End Abortion

Gov. Rick Perry announced on Saturday, January 22, 2011 to a group of anti-abortion protesters that legislation, which would require women seeking an abortion to have a sonogram first, is an ‘emergency that merits expedited consideration by the Legislature.  A bill backed by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Houston state Sen. Dan Patrick to require sonograms will be granted emergency status.’  This means that the Legislature must take up the matter before the 60^th day of the session. 

Sen. Patrick’s bill would, therefore, require the following of women seeking an abortion: 

·         To receive a sonogram

·         To listen to a doctor’s explanation of the physical characteristics of the fetus

·         To hear the audio of the heartbeat, and

·         To be informed about alternatives to abortion at least 24 hours before the procedure

According to the San Antonio Express News dated Sunday, January 23, 2011, Republicans are two votes short of a two-thirds majority in the Senate.

I urge each and every one of you to contact your Texas state senator and demand that he or she vote for this bill. 

According to the latest statistics from the Texas Department of State Health Services, a total of 81,079 induced abortions were reported in 2007.

As Catholics, we are required to do everything possible to end abortion, so please:

CONTACT YOUR STATE SENATOR FOR A QUICK PASSAGE OF THIS BILL.

 

"Saul or Paul?"

Today, as we celebrate the feast day of “The Conversion of St. Paul,” we need to reflect as to which are we at this point in time of our lives.

Saul was raised a Jew and followed zealously the law of God, according to his ancestors.  He persecuted the early Christians, followers of the Way.  He was also responsible for the death of the first Christian martyr, St. Stephen.  From what St. Paul tells us in the Acts of the Apostles, he was a big-time sinner.

Then, as Saul was on his way to Damascus, he sees a great light and hears, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?  He replies, “Who are you, sir?”…The reply was, “I am Jesus, the Nazorean, whom you are persecuting.  Saul is then told by Jesus to continue to Damascus.  A disciple of Christ named Ananias is told to go to Saul.  Ananias said, “The God of our ancestors designated you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the sound of his voice; for you will be witness before all to what you have seen and heard.  Now, why delay?  Get up and have yourself baptized and your sins washed away, calling upon his name.”

Are we a Saul, still in the sinning mode, afraid to go to confession?  Have we seen a great light or even a flicker and have ignored it?  Have we heard our Lord calling us, but we refuse to heed Him?

As Saul’s sins were forgiven, Paul was told what to do and became one of the greatest apostles on earth.

We, as Paul, are being called to do the will of God.  Are we listening?  Do we see Christ in our brothers or sisters?  As Jesus said, “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren, you do unto me.”

As I tend to the needs of my husband, may I see Jesus in him.  Amen!!

Roe vs Wade

Continue to pray for the end of abortion! Today on the anniversary of Roe vs Wade, take time to say a rosary for the unborn.

Wasted Day?

Yesterday was what I consider a long, perhaps wasted, day. 

We went to 6:30 a.m. morning Mass, and participated in the fellowship afterwards.   We usually take breakfast on Wednesday.   I assisted with the finances at church until 9:00.  Then, I took my husband to the doctor.  Afterwards, we went to eat and then, to the grocery store.  We arrived home at 1:30 p.m.  I rested for an hour, then, went to pick up our grandson from school.  As you all know, children arrive starving from school.  So I fixed him some nachos.  I tried to tidy up a bit around the house, and then, my granddaughter, who was celebrating her birthday, her sister and mother stopped by since I had a cake for her.  By the time we finished and they left, it was time to get ourselves ready for bed.  Wow!  What a day, almost nonstop!

As I was lying in bed, contemplating that I had accomplished nothing, the Holy Spirit prompted me to rethink my day!

1.      What a wonderful opportunity that my husband and I have to start our mornings with Our Lord, Jesus, in the Holy Eucharist.  We, the body of Christ, after having received our spiritual food, continue with His graces, when we meet in fellowship and partake of earthly food.  We enjoy ourselves talking and laughing with our friends.

2.     Then, it was time to help in the church’s office with the finances.  Is this considered a spiritual ministry?  Perhaps in a way, it is since we are helping our priest with some of the work that he must deal with.

3.     It was now time to take my husband to the doctor.  What a chore I have thought this is, but as I thought more about it, I realized that I was performing an act of mercy:  taking care of the sick.  Amen, Jesus!

