The Medical Professionals sometimes are quick to push for stopping food and water which satisfy a patients' hunger and thirst and keep them comfortable and healthy...then they often start morphine which is used many times to slow down respiration until it stops. This procedure brings on death rather than allowing death to come naturally like birth does when God wants it. i learned all about this with my Dad before he died. There are some exceptions. The Catholic Church today is very clear about end of life choices. It is good for us to study them. The link i gave in my last blog is a very balanced view of our church's stand in all this. We should be very proud for our church is the only church that continues to stand strong for life publicly while being extremely balanced and wise in her approach.
Ice pops, jello, apple sauce, mashed potatoes, water, tea, coffee, juice, broth, baby food, blended food etc. all help sick and elderly who have a decline in appetite or have some trouble swallowing stay strong and comfortable as they transition to the other side. This method leaves the moment of death open to Gods' Time instead of ours. The loudest voices, elders, or even the smartest in a family discussion do not necessarily represent the right choices. Truth can come from a child. We need to fight for the voiceless sometimes especially when people try to step in who know nothing about God's Ways of doing things.
The other way.starves a person to death and dehydrates them.a horribly painful way to die.
Those of us defending life and Truth need to voice our concerns and should be free to do so without being disrespected or bullied or afraid regardless if our opinion differs from others. Often those opposing our religious views become very nasty and berating in their approach. We must continue to do the best we can. We need to ask God what we need to say and do and ask also for the courage to do it. Then we leave the rest to HIM. God loves those who wish to grow in faith and have a heart and desire to do what is right. We must trust in God and our beliefs and pray for excellent reasoning and sincerity. Never let anyone ever stop you from expression yourself. Your opinion maters!
And also we must be sensitive to those who don't understand these principles yet and are trying to do the right thing. There is a line and we must pursue Wisdom from God Alone to know where that line is.
til next time.let's read Scriptures for 15 minutes..
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Saturday, August 26, 2017
Euthenasia or Natural Death??
It is very hard to lead the care of elders...and those who are very ill....it is also very hard to make decisions that not only have permanent consequences but will affect our own soul. We must always be informed as much as possible...because today's world pushes things that surely go against God and His Ways.....words and phrases...nurses, doctors, admins often present things in a light without the clarity a theologian...pastor....or place of worship would...never presenting God's Perspective...i learned this first hand when my father was ill and died 4 yrs ago....was shocked at some of the practices in hospitals...and the confusion given to many families who made hasty decisions to "end life".....even people who are holy.
i want to present the Catholic End of Life Decisions from EWTN....a very authentic and clear place to seek the Truth about many things...in this case...End of Life Decisions....read and study now...so if you ever are confronted with decisions like this or have to support anyone in this position, you will know and understand the Holy Way to respect life til natural death!...God has two places we never should touch...giving life...and taking life....they are His Domain and we must do all in our power to respect and understand it well...i have supported many people who did not know TheTruth in all this....
The Catholic Church is the leader in this regard of Life....even if you are not Catholic, read our documents and study what we believe....i am sure you will be pleasantly surprised at the balance and clarity of what we believe and defend...
til next time...let's read and study this document....and pray for all those who are being forced to die by the wrong decisions made on their behalf and for those in position of making these most serious decisions both in the medical field and in families. It is no easy place to be for any of them.
https://ewtn.com/morals/end-of-life.htm
i want to present the Catholic End of Life Decisions from EWTN....a very authentic and clear place to seek the Truth about many things...in this case...End of Life Decisions....read and study now...so if you ever are confronted with decisions like this or have to support anyone in this position, you will know and understand the Holy Way to respect life til natural death!...God has two places we never should touch...giving life...and taking life....they are His Domain and we must do all in our power to respect and understand it well...i have supported many people who did not know TheTruth in all this....
The Catholic Church is the leader in this regard of Life....even if you are not Catholic, read our documents and study what we believe....i am sure you will be pleasantly surprised at the balance and clarity of what we believe and defend...
til next time...let's read and study this document....and pray for all those who are being forced to die by the wrong decisions made on their behalf and for those in position of making these most serious decisions both in the medical field and in families. It is no easy place to be for any of them.
https://ewtn.com/morals/end-of-life.htm
Friday, August 25, 2017
Welcome Equador! Bienvenido Ecuador
Thank you Equador for joining us on my blog. i pray you will invite all your family and friends to join us. i hope you will come back to visit real soon.
Gracias Ecuador por unirse a nosotros en mi blog. te ruego que invite a toda tu familia y amigos a unirse a nosotros. espero que volverá a visitar pronto.
Hope for grieving death of a 15 year old!
i received a text late last night from a man who just returned from his young cousin's wake asking:
"How can i ask the Lord tonight to console my cousin and his wife who's son, 15 years old was struck and killed by a car while riding his bike..."
When i texted back i recognized it was not my words....but Words inspired by God! Our prayer life...our spiritual journey really matters not just for us but for all those in our lives. This man who texted me was a lawyer...what do i have to give a man of great reputation and prestige?...what words can i say to help?...God knew...and because i run to God, as Mother Teresa once explained, "i was the pencil in God's Hand! Here was my reply....i thought it might bring consolation and encouragement to many....
THE WAY HE DIED DOES NOT MATTER. HIS AGE MEANS, AS THE SCRIPTURES SAY, THAT HE DID NOT NEED 100 YRS TO EVOLVE. HE HAD A YOUNG CAREER THAT REACHED MATURITY QUICKER THAN OTHERS. THE BOTTOM LINE IS HE HAS MET THE ONE WHO CREATED HIM AN LOVES HIM LIKE NO OTHER. HE HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD BEFORE US. IF WE MEDITATE ON THAT JUST A SHORT TIME, WE CAN FEEL A LITTLE JOY IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR GREAT SUFFERING. THERE ARE NO BETTER HANDS FOR HIM TO BE IN THAN GODS NOT EVEN HIS PARENTS. THE TRUTH IS WE ARE ON JOURNEY TO ANOTHER HOMELAND AND SO THIS REMINDS US WE ARE PILGRIMS GOING SOMEWHERE. WITH THIS BEING SAID, YOUR FAMILY MUST BE ALLOWED TO GRIEVE. AT THIS TIME HOLD ON IS THE ONLY THING WE CAN SAY. ALSO I AM PRAYING FOR YOU AND ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP, PLZ LET ME NO. BUT LITTLE BY LITTLE WE MUST SEEK WAYS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE EXISTENCE OF HEAVEN AND THE MOST POWERFUL REALITY THAT WE WILL SEE YOUR COUSIN AGAIN. AN WE MUST DO ALL IN OUR POWER TO GROW IN HOLINESS TO INSURE WE WILL ONE DAY HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY. CALL ME IF YOU WANT TO TALK MORE AND PLEASE OFFER MY HEART'S COMPASSION AND DEEP PRAYERS TO ALL. I AM AVAILABLE AT ANY TIME BY PHONE OR HOUSE CALL TO HELP.
MAY THE LIVING GOD WRAP HIS LOVING ARMS AROUND ALL OF YOU ASSURING YOU OF HIS LOVE AND THE REALITY OF HEAVEN AND THE BLESSED ASSURANCE THAT YOUR COUSIN LIVES AND IS SAFE AND YOU WILL SEE HIM AGAIN ONE DAY!!! PEACE BE WITH YOU ALL!!! IN JESUS' NAME I PRAY, AMEN!
(a favorite song of mine is "I can only imagine!" It is very powerful and has carried many thru death and grief. i hope it offers some consolation! see link below.)
til next time....Let's read Matthew 5....The Beatitudes....
