The Blessed Virigin Mary, Mother of God

Cyril of Alexandria"I have been amazed that some are utterly in doubt as to whether or not the holy Virgin is able to be called the Mother of God. For if our Lord Jesus Christ is God, how should the holy Virgin who bore him not be the Mother of God?" (Letter to the Monks of Egypt 1 [A.D. 427]). "This expression, however, ‘the Word was made flesh’ [John 1:14], can mean nothing else but that he partook of flesh and blood like to us; he made our body his own, and came forth man from a woman, not casting off his existence as God, or his generation of God the Father, but even in taking to himself flesh remaining what he was. This the declaration of the correct faith proclaims everywhere. This was the sentiment of the holy Fathers; therefore they ventured to call the holy Virgin ‘the Mother of God,’ not as if the nature of the Word or his divinity had its beginning from the holy Virgin, but because of her was born that holy body with a rational soul, to which the Word, being personally united, is said to be born according to the flesh" (First Letter to Nestorius [A.D. 430]). "And since the holy Virgin corporeally brought forth God made one with flesh according to nature, for this reason we also call her Mother of God, not as if the nature of the Word had the beginning of its existence from the flesh" (Third Letter to Nestorius [A.D. 430]).
___Photo taken from http://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/pics/Virgin_Mary_Mother_of_God.jpg

Christmas in July, and August ...

  What was Christmas like for me?  Did I experience it as  one of the people in Bethlehem who were so busy they passed by the stable unaware that the cry they heard was the cry of their Savior? Did I take the time I should have to adore our Savior ,who came as a babe that was hungry for love, hungry to forgive and hungry for souls, my soul?
This  past Christmas, did I  miss what could have been an Epiphany or was I  like one of the shepherds who dropped their work and did  seek Christ ,and do what they could to diligently find Christ in the crowds?
Who did I  most relate to in the story of Christ's Birth?
This Christmas was I  like the Wise men - "seeking" by the light of the Church to find Christ? Or like the shepherds present in adoration and ready to receive and spread the Good news? Or like the Innkeeper who was too busy to notice or honor the Christ Child in others and closed the door of his heart to the Holy Family? Or like Herod opposing Christ altogether? Did I suffer loss for Christ's sake as did the the mothers of the Holy Innocents? Did I listen to the call to be like St Joseph, obedient and faithful or like Mary, in love with God, surrendered and obedient or like Jesus, little, poor, humble, forgiving, life giving?... Christmas meditations can keep me busy all year.

"Come to Bethlehem and See"

Luke 2:15
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
I am so impatient to get our shopping done.
My experience preparing for Christmas made me consider how impatient we all can be with ourselves and others. I guess that is par for the course as we live in a world that expects immediate results often achieved at a click of a button.

Ideally, we would like to embrace the trials of the season with joy that we are sharing in God’s plan to bring Christ into the world with a kind word or an open heart. I know that Christ will always remain in Christmas and keeping Him there is not the real problem. The real problem is making a way to remain with and in Him.

Little Boy,Little Fish, Big Faith

John 6:9  9"Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"10 Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
The little boy gave the little he had trusting that nothing was impossible with God. He may of been one of the smallest among Christ followers but he had big faith that when we give Jesus our gifts no matter how small and limited we may think they are and no matter our weaknesses, Jesus can and will work wonders.

the Good News

In the Rosary God calls us to recall and contemplate not only the Sorrowful mysteries of the life of Jesus and Mary but also the Glorious, Joyful and those filled with the Light of God. In doing so we are called to be a people of Hope and Glory not doom and gloom. It is beautiful to discover that thehe mysteries of their lives are the mysteries of our own lives. The Rosary when recalled and prayed in union with the Church reminds us that the world and our lives are not hopeless. Like Jesus and Mary we too can persevere through our sorrow and so we are called to hope and Glory with Christ.
Church tradition calls us to pray the following Mysteries on certain days. Notice how only two days out of seven are we called to contemplate Christ's sufferings. The other five days we focus on joy, glory and light both in the lives of Jesus and Mary and in our own lives. A nice reminder to focus on the Good News !

