Happy New Year Everyone!!!

Let us be silent so we may hear the whispers of God.......

As we begin the New Year, may the Lord's loving presence touch your heart, rekindle your faith and rejuvenate your spirit.

Happy New Year dear friends!!!

Marie and Ginny xoxoxo

New Year's Resolutions

Give up complaining . . . focus on gratitude.

Give up pessimism . . . become an optimist.

Give up harsh judgments . . . think kind thoughts.

Give up worry . . . trust divine providence.

Give up discouragement . . . be full of hope.

Give up bitterness . . . turn to forgiveness.

Give up hatred . . . return good for evil.

Give up negativism . . . be positive.

Give up anger . . . practice patience.

Give up pettiness . . . put on maturity.

Give up gloom. . . enjoy the beauty that is all around you.

Give up jealousy . . . pray for trust.

Give up gossiping . . . control your tongue.

Give up sin. . . . turn to virtue.

New Year Prayer

God grant us this year a wider view,
So we see others' faults through the eyes of You.
Teach us to judge not with hasty tongue,
Neither the adult ... nor the young.

Give us patience and grace to endure
And a stronger faith so we feel secure.
Instead of remembering, help us forget
The irritations that caused us to fret.

Freely forgiving for some offense
And finding each day a rich recompense.
In offering a friendly, helping hand
And trying in all ways to understand;

That all of us whoever we are ...
Are trying to reach an unreachable star.
For the great and small ... the good and bad,
The young and old ... the sad and glad

Are asking today; Is life worth living?
The answer is only in, loving and giving.
For only Love can make man kind
And Kindness of Heart brings Peace of Mind.

By giving love, we can start this year
To lift the clouds of hate and fear.

Christmas Is Not Over.... Its Just The Beginning

These words of Howard Thurman ring true:

"When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with the flocks,
then the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal those broken in spirit,
to feed the hungry,
to release the oppressed,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among all peoples,
to make a little music with the heart…
And to radiate the Light of Christ,
every day,
in every way,
in all that we do and in all that we say."

Then the work of Christmas begins.

Christmas Blessing

Blessed be to you and yours

this special time of year

And may the precious gift of life

forever bring your cheer.

What a wondrous blessing

have we to behold

Born to us one Holy night

a union for our souls.

Such delight we've come to know

now that the season's near

A joy and love and peace for all

when Christmas Day is here!

Precious love we share is ours

a gift for all mankind

Born two thousand years ago

by a blessed hand divine.

Blessed be this Christmas time

O, come let us adore!

A wish for peace for all the earth,

and blessings to your and yours.

May your home be filled with the love,

And wonderful peace of Jesus,

Our Lord and Savior, King of Kings,

Lord of Lords Who's with us.

Yes He is the Miracle Babe,

Born in a manger that one night,

While the love of God shone Above,

And the angels sang to invite.

May your heart be filled with a love,

And great longing to see Jesus,

For He came for us, you and me,

And always we'll be His to bless.

Oh love Him and revere His Birth,

He's your Love and your Life all 'round,

And He'll hold you like no other,

His wonderful peace keeps you sound.

May your spirit be filled with love,

Worship Jesus on each day now,

Let the joy of His love be full,

As in His Presence you will bow.

Merry Christmas with love in Him,

His wonderful peace will alight,

When your home is filled with Jesus,

Just as His love that star filled night.

Anon

Merry Christmas to ALL

Moonless darkness stands between.

Past, the Past, no more be seen!

But the Bethlehem star may lead me To the sight of Him

Who freed me From the self that I have been.

Make me pure, Lord: Thou art Holy; Make me meek, Lord:

Thou wert lowly; Now beginning, and always,

Now begin, on Christmas day.

Hopkins.

((((((((((((Friends)))))))))))))))))

This year has been a particularly difficult one for me as I have been in a considerable amount of pain but your kindness, compassion and thoughtfulness has helped me so much that words fail. Except to say that many of you have sustained me through some bleak moments. God's abundant love to you all...All of you mean so much to me, God bless you all. And to Ginny a soul sister from across the sea, thank you for always being there for me. We are all Gifts to one another and I have been extremely blessed. God is Good.

Merry Christmas to you ALL.

With much love,

Marie xooxoxoxoxo

Silent Night-Enya

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

I Believe in Christmas

I Believe that Jesus is the reason why...
There's Christmas Day...
I Believe the infant Child of Mighty God...
Lay on the hay...
I Believe that shepherds saw up in the sky....
The Heavenly Host...
To praise Him high....
I Believe! I Believe!...

I Believe the eastern wise men traced a star...
And bowed their knees...
And I know that in her heart His mother knew...
He would be King!
Time was split, a plan engaged designed to bring
The heart of man..
To God again...
With upraised hands....I Believe!

