And so how can we make a difference? Simply by sharing God's gifts - time, talent, treasures. We could could sit with an elderly person for an hour and talk over a cup of tea. Did it change the world? No, but it made a difference in that person's life, and our own. Amen.

Today's Gospel - Matthew 25:1-13 is in part about being ready for the second coming of Jesus Christ. Mass, Sacra-ments, Scripture, and Prayer are the fuel for our lamps. And we in turn are Lights of Christ for our families and friends who are not so ready. Amen.

Jesus came and did the Father's will. When we say the "Our Father" we ask His Will be done. When we are loving, merciful, and charitable we do His Will. Amen.

Love must be the underlying motive for everything we do throughout our lives. Amen.

Keeping in mind our time here is temporary can help us focus on the greater good. Helping others get to Heaven. Amen.

We over complicate our lives. When we eliminate the stuff we really don't need on this journey of life we can focus more clearly on Jesus Christ and what is truly important. Amen.

God created everything. And so when we notice things in our world, God reveals His presence to us. Amen.

God's call for us to be holy can be overwhelming and the required changes in our lives almost impossible. But with God all things are possible. We just need to take baby steps. Amen.

In life's events, we have two choices: Face it, or Escape from it. In the first, we trust God; and in the second, we allow the lies to overcome us. Trust in God. Amen.

In an environment away from the hustle and bustle of daily life we can be in full contact with our inner being and God's movements there. It is certainly not wasted time and it produces great peace and joy. Try it. Amen.

Society seems to focus on physical fitness and appear-ance. What we need to focus on is our spiritual health and the impact it has on our physical and mental health, and relations with others. Amen.

Can prevent us from experiencing God in new and life changing ways. The Holy Spirit's guidance is right, Jesus Christ's word is true, and the Father is loving and merciful. Trust and follow your heart. Amen.

We may be damaged, but we are never broken. God can fix anything. We just have to let Him. Amen.

Simply. God, Our Father, has lovingly given us His rules of the house. We unfortunately often decide not to obey them. There are always con-sequences for our actions. Amen.

No body likes feeling dirty and our sins are dirt on our soul. God desires to wash us. If we are truly repentant and confess our sins, He will forgive us. He knows we are weak - we can wash and repeat as often as necessary. Alleluia.

While God is a mystery, He holds no secrets. We have to look no further than the Gospels and the teachings of Jesus Christ. The grace of faith and the Holy Spirit will lead us to all we need to know on our earthly journey. Amen.

We try to rationalize and justify so many of the things we say and do. What we need to do is let God guide our heart, call it what it really is, learn from it, move on from it and toward God who makes all things good. Amen.

Small faith-based groups are important to our spiritual health. We are challenged and validated in an atmosphere of love and mercy. Amen.

It was a graced filled weekend on another parish sponsored youth retreat. Our teens never cease to amaze me. I have to wear sunglasses and sun-screen to protect from be being burned by these Lights of Christ. Praise be to God!

We love our "routines." We feel safe and secure in the known. But its when we take a risk and go out of our circle we learn to trust God. Why? Because we give up the control we don't have in the first place. Amen.