The Promise

A song by Paul Lisney called 'the promise' and some film clips of a movie about Abraham and some from Jesus of Nazareth series

A Suprise

In the beginning of May 2010, an Italian family from Naples arrived at Medjugorje in a state of profound distress: on a spiritual level they had no peace, on a physical level they were carrying a heavy cross: not only was their 5 year old almost completely deaf since birth, but their 8 year old son, Antonio, suffered from epilepsy. His seizures multiplied day by day and occurred more and more frequently. His parents couldn’t bear to see him suffer like this anymore! One evening, they were able to go with the other pilgrims to pray on Apparition Hill with Ivan, and they recited the Rosary under the stars as they awaited the coming of Our Lady. There, they placed everything into Her motherly hands. They hoped for a powerful, heavenly assistance during this pilgrimage.

The next day, the father went to share with the responsible of their group the painful situation of his family, hoping for a comforting word from her part. But she simply said to him, "Go to confession!" Surprised by this seemingly harsh word, the man made a solid examination of conscience. Actually, he was living in sin and had not been to confession in years! Seeing within that word an invitation to make his peace with God, he decided to make a good confession and he sincerely renounced his sins.

To everyone's amazement, his son Antonio (ignorant of this confession) had no longer any seizures since then! As for the little 5 year old girl, upon returning from the pilgrimage, she began to speak, pronouncing intelligible words for the first time...

The father concludes his beautiful testimony in this way: "I am changed! My wife and I see life with different eyes. It is a great comfort for me to have found peace again, and to rediscover the optimism of my wife. Since that confession at Medjugorje, I can touch with my own hands the benefits of a life lived in the light of God."

Yes, the Blessed Mother knows why she asks for monthly Confession.

"When there is sin”, she says, “there is no peace". "Monthly Confession shall be a remedy for the Church of the West". (1982) “I desire to lead all of you to my Son, your Savior. You are not aware that without Him you do not have joy and peace, nor a future or eternal life. Therefore, little children, make good use of this time of joyful prayer and surrender.” (07/25/2010) “I ask of you to sincerely look into your hearts and to see how much you love Him (the Father). Is He the last to be loved? Surrounded by material goods, how many times have you betrayed, denied and forgotten Him? My children, do not deceive yourselves with worldly goods. Think of your soul because it is more important than the body: cleanse it. Invoke the Father, He is waiting for you.” (11/2/2009)

Weapons of Love Video

The Best Cure for Depression

Last Spring I suffered a major clinical depression. At the time it was at it's worse, the Holy Father, Pope John Paul was passing away. I watched with him and I cried and prayed for him. Now that would not be unusual except that I am not a Catholic and barely knew of him or his works, except that he was goodness itself. I have , however been a Christian since birth. When I saw St. Peter's Square overflowing with the faithful praying the Rosary, I said to my husband, a rough fisherman "I need one of those. Please go get me a Rosary. As we had no idea where to get one, I bought one online and taught myself to say the Rosary.Within 3 months I was vastly better, my medicine, daily Rosary recitation! I knew that I had an invitation from the late Holy Father and Our Blessed Mother to join The Catholic Church. I wrote to a priest and am now in RCIA and my son is in Sacraments Class and will make his first communion also. God has never left me alone when I was in need and I thank Jesus for sharing his own mother with me! God Bless You, Jill

Why am I Here ?

A French-speaking priest who had come to Medjugorje for the first time, told me how a man happened upon his Confessional. This man was a little confused as he explained to the priest that while in France, without any reason, he sensed a strong desire to go to Medjugorje. He barely knew where Medjugorje was and he was even less certain of why he should go there! Not able to resist this interior push to go, he got into his car and proceeded to drive, and drive and drive without a break. He made the trip non-stop. That is, more than an entire day's travel to get to Medjugorje. There, he saw the Confessional and, still being led by this interior push, he entered, not knowing why he was entering. After hearing this, the priest then suggested to him, "Well, you're here. Why not make your Confession?" He accepted. He had not been to Confession since his childhood! The priest added that the gentleman made a long and good confession, marveling at what had transpired!Such interior promptings are not rare in Medjugorje. May those who arrive in Medjugorje, not knowing why they are there, become reassured. As for the Gospa, She knows why!(extract from the Children of Medjugorje Newsletter)

Upset

The preacher placed two identical jars on the table next to the pulpit.

He quoted 1 Samuel 16:7 'The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

"These jars came from the same factory, were made of the same materials, and can hold the same amount. But they are different," he explained. Then he upset one and it oozed out honey. He turned over the other, and vinegar spilled out.

"When a jar is upset, whatever is in it comes out. Until the jars were upset, they looked alike. The difference was within, and could not be seen. When they were upset, their contents were revealed. Until we are upset we put on a good front. But when we are upset, we reveal our innermost thoughts and attitudes, for 'out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.'" (Luke 6:45)

What if someone tipped you over today? What would flow out? Would you reveal the "honey" of grace and patience, or the "vinegar" of anger and sarcasm?

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." (1Peter 4:8)

Have a terrific day knowing that the one who upsets you may be just looking for some honey - Don't give them vinegar!

Feasting & Fasting

From Fasting To Feasting

Fast from judging others;
Feast on seeing the best in people.

Fast from emphasis on differences;
Feast on the unity of life.

Fast from despair;
Feast on hope.

Fast from thoughts of illness;
Feast on the healing power of God.

Fast from words that destroy;
Feast on phrases that are encouraging.

Fast from discontent;
Feast on gratitude.

Fast from anger;
Feast on patience.

Fast from being negative;
Feast on being positive.

Fast from worry;
Feast on trust.

Fast from complaining;
Feast on appreciation.

Fast from hostility;
Feast on peacemaking.

Fast from bitterness;
Feast on forgiveness.

Fast from constant activity;
Feast on slowing down.

Fast from disrespect;
Feast on recognizing the sacred in all life.

Fast from self-concern;
Feast on compassion for others.