America is Praying!!!!!!!!

How do I know America is praying?!

I read!!!! ;-)

(http://www.catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=30225
Bishop Finn: A Week of Prayer for Our Country)

How is America Praying?

Well check it out yourself!!!!
http://www.catholicvote.com/prayer.aspx

And I pray with them!
…as do so many other people from all over the world!!!!!

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

But why?
Why are they …and we praying?

Well you MUST look at this:
(it is THE MOST BEAUTIFUL

YOU TUBE EVER!!!!!!!!!!)

(says who? says i! lol!!!! ;-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gJPqmEybmg

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

THAT is at stake
THIS election!!!


THE UNBORN CHILD!!!!!


Obama said it himself!!!!!
http://www.catholic.org/video/?v=1688

“ROE VS WADE
HANGS IN THE BALANCE!

...

FREEDOM OF CHOICE ACT”

-----------

American Bishops have spoken
LOUD AND CLEAR!!!

Bishop James Conley, auxiliary of Denver
Bishop Samuel Aquila of Fargo
Bishop David Zubik of Pittsburgh
Bishop Michael Sheridan of Colorado Springs
Bishop Oscar Cantu, auxiliary of San Antonio
Bishop William Murphy of Rockville
Bishop Edward Slattery of Tulsa
Bishop Kevin Farrell of Dallas
Bishop Gregory Aymond of Austin
Bishop Thomas Wenski of Orlando
Bishop Robert Vasa of Baker
Bishop Jerome Listecki of La Crosse
Bishop Richard Lennon of Cleveland
Bishop Ralph Nickless of Sioux City
Bishop Glen Provost of Lake Charles, LA
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn
Bishop Joseph F. Martino of Scranton
Bishop Peter J. Jugis of Charlotte
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Raleigh
Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas City-St. Joseph, MO
Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison, WS
Bishop Ronald Gilmore of Dodge City, KS
Bishop Paul Coakley of Salina, KS
Bishop Michael Jackels of Wichita
Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito of Palm Beach
Bishop Kevin W. Vann of Fort Worth
Bishop Paul S. Loverde of Arlington
Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo of Richmond
Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Center
Bishop Robert McManus of Worcester
Bishop Arthur Serratelli of Patterson
Bishop Robert Herrmann of St. Louis
Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted of Phoenix
Bishop Thomas D. Doran of Rockford
Bishop Joseph A. Galante of Camden
Bishop Robert J. Baker of Birmingham
Bishop J. Peter Sartain of Joliet
Bishop John M. Smith of Trenton
Bishop Earl Boyea of Lansing
Bishop Leonard R. Blair of Toledo

Joint Statement by the bishops of New York State (22 bishops)
Joint Statement by the bishops of Pennsylvania (10 bishops)

If those names don't look too important, well this one sure looks VERY important:

Bishop William Lori of Bridgeport, chairman of the Committee on Doctrine

Even a RETIRED Bishop felt the need to speak out!!!

Bishop Rene H. Gracida, retired, of Corpus Christi

(bugs bunny would wonder: "hmmm what's cookin' doc?!)

But lets just focus on a few:

Bishop Finn Warns:

"Our country is at the edge of the precipice concerning the protection of the life and dignity of the human person. A significant new attack on innocent human life will likely send us into a moral freefall.”

(http://www.catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=30169)

Bishop Hermann Cries: “Save our Children!”

(http://www.catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=30126)

And Adds:

"Jesus tells us that whatever we do to the least of our brethren, we do to Him. We would truly shudder if we heard the words, “I was in your my mother’s womb but you took my life!”

(http://www.catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=30132)

Bishops Kevin Farrell of Dallas and Kevin Vann of Fort Wort will RIGHTLY ACCUSE those Catholics who will support a pro-abortion candidate accomplices to murder:

"To vote for a candidate who supports the intrinsic evil of abortion or 'abortion rights' when there is a morally acceptable alternative would be to cooperate in the evil and, therefore, morally impermissible."

(http://www.catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=30188)

Bishop Murphy Clarify calls it an “obligation” to Vote Pro-Life!

(http://www.catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=30192)

Whilst Bishop Chaput says its “ABSURD” to vote for a non-pro-life candidate

(http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/oct/08102005.html)

Bishop Martino will call it “MADNESS”!!!

(http://www.catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=30175)

And oh! ...i almost forgot the ARCHbishops!!! (LOL!!! ;-)

Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C.

Archbishop Jose Gomez of San Antonio

Archbishop John Nienstedt of Saint Paul/Minneapolis

Archbishop George Niederauer of San Francisco

Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, KS

Archbishop Edwin O'Brien of Baltimore

Archbishop Alexander J. Brunett of Seattle

This one looks rather important:

Archbishop Raymond Burke, Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura

And just in case the Bishops and ARCHbishops aren’t good enough you can check out what the CARDINALS had to say!!!

