MyJoysComplete!: Recent Episodes
Joyce Stellus
WAS>>>>My take on daily Scripture readings... in the ordinary sense of the Word!😊 AND NOW.... just periodic rantings.....😁😁
“O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart.
Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling
and scatter there, Your cheerful beams.”
St Augustine (354-430) Doctor of Grace
What is God inviting me to at an Ignatian Silent Retreat?
Nourishment – Discernment – Clarity – Freedom
“Never let anything so fill you with sorrow as to make you forget the joy of Christ risen.”
– SAINT MOTHER THERESA OF CALCUTTA
“Let us be careful shepherds
watching over Christ’s flock.
Let us preach the whole of God’s plan,
to the powerful and to the humble,
to rich and to poor,
to men of every rank and age,
as far as God gives us the strength,
in season and out of season.”
St Boniface (672-754)
Martyr, Confessor, Bishop
Kings and queens and bishops and popes sought St. Hildegard’s counsel. But the Benedectine nun was perhaps most knowledgeable about admiring and appreciating every creature.
Among her most inspirational words:
- “The Earth sustains humanity. It must not be injured; it must not be destroyed.”
- “Every creature is a glittering, glistening mirror of divinity.”
- “Creation is the song of God.”
- “Humankind is called to co-create, so that we might cultivate the earthly, and thereby create the heavenly.”
- https://laudatosimovement.org/news/10-saints-whose-care-for-creation-still-inspires-us-today/
Show respect foe other people's opinions
Become genuinely interested in other people.
Always begin in a friendly way.
Always begin with praise and appreciation.
Go out of your way to make others feel more important.
- Dale Carnegie
THE CCC in one Year - My highlights: 68 - In love God has revealed himself and given himself to man. 74.God graciously arranged that the things he had once revealed for the salvation of all peoples should remain in their entirety, throughout the ages, and be transmitted to all generations. 85. The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone.
If you seek patience, you will find no better example than the cross. Great patience occurs in two ways: either when one patiently suffers much, or when one suffers things which one is able to avoid and yet does not avoid. Christ endured much on the cross, and did so patiently, because when he suffered he did not threaten; he was led like a sheep to the slaughter and he did not open his mouth.
--St. Thomas Aquinas
“If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him?” 1 Jn. 3:17
“There is a state of resting in God; an absolute break from all intellectual activity, when one forms no plans, makes no decisions, and for the first time really ceased to act; when one simply hands over the future to God’s will and ‘surrenders himself to Fate.’” – St. Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)
Learning to recognize the voice of God in your daily life is accomplished by building an interior habit of listening, recognizing, responding, listening some more, recognizing and responding, etc. The more you hear the voice of God, the more you will recognize His voice in the most subtle of ways, and the more you come to hear the subtleties of His voice, the more you will be able to follow. In the end, this is only accomplished by an ongoing habit of deep and sustaining prayer. Without that, it will be very difficult to recognize the voice of the Shepherd when you need Him the most. - Catholic Reflections
Let us fix our gaze of faith on the Crucifix, and we will find that he was not satisfied only with the possibility of suffering but wished truly to suffer every kind of pain in body and in spirit, because it is not the mere possibility of suffering but suffering itself that brings us merit.
The Church and the world have a great need of eucharistic worship. Jesus waits for us in this sacrament of love. Let us be generous with our time in going to meet Him in adoration and in contemplation that is full of faith and ready to make reparation for the great faults and crimes of the world. May our adoration never cease
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati
“With all the strength of my soul I urge you young people to approach the Communion table as often as you can. Feed on this bread of angels whence you will draw all the energy you need to fight inner battles. Because true happiness, dear friends, does not consist in the pleasures of the world or in earthly things, but in peace of conscience, which we have only if we are pure in heart and mind.”
Being angry about the right things and in the right way is virtuous. But avoiding anger at all times may be a sign of weakness. St. Thomas Aquinas notes how it is a vice not get angry over things one should. He calls it "unreasonable patience." A failure to correct the wicked encourages them to persist in their evil deeds, since there are no reprimands for their wrong actions. It also causes confusion in the community over what is truly right and wrong, and thus may lead even good people to do evil.