Monday -Joyful
Tuesday -Sorrowful
Wednesday-Glorious
Thursday -Luminous
Friday-Sorrowful
Saturday-Glorious
Sunday -Glorious
For how to pray the Rosary go to http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/rosary/how_to.htm

In Memory of Michaela Rose Petit

"YOU MUST BE THE CANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD."
by Mohandas Gandhi
I read this quote in the newspaper today. It was in an advertisement which was actually a letter written by Mr. Petit who suffered the horrific loss of his wife and two daughters this summer in a violent home invasion. His daugher Michaela wrote this quote in her facebook. This month, 11-17-95, was her birthday. SHe was my daughters age.
The violence that struck this family has stricken us all and peirced all our hearts but Glory to God for the words and life of Mr. Petit and his family who continue every day to pierce our hearts with heroic acts of faith hope and love. Someone said once that nothing good last forever.
HOW WRONG THEY WERE.
ONLY WHAT IS GOOD LASTS FOREVER. Their horrible evening has ended but their powerful witness of love remains and will remain for eternity.
Let us pray for the Petit family and all those who are victums of violence. May the love of God that conquered death and violence through the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus Christ bring healing and resurrection in their lives and the lives they touch. Amen

Prayer for Families

Heavenly Father,
you have given us the model of life
in the Holy Family of Nazareth.
Help us, O Loving Father,
to make our family another Nazareth
where love, peace and joy reign.
May it be deeply contemplative,
intensely eucharistic,
revived with joy.
Help us to stay together in joy
and sorrow in family prayer.
Teach us to see Jesus in the members of our families,
especially in their distressing disguise.
May the eucharistic heart of Jesus
make our hearts humble like his
and help us to carry out our family duties
in a holy way.
May we love one another
as God loves each one of us,
more and more each day,
and forgive each other's faults
as you forgive our sins.
Help us, O Loving Father,
to take whatever you give
and give whatever you take with a big smile.
Immaculate Heart of Mary,
cause of our joy, pray for us.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
Holy Guardian Angels,
be always with us,
guide and protect us.
Amen.
(Author: Mother Teresa of Calcutta)

Just Say Yes

"Who is the saint? The one who obeys God in his weakness, or the one who demands to have every admirable quality before he sets forth on his quest?" Taken from FATHER ELIJAH by Michael O'Brien

"It doesn't matter how you feel , it matters what you do. Our Lord Himself said that when He told the story of theman who had two sons whom he asked to go into the vineyared. One said no, but went. The other son said yes, and never went. Who did the father's will? The one who said he didn't feel like going, but went anyway(Matt. 21:28-31)That's the example we must follow." Mother Angelica, in Little Book of Life Lessons, edited by Raymond Arroyo

" Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy." God, Exodus

No matter how imperfect we may see ourselves and our circumstance we must put aside our excuses and do what it takes to say "yes" to God. This may be as simple as going to church when we don't feel like it or making a commitment to serve in a new way that is more demanding of our time and resources. Either way, when we move forward in sincerity and trust, God will bless our efforts.

Life is a Battle, Spiritual Warfare

EXODUS
8Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim.
9So Moses said to Joshua, "Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand."
10Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
11So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed.
12But Moses' hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set.
13So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
__________________________________________
Moses and the people of Israel were in a battle. As long as Moses kept his hands raised up, Isreal had the better of the fight. But even Moses could not do this alone. Moses needed the help of the community (Aron and Hur) to support him. We too are in a battle and without community to support us we can not have the victory. Lifes battles can be exhausting and we like Moses need to do more than just believe that our help is in the Lord. This reading is a great reminder that we need to surround ourselves with others who share our faith and whom can we can depend on for help when we are weary. Don't Go it Alone.
Love Mrs. TLF

Our Lady of Fatima

In 1917 Mary the Mother of Jesus appeared to three shepherd children in Fatima Portugal.

There is alot of misinformation about Fatima on the internet. A reliable resource is found at http://www.ewtn.com/fatima/index.htm

Prayer and Message of the Angel of Fatima

My God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love You. I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love You.

The Angel said when he appeared to the children: What are you doing? You must pray! Pray! The hearts of Jesus and Mary have merciful designs for you. You must offer your prayers and sacrifices to God, the Most High.

Lucy: "But how are we to sacrifice?" I asked

Angel: In every way you can offer sacrifice to God in reparation for the sins by which He is offended, and in supplication for sinners. In this way you will bring peace to our country, for I am its guardian angel, the Angel of Portugal. Above all, bear and accept with patience the sufferings God will send you.

