Author: areliscintron

Putting Life Into Perspective with Father Ian Jeremiah

Post author By areliscintron
Post date November 12, 2012
18 Comments on Putting Life Into Perspective with Father Ian Jeremiah

It’s Soulful Sunday here on My Pocketful Of Thoughts and it is only right to take a moment and give thanks for all the great things going on in our lives right now. Let us also take this moment to recognize all the phenomenal men and women who have served our country. We have much to be thankful for, yes?

Friday night I was reminded of a conference for the RCIA Congress, I had to attend for Saturday morning at 8 am. The event had completely slipped my mind. I had made all these plans for Saturday morning and was thrown off a bit. I am that person who needs to plan everything out in order to feel at peace with day. I can handle changes but it takes a moment or two to adjust.

I woke up on Saturday morning, after a few hours of sleep, reluctant to start the day. I admit that I had to drag myself there. The day started with Mass, which I suggest if you do not do it now, start off your day with God. When the alarm goes off in the morning, take a minute or two to say Thank You for all the things in your life now, that you’re thankful for. Then there was a half hour-ish break to eat a pastry and a cup of coffee. This was my first time attending the RCIA Congress and I haven’t explained what it is yet because at that point of the morning I myself was not sure what it was. Have you ever been told you have to attending something that you’ve never heard of? Do you not have some reluctance? I do not like that about me, but I am human. So at this point I am thinking, Are we starting yet? I looked around the room and saw a little over 100 people in attendance and I began to feel bad for taking up three seats with myself and my stuff. :/

9:15 am we started with prayer and were introduced to the day. RCIA is an acronym that stands for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It outlines the steps for the formation for one to receive instruction about the Christian religion. It is the class I am teaching at my church. So, yes, this was a good reason to be at this event.

My reluctance of the event melted away with the first speaker, Father Ian Jeremiah. He captivated the audience with his stories of perspective on life and I could not stop taking notes. He was hilarious in his presentation but more importantly his words stayed with me. It is my wish to share them with you, not today but starting next week, My Pocketful of Thoughts will begin a short series titled Putting Life Into Perspective with Father Ian Jeremiah.

photo credit: Fr. Stephen, MSC via photopin cc

The one thing I will share with you today is that he reminded the group that we should take advantage of the Year of Faith. The Year of Faith, which began on October 11th and will run until November 24, 2013, is a year especially dedicated to the profession of the faith, through readings of the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. While this is something I have been doing for the past couple of years, it feels a little different this year because I am going to be teaching this to others. So no longer am I just taking it in, I have to also understand it and be able to explain it in a way that it is understood by others.

The more I learn the more I want to share it with you. I ask that you not be reluctant, like I was on Saturday morning, but that you be open and just take it in. For a long time I was having an inner war with myself, I could not understand why I was so unhappy and angry. I had so many things to be thankful for, but I never looked at it that way. I kept thinking to myself, ‘I’m here, doing so much to better myself and I don’t understand why all these bad things happen to me‘. It only seemed to bring more bad things. After a long absence from church, I started to go again. I sat quietly in the back pews and I just took it in. Then one day it clicked. It wasn’t right away. It was over a year of going to Mass every Sunday. When it clicked I decided I was ready to become Confirmed in the Catholic faith. I studied for one year with Sister Alta Gracia. So I want to share that with others, but especially you, that sometimes you have to just take it in. Perhaps you’ll read something that will compel you to do the same and share.

I’ll leave you today with today’s second reading.

Heb 9:24-28 [Christ’s Sacrifice for Sin]

Christ entered into heaven to appear before God, not for sacrifice again, but to take away sin by his sacrifice. Christ will not die again but he will come to bring about salvation for those who wait for him.

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews

Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands, a copy of the true one, but heaven itself, that he might now appear before God on our behalf. Not that he might offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary with blood that is not his own; if that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly from the foundation of the world. But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages to take away sin by his sacrifice. Just as it is appointed that human beings die once, and after this the judgement, so also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.

-The word of the Lord.
–Thanks be to God.

