Community Chat

[gloriajean]

It is far wiser to ask God for what He thinks is good for us, than for what
we think is good for us. Lord, Your Will not mine be done.


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

"I believe; help my unbelief!" ~Mark 9:24

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

"I believe; help my unbelief!" This cry of the human heart is an
expression of human frailty. It signifies the soul's sincere desire for
progress. As we feel the existence of God and God's power, we can
believe in God more and more. At the same time, we can be more
conscious of our falling short of absolute trust in God. The soul's
progress is an increasing belief, then a cry for more faith, a plea to
conquer all unbelief, all lack of trust. We can believe that this cry
is heard by God and that this prayer is answered in due time. And so
our faith can grow, little by little, day by day.

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

I pray that with more power in my life will come more faith. I pray
that I may come to trust God more each day.

Greetings to you all! Hope you all had a very blessed Friday today. I did - Noon Mass at the Cathedral, saw Fr. Jerry! Nice visit just sitting in the living room with Linus talking over things. Fr. Jerry mentioned about the Praise and Worship Charismatic prayer meeting tonight at the Cathedral so we went and saw some of our old friends there whom we haven't seen in years! What a blessing. This couple - he plays the guitar and she the piano and both sing beautifully together and they lead the songs. It was so good seeing them again and visiting with them. They usually meet once a month but because Lent is coming they didn’t' schedule yet. Lori called when she landed and had a good flight. She called while waiting for Darla to pick her up - haven't heard anymore but I'm sure she's having a great time with her sister and Greg. Tomorrow (Saturday) they will show her Austin.
I am so grateful for all of you, my friends! You have no idea how much you have come to mean to me! You are all blessings from God!! Praise His Holy Name!

Homily of the Day


February 25, 2011


If You Want a Friend, Learn to Befriend
by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.
Sir 6:5-17 / Mk 10:1-12

The great question, “What is the purpose of my life?” can be answered with a single word: Communion, at-oneness with God and his great family. Communion doesn’t just happen, it is built. Doing that is our central life task, and there is no shortcut to it.

So how do we go about constructing this communion which our hearts so deeply desire? First of all, by facing the reality of our blessedness, the reality of how thoroughly unearned are the gift of life and all the other gifts that make our lives so remarkable. Thankfulness fills the heart of anyone who has really seen this truth, and with it comes the desire to respond and reply to the Giver. In that thankful response lie the roots of communion, first with the Lord and then with his people, for thankfulness begets love and love begets action: I have been befriended and now I must befriend in return.

Why are so many friendships so fleeting, so superficial, and so disappointing? Because they lack roots in genuine thankfulness. The hearts of too many of us stay turned inward and see the universe as centered there in that tiny barren space and not in the Father and Maker of us all. That was the folly of Adam and Eve, the pretense that they could be gods and wouldn’t need God anymore.

If you want a friend, look to the One who befriended you first. Plumb the depths of what he’s done for you and learn from him what love means. Learn to befriend as he befriends, and the communion you desire will be yours.

Real Love

Real love, loving as Jesus loved,
is not something that just happens to us.
Loving is a conscious choice,
an active discipline of letting go of our need
to impose our will on others
and becoming other-centered.

from Saints Off the Pedestal: Real Saints for Real People

The Beautiful Hands of a Priest

We need them in life's early morning,
We need them again at its close;
We feel their warm clasp of true friendship,
We seek them when tasting life's woes.
At the altar each day we behold them,
And the hands of a king on his throne
Are not equal to them in their greatness;
Their dignity stands all alone;
And when we are tempted and wander,
To pathways of shame and of sin,
It's the hand of a priest that will absolve us--
Not once, but again and again.
And when we are taking life's partner,
Other hands may prepare us a feast,
But the hand that will bless and unite us--
Is the beautiful hand of a priest.
God bless them and keep them all holy,
For the Host which their fingers caress;
When can a poor sinner do better,
Than to ask Him to guide thee and bless?
When the hour of death comes upon us,
May our courage and strength be increased,
By seeing raised over us in blessing--
The beautiful hands of a priest.

Author Unknown

Your work today
Is anyone happier because you passed this way?

Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today?

Can you say tonight, in parting with the day that is slipping fast,

That you helped a single person of the many that you passed ?

Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said?

Does the man whose hopes were fading, now in courage look ahead?

Did you leave a trail of kindness or a scar of discontent?

As you close your eyes in slumber, do you think that God will say,

You have earned one more tomorrow by the work you did today.

Author Unknown

KEYS FOR LIVING
Author Unknown

1. The best way to get even is to forget...

2. Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death...

3. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts...