Christians, in particular, realize that their responsibility within creation and their duty towards nature and the Creator are an essential part of their faith. (Pope John Paul II 1990 World Day of Peace Message, no. 15)
In terms of the ego, most religions teach in some way that all of us must die before we die, and then we will not be afraid of dying. Suffering of some sort seems to be the only thing strong enough to destabilize our arrogance and our ignorance. I would define suffering very simply as whenever you are not in control.
Richard Rohr
"We need no wings to go in search of Him, but have only to look upon him present in us."
-St Teresa
“If God sends you many sufferings it is a sign that He has great plans for you, and certainly wants to make you a saint.” Saint Ignatius of Loyola
***“If the Church stays silent
in the face of what is happening,
what difference would it make,
if no church were ever opened again?***”
Blessed Franz Jägerstätter (1907-1943)
Martyr
“Sometimes living with memory, with the thought of what friends, those who shared your soul and dreams, will do to you is worse than taking a bullet or having someone stab your flesh. There is a way of bleeding from one's soul.”
― Megan McKenna, The New Stations of the Cross
When God gives you some opportunities, it is almost like a process that you do not even realize what is recurring at the moment. - Author: Barbara Padilla
God is a Father who never abandons his children, a loving Father who supports, helps, welcomes, forgives, saves, with a fidelity that immensely surpasses that of men, opening up to an eternal dimension. (Pope Benedict XVI)
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear
Yes.. I am busy ...you are busy....every one else is busy..yaadaa..yaadaa SO WHO THEN REACHES OUT?
Let's make that intentional effort to gaze at Nature and in the process enjoy the Creator of Creation itself
What is man if he does not have the time to meditate, to self-reflect and to ponder on what has been!!!
God is the Master of Creativity - all creation evidences this. As a child of my Father, what talents do I have and pursue?
The focus today is to think deep about relationships and the extent of how much we would travel with another even in those dark days when they most need us!
My devotion to God should show through my body language and my posture during my prayer time. Am I a devoted disciple?
So what drives and propels me at different points of the day? Do I give enough time for prayer and my daily devotions throughout the day?
TO VENTURE OUT INTO THE UNKNOWN TO GO WHERE OTHERS ARE HESITANT SHOWS THAT WE HAVE A GOD WHO CAN'T WORK MIRACLES. LET'S NOT COCOON OURSELVES AND DEFLECT EVERY OPPORTUNITY THAT GOD BRINGS OUR WAY DUE TO A LACK OF FAITH.
This is the time when I should stay strong and seek the Lord as His Church is being put to trial once again. See Jesus looking sadly at His Church and embracing all Her children who were wronged - May the Lord's will be done.
I am my own master. If I don't will to change my lifestyle and my habits, then even God can't as He will not force me to do something I resist UNLESS I am already accountable to Him each day and have allowed Him to take daily control of my life!!!
it is with a sense of consolation that I record this last episode and I pray the Lord bless you for blessing and encouraging me all these months. Let us continue in our walk with Jesus and remain steadfast in prayer and devotion
Paul referred to our duty to respond to that offer of redemption by cooperating with the grace we are given. Such cooperation means seeking holiness, caring our crosses, patiently enduring redemptive suffering, and keeping the moral law.
When Christ eventually sent forth his disciples to preach the Gospel, they would be winning souls for Him. CCC 848
It was Christ's mission to establish the kingdom on earth and he will remain with it as it unfolds and reaches its perfection in the next life. CCC
In seeking holiness and imitating the love of Christ we naturally turn away from sin and fulfill the moral law both in letter and in spirit. CCC
By nurturing our spiritual life through the practice of self-control , struggling against temptation to sin, and growing in the Christian virtues- particularly in faith, hope and charity - we become more conformed to the image and likeness of Christ. CCC
Vulnerability helps me be in check with my sins and causes me to change my negative behaviours.
The Church is priceless and loved and cherished even more than we can ever think or imagine!