Let it marinate.

Until then,

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Melissa & Doug Terrific Twenty List and Giveaway

Post author By areliscintron
Post date November 7, 2012
4 Comments on Melissa & Doug Terrific Twenty List and Giveaway

Today is such an exciting day for so many reasons! I was going to tell you weeks ago about how I was almost finished with my Christmas shopping but I thought instead I’d explain my process of getting things done before the holiday season is upon us. Then on Saturday I got my Starbucks in a holiday cup and in another store they were playing Christmas music and I realized that I never did the post. (Gasp!) SO to make it up to you I’m sharing today the Melissa & Doug Terrific Twenty List and Giveaway. It started yesterday but there’s still 19 days left of giveaways! YAY!

photo credit: 20 Days of Terrific Twenty via Melissa & Doug

If you’re shocked to realize that the holidays are right around the corner, don’t fret. If you’re not familiar with Melissa & Doug, they started making toys over 24 years ago in Doug’s childhood home. They’ve grown so much since then that they have their own space. Inspiring, right? Their philosophy is simple -‘to make each and every customer a happy and permanent member of the Melissa & Doug family, while offering products with tremendous value, quality and design’. While I have been looking for the perfect gifts for the smaller kids on my list, I realized that I’m looking for products just like the ones that Melissa & Doug have been making for years.

Photo Credit: Melissa & Doug

The list for their giveaway compiles the “best of the best” holiday gifts for the 2012 holiday season, and they’re excited to share it here with you! AND To celebrate, they’re having a 20 Days of Terrific Twenty Giveaway on their Facebook page! Every day (started yesterday, November 6) they’ll be giving away one item from their Terrific Twenty list to at least one of their lucky Facebook fans!

Today, Day 2 of the giveaway, is one of my favorite toys, the charming Beeposh Elvis stuffed animal! How cute is this guy? And has the name Elvis in it to boot for all us Elvis fans.

What do you have to do to get in on the giveaway?

To enter to win a gift every day from the Terrific Twenty list head over to their FACEBOOK page, LIKE it, and find today’s post with the giveaway and follow the directions!

What are you waiting for go check out what you can win! Click here! Good Luck!

Until then,

PS. If you like what you’ve read, warm my heart and follow the blog! Likes are great for those who don’t want to comment. Just go to right side panel, look for FOLLOWERS and click Join This Site!

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Every Vote Counts!

photo credit: Bludgeoner86 via photopin cc

Today is such an important day! Voters from all over the United States of America will be out at various locations voting for the next President of the United States of America. I made sure I went to bed last night at a reasonable hour so I could get up early and go vote. Since I already have, I thought I’d share my experience with you.

5:00 am – Woke up to the alarm.
5:01 am – I actually didn’t hit the snooze button, I was really up and excited.
5:05 am – Used the bathroom and brushed my teeth. (TMI?)
5:10 am – Pulled out layers to wear in case the line went outside.
5:30 am – Started tweeting. #GoVote (Follow me @DjRelAt7)
5:40 am -Used the bathroom one last time. (Just in case)
5:45 am -Got in the car to go.
5:50 am -Went to the school to #GoVote in CT, the line was already started. How AWEsome!
6:00 am – The line got to moving.
6:02 am – I saw A-M and got in that line right away.
6:03 am – As I got closer I saw that it was organized by STREET name and NOT last name. 🙁
6:04 am – Got into the right line;
6:06 am – Checked in, checked to make sure my parents were also at that location.
6:10 am – Voted. (It is a short ballot but I quadruple checked to make sure I filled it out right and for who I wanted to elect.)
6:12 am – Got my sticker.
6:13 am – Then I told the lady on the way out to get more signs for which line was which. I was not the only one to have to switch.
6:15 am – Back in my car and heading home to blog this post.
7:05 am – I’m Typing, right NOW.
7:06 am – Until I hear who won – Now I wait in anticipation to know who will be our POTUS for the next four years.

