One must always be prepared for life's little surprises, for both the happiness and the sadness waiting in the next room, beyond the next door. Each day people announce engagements, announce pregnancies, remember birthdays, remember anniversaries. Each day some people live, each day some people die. Each day we muddle through our lives, moving forward, moving toward goodness, holiness, kindness. Each day we offer prayers for ourselves, for our immediate families, our immediate friends. Each day some deals with depression, each day someone deals with loneliness, each day someone lives with despair.
One must always be prepared for life's little surprises, one must always be prepared to confront pain, to confront suffering, to confront loss with hope, with love, with God.
One must always be prepared to pray, be prepared to be asked to pray, be prepared to ask someone to pray.
One must always be prepared to share charity, humility, compassion, mercy.
As Christians we are invited, we are called to always share God's love, to alway show God's love.
We are always to be prepared for God's arrival, for God's work order. Each day we encounter people who need God. Each day we encounter people who want God.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Friday of the Twenty-Eighth Week
Our aim as Christians is always to find salvation. We are to be righteous in thought, deed, action. The highest compliment, the greatest observation that can be made of a true Christian is John believed God, and his words and actions were righteous. With confidence, with love allow the world to view your faith, your hope, obedience to both the God's commandments and God's teachings. Look within your heart for goodness, kindness, holiness. Seek only that which leads to being blessed. Seek only to forgive and to be forgiven. Seek salvation, live for salvation. Seek redemption, live for redemption. Seek God's truth, live for God's truth.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Prayer for the Day - October 13
Lord
Teach me how to be righteous
Teach me how to love
Allow me to hear your voice
Please be attentive to my cry
May my supplication
fill you with mercy for all those
known and unknown, all those who
I encounter in my travels
who have troubles, who have despair
help those who are most in need of your love
May my supplication
begin with all I see, all I sense
and when you see fit allow me
to be your servant, your hands, your feet,
for you are the most loving, you are the most righteous
You are the Lord.
Amen
Teach me how to be righteous
Teach me how to love
Allow me to hear your voice
Please be attentive to my cry
May my supplication
fill you with mercy for all those
known and unknown, all those who
I encounter in my travels
who have troubles, who have despair
help those who are most in need of your love
May my supplication
begin with all I see, all I sense
and when you see fit allow me
to be your servant, your hands, your feet,
for you are the most loving, you are the most righteous
You are the Lord.
Amen
Thought for the Day - October 13
The principle of love leads to many conversations and often much confusion. Being Catholic provides a rich history of reference that begins with the Jewish faith embodied in Moses, Isaiah, David that continues until to today embodied in the Pope and the Cardinals. The principle of love remains the same, retains the same simplicity.
As Christians learn from history. Humanity makes mistakes. Christians make mistakes.
As Catholic embrace your history, embrace your traditions, embrace prayer, embrace repentance.
Being penitent, being truthfully penitent leads to salvation.
Catholics receive blessings, we talk of God’s grace. We can be gracious, we can be righteous. We are asked to believe in God, to love God, to serve God, to turn away from sin.
The principle of love begins with a call for an expiation, personal and private. We are all asked to repent, to pray for forgiveness. The principle of Christian life connects expiation and redemption. Each Christian journeys between thoughts of expiation and redemption all of our Christian lives, between acts of expiation and redemption all of our Christian lives, between deeds of expiation and redemption all of our Christian lives.
As Christians learn from history. Humanity makes mistakes. Christians make mistakes.
As Catholic embrace your history, embrace your traditions, embrace prayer, embrace repentance.
Being penitent, being truthfully penitent leads to salvation.
Catholics receive blessings, we talk of God’s grace. We can be gracious, we can be righteous. We are asked to believe in God, to love God, to serve God, to turn away from sin.
The principle of love begins with a call for an expiation, personal and private. We are all asked to repent, to pray for forgiveness. The principle of Christian life connects expiation and redemption. Each Christian journeys between thoughts of expiation and redemption all of our Christian lives, between acts of expiation and redemption all of our Christian lives, between deeds of expiation and redemption all of our Christian lives.
Thursday in the Twenty-Eighth Week
Today is Thursday in the Twenty-Eighth Week of Ordinary Time.
God’s righteousness exists beyond the control of man, beyond the understanding of man. God’s righteousness begins in the lyrical language of the prophets, in the pristine language of the oracles. Jesus Christ embodied righteousness, Jesus Christ encouraged his disciples, his followers to seek righteousness. The righteousness of Jesus Christ signals the beauty of faith, the beauty of trust, the bounty of God’s love, God’s patience, God’s mercy.
Righteousness is an expression of obedience, is an expression of supreme faithfulness, is an expression of supreme trustfulness, is an expression of beauty, is an expression of bounty.
God encourages each Christian to seek that which is righteous and only that which is righteous, to love that which is righteous and only that which is righteous, and to obey that which is righteous and only that which is righteous.
The principle of faith rests quietly with the request to be righteous.
Christians have examples of righteous deeds, Christians can choose righteousness as a manner of living, as a manner of becoming closer to God.
God’s righteousness exists beyond the control of man, beyond the understanding of man. God’s righteousness begins in the lyrical language of the prophets, in the pristine language of the oracles. Jesus Christ embodied righteousness, Jesus Christ encouraged his disciples, his followers to seek righteousness. The righteousness of Jesus Christ signals the beauty of faith, the beauty of trust, the bounty of God’s love, God’s patience, God’s mercy.
Righteousness is an expression of obedience, is an expression of supreme faithfulness, is an expression of supreme trustfulness, is an expression of beauty, is an expression of bounty.
God encourages each Christian to seek that which is righteous and only that which is righteous, to love that which is righteous and only that which is righteous, and to obey that which is righteous and only that which is righteous.
The principle of faith rests quietly with the request to be righteous.
Christians have examples of righteous deeds, Christians can choose righteousness as a manner of living, as a manner of becoming closer to God.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
And Now for the News of the Day - Wednesday, October 12
God is impartial. God offers justice.
Here are today’s News headlines from around the world. Here is some information to read, to reflect upon. Each of these events and issues require our prayers. Remember that God has a plan for each believer, each faithful follower.
Always direct love and generosity toward God. Strive to be good tenants of the vineyard. Do not betray God. Fidelity with God is essential for our spiritual health, spiritual well-being.
Pope Benedict XVI used today’s general audience for catechesis on Psalm 126 which “celebrates the great things which the Lord has done for his people, and which he continues to do for all believers.”
Pope Benedict spoke on redemption, salvation. This psalm moves beyond being simply historical, there is also a theological dimension. Imagery is used to allude to the mysterious truth of redemption. “The Psalm teaches us that ... we must remain hpeful and firm in our faith in God. Our history, though often marked by suffering, uncertainty and moments of crisis, is a history of salvation and ‘restoration of fortunes’. In Jesus our exile ends: ... in the mystery of His cross, in death transformed into life, like the seed which splits in the earth and becomes and an ear of wheat”.
On October 27, 2011the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul’s World Day of Prayer from Peace will be the date of “Pilgrims of Truth, Pilgrims of Peace” which will be held in Assisi. This will be a meeting of world religious leaders in Assisi which will not contain inter-religious prayers. A Catholic prayer vigil will occur in St. Peter’s Square in Rome the night before.
When they gather in Baltimore for their November 14-16 Fall General Assembly the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will vote for their secretary-elect, the chairman-elect of five committees and the new chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace.
Angelina Jolie made a two day trip to Libya to assist agencies bringing aid to Libyans in Tripoli and Misurata. Jolie is an actress and United Nations goodwill ambassador.
