G-Mans Journey

My First Friday Experience

2012-02-10T05:19:00.002-05:00

Last week I finally attended a First Friday mass. Truly an amazing experience for the adoration of the blessed sacrament along with the benediction. For me it was powerful and brought me to a level of inner peace I have not felt for a long time.
It was truly a unique experience at this parish as the mass was said in English, Polish and for good measure some Latin. It was unique because with the different cultures and languages involved we were all one together with the Lord. Truly wonderful and I was amazed by Father A who did the mass and was magnificent and made us all appreciate being there and spending this time with God.
This weekend we have a relic from our Lady of Guadeloupe visiting the parish and some special masses including one in Spanish which I might attend also.
As you know I attend two parishes one English (which is really English and Polish) and of course my beloved Hungarian parish.
We have been fortunate enough to lately have helped a lot at the Hungarian parish. It seems the war clouds have settled and Father has cleaned house so to speak and we have become a part of his team in helping in and around the parish where we help because we want to and it is in our heart and not help because we are looking for stature or monetary reward. This was Father's war with the old guard who thought the parish existed because of them instead of appreciating the fact that the parish existed for them, to pray and be close to God. Yes there has been like in any war casualties as the numbers on Sunday have dipped but we truly believe when people see the church is there for spiritual gain and not financial and personal gain many will start to wander back in. Until then I pray that the parish stays strong to move forward. For you all God Bless and take care!

A Prayer for Today

2012-02-10T05:18:00.000-05:00

Jesus, you promised that
whatever was done for the least
was done for you.
Give us the grace
to be always ready
to serve the needs of others,
and to extend the blessings
of your kingdom
over all the world,
to your praise and glory. Amen.
- St. Augustine of Hippo

A Prayer for Today

2012-02-09T05:05:00.001-05:00

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2012-02-05T05:09:00.001-05:00

Job 7: 1 - 4, 6 - 7
1 "Has not man a hard service upon earth, and are not his days like the days of a hireling?
2 Like a slave who longs for the shadow, and like a hireling who looks for his wages,
3 so I am allotted months of emptiness, and nights of misery are apportioned to me.
4 When I lie down I say, `When shall I arise?' But the night is long, and I am full of tossing till the dawn.
6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and come to their end without hope.
7 "Remember that my life is a breath; my eye will never again see good.

Psalms 147: 1 - 6
1 Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is seemly.
2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars, he gives to all of them their names.
5 Great is our LORD, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.
6 The LORD lifts up the downtrodden, he casts the wicked to the ground.

1 Corinthians 9: 16 - 19, 22 - 23
16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission.
18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in my preaching I may make the gospel free of charge, not making full use of my right in the gospel.
19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more.
22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Mark 1: 29 - 39
29 And immediately he left the synagogue, and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
30 Now Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him of her.
31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her; and she served them.
32 That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons.
33 And the whole city was gathered together about the door.
34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
35 And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed.
36 And Simon and those who were with him pursued him,
37 and they found him and said to him, "Every one is searching for you."
38 And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out."
39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

A Prayer For Saturday

2012-02-04T05:15:00.000-05:00

Lord, I believe that you are present here. You know me through and through, and despite my weaknesses, sins and imperfections you love me. Lord, thank you for your love. Today I give you my mind, my heart and my will. Mold me and use me as you wish.

A Prayer for Today

2012-01-30T05:15:00.000-05:00

Give us, O Lord, steadfast hearts,
which no unworthy affection
may drag downwards.
Give us unconquered hearts,
which no tribulations can wear out.
Give us upright hearts,
which no unworthy purpose
may tempt aside.
Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God,
understanding to know you,
diligence to seek you,
wisdom to find you,
and a faithfulness
that may finally embrace you.

- St. Thomas Aquinas

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2012-01-29T06:54:00.001-05:00

First Reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-20

15 The Lord thy God will raise up to thee a PROPHET of thy nation and of thy brethren like unto me: him thou shalt hear:
16 As thou desiredst of the Lord thy God in Horeb, when the assembly was gathered together, and saidst: Let me not hear any more the voice of the Lord my God, neither let me see any more this exceeding great fire, lest I die.
17 And the Lord said to me: They have spoken all things well.
18 I will raise them up a prophet out of the midst of their brethren like to thee: and I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I shall command him.
19 And he that will not hear his words, which he shall speak in my name, I will be the revenger.
20 But the prophet, who being corrupted with pride, shall speak in my name things that I did not command him to say, or in the name of strange gods, shall be slain.

Psalm: Psalms 95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9

1 A canticle for David himself, when the house was built after the captivity. Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing ye to the Lord and bless his name: shew forth his salvation from day to day.
6 Praise and beauty are before him: holiness and majesty in his sanctuary.
7 Bring ye to the Lord, O ye kindreds of the Gentiles, bring ye to the Lord glory and honour:
8 Bring to the Lord glory unto his name. Bring up sacrifices, and come into his courts:
9 Adore ye the Lord in his holy court. Let all the earth be moved at his presence.

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:32-35

32 But I would have you to be without solicitude. He that is without a wife, is solicitous for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please God.
33 But he that is with a wife, is solicitous for the things of the world, how he may please his wife: and he is divided.
34 And the unmarried woman and the virgin thinketh on the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she that is married thinketh on the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
35 And this I speak for your profit: not to cast a snare upon you; but for that which is decent, and which may give you power to attend upon the Lord, without impediment.

Gospel: Mark 1:21-28

21 And they entered into Capharnaum, and forthwith upon the sabbath days going into the synagogue, he taught them.
22 And they were astonished at his doctrine. For he was teaching them as one having power, and not as the scribes.
23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
24 Saying: What have we to do with thee, Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know who thou art, the Holy One of God.
25 And Jesus threatened him, saying: Speak no more, and go out of the man.
26 And the unclean spirit tearing him, and crying out with a loud voice, went out of him.
27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying: What thing is this? what is this new doctrine? for with power he commandeth even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.
28 And the fame of him was spread forthwith into all the country of Galilee.

Keep Quiet!

2012-01-26T05:02:00.002-05:00

You know many times as I go around my daily life I am always amazed and in be wonderment how did we exist 40 years ago. Remember when you were happy if you even had a phone and a rotary phone at that! Today everyone and I mean everyone in malls places of business on the street in the buses and even in their own cars are texting, calling tweeting etc.

What has become of us everything has to be immediately, husbands and wives texting kids to their parents and friends and siblings. The irony is when they are not texting tweeting calling they have nothing to say to each other and sit there glum and uninterested in each others company.

Well this was just a small lead up to this article I found in where our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI emphasizes quiet in the digital world. Please enjoy and God Bless!

Pope emphasizes need for silence in digital world

Vatican City, Jan 24, 2012 / 02:44 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Benedict XVI believes that in a noisy world of constant communication people need silence more than ever.

He outlined his thoughts in his message for World Communications Day 2012, which is entitled “Silence and Word: Path of Evangelization.” The Pope’s letter was released Jan. 24 at the Vatican press office by Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, head of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.

“When messages and information are plentiful, silence becomes essential if we are to distinguish what is important from what is insignificant or secondary,” the Pope says in a statement that will be read in Catholic churches around the world on May 20, 2012.

“This makes it possible to share thoughtful and relevant opinions, giving rise to an authentic body of shared knowledge,” he writes.

Pope Benedict recommends making this interchange possible by developing “an appropriate environment, a kind of ‘eco-system’ that maintains a just equilibrium between silence, words, images and sounds.”

He suggests that silence is required to make sense of the constant stream of information that people now receive via television, radio, the Internet and various forms of social media.

“In silence, we are better able to listen to and understand ourselves; ideas come to birth and acquire depth; we understand with greater clarity what it is we want to say and what we expect from others; and we choose how to express ourselves,” he says.

He also observes that silence can allow other people to express their thoughts. In this way “we avoid being tied simply to our own words and ideas without them being adequately tested,” and therefore, “space is created for mutual listening, and deeper human relationships become possible.”

Pope Benedict believes that this use of silence is “often more eloquent than a hasty answer,” because it “permits seekers to reach into the depths of their being and open themselves to the path towards knowledge that God has inscribed in human hearts.”

The Pope sees this need for silence as a part of Christian life from the earliest times. He points to the “eloquence of God’s love, lived to the point of the supreme gift,” which is seen “in the silence of the Cross,” when, after Christ’s death “there is a great silence over the earth.”

Silent contemplation also “immerses us in the source of that Love who directs us towards our neighbors so that we may feel their suffering and offer them the light of Christ, his message of life and his saving gift of the fullness of love,” he writes.

Archbishop Celli summed up the Pope’s message as reminding everyone that real communication involves pairing “words and silence” so that people are not “overwhelmed by the sheer volume of communication itself.”

Monsignor Paul Tighe, Secretary of the social communications council, explained to CNA that the Pope’s message “reminds us that the relevance of silence is equally important within the context of a digital environment.”

“Especially when we now find ourselves continually bombarded by messages, by ideas, by opinions, by news.

“And so the Pope is saying we need silence if we’re going to judge that, integrate it, make it our own and not simply be caught up in a flow of information.”

A Prayer for Today

2012-01-26T04:44:00.001-05:00

May God grant you,
in accord with the riches of God's glory,
to be strengthened with power
through God's Spirit in your inner self.
May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith;
so that you, rooted and grounded in love,
may have strength to comprehend
with all the holy ones
what is the breadth and length
and height and depth,
and to know the love of Christ
that surpasses knowledge,
so that you may be filled
with all the fullness of God.
Now to God, who by the power at work within us
is able to accomplish far more
than all we ask or imagine,
be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

- St. Paul to the Ephesians 3:16-21

A Prayer for Today

2012-01-25T05:20:00.000-05:00

My God, I give you this day.
I offer you, now,
all of the good that I shall do,
and I promise to accept, for love of you,
all of the difficulty that I shall meet.
Help me to conduct myself during this day
in a manner pleasing to you. Amen.

- St. Francis de Sales

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

2012-01-22T06:14:00.001-05:00

First Reading: Jonah 3:1-5, 10
1 And the word of the Lord came to Jonas the second time, saying:
2 Arise, and go to Ninive the great city: and preach in it the preaching that I bid thee.
3 And Jonas arose, and went to Ninive, according to the word of the Lord: now Ninive was a great city of three days' journey.
4 And Jonas began to enter into the city one day's journey: and he cried, and said: Yet forty days, and Ninive shall be destroyed.
5 And the men of Ninive believed in God: and they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least.
10 And God saw their works, that they were turned from their evil way: and God had mercy with regard to the evil which he had said that he would do to them, and he did it not.
Psalm: Psalms 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
4 I have not sat with the council of vanity: neither will I go in with the doers of unjust things.
5 I have hated the assembly of the malignant; and with the wicked I will not sit.
6 I will wash my hands among the innocent; and will compass thy altar, O Lord:
7 That I may hear the voice of thy praise: and tell of all thy wondrous works.
8 I have loved, O Lord, the beauty of thy house; and the place where thy glory dwelleth.
9 Take not away my soul, O God, with the wicked: nor my life with bloody men:
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
29 This therefore I say, brethren; the time is short; it remaineth, that they also who have wives, be as if they had none;
30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as if they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;
31 And they that use this world, as if they used it not: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
Gospel: Mark 1:14-20
14 And after that John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15 And saying: The time is accomplished, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent, and believe the gospel.
16 And passing by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother, casting nets into the sea (for they were fishermen).
17 And Jesus said to them: Come after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
18 And immediately leaving their nets, they followed him.
19 And going on from thence a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were mending their nets in the ship:
20 And forthwith he called them. And leaving their father Zebedee in the ship with his hired men, they followed him.

A Prayer for Today

2012-01-21T07:06:00.001-05:00

Jesus, fill us, we pray,
with your light and life
that we may show forth
your wonderful glory.
Grant that your love
may so fill our lives
that we may count
nothing too small to do for you,
nothing too much to give
and nothing too hard to bear.
Amen.

- St. Ignatius Loyola

Pope warns of 'grave threat' to religious freedom in US

2012-01-20T05:15:00.000-05:00

Vatican City, Jan 19, 2012 / 12:00 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Benedict XVI warned today of a “grave threat” to religious liberty in the United States that requires American Catholics to respond with intelligence and courage.

“It is imperative that the entire Catholic community in the United States come to realize the grave threats to the Church’s public moral witness presented by a radical secularism which finds increasing expression in the political and cultural spheres,” he said Jan. 19 in an address to a group of American bishops visiting the Vatican.

The Pope said he was particularly concerned with “certain attempts being made to limit that most cherished of American freedoms, the freedom of religion.”