Apparaition of Mary

Mary: "Please don't be afraid of me, I'm not going to harm you.....Say the Rosary every day, to bring peace to the world and an end to the war...Pray, pray very much...." for more got to http://www.ewtn.com/fatima/index.htm

Be Still

"Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying." Luke 10:38

I wonder what Jesus was saying. More importantly I ought to ask myself "what is Jesus saying to me today?". Am I willing to slow down enough to sit with Him and listen so I can hear His voice?
Much like sitting in front of the Blessed Sacrament, Mary sat at Jesus' feet and listened. I doubt if she had a book of Novena prayers with her. Sometimes that is important and God can speakto us through them but in this reading Mary simply "listened".  Today I need to lay down our prayer books, sit with Jesus and listen.
Scripture says "Be Still and Know that I am God" Pslam 46:10 .We pray for the grace to be like Mary and to make time to sit, be still and listen to our Lord. Thank God for the Blessed Sacrament where we can always go to be with Him.
Amen

Don't Worry Be Happy

Joy is prayer - Joy is strength - Joy is love - Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.
Mother Teresa

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.
Mother Teresa

Proverbs 3:5
5Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. "

Rest

1He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!" Psalm 91

What is it to live or dwell in the shelter of the Most High? The world calls us to dwell on and in a lot of things. We can dwell in our worries and in the expectations of the world around us but if we can dwell in Him we can proclaim with the psalmist..
"My refuge and my fortress, My God in whom I trust!"
and as the psalmsit faithfully procalims...
"For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper And from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with His pinions,And under His wings you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. You will not be afraid of the terror by night, Or of the arrow that flies by day;Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon. ... 11For He will give His angels charge concerning you, To guard you in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands, That you do not strike your foot against a stone. ...Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. 15"He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 16"With a long life I will satisfy him And let him see My salvation."
Dear God help us to stay close to you in your word and in your sacraments. Help us not to worry but to trust. May we persevere in grace and abide in you so we may rest in a faithful knowledge of your great love for us. Amen

Saint Therese of Lisieux

"You know well enough that Our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions, nor even at their difficulty, but at the love at which we do them."

Patience

"Without the burdens of afflictions it is impossible to reach the height of grace. The gifts af grace increase as the struggles increase" St Rose of Lima
"Be patient with everyone, but above all with yourself. I mean, do not be disturbed with your imperfections, and always rise up bravely from a fall. " St. Francis de Sales

Silence

"Let us allow ourselves to be 'infected' by the silence of Saint Joseph! We have much need of it in a world which is often too noisy, which does not encourage reflection and listening to the voice of God."
Pope Benedict XVI, December 18, 2005

Praying in Darkness

Taken from Mother Angelica's "Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality." Can be ordered at ewtn.com

"Sometimes I am so cold and in such darkness that I merely look to Heaven and plead for light.

That's a prayer of faith. A lot of people think that faith is all joy. Well, I don't. Faith is sometimes scary. There are many moments in life where you are uncertain about which way to go. That kind of faith is hard. There's a type of darkness in Faith , not the darkness that comes from sin, but the darkness that necessitates trust." Mother Angelica

The True Presence

John 6:53 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever." 59He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
Many Disciples Desert Jesus 60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?" 61Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you? 62What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit[e] and they are life. 64Yet there are some of you who do not believe." If Jesus was speaking figuratively, then why didn't he call those back who had left because of their disbelieve to tell them He was just being symbolic. Instead He asks if they are offended by His gift of love and and tells them His words are the words of the Spirit.

"Happy is the soul that knows how to find Jesus in the Eucharist, and the Eucharist in all things!," - St. Peter Julian Eymard"

O Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, I would like to be filled with love for You; keep me closely united with You, may my heart be near to Yours. I want to be to You like the apostle John. O Mary of the Rosary, keep me recollected when I say these prayers of yours; bind me forever, with your rosary, to Jesus of the Blessed Sacrament. Blessed be Jesus, my love..," - Pope John XXIII, Journal of a Soul

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

"Behold this Heart which has so loved men that it has spared nothing, even to exhausting and consuming itself, in order to testify its love. In return, I receive from the greater part only ingratitude, by their irreverence and sacrileges, and by the coldness and contempt they have for me in this Sacrament of love... "-- Third apparition of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Dear Jesus, We love you and adore you present in the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Help us to recognize your great love for us in this sacrament in which you gave us your entire self, body, blood, soul and divinity. May our hearts overflow with thanksgiving and generosity in response to your gift of love, allowing us to know and love you present in ourselves, and those around us. For the sake of your sorrowful passion lead and guide us. Amen

