Community Chat

[gloriajean]

Listen carefully to the things you say. The advice we give
to others is often the best advice for us to follow. Lord, help
me to follow that which I know is right even when it is difficult.


Scripture for the day:

One of the scribes asked Jesus, 'Which commandment is the first of all?'
Jesus answered, "The first is, 'Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord
is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all
your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second
is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other
commandment greater than these." ~Mark 12:28-31

Meditation for the day:

The elimination of selfishness is the key to happiness and can only be
accomplished with God's help. We can start out with spark of God's spirit
but large amounts of selfishness. As we grow and come in contact with other
people, we can take one of two paths. We can become more and more selfish
and practically push out God's power and influence in our lives, or we can
become more unselfish and develop our spirituality until it becomes the most
important thing in our lives.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may grow more and more unselfish, honest, pure and loving.
I pray that I may take the right path this day and every day.

Hello my friends! Today's blessings started out with Mass - then a Senior
Citizen lunch in Church by a Committee in our Parish, it was so wonderfully
put on. Starting with our Choir organist at the piano playing Christmas
songs, and we all had the sheets to sing - and they all sang so well! Then
a dice game for gifts, etc. and cute Santa came - he had his own white
beard, but his outfit was so modern. A white hat with a red trim, a red
suit and white vest - he sure looked cute in that!! He gave everyone there a
package of peanuts and candy. Then the lunch was a sloppy joe sandwich,
baked beans and potato chips, lots of bars and cookies, and a former
pastor's birthday so we all got birthday cake too. Another blessing was
that being Linus had to work, I was offered a ride with another one of my
classmates, Shirley, who is Fr. Jerry's sister, and my cousin. It was such
a blessing to visit with her - so much to catch up with. She joined our
parish this year. What are your blessings? Come and share. Praying for
you all - thanks for your prayers for us.

ADVENT PRAYER

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming into the world to help us, whether Jew or
gentile, by offering us your wisdom. Thank you for coming to me today
through your word in Scripture, through your Body and Blood in the sacrifice
of the Mass.

I thank you, Lord, because through your holy will, through your only Son,
along with your Holy Spirit, you have created all things, both spiritual and
physical, making us in your own image and likeness.

You not only created us through your Son, but you redeemed us through him,
bringing him to birth, true God and true Man. Thank you for redeeming us
through his life and death. We can now look forward in hope to his Second
Coming in glory, when he will reward us all for our faithfulness. Amen.

Read, Learn and Enjoy

1 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish son grief to his mother.
2 Ill-gotten treasures are of no value,
but righteousness delivers from death.
3 The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry
but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
4 Lazy hands make a man poor,
but diligent hands bring wealth.
5 He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son,
but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
6 Blessings crown the head of the righteous,
but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.
7 The memory of the righteous will be a blessing,
but the name of the wicked will rot.
8 The wise in heart accept commands,
but a chattering fool comes to ruin.
9 The man of integrity walks securely,
but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.
10 He who winks maliciously causes grief,
and a chattering fool comes to ruin.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.
12 Hatred stirs up dissension,
but love covers over all wrongs.
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,
but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment.
14 Wise men store up knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.
15 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city,
but poverty is the ruin of the poor.
16 The wages of the righteous bring them life,
but the income of the wicked brings them punishment.
17 He who heeds discipline shows the way to life,
but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
18 He who conceals his hatred has lying lips,
and whoever spreads slander is a fool.
19 When words are many, sin is not absent,
but he who holds his tongue is wise.
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
but the heart of the wicked is of little value.
21 The lips of the righteous nourish many,
but fools die for lack of judgment.
22 The blessing of the LORD brings wealth,
and he adds no trouble to it.
23 A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct,
but a man of understanding delights in wisdom.
24 What the wicked dreads will overtake him;
what the righteous desire will be granted.
25 When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone,
but the righteous stand firm forever.
26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
so is a sluggard to those who send him.
27 The fear of the LORD adds length to life,
but the years of the wicked are cut short.
28 The prospect of the righteous is joy,
but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.
29 The way of the LORD is a refuge for the righteous,
but it is the ruin of those who do evil.
30 The righteous will never be uprooted,
but the wicked will not remain in the land.
31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
but a perverse tongue will be cut out.
32 The lips of the righteous know what is fitting,
but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.

We'll see

Once upon a time, there was a farmer in the central region of China. He
didn't have a lot of money and, instead of a tractor, he used an old horse
to plow his field.

One afternoon, while working in the field, the horse dropped dead. Everyone
in the village said, "Oh, what a horrible thing to happen." The farmer said
simply, "We'll see." He was so at peace and so calm, that everyone in the
village got together and, admiring his attitude, gave him a new horse as a
gift.

Everyone's reaction now was, "What a lucky man." And the farmer said, "We'll
see."

