Friday, December 23, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
CHRIST in Christmas
TO PUT CHRIST BACK INTO CHRISTMAS!
(Christmas Reflection
2011, by Martin Jalleh)
Many of us who are Christians have allowed rampant
commercialisation and the “Walt Disneyfication” of Christmas to reduce our
Christian spirituality to mere sentimentality. Christ has been hijacked by
“Christ-less” carols, cakes, cool cards and cozy nativity scenes and
portrayed as one entering into a world of comfortable spiritual sentiment.
In reality “Christmas is not a nice story” and “it has nothing to do
with the nativity scenes we see on our Christmas cards or in most of the
Christmas paraphernalia…” notes Nils von Kalm, an Australian writer and
sociologist.
The Real World
In sharp contrast to the modern vehicles of entertainment, the
biblical (infancy) narratives are stark short and simple. They do not allow
the imagination to dwell on the detail of time or setting. As Charles Anderson
of God Web would put it: “The Bible does not offer brilliant descriptions of
scenes or costumes, landscapes or city scapes...…
“ The biblical writers were struggling to express that which is
beneath the surface and to reveal the fire that burns at the very heart and
center of life…One searches the scriptures in vain for descriptions of the
manger, we are given absolutely no detail to satisfy your curiosity about
what the baby Jesus looked like…(or) the costumes of Mary, Joseph and the magi.
“ If we read the Christmas story in the original we are taken into the very
depths of our own experience where the pain and the pleasure of a cold
winter day are most intense. The Bible concerns those conflicting currents of our
own inner life, those cross currents of pleasure and pain that are finally resolved
in the experience of God's love.”
Anglican priest Joy Carroll Wallis echoes the same when she
reminds us that “ Jesus didn't enter a world of sparkly Christmas cards or a
world of warm spiritual sentiment”. Sadly, “we have often settled for the
sweet coming of a baby who asked little of us in terms of surrender, encounter,
mutuality or any studying of the Scriptures or the actual teaching of Jesus ”
(Fr Richard Rohr).
Relevant till today
The dangerous world in which Jesus was born into and the ensuing
deep struggle between light and darkness, death and life, fear and faith –
is equally real till this day and in our very own beloved country. Over the
past year Christians have been increasingly discriminated against due to the
frequent contravention (with impunity) of the constitutional guarantees of
our religious freedom.
The world in which Jesus entered was not very different in
comparison to our world. It was “a world of real pain, of serious
dysfunction, a world of brokenness and political oppression. He was born an outcast, a homeless person, a refugee, and finally he becomes a victim to
the powers that be” (Joy Carroll Wallis) .
Neither should our response to the challenging realities we are
confronted with be different from that of Jesus’: “Herod recognizes
something about Jesus that in our sentiment we fail to see: that the birth of this
child is a threat to his kingdom, a threat to that kind of domination and rule.
Jesus challenges the very power structures of this evil age.”
This point is highlighted equally effectively by Fr Richard Rohr:
“ What we call the Incarnation, God becoming a human being, becoming one of
us , strikes directly at the heart of evil and corruption in the world. God
becoming human looks evil in the eye and takes it on without flinching. As Bruce Cockburn
sang it so brilliantly, it is God kicking the darkness till it
bleeds daylight ’. ”
The Word of God comforts and consoles us at Christmas. But it also
confronts, challenges and converts us! It refuses to allow us to remain at
the level of the sweetening and softening of the message of Christmas.
We have a choice of comfortable Christianity (Christmas pudding,
presents and the perfect paraphernalia) or the courage to challenge
(by God’s grace) both the darkness and the very power structures in our country.
Surely, the suffering and injustice in our country are too great
now to settle for any “infantile gospel” or any “infantile Jesus”. The Lord
invites us to work with him in His Kingdom -- to do justice, love mercy and
walk humbly with Him (Micah 6:8). Our “fiat” would mean we striving to put
Christ back into Christmas!
Reversal
Renowned Bible scholar William Barclay describes the Magnificat
which Mary sang to her baby in utero as “revolutionary”. He says the song
highlights four revolutions that God inaugurated at Christ’s birth – a
moral , social, economic and spiritual revolution. Mary’s song links religion and
politics, faith and economics.
Mary prayed a model prayer just like Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2
and in the Psalms, and her son grew up to pray a model prayer in Luke 11…
Mary is no mother meek and mild. She is in fact a “revolutionary”! Her Magnificat
is a strong reminder that God is always with us – a people called and chosen
and through whom love and justice are to triumph over arrogance, truth over
evil.
It is a song that encapsulates the great themes of Christianity
and explicitly reveals that mercy comes to all who accept the Christ-child.
It is a song about what a Bible scholar called, “ reversals ” . In place of the
proud and the powerful, God will lift up the powerless, weak, poor and the
‘ least of these’ (Matt.25). God is one on the move to bring justice, a reversal of the way things are, even the status quo!
In her Magnificat, Mary prophesied about Christ’s mission. Jesus
fulfilled his mother's prophesy in his own Nazareth Manifesto -- his first
words, in Luke 4 -- by saying, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because
he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor."
Just like Mary, we become partakers and partners of Christ’s
mission and “revolution” when we first allow God to work a “reversal” in our
personal lives. Will we allow the Lord to turn our world upside down inside out – in
terms of our purpose, priorities, values, thinking and our whole being – in order to
bring about real, relevant and radical change in this country .
May our response to the Advent call of conversion of heart result
in our personal transformation – from one of compromise to courage, and from
convenience and comfort to one of conviction and commitment to our duty and
responsibility towards social action, justice and mission.
May our concerns and commitment be not confined to the well-being
of Christians alone but may they embrace the struggles encountered by the
peoples of all races and religions, yes, even the Muslims too. May we
champion “ the common good ” and be the very embodiment of agape as Christ is born
again in our hearts this Christmas! A Blessed Christmas!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Cell phone vs. Bible
our cell phone?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we flipped through it several time a day?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
What if we used it when we traveled?
