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

The crucifix was over 23 feet tall and weighed 4200 pounds, raised high upon the wall of the church. I had never seen anything like it. I lowered myself to kneel under the weight of this cross. 

When I stood to pray the Our Father, and gazed on the crucifix, the corpus came alive. My eyes showed me things I hadn't seen before. I felt as though I was truly watching the crucifixion on Calvary. 

With my eyes fixed on His chest, I could see it pulsing and throbbing. He was gasping for air. His chest was pounding, in and out, in and out, but laboriously. There were short inhales and hurried exhales as He struggled to breathe. 

What to make of this? An inanimate object was becoming animate to me. Yet I couldn't take my eyes off of it. How could I help Him? How could I ease His suffering? His chest continued to writhe in agony. 

"My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me." -  Reproaches from the ancient liturgy of Good Friday 

TAGS: Story

"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

For all You have given me, 
My God, I thank You. 
 
For all You have withheld, 
My God, I thank You. 
 
For all You have withdrawn, 
My God, I thank You. 
 
For all You have permitted, 
My God, I thank You. 
 
For all You have prevented, 
My God, I thank You. 
 
For all the sincere friends You have given me, 
My God, I thank You. 
 
For all You have forgiven me, 
My God, I thank You. 
 
For all You have prepared for me, 
My God, I thank You. 
 
For the death You have chosen for me, 
My God, I thank You. 
 
For the place You are keeping for me in Heaven, 
My God, I thank You. 
 
For having created me to love You for eternity, 
My God, I thank You. 
 
My God, I thank You for all things. 
And may I live and die thanking You. Amen. 
 
SOURCE: https://www.lincolndiocese.org/op-ed/messages-of-hope/12945-a-litany-of-thanksgiving 
 
TAGS: Prayer

"God created mankind in his image..." - Genesis 1:27 

Do you see it in the photo above? What does it look like to you? A person? An animal? Just an old tree? What tickles your imagination? 

The hands of Nature carved this design into the tree. Without knowing the true intent, its interpretation is left to the eye of the beholder. On the other hand, there's probably a number of people who walk right past the tree and never stop to notice the artistic creation on its trunk. 

Similarly, God created us. In his image, he created us. We look at a tree and see Nature's hands at work. We look at another person and see God's hands at work. 

Or do we? 

Thinking of a busy downtown street, do we walk by each other, never stopping to notice the creations passing us by? Or do we take time to notice each handcrafted, unique, one-of-a-kind image of God? 

Master Creator of all things, thank you for creating each of us in your image and likeness. May we always take time to observe and acknowledge your handiwork with care and affection. Amen. 

TAGS: Inspiration, Prayer

"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

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself." - Matthew 22:39 

While paging through the advertising/coupon magazine that came in the mail, this "ad" was discovered tucked within its pages. 

"Love thy neighbor," it stated, and it was written as though spoken by Jesus. 

The juxtaposition of this message with refinishing, mulch, and window covering messages was definitely an attention-grabber. There it was, smacking you in the face. 

"Love thy neighbor," it stated. 

You couldn't miss it. Subtle evangelization in the strangest, yet most prominent, of places. 

"Love thy neighbor." 

You have to wonder how many people did that simple message reach. Did you see it? 

TAGS: Story

It is said that the Three Kings who traveled to Bethlehem to adore the newborn King were radically changed by the experience and abandoned their pagan ways. According to one account, the Magi traveled to India and were eventually baptized by St. Thomas the Apostle before their deaths. 
 
Tradition has since held Balthasar, Melchior and Caspar as “saints,” and throughout the centuries various prayers have been composed to them. Below is one such prayer. 
 
O Holy Magi, you were living in continual expectation of the rising of the Star of Jacob, which would announce the birth of the true Son of justice; obtain for me an increase of faith and charity, and the grace to live in continual hope of beholding, one day, the light of heavenly glory and eternal joy. 
 
(Share your request …) 
 
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 
 
Prayer to the Infant Jesus: Infant Jesus, meek and mild, look on me a little child. Pity mine and pity me, suffer me to come to Thee. 
 
Heart of Jesus, I adore Thee. Heart of Mary, I implore Thee. Heart of Joseph, pure and just. In these three hearts, I put my trust. 
 
Help us Joseph in our early strife, ever to lead a pure and blameless life. 
 
O Holy Magi, Pray for Us. 

TAGS: Prayer

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.