To reach Heaven, we must sail. Sometimes we sail with the wind and sometimes
against the wind,
but we must sail, not drift or be anchored. Lord, Thy Will be done so that I
will stay on course all
the days of my life.
Scripture for the day:
"Prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on
the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. Like
obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had
in ignorance. Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in
all your conduct; for it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
~1 Peter 1:13-16
Meditation for the day:
No work is of value without preparation. Every spiritual work needs to have
behind it much spiritual preparation. If we cut short times and prayer and
times of spiritual preparation, many hours of work may be profitless. One
poor tool working all the time, but doing bad work because of lack of
preparation is of small value compared with the sharp, keen, perfect
instrument working for only a short time, but which turns out perfect word
because of long hours of spiritual preparation.
Prayer for the day:
I pray that I may spend more time alone with God. I pray that I may get
more strength and joy from such times, so that they will add much to my
work.
Hello my friends! Still thinking of that tragedy of yesterday, and thinking
of all our blessings - our everyday blessings we take for granted - and our
hearts go out to those who's families who were involved in the tragedy -
absolutely no words. God is with them, and this was none of God's doing,
men have free will - and some chose to use it for evil. Today's
blessings - Linus was able to go to work - last night's forecast predicted
very icy roads today - but so far so good. He gets home after 8:30
tonight - and I trust the roads will still be not bad. It's supposed to snow
again a few more inches. I feel blessed also that Lori stayed home today -
she was going to visit her God-child about an hour away, but chose not to
because of the roads. Better to be safe than sorry. Still praying hard for
Darla's healing - I feel so bad for her always in constant pain! But I
trust that she will be healed - in God's perfect timing.
No prayer goes in vain. And asking Mary to intercede is comforting - she
knows a mother's heart perfectly.
THE WINNER
Author Unknown
December 15, 2012
I was watching some little kids play soccer. These kids were only five or
six years old, but they were playing a real game - - a serious game _ two
teams, complete with coaches, uniforms, and parents. I didn't know any of
them, so I was able to enjoy the game without the distraction of being
anxious about winning or losing - I wished the parents and coaches could
have done the same.
The teams were pretty evenly matched. I will just call them Team One and
Team Two. Nobody scored in the first period. The kids were hilarious. They
were clumsy and terribly inefficient. They fell over their own feet, they
stumbled over the ball, they kicked at the ball and missed it but they
didn't seem to care. They were having fun.
In the second quarter, the Team One coach pulled out what must have been his
first team and put in the scrubs, except for his best player who now guarded
the goal.
The game took a dramatic turn. I guess winning is important even when you're
five years old -- because the Team Two coach left his best players in, and
the Team One scrubs were no match for them. Team Two swarmed around the
little guy who was now the Team One goalie. He was an outstanding athlete,
but he was no match for three or four who were also very good. Team Two
began to score. The lone goalie gave it everything he had, recklessly
throwing his body in front of incoming balls, trying valiantly to stop them.
Team Two scored two goals in quick succession. It infuriated the young boy.
He became a raging maniac -- shouting, running, diving. With all the stamina
he could muster, he covered the boy who now had the ball, but that boy
kicked it to another boy twenty feet away, and by the time he repositioned
himself, it was too late -- they scored a third goal.
I soon learned who the goalie's parents were. They were nice, decent-looking
people. I could tell that his dad had just come from the office -- he still
had his suit and tie on. They yelled encouragement to their son. I became
totally absorbed, watching the boy on the field and his parents on the
sidelines. After the third goal, the little kid changed. He could see it was
no use; he couldn't stop them.
He didn't quit, but he became quietly desperate futility was written all
over him. His father changed too. He had been urging his son to try harder -
yelling advice and encouragement. But then he changed. He became anxious. He
tried to say that it was okay - to hang in there. He grieved for the pain
his son was feeling.
After the fourth goal, I knew what was going to happen. I've seen it before.
The little boy needed help so badly, and there was no help to be had. He
retrieved the ball from the net and handed to the referee - and then he
cried. He just stood there while huge tears rolled down both cheeks. He went
to his knees and put his fists to his eyes - and he cried the tears of the
helpless and brokenhearted.
When the boy went to his knees, I saw the father start onto the field. His
wife clutched his arm and said, "Jim, don't. You'll embarrass him." But he
tore loose from her and ran onto the field. He wasn't supposed to - the game
was still in progress. Suit, tie, dress shoes, and all - he charged onto the
field, and he picked up his son so everybody would know that this was his
boy, and he hugged him and held him and cried with him. I've never been so
proud of a man in my life.
