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Have Mercy and Forgive
Mercy and forgiveness are among the greatest gifts of love we can give to help another. Portia in Shakespeare’s, Merchant of Venice has said it better than most, “The quality of mercy is not strain’d, It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.” Enough said. Tip: Pick someone near-by who has hurt us and forgive. It’s best if you can say that word directly to the person. If not, then at least begin to say mercy in your own heart. Click here for today’s readings. Verse: John 8:12 I am…
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Discipline Leads to Happiness and Fulfillment
Our world sometimes seems torn between obsessions with either “spring breaks” or “spas.” For a Gemini like me, I enjoy the wonderful contrasts. “Spring breaks” stand for allowing anything and everything. All forms of restraint are abandoned, which leads to happiness, fulfillment and renewal – or so the ads would have us believe. Another set of ads tout the “spa” approach. Come for a week or two of deprivation and regimentation and, at the end, a “new you” will emerge – happy and fulfilled. In a more moderate version, most of us tend to gravitate toward the “spring break” approach to life: less restraint will make us happier and…
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Let God Speak
Reflection of the Day: At work I often ask people proposing a new project or idea, “why are we doing this, what are we trying to achieve? Sometimes similar questions are also worthwhile to ask about our praying. What’s on my mind? What am I praying about? Sometimes, yes, but not always! There is another part to praying. Coming to God with a “blank slate” and letting God write on it. Being patient, non-directive and waiting on God can be really frustrating and challenging because God speaks in his timeframe and his way. A little daydreaming is a totally acceptable way of praying and waiting on God. It’s less of…
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Can We Truly Forgive and Forget?
Reflection of the Day: I often have discussions about the difference between “forgiving” and “forgetting.” I am pretty strong in my perspective on this. I am never going to forget what Dick Fisher did to me in 6th grade. He pushed me over in the playground and then got a group of his friends to threaten to beat me up. Fortunately, it did not amount to much. But I won’t forget it. However, within a month I forgave him. I could give scores of examples, some much more significant than that , but I just want to make my point. We can forgive without forgetting. Let me go a…
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DACA Call In Day: February 26
About 800,000 young Americans brought to United States by their parents as children now face a crisis. Since 2012, Catholic Charities has been assisting these DREAMERS in many ways. We have directly helped more than 800 DREAMERS to get authorization to work productively, go to college, avoid deportation, maintain family unity, and remain in the United States. I have personally worked alongside these DREAMERS and seen firsthand their industriousness. They are extremely anxious about the upcoming March 5 deadline imposed by President Trump to end this program. We read and hear in the media that Congress has become paralyzed in dealing with this issue. I share with you information from…
