July 28, 2006
THE TRIB TIMES WILL RETURN NEXT WEEK, GOD WILLING (James 4:15).
(Rom 8:1-2) There is now therefore no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh. For the law of the spirit of life, in Christ Jesus, hath delivered me from the law of sin and of death.LINK: The Spiritual Life Is a Battle: Don’t Give Up!
FROM THE MAILBAG
VIA Jean Marie: The Devil and The Duck
There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was
given a slingshot to play without in the woods. He practiced in the
woods, but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged,
he headed back for dinner.
As he was walking back he saw Grandma's pet duck. Just out of impulse, he
let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head, and killed it. He
was shocked and grieved. In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood
pile, only to see his sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she
said nothing.
After lunch the next day Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the
dishes." But Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to
help in the kitchen." Then she whispered to him, "Remember the
duck?" So Johnny did the dishes.
Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and
Grand! ma said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make
supper." Sally just smiled and said," Well that's all right
because Johnny told me he wanted to help." She whispered again,
"Remember the duck?"
So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help.
After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's he finally
couldn't stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed that he
had killed the duck. Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug, and said,
"Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw
the whole thing. But because I love you, I forgave you. I was just
wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you."
Thought for the day and every day thereafter: Whatever is in your past,
whatever you have done -- and the devil keeps throwing it up in your face
(lying, debt, fear, hatred , anger, unforgiveness, bitterness, etc.)
whatever it is, you need to know that God was standing at the window and
He saw the whole thing, He has seen your whole life. He wants you to know
that He loves you and that you are forgiven. He's just wondering how long
you will let the devil make a slave of you.
The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness, He not
only forgives you, but He forgets - It is by God's Grace and Mercy that
we are saved.
The
Desert Fathers: sayings of the Early Christian Monks: Non-Judgement
2. A brother sinned and the presbyter ordered him to out of church. But
Besasarion got up and went out with him, saying 'I too, am a sinner.'
July 27, 2006
(1Th 5:17) Pray without ceasing.
LINK: "PRAYER WITHOUT CEASING" IS NECESSARY FOR ALL CHRISTIANS -St Gregory Palamas
TAKE A WALK INTO PRAYERFULNESS
by Mary Heaney
The door slammed behind me. My
heart pounded and I strode off, agitated, full of worries. I hardly
paid attention to where I was going. All I knew was that I had to move.
Soon I found myself saying, "Lord, help me; Lord help me." For more
than an hour I repeated this, finding solace in the repetitions.
Despite the disturbing thoughts, I
kept coming back to my short prayer and gradually felt a deep stillness
in my mind. This happened many years ago, and was my first experience
with what I call "prayer-walking."
It is easy to say, "When you are
troubled, turn to God in prayer." But it can be extremely difficult to
calm down. Physical movement helps bring the mental tranquility so
necessary to prayer. Even when we are not stressed, walking affords a
wonderful opportunity to think on spiritual values and seek God's
guidance.
Walking and prayer seem a natural
combination. Walking teaches regular relaxed breathing and sets the
stage for prayer. The rhythm of breathing and footsteps helps me focus
on a short prayer phrase such as "Lord, have mercy,"Holy Spirit
enlighten me" or simply "Thank you, Lord." It seems a paradox that, in
motion, we can "Be still, and know that I am God."
After several minutes, the mind
does float free. This is the time to converse with God, to ask for
blessings. Or suddenly an insight or a solution to a problem may
surface. Often I simply find that I can "let go and let God."
Holy men and women of all ages
combined walking with prayer. In the gospels, it seems Jesus and his
apostles walk continuously. Sure, it may have been their only means of
travel, but I think the walking made prayerfulness easier. In "The Way
of a Pilgrim," author Walter Ciszek walks all over Russia as he follows
Paul's admonition to "pray without ceasing."
Perhaps there is no greater joy
than walks in nature. A pine tree silhouetted against a cobalt blue
sky, white daisies tumbling across a green hillside, a robin singing
his spring song -- all reflect and reveal God. Many people walk daily
for fitness or to relieve stress.
Why not add spiritual fitness to these physical and emotional benefits of walking?
Connecting prayer with life's
ordinary activities was spontaneous in earlier times. The ancient Celts
of Ireland prayed when lighting the fire, spinning wool, planting seeds
-- still practiced in remote areas of the Orkney and Hebrides Islands.
In today's chaotic world, prayer-walking may help us recapture that blessing.
Mary Heaney, formerly of Willmar,
Minn., lives in Cumberland, Wis. She has been living with lung cancer
for four years and said, "The Mayo Clinic and prayer-walking have saved
my life."
The
Desert Fathers: sayings of the Early Christian Monks: Nothing Done For Show
24. A hermit said, 'When you flee from the company of other people, or
when you despise the world and worldlings, take care to do so as if it
were you who was being idiotic.'