" "legalized" abortion continues to erode the honor of our nation. Look, and do not absolve yourself if you refuse to act": http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/oct/08102701.html

“When a baby is left to die of exposure on a shelf because of a failed abortion, and this is considered a ‘right’ by any leader, God, the Source of all law and authority, thunders: ‘This is a child!’ ”: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/oct/08102402.html

(DON’T YOU SEE THAT THE CHURCH IS GIVING OUT JUST
A LITTLE MORE THAN A SIMPLE CLUE?!?!?!??!?!??!?!?!?!?)

(hellooooooo!!!!!!!)

(you can access http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/oct/08102710.html to confirm the above ;-)

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

4000 Americans died
at Ground Zero one day and America
RIGHTLY CRIED AND MOURNED THE LOSS.


YET


4000 Americans are aborted DAILY
and America just ignores!!!!!

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

50 MILLION AMERICANS HAVE BEEN ABORTED SINCE 1972!!!!!

And Obama is not bothered at all!!!!!!

(I’m disturbed to say the least! And I’m not even American!!!! And Obama wants to allow more Americans to die like this?! …will remove the “partial ban”, deny medical aid to infants SURVIVING abortion …How can anyone be soooooo blind and support that?!?!??!?!?!?)

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTHmn13v7Ts
WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Time is running out!
Just a few days left!


Get moving!!!!
Know the facts!!!

(http://www.catholic.org/politics/voter_guide.php)
Speak the Truth!!!!
Send emails!!!!
And YES PRAY!!!!


THE/Your

BEST PRAYER WILL BE

A CATHOLIC VOTE!!!!

(in the case of non-catholics,

a PRO-LIFE VOTE ;-)
http://www.catholicvote.com/

-----------

Little AMERICAN ones, as yet unborn,
as was this CHILD,
will be counting on YOU:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gJPqmEybmg


JESUS
counts on you!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjx9e000hAw

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

"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today,

that I have set before you life and death,

the blessing and the curse.

So choose life in order that you may live,

you and your descendants!”

(said GOD in Deut 30:19)

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

In memory of Hosanna,

a young and dear sister

27/07/1996 - 30/10/1996

"Do not absolve yourself if you refuse to act!"

We keep running!
But God will stop us in our tracks!

ANOTHER cardinal has spoken
LOUD AND CLEAR!!!

if you care enough about what God is saying,
just read the link:

http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/oct/08102701.html

A bunny and a profs ;-)

Before reading the post you might like to read a related article :-)
(You can do so by clicking on the above title.
...but then don't forget to come back!!! ;-)



The bunny was munching his carrot when the profs came along …

“There's Probably no God! Now stop worrying and enjoy your life!”

But the bunny wasn’t too sure and pondering he replied…

“hmmm doc pehaps you should rephrase that!”

Yet the profs, was quite pleased with what he had said, hence he repeated:

“There's probably no God! Now stop worrying and enjoy your life!”

The bunny, still munching at his carrot, said

“hmmm doc …do I look worried to you?!”

“Em… no. …not really” said the profs
(“…but then again he’s just a rabbit…” he mumbled to himself)

“well doc …I still think you should rephrase that sentence!”
said the bunny

(“ok I’ll leave the worrying bit out” …thought the profs)
“There's probably no God! Enjoy your life!”

The bunny started tapping his feet in an impatient manner…

“Is that the best you can do doc?!”

“There's probably no God! Go along and you enjoy life!” (profs is dubious)

“nope” (bunny is not! ;-)

“There's probably no God! MAKE SURE you enjoy life!” ????

“No doc!!!” …Heavens! …I thought you were a good ‘doc’!!!”

“Well what then bunny?!?!” said the profs rather exasperated!

“There is OBVIOUSLY a God!
He is Caring so stop worrying!
He is Just so Live the Faith!!!!!” ;-)



…oh I love bugs bunny!!!! ;-)

Division (Luke 12:51)

(blogger is weird today!
...its got several missing functions :-(
hence the layout of this post is rather :-S)
-------------


Isiah had prophesized about the Messiah:

"A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice"
(Isiah 42:3)

Now Jesus, the same Jesus who, at the Last Supper, would pray:

“Holy Father,
protect them by the power of your name
—the name you gave me—
so that they may be one
as We are one.”
(John 17:11)

comes along stating:

“Do you think that I have come to bring peace on earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.”
(Luke 12:51)

…isn’t THAT confusing?!?!?!?!
…it might make me wonder whether we’re talking about the same person here!!!!

...Yet we ARE!!!
…IT IS THE SAME person!
…IT IS THE SAME Jesus!
…and to be more correct, it is NOT just a person, but God as well!

"Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God
as something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness."
(Philippians 2: 5-7)

Whilst Jesus took the nature of man, He REMAINED God!

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

Isiah had spoken of Jesus as one who would be merciful!
As Him who would bring Justice!

"A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice"
(Isiah 42:3)

----------

Jesus at the Last Supper prayed to God the Father
that His people would be one!
...That the Church of God would be united!

“Holy Father,
protect them by the power of your name
—the name you gave me—
so that they may be one
as We are one.”
(John 17:11)

----------

Yet on this occasion, the same Jesus exclaimed:

“Do you think that I have come to bring peace on earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.”
(Luke 12:51)

…why?
…why did He say that?!
…what does it mean?!?!?!

----------

Well whilst I am ABSOLUTELY no one to say what it means, yet the following is what I have been taught…

YES, Jesus was and is merciful!
YES, Jesus came to bring justice!
YES, Jesus wants us to be One
(…He Himself prayed for that!)
YET the SAME Jesus had said on another occasion:

"Remember the words I spoke to you:
'No servant is greater than his master.'
If they persecuted me,
they will persecute you also."
(John 15:20)

YES! Jesus came to gather and unite His people!
YET that ALSO means that there will be persecution!
Jesus had spoken of "hate" before he said the former!

"If you belonged to the world,
it would love you as its own.
As it is, you do not belong to the world,
but I have chosen you out of the world.
That is why the world hates you."
(John 15:19)

“The world Hates you”
Jesus said!
and those are VERY VERY VERY strong words!!!!!

-----------


IF Jesus came to bring Peace within His people and His Church,
He definitely would not bring peace in the WHOLE world!!!!!

Jesus brought with Him the Truth!
(Actually Jesus IS the Truth!!!)
…but the world does not want the Truth!!!
We have nailed Jesus to the cross!!!!!!!!!!!

We’re glad to live in lies!
We’re glad to believe most of the lies we are told!
We’re glad to live in and with the artificial!
We're all into “plastic” and “disposable” stuff!
We buy all the rubbish!!!!!!
…even much of our food has become “junk” food!!!!
We’re just glad to gulp down ALL the lies!!!
(...they're presented to us in a nice manner!!!)

YET

That is NOT what Jesus wants!
That is NOT the Truth which Jesus presents!

The Truth which Jesus presents is TRUTH!
Hence it is REAL, DEFINATE AND UNCHANGING!
It CAN NOT be altered!
(Punto e basta!!!!!)

Yes indeed!

“Do you think that I have come to bring peace on earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.”
(Luke 12:51)

Those who stick to CHERISHING the Truth,
Those who stick to doing their best to LIVE by the Truth,
Those who stick to DEFENDING the Truth,
WILL BE HATED!
(Jesus Promised!)

"For from now on a household of five will be divided:
three against two and two against three;
the father divided against the son, son against father,
mother against daughter, daughter against mother,
mother-in-law against daughter-in-law,
daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
(Luke 12:52-53)

Those who truly cherish, love, and defend the Truth
will do so at ALL COSTS!
They will do it!
...Even if it means that that they’d be hated by their VERY OWN people!
They will do it because they are convinced!
Because they KNOW that NOTHING is more important or sacred
than cherishing, living by, loving, defending and/or proclaiming the Truth!

Yes they will do it and God’s words will be perfectly understandable:

" 'Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.
For from now on a household of five will be divided:
three against two and two against three;
the father divided against the son, son against father,
mother against daughter, daughter against mother,
mother-in-law against daughter-in-law,
daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.' "
(Luke 12:51-53)

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

On a slightly different note, in Today’s Gospel, Jesus also said:

"I have come to bring fire to the earth,
and how I wish it were blazing already!”
(Luke 12:49)

I think that Jesus was referring to more than just the fire of Love in this sentence. His next sentence spoke of a baptism:

“There is a baptism I must still receive,
and how great is my distress till it is over!”
(Luke 12:49)

Hence it is NOT just a fire of Love which Jesus is speaking about in the first line. Jesus is also speaking about a fire which purifies. The ‘Fire’ of the Holy Spirit! Jesus seems to be almost waiting in pain for this “baptism”! …this purification! …this Love! …this FIRE!

"I have come to bring fire to the earth,
and how I wish it were blazing already!”
(Luke 12:49)

I do not know where the Maltese Hymn “Tina l-Ħlewwa” came from
…nor did I look up its history...
…yet I think its safe to say that the writer
was SURE to have read these words before writing it!!!

…it is my prayer too:


Tina l-Ħlewwa ta’ l-Ilsna
(Kliem ta’ Dun Karm Psaila)

Tina l-ħlewwa ta' l-ilsna tas-sema
Biex il-ġieħ li jixraqlek nagħtuk,
Qalb ħanina li taħfer li tagħder,
Kif ħabbejtna nixtiequ nħobbuk!

