Spiritual Reflection

A Beautiful Parable

2010-05-11T08:51:00.000-07:00

A woman came out of her house and saw 3 old men with long white beards sitting in her front yard. She did not recognize them. She said "I don't think I know you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and have something to eat."

"Is the man of the house home ?" they asked.

"No", she replied> "He's out."

"Then we cannot come in", they replied.

In the evening when her husband came home, she told him what had happened. "Go tell them I am home and invite them in !" The woman went out and invited the men in. "We do not go into a House together," they replied. Why is that ?" she asked. One of the old men explained: "His name is Wealth", he said pointing to one of his friends, and pointing to another one, "He is Success, and I am Love." Then he added, "Now go in and discuss with your husband which one of us you want in your home."

The woman went in and told her husband what was said. Her husband was overjoyed. "How nice he said. "Since that is the case, let us invite Wealth. Let him come and fill our home with wealth. His wife disagreed. "My dear, why don't we invite Success ?" Their daughter-in-law was listening from the other corner of the house. She jumped in with her own suggestion: "would it not be better to invite Love ? Our home will then be filled with love !"

"Let us heed our daughter-in-law's advice, said the husband to his wife. "Go out and invite Love to be our guest !." The woman went out and asked the 3 old men, Which one of you is Love ? Please come in and be our guest." Love got up and started walking toward the house. The other 2 also got up and followed hi. Surprised, the lady asked Wealth and Success: "I only invited Love, Why are you coming in ?"

The old men replied together: "If you had invited Wealth or Success, the other two of us would've stayed out. but since you invited Love, wherever He goes, we go with him. Wherever there is Love, there is also Wealth and Success !!!!

MY WISH FOR YOU...

Where there is pain, I wish you peace and mercy.

Where there is self-doubting, I wish you renewed confidence in your ability to work through it.

Where there is tiredness, or exhaustion, I wish you understanding, patience, and renewed strength.

Where there is fear, I wish you love, and courage.

I request you to share this story with all the people you care about.

Louis

Cell vs Bible

2009-08-14T11:52:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

I wonder what would have happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phones.

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets ?
What if we turned back to get it if we forgot it ?
What if we flipped through it several times a day ?
What if we used it to receive messages ?
What if we treated it like we couldn't do without it ?
What if we gave it to kids as gifts ?
What if we used it as we travelled ?
What if we used it in case of emergency ?
What if we upgraded to included 24/7 tech service from the Holy Spirit ?
Ther is something to make you go...hmmm..,where is my Bible ?
Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phones, we don't ever have to worry about our bible being disconnected because Jesus has already paid the bill.

(Taken from Fr. Munachi E. Ezeogu)

God will make a way even where there seems to be no way.

2009-06-30T17:36:00.000-07:00

There are many incidences in the bible where God makes His way even where there seems no way. In other words, where things seems impossible God makes it to happen. In the book of Genesis we read that Abraham and Sarah were far advanced in age and there was no way that Sarah could give birth to a child. But she gave birth to Isaac, as promised by God. In the gospels we see Jesus working miracles. The daughter of Jairus was dead. Jesus lays his hands on her and brings her back to life.

God makes his way even today where there seems to no way. I would like to share one of my experiences. One night, I had a sick call in the hospital. The doctors had given up all hopes on a lady who was seriously ill. Thrice before she had been operated for the same reason. But there was no success. This time the relatives were told to prepare her for death. After anointing her we prayed for about 5 hours. The next morning at about 10.30, the doctor came on his rounds and examined her. This doctor was a hindu. He said that she has been cured and that this is purely the work of God. Thereafter, she lived for many years.

This experience has strengthened my faith in God. Nothing is impossible for God.

In this blog I inserted a video clipping of a hymn "God will make a way even where there seems to be no way. I would request you to listen to this hymn. It is very inspiring. Definitely it will strengthen your faith.

God gives us the best

2009-06-05T08:30:00.000-07:00

Once there was a man who asked God for a flower and a butterfly.
But instead God gave him a cactus and a caterpillar.
The man was sad, he didn't understand why his request was mistaken.
Then he thought: Oh well, God has too many people to care for..And decided not to question.
After some time, the man went to check up on his request that he had left forgotten.
To his surprise, from the thorny and ugly catcus a beautiful flower had grown.
And the unsightly caterpillar had been transformed into the most beautiful butterfly.

