What sustains you when trials and affliction come your way?

The Rich Man and Lazarus

“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ “ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”

*** ***

The prophet Jeremiah tells us that whoever relies on God will not be disappointed or be in want when everything around them dries up or disappears (Jeremiah 17:7-8). God will not only be their consolation, but their inexhaustible source of hope and joy as well.

Jesus' parable about the afflictions of the poor man Lazarus brings home a similar point. In this story Jesus paints a dramatic scene of contrasts - riches and poverty, heaven and hell, compassion and indifference, inclusion and exclusion. We also see an abrupt and dramatic reversal of fortune. Lazarus was not only poor, but sick and unable to fend for himself. He was "laid" at the gates of the rich man's house. The dogs which licked his sores probably also stole the little bread he got for himself. Dogs in the ancient world symbolized contempt. Enduring the torment of these savage dogs only added to the poor man's miseries and sufferings. The rich man treated the beggar with contempt and indifference, until he found his fortunes reversed at the end of his life! In God's economy, those who hold on possessively to what they have, lose it all in the end, while those who share generously receive back many times more than they gave way.

The name Lazarus means God is my help. Despite a life of misfortune and suffering, Lazarus did not lose hope in God. His eyes were set on a treasure stored up for him in heaven. The rich man, however, could not see beyond his material wealth and possessions. He not only had every thing he needed, he selfishly spent all he had on himself. He was too absorbed in what he possessed to notice the needs of those around him. He lost sight of God and the treasure of heaven because he was preoccupied with seeking happiness in material things. He served wealth rather than God. In the end the rich man became a beggar!

source: Kairos-EME Don's Daily Email

My life, sincerely I write....

My life is truly in a mess, all through my own actions and no one is to be blamed. This are beginning to become worst and things aren't going my way. Whatever difficulties I write in my blog is true and I am not faking it. I truly need help, and I am not keeping quite as the Lord said, "Ask and you shall be given", "Seek and your shall find" Therefore each and everyday I seek You O Lord, show me Your Merciful face Lord and grant the healing I cry and beg of You my dearest Saviour and Lord. Time is running out on me but I know what is impossible for me is possible for God. Each and every minute, hour, day, that passed causes me to worry even more. God knows every situation in my life as He created me in my mothers womb and even knew me by name before that. All I know is that the Good Lord is always by my side, I trust He knows best for me (For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Jeremiah 29:11). I have nothing except to put all my trust, hope and faith into the hands of the Lord. I am falling but I am confident that the Lord knows the right and perfect time to catch me. I thank you Lord for each and every new day and all that you give me to pass through each day. I try to remain positive and thankful, Lord, knowing that You are by my side even I can't see physically. You have given me more strength, faith and perseverance to go through each day of this time of trial, sorrow and pain (Be strong and bold; have no fear or dread of them, because it is the Lord your God who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6). God is working on my problems, and I can wait patiently because His timing is perfect. (Psalm 31:15; 37:7; 46:1). Overcoming my difficulties isn't easy but I am confident it is possible with God’s help. I have the Good Shepherd who takes care of me. What am I asking God to do in my life? Whatever it is, I know that He will always be with me…and He will always provide just what I need. He is the Good Shepherd and He has already laid down His life for me! JESUS is our Good Shepherd.

Help me JESUS, I don't know how I am going to do it (I am really worried and scared LORD because I am only human),.....

When doing your work of love, 

meditate upon Christ's words, 

“As you do it for the least of these, you do it for me” (Matt.25:40).

In the words 

Charity, Solidarity, and Fraternity

lies the key to a true understanding 

of the responsibility 

of Christians in the world.

JESUS I don't know how I am going to do it (Lord, I am really worried and scared because I am only human), but I surrender all to you Lord, as I have come to dead-ends on finding HELP on my own. All I ask you LORD, show me a MIRACLE as I TRUST in You, and BELIEVE in You. I am facing some personal financial debt issue which has got out of my controls LORD, I need Raise a large sum of money urgently in order to get through this dilemma. That is why LORD Jesus Christ, I say only by MIRACLE can I do it, be saved , healed, saved from all disgrace and passed this obstacle which is ruining my LIFE. I REPENT Lord for all my mistakes (my wrong doings, my sin and all sins committed by my ancestors ancestral sins), forgive me Lord and I promise to never repeat them ever again. If it is Your WILL Lord, Grant me this MIRACLE, I ask of You Christ JESUS. I ASK this with ALL my HEART in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

Sent forth Your Angels Lord to lift me up and Out of this distress. I truly confident in Your works O Lord and all my Hope and Trust is in You alone, my God and Saviour.