The perfection of faith must involve works of charity toward both God and our neighbour, and hope gives us confidence in God's unfailing help
Ruth is a type of the Gentiles who would one day receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ and enter the Church that he established. CCC
The parable of the Wedding Feast is a wonderful illustration of the blissful joy experienced by someone fully united to Christ. CCC
This parable illustrates how the goodness and mercy of God is the same for those who respond to his call figuratively at the 'eleventh hour' as it is for those who have been with him from the beginning. It teaches God's generosity in bestowing his blessings upon others. CCC
Yahweh- Shalom: God is peace. Peace is a fundamental attribute of God that he offers as a gift to everyone who accepts hi. Moreover, those who follow Christ invariably witness to and spread the gift of peace to others. CCC 2302
Embracing the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience- according to each person's state in life- is necessary for Christian perfection and eternal life. CCC
This crossing of the Jordan, through which Israel entered the Promised Land, is a type of the waters of the Sacrament of Baptism that would open up the gates of Heaven, our eternal Home. CCC 1222
To want to desire to be like Moses who invested his everything to the God who captured his heart would be my desire today. Dare I be like him?
An important part of the spirit of service is that it be done with joyful willingness CCC
The Transfiguration Feast invites us to a mountain experience with Christ today! Am I willing to let go of what holds me down here and walk up the mountain with Him?
Peter was given a unique mission - to guard the authentic teachings of Christ, serve as a focal point of unity , and be a shepherd for the Apostles and the entire Church. CCC
The woman's persistence serves as an example of how we must pray even if our prayers do not seem to be answered immediately or even if followed by more suffering.
Moses enjoyed an intimate relationship with God marked by a loving dialogue between close friends.
It would be my next challenge to intentionally look at all the areas that God has blessed me and continues to do so each and everyday of my life.
In despising Him they were actually despising themselves and would not allow anyone to grow and expand.
At crucial moments of our lives, we cry out to God and expect God to do His part! Many times we are disappointed that God did not show up but in retrospect, did He really abandon us?
The Lord calls me today to spend time chatting with Him - the more time I spend with God the more radiant I become. I would not need any rejunevating products to make myself look more appealing....😂
Although the people turned to the worship of the golden calf, God forgave them and remained faithful to them because of the intercessory prayer of Moses. CCC
The Ten Commandments of Decalogues explains the proper attitude and behaviour for those who love God and neighbour and reveals the gravity of the obligation to abide by the Law. CCC
The theme of absence/presence of the beloved recurs constantly in love poems. Persistence in not giving up the search for the lover is the dominant underlying theme present in today's readings.
Moses and Aaron showed such exemplary leadership skills in that they knew that ultimately God was in charge of His people!
The point here is that Jesus was not denying his family ties but asserting the primacy of intentional ties in the new community
Only the wilderness can save us many a time - teach, expose and restore us to who we are created to be!
What is my Christian response during this season when many out there are in need of help?
The Church is a home and family for everyone, especially those who 'labour and are heavy burdened' CCC
The humble believer with a pure heart will see the face of God in Jesus Christ, who is the perfect image of the Father. CCC
Those who witness the works of Christ or hear the Gospel but reject the grace of God face dire consequences. CCC
In sharing his mission, Christ's Apostles and disciples would also share in his suffering and rejection. CCC
In addition to being generous with material possessions, it is of vital importance to relieve spiritual poverty, which is aided by an absence of Christ. CCC
We should pray fervently for priestly and religious vocations as well as for all people to center their lives on Christ . CCC
God has a unique plan for each individual to achieve holiness and to do the work of evangelization.
The Gadarenes by asking Christ to leave, showed fear in the face of such overwhelming power over the Devil and nature itself.
There is no holiness without renunciation and spiritual battle... Spiritual proogress entails the asceticism and mortification that gradually lead to living in the peace and joy of the Beatitudes. CCC
Discipleship means following Christ unconditionally with all of the sacrifice it may entail
The miracles worked by Christ manifest his divine power and the divine authority of his teachings. CCC
False - prophets - people whose hypocrisy and erroneous teaching misled and caused confusion among the people
The two gates represent the basic option to follow or reject Christ - to strive for heavenly glory or risk eternal condemnation.
Failure to see our own faults leads invariably to harsh and unfair judgement of others.CCC
Just as the volume of a harvest is normally proportionate to how much was planted, so too the fruits of holiness in terms of spreading the Gospel will also be in proportions to a person's generosity.
Christ invites everyone to the perfection of charity. "All Christians in any state or walk of life are called to the fullness of Christina life and to the perfection of charity.
