100+ source of joy that made me fly
May 29, 2006
my heart is overflowing with JOY!!!… the Lord is very gracious to me.
a cliche’ says that, for a person to appreciate what he has, he should start counting his blessings. as i turn 32 last saturday (may 27), i literally counted and took note of the greetings and gifts that family, friends, brothers and sisters sent…. very touching… a friend asked me why i documented this, i told her that this entry will be deposited in my “happy thoughts” bank…
1. Wein (friendster message) I’ll be greeting you ahead…since I might not be able
to greet you anymore…hehehe… ingatz and God bless bro!!!
2. Jolyn (friendster message): Happy Birthday! amo na to message ko hehe. God bless u more kapatid, and count the blessings, not the years..nor the tears
3. Michelle (friendster message): HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Some ways to unwind If the stress of daily life is getting to you, try letting off steam with these tips from the University of British Columbia: Go for a brisk walk, take an aerobics class, or go swimming. Eat moderately, and avoid binge or stress eating. Take a day trip. Go somewhere local that you’ve heard about but haven’t been to before. Take up a craft hobby such as pottery, drawing, or photography. Read something light and funny. Go fly a kite. Bake cookies for a friend.
4. Sister Connie: peace, and advanced happy birthday. stay happy and grounded in truth. much love, sr connie.
5. Peteford: (with bear graphics) I wish you happiness, success, love that never ends and bless the desires of your heart! Happy Birthday!
6. Opong: Bro, happy birthday. I pray for you good health and protection
7. Binx: Happy Birthday bro and God’s blessing to you! From bros and sis of Lingkod Baguio
8. Darrell: Advance happy bday bro. May u’l be more blesd tomorrow and all the days of your life. Advance greetings ko na kasi la nko unlimited bukas, hehehe. God bless you
9. Gina: happy bday Jay! =)
10. Manny: I’m HAPPY to greet You …. (Acrobatic graphics) Happy Birthday! Kaya mo yun?! =) … Will continue to keep you in my prayers! God bless you bro! Enjoy your day! =)
11. Christian: (sent twice) Gud am jay, Happy Birthday! May God bless you abundantly as you are a blessing to many of us. Wishing you happiness, good health, prosperity and peace of mind and heart.
12. Tess: Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, happy birthday! Happy birthday Jay! Wishing you all the best life can give! And heaps and heaps of blessings from above! God bless!
13. Wilman: Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday happy birthday… happy birthday to youuuuu! (lihog na lng kanta bro) God bless you on your special day! Enjoy
14. Marichris: Our lives are a continuing journey. We must learn and grow at every bend, sometimes stumbling but always moving towards the finest within us. Happy birthday! =)
15. Voltaire: Happy Birthday brotherhood! I honor you for being a good example and an inspiration to d community. Keep on keeping on for the Lord. God bless
16. Sid: Happy birthday tito. God bless you.. and answer all your prayers. Hehehe. Have a wonderful day ahead.
17. Darrell: Happy birthday bro. May He always bless you. God bless always.
18. Au: Happy birthday my dear. Wishing you the best of everything today and forever =)
19. Arlene: Happy birthday friend!
20. Matt: (bear graphics) Happy Birthday!
21. Jay B.: (heart graphics) Wish you one great day… Full of happiness… full of love … full of strength and lots of blessings from God. Happy birthday!
22. CJ: Did you know that Good morning is a simple prayer? Every time you greet it to somebody, you are wishing that his day will turn out the best in every way? Very well then, Good morning and Happy birthday! =)
23. Sherill: Hapi hapi bro JAY =) May God abundantly bless you in all areas of your life
24. June Ann: The real winners in life are the people who look at every challenge with an assurance that they can be victorious through God’s strength. Be a WINNER and be BLESSED! HAPI BIRTHDAY Nong. Gud am.