Pope Benedict’s address was delivered to the bishops from the Mid-Atlantic states region, which includes the Archdioceses of Washington and Baltimore. They are in Rome this week on their regular “ad limina” visit to discuss the health of the U.S. Church with the Pope and Vatican officials. The two bishops from the Archdiocese for the U.S. Military Services are also participating in the meetings.

Pope Benedict said that over the past few days many of the bishops have expressed concern over attempts in the U.S. to “deny the right of conscientious objection on the part of Catholic individuals and institutions with regard to cooperation in intrinsically evil practices.”

Meanwhile, other bishops raised the “worrying tendency to reduce religious freedom to mere freedom of worship” without guarantees of respect for freedom of conscience.

At present, the Obama administration is considering imposing a contraception and sterilization mandate that would require all insurance companies to provide those services free of charge. The regulation has a religious exemption clause, but it provides very few exceptions for Church organizations.

Some states are also pushing Catholic adoption agencies out of business or severely limiting their work because they refuse to compromise the Church’s beliefs on same-sex “marriage.”

Pope Benedict said these issues highlight the need for an “engaged, articulate and well-formed Catholic laity endowed with a strong critical sense vis-à-vis the dominant culture.” The American laity must have the “courage to counter a reductive secularism which would delegitimize the Church’s participation in public debate,” he said.

The preparation of such “committed lay leaders,” he told the bishops, should be the “primary task of the Church in your country.”

He noted that his visit to the United States in 2008 afforded him an opportunity to reflect on America’s historical experience of religious freedom, “specifically the relationship between religion and culture.”

“At the heart of every culture, whether perceived or not,” he said, “is a consensus about the nature of reality and the moral good, and thus about the conditions for human flourishing.”

In the United States this consensus is “enshrined in your nation’s founding documents,” which are grounded in a worldview shaped by faith and a commitment to ethical principles, he observed.

Today, however, that consensus has been eroded “in the face of powerful new cultural currents” which are “not only directly opposed to core moral teachings of the Judeo-Christian tradition, but increasingly hostile to Christianity.”

Despite such hostility, American Catholics are still called to proclaim “a Gospel which not only proposes unchanging moral truths but proposes them precisely as the key to human happiness and social prospering,” Pope Benedict stated.

He also responded to those who attempt to restrict Christians’ voice in the public square or argue that their contribution should be ignored because of “majority rule.” This is a threat not just to Christianity but “to humanity itself and to the deepest truth about our being and ultimate vocation, our relationship to God.”

Pope Benedict said that the Catholic Church’s tradition of respect for both faith and reason means that it can play a critical role in opposing current trends which are based on “extreme individualism” and promote “notions of freedom detached from moral truth.”

The pontiff also touched on what he called the “legitimate” idea of separation of Church and State. This does not mean, however, that the Church must be silent on certain issues or that the state can choose to ignore “the voices of committed believers in determining the values which will shape the future of the nation.”

Pope Benedict said he appreciated the efforts of the U.S. bishops to maintain contacts with Catholics involved in political life and help them “understand their personal responsibility to offer public witness to their faith.”

This is especially true when it comes to key ethical issues of today, which he identified as “the respect for God’s gift of life, the protection of human dignity and the promotion of authentic human rights.”

He concluded on an optimistic note by observing the rise of “a new generation of Catholics” in the United States whose “experience and convictions will have a decisive role in renewing the Church’s presence and witness in American society.”

The hope promised by this younger generation should be reason enough “to renew our efforts to mobilize the intellectual and moral resources of the entire Catholic community in the service of the evangelization of American culture and the building of the civilization of love.”

To read Pope Benedict's full address, please visit:http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/document.php?n=1059

A Prayer for Today

2012-01-20T05:07:00.000-05:00

Holy Spirit, enlighten our hearts.
Give us light and strength
to know your will, to make it our own,
and to live it in our lives.
Guide us by your wisdom;
support us by your power; for you are God,
sharing the glory of Father and Son.
You desire justice for all:
enable us to uphold the rights of others;
do not allow us to be misled by ignorance
or corrupted by favor.
Unite us to yourself in the bond of love
and keep us faithful to all that is true.
Help us to temper justice with love,
so that all our decisions
may be pleasing to you,
and bring us the inheritance
promised to good and faithful servants.
You live and reign with the Father
and the Son, one God, for ever and ever.

- Adapted from a prayer said before every session of the Second Vatican Council

A Prayer for Today

2012-01-19T05:05:00.001-05:00

May you be the God I serve today.
Let me follow no tempting other.
May I see your face revealed
in each sister and each brother.
Fill my words with wisdom.
Let my mouth sing out your praise.
Let my heart compose this love song:
Lord, be with me all my days.
Surround me with your blessing
as I begin this day's new tasks.
Touch me with your fire.
Love me.
Know me.
Move me.
This, O Lord, is all I ask.
Amen.

- Patricia Leonard-Pasley

A Prayer for Today

2012-01-15T06:08:00.000-05:00

Almighty and ever-living God,
I approach the sacrament
of your only-begotten Son
Our Lord Jesus Christ,
I come sick to the doctor of life,
unclean to the fountain of mercy,
blind to the radiance of eternal light,
and poor and needy to the Lord
of heaven and earth.
Lord, in your great generosity,
heal my sickness,
wash away my defilement,
enlighten my blindness, enrich my poverty,
and clothe my nakedness.
May I receive the bread of angels,
the King of kings and Lord of lords,
with humble reverence,
with the purity and faith,
the repentance and love,
and the determined purpose
that will help to bring me to salvation.
May I receive the sacrament
of the Lord's body and blood,
and its reality and power.

- St. Thomas Aquinas

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

2012-01-15T06:06:00.001-05:00

1st book of Samuel 3:3b-10.19.

The lamp of God was not yet extinguished, and Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the LORD where the ark of God was.
The LORD called to Samuel, who answered, "Here I am."
He ran to Eli and said, "Here I am. You called me." "I did not call you," Eli said. "Go back to sleep." So he went back to sleep.
Again the LORD called Samuel, who rose and went to Eli. "Here I am," he said. "You called me." But he answered, "I did not call you, my son. Go back to sleep."
At that time Samuel was not familiar with the LORD, because the LORD had not revealed anything to him as yet.
The LORD called Samuel again, for the third time. Getting up and going to Eli, he said, "Here I am. You called me." Then Eli understood that the LORD was calling the youth.
So he said to Samuel, "Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'" When Samuel went to sleep in his place,
the LORD came and revealed his presence, calling out as before, "Samuel, Samuel!" Samuel answered, "Speak, for your servant is listening."
Samuel grew up, and the LORD was with him, not permitting any word of his to be without effect.

Psalms 40(39):2.4ab.7-8a.8b-9.10.

I waited, waited for the LORD; who bent down and heard my cry,
And put a new song in my mouth, a hymn to our God. Many shall look on in awe and they shall trust in the LORD.
And put a new song in my mouth, a hymn to our God. Many shall look on in awe and they shall trust in the LORD.
sacrifice and offering you do not want; but ears open to obedience you gave me. Holocausts and sin-offerings you do not require;

so I said, "Here I am; your commands for me are written in the scroll.
so I said, "Here I am; your commands for me are written in the scroll.
To do your will is my delight; my God, your law is in my heart!"
I announced your deed to a great assembly; I did not restrain my lips; you, LORD, are my witness.

First Letter to the Corinthians 6:13c-15a.17-20.
"Food for the stomach and the stomach for food," but God will do away with both the one and the other. The body, however, is not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body;
God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power.
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take Christ's members and make them the members of a prostitute? Of course not!
But whoever is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.
Avoid immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the immoral person sins against his own body.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 1:35-42.

The next day John was there again with two of his disciples,
and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, "Behold, the Lamb of God."
The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.
Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?"
He said to them,"Come, and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon.
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.
He first found his own brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated Anointed).
Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Kephas" (which is translated Peter).

A Prayer for Today

2012-01-12T05:45:00.001-05:00

Lord, thank you for this time together. I need you in my life and the life of my family. It is easy to let activities overwhelm me so that I lose track of you. You fade into the distance, and sometimes sin grows closer. But I know you are always there for me with your unconditional love. Thank you. I love you and long to put you first in my life.

A Prayer for Today

2012-01-11T05:59:00.001-05:00

O Jesus, I come before you
at the beginning of this day.
Take, Lord, and receive my heart:
the words of faith that I speak,
the works of justice that I do,
my joys and sufferings.
When I come to the eucharistic table,
gather my offering to your own
for the life of the world.
At the end of the day,
place me with Mary, your mother,
and for her sake take me to your heart.
Amen.

- Maryland Province Jesuits

A Prayer for Today

2012-01-10T05:25:00.001-05:00

Take, O Lord, and receive
my entire liberty, my memory,
my understanding and my whole will.
All that I am and all that I possess
you have given me:
I surrender it all to you
to be disposed of according to your will.
Give me only your love and your grace;
with these I will be rich enough,
and will desire nothing more. Amen.

- St. Ignatius Loyola

The Epiphany of the Lord - Solemnity

2012-01-08T07:16:00.001-05:00

Book of Isaiah 60:1-6.

Rise up in splendor! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; But upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory.
Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance.
Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: Your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.
Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, For the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.
Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; All from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

Psalms 72(71):1-2.7-8.10-11.12-13.
Of Solomon.

O God, give your judgment to the king; your justice to the son of kings; That he may govern your people with justice, your oppressed with right judgment,
That abundance may flourish in his days, great bounty, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea, from the river to the ends of the earth.

May the kings of Tarshish and the islands bring tribute, the kings of Arabia and Seba offer gifts.
May all kings bow before him, all nations serve him.
For he rescues the poor when they cry out, the oppressed who have no one to help.
He shows pity to the needy and the poor and saves the lives of the poor.

Letter to the Ephesians 3:2-3a.5-6.

If, as I suppose, you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for your benefit,
(namely, that) the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly earlier.
which was not made known to human beings in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit,
that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 2:1-12.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem,
saying, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage."
When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.
They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet:
'And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"
Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance.
He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage."
After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.
They were overjoyed at seeing the star,
and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

A Prayer for Today

2012-01-07T08:00:00.001-05:00

O supreme, eternal Good!
What moved you to enlighten me
with the light of your truth?
You yourself, the very fire of love,
you yourself are the reason.
For it always has been and always is love
that constrains you to create in us
your own image and likeness,
and to show us mercy by giving your creatures
infinite and immeasurable graces. Amen.

- St. Catherine of Siena

Great News Here in Canada!

2012-01-07T06:52:00.001-05:00

Toronto Archbishop Thomas Collins elevated to cardinal

Toronto Archbishop Thomas Collins got the call to join the 700-year-old inner circle of Pope Benedict XVI in a message on his smartphone.

“I was in Washington yesterday working on translation for the new liturgy when I got an email on my BlackBerry to call the nuncio’s office in Ottawa,” Collins told the Star Friday morning.

“I was kind of overwhelmed. I just said, ‘I’m deeply honoured. Thank you very much.’ ”

Collins, 64, is one of 22 new cardinals named to the College of Cardinals, the pontiff’s ecclesiastical advisory board that dates to the 12th century in the Roman Catholic Church. The cardinals, once known as the princes of the church, also elect the pope.

“My main responsibility will still be the archdiocese,” Collins said. “A cardinal has somewhat further scope for the whole church. One of the important things we need to do is preach the gospel.”

Collins has already served in special roles at the request of Benedict XVI. Last year, he was appointed to a panel investigating sexual abuse in Ireland.

About that inquiry, he said the church needs to be “very involved in the life of society — addressing problems in society and helping and encouraging people to deal with that.

“If someone is suffering, if someone is in trouble, if someone is in need, the religious people are the first to respond.”

He praised the devotion and goodness of the vast majority of the archdiocese’s Catholics.

This year, the Pope also assigned Collins as his representative in Canada to recruit Anglicans who wanted to join the Catholic Church but retain their traditions.

In the coming year, Collins is looking forward to being a part of Benedict XVI’s campaign for a “new evangelization.”

He described it as “reaching out in a secular society to preach the gospel, to bring the joy and energy of Christ in a society that sometimes gets a bit jaded and cynical.”

The Pope, he said, “is seeing very clearly the issues of the whole church. He’s always encouraging bishops to speak out. He’s just an amazing man. He’s written wonderful books, short ones which I find of find helpful.”

Collins was born and raised in Guelph, the son of a circulation manager at the Guelph Mercuryand a legal secretary. As a boy, he served mass at The Church of Our Lady and still goes back there when he visits his sisters in Guelph.

