Community Chat

[gloriajean]

Allow your mind to become quiet and less judgmental and you will feel
improvements
in all areas of your life. Lord, help my mind avoid twisting the words I
hear and misjudging
the intentions of others in order to justify my own righteousness. Help me
to spread Your peace.

S C R I P T U R E S F O R T H E D A Y

On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, The web
that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord
GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces; The reproach of his people he
will remove from the whole earth; for the Lord has spoken. ~Isaiah
25:6-10a

They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were amazed
when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame
walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel.
~Matthew 15:29-37


M E D I T A T I O N F O R T H E D A Y

What a wonderful day it will be when Jesus comes in His glory. All we hope
for will come into being. During this Holy Season though, the Lord calls
us to get involved in building His Kingdom ... by promoting justice and
building peace, by showing concern for the sick and the poor and bringing
God's healing presence, by living in a confusing world but following in
His footsteps.

P R A Y E R F O R T H E D A Y

I pray that God's dream for the world might be my dream. I pray that I may
become more and more involved in ushering in His Kingdom.

Hello my friends! Today we had a very wonderful and moving Good Friday
Service in our Parish. It certainly was good to be there and for the last 3
years we couldn't be there because of our going to Texas for Easter. We
would be traveling around this time. We are glad we can make it the weekend
after Easter so we can take in all of the Holy Week services to make it more
meaningful. Linus got the garden tilled today - and that's about all that
got done outside. Tomorrow he'll be getting potatoes and other sets to
plant and we do hope and pray it doesn't freeze anymore. It's supposed be
cold next week. It was a relaxing day - he bought a little wagon from work
to haul dirt in for the strawberry 3 tiers. And I thought Sammy would like a
little ride in the wagon, so told Linus to put him in there for a ride
around the yard, when the wagon started moving out he jumped! Didn't care
for that kind of ride, he just likes car rides.
When I was a kid and riding my bike on the farm I tied the little red wagon
onto the bike and had both dogs in there for a ride - and they stayed in
there and I've got the picture of it.
A big dog and a little one.

ABC' S OF PARENTING

A- Affirm who your children are in Christ.

B- Build a foundation of love and trust.

C- Communicate openly and often.

D- Discipline consistently and fairly.

E- Expect the best of them.

F- Forgive frequently.

G- Give unconditional love.

H- Help them to grow spiritually.

I- Invest time in them.

J- Join in family night fun.

K- Keep Christ central in your home.

L- Live what you teach.

M- Make your home atmosphere positive.

N- Notice and commend achievements.

O- Organize family vacations

P- Pray for them faithfully.

Q- Quote Scripture when appropriate.

R- Release them as they're ready.

S- Set a good example.

T- Train them well in the ways of the Lord

U- Understand their God-given gifts.

V- Value each child individually.

W- Welcome creativity.

X- eXplain why when you say no.

Y- Yearn to see them become all they can be.

Z- Zero in on Christian values.

Morning Prayer

Lord God Almighty,
You have brought us safely to the beginning of this day.
Defend us today by your mighty power, that we may not fall into any sin,
but that all our words may so proceed and all our thoughts and actions be so
directed,
as to be always just in your sight. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Heart of a Child

Matthew 18:4 "I tell you the truth, unless you change
and become like little children, you will never enter
the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles
himself like one of these children is the greatest in the
kingdom of heaven."

When we are children there's a part of us
that is open to love, and faith and trust.
Through a little child's laughter and teary eyes
we grow older and that part of us dies.
Innocence lost, is so hard to regain.
We get forgiven but hold on to the pain.
But Jesus said to the crowd roaring wild;
"Come to me with the heart of a child."

It's so hard to open ourselves up to others,
we're afraid to trust our own sisters and brothers.
But there is a love so costly and dear,
a love strong enough to cast out fear.
Let's take off our masks and drop the facade
and live like the children of the Living God.
Take a chance, you may be betrayed if you risk it all
but He'll be there to catch you when you slip and fall.

There's a holy laughter, and tears so pure,
there's an innocence that will always endure.
There's a dream and vision, an endless sea,
the tingling of life in a heart set free.
Nothing to prove, no possessions to hold
but a joy and peace more precious than gold.
It's a beautiful place, fiery and wild
when we return to the heart of the child.

Remember that our Father to whom we pray
considers us His children each day
and like little children we must learn to rely
on the love of our Father who reigns on high.
So much prejudice to forget and unlearn,
it's the heart of the child for which we yearn.
We can't enter heaven with a heart defiled,
it must change through Jesus to the heart of the child.

