Divine Mercy Sunday...My favorite day of the year!

Can we Take One for Jesus?...

I wrote this after hearing Dr. Ray's monologue of Wed. Feb 13 2008. That can be downloaded at www.avemariaradio.net in the archives.



TAKE ONE FOR JESUS

He wasn't just critiqued but He was crucified
Jesus did only good and still He had to die
I try to follow him and claim to and yet
I've such thin skin I can't forget
A harsh word spoken by my tired spouse?
Or an unkind word heard at a friend's house?
I've become so prickly, I'm all 'needles and pins'
And to be quite honest, I don't resemble Him
He stood before his accusers, silent as a lamb
Yet I lash out a retort just as quick as I can?
When I don't get my way and my needs aren't met
I'm seldom found silent because... "I need to vent!"
Mary didn't lash out at those who lashed Her dear Son
She remained silent, too, and like Him, she was dumb
Jesus told us we're going to be hated the same
I wonder when we'll believe Him and realize His Name
Is more than a slogan on a tee shirt we wear
It means going the distance because "life isn't fair"
We're going to be hated and not given respect
But I've never been spit upon for my beliefs yet
I might receive an odd glance or some crude remarks
But nothing like the sword that pierced Mary's heart
We're too slow to forgive, muttering under our breath
I say we "take one" for Jesus, 'cause it's a far cry from death


susie melkus
02-13-08

I'm a big girl now, too...

Just really "into" Dylan lately.

Simple Twist of Fate... good tune, curious video

Uncommon "Cosmic" Connection

Walking five days through the streets of Rome
My sore feet made me wince on each cobblestone
I was having my doubts about this new “pilgrim hobby”
When a “cosmic connection” left me stunned in the lobby

Of the Fleming Hotel, on the outskirts of town
This “divine intersection” so purely profound
Left me wide-eyed with wonder and Father G., too
This “cosmic connection” that came out of the blue

On pilgrimage to Italy, to behold our Mother,
In the lobby we stood a while and talked to each other
This “cosmic connection” left us both a bit dazed
At the Fleming Hotel, in the Mary month of May

We talked more in Assisi and at the airport in Rome
Then a quick hug goodbye and Father jetted for home
I remained one more day there, still so mystified
By this “cosmic connection,” that simply can’t be denied

Now with ardent affection, my prayers daily rise
To our “cosmic connection” beyond the blue skies
Storm heaven, Father Kevin, for your friend, Father G
Please intercede for all he needs and please… pray for me

Susie Melkus
01-20-08

The Finger of God...

Pink High Tops...

Okay, my life is a real Adventure in Oddities of late. Most of you wouldn't understand if I tried to explain, so I'll leave that to the one other soul out there who does, and he knows who he is.

Continuing with my story, I went to You Tube because I've had "Shelter From The Storm" on my brain for days now and was hoping to find the one from Blood on the Tracks, (Bob Dylan for anyone who might not know who I'm talking about here) my favorite version of the tune. Well, I found this movie of someone driving while the song's playing in the background, and to my shock and amazement, a ways "down the road" a pair of pink high tops appear on the dash!! I used to have a pair when I was 30, (a "capturing my lost youth" birthday present to myself) and there they are! Also, I put my feet on the dash all the time... when my husband is driving, that is, not when I drive, so rest easy, folks. This was a fun find this morning. I'm just grinning thinking about those sneakers and the "lost youth" that has suddenly resurfaced, if only in my mind. Here below is my "ode" to my long lost and apparently now famous footwear:

PINK HIGH TOP BLUES

Seems I got a bad case of high top blues

now I'm wonderin' what happened to

that favorite pair of shoes

I never thought about 'em much

'til they showed up in plain view

on this movie that a stranger made

they appear as if on cue

I miss that pair of sneakers

wonderin' where they are

guess they got their lucky break

and became movie stars

if only I would have kept them

then maybe I might have seen

my own feet appear on You Tube

right here on my computer screen

susie melkus

01-23-08

here is my left foot, which did make its debut on YOU TUBE

April Morning...