"How can i ask the Lord tonight to console my cousin and his wife who's son, 15 years old was struck and killed by a car while riding his bike..."
When i texted back i recognized it was not my words....but Words inspired by God! Our prayer life...our spiritual journey really matters not just for us but for all those in our lives. This man who texted me was a lawyer...what do i have to give a man of great reputation and prestige?...what words can i say to help?...God knew...and because i run to God, as Mother Teresa once explained, "i was the pencil in God's Hand! Here was my reply....i thought it might bring consolation and encouragement to many....
THE WAY HE DIED DOES NOT MATTER. HIS AGE MEANS, AS THE SCRIPTURES SAY, THAT HE DID NOT NEED 100 YRS TO EVOLVE. HE HAD A YOUNG CAREER THAT REACHED MATURITY QUICKER THAN OTHERS. THE BOTTOM LINE IS HE HAS MET THE ONE WHO CREATED HIM AN LOVES HIM LIKE NO OTHER. HE HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD BEFORE US. IF WE MEDITATE ON THAT JUST A SHORT TIME, WE CAN FEEL A LITTLE JOY IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR GREAT SUFFERING. THERE ARE NO BETTER HANDS FOR HIM TO BE IN THAN GODS NOT EVEN HIS PARENTS. THE TRUTH IS WE ARE ON JOURNEY TO ANOTHER HOMELAND AND SO THIS REMINDS US WE ARE PILGRIMS GOING SOMEWHERE. WITH THIS BEING SAID, YOUR FAMILY MUST BE ALLOWED TO GRIEVE. AT THIS TIME HOLD ON IS THE ONLY THING WE CAN SAY. ALSO I AM PRAYING FOR YOU AND ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP, PLZ LET ME NO. BUT LITTLE BY LITTLE WE MUST SEEK WAYS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE EXISTENCE OF HEAVEN AND THE MOST POWERFUL REALITY THAT WE WILL SEE YOUR COUSIN AGAIN. AN WE MUST DO ALL IN OUR POWER TO GROW IN HOLINESS TO INSURE WE WILL ONE DAY HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY. CALL ME IF YOU WANT TO TALK MORE AND PLEASE OFFER MY HEART'S COMPASSION AND DEEP PRAYERS TO ALL. I AM AVAILABLE AT ANY TIME BY PHONE OR HOUSE CALL TO HELP.
MAY THE LIVING GOD WRAP HIS LOVING ARMS AROUND ALL OF YOU ASSURING YOU OF HIS LOVE AND THE REALITY OF HEAVEN AND THE BLESSED ASSURANCE THAT YOUR COUSIN LIVES AND IS SAFE AND YOU WILL SEE HIM AGAIN ONE DAY!!! PEACE BE WITH YOU ALL!!! IN JESUS' NAME I PRAY, AMEN!
(a favorite song of mine is "I can only imagine!" It is very powerful and has carried many thru death and grief. i hope it offers some consolation! see link below.)
til next time....Let's read Matthew 5....The Beatitudes....
Mt 5:4 "Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted."
m.youtube.com/watch?v=rBnmEbIF_yY
Welcome Brazil! Bem-vindo ao Brasil!
Thank you for joining us on this blog site. Please let all those you know they are welcomed here and i hope you will come back for a visit real soon!
Obrigado por se juntar a nós neste site do blog. Por favor, deixe todos aqueles que você conhece serem bem-vindos aqui e espero que você volte para uma visita em breve!
Welcome Pakistan! خوش آمدید پاکستان !!!
Thank you Pakistan for joining us on this blog. Encourage all those you know and love to join us as well. i hope you return to visit again!
اس بلاگ کے بارے میں آپ پہلے ہی غلط استعمال کی اطلاع دے چکے ہیں. ان سب کو حوصلہ افزائی کریں جو آپ جانتے ہیں اور ہم سے مل کر بھی محبت کرتے ہیں. میں امید کرتا ہوں کہ آپ دوبارہ واپس جائیں گے!
Thursday, August 17, 2017
THANK YOU !!San Alphonso Retreat House Long Branch, NJ
i have been on retreat at the San Alphonso Retreat House Long Branch, NJ this week and many times in years past. i want to encourage anyone looking for a place to rest in Christ....a place where every opportunity is given to nurture a soul to experience God in new and wonderful ways...to consider this location. The retreat staff are marvelous. Their love and care for all the people who pass them by is genuine and comes from a Deeper Place...from their own intimacy with their God. They are most gifted in their sharing and teachings....and the services and Masses are like healing balm being poured out over you. Everything from the office staff, to the kitchen and dining room crew....every aspect of this Holy Place is conducive to rest and rejuvenation. i pray you get a chance to go there. Here is their website....check their calendar...men ....women....married couples and much more...there are still group retreats available this year and feel free to call to schedule a private one too.
http://www.sanalfonsoretreats.org/
The location on the beach automatically wins it a 10 +....Please also consider donating to them. They provide care for so many at cost, and repairs and upkeep on a facility like this is always great including damages they incurred during Hurricane Sandy. Let's spread the word about this treasured retreat house!
til next time....give me a little time to reacclamate to ordinary life and then i will get back to writing....be assured of my continued prayers for you....enjoy a song that was so conducive of healing used on this retreat, Be Still (my love)....by david kauffman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEs5DfZ7XVQ
THANK YOU EVERYONE AT SAN ALPHONSO RETREAT HOUSE!
http://www.sanalfonsoretreats.org/
The location on the beach automatically wins it a 10 +....Please also consider donating to them. They provide care for so many at cost, and repairs and upkeep on a facility like this is always great including damages they incurred during Hurricane Sandy. Let's spread the word about this treasured retreat house!
til next time....give me a little time to reacclamate to ordinary life and then i will get back to writing....be assured of my continued prayers for you....enjoy a song that was so conducive of healing used on this retreat, Be Still (my love)....by david kauffman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEs5DfZ7XVQ
THANK YOU EVERYONE AT SAN ALPHONSO RETREAT HOUSE!
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
Welcome visitors from Turkmenistan!
i welcome all new visitors from Turkmenistan. Sadly my translator does not have your language available to write a welcome in your language. And so i write it in English only. i hope and pray you will continue to visit and sign up for this blog. Invite all your friends and family to join us as we journey together. Thank you for visiting. And may God richly bless you! til next time.....ang
"i can do all things thru Christ Who strengthens me!"
"i can do all things thru Christ Who strengthens me!"
Thursday, August 10, 2017
Sunday, August 6, 2017
Stop, pray and wait to hear from HIM!
