PAINT THE RIGHT PORTRAIT OF YOUR LIFE AND THE 'MISSION' YOU HAVE WILL BECOME CLEAR TO YOU

Many are those who, like the Pharisees, tend only to cleansing the exterior. They worry only about outer appearance. They dress in just the right fashion. They carefully conduct rituals. They comport themselves as holy. They are seen to pray. And all of that can be important. They appear clean on the outside.

But more important (by far) is to cleanse internally. Said Jesus: "Beware of the leaven–that is, the hypocrisy–of the Pharisees. There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light" (Luke 12).

Thoughts. Emotions. How do you think? What do you think? What are your "first thoughts"? What thoughts do you hold as your own? Are they negative? Are they always critical? Are they "me first"? What do you wish for others?

Every day, every moment, we must be meticulous in cleansing what Teresa of Avila called the "interior castle." This is what God sees. This is the person He knows as the real us. And when we hold negativity, it slows our progression to Heaven (because it sullies). Jesus said, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness" (Matthew 23:27).

Those "bones" can be the dark blotches of sin. They can be emotions. They are thoughts. They can be spirits. Dark forces are allowed entry when we think or act in a way that is sinful; one bad proclivity leads to another. Are you having trouble loving others? Do you find it hard to think in a positive way about those around you?

It could be because you still allow in thoughts of greed or lust or selfishness, thoughts of revenge, thoughts that are critical. These will block the flow of grace. Discipline yourself so that every first thought is a good one. Discipline is a key to happiness! Look at the word: disciple. It is the follower of a "school of thought."

In this life, you are a paint brush. The paint is your life experiences. The portrait is your life. The world is the studio, with the subject love. It will also lead you to your mission. This is important because you want to be who you really are in preparation for eternity -- when you step (joyously) into your authentic existence. This we get from a person who glimpsed the afterlife. Paint the right picture. Do you splash paint all over the place?

Our thought lives are our true selves and when we die we will assume a robe with a whiteness or grayness or blackness, the hues, that are commensurate with our interior lives. We will step into the real portrait of who we are. One sinful tendency can bring in additional ones -- just as Jesus spoke of a spirit leaving a person but returning with seven others.

Purification, on the other hand, brings angels and comes when we serve others -- for the right reason. The more we serve, the more we purify. It is best to do it here instead of purgatory.

We cleanse when we serve and we serve when we fulfill our life missions.

Many times, we have discussed "life missions." We all have one of those, and accomplishing this mission with an attitude of unselfishness causes blemishes to vanish -- cleanses the castle.  How do we tell what it is?

"Our assignment is programmed in at birth, and it is the very thing or things we love most," said the woman I just quoted. "Acting from this love helps us to realize our true self, which is created anew each day of our lives through authentic behavior. This is what is meant by 'following your love.'"

So often, we stray from what we really love -- what really makes us feel at home -- because we seek to please society instead of God. We need to turn away from a competitive lifestyle into one that feels like an old shoe. This is when we know we are on the right path! What we love may seem simple -- even innocuous. But somewhere there is part of your mission with it. Maybe it's just making others laugh. Maybe it's simply fishing with the young. Maybe it's singing in a choir. Maybe it's those night-time stories read to a toddler.

It is the little, finer strokes. It is the subtle shade. It is the simpler paint -- simple but pure, because it is mixed in the heart.

You will be happiest and most loving doing what you are meant to do. And so: do it! Dare to live a life of joy (as opposed to one of pretense). Dare to purify. It is not the sufferings or challenges of life but how we handle them. Suffering cleanses. So does love (in all circumstances). Love elevates.

"One of the many beliefs I have formed from this experience is that whenever unconditional love is bestowed upon an individual, it causes a purging of 'unloving energy' or self-hating energy (a person or the light), it causes a purging of 'unloving energy' or self-hating energy (which are illusions) to come into the consciousness of the individual to be examined and discharged," said this witness to Heaven. "Thus, the individual's level of consciousness is raised every time this is done."

