Sunday, May 29, 2011

God Is No Longer Invisible, Says Pope


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ZENIT, The world seen from Rome
News Agency
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God Is No Longer Invisible, Says Pope

Affirms That Face of the Father Is Love

VATICAN CITY, MAY 22, 2011 (Zenit.org).- To believe in God and to believe in Jesus Christ are not two separate acts, but rather one act of faith, says Benedict.

The Pope affirmed this today in his address before praying the midday Regina Caeli with those gathered in St. Peter's Square, in which he reflected on Christ as the way, the truth and the life.

The New Testament put an end to the Father's invisibility, the Holy Father said. God has shown his face.

With his incarnation, death and resurrection, the Son of God has freed us from the slavery of sin to give us the freedom of the children of God and has shown us the face of God, which is love: God can be seen, he is visible in Christ, he added.

The Pontiff explained that only by believing in Christ, by remaining united to him, the disciples, among whom we also are, can continue their permanent action in history.

Benedict XVI encouraged the faithful to follow Christ daily, in the simple actions that make up our day, and recalled that the goal is the Father.

For Christians, for each one of us, hence, the way to the Father is to allow ourselves to the guided by Jesus, by his word of truth, and to receive the gift of his life, he explained.

He concluded by underlining that the main task of the Church is to proclaim Jesus Christ, 'the way, the truth and the life.'

Let us invoke the Virgin Mary, he said, so that she will always assist the pastors and those who in the different ministries to proclaim the happy message of salvation, so that the Word of God is diffused and the number of disciples multiplied.

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On ZENIT's Web page:

Full text: www.zenit.org/article-32641?l=english

Friday, May 27, 2011

IF YOU DO WHAT I COMMAND

SABBATH

 
The social networking site explosion has not only redefined relationships but has redefined certain words that we thought everyone in the world understood. Not anymore. Take the word friend. Parents who are friends with people in their own network are not necessarily “friends” with their teenage or young adult children. Members of the same religious congregation, who are meant to be “brothers” are not friends with one another in those sites.
Sociologists now distinguish between “digital natives,” “digital migrants” and “digital refugees.” Digital natives take to cyber world like fish to water, while digital migrants like me, though enjoying some of the convenience of the newfound digital world, keep on pining for the good old times of the analog world, replete with vinyl records, magnetic tapes and the clunky but reliable phonographs. Some are left on the wayside of the digital highway and are hapless and sometimes Clueless “ digital refugees,” unwilling and unable to get back to the old, yet not completely at home or downright lost in the new.
Friendship in social networking sites is as easy as pushing the “confirm” or “accept” button. In the same way, “unfriending” anyone is just as easy as pushing the “ignore,” or “reject” button (which, by the way, is not a button at all!). Being friends now is highly dependent on what technology you have or have not. Wireless G routers have given way to N or N+ routers that spell the difference between nimble, quick and super fast — or hopelessly slow.
Today, friendship comes to the fore in our liturgical celebration. Analog or digital did not matter yet when the Lord taught us about friendship that is not the digital kind but one that is based on love that knows no limits. This love didn’t have to ride on any wi-fi contraption but was communicated, signed, sealed and delivered to us all. And yes, He declares us His friends, and friends we surely will be if we obey His commandments. Are we on “friend” status with Christ?Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB
 
Reflection Question:
If Jesus were on Facebook, would you accept His invite to be your friend?
 
Thank You, dear Lord, for Your friendship and love that knows no limits.
 
St. Melangell, pray for us.
 

