The Son of man is Lord of the Sabbath

What does the commandment "keep holy the Sabbath" require of us?

Or better yet, what is the primary intention behind this command? The religious leaders confronted Jesus on this issue. The "Sabbath rest" was meant to be a time to remember and celebrate God's goodness and the goodness of his work, both in creation and redemption. It was a day set apart for the praise of God, his work of creation, and his saving actions on our behalf. It was intended to bring everyday work to a halt and to provide needed rest and refreshment. Jesus' disciples are scolded by the scribes and Pharisees, not for plucking and eating corn from the fields, but for doing so on the Sabbath. In defending his disciples, Jesus argues from the scriptures that human need has precedence over ritual custom.

When David and his men were fleeing for their lives, they sought food from Ahimelech the priest (1 Samuel 21:1-6). The only bread he had was the holy bread offered in the Temple. None but the priests were allowed to eat it. In their hunger, David and his men ate of this bread. Jesus reminds the Pharisees that the Sabbath was given for our benefit, to refresh and renew us in living for God. It was intended for good and not for evil. Withholding mercy and kindness in response to human need was not part of God’s intention that we rest from unnecessary labor. Do you honor the Lord in the way you treat your neighbor and celebrate the Lord's Day?

Lord Jesus, may I give you fitting honor in the way I live my life and in the way I treat my neighbor. May I honor the Lord's Day as a day holy to you. And may I always treat others with the same mercy and kindness which you have shown to me. Free me from a critical and intolerant spirit that I may always seek the good of my neighbor.

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 

hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East

Good night prayer to Guardian Angel

Good night, my Guardian Angel,

The day has sped away, Well spent or ill,

its story is written down for aye.

And now, of God's kind Providence,

Thou image pure and bright,

Watch over me while l'm sleeping.

My Angel dear.... Good night. Amen.

Jesus is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament the Sacred Host

"Jesus has remained in the Sacred Host for us! So as to stay by our side, to sustain us, to guide us. And love can only be repaid with love."

"How could we not turn to the Blessed Sacrament each day, even if it is only for a few minutes, to bring him our greetings and our love as children and as brothers? "

~ St Josemaria Escriva ~

Forgive us Lord

Teach us to have an authentic desire to serve you. Send your HOLY SPIRIT and form us to be like your faithful servants. Stay with us and Protect us from every evil, teach us to sober-minded as St.Peter shared in...

1 Peter 5:8 "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

Keep us always in your loving arms. Amen.

It is so hard ....

Thank you Lord for everything

Read this in silence!.. 

Thank you Lord for everything.

Forgive me of all of my sins. 

Heal me from the hurts from my past.

I love You and need You! 

Cover me with Your precious and Holy Blood, 

my family, my friends, my life projects. 

Give me Your dreams Lord. 

Bless and protect everyone that seeks You, 

needs You and believes in You. 

If you love God 

and you are not ashamed of Him, 

share or post this for a day 

and you will see what He will do. 

THANK YOU LORD.

First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

“In the excess of the mercy of my Heart, I promise you that my all powerful love will grant to all those who will receive Communion on the First Fridays, 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.” 