Lord, in every need let me come to You with humble trust saying, 

"Jesus, help me."

In the failure of my plans and hopes; in disappointments, troubles, and sorrows, 

"Jesus, help me."

When I throw myself on Your tender love as a father and savior, 

"Jesus, help me."

When my heart is cast down by failure at seeing no good come from my efforts, 

"Jesus, help me."

Always, always, in spite of weakness, falls, and shortcomings of every kind, 

Jesus, help me and never forsake me.

Amen.

“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” 

~ Mother Teresa ~

Open Your Heart and Lend a Hand to Help 

the Hopeless, Helpless and Despaired.

HELP through...

Malaysian Banks

Hong Leong Bank, 

Stanley

AC#-158-50-09065-0

Matthew 6:1-4

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honoured by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Lent is the opportune time 

to examine our pieties and devotions, 

and to ask if our lives are truly animated 

by Gospel justice and charity 

that find their fullest expression 

in the Eucharistic banquet.

"Be merciful as your Father is merciful"

Do you know and experience the mercy God has for you through the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed for you and for your sins upon the cross? The Lord Jesus took our sins upon himself and nailed them to the cross so that we could receive pardon rather than condemnation, freedom rather than slavery to sin, and healing for the wounds caused by sin, injustice, and evil. 

God's mercy knows no limits

God the Father never tires of showing his steadfast love and mercy to those who seek him. Scripture tells us that his mercies never cease. "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" (The Lamentations of Jeremiah 3:22-23). What can hold us back from receiving God's mercy and pardon? Anger, resentment, an unwillingness to forgive or to ask for pardon can hold us back from the healing power and merciful love that has power to wash away guilt and condemnation, fear and anger, pride and resentment. The Lord Jesus offers us freedom to walk in his way of love and forgiveness, mercy and goodness. 

Imitate God the Father's mercy

We are called to be merciful towards one another just as our heavenly Father has been merciful towards each one of us. Do you quickly forgive those who wrong you or cause you grief or pain, or do you allow ill-will and resentment to grow in your heart? Do you pray for those who have lost sight of God's mercy, pardon, truth, and justice? 

In the Old Testament we see the example of Daniel, a man of great faith in God's mercy and just ways, who prayed daily, not only for himself, but for his own people, and for his persecutors as well. Daniel was 'shamefaced' before God because he recognized that his own people who had been called and chosen by God as the people of Israel, were now suffering in exile due to their sins and unfaithfulness to the covenant God had made with them (see Daniel 9:4-10). Daniel did not sit in judgment over the failings and sins of his own people, instead he pleaded with God for compassion, pardon, and restoration. Our shame will turn to joy and hope if we confess our sins and ask for God's healing love and mercy.. 

Do not judge 

Why does Jesus tell his followers to "not judge lest they be judged"? Jesus knew the human heart all too well. We judge too quickly or unfairly with mixed motives, impure hearts, and prejudiced minds. The heart must be cleansed first in order to discern right judgment with grace and mercy rather than with ill will and vengeance.

Ephrem the Syrian (306-373 AD), a wise early Christian teacher and writer, comments on Jesus' exhortation to not condemn:

Do not judge, that is, unjustly, so that you may not be judged, with regard to injustice. With the judgment that you judge shall you be judged. This is like the phrase "Forgive, and it will be forgiven you." For once someone has judged in accordance with justice, he should forgive in accordance with grace, so that when he himself is judged in accordance with justice, he may be worthy of forgiveness through grace. Alternatively, it was on account of the judges, those who seek vengeance for themselves, that he said, "Do not condemn." That is, do not seek vengeance for yourselves. Or, do not judge from appearances and opinion and then condemn, but admonish and advise. (Commentary on Tatian's Diatessaron 6.18B)

Grace and mercy 

What makes true disciples of Jesus Christ different from those who do not know the Lord Jesus and what makes Christianity distinct from any other religion? It is grace - treating others not as they deserve, but as God wishes them to be treated - with forbearance, mercy, and loving-kindness. God shows his goodness to the unjust as well as to the just. His love embraces saint and sinner alike. God always seeks what is best for each one of us and he teaches us to seek the greatest good of others, even those who hate and abuse us. Our love for others, even those who are ungrateful and unkind towards us, must be marked by the same kindness and mercy which God has shown to us. It is easier to show kindness and mercy when we can expect to benefit from doing so. How much harder when we can expect nothing in return. Our prayer for those who do us ill both breaks the power of revenge and releases the power of love to do good in the face of evil.

