Yesterday my computer decided to go on strike. It turned itself off - and on again - 6 times before it decided that it wanted to work properly, at which point i had gone down to use Chris' computer, which she kindly let me borrow for a while.
At church on Christmas morning - when it was still empty - i took some photos, hoping to put them on the blog but my sister's computer refused to accept them/their format and decided to give me a further fright by indicating that my sd card was corrupted ...noooo i had my last photos from Egypt in there!!! :-(
My external drive, attached to Chris' computer for that short while, stopped working too and at this point i was CONVINCED that "technology" was trying to drive me crazy - that thing has a whole lot of photos videos, ppts, documents and what not in there!
I decided to try my computer again and THANK GOD - after another few times of turning itself off and on again - it stayed ON. I tried the drive and the sd card and both were working HAMDU LILL-E!
I emptied the sd card onto the drive and decided i would not blog until today.
...but today there was no time so only now i'm blogging a bit ...or a lot...
Without Christ, there is no Christmas ...no REAL Christmas anyway. Yeah there's commerce and feasts and gifts and lights and christmas trees, wine perhaps and lots of laughing (i don't drink - the wine's not for me) but it would be empty, literally X-mas.
In our family, as with many families in Malta and round the world, thank God, we celebrate the birth of Christ - the child God who left heaven to dwell among us.
The photo at the top of the page is that of the baby Jesus in our home - very much like what many Maltese families would have - and below are some more photos of the real Christmas - that at the centre of which is Christ :-)
The heart of the "Presepju" (crib) which dad makes in our home each year
In church:
The church during midnight Mass
The altar
The Presepju (crib)
The Baby Jesus in the crib
- it appears all white in the other photos!
"The Nativity"
Children's drawings in church for everyone to see
The Christmas Tree decorated with angels,
below it are the cribs which the children made this year
And as each year, we had the "Priedka tat-Tifel" (The Boy's Sermon). This year, the "sermon" was given by 7-year old Luca - with a little introduction by his "guardian angel" played by his sister. They were both extremely well prepared, speaking clearly and making it one great homily which all of us enjoyed :-) Below are two pictures of both children during the "Priedka".
Although this has been a LOOOONG post, i am posting one last thing for today. Whilst grateful to God for His blessings, I ask that He continues to bless all those i know, love or care about and to bless especially those who feel alone, are in hospitals and in prisons, and those persecuted because of the Gospel. I pray especially for a friend that God may strengthen and give peace, hope and joy - especially in times of trials.
This is what i wanted to post - it is what God desires of us:
This below is a translation of the words:
Look at him waiting in the terrible cold of night
Looking for a place far from cold and darkness
Everywhere he knocks he finds full houses (and no place for him)
It is as though the heart of man no longer knows how to show mercy!
Look at him passing through streets all lit up
Each house has a crib and statues
From the inside comes hymns and cheerful songs
But this music and these hymns have no meaning:
He does not want to hear the nice music of the angels Nor see a bright shining star He wants to live among people who live in harmony He wants to find your heart capable of loving! He wants to find your heart capable of loving!
The cold he feels is not the cold of winter
The darkness around him is not that of night
The cold comes from hearts as cold as marble
The darkness is the lack of light caused by sin.
He does not want to hear the nice music of the angels Nor see a bright shining star He wants to live among people who live in harmony He wants to find your heart capable of loving! He wants to find your heart capable of loving!
Do not fear! Let him find shelter in your heart!
Make a fire in your heart that he may be warm
Let him shine as the stars shine
Sing with your brothers: PEACE ON EARTH!
He does not want to hear the nice music of the angels Nor see a bright shining star He wants to live among people who live in harmony He wants to find your heart capable of loving! He wants to find your heart capable of loving! (x2)
I do not really like the introductory singing in today's reflection - it sounds a bit sad to me (sad literally - nothing to do with quality at all) - but the reflection is really nice and worth listening to ...so i think anyway :-)
I've missed blogging and i'm not sure i'll be able to keep blogging - would need to get myself back into the "habit" of blogging in order for me to continue that BUT for the time being i'm just going to give it a try again.
Back from Egypt, it's been kind of ok i guess. My family was DEFINALTELY waiting for me
(they had a landing countdown lol)
and had prepared some decorations and a little party.
I too am glad to see them again of course - but until i get completely used to it again well...