It was a quick, simple process right? Every Vote Counts! So please do not use ANY excuses today to NOT vote. It is so important to use this right! This election will effect how you live for the next four years of your life. Imagine if it were your vote to make the difference and you didn’t vote. Do not live in regret! I don’t want that for you.

Here are some quick tips:

Before you #GoVote, check to make sure you’re at the right voting location. If you’re not sure go here, http://www.canivote.org/ , to check and it will link you up with the right website. Some locations have been changed due to the aftereffects of Hurricane Sandy.
When you get dressed to #GoVote WEAR layers, it is COLD outside and you might be in a line for a bit. This morning I wore leggings, jeans, a pair of socks, a pair of ski socks on top of that; My Nine West Ugg-like boots; 2 tank tops, a long sleeve tee, my coat, elbow length gloves, a hat, and a scarf. It is better to take things off than to be FREEZING.
When you #GoVote make sure you know how the lines are organized. You DO NOT want to be in a long line and realize close to the front that you’re not in the right one. Normally I’ve seen it by last name, this year it was by STREET name and people had to switch lines once they got closer to the front. Ask the person at the entrance to make sure, that is what they are there for.
Go Vote and bring someone with you if you can!
If you have never voted, please READ the directions.

Every Vote Counts! Yes, especially your vote!

Once you have voted stop by My Pocketful of Thoughts FB Page and share your experience. Ex: I’m in CT. The line was long but the line was fast. Or you can keep it simple and just say I Voted! Go there now!

Until then,

PS: Join the My Pocketful of Thoughts community by giving a LIKE to the FB Page! Just hit like and feel free to share it with lovely like minded people by hitting share.

Join in on the conversation, click here to get started.

All Saints Day All Souls Day church Holy Day of Obligation prayer Soulful Sundays

Not Just Sundays…

Happy Sunday! I hope you remember to think of today as the start of your week and not the END of your weekend 🙂 Take the time today to think of all the great things that have happened this past week. Actually do it now. Close your eyes for 30 seconds and see what’s the first thing to come to mind. You only need that one thing to jump start an amazing week to come. Hold on to that feeling of gratitude, you’ll need it for tomorrow 🙂

One of the things I do on Sunday, to start the day off right, is to go to Church. If you’ve been following on Sundays, you know that we’ve been learning quite a bit. This week’s lesson is about Holy Days of Obligation.

When people asked me what I did for my birthday this past July, going to Church was the first thing I named. The rest of the day is a blur, minus the yummy meal I had with my boyfriend. Most responses I got were, Why Church? My birthday fell on a Friday. While it is true that Mass is celebrated on Sundays and it is the day to keep holy, it is not the only day Mass is held. Mass, for Catholics, is held every day. We learned last week in We Find the Defendant … that according to the laws of the Church, one ‘shall attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of obligation and rest from servile labor.’

photo credit: Ted Abbott via photopin cc

This past Thursday was a Holy Day of Obligation. All Saints Day, which falls on November 1st, is a day to honor the saints known and unknown. A saint is someone who lives up to the example of Christ, through their holiness or sanctity of the religion. I have a book of over 200 saints, all became so because of their faith in Christ and died defending their belief.

All Saints Day is followed by All Souls Day on November 2nd. This day is a day to pray for the souls that have died. The way I understand it, it is a day to pray for souls that might be stuck in Purgatory. It is a way to help them get into Heaven.

Hurricane Sandy took out the power for a lot of people; Including my church, so Mass was not held on Thursday. I am not sure how that works out, if its a sin or not, since I didn’t go. I’ll have to inquire about that of course. Yesterday, though, I took a moment to think of all the people who gave their lives defending Christ. What could I do or not do, to live a life closer in His footsteps?

Even if you don’t go to Church or haven’t gone in a while, that doesn’t mean you can’t keep your relationship with Him strong. I encourage you to have a conversation with Him daily, even if its just to say thanks for waking up in the morning. This can be your one thing of gratitude for today. I’ll leave you with one of today’s readings.

Heb 7:23-28 [Jesus the High Priest]

Jesus has a priesthood that will not pass away. He is a high priest holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and higher than the heavens. He offered one sacrifice for sin.

