L-Ideal Possibbli!

Feast of the Holy Family

View more presentations from ruth (Malta).

Jesus Christ is Born!

Novena Day 9:

O Adorable Infant Jesus, I would not have the boldness to cast myself at Your feet if I did not know that You Yourself invite me to draw near You. But you have come on earth to pardon repentant sinners!! My Saviour and My God, You who are so good have loved - and you continue to love - me so much!  

My God, who became an infant for my sake - help me love You always!

Mary Mother of Jesus and my own mother - pray to Jesus for me!

 

Prayer/Reflection:

O Adorable Infant Jesus! I would not have the boldness to cast myself at Your feet, if I did not know that You Yourself invite me to draw near You. By my sins I have made You shed so many tears in the stable of Bethlehem but You have come on earth to pardon repentant sinners! Forgive me also, now that I am heartily sorry for having spurned You, my Savior and my God, who are so good and who has loved - and continues to love - me so much.

In this night, in which You bestow great graces on so many souls, grant Your heavenly consolation to this poor soul of mine also. All that I ask of You is the grace to love You always, from this day forward, with all my heart. Set me all on fire with Your holy love.

I love You, O my God, who has become a Babe for love of me. Never let me cease from loving You!

O Mary, Mother of Jesus and my Mother, you can obtain everything from your Son by your prayers. This is the only favor I ask of you: pray to Jesus for me! Amen.

Lord Jesus in this night and time, You bestow graces on so many souls. I beg of you: fill this soul with Grace. Fill me with an unending love for You. Let me also know your peace so that I may share it with those around me!

My God, who became an infant for my sake - thank You! - Help me love You always! Mary Mother of Jesus and my own mother - thank You! - pray to Jesus for me!

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Dear Friends,

 

today was the last day of the Novena and if you have prayed this with me and others - thank you :-) I pray you may all have a most blessed Christmas, one filled with the peace and joy which only God can give.

 

this is nice and i hope you may all enjoy it too :-)

 

 

Christmas Novena Day 8

This Christmas Novena is found at the "America needs Fatima" website. The presentation here is slightly different to that on the site but it is otherwise the same.

The intentions in the prayer are my own and given that you are currently on this page, i'd be grateful if you prayed for those too, yet DO add and pray your own intentions as well!

Novena Day 8:

Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment

at which the Son of God was born

of a most pure Virgin at a stable at midnight

in Bethlehem in the piercing cold.

At that hour vouchsafe,

I beseech You to hear my prayers

and grant my requests:

That we may all draw near to You

strengthened to receive your mercy,

that our lives may be filled with hope, peace and joy.

That we may all believe in Your love for us

and may trust in You – no matter how hard it gets.

That those who cry or feel alone

may know that You are with them.

Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother,

Amen.

Jesus, my Saviour, what are all the treasures of this world compared to You and Your love for me? When I consider how, for love of me, You were born in a stable and spent thirty years of Your life hidden and unknown in a poor workshop I can only pray and desire to renounce worldly riches and sinful desires so that i may one day be able to enjoy Your companionship in heaven.

Infant Jesus help me!

Mary my hope, refuge of sinners - pray to Jesus for me!

Prayer/Reflection:

O Jesus, my Saviour! When I consider how, for love of me, You spent thirty years of Your life hidden and unknown in a poor workshop, how can I desire the pleasures and honors and riches of the world? Gladly do I renounce all these things, since I wish to be Your companion on this earth, poor as You were, mortified and humble as You were, so that I may hope to be able one day to enjoy Your companionship in heaven.

What are all the treasures and kingdoms of this world? You, O Jesus, are my Only Treasure, my Only Good!

I keenly regret the many times in the past when I spurned Your friendship in order to satisfy my foolish whims. I am sorry for them with all my heart.

For the future I would rather lose my life a thousand times than lose Your grace by sin. I wish never to offend You again, but always to love You. Help me to be faithful to You until death.

O Mary, You are the refuge of sinners, You are my hope - please pray for me! Amen.

Lord Jesus you are my Only Treasure, my Only Good. I regret the many times in the past when I have sinned and offended You. I am sorry with all my heart - let me now love and serve You!

Infant Jesus help me!

Mary my hope, refuge of sinners - pray to Jesus for me!

Thank you to the people at the "America needs Fatima" website for sharing this Novena.

