Charting Your Courage

♥ Courage ♥
~ 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 ~


When it comes to courage you cannot chart it. When it is displayed, a person is seen as a hero, when it is missing, a person is called a coward. Men and women today must find courage to speak their convictions, to stand for what is right and to abide by godly principles. Individuals who are courageous often pay a price for their courage. But real courage does not consider the cost ---- it only considers the rightness of the action that must be taken.♥

Journey's Uncertainties

Any journey can wear us out. We usually start with the enthusiasm that naturally rises at the time of new beginnings, but after some time, we find ourselves running of energy. We face not only the external obstacles to our progress, but also our own human limitations, including problems that never occurred to us in the beginning ---- disappointment, boredom, bitterness, and conflicts with fellow travelers. We may even begin to wonder why we are on the journey in the first place, and whether we should bother to continue. Such experiences are part of the journey of the "Advent" season, and of the whole spiritual life as well. Advent give us precious words of encouragement, reminding us of the true source of our strength for the journey of life.♥

Second Best

♥ The Least is the Greatest ♥
~ Matthew 11:2-11 ~

Leonard Bernstein, a celebrated orchestra conductor once asked, what was the hardest instrument to play. He replied without hesitation : "Second fiddle. I can always get plenty of first violinist, but to find one who plays second violin with as much enthusiasm, or second French horn or second flute, now that's a problem. And yet if no one plays second, we have no harmony."♥

Humble and Obedience

♥ Humble and Obedience ♥
~ Matthew 21:28-32 ~

While Michaelangelo was finishing the tomb of Julius II, he directed a marble hewer in hewing a figure, saying to him : "Cut away, this today," "Level that," ""Polish here." When it was finished, the man gazed at it marveling ---- and Michaelangelo said : "What do you think of it?" "I think it's fine," "and I am much obliged to you." "Why so?" asked Michaelangelo. "Because by your means I have discovered a talent that I did know I possessed." In reply to the remark that Sparta's safety lay in her kings knowing how to rule, King Theopompous (770-724 B.C.) stated, "Nay, rather in their citizens knowing how to obey."♥

~ Edward Latham ~

Advent

Advent is a season for learning how to desire in a way that leads to deeper life. The Indian writer Rabindranath Tagore gave a beautiful expression to this in Gitanjali :

"In one salutation to thee, my God, let all my senses spread out and touch his world at thy feet . . . . "

"Let all my songs gather together their diverse strains into a single current and flow to a sea of silence in one salutation of thee."

"Like a flock of homesick cranes flying night and day back to their mountain nests, let all my life takes its voyage to its eternal home in one salutation to thee."♥

Preparedness

We tend to think of Advent as a limited period of preparation ---- it is already more than half over. Then we move on to Christmas, whether we are ready or not. But God does not limit his efforts to prepare us. His patience is boundless. He wants us to share his own life and joy, overflowing like a river, or like the waves of the sea. He continually points out to us what is for our own good ---- "I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is good for you ---- I lead you in the way that you must go." He is still teaching us and leading us. His commandments are still our sure guidelines to a joyful and fruitful life. However, we have a tendency to resist being told what to do, even we know it is for our own good. This is one characteristic of immaturity. We see this tendency in young children, who can sometimes stubbornly refuse to obey, regardless of the consequences. Even when the parents change their tactics, and offer rewards for good behavior rather than punishment for bad, sometimes children simply get caught in the pleasure of exercising their own will ---- they grow enamored with saying,"No!" Jesus has an entirely realistic understanding of children, with all their beautiful qualities, and all their self-centered tendencies. The Lord is simply revealing something that parents often realize : that when we observe our children, we have an opportunity to see a simplified version of how we ourselves behave, both good and bad. He is giving us a way to examine ourselves, so that we will take steps to grow out of our 'childish' ways and grow into the genuine 'childlike' spirit of the saints. One of the tactics of children is name-calling. It is a way to reject and belittle a person we dislike. We adults do it too, but more subtly. The same tactic is common today. For example, those who reject the Church's moral authority or the primacy of the Holy Father might say, "What can a bunch of old bachelors teach me about se.?" or "Why should I follow some old guy in Rome?" Childish remarks like these show that the speakers are no different from the children of Capernaum taunting each other in the market place. By rejecting their teachers, they ended up rejecting the wisdom being taught them. Childish complaining and quarreling are not fruitful ways to prepare for the coming of the Lord ! The wise man is the one "whose delight is the law of the Lord and who ponders his law day and night."♥