Israel has concluded negotiations with Hamas to release a 25 year old soldier Gilad Shalit who has been a prisoner since 2006. Israel is expected to release between 450 and 1,000 Palestinian prisoners including some behind terrorist attacks that killed Israelis.
With the turmoil and unrest in the region, Israel decided to offer this gesture as it reflects on its position in the region as former dictatorships willing to coexist peacefully with Israel are moving to new governments which might not be peaceful.
As a sign that it is moving toward democracy, Burma released 120 political prisoners including one of its most famous dissidents a comedian Zarganar who was arrested in 2008 after organizing deliveries of aid to victims of Cyclone Nargis. Zarganar was a prominent satirist and government critic.
The Philippine president has announced a stimulus package to protect the nation’s economy from fallout from Europe’s debt crisis. The package is worth $1.68 billion.
Tuesday, hundreds of Occupy Wall Street protesters marched by the homes of some of the wealthiest executives in America. New York City’s Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue sidewalks were filled with the protesters.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have set October as Respect Life month and as Domestic Violence Awareness month.
Here are today’s News headlines from around the world. Here is some information to read, to reflect upon. Each of these events and issues require our prayers. Remember that God has a plan for each believer, each faithful follower.
Always direct love and generosity toward God. Strive to be good tenants of the vineyard. Do not betray God. Fidelity with God is essential for our spiritual health, spiritual well-being.
Pope Benedict XVI used today’s general audience for catechesis on Psalm 126 which “celebrates the great things which the Lord has done for his people, and which he continues to do for all believers.”
Pope Benedict spoke on redemption, salvation. This psalm moves beyond being simply historical, there is also a theological dimension. Imagery is used to allude to the mysterious truth of redemption. “The Psalm teaches us that ... we must remain hpeful and firm in our faith in God. Our history, though often marked by suffering, uncertainty and moments of crisis, is a history of salvation and ‘restoration of fortunes’. In Jesus our exile ends: ... in the mystery of His cross, in death transformed into life, like the seed which splits in the earth and becomes and an ear of wheat”.
On October 27, 2011the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul’s World Day of Prayer from Peace will be the date of “Pilgrims of Truth, Pilgrims of Peace” which will be held in Assisi. This will be a meeting of world religious leaders in Assisi which will not contain inter-religious prayers. A Catholic prayer vigil will occur in St. Peter’s Square in Rome the night before.
When they gather in Baltimore for their November 14-16 Fall General Assembly the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will vote for their secretary-elect, the chairman-elect of five committees and the new chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace.
Angelina Jolie made a two day trip to Libya to assist agencies bringing aid to Libyans in Tripoli and Misurata. Jolie is an actress and United Nations goodwill ambassador.
Israel has concluded negotiations with Hamas to release a 25 year old soldier Gilad Shalit who has been a prisoner since 2006. Israel is expected to release between 450 and 1,000 Palestinian prisoners including some behind terrorist attacks that killed Israelis.
With the turmoil and unrest in the region, Israel decided to offer this gesture as it reflects on its position in the region as former dictatorships willing to coexist peacefully with Israel are moving to new governments which might not be peaceful.
As a sign that it is moving toward democracy, Burma released 120 political prisoners including one of its most famous dissidents a comedian Zarganar who was arrested in 2008 after organizing deliveries of aid to victims of Cyclone Nargis. Zarganar was a prominent satirist and government critic.
The Philippine president has announced a stimulus package to protect the nation’s economy from fallout from Europe’s debt crisis. The package is worth $1.68 billion.
Tuesday, hundreds of Occupy Wall Street protesters marched by the homes of some of the wealthiest executives in America. New York City’s Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue sidewalks were filled with the protesters.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have set October as Respect Life month and as Domestic Violence Awareness month.
Prayer for the Day - October 12
Lord
Teach me to obey the truth
Teach me to seek a clean mind
and a pure heart
Teach me to always love my brothers
and sisters with compassion and mercy
May I learn how to become your
humble penitent servant
May my life be filled with penance
and sacrifice
May my actions lead others to salvation
and redemption
Lord, I am sinful and sorrowful
Please show me forgiveness and mercy
Please help me to follow in your footsteps
Amen.
Teach me to obey the truth
Teach me to seek a clean mind
and a pure heart
Teach me to always love my brothers
and sisters with compassion and mercy
May I learn how to become your
humble penitent servant
May my life be filled with penance
and sacrifice
May my actions lead others to salvation
and redemption
Lord, I am sinful and sorrowful
Please show me forgiveness and mercy
Please help me to follow in your footsteps
Amen.
Thought for the Day - October 12
As Christians we are asked to be obedient to God’s wishes. Our obedience is natural, loving, an act of free will. As Christians we are asked to follow the commandments. Each choice that we make has a consequence. Each choice that we make can encourage others to seek salvation, to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Each choice that we make can discourage others from seeking salvation, from following Christ. As Christians the challenge of living a life of universal, unconditional love with unconditional mercy, unconditional compassion requires prayer, reflection, effort, persistence. Loving our neighbor will always be a difficult request. Showing mercy, compassion are becoming more and more difficult as technology separates people from people, reduces real person to person contact. What is the real benefit to any individual of walking on a crowded street yelling into a cell phone. Too much collateral anxiety bombards each human being every day. Expletives are Bad words are used easily, freely. They are acceptable. To not use expletives is becoming abnormal.
As Catholics we are asked to have a life of charity, humility, obedience. As Catholics our faith encourages us to be selfless, to create penitent hearts.
As Catholics we seek eternal life by praying, by reflecting on Holy Scripture, by doing good works. Peace, honor, glory will be the rewards for obeying God, for doing good works.
As Catholics we are asked to have a life of charity, humility, obedience. As Catholics our faith encourages us to be selfless, to create penitent hearts.
As Catholics we seek eternal life by praying, by reflecting on Holy Scripture, by doing good works. Peace, honor, glory will be the rewards for obeying God, for doing good works.
Wednesday of the Twenty-Eighth Week
Today is Wednesday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time.
As Christians we are reminded of our place in the world, we are reminded of the cost of doing evil. But, for some reason the lessons never are learned, never are accepted. Man wants to be the Masters of the universe. Man judges, does all type of evil forgetting that there are consequences for his actions. Why are there so much unrest in the world? Why are there so many wars? What central ideas are forgotten? What is being disobeyed?
As Christians we are reminded of our place in the world, we are reminded of the cost of doing evil. But, for some reason the lessons never are learned, never are accepted. Man wants to be the Masters of the universe. Man judges, does all type of evil forgetting that there are consequences for his actions. Why are there so much unrest in the world? Why are there so many wars? What central ideas are forgotten? What is being disobeyed?
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
And Now for the News of the Day - Tuesday, October 11
Here are today’s News briefs from around the world. Here is some information to read, to reflect upon. Each of these events and issues require our prayers. Remember that God has a plan for each believer, each faithful follower.
Always direct love and generosity toward God. Strive to be good tenants of the vineyard. Do not betray God. Fidelity with God is essential for our spiritual health, spiritual well-being.
Mr. Thein Sein, Burma’s president granted amnesty to approximately 6300 prisoners. The announcement was made on state radio and television. This appears to be the first step steps of reforms of the new elected government. There had been an appeal from the government appointed Human Rights Commission requesting that the president to grant amnesty as a gesture of forgiveness.
According to a report issued by the United Nations Taliban detainees in 47 facilities, in 24 provinces run by the Afghan National Police and Directorate of Security received interrogation techniques considered to be torture under international and Afghan law. These practices were not encouraged by the government. They were individual actions routinely overlooked by the security services.
In the 14 years since control of Hong Kong was returned back to the Chinese government the number of poor has increased by a staggering 50 percent. The Chinese government estimates that there are 1.26 people living below the poverty line. The conditions of the poor are now for the first time worse on Hong Kong than in many of China’s mainland cities. There is pressure for Hong Kong’s political leadership to correct this situation.