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i think this you tube is great:

Note: The Icon above the prayer, was written by Kiko Arguello, founder of the Neo-Cathecumenal Way. Mary and Jesus are often portrayed looking to the right but Arguello presents Mary and Jesus looking to the left. The left is considered the place where sinners are. Mary and Jesus look to each one of us who needs God’s mercy – Mary our hope leads us to Jesus, Jesus our Lord fills us with His mercy. :-)

Christmas Novena Day 7

This Christmas Novena is found at the "America needs Fatima" website. The presentation here is slightly different to that on the site but it is otherwise the same.

The intentions in the prayer are my own and given that you are currently on this page, i'd be grateful if you prayed for those too, yet DO add and pray your own intentions as well!

Novena Day 7:

Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment

at which the Son of God was born

of a most pure Virgin at a stable at midnight

in Bethlehem in the piercing cold.

At that hour vouchsafe,

I beseech You to hear my prayers

and grant my requests:

That we may all draw near to You

strengthened to receive your mercy,

that our lives may be filled with hope, peace and joy.

That we may all believe in Your love for us

and may trust in You – no matter how hard it gets.

That those who cry or feel alone

may know that You are with them.

Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother,

Amen.

Dear Infant Jesus, crying so bitterly, do not cry any longer. Yes I have persecuted you through my sins and yes I still do but now I long to love you. I want to love you dear Infant. Give me strength so that I may resist temptations and keep you forever in my heart.

Mary my hope pray to Jesus for me - that i may live serving and loving Him in all the remaining days and years of my life.

Prayer/Reflection:

Dear Infant Jesus, crying so bitterly! Well have You reason to weep in seeing Yourself persecuted by men whom You love so much.

I, too, O God, have once persecuted You by my sins [i still do because i still sin actually] but You know that now I love You more than myself, and that nothing pains me more than the thought that I have so often spurned You, my Sovereign Good.

Forgive me, O Jesus, and let me keep You with me in my heart in all the rest of the journey that I have still to make through life, so that together with You I may enter into eternity.

So often have I driven You from my soul by my sins but now I love You above all things, and I regret above other misfortunes that I have offended You.

I wish to leave You no more, my beloved Lord. Give me the strength to resist temptations. Never permit me to be separated from You again. Let me rather die than ever again lose Your good grace. (i'm not too sure about that: my prayer is that if and when i DO lose God's Grace - because i would have put it aside or refused it - then God will bring me back again to It - He has FULL PERMISSION to do so :-)

O Mary my hope, make me always live in God's love and then die in loving Him. Amen.

Dear Infant Jesus, do not cry any longer. I long to love you. I want to love you dear Infant. Give me strength so that I may resist temptations and keep you forever in my heart.

Mary, my hope pray to Jesus for me - that I may live serving and loving Him in all the remaining days and years of my life.

Thank you to the people at the "America needs Fatima" website for sharing this Novena.

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This below is a traditional Maltese Christmas Carol which says: "Sleep and do not cry baby Jesus..."

Christmas Novena Day 6

This Christmas Novena is found at the "America needs Fatima" website. The presentation here is slightly different to that on the site but it is otherwise the same.

The intentions in the prayer are my own and given that you are currently on this page, i'd be grateful if you prayed for those too, yet DO add and pray your own intentions as well!

Novena Day 6:

Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment

at which the Son of God was born

of a most pure Virgin at a stable at midnight

in Bethlehem in the piercing cold.

At that hour vouchsafe,

I beseech You to hear my prayers

and grant my requests:

That we may all draw near to You

strengthened to receive your mercy,

that our lives may be filled with hope, peace and joy.

That we may all believe in Your love for us

and may trust in You – no matter how hard it gets.

That those who cry or feel alone

may know that You are with them.

Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother,

Amen.

O my Dear Redeemer! Where should I be now, if You had not borne with me so patiently, and hadn't called me for life while I was in the state of sin? You have waited for me till now, forgive me quickly O Jesus!

I am sorry for having vilely despised You, my God but You cannot abandon a soul that seeks You. Lord I want to love You - help me!

Prayer/Reflection:

O my Dear Redeemer! Where should I be now, if You had not borne with me so patiently, and hadn't called me for life while I was in the state of sin? Since You have waited for me till now, forgive me quickly, O my Jesus, before death finds me still guilty of so many offenses that I have committed against You. I am so sorry for having vilely despised You, my Sovereign Good, that I could die of grief. But You cannot abandon a soul that seeks You. [ lucky for us - how blessed we are!!! ;-) ]

If thus far I have forsaken You, I now seek You and love You. Yes, my God, I love You above all else; I love You more than myself! Help me, Lord, to love You always during the rest of my life. Nothing else do I seek of You but this I beg of You, this I hope to receive from You.

Mary, my hope, do pray for me! If you pray for me, I am sure of Grace. Amen.

My Lord, You cannot abandon a soul that seeks You. If thus far I have forsaken You, I now seek You and love You. Yes, my God, I love You and want to love You above all else - Help me! Lord, nothing else do I seek of You but this I beg of You, this I hope to receive from You.

Mary, my hope, do pray for me. If you pray for me, I am sure of Grace.

Thank you to the people at the "America needs Fatima" website for sharing this Novena.

Christmas Novena Day 5

This Christmas Novena is found at the "America needs Fatima" website. The presentation here is slightly different to that on the site but it is otherwise the same.

The intentions in the prayer are my own and given that you are currently on this page, i'd be grateful if you prayed for those too, yet DO add and pray your own intentions as well!

Novena Day 5:

Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment

at which the Son of God was born

of a most pure Virgin at a stable at midnight

in Bethlehem in the piercing cold.

At that hour vouchsafe,

I beseech You to hear my prayers

and grant my requests:

That we may all draw near to You

strengthened to receive your mercy,

that our lives may be filled with hope, peace and joy.

That we may all believe in Your love for us

and may trust in You – no matter how hard it gets.

That those who cry or feel alone

may know that You are with them.

Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother,

Amen.

Lord, I feel a great desire to love You and since it is You who has given me this desire, give me O God the strength to love You exceedingly.

Lord, always remind me of the love You borne for me so that my soul may ever burn with love of You and long to please You alone!

Prayer/Reflection:

O Jesus, my sweet Love! I too have kept You suffering through all Your life. Tell me, then, what I must do in order to win Your forgiveness. I am ready to do all You ask of me.

I am sorry, O Sovereign Good, for all the offenses I have committed against You. I love You more than myself, or a least I feel a great desire to love You. Since it is You who has given me this desire, give me O God the strength to love You exceedingly. It is only right that I, who have offended You so much, should love You very much.

Always remind me of the love You have borne me, in order that my soul may ever burn with love of You and long to please You alone.

O God of love, I, who was once a slave of hell, now give myself all to You. Graciously accept me and bind me to You with the bonds of Your love. My Jesus, from this day and forever in loving You will I live, and in loving You will I die.

O Mary, my Mother and my hope, help me to love Your dear God and mine. This is the only favor I ask of you, and through you I hope to receive it, Amen.

My Jesus, I give you my all, bind me to You! Always remind me of the love you borne for me so that my soul may ever burn for love of You and strive to please You alone.

My Jesus from this day forth I want to love with all my heart. Mary, my Mother and my hope help me to love Your dear God and mine.

Thank you to the people at the "America needs Fatima" website for sharing this Novena.

Christmas Novena Day 4

This Christmas Novena is found at the "America needs Fatima" website. The presentation here is slightly different to that on the site but it is otherwise the same.

The intentions in the prayer are my own and given that you are currently on this page, i'd be grateful if you prayed for those too, yet DO add and pray your own intentions as well!

Novena Day 4:

Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment

at which the Son of God was born

of a most pure Virgin at a stable at midnight

in Bethlehem in the piercing cold.

At that hour vouchsafe,

I beseech You to hear my prayers

and grant my requests:

That we may all draw near to You

strengthened to receive your mercy,

that our lives may be filled with hope, peace and joy.

That we may all believe in Your love for us

and may trust in You – no matter how hard it gets.

That those who cry or feel alone

may know that You are with them.

Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother,

Amen.

Jesus, I am ashamed to appear before You, sinful as I am. Yet You have said that You will not cast away a contrite and humbled heart: do not drive me from Your presence, O Lord!

Jesus, who was despised for love of me, forgive me! I love You above every other good!

Prayer/Reflection:

O Dearest Savior, You have embraced so many outrages for love of me, yet I have not been able to bear one word of insult without at once being filled with resentful thought, I who have so often deserved to be trodden under foot by the demons in hell!

I am ashamed to appear before You, sinful and proud as I am. Yet do not drive me from Your presence, O Lord, even though that is what I deserve.

You have said that You will not cast away a contrite and humbled heart. I am sorry for the offenses I have committed against You. Forgive me, O Jesus. I do not want to offend You again.

For love of me, You have borne so many injuries! For love of You I want to bear all the injuries that are done to me.

I love You, Jesus, who was despised for love of me. I love You above every other good. Give me the grace to love You always and to bear every insult for love of You.O Mary, recommend me to Your Son; pray to Jesus for me.

Amen.

Jesus, I am sorry for the offenses I have committed against You. Forgive me, I do not want to offend You again.

Jesus, who was despised for love of me, I love You above every other good! Lord, give me the grace to love You always, Mary recommend me to your Son; pray to Jesus for me!

Thank you to the people at the "America needs Fatima" website for sharing this Novena.

*some text slightly changed eg: "i will not offend You" has been changed to "i do not want to offend you" because in my case (as probably with many of us) i WILL offend God but i do not want to so....

Christmas Novena Day 3

This Christmas Novena is found at the "America needs Fatima" website. The presentation here is slightly different to that on the site but it is otherwise the same.

The intentions in the prayer are my own and given that you are currently on this page, i'd be grateful if you prayed for those too, yet DO add and pray your own intentions as well!

Novena Day 3:

Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment

at which the Son of God was born

of a most pure Virgin at a stable at midnight

in Bethlehem in the piercing cold.

At that hour vouchsafe,

I beseech You to hear my prayers

and grant my requests:

That we may all draw near to You

strengthened to receive your mercy,

that our lives may be filled with hope, peace and joy.

That we may all believe in Your love for us

and may trust in You – no matter how hard it gets.

That those who cry or feel alone

may know that You are with them.

Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother,

Amen.

These tears which You shed, this poverty which You embrace for love of me, make me hope for the pardon of all the offenses I have committed against You.

My Jesus, I am sorry for having so often turned my back on You. But now I love You above all else! "My God and my all!" From now on You, O my God, shall be my only treasure and my only good.

Prayer/Reflection:

O Dear Infant Jesus, how could I be so ungrateful and offend You so often, if I realized how much You have suffered for me? But these tears which You shed, this poverty which You embrace for love of me, make me hope for the pardon of all the offenses I have committed against You.

My Jesus, I am sorry for having so often turned my back on You. But now I love You above all else! "My God and my all!" From now on You, O my God, shall be my only treasure and my only good.

With Saint Ignatius of Loyola I will say to You, "Give me the grace to love You; that is enough for me." I long for nothing else; I want nothing else. You alone are enough for me, my Jesus, my life, my love.

O Mary, my Mother, obtain for me the grace that I may always love Jesus and help me believe that I am always loved by Him*. Amen.

"My God and my all!" From now on You, O my God, shall be my only treasure and my only good.

O Mary, my Mother, obtain for me the grace that I may always love Jesus and help me believe that I am always loved by Him.

Thank you to the people at the "America needs Fatima" website for sharing this Novena.

* the words of this sentence have been slightly changed - God ALWAYS loves us (we need to believe - and ACCEPT - His love :-)

Christmas Novena Day 2

This below is the 2nd Day of the Christmas Novena found at the "America needs Fatima" website. The presentation here is slightly different to that on the site but it is otherwise the same.

The intentions in the prayer are my own and given that you are currently on this page, i'd be grateful if you prayed for those too BUT add and pray your own intentions too!

Novena Day 2:

Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment

at which the Son of God was born

of a most pure Virgin at a stable at midnight

in Bethlehem in the piercing cold.

At that hour vouchsafe,

I beseech You to hear my prayers

and grant my requests:

That we may all draw near to You

strengthened to receive your mercy,

that our lives may be filled with hope, peace and joy.

That we may all believe in Your love for us

and may trust in You – no matter how hard it gets.

That those who cry or feel alone

may know that You are with them.

Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother,

Amen.

Oh dearest Infant! Tell me, what have You come on earth to do? Tell me, whom are you seeking?

Ah You have come to seek me, the lost sheep, so that, instead of fleeing from You any more, I may rest in Your loving arms! Oh my Jesus, my treasure, my life, my love and my all! Whom will I love, if not You?

Prayer/reflection:

O Dearest Infant! Tell me, what have You come on earth to do? Tell me, whom are You seeking?Yes, I already know. You have come to die for me, in order to save me from hell. You have come to seek me, the lost sheep, so that, instead of fleeing from You any more, I may rest in Your loving arms. Ah my Jesus, my treasure, my life, my love and my all! Whom will I love, if not You? Where can I find a father, a friend, a spouse more loving and lovable than You are?

I love You, my dear God; I love You, my only good.

I regret the many years when I have not loved You, but rather spurned and offended You. Forgive me, O my beloved Redeemer; for I am sorry that I have thus treated You, and I regret it with all my heart.

Pardon me, and give me the grace never more to withdraw from You, but constantly to love You in all the years that still lie before me in this life. My love, I give myself entirely to You; accept me, and do not reject me as I deserve.

O Mary, You are my advocate. By thy prayers You do obtain whatever You want from Your Son. Pray Him then to forgive me, and to grant me holy perseverance until death. Amen.

You have come to seek me, the lost sheep, so that, instead of fleeing from You any more, I may rest in Your loving arms!

Oh my Jesus, give me the grace never more to withdraw from You, but constantly to love You in all the years that still lie before me in this life.

Thank you to the people at the "America needs Fatima" website for sharing this Novena.

Christmas Novena Day 1

This below is the 1st Day of the Christmas Novena found at the "America needs Fatima" website, which starts today. The presentation here is slightly different to that on the site but it is otherwise the same.

The intentions in the prayer are my own and given that you are currently on this page, i'd be grateful if you prayed for those too BUT having said that, praying for these intentions does not mean one cannot add his/her own :-) Add and pray your own intentions too!

- and (especially for friends who are doubting it) remember that God loves you :-) ...if He did not then WHY was He born to DIE for you ...and me?

Novena Day 1:

Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment

at which the Son of God was born

of a most pure Virgin at a stable at midnight

in Bethlehem in the piercing cold.

At that hour vouchsafe,

I beseech You to hear my prayers

and grant my requests:

That we may all draw near to You

strengthened to receive your mercy,

that our lives may be filled with hope, peace and joy.

That we may all believe in Your love for us

and may trust in You – no matter how hard it gets.

That those who cry or feel alone

may know that You are with them.

Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother,

Amen.

Your Passion is my hope. For the sake of that love which led You to take upon Yourself human nature and to die for me on the cross, forgive me all the offenses I have committed against You.

I love You, O Word Incarnate!

Prayer/reflection:

O Great Son of God, You have become man in order to make Yourself loved by men. But where is the love that men give You in return? You have given Your life blood to save our souls.

Why then are we so unappreciative that, instead of repaying You with love, we spurn You with ingratitude? And I, Lord, I myself more than others have thus ill treated You.

But Your Passion is my hope. For the sake of that love which led You to take upon Yourself human nature and to die for me on the cross, forgive me all the offenses I have committed against You.

I love You, O Word Incarnate; I love You, O infinite goodness. Out of love for You, I could die of grief for these offenses.

Give me, O Jesus, Your love. Let me no longer live in ungrateful forgetfulness of the love You bearest me. I wish to love You always. Grant that I may always preserve in this holy desire.

O Mary, Mother of God and my Mother, pray for me that Your Son may give me the grace to love Him always, unto death. Amen.

Your Passion is my hope. For the sake of that love which led You to take upon Yourself human nature and to die for me on the cross, forgive me all the offenses I have committed against You.

I love You, O Word Incarnate!

Thank you to the people at the "America needs Fatima" website for sharing this Novena.

Mum, why is the priest wearing pink?

- i bet that if you go to Mass you will hear a boy or girl asking that!

Pink, in the Catholic Church, is the colour of "joy" - This Sunday we rejoice that Christ is near.

3rd Sunday of Advent - Sunday of Joy

View more presentations from ruth (Malta).

May He fill you with His peace and joy.

here's a prayer - in the form of a song - for you who are reading this post:

http://www.spiritandsong.com/compositions/68114

Avvent 2009: Ikellmuna l-Isqfijiet! (Advent 2009 - The Bishops speak to us!)

For an English version of the (Advent 09) Pastoral Letter click >>HERE<<

Christ Our King

Christ the King!

View more presentations from ruth (Malta).

I wish i could write what i am thinking but no time right now.

The above is a presentation of the Gospel proclaimed in church today :-)

- and this below is a great video uploaded by "chemmad" about OUR KING:

Blessed! (Mt 5: 1-12)

We are all children of God and His love for us never changes: truly we are blessed!

Yet God asks of us that we share and give of what we have. In so doing we are further blessed - we are blessed with the joy of knowing that by God's grace we have brought a smile to others.

This "you tube" below is a favourite - presenting today's Gospel in a lovely manner. It was uploaded by "seestaernli" :-)

...it's a great thing that some people dedicate time to make such videos and are using the internet to share them with others. Through their work they proclaim God's message: blessing others :-)

Int tallab? (Are you a beggar?)

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year B

View more presentations from ruth (Malta).

One of the very first posts I wrote on this blog was about a similar miracle. Then, however, it was two blind beggars whom Jesus healed. (You can read it by clicking >HERE<)

This event as narrated by St.Mark is pretty similar but - if we listen - the Word of God will impact us differently each time it is announced to us.

When this Gospel was being proclaimed today I kept thinking – “int tallab?” (Are you a beggar?). I was listening but i kept “hearing” the words “int tallab? …int tallab?”

This man was a beggar.
And he was sitting on the side of the road: outcast.

He was a REAL beggar!
He was one who would beg no matter how much people told him to be quiet!

And then I was thinking "are you a beggar?"
And IF you were a beggar, what would you beg for?

This man was begging God and people were trying to silence him but he kept at it – refusing to stop before God answered.

…IF I were a beggar would I be like him?
…would I be that good at it:
Patient? Humble? Determined? Tusting enough?

And IF I were to beg God for something – what would I beg Him for?
- if I begged would I continue despite voices that try to silence me?

Look around you and you’ll see:
There are voices all around us - sometimes even within us - trying to silence what is good and holy! (…worse still these voices often times actually promote the very opposite!)

> you believe in God? Come on its 2009!!
> you pray?! Are you like 5 years old?
> what you actually go to Mass?!?! Get a life!?

Not to mention other things which are not exactly about God:

> Sex within marriage only? Are you ok?
…and who needs Marriage anyway? – just cohabitate!
(odd thing is that people with same-sex attraction actually WANT “marriage”!)

So all around us - sometimes within us too - are voices which try to silence us but a real beggar would keep begging!

When this beggar was being scolded and told to be quiet he only got louder! Repeating his cry – shouting it out so that Jesus would answer him:

Jesus,

Son of David,

have mercy on me!

Sometimes we give up.
Sometimes we think it is all in vain – but this beggar did not!

He kept shouting till Jesus answered Him.

…and I kept thinking – would I do that?
Would I be that kind of beggar?

His begging DID pay!
He got healed! His sight was restored!

That man begged for sight because he was blind
- he did not need sight of faith for he had that:
his begging reflected his faith and it healed him!

I have eye-sight but do I need God to restore my faith?
Would I beg Him as this man did – beg Him till He answers?

If I beg, God will stop, call me and say:

“What do you want Me to do for you?”

Maybe I should consider the Apostles’ prayer:
“Lord increase our faith!”

(Luke 17:5)

You remember at the start it said that this man sat on the roadside? Did you notice that by the end of the reading this man was no longer sitting there? He was following Jesus!

And if at the start he was an outcast – sitting on the roadside - he was certainly no longer that by the end of the Gospel! God Himself called Him and, given that he answered this call and proceeded to follow Jesus, he was certainly a friend now: of Jesus!

Lord increase our Faith!

Mission Sunday.

Servant God!

View more presentations from ruth (Malta).

Mother Teresa used to say: "Charity begins at home" and indeed it does BUT if charity begins at home then it just might continue elsewhere - wherever we are with whomever we are at whichever time.

It is today Mission Sunday and one way of doing charity "elsewhere" would be by praying for the people living in situations of poverty, abuse or war. The next step would be to waste less and give more - if i have internet then SURELY i can give/donate something ...the ocean is made of many many many drops of water: every little given bit counts and contributes to a better world ;-)

...we all know some organisation which works with the poor and begs for donations so that it can help make the lives of these people better.

The Word of God

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

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Make me a channel of Your Peace (St.Francis)

The Year of the Priest,

800 years since St.Francis founded the Franciscans,

and the Feast of St.Francis:

this is certainly one HUGE feast! :-)

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Look Francis My church is falling to ruins!

Go and rebuild My House!

...these were the words spoken to St.Francis whilst he was praying in the Chapel of St.Damien. Lol at first Francis took them literally - rebuilding the little chapel with his own hands (and God let him because it was a task which made him strong and increased his love for Jesus) but this rebuilding was kind of just the foundation stone ;-)

St.Paul said the WE are the Church of God, that we are "living stones" ...and when, after rebuilding the church it was empty, then St.Francis knew what God meant ...he was to rebuild the people of God ;-) ...and he set out doing just that. Francis, despite ilness and hardships, set out to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus with a heart full of joy and zeal - rebuilding the real Church of God.

Like Francis - especially this year - NOW - we are called to rebuild God's Church! ...to pray for ourselves and our brothers and sisters: Lord in increase our Faith! ...to work to rebuild this Church: with our deeds! ...to proclaim the joy of Jesus humbly but full of zeal - just as St.Francis. May God strengthen us and each one to do so. :-)

These below are two grrrrreat songs: both the prayer of St.Francis. The first is in Italian and i just love it, the second is in English and though a different style, just as lovely. :-)

Hail Mary full of Grace! (Luke 1:28)

Mary is our Mother - Jesus gave Mary to us while He was on the cross - dying because of His love for us, dying so that we may live. She was given to us so because she leads us to Jesus and so that that we may love her and ask for her prayers. She is Jesus' Mother and besides Jesus as Queen in heaven - surely her wishes are the King's Command!

When we pray to Mary we ask her to pray for us to Jesus and she willingly does - for all she wants is that one day we too will be with her in heaven: that would give her and Jesus SO MUCH joy!

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful.

O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy please hear and answer me.

Amen.

Today's Gospel in Song

God Alone is Enough

by Tom Booth.

(click title above or go to the link below to listen)

http://www.spiritandsong.com/compositions/80425

A question

Who do you say i am?

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Efetah! (Mk 7:34)

The Maltese word is pactically the same :-) "Infetaħ!" and well at this point i'm sleep-typing BUT having read the readings this morning, throughout the day i had one prayer: Let God open our ears so that each one of us may listen to Him speaking in our hearts ...so that each one of us may hear the truth of

"I LOVE YOU MY CHILD!"

From Psalm 145

Psalm 145 - Psalm for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

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Be doers of the Word (James 1:22)

She took his teddy bear
He took her mp3.

Love one another:
Two wrongs don’t make a right.

She gossiped about him
He hit her.
Love your neighbour as yourself:
Two wrongs don’t make a right.

He argued and fought
She left him.
Forgive one another:
Two wrongs don’t make a right.

They wanted to divorce
They were encouraged.
If someone is mistaken correct him gently:
Two wrongs don’t make a right.

She was raped
She aborted the child.
Thou shalt not kill:
Two wrongs don’t make a right.

He was abused
He abused his children
Do not do to others what you
do not want them to do to you:
Two wrongs don’t make a right.

He killed
They gave him the death penalty.
Love your enemies:

Two wrongs don’t make a right.

We killed the Son of God.
We sinned and continue to sin.
Father forgive them for

they know not what they do!

Faith without works is dead!

Tridux titilqu intom ukoll? (Jn 6:67)

Tridux Titilqu Intom Ukoll?

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but Peter said:

"Lord to whom shall we go?!

YOU have the words of Eternal Life

and we have recognised that

You are the Holy One of God!"

(John 6:68)

Maybe sometimes we have doubts and SO MANY questions - why God? - and i think often we do not understand.

Maybe sometimes we think that God has forgotten us or that He does NOT love us - but even when we think that: it doesn't change the fact that God DOES love us with an unending and immeasurable love!

Sometimes we won't understand and maybe sometimes we are afraid but when we are, then like Peter we need to believe and like John we need to rest our heads on Jesus' shoulders:

Peter didn't understand Jesus' words and John had a heart full of sorrow and questions when he learnt that Jesus would soon die - but both believed and both found comfort in God: despite their lack of understanding.

During today's Mass we prayed the following - and i'm putting it on the blog because it has been my prayer - as i am certain that of many others - and i will continue to pray it with the Church:

We pray for all those people who, feel unwelcome in the Church. We pray for them so that they may see that God has a special love for those who feel rejected and we pray that these brothers and sisters may listen to God’s call and return to His Fold. (2nd Prayer of the Faithful for the 21st Sunday of ordinary Time, Cycle B – Malta Diocese.)

Holy Mary, Mother of Jesus,

please lead each one of us to God in the Holy Catholic Church.

St.Michael, Brave Archangel

please defend us against the wickedness and snares of the devil.

Santa Marija!

Our Parish is dedicated to Our Lady, Queen of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and so the church is full of paintings depicting moments or events in the life of Mary. Although there are several paintings depicting Mary on the clouds and/or in heaven, only one is actually "The Assumption"

This would be the one found on the ceiling of the main altar. Below it - ie on the wall of the main Altar - is a picture of Mary in heaven but that is the "Immaculate Conception". And yet below that is a huge "frame" which portrays Mary holding Baby Jesus. Mary is depicted sitting on her throne and wearing a crown: Our Lady, Queen of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The other two paintings, seen above and found on the side-chapels of the Main alter of the church too represent Mary: in one Mary is portrayed as the New Eve and in the other Mary is depicted as Mother of the Church.

In all of these pictures Mary is in heaven or on the clouds: reminding us of the Assumption.

...Clouds apart, today is a big feast for us Catholics but especially for Maltese Catholics.

In our church is a piece of a bomb which fell during the war. Besides it is a marble slate with a long list of names of the people who died whilst at Mass, during the war.

Near the police station is another marble slate - with another list of names of people who died.

At the strand is a monument - with i would say a few hundreds of names of other people who died during the war.

As one goes into Valletta one sees what is now simply "remains" of the majestic theatre/opera house which the British people had built.

...and on and on: all over Malta are reminders of the war...

The Maltese people suffered a lot especially during the 2nd World War yet they - we - kept the faith: perhaps even strengthened it. Despite so many hardships, the Maltese people trusted God. They would go to Mass and pray each day. They would pray Rosary after Rosary in the shelters they had dug and kept believing.

Malta always had a devotion to Our Lady

- and in turn Our Lady never stopped caring for us.

The 8th September is the day whereby Catholics celebrate the birth of Our Lady. On this day of the year 1565 Malta won the Great Siege against the Turks - who had they conquered us - would have used this country to invade the rest of Europe, persecuting Christians and/or forcing them to become Muslims.

In 1942, during World War Two, most resources were depleted and Malta would have had to surrender. On the 15th of August, feast of Our Lady's Assumption, 1942, the Ohio (see picture below) came in providing supplies! For the Maltese it meant life - they would not have survived without these supplies. Once again Mary had defended us and today, so many years later, we still refer to it as "Il-Konvoy ta' Santa Marija".

The picture links to a great site which provides a brief audio history of the Convoy.

WWII ended on the 8th September 1943 in Malta:

again a feast of Mary! :-)

...so, very simply today is a HUGE feast for the Maltese. 7 Parishes have their parish feast today and every practicing Catholic - and many non-practicing people too probably - thanks Mary for Her intercession.

-------

All of that aside...

This is a ppt of today's readings:

this is a beautiful you tube on Mary:

and these are the words of a beautiful Maltese hymn:

(below the Maltese words is my translation of them in English)

Ħallini llum, ħelwa Marija,
Nersaq f’riġlejk sabiex nitolbok
Titlob għalija ‘l Ġesu’ Ibnek.
Għax jien naf żgur li jisma’ minnek!

Jien naf ukoll li Inti tħobbni,
Għax għażlek Hu sabiex tkun Ommi.
Għalhekk bil-qalb ser intennilek,
Ave Marija!

Kull fejn ħarsti ddur,
lilek nilmaħ żgur.
Fuq l-art u s-smewwiet,
jidwu l-innijiet.
Biex nurik il-ferħ kbir
Li bih il-qalb tkun trid ittir
Infaħħruk u inqimuk,
bħala Sultana!

----------------

Let me today, sweet Mary,
Come near your feet so as to ask you
To pray for me to your son Jesus
For I know for sure that He will hear you!

I also know that You love me,
For He chose you to be my Mother!
So from my heart I shall sing
Ave Maria!

Wherever I look,
there you shall I see.
On earth and in heaven,
songs echo (your praise)
To show you this great joy
With which our heart now wants to soar:
We praise and honour you,
as Our Queen!


:-)