“Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'”

I’ve had a few prayer requests come in and want to pass them along to everyone reading this today so you can offer their names up in your daily prayers…

Laurie R. – concerns about her job

Pauline E. – cancer

David S. – cancer

Eternal God, in whom mercy and the treasure of compassion are inexhaustible, increase in us Your Mercy so that in difficult moments we may not despair nor become despondent but with great confidence, submit ourselves to Your Holy Will, which is love and mercy itself.  Amen.

I have conflicting thoughts running threw my head right now.   Here are just a few…

I’m joyful that we celebrate the Feast of St. Mary Magdalen today.  She is a beautiful Saint who, once healed of the seven demons that possessed her, dedicated her life to Christ.  She is known as the Apostle to the Apostle’s and was the first witness to the risen Christ.  If you get a chance, take some time to look her up on the inner webs.  She is the true example of what Christ desires us all to be – totally dedicated to Him and His mission.

I am stressed over the political fighting between the Left and the Right in our country.  I know this is a strong word, but I have come to HATE politics in our great country.  The impression I get from reading the press (and I read very little about politics anymore ((and watch even less news)) because I hate (again, that word) the fact that you either have to be completely on one side or the other – there is no in between.  I am not going to use this blog to further divide what is happening in our world only to say that I pray daily for peace, for perseverance and for purity of heart.  i believe our Country needs to go on a retreat with the theme – One Nation, Under God with Liberty and Justice for All.

I don’t want to end on a stressful note, so I will offer thanks for the following…

My niece Sam, her husband Ryan and their beautiful son Ethan James who I saw for the first time this weekend.

My son Jerome and his wife Megan who are expecting their second child.

My nephew Tim and his wife Taylor who are expecting their first child (about the same date as Jerome and Megan) – congrats to them on this exciting news.

My sister in law, Anne, who will celebrate her 25th Anniversary with the Sisters of Charity order this coming Saturday.

To my brother Jeff – who will retire at the end of the year after 30 years of selfless service with the Osage Beach (MO) fire protection district.

Do something great for our Lord today – spend some quiet time in adoration of His Resurrection.  He has RISEN, He has beaten the bonds of death and opened up for us the gates of eternal life.  Again, to quote my favorite quarterback Kurt Warner – “Thank You Jesus!”

God’s will, not mine, be done.

Be not afraid; just have faith.

Jesus, I trust in You.

He must increase; I must decrease.