THE CONDESCENDING GOD

ON THE CONDESCENSION OF GOD

 Saint John Chrysostom...quotes:

"God does not appear as He really is, but according to the capacity of the one who seeks to "contemplate Him."

According to the dictionary, the meaning of the word condescend reads: " to descend from the privileges of superior rank",  "to condescend to give."

To some degree, God is apparently present in each human person according to the capacity of our

Contemplation of Him !

 Do you think about God? Do you see His way of working in your daily life?

Would our capacity to see God increase if we did make prayer a daily commitment?

Would the world be a better place if we allowed God's Presence to enter more deeply into our lives?

"With God all things are possible"(Matthew 19:26)

When making my very first retreat, in the late 1970's, a priest suggested that I find and attend a prayer group. I didn't even know that prayer groups existed!   One of the retreatants  invited me. It just happened to be in the area, so...I decided to go.

The group was very inviting, joyful in song and praise and uplifting in spirit! It was the joy that I was seeking...and I wondered what their secret was...so I returned.

The next week, Mr. Boucher was teaching about prayer, and time to be with God in prayer. He gave us suggestions on beginning...

Commit to making a date with God each day.

Make a quiet, comfortable space at home to retreat to.

Begin with 5 or 10 minutes each day.

Choose a sacred word to consent to God's presence within.

With eyes closed, silently... say the sacred word.

When thoughts enter in, gently return to the sacred word.

At the end of the prayer time, remain silent with eyes closed.

Pray an our Father.

This centering prayer became a door of peace allowing graces to enter.

In the silence I heard the word, "Come!" I was encouraged!

This prayer became a way of life and I hungered for the peace and Presence.
Little did I know how much this would continue to change my outlook and inner being.

With a growing family of four children, a dog, and a working husband, who also was a call fireman and  an ambulance driver, my daily date with God in prayer was a little bit of heaven!

 My time needed to be taken seriously and kept. It wasn't easy to do! I began by explaining and seeking ten minutes without interruptions. There was a sign on my door " GOD AT WORK !"
After a time the children must have seen a difference in me and all was well!   

GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE: RISE UP O' MEN OF GOD!

                                                                                                                                                                                Please bear with me...
                                    The following insights and readings actually came                                                        November  the 10nth, to be exact.                                                       

                              For whatever reason I know not why, they were found today! 

"God's thoughts are so beyond my thoughts and His ways so far beyond my ways"

Nov 10nth is the Feast day of Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church.

I quote the writings from the listing of the saints...

"He was probably born in Rome and was raised to the See of Peter in 440 He was a true pastor and father of souls. He labored strenuously to safeguard the integrity of the faith and vigorously defended the unity of the Church. He pushed back or at least softened the onrush of the barbarians. He deservedly won the title "the Great."
  Pope Leo the Great saw a vision of something that was to come against the Church in the future. The vision so moved him that he asked that this prayer, which the Holy Spirit gave to him, be prayed for the protection of the Church after the celebration of the  Mass.
   He died in the year 461.


Prayer to St.Michael the Arch Angel

Saint Michael the Arch Angel defend us in battle
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil,
May God protect us, we humbly pray,and do thou
 O' Prince of the Heavenly hosts cast into hell, satan
and all evil spirits, who wander the earth seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen

The above prayer to St. Michael is also a protective prayer for any need of the family.

GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE

Make me know the way I should walk,

To You I lift up my soul.

Let Your good spirit guide me 

in ways that are level and smooth.

Psalm 143: 1-11

Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ...

                        Early in the morning of your resurrection, You  made your Love known...          

You brought the Light of dawn to those who dwell in darkness.

When Mary Magdalene ran to the tomb she found Life and Light

not death, darkness or despair.

Let the Holy Spirit guide us together into the land of justice.

May we discover and regain for our nation what was once lost.

History will tell how You gathered your people, strengthened their resolve,

planted them on their feet to stand firm , once again, proclaiming liberty for the poor,

freedom and justice for all!

Bring together all those who have been scattered, fearful and misled.

Make us know the way we should walk by the light of your Holy Spirit.

Like Moses, we have once again, crossed over the Red Sea!

  These words to a hymn found in the Breviary on my I pad seem so relevant...

Rise up O' Men of God!

Rise up O' men of God

His kingdom tarries long...

Have done with lesser things

Give heart and soul and mind and strength 

to serve the King of Kings.

Rise up O' men of GOD

His kingdom tarries long;

Bring in the day of Brotherhood

and end the night of wrong!

Rise up O' men of GOD

the Church for you does wait;

Sent forth to serve the needs of men,

In Christ our strength is great! 

Lift high the Cross of Christ!

Tread where His feet have trod

As brothers of the Son of Man,

Rise up O' men of GOD!

Wm.Pierson Merrill

                      author, 1911

                                                                                      

FAITH...never knows

FAITH ...never knows where it is being led,

but it loves and knows 

the One who is leading.

         Oswald Chambers

IN CHRIST ALONE... healing the Family Tree

IN CHRIST ALONE 

These beautiful words sing within my soul...like a mantra

"In Christ alone ...my hope is found...

He is my Light, my strength, my song..."  