Malta, IS beautiful but as beautiful as it is, still it's different from what i was used to in the past few months and though i love my family and country, well, i ALSO loved the people in Egypt and had gotten pretty used to it there...
So, after all that - which sounds like i am complaining - but really i'm not, i'll just put a few pictures and comments about the past few days here in Malta.
Back here, the first night was a bit odd - as my family and friends have already heard.
I am not particularly keen on hearing loud cracking horse whips and tedious car horns, "Allah hu akbar" calls, the grumbling and laughter of some birds and the crowing of a rooster BUT i must admit that i had gotten used to them and it DID feel a bit odd to wake up to a growling dog instead.
This is panda.
She's quite quiet and we've had her for several years now BUT before, she and Jolly (a dalmation) would sleep in a room upstairs. NOW, after Jolly's death, my brother thought she'd be lonely and hence, since she's a "girl" she's been assigned OUR room. (my sisters' and my room)
Bottom line is that Panda didn't recognise me and hence she was growling at me the first morning i woke up here after those months away.
Panda aside - who is finally getting used to me - i have discovered that my sister Faith - besides being a whole lot taller - God bless her, has become something close to a sweet maker over here.
She can cook lots of really good stuff and does that REALLY fast too!
...now doesn't that look nice? (It tasted better than it looks too :-)
Christabel is still drawing and painting
- and just getting better at it - God bless her too :-)
Mum is fine but she must have made a promise to herself that she's going to make me gain all, any and MORE weight/fat that i MIGHT have lost in the past few months. All day she is asking me if i want something to eat and making stuff even when i say "no thank you" and "ma, if i were hungry i can make something for myself don't worry."
Talitha is singing as usual - it's nice to hear her again - and Matthew is still picking on her and teasing her because some things never change ;-)
(sorry Tal, couldn't resist putting JUST a little piece on here)
Dad is pretty much the same, still coming to wake everyone up, telling us to go to Mass and ending his day with his popular litany: "people, i have an important announcement to make, i'm going up to sleep. Goodnight shut up i love you go to sleep" (said with no pauses)
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Yesterday, we went out (Bugibba) and on the way we saw the "window of the Divine Mercy" - as i call it - BUT because it's Christmas time, the person who takes care of that decorated it for the season. Having my camera i took a photo of it and it can be seen below. I love the way that "crib" is made :-) ...i should try to refresh my memory on knitting - things like that are really nice if you ask me.
(double click picture for a larger version)
I hope to blog again before Christmas - and i think i will - but just in case not: a very blessed Christmas to anyone who is reading these words :-)
Whilst i would have loved to continue blogging, yet for the time being it has become virtually impossible. For family/friends/readers who do not know, i am currently in Egypt for a few months with the Jesuits volunteering in a centre for children. It's been fine so far - and God willing it will remain so - but internet is extremely slow and there's always other things to do... For the time being i think i will pause blogging...
...and those words apply for everybody - be they children, be they adolescents, be they youths, adults or old people. They are not exclusive to anyone for what God asks of us he asks of ALLLL of us: whether one is taking orders or bossing people around, it's my duty to treat others with love and respect. ...i'd add though that the people at the top have MORE of a responsability and duty to show kindness and respect because as someone once said "with great power comes great responsability" and Jesus had said "Whoever wants to be the first among you must be the servant of all" (Mt 20:27) and in humility Christ, GOD HIMSELF, went on his knees, washing our feet, saying "If I, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, so too must you do that to one another for I have given you example." (Jn 13:14,15)
Issa telaq pero ZGUR illi l-merhba li tajnih KULL fejn mar INKLUZ it-tislima fejn l-ajruport kienu hwejjeg li ma jinsa qatt!
Il-merhba li tajnih fil-waterfront kienet INKREDIBBLI! Il-biljetti KOLLHA li kellhom il-KDZ - b'kollox 10,000 marru, is-swar KOLLHA kienu IPPAKKJATI bin-nies - bil-barrakka ta' fuq b'kollox. Kull fejn thares NIES BIEX ISELLMU LILL-PAPA!!!!! Dghajjes mxew warajh u nies sellmulhu mill-kull kantuniera!
