Tag: peace

Keep Your Eyes Fixed on Heaven

“Keep your eyes fixed on Heaven, and earth will be thrown in. Keep your eyes fixed on earth and you will get nothing.”
— C. S. Lewis

There is a profound truth in these words attributed to C. S. Lewis. They remind us that where we focus our eyes, our hearts tend to follow.

We live in a world filled with distractions. We worry about money, politics, health, possessions, relationships, the news, and what tomorrow may bring. None of these things are necessarily bad. But when they become the center of our lives, they can cause us to forget what matters most.

This world is temporary. Heaven is eternal.

What Are Your Eyes Fixed On?

Imagine walking down a path while constantly looking behind you. You would stumble over things you could easily have avoided.

Life can be like that.

If we spend all our time looking at the problems of this world, our problems can become larger than they really are. Fear can replace faith. Anxiety can replace peace. Discouragement can replace hope.

But when we lift our eyes toward God, something changes.

We begin to see our problems from an eternal perspective.

The bills may still be there. The difficult person may still be difficult. The news may still be troubling. Our circumstances may not immediately change.

But we change.

We remember that God is bigger than our problems.

“Set Your Mind on Things Above”

St. Paul gives us a similar message:

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
— Colossians 3:2

This doesn’t mean that Christians should ignore earthly responsibilities.

Quite the opposite.

We have families to love, bills to pay, work to accomplish, neighbors to help, communities to serve, and people who need our kindness.

But we should do these things with Heaven in our hearts.

When Heaven becomes our destination, earth becomes our assignment—not our final home.

Earth Is a Gift, Not the Destination

God has given us this life as a tremendous gift.

We should enjoy the beauty around us. We should appreciate family and friends. We should laugh, work, serve, celebrate and give thanks.

But we should never confuse the gift with the Giver.

Everything we have ultimately comes from God.

Our homes, possessions, talents, opportunities, relationships and even our next breath are gifts.

And one day, we will leave all of those earthly things behind.

We cannot take our bank accounts with us.

We cannot take our houses.

We cannot take our cars.

We cannot take our accomplishments.

But we can take love.

We can take the good we have done for others in God’s name.

We can take the faith we have cultivated.

And, by God’s grace, we can take our souls home to Him.

When Heaven Is Our Focus, Earth Falls Into Perspective

Think about how different life looks when we remember that it is temporary.

Someone insults us.

Is it worth carrying resentment for years?

Someone hurts us.

Can we forgive them and place the matter in God’s hands?

We lose something we treasured.

Can we say, “Lord, thank You for the time I had it”?

We face an uncertain future.

Can we say, “God, I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I know You hold tomorrow”?

That is the freedom that comes from keeping our eyes fixed on Heaven.

Don’t Let the World Steal Your Peace

The world constantly tells us:

“You need more.”

God tells us:

“Trust Me.”

The world says:

“Be afraid.”

God says:

“Do not be afraid.”

The world says:

“Look at what you don’t have.”

God says:

“Look at what I have already given you.”

The world says:

“Protect yourself at all costs.”

Christ teaches us to love, forgive, serve, and give.

The difference is enormous.

Heaven Changes How We Live Today

Keeping our eyes on Heaven doesn’t make us less useful on earth.

It makes us more useful.

If I know this life is temporary, I have a greater reason to make every day count.

I can encourage someone who is lonely.

I can forgive someone who has hurt me.

I can pray for someone who has wronged me.

I can feed someone who is hungry.

I can listen to someone who needs to talk.

I can share my faith.

I can thank God for another day.

I can use whatever blessings God has placed in my hands for His glory and for the good of others.

That is what living with our eyes on Heaven looks like.

A Simple Daily Practice

Perhaps we can begin each morning with a simple prayer:

“Lord, help me keep my eyes on You today.

Help me remember that this world is temporary and Heaven is eternal.

Help me use everything. You have given me for Your glory.

Help me forgive those who have hurt me.

Help me love those who are difficult to love.

Help me not become consumed by the problems of this world.

And when I become worried, remind me to look up.

My hope is not in this world. My hope is in You. Amen.”

Look Up

We don’t know how many days God has given us.

That is why today matters.

Don’t waste today worrying about yesterday.

Don’t spend today being consumed by tomorrow.

