Five days ago a young man killed his mother and then went to a nearby elementary school, broke into a window, and proceeded to shoot innocent people. Twenty-eight people died; six adults and twenty-two six and seven-year old children, whom he didn't even know. He turned the gun on himself and committed suicide as well. Our whole country is in shock for this senseless violence and murder of innocent human beings, particularly the babies.
I have been especially bothered by this, even brought to tears several times during the repeated newscasts this week showing the devastation of a town preparing the week before Christmas, a supposedly joyful time. Now they mourn. I cannot imagine the pain and agony these people are going through as they put to rest their children, mothers, wives, teachers, friends, sisters, brothers... I heard that the town removed their Christmas lights and their Christmas decorations. They do not feel like celebrating and rejoicing. They have bodies to bury and funerals to attend. They have children to comfort; mothers and fathers to hold tight and just love through this whole ordeal. Sometimes there are no words to say. Time will have to help heal this wound. Our God will have to see them through this and He will have to whisper into many ears that "it will be okay."
I know that I myself questioned, "why, Lord?" But, my faith tells me that I have to give it to God, for He will somehow bring good from it. We may not see the good for years to come, but, somewhere it will come. We have to trust. I do have faith that all of the children are in heaven with Jesus. They will be there on Christmas morn to see Mary holding the Baby Jesus. They will perhaps place a kiss on the cheek of the infant child and will so joyfully sing with the cherubim and seraphim and ALL the choirs of angels to welcome the newborn king. Theirs will be such a joyous Christmas as they've never seen before. This can be a comfort to the grieving. This year their children will spend Christmas in heaven, and what more glorious gift could they receive than the gift of eternal life? They now see the face of God Almighty in all His radiance!!! No more pain, no more agony of life on earth. Only heaven and eternal happiness with Jesus the King!! And we pray the same for all of the adults whose lives were taken. Ours is a merciful God! A wondrous God! A God of love and compassion who made us to dwell in heaven with Him!
And God so loved the world that He gave us His only begotten Son, so that we might be saved from our sins and share with Him eternal life. Jesus gave us on His own, no one forced Him, His life, and He died on a cross, to save us from our sins. He conquered sin and death. He defeated Satan. By His cross and resurrection, we are saved!!
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Friday, November 30, 2012
Amazing Love
Tonight I was home by myself and I watched a movie entitled, "Amazing Love, The Story of Hosea." I saw it at the store in the cheap movie bin the other day and picked it up because the description on the back of the movie caught my attention. Sometimes that's the best time to pick up a film, just because it's cheap and it looks like it teaches a lesson.
This movie was actually a story within a story. A youth group went on a camping trip and the youth minister ended up telling the teens the Old Testament story of Hosea. This story parallelled a situation happening within the teen group, so by his expanding on the biblical story, the teens learned a valuable lesson that could be applied to today. It taught them a valuable lesson.
In a nutshell, God told Hosea to marry Gomer, who was known to be a harlot. In spite of his reluctance to trust a woman of this nature, Hosea married her out of obedience and trust in God's instructions to him. Everyone in the area knew of her reputation. At the same time, God was instructing Hosea to be his prophet (messenger) to warn the people that they must turn back to Him and turn their back on their sinful ways or they would be punished severely. They were a rich and haughty people, worshiping false gods and engaging in sinful lifestyles.
They laughed at Hosea's prophesies because they didn't believe him. They were prospering and did not believe his God was "the God" or that He would punish them since they were so rich and well off. In fact, it was the prophet himself, Hosea, who was poor, and whose own wife was the harlot, the sinful one, hurting him. They questioned why he didn't throw his own wife out and leave her. He answered them that he loved her.
He stuck with her, through her lies and deception, her cheating and falsehoods, until she was thrown out by one who was paying for her services and put in the market to be sold. Hosea himself claimed her and took her home with him to love, for he told her she was his alone to love. This was truly a lesson in unconditional love, imaging the love God had for His people who kept turning from Him. Yet, He came through with His warning and did punish the people for their sinfulness. Only Hosea had remained faithful to God.