ACT OF REPARATION 

TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS 

Sacred Heart of Jesus, animated with a desire to repair the outrages unceasingly offered to Thee, we prostrate before Thy throne of mercy, and in the name of all mankind, pledge our love and fidelity to Thee! The more Thy mysteries are blasphemed, the more firmly we shall believe them, O Sacred Heart of Jesus! The more impiety endeavours to extinguish our hopes of immortality, the more we shall trust in Thy Heart, sole hope of mankind! The more hearts resist Thy Divine attractions, the more we shall love Thee, O infinitely amiable Heart of Jesus! The more unbelief attacks Thy Divinity, the more humbly and profoundly we shall adore It, O Divine Heart of Jesus! The more Thy holy laws are transgressed and ignored, the more we shall delight to observe them, O most holy Heart of Jesus! The more Thy Sacraments are despised and abandoned, the more frequently we shall receive them with love and reverence, O most liberal Heart of Jesus! The more the imitation of Thy virtues is neglected and forgotten, the more we shall endeavour to practice them, O Heart of Jesus, model of every virtue! The more the devil labours to destroy souls, the more we shall be inflamed with desire to save them, O Heart of Jesus, zealous Lover of souls! The more sin and impurity destroy the image of God in man, the more we shall try by purity of life to be a living temple of the Holy Spirit, O Heart of Jesus! The more Thy Holy Church is despised, the more we shall endeavour to be her faithful children, O Sweet Heart of Jesus! The more Thy Vicar on earth is persecuted, the more we will honour him as the infallible head of Thy Holy Church, show our fidelity and pray for him, O kingly Heart of Jesus! O Sacred Heart, through Thy powerful grace, may we become Thy apostles in the midst of a corrupted world, and be Thy crown in the kingdom of heaven. Amen.

Make the Choice ~ Key to your Life

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, be like the Magi ~ January 6, 2019

On this feast of Epiphany, the Church celebrates today is the manifestation of our Lord Jesus to the whole world, after being made known to the shepherds of Bethlehem. He is revealed to the Magi who have come from the East to adore Him. Jesus is revealed as God. Jesus comes as a baby born of Mary, we rejoice that Christ is born, King of the Jews and King of all who seek salvation. The Epiphany experience reveals to us that God exists and God seeks us actively to draw us into union with Him.

The Magi “talk little and journey much,” and once they arrive at the manger they gave gifts, imitating Jesus who came to the world to offer His life. “To give freely, for the Lord’s sake, without expecting anything in return: this is the sure sign that we have found Jesus, to do good without counting the cost, even when unasked, even when you gain nothing thereby, even if it is unpleasant. That is what God wants.” ~ Pope Francis

Several moments in Christ’s early life and ministry have been celebrated as “epiphanies,” including his birth in Bethlehem, the visit of the Magi, his baptism by John, and his first miracle at Cana.

Gospel

Matthew 2:1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,

in the days of King Herod, 

behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 

"Where is the newborn king of the Jews?

We saw his star at its rising

and have come to do him homage."

When King Herod heard this,

he was greatly troubled, 

and all Jerusalem with him.

Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, 

He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, 

for thus it has been written through the prophet:

And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

since from you shall come a ruler,

who is to shepherd my people Israel."

Then Herod called the magi secretly 

and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance.

He sent them to Bethlehem and said, 

"Go and search diligently for the child.

When you have found him, bring me word, 

that I too may go and do him homage."

After their audience with the king they set out.

And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, 

until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.

They were overjoyed at seeing the star, 

and on entering the house

they saw the child with Mary his mother.

They prostrated themselves and did him homage.

Then they opened their treasures 

and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, 

they departed for their country by another way.

Abbreviations of the Books of the Bible

OLD TESTAMENT 

Amos Am 

Baruch Bar

1 Chronicles 1 Chr

2 Chronicles 2 Chr 

Daniel Dn

Deuteronomy Dt

Ecclesiastes Eccl

Esther Est

Exodus Ex

Ezra Ezr

Ezekiel Ez

Genesis Gn

Habakkuk Hb

Haggai Hg

Hosea Hos

Isaiah Is

Jeremiah Jer

Job Jb

Joel Jl

Jonah Jon

Joshua Jos 

Judges Jgs 

Judith Jdt 

1 Kings 1 Kgs 

2 Kings 2 Kgs

Lamentations Lam

Leviticus Lv

1 Maccabees 1 Mc

2 Maccabees 2 Mc

Malachi Mal

Micah Mi

Nahum Na

Nehemiah Neh

Numbers Nm

Obadiah Ob

Proverbs Prv

Psalm(s) Ps(s)

