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TRÁI TIM
MẸ: NƠI CON NƯƠNG NÁU - ĐƯỜNG ĐẾN VỚI CHÚA |
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"Chúa Giêsu muốn dùng con để làm
cho Mẹ được nhận biết và yêu mến" |
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October 23/2009 - Friday of 29th Week of Ordinary Time
LITURGICAL/THEME MEDITATION:
"Why do you not know how to interpret
the present time?"
UNIVERSAL CHURCH/WORLD EVENT(S):
Bulgarian Orthodox Leader
Affirms Desire for Unity
SAINT OF THE DAY
St. John of Capistrano
GENERAL
MARIOLOGY
Book Six - Chapter V
JESUS BROUGHT BEFORE ANNAS AND
CAIPHAS
DIVINE MERCY
Divine Mercy in My Soul
NOTEBOOK VI
TEACHING/TESTIMONY/CONVICTION:
DATE RAPE -
SHARLENE' S STORY
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DAILY LITURGICAL MEDITATION |
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Friday (10/23): "Why do you not know how to
interpret the present time?"
Scripture: Luke 12:54-59
54 He also said to the multitudes, "When you see a cloud rising in
the west, you say at once, `A shower is coming'; and so it happens. 55
And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, `There will be
scorching heat'; and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to
interpret the appearance of earth and sky; but why do you not know how
to interpret the present time? 57 "And why do you not judge for
yourselves what is right?58 As you go with your accuser before the
magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag
you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the
officer put you in prison. 59 I tell you, you will never get out till
you have paid the very last copper."
Meditation: How good are you at reading warning signs? Jesus
expects his disciples to accurately read the signs of the times!
Farmers and seafarers know the importance of spotting weather conditions
for safe travel and planting. A lot of effort is made today, with the
help of science and technology, to discern potential natural dangers,
such as tropical storms, hurricanes, floods, tornados, earth quakes, and
erupting volcanoes, so that people can be warned to take shelter before
disaster hits. Our need for accurately discerning spiritual danger is
even more necessary if we want to avoid a spiritual crisis or a moral
disaster. Jesus used a vivid illustration to point out the urgency of
getting right with God before it is too late. If you got into serious
trouble with your neighbor and did something that could get you severely
penalized (like being thrown into jail and loosing everything you
owned), would you not try to settle the case out-of-court to avoid the
worst consequences?
None of us has the power and strength of will for overcoming sin and
evil on our own. We stand in constant need of God's grace, help,
strength, and protection. That is why scripture uses vivid language to
describe God as our rock, refuge, fortress, and mighty defense. We are
also vulnerable to Satan's lies and deceptions as well as our own
spiritual blindspots for recognizing sin and moral weakness in our own
lives. That is why we need God's help and discernment for distinguishing
between truth and error, right and wrong, good and evil. Fortunately the
Lord Jesus, who is a just judge, is also a merciful advocate who pleads
for us at the right hand of the Father in heaven. The light of Jesus
Christ reveals what is in our hearts and his grace frees us from the
tyranny of sinful habits, hurtful desires, and harmful addictions. God's
call is urgent and his grace is available for total freedom and
transformation in Christ. If we want to turn away from sin the Lord is
ready to give us the grace and help we need to choose for his way of
love and holiness. Are you ready for his saving grace and healing action
in your life?
"Lord Jesus, flood my heart with your love and free me for all that
would keep me from doing your will. Transform my mind that I may discern
what is right and have the courage to choose what is good and pleasing
to you."
Psalm 24:1-6
1 The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and
those who dwell therein;
2 for he has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the
rivers.
3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy
place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul
to what is false, and does not swear deceitfully.
5 He will receive blessing from the LORD, and vindication from the God
of his salvation.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the
God of Jacob. [Selah]
www.dailyscripture.net
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UNIVERSAL CHURCH/WORLD EVENTS |
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Bulgarian Orthodox Leader Affirms Desire for Unity
Croatian Politician Invites Pope to Visit
VATICAN CITY, OCT. 22, 2009 ( Zenit.org).- A Bulgarian Orthodox prelate told Benedict XVI of his desire for unity, and his commitment to accelerate communion with the Catholic Church.
At the end of Wednesday's general audience, Bishop Tichon, head of the diocese for Central and Western Europe of the Patriarchate of Bulgaria, stated to the Pope, "We must find unity as soon as possible and finally celebrate together," L'Osservatore Romano reported.
