Forgive me for not posting anything for this picture. I am in awe. Here is a link. Please read.
Tag: Faith
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I could not agree more… As this “idolatry” is where our Lord called me from.
Walter Brueggemann on Idolatry – ANNOTATE
God and guns? Old Testament scholar and theologian, Walter Brueggemann, shines a light on nationalism and idolatry in the American church.Deuteronomy 6:4-7
Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today. Drill them into your children. Speak of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest. -
Gaudete Sunday /ɡaʊˈdeɪteɪ/ (pronounced with three syllables: gow-day-tay) is the third Sunday of Advent
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice.
Indeed, the Lord is near.There have been many things that have taken place in the life of my family, the world, and in general for all society, that in many cases could be seen and are seen as tragic. In the silence and pain of all our suffering, one thing is True. Our Lord is with us, He knows our suffering and He is with us through it. He is King of all suffering as none can compare with His.. As my last post sated:
This morning I am filled with a peace that only our Lord can give and I am grateful. This wonderful peace today is born from knowing that no matter what may come, in Christ, nothing can take away the JOY of knowing He is Lord. “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”
We know and understand, there is truly much more to come then the suffering we endure here in exile, in regards to His glory we will share with Him when He comes. “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”
Endure with Him. Stay in His light and remain with Him in all circumstances. It is He who brings low and raises high. Repent and anticipate His coming with joy!
Third Sunday of Advent USCCB
Lectionary: 9 -
This morning I am filled with a peace that only our Lord can give and I am grateful. This wonderful peace today is born from knowing that no matter what may come, in Christ, nothing can take away the JOY of knowing He is Lord. “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”
Last night, I was experiencing some great pain from what ever is going on inside my body and was troubled to see how my not being able to carry out some duties as mom and wife, was starting to weigh on my husband. My children filled the gap between us that was growing wider, with arguing about frivolous things. As I called for peace in this home, no one but our Lord heard my cry.
I was informed by my doctor that the blood work was back and they were ruling out anything wrong (cancer or disease) with my liver and pancreas, which to me, was great news. However, they have not ruled out a penetrating ulcer, which makes total sense with the amount of anti-inflammatory medicine I take for my spinal issues. Ulcer penetration is a complication in which the ulcer erodes through the intestinal wall without digestive fluid leaking into the abdomen. Instead, the ulcer penetrates into an adjoining organ, such as the pancreas or liver. The signs of penetration are more severe pain without rhythmicity or periodicity, and the spread of the pain to the lower back.
Next Tuesday, I have an appointment to find out more as more tests are scheduled. In the mean time, I have to ignore the pain and suffering because other things need attention. My children and my husband. That doesn’t mean our Lord is ignoring me. On the contrary, I am finding Him with me, every second as my pain and suffering is joined to His. As He is giving me His attention, I find it crucial now, to give that same attention to them.
No one on earth could ever understand fully, the position, place and condition a soul is in,nor the experiences, good and bad, they are going through completely, except our Lord. Its as if its just Him and me now, as I am sure its always been but I just couldn’t see it, walking through this entire experience, forgetting self and trying to bring peace in this home, in this family that just can’t see what is going on here. When I can see this, I can see my children and husband in the Light. I can understand more, the things that they can’t understand yet. Rather than become distant and uncaring to their needs, I am more and more careful in regards to how I attend to them. Mercy being the key. As our Lord pours His mercy on me, I am just a funnel in which that same mercy pours down into this home, on to my husband and children. Even when it is not reciprocated from them, as they are vessels also, that will hold it, until He determines when they shall need and use it through remembering if they choose through free will to do so with His grace. That is the peace and joy I have today. It is His, our Lords.
Pondering, “What you sow is not brought to life unless it dies.” Oh how true this is.
Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?” -
“How much wrong we do to God and his grace when we affirm that sins are punished by his judgment before putting first that they are forgiven by his mercy! It is truly so. We have to put mercy before judgment, and in every case God’s judgment will always be in the light of his mercy.”” – Pope Francis
How many times do we jump off the “cliff of assuming” the worst about someone, some event or the opinion of others before first exerting the gift of mercy,through listening to what it being said, paying attention to what is being done (seeing the bigger picture) and examining the facts of the matter at hand? How often do we truly “ponder” what it means to have a listening heart of love for that cry from our neighbor before passing judgement on what they are trying to do or say? One of the most wonderful gifts of mercy is simply listening to someone. To hear them and locate where they are. Meaning, to see with our Lord’s heart, the struggle they are in and to try to lend a hand to help them up and out of it. An extra set of ears, just being there for them, is mercy.
Most times rather than listen to our neighbor seeking help, we quickly pull out that sword of righteousness and finish them off with our own pride, which doesn’t do our Lord’s gift of patience much good, nor does it give much honor, praise or glory back to Him if we don’t switch gears and use the gift of humility. When we extend the gift of mercy through listening, we are actually using the gift of patience we have obtained by the Holy Spirit through our own tribulations. Tribulations, much the same as our neighbors are also going through. Never forget where you came from.
Do you remember the “STOP! DROP! AND ROLL!” fire safety technique taught to us as children? When engaging in discussions the same can be applied to our faith. STOP speaking and listen. DROP the assumption you have of the neighbor. AND ROLL away the stone preventing you from being merciful first, before trying to help them to roll away the stone you feel is holding them back. That little extension of mercy, can and often times is a hidden gift to you from our Lord, that you just can’t see yet. Think about what is being said and use discernment to see what God is telling you to do and say. Think of all the times you were in that situation and how many wrong turns you also took before “listening” to our Lord’s direction on how to get out. Not what “you” think you should do and say. Never jump to conclusions because with our Lord, with the repentant sinners life, conclusions regarding ourselves, once held by the penitent in regards to our own lives and ideas, change drastically for the better when we use His grace in the way it was intended to be used, trusting completely in His mercy and accepting His judgement. Peace!