And don’t allow the temporary things of earth to make you forget the eternal things of Heaven.

Look up.

Fix your eyes on Christ.

Trust God with the things you cannot control.

Use today to love, forgive, serve, and give thanks.

Because when our eyes are fixed on Heaven, we can live on earth with greater peace, greater purpose, and greater hope.

Heaven is real. Eternity is coming.

So let us keep our eyes fixed on Heaven—and trust God to take care of the rest.

Thank you for reading this blog. Please share with others.

Rick Herring
thmjmj@gmail.com

P.S. To check out The Good News Newsletter and all you get with it for FREE, click here.

August 15, 2026
The Gettysburg Address:

A Spiritual Reflection on Freedom, Sacrifice, and Our Duty Under God

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” — Psalm 33:12

As Americans, we have recently celebrated the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. For two and a half centuries, our Republic has remained an extraordinary experiment in self-government. Through wars, hardships, triumphs, and blessings, our nation has endured because millions of Americans have believed that liberty is a gift worth protecting.

Few documents capture that truth more beautifully than President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.

Delivered on November 19, 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, Lincoln spoke only 272 words. Yet those few words have echoed across generations because they touched something much deeper than politics—they spoke to the human soul.

Freedom Is a Gift from God

Lincoln began:

“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”

Those words remind us of a profound truth.

Human dignity does not come from governments. It comes from God.

The Founding Fathers declared in the Declaration of Independence that our rights are endowed by our Creator. Every human life possesses immeasurable worth because every person is created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27).

This truth lies at the very heart of Christianity.

Whether rich or poor, famous or forgotten, healthy or disabled, every human being is loved by God.

That conviction gave birth to the American experiment and continues to guide our nation today.

Sacrifice Reflects the Greatest Love

The Battle of Gettysburg became one of the bloodiest battles ever fought on American soil. Thousands of soldiers willingly gave what Lincoln called “the last full measure of devotion.”

As Christians, we cannot help but hear echoes of our Lord’s own words:

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

Every soldier who willingly sacrifices for others reminds us—however imperfectly—of Christ’s supreme sacrifice upon the Cross.

Jesus freely laid down His life so that all humanity might live forever.

Every act of genuine self-sacrifice reflects something of God’s own love.

“We Cannot Consecrate This Ground”

Lincoln declared:

“We cannot dedicate—we cannot consecrate—we cannot hallow—this ground.”

The soldiers themselves had already done that through their sacrifice.

There is a deeply spiritual lesson here.

Sacrifice always sanctifies.

Parents who sacrifice for their children.

Priests who faithfully serve their people.

Missionaries who give their lives to spread the Gospel.

Doctors, nurses, first responders, caregivers, and countless ordinary people quietly giving themselves each day.

These acts of love become holy because they imitate Christ.

Holiness is rarely found in comfort.

It is found in faithful self-giving.

The Unfinished Work

Lincoln challenged the living:

“It is for us the living… to be dedicated here to the unfinished work…”

Every generation receives an unfinished task.

As Christians, our unfinished work is even greater.

We are called to spread the Gospel.

To forgive those who hurt us.

To defend the dignity of every human life.

To strengthen our families.

To care for the poor.

To love our neighbors.

To build God’s Kingdom one soul at a time.

Each generation must decide whether it will continue this sacred work or leave it unfinished.

“Under God”

Perhaps the most significant words in the Gettysburg Address are often overlooked.

Lincoln spoke of

“this nation, under God…”

Those two words remind us that no nation ultimately governs itself.

God remains Lord of history.

Nations rise.

Empires fall.

Borders change.

Cultures evolve.

But God’s Kingdom endures forever.

Our founders understood that freedom survives only when it is rooted in virtue, morality, and faith.

When people forget God, freedom eventually weakens because liberty without virtue becomes selfishness.

True freedom is not merely the ability to do whatever we wish.

True freedom is the ability to choose what is good.

A New Birth of Freedom

Lincoln prayed that America might experience “a new birth of freedom.”

Christ offers something even greater.

He offers every one of us a new birth through grace.

Jesus told Nicodemus:

“Unless one is born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)

Political freedom is precious.

Spiritual freedom is eternal.

The greatest liberty is freedom from sin.

Only Christ can give that gift.

