Each week she would stop at Mary’s house and listen while Mary taught about the scriptures. She would watch him as he learned. He learned to read the scriptures and it seemed as if he knew each word personally. He would then go and help his father with the wood. They made furniture. It was as if he knew every tree the would was harvested from, personally.

The young girl was walking home carrying the wood for the fire when she tripped and fell. The young boy stopped running with his friends to help the girl. The other boys teased him for helping with woman’s work. The young girl looked at the boy and could not look away from his eyes. Those eyes that smile. Her thoughts went to that night long ago when her family woke in the night to visit the small baby. This kind boy, the baby, the same.

This story begins thousands of years ago. A small child not more than 4 years old was woken in the night by her parents and taken to a small cave-like place. This place was not far from where they were staying. Many people we also going to the cave. Her mother and father could see what was going on but Sarah was too small. Her father lifted her onto his strong shoulders and all of a sudden she saw a mother and father with a new baby boy. Something was different about this baby. Sarah could see it in his face. There was a peace.

Some believe Catholics honor the Blessed Virgin Mary too much. Here are some points to ponder.

1. Mary is the mother of Jesus – the son of God. Jesus himself honored his mother’s wishes at Cana. Who am I not to follow in Jesus’ steps. John 2:1-10

2. Mary is the spouse of the Holy Spirit. It is through the Holy Spirit that Mary conceived Jesus. Matthew 1:1-20

3. Mary is the daughter of God the Father. We are all sons and daughters of God. What a daughter of obedience! Gal. 3:26

While suffering on the cross Jesus gave his mother to us for all eternity. He gave his mother to be our mother (John 19:26-27). Should we not honor her for this reason alone?

On February 2nd many Catholics were attending Mass to celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord and the blessing of candles. I wonder how many understand that Candlemas is the Presentation of the Lord. The candles represent Christ as our light.

Forty days after the birth of Christ (the anointed one) Mary and Joseph presented Jesus in the temple as was the custom. We commemorate this event with the feast of the Presentation.

Christ is our light. With the blessing of the candles, candles that we use in our liturgies or take home with us, we are reminded of Christ and his light! Christ’s light is presented to us.

The Holy Spirit is the giver and the gift! The Gift of Love!

Dear Father thank you for all the gifts you have given to us We pray for all those who have work and all those seeking work. We pray for those who cannot find work and those who are unable to work. May all find the path you have carved for them in the book of life. All things in and through God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit – Amen

Faith, Hope and Love

Remember freedom is from God. It is a choice on the use of our free will. Our will to love God with all our heart and soul or …to abandon him. I ache deep within my soul when I think of the pain Christ must have felt on the cross. Not from the nails, not from the crown of thorns but from the torture of abandonment and loss. Not one person rose up in his defense. No one fought to save him! “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me!” For fear of capture and death those who knew and loved Jesus chose to abandon him. This may as well been a call to all of us who abandon God in the name of our freedom. I am no better! My sins add to Christ’s pain to this day.  May we all learn to show Christ our love with our entire being, heart and soul. Let us use our free will wisely and let us not abandon Christ for any reason! Through God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Amen!