Devotions

Tonight was the beginning of the Forty Hour devotion at Christ the King Church. Unfortunately it was done completely in Polish. I remember years ago that they did it in English with Polish and the Church was full. Now with the past couple of years done only in Polish I noticed that the attendance has dropped. Yet with all the masses this Church provides, only one is done in Polish while the rest are in English. They want vocations from the community but strangly they leave out their neighbors when they do this for a devotion that should include everyone.

It shouldn't matter because God speaks to the heart anyway, no matter what language is spoken at the time. I found this out at the last Forty Hour devotion and again at this one. When the homily was given after the Gospel reading, my mouth dropped open in shock upon seeing the Monstrance hover again in a way that was unmistakable. I was shocked because I was not expecting it. Just gazing at Him and letting my eyes rest upon Him, while letting my gaze move around the entire Monstrance so as not to settle on one spot. It is those moments I cherish, because that is when He gives me His undying love. I know then the truth of how truly alive he is in the Eucharist and in my heart.

It was also at moments later on as well while vespers were done in a language I don't understand, yet as the Monstrance moved, that language was universal. What He did for me was to give me a better understanding that even though I didn't understand the words to what I was hearing around me, I did understand what I saw and I trust in that completely. That the most important part of all was believing in what I have seen not just in what I have heard. But to believe in both. God is so good!

Parables

Todays Gospel reading was from Luke 19:11-28 regarding a parable about a nobleman and ten servants who were given ten gold coins. Each was to care for what was given him. So the gist of the parable went on about each servant, who were to tell what they did with what was given them, at the end of the reading it came about how those who have, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This parable seems to have played itself out for me the other day on facebook.

Facebook has many things that one can do regarding giving gifts to your facebook friends. I had received quite a few requests regarding these gifts. So one evening as I set out to reciprocate when I clicked on the accept button, nothing seemed to happen. I then tried with another without thinking or noticing what happened to do the same with another gift. Again nothing, but as I looked up there was a message that said I had ignored the gift. I know I didn't push the ignore button, because I tried again and the same message came up. It was the flukiest thing to happen. The next day, which was yesterday, I was able to accept what gifts were given, but I also remembered this same parable and oddly remarked on it. When I prepare for my time to read at mass I don''t read the Gospel before hand.

This mornings reading brought it home to me how the Gospel is very alive and brought to light in unique ways. There have been many times that I have thought it was this very reading and how I have lost so much, was regarding the sins of my life and how I took care of my own personal gifts that have been given. Yet, on a spiritual level I have been given wonderful gifts, while on the material level I have lost most of all. I have found that the truly important part of the parable meant the gifts God has given not the material that we acquire in life. The lesson for me was acknowledging this truth most of all. God is good and loving. When we realize and recognize this truth life as we know it will never be the same. Mostly I love how the Gospel plays out in my life and I see his Word in loving ways.

Prayer of Self-Offering to God

My Lord and my God,
remove far from me
whatever keeps me from You.

My Lord and my God,
confer upon me
whatever enables me to reach You.

My Lord and my God,
free me from self
and make me wholly Yours.

St. Nicholas of Flue (1417-1487)
Soldier and Hermit

It was the last day of the Life in the Spirit Seminar yesterday. The people who went, I believe came away more aware of the Holy Spirit's presence in their lives. Some I believe by what I observed, fear as well. The use of crystals or some other method as use of a talisman to ward off evil or for some, some other reason. One doesn't have to be a rocket scientist to know those individuals also practice New Age along with their Catholic faith. At the time when we were prayed over, I wondered afterward, if it was possible that they were in a way trying to keep God out by what they used as a form of protection.

I had a friend who dabbled in the occult with tarot cards and crystals. A brief time in my life because of her involvement with it I learned the truth of this type of path. Her friendship was more to me than what she was doing that brought more harm than good, she too was also from a Catholic family that went in the direction of occultism. Out of that friendship I learned about some of these things and their use. When she moved away after her divorce from her 3rd husband we never kept in touch. Out of those years I discovered much and thankfully never sought a path in this direction. So when I see people wearing and clutching certain items, it's easy to know that their heart is not where it should be. Because they trust in the items and not God to keep them safe. I might be wrong too about it.

Anyway, how can one follow the way of crystals and other forms of divination and then follow God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit? That's like serving two masters. Yet, many who follow this type of way also seek protection from God knowing that it is wrong. I may be wrong myself in my assumption of it all. Who knows why those particular crystals and hand movements are just a normal everyday thing. I'm not an authority on the subject, but an observer in life about the effects and hazards of it as a bystander. It is with hope that when they have been prayed over that the Holy Spirit will also convert their heart to the true path.

Lift High The Cross

There was a brief moment when this song title interiorly came about. The words Lift High the Cross was remarkable. Thank you Holy Spirit for the words. Here are the lyrics to the song.

Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,
Till all the world adore his sacred name.

1. Come, brethren follow where our Savior trod,
Our King victorious, Christ, the Son of God.

2. Led on their way by this triumphant sign,
The hosts of God I conqu'ring ranks combine

3. O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree,
As thou hast promised, draw men unto thee.

4. Thy kingdom come, that earth's despair may cease
Beneath the shadow of its healing peace.

5. For thy blest cross which doth for us atone,
creation's praises rise before thy throne.

What Caught Your Eye

While visiting my dad in the hospital, I had an unusual opportunity to speak with his roomate. The man had his laptop with him so our conversation had many topics about the many uses of the internet. We broached on the subject of writing, his many topics and my particular reason for writing. This was the first time when speaking about Faith I was careful about how I spoke of Heaven and God, not knowing where his faith was in. The gentleman had different types of holistic medications on his tray plus the way he had mentioned his out of body experience and near death at one point had me keeping things on a different level. He did see things in a new way regarding faith after I explained the possible about his near death and it being a form of evangelization and then what he spoke to me about writing made things a lot clearer for me. I had mentioned how some people come into our lives to learn and discover something to help us on our journey. It was all very interesting, and I came away from it learning something new myself.

Anyway, my dad is doing a bit better since he was rushed to the hospital on Thursday. Now it's my mom who isn't doing so well. Since my dad went in, she has become very tired and run down, almost as if she is catching a cold. The few nights have been sleepless ones for her, due to worry and much pain from the walking she has had to do. She doesn't want to use a wheelchair if she can help it, but then that puts her in more pain and suffering. Her faith gets her through the rough spots.

