message of Your Holy servant at mass.  May we recognize where we are holding You back from creating sacred ground in our own lives.  May we live out our own baptisms and return to being fully alive as David did with his life.  Prayers for those of us who have hardness of heart, may Your mercy awaken us to new life.  Love Your son. 

Mary, Queen of Peace, Pray for us.
St Joesph, Pray for us. 
St Patrick, Pray for us. 


Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Saturday, September 16, 2023

Daily Thoughts - Make God Known.


Daily Thoughts - Make God Known. 

1240 In the Latin Church this triple infusion is accompanied by the minister's words: "N., I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." In the Eastern liturgies the catechumen turns toward the East and the priest says: "The servant of God, N., is baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." At the invocation of each person of the Most Holy Trinity, the priest immerses the candidate in the water and raises him up again.

The life of Christ.  What is the first thing you do each day?  Is God the first thought?  In your baptism you entered into the life of Christ, the one where He entered a world surrounded by His Fathers creation and the devils cunningness.  We enter that same world each day and how many of us begin it with God and His foundation being the first thing.  

In todays Gospel reading, Jesus prepares His disciples to build their foundation upon God.  To take everything in through His lens and to recognize the worlds beauty, His Fathers creation and the cunningness of the devil.  What will truly make us happy?  Is it the things of this world with aok it's trappings or will it be the love of the Father and us entering into a life each day that brings about the fruit of an eternity with Him.  Your joy is in Him not away from Him.  

Dear Father, I thank You for the gift of each day to awake to Your presence and a joy that all is well.  Prayers for a world that neglects to see You and Your beauty, that struggles to satisfy self by giving away time for things that will not last.  Thank You for another day to continue to build upon the rock of our salvation.  Love Your son.  

Mary, Queen of Heaven, Pray for us 
St Joesph, Pray for us. 
St Patrick, Pray for us.  

image0.jpeg
Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b


Thursday, September 14, 2023

Daily Thoughts - Make God Known.


Daily Thoughts - Make God Known. 

1239 The essential rite of the sacrament follows: Baptism properly speaking. It signifies and actually brings about death to sin and entry into the life of the Most Holy Trinity through configuration to the Paschal mystery of Christ. Baptism is performed in the most expressive way by triple immersion in the baptismal water. However, from ancient times it has also been able to be conferred by pouring the water three times over the candidate's head.

Jesus, enter in.  Death to sin, we live in a world surrounded by sin.  Within our baptism is the keys to eternal life and we must enter into this life.  Today we celebrate the feast of the exaltation of the Holy Cross, the life, death and resurrection of Christ.  If we focus our attention upon Jesus throughout the day, it is He that activates within us and keeps us grounded within His life.  It is He that will activate our baptism into new life, be at peace know you are His.  

Dear Father, I sit and visit with You in the morning.  I see the crucifixion of You throughout the day, the world living as if You do not exist and I see the pain and sorrow this creates.  Father help us focus our efforts upon You and Your cross throughout the day.  May we not become blinded by the allure of sin nor neglect the power of our baptism into You and Your life.  Prayers for those suffering the effects of sin that was not their own, may it be offered up for Your glory.  Love Your son.   

Alleluia, alleluia.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,
because by your Cross you have redeemed the world.
Alleluia, alleluia.

Mary, Queen of Peace, Pray for us. 
St Joesph, Pray for us. 
St Patrick, Pray for us. 


855809296f98297a69f0a7aa6a87d75e.jpg
Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Daily Thoughts - Make God Known.



Daily Thoughts - Make God Known.

1238 The baptismal water is consecrated by a prayer of epiclesis (either at this moment or at the Easter Vigil). The Church asks God that through his Son the power of the Holy Spirit may be sent upon the water, so that those who will be baptized in it may be "born of water and the Spirit."40

Set apart.   The rite of Baptism is a sacred event that is given to us by God through the Church.  The water is blessed and God is invoked to bring down the Holy Spirit upon the water that we would receive the fullness of Jesus.  The holy water becomes a part of the sacrament, washing away our sins and giving us the gifts of the Sacraments through His Holy Spirit.  

Paul in the first reading shares with us the joy in knowing the fullness of Jesus.  He speaks as a man who had followed his carnal nature, had followed the ways and traditions of the world.  He warns us with a knowledge that he has experienced.   He shares that we are to enter into the fullness of the divinity of Christ.   To put away our old self and to become a new creation through our Baptism. 

 "You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead."  ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬
Listen to Paul as he speaks with authority given to him by God.  He has been set apart from the world and so have you if you are baptized.  Activate your rite of Baptism, be like Paul.  Col 2:6-15

Dear Father God, I hear Paul speak with a knowledge of one who understands, who has put away the one he speaks about.  He has entered into the fullness of his baptism.  May we enter into the fullness of our baptism and be set apart for Your glory.  Bless this day Lord, bless us with much needed rain and activate our baptism in ways that brings about Your Kingdom on earth.  Love Your son.  
Mary, Blessed are you, Pray for us. 
St Joesph. pray for us.  
St Patrick, Pray for us.  



Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b