Where to begin?  Mary.  Mary my Mother, my heavenly Queen.  She’s simple, approachable and calms me.  She calls me to her side to look upon her Son. Nothing has to be complicated.  Jesus told Martha come and sit by my side like your sister Mary.  There is a time for busyness, a time for prayer.  I could get crazy updating and researching and doing all sorts of administrative things, but I just want to be creative in my God-given thoughts.  So rough we go.

Today in the Gospel message John 15: 18-21 Jesus reminds us we do not belong in this world.  It’s hard to connect since this world is what I see, hear, taste and touch.  But He has called us by name, He told us we would be hated since He was hated.  I tell myself I must persevere, strive to measure everything as to whether it brings me closer to Him or from Him.  Using the Discernment of Spirits exercises given by St. Ignatius of Loyola is what I choose as my measuring stick.  Discipline, which often gets away from me, especially in these days of the Covid pandemic, is the second tool.  I am well too aware that restless souls can find trouble very easily.  But if I am busy about the Lord’s work then I will rest in Him.

What is that work?  It’s not always doing something at church, but I remind myself it’s taking time to visit with family, doing chores without grudging them, considering charity in my words, actions and thoughts.  Not what would Jesus do, but what am I doing with my temple while He is present in me.  Is it clean?  Does He have room to move about and order my day or is it full of myself and this world?

As a new world order may come with Big brother hovering, I ask myself, am I prepared? Will I lay down and succumb or stand and strike?  Jesus was angry with what they did to His Father’s temple.  Can I be charitable and angry?  Will I be okay with people hating me that I display my anger at actions and not people?  For all people are God’s creation.

Oh Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth, pray for us, with us and in us.  For we are a weak people.  Help me to see my own sinfulness first, and draw others to your Son for their own salvation, won by seeking Him and not this world.

Image:  https://commons.wikipedia.org.wiki/File:El_Greco_13.jpg