He and his fellow cardinal-designates will be formally elevated in a ceremony Feb. 18 and 19 in Rome.

Collins has been archbishop of Toronto since 2007 and a priest for 38 years. Previously, he had served as bishop of St. Paul, Alta., and archbishop of Edmonton.

He will be the 16th Canadian cardinal and the fourth in the Toronto archdiocese, the largest in Canada with 1.9 million Catholics and 225 churches celebrating mass in more than 30 different languages.

Another Reading!

2012-01-07T05:32:00.001-05:00

So here is another reading from today's readings. Something truly worth reading over and over and slowly digesting. Take care and God Bless!

First Letter of John 5:14-21.

Beloved: We have this confidence in him that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask, we know that what we have asked him for is ours.

If anyone sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly, he should pray to God and he will give him life. This is only for those whose sin is not deadly. There is such a thing as deadly sin, about which I do not say that you should pray.

All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not deadly.

We know that no one begotten by God sins; but the one begotten by God he protects, and the evil one cannot touch him.

We know that we belong to God, and the whole world is under the power of the evil one.

We also know that the Son of God has come and has given us discernment to know the one who is true. And we are in the one who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Children, be on your guard against idols.

Children of God

2012-01-03T05:35:00.001-05:00

Today's first reading from the First Letter to John is something to really cherish and to live by;

First Letter of John 2:29.3:1-6.

If you consider that he is righteous, you also know that everyone who acts in righteousness is begotten by him.
See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure.
Everyone who commits sin commits lawlessness, for sin is lawlessness.
You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.

A Prayer for Today

2012-01-01T08:09:00.001-05:00

This is a beautiful prayer that I received and it is to our Holy Mother Mary;

Mary, I love you.
Mary, make me live in God,
with God, and for God.
Draw me after you, holy mother.
Mary, may your children persevere
in loving you.
Mary, mother of God
and mother of mercy,
pray for me and for the departed.
Mary, holy mother of God, be our helper.
In every difficulty and distress,
come to our aid, O Mary.
O queen of heaven,
lead us to eternal life with God.
Mother of God, remember me,
and help me always to remember you.
O Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to you.
Pray for us, O holy mother of God,
that we may be made worthy
of the promises of Christ.
Holy Mary, mother of God,
pray to Jesus for me.

- St. Philip Neri

The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God - Solemnity

2012-01-01T08:07:00.001-05:00

Book of Numbers 6:22-27

The LORD said to Moses:
"Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them."

Psalms 67(66):2-3.5.6.8.

May God be gracious to us and bless us; may God's face shine upon us. Selah
So shall your rule be known upon the earth, your saving power among all the nations.
May the nations be glad and shout for joy; for you govern the peoples justly, you guide the nations upon the earth. Selah
May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you!

May God bless us still; that the ends of the earth may revere our God.

Letter to the Galatians 4:4-7.

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption.
As proof that you are children, God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"
So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 2:16-21.

So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.
When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

A Prayer for Today

2011-12-31T08:31:00.001-05:00

O Mother of mercy,
beg your divine Son
to have mercy on me.
Atone for my failings,
offering him on my behalf
all the love and glory you ever gave him,
to satisfy for my neglect
in loving and glorifying him.
Grant that I may share
in your surpassing love for him,
and in the fidelity of that great eternal love.
Pray for me,
that he may give me the grace to begin,
at least now, to love him perfectly,
and that all that shall take place
during this year, and all my life,
may be consecrated
to his glory and your honor.
O angels, and saints of Jesus Christ,
pray for me,
that our loving Savior
may give me new grace
and new love for him,
to devote this year and my whole life,
purely and solely to the service
of his glory and love.

-St. John Eudes

Today's First Reading

2011-12-29T06:15:00.001-05:00

Well another first reading that really peeked my interest. How well do I know our Lord Jesus and do I live properly to be close to him? This reading really got me thinking. Where do you fit? Read and enjoy and God Bless!

First Letter of John 2:3-11.

The way we may be sure that we know him is to keep his commandments.

Whoever says, "I know him," but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him. This is the way we may know that we are in union with him:

whoever claims to abide in him ought to live (just) as he lived.

Beloved, I am writing no new commandment to you but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard.

And yet I do write a new commandment to you, which holds true in him and among you, for the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.

Whoever says he is in the light, yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness.

Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is nothing in him to cause a fall.

Whoever hates his brother is in darkness; he walks in darkness and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Today's First Reading

2011-12-28T07:44:00.001-05:00

The first reading really caught my eye and imagination so I have decided to share and let you all think about it.

First Letter of John 1:5-10.2:1-2.

Now this is the message that we have heard from him and proclaim to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.

If we say, "We have fellowship with him," while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth.

But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin.

If we say, "We are without sin," we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.

If we say, "We have not sinned," we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

My children, I am writing this to you so that you may not commit sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one.

He is expiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.

A Prayer for Today

2011-12-27T19:15:00.001-05:00

Lord, grant that I may always allow myself
to be guided by you,
always follow your plans,
and perfectly accomplish your holy will.
Grant that in all things,
great and small,
today and all the days of my life,
I may do whatever you require of me.
Help me respond
to the slightest prompting of your grace,
so that I may be
your trustworthy instrument for your honor.
May your will be done in time and in eternity
by me, in me, and through me. Amen.

-St. Teresa of Avila

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T05:44:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas to all my faithful readers! Truly wish all of you a blessed and wonderful Christmas!

I have had a wonderful week even though I was unable to last to midnight mass. I was however able to go to morning mass on Thursday and Friday and loved it! I arrived as I went by bus about 15 minutes before the start of the daily mass and I was able to join in a small group praying the Holy Rosary. The best thing though was on Thursday as I was able to go to confession after the mass.

Talk about feeling good! This is the most wonderful feeling after confession the world of sin lifted off of you if be it even for a brief moment and being absolved and knowing that God has forgiven you and you are closer to God than you were before. To me this is so wonderful.

Today off to Christmas Mass and looking forward to it!

As I mentioned Merry Christmas and may God Bless all of you!

A Christmas Prayer

2011-12-25T05:43:00.000-05:00

Lord of light, shine on us;
Lord of peace, dwell in us;
Lord of might, protect us;
Lord of love, enfold us;
Lord of wisdom, enlighten us.
Then, Lord, let us
go out as your witnesses,
in obedience to your command;
to share the good news
of your mighty love for us
in the gift of your son,
our savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Eleventh century Latin hymn

The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

2011-12-25T05:39:00.002-05:00

Book of Isaiah 52:7-10.

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings, Announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, and saying to Zion, "Your God is King!"
Hark! Your watchmen raise a cry, together they shout for joy, For they see directly, before their eyes, the LORD restoring Zion.
Break out together in song, O ruins of Jerusalem! For the LORD comforts his people, he redeems Jerusalem.
The LORD has bared his holy arm in the sight of all the nations; All the ends of the earth will behold the salvation of our God.

Psalms 98(97):1.2-3ab.3cd-4.5-6.

Sing a new song to the LORD, who has done marvelous deeds, Whose right hand and holy arm have won the victory.
The LORD has made his victory known; has revealed his triumph for the nations to see,
Has remembered faithful love toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
Has remembered faithful love toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

Has remembered faithful love toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
Has remembered faithful love toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth; break into song; sing praise.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and melodious song.

With trumpets and the sound of the horn shout with joy to the King, the LORD.

Letter to the Hebrews 1:1-6.

In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he spoke to us through a son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe,
who is the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by his mighty word. When he had accomplished purification from sins, he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
as far superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
For to which of the angels did God ever say: "You are my son; this day I have begotten you"? Or again: "I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me"?
And again, when he leads the first-born into the world, he says: "Let all the angels of God worship him."

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 1:1-18.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be
through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
A man named John was sent from God.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.
But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name,
who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man's decision but of God.
And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth.
John testified to him and cried out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.'"
From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace,
because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father's side, has revealed him.

Christmas is coming did you know?

2011-12-18T06:25:00.004-05:00

So we finally went out to start Christmas shopping and lamost bought everything we needed. Suprisngly to me was that we did run into some very busy pockets of stores we also were at a mall where you basically could fire off a gun and not hit anyone.
To my amazement was we went into about 20 stores through the day and received no more than 4 " Have a Merry Christmas" and 1 "Happy Holidays".
So does this mean that now the Christmas greeting is also going by the wayside? It really disturbed me to no end. We also ran into a couple we know and the lady put it so well people have forgotten that this is the birth of Jesus we are celbrating and people only care for bigger and better not the reason of the occasion. This made me feel better as did Don Cherry on Hockey Night in Canada where he mentioned that Christmas Day is the birth of the baby Jesus and that is what we celebrate that day!
I guess there are people who still understand and remind you so you alleviate your frustrations about those who refuse to acknowledge the season and the reason of the season. Is this where we go; "forgive them lord for they know not what they do?"
Not sure but at least as mentioned I felt better by the end of the day. Thanks and take care and God Bless.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

2011-12-18T06:23:00.001-05:00

2nd book of Samuel 7:1-5.8b-12.14a.16.

When King David was settled in his palace, and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every side,
he said to Nathan the prophet, "Here I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God dwells in a tent!"
Nathan answered the king, "Go, do whatever you have in mind, for the LORD is with you."
But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said:
"Go, tell my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD: Should you build me a house to dwell in?
"Now then, speak thus to my servant David, 'The LORD of hosts has this to say: It was I who took you from the pasture and from the care of the flock to be commander of my people Israel.
I have been with you wherever you went, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth.
I will fix a place for my people Israel; I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance. Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old,
since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. The LORD also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you.
And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm.
I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. And if he does wrong, I will correct him with the rod of men and with human chastisements;
Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.'"

Psalms 89(88):2-3.4-5.27.29.

The promises of the LORD I will sing forever, proclaim your loyalty through all ages.
For you said, "My love is established forever; my loyalty will stand as long as the heavens.
I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant:
I will make your dynasty stand forever and establish your throne through all ages." Selah

He shall cry to me,'You are my father, my God, the Rock that brings me victory!'
Forever I will maintain my love for him; my covenant with him stands firm.

Letter to the Romans 16:25-27.
Now to him who can strengthen you, according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages
but now manifested through the prophetic writings and, according to the command of the eternal God, made known to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith,
to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever. Amen.)

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 1:26-38.

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said, "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."
But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."
But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?"
And the angel said to her in reply, "The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God."
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.

A Prayer for Today

2011-12-15T05:23:00.001-05:00

I no longer live within myself
and I cannot live without God,
for having neither him nor myself
what will life be?
It will be a thousand deaths,
longing for my true life
and dying because I do not die.

This life that I live
is no life at all,
and so I die continually
until I live with you;
hear me, my God:
I do not desire this life,
I am dying because I do not die.

When I am away from you
what life can I have
except to endure
the bitterest death known?
I pity myself,
for I go on and on living,
dying because I do not die.

Lift me from this death,
my God, and give me life;
do not hold me bound
with these bonds so strong;
see how I long to see you;
my wretchedness is so complete
that I die because I do not die.

- St. John of the Cross

Wishing to Share

2011-12-13T04:46:00.002-05:00

I wish to share Psalm 34 with you today. Not sure why but it stirred something inside of me. After the psalm I have a prayer for today also. Enjoy and God Bless!

Ps 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-18, 19 And 23

R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;
no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

A Prayer for Today:

Father, here I am before you, ready to open my heart to you. I believe that you are my God, my Creator. I am confident that you are leading me home to you day by day. You wish to draw me closer to you, because you have given me your only Son as my Redeemer. I love you and wish to cooperate with your loving designs for my salvation and the salvation of countless souls. Here I am, Lord, to do your will!

Pope says focus on Jesus, not pre-Christmas distractions

2011-12-12T19:24:00.000-05:00

VATICAN CITY, December 11 (CNA/EWTN News) .- Pope Benedict XVI reminded Christians not to be dazzled by the shopping lights of the season but to keep focused on the coming on Jesus Christ, the “true light of the world.”

“The external environment offers the usual commercial messages, even if in a lower-key way because of the economic crisis,” said the Pope during his Sunday Angelus address in a rain-soaked St. Peter’s Square Dec. 11. The Christian, by contrast, is “called to live Advent without being distracted by the lights.”

Christians should keep their eyes fixed on Christ so that “if, in fact, we persevere ‘vigilant in prayer and rejoicing in praise,’ our eyes will be able to recognize in him the true light of the world that comes to enlighten our darkness.”

