Pope Francis offers his take* on how home influences our faith [my commentary in brackets]:
“Faith opens a ‘window’ to the presence and working of the Spirit. It shows us that, like happiness, holiness is always tied to little gestures.
‘Whoever gives you a cup of water in my name will not go unrewarded,’ Jesus says (Mark 9:41).
“These little gestures are those we learn at home, in the family; they get lost amid all the other things we do, yet they do make each day different. They are the quiet things done by mothers and grandmothers, by fathers and grandfathers, by children, by brothers and sisters. They are little signs of tenderness, affection, and compassion.
“Like the warm supper we look forward to at night [my mom‘s homecooking], the early meal awaiting someone who gets up early to go to work [my dad‘s coffee].
“Love is shown by little things, by attention to small daily signs that make us feel at home. Faith grows when it is lived and shaped by love. That is why our families, our homes, are true domestic churches. They are the right place for faith to become life and life to grow in faith.”
*Pope Francis in the U.S.: Words of Mercy and Hope (2015), Daughters of St. Paul, pp. 22-23 ~ as said at the Closing Mass of the Eighth World Meeting of Families, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA, Sunday, September 27, 2015.
^– I actually used this passage as my pre-brunch prayer of grace with my parents today! –^
Bearing in mind these homely gestures, let’s also consider our cultures and upbringings…
Have you ever wondered why your parents act the way they do then realize that you’re turning out more like them as you grow up?
From my PhD alma mater, Our Lady of the Lake after my Grad Ring Blessing: Advent 2015: Daily Reflections, Practices & Prayers: A Season of Mercy (2015), David M. Knight.
From Bestie Evie at our CHRISTmas Gift Exchange Brunch: Pope Francis: In His Own Words (2013), Julie Schwietert Collazo & Lisa Rogak.
Each of these readings have offered enlightening passages for me to lead the ☼day.
Remorse for our mistakes won’t do us any good if we keep repeating them. Learning lessons from our wrong actions and doing right by GOD will lead us closer to Heaven …
What better role model on Heaven and on Earth do we have out there than †JESUS CHRIST† Himself?
My R.E. studentswent through the Stations of the †Cross† to have an idea of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice
The man died for our sins and sits at the right hand of GOD. So much for American Idol and wherever else ~ we have our Ultimate Universe Idol!
Ms. Easygoing Evie made the perfectpalm †cross† at our Passion ☼Sunday☼ Vigil
During Lent, I read Killing Jesus by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard.
Killing †Jesus†: History (O’Reilly & Dugard, 2013) — NY: Holt.
It made more sense out of scripture, as well as provided vivid descriptions based on the authors’ own first-hand observations of the Holy Land sites and their extensive research
It humbled me to the point that I contemplated and appreciated the crucifixion even more (I actually teared up when I sang ♪Were You There♫ as cantor at Palm ☼Sunday☼ Mass)
Examples to Follow
Jesus Christ ~ for being a nonconformist against status quo for the sake of promising ♥love♥, ☼hope☼ and †faith†
This is the magnet that ☼Sunshine☼’s rear bumper used to sport when I first bought her. It also reminds me of John 4:16b, in which I’d sing with my children’s Church choir:
♫ †GOD† is ♥Love♥ ♪
Acts of love come from kindness, mercy and patience.
Compassion = with Passion
We can extend our love to others, who are in need. For instance, my Church’s visiting priest encouraged my Congregation to contribute to the Maryknoll cause, one of which my mother is a patron, and also of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, which is Bishop Mike’s religious order. Another way is to pour our hearts out to those who we meet, like I did on Monday…
On my way to work this morning, I found a woman down on the side of the road w/her dog. I pulled over to help her w/my First Aid kit. She told me several cars passed by before I stopped my truck, & a man also parked his to lift her up. This lady is lucky to have her loyal black lab who never left her side on her leash. Morals of the story: * if you see someone in need, render aid b/c it’s the humane thing to do for GOD’s people * keep a First Aid kit in handy * caring companions are always around @ the right time #GoodSamaritan #BePrepared #MansBestFriend #DontLeaveAFallenSoldierBehind
GOD lives through our fellow man, so we’re here on Earth to treat others as we would JESUS CHRIST, because we could be looking at His face in everyday encounters, and we, in turn, live in His image.