Nov. 23, 2016:   An amazing insight was made clearer to me upon awakening this morning.

I AM BEING WASHED CLEAN BY CHRIST!

Not only my feet...my hands, my arms...

Yes! 

And my entire memory bank! 

Whatever was deposited into my mind is being cleansed 

and dissolved in 

The Light of Christ!

Like the chaff being separated from the wheat...old memories being seen, now "through the eyes of God"

An amazing Grace is happening as it is being observed.

  

A negative and unhealthy memory, unknown to me at the time, 62 years ago,

floated to the surface of consciousness. It surprised me! As it came it was dismissed,

 yet it left me with a feeling of heaviness.

Going into the church that day needing a priestly  blessing, I shared it openly, and

as part of the process of Grace ...it is gone forever.

Years ago, a friend and myself went through a time of prayer to heal our family trees.

We had a manual book, "Healing The Family Tree" written by Fr. Hempshe.

The prayers included the daily Eucharist. Much healing took place, for we were encouraged to pray for the deceased and the souls in purgatory. Many names of our ancestors arose as the Mass was approached each day. Our prayers actually help them rise closer to God! I know this was an amazing teaching of God's tender mercies toward all His children.

There seemed to be something  deeper that my deceased father had need of. We were in touch with Fr. H. and he suggested a memorial Mass be offered in my dad's name. The mass was celebrated at our parish. 

On December 7th.... the day of my dad's birthday,while  in a listening place of prayer,

I heard  these words, like an inner whisper..."Thanks pumpkin"...

No one knew that my dad  called me his pumpkin...
God's ways, so far beyond our ways!

My question...when healing takes place deep within our being, are others in our past generations healed also?
Is this a continuation of the generational healing needed within my family?
If there is a healing within myself, is there a continued healing  in all of humanity within the realm of
a larger universe?
We are  all one in the Body of Christ! All united in Him.

"COME HOLY SPIRIT...beloved of my soul...come!... I love You, I need You and I trust in You!

Come to strengthen ... to enlighten... to guide...

Teach me Your ways... You are the Light of Christ...

Come to heal and cleanse me from my hidden debris... come!

Wash my feet, my hands, my heart, cleanse my soul and wipe clean all memories in me 

that provoke fear and anxieties...as I give myself to You... merciful God.
Amen

THE TRUMPET CALL!

THE TRUMPET CALL!

Comfort Catholicism was being addressed in these words as I opened to You tube,

 Catholic Opinion, Msgr, Charles Pope, from National Catholic Register written on Aug. 23, 2016

"IF ever there were a time to wear soft garments,

it's not now!"

Msgr.Charles Pope of Life Site news was teaching and exhorting. He continued in quoting

scripture from 1 Corinthians 14: 8...

"If the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?" and

Psalm 144: 1

"Blessed be the Lord my rock, Who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle..."

Hands for prayer? Fingers for rosaries? were my first thoughts. Never have I been a proponent

 of wars, killing, or the misery and chaos that it brings;

He had my ear!
...here was a Monsignor, quoting scripture, which is God's holy Word...

about war?

 He continued; "Parents, leaders...prepare the children for difficult times ahead. After all these years of "comfort Catholicism"will the average American parishioner or clergyman be willing or able to endure suffering, persecution and loss  which will get bolder by the month and the year?"

"The dark movements that marched in under the banners and guise of tolerance...

 have gained power and are seeking to criminalize anyone who resists their vision."

Now I am listening!
 ...and remembering St. Pope John Paul 2nd stating in his encyclical to the Family a same warning

about the word "tolerance" and the meaning. He basically said that when we tolerate and accept everything as a good in itself, then we are admitting there is no Absolute, and we leave God and our responsibility for our actions out of the equation. Chaos ensues.

Through the centuries, our Blessed Mother Mary continually pleads with us in all Her appearances to the children...

"PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!"

Clearly, Psalm 144 tells us" the fruit of victory is a peace filled nation of abundance for all."

Lift high the Banners of LOVE!

Christ has won us the Victory...Jericho must fall!

 Lord Jesus Christ....

we pray for a strong and courageous Faith. Faith built upon love...

Love, even for those who would seek to persecute our belief in You. 

Mother Mary, teach us how to pray. All of us are Your children.

Bring us together by the power of the Holy Spirit,

for the Glory of God our Father. Amen

CRUMBS FROM THE TABLE

CRUMBS FROM THE TABLE

At times

I am so wanting!

I see God's glory in the other

 and...sigh !!!

Not in envy or jealousy,

I...

In poverty...

           in thirst 

                        in hunger...

to drink of that same Well.

Across the desert I must go......

to leave all behind and 

to find...

The food I seek is to be found

in leaving 

self 

behind.

10-2-2004

CROATIA, MEDJUGORJE' and What was seen?

MEDJUGORJE'
  July 6, 2000                                                                                                           

It was the year 2000. The third year of a trinity Jubilee celebration. Here we were 

travelling in a bus toward Medjugorje  along the Aegean sea coastline.

Gleaming marble hills,tiled red roofs, green growth everywhere.

I am feeling the deep serenity and stillness in the air...

and turning to God the Father for all our needs.