A couple days later, the new horse jumped a fence and ran away. Everyone in
the village shook their heads and said, "What a poor fellow!"

The farmer smiled and said, "We'll see."

Eventually, the horse found his way home, and everyone again said, "What a
fortunate man."

The farmer said, "We'll see."

Later in the year, the farmer's young boy went out riding on the horse and
fell and broke his leg. Everyone in the village said, "What a shame for the
poor boy."

The farmer said, "We'll see."

Two days later, the army came into the village to draft new recruits. When
they saw that the farmer's son had a broken leg, they decided not to recruit
him.

Everyone said, "What a fortunate young man."

The farmer smiled again - and said "We'll see."

Moral of the story: There's no use in overreacting to the events and
circumstances of our everyday lives. Many times what looks like a setback,
may actually be a gift in disguise. And when our hearts are in the right
place, all events and circumstances are gifts that we can learn valuable
lessons from.

As Fra Giovanni once said:

"Everything we call a trial, a sorrow, or a duty, believe me... the gift is
there and the wonder of an overshadowing presence."

author unknown

And Jesus Shed a Tear

At Christmas time there was a man,
who looked so out of place.
As people rushed about him,
at a hurried sort of pace.

He stared at all the Christmas lights,
the tinsel everywhere.
The shopping center Santa Claus,
with children gathered near.

The mall was packed with shoppers,
who were going to and fro.
Some with smiles, some with frowns,
and some too tired to go.

They rested on benches,
or they hurried on their way.
To fight the crowds for purchases,
to carry home that day.

The music from the stereo,
was playing loud and clear.
Of Santa Claus and snowmen,
and funny nosed reindeer.

He heard the people talk about,
the good times on the way.
Of parties, fun and food galore,
and gift exchange that day.

I'd like to know what's going on,
the man was heard to say.
There seems to be some sort,
of celebration on the way.

And would you tell me who this is,
all dressed in red and white.
And why are children asking "him"
about a special night.

The answer came in disbelief,
I can't believe my ear.
I can't believe you do not know,
that Christmas time is here.

The time when Santa comes around,
with gifts for girls and boys.
When they are asleep on Christmas Eve,
he leaves them books and toys.

The man you see in red and white,
is Santa Claus so sly.
The children love his joyful laugh,
and twinkle in his eye.

His gift packed sleigh is pulled along,
by very small reindeer.
As he flies quickly through the air,
while darting here and there.

The children learn of Santa Claus,
while they are still quite small.
When Christmas comes "he" is the most,
"important" one of all.

The stranger hung His head in shame,
He closed a nail pierced hand.
His body shook in disbelief,
He did not understand.

A shadow crossed His stricken face,
His voice was low but clear.
"After all these years they still don't know."
And JESUS shed a tear.

~ Author Unknown ~

WHY JESUS IS BETTER THAN SANTA CLAUS
Author Unknown

Santa lives at the North Pole ...

JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh ...

JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year ...

JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies ...

JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited ...

JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when
invited.

You have to wait in line to see Santa ...

JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap ...

JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or
girl, what's your name?" ...

JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He
knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even
knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly ...

JESUS has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO ...

JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says "You better not cry" ...

JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."

Santa's little helpers make toys ...

JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and
builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but ...

JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree ...

JESUS became our gift and died on a tree.

It's obvious there is really no comparison.

We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.

We need to put Christ back in CHRISTmas,

Jesus is still the reason for the season.

Yes, Jesus is better, he is even better than Santa Claus.

Wednesday is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadeloupe:

December 12th - Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe

1531, a lady appeared to Juan Diego in Tepeyac, near Mexico City; she
identified herself as the Mother of the True God, instructed him to have
Bishop-elect Zumarraga build a temple on the site and left an image of
herself imprinted miraculously on his tilma (a poor quality cactus-cloth,
which should have deteriorated within a few years but shows no sign of decay
nearly 500 years later). Less than 20 years later, 9 million pagans of the
land are converted to Christianity.

The origin of the name Guadalupe has always been a matter of controversy.
It is believed that Our Lady used the native Aztec-Indian Nahuatl word of
"coatlaxopeuh", which means "who crushes the serpent" (and it has an
interesting connection with Genesis 3:15 where it is indicated a women would
step on a serpent's head). It is pronounced "quatlasupe", and sounds
remarkably like the Spanish word "Guadalupe" (which is a name of a Spanish
village which is famous for it's veneration of Our Lady). The Aztecs were
awful pagans who would sacrifice women and children to their gods. It is
believed that Our Lady crushed this serpent in 1531.

The crescent moon in the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a symbol of the
evil serpent god that represented the Aztec pagans.

The original cloak of Juan Diego with the miraculous imprint. It is on
display in the Basillica of Guadalupe, Mexico.


Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!