Community Chat

[gloriajean]

Do not run ahead of the Lord, but walk with Him, pray for His guidance
and listen to His answers. Lord, let me put Your will first in my life.

Scripture of the day:

"Peace, peace, to the far and the near, says the LORD; and I will heal
them." ~Psalm 57:19

Meditation for the day:

When we look to God for strength to face responsibility and are quiet
before God, God's healing touch can cause the divine quiet to flow
into our very being. When in weakness we cry to God, God's touch can
bring healing, the renewal of our courage, and the power to meet every
situation and be victorious. When we faint by the way or are
distracted by feelings of inferiority, then we can rely on the touch
of God's spirit to support us on our way. Then we can arise and go
forth with confidence.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may lay myself open today to the healing touch of God.
I pray that I may not falter or faint by the wayside, but renew my
courage through prayer.

Greetings my friends!! How was your day? Mine was fine - it rained almost
all day so I didn't go out picking raspberries. Went to Mass and visiting
with friends after in the Gathering Place. Such a nice parish we belong to,
so friendly and caring. Today Georgia was here again and freshened up my
color and trimmed the hair - 25.00 in all! Can't beat her prices! And then
we had tea and sat in the patio watching the birds in the rain at the
feeders. She knows a lot about birds and loves them too like we do. Yay!
Linus is off now for 4 days again! He was really tired tonight after work,
he took a nap before having to go to the staff meeting which he is there
now. I printed the Coffee - Carrot - Egg story which I posted here before
because he asked me to - he wants to read it at the staff meeting! Glad I
could contribute a little bit. Sometimes he reads what I have in the inbox
from the list in the morning waiting to use for the thread. I put Darla on
all my prayer lines for all that is troubling her that causes her so much
stress. I count on His blessings for her - and I do hope she doesn't have
to wait too long. Thank you all for praying for her.





HOW TO RECEIVE FORGIVENESS

Everyone will receive forgiveness of sins if seven rules are followed. Those
who follow these seven rules will receive total redemption from sin by the
merit of crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
1.Resolve not to sin anymore
One has enjoyed pleasures of sin so far. Resolve to give up pleasures and
profits of sin. Evil intention comes from human heart. (Ref: Mark7:
21;Sirach37: 16,17). So, take the right decision in your innermost heart. It
will bring the right external actions.

2.Accept Jesus as Lord and Savior
Believe that Jesus has atoned for your sin. Jesus is the atoner and
atonement for your sin. (Ref: 1Tim.2: 6). Cleanse yourself of sin by the
blood of Jesus. (Ref: 1John1: 7). "Jesus has taken upon himself, the
punishment for sin, that was to be upon you." (Rom.8: 1). Accept Jesus as
Lord and Savior. In truth, this means to live only according to the
teachings and messages in the Bible.

3.Forgive your enemies
There are people who have worked or spoken against you. Forgive them. Your
sins will be forgiven. (Ref: Matt.6: 14,15). Always pray that the Holy
Spirit may come upon your enemies and that they may be more blessed than
you. Love them from your heart, and then your forgiveness will be complete.

4.Lead a holy life today and in future
The best atonement for a sinful past is a holy present and future. (Ref:
John8: 11). Try to lead a holy life today and in future as a penance for all
your past sins. God demands only that much as a penance of our sins and to
forgive all our past iniquities. A holy future is the penance of an unholy
past.

5.Evangelization
"My brothers and sisters, if any one among you wanders from the truth and is
brought back by another, you should know that whoever brings back a sinner
from wandering will save the sinner's soul from death and will cover a
multitude of sins." (James5: 19,20).
One should use one's wealth, influence, power and time to bring back those
who have moved away from Jesus or true faith. Helping the poor orphans,
sick, aged and prisoners are included among the works of evangelization.
Interceding for others is the best way of evangelization. Fasting and alms
giving cleanse one of all sins. (Ref: Tobit12: 8,9). Tithing of time,
talents and treasure is also considered as a means of evangelization.

6.Restitution
If you have damaged somebody's property, fame and good name, you have to
restitute it as early as possible. Then you will get forgiveness of sin and
salvation. For example read Luke 19:1-10.

7.Confession
Why confess?

1. Confession is a sacrament. Sacrament means that which sanctifies one's
life. So confession helps a person to grow in holiness.
2. Confession bestows humility. Pride is the source of all sin.
3. Confession reconciles one with God and man. Confession is the Sacrament
of Reconciliation. (Ref: Luke15: 11-23).
4. Confession can be instrumental in physical healing.
5. Confession is the re-enactment of the Word of God - "Your sins are
forgiven" (Ref: Mark2:5). The priest is the representative of Jesus. Jesus
has given him the authority to forgive sins. (Ref: John20: 23). One is
filled with the Holy Spirit when he listens to the Word of God. (Ref:
Acts10:44-48).
6. Confession is a means to receive personal advice.
7. Confession is the final stage of forgiveness of sin for all Catholics.
That is a sealing prayer.
8. Finally, it is the rule of the Catholic Church that all Catholics should
make at least one confession in an year.
"I have swept away all your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like
mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you." (Is.44: 22)

Decide not to sin any more. Do not sin anymore. Pray earnestly that your
sins may be forgiven by the merits of the crucifixion of Jesus. Dedicate
your life to glorify God.

