] How might our experiences this day –– and especially, the people whom we encounter in those experiences –– be inviting us to pay homage to Christ?
How can we let go of this desire to be in control and instead let God take control of our lives?
Giving Jesus homage, now that’s a New Year’s resolution. What can you do to give homage to Jesus?Hi again!
VisitationSiste: Blessed New Year!
Jan 3 2016, 7:22 PM
Lisa C: You too
Jan 3 2016, 7:22 PM
VisitationSiste: WE had a full week and a half- beautiful ceremonies
Jan 3 2016, 7:27 PM
VisitationSiste: We visit the crib each night and last night of course added the 3 wise men to the scene
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VisitationSiste: But the real substance is if we do pay homage in a deeper way each year to Our Lord
Judy K: Hi Mother and Everyone! Happy Three Kings Day!
Jan 3 2016, 7:29 PM
VisitationSiste: I think some of us do that with the “typical” New Year Resolutions
30 PM
VisitationSiste: I find myself more internally free, I think, to let Jesus do what He will with me-
Jan 3 2016, 7:31 PM
Alice Lewis-Eckardt: i hope i am getting better at turning my will over
Jan 3 2016, 7:31 PM
Michelle P Olivier: I agree, every time I let myself try to change situations – it never comes out the same as when I “surrender” to His Will
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Judy K: The Father has sent His Son to us. Come let us adore Him!
Jan 3 2016, 7:32 PM
VisitationSiste: Doing what God wants for us has to be paying Him homage but there are multiple ways to adore Him
7:32 PM
Michelle P Olivier: There is more peace when I let go and I believe that may be God’s gift to us for that homage
Judy K: Ah yes! Adoration is a matter of mind and heart. Homage is a physical thing.
Jan 3 2016, 7:33 PM
VisitationSiste: When you think of the 3 Kings they listened to their dream and obeyed
VisitationSiste: In our encounters with one another if they are positive, one might be more inclined to associate that with paying homage or adoring the Christ within.
Jan 3 2016, 7:36 PM
VisitationSiste: When the encounters are more negative it takes a greater act of the will perhaps to see things that way?
6 PM
Dawn L: hi Mother, and everyone. yes, on the mend thank you
Jan 3 2016, 7:36 PM
Judy K: I never thought of the experiences of the day as invitations to pay homage to Jesus. I thought of a few–if we see a need, meet it. Even a simple smile or a cheery “hello.” Giving directions if asked. Helping someone to put on a coat or tie a shoe. These can be acts of homage.
Jan 3 2016, 7:37 PM
Judy K: Hi Dawn!
Jan 3 2016, 7:37 PM
Dawn L: Hi Judy! you are feeling better
8 PM
Lisa C: If we think of Baby Jesus being in everyone we encounter then no matter what the kind of encounter we can think of a baby inside anyone who needs our care and attention.
Jan 3 2016, 7:38 PM
Judy K: Yes, I am much better but I still get very tired and sometimes have to rest in the middle of a task.
Jan 3 2016, 7:38 PM
Lisa C: Anyone we meet at Christmas needs our care
Jan 3 2016, 7:38 PM
Lisa C: hopefully we spread it to the entire year
Jan 3 2016, 7:39 PM
VisitationSiste: That’s a beautiful way of looking at it Lisa
Jan 3 2016, 7:39 PM
Michelle P Olivier: I agree Sister, I don’t always see God in the unpleasant encounters – only at the end of the day when I reflect I may come to see that
7:39 PM
VisitationSiste: That’s how God sees us, as children
Judy K: Everyone we meet has a need of some type. However, the need may not be visible. That is why a smile or a hello can sometimes go a long to helping someone through a rough time. And it we do it to that person, we do it to the Lord.
Jan 3 2016, 7:40 PM
Lisa C: I think it is also how we have to be … like a child to go to heaven
Lisa C: Matt 18:3
Jan 3 2016, 7:41 PM
VisitationSiste: St Therese certainly would agree with that
Judy K: Did you see the film on EWTN last night?