Sometimes in life we get stopped in our tracks with responsibilities to serve others. Often it can be one thing after another for a season. We usually approach these things as annoyances, interference in our lives and regular routine. But there is another way....everything that passes us by is a lesson....every good and troublesome thing brings a lesson to be learned. We have the opportunity to either gracefully pass thru with God asking what is it i can learn from this problem....this annoyance...this situation....and patiently wait til the light bulb over our heads starts to light up with His Grace. Resignation to God is very difficult and often gets met with our own very limited intellectual interpretation of what something is and how it should be handled and how soon it should be over. Only God has Ultimate Wisdom and we little ones need just stay in touch with Him. You know many ask my advice....i know nothing!....many come and seek my counsel....i have none! As creatures our worth and value alone is a grain of sand but with God we have infinite value. And so the answers lie in One Place....and this is the only thing i really know....If we are faithful to God....if we allocate time for Him and integrate Him into every part of our lives, we will gain Wisdom from His Graceful Hands....we will know what to do and when and how....we will await His 'Voice'and not rush a situation to closure but instinctively wait and then know what needs to be done. Our God will not leave us floundering. Our God loves us soooo much, and it hurts Him when we try to do it all alone....forcing things that never needed forcing...relax, pray, and pray some more and wait on Him. You will clearly know the difference between a rushed forced decision and His Graceful Response....you will gain an interior peace and a deep knowing that the answer...resolution you have thought of is only from Him! It is a silent hearing...but a sure hearing none the less. As we develop these skills more and more in our daily lives, it becomes second nature to dance with God and learn the lessons He is providing for us to grow. And remember....waiting is doing something....being still and knowing He is God is active....so don't rush the reply...it will come at the absolute appropriate moment of Grace. This discernment is very lacking in the Body of Christ. Very few teach this....very few know it for themselves...and the lessons in trusting God....patience...self-control....wisdom...understanding....obedience...etc etc....are gifts that never fade or lose their luster. May God Himself invade our privacy...help us resign and relax waiting on Him so that we might dance with Him thru each day of our lives....learning all the lessons He so desire for us to become more and more beautiful...more and more like Him....more and more into the saint you and i were created to be. PRAISED BE JESUS CHRIST NOW AND FOREVER!
REMINDER: Today is Sabbath....a Holy Day of rest....don't treat this day the same as others....washing....cooking....cleaning....working....God wants us to rest and be restored on this day....to experience a little of Heaven as my dear Jewish Orthodox friend once told me as she shared what Sabbath was to her....."a piece of Heaven"....do today only what is fitting and honoring of Our Lord....do today whatever will refresh and restore you....do today loving things that identify us as Catholic Christians....we need celebrate our Sundays....our Day of Resurrection....with a different flavor than the world....let's start to day in respecting...implementing and obeying the Third Commandment..."Thou shalt keep Holy the Sabbath Day!"
til next time....let be still with God....on this Sabbath for a time...smiling at Him, listening to Him...and as Mary, His Mother, did before us...."ponder" and keep and treasure these things in our hearts.
Luke 2:19
And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.
Ponder may also be seen in many places in the Bible. Here are just a few we can look up and read:
Psalm 119, 143, 154 and Proverbs 6
REMINDER: Today is Sabbath....a Holy Day of rest....don't treat this day the same as others....washing....cooking....cleaning....working....God wants us to rest and be restored on this day....to experience a little of Heaven as my dear Jewish Orthodox friend once told me as she shared what Sabbath was to her....."a piece of Heaven"....do today only what is fitting and honoring of Our Lord....do today whatever will refresh and restore you....do today loving things that identify us as Catholic Christians....we need celebrate our Sundays....our Day of Resurrection....with a different flavor than the world....let's start to day in respecting...implementing and obeying the Third Commandment..."Thou shalt keep Holy the Sabbath Day!"
til next time....let be still with God....on this Sabbath for a time...smiling at Him, listening to Him...and as Mary, His Mother, did before us...."ponder" and keep and treasure these things in our hearts.
Luke 2:19
And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.
Ponder may also be seen in many places in the Bible. Here are just a few we can look up and read:
Psalm 119, 143, 154 and Proverbs 6
Monday, July 24, 2017
Wecome Cambodia! ស្វាគមន៍ប្រទេសកម្ពុជា! svakom bratesa kampouchea!
welcome to my Cambodian friends in Christ! I hope you come back and visit this blog often and share it with your friends. May God richly bless you and your country with His Choicest Blessings!
សូមស្វាគមន៍ចំពោះមិត្តភក្តិកម្ពុជារបស់ខ្ញុំនៅក្នុងព្រះគ្រីស្ទ! ខ្ញុំសង្ឃឹមថាអ្នកត្រលប់មកទស្សនាប្លុកនេះជាញឹកញាប់ហើយចែករំលែកវាជាមួយមិត្តភក្តិរបស់អ្នក។ សូមអោយព្រះប្រទានពរដល់អ្នកនិងប្រទេសរបស់អ្នកដោយព្រះពរដ៏ល្អបំផុតរបស់ទ្រង់!
saumosvakom champoh mitt phokte kampouchea robsakhnhom nowknong preahkrist! khnhom sangkhumtha anak tralb mk tossaana blok nih chea nhuknheab haey chekromlek vea cheamuoy mitt phokte robsa anak . saum aoy preah bratan pr dl anak ning bratesa robsa anak daoy preahpr da la bamphot robsa trong!
Sunday, July 23, 2017
Love and Kindness to all even enemies
i sent this out in text to some dear friends today....an inspiration i got at Mass this morning.... and so i share it here:
MAY OUR THOUGHTS AND RESPONSES TO EVERYONE TODAY REFLECT LOVE AND DEEP KINDNESS THAT CAN ONLY HAVE ONE SOURCE, GOD! AN MAY IT ESPECIALLY BE EXTENDED TO THOSE WE LEAST UNDERSTAND, LIKE, GET ALONG WITH, THOSE WHO HAVE HURT US DEEPLY, AND THOSE WE CONSIDER AN ENEMY! THEN AND ONLY THEN CAN WE BE CALLED CHILDREN OF THE MOST HIGH GOD!
Lots to think about in this....and work on....and apply starting in our own homes....The world can be very different if we all start to apply principles like this.....til next time, read God's Holy Word on loving enemies....ang
Matthew 5:43-48
Love of Enemies.43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’44But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,45that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.46For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same?47And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same?48So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.
LUKE 6:27-36
Love of Enemies.27“But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.29To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic.30Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.31Do to others as you would have them do to you.32For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.33And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same.34If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit [is] that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount.35But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.36Be merciful, just as [also] your Father is merciful.
MAY OUR THOUGHTS AND RESPONSES TO EVERYONE TODAY REFLECT LOVE AND DEEP KINDNESS THAT CAN ONLY HAVE ONE SOURCE, GOD! AN MAY IT ESPECIALLY BE EXTENDED TO THOSE WE LEAST UNDERSTAND, LIKE, GET ALONG WITH, THOSE WHO HAVE HURT US DEEPLY, AND THOSE WE CONSIDER AN ENEMY! THEN AND ONLY THEN CAN WE BE CALLED CHILDREN OF THE MOST HIGH GOD!
Lots to think about in this....and work on....and apply starting in our own homes....The world can be very different if we all start to apply principles like this.....til next time, read God's Holy Word on loving enemies....ang
Matthew 5:43-48
Love of Enemies.43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’44But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,45that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.46For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same?47And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same?48So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.
LUKE 6:27-36
Love of Enemies.27“But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.29To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic.30Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.31Do to others as you would have them do to you.32For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.33And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same.34If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit [is] that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount.35But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.36Be merciful, just as [also] your Father is merciful.
Friday, July 14, 2017
3 beautiful quotes....
Three beautiful phrases i wanted to share....they speak for themselves...
