We are not alone

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After praying the novena to the Divine Mercy and a rosary, I prostrate myself in front of the Holy Eucharist that was exposed in our parish, and I experience a new conversion. I realized again that we are nothing without God,  that I am the one who walk away from Him and He is the one is always sustaining me waiting for my return.

When you prostrate in front of God, all yourself is placed in adoration of Him. You are touched deeply when you adore God in this way, because you are manifesting your submission to the will of God. Your are offering all who you are to Him, you are recognizing that He is your God and nothing else or nobody else.

When you visit Jesus Christ in the Eucharist either exposed or not, you know that His is fully present at this time and in this place as He is in all the universe. When you realize that magnificence you will feel the need to prostrate in front of this great mystery.

We are naturally imperfect and weak, but we are sustained by God’s will; and by experiencing his presence in different manifestations we know that we are not alone and that we can be holy.

Today, this experience was a new manifestation of God’s glory in the small chapel of my parish that filled me with joy and peace to continue my journey. Amen

Susana

What Easter mean to you?

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I wish you had a happy Easter sharing the love of Christ with your family and friends, but I also wish you have a happy Easter season the next fifty days until Pentecost.

What Easter mean to you?

If you are reading this and other articles about Easter is because it meant something to you.  You could or could not observe lent requirements for the preparation to celebrate Easter, but you are looking for its meaning in your life.

You may know that Jesus died in the cross, rose from the death, and He is in heaven.  And you may wonder about this mystery, and your questions may be many.  And here is where you faith takes place; we need not only our faith, but God’s grace to believe.

You may consider yourself a believer or a doubter, or a nonbeliever, but you may agree with me that we are coming from God, and we are going to Him after death.  Without Easter, without Jesus’ sacrifice in the cross we would never be able to go back to Heaven, we would have an eternal death. Now, we have an eternal life!

Until that time and here on earth, we enjoy a compassionate Father who guides us in this life. I met many people who were baptized and were closer to God, and now are far away from Him because they think they are not living a faithful life. Some people think that they are worthy of attend mass or call themselves catholic, or even pray, but these people forgot that God is a compassionate father with an unending love for us.  He is offering His Divine Mercy because God intends to embrace all people with His mercy through Jesus Christ.  Remember that Jesus redeemed everyone faithful and sinners, people who know Him and those who don’t know Him.

Jesus is waiting for your prayers, even when you didn’t pray for a while.

Jesus is waiting to embrace you with His mercy to forgive your sins.

Jesus is waiting us to ask, to appeal to His compassion.

Jesus is waiting to console our hearts, to comfort our souls, to guide our lives, to save us over and over.

If this Easter was just another Easter, go and trust the Divine Mercy of Jesus every day, and you will feel His love through the Holy Spirit in ways that you never imagined.

Trust, the Holy Spirit is with us!

Blessings,

Susana

Pray in this Easter

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I want to share with you how significant has been  this Lent and Easter for me.  You may ask what the difference was, and it was prayer. I have been a prayer person, but this year I have increased my prayer time since I am not working full time and I have more time to dedicate to God. Yes, I am unemployed as a full time teacher, and I was disappointed and frustrated for a while, but then I offered this situation to Him. He asked me to pray more, and I can tell you that my life is better now.

I try to be more conscious of the presence of God in my life through the insights of the Holy Spirit! I accept things that I cannot change, and I work to change what I can. But, I pray. I try to trust more, and I pray to be confident that God will always want the best for me. I used to be frightened on giving all my life to God, but by praying I am able to trust more and more. And He has showed me how people and situations turned to the better after I changed my attitude. I am still weak, sinful, and afraid; but I recognize that the evil one is trying to tempt me, and I pray to Holy Spirit for protection and inspiration.

When you pray, you want to know God more and more. And this is what happened to me, now  I am reading more, studying more, and  trying to learn more about His infinite Love through Christ. The Holy Spirit that Jesus left to us after His resurrection is always encouraging us to know Him, to learn more about our Catholic Church, to appreciate the effects of the sacraments, and to accept and follow His teachings.