He carried him off the field, and when he got close to the sidelines I heard
him say, "Scotty, I'm so proud of you. You were great out there. I want
everybody to know that you are my son." "Daddy," the boy sobbed, "I couldn't
stop them. I tried, Daddy, I tried and tried, and they scored on me."
"Scotty, it doesn't matter how many times they scored on you. You're my son,
and I'm proud of you. I want you to go back out there and finish the game. I
know you want to quit, but you can't. And, son, you're going to get scored
on again, but it doesn't matter. Go on, now." It made a difference - I could
tell it did.
When you're all alone, and you're getting scored on - and you can't stop
them - it means a lot to know that it doesn't matter to those who love you.
The little guy ran back on to the field - and they scored two more times -
but it was okay.
I get scored on every day. I try so hard. I recklessly throw my body in
every direction. I fume and rage. I struggle with temptation and sin with
every ounce of my being - and Satan laughs. And he scores again, and the
tears come, and I go to my knees - sinful, convicted, helpless.
And my Father - my Father rushes right out on the field - right in front of
the whole crowd - the whole jeering, laughing world - and he picks me up,
and he hugs me and he says, "I'm so proud of you. You were great out there.
I want everybody to know that you are my son, and because I control the
outcome of this game, I declare you -- The Winner."
Mother Teresa Said...
Let's not live distracted lives.
Let us know ourselves so that we can better understand our brothers and
sisters.
If we want to understand those with whom we live, we need to understand
ourselves first of all.
Hello everyone!
Please watch...absolutely beautiful & very moving. Great Christmas spirit.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=Vnt7euRF5Pg&vq=medium">http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=Vnt...
You will make it to a PLACE called SUCCESS!
There is a CURVE called FAILURE,
A LOOP called CONFUSION,
SPEED BUMPS called FRIENDS,
RED LIGHTS called ENEMIES,
CAUTION LIGHTS called FAMILY,
And, you will have FLATS called JOBS.
BUT . . .
If you have a SPARE called DETERMINATION,
An ENGINE called PERSEVERANCE,
INSURANCE called FAITH,
And a DRIVER called JESUS,
You will make it to a PLACE called SUCCESS!
A Christmas Season Challenge
To all mankind, a challenge...
Is the reason for Christmas: Christ or Santa Claus?
Who does your children have visions about?
In whose existence do they really have doubts?
Do they believe in a man who promises gifts and toys,
Who knows all the names of the bad girls and boys?
Do they know the story of the prophetic virgin birth
or what Christ's coming meant to a truth-starved earth?
Ask them to tell you the story of Christ,
Of some of the miracles that was wrought through his life.
Then ask them about a man with a sleigh and reindeer.
To recite you the fiction they so often hear.
I'm sure they can tell you where Santa Claus lives
And about all the toys they say that he gives.
But can they tell you that Christ died for their sin?
How He no longer walks on earth, but now lives within?
When toys and presents will no longer suffice and
they face real problems in everyday life,
When your children despair and need a touch from on high...
And they really need Christ, to whom will they cry?
Then God asks this question and demands that you pause,
"Do they call unto ME, or to the myth Santa Claus?"
Advent Prayer
Lord God, may we, your people, who look forward
to the birthday of Christ experience the joy of salvation
and celebrate that feast with love and thanksgiving.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever. Amen.
+++++++Preparatory Novena for Christmas+++++++++
PRAYERS FOR A NOVENA FROM THE 16TH TO THE 24TH OF DECEMBER
I. Eternal Father, I offer to Thine honor and glory, for my eternal
salvation and for the salvation of the whole world, the mystery of the birth
of our Divine Redeemer.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in
the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
II. Eternal Father, I offer to Thine honor and glory, for my eternal
salvation and for the salvation of the whole world, the sufferings of the
most holy Virgin and Saint Joseph on that long and weary journey from
Nazareth to Bethlehem, and the anguish of their hearts at not finding a
place of shelter when the Saviour of the world was about to be born.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
III. Eternal Father, I offer to Thine honor and glory, for my eternal
salvation and for the salvation of the whole world, the sufferings of Jesus
in the manger where He was born, the cold He suffered, the tears He shed and
His tender infant cries.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
IV. Eternal Father, I offer to Thine honor and glory, for my eternal
salvation and for the salvation of the whole world, the pain which the
Divine Child Jesus felt in His tender Body, when He submitted to the rite of
circumcision: I offer Thee that Precious Blood which He then first shed for
the salvation of all mankind.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
V. Eternal Father, I offer to Thine honor and glory, for my eternal
salvation and for the salvation of the whole world, the humility,
mortification, patience, charity and all the virtues of the Child Jesus; I
thank Thee, I love Thee, and I bless Thee infinitely for this ineffable
mystery of the Incarnation of the Word of God.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
V. The Word was made flesh;
R. And dwelt amongst us.
Let us pray.
