tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129333277189264024.post1711419079425464865..comments2024-01-31T06:40:32.854-08:00Comments on Companions on a Faith Journey: June 26, 2016 - The Challenging JesusSister Annette Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14994000378337080291noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129333277189264024.post-29694574218422221372016-07-03T12:51:17.081-07:002016-07-03T12:51:17.081-07:00I see my life as living the way Jesus did: Spread...I see my life as living the way Jesus did: Spreading the Word. Emulation is my inspiring voice to others around the world.<br /><br />"The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked."<br /><br /> 1 John 2:6Edielovesmathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16772354310884484473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129333277189264024.post-5314991394824703572016-06-27T17:31:27.615-07:002016-06-27T17:31:27.615-07:00Dear Pat,
You and other members of the St. Kathar...Dear Pat,<br /> You and other members of the St. Katharine Drexel Faith-sharing Circle have proved to be great support and inspiration to me and to others. Blessings, Sr. Annette MarieSister Annette Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14994000378337080291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129333277189264024.post-11456141243154087412016-06-26T17:48:16.918-07:002016-06-26T17:48:16.918-07:00Sr. Annette,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts ...Sr. Annette, <br />Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings in this reflection on following Jesus. I was certainly an admirer of Jesus in my younger years. I was content to call myself Christian but I created a comfortable distance between myself and God. God was somewhere “out there,” while I went through life influenced more by trendy behaviors and attempting to please others rather than considering what Jesus would expect from a true believer. It was an impersonal and controlled association. I was afraid of what would be required to follow Christ. How much would I be asked to sacrifice? It wasn’t until I understood that Christ is within me (and others) that I wanted to get in touch with this spiritual energy and live in harmony with the will of God. I found it helpful to attend workshops, retreats, and the occasional parish adult education series but the main impetus for my yearning for a deepened relationship with Jesus were the Scripture Sharing gatherings held at St. Katharine Drexel Motherhouse. Weekly reflection and discussion of the Scripture readings made the Gospels come alive. I have come to appreciate how meaningful the messages are in my daily life. Upon becoming an Associate of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament I set the intention of spending time in the Presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Through that Devotion I have come to regard Jesus as my constant Companion. I feel as though I can confide in Him at any time about any concerns. While solutions may not occur in my time frame, it is so comforting to be able to express my desires and to know that I am heard. I hope that this shift from needing an answer to accepting God’s will and trusting in His timing indicates I am becoming more of a follower of Jesus. <br />I mourn not for releasing the attachments of my youth for there is not a greater single focus than that of Jesus. In the Presence of the Blessed Sacrament we are invited to experience a precious moment of Divinity touching the depth of our being and feeling the incredible love that God has for us. In order to receive this grace-filled gift we need to let go of anything that would distract us. I can’t receive God’s gifts if my mind is filled with obligations and my heart is wrought with discontent. Jesus, the One who is the way, the truth, and the life, promises to fill us with His Love, Joy, and Peace if we surrender and accept His invitation to follow him. <br />Pathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15183102502129500705noreply@blogger.com