Dan huwa filmat zghir li gibdet Faith bl-mp4 taghha. (Ma kienx hemm terrimot imma rassa kien hemm kemm trid u darba minnhom xi hadd sahansitra nehhilha idejha biex dahhal il-kamera tieghu b'hekk dak ic-caqliq mhux kollu tort taghha.)
Thank you Faith :-)
Il-Papa telaq :-( imma l-migja tieghu u l-verita li wasslilna tibqa' f'qalbna :-)
The whole event is being streamed live - click HEREand choose TVM or one of the other channels to see. TVM is the National Channel - it is most likely to be giving the best coverage.
EWTN is streaming the event too and it can be viewed online by clicking HERE
- the President's speech - just ending now was beautiful - may we indeed live what he said :-)
With less than 60hrs for the Pope to arrive here, it's HIGH TIME i posted something on the blog eh! Well, i do not have the energy or brains to blog right now so i will simply paste here something MUCH better than i could ever say - it is the English Version of what our bishops are telling us at this time... :-)
...do i have to be coming here to change the 60hrs to 50hrs and 40hrs and 30hrs etc etc?
PASTORAL LETTER ON THE OCCASSION OF THE FIRST VISIT TO MALTA OF POPE BENEDICT XVI
“Nevertheless we must run aground on some island” (Acts 27,26)
Beloved Sons and Daughters,
It has always been our firm conviction that the shipwreck which caused the apostle Paul to be washed ashore on our islands did not happen merely by coincidence. In much the same way,today, we feel that it is indeed providential that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has chosen to make this pastoral visit to our country.
Two thousand years ago, during his short stay among us, and through his preaching of the Gospel, Paul introduced the Maltese and Gozitan people to Jesus Christ; as they came to know Him, Christian hope was instilled in their hearts. In anticipation of the visit of His Holiness the Pope, and in order that this visit will not simply be a matter of ceremony, it would be appropriate to pause for a moment and ask: Where do we stand at present with respect to our faith and what are the fruits of the Gospel which we received so many years ago and which has shaped our identity and traditions? We have no doubt that if we open up our hearts to embrace this occasion, it could be for us a moment of grace which will serve to encourage and fortify us in our faith. The choices that stand before us Lately, as your Bishops, we have asked you to take a moment to discern the choices which today lie ahead of us, both as a society and as a Church. Peter asked that the first Christians would be “always ready to give an answer to every man who asks for the reason for the hope” that is to be found in them (1Peter 3,15). There is no doubt that the successor of Peter, during his forthcoming visit, will ask of us something similar, more so in this day and age, when we live in a world which often demands that we substantiate our beliefs by practical reasoning. We are convinced that the Pope, not only by the words which he will express to us, but also through his spirituality, will raise many questions about Christ and his message. We encourage everyone – not only those who are walking in the path of faith, but also those who feel burdened by the doubts of faith – to heed the Pope’s message. We are not to be fearful of the challenges he will present us with; rather we should continue to seek and to raise questions regarding Christ’s message. A Pauline Church Embedded in the culture of our people are the foundations of the Church of Jesus Church, as laid down by Paul. Our ancestors continued to build upon those foundations. The history of our people is a testimonial to the fact that this Pauline Church has rendered great services for the benefit of Maltese society. Nobody can deny that by conveying the Gospel to us, the Church has greatly enriched our culture. Today, at a time when we feel we are at crossroads in so many areas of our life and our faith, we are all called upon to renew and rejuvinate our Church in order that it may be as God ordained it: a Church which bears resemblance to the first Christian communities; a Church built, first and foremost, upon the Word of God and the Eucharist, particularly the Sunday Eucharist. We do not wish to be a fearful Church, a Church behind closed doors. In spite of what some may think, neither do we wish to be a Church which imposes itself upon society and upon others. We wish to be a Church which acquires its strength through the Word of God and through the testimony of those who are thoroughly convinced of their faith. We wish to be a Church that is not reluctant to enter into dialogue with the world and with all human beings, irrespective of their beliefs. A Moment of Grace We reiterate that this is a moment of grace for us all. Just as Paul’s visit gave new life to the social set-up of that time, so too, this short stay of Pope Benedict among us, can provide the impetus required for us to focus once again upon the core of our faith, which in spite of having always been close to our hearts, is certainly in need of renewal. The Pope’s profound personality, as well as his prophetic knowledge of our times – traits which emerge clearly upon reading his first Encyclicals – will enable usto open our eyes to our current situation. We may expect the Pope to guide us in the proper direction in order that our country may continue to have a vision for the future which is not misleading, but rather to continue to embrace the Christian faith as a treasure which enhances, and not lowers, the dignity of the human person and its nation. In the face of the tragedy of the shipwreck, the Maltese people welcomed Paul, supported him in his time of need and loved him. Today the Church – and most especially, the Pope, is also in troubled waters. There are those who are trying to silence his prophetic voice. We feel that, like our forefathers, we are called upon to show our love for the Pope and ally ourselves with him. In this respect, during the forthcoming weekend, we invite the people of Malta and Gozo to welcome warmly the Pope, who will be visiting us in the name of the Lord! We encourage you to participate in all the encounters which are being organized to celebrate the two days during which His Holiness will be among us. This visit is indeed a moment of grace, and we entrust it to Our Mother Mary and the Apostle Paul.