Overcome evil with mercy and goodness

How can we possibly love those who cause us grief, harm, or ill-will? With God all things are possible. He gives power and grace to those who trust in his love and who seek his wisdom and help. The Lord is ready to work in and through us by his Holy Spirit, both to purify our minds and hearts and to help us do what is right, good, and loving in all circumstances. Paul the Apostle reminds us that "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us" (Romans 5:5) God's love conquers all, even our hurts, injuries, fears, and prejudices. Only the cross of Jesus Christ and his victory over sin can free us from the tyranny of malice, hatred, revenge, and resentment, and give us the courage to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). Such love and grace has power to heal, restore, and transform us into the image of Christ. Do you know the power of Christ's redeeming love and mercy?

source: Kairos-EME Don's Daily Email

My ONLY Hope

 

O my God, my only hope, 

I have placed all my trust in You, 

and I know I shall not be disappointed.

*** Diary of St Faustina #317 ***

Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle ~ 22 February 2016

The feast of the Chair of Saint Peter at Antioch, commemorating his foundation of the See of Antioch, has also been long celebrated at Rome, on 22 February. We thank God for the mission he entrusted to the Apostle Peter and his Successors.

And I tell you, you are Peter, 

and on this rock I will build my church, 

and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

~ Matthew 16:18 ~

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that no tempests may disturb us, for you have set us fast on the rock of the Apostle Peter's confession of faith. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Reading 1

1 Peter 5:1-4
Beloved:
I exhort the presbyters among you,
as a fellow presbyter and witness to the sufferings of Christ
and one who has a share in the glory to be revealed.
Tend the flock of God in your midst,
overseeing not by constraint but willingly,
as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly.
Do not lord it over those assigned to you,
but be examples to the flock.
And when the chief Shepherd is revealed,
you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 23:1-3a, 4, 5, 6

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Verse Before The Gospel

You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church;

the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.

Gospel

Matthew 16:13-19
When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi
he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter said in reply,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Gospel and John 3:16

For 

God so loved the world that he gave his 

Only 

Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not 

Perish but may have 

Eternal 

Life.

Do you allow sin or anger to master your life? Do not be angry, be reconciled

The first person to hate his brother was Cain. God warned Cain: 'Why are you angry? ..Sin is couching at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it (Genesis 4:6-7). Sin doesn't just happen; it first grows as a seed in one's heart. Unless it is mastered, by God's grace, it grows like a weed and chokes the life out of us. Jesus addressed the issue of keeping the commandments with his disciples. The scribes and Pharisees equated righteousness with satisfying the demands of the law. Jesus showed them how short they had come. Jesus points to the heart as the seat of desire, choice, and intention. Unless forbidden and evil desires are uprooted and cut-out, the heart will be poisoned and the body become a slave to sin and passion. Jesus illustrates his point with the example of the commandment to not kill. Murder first starts in the heart as the seed of forbidden anger that grows within until it springs into words and actions against one's brother or neighbor. This is a selfish anger that broods and is long-lived, that nurses a grudge and keeps wrath warm, and that refuses to die. Anger in the heart as well as anger in speech or action are equally forbidden. The Lord Jesus commands by grace - take away the anger in your heart and there will be no murder.

What is the antidote for overcoming anger and rage? Mercy, forbearance, and kindness spring from a heart full of love and forgiveness. God has forgiven us and he calls us to extend mercy and forgiveness towards those who cause us grief or harm. In the cross of Jesus we see the supreme example of love and the power for overcoming evil. Only God's love and grace can set our hearts and minds free from the tyranny of wounded pride and spiteful revenge. Do you harbor any anger towards another person? And are you quick to be reconciled when a rupture has been caused in your relationships? Ask God to set you free and to fill your heart and mind with his love and truth.