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The Vatican has announced the official hymn for the Jubilee Year of Mercy – See Here
Misericordes sicut Pater
Misericordes sicut Pater! [from Luke 6:36, the official motto of the Jubilee]
1. We give thanks to the Father, for he is good [from Psalm 135:6]
in aeternum mercy eius
He created the world with wisdom
in aeternum mercy eius
He leads his people in history
in aeternum mercy eius
He forgives and welcomes His children [from Luke 15]
in aeternum mercy eius2. Let us give thanks to the Son, Light of the nations
in aeternum mercy eius
He loved us with a heart of flesh [from John 15:12]
in aeternum mercy eius
we receive from Him, to Him we give ourselves
in aeternum mercy eius
the heart to open to those who hunger and thirst [from Matthew 25,31ss]
in aeternum mercy eius
Misericordes sicut Pater!
Misericordes sicut Pater!3. We ask the Spirit the seven holy gifts
in aeternum mercy eius
source of all good, sweet relief
in aeternum mercy eius
comforted by Him, offer comfort [from John 15: 26-27]
in aeternum mercy eius
I love hopes and endures all things [from 1 Cor 13.7]
in aeternum mercy eius4. We call for peace to the God of all peace
in aeternum mercy eius
the earth awaits the gospel of the Kingdom [from Matthew 24,14]
in aeternum mercy eius
grace and joy to those who love and forgive
in aeternum mercy eius
will be the new heavens and the earth [from Revelation 21.1]
in aeternum mercy eius
Misericordes sicut Pater! -
When my daughters started this school year, in both classrooms, were sign up sheets for various programs for family’s to help out with through the year. As I looked about my fifth graders room sheet, I had noticed no one has signed up for the 5th grade retreat, which would be taking place this Advent. I had never helped with one and figured I would, since no one else would.
Time had passed and months flew by until I was contacted about two weeks ago. Her teacher had caught me in person and mentioned that she would be emailing me the information and we needed to sit down and discuss what the theme would be along with other items that would be taking place. I waited patiently and another week came and went. No email. I asked my husband if she had emailed him and he did not receive any information either. So I sent her an email asking her what we needed to do. For some reason, the email never go through. A few days later, I received a general email from the school, in which all family’s were notified, talking about the upcoming retreat and that we needed to nail down a date. I responded back, being it was a Friday, I knew I wouldn’t hear back until at lease Sunday evening. The email bounced back. It seemed as if something didn’t want me to partake in any way shape of form in doing anything for this retreat I had signed up for, months ago, that no one wanted to do.
That following Sunday, I had entered the Parish Hall between Masses and our Pastor was there. He had called out to me from across the room, but called me by another name. I looked at him and he did it again. I said to him, no Father, I am Peggy. He said your not so & so? I said no Father. My name is Peggy, you know, Violet and Chloe’s mom? He laughed a bit and called me that other persons name again and said he wanted to talk to me about the upcoming Seventh grade retreat. I said to him, Father, that is not me. We haven’t nailed down a date yet for the retreat and I haven’t heard any news as to when it is yet. He said yes we did and I need to talk to you about it, calling me the other persons name again. Once again, I told him, I was not her and did not have a child in the seventh grade. He looked at me puzzled for a moment and with that his eyes widened and said, okay. Your Violets mom. It finally registered with him. I left and went back home, immediately checking my email to see if any news came through and nothing was there, once again.
The following morning, my husband took our girls to school and I had him inform my daughters teacher that all the emails I had sent were bounced back and I just could not get any information through to her to get this going. The day after that, on my way into school to pick up my girls, a parent told me that she was working on the retreat and was wondering if I could help them. I informed her of all the things that had taken place and would love to help along with telling her I was grateful that someone was doing something as it was like I was being sabotaged at every turn in trying to do anything for this event. It seemed as if everything I was doing, was blocked and just couldn’t get anything through. As if I wasn’t supposed to be doing this even though I had volunteered for it. She had informed me that the day for the retreat was just set for December 10th and it would only be a few hours in the morning. I was grateful for any information and thrilled that it would be taking place. Along with being very grateful to our Lord, that someone had done something to get the ball rolling. She told me she would email me some ideas, I left and went home. Guess what? No emails received. He knows what we NEED before we ask.
Last Friday, First Friday, as I attended Holy Mass with the school children, something happened. Keep in mind my health is not the greatest and I have struggled with many strange things over the years, out of the ordinary things, from needing emergency surgery for a Spontaneous Heterotopic Pregnancy to congestive heart-failure that had originally been diagnosed as seasonal allergies along with degenerative disks in my spine that once, pinched my spinal chord in my neck and made it seem as if I had a stroke. Last Friday, was no different. While at Holy Mass, just before the Consecration, it was as if someone jabbed me just under the ribs with a knife on my right side. It brought me to my knees as it took my breath away for a split second and as fast as it happened, the pain was gone. I continued to concentrate on our Lord and joined my pain with His Wounded Sacred Heart, as through the rest of Holy Mass, I was at peace with Him, although still in slight pain. As I left Mass, I was a bit perplexed as to what this could be. I had my gallbladder removed just last year and hadn’t had that type of pain since back when I still had one. I prayed. The next day, I attended Holy Mass again as it was First Saturday and I was meeting with my Carmelite Brothers and Sisters for our monthly meeting. As I sat in prayer and contemplation, the pain returned a few times, although not as strong and I knew something was up. Something was wrong and needed to be looked at. Being that it was the weekend, I would put it off until Monday to call since the pain was not so great and could be dealt with by just taking it easy. Our Lord had me completely at peace and I continued on with light chores and prayers.
