reach out from the darkness!

"Help me to believe and teach by word and example how close you are and how present your kingdom is within and among us." -St. Therese Daily Inspiration & Prayer 

With the sad world events in the news, one can only feel either hopeless or hopeful. Yes, it can seem bleak at times, but I am always the optimist who sees a glass as half full. It is always easy to quake, feel abandoned and cave in to our fears, but this is exactly what the forces of evil want us to do. It is in this state of helpless despair that their sneaky words of  hate come in and consume us. 

We must never give up. Instead of focusing inward to what appears bleak, look outward. What do you see? Is there someone in need? Help them! Is someone lacking due to having no food? Provide it! Is there anyone who just needs a smile, a hug, a word of reassurance? Give it! Most of the time, when we look outward, we can see beyond our own scope of "I am so miserable" to, "oh...he/she is in more need of something than I am!" A friend of mine, despondent that he cannot- or in his mind--has not (though I know he has!) helped "multitudes" of people, was reminded: "but who have you inspired?" Because if you have reached even one person...that one person may have been inspired to reach out to one more...until a tidal wave has been created. I have said this before...when we reach out from within the depths of our heart...we have succeeded.

  "... So reach out and welcome one another to God's glory. Jesus did it; now you do it!  Jesus, staying true to God's purposes, reached out in a special way to the Jewish insiders so that the old ancestral promises would come true for them.  As a result, the non-Jewish outsiders have been able to experience mercy and to show appreciation to God. Just think of all the Scriptures that will come true in what we do! For instance: Then I'll join outsiders in a hymn-sing; I'll sing to your name!  And this one: Outsiders and insiders, rejoice together!  And again: People of all nations, celebrate God! All colors and races, give hearty praise!  And Isaiah's word: There's the root of our ancestor Jesse, breaking through the earth and growing tree tall, Tall enough for everyone everywhere to see and take hope!  Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!"~ Romans 15:7-13

Today...reach out from the darkness and bring another into the Light of Jesus!