The Greatest Citizenship

As grateful as we are to live in the United States, Scripture reminds us that our highest citizenship is not earthly.

Saint Paul writes:

“Our citizenship is in heaven.” (Philippians 3:20)

We honor our country.

We pray for our leaders.

We cherish the freedoms secured by generations of brave Americans.

But we never lose sight of our eternal homeland.

Every nation, including our own, is temporary.

The Kingdom of God alone is everlasting.

Our Resolution Today

Lincoln asked Americans to resolve that those who died would not have died in vain.

As Christians, may we make an even greater resolution.

May we resolve to live lives worthy of the blessings God has given us.

May we treasure religious liberty by using it to worship Him faithfully.

May we defend the dignity of every person.

May we become instruments of peace in a divided world.

And may we always remember that the greatest freedom is not found in politics, wealth, or power—but in belonging completely to Jesus Christ.

As we celebrate America’s 250 years, let us thank Almighty God for His countless blessings upon our nation.

Then let us pray that America will always remain “one nation under God,” seeking His wisdom, His mercy, and His truth.

For when a nation humbly walks with God, it finds not only freedom for today but hope for eternity.

“If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” — John 8:36

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Rick Herring
thmjmj@gmail.com

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July 6, 2026
Happy 250th Birthday, America!
A Nation Blessed with the Gift of Religious Freedom

Today, July 4, 2026, the United States of America celebrates an extraordinary milestone—250 years as a free and independent nation.

From the ringing of the Liberty Bell to the waving of countless American flags across our land, Americans pause today to remember the courage, faith, and sacrifice of those who established a nation unlike any the world had ever known.

While the Declaration of Independence announced our political freedom, it also reflected a deeper conviction shared by many of our Founding Fathers: that our rights do not come from government but from Almighty God.

The Declaration boldly proclaims:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights…”

Those words changed history.

Our founders understood that governments may protect rights, but they do not create them. Because our rights come from our Creator, they cannot rightly be taken away by kings, presidents, or legislatures.

This understanding became one of the cornerstones of the American experiment.

The Blessing of Religious Liberty

One of America’s greatest gifts to the world has been the protection of religious freedom.

The First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees that government shall neither establish a national religion nor prohibit the free exercise of religion. This remarkable principle allows people to worship God according to the dictates of their conscience.

For millions of Americans over the past two and a half centuries, churches have stood at the heart of their communities.

They have been places where:
- Children learned about God.
- Families celebrated baptisms and weddings.
- Communities gathered during times of joy and sorrow.
- Missionaries were sent around the world.
- Countless acts of charity were inspired by faith.
Religious liberty has allowed people of many faith traditions to live together peacefully while remaining free to proclaim their beliefs.

Faith in the Words of the Founders

Many of America’s founders spoke openly about the importance of faith and virtue in sustaining a free nation.

George Washington wrote:

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”

John Adams observed:

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.”

These statements remind us that freedom carries responsibility. A free people must also strive to be a virtuous people.

Freedom Is Never Free

As we celebrate this historic anniversary, we also remember the generations of Americans who preserved these freedoms.

From the soldiers of the Revolutionary War to those serving today, millions have sacrificed so that future generations might continue to enjoy liberty.

Many never returned home.

Their courage reminds us that freedom is precious and must never be taken for granted.

A Time for Gratitude

The 250th birthday of the United States is more than a national celebration.

It is an opportunity to thank God for the blessings we have received:
- Freedom to worship.
- Freedom to speak.
- Freedom to assemble.
- Freedom to serve our neighbors.
- Freedom to pursue lives rooted in faith, hope, and charity.
As people of faith, we recognize that every blessing ultimately comes from God. We pray that He will continue to guide our nation with wisdom, justice, humility, and peace.

May America always remain a land where faith may be lived openly, where families may flourish, and where every generation remembers that true freedom begins with obedience to God.

Happy 250th Birthday, America!

May God continue to bless these United States of America.

May He bless all who call this nation home.

And may we always remember the words engraved on our coins:

“In God We Trust.” 🇺🇸

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July 4, 2026
Is God the CEO of your Business
Running a business is more than making profits, building teams, or reaching goals. For many entrepreneurs and leaders, business is also a spiritual assignment. The question every business owner should ask is this: Who is really leading the company? Is it driven only by human wisdom and ambition, or is God the true CEO?