4.     Having had breakfast before 7:30 a.m., we were now hungry!   My husband had wanted ‘carne guisada’ for some time, but I never like it when I make it, so I decided to treat him.  Therefore, we went to a restaurant to eat.  This was quite enjoyable!

5.     For those of you that live in my area, you know how hectic it is to go shopping in our neighborhood grocery store.   Well, as always, we immediately met an old acquaintance.  I spoke briefly with them and left my husband chatting away.  I had to get a birthday cake and ice cream for my oldest granddaughter.  Finishing, we finally made it home.

6.     Rested for awhile and then went to pick up our grandson from school since he was having a sleepover.  He requested his favorite for a snack:  bean/cheese nachos!  This is LOVE!

7.     I tried to tidy up a bit since I had been on the go all day.  Hey, what is that saying:  Cleanliness is next to Godliness!

8.     It was finally time for the birthday girl to arrive.  My two granddaughters, my daughter-in-law, my grandson and we were ready to have our “mini-party.”  Again, if this is not LOVE, what is?

I thank you, Lord, for a wonderful day.  It was full of loving and caring.

Now, I ask you to rethink about your horrible days.  Are they truly bad?  Think of all the good that you have done or have been done to you.  May the Holy Spirit awaken in you the good that you have.   AMEN

Signal Graces

Many of us are in the habit of daily reciting the rosary; however, are you aware of the Fifteen Promises of Mary to Christians who recite the Rosary.  I know that I had forgotten them.  Since our parish has received calendars which focus on these fifteen promises, then I will become more familiar with them.

The very first promise states:  Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the rosary shall receive signal graces.

I know about actual grace and sanctifying grace, but I don’t remember signal graces.

According to The Rosary Foundation (www.erosary.com):

“Signal Graces are signs sent by God to help us make the right decisions in life. Moses saw a burning bush as a sign from God, and other people received signs from God daily. Signal graces usually come about as subtle hints to help keep us moving in the right direction - these signs are truly gifts from God.

Remember - there is no such thing as a coincidence, everything happens for a reason! By praying the rosary you will be more conscious of the way that God tries to help you and speak to you every day.”

I pray that Our Lady may help me become more conscious of the signs sent by her Son, through the Holy Spirit and that I may act on them according to His will, and not mine.

What Can I Write About?

I had started so faithfully on the 1st of the year, but I ran out of steam.  I wish I were like others, who can voice their faith so enthusiastically without any thought.  I, on the other hand, must think about what I want to say.  Is this the educator in me?  Someone, I know, pointed that out to me.  Since I have been such a structured individual, I am having a hard time, relaxing and letting the Holy Spirit just take over my mind, heart, and soul.
 I attend daily Mass, pray the rosary, and read the Bible, yet I feel I am still missing something.  Please pray for me that I may accept the gifts that our Lord wants me to have.  Perhaps, my gift is not being spontaneous in my speaking the faith.  Perhaps, it is in only being a role model, which can be a very challenging task. 
Until next time!  May God bless all who read this!

The Most Holy Name of Jesus

January 3, 2011     THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS

           

"You shall not take the name of the LORD, your God, in vain. For the LORD will not leave unpunished him who takes his name in vain”.  (Exodus 20:7)

Now a days, everywhere we turn, we hear or see blasphemy.  It is rare to watch a movie or television show and not hear the ‘taking of the Lord’s name in vain.’  Even among of us, who are churchgoers, we hear “Jesus Christ!”  The holy name being used, not as a prayer, but as an alternative for other words, during times of anger, frustration, etc,

Here are some prayers we can say when confronted by such blasphemy.

1.      "Golden Arrow"

(This prayer is said to have been revealed by Jesus Himself to a Carmelite Nun of Tours in 1843 as a reparation for blasphemy. "This Golden Arrow will wound My Heart delightfully," He said, "and heal the wounds inflicted by blasphemy.")

“May the most holy, most sacred, most adorable, most mysterious and unutterable Name of God be always praised, blessed, loved, adored and glorified in heaven on earth and under the earth, by all the creatures of God, and by the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ in the most Holy Sacrament of the altar”.

Imprimatur - T. J. Toolen, Archbishop of Mobile-Birm.

