 The plane contrails were dancing in the sky. One would fade away, and then another one or two would replace it. At times they were running parallel; at times they were crossing paths. It was fascinating to daydream as the show played out in the blue sky.
Who were the people on the planes? Where were they heading? Going or returning? Business or vacation? So many stories were being written within those planes. So much goes into the formation of the contrails. Hot, moist air from the jet engines mixes with cold, humid air at high altitudes. In much the same way, the plans, aspirations, and lives of each passenger and employee in the plane mixed to form a unique trail through the sky. What will become of them? TAGS: Reflection  "For in the image of God have human beings been made." - Genesis 9:6
The building was being erected block by block. You could see this happening before your eyes. It seemed like one day they were working on the first floor, and the next day they were working on the second floor. Block by block. It's like our spiritual life. Each day we strive to be bigger and stronger than the previous day. In retrospect, it seems like it's day by day. But in reality, it takes a lifetime. Block by block. O God, construct me in your image and likeness. Build me block by block, day by day, until you call me home at the end of my life. Amen. TAGS: Prayer, Reflection  As you reflect on this poem, remember that you always have a faithful friend in Jesus.
How many of you can find a faithful friend? That will stick close by you unto the very end When trouble comes they will never forsake Always ready to give more than they will take A friend like that is so very hard to find One you can count on to talk and unwind Someone that's concerned about how you feel Cares for you deeply with a love that's real A friend when in need is a friend indeed Show yourself friendly by sowing the seed How sweet are the words spoken between friends Just like a balm that heals or a needle that mends A friend that sticks closer than any brother Very trustworthy and not the same as another You can count on them to answer when you call There to help you when your back is to the wall --Written by Patricia Grantham, copyright 2013 TAGS: Reflection  Tenebrae is a liturgical service of sung readings and Psalms that features distinctive symbolic elements of Christ’s passion and death. Tenebrae means “shadows” or “darkness” in Latin. The service shows the darkness that comes over the earth upon Christ’s death. One of the chants of the service draws from Scripture that tenebrae factae sunt — “darkness fell” at the death of Christ (Matthew 27:45-46). Candles are gradually extinguished, and a loud noise, called a “strepitus” at the service’s conclusion symbolizes the chaos following Christ’s death.
Historically, it was a portion of the Liturgy of the Hours prayers of Matins and Lauds for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of Holy Week. Now, it is often an adaptation or shortened form of those prayers typically offered on Spy Wednesday of Holy Week. Tenebrae is designed to serve as a powerful, reflective experience for the faithful ahead of the Easter Triduum. The representation of the darkness of sin and death serve to call the faithful to embrace the light of Christ, who has conquered death. Those attending a Tenebrae service for the first time may be startled by entering a church shrouded in darkness except for the light of a few candles, the gradual extinguishing of those candles, and the loud banging noise (the “strepitus”) that builds and echoes in the darkness at the service’s conclusion. Tenebrae is not only rich in striking visual elements, but also features some of the most distinctively mournful music the Church has to offer with the chanting of the Lamentations of Jeremiah and the Psalms. According to Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka, associate professor and the director of sacred music at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, CA, the Church has seen Tenebrae as “a funeral service, in some ways, for Christ,” providing a “spiritual picture” of the darkness after the death of Christ before the Resurrection. SOURCE: https://www.ncregister.com/features/tenebrae-services-spy-wednesday TAGS: Story  If you could have coffee with St. Joseph, what would you ask him? Here is a compilation of some responses to that question that were collected from the internet.