To follow Christ requires loving as he loves, forgiving those who cause hurt or wrong us in any way. CCC
God's love transcends all forms of human love, including that of a mother for her child and a groom for his bride. CCC
As much as we share in Christ's sufferings so too do we share in God's comfort. I am blessed when I am comforted by my Lord!
No off season while working for God's Kingdom and seriously thinking of being a nobody for anybody yet being a somebody in God's perspective
When giving our tithes it becomes pleasing to God only when accompanied by 2 traits: 1) Utmost generosity 2) gladness of heart
The entire purpose of God's Plan of salvations is to draw every person into communion with the divine life of the Trinity.
To share in the divine life consists in having a loving relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Fortitude, or courage , allows us to rise above temptation, fear, persecution, and other trails as we strive to emulate Christ's life and implement his words. This gift of the Holy Spirit gives the necessary graces to embrace the Cross and profess the Faith amid adversities and obstacles. Part of this fortitude includes the supernatural hope of a reward that far surpasses the joys and pleasures of this present life.
The new Commandment of Love summarises the message of the entire Gospel. This command to love as Christ loved implies that our dispositions and conduct must reflect that of Christ.
... and hence my love of griefs - not such as should probe me too deeply, for I did not love to suffer what I was looking on. From the Confessions of St. Augustine
Joy comes with the assurance that as long as God is in control, I need not fear or be anxious
As a plant opens itself to the shearing process, so must I to the sufferings that come my way
Christ grants a peace that surpasses any kind of peace the world offers - not merely an absence of war or aggression but an infusion of God's constant strength and interior serenity.
Christ spoke of Heaven itself, where the faithful would dwell forever with God as his family. CCC
Keeping a record of all the times God intervened and blessed me with a positive answer is necessary for the maintenance of my faith.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd who guides his flock and is willing to lay down his life for them, and he is also the Sheepfold, the gateway by which his sheep enter eternal life. CCC
Be attentive, then, not to allow yourself to be discouraged by any defect, and be always ready to begin at every moment. Venerable Bruno Lanteri
IF I should fall a thousand times a day, a thousand times a day I will begin again, with new awareness of my weakness, promising God with a peaceful heart to amend my life. - Bruno Lanteri
The apostles did not care for their lives - their only goal was the spreading of their Messiah
In order to be saved, we must believe in Christ and in his Father. Faith is necessary for salvation. CCC 161
Sending his Only-Begotten Son to redeem us and give us eternal life was a supreme act of God's love for us. CCC
The spirit of detachment practiced by the first Christians led many of them to share their land and possessions in common for the sake of the Church.... CCC
St. Jerome claimed that the Jews of that time had catalogued 153 different types of fish, the number would indicate that the Apostles were going to win converts to the Church from every nation on earth. CCC
Much as he did for the disciples on the road to Emmaus, he opened their eyes to Scripture. CCC
Jesus was all about fellowship and gathering around the table. How much of that kind of a person am I?
The grace of God will not take me where the love of God will not protect me --- From Ps 91
Can my love for God be sustained even when I am not experiencing his Presence or His presents?
The importance of forgiving from the heart - from the mind is easy, the challenge is the heart which will then push us to the next stage of loving my enemies.
In this era of filtering and cover-up foundations, we are moving towards a space where we hardly recognise ourselves...
Christ today, yesterday and forever is the corner of our Church who was rejected but who now sits at the throne and He invites us to take our journey with Him.
James was the first martyr among the apostles - condemned to death and beheaded by Agrippa I
True fidelity to God is expressed in words of charity and a spirit of mercy towards the downtrodden
Each one of us will have a unique call but the universal call to give is mandatory - one you and I cannot ignore!
Jesus today sounds extremely serious about the 'anger issue'. Anger is unacceptable. Period!
Model our prayers after the Our Father, where Jesus teaches us to first address the Father, glorifying God. This we should never forget
Fasting has values to the degree that it is accompanied by a sincere disposition for holiness and a spirit of charity toward others. CCC
The invitation today is to meet with my Lord, be aware of my breathing and God... in me!
Today I am called to look out for all the 'Noah's' in my life and know that He is with me!