What if we used it in case of emergency?
This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible?
Oh, and one more thing.
Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being
disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.
Makes you stop and think 'where are my priorities? And no dropped calls!
Trust in the Lord and *ASAP (Always Say A Prayer)
Have a blessed and wonderful day!
Knock, Knock I knocked at heaven's door this morning. God asked me...'My child, what can I do for you?' And I said , ' Father, please protect and bless the person reading this message.' God smiled and answered... ' Request granted ' . ' Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle .'
Friday, November 4, 2011
The Joy Of The Lord Is My Strength
We sometimes tend to give the impression that all you need to do is give your heart to Jesus and all of your problems will be solved, all your bills will be paid, you will have success and prosperity, and everything you touch will turn to gold. If you are a Christian, you will have a continual smile on your face and always be happy. We make all our baskets, we sink all our putts, we close all our deals.
Does that sound like your testimony? I know it doesn't sound like mine!
I think the problem is that we've confused joy with happiness.
Happiness is dependent on happenings. Circumstances in your life dictate whether or not you are happy.
Joy, on the other hand is a gift from God, a fruit of the Spirit that transcends whatever is happening in your life. Joy allows you to rise, even to soar, above difficult circumstances, challenges, and heartaches.
Joy comes from knowing Who is in control and that He has a plan to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
We do not draw our strength from the great feeling we get when things go right; if we did, we would be powerless when hard times and adversity hit, and we would all be easy pickings for the devil.
No, it is the joy of the Lord that is our strength!
Jesus wasn't happy about going to the cross. He prayed the night before 'If there is any other way, let this cup pass from me...' But He did have joy
in obedience.
The writer to the Hebrews put it this way: 'Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross...'
There was joy for the Lord Jesus even in the pain and the agony of the cross because He knew the end result of His obedience and sacrifice would be the offer of salvation for you and me. Jesus chose to go through hell for us rather than to go to heaven without us.
In the book of Philippians, the Apostle Paul talks about joy over and over again. Yet he wrote that letter to the church at Philippi while he was imprisoned in horrible conditions.
How could he write about joy while imprisoned in a dark, cold, rat-infested Roman cell? It's because joy is not dependent on circumstances!
When you and I face tough times, we can draw on great reserves of joy that are rooted in our knowledge of the faithfulness of God. That's how Job was able to say in the midst of tragedy, heartache and great loss, 'Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him' (Job 13:15, KJV)
He knew God and He trusted God. That is how he could have 'joy in unrelenting pain' (Job 6:10, NIV).
~~By Agyeman Fordjour~~
Monday, August 15, 2011
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
O Blessed Virgin Mary,
united to the victorious Christ in heaven,
you are the image and first-flowering of the Church
as she is to be perfected in the world to come.
You shine forth as a sign of sure hope and solace
for the pilgrim People of God.
In your Assumption,
you manifest the fullness of redemption
and appear as the spotless image of the Church
responding in joy
to the invitation of the Bridegroom, your Son,
who is the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Grant that we may follow your example on earth
thereby imitating your Son as well
and being enabled to share your glory,
with Him for all eternity.
______________________________________________________________
Almighty and everlasting God,
You have taken up body and soul
into the heavenly glory the Immaculate Virgin Mary,
Mother of Your Son: Grant, we beseech You,
that, ever intent upon heavenly things,
we may be worthy to be partakers of her glory.
Through Jesus Christ Your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
One God, forever and ever. Amen.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Your tears are precious to God
Read John 19:25-27
Tears that are cried during prayer are
very valuable, like droplets of diamonds.
There's nothing wrong with
getting emotional and pouring our
sorrows upon God. When your heart
is heavy with grief over any loss, any
worry, or any hurt, Jesus expects you
to share the burden with him. Give
yourself permission to really let it all
out, from deep within. God does not
throw these diamonds away. He
cherishes them. He cries with you.
Is Not tears prayer-diamonds, Isn't heaven
supposed to be a place of joy, where there is
no more sorrow? Yet,Heaven ::: cries because of sin
in the world ::: cries for you when you turn
away from JESUS ::: cries when someone
sins against you ::: cries with you when you
cry, and so does Jesus.
Crying seems to be a female trait; because of
the way we are made biologically, women cry
more often than men. Scientists explain that
men's hormones channel their grief into anger,
and yet Jesus — fully a man — cried for others
when he saw them weeping over the death of
Lazarus, and he cried for Jerusalem when he
foresaw its destruction, and he cried for himself
when he faced crucifixion.
God appreciates our tearful prayers, because
they mean we're being honest with him and
with ourselves. Such prayers come from a passion
deep within. Not only are they offerings of
grief, like precious diamonds for God, but they
are also an act of surrender. We have reached
the end of our ability to be strong, happy, and
accepting of life's hardships.
In that humble
surrender, God has room
to move in and comfort
us and give us his own
strength to continue onward.
Have you ever felt the
hug of God ? One of the
scriptural names for the
Holy Spirit is the Comforter,
but how can we
feel the embrace of a
God who's invisible and
intangible? Often our
tears come from being
unable to feel his touch when we need it
most.
So we have to look for the various
ways that He makes himself known to us.
Throughout the day, Jesus is at our side
doing little and large favors for us. Usually,
however, we let our pain distract us
from noticing his gifts.
In John 19:25-27, the comforting embrace
of God is made tangible between
Mary and the disciple John.
While he grieved over the suffering and loss of his
dearest friend, she grieved with a heartbreak
that only a mother can know. And
Jesus, in the midst of his own pain, gave
the gift of comfort to his mother and
friend by giving them both to each other.
It is through community — the gift of
each other — that we find comfort . There
is no greater pain than suffering alone.
