Comments on: Monday, August 26, 2019 Landing in Thessalonica

By: Mary Ortwein

Mary Ortwein — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 00:46:28 +0000

To Pat,
In reference to my comment that Satan has us chasing our tails about details, it is most evidence in the public forum when faith interacts with church or national politics. A visiting priest in our parish this summer talked about the scandal our words sometimes create this way. He told a story something like this: “I was having coffee with long-time friends at McDonalds. When the discussion started with “Why do you hate…..,” I replied: “Joe, you’ve been married almost 50 years. Do you hate your wife?” Joe smiled and said, “No.” Tell me, do you ever disagree with your wife?” He sheepishly said, “yes.” “But you don’t hate her? Why should we talk or act like we hate others with whom we disagree? Let’s just disagree.”
Mary Ortwein

By: Analise

Analise — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 17:16:05 +0000

I am born into a catholic family with my dad attending daily Mass since he was a youth and still does. Sunday church, meeting the religious people and saying rosary and reading the Bible was part of a daily routine which still is part of my youth and helped me build and by my faith in christ. As an obgyn doctor, I refuse to do abortions and counselled so many women out of it.
I love the daily reflections on this site and as a youth who is faithful to catholicism I pray for more vocations and spread the word as often as I can.

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 12:05:27 +0000

Thank you Mary for the comments for today’s readings. Like the rest my sons do not attend mass. If I see a young couple in church I always reach out to them and thank them for carrying on the faith. On a side note, I just listened to Dr. Scott Hahn’s talk called the Fourth Cup. If you ever get a chance listen to it. What an eye opener! It should be played at every mass.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 11:50:04 +0000

Thank you for your time.. thank you for trying to help us understand our faith. I really appreciate you sharing your struggles as it makes us feel less alone in ours

By: Pam

Pam — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 11:42:58 +0000

Thank you for sharing the context from Acts and for putting it in sort of a story form. Your words are like apples of gold in settings of silver! Said a prayer this morning for your family. Praying they come to a fullness of the Truth. May the Lord bless the work of your hands and use you to further His Kingdom. Thanks again, Mary!

By: Pat

Pat — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 10:37:23 +0000

I, too, am the lone faithful Catholic in my family. My husband and four children attend Mass on Christmas and Easter at best. I pray for them constantly and try to be a role model, but I feel very ineffective. Am I correct in understanding that you think our disagreement with other Christians regarding the differences between Catholicism and other Christian denominations is Satan trying to distract us from the real problem? I hope you followup on this commentary.

By: Marge Wilcox

Marge Wilcox — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 10:04:35 +0000

Thank you, Mary, for giving voice to our cumulative challenges in a world (our families) that is more deaf to these words with seemingly each passing day.
Somehow, it helps to know the struggles are shared. With God all things are possible. We continue to fight the good fight!

By: Lisa

Lisa — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 09:49:31 +0000

DearMary, I so look forward to your reflections. They bring me peace and help me understand the world around me. I did not do a good job at raising my sone with a Catholic life, and am working diligently to help God be a part of his life. Please pray for me. Thank you.