Tens of thousands of pilgrims were at St. Peter’s Square for the third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday. The title is taken from St. Paul’s encouragement in the day’s reading: “gaudete in Domino semper,” meaning “rejoice always in the Lord.” The day marks a change in the Church’s liturgical colors from the somber purple of Advent to a more hopeful shade of rose.

Pope Benedict acknowledged the importance of time for rest and relaxation. However, he added that true joy is “not the result of fun,” but is “something more profound” that is “tied to the relationship with God.”

Those who have encountered Christ in their lives “experience in the heart a serenity and joy that no one and no situation can remove.”

The Pope paraphrased the famous words of the fourth and fifth century bishop St. Augustine of Hippo. He noted that St. Augustine searched elsewhere in vain for truth, peace and joy before concluding that “the heart of man is restless, (and) cannot find peace and serenity until it rests in God.”

Therefore, true joy is not a “passing mood” nor “something that can be reached through its own efforts.” Instead, it is a gift “born from the encounter with the living person of Jesus.”

“In this season of Advent,” the Pope continued, “we strengthen our certainty that the Lord came among us and continually renews his consoling presence of love and joy.”

God is “closer to us than we are to ourselves,” he added, citing St. Augustine’s description of God as “more inward than my innermost and higher than my uppermost.”

After praying the Angelus with pilgrims, the Pope turned his thoughts and words to the thousands of families who had gathered in St. Peters Square for the traditional blessing of the “bambinelli,” the little statues of the baby Jesus that will take pride of place in family cribs.

“Dear children,” said the Pope, “when you pray in front of your nativity scene, remember me as well, as I remember you. Thank you and Merry Christmas!”

In response, the children cheered and released balloons and paper lanterns into the air in celebration.

A Prayer for Today

2011-12-11T06:48:00.001-05:00

When, good Lord, will you manifest
yourself to us in bright sunshine?
Yes, we are slow to understand and slow to see.
But we are quick to believe;
and we believe that if you chose
to reveal yourself to us,
you could do so this very day.
O Lord, please appear to us,
at dawn or at dusk or at the height of day.
Come to our table at mealtimes,
that we may share our meals with you.
Come to our bed,
that we may share our rest with you.
Come to us at our prayers,
that we may rejoice and be glad. Amen.

- Abbot Gilbert of Hoyland

Third Sunday of Advent

2011-12-11T06:46:00.001-05:00

Book of Isaiah 61:1-2a.10-11.

The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly, to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners,
To announce a year of favor from the LORD and a day of vindication by our God, to comfort all who mourn;
I rejoice heartily in the LORD, in my God is the joy of my soul; For he has clothed me with a robe of salvation, and wrapped me in a mantle of justice, Like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, like a bride bedecked with her jewels.
As the earth brings forth its plants, and a garden makes its growth spring up, So will the Lord GOD make justice and praise spring up before all the nations.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 1:46-48.49-50.53-54.

And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.
The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.
The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy,

First Letter to the Thessalonians 5:16-24.
Rejoice always.
Pray without ceasing.
In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not quench the Spirit.
Do not despise prophetic utterances.
Test everything; retain what is good.
Refrain from every kind of evil.
May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 1:6-8.19-28.

A man named John was sent from God.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.
And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites (to him) to ask him, "Who are you?"
he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, "I am not the Messiah."
So they asked him, "What are you then? Are you Elijah?" And he said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No."
So they said to him, "Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?"
He said: "I am 'the voice of one crying out in the desert, "Make straight the way of the Lord,"' as Isaiah the prophet said."
Some Pharisees were also sent.
They asked him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet?"
John answered them, "I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,
the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie."
This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

A Prayer for Today

2011-12-08T05:12:00.000-05:00

O Lord,
you have mercy on all,
take away from me my sins,
and mercifully set me ablaze
with the fire of your Holy Spirit.
Take away from me
the heart of stone,
and give me a human heart,
a heart to love and adore you,
a heart to delight in you,
to follow and enjoy you,
for Christ's sake. Amen.

- St. Ambrose of Milan

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Solemnity

2011-12-08T05:07:00.000-05:00

Book of Genesis 3:9-15.20.

The LORD God called to Adam and asked him, «Where are you?»

He answered, "I heard you in the garden; but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself."

Then he asked, "Who told you that you were naked? You have eaten, then, from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!"

The man replied, "The woman whom you put here with me--she gave me fruit from the tree, so I ate it."

The LORD God then asked the woman, "Why did you do such a thing?" The woman answered, "The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it."

Then the LORD God said to the serpent: "Because you have done this, you shall be banned from all the animals and from all the wild creatures; On your belly shall you crawl, and dirt shall you eat all the days of your life.

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel."

The man called his wife Eve, because she became the mother of all the living.

Psalms 98(97):1.2-3ab.3bc-4.

Sing a new song to the LORD, who has done marvelous deeds, Whose right hand and holy arm have won the victory.

The LORD has made his victory known; has revealed his triumph for the nations to see,

Has remembered faithful love toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth; break into song; sing praise.

Letter to the Ephesians 1:3-6.11-12.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,

as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love

he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will,

for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved.

In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the one who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,

so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 1:26-38.

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,

to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary.

And coming to her, he said, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you."

But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.

He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,

and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."

But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?"

And the angel said to her in reply, "The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.

And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;

for nothing will be impossible for God."

Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.

Sick and Tired!!!

2011-12-07T20:24:00.001-05:00

How far will this go? I can't even see straight over this. What is this open hostility towards christans? What about me I am offended that there is no decorations etc.
Seems the village idiots have surfaced. Please read the following story and let me know what you think......

School buses forced to remove Christmas decorations

07/12/2011 10:51:00 AM

by Sameer Vasta
School buses in the Kingston area have been forced to remove all holiday decorations for fear of offending anyone; more offense should be taken at trying to take the joy out of the holidays.

'Tis the season to be merry, jolly, bright, and in the case of Tri-Board Student Transportation Services in Kingston, Ontario, 'tis also the season to be dull and drab.

Tri-Board is an agency that is contracted to manage transportation services to local school boards in the Kingston area, and they have made it very clear that any buses with Christmas decorations are not allowed to transport students this season. A violation of that rule would be considered a breach of contract, and would result in that bus company losing the route.

Diane Pope and Brigette Kelpy, school bus drivers in the area, are understandably upset by the rules: their buses were decorated this year and have been in the past. The decorations and hats that they wear have been a highlight for the children riding the bus during the holiday season. They have both been asked to remove the decorations.

There, are of course, valid reasons to remove decorations from a bus. If the decorations are hindering the driver's ability to provide a safe ride, or distracting the other drivers on the road, then they should be eliminated. Additionally, if the decorations are religious, political, or offensive, then they shouldn't be allowed on a bus.

Kelpy and Pope's decorations, however, were neither of those; it is impossible to argue that snowman stickers and snowflakes on the ceiling of a bus are offending the sensitivities of the children, or threatening their safety. In fact, having festive decorations actually enhances the school bus experience for most children, and makes the ride to and from school a memorable and enjoyable one.

The Tri-Board ban on holiday decorations is simply a case of political-correctness gone overboard — the attempt to refrain from offending anyone has turned into overblown sanitizing — and can be easily corrected. Tasteful, inoffensive, and safe decorations should not just be allowed, but encouraged. A good ride to and from school generally means a better day in class for kids, and that's something we all want.

A Prayer for Today

2011-12-04T06:16:00.000-05:00

O God of all the nations of the earth,
remember the multitudes who,
though created in your image,
have not known you,
nor the dying of your Son
their Savior Jesus Christ.
Grant that,
by the prayers and labors of your Church,
they may be delivered
from all ignorance and unbelief,
and brought to worship you;
through him whom you have sent
to be the resurrection
and the life of all people,
your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

- St. Francis Xavier

Second Sunday of Advent

2011-12-04T06:11:00.001-05:00

Book of Isaiah 40:1-5.9-11.

Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God.

Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated; Indeed, she has received from the hand of the LORD double for all her sins.

A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!

Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low; The rugged land shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley.

Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all mankind shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Go up onto a high mountain, Zion, herald of glad tidings; Cry out at the top of your voice, Jerusalem, herald of good news! Fear not to cry out and say to the cities of Judah: Here is your God!

Here comes with power the Lord GOD, who rules by his strong arm; Here is his reward with him, his recompense before him.

Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, Carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.

Psalms 85(84):9ab-10.11-12.13-14.

I will listen for the word of God; surely the LORD will proclaim peace To his people, to the faithful, to those who trust in him.

Near indeed is salvation for the loyal; prosperity will fill our land.

Love and truth will meet; justice and peace will kiss.

Truth will spring from the earth; justice will look down from heaven.

The LORD will surely grant abundance; our land will yield its increase.

Prosperity will march before the Lord, and good fortune will follow behind.

second Letter of Peter 3:8-14.

But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day.

The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard "delay," but he is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a mighty roar and the elements will be dissolved by fire, and the earth and everything done on it will be found out.

Since everything is to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought (you) to be, conducting yourselves in holiness and devotion,

waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames and the elements melted by fire.

But according to his promise we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 1:1-8.

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ (the Son of God).

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: "Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way.

A voice of one crying out in the desert: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.'"

John (the) Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.

John was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey.

And this is what he proclaimed: "One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.

I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the holy Spirit."

A Prayer for Today

2011-12-03T05:03:00.000-05:00

Lord Jesus, I believe in you, the Lord of heaven and earth. Lord Jesus, I trust in your goodness and tender concern for my good and the good of every single person on this earth. Lord Jesus, I love you and wish to cooperate more fully with you. I am such a poor weak instrument, but I know that you can do anything through those who trust in you.

A Prayer for Today

2011-12-01T05:01:00.001-05:00

Lord, I come before you in humility and with a spirit of hope. You no doubt have something to tell me. I approach you in prayer, confident of your love and trustful of your grace to enable me to carry out whatever you ask. I offer this prayer for those in my family who might be far away from you.

The New Translation

2011-11-28T05:13:00.002-05:00

So how did you like it? Me I loved it. I am very bias on this as the Hungarian Mass was already at this point so having English catch up is pure bliss.
To me it is more pure more meaing to the words and more beautiful. Father A at the new parish I also attend had us go through last week and guided us expertly through this weekend. He did a great job and everyone enjoyed the new words. It will take a while but all will be used to it and will wonder what all the fuss is about. The local paper the Toronto Star had the following story about the new tranlation of the mass;

Catholics’ reaction to new translation mixed

The new more formal translation of the Roman Catholic Mass could make it more challenging for the church to attract and keep young people, some parishioners in Toronto fear.

Others who attended Mass at St. Michael’s Cathedral said they saw little difference in the version delivered for the first time Sunday in churches throughout the English-speaking world.

And still others said younger people will adapt and may even be drawn by the beauty of the new translation from the original Latin.

“What this translation does is express the beauty, the poetry,” Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, told reporters after presiding over the noon Mass at St. Michael’s. “It’s more accurate, it’s more profound. It’s like going from black and white to colour, or from monotone to stereo.

“When you see the majesty of the liturgy, this is what draws people,” he said when asked if the new translation might be at odds with the church’s goal of attracting more young people.

The new version of the Roman Missal, which is the book of prayers used to lead the Mass, is the first major revision since 1969, when the church switched from Latin to the vernacular, or native language, in this case English.

The previous translation more closely reflected the way people speak. The new version is meant to be truer to the original Latin words and meaning.

Thus, the phrase “one in being with the Father,” part of the Nicene Creed, has become “consubstantial,” a word more derived from the Latin word “consubstantialis.”

Some worshippers at St. Michael’s Mass expressed concern the new terminology could make the church less appealing to younger people.

“I think there’s a real disconnect for the young people,” said Lucy Teves, a vice-principal at a Catholic school in Kingston, Ont. “I feel this is a step backwards. The language is going to be difficult for them to connect. I’m just thinking about my 20-year-old son and others like him who are struggling anyway.”

Another worshipper, Frank Spezzano, who can still quote from the original Latin Mass, said he thought the new translation wasn’t all that different from the previous one. “The alteration was slight.”

Peter Collins, who teaches Grade 3 at St. Michael’s Choir School, said he liked the new version and thought it would appeal to younger people. “I think a lot of young people appreciate the mystery and awe that it presents.”

Andrea Cowen, whose 15-year-old son was an altar boy in the service, said she thought the church had missed an opportunity to make the language more inclusive.

“There’s one part where it says ‘for the salvation of men.’ Using the male form. They had an opportunity to make it ‘for the salvation of humankind’,” she said.

The new version was introduced throughout the English-speaking world Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent, which is the start of the New Year in the Roman Catholic faith.

Some 1.9 million residents of the Archdiocese of Toronto identify themselves as Roman Catholics.