25. Tin: Kapatid, gud am! =) HAPPY CELEBRATION OF LIFE! =) I honor you for d love, service, and faithfulness you gave to God, family and ALNP… May u wil b blessed wid so much now and forever! =)
26. Dr. Ticao: Happy birthday! La ko nalipatn dis tym
27. Joie: I know ders a question abt d presence of d Lord in ur life… I hope you wl continue to have faith and may today be a special day to you and ur family. Happy Birthday! Mwah! =)
28. Andy: BIRTHDAYS are a wonderful opportunity to Pray, to Love, to Care, to Smile and to THANK GOD for all the blessings we received… Happy Birthday Bro!
29. Karen: Hapi bday bro!.. =) Ur service 2 d lord is such an inspiration to us… God bless you always
30. Merl: For every dream in our heart God gives us inspiration, for every hope we seek, god gives us unexpected miracles, for every faith we believe God blesses us more! =) happy bday! Mwah!
31. Butz: Hapi bday jay. May you have a wonderful and fun-filled year of you. My prayers.
32. Daven: Hapi bday jay!
33. Dondon: Hapi bday bro!
34. Bookie: Bro happy happy bday! =)
35. Divine: Jay, HAPPY BIRTHDAY my dear friend!! May you attain all that is essentially yearned by your heart… You are and will always be a dear friend to me =)
36. Neldz: Happy bday Jay. Wish u all the best in life. I’m here in Cebu
37. Vanessa: (with cross graphic) God creates the best artworks and one of His masterpieces is Y-O-U. God bless! Hapi Birthday Bro! =)
38. Ray: Happy Birthday! =)
39. Bebing: Jay, heard its ur bday today. Hapi bday ha. God bless!
40. Erwin: I know, I know…it’s that fearful tym of d year again and somebody has to do the dirty job. I’m sori but I have to break d news. Hapi bday. Heheheh, jowk! It’s ur bday bro! God bless =)
41. Tin-CYA Iloilo (0921-4104537): Kuya, a hapi2x b-day 2 you!!!
42. Celine (0917-4063451): Hapi bday bro! I’m Celina of alnp-makati, tanda m p? I pray for peace of mind and joy of heart. Enjoy dis day!
43. Joel_SOLV: HAPPY BDAY Bro =) I wish u all d riches today: TIME (is gold),HEALTH (is wealth), FAMILY (is treasure) FRIENDS (are blessings) GOD (is fullness of life and love)
44. Regine: Happy Birthday Jay! Enjoy ur day =) c u 2nyt =)
45. Paul: Life is made beautiful by gentle people whose fragrance infuses the heart with gladness and diffuses sadness away. Don’t stop being such a good brother, HAPPY BDAY
46. Nile: A sweeter smile, a brighter day. Hope everything turns out great for you today! GOOD MORNING! (cat graphic) Have a hapi bday!
47. Rommel: Lyf is traveled only once, today’s moment becomes tomorrow’s memory. Enjoy every moment, good or bad, happy or sad, because a gift of life is Life itself. Happy bday bro. May God continue to bless all your plans
48. Marla: Happy happy birthday Jay! May God bless you and keep you in His embrace as you live your life to serve Him. Thank you for your honesty and thoughtfulness as my brother. May God prosper the work of you hands. Cheers! =)
49. Nath: Happy Birthday! More years ahead of you, God bless all your endeavors. =)
50. Rommel: have you observed a ricefield and noticed w/c heads are bent and w/c ones stand up straight? Well, the empty heads are standing tall and high. The heads that are filled with grains are bending low. Indeed, the true great and strong people are humble and gentle. True giants don’t mind bowing low… gud am.