Ten commandments for stress reduction

I. Thou shalt not be perfect, or even try to be.

II. Thou shalt not try to be all things to all people.

III. Thou shalt sometimes leave things undone.

IV. Thou shalt not spread thyself too thin.

V. Thou shalt learn to say "no".

VI. Thou shalt schedule time for thyself and for thy support network.

VII. Thou shalt switch thyself off, and do nothing regularly.

VIII. Thou shalt not even feel guilty for doing nothing, or saying no.

IX. Thou shalt be boring, untidy, inelegant, and unattractive at
times.

X. Especially, thou shalt not be thine own worst enemy. But, be thine
own best friend.

1. Jesus cried,

“MY GOD, MY GOD WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?”

A cry from the heart is always answered by our loving Father, but sometimes
we fail to recognize him in the guises of those who come to our aid.

How frequently we cry “WHERE ARE YOU?” when he is there all along.

How often we struggle with our own agonies before we realise that he who
“descended into H ell” is there and even at our lowest depths he does not
forsake us.

How often we refuse to act in love and by such lack of action stop God using
us to present him to others.


2. Jesus cried,

“I THIRST”

I should thirst for God: instead I thirst for recognition.

I should thirst to do his will, as Jesus did, but all too often I make him
take second place.

I should thirst to be one with Jesus, but I ask that it be under my
conditions.

I should thirst to rely on God but refuse to let go of my own independence.

I thirst for truth, but refuse to be challenged by it, or act on the truth I
find.

I thirst to receive, yet fail to allow others to give to me.

I thirst to give, but refuse to share with others the precious gift of
myself.


3. Jesus looked at his mother

and the disciple he loved and said,

“THIS IS YOUR SON,……THIS IS YOUR MOTHER”

Do we believe Jesus?

Do we take him at his word?

Do we love as Jesus commands?

Or are we selective in choosing whom to love?


Do we close our eyes, refusing to see that every child of God is special?


Do we pray one thing and do another?



4. Jesus cried out in a loud voice,

“FATHER, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT”

How often do we fail to act as God’s Spirit leads us?

Do we trust God to know what is best…….

Do we let God be God?

Do we only listen to what we want to hear?…..

Do we only turn to God as a last resort?

Do we allow ourselves to be loved by God?……

Do we resist his love?



5. They crucified him there, and the two criminals also, one on

the right and one on the left.

Jesus said,

“FATHER FORGIVE THEM; THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING”


For the times when we treat others with disrespect…….


“Father forgive us, we know not what we do”

For abortions and neglect of human rights…….

“Father forgive us, we know not what we do”

For starving people and refugees…….

“Father forgive us, we know not what we do”

For neglecting the homeless…….

“Father forgive us, we know not what we do”

For using physical or verbal violence immorally…….

“Father forgive us, we know not what we do”

For thinking, “Its not my problem…….”

“Father forgive us, we know not what we do”



6. He said,

“IT IS FINISHED”

God’s love and care has been expressed in the sacrifice of his son.

God has paid the price we could not pay, forgiveness of sin, restored
justice and shown mercy.

We can accept God’s love, live by his love and follow his will.

We can work with God, be healed by his power.

Be at one with him.

We are free.


7. The good thief said, “Remember me, when you come into your Kingdom.”

Jesus said to him,

“INDEED, I PROMISE YOU, TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE.”


Jesus triumphed over sin and has promised that :


He will come to those who welcome him.

He will be with us until the end of time.

He will not leave us orphans.

The King of Kings, our Lord and God will lead us safely to be with him
forever in Paradise.

Prayer to Jesus on the Cross
O Jesus, for how many ages have you been on the Cross and yet people pass by
in utter disregard of you except to pierce once again your Sacred Heart. How
often have I passed you by, heedless of your overwhelming sorrow, your
countless wounds, you infinite love. How often have I stood before you, not
to comfort and console you, but to offend you by my conduct or neglect of
you, to scorn your love.
You have stretched out your hands to comfort me, and I have seized those
hands - that might have consigned me to h ell - and have bent them back upon
the Cross, nailing them rigid and helpless to it. Yet I have only succeeded
in imprinting my name on your palms forever. You have loved me with an
infinite love and I have taken advantage of that love to sin all the more
against you. Yet my ingratitude has only succeeded in piercing your Sacred
Heart and causing your Precious Blood to flow forth upon me.

O Jesus, let your Blood be upon me, not for a curse, but for a blessing.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world. Have mercy on me. Amen.

Divine Mercy Prayers
The Miracle Prayer

Lord Jesus, I come before You just as I am. I am sorry for all my sins. I
repent of my sins, please forgive me. In Your name, I forgive all others for
what they have done against me. I renounce Satan, the evil spirits and all
their works. I give You my entire self, Lord Jesus, now and forever. I
invite You into my life Jesus. I accept You as my Lord, God and Saviour.
Heal me, change me, strengthen me in body, soul and spirit. Come Lord Jesus,
cover me with Your Precious Blood and fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I love
You Lord Jesus. I Praise You Jesus. I Thank You Jesus. I shall follow You
every day of my life. Amen. Mary my Mother, Queen of Peace, all the Angels
and Saints, please help me. Amen

Three O'Clock Prayer to the Divine Mercy

You expired, O Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls and an
ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable
Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us. O
Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of
mercy for us, I trust in You. Amen

Prayer to the Divine Mercy

O Lord, behold here before You a soul who exists in this world in order to
allow You to exercise Your admirable MERCY and manifest it before heaven and
earth. Others may glorify You through their faithfulness and perseverance,
thus making evident the power of Your grace. How sweet and generous You are
to those who are faithful to You!

