"Christ's Call to Be Courageous"

Here is an excerpt from Magnificat's Meditation of the Day,

"Christ's Call to Be Courageous"

(Friday, May 2, 2008):

"It takes courage simply to believe, and to go on believing, in a world that accepts only material, tangible, purely human values, and that has become allergic to the spiritual and the supernatural. To make the leap of faith, to throw oneself somehow wholly into the Word of the Lord, is the greatest risk and takes the greatest courage possible. It is no easier today than it was in the former times...It is an adventure like no other, to plunge into the mystery of faith, into the desert of interior solitude where only God sees us, and where he draws us in order to speak with us, when so many human voices deafen our ears, trying to hold us back.

It takes courage to build one's life on the unknown territory of God and to put one's hope in "things above, where the Risen Christ is seated," when so many interests, values, tasks, and needs compete for our attention here below...

It takes courage to articulate to others the truth of the faith that enlightens us, to profess the Credo which has been confided to us and to transmit it, whatever the divergent opinions raised up around us. Does it not take courage even to talk about the Lord in our daily conversations?

It takes courage to meet the small needs of every day, to carry out our simple and monotonous work, in a spirit of faith, and to be naive enough to believe that the light of the Lord penetrates even there, just as the light of the sun shines in our kitchen, our office.

It takes courage to carry on firmly and to persevere when storms arise and shake us up interiorly and exteriorly, when fidelity is shattered by the very ones who were consituted its guardians, and God seems to be silent, to the point where we perceive that the courage that remains to us unaccountably comes from his hand, discreetly sustaining us and preparing, in the midst of our trial, the flash of new light."

-Father Servais Pinckaers, O.P.

(Father Pinckaers is a professor emeritus of moral

theology at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland)

With Every Rejection, Is God's Protection

Yesterday a friend turned against me because of my faith.

I was trying to respectfully explain my beliefs to her, NOT impose or force my beliefs on her. She told me I was closed minded and that she's "heard enough." And just like that our friendship ended with a single worded text message, "BYE!"

I felt my heart sink. I asked God, "Why did I lose a friend over your Name? What did I do wrong?"

One of my coworkers saw the sadness in my face and asked what was troubling me. After I told her what happened, she told me something I will never forget:

"With every rejection, Is God's protection."

She was right. I've realized that God was indeed protecting me from negative people who will try to bring my spirit down. Those who disrespect my beliefs were not really my friends in the first place. I will still continue to keep them in my prayers.

Real friends accept each other no matter what. I love my friends for who they are regardless of their beliefs. I am blessed to have diverse friends because we RESPECT each other despite our differences. To all of my friends out there, thank you for being a true friend by accepting me for who I am.

Stating My Faith to Others Doesn't Make Me Close Minded

Hello everyone,

Thank you to all of those who have taken the time to visit my blog . I have been getting a lot a lot of supportive and positive responses. Thank you--I've really appreciate it.

However, I have also gotten a couple of responses that have criticized me for being "judgmental" and too "closed minded." The primary reason for starting this blog was to share my faith with others--not to scorn others who do not share the same beliefs. I did not start this blog to point a finger at anyone. I did not start this blog to say that Catholicism is better than any religion. That was not my intention at all!! I've started this blog to take account of my own spiritual journey in my chosen faith. I did not mean to rub my beliefs in anyone's faces. I am a firm believer of free-will--that God granted you the choice to believe in whatever you want to believe. I am only stating my own faith. I know that it is difficult to talk about religion in today's society...I used to be embarrassed to talk about my faith to anyone because I was afraid what others would say about me. Now I am accepting to all criticism and I pray that I will be able to defend my faith with patience and wisdom. I don't have all the answers. I really don't. I, too, have so many questions about my faith and I am determined to seek the answers! This is why I hope to grow everyday with my faith...to never stop reading God's Word and praying to Him.

Just because I openly state my faith, doesn't make me close-minded or "afraid to be a little adventurous." I have researched and read about other religions as well as conversed with many friends who range from Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, to atheist. Even my last relationship was with a Muslim. I am glad to have a diverse group of friends because they open my mind to their points of view. As I am striving to keep true to my faith, I am eager to learn about others.

I've realized that I can't express my faith without being criticized by others. I'm accepting to that. I am no longer afraid. The words of Christ have really encouraged me to be strong:

"...If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you....whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed but glorify God because of the name."
Peter 4: 13-16

Other people may try to bring me down and take me away from God. Call me a freak--I don't care. No matter how hard they can try, I will still stand tall and keep strong. I always like to sing Alicia Key's "NO ONE" as a song to God:

'"People keep talking
They can say what they like
But all I know is
Everything is gonna be alright
No one, no one, one
Can get in the way of what I feel for you!"