Every time I see the scenes of Christmas Day...
Or hear the songs...
I know the Way
Lies in the Child...
Of Christmas Day!
I Believe!!

Anon

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

A Christmas List

Fear less, hope more;

Eat less, chew more;
Whine less, breathe more;
Talk less, say more;
Hate less, love more;

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

Christmas Humor

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

O Most Holy Lord, You can do all things.

Make of me a tilma.

To show forth Your love to the the peoples of the
New World
You caused the image of Your Merciful Mother
to appear on the cloak of Juan Diego long ago.
If this rough-hewn fabric could attract
Your attention and be useful in Your plan,
Surely a willing soul like mine can serve Your
purpose as well.

Make of me a tilma.

Take from me all that would spoil or distort the
work of Your hand.
May Your Holy Spirit render me clean and ready
to receive so great a gift.
Impress upon me the image of Your pure and
holy Mother.
May her countenance, her presence, her
love be indelibly stamped upon me.

Make of me a tilma.

In this time when pagan culture threatens to engulf
Your people once more and destroy human life,
Let there be a fresh miracle of grace.
Send Your Mother for a new evangelization.
Upon the coarse fabric of my life,
draw this portrait so pleasing to You...
The image of Mary... the one who bears and brings forth Jesus.
May this beautiful Woman, clothed with the sun,
live out her triumph in me...
Crushing the Serpent, radiating Your mercy, and
leading to faith all those who gaze upon her.

Yes, Lord. Make of me a tilma.

Amen.

Patti Mansfield

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 Prince of Peace Award

The Prince of Peace Award

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be on His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

In a world that seems to thrive on war and violence, it is indeed a blessing to have bloggers who share their faith and love of God with others.

These blogs are passionate about their faith, are a voice for the voiceless, are sources of inspiration, hope and true kindness, they are an oasis where a weary spirit can stop for a while and rest and be refreshed.

Every act of love no matter how small is a work of peace and these bloggers go above and beyond the call to reach out to others. They bring The Prince of Peace to us; we enter as visitors and fellow bloggers and leave as friends.

At this time when we celebrate the birth of our Savior, we thank you, our friends, for all you do to make the spirit of the The Prince of Peace ever more present in our lives, not only at this time but everyday.

Please accept and share this Award with Christian bloggers who bring The Prince of Peace to others.

Love, Joy, Peace and Merry Christmas

Marie and Ginny xxooxxoo

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

Achieve Your Dreams

~Life is what happens while you are making other plans.~

~A person of words and not deeds is like a garden full of weeds.~

~The key to happiness and success is to have a dream.~

~All the flowers of tomorrow are in the seeds of today.~

~You always pass failure on the way to success.~

~You have to wake up in order for your dreams to come true.~

~Don't let lack of praise nip you in the bud.~

~The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is just that little extra.~

~Count your age by your friends, Count your life by smiles.~

~Stand for something or you'll fall for anything.~

~If you don't lie down no one can walk on you.~

~Motivation is when your dreams put on work clothes.~

~Happiness is the journey not the destination.~

~To succeed do the best you can, where you are, with what you have.~

Miracle of the Rosary-A Personal Story

When my mother was dying of cancer she would spend hours laying in her bed staring in rapture at a picture of Our Lady. It was a normal picture of our Lady and I could not understand what my mother stared at with such intensity and adoration.

Oneday I decided to go in and ask her, why she continued to stare with such love at a mere picture? Her response was to smile at me and say, 'oh but if you only knew her, how beautiful she is, how beautiful...' I again looked at the painting and could not see what my mother was seeing.

Every night before my mother went to sleep she would always wrap her Rosary around her hand. Until one night when she could not find her Rosary, my mother was most upset as my father and I upended her bedside table. We emptied out the draws, no Rosary. I looked into my mothers pillow case still no Rosary, I also felt around her body in the bed and again no Rosary. Finally I got a torch and on my hands and knees I looked under her bed only to be disappointed, no Rosary.

My mothers Rosary seemed to have disappeared!

I offered my mother my own Rosary but my mother said no, she wanted her own, so with a sad smile we retired for the night. I lay awake for a long while because I knew what a comfort the Rosary was for my mother and then when I could hear her sleeping I also went to sleep.

The next morning I was awoken very early as my mother yelled for me. Thinking she was in immense pain I jumped up and ran into her room only to find my mother sitting up and holding out her hand. Wrapped around my mothers hand was her Rosary...The Rosary that neither my father or myself could find only the night before.

My mother then looked at the picture of Our Lady and said, 'oh, I knew you would find it for me... beautiful Lady, thankyou.'

Months later when my mother lay in hospital dying I made sure her Rosary was wrapped around her hand.

And again...

Thankyou beautiful Lady, thankyou.