Eusebius, a 3rd century church father, offered the following prayer as instruction for his fellow Christians:

"May I be no man's enemy, and may I be the friend of that which is eternal and abides. May I never quarrel with those nearest me: and if I do, may I be reconciled quickly. May I love, seek, and attain only that which is good. May I wish for all men's happiness and envy none. May I never rejoice in the ill-fortune of one who has wronged me. When I have done or said what is wrong, may I never wait for the rebuke of others, but always rebuke myself until I make amends. May I win no victory that harms either me or my opponent. May I reconcile friends who are angry with one another. May I never fail a friend who is in danger. When visiting those in grief may I be able by gentle and healing words to soften their pain. May I respect myself. May I always keep tame that which rages within me. May I accustom myself to be gentle, and never be angry with people because of circumstances. May I never discuss who is wicked and what wicked things he has done, but know good men and follow in their footsteps."

Do you seek to live peaceably and charitably with all?

source: Kairos-EME, Don's Daily email

24 Hours for the Lord and “Vigil to Dry Tears” ~ 4 March and 5 March, 2016

The "24 Hours of the Lord" will begin from 6pm (local time) Friday, 4 March 2016 to 6pm (local time) Saturday, 5 March 2016, preceding the Fourth Week of Lent. As Pope Francis writes in “Misericordiae Vultus,” his document proclaiming the Year of Mercy. During the 24 hours there will be divine activities such as Prayer (Praise and Worship), Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation and will end with a Mass on Saturday, 5 March 2016. In order to be capable of mercy, therefore, we must first of all dispose ourselves to listen to the Word of God. This means rediscovering the value of silence in order to meditate on the Word that comes to us. In this way, it will be possible to contemplate God’s mercy and adopt it as our lifestyle.“So many people, including young people, are returning to the Sacrament of Reconciliation; through this experience they are rediscovering a path back to the Lord, living a moment of intense prayer and finding meaning in their lives. Let us place the Sacrament of Reconciliation at the centre once more in such a way that it will enable people to touch the grandeur of God’s mercy with their own hands. For every penitent, it will be a source of true interior peace.” (Pope Francis, Misericordiae Vultus)

We the Roman Catholics are asked to carry out the "24 Hours for the Lord" at the parish level and at the diocesan level. Every Roman Catholic is asked to participate in this occasion of Mercy.

“Mercy will always be greater than any sin”

~ Pope Francis ~

God is faithful, always faithful, for he cannot deny himself, 

he continues to be rich in goodness and mercy, 

and he is always ready to forgive and start afresh.

Misericordiae Vultus

Do you believe that God's word has power to change and transform your life today?

Isaiah says that God's word is like the rain and melting snow which makes the barren ground spring to life and become abundantly fertile (Isaiah 55:10-11). God's word has power to penetrate our dry barren hearts and make them springs of new life. If we let God's word take root in our heart it will transform us into the likeness of God himself and empower us to walk in his way of love and holiness. God wants his word to guide and shape the way we think, act, and pray. Ambrose (339-397 AD), an early church father and bishop of Milan, wrote that the reason we should devote time for reading Scripture is to hear Christ speak to us. "Are you not occupied with Christ? Why do you not talk with him? By reading the Scriptures, we listen to Christ."

We can approach God confidently because he is waiting with arms wide open to receive his prodigal sons and daughters. That is why Jesus gave his disciples the perfect prayer that dares to call God, Our Father. This prayer teaches us how to ask God for the things we really need, the things that matter not only for the present but for eternity as well. We can approach God our Father with confidence and boldness because the Lord Jesus has opened the way to heaven for us through his death and resurrection. When we ask God for help, he fortunately does not give us what we deserve. Instead, God responds with grace, mercy, and loving-kindness. He is good and forgiving towards us, and he expects us to treat our neighbor the same. God has poured his love into our hearts through the gift of the Holy Spirit who has been given to us (Romans 5:5). And that love is like a refining fire - it purifies and burns away all prejudice, hatred, resentment, vengeance, and bitterness until there is nothing left but goodness and forgiveness towards those who cause us grief or harm.

