Martha's Orbital Buzz

SIT, BE, KNOW

Martha — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 14:37:13 +0000

I often say that my favorite Bible verse is Psalm 46:10, “Be Still and know that I am God. And it is, as wonderful blessings and consolations have been my reward during my times of Stillness before him. Most especially those times as documented in my Journey Through The Stillness where I was humbly touched and given an awareness of God’s truths I would never had been able to see had I not been still before Him.
Lately as I return to those journals for comfort and guidance I once again understand the importance of personal stillness time.
After such fabulous gifts and consolations over that time period, I then entered a time of deep desolation and separation from my own soul. I was lost and yet I pressed on to seek and find my way again. I prayed, I continued to write in my journals, and yet I felt nothing.
So, as I said, Psalm 46:10 has an extra special meaning for me. It’s a verse I can lean into and lean on. To put it in perspective I will share something He gave to me in the silence 10 years after that time of special Stillness where He fed me daily. While this is not a Bible verse, I hold it very close to my heart in conjunction with Psalm 46:10. On January 24, 2020 as I struggled to be silent and feeling nothing, feeling disconnected from my soul I distinctly heard His voice. He said, “If you cannot FEEL ME here, then I say to you, KNOW. Sit in the knowledge that I AM IN YOU. SIT, BE, KNOW, Child.”
Oh how I cling to this. He has let me know that bereft of any feelings I can still come and sit, come and be with Him. In fact, He expects me to. He’s told me that stillness is never about feelings or even consolations from Him, but must always be about just being with Him in a state of Love for Him. He will do the rest.
I share this because stillness before Him is often elusive for many of us. And yet, it doesn’t have to be. Just SIT, BE, and KNOW.
Know He is there even if you are struggling to be there yourself.
He wants you to be still and know.

Bought And Paid For

Martha — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 09:00:50 +0000

Crucifix in Sistine Chapel, taken by Martha McDuff Wiggins, 2012

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

During Lent our thoughts turn to the pain and suffering of Our Lord Jesus Christ. When they do, let us also remember why He suffered and died on the Cross. Let us remember it is our personal, private, public, sinful behavior that nailed Him to that Cross. He bought us with His Life, through His death on the Cross. Let us repent; let us reform, and let us live as He wills us to.

The following is from Journey Through The Stillness, my personal spiritual journal…

October 19, 2010 – I see the nail driven through His feet and the nails driven through His wrists. Then I see the sword piercing His Most Loving Sacred Heart; the Heart which wrought my salvation. I say to Him, “Lord how can I ever repay You? How can I ever repay such love, such sacrifice on my behalf?” He answers, “The price has already been paid. I paid the price. Your response is to love; love Me and love all I send you. In loving, you will live in my will; you will reap the rewards of Life Eternal. Remember this. True love, love that is of Me, does not sin. So go; love, and sin no more.”

“They pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones.” (Psalm 22:16-17) “…and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

Wrought; Hammered

Martha — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 09:00:45 +0000

“Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” John 20:27-28

Wrought: beaten into shape by tools, hammered (Merriam-Webster)

Wrought, not a word often used in today’s conversations, but a word with great significance for me. A beautiful prayer that I pray daily ends in this way: “Praise be to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation, to It be glory and honor forever. Amen.”

I have a great affinity to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and His Wounded Hands. The prayer mentioned above is one of two that I faithfully and sincerely pray every morning consecrating myself to His Sacred Heart. One of the prayers is printed on a beautiful Holy Card. The front of the card has the traditional one line affirmation: “Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in You. Above the affirmation is one of my favorite images of Jesus. His Sacred Heart is exposed and He is holding out his hands, open with palms up, wounds exposed. When I look at this image I have a sense of home. It is where I want to run when I am in need spiritually, to run to those loving, hammered Hands that wrought my salvation. It is where I am always moved to tears in thought of the great love and sacrifice made on my behalf. It is where I am replenished by His Infinite Divine Mercy, where I am made whole again. In His hands I find complete solace.

