The Beatitudes are certainly counter cultural - after all who likes to hunger or thirst?  Who likes to be persecuted for righteousness sake? Yet, Jesus calls His followers to these Be-attitudes. How can you live the beatitudes in your week this week? *** 🎶“When I’m worried and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep, and I fall asleep counting my blessings”.🎶 Irving Berlin wrote the well known lyrics following a personal experience on a visit to his doctor to complain about insomnia because of stress. His wise doctor suggested to Irving to count his blessings instead of sheep at sleep time. His song became a hit. Today’s Gospel reminds us of the song as we listen to the teachings of Jesus to his disciples gathered around Him. It was the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus recounted for his followers Eight blessings or graces as a plan or means to experience peace and joy in life. So many pursue wealth in abundance, power, prestige, and honour, which often cause restless days and sleepless nights. Instead, Jesus urged the practice of humility, detachment from power and righteousness, mercy giving, love, and gratitude. Jesus is all of those. The Beatitudes Have you paused of late to ponder your blessings? Tonight as you lay down to sleep, instead of dwelling on a concern or worry, pause and count 3 or 4 blessings. Feel gratitude, thank Jesus and sleep well. -Mary C.

Last week we celebrated the Baptism of Our Lord. This week Jesus invites us to "come follow".   How does this invitation to discipleship call you to live your baptism as priest, prophet and king in your daily life? *** The pondering offered this weekend to come follow me , could lend itself to a whole essay. How does this invitation of discipleship call you to live your baptism as priest, prophet and king? I look first at Jesus Baptism and the consequent mission: to seek and save that which was lost, to restore to the kingdom that which was first established at creation. As a priest I offer daily prayer sacrifices which translate into sacrificial deeds to restore the kingdom. As a priest I put on the armour and mind of Christ so that my agenda steps aside and I ready to be life giving. As a prophet, I study the truth of God in order to witness by living and speaking the truth. My witness must be a light for all, especially after being sent from the Table of the Word and the Table of the Eucharist. As a king I have the authority and leadership to work with God to restore the kingdom to its intended purpose; to be a harmonious unity among all creatures, Angels and God. My leadership lies in my parenting, YANA facilitator, RCIA team member, CWL presidency and friendships. Jesus the Way - King; the Truth - Prophet - the Life - Priest -Dorothy S.

What stories do you remember about your baptism?  Have you seen pictures of your baptism? When & where were you baptized? How do you live your faith each day as a baptized child of God?  *** I was born in Holland fourteen months after my sister passed away during birth because the umbilical cord was around her neck. The fear of something happening to me led to me being baptized the same day I was born. My sister Ardina and my Aunt Theodora took me in a bicycle carriage to the St. Agathta Church in Boekel, Holland. My aunt was married but was never blessed with children, so when the priest asked what name they were giving me she spoke up and said Theodora and my sister chimed in with her name as my middle name. Theodora means, Gift of God. I am the 13th of 16 children and I have an older brother Theodore. We attended a one room schoolhouse and by time I started grade one there were five from my family. For the teacher to keep our names separate she called me Dorothea and later it was changed to Dorothy. How I live out my Baptismal gifts of priest, prophet and royalty is by renewing my promise to God everyday to be his intentional disciple. At teh end of the day I reveiw my activity and ask, Where did I see God and how did I treat him? Where was I living my gifts and where did I mess up? In thanksgiving I recall with the help of the Holy Spirit, how to keep being priest, prophet and roylaty and how to seek forgiveness and improve on areas where I need to grow. I am fortunate to be a seeker of knowledge and wisdom and so I can also grow in my understanding of Baptism. This has led me to accept roles such as an RCIA team member, CWL president and seving in whatever capacity I am able to. The challenge for me has been to relinguish some ministries and encourage others to grow in their giftedness and accept these roles. -Dorothy S.