God always does things right. His way is ALWAYS the best way, even if to us it seems all wrong. If you asked God for one thing and received another TRUST. You can be sure that He will always give you what you need at the appropriate time. What you want.. is not always what you need. God never fails to grant our petitions, so keep on going for Him without doubting or murmuring. Today's THORN...Is tomorrow's FLOWER.

GOD GIVES THE VERY BEST TO THOSE WHO LEAVE THE CHOICES UP TO HIM.

Faithful Witness.

2009-05-19T17:13:00.000-07:00

Who can sing God's praises when he/she is flogged and given many lashes ? He/she who is deeply united with the Lord; whose faith cannot be shaken in moments of suffering. In the bible, we have the story of Paul and Silas. The magistrates had them stripped, flogged and thrown into prison. They were praying and praising God, while the other prisoners listened to them. Moreover, they had a chance to escape from the prison when its foundations were shakened because of the eartquake. But they did not. These acts of Paul and Silas touched the gaoler. He and his family became believers in the Lord Jesus. (Acts. 16:22-24).

Our faith is tested when crosses come in our lives. In such times we are called to give witness to our faith.If we stand firm, then many wonders will be worked in the world. More and more people will acknowledge Jesus as the Lord and the Savior of the world.

Are we prepared to remain faithful to our calling ?

Enemies in our lives is a help to grow in virtue

2009-05-06T18:11:00.000-07:00

Once, a parishioner came to her pastor. She told him that a particular woman had done her,a lot of harm. She was very angry with that person, and hated her. Whenever she encountered her she would lose her cool and abuse her. As a good catholic, she wanted to follow the teachings of Christ. She wanted to repay good for the evil that was done to her. She requested her pastor to pray that she have the virtue of patience. The pastor assured her of his prayers. A month later, she met the pastor again and asked him if he had prayed for her. He said: "yes". She told him that she happened to encounter that woman, and once again she abused her. The pastor told her that the person who had done her harm, had been sent by God, to her, so that she would have the chance of exercising patience.He also told her that if she had made any effort on her part, God would have given her the grace to be nice to her. But she had missed the opportunity of growing in patience.

If a student wants to excel in mathematics, he has to practice. If a sportsman wants to be a top player in the world he has to practice ,and then only, he becomes a better player. In christian life too, we have to practice the christian way of life. If we want to grow in christian virtues of love, patience, faith, etc ., we have to live those virtues. The presence of enemies in our lives is an opportunity for us to grow in love, patience and forgiveness. God is always willing to give us the much need help. We must have the willingness and make the necessary efforsts. With God's grace and our sincere attempts we can grow in christian virtues and become true followers of Jesus. "But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good....unjust. (Mt. 5:48)

The Picture of the Cross

2009-05-01T18:17:00.000-07:00

Recently I came across the following poem. Every time I read this poem, it gives me a lot of strength to carry my cross. I do hope it will also help you.

I know of a story too dear to hear,

It comes in the form of a Cross,

It's a tale that lasted two thousand years,

It cannot be hidden or lost.

The sight of the Cross, all on its own,

Requires no words to make clear,

Its image is old and very well known,

Yet, each time it is seen, it brings tears.

It's a picture of shame, of grief, and of pain,

A tale of the Blood of the Lamb,

There's no need for words; its vision explains,

Quite plainly God's plan for man.

The Cross speaks volumes without making a sound,

We need only to see where it's pierced,

and look on the ground for a dropped thorny crown,

To know of suffering and anquish most fierce.

I cringe from the sound of silent screams heard,

Some of them coming from me,

For that sight of the Cross without any words,

It's almost too deafening to see.

No Vacation for Christian Living

2009-04-28T12:12:00.000-07:00

In the midst of our daily work at home or at our place of work, its good to have a coffee break. It renews our energy to continue with our work. Its also essential to take a vacation. It'll help us to do away with the stress of our daily work and, keep good mental health. Our physical health will be good also, because after a good rest, our energy will be renewed. Our spirits will be enlivened and our output of work will increase when we resume work. But a spiritual man has said: There is never a time when it is safe to take a vacation from the christian life. Its dangerous.