Sunday came and after my family and myself attended Holy Mass, I received a phone call from another classmate of my daughter, in regards to the retreat. We spoke at length of different ideas she had designed and asked my opinion on a few other things and we agreed on all of them in regards to how the children would have a wonderful morning. It was done. I only had a few ends to tie before this coming Thursday for making Advent Calender’s themed for the Year of Mercy, for the remainder of Advent until Christmas. As I hung up the phone with her, it dawned on me, our Lord provides. He knew I was going to have health issues that would get in the way of doing as much as needed to be done for this Children and He, in His MERCY, provided for them. Although most of what took place seemed to be one way, in which it looked as if I may have dropped the ball, or someone did, it actually wasn’t. All these little inconveniences, steering me away from what I wanted to do, even though through good intention, needed to take place to ensure the children’s fifth grade retreat was able to be taken care of, by someone other than me, because I was not going to be in any shape to follow through with it. Our Lord is MERCIFUL. He knows what He is doing and He knows EVERYTHING. He knows the plans He has for us.
I had called my doctor yesterday, Monday, and gave his nurse all my symptoms. They made room and got me in today, beginning a whole series of tests. I will not have my blood work back until Friday, as they are currently looking for something wrong either with a bile duct or something with the liver or pancreas. My doctors orders are to RELAX and REST and not to do much of anything while he plots out the next course of diagnosis, be it CT Scan or MRI, after he discuses this more in detail with the Radiologist. If I get a fever or worse pain, I am to go to the ER for emergency treatment. All this, while I discuss it all, with our Lord, the true Doctor, in contemplation and prayer. That being said, it would put a HUGE damper on this Fifth Grade Retreat that WILL now take place on this Thursday, without me, if I was kept in charge of it. If I had anything seriously planned, if I had been given the entire task. It would have been compromised by an unforeseen, by me, health issue that our Lord most surely did know about. That is the mercy of our Lord as seen by a very grateful soul. Praise, glory and honor to our Lord, Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen
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Come, Lord Jesus. Come and visit your people.
We await your coming. Come, O Lord.Second Sunday of Advent
Lectionary: 6Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths:
all flesh shall see the salvation of God. -
‘I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.’ – Albert Einstein
The sticks are the crosses we are to carry and the stones are the hearts of men, without the fear of God in them….
Man can grind up & destroy EVERY weapon on the face of the planet and he will still kill his own brother using his own stone cold heart, by his own selfish hand.
The problem society has today isn’t guns, its disdain for God, disdain for the Truth, disdain for anything holy, right and just. When God is removed from “society”, as has been being attempted, society loses Fear of the Lord, and fear of the Lord holds all society in check. Fear of the Lord balances society so it is not tossed into chaos but remains in His peace. Without Fear of God, there isn’t any respect for anyone’s life. That loss of respect for life, is the problem we have today. Period.
The entire world is in need of a conversion of heart. The devil will always blame God, blame the innocent and blame all he can on what is good while creating as much chaos as he can, pushing man into a frenzy to enact more laws when the ones he truly needs have already been written on his own heart. The devil will always try to push all society into the pit of hell. A heart of stone does more killing, physically, psychologically, emotionally and spiritually than any weapon man can create.
The entire world is in need of a conversion of heart. Pick up your cross with our Lord’s most Sacred Heart and carry it with Him again and smash that heart of stone that seeks what is never attainable in a heart of stone, replacing it with the attainable heart of flesh. LOVE!
Our Lady of Fatima said “In the end, My Immaculate Heart will triumph”. Look to her as your role model to ensure our Lord will remove the stone and create an Immaculate Heart in you.
“We the Christians are the true Israel which springs from Christ, for we are carved out of His heart as from a rock.” — St. Justin Martyr (d. 165)
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” — Matthew 11:29
“There is in the Sacred Heart the symbol and express image of the infinite love of Jesus Christ which moves us to love in return.” — Pope Leo XIII
EDIT TO ADD: From a Priest friend on Facebook
Kyrie, eleison.
Some good advice from Father Jay Finelli (obviously this is directed to Catholics … !)
Are you concerned with the shooting today in San Bernardino? Are you concerned with terrorism? Are you concerned with all the many evils taking place in our world today (the times in which we live)?
Well, do something about it!1) Go to Mass tomorrow (and as often as possible)
2) Pray your Rosary
3) Go to Adoration and make at least one Holy Hour a week
4) Pray the St. Michael Prayer throughout the day
5) Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet
6) Go to Confession frequently
7) Turn away from sin, away from the world, repent and believe in the Gospel
8) Now that you have done #7, live itDo all of the above and more and in no particular order!
(This advice doesn’t preclude other kinds of action: political discussion on homeland security, and gun violence, for instance. It is the foundation for any kind of action, or ought to be. The kind of action most of us get involved in: interminable online discussions, meme wars which only establish us in our own positions, and feelings of superiority to others, and acerbic commentary, don’t achieve much, if anything. They certainly don’t help us become saints, I don’t think.) -
Wishing all my readers a beautiful Advent Season and prayers for a beautiful time of preparing our souls for the coming of our Lord.
The USCCB has an Advent calendar that can help you enter the season with activities and prayer suggestions. Click on this link for more and lets start this beautiful journey of Advent.