Everything is available for us to learn more, but the unnecessary things in the world distract us from working for the Kingdom of God.  We are walking to Heaven; we are not going to stay here forever so we have to prepare ourselves and others to go to the presence of Jesus and Mary.

Mary, through her apparitions, still daily in Medjugorje, is urging us to pray, fast and work for the Kingdom of God here on earth to be able to reach the place that God has reserved for each of us in heaven.

I invite you to learn that the messages of Mary in Medjugorje and other places in the world are real, in the present time, and they are talking directly to us today in 2012. Blessings, Susana

Our Lady’s message to Mirjana Soldo of April 2nd, 2012

“Dear children, As the Queen of Peace, I desire to give peace to you, my children, true peace which comes through the heart of my Divine Son. As a mother I pray that wisdom, humility and goodness may come to reign in your hearts – that peace may reign – that my Son may reign.  When my Son will be the ruler in your hearts, you will be able to help others to come to know Him.  When heavenly peace comes to rule over you, those who are seeking it in the wrong places, thus causing pain to my motherly heart, will recognize it. My children, great will be my joy when I see that you are accepting my words and that you desire to follow me. Do not be afraid, you are not alone. Give me your hands and I will lead you. Do not forget your shepherds. Pray that in their thoughts they may always be with my Son who called them to witness Him. Thank you.”

http://www.medjugorje.org

 

 

Fast from other things, other people, and other places.

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In Palm Sunday we celebrated the entrance of Jesus in Jerusalem for the Jewish festival of Passover.  Palm Sunday is a day of procession of the people carrying palm branches representing the Jews who celebrated Christ’s entrance in Jerusalem who later called for His death on Good Friday. This celebration is a reminder of our weakness and sinfulness that takes us away from Christ, and that we were trying to replace with goodness during Lent.  In Lent, we supposed to form habits that help us to see God in all things, so we have to continue our fast, our prayers and charity with more emphasis after Lent.

However, if we didn’t have a mindfully and reflected Lent, we will not grow in our faith. We have to fast not only from meat or certain foods; we have to fast from some other things, people, and places.

Are you surprised, as I was when I heard this? I learned from my Catholic formation that fast from food discipline our bodies so our spirit lifts and we are able to pray more and to be closer to God in all our acts. When we fast from things, people and places that block God’s graces, we are indeed walking  “faster” towards Him.

The Blessed Mother asked us through the visionaries of Medjugorje to fast from sinful places, sinful situations, and sinful sensual experiences. Ivanka said in one interview copied in the book “The Visions of the Children” by Janice T. Connell , that “She says her children must fast with their eyes, their tongue, their hands, their feet, their ears”.  So,

We have to avoid things that we can’t take with us towards God; how many things we buy that we don’t need? Do we watch movies or shows that offend God?

We have to avoid places that are away from God, that are sources of temptation; do we need to be at places where we know that God is rejected? If it is our ministry, we may be there only to show them the love of God.

We have to avoid sinful people who may take us away from the presence of God. We must be careful when we choose companions, but when we have difficult relationships that are impossible to change, Ivanka says that “we have to consecrate the person and the situation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and trust Jesus”; and to never judge others. She added “if we pray and fast we can get the help from God to solve very difficult relationships and circumstances.”

I am thinking on unnecessary separations and divorces, broken families, corruption and wars. I am thinking in the hidden evil that we have to recognized to stay away from it effects.  I am thinking of all the times of temptation not for the evil itself, but because we miss God’s graces.

I am inviting you to pray and fast not only from certain food, but from other things, places, people and circumstances that take us away from God. I am inviting you to continue your fasting as I will do after Easter with the joy and peace of the Resurrection of the Lord in our lives.

Blessings,

Susana

Who is the Holy Spirit?

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The Holy Spirit is a concrete and lively way that God uses to reach us. Is a real person like the Father and the Son, who waits to establish a link of intimate love with the Perfect Love.

The action of the Holy Spirit is present in great moments of our journey of faith. We receive it in our Baptism, and with Him we become members of the family of the Church.  Then, we receive the Holy Spirit in the sacrament of Confirmation when we compromise to follow Jesus.  He is present in the sacrament of Reconciliation when the priest gives the absolution in God’s name.