51. Hermie: (Bear graphics) SPECIAL message for YOU… Happy Birthday. I wish you life full of blessing, peace and happiness throughout the year you live…
52. Jolyn: God’s Love is unbounded. God’s Grace is unlimited. God’s Power is immeasurable. May you have God’s endless Blessings today and always. Happy Birthday! =)
53. Joseph: Jay boy a very very Hapi Bday! Wishing you god’s blessings in the years ahead! =)
54. Roland Sarne: hi bro, hapi bdaysyo! Musta na? I almost…. (personal message, hehehe)
55. Leslie: bro, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! “Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete” (Jn 16:24) is there smethin u want to ask from FGTHER GOD? Before you ask Him, just remember, He is FATHER. Ask HIM, and ask something BIG, because He is a BIG GOD!
56. Nina-CYA (0918-5945811) helo poh, wish you a hapi bday! Wish u ol d hapines and peace poh! God bless.
57. Marikit: Bro, happy birthday! Wishing you all the blessings today and always!
58. Mosa: Hapi hapi bday jay! Thanks for everything. Wish you all the best! Mwah!
59. Rose; Hapi hapi bday jay! C u later! Attend ka?
60. Irwyn: Hi happy happy happy birthday to you. Enjoy your day. Again Happy birthday.
61. Lyra: Happy birthday, Jay! 
God bless!
62. Glenn: Hello bro!!! Happy birthday!!!! =) musta man imu adlaw ti? =)
63. Timay: Lord, thank you for TRUE people who enrich my lifeand make it MEANINGFUL by their FREINDSHIP. Let them live under YOUR care and BLESS them always. Hapi bday! … second message: Ay drama ang friendship ko! Pero totoo, one of the most wonderful blessings ni Lord sakin is to have you guys. Take care! Mwah! Mwah!
64. Cheche: (two bear graphics) Happy bday! From boboy and che2
65. Duvince: Happy birthday! Mwah!
66. Shawee – cap
67. Nerry and Carlyn: call
68. Sherell: call
69. Prime: call
70. Lorenz and Sid: DVD – Love of the Condor Heroes!!!!! WHAAAAAAAAAAAA
71. Michelle (friendster message): HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Some ways to unwind If the stress of daily life is getting to you, try letting off steam with these tips from the University of British Columbia: Go for a brisk walk, take an aerobics class, or go
swimming. Eat moderately, and avoid binge or stress eating. Take a day trip. Go somewhere local that you’ve heard about but haven’t been to before. Take up a craft hobby such as pottery, drawing, or photography. Read something light and funny. Go fly a kite. Bake cookies for a friend.
72. Jan: As u admire the wonderful things GOD has made today, remember YOU’RE ONE OF THEM. Wonderful inside and out. You’re blessed! You’re special! You’re loved! Happy Birthday!
73. Emmy: (with boy pic) Wishing you a wonderful happy birthday. Have a nice day. God bless bro. CHEERS!
74. Wein: I wish you: the fun of Living, the joy of Loving, the wonder of sharing, the gift of faith and the serenity of a contented Heart. Hapi bday! =)
75. Sha: Ja, hello there! Happy happy bday! May you have many more bdays in d years to come. God bless you always!
76. Red (09177031570) : Hi bro, red here of makati, happy bday! Musta na? God bless u and cheers =)
77. Matti: having you as my friend is a lucky break.. sort of getting an extra big serving of low fat whipped cream on a hot fudge sundae of my life… only nicer.. much nicer! Hapi bday!
78. Jeremy: Bro happy happy birthday!
79. Leah: Hi bro! Happy birthday! May God continue to bless you and make you happy. God bless! =)
80. Harold: Hapi bday bro. Blessed to know a bro in Christ is there to chat, suipport and pray for me. Ipagdasal mo ako ha? ….. hehehe =) I know kahiot mal;ayo, our friendship and brotherhoiod is rooted in our love for the Lord. Hapi bday!
81. Wyatt: Bro happy bday. Yudi
82. Teray: Feliz ano Nuevo! Yo te amo. (second message) Gusto ko lang ipabutyag sa imo nga maski wal na ta gaupod ang imo kaaadlawan wala ko nalimtan. Malipayon nga pagka bun-ag. Upod ko di Lingkod sa wedding nino. Tani yari ka. bye
83. Pauleen: (cow graphic) BAKA akala MOO… nakalimutan kong I-BEEF and cell MOO…! COW pa? =)
84. Carolyn: jay, I hope im not too late. Happy birthday. I will always be praying for you and your family. May God shower you with all the blessings you needed.
85. Regie: happy birthday may you be blest abundantly.
86. Jake (09163594646): (candle graphic) Keep your light shining by holding your heart always close to God. Happy birthday bro! J
87. Bhel (09175378133) : Maligayang bati sa iyong kaarawan! Hangad ko ang iyong kaligayahan at tagumpayh sa buhay. Nawa’y mapuspos ka ng pagpapala’t biyaya ng Maykapal ngayon at kailanman. Happy birthday, Jay 
…. (second message) You’re much welcome, jay! God has such wonderful plans for you this year, bro! Keep your eyes on Him and He will endlessly surprise you! J God bless you more J
88. Ronelia: happy bday!
89. Dominic: Happy happy birthday bro! I pray that the Lord will continue to be the source of all your achievements. Be blessed!
90. Brumel & Jasmin: Wishing you all the best, peace and happiness always!
91. Dennis (Tagblrn): Happy birthday, bro!
92. Mon Francis: bro, I’ve heard from bro tommy…. Bday mo pala… happy birthday bro…
93. Joseph P. (09203740889): Bro happy b-day! May you continue to be a blessing to your family and to the community!
94. Mayor Flores: Hi jay. Hapi bday. Many more to come.
95. Randy: Bro. hapi bday! All the best!
96. Anthony: Happy b-day kapatid! … (second message) Keep in keeping on bro, pur Lord has been so delightful for the way you have served Him so well… “VAYA CON DIOS” … God bless you
97. Gamay: I may run out of msgs to text you, of jokes to tickle u, of batteries and credit too..but my heart won’t run out of space for special friend like you … HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JAY! GOD BLESS!
98. Gamay: care is the main ingredient that keeps true friendship alive, despite distance and time, care sustains Love! Since I can’t see you, let my care be with you always… tc!
99. Leviene (friendster message): Ey Jay, Just a short note that sends a million wishes of good health, happiness, great friends, a successful career, and a heart filled with people closest to you. May wishes and dreams come true, as you celebrate your birthday today…coz you deserve the best of the best in this lifetime…God bless you always…
100. Malou (friendster message): Happy Birthday Jay! Kamusta ka na? Ano wish mo sa birthday mo? Tani i-grant ni Lord. Hehehe Pacenya na ha for these past months waay gid ako nakacommunicate sa imo. Damu bi sing ginapanumdom. Lapit na lang bi ako masulod sa convent. 6 days na lang bi nabili… naku… daw nahadlok ako..
diutay lang… hehehe Salamat gid ha for inviting me sa LNP pag-ara ako sa Iloilo. I’m really glad to meet a brother who is so natural, jolly, friendly and most especially
very God-loving. Nakakainspire ung iyong zealousness sa pagserve sa community. Keep it going! God has a special plan for you and it must be very good. Tani tagaan ka pa niya sang kakusog kag courage( lipat na ako sang ilonggo sini.. hhehe) to go on sa imo nga journey. I’ll be praying for you. God Bless! Enjoy your day!
101. Ann: hello jay, happy happy birthday . . . . from me and junjun. kamusta ron life-life naton dyan? ano celebration for the big day? abi balita-i man ta dya. hehehe! take care my friend.
102. Jane: Hello parts. Sori gid la ko katext sng bday. Anewei, blated hapi bday. May u have many more fruitful years to come. God bless.