Mountainous silhouettes  echoing one another.

A Mantle of mountains...

Stately...

          Embracing...

              Protective...

                       Silent sentinels.

There is a River...

A  River of Grace Flowing from the Triune Throne

A River of peace and mercy that flows like wine.

     Sunday; July 9th...    Rooming in "Maria's House" with the family of Jozo Vasilj- Turin and other pilgrims, sharing meals and conversations  amid many different dialects. Life is suddenly slowing down. Our travel time was near 17 hours, including the air flight, stopovers for changes and the bus ride into the town.
   We gathered for welcoming the other pilgrims, evening prayer and rosary. The music: "Mary Did You Know?" was our song and praise.
 A long 24 hours. Surprisingly we are not exhausted!


MOUNT KRIZEVAC

 Monday; July 10th... The roosters awaken  with their call to the dawn at 4:30 a.m.
 I awakened with a sense of enveloping Presence, undeniable!  Felt a tugging to walk. Putting on my hiking shoes in the dark of twilight, a desire came to walk through the vineyard toward the mountain which the
town folks said Our Blessed Mother appeared each morning at 6 a.m.
 Walking alone into the new day beginning to dawn, was a leap of faith! There were no signs, no one to get directions from, no cell phones,and this was my first day here!  My attempt led me  across the road  to a campfire pit. Nothing! "Okay, guardian Angel, show me the way...help me!"  My watch read 4:30, there was time. Relax!  I remember seeing a sparkle, like a firefly would make. It caught my eye...a sign
                                           Turning around ,the fields and vineyards were sighted.                                                                            
I began walking with a sigh of relief and gratitude for the help of my guardian Angel.  Mount Krizevac was on the other side of the vineyard and it could be seen! So I entered and began walking toward  the mountain.
Little did I know just how high these vines grew! They were way over my head obstructing  my desired destination, and now ...which way do I go?
 Everything seemed to be turned around and this was a maze, seemingly unending. My watch read 5 a.m.
"Help me Angel! just show me the way!" Suddenly, a clear voice within gently spoke," This is the way...walk in it". "Take a right". As I followed the voice to the next crossing and the next,I continued to hear, "take this left", and so on. There was a clearing! The time?  5:55 a.m.
                                                                                                                     
 Looking around into the blue sky there wasn't a cloud in sight!  What a beautiful day!
And looking toward the mountaintop... there appeared a glowing shaped figure in a halo of a cloud at the cross!
"What am I seeing, Mother? Is that you?"
Again, looking around into the sky, there were no clouds, and when I turned again the oval figure had vanished!

MY PRAYER AT MOUNT KRIZEVAC
I knelt to pray...
"Do not leave me, Blessed Lady... don't leave me.
Stay with me. I am weak - You are strong and full of Graces. I need you. Stay by my side.
Keep me ever mindful of your Presence. Stay at my side.
I consecrate to you today, my heart, soul... all I am and have.
I place in Your Heart, Mother, all whom I meet and their needs."


How could I ever say "I saw the Lady of Medjugorje' at 6 a.m. on  Mount Krisvac?"
UNTIL......
Many years later as my friends and I sat at breakfast in a cafe' in town...
A woman walked over to our table and with some excitement, showed us a picture of the Madonna
who had appeared in the Catholic Church she attended...
 It was the same vision I had seen on the mountain... with clear features!
Now I am able to "know that I know" what was shown to me.
At the same time there was a chance to witness my story to the others!
Someone sitting there, that very day, needed to see and to hear our sharing.

"God's ways are far above our ways and His thoughts far above our thoughts!"
 Yet His timing is always perfect!


                                                                                                        
      

BE READY! HISTORY IS A TEACHER.

BE READY!
HISTORY IS OUR TEACHER!

 IN PRAISE OF THE VIRTUOUS.

The evils of our day are being revealed and brought into the light !
The "signs of the times" are out in the open! Are we really listening ?
History teaches us lessons from past events. Our Constitution is being eroded and we, as a nation,
may be listening to voices that seek to deny those Truths we hold sacred. Where there are no absolute truths, there is no order, where there is no order, there is no personal responsibility, when our personal rights are diminishing and no one is held responsible, there is chaos. Our rights come with a sense of personal responsibility and accountability.
Other Countries are now experiencing a lack of order. The United States may open to that chaos if we deny  our faith in a Higher Power and meld our truth into an unconscious acceptance of relativism.

All that is brought into the Light will be healed accordingly. Pope Francis states this truth of mercy...
"MERCY is the true power that can save humanity and the world from sin and evil!"
Scripture tells us...

 "What is whispered in the dark

will be shouted from the housetops!" All is known...all will be brought to light!

The evils of our day are being shouted from the media,

the "criers" of the news.

All is brought under God's authority when brought into the light...then it is our duty to take up the task before us.

In the presence of Jesus of Nazareth evil cannot hide.
Jesus' teaching made a deep impression on them because He spoke with authority.