God Gave Us Authority — But the Power Belongs to Him

From the beginning, God gave mankind authority over the earth, the animals, and the plants. He entrusted humanity with stewardship and responsibility. Yet while we have authority, the ultimate power still belongs to God.

Many business owners work tirelessly trying to carry every burden alone. They make decisions based only on trends, emotions, or financial pressure. But true success comes when we surrender our business plans to God and recognize Him as the Senior Partner.

A successful business is not built merely on strategy — it is built on obedience, wisdom, integrity, and faith.

God as the Senior Partner

When we invite God to be the CEO of our business, we acknowledge that He leads and we follow. We stop asking God to bless our plans and begin asking Him to reveal His plans.

Jesus demonstrated this perfectly during His ministry on earth. He continually submitted Himself to the Father’s will. Jesus said He only did what the Father showed Him to do. His ministry was powerful because it operated in complete partnership with God.

Jesus Christ showed us that surrender is not weakness — it is the pathway to divine power and direction.

What Happens When God Leads Your Business?

When God becomes the CEO of your business:
- Decisions are guided by wisdom instead of fear.
- Integrity becomes more important than shortcuts.
- Employees and customers are treated with love and respect.
- Peace replaces constant anxiety.
- Purpose becomes greater than profits alone.
This does not mean there will never be challenges. Every business faces obstacles. But when God is leading, you are no longer carrying the vision alone. You are operating under divine guidance and authority.

Surrender Brings Strength

Many people want God to be their helper, but not their leader. Yet partnership with God requires surrender. A CEO has the final authority. If God is truly the CEO of your business, then His values, His timing, and His direction must come first.

That may mean walking away from dishonest opportunities, treating people fairly even when it costs more, or waiting patiently for God’s timing instead of forcing open doors.

Real faith in business is trusting that God’s way produces lasting success.

Final Thoughts

Your business can become more than a source of income — it can become a ministry, a testimony, and a tool for God’s purpose. When you surrender your plans and allow God to lead as the CEO, you position your business for spiritual and practical success.

The world teaches self-reliance, but God teaches partnership.

The authority may be in our hands, but the power still belongs to Him.

Please bring God into your business as the CEO. The Senior and desiding partner for every decision. Every indeaver. Make your business, your life a ministry to bring people closer to God.

Rick
thmjmj@gmail.com
May 14, 2026
My Life is My Message

When Mahatma Gandhi was asked what his message to the world was, he answered simply:

“My life is my message.”

Few words have ever carried such depth.

Gandhi understood something many of us spend our entire lives trying to learn: our true message is not found in what we say, but in how we live. Our actions speak louder than our intentions, louder than our opinions, and often louder than our prayers.

Whether we realize it or not, every one of us is sending a message to the world every single day.

The question is: how happy are you with your message?

Not the message you post online.
Not the image you try to project.
But the message your daily life reveals.

What does your life say about what you truly value?

Does it say kindness matters?
Does it say people matter?
Does it say faith, honesty, compassion, and love are worth living for?

Or does it reveal something else entirely — fear, anger, selfishness, pride, or indifference?

These are uncomfortable questions because they force us to look honestly at ourselves. It is far easier to talk about goodness than it is to live it consistently.

Most people want to be remembered well. They want their lives to mean something. Yet meaning is not created in grand moments alone. It is built quietly in everyday choices.

In how we treat the waiter.
In how we speak to family.
In whether we forgive.
In whether we help someone who cannot repay us.
In whether we choose bitterness or grace.

A life becomes a message one decision at a time.

The beautiful thing is this: no matter what your message has been up to now, you can begin changing it today.

A harsh person can become gentle.
A selfish person can become generous.
A lonely person can become a source of encouragement.
A wounded person can become a healer.

Every sunrise offers another opportunity to live differently.

Saint Francis of Assisi is believed to have said, “Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.”

The world does not only need more opinions. It needs more living examples. More people whose lives quietly radiate peace, integrity, humility, and love.

Your life may never be written about in history books. Most of ours will not be. But every life leaves fingerprints on other people. Every conversation, every kindness, every act of patience or cruelty echoes farther than we imagine.

Someone is learning from your life right now.

