Still He Walked

He could hear the crowds screaming "crucify" "crucify"... He could hear the hatred in their voices, These were his chosen people. He loved them, And they were going to crucify him. He was beaten, bleeding and weakened... his heart was broken, But still He walked.

He could see the crowd as he came from the palace. He knew each of the faces so well. He had created them. He knew every smile, laugh, and shed tear, But now they were contorted with rage and anger...his heart broke, But still He walked.

Was he scared? You and I would have been. So his humanness would have mandated that he was. He felt alone. His disciples had left, denied, and even betrayed him. He searched the crowd for a loving face and he saw very few. Then he turned his eyes to the only one that mattered. And he knew that he would never be alone. He looked back at the crowd, at the people who were spitting at him, throwing rocks at him and mocking him and he knew that because of him, they would never be alone. So for them, He walked.

The sounds of the hammer striking the spikes echoed through the crowd. The sounds of his cries echoed even louder, the cheers of the crowd, as his hands and feet were nailed to the cross, intensified with each blow. Loudest of all was the still small voice inside his heart that whispered "I am with you, my son," And God's heart broke. He had let his son walk.

Jesus could have asked God to end his suffering, but instead he asked God to forgive. Not to forgive him, but to forgive the ones who were persecuting him. As he hung on that cross, dying an unimaginable death, he looked out and saw, not only the faces in the crowd, but also, the face of every person yet to be, and his heart filled with love. As his body was dying, his heart was alive. Alive with the limitless, unconditional love he feels for each of us. That is why He walked.

When I forget how much My God loves me, I remember his walk.

When I wonder if I can be forgiven, I remember his walk.

When I need reminded of how to live like Christ, I think of his walk.

And to show him how much I love him, I wake up each morning, turn my eyes to him, And I walk.

-- Author Unknown

No cowards in the Kingdom by Fr Noel Connolly

In the early 70s I read Eugene Cuskelly's, No Cowards in the Kingdom. It was a call for courage in living the faith. I found it inspiring. But at the time there were only intimations of the problems to come. We were still young and energised by Vatican II. There were plenty of priests and sisters. Superiors were in their forties and the Church scandals of those days were minor compared to today.

Now priests are ageing and critically short in number. I find it difficult to imagine the Columbans and many congregations in 10 years time they will have to be lay run. Most dioceses are also struggling to care for their people. What is worse in a post-modern secular society like Australia religion is increasingly marginalised and we are struggling to learn how to communicate with youth who seem to want to believe but not belong to any of our institutions. Religion is greeted by many with apathy rather than anger. God is missing but not missed.

There are pockets of success and the Church is taking initiatives such as World Youth Day but I still believe we need Cuskelly's courage, persistence and faith-filled hearts.

I am reminded of another book, David Bosch's Transforming Mission. He tells us that while mission may be in crisis that is healthy. It is normal for Christians to live in a situation of crisis but we are only occasionally aware of this. We are blinded by our successes and consequently depressed by failure when it comes. The Church needs apparent failure and suffering to realise that mission requires profound faith. We have to allow God the freedom to save the world in his way. At times our challenge is to be faithful without success. We have to learn to love and live through all our questions patiently and hopefully.

I think we often misunderstand the purpose of religion. For most of us the purpose of religion is to give us easy, comfortable certainties [a fundamentalist approach]. Actually religion should provoke in us deeper and greater questions but also give us the faith and hope to live courageously through them into a deeper and more joyful life.

Fr Noel Connolly

Freedom from Illusion By Jeff Mirus

In a fine recent article in First Things entitled "The Freedom of Heaven & the Freedom of Hell", Anthony Esolen mines Dante’s Divine Comedy to give us a striking image of what it means to be free. To be truly free, Esolen says, we must first free ourselves from the illusion that we are our own—the illusion that we belong to ourselves.

Ancient spiritual writers used to emphasize that we have been bought at a great price, the price of Christ’s blood. This is a direct reference to an important aspect of the Christian concept of "redemption", which always includes a buying back by God of souls in bondage to sin and to the Devil. And before that, of course, God created us. He is the potter, we the clay. We were made by God and for God. We are not our own.

