Community Chat

[gloriajean]

Forgiveness frees the heart and moves us from the victim to the one who is in control of our lives. Lord, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

Scripture for the Day
"For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life?" — Matthew 16:26

Meditation for the Day
It is the quality of my life that determines its value to those around me. In order to judge the value of a person's life, we can set up a standard. The most valuable life is one of honesty, purity, unselfishness and love. All our lives can be measured against this standard in determining their value to the world. By this standard, most of the so-called heroes of history were not great people. "For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life?"

Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may be honest, pure, unselfish and loving. I pray that I may make the quality of my life good by these standards.

Hello my friends! Hope your day is going well. We've had a nice day here today in MN - sun was out, no wind, and we went to a funeral - in the town we used to live in - just a half hour away. I didn't know the person who died, she was a mongloid sister of a friend of ours there, but Linus wanted to sing in the choir for it - he sang in that choir for many years, and we first met the choir director and her husband for lunch - the funeral was at 1:00. They are good friends from way back and it was so good to get back in touch with them again, and talk about our kids etc. etc. It's kind of hard now when we go out to eat to know what Linus can eat - no white breads, or even breads made with some white flour with the whole wheat, so we had chili and that is low glycemic and it was very good. Of course, it had hamburger in it, don't know how low glycemic that is, but the beans are good. It was a big bowl of chilie and very good. I've had some awful chilie's already eating out. Right now I wish I had my bread maker back - give it to the Good Will when I never used it anymore because I just made the from scratch. Now I could use it to make 100% whole wheat - got a recipe for it for a bread machine, I'll try to make it with a mixer and hope it works.
It's been a blessing too, to try out different breads that are 100% whole grains and sprouts etc. all very good tasting and good for us. Today really was a great blessing meeting those friends for lunch and the day was so nice and sunny. Then coming home to a royal greeting from Sammy!! I talked to the organist too there, another old friend of ours, she was my daughter's piano teacher!! And I had to tell her about Sammy playing the piano! She laughed and would love to see that. I'll call my sisters later to see how they celebrated their birthdays.

Homily of the Day

March 10, 2011


You May Be Killing Yourself
by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.


Dt 30:15-20 / Lk 9:22-25

Suicide is one of the most terrible things that any human being can do. Indeed, to most of us the thought of throwing away God’s gift of life is incomprehensible and inclines us to presume that the person who does so must be out of his mind, at least temporarily insane.

Yet many of the choices that we make day by day certainly qualify as lesser versions of the very same thing, little suicides in which we kill a tiny part of ourselves. The most obvious examples, of course, involve things like substance abuse, chain smoking, compulsive eating and the like, which directly attack our bodies. It’s easy and obvious to say to ourselves, “Stop that before you kill yourself.”

But there are all sorts of more subtle forms of slow suicide of the spirit. Cherishing grievances, hating, clinging to our things and refusing to share, using people instead of loving them, pretending we’re self-sufficient, pretending we don’t need God. And the list goes on and on.

In today’s Old Testament reading, the Lord is speaking to this blind suicidal tendency in us all. “Choose life,” he says. Choose life, and don’t let appearances fool you as to where real life is.

Jesus showed us what a real life looks like. As the days of Lent pass one by one, may your face and your heart come to look more and more like His.



Clean Up!

In the spirit of Isaiah, clean out
a junk drawer, car trunk, toy box
and while we clean,
have a long talk with the Divine One
concerning how we can clean up our lives.

1. You teach souls by word; you save them by suffering.

--- BL. ANTHONY CHEVRIER

2. If we knew the value of suffering, we would ask for it on our knees with joined hands.

--- ST. ANDRE

3. All that crucifies is good: do not look at what wood the crosses are made of, as long as it is a "cross wood." Great crosses present themselves rarely, little crosses are given to us at every moment. Make sure not to lose any of them.

--- BL. EDWARD POPPE

4. If you seek to carry no other crosses but those whose reason you understand, perfection is not for you.

--- ST. TERESA OF AVILA

5. All the greatest pains become sweet for whoever looks at Jesus Christ on the Cross.

--- ST. MARY MAGDALEN OF PAZZI

6. You will gain more by receiving scorn peacefully than if you fasted for a week on bread and water. It is good to humble ourselves; but it is much more worthwhile to accept the humiliations that come to us from others.