Faith seems to get us through so much more. I have found from all this a renewed sense of peace in caring for them. Like this morning getting ready for work, something odd happened, a knock on the window. I went outside to take a look and no one was there. So I thought it was one of the tiny birds that may have hit. Except the sound was a strong knock, not a sound a bird makes hitting the window. We have had that before and none sounded quite like that. Well off to work and sitting at a different desk placed me in perfect view of the main hallway outside our room. For some reason I sat there to be closer to the windows where it was much brighter and I needed that light this morning. After some time had passed I happened to glance up to see a figure in white going down the hallway to go out the main door. No sound of the door opening. I mentioned it to the two co-workers if there was anyone else in the building, but no one was there.

Again, it was a moment where talk was of something other than faith, the talk of ghosts was among them. So I said I don't believe in ghosts, but I do believe in angels and saints. My co-workers have different views. It's an amazing world we live in when peoples views are far away from God. One thing I am absolutely glad about is the faith I have in God to be able to even mention my faith even when moments such as this morning are not on the normal but on the spiritual level. Those who have little faith have little understanding of the greatness God provides it seems too unreal for them to even understand the depths that God goes to to give us so much to believe in.

Fragrance of Love

I don't know what greater benefit one can get at Mass other than being in the presence of Our Lord, sharing in the feast of his love. It's also having the presence of Our Blessed Mother along with the Saints and angels that aid us when we pray along with them. How would we know that this is possible anyway? Not unless we have been given their fragrance of love while praying at Mass. A special grace to receive.

After Mass I spoke with Marie, I knew that delightful fragrance wasn't perfume as I was behind her going up to communion. She was the only one near enough, yet throughout Mass wafts of fragrance were there. Periodically it was so strong that I would just sniff the air. I had asked Marie if she had smelled the delightful fragrance and she didn't. It was a consolation of love to know that on special occasions the fragrance of love is there to give me strength after being among thorns. I don't know how else or why I would be given such love unless it was also to reinforce their presence on those occasions of Feast days as this one was All Saints Day. When I look back to times when it was given, some of them were on the Feast days and at other times, was to give consolation after a long exhausting day.

These are the moments I cherish being a follower of God and his Son Jesus, the beauty of what they give will never compare to what we have on earth.

Getting the Word Out

An article from Zenit News, Pope: Spread the Word Using New Media to spread the word of God, while keeping the content unaltered.

Only For God

The last few days have been busy ones, not in the physical way but in the spiritual way. Attending scripture sharing, seminar and Adoration, Church and our Meat pie project that is taking place to delight those who enjoy those personal size French Meat Pies. I learned so much about the process of making them as well as how it all began. They are still taking orders until Nov. 5.

The seminar went extremely well, those who attended were prayed over by their group leaders. Each one had a unique experience. It was quite a day and one that I am happy to have been a part of. Scripture sharing has been delightful as well. I must say that the past few days have been satisfying days. Hardly home, and when I was home, the time seemed short then off to another meet.

Briefly I was able to go on to facebook and hit the like to acknowledge, but even the time on there was limited. One night Father Plasse came over for supper and then we played cards. It was one of those times when there was no time for oneself, but a time of giving of oneself for others. I found these days quite pleasurable considering how busy it was.

Right now I have not written of what went on at the seminar regarding specifics because it was an awesome experience that still needs digesting. I'm in awe of the Holy Spirit and I have been for a long time. One thing about busy for the Lord and being busy for the world, there is a difference. One does not tire when it is done for God.

Quotation

I have to be honest in asking myself:

Do I really want to know and do God’s will?

Or is it rather that I want God to do my will?

Do I go to God with the assurance that I want

only to know and do his will?

Or do I rather first make my own plans

and then insist that God

make my dreams come true?

John Powell

The Blind Shall See

There is a remarkable difference when wearing glasses just for reading and those prescribed for better vision. Those readers did a great job but they didn't compare to having the right strength for seeing. Now I know why I was making so many typos. Having diabetes doesn't help the vision either but as with life one must care for their health. Like a good Priest mentioned to me about food and how sometimes we use it to kill our bodies just as much as we use it for maintaining health. It's the over indulging part that we tend to do the act of killing ourselves. I never saw it that way before and this is one time I really do appreciate having the blindness cleared from my inner eyes in a new way.

The same goes for the Life in the Spirit Seminar and how we become open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Not only the gifts but being open with others about our faith when we are in person. I have been open about mine and what I have experienced on here but often fail to speak in person. I've encountered mixed reactions in person yet I know it's an unusual way to go about things, but sometimes when I reveal what I have experienced, changes seem to occur in others, not always in a welcoming way. Some become distant, afraid to come near. I wondered if it was the happiness that seems to bubble up when I am around people I don't know. I know that having the pictures as proof are tantamount about what I saw. They are quite a remarkable gift to have been given by God for his wonderful love for humankind. It's not just for my eyes to see but for others as well when they look with faith God will reveal his image to them as well. For what it's worth being poor is the greatest gift, yet with these pictures I am the richest of all. In the very spiritual sense since they were freely given by God himself. He let me know I am worth so much more to him than what money from this world could bring. That alone is a special blessing I was given and one I cherish with all my heart. This seminar has opened my eyes to what I kept hidden from myself, the truth of what God has done for me. I knew deep in my heart the magnificence of it but didn't want to see it in such a way that placed me far above my calling in life. At least with knowing with my eyes and my ears what my heart has known the blessing has been truly a gift of faith. Maybe I was truly blind because I failed to see what God has done for me, I didn't want to see it in this light.

My prayers upon this tremendous grace have been extraordinary in the way of being thankfull for all those who have been chosen and have crossed my path and made a difference in my life. It's a struggle to walk daily with this acknowledgement, to know that he chose to honor me in this way when I would have kept the thought of how so very unworthy I am no matter what he has done. I still tend to think that way too, how unworthy I am. I too have to remember that when I think that way, then I call him a liar for what he did for me and with that I find myself accepting his plan for my life easier.

If there are others who struggle with God's choosing them to be his, then I hope that what I write will help them see His love in it all.

Upon This Rock

The other day I went to attend a function, but found myself nowhere near the location I should have been and if I did find it I would have been quite late. So, having driven all that way, I went on another sort of drive. I headed south toward the shoreline and ended up in Mystic, Ct. I never did reach the ocean because I was having a delightful time taking scenic roads where I came across this shell of a house.

It's private property so there was no getting up close and personal and no sign to reveal if this was an aged building or what.

This one is of a well off to the side of the shell of a house. One thing I always find interesting is the history of buildings. There are some remarkable builders from long ago that built some beautiful buildings. Unlike today where it's built for monetary gain rather than leaving a mark for further generations. Here is a shell of a building built of stone that is still standing today, who knows how long it's been there. It reminds me of the Gospel where Jesus says in the Gospel of Matthew 7:24-29 the following, 24 Every one therefore that heareth these my words, and doth them, shall be likened to a wise man that built his house upon a rock, 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell not, for it was founded on a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these my words, and doth them not, shall be like a foolish man that built his house upon the sand, 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell, and great was the fall thereof. 28 And it came to pass when Jesus had fully ended these words, the people were in admiration at his doctrine. 29 For he was teaching them as one having power, and not as the scribes and Pharisees.

