Heart & Mind Cleansing

Nowadays, a wellness program will recommend that one should undergo some kind of body cleansing process, such as juices or water therapy, fruit and vegetable diet, physical exercises and other related rituals. The process is intended to heal the body, flush out the toxins, re-energize the system or simply, to give life to a dull existence.

Many believe that their life will change when they undergo such fitness regimen. But once they achieve their desired goals, some will seek and thirst for admiration, recognition, and praise. They credit their newfound fame to themselves. At this point, it is not wellness but idolatry of self.

While, there is nothing wrong with a wellness program, since it takes care of the body - the temple of the Holy Spirit, it must be done in way pleasing to God.

One must strive to cleanse his heart and get rid of pride, hatred, greed, anger, envy, sloth and other sins. As for the mind, it should be decongested and one must throw out garbage like lust and gluttony.

This is spiritual cleansing.
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Once Again, Prayer Works!

If in any event that you are in a very difficult situation, and you know fully well that you are correct, or you are right, or you are just simply, on the side of truth – do not fear, do not despair, do not give up, do not give in, do not allow any opportunity for anyone to put you down, do not surrender, and most important of all, do not lose faith in God, for he will always be over you, guiding you and protecting you, as the Father in heaven. Pray unceasingly, pray for strength, and pray that you may overcome that difficult situation, whatever it may be. Prayer works!

Proof of God's Existence

Man has always shown his insatiable quest for evidence to prove that God is for real. There is actually nothing wrong with it, if it is intended for the conversion of others in order that they too would benefit from the greatness, goodness and generosity of God.

Yet there are those others who remained skeptical or simply, non-believers, and insisting that the universe was formed by a super mega explosion, they always failed to explain where it came from.

A devout faithful would not have a difficult time understanding that there is God. The everyday miracles of life alone will suffice to serve as proof of God's existence.

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A Lasting Impression

Oh yes, first impression counts. Usually, it does make a difference in how a person is to be considered for employment, friendship, or more often than not, in courtship and lifetime plans. But is it the lasting impression? Sometimes, yes. Sometimes, no. A lot of mistakes had been committed because of such jonesses' "first impression".

The life of a devout faithful must be lived to create a lasting impression of goodness and purity. One must constantly be in a state of grace. There is much to do then. Do not long the first impression. Aim for a lasting impression.




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Unconditional Love

Is this the kind of love that you give to God in your life? Also, when you pray perhaps? Somehow, each one of us may be guilty of not having done good enough to enable us to say - "yes". In a way, our answer may be "defensively qualified" like "yes, however. . .". And when praying, do you do so without asking anything in return? That is, you would pray to merely say "thank you". Or is it "thank you Lord! And also Lord, please. . .".

Unconditional Love is not a "I scratch your back and you scratch mine" thing. It may not be perfect but at least, the loving heart should be perfect. If there is in this world where man can strive and reach perfection - he can look at his heart and he will be surprised by what he can do and accomplish.

Life will surely be sweeter.

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DO NOT Put Yourself At Risk

You will thank God if you follow His Divine Will. Defying it may come in the form of endandering yourselves either out of curiosiy, thrill or for no valid reason at all. It may cost your life or one may lose a limb, or may affect other persons. It is your duty and responsibility that you must always insure your safety and those of other people who may be affected by your acts or even omissions. Basically, do not unnecessarily and unreasonably put yourself at risk. Do not anticipate the mercy of God and do not test His goodness. We know its wrong and it is a sin.


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Prayer For Victims of Violence

It grieves our heart whenever people are killed as a result of violence. Innocent lives were lost and prayers are truly needed. It is important that we pray for the repose of the souls who passed away and for violence to cease in order that no further lives will be wasted and lost.
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Anatomy of Prayer

When praying, you do must do so with humility and with clarity. You have to make sure it is sincere and unconditional. You do it to honor and praise God. You look up to Him as an act of surrender and then you bow down as an act of submission. All these must come from the heart and done with complete trust and confidence in God's love and mercy. There should never be an iota of doubt or reservation that God hears you and will raise you up from temporal concerns.

