"I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and the earth." - Genesis 9:13 Witness God's covenant with us through this beautiful hymn and accompanying lyrics. COVENANT HYMN LYRICS (by Rory Cooney) Wherever you go, I will follow, Wherever you live is my home. Though days be of blessing or sorrow, Though house be of canvas or stone, Though Eden be lost to the past, Though mountains before us be vast, Wherever you go, I am with you. I never will leave you alone. Whatever you dream, I am with you, When stars call your name in the night. Though shadows and mist cloud the future, Together we bear there a light. Like Abram and Sarah we stand, With only a promise in hand. But lead where you dream: I will follow. To dream with you is my delight. And though you should fall, you will find me, When no other friend can you claim, When foes beat you down or betray you, And others desert you in shame. When home and dreams aren’t enough, And you run away from my love, I’ll raise you from where you have fallen. "Faithful to you" is my name. Wherever you die, I will be there To sing you to sleep with a psalm, To soothe you with tales of our journey, Your fears and your doubts I will calm. We’ll live when journeys are done Forever in mem’ry as one. And we will be buried together, And waken to greet a new dawn. Wherever you go, I will follow. Behold! The horizon shines clear. The possible gleams like a city: Together we’ve nothing to fear. So speak with words bold and true The message my heart speaks to you. You won’t be alone, I have promised. Wherever you go, I am here. Copyright © 1992 GIA Publications. All rights reserved. Photo by Mateus Campos Felipe on Unsplash TAGS: Reflection The lake was so calm. The wind was so still. There wasn't a ripple in the water. "Smooth as glass" we call it.
With all the turmoil, stress and anxiety in our life and throughout the world, it's no wonder that we find it difficult to feel much serenity and peace. It's time to take charge of your emotional and spiritual life again. Find an outlet to let your mind roam free: a stroll in the park, a bicycle ride, a slow rowboat cruise with nature. It's time to let your feelings run "smooth as glass." "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference, living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; taking this world as it is and not as I would have it; trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will; so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen." − Reinhold Niebuhr TAGS: Prayer, Reflection "This was to fulfill what he had said, 'I have not lost any of those you gave me.'” - John 18:9
Have you found yourself in a situation where you are just lost? You made a wrong turn and you end up on a strange road. You made a decision and it ends up being a disastrous choice. You tell a "white lie" and you end up in an uncomfortable predicament. Sometimes things just don't go right and we feel like a fish (or a turtle) out of water. Fortunately, we have faith in a God who sets us back on the right path and places us again in our "comfort zone." But sometimes things just don't go right and end up being a blessing in disguise. You made a wrong turn and you end up on a road where you run into a very dear friend that you haven't seen in years. You made a decision and you end up finding the best job ever where you meet the love of your life. You tell a "white lie" and you end up receiving God's mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Whether you are lost and found, or lost and blessed, God is always there and you will never be truly lost. Thank you, God, for never allowing me to be lost for I am forever in the arms of Jesus. Amen. TAGS: Prayer, Reflection Every time we profess our faith, we declare that “Jesus suffered, died, and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead.” On Good Friday, we commemorated Jesus’ death and burial. On Holy Saturday, we recalled his descent into hell. And on Easter Sunday, the third day, we joyfully celebrate Jesus’ resurrection.