The
Desert Fathers: sayings of the Early Christian Monks: Nothing Done For Show
23. A hermit said, 'If a man prepares for the next day, it cuts away the fruit of his spirit and leaves him dry.'
POPE BENEDICT XVI: "Lord, free us from all evil and grant us peace; not tomorrow or the day after, grant us peace today!"
VATICAN NEWSPAPER: "Cease-fire Immediately"
CATHOLICS PRAY FOR PEACE IN MIDDLE EAST
Catholic churches across the Washington DC region responded Sunday
to Pope Benedict XVI's international call for prayers of peace in the
Middle East.
More than 1,100 worshippers
attended a noon Mass in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the
Immaculate Conception in Northeast that was celebrated by Archbishop of
Washington Donald W. Wuerl.
"Today we can all be justifiably
alarmed that the violence so visible in Lebanon and Israel is
qualitatively different from just a year ago because of a new level of
weaponry and the wider range of destruction," the archbishop said.
Archbishop Wuerl met Tuesday in the District with Cardinal Nasrallah P.
Sfeir, a leader of the Christian community in Lebanon. "We came
together to pray, to pray for our sisters and brothers in Lebanon, and
to pray that God's grace would touch the hearts of all of those who
have the power to bring an end to the suffering, the violence, the
division and hatred," Archbishop Wuerl said.
The pope asked followers Thursday
to implore from God the "precious gift of peace" and designated Sunday
as a day of prayer and penance for peace in the Middle East.
RELATED HEADLINES
Vatican announces special collection of funds for Lebanon
Maronite bishops call for ceasefire, humanitarian corridors in Lebanon
Bishop Offers Prayers for Mid-East Peace
Mounting civilian deaths prompt calls for ceasefire
Catholic relief agencies respond with aid, fight fear on both Mideast conflict fronts
The
Desert Fathers: sayings of the Early Christian Monks: Nothing Done For Show
20. She also said, 'The same thing cannot at once be seed and a
full-grown bush. So men with a worldly reputation cannot bear heavenly
fruit.'
July 21, 2006
THE TRIB TIMES WILL RETURN NEXT WEEK, GOD WILLING (James 4:15).TIMELY REMINDER: Catechesis of Fasting
POPE MAKES FRESH MIDEAST PEACE CALLThe
Desert Fathers: sayings of the Early Christian Monks: Nothing Done For Show
19. Syncletica said, 'An open treasury is quickly spent; any virtue
will be lost if it is published abroad and is known about everywhere.
If you put wax in front of a fire it melts; and if you pour vain
praises on the soul it goes soft and weak in seeking goodness.'
July 20, 2006
(Pro 3:5-6) Have confidence in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not upon thy own prudence. In all thy ways think on him, and he will direct thy steps.
FROM THE MAILBAG
VIA Jim McCrea: Trust the Lord
There was a scene in the movie "The Hunt for Red October" where a torpedo was fired at their submarine.
The captain orders the sub to head towards the oncoming torpedo and move at full speed.
Now that seems to make no sense, because it seems as if in that situation, one should be escaping from the torpedo.
But the crew trusts the captain.
When the sub hits the torpedo, the torpedo simply bursts apart without detonating, leaving the sub unharmed.
The captain explains that he did what he did because the detonator of
the torpedo was on a timing mechanism, and he ran the sub into it
before it had a chance to arm itself.
In light of such a "parable" we should always trust the Lord, no matter what happens in our lives.
Often the Lord takes us along a path that seems to lead away from our happiness and well-being.
Sometimes it makes no sense, but we have to trust the Lord.
But in the end, when the situation turns out well, we can see the
wisdom of the Lord in bringing us along that path, for often what we
were denied, which we desired, would bring great calamity, and the
course that God sets for us, brings us to a great blessing.
VIA Holy Souls: The Joy of the Lord is my Strength.
Joy is our ticket through life. It's what we should strive for. It's
difficult and sometimes just about impossible, but if we can approach
every aggravation with a smile, if we find happiness in each struggle,
if we transcend gloominess, we place shields around us. Joy is the halo
of brightness that plows through darkness.
How can we possibly be happy through the trials on earth?
Upon clinical "death," said a person who had a near-death experience,
one of the first lessons was that "there is a reason for everything
that happens, no matter how awful it appeared in the physical realm."
In Heaven, nothing on earth seems like such a big deal. Great suffering
is little in terms of eternity. When we die, we'll say, "Of course!" or
"I should have known!" as we review those things that were learning
experiences but once seemed like tragedies. It is the harmony with
God's laws that gives us purpose and joy.
"It is always springtime in the heart that loves God," the Cure of Ars
declared. And he spoke from experience. We get this from the marvelous
book, A Bedside Book of Saints.
"The soul of one who serves God," said St. John of the Cross, "always
swims in joy, always keeps holiday, and is always in a mood for
singing"!
Joy chases away evil. Look at how radiant John Paul II was right to the end!
"Laugh and grow strong," was a saying from St. Ignatius.