This beautiful Holy Card serves as my reminder of all that has transpired so that I might share in Eternity with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is an earthly reminder of a heavenly thing. (For those who are not Catholic, or who find this hard to understand, who think it is idol worship, I assure you it is not. I do not worship the card, I only worship Our Lord. Think of it in the same way a picture of one of your family members reminds you of happiness and love shared, whether they are living or deceased.)

I recently came across another beautiful prayer written by Charles deFoucald. It seems that Jesus understands my affinity for His Hands and allowed me to find this prayer, providing even more inspiration for me.

Prayer of Abandonment (Charles de Foucald)

I abandon myself into your hands; do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I thank you: I am ready for all, I accept all. Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures. I wish no more than this, O Lord.

Into your hands I commend my soul; I offer it to you with all the love of my heart, for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself, to surrender myself into your hands, with reserve, and with boundless confidence, for you are my Father.

And, in 1 Peter 2:24, this beautiful verse, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”

Who Do You Say He Is?

Martha — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 09:00:35 +0000

The Visitation by Jacopo Timtoretto

“Who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter said in reply, ‘You are the Messiah, the son of the living God.'” Matthew 16:15b-16

The baby in Elizabeth’s womb leapt for joy at the sight of Mary, for he knew she carried the Christ Child within her. He didn’t have to be told, he just knew it was Jesus, the Son of God, sent by the Father as Savior to the world.

If you are blessed to know who Jesus is, to truly know him as your Lord and Savior, then share the Good News with others. If the question, “Who do you say I am?”, has never been answered by you, then now is the time to answer it. The holy season of Lent is a perfect time to search out the answer through study, prayer, and meditation. Read in His Word daily, pray for wisdom and discernment concerning His Word, and sit in silence before God. The answer may not be audible, yet, you will know. And, it’s never too late. Begin now and through the rest of Lent.

This question is the most important question you will ever ask yourself. The answer will determine if you will be ready for His Resurrection on Easter Sunday. And, it’s a question only you can answer. I believe I am His daughter, but it is because I often fail Him miserably that I know Him as my Lord and Savior. To know yourself, to understand your heritage and birthright, you must know Him. To truly know Him you must ask and answer the question… Who do you say He is? Don’t just believe IN God, but BELIEVE GOD when HE says who Jesus IS.
“And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved,with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17)

Does Your Spirit Ever Leap For Joy?

Martha — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 13:10:03 +0000

“Blest are you among women and blest is the fruit of your womb.”Luke 1:42

Basilica Santa Maria sopra Minerva, Rome, Italy, (Basilica of St. Mary over Minerva) taken by Martha Wiggins, 2011

In Luke, Chapter 1, verses 42-45, we hear Elizabeth’s words of greeting to Mary. The baby in Elizabeth’s womb leapt for joy upon hearing Mary’s greeting, causing Elizabeth to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to cry out in a loud voice, “Blest are you among women and blest is the fruit of your womb”. This Biblical story is known as The Visitation and the baby in Elisabeth was John The Baptist who would later herald the way for our beloved Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

At the time of her arrival Mary had already been through a lot. Not only was she exhausted from the long journey, but she had also been visited by an Angel, become pregnant, suffered through an inquisition by her own parents along with Joseph and his, and had become the brunt of much community gossip and speculation. After an eventual acceptance of her pregnancy, and Joseph’s agreement to fulfill the marriage contract (which took a visit from an Angel to convince and assure him), Mary was in great need of a respite from it all. It was agreed that she would go for an extended visit to her cousin.

How relieved and comforted she must have been upon her arrival to hear Elisabeth’s greeting, to find that Elizabeth knew the truth with no explanations necessary! At last she could let her guard down and rest in comfort. At last she could reflect on all that had occurred and truly let her inner joy manifest itself aloud.

Has your Spirit ever leapt for Joy? Imagine if we could be as Elizabeth and truly recognize Jesus within others as we greet or meet them. Imagine if we were filled with the Holy Spirit prompting us when we were in His presence in the body of someone else. Imagine how our hearts would leap for joy just to be near Him causing us to cry out blest is that person. Imagine their response! Well, maybe we shouldn’t cry out, but rather mention how it was a nice blessing to see them or to meet them. Imagine how they might feel as if someone finally saw them for who they truly were, a child of God, worthy of consideration, worthy of respect. Now imagine if it happened to you.