A Morning Prayer

2011-11-28T05:09:00.001-05:00

O Lord, the author and persuader
of peace, love and goodwill,
soften our hard and steely hearts,
warm our frozen and icy hearts,
that we may wish well to one another,
and may be the true disciples of Jesus Christ.
Give us grace even now
to begin to show that heavenly life,
where there is no hatred,
but peace and love everywhere.

- Juan Luis (Ludovicus) Vives

Simple and Beautiful

2011-11-28T05:02:00.001-05:00

"Whenever I go to the chapel, I put myself in the presence of our good Lord, and I say to him, "Lord, I am here. Tell me what you would have me do." If he gives me some task, I am content and I thank him. If he gives me nothing, I still thank him since I do not deserve to receive anything more than that. And then, I tell God everything that is in my heart. I tell him about my pains and my joys, and then I listen. If you listen, God will also speak to you, for with the good Lord, you have to both speak and listen. God always speaks to you when you approach him plainly and simply."

~ St. Catherine Laboure (1806 - 1876) ~

First Sunday of Advent

2011-11-27T06:40:00.001-05:00

Book of Isaiah 63:16b-17.19b.64:2b-7.

For you are our father. Were Abraham not to know us, nor Israel to acknowledge us, You, LORD, are our father, our redeemer you are named forever.
Why do you let us wander, O LORD, from your ways, and harden our hearts so that we fear you not? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your heritage.
Too long have we been like those you do not rule, who do not bear your name. Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, with the mountains quaking before you,
While you wrought awesome deeds we could not hope for,
such as they had not heard of from of old. No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen, any God but you doing such deeds for those who wait for him.
Would that you might meet us doing right, that we were mindful of you in our ways! Behold, you are angry, and we are sinful;
all of us have become like unclean men, all our good deeds are like polluted rags; We have all withered like leaves, and our guilt carries us away like the wind.
There is none who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to cling to you; For you have hidden your face from us and have delivered us up to our guilt.
Yet, O LORD, you are our father; we are the clay and you the potter: we are all the work of your hands.

Psalms 80(79):2ac.3b.15-16.18-19.

Shepherd of Israel, listen, guide of the flock of Joseph! From your throne upon the cherubim reveal yourself
Shepherd of Israel, listen, guide of the flock of Joseph! From your throne upon the cherubim reveal yourself
to Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. Stir up your power, come to save us.
Turn again, LORD of hosts; look down from heaven and see; Attend to this vine,

the shoot your right hand has planted.
May your help be with the man at your right hand, with the one whom you once made strong.
Then we will not withdraw from you; revive us, and we will call on your name.
First Letter to the Corinthians 1:3-9.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I give thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus,
that in him you were enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge,
as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you,
so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus (Christ).
God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 13:33-37.

Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.
It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch.
Watch, therefore; you do not know when the lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning.
May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.
What I say to you, I say to all: 'Watch!'"

What's Going On!

2011-11-24T05:08:00.002-05:00

An update of what I am up to lately. RCIA is going very well and really is helping me in understanding the faith better and what my part is in the faith. To me this is only starting to scratch the surface and will be up to me even after RCIA ends to dig deeper. Father Aleks has been wonderful and has so much information and wealth of knowledge to pass on. He is such a nice and kind gentle man. I could literally listen to him for hours.
As I may have mentioned I am double dipping and going to mass at the English church and our regular Hungarian parish. Tiring not really even though the timing of the Hungarian mass is a bit of an issue that we have now had to basically ignore. It seems that nothing changes there and I felt sorry for Father L as everybody continues to complain but not provide him with any help. When we went back people were giving me grief for not being there and they had lost their way during mass. Not really sure how they were able to attend mass or what they did before we started this whole displaying hymns and prayers on a screen. I noticed nobody had put up hymn numbers on the board or even changed the offertory candles by replacing the burned out ones with new ones but everybody could complain. Quite a strange bunch but deep down with my wife we have come to the realization that we have to attend to provide some help for Father L.
Now with the RCIA I have been getting more out of the mass in both languages which is something I was looking for and really lacking. I also as mentioned to develop farther with retreats and other courses that the English parish provides. But in the meantime I will enjoy and absorb the double dipping I do and thank God for directing me this way!
To all my American friends Happy Thanksgiving and God Bless!

A Prayer for Today

2011-11-24T05:06:00.000-05:00

We beg you, Lord,
to help and defend us.
Deliver the oppressed,
pity the insignificant, raise the fallen,
show yourself to the needy, heal the sick,
bring back those of your people
who have gone astray,
feed the hungry, lift up the weak,
take off the prisoners' chains.
May every nation come to know
that you alone are God,
that Jesus Christ is your child,
that we are your people,
the sheep of your pasture. Amen.

- Pope St. Clement I of Rome

A Prayer for Today

2011-11-20T07:24:00.000-05:00

Lord Jesus Christ,
who are called the prince of peace,
who are yourself our peace and reconciliation,
who so often said, "Peace to you,"
grant us peace.
Make all men and women witnesses
of truth, justice, and brotherly love.
Banish from their hearts
whatever might endanger peace.
Enlighten our rulers that they may guarantee
and defend the great gift of peace.
May all peoples of the earth
become as brothers and sisters.
May longed-for peace blossom forth
and reign always over us all.

- Bl. Pope John XXIII

Our Lord Jesus Christ the King - Solemnity

2011-11-20T07:22:00.001-05:00

Book of Ezekiel 34:11-12.15-17.

For thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will look after and tend my sheep.

As a shepherd tends his flock when he finds himself among his scattered sheep, so will I tend my sheep. I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered when it was cloudy and dark.

I myself will pasture my sheep; I myself will give them rest, says the Lord GOD.

The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal (but the sleek and the strong I will destroy), shepherding them rightly.

As for you, my sheep, says the Lord GOD, I will judge between one sheep and another, between rams and goats.

Psalms 23(22):1-2a.2b-3.5.6.

A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.

In green pastures you let me graze; to safe waters you lead me;

you restore my strength. You guide me along the right path for the sake of your name.

You set a table before me as my enemies watch; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Only goodness and love will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come.

First Letter to the Corinthians 15:20-26.28.

But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came also through a human being.

For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life,

but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ;

then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereignty and every authority and power.

For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

The last enemy to be destroyed is death,

When everything is subjected to him, then the Son himself will (also) be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 25:31-46.

Jesus said to his disciples: «When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne,

and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me,

naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.'

Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?

When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?

When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?'

And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,

a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.'

Then they will answer and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?'

He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.'

And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

St. Elizabeth of Hungary

2011-11-17T05:16:00.002-05:00

Today is the feast day of St. Elizabeth of Hungary so I thought I would share a short prayer and a little bit about this great saint from Hungary. Enjoy and God Bless!

Prayer

God,

You taught St. Elizabeth to recognize

and serve Christ in the poor.

Grant, through her intercession,

that we may always lovingly serve the needy

and the oppressed.

Amen

St. Elizabeth was born in Hungary in 1207, the daughter of Alexander II, King of Hungary. At the age of four she was sent for education to the court of the Landgrave of Thuringia, to whose infant son she was betrothed. As she grew in age, her piety also increased by leaps and bounds. In 1221, she married Louis of Thuringia and in spite of her position at court began to lead an austerely simple life, practiced penance, and devoted herself to works of charity.

Her husband was himself much inclined to religion and highly esteemed her virtue, encouraging her in her exemplary life. They had three children when tragedy struck - Louis was killed while fighting with the Crusaders. After his death, Elizabeth left the court, made arrangements for the care of her children, and in 1228, renounced the world, becoming a tertiary of St. Francis. She built the Franciscan hospital at Marburg and devoted herself to the care of the sick until her death at the age of 24 in 1231.

St. Elizabeth is the patron saint of bakers, countesses, death of children, falsely accused, the homeless, nursing services, tertiaries, widows, and young brides. Her symbols are alms, flowers, bread, the poor, and a pitcher.

A Prayer for Today

2011-11-16T05:40:00.000-05:00

We pray to you, O Lord,
who are the supreme truth,
and all truth is from you.
We beseech you, O Lord,
who are the highest wisdom,
and all the wise depend on you for their wisdom.
You are the supreme joy,
and all who are happy owe it to you.
You are the light of minds,
and all receive their understanding from you.
We love, we love you above all.
We seek you, we follow you,
and we are ready to serve you.
We desire to dwell under your power
for you are the king of all. Amen.

- St. Albert the Great

Today's Daily Blessing from Saint Padre Pio

2011-11-15T05:00:00.000-05:00

Always be faithful to God in keeping the promises made to Him and do not
bother about the ridicule of the foolish. Know that the saints were always
sneered at by the world and the worldly; and they have trampled and
triumphed over the world and its maxims.-Saint Padre Pio (1887-1968)

Pope Benedict: Do not waste your God-given talents and mission

2011-11-14T17:46:00.001-05:00

VATICAN CITY, November 13 (CNA/EWTN News) .- Pope Benedict XVI used his Sunday Angelus address Nov. 13 to remind people that God has given everybody both talents and a mission in life.

“God calls all men to life and bestows him with talents, while entrusting him with a mission to accomplish,” said the Pope from the window of his apostolic palace to the crowds gathered below in St. Peter’s Square.

“It would be foolish to think that these gifts are due to us, just as our failing to use them would be a dereliction of the goal of our very existence.”

The Pope drew his observations from Sunday’s Gospel passage from St. Matthew in which Jesus tells the parable of the master who goes on a long journey and gives talents to three servants. Upon his return, two have invested their talents and provide an enhanced return while the other does not and is condemned as “wicked and slothful.”

Pope Benedict said the passage should remind everybody of the “transience of earthy existence,” given that “our final destiny” and “meaning of life” is “death followed by Final Judgment.”

The third servant lost sight of this, he said, and “behaved as if his master would not to return, as if there was not a day when he would ask him to account for his activities.” To refuse to use our gifts or from embarking on our mission “would be a dereliction of the purpose of their (our talents’) existence.”

Given that the apostle St. Paul reminds us that the Lord will call us to account “like a thief in the night,” the Pope advised that we should live “in an attitude of watchfulness,” waiting for the second coming of Christ “in the constant memory of his first coming.”

The Pope then quoted from his 6-7th century predecessor, Pope Gregory the Great, who said that the primary virtue that needs to be preserved and enhanced throughout life is love—both love of friends and enemies.

“If one lacks this virtue, he loses all good that he possessed he is deprived of the talent he received and is thrown out, in darkness,” warned Pope Gregory.

Pope Benedict said that “only by practicing charity, can we also take part the joy of our Lord,” adding that “the Virgin Mary is both an active and joyful teacher supervising our path to union with God.”

Summing up his thoughts in his address to English-speaking pilgrims after the Angelus, the Pope said that the words of Sunday’s Gospel call us to “an ever deeper conversion of mind and heart, and a more effective solidarity in the service of all our brothers and sisters.”

“Upon you and your families I invoke the Lord’s blessings of wisdom, joy and peace!”

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-11-13T06:13:00.000-05:00

Book of Proverbs 31:10-13.19-20.30-31.

When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls.

Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize.

She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.

She obtains wool and flax and makes cloth with skillful hands.

She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers ply the spindle.

She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy.

Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her a reward of her labors, and let her works praise her at the city gates.

Psalms 128(127):1-2.3.4-5.

A song of ascents. Happy are all who fear the LORD, who walk in the ways of God.

What your hands provide you will enjoy; you will be happy and prosper:

Like a fruitful vine your wife within your home, Like olive plants your children around your table.

Just so will they be blessed who fear the LORD.

May the LORD bless you from Zion, all the days of your life That you may share Jerusalem's joy

First Letter to the Thessalonians 5:1-6.

Concerning times and seasons, brothers, you have no need for anything to be written to you.

For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night.

When people are saying, "Peace and security," then sudden disaster comes upon them, like labor pains upon a pregnant woman,and they will not escape.

But you, brothers, are not in darkness, for that day to overtake you like a thief.

For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness.

Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 25:14-30.

It will be as when a man who was going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.

To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one--to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately

the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five.

Likewise, the one who received two made another two.

But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master's money.

After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them.

The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.'

His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.'

(Then) the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, 'Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.'

His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.'

Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, 'Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter;

so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.'

His master said to him in reply, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter?

Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?

Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten.

For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'

A Prayer for Today

2011-11-09T05:12:00.000-05:00

Lord, I believe that you are here with me, and I hope in your boundless mercy and love. Thank you for watching over me and keeping me in your friendship. Thank you for the precious gift of our Mother, the Church.