--- ST. ALPHONSUS LIGUORI

7. The Gates of Paradise are not closed to those who carry the standard of the Cross.

--- ST. BONAVENTURE

8. I see crosses at every turn. My flesh shudders over it, but my heart adores them. Yes, I hail you, crosses little and great, I hail you, and kiss your feet, unworthy of the honor of your shadow.

--- ST. FRANCIS DE SALES

9. God would turn the world around to find suffering in order to give it to a soul upon whom He has set His Divine gaze with ineffable love.

--- ST. THÉRÈSE OF LISIEUX

10. Let us be afraid of being deprived of sufferings more than a miser is of his treasure. Sufferings are the jewels of Jesus Crucified ... The more painful the cross, the greater our advantage. The more contradictory creatures are with us. the dearer we will be to our Creator. A single moment of tribulation assures an immense weight of glory. Never to suffer would be the greatest danger for us.

--- ST. PAUL OF THE CROSS

Anxious? Take Vitamin A...
"All things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose."
(Romans 8:28)
Blue? Take Vitamin B...
"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name." (Psalm 103:1)

Crushed? Take Vitamin C...
"Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you."
(1 Peter 5:7)

Depressed? Take Vitamin D...
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you."
(James 4:8)

Empty? Take Vitamin E...
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him, bless his name."
(Psalm 100:4)

Fearful? Take Vitamin F...
"Fear not, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God."
(Isaiah 41:10)

Greedy? Take Vitamin G...
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put unto your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back."
(Luke 6:38)

Hesitant? Take Vitamin H...
"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns.'" (Isaiah 52:7)
Insecure? Take Vitamin I...
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
(Philippians 4:13)

Jittery? Take Vitamin J...
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
(Hebrews 13:8)

Know nothing? Take Vitamin K...
"Know this that the Lord is God, it is He that made us and not we ourselves. (Psalm 100:3)

Lonely? Take Vitamin L...
"Surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
(Matthew 28:20)

Mortgaged? Take Vitamin M...
"My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness."
(2 Corinthians 12:9)

Nervous? Take Vitamin N...
"Never, no never will I leave you nor forsake you."
(Hebrews 13:5)

Overwhelmed? Take Vitamin O...
"Overcome evil with good."
(Romans 12:21)

Perplexed or puzzled? Take Vitamin P...
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."
(John 14:27)

Quitting? Take Vitamin Q...
"Quit you like men and women, be strong."
(1 Corinthians 16:13)

Restless? Take Vitamin R...
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him."
(Psalm 37:7)

Scared? Take Vitamin S...
"Stay with me, and do not be afraid; for the one who seeks my life seeks your life; you will be safe with me."
(1 Samuel 22:23)

Tired? Take Vitamin T...
"Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."
(Isaiah 40:31)

Uncertain? Take Vitamin U...
"Understand that I am (the Lord). Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me."
(Isaiah 43:10)

Vain? Take Vitamin V...
"Vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
(Acts 5:16)

Wondering what to do? Take Vitamin W...
"What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
(Micah 6:8)

Exhausted? Take Vitamin X...
"Exercise thyself rather unto godliness."
(1 Timothy 4:7)

Yearning for hope? Take Vitamin Y...
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4)

Zapped? Take Vitamin Z...
"Zealous for good deeds."
(Titus 2:14)


One Prayer a Day for Lent
If time permits nothing else, say these prayers each day of Lent.

The First Four Days of Lent
Ash Wednesday

Lord, it feels like we are embarking
on a Lenten journey together, you and I.
The beautiful words in the today's prayer talk about
the "quiet remembrance of our need for redemption."
That feels like what I am looking for -
or what you are looking for in me.
I want to remember how much I need you in my life
and how much my life needs redemption.
I want to remember it clearly and
in the background of my day today
and all through Lent.

On this special day, Ash Wednesday,
may my small sacrifices in fasting be a way to clear away
the clutter in my life to see you more clearly.
May my longing for meat and other food,
help me to focus my life today more outside myself.
Let me be aware of those who are in so much more suffering than I am
and may I be aware of them as the brothers and sisters you have placed in my life.

Lord, I know there is darkness
within me and around me.
Bless these days with your Word.
Let your Light shine in the darkness.
Help me long for that Light
until we celebrate it at the Vigil six weeks from now.

