Fishmail Insights

Friday

St. Bernard, in his commentary on the Canticle of Canticles, says, 'Pay
attention to the ittle foxes that sneak in after us, destroying the vines in our
flower.'
We may carry water upstairs for a bath and
find three buckets already full in our bathing room. Then the temptation comes
to use all the water. If you have to sleep in a corner where there is no breeze,
do not gasp and pant to show how much you feel it. In these little things, you
can practice poverty. Poverty makes us free. That is why we can joke and smile
and have a happy heart for Jesus.

~In life, i myself have come to the understanding that it's the little things that count, after all these little things are what make up life. Even though certain things may seem small, they are still an intergral part of your day to day. Going the extra distance counts... it's that extra effort to extend your fingers to the wall ahead of your opponent in an olympic swimming race that determines gold or silver, it's that quarter to a friend in line at Mcdonalds during dollar mcnuggets day when they realize that there's tax, it's the smallest comment you offer to a friend in need that makes that difference, it's the smallest sacrifice to offer to God that you be nice to those who aren't nice to you. Do not be afraid to go the extra distance in your dedication with your faith, because the smallest things make the biggest difference...

a butterfly who flaps it's wings on the other side of the world can create a hurricane.
(that's more explanation of chaos theory... but the analogy sorta fits =P )

Thursday

Be faithful to Christ! Pray for perseverance! Remember that you have been
created for greater things. Never stoop lower than the ideal. Let nothing
satisfy you but God.
Have a great day, GOd bless!

~Everything in your life happens for a reason... all the hardships, all the joy. At times of hardships we are tempted to doubt our faith due to pain and/or suffering. At these times we are expected to remember a few things... God never gives you a trial that you can't overcome... and more importantly, God has a plan for your life, a plan that will be revealed in his most perfect time and in his most perfect way. This helps a lot in life especially when you look and wonder around that people are doing so much better than you and that you feel neglected. Maybe it takes another glance at life to realize that there are less fortunate than us and that we take what we do have for granted. Patience is an almighty virtue along with perserverance... believe that when the time comes, the desires of your heart will come to fruition... never late, but right when you need it.

Wednesday

Our Blessed Mother calls us to fast and do penance and pray. Let us be faithful
to these things if we are sincere in our desire to bring souls to Jesus.
Pray, fast, and do penance for priests, to help them be holy and bring souls to
Jesus.

~It's always easy for me to remember to pray for myself. That's pretty much standard for meeh when i am in a conversation with our Lord. I myself must take time to see that there are those others around me who matter as well and i can devote special times in my prayers for them. If everyone is dedicated to that same cause we will realize that prayer becomes more powerful in that when you pray for someone else... someone else will pray for you... and then instead of one person (yourself) praying to God, you have a whole community behind you who is praying for you as well. Pray for each other.. that everyone may keep strong and keep praying and keep faithful..

Tuesday

Our vocation is Jesus. Scripture says very clearly: 'I have called you by name,
you are precious to me. Water will not drown you, fire will not burn you. I will
give nations for you, you are precious. How could a mother forget her infant, be
without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even if these forget, i will never
forget you. You are precious to me, carried in the palm of my
hand.'
Think about your homes. You grew up with
your brothers and sisters, praying together, raised by the same parents. What
happened? Why are you here? You must have heard Jesus call your name. St.
Margaret Mary says that Jesus told her:'My love for you is not a joke.' So too,
our love for Jesus is not a joke. We have said, 'Yes I come.' We must have
that conviction that he has called us by name, that we belong to him, and that
nothing and nobody can seperate us from him.

~I often do ask, why am i still here... what am i meant for. Truth is i don't really know. A lot of things have changed in my life over the years, High school to college... driving a car... losing touch with all friends... making new ones. all in all it's been hard to adjust sometimes. One thing that i can remember is that one day when Jesus entered my life and since that day he's been the one consistant thing for meeh. Jesus has a plan for everyone and from here on out that plan will be carried out. That is why i'm here... and what i am meant for... only our Lord knows that.