Then the LORD said (to Elijah), “Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by.” 
A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD – but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake – but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was fire – but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound.
When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave. A voice said to him, “Elijah, why are you here?” 1 Kings 19:11-13
Why are YOU here?
Was it to discover magnificent colors? Was it to find colorful music or awesome videos? Was it just curiosity? Was it accidental? Were you really looking for God, for Hope, for true LOVE somewhere in this menagerie we call the web? Or were you just hiding in a cave, waiting on the Lord to whisper in your ear – a Word – LIFE! Life, it’s in You! And YOU are beautiful in the Eyes of God, no matter what the world may say or think.
You are Loved, beloved!!
Every day the Lord whispers in our ears – Words of HOPE, Words of LOVE, and maybe not even words – just His JOY in our hearts. Let’s follow the Scriptures of our daily Mass and see if we can catch those Words – simple but beautiful Whispers to the Wind . . .
For Daily Scripture Quotes:
Link to Scriptures by Date
To find Quote sources, click on Link above, select Today’s Readings or pick date from calendar.
Link for information on the day’s saints is at the bottom of this page.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Quotes for reflection:
07-31-12
(St. Ignatius of Loyola)
Jesus explained the parable of the wheat and the weeds (see 7-28-12) to His disciples,
“…his angels will collect out of his Kingdom all who cause others
to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
Then the righteous will shine like the sun
in the Kingdom of their Father.” Mt 13:36-43
Wailing and grinding of teath – FOREVER!
OR
Shining like the sun!
O Lord, we pray that none should be in that first lot.
Bless us with righteousness in all that we do and think,
that we may be among Your Shining Ones!
07-30-12
Jesus said, “The Kingdom of heaven is like yeast
that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour
until the whole batch was leavened.“
If we could only see the ramifications of our actions!
Bully a little kid and you’ll eventually have either a very insecure adult,
or a bully twice as bad as the first. Either way a hurting world!
Bombard people with unwanted sales calls on their telephone and
you’ll find no one answers their phones any more; the destruction
of such an awesome communication tool!
But just give one smile, or a hello, or a wave to a stranger and odds are
you’ll either make their day much more pleasant or maybe even find
they’ll do the same for someone else and on and on –
The Kingdom of Heaven!
Want peace in the world? Let it start with me!
But then my gut says – what about that guy that cut me off,
what about that *%$& who didn’t hire me,
or worse, the blank who laid me off???
Give it up to God, beloved.
And be the best me I can be – for HIM – to ALL!
And let us pray ALWAYS for one another,
for strength,
for Love,
in the Love
of Jesus!
07-29-12
(Seventeenth Sunday Ordinary Time B)
St. Paul exhorted that they (we) are,
“called to the one hope of your call;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all,
who is over all and through all and in all.” Eph 4:1-6
ONE !
in Peace and Hope and Love, beloved!
07-28-12
In Jesus’ parable of the wheat and the weeds, the Master replied,
“No, if you pull up the weeds
you might uproot the wheat along with them.
Let them grow together until harvest;
then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters,
‘First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning;
but gather the wheat into my barn.” Mt 13:24-30
So, are we the wheat or the weeds?
And the difference between them and us is that we can CHANGE.
And the key is, Don’t end up a weed when harvest time comes!
If you think about it, there’s a Eucharistic tie in there too!
“We become what we eat!”
Praise Jesus!!!
07-27-12
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Hear the parable of the sower…
But the seed sown on rich soil is the one
who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit
and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.” Mt 13:18-23
Funny, sometimes we might think that the ONLY “Way”
is the straight and narrow PATH.
But on that wide open path we’re much more vulnerable to Bandits.
We may think that Being that ROCK of Stability will allow others to lean on us.
But when that lean is a bit greater then we can bear –
a rollin’ away we’ll go, for we have no Roots!
And sometimes we may think that we’re protected by barb-wiry THORNS
in our fortresses of Safety. But beware those thorns may just as likely pierce us too.
Funny, sometimes in order us to become RICH SOIL it might mean
our going through a little s – – – (stinky brown stuff)! That’s life.
