Byline: Westford
When we say at mass, "peace be with you", what do we mean?
Is there much true peace in our world today? Not really, even what is not violent is often loud and a source of distraction or turbulence.
So, are we wishing a changed world when we wish Peace to others? Well, maybe, but is there a more practical interpretation? Sure, if we wish peace in hearts, this is not only practical, but eminently possible.
Can we really gain peace in our hearts? Sure, it is in our control.
For me, prayer, especially adoration, is the best path to this peace of heart, peace in the Lord.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Ego in action???
Byline: Westford, MA
This morning I am pondering the struggle between my ego and taking action.
For so long my ego was the driving force behind most actions I would take. Breaking that co-dependance is proving to be very difficult.
For many years God has been working within me to lessen my ego. This has been a tremendous gift, and the very root of any progress made toward Him.
One challenge arising from this is a difficulty in separating the ego and action. In the past I would usually take action quickly and decisively, but even the good actions were often ego driven. What will this do for me?
Today, I find that I often wait for some level of certainty that this is truly good before acting. While this may seem better sometimes it means I frequently wait too long before acting, allowing tension to build around situations more than might be necessary.
Going forward I ask God for the grace to act on His time, without the dependance on ego for action.
This morning I am pondering the struggle between my ego and taking action.
For so long my ego was the driving force behind most actions I would take. Breaking that co-dependance is proving to be very difficult.
For many years God has been working within me to lessen my ego. This has been a tremendous gift, and the very root of any progress made toward Him.
One challenge arising from this is a difficulty in separating the ego and action. In the past I would usually take action quickly and decisively, but even the good actions were often ego driven. What will this do for me?
Today, I find that I often wait for some level of certainty that this is truly good before acting. While this may seem better sometimes it means I frequently wait too long before acting, allowing tension to build around situations more than might be necessary.
Going forward I ask God for the grace to act on His time, without the dependance on ego for action.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Amazing Adoration
Byline: Santa Clara, CA; Mission Church
Discovered this amazing church less than a mile from our corporate headquarters. Tonight there was a novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. It was standing room only; well over 1000 people. The mass after, maybe 600 people. Adoration after that, at least 100 people stayed for at least a half hour after mass in adorAtion.
The spirit here is so strong. Do you think perpetual adoration since 1976 has anything to do with it?
I prayed for the Cursillo weekend coming up starting tomorrow night in Framingham MA. Herb will be on team for the first time, please pray for him.
Peace
Discovered this amazing church less than a mile from our corporate headquarters. Tonight there was a novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. It was standing room only; well over 1000 people. The mass after, maybe 600 people. Adoration after that, at least 100 people stayed for at least a half hour after mass in adorAtion.
The spirit here is so strong. Do you think perpetual adoration since 1976 has anything to do with it?
I prayed for the Cursillo weekend coming up starting tomorrow night in Framingham MA. Herb will be on team for the first time, please pray for him.
Peace
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Praying for Fr. Bill Ventura in Eucharistic Adoration
Fr. Bill is a friend who needs our prayers.
There have been many opinions expressed about his recent troubles. Here is mine...
I believe that the only thing that has happened here is that it has been publicly confirmed that Fr. Ventura is a sinner as we all are. I would certainly not like to have my darkest moment splashed in the newspapers or on TV, would you?
Certainly the Church has an obligation to investigate and be sure that these incidents are not a pattern that could be put Fr. Bill or others in ongoing risk. But, within the limits of the law, I hope and pray that there is a path for Fr. Bill to continue in service of our Church and the Lord.
Imagine the trouble his heart must be feeling... A young man who has spent much of his life pursuing a life in union with Christ, Jesus. Please pray for his healing and that these troubles may help him to grow closer to our Lord. My personal experience has been that I gain the most growth toward Him as I pass though difficult times. May the Lord use these difficult times for His good, and to ultimately grow His Kingdom here on Earth.
Please join me in praying often for Fr. Bill.
Thank you
There have been many opinions expressed about his recent troubles. Here is mine...
I believe that the only thing that has happened here is that it has been publicly confirmed that Fr. Ventura is a sinner as we all are. I would certainly not like to have my darkest moment splashed in the newspapers or on TV, would you?
Certainly the Church has an obligation to investigate and be sure that these incidents are not a pattern that could be put Fr. Bill or others in ongoing risk. But, within the limits of the law, I hope and pray that there is a path for Fr. Bill to continue in service of our Church and the Lord.
Imagine the trouble his heart must be feeling... A young man who has spent much of his life pursuing a life in union with Christ, Jesus. Please pray for his healing and that these troubles may help him to grow closer to our Lord. My personal experience has been that I gain the most growth toward Him as I pass though difficult times. May the Lord use these difficult times for His good, and to ultimately grow His Kingdom here on Earth.
Please join me in praying often for Fr. Bill.