God does not want you to suffer alone,
ever. He's providing you with friends who
will give you his embrace, just like he did
for Mary and John.
If you don't know who
these comfort-companions are, look
closer, look in new directions; they are
already there for you.
Friday, August 5, 2011
The ant and the contact lens
Brenda was almost halfway to the top of the tremendous granite cliff. She wasstanding on a ledge where she was taking a breather during this, her first rock
climb. As she rested there, the safety rope snapped against her eye and knocked
out her contact lens. 'Great', she thought. 'Here I am on a rock ledge, hundreds
of feet from the bottom and hundreds of feet to the top of this cliff, and now
my sight is blurry.'
She looked and looked, hoping that somehow it had landed on the ledge. But it
just wasn't there.
She felt the panic rising in her, so she began praying. She prayed for calm, and
she prayed that she may find her contact lens.
When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye and her clothing for the
lens, but it was not to be found. Although she was calm now that she was at the
top, she was saddened because she could not clearly see across the range of
mountains. She thought of the bible verse ' The eyes of the Lord run to and fro
throughout the whole earth .'
She thought , ' Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every stone and
leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me.'
Later, when they had hiked down the trail to the bottom of the cliff they met
another party of climbers just starting up the face of the cliff. One of them
shouted out, 'Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?'
Well, that would be startling enough, but you know why the climber saw it? An
ant was moving slowly across a twig on the face of the rock, carrying it!
The story doesn't end there. Brenda's father is a cartoonist. When she told him
the incredible story of the ant, the prayer, and the contact lens, he drew a
cartoon of an ant lugging that contact lens with the caption, 'Lord, I don't
know why You want me to carry this thing. I can't eat it, and it's awfully
heavy. But if this is what You want me to do, I'll carry it for You.'
I think it would do all of us some good to say, 'God, I don't know why You want
me to carry this load. I can see no good in it and it's awfully heavy. But, if
You want me to carry it, I will.'
God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
Yes, I do love GOD. He is my source of existence and my Savior. He keeps me
functioning each and every day Without Him, I am nothing, but with Him... I can
do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13)
Monday, July 18, 2011
BURDENS
An old legend relates that long ago God had a great many burdens which He wished to have carried from one place to another on earth, so He asked the animals to lend a hand. But all of them began to make excuses for not helping: the elephant was too dignified; the lion, too proud; and so on. Finally the birds came to God and said, "If you will tie the burdens into small bundles, we'll be glad to carry them for you. We are small but we would like to help."
So God fastened upon the back of each one a small bundle, and they all set out walking across the plain to their destination. They sang as they went, and did not seem to feel the weight of their burdens at all. Every day the burdens seemed lighter and lighter, until the loads seems to be lifting the birds, instead of the birds carrying the burdens.
When they arrived at their destination, they discovered that when they removed their loads, there were wings in their place, wings which enabled them to fly to the sky and the tree tops.
They had learned how to carry their burdens, and their loads had
become wings to carry them nearer to God. Burdens we carry for others may become wings of the spirit, to lift us into happiness such as we have never known.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Christian Witness
Several years ago, a priest was transferred to a distant village church in his diocese. Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his church to the nearest town. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change. As he considered what to do, he told himself, 'You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it.'
Then he thought, 'Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company makes huge profits; they will never miss it. Accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet.' When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, 'Here, you gave me too much change. '
The driver, with a smile, replied, 'You are the new priest in the village, right?' 'Yes' he replied.
'Well, I have lately been thinking a lot about going somewhere to pray. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you extra change. You'll see me at church on Sunday.'
When the priest stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, 'Oh God, I almost sold You for a quarter!'
Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. This is a really scary example of how much people watch us as Christians, and will put us to the test! Always be on guard -- and remember -- you carry the name of Christ on your shoulders and on your forehead when you call yourself ' Christian '
Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
"The world suffers a lot, not because of violence of bad people. But because of silence of good people!"
Bishop Desmond Tutu.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
The Mass
Now that very day two of them were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, "What are you discussing as you walk along?" They stopped,
looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?" And he replied to them, "What sort of things?" They said to him, "The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel ; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see." And he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning (within us) while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?" So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them who were saying, "The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!" Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB
Commentary of the day
John Paul II
Apostolic Letter “Mane Nobiscum Domine” for the Year of the Eucharist, §2,11-12
“He took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened”
The image of the disciples on the way to Emmaus can serve as a fitting guide for a Year when the Church will be particularly engaged in living out the mystery of the Holy Eucharist. Amid our questions and difficulties, and even our bitter disappointments, the divine Wayfarer continues to walk at our side, opening to us the Scriptures and leading us to a deeper understanding of the mysteries of God. When we meet him fully, we will pass from the light of the Word to the light streaming from the “Bread of life”, the supreme fulfilment of his promise to “be with us always, to the end of the age” (cf. Mt 28:20)... The account of the Risen Jesus appearing to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus helps us to focus on a primary aspect of the Eucharistic mystery, one which should always be present in the devotion of the People of God: The Eucharist is a mystery of light! ...Jesus described himself as the “light of the world” (Jn 8:12), and this quality clearly appears at those moments in his life, like the Transfiguration and the Resurrection, in which his divine glory shines forth brightly. Yet in the Eucharist the glory of Christ remains veiled. The Eucharist is pre-eminently a mysterium fidei. Through the
mystery of his complete hiddenness, Christ becomes a mystery of light, thanks to which believers are led into the depths of the divine life... The Eucharist is light above all because at every Mass the liturgy of the Word of God precedes the liturgy of the Eucharist in the unity of the two “tables”, the table of the Word and the table of the Bread...In the account of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, Christ himself intervenes to show, “beginning with Moses and all the prophets”, how “all the Scriptures” point to the mystery of his person (cf. Lk 24:27).
