Community Chat

[gloriajean]

God gives abundantly to those who pass His gifts on to others. Lord, let
Your blessings flow in to me and then out from me. I will neither be selfish
nor let my gifts stagnate.


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

"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the
things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set
their minds on the things of the Spirit." ~Romans 8:5

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

God can draw us all closer to God in the bonds of the spirit. God
would have all people drawn closer to each other in the bonds of the
spirit. God, the great spirit of the universe, of which each of our
spirits is a part, wants unity with God and all God's children.
"Unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace." Each experience of our
life, of joy, of sorrow, of danger, of safety, of difficulty, of
success, of hardship, of ease, each can be accepted as part of our
common lot, n the bonds of the spirit.

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

I pray that I may welcome the bonds of true fellowship. I pray that I
may be brought closer to unity with God and other people.

Greetings to all my friends!! Hope you all had a great Sunday today!! We had to miss Mass today because of our being gone all day, and the plans on going to the Cathedral tonight at 6 fell through because of snowing and icy roads. So that was a bummer!! It was so nice to see my sisters again. We stopped at the store first and bought some cute musical cards for them and a cyclamen plant for each of them. The lunch was spaghetti and meatballs, a good salad, cooked carrots, and rhubarb dessert - which had an over the hill big candle in the middle!! Had a nice couple of hours with them, then went on our way for shopping at Costco and Trader Joe's. That place is an hour's drive from home. Blessings today - seeing my sisters, all but Deil, who didn't want to drive today especially since she heard the snow was coming again, and Lori driving us always is a great blessing, and a safe trip home with the icy roads - she's a good driver! It sure seemed like a long trip being we had to drive slowly, but what a relief to be home safe and sound! Thanks be to God! Well, friends, Linus starts work at 7:30 AM tomorrow (Monday) and with this ice etc. please pray, also for the next 3 days he has long shifts! Counting on your prayers with mine!!



A Stradivarius Must Be Played
by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.

Dt 11:18, 26-28, 32 / Ps 31:2-3, 3-4, 17, 25 / Rom 3:21-25, 28 / Mt 7:21-27

A violin by the 18th century Italian luthier (maker of stringed instruments) Antonio Stradivari was once purchased by an investor. The man placed the instrument in an airtight vault and kept it there for 10 years expecting its value to dramatically increase during that time.

On the day of the auction, the violin was taken out of the vault and handed to the world’s greatest violinist to demonstrate its authenticity. The Stradivarius was tuned and the auction house became hushed to hear the notes of one of the finest violins in the world. But what came from the instrument was worse than the music from a cheap, beat up, children’s violin. The story has it that a Stradivarius will only reach its potential if it is played regularly and not simply kept hidden in a safe.

+ + +

In Sunday’s gospel, Jesus is calling us to do more with the precious gift of God given to us in the Sacraments.

Jesus explained to us the will of his Father in heaven. The Bible is dedicated to it. We have heard it in every Mass. The Church tries to clarify it for us in the Catechism. And God calls us to live it every day.Unfortunately, not everyone is going to actually follow the directions. Much like what our parents and teachers tried to teach us, we can not just pick and choose which directions we have been given.

We have to understand that doing the will of God is more than just having an episode where we “get saved.” We have to hear what Jesus tells us and then act on it.There is nothing wrong with the message those football fans regularly write on signs. But John 3:16 is part of Jesus’ point. You can declare that Christ is your Lord and Savior but if you fail to heed Jesus’ message in Matthew 7:21-27, you have not followed ALL the directions.

The very first Bible lesson I was ever taught was on building on rock or sand. Even at that young age, I clearly understood what Jesus was saying. Go and build at sand castle at the beach and you will quickly become an expert on Jesus’ message.

Jesus has given us some very clear directions on how to live. And it does not take an architect to understand his point. Each of us must do the will of the Father. Not some of his will. Not the parts of his we that are easy or popular or socially acceptable. This is an all or nothing statement.

And we can not hear the will of God and decide that if we stick it in the vault of our heart, it will not increase in value with time. Follow the directions daily and Jesus will not declare you to be an evildoer or a fool.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Clearing the Worry From My Mind

I cannot be afraid to be bold or worry about what others think of me.
The man born blind didn’t worry about the outcome of his case;
he stood up to the Jewish leaders and lectured them.
Pray this week to have that attitude and to trust God no matter what.

The Power of Holy Water
from the Autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila
1562 A.D.