awake and up before the sun
and ready to hit the road
it's time to get on outta here
I got a burden to unload
this little, blue, heavy heart of mine
feels like it could explode
I sure got a lot o' stuff done though
before the rooster crowed

a gentle breeze, rustles the leaves
fragrant with April's perfume
I glance at my watch and say to myself
I ain't leavin' here any too soon
it's three o'clock in the morning
I should be at your door around noon
got my coffee, water and Twizzlers
and an iPod chock-full of tunes

my little RAV4's hummin' along
northward bound on this interstate
thinking of you, while sipping my brew
it's been a long cold winter to wait
but the frozen winds are finally gone
I heard Spring say “hello” at the gate
even after a year, it still boggles my mind,
our "uncommon connection" of Fete *

I remember so clearly the morning we met
in the lobby of the Fleming Hotel
what a year it's been for both of us
aiming for heaven and battling hell
that's how it goes for us pilgrims
in this tall ship riding high on the swells,
but on the ocean of life, come calm or storm
with His love in our hearts all is well

Yes, with His love in our hearts all is well.

susie melkus
01-17-08

* pronounced 'fate' NOT 'feet'...so it fits, you see?

Sometimes...

sometimes I pout like a little girl
sometimes I'm just plain mad
sometimes I'm lonesome or confused
and sometimes I'm really sad
sometimes I'm afraid of something
and feel so out of place
so I go to my room to be alone
lie on my bed and hide my face
but one thing I know for sure is...
I'm never far away from Your grace.
For You love me when I'm pouting
You love me when I'm mad
You love me when I'm lonesome
You love me when I'm sad
You love me when I feel afraid,
confused or out of place
You love me when I run and hide
with tears that stain my face
You're always there beside me
and You hold me close and say
"You're still the apple of my eye, dear,
so don't be afraid,
it'll be okay."

susie melkus
01-20-08

Password Blues

In the space they call cyber
we create a word for our access.
This word must be like no other
but one we must always remember.
When it all began
there really was no plan.
Any old word would do
maybe even the size of your shoe.
But alas along came the hacker
who evidently knew the size of your shoe.
Make it 8 characters with numbers too,
and a cap here and there to make it strong.
Make sure that you never type wrong.
Your pet's name you used to remember
but Spike or Shep will no longer do.
What? Now it must work with your email too.
Over the space we call cyber
we scatter our words and addresses.
From site to blog to Verizon,
online banking as well as photo making.
It's hard to remember words with no reason.
but I think I've found the solution,
It's simple you see when you just rename your dog
45mkJ3_sPik9Ke_____Password Strength = Strong
Here 45mkJ3_sPik9Ke it's time for a walk
now... where's that damn leash.

Rich Melkus
01.10.08

My hubby wrote this, he who worked diligently on my blog today, that was lost... due to missing passwords and estranged email addresses, but has been found again. Thank you, honey.

A Crazy Girl Is Hard To Find...

This isn't the most 'religious' song....but I happen to think it's great. Maybe I need to go to confession?

Return of a Pilgrim. . .

Hi everyone,

The Roma pilgrimage was just wonderful! I'm not going to post much here, but for some reason the RECON blog was detected as possible 'spam' blog. (!?) That was very frustrating to see when i tried to post on there today.

I got a few great photos of Pope Benedict XVI in the cart before the Wed audience! Scott Hahn even thought it was like a TIME Magazine photo! That was a thrill to hear! I have to admit, I was shaking like a leaf and overcome with emotion when he went by us so closely...about 10 feet away!
Please keep checking http://revertconvert.blogspot.com for the latest and pray that this "spam stuff" just goes away so I can post my photos and thoughts on the pilgrimage.

Thanks!

susie

Had they been Catholic. . .

The Herman's Hermits song, There's A Kind of Hush (All over the world) might have gone like this:


There's a kind of hush all over the world at Mass
All over the world we receive the Lord,
True food that will last...
You know what I mean
As He gives Himself to us everyday we know
He's the Truth, Life and Way to the peace that will last
And with the Saints we can pray

So listen very carefully
Go to Mass and you will see what I mean
It isn't a dream
The only sound that you will hear
Is when He whispers in your ear
"I love you" forever and ever

There's a kind of hush all over the world at Mass
All over the world you can hear the sounds of Love from above
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la

So listen very carefully
Go to Mass and you will see what I mean
It isn't a dream
The only sound that you will hear
Is when He whispers in your ear
"I love you" forever and ever

There's a kind of hush all over the world at Mass
All over the world you can hear the sound of Heaven's sweet Love
Yeah, converts fallin' in love (with The Church)
Hush, they're fallin' in love (with His Church)
Hush

To our precious child...