We might want to re-read that!

It is how to cleanse, it is how we paint our lives -- and it is how we "dress" for eternity.

Source: Spiritdaily

There are angels in the Heavens.
There are angels on the ground.
There are angels all around you,
Just waiting to be found.

So when you are feeling lonely
Or just a little blue,
Open your eyes to see the angels.
They are there, waiting for you.

Don't forget about these angels
During all of your good times too,
For they like to share your happiness
And the joys, that come to you.

They will wrap their wings around you,
To protect and guide you through
All the sad and tragic moments
That this life can throw at you.

They are sent to you from Heaven
From the Almighty Father above.
So remember to look for the angels.
They'll show you that God is Love.

Written By: © Dorothy Carol Kemp

To a nice person

Hello There Nice Person 
Did Anyone Ever Tell You,
Just How Special You Are

The Light that You Emit 

Might even Light a Star 

Did Anyone Ever Tell You
How Important You Make Others Feel
Somebody out here is Smiling
About Love that is so Real

Did Anyone Ever Tell You that
Many Times When They were Sad
Your E-mail made Them Smile a bit
In Fact It made Them Glad 



For the Time You Spend Sending Things
And Sharing whatever You Find
There are No Words to Thank You
But Somebody, Thinks You're Fine

Did Anyone Ever Tell You 

Just How Much They Like You
Well, My Dearest Friend
Today I am Telling You

I HOPE I GET THIS BACK
I believe that without a
Friend you are missing out on a lot!!! 


BUT, you have to send it right now!!
But don't just send it back, send it on to everyone..
Have a nice day, and I'm glad we are friends!!!

THIS IS A HAND OF FRIENDSHIP
YOU MUST PASS IT TO AT LEAST 4 FRIENDS!! 


The Wave ----- keep it going 



Just wanted to say hi,
AND HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY!

  A Surprise from St. Therese

By June Klins

 

   One year on October 4, I felt drawn to go to  Mass at a church I don’t go to very often.  I almost ignored the inspiration because the priest at that time never gave a homily for daily Mass, and I wanted to hear a homily on St. Francis, since it was his feast day.

   After the gospel, Father said, "I hope you are not in a hurry because I want to give a five- minute homily."  I was thrilled that I would now hear a homily about St. Francis! 

   I was baffled, though, as he began to talk, not about St. Francis, but about St. Therese, the Little Flower!!!!  Her feast day was three days before, on October 1.  Was he confused???   As he talked about St. Therese’s virtuous life, my eyes welled up with tears because my friend just that morning had asked me to pray for the intercession of St. Therese! 

   After he talked briefly about St. Therese, Father said that when he was first ordained, an old French priest, 90 years old, came to where he was assigned, and he had to take care of him for about six weeks as he was dying.  A week before he died, he rang a bell for Father to come to his room, and he told Father to get a pouch out of the drawer and open it. In it was a photograph of a young nun. He gave it to Father as a gift and explained that the young nun was St. Therese, the Little Flower.  The old priest had been a neighbor of St. Therese when they were growing up, and when she took her first vows as a Carmelite nun, on September 8, 1890, her sister Celine took this picture of her.

    Father said he had 1000 reprints made, and he had a few left over that we could take. I felt so blessed to have received this special photo.

    I cried all the way home when it dawned on me that St. Therese did not send me a rose for the novena I had made the week before, but, instead, sent me a photograph of herself !!!!    Thank you, St. Therese.  

The Spirit of Medjugorje
P.O. Box 6614
Erie, PA 16512

 

Feast Day: The Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Messengers of God

Who are the archangels?

Pope St. Gregory the Great distinguishes between angels and archangels: "Those who deliver messages of lesser importance are called angels; and those who proclaim messages of supreme importance are called archangels." The Catechism explains: "From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. 'Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.' Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God" (No. 336).

