Posts

The Two Greatest Commandments

The greatest two commandments; that we love God with all our heart, soul and mind and that that we love our neighbors as ourselves (Mt 22: 36-40), are summarized in the following quote by St. Catherine of Siena.

“Reflect that God requires nothing of us except that we show our neighbors the love we have for God.” St. Catherine of Siena, Letter T89

St Catherine’s life (1347 – 1380 A.D.) personified this quote; as her love for God grew this love poured forth from her onto the people that she met.  St. Catherine of Siena’s feast day was April 29th.

Spanish Peaks near Walsenburg, Colorado

Running the Race

let us… persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.”  Hebrews 12: 1, 2

Antelope running near Clayton, New Mexico

Mercy

“mercy… this word changes everything.  This is the best thing we can feel: it changes the world.  A little mercy makes the world less cold and more just.  We need to understand properly this mercy of God, this merciful Father who is so patient… Let us remember the prophet Isaiah who says that even if our sins were scarlet, God’s love would make them white as snow.  This mercy is beautiful.” Pope Francis, Angelus, March 17, 2013

Isaiah 1:18 “Come now let us set things right, says the Lord:  Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become as white as snow” 

Snow covered mountain near Cripple Creek, Colorado

 

Oaks, Flowers and Creation

“In the Judaeo-Christian tradition, the word “creation” has a broader meaning than “nature”, for it has to do with God’s loving plan in which every creature has its own value and significance.”  “Even the fleeting life of the least of beings is the object of his love, and in its few seconds of existence, God enfolds it with his affection.”  Paragraph 76, 77 Laudato Si’ Pope Francis - On Care for our Common Home

Blue Bonnets and Oaks, Spring Branch, TX

 

The Builder

For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.  Hebrews 3:4

Great Egret, High Island, Texas

 

He has Risen

They said to them, “Why do you seek the living one among the dead?  He is not here, but he has been raised.  Luke 25:5-6

Roxborough State Park, Colorado, U.S.A.

 

A Mother’s Sorrow

“and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”  Luke 2:35

Mary and Jesus - Basilique Saint-Nazaire, Carcassonne, France

 

 

What God did for the Love of Man

“Who would believe what we have heard?
To whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
He grew up like a sapling before him,
like a shoot from the parched earth;” Isaiah 53: 1,2

Indian Paintbrush – Spring Branch, Texas

 

On this Mountain

On this mountain the LORD of hosts
will provide for all peoples
A feast of rich food and choice wines,
juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.
On this mountain he will destroy
the veil that veils all peoples,
The web that is woven over all nations;
he will destroy death forever.
The Lord GOD will wipe away
the tears from all faces;
The reproach of his people he will remove
from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken.

On that day it will be said:
“Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us!
This is the LORD for whom we looked;
let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!”
For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain.

Isaiah 25:6-10

Enchanted Rock State Park, Texas

 

Keeping our eyes on the Lord

As we enter into Holy Week let us keep our eyes on our Lord.

He humbled himself,
becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.  Philippians 2:8

Golden-fronted Woodpecker - keeping watch on the rising sun – Big Bend National Park

 

Spring colors – like a prayer of Thanksgiving

“For me prayer means launching out from the heart toward God; a cry of grateful love from the crest of joy or the trough of despair; it is a vast supernatural force that opens out my heart and binds me close to Jesus.”  St. Thesese of Lisieux

Texas Redbud – Spring Branch, TX

 

God's Mercy

“LORD, your mercy reaches to heaven” Psalm 36:6

“Let us not forget that God forgives and God forgives always.” “Let us never tire of asking for forgiveness.” -  Pope Francis

Ocotillo in bloom reaching to heaven – Big Bend National Park, TX, U.S.A. 

Seeing Christ in others

If now we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten how to see God in one another.” – Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Rock - Arches National Park, Utah, U.S.A.

 

Tree Planted Beside the Waters

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose hope is the LORD.
He is like a tree planted beside the waters
that stretches out its roots to the stream:
It fears not the heat when it comes,
its leaves stay green;
In the year of drought it shows no distress,
but still bears fruit
.

Oak Tree near Guadalupe River, Spring Branch, TX

 

Let us sing!

A melody is about to burst from this mockingbird’s throat as he is about to sing his first song of the spring.  

" I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God while I live.” Psalm 104:33

Mockingbird, Spring Branch, Texas, U.S.A.

 

Contemplation

Have you ever contemplated “What can I do to make this world a better place?”

Mathew 25: 31-40

“Jesus said to his disciples:
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory,
and all the angels with him,
he will sit upon his glorious throne,
and all the nations will be assembled before him.
And he will separate them one from another,
as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then the king will say to those on his right,
‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father.
Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
a stranger and you welcomed me,
naked and you clothed me,
ill and you cared for me,
in prison and you visited me.’
Then the righteous will answer him and say,
‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,
or thirsty and give you drink?
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you,
or naked and clothe you?
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’
And the king will say to them in reply,
‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did
for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’”

Northern Cardinal, Spring Branch, Texas, U.S.A.

 

Flight of Freedom

Earlier this week was the memorial of St. Josephine Bakhita, slave, free person, nun and Saint. 

"Be good, love the Lord, pray for those who do not know Him. What a great grace it is to know God!"  - St. Bakhita

Freedom is so beautiful and precious.  Jesus said in Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me.”  “He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives.”  “To let the oppressed go free.”  If you are held captive by your thoughts, desires, addictions or circumstances; ask Jesus to work with you to set you free.

Crested Caracara – Gonzales, Texas, U.S.A.

Hiding in the Peripheries

“Each Christian and every community must discern the path that the Lord points out, but all of us are asked to obey his call to go forth from our own comfort zone in order to reach all the “peripheries” in need of the light of the Gospel.”  Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis

Ruddy Turnstone, Hiding in Seaweed, Mustang Island, Texas