Ruth Ru

1 Samuel 1 Sm

2 Samuel 2 Sm

Sirach Sir

Song of Songs Sg

Tobit Tb

Wisdom Wis

Zechariah Zec

Zephaniah Zep

NEW TESTAMENT 

Acts of the Apostles Acts 

Colossians Col 

1 Corinthians 1 Cor

2 Corinthians 2 Cor

Ephesians Eph 

Galatians Gal 

Hebrews Heb

James Jas 

John (Gospel) Jn 

1 John 1 Jn

2 John 2 Jn

3 John 3 Jn

Jude Jude 

Luke Lk

Mark Mk

Matthew Mt

1 Peter 1 Pt

2 Peter 2 Pt

Philemon Phlm

Philippians Phil

Revelation Rv

Romans Rom

1 Thessalonians 1 Thes

2 Thessalonians 2 Thes

1 Timothy 1 Tm

2 Timothy 2 Tm

Titus Ti

HELP ME LORD!!!! I hope in You Lord and I know You will make a way for me soon

Help me Lord, I need Your merciful miracle, I am in real desperate and urgent situation, but I have not given up. My faith, trust and hope is in You alone my Lord God and Saviour, because I know Lord You are always by my side and Your timing is always perfect. Each and everyday, even in this lowest situation Lord I thank You for everything. I may not see Your blessing but I know Lord You work in mysterious ways which is incomprehensible by me. I am confident Lord that You will make a way for me soon, In Jesus name I pray, trust and hope in You my God.

Advent a time to prepare, reflect and anticipate for the coming of Christ our Saviour, Lord and King

Reflecting Christ’s presence in our lives, as we think about His being born in a manger in Bethlehem to redeem us from our sins so that we may share Eternal Life with Him in Heaven!

Mary and Joseph believed and were able to feel the joy of holding baby Jesus in their arms. The shepherds and wise men believed the angles and the signs and experienced the great gladness of worshipping their Messiah. Those who knew him and recognised him were overjoyed at the coming of Jesus.

The Second Coming reminds us of the timelessness of God’s love, and of the importance of showing others His love in our thoughts, words, and actions. Christ’s love is with us always and He’s counting on us to share it with others!

Hear my cry for Your merciful help O'Lord, I have not doubted You and I thank You for everything everyday

Thank you God for everything, everything in my life is a blessing from you. I am now unable to handle things on my own as financial commitments and debts are have overwhelm me. At times I have no money to even meet my basic daily necessities like even fuel for my car, the situation I am in is almost out of my control. You are my Lord, God and Savior only You can do the impossible, without You I am nothing. All I have is from You, all I am is because of my own faults and all I am going to be depends on You infinite mercy and goodness Lord. Please hear me Lord, as I call upon You in this desperate times and help me. Lord I know that I am a sinner and it is unworthy for You to enter under my roof, but I truly believe and trust that You only have to say the word and I will be healed from my misery. You have said your word does return to You void as in Isaiah 55:11, “so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth, it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” Make a way Lord and provided for to overcome these debts so that my life will change, I will repent and as You have helped me, I too will be a help to others and the needy. Lord I make this pray through Your son JESUS CHRIST. Amen.

He is Elijah who is to come

Who is the greatest in the kingdom of God?

Jesus praised John the Baptist as the greatest person born. Who can top that as a compliment? But in the same breath Jesus says that the least in the kingdom of God is even greater than John! That sounds like a contradiction, right? Unless you understand that what Jesus was about to accomplish for our sake would supersede all that the prophets had done and foreseen. 

"Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel"

The prophet Isaiah proclaimed to the forsaken and dispersed people of Israel some 700 years before the birth of Christ that "your Redeemer - the Holy One of Israel" would come to restore his people and to make all things new (Isaiah 41:14ff). When the Messiah and Redeemer of Israel did appear John the Baptist announced his arrival. He fulfilled the essential task of all the prophets - to be fingers pointing to Jesus Christ, God's Anointed Son and Messiah. John proclaimed Jesus' mission at the Jordan River when he exclaimed, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world" (John 1:29). John saw from a distance what Jesus would accomplish through his death on the cross - our redemption from bondage to sin and death and our adoption as sons and daughters of God and citizens of the kingdom of heaven. 