The youth group was able to use this story as a valuable lesson in their situation, just as we all can apply it to our daily lives. The Word of God rings true for all ages. The Scriptures have all the lessons we need in order to live good and holy lives. If we focus on the Word, we are headed in the right direction. The Word feeds our mind, while the Flesh feeds our body with all we need to sustain our spiritual selves in this world of sin. God's graces flow from this. Would we have chosen to turn our backs on God, or to remain steadfast in spite of how bad everything appeared like Hosea? How much do we trust God?
This movie was actually a story within a story. A youth group went on a camping trip and the youth minister ended up telling the teens the Old Testament story of Hosea. This story parallelled a situation happening within the teen group, so by his expanding on the biblical story, the teens learned a valuable lesson that could be applied to today. It taught them a valuable lesson.
In a nutshell, God told Hosea to marry Gomer, who was known to be a harlot. In spite of his reluctance to trust a woman of this nature, Hosea married her out of obedience and trust in God's instructions to him. Everyone in the area knew of her reputation. At the same time, God was instructing Hosea to be his prophet (messenger) to warn the people that they must turn back to Him and turn their back on their sinful ways or they would be punished severely. They were a rich and haughty people, worshiping false gods and engaging in sinful lifestyles.
They laughed at Hosea's prophesies because they didn't believe him. They were prospering and did not believe his God was "the God" or that He would punish them since they were so rich and well off. In fact, it was the prophet himself, Hosea, who was poor, and whose own wife was the harlot, the sinful one, hurting him. They questioned why he didn't throw his own wife out and leave her. He answered them that he loved her.
He stuck with her, through her lies and deception, her cheating and falsehoods, until she was thrown out by one who was paying for her services and put in the market to be sold. Hosea himself claimed her and took her home with him to love, for he told her she was his alone to love. This was truly a lesson in unconditional love, imaging the love God had for His people who kept turning from Him. Yet, He came through with His warning and did punish the people for their sinfulness. Only Hosea had remained faithful to God.
The youth group was able to use this story as a valuable lesson in their situation, just as we all can apply it to our daily lives. The Word of God rings true for all ages. The Scriptures have all the lessons we need in order to live good and holy lives. If we focus on the Word, we are headed in the right direction. The Word feeds our mind, while the Flesh feeds our body with all we need to sustain our spiritual selves in this world of sin. God's graces flow from this. Would we have chosen to turn our backs on God, or to remain steadfast in spite of how bad everything appeared like Hosea? How much do we trust God?
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Another Passes On
Today when I visited the nursing home to bring the gospel and the Eucharist, I was told that my closest friend there, Elizabeth, age 90, passed away yesterday morning. I dreaded the day when I would hear this news. She was so special to me. I loved her very much. As long as I have been coming to minister at the nursing home (8 1/2 years now) Elizabeth has been one of my people I visited. She always had a smile and wanted a kiss when I came in and another when I left. She loved to hear the gospel and remarked how beautiful the Word of God was. She loved receiving holy communion. She was often praying her rosary when I came in. If I asked her to pray for a certain intention of mine, she would. I kept her in my prayers, too.
One time I remarked to her that she should move to the other side of the nursing home where the more coherent patients were. Where she was, was with those whose minds were pretty much gone, or pretty dimented. She right away said, "Oh no. They need me too much right here. I couldn't leave them." I think she thought of herself as the mother to all of the patients on this end. She watched out for them. Her love for them was very strong.
A couple of months before she died, she started to show signs as if she had had a stroke. She was forgetful and acted strangely, asking me to help her over and over again. She would go in and out of these episodes. I knew her time on earth was soon to be over. I made sure to spend a little more time reassuring her and loving her when I made my weekly visits.
God sends people like this into our lives to remind us of how short our life on earth is. He also sends them to us to give us opportunities to love. After all, without love, we have nothing. But, with love, we have everything, for where there is love, there is Jesus. And I found Jesus in Elizabeth. God rest her soul.