There is a story about three devils that were sent to earth to tempt and ruin people. The first one said: "I will tell them that there is no God. But Satan said: "That won't do, for the people know that there is a God. The second devil said: "I will proclaim that there is no hell" "That is not good enough either, because man knows there is hell as punishment for sin. Then the third one said: "I will convince them that there is plenty of time, so don't hurry, take it easy, don't worry. That is an excellent strategy"said Satan. "Go and ruin the people.

This story reminds us of the parable of the rich fool, who after after building larger barns, to store up the bountiful harvest his land had produced, said : "I shall say to myself. Now, as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry." But God said to him. 'You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you ; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong.' (Lk.12:16-21)

Without ceasing ,we must live our christian life. This will enable us to be always ready to meet the Lord when he calls us from this world. Like Pope John XIII we will be able to say: My baggages are packed. I am ready to meet theLord.

Efficacy of Prayer

2009-04-25T15:28:00.000-07:00

In the gospel according to St. Ch.18:2-11, we have the parable ,"The Persistent Widow". Some biblical scholars say that this parable could be reflected upon, from another viewpoint, that is , The Callous Judge - a person whose heart is hardened, a person who has no feelings, a person who has no sympathy for others. If we look at the parable from this angle, then the judge would be the central figure and, the point of parable would not be the perseverance of prayer but the absolute assurance of a hearing being granted , based on the God( a God not like the callous judge) we believe in - a God of compassion and power. If human frailty can rise to the occasion, how much more will A Compassionate God, not rise to the aid of the needy. We should never doubt about the efficacy of our prayer. God might delay in coming to our aid, but come He will, at the right time. In his time He will make all things beautiful for us.

What we have to be persistent in, is that, we invest our time in strengthening our beliefs and our faith in God , who is always concerned about our needs. "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks, receives, and the one seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asks for a fish ? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him" (Mt.7: 7-11)

The precious and life-giving cross of Christ

2009-04-24T13:05:00.000-07:00

The following is an extract taken from the sermon by Saint Theodore the Studite:
How precious the gift of the cross, how splendid to comtemplate ! In the cross there is no mingling of good and evil, as in the tree of paradise: it is wholly beautiful to behold and good to taste. The fruit of the tree is not death but life, not darkness but light. The tree does not cast us out of paradise, but opens the way for our return.
This was the tree on which Christ, like a king on a chariot, destroyed the devil, the Lord of death, and freed the human race from his tyranny. This was the tree upon which the Lord, like a brave warrior wounded in hands, feet and side, healed the wounds of sin that the evil servant had inflicted on our nature. A tree once caused our death, but now a tree brings life. Once deceived by a tree, we have now repelled the cunning serpent by a tree. What an astonishing transformation ! That death should become life, that decay should become immortality, that shame should become glory ! Well might the holy Apostle exclaim: Far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. ! The supreme wisdom that flowered on the cross has shown the folly of worldly wisdom's pride. The knowledge of all good, which is the fruit of the cross, has cut away the shoots of wickedness.
By the cross death was slain and Adam was restored to life. The cross is the glory of all the apostles, the crown of the martyrs, the sanctification of the saints. By the cross we put on Christ and cast aside our former self. By the cross we, the sheep of Christ, have been gathered into one flock, destined for the sheepfolds of heaven.

Do good.

2009-04-23T17:55:00.000-07:00

Is there a need for us to approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation when we have not done anything wrong ? Some of us feel that there is no need. But they are sadly mistaken. In the I confess we say: " I have sinned through my own fault, in my thoughts, words and deeds, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do. Failed to do what ? Failed to extend a helping hand to our neighbors ( persons in need). We forget this fourth and a very important way through which we sin. This is the sin of Omission. On the last day ,if we are guilty of this sin, we will be condemned. In the gospel according to Mathew we read: "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another....... He will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink..... Amen, I say , what you did not do for one of these little ones, you did not do for me. And these will go off to eternal punishment."(verses 31 - 46)
We are all familiar with the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man did nothing wrong to the poor man Lazarus, who was sitting at his doorsteps. But he failed to do a good deed. He failed to reach out to Lazarus and share a liitle of his food with him, who was hungry. For this negligence he was sent to hell.
Surely we would not want to land in this situation. But definitely, we would like to be eternally happy, in heaven. So let us pray that we are always touched by the needs of others and move out in compassion to help them, in the best way we can.