We impart upon you our Apostolic Blessing. PAUL CREMONA O.P. Archbishop of Malta MARIO GRECH Bishop of Gozo
Click the picture and you can read it online if you would like to :-)
May the Divine Mercy, whose Feast we celebrate today, bless each one of us and our loved ones. May the same Divine Mercy bring back our brothers and sisters who think that their sins are beyond what God will forgive: may He help them see that they are always loved - so dearly!
...as for the rest of us who are blessed to frequent the Sacraments - Confession especially - may we always approach so that we too may continue receiving this Mercy which we need so much.
May the Divine Mercy bless you and your loved ones :-)
May the peace of Christ fill each one this Easter day - let us also remember to give a HUGE WELCOME to Cathecumens and/or people who have become Catholic this Easter whilst giving a hand to our brothers and sisters who are coming towards or coming back to the Catholic Church.
This is a reflection i had written last year - it's long but i might as well give the link for it for anyone interested :-)
May Jesus in the Holy Eucharist ALWAYS be loved and adored. May He continue to bless and watch over all Priests and fill each one with more zeal and holiness.
When i was at Mass this morning, i was thinking that the bidding prayers were soooooo beautiful! They were all about God's mercy and us to approach, they were about us not being the judges of our brothers and sisters and about us called to welcome and love one another even - i'd say especially though - especially those who need to be loved more becase they have been away from God for a while and they were just so nice! -i prayed them of course: said a heartfelt "Lord graciously hear us" at the end of each one but i also thought i'd put them over here on the blog because they really were so nice that i would like whoever reads this to pray them too - but anyway: Faith had to read at church today SO she took my "Jum il-Mulej" (Day of the Lord) paper - the one i get from church to use for preparing ppts - and which also has the bidding prayers on it. She left it there, forgot to get it back and HENCE when i came back home i could NOT find it! Bottom like is that i cannot put those prayers up because the paper is at church - oh well...
Today's Gospel was beautiful - it always is - but today's more :-) (but i always say that anyway - they're all beautiful eh...)
I like it most when Jesus speaks to the woman and says - "oh woman? no one stayed to condemn you? they all left?". I like it because i think Jesus was really nice and friendly when He said that. I imagine that she had been so ashamed and humiliated! She was brought to Him and accused of what she had done before Him. She would not dare look up at him and then Jesus says that and - to me - it sounds like he was in a way trying to console her too saying: "ah ha! you see lady, even they, who have judged you, and brought you here, and were willing to stone you to death, even they have sin but come on now - you're even better than they are because whereas they have gone home in ANGER and without repentance YOU are still here: to receive mercy ;-)"
Jesus did not condemn her instead He gives her mercy and sends her home with what to me sounds not so much a warning as much as a blessing: "Go and sin no more" - i think God said that firmly enough yes but with SO MUCH LOVE that it would have been a blessing not a warning - something which would echo in her heart to remind her that God's love for her was so great that she does NOT want to offend or hurt Him anymore. - It is like when the priest tells us, in Confession, "Go my child and sin no more" - and we are blessed with the Grace of God, strengthened so that we can fight sin better.
Below is the powerpoint with just the Gospel - not all the readings - but at the end of it is a song.