And most of all Lord,
help me to honor this day with the ashes
on my forehead.
They help me remember where I have come from
and where I am going.
May I acknowledge to you my sins
and my deep need for your
loving forgiveness and grace.
I pray that this Lenten season
will make me so much more aware
of how much I need your healing in my life.
Thursday
After Ash Wednesday

Lord,
Let everything I do this day and in this season of Lent
come from you, be inspired by you.

I long to be closer to you.
Help me to remember that nothing is important in my life
unless it glorifies you in some way. It's so easy to get caught up in the day to day of my life and keep saying,
"Tomorrow, I will spend more time in prayer,"
but now my longing meets your love and I want to do it now.
Help me to rely on you for help. The prayer asks you that I reach perfection.
Please, Lord, remind me that "perfection"
isn't the crazy, "successful" way I try to live my life,
but a perfection of my most authentic, real self.
My "perfection" might be holding my many flaws in my open hands,
asking you to help me accept them. Heal me, Lord, and help me to find you in the darkness of my life.
Let me reach out in this darkness and feel your hand and love there to guide me

Friday
After Ash Wednesday
Lord,
I know how much you love me.
It’s hard for me to feel it sometimes,
but I know your love is always with me.

Help me to use your love as a way
to persevere in my Lenten intentions.
I am weak, but I know with your help,
I can use these small sacrifices in my life to draw closer to you.


Saturday
After Ash Wednesday

Loving creator,
I am not asking to overcome my weakness,
but to use it in some way to glorify you.

Let me be aware of
the many ways you reach out to help me today
and let me stand in awe of the power
that you use in such loving ways.
With permission from: Creighton U Online Ministries

FAST FROM..................FOCUS ON

criticism........................praise & encouragement

self pity.........................joy and your blessings

resentment....................peace & a pleasant disposition

jealousy........................love & contentment

pride.............................humility

selfishness....................giving to others

fear...............................trust in God

idle gossip.....................purposeful silence

discontent.....................gratitude

anger............................patience

complaining...................appreciation

bitterness......................forgiveness

self-concern..................compassion for other

discouragement.............hope

Take Up Your Cross
Take up your cross, the Savior said,
If you would my disciple be;
Deny yourself, the world forsake,
And humbly follow after me.
Take up your cross, let not its weight
Fill your weak spirit with alarm;
His strength shall bear your heart and nerve your arm.
Take up your cross then in his strength,
And ev’ry danger calmly brave,
To guide you to a better home,
And vict’ry over death and grave.
Take up your cross and follow Christ,
Nor think till death to lay it down;
For only he who bears the cross
May hope to wear the glorious crown.
To you, great Lord, the One in three,
All praise for evermore ascend;
O grant us here below to see
The heav’nly life that knows no end.
by Charles William Everest

Daily Acceptance Prayer

Author Unknown
Accept yourself completely.
Accept your strengths and your weaknesses,
Your gifts and shortcomings,
Your good points and your faults.

Accept yourself completely as a human being.
Accept that you are here to learn and grow,
And accept that you are learning and growing.
Accept the personality you've developed, and
Accept your power to heal and change.

Accept yourself without condition or reservation.
Accept that the core of your being is goodness
and that your essence is love, and
Accept that you sometimes forget that.

Accept yourself completely, and in this acceptance
find an ever-deepening inner strength.
From this place of strength, accept your life fully and open yourself to the lessons it offers you today.

Accept that within your mind are both fear and love,
and accept your power to choose which you will experience as real.
Recognize that your experiences are only the results of your own choices.

Accept the times that you choose fear
as part of your learning and healing process, and
Accept that you have the potential and power
in any moment to choose love instead.

Accept mistakes as a part of growth,
so you are always willing to forgive yourself and
give yourself another chance.

Accept that your life is the expression of your thought, and commit yourself to aligning your thoughts more and more each day with the thought of Love. Accept that you are an expression of this Love. Love's hands and voice and heart on earth.

Accept your own life as a blessing and a gift.
Your heart is open to receive, and you should be deeply grateful.
May you always share the gifts that you receive
fully, freely, and with joy.

Closing prayer:

A Prayer for Lent

Father, through our observance of Lent, help us to understand the meaning of your Son's death and resurrection, and teach us to reflect it in our lives. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Good night everyone! Sweet Dreams and may you all enjoy Friday - another beginning of another weekend! Enjoy the Gift of God's Day! Remember to pause - think - and look for God's special blessings that He has for you! He loves us all so very much and just wants our love and gratitude in return along with obedience to His Holy Will.