SJBExcelsior Podcast

How important it is to spend time in prayer. We have to protect our time with the Lord. The world is full of noise, so it can be hard to hear God. Two practical ways to hear God in prayer:

• Leave the phone behind
• Silence

The commandments lead us into union with God. Fr. Carlson talks about the differences between traditions and commandments. Do your traditions undercut God’s commandments?

So often we can come to Mass with our hearts heavy. Fr. Carlson asks us: where else are we going to go? “To whom should we go?”, as we hear in this week’s Gospel. I hope that’s what you do when you come to Mass - pour out your heart. Let him be the one to answer all of your needs.

The Eucharist - the mystery that is above all words and songs.

God never tires of helping us. When we are at our lowest point, he is there. He wants to give us Himself to strengthen us.

Msgr. Peter Vaccari explains the work of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association and Pontifical Mission. Three things you can do to help:

1. Pray for the regions they serve and the work they do
2. Learn the work that the Catholic Church is doing on the ground
3. Donate to the mission: www.cnewa.org

Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist. When we receive the Eucharist, we receive God Himself. When we go to eucharistic adoration, we are face to face with God Himself.

So often we can give into that temptation of go, go, go, go, thinking that’s what give us value, that’s what gives us purpose. How often do we think we have to take care of everything? Jesus is inviting us to rest in Him, to let him be the Good Shepherd, to receive his peace.

Jesus calls us, just as he did Amos and the 12 apostles, to let other people know about Him, and to help them enter into relationship with Him.

This Sunday we hear Paul talk about the thorn in his flesh. The Lord tells him, my grace is sufficient for you. Whatever suffering, whatever temptation, whatever weakness we're experiencing, he will provide. Let's not take on the thorn in our side by ourself; rather, may we rely on God, who always provides for us.