Despite having available land, the city built under 14000 units last year. 150000 families are on a waiting list for low rent public housing. Many poor citizens live in tenements subdivided by slumlords into plywood boxes locally known as “coffin homes”.
Would-be travelers to Japan may receive free flights to Japan sponsored by the Japan Tourist Agency to boost tourism in the country following the March natural disasters. Travelers would apply online, provide details on which parts of the country they would like to visit. Successful entrants will be asked to write a report on the visit to Japan which would be published on the internet.
If the program is approved, it is scheduled to begin in April. Travelers would still have to pay for their accommodations. Tourism declined over 50 percent in the three months after the March 11 earthquake tsunami caused meltdowns and explosions at the Fukishima Daiichi nuclear plant.
Coptic Christians are beginning three days of fasting and prayers to mourn Christians killed in violence with Muslims and Security forces on Sunday night.
At least 26 deaths occurred in Cairo, Egypt after what started out as a peaceful protest requesting police protection of Christian churches became violent with police shooting into the crowd of protesters and driving their vehicles over the protesters.
Coptic Christians in Egypt are the victims of sectarian attacks on both churches and Coptic worshippers. Several churches have been destroyed. Hundreds of Coptic worshippers have been injured or killed. Islamist militants with connections to Egypt’s Salafist sect are blamed for the violence.
Coptic Christians constitute approximately 10 percent of Egypt’s 85 million population. Egypt’s interim government’s inability to provide adequate protection for the Coptic Christians does not provide a postive outlook for the country’s future political development.
Christians throughout the Middle East find themselves under attack by radical Islamic groups.
The European Union is preparing to announce new sanctions against Syria because of the increased violence in the country and the defiant political rhetoric of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad in which foreign meddling is being blamed for the turmoil and unrest in the country. Estimated dead is 3000 including 30 people killed after security forces open fire on a funeral in the city of Homs where the army fought against former soldiers who defected to the opposition.
This rebellion started as essentially peaceful demonstrations which escalated to an armed insurrection that is building strength, mobility, popularity on the periphery of what remains a civilian revolt.
Pope Benedict’s October general prayer is: “That the terminally ill may be supported by their faith in God and the love of their brothers and sisters”.
Pope Benedict’s mission intention is: “That the celebration of World Mission Day may foster in the People of God a passion for evangelization with the willingness to support the missions with prayer and economic aid for the poorest Churches”.
World Mission Day is October 23, 2011.
October is Respect Life Month.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Prayer for the Day - October 11
Father
Lead us away from all wickedness,
Teach us to do your will
Teach us to revere and worship you
Show us the path to salvation
the path to forgiveness, the path to mercy
We are sinners,
We kneel before you sinful, sorrowful
asking for assistance, asking to be saved
from all that distracts us from your love
from all that diverts are love from you
Amen.
Thought for the Day - October 11
Seek only that which is righteous. Live only for that which is righteous. Share only that which is righteous.
Modern life is filled with sin, with selfishness, with loneliness, with desperation which conceals the truth from observation. Darkness clings to many false statements, false thoughts. We are blind to many motivations. Discover the truth of what is in the hearts of yourself, of the ones whom you love.
Share only that which is righteous. Live only for that which is righteous. Seek only that which is righteous.
The love that the media promotes may not be the same love that God promotes. Remember that many of the commandments of God no longer are seen as to be obeyed. Remember that God is no longer seen as an authority, as the creator of life. Truth can not always be reduced to a scientific theorem or formula. Faith can never be reduced to a scientific theorem or formula.
Live only for that which is righteous. Seek only that which is righteous. Share only that which is righteous.
Much of goodness, holiness, kindness remains invisible, appears naturally, spontaneously. Faith is God begins with an acceptance of simple principles of something essentially good, essentially positive, essentially nurturing; an action that springs from selflessness, an action that contains charity, an action that contains humility. Selflessness and humility can create an action, an event of love, of faith. This combination when combined with charity, obedience, compassion, mercy, and forgiveness can create righteousness, love.
Live only to praise God. Live only to give thanks to God. Live only to serve God.
Seek only that which is righteous. Live only for that which is righteous. Share only that which is righteous.
Tuesday of the Twenty-Eighth Week
Today is Tuesday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time.
Salvation, Gospel, righteousness.
As a Christian we are to love and obey the Gospel. The Gospel remains the greatest book of love, book of hope, book of sacrifice. The Gospel provides lessons of goodness, holiness, kindness for us to live by. The Gospel reminds each Christian of the various sins we might encounter, reminds us of God’s commandments.
Always keep truth in your heart, mind, soul. God asks for obedience in faith. What does this mean to you? Are you able to discern how to live with obedience in faith? Truth is essential to a relationship with God.
Keep simplicity in your life, keep righteousness in your life. Avoid wickedness, impiety.
Always encourage truth, love, peace. Always give thanks to God, always offer praise to God, always acknowledge God’s glory, God’s mercy, God’s love, God’s forgiveness, God’s majesty.
Being Christian is an acknowledgement of God’s supreme existence. God is superior, beyond our imagination. We can witness God’s achievements, we can love God, we can worship God. We can believe in God. Our belief provides an access to righteousness, to salvation. Our belief provides a foundation of charity, humility, obedience, compassion, mercy, forgiveness. Our belief provides a manner to create, nurture, and live a blessed life.
Salvation, Gospel, righteousness.
As a Christian we are to love and obey the Gospel. The Gospel remains the greatest book of love, book of hope, book of sacrifice. The Gospel provides lessons of goodness, holiness, kindness for us to live by. The Gospel reminds each Christian of the various sins we might encounter, reminds us of God’s commandments.
Always keep truth in your heart, mind, soul. God asks for obedience in faith. What does this mean to you? Are you able to discern how to live with obedience in faith? Truth is essential to a relationship with God.
Keep simplicity in your life, keep righteousness in your life. Avoid wickedness, impiety.
Always encourage truth, love, peace. Always give thanks to God, always offer praise to God, always acknowledge God’s glory, God’s mercy, God’s love, God’s forgiveness, God’s majesty.
Being Christian is an acknowledgement of God’s supreme existence. God is superior, beyond our imagination. We can witness God’s achievements, we can love God, we can worship God. We can believe in God. Our belief provides an access to righteousness, to salvation. Our belief provides a foundation of charity, humility, obedience, compassion, mercy, forgiveness. Our belief provides a manner to create, nurture, and live a blessed life.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Prayer for the Day - October 10
God our Father
you gave us the Holy Scriptures
to teach us patience, understanding wisdom.
May the Spirit of holiness
guide us to lives of charity, humility
and obedience.
May the Spirit of holiness
remind us of the life, sacrifice,
and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
May the Spirit of holiness
lead us from darkness, selfishness,
greed, envy into the eternal light of
your mercy, your forgiveness
May the Spirit of holiness
guide us to prayer and nurture
our faith, love, and obedience to you.
Amen
Thought for the Day - October 10
We go to Mass, we receive the Eucharist. As Catholics we are encouraged to love and serve the Lord, to leave in peace. Time remains a precious gift. Love remains a precious gift. Serving God remains the most precious gift for a Christian. Treasure these gifts. Treat these gifts with reverence. Treat these gifts with respect, with care.
Allow yourself to love the entire world without wanting, without desiring to be loved back.
Allow yourself to do be flexible, to be malleable for the God.
Allow yourself to resist anxiety as you resist temptation and sin. Anxiety like temptation and sin creates indecision, causes worry that is often unnecessary and unnatural.
Allow yourself a moment with the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Visualize them, listen to their individual voices.