103. Tonette: Your peaceful presence and your gentle nature, your bearing of being both kind and strong at the same time… yes! You are the most beautiful gift God has given to your parents, a loving and God-fearing son. Belated hapi birthday jay… pasensya lng sa amun humble gift sent thru marlon
104. Carol: Hi jay, hapi birthday gle. Belated, hehhee. Bday mo gale kahapon? =) celebrate ta! =)
105. Jaylo (09103730977): Happy b-day!
106. Tibo: Bro belated hapi bday! It’s bn a bz, xcitng and tiring day yesterday dat I forgot to greet you. Haha. Anyway hope u had a great day yesterday. Wish u more strength, love and faith! Hapi bday!
107. Nikki: Hi Jay J belatedhappy birthday J J sana masarap ang inuman dyan ngayon J J
108. Maggi: Bro! Belated happy bdya! Nakalimutan ko mag grit cz bz kmi for unity games. O nag bt hindi ka nagjoin? Hehe. Syempre kasi bday mo.
109. Joven (09214899622): Belated HAPPY BIRTDAY bro! May your light continue to shine to others. God bless you always.
110. Perper (09213547891) Bro belated happy birthday. May the Almighty Father bless you and endow you a lot of blessings. God bless you bro and to your family.
111. Joey (09192621319): Belated happy birthday Kapatid na Jay! Good health always and God bless!
112. Mye (09272206476): Hello BUDDY! =) Hope you had a great day and celebratedyour special day wid so much jooy and tnxgiving. I pray dat God wud cont to b d center of your life,dat He continue to mold u into a man of Character, of Faith, of Love and Service. May He bless you mor dan wat u hav prayed for. Hapi birthday! J
113. Lee (09183419835): “God Bless you” is such a little prayer, but it means so much: it means may the Lord with His gracious hands give u more than you have prayed for. Happy Birthday
114. Sherill (friendster testimonial): Bro!! Happy Birthday! Testimonial na lang gift ko sa iyo kasi malayo ka eh, hehehe. Etong si brother Jay, may depth at enjoy kausap, kahit anong topic lalo na Bukas Palad, hehehe. Given na na mabait siya. Kung ako purple-color lover, siya naman green-color lover. Di obvious ano? Isa pa, saludo ako sa writing skills ng brother na ito, iba ang style, galing! Bro, Continue serving the Lord with zeal Stay happy
115. Unknown: happy birthday! Hehehe…
FAMILY:
Lorenz (bestfriend): Megs! Happy birthday! Sa oasis ta gale party bwas! Wishing you always the best! God bless you!
Josephine (youngest sister): Bro, gud am. How I wish I’m the first to greet you a happy birthday and I jst wana thank you for all the things that u’ve done for me and jesse. Always bare in mind that I love you bro!!! … no matter what. Again happy birthday bro!
Joseph, Diane and Lyzza Anne (younger brother & family): figurine
Inday (older sister): Gud am, happy birthday bro… (second message) sya nga pala sa june 3 na baptism ni Lujille. Ninong ka
Nanay: Happy birthday. Thanks for everything you’ve done for us. May God bless and guide you always.
i may be going through some tough time now with my Lola admitted in the hospital and we are financially challenged, i find joy in the truth that God has been blessing me with treasures i find in the people who really cares… who’s thoughtfulness, love, suppport, encouragement, concern and prayers is keeping me going… for through them i can see God’s hands… and feel God’s living presence at work in my life.
i am forever grateful to God for His gifts… and i offer these people back to Him as a i say my prayer of thanksgiving… take Lord, receive…
text messages…
May 25, 2006
I saved the following text messages from friends as they inspired me to keep on living with purpose …. continue on strenghtening my faith to the Lord…
Ayee: You are a blessed person with an important role to play in Life and God is watching over you with Love and Concern. Be the best you can be for God’s purpose.
Matti: Friendship is like a big warm hug on areally bad day…it just erases all the frustration and pain away, leaving only the feeling that you’re safe and loved. One tight hug for you!