Nevertheless, I will glorify You by acquainting others of Your goodness to
sinners and by reminding them that Your MERCY is above all malice, that
nothing can exhaust it, and that no relapse, no matter how shameful or
criminal, should allow the sinner to despair of forgiveness.

I have offended You grievously, O Beloved Redeemer, but it would be still
worse if I were to offend You by thinking that You were lacking in goodness
to forgive me. I would rather He deprive me of everything else than the
TRUST I have in Your Mercy.

Should I fall a hundred times or should my crimes be a hundred times worse
that they actually are, I would continue to trust in Your MERCY. Amen

Prayer for Mercy for the Dying

O merciful Jesus, lover of souls, I beseech You, by the agony of Your Most
Sacred Heart and by the sorrows of Your Immaculate Mother, wash clean in
Your Blood the sinners of the whole world who are now in their final agony,
but especially those on their way to eternal damnation and who are to die
this day. Heart of Jesus who suffered death's agony, I beg You have mercy on
these poor souls. Amen

Prayer for Mercy for the Souls in Purgatory

Eternal Father, I offer You the most precious blood of Your Divine Son,
Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the
holy souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the
universal church, for those in my own home and within my own family. Amen

Divine Mercy Prayer for Homeless Children

Eternal Father .... reach out with Your tender love and mercy, to those
pitiful children who wander the streets at night .....
with Your unfathomable love and mercy, bring them back to their families, or
to a home You choose for them.

Jesus .... through Your Divine Mercy enable us to help these poor children,
with our deeds and with our prayers.

Holy Spirit .... lead many to reach out in love to poor children in
distress.

Mother Mary .... send out Your mother's love to those poor children who have
never really known the love and tenderness of an earthly mother.

We unite this prayer with all the prayers of Divine Mercy offered to the
Eternal Father this day for the lonely, distressed and the homeless children
and people of the world. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen

Prayer for the Release of a Loved One from Alcohol or Drug Addiction Through
the Divine Mercy and Love of Jesus

Lord Jesus, I put myself into Your hands this day. I ask You, with all my
heart, to cure the terrible addiction to alcohol (drugs) in (name the
person). Create in them an intolerance for alcohol (drugs) that will prevent
them ever offending those who love them again. And grant their loved ones
the grace to forgive them for all the hurt they have caused. Through the
Divine Mercy and blood of Jesus, I also pray that they will be healed of all
withdrawal symptoms of this terrible affliction. I sincerely ask this, in
the name of Jesus. Amen

Divine Mercy for the Physically and Sexually Abused

Divine Mercy I beg of You to protect all those helpless children who are
physically and sexually abused, especially by those whose duty it is to
guide and protect them on earth. Send Your enveloping cloak of Mercy and
wrap it around those poor children and enfold them in Your love and
protection. Send forth Your rays of blood and water to cleanse and renew the
souls of those who perpetrate these vile acts of satan. Let there be a way
to get Your powerful Image of Divine Mercy into the homes of these sad
families, from where graces will flow as You promise, and they shall be
renewed. O Blood and Water which gushed from the heart of Jesus as a fount
of Mercy for us, we trust in You. Amen

Divine Mercy for the Unborn

For all the helpless little children who die in the womb of their mother, I
pray that all of these little souls will be given eternal life by Our Lord
Jesus Christ, through His Divine Mercy and I beg Jesus that I be allowed to
spiritually baptize a little souls born dead and I do so by saying: I
baptize you (give a name, preferably a saint's name) in the name of The
Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit ....
"I have called you by your name, you are mine" (Is. 43:1)

Prayer For A Lonely Soul

Jesus, Friend of a lonely heart, You are my haven, You are my peace. You are
my salvation, You are my serenity in moments of struggle and amidst an ocen
of doubts. You are the bright ray that lights up the path of my life. You
are everything to a lonely soul even though it remains silent. You know the
weaknesses and You comfort and heal, sparing us sufferings. Amen

Divine Mercy Direct Me

Eternal God, Goodness itself, whose mercy is incomprehensible to every
intellect, whether human or angelic, help me, your feeble child, to do Your
holy will as You make it known to me. I desire nothing but to fulfill God's
desires. Lord, here is my soul and my body, my mind and my will, my heart
and all my love. Direct me according to Your eternal plan. Amen.

May you receive Easter Joy coming soon.. He will rise again! Hoping your
Lent was meaningful and brought you closer to Jesus.