In the synagogue there was a man who was possessed by a spirit of an unclean devil, and
it shouted at the top of it's voice. "Ha! What do you have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come
to destroy us?"  "We know who you are- the holy one of God!" But JESUS said sharply,
"Be quiet! Come out of him!"
And the devil, throwing the man down  in front of everyone,came out of him without hurting him
at all. Astonishment  seized them and they said to one another,"What teaching! He gives orders to the
unclean spirits with authority and power and they come out!"  (Luke 4: 32-37)

This question reflects the current belief that before  the day of the Lord,  (His coming),

control over humanity would be wrestled from the evil spirits,

evil destroyed, and God's authority over humanity re-established.

Jesus carries out this task today!

All will be brought into the Light.

Light produces justice and truth.

"Christ's reign will last until all His enemies are made subject to Him,"(1 Cor. 15:25) 

"For I am certain of this: neither death nor life...nothing that exists,

nothing still to come, nor any power, or height or depth,

nor any created thing, can ever come between us and  

 the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord."(Romans 8:38+39)

Lord, make us obedient to the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles

 and bound to the Truth of our Faith.

 Amen. 

FAMILY, do you know who you are? St. John Paul 2nd.

FAMILY!  Do you know who you are?

Do you know who you are?

You are the Domestic Church ...

You are a model of the Holy Family...

You are a royal priesthood...

You are "becoming" the Word of God made flesh!

You are the Body of Christ!

You may be the only Bible someone reads!

You are the "conscience" of the present culture of your day.

In reading the encyclical on the role of the family, the then Pope, John Paul 2nd states

emphatically, the Church,the Christian family, "is the first community called to

announce the Gospel...for growth and transformation toward full Christian maturity".

"The Church forms the conscience of  society. The culture of the day is always in need of being evangelized by the Gospel of Jesus. We need to find the right way, the best method, of bringing this message to the people who are being swayed and educated by the media of  our day,"

The pope continues,"willed by God in the very act of creation, marriage and the family

can only find fulfillment in Christ and have need of His Grace in order to be healed

of the wounds of sin...and be restored ... to full understanding of God's plan."

The pope further states that"the family unit, formed in conscience by the Word of God

and the Church's teachings, needs to live these truths in their daily lives, to be seen 

and heard by others, so as to be effective witnesses and be able to make a difference within the culture.

This Grace comes to us through the Sacraments of the Church.  Healing, or a change of heart, is the Promise!

 "For I will restore you to health; of your wounds I will heal you", says the Lord. (Jeremiah 30:17)

The Holy Spirit, Who is poured forth in the celebration of the Sacraments, is the Living Source and... sustenance of the supernatural communion that gathers believers and links them with Christ and each other in the unity of the Church of God.

We, as parents, following the example of Joseph and Mary, the Holy family, 

have an awesome responsibility in the formation of "the consciences of those entrusted 

to us in our family."

The basic, fundamental unit of the family is being severely attacked and demoralized.

An attitude of a "new tolerance" is widespread, deceiving even Christians into accepting 

every thing as being equally good...meaning that 

everything is relative and there are no Absolute Truths!

This false teaching asks us , not only to be tolerant, but

to be accepting and to believe everything is equally good in itself!

This "concept' is not only dangerous, but one which 

more people are accepting in the guise of "unity."

If we are doing our best..."Bravo!"

If we could use some help... the Church is at the service of the family

.

This life we have been given is "Gift! We are it's stewards.

 Like the treasure, we are not to bury it. 

We are the initial caretakers of those who will help form the 

culture of tomorrow and it's conscience.

We have a Father, God, Who comes to meet us and welcomes us Home.

He has adopted us into the  Life of the Trinity.

May we each do our part in moving toward the 'Culture of Life!"

JESUS CALLING...COME

COME INTO THE LIGHT!

"Follow My lead...you will find the Door that leads to Light.

A Light so bright, that all darkness, all sin, all error

is washed away in the brilliance."

"Nothing will cast a shadow in the Light of Truth!

Nothing will be lacking."

"Come follow Me from darkness into My Light...

And be filled with Light."

"There will be no self- only Me...your risen Lord,who has

come, that you may have Life to the full."

"Yes! I have given My Mother to you.

She will be a guide to lead you; a Mother to form you and nurture you.

Be open to Her, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit will come."

"All is well!"

2nd Peter 1:19 - 21

TOUCH ETERNITY..

BE NOT AFRAID

"Hide yourself in My wounds. 

Be not afraid.

Put you're finger here 

See My hands.

Bring your hand and put it into My side.

Hide yourself in MY wounds

Hide yourself from all that troubles you...

From all doubt...

From all your fears.

Hide yourself in a Love more penetrating 

than a brush fire...

more overwhelming than a deluge.

Hide yourself in a Love that will remake you entirely.

Do not be afraid.

Touch Resurrection....

Touch Eternity!"
2nd Peter 1:19-21

          

                        

                          

           "For a brief moment                    
I have abandoned you;

but with 

Great tenderness

I

                will take 

                                you back!"

By waiting 

               and by calm

                               you shall be saved...

In quiet

                         and in trust

                                             your strength lies.

Isaiah 30: 15

Had not Your Word been my delight,
I should have perished in my affliction.

Psalm 119:verse 92

ABRAHAM'S CRY to us....

CRY OF THE POOR

"Cry out!"

"My people perish for want of a voice toward My people."