jdandrow

Our Misery and God's Mercy

Taken from the book entitled "Words of Love" Compiled by Fr. Bartholomew
Revelations of Our Lord to three Victim Souls in the 20th Century.
"Your littleness is nothing to Me, an even your falls; My Blood Wipes them all Away. All you need do is to rely on My love and surrender yourself"
"Why fear? The more miseries I find in you, the more love you will find in Me."
"What does the (souls) helplessness matter? Cannot I supply all their deficiencies? I will show how My Heart uses their very weakness to give life to many souls that have lost it.'
An earthly mother will suffer much to bring her child safely to birth and she will love that child instantly not because of what that child accomplishes or will be,but because of who he or she is -hers. She loves because she suffered for him or her and the child belongs to her. So it is with God who suffered for you. You must never forget you are His and that you belong to Him, not to your past or your faults but to Him. When you feel at your lowest surrender all to Him. Trust in His mercy that is always there for you. L, Mrs. TLF

The Solution to All Your Problems

Adore Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. The more we adore Him there in the Holy Eucharist the more we become aware of His presence in ourselves and in those around us.
In the words of Pope John XXII.....
"To keep me from sin and straying from Him, God has used devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. My life vows destined to be spent in the light irradiating from the tabernacle, and it is to the Heart of Jesus that I dare go for the solution of all my problems,"- Pope John XXIII

The Potters Vision

MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2007
The Potters Vision
Isaiah 64:8 (NIV)
"Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter;we are all the work of your hand."
When the potter looks at the clay He has a vision of what His skilled hands will create. With love and joy he shapes the clay forming it into the image he has planned for it. God is the Potter we are the Clay. God has a plan for you. He is with you in your trials and walks with you in the fire. He longs to use these things to form you into the image of His son Jesus Christ.
I wanted to look more closely at how the image of the potter is an image of the spiritual life. So I did some research.
Interestingly enough,clay begins as Mud. For wheel thrown pottery the clay cannot be worked until it is pugged. This is when the clay master takes his raw materials and prepares them with a process by which it becomes thoroughly blended and almost all the air is forced out of the clay.( This can symbolize a purification from pride)
Next, with water and sponge, and using the action of His spinning wheel the master patiently shapes the clay. And as the clay surrenders to the plan the master has for it, its beauty and form begins to take shape.
In preparation to be “fired” the pottery is set on a shelf (left alone) to dry for several days. (In our suffering we often feel alone but God is using this time to prepare us. Remember the potter is watching, He has a plan, we are not alone.)
It is then placed in the fired up Kiln. The initial firing removes impurities that would cause the pot to break or return to mud in the glazing process. (God wants to purify us of anything that will keep us from fully receiving His love and He wants to make us strong )
As part of the glazing process the pot needs to be returned to the kiln for a second firing.It is important to note that before it is returned to the kiln for a second firing the bottom of the pot is placed in a pan of paraffin otherwise the glaze would adhere to the bottom and the pot would become a permanent part of the Kin shelf. (We belong to Him(our Lord) not the Fire. )
This all reminds me that in our trials we often forget we are children of God. God, like the potter looks at us and sees a beautiful work in progress. As we submit ourselves to His handiwork the image of a lump of clay diminishes and with the help of a purifying fire The Potters vision becomes a reality and a testimony of the great things that God can do with a soul who trusts in Him. So in your difficulties remember what I said when I began this piece.
When the potter looks as the clay He has a vision of what His skilled hands will create. With love and joy he shapes the clay forming it into this image he has planned for it. God is the Potter we are the Clay. God has a plan for you. He is with you in your trials and walks with you in the fire.(Daniel 3:25,John 19) He longs to use these things to form you into the image of His son Jesus Christ
Come Holy Spirit. Spirit of Fire and Love help us submit to God’s handiwork. Amen.
The Potters Vision, by Jdandrow Spirit Bytes

A Little "Byte" Funny or a Little Funny "Byte"