Sunday, April 24, 2011
He is Risen ! Blessed Easter
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened. ~~ Luke 24 : 1-12 ~~
A man who had recently visited the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem came to me and described the personal feelings he had experienced while he was there. He said that as he stepped out of the darkness of the tomb and into the sunlight, he was overwhelmed as he though of Christ’s resurrection. He wanted me to recreate those feelings in a painting of the Savior stepping out of the tomb and into the early morning sun. He commissioned me to do this painting for him because he wanted Jesus to resemble the Red Robe painting (The Lord Jesus Christ), which was his favorite painting of the Savior.
I wanted this piece to be accurate and to capture the feelings he described to me, so I built a tomb door opening in my living room out of 2x4s to have a model step out of for the painting.
Many people have enjoyed this painting and some have commented to that the placement of his hands is meaningful to them. One hand is behind Him, touching the opening of the tomb, and the other hand reaches forward. It is as if he is putting the tomb and death behind him and reaching ahead into eternity.
A couple years after this painting , I was able to visit the tomb in Jerusalem. I thought about the man whose feelings for that place were so deep that he went to the effort to search me out and find me to paint it for him. I understood those feelings as I visited the tomb and felt what he had described for me. This was a sacred place, where one of the most significant events in all of history took place. I hope the painter have been able to capture that feeling with this painting.
by Delparson Studio
Friday, April 22, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
10 Commandments of a lay person
Someone has written these beautiful words. Must read and try to understand the deep meaning of it.
They are like the ten commandments to follow in life all the time.
1] Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a "steering wheel" that directs the right path throughout.
2] So a Car's WINDSHIELD is so large & the Rear view Mirror is so small? Because our PAST is not as important as our FUTURE. So, Look Ahead and Move on.
3] Friendship is like a BOOK. It takes few seconds to burn, but it takes years to write.
4] All things in life are temporary. If going well, enjoy it, they will not last forever. If going wrong, don't worry, they can't last long either.
5] Old Friends are Gold! New Friends are Diamond! If you get a Diamond, don't forget the Gold! Because to hold a Diamond, you always need a Base of Gold!
6] Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, GOD smiles from above and says, "Relax, sweetheart, it's just a bend, not the end!
7] When GOD solves your problems, you have faith in HIS abilities; when GOD doesn't solve your problems HE has faith in your abilities.
8] A blind person asked St. Anthony: "Can there be anything worse than losing eye sight?" He replied: "Yes, losing your vision!"
9] When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them, and sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you.
10] WORRYING does not take away tomorrow's TROUBLES, it takes away today's PEACE.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
PALM SUNDAY
PASSION SUNDAY (PALM SUNDAY) Isaiah 50:4-7; Philippians 2:6-11; Luke 22:14--23:56
AFTER FIVE WEEKS of preparation we now enter the climax of the Lenten season and what we call Holy Week. In a way, the whole week from today until Easter Sunday should be seen as one unit - the presentation of what we call the Paschal Mystery. This Paschal Mystery includes the sufferings, death, resurrection, ascension of Jesus into glory and the sending of the Spirit on the disciples of Jesus to continue the work he began. Although it is, for liturgical and catechetical reasons, spread over a period of seven weeks, it should also be seen as an indivisible single experience.
Climax of the Jesus' mission
This week sees the climax of the mission of Jesus Christ in which the deepest meaning of his life is unfolded and in which his teaching becomes incarnated in his own words and actions. Today's celebration (for, strange to say, the terrible happenings we are about to listen to are truly a cause for celebration on our part) is divided into two distinct parts: the procession with palms and the Mass proper. (The particular Mass you attend may not include both parts as many parishes will only do the first part at one of the day's Masses.)
Joy and triumph
In the first part the prevailing atmosphere is one of joy and the vestments in today's liturgy are a triumphal red and not the violet which has prevailed during the other days of Lent. For the reading from the Gospel in this first part recalls the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem as King. He gets a rapturous reception from the crowd who acclaim him with words we still use in the "Holy, holy, holy..." of the preface to the Eucharistic Prayer. This scene is important for, in a few days' time, the same triumphant Jesus will be reduced to a battered wreck of humanity, calling forth the words of Pilate: "Look, it is a human being!" (Ecce homo) [The full implications of this will be felt by those who have seen Mel Gibson's film, 'The Passion of Christ.]
Friday, April 15, 2011
GOD's GRACE
I wonder how many people will delete this without reading it because of the title.
It is a shame but this message is very true. Hope you are all as blessed as I was by this story. There once was a man named George Thomas, pastor in a small New England town.
One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit.....
Eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak.... "I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright. I stopped the lad and asked, "What do you have there, son?" "Just some old birds, "came the reply”. "What are you going to do with them?" I asked. "Take 'em home and have fun with 'em," he answered. "I'm gonna tease 'em And pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good Time." "But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do then?" "Oh, I got some cats," said the little boy. "They like birds. I'll take 'em to them." The pastor was silent for a moment. "How much do you want for those birds, son?" "Huh ?? !!! Why, you don't want them birds, mister. They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing. They ain't even pretty!" "How much?" the pastor asked again. The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, "$10?" The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill. He placed It in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was gone. The pastor picked up The cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot. Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free. Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story ;
One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting. "Yes, sir, I just caught a world full of people down there. Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!" "What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked. Satan replied, "Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!" "And what will you do when you are done with them?" Jesus asked. "Oh, I'll kill 'em," Satan glared proudly. "How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked. "Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you. You don't want those people!!" "How much? He asked again. Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your blood, tears and your life." Jesus said, "DONE!" Then He paid the price. The pastor picked up the cage and walked from the pulpit. I pray, for everyone who sends this on, whether to their entire address book or just a few, that God will bless them in a special way. And for those that just deleted it..........
And I KNOW there will be......
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ?