Allow yourself a moment of peace.
God gives blessings to each Christian. God offers mercy to each Christian. God offers forgiveness to each Christian. We are encouraged to accept all that God offers and return our love, our loyalty, our obedience.
We make promises, we say prayers. God provides answers, God provides blessings. We say prayers.
Monday of the Twenty-Eighth Week
Today is Monday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time.
Today is Columbus Day, a Federal Holiday.
As Catholics we are asked to search our hearts, our minds, our souls for the courage, the confidence, the desire to evangelize for the Lord. As we remember different aspects of our Christian lives, of our Christian identities, of our Christian promises, may strength of character lead us to do the work of the Lord. May the sacrifice of Jesus Christ provide our life with significance and meaning. May the resurrection of Jesus Christ provide our lives direction and understanding. A Christian life involves a continual narrative of conversion, of finding ways to please God, to love God, to serve God. A Christian life involves continual development of humility, charity, obedience. A Christian life involves continual expressions of mercy, compassion, forgiveness. Beloved is each Christian who obeys God, who loves God, who loves his neighbors. Beloved is each Christian who lives a life of truthfulness, faithfulness, fairness, justice. Beloved if each Christian who keeps his focus directed to God, directed to salvation, directed to the Kingdom of heaven.
Beloved live with goodness, holiness, kindness. Beloved allow the spirit of holiness to guide you, to inspire you live a life of evangelization.
Today is Columbus Day, a Federal Holiday.
As Catholics we are asked to search our hearts, our minds, our souls for the courage, the confidence, the desire to evangelize for the Lord. As we remember different aspects of our Christian lives, of our Christian identities, of our Christian promises, may strength of character lead us to do the work of the Lord. May the sacrifice of Jesus Christ provide our life with significance and meaning. May the resurrection of Jesus Christ provide our lives direction and understanding. A Christian life involves a continual narrative of conversion, of finding ways to please God, to love God, to serve God. A Christian life involves continual development of humility, charity, obedience. A Christian life involves continual expressions of mercy, compassion, forgiveness. Beloved is each Christian who obeys God, who loves God, who loves his neighbors. Beloved is each Christian who lives a life of truthfulness, faithfulness, fairness, justice. Beloved if each Christian who keeps his focus directed to God, directed to salvation, directed to the Kingdom of heaven.
Beloved live with goodness, holiness, kindness. Beloved allow the spirit of holiness to guide you, to inspire you live a life of evangelization.
And Now for the News of the Day - Monday, October 10
Here are today’s News briefs from around the world. Here is some information to read, to reflect upon. Each of these events and issues require our prayers. Remember that God has a plan for each believer, each faithful follower.
Always direct love and generosity toward God. Strive to be good tenants of the vineyard. Do not betray God. Fidelity with God is essential for our spiritual health, spiritual well-being.
Pope Benedict’s October general prayer is: “That the terminally ill may be supported by their faith in God and the love of their brothers and sisters”.
Pope Benedict’s mission intention is: “That the celebration of World Mission Day may foster in the People of God a passion for evangelization with the willingness to support the missions with prayer and economic aid for the poorest Churches”.
World Mission Day is October 23, 2011.
October is Respect Life Month.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
“Today we live in an age of the new evangelization. Vast horizons are opening to the announcement of the Gospel, while regions of ancient Christian tradition are called to rediscover the beauty of the faith.” explained Pope Benedict XVI during the Angelus on Monday, September 19, 2011. “The protagonists of the evangelizing mission are “individuals, families and communities who agree to work in the vineyard of the Lord.” stated Pope Benedict XVI during the Angelus on Monday, September 19, 2011.
“Humble and generous workers who ask no other reward than to be able to share the mission of Jesus and of the Church.” Benedict XVI continued, “The Gospel has transformed the world and continues to transform it”.
Pope Benedict has encouraged European bishops “courageously to identify new missionary paths of evangelization, especially in serving the new generations”.
Pope Benedict XVI visited two Italian towns, Lamezia Terme and Serra San Bruno on October 9, 2011. He celebrated Mass, lunched with the Bishops in the episcopal residence of Lamezia Terme. In Serra San Bruno he celebrated Vespers and delivered a homily in the Carthsian monastery church.
“Do not be afraid to live and witness to faith in the various sectors of society, in many situations of human existence! You have every reason to show yourselves strong, confident and courageous, and this by the light of faith and the power of love. And when you encounter the opposition of the world, make your own the words of the Apostle: "I can do all things in him who strengthens me". Pope Benedict XVI said during his homily in Lamezia Terme.
On October 15 -16 the Holy Father will meet with Church representatives from the West who are leading the new evangelization. The October synod will be on the topic.
The Cairo rioting lasted until late into the night, more than 1000 security forces and armored vehicles were assigned to defend the state television building. Egypt’s official news agency reported that 24 people were killed, at least 400 were injured.
The protest was chaotic. It began with Coptic Christians protesting a church burning in Aswan a southern city in Egypt.
Indonesian security forces shot and killed one protester and injured more than a dozen others as they clashed with striking workers at a mine. Approximately 1,000 were involved in the clashes at the Grasberg complex.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Help and Accept Help on the Road to Salvation
Humility and self reliance can be a path to righteousness, a path to salvation. As a Christian I try to always be prepared for the different experiences which God places in my path. I encourage every Christian to be prepared for the appearance of the Lord, for an invitation from the Lord.
As long as we fill our hearts with love, charity, humility, and obedience to the will and word of God, please enjoy and learn from the circumstances of your existence. With prayer find a way to live with an abundance of hope, abundance of love to be shared, to be extended to all who you might encounter. Always be humble and gracious. Enjoy delicious meals of multiple courses, with multiple glasses of wine to fill your stomach. Enjoy the moments when your stomach makes strange gurgling sounds because it is empty. Enjoy your entire life. Enjoy being a Christian. Enjoy learning how to serve the Lord. Enjoy learning how to love the Lord. Enjoy learning how to obey the Lord.
Being Christian involves a request of obedience to God commandments. Being Christian involves an invitation to be part of a community of believers of Jesus Christ. Being Christian begins with the love and hope and faith that rests within your heart, that is freely, honestly shared.
We experience the glorious riches of God each day when we are kind to each other, when we show mercy to each other, when we are compassionate to each other.
As Christians remember to always be willing to help others on the road to salvation, to always be willing to accept help from others on the road to salvation.
As long as we fill our hearts with love, charity, humility, and obedience to the will and word of God, please enjoy and learn from the circumstances of your existence. With prayer find a way to live with an abundance of hope, abundance of love to be shared, to be extended to all who you might encounter. Always be humble and gracious. Enjoy delicious meals of multiple courses, with multiple glasses of wine to fill your stomach. Enjoy the moments when your stomach makes strange gurgling sounds because it is empty. Enjoy your entire life. Enjoy being a Christian. Enjoy learning how to serve the Lord. Enjoy learning how to love the Lord. Enjoy learning how to obey the Lord.
Being Christian involves a request of obedience to God commandments. Being Christian involves an invitation to be part of a community of believers of Jesus Christ. Being Christian begins with the love and hope and faith that rests within your heart, that is freely, honestly shared.
We experience the glorious riches of God each day when we are kind to each other, when we show mercy to each other, when we are compassionate to each other.
As Christians remember to always be willing to help others on the road to salvation, to always be willing to accept help from others on the road to salvation.
Remember to Rejoice
What a great opening passage we are treated to today. How great the victory sounds. How great is the victory feast. Remember that Isaiah was one of Israel’s greatest prophets. Approach this prophecy delicately, enjoy the language, enjoy the imagery. But this is simply one oracle, written at a specific time for a specific audience with a universal message of victory, with a universal appearance of heaven. Salvation receives a description, heaven receives a beautiful treatment that signals a reason for rejoicing, a reason to offer thanks to the Lord.