There is always a “third day”. This is what Easter Sunday reminds us. There is always a resurrection. The story of Jesus did not end on Good Friday when he died on the cross at Calvary. The story of Jesus did not end when he was buried. On the third day, he rose again. There is always a “third day”. There is always a resurrection. And because Jesus rose again, we have hope that, like him, there will also be a “third day” for us. You may feel like you are just on your first day – the day of betrayal by those you trust, denial by your friends, and abandonment by those you expected to stick out with you until the end. You may feel like you are just on your second day – the day of judgment and being misunderstood, suffering and pain. You may be on your second day of death because you lost many things in life. You lost loved ones. You lost all sense for living. You may be on your second day of burial. You feel buried in a bad habit, in guilt, in your dark past, and in sin. Just wait, for life does not end there. There will always be a “third day”, a day of victory, a day of the resurrection. Even this pandemic will have its “third day.” One day, we will all experience resurrection. Jesus rose again, not just to vindicate himself. The resurrection is not only for Jesus. The resurrection of Jesus is for us. Jesus rose again to tell you, in ways more powerful than words, “do not despair, continue to trust, continue to hope, your ‘third day’ will also come. There is also a resurrection that awaits you.” And to this, we say, Alleluia! -Excerpt from "Easter Message 2022", The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila TAGS: Reflection "When the waters lie covered as though with stone ..." - Job 38:30
Earlier this year, Lake Erie was pretty frozen. "Pretty" indeed with glistening chunks of ice replacing shimmering waves rolling upon the shore. Although a magnificent sight, the downside was that it prohibited fish from seeking food, divers from searching for objects, and boats from traversing the waters. We can sometimes take on the looks of this Great Lake by becoming cold and frozen. We see nothing but the downside of life's events. We lock into our self, paralyzed with fear over a past mistake, a frustrating situation, or a worrisome future. Frozen in our thoughts and actions, we see no way out with no path or plan to enlighten us. Let us never forget to turn to God. The sun will shine. The ice will melt. The waters of life will flow again. Heavenly Father, you make all things anew in your Spirit. Break through our frozen covers and shine Your light in our heart and mind. Amen. TAGS: Prayer, Reflection "Moreover, that all can eat and drink and enjoy the good of all their toil -- this is a gift of God." - Ecclesiastes 3:13
The dolphins were playing in the sun-drenched sea. They jumped and flipped in the air, then used their flukes to make a big splash when re-entering the water. Taking time to play, to "enjoy the good of all their toil", is a gift from God. We spend so much of our life at work, either through an occupation, doing chores around the house, or busying ourselves in some other way. But do we take our share of time at play to enjoy the fruits of our labor or the fruits of God? Find time to play and spend time at play. Make good use of this gift that God wants you to have. TAGS: Reflection "Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you." - James 4:10
Commonly known as a medical alert bracelet, they are a means to communicate important information regarding your health to first responders in a medical emergency. But she calls hers a "Humility Bracelet." "When I look at it," she says, "I am reminded that a Power greater than me is in charge, and that I am not invincible or perfect." She also says her "Humility Bracelet" reminds her to slow down, calm down, and take it easy because of the health condition given to her by God. Perhaps we should all wear a "Humility Bracelet" to remind us continuously of our need for God and His Presence in our life. Slow down, calm down, and take it easy. Good advice for all of us, with or without a "Humility Bracelet." TAGS: Reflection, Story December 12 was National Poinsettia Day, so let's continue our celebration with a heartwarming legend regarding this traditional Christmas plant.
During the weeks before Christmas, a young Mexican girl named Miranda had worked hard with her mother to weave a beautiful blanket. She and her parents planned to bring it to the church on Christmas Eve when everyone came forward to present a gift to the baby Jesus lying in the manger. Shortly before Christmas, her mother became sick and when Miranda tried to weave the blanket on her own, the yarns became hopelessly tangled. She couldn't finish it. When Miranda and her father went to church that Christmas Eve, she was sad they had no gift to bring to the manger. Neither the candles nor the singing could cheer her. Then an angel comforted her, saying, "Your mother will get well, and you should bring to the Lord any gift you can find. It's the giving, not the gift, that matters." Miranda went outside, picked some weeds from the roadside, and brought them to the manger. There was a sudden stir among the people. When Miranda looked at the weeds in her hand, they had become bright red flowers, each like a flaming red star. When the people went home that night, the roadside weeds had all become bright red flowers -- the Flor de la Navidad (the Christmas Flower). TAGS: Reflection SOURCE: The Little Blue Book: Advent and Christmas Seasons 2019-2020, 12/19/2019. If anything says “Christmas!” it’s a tree. Whether it’s a live tree or an artificial one, when we see an evergreen tree, we think of Christmas.
Trees have been important symbols in many religions, and from earliest times, evergreen trees have reminded people of life through winter and darkness. The evergreen tree has a specific meaning for Christians. Long ago, European Christians celebrated December 24 as the feast of Adam and Eve, our first parents. They put up a “Paradise Tree” decorated with fruit. It was a way of remembering how human beings had eaten fruit from the forbidden Tree of Knowledge of good and evil. That sadness was replaced by joy the next day, December 25, when they could celebrate Jesus, born to save us from that sin and open the way back to God. Jesus would demonstrate his love by dying on a cross, made from a tree. A Christmas tree is a tree of life! In the 17th century, the custom of putting toys and gifts at the foot of the Christmas tree was adopted, and it was in the 19th century that the tradition of the Christmas tree became widespread. TAGS: Reflection "He has a name written on his cloak and on his thigh, 'King of kings and Lord of lords.'" - Revelation 19:16
Talking politics is quite trendy these days, whether it is locally, nationally or internationally. Regardless of which side you are on, this bumper sticker seems to put everything into perspective. Politics ebb and flow; politicians come and go; political rhetoric calms or excites. But the Truth never wanes. Jesus Is King: "King of kings and Lord of lords." Let us rejoice. Amen. TAGS: Reflection |
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