That song is one which we have been singing at the Lenten Talks this week and although i do not quite like the way the singer is singing when he sings it on his own, i love the words. The words speak of Grace which is "enough for us and the whole human race"
God never ceases to love His Children - and we all are. Some of us - maybe some of our relatives or friends too - may leave God for a while but no matter who or why we leave God it does not change the fact that we remain loved and precious in His eyes. He would not condemn us but simply look at us, give us His Mercy and give us His Grace.
We (rightly) place lots of importance on Mary but sometimes Joseph gets a little bit of a side bench: he is sooooooo very quiet that it’s quite easy to “forget” him – I often do anyway – and it takes a day like this to actually stop and think and go: OH YES ... ST. JOSEPH WAS A GREAT SAINT!
The Gospels do not record a SINGLE word of what Joseph ever said and yet I doubt he was mute! (…it’s just that his lines never made it to the final text I guess ;-)
Joking apart though, we can, from the Gospels conclude that st.Jospeh was a good worker for people identified Jesus as the son of “the carpenter”:
" Isn’t he the carpenter’s son? "
(Mt 13:55a)
He isn’t much spoken of in the Gospel but when he is he's one portrayed as an obedient child of God:
He is the one who "plans" to leave Mary “in all secrecy” because "in no way did he want to discredit her" (Mt 1:19) ...let alone have her stoned!
He is the one who furthermore accepts her lovingly and humbly when asked by the angel to do so. (Mt 1:24)
He is the one who accompanies Mary and the (unborn) child Jesus to Betlehem. (Lk 2:4,5)
He is the one who is caring for the both when this Holy Family is fleeing from Betlehem. (Mt 2:14)
He is the one who comforts Mary as they look for the missing boy Jesus. (Lk 2:41-45)
Indeed st.Joseph must have been a great worker but he was a GREATER worker in that he sought and did his very best to love and serve God. He is one spoken of as "an upright man"(Mt 1:19) in the Gospel...
…and sure enough he is “the carpenter”(Mt 13:55a) who works silently in his little workshop providing for his family!!
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This here is a video which i enjoyed watching and hence am embedding in this post:
Here's a little prayer:
Holy Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and foster-father of Christ Jesus, you are now with God in heaven. Please obtain for me and those whom i love, a pure, humble, charitable heart and a perfect desire to love, obey and serve God. As you guided Christ, so too: guide and teach us to be just that God may be pleased and that one day we too may be with Jesus in heaven.
St. Joseph patron saint and protector of the Catholic Church please pray for us!
I just came across this and i think it is so good that it's not to be missed: i dare call it a must-read :-)
That aside, this below is NOT a must read but i'm putting it up anyway. It's an old post and my own reflection of the Parable of the Merciful Father. I could have added/changed it but i left it as it was. It was originally posted on the 21st June of last year - it was Father's Day i believe - and written for anyone who will read it but in particular in thought was - and is - a friend for whom i pray daily that he may truly come to know the love of Jesus for him.
(this below was the text and no i did not re-type it all: i just copied the html of it!)
Have you ever come across someone who says to you “What? You actually read the Bible? Howcome? It’s so boring!” Some would add “But why would you want to read it? It’s always the same stories!”
They’re right: if one goes through the Bible without imagining, thinking, praying and listening they’re absolutely right. But if one “reads” the Bible properly then it’s no longer the “same stories” and it’s anything but “boring”.
I truly can’t seem to read anything without imagining it. For this reason I don’t find the Bible to be “boring” at all – and if they’re just “stories” they come alive everytime! Furthermore I know who wrote it and why. I know that God wrote it with the language and fingers of man ...for us. ...to tell each of us of His infinate love!
This day, when we celebrate Father’s Day I am continuosly reminded of that parable in Luke 15. Many people call it the story of “The Prodigal Son” but the main figure is actually the Father! The sons are secondary figures:
“There was a man with two sons.” (Luke 15:11)
It is the story of The Merciful Father.
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The Bible is alive and every word has meaning. Every story or fact conveys truth and one cannot just skim through/fly over a story and/or fact ...unless he/she is planning to miss most of these truths.
I can never read anything without imagining ...have you ever tried imagining this story?