Each day as we go about on our own journey, how often do we apply the Scripture to our day. When we see long forgotten rock foundations while driving down rural back roads what comes mind. The people who once lived there, how did they live, what type of home was it, were they happy, so many questions I'm sure invade our thoughts when we see these things. A good question can also be asked, what does it also remind about faith. I know I'm an unusual person to associate the Bible and scripture to what I see daily, but you see, I don't have a home of my own in the physical sense, but I do have a spiritual home that is built on solid rock. Not just a shell but a living home filled with the splendor of God's love. What type of home have you built?

A Day in the Life

I think I've been captivated by the Holy Spirit. Going to the Seminar has been such a positive in my life when going to the Dentist has been a negative. At least on my last visit when the shots gave more pain than I cared for, the end result was less mouth pain when it was all over with and the numbness went away. How can the two go hand in hand, easy, prayer for strength, prayer to endure what must be done. Prayer that the negative will be a positive end result.

The Seminar has also taught me to Praise on a vocal level what I have normally done in silence via through my thought and my heart. Praising God, praising Jesus for all that we have and all that they do for us. Amazing how such simple words can bring more joy into our lives than thought possible. I praise you Jesus for letting me see another day.

Even at scripture sharing I have been hearing the others of my Parish reveal how much they love our Lord in the Eucharist. A blessing they receive as well as I do when I hear their stories of faith. It might take me a bit more to be open among people who have practiced their faith all their lives and have so much without them looking upon me as strange for what God has so graciously given. Except, the times when I did try to say something I've been always cut off so they can reveal theirs and told to just sit and listen. So in a sense I sit and stay silent and listen. It's not about me anyway, so I gladly listen and learn about the people of my Parish and discover their love for Jesus. A blessing in disguise. I pray that the Holy Spirit will purify my heart and allow me to continue to be a witness for God's love. While I continue to learn about faith and more about God and Jesus. I want to know them so much more.

Holy Spirit

I had a delightful moment in the morning yesterday, when prayers came from the depths for the Holy Spirit. I was so delighted for these words to come pouring through. The words as if from a song "Come Holy Spirit, come." There were more words that repeated itself as I began my morning. When it completed they were gone. I praise God for the gift he gives in allowing me to be his witness for his love. I am grateful to also attend a "Life in the Spirit Seminar" in our area in preparation for Advent.

Being open and seeking to do God's will has made a difference in my life. I want to know God constantly, to know what pleases him and what doesn't. To care about all that he loves. So if the prayer that revealed itself was any indication of this desire then I am happy that He gave me this moment in time. Come Holy Spirit let your fire fall and purify our hearts.

All About Reading.

I'm going to try to do an online reading of a book called "The Adornment of the Spiritual Marriage" by Jan van Ruysbroeck. Jan van Ruysbroeck [b. 1293 or 1294, d. 1381] was a Flemish mystic. He led a life of asuterity, eventually founding a congregation in Groenendaal. His writings were widely circulated in his lifetime and he influenced an entire generation of Christian mystics. He was beatified on Decmber 1st, 1908, by Pope St. Pius X.

I first came across this when I was looking for answers, but I never did read it. I've kept it bookmarked in my favorites until it was time for the day when I could appreciate what I was reading and come to understand what has happened in my life in the mystical way. I did manage to print the title of the book sometime in the year of 2005 for safekeeping in case of computer loss. Time flies it seems from then to now. Even though I had a deeply mystical experience I still do not classify myself in anyway, shape or form mystical or anything other than a normal human being with many flaws. I'm nobody special, only in the eyes of God and to me that's all that matters.

Now as I begin to read more and come to a greater understanding I will appreciate the gift God has bestowed on them to allow a deeper understanding of his Love and what he has done for me.

Healing Grace

Ever wonder what people did way back in the time of Jesus about ailments, tooth aches, childbirth that we have it easy about. To think that most everything today can be fixed by some form of medicine. Not for some that are beyond what we humans can do and only the divine can. We have come such a long way haven't we? We have tablets that take away pain for most type of aches, medicine that help chronic illness and surgeries that can often restore life. We have dentists that yank, fix and mend what they didn't do way back when, unless of course it was yanking of the teeth only. The suffering those poor people underwent. One has to go through it to know the pain, headaches that the jaw suffers from dental work or mending areas.

I have been getting these headaches since my dental work began and that is unusual. That could account for the times when I goof up I suppose. I'm not perfect and those are the times that when things happen I believe the Holy Spirit is at work then and listening to the Spirit can often do wonderful things or it can teach us how to be humble. There are times I do understand and other times I fail miserably. One thing I have learned, not to beat myself up about it but to joke about my human failing. These years living deeply in God's Spirit has taught me much and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I have to go for another stress test too, this one will be on the treadmill. I don't know when that appointment is yet. It will be good to know how things are going with ticker. These headaches bother me alot, I feel like I'm taking too many ibuprofens to get rid of it, the stabing pain is awful. Is this suppose to happen when waiting for a cap and a temporary is there making the bite off a bit. Say a prayer for me please to get through this little bit suffering as I too offer it up to our Lord. One thing I have often done in my life is try to follow Jesus at these times of trial and place myself as close to his feet as possible. I wonder if that's why when I write I try to tie in the Gospel along with what life dishes out for me and possibly for others I have come in contact with. Maybe not so much the Gospel but about God and faith in his Son and all that they stand for. Healing grace.

WOW

Doing research on a recent dream led me to so much insightful information as in my last post on Mount St. Michel. Some interesting things were learned, then I had a call last night and spoke at length with another member of my Dominican Community. Sometimes another pair of ears help us to see things a bit more clearly, which I am grateful.

How God touches all our lives is amazing when we are open to the Holy Spirit. I know I am on many occasions when interior locutions of music or dreams tend to reinforce God's presence in our lives. Often these things need discernment as with all things. Last night was amazing while talking on the phone I was gazing upon the digital frame with some of the pictures of the Eucharist that I took with the amazing pictures that God has given and found myself enthralled by what I saw so clearly. That was the biggest WOW one could make to see the face of our Lord amid the picture of so much else.

How can people not be awed by God is beyond me. How they push His Son away and not be awed by Him too. Sometimes I don't get it that people dislike Jesus and God to the point of causing Him so much hurt. They don't realize how much their love would mean everything to Him. He would do so much for them to know it if they would only open their hearts.