To Our Precious Child

So courageous was one young mother

To give you birth and life

And her most heroic act of faith

Was to give you to us that night

For she knew she couldn’t care for you

In the way that would be best

We thank the Lord everyday for her choice

And pray that she’ll always be blessed

Though I didn’t carry you inside my womb

For nine months from the very start

Know this, our precious little and dear one,

You were “conceived in prayer” deep in my heart

As the Lord knit and fashioned you together

And you grew in your birth mother’s womb

Your Dad and I cried and prayed to our Lord

For a baby… just like you

Then when you came into this world

And I held you so close to my heart

It didn’t matter to me, or to us, that I’d not

Carried you for nine months from the start

Our God adopted us as His children

And with deepest joy we now adopt you

Trust that our love for you will never be less

Than if I’d carried you within my own womb

When God gave you to us, He gave us to you

And our prayer forever will be…

That you will grow in faith, find hope in His grace

And know that Love is always here...in your family

© Susie Melkus

04.21.07

I wrote this as I remembered my step-sister's adopted son, Sean. This is what I believe Clarann would have written had she ever done so. I don't know for sure, maybe she did write to him something like this. But Clarann, God rest your soul. You were a great mom and a wonderful step-sister. And to all those out there who courageously gave up their babies, their sons or daughters to be adopted...GOD BLESS YOU! YOU ARE HEROES!

Happy Easter Thursday!

Happy Easter Thursday!

How I love the liturgical calendar and seasons in the Catholic Church! Easter isn’t over in a day as it used to be for me. Now it’s a 50 celebration! HE IS RISEN, RISEN INDEED!

And Divine Mercy, my FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR! It has only become that this year, as I never knew before 2005 what Divine Mercy Sunday and the Chaplet were! Having finished reading the Diary of Sister (St) Faustina in Febrary, I can say that Divine Mercy Sunday should be EVERYONE’S favorite day!

Our loving, giving, magnanimous in mercy FATHER, is pouring out mercy right and left to all corners of the earth for those who will be open and receive this generous gift! Can anyone think that they don’t deserve mercy? Yes, many do think and believe that way. BUT, the good news is here…MERCY IS FLOWING and it’s waiting to be received. NO ONE IS “GOOD ENOUGH” none of us deserve mercy! But yet, our Father is pleased to bruise his Son, please with the sacrifice of his Son…for his Son to die on a cross for our redemption! It is foolish of any of us to refuse so great a love and so great a gift as DIVINE MERCY.

Let us honor our beloved Papa, JP II and “drink from the flowing fount of Mercy” this Sunday. Let us delight in the grace and mercy that will fill our souls and our hearts when we open ourselves to receive the cleansing “bath” of this glorious fountain, pouring forth from our Savior’s Heart!

DIVINE MERCY

Let no one be discouraged!
Let no one run in fear!
Let all come to drink
From the Fountain of LIFE!
Let all run to the Lord
Who is near!
Mercy is flowing toward
All broken hearts,
Wounded souls stumbling
Along on the path…
Just reach out,
Grab the hem of His garment,
To find faith, hope and Love
That will last!

© susie melkus

04.12.07

HE IS RISEN! GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!

AND PEACE TO HIS PEOPLE ON EARTH!

PAX,
susie

Good Friday Vignette...

"To love the Mother of Jesus, is to take nothing from our Lord...as some might sadly believe. For to love the mother of a friend, is to love that friend very much." ~ susie


Our Lady's Passion...

The sky grew dark… John saw Jesus’ mother, Mary, begin to tremble and he reached for her, thinking she would collapse with grief. But her strong faith kept her from falling as she stood at the foot of the cross. He held her near his heart, comforting her without words, for there were no words left in him. She clung to John's arm with what little strength remained in her grasp. Fatigued from the stress of this long day, her legs and knees felt weak, as if they could no longer hold her upright.