QALB IMQADDSA TA' ĠESÙ
LI BERIKT LIT-TFAL ĊKEJKNIN
KEBBES FINA IN-NAR TA' MĦABBTEK
ŻOMMNA MIEGĦEK IMĦADDNIN

---------

(The above I’d translate as follows:

Give us the sweetness/gentleness of the Heavenly Tongues,
So that we may give you the Praise and Worship due to You,
A merciful heart capable of forgiving and being compassionate,
As You have loved us, so too we would like to love You!!

O Holy/Sacred Heart of Jesus,
You who blessed the little children,
Enkindle within us the Fire of Your Love
Hold/Hug us close to You!)

--------
(The third photo: Kappella "Il-Mulej Blata Tieghi",
(Chapel: "The Lord is my Rock"),
the Chapel of Adoration with which God
has and continues to bless Our Parish :-)
Grazzi Kbira lil Alla!
Grazzi Kbira lil Father li Alla uza biex tahielna!)

"MAX people! MAX!!"

This was the jolly shout of the cheerful floor manager at a place where I had worked for two years. Before being promoted to this role, this happy fellow was my team leader and often times he’d gather the team for what was known as “coaching”. Here he’d emphasize the importance of selling ‘MAX’ which very simply were ‘add-on’ and/or excellent (?! ;-) offers we were to sell to the customers. We’d repeatedly hear the phrase “sell, sell, sell people!!!” and the most highlighted part of it would be the: “Its FREE people!!! FREE!!! Its on 14-day FREE home-approval!!! (so Sell Sell Sell)”

…well it might have taken me some time to get used to this “MAX”, “Sell Sell Sell!” and “FREE” terminology …yet in the end I did pretty well :-)

…between you and me I even enjoyed it!!!! ;-)

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

"When a man has had a great deal given him,

a great deal will be demanded of him;

when a man has had a great deal given him on trust,

even more will be expected of him."

(Luke 12:48)

I have received! I have received not just a Catholic Education but furthermore several Blessings! Sure there were ...and still are... hard times (one of my sister’s is already in heaven …so YES I know the meaning of ‘hard’) …but still I have RECEIVED!

Given that I have received soooooo much, I am (quoting Jesus’ words) “EXPECTED” to give! (again quoting Jesus’ words) A “great deal” is “DEMANDED” of me! Hence I DEFINITELY have a DUTY to give!!!

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

On another occasion, upon sending his friends to proclaim the Good News, Jesus said to them:

"Freely you have received, freely give."

(Matt 10:8)

(God might have been quite like that “MAX” fellow!! He had good ‘selling’ skills!!! ;-) He seemed to emphasize the “Freely” quite a bit!! ;-)

No, the Catholic does NOT sell the True Faith or Teachings of Jesus Christ yet DEFINITELY i am to present the Truth of Jesus Christ to those around me! …at any place …at any time! …by all means!! At work it was my duty to sell! As a Catholic it is my duty to give! ...to give FREELY!! :-)

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

I pray that God may strengthen me …and all those who have received… to give! To, as Mother Teresa would have said, “give until it hurts”.

That’s hard!

…but it’s possible for as St.Paul said:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”

(Phillippians 4:13)

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

Like, and with St.Francis, I’d like to Pray:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury,pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much

seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen

I love this version of that prayer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nthGdw0qgls&feature=related

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

On a different note:

“See that you are dressed for action and have your lamps lit”

(Luke 12:35)

On yesterday’s post I focused on the “get dressed” part of the sentence …yet today I thought a little about the second part of the same sentence: “have your lamps lit”. I did not put that which I thought of down in writing yet this would be the prayer I’d end it with:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFBUgPNcCcE&feature=related.

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

Dress up!!! (Luke 12:35)

“See that you are dressed for action and have your lamps lit”

(Luke 12:35)

Two of my sisters, God willing, will have their birthdays next month and whilst (today) we were eating, Faith, the youngest one, (probably wondering what nice clothing item she would receive for the same ;-) asked a question: “Mum why is it that NONE of the real good clothing brands are Maltese?!?!” …and then she starting naming a whole lot of them (...i was surprised she knew all those names actually...) …she must have mentioned at least 12 of them!!! And that got me thinking a little about (the above) one line taken from today’s Gospel.

Whilst mum defines me as “strange” I’m glad to think I’m “lucky”! ;-) …I’m very simple when it comes to clothes and very happy with several blue jeans and blue t-shirts ;-) …yet probably not many are as “strange” or “lucky” as I am! ;-)

Like Faith, who, thank God is a lovely child, many are keen to dress nicely …and there is ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with that! …yet perhaps we might start to think about another sort of ‘dressing up’. It is the sort which I’ve heard Jesus talk about in today’s Gospel.

-----------

"See that you are dressed for action and have your lamps lit"

(Luke 12:35)

Those words sound as though God is suggesting …or even sternly advising me… that I should be “dressed” for some sort of battle!! …and so it is!!!

St.Paul says that:

"our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12)

St.Paul talks of it as a “struggle” but the maltese word for that is much stronger! It comes closer to a war-like struggle (“ġlieda”) …and indeed the struggle which st.Paul mentions IS a war!! …if it was not such then he would not have gone through comparing the clothing we are to wear with the clothing a soldier wears!

-----------

“..be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

Put on the full armor of God so that

you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

…put on the full armor of God,

so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to

stand your ground,

and after you have done everything, to stand.

Stand firm then,

with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,

with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can

extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Take the helmet of salvation and

the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

With this in mind, be alert and

always keep on praying for all the saints.

(Ephesians 6:10,11,13-18)

…that SURE sounds like battle to me!!!
…that clothing SURE is battle-field clothing!!!

-----------

Indeed we must! St.Paul, in a different letter again mentions “armor”:

"The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." (Romans 13:12)

St.Paul advises us:

"Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy." (Romans 13:13)

And summarising …just to make sure we don’t miss the point! ;-)... he says:

"Clothe yourselves

with the Lord Jesus Christ,

and do not think about
how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature."

(Romans 13:14)

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

...As a Christian …or rather a Catholic… do I have an option other than to obey?! ;-)

L-Għani (Luqa 12:13-21, Verżjoni: skond jien)

Wieħed Malti

"ġabar kotra ta’ frott mir-raba tiegħu.”

(Lk 12:16)

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

Il-Qawl Malti bl-leħen għoli u ħafna kburija qallu:

"Erfa’ w Sorr għal meta tiġi bżonn!"

---------

U allura l-Malti, ta’ Malti għaqli li kien,

“beda jaħseb u jgħid bejnu u bejn ruħu,

'X’se nagħmel? Għax dan il-frott kollu

m’għandix fejn naħżnu!' ”

(Lk 12:17)

-----------

Iżda kien determinat li jagħmel hekk kif qallu l-Qawl Malti u allura

…wara ħafna ħsieb ;-) ...

...x’imkien ;-) ...

…f’xi waħda mil-kantunieri kollhom għanqbut li kellu f’moħħu ;-)…

xegħlet bozza!!

“Ara x’nagħmel,” qal,

“inħott l-imħażen li għandi

u nibni oħrajn akbar,

u naħżen fihom…”

(Lk 12:18)

-----------

Il-Qawl Malti, t’għaref li kien, żerżaqlu kelmtejn oħra:

“Darba tgħix ħabib!

Kull u tpaxxa għax-għada għal-ġol kaxxa!”

---------

Il-Malti kien kemmxejn dubjuż iżda

…ta’ Malti Patrijott li kien ;-)…

għoġbitu l-idea!!

“ngħid lili nnifsi:

‘Ruħi għandek ħażna kbira ta’ ġid għal bosta snin;

mela strieħ, kul, ixrob, ixxala!”

(Lk 12:19)

----------

U Alla, bla ebda kburija, iżda b'leħen qawwi qallu:

“Iblaħ li int!”

(Lk 12:20)

Tassew li “darba biss tgħix” u tassew li “għada għal-ġol Kaxxa”:

“Dan il-lejl stess jitolbuk ruħek lura”

(Lk 12:20)

U, filwaqt li dak il-povru Malti prova jirkupra mix-xokk kbir li ħa, sema ‘l Alla jistaqsieħ:

“Il-ħwejjeġ li ħejjejt għalik ta’ min ikunu?”

(Lk 12:20)

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

Il-Malti baqa ssummat!
…U x’imkien fil-fond ta’ qalbu, dak il-Malti*, sema lil Alla jgħidlu:

ARA MA JFETTILEKX!!!

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

…l-istorja ta' dak il-malti kompliet…
...għal kull Malti ieħor li jrid japplikaha l-istess storja għalih din tkompli…

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(*Ma nirrefferi għal ħadd ħlief għalija nnifsi! Ridt nuża l-kliem ta’ Ġesu, iżda billi l-istorja kienet fil-maskil ma kienitx possibli li nuża ‘ruth’. L-istorja kienet fil-passat u l-persuna ta “hu” u b’hekk anqas ma stajt nuża (l-persuna, fil-passat) “jien”. L-alternattiva kienet li nuża l-kelma “Malti” minħabba li din il-kelma ċertament tirrefferi/tinkludi u/jew tirrapreżenta lili wkoll. …ma stajtx nuża “Maltija” …b’kelma feminili ma stajtx inżomm il-kliem ta’ Ġesu!!!)