Prayer By Pope John Paul II- "An Offering of the Self"

"O Lord,
may my soul
be flooded with your light
and know you more and more profoundly!
Lord,
give me so much love,
love forever, serene and generous,
that I will be united with you always!
Lord,
let me serve you well,
on the pathways that you wish to open
to my existence here below."

-Pope John Paul II

(The photo above was taken during my visit to the Vatican in the Summer of 2004, a year before Pope John Paul II passed away. )

SCRC 37th Annual Catholic Renewal Convention

Thanks to my good friend Mayra, I have been informed of another Catholic convention! It is the Southern California Renewal Communities (SCRC) Catholic Renewal Convention, which will be held in the Anaheim on August 29-31, 2008.


Please visit http://www.scrc.org/ for more information.

I'm planning on going!

Magnificat Pilgrimage of Hope- Boston 2008

I just got an e-mail today that there will be a Magnificat Convention held in Boston on October 11-12, 2008. Below is more information:

Dear Friends, As you may know already, Magnificat will sponsor on 11 & 12 October 2008 a unique opportunity for everybody. The upcoming Magnificat Pilgrimage of Hope will afford the chance to discover the unfathomable riches of grace found in the prayer of the Church. As St Paul reminds us, an experience of grace-filled prayer transforms our lives. At this experience of renewal, which will take place at Boston’s newest convention center, you also will enjoy the opportunity to meet personally the Magnificat editors and contributing authors. During these two exceptional days, we will display the Magnificat way of life that comes each month in the publication many have become accustomed to welcome as a dear friend. In the name of all those associated with Magnificat, I ampleased to invite you to join us for the Pilgrimage of Hope. The Columbus Day weekend brings a burst of autumn colors. The reds and golds in nature remind us of the gifts of the Holy Spirit who is the source both of our personal spiritual renewal and of the sure promise of the new springtime in the Church in the United States. Sincerely yours in Christ, Rev. Daniel P. Barron, OMV Pilgrimage Director P.S.: Only a few days left to take advantage of the early registration discount, which expires May 1! Register now! WHEN Saturday, October 11, 2008 8:00 AM - Sunday, October 12, 2008 5:00 PM WHERE Boston Convention and Exhibition Center 415 Summer Street Boston, MA 02210

Click here for more information

Click here to register

Click Here to book the hotel

Our block of reserved hotel rooms is almost full. To guarantee your room in the Pilgrimage Hotel, book your room today.

Praying the Rosary- A Meditative Act

I admit I used to dread praying the rosary when I was younger. I thought it was the most boring act to repeat the same thing over and over. I just saw rosaries as nothing more than pretty beads with a crucifix. I just didn't get it.

Now I know that praying the rosary means so much more. It is a meditative act of praying. Not only do we honor our Virgin Mother Mary, we also honor the mysteries of Our Father and the Life of His Holy Son.

There are twenty mysteries in the rosary:

• The Joyful Mysteries:
• The Annunciation
• The Visitation
• The Nativity
• The Presentation
• The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
  
• The Luminous Mysteries:
• The Baptism of the Lord
• The Wedding of Cana
• The Proclamation of the Kingdom
• The Transfiguration
• The Instution of the Eucharist
  
• The Sorrowful Mysteries:
• The Agony in the Garden
• The Scourging At the Pillar
• The Crowning With Thorns
• The Carrying of the Cross
• The Crucifixication
• The Glorious Mysteries:
• The Resurrection
• The Ascension
• The Descent of the Holy Spirit
• The Assumption
• The Coronation

To Pray the Rosary:

1. Make the Sign of the Cross and say the "Apostles' Creed."
2. Say the "Our Father."
3. Say three "Hail Marys."
4. Say the "Glory be to the Father."
5. Announce the First Mystery; then say the "Our Father."
6. Say ten "Hail Marys," while meditating on the Mystery.
7. Say the "Glory be to the Father."
8. Announce the Second Mystery; then say the "Our Father." Repeat 6 and 7 and continue with Third, Fourth and Fifth Mysteries in the same manner.

After the Rosary:

HAIL, HOLY QUEEN, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!

V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. O GOD, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

After each decade say the following prayer requested by the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima: "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy."

As suggested by the Pope John Paul II, the Joyful mysteries are said on Monday and Saturday, the Luminous on Thursday, the Sorrowful on Tuesday and Friday, and the Glorious on Wednesday and Sunday (with this exception: Sundays of Christmas season - The Joyful; Sundays of Lent - Sorrowful)

(Source: http://www.rosary-center.org/howto.htm)

**Rosary picture from Handmaid For The Lord – www.handmaid-jewelry.com.