A child.
A friend.
A stranger.
A neighbor.
Perhaps even someone silently struggling.

What message are they receiving?

At the end of our lives, people will not remember most of the words we said. They will remember how we made them feel. They will remember whether our presence brought light or darkness, hope or discouragement, peace or conflict.

“My life is my message.”

Perhaps the real challenge is not admiring Gandhi for saying it, but asking ourselves if we are willing to say the same.

And if not today, what must change so that one day we can?

Click Here is a way to make the message of your life truly dianamic and change the world begining with you.

Rick

thmjmj@gmail.com

May 8, 2026
Lead Me in the Way You Desire
Trusting God When We Do Not Understand

There is a prayer so simple, so humble, and so powerful that it can change a life:

“Lord, if this is not Your will, take it from me. Lead me in the way You desire.”

Those words are not words of defeat. They are words of surrender. They are words of trust.

In a world that teaches us to cling, control, and chase our own plans, this prayer invites us to open our hands and let God lead.

When Our Plans Are Not God’s Plans

We often pray for what we want:
- A door to open
- A relationship to work
- A dream to come true
- A burden to be lifted
Yet sometimes God whispers, “I have something better.”

Scripture reminds us:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord…
— Book of Jeremiah 29:11

And in Book of Proverbs we are told:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

Faith is not always knowing where the road leads.

Faith is trusting the One who leads.

The Courage of “Take It From Me”

Sometimes we hold onto things God wants us to release:
- Worry
- Pride
- Old wounds
- Fear
- Even dreams that are not His will
To pray “take it from me” is brave.

It echoes the prayer of Jesus of Nazareth in Gethsemane:

“Not my will, but Yours be done.”

That is not weakness.

That is holiness.

God Leads Through Closed Doors Too

Some of God’s greatest mercies come disguised as unanswered prayers.

A closed door may be protection.

A delay may be preparation.

A “no” may be guidance.

Many times we understand only later that what we asked God to remove… He removed out of love.

And what He asked us to surrender… He replaced with grace.

Following the Way He Desires

When we ask God to lead us, He often guides in gentle ways:
- Through prayer
- Through Scripture
- Through silence
- Through wise friends
- Through unexpected opportunities
- Through peace in the heart
Often His leading is not dramatic.

It is daily.

One faithful step at a time.

As Book of Psalms says:

“Your word is a lamp unto my feet…”

Notice—a lamp, not a floodlight.

Enough light for the next step.

That is usually how God leads.

A Prayer for Today

You may want to pray this slowly:

Lord,
If this is not Your will, take it from me.
Remove what keeps me from You.
Close doors I should not walk through.
Open the ones You desire.
Lead me in Your way,
Shape me by Your wisdom,
And help me trust even when I do not understand.
Not my will, Lord—
Yours be done.
Amen.

Final Thought

Surrender is not losing your way.

It is finding God’s way.

And there is no safer place than being led by Him.

When life feels uncertain, pray simply:

“Lord, if this is not Your will, take it from me. Lead me in the way You desire.”

That prayer can change everything.

Thank you for reading this blog. Please share it with others.

Rick Herring
April 27, 2026
Together we Grow

To build Community we must share. We must care for those around us. To be a blessing we must truly be a blessing.

You are my community. We truly have a community of love and sharing, joy and peace. The time has come to add a sustainable income source so we can help those that have no income. Those that are struggling. Those that need a helping hand. a hand up.

This is the community we are building. A community where we share, care, lift up, become one with God our Father. To be fill with and guided by the Holy Spirit.

“The Lord hears the cry of the poor.” Psalm 34: 6
Together we can build a community that has the resources to reach, while building our resources, our email list, our income.

These are just a few of the short Bible verse videos I ha ve posted on YouTube and other social media. Many are getting over 100 views their first day.

To be part of that community, click Here.

Thank you for reading and watching. Please share with others.

