Saturday, March 11, 2017

Life Is Too Short!

BEADS OF JOY 03-11-17
“Life Is Too Short!”
©2017 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

My Friends,


Today’s Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48 (Love For Enemies)
"You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Reflection:
If there is ever going to be peace, we can’t see people or nations as enemies. I know the way I am saying this may not make sense; but just be patient with me for a moment. Yes, there are people that hate us and want to kill us. They must consider us their enemies no doubt, but for us to start the process of peace and friendship and finding a way to be able to love one another, we can’t be calling each other enemies. The process of peace must begin with love. This is a hard reflection to share. I hope my words express what my heart and soul feel.

How is it possible to love someone who hates you? Through God my sisters and brothers all things are possible. We must pray for those who hate us and for those who do not like us. God knows our hearts and yes, He knows their hearts to. Let us do our best as God’s children to love and be like Jesus the best way we can. Yes, there will be difficult times and many will hate us even more; if they do, we will love them even more. Life is too short to be destroyed by hatred and anger.

Consider this: Life is Too Short! Why is there is so much time wasted on anger, hatred, pride, selfishness and so little time spent on love, sharing, caring and taking care of one another, so it seems at times. God knows the clock is ticking and our time here only gets less each day we are here. If we can only spend more time making friends, rather than making enemies think of what a wonderful world, nation, community and family we would all be part of. That needs to be our focus as God’s children. “Let it begin with me...”

Pondering these thoughts today: Ok, I’ll say it again: Life is Too Short! I listened to Matthew Kelly’s Lenten reflection (Best Lent Ever – you should sign up) and it really got me thinking about what he said. What he said does relate to today’s gospel, actually it relates to every day’s gospel, every day’s events, everything.

If you knew you had three years to live, what would you change on your schedule this year? … If you knew you had three years to live, what would you change on your schedule this week?” ~Matthew Kelly

In the Comments, I posted this: 

My precious wife (Christine) of 30 years passed away November 26, 2016. She had suffered from lung cancer for 5 years 6 months, we knew from all our research that anyone with this disease who made it past the 2 years more than most likely wouldn't make it past the 6th year. She and I talked about it frequently and she and I and our 5 kids lived and loved each day as if it were her last. We said I LOVE YOU MORE! We were more attentive and passionate and forgiving MORE! We always hugged her every single day MORE! We knew any day could be her last with us. We valued that and so did she. The morning she died most of our kids were there, she looked me in the eyes and said, "Jim, I'm dying!" and laid back on our bed, we did all we can to revive her. But it was time for Chrissy to go HOME. She was at peace. And in some ways so were we, she was no longer suffering. We miss her horribly still and always will. Thank you Matthew Kelly for this wonderful Lenten devotion, our family needs this.



LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

Your brother in Christ Jesus 
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS

Today is Saturday: We pray the Joyful Mysteries:

The Joyful Mysteries

1. The Annunciation (Humility) – Luke 1:26-28
2. The Visitation (Love of Neighbor) – Luke 1:39-45
3. The Birth of Jesus (Poverty of Spirit) – Luke 2:1-20
4. The Presentation (Purity of Mind and Spirit) – Luke 2:22-38
5. Finding in The Temple (Obedience) –Luke 2:41-50

I simply love Saturday mornings, because Saturday like every other day of the week -begins with the Rosary.