Anthony: Treasure the goft of TRUE FRIENDS, they are your pillars of support. Treasure the gift of FAMILY, they have been entrusted by God Himself for you to love. Treasure the gift of SELF, for you are beautiful in the eyesof God. Treasure the gift of FAITH< HOPE and LOVE, they are God’s gifts if Himself to you. With these gifts, you are wealthy beyod imagination for you are BLESSED! Good day blessed one…
Ysa: Listen… listen to God. Be still.. nothing takes God by surprise. He knows the future and can therefore guide us trhough its trackless ways
Lhen: Let me share this beautiful text: I asked God "How do I get the best out of life?" God answered: "Face your past without regret, handle your present with confidence, preapre for the future without fear". Then He added. "Keep the faith and drop the fear. Don’t believe your doubts and nver doubt your beliefs. Life is wonderful if you know how to live". God knows… God sees… God bless
Shawee: 10 reasonsto HOPE: 1. God’s truly in control 2. There’s an eternal life to come 3. The striy is finished yet 4. God has not given up on you, don’tgive up on Him! 5. There’s a purpose inyour life 6. You are loved! 7. Your prayers are heard 8. You’re not facing this alone 9. Others have made it through — you can too! 10. Reach out to someone else who’s struggling and give him hope. Always remember that God knows what He’s doing in your life. Trust Him
Yannick: "There exist companions disposed to breal one another to pieces, but there exists a friend sticking closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24)
Matti: An ordinary stone in David’s hand had an extraordinary affect on Galiath. May the ordinary things you do result in extraordinary breakthroughs.
Matti: Trails put our faith to the test. No matter what’s its source or intensity, there’s something about trials that simplifies life and draw us back to the basics: That God has plan and purpose.
Rommel: Happiness is somewhere between too little and too much. May you have just enough wealth to meet your needs; enough poverty to learn how to work hard; enough blessings to know that God loves you; enough problems so you don’t forget Him; enough happiness to keep you sweet; enough trials to keep you strong; enough hope to keep you happy; and enough sorrow to keep you human. What you are is God’s gift to you, but what you become is your gift to God.
Rommel: Have you git any rivers you think are uncrossable? Have you got any mountains you can’t tunnel through? Our God specializes in things called IMPOSSIBLE. He can do what no one else can do. Just trust Him.
Leslie: God understands we are not strong all the time. He knows that sometimes all we can do is rest on His arms as He takes us through the journey of Life…
more good news
May 25, 2006
more good news for reflection:
19 May 2006
"You did not choose me, it was I who chose you and sent you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last" (Jn 15) Have you realized how special you are? Your being special comes from your being chosen and called from the very beginning. God takes the initiative in your life. He waits for your response…
20 May 2006
Sometimes we complain when we have so many things to do. But when they’re done and we’re left with nothing to work on, we panic. Lord, teach me to welcome rest, specially amid busy times and activity. Teach me to be comfortable with restful silence and alone time, which allow me to listen and lead me to pray.
21 May 2006
"This is love: not that we loved God first but that He first loved us and sent His Son.. " (1 John 4:10) God has loved us even before we are born. He loves us even if we don’t always give him our loving response. It’s His love that moves us to love others in return, even if our own loving is lacking.
22 May 2006
Good day! When the Lord comes knocking on your door, what willHe read? Welcome? Do not disturb?No soliciatation? Enter at your own risk? No vacany? Be sepecially on alert watch today. The Lord will come visit and call on you. Be there to receive Him and let Him in. Make Him fell at home.
25 May 2006
Someone is pryaing for you, one you may not even know. Somewhere someone remembers in his prayers those who are in need of them. Isn;t this reassuring? Even your relations who have gone ahead and are now with God are praying for you. Make it a habit then to pray for others, known and unknown to you.