Rick Herring
thmjmj@gmail.com

April 15, 2026
Promises Attached to the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
OUR LORD’S PROMISES ATTACHED TO THE
PRAYING OF THE
CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY
AS REVEALED TO ST. FAUSTINA KOWALSKA
1. “I promise that the soul that will venerate this image (of Divine Mercy) will not perish. I also promise victory over (its) enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I Myself will defend it as My own glory.” (Diary, 48)
1. “The souls that say this chaplet will be embraced by My mercy during their lifetime and especially at the hour of their death.” (Diary, 754)
1. “When hardened sinners say it, I will fill their souls with peace, and the hour of their death will be a happy one.” (Diary, 1541)
1. “When they say this chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as a just Judge but as a merciful Savior.” (Diary, 1541)
1. “Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death.” (Diary, 687)
1. “Priests will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite mercy…I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in My mercy.” (Diary, 687)
1. “To priests who proclaim and extol My mercy, I will give wondrous power; I will anoint their words and touch the hearts of those to whom they will speak.” (Diary, 1521)
1. “The prayer most pleasing to Me is prayer for the conversion for sinners. Know, my daughter, that this prayer is always heard and answered.” (Diary, 1397)
1. “At three o’clock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony…I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion.” (Diary, 1320; also, cf. Diary, 1572)
1. “Souls who spread the honor of My mercy…at the hour of death I will not be a Judge for them, but the Merciful Savior.” (Diary, 1075)
1. “The two rays denote Blood and Water…These two rays issued from the very depths of My tender mercy when My agonized Heart was opened by a lance on the Cross. These rays shield souls from the wrath of My Father…I desire that the first Sunday after Easter be the Feast of Mercy…whoever approaches the Fount of Life on this day will be granted complete remission of sins and punishment. Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My mercy.” (Diary, 299-300)
1. “I desire that the Feast of Mercy…be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter…The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion (in a state of grace on this day) shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.” (Diary, 699)
1. “Through this chaplet you will obtain everything, if what you ask for is compatible with My will.” (Diary, 1731)
1. “My mercy is greater than your sins and those of the entire world.” (Diary, 1485)
Note: Excerpts taken from the Diary of St. Faustina Kowalska, titled Divine Mercy in My Soul, ©1987, Congregation of Marians of the Immaculate Conception, Stockbridge, MA 01263.

Spirituality

About Fr. Wade Menezes

Fr. Wade L. J. Menezes, CPM is a member of the Fathers of Mercy, a missionary preaching Religious Congregation based in Auburn, Kentucky. Ordained a priest during the Great Jubilee Year 2000, he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Catholic Thought from the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Toronto, Canada and his dual Master of Arts and Master of Divinity Degrees in Theology from Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut. His secular college degrees are in journalism and communications. View all posts by Fr. Wade Menezes →
April 11, 2026
We all Live in the Disgration of God

In the Discretion of God

Last night, I was speaking with my sister about a priest who had planned to retire at the age of seventy-five. He had given years of faithful service and, by all expectations, was ready to step away from ministry. Yet, because he served at the discretion of his bishop, his plans changed. Instead of retiring, he was assigned to pastor a startup church—beginning again when he thought he was finished.

That conversation stayed with me.

This morning, I woke up with a deeper realization: we all serve at the discretion of God. Not at our own timing, not according to our own carefully arranged plans, but according to His will. And if we are honest, that truth is both humbling and unsettling.

Scripture reminds us of this reality in powerful ways. When Judas left the Last Supper, it is written that the devil had already entered him as he went out to betray the Lord. Even in that moment—dark, painful, and seemingly out of control—God’s greater purpose was unfolding. Nothing was outside His authority.

This truth became even more personal this week.

My sister had planned to retire after thirty-six years of banking. It was meant to be a joyful milestone. After decades of working alongside the same people, there were surely plans for celebration, reflection, and closure. But life had other plans.

Her husband suffered a heart attack.

Instead of enjoying her final days at work, she spent her next-to-last day driving to Oklahoma City and sitting in a hospital room through the night. He received a stent, and by April 2nd, they returned home to Atoka, Oklahoma. What was supposed to be a week of celebration became a week of crisis, care, and uncertainty.

And yet, in that disruption, there was a greater truth revealed: no matter how much we plan, God is in charge.

We map out our lives with timelines and expectations. We anticipate milestones and transitions. But in a moment, everything can shift. Not because God has lost control—but because He never relinquished it in the first place.

Even Jesus Christ Himself lived in complete submission to the Father’s will. He did not act independently of God’s purpose. He walked a path that led through suffering—His Passion, His crucifixion, and ultimately His resurrection. From a human perspective, it may have looked like tragedy or defeat. But in God’s plan, it was redemption.