Thursday, May 26, 2011

AN APOLOGIST WANNA BE

 
“God made no distinction between them and us, since he purified their hearts by faith.” – Acts 15:9
 
When Protestant friends realize I’m a devout Catholic, they pepper me with a barrage of preaching. While I do try to answer their relentless questions, I have to admit that my knowledge only goes so far.
My failure to answer convincingly burned a fierce desire in me to know more, to help me express my passion and defend the Church that propagated Jesus’ teachings from two millennia ago.
So I read. I asked questions. I prayed. But the more I learned, the more I realized that the knowledge may make me better at answering questions, but it doesn’t necessarily make me a better Christian.
No matter how much I studied, it is the message of God’s all encompassing love that moves me. It transformed my desire to defend and win debates into a yearning to show God’s love and mercy to others. It made me judge my brothers less and led me to see God’s image and likeness in everyone, even if they are of a different religion or opinion.
What a wonderful world it would be if we could all stop bickering and just remain in His love!Cecil Lim (cez_lim@yahoo.com)
 
REFLECTION:
“It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.” (St. Francis of Assisi)
 
Lord, may everything I do shine the light of Christ and decrease the darkness.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Gospel Reading of the day

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Remain in me, as I remain in you, says the Lord; whoever remains in me will bear much fruit.
R: Alleluia, alleluia
 
John 15:1-8
Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

SABBATH

EVERY BRANCH THAT DOES NOT BEAR FRUIT
 
More than two decades ago, a beautiful movie entitled Dead Poets Societycapitalized a whole lot on Henri David Thoreau’s extended essay “Walden Pond,” which reports his love affair with nature and his extended retreat to the countryside. A memorable and quotable line still rings clear in my ears: “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front the essential facts of life… and to put to rout all that is not life.”
All of us have things in our closet that we need to get rid of. All of us have bad habits to shed off and new habits to learn. Some of those items or habits drag or weigh us down, like smoking, drinking or the propensity to stock up on things that we really do not need.
On the spiritual plane, all of us have what spiritual writers of old used to call the “predominant tendency” or the sin that we often fall into, repeatedly, predictably.
My father, who was a farmer by interest and vocation, but an accountant by necessity, introduced me long ago to the idea of pruning. Back when coffee cultivation was still lucrative in my hometown, I learned early on that unless one knows how to prune the coffee trees, they could not be expected to bear much fruit. One needed to “take away every branch that does not bear fruit.” One needed to do away with what does not lead to life, to wholeness.
If this is true of plant life and our earthly physical life, all the more so is this true with regard to our spiritual life. One curious thing in the world of nature is the fact that one sees no birds flying when it rains. Their wings get wet and soggy, and therefore heavy. They cannot afford to carry all that extra weight. They cannot soar when bogged down with all that weight.
Pruning, giving up, cutting down, denying oneself… they all have to do with the same thing — putting to rout all that is not life and cutting away “every branch that does not bear fruit.” Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB
 
Reflection Question:
What habits or things weigh me down?
 
Lord, help me to cut off the habits, things and relationships that bog me down in my journey to You. Amen.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Going beyond disrespect

from a forwarded email

Abraham asked the Lord to spare 50 righteous people. God responded to Abraham's plea "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all ....Genesis 18:16-33 
 
The movie " Corpus Christi " is due to be released this June to August. A disgusting film set to appear in America later this year depicts Jesus and his disciples as homosexuals! As a play, this has already been in theatres for a while.  It's called " Corpus Christi " which means "The Body of Christ".  It's revolting mockery of our  Lord. But we can make a difference. 
 
That's why I am sending this e-mail to you. If you do send this around, we just might be able to prevent this film from showing in America .  Let's stand for what we believe in and stop the mockery of Jesus Christ our Savior. Where do we stand as Christians? At the risk of a bit of inconvenience, I'm forwarding this to all I think would appreciate it, too. 
Please help us prevent such offenses against our Lord. There is no petition to sign, no time limit, or minimum number of people to send this to.. It will take you less than 2 minutes! 
 
If you are not interested and do not have the 2 minutes it will take to do this, please don't complain when God does not have time for you because He is far busier than we are. Hey it's worth a shot! Apparently, some regions in Europe have already banned the film. All we need is a lot of prayer and a lot of e-mails. 
 
JUST GET THE WORD OUT


... will God be able to find at least 50 righteous people who are willing to express their concern and voice their opinion against this act of blasphemy?

Friday, May 20, 2011

Gospel Reading of the day

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 14:1-6. 

Jesus said to his disciples: «Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. 

In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.

Where (I) am going you know the way."