Children's Notes to God taken from http://www.basicjokes.com/djoke.php?id=412
A nun asked her class to write notes to God. Here are some of the notes the children handed in:
Dear God: I didn't think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset you made on Tuesday. That was cool.
Dear God: Instead of letting people die and having to make new ones, why don't You just keep the ones You have?
Dear God: Maybe Cain and Abel would not have killed each other so much if they had their own rooms. That's what my Mom did for me and my brother.
Dear God: If You watch me in church on Sunday, I'll show You my new shoes.
Dear God: I bet it is very hard for You to love all of everybody in the whole world. There are only 4 people in our family and I'm having a hard time loving all of them.
Dear God: In school they told us what You do. Who does it when You're on vacation?
Dear God: Are You really invisible or is it just a trick?
Dear God: Did You mean for the Giraffe to look like that or was it an accident?
Dear God: Who draws the lines around the countries?
Dear God: I went to this wedding and they kissed right in the church. Is that okay?
Dear God: Did You really mean "do unto others as they do unto you"? Because if You did, then I'm going to get my brother good.
Dear God: Thank You for the baby brother, but what I prayed for was a puppy.
Dear God: Please send me a pony. I never asked for anything before. You can look it up.
Dear God: I want to be just like my Daddy when I get big, but not with so much hair all over.
Dear God: You don't have to worry about me; I always look both ways.
Hope this started your day with a smile. Have a great Day. Mrs. TLF

First Peter

1 Peter
Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you.
Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world.
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you.
To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
The enemy is always telling us that we are alone in our suffering. God tells us we are not alone("...knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world" 1 Peter). We must resist the prince of lies with the Word of Truth. The Word of God that tells us Christ will restore us, establish and strenghthen us. Cast all our cares upon him, for he cares for us.
St Peter Pray for Us.

The Quest

John 10: 11 - 16
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
12 He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.
13 He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me,
15 as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd.

To be known and to know. It seems as if that is everyone's quest these days. We watch daily as people in the media seeking after this quest destroy themselves and the lives of the people around them. The voice of the media with it's materialistic message of fame and fortune gets louder and louder and like sheep being led to the slaughter we witness our society heeding it's call and falling from grace.
But not all are of that fold. There are people like Mother Theresa and John Paul II who also saught to know and to be known, but by God , not the world.
We are all known and loved by God. It is said that to know Him is to love Him and to know the truth about Him and ourselves sets us free. We pray for the grace, we need to listen to His voice and to answer His call. Jesus had a quest, to lay down His life for us. What is your quest?
John 17:3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. jdandrow@cox.net

John 3
Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born anew.'
The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit."


In the midst of the violence we witness in the news today I hear the call that we need to call on the Holy Spirit with great resolve and fervor, inviting Him to manifest the fullness of His power in our hearts in a way that will truely change us and our world. Let us pray for the victums of violence that our Lord would comfort them and help them in their sufferings. Dear God please help them and save our country. Do not let them become overcome by evil but may their sorrow lead them to know the power of Jesus, the power of His resurrection and the power of His great Love for them. Come Holy Spirit.
Amen

Divine Mercy

"Those who sincerely say ‘Jesus, I trust in You’ will find comfort in all their anxieties and fears."
"There is nothing more man needs than Divine Mercy – that love which is benevolent, which is compassionate, which raises man above his weakness to the infinite heights to the holiness of God."
—John Paul II Shrine of Divine Mercy in Cracow, Poland on June 7, 1997

http://www.thedivinemercy.org/message/johnpaul/quotes.php

"Woman, why are you weeping?"

John 20:
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”
Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rab-bo'ni!" (which means Teacher).
Mary was weeping so hard that she could not see/recognize Jesus when he was right there standing with her.
Dear Jesus in moments of defeat and sorrow help us to hear your voice calling our names, strengthening us to follow your call.

Forgiveness

Forgiving the Unforgivable
(taken from the book "Rachel's Tears" pg. xxii The spiritual Journey of Columbine Martyer Rachel Scott by Beth Nimmo and Darrell Scott)

"Our understanding of God's heart left us only one choice, the decision to forgive. It was the choice of Jesus as He hung on a cross dying. ....Forgiveness is not just for the offender. It is also for the one who is offended. If we do not forgive, we end up in perpetual anger and bitterness and eventulally offend others with our words or actions. If we forgive, we experience a "letting go" or cleansing process that frees us from the offender. ..If we forgive we experience a "letting go" or cleansing process that frees us from the offender... God wants us to over come Evil with Good. ..Such a thing is beyond human ability, but it is possible when we acknowledge our weakness and submit to God's grace. ...- Darrell Scott and Beth Nimmo Parents of Rachel, Martyr at Columbine

THE FIFTH SORROWFUL MYSTERY –THE CRUCIFIXTION

In this Mystery, with Mary we gaze upon Jesus crucified for us.
With Mary, Let us " look upon on Him whom they have pierced” (Jn 19:37).
In prayer, Let us enter into the pierced heart of Jesus overflowing with love for us.
Jesus with wounded hearts, we gaze upon your broken body. We trust you with our broken spirits, our broken dreams, our sickness, our sinfulness and all that needs healing. With trust, and thanksgiving we offer ourselves and our loved ones to you. Let our prayers, joined with Mary’s prayer, grant us the graces to fully receive your healing love and forgiveness offered to us in this saving act of redemption. Help us to forgive ourselves. Help us to forgive one another. Written and Prepared by J.Dandrow for Mary’s Prayer, March 11, 07 for the Oratory of Jesus

A Byte (or two ) of Laughter

Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, 'Where have I gone wrong?'
Then a voice says to me, 'This is going to take more than one night.'." Charlie Brown.