Moreover, God becomes the Holy Spirit to walk in our journey in this life when we invoke Him to be with us. Each time we set ourselves in the presence of God, the Holy Spirit is moving our hearts towards Him. The Holy Spirit is active, many times like fire tongues around us. He shakes our hearts to wake up to the real love, the love of God.

The Holy Spirit is here, is the actual presence of God among us who takes us to Jesus, and Jesus draws us to the Father.  Whoever perceives, sees, hears, and feels the Holy Spirit perceives, sees, hears and feels Jesus Christ.  As Jesus was a real presence for the apostles in his life in the earth, the Holy Spirit is the real presence for us today.  And it’s that real, that permits that we experience miracles every single day!

Our way to Jesus is the Holy Spirit, while Jesus is “the way, and the truth, and the life” John 14,6 to the Father.  It is our first step, even when we don’t invoke Him directly, who calls and moves us to pray.  The Holy Spirit helps to understand and to accept the mysteries of God, “The Advocate, the holy spirit the Father will send you in my name – he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you” John 14, 26

Being open to the Holy Spirit is not a preference of some church groups; it’s an act of openness and trust common to all Christians. That is why; trust is the first step to return to God or to keep us closer to His Love; and the Holy Spirit is the dove who will takes us there. Trust and call the Holy Spirit frequently, and you will find yourself in the presence of God more often.

Blessings,

Susana

Inspired on the “Novena al Espiritu Santo” written by Juan  Carlos Pisano, San Pablo Ediciones, 1998.

Message of March 25,2012 from Medjugorje

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Message of March 25, 2012  ”Dear children! Also today, with joy, I desire to give you my motherly blessing and to call you to prayer. May prayer become a need for you to grow more in holiness every day.   Work more on your conversion because you are far away, little children. Thank you for having responded to my call.” 03/2012

I want  to share this message of the Virgin Mary to one of the visionaries at Medjugorje, as I will do for now on, because our Mother is asking to work on our conversion and to pray more.  As she says we are far away from God, and we can start this Lent to work hard in our conversion.

We experience conversions during our life as steps to be closer to God and to holiness, but we can’t do this alone since our Mother is with us inviting us to pray more, to fast, and to serve our brothers and sisters.

Also, She said on March 2, 2012 to Mirjana,  “…Pray to the Holy Spirit for my Son to be impressed within you.”. So, she is telling us to pray and to trust in the Holy Spirit to have Jesus in our hearts.

She added, “Pray that you can be apostles of the divine light in this time of darkness and hopelessness. This is a time of your trial. With a rosary in hand and love in the heart set out with me. I am leading you towards Easter in my Son. Pray for those whom my Son has chosen that they can always live through Him and in Him – the High Priest.”

Moreover, our Mother is leading us towards Easter with Jesus. Trust that, in these times of trial, our heavenly Mother is with us to help us to become “apostles of the divine light” this Easter.

Blessings,

Susana

 

The Annunciation of the Lord

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The Annunciation of the Lord

Today we celebrate the Annunciation of the Incarnation of the Lord.  The angel Gabriel announces: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!”.  Mary was greatly troubled at his salutation, and the angel assures her: “Do not be afraid Mary for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in you womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” The angel tells Mary she will conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit, and her child will be called the Son of God.  This was a work of the Holy Spirit, and we would be moved to give thanks and glorify God for this immeasurable gift.  Therefore, it’s good to remember that all the beauty of Jesus has been a work of the Holy Spirit who formed him on Mary’s womb. That is why; we can ask the Holy Spirit to form us on Mary’s womb to transform our spirits, to free us from all evil, and to renew our life. Thus, He will change us closer to the image of Jesus.

Blessings,

Susana

How is your Lent so far?

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How are you doing with your prayer, fast and alms giving on this Lent?

We are approaching to the fifth Sunday of Lent, and it is good to review your Lent experience.  As many of us, sometimes you can’t accomplish either your praying time, or your fasting as you promised; or it’s difficult to find time in your day to help your neighbors.