Jan 3 2016, 7:41 PM
VisitationSiste: The problem then is to “let go” so we can become like children again in a spiritual sense
VisitationSiste: No
Jan 3 2016, 7:41 PM
Lisa C: Matthew 18:3New International Version (NIV)
3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
VisitationSiste: What ewtn show
Judy K: The Cinema at 8 PM showed “Therese” again. I always say that I am going to skip it this time, but I get hooked every time. PM
VisitationSiste: She is powerful from heaven
Jan 3 2016, 7:44 PM
Lisa C: St. T helps me be brave
Jan 3 2016, 7:44 PM
Alice Lewis-Eckardt: has she answered antones special prayer here?
Jan 3 2016, 7:45 PM
VisitationSiste: Humility of an unconscious kind is part of childhood I think and spiritual childhood which St Therese advocated brings us to humility, which the wise men certainly showed too
Jan 3 2016, 7:45 PM
Dawn L: movie very well done
6, 7:45 PM
Lisa C: She was so brave in difficulty, so when something is hard I remember how she endured things and I pray for her to help me
Jan 3 2016, 7:45 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes Alice she answered my prayer about vocation, also helped our employee one time
Alice Lewis-Eckardt: thank you. did you receive Roses?
Jan 3 2016, 7:47 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes both times
Jan 3 2016, 7:47 PM
Judy K: Regarding letting go of control. We need to recognize that we are not totally in control of our lives.Doing that can make it easier for us to let go of control, e.g. I am not in control of the weather. If there is no snow, there is no sledding or snowball fights. If it is too warm, no frozen ponds and therefore no ice skating. Realizing that we don’t control the weather may make it easier for us to let go of the control of what I am going to do on that day.
Jan 3 2016, 7:47 PM
Alice Lewis-Eckardt: Ahh i think i may have asked you before. thank you
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VisitationSiste: Judy should weather then be like a strting point as we try to grow in handing over our lives?
Jan 3 2016, 7:48 PM
Alice Lewis-Eckardt: haha well i hope St. Terese will answer me as well
Jan 3 2016, 7:51 PM
VisitationSiste: Hello guest 6952
16, 7:52 PM
Judy K: Not necessarily. I was just using that as an example. For me, it might be my MS. I do not have as much control over my body as I used to, and so I have surrender control of my activities and what I am able to do in my apartment, for example. A prayer request please–There is an ambulance outside my window and I heard them knocking on my 85 year old neighbor’s door. He was just released from a rehab following a fall. I do hope that he has not fallen again.
Guest6952 (guest): Awesome Kairos Grouping last Sunday night almost every man from recent retreat returned and the veterans welcomed all the new men ! Praise God !
Jan 3 2016, 7:53 PM
Judy K: Thank you for the prayers
Jan 3 2016, 7:53 PM
Dawn L: Amen.
4 PM
VisitationSiste: Hi Carol Ann
Jan 3 2016, 7:54 PM
Carol Ann: Hi Everyone! I lost track of time today!
Jan 3 2016, 7:55 PM
Guest6952 (guest): Please Jesus Help Judy’s neighbor in everyway !
Jan 3 2016, 7:55 PM
VisitationSiste: Think of the wise men giving up their homes and lives for a long period to follow the star to the King That’s an example of giving over some level of control I think
Judy K: Our celebrant this morning told the story of “the Other Wise Man” as part of his homily. Are you all familiar with the storyM
VisitationSiste: Vaguely
Jan 3 2016, 7:56 PM
Michelle P Olivier: Judy, so did our priest
Jan 3 2016, 7:57 PM
VisitationSiste: Is it the one of the man who travels 33 years or so looking for Christ
Jan 3 2016, 7:57 PM
Carol Ann: I vaguely remember it too. I think the fourth wise man is supposed to be us
Jan 3 2016, 7:57 PM
Dawn L: I never heard this
Jan 3 2016, 7:57 PM
Judy K: It is a story of a wise man named Artaban who was supposed to join the other three in their quest for the newborn King. Yes, mother.
59 PM
VisitationSiste: The point was the search?