The spirit of Elijah is sent in advance through John's words 

John the Baptist bridges the Old and New Testaments. He is the last of the Old Testament prophets who point the way to the Messiah. He is the first of the New Testament witnesses and martyrs. He is the herald who prepares the way for Jesus the Messiah. Jesus confirms that John has fulfilled the promise that Elijah would return to herald the coming of the Messiah (Malachi 4:5). Jesus declares that John is nothing less that the great herald whose privilege it was to announce the coming of the Redeemer - the Holy One of Israel.

Jesus equates the coming of the kingdom of heaven with violence (Matthew 11:12). John himself suffered violence for announcing that the kingdom of God was near. He was thrown into prison and then beheaded. Since John's martyrdom to the present times the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence and persecution at the hands of violent men. The blood of the martyrs throughout the ages bear witness to this fact. The martyrs witness to the truth - the truth and love of Jesus Christ who shed his blood to redeem us from slavery to sin and Satan and the fear of death. The Lord Jesus gives us the power of his Holy Spirit to overcome fear with faith, despair with hope, and every form of hatred, violence, jealousy, and prejudice with love and charity towards all - even those who seek to destroy and kill. 

We proclaim the joy of the Gospel of Christ even in the midst of suffering and violence 

God may call some of us to be martyrs for our faith in Jesus Christ. But for most of us our call is to be dry martyrs who bear testimony to the joy of the Gospel in the midst of daily challenges, contradictions, temptations and adversities which come our way as we follow the Lord Jesus. What attracts others to the Gospel of Jesus Christ? When they see Christians loving their enemies, being joyful in suffering, patient in adversity, pardoning injuries, and showing comfort and compassion to the hopeless and the helpless. Jesus tells us that we do not need to fear our adversaries. He will fill us with the power of his Holy Spirit and give us sufficient grace, strength, and wisdom to face any trial and to answer any challenge to our faith. Are you eager to witness to the joy and freedom of the Gospel?

Lord Jesus, by your cross you have redeemed the world. Fill me with joy and confidence and make me a bold witness of your saving truth that others may know the joy and freedom of the Gospel of your kingdom of peace and righteousness.

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 

hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East

Persevere, God knows....

Persevere 

even if no one appreciates 

what you are doing 

for GOD.

According to Your Faith

According to your Faith be it done to you.

(Matthew 9:29)

A lot of times when people have a need, they think that if God wanted to, He would just automatically meet it. But Jesus didn’t say, according to your need be it unto you; He said, according to your faith. That’s why it’s so important to have an attitude of expectancy every single day. If we want God to move in our lives, we have to approach every day filled with faith and hope. Scripture tells us in Romans that “faith comes by hearing the Word of God.” The more you meditate on the Word of God, the more your faith will grow and the more you will see Him working in your life. Remember, God longs to bless you, and He’s given you everything you need to be successful in life. All things are possible to those who believe! Believe in His goodness today, believe His Word, and according to your faith, be it done for you! 

Prayer 

Father, thank You for Your hand of blessing in my life today. I open my heart to You and trust that You have a good plan for me. Give me a heart filled with faith and hope to believe for every promise You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Man, the Wife, the Donkey and the Critics

So Very True.

This is the LORD - we have waited for him

What sign does God give his people that the promised Messiah, God's Anointed Son, will come to bring his heavenly peace and blessing and kingdom power to overcome the power of sin and oppression? 

In Jesus's time the people were in eager expectation that the Messiah would come soon. The prophets foretold that he would come in the power of Elijah and would perform mighty signs like Moses did when he delivered his people from slavery in Egypt. Some 700 years before Jesus came, Isaiah had prophesied that God would provide a heavenly banquet for all peoples and would destroy death once and for all (Isaiah 25:6-8). Jesus, God's Anointed Son, came to fulfill that promise. 