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized that the Lord doesn't work that way so I stole one and asked Him to forgive me." Emo Philips.

Reconciliation

In the garden of G. Jesus saw all the sins of the world, yours and mine included and his pain was intensified as He was abandoned by his followers. We see Jesus abandoned today in the elderly and the poor, in our schools and families, in the unborn who often have no one to defend them . . . This Holy week as the Church invites us to enter into the passion of Christ with our lives, we have the opportunity to comfort Jesus in his agony by reaching out in a special way to those who are abandoned. We can find Christ in the sick and in the poor, in family members that need our attention. . . We can find Christ in the Sacrament of Confession.
Even if it as simple as going to Confession (Reconciliation) for the first time in months or years, this small but great act will console our Lord and heal our souls.  I love how the Church invites us to Come to Him and receive the sacrament of mercy and healing where we can reconcile ourselves with the one who gave His live for us and with who in the course of our busy lives we may have forgotten, neglected or abandoned. Thank you Jesus for your Mercy and Love shown to us in the sacrament of confession.
Jesus said . . .

Matthew 11:28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Mary Our Mother APOSTOLIC LETTERROSARIUM VIRGINIS MARIAEOF THE SUPREME PONTIFFJOHN PAUL IITO THE BISHOPS, CLERGYAND FAITHFULON THE MOST HOLY ROSARY

Do you want to deepen your faith in Christ? If so, go to Mary.

Mary, model of contemplation (John Paul II)
10. The contemplation of Christ has an incomparable model in Mary. In a unique way the face of the Son belongs to Mary. It was in her womb that Christ was formed, receiving from her a human resemblance which points to an even greater spiritual closeness. No one has ever devoted himself to the contemplation of the face of Christ as faithfully as Mary. The eyes of her heart already turned to him at the Annunciation, when she conceived him by the power of the Holy Spirit. In the months that followed she began to sense his presence and to picture his features. When at last she gave birth to him in Bethlehem, her eyes were able to gaze tenderly on the face of her Son, as she “wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger” (Lk2:7).
Thereafter Mary's gaze, ever filled with adoration and wonder, would never leave him. At times it would be a questioning look, as in the episode of the finding in the Temple: “Son, why have you treated us so?” (Lk 2:48); it would always be a penetrating gaze, one capable of deeply understanding Jesus, even to the point of perceiving his hidden feelings and anticipating his decisions, as at Cana (cf. Jn 2:5). At other times it would be a look of sorrow, especially beneath the Cross, where her vision would still be that of a mother giving birth, for Mary not only shared the passion and death of her Son, she also received the new son given to her in the beloved disciple (cf. Jn 19:26-27). On the morning of Easter hers would be a gaze radiant with the joy of the Resurrection, and finally, on the day of Pentecost, a gaze afire with the outpouring of the Spirit (cf. Acts 1:14).APOSTOLIC LETTERROSARIUM VIRGINIS MARIAEOF THE SUPREME PONTIFFJOHN PAUL IITO THE BISHOPS, CLERGYAND FAITHFULON THE MOST HOLY ROSARY

FIRST SORROWFUL MYSTERY- THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN

In this mystery we enter into the garden of G. with Peter James and John and we witness our Lord Jesus suffering in agony.
Dear Jesus, so great is your anguish that your sweat becomes as drops of blood falling to the ground. You know our anguish. You have felt our pain; the pain of abandonment and loss, the pain of sin and sorrow.
In union with Mary we pray for the healing of bitter memories that would rob us of experiencing the fullness of your love. Dear Jesus, by the merits of your precious blood shed for us, deliver us from unnecessary guilt and anxiety. In times of sorrow and agony, grant us the courage and love to pray as you did “ not my will but God’s will be done”. JMD

Take Heart

John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!

I have overcome the world."

