Attitude of gratitude
True happiness deesn't come when you have all you want but when
you want all you have. "A tranquil mind gives life to the body, but
jealousy rots the bones" (Proverbs 14:30).
The gift ow work
Work can feel like a treadmill. The routine can be exhausting and
the job seem pointless. When we treat our labor as a gift back to God,
there is an additional purpose to it other than just a paycheck. "There
is nothing better for man than to eat and drink and provide himself with
good things by his labors. Even this, I realized, is from the hand of God"
(Ecclesiastes 2:24).
Lose the baggage
Sometimes we hold onto hurts and wrongs for years, carrying them
throughout our lives like suitcases. We hold the offenders responsible
long after the misdeed. Think how much lighter we would feel if we shed
the baggage and went through life forgiving and forgetting.
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"Where is God when I need him
most?"
Two men, distraught over the murder of a friend, were walking to
the next town. Along the way, they struggled to understand what happened
and worried that God had abondoned them. A stranger joined them, helped
them cope and turned out to be the very friend they were grieving. Though
they didn't realize it, God was with them all along (Luke 24).
Why can't we find him?
Events or experiences in our lives can lessen our awareness of God
and make him appear distant. Sometimes we are too worried, too sad, or
to angry to find him. For example, preoccupied by grief, the two friends
on the road failed to recognize God walking with them.
Believing is seeing.
Trust in God is often hardest when it is most necessary. In fact,
he promised never to bandon us. Whether or not we are aware of him makes
no difference. He promised, and God never breaks a promise.
Act on faith.
".....All things work for good for those who love God, who are
called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). Mary, Jesus' mother
also was distraught by his death. Yet instead of being overwhelmed by it,
she acte onfaith and stood with dignity at the foot of the cross. Her reward
for her faith in God's promise was amazing.
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| Why Do Catholics Do That ?
What is a Vigil Mass?
In the Jewish calendar, days are measured from sundown to sundown
and celebrations begin the night before. Following this practice, the Church
allows solemn liturgical celebrations to begin after 4:00 pm of the prior
evening. Therefore, you can fulfill your obligation for mass on a Saturday
evening because it is really a Sunday celebration. Such Masses of anticipation,
also called Vigil Masses, have been helpful to workers, caregivers, or
others for whom attending Sunday Mass may be difficult or impossible. |
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