2.      Praise to the Holy Name of Jesus

The Holy Name of our Saviour is taken in vain so often. When we hear someone use the Name above all names as a common swear word, we can cross ourselves and reverence the precious Name being defamed.

Another commendable practice involves the devout, fervent recitation of the following prayer:

"May the Holy Name of Jesus be infinitely blessed!
May the Holy Name of Jesus be infinitely blessed!
May the Holy Name of Jesus be infinitely blessed!
May the Holy Name of Jesus be infinitely blessed!
May the Holy Name of Jesus be infinitely blessed!"

Sweet Jesus, send the Holy Spirit to guide me so that I may glorify and praise your most holy name.  May I always be reverent when speaking your precious name.  Amen.

"God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the Name which is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven, and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father"

-Philippians 2:9-10

The Epiphany

Traditionally, the Epiphany of the Lord is celebrated on January 6^th.  However, in the United States, the feast has been transferred to a Sunday.  In 2011, it falls on January 2^nd.

This feast celebrates the epiphany (manifestation) of Christ to the Gentiles, symbolized by Christ's manifestation to the Magi (Wise Men).

There are many legends about the visit of the Magi or Wise Men.  First of all, there is no evidence to confirm the number of Magi.  Second, the number three (3) is used because of the number of gifts.  Third, Christian writers have always referred to them as kings, but, again, nothing can historically prove that.  Fourth,  as of the 6^th century, the Magi have been called Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar in the Western church.  Fifth, according to the Catholic Source Book , Saint Bede the Venerable provided some interesting information.  In addition to the names already mentioned above, he went as far as describing them.  Melchior was ‘an old man, with white hair and a long beard; he offered gold to the Lord as to his King. The second, Gaspar by name, young, beardless, of ruddy hue, offered to Jesus his gift of incense, the homage due to Divinity. The third, of black complexion, with heavy beard, was middle-aged and called Balthasar. The myrrh, he held in his hand, prefigured the death of the son of Man.’  All of these details are fun, interesting, but not historically true.

What we do know about the Magi is found in Matthew’s Gospel and is the only evangelist who mentions this story.

                1 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod,

2 behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star 3 at its rising and have come to do him homage."  When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.  5 They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet:  6 'And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"  7 Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance.  8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage."  9 After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.  10 They were overjoyed at seeing the star, 11 5 and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

My Jesus, may I never forget that you are my Lord, King and God and that you died on the cross for me a sinner.  May I offer the little that I have, my aches, pains, trials, disappointments for you in praise and thanksgiving. Amen

Trivia Question:

In Mexico, on what day did they traditionally receive and exchange gifts?

Answer to 1/1/11 question:  The Feast of the Circumcision of the Child Jesus.

The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Mary’s Child = Son of God           (Luke 1:26-38)

Mary = Mother of my Lord         (Luke 1:39-45)

Mary = Mother of Jesus Christ   (Matthew 1:18-25)

Jesus Christ = God                          (John 20:28)

Therefore, Mary is the Mother of God

APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION
OF HIS HOLINESS PAUL VI

MARIALIS CULTUS

February 2, 1974

…In the revised ordering of the Christmas period it seems to us that the attention of all should be directed towards the restored Solemnity of Mary the holy Mother of God. This celebration, placed on January 1 in conformity with the ancient indication of the liturgy of the City of Rome, is meant to commemorate the part played by Mary in this mystery of salvation. It is meant also to exalt the singular dignity which this mystery brings to the "holy Mother...through whom we were found worthy to receive the Author of life."(17) It is likewise a fitting occasion for renewing adoration of the newborn Prince of Peace, for listening once more to the glad tidings of the angels (cf. Lk. 2:14), and for imploring from God, through the Queen of Peace, the supreme gift of peace. It is for this reason that, in the happy concurrence of the Octave of Christmas and the first day of the year, we have instituted the World Day of Peace, an occasion that is gaining increasing support and already bringing forth fruits of peace in the hearts of many.

Mary, mother of God, pray for us.  Our families, communities, and the world are in such turmoil.  Intercede for us that we may receive the peace and unity that we pray for.

Church Trivia Question:

What feast was originally celebrated on January 1st before the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God?

Answer in tomorrow's blog.