Uplift (Mt 6:14-15) by Stephen Holinaty

11 Mar Uplift (Mt 6:14-15) by Stephen Holinaty

“If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” ~ Mt 6:14-15 (full readings)

Stephen’s Reflections:  In church today I noticed a lady wearing a bandanna on her head, because she is going through cancer treatments.  Another lady came up to her to say hello and commented how good she looked.  One day I may have the courage to go up and tell her how I admire her strength.  During the Homily, the Monsignor quoted Maria Shriver who said in an interview, “I know what my purpose of life is….It is to uplift people”.  The Monsignor closed the Homily with the fact that even though we may not agree with the way people do things, with our (NJ) Governor and our President what good does it do to tear them down.  If you want someone to do their best you should try and support them.  At the end of Mass I stood in the back and watched as people were leaving.  It was the first time that I really looked around after a Mass.  I saw two mothers zipping their children’s coats.  I saw grandparents telling their grandchildren how proud they were that they behaved so well at church.  I saw a father rub his son’s head and they both laughed about it.  Then I thought deeper about what I observed.  The two mothers with their children; maybe their husbands were at work, or maybe they were single parents.  The children with the grandparents, maybe they were together because the parents were on a revival weekend to help keep their marriage strong.  These are all guesses, but I found a common thread.  These children were not alone.  The children were there with someone who cares about them and loves them.  On the way home from church I heard a former broadcast from Bishop Fulton J. Sheen.  He was literally reciting Humpty Dumpty, and I wondered why?  When he finished he said that man is like Humpty-Dumpty.  Because of sin we can not fully be put back together; scars still exist.  I further reflected on the people I observed at church.  They all have a story.  Some may be inspiring or spiritually uplifting, and some may be sad or so emotional that it brings you to tears; but for one hour we were together as one praising God.  We all have the ability to reach out to others in their time of need and lift them up.
* Stephen Holinaty is from New Jersey.  Him and his wife Soonie have three children (22, 12 and 6).  He has taught ages 2 through high school and is currently the Assistant Director of Monmouth Day Care.

Faith Challenge:  Working with young children we tell the parents and teachers that a child might display inappropriate behavior but that does not make the child “bad”.  We say it is the behavior that we will work on.  In that vein as Pro-Life advocates, we need to assure those who turn to us who may have had abortions and are living with regret, that as humans we are not perfect and that is the beauty of forgiveness.  It lifts the weight off of you and allows you to go forward to help others.

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel..
.
Our Prayers: Pray LIFE Runners Creed to End Abortion.  Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, unceasingly. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
.
Feast Day:  St. Peter the Spaniard

Faith Quote:  “When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'” ~ John 8:12

Through Christ our Lord,
Stephen Holinaty
John 8:12