Jan 3 2016, 7:59 PM
Michelle P Olivier: Because he stopped to help someone along the way he never met up with the others and did not meet the newborn King.
:00 PM
VisitationSiste: Perfect for the year of mercy
Jan 3 2016, 8:01 PM
Dawn L: did they say in story…but in helping someone, he did meet Jesus?
, 8:02 PM
Michelle P Olivier: Yes, in the end of his search, “What you did for others, you did for Me”8:02 PM
Judy K: He had a sack with three precious stones in it–a ruby, a sapphire and a pearl. In trying to hook up with the others, he was constantly being delayed by people who had one need or another and he stopped to help each of them. Eventually, he even surrendered all of his precious stones. He reaches Jerusalem on the day of the Crucifixion and sees Jesus carrying His cross. He is deeply distressed because he has no gift to give to Jesus. But he hears Jesus tell him that he has been giving Him gifts all through hi016, 8:02 PM
Guest6952 (guest): Whatever you do to the least of my breathren that you do unto me !
Jan 3 2016, 8:03 PM
Carol Ann: In other words, never give up
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Michelle P Olivier: Also, we search for Christ and He is in our neighbor and those we serve.
Jan 3 2016, 8:04 PM
Judy K: his life. Each need he has met has been a need of Jesus and Jesus commends him for fulfilling the works of mercy. Artaban had given up control of his plans and the result was serving Jesus in a special way. And so there is a lesson about surrendering control in the story.
Jan 3 2016, 8:04 PM
Guest6952 (guest): When we serve others we are also serving Jesus !
8:05 PM
VisitationSiste: Bl Teresa of Calcutta emphasized that so much I always think of her in this connectionPM
VisitationSiste: That would make agood NY rwesolution- surrendering control and thus paying homage to Jesus and adoring Him and His Will
Jan 3 2016, 8:06 PM
Judy K: Sam, my neighbor, is being loaded into an ambulance and I can see that he is on oxygen. So, something is wrong for sure. He is such a sweet little Asian man.
Jan 3 2016, 8:07 PM
VisitationSiste: Oh no- let;s keep praying now
Jan 3 2016, 8:07 PM
Carol Ann: Poor Sam!
, 8:07 PM
Guest6952 (guest): The story is a reminder to us to not be too busy serving Jesus to really serve Jesus by serving others in need around us every day . PM
Guest6952 (guest): Please Jesus provide Sam all the help that he needs at this time8:09 PM
Judy K: What is important is that you offer your service. It is up to the other to accept or reject it.
Jan 3 2016, 8:10 PM
Michelle P Olivier: That could be another situation where we give up control. We want to help and they don’t want it – so we accept the situation
Jan 3 2016, 8:10 PM
Judy K: Sam just got a 24/7 aide.
Jan 3 2016, 8:10 PM
Lisa C: When they do not want service we can still pray
13 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: We’re finally getting some real winter weather – below freezing – in the next couple days.
Jan 3 2016, 8:13 PM
Dawn L: are you getting snow also?
Jan 3 2016, 8:13 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: We have camellias and forsythia blooming!
Jan 3 2016, 8:13 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: no snow
Jan 3 2016, 8:14 PM
Judy K: The last question is about ways to offer homage to the Lord. These come to mind: making the sign of the cross when passing a Church; saying grace in a restaurant; reading a Bible or other spiritual book on a bus or train; making a visit to the the Blessed Sacrament; gently correcting someone who uses the Lord’s name in vain; performing a work of mercy; making the intention to honor Jesus in every deed of the day.
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Mary Roberta Viano: Good, Judy! Any small gesture of reverence or service to Our Lord is wonderful!
Jan 3 2016, 8:16 PM
Michelle P Olivier: Yes Judy, excellent examples
Jan 3 2016, 8:16 PM
Carol Ann: We are expectig our first real rain of the season this week. Please pray that the roads stay open-we had a brush fire on Christmas that closed a couple, and the rain will likely cause mudslides that close them again
6 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Holy Father SFdS always focused on the little ways (like St. Therese of Lisieux) we can do homage to Christ. , 8:17 PM
Carol Ann: When I visit clients in their homes, I ask the Holy Spirit for guidance, even though I am thrre for a secular reason
Jan 3 2016, 8:17 PM
Guest6952 (guest): How we handle our mistakes is very often one of the greatest witnesses of our love for Jesus 1
Jan 3 2016, 8:17 PM
VisitationSiste: Being with Him is another way
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, so many weather-related disasters recently can provide ways to reach out with help – prayers or donations.