"Cry out !  Cry out!"

Abraham begged for Sodom and Gomorrah....

45? 35?  25?" Lord,  if You find 15 good people will you save the city?"

"SAVE US O LORD!!!"

"Where are these voices that need to be heard? 

Have you forgotten the cry?"

"I need to hear the cry of my poor ones...
 let their cry come to Me, Father of all".

"Cry... for your brothers...your sisters...your mothers...

Cry for the children...

weep for yourselves"

"Let your hearts be touched by Love...in love for others."

"It is I   Who speak !

Are you listening?"   

Genesis 18: 16-32

Luke 23: 27+28

NEWNESS CELEBRATED !

NEWNESS CELEBRATED

A birthday isn't just a time to think 

about how old you are...

It's also a time to reflect upon

your "new growth!"

There is a newness come from

years past...

Strength..
.conceived of weakness

in it's path;

Confidence...
....born from insecurities

suffered;

Peace...
...risen out of turmoil, relieved;

An Indwelling...
overflowing the want.

It is the Holy Spirit 

hovering over the abyss...

Birthing Order...

out of chaos!

FIVE SMOOTH STONES...what is your Goliath

FIVE SMOOTH STONES

Our Lady of Medugorje

Queen of Peace 

I give you the Weapon against your Goliath.

Here, are  your five stones:

1. Prayer with the heart: ROSARY

2. EUCHARIST

3. HOLY BIBLE

4.  FASTING

5.  MONTHLY CONFESSION.

FIVE SMOOTH STONES

Your Wisdom O' LORD is from afar,

All is seen, All is known.

The just man lives for You, alone.

Idols are made and stand as stone,

No life, nor knowledge, do they impart.

No idol did David build,

For YOU remained within his heart.

Goliath's insults hurled toward God

Brought pain to David's noble heart.

The shepherd boy without a sword,

with sling and stone his only art,

slayed the giant and gained reward.

What is our Giant needing death?

 Our "idol" which we cling to breast?

Would we choose to fight the "beast"

With those same Stones of Faith unleashed?

Or is it sword and armor worn,

That is the "might" which we have sworn?

1 Samuel 17:1-51

Wisdom 3:1-11

Jean Mahan ofs

05-03-2006

THE MIND IS THE BATTLEFIELD..JESUS calls

THE MIND IS THE BATTLEFIELD !

 The Mind IS The Battlefield

The EGO voice has a life of its own!

It is not "me"...

It is not "you"

It's voice within is not true!

Grandiose are "it's desires"

for it leads us into deepest mires;

Stuck in the past

or making plans galore,

To keep "itself"alive

is "it's chore!"

Anxiety and stress it breeds...

On our willingness it feeds!

JESUS CALLS

"Come to ME, all who labor and are weary,

and I will give you rest".

                      Matthew 12:28-30

"Be Transformed by the renewal of your mind!"

                                    Romans 12:2

"Be still and know I AM God!"

                   Psalm 46: 10

LAZARUS, UN-WRAPPED !

UN-WRAPPED

This meditation came to me so swiftly. It seemed to be a personal part of the healing that I was experiencing at the time. Today's reading from Colossians 2: 12-14, brought it to mind with more clarity.
 How many times I listened to this reading, persevering in Faith, believing what I was able, and piece by piece the Holy Spirit was slowly bringing it all together as a mystery is seen, or a puzzle is formed!

UNWRAPPED

"Where  are You,  JESUS!?"...Mary and Martha called.

"Come! Save our brother! Where are You?"

Lazarus now lay dead four days,

His self decayed within the stone covered cave.

"Where are You Jesus?"

"All this time, all this decay, all this stench!

Where are You?"

What is this Lazarus laying in my tomb?

What has decayed and rotted?

Am I seeking the One Who can raise me from this death within?

"Jesus, where are You?

Come, soften this hardened  heart of indifference.

Help my unbelief!   Open this tomb...let Your Light enter in...

Set me free! Untie my hands, my feet! Unwrap and release me!
Make me clean, once again.

Let the Transformation begin!"

Today's reading enlightened my understanding of the scripture

and the meditation.

It reads...

"When you were Baptized, you were buried with Christ,

and in Baptism you were also raised with Christ

 through your faith in the active power of God,

Who raised Him from death.

You were at one time spiritually dead because of your sins...

But God has now brought you into Life with Christ!
This is the process of living out your Faith in the Truth of the Gospels!

JESUS canceled the unfavorable record of our sins...
completely...by nailing it to the Cross!"

"Have I not told you that if you believe

you will see the Glory of God!...

"Lazarus, come out!"

                                            John 11:38-44

BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWAL OF YOUR MIND

BE TRANSFORMED

BY THE RENEWAL OF YOUR MIND!

ETERNITY is..."living in the now moment!" God is the Creator of the "now moment."

He is with us in the now!... Creating a peaceable Kingdom, now!...right where we are.

"O God! Come to our aid! Slow us down to listen,

 that we may hear your Voice and follow You! 

Train our minds toward Your Voice within,

and give us the courage to dismantle the" other voices" seeking to rule!"

In the Beginning... in the Garden...there was One Voice heard...

and It was Good!

