Imagine what it might have been like for Joseph. Imagine holding the Son of God, Son of Man, in his arms and looking at his betrothed, servant of the Lord. It’s difficult for me to comprehend all the thoughts that must have been going through his head. God has a plan for this child to become one who saves the world from sin. Perhaps Joseph might have been wondering about that before he fell asleep after an exhausting experience. It’s…..
The First Day
Wake in the morning
with the Christ child
in your midst,
not distant or near, but here –
tangible and touchable.
Hear his cry, his coo, his sigh,
feel His breath.
Wake in the morning
and know His reality
is not just a dream.
Wake in the morning
with God’s promise
fulfilled.
(c) June G. Paul, All Rights Reserved 2019
I originally wrote this with the word “To” in front of the word Wake – –…..
We’ve all asked these questions when we’re told that something we have hoped for that seems impossible is about to happen. Or when we think what someone is telling us sounds a bit outlandish and strange. These two questions, asked by key characters in the Gospel of Luke can help us step into the Luke’s story about the Birth of Jesus.
How can I be sure is the first question asked, and it’s asked by a priest named Zechariah with…..
One of the most challenging things during Christmas is to mourn the loss of the people we love who are no longer with us.
I know, because I’ve done this for many years. I remember being in Jr. High when my Grandmother (Mom’s mom) passed away. And I remember going to church during the Holiday Season and missing seeing her sitting in the front pew. I remember missing many other people throughout my lifetime. I remember helping my father mourn…..
Yesterday, November 1, 2019 I picked up my book Praying Our Way Through Stress, and looked at page 53. I mulled it over for the day, slept on it (not literally) and sorted through my thoughts this morning. The Chapter opens with a reference to something written in Matthew 4: “First Satan attempted to induce doubt (If you are…..
The Sword that Pierced Mary’s Soul will pierce your own soul too.
The Sword that pierced Mary’s soul was not the sword that pierced the side of her son. …..
I’ve been stressed I’ve been blessed I know I am loved.
It’s been about two years since I have written a blog – tonight seemed like a good time to reconnect because of the three lines written above.
Sing those lines to the tune of “I’ve been cheated, been mistreated, when will I be loved?” If you don’t know the tune you could google it on You Tube and I’m sure it will pop up somewhere . . The…..
Today is 9/11/2017. Many people are remembering 9/11 and honoring the victims, first responders and survivors of the places where the terrible events took place.
I’d like to take some time to remember the countless people who survived the events from a distance. The healthcare workers and emergency workers who watched, who wanted to go help, but had to stay behind to help the…..
I have been reflecting on the Gospel Readings from the Daily Office, Year One Readings, as posted at www.missionstclare.com
Today’s Gospel Reading is Luke 1:39-48 and the verse that stood out to me is this:
And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the…..
The full passage is Matthew 3:1-12.
It seems we sometimes prefer to think that some of us are wheat and some of us are chaff. But if we are honest, we all have a little chaff on our souls.
When John was talking to the Pharisees and Sadducees he mentions ‘the wrath to come.’ Typically when we think of wrath, we think of a severe, out of control anger. If this wrath to come is from God, we should…..