It makes us all the richer!
Keep on rollin’, stick to the path and don’t forget your Roundup®, beloved.
Then get ready for some GROWTH!
Understand?!!
07-26-12
(Sts. Joachim and Anne)
Jesus said, “To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich;
from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look
but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand.” Mt 13:10-17
And Jesus continued,
“But blessed are your eyes, because they see,
and your ears, because they hear.“
Wow, no comment necessary today –
IF we’re listening, beloved!
07-25-12
(St. James, Apostle)
St. Paul wrote to the Church in Corinth,
“We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained;
perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned;
struck down, but not destroyed;
always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus,
so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.” 2 Cor 4:7-15
Paul called this carrying of Jesus within us a “treasure in earthen vessels.”
And indeed it is. For as the psalmist writes,
“Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.” Ps. 126
He’s our hope for survival, despite earthly challenges.
He’s our reason for life, despite earthly death.
And Jesus is the reason why we’re not seeking
the glory and power and wealth and fame
of earth; because with Him
heaven surpasses it all!
So if our sowing is in tears, beloved,
fret not, for our reaping will be
pure JOY!
07-24-12
(St. Bridget, Sweden)
Jesus said, “For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father
is my brother, and sister, and mother.” Mt 12:46-50
Of course you know, that would make us all
brothers and sisters and children
of God!
Praise the Lord, beloved!
07-23-12
When questioned again about His identity, Jesus responded,
“there is something greater than Jonah here…
and there is something greater than Solomon here.” Mt 12:38-42
Ever feel like you’re talking to a wall?
Wasn’t the case with Jonah and Solomon.
Jonah’s words saved a huge city and Solomon’s wisdom enticed
Royalty from distant lands to come and listen.
Yet the King of Kings – our Lord Jesus Christ, couldn’t convince
the puny local religious leaders to listen, to open their hearts
to the truth. The truth of God Himself.
But they were listening enough to want to have Him executed.
There’s something GREATER here.
It’s God incarnate!
Sometimes it may be just a Whisper, beloved.
LISTEN!
for behind the shouting of a world gone wild,
there’s Love in the air,
and His Name is
Jesus.
07-22-12
(16th Sunday Ordinary Time B)
Jesus said to His Apostles,
“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”
Mk 6:30-34
In last Sunday’s Scriptures, Jesus had just sent His Apostles
off to preach and teach in the local towns.
Now, upon returning, they reported all the wondrous
works they had done in Jesus’ Name.
But it was exhausting on them too.
So, just as God had exemplified the need for rest
on the Seventh Day of Creation,
Jesus knew that His Apostles needed to rest also.
Yet as we all come to learn, at some point in time,
rest is not always available when it is wanted or needed.
Rest truly is a GIFT.
And it’s a gift not to be abused by laziness,
nor refused by over-diligence,
but accepted when offered and patiently aspired when not.
Now the people in the time of Jesus were getting to know all about the
miracles and the wise teachings that Jesus and His Apostles
were performing. And they longed and craved for more.
Since their Rabbinical leaders were so overly demanding and exacting,
the people were truly missing the compassion and loving forgiveness
that Jesus had to offer them.
Jesus filled a deep void in their hearts and in their faith.
So they followed, with all their might.
You see, Rest was just not available for Jesus and His Apostles that day.
Jesus saw the great need of the people and in His compassion He said,
“they were like sheep without a shepherd,”
Ever feel like a sheep without a shepherd?
Sometimes we just do.
But always remember beloved,
there is Hope with Jesus!
As the words of that beautiful 23rd Psalm remind us,
“The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.“
07-21-12
(St. Mary Magdalene)
Jesus quoted Isaiah the prophet, saying,
“A bruised reed he will not break,
a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory.
And in his name the Gentiles will hope.”
Mt 12:14-21
Yesterday after serving early morning Mass,
extinguishing the altar and ambo (lectern) candles,
returning books and vessels, and cleaning up,
upon leaving, I noticed that one candle was
still emitting a gentle plume of white smoke,
while all the others were well out.