P.S.
R.H. Bill on its Third Reading.

Just Be Kind

Jesus predicted his suffering, to prepare his disciples for the shock. But otherwise he never talked or complained about it. When you talk about your suffering you are creating a distance between it and you ---- you are not "suffering" your suffering ("to suffer" originally meant "to allow"). It cannot work its chemistry in you if you do not let it come near ---- in fact, nearer than near. You have to become one with it. When you are one with it, there is no distance and therefore no talk. With so many gods, so many creeds, so many paths, that wind and wind, what the world's need, is just the art of being, kind ---- is all the sad world needs.♥

P.S.
Sandy Hook shooting was beyond definition, whatever - whoever - whenever - wherever - however, one thing is sure though, it leaves a permanent void in the hearts of those left behind ---- mine and . . . . ♥

Pressure and Beauty

In life we see pressure and beauty, it's out there ---- everywhere ---- it lies in every little thing within us. Around the great issues of life there is quietness. Silence characterizes the highest in art, and the deepest in nature. The surest spiritual search is made in silence. Moses learned in Midian, and Paul in Arabia what would have eluded them in the busy haunts men. Silence reaches beyond words. The highest point in drama is silence. The most valid emotions do not cry aloud. The most effective reproof is not a tongue lashing. The most poignant grief is not expressed in loud shrieking. The sincerest sympathy is not noisy. The best preparation for an emergency is quietness. The best proof of greatness is silence. The great engine is almost noiseless, but the cheap model is a "rattletrap." The best proof of confidence is silence. The man who is confident of his position does not strive nor cry aloud, nor try to explain everything. "In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength."♥

Thank You

♥ Give Thanks ♥
~ Romans 1:21 ~

The note to the dentist, written in a child's hand, read, "Dear Dr., Thank you very much for the retainer. My dad told me how thankful I should be and I am. I did not really want a retainer, but I know it will help me and make my teeth grow straight. My dad told me to take very good care of it. This is the biggest gift I have ever got, and it probably will be the biggest gift I ever do get. Love, ----" (love, love, love). Often we are grateful but don't take time to express our gratitude. Perhaps we just assume that someone knows we appreciate what he or she did, so we don't make the effort to write a note or make a phone call or say thanks in person. To whom do you owe gratitude ---- ? No one is self made. You are where you are now because someone, somewhere, helped you along the way. "In everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."♥

Open Up Your Hearts

♥ Rejoice in the Lord always ! I say it again : Rejoice ! ♥
~ Philippians 4:4 ~

The Lord longs to dwell among us so he can renew our hearts with his love. Let us open our hearts and rejoice. The liturgy of Advent, filled with constant allusions to the joyful expectation of the Messiah, helps us to understand the fullness of the value and meaning of the mystery of Christmas. It is not just about commemorating the historical event, which occurred some 2000 years ago in a little village of Judea. Instead, we must understand that our whole life should be an "advent," in vigilant expectation of Christ's final coming. To prepare our hearts to welcome the Lord who, as we say in the Creed, will come one day to judge the living and the dead, we must learn to recognize his presence in the events of daily life. Advent is then a period of intense training that directs us decisively to the One who has already come, who will come and who continuously comes. All my best wishes for the coming celebration of Christmas.♥

Merry Christmas !