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Becoming True Disciples

Discpleship means being called upon to become a fisher of men. That is, working for the conversion of people to Catholicism. It also entails the task of evangilization and carrying out the Divine will. Such is a responsibility which demands the best in you, and making sure that your faith is in solid and firm ground. You will need to be in a constant state of grace.

Can you be a disciple? Do you have what it takes to be one?
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The Imitation of Our Lord Jesus

Imitating Christ or committing oneself into doing what Jesus did is not a joke. It is a very sacred vow and not intended for ordinary temporal purposes or to entertain anyone. While God will not allow sufferings or difficulties which are unbearable or unsurmountable, it is wrong to anticipate His mercy. One may not know what will happen. What if it is a point of no return.



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Respect Matters. Sometimes, the Only One.

A simple text message not replied to may mean losing a deal or losing a friend. It creates in the mind of the person expecting a reply that he is being ignored or disregarded. Worst, it is deemed a sign of disrespect, arrogance or sheer lack of good breeding. Not being able to reply may have its reasons. Either a sim card was replaced with a different number, the cellphone was lost where all mobile numbers were stored, the unit ran out of charged battery, it was in a silent mode, the message was unintentionally deleted, the message was overlooked, or perhaps, the recipient is simply rude, indifferent or lacks education on texting etiquette.

Respect thus matters. There are instances when it is the only thing that matters to the person.

In the same light that we are called upon to pray everyday. God has been communicating to us constantly and yet we do not reply, reciprocate or even say a little thank you for His blessings and graces upon us.

When attending a Holy Mass, a prayer meeting or a religious ceremony, all of which are ways by which God is able to reach out to us, do we give our full attention? Do we give Him the respect He deserves?

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Prayer Power

How does one defeat the enemy?

There are many ways to defeat or overpower an enemy. It could be done by force or through peaceful means.

But there were many stories where an enemy was defeated because of Divine intervention, and history have proven that when that happens, the victory thus provide a lasting peace or beneficial impact on the people, in general.

The Open Secret? Prayers. People have implored the mercy of God. They communicated their plea to heaven. It becomes more miraculous when the situation seems hopeless, or impossible.
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Honest Work Gets Honest Reward

When one works with integrity, a person works honestly, decently and with dedication. He is worthy of emulation, a person with principles and moral values. He guards his soul against any attempt to smear it with evil. He protects himself that he may have eternal life. His consience is clear and he feeds his family with spiritually clean. These are honest rewards for an honest work. Rewards which cannot be bought or taken away.

Pray that you may have the grace to do honest work and make an honest living. All for the Glory of God.

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When Miracles Happen

It is for God, and in His time, to decide if one will receive a miracle or not.

But what is a miracle? It is a manifestation of God’s generosity and His immense and infinite power. Hence, we always say, “With God, nothing is impossible”.

Usually, a miracle is preceded by a “sign” to make a person aware that God’s Divine Hands are at work. Sometimes, it does happen at a time when a person has no longer any reason to expect for it at all. There may be instances, when it comes to a person even though he has not asked for it. It comes in many forms – spectacular and truly magnificent as in Fatima’s Miracle of the Sun where many were healed, converted, among others; or it may simply be a “blessing in disguise.”

Everyone receives a miracle everyday, and every moment should be deemed a miracle for all. The air we breathe is a miracle. The water we drink. The world where we live. The trees that grow. The eyes that could see. The ears that could hear. The voice that could sing. The life that we have. All these are miracles willed by God.

Do we say a thanksgiving prayer for the miracles that happen to us every moment? Be grateful now and thank God.