Consider what John Cassian (360-435 AD), an early church father who lived for several years with the monks in Bethlehem and Egypt before founding a monastery in southern Gaul, wrote about the Lord's Prayer and the necessity of forgiving one another from the heart:

"The mercy of God is beyond description. While he is offering us a model prayer he is teaching us a way of life whereby we can be pleasing in his sight. But that is not all. In this same prayer he gives us an easy method for attracting an indulgent and merciful judgment on our lives. He gives us the possibility of ourselves mitigating the sentence hanging over us and of compelling him to pardon us. What else could he do in the face of our generosity when we ask him to forgive us as we have forgiven our neighbor? If we are faithful in this prayer, each of us will ask forgiveness for our own failings after we have forgiven the sins of those who have sinned against us, not only those who have sinned against our Master. There is, in fact, in some of us a very bad habit. We treat our sins against God, however appalling, with gentle indulgence - but when by contrast it is a matter of sins against us ourselves, albeit very tiny ones, we exact reparation with ruthless severity. Anyone who has not forgiven from the bottom of the heart the brother or sister who has done him wrong will only obtain from this prayer his own condemnation, rather than any mercy."

Do you treat others as you think they deserve to be treated, or do you treat them as the Lord has treated you - with mercy, steadfast love, and kindness?

"Father in heaven, you have given me a mind to know you, a will to serve you, and a heart to love you. Give me today the grace and strength to embrace your holy will and fill my heart and mind with your truth and love that all my intentions and actions may be pleasing to you. Help me to be kind and forgiving towards my neighbor as you have been towards me."

source: Kairos-EME, Don's Daily Email

JESUS, Only You can Help me, All my Hope in You alone

I Trust in You 

and 

I believe NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE for You.

MARANATHA

Come JESUS Come

You are the JOHOVAH RAPHA, the GOD who HEALS

and

You are the JOHOVAH JIREH, the GOD who PROVIDES.

Come Lord, Heal me from my difficulties and distress,

You are my Healer

Come Lord, Provide for my needs in the urgent time,

I want to taste Your miraculous wonder,

I believe in that ONLY in Your Name, 

there is Healing and Providence.

Listen to my cries O' Lord

Do not forsake a Sinner like me

but have Mercy on me.

Wash away all my sins with Your Precious Blood 

which flowed down on Calvary

and make white as snow again.

Cover me with Your Precious Blood 

which flowed down on Calvary

so that I will protected from all evil and never be disgraced.

You ALONE is my GOD, Saviour, Redeemer, Healer, Protector, and Provider.

All Glory and Honour belongs to You ALONE.

I will only PRAISE and WORSHIP You ALONE until the end of time.

I believe that in many of my lowest times, 

You were there with me to comfort and save me, 

and it was at this moments Your carried me.

I thank You Lord, for all that You have done and given me.

I thank You Lord for all that I don't have and I know 

and I know You have not finish working on me 

and the is more GOODNESS coming.

Whatever happens Lord whether it may be, 

I accept and believe it is by Your WILL

and it is for the GOOD of me.

AMEN.

Confession how to ....

Sin is any thought, word, desire, action, or neglect (omission) prohibited (forbidden) by the law of God. There are two kind of sin, mortal sin and venial sin. A mortal sin is a sin that, unless forgiven and fully absolved, condemns a person to Hell immediately after death. Rome defines a venial sin (meaning "forgivable" sin) as a lesser sin that does not result in a complete separation from God and eternal damnation in Hell. A venial sin involves a "partial loss of grace" from God. According to Catholic teaching, mortal sin requires the sacrament of penance (confession to a priest who pronounces sentence, that is, acts of penance the person must do to pay for his sin).

“Bless me Father, in this confession it has been (state the length of time) since my last confession. I accuse myself of the following sins: (mention your mortal and venial sins and the number of times committed).”

Upon finishing, say

“For these and all the sins of my past life, I am truly sorry.”

Then priest will advise, gives your penance and asks you to say the Act of Contrition Then wait and listen as the priest gives the absolution. The say

“Thank you, Father”

and leave the confessional and perform the penance given by the priest.

Act of Contrition

O my God, because you are so good. 

I am very sorry that I have sinned against you; 

and with your help I will try not to sin again. 

Amen.

Sacrament of Reconciliation ~ Confession ~ Pope Francis

“The confessional is not a torture chamber, 

but the place in which the Lord's mercy 

motivates us to do better.” 

~ Pope Francis ~

"If we confess our sins, 

he who is faithful and just will forgive us 

our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

~ 1 John 1:9 ~

The best way to guard one’s heart is with the daily practice of an “examination of conscience”, in which one quietly reviews what bad things one has done and what good things one has failed to do for God, one’s neighbour and oneself.