If Jesus, the Son, lived and served according to the Father’s will, how much more must we?

We may not always understand why our plans are interrupted. We may not see the purpose behind sudden changes or painful circumstances. But we can trust that nothing is wasted in God’s hands.

The priest who thought he was retiring found himself beginning anew. My sister who expected celebration found herself in a hospital. And in both stories, there is a common thread: God’s authority overrides our expectations.

We do not serve at our own discretion.

We serve at His.

And in that truth, there is both surrender—and peace.

Rick Herring
thmjmj@gmail.com

April 3, 2026
🌿 Palm Sunday: Triumph, Paradox, and the Beginning of Holy Week
Palm Sunday, formally known as Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most sacred time in the Catholic liturgical year. It is a day filled with both celebration and solemnity—a powerful contrast that captures the heart of the Christian mystery: Christ as both triumphant King and suffering Savior.

This sacred day commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, where crowds welcomed Him with palm branches and cries of “Hosanna!” Yet, within the same liturgy, the Church invites us to hear the Passion narrative, where those cries shift dramatically to “Crucify Him!” This tension invites deep reflection on faith, human weakness, and divine love.

🌿 The Symbolism of Palms

Palm branches are central to the celebration of this day. In ancient times, palms symbolized victory and triumph, and in the Church, they represent Christ’s victory over sin and death.

During Mass, palms are blessed and distributed to the faithful, who often take them home as sacramentals—visible reminders of spiritual realities. Many Catholics place them in their homes, behind crucifixes, or in prayer spaces as a sign of protection and devotion.

In a beautiful liturgical cycle, these same palms are later burned to create ashes for the following year’s Ash Wednesday, linking Christ’s triumph with our call to repentance.

✝️ The Liturgy: Joy and Sorrow Together

Palm Sunday Mass is unique because it contains two distinct and contrasting moments:

1. The Procession of Palms

The celebration often begins outside the church with a procession, recalling Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. The faithful carry palm branches, singing hymns of praise just as the crowds did centuries ago.

2. The Proclamation of the Passion

Later in the Mass, the tone shifts dramatically as the Passion narrative is read—often with multiple voices representing different characters. This reading recounts the suffering and death of Christ.

The priest wears red vestments, symbolizing the blood of Christ’s sacrifice. The liturgy intentionally holds both joy and sorrow together, reminding us that glory and suffering are inseparably linked in the Christian life.

📖 A Story That Defines All Stories

Palm Sunday is not just a historical remembrance—it is an invitation.

The Church presents this day as a “defined story”—one that shapes how believers understand love, sacrifice, betrayal, and redemption. As we hear the Passion, we are not passive listeners; we are participants, called to reflect:
- Where do we stand in the crowd?
- Are we praising Christ one moment and turning away the next?
- How do we respond to suffering, both our own and others’?
This day challenges us to confront the reality of sin while embracing the hope of salvation.

🕊️ Humility and Kingship

One of the most striking elements of Palm Sunday is how Jesus enters Jerusalem—not on a war horse, but on a donkey.

This detail is deeply symbolic:
- A war horse represents power, conquest, and earthly authority.
- A donkey represents humility, peace, and service.
Christ reveals a different kind of kingship—one rooted not in domination, but in self-giving love. He is both King and Suffering Servant, a paradox that lies at the core of Christian belief.

🌿 Entering Holy Week

Palm Sunday opens the door to Holy Week, leading toward the profound events of:
- Holy Thursday – The Last Supper
- Good Friday – The Passion and Crucifixion
- Holy Saturday & Easter Vigil – The Resurrection
It is a day that asks us not just to remember, but to walk with Christ—through praise, through suffering, and ultimately, toward new life.

✨ Final Reflection

Palm Sunday is a mirror of the human heart and a revelation of divine love. It reminds us that faith is not just about moments of joy, but also about fidelity in times of trial.

As we hold our palm branches, we are invited to follow Christ—not only in celebration, but all the way to the Cross… and beyond it, to the hope of Resurrection.

“Hosanna in the highest!” — and may those words echo in our lives, not just today, but every day.

If you liked this article, pleAse share your feedback, share with others and come back for more stories.

Rick Herring
thmjmj@gmail.com
March 29, 2026