The Father loved Adam and Eve into existence. He gave them dominion over all creation.

The Angel of Light, Lucifer, was loved by God the Father, also. He was called to light, guide,

instruct and lead Adam and Eve in their way. For Lucifer, this was not enough!
Was he jealous ,wanting to become a god to rule and have dominion, even over his Creator?

Was his "the other voice" heard?  Did envy, pride, power and  position prompt him ?

Where did the "other voice" come from? Did that other voice slither out and hiss the words,

whispering, suggesting of what they could have..."to be like gods!" a hint that they were missing something? 

Were those "other words" picked up by Adam and Eve? 

 Did they think of measuring them with what they had lovingly learned and experienced from their Father Creator?

Do we know God's Voice in the Word made flesh?  What voice are we truly listening to?

 Do we take time to discern the voices and suggestions that are heard from within our minds?

Jesus, as He was tempted in the desert, used God's Word as a weapon against the evil suggestions of Lucifer!

Today, evil is being pursued in the name of God! The "other voice" is rampant !

The ego voice whips us about our past, relentlessly! Goads us into a fantasy future of more. Power, position, goods are extolled as our gods. Such may be the cause of our incessant anxieties and fears.

We are not little human gods able to be in charge of our future, or able to resolve our past!

For in all truth, we have only this "Now Moment" where God abides with us!

 He did say, " I will never leave you or deceive you!"

May we trust the Presence of God to transform us

 by the renewal of our minds, seeking God in His Word made flesh...

Jesus Christ.

Maybe we are being invited to taste

a little bit of Eternity... to walk with Him here!

THE JOY OF LOVE!

THE JOY OF LOVE!

Indifference...is cold!

Indifference is empty of Joy...

Indifference may hold anger.

Indifference "squelches the Holy Spirit!"

Indifference deadens the soul!

THE JOY OF LOVE

The Joy of Love is compassionate!...enters into relationship with the other...

Laughs with the happy,

Cries with the sad,

Feels for the other, as they are One in the Spirit!

Ask!...for the Love with which to love the other;

Ask!...for the desire to reach out,

Ask!... to receive all GOD has planned for you to receive!

It will be poured out,   full measure,  overflowing into your heart!

THEN,  the other will have their fill also,  and 

Give Glory to God!

Rejoice, always!

Pray constantly!

Give thanks in all circumstances!

For that is the Will of God in Christ Jesus for YOU! 

             1 Thessalonians 5 : 16-18

MY COTNIUED STORY : THE JOURNEY... A glimpse...

   "THE JOURNEY"

For those of you who do not know me or my journey,in and with the Lord of my life, Jesus, I offer you a glimpse.

  The idea came to me, (thank You Mother Mary for the guidance)  to preface the original writing with a bit of  spiritual  and background history.

 In the mid 1970's, for a reason that may be known later, I was facing a very stressful situation related to my childhood. There was an unbearable situation discovered. Not knowing which way to go,  my reaction, surprisingly,was to cry out loud "God!   Help me!"

More surprisingly!... The help was an "Immediate lifting" of all the stressful pressure and turmoil swirling within my body and mind! A sensation came upon me as if several heavy cement blocks had been lifted off of my body! 

For that Moment,  time and space seemed to disappear.
There was I with this loving God, who heard and answered!!!

Needless to say,I began  immediately to seek and to find  out... "Who are YOU!?" 

Opening a bible was the first step forward to a lifetime journey of discovery!

 My faith as a Roman Catholic was based upon the Sunday Mass: holy Communion and the Gospel readings for that day.

As we were Sunday-going- cradle-Catholics, that was all I knew at the time!

When accompanying my mother to her first  Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, I was escorted to another group  called Al-Anon, which is a support for family members of the alcoholic. Little did I know just how much I needed their help! Truly, they were a Godsend! I learned so much about changing my thoughts and being transformed in my behavior patterns. There  I experienced God living within His people!  They were describing "my hidden feelings,"  "my shame "my story!" There was no judging the other, only love and acceptance, encouragement, and the help that I needed to hear.
As we stood for the closing prayer,we made a circle and began to pray to "Our Father Who art in heaven".... when we came to the words in the prayer..." FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES"...something supernatural happened...  the voices and those words..."AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US"
sounded as if they were coming  from a loud bullhorn speaker and were directed only to me!
I then knew the Majesty of God's Voice telling me that I needed to seek forgiveness of the harm received from my earthly mother and father and their addiction to alcohol along with the abuse suffered.
So many emotions were rising to the surface all at once!!!
 So many questions swirling inside, like a  cyclone with nowhere to go!
I was invited to return ... I did.
It was a matter between life and/or death!

 After attending and learning the 12 step program for 18 months, and while on my first Al-Anon spiritual retreat, Father Jude, a Passionist priest, suggested I seek out a prayer group to attend.

I was invited to the "Light of Christ" Charismatic group meeting at the then, Notre'- Dame parish, now named St. John Paul II parish. 

Upon entering and being welcomed, my first reaction was,
"Who are these people ? Why are they so joyful?",..   and...
 " I want some of  this Joy!"

More to come!
Accept The Invitation !

THE INVITATION; Come...I will give you rest...