Mount St. Michel

So far my search on for St. Michel didn't produce much until I came upon this site about Mount St. Michel. Click on it to learn about it. It's from the New Advent site and trustworthy about it's contents. I was amazed upon reading up about it. It's well worth a read.

Mistakes

I've noticed more and more lately I've been making mistakes not in my typing but in my phrasing of the sentence. How truly odd it is that what is in the mind and typing don't always come out the same when not looking at it. For some reason when it was finished I would touch the publish button after reading along and making minor corrections on the way without re-reading the whole of it. Lesson that I learned of late is to recheck before making the next move. It avoids those errors but it also helps in making those adjustments that when in the mind is clear but in text is unclear. Aw but in those delightful moments of clarity of thought, the Holy Spirit teaches quite well when listening to those promptings. A fool for God I may be, but a glad one all the same. So to those who have been reading lately and finding some weird sentences, I do apologize. I don't mind being God's fool when it helps his Kingdom see his love even from this simple person.

Translation

I still haven't been able to translate the song from French to English. What I have been able to get from listening and then translating do not make any sense. I haven't given up. I also had a phone call the other day from a Sister about an inquiry made sometime ago. We spoke at length and I will receive some material from their Order. She mentioned some interesting things that had me thinking so the next thing that occured when I was taking a nap, I dreamt of visiting a Convent and being asked by two individuals if I was afraid, during the dream I said no. I had to go to St. Michel of all places, if this is what was alluded to a place high up on a hill somewhere in Europe. Interestingly this also occured on the Feast day of the Archangels, so St. Michael I presume who I was to refer to to conquer and obtain needed information regarding vocation. Anyway it don't make sense to those reading this, but to me it does in light of what recently came about.

I've also listened to the song numerous times to no avail. I am deeply sorry for not having kept up my French, maybe there was a reason behind this in God's eyes. A message I don't even understand at the moment, but when the time is right I suppose it will make plenty of sense. That is God's timing then. So for now, I get to look up as much as possible words and locations, such as St. Michel and why I would need to go there to speak to someone about vocation material. I am also grateful to those great Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael for the their love for God and all they have done in God's Kingdom.

***edited and corrected*** I really must proof read lol it made sense writing it.

The Still Small Voice

It seems Jesus has quite a sense of humor when imparting a message that requires deciphering another language. At least I was able to recognize it was French. It was very apparent and unusual because it came from the smallest voice as if from far away. At least this one is a song in French from quite an early album that I am unable to locate lyrics for. I stumbled across this a few years ago and hardly listen to it. It was odd that it came through, not because of being very still and silent but I have no idea what the song is about. I had my mom listen to it to at least give me an idea what the words were. The words de la mere were at the end of the sentence. The title of the song is "Toi Je Cherche" and it is sung by Father Pat. If I had kept my French up I wouldn't be facing this problem. At least I was able to recognize a few words.

Like I said Jesus has a sense of humor and I am deeply thankful for listening to him and hearing that still small voice that continues to let me know he is with me always. Now I'm extremely curious to know all the words of that song.

The Window Through Which We Look

I received this in an e mail and felt it was worth sharing with others.

A young couple moves into a new neighborhood.
The next morning while they are eating breakfast,
The young woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside.
"That laundry is not very clean", she said.
"She doesn't know how to wash correctly.
Perhaps she needs better laundry soap."

Her husband looked on, but remained silent.

Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry,
The young woman would make the same comments.

About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a
Nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband:

"Look, she has learned how to wash correctly.
I wonder who taught her this."

The husband said, "I got up early this morning and
Cleaned our windows."

And so it is with life. What we see when watching others
Depends on the purity of the window through which we look.

This is a good one!!!

Grace

I don't know what hurts worst, pain in the body or mouth pain. I think mouth pain won hands down. Nothing worst than pain along the jaw that shoots straight to the ear. It could be worse! Mending an area long overdue, kinda what happens to our souls when we overlook the promptings to correct our actions, attitudes, and or thoughts. The conscience of all places that guide when we listen to it. When it's developed properly. Having the opportunity to read some spiritually insightful books has helped to aid the process of learning in my life lately.

I think I've come to a new level of awareness of my surroundings. There was a period of time that kept me apart from so much in order for me grasp the enormity of God's grace. I feel as if I've been newly awakened on this journey I'm traveling on. Honestly I don't know all that much about a lot of things other than what I have learned from life and interacting with others. I feel so blind about a lot of things that have been coming together. How can one explain the depths of their interior or for that matter what they feel is going on and how it all seems to take shape.

It's as if being kept in the dark until the right moment when part of the whole plan will reveal itself. It's knowing but not knowing until that precise moment he lifts the veil to allow a glimpse of the truth. The slow process of transformation rather than one swift move. I've wondered how it would have been if that happened and I don't think the process would have been the same. There are times when I truly feel dumb and totally out of my element when all I know is God's deep love and nothing else. Knowledge then eludes me about all I have learned and I sit with a dumbfounded look upon my face, with the thought of how is that possible to have lost so much and know so little when I have learned a lifetime of many things. Those are the moments of God's grace shinning ever brightly to keep pride from growing and allowing me to be ever humble in his sight.

Life and Death

There was a moment after communion on Saturday where the words preparing for my death came to mind. I had no clue why they came to mind as I was praying about abandonment to God's Will. I don't think it had anything to do with preparing for physical death, but then again, it felt that way yesterday. I think it was mostly about preparing for death on a different level. Taking stock of what goes on in and around my life and what may keep me away from the Beloved. How does one truly prepare?

I've had sometime to really let this thought sink in and mull over. In a way those words were placed there to allow me to think on a higher level. Those who are given the knowledge of a time frame before they die have the opportunity to, if they have the capacity to do so, to place their affairs in order. More or less make arrangements to put their house in order. I don't know how else to put it. Possibly to mend relationships as well before they leave this earthly plane. There was a lot to think about! Since death is something that we all deal with daily, maybe not for everybody, but for those who work in the field of being in contact with the dying or with families of those who are. They too go through a preparation as well, readying themselves for the loss of a loved one. Then, there is those who are unaware and are confronted with untimely deaths, the shock, the sorrow, the hurt and pain and often unforgivness for the senseless loss of life. No one is ever truly prepared then.

In light of this preparation for the end of life, how do we go about preparing to live? Do we just do? Is it natural to just live and be? How do we prepare while living to die to ourselves and live for God. Do we prepare daily to die to our selfish needs and those bad habits that we have placed in our lives and serve others while placing their needs above our own? There are many ways to die to ourselves in what we have made more important in our lives than God. It's looking deeply at what we do each day that places us farther away from the love of God. What type of preparations do we make for the rest of our lives? Like the seasons we see around us, in our Liturgy, and in the change of weather, there is constant preparation. We prepare each day for work, for school, for so much more how we take it all for granted without realizing how simple it is to prepare our hearts to love God so much more, are you ready?

