Stuff?

As a woman, I know a lot of us are always trying to find a nice purse, tote, or bag that will carry all of our "Stuff" that we think that we need for going out into this world everyday. Makeup, phone, wallet, keys, lotion, maybe even a book like the Bible (i like to have mine with me), holy medals/items prayer cards, etc... I myself have a collection of way too many handbags, totes, and purses that we don't have places for them all.

If we had a handbag that held all of the things that we need to get to heaven, do we have that as filled up as our purses are? Have we done all the things that we need to do to get there? Are you ready to be called Home someday?m We never know when our time to be called to God will be, did we pack everything we need? What do we need? What don't we need?

Have I reguarly gone to confession?, Do I attend mass weekly?, What do I believe?, Is my soul filled with peace or resentment toward others?, How have I helped others to be ready so that they also can get to Heaven too? (It's our job as Catholics to get others to Heaven too.) Have we been compassionate and giving to those in need/ Do we sacrifice and do things for others, or have we been selfish and materialistic in this life focused on what I want instead of God's Plan? Am I Truly Ready?

Other than bags, what about our houses? When we know someone is coming over, we frantically clean up to make it look nice. Well, someday Jesus is gonna be right there looking at our souls. Are they clean? Are they full of Love? Full of Jesus? or are there still sins weighing us down? Remember, our guardian angels are rooting for us and want to carry us to heaven someday, but will our sins make us too heavy for them to lift us? What is in our Home/Purse? how packed is it with things that we need vs things that we don't need and that could possibly even be causing us harm, like the weight of hate, judgement, jealously, rage, etc? I know when my purse is too heavy my shoulder hurts carrying it around, if my house is too messy, I stub my toe going around the corner. Do we mske it easier for ourselves to get to heaven, or harder by carrying things we noo longer need? Let go and give it to Jesus. He will give you peace. Ask Him for help. He knows we can't do this alone. He gave us confession so we can be cleansed of our mistakes and go back out made new and ready for the day we can be with Him in our Heavenly Home. Turn to Him all who are weary, and He will give you rest. Do we Trust Jesus? The saints struggld with these sins too. Yes, they weren't perfect. They were sinners, but they kept trying, devoted to the path to heaven. We all must csrry our crosses to get their, so sometimes we struggle and face pain and difficulties, but remember to offer it up to Jesus, and that He is right there with you, your guardian angel, Mary, and the saints are always trying to help you out too, and intercede for you. You can do this. The Holy Spirit is within You. Go forth proclaiming joyfully the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Have we remembered before we go out the door someday before we get to our heavenly place all that we need so that we can be prepared when we get there or so that we get there?

*St Ignatius was vain before becoming a saint, He didn't want to geta procedure done to his leg because he thought it would look bad in front of the ladies. He had a moment in his life called his "cannonball moment" where he was injured in war by a cannnball and realized he wanted to change his life and live like a saint. So he let go of what he didn't need anymore and focused on what he did need in this life to get to heaven, our true goal.

What is something you are holding onto right now that you don't need in heaven?

*St Pier Giorgio (recently was canonized by Pope Leo the 14th) was a young man in Italy who lived a normal life but he had this desire to do more,to make difference wherever he went. He would spred stories of the scripture with his friends as they went hiking and mountain climbing, he would show up at his parents house without his shoes and coat because he gave them to a poor person onthe street, he would take every moment he got, even bike riding, to say decades of the rosary. He boldly, and joyfully proclaimed the good news of Christ admidst times of facism, he stood up, and spoke up for what he believed. He knew he couldn't just live a normal life, but do all that he could to be ready for Heaven. It doesn't alwayas have to be big things, like saints who were martyred for their faith, but small deeds like St Therese taught her little way which is filled with small acts of love, or spending more time in prayer and solitude like Saint Anthony the Great, or St Benedict, and many others.

What is something that you could do more of?

Focus this week in quiet prayer time asking God to present to you things that you could do more of vs what you need to let go of so that you will be prepared for Heaven. Remember, Jesus is always right here to help us out because He wants to welcome us all home someday.

All people are made in the image of God, God is Love, We as Catholics are called to Love everyone and I love you and want you to be in heaven with me, that's why I tell you these things, Don't be afraid of what the world thinks, be bold, and stand firm. We must bring all that we can with us to the Faith, so that we can get as many people to Heaven to God someday. Let go out joyfully, and use the gifts He gave us to praise Him , and spread His goodness to all of the world. What "Stuff" do we Need to enter the Kingdom of God and to bring all that we love with us?

Spread Joy & Jesus.

“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” – James 4:8

Colossians 4:2

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” – Colossians 4:2

2 Timothy 1:7

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7

Philippians 4:13

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13

James 1:2-3

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” – James 1:2-3

Proverbs 16:3

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” – Proverbs 16:3

Matthew 6:33

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33