One time I remarked to her that she should move to the other side of the nursing home where the more coherent patients were. Where she was, was with those whose minds were pretty much gone, or pretty dimented. She right away said, "Oh no. They need me too much right here. I couldn't leave them." I think she thought of herself as the mother to all of the patients on this end. She watched out for them. Her love for them was very strong.
A couple of months before she died, she started to show signs as if she had had a stroke. She was forgetful and acted strangely, asking me to help her over and over again. She would go in and out of these episodes. I knew her time on earth was soon to be over. I made sure to spend a little more time reassuring her and loving her when I made my weekly visits.
God sends people like this into our lives to remind us of how short our life on earth is. He also sends them to us to give us opportunities to love. After all, without love, we have nothing. But, with love, we have everything, for where there is love, there is Jesus. And I found Jesus in Elizabeth. God rest her soul.
Who Am I?
Someone asked me in anger today, "Who are you?" This person tries to control me. He wants to control what I say, what I do, where I sit, everything about me. I keep this all inside. It is very hurtful. It is definitely the cross I bear. I made a promise to God to bear this for Him. I will do it out of love for God because I know God loves this person so much. I will try to love this person as God loves him. I will try to see him with God's eyes.
We must do this with the people we struggle with the most. Sometimes these are our enemies, and Jesus told us to love our enemies. Being a Christian, imitating Christ, is very difficult. He never told us this would be easy. If we could escape to a lonely island somewhere, it would be easy. But, we have to live among people. Jesus told us to love one another as He loves us. It is a struggle. It is living a counter-cultural life sometimes. I need His grace and His strength to get through this each day. If I remain focussed on the Lord Jesus Christ at all times, He will help me bear my burden and make it lighter for me. This is where I will remain; with my Lord.
We must do this with the people we struggle with the most. Sometimes these are our enemies, and Jesus told us to love our enemies. Being a Christian, imitating Christ, is very difficult. He never told us this would be easy. If we could escape to a lonely island somewhere, it would be easy. But, we have to live among people. Jesus told us to love one another as He loves us. It is a struggle. It is living a counter-cultural life sometimes. I need His grace and His strength to get through this each day. If I remain focussed on the Lord Jesus Christ at all times, He will help me bear my burden and make it lighter for me. This is where I will remain; with my Lord.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Last Sunday I went to the nursing home after Mass as usual. When I entered Laura's room I found an empty bed with no sheets on it. Sometimes this happens when the residents are up and about, and the sheets are being changed. But, I had a funny feeling inside that Laura was gone. It was too empty on her side of the room. I finished my rounds and found Bonnie, one of the activities directors, who has always been very helpful and honest with me. I have shared my concerns about Laura with her in the past. I asked her where Laura was and told her I was concerned because it looked so incredibly void in her room. She went to find out.
Nursing home personnel are normally not allowed to tell people where the residents are if they are out of the building in the hospital, or if they have passed away, but, Bonnie knows I am from the church, and she knows how much I care about all the people I visit weekly. She came back to me a few minutes later and told me quietly that Laura had passed away earlier that morning. My feelings had been correct. Somehow I knew Laura had passed into the next life, eternal life.
I stood there quietly pondering this news, a little sad, but, actually glad that she had left this world where she had been trapped in a broken down body for so many years. She had been jailed in a large body covered with bed sores, and she rarely had anyone pay much attention to her. I'm not sure if any family ever visited her. Laura spent most of her time on her side, moving in and out of sleep, barely aware of the world that was going on around her. Often she was left nearly naked behind the curtain in her room because no one came to check on her and see that she was covered. She smelled many times that I visited her, as if her diaper was messed. I am sure that she sat long periods in urine and excriment that no one took the time to change because it was a gross job. And because Laura slept so much, they felt nobody would notice her. But, I noticed.