The questions include:

Do I only turn to God when I’m in need?

Do I take attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation?

Do I begin and end the day with prayer?

Am I embarrassed to show that I am a Christian?

Do I rebel against God’s plan?

Am I envious, hot-tempered, biased?

Am I honest and fair with everyone or do I fuel the “throwaway culture”?

In my marital and family relations, do I uphold morality as taught in the Gospels?

Do I honour and respect my parents?

Have I refused newly conceived life? Have I snuffed out the gift of life? Have I helped do so?

Do I respect the environment?

Am I part worldly and part believer?

Do I overdo it with eating, drinking, smoking and amusements?

Am I overly concerned about my physical well-being, my possessions?

How do I use my time? Am I lazy?

Do I want to be served?

Do I dream of revenge, hold grudges?

Am I meek, humble and a builder of peace?

Catholics should go to Confession, the Pope said, because everyone needs forgiveness for their sins, for the ways “we think and act contrary to the Gospel”.

“Whoever says he is without sin is a liar or is blind,” he wrote.

Confession is meant to be a sincere moment of conversion, an occasion to demonstrate trust in God’s willingness to forgive his children and to help them back on the path of following Jesus, Pope Francis wrote.

Pope Francis ~ Prayer Intentions for 2016

January

Universal: Interreligious Dialogue

That sincere dialogue among men and women of different faiths may produce the fruits of peace and justice.

Evangelization: Christian Unity

That by means of dialogue and fraternal charity and with the grace of the Holy Spirit, Christians may overcome divisions.

February

Universal: Care for Creation

That we may take good care of creation–a gift freely given–cultivating and protecting it for future generations.

Evangelization: Asia

That opportunities may increase for dialogue and encounter between the Christian faith and the peoples of Asia.

March

Universal: Families in Difficulty

That families in need may receive the necessary support and that children may grow up in healthy and peaceful environments.

Evangelization: Persecuted Christians

That those Christians who, on account of their faith, are discriminated against or are being persecuted, may remain strong and faithful to the Gospel, thanks to the incessant prayer of the Church.

April

Universal: Small Farmers

That small farmers may receive a just reward for their precious labor.

Evangelization: African Christians

That Christians in Africa may give witness to love and faith in Jesus Christ amid political-religious conflicts.

May

Universal: Respect for Women

That in every country of the world, women may be honored and respected and that their essential contribution to society may be highly esteemed.

Evangelization: Holy Rosary

That families, communities, and groups may pray the Holy Rosary for evangelization and peace.

June

Universal: Human Solidarity

That the aged, marginalized, and those who have no one may find–even within the huge cities of the world–opportunities for encounter and solidarity.

Evangelization: Seminarians and Novices

That seminarians and men and women entering religious life may have mentors who live the joy of the Gospel and prepare them wisely for their mission.

July

Universal: Indigenous Peoples

That indigenous peoples, whose identity and very existence are threatened, will be shown due respect.

Evangelization: Latin America and the Caribbean

That the Church in Latin America and the Caribbean, by means of her mission to the continent, may announce the Gospel with renewed vigor and enthusiasm. 

August

Universal: Sports

That sports may be an opportunity for friendly encounters between peoples and may contribute to peace in the world.

Evangelization: Living the Gospel

That Christians may live the Gospel, giving witness to faith, honesty, and love of neighbor.

September

Universal: Centrality of the Human Person

That each may contribute to the common good and to the building of a society that places the human person at the center.

Evangelization: Mission to Evangelize

That by participating in the Sacraments and meditating on Scripture, Christians may become more aware of their mission to evangelize.

October

Universal: Journalists

That journalists, in carrying out their work, may always be motivated by respect for truth and a strong sense of ethics.

Evangelization: World Mission Day

That World Mission Day may renew within all Christian communities the joy of the Gospel and the responsibility to announce it.

November

Universal: Countries Receiving Refugees

That the countries which take in a great number of displaced persons and refugees may find support for their efforts which show solidarity. 

Evangelization: Collaboration of Priests and Laity

That within parishes, priests and lay people may collaborate in service to the community without giving in to the temptation of discouragement.

December

Universal: End to Child-Soldiers

That the scandal of child-soldiers may be eliminated the world over.

Evangelization: Europe

That the peoples of Europe may rediscover the beauty, goodness, and truth of the Gospel which gives joy and hope to life.