"From long experience I have learned that there is nothing like holy water to put devils to flight and prevent them from coming back again. They also flee from the Cross, but return; so holy water must have great virtue. For my own part, whenever I take it, my soul feels a particular and most notable consolation. In fact, it is quite usual for me to be conscious of a refreshment which I cannot possibly describe, resembling an inward joy which comforts my whole soul. This is not fancy, or something, which has happened to me only once; it has happened again and again and I have observed it most attentively. It is let us say, as if someone very hot and thirsty were to drink from a jug of cold water: he would feel the refreshment throughout his body. I often reflect on the great importance of everything ordained by the Church and it makes me very happy to find that those words of the Church are so powerful that they impart their power to the water and make it so very different from water which has not been blessed."
"One night, too, about this time, I thought the devils were stifling me; and when the nuns had sprinkled a great deal of holy water about I saw a huge crowd of them running away as quickly as though they were about to fling themselves down a steep place."

"I will only describe something that happened to me one night of All Souls. I was in an oratory: I had said one nocturne and was repeating some very devotional prayers which follow it -- they are extremely devotional: we have them in our office-book -- when actually the devil himself alighted on the book, to prevent me from finishing the prayer. I made the sign of the Cross and he went away. I then began again and he came back. I think I began that prayer three times and not until I had sprinkled some holy water on him could I finish it. At the same moment I saw several souls coming out of purgatory: their time there must have been nearly up and I thought that perhaps the devil was trying to impede their deliverance."

Our Father - from God

My child who art on earth,
worried, lonely, tempted;
I know your name perfectly,
and I pronounce it to hallow it,
because I love you.
No, you are not alone, but lived in by me,
and together we are building the kingdom
which you are going to inherit.
I like you to do my will,
because my will is that you should be happy,
for the Glory of God
is a living human being.
Always count on me
and you will have bread for today;
do not worry,
I only ask that you should get used to
sharing it with your sisters and brothers.
You know that I forgive your trespasses
even before you commit them;
that is why I ask that you should do the same
to those who trespass against you.
So that you should never fall into temptation,
take my hand tightly
and I will deliver you from evil,
my poor dear child.