How we apply this to modern life is tricky, how we utilize this short piece from Isaiah beyond simply listening to it, beyond hopefully enjoying the cadence of the words. God is very active in this oracle. This is our first clue. God destroys death, wipes away tears, destroys a veil over all people.
God simply offers salvation to his faithful, loyal, loving followers. God provide entrance to the Kingdom of heaven. God saves his people from sinfulness, from pettiness, from selfishness. Holiness and justice for all people exists, the feast is for all people, each one of us today who believes in the Lord, who loves the Lord, who serves the Lord, and who obeys the Lord.
Let us rejoice and follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.
How we apply this to modern life is tricky, how we utilize this short piece from Isaiah beyond simply listening to it, beyond hopefully enjoying the cadence of the words. God is very active in this oracle. This is our first clue. God destroys death, wipes away tears, destroys a veil over all people.
God simply offers salvation to his faithful, loyal, loving followers. God provide entrance to the Kingdom of heaven. God saves his people from sinfulness, from pettiness, from selfishness. Holiness and justice for all people exists, the feast is for all people, each one of us today who believes in the Lord, who loves the Lord, who serves the Lord, and who obeys the Lord.
Let us rejoice and follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.
And Now for the News of the Day - Sunday, October 9
Here are today’s News briefs from around the world. Here is some information to read, to reflect upon. Each of these events and issues require our prayers. Remember that God has a plan for each believer, each faithful follower.
Always direct love and generosity toward God. Strive to be good tenants of the vineyard. Do not betray God. Fidelity with God is essential for our spiritual health, spiritual well-being.
Bride kidnapping, bridenapping occurs in at least 17 countries around the world, from China to Mexico to southern Africa, to Russia. In each of these regions exist communities where it is acceptable and routine for young girls to be taken from their families, raped, tortured, and forced into marriage. This happens on each continent but there is little international awareness of these crimes, few police investigations, few global statistics.
One of the places to actually collect data on this situation is Kyrgyzstan where the practice has been on the rise since the fall of communism. There is anecdotal evidence to support that this practice might occur to avoid the embarrassment of being unable to afford a dowry. Up to a third of all ethnic Kyrgyz women in Kyrgyzstan are kidnapped brides. In certain regions of the country bride kidnapping accounts for 80 percent of the marriages.
Bridenapping is a criminal offense in Kyrgyzstan with a maximum three-year jail term, very few cases are prosecuted, and most that are prosecuted receive a light fine. Most citizens of Kyrgyzstan view this practice more as a tradition and not as a crime.
Because China has legalized sex-specific abortions because of the one child policy there is a shortage of women in China. Some desperate grooms pay between $250 and $100 for a kidnapper to locate a bride for them. Dealers often go to Vietnam, capture the young girls and smuggle them across the border into China
Anti-Gaddafi forces began a major assault on the besieged city of Sirte at dawn on Friday and heavy fighting continued into Saturday evening. Sirte is the last Libyan city resisting the rebel alliance. It is believed that Gaddafi might be hiding somewhere in the city.
Many pro-Gaddafi forces are using the high rise buildings in the city center as a base of operations to shoot at approaching fighters and to launch rockets and mortar fire.
Sirte is a Mediterranean coastal town. Once the rebel alliance gain control of Sirte they will be closer to having control over the entire contry.
The Socialist Party in France is preparing to hold the first round voting to determine which of six candidates will run against unpopular President Nicolas Sarkozy in the 2012 elections.
Former party leader Francois Hollande is the leading contender followed by the current head Martine Aubry in second place. Sunday’s primary voting will be open to all registered voters not just members of the Socialist Party. Voters are asked to sign a pledge that they share the values of the left and than donate one euro toward the cost of organizing the vote.
The Japanese city of Fukushima will host experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency to observe the decontamination effort following the world’s worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl. The 12 member IAEA group is scheduled to visit farms, schools, and government offices in the Fukushima district in northeastern Japan as part of a clean-up process observation.
Local Japanese doctors have also began a long term survey of children looking for thyroid abnormalities, a problem with associated with radiation exposure. Officials plan to test approximately 360,000 people who were under the age of 18 when the nuclear crisis began in March and then continue to collect data throughout their lifetimes.
There are unconfirmed reports that a computer virus that collects keyboard stroke data has infected the United States Air Force computer network that is used by pilots who control the drones flown on the warfront in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Prayer for the Day - October 9
Father
Help us to give love. Help us to share love.
May our focus always be toward doing your will
May our desire always be toward salvation
moving toward salvation ourselves
and leading others toward salvation
May we acknowledge with our complete hearts
that all of life’s beauty
that all of life’s bounty
that all of life’s goodness
that all of life’s holiness
begins with you
You alone are majestic, you alone are powerful
You alone are rich and pure in spirit
Teach us to honor your Word
Teach us to seek Christ in all the lives around us
Teach us charity, humility that we always strive to serve you
And then assist others with compassion and mercy
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
Help us to give love. Help us to share love.
May our focus always be toward doing your will
May our desire always be toward salvation
moving toward salvation ourselves
and leading others toward salvation
May we acknowledge with our complete hearts
that all of life’s beauty
that all of life’s bounty
that all of life’s goodness
that all of life’s holiness
begins with you
You alone are majestic, you alone are powerful
You alone are rich and pure in spirit
Teach us to honor your Word
Teach us to seek Christ in all the lives around us
Teach us charity, humility that we always strive to serve you
And then assist others with compassion and mercy
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
Thought for the Day - October 9
How wonderful it is to have the Lord be our shepherd, to have the Lord guiding and protecting each one of us. As a member of the flock, as a Christian each one of us has a responsibility to be concerned for each other in addition to being concerned about our own personal welfare. We are asked to be mindful of other Christians, to offer assistance, to offer love, to offer mercy, to offer compassion, to offer forgiveness. Our life as Christians is a communal existence of sharing, of active participation with God, of active interaction with each other. Our faith, our God asks us to be filled with selflessness, to be more concerned with helping others than material gain. Being Christian is both an interior and exterior expression of charity, humility, and obedience to God, to God’s teachings, to God’s desire. How wonderful it is to have the Lord be the shepherd for each one of who believes and serves him. How wonderful it is to be a member of the Lord’s flock. May we have reverence for the privilege, for the honor of being Christian. May we have courage and confidence to love and serve God.
TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY
Today is the Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Always remember to have faith in God. Always remember to give God thanks and praise. Always remember to rejoice in God. How easy it is for people to say that I believe in God. How difficult it is to really believe, to allow yourself to believe, to allow yourself to express true kindness, true holiness, true goodness.
As Christians we are asked to have faith, to share our faith, to encourage others to share their faith, their love and respect of God.
Always remember to have faith in God. Always remember to give God thanks and praise. Always remember to rejoice in God. How easy it is for people to say that I believe in God. How difficult it is to really believe, to allow yourself to believe, to allow yourself to express true kindness, true holiness, true goodness.