Three Little Crosses (Mission Sunday)

We might have gotten so used to it that we just do the same automatically. Yet the three crosses we make, whilst standing and just before listening to the Gospel carry meaning.

The cross was part of the ‘tools’ God used for our redemption, the symbol which reminds us of God’s total giving of Himself for our salvation. It is a sign of the Christian and a prayer by which I, as a follower of Jesus Christ, proclaim belief, through words and motion, in the most Holy Trinity, asking also for help.

We stand, making the sign of the cross on our forehead, on our lips and on our heart …and though I am not sure how this practice came about yet I do know it carries meaning.

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It is a prayer… (well to me it is anyway)

I make the sign of the cross on my forehead:

Lord please help me understand your Holy Word.

I make the sign of the cross on my lips:

Please help me proclaim IT through words and deeds

I make the sign of the cross on my heart:

and please help me cherish the same Word in my heart.

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"Though he was in the form of God,
he did not regard equality with God

as something to be grasped,
but emptied himself,
taking on the nature of a servant,

made in human likeness,
and in his appearance found as a man.
He humbled himself by being obedient to death,
death on the cross."
(Philippians 2:6-8)

Jesus, GOD, who is greater than the Universe took the nature of man!
Jesus, GOD, is Eternal, yet he ‘stepped into time’!
Jesus, GOD, is Infinate, and yet he willingly dies!
Jesus, GOD, King of Kings …became ‘obedient’!
…to bring us the Good News and Salvation!!!

If Jesus did all this then what must I do?!?!

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I have been baptised and with that blessing came a responsibility:

“Go out to the whole world

and proclaim

the Good News to all creation.”

(Mark 16:15)

This is the mission which Jesus has given to each of us!
This is what Jesus demands of ME!

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In today’s world, it is as though EVERYTHING is acceptable. Should I disagree I am considered and/or called “old-fashioned”, “closed-minded” or …the term preferred by many… “intollerant”.

Today, it is as though everything is acceptable EXCEPT holding firm to Christian Truths and Values! If I do that, then, most likely, not only will I be considered and/or called “old-fashioned”, “closed-minded” or “intollerant” but I’d get looks which might make me seriously wonder whether I’m losing my mind!!! I’d get a look which suggests that “ruth there must really be something wrong with you”!!!

…but is it so?
…is there something wrong with me if I do my best to hold firm to Christian values?!

...of course NOT!!!!!

CHRISTian values, as the name clearly indicates, come from Christ and His Teachings!!! They are the values and truths which God Himself has taught us!!!!! …of course there’s nothing wrong with me if I am trying to do my best to hold firm to them and proclaim them!!!!! I am, as a Christian …well I’d rather say Catholic for myself ;-)… DEMANDED to hold firm and proclaim!!!

…eh sure I might get the “are you crazy?” kind of look or the popular “oh come on….!!!” phrase from those around me …but that should NOT be reason for me to abandon the Truths and Values which Christ Himself taught us …taught me!

On the contrary it should further encourage me to proclaim and hold firm to these Truths and values! If people give me that look or utter that phrase then most likely they are not appreciative …let alone cherishing… of these beautiful gifts!!

I am DEMANDED to hold firm and proclaim!

…at all times, in all places!
…with my words and with my deeds!
…IRRELLEVANT of what other people will think or say about me!

“Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!”

(1 Cor 9:16)

For as Jesus Himself has said:

"If anyone is ashamed of me and my words

in this adulterous and sinful generation,

the Son of Man will be ashamed of him

when he comes in his Father's glory

with the holy angels."

(Mark 8:38)

YES I will make the sign of the cross on my lips, praying:

Please help me Lord to proclaim Your Word

through deeds and words!

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Related links:

To read the Pope Benedict's letter for Mission Sunday:

http://www.catholic.org.sg/cn/wordpress/?p=2954

"Let me be a little Kinder!"

(Actions are a means to Proclaim Jesus)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2OnZyGhYic

"Receive the Power!"

(The Words of Jesus, Cry and Theme Song for WYD 08)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwoEU2uVDfw

On Mission Sunday and Maltese Missionaries:

http://www.missio.org.mt/left_menu/WorldMissionSunday/tabid/882/Default.aspx

Lambs and Coppersmiths

"I am sending you out like lambs among wolves."

(Luke 10:3)

…said Jesus.

And (also) in today’s Readings st.Paul said:

Alexander the coppersmith has done me a lot of harm;

… he has been bitterly contesting everything that we say.

… I had to present my defence,

there was not a single witness to support me.
(2 Tim:4:14-16)

...right from the very start the Church endured persecution and even heresy!

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Jesus had said:

"For if men do these things when the tree is green,

what will happen when it is dry?"