I thank God everyday for my blessed life. I'm not rich, don't live in a Mansion and don't have the nicest of material things, but, I'm reasonably Healthy, have a roof over my head, clothes on my back, food on my table. And if you have a family that loves you and lifelong friends to get you Through, I'd say you have a lot to be thankful for.
Friday, April 1, 2011
A Tale of Two Seas
GIVE FREELY AS YOU HAVE RECEIVED FREELY FROM GOD. SHARE WITH OTHERS IN NEED DURING LENT WHAT YOU HAVE -BE IT MONEY, FOOD, CLOTHES, TIME, YOUR SELF-PRESENCE TO BE WITH THE OTHERS WHO ARE LONELY, IN PAIN, SUFFERING, POOR, HOMELESS,ETC....BE LIKE JESUS CHRIST AND FOLLOW HIS APOSTLES, BY BEING TRUE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST TO OTHERS.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
HolyHumour
A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly, "I know what the Bible means!" His father smiled and replied, "What do you mean, you 'know' what the Bible means? The son replied, "I do know!" "Okay," said his father. "What does the Bible mean?" "That's easy, Daddy..." the young boy replied excitedly," It stands for 'Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.'
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There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country. "Is there anything breakable in here?" asked the postal clerk. "Only the Ten Commandments." answered the lady.
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"Somebody has said there are only two kinds of people in the world. There are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good morning, Lord," and there are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good Lord, it's morning."
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A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and couldn't find a space with a meter. Then he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: "I have circled the block 10 times. If I don't park here, I'll miss my appointment. Forgive us our trespasses." When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note "I've circled this block for 10 years. If I don't give you a ticket I'll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation."========
There is the story of a pastor who got up one Sunday and announced to his congregation: "I have good news and bad news. The good news is, we have enough money to pay for our new building program. The bad news is, it's still out there in your pockets."
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While driving in Pennsylvania, a family caught up to an Amish carriage. The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign... "Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass. Caution: Do not step in exhaust."
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A Sunday School teacher began her lesson with a question, "Boys and girls, what do we know about God?" A hand shot up in the air. "He is an artist!" said the kindergarten boy. "Really? How do you know?" the teacher asked. "You know - Our Father, who does art in Heaven... "
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A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him. Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump. "Reverend," said the young man, "I'm so sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip.." The minister chuckled, "I know what you mean. It's the same in my business."
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People want the front of the bus, the back of the church, and the center of attention.
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Sunday after church, a Mom asked her very young daughter what the lesson was about. The daughter answered, "Don't be scared, you'll get your quilt." Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed. Later in the day, the pastor stopped by for tea and the Mom asked him what that morning's Sunday school lesson was about. He said "Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming."
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The minister was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was going to ask the congregation to come up with more money than they were expecting for repairs to the church building. Therefore, he was annoyed to find that the regular organist was sick and a substitute had been brought in at the last minute. The substitute wanted to know what to play. "Here's a copy of the service," he said impatiently. "But, you'll have to think of something to play after I make the announcement about the finances." During the service, the minister paused and said, "Brothers and Sisters, we are in great difficulty; the roof repairs cost twice as much as we expected and we need $4,000 more. Any of you who can pledge $100 or more, please stand up." At that moment, the substitute organist played "The Star Spangled Banner." And that is how the substitute became the regular organist!=========
Give me a sense of humor, Lord, Give me the grace to see a joke, To get some humor out of life, And pass it on to other folk!Thursday, March 3, 2011
The Power of the Mass............
For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
Obedience is better than sacrifice. Obedience is the first of the virtues in religion.
The Power of the Mass is for you ! It's the power of the crucifixion on Calvary, which isn't repeated, but entered into through time and space. You can have 2 intentions for every Mass – One for the entire Mass itself, and one during the prayers of the Faithful. When you first get into Church and kneel down and pray (if you aren't doing this, then you need to start!), tell Jesus what your personal intention is for that Mass.
During the Prayers of the Faithful, tell Him what your other intention is. Of course, you can always call the Parish secretary to have specific Masses said for loved ones and other intentions too. The poor souls in purgatory really feel consolation and comfort in their misery when you have Masses said for them. Don't forget them, even if they've been dead a long time, because time has no meaning in eternity. If you don't have intentions for the Mass, you are missing out on a lot of spiritual benefits! At the hour of death the Holy Masses you have heard devoutly will be your greatest consolation.
Every Mass will go with you to Judgment and will plead for pardon for you.
By every Mass you can diminish the temporal punishment due to your sins, more or less, according to your fervor. By devoutly assisting at Holy Mass you render the greatest homage possible to the Sacred Humanity of Our Lord. ...
Through the Holy Sacrifice, Our Lord Jesus Christ supplies for many of your negligences and omissions. ... He forgives you all the venial sins which you are determined to avoid. He forgives you all your unknown sins which you never confessed. The power of Satan over you is diminished. ...
By piously hearing Holy Mass you afford the Souls in Purgatory the greatest possible relief. ... Through Holy Mass you are preserved from many dangers and misfortunes which would otherwise have befallen you. You shorten your Purgatory by every Mass. ...
Through the Holy Mass you are blessed in your temporal goods and affairs. ... When you hear Holy Mass devoutly, offering it to Almighty God in honor of any particular Saint or Angel, thanking God for the favors bestowed on him, etc., you afford that Saint or Angel a new degree of honor, joy and happiness, and draw his special love and protection on yourself. ...
Every time you assist at Holy Mass, besides other intentions, you should offer it in honor of the Saint of the day. ... In Holy Mass, in obedience to Christ's command, "Do this in remembrance of me," we of the Church offer perfect praise to the heavenly Father, and sanctify ourselves and the world by the power that flows from the priestly office of our eternal High Priest, Jesus Christ . ...