Esolen sees Dante’s depiction of Satan, whom Dante encounters in the very depths of hell, as a telling reminder of this truth. Satan sits at the very bottom of hell frozen in ice. He eternally flaps his reptilian wings, trying to rise under his own power. But his flapping creates bitter cold winds which keep the waters frozen, locking Satan in their grasp. Cut off from God, Satan's power of flight is utterly self-defeating. He refuses to admit that he is not his own, yet he cannot rise even the slightest amount under his own power.

So it is with us, and it makes a wonderful Lenten meditation. Every time we feel or think or act as if we belong to ourselves, our efforts are miserably self-defeating. For we are not our own. We belong to God.

Written by Jeff Mirus

Charity Where to Begin?

If you listen to many Heads of Goverment the world is on the brink of collapse and we all may as well give up and lock our doors and hearts.

I don't believe Governments solve problems in fact and in many cases they are the problem.

But I do believe in people.

I believe in the strength and courage of the American people. I believe in the grit and determination of the British people. I believe in the doggedness and generosity of the Australian people. I believe in the goodness of ALL people in all lands, no matter where you are.

But how can we help when the problems are so enormous?

You do so one step at at time.

Charity doesnt always mean a giving of money, if anything money is the easy option. A giving of your time is of more value than money.

In most countries there are nursing homes for the aged. Perhaps it is time to consider spending an hour or two a week visiting the aged in their hospital beds? Maybe you could organize a Rosary prayer group or any other form of prayer which can include singing, have you thought of this?

When you give to charity either monetarily or with your time. It is not about making you feel good it IS about making the person you visit feel special and unique.

If you belong to a prayer group, bible study or mothers group perhaps you could contribute a certain amount of money and buy good quality books for schools that do not get enough funding.

Don't always wait for the 'government' to do something. If you see a school that is in disrepair where noone cares, DO something about it yourself. Get your friends involved and your Parish if possible.

Many people are good and generous at heart and want to help in a beneficial way. If this is YOU then explore your community and see where you can help and then do it.

Remember many of our greatest Saints began their work in their own communities.

We cannot help everyone but that should never be an excuse to help noone.

Written by Marie

Lenten Reflection with St. Therese of Lisieux

"Since it had been necessary for Christ to suffer so that he would enter through that into glory, you must also drink from his same chalice if you want to have a place at his side."

++++++++++++++++

Many times when I have spoken to people who are suffering in one form or another and they are complaining that God is punishing them. My first question to them is this; what have you been praying for? There answer is always "to be closer to God."

I then ask them if they know how this is achieved and they have different responses, some say through prayer, attending daily Mass, praying the Rosary three times a day and the list goes on. No one mentions suffering.

When I tell them that the only way to become closer to God is through the Cross which means suffering they look at me askance.

Do we really believe that we are so holy, so pure that God does not need to purify and discipline us?

Do we believe that we can legally murder the unborn, euthanize the ill and elderly, legalize prostitution and narcotics(in some countries) and demand that homosexual couples marry in the name of civil rights and think that God is not going to call an accounting?

We are living in the days of a new Sodom and Gomorrah and just like the people of those towns we think there will be no reckoning for the continued abuses of society. And so we dance and make merry with no thought for tomorrow.

God calls us to make reparation for all the evils that are now taking place in the world, but are we ready for it?

Are YOU ready?

Are you ready to suffer for those who spit in God's face? Who ignore His Commandments? For people who on one day can march to save the Whales (& other wildlife) and the next day march to kill the unborn?

The only way to Christ is through the Cross. There are no short cuts.

Are YOU ready to answer God's call?

Reflection Written by Marie

Psalm 139- 1

What Is Love?

When we claim that it's love

that we have for someone,

are we correct?

Something to ponder upon.....

Are your palms sweaty,

is your heart racing and

is your voice caught within your chest?

It isn't love, it's LIKE

You can't keep your eyes or hands

off them, am i right?

It isn't love, it's LUST

Are you proud and eager

to show them off?

It isn't love, it's LUCK

Do you want them because you know they're there?

It isn't love, it's LONELINESS

Are you there because it's what everyone wants?

It isn't love, it's LOYALTY

Are you there because they

kissed you, or held your hand?