As Christians we are asked to have faith, to share our faith, to encourage others to share their faith, their love and respect of God.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Prayer for the Day - October 8
Rejoice in the goodness of the Lord
Enjoy the moments of quiet, the moments of prayer
Greet the Lord with praise, with love, with joy
May your heart's love, your tongue's word make a fanfare
that will become hope's convoy
Rejoice in the kindness of the Lord
Oh this is the time for fairness and justice
But avoid seeking that which is plushness
Life and love begin with a gruffness
which leads to kindness and justice
Rejoice in the holiness of the Lord
Let each action of each day be a fanfare
Filled with such joy, such loving happy air
That will beckon all to leave table and chair
To offer praise, thanks in a living fanfare
Rejoice in the goodness of the Lord
Oh each day provides us a moment of true joy
Seek honest words, honest pauses; be the bellboy
who seeks patience, who seeks to join the convoy
of mercy, love, compassion and true and pure joy
Rejoice in the happiness of the Lord
Thought for the Day - October 8
I believe that the charitable and educational facets of being Catholic, of being Christian are important. They need to be encouraged, they need to be cherished as part of our collective history as the standard bearers of our rituals and traditions. The educational and charitable work need to continue, need to expand. Catechesis for all Catholics remains important for the vitality and vibrancy of the faith. There are many ideas, many opinions masquerading as facts providing chaos and confusion in our society, in our lives. The many doctrines and dogmas of the Catholic church are either misquoted with the enthusiastic zeal of a slippery merchant trying to sell you something at any price, misquoted with a sarcastic sneer of a desperate lawyer grasping for a way to connect with a jury, with a smile, a laugh, or a sigh.
I believe that the charitable and educational facets of the church are a natural conduit for the exchange of love, for the growth of faith at both the personal and communal levels.
I believe that the charitable and educational facets of the church are a natural conduit for the exchange of love, for the growth of faith at both the personal and communal levels.
Saturday of the Twenty-Seventh Week
Today is Saturday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time.
The Lord will provide refuge and protection to his people, to those who believe him, to those who follow him, to those who are his loyal, loving servants.
The world contains much unrest, much uncertainty. In many ways, in many places instability reigns. Social, economic, and religious institutions are under attack. A perpetual distrust of authority continues. A perpetual cry for the rights of the individual man continues. A perpetual desire for promoted and pampered self remains the ideal within western cultures. This selfishness persists, becomes the enemy of all that can be called goodness, holiness, and kindness. This selfishness begins and ends with lies, deceit, betrayal.
Christians are asked to remain vigilant, to be aware of all that is happening. Christians are encouraged to be prepared, to be ready to serve the Lord. Our confidence, our courage, our faith are needed now.
How we live, how we interact with each other and with strangers can make a difference, can help someone find their way to Jesus Christ, can help someone follow the path of fairness, social justice to the Kingdom of God, to salvation.
We can share love, we can share mercy, we can share forgiveness. We can encourage others to do the same. We can ask others to return to the Church, to return to God. As Christians our first duty remains to focus on loving and serving God. We are asked to acknowledge our own weaknesses, our vulnerabilities, our own sinfulness before ourselves and before God. We are asked to repent before God.
We are faithful followers of Jesus Christ, we are believers of God. We are guided by truth, charity, humility, obedience, patience, compassion, and mercy.
We are guided by love.
Prayer leads to more prayer; true, honest, loving prayer leads God.
The Lord will provide refuge and protection to his people, to those who believe him, to those who follow him, to those who are his loyal, loving servants.
The world contains much unrest, much uncertainty. In many ways, in many places instability reigns. Social, economic, and religious institutions are under attack. A perpetual distrust of authority continues. A perpetual cry for the rights of the individual man continues. A perpetual desire for promoted and pampered self remains the ideal within western cultures. This selfishness persists, becomes the enemy of all that can be called goodness, holiness, and kindness. This selfishness begins and ends with lies, deceit, betrayal.
Christians are asked to remain vigilant, to be aware of all that is happening. Christians are encouraged to be prepared, to be ready to serve the Lord. Our confidence, our courage, our faith are needed now.
How we live, how we interact with each other and with strangers can make a difference, can help someone find their way to Jesus Christ, can help someone follow the path of fairness, social justice to the Kingdom of God, to salvation.
We can share love, we can share mercy, we can share forgiveness. We can encourage others to do the same. We can ask others to return to the Church, to return to God. As Christians our first duty remains to focus on loving and serving God. We are asked to acknowledge our own weaknesses, our vulnerabilities, our own sinfulness before ourselves and before God. We are asked to repent before God.
We are faithful followers of Jesus Christ, we are believers of God. We are guided by truth, charity, humility, obedience, patience, compassion, and mercy.
We are guided by love.
Prayer leads to more prayer; true, honest, loving prayer leads God.
And Now for the News of the Day - Saturday, October 8
Here are today’s News briefs from around the world. Here is some information to read, to reflect upon. Each of these events and issues require our prayers. Remember that God has a plan for each believer, each faithful follower.
Always direct love and generosity toward God. Strive to be good tenants of the vineyard. Do not betray God. Fidelity with God is essential for our spiritual health, spiritual well-being.
Pope Benedict XVI's meeting with Indonesian Bishops in Rome is the lead story.
“Christ’s message of salvation, forgiveness and love have been preached in your country for centuries,” Pope Benedict XVI told the Indonesian Bishops at a meeting in Rome. “Your country is composed of thousands of islands; so too the Church in Indonesia is made up of thousands of Christian communities, “islands of Christ’s presence.”
“I can only encourage you in your continuing efforts to promote and sustain inter-religious dialogue in your nation.” The 2010 census indicated that 85 percent of Indonesia’s 245 million citizens are Muslim, with Christians making up approximately 13 percent of the population. Only about a quarter of the Christians are Catholic. There are smaller but significant populations of Hindus, Buddhists, and Confucians.
“Your country, so rich in its cultural diversity and possessed of a large population, is home to significant numbers of followers of various religious traditions. Thus, the people of Indonesia are well-placed to make important contributions to the quest for peace and understanding among the peoples of the world. Your participation in this great enterprise is decisive, and so I urge you, dear brothers, to ensure that those whom you shepherd know that they, as Christians, are to be agents of peace, perseverance and charity.”
Violence against Christian churches has begun to occur in Indonesia. Muslim extremists have burned churches, orchestrated Mosque suicide bombings, and interrupted Easter religious services.
“I appreciate the intense efforts made by numerous individuals and agencies in the name of the Church to bring the tender compassion of God to many members of Indonesian society. This is the hallmark of every movement, action and expression of the Church, in all of her sacramental, charitable, educational and social endeavors, so that in everything her members may strive to make the Triune God known and loved through Jesus Christ. This will not only contribute to the spiritual vitality of the Church as she grows in confidence through humble yet courageous witness; it will also strengthen Indonesian society by promoting those values that your fellow citizens hold dear: tolerance, unity and justice for all citizens.”
Mumtaz Qadri, one of Punjab governor Salman Taseer's bodyguards, was convicted of murder after he shot the governor 27 times in Islamabad in January. There were chilling scenes of celebration after the killing, with many hailing Qadri as a "hero of Islam". Taseer wanted to reform Pakistan’s draconian blasphemy laws. Shahbaz Taseer, one of the governor’s sons was abducted 43 days ago by militants in North Wazristan. There has been no contact with his kidnappers.
Qadri has appealed against his sentence and the judge in the case was forced to take "indefinite leave" for his own safety.
Researchers have evidence that babies as young as 15 months can recognize when someone is being treated unfairly and respond by being generous toward them, scientists have learned. 47 babies were tested by showing a video in which food was unevenly distributed between two people. Another similar video in which food was shared equally was shown to the children.
When something surprises them babies pay greater attention.
On this day October 8, 1982 Solidarity and all of Poland's other labor unions were banned
Friday, October 7, 2011
Prepare to Share the New Evangelization
"New Evangelization can succeed when it comes from a humble place." stated C. Colt Anderson while speaking at the Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle as part of the Fall Lecture Series on Thursday, October 6. His lecture titled What Is The New Evangelization? was presented on Thursday, October 6. This lecture was conversational in tone, integrated questions from the audience, and included a digital slide presentation.
Many Catholics do not like the word evangelical because some Protestant denominations have taken the word and applied it to their ministries which often are biased against Catholicism.