"He did not say: You will not be troubled - you will not be tempted - you will not be distressed. But He said: You will not be overcome." Julian of Norwich (taken from www.womenofgrace.com)

Veritas

John 8: 21 - 30

Jesus then said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

Don't Quote Me

"It is with coal that I make diamonds.
What would I not do with a soul, however black she might be, who would give herself to Me."
Taken from Words of Love by Tan Books and Publishing
Revelations of Our Lord to Sister Josefa Menendez,Sr. Mary of the Trinity and Sr. Consolata Betrone.

Isaiah 43:18-19

"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. "

Luke 1:38
And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word."

For the Brokenhearted

John 19:11 "Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.."
When I face the enemy I do not have to feel powerless,
For His(Jesus) is the Power and the Glory...and I belong to Him. Jesus enlighten us. Guide us. Help us to trust in you. Help us to defend truth.

Psalms 34: 17 - 21, 23

When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.

Evil shall slay the wicked; and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

The Holy Eucharist

When you have received Him, stir up your heart to do Him homage; speak to Him about your spiritual life, gazing upon Him in your soul where He is present for your happiness; welcome Him as warmly as possible, and behave outwardly in such a way that your actions may give proof to all of His Presence."
- St. Francis de Sales
"What wonderful majesty! What stupendous condescension! O sublime humility! That the Lord of the whole universe, God and the Son of God, should humble Himself like this under the form of a little bread, for our salvation"
"...In this world I cannot see the Most High Son of God with my own eyes, except for His Most Holy Body and Blood."
- St. Francis of Assisi

Good News for Star Trek Fans

According to the "Uncle John's Extraordinary Book of Facts"
The Bible has been translated into Klingon.
I perfer the NIV myself. Oh well.

Happy St Joseph Day

St Joseph, foster father of Jesus, You walked with Jesus, talked with him, held and kissed him.
You taught Jesus how to build with hammer and wood. Did you know that that these very instruments that provided for the Holy family would someday become the instruments of torture used to crucify Christ your son and savior?

Dear St Joseph assist us with your prayers to work sincerely and faithfully as you did, to do our part in building up the Kingdom. May we know your joy,the joy of living with, and serving Chirst.
Dear Jesus, " the carpenters son", nailed to a cross and laying the foundation for the building of the Kingdom of God, have mercy on us.
Image taken from www.margaretbeaudette.com/images/st-joseph-wo...

St Rose of Lima Struggle

Our Lord and Savior lifted up his voice and said with incomparable majesty: "Let all men know that grace comes after tribulation. Let them know that without the burden of afflictions it is impossible to reach the height of grace. Let them know that the gifts of grace increase as the struggles increase. Let men take care not to stray and be deceived. This is the only true stairway to paradise, and without the cross they can find no road to climb to heaven." When I heard these words, a strong force came upon me and seemed to place me in the middle of a street, so that I might say in a loud voice to people of every age, sex and status: "Hear, O people; hear, O nations. I am warning you about the commandment of Christ by using words that came from his own lips: We cannot obtain grace unless we suffer afflictions. We must heap trouble upon trouble to attain a deep participation in the divine nature, the glory of the sons of God and perfect happiness of soul."
-- St. Rose of Lima

"To believe or not to believe"... that is the Question

John 20:29Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

How many Christians in history have given their lives, dying a martyr’s death because they would not deny their believe, in the life death and resurrection of Jesus Christ our savior?
Let us compare this to the number of scientists who have died a martyrs death in order to defend one of their theories.
Darwin recanted his believe in the theory of evolution, on his death bed.
My theory is that in the face of death, these scientist who are making such outrageous and inaccurate claims (i.e. "we found the tomb of Jesus" and “most Christians don’t believe Jesus was ascended into heaven body and soul”) would do the same. I pray they come to their senses before it is too late for their souls and the souls they are harming with their lies. Until then, I would like to encourage anyone who has doubts because of these claims, to put their faith in two thousand years of Church History and the testimony of the martyrs. Two thousand years of Church History and testimony is much more credible than any of the unproven testimonies of some scientist and their short lived theories. Most of all turn to Jesus and trust he will calm your fears. Remember Christ Died for YOU. God Bless. Mrs. D.