Today’s reading about a smoldering wick reminded me of that candle.
At the time I just watched and pondered that line of white vapor.
It brought to mind those same words of Isaiah and Jesus
and reminded me of the Holy Spirit,
who’s way is always gentle,
yet efficacious.
It also reminded me of us, beloved.
Sometimes we may be on fire with work,
or our Faith, or Life itself.
But other times it’s all just a fizzle.
No matter what we try,
we just feel like that “bruised reed or smoldering wick.”
We might even be praying for that fizzle to
finally just be snuffed out.
Enough is enough!
But, hang in there with me, beloved, and…
Trust in the Lord Jesus,
and in His Name
we’ll find that
there is
|…
..|
|.
|
|
HOPE!
07-20-12
Jesus said, “If you knew what this meant,
‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’
you would not have condemned these innocent men.” Mt 12:1-8
If I give that beggar money, he’ll just go and buy drugs anyway.
So I’ll offer up a prayer for him instead.
If I help that stranded person on the side of the road,
maybe they’ll pester me for a ride and take up my whole afternoon.
I’ll offer up a prayer for her instead.
If I tell my coworker that I’ve been praying for his situation,
he’ll probably ridicule me for my faith.
So I won’t say anything.
Mercy, NOT sacrifice.
No prejudgment. Love of them over me. Take the risk.
Trust in Jesus and DO.
07-19-12
Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
Mt 11:28-30
This should be the motto of every manager, corporate leader,
clergy, political leader, mom, dad, teacher, big bro or sis,
and even us unemployed (once was most of those).
“I will give you rest”
LEARN
HUMBLE LOVE
COME, beloved!
07-18-12
Jesus exclaimed:
“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike.” Mt 11:25-27
So, we don’t have to be brain surgeons or rocket scientists
to know the Lord. Nothing against ‘the learned’.
But to be ‘childlike’ means to be able to accept
certain things on faith. To be reliant
on God and to trust in Jesus.
And a little knowledge is nice too!
07-17-12
Jesus said, “But I tell you, it will be more tolerable
for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” Mt 11:20-24
Now it might be a little more difficult to make this threat from
the mouth of Jesus sound pretty. Sometimes the Truth is a hard fact of life.
A little background – Sodom was that place where it rained
down fire and sulfur because its people were so incredibly “sinful.”
And one particular sin that was so bad, is today called “sodomy,” after that place.
(You can look it up if you’ve never heard of it.)
It is something that a portion of our world today is fighting to justify.
And we are labeled “politically incorrect” if we dare to say anything against
those unnatural sexual relationships.
But what Jesus was condemning was apparently even worse than that!
And what was it that was so much worse?
It was their disbelief in Him.
It was their failure to recognize their own sins and ask forgiveness,
to “repent,” to the ONLY One able to truly forgive, Jesus.
It’s a sorry, sad world that is trying to mimic the sins of Sodom.
It’s a sorrier world that refuses to believe in Jesus.
Now we all may have our ups and downs days.
But remember beloved, never give up.
On that Judgment Day, Jesus will know – we at least tried.
And never stopped loving – everyone!
For Blessed is His Name!
07-16-12
Jesus said, “Whoever finds his life will lose it,
and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Mt 10:34-11:1
Always loved this verse.
It’s so preposterous to those who haven’t got a clue.
Yet it’s so incredibly true for those who know the Lord.
It says, give your life away for the love of others.
Give your life away for the sake of the Lord.
Give and you will find –
more LIFE than you could ever have imagined!!!
07-15-12
(15th Sunday Ordinary Time B)
The prophet Amos answered the accusation of Amaziah, the priest of Bethel,
“The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me,
Go, prophesy to my people Israel.” Am 7:12-15
“Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out
two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. . . .
So they went off and preached repentance.” Mk 6:7-13
“In him we were also chosen,” Eph 1:3-14
CHOSEN to go and tell the Good News,
that Jesus came to save us all.
That WE too are forgiven.
And now it’s our turn to stay pure and in God’s Grace,
and to let the world know that they can too.
