Mary The Gift Of The Church...Pray For Us...

Father John Paul Mary a Franciscan Priest gave Queen Of Peace Catholic Church Secular Franciscans A weekend retreat May 26, 2019.  The retreat was beautiful and my church family received a beautiful gift, a full weekend focusing on everything Franciscan.  We were given the opportunity to visit their Catholic Book Store, and the overwhelming selection of catholic books, rosaries, holy medals, I recall leaving with a bag full and returning to my church handing out these blessed holy medals of Mary and all the saints.  It was a great experience, especially toward the end of the retreat when I had returned one last time to the gift shop to buy a book to read, and I remember asking Father John Paul if he could recommend a book to me, and he did, he chose Virgo Facta Ecclesia, Gift of Mary to the Church.  And one very special line typed into the book struck a cord in me to do todays podcast.  Saint Maximillian Kolbe quoted"Each genteration must add its labor and fruit to that of previous generations.  And having been assigned by God to do this podcast, my hope is to touch lives and inspire lives to live out their journey understanding why they were given the gift of life.  Having this purpose I see what a huge responsibility we are all given at some point in our lives to live out.  Mine just so happened to come to fruition very late in life.  But better late than never.  So I am thankful that my heart, my mind, my soul, were open to the request, and I am grateful that I can still physically complete the task at hand.  God has been very gracious, and very patient with me, as he is with you, and the entire world.  Giving back to Christ, is a moment, I don't ever want to miss out on.  Sure these moments they ebb and they flow.  Because life is difficult and ever changing and we have to change with the times.  But Jesus never changes.  I have found that out.  And yes it is very true.  It is you and I that need to change, that need to improve, and with God all the above happens absoultely perfectly according to his great plans.  Yes, he has the greatest plans ever set for us, we just need to be open to knowing him, serving him, and loving him, and our lives forever change, forever become blessed beyond what we could ever think of.  God is beyond our thoughts, our imagination, our creation, God is God.  We are his children, his choicest blessings.  If only we knew how great we are in his eyes, we would try harder not to fail him.  But to follow him all the way on our pilgrimage to heaven.  But we are short sided, weak without God, and stumble sometimes all the way through life.  But it doesnt necessarily have to be that way.  We can choose the better way.  The Christ!!!  In Christ all things are made perfect.  In Christ we choose to be Christians, we live according to his law, and we abide in Him.  He in turn takes us on a journey of a lifetime, in truth, in love, and in joy.  He wants to give us the best of himself if only we would desire, living out each day in him.   Its simple.  And yet we make it so complicated.  We distance ourselves from our creator and hurt our very souls.  If only we would choose him today, the outcome of our life would be amazing, so much greater than what our thoughts could  imagine.  Would you be willing to offer up your entire life for Jesus today?  That same Jesus that died for us did exactly that so that we can be with him forever, for all eternity, in heaven.   What would you be willing to do today for Jesus?  Today I am challenging you to consider this reflection and meditate on it and see where it leads you on your journey with Christ.