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| C. Colt Anderson speaks at the Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle. |
"To be Catholic means you have to be evangelical," stated C. Colt Anderson. "All we have to do is repent and call people to convert. The Council of Trent encourages us to keep trying, encourages us to remain in some mode of conversion."
Evangelization can help remind people about the deeper meanings of their faith. Evangelization can reinforce the necessity of penance, the necessity to repent, the necessity of prayer, the necessity of doing works of charity. There is also the message that we are all going to be judged by God for all of our actions some day. We are all going to be held accountable for our actions, for our ability to love, for our ability to forgive.
"The Church has lost the sense of urgency. The urgency that we're talking about is forgiveness and how important that is." said Mr. Anderson. "God is willing to forgive us."
Many people have drifted away from thinking about God's justice. There appears to be a belief that by attending Mass each Sunday, doing works of charity insures entrance into the Kingdom of heaven. Those activities help but they do not guarantee it. Many people today do not have a sense of being judged or a sense of accountability for their sins and wrongdoing.
Catholics believe in redemption. Catholics believe in salvation. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ allows us to be redeemed, to be saved. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ presents each Christian with an opportunity for salvation.
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| C. Colt Anderson listens to questions about New Evangelization. |
Mr. Anderson said, "God brings good out of the evil we do and the evil we suffer. God brings some meaning into the narrative of our lives."
There was a brief discussion of rhetoric. An overview of apologetics, polemics, catechesis was presented. Effective evangelization begins with knowing, understanding, and respecting your audience explained Mr. Anderson. "Be plausible, be brief, be clear."
The main goal of New Evangelization is to get lapsed Catholics to reconnect with the Church. "Lay people are asked to share their faith. Lay people are asked to teach about their personal experience as a Catholic. Lay people are asked to share their delight in their faith. Lay people are asked to persuade people to return to the Church."
The call to conversion remains the responsibility of all Christians. "We have to witness for our faith." stated Mr. Anderson. "Being Catholic is the best and safest way to salvation."
The Making of an Evangelist
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| Msgr. Peter J. Vaghi speaks at the Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle. |
Monsingnor Peter J. Vaghi, pastor at Church of the Little Flower in Bethesda MD, presented a theological reflection titled Encountering Jesus in His Word: The Making of an Evangelist on Thursday, October 6 at the Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle.
This was the first of eight monthly reflections which are scheduled to occur on the First Thursday at the Cathedral immediately following the 5:30 P.M. Mass.
"Christian life is essentially marked by an encounter with God asking us to follow him." explained Monsingnor Vaghi.
There is, within each encounter with God, a challenge for each Christian to be more faithful in his life, to make changes to be more obedient to God.
"Peter is a model for us to follow as we evangelize." stated Monsingnor Vaghi. "Peter is a model for what it means to be an evangelist."
Holy Scripture passage Luke 5:1-11 was read by Monsignor Vaghi.
"Listening to his word, the people encountered Jesus." said Monsignor Vaghi as he briefly described the day to day ministry of Jesus and the crowds of people who were following him. There is a significance that Jesus chose Peter's boat to get into and to continue teaching the people. There were other boats which he could have used. But Jesus chose to be close to Peter.
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| Msgr. Peter J. Vaghi listens to a question about evangelization. |
After he had finished talking to the crowd Jesus asked Peter to take his boat out to deep water and lower his nets. Peter said "Master we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing but at your command I will lower the nets." Peter's response could be interpreted as apostolic toil, working hard as an apostle. Within Peter's response exists a sense of weariness, lack of confidence, sense of defeatism.
"Peter could have rejected the request of Jesus. Peter decided to obey the word of Jesus, the word of God." explained Monsignor Vaghi. "He obeyed the Word of God. He trusted the word of Jesus. He allowed the movement of the spirit in his life. In the process he became a changed man."
Jesus provided a simple lesson for Peter on being obedient to God. Jesus showed Peter that obeying the word of God could lead to great success.
"We must take risks for Jesus. We are asked to challenge our friends, to challenge our family members to return to Church. We are to challenge their beliefs, to persuade them to believe that to live in such a way that one's life without God does not make sense."
On that fishing boat Peter came to terms with his weakness, with his unworthiness to be an evangelist. He was overwhelmed by his personal sinfulness.
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| Msgr. Peter J. Vaghi responds to a question about encountering Christ. |
"We must pray to come to terms with our own sinfulness to be effective evangelists." said Monsignor Vaghi.
And Now for the News of the Day - Firday, October 7
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| From Becoming A Devout Disciple |
Here are today’s News briefs from around the world. Here is some information to read, to reflect upon. Each of these events and issues require our prayers. Remember that God has a plan for each believer, each faithful follower.
Always direct love and generosity toward God. Strive to be good tenants of the vineyard. Do not betray God. Fidelity with God is essential for our spiritual health, spiritual well-being.
35 new deacons studying at the Pontifical North American College in Rome were ordained at an October 6 ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica. Deacon means “one who serves” and the 35 new deacons will have the opportunity to do that within the ministry of the Sacred Liturgy, of the Word, and of charity.
There are reports that Syrian troops stormed villages close to the border with Turkey yesterday, hunting armed military defectors who fought back in clashes that left at least four soldiers and three others dead, activists said. This new wave of fighting in Syria’s restive northern region of Jabal al-Zawiya, was the latest sign of a trend toward growing militarization of the uprising. It is believed that former military defectors have joined the rebels and are now fighting against the government. The United Nations human rights office estimates almost 3000 people have been killed during the seven months of unrest in Syria.
NATO is being warned that an exit from Afghanistan will lead the women vulnerable to harsh treatment. A law to prevent violence against women is only being enforced in 10 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces. Young girls in rural Afghanistan are still married off as young as 12, some are sold to pay of debts. The United Nations estimated that at least 87 percent of Afghanistan women are victims of domestic abuse.
On this day October 7, 1963 President John F. Kennedy signed the documents of ratification for a nuclear test ban treaty with Britain and the Soviet Union.
On this day October 7, 1985 Palestinian gunmen hijacked the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro in the Mediterranean with more than 400 people aboard.
Prayer for the Day - October 7
O my dear Jesus, I am sinful please forgive my sins. May your mercy lead me to live in service for you doing your will. May your mercy guide me and my soul to heaven. May your mercy guide me to help other souls find their way to heaven. May your mercy protect me from the smoke and fog of temptation, from poisoned thorns of sin. Always keep me in your mercy, in your love. Amen.
My God, help me to share that I believe in you, in your glory; help me to show that I adore you, your majesty; help me to trust in your will and your love; help me to love you first and completely with my entire being. I beg for mercy and forgiveness and redemption for those blinded, those corrupted, those afraid to love and serve you. Amen.
My God, help me to share that I believe in you, in your glory; help me to show that I adore you, your majesty; help me to trust in your will and your love; help me to love you first and completely with my entire being. I beg for mercy and forgiveness and redemption for those blinded, those corrupted, those afraid to love and serve you. Amen.
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| From Sacristy, Cathedral of St Matthew the Apostle |
Thought for the Day - October 7
Keep your life simple. Seek to make your life pure.
Simplicity remains a very complicated ideal for many people. Simplicity requires focus, discipline. Simplicity asks for only the necessary, only the essential. Pray to create a life of simplicity in thought, speech, action. May your every action be directed toward God, directed toward salvation. May each thought, each action begin with charity, humility, and obedience to God. Simplicity asks us to decide who we love, to make God the center of our lives, to establish and promote God and the loving of God, and the serving of God, our using our individual free will to do God’s will as the most important and precious singular activity of our lives. The Christian life when the true focus is God becomes a life of true love, pure hope. The Christian life focuses on love, encourages love, nurtures love. The Christian life is one of giving, sharing. Simplicity asks us to simply love, to believe and accept that God loves us. Do not look for thanks, praise, or love to be shared automatically. Do not desire love in reciprocation for actions. Simplicity asks us to share love unconditionally, to share love universally. Simplicity involves letting go, trusting in goodness, holiness, kindness. Simplicity asks us, then reminds us to trust God, to love God, to have faith in God.