Thomas said to him, "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" 

Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

New Catholic endeavor promotes books, students

Fahey writing.
From the desk of
William Fahey, Ph.D. 
President, Thomas More College
Publisher, Sophia Institute Press



Noah.
Maybe, instead of "William," my folks should have named me "Noah."
Because my work these days seems ever more like that of Noah, building an ark and stocking it with things we need to survive.
When the rains began to fall, he gathered a small group, shut the doors, and bravely set out across the deep. Seven months he sailed that trackless sea before Mt. Ararat offered dry land to save his people.
Noah sends the dove.

Today, not rain but a flood of words, words, words is drowning our Catholic culture: Netflix, YouTube, Facebook,print ads, email, blogs, posts, tweets, spam and — floating in on that vast verbal tide — one million new books that will be published this year alone!
Yes, I said "one million."
One million new books
published this year alone!

In this flood of words, will Christ be heard? The wisdom of His saints? The voice of His vicar, the Pope?

To keep our Catholic culture from being swept away, I'm assembling a small group of people and organizations, and inviting the participation of good folks like you.
Like Noah, we're boldly setting out into the deep, seeking not to find, but to provide dry land to save our Catholic people — and anyone else who yearns to know and love our God.

*
I began this work in earnest two years ago, when they named me President of Thomas More College here in New Hampshire.

Thomas More campus

In the intervening 24 months, and with the assistance of its fine faculty and staff, I've significantly strengthened Thomas More's Catholic identity while bringing her the financial stability that so long eluded her.
Then just four months ago, Sophia Institute Press asked me to become her President, too, and to marry her Catholic apostolic efforts to those of Thomas More and of our sister institution, Holy Spirit College in Atlanta.
Back in February, Sophia was listing sharply to starboard, close to sinking. With God's help and yours — I raised half of the money we needed to restore her. We bailed her out, plugged her leaks, and righted her. Although still fragile, today she's sailing smartly across the sea.
We reprinted 25 Sophia titles that had fallen out of print (see list below). Relying on God's Providence and your help to bring us funds we'll need next month, we've just ordered the reprinting of twelve more (also listed below).
God willing, by this fall we will have rebuilt our clunky website, made most of our books available in electronic form, and released ten new titles, including:
The Book of Miracles
Christopher: A Novel
The Bones of St. Peter
The Truth about Thérèse
The Most Beloved Woman
Viper: A Catholic Mystery
St. Thomas Aquinas and His Work
The Catholic Church and the Bible
The Little Book of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Spanish Match: A Novel of Catholic Spain

*
Yes, in just four months, our ship has been righted and is now sailing smartlyIndeed, she reminds me somewhat of the 22 new bright new graduates on whom I conferred degrees last Saturday at Thomas More College: eager, energetic, yet untested, even fragile.
Sailing ship
Still, like the solid Catholic books we publish, each is a powerful new instrument that, working together, we have now placed in the hands of God so that His will may be done.
You know, when I'm tempted to worry for the future of these new graduates (and even about Sophia), I recall what Flannery O'Connor once said about the books she wrote: "When a book leaves your hands, it belongs to God. He may use it to save a few souls or to try a few others, but I think that for the writer to worry is to take over God's business."
Years ago, God commanded Noah to build an ark, and Noah did.

God inspired Flannery O'Connor to write Catholic books, and she did.
God inspired John Barger to build Sophia, and he did.
Now God has called me to take the helm of Sophia, and I have.
In each case, we built.
And when the students we form or the books we publish leave our hands, we're confident that, regardless of the storms that may follow or the rains that come, God will use them — like the great Ark itself — to save a few souls.

*
So we built . . .
but never alone.
*
Noah had sons and daughters to help him build the ark and tend its passengers; Flannery O'Connor had editors, publishers, and advertisers; our students have their parents and teachers.
So, too, we here at Sophia rely on you to help us make known the truth of Jesus in our world that has been drowned in a flood of words, words, words.
Your prayers we need, for sure, and I'm grateful for them: but we also need your contributions to pay the printer for the twenty-four books we must get into print these next few months: books that will bring to Sophia the stability we were able last year to bring to Thomas More College.
Will you help?
Will you use this Paypal button to donate $100 today to help us get into print the books listed below? Or $50? Even $25 would help enormously.
Click to donate through paypal or donate directly through our website: www. sophiainstitute.com

You may remember that in the letter I sent you in March when things here were much more difficult, I quoted Mother Teresa:
"Reach high," she urged us, "for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal."