100 Truths About Jesus

Jesus came to die and destroy Satan's power - Heb. 2:14
Jesus came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets - Matt. 5:17
Jesus came to give life - John 10:10,28
Jesus came to taste death for everyone - Heb. 2:9
Jesus came to proclaim freedom for believers - Luke 4:18
Jesus claimed to be God - John 8:24; 8:56-59 (see Exodus 3:14);10:30-33
Jesus created all things - John 1:3; Col. 1:15-17
Jesus is before all things - Col. 1:17
Jesus is eternal - John 1:1,14;8:58
Jesus is honored the same as the Father - John 5:23
Jesus is prayed to - Acts 7:54-60
Jesus is worshipped - Matt. 2:2,8,11;14:33;28:9,17 John 9:35-37
Jesus is called God - John 1:1,14;20:28 Col. 2:9 Tit. 2:13
Jesus is omnipresent - Matt 28:20
Jesus is with us always - Matt. 28:20
Jesus is our only mediator between God and ourselves - 1 Tim 2:5
Jesus is the guarantee of a better covenant - Heb. 7:22;8:6
Jesus said, "I AM the Bread of Life" - John 6:35,41,48,51
Jesus said, "I AM the Door" - John 10:7,9
Jesus said, "I AM the Good Shepherd" - John 10:11,14
Jesus said, "I AM the Way the Truth and The Life" - John 14:6
Jesus said, "I AM the Light of the world" - John 8:12;9:5;12:46; Luke 2:32
Jesus said, "I AM the True Vine" - John 15:1;15:5
Jesus said, "I AM the Resurrection and the Life" - John 11:25
Jesus said, "I AM the First and the Last" - Rev 1:17;2:8;22:13
Jesus always lives to make intercession for us - Heb. 7:25
Jesus cleanses from sin - 1 John 1:9 -
Jesus discloses Himself to us - John 14:21
Jesus draws all men to Himself - John 12:32
Jesus forgives sins - Luke 5:20;7:48
Jesus gives eternal life - John 10:28;5:40
Jesus gives joy - John 15:11
Jesus gives peace - John 14:27
Jesus has authority - Matt. 28:18; John 5:26-27;17:2;3:35
Jesus judges - John 5:22,27
Jesus knows all men - John 16:30
Jesus opens the mind to understand scripture - Luke 24:45
Jesus received honor and glory from the Father - 2 Pet 1:17
Jesus resurrects - John 5:39;11:25-26;6:40,44,54
Jesus reveals grace and truth - John 1:17 see John 6:45
Jesus reveals the Father - Matt. 11:27 Luke 10:22
Jesus saves forever - Matt 18:11 John 10:28 Heb. 7:25
Jesus bears witness of Himself - John 8:18;14:6
Jesus' works bear witness of Himself - John 5:36;10:25
The Father bears witness of Jesus - John 5:37;8:18; 1 John 5:9
The Holy Spirit bears witness of Jesus - John 15:26
The multitudes bear witness of Jesus - John 12:17
The Prophets bear witness of Jesus - Acts 10:43
The Scriptures bear witness of Jesus - John 5:39
The Father will honor us if we serve Jesus - John 12:26 see Col. 3:24
The Father wants us to fellowship with Jesus - I Cor 1:9
The Father tells us to listen to Jesus - Luke 9:35; Matt. 17:5
The Father tells us to come to Jesus - John 6:45
The Father draws us to Jesus - John 6:44
Everyone who's heard & learned from the Father comes to Jesus - John 6:45
The Law leads us to Christ - Gal. 3:24
Jesus is the Rock - 1 Cor. 10:4
Jesus is the Savior - John 4:42 1 John 4:14
Jesus is King - Matt. 2:1-6 Luke 23:3
In Jesus are the treasures of wisdom and knowledge - Col. 2:2-3
In Jesus we have been made complete - Col. 2:10
Jesus indwells us - Col. 1:27
Jesus sanctifies - Heb. 2:11
Jesus loves - Eph. 5:25
We come to Jesus - John 5:40;7:37;6:35,37,45,65
We sin against Jesus - 1 Cor 8:12
We receive Jesus - John 1:12 Col. 2:6
Jesus makes many righteous - Rom 5:19
Jesus is the image of the invisible God - Heb. 1:3
Jesus sends the Holy Spirit - John 15:26
Jesus abides forever - Heb. 7:24
Jesus offered up Himself - Heb7:27;9:14
Jesus offered one sacrifice for sins for all time - Heb. 10:12
The Son of God has given us understanding - 1 John 5:20
Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith - Heb. 12:2
Jesus is the Apostle and High Priest of our confession - Heb. 1:3
The Son of God has given us understanding - 1 John 5:20
Jesus cleanses us from our sins by His Blood - Rev. 1:5; Rom. 5:9
Jesus is the Light of the world - John 9:5
Jesus has explained the Father - John 1:18
Jesus was crucified because of weakness - 2 Cor. 13:4
Jesus has overcome the world - John 16:33
Truth is in Jesus - Eph. 4:21
The fruit of righteousness comes through Jesus Christ - Phil. 1:11
Jesus delivers us from the wrath to come - 1 Thess 1:10
Disciples bear witness of Jesus Christ - John 15:27
Jesus died and rose again - 1 Thess. 4:14
The Christian dead have fallen asleep in Jesus - 1 Thess. 4:15
Jesus died for us - 1 Thess. 5:10
Jesus tasted death for everyone - Heb. 2:9
Jesus rendered the devil powerless - Heb. 2:14
Jesus is able to save completely - Heb. 7:25
Jesus was a ransom for many and to serve - Matt. 20:28
Jesus came to be a high priest - Heb. 2:17
Jesus came to save - John 3:17; Luke 19:10
Jesus came to preach the kingdom of God - Luke 4:43
Jesus came to bring division - Luke 12:51
Jesus came to do the will of the Father - John 6:38
Jesus came to give the Father's words - John 17:8
Jesus came to testify to the truth - John 18:37

YOU ARE MY LEANING POST
- by JEAN CONDER SOULE


You are my leaning post, dear Lord,
My shelter and my rock.
You open up the door for me
Each time You hear me knock.

All I need to do is ask
And You provide the way.
You hear me when I call You
The times I kneel to pray.

Thank You, Lord, for your great love,
Your comfort and Your care.
It's such a joy for me to know
I may seek and find You there.

The Love Of God

A certain medieval monk announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on "The Love of God."

As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered.

In the darkness of the altar, the monk lighted a candle and carried it to the crucifix.

First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound.

In the hush that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel.

There was nothing else to say.

- Source Unknown


1 John 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us.


1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Closing prayer:

Prayer For Growth in Love
Father, You have loved us from eternity without conditions.

Whether we are beautiful or plain, rich or poor, saintly or sinful,
makes no difference to You.

Why can't we be that way toward each other?

Why do we magnify each other's shortcomings and ignore the good features?

Help us to grow in love, a love that doesn't gloss over failings,
but one that accepts them and then goes on to stress what is good in all we meet,
what can be built on, to help the other person become fully himself or herself.

Then Lord, as we increase our ability to love as Jesus did,
we will come closer to the kingdom He preached. Amen.


Christopher News Notes, January 1999

Good night everyone - Sweet Dreams and may you all have a great start of another week - filled with God's many surprises! Have a good day and God bless you all!!