My dear friends in Christ, there has sometimes been some confusion about Mary and Catholic belief and so we would like to peacefully clear up some common misunderstandings.  Catholics do not worship Mary.  We worship only God - one Triune God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Jesus alone is our Savior. 

We pray to God.  We ask Mary to pray for us because God hears all prayers, especially His own mother's.  We do not believe that death is the end.  We believe Jesus conquered death on the Cross and through His death we will have eternal life as He promised .. therefore Mary lives in Heaven and in her love, still prays for us.   Mary doesn't save us, Jesus saved us. But we ask her to pray for us, She is a powerful intercessor having been chosen to bring Christ into the world for us, and she loves us very much.

Christians pray intercessory prayers all the time when we ask Jesus to heal and help our families and friends.   I pray for others every day and I ask for prayers for myself.  I, as a Catholic, go to the Father directly in Jesus name and pray for my loved ones.  That is profoundly Christian.   Our Mother prays for us as well and her prayers are powerful.   She brings Jesus into our lives.  She was part of The Father's plan.   

Jesus came into this world only one way - through Mary.  She is the Mother of God, and we honor her as Blessed.  She is so wonderful and I hope our beliefs are respected on this site. I am so proud of what a respectful and loving site this has been and I hope it will always be.  Peace, Love and Blessings to my fellow Christians in the New Way Today family and to all of God's children.  May God Bless each one of you and everyone near and dear to you.

Day 16 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections   for this Christmas Season:   Wonderful Counselor.  

Scripture: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of  Peace"  (Isaiah
9:6).

Reflection:  We will spend the next few days reflecting on each descriptive title of Jesus in the above scripture from Isaiah.  We are first told the Messiah will be called "Wonderful Counselor."   We need the counsel of Christ in our lives. In His wisdom He can guide us to make right decisions. We can trust that Jesus knows what is best. Through Him, in a very practical way, we can follow a very spiritual path.  And God, in His infinite wisdom, can direct the course of our lives better than we can. Let's truly entrust ourselves to our Wonderful Counselor and surrender our lives to Jesus, who knows best how to use us in the Divine plan.

Questions: Where do I get my advice from? From myself?  From others?  From God? Can I pray today for the humility to believe that God knows better than I do?

Prayer:  Dear Lord, Please counsel me in the way I should go.  Please guide my steps.  Please, somehow, show me the way. Life can be so confusing and pain can sometimes blind us to the fact that
you have a perfect and holy plan for our lives, that you have something good, something wonderful in store.  Help me to trust you within me, but also to pray before I make decisions. Open my eyes Lord, to see more clearly the path you have chosen for me.  Help me to see only the next step, trusting you will be there, and trusting that you will be with me for the next step after that too, and the next, and the next. 
You will always be with me. Take my plans Lord. Take my limited wisdom and help me to trust in you. In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection.  May God Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you.

Day 15 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season:  God's Protection.

Scripture:  "When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong.  He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on Him" (Luke 2:39-40).

Reflection:  God finishes what He starts.  God completes His plans.   Joseph and Mary had to travel quite a bit before they were able to go back to Nazareth.  Jesus was already a young child when they did.  Their journeys were difficult, but God was in charge, guiding them and protecting them on their way. This mission of Christ's birth was complete and a new one was starting.  Sometimes it might feel like we are on a journey that will never end, as if we will never see our destination.  Mary and Joseph are perfect examples of how to surrender our path to God, making His path our path, and our path His path, no matter what the results.  We are called to do God's Will.  And we can take comfort in knowing that God will be with us through it all.  He never abandons us.  We all want to feel safe and protected as we walk through life.  In Christ, we have this assurance.  He is with us always.

Questions:  Do I feel God is with me?  Does it feel like God doesn't care, like He has abandoned me in my prayer life?  What is my mission?  Do I fully allow God to lead? 