1. Extremes: "IF YOU WISH TO GO TO EXTREMES, LET IT BE IN SWEETNESS, PATIENCE, HUMILITY, AND CHARITY!" St Phillip Neri
2. "IT'S NOT HOW MUCH WE GIVE, BUT HOW MUCH LOVE WE PUT INTO GIVING." St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta
3. "JESUS CHRIST HAS GIVEN THE PRECIOUS GIFTS OF HIS HEART, FOR FROM NO ONE ELSE CAN YOU LEARN HOLINESS, HE BEING THE INEXHAUSTIBLE SOURCE OF TRUE HOLINESS!" St. Teresa Verzeri
Sometimes all we need is a sentence to springboard us into deep recollection and prayer....into an exchange with Our Dear God! The saints offer us many great words and we will be drawn to different ones at different times in our lives. Look up your favorite saint's quotes...find the ones that speak to you...print them and put them all around your house...this is a very simple yet different way to nurture our prayer life.
til next time....let's do as i suggested above....look up quotes from our favorite saints and let them help us go to a higher place in prayer and action in our lives....God bless! ang
ps: check out this site with quotes from the saints on prayer....enjoy...
http://www.saintsquotes.net/Selection%20-%20Prayer.html
1. Extremes: "IF YOU WISH TO GO TO EXTREMES, LET IT BE IN SWEETNESS, PATIENCE, HUMILITY, AND CHARITY!" St Phillip Neri
2. "IT'S NOT HOW MUCH WE GIVE, BUT HOW MUCH LOVE WE PUT INTO GIVING." St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta
3. "JESUS CHRIST HAS GIVEN THE PRECIOUS GIFTS OF HIS HEART, FOR FROM NO ONE ELSE CAN YOU LEARN HOLINESS, HE BEING THE INEXHAUSTIBLE SOURCE OF TRUE HOLINESS!" St. Teresa Verzeri
Sometimes all we need is a sentence to springboard us into deep recollection and prayer....into an exchange with Our Dear God! The saints offer us many great words and we will be drawn to different ones at different times in our lives. Look up your favorite saint's quotes...find the ones that speak to you...print them and put them all around your house...this is a very simple yet different way to nurture our prayer life.
til next time....let's do as i suggested above....look up quotes from our favorite saints and let them help us go to a higher place in prayer and action in our lives....God bless! ang
ps: check out this site with quotes from the saints on prayer....enjoy...
http://www.saintsquotes.net/Selection%20-%20Prayer.html
Sunday, July 9, 2017
Why go to Mass for young children....(and their parents)
Hello younger ones in faith! i wanted to write a little note encouraging all of you about Sunday Mass. The Catholic Church teaches us that Sunday is our Sabbath....our Holy Day each week. And on this day we come together with other families to worship God and thank Him for all He has done for us. We go to Mass to hear His Holy Word....and to receive Jesus in Holy Communion. We come together to be with other families and friends who believe too. i know often you cannot fully understand all that goes on at Mass, but you will someday.... Keep asking Jesus to help you understand the Mass....and for Him to help you to really believe It is Jesus we receive in Holy Communion. If Jesus was going to be on my porch tomorrow morning, where would you want to be tomorrow morning?....my porch of course! Well at our Catholic Mass, Jesus Himself comes and that plain piece of bread becomes Jesus Himself. And the more we receive Him in Holy Communion, the more we can become like Jesus! The more we receive Him the more beautiful we become! God deserves one day out of our 7 days in a week to be dedicated to Him. And it really isn't much to do to go to Mass for 1 hour when there are 24 hours in our Sunday. That means we still have 23 other hours to do lots of other things all day and night.
Many years ago there was a man named Moses. This was long before Jesus was born. And God spoke to Moses and gave him 10 Commandments for us to follow. These Commandments are not suggestions, or an idea....they are the rules God gave us to have a beautiful happy life. One of the those Commandments is "Keep Holy the Sabbath Day"...and for us Catholics, that means going to Mass every single Sunday (or Sat night vigil Mass). The only time we are allowed to miss is if we are sick. Now for children, if your parents don't take you, you will not be able to go and it is not your fault. If this happens to you pray for your parents to understand how important Mass is and for God to help them take you. Also speak to them that you want to go to Mass and obey God and His Commandments and the Church's Teachings too.
So let's make sure we don't complain about going to Mass...but encourage everyone else...Mom and Dad....brothers and sisters....aunts and uncles....grandmas and grandpas....friends...by saying "i want to go to Mass.....".....You will be helping all of them remember how great a gift the Mass is. And by the way, when you make your First Holy Communion it is not suppose to be only once in your life....It is suppose to be the first of many Communions.....
Here are a few fun videos explaining about Mass and why we should go every Saturday/Sunday unless we are sick. Maybe Mom and Dad can help you find other things on YouTube and the computer to help you learn more about Jesus, The Catholic Church and Sunday Mass.... til next time....watch these....and maybe i will see you at Mass at your church one weekend....
This video has 6 parts....each one will follow the one before:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dz1T_2GwPhk&list=PLfFXjDog6Jf6rl0n6uRInhFrDuDuprLkx&index=1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfR2Rk7e198
FOR PARENTS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fYtjEDxy6Y&list=PLBT-kXdWX0kUQldN9DlM7eI3WsGKdOtAG
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btdLg0kPCsI
Many years ago there was a man named Moses. This was long before Jesus was born. And God spoke to Moses and gave him 10 Commandments for us to follow. These Commandments are not suggestions, or an idea....they are the rules God gave us to have a beautiful happy life. One of the those Commandments is "Keep Holy the Sabbath Day"...and for us Catholics, that means going to Mass every single Sunday (or Sat night vigil Mass). The only time we are allowed to miss is if we are sick. Now for children, if your parents don't take you, you will not be able to go and it is not your fault. If this happens to you pray for your parents to understand how important Mass is and for God to help them take you. Also speak to them that you want to go to Mass and obey God and His Commandments and the Church's Teachings too.
So let's make sure we don't complain about going to Mass...but encourage everyone else...Mom and Dad....brothers and sisters....aunts and uncles....grandmas and grandpas....friends...by saying "i want to go to Mass.....".....You will be helping all of them remember how great a gift the Mass is. And by the way, when you make your First Holy Communion it is not suppose to be only once in your life....It is suppose to be the first of many Communions.....
Here are a few fun videos explaining about Mass and why we should go every Saturday/Sunday unless we are sick. Maybe Mom and Dad can help you find other things on YouTube and the computer to help you learn more about Jesus, The Catholic Church and Sunday Mass.... til next time....watch these....and maybe i will see you at Mass at your church one weekend....
This video has 6 parts....each one will follow the one before:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dz1T_2GwPhk&list=PLfFXjDog6Jf6rl0n6uRInhFrDuDuprLkx&index=1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfR2Rk7e198
FOR PARENTS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fYtjEDxy6Y&list=PLBT-kXdWX0kUQldN9DlM7eI3WsGKdOtAG
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btdLg0kPCsI
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
The First Three Commandments...GOD, FIRST, ALWAYS!
The Ten Commandments are the Best Ideas that can actually save a very lost society. These are not suggestions for us....God, in His Ultimate Wisdom, knew these 10 were the starting point for us to learn to live a life honoring Him and His Ways. The First 3 Commandments focus on The Most Important Person in our lives....GOD! They shout to us," LOVE GOD ABOVE ALL!"....This is a foreign concept to us. Our phones are first, our bank account is first, our children are first, our parents are first, our cars are first, our homes are first, what we want is first, .....spouses, family, friends, education, jewelry, clothing, summer homes, vacations, hair styles, nails, massages, therapy, work, retirement, ....and the list goes on and on. It is time to recognize that the Scriptures clearly state that God is a "Jealous" God. How lovely is that....The Creator of the Universe wants all our undivided attention! He loves us that much!! Just Marvelous!!!
Exodus 20:5
"For I, the LORD, Your God, am A Jealous God, "
You see God knows when we put Him First in His Rightful Place of Honor and Respect and Deep Love, then everything else in our lives falls into place! The above list of things we enjoy in this world are not bad....they become a hindrance only when they are on our throne instead of God being there.
