Prayer Life – To Jesus Sincerely

Dearly Beloved – An Anger-Free Parenting Model

Published on May 19, 2019May 19, 2019 by tojesussincerelyLeave a comment

#MyMassTakeaway… We found a Latin Mass! 4th Sunday of Easter.

We recently discovered there is Latin Mass in our area, and we tried it today. I noticed that the readings are different from the NO readings so I’ll cite it for you.

James 1:17-21. One of the things I love about the letters in the NT is how they are sometimes addressed, “Beloved.” Even when they’re giving admonishment or correction.

Whenever I hear beloved, it strikes me at how charitable the apostles are in their correction. I’m reminded of the gentleness of God’s correction and the gift of the sacrament of Reconciliation.

And I’m always drawn to reflect if I give the same mercy and understanding when I’m called to the task of correction in parenting.

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Your Spirit Needs to Rest in the Presence of Jesus

Published on May 15, 2019May 15, 2019 by tojesussincerely3 Comments

I used to sleep through Eucharistic Adoration. When I was a kid, my mom took us to “Holy Hour” every week. I knelt down, elbows resting on the back of the pew in front of me, hands clasped in praying form, propping up my head.

I tried to pray, but it was so calm and quiet, the incense was so heady, and I began drifting off to sleep.

So I sat down, and switched to reading whatever “holy book” I brought with me. Eyes… closing… can’t keep them… open…

Then I blinked, and it was time to go.

Yes mom, I will admit it now, I often slept through Adoration.

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Thank You God for Motherhood. Today I Honor You.

Published on May 12, 2019May 12, 2019 by tojesussincerelyLeave a comment

#MyMassTakeaway for Fourth Sunday of Easter.

At Mass today, one-year-old Legend didn’t want to sit. Didn’t want me to hold him. Didn’t want to be quiet.

He wanted to walk around (he can walk now) and be independent and play.

I tried to keep him happy for a while with quiet toys but he wasn’t having it. So I gave in and made the hike to the narthex.

He walked back and forth, happy at last.

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How to conquer the Challenge of Discernment: Pause to Pray

Published on April 15, 2019April 24, 2019 by tojesussincerelyLeave a comment

#MyMassTakeaway for Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion.

Today I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the poor apostles in their confusion.

First, they thought Jesus communicated very clearly to be ready for a fight. They heard him say to go out and buy swords.

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How to Plan a Mini-Retreat in 7 Simple Steps

Published on April 2, 2019 by tojesussincerelyLeave a comment

Post contains Amazon affiliate links, if you buy through the links, I make a small percentage at no extra cost to you.

Listen, I was going to give you a practical step-by-step-how-to-throw-a-mini-retreat guide, but I’m getting distracted by all the cool retreat prizes that I have to share with you before I explode from the awesomeness.

So, I’m sorry, but you’re just going to have to read the fun part first and we can get down to the how-to business later.

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I’ll Be Here – Come Back When You’re Ready

Published on March 31, 2019May 7, 2019 by tojesussincerelyLeave a comment

#MyMassTakeaway for the 4th Sunday in Lent.

As a hungry teen in my mom’s kitchen, I would often sample the pantry.

“I don’t know what I’m hungry for.”

I’d eat a cookie, a handful of chips, a few crackers, a piece of chocolate. Nothing satisfied.

And then my mom would offer me something, “Can I make you an omelet?”

Yesss pleaaaase.

My mom makes the best omelets. Stuffed with veggie and cheese and cooked just right to perfect fluffiness and deliciousness.

The real food she offered me – nutritious, healthy, and yummy – always satisfied.

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Facing Fears: Draw Near to the Burning Bush

Published on March 24, 2019March 25, 2019 by tojesussincerelyLeave a comment

#MyMassTakeaway for the 3rd Sunday in Lent.

Moses reacts to the burning bush in a way I never would.

Something uncomfortable and inexplicable happened in Moses’ life, right in front of his eyes. A bush was engulfed in flames, but it didn’t burn.

I would have been out of there so fast.

No way would I have gone and taken a closer look. But Moses didn’t run away. Moses entered into the mystery.

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The Gospel in Which God Tells Peter to Shut it.

Published on March 17, 2019March 17, 2019 by tojesussincerelyLeave a comment

#MyMassTakeaway for the 2nd Sunday in Lent.

I just love St. Peter. He’s the guy to turn to when we feel like we’re getting it all wrong. Chances are, he’s been there done that.

Peter denied Jesus, rebuked Jesus, lost faith in the middle of a miracle and began to drown. Even Saint Paul had to tell Peter what’s what once in a while.

Despite all Peter’s shortcomings, though, Jesus called Peter the Rock. He built the Church on Peter, and left Peter to take care of it.

If Peter, with all his faults and shortcomings, can be the Rock on which Christ’s Church is built, then there’s hope for me to be who Christ is calling me to be, too.

Let’s take a look at what Peter’s up to, today.

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Teaching Kids to Pray the Catholic Way

Published on March 13, 2019March 13, 2019 by tojesussincerelyLeave a comment

This post originally appeared as a guest blog I wrote for The Thin Place. You can find the original posts here:

Part 1: Teaching Kids to Pray: A Catholic Perspective.

Part 2: Teaching Kids to Pray: Common Catholic Prayers.

As Christian parents, we long to see our children embrace the faith we hold so dear to our hearts.

We teach them about Jesus and about the Bible. We help them learn about the virtues. We have them memorize daily prayers and, as they grow, study theology.

But most of all, we want them to have something deeper than a collection of facts and information.

We want our kids to love Jesus with all their hearts. To have a meaningful and vibrant relationship with Him.

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God: the only surgeon qualified to remove splinters (and boards) from eyes

Published on March 3, 2019March 3, 2019 by tojesussincerelyLeave a comment

#MyMassTakeaway for the 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time. This post contains amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through the links, I make a small percentage at no extra cost to you.

First of all, could these planks and splinters not be sticking out of eyes please? Cringe-city over here.

It doesn’t matter what size the wood is – if it’s in your EYE we have a major problem.

And for that matter, you shouldn’t by trying to take a sliver out of your friend’s eye, regardless of what’s in your own. Keep your tweezers away from my eye-splinters, thank you very much.

That job is for a qualified surgeon.

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