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“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” Matthew 25:31-32
ACT OF DEDICATION OF THE HUMAN RACE TO JESUS CHRIST THE KING MOST SWEET JESUS REDEEMER
Most Sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before You. We are Yours, and Yours we wish to be; but to be more surely united with You, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to Your Most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known You; many, too, despising Your precepts, have rejected You. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to Your Sacred Heart.
Be King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken You, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned You; grant that they may quickly return to their Father’s house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger. Be King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of Truth and the unity of Faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd.
Grant, O Lord, to Your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give tranquility of order to all nations; make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to It be glory and honor forever. Amen.
Used with permission from Fr. Jacob Bertrand
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Thank you Lord Jesus Christ, for allowing us to make it through this day without a media reported or actually perpetrated ISIS attack against Your Holy Church on the Solemnity of Christ the King, King of the Universe or any place they have said today. ¡Viva Cristo Rey! For You O Lord, are King. You O Lord are Lord. You O Lord are God.
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The shoulder I lean on, the shoulder I cry too, the shoulder I look for, the shoulder always there belongs too my Lord, whom shoulders my burdens, my tears, my suffering, my pain, my troubles, my trials and my tribulations, replacing them with His joy
See:
Our Lord’s Shoulder
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Our Lord appointed 12 Apostles. His mission didn’t change because of one betrayer. Our mission is His mission. His mission is Love.
In a few weeks, we Catholics will be experiencing the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. If our Lord is giving us this time of Mercy,time to turn back to Him, how then can we not extend that mercy we will been given, to others in need?
I find myself pondering James 2:13 “For the judgment is merciless to one who has not shown mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.”
We are not called to live in fear of anyone or anything but are called to live only in the fear of our Lord.
Terrorism is never to be feared, but rather needs to be reminded, in our hearts, of the terror it can face, in the presence of the Face of God. Our Lords own words to Judas need to come to mind, that being “Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”.
Knowing that the Mission of Love is eternal and ongoing, we can never lose sight to love one another and pray for those who persecute us, as the mission of hate has no mission, but only self gratification and that self gratification dies and like dust, is blown away by the wind.
Peace and continual praying for the conversion of hearts, as our Lord is converting my heart to love and serve Him in all created in His image.
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A must read….
DECLARATION ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
DIGNITATIS HUMANAE
ON THE RIGHT OF THE PERSON AND OF COMMUNITIES
TO SOCIAL AND CIVIL FREEDOM IN MATTERS RELIGIOUS
PROMULGATED BY HIS HOLINESS
POPE PAUL VI
ON DECEMBER 7, 1965 -
After spending most of the morning in Holy Mass at Holy Cross Cemetary yesterday, celebrated by Bishop Emeritus Robert Brom for All Souls Day, I had the distinct honor, all giving to our Lord, to attend All Souls Day Requiem Missa Cantata and a visit to the Campo Santo Cemetery, Old Town San Diego.
I can say with my entire heart, our Lord wanted me here last night. Sunday I had tried to make it for Second Vespers and the entire area of Old Town San Diego was packed with people, so much so, it took me an hour just to drive through the town. There was no parking available as the people crowded the streets dressed in their Day of the Dead costumes. I had never attended anything like that before. Streets were closed down and blocked off and it was just a matter for me to get through and head back home. Last night, could have been the same, but the second I pulled behind Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, a woman got into her car and was leaving. Opening up a spot for me to attend.
As I started walking up to the Church, people were still dressed in costumes and eating, drinking and loud music was playing. It was actually chaotic. I’m not one for crowded places so for me, it wasn’t something that draws my attention. As I walked up the steps a woman dressed in her death costume was standing in front of the entrance of the Church, shouting to her friends to take her picture. It was chaos on the exterior of this beautiful Church. I walked past her and entered. The inside was quiet and our Lords Tabernacle had been covered as they began to set up for the Latin Rite Requiem Holy Mass.
I breathed a bit easier, genuflected and began to pray with our Lord. My soul became quiet and Holy Mass began. All in Latin, and as the celebration continues on, I was caught up into it. One of the most beautiful things that took place was a friend of mine from the Brothers of the Little Oratory, who was directing the schola, went up and pulled the bell rope to match the altar bells during the consecrations, doing this, announces to the world the sacrificial presence of Christ on the altar of his church. The entire city of Old Town San Diego was able to hear the presence of our Lord on His Altar. As this took place I was in complete joy. All the chaos outside and darkness knew our Lord was present.
At the end of Holy Mass, we began to light our candles again and began a lighted processional to the first Old Adobe Chapel, a few blocks from Immaculate Conception.
The Old Adobe Chapel was originally built in 1850 as a home, and was converted to a church by Don José Aguirre in 1858. After having been bulldozed for street realignment in the 1930s, the WPA rebuilt the adobe chapel in 1937. Much of the interior artifacts from the original chapel have been retained, including the tabernacle, the altar with its beautiful marbleized finish, some woodwork including pews and doors, and José Aguirre’s tombstone is laid in the floor. CLICK HERE
As we left the Church, I followed closely behind the Priest as the Brothers of the Little Oratory lead the way, singing. As we walked out into the streets, it was as if the entire world outside came to a screeching halt. We, in prayer and procession, entered into a place that was not expecting to see a Holy Procession. Taken by surprise, the world outside began to warm. I watched souls begin to pray with us, sing with us and follow us. As we walked down the packed streets of Old Town San Diego, it was as if we were parting the Red Sea. Swarms of souls moved out of the way without asking and began to make the sign of the cross, some take pictures and most of the souls smiled at the procession to the Old Adobe. We entered and blessed the grave of José Aguirre and prayed again. As we left, we began the beautiful procession, in candle light, song and prayer, again to Campo Santo Cemetery.