(Luke 23:31)

...indeed!!!
The Church has ALWAYS been persecuted!

From mild persecution ...like being called a drunk (Acts 2:13) to attrocious persecution ...being stoned (like st.Stephen), beheaded (like st.Paul), burnt alive (like st.Lawrence), devoured by lions (like st.Ignatius of Antioch) and any other atrocity i/you can …but don’t want to… imagine.

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"Every one of them deserted me -

may they not be held accountable for it."

(2 Tim 4:16)

Paul is (rightly) saddened by the fact that his ‘friends’ did not support him in defending the Truth. YET like Jesus on the cross he forgives them …furthermore it looks like he is asking God to dismiss punishing them for this which they have done!!

…that’s like what Stephen did too! It says in the Acts of the Apostles, that when Stephen was being stoned to death he:

“fell on his knees and cried out:

"Lord, do not hold this sin against them."

(Acts 7:60)

The Church was (and still is) persecuted YES, but the Church is forgiving! …just as Jesus, whilst hanging on the cross was forgiving:

"Jesus said,

"Father, forgive them,

for they do not know

what they are doing."

(Luke 23:34)

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"I will not leave you as orphans;

I will come to you."

(John 14:18)

...Jesus had said.

And:

"the Lord stood by me and gave me power,

so that through me the whole message

might be proclaimed for all the pagans to hear;

and so I was rescued from the lion's mouth."

(2 Tim 4:17)

...testifies Paul!!!

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"And I tell you that you are Peter,

and on this rock I will build my church,

and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."

(Matt 16:18)

Despite all that the Church has endured, ...actually/probably ALSO because of all that… the Church has stood! The Church of God, founded by Jesus Christ Himself HAS and will continue to stand!

…that is God’s promise!
And God’s promise is forever!!!!!

Satan has done a lot to the Catholic Church

but try as he might he will NEVER win!!!!

I am Thankful 2 b Catholic! ;-)

...for the Catholic Church is
THE REAL CHURCH OF GOD!!!

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'The harvest is rich

but the labourers are few,

so ask the Lord of the harvest

to send labourers to his harvest."

(Luke 10:2)

…yes this is my prayer too...

God bless our Priests

and all those who seek

to serve The Church

in accomplishing

the mission God

has given Her.

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Today the Catholic Church celebrated the feast of st.Luke. Doctor and Follower of Jesus, he stood quite close to Paul so much so that he even journeyed with him!!! St.Luke also went through the bother of putting ink to parchment ;-) providing us with one of the most beautiful Gospels ever! (We've got the Parable of the Prodigal Son in that Gospel ;-). The Acts of the Apostles, which narrates the life of the Early Church, too is attributed to Luke. Yet the nicest part of it all ...at least for a Maltese... is that, along with Paul, he came ...or should i say ended up ;-)... to this tiny little island and praised us saying that we had welcomed them and treated them with "unusual kindness"!! :-) (Acts 28:2)

St.Luke is Patron Saint of Doctors.

Predestination and a Ticket ;-)

"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:11,12)

That was part of today’s Mass Reading and, given that I am generally quite attentive to the same, I could not possibly miss the terms ‘chosen’ and ‘predestined’. Mass went on and I was not too bothered about the reading …but now, that I have come to (again) write, the same terms repeat themselves…

(sometimes I think I’m getting addicted to writing onto this blog …and maybe I am (I hope not though) …yet it has been/is a means to make me sit down and think a little (more) upon the Word of God …so I’m glad and thankful for that :-)

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“Do you believe in predestination, ruth?”

…a friend has put forward that question quite a few times.

Well the same friend received an answer then :-)
…yet I’d be glad to think about it again …and hence I am :-)

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"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:11,12)

Ruth it says right there, in the Bible!!!!

“P-R-E-D-E-S-T-I-N-E-D” “C-H-O-S-E-N”

…you MUST believe in that!!!

(well Thank God he was not so rough

…I’m just making his point clearer! ;-)

YES I do BUT I am not taking predestination out of context ;-).

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I believe in predestination as God meant it and as the Holy Word explains. I DO NOT believe in the calvin (or any similar protestant idea) of the same terms. (No offence to the people part of these 'churches' …though I’m VERY GLAD to contradict those stupid …because they are false… teachings)

Ruth who do you think you are?!?!
…to condradict these teachings?!?!??!

No one! …just ruth!
No one important and yet someone who has been blessed to know the Truth. Not because I deserve to know the Truth …but simply because God in his BIG and INFINATE Mercy has chosen to bless me …as he blesses each of us who allows Him to ;-)

So I’ll carry on contradicting the FALSE ideas about predestination

…presenting instead the TRUE FACTS about it ;-)

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I have been told that people, even before they are born are predestined to go to Hell! …that some people are actually created to GO to Hell!!!!!!