Simplicity leads us on a journey of focus on Jesus Christ and God, respect for the power and authority of God, reverence for the teachings of Jesus Christ, purity of intention creates a powerful connection between our souls and God when our prayers are true and honorable.
Simplicity remains a very complicated ideal for many people. Simplicity requires focus, discipline. Simplicity asks for only the necessary, only the essential. Pray to create a life of simplicity in thought, speech, action. May your every action be directed toward God, directed toward salvation. May each thought, each action begin with charity, humility, and obedience to God. Simplicity asks us to decide who we love, to make God the center of our lives, to establish and promote God and the loving of God, and the serving of God, our using our individual free will to do God’s will as the most important and precious singular activity of our lives. The Christian life when the true focus is God becomes a life of true love, pure hope. The Christian life focuses on love, encourages love, nurtures love. The Christian life is one of giving, sharing. Simplicity asks us to simply love, to believe and accept that God loves us. Do not look for thanks, praise, or love to be shared automatically. Do not desire love in reciprocation for actions. Simplicity asks us to share love unconditionally, to share love universally. Simplicity involves letting go, trusting in goodness, holiness, kindness. Simplicity asks us, then reminds us to trust God, to love God, to have faith in God.
Simplicity leads us on a journey of focus on Jesus Christ and God, respect for the power and authority of God, reverence for the teachings of Jesus Christ, purity of intention creates a powerful connection between our souls and God when our prayers are true and honorable.
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| From Becoming A Devout Disciple |
Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary
Today is the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Enjoy this devotion. Respect this veneration of Mary.
Remember church history, church theology connected to the Rosary. Make time and say the Rosary today. Make time and give thanks to God today. Do not be afraid, do not be resistant. Remember that the path to Christ is through Mary. Saying the rosary is both a notable and popular feature of Catholic spirituality. The rosary is the epicenter of Catholic Christian spirituality. This is one of the most praiseworthy traditions of Christian contemplation, Christian meditation.
Saying the rosary properly, devoutly involves discipline, focus, respect, purity of intention, reverence. The rosary can be used to start a conversation, to establish communication between the soul and Christ.
Through the study of books one seeks God; by meditation one finds him. Padre Pio.
May the Rosary help each of us to find and serve the Lord.
Enjoy this devotion. Respect this veneration of Mary.
Remember church history, church theology connected to the Rosary. Make time and say the Rosary today. Make time and give thanks to God today. Do not be afraid, do not be resistant. Remember that the path to Christ is through Mary. Saying the rosary is both a notable and popular feature of Catholic spirituality. The rosary is the epicenter of Catholic Christian spirituality. This is one of the most praiseworthy traditions of Christian contemplation, Christian meditation.
Saying the rosary properly, devoutly involves discipline, focus, respect, purity of intention, reverence. The rosary can be used to start a conversation, to establish communication between the soul and Christ.
Through the study of books one seeks God; by meditation one finds him. Padre Pio.
May the Rosary help each of us to find and serve the Lord.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Add Prayer to Your Life
Prayer remains an essential part of being Catholic, of being Christian. We are often asking each other to be remembered in prayers. We pray for all types of things, in all types of ways. There is no right way to pray, there is no wrong way to pray. Our prayers can be about anything, for anything. We are asked to be honest when we pray, that is the only restriction, the only limit.
There are many wonderful examples of prayers. I have become attached to the Eucharistic prayers. I am thinking of experimenting with the Rosary more.
Prayer is a great way to calm down, prayer is a great way to center your thoughts, to discipline your mind.
We can pray for fairness, social justice, peace, recovery. We can pray for charity, humility, obedience, cupcakes, watermelon, fried chicken, romance, a new job, a new boss. Prayer does not come with any guarantees. Prayer does not have a warranty. Prayer can be very personal, very private or it can be communal.
We can pray for remembrance, we can pray for forgiveness, we can pray for protection of a loved one.
The subjects of our prayers are unlimited, endless. We can pray when we want, where we want, how we want. The important thing is that we pray. The important thing is that we are communicating with God.
Our prayers hopefully contain a moment when we remember to offer thanks and praise to God. Our prayers hopefully contain a moment when we acknowledge the goodness, kindness, and holiness in our lives, in ourselves moving us toward the kingdom of heaven..
Each time we pray we are given an opportunity to give God glory, thanks, praise. This is important; hopefully it occurs naturally, spontaneously.
Each time we pray we are given the opportunity to be like the Disciples and to ask God how we should pray. This can help create a close relationship with God.
All Catholics Asked to Evangelize
C. Colt Anderson spoke at the Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle after the Wednesday 12:10 Mass as part of the parish Fall Lecture Series. Mr. Anderson's topic was "What is the New Evangelization?" The lecture was arranged by the Faith Formation Committee.
The lecture was part history of the New Evangelization movement and part application techniques. The aim of this lecture was to motivate people to evangelize, to share the stories of their conversion and belief in God, and to encourage others to share their stories.
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| C. Colt Anderson speaks about New Evangelization. |
"The aim of New Evangelization is directed toward lapsed Catholics, Catholics who have fallen away from their faith," explained Mr. Anderson. "New Evangelization is really re-evangelization."
New Evangelization comes out of an European and secularization context with different levels of government involvement, explained Mr. Anderson. “Now New Evangelization needs to be translated in an American context.”
Mr. Anderson explained that evangelical is the Greek word for gospel. Gospel means the Good News. "Being evangelical means being in agreement with the Gospel, at least in theory. We can at least say we agree with the Gospel."
Mr. Anderson acknowledged that most American Catholics are uncomfortable with using the term because the word evangelical is often associated with fundamentalist Christian groups.
Evangelization is the work that is assigned to the laity, that is best done by the laity.
We find faith by hearing it spoken, by hearing it proclaimed. New Evangelization is a request for faithful believers to share their stories, to share their faith. "We have to proclaim the full significance of Christ."
Baptism admitted each Catholic to a holy priesthood. We are asked to give an account, to spread, and to defend the faith by word and deeds.
"The agent of the New Evangelization has to be a lay person. We all have had problems with the Church." stated Mr. Anderson. "We live in the world. It is easy to dismiss a priest. Lay people have to take up half of the task of evangelization."
Mr. Anderson provided simple instructions on how to prepare to be an evangelist. The most important items are know your audience and ask and then listen to their response to why they think how they do.
"People really are different. Some are motivated by love., some are motivated by fear. Different people are motivated by different things. People have different strengths, weaknesses, vices." declared Mr. Andesrson "Each person's spirituality is also different. Never presume that others have to follow your path."
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| C. Colt Anderson speaks at the Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle. |
A brief lesson on rhetoric was presented. The aim of New Evangelization is to persuade the lapsed Catholics to return to the church community. Anderson stated that many of the Catholics who have left the faith will be hostile.
Mr. Anderson briefly described apologetics, catechesis, polemics and explained how and why they can be useful when discussing your faith with someone. He provided good advice about being polite, being attentive what the person is saying. Being honest is important when discussing the Church. Mr. Anderson stated that it is better to state the problems with the Church instead of whitewashing them. “Evangelization requires truth.”
"The aim is to win them over, not to beat them up." declared Mr. Anderson. "Christ was humble, shouldn't his disciples be humble too? Humility is attractive."
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