Scripture Scribbles: December 15, 2024
to grow good to grow good

Scripture Scribbles: December 15, 2024

“… I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of His sandals…” John the Baptist humbly enlightened. “Pride is always going to be there,” I confessed. “You need to dig deeper to get at the root to improve,” Fr. Dan gently exhorted. A few phrases immediately jumped out in the Litany of Humility: the fear of being wronged, the fear of suffering rebukes, and the desire of being loved. Scripture and the saints provided additional wisdom. “If we were truly humble, nothing would change us... If someone were to criticize us, we would not feel discouraged...” (St. Mother Theresa) “Perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18) My love and that of others was not perfect. Desiring to be loved imperfectly by looking to other people and things wouldn’t satisfy.

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Scripture Scribbles: December 8, 2024
to grow good to grow good

Scripture Scribbles: December 8, 2024

Recently, we celebrated the Baptism of our fifth child. As Catholic parents, through infant Baptism, we take on the promise to prepare the hearts and souls of our children for the Kingdom of Heaven. Not an easy task! We often desire to make their paths straight, mountains low, and rough ways smooth on our own accord; however, in our Baptisms we are called to deeper conversion and surrender to allow the Holy Spirit guide us in our parenting and lives. Suffering will happen for us and our children and the surrender is oh so difficult.

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Scripture Scribbles: December 1, 2024
to grow good to grow good

Scripture Scribbles: December 1, 2024

Happy New Year!!  Our new liturgical calendar year has begun!

This is the time for expectant waiting and preparation.  I love it!  Most people do!  But it does often come with some difficulties.

This year, I’m thinking about how I am preparing.  Am I preparing for calm over chaos? Peace over panic? Love over angst?

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Scripture Scribbles: November 24, 2024
to grow good to grow good

Scripture Scribbles: November 24, 2024

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the King of the Universe. How striking it is that the church gives us this solemnity on the last Sunday of the liturgical year before we begin our season of waiting upon his birth in the poor manger. He is the King of the Universe. The universe! The immeasurably vast universe which holds all life, all light, all matter, all energy, all sound. He is its creator, sustainer and king. It all obeys him. "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty."

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