What?!?!?!?!!??!??!

Am I to believe that God, GOD who is Himself Love (1 John 4:8) would do that?!

That God, GOD who is Love would actually create people …just that they can go to Hell?!?!?!

…am I expected to believe that?!?!?! …well if I am then sorry …I won’t

…it’s just NOT TRUE!!!

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How could God who is Love create people simply that they may go to Hell?! Worse still how could God, GOD who is LOVE, predestine them Himself to go to Hell?!?!?!?!?

…that makes NO SENSE AT ALL!!!!!

…if God did that then

He would NOT be a Loving God at all!!!!!

…can you imagine a ‘loving’ parent, co-operating with God to bring a new life into the world, …simply to hate that life and make it miserable?! What kind of ‘loving’ parent would that be?!?!?!?!?!!?

It simply CANNOT be!!!
It CANNOT BE that GOD who is LOVE

creates and predestines someone

to go to Hell!!

And God is Just.

(Isiah 45:19)

Would it be ‘just’ of Him to choose and predestine some for Hell?!?!

…NO WAY!!!
And NO WAY does God (who is Loving and Just) do that!

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"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:11,12)

Ruth, it says, right there in the Bible!! “chosen”!!

…some are chosen! Salvation is not for all!

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YES we have been chosen …but in no way does that imply that not all are called to be Holy …that not all are called to be with Jesus in Heaven!

We are ALL chosen!
We are ALL called to be Holy!

God came for ALL man!
Jesus was nailed on the cross for ALL!
For me and you and ALL!!!!!!

Oh really ruth?!?!
Prove it!!!!!!!!

I can’t.
But God Can! ;-)

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"For God so loved the world that

He gave His one and only Son,

that whoever believes in Him

shall not perish but have eternal life."

(John 3:16)

…that (I would think) is the most quoted Bible verse and NO WHERE does it exclude anyone!

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"For God so loved the world that

He gave His one and only Son,

that whoever believes in Him

shall not perish but have eternal life."

(John 3:16)

That often quoted sentence excludes NO ONE!

On the contrary it actually includes EVERYONE!

"WHOEVER"
Not a few!
Not some!

"WHOEVER"
...ALL!
ALL are invited to believe!
ALL are called to be with Jesus forever!

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"For God so loved the world that

He gave His one and only Son,

that whoever believes in Him

shall not perish but have eternal life."

(John 3:16)

Salvation is for ALL!!!
…for “whoever” longs for it AND and LIVES the Faith!
(James 2:14-25)

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“Take heart! I have overcome the world!”
(John 16:33)

God has redeemed the world and I’ve been blessed with the Catholic Faith, the ONE, TRUE, HOLY, APOSTOLIC CHURCH OF CHRIST who BELIEVES and is FAITHFUL to JESUS AND HIS WORDS.

Hence

I’ve a ticket in my hand.
It’s a ticket to heaven
…yet it’s my choice.

(but should I choose to discard it let me not say it was because God ‘predestined’ me to go to Hell! …that would make me ONE VERY VERY VERY ... BIG LYER!!!) (however you spell that)

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(…I want to hold tight to this ticket by the way

and I ask that God may help me do that! :-)

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Yes I believe in predestination …but ONLY in its true meaning!
That God has chosen and predestined us to be with Him forever!

I believe in Predestination as God meant it

and as the Holy Catholic Church proclaims it! ;-)

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On a different note:

"I tell you the truth, unless a grain of wheat

falls into the ground and dies,

it remains alone; but if it dies,

it produces much grain."

(John 12:24)

It has been said that "the blood of the Martyrs is the seed of the Church" and i believe that :-). The Catholic Church today celebrates the feast of st.Ignatius of Antioch. He was part of the Early Church, taking his teachings directly form the Apostle and Evangelist John. ...and no he was not just christian for it was Ignatius himself who used the term Catholic to describe the Church ...and to make matters worse (for protestants ;-P) he was a Bishop too!!!! ...and here's the greatest part of it: st.Peter declared him Bishop!!!!!!!!!!!!! (YEAH he sure was Catholic!!!! ;-)

...and that quote up there?

That quote Jesus himself said and indeed st.Ignatius ...as many other Catholics... died like that grain! ...and when they did, the Church grew even bigger and stronger!!!!! :-)

St.Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, was martyred in Circus Maximus (Rome). He was devoured by lions ...and as he was he prayed that his life be like that grain that dies to produce more! ....For Jesus!!!! :-)

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http://silouanthompson.net/library/early-church/ignatius/

is a link to read his letters. :-)

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And a last word: to the friend who asked the question i quoted at the start, i am glad he did ...he has made me think and appreciate the Catholic faith better. Thank you! :-)