I’ve noticed this more and more lately in the positive people with whom I’ve surrounded myself: as my fellow lay minister, Evie, calls us
spiritual warriors
My Church buddy, Joe, also told me this:
If GOD wants it, it’ll happen.
We’re following His plan for the Catholic school, if it is in His will.
Happy Birthday to Evie today & Early Birthday to Nanay!
Evie the Princess draped the robe on the Queen Mother after Sacred Heart‘s Corpus Christi Procession!
GOD works in miraculous and mysterious ways, giving us unasked-for prayers and blessings-in-disguise. When we reach a birthday or a milestone, He deserves our praise for getting us through our highway to Heaven…
At Mass last weekend, Father Bob said during his homily that the majority of our communication with the LORD is through listening to Him. This reminds me of the communication models that I studied and taught in college. Our interaction is not simply one-way ~ it is dynamic and involves all parties in the process. When we pray, we don’t simply tell GOD what is going on or ask Him to grant our wishes. During our days, He speaks to us in different ways, so we must use all of our senses to find out what He says… through
other people
circumstances
our dreams
As we help those who are in need, whether it is clothing the naked, donating to the poor, feeding to the hungry, hugging the abandoned, teaching the ignorant, visiting the imprisoned, we are doing as JESUS did… But think about it in these terms: we could be doing these things to JESUS! He could be living on in areas where we least expect it, and we could be looking at His face! We could live in His image, yet to take this a step further, we could treat others as we would treat Him: with kindness and mercy.
Wouldn’t life be so much more peaceful, pleasant and positive if we lead our lives like Him?
I admit that I’ve watched and enjoyed the movie Think Like a Man and the recent episode of The Mindy Project entitled Think Like Peter, and on top of that have taken those approaches to value: accomplishment, success and pride. Now instead of being self-serving, I’ve realized that I have much less stress when I concern myself less with success and more with serving the LORD, following His will and His way.
So how about we live our lives for Him and be happier by being holy? Just consider the popular acronym: WWJD ~ not because it was trending, but because we’ll be closer to the LORD if we put this into practice.
Here are words that we can add to our vocabulary and actions that we can apply to our daily lives:
Faith • Hope • Love • Patience • Kind • Merciful • Righteousness • Just
Challenge: next time you feel like someone is crossing you, instead of reacting with retaliation, forgive. When JESUS was condemned to the cross, He forgave all who scrutinized Him.
Lately, I’ve appreciated and celebrated, rather than hated (I do my best not to hate anyway). The reason why I’ve found a greater appreciation for my blessings is because I celebrate GOD first and foremost. Thanks to Him, I’ve had the most positive experience in my new job, where my leaders and teammates have exerted positive energy, praise and encouragement that motivate me to embrace and enhance my photography and people skills even more. The other day, my GODdaughter’s mother/Prima Monalisa moved my heart by calling me selfless. Last night, my former student McAwesome Ruben thanked me for believing in him.
Most of all, I give glory to GOD for my gifts to serve Him, including my Adoration Hour this morning and every Thursday, as well as anytime I visit the Blessed Sacrament, in addition to my ministry as lector doing the readings and as commentator soon leading the Mass. On Monday, my church celebrated our 83rd anniversary, when I proclaimed the word of GOD:
* Revelation 21
* Hebrews 12
This weekend, I’m preparing to deliver from the following Bible books and verses:
* Acts of the Apostles 2:14, 22-33
* Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11 (11a)
* 1 Peter 1:17-21
May GOD bless and keep y’all!!!
3:33 ~ make a wish, actually a prayer to fulfill GOD’s wish!!!
Welcome/Mabuhay/¡Biénvenidos! I am a USAF brat who was born in Germany and grew up State-side while celebrating my Catholic and Filipino heritage. ☼Sunny☼ DISPOsition Elaine’s Eye Candy/DISPhotos ~ I love GOD & His creations, so I take photos @ any given opportunity. Elaine DISPOrts ~ I am passionate about sports, which is my research focus on my ... Continue reading →
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