Discerning your Role

A farmer plants the seeds. Nurtures them, make them grow and harvests the produce, then bringd them to the market. The "tindera" offers them for sale, sells them and gets the payment. The buyer brings home the product bought, prepares it, and cooks it. Then it is served on the table for the family to eat, be nourished by the food in order that they may live and pursue their calling. As each of them goes to their offices, a company may be a manufacturer of clothes worn by the farmer, a light bulb used at the marketplace, shoes used by people, fertilizers for the plants, or any other things that are needed so that life and making a living will be less complicated.

Had one been remissed in his duty, will it do him any good? What about other people's lives? Maybe, for awhile there may be an impact, but one is not indispensable. There will always be another to take his place until the latter finds himself with nothing.

This is just an aspect in the cycle of human lives.

What's yours?

Continue to pray for discernment that you may follow God's will

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Blessed Virgin Mary as Mother

Every child has a mother. But only the Blessed Mother has Jesus for a child and a son. That is the most singular and perfectly exclusive privilege conferred upon the Virgin Mary, and that is, to become the Mother of Jesus.

As a mother, she took care of Christ, in fact from womb to tomb and even to resurrection. Now, she has been tasked to take care of us and this world. Through her intercession, many have been saved - in fact the whole world.

Pray the Rosary. It works.

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In Honor of Santo Nino, the Child JESUS

We are all children of our Almighty God. He is our Father who will always love and care for us. So, as His children, what then is expected of us?

Humility. We must always acknowledge God's greatness and glory. We are nothing actually. But by reason of His love, we are precious to Him. No proof is needed. Although, if only to show that immense love, we are all blessed for having Jesus Christ as Our Lord. We cannot and must not claim that we are greater than Him. Neither should even think that we can be equals with Him. That was the mistake of those who have fallen as a result. There was pride and greed. For us, we have every opportunity to be humble and always depend on the mercy and love of God.

Trust. We are on a journey. We are trekking through uncharted frontiers. The future is always uncertain and unpredictable. We can only be sure of death will come, heaven will embrace us up, hell can devour the rebellious, purgatory is a chance to be purified, and judgment will surely be upon us when the time comes. Thus, there should really be no option but to trust God. He has given His only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ who is The Way, The Truth and The Life. We only need to trust Him and in doing so, we follow Christ and the Church He has established.

Obedience. A child obeys. Because of humility and trust, a child follows and obeys. There is an absolute confidence on the part of the child to do what is being asked. The child knows that when he does, his parents will him well. God wants us to be safe, secure, protected and taken cared of.

Prayers. When one prays, that person communicates. Through a prayer, your plea is conveyed to God even if He already knows it before you ask for it. Prayer is your commitment to do good. It is a recognition of your being a human, your mortality, and of your willingness to submit yourself yo God's will.

Be like a child if you wish to follow Jesus.

Mabuhay ! Viva il Senor Santo Nino!

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Call for Sharing

How did the devotion to the Holy Rosary helped you?

There have been many true to life stories about healing and favors granted in relation with the devotion to the Holy Rosary. Among the most famous and miraculous event involving the Holy Rosary was the People Power Edsa Revolution.

While there were thousands or even millions of people which practically made Edsa a fortress of human bodies, still they could have been crushed by the wrath of war machines.

Yet, they survived and the goal of change was achieved.

By human efforts alone, the revolution would have failed. But people and the religious were praying unceasingly the Holy Rosary, they held up high the beads and the crucific of the Holy Rosary against the tanks, and there was generally an spiritual atmosphere which protected the "fortress".

There was Divine intervention.

What about you? Share your story. Evangelize. Email to santorosaryo@gmail.com


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About St. Philomena Today

In her post entitled St. Philomena : A Challenge To Modern Minds, at catholicism.org, Sister Marie Therese, M.I.C.M. concerning St. Philomena she stated that :

"She is a saint for our times. Her life and martyrdom show she is a model of chastity and zealous Faith. Her canonization and miracles defy the liberals of our age. Every pope who has been devoted to her has zealously defended the Church. For example, Pope St. Pius X, the great anti-Modernist pope of the century, said, “To discredit the present decisions and declarations concerning St. Philomena as not being permanent, stable, valid and effective, necessary for obedience, and in full-effect for all eternity, proceeds from an element that is null and void and without merit or authority.”