The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

2011-11-09T05:09:00.001-05:00

Ezekiel 47: 1 - 2, 8 - 9, 12

Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east); and the water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar.
Then he brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me round on the outside to the outer gate, that faces toward the east; and the water was coming out on the south side.
And he said to me, "This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah; and when it enters the stagnant waters of the sea, the water will become fresh.
And wherever the river goes every living creature which swarms will live, and there will be very many fish; for this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes.
And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing."

Psalms 46: 2 - 3, 5 - 6, 8 - 9

Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. [Selah]
God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God will help her right early.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has wrought desolations in the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, he burns the chariots with fire!

1 Corinthians 3: 9 - 11, 16 - 17

For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it.
For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?
If any one destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to John 2: 13 - 22

The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers at their business.
And making a whip of cords, he drove them all, with the sheep and oxen, out of the temple; and he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables.
And he told those who sold the pigeons, "Take these things away; you shall not make my Father's house a house of trade."
His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for thy house will consume me."
The Jews then said to him, "What sign have you to show us for doing this?"
Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."
The Jews then said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?"
But he spoke of the temple of his body.
When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-11-06T06:32:00.001-05:00

Wisdom 6: 12 - 16

Wisdom is radiant and unfading, and she is easily discerned by those who love her, and is found by those who seek her.
She hastens to make herself known to those who desire her.
He who rises early to seek her will have no difficulty, for he will find her sitting at his gates.
To fix one's thought on her is perfect understanding, and he who is vigilant on her account will soon be free from care,
because she goes about seeking those worthy of her, and she graciously appears to them in their paths, and meets them in every thought.

Psalms 63: 2 - 8

So I have looked upon thee in the sanctuary, beholding thy power and glory.
Because thy steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise thee.
So I will bless thee as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on thy name.
My soul is feasted as with marrow and fat, and my mouth praises thee with joyful lips,
when I think of thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the watches of the night;
for thou hast been my help, and in the shadow of thy wings I sing for joy.
My soul clings to thee; thy right hand upholds me.

1 Thessalonians 4: 13 - 18

But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep.
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel's call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first;
then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord.
Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4: 13 - 14

But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 25: 1 - 13

"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them;
but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.
As the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
But at midnight there was a cry, `Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.'
Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps.
And the foolish said to the wise, `Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'
But the wise replied, `Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you; go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.'
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut.
Afterward the other maidens came also, saying, `Lord, lord, open to us.'
But he replied, `Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.'
Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

A Prayer for Today

2011-11-05T05:54:00.001-04:00

Almighty God,
you have generously
made known to human beings
the mysteries of your life
through Jesus Christ your Son
in the Holy Spirit.
Enlighten my mind
to know these mysteries
which your Church treasures and teaches.
Move my heart to love them
and my will to live in accord with them.
Give me the ability
to share this faith with others
without pride, without ostentation,
and without personal gain.
Let me realize
that I am simply your instrument
for bringing others
to the knowledge of the wonderful things
you have done for all your creatures.
Help me to be faithful to this task
that you have entrusted to me. Amen.
- St. Charles Borromeo

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed

2011-11-02T05:29:00.000-04:00

Book of Wisdom 3:1-9.

But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality;
Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;
They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD shall be their King forever.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with the elect.

Psalms 27(26):1.4.7.8.9.13-14.

Of David The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom do I fear? The LORD is my life's refuge; of whom am I afraid?
One thing I ask of the LORD; this I seek: To dwell in the LORD'S house all the days of my life, To gaze on the LORD'S beauty, to visit his temple.
I Hear my voice, LORD, when I call; have mercy on me and answer me.
"Come," says my heart, "seek God's face"; your face, LORD, do I seek!

Do not hide your face from me; do not repel your servant in anger. You are my help; do not cast me off; do not forsake me, God my savior!
But I believe I shall enjoy the LORD'S goodness in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the LORD!

Letter to the Romans 6:3-9.

Brothers and sisters: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.
For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection.
We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin.
For a dead person has been absolved from sin.
If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.
We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 25:31-46.

Jesus said to his disciples: «When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne,
and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me,
naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.'
Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?'
And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.'
Then they will answer and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?'
He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.'
And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

All Saints - Solemnity

2011-11-01T05:02:00.000-04:00

Book of Revelation 7:2-4.9-14.

Then I saw another angel come up from the East, holding the seal of the living God. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who were given power to damage the land and the sea,
"Do not damage the land or the sea or the trees until we put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God."
I heard the number of those who had been marked with the seal, one hundred and forty-four thousand marked from every tribe of the Israelites:
After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.
They cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb."
All the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They prostrated themselves before the throne, worshiped God,
and exclaimed: "Amen. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor, power, and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen."
Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me, "Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?"
I said to him, "My lord, you are the one who knows." He said to me, "These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Psalms 24(23):1-2.3-4ab.5-6.

A psalm of David. The earth is the LORD'S and all it holds, the world and those who live there.
For God founded it on the seas, established it over the rivers.
Who may go up the mountain of the LORD? Who can stand in his holy place?
"The clean of hand and pure of heart, who are not devoted to idols, who have not sworn falsely.

"The clean of hand and pure of heart, who are not devoted to idols, who have not sworn falsely.
They will receive blessings from the LORD, and justice from their saving God.
Such are the people that love the LORD, that seek the face of the God of Jacob." Selah

First Letter of John 3:1-3.
See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 5:1-12a.

When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

A Prayer for Today

2011-11-01T05:01:00.000-04:00

Into your hands, O Lord,
and into the hands of your holy angels,
I commit and entrust this day my soul,
my relations, my benefactors,
my friends and my enemies,
and all your people.
Keep us, O Lord,
throughout this day
by the merits and intercessions
of blessed virgin Mary and all the saints.
- St. Edmund of Abingdon

10 Tips for Living a Better Life by Pope John XXIII

2011-10-30T06:03:00.001-04:00

Found this at I Catholic, one of the members posted and we should all try this to see how much better our lives can be.

So here are ten tips from Pope John XXIII about how to live a better life, dahttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gify to day:

1. Only for today, I will seek to live the livelong day positively without wishing to solve the problems of my life all at once.

2. Only for today, I will take the greatest care of my appearance: I will dress modestly; I will not raise my voice; I will be courteous in my behavior; I will not criticize anyone; I will not claim to improve or to discipline anyone except myself.

3. Only for today, I will be happy in the certainty that I was created to be happy, not only in the other world but also in this one.

4. Only for today, I will adapt to circumstances, without requiring all circumstances to be adapted to my own wishes.

5. Only for today, I will devote 10 minutes of my time to some good reading, remembering that just as food is necessary to the life of the body, so good reading is necessary to the life of the soul.

6. Only for today, I will do one good deed and not tell anyone about it.

7. Only for today, I will do at least one thing I do not like doing; and if my feelings are hurt, I will make sure that no one notices.

8. Only for today, I will make a plan for myself: I may not follow it to the letter, but I will make it. And I will be on guard against two evils: hastiness and indecision.

9. Only for today, I will firmly believe, despite appearances, that the good Providence of God cares for me as no one else who exists in this world.

10. Only for today, I will have no fears. In particular, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe in goodness. Indeed, for 12 hours I can certainly do what might cause me consternation were I to believe I had to do it all my life.

Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-10-30T05:54:00.001-04:00

Book of Malachi 1:14b.2:1-2b.8-10.

Cursed is the deceiver, who has in his flock a male, but under his vow sacrifices to the LORD a gelding; For a great King am I, says the LORD of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.
And now, O priests, this commandment is for you: If you do not listen,
And if you do not lay it to heart, to give glory to my name, says the LORD of hosts, I will send a curse upon you and of your blessing I will make a curse. Yes, I have already cursed it, because you do not lay it to heart.
But you have turned aside from the way, and have caused many to falter by your instruction; You have made void the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of hosts.
I, therefore, have made you contemptible and base before all the people, Since you do not keep my ways, but show partiality in your decisions.
Have we not all the one Father? Has not the one God created us? Why then do we break faith with each other, violating the covenant of our fathers?

Psalms 131(130):1.2.3.

A song of ascents. Of David. LORD, my heart is not proud; nor are my eyes haughty. I do not busy myself with great matters, with things too sublime for me.
Rather, I have stilled my soul, hushed it like a weaned child. Like a weaned child on its mother's lap, so is my soul within me.
Israel, hope in the LORD, now and forever.

First Letter to the Thessalonians 2:7b-9.13.

Although we were able to impose our weight as apostles of Christ. Rather, we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cares for her children.
With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved had you become to us.
You recall, brothers, our toil and drudgery. Working night and day in order not to burden any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
And for this reason we too give thanks to God unceasingly, that,in receiving the word of God from hearing us, you received not a human word but, as it truly is, the word of God, which is now atwork in you who believe.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 23:1-12.

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples,
saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens (hard to carry) and lay them on people's shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.'
As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.' You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called 'Master'; you have but one master, the Messiah.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Twice as Good?

2011-10-29T05:50:00.002-04:00

So as mentioned I started RCIA this week and now it seems I will be going to two parishes! Confusing yes problem no! It kind of dawned on me that this might just be the best of both worlds and help my journey even more.
Now I am sure it will not accelerate it but actually in fact bring me back to the very roots of my faith that I need to establish. I guess my roots are like those of the mustard seed on the rocks!
The people who run the RCIA are very wonderful and really appear to want to go out of their way to help and to make one welcome. I received a nice package and best of all a bible, my very first and now a very cherished possession. Remarkable the contents and why is it that it is easier to read in book form then in online form?
So hang on as this should be a good ride but one with great benefits. Mass is easy I can go to the English parish Saturday evening or Sunday first thing and then on for the 11am at our old parish. I have discussed at my old parish that I might not be there every week but will try as the 11:00am mass is a bit late and wipes out the day but for the most part we can live with it. Hectic yes strange yes but from what I have seen at our Hungarian parish that there are a few people who attend two parishes as well.
So all in all took a small big step forward and now time to absorb the teachings and the words to be a better person and to become strong in my faith!

Floating

2011-10-23T05:21:00.002-04:00

As mentioned I have been contemplating switching parishes. Going from my ethnic Hungarian background and parish to a local parish.
I have been weighing the pros and cons of the situation and right now the local parish is winning out. First I love the mass time of 8:00am. Really has worked out great the last few weeks and even today as I have the whole day still ahead of me to work around my house, be with my family, be a couch potato and unwind. The 11:00am mass at the other parish plus the travel time and the helping out had us home around 1:00pm and we were either in a rush or just gave up and fell behind in our chores and cooking and never had time for each other and the family. I really liked it when we had the 9:00am mass but this has been canceled and so has the 10:00am mass which was still good.
As mentioned we had a 15-20 minute drive to the Hungarian parish. New parish 5 minutes can even walk on a nice day (or when my hip decides to heal up).
The largest influence having me lean to the new parish is that I have already enrolled in the RCIA class after talking with Father A. I have been lost many times at mass even though I did pick up Hungarian and learned to read Hungarian I still knew that I did not have the comprehension of the mass and the faith. Sadly though there was not much they could offer me. I wanted to learn what I had never learned about the faith and how it works and what my role there is etc. I did go through Cursillo but that is not a base but maybe a branch or at the very least a different type of foundation. As I mentioned to the office secretary at the new parish when enrolling even though I am a Catholic I know nothing.
My heart is still heavy about this and it might be a few weeks before I make a final decision and it is hard but is it selfish to ant to know and expand your knowledge in your faith so ultimately one can become closer to the Lord? I don't think so but I could be wrong.
Looking forward to RCIA class on Tuesday evening and going forward from there. Until later God Bless and take care!

The Sunday Readings

2011-10-23T05:19:00.001-04:00

First Reading - Ex 22:20-26

20 He that sacrificeth to gods, shall be put to death, save only to the Lord. 21 Thou shalt not molest a stranger, nor afflict him: for yourselves also were strangers in the land of Egypt. 22 You shall not hurt a widow or an orphan. 23 If you hurt them they will cry out to me, and I will hear their cry: 24 And my rage shall be enkindled, and I will strike you with the sword, and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless. 25 If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor, that dwelleth with thee, thou shalt not be hard upon them as an extortioner, nor oppress them with usuries. 26 If thou take of thy neighbour a garment in pledge, thou shalt give it him again before sunset.

Psalm - Ps 18:2-4,47,51

2 I will love thee, O Lord, my strength: 3 The Lord is my firmament, my refuge, and my deliverer. My God is my helper, and in him will I put my trust. My protector and the horn of my salvation, and my support. 4 Praising I will call upon the Lord: and I shall be saved from my enemies. 47 The Lord liveth, and blessed be my God, and let the God of my salvation be exalted. 51 Giving great deliverance to his king, and shewing mercy to David his anointed: and to his seed for ever.