Thank you
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Faith of our fathers...
Byline Westford, MA
"In reality, there is, perhaps, no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself; you will see it perhaps often in this history; for even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility."
Well said Mr. (Benjamin) Franklin (in his autobiography).
What can we do to quell our pride every day, beyond dropping to our knees in praise of God?
"In reality, there is, perhaps, no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself; you will see it perhaps often in this history; for even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility."
Well said Mr. (Benjamin) Franklin (in his autobiography).
What can we do to quell our pride every day, beyond dropping to our knees in praise of God?
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Expressing love...
Byline: Westford, MA
What action could I take right now that would best express my love for Jesus?
What action could I take right now that would best express my love for Jesus?
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Temporary Home...
Byline: Westford, MA
With tears in my eyes...
Please check out Carrie Underwood's current top 5 hit, "Temporary Home". Note: the full song lyrics as played on the radio are different than the video lyrics. Both are worth a close review.
Check these out:
The full song...
http://s0.ilike.com/play#Carrie+Underwood:Temporary+Home:151112452:s58714282.14010591.5565024.0.2.149%2Cstd_19e9d4c6a40746fca32b91f3eba4f659
The music video...
http://www.cmt.com/videos/carrie-underwood/478351/temporary-home.jhtml
Some comments from one of Carrie's co-writers...
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2009/10/carrie-underwoods-temporary-home-the-story-behind-the-song/1
With tears in my eyes...
Please check out Carrie Underwood's current top 5 hit, "Temporary Home". Note: the full song lyrics as played on the radio are different than the video lyrics. Both are worth a close review.
Check these out:
The full song...
http://s0.ilike.com/play#Carrie+Underwood:Temporary+Home:151112452:s58714282.14010591.5565024.0.2.149%2Cstd_19e9d4c6a40746fca32b91f3eba4f659
The music video...
http://www.cmt.com/videos/carrie-underwood/478351/temporary-home.jhtml
Some comments from one of Carrie's co-writers...
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2009/10/carrie-underwoods-temporary-home-the-story-behind-the-song/1
Friday, March 5, 2010
The Creator's Joy...
Byline: Westford, MA
Imagine the joy that is experienced by those entering heaven... But, how much more joyful must it be for God to have one made in His image return home to Him, fulfilling the purpose for which they were created in the first place.
Imagine the joy that is experienced by those entering heaven... But, how much more joyful must it be for God to have one made in His image return home to Him, fulfilling the purpose for which they were created in the first place.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Spend some time with the Lord...
Byline: Westford, MA
Our Lord Jesus Christ is here with us today. I ask Him to help me overcome my selfishness & worry enough to spend some quality time with Him
Our Lord Jesus Christ is here with us today. I ask Him to help me overcome my selfishness & worry enough to spend some quality time with Him
Lord, teach us to be loving...
From the Liturgy of the Hour for Wednesday March 3, 2010
"Lord, teach us to be loving not only in great and exceptional moments, but above all in the ordinary events of daily life."
"Lord, teach us to be loving not only in great and exceptional moments, but above all in the ordinary events of daily life."
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Trying to get to Heaven alone???
Dateline Westford, MA
Who will God put along my path today? Will I slow down enough to notice and be fully present to them, or be in a hurry to do something much less important? Today, I ask God for the grace to slow down and see who and what He would like me to see.
Who will God put along my path today? Will I slow down enough to notice and be fully present to them, or be in a hurry to do something much less important? Today, I ask God for the grace to slow down and see who and what He would like me to see.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Will you hear the Lord today?
Dateline Westford, MA
I was looking for the Lord: but the Lord was not in my TV, the Lord was not in my iPod, the Lord was not in my cell phone, and the Lord was not in my PC. Then I listened in the silence, and there was a whisper. The Lord was in the whisper. Will I hear Him today thru the noise and din that surrounds us all? What am I going to do about that???
1 Kings Chapter 19:11-13
Then the LORD said, "Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by." A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD--but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake--but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was fire--but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound.
I was looking for the Lord: but the Lord was not in my TV, the Lord was not in my iPod, the Lord was not in my cell phone, and the Lord was not in my PC. Then I listened in the silence, and there was a whisper. The Lord was in the whisper. Will I hear Him today thru the noise and din that surrounds us all? What am I going to do about that???
1 Kings Chapter 19:11-13
Then the LORD said, "Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by." A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD--but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake--but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was fire--but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Beginning Lent...
Dateline Tewksbury, MA
From a friend...
"During lent we should strive to pray and do penance to lighten the burden of sin on the poor and the people of Haiti. We have an obligation to carry our brothers and sisters burdens on our backs and souls."
From a friend...
"During lent we should strive to pray and do penance to lighten the burden of sin on the poor and the people of Haiti. We have an obligation to carry our brothers and sisters burdens on our backs and souls."
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