Isaiah 43:1

"Fear not, I have called you by name: you are mine."Isaiah 43: 1

Lenten Reflection-third Sorrowful Mystery

THE THIRD SORROWFUL MYSTERY-THE CROWNING WITH THORNS
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying:" Hail, King of the Jews!" And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. (Mat 27,27-31)Dear Mary who is this king of kings who wears a crown of thorns and sits on a throne of suffering? What comfort can we give him? Can we understand such love that seeks only the good of the beloved? When we feel defeated by our sins and the sins of the world help us to remember that it is this Love, Christ’s love for us and in us, that conquers all and brings healing within ourselves and in our world. Dear Jesus, May this mystery help us to experience your personal love for us. Do not let sin rule over our lives but fill us with your love and a sincere desire to serve only you. JMD

Hope Don't Quote Me.

"Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song." Pope John Paul II



"When all else is lost, the future still remains. " Christian Nestell Bovee

Lent Season of Light

You ask me a method of attaining perfection. I know of love - and only love. Love can do all things.
-- St Therese of Lisieux


For me this Lent is a call to contemplate more fully the healing and saving Love God the Father has personally for each one of us. The Love that St Therese says can do all things. As the days of Lent progress, each day get's brighter. May our souls do the same as we spend this season contemplating the passionate Love He has for each one of us. Dear Jesus help us to receive this love more fully and to allow it to overflow into the lives of those around us. Maria, Thank you for all your love. Amen. God Bless.

John1:3 "..the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

Just wanted to share this picture my brother took in Hawaii driving at 55 mph on the highway.
...The light bursting forth, piercing the darkness and illuminating the top of the pole so that it manifests the image of a cross. How awesome.
...The cross suspended in the light, calling us to see Christ in the midst of the storm.
...The highway in the forefront, symbolizing our journey through the storm leading us to a place of light.

From a Christian viewpoint, this picture says a lot, and the way he took it makes it even more interesting. I feel like it is God speaking to us and comforting us through His creation, calling us to remember that it is through suffering and the cross that we have conquered the darkness. God has not abandoned those who suffer; He is in the midst of their suffering, suffers with them, and His light overcomes the darkness.

Perfect Love - Dedicated to my LF Christine

"In each of our lives Jesus comes as the Bread of Life - to be eaten, to be consumed by us. This is how He loves us. Then Jesus comes in our human life as the hungry one, the other, hoping to be fed with the Bread of our life, our hearts by loving, and our hands by serving. In loving and serving, we prove that we have been created in the likeness of God, for God is Love and when we love we are like God. This is what Jesus meant when He said,
"Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect."- Mother Teresa of Calcutta

"...for God is Love and when we love we are like God."

We all have so much to do.There is so much pressure coming from the media and society that call us to be and look perfect.This standard of perfection is illusive and deceptive. It lacks authenticity and calls us away from the truth that God's perfect will and perfect Love for us are the only perfections we are really called to seek and find. No one can be perfect by the world'sor Heavens standards (Roman3:23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God) but Mother Theresa answered the call to Holiness, the call to perfection, remembering one thing. LOVE.
Love of God and neighbor. I have always struggled with perfectionism. It is my faith that has helped me overcome this. The more we know God the more we love Him. The more we love Him and feel loved by Him,  the more we can love ourselves and love others. I am so grateful to have learned that He accepts us with all our weakness and imperfections and that through love He will make me perfect. I guess it is not so much about me being perfect as it is about His perfect love.  Dear Father, Thank you for Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament. May we receive Him with all our hearts and bring Him and His Love to those we meet. Thank you for TLF
Mother Theresa Pray for Us.

The Tree of Life

And he said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade." Mark 4:26 Today's Gospel
Many years ago in a moment of discouragement I got in the car and drove to a serene and scenic spot where I would often go to rest and contemplate God's goodness. When I arrived the scenery was baron as it was winter. The sunny sky that I had expected to greet me was gray and the trees were baron and lifeless. One tree in particular caught my eye and as it's empty arms stretched towards me I noticed a large hallow in it's trunk. I spoke to the Lord about how it seemed that the tree was so lifeless and how I was discouraged because what I really needed was a sign of hope. I told Him my problems weighed so heavy on me that I felt like the tree looked;
Baron, fruitless,weary....
In that very moment I was called to take a closer look and in doing so I could see a family of birds making their home in the tree's hallow. My heart was filled with joy because what I thought was a symbol of death was really a place filled with life. God was calling me to recall that he brings good out of evil, life from death. In that moment I knew that if I persevered, God would be my help and make use of my difficulties. He did! There was so much more I saw and felt in this moment that it would fill more than one Spirit Byte so I will stop here. But know that God loves you and if you ask He will give you His rest. He was crucified and died on a tree for you. He died to give us life...."Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."Matt 11:28 Thank You Jesus, Come Holy Spirit!