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews

Brothers and sisters:

The levitical priests were many because they were prevented by death from remaining in office, but Jesus, because he remains forever, has a priesthood that does not pass away. Therefore, he is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them.

It was fitting that we should have such a high priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, higher than the heavens. He has no need, as did the high priests, to offer sacrifice day after day, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did that once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints men subject to weakness to be high priests, but the word of the oath, which was taken after the law, appoints a son, who has been made perfect forever.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Let it marinate!

Until then,

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Random thoughts during Hurricane Sandy…

Post author By areliscintron
Post date November 1, 2012
6 Comments on Random thoughts during Hurricane Sandy…

Monday

7:00 am – The winds have started to pick up this early Monday morning. The first high tide is coming in a bit and they are worried of serious flooding.
1:00 pm – The first high tide did not bring in as much water as we expected. We’re off to a good start. A lot of the people I spoke to yesterday seem to be unconcerned, I hope they evacuate anyways.
2:00 pm – Not feeling well, I’m going to take advantage of this quiet afternoon with a nice long nap.
5:00 pm – We lost power a few hours ago, just lost my window of having a hot meal for dinner; stupid nap. The wind has begun to pick up more.
6:30 pm – I have been getting texts from family members and friends, some have power and some don’t, maybe it won’t be so bad after all. My niece has called to tell me she still has power and since they were bored she’s out joy riding to access the damages. Wait, what?!
8:00 pm – The wind has picked up a great deal. Leaves and debris float on invisible waves like a perfectly timed flash mob. My attic bedroom is shaking; I keep thinking of images of a silent screaming women taking flight. At least the candles give the illusion that all is well.

photo credit: NASA Goddard Photo and Video via photopin cc

10:30 pm – I can’t read anymore. The wind seems to be dying down now; my eyes won’t stay open. There’s still no power. I am not feeling well. I will let the dark night take me to dream land.

Tuesday

7:03 am – Danny, the boyfriend, brings me much needed coffee. He mentions being stopped three times by the police. It is understandable that after a hurricane people would stay indoors. Right? I spend the next five hours charging my phone and my kindle in the car. Not once does it occur to me to turn on the radio.
12:30 pm – More cars are on the road and lots of people are walking around. I go back into the house. Still NO power.
5:00 pm – I just woke up from an almost four hour nap. I am starting to feel better. I am starving. We’re all starving. Still NO power.
5:30 pm – I venture out to find hot food. Traffic lights are not working. People are not driving crazy. Trees are knocked down. Where to eat? Closed. Closed. Closed. No Power. My favorite Chinese food spot is open. Operating by flashlight. Hmmmm. I am hungry. My last hot meal was breakfast Monday morning. Granola, bread, and fruit are not cutting it. Hey, where are the UI guys?
10:30 pm – I regret already eating that Chinese food. Rumor has it that the UI guys are on strike. Apparently out of state line guys have been paid almost triple, with five star hotel check-ins and gourmet meals. I just want my power. Tonight is supposed to be cold. I can’t read anymore. The dark night still seems surreal. I fall asleep to the sound of humming generators, ambulance sirens and the dark. Still NO power.

Wednesday

5:20 am – Still NO Power. I get up to wake my father for work. It was hard to get out of bed, so cold. I go back to sleep
7:00 am – I wake up to a nice hot shower and get ready for work. Thank God for Gas Water Heaters! Downtown Bridgeport has power?! Drive to Panera Bread for breakfast and it was packed. A quick scan and overheard conversations, a good portion of Shelton and Trumbull are out of power to. Driving to work I see that the power is not on in the building. Decide to drive home, stopped at the Dunkin donuts in Bridgeport to grab coffee for my mom and the line is coming out of the door, drive through is wrapping around the building. Craig, the newspaper guy, sends me to the cafe in the lot next door. Bless his soul.
1:00 pm – Still NO power. I did see a UI guy working on the tree a few blocks away. I wonder if the rumors are true? If so I pray the negotiations are moved along. Its cold. Nap time?
3:00 pm – Can’t get warm. I throw on layers and head over to the cafe that has free wi-fi. They have the door open? Why?! Don’t they know I’m trying to defrost? I almost tear up to see all the concerned souls praying and sending love my way on Facebook.
5:00 pm – I get to my sister’s house, who has power, to warm up with an invite to dinner. I step out to find soup for my mom to find the Chinese place closed. Driving home I do not know how to explain to my mom I could not find soup and decide I can heat up a can of soup. Oh, what wait, street lights? Yes. oh wait but not on this block. Turning onto my street I see them, bright and beautiful. I run into the house, We have POWER! My mom forgives me for not finding soup.
11:30 pm – I am thankful that the power came back on, its warm and my belly is full. God is good. So are all the people in my life!