The First Three Commandments are:
1. I AM THE LORD THY GOD, THOU SHALT NOT HAVE STRANGE GODS BEFORE ME!
(strange gods are anything or anyone given higher importance than God Himself)
2. THOU SHALT NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD THY GOD IN VAIN!
3. REMEMBER THAT THOU KEEP HOLY THE SABBATH DAY!
Let us take some time this week to see how we are doing obeying these first Three.
i was shocked to receive two texts from friends just recently..... It was the first time i experienced someone writing OMG (which stands for Oh my God).....i was sad because everyone uses this phrase and it breaks the Second Commandment. We should only invoke God's Precious Name when speaking well of Him, sharing about Him, or calling on Him in prayer.
And The Sabbath....most of us are cleaning, shopping, doing....instead of truly celebrating and relaxing and being with others and praying ....There are many ways we can learn to keep Holy The Sabbath.....of course first and foremost is Church on Sundays...Mass for us Catholics....then we can ask God how He wants us to honor His Day! It is also His Gift to us to rest and fill up to be able to serve the next 6 days....
Anyway, just wanted to bring a reminder to our day of These Beautiful Guidelines God has given us. Remember....we are journeying to a place called Heaven...Our True Home...and in that journeying it is pivotal for us to find God for ourselves....spend more and more time with Him and learn His Ways. As we do that...we become transformed into the most beautiful people and the world, starting with our own little circle, changes for the better....
MARK 12: 29-30
Jesus replied, “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone!30You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength."....
lots to think about...pray about and discern as we look at the First Three Commandments that Scream out to us..."Love God above all!!!"......til next time....God bless! ang
Exodus 20:5
"For I, the LORD, Your God, am A Jealous God, "
You see God knows when we put Him First in His Rightful Place of Honor and Respect and Deep Love, then everything else in our lives falls into place! The above list of things we enjoy in this world are not bad....they become a hindrance only when they are on our throne instead of God being there.
The First Three Commandments are:
1. I AM THE LORD THY GOD, THOU SHALT NOT HAVE STRANGE GODS BEFORE ME!
(strange gods are anything or anyone given higher importance than God Himself)
2. THOU SHALT NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD THY GOD IN VAIN!
3. REMEMBER THAT THOU KEEP HOLY THE SABBATH DAY!
Let us take some time this week to see how we are doing obeying these first Three.
i was shocked to receive two texts from friends just recently..... It was the first time i experienced someone writing OMG (which stands for Oh my God).....i was sad because everyone uses this phrase and it breaks the Second Commandment. We should only invoke God's Precious Name when speaking well of Him, sharing about Him, or calling on Him in prayer.
And The Sabbath....most of us are cleaning, shopping, doing....instead of truly celebrating and relaxing and being with others and praying ....There are many ways we can learn to keep Holy The Sabbath.....of course first and foremost is Church on Sundays...Mass for us Catholics....then we can ask God how He wants us to honor His Day! It is also His Gift to us to rest and fill up to be able to serve the next 6 days....
Anyway, just wanted to bring a reminder to our day of These Beautiful Guidelines God has given us. Remember....we are journeying to a place called Heaven...Our True Home...and in that journeying it is pivotal for us to find God for ourselves....spend more and more time with Him and learn His Ways. As we do that...we become transformed into the most beautiful people and the world, starting with our own little circle, changes for the better....
MARK 12: 29-30
Jesus replied, “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone!30You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength."....
lots to think about...pray about and discern as we look at the First Three Commandments that Scream out to us..."Love God above all!!!"......til next time....God bless! ang
Sunday, July 2, 2017
how to join mailing list, forward to others, and leave a comment
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til next time....
Also, you can forward this by email...facebook...twitter..pin interest...blog it on your blog or publicly recommend it on Google 1 by clicking appropriate logo at bottom of a post.
And finally.....you can leave a comment, but know that it will NOT be published. by going to 'no comments' or scrolling down to leave a comment. It will come directly to me. If i feel it would edify those from the blog site, i will post it....only if you agree to that...either with name or anonymously.
til next time....
Bienvenido mi hermano y hermanas de Mexico...Welcome my brothers and sisters of Mexico
¡Qué feliz estoy de que México sea nuestra nueva adición a mi blog! Gracias por unirse a nosotros y por favor pase la palabra a su familia y amigos. Somos toda la familia extendida de Dios ... hermanos y hermanas en Él. Pidamos a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe que continúe enseñándonos quién es su Hijo y cómo llegar a ser más y más como Él para que el mundo pueda crecer y convertirse en la bella flor que Dios quiso que fuera.
How happy i am that Mexico is our new addition to my blog! Thank you for joining us and please pass the word on to your family and friends. We are all the extended family of God...brothers and sister in Him. Let us ask Our Lady of Guadelupe to continue to teach us Who Her Son is and how to become more and more like Him so the world can grow and become the beautiful flower God intended it to be!
legalism or Love?...caution when representing God!
Blessed Sunday Morning to everyone!
i read an article in a religious magazine. To my sadness it depicted relationship with God in legal terms. Don't get me wrong, the author tried his best to convey a good message, but it surely fell short in doing it in the best way possible. We must be cautious in who 'teaches' these things. James 3 talks about the great responsibility we have when we try to share Religious Truths. What am i talking about? and how does this apply to all of us?
First, The Message of Jesus Christ is a Deep and Extraordinary Message that must always ....ALWAYS come from The Source of Love. Not a mushy gushy love as the world sees it, but from A Love that is Absolutely Inviting, Delicious, Unexperienced anywhere else. You see, it is very easy for us to give the 'way to live' as a follower of Jesus rather than the Magnificent Love 'affair' It is. After one really experiences God's Deep Unconditional Love, the 'way to live' manifests itself automatically. To force someone to do for God (other than teaching children but even here Wisdom must be used) makes them resentful and the service is not sincere. The very first step to helping anyone is first to pray for them to lay the Fertile Soil for God to work....and then to try and help them experience "The Glance of God". Even with children as they get older, we must help them to start to understand to take everything to God in prayer themselves ....and help them learn to 'hear' His Voice in their conscience and heart ...so then, as they develop their own discernment, they will be able to do as He Instructs. God has all the answers to everything....God Himself with guide us if we are seeking with sincere hearts..we don't need postal people to deliver God's message to us....He will undoubtedly send the answers when we ask Him directly ..He can use anyone and anything to help us locate the answers, but inevitably, it will come from Him.....eventually we must reach a point where we go directly to God in everything knowing we will get the Best Advice and Only Advice Worthy of our total attention and focus, if we take everything to God in prayer. It is fine for us to seek opinions of people as many minds/ideas are better than one, but that is all it is....their opinions, no better, no worse than ours. It is then that we go directly to the Creator Who has High Insight and will give us the answers to every situation. The beautiful thing is "God does not play favorites"....He will aide anyone who runs to Him for help. And the Saints of old, the early church Fathers and Mothers and we in 2017 will be given the Same Concepts, Ideas, Inspirations when it comes to Faith, Loving God and His Ways. Though the situations may be different and the answers as well, the Foundations will be Constant because God's Truths Remain! And the "TRUTH ALWAYS....ALWAYS SETS US FREE!"
God gave us free will. He never took away our freedom to decide. We must then follow His Example and in our fervor and zeal have self control to be just like Him....a Gentleman Who does not force His people but waits on them..and does everything He can to help them grow and experience His Deep Abiding Love. No force feeding anyone God..no threats..no 'have to'.... instead pray...plant seeds in Deep Love....let your life example be your best teaching tool....and as often attributed to St. Francis telling his followers when they were departing to evangelize the world....'Teach the Gospel....preach Jesus Christ, but only use words when necessary!' Francis obviously knew the power of our words as depicted in James Chapters 1 and 3, and how limited we are when using them.
