#MyMassTakeaway: Going Somewhere

Today’s the 4th Sunday of Easter.

Find the Mass Readings here: 4th Sunday of Easter, April 22, 2018

My takeaway:

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#MyMassTakeaway – Going Somewhere. . I love how the Mass readings always fit together. The words and events in the Old Testament always lead to some wisdom and fulfillment in the New Testament. . The past is a path to the future. . I think back to all the things that have happened in my life. The joys. The hurt. The struggles. The difficult decisions. It's all a part of who I am today. . Sometimes I see how a particular experience has changed me. Made me stronger. Formed my opinions. Other times it's still a mystery. . And the things that I'm experiencing today, they're all forming me into the person I'll be tomorrow. . All the experiences in my life are preparing me for who I'll be in Heaven. And if I respond to God's grace in all the challenges, my eternal outlook is pretty good. . I may not be able to see how it all works together right now. I'm sure the Bible figures in the Old Testament had no idea of the fulness of truth their lives were contributing to. But when we look back the pieces all come together. . I pray that God brings all the pieces of my life together so that in the end, it's a beautiful tribute to His providence. I want to look back from Heaven and see His life moving in me. . #mysundaybest with @rosiehill425 My sweet Fawn giving her best Sunday smiles!

A post shared by Sara Estabrooks (@tojesussincerely) on Apr 22, 2018 at 8:46am PDT

Thoughts from my blogging friends:

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#MyMassTakeaway Sometimes, people call Christians "sheep" as an insult. In reality, it is a blessing. We follow the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. He knows us, loves us, protects us, and laid down his life for us. #CatholicsofInstagram #CatholicsOnline #GoodShepherd

A post shared by Kate Hendrick (@stumblingtowardsainthood) on Apr 22, 2018 at 12:58pm PDT

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On Easter Sunday, I sat next to my husband and I realized I wanted to try dressing up for Mass more often. . Not that what I wore was ever irreverent or sloppy, but after years of working at a parish during Mass with the need for function over fashion, I'd gotten into the habit of throwing on whatever dress pants and sweater I could find, combing my hair, and calling it a day. Contacts and dresses were considered a waste because I'd only be a wearing them for an hour, and God didn't care. . For the past few weeks, however, I've made a conscious effort to try to put in a little more effort – wear a dress or skirt, put my contacts in, do my hair, wear different jewelry than normal. Not because God cares what I look like and not for vanity (because goodness knows I've finally gotten to the blessed time in my life where I don't care what I look like in public – one of the joys of marriage)…but because I want to put in a little bit more effort with God. I want to show Him I care and prepare to receive Him internally by making a conscious effort externally. And surprisingly, it's also added to my connection to God during Mass, by just putting in that extra effort beforehand. It helps my mind to process that this thing I do every week is special, and not just routine and mundane. It's crazy how much our mindset affects our mood. . Also, can we just celebrate the fact that I was able to go to Mass without a coat today for the first time this year?! Praise you Jesus for the spring. . . #mymasstakeaway with @tojesussincerely #mysundaybest with @rosiehill425 #sundaybest #sunday #sundayMass #Mass #catholic #catholicchurch #churchlady #catholicwoman #dressup #dressingup #sundayfunday #catholicmarketing #catholicentrepreneur #catholicmillenial #catholicprofessional #catholicmedia #catholicsonline #bissisterhood #zeliecreates #spokenbride #amdg #gloriammarketing #gloriam #forhisgreaterglory

A post shared by Gloriam Marketing (@gloriammarketing) on Apr 22, 2018 at 10:09am PDT

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This outfit looked less ridiculous before the wind awkwardly blew my skirt between my legs for the picture… We went to a different Mass than usual, which meant we got to hear a homily about vocations and all that entails. I wrote some of my thoughts on the blog, but if that's too long for you to read… Tl;dr it's not about "winning" the Catholic contest by having the MOST KIDS CALLED TO RELIGIOUS LIFE EVER. I mean, goals obviously 😉 But it's far better to encourage our children to discern their vocation, whatever it may be, and to pray for generosity and discernment. #mysundaybest #mymasstakeaway

A post shared by Rosie Hill (@rosiehill425) on Apr 22, 2018 at 11:02am PDT

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Yesterday I spent cleaning out my van ( it was a necessary evil…😰🤦🏽‍♀️🍟🍭🍪) and today we hit confession and Mass as a family. This little one wanted a picture of her outfit….. so here's my #oursundaybest 😍❤️ shot next to my weekend project… lol. *********** The priest at Mass today asked us to take some time today to contemplate how we are " shepherding" the people in our life…. Are we leading our children/ spouses/ friends toward eternal goodness? 😬gulp…It made me think about something a girlfriend once shared with me. She told me that she prays for the Lord to " fill the gaps" in her parenting. How beautiful is that?! Plug up the holes, Lord with Your grace. ❤️#mymasstakeaway #mommyblogger #raisingdaughters #catholicsonline #catholicblogger #faithblogger #catholicsofinstagram #faith

A post shared by Chasing Time And Drinking Wine (@chasingtimeanddrinkingwine) on Apr 22, 2018 at 3:05pm PDT

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Letting the Good Shepherd lead was #mymasstakeaway and #LOVEthewordtakeaway. 💜 Today is Good Shepherd Sunday, and I loved every bit of the mass. We read about what has yet to be revealed to us. We glorified God and proclaimed Christ the new foundation – the stone the builders rejected – the promise fulfilled and the new covenant established on earth. We listened to Jesus reaching out in love to fold all of us into His flock. No exceptions. Everyone is welcome at His table. It was also Confirmation mass this weekend, so we got an extra side-helping of the Holy Spirit infused into the Homily, and we recalled that our Blessed Mother brought it all to fruition with her triumphant, serpent crushing YES when we sang “Be Joyful Mary” at communion. Since we felt like there weren’t nearly enough Alleluias goin’ ‘round, we belted out Alleluia #1 and we went forth to proclaim the Gospel with an exclamation of “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” and continued JOY in this halfway point of Easter. ✝️ My soul was lifted up and twirled around and carried up to heaven at His goodness. To merely say He is the Good Shepherd seems like an under-statement. My Lord, my rock, my refuge. King of kings, Lord of all, Our Alpha and Omega. Always seeking me when I am the one separated from the other 99. Because that’s how much He loves every one of us. You. Me. All of us. He can’t wait to bend down and scoop us up and lay us oh so gently across His shoulders, bearing our burdens and our self-inflicted guilt and lament of “I’m not worthy…” The Good Shepherd will always find us and carry us safely home. 💜 Alleluia! #tojesussincerely #biblestudyevangelista #catholicwomen #joy #easter #goodshepherd #weareaneasterpeopleandalleluiaisoursong #mamamary #mysoulproclaimsthegreatnessofthelord #singanewsong #makeajoyfulnoise #mysundaybest

A post shared by Julie Habiger (@sparksthroughstubble) on Apr 22, 2018 at 3:47pm PDT

Your turn:

I want to know your Mass Takeaway too! Comment with your thoughts on the readings, your pastor’s homily, or anything that struck you during your time at Mass.