I spend an enormous amount of time on my feet and consequently my left foot is quite swollen and very painful to stand on at times. Often when I am giving a talk lately the pain has been considerable and I have found myself standing still rather than moving about to reduce the pain. I do not feel that I can tell people about this, as I don’t think that it is what they have come to hear.
Over the years I have met so many people who carry sicknesses and injuries every day of their lives. They do not walk into rooms and say notice me but rather they are silent and often you would never know the far worse situations they are in than just a sore foot. They accept that they have an illness or injury and very often are the brightest and happiest person in the room. The focus is not on them but others.
There is a strength and holiness to their lives of dedication to God and or family or their employer that can only be called inspirational.
ACTION: Where must you take your eyes off yourself even if life is tough in order that your company and dedication to God might bless someone else?
GOSPEL READING: John 13:21-33, 36-38
Don’t forget to comment below.
Thank you dear bruce for todays talk, it continues what I received after reading today’s Gospel. I could see what hope we all have when I reflect on Peter’s sin against Jesus the Mercy he received from the Risen Lord, and then the fate of Judas who could not believe in God’s loving Mercy. It is a powerful reminder of our need for that same Mercy when we are willing to forgive or be forgiven by that very same God. I always need to pray that God can use my willingness to admit my sin and wash me clean in the ocean of His forgiveness.
yes I have a broken ankle and I am getting around on crutches and wearing a moon boot.
I think it is just a great big nuisance I will recover soon. I know people who ar suffering much more serious ailments at present. The person I am thinking of may not get better the cancer may come backin a few years time.
“In time of misfortune, thank God because something worst could have happened. ” A catechist in my village use to say that to people all the time when there was a dead, an accident, or other mishaps and villagers hated him for that. They use to doubt if he would say the same thing if he was berieved or had other mishaps.
One day his son had a fatal accident and he was not at home. The whole village gathered not primarily to sympathize with him but to hear him pronounce those hurting words to himself.
As soon as he caught sight of his son and helplessly stood over him, he turned around and told the whole village, ” let us thank God because the worst could have happened. My son is alive.” Some walked away saying that he was a mad man and others said he was right.
Every circumstance is teaching and every circumstance Needs Prayers. Bruce if ur partner did not make the mistake while excercising his service, we could not have learned this leason today. Happy Holy Week.
Day three opened directly into the text message….could not access the video. Hope you can fix. Thank you for your dedication and wonderful work for the church. My husband is dying of pancreatic cancer and we sit in bed together and watch this each day. It has been a real blessing. Prayers for you all…with gratitude. Jacqueline.
The video is located underneath the reflection
Im not sure if its only in my phone that the screen is totally black, no picture of Bruce talking. Its just BLACK SCREEN.with sounds. For me, means its preparation for my salvation, of mySOUL &physical being. The black past of my lfe, all my inequities and weakness, that leads to sins. Reconcile to God , focus on repentance and do the best not to Sin or makes mistakes again. And in UNION and FOLLOW IN ACTION. as what the Lord teaches us to do. RECONCILIATIONS, REPENTANCE & FORGIVENESS, WITH LOVE TO ONE ANOTHER ; especially to the one we hurt and to our enemies…
It is by our mistakes that we learn . I know you forgave Julian he will not do the same mistake again
Jesus continues to forgive us over and over again for our mistakes . We are truly blessed by the sacraments as you said reconciliation is the only way to be at peace with God and the church. God bless you for your work for him
In reconciliation, we own our sins,
We acknowledge we could have thought, spoken or behaved differently. We are constantly reflecting on our actions. –
Sometimes, we ignore holding back, because it is easier to vent, or to unleash.
Sometimes, it is easier to blame others, because it shifts our own inadequacies.
It is easier to be forgiven than to forgive.
I am trying to ”own my stuff’
and reflect on ‘myself’ rather than the other person’s actions.
We are responsible for ourselves.
In reconciliation, when we bring ourselves to God, and offer the
truth, in ‘what we have done …
and what we have failed to do ‘
It is here, in prayer that I reconcile with God, accept his love and forgiveness.
It would seem that I am still having problems accessing the video and the page in general. Is it just me or are others having problems too? I have not had any issues the whole way through the lent program but since commencing Holy Week I have had difficulties every day. Not complaining as such as the whole program has been very helpful, it’s more that I am disappointed as it would seem I’m unable to continue watching the videos. 🙁
Thanks Catholic Guy Team for the program it has certainly changed my perspective on a few aspects of my life.
Hi Sharon,
If you email us with the specific issues then we can have a look at helping you sort it out.
Thank you
Going to confession helped me so much to be at peace with my self but most specially with God. I am free and I truly feel the presence of God. It is great to do it during this time because our Lord Jesus Christ died for us , saved us from our sins.
Thank you Bro Bruce for your commitment despite you not feeling 100 percent but you still give it your all. God bless you. & your team.
I’m looking forward to the next TCG retreat or conference .
I wish I can be part of it , hopefully to reconnect all young people to come back to the faith .
Yours in Christ,
Sis Day
Thank you Bruce for today’s journey. Just want you to know that I never confessed in my life because I was never convinced of being deserved to be forgiven as I have always been my worst enemy. Your talk today prompted me to tell you that it was because of your work at my Parish that I found the courage to confess. Thank you for your wonderful work. God bless you, your family and your wonderful team of the The Catholic Guy. Keep up the energy to teach us to be faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you.