Felipe Herrera Income Tax and Notary Public

A new year with more IRS requirements.

With The meaning of life – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

With Garden Happiness – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

WEDNESDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER, APRIL 3, 2024
"Were not our hearts burning within us..." - Lk 24:32

"Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?" (Lk 24:32). "He was made known to them in the breaking of the bread" (Lk 24:35). This simple Gospel story of Jesus with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus is in reality a profound teaching on the Holy Mass.
At each Mass, the Scriptures are opened and read to us, and then the priest or deacon gives light and understanding to us on God's Word. Finally, Jesus comes to us in the breaking of the bread - the Holy Eucharist. Does your heart burn with the Holy Spirit when you hear God's Word and receive Him in the Blessed Sacrament?
Even if you do not feel the strength and the greatness of His love in the Mass, faith reveals to us that the Holy Spirit dwells within us. This same Holy Spirit empowers us to go out, like the disciples did in today's first reading, and spread the love of Jesus Christ.
People were filled with amazement at what happened to the man healed by Jesus through the apostles. Does your life give witness to Jesus?

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
~~PSALM 25:5 (NIV)
You can ask him for anything, using my name, and I will do it, for this will bring praise to the Father because of what I, the Son, will do for you.
JOHN 14:13 (TLB)
With no success, John declared, "We need to pray about this!" Stopping straightaway, he earnestly prayed aloud, asking Jesus to help the man find his missing wallet. Finishing the short, spontaneous prayer, he said, "Amen" and left. Before John reached his truck, the shopkeeper threw open the old storefront glass door, shouting, "I found it!" It had fallen into a box of vinyl records.
I rejoice upon hearing this immediate answer to prayer. I was happy our friend found his wallet. But mostly I was thrilled with the testimony of Jesus's power to answer a simple, ordinary, everyday prayer. More importantly, had John not turned the matter over to Jesus and prayed aloud boldly, our friend would've missed more than his wallet. He would have missed the chance to see how Jesus truly does hear and answer our prayers.
FAITH STEP:
Is boldness missing from your prayer life? Pray aloud for a friend in Jesus's name, confident that your petition will be heard.

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2024
"Never before has anyone spoken like this man." - Jn 7:46

"Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance" (Lk 8:15). This is the verse before the Gospel today, also known as the Alleluia verse. The Church gives us this verse in juxtaposition to what we hear in the Gospel: It is possible to reject the Word of God - which is what led to Jesus' Crucifixion.
The chief priests and the Pharisees want to arrest Jesus because people are recognizing Him as the Prophet, the Christ, but He does not seem to be the Messiah they are expecting. Many Jews expected a new Davidic King who would overthrow Rome's occupation and reestablish a sovereign Kingdom in Israel. To them, Jesus was a "nobody" from Nazareth - not the Messiah who was prophesied to come from Bethlehem.
How often do you hear the Word of God and, because it's not what you expect, you ignore it or throw it out? The Pharisees said, "Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee" (Jn 7:53). The Word of God wasn't what they wanted to hear. As children of our Heavenly Father, we are called to trust that whatever God says is for our good. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart to receive the Word.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
~~PSALM 46:1 (KJV)
Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him.
JOHN 12:37 (NIV)
I wonder how often Jesus has to convince me He is qualified for the job. Perhaps I'm too focused on the problem in front of me to look back at Jesus's history and qualifications. Sometimes, despite my Savior's impressive resume, I doubt He can or will do the job. Or I foolishly think I can do it better myself.
When I shift my eyes onto Jesus and consider the work He has done for me and in me, I have no doubt He is the only one qualified, if not overqualified, to fulfill every need I will ever have.

FAITH STEP: Make a resume for Jesus by listing everything He has done in your life. When you face uncertainty, review His work history and trust Him to do the job.

SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 2024
"It is love that I desire, not sacrifice." - Hosea 6:6

In their writings, St. Francis de Sales and St. John of the Cross explicitly warn the faithful to not fall into the external piety that we hear of in today's readings. Pride blocks God's grace from entering the soul.
Hosea writes that piety that is merely external and not coming from a sincere heart is "like a morning cloud, like the dew that early passes away" (6:4). Jesus tells us in the parable that the tax collector who admits his sin goes home justified, while the Pharisee who does not admit his sin, but rather claims to have done great works and has great piety, does not. Jesus is not saying that good works and prayers have no merit, but rather what is more important the disposition of your heart.
Be not afraid to come before the Lord in your weaknesses, in your wretchedness, and fall down at His feet. He is a merciful Father who will pick you up in His arms and hold you close to His Heart. This is most pleasing to Him.

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2024
"I will heal their defection, says the Lord, I will love them freely..."
-Hos 14:5

Today's first reading is a beautiful call from the Father to His children. He promises to forgive all their iniquities, heal their defection. love them freely, and help them blossom if they but turn to Him and run to His heart. With a Father so good and so loving, it is only fitting and proper that we should respond by loving Him wit all our being and our neighbor as ourselves.
As we reflect on loving our neighbor as ourselves, we must examine how well we love ourselves. Unfortunately, in today's culture, many people struggle with self-hatred. Sometimes it manifests in self-harm and other vicious habits and addictions, but it can also show up in subtle ways, like how we treat others. For example, the next time you are impatient with another person, take a moment to reflect upon yourself: Is there something you are impatient about with yourself that led you to then be impatient with another?
A daily examination of conscience is so important. Bring to the Lord where you fall short in loving yourself and others. He will help you grow in virtue so that you can love Him with all your heart, and your neighbor as yourself.

THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2024
"All the more now ... should you do as he said." - 2 Kgs 5:13

The need to listen is emphasized to us today in the readings. Listen to the Word of God, listen for His voice speaking to you in the depths of your heart. "Listen to my voice, then I will be your God and you shall be my people" (Jer 7:23).
In the Gospel account today, if the people accusing Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Satan instead listened to His words of truth and life, they could have been saved. Jesus then says further, "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters" (Lk 11:23). Are you one who gathers or one who scatters? You can listen to the Word of God and gather many to His flock, or you can slander, gossip, and accuse, and so scatter the flock of God. Make an examination of conscience this day on how well you listen and obey the Word of God, and make a new resolution to gather and not to scatter.

I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul. . . .
~~PSALM 41:4 (KJV)
It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23 (KJV)
That little bird was thriving in Jesus's faithfulness through the winter months. Its voice heralded the Savior's provision and care, for itself and, I felt, for me too. Its sound felt like a gentle smile from heaven. No matter how wearying winter may seem, Jesus is faithfully working refreshment in my spirit.
FAITH STEP: Today, look for a reminder of Jesus's faithfulness. When you spot it, write a prayer of thankfulness and trust in Him.

Good morning, Holy Spirit, family, friends, and all who read our post.
Thank You, Holy Spirit, for yesterday's blessings, and a new Thursday full of Your mercy, patience, understanding, serenity, peace, and LOVE. AMEN
JEREMIAH 39:1-18 (KJV)
ZEDEKIAH'S FLIGHT AND CAPTURE
IN the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it.
And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up.
And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarsechim, Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.
And it came to pass, that when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the gate betwixt the two walls: and he went out the way of the plain. ...
Now the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying,
Go and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee.
But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the LORD: and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid.
For I will sure deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD.