Novena for Life III

Quebec, 2003

Day Three
To Truth Through Amazement

Prayer
Father of life, unworthy though I am, implant within my heart an amazement that you have shared your life with me, and have destined me for eternal bliss.

A Reading from the First Letter of Saint John 1John 3:1-2
See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

(silent reflection)

Prayer
God of all creation give me the grace to live this day as a prelude and a preparation for eternal life with you.

A Reflection by Pope John Paul II*
Revelation therefore introduces into our history a universal and ultimate truth which stirs the human mind to ceaseless effort; indeed, it impels reason continually to extend the range of its knowledge until is senses that it has done all in its power, leaving no stone unturned...The truth of Christian Revelation, found in Jesus of Nazareth, enables all men and women to embrace the "mystery" of their own life... Christian Revelation is the true lodestar of men and women as they strive to make their way amid the pressures of an immanentist habit of mind and the constriction of a technocratic logic. It is the ultimate possibility offered of love which began with creation. To those wishing to know the truth, if they can look beyond themselves and their own concerns, there is given the possibility of taking full and harmonious possession of their lives precisely by following the path of truth.

Our Father. . .
Hail Mary. . .
Glory Be. . .

*Pope John Paul II, Encyclical, Fides et Ration, nos, 14, 15.

~~~~~~~

"To those wishing to know the truth, if they can look beyond themselves and their own concerns, there is given the possibility of taking full and harmonious possession of their lives precisely by following the path of truth." As I read this, I was struck by the wealth of insight in these words. Imagine, Cathy. If you can be less selfish and more selfless you can follow the Way without those burdens that claim you when the "I" in you is overshadowed by concerns for the "other". The "truth" is I know and have experienced the "path of truth". But wanderlust causes me to roam and I have to stumble, twist an ankle or stub a toe in order to know I must find my way back to "the path." It doesn't take a rocket scientist to "read" this map.

Taking full and harmonious possession of my life means loving Him who made me and loving what he made, Me! Some days I am not so easy to love, by me or anyone else. Knowing that God always does, no matter what, is the hardest part of the concept to understand and yet since it is true I must glory in that and in turn love "me" as well. So it is that true self-love means giving up the "ego" as I envision it and accept the vision of Truth as it really is. God made me, God loves me, and I have been saved by His Son. Amen.

~~~~~~~
~Today I have again been amazed!~
Wishing you all an amazing day!
Thanks be to God.

Novena for Life II

Niagara Falls, 2003

Day Two
Living life for Eternity

Prayer
Father of life, here and now, reveal the greatness of your love in the inestimable value of each and every human life.

A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians 4:14--5:1
Know that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence. Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God. Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. , as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory; but what is unseen is eternal.

(silent reflection)

Prayer
God of all creation, help us to see our earthly lives as but the beginning of the plans you have in store for us.

A Reflection by Pope Benedict XVI*
I believe. . .that our life tends in the end toward a discovery of love, toward receiving love and giving love. And the crucified Christ, who presents us with love lived out to the end, as he himself says in the Gospel of John, lifts this principle up into the realm of absolute reality. God himself is love. In this sense, love is indeed both the fundamental rule and ultimate aim of life. . . Human love always lays claim to eternity. Love contradicts death. . .This human love is turned from a promise into a fulfillment of reality only when it is wrapped in a love that can truly impart eternity. [Love] is what we are looking for and is the goal toward which our lives are directed. But within its own framework and on its own terms it directs our view toward God and brings us to wait upon God.

Our Father. . .
Hali Mary. . .
Glory Be. . .

*Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, God and the World, p. 185f

~~~~~~~

Example of his gracious love...I shared this story 2 years ago and thought it appropriate to tell it again.

The Beginning of the Trip

I told you I would tell you about the beginning of the trip and I think this is a perfect time to do that. You see nearly a week ago, I began my journey to my mother's for a visit. I had packed and prepared for days in advance even to double checking the itinerary. Yours truly READ the itinerary incorrectly. I thought I left here at 10:30 a.m. en route to INDY. Well, that was not my departure time. It was my arrival time to INDY. I was to leave here at 8:30 a.m. I discovered this error at 8:10 a.m. My kind and loving husband, my belongings and yours truly left for the airport knowing that I would miss my flight. (The Hand of God: we did this in peace, calm, generosity of spirit and love.) When I arrived at the check-in counter I told the attendant that I had missed my flight and was told I needed to contact the carrier because I had purchased the ticket through Expedia. In the next hour and twenty minutes (Ron hoping that the cell phone battery was fully charged) Felice worked with all the airlines involved, but apparently none of them could resolve my dilemma. She was generous, kind and diligent. AND she was on overtime caring for me. We laughed together and I was lifted up by her understanding. (One could say that is her job. I prefer to see it as The Hand of God.) When all was said and done the only thing for me to do, she said was to present myself to the check-in counter again and ask if they would issue a new itinerary. I fully expected a full day's delay. When I approached the counter I explained to the agent again what I had been told and she started to work on my "project", when a gentleman standing behind her in blue jeans and a sweatshirt, asked her to take care of the man behind me, he would take care of me. ( The Hand of God: in less than ten minutes he had me rerouted from here to Atlanta, to Salt Lake City, to Billings with arrival only three hours later than anticipated.) My flight out was in about 20 minutes. Ron asked him about the penalty fee charged for the change of plans. ( The Hand of God: the gentleman said there is no time). That my dear friends is how my wonderful trip to my mother's started and I have to tell you that I did not experience one moment of anxiety or fear. Calm prevailed. And what of the $100.00? It donated to the Newburgh Food Pantry in gratitude to The Hand of God.

God bless you all...

