Allowing Your Light to Shine

As a child, my cousins would always call me a little miss goodie two shoes.  I don't know about you, but for me, that always seemed like a derogatory name.  I don't really know where my nature to be of service to others has come from - but I believe the Angels must have been whispering in my ears from my birth.  Do I get it right all the time, absolutely not - but that is how we all learn.

As an adult, I have worked for various non-profits and volunteered for many different organizations.  I can remember one place I worked, the department I was in was very busy and most did not have time to participate in the volunteer opportunities our employer asked of us, so I tried to do more to represent our department.  And I was shocked when my supervisor told me that those employees in the department who were very busy - actually complained.  I can remember my answer "well, if they would do more, I believe I would not feel that I need to carry the load for our department."  Maybe not the more elegant answer (I can be very defensive when cornered.)  I now can see that they were either jealous that I took the time to help or they felt bad because they could not - most likely the later.  Today, I am part of an organization which is all about giving service to others and we are highly encouraged to do so.

I truly believe we are here to serve each other and when we hold back because of fear of what others may think, or say, we are holding on to the very gifts and graces which the Father has given us.  And when we simply don't want to help another person - well, I would suggest you might want to go to confession (just a thought.)

Serving others may not be the most lucrative activity - in fact it may cost you - energy, time and money.  But honestly when you help another, you receive back so much more that cannot be measured in this world's terms.  Serving others may not be easy - it may be work - it may be hard - it may physically test and challenge you.  But I ask you, (ok - prepare yourself for
here comes a little Catholic guilt)  was it easy for our Lord to pick up and carry his cross to Calvary?  I believe we all know the answer.  We are all called to do works of Mercy and Charity.  As Catholics it should be part of our DNA - if it is not part of yours - pray to the Holy Spirit for an infusion.

But what if you are not physically able to give service - is all lost?  Absolutely not, for you can pray for those who do give physical service and pray for those who need service.  Prayers are our most powerful tool.

If you are at a loss of what to do - perhaps you are newbie at service or now have a family you would like to include - I have a few suggestions -- look at your Parish bulletin for ideas, ask others where they volunteer, check out your diocese website.  Another idea is that Advent will soon be upon us - you could create an Advent Calendar which calls you to do something for another person each day - this is great for a family - items could include visiting a nursing home (adopt a senior), writing personal greetings to people you have not reached out to lately or you know they may be struggling with the holidays, take cookies to your local fire fighters - and I'm sure you can think of many more. 

I've found a links with lots more suggestions:

Catholic Link - acts of Charity

Now is the time to let your light shine - the world needs us more than ever -- people all around you can be blessed by your actions today.

Give to Caesar

As you may know, the Bible will speak to us with the message we need receive at that time.  The last time I read this Gospel (Mark 12:13-17) I found I was thinking about how everything belongs to God and my thoughts then went to many things including the people he has put in my life and the lovely nature outside my window to name just a few.  I found my prayers were ones of thankfulness for the bounty the Father has placed before me without even realizing it.

Today, though – my thoughts go to how everyone on this earth belongs to God – the good, the bad and the ugly.  We are all made from his love.  And I as I shared a few weeks ago, I feel an urging to pray for all the people of this earth.  Not just the saintly, but for all of us.

I envision the Father as a grandparent who is anxiously waiting for us to come home.  Perhaps there is a great feast in the process (I know my great-grandmother would cook for days before we would arrive.)  He has set a light in the window to guide us and welcome us home.  But he also sends out the Holy Spirit to walk every step with us.  And as we arrive his arms are opened wide ready to embrace us and a great banquet is set out to celebrate our home coming.  Yes, we have all sinned and we have all failed him – but this should not hold us back from receiving his love, for just as great is his love, is the greatness of his Mercy too.

So today, I pray for those who evil has taken a hold of – they have believed the lies whispered in their ears.  They are being used to try to destroy them and anyone that comes in contact with them.  What evil does not seem to understand is that it can destroy this body, but it can not change or destroy my soul/spirit.  I was created from the love of the Father, and no matter what happens here on earth – that fact will never change.  

I pray for those who have turned their backs to God.  For just as the lost lamb, they have wondered off without realizing it, and then they find themselves are too far away to make their way home without help.  That is where our prayers come in, for them to realize the Holy Spirit is right beside them, urging them upon the path where they can be found.  They just need to reach out and receive.

I pray for those who have never experienced the Father’s love.  They are unaware of what joy and love await them.

And, I pray for all the souls of this world, those who came before us, those who walk upon it now and those yet to come.  I pray for God’s love – a love so great, so grand it is unfathomable – to rain down upon this earth, that his light will brighten even the darkest of corners.  And that we all, everyone of us, find the path that will lead us home to his love and welcoming embrace.