By giving us the Sabbath God affirmed that our lives need to be structured by both work and rest. CCC
The light that pierces the darkness symbolizes the light of faith, which God gives to those to whom he wishes to reveal himself.
Late4 have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You were within mem but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you.... You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed , you shone and you dispelled my blindness
Discipleship means accepting suffering and even death. Nothing more, nothing less, Nothing else!
Christ may also be considered as the messenger of the covenant since Church tradition has accorded these two messianic roles to Christ present in his public life and his glorious return at his Second Coming . CCC
The expulsion of the demons manifested the reign of God and the ultimate defeat of Satan.
The call to discipleship and the gift of faith demand a response if they are to be nurtured and grow.
Paul embraced Timothy as his own son? How many adopted fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters do I have?
If you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
Thomas Aquinas
Make a commitment to get that mission statement out for 2021 with the Holy Spirit to guide me through it.
What a joy when we prepare our hearts to receive the King of all kings to that inner space of our hearts
Has the world convinced me that my happiness comes from first fulfilling my dreams, pursuits and desires.
Bible stories portray real-life struggles that inspire us to live out actively our faith in Jesus
If we really love Jesus, we will not ignore the plight of the refugees and extend out help - substantial help to them!
If Jesus was not ashamed of His genealogy and wanted it to be known, why am I still trapped in shame?
Do I take the trouble to pour through Scripture seriously or are my devotions more important to me than my study of Church doctrines and Scripture?
Christ pointed out the cold-hearted stubbornness of his criticisers who found fault with him and with John the Baptist no matter what they did.CCC. Am I like them?🤔
...though the saints are such poor , weak, and contemptible things, yet the Lord bids them not fear any of their enemies, he would take their part and protect them. (John Gill)
Christ is especially compassionate toward those who suffer and carry a heavy heart. ... The Church is a home and family for everyone, especially those who 'labour' and are heavy laden.
Christ shows compassion for the suffering- a compassion that is continued today in the various works of mercy recommended by the the Church and practiced by committed Christians. CCC
Healing of infirmities is among the signs of the presence of the Messiah. As always, the poor are the primary beneficiaries of the Lord's benevolence. CCC
Union with Christ and fidelity to his teachings is building on the rock that gives us strength and solidity in the face of adversity .CCC
Like his earlier miraculous feeding of the crowd, this miracle used Eucharistic language, prefiguring the Sacrament he would institute at the Last Supper. CCC
Christian mission find it deepest foundation in the Son's relationship to the Father and the Son's pure gift of revealing the Father to His disciples.
By virtue of our Baptism we are called to a discipleship expressed in holiness and evangelization,CCC
Christ reminded his disciples that persecution would be their lot and of the final trial that the Church must suffer before he comes again.
For those who remain faithful, hatred, betrayal, persecution, and even death will be their destiny; however they will be assisted and strengthened by Christ who will provide them with the necessary wisdom in their time of trial
A faith-filled generosity is necessary to be an effective witness that Christ is the ultimate meaning of our lives.
Christo logical impact of the Second Coming is profound. Jesus the king has a decisive role in human destiny, for responses to him determine life and death.
It was faith that healed that blind man who though was told to keep silent - pursued Jesus!
Since Christ's return is certain, we must always be vigilant and faithful so as not to be caught unaware.
The expression of gratitude expressed by the Samaritan in the face of God's blessing demonstrates both holiness and humility.
Our faith grows when our prayer and actions are driven by charity, and our faith is alive when inspired by love of God and neighbour
John places the cleansing of the Temple at the beginning of Christ's ministry. Christ chased the merchants from the outer court of the Temple out of love for his Father's house, which is meant to be a house of prayer. CCC
The steward is decisive when faced with a crisis... so must we in matters relating to our spirituality
The mission of Jesus is to call sinners to repentance, for which there is more reason to rejoice than there is over those who have never strayed the faith. CCC
The call is to devote ourselves completely to him without compromise and bear whatever trials and oppositions come
Christians must be fully committed to the Gospel and take advantage of every spiritual resource if they are to rise victorious in the battle against eveil
The Church is holy but not perfect. She is holy because Christ has made her so by her affiliation with him; yet she is imperfect because of the sins of her members. She is called to strive for perfection in this life but will not achieve such perfection until the next life. CCC
Rejection of the moral law and of Christ's invitation to conversion leads to blindness and at times, hatred toward the truth. CCC
Christ instructed his Church to spread the good news to all nation and to continue his saving work until he comes again. Evangelization i.e. the spreading of the Gospel message is the responsibility of all the baptized since it follows that living for Christ ought to involve attracting others to him.