"The blood of Jesus, His son, cleanses us from all sin." (1John1: 7). Our
spirit is healed when we get forgiveness of sin. Reconciliation between man
and God is made possible through the sacrament of reconciliation. Grace is
received. The best atonement for a sinful past is to dedicate the future to
a holy life.
An explanation of confession is found in the letter to St James and in The
Gospel according to Matthew.
St James' epistle 5:16 says, "Therefore confess your sins to one another, so
that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and
effective."
St Matthew 3:6 says, "and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan,
confessing their sins."

Homily of the Day

October 12, 2011

Greetings from Mt. Olympus
by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.
Romans 2:1-11 / Lk 11:42-46

In today’s epistle reading, St. Paul could be describing any one of us. We
human beings seem to have an overwhelming compulsion to judge, whatever the
issue or the occasion may happen to be. As if we dwelt on the heights of Mt.
Olympus, we always have some judgment to offer, whether it’s our business or
not. And what we have to say is rarely positive.

Where does this need to judge come from? A lack of realistic self-knowledge
is what makes this kind of judging others possible, but the judging itself
comes straight out of ego, the need to make ourselves more by making our
neighbors less. Of course, it doesn’t work, because as St. Paul says, “By
your judgment you convict yourself, since you do the very same things.”

So what’s the remedy for this habit which is so persistent in so many of us?
The only place to start is with getting to know ourselves a lot better, and
facing up to our own sins, follies, and mistakes. There’s a lifetime of work
at transformation and conversion right there. No need to look outside. And
as we progress, we need to learn to take delight at each milestone along the
way, making no comparisons to anyone else. That’s the way that God looks at
us — all on our own, with no comparisons and no useless judgments.

There is one more thing that’s needed, and that is to begin to think like
God as we look at one another. In the place of those judgmental thoughts,
one question should run through our minds over and over: How can I support
you, my brothers and sisters, as you struggle to grow into all that God
wants and hopes for you? That question can free us from judging forever! And
it can open our hearts to joys we’ve never known — the joys of being
builders, just like God.

When I say . . . "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean living."
I'm whispering "I was lost,"
Now I'm found and forgiven.

When I say . . . "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say . . . "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
and need His strength to carry on.

When I say . . . "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
and need God to clean my mess.

When I say . . . "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say . . . "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain,
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say . . . "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
who received God's good grace, somehow.

(Maya Angelou)

When I Forget to Pray


Sometimes when things are going great I forget to Pray
Then in darkness I stumble and lose my way.

I open a closet where I have tucked Jesus in
I have to ask for Guidance to find my way Again

Once More a light begins to shine
I find Peace and Contentment in this troubled Life of Mine

He says My Child did you forget I am always here for you
To help with the bad times you go through

I am The Alpha and Omega The Beginning and The End
Child,I will not Forsake You,I am Your Best Friend.

Remember when you feel forsaken and you lose your way.
Just Bow Your Head and Open Up Your Heart

Don't Forget To Pray!

Rose Ballard

DON'T FORGET TO SMILE
Author Unknown


A little girl walked to and from school daily. Though the weather that
morning was questionable and clouds were forming, she made her daily
trek to the elementary school. As the afternoon progressed, the winds
whipped up, along with thunder and lightning. The mother of the little
girl felt concerned that her daughter would be frightened as she walked home
from school and she herself feared that the electrical storm might
harm her child.

Following the roar of thunder, lightning, like a flaming sword, would
cut through the sky. Full of concern, the mother quickly got into her
car and drove along the route to her child's school. As she did so,
she saw her little girl walking along, but at each flash of lightning,
the child would stop, look up and smile. Another and another were to follow
quickly
and with each the little girl would look at the streak of light and smile.

When the mother's car drove up beside the child she lowered the window
and called to her, "What are you doing? Why do you keep stopping?"

The child answered, "I am trying to look pretty, God keeps taking my
picture.

May God bless you today as you face the storms that come your way.

And don't forget to SMILE!

We Salute You, O Mary, Mother of God

We salute you, O Mary, Mother of God, treasure of the universe,
inextinguishable flame, crown of virginity, sceptre of the true Faith,
indestructible temple, and tabernacle of the One Whom the world cannot
contain. In your virginal womb you enclosed the Immense and Incomprehensible
One.
It is through you that the only-begotten Son of God, Who is light, shone
amid the nations who were seated in darkness and the shadow of death. What
human voice can ever worthily celebrate the ineffable greatness of Mary? She
is Mother and Virgin at the same time. Through her, peace has been restored
to the world. What peace? Our Lord Jesus Christ, Whom Mary has brought
forth!

- Saint Cyril of Alexandria

A Prayer For the Gift of Understanding

Lord Jesus Christ, grant me the gift of understanding. Help me to understand
the feelings of others, the desires of others, the goals of others. At the
same time, help me to understand myself in my actions and reactions. Widen
my vision beyond my own small world to embrace with knowledge and love the
worlds of others.

Help me, Lord, to always see you at work in my own life and in the lives of
others. Bless me with insight, acceptance and love that is tempered by you
who are all things to all men. Help me to understand, Lord.

Amen.

Good night everyone! May you all have a good night's sleep and sweet dreams!
May your tomorrow be blessed abundantly - Enjoy the Gift of God's Day!!