“What were your favorite memories of Jesus as he was growing up?” “Were there times after you committed to raising Jesus as your own son that you felt your patience and understanding wear thin?” “What was living with a teenage Jesus like?” “Could you pray for my husband’s and my sons’ holiness, and how can I be an aid in that as a wife and mother?” “What was it like to teach Jesus?” “What was it like to hold the Creator of the universe in your arms?” “How did you maintain your composure and trust during the sudden flight to Egypt?” “Could you teach me to love your son Jesus in the Holy Eucharist the way you did?” “Could you tell me your story with Mary and Jesus through your perspective, and how you experienced those things?” “When Mother Mary wasn’t looking, did you do anything with Jesus that would have given her a heart attack?” “Can you teach me how to be silent and to hear Our Lord in my soul?” “What did you learn from Jesus firsthand?” “How should I pray to you and ask your help to meet a Godly life partner?” So, now it’s your turn. What would YOU ask him? PHOTO: AI-generated on grok.com TAGS: Reflection  "He will rule them with an iron rod. Like clay vessels will they be smashed.” - Revelation 2:27
We are not perfect. We are broken. We are human. Just like this cup. In one moment it was hosting tea; in the next moment it was a heap of broken pieces. All it took was a quick tap against the edge of the counter, and its life as it was previously known was shattered. How many times are we cruising along, and then BAM!, our life is in a freefall. But the Maker of All Things has the means to repair us. He shepherds us and leads us, always steering us onto the right path. If only we would listen, watch, and learn. Our will and our pride get in the way, and we become smashed in the battles that confront us. Humble yourself. Turn to Him. He will pick up the pieces and put you together again, in accordance with His will. Thanks be to God. TAGS: Reflection  Meditate on these words from Irish writer John O’Donohue from his book Beauty.
“When you take the time to draw on your listening-imagination, you will begin to hear this gentle voice at the heart of your life. It is deeper and surer than all the other voices of disappointment, unease, self-criticism and bleakness. All holiness is about learning to hear the voice of your own soul… To enter into the gentleness of your own soul changes the tone and quality of your life. Your life is no longer consumed by hunger for the next event, experience or achievement. You learn to come down from the treadmill and walk on the earth. You gain a new respect for yourself and others and you learn to see how wonderfully precious this one life is…You no longer squander yourself on things and situations that deplete your essence. You know now that your true source is not outside you. Your soul is your true source and a new energy and passion awakens in you.” As Lent begins, come down from the treadmill of busyness and noise, and simply walk in silence. And listen. God wants to speak to you. TAGS: Reflection  "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways." - Isaiah 55:8
How many times do you want to put yourself in charge as though you are God? You want to take control of the situation, be the leader, change the outcome. You try to reverse the roles, like the mouse and the man in the photo. You'll be the boss, and he'll be the servant. It doesn't work that way. You have heard it said that "I am God, and you are not." Learn to let it go. Resist the temptation to reverse the roles, and it will be freeing. Trust in God and all will be good. O God, help me to live my life with the knowledge that YOU are God, and I am not, and that YOUR ways are always better than my ways. Amen. TAGS: Prayer, Reflection  ... a high-tech cleaning machine! This spider-looking drone was seen power washing rooftops. Using a large nozzle, a long water line, and a remote controller, this drone was swooping left and right, up and down, hosing down the roof. Sure beats a ladder, a sponge, and a bucket of water!
But perhaps it's a little overkill. Sure, roof cleaning can be daunting, but is tackling this job with a drone worth the apparent expense? How often do you encounter a task or a problem, and try to cut it down with a chainsaw instead of just cutting it into small pieces with a knife? Ask God for his help. Ask Him to show you the way: the right, smart, and best way. He won't lead you astray. Guide of My Soul, show me what to do and how to do it. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen. TAGS: Prayer, Story  Heavenly Father, as we begin this New Year, we place our lives, our hopes, and our intentions into Your loving hands.
Grant us the grace to walk closer with Your Son, Jesus Christ, and to remain open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Heal our wounds, strengthen our faith, and help us to trust in Your providence in every joy and trial to come. Mary, Mother of God, watch over us and lead us ever closer to Your Son. Saint Joseph, protector and guardian, pray for us as we seek wisdom, peace, and courage. Lord, make this New Year a year of grace, a year of mercy, and a year of blessing. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. TAG: Prayer |
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