Written by Marie

Prayer for World Peace

Lord, we pray for the power to be gentle;

the strength to be forgiving;

the patience to be understanding;

and the endurance to accept the consequences

of holding to what we believe to be right.

May we put our trust in the power of good to overcome evil

and the power of love to overcome hatred.

We pray for the vision to see and the faith to believe

in a world emancipated from violence,

a new world where fear shall no longer lead men to commit injustice,

nor selfishness make them bring suffering to others.

Help us to devote our whole life and thought and energy

to the task of making peace,

praying always for the inspiration and the power

to fulfill the destiny for which we and all men were created.

Anon

Amen!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING To Our American Friends

With love from Marie & Ginny xoxoxooxo

Book Meme

The Rules:

Pass this on to 5 blogging friends. Open the closest book to you, not your favorite or most intellectual book, but the book closest to you at the moment, to page 56. Write the 5th sentence, as well as two to five sentences following that.

'A Daughters Love Thomas & Margaret More.'

"In fact, at this very meeting in May 1516, John More had heard Wolsey briefing Henry and his councillors at length, and in graphic detail, about some of his more ambitious proposals for streamlining the legal system to make it more 'equal' and 'equitable' to litigants whether rich or poor, a Utopian scheme that surely must have stgruck a resounding chord.
By writing Utopia, which he published later that year, Thomas More showed that he wanted to reshape society and his world. His work as an undersherrif and as a civic intermediary with Wolsey and the King's Council had set him firmly on this path."

(Ok I cheated but the ONLY books by me are the CCC, The Bible and a dictionary!lol)

I now pass this meme to:

Tracy

Lisa

Shell

Ebeth

Jenn

God bless & Good luck!

Marie xoxoox

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

The Psalm Of Life

What the heart of the young man said to the psalmist

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,

Life is but an empty dream!--

For the soul is dead that slumbers,

And things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest!

And the grave is not its goal;

Dust thou art, to dust returnest,

Was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,

Is our destined end or way;

But to act, that each to-morrow

Find us farther than to-day.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,

And our hearts, though stout and brave,

Still, like muffled drums, are beating

Funeral marches to the grave.

In the world's broad field of battle,

In the bivouac of Life,

Be not like dumb, driven cattle!

Be a hero in the strife!

Trust no future, howe'er pleasant!

Let the dead Past bury its dead!

Act,--act in the living present!

Heart within, and God o'erhead!

Lives of great men all remind us

We can make our lives sublime,

And departing, leave behind us

Footprints on the sands of time;

Footprints, that perhaps another,

Sailing o'er life's solemn main,

A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,

Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us, then, be up and doing,

With a heart for any fate;

Still achieving, still pursuing,

Learn to labor and to wait.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

A Small Break-God bless

I shall be taking a few days break but will be back by Tuesday(Monday in America). God bless you all and I shall miss you, but I will be back(who said that? LOL).

Peace and much love to all

Marie xoxoox PS: Do watch the Youtube. It is hysterical lol.

Some Fun With Your Family LOL

No matter how many times I watch this scene it cracks me up and I have never been able to say the riddle because of my constant giggling. Watch the video with your family and see if YOU can say the riddle correctly.

Let me know how many get it right FIRST time? Get your children involved too.

Wishing you great fun!

Marie lol

Meditation with Catherine Doherty II

"God offers us risk, danger and a strange insecurity that leads to perfect security. His security begins when we start loving God with our whole heart, our whole mind, our whole soul and our neighbor as ourselves. I speak of this so often but it is the only message that can never be overstressed. We must clothe the skeletons of our lives with the flesh of his love, or we shall perish."

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

Reflection

We spend copious amounts of money on material things that promises to make us happy. We also spend copious hours getting ready to face the outside world, yet how many hours do we spend with God?

Are we comfortable with God? Or do we shuffle about, twitch and tweak our clothes and finally take a peek at our watch in order to be finished with our allotted time with God? Do you long for Mass or do you long for it be over?

In order to fully love God we must also love those around us and not just the people we deem 'worthy'. On the face of things do we deserve Jesus being Crucified in our place? When we can answer this question we realise that we are also in and of ourselves unworthy of God's Love. Yet God loves us enough to have His Beloved Son die in our place.

Christ was wounded for loves sake, are we equally prepared to bear this smaller wound when our love is rejected by others? Christ did not come to us and teach us how to love safely, He teaches us to love dangerously, for Love sake alone.

The fiery love of God's holocaust is not for the fainthearted or the lukewarm, it is for the warrior spirit who loves fiercely, yet tenderly. Who speaks the Truth without apology, yet also with gentleness, who loves unto folly for Christ's sake.

At the end it will not be your love for God that will be measured but your love for your neighbor and also, your enemy.

Do you love safely or do you risk all for Love sake alone?

Reflection Written by Marie

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