A Blessing

Yesterday afternoon I went and took care of a few things, so on my way home I detoured to go up one of the surrounding hilly areas of the countryside. I did get to do quite a bit of reflection and also throughout that drive I did lots of thinking. One in particular was about deer and how nice it would be to see some. A simple thought! I thought about some of the dreams or aspirations of when I was younger and how they have not come about. Some dreams are not meant to become a reality for a reason.

Anyway, last night we had scripture sharing. I thought it went quite well for this coming Sunday's reading. The topics that were discussed about service and justice were amazing. I truly enjoyed listening to what was being said. Last last few times I have gone to scripture sharing have been different. I don't know what it is unless it has to do with the upcoming change that is occuring in our Parish, that of another church merging with ours to bring together a closer family of faith. They seemed more open, open in the way of welcoming new people who may not be like them. After all we are called to love our neighbor no matter their circumstances. It can be hard when we are set on one way of following faith and to incorporate another family of faith with different values in the way they worship and do things. I think the Pope has it right in unity in how it all should be done when we are all part of the same "Catholic" family. The ritual and how it all should be done have no changes unless it's the people who change them out of their boredom of faith. At least, I hope the transition will come together smoothly for our Parishes.

So on my way home last night as I neared the bottom of the hill, there stood two deer at the foot of a driveway munching on what is on the ground. My headlights flashed on them and I was delighted to know that God answered such a simple thought. Because all the years I've been in this area, seeing them at night is a rarity, just like during the day.

***corrected incomplete sentence, but lost thought about what was to be there, sorry about that.***

It's Fixed

One of the things I managed to do yesterday after finding out the solenoid was gone on the lawnmower, was replace it. I had asked my dad to help me with it one day, except yesterday he too had a doctors appointment so I ended up changing it myself. It wasn't that hard to do. Finally the lawn was done at one time and not piece meal. After that last mowing with the push mower, I had come to grips that I overdid it because it knocked me down. But God gives us strength to accomplish the impossible at times. Something I am grateful for.

No matter what I do on a daily basis I always give God praise and thanksgiving for everything. It might be something really small to something grand and guarantee in my thought I will tell him of my thankfulness and love. Sometimes I wonder if I go overboard in letting God know I care about every small detail that he provides. After all He created so much in this world for us to be thankful for to begin with. Even when we have pain, the reasoning for it can be quite humbling considering the Cross that Jesus hung upon was of greater magnitude. The Lamb of God who takes away the sins the world, have mercy of us.

Following In His Step

Yesterdays homily was about a show called "To Tell the Truth" and a tie in with the days readings. Much was said, that if anyone recalls this show, would know how they went about knowing who the title of a person belonged to by the many questions asked. At the end it came about with the following, will the real person please stand up and so it went. How do we truly know anyone even when asking questions. One never really knows them completely. It was a profound homily! Even when we attempt to know people we don't really know them, and as the Priest put it we too would hardly know Jesus until that day we come to our Eternity. I wanted to share this because how truthful it is.

We try on a daily basis to get to know the people we love and live with and often don't know the total person unless we grow in trust and continue learning about them. Even after living with a person for over 50 years do they really know their partner? Not interiorly. The Priest also broached on a subject about following Christ, that as a follower we too would be rejected. If that is the right word he used, anyway, following Jesus does not guarantee a likable venture by others and one that I truly understand. I have encountered rejection myself from every source imaginable because I live to be kind and live to love others with all my heart. Following in the footsteps of our Lord where he too encountered dislike and rejection when people failed to know of his love for them. From this homily I found happiness to know that I am a follower and happy to know rejection as he did. These are the blessings that we receive being a follower of God and His Son.

***corrected***

Fire of Love

"You are the supreme and infinite Good, good above all good; good which is joyful, incomprehensible, inestimable; beauty exceeding all other beauty; wisdom surpassing all wisdom, because You are Wisdom itself. Food of angels, giving Yourself with fire of love to men! You are the garment which covers our nakedness; You feed us, hungry as we are, with Your sweetness, because You are all sweetness, with no bitterness. Clothe me, O eternal Trinity, clothe me with Yourself, so that I may pass this mortal life in true obedience and in the light of the most holy faith with which You have inebriated my soul."

~St. Catherine of Siena~

What is it to Suffer

Sometimes we never know why some suffer and others do not. Scripture sharing brought that to light last night. Some people never really know the depth of suffering another undergoes either unless they bring it out for another to pray for them. I wonder at times the depth of suffering both of my parents have gone through all their life to come to see and know the answer by their constant faith that each day they will get by.

Their constant faith has always been a beacon in my life, that when I began my own journey of suffering I too embraced the cross with faith as they do. When I had dental work almost a month ago, the shot that was given was so painful that I am in constant pain each day from it. That shouldn't happen normally and yet the question is present why have I been given this cross to suffer along with the other ones. All I can begin to think that it is for me to humble myself even more and continue on a deeper level to abandon myself completely to God's Will. To offer my pain and suffering not only for myself but for others who suffer as well.

The answer can also be part of the test of faith when we suffer. Like Job and what he went through, don't we all go through similar tests ourselves. How do we fair on a daily basis? Do we give up on God and tell him we hate him because he doesn't bring relief or healing? Or do we in our suffering continue to love him unconditionally as he loves us? There are many in the world who truly suffer on a much deeper level when overcome by pain, it's also the pain of never knowing God's love.

Mowers and Snakes

Still unable to get the riding lawn mower to start, even changed the spark plug along with the ignition switch, nothing. Using the push mower definitely made for leg work and scaring snakes away too. I spotted one in the garden, of all places, slithering around the plants.



I definitely wasn't going to stick my hand in there and pull up the weeds. When it did decide to leave the garden, I saw it and chased it with the mower into the woods. Talk about bravery, normally I stay far away from the area but for some reason I wasn't afraid today. Maybe it had to do with the mower and the noise it made to scare it off, but I did pray to our Lady quite often. Out of it all I managed to mow the whole back yard, side and part of the front before I just couldn't do anymore.

While mowing I couldn't help think about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and the encounter with the snake. Each time I've crossed paths with one, it always seems it's in a flower garden or vegetable garden. Snakes seem to have this affinity with gardens then. Anyway, today it brought to mind another visit one made long time ago when in the beginning it signalled Adam and Eve's casting out of the Garden. Today, instead of being chased away, I did the chasing out of the garden. Too bad that also didn't happen long ago as well, perhaps life would have been so very different today. I praise God because I also conquered my fear of snakes as well, I just will not touch them.

