Bearing the Cross...

This blog relates to the set of pictures on the side

Awesome!!

We complain about the cross we bear, but we do not ever realize that it is preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we can't.

Whatever your cross, whatever your pain, there will always be sunshine after the rain....

Perhaps you may stumble, you might even fall; but God is there always ready to answer your call for help!....He knows every heartache, sees every tear; a word from His lips, can calm every fear!

Your sorrows may linger throughout the night, but they suddenly vanish in dawn's early light...

The Savior is waiting somewhere above to give you His grace and send you His love...

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

This is a further progress into the Liturgical Calendar for

3rd Sunday of ordinary time: 27 January - Mt 4,12-23Monday: 28 January 2008 - Mark 3,22-30 Tuesday: 29 January 2008 - Mark 3,31-35 Wednesday: 30 January 2008 - Mark 4,1-20 Thursday: 31 January 2008 - Mark 4,21-25 Friday: 1 February 2008 - Mark 4,26-34The Presentation of the Lord: 2 February 2008 - Luke 2,22-40
4th Sunday of ordinary time: 3 February - Mt 5,1-12Monday: 4 February 2008 - Mark 5,1-20 Tuesday: 5 February 2008 - Mark 5,21-43Ash Wednesday: 6 February 2008 - Mt 6,1-6.16-18Thursday: 7 February 2008 - Luke 9,22-25 Friday: 8 February 2008 - Matthew 9,14-15 Saturday: 9 February 2008 - Luke 5,27-32
1st Sunday of Lent: 10 February 2008 - Mt 4,1-11 Monday: 11 February 2008 - Matthew 25,31-46 Tuesday: 12 February 2008 - Matthew 6,7-15 Wednesday: 13 February 2008 - Luke 11,29-32 Thursday: 14 February 2008 - Luke 10,1-9Friday: 15 February 2008 - Matthew 5,20-26 Saturday: 16 February 2008 - Matthew 5,43-48

LIFE INSURANCE

The three of them were having their say...! Sometimes, as could be expected over a few bottles of beer, they were rather boisterous,......and their arguments floated unconsciously from one subject to the other, just like a butterfly would from a flower to another.... Every subject was given its due importance or less according to the interest or whims of each man.

This subject interested all of them in one way or another. Pawlu was heatedly enlightening his companions as to how he was subjected to a certain degree of harassing by an insurance representative! He was all het up about the numerous payments or contributions due in subscribiung to a Life Insurance policy. Of course, it was a very good idea for his loved ones to receive bonuses after he was no longer there for them, but he was quick to conclude: "you see, friends, these insurance people are so charitable; they strip you bare in your lifetime to have you rich enough when you are dead!"

John winked at Harry. They could not hide a knowing smile at this sort of reasoning. Both of them were in possession of Life Insurance policies. It is right and fitting to believe and trust in Divine Providence no doubt, but God definetly wants each and one of us to do our part according to possibilities, no?

God Himself does invite us to invest in a LIFE INSURANCE! Not only it is a very special kind of insurance, but it is an insurance which entertains no kind of ambiguity; it is an insurance that finally always works out in your favour! And to think that it really enriches you enjoy its fruits after your death. As to payments or contributions, we have no limit and it all depends on ourselves! God just asked us to amass, for our own benefit, treasures that we can enjoy even after our passage on earth is terminated!

God does invite us and encourages us to ameliorate our condition in this life here, but at the same time we have to endevour to collect a treasure of merits the value of which is enjoyed in afterlife for the endless duration of eternity.

So let us not hesitate to be enrolled in this particular Life Insurance set up, managed and guaranteed by God Himself. Do not lose any time, join today! The quicker you start amqassing treasures for eternity, the better it is for you, my friend.

Pope John Paul II Scapular

"Carmel is a source of wealth for the whole Christian community." John Paul II

A BROWN SCAPULAR OFTHE SERVANT OF GOD JOHN PAUL II
His Eminence the Most Reverend Cardinal Stanislao Dziwisz, Metropolitan Archbishop of Cracow, who was secretary of the Servant of God Pope John Paul II, has sent as a gift to Father Lucio Maria Zappatore, O.Carm., Parish Priest of S. Maria Regina Mundi (Rome), a Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel worn by the Servant of God John Paul II.

This scapular reminds us of the great devotion of the Pope to Our Lady of Mount Carmel through this sign (cf. article and letter to the Carmelites of the 25-3-2001 in which the Pope affirmed: “For a very long time I too have worn the Carmelite Scapular!”). Father Lucio received the brown scapular together with the declaration of authenticity signed by the Cardinal himself, on 6th October 2007 directly from Sister Tobiana Sobotka, "the guardian angel of the Pope".
Father Lucio, several times and insistently had asked the Cardinal of Cracow for this remembrance, very precious for the Carmelite Order, but had always received a vague and negative response. Finally, during the Congress of the International Federation of the Pueri Cantores which took place in Cracow (Father Lucio is the National Ecclesiastic Assistant of the Italian Federation), Cardinal Stanislao promised that he would do everything possible to satisfy him.

Talking to Him

I asked God for His blessings,
because I felt so bad.
I prayed for God to help me,
but He already had.
Dear Father, I want to see.
"But you're afraid to look."
Dear God, I need an answer.
"It's right there, in the Book."
I'm a child of misery.
"You're a child of the King."
Lord, please hear my mournful cry.
"Lift up your voice and sing."
Oh! My Lord, I feel so poor!
"Your riches are untold."
I have nothing, Lord, but You.
"I give you more than gold."