26 May 2006
The Jesuit Francisco Garate became a saint not by great acts but by ordinary things. A doorkeeper most of his life, "Bro Courtesy" was known for great kindness and generosity:taking care of the sick, feeding the poor, welcoming students with words of advice and consolation. A life that truly opened doors!
goodnews
May 17, 2006
i’m subscribing to the Jesuit Daily Relfections, would like to share some of it:
18 May 2006
We know Jesus by many names and devotions: Messiah, Son of God and Good Shepherd, Divine MErcy, Sto., Nino and Sacred Heart. He’s compassionate, faithful and challenging. ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Aside from what people and stories say about Jesus, who is He for you? Who is this Jesus that you believe in?
17 May 2006
When we discover God’s will in our lives, we try to decode the signs we see around and within us. We follow the roads of our hearts and find out inner movements, patterns of joy and unhappiness. The secret to unlocking these signs is prayer. It allows us to center ourselves: to listen and make sense of things.
16 May 2006
By pruning their branches, vines and trees shoot new leaves and bear much fruit. The process must be "painful" — it means cutting, breaking, letting go and losing. What pruning do you need at this point? Look at what’s overgrowing in you, or what doesn’t bud or bear fruit. All the Vine grower to come to you.
14 May 2006
"Let us love not only with words and with our lips but in truth and deed" (1 Jn 3:18) While it’s meaningful to tell people how much we love them, it’s also important to put it into action. It’s the simple gesture of care and concern that speak thbe strongest, clearest message. How can you send this message today?
13 May 2006
Today in 1913 Mary appeared to 3 little shepherds at fatima, giving the message of prayer and conversion. Pray for sinners and unbelievers. Repent and do penance for sins. It’s the same message we all need to hear today. Make the day special by taking to heart and putting into action Mary’s motherly plea.
10 May 2006
"Da Vinci Code" even if it’s clearly fiction keeps people asking questions about our Christian faith. Our questions and reactions can make us reflect on the depth of our ownfaith. It’s even more important now not to simply keep our faith, bugt to SHARE and LIVE it. How can you help those who are in doubt?
09 May 2006
Zacchaeus was a short man. When Jesus passes through the crowd he climbs up a tree so he can see Him. His height and the barricade of people and the big tree don’t stop him from approaching the Lord. What bars you from getting closer to Jesus? Like Zaccheus, don’t let human and material barricades stop you!
07 May 2006
‘See what singular love the Father has for us: we’re called children of God and we really are’ (1 Jn 3:1) Bring these words with you as you go to Mass. We come from different backgrounds but we’re one as a community worshippping our Father. It’s His love that sustains us, forgetful and wandering that we are.
06 May 2006
Flores de Mayo: time when flowers are abloom, a month dedicated to Mary. In some places kids come with flower baskets and offer these at Mary’s shrine as they sing. Make May truly a month for Mary. Do a pilgrimage to a nearby shrine or pray at her altar. Do acts of kindness in her honor each day of May.
05 May 2006
Francis of Assisi called the sun Brother Sun, and the moon Sister Moon. He spoke with fishes and called them his brothers. His love for nature and everything around him sprang from his deep connection with God. Everything is God’s abundance, all is in God’s grace. Look at the beauty of nature and feel this connection.
reminder from the fingers
May 11, 2006
posted this today in the bulletin… such a good material for reflection…
THE 5 FINGERS OF PRAYER
1. Your thumb is nearest to you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C.S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."
2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.
3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God’s guidance.
4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.
5. And lastly comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all. Which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.
Should you find it hard to get to sleep tonight; Just remember the homeless family who has no bed to lie in.
Should you find yourself stuck in traffic; don’t despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.
Should you have a bad day at work; think of the man who has been out of work for the last three months.
Should you despair over a relationship gone bad; think of the person who has never known what it’s like to love and be loved in return.
Should you grieve the passing of another weekend; think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her family.
Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance, think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.
Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror; think of the cancer pat in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.
Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering; what is life all about, what is my purpose? Be thankful, there are those who didn’t live long enough to get the opportunity.
Should you find yourself the victim of other people’s bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; Remember, things could be worse. You could be them!!!
….
thank God, for the Gift of Prayer