The benefits of even one Holy Mass are infinite and include the whole world. The blood of the new and everlasting covenant was "shed for you and for all." In every Mass that is offered the Church remembers before God "those who take part in this offering, those here present and all your people, and all who seek you with a sincere heart." In a special way those who have Holy Mass offered and those for whom a Mass is offered partake of the grace of the Eucharistic sacrifice. ...
The Church which offers Mass each day includes not only the faithful on earth, but the saints in heaven, as well as the suffering souls still awaiting entrance into heaven. ...
It is a pious and praiseworthy custom for the faithful to have Masses offered for their particular intentions, and especially for departed friends and loved ones. It is a laudable Catholic practice when requesting Mass for a special intention to make an offering both for the support of the priest who will celebrate the Mass and to provide for the needs of the altar as well as the materials required for the Holy Sacrifice.
It is very sad that so many non-Catholic Christians consider the Mass to be an abomination. It is just the opposite. It is the one-time sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross recreated, through time and space, in an unbloody fashion, just like Jesus did during the Last Supper.
QUOTES FROM THE SAINTS
1. The Mass is the most perfect form of prayer! Pope PaulVI
2. For each Mass we hear with devotion, Our Lord sends a saint to comfort us at death. (Revelation of Christ to St. Gertrude the Great).
3. A great doctor of the Church, St. Anself, declares that a single Mass offered for oneself during life may be worth more than a thousand celebrated for the same intention after death. St. Leonard of Port Maurice supports this statement by saying that one Mass before death may be more profitable than many after it.
4. "The Holy Mass would be of greater profit if people had it offered in their lifetime, rather than having it celebrated for the relief of their souls after death" - Pope Benedict XV
5. Once, St. Teresa was overwhelmed with God's Goodness and asked Our Lord "How can I thank you?" Our Lord replied, "ATTEND ONE MASS."
6. The Blessed Virgin Mary once told Her faithful servant Alain: "My Son so loves those who assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that, if it were necessary He would die for them as many times as they've heard Masses."
7. "When we receive Holy Communion, we experience something extraordinary - a joy, a fragrance, a well being that thrills the whole body and causes it to exalt." - Saint Jean Vianney "If we really understood the Mass, we would die of joy." - Saint Jean Vianney
8. "There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us." - Saint Jean Vianney
9. "When we have been to Holy Communion, the balm of love envelops the soul as the flower envelops the bee." - Saint Jean Vianney
10. "The celebration of Holy Mass is as valuable as the death of Jesus on the cross." - Saint Thomas Aquinas
11. "It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do without Holy Mass." - St. Padre Pio, stigmatic priest
12. The Mass is infinite like Jesus. . .Ask an angel what the Mass is, and he will reply to you in truth, "I understand what it is and why it is offered, but I do not, however, understand how much value it has." One angel, a thousand angels, all of Heaven know this and think like this.- St. Padre Pio, stigmatic priest
13. If we only knew how God regards this Sacrifice, we would risk our lives to be present at a single Mass. - St. Padre Pio, stigmatic priest
14. Renew your faith by attending Holy Mass. Keep your mind focused on the mystery that is unfolding before your eyes. In your mind's eye transport yourself to Calvary and meditate on the Victim who offers Himself to Divine Justice, paying the price of your redemption.- St. Padre Pio, stigmatic priest
15. Every Holy Mass, heard with devotion, produces in our souls marvelous effects, abundant spiritual and material graces which we ourselves, do not know.- St. Padre Pio, stigmatic priest
16. "The heavens open and multitudes of angels come to assist in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass." - Saint Gregory
17. "The angels surround and help the priest when he is celebrating Mass." - Saint Augustine
18. "When Mass is being celebrated, the sanctuary is filled with countless angels who adore the divine victim immolated on the altar." - Saint John Chrysostom
" We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles "
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
36 Christian ways to reduce stress
An Angel says, "Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happens tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice."
1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S.(Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19. Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus."
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
36. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU. "If God is for us, who can be against us ? "
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Dancing With God
I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.
I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn't flow with the music,
and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,
both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back
or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another.
It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness,
and attentiveness from one person
and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.
When I saw "G": I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i".
"God, "u" and "i" dance."
God, you, and I dance.
As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust
that I would get guidance about my life.
Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
My prayer for you today is that God's blessings
and mercies are upon you on this day and everyday.
May you abide in God, as God abides in you.
Dance together with God, trusting God to lead
and to guide you through each season of your life.
This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached.
If God has done anything for you in your life,
please share this message with someone else.
There is no cost but a lot of rewards;
so let's continue to pray for one another.
And I Hope You Dance Every Day!
Author Unknown
The Lord says, "I will bless the person who puts his trust in me." Jeremiah 17:7
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy.
Don't let anyone steal your sunshine!
Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... it's about learning to dance in the rain.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Are We Ready For Persecution ?
ARE WE READY FOR PERSECUTION ?
" We may say with confidence: 'The Lord is my Helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?' " -Hebrews 13:6 Many of the people to whom the book of Hebrews was written were able to stand fast in their faith despite extreme persecution from the Romans. The Hebrews "were stoned, sawed in two, put to death at sword's point" (Heb 11:37). Nonetheless, they continued to confess Jesus as Lord and did not give in to pressure from the government. The Lord made the Hebrews this strong in their faith by calling them to: * show hospitality (Heb 13:2). When we use the supernatural gift of hospitality, we encourage and strengthen each other in miraculous ways. * solidarity and compassion (see Heb 13:3). If one suffered, all suffered (1 Cor 12:26). They did not let themselves become alone and isolated, but they supported each other. * sexual purity, especially in marriage (see Heb 13:4). The devil's initial attack against God's people is often through sexual temptations. If we win this battle, we're on the way to winning the war. * not love money. This is the root of all evil (1 Tm 6:10), including that of giving in to persecution (see Heb 13:5). * obey their leaders (see Heb 13:7). An army disobedient to authority loses the war. We may soon face more intense persecution.