THE INVITATION
Is your life wearisome?

"Come! I will give you rest!"...says Jesus

"Everyone who believes will not perish, they will have Eternal life!"

"COME!  Come, My people!

I have opened up the Gate for you!!!

Look upon ME, Who has suffered all your sins; 

I Who have forgiven all inequities,

Look upon ME and be saved from guilt and shame.

All the debt of your lives has been paid- in- full

to our Father."
Jesus said,"I do not come to condemn the world,
I come that the world may be saved by Me."
"I come to give you Life in abundance!"

"The good thief asked to be remembered as he acknowledged ME.

His soul came with ME that very day into the Father's kingdom!

Would I do any less for you today?"

"Come! Look upon ME...Your Savior.  Come..."

"Come!  Be not afraid!  you will find rest and peace."

"Be still in my Presence...

Let Me love you and give you rest

as a little child... in my Presence...Come..."

In freedom, let us decide to follow Jesus.
The choices are between  misery, fear, numbness to life,
or an acceptance of peace of heart and mind
 that transforms our lives into joyous moments.

"When I am lifted up from the earth ," said Jesus,
"I will draw all to Myself!"
Are you hearing the call? Do you feel a pull on your heart?
Bring yourself into His Presence!
Your life will move forward...
You will never be the same again, for He will answer!
  Have Courage!

JESUS is calling! 

All He needs is your willingness, your  "yes" for Him to enter into your heart.

He asks for the "free will of your acceptance"...

He asks for your permission to give Him a chance to show you how much

He loves you; how much He yearns for you to  experience a newness of life...

 freedom from fear and anxieties.
This is a "supernatural journey".


NEW LIFE
HE bid me to approach Him;
He called to draw near,
My heart heard the message,
the song,  so clear.
His friendship...He offered
and graciously so;
"Come live in freedom
and drop all the fear."
To risk...for my freedom
such a small price to pay.
To draw close to God
is my heaven today.

                                  Anonymous

 Let us Pray:
Jesus, I give You my "YES" to come into my life; come into my heart; come now Lord as I am in  need of your loving kindness. I do believe, yet , help me to believe more deeply and to trust in your merciful love. Show yourself to me, that I may know you and trust you. Amen

IN THE BEGINNIING...you were there

IN THE BEGINNING...

"I Was There..."

In the Beginning, Father God, when You gave birth to the Universe,

when You commanded, "Let there be light!"...

I was there in Your memory... 

Within Your Great Plan for the entire Universe...

"I was there!"

"Yes, I was there!"...

Running toward freedom, away from slavery and intense suffering...

crossing the Red Sea toward a a new land, 

a new beginning!

 "I was there!" 

Crossing the desert, complaining,   grumbling,

trying to fight those great giants coming at me.

"Yes, I was there. Did You hear me?"

Yes! You did answer!

Goliath was being slain!

I was there, Father, and  

It seemed like forever.

"Yes!"...and I heard Elijah, Jeremiah, Isaiah and Daniel.

I listened and believed, Father God.

"I was there!"

I knew You saved me too, by rebuilding me in Your Love.

Esther, also, was a role model of trust in You; 

 persevering with her Queenly attributes.

Yes, she taught me much more!

I was there watching... praying...

 weeping  for Your chosen people's freedom. 

"I  was there, Father!"

Jesus...You were born in a cold, dark, animal lair of a cave

amid a frightful, depraved human era.

Your Presence brought Light, Joy and Salvation to all humanity...

Your Light reached me, Father!

Yes! I was there when You came into my broken world

with Your Light, Your Way and Your Truth!

"I was there!"....

Hungry for Your Word;

Thirsty for the Living Waters...

Seeking healing...for past wounds, unknown.

"I was there...

and
 I knew
You were there, too!"

MOMENTS OF GRACE: THE WORD OF GOD ALIVE!

Gods' Word is Alive!

  Recently one morning ,in reading the daily scriptures prepared for mass, Psalm 5 spoke to me once again, deeply and surprisingly so! 

 Many years ago, the Holy Spirit etched upon my heart these words of consoling tenderness, when it was so needed!
 Then,wrapped in the Grace of the moment, hurrying  I went into St. Josephs' church (located on rt. 20,) to kneel at the Tabernacle!
Such a moment of Grace, that Gods' Word propelled me there!

 Here they were again today... bringing the same touch of the Saviors' Presence embedded within.

 " And I...so great is Your merciful love...

                   May enter Your House,                                                  

                                                                                 bow down before Your Holy Temple                                                                                     and worship YOU in awe!"
                    Psalm 5: verses 8+9
                                               

                                                                                                                                                              

"Beloved of My Soul,
"Do not look upon My enemy as your enemy. He is your brother who has gone astray and who does not know what he is doing. Pity him, pray for him as you would pray for a lost son, a prodigal son. He too, is made in the image and likeness of God; he too, will come to his Fathers' house, he too, will beg for his Fathers forgiveness and Mercy; and he too will be welcomed back into the family with great celebration!"

                                                          "Yes, wolves have dens and snakes have lairs, but there is so much more good coming against evil. I will have My Way!"

"Because you do not know My Word, you listen to every voice stirring dissension and believe all is lost.