The popes are not alone. The Curé of Ars praises her thus: “Her virginity and generosity in embracing heroic martyrdom has rendered her so agreeable to God that He will never refuse anything that she asks for us.”

Ven. Pauline Jaricot, the foundress of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and the Living Rosary, adds her voice to the chorus of praise: “Have full confidence in this great Saint, she will obtain for you all that you ask.” (St. Philomena is the patroness of both the Living Rosary and the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.)"

Source : please check and visit http://catholicism.org/st-philomena.html

January 10th
Birthday of the Saint Philomena

Sunday after January 10th
Patronage day of Saint Philomena

May 25th
Celebration of the finding of the Holy Body of Saint Philomena

August 10th
Celebration of the Translation of the Holy Body and the martyrdom of Saint Philomena

August 11th
Liturgical feast day in honor of Saint Philomena

August 13th
Celebration of the name of Santa Filumena (Saint Philomena)

Second Sunday of August

Solemn festivities in honor of Saint Philomena

Source : http://www.philomena.org/feastdays.aAourcxsp

What Does It Take To Make You Pray

Prayer is available for free and it is unlimited. You can submit in any form and for any good reason. It is not discriminatory and it is safe, secured and you can keep it confidential. You can do it anytime, anywhere and even all alone by yourself or with others. It can be offered in any language or dialect. It can be said aloud, in silence, in writing, or sign language. They can be read or others may even pray for you. It could be short or long.

Now, what is the problem when one still finds it hard to pray?

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Do you believe in superstitions?

Superstitions are sets of human beliefs and temporal practices observed in anticipation of the fulfillment of desired results through means not founded on Catholic faith. Definitely they are different from prayers.

In supertitions, a person relies on what he perceives to be his "power" to "create" or "prevent" or "destroy" from practically nothing, Such belief is not new since the first superstitious event was the infamous Garden of Eden incident involving Eve and eventually Adam.

They relied on the forbidden fruit to lead their lives and their future. They wanted to be God. They envied God. They were greedy and ungrateful. Eventually, pride engulfed them. They lied. They have in effect allowed themselves to be in a state of disbelief.

A superstitious person is torn between his human belief in the supernatural and his faith in the Divine.

Where do you stand?

Further readings:

Accordng to the Catholic Encyclopedia (see link), there are four species of superstitions:

* improper worship of the true God (indebitus veri Dei cultus);
* idolatry;
* divination;
* vain observances, which include magic and occult arts.

The number and variety of superstitions appear from the following list of those most in vogue at different periods of history:

* astrology, the reading of the future and of man's destiny
from the stars;
* aeromancy, divinations by means of the air and winds;
* amulets, things worn as a remedy or preservative against
evils or mischief, such as diseases or witchcraft;
* chiromancy, or palmistry, divination by the lines of the hand;
* capnomancy, by the ascent or motion of smoke;
* catroptomancy, by mirrors;
* alomancy, by salt;
* cartomancy, by playing cards;
* anthropomancy, by inspection of human viscera;
* belomancy, by the shuffling of arrows (Ezekiel 21:21);
* geomancy, by points, lines or figures traced on the ground;
* hydromancy, by water;
* idolatry, the worship of idols;
* Sabianism, the worship of the sun, moon, and stars;
* Zoolatry, Anthropolatry, and Fetishism, the worship of
animals, man, and things without sense;
* Devil-worship;
* the worship of abstract notions personified, e.g. Victory,
Peace, Fame, Concord, which had temples and a priesthood
for the performance of their cult;
* necromancy, the evocation of the dead, as old as history and
perpetuated in contemporary Spiritism;
* oneiromancy, the interpretation of dreams;
* philtres, potions, or charms intended to excite love;
* omens or prognostics of future events;
* witchcraft and magic in all their ramifications;
* lucky and unlucky days, numbers, persons, things, actions;
* the evil eye, spells, incantations, ordeals, etc.