It isn't love, it's LOW CONFIDENCE

Do you stay for their confessions

of love, because you don't

want to hurt them?

It isn't love, it's PITY

Do you belong to them because

their sight makes your heart

skip a beat?

It isn't love, it's INFATUATION

Do you pardon their faults

because you care about them?

It isn't love, it's FRIENDSHIP

Do you tell them every day

they are the only one you think of?

It isn't love, it's a LIE

Are you willing to give all of your favorite thing for their sake?

It isn't love, it's CHARITY

************** LOVE **************

Does your heart ache and break

when they're sad?

then it's LOVE

Do you cry for their pain, even

when they're strong?

then it's LOVE

Do their eyes see your true heart,

and touch your soul so deeply it hurts?

then it's LOVE

Do you stay because a blinding,

incomprehensible mix of pain

and relation pulls you close

and holds you there?

then it's LOVE

Do you accept their faults

because they're a part of who they are?

then it's LOVE

Are you attracted to others, but stay

with them faithfully without regret?

then it's LOVE

Would you allow them to leave you

not because they want to

but because they have to?

then it's LOVE

Would you give them you're heart,

your life, your death?

then it's LOVE

**************** ? ****************

Now, if love is painful,

and tortures us so,

why do we love?

Why is it all we search for in life?

This pain, this agony?

Why is it all we long for?

This torture, this powerful death of self

************ why? *************

The answer is so simple cause it's...

LOVE.

"It is such an addiction that even people who don't have love,

wish to experience it and share it!"

Anon

I Cannot Pray

I cannot say OUR if my religion has no room for others and their needs.

I cannot say FATHER if I do not demonstrate this relationship in my daily life.

I cannot say WHO ART IN HEAVEN if all my interests and pursuits are in earthly things.

I cannot say HALLOWED BE THY NAME if I, who am called by His name am not holy.

I cannot say THY KINGDOM COME if I am unwilling to give up my own sovereignty and accept the righteous reign of God.

I cannot say THY WILL BE DONE if I am unwilling or resentful of having it in my life.

I cannot say ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN unless I am truly ready to give myself to his service here and now.

I cannot say GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD without expending honest effort for it or by ignoring the genuine needs of my fellow men.

I cannot say FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US if I continue to harbor a grudge against anyone.

I cannot say LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION if I deliberately choose to remain in a situation where I am likely to be tempted.

I cannot say DELIVER US FROM EVIL if I am not prepared to fight in the spiritual realm with the weapon of prayer.

I cannot say THINE IS THE KINGDOM if I do not give the King the disciplined obedience of a loyal subject.

I cannot say THINE IS THE POWER if I fear what my neighbors and friends may say or do

I cannot say THINE IS THE GLORY if I am seeking my own glory first.

I cannot say FOREVER if I am too anxious about each day's affairs.

I cannot say AMEN unless I honestly say, "Cost what it may, this is my prayer

Anon

When God Seems Far Away

Do You Love Me

One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise. Ah... the beauty of God's creation is beyond description. As I watched, I praised God for His beautiful work. As I sat there, I felt the Lord's presence with me.

He asked me, "Do you love me?"

I answered, "Of course, God! You are my Lord and Saviour!"

Then He asked, "If you were physically handicapped, would you still love me?"

I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and the rest of my body and wondered how many things I wouldn't be able to do and thought about the things that I take for granted. I answered, "It would be tough Lord, but I would still love You."

Then the Lord said, "If you were blind, would you still love my creation?"

How could I love something without being able to see it? Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how many of them still loved God and His creation. So I answered, "It's hard to think of it, but I would still love you."

The Lord then asked me, "If you were deaf, would you still listen to my word?"

How could I listen to anything being deaf? Then I understood. Listening to God's Word is not merely using our ears, but our hearts. I answered, "It would be tough, but I would still listen to Your word."

The Lord then asked, "If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?"

How could I praise without a voice? Then it occurred to me, God wants us to sing from our very hearts and souls. It never matters what we sound like. And praising God is not always with a song, but when we are persecuted, we give God praise with our words of thanks. So I answered, "Though I could not physically sing, I would still praise Your Name."