O God, whose only-begotten Son hath appeared in the substance of our flesh;
grant, we beseech Thee, that through Him, Whom we acknowledge to have been
outwardly like unto us, we may deserve to be renewed in our inward selves.
Who liveth and reigneth with Thee for ever and ever. Amen.
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who devoutly take part in
the pious exercises of a public novena before the Feast of Christmas.
Advent – The Time for our Spiritual Awakening
by Sr. Maximiliana Kroczak, CSMJ
Alive but Asleep
Advent is the time of a call from God to wake up because man sometimes falls
asleep during his life. A sleep, unlike natural sleep, he may never wake up
from but continues to sleep for evermore. Let us look into this worrying
sleep as described in the gospel of Saint Paul, “For you it is the time now
to rise up from your long sleep”.
St. Paul explains that this sleep means you drift away from what is right
and moral in your life. You find yourself maybe drinking to excess, lying
with ease, taking part in malicious gossip, being envious of those with more
than you or only doing things that are beneficial to you.
The only connection this sleep has with the natural sleep is the moral
collapse of your conscience into unconsciousness. Natural sleep renews your
physical strength. This sleep destroys your moral strength and that which is
most important in man and keeps him from being selfish, self serving,
egotistical, and uncaring.
The Advent Call
The awakening finds its fulfilment by making us aware of the good that we
can do, awaking us to the fact that we are not the ultimate in life. We are
just part of humanity and our neighbour’s life is as important as our own.
In this awaking we learn that only God can fulfil the human heart and
satisfy all our needs and longings. The advent cry of awake or wake up is
calling us to commit to a new beginning to renew ourselves in the faith,
with total acceptance of God’s laws for living our life. We must accept from
the Lord the challenges that life brings, the sacrifices as well as gifts.
I stand at the door and knock
Advent’s goal is to create in us a healthy fear of sin so that we will not
miss the coming of the Lord and not to close ourselves off from Him. “I fear
that Christ will pass by me and I won’t invite Him to come close, and He may
never pass by me again” this was the great fear of Saint Augustine. For
Christ comes to man full of respect for his freedom. “Here I stand at the
door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come to
him and eat with him and he with Me”.
Advise of Blessed Fr. Michael Sopocko
“If at you are not awake and alert to advent or neglect it and don’t invite
Christ to come close to you in this time, then He may leave you alone. And
no one but Jesus is able to bring peace to you, and forgive you your sins”.
Keep Watch at all Times
It is worth remembering the three dimensions of Christian vigil which were
distinguished by Pope John Paul II in his appeal in Jasna Góra in June 1983.
His Appeal was directed to Our Lady. It is to spiritually renew the promises
given by Poland to Mary. At that time they sing a simple prayer, “I'm with
you, I remember you and I keep watch at all times”.
What does it mean to keep watch?
It means I try to be a person of conscience and do not ignore my conscience
or distort it. It means that I identify with what is good and do not blur
it. It means that I develop everything that is good in my life and try to
overcome all evil in myself.
Furthermore “to watch” means to respect your neighbour, to watch that you do
not close yourself off from other’s feelings and needs. I watch means to
love your neighbour, to be one with your neighbour. I watch means also that
you feel responsible for our common heritage namely, the faith. This defines
all of us, this obliges all of us. Let us not desire to defend the faith
only when it costs us nothing. The Holy Father spoke about Poland when he
was in Poland or about Ireland when he was in Ireland, but at all times he
was speaking to the whole world.
Live in the Name of Truth
A nation is only rich when it has faith and it is its people who make it
rich. It is made rich by its good people. It is made rich by all who live in
the name of truth, because truth inspires love, and love is necessary to
live by the faith.
The Season of Advent
The season of Advent truly moulds the meaning of the coming of Christmas. If
we only hear the message of this period, it will be lost on us for it means
something more than just a memory of this salvific event which took place in
Bethlehem just over two thousand years ago.
Most Decisive Moment for our Earth
For the Incarnation of God’s Son is not only a past historical event; it is
an event for all time. The meaning of Advent is that it was the most
decisive moment for our earth, an event that will have importance for all
time. This coming of Christ in the life of every one of us is important
while we await His glorious and definitive (final) coming. In fact the whole
of our Christian faith is “advent-al”. Even the Holy Gospel is in this
respect “unfinished”, waiting for the fulfilment. The last book, the book of
the Revelation ends with a passionate cry, “Marana tha” – come Lord Jesus,
come!
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