Jesus continued, “There was a man with two sons. The younger said to his father: ‘Give me my share of the estate.’ So the father divided his property between them. Some days later, the younger son gathered all his belongings and started off for a distant land where he squandered his wealth in loose living. Having spent everything, he was hard pressed when a severe famine broke out in that land. So he hired himself out to a well-to-do citizen of that place and was sent to work on a pig farm. So famished was he that he longed to fill his stomach even with the food given to the pigs, but no one offered him anything. Finally coming to his senses, he said: ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will get up and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against God and before you. I no longer deserve to be called your son. Treat me then as one of your hired servants.’ With that thought in mind he set off for his father’s house. He was still a long way off when his father caught sight of him. His father was so deeply moved with compassion that he ran out to meet him, threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. The son said: ‘Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before you. I no longer deserve to be called your son…’ But the father turned to his servants: ‘Quick! Bring out the finest robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and kill it. We shall celebrate and have a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has come back to life. He was lost and is found.’ And the celebration began. Meanwhile, the elder son had been working in the fields. As he returned and was near the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what it was all about. The servant answered: ‘Your brother has come home safe and sound, and your father is so happy about it that he has ordered this celebration and killed the fattened calf.’ The elder son became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and pleaded with him. The indignant son said: ‘Look, I have slaved for you all these years. Never have I disobeyed your orders. Yet you have never given me even a young goat to celebrate with my friends. Then when this son of yours returns after squandering your property with loose women, you kill the fattened calf for him.’ The father said: ‘My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But this brother of yours was dead, and has come back to life. He was lost and is found. And for that we had to rejoice and be glad.’”(Lk 15: 11-32)
I won’t do the imagining for you – I can’t do that ...not even if I wanted to... so you do that ...if you like to... but the bit I like best is when the boy starts to think about going home. You’ve read the story and that’s how it is but I’ll write it putting emphasis and my own lines in ...as I imagine it.
Finally coming to his senses, hesaid: ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! Boy I’m REALLY stupid! I had it all – even the servants have it all – and yet here I am – a rich man’s son starving to death! Tatterred clothes, pigs food ...but how could it be that I’m this stupid?! (and it’s not fair either that I’m here ...sure I left but I AM his son ...i shouldn’t be starving here!) But what will I do? What can I do? I will get up and go back to my father that’s hard but still I’m his son I know I can do it. I’ll apologise sincerely. I’ll say to him: "Father, I have sinned against God and before you. (I know I have.) I no longer deserve to be called your son. (I REALLY don’t) Treat me then as one of your hired servants."It’s enough for me – I’ve done wrong and I know it but if he can keep me as a servant even that is enough ...it’s certainly better than this! With that thought in mind he set off for his father’s house.
We don’t see much of him along the road nor do we have his thoughts but can’t you see him and can’t you imagine what might have gone through his head?
A man walking, on his own towards his father’s house. He’s filthy and stinking (come on pigs DON’T smell nice and this man HAD BEEN feeding the pigs!) But if his appearance is miserable then look at his heart and see what goes through his head: “Boy look at me: I’m stinking with pigs, I’m filthy and dirty ...oh man what am I thinking? I left my father, embarrassing him before the other people. I spent all that he gave me ...well actually more like wasted it... oh man! But why was I so stupid? I know he’s kind and that he loves me but ...oh my what am I thinking? “love me”?? I’m lucky IF he accepts me! Love me??? ...i'd be lucky if I’m accepted – as a servant! ...what will the other people say? What will my brother say? Oh man what am I doing?”
and yet he keeps walking ...he looks like he’s on “auto pilot” or something, his feet practically dragging him home ...what’s there to lose anyway? He’s already lost everything! How much lower can he get? He keeps walking ...walking and wondering...
And then there’s the other side of the story: a father waiting for his son. A father who cared and kept waiting for him to return. (The boy didn’t know his father too well!)
"He was still a long way off when his father caught sight of him."
Poor dad! And now you tell me: how could this father have “caught sight of him” unless he was on the roof of his house watching out for him? He most certainly was watching out for him – day and night! And then LOL when he sees this figure coming he’s straining his eyes to make sure it’s him! He looks like his son but he’s still a long way off. He’s been gone from home for some time now, his clothes are no longer nice and rich, his head is not high, his pace is not brisk – he looks different! ...But he IS his son! This is his son! The father has recognised him!
Before going to the next line, can you imagine his joy? Can you read his thoughts? “My son! My son! He’s coming home!!!” His heart is leaping with joy! His heart about to explode with happiness! This son is coming home! He’s coming home!!!!!!
His father was so deeply moved with compassion that he ran out to meet him, threw his arms around his neck and kissed him.
“deeply moved with compassion”, “ran”, “hugged”, “kissed”. The boy probably just stood there thinking that he was either dreaming or else that his father was going nuts!
How can my father be "deeply moved with compassion" when he looks at me? Howcome he ran to welcome me after what I’ve done? And he’s an old man – old men don’t run!!!! ...much less to welcome a son like this! ...He’s hugging me?!!? Can’t he see how filthy I am ...can’t he smell this nasty smell? What’s he hugging me for?! Why is he doing this? Why’s he kissing me?!
Then when he’s kind of "recovering" from this "shock" he starts: ‘Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before you. I no longer deserve to be called your son…’
The father lets him express his sorrow for he knows it burdens him but that is enough. He won't have more of it. He’s estatic with joy and won't let him finish his words! He turns to his servants and with a tone full of excitement he says: ‘Quick! Bring out the finest robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and kill it. (poor calf) We shall celebrate and have a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has come back to life. He was lost and is found!’
I imagine the boy going “but dad... dad?” and the father just continuosly welcoming, hugging and kissing ...such that the son can no longer go on with his “buts”.
The father has called his servants to clothe and serve his son but I bet this father won’t even allow them to do it themselves! I imagine it is he himself who’s clothing the son, restoring dignity. I imagine him putting the ring in his fingers and kissing his hand. Tears of joy fill his eyes and he is pleased to bend down to put sandals on his son’s feet! (He'd have to wash his dirty feet first though - just like Jesus did with His friends!)
And the son stands there trying to understand. He’s been welcomed. He knows he does not deserve it but what can he do? And as he stands wondering, this confusion is transformed into joy: his father is overjoyed to have him home! His father loves him! What does it matter if he cannot understand his father’s reaction and love? He just knows it and is willing to accept ...what more could he ask for? What better thing can he ever have than such love?
"the celebration began."
God said there’d be a great feast everytime a sinner repents and God does that with each one of us. (Luke 15:7) He’s Our Father! Our Merciful Father! He’ll watch out for us, run to welcome us, hug, kiss, clothe and celebrate! He’d call His mother and the saints to celebrate with Him. He’d call all his angels and have a feast like no other!
He’d do that with each one of us - He’d do that each time I go back home. He’d do that each time I go to Confession – because He cares! Because He is a Father who wants only the very best for His children.
On this day, it being Father’s day I am grateful to God for Him being such a Father. On this day, it being Father’s day in the Year of the Priest, I am thankful to God for priests – men who serve God and His people, who are spiritual fathers. ...fathers to whom God gives authority to forgive our sins:
Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” After saying this he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit; for those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.” (Jn 20: 21-23)
Catholic!!!
26 years old and Maltese.
Thankful to be Catholic,
i ask God that i may continue to
cherish and love the Catholic Faith.
I ask Him to help me be Faithful
to the Catholic Teachings.
Meantime i'll continue being me:
...enjoying walks (when i have time) and reading a couple of good books. (and i like Donald Duck)
My Bible comes in Maltese YET this is the ENGLISH version i love best ...and it's all online too!!!!! Just click the picture and you'll go to this MARVELLOUS site! :-)
"He explained to them everything in the Scriptures" (Lk 24:27)
Catholics, at the Holy Eucharist, read through the ENTIRE Bible over a period of three years. Click picture to go to Today's Mass Readings.
The One True Faith!
Based on Sacred Scripture and Apostolic Tradition, these very EXCELLENT talks (by Micheal Voris) are truly enjoyable! Click the picture to access, listen to &/or download :-)
Hear Ye! Hear Ye!!!
A link to an interesting and/or good news article. (well you might not agree, but i'd have found it to be so anyway! ;-) Click picture to access.
Using Scripture and Music, 'Pray-as-you-go' is pleasant to listen to and pray at any time of day! Click the picture to access this Jesuit site and download :-)
if you too love and cherish the Catholic Faith, then i'd love to hear and learn! :-)
thankful2bcatholic@gmail.com
Want to play?
"According to the United Nations, about 25,000 people die each day from hunger or hunger-related causes, most of them children." This EDUCATIONAL VOCAB GAME, through sponsors, donates 10 grains of rice for each correct answer. Its a small amount BUT thousands of people are playing at the same time! Click picture to play. Njoy! :-)
