Motivational Monday: Mis Padres

Pope Francis offers his take* on how home influences our faith [my commentary in brackets]:

“Faith opens a ‘window’ to the presence and working of the Spirit. It shows us that, like happiness, holiness is always tied to little gestures.

‘Whoever gives you a cup of water in my name will not go unrewarded,’ Jesus says (Mark 9:41).

“These little gestures are those we learn at home, in the family; they get lost amid all the other things we do, yet they do make each day different. They are the quiet things done by mothers and grandmothers, by fathers and grandfathers, by children, by brothers and sisters. They are little signs of tenderness, affection, and compassion.

• “Like the warm supper we look forward to at night [my mom‘s homecooking], the early meal awaiting someone who gets up early to go to work [my dad‘s coffee].

“Homely gestures.

• “Like a blessing before we go to bed [blessing my honorary GODdaughter Maggie at bedtime, as her family does], or a hug after we return from a hard day’s work.

“Love is shown by little things, by attention to small daily signs that make us feel at home. Faith grows when it is lived and shaped by love. That is why our families, our homes, are true domestic churches. They are the right place for faith to become life and life to grow in faith.”

*Pope Francis in the U.S.: Words of Mercy and Hope (2015), Daughters of St. Paul, pp. 22-23 ~ as said at the Closing Mass of the Eighth World Meeting of Families, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA, Sunday, September 27, 2015.

^– I actually used this passage as my pre-brunch prayer of grace with my parents today! –^

Bearing in mind these homely gestures, let’s also consider our cultures and upbringings…

Have you ever wondered why your parents act the way they do then realize that you’re turning out more like them as you grow up?

Wong Fu was right on point:

Have you eaten yet? = Priceless ♥love♥

Speaking of family …

Happy 17th Birthday to Rey-Rey, my beloved GODdaughter Reyanna mañana!

Thirsty Thursday: Religious Vocations

What is your calling in life?

We all have a purpose, and our greatest sense of purpose must come from a higher power.

In my case, as a †Catholic, I’ve sought †GOD’s will for me.

I’ve always considered two options:

1. having a spouse in the Sacrament of ♥Marriage♥
2. or ♥marrying♥ †GOD† in the religious life (I visited with a sister of the religious order from my †Catholic† university a few years ago)

However, I still can be a single lay person who ♥loves♥ and serves †GOD† with all of my ♥heart♥ and soul.

Consider The Nun’s Story, starring Audrey Hepburn and based on a book.

The Nun’s Story recently encored, so I had to watch it!

This film featured a woman’s challenges between upholding her vows and satisfying her own wants, such as

• silent time vs. speaking up

Audrey Hepburn in the role of a lifetime

• serving the Church vs. serving the community where she worked (Congo medical care)

Filmed on site in Congo in the 20th Century

We’re all human and have our moments. It’s just part of life here on Earth and a matter of maintaining what’s most important to us.

Throwback Thursday

Taking on different roles

My faculty colleagues and I watched our students graduate, including my ✌fellow✌ marathon runner to my left!

When I first taught at the college level …

†Fathers† on either side of this †Sister! The one to my right was my student my very first semester!

The †Bishop† in this photo is the father of my student above and a ✌fellow✌ PhD candidate, and the †Father† in this photo is a ✌fellow✌ Pinoy!

Pinoys ‘R Us … The ✌fellow✌ Pinays are mother and daughter, and the daughter was a soloist in our Tosca performance plus is a recording Christian artist now!

I also ♪sang♫ as a nun in the ♫opera!

I ♪sang♪ ♫soprano♫ in my †Church† ♫choir, but as a †nun† in this ♪opera♪♫chorus, I ♪sang♪ ♫alto♫ with this ✌fellow✌ †Sister!

The †priest† and †monk† are ✌fellow✌ Pinoys, and the ✌fellow✌ †Sister† is a ✌fellow✌ teacher (of language arts)!

YES, men rock makeup too! We all must look presentable on stage when the ☼spotlight☼ is on us. #PutYourBESTfaceForward Mine is by M•A•C

My †Mass† Readings This ☼Weekend☼

• Book of Wisdom 2:12, 17-20
• Responsorial ♪Psalm♫ 54
• Letter of St. James 3:16-4:3 ✌