The same parting took place and traffic was stopped as we crossed the street and entered into the Cemetery to bless the graves. There were two souls inside who were not so impressed as they had other ideas as one man began to tell the other that he had no clue this was going to take place, but the other man, much calmer, was able to assure the other it was right that we should be there. We simply continued on and passed them into this place. Our Lord won the conflict and quiet was achieved to begin the blessing of the graves. We prayed again for the souls buried there and without incident, processed out, chanting in the battle cry of our Holy Mother all the way back to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
I had never seen so many souls taken in by an event as this before. It was so beautiful to see people stop and take notice that the dead that are buried in this pace, are not a simple tourist attractions and deserved prayer and respect. They, the precious dead, received both last night. Praise, glory and honor to our Lord.
Glory, praise and honor to our Lord Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen
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“And since I’m going away to prepare a place for you, I’ll come back again and welcome you into my presence, so that you may be where I am.” John 14:3
How beautiful this place is, that our Lord is ever present, ever seen. Only now in exile, can He been seen in small portions, slightly revealed behind the veil that separates us here in exile from Him in completeness. When I can see Him today, and the way He makes my soul dance, I can’t even comprehend what ecstasy the soul shall be pulled into with Him in completeness.
I attended All Souls Day Holy Mass at Holy Cross Cemetery this morning and prayed for all the souls of my readers lost loved ones, all on social media and within my own family. I was blessed with the opportunity to find the grave of my old friends from the Legion of Mary and thought of how wonderful it was to be a part of our Lord’s life together with them. How much pain we have felt at the missing of them in our presence and all the souls who have touched our lives in so many special ways.
I have often pondered the fact that when I say so and so is a blessing to have in my life, its not actually MY life they are in, but rather, we are all together in our Lords Life, as He gathers us into One in Him.
The pain of losing a loved one, no matter the age, is devastating.I will not soon forget the loss of my own mom and dad and the realization that everything had changed completely and would never be the same. Grief is hard after the loss and nothing we can do can heal that pain of “someone missing”. We can, however, look at it in a much clear way, and understand that when we lose a loved one, its not truly losing, but gaining. We gain a soul closer to our Lord. We know we can never get that soul we loved back into our presence, BUT what we can do, is live in such a way, to ensure one day, we can be where they are in the presence of our Lord. Knowing we all will as this life is only temporary. We should rejoice for their pain in exile is over. There suffering is no more and the Holy Souls in Purgatory suffer in a way now, in which a recent quote I heard of St. Thomas Aquinas has said as: “The worst day in purgatory is better than the best day on earth” (pointed out by a dear friend: Aquinas wrote in the Summa that the pains of purgatory surpass all of the temporal pains of this life. That doesn’t mean that the quote above is false! This is also greater hope there than any other place.) We should be more aware of the pain souls are in, in exile here, struggling with the worldly and the lack of compassion for others. Therefore we are called to be One in Christ, to bring peace, hope and love to those in pain and suffering
Today, as I attended this beautiful Requiem Mass for the Holy Souls, it was the first time I was able to look more deeply into my own mortality. We all know one day we will no longer be “here”. I had arrived a half hour early and walked up to a man holding the handouts for the readings and songs. I took one from him and my eyes instantly captured the word on the cover, reading: “And since I’m going away to prepare a place for you, I’ll come back again and welcome you into my presence, so that you may be where I am.” John 14:3 I was filled with joy and began to happy cry. I truly look forward to that day He knows of.
In all the suffering we face, no matter how harsh we may believe it to be, we know this life in exile is not forever. We understand that place He has prepared for us, is under construction, until the hour He calls for us to come be with Him. Death no longer is to be feared, but embraced as it is only a moment in time, leading to eternal Life. Death to us, should be the “nativity” of the Soul in eternal life with our Lord. When we ponder the Nativity of our Lord, the moment He entered into this world for us, I can’t help but ponder as a repenting sinner, our leaving exile much in the same way, as the arrival into eternal life with Him.
Peace.
Graves of my mom and dad:
Prayer for the Poor Souls in Purgatory
English
V. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
R. And let the perpetual light shine upon them.And may the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Latine
V. Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.
R. Et lux perpetua luceat eis.Fidelium animae, per misericordiam Dei, requiescant in pace. Amen.
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“You will show me the path to life,
abounding joy in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.” Psalm 16:11I love serving the homeless. I have been very close in many ways to walking in their shoes. I don’t have much to give, but what I have, I have no problem giving to those who have less than I do. Its said in this world that “the one with the most toys wins”. I couldn’t disagree more with this worldly statement. I know for a fact that the less attachment to the things in this world you have , the more peace in Christ you attain.
Yesterday as I was walking to Our Lady of the Rosary Church in San Diego, I noticed a man laying on the ground. As I got closer, without even thinking about it, I looked through my purse and found a few dollars. He was sleeping and the more looked at his face the more I seen our Lord. I couldn’t believe how much he reminded me of our Lord.
I tucked the money I had into his jacket and he never knew it. I continued on to our Lady of the Rosary, purchased a few things I needed, along with a few St. Nicholas Holy Cards. On my way back, I noticed I still had two dollars in my purse. The man was still laying on the ground and I tucked two more dollars into his coat with a St. Nicholas Holy Card.
He never knew I was there and the joy this brought to me is growing. Glory, praise and honor to our Lord. I LOVE serving Him in this way. All I can do, I can do for Him. ALl I have to give, I can give for Him. Please pray for this man and all our homeless brothers and sisters.