Bring Jesus to your space in the world.....use words only when necessary!
til next time....re-read all the reading from Mass today and let's study James chapter 1 and 3....ang
i read an article in a religious magazine. To my sadness it depicted relationship with God in legal terms. Don't get me wrong, the author tried his best to convey a good message, but it surely fell short in doing it in the best way possible. We must be cautious in who 'teaches' these things. James 3 talks about the great responsibility we have when we try to share Religious Truths. What am i talking about? and how does this apply to all of us?
First, The Message of Jesus Christ is a Deep and Extraordinary Message that must always ....ALWAYS come from The Source of Love. Not a mushy gushy love as the world sees it, but from A Love that is Absolutely Inviting, Delicious, Unexperienced anywhere else. You see, it is very easy for us to give the 'way to live' as a follower of Jesus rather than the Magnificent Love 'affair' It is. After one really experiences God's Deep Unconditional Love, the 'way to live' manifests itself automatically. To force someone to do for God (other than teaching children but even here Wisdom must be used) makes them resentful and the service is not sincere. The very first step to helping anyone is first to pray for them to lay the Fertile Soil for God to work....and then to try and help them experience "The Glance of God". Even with children as they get older, we must help them to start to understand to take everything to God in prayer themselves ....and help them learn to 'hear' His Voice in their conscience and heart ...so then, as they develop their own discernment, they will be able to do as He Instructs. God has all the answers to everything....God Himself with guide us if we are seeking with sincere hearts..we don't need postal people to deliver God's message to us....He will undoubtedly send the answers when we ask Him directly ..He can use anyone and anything to help us locate the answers, but inevitably, it will come from Him.....eventually we must reach a point where we go directly to God in everything knowing we will get the Best Advice and Only Advice Worthy of our total attention and focus, if we take everything to God in prayer. It is fine for us to seek opinions of people as many minds/ideas are better than one, but that is all it is....their opinions, no better, no worse than ours. It is then that we go directly to the Creator Who has High Insight and will give us the answers to every situation. The beautiful thing is "God does not play favorites"....He will aide anyone who runs to Him for help. And the Saints of old, the early church Fathers and Mothers and we in 2017 will be given the Same Concepts, Ideas, Inspirations when it comes to Faith, Loving God and His Ways. Though the situations may be different and the answers as well, the Foundations will be Constant because God's Truths Remain! And the "TRUTH ALWAYS....ALWAYS SETS US FREE!"
God gave us free will. He never took away our freedom to decide. We must then follow His Example and in our fervor and zeal have self control to be just like Him....a Gentleman Who does not force His people but waits on them..and does everything He can to help them grow and experience His Deep Abiding Love. No force feeding anyone God..no threats..no 'have to'.... instead pray...plant seeds in Deep Love....let your life example be your best teaching tool....and as often attributed to St. Francis telling his followers when they were departing to evangelize the world....'Teach the Gospel....preach Jesus Christ, but only use words when necessary!' Francis obviously knew the power of our words as depicted in James Chapters 1 and 3, and how limited we are when using them.
Bring Jesus to your space in the world.....use words only when necessary!
til next time....re-read all the reading from Mass today and let's study James chapter 1 and 3....ang
Saturday, June 24, 2017
Want MORE? JESUS in The Eucharist!
The message i got this week while at my morning at the monastery in prayer was "More!"...and i want to encourage all of us to look at this word and see where God wants "More" from us. There are two women i encourage in their walk with God and they both are extremely deep, sincere, innocent and open to the Promptings of the Holy Spirit. After spending time sharing with the both of them, i felt that same message should go out to you....
As Catholics we believe and know the Eucharist is the "Source and Summit of our faith". St. John Paul II is the one who coined this phrase. The Eucharist is the Holy Communion...when the bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Every Sunday (or Sat. night vigil) we go to Mass to honor God and the Sabbath and receive this Life Giving Food. This Jesus, Disguised in Ordinary Form, gives us every possible good thing to be empowered to go forth and bring His Love and Virtue to everyone and every circumstance of the upcoming week. This is a serious obligation for all Catholics to go to Mass every Sunday/Sat Vigil and receive Him, He Who can change and grow us up to become the saints we were created to be. Only for serious reason can a Catholic miss Mass on Sunday. Otherwise one needs to go to Confession to repent of missing and have the sincere intention of not making that same mistake again. More than following a rule, we lose out when we miss....we are not in our empowered self when we miss....
And so....my suggestion to these lovely women is to pick a day midweek and go to Mass and receive Jesus a second time. Mass during the week is shorter due to the fact that there is only one reading instead of two and there is no music, so the Mass is about 20-30 minutes. The greatest thing people complain about in the spiritual journey is not being able to sustain the strong faith filled living they desire. Want to sustain better?....Want more evident Presence of God in your daily life?....MORE....PRAY MORE, FAST MORE, GIVE ALMS MORE, DO MORE, SEEK MORE, AND ASK FOR MORE! Many people ask me why i go to daily Mass. i used to give a long winded answer most could not understand and now i just say,"If Jesus Christ was going to be on my porch tomorrow morning at 9 am, where would you be 9 am tomorrow?...MY PORCH OF COURSE!" I go because Jesus is there...i go because i need Him to be the "Best Version of Myself".....i go because we are in a war fighting for many and need to be Empowered by The King to succeed....Everyone wants to have what the saints had, but most of us are unwilling to go to those lengths to get it.
i asked my two "sisters" how they felt after receiving Jesus in Holy Communion...The list they gave of positive responses was unbelievable! Peaceful, Strong, Confident, able to Love and bring that Love to others, happy, centered, felt deeply Loved, able to hear many extraordinary inspirations from God to accomplish great works for Him....the list goes on and on and on...My reply,"Then why don't you get to Mass another day in the week and receive Him again to further all this Good in you?"
Pick 5 of the closest Catholic churches, monasteries, convents, and/or Catholic Retreat Centers surrounding your home or work. Contact all of them and find out what their daily Mass Schedule is. Make a list and you will have many options on all different days to be able to squeeze in Mass during the week according to your life and responsibilities.
If you cannot get to a Mass....stop in a church and just be present to Jesus in the Tabernacle (where the Consecrated (Blessed) Hosts (JESUS) are kept and let Jesus heal you and fill you even just for 5 minutes in the middle of the week. Communion on Sunday is the requirement for the general population as a Catholic.....if you want an extraordinary prayer life....then we need to implement MORE...if MORE is truly what we are looking for.
Receiving Holy Communion more than once a week, being with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament (What we call the Consecrated Host that is no longer ordinary bread but the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ).....has Extraordinary Fruits and Gifts that come ONLY from this SOURCE! There are many beautiful things in the spiritual life that are beautiful, marvelous, empowering....but JESUS IN THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT brings to us what no other means can....HIMSELF....HIS BODY, BLOOD, SOUL AND DIVINITY....
May the heart of Jesus, in the Most Blessed Sacrament, be praised, adored, and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen
til next time....watch these first two videos from YouTube...they are marvelous in presenting information on the Eucharist...Jesus Truly Present in the Form of Bread and Wine by Bishop Rick Barron, one of the best Catholic Teachers of our time. The lower two listings you can go to see more videos of Bishop Barron and many other apologists who have done projects to help us grow our faith in the Truths of the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist! always in my prayers! ang
Mystery of eating Jesus' Flesh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDVLBUK5FGw
Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJjW3LXuHzo
Many videos from Bishop Barron on Eucharist...what Catholics believe
https://www.youtube.cosearch_query=bishop+Rick+Barron+on+jesus+in+the+eucharistm/results?
