The Lord is Risen, Alleluia

Let us remember that the Lord died for our sins, he did this for each of us.  The Lord has risen and the Gates of Heaven our open and waiting for each of us.  Follow the path of love that the Lord has laid out for us. 
Pick up your crosses and follow me, says the Lord and I will bring you to everlasting life.  I give to you a new commandment.  Love one another as I have loved you. May each of us take time to read the Gospels,  to read the stories of the Saints, and put those readings into action in our own lives.  Read, pray, close your eyes and meditate on what these words mean to us in our own life.  Is it not amazing that we each were created by God for a purpose.  That he is always with us and has even given us a Guardian Angel.  Spread the Good News!!!

Days of Repentance, Prayer, Humility and Giving!

In this time of repentance, we call out for your mercy, Oh Lord.  Bring us back to you and to the life your Son won for us by his death on the cross, for he lives and reigns for ever and ever.

Rebuild my church.  Today, let us all join in repentance.  Let us see our own shortcomings and not those of others. Let us pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us on the path that will give us the direction to seek and live out the Lord's plan for our lives.  As Seculars we must each day be attentive of God's calling to us.  Kiss the leper.  Humble yourself so as to be open to hear and act upon ways to spread the Gospel.  When I was hungry, you gave me to eat, When I was thirsty, you gave me to drink.  When I was alone you visited me.  When I was suffering you comforted me.  When I stumbled, you did not laugh at me.  Suggestion to read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John's words in the Bible on the day's right before the Crucifixion and the Crucifixion.  Be mindful of what Jesus did for us.  And as always, PRAY, PRAY and Pray again.
GOD BLESS YOU AND BE WITH YOU ALWAYS.

The Seeker

The Seeker

October 4 we celebrated the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi.  For many of us we might have acknowledged on that day that it was his feast day and then went about our daily life.

If I were to describe St. Francis of Assisi I would say he was a seeker.  Not a seeker of fame or fortune, as well seen by the life he lived.  He did not get up in the mornings and look at himself in a mirror to check how he looked today.  He did not spend time giving thought to what he would wear today.

When his conversion started he did not seek friendships or to be understood by others.  His thoughts were turned to what was his purpose.  What did the Lord want for him.  What was the Lord asking of him?  How could he grow in his faith, love and practice of God's will for him?

 He came to the realization that he was to live the Gospel.  Gospel to life, Life to Gospel.   Though he was known as a preacher, he believed in living the Gospel and only speaking when necessary.  He believed that it was not by his words that he could best live the Gospel but by his actions.  I imagine that it was a surprise to him that others wanted to follow in his way.

 His days and nights were spent in prayer, fasting and seeking to find what his purpose in life was.  Why did the Lord create him and how could he put it into practice?  I wonder if he were alive today, how we would look at him?  Would we only see the outside, and judge him by the clothes he wore or the cut of his hair?  Would we expect him to change to adapt to our expectations as so many of his later followers did?

Seek and you shall find, ask and it shall be given, knock and it shall be answered.  May we all take time to seek what God is calling us to do and pray for guidance to put it into practice in our daily lives.  May we remember that God had a purpose for creating us and may we fulfill that purpose in the name of God and for God alone. 

God Bless each of you and love one another as God has loved you!

Hunger for Holiness

"If you hunger for holiness, God will satisfy your longing, good measure and flowing over".

As I listen to a child pray, I imagine it to be like an angel's voice.  Simple, sincere, reverent, respectful and with complete trust.  Love that has no if's, ands or buts. 

How do we as adult's gain back that kind of prayer life after we have been exposed to so much that interrupts and removes the simplicity of what our prayer life should be. 

When we pray , does it only consists of a repetition of words that we said yesterday and the day before and the day before that.

O dearest,  dearest Lord,  you know what we need, you know what we want.  You bless us with miracles everyday according to your will, what you know is right for us.  We pray that your will be done.  We pray that we live according to your will.  We ask for only what is pleasing to you.  We thank you Lord for all are blessings.  We praise you Lord for your ultimate sacrifice. We humbly ask for forgiveness for our transgressions.

 We believe that every life has a purpose and was created by you. You love us all.  You show us that by the fact that we are.

 If we pray for wisdom, let it be only to guide others to you.  Teach us again how to pray as a child.  Fill our hearts to seek only holiness for your greater glory.  Our hearts are cold without you.  Money, power, prestige nor physical beauty can silence the yearning that each man has until they have found you.

We pray for holiness and the faith of child who's trust is in you to guide us closer to you so we can feel the warmth of being held in our Father's arms.

The Preaching of the Gospel by Actions

 Actions speak louder than words would be true in describing the life of Francis.  I believe he has many followers that are following his teachings without knowing of his life.  We are seeing the rebirth of something that has been long silent or hidden in the world.  For all of those who are baring the burdens and losses through the natural disasters that have been occurring there is a light that is growing brighter.  Through their losses they have found hope.  Through their grief they have found comfort and love from neighbors.  The loss of material goods has brought out the humility of accepting help from a stranger.  Through their faith they will envision a better tomorrow.  Some might say they are being born again in the likeness of their creator.  He had nowhere to lay his head.  The clothes on his back were all that he owned.  He relied on the charity of others for his daily bread.  Yes, they are living in the lifestyle of Francis but not by choice.  They are being taught what the words of the Gospels' mean but not by preachers.  Man's humanity to man, love one another, care for each other, bare one another's burdens, each of these actions have been and continue to be carried out daily by those who have listened to the word of God and put it into practice by their actions.  GOD BLESS YOU!!!

Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.

HAPPY NEW EASTER

"This is my commandment:  "Love one another as I have loved you." There is no greater love than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command you.

It was not you who chose me, it was I who chose you to go forth and bear fruit. Your fruit must endure, so that all you ask the Father in my name he will give you.

The command I give you is this, that you love one another."

These words in John's Gospel Chapter 15 are just a few of the words spoken just before Jesus was arrested. 

As we head into the final week of Lent next week let us remember these words.  Let us put these words into action.  Let this Easter be the beginning of our New Year with resolutions to read, pray and follow the Gospels as did St. Francis in his life.  Then put all of this into action as St. Francis also did.

GOD BLESS YOU and THE JOYFUL SERVANTS wish all of you a blessed and faith filled EASTER!

Lord, Hear Our Prayers

As we ponder today, as we feel compassion for Japan, as we listen to the overwhelming conflicts in the world, our aware of the battles in our daily lives, or hear of the pain and sufferings of others, we must pray, pray, pray and then pray somemore.  The evening prayers are so applicable.

Father,

Without  you we can do nothing.

By your Spirit help us to know what is right and

and to be eager in doing your will.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, forever and ever

James 4: 7-10

Submit to God: resist the devil and he will take flight.

Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you.

Cleanse your hands, you sinners: purify your hearts, you backsliders.

 Begin to lament, to mourn, and to weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning

and your joy into sorrow.  Be humbled in the sight of the Lord and he will raise you on high.

Good Master, teach us to love you in our neighbor,

-and in serving them to serve you.