And the Lord asked, "Do you really love Me?"

With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly, "Yes Lord! I love You because You are the one and true God!"

I thought I had answered well, but God asked, "Then why do you sin?"

I answered, "Because I am only human. I am not perfect."

"Then why in times of peace do you stray the furthest? Why only in times of trouble do you pray the earnest?"

I had no answers, only tears.

The Lord continued. "Why only sing at fellowships and retreats? Why seek Me only in times of worship? Why ask things so selfishly? Why ask things so unfaithfully?" The tears continued to roll down my cheeks. "Why are you ashamed of Me? Why are you not spreading the good news? Why in times of persecution, you cry to others when I offer My shoulder to cry on? Why make excuses when I give you opportunities to serve in My Name?"

"You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this gift away. I have blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you continue to turn away. I have revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge. I have spoken to you but your ears were closed. I have shown My blessings to you, but your eyes were turned away. I have sent you servants, but you sat idly by as they were pushed away. I have heard your prayers and I have answered them all. Do you truly love me?

I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond belief. I had no excuse. What could I say to this? When my heart had cried out and the tears had flowed, I said, "Please forgive me Lord. I am unworthy to be Your child."

The Lord answered, "That is My Grace, My child."

I asked, "Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do You love me so?"

The Lord answered, " Because you are My creation. You are my child. I will never abandon you. When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you. When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you. When you are down, I will encourage you. When you fall, I will raise you up. When you are tired, I will carry you. I will be with you until the end of days, and I will love you forever."

Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so cold? How could I have hurt God as I had done? I asked God, "How much do You love me?"

The Lord stretched out His arms, and I saw His nail-pierced hands. I bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Saviour. And for the first time, I truly prayed.

Anon

Requests For The New Year

What shall I ask for the coming year?
What shall my watchword be?
What should thou do for m, dear Lord?
What can I do for thee?

Lord, I would ask for a holy year,
Spent in thy perfect will.
Help me to walk in thy very steps;
Help me to please thee still.

Lord, I would ask for a trustful year,
Give me thy faith divine,
Taking my full inheritance,
Making thy fullness mine!

Lord, I would ask for a year of love;
O let me love thee best!
Give me the love that faileth not
Beneath the hardest test.

Lord, I would ask for a year of prayer,
Teach me to walk with thee;
Breathe in my heart the Spirit's prayer;
Pray thou thy prayer in me!

Lord, I would ask for the dying world,
Stretch forth thy mighty hand;
Thy truth proclaim, thy power display
This year in every land.

Lord, I would ask for a year of joy;
Thy peace, thy joy divine,
Springing undimmed through all the days
Be thy days of shade or shine.

This Christmas

God, give us eyes this Christmas

To see the Christmas Star.

And give ears to hear the song

Of angels from afar

And with our eyes and ears attuned

For a message from above,

Let Christmas Angels speak to us

Of hope and faith and love.

Hope to light our pathway

When the way ahead is dark

Hope to sing through stormy days,

With the sweetness of the lark.

Faith to trust things unseen

And know beyond all seeing

That it is our Father’s love

We live and have our being.

And love to break down barriers

Of color, race and creed,

Love to see and understand

And help all those in need.

Amen

The Crowded Inn

Look with me for just awhile

at a place called “The Crowded Inn” . . .

You may not recognize it as

somewhere you have been

Does nothing look familiar

stir some forgotten memory . . .

Well, I’m not surprised, we soon forget

it was the same with me

The door so slowly opens

a voice sounding just like doom . . .

Shatters the heavy silence

shouting . . . "THERE IS NO ROOM"

Suddenly my memory’s illumined

with scenes of Christ’s Nativity . . .

Times without end the same words said

except they were spoken by me

I sent Him away to the stable

too busy to make Him a bed . . .

Crowded, oh yes, “The Crowded Inn”

“NO ROOM”, were the words I said

But for His grace and mercy

“NO ROOM” would still be my refrain . . .

His LOVE gave me a manger heart

let me now, dear ones, explain

“The Crowded Inn” today, as then,

repeats those words of doom . . .

Stubborn~willed they close the door

and scream, THERE IS NO ROOM

Crowded hearts, the poorer you,

to send away this King . . .