To stand fast in faith, accept God's grace in all the ways He gives it.
Prayer: Father, may I be delivered from every evil, especially the evil of denying my faith in You.Promise: "The Lord is my life's Refuge." -Ps 27:1
Praise: Out of love for Jesus and His people, the Lilly's open their home to receive and house those in need.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Two little words !
Why is it while we are down on our knees, We start out each prayer, with that one word, 'PLEASE'? The next time, in prayer, here's one thing to do, Start out by saying, "Dear LORD, I THANK YOU!"
Some only pray, when they ask for a gift, Others request that HE give them a lift. Like all little children, we learn to say please. But some of us say it, with way too much ease.
Try saying THANK YOU, you may be surprised, That your prayers are answered, as you open your eyes. GOD likes to be thanked, just like we all do. Surely that's not asking too much from you. So tonight, don't ask "PLEASE," say "THANK YOU," instead. You'll feel so much better, when you climb into bed. Then tomorrow you'll wake up, to a bright shining day. If only you'll remember, those two words to say.
~~ Joe Pielmeier Sr. ~~
Monday, January 17, 2011
Five Finger Prayer
* Five Finger Prayer *1. *Your thumb* is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for
those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved
ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a 'sweet duty.'
2. The *next finger* is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach,
instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They
need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep
them in your prayers.
3. The *next finger* is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our
leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and
administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion.
They need God's guidance.
4. The *fourth finger* is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the
fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It
should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain.
They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.
5. And lastly comes our *little finger* - the smallest finger of all
which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the
Bible says, 'The least shall be the greatest among you.' Your pinkie
should remind you to pray for yourself.
By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will
be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself
more effectively. If you decide to send this to a friend, you might brighten
someone's day!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
The Miracle water rosary
An amazing picture became a message of faith in Despeñaderos (Spain).It was taken at the baptism of Valentino Mora, son of Erica, a single mom of 21 who asked the photographer to take a picture of her son for free.
The photo of the baptism of Valentino Mora is sweeping the Internet, because at the time the priest pours the Holy water over his head, the water flows in the shape of a rosary! This story began at the Parish of the Assumption of Our Lady in Despeñaderos, Cordova, Spain where the baptism of a one month baby took place. At the time that Valentino came to the baptismal font for the sacrament of baptism, Erica asked the photographer Maria Silvana Salles, who was hired by other parents baptizing their babies, to take a photo of her son as a favor, since the young mother had no way of paying for it. The photographer, moved by Erica's request, agreed to take a photo of Valentino. Maria Silvana works with a traditional camera and had to send the film to be developed to a shop in Cordova. When she received the photos, she noticed with surprise that the water poured from the head of Valentino was a perfect rosary. The photo of the baptism of Valentino has awakened faith in the people of Despeñaderos who come to the humble home of Erica and Valentino Mora to touch him. The truth is that this sign of faith has mobilized the town of Despeñaderos, whose neighbors go to Maria Silvana's store to buy the picture as if it were a prayer card.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Blessings and curses !
All of us have our share of suffering and Christians are not exempted from them. We don’t welcome it but we seldom have much control. Father Henri Nouwen says:
“It is an on going temptation to think of our lives as living under a curse. The loss of a friend, an illness, an accident, a natural disaster, a war, or any failure can make us quickly think that we are no good and are being punished. This temptation to think of our lives as full of curses is even greater when all the media present us day after day with stories about human misery.
Jesus came to bless us, not to curse us. But we must choose to receive that blessing and hand it on to others. Blessings and curses are always placed in front of us. We are to choose. God says, ‘Choose the blessings!’” (Bread for the Journey, Sept 8)
“To bless means to say good things. We have to bless one another constantly. Parents need to bless their children, children their parents, husbands their wives, wives their husbands, friends their friends. In our society, so full of curses, we must fill each place we enter with our blessings. We forget so quickly that we are God’s beloved children and allow the many curses of our world to darken our hearts. Therefore, we have to be reminded of our belovedness and remind others of theirs. Whether the blessing is given in words or with gestures, in a solemn or an informal way, our lives need to be blessed lives.” (Bread for the Journey, Sept 7)
We bless ourselves:
· when we give thanks with a grateful heart.
· when we listen to the quiet, inner voice that says good things about ourselves.
· when we affirm ourselves and know that we have given the best of ourselves in whatever we have worked on.
· when we shut out the loud, busy outer voice that says we are being punished.
We bless others:
· when we speak good things about them and to them.
· when we show by our gestures that their presence is a joy to us.
· when we reveal to them their gifts, their goodness and their talents.
1. Our reactions immediately after an unpleasant event happens
When we lose our job, when we have an abusive boss, when a car accident happens, when we are robbed, when we are seriously ill, when we have cancer, the immediate question “Why?” emerges. “Why me?” “Why now?” “Why here?” “What have I done wrong?” “Why am I being punished?” It is so difficult to live without an answer to this “Why?” But, if we are too focused and obsessed with finding the answers to these questions of the causes of these events, we are more likely to end up being angry and bitter. Bitterness will turn us away from God and thus we curse ourselves.