It’s in their hands, it’s of their own free will choice!
Choose Life!
07-14-12
(Bl. Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin)
The prophet Isaiah had a vision of God in the throne of Heaven.
In it, he saw the Glory of God and the angels singing,
“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts!”
Isaiah was frightened because he knew then, how unworthy
he was to even be in the presence of such holiness.
And yet the angels, with the touch of a holy ember to his lips,
purified him of all that unworthiness.
And when seeking a messenger who would let the world know
all about God’s great Glory and love, Isaiah answered ,
“Here I am,” I said; “send me!” Is 6:1-8
In sending his Apostles out into a hostile world,
Jesus assured them that,
“Everyone who acknowledges me before others
I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.“
So “do not be afraid of them.” Mt 10:24-33
FOR YOUR REWARD, BELOVED, WILL BE GREAT IN HEAVEN!
07-13-12
Jesus said, “Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves;
so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.” . . .
“do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say.
You will be given at that moment what you are to say.
For it will not be you who speak
but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” Mt 10:16-23
Shrewd, Simple and Fearless!
In the Holy Spirit’s Hands.
Ahhhhhhh!
07-12-12
Jesus said, “As you enter a house, wish it peace.
If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it;
if not, let your peace return to you.” Mt 10:7-15
We often pray for peace. We wish the world could be a more peaceful place.
And yet, we may wonder, where such peace will come from.
Jesus tells us today.
His peace comes from the Holy Spirit within each and every one of us.
We have the choice to allow her residence there or not.
And there is a whole world eager to remove it.
We are to offer that peace to every person we meet.
If they are worthy of receiving it, is not our call of prejudgment.
But we will discover that by their response.
If the Lord’s peace is accepted it will grow into something quite beautiful!
But, if it is not, DON’T allow it to be lost there,
by our anger, or hatred, or jealousy, or revenge.
Take it back, with the peace with which it was given.
Be civil. And if civility is not allowed, Jesus tells us,
“shake the dust from your feet.”
– forget it –
and find another,
IN PEACE.
That is how and where ‘World Peace’ will BE,
beloved!
07-11-12
(St Benedict)
The laborers, the Apostles named:
Simon Peter and Andrew
James and John (sons of Zebedee)
Philip and Bartholomew
Thomas (the twin) and Matthew (the tax collector)
James (bar Alphaeus) and Thaddeus
Simon (the Cananean) and Judas Iscariot.
Jesus sent them with the instruction –
“make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” Mt 10:1-7
The message being, prepare! Make ready your home (your heart).
Cleanse it of all iniquity, that Jesus may dwell in you.
And you may enjoy the Grace of Paradise,
here, now and always!
07-10-12
Jesus’ “heart was moved with pity for them
because they were troubled and abandoned,“
Then he said, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.“ Mt 9:32-38
Oh where, Oh where are the laborers?
The out of work, the hungry, the abandoned need them!
We become so good at masking our abandonment and trying to act like a laborer.
Yes, we’re moved with pity and we’ll give the shirts off our backs for them.
But, Jesus please remember us too.
Please send us – just one!
07-09-12
The hemorrhaging woman said,
“‘If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.’
Jesus turned around and saw her, and said,
‘Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.’
And from that hour the woman was cured.” Mt 9:18-26
FAITH, strong enough to believe that we are truly saved,
versus needing proof, versus rejection of anything different.
As they say, “Let go and let God.”
07-08-12
(14th Sunday Ordinary Time B)
In His own town with his friends, “they took offense at him.”
So, “Jesus said to them,
‘A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and among his own kin and in his own house.’” Mk 6:1-6
FIND Jesus and cling to Him, no matter what you think you may
know about Him, no matter how much ‘Oh, I’ve heard it all before.’
Cling to Jesus, beloved!!!
07-07-12
Jesus said, “No one patches an old cloak with a piece of unshrunken cloth,
for its fullness pulls away from the cloak and the tear gets worse.
People do not put new wine into old wineskins.
Otherwise the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined.
Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.”
