It is important to remember that different can be better. Lord, as I resist change
and cling to the familiar, help me to remember that Your plan is perfect and will
truly make me happy.
Scripture for the day:
I am the LORD, your God, who grasp your right hand; It is I who say to
you, "Fear not, I will help you." Fear not, O worm Jacob, O maggot Israel;
I will help you, says the LORD; your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
~Isaiah 41:13-20
Jesus said to the crowds: "Amen, I say to you, among those born of women
there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the
Kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ~Matthew 11:11-15
Meditation for the day:
In today's first reading the Lord speaks in terms of endearment and tells
us not to fear, that He will help us. In the Gospel He tells us that the
least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than John the Baptist. We can
relax in His protection and be challenged by our exalted position. God is
with us always to protect and help us. We are called to do His will.
Prayer for the day:
I pray that I may rely on the Lord's help. I pray that I may not fear,
but that I may follow the Lord's call to do His will in my life.
Hello my friends! How was your day today? I worked at Lori's all day, we went out to lunch and it was a nice buffet, wonderful and Lori paid, more wonderful! I had barbequed chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy and some green beans, it was a Pizza Ranch, so we also had pizza. Then after work we all (Linus, Lori and I) went shopping after paying for a membership at Sam's Club. They expanded and we wanted to see the new store. They don't have much organic foods in there, though, I was disappointed, but I stocked up on paper products - their organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil was half of what I pay at our Good Earth Food Coop. So that was a good buy, we did buy some coffee there that wasn't organic, but half price from our other store, too. Here's where we will be buying food for the Christmas party Linus is having for Northern Tool Jan. 2nd. They are paying him to have the party.
They just didn't have much money to spend for renting a place etc. but here it will go over well.
This might be our last Christmas here - sad thought, but maybe a reality. We just follow Our Lord to where He leads us. He wants us to be happy, I know.
It was so much fun shopping with Lori after work too - we went to Kohl's and got some Christmas gifts.
Homily of the Day
December 10, 2010
God´s Laws: A Burden or a Blessing?
by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.
Is 48:17-19 / Mt 11:16-19
We Americans aren’t noted for our fondness for rules and regulations. Anything that even hints of restraints on our freedoms engenders instant hostility and opposition. Today’s gospel suggests that we’re not alone in this aversion to being told what to do and how to live, no matter how gently or wisely it is done.
Jesus came, not to impose another set of rules, but to help us understand that there’s only one way of living that really works, only one way of living that will fill all our hearts desires by putting us at peace with God and one another. But, no matter what Jesus said or how he said it, far too many of his listeners resisted him. If he said “black”, they’d say “white”, and the sniping was continual.
In today’s reading from Isaiah, the Lord pleads with us. “If you would hearken to my commandments, your prosperity would be like a river.” God’s commandments aren’t a kind of arbitrary obstacle course that we have to survive in order to arrive at the promised land. They simply tell us how to live if we want to be happy and live in peace.
The commandments are God’s gift to us. They have in them an inner truth, and they give us a road map to true freedom.
Listen to that inner truth, find a deeper wisdom, and be free.
The U in Jesus
Before U were thought of or time had begun,
God even stuck U in the name of His Son.
And each time U pray, you'll see it's true
You can't spell out JesUs and not include U.
You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name,
For U, He was born; that's why He came.
And His great love for U is the reason He died.
It even takes U to spell crUcified.
Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand
He rose from the dead, with U in His plan.
The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew,
and this word resUrrection is spelled with a U.
When JesUs left earth at His upward ascension,
He felt there was one thing He just had to mention.
"Go into the world and tell them it's true
That I love them all -
Just like I love U".
So many great people are spelled with a U,
Don't they have a right to know JesUs too?
It all depends now on what U will do,
He'd like them to know
But it all starts with U.
CHRISTMAS:
1ST CORINTHIANS 13 STYLE
If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows,
strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls,
but do not show love to my family,
I'm just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen,
baking dozens of Christmas cookies,
preparing gourmet meals
and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime,
but do not show love to my family,
I'm just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen,
carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity,
but do not show love to my family,
it profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes,
attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata
but do not focus on Christ,
I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn't envy another's home
that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way.
Love doesn't give only to those
who are able to give in return
but rejoices in giving to those who can't.
Love bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
endures all things.
Love never fails.
Video games will break,
pearl necklaces will be lost,
golf clubs will rust.
But giving the gift of love will endure.
author unknown
Sandpaper
When you have to put up with mean people
Think of them as sandpaper.
They may scratch you,
Rub you the wrong way
But eventually...
YOU end up smooth & polished.
And the sandpaper...?
It´ll be worn out & ugly!
Makes you think, doesn´t it?
Never lose sight of who you are,
because you are the best thing
God ever created!
Embrace the gift.
Good night everyone - hope you all have a good weekend with no snow. We are having a snow storm tomorrow! Good thing we don't have plans, but Lori is planning a birthday party and doesn't know how many can come. Enjoy the Gift of God's Day.
Closing prayer:
Advent Prayer
God of power and mercy, open our hearts in welcome.
Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy,
so that we may share His wisdom and become one
with Him when He comes in glory,
for He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Prayer for Good Health
Blessed are You, the Lord our God,
King of the Universe,
Who fashioned man with wisdom
And created within him many openings and cavities.
It is obvious and known before Your Throne of Glory
That if but one of them were to be ruptured,
Or but one of them were to be blocked
It would be impossible to survive and stand before You.
In the merit of my appreciation for Your wondrous works,
May You grant me good health and long life.
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