4. Some folks wear their halos much too tightly...

5. Some marriages are made in heaven, but they ALL have to be
maintained on earth...

6. Unless you can create the WHOLE universe in 5 days, then perhaps
giving "advice" to God isn't such a good idea!

7. Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, and faith looks up...

8. Standing in the middle of the road is dangerous. You will get
knocked down by the traffic from both ways.

9. Words are windows to the heart.

10. A skeptic is a person who, when he sees the handwriting on the
wall, claims it's a forgery.

11. It isn't difficult to make a mountain out of a molehill just add a
little dirt.

12. A successful marriage isn't finding the right person-it's being
the right person.

13. The mighty oak tree was once a little nut that held its ground.

14. Too many people offer God prayers, with claw marks all over them.

15. The tongue must be heavy indeed, because so few people can hold
it.

16. To forgive is to set the prisoner free, and then discover the
prisoner
was you.

17. You have to wonder about humans, they think God is dead and Elvis
is alive!

18. It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just
be sure to flush when you are done.

19. You'll notice that a turtle only makes progress when it sticks out
its neck...

20. If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, you can
bet the water bill is higher.

And last but not least -- God gave the angels Wings, and He gave
humans CHOCOLATE.

"The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the
distance between your knees and the floor.

The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything."

You are richer today if you have laughed, given or forgiven.



Turn Around

You've wandered far from me my child,
In search of what you'd be.
But I've always followed close behind,
Turn around and look at me.

For all your struggle and your pain,
Just what have you achieved?
A life of worldly goods decayed,
Where nothing is believed?

I know it's hard to look at me,
Much like Adam in your sin;
But I call all children to my throne,
Not caring where you've been.

No, you weren't created perfect child,
And mistakes - you've made a few;
But my Son has borne them on the cross,
Do you doubt my word is true?

As He is mine eternally,
Through Him you are the same;
There is no need for fear or doubt,
No further need for shame.

Just cast your cares upon me,
And confess your sins complete;
That I may be our Father now,
And lift you to your feet.

Or is your pain so precious,
And the tears you've cried so sweet,
That you'd deny His wounded side,
The holes in His hands and feet?

By His blood you are made spotless,
By His body you're made free;
And My Love is waiting here My Child
Turn around now - reach for Me!
Author Unknown

Letter from God to Women Only


When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into
being.

When I created man, I formed him and breathed life into his
nostrils.

But you, woman, I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life
into man because your nostrils are too delicate. I allowed a
deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly
fashion you.

Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the
creativity.

From one bone, I fashioned you. I chose the bone that protects
man's life.

I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports
him, as you are meant to do. Around this one bone, I shaped
you. I modeled you, created you perfectly and beautifully.

Your characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate and
fragile.

You provide protection for the most delicate organ in man, his
heart. His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the
breath of life. The rib cage will allow itself to be broken
before it will allow damage to the heart.

Support man as the rib cage supports the body.

You were not taken from his feet, to be under him;
nor were you taken from his head, to be above him.

You were taken from his side, to stand beside him and be held
close to his side.

You are my perfect angel.
You are my beautiful little girl.
You have grown to be a splendid woman of excellence, and my eyes
fill when I see the virtues in your heart.

Your eyes... don't change them.

Your lips, how lovely when they part in prayer.
Your nose, so perfect in form.
Your hands, so gentle to touch.
I've caressed your face in your deepest sleep.
I've held your heart close to mine.
Of all that lives and breathes, you are most like me.

Adam walked with me in the cool of the day, yet he was lonely.

He could not see me or touch me. He could only feel me.
So everything I wanted Adam to share and experience with me,
I fashioned in you; my holiness, my strength, my purity,
my love, my protection and support.

You are special because you are an extension of me.
Man represents my image, woman my emotions.

Together, you represent the totality of God.

So men......treat women well.
Love her, respect her, for she is fragile.

Author Unknown

Closing Prayer:

Evening Prayer to God the Father
O eternal God and Ruler of all creation, You have allowed me to reach this hour. Forgive the sins I have committed this day by word, deed or thought. Purify me, O Lord, from every spiritual and physical stain. Grant that I may rise from this sleep to glorify You by my deeds throughout my entire lifetime, and that I be victorious over every spiritual and physical enemy. Deliver me, O Lord, from all vain thoughts and from evil desires, for yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen. (By Saint Macarius)

Good night everyone - Sweet Dreams to all and here's wishing you all a very joyous, peaceful and positive Saturday - Enjoy the Gift of God's Day!
Count your blessings! When you feel down about anything - remember that God is always with you, and He wants you happy, and to rely upon Him. Keep the Faith!
There are always blessings each day that He gives us.