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He Gave His Only Son

"Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

John 21:29

• There should be less talk. A preaching point is not a meeting point.


• The dying, the cripple, the mental, the unwanted, the unloved-- they are Jesus in disguise.


• In the West there is loneliness, which I call the leprosy of the West. In many ways it is worse than our poor in Calcutta. (Commonweal, Dec 19, 1997)


• It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving.


• The poor give us much more than we give them. They're such strong people, living day to day with no food. and they never curse, never complain. We don't have to give them pity or sympathy. We have so much to learn from them.


• I see God in every human being. When I wash the leper's wounds, I feel I am nursing the Lord himself. Is it not a beautiful experience?


• I do not pray for success. I ask for faithfulness.


• Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go.


• If you judge people, you have no time to love them.

~Mother Teresa~

The last Weekly Word article had a prayer that we could use in times of hardship, times when we worry or suffer. As I read and reflected on this prayer it struck me that this also is a prayer that is perfect for parents.

I want to be like Mary, who, in spite of her sorrows and great pain, was able to enjoy peace of mind in the midst of her suffering, confident that God was at her side to give her courage.

As parents, we want what is best for our children. We become more confident as the years go by and our children are more independent. They are making responsible decisions and our worries seem to lessen. Their lives are becoming more settled, the path they are taking seems clearer. Then something can happen to slice that feeling of contentment, a call about a wreck, a decision to change schools, or quit school, a breakup in a relationship, a relationship you thought would last, a move that seems wrong, or a change in careers. There are many things that can happen and some much more serious than others, an unexpected illness, trouble with the law, or even a death.

When reflecting on Jesus' life and Mary as His mother, there were events that took place when Jesus was a boy, being presented at the Temple where Mary was told of the sorrows she would face, Jesus lost for three days which had to tear at Mary's heart. But the hardest sorrows happened when Jesus was older. The fears and pain Mary faced became worse not easier. Through it all she knew "God was at her side.""

As our children become adults and make their choices in life, we need to pray that we 'enjoy peace of mind' that God is there with them and also at our side. He will give us courage when we worry, He is in control.

Pray the prayer above and add a prayer that our children turn to Him.

Dear Jesus, guide my child in their decisions. Be there with them in their choices of vocation, in their choices of life. Send your Spirit to open their hearts to the importance of your will. Mary you know more than ever the pain we feel when our children suffer. Pray with us that they are lead to your Son. Mary please intercede, on our behalf, for their futures and their lives. Let their hearts be held in His hands. Let the angels watch over our babies and all that they do be for His glory.

Amen

URLVD

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