For more about this, please visit source at Catholic
Encyclopedia of New Advent with URL http://
www.newadvent.org/cathen/14339a.htm

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Storming Heaven with Prayers

"Storming" heaven with prayers would connote a certain plea which is urgent in nature. In a positive sense, it means that we are sincerely and deeply asking God for His mercy to grant our petitions and requests as soon as possible.

Of course, we know that only God can judge whether "storming" heaven with prayers would be pleasing to Him or not. It is not for us to pass judgment how He accepts the use of the word "storming" - which has been usually associated with disasters and war.

The bottomline here is that - whether heaven was stormed with prayers or not - prayers are always heard and answered. As to how and in what manner or form, it depends on God's will and His time. It may or may not exactly be in way we want it to be but it is certain that what is being given will be for one's own good and salvation.

It is however more fitting and necessary that there should be a universally accepted and appropriate expression which considers the highest respect, glory and honor due to God.

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Baptism of the Lord

"And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased"' (Mt 3:16-17).

"Jesus' public life begins with his baptism by John in the Jordan. John preaches 'a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins' (Lk 3:3)" (CCC, 535).

Source : First Mystery of Light - http://www.vatican.va/special/rosary/documents/popup/popup01_lum_en.html


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When Do You Say - "Thank You Lord"

Many have prayed and many have asked as to when their prayers will be answered. We know too well that the things we asked for are given if it is for the good of our soul. Othewise, when our petitions are not granted, either it is a blessing in disguise or there is a good reason for it.

If you do get what you want, do you thank God for it? How?

But should you always receive something in order to show your appreciation? Isn't it better to thank God every moment of your life?

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Devotion to Sacred Heart

It is the First Friday of 2011. a day of devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. It has been promised by Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, as follows:

In the excess of the mercy of My Heart, I promise that My all-powerful love will grant to all those who will receive Holy Communion on the first Friday for nine consecutive months, the grace of final repentance. They will not die in My displeasure, nor without receiving the Sacraments, and My Heart will be their secure refuge in that last hour.

1) I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.

2) I will establish peace in their families.

3) I will comfort them in all their afflictions.

4) I will be their secure refuge during life and above all in death.

5) I will abundantly bless all their undertakings.

6) Sinners shall find in My heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy.

7) Tepid souls shall become fervent.

8) Fervent souls shall rise to great perfection.

9) I will bless the homes in which the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and honored.

10) I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.

11) Those who propagate this devotion shall have their names eternally written in My Heart.

12) In the excess of the mercy of My Heart, I promise that My all-powerful love will grant to all those who will receive Holy Communion on the first Friday for nine consecutive months, the grace of final repentance. They will not die in My displeasure, nor without receiving the Sacraments, and My Heart will be their secure refuge in that last hour.

Source: http://www.santorosario.net/english/greatpromise.htm
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The Sorrowful Mysteries

How often do you pray the Sorrowful Mysteries? Or perhaps . . . when you want to pray the Holy Rosary, how often do you choose the Sorrowful Mysteries each time you decide to do so? And when you pray the Sorrowful Mysteries, do you feel some kind of discomfort, or do you feel a bit uneasy? These and other questions may elicit varied answers and reactions. Let it be admitted that there is some degree of reluctance for some people whenever the Sorrowful Mysteries are prayed. But there are those who have learned to embrace such redeeming mysteries. They find them beneficial in making themselves realize that the human sufferings of this world are nothing compared to what Christ has gone through for all of us.

We often hear the sacrifices of parents for the sake of their children. We also learn about the heroic acts of people to save others. We feel sorrow for those who are sick and those who are affected by natural disasters. We condemn injustices and sympathize with the victims. We offer help, share in the burden and give what we can afford or do in alleviating the plight of the oppressed, downtrodden, tyrannized over, trampled upon or those who are depressed.

Noble. Exemplary. Truly God-centered human deeds.