I was very fortunate during Hurricane Sandy. While my household suffered the loss of power, Monday into Tuesday evening was warm. There are people that have lost their homes. Some have lost their lives. There are many still without power. My thoughts and prayers stay with them during this time and I pray they find relief soon. May we all go to sleep with the street lights on tonight.

photo credit: Bigod via photopin cc

Until then,

14 works of Mercy Catechism catholic Evidence Exodus Five Commandments of the Church God Jesus Christ Moses Mount Sinai Soulful Sundays ten commandments What we must do. Outside da Box

We find the defendant …

How are you on this Soulful Sunday? This week has proven itself to be a trying week. It has reminded me how lucky I am to have such great people in my life who support me and keep me sane. I want to take a second to say I am extremely grateful for my boyfriend, Danny for helping me with the renovation of my parent’s rental apartment. I truly believe that God works through this man. I hope that we all take a moment to be grateful for the people in our lives. Please don’t forget to tell them.

This past Friday during Youth Group we watched a video created by Outside Da Box called Evidence. It reminded me that being a Christian is so much more than going to church on Sundays or wearing a cross around my neck. Being a true follower of Christ means that we live by his example. Last week we chatted about what it means to have faith and a small part of what Catholics receive in Who’s watching you? Today we’ll talk about what we must do.

First we have the Ten Commandments. In the book of Exodus, in the Bible, Chapter 20 tells of us of Moses’ being given the ten commandments on Mount Sinai by God.

I am the Lord your God; you shall not have strange gods before me.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.
Honor your father and mother.
You shall not kill.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.

Next is the Five commandments of the Church.

You shall attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of obligation and rest from servile labor.
You shall confess your sins at least once a year.
You shall receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season.
You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church.
You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.

Lastly there are Fourteen works of mercy.

Spiritual:

Counsel the doubtful.
Instruct the ignorant.
Admonish sinners.
Comfort the afflicted.
Forgive offenses.
Bear wrongs patiently.
Pray for the living and the dead.

Corporal:

Feed the hungry.
Give drink to the thirsty.
Clothe the naked.
Shelter the homeless.
Visit the sick.
Visit the imprisoned.
Bury the dead.

Once upon a time, people were crucified and killed if they admitted to being followers of Jesus Christ. In some countries this still exists. I am fortunate to live in a country that has freedom of religion. Regardless of what religion you are, if you were brought into trial for being a believer in your faith, would you be convicted. This is what the video Evidence is about, a girl being put on trial for her belief. It is a video to evoke an emotion in you. To say that I am Catholic is one thing, but if someone observed me would I be found guilty? Today I am not looking to give convictions. I am not in charge of judgements. I only ask that you reflect upon what you say and do, and if you were in a trial what would the verdict be. We find the defendant __________.

I leave you with one of today’s readings to let it marinate for the rest of the week.

Jer 31: 7-9 [God’s Deliverance]

Jermiah’s hymn opens with joy for God has bestowed salvation on his people. He has delivered his people and will guide and bless them so none will go astray.

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah

Thus says the Lord:
Shout with joy for Jacob,
exult at the head of the nations;
proclaim your praise and say:

The Lord has delivered his people, the remnant of Israel.
Behold, I will bring them back from the land of the north;
I will gather them from the ends of the world with the blind and the lame in their midst,
the mothers and those with children;
they shall return as an immense throng.