How differently we would all behave if this scenario played out again and again throughout the day. The truth is we are busy about our worldly business and don’t often recognize Him, not in others, not even in ourselves. How sad to miss out on such acceptance and joy.

At least for today, let’s try channeling both our inner Mary and Elisabeth. Try to recognize Jesus within yourself and through His Spirit look outward at all you meet to seek Him within them. Try to feel His Presence stir within you just as Elizabeth must have felt the baby within her womb. His Spirit is already among us, and if we we look we will surely see. Then our hearts and the hearts of all we interact with will be filled with joy. They might not recognize it immediately but it will the Joy of His Presence.

As we develop this ability to look for and see Him in others immediately upon interacting with them, even if we lack the courage to verbalize it, we will always treat others in a way that validates them, a way that makes them whole. Like Mary, they may have already been through quite a lot. And like Elizabeth, we will greet them with kindness and respect. Our own Spirit might even leap for Joy!

Ask God to send His Spirit upon you today that you may recognize Him in all, including yourself. Can you just imagine if we all did so?

Have, no, make it a Blessed day everyone by going out to encounter Jesus!

Forgive And Forget?

Martha — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 10:00:40 +0000

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me.” Psalm 23:4

More than once I have used the following quote, written by me, as the status on my personal Facebook page:

“Forgiveness means you walk away from the hurt and into the Light. You leave it in God’s hands and ask Him to send a resolution. Forgiving someone doesn’t mean subjecting yourself to mistreatment or misery. It just means you can let go and let God, and then be open to resolution when it presents itself.”

Because of the number of comments it always drew, and because so many of us find it difficult sometimes to forgive others or even ourselves, I wrote and posted the following in order to offer a little more in the way of explanation. I think it is good to update and re-post it every so often to remind those of us who need it, and to help those who struggle with forgiveness.

First, I truly understand how difficult forgiveness can be. I know there is no such thing as forgive and forget when there is serious hurt or serious consequences surrounding that which needs to be forgiven. Also, don’t think that I speak from atop a pillar, never having experienced hurt or deep disappointment in someone. I have, just as I am sure everyone has.

Second, I believe forgiveness must occur in order to make us whole again. I do know, in order to do so, we have to get outside ourselves. If we continue to focus on our inner hurt, if we continue to focus on what-ifs and buts, we will always take one step toward the Light, and then retreat right back into the dark. We will continue to hide in the dark, waiting for the offender to make it right! In order to get outside ourselves we must not let the hurt define who we are. When we are defined by hurt all of our thoughts and actions are a result of it. We are no longer in control, the hurt is!

Third, we must come to terms with the knowledge that we do not control the other person. They may or may not be hurt by the situation; they may or may not ever come to apologize. They may not even realize they have caused the hurt! We cannot control them, but we can control ourselves. This doesn’t mean we do not feel the pain, or the hurt doesn’t exist, but that we are going to be in control of it.

Fourth, we cannot do it alone. If the hurt is too deep, it may not be in our power to forgive, or even to control. It is here we must go down on our knees and seek His help, His comfort, His wisdom, His power to resolve the situation. In doing so, we step into the Light. We allow Him to find the right solution for all. We wait patiently in the Light instead of hiding in the dark.

Last, we open ourselves to the resolution when it presents itself. When we allow God to resolve the situation in His own time, in His own Way, we must accept the answer. It may come in the form of an apology, or something else may happen that overrides the situation, something that is more important, more immediate. It may even be that a peace comes over us about the whole thing; somehow we can now live with it; we can let it go. Whatever the outcome, we have to be watchful for it, to not be so focused on our own pain and hurt that we miss it! If we do miss it, we will return to the darkness.

It can begin with the simple desire to forgive. Place your hurt at the foot of the Cross and let His Light pull you through the darkness. Then, walk into the Light sure in the knowledge that all is resolved, all is forgiven.

“The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

Whom Do You Love The Least?

Martha — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 13:55:51 +0000

6/22/2022
“You only love God as much as you love the person you love the least.” – From Jesus Speaks to Faustina and You by Susan Tassone

The above quote in today’s reflection really hit home. As the reflection said “…it cuts to the heart”. It cut straight to mine.