You fail to recognize Him still,

“NO ROOM ~ NO ROOM” ~ you sing

Your hollow laughter can’t disguise

empty rooms of pain within . . .

Proclaiming fullness, they are bare

SELF is THE CROWDED INN

Will you forget so easily

‘twas to you at first He came . . .

To birth His Kingdom in your hearts

share with you His Holy name

Must He now turn away, as then,

still grieving, as with them . . .

For only lowly manger hearts

know how to welcome Him

In Manger Hearts He feels at home

SELF has been displaced . . .

Immanuel fills every room

with LOVE, fear is erased

The truth, if we’ll accept it

each MANGER HEART must tell . . .

The Crowded Inn, we all once were

self reigned in us, as well

There’s but one difference we know

at last SELF lost the race . . .

Hunger changed The Crowded Inn

to A MANGER HEART, by GRACE!

Anon

Quiet my heart, Lord

Quiet my heart, Lord,

and show me a Christmas

as peaceful and calm as

an old cattle shed...

Slow down my pace, Lord,

and help me seek Jesus,

the Son of Your Love,

in a humble straw bed...

Steady my spirit, Lord,

call me from chaos

in simple surrender

to pray and rejoice...

Breakthrough the busy,

too-bright celebration,

and whisper your message,

"Be still...hear my voice..."

Be still, and know that I am God..."

Psalm 46:10

Anon

Celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas

Who needs 10 lords-a-leaping for Christmas...or two turtle doves. Here’s an updated list.

1. On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a zipper:

It is usually wiser to keep your lip zipped than to compound a problem. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry (James 1:19)

2. On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a calculator:

This is a special calculator, with the cancel key prominently placed in the center of the pad, conveniently twice the size of all the other keys so it is easy to cancel accounts instead of keeping score. Love is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5).

3. On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a duffel bag:

This model has two handles, one on each side so the load is lighter for both of us. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).

4. On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a ballerina doll:

Nothing epitomizes grace and balance like a ballerina, and a good wife even more so. A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies….She is clothed with strength and dignity (Proverbs 31:10,25).

5. On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a shovel:

This is a Smokey Bear shovel so we can put out sparks before they become raging fires. In your anger do no sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:26-27).

6. On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a pocket watch:

This timepiece is carried in a breast pocket, close to the heart, so we can remember to give each other time to grow. It was he who gave...to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be build up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13).

7. On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a Monopoly game:

You can own houses on every street, but you’re still poor without a good wife. Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord (Proverbs 19:14).

8. On the eight day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a candle and sealing wax.

Do not neglect to keep the fires burning or to seal your love for each other. Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame (Song of Songs 8:6).

9. On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me some super glue:

Tearing apart two things joined by super glue results in damage to both. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate (Matthew 19:6).

10. On the 10th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a spice jar:

That way, we can season our words with grace, encouragement, and love. Do not let any unwholesome take come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:29).

11. On the 11th day of Christmas my true love gave to me a washcloth:

This cloth has God’s Word embroidered on it. Husbands, love your wives, just a Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word (Ephesians 5:25-26).

12. On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a turtledove:

Well, maybe they were on to something when they wrote the original version. How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes are doves (Song of Songs 1:15).

By Tom Neven

The Way Christmas Should Not Be

T'was the night before Christmas
and all through the town
Not a sign of Baby Jesus
was anywhere to be found.

The people were all busy
with Christmas time chores
Like decorating, and baking,
and shopping in stores.

No one sang "Away in a manger,
no crib for a bed".
Instead, they sang of Santa
dressed-up in bright red.

Mama watched Martha Stewart,
Papa drank beer from a tap.
As hour upon hour the presents they'd wrap

When what from the T.V.
did they suddenly hear?'
Cept an ad..
which told of a big sale at Sears.

So away to the mall
they all flew like a flash...
Buying things on credit...
and others with cash!

And, as they made their way home
From their trip to the mall,
Did they think about Jesus?
Oh, no... not at all.

Their lives were so busy
with their Christmas time things
No time to remember Christ Jesus, the King.

There were presents to wrap and cookies to bake.
How could they stop and remember
who died for their sake?