In order to help me see my suffering and pain in a new light, I have to change my focus. Now that the unpleasant event has happened, what should my response be? By concentrating on my response, I am more likely to end up turning to God, trusting Him and blessing myself. How is this done? Mother Teresa advised, “Just accept whatever He gives and give whatever He takes with a big smile.” (The Wisdom of Mother Teresa, 42) Who can do that? I can’t do it. It is impossible for me to accept with a smile this suffering and adversity. Whenever I say anything is impossible, I have inadvertently put a curse on myself! I have shut out all possibilities. But I may be able to accept it with a smile, if I truly believe that “God loves me” (John 15:9 TEV) and that “I am precious to Him” (Isaiah 43:4 TEV). How? This requires a change in mindset and heart-set because if I am precious to God, then it stands to reason that He cares for me and knows my suffering and hardships and that He has permitted, allowed, sent or given them to me. Furthermore, I will surely be able to smile if I turn to God and wholeheartedly believe that with God’s help all things are possible as, “This is impossible with human beings, but for God everything is possible” (Matthew 19:26 TEV). When I embrace this truth, I bless myself. Therefore, I must trust that God has allowed the suffering to be a means of discipline through which faith, love, patience and grace may be cultivated in my life. God will not allow my suffering and pain to be wasted and to be of no value to me. God will see me through my suffering and will carry me through it all but I have to keep reminding myself that, ”I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.” (Philippians 4:13 TEV) And “God has given us a spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7 TEV). This belief, this constant repetition will help me to face my suffering and hardships in a new perspective. What I need to do is to turn to God, do my best under the circumstances and trust Him to turn it round for my good. God promises to take “all things” including suffering, abuses, evil things, and turn them round for good as “in all things God works for good with those who love Him”(Romans 8:28 TEV).
But what is for our good? This is for the individual to pray and with God’s help to discover. He needs to constantly search for himself answers to the questions: “What is the seed of equivalent good in my suffering?” “What is the seed of equivalent benefit in my adversity?” Some good traits which we may develop can be more patience, more consideration, less arrogance and less resentment.
Remember, all God requires of us is to come to Him in prayer and trust Him completely. Trust Him to turn our lives around. He will not fail us because we can trust God “who always keeps His promise.” (1 Peter 4:19 TEV) We do our part and give of our best and He will do His part. When we turn to God, God will work WITH us to turn the suffering and pain round for our good. The circumstances, the pain, the suffering, the hardship or the adversity may still be there and may not change much BUT our response and internal attitude towards them will certainly change. Yes, we can take God at His Word that He will help us, comfort us, strengthen us and support us through our pain and suffering. Then, suffering can become a turning point from which we take our greatest leap forward in our faith in God. When we trust God, God gives us the hope and courage to look suffering in the face and to go through it confidently with a renewed spirit and heart. Our suffering will, hopefully, turn us round to come in closer touch with the presence of God in our lives. The great secret in life is that suffering can become a source of new hope and new life. We will then learn to accept it with a smile. This is indeed a blessing.
2. Our memory of events long after they happened
How we recount these unpleasant experiences is also vitally important. When we constantly recount them:
· with blaming God,
· with blaming others,
· with cursing our fate,
· with anger,
· with fear,
· with regret,
· with the feeling of being victimised,
then we put these events under the curse. When we feel we are being punished, the feeling of being cursed comes easily. We will hear an inner voice calling us “bad,” “rotten,” “worthless,” “useless,” “doomed to sickness and death.” We darken our hearts and live our lives with bitterness and resentment. So, we unconsciously curse ourselves.
But blessing is nothing more than recounting positively these events:
· with what God has helped us to endure or overcome,
· with what patience our family and friends have stood by us,
· with what we have learnt out of the events, and
· with hope, courage and love.
Then we put these experiences under the blessing and we consciously bless ourselves.
Henri Nouwen says, “In Latin, to bless is benedicere. The word ‘benediction’ that is used in many churches means literally: speaking (dictio) well (bene) or saying good things of someone. That speaks to me. I need to hear good things said of me, and I know how much you have the same need. Nowadays, we often say: ‘We have to affirm each other.’ Without affirmations, it is hard to live well. To give someone a blessing is the most significant affirmation we can offer. It is more than a word of praise or appreciation; it is more than pointing out someone’s talents or good deeds; it is more than putting someone in the light. To give a blessing is to affirm, to say ‘yes’ to a person’s Belovedness. And more than that: to give a blessing creates the reality of which it speaks. There is a lot of mutual admiration in this world, just as there is a lot of mutual condemnation. A blessing goes beyond the distinction between admiration or condemnation, between virtues or vices, between good deeds or evil deeds. A blessing touches the original goodness of the other and calls forth his or her Belovedness.” (Life of the Beloved, 56)
Physical, mental or emotional pain lived under the blessing is experienced in ways radically different from physical, mental or emotional pain lived under the curse. Even a small burden, perceived as a sign of our worthlessness, can lead us to deep depression. But, great and heavy burdens become light and easy when they are lived in the light of the blessing. What seems intolerable becomes a challenge. What seems a reason for despair becomes a source of hope. What seems punishment becomes a gentle pruning from God. What seems rejection becomes a way to a deeper communion with God. And so the great task becomes that of allowing the blessing to touch us in our brokenness. Then our brokenness will gradually come to be seen as an opening towards the full acceptance of ourselves as the Beloved children of God. This explains why true joy can be experienced in the midst of great suffering. It is the joy of being disciplined, purified and pruned. Just as athletes who experience great pain as they run the race can, at the same time, taste the joy of knowing that they are coming closer to their goal, so also can the Beloved experience suffering as a way to deeper communion with God. Here joy and sorrow are no longer each other’s opposites, but have become the two sides of the same desire to grow to the fullness of the Beloved. For this blessed attitude to take root, we have to have deep faith that God loves us unconditionally and that we are the beloved children of God, very precious to Him.
God sent Jesus to bless us, “God. . . sent Him to bless you” (Acts 3:26 NJB) and Jesus himself has blessed us with every spiritual blessing, “our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all the spiritual blessings” (Ephesians 1:3 NJB). Jesus shows us by His Words and Deeds how to live a blessed life, “Blessed are those who do His commandments” (Revelation 22:14 NKJV). Jesus creates a whole new blessed environment for us to dwell in and, ”how happy are those who hear the word of God and obey it!"(Luke 11:28 TEV) We have to choose to stay in that place with Him and to hand His blessings on to others to make our blessings grow and multiply.