Various videos on Eucharist available on youtube
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=EUCHARIST
As Catholics we believe and know the Eucharist is the "Source and Summit of our faith". St. John Paul II is the one who coined this phrase. The Eucharist is the Holy Communion...when the bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Every Sunday (or Sat. night vigil) we go to Mass to honor God and the Sabbath and receive this Life Giving Food. This Jesus, Disguised in Ordinary Form, gives us every possible good thing to be empowered to go forth and bring His Love and Virtue to everyone and every circumstance of the upcoming week. This is a serious obligation for all Catholics to go to Mass every Sunday/Sat Vigil and receive Him, He Who can change and grow us up to become the saints we were created to be. Only for serious reason can a Catholic miss Mass on Sunday. Otherwise one needs to go to Confession to repent of missing and have the sincere intention of not making that same mistake again. More than following a rule, we lose out when we miss....we are not in our empowered self when we miss....
And so....my suggestion to these lovely women is to pick a day midweek and go to Mass and receive Jesus a second time. Mass during the week is shorter due to the fact that there is only one reading instead of two and there is no music, so the Mass is about 20-30 minutes. The greatest thing people complain about in the spiritual journey is not being able to sustain the strong faith filled living they desire. Want to sustain better?....Want more evident Presence of God in your daily life?....MORE....PRAY MORE, FAST MORE, GIVE ALMS MORE, DO MORE, SEEK MORE, AND ASK FOR MORE! Many people ask me why i go to daily Mass. i used to give a long winded answer most could not understand and now i just say,"If Jesus Christ was going to be on my porch tomorrow morning at 9 am, where would you be 9 am tomorrow?...MY PORCH OF COURSE!" I go because Jesus is there...i go because i need Him to be the "Best Version of Myself".....i go because we are in a war fighting for many and need to be Empowered by The King to succeed....Everyone wants to have what the saints had, but most of us are unwilling to go to those lengths to get it.
i asked my two "sisters" how they felt after receiving Jesus in Holy Communion...The list they gave of positive responses was unbelievable! Peaceful, Strong, Confident, able to Love and bring that Love to others, happy, centered, felt deeply Loved, able to hear many extraordinary inspirations from God to accomplish great works for Him....the list goes on and on and on...My reply,"Then why don't you get to Mass another day in the week and receive Him again to further all this Good in you?"
Pick 5 of the closest Catholic churches, monasteries, convents, and/or Catholic Retreat Centers surrounding your home or work. Contact all of them and find out what their daily Mass Schedule is. Make a list and you will have many options on all different days to be able to squeeze in Mass during the week according to your life and responsibilities.
If you cannot get to a Mass....stop in a church and just be present to Jesus in the Tabernacle (where the Consecrated (Blessed) Hosts (JESUS) are kept and let Jesus heal you and fill you even just for 5 minutes in the middle of the week. Communion on Sunday is the requirement for the general population as a Catholic.....if you want an extraordinary prayer life....then we need to implement MORE...if MORE is truly what we are looking for.
Receiving Holy Communion more than once a week, being with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament (What we call the Consecrated Host that is no longer ordinary bread but the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ).....has Extraordinary Fruits and Gifts that come ONLY from this SOURCE! There are many beautiful things in the spiritual life that are beautiful, marvelous, empowering....but JESUS IN THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT brings to us what no other means can....HIMSELF....HIS BODY, BLOOD, SOUL AND DIVINITY....
May the heart of Jesus, in the Most Blessed Sacrament, be praised, adored, and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen
til next time....watch these first two videos from YouTube...they are marvelous in presenting information on the Eucharist...Jesus Truly Present in the Form of Bread and Wine by Bishop Rick Barron, one of the best Catholic Teachers of our time. The lower two listings you can go to see more videos of Bishop Barron and many other apologists who have done projects to help us grow our faith in the Truths of the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist! always in my prayers! ang
Mystery of eating Jesus' Flesh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDVLBUK5FGw
Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJjW3LXuHzo
Many videos from Bishop Barron on Eucharist...what Catholics believe
https://www.youtube.cosearch_query=bishop+Rick+Barron+on+jesus+in+the+eucharistm/results?
Various videos on Eucharist available on youtube
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=EUCHARIST
Thursday, June 22, 2017
St Aloysius....'Dear Mom'
Two days ago was the Feast of St. Aloysius...i will include a link below to read about his short life. The marvelous thing about the lives of saints is they include so many reminders....encouraging ideas and works....they are our role models...because they were sinners just like us, that made it to become the saints they were created to be!....They made Jesus Christ the Center of their lives and therefore succeeded in attaining Heaven.
A dear friend in Christ told me to read St. Aloysius' letter to his Mom which he wrote at the age of 23 when dying of the plague which he contracted while caring for those ill with the sickness. This letter is a reminder of the place of respect and love and honor a Mother should have (remember a Father too deserves this also)....the interesting thing is his parents fought him and gave him great grief in seeking a religious life....and even then on his deathbed, he thinks of her....God does not specify to honor our parents if they are perfect....just to honor them......and forgiveness is not an option as a Christian or with our parents.... The Gospel yesterday at Mass clearly stated that:
"If you forgive others their transgressions,
your heavenly Father will forgive you.
But if you do not forgive others,
neither will your Father forgive your transgressions."
This is a great reminder in our need to evaluate if we honor our mothers and fathers..our grandfathers and grandmothers....great grandmothers and great grandfathers (if we are so blessed to have them still with us on earth)....not just by saying how great they are or bragging that we have them .........but by bringing dignity to their lives and spending quality time while they are alive...those blessed with long life are the most forgotten and lonely even with great care from someone......i know this first hand as a full time caregiver for my 93 yr old Mom (and my Dad before her) and as a spiritual director for many. What sad stories i have heard! i find some people, even in families, are afraid and bored by the elderly and totally oblivious to their needs...even ashamed sometimes and just fearful they will die (as we all will someday). Many shy away from calling or visiting regularly....contact is minimal....for some only a few times a yr but "they will surely come when the funeral arrives", and those are the words from the elders themselves. What's the use of having grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, friends and other relatives etc. when you never get to see them or really know them even when they live close.....a very sad reality in many families today. With cell phones there is absolutely no excuse for someone not receiving calls.... Often the elderly give out their money, that they usually don't have to give, to these family/friends when they do come visit. They feel they have to buy the love of their visitors and everyone takes from them never thinking of the reality of their expenses and how money dwindles for elderly so quickly. i remember a dear homemaker who cared for the elderly. One day one of her patients gave her $100 after she had already been paid . She brought the money to the caregiver and said, "Please put this back in her savings for her bills." This homemaker understood how older people forget their present financial situation and their expenses and obviously this homemaker had experienced this with many others she cared for. God bless her honesty and not taking advantage of her patients.
To love and care for anyone...children...the sick...the elderly demands great faith, commitment, love, patience and creativity to make these people priority in our lives purely for love with no underhanded motive. We often go out and do alot of volunteering for multitudes, and forget those in our own family circles who would so benefit from more of our time and care. People...human beings... need to always come before things...events...sports....social status... The rewards of living with this proper order are too many to count and offer us a clear conscience that money can't buy...Let's all evaluate our lives after reading St. Aloysius' letter to his Mom and see where we can become more generous, creative, sincere and charitable with our elders....i remember clearly my parents example to us with my Father's Mother who was the only grandparent i knew....They always visited and called daily and were extremely generous financially with her every time they went over...That is the way it is suppose to be! We take care of the old-timers who once took care of us!