Laura was sweet. She had the softest skin ever. I would often pat her exposed arms and hands and say sweet things to her; tell her how loved she was by Jesus. I would remind her that even if she felt all alone, that Jesus and Mary were right there with her all the time, loving her and comforting her. I told her to talk to them, for they were waiting for her to speak to them always. I reminded her that she was never alone, and that even if it felt as if no one was visiting her, that her heavenly friends were constant companions to her, and that she should rejoice in that news.
When I offered to read her the gospel, she always jumped at that opportunity. I don't think she was able to read anything to herself for at least a year or two. She was too weak. But, she listened with a smile on her face, and most often remarked how beautiful the gospel was. She appreciated this. And she only turned down the opportunity to receive Jesus in the Eucharist if she wasn't feeling well. I would pray with her and often she would chime in when the familiar prayers were said, like the "Our Father." Laura remained true to her Catholic faith until the end. I am so priviledged to have been used by God as a vessel to bring her the Word and the Eucharist. I thank Jesus for giving me this woman in my life for eight years. What an honor to serve her in this way. The blessings I received from her in return, by her smile and her love will remain with me always. May her soul rest in peace.
Nursing home personnel are normally not allowed to tell people where the residents are if they are out of the building in the hospital, or if they have passed away, but, Bonnie knows I am from the church, and she knows how much I care about all the people I visit weekly. She came back to me a few minutes later and told me quietly that Laura had passed away earlier that morning. My feelings had been correct. Somehow I knew Laura had passed into the next life, eternal life.
I stood there quietly pondering this news, a little sad, but, actually glad that she had left this world where she had been trapped in a broken down body for so many years. She had been jailed in a large body covered with bed sores, and she rarely had anyone pay much attention to her. I'm not sure if any family ever visited her. Laura spent most of her time on her side, moving in and out of sleep, barely aware of the world that was going on around her. Often she was left nearly naked behind the curtain in her room because no one came to check on her and see that she was covered. She smelled many times that I visited her, as if her diaper was messed. I am sure that she sat long periods in urine and excriment that no one took the time to change because it was a gross job. And because Laura slept so much, they felt nobody would notice her. But, I noticed.
Laura was sweet. She had the softest skin ever. I would often pat her exposed arms and hands and say sweet things to her; tell her how loved she was by Jesus. I would remind her that even if she felt all alone, that Jesus and Mary were right there with her all the time, loving her and comforting her. I told her to talk to them, for they were waiting for her to speak to them always. I reminded her that she was never alone, and that even if it felt as if no one was visiting her, that her heavenly friends were constant companions to her, and that she should rejoice in that news.
When I offered to read her the gospel, she always jumped at that opportunity. I don't think she was able to read anything to herself for at least a year or two. She was too weak. But, she listened with a smile on her face, and most often remarked how beautiful the gospel was. She appreciated this. And she only turned down the opportunity to receive Jesus in the Eucharist if she wasn't feeling well. I would pray with her and often she would chime in when the familiar prayers were said, like the "Our Father." Laura remained true to her Catholic faith until the end. I am so priviledged to have been used by God as a vessel to bring her the Word and the Eucharist. I thank Jesus for giving me this woman in my life for eight years. What an honor to serve her in this way. The blessings I received from her in return, by her smile and her love will remain with me always. May her soul rest in peace.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
MyVisit to Qatar
I had the wonderful opportunity this summer not only to visit my friends in Lebanon, but to visit my best friend, Charbel, in Qatar. I had never been to this Arabic country before. Physically, it is not a pretty country. It is located just north of Saudi Arabia on the Persian Sea. It is a desert country, with very little vegetation, mostly sand everywhere. My visit was lovely, though. I love foreign travel. My only complaint was how hot it was. Of course this is the hottest time of year there. We basically slept during the day and went out at night, but even this was hot.
I have a new appreciation of muslims and for their clothing. I met new friends who are muslim and they were very nice. I met people of many different oriental races.