Prayer:   Dear Lord, I pray today for the grace to be guided and protected by you.  Please lead me in the direction of your Will, of your plans. Inspire me with your ideas.  Finish what you have started in me, but help me to have faith that perseveres, whether I see the results in my lifetime or not.  Help me only to do what you want and allow me to find my happiness in doing your Will.  Lift any and all discouragement from my life and give me the peace you promised to your followers.  Your Peace.  A Peace beyond understanding, that only you can give.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.  

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection.  May God Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you.

Day 14 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season: The Star of Bethlehem.

Scripture:  “But you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel” (Matthew 2:6).

Reflection:  We find God in the least likely places.  The Messiah chooses to be born in Bethlehem. This is not where one might expect to find a King, but it’s where The King of kings is born. The shepherds and the three Kings were able to find Jesus because they followed the star above this small city. God pointed them in the right direction, and He will point us in the right direction too. By The Light  of Christ, The Light of The World, everything becomes clearer.

Questions:   What am I following? Does the path I travel lead to Jesus?  Do I have confidence that God will guide me on my own journey towards Him?  Am I willing to open my eyes wider, and see Christ even in the most unlikely places? In the most unlikely people?

Prayer:  Dear Lord, help me to keep my eyes fixed on you. Help me to take the steps I need to take in order to follow you.  Make my path straight and light the way for me.  I’m trying to find you too.  May your Light guide me in all that I do.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection.  May God Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you.

Day 12 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season:  The Holy Spirit.  

Scripture:

"And the angel said to her in reply, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of The Most High will overshadow you.  Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, The Son of God'"  (Luke 1:35).

Reflection:  We see the action of The Holy Spirit throughout the infancy narrative.  He is the one at work here.  God The Holy Spirit is bringing Christ to us.  He is implementing the plan.  He is making things happen.  Jesus is conceived by the power of The Holy Spirit.  The angel tells Zechariah that John the Baptist "will be filled with The Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb" (Luke 1:15).  When Mary reached Elizabeth the infant in her womb leaped for joy and "filled with The Holy Spirit, she cried out in a loud voice and said Most blessed are you among women"(Luke 1:42). The angel Gabriel reassures Joseph telling him not to be afraid because "it is through The Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived" (Matt 1:20)  The Holy Spirit later guides the shepherds and the three Kings to encounter Jesus.  The Holy Spirit is also active in our own lives.  The Holy Spirit can come upon us, and guide us, and help us to grow in holiness.

Questions:  Do I allow The Spirit of God to guide me?  Am I open to the actions of The Holy Spirit in my own life?  Do I trust Him?

Prayer:  Dear Lord, please help me to let your Spirit into my life.  Help me to stop trying to lead you in the direction I want to go.  Help me to instead allow you to lead me where you want me to go.  Help me not to be afraid of where you will take me.  Help me to trust your plan and be at peace, because The Spirit of Christ will be with me wherever I go.  In Jesus' name. Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection.  May God Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you.

Day 11 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season:  Praising God!

Scripture:  “My soul proclaims the greatness of The Lord.  My spirit rejoices in God my savior” (Luke 1:46-47).

Reflection:  Praise is prayer.  It’s a very powerful form of prayer in which we give God glory and thanksgiving, above all else.  When we pray we grow in relationship with God and also ask Him to assist us in our practical needs, but it’s important to first acknowledge His authority over us.  He’s God.  We’re not.  Even when Jesus taught us to say The Our Father, the greatest prayer of all, He first began with praise – “Hallowed by your name”  (Matthew 6:9).  Praise and Thanksgiving will open up new doors for us.  Let’s pray for the grace to be more grateful for the many blessings God gives us and to glorify His name by our actions and in our prayers.

Questions:  Can I make a new commitment to praising God in prayer every day?  Do I give God His due credit for the many graces and blessings I receive?  What can I do to show my gratitude for God’s Goodness?

Prayer:  Dear Lord, you know my prayers.  You understand all of my intentions.  I thank you for hearing every prayer of mine and for taking care of all of my needs.  Even when I fail to recognize you in my life, I know by faith that you are there.  Help me to be even more thankful for your presence in my life.  Help me to thank you continually and to praise your name.  Even including one simple “Praise you Jesus” in my prayer life can help me to honor you.  Above all, help me to give you the greatest glory by being an example of your Love.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection.  May God Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you.

