You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.

Ever heard a “line” and it just sticks with you forever…

“Ask not what your Country can do for you but what you can do for your Country.” John F. Kennedy

“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” –Mother Teresa

“When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.” –Franklin D. Roosevelt

“Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.” –Margaret Mead

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” –Robert Louis Stevenson

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” –Eleanor Roosevelt

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” –Benjamin Franklin

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.” –Helen Keller

“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” –Aristotle

“Whoever is happy will make others happy too.” –Anne Frank

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson

Impressed – I did those all from memory. I also have some ocean front property in Arizona I’d like to get off my hands. I digress. Simple words of inspiration can go a long way in making your day. Let me add a few more that inspired me growing up.

“I’m so broke…I couldn’t afford the down payment on a free meal.” -Jack W. Dorhauer, Jr.

“If you keep that up, I’m going to slap you to sleep and then slap you for sleeping.” -Lucille “Grandma” Hilbert

I’m not sure where this one originated, but I have passed it on to my children…

“If if’s and but’s were candies and nuts, we’d all have a merry christmas.”

Simple lines can stick with us – it’s just that simple. If you’ve been following my blog for any amount of time, you’ll notice I use a number of lines to close it out each time. They are – simply put – words to live by. And in Today’s Gospel reading, we have one of the best lines ever given…one that should shape our entire outlook on life.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.” -Jesus Christ, Son of God

Take a second to reflect on that. Here is the whole Gospel from today’s readings.

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. 
You have faith in God; have faith also in me. 
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.
If there were not,
would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back again and take you to myself,
so that where I am you also may be.
Where I am going you know the way.” 
Thomas said to him, 
“Master, we do not know where you are going;
how can we know the way?” 
Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. 
No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Do something great for our Lord today – do not let your heart be troubled by the politics of today, by the economy, by the pandemic or by anything else that troubles you. Be comforted by this one last quote for the day… “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Now that is one line to live by and remember always.

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