January 17, 2021
Greetings upon each of you. I wrote this entry over two weeks ago as our family was living the moments in life where we are carried by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through times beyond explanation. I will share words of wisdom from our Diocese of Stockton, Bishop Myron Cotta, “Be still in the silence of God, allowing His word, His direction, His love to guide you through the busyness of our lives. Allow God to do His work for you and through you, for it is in these moments of silence that we can allow His will and not ours”.
Peace, blessings and may the love of our Lord be with you all!
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January 1, 2021
‘The great thing, if one can, is to stop regarding all the unpleasant things as interruptions of one’s “own,” or “real” life. The truth is of course that what one calls the interruptions are precisely one’s real life – the life God is sending one day by day.” – CS Lewis
There is a song I grew up listening to and enjoyed called “Day by day”. Three things I pray, too see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly and follow thee more nearly, day by day.
So, we say good-bye to 2020 and truly welcome 2021 given the tribulations we have all experienced in 2020. That being said, one can reflect on the grace, blessings and gifts of 2020. When we look with our spiritual eyes, open our spiritual ears and reach into our spiritual heart, we can find the work of God in our lives among the turmoil of this world. Today we read in the Gospel of Luke, 2:16-21, how Mary, when hearing the message made known by the shepherds about this child, Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. We are called to do the same, reflect on the goodness of the Lord in our own heart.
As I reflect upon 2020, I find in my heart, great joyous occasions, that were centered on our Savior, Jesus Christ. There were Baptisms, Confirmations, Holy Communions, Reconciliations, Marriages, Ordinations and Anointing’s of the Sick. God among us, Amen! There are certainly times in our humanity in which we feel alone or defeated however, these are the times when we look to God and ask for the strength, willingness and grace to continue on our journey.
Lori and I are sponsoring a young lady on her mission journey and she sent us a beautiful Christmas card this week. I believe God wanted us to receive this card yesterday because we sure needed a gift from God, and He delivered.
I will share part of the prayer with you and I pray your spiritual heart is granted a gift from God.
“We ought to receive disruptions as Mary did, simply by saying, “Let it be to me”. These words hold power, surrender, acceptance, trust & hope. One who speaks this phrase, speaks with interior freedom! When we can receive things that seem to contradict our freedom, nothing then will really be able to oppress or crush us, and our peace will not leave us! As we look into our own hearts, how do we see interruptions and disturbances in our daily lives? Do we see life’s interruptions as a gift? This year let us receive it all as a “gift”, knowing them as a part of God’s plan for our lives!”
Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, Amen.
Peace, Deacon Armando
Deacon Armando 