Mt 9:14-17
From company presidents to physics geniuses,
from computers, to liturgical rites in Church.
If you’re old, look out,
and get ready for a change to your situation!
If you’re new, look out,
that old bag just might burst if you’re not careful.
AND YET, there’s no reason why both can’t work together
to make something even greater!
Jesus couldn’t get the old Jewish leaders to understand the NEW.
The old Jewish leaders were bursting at the seams
to liquidate this new thorn in their side.
So the thorn was transferred and the blood was spilled (from Jesus).
But the NEW remained and GREW,
like the mustard seed or the pinch of yeast.
And we are the resulting tree and the bread of Life,
grown to shade and feed a very old world!
Thank you Jesus!
07-06-12
(St. Maria Goretti)
Jesus said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
Go and learn the meaning of the words,
I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” Mt 9:9-13
Sometimes we can be so quick to judge, condemn and convict.
His hair’s too long, her dress is out of style, he’s just one of those crazy “old” people.
Unlike me!
You know what, someday we just might lose our jobs too,
and be poor and out of work. We might not be able to afford new clothes.
And we will surely get “old” in one way or another.
And then we’ll hear ourselves complaining about,
those ‘blanks’ with their fancy cars, those thoughtless kids,
those crazy liberals!
Unlike me!
Ahh, “there but for the grace of God go I.”
MERCY, not sacrifice!
And you know what, turns out, I’M the sinner Jesus came to save!
Can I recognize my own illness?
Can I be healed too?
Jesus said, “One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” Mt 4:4
Every Word that comes from the mouth of Jesus.
Read and Believe and Change and Live!
LOVE
07-05-12
Jesus said, “to the paralytic,
‘Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.’
He rose and went home.” Mt 9:1-8
What’s my burden? What’s my crutch?
Dump it and rise.
Throw it in the knapsack and move on.
Jesus is here to forgive and to heal . . .
If I but believe!
Rise and come on home, beloved!
07-04-12
(Independence Day – in the US)
And the demons said, “What have you to do with us, Son of God?“
Mt 8:28-34
Wasn’t a whole lot of positive stuff to quote today.
The demons begged Jesus to deposit them into the pigs,
knowing that He would expel them from the men.
And so He did, and so they drowned in the sea.
Yet the townsfolk weren’t happy that those crazy guys were healed.
All they cared about were their pigs,
or maybe they too were frightened that Jesus
would expel their demons as well.
Hmmmm, doesn’t sound like a town I’d like to visit.
So glad we don’t know anyone who would ask that question,
“What have you to do with us, Son of God?“
OR maybe we do!
07-03-12
(St. Thomas, Apostle)
St. Thomas by James Tissot
Thomas answered and said to him,
“My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen
and have believed.”
Jn 20:24-29
What is the depth of our belief, beloved?
Is it deep enough to not have to ask?
To not have to see?
Be Blessed, believe!
.
.
07-02-12
Jesus said, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests,
but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” Mt 8:18-22
So if we truly choose to take this journey as followers of Jesus,
we need to know that there will be no home plate, no respite.
And there will be no going back either.
It’s all or nothing.
But the reward is eternal!
07-01-12
(13th Sunday Ordinary Time B)
“God did not make death,
nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living.”
“For God formed man to be imperishable;
the image of his own nature he made him.”
Wis 1:13-15; 2:23-24
Formed in the image of God. IMPERISHABLE!
That’s you and me, beloved…
AND Everyone else…
Some may need to learn it, some may need to be reminded,
and WE need to let the world know…
it’s not about death,
but LIFE!
Happy July, beloved!
Please stop by and visit June’s Daily Mass Quotes too…
___________________
EARLIER MONTH’S QUOTES under the “The Lord’s Page”
in monthly subcategories of – “Whispers to the Wind”
entitled “Daily Mass Quotes” (DMQs)
___________________________________
Link to Previous Month’s DMQs
Link to Following Month’s DMQs
Link back to Whispers to the Wind
Link to Saint of the Day
(also in Time page, under Liturgical Seasons section)
Whispers to the Wind 