The prayer on the holy card I tucked into his jacket read:
God, Our Father, we pray that through Your intercession of St. Nicholas, you will protect our children. Keep them safe from harm and help them grow and become worthy in Your sight. Give them strength to keep their Faith in You; and to keep alive their joy in your creation. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen
St. Nicholas, Patron of Children, pray for us. All Saints of our Lord, pray for us. Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us all
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The Lord publicly proclaimed it: ‘I’, he said, ‘have prayed for you Peter that your faith may not fail, and you, once being converted, must confirm your brothers’… For this reason the Faith of the Apostolic seat has never failed even during turbulent times, but has remained whole and unharmed, so that the privilege of Peter continues to be unshaken. —Pope Innocent III (1198-1216)
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Pondering: Vatican II (inside the church) not being the reason souls left the pews, but the temptation of the ‘sexual revolution” (on the outside), being the “apple” many “fell for” that lead souls astray and out of the pews. Therefore our Lord was already prepared to address the needs of a society of souls far off, and the Father meeting them on the road to welcome them back home.
If souls were “obedient” and in love with our Lord, there wouldn’t have been a mass exodus. It’s as if a fear of something other than of our Lord gripped the souls in the pews rather than “trust” and “obedience” to our Lord, which holds all souls in love.. Just as a temptation that “original sin” is a thing of the past grips souls today and holds them in that same lack of “obedience” to God.
BUT “patience obtains all things” and “all things work for the greater glory of God”.
Just pondering….
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As I began making dinner tonight, after not feeling very well, I started gathering all I needed for dinner that was supposed to be made last night. I have had a fever and not sure what my body is doing again, and my children & husband escaped to a school function so I was left with a lot of ingredients, and no need to use them, or to cook yesterday.
Tonight, I’m preparing a pasta & shrimp meal with garlic & shallots, green onions and some lemons. I love cooking with our Lord as I am in “conversation” with Him through prayer. Simply asking Him, okay, what do we add here and should I use this and He points the little things out to me. It makes for a beautiful way to prepare a meal when the family is off doing what they are doing and allows me time away to enjoy the little consultations that our Lord gives to me.
Tonight as the meal is simmering in the pan, our Lord allowed me reflect on the topic of conversation that has been on everyone’s mind in regards to receiving Him at Holy Mass. I had shared my story before, but tonight as I began to ponder it, He made me laugh so hard and filled me with His joy. A few days ago, I had brought my girls to the mall and we entered into a store called Bath and Body Works. To be honest, I don’t much care for their products as that’s just not where I find simple pleasures, and this is in no way a plug, but its funny how things work in the end, and give glory to our Lord, even when the world doesn’t understand what it did, or is doing.
I allowed my daughter to purchase a few things that she liked and as we made our way to the back of the store, I notice next to the register, a bottle of hand soap named “Lemoncello”. I laughed because I had heard this story a few months ago: Rome prepares for Holy Year of Mercy – with ice cream. I purchased the limoncello soap.
Back to making dinner and pondering with our Lord, all the ingredients were in the pan, and now were ready to simply simmer. I walked to the sink and began to wash my hands. As I used the soap, I noticed the name: Bath and Body Works. I smiled as our Lord began to remind me again. Bath meaning Confession, as the Sacrament of Confession is the “shower for your soul” and Body meaning Eucharist, His Body in a state of grace, followed by “Works”. It works. Peace. “This is the time for mercy.” “Gather in my name”, not scatter.
Its a great consultation to have Him cooking with me in this home, I look forward to going to His home for our next meal together.
Praise, glory and honor to our Lord.
Praying for conversions back to our Lord now,and always, especially for the coming of the Holy Year of Mercy.
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This is Vinny. Named after St. Vincent de Paul (because he adopted me on his feast day) He was homeless. He spent an entire morning with our Lord in Exposition a few years ago. He walked into the Day Chapel at St. John of the Cross when someone left the door open. Spent the entire morning there and never bothered a soul. Until I got there to take care of some things as I was taking care of the Altar Linens.
As I knelt down to pray, Vinny came to me and wouldn’t leave me alone. A woman whispered that he hadn’t bothered anyone all day as he was there but me. I thought it was a joke because he was so affectionate and clung to me as if he knew me his entire life. He jumped into my lap as I sat in a chair to pray. He literally was all over me. So, I asked our Lord and decided to bring him home to my house. KNOWING we had a dog and Mooch the dog, would probably run him off when we got home. I picked him up and carried him all the way to my truck, which was parked a far distance for the Chapel. He was like a tiny kitten and did NOT want to get out of my arms as we walked. I opened the door and he got right in as if we had done this every day. The drive was like nothing. I was amazed as I knew that cats were not exactly the best handlers of car rides. He never freaked out in the truck while I was driving.
When I got him home, with him in my arms, I entered the house through the garage knowing it would be a little easier for him to meet Mooch the dog this way. They met nose to nose and INSTANTLY were best friends as still are today. Praise, glory & honor to our Lord.
Sometimes I wonder if our Lord is actually calling me to the Franciscans. Or, maybe I just have a Carmelite calling with Franciscan leanings. This is my struggle lately. Lord, lead the way.
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Assisted Suicide is Euthanasia and the argument I hear lately for it and the reason the Gov. of California signed the legislation today all have the same hopeless banter.
This statement, “We Don’t Want To See People Suffer” or “We don’t want to suffer” <–say that without any compassion and in you lack of any empathy voice, because that is exactly how it is as its meaning is very clear.
This seems to be the argument for the PRO-Euthanasia movement in this country who believe that equating humans too “pets” is sensible.
We are not animals without souls. Our, everything must be simple, I want it now culture can't deal with the fact that suffering is a part of life, and feels the need to enact laws to make things SO much more sanitized and simple for a few, that it does more harm then good for ALL society.