Day 10 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season:  “A Strong Faith”

Scripture:  “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled” (Luke 1:45).

Reflection:  I believe this scripture points to the subject of long-term faith.  We have faith when we feel hopeful and motivated, but what about when things take longer than we thought, or something turns out differently?  Do we have the patience of a faith that lasts?  Mary believed what the angel said and I’m sure her faith was strong when “the angel departed from her.”  But she also had faith when she and Joseph had to make a long and treacherous journey to Bethlehem.  Mary knew that when God calls us to do something, He will see us through it.  God revealed a truth to her, a truth that would never be understood by the world, and she knew He would bring keep His word.

Questions:  How long does my faith last?  Have I given up on God?  Am I willing to ask God to give me a mission, a new purpose for my life?  Do I trust God to carry out His plan in me, or do I try to carry it alone?

Prayer: Dear Lord, you know my faith isn’t as strong as I would like it to be.  Sometimes life really doesn’t make sense.  I want to have a stronger faith.  Not one that is fleeting and changing depending on my circumstances, but one that holds everything together.  One that lasts.  Real faith is in it for the long haul and produces results.  Help me to look to you as my strength and my shield on my journey here on earth, and grant me the grace to follow you, to do your Will, and to live with you forever in Heaven.  Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection.  May God Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you.

Day 9 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season: GOD’S SURPRISES!

Scripture:

"But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be" (Luke 1:29)           

Reflection:

Mary probably wasn't expecting this life-changing news for the whole world.  It must have surprised her to say the least.  It seems she wasn't quite sure what to make of it at first.  It was unexpected.  Mary, Zechariah, Joseph, and the shepherds in the fields, were all just going about their daily business when the angel Gabriel came to them.  They were just performing their regular duties when suddenly God called upon them.  God reveals something extraordinary to them, in an ordinary way.  This scripture is encouraging to all who may feel stuck, who may feel like life isn't going anywhere, that things aren't progressing the way we'd like.  At any moment, God can turn things around.  Let's be careful not to plan too much and give God room to surprise us with something more wonderful than we could have imagined ourselves.

Questions:

Am I open to new ideas?  Am I flexible in my personal and spiritual life?  Can I surrender my plans to God?  Who's in control of them?

Prayer:

Dear Lord, help me not to underestimate the small events of my daily life.  You can use them to do great things.  Help me to see that you can work miracles in any situation.  Help me to place my hope in you, not in the miracle.  Help me to trust that you are in control of my life.  Lord, you can use anything to bring us closer to yourself, even the little things.  Help me to do what you want me to do, and say what you want me to say, and become who you want me to become and I know the miracles will show up.  Help me to seek first your Kingdom, and place all of my hope in you. In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection.  May God Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you.

Day 8 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season:  Mary Visits Elizabeth ...

Scripture:

"During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth"  (Luke 1:39).   

Reflection:

With Jesus now within her, Mary immediately brings Him to others.  She travels to meet her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John The Baptist, and the two women rejoice over the blessings within them.  We are also called to bring Christ to others, but first we must receive Him ourselves.  It's easier to talk about Christ than to be His follower.  We all struggle with this.  No one is perfect.  We don't always act like Christians, but we must keep trying.  This is how we will bring Jesus into the world, by being an example of His Love.

Questions:

What can I do today that will reflect Christ to others?  In what ways has someone shown Christ to me?  How far am I willing to go to bring Jesus to someone in need?

Prayer:

Dear Lord, I pray for the grace to receive you today in a new way.  I ask you to heal me, so that I may then bring your healing love to others.  Help me to open my heart to you, so that I can become all you have created me to be.  The greatest thing I can do for anyone else is to be the person I'm meant to be, living my life the way you want me to.  Your presence within me, will then attract others to you.  God, forgive me for all the times I fail to reflect you, and help me to keep moving forward in Love.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection.  May God Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you.