Lord, I'm so weak; I'm afraid.
"Son, all your fears are known.
If you will come unto me,
You'll never be alone."
"You'll have troubles while you live.
Times will come when you'll cry,
But trust in me, and you'll see
That you won't ever die."
Help me, God! Oh, save me Lord!
Only You are able.
"Come now, child, and dine with me.
Come. Eat at my table."
~Author~
Glen Pysell
Copyright 2002

LECTIO DIVINA......

Hello dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus. Thanks be to the Lord, I am dutifully back with a new blog.
I am inviting you to visit the official website of the Carmelite Order (O. Carm.).
The site gives ample opportunity for those who really wish to progress in spirituality and also to know more and better the Carmelite Order, its ideals, rule, spirituality basis, whatever.
Spanish, Italian and English are the three languages mostly used on the website.
The carmelite website is..........www.ocarm.org

While on the subject, I might as well invite you to visit also ......
The website for the Maltese Carmelite Province is:................karmelitanimalta.org

One of the mainstays of Carmelite Spirituality is THE WORD OF GOD as meditated upon in what is commonly known as LECTIO DIVINA (Divine readings), which happens to be a method of prayer encouraged even by the Popes.

As an encouragement I am producing in this blog the daily calendar of Lectio Divina for the present liturgical period. The calendar for every day of the year is found on the carmelite website.
So , dear Brothers and Sisters, we have a source of spiritual aid which benefits us all.

fr carmel

"Carmel is a source of wealth for the whole Christian community." John Paul II

"St. Therese of the Child Jesus would have liked to learn the languages of the Bible in order to better understand Sacred Scripture. Following her example and that of St. Jerome, dedicate time to frequent reading of the Bible. By familiarizing yourselves with the Word of God, you will discover Christ and remain in intimate contact with Him." Benedict XVI (14 nov 2007)

Liturgical Year A
(just click on one of the links here for each day of prayer)
The Epiphany of the Lord: 6 January 2008 - Mt 2,1-12
Monday: 7 January 2008 - Matthew 4,12-17.23-25
Tuesday: 8 January 2008 - Mark 6,34-44
Wednesday: 9 January 2008 - Mark 6,45-52
Thursday: 10 January 2008 - Luke 4,14-22a
Friday: 11 January 2008 - Luke 5,12-16
Saturday: 12 January 2008 - John 3,22-30
The Baptism of the Lord: 13 January 2008 - Mt 3,13-17
Monday: 14 January 2008 - Mark 1,14-20
Tuesday: 15 January 2008 - Mark 1,21-28
Wednesday: 16 January 2008 - Mark 1,29-39
Thursday: 17 January 2008 - Mark 1,40-45
Friday: 18 January 2008 - Mark 2,1-12
Saturday: 19 January 2008 - Mark 2,13-17
2nd Sunday of ordinary time: 20 January - John 1,29-34
Monday: 21 January 2008 - Mark 2,18-22
Tuesday: 22 January 2008 - Mark 2,23-28
Wednesday: 23 January 2008 - Mark 3,1-6
Thursday: 24 January 2008 - Mark 3,7-12
Friday: 25 January 2008 - Mark 16,15-18
Saturday: 26 January 2008 - Luke 22,24-30

The BOOK of LOVE

The Word of God transmitted to us by the writings in the Holy Scriptures is meant to reach deep into the hearts of all human beings. If we open the Bible just for the sake of "reading", we probably will miss out on what The Word of God really means to us and to what extent we can rely on and trust imlicitly on God's Sanctity and His Divine Mercy.
The following chart just gives an inkling of how God does never forsake us, knowing the frailty of humanity.

HANDY LITTLE CHART

God has a POSITIVE answer to our problems
YOU SAY
GOD SAYS
BIBLE VERSES

You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible
(Luke 18:27)

You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you
(John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 )

You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5- 6)

You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things
(Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it
(Roman 8:28 )

You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I Forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
(II Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews 13:5)

THE WORD OF GOD ENLIGHTENS OUR HEARTS

DESTROY HIM...???

DESTROY HIM...???
(Luke, 4, 14-30)

They had been thinking that they knew who you were; they thought they had recognized you! They knew your parents , so they knew you! How wrong were they! They did not want to accept all that which you revealed about yourself; they wanted to get rid of you once and for all! Maybe, they had sensed their inferiority in confronting you..., and that was not acceptable! It is only YOU that know the truth behind it all...!

Let's be straightforward, Lord. You could have worked a miracle.., you know.., at least a smaller one of the many that astounded the crowds. You could have convinced them there and then! Don't you think it would have been more advantageous than what you actually did? You walked through their midst and went your way...; maybe that was a small miracle in itself! They must have wondered, queried, and argued: "How did he manage to get away? How did he escape his fate? Why were we not able to lay our hands on him? Why did we not succeed in our intention of throwing him off the precipice?"

What were your inner feelings, Lord, seeing that your own people were not accepting you, even as far as to wanting to destroy you? I myself do have an inkling of what it means when not accepted or even refused; I hurt and feel sad when not appreciated, more so when this comes from people who should know better!

You know what, Lord? In such circumstances, not only do i feel snubbed and foresaken, but I find my heart fills with bitterness, and I retreat into myself. I might even, sometimes, start thinking of wreaking vengeance and get my own back by hurting anyone who had hurt me! BUt you say that this attitude of mine is no good at all; you advise me otherwise through your own actions. You did not say a word in defence or retaliation; you just went away and left the would be wrong-doers in their consternation and confusion...! On second thoughts, I am realizing that I myself did refuse you, and more than once at that! I am really worthless and void in your eyes...; I have a long way to go yet!

Help me, Lord, because I need to change my attitudes in life. I have to learn to keep going ahead when obstacles are set in my path. I know now, that it is not that important for me to be accepted and appreciated by fellow human beings, whoever they might be...., the most important thing is to be accepted and loved as the person I am by YOU, Lord.
With you by my side I can never be a loser!