If you are a Christian and support Euthanasia you truly need to look deeper into your soul. If you are not Christian and support it, you also need to look deeper.
Did Jesus Christ suffer? Are we told by Him to pick up “our cross” and follow Him?EVERYONE suffers at the end of their life and all through life. Does that mean we just kill everyone so no one has to suffer anymore? UTOPIA!
My parents BOTH suffered from Lung Cancer. My grandmother suffered from Ovarian Cancer. My grandfather suffered with brain tumors. My Aunt suffered from Pancreatic Cancer. All naturally life ending. I suffer with MANY health issues that at times are EXTREMELY painful. I also tried to commit suicide years back and I thank GOD DAILY HE allowed me to live, giving me time to repent and WAIT UNTIL He is ready to take me.
NO ONE chooses to suffer. We just do and when we see others suffer, we SHOULD become AWARE of how PRECIOUS the gift of LIFE from God is. How needed compassion and caring is today and always for one another. We SHOULD drop EVERYTHING and tend to THEM, as they teach US what TRUE compassion, mercy and love for neighbor, along with how to nurture and nurse, truly is and how frail and human we are. This is all a part of life. We are not animals that can put to down because we have no worth anymore. We have souls and can reason. The only thing assisted suicide (euthanasia) will do, is euthanize the only dignity and respect for HUMAN LIFE people have left for one another and self.
“Then the LORD asked Cain, Where is your brother Abel? He answered, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” God then said: What have you done? Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground!”
Unlike taking the position of Cain’s response to God when he took the life of his brother, WE ARE RESPONSIBLE for our Bothers & Sisters. We are RESPONSIBLE for all creation and creatures. The fact we are Human Beings we know we have been given the gift to THINK and REASON.
Join your suffering to His. There is no place or state in this life we can ever be, that He has not been, or is. The little amount of suffering we have today, is not worth the risk of spending eternity in suffering.
For the argument that we all have the right to choose what we do with it? You are correct. But you don’t have a right legalize your choice to die, which would brainwash an entire society a generation from now into thinking murdering someone who is suffering is okay. We already know where the Abortion culture has lead us and we also know we all will die one day, naturally.
The Way of the Cross <–click
As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus. A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.’
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The Global Warming Of Hearts
Please see the edits to the previous post.
Ecology of Pope Francis.
LISTEN UP! What Pope Francis is saying, is when you place love of God, Abba Father, above ALL ELSE, there would be no need to talk about a clean environment, saving abused animals, ending abortion etc. because it would BE CLEANER, they would be “saved” because placing your love for Him above all else, trickles down and shows in your love for all His creation and creatures. “Right Praise” and “Right Worship” becomes doing what is right and just. Faith and works. Its the love relationship.”“If you love me, you will keep my commandments” <–click there
End of rant. It all starts with YOU! “Who do YOU say that I am?” LIVE IT!
E·col·o·gy
ēˈkäləjē/the branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.
Our Lords way of “Global Warming”
EDIT TO ADD: Pope Francis…
View original post 20 more words
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So many are “upset” that our Holy Father, Pope Francis met with Kim Davis. Some because no one from the Vatican told them they were going to have this meeting. Others for the fact they don’t agree with Kim Davis. Others for the simple fact it gives them something to complain about.
Might I suggest you ponder DEEPLY the painting above. CLICK HERE
Our Lord informed us of this “meeting” Himself and continues to do so daily in each of our lives. -
Ecology of Pope Francis.
LISTEN UP! What Pope Francis is saying, (IMHO) is when you place love of God, Abba Father, above ALL ELSE, there would be no need to talk about a clean environment, saving abused animals, ending abortion etc. because it would BE CLEANER, they would be “saved” because placing your love for Him above all else, trickles down and shows in your love for all His creation and creatures. “Right Praise” and “Right Worship” becomes doing what is right and just. Faith and works. Its the love relationship.”“If you love me, you will keep my commandments” <–click there
End of rant. It all starts with YOU! “Who do YOU say that I am?” LIVE IT!
E·col·o·gy
ēˈkäləjē/the branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.
Our Lords way of “Global Warming”
EDIT TO ADD: Pope Francis today in Philly 9/26/2015
EDIT TO ADD: Beautiful! Shared with me today on Twitter 10/3/2015
Yes Lord. I love You.
Please, also read “Light Pollution” written February of last year.
EDIT TO ADD: 10/4/2015 I had never read the below article before tonight and it brought me great JOY to do so. Please read it fully at the link provided. It originally was posted 2/10/15 but was recently posted 10/1/15 again. I am starting to see that this post is shaping to be the Ecology of Abba Father. Glory, praise and honor to our Lord. We are called to be stewards of His creation and that includes being “our brothers keepers”. Love for Him above all else is a written guarantee, backed by Him, for love of neighbor. Love of neighbor is a written guarantee of love for all creation and creatures.
The image of man, formed from the dust of the earth and enlivened with the breath of God, is a description of relationships rather than origins. It succinctly describes our unbreakable bond with creation and our relationship with God, the source of all life. The image of man naming the creatures formed from the earth implies our responsibility for creation, and is echoed in the recent encyclical of Pope Francis. In the spirit of Genesis, it is a sacred duty to care for the creation entrusted to us.
The Creator’s reflection that “it is not good that man should be alone” takes us to the heart of our humanity. The Creator has endowed us with a restless longing that cannot flourish in isolation. Our humanity is whole only to the extent that it finds itself in relationships both with God and with each other.From the Catholic Herald: by Bishop David McGough
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Last night, while I sat in Exposition of our Lord, He made me smile and laugh out loud at one point.