Noah sends the dove.
In March I reached high. Today I'm doing it again. Will you, like Noah,reach high with me! Dream deep! Do with us something beautiful for God!
Will you use this Paypal button to keep our good ark sailing smoothly! And will you do it now?

Thank you, and please pray for me, and for Sophia Institute Press.
In Christ the King,
Signature
William Edmund Fahey, Ph.D.
President, Thomas More College
New President and Publisher
Sophia Institute Press

Books we restored
with your March contribution

Awakening
I Believe in Love
The Good Galilean
Spiritual Combat
Islam at the Gates
Victory Over Vice
Angel in the Waters
Christian Self-Mastery
How to Read the Bible
Patience and Humility
Holiness for Housewives
G.K. Chesterton, Theologian
A Life of Our Lord for Children
Catholic Tales for Boys and Girls
The Temperament God Gave You
A Biblical Defense of Catholicism
How to Make a Good Confession
True Devotion to the Holy Spirit
What Jesus Saw from the Cross

How to Raise Good Catholic Children
More Catholic Tales for Boys and Girls
Breastfeeding and Catholic Motherhood
Ten Dates Every Catholic Should Know
Saintly Solutions to Life's Common Problems 

Books on order for
which we need funds now:

Spiritual Life
Heaven-Sense
Saintly Solutions
Thy Will Be Done
Unearthing Your Ten Talents

Bible Stories for Little Children
Catholic Tales for Boys and Girls
Please Don't Drink the Holy Water
Inner Strength for Active Apostles
The Prayer of the Presence of God
The Secret Diary of Elisabeth Leseur
More Catholic Tales for Boys and Girls
How to Get More out of Holy Communion

Books scheduled
for publication this summer:

Viper: A Mystery
The Book of Miracles
Christopher: A Novel
The Bones of St. Peter
The Most Beloved Woman
The Truth about Thérèse
The Spanish Match: A Novel
St. Thomas Aquinas and His Work
The Catholic Church and the Bible
The Read-Aloud Book of Bible Stories
The Little Book of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

*If you would prefer not to use paypal, you can add a contribution
directly to your shopping cart at our on-line store.
Click to donate through paypal or donate directly through our website: www. sophiainstitute.com

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Psalm reading for today

 
Psalms 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

R: O God, let all the nations praise you!

1 [2] May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. 2 [3] So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation. (R) 4 [5]May the nations be glad and exult because you rule the peoples in equity; the nations on the earth you guide. (R) 5 [6]May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you! 7 [8] May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear him! (R)

Monday, May 16, 2011

Your Service Is Desperately Needed in the Body of Christ


August 22, 2009

by Rick Warren
“All of you together are Christ’s body, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27 NLT).
One reason why you need to be connected to a church family is to fulfill your calling to serve other believers in practical ways. The Bible says, “All of you together are Christ’s body, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27 NLT).

Your service is desperately needed in the body of Christ—just ask any local church. Each of us has a role to play, and every role is important. There is no small service to God; it all matters.

Likewise, there are no insignificant ministries in the church. Some are visible and some are behind the scenes, but all are valuable. Small or hidden ministries often make the biggest difference. In my home, the most important light is not the large chandelier in our dining room but the little night light that keeps me from stubbing my toe when I get up at night. There is no correlation between size and significance. Every ministry matters because we are all dependent on each other to function.

What happens when one part of your body fails to function? You get sick. The rest of your body suffers. Imagine if your liver decided to start living for itself: “I’m tired! I don’t want to serve the body anymore! I want a year off just to be fed. I’ve got to do what’s best for me! Let some other part take over.”

