Progress in Love....

Sometimes, we need not a brilliant mind that speaks but a patient heart that listens, not a keen eye that sees faults but an open arm that accepts and not a finger that points mistakes but a gentle hand that leads. Sometimes being understanding is more important than being right.



(Prophecy, Apr 11, 2015 Feast Milton) 

Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael - Archangels.... (Sept. 29)

Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael - Archangels.... (Sept. 29)

 

            Today we celebrate three archangels, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. The term archangel occurs only in one book of the bible and seems to be an honorary term given to angels whose names appeared in scripture. Michael means - who is like God. He is understood as the one who marshals heavenly power against evil. He is often depicted in warrior mode. He is the universal patron for the church and against evils and Satan battles. Gabriel means - God is strong and he is the one who carried important messages to Mary, Joseph and Zachariah; he is the patron saint of communication. Raphael means - God has healed. He is the promoter of healthy and the patron saint of medicine.

            The word angel means messenger in the original Greek. Angels, as stated in the scripture, serve many other functions: companions, guardians, guides, overseers,, members of the heavenly court.

            All this suggests that we should think of them as personifications of the loving presence of God among us and in us. in any case, we understand angels best if we think of them as doing what all of us should be doing for each other, that is, serving as the means by which God heals, comforts, strengthens, helps fellow human beings, touches to soothe, accompanies, welcomes, supports, defends....etc. Our angels are our fellow humans in acting the grace of God in LOVE....

 

PRAYER TO: SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

The blood supermoon lunar eclipse - did you see?

Did you see the blood supermoon lunar eclipse?

Many people in many parts of the world have had their smart phones and cameras out for a rare supermoon eclipse, the first of its kind since 1982, and the last we'll see until 2033. I was also not left out of this historical event in our planet - and I took my phone too to record the eclipse straight from Philadelphia, USA.

Clear skies in some parts of the world (and where I was in deed) allowed those who stayed up or woke up at around 3 a.m. to enjoy spectacular views of the 'Blood Moon', which takes its name from the reddish hue the moon takes as Earth's shadow passes over it.

Pope's words of encouragement....

Pope's words in Philadelphia, USA.

 

"...America, the land of the free and the home of the brave - just like happiness, holiness is "tied to little gestures. These little gestures are those we learn at home, in the family; they get lost amid all the other things we do, yet they do make each day different; They are the quiet things done by mothers and grandmothers, by fathers and grandfathers, by children, friends and all who get concerned of us...Love is shown by little things, by attention to small daily signs which make us feel at home...

 

Grace is everywhere...

Grace is everywhere...

            When we read the book of Ezra (Ezra 6,7-8), we see how Ezra's conviction that Jews in exile were able to return to their own land because of the support of a well disposed, non Jewish ruler- king Darius. Although the Jews did not even favour contact with such people; in fact they refereed to them as dogs...and uncircumcised.

            As humans beings, many a times we have acted as if only some people could possibly do good to us and others not! But experience tells us that w all depend upon each other in many ways and that dependence crosses religious and family boundaries.

           Jesus points to something similar in Luke 8, 19-21 - when told his mother and brothers are trying to get in, he says that there is a deeper relation to him than that of blood. Happily for many, family members do provide support and encouragement to faith. Others, unfortunately, have experience of finding more sympathy and understanding outside the family.

            We discover in the course of growing up that compatibility and congeniality are not predictable in terms of family and background. We all need support and encouragement. We obstruct it by requiring that it come in a particular color or shape or from a particular source.

            Noting in our created world is incapable of being the channel for God's grace, illumination and support.

First Day of Fall...

Wednesday, September 23 - The First Day of Autumn (Autumnal Equinox) 2015

The garden of love is green without limit and yields many fruits other than sorrow or joy. Love is beyond either condition: without spring, without autumn, it is always fresh.

The Cross +

The Cross +

   Today we celebrate the Triumph of the Cross. There are two aspects of the cross: sorrow and glory – a sign of contradiction and the source of our salvation.

"A housewife was busy doing the house chores when suddenly her husband came from behind embracing her tightly and carried her around the house lovingly. The woman surprisingly blurted out: “Hey sweetheart why the sudden affection?” To which the husband retorted: “Well, the priest today in his homily said that we have to carry our crosses daily with love.”

            What a wonderful application of Jesus’ words about loving our crosses. Wouldn’t it be nice if you embrace your husband/wife/friends/relatives/teachers/children instead of cursing them as your crosses in life? You can practically apply these to people you consider crosses in your lives. And you will see the transformation it will make in any of your relationships.

            What could possibly be our crosses? Uncharitable criticisms, insults, indifference, ingratitude, illness, disability, infidelity, endless tasks, unrewarding work, abandonment, etc.? Heed Jesus’ call about the cross as a blessing and life will be more bearable and meaningful. God bless.