St. Aloysius' letter to his Mom touched my Mom and i so deeply..we had a very beautiful and touching experience after reading this most glorious letter...how grateful i am for that....first how he addresses her, "Most honorable lady"....this is how every mother should be addressed....and how he ends the letter, "with respect and love you deserve from a son".....A reminder to mothers of their dignity, a reminder to children how to honor a mother...and then the content in the middle addresses the joy of death....preparing to cross over to Eternal Life. So well put in this letter, one cannot grieve the same after reading it when thinking of those who have passed on in faith....or even look at death the same again.
When i was younger in high school i went to all different Christian churches to experience their worship. When a young local school boy died i went to the funeral and was taken back....they all wore white and were playing guitars and singing at the wake...when i asked why, they said this is a joyful occasion...he has gone to Heaven to be with God....i will never forget that experience....coming from an Italian Catholic traditional background where we mourned and wore black..... it was my Baptist friends who taught me how to really deal with death..."Roll back the stone, he is not dead!!!!!!!!!!..."
Let us read and ask God to speak thru St. Aloysius' letter to us personally and see if there is something to apply and put into practice in our lives that is new.
so sorry i haven't written in a while....sickness in my immediate family demanded my full attention for a time...i will try to write more often...as many have requested....til next time....be assured of my continued prayers!
PS: A friend of mine had her sister who never married and cared for both their mother and father. i met this friend after her father had died and her sister continued caring for her Mom. i reminded this friend to reach out and thank her sister for all she did. To be more active in their lives and assist her sister asking how she could help. To send cards...flowers...bring gifts...get her to go out for a massage etc....for this one child took on the job for all three children giving up everything. If you have a caregiver in your family or friends who are sacrificing all to care for the elders in your circle...honor them...be good to them...thank them...shower them with kind acts of love and mercy for they are carrying the job many should be doing. And ask how you can help them .
Another elder friend of my family is ill right now and i saw him in church with one of his daughters. i honored her for caring for her Dad who needed her help at this time. She said i am not doing this alone....we, my sisters and i , are rotating caring for him....that is beautiful! Sharing equal weight in the care of a parent...something for us to meditate on....
his bio...
www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=15
www.staloysiushickory.org/about/saint-aloysius-our-patron-saint
letter to his mother: scroll down below picture to see it....
www.crossroadsinitiative.com/media/articles/saint-aloysius-gonzaga-letter-to-his-mother/
A dear friend in Christ told me to read St. Aloysius' letter to his Mom which he wrote at the age of 23 when dying of the plague which he contracted while caring for those ill with the sickness. This letter is a reminder of the place of respect and love and honor a Mother should have (remember a Father too deserves this also)....the interesting thing is his parents fought him and gave him great grief in seeking a religious life....and even then on his deathbed, he thinks of her....God does not specify to honor our parents if they are perfect....just to honor them......and forgiveness is not an option as a Christian or with our parents.... The Gospel yesterday at Mass clearly stated that:
"If you forgive others their transgressions,
your heavenly Father will forgive you.
But if you do not forgive others,
neither will your Father forgive your transgressions."
This is a great reminder in our need to evaluate if we honor our mothers and fathers..our grandfathers and grandmothers....great grandmothers and great grandfathers (if we are so blessed to have them still with us on earth)....not just by saying how great they are or bragging that we have them .........but by bringing dignity to their lives and spending quality time while they are alive...those blessed with long life are the most forgotten and lonely even with great care from someone......i know this first hand as a full time caregiver for my 93 yr old Mom (and my Dad before her) and as a spiritual director for many. What sad stories i have heard! i find some people, even in families, are afraid and bored by the elderly and totally oblivious to their needs...even ashamed sometimes and just fearful they will die (as we all will someday). Many shy away from calling or visiting regularly....contact is minimal....for some only a few times a yr but "they will surely come when the funeral arrives", and those are the words from the elders themselves. What's the use of having grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, friends and other relatives etc. when you never get to see them or really know them even when they live close.....a very sad reality in many families today. With cell phones there is absolutely no excuse for someone not receiving calls.... Often the elderly give out their money, that they usually don't have to give, to these family/friends when they do come visit. They feel they have to buy the love of their visitors and everyone takes from them never thinking of the reality of their expenses and how money dwindles for elderly so quickly. i remember a dear homemaker who cared for the elderly. One day one of her patients gave her $100 after she had already been paid . She brought the money to the caregiver and said, "Please put this back in her savings for her bills." This homemaker understood how older people forget their present financial situation and their expenses and obviously this homemaker had experienced this with many others she cared for. God bless her honesty and not taking advantage of her patients.
To love and care for anyone...children...the sick...the elderly demands great faith, commitment, love, patience and creativity to make these people priority in our lives purely for love with no underhanded motive. We often go out and do alot of volunteering for multitudes, and forget those in our own family circles who would so benefit from more of our time and care. People...human beings... need to always come before things...events...sports....social status... The rewards of living with this proper order are too many to count and offer us a clear conscience that money can't buy...Let's all evaluate our lives after reading St. Aloysius' letter to his Mom and see where we can become more generous, creative, sincere and charitable with our elders....i remember clearly my parents example to us with my Father's Mother who was the only grandparent i knew....They always visited and called daily and were extremely generous financially with her every time they went over...That is the way it is suppose to be! We take care of the old-timers who once took care of us!
St. Aloysius' letter to his Mom touched my Mom and i so deeply..we had a very beautiful and touching experience after reading this most glorious letter...how grateful i am for that....first how he addresses her, "Most honorable lady"....this is how every mother should be addressed....and how he ends the letter, "with respect and love you deserve from a son".....A reminder to mothers of their dignity, a reminder to children how to honor a mother...and then the content in the middle addresses the joy of death....preparing to cross over to Eternal Life. So well put in this letter, one cannot grieve the same after reading it when thinking of those who have passed on in faith....or even look at death the same again.
When i was younger in high school i went to all different Christian churches to experience their worship. When a young local school boy died i went to the funeral and was taken back....they all wore white and were playing guitars and singing at the wake...when i asked why, they said this is a joyful occasion...he has gone to Heaven to be with God....i will never forget that experience....coming from an Italian Catholic traditional background where we mourned and wore black..... it was my Baptist friends who taught me how to really deal with death..."Roll back the stone, he is not dead!!!!!!!!!!..."
Let us read and ask God to speak thru St. Aloysius' letter to us personally and see if there is something to apply and put into practice in our lives that is new.
so sorry i haven't written in a while....sickness in my immediate family demanded my full attention for a time...i will try to write more often...as many have requested....til next time....be assured of my continued prayers!
PS: A friend of mine had her sister who never married and cared for both their mother and father. i met this friend after her father had died and her sister continued caring for her Mom. i reminded this friend to reach out and thank her sister for all she did. To be more active in their lives and assist her sister asking how she could help. To send cards...flowers...bring gifts...get her to go out for a massage etc....for this one child took on the job for all three children giving up everything. If you have a caregiver in your family or friends who are sacrificing all to care for the elders in your circle...honor them...be good to them...thank them...shower them with kind acts of love and mercy for they are carrying the job many should be doing. And ask how you can help them .
Another elder friend of my family is ill right now and i saw him in church with one of his daughters. i honored her for caring for her Dad who needed her help at this time. She said i am not doing this alone....we, my sisters and i , are rotating caring for him....that is beautiful! Sharing equal weight in the care of a parent...something for us to meditate on....
There is no more evident sign that anyone is a saint and of the number of the elect, than to see him leading a good life and at the same time a prey to desolation, suffering, and trials.
-- Saint Aloysius Gonzaga
his bio...
www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=15
www.staloysiushickory.org/about/saint-aloysius-our-patron-saint
letter to his mother: scroll down below picture to see it....
www.crossroadsinitiative.com/media/articles/saint-aloysius-gonzaga-letter-to-his-mother/
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