PRESENT WEEK'S GLIMPSE OF GOD

GLIMPSE FOR THR WEEK OF AUGUST 2, 2026

On this beautiful day, the first weekend in August, the beginning of the end of
summer vacation for college students, everything is already back to school and
Christmas in July, well wait a few months and the heat wave, humidity will
probably be a welcome interruption to the winter weather surprises that await
us. As You begin a new week, and a new month, try to begin it by looking all
around you to see the newness that surrounds you, be it in nature with the
flowers that are blooming, the leaves on the trees that continue to look full
and vibrant, and the grass that is very green and growing (thanks to the many
occasions of God’s watering bucket pouring over us) or in relationships with 
new life being born, reconciliation occurring, milestones being accomplished,
and or a healing received. As we physically can see the newness of each day
with the sunrise, more daylight than darkness, and God’s creatures
participating in the circle of life, we can also see the newness in our heart with
the added light of God’s love, compassion, understanding and mercy that we
receive and that which we share. The darkness of sin, revenge, anger, and
bitterness have been removed, we have been transformed and we now can
hear clearly Jesus saying to us; Peace be with you. As Jesus offers us His peace
He setting a path before us that is paved with the opportunity for continuing
conversion, transformation and reformation into a greater reflection of God's
presence
Each day we can look to see a sense of newness in people's outlooks and
attitudes, disposition and perspectives. This newness can be a result of
gratitude for the gift of a new day, quality time off spent with family and
friends, a good health report, a greater appreciation for loved ones, or the loss
of a loved one knowing and trusting that they are in the loving embrace of
God.  In all of these invitations to undergo transformation, seek to recognize
God's call, God's beckoning to you to a newness of life, to a spiritual and
personal transformation so that you can become your best self, the person
that He created you to be and have the potential to become. We are a
resurrected, sacramental people. Our old selves have been redeemed and we
are to put on the new self of compassion, mercy, love, peace, joy, and
happiness. The newness comes when we can let go of the old self and its
negative ways and put on newness of a different way. So, as you begin a new
day look for the newness of relationships, those with your family, friends,
community members, coworkers, the stranger and even your enemy. What
can this newness look like? It can take the form of reconciliation with another,
mercy and compassion for another, a sense of joyful celebration with another,

a spiritual, emotional, or physical healing for a loved one or yourself, greater
respect, understanding and empathy towards another and a greater sense of
being loved by God within yourself.
And as I continue to reflect on the newness of life and being a resurrected
people, I cannot help but about the many invitations to new life I have
received this past week. Through the sacraments of anointing and
reconciliation, I was able to let go, a little bit more, of a deep hurt that has
been bringing me down and had me questioning my self worth. It seemed
that death, through others words and actions, were the devils tools to keep me
in the darkness of anger, hurt, frustration and an unsettled spirit and wanted
to rob me of the light that can emerge from the darkness of the tomb.
I believe that our dying to self, our tomb experiences, is not the beginning of
darkness and the end of light, but rather it is the beginning of light and the
end of darkness. If we recognize that the many painful life challenges that we
experience are not meant to put us or keep us in the dark, but rather are
opportunities to see them in the light of God’s love, then we are a renewed
people. When we can emerge from the tomb filled with greater hope, trust
and faith, then we are a renewed people and the light of God’s love, shines
even brighter.
Will putting on newness be easy? Will being able to recognize a newness in
life be easy? No!!! It is different and change can be difficult, but not
impossible. Next time, when you feel discouraged, try to smile, not a fake
smile, but rather one that reflects you feeling God's loving embrace at that
moment.
Remember YOU ARE GOD’S BELOVED CHILD, LOVED
UNCONDITIONALLY, BEYOND MEASURE AND NOTHING YOU
DO, OR SAY, ANY SIN THAT  YOU COMMIT, OR HOW YOU FEEL,
OR WHAT YOU THINK, WILL MAKE GOD LOVE YOU LESS. HE
CAN'T.
Allowing oneself to feel the newness of life, is allowing oneself to feel the
newness of God's love in a special way. Be re-newed, after all your newness of
life began when God formed you in the womb and called you by a new name.
Celebrate the peace, the joy and de-lightfulness that comes from this new life
experience and share it with another, one smile, one laugh, one prayer of
gratitude at a time.
As you journey through the newness of each day, try to recognize how or what
has been renewed from within and around you.

SUNDAY - In nature I can see new life in and through…..
MONDAY - In my family, I can see new life in and through…….
TUESDAY - In my relationships, I can see new life in and through……
WEDNESDAY - In my weakness and sin I want to see new life in and
through…
THURSDAY - In my spiritual life, I can see new life in and through….
FRIDAY - In the mirror, I can see, hear, speak, taste, and smell new life by…
SATURDAY - In my desire to become my best self, I choose to see new life in
and through all that I do, think, say and pray……..

G