GOD’S KINGDOMS ON EARTH AND IN HEAVEN PROVIDE US WITH A LIFE OF FULFILLMENT IF WE FOLLOW HIS WAYS OF LOVE AND REPENTANCE!

One of my favorite children’s movies is Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.  It’s about a candy maker who issues five gold tickets in various chocolate bars he sells so a child can become a partner in his business and help them produce new ideas to grow their business.  What makes it interesting is how the five children who found golden tickets react to all the choices with which they are presented at the plant and how they make their decisions.

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time: VOLUNTEERING TO HELP THOSE IN NEED CONFIRMS OUR TRUST OF FAITH IN GOD

My main purpose for writing my weekly blog is to help all those who read it to find the purpose for which God created them and in turn to use the God-given gifts and talents they possess to fulfill that purpose. Our Gospel and readings for this Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time call us to do just that.

Eighth Promise of the Sacred Heart: “Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.”

The eighth promise of the Sacred Heart devotion is indeed a wondrous one: "fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection."  This promise draws us into the reality that a soul enflamed with the love of Jesus' Sacred Heart is led toward sanctification, becoming more like Him and reflecting His perfect image. It is not about instant, seemingly magical perfection, but rather a dynamic process of spiritual growth fueled by fervent love.

FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: CREATED BY GOD’s LOVE FOR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE, WE ARE TO FIND THE REASON FOR OUR CREATION AND USE IT TO BRING THE GOSPEL MESASGE TO ALL

At my previous assignment, the principal of that parish school invited me to be one of two speakers at an assembly on vocations. A former teacher, Mr. M, and husband of the current eighth grade teacher gave a PowerPoint presentation about vocations focusing on life’s goals, purpose and the call from the perspective of God’s influence in our lives. My part was an extemporaneous offering dedicated to my call from God on why I was called to become a deacon and accepted.