St. Michael the Archangel battles Satan.

GLADE PARK, CO (Catholic Online) - "The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls 'angels' is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 328).

Today we celebrate the Feast of Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael: Archangels. Though we cannot know of all the many times these magnificent spirits and powerful allies have entered into history to accomplish God's will, protecting us, driving away demons, and bearing forth messages of God's providential plan of salvation, some of their specific actions are recorded in Sacred Scripture, and, in each case, we obtain a glimpse into their ardent love for God, intently focused wills and formidable intellects.

"Who Is Like God"
In the Office of Readings -- from The Liturgy Of The Hours, which is a part of the official, liturgical and public prayer of the Church --  antiphon we read: "The sea grew turbulent and the earth trembled when Michael the archangel came down from heaven."

As we read in Scripture, it was St. Michael who long ago led the battle against Satan: "Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. Although the dragon and his angels fought back, they were overpowered and lost their place in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent known as the devil or Satan, the seducer of the whole world, was driven out; he was hurled down to earth and his minions with him" (Rev 12:7-9).

The name Michael means "who is like God." St. Michael's will is focused, immovable, and entirely driven toward accomplishing goodness: he is a protector of souls, and wields his unrelenting sword of righteous justice against the poisonous and vindictive aspirations of the one who is known as a liar from the beginning. During a visit to the Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel, the Venerable John Paul II said, "The battle against the devil . . . is the principal task of Saint Michael the archangel."

When St. Michael the Archangel appeared to the three children at Fatima in 1916, preparing the way for the apparition of our Blessed Mother which was soon to follow, he said to them, "Fear not. I am the Angel of Peace. Pray with me." Then, prostrating himself, he repeated three times: "My God; I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love Thee! I beg Thee forgiveness for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love Thee!" In this simple yet wonderful prayer of profound meaning, St. Michael clearly reveals his burning adoration and love for God, as well as the fact that, deep within the center of his being, he also bears great love and concern for men. How serious and committed this warrior is! St. Michael offers us a model of unwavering dedication, focus, fearlessness, and trust in God's sovereign goodness and power.

"God Is My Strength"
Gabriel means "God is my strength." As we read in the second antiphon of the Office of Readings, the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah and said, "Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John" (see Lk 1:13). Thus St. Gabriel announced the coming of John the Baptist, the greatest prophet of the Most High, who would go before the Lord to prepare his way.

It was St. Gabriel who was sent from God to Nazareth, "to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, . . . and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, 'Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you'" (Lk 1:27-28).

St. Gabriel's message announced a pivotal moment in humankind's history: the Savior was, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to be conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary. The Archangel who draws his strength from God brought us the message of strength in which we draw our hope: God Incarnate was soon to enter history for love of man.

Pope St. Gregory the Great wrote: "He [Gabriel] came to announce the One who appeared as a humble man to quell the cosmic powers. Thus God's strength announced the coming of the Lord of the heavenly powers, mighty in battle" (excerpt from Hom. 34, 8-9).

"God Is My Health"
Raphael means "God is my health." St. Raphael is one of seven angels "who enter and serve before the Glory of the Lord" (Tob 12:15). The meaning of Raphael's name reflects the fact that he touched Tobit's eyes in order to heal them of blindness.

In the third antiphon of the Office of Readings, we are reminded that Raphael stands before God: "I am the angel Raphael, I stand in the presence of the Lord; as for you, bless the Lord, and proclaim his wonderful deeds."

When Tobit and his son Tobiah were discussing how they should repay.. 

St. Raphael for all that he had done for them, "Raphael called the two men aside privately and said to them: 'Thank God! Give him the praise and the glory. Before all the living, acknowledge the many good things he has done for you, by blessing and extolling his name in song. Before all men, honor and proclaim God's deeds, and do not be slack in praising him'" (Tobit 12:6).

There is a great deal we can learn from the Archangels, who are powerful messengers, allies and friends of men. 