What would happen? Your body would die. Today thousands of local churches are dying because of Christians who are unwilling to serve. They sit on the sidelines as spectators, and the body suffers.

As I said when we began this study, God calls you to a service far beyond anything you could ever imagine. He created you for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for you to do (based on Ephesians 2:10 TEV). Whenever you serve others in any way, you are actually serving God. 

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Healing Choices: Do You Want to be Healed?

October 4, 2009

by Jon Walker
"When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, 'Do you want to get well?'" (John 5:6 NIV).
Note: Today's guest devotional is by Jon Walker, author of Growing with Purpose.

Long ago and far away I was diagnosed with clinical depression and began the hard work of deep, lasting, Jesus-led recovery.

One day Jesus asked me, "Do you want to be healed?"

I was reading in the Apostle John’s book and he was telling about the time that Jesus stopped by the Sheep Gate in ancient Jerusalem. There was a pool there where people waited for a chance to be healed by one of God's angels, but, as I read, it seemed like Jesus looked over and into my eyes.

"Do you want to be healed?"

It seemed like such a ridiculous question. Of course, I wanted to be healed! But, then, I knew what he meant. Was I willing to make a healing choice?

Was I willing to do the hard work of facing painful situations, uncovering bitterness, and admitting to deep, resentful anger? Was I willing to give up my stubborn excuses that allowed me to stay the same, somehow seeing my sickness as more secure than my health?

Was I willing to give up control, let God be God, and admit that I can't, but he can; or would I rather insist that I can, even though I can't, holding myself in a cycle of helplessness and hopelessness?

By the pool at the Sheep Gate, Jesus asked an invalid of thirty-eight years: "Do you want to be healed?" His question swept through the man, swept through 2,000 years, and swept into the shadows of my soul.

"Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me . . . " (John 5:7 NIV).

But there stood the Great Healer holding out help, acutely aware that we can't, but God can, knowing this to be true because he was on a mission that would provide the only way we can be re-created whole and healthy. Jesus was on the road to Calvary.

The question lingers for you: Do you really want to be healed?

Jon Walker is the editor of 'The Purpose Driven Life On-line Devotionals' and author of the devotional book, 'Growing with Purpose.' Used by permission. Copyright 2009 by Jon Walker

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Psalm reading for today

P S A L M
 
Psalms 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7

R: Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

Shout joyfully to God, all the earth, sing praise to the glory of his name; proclaim his glorious praise. Say to God, “How tremendous are your deeds! (R) Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you, sing praise to your name!” Come and see the works of God, his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam. (R) He has changed the sea into dry land; through the river they passed on foot; therefore let us rejoice in him. He rules by his might forever. (R)

Friday, May 6, 2011

Thoughts of the Day / Pensamient​o del Dia

 YOU ARE AT THE CENTER OF ALL YOUR RELATIONSHIPS,
 THEREFORE YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR
 SELF-ESTEEM, GROWTH, HAPPINESS AND FULFILLMENT.
DON'T EXPECT THE OTHER PERSON TO BRING YOU THESE THINGS.
YOU MUST LIVE AS IF YOU ARE ALONE
AND OTHERS ARE THE GIFTS OFFERED
 TO HELP YOU TO ENRICH YOUR LIFE.

 My child eat honey ; it is good. And just as honey from the comb
 is sweet on your tongue, you may be  sure  that wisdom is good 
 for the soul. Get wisdom and your hope will never be destroyed.
 Proverbs 24:13-14

This time of prayer is an invitation to take another perspective as I am drawn to recognize the world as God sees it. I ask God to help me not to be trammelled by earthly things. God will help me to accept the words of Jesus, the witness of his life. He tells me that I am loved, forgiven, and cherished and trusted. I take his testimony to heart.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

TU ERES EL CENTRO DE TODAS TUS RELACIONES,
POR LO TANTO ERES RESPONSABLE
  DE TU AUTO ESTIMA, CRECIMIENTO, FELICIDAD Y PLENITUD. 
 NO ESPERES QUE LOS DEMAS TE TRAIGAN ESTAS COSAS.
  TIENES QUE VIVIR COMO SI ESTUVIERAS SOLO
  Y LOS QUE TE RODEAN SON REGALOS QUE TE HAN SIDO
 DADOS PARA ENRIQUECER TU VIDA.