Second Reading - 1 Thess 1:5c-10

5c As you know what manner of men we have been among you for your sakes. 6 And you became followers of us, and of the Lord; receiving the word in much tribulation, with joy of the Holy Ghost: 7 So that you were made a pattern to all that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For from you was spread abroad the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia, and in Achaia, but also in every place, your faith which is towards God, is gone forth, so that we need not to speak any thing. 9 For they themselves relate of us, what manner of entering in we had unto you; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God. 10 And to wait for his Son from heaven (whom he raised up from the dead,) Jesus, who hath delivered us from the wrath to come.

Gospel - Mt 22:34-40

34 But the Pharisees hearing that he had silenced the Sadducees, came together: 35 And one of them, a doctor of the law, asking him, tempting him: 36 Master, which is the greatest commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind. 38 This is the greatest and the first commandment. 39 And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets.

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-10-16T06:13:00.001-04:00

Reading 1 Is 45:1, 4-6

Thus says the LORD to his anointed, Cyrus,
whose right hand I grasp,
subduing nations before him,
and making kings run in his service,
opening doors before him
and leaving the gates unbarred:
For the sake of Jacob, my servant,
of Israel, my chosen one,
I have called you by your name,
giving you a title, though you knew me not.
I am the LORD and there is no other,
there is no God besides me.
It is I who arm you, though you know me not,
so that toward the rising and the setting of the sun
people may know that there is none besides me.
I am the LORD, there is no other.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10

R. (7b) Give the Lord glory and honor.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Give the Lord glory and honor.
For great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
awesome is he, beyond all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are things of nought,
but the LORD made the heavens.
R. Give the Lord glory and honor.
Give to the LORD, you families of nations,
give to the LORD glory and praise;
give to the LORD the glory due his name!
Bring gifts, and enter his courts.
R. Give the Lord glory and honor.
Worship the LORD, in holy attire;
tremble before him, all the earth;
say among the nations: The LORD is king,
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. Give the Lord glory and honor.

Reading 2 1 Thes 1:1-5b

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians
in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
grace to you and peace.
We give thanks to God always for all of you,
remembering you in our prayers,
unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love
and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ,
before our God and Father,
knowing, brothers and sisters loved by God,
how you were chosen.
For our gospel did not come to you in word alone,
but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction.

Gospel Mt 22:15-21

The Pharisees went off
and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech.
They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying,
"Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man
and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
And you are not concerned with anyone's opinion,
for you do not regard a person's status.
Tell us, then, what is your opinion:
Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?"
Knowing their malice, Jesus said,
"Why are you testing me, you hypocrites?
Show me the coin that pays the census tax."
Then they handed him the Roman coin.
He said to them, "Whose image is this and whose inscription?"
They replied, "Caesar's."
At that he said to them,
"Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar
and to God what belongs to God."

Great Reminder!

2011-10-13T19:25:00.000-04:00

I saw this at CNA and thought what a great reminder for us. Please read through and apply to your daily life!

Pope reminds Christians to thank God for good things

Vatican City, October 12 (CNA/EWTN News) .- Pope Benedict XVI reminded Christians today to thank God for the good things in life, instead of only bringing problems to him.

"Dear brothers and sisters, in our prayers we should look at how often, in the events of our lives, the Lord has protected us, guided us, helped us," the Pope said at the Oct. 12 general audience in St. Peter's Square.

He encouraged Christians to "be more attentive to the good things that the Lord gives us. We are always attentive to the problems, difficulties and almost do not want to see that there are good things come from the Lord."

In his latest discourse on prayer, Pope Benedict was dwelt on Psalm 126. It charts the joy of the Jewish people returning from their exile in Babylon in the 6th century B.C. Even today, the psalm is sung in an upbeat, joyous manner at Jewish religious occasions.

"When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed," reads the psalm's first line as it depicts a people whose "mouths were filled with laughter" and "tongues with songs of joy."

The psalm "celebrates the great things which the Lord has done for His people, and which He continues to do for all believers," said Pope Benedict.

The importance of this gratitude to God, he added, is that it creates hearts "full of joy" and memories "of the good that also helps us in the dark hours."

Such good memories are required by the Jewish people in the psalm, the Pope observed, as they returned to find to a promised land now "impoverished, devastated." "Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy," is how the psalmist expresses his hope.

"This imagery of the seed which silently grows to maturity reminds us that God's salvation is at once a gift already received and the object of our hope, a promise whose fulfilment remains in the future," the Pope.

And he noted how Jesus later uses the same imagery to "express the passage from death to life, from darkness to light, which must take place in the lives of all who put their faith in him and share in his paschal mystery."

"This psalm teaches us that, in our prayer, we must always remain hopeful and firm in our faith in God," even when our life is "marked often by suffering, uncertainty, moments of crisis," said the Pope, echoing a theme of his teachings from the last several weeks.

This hope and faith is fulfilled in Jesus, with whom "our exile ends, and every tear is dried." It is in the "great discovery of Jesus Christ" that "we learn that even in dark nights, not to forget that the light exists, that God is already in the midst of our life and that we can sow with great confidence."

Pope Benedict finished his discourse by saying: "As we pray this Psalm, may we echo the song of the Virgin Mary by rejoicing in the great things which the Almighty has done for us, and by awaiting in hope the fulfilment of God's promises."

He then led pilgrims in the singing of the Our Father in Latin before imparting his apostolic blessing.

A Prayer for Today

2011-10-09T06:40:00.002-04:00

Lord, I believe that you are present here as I turn to you in prayer. I trust and have confidence in your desire to give me every grace I need to receive today. Thank you for your love, thank you for your immense generosity toward me. I give you my life and my love in return.

The Struggles Continue

2011-10-09T06:39:00.001-04:00

Yes my struggle is still on going and I have zeroed in on some problems and the cause of the struggles.
First is whether or not to stay at my parish. I do love the fact of it being a 'ethnic church' this gives us a uniqueness and also helps with my roots being developed back to Hungary.
I do like the way mass is done a more traditional style but there are some shortcomings since Father L took over and one of them is he always seems to be in a hurry when going through mass. Personally I do not like this as I go to pray and absorb what mass has to offer me and be with God. I do not like the "Beat the Clock" Mass.
Of course the get together's and different dinners through the year are excellent. Again helping my roots develop more.
I do not like the 11:00 am mass as it is too late in the morning for me especially with the travel. Last week as I help clean up after mass, turn off lights etc. we got home around 1 in the afternoon. Not that this should matter but I would like to be at home and enjoy my time with my wife and family.
Lastly the affiliations Father L is starting to me will lead the parish on a path that might leads to its own end based on the track record of the people he is aligning himself with despite objections and warnings from others.
The lack of spiritual development is huge and other than the Cursillo get together there really is nothing. We also can't make the evening midweek mass and rosary which we went to once and I really enjoyed. With my wife working and my inability to drive it is extremely hard to get there for this.
The parish down the road I could be at 8:00am mass which I did mention the other week that I loved and they always have some form of spiritually development renewal every week going on. The parish is Polish and English so the mix is nice.
So here I sit in my struggles of where to go. On top of that I am still struggling with the fact where am I in all of this and where do I want to be. It continues and sometimes I get reved up do some reading of blogs the bible do a rosary all online and think this is great but then the realization of well would this and should this not take place in church gets to me because for some reason in my mind it would mean more? Not sure. I will continue to work it out and hopefully settle but I hate this restlessness and want to grow in my faith. What to do? Take care and God Bless!

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-10-09T06:19:00.003-04:00

Book of Isaiah 25:6-10a.

On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples A feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.

On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, The web that is woven over all nations;

he will destroy death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces; The reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken.

On that day it will be said: "Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the LORD for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!"

For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain, but Moab will be trodden down as a straw is trodden down in the mire.

Psalms 23(22):1-3a.3b-4.5.6.

A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.

In green pastures you let me graze; to safe waters you lead me;

you restore my strength. You guide me along the right path for the sake of your name.

Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side; your rod and staff give me courage.

You set a table before me as my enemies watch; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Only goodness and love will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come.

Letter to the Philippians 4:12-14.19-20.

I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need.

I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.

Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress.

My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

To our God and Father, glory forever and ever. Amen.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 22:1-14.

Jesus again in reply spoke to them in parables, saying,

The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son.

He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come.

A second time he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those invited: "Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast."'

Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business.

The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them.

The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.

Then he said to his servants, 'The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come.

Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.'

The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests.

But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment.

He said to him, 'My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?' But he was reduced to silence.

Then the king said to his attendants, 'Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'

Many are invited, but few are chosen."

Recharge

2011-10-02T06:02:00.002-04:00

Had a wonderful day yesterday. I was able to attend morning mass and then we had our monthly Cursillo meeting. I just love going as it rejuvenates me and lifts a lot off of my shoulders. The prayers the discussions and just being together with people in the presence of our Lord is wonderful. Sometimes I truly wish I never had to leave.
Every month someone has to make a presentation. It was supposed to be me but I missed the September get together so it was passed on to another lady and as usual we had to fight back tears listening to her story. It is truly remarkable at times what kind of suffering people have had and what draws them closer to God.
It was truly a wonderful day!
God Bless and have a great week!

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-10-02T06:00:00.001-04:00

Book of Isaiah 5:1-7.

Let me now sing of my friend, my friend's song concerning his vineyard. My friend had a vineyard on a fertile hillside;

He spaded it, cleared it of stones, and planted the choicest vines; Within it he built a watchtower, and hewed out a wine press. Then he looked for the crop of grapes, but what it yielded was wild grapes.

Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard:

What more was there to do for my vineyard that I had not done? Why, when I looked for the crop of grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes?

Now, I will let you know what I mean to do to my vineyard: Take away its hedge, give it to grazing, break through its wall, let it be trampled!

Yes, I will make it a ruin: it shall not be pruned or hoed, but overgrown with thorns and briers; I will command the clouds not to send rain upon it.

The vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are his cherished plant; He looked for judgment, but see, bloodshed! for justice, but hark, the outcry!

Psalms 80(79):9.12.13-14.15-16.19-20.

You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove away the nations and planted it.

It sent out boughs as far as the sea, shoots as far as the river.

Why have you broken down the walls, so that all who pass by pluck its fruit?

The boar from the forest strips the vine; the beast of the field feeds upon it.

Turn again, LORD of hosts; look down from heaven and see; Attend to this vine,

the shoot your right hand has planted.

Then we will not withdraw from you; revive us, and we will call on your name.

LORD of hosts, restore us; let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.

Letter to the Philippians 4:6-9.

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.

Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 21:33-43.

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: «Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey.

When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce.

But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned.

Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way.

Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, 'They will respect my son.'

But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.'

They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.

What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?"

They answered him, "He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times."

Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the scriptures: 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes'?

Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.

Internal Struggles

2011-09-25T06:15:00.001-04:00

It must be fall time as this is when I usually have a titanic internal struggle. This time it is huge. Some days I wonder am I on the right path? Do I need this path? If this is the right path why is it so difficult and at times fruitless? The last few weeks have been hard and on top of this now I am having struggles if I should continue to keep going to my little Hungarian parish. Father L has again changed times of mass and not brought back the 9:00 am mass. He has also cleaned house which was needed but has aligned himself with some even more questionable people then the ones he swept out and appears to be talking out of both sides of his mouth now. I will have to dig deeper into this to be sure as right now this is what appears to be on the surface.
The other week I went to the local parish which is an English Polish parish and enjoyed the mass and it was better attended than any of the ones we have at the Hungarian Parish. To top it of it was at 8:00 am. I was home at 9:10 and had a great day with my family.
So it is a struggle not needed right now as mentioned I am having my annual internal struggle as to where I am in God's world and if I should be there.
Please help and pray that these things will work out because I have been praying hard. Take care and God Bless!

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-09-25T06:04:00.003-04:00

Book of Ezekiel 18:25-28.

You say, "The LORD'S way is not fair!" Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?

When a virtuous man turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die.

But if a wicked man, turning from the wickedness he has committed, does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life;

since he has turned away from all the sins which he committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

Psalms 25(24):4bc-5.6-7.8-9.

Make known to me your ways, LORD; teach me your paths.

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior. For you I wait all the long day, because of your goodness, LORD.

Remember your compassion and love, O LORD; for they are ages old.

Remember no more the sins of my youth; remember me only in light of your love.

Good and upright is the LORD, who shows sinners the way,

Guides the humble rightly, and teaches the humble the way.