"People don't understand our divisions and our discussions," the bishop stated. He affirmed that he will "not spare any efforts" to work for the quick restoration of "communion between Catholics and Orthodox."
Bishop Tichon said that "the theological dialogue that is going forward in these days in Cyprus is certainly important, but we should not be afraid to say that we must find as soon as possible the way to celebrate together."
"A Catholic will not become an Orthodox and vice versa, but we must approach the altar together," he added.
The prelate told the Pontiff that "this aspiration is a feeling that arose from the works of the assembly" of his diocese, held in Rome, in which all the priests and two delegates from every Bulgarian Orthodox parish took part.
"We have come to the Pope to express our desire for unity and also because he is the Bishop of Rome, the city that hosted our assembly," he stated.
Initiatives
After the bishop, Luka Bebic, speaker of the Croatian Parliament, addressed the Holy Father, inviting the Pontiff to visit his homeland and thanking him "for the support the Holy See has given our people since independence, during the war back then and now in the process that will lead Croatia to enter the European Union."
Benedict XVI next greeted members of the Association Rondine Cittadella della Pace [Citadel of Peace], which promotes dialogue and peace by bringing together students from conflict areas to live and study in community.
They shared with the Pope a concrete proposal titled "14 Points for Peace in the Caucasus" that was developed at an international congress the association organized in May.
The proposal was also distributed to the ambassadors of the Caucasus countries and to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Young people of all the ethnic and religious groups of the Caucasus were also present at the audience.
Members of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Cardinal Sancha, whose founder, Cardinal Ciriaco María Sancha y Hervas, was beatified Sunday in Toledo, Spain, also greeted the Pontiff. Headed by their superior, Sister Maria del Carmen Dominguez, the religious expressed to the Holy Father their commitment to be faithful to their original charism "of service to the poor, orphans and the elderly."
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DAILY LITURGICAL SAINT |
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http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintofDay
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GENERAL
MARIOLOGY |
THE DIVINE HISTORY AND
LIFE
OF THE
VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOD
BOOK SIX
The Marriage
at Cana; How Most Holy Mary Accompanied the Re-
deemer of the
World in His Preaching: the Humility shown by the
Heavenly Queen
in regard to the Miracles Wrought by Her
Divine Son;The
Transfiguration of the Lord;His Entrance
into
Jerusalem; His Passion and Death; His Triumph
over Lucifer
and his Demons by His Death on
the Cross; the
Most Sacred Resurrection
of the Savior
and His Wonderful As-
cension into
Heaven
CHAPTER V.
JESUS BROUGHT BEFORE ANNAS AND CAIPHAS.
The highpriest Caiphas, filled with a deadly envy and
hatred against the Master of life, was seated in his chair of state or
throne. With him were Lucifer and all his demons, who had come from the
house of Annas. The scribes and pharisees, like bloodthirsty wolves,
surrounded the gentle Lamb; all of them were full of the exultation of
the envious, who see the object of their envy confounded and brought
down. By common consent they sought for witnesses, whom they could bribe
to bring false testimonies against Jesus our Savior (Matth. 26, 59).
Those that had been procured, advanced to proffer their accusations and
testimony; but their accusations neither agreed with each other, nor
could any of their slander be made to apply to Him, who of his very
nature was innocence and holiness (Mark 25,56; Heb. 7,26).
Our Savior Jesus answered not a word to all calumnies
and lies brought forward against his innocence. Caiphas, provoked by the
patient silence of the Lord, rose up in his seat and said to Him: "Why
dost Thou not answer to what so many witnesses testify against Thee?"
But even to this the Lord made no response. For Caiphas and the rest
were not only indisposed to believe Him; but they treacherously wished
make use of his answer in order to calumniate Him and satisfy the people
in their proceedings against the Galileean, so that they might not be
thought to have condemned Him to death without cause. This humble
silence, which should have appeased the wicked priest only infuriated
him so much the more because it frustrated his evil purpose. Lucifer,
who incited the high priest and all the rest, intently watched the
conduct of the Savior. But the intention of the dragon was different
from that of the high priest. He merely wanted to irritate the Lord, or
to hear some word, by which could ascertain whether he was true God.
