Jesus is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them.

Thank you to all who offered Sarah’s name up in prayer yesterday. All went well with her testing and now we wait until Friday to find out the results. Because of my work load, I wasn’t able to get her to the hospital or pick her up, but thanks to our daughter Mary and one of Sarah’s closest friends – Ellen – and her sister Ann, they were all able to fill in for me and keep Sarah calm throughout the ordeal.

While sitting at my desk yesterday, I wanted to keep up with the Inauguration so I was streaming a number of sources during the morning and afternoon. I watched as President Trump left the White House and then give his final farewell at Joint Base Andrews’. I then had to switch over to YouTube – of all sources – to get an uninterrupted, non-commentary coverage of the event. I will say I about gagged when I first say the dress Lady Gaga chose to wear but then she started singing the National Anthem and man, what a beautiful voice. Watching all of this yesterday brought me to my thoughts and the I guess the point of this post. Faith in God. Curious as to how I came to that thought? I know I’m going to struggle with some, who am I kidding, most of the policies that President Biden is going to present and pass through Congress or sign as an executive order. I struggle with the head of my Church, who is the Shepherd of the flock on earth, and some of what he speaks to or represents. To be quite honest, I struggled with the machismo of President Trump. But through all of theirs faults, through all of my faults, I am forced to me to examine daily what, who, why it is holy and just all of what I believe to be holy and just. I hope that make sense. I’ll trying putting this in other words. Whenever I don’t agree with someone or something, it drives me to look closer at what I believe in, to delve deeper into educating myself, to self examine if my belief is true or misguided. One quick example…I used to believe/support capital punishment, but after many years of prayer and listening to both sides of the argument, it is not a form of punishment that I either believe in or support any longer. It is now my belief that it does not support my stance on pro-life issues.

So now, when I hear President Biden talk about what he finds to be important and just, when the Holy Father Pope Francis preaches about environmental issues, social issues that don’t seem to make sense to me, I must challenge myself and dig deep into my self-conscious to see if their argument is true or if mine is. The bottom line to all of this is really quite simple. My purpose here on earth is to follow and fulfill the will of God that He has chosen for me. It isn’t President Trump, President Biden or even Pope Francis who will decide for me what is right and wrong – it is my faith in God and my complete trust in Him that will guide me, educate me and determine for me with is Truth and what is fiction.

As a Christmas gift from St. Mary Magdalen parish, we were all given a book of inspirational quotes by Mother Teresa. I want to share with you today’s quote…

The world is changed by your example, not your opinion. Mother Teresa

Do something great for our Lord today – challenge yourself – physically, mentally, spiritually. And in that challenge, look to God to assist you and you’ll find in doing that, there isn’t any challenge you can’t overcome.

I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin.

God’s will, not mine, be done.

Be not afraid; just have faith.

Jesus, I trust in You.

He must increase; I must decrease.

Lord, if You wish, You can make me clean.

But you man of God chose righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience and gentleness. Compete well for the faith.