A failure to live the Gospel will squander the chance for happiness both in this life and in the next.
Jesus teaches us that a life centered on greedy ambition and satisfaction is devoid of meaning. The fool is oblivious that his life will end, together with all his accumulated material possessions.
Christ taught that his disciples, unlike the Pharisees, must practice what they preach.
The twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit are manifestations of the love of Christ, and through these fruits we reflect the life of Christ. CCC
In today's context it would cause a stir if we walked in without a mask or sanitizing ourselves. Yet today, Jesus condemns this very act that is being placed higher than interior purity
The Church is the Mother of Christian believers because through her we receive the life of faith from God. CCC
If a friend who is hesitant to fulfill a request will do so because of oui persistence, how much more so God .
Mary took this singular occasion to speak and listen to our Lord with rapt attention. CCC
The parable drives home the point that the obligation to do good supercedes the rigorous observance of human laws. CCC
Christ needs followers who will devote their lives to spreading his message of joy, healing and salvation
Christ, throughout His life, gave example of poverty and shared the lot of the poor in his way of life.
Today we are called to commit ourselves to God's service and to put his teachings into practice.
It is the least among you - the most humble the one who serves the others most - who is the greatest. CCC
When a person rejects the Word of God, he or she is closing the door to the blessings God desires to bestow on him or her.
Each of us are endowed with special gifts by the Holy Spirit that are intended to be used for the good of the Church
Christ's larger group of followers included women. Not only did they play an important role as Christ's followers but they were the first to announce his Resurrection. CCC 641
In entrusting the care of His Mother to the beloved disciple He also gives her to us and the Church
The israelites were spared death by gazing at the bronze serpent, prefiguring Christ who was lifted up on a Cross to save humanity. CCC
Christ effectively defined mercy as the ultimate mark of holiness and commanded his faithful to reach out to others in that mercy according to the example of the Father, who is so merciful in forgiving us our own sins. CCC
Luke lists only four Beautitudes but adds four "woes", warning that those who enjoy an excess of worldly wealth may experience a temporary or fleeting joy only to ultimately find life empty and without meaning. CCC
Pray for us O Holy Mother of God, despise not our petitions but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen
Fasting is a means for growth in sanctity through a self-imposed participation in Christ's Cross.
Even if many people were not yet convinced, the demons themselves recognised the divinity of Christ. CCC 581
Love is not primarily a feeling but covenant fidelity, a matter of willing and doing with all your heart. Jerome Commentary
Our good works are not a means of earning salvation but rather a response to earning God's grace.
Riches pose spiritual dangers because crime is sometimes involved in gaining them, and once possessed this can distract one from God, cut us off from others and lead to exploitation and oppression but they can also do much good.
Christ's teaching on the indissolubility of marriage left even his own disciples confused. To them, it seemed that such a lifelong commitment was impossible. By instituting the Sacrament of Matrimony, however, Jesus provided the grace and strength necessary for a husband and a wife to remain United and faithful until death. CCC 1615
The faithful are urged to "intervene" or give "fraternal correction" for a member of the Church who is obstinate in breaking the moral law. It is an act of charity... CCC 817, 822
Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life, taught St. Basil
Just as the volume of a harvest is normally proportionate to how much was planted, so too the fruits of holiness in terms of spreading the Gospel will also be proportionate to a person's generosity
The Canwnnite woman's persistence serves as an example of how we must pray even if our prayers do not seem to be answered immediately or even if followed by more suffering. (CCC)
An image of the Church is the boat of Peter in the rough seas. Despite the many obstacles and struggles, the Lord's help and protection will never be lacking. CCC 447- 500
Go forth and teach all nations. Mat 28:19. And this is brought about by Apostolic Tradition. CCC 11
If we desire to be esteemed by our neighbors we shall never be rooted in God. St. Ignatius of Loyola
It's possible to see God present and active in everyday things if one looks at them with wonder
Identify our thorns of vice and call them by name. Find courage, reclaim the soil to effect a nice conversion of heart. Pope Francis
Our own fruitfulness in hearing the word of God is determined by our desire and eagerness for a close friendship with Christ and fidelity to His teachings. CCC 827
We are, despite our weaknesses, healed by him and commit ourselves to follow Him, become witnesses of this merciful love. CCC 640-641
The mission of Christ is to redeem the world by His Cross and resurrection. We are invited to share this mission which includes suffering.