To pray to the Savior...they had no time to stop.
Because they needed more time
to "Shop til they dropped!"

On Wal-mart! On K-mart!
On Target! On Penney's!
On Hallmark! On Zales!
A quick lunch at Denny's

From the big stores downtown
to the stores at the mall
They would dash away, dash away,
and visit them all!

And up on the roof
there arose such a clatter
As grandpa hung icicle lights
up on his brand new step ladder.

He hung lights that would flash.
He hung lights that would twirl.
Yet, he never once prayed to Jesus...
Light of the World.

Christ's eyes... how they twinkle!
Christ's Spirit... how merry!
Christ's love... how enormous!
All our burdens... He'll carry!
So instead of being busy, overworked, and uptight
Let's put Christ back in Christmas and enjoy some good nights!

Anon

The True Meaning of Christmas

In today's day and time
it's easy to lose sight, 
of the true meaning of Christmas 
and one special night. 
When we go shopping, 
We say "How much will it cost?" 
Then the true meaning of Christmas, 
Somehow becomes lost. 
Amidst the tinsel, glitter 
And ribbons of gold, 
We forget about the child, 
born on a night so cold. 
The children look for Santa 
In his big, red sleigh 
Never thinking of the baby 
Whose bed was made of hay. 
In reality when we look into the night sky, 
We don't see a sleigh 
But a star, burning bright and high. 
A faithful reminder, 
Of that night so long ago, 
And of the child we call Jesus, 
Whose love, the world would know.

Anon

1 Corinthians - Christmas Version

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies,preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table atmealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust.But giving the gift of love will endure.

Anon

Meditation with Catherine Doherty III

"How could you be afraid of anything but sin? Sin alone has the power to bring real death. It, but nothing else, has to be feared with a great fear."

**********************

Reflection

Much of the worlds problems we face today is due to the fact that we have become either a fearless people or a foolish people, for we no longer fear sin. If anything the word sin has almost been struck from the English language.

Think about it when was the last time your Priest, or Pastor spoke of the dangers to your immortal soul if you are living a sinful lifestyle or harbouring heretical thoughts which are in direct opposition to The Teachings of The Catholic Church?

We fear a loss of worldly goods over and above any mortal sin which may seperate our souls from God for good through our own sinful choices.

God does not move. We do.

We must ask ourselves where have we placed our Treasure? In the loving Hands of our loving Heavenly Father thereby securing our eternal Salvation or a financial institute which will keep us in the temporal luxuries we think we have earned.

So many of us care more about our bodily comfort than our souls end.

In the end are we a foolish people or a fearless people? What do YOU think?

Reflection Written by

Marie

When It's Time To Let Go....

"There comes a point in your life when you realize

who matters,

who never did,

who won't anymore...

and who always will.

So, don't worry about people from your past,

there's a reason why they didn't make it to your future."

***********************

So much of our unhappiness is rooted in our inability to let go, instead we cling and become demanding to our families and our friends.

What causes us to be like this?

Insecurity.

What happens to water if it lay alone where no wind or earth can disturb it's peaceful surface?

It stagnates and becomes noxious.

When we try and stop change and growth we are choosing to stagnate, why then are so many surprised when others wish to move on, to live life with all its joys, pains and hardships?

What makes us think that everything must stay the same?

Life is meant to be challenging and more so if you are a devout lover of God and follow the dictates of your Church.

How many of our Great Saints and Martyrs died snug and warm in their beds?

And the Greatest of all women who have ever lived and graced this earth with her glorious presence, Our Lady. Did Our Lady cling to Jesus and demand he stay home with her where she could protect Him, her son and her God?

Rather Mary followed her Son even though at times she did not understand fully the meaning of His Life, she let Him go....

We are also called to let go even if that letting go is painful to us, was it not even more painful for the Mother of God?

Do we think ourselves greater than God's Delight, that is Mary? That the shadow of suffering and loss must never darken our own lives as if we were somehow better than Our Lady and the Saints in Heaven.

Our lives are made of up sunshine and shadow, we can either learn to dance in the shadows or wail in the dark.

Reflection written by Marie

Quote Thanks Jean