The Seven Dolors of the Mother of God

Petitions to the Sorrowful Heart of Mary
The Seven Dolors of the Mother of God



V. Incline unto my aid, O God!
R. O Lord, make haste to help me!

One Glory be.

1. I compassionate thee, O sorrowful Mother Mary, on account of that grief suffered by thy tender heart at the prophecy of the aged Holy Simeon. O dearest Mother, through this thy afflicted heart, implore for me the virtue of humility and the Gift of the Fear of God. One Hail Mary.

2. I compassionate thee, O sorrowful Mother Mary, on account of those distressing fears which thy affectionate heart endured on the flight to Egypt and during thy sojourn there. O dearest Mother, through this thy anxious heart implore for me the virtue of generosity, particularly for the poor, and the Gift of Piety. One Hail Mary.

3. I compassionate thee, O sorrowful Mother Mary, on account of that anxiety which thy worried heart endured in the loss of thy beloved Child Jesus. O dearest Mother, through this thy exceedingly troubled heart, implore for me the virtue of chastity and the Gift of Knowledge. One Hail Mary.

4. I compassionate thee, O sorrowful Mother Mary, on account of that horror with which thy mother's heart was stricken when meeting Jesus, bearing the Cross. O dearest Mother, through this thy exceedingly oppressed heart, implore for me the virtue of patience and the Gift of Fortitude. One Hail Mary.

5. I compassionate thee, O sorrowful Mother Mary, on account of that martyrdom which tortured thy magnanimous heart at the death-agony of Jesus. O dearest Mother, through this thy martyred heart, implore for me the virtue of temperance and the Gift of Counsel. One Hail Mary.

6. I compassionate thee, O sorrowful Mother Mary, on account of the anguish inflicted upon thy tender heart by the thrust of the lance that opened the side of Jesus and pierced His Most Adorable Heart. O dearest Mother, through this vicarious transfixion of thy own heart, implore for me the virtue of brotherly love and the Gift of Understanding. One Hail Mary.

7. I compassionate thee, O sorrowful Mother Mary, on account of that agony of soul which racked thy most loving heart at the burial of Jesus. O dearest Mother, through this extreme torment that filled thy burdened heart, implore for me the virtue of zeal and the Gift of Wisdom. One Hail Mary.

V. Pray for us, O Virgin Most Sorrowful!
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ

Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, we beseech thee that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, whose soul was pierced by the Sword of Sorrow in the hour of Thy Passion, may be our advocate at the throne of Thy Mercy, now, and at the hour of our death. Through Thee, Jesus Christ, Redeemer of the World, Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.



Novena Prayers

Here are seven graces the Blessed Virgin Mary grants to souls who honor Her daily by saying seven Hail Marys and meditating on Her tears and Dolors. The devotion was passed to us by Saint Bridget.

I will grant peace to their families.
They will be enlightened about the divine mysteries.
I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work.
I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the Adorable Will of my Divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.
I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.
I will visibly help them at the moment of their death, they will see the face of their mother.
I have obtained (this grace) from my Divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and sorrows, will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son will be their eternal consolation and joy.


The Seven Sorrows of Mary

The prophecy of Simeon.
The flight into Egypt.
The loss of the Child Jesus in the temple.
The meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross.
The Crucifixion.
The taking down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross.
The burial of Jesus.

Seignadou Soaps by the Dominican Nuns

I've been remiss in mentioning the addition to my sidebar. I'm pleased to announce that the Dominican Nuns of Summit, N.J. have been making soaps and many other products. They are called Seignadou Soaps. Click on it to visit and perhaps help them by purchasing some.

Writing

I feel blissfully ignorant of most things that I lack any knowledge of. A good thing I suppose, considering the many topics that one could converse about. Even though I was brought up Catholic and taught the Catechism of the Church, there is so much that I fail to know. These past few years have been truly a learning experience.

When a person goes to school they learn the basics and should they seek higher learning they continue on to a higher level of studies. Faith and religion are the same, many have continued throughout their life kept up the knowledge that makes up the Body of Christ. For many of us they are the wellspring of life, the ones who we go to to find some of lifes greatest answers. I try to seek and find the answers and when I am unable to, I go right to the very source of life, God himself. There has always been an area of learning that I truly lack understanding and that is the many ways we are to form sentences and use punctuation. This is one area that has been the hardest for me throughout my life. I've tried many a time to form what is coming from my thought to place on paper and I'll tell you it doesn't even come close at times. I sit there scratching my head and wonder how I did that one. Have to laugh at myself in those moments when a aged brain can cause lots of flubbers even when verbally speaking.

I have to laugh because I would never win any awards for the way I write, thank goodness. It's at those times I look at the Bible and when it was written without punctuation or how a sentence is supposed to be, then I feel so much better at my own lack of being grammatically correct. Why am I writing this anyway, possibly it has to do with judgement we all make in others. A conversation over Scripture sharing and judgement on appearance, smell of a person, life style brought this to mind this morning. Judgement on the written word as much as appearance or lack of for many people. I hear it at work many a time about typos that others make and if it happens there, one can imagine the whole world does it too on a much larger magnitude. What do the commandments say about judgement in the first place.

St. Augustine of Hippo

"Some people, in order to discover God, read books. But there is a great book: the very appearance of created things. Look above you! Look below you! Read it. God, whom you want to discover, never wrote that book with ink. Instead, He set before your eyes the things that He had made. Can you ask for a louder voice than that?"
~Augustine of Hippo~

Prayers

Sorry I haven't been posting much lately. It seems facebook has taken over for a bit. Life it seems has a way of moving us along in different directions. This one for the good because it's main focus is about faith. Life is also challenging when we lose things and when we need to change plans for the sake of others as well. On a good note, St. Anthony answered prayers on two lost items. A camera that I carry and a change purse disappeared. I searched high and low for the items, they were found when my parents got their car back from being fixed. God does have a sense of humor, because I thought they were under the seat of my car only to be found under theirs. After all a purse does occasionally fall off the seat and lands on the floor of the car. I tried to figure out where on earth it might have gone to, since the only places I carry the thing is at work, car or church. The rest of the time it's in hiding at home. So today I can offer up my thanksgiving to St. Anthony for answering those prayers.

I think I've also come to a new level of praying as well. As I did the rosary at Chapel earlier this evening a moment of jolting hands brought me out of deep prayers. I'm sure many have experienced this while praying the Rosary to Our Lady. My prayers go out for all those who are ill and suffering pain of some form or another. For the Church and the Body of Christ, the people who make up the church.