Christmas For All 'Seasons'

It is beautiful to meet old people whose spirit has not been soured by life. There is such emphasis on childhood at Christmas that we need to balance by looking out for the old : Old age is honorable ! Mia♥ 


A Viral Advent

WARNING . . . . WARNING : ADVENT VIRUS

Be on the alert for symptoms of inner Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. The hearts of a great many have already been exposed to this virus and it is possible that people everywhere could come down with it in epidemic proportions. This could pose a serious threat to what has, up to now, been a fairly stable condition of conflict in the world.

Signs and Symptoms of The Advent Virus :

* A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences.
* An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
* A loss of interest in judging other people.
* A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
* A loss of interest in conflict.
* A loss of the ability to worry. (This is a very serious symptom =). )
* Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
* Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
* Frequent attacks of smiling.
* An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.
* An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.
* Please send this warning out to all your friends. This virus can and has affected many systems. Some systems have been completely cleaned out because of it.♥

~ Author Unknown To Me , Merry Christmas ! ~

December's Weather

As we struggle with shopping lists and invitations, compounded by December’s bad weather, it is good to be reminded that there are people in our lives who are worth this aggravation, and people to whom we are worth the same.

~ Donald E. Westlake ~


We cannot know the grief 
That men may borrow ----
We cannot see the souls
Storm - swept by sorrow ----
But love can shine upon the way
Today, tomorrow----
Let us be kind.
Upon the wheel of pain so many weary lives are broken,
So may our love with tender words be spoken.
Let us be kind.♥

Memory Awakens Hope

Memory Awakens Hope

"Advent is concerned with that very connection between memory and hope which is so necessary to man. Advent’s intention is to awaken the most profound and basic emotional memory within us, namely, the memory of the God who became a child. This is a healing memory; it brings hope. The purpose of the Church’s year is continually to rehearse her great history of memories, to awaken the heart’s memory so that it can discern the star of hope . . . .

It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open doors of hope."♥

~ Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI ~

It's A Wonderful Life

It's A Wonderful Life - Merry Christmas !

"Life is a constant Advent season : we are continually waiting to become, to discover, to complete, to fulfill. Hope, struggle, fear, expectation and fulfillment are all part of our Advent experience.

"The world is not as just, not as loving, not as whole as we know it can and should be. But the coming of Christ and his presence among us ---- as one of us ---- give us reason to live in hope : that light will shatter the darkness, that we can be liberated from our fears and prejudices, that we are never alone or abandoned.

"May this Advent season be a time for bringing hope, transformation and fulfillment into the Advent of our lives."♥

Annunciation

"Rejoice full of grace, the Lord is with you." "I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said."

Someone said it was the most beautiful told story in all literature. Perhaps for that reason, it is also one of the most often represented in Christian art, notably by Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli and Grunewald. In fact, there is a legend that Luke himself was a painter. The scene itself is the perfect image of listening to the Word of God. Mary listens with her whole being. She is an image of the Church. This is how the Church is to listen for God's word.♥

Christmas Thoughts and Prayers

Christmas Thoughts and Prayers . . . .

It’s sharing your gifts, not purchasing gifts ----
It’s not wrapping presents, its being present
and wrapping your arms around the ones you love ----
It’s not getting Christmas cards out on time,
It’s sending any card, anytime, at the right time ----
It’s not having the biggest and best Christmas light display,
It’s displaying the Christ light that comes from your heart ----
It’s not Santa coming down the chimney,
It’s Jesus coming down from heaven,
and giving us the gift of eternal life.
May the forgiving spirit of Him to whom we dedicate this season prevail again on earth.
May hunger disappear and terrorists cease their senseless acts.
May people live in freedom, worshiping as they see fit, loving others.
May the sanctity of the home be ever preserved.
May peace, everlasting peace, reign supreme.♥

Christmas

Christmas Is . . . .

