Sharing: Time Talent Treasure
HAPPY MOTHERS’ DAY

(“All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”) Helen Keller

Jesus had a mother. Mary bore Him in pain and was at His feet suffering at His pain with His horrible death on the cross. Mothers are there, when we need them, and even when we think, that we don’t. Jesus so loved His mother that she is the only human being to be raised body and soul into Heaven at her death and where He declared her Queen of Heaven and earth. Mary is the perfect “good steward”. For her, serving Jesus, Joseph, her family, and who knows how many others, was her WAY OF LIFE.

Mary asked Jesus to help at the wedding at Cana. And so despite His protest that His time had not yet come, He performed His first public miracle–changing the water into wine. This somehow reminds all mothers of their children’s response when asked to do something that the child does not want to do at that moment….’Do I have to….’?

No two mothers are the same. Some are birth mothers. Some are adopted or foster mothers. Some are mothers simply by their actions of caring and doing for others when something needs to be done. These latter ones might not get the card on Mother’s Day saying a flowery thank you; but God knows you. He obviously has a soft spot for mothers. Your eternal card will be read for all to hear in time!

Motherhood is a mystery. We can watch it. But no one can really explain it beforehand or can anyone really understand it until it happens to you. And as said before, it just doesn’t happen by birth. When one falls in love with a child, then you understand John (1, 4:16) when he said “……God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him/her.” Love truly is the most magnificent gift. As the song writers will say ‘Love is what makes the world go round…’. For those blessed to able to love a child and to receive this love in return, the love for a child makes life worth living and what makes getting up at night and showing up every day no matter what happens, a joy. Mothers deserve a special day of recognition. People often say ‘how could she love 4,6 8 ….children? This is the greatest mystery of all. For those who do it, one comes to discover that the more you give away (love), the more you have to give. None of us has just a certain measured amount of love to share and no more; but rather the well is bottomless. This is the lesson we all need to learn and imitate; love more, love often, put your love into action.

Thank you to all the mothers, grandmothers, loving care-giver mothers, teachers, doctors, and all others who teach us by their daily actions what love is. We are not all easy to love. But loving women hang in there, working, caring, touching, holding, loving, and doing everything else that is required to make a small person know that he/she is a well loved child of mine and of God. “Upon this rock I will build My church..” Mothers rock! WE are the church. Thank you all and have a great day which you deserve more than once a year. “When people see the joy in your eyes, they will understand that they are the beloved children of God.” Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Stewardship Questions: Kathy Reilly 781-444-0862 e-mail: kreilly15@yahoo.com

If anyone needs a ride to a church service/event, please contact me. If anyone desires a home visit or Communion visit or knows someone who might like a visit, please let me know. Thank you.

Sharing: Time Talent Treasure
SPRING CLEANING

“You can’t have everything. Where would you put it?” (One of Murphy’s other laws)

Who remembers when spring cleaning meant the rugs came up and the curtains came down, windows were washed, closets cleared out, extra pillows and blankets were put away and the winter clothing and bedding were washed and stored, floors were cleaned, every nook and cranny was investigated, and and and………? Endless lists. The household was made lighter and cleaner and prepared for the summer when living was supposed to be easier. WHY? Some were more thorough about this process (obsessive?), while some were not quite so. But everybody did something. WHY? Because my mother did it? And her mother before her did it? Probably that had something to do with it. But there is no one who doesn’t realize that our stuff, no matter how large or small, at some point needs attention. And spring seems to be a good time because it is when we throw open the windows, take off the bulky clothing, and we all want to go out and rejoin the world after a long winters nap. With spring cleaning done, we go with a lighter heart, a sense of fun, and no mental heavy weights dragging us down. Sometimes we might wonder who is the owner of this stuff. Does it own us or are we in control. That answer is not clear all the time. Whole industries, multiple books, how to tapes, etc. have sprung up encouraging us how to lighten our load. Even recycling takes on a new enthusiasm. Cleaning companies are cleaning up…ie. making a fortune doing it for us. Is all this necessary? Yes, to some degree. Why? Because it is a real feel good moment (lasting) when we have done it. We can see the positive results and it truly does make for easier living in the summer months to come. And to be blunt, we have a responsibility to take care of all the gifts we are fortunate enough to have. And we need to get rid of and share with others who don’t have, those things that we no longer use. Stewardship: Sharing treasure!

Have you ever thought of a spiritual spring cleaning? How could we approach God differently, if we put even half as much effort into reworking our relationship with Him as we have just put into cleaning up our earthly affairs? If organizing our material world feels so good, how good would it feel to realize that we have just moved a little closer to knowing heaven—guaranteed clutter free! Each person’s relationship with God is known to no one except God Himself. But can others see the smile on your face reflecting your peace, your contentment, your love for and from God? Do you live freely in His embrace knowing that at all times you remember He said “My peace I give you…”. Do you feel it? He means you and me! Maybe this spring I will do something for myself. It doesn’t matter that no one else can see it. The clutter in my mind and heart needs tidying up. The best gift you can give yourself to clean up this clutter is to remove yourself from every day stuff and take a walk, sit on a bench or beach, go some where alone and reunite yourself with God on His turf—in His earthly creation, beautiful and clutter free. Look around. God is here. Pray… say thank you….talk to God…. be quiet and just listen. He speaks to us in many ways. But we are usually too involved with other stuff to hear Him. Spring is the time of reawakening. “I am the vine. You are the branches………” He said. When you are clutter free, you will feel the strength of the vine holding you up and feeding you all the nutrients you will ever need to live. Spring clean. It is a good thing.

Stewardship Questions: Kathy Reilly 781-444-0862 e-mail:kreilly15@yahoo.com

If anyone needs ride to a church service or wishes a home or Communion visit, please contact me. If you know of anyone who needs a visit, please advise me. Thank you.