Jan 3 2016, 8:18 PM
Judy K: But probably more important than they is the silent homage I offer Him in my heart. It is unseen and hopefully of greater significance than what can be seen.
Jan 3 2016, 8:18 PM
Michelle P Olivier: Little prayers to Him during the day
Mary Roberta Viano: True, Judy! And then that silent homage will translate into concrete actions of help and understanding to others.
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VisitationSiste: Giving gifts of love-
Jan 3 2016, 8:21 PM
Judy K: Like Artaban, we surrender the precious jewels that we are carrying in service of others. And Jesus receives them and smiles on us.
Jan 3 2016, 8:21 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: It’s a challenge in our families and among my sisters here to continually be alert to their needs and respond to them “with alacrity,” as Holy Mother SJFdC, always said.
Jan 3 2016, 8:22 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: It’s so easy to let certain personalities to grate on me so much that I want to avoid someone, but I have to, instead, do the opposite and reach out.
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Guest6952 (guest): I carry my bible with me wherever I go and I read God’S Word in every place I travel to when I can .I have seen how the presence of God’s Word changes people !
Jan 3 2016, 8:23 PM
VisitationSiste: Community living- can be the same here- takes much transcendance
Jan 3 2016, 8:23 PM
Carol Ann: It is still hard to do, but it seems easier, Sr. WHen you are living with people who are committed to fdoing the same
Jan 3 2016, 8:23 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Right! Like the sister who always splashed her, doing the laundry
Judy K: WE tend to look for great things to do for the Lord, when He would probably prefer that we all strive to be like Therese in her little way, capable of doing only small things, as Mother Teresa said, with great love.
Jan 3 2016, 8:23 PM
VisitationSiste: Not all are tho, esp new or immature members
Jan 3 2016, 8:24 PM
VisitationSiste: So one has to be able to do so at least
Jan 3 2016, 8:24 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Right, Carol, but it’s easy to assign mixed-motives to some really difficult personalities, instead of simply seeing them as God’s children.
:24 PM
Carol Ann: True, our ability grows as our relationship with Christ grows
Jan 3 2016, 8:24 PM
Lisa C: Is it possible to discuss the things with them?
Jan 3 2016, 8:24 PM
Carol Ann: True, Sr Roberta. It is very easy to do that!
:25 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: But then I have to turn my scrutiny on myself and see where my motives haven’t always been pure and ask God’s forgiveness. PM
VisitationSiste: Yes but sometimes it takes time for new thoughts to filter thru
Jan 3 2016, 8:26 PM
Carol Ann: Yes, because sometimes we see our own motives in others
Jan 3 2016, 8:27 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: I’m always impressed by people who have no time for criticism, ever. They just want to see the best in everyone – whatever the personality. That’s is what Our Lord did, I think.
6, 8:28 PM
Lisa C: I think it is what Pope Francis is doing too
Jan 3 2016, 8:28 PM
Judy K: I was awakened by St. FdeS words in the article: “Anxious searchings of the heart about advancing in perfection, and those endeavors to see if we are advancing, are not at all pleasing to God…” I have always wondered about that. I must stop questioning, wondering, and just go on loving and serving Him.
:28 PM
Carol Ann: I try to do that, and y impatient friends tell me to stop making excuses for people. I must not be doing it right
Jan 3 2016, 8:28 PM
Guest6952 (guest): Amen Sister !
Michelle P Olivier: He had true acceptance of all – just the way they were
Jan 3 2016, 8:29 PM
Lisa C: Judy St Theresa of Avila also talked about not trying to advance because we cannot do it. God has to bring us there
Jan 3 2016, 8:29 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: I’ve seen among my sisters that a long and deep prayer life leads to mature, Christian living.