The Christian churches are all in an area outside of Doha, the capital. It is called the religious complex. The churches are not allowed to have any signs on the outside to indicate Christianity. Two Christmases ago, Holy Rosary Church was threatened by Al Qaida that it would be bombed. Fortunately, with extra Qatari police protection, it wasn't. But, each time I went to Mass there (3X) I thought of the possibility of
martyrdom and actually looked forward to it. This gave me a whole new perspective on America's freedom of religion. More prayers are needed for safety for the Christians of the Middle East. No longer are they just nameless faces to me. Now many of them are my friends.
I have a new appreciation of muslims and for their clothing. I met new friends who are muslim and they were very nice. I met people of many different oriental races.
The Christian churches are all in an area outside of Doha, the capital. It is called the religious complex. The churches are not allowed to have any signs on the outside to indicate Christianity. Two Christmases ago, Holy Rosary Church was threatened by Al Qaida that it would be bombed. Fortunately, with extra Qatari police protection, it wasn't. But, each time I went to Mass there (3X) I thought of the possibility of
martyrdom and actually looked forward to it. This gave me a whole new perspective on America's freedom of religion. More prayers are needed for safety for the Christians of the Middle East. No longer are they just nameless faces to me. Now many of them are my friends.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Humility
I was looking back through my posts on this blog, looking for a certain one, which I had written some time back, when I realized how few people have looked at this blog of mine. It was a lesson in humility. After thinking about it for a few minutes, however, I realized that I was glad for this. It is my personal place where I can write my spiritual thoughts. I had hoped others might benefit from my insights sometimes, as they come out of prayer and reflection on Scripture, but, apparently, no one is interested.
But, it's okay. If no one ever looked or will ever look at my blog I am fine. God is the only one I need to hear my thoughts and to listen to me give feedback to His mighty Word. Who do I think I am to offer advice to others on the walk? I am no better than them, and nine times out of ten, I am probably much more of a beginner than most. So if I write this blog only to communicate with my dear Lord Jesus, then so be it.
I did notice two times in particiular, when the readership went way up. One was when I titled the post, "Father Aniello Salicone." He is a healing priest I saw twice in my life. I wrote about my experiences with his healing Masses, and some of the conversation I had with him regarding my own ministry. People know this priest, and they must have searched for his name under the blogspot directory, or searched for "healing." Their interest lay there - in healing. the other one was when I wrote a post entitled, "The Gift of Healing." I was writing a little about my own God-given gift, a new gift, of healing. The number of views was large on that post as well.
This is not what I want people to be drawn to by my writing. I never want to draw any attention to myself. The idea of the blog, as written on the cover page, is to possibly help others in their journey toward heaven; certainly not to glorify myself in any way.
Look not toward me, but, to my Lord, who deserves all glory, praise and honor. Love Him, obey Him, and imitate His Son, Jesus Christ, in all you do. Amen.
But, it's okay. If no one ever looked or will ever look at my blog I am fine. God is the only one I need to hear my thoughts and to listen to me give feedback to His mighty Word. Who do I think I am to offer advice to others on the walk? I am no better than them, and nine times out of ten, I am probably much more of a beginner than most. So if I write this blog only to communicate with my dear Lord Jesus, then so be it.
I did notice two times in particiular, when the readership went way up. One was when I titled the post, "Father Aniello Salicone." He is a healing priest I saw twice in my life. I wrote about my experiences with his healing Masses, and some of the conversation I had with him regarding my own ministry. People know this priest, and they must have searched for his name under the blogspot directory, or searched for "healing." Their interest lay there - in healing. the other one was when I wrote a post entitled, "The Gift of Healing." I was writing a little about my own God-given gift, a new gift, of healing. The number of views was large on that post as well.
This is not what I want people to be drawn to by my writing. I never want to draw any attention to myself. The idea of the blog, as written on the cover page, is to possibly help others in their journey toward heaven; certainly not to glorify myself in any way.
Look not toward me, but, to my Lord, who deserves all glory, praise and honor. Love Him, obey Him, and imitate His Son, Jesus Christ, in all you do. Amen.
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