Heavenly Banquet

2009-04-22T17:28:00.000-07:00

We read in the Gospel according to John that God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.
In accordance with the Will of his Father, Jesus suffered, died and rose to life inorder to save us and give us the opportunity of partaking of the heavenly banquet.
In the parable of The Great Supper,(Luke 14:15 -24) we have the king inviting everyone for the supper; those invited turning the invitation and, Jesus telling them of the crisis that would come upon for rejecting the invitation, that is, none of the invited would taste my dinner.
The story has not lost its relevance for us. As in the parable the invited guests, finding other things to do, were quick to reply, 'Please make my excuses for absence' so people still do, and basically their excuses are the same. Many of us are so preocupied with increasing our material possessions and enjoyng the luxuries of life that either we have no time or give a deaf ear to God calling us to taste of this heavenly banquet. In other words, worldly possessions, business preoccupations, domestic ties are still the things which make many of us give a deaf ear to the claims of God's kingdom. So easy it is for us to become absorbed in the things of time that we forget the things of eternity. A. M.Hunter, in his book, 'The Parables, then and now says: ' We can be so busy making a livelihood that we have no time time to make a life.'
If we are successful in our earthly endeavors then there is a danger for us. We may begin to believe we can do without God and, thus condemn ourselves
There is a Danish fable which tells how a spider once slid down a filament of thread from the rafters of a lofty barn and established himself on a lower level. There he spread his web, caught plenty of flies, and grew sleek and prosperous. One day, wandering about his premises, he saw the thread which stretched up into the unseen above him. 'What is that for ?' said the spider and snapped it. And all his little house of life collapsed about him.

Cure for sorrows.

2009-04-21T17:26:00.000-07:00

Some of us may have lost our jobs in these hard times and are sorrowful because we are unsuccessful in getting another employment. We are frustrated . Some of us may have a member of our family who is suffering from cancer. We are praying for a cure and our prayers do not seem to be answered. We are depressed.
Most of the times we are totally focussed on our own sorrows and do not be seemed to be concerned about the needs of others. But we must realize that everyone has problems and as catholics, we must also be concerned about the needs of others and reach out to them, and also pray for them. In this way there will be a great relief for us. It'll be a cure for our sorrows.
There is an old Chinese tale about a woman whose only son died. In her grief, she went to the holy man and said, "What prayers, what magical incantations do you have to bring my son back to life ?" Instead of sending her away or reasoning with her, he said to her,"Fetch me a mustard seed from a home that has never known sorrow. We will use it to drive the sorrow out of your life." The woman went off at once in search of that magical mustard seed. She first came to a splendid mansion, knocked at the door, and said, "I am looking for a home that has never known sorrow. Is this such a place ? It is very important to me. " They told her, "You've certainly come to the wrong place," and began to describe all the tragic things that recently had befallen them. The woman said to herself, "Who is better able to help these poor, unfortunate people than I, who have had misfortune of my own ?" She stayed to comfort them, then went on in search of a home that had never known sorrow. But wherever she turned, in hovels and in other places, she found one tale after another of sadness and misfortune. She became so involved in ministering to other poeple's grief that ultimately she forgot about her quest for the magical mustard seed, never realzing that it had, in fact, driven the sorrow out of her life. (Brian Cavanaugh)
Surely this woman's experience will be ours if we follow her example. Besides, we will have the joy and happiness of hearing the consoling words of Jesus, at the time of our death, "Come, you are blessed my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me to drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me. (Mt. 25:34-36)

Why Suffer ?

2009-04-20T06:35:00.000-07:00

Why should bad things happen to good people ? Why should innocent people suffer ? What wrong have they done ? Where can we find the answer to these questions ? We catholics have to look at Christ crucified on the cross. Christ who was innocent was nailed to the cross. We hear Christ saying: "It is finished", "It is accomplished". The salvation of mankind has been achieved. A greater good has resulted.
As catholics we are called to follow Christ. "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me. (Mt. 16:24). This is a must for loyal followers. Jesus says: "And whoever does not take up his cross is not worthy of me" (Mt. 10:38). If we are faithful to this calling Christ assures us of a reward. "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (Mt.10:39)
St. Peter advises us to share in the sufferings of Christ. In his first letter he says "To the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. (4:13)
Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez who took the advice seriously has this to say: "The way of the Cross by trials suffered for God is the way to heaven."