The invitation to place family ties within the context of obedience with the Lord does not demean them; on the contrary it protects them, frees them from degradation, rescues them for life which knows no death. Pope Francis
Perseverance to the end... For what good are seeds that flourish in the beginning but afterward either and die. St. John Chrysostom
The mission to evangelize is authentic.... Baptism makes us missionaries. A baptized person who does not feel the need to proclaim the Gospel, to proclaim Jesus, is not a good Christian. Pope Francis
Scripture teaches us the value of fasting as a pathway to sanctity and atonement for sin and there are times to fast and times to celebrate . CCC 1387
As proof of his divine authority. Jesus healed the paralytic. Later he conferred this authority on to His apostles, who in turn passed it on to their successors
To Amos seeking Yahweh in the conventional cultic sense was not enough. Israel had to seek (to do) good or to live righteously. Only in this way could God be with Israel. CCC
God's relationship with Israel was compared to a father-child relationship. His punishment though severe, was the discipline of one who loves and forms a child. CCC 2223
Even in my own life it can happen, when my foundations are not strong. The storm comes - and we all have storms in our lives, all of us - and we are unable to stand firm. Many say "I will change my life." They think making life changes is like putting make up. Changing my life requires changing the foundations of my life, that is, finding the Rock that is Christ. - Pope Francis
Success in all my endeavors including spiritual areas is enabled through God's guidance.
Prayer request structure💌: 1. Exalt God👏🏿 2. Present Problem in detail using descriptive language....🙏🏼🤩 3. Acknowledge God for who He is and what He does👌🏻 4. Listen to what God has to say🗨️. Amen!💪🏾
To live with the comforting thought that I am being Possessed by God, should never find me craving desperately for love and attention from others
Enemies are also those who speak ill of us, who defame us and do us harm. It is not easy to digest this. We are called to respond to each of them with good, which also has strategies inspired by love.
The only way to break the chain of an evil action is by good... as one evil leads to another which leads to another evil. Evil is in fact, a void of good.
Anger isn't wrong in itself - it is the way we use and express it that can be labeled right or wrong. Dr. Les Carter (Getting the Best of your anger before it gets the best of you!)
Have a Beatitudes checklist to ensure that we are aligning ourselves to the will of God.
Invite yourself to a sacred space where only you and Jesus are present and just bask in His assuring Presence...
All of us are yearning to be loved, embraced and accepted. No one but Jesus can fulfil that deepest longing in our heart.
Knowledge of Scripture and knowledge of human behaviour are essential ingredients that equip us in our missionary work.
In this episode be entranced with the narrative that you are being invited to join in and be seduced by the Greatest Lover of this Universe- God Himself! RSVP ASAP!
Today is an invitation to draw near to the Greatest Lover of my Soul- Jesus who calls me into His wãrm łovinğ ëmbrace!
We cannot be complacent anymore. The time is here for us the Church to arise and jump into the boat of evangelization and ministry started by the early Church Fathers
What is my purpose in life? Where am I going after I die? What is my heart really longing for? Find the answers within yourself as you listen to this podcast... and explore further what really matters to you.
Solitude is grace to the soul as water is to parched and arid land. It is when we are alone with God where we find our deepest longings met. We need nothing else and nothing more.
Knowing that there is A God who is interested in me and everything that happens to me makes my life worth a re-think.
Be more authentic today than you were yesterday and take time to go your Sacred Space where Jesus awaits you! You will not be disappointed!
We are called to look beyond our doubts and embrace the love of God that is so near and so tangible... oh, how we long for such a heavenly hug that reassùres us- I am Beloved! I am loved!
In today's reflection we are challenged to examine those areas in our lives that pull us away from the heart of God