:30 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: True, Lisa. It’s always about surrendering to God. We have that written in our elevator: “Surrender to God and He will do everything for you.” It’s in the Breviary.
Jan 3 2016, 8:30 PM
Carol Ann: Continual prayer is key then. And just sitting in silence before God
1 PM
Lisa C: St T of A says God wants us to want to please Him and then He takes over. We just need to have the will
Jan 3 2016, 8:31 PM
Guest6952 (guest): Judy I think that he was concerned about pride creeping in and we need to just keep serving God and others as you said .
Jan 3 2016, 8:31 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Right, Carol – acknowledging God’s existence and His deep love for me and active guidance in my life.
Jan 3 2016, 8:31 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: The will to “let go and let God,” Lisa.
Jan 3 2016, 8:32 PM
Judy K: And so growth in perfection is another thing of which we must be willing to relinquish control, because in all honesty, we have no control over our growth.Growth in holiness is a gift from the Lord. We can do nothing to win it or merit it. We can only be open to receiving it.
Jan 3 2016, 8:32 PM
Carol Ann: The more we acknowledge what He has done, the more He does
:32 PM
Guest6952 (guest): Amen !
Jan 3 2016, 8:33 PM
Lisa C: It is about humility she says, not thinking we know how to do anything to please God and letting Him show us without us even understanding.
Jan 3 2016, 8:33 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, that’s the central thing I learned when I became Catholic. As a Protestant, I always thought I was in full control.
6, 8:34 PM
Dawn L: I have thought today, introspection, continual, will never bring me to awareness. it is about surrendering and asking Holy Spirit to reveal to uPM
Judy K: Let us ask the Lord to take full control of us and our lives, and to gift us with holiness if that is His will. Let us prepare to go down into the water with Jesus next Sunday. 5 PM
Carol Ann: Because introspection leads us only to ourselves and we can never completely know or understand ourselves
Jan 3 2016, 8:35 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Time to write a quick letter to a prisoner, get tomorrow’s music together, and then to bed…Let’s continue praying for one another in these days before the Baptism of Our Lord – the official end of the Christmas Season next Sunday.
Jan 3 2016, 8:35 PM
Lisa C: St T of A says in Adoration Jesus will send us flashes of insights of things that we cannot even comprehend and they take hold
35 PM
Carol Ann: Happy New Year Sister!
Jan 3 2016, 8:35 PM
Dawn L: right Carol for the completion of that thought!
Jan 3 2016, 8:35 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes let’
s hold on to what He reveals to us!
Jan 3 2016, 8:36 PM
VisitationSiste: Hope to chat next week –
do you want Baptism as topic or wait for inspiration?
Jan 3 2016, 8:36 PM
VisitationSiste: Blessings,
each one of you,
and prayer for Sam
Jan 3 2016, 8:36 PM
Michelle P Olivier: Good night,
God’
s blessing and peace to all
Jan 3 2016, 8:36 PM
VisitationSiste: Good night!
Jan 3 2016, 8:36 PM
Carol Ann: Baptism and how we still live it?
Jan 3 2016, 8:36 PM
Carol Ann: Good night and God Bless us all!
Jan 3 2016, 8:37 PM
Lisa C: God be praised!
Jan 3 2016, 8:37 PM
Dawn L: Good night and God be with us all!
Jan 3 2016, 8:37 PM
Judy K: Thank You Lord for Your great Epiphany,
Your manifestation of Yourself to all people.
Good night all,
and may His love and peace be with you.
Jan 3 2016, 8:37 PM
Guest6952 (guest): I opened the Bible this morning at early mass and read Isaiah Chapter 60 .
It was reading for today and the whole sermon was on Isaiah 60 .
It was a reminder to me that God is in control of everything and a great big hug from GOD WHEN I needed it !
Jan 3 2016, 8:37 PM
Dawn L: Amen Judy.
and prayers for Sam too
Jan 3 2016, 8:39 PM
Guest6952 (guest): Have a great week everyone !
God Bless You All !
Brian