In doing so, we imitate Christ during His trying moments as illustrated in the Sorrowful Mysteries. Thereafter, we feel blessed after going through what seemed to be impossible.

Thus, when we pray the Sorrowful Mysteries, we celebrate Christ' victory over what seemed to be hopeless and impossible. He is God, yes. But remember, He was a human being when Christ underwent the Passion.

The First Miracle

"On the third day there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his disciples. When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, 'They have no wine.' And Jesus said to her, 'O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come.' His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you"' (Jn 2:1-5).

 

"On the threshold of his public life Jesus performs his first sign ­at his mother's request - during a wedding feast: The Church attaches great importance to Jesus' presence at the wedding at Cana. She sees in it the confirmation of the goodness of marriage and the proclamation that thenceforth marriage will be an efficacious sign of Christ's presence" (CCC, 1613).

Source :   http://www.vatican.va/special/rosary/documents/popup/popup03_lum_en.html

Filial Relationship with Mary

Mary can be said to continue to say to each individual the words which she spoke at Cana in Galilee: "Do whatever he tells you." For he, Christ, is the one Mediator between God and mankind; he is "the way, and the truth, and the life" (Jn. 14:6); it is he whom the Father has given to the world, so that man "should not perish but have eternal life" (Jn. 3:16). The Virgin of Nazareth became the first "witness" of this saving love of the Father, and she also wishes to remain its humble handmaid always and everywhere. For every Christian, for every human being, Mary is the one who first "believed," and precisely with her faith as Spouse and Mother she wishes to act upon all those who entrust themselves to her as her children. And it is well known that the more her children persevere and progress in this attitude, the nearer Mary leads them to the "unsearchable riches of Christ"(Eph. 3:8). And to the same degree they recognize more and more clearly the dignity of man in all its fullness and the definitive meaning of his vocation, for "Christ...fully reveals man to man himself."

Excerpts from Redemptoris Mater by His Holiness Pope John Paul II

The Choice

People all around the world are back to their respective post-Christmas lives - many of whom are still uncertain of themselves and their future, saddled with poverty and insecurities, marred by bickerings and backstabbing, muddled by greed and corruption, or perhaps made even more difficult by violence, injustices, faultfinders and self-righteous hypocrites. All of which are man-made against man.

But nature has its own share of wrath and woes for man. Some were tormented by floods, storms, earthquakes, drought, tornadoes, tsunamis, sinkholes, and other natural calamities.

And course, the consequences and effects of man's indifference and abuses, some of which synching with nature, are also beleaguering and threatening man's existence or dignity - famine, hunger, AIDS and other incurable diseases, abortion, human trafficking, drugs, perversion, promiscuity, organ smuggling, pornography, prostitution, consumerism and war.

Equally alarming is the increasing number of the unemployed and homeless, as well as rising cost of living, dwindling natural resources, climate change, human rights violations, expulsion of indigenous people, violence against women and children, lawlessness and deteriorating peace and order situation.

As if such dreaded state of this world is not enough, people are caged in a world where privacy has become history and could be hunted down, listened at and worst, controlled - thus, depriving man of his free will. The GPS on handheld devices and cars, CCTV cameras on the streets and buildings, internet connections, smart and similar cards with magnetic tape or computer chip (credit, discount, point, membership, club, etc.), social networking sites, emails, digital landlines, and other high tech devices, among others, have something in common - they get, gather, analyze and categorize information. As for what purpose, the answer is best left to one's imagination since it could be anything.

What is then the meaning of all these?

This world is not safe. But man is given a choice. Either to be controlled by this world or be in a state of grace - unceasingly.
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Proclaim Your Fiat

God’s Will be done.

When are you saying “Yes” to this? Or have you already done so? Our Blessed Mother did not hesitate to do so, and from that moment when the “Annunciation” took placed, she obliged and proclaimed “Be it done to me according to Thy Word”.