They departed with tears, but I will console them and guide them;
I will lead them to brooks of water,
on a level road, so that none shall stumble.
For I am a father to Israel, Ephraim is my first-born.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Let it marinate!

Until then,

PS: Join the My Pocketful of Thoughts community by giving a LIKE to the FB Page! Just hit like and feel free to share it with lovely like minded people by hitting share.

Join in on the conversation, click here to get started.

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Who’s watching you?

This week has been an interesting week. Last week’s topic, that I discussed with the kids in the catechism classes, went over what the Catholic faith believes, who we believe in, why we believe, and where we get our information from. These are topics that I will discuss in the future. Today I would like to talk about why we believe. If you tuned in last week, I also touched upon this topic, but after a week of people asking this question, Why do you believe?; I felt compelled to pose this question, Who’s watching you?

In the year 2012, if one is questioned on their beliefs, a conversation amongst a group can be done peacefully and respectfully. Everyone has a variation on their belief. I like and appreciate that we can do this. We are not persecuted for our beliefs. We are not ridiculed for our beliefs. We can believe in whatever we wish for we have Freedom of Religion.

As individuals we support our religion because we have faith. What is faith?

Definition of FAITH according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary

a : allegiance to duty or a person : loyalty

b (1) : fidelity to one’s promises (2) : sincerity of intentions

a (1) : belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2) : belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion

b (1) : firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2) : complete trust

: something that is believed especially with strong conviction; especially : a system of religious beliefs

— on faith

: without question [took everything he said on faith]

What phrases stand out to you? The phrases that stand out to me are “firm belief in something for which there is no proof … complete trust and …without question.

The same can be said for someone without faith, or someone who questions their faith. Does their faith exist? According to the definition, no. A person without faith, a person who does not believe, can not be faithful.

Regardless of whether or not you believe in a religion, it can not be denied that people are watching you. Our friends reflect upon our actions and our beliefs every day. Our children look up to us. People watch us. What are we showing them?

Those closest to me know, that over the last five years, I have embraced my faith. It is not that my faith was lacking before, but I hadn’t done a good job of walking the Christian path. I was in a state of being. Over time I realized that just being was not taking my life in the direction I envisioned or wished for myself. It was not until I decided to partake in the sacrament of Reconciliation that my path changed course.

In the Catholic faith, there are seven Sacraments. The sacrament of Reconciliation is also referred to as Penance. One reviews their prior actions in reflection against the ten commandments. If your actions go against God, they are referred to as sins. This reflection period is a time to acknowledge what you have done to go against God in your actions. These sins are confessed to a priest. The priest will offer guidance and direction on your actions. The priest will then ask if one is sorry for sinning against God. If you are, then one’s sins are forgiven by absolution which can only be given by an authorized priest.

In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, one receive God’s unconditional forgiveness. I found that during this process I have also strengthened my ability to forgive myself. I had never forgiven myself in the past. This for me was huge. In life we are hardest on ourselves.

If I forgive myself and acknowledge my sins and try my hardest to sin no more, I find it much easier and more likely to make choices that keep me in line with God’s law. I find it easier to want to walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. WWJD? You might have seen this a number of times, it stands for What would Jesus do? I find I use this phrase when I am trying to make a decision on something difficult. I ask this question because my actions are watched by God.

God is watching. Whether or not you believe in that statement, it does not change the fact that someone is watching you. Somewhere down the line, your actions may impact someone you know…and someone you might never meet. How can I impact someone I have never met? I’m happy that you asked. The Skit Guys will help us out with this.

Do you know who is watching you? On this Soulful Sunday, I leave you with this thought to marinate this week along with one of today’s readings. Heb 4:14-16 [Jesus Our High Priest] Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the high priest who shares all our weaknesses, except sin. His mercy comes to all who seek it. A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews

Brothers and Sisters,
Since we have a great priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.

-The word of the Lord.
-Thanks be to God.

Until then,

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