My Son Jesus is sent to open the floodgates of forgiveness and Merciful Love,
 to save all who will accept,believe and live the Truth of His Sacrifice for each one.
He will do it! 

It will be a Transformation of hearts! It will happen quickly.

The Mother will hear your prayers..   Pray,  pray,  pray!

She brings it all to Her Son Jesus, Who goes to the Father and the Holy Spirit is dispatched."

                                         

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

Desiring that any good teaching not be lost or forgotten, I have a tendency to save articles that speak to me in a particular way and, that may be useful at some later date.  As you may imagine, the pages of books, pamphlets, and journals are complete with these treasures of wisdom.Of course they may not see the light of day for years!

Today, reaching for the old Jerusalem bible, rather than going to find my own personal favorite edition, a yellowed newspaper clipping caught my attention! Dated November of 2008, printed in the Catholic Free Press by Fr. Eugene Hemrick , there was the Wisdom of the day!

It related to the happenings of our world today, as if a prophetic message had been given! Above all, this prophesy related to today’s scriptural readings for the mass celebration! What a find! I could not resist being excited over such a Sign of the Times right before my eyes, so unplanned by my human mind, yet put together by a higher Power. Here is a portion of the article found tucked into the book of Daniel…

CHANGING TIMES

           Fr. Eugene Hemrick

Stock market tycoon rips off people to the tune of $50 billion! A state governor attempts selling a vacant senate seat! CEO’s greed and ineptness cause companies to fail! Unjust layoffs abound!....

Are the signs of the times signaling our imminent funeral?

In the Supreme Court, a frieze depicts the works of good and evil. On one side are Security, Peace, Harmony, Charity,Defender of Virtue, Truth and Justice. On the other side are Evil, Corruption, Deception, Slander and Despotic Power.

Is it possible that the works of evil are presently far outweighing the works of good?

Let’s look at some historical facts to answer this and to find what is needed to counter this.

All great nations have fallen. No matter how strong we are, it is unrealistic to say this will never happen to the U.S.

Americans are a blessed people, but blessings only go so far in the face of corruption, greed and neglect of God.

It would seem that Deception and Corruption depicted in the works of evil are much more prevalent today. As we have advanced in the world of technology, so too have we advanced in ways of employing it to deceive and corrupt others.

Many of today’s nations are experiencing desolation due to despotic power. The loss of a home, job and all our savings is nothing compared to living under despotic governments. A  despotic  government is not out of the question for the U.S. if it loses faith in its civil leaders and errs on the side of picking an autocratic dictator to guarantee security.

No doubt many people will take issue with these observations, saying they are too negative, give a one- sided picture and do not take into account our system of checks and balances. But one thing is true: Citizens of the United States need to read the signs of the times to learn the moral and ethical practices these signs are calling for.

I believe the times are telling us that the responsibility for bolstering our morality and ethics is no longer to be left solely to intellectuals and civil and church leaders. An age of new citizenship is needed, one in which everyone takes action to guard against becoming one more fallen nation.

                           

 Grant,O Lord, that we may always revere and love your holy name,

for You never deprive us of Your holy guidance,

  those You set firm on the foundation of Your love,

through Jesus our Lord.  Amen

We all have sinned and fallen short of Gods' grace by ignoring God's

teachings. However, the psalmist says that God's  word is "a lamp unto our feet 

and a Light unto our path!"

"And where sin abounds, Grace abounds more!"

"There are set before you fire and water:

to whichever you choose,  stretch forth your hand.

Before you are life and death,

whichever you choose will be given you !"

Sirach 15; 14-17

BE OPEN

 BE OPEN

I feel open to explore the depth and width and

breadth of Gods' love for me...to step over the boundaries

of fear that may be holding me back from 

 experiencing the "whole person" I am created to become. 

I feel open to tread gently upon the "new ground"of my being.

   I feel open to discover the new possibilities that need awakening within; slowly, gently, lovingly calling me forward, as new life unfolds.

I sense a need for caution and prudence as this new energy evolves.

There is a need to stay closely tuned to the

 movements of my Soul speaking within. I feel an 

openness to the 'Voice of Silence" and its' 

wordless call.

I feel a yearning to connect with the Infinite Spirit of God... to express His message of Love and Hope

in a world full of uncertainty and despair...

to bring Peace...if for only a moment,

into a troubled heart.

Jean Mahan ofs

10-23-2005

APPEARANCES

APPEARANCES

Luke: 24:verse 36

Jesus Appears!

"While the two were still speaking about this,

(of Jesus' appearance)

He stood in their midst...and

said to them,

"Peace be with you!"

"PEACE BE WITH YOU!"

HE IS RISEN!

APPEARANCES... A PRESENCE WITH THEM AS THEY WITNESS!

A joy! 

             A Presence!

              A promise...

"Where two or more gather...
There Am I in their midst!"

A Quickening of insight...

                               Enlightenment...                           

                                                A Clarity of purpose.            

                                                   
                                                    Unity... in the Holy Spirit!             

                                                       A new energy                            
                                    And enthusiasm
                                                                    To go forward...
                                                                                             With Joy!
                                                                  Amen