Her own style of saying “Yes”, made a big difference. It was a complete and absolute submission to what God wants. It was more than a vow or a promise. It was in effect a consecration of herself to the Divine Will. Hence, her entire life had been dedicated to the service of God. She became the Mother of Christ, and eventually, the Queen of the Heaven and the Earth.

If one where to read between the lines, and look deeply into what happened – perhaps everyone would do the same, now at this moment.

Think about it? Will you be ready to proclaim your fiat to the Lord. Now and onwards?

Christ loves the Childhood

When the brightness of a new star had led three wise men to worship Jesus, they did not see him ruling over demons, not raising the dead, not restoring sight to the blind or mobility to the lame or speech to the dumb, nor in any action of divine power. They saw him, rather, as a Child - silent, at rest, placed in the care of his Mother - in a situation where there appeared no indication of power.

From this lowliness, however, a great miracle was presented. Consequently, the mere sight of that Sacred Infancy to which God the Son of God had adapted himself was bringing to their eyes a preaching that would be imparted to their ears. What the sound of his voice was not yet presenting, the activity of sight was teaching them. For the entire victory of the Savior, the one that overcame the devil and the world, began in humility and ended in humility. Its appointed time began under persecution and ended under persecution. Neither the endurance of suffering was lacking to the child, nor the gentleness of a child to the one who would suffer. For, the Only-Begotten Son of God undertook by a single inclination of his majesty both the will to be born as a human being and the ability to be killed by human beings.

Almighty God, therefore, made our extremely bad situation good" through his unique lowliness and "destroyed death" along with the author "of death." He did not refuse anything that his persecutors brought down on him. In obedience to the Father, he bore the cruelties of violent men with the meekest docility. How humble we ought to be, then, how patient, we who, when we meet with any distress, never undergo anything we do not deserve! "Who will boast that they have a pure heart or that they are clean from sin?" (Prov. 20,9). Blessed John says, "If we say we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us." (1Jn. 1, 8)

Who will be found so free from guilt that they have not in themselves anything for justice to condemn or mercy to forgive? Consequently, dearly beloved, the whole learning of Christian wisdom consists not in abundance of words, not in cleverness at disputing, not in desire for praise and glory, but in a true and willing humility. This is what the Lord Jesus Christ chose and taught from within the womb of his Mother right up to his torment on the cross - by enduring everything with fortitude. When the disciples, as the Evangelist says, arguing among themselves as to "which one of them would be greater in the kingdom of heaven, [Jesus] called a little child and stood him in their midst and said: 'Amen, I say to you, unless you change yourselves and become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever, therefore, humble themselves like this child will be the greater in the kingdom of heaven."

Christ loves the Childhood that he first took up in both soul and body. Christ loves childhood, the teacher of humility, the rule of innocence, the image of gentleness. Christ loves childhood, to which he directs the characters of older people, to which he brings back old age. Those whom he would raise up to an eternal kingdom he disposes to follow his own example."

St. Leo the Great, Sermon 37, Epiphany, 2 – 3.

Source : (http://www.vatican.va/spirit/documents/spirit_20000804_leone-magno_en.html)

Veni Creator Spiritus

Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest,
and in our hearts take up Thy rest;
come with Thy grace and heav'nly aid,
To fill the hearts which Thou hast made.

O Comforter, to Thee we cry,
Thou heav'nly gift of God most high,
Thou Fount of life, and Fire of love,
and sweet anointing from above.

O Finger of the hand divine,
the sevenfold gifts of grace are thine;
true promise of the Father thou,
who dost the tongue with power endow.

Thy light to every sense impart,
and shed thy love in every heart;
thine own unfailing might supply
to strengthen our infirmity.

Drive far away our ghostly foe,
and thine abiding peace bestow;
if thou be our preventing Guide,
no evil can our steps betide.

Praise we the Father and the Son
and Holy Spirit with them One;
and may the Son on us bestow
the gifts that from the Spirit flow.

(Plenary Indulgence granted whenever prayed on January 1)

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Sent from my Nokia N900