Confession

I become accustomed to confession once a month, in fact I look forward to this sacrament. I never got used to the confessional without the wall between my confessor and me. When that changed I stopped going to confession. Somehow it made it harder to speak from the heart. When I go to the Basilica they have both and I suppose most Churches probably have this as well. Since Saturdays are generally the day confession is available, I can't go because I work.

That's why when I found it available during the weekday somewhere other than my parish I go once a month. It's also required of the Lay Community I belong to to avail oneself of this most wondrous sacrament. Why am I mentioning this of all days. Today is also the Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist, he preached repentance before the coming of Our Lord. Can I do no less in a world that is also filled with more people and with more vices. I know what it does for me by cleansing my interior self of unwanted junk. Restoring the beauty of the soul. The benefits of confession does wonders and many have long forgotten the beauty of this sacrament. Especially when they go to receive communion clean from the filth that mars the reception of communion.

In my personal opinion I think the sacrament of penance has sat dormant too long now and people need to start lining up and going to show our Priest that we need their absolution and blessing on behalf of our Heavenly Father. What a great way of showing our Priest how much we need them in this sacrament of faith along with the Sacrament of Holy Communion by also attending Mass.

Longing of the Soul

There is something I truly enjoy when I pay a visit at the Chapel and spend time with Our Lord in Adoration. It's giving Him my undying love. When I visit, I begin to understand the depths of his love, the consolations and the silences. One thing I do know is the fact that I can't go a day without his presence in my life. The loss would be devastating. Have I then abandoned myself completely to his ever loving care for me? The greatest love of all when your spouse is in another room and you long for their presence. I long for God in those moments when he is there but I do not know it.

It's nothing new for those who know of this, but for me it is all new, it is always a new beginning with each day loved by the greatest of all.

Adoration

The storm last evening knocked out most of our town. So Adoration was done in the dark of the room with only the two candles on each side of the Monstrance for light. We did open the curtains to two small windows as well. It was an evening in quiet contemplation and reflection, with the hum of the security system off and buzzing.

That was my first time having to do Adoration without the amenities of power for light and air conditioning. It was back to basics for an hour of complete silence. The power loss brought to the forefront how long ago this was done before electricity was invented. So much of what we have today we take for granted. We have more than an abundance of luxuries to keep us all comfortable. It's when we are without that we come back to where we originally began. The beginning has merits after all.

Branching Out

For the longest time I have avoided truly reading about the lives of the Saints out of fear of what I was going to read and understand. Maybe I should have done so sooner, yet, the impact would not have been the same. I don't think I was ready to encounter reading the beauty of God's grace in their lives and see the mirror of mine in theirs. Possibly it's a greater understanding of how truly magnificent God works in our lives. I already know this without reading about it, but to learn about them one must also read about them too. I probably don't make sense about my own reasoning why I kept putting off reading about the Saints. One thing had to do with what I was experiencing, and yet it was mentioned to me that I could also find understanding in how they dealt with God's grace in their lives. I think I didn't want to place myself in their sphere, they were exalted and worthy and I am not. Flawed I am, worthy I may be, but it is a work in progress that continues to shape my life and faith. God hasn't given up on me and I won't either.

Blessings

The last few days have been good ones. Adoration is always special as well as going to confession once a month. It's hard to believe a month has gone by so fast already. I ran into our Seminarian as well at the Basilica, he too took advantage of the confessional. That was nice to see. He told me our deacon had his homily about him replacing me on a day I had a crisis as well as overslept for lecture reading. I was prepared for it but I wasn't prepared for what life dished out. But it is water over the bridge now. It also allowed me to close a door on a chapter in my life and begin a new one. I'm thankful for Jesus and the constant strength to help me get through each day.

St. Catherine of Sienna

"O eternal Trinity, You are a deep sea in which the more I seek the more I find, and the more I find, the more I seek to know You. You fill us insatiably, because the soul, before the abyss which You are, is always famished; and hungering for You, O eternal Trinity, it desires to behold truth in Your light. As the thirsty hart pants after the fount of living water, so does my soul long to leave this gloomy body and see You as You are, in truth.

"O unfathomable depth! O Deity eternal! O deep ocean! What more could You give me than to give me Yourself? You are an ever-burning Fire; You consume and are not consumed. By Your fire, You consume every trace of self-love in the soul. You are a Fire which drives away all coldness and illumines minds with its light, and with this light You have made known Your truth. Truly this light is a sea which feeds the soul until it is all immersed in You, O peaceful Sea, eternal Trinity! The water of this sea is never turbid; it never causes fear, but gives knowledge of the truth. This water is transparent and discloses hidden things; and a living faith gives such abundance of light that the soul almost attains to certitude in what it believes.

"You are the supreme and infinite Good, good above all good; good which is joyful, incomprehensible, inestimable; beauty exceeding all other beauty; wisdom surpassing all wisdom, because You are Wisdom itself. Food of angels, giving Yourself with fire of love to men! You are the garment which covers our nakedness; You feed us, hungry as we are, with Your sweetness, because You are all sweetness, with no bitterness. Clothe me, O eternal Trinity, clothe me with Yourself, so that I may pass this mortal life in true obedience and in the light of the most holy faith with which You have inebriated my soul."

-----St. Catherine of Siena

Washing

There is a good point to keeping a car washed, it helps to prevent problems from road salt. I noticed there were little dark specks all over the hood of my car. I couldn't figure out what it was until recalling a day that tar was being laid down on the road to patch holes. Even with that I had to wonder how on earth it got on my car. Anyway the cleaning part was extremely slow. That slow wash made for a nice clean car and a closer observation of deterioration near the tire wells. Nothing serious or major, but from that I thought about how God teaches us to care for ourselves and our own bodies.

I think it had to do with slowing down as well since we are always in a rush to get to one place or another and often times to complete work faster. But when we do work faster we take work away from others as well. Jobs are lost in how we can eliminate jobs by coming up with faster and better ways to do it. We are so smart that we are the ones who are causing much of the ruin. Jesus exhorts to rest, to slow down. Don't we often feel the effects of going too fast when we get tired or finding ourselves in accidents. Jesus used to take moments away from what he was doing in his ministry to rest his body, mind and soul and give time to God his father. We've come so far away from this in this day and age haven't we. We work on the sabbath, we don't always rest and take time to give to God let alone give quality time to our families. Can we change? Is it possible, it must be because we all were taught to change to a faster pace and to follow a new way.

Singing

Inspiration

Quote for the Day.

If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to your
mountain, "MOVE!" and it WILL move... and NOTHING will be
impossible for YOU!

