Wednesday, December 31, 2008

My Ramblins' on the last day of 2008

I just can't believe that this is the last day of 2008 and a New Year is upon us. This year i started with this blog, not knowing how to start and even if i wanted to do this. I may not have been here with some regularity or rhythm. This has been a year of surprises in Politics, finances, and weather around this nation and around the global village.
Having followed the Church's Season's too, i want to share some meaningful passages of these past few days from the Liturgy of the Hours. Passages that reflect our faith in Christ, Col 2:4-15 -Reflections "I tell you all this so that no one my delude you with specious arguments. I may be absent in body but I am with you in spirit, happy to see good order among you and the firmness of your faith in Christ."
" See to it that no one deceives you through any empty, seductive philosophy that follows mere human traditions, a philosophy based on cosmic powers rather than on Christ."
" He canceled the bond that stood against us with all its claims, snatching it up and nailing it to the cross. Thus did God disarm the principalities and powers. "

From a sermon by Saint Leo the Great, Pope
"For every believer regenerated in Christ, no matter in what part of the whole world he may be, breaks with that ancient way of life that derives from original sin, and by rebirth is transformed into a new man."

Friday, December 26, 2008

St. Stephen Martyr

It has been awhile since I last blogged, and many national international events have occurred. I want to share Jesus' words to his disciples that are appropriate to our times.
Matthew 10:17-20 "Beware of people" who will persecute and you and haul you into court. But he moves quickly to God's work in all this: You will be led before governors..for my sake as a witness.""Do not worry,"he counsels,"about how to speak or what you are to say...For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."

Acts 6:10 "but they could not withstand his wisdom and conviction."

And as a result of his zeal and plain speaking, Stephen was put to death. He too followed Jesus' command not to worry but let the Spirit give him the right words to speak.
We too should listen for the Spirit and do our best to speak as we think he is leading us.
As Stephen and Paul, we know that our lives are in God's hands and that he will never abandon us.

"Holy Spirit, help me discern and welcome the opportunities you give me today to proclaim Jesus, both in the way I live and the words as you inspire."