My personal Prayer: Jesus help me. Help me to see You in every soul I interact with, every soul that enters my thoughts. Let me neither judge nor shun them from my heart. Help me to live in love and humility, to be Your Love in action as I go through each day You have so graciously granted me. And May You live and reign in my heart forever. Amen.

Is It Too Late?

Martha — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 14:21:57 +0000

Lent is a very special time for introspection and analysis of our spiritual habits and relationships. It can be a most profound journey into the depths of our soul if we allow ourselves to be focused and determined. Getting started can often be the hardest step. Some may not even have taken any steps yet and here we are already approaching Holy Week. We can simply start by asking Jesus to show us where we need to make changes, or what in our character needs fine tuning. Then, if we sit in the silence and listen with an open mind (and soul), He will show us. It might not be what we expect or even want to hear, or it might be what we already knew we would hear. None of that really matters because, regardless, it will be exactly what we need to hear. Big or small, easy or hard, it will be exactly what He wants us to concentrate on, especially during Holy Week.
There are far too many areas I struggle with and need to continuously work on. At the very root of them all is self. So my own personal desire and goal for every Lenten season is to turn self out in order that I may offer myself completely to Jesus to be used wherever He desires. To help me work on this, I have created for myself the following list of temptations/sins and alternative reactions and/actions to help guide me in times of temptation. Because I fail so miserably, I need to check in on it every so often to reset my intentions. It might give you some ideas of what particular areas you might want /need focus on over the next week.
1. Pride in looks, clothing, actions, etc.? – Ask myself why and who it is I am trying to impress? Any other answer than Jesus is wrong.
2. Greed or materialism? – Aim for simplicity of life. Declutter; get rid of something I am hoarding. Review my alms giving and make sure it is not from excess but rather from the first fruits of my finances. Jesus must be at the top of my budget.
3. Gossip or speaking ill of others? – Build that other person up. My words must be as if Jesus is speaking about that person through my mouth.
4. Negativity? – Focus on the good all around me and in me. I must train my eyes to see the good. I must train my eyes to look for and see Jesus in everyone and everything, even myself.
5. Self-centeredness? – Put someone else first. I must give of myself to someone else. I must follow Jesus’ example of self-sacrifice.
6. Anxiety (Stress) or Perfectionism? – I must accept something as is. I must have faith that Jesus is in control. I must loosen my tight grip on every minute detail and offer it up to Jesus.
7. Judging others? – Bless them instead. I must lift others up to the Lord and ask His blessing on them in all things. I must pray to be humble like Jesus.
8. Too busy? – Sit at the foot of The Cross. I must spend time in stillness before God. I must stay with Him until I no longer feel the world in control, until I am absorbed in Jesus.
These are just some of the many ways I need to work at turning out self this Lent. Change is often difficult and growth can sometimes be painful, yet I know my efforts will be rewarded, for Jesus is ever at my side.
Ask Jesus to show you areas in your own life that need improvement and how you can do so successfully. Allow Him to be your loving guide this Lent on a more profound journey to the depths of your soul. Your efforts will certainly be greatly rewarded. He only asks for our effort, not perfection.
Blessings on your Faith and Lenten Journey everyone.

Science + Miracle = Proof

Martha — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 14:07:38 +0000

“You are Creator, Lord; I am Your created.”

As I prayed this simple prayer entering into The Stillness this morning, my mind began to ponder just how profound a statement it truly is. He stopped me at that moment and beckoned me to write. I can honestly say I am not sure what I am about to write, but as an obedient daughter, I pay attention to His leadings. So here goes.

Can you truly say, do you honestly believe, that your very existence here on this earth is not because you were created? And if not created by God, the Supreme Being, then how were you created? Science is what non-believers, even questioning Christians, always try to provide as an explanation. Evolution from apes along with the Big Bang theory of collisions in the universe are the usual arguments brought to the table. It is true that these beliefs can be proven scientifically and give one pause to think and ponder. I dare say, however, that it is a very pregnant pause. For science and faith need not always be at odds.