- Matthew 17:20

Awesome

I woke up just past midnight thinking I was listening to a song, all the while I was also saying the words like a litany. The words seemed more along the line of rejoicing and praising God. It was a consolation of sorts from a decision I made earlier in the evening that upon waking I completely forgot about. It was along the line of God's commandments and letting them be a major path in my life along with the acknowledgement of my human failings as I grew up. Some things have been coming about lately regarding decisions in my life and some of the strange things happening with the people around me in my prayer and church life. I know what has been given and done for me in part of the thoughts that form part of my life. To explain some of this I need to also mention a moment over a week ago.

On a friday evening on July 31 I had a delightful time during Adoration. Between prayer, reading and reflecting, it didn't prepare me for the sight I saw when I left the Chapel. A brilliant rainbow, believe me it was awesome to see. I went to my car to get my camera. Christ the King Church looked like the rainbow was over it and I knew in those moments God gave me such consolation to know His undying love for me and the promise he has kept for all of us. The picture below is the first one taken.



This one shows it's getting darker out, the time would be close to 8:15 pm.



For some this may be meaningless, but for me it is the world. What everyone takes for granted I struggle daily with and God answers my prayers in a most delightful way when most of my daily encounters are filled with discouragement. God's love shines brightly for my eyes to see from the depths of my heart. I would love more than anything for many to see God's love in the simplest of ways. But all I can say is that He gave me love when others have gone away. I too know when I err, but when a person of faith takes it upon themselves to sleight you along with another and after a third time of this I had to finally turn away also. So much hurt, yet I am the bad one out of it all. That's why lately when many things come to me from our Lord, I know then that somehow He is giving me the strength to walk each day among the thorns.

Peace

Being certain of what Jesus has done has kept my focus upon him when I am tempted. I have found strength in knowing what I am to do to keep following him and doing what is right in my life. No matter how many times others will try to cause hurt and mischief, Jesus always comes through. He doesn't let evil triumph. I have found even in my own Parish those who seek to destroy and cause harm to those who are not of their group. Sad how this is so much a part of the world. It's not just in churches but in all walks of life that if you aren't part of the group, it's guaranteed an outcast a person will be.

I've watched it happen many times to other people, wondering why people cannot accept their neighbors and love them. Wars are constantly fought in many countries because they want what others have or to displace those they dislike. Love seems to be the lost part of the equation and hatred has become the focus. When people become tired of the hatred and realize that love truly does conquer, the world just might be a better place when they open their hearts to those around them. Jesus is the way to opening that heart to our neighbors.

St. John Vianney

Patron of Priests

Heavenly Father,

We thank you for our faithful priests,

whose spiritual fatherhood and example

of fidelity, sacrifice, and devotion is so

vital to the faith of your people.

Give our priests courageous faith in the

face of confusion and conflict, hope in

time of trouble and sorrow, and steadfast

love for you and for all your people. May

they grow in holiness and may the light of

your truth shine through their lives and

their good works.

We ask your blessing upon our seminarians

and all men who are discerning a call to the

priesthood. We also beg you to stir into

flame the call to the priesthood that you

have placed in the hearts of many men in

our diocese and throughout the Church.

We ask this through Jesus Christ, our

Eternal High Priest. Amen

St. John Vianney, Patron of Priests,

pray for us and for all our priests.

http://www.myvocation.com/

Life

It's wonderful to come across people who have been touched by our Lord in unique ways. I am awed when I encounter anothers vision. A gentleman showed me a picture he took of a sunset that remarkably had an image of the same face of Veronicas veil. When I stopped in the Church at the place I was at for a retreat the same picture was up by the altar for veneration. Yet, this man also has this picture given to him coming from the sky in the sunset.



I was also able to share the pictures I took, the brief power point show that is not finished. I have discovered that I don't quite have the talent to put together a visual showing. Is there anyone out there that could help me. That is my first call for help. I have gone so long in life doing so much on my own without burdening anyone and now I have a difficult time asking for needed help. I can at least write it anyway even if it doesn't happen. Not being negative either, just realistic. I'll never be ashamed of loving God, but I am ashamed at times to reveal where I work, and this came about when another person asked me where I worked. For once in my life I have been truly ashamed of the place I work. But then again, maybe they are ashamed of me too because of my deep love for God.

One thing I do know about myself is I am wrong on many occasions about many things. Learning about life can be difficult at best. Learning about love isn't so hard. I think through it all I have learned that life can beat you up, but God's love is unfailing.

Worthy

It is always a delight to see blogs that mention the Eucharist such as Portiuncula: the Little Portion has. Many know of the Eucharist but don't see how much it is through this that we find our way. Take a moment to visit the link and read the words given for reflection then take the next step and follow the other link to another source for the Real Presence. This is food that is for the soul.

God Alone Suffices

I offer you, Lord, my thoughts:

to be fixed on you;
my words:

to have you for their theme;
my actions:

to reflect my love for you;
my sufferings:

to be endured for your greater glory.

I want to do what you ask of me:
in the way you ask,
for as long as you ask,
because you ask it.

I pray, Lord, that you enlighten my mind,

inflame my will, purify my heart, and sanctify my soul.

O Mary, Mother of God and my Mother, pray also to Jesus for me. Saint Alphonsus

Pope Clement XI

Good News

Now this is good news! Perpetual adoration returns to Boston after 40 year absence, it's return comes at a time after much has gone on in Boston. When I read the article this morning on the Diocese newspaper The Pilot I was overjoyed. Eucharistic Adoration has touched my life and I'm sure it would also touch others as well when they open their hearts to Christ present in the Eucharist.

Believing isn't always easy for those in the world, nor is it easy for those who say they have been Catholics all their lives. Sometimes it's dealings with others that we find disbelief in people rather than disbelief in the presence of God. They show how much evil is present in their minds and hearts by how petty they are toward each other. Stooping at levels of nastiness to cause hurt. How many people see this daily in their lives and try to find comfort and solace in God's presence while those around them put their noses constantly in others peoples business. How is it possible to see the very image of God in others when they act so vile. It's no wonder we have lost touch with God when we say we are Catholic, when we are this way with those we deal with. God who is love, waits patiently for us to open our eyes and our hearts to what we do to others.

I sometimes am baffled as well by my comrades in faith and the depths of ugliness that I see in how they talk about others, the digs in their conversations. Those are the moments I no longer see the presence of God in them. Yet this is the way the world is today. This is how we have evolved when we no longer fear repercussion for our actions. Throughout my life I have been a watcher of what goes on around me in the world, seeing the interaction of others. Some of those moments I'm amazed that God doesn't wipe us all out when many of the actions and words of others are evil in their intent rather than good. Knowing how loving and forgiving God is, he gives us all a chance to come to him and mend our ways. And what better way to do that, by placing ourselves at His feet in Adoration. Maybe then the people of the world will begin to change for the better and we might begin to see a new dawn rising.