Come hijo mío, la dulce miel del panal; prueba lo deliciosa que está.
Así de dulce  te  parecerán  la sabiduría  y  el  conocimiento;  si  los
encuentras, tendrás un buen fín y tu esperanza jamás será  destruida.
Proverbios 24:13-14

Este tiempo de plegaria es una invitación a adquirir otra perspectiva, debido a que he sido invitada(o) a reconocer el mundo como Dios lo ve. Le pido a Dios me ayude a no ser atrapada(o) por las cosas de la tierra.Dios me ayudará a aceptar las palabras de Jesús, el testimonio de su vida. El me dice que yo soy una persona amada, perdonada, querida y confiada. Atesoro su testimonio en mi corazón.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

SIN

DIDACHE

 
The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.” – Acts 5:30
 
Lenten season is just over. Whenever I go through the Way of the Cross, I feel guilty for the times I give in to temptation and for the many times I commit sin. Then I pray, “Lord, I am sorry because my sins have added weight to Your suffering and have caused You to die on the Cross.”
Sometimes, despite the prompting of the Holy Spirit, I still give in to tempting circumstances. In spite of regular spiritual nourishment, I find it easy to sin — giving false judgments, being sarcastic, mismanaging my finances, putting off for the next day what I can do today, eating food that would trigger pain, harbouring false pride, telling lies, giving in to laziness, committing sins of omission, and the list goes on and on.
I just can’t imagine if I have to go through the same ordeal that Jesus went through whenever I sin! I couldn’t bear it. May I always see the consequences of sin, more so the fact that I sadden God’s heart whenever I sin. I’m sorry, Lord.  Sol Saura (sol_saura@yahoo.com)
 
REFLECTION:
Do you realize the consequences whenever you sin?
 
Have mercy on me, O God, in Your goodness; in Your compassion, blot out all my sins.
 

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Quotes to Ponder

On Blessed John Paul II: "He met my visiting parents, who were not yet Catholic, and instead of discussing the papal primacy he took their hands and mine and made a kind of sandwich of them between his own. Within little more than a year they were received into the Church. The only personal contribution I made to his pontificate was at a frugal Lenten dinner when he asked the English word for 'homiletics' -- and I told him: 'homiletics.'"
Fr. George Rutler



"A beatification is not a posthumous honor given to a papacy, however historic and inspiring. It is a recognition by the Church that one of her members lived the theological virtues of faith, hope and love to an heroic degree and that God has confirmed that ecclesial assessment, so to speak, by the granting of a miracle (which only God can do) through prayers made to Him through that person's direct intercession."
Fr. Roger Landry

 

"I am all yours Mary and all that I have is yours."
Blessed John Paul II, Papal Motto

Monday, May 2, 2011

MORNING OFFERING

DIDACHE

 
For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. – 1 John 5:3-4
 
I try to start my day at work with a short prayer and reading of the Lord’s Word. It is my way of offering my whole day to him, and acknowledging that He comes first and foremost in all that I do for the day.
On the days that I forget to offer my work day to him, I find myself more stressed — more burdened by the demands of work. I am irritable and more likely to snap and be angry at people. On such days, I feel more tired and spent.
But during the times that I am able to consecrate my work day to the Lord, I find that, without fail, I have more energy to finish the work before me. I am more pleasant in my dealings with my colleagues and officemates. I am generally at peace — confident that the Lord is guiding me in all that I do.
And it all starts by showing my love to the Lord — by consecrating my day to Him. After that, and for the rest of the day, I carry no burdens. Instead, I carry His peace. Jay Catral (jaycatral@yahoo.com)
 
REFLECTION:
The Lord’s commandments are not burdensome, because by following them we are steered away from the path of selfishness and sin, and unto the path of righteousness.
 
Lord, send us Your Holy Spirit to guide us that we may not falter in obeying Your commandments.