John motioned for Mary Magdalene’s assistance and together they guided the Mother of our Lord to a nearby rock, where she could rest. Mary Magdalene remained near her side, and could only stare at the pierced and bleeding feet of her Lord. Those feet had brought words of love, forgiveness and truth to her -Truth that set her soul free from the bondage of her sin. Those feet she had kissed and bathed with her tears and dried with her hair, now were covered with blood. Her heart broke like that alabaster jar of precious perfume which she had poured onto the feet of her Lord with such relentless love. Her present grief poured out of her soul in a wail that she could not contain. She reached for Mary’s hand… the sky grew darker still.

Mary, so thankful for the love and devotion of this gentle daughter and dearest friend of Jesus, held her hand in return, as she wept and groaned for her dead Son. She wept, too, for those who, in their ignorance of His love…had crucified Him… the One who loved them so. She wept for those who had hanged Him to this gruesome tree, this cross on a hill called Golgotha. She wept for the vision that now filled her blurry eyes, burning with the sting of bitter tears. She wept for the people of all ages who refused His grace. She wept for babies who would never be born, because of 'the freedom of choice' in a world far into the future. Mary wept for the loss of innocence of children, the loss of families, and the loss of faith. She wept for wars that would continue as peoples' hearts grew steadily hard and cold and vengeful.

Mary clutched her breast and moaned, as a stabbing pain surged through her heart. The same pain she’d felt only hours before, on the bloody path leading to this hill of death. Then the immense pain had ripped through her heart and soul when she had met His deep, loving gaze - when it seemed He’d “held her in His eyes” as if to draw the last of His strength from beautiful memories they’d shared. On that path she’d watched Him staggering, carrying the heavy, rough-hewn beam across His left shoulder, which was now torn bare to the bone from its weight and large splinters. The piercing pain of this sword tore through her heart as she remembered Simeon’s prophecy, so many years ago in the Temple, when she had held Jesus in her arms on that most joyous of days. Tears dropped from her face onto the moist ground, now stained red with the purest of blood. The sky grew even darker...

Nicodemus and Joseph brought Jesus to Mary and laid Him across her lap. With aching arms she embraced his lifeless body. Her tears fell upon His hair. She touched His face with a trembling hand as she tenderly kissed His forehead - pierced and torn by thorns that had been wrapped into a “crown” and cruelly slammed onto His head. A “crown of thorns” fashioned as a final, mocking gesture of her Son, Jesus, the One and True King of Kings. But even in this darkest hour, she sensed and saw, in her mind's eye, a glimmer of light, which she could see faintly - far beyond the pain of this moment of blackness. She saw that this horror, this death so cruel, so bloody, was indeed... good. She saw that His death would bring life to countless millions, who would believe in Him and trust in His love, be revived by His mercy, and live in His grace. She saw those who would find the faith to endure to the end and persevere through trials and hardships yet unimaginable. She saw a glimpse of her Son, as if in a dream, dressed in glorious raiment, and she uttered through her sobs a "thank you" to her Lord, her God, her Savior, her Beloved Son, for allowing her to become the Mother to all of His children, since the world began.

For with her Mother's eyes, she would see her sons and daughters of every age and generation, call her blessed. She saw them run to her much like He had done, with His sorrows and joys as a boy and then as a grown man. He had come to her as a humble baby in her womb and had nursed at her breast. He had run to her when He fell and skinned His knee as a little boy and she had soothed Him with a tender smile and His favorite song, while she tended to His wound. He had found consolation in her arms on nights when sleep didn't come easily and He seemed "a million miles away." He'd found in her a home, a deep love, a trust, and a faith beyond all others, for she was Full of Grace. He had delighted in being with her all His life and had gathered the last of His courage when they had looked into each other's eyes for the last time. And another sob shook her to her core, as she and Mary Magdalene tended to His pale, limp body, preparing Him for burial.