Signs of the coming of God's kingdom of grace and power 

Jesus' miracles are both a sign of the coming of God's kingdom and a demonstration of God's power to deliver his people from slavery to sin and Satan's oppressive rule. Jesus' miracles also showed the magnitude of God's mercy.

When the disciples were confronted by Jesus with the task of feeding four thousand people many miles away from any source of food, they exclaimed: Where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them (Matthew 15:33) ? The Israelites were confronted with the same dilemma when they fled Egypt and found themselves in a barren wilderness. Like the miraculous provision of manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4, 15; Psalm 78:24-25), Jesus, himself provides bread in abundance for the hungry crowd who came out into the desert to seek him. The Gospel records that all were satisfied and they took up what was leftover. 

Jesus nourishes us with the true bread of heaven 

In the multiplication of the loaves and fishes we see a sign and a symbol of what God always does. God knows our needs and he cares. When God gives, he gives in abundance. The Gospel account records that the leftovers from the miraculous meal was more than seven times the amount they began with. Seven is a symbol of completion and wholeness. When God gives, he gives until we are satisfied. When God works for his people he gives abundantly - more than we could deserve and more than we need. He nourishes us with his life-giving word and with the bread of heaven. In the kingdom of heaven God will feast us at his banquet table. Are you satisfied with God's provision for you? And do you long with expectant hope for the coming of his kingdom in all its fullness?

Lord Jesus, you alone can satisfy the longing and hunger in our hearts. May I thirst for your kingdom and find joy in your presence. Give me the true bread of heaven and nourish me with your life-giving word.

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 

hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East

The unpleasing ways to God on how the consecrated host, the Holy Eucharist is handled by humans

SACRILEGE 

"My Son is not pleased with the manner in which His Body and Blood is being given to all of the humans upon earth. "Communion in the hand has not been, and will not be accepted by Heaven. This is a sacrilege in the eyes of the Eternal Father, and must not be continued, for you only add to your punishment when you continue on in the ways that have been found to be unpleasing to the Eternal Father." 

- Our Lady, June 30, 1984

SOILED HANDS 

"No soiled hands can touch My Son's Body. Only God can purify the hands." 

- Our Lady, September 7, 1970 

UNCLEAN HANDS

"Look, my child, upon the abominations that have fallen into the cup. Unclean hands shall stain the Body of your Creator." 

- St. Michael, September 28, 1973

PURIFIED FINGERS 

"We ask and repeat that no one handle in unconsecrated hands the Body of My Son! It will be defiled and discarded, unless only a legally-ordained priest, a man of God, with purified fingers of the Holy Spirit, give the Body and Blood of My Son to each one under his care." 

- Our Lady, September 6, 1975 

GREATEST SORROW 

"The greatest sorrow that smites My Heart, My children, is the desecration to My Son's Body. These abominable acts are being committed by His own in His houses, His churches upon earth. "I repeat again that none shall bring the sacred Body of My Son, His Body and Blood, to another but a legally-ordained priest with consecrated hands. I say, My children, consecrated hands, blessed hands, washed clean by the Holy Spirit! No man shall render excuses for defilement of My Son's Body."

- Our Lady, May 14, 1977

Prayer to Mother of Perpetual Help

Oh Mother of Perpetual Help, grant that I may ever invoke your powerful name, the protection of the living and the salvation of the dying. Purest Mary, let your name henceforth be ever on my lips. Delay not, Blessed Lady, to rescue me whenever I call on you. In my temptations, in my needs, I will never cease to call on you, ever repeating your sacred name, Mary, Mary.

What a consolation, what sweetness, what confidence fills my soul when I utter your sacred name or even only think of you! I thank the Lord for having given you so sweet, so powerful, so lovely a name. But I will not be content with merely uttering your name. Let my love for you prompt me ever to hail you Mother of Perpetual Help.

Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for me and grant me the favour I confidently ask of you. 

(Then say three Hail Mary's)