~~~~~~~
And thanks be to God!

Novena for Life I

As they have for many years, The Knights of Columbus offer the Novena For Life at our parish. As members of the parish of St. John the Baptist Church prepare to board buses tomorrow I would ask you all to join me in praying this Novena For Life. We pray for those who travel, those who teach, those who nurture, those who council, and those who serve.

Day One
Created to Live with You

Prayer
Father of life, help us to long for the fullness of life and to know the wonder of what awaits us beyond the dimensions of this earthly existence.

A reading from the Book of Job 19:1, 23-27a
The Job answered and said: Oh, would that my words were written down! Would that they were inscribed in a record: That with an iron chisel and with lead they were cut in the rock forever! But as for me, I know that my Vindicator lives, and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust; Whom I myself shall see; my own eyes, not another's, shall behold him; And from my flesh I shall see God; my inmost being is consumed with longing.

(Silent reflection)

Prayer
God of all creation grant us the wisdom to understand fully the mystery that life has no meaning apart from you.

A Reflection by Pope John Paul II*
The Eucharist is a straining towards the goal, a foretaste of the fullness of joy promised by Christ (cf. Jn 15:11); it is in some way the anticipation of heaven, the "pledge of future glory". . . Those who feed on Christ in the Eucharist need not wait until the hereafter to receive eternal life; they already possess it on earth, as the first-fruits of a future fullness which will embrace man in his totality. For in the Eucharist we also received the pledge of our bodily resurrection at the end of the world; "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day" (Jn 6:54)

Our Father. . .
Hail Mary. . .
Glory Be. . .
*Ecclesia de Eucharistia, no. 18.

So I invite you join me again tomorrow. Until then.

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Immaculate Conception of Blessed Virgin Mary
POriginally uploaded by love_llegado (on/off/busy/slowly catching up mode)

Music Monday-- CANTICLE OF THE SUN

I have joined this today because I wish to share the Glory of God. I found this opportunity at Blessings for the Day. She has chosen a lovely song and thought I would offer one of my favorites, The Canticle of the Sun by Mary Haugen. Have a grand day praising the "glory of our God."

If you wish to join in this Music Monday visit Shawntele's lovely blog Saved By Grace each Monday for a musical and inspiring start to your week. She hosts Music Monday where we are invited to post a song or video. This meme is a fun and easy way to do that. It is a delightful place to visit.

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!!!

A Day with Providence

I'm off to Saint Meinrad Archabbey today for gathering of Providence Associates. We will pray and have reflection together. Share a meal and then return to our homes knowing that God was in our midst and we have the support of others on the journey.

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God~

Picture Puzzle Day

Saint Francis of Assisi
Santa Fe, New Mexico
July, 2008

I thought I'd start back slowly for "Simon's" sake after his visit to the IT Dr. It is great to have your personal computer physician. However, it is still frightening when awaiting the diagnosis. This time Mike could treat the illness and now "Simon" is home.

Wishing all who visit her a wonderful weekend!!!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!!!

Please enjoy the puzzle this weekend and if you wish to share a puzzle with us just add your name to Mr. Linky below!

Bad Haiku Friday

When the words won't come
And the pencil lead is dull
Chew off the eraser

Won't you please visit Catholic Teacher Musings and join in this haiku fun!!! Wishing you all a grand Friday!!!!!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!!

I Need To Explain...

Click here to view these pictures larger

I was preparing my post for today when my computer got "sick"! Yes, ailing. "Simon" is again at the IT Dr. for treatment. This happened about a year ago if I'm not mistaken...Perhaps an yearly physical is not such a bad idea.

Well, the only thing I completed before the incident was uploading the picture. I'm surprised there weren't more comments just wondering what in the world I was trying to accomplish. I had forgotten that I had posted it from Shutterfly and so what you saw was what you got. I apologize.

The picture was taken in South Dakota when we went to visit my mother in Montana last summer...I guess I have to choose another picture for my post tomorrow. Right now I'm glad to have "Simons's" little brother "Saul"! I'm having to learn more about him.

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!!!

The Hope of Spring Mosiac Monday

The words didn't come today! Don't know where they are but today they did not accept my invitation. Will just offer the invitation again. In the meantime, here is my offering for Mosaic Monday.

Please visit Mary and The Little Red House. Her pictures are grand and so are the pictures of others!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Bad Haiku Friday

It seems like weeks since I have done this. I am always challenged to do better or worse as the case may be...Here is today's offering. Please stop by Laura's house at Catholic Teacher Musings and play with her on this Bad Haiku Friday.

Silly Sam the cat
Upon my pillow he sat
Where am I to sleep?

And OH!



My head's all stuffy
My eyes watery and red
DRAT that winter cold!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!!!