There is power in the Faith

How many times have I heard the bible stories of people who were saved by their faith? The paralytic, the woman with the bleeding, and others and thought, "I wish I had that kind of faith?"

I DO have that kind of Faith!

As a priest reminded me in confession recently, there is POWER in our Faith. Power to overcome, power to see beyond ourselves and into Glory. We have but to USE the power of our Faith, to claim it through the Graces given us by Jesus in the Sacraments.

The power is there, it just takes work, sometimes more than others, to see it. First and foremost, it takes prayer.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Rejoice always.  
17 Pray without ceasing.  
18 In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

See how this goes back to my commitment to rejoice? Rejoicing and praying are so intertwined that one way to remember to rejoice in the Lord is to TALK to Him!

The power of my Faith is also fueled by the Sacraments, most especially Holy Communion and Reconciliation. I want to look fwrther into how ALL the sacraments affect my Faith and it's power in my life (A post for another time though).

My Faith is also fostered by community. Family and friends, and the Communion of Saints in both the Church Militant and the Church Triumphant. Asking for help, asking for prayers can be a source of power in my Faith as well.

This last reason is one of the many that I am so looking forward to starting our new bible study next week on The Year of Faith by Fr. Mitch Pacwa.

Lead on Holy Spirit, show us the way to the Father!

Happy New Year!

I will eventually do a large scrap page post with the rest of my pics from last year, but THIS post is for my fresh start for 2013!

My word for this year is 'Rejoice'! It seems like I'm always searching for joy in my life. I fight with depression, I struggle with my weight, and I'm overly anxious about things in general. For the least couple of years I've chosen a word to work on, and I thought this year I would choose joy as my word, but during Advent I came to realize that joy is a state of being, not an action. What I need to do this year then is to REJOICE!


Rejoice in suffering-
1 Peter 4:12-13
12Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly.

Rejoice in my salvation-
Psalm 13:6

6But I trust in your mercy.

Grant my heart joy in your salvation,

I will sing to the LORD,

for he has dealt bountifully with me!
(another translation reads- But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.)

Rejoice always-
Phillipians 4:4-7
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! 5Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. 6Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. 7Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

This year I will be looking for ways to rediscover my joy through the act of rejoicing.

Gaudete!