In that pregnant pause, if we go back to the scientific beginning of collisions of matter in the universe we will still find the dangling gnawing question of where did that first matter come from? How did splitting atoms and division of cells create living breathing beings?

Scientists have studied and found many forms of life, down to the tiniest amoeba that divide and multiply cells seemingly on their own. They know that water is a key component and a required element to support, snd even begin life. They search far and wide across the universe for any signs of water in hopes of discovering life forms. But again, how did the first drop of water come into existence?

Did you know that your human body is made up mostly of water? About 60%! “According to H.H. Mitchell, Journal of Biological Chemistry 158, the brain and heart are composed of 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water. The skin contains 64% water, muscles and kidneys are 79%, and even the bones are watery: 31%. Each day humans must consume a certain amount of water to survive.” Yet, water is only one component of the intricacy of the miracle that is the human body.

Atheists and non-believers think science has all the answers and will cling desperately to that in hopes of being right. But then there are the other dangling gnawing questions of why. Why does life exist? What purpose do the many and varied forms of life hold? Why is there a need for life at all? Oh, how hopeless must they be who have no answer to these questions other than science. They have no reason for being, no purpose for their life. They only exist because of science.

It is true that scientists can present us with scientifically created life, but let’s ask ourselves some of the following dangling gnawing questions. How was the first breath ever taken? The first thought formed in a brain? The first sight seen by an eye? The first word spoken? How was the first feeling of love felt in a heart?

What science can connect those dots for you? For me there is no satisfactory answer to any of those questions other than that Science + Miracle = Proof. I believe we, His created, are the greatest miraculous proof of His very existence. And, while we are made up of a lot of water, the largest and most important component is love. We are made IN, BY, and FOR Love. It is God who breathes the breath of Life into all beings. It is God who made possible the miracles of thought, sight, speech, and love. Science might be able to reproduce or create certain forms of life, even clone existing forms, but they can’t create love.

It is God who retains ultimate creative control, creative license, if you will. And the answer to why is Love. His Love for us is the reason we exist, and our purpose in life is to love. Oh, how hopeful believers are who have answers to these important questions.

When I have questions I always try to remember this little formula: ‘Knowledge + Faith = Confidence’. We must seek answers for our questions from trusted authentic sources. We must then sift the information through the sieve of our faith. And then prayerfully we will gain confidence in the answers we find.

So, this is where He led me, what He led me to write. I had to interrupt the writing yesterday and return to it this morning. I honestly gave it no thought until I began again and it just continued to flow. My prayer is that He is speaking to the heart who needs to hear this, the heart He is seeking.

God Bless us one and all.

Genesis 1:1-5 “In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.”

Casting Stones

Martha — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 13:04:39 +0000

“And again He stooped down, and wrote on the ground.” John 8:8

This world is in a state of chaos and seemingly out of control; especially out of our individual control. However, God tell us that nothing is out of His control. NOTHING is out of His control. You ask then, what can you possibly do to have any affect? God would say to Pray and Love; to Pray with the same fervor Jesus had in the Garden at Gethsemane just before being arrested; to Love all through His same Heart which was pierced on the Cross and still forgave us our sinful wretchedness. A tall order for sure. After all, we are not Divine, but only human. Sadly, many of us would have cast that first stone at the woman caught in adultery if Jesus had not stepped in and written our name in that sand. Still, we humans are capable of great feelings and emotions. We are capable of great Love. And, Jesus calls us to it, each and every one of us. It does not have to be difficult. It does not have to be in the form of grand public gestures. Great Love is often the simplest of loves. And, it can truly begin right where you are.

So, rather than ‘throwing’ stones, let us begin anew each day to make deliberate efforts to ‘cast’ stones: Stones of Love; Stones of Charity, Kindness, and Acceptance; Stones of Faith Sharing, Forgiveness, and Hope; Stones of Laughter and Joy. And let us never forget the all important Stones of Sincerity, such as simply Listening and Smiling, of looking someone directly in the eyes and Smiling at Jesus within them. Believe me, He will Smile right back at you whether that individual does or not.

So yes, you can begin small by casting stones in your own home, workplace, and grocery store. You may not always see the effects but the ripples from those stones can and will change the world… one Stone at a time.

By mmw