I am going through the same, in the middle of my schedule, it’s hard to find an extra time to pray more, or to go out and assist people in need. When this happens, I always think that we are so immerse in our busy lives, that we don’t know how to stop and turn our lives to God.  Many days I think that I don’t have time for praying or to visit people in need, and then I conclude that I have to reorganize my schedule and give priority to the kingdom of God within the priority that other important things have in my life.

During Lent we learn to find more time to be in the presence of God, to offer ourselves to Him and to others. During Lent we realize how much time we waste in unnecessary things that are drawing us away from God. We learn to discipline our bodies through fasting and our spirit through prayer, so we change and renew.

If you are not satisfied with your lent, restart today, pray to the Holy Spirit to keep your promises, and still you can be prepared for the graces of the Holy Week.

Many Blessings,

Susana

 

Are you suffering?

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Are you suffering?

Do you feel sad today?

Do you wake up with a broken heart?

It’s your day difficult to start?

Do you have a hard time sleeping because of worries?

You can’t image how is going to be your future?

Are you alone?

Are you angry?

Are you unemployed?

Are you suffering an illness?

Suffering is the cross that we have to pick up, but is an opening door to the presence of God. We feel weak, defenseless, and vulnerable, but we have to open our hearts to God. Through suffering the Holy Spirit is reaching us to console our hearts, to protect our lives, and is inviting us to pray. Since praying is the only way to open ourselves to the graces of God, we have to find at least seconds during the day to pray.  A thanksgiving sentence, a praise, a request, are ways of praying during the day.

I promise that you will notice the presence of the Holy Spirit who will remind you to pray, and you will find yourself closer to God and with a peace beyond all understanding.

Let’s pray,            

I am praying for you, whoever you are, in whatever situation you are.

I am praying that in the middle of your suffering, you can find relief in God who is the only source of love, the perfect love.

I am praying that you can pass this time of suffering with a renewed heart.

I am praying that your life be filled with peace and the love of God.

I am praying that when the love God will never discouraged you and it may take time or it may seen invisible, will be here and now embracing you through the Holy Spirit.

Peace,

Susana

Send me an intention, and I will pray for you.

 

 

 

It’s a matter of reverence.

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It’s a matter of reverence

When I was in catholic schools I remember had to follow the “rules” of the visits to the church, and at mass. They were “rules” for me, because they were imposed, and I couldn’t understand completely the purpose of them. The rules included entering the church in silence, no chatting while waiting for the beginning of mass, appropriate clothes, and following mass with attentiveness and full participation with reverence.

Reverence was a word that always catches my attention and, when I asked about the meaning, I got difference explanations. Reverence could be understood as veneration or idolization even adulation, or could be a synonym of worship.  Reverence is a form of worship because complements our prayers.

When at school I was asked to show reverence, that I suppose to be respectful to God and to people in church. People expect to find a place of silence and peace to pray, and meditate, and God expects to be recognized.  Yes, to be recognized as present in the body and blood of Christ!

Therefore, even when God is present everywhere; reverence has a meaning for us when we recognized that God is present in the body and blood of Christ in churches.  That is why we go the church, to freely accept and to recognize Christ as our savior, and to worship him as God.

When we are at church socializing and chatting, we are not fully recognizing Christ even when He knows that we love him.  Reverence is a form of worship and an example to others. Silence and respect creates an appropriate environment to put ourselves in the presence of God. Don’t you feel in peace when you are in a place of silence? Remember God is in the small things and whispers.

Reverence also includes the way we dress for mass as an expression of our spirit, and a spirit close to God supposed to show decency. Don’t you dress up when you go to a place where you want to show appreciation?

If all recognize that Christ if fully present in the tabernacle of every Catholic church, we would visit Him more often, and show reverence   If all understand that mass is a powerful, healing and holy act of love for Christ’s love, we would bend our knees in fully reverence to God more often

Therefore, may look old fashion, but reverence in all its forms is an act of love to God that our society overlooks. Please show reverence for the greatest love of all love!

Blessings,

Susana