St. Teresa prayed to be delivered from "sour-faced saints."
Joy heals. Joy sweeps away pessimism. Joy transcends the little trials we each encounter each week and sometimes every hour.
Joy calls your soul to heal your body, over which it rules. Even death
should not daunt us. "The perfect love of God," said St. John of the
Cross, "makes death welcome and most sweet to the soul."
Perfect love casts out fear and it is fear that so often robs us of joy!
Everything that happens does so for a purpose, and God is in charge; truly, He is everywhere. He knows your smallest discomfort.
During tribulation, the saints were happier yet because tribulation brings us closer to God. There is joy in everything!
Fighting evil? "They wage war on the devil as though they were amusing
themselves," said Chrysostom of monks in his time. "They have no
sadness."
What were some names of the early monasteries? "The Bright Place." "The Delights." "The Gate of Heaven." "The Happy Meadow."
Can you smile in difficulty? Can you be happy when everything is going
wrong? Can you be glad even when your schedule has been upset?
Be generous. Be full of love. Joy is the measure of our generosity. And
it makes life what it should be: a trial, yes, a fight against evil,
but one with such a happy ending if we serve Christ that we rise above
any sorrow of this passing world with the delight of God's love.
THE TRIB TIMES WILL RETURN NEXT WEEK, GOD WILLING (James 4:15).
(Jer
31:15-17) Thus saith the Lord: A voice was heard on high of
lamentation, of mourning, and weeping, of Rachel weeping for her
children and refusing to be comforted for them, because they are not.
Thus saith the Lord: Let thy voice cease from weeping, and thy eyes
tears: for there is a reward for thy work, saith the Lord: and they
shall return out of the land of the enemy. And there is hope for thy
last end, saith the Lord: and the children shall return to their own
borders.
LINK: There Is Hope After Abortion- Project Rachel USA
The everlasting God has in His wisdom foreseen from eternity the cross that He now presents to you as a gift from His inmost heart. This cross He now sends you He has considered with His all-knowing eyes, understood with His divine mind, tested with His wise justice, warmed with loving arms and weighed with His own hands to see that it not be not one inch too large and not one ounce too heavy for you. He has blessed it with His holy name, anointed it with His grace, perfumed it with His consolation, taken one last glance at you and your courage and then sent it to you from heaven, a special greeting from God to you, an alms of the all-merciful love of God
-Saint Francis de Sales
The
Desert Fathers: sayings of the Early Christian Monks: Nothing Done For Show
July 12, 2006
VATICAN RADIO: Tensions Rise in Holy LandThe
Desert Fathers: sayings of the Early Christian Monks: Nothing Done For Show
(Deu
30:19) I call heaven and earth to witness this day, that I have set
before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Choose therefore life,
that both thou and thy seed may live:
POPE BENEDICT XVI: "At the origin of every human being there is not something haphazard or chance, but a loving plan of God."
HEADLINE: Director of Priests for Life requests prayers for abortion practitioners
MORE: Chapel of unborn provides comfort
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE, Protectress of the Unborn- A Prayer for Abortion Victims
RELATED: The following prayer was given to Barnabas Nwoye (1) by Jesus.
PRAYER FOR THE BAPTISM OF ABORTED BABIES (29 July 1998)
(Jesus said: "Today the blood of innocent children has filled Heaven.
Their number is too great, too great; the wrath of the Eternal Father
is about to fall on mankind -- Their blood disturbs My Agonizing Heart
and increases My agony --- Through this prayer, large numbers of
innocent unborn babies will be saved; pray it daily and make it known
to the world. Anyone who teaches it will not be lost. Innocent souls in
Heaven will not let them become lost. I, with My Love and Mercy, will
protect them from falling into mortal sin.")
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Your love is eternal. In Your ocean of love, You saved
the world through Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Now look at
Your only Son on the Cross Who is constantly bleeding for love of His
people, and forgive Your world. Purify and baptize aborted children
with the Precious Blood and Water from the Sacred Side of Your Son, Who
hung dead on the Cross for their salvation, in the Name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. May they, through the Holy
Death of Jesus Christ gain everlasting life, through His Wounds be
healed, and through His Precious Blood be freed. There to rejoice with
the Saints in Heaven. Amen.
NIHIL OBSTAT:
Rev. Fr. Stephen Obiukwu Censor Deputatus Chairman, Doctrine and Faith
Committee Archdiocese of Onitsha, Anambra State 430001 NIGERIA
1st July, 1999.
IMPRIMATUR:
Ayo-Maria Atoyebi, O.P.
Bishop of Ilorin Diocese Ilorin, Kwara State 240001 NIGERIA
17th June, 2001.
Footnotes (1) The mystical occurrences of Barnabas Nwoye have yet-to-be-approved by the Church. www.preciousbloodinternational.com
The
Desert Fathers: sayings of the Early Christian Monks: Nothing Done For Show
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