Letter to the Philippians 2:1-11.

If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy,

complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing.

Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves,

each looking out not for his own interests, but (also) everyone for those of others.

Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus,

Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.

Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance,

he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.

Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 21:28-32.

What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.'

He said in reply, 'I will not,' but afterwards he changed his mind and went.

The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, 'Yes, sir,' but did not go.

Which of the two did his father's will?" They answered, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.

When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.

A Prayer for Today

2011-09-25T05:37:00.002-04:00

In you, Lord, I find all my joy and happiness. How could I offend you by chasing after fleeting success and lifeless trophies? I believe in you because you are truth itself. I hope in you because you are faithful to your promises. I love you because you have loved me first. I am a sinner; nevertheless, you have given me so many blessings. I humbly thank you.

A Thought for Today

2011-09-25T05:36:00.001-04:00

"Pray, hope and don't worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer."

~ St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (1887 - 1968) ~

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-09-18T05:02:00.001-04:00

Book of Isaiah 55:6-9.

Seek the LORD while he may be found, call him while he is near.
Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked man his thoughts; Let him turn to the LORD for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.

Psalms 145(144):2-3.8-9.17-18.

Every day I will bless you; I will praise your name forever.
Great is the LORD and worthy of high praise; God's grandeur is beyond understanding.
The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love.
The LORD is good to all, compassionate to every creature.

You, LORD, are just in all your ways, faithful in all your works.
You, LORD, are near to all who call upon you, to all who call upon you in truth.

Letter to the Philippians 1:20c-24.27a.
My eager expectation and hope is that I shall not be put to shame in any way, but that with all boldness, now as always, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.
For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.
If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. And I do not know which I shall choose.
I am caught between the two. I long to depart this life and be with Christ, (for) that is far better.
Yet that I remain (in) the flesh is more necessary for your benefit.
Only, conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear news of you, that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind struggling together for the faith of the gospel,

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 20:1-16a.

The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.
After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard.
Going out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
and he said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.'
So they went off. (And) he went out again around noon, and around three o'clock, and did likewise.
Going out about five o'clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?'
They answered, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard.'
When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.'
When those who had started about five o'clock came, each received the usual daily wage.
So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage.
And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner,
saying, 'These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day's burden and the heat.'
He said to one of them in reply, 'My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?
Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?
(Or) am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?'
Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last."

A Prayer for Sunday

2011-09-18T05:00:00.001-04:00

Lord, you are the author of life and the giver of all that is good. You are the Prince of Peace and my mainstay. You are my healer and the cure itself. I need you, and I need to give you. I love you and commit myself to you entirely, knowing you could never let me down or deceive me. Thank you for giving me your very self.

A Prayer for Today

2011-09-16T04:51:00.001-04:00

Lord Jesus, I believe that you came into this world to redeem sinners. I hope in you and in your power to transform my soul, by your grace, from sinfulness to holiness. Lord, I love you and offer you the longings of my heart to put you truly first in my life. I want to love you with all my mind, heart, soul and strength.

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

2011-09-14T05:05:00.001-04:00

Book of Numbers 21:4b-9.
From Mount Hor they set out on the Red Sea road, to by-pass the land of Edom. But with their patience worn out by the journey,
the people complained against God and Moses, "Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? We are disgusted with this wretched food!"
In punishment the LORD sent among the people saraph serpents, which bit the people so that many of them died.
Then the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned in complaining against the LORD and you. Pray the LORD to take the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people,
and the LORD said to Moses, "Make a saraph and mount it on a pole, and if anyone who has been bitten looks at it, he will recover."
Moses accordingly made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole, and whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent looked at the bronze serpent, he recovered.

Psalms 78(77):1-2.34-35.36-37.38.

A maskil of Asaph. Attend, my people, to my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in story, drawing lessons from of old.
When he slew them, they began to seek him; they again inquired of their God.
They remembered that God was their rock, God Most High, their redeemer.

But they deceived him with their mouths, lied to him with their tongues.
Their hearts were not constant toward him; they were not faithful to his covenant.
But God is merciful and forgave their sin; he did not utterly destroy them. Time and again he turned back his anger, unwilling to unleash all his rage.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 3:13-17.

Jesus said to Nicodemus : "No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-09-11T05:22:00.001-04:00

Book of Sirach 27:30.28:1-7.

Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight.
The vengeful will suffer the LORD'S vengeance, for he remembers their sins in detail.
Forgive your neighbor's injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven.
Should a man nourish anger against his fellows and expect healing from the LORD?
Should a man refuse mercy to his fellows, yet seek pardon for his own sins?
If he who is but flesh cherishes wrath, who will forgive his sins?
Remember your last days, set enmity aside; remember death and decay, and cease from sin!
Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbor; of the Most High's covenant, and overlook faults.

Psalms 103(102):1-2.3-4.9-10.11-12.

Of David. Bless the LORD, my soul; all my being, bless his holy name!
Bless the LORD, my soul; do not forget all the gifts of God,
Who pardons all your sins, heals all your ills,
Delivers your life from the pit, surrounds you with love and compassion,

God does not always rebuke, nurses no lasting anger,
Has not dealt with us as our sins merit, nor requited us as our deeds deserve.
As the heavens tower over the earth, so God's love towers over the faithful.
As far as the east is from the west, so far have our sins been removed from us.

Letter to the Romans 14:7-9.

None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself.
For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.
For this is why Christ died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 18:21-35.

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, «Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?»
Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.
That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants.
When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount.
Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt.
At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.'
Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan.
When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, 'Pay back what you owe.'
Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt.
Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair.
His master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.
Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?'
Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt.
So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart."

Another Reading

2011-09-10T05:00:00.000-04:00

Yesterday's first reading also grabbed my imagination and here it is;

1 Tim 1:1-2,12-14 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the commandment of God our Saviour, and of Christ Jesus our hope:2 To Timothy, his beloved son in faith. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father, and from Christ Jesus our Lord.12 I give thanks who hath strengthened me, even to Christ Jesus our Lord, for that he hath counted me faithful, putting me in the ministry;13 Who before was a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and contumelious. But I obtained the mercy of God, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.14 Now the grace of our Lord hath abounded exceedingly with faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus.

How many of us can relate to Paul in this, it was those lines that struck a chord in me as to how much all of us are like Paul as we try to find our way and how much our Lord is trying to guide us to the right path.

A Prayer for Today

2011-09-09T05:28:00.002-04:00

God the Father, thank you for the gift of creation, including my own life. God the Son, thank you for redeeming me at the price of your own Body and Blood. God the Holy Spirit, thank you for being the sweet guest of my soul, enlightening my mind, strengthening my spirit and kindling the fire of your love in my heart.

Today's First Reading

2011-09-07T05:00:00.002-04:00

The First reading for today really caught my eye and imagination and will now share with you;

Letter to the Colossians 3:1-11.

Brothers and sisters: If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.
Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry.
Because of these the wrath of God is coming (upon the disobedient).
By these you too once conducted yourselves, when you lived in that way.
But now you must put them all away: anger, fury, malice, slander, and obscene language out of your mouths.
Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices
and have put on the new self, which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the image of its creator.
Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all and in all.

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-09-04T06:18:00.001-04:00

Book of Ezekiel 33:7-9.
You, son of man, I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel; when you hear me say anything, you shall warn them for me.
If I tell the wicked man that he shall surely die, and you do not speak out to dissuade the wicked man from his way, he (the wicked man) shall die for his guilt, but I will hold you responsible for his death.
But if you warn the wicked man, trying to turn him from his way, and he refuses to turn from his way, he shall die for his guilt, but you shall save yourself.

Psalms 95(94):1-2.6-7.8-9

Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD; cry out to the rock of our salvation.
Let us greet him with a song of praise, joyfully sing out our psalms.
Enter, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For this is our God, whose people we are, God's well-tended flock. Oh, that today you would hear his voice:

Do not harden your hearts as at Meribah, as on the day of Massah in the desert.
There your ancestors tested me; they tried me though they had seen my works.

Letter to the Romans 13:8-10.

Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this saying, (namely) "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 18:15-20.

If your brother sins (against you), go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother.
If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that 'every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.'
If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.
Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Again, (amen,) I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father.
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

A Prayer For Today

2011-09-04T06:17:00.000-04:00

Lord Jesus, I come to you once again in prayer. Even though I cannot see you, my faith tells me that you are present. You are ready to listen and desire to speak with me. Your presence gives me hope, because you are the all-powerful God, the creator of heaven and earth. You are the source of all that is good in my life. Nothing happens to me without your knowing and permitting it. My hope leads me to love. I want to be one with you in mind and heart, identifying myself with your will and your standards.

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-08-28T05:56:00.000-04:00

First Reading
Jeremiah 20: 7-9

You duped me, O Lord, and I let myself be duped; you were too strong for me, and you triumphed. All the day I am an object of laughter; everyone mocks me.

Whenever I speak, I must cry out, violence and outrage is my message; the word of the Lord has brought me
derision and reproach all the day.

I say to myself, I will not mention him, I will speak in his name no more. But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 63: 2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

R. (2b) My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
O God, you are my God whom I seek;
for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts
like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary
to see your power and your glory,
For your kindness is a greater good than life;
my lips shall glorify you.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
Thus will I bless you while I live;
lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name.
As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied,
and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
You are my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.
My soul clings fast to you;
your right hand upholds me.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

Second Reading
Romans 12: 1-2

I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.

Holy Gospel
Matthew 16: 21-27

Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay all according to his conduct.”

A Prayer for Today

2011-08-28T05:55:00.001-04:00

Lord God, I come from dust and to dust I shall return. You, however, existed before all time, and every creature takes its being from you. You formed me in my mother’s womb with infinite care, and you watch over me tenderly. I hope you will embrace my soul at my death to carry me home to heaven to be with you forever. Thank you for looking upon me and blessing me with your love. Take my love in return. I humbly offer you all that I am.

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-08-21T07:09:00.000-04:00

Book of Isaiah 22:19-23.

I will thrust you from your office and pull you down from your station.

On that day I will summon my servant Eliakim, son of Hilkiah;

I will clothe him with your robe, and gird him with your sash, and give over to him your authority. He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah
.
I will place the key of the House of David on his shoulder; when he opens, no one shall shut, when he shuts, no one shall open.

I will fix him like a peg in a sure spot, to be a place of honor for his family;

Psalms 138(137):1-2a.2bc-3.6.8bc.

Of David. I thank you, LORD, with all my heart; before the gods to you I sing.
I bow low toward your holy temple; I praise your name for your fidelity and love. For you have exalted over all your name and your promise.
I bow low toward your holy temple; I praise your name for your fidelity and love. For you have exalted over all your name and your promise.
I bow low toward your holy temple; I praise your name for your fidelity and love. For you have exalted over all your name and your promise.

When I cried out, you answered; you strengthened my spirit.
The LORD is on high, but cares for the lowly and knows the proud from afar.
The LORD is with me to the end. LORD, your love endures forever. Never forsake the work of your hands!
The LORD is with me to the end. LORD, your love endures forever. Never forsake the work of your hands!

Letter to the Romans 11:33-36.

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!
"For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor?"
"Or who has given him anything that he may be repaid?"
For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 16:13-20.

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, «Who do people say that the Son of Man is?»

They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"

Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."

Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.

And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.

I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Messiah.

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-08-14T06:04:00.001-04:00

Book of Isaiah 56:1.6-7.

Thus says the LORD: Observe what is right, do what is just; for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed.

And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, ministering to him, Loving the name of the LORD, and becoming his servants-- All who keep the sabbath free from profanation and hold to my covenant,

Them I will bring to my holy mountain and make joyful in my house of prayer; Their holocausts and sacrifices will be acceptable on my altar, For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.

Psalms 67(66):2-3.5.6.8.

May God be gracious to us and bless us; may God's face shine upon us. Selah
So shall your rule be known upon the earth, your saving power among all the nations.
May the nations be glad and shout for joy; for you govern the peoples justly, you guide the nations upon the earth. Selah
May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you!

May God bless us still; that the ends of the earth may revere our God.

Letter to the Romans 11:13-15.29-32.

Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I glory in my ministry in order to make my race jealous and thus save some of them.

For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.
Just as you once disobeyed God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience,
so they have now disobeyed in order that, by virtue of the mercy shown to you, they too may (now) receive mercy.

For God delivered all to disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 15:21-28.

Then Jesus went from that place and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, "Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon."
But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, "Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us."
He said in reply, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
But the woman came and did him homage, saying, "Lord, help me."
He said in reply, "It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs."
She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters."
Then Jesus said to her in reply, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed from that hour.