*a gift of love wrapped in human flesh and tied securely with the strong promises of God.
* angelic music in the form of a carol and oratorio with a celestial descant.
*"glory to God," "good will to man," and "joy to the world."
* a man on duty tending sheep, or machine, who senses the upward call and stops to worship.
*a tall green tree which serves as festive altar for any household which discovers the true meaning behind it all.
* a ringing bell calling a distraught humanity to gladness and hope.
*a glowing hearth gently placed in the winter of man's loneliness.
*an altar to which man can bring his heartache for comfort, his 'lostness' for guidance, and his sin for forgiveness.
* the sparkle of anticipation and the steady light of faith in the eyes of a little child as he hears the old, old story.
*the shining star of hope in the sky of all mankind.
*more than words can tell, for it is a matter for the heart to receive, believe and understand.
*me, you and Jesus.♥

A Corinthians Christmas Love

♥ 1 Corinthians 13 – A Christmas Version ♥ 

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

Merry Christmas and lots of love to you and yours ! ♥

Life Is "Ever Green"

♥ Message of the Christmas Tree : Life Is "Ever Green" ♥

The traditional "Christmas tree" is a very ancient custom which exalts the value of life, as in winter the evergreen becomes a sign of undying life. In general, the tree is decorated and Christmas gifts are placed under it. The symbol is also eloquent from a typically Christian point of view: It reminds us of the "tree of life" ( Genesis 2:9), representation of Christ, God’s supreme gift to humanity.

The message of the Christmas tree, therefore, is that life is "ever green" if one gives : not so much material things, but of oneself : in friendship and sincere affection, and fraternal help and forgiveness, in shared time and reciprocal listening.♥

~ Blessed John Paul II ~

Give Love

We are called to be witnesses of God’s by the love we extend to others ---- precursors of his justice by our unfailing commitment to what is right and good ---- lamps reflecting the light of God’s Christ in our forgiveness, mercy and compassion ---- harvesters of souls through our humble and dedication to service.♥

Gift of Wonder

Gift of Wonder♥

"Each year, God asks us to shed one more coat of awareness, one more dream state and come alive to the vision of God’s plan for each of us and the world-at-large."

"The older we get, the harder this is to do. As children we had a sense of wonder. Our eyes were wide open and drinking in the fascinating gifts we beheld . . . . Our thirsty souls could not have enough of the wonders of creation."

"Then, somehow, we grew too old to dream. We tired of the abundance of the world, or at least grew weary of keeping up with the feast of life, and stepped away from the banquet of life."

"The natural gift of wonder God gave us as children was meant to be kept alive . . . . Instead we let wonder go to sleep. We entered the typical dream state of most humans."

"Why else does Jesus tell us today, ‘Stay awake !’ . . . . Advent says, ‘Wake up and realize the gifts of love you have received.’"

". . . . Psychology says, ‘Let go.’ Spirituality says, ‘Wake up.’ In both cases there is a withdrawal from the busyness of daily life (our dream state) and a waking up to the subconscious and spiritual depths of ourselves."♥

~ Alfred McBride ~

Merry Christmas !♥

Wonderful Counselor

♥ The Ten Wonders of Christmas ♥

Almost over 365 names are found in the Bible referring to Jesus Christ, but none is lovelier than the one in Isaiah 9:6 ---- ". . . . His name, And he will be called
Wonderful . . . . "

First, there is the wonder of His birth.
Second, there is the wonder of His condensation.
Third, is the wonder of His character.
Fourth, is the wonder of His person.
Fifth, is the wonder of His words.
Sixth, is the wonder of His works.
Seventh, is the wonder of His death.
Eight, is the wonder of His resurrection.
Ninth, is the wonder of His coming.
Tenth, is the wonder of His saving power.

"A hollowed day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, worship the Lord, for today a great light has shown upon upon the earth."♥

Greatest Gift

A child is born to us . . . . We welcome you with joy, Almighty Lord of heaven and earth, who out of Love became a Child. We welcome you with gratitude, new Light rising in the night of the world. We welcome you as our brother, the "Prince of Peace." Fill us with your gifts, you who did not hesitate to begin human life like us. Night of Joy and Peace. Venite, adoremus !♥