What Is An Angel?

St. Augustine says: "'Angel' is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is 'spirit'; if you seek the name of their office, it is 'angel': from what they are, 'spirit,' from what they do, 'angel.'" As incorporeal beings, creatures made of spirit and without a material body, angels are not in themselves perceptible by the senses. 

Pope St. Gregory the Great distinguishes between angles and archangels: "Those who deliver messages of lesser importance are called angels; and those who proclaim messages of supreme importance are called archangels."

The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that with their whole being the angels are servants God. Because they "always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven" they are the "mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word" (CCC No. 329; Mt 18:10).

As we reflect upon the beauty, power and strength of the angels, we are drawn toward a deeper and clearer understanding of God's love for man; for billions of angels, to be sure, are given personal charge over their own child of God. Every moment of each day, day after day, year after year, our faithful guardian angels stand at our sides, focused on our well-being with far greater power than even we ourselves can summon.

The Catechism explains: "From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. 'Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.' Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God" (No. 336).

More On The Angels

In the Catechism we read that "As purely spiritual creatures angels have intelligence and will: they are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures, as the splendor of their glory bears witness" (CCC No. 330; Dan 10:9-12).

Michael Schmaus writes: "The angels' free and powerful will corresponds to their comprehensive knowledge. It is on account of this penetrating understanding and great power of will that they make decisions without vacillating, without deliberation and with concentrated intellectual assertion, and hence never revoke them." Schmaus also notes that the angelic intellect possesses an "extraordinary power of penetration," and that the angels enjoy an intensity of intellectual life which "corresponds to their close association with God" (Dogma, New York: Sheed and Ward).

God created the angels, like man, with an intellect and will, yet these shared attributes cannot be exactly compared, for they differ greatly in strength and power. For instance, we might compare the intellect and will of a child to that of an adult: the former is not nearly so strong as the latter. The angels' intellect is far advanced over that of man, and, as for their will, they do not struggle with doubt, weakness, and the tendency to fall into sin. On the contrary, the angels' will is of unwavering force, unceasingly directed toward and powerfully focused on the Ultimate Good, which is, of course, God.

As for how the angels move, we are all familiar with pictures of winged cherubs. Yet, as wonderful as wings might be, they do no justice as a description of the angels' movement. The angels are able to travel from our bedside to the sun's corona, from there to the most distant star and back again in less than an instant. In fact, it is actually irrelevant to include the element of time in a discussion of angels' movement. The speed of light is really no speed at all for our powerful guardians; for they are not constrained by the laws of time and space as are men. Their movement is as quick and effortless as a thought. It is best to think of the angels' movement as one of entering in and out of time, rather than a movement of direction from one point to another, as we experience it in the material world.

Though the angels surpass in perfection all visible creatures, we should be mindful of the close relationship we share with them. While there are significant differences between us, both men and angels were created in and through Christ; therefore we are truly brothers, if you will, who exist for Christ, each drawing our light and life from Christ. We share with the angels our beginning and end in God, the Origin of life and the Source of all that is visible and invisible.

St. Gabriel announced the most wonderful and sublime event ever to occur in the universe, the coming of the Incarnate God into the world through the womb of our precious Virgin Mary. Though we now look back twenty centuries to that moment of his wondrous announcement, we can still feel the joy in his words, and, this moment, we continually share in that joy. We belong to that Savior of which Gabriel spoke; along with Gabriel we pledge our allegiance to Christ, our Master and King. 

On this Feast day, let us thank our Lord for the Archangels who have often entered into history as messengers in God's providential plan of salvation. Let us also remember our close connection with them in Christ, and frequently turn to them for their intercessory protection and assistance in times of trouble.

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F. K. Bartels is a Catholic writer who knows his Catholic faith is one of the greatest gifts a man could ever have. He is managing editor of catholic pathways.com, and a contributing writer for Catholic Online.