Only moments ago, straining to speak in His last, labored, dying breath, He'd given his beloved Mother to John and John to her. She would go home with John and love him as she had loved Jesus. She would now tend to John's wounded heart, and comfort him with a love only a Mother's consolation could give. She would tell John of Jesus' love and tender mercy for years to come. Her red eyes - swollen, and overflowing once again with tears - looked at John as they lay Jesus in the tomb. John watched with most tender affection, as tears began to roll down her face, falling onto the burial cloth. As he beheld the Mother of his Lord, he thought his heart would break for love of her. He wrapped his arm around her as they left the tomb, speaking these three words softly and lovingly to the Mother of God: "Come home, Mother." Then with the devotion of a true son, he led her safely to his home, to honor and care for her until her time came to leave this earth.

It is my prayer this Easter, that we will all welcome Mary, the Mother of God, into our homes, and into our hearts, to care for her and honor her as did John. As we love the Mother Jesus gave us, we will grow in our love for Jesus, and come to know him more deeply, more intimately. For as I stated above, to love the mother of a friend, is to love that friend, very very much. “ Totus Tuus” To Jesus, through Mary.

© Susie Melkus 02.27.07

Precious Hands of a priest . . .

PRECIOUS HANDS

Through these precious hands

Of His beloved priests
My daily Bread Of Heaven,

Jesus,

Comes to me

When I eat the Flesh of
This Pascal Lamb,
The One True Lamb of God,
I receive Eternal Life
How can I be but awed?

Hands ever extending

God’s mercy and grace,

Hands that bless me every day -
All I can say is “thank you, Father,”
For your "yes" to Christ and I pray...

I pray when the dark night gathers 'round you

And exhaustion leaves you

“Tired to the bone…”
The Hand Of Christ will reach for you,
From His Heavenly Throne.

That His nail-scarred Hand will
Draw you near to his precious Sacred Heart

And you'll find the strength

to persevere,

Even alone in the dark.

May I never take you for granted, Father,
serving us so faithfully

For your precious hands

mean all the world

or rather all The LIFE

to me.

© susie melkus
04.01.07

Carbs...the barbs on the wire fence of life....

“The pain in my laughter and the joy in my tears”…I like that paradox. For there can’t be sorrow without joy or melancholy without laughter in this Chex Mix we call life. The ingredients are best lived, endured and enjoyed when tasted together.

Oh brother, it’s getting to me. Has 6 weeks on the Atkins diet made me suddenly crave cereal and wax poetic about it on this blog? Ah, but without milk in the house (milk has carbs..cream doesn't but milk does)…it’s a futile dream. Brightly colored bowls no longer contain those colloquial Krispies that chattered cheerfully at me every morning. Now it’s only bacon and eggs, lying flat against my boring plate, that give me sustenance. Has the overall loss of accumulated inches on my frame been worth this somewhat monotonous mealtime melancholy? YES. Therein lies the carb-free rub. There was some inner joy,a twinkle of delight experienced in seeing the actual inch loss recorded on paper, next to the inches that were noted in same file 3 months ago. I just pray when CARBS CREEP IN, as carbs are wont to do, that they’ll meet with a vigilant force of my will, and not do to me what they once did when allowed to run rampant; for I dare say, my closet can no longer contain 3 stinkin' sizes of clothes.

Storms of Life...

The Storm of Life...

Jesus would you roll this heavy stone

Away from the door of my heart

And help me to pray for I’m at a loss

And I don’t know where to start

This storm that’s raging inside of me

Would you calm it for me, too?

Like you did so long ago

For that motley fishing crew

In a boat tossed on the waves of Galilee

You brought them safely to dry ground

With a gesture of your loving hand

You spoke and the winds calmed down

Grant me the courage to be still

And know that you are God

To know that everywhere I’ve ever walked

You’ve already trod

You condescended to be dressed

In the frailty of human skin

Leaving radiant glory on a vigilant quest

To win the hearts and souls of men

You poured out your life upon a cross

Stripped of every dignity

You gave your body and shed your blood

On that path of Calvary

Hung from nails driven through your hands

And your blessed, holy feet

A crown of thorns tore your scalp

As You gave your life for me

For all the world and for everyone

You died and rose again

So that all could believe and live forever

In Your Kingdom that knows no end

© Susie Melkus

09.15.06