As I sat with our Lord last night, out of nowhere, a thought came to my mind of those who “pretend” to know our Lord. Our Lord showed me souls that were blindfolded, walking around a maze, bumping into walls. They were doing this because they REFUSED to ask our Lord for help and were to proud to do so. They continued to walk, smashing their faces into the walls, tripping over things. This, as our Lord was showing me, were those who are “big” in the “world” and believe in themselves and not Him. Believing their own ideals and ideas of Him and completely overlooking Him.
Our Lord related them to the secular media and what they are doing today. He reminded me of a game we used to play as Children called “Blind Mans Bluff” in which we would blindfold someone, spin them around and hide. They would have to find us as we called out to them from a distance. They would have to fumble around in the dark, until they felt their way to us.
“Blind Man’s Bluff” – Blind in regards to not seeing the Truth surrounding them and bluffing that they know what they are saying.
It was such a beautiful and cute reflection that He shared with me. The giggling is due to knowing that the souls who do this, are only fooling themselves because they are so pumped on on their own pride. They don’t want to know Him. They just want the prestige from the world. I know in my heart, with all my heart, our Lord is not impressed with it.
I attended Holy Mass tonight and found the first two readings to be directly related to what our Lord was conveying to me last night.
Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 134
Reading 1 WIS 2:12, 17-20The wicked say:
Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us;
he sets himself against our doings,
reproaches us for transgressions of the law
and charges us with violations of our training.
Let us see whether his words be true;
let us find out what will happen to him.
For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend him
and deliver him from the hand of his foes.
With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test
that we may have proof of his gentleness
and try his patience.
Let us condemn him to a shameful death;
for according to his own words, God will take care of him.And then again…
Beloved:
Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,
there is disorder and every foul practice.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure,
then peaceable, gentle, compliant,
full of mercy and good fruits,
without inconstancy or insincerity.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace
for those who cultivate peace.Where do the wars
and where do the conflicts among you come from?
Is it not from your passions
that make war within your members?
You covet but do not possess.
You kill and envy but you cannot obtain;
you fight and wage war.
You do not possess because you do not ask.
You ask but do not receive,
because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.Something to ponder…
Praise, honor and glory to our Lord Jesus Christ, always.
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I never had a song until I came to know our Lord Jesus Christ, who He alone has become the Music to which I sing.
3. He who is sick with love,
whom God himself has touched,
finds his tastes so changed
that they fall away
like a fevered man’s
who loathes any food he sees
and desires I-don’t know-what
which is so gladly found.4. Do not wonder
that the taste should be left like this,
for the cause of this sickness
differs from all others;
and so he is withdrawn
from all creatures,
and tastes I-don’t-know-what
which is so gladly found.5. For when once the will
is touched by God himself,
it cannot find contentment
except in the Divinity;
but since his Beauty is open
to faith alone, the will
tastes him in I-don’t-know-what
which is so gladly found.6. Tell me, then, would you pity
a person so in love,
who takes no delight
in all creation;
alone, mind empty of form and figure,
finding no support or foothold,
he tastes there I-don’t-know-what
which is so gladly found.7. Do not think that he who lives
the so-precious inner life
finds joy and gladness
in the sweetness of the earth;
but there beyond all beauty
and what is and will be and was,
he tastes I-don’t-know-what
which is so gladly found. –St. John of the Cross
Hallelujah!
My soul, give praise to the Lord; I will praise the Lord all my days, make music to my God while I live. – Psalm 146 1:2
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Pondering….
Do we offer our Lord the best wine, or the bitter when we gossip about others? When we hear this gossip of others, do we push away that sponge of bitter wine or do we drink it up to share it with others?
Must read and live
Mass at Santa Marta – Bite your tongueThe Pope then recommended a true examination of conscience: “It will do us good to ask ourselves: Do I sow peace? For example, with my tongue, do I sow peace or do I sow discord?”. Then, he added: “How many times have we heard that a person has a serpent’s tongue, because he does what the serpent did with Adam and Eve, he destroyed the peace”. This, the Pontiff warned, “is an evil, this is an ill in our Church: sowing divisiveness, sowing hate, not sowing peace”. Francis continued his proposed examination of conscience with a question which, he indicated, would be good to ask ourselves every day: “Today have I sown peace or have I sown discord?”. And don’t try to justify yourself with, “well, sometimes you have to say things because this or that…”. Really, the Pope asked, “what are you sowing with this attitude?”.
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Regarding Kim Davis who now sits in jail for following her religious convictions and many other things in the USA …
In regards to the shamming of her personal life: What did our Lord say to the woman at the well? What did she do after her conversation with Him? Shamming her for her past and accusing her of bigotry is a “Gaslighting” tactic.
What this entire thing screams to me is Totalitarianism. What becomes of any Christian practicing their faith who holds political office? Is the rule and law of the land now, that NO ONE who believes in Jesus Christ or has faith in God can be in Government or hold a political office?
Remember what the Germans did to the Jews BEFORE slaughtering them. They stripped them of any positions they held, in government, schools and business, then they kicked them out of their family businesses, put them “out of business”, and confiscated them, then loaded them up and shipped them off to concentration camps. Before all this, if you were found in any way to have a mental condition, including Autism, you were systematically put to death by the “Government Run” medical association. With the blind eyes overlooking the horrors of abortion, the push for on demand euthanasia, murdering police officers for doing what they are paid to do, and now this? It all stinks of the “religion” of Nationalism, Political religion and it kills entire nations.
Lex iniusta non est lex
Lord have mercy on us all.
Peg Pondering Again 