With this purpose satan stirred up Caiphas to the
highest pitch of rage and to ask in great wrath and haughtiness: "I
adjure Thee by the living God, that Thou tell us, if Thou be the Christ,
the Son of God." This question of the highpriest certainly convicted him
at once of the deepest folly and of dreadful blasphemy for if it was
sincere, he had permitted Christ to be brought before his tribunal in
doubt whether He was the true God or not, which would make him guilty of
the most formidable and audacious crime. The doubt in such a matter
should have been solved in quite another way, conformable to the demands
of right reason and justice. Christ our Savior, hearing Himself conjured
by the living God, inwardly adored and reverenced the Divinity, though
appealed to by such sacrilegious lips. Out of reverence for the name of
God He therefore answered: "Thou hast said: I am He. Nevertheless I say
to you, hereafter you shall see the Son of man (who I am) sitting on the
right hand of the power of God, and coming in the clouds of heaven" (Matth.
26, 64).
But the highpriest, furious at the answer of the
Lord, instead of looking upon it as a solution of his doubt rose once
more in his seat, and rending his garments as an outward manifestation
of his zeal for the honor of God, loudly cried out: "He hath blasphemed;
what further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now you have heard the
blasphemy: what think you?" (Matth. 26, 65.) The real blasphemy however
consisted rather in these words of Caiphas, since he denied the certain
fact that Christ was the Son of God by his very nature, and since he
attributed to the divine Personality sinfulness, which was directly
repugnant to his very nature. Such was the folly of the wicked priest,
who by his office should have recognized and proclaimed the universal
truth. He made of himself an execrable blasphemer in maintaining that
He, who is holiness itself, had blasphemed. Having previously, with
satanical instinct, abused his high office in prophesying that the death
of one man is better than the ruin of all the people, he now was
hindered by his sins from understanding his own prophecy. As the example
and the opinions of princes and prelates powerfully stirs up the
flattery and subserviency of inferiors, that whole gathering of
wickedness was incensed at the Savior Jesus: all exclaimed in a loud
voice: "He is guilty of death (Matth. 26, 66), let Him die, let Him
die!" Roused by satanic fury they all fell upon their most meek Master
and discharged upon Him their wrath. Some of them struck Him in the
face, others kicked Him, others tore out his hair, others spat upon his
venerable countenance others slapped or struck Him in the neck, which
was a treatment reserved among the Jews only for the most abject and
vile of criminals. All these affronts, reproaches and insults were seen
and felt by the most holy Mary causing in Her the same pains and wounds
in the same parts of her body and at the same time as inflicted upon the
Lord. The only difference was, that in our Lord the blows and torments
were inflicted by the Jews themselves, while in his most pure Mother
they were caused by the Almighty in a miraculous manner and upon request
of the Lady. According to natural laws, the vehemence of her interior
sorrow and anxiety would have put an end to her life; but She was
strengthened by divine power, so as to be able to continue to suffer
with her beloved Son and Lord.
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DIVINE MERCY
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Divine Mercy In my soul
The Mercy of the Lord I will sing Forever.
Divine Mercy in my soul.
Sr. Faustina, Diary
NOTEBOOK V I
J.M.J.
May 8, 1938.
Today, I saw two enormous pillars implanted in the ground; I had implanted
one of them, and a certain person, S.M., the other. We had done so with
unheard of effort, much fatigue and difficulty. And when I had implanted the
pillar, I myself wondered where such extraordinary strength had come from.
And I recognized that I had not done this by my own strength, but with the
power which came from above. These two pillars were close to each other, in
the area of the image. And I saw the image, raised up very high and hanging
from these two pillars. In an instant, there stood a large temple, supported
both from within and from without, upon these two pillars. I saw a hand
finishing the temple, but I did not see the person. There was a great
multitude of people, inside and outside the temple, and the torrents issuing
from the Compassionate Heart of Jesus were flowing down upon everyone.
After Holy Communion today, Jesus said, My
daughter, give Me souls, know that it is your mission to win souls from Me
by prayer and sacrifice, and by encouraging them to trust in My mercy.
Oh, how greatly I desire the glory of Your
mercy – for me, bitterness and suffering! When I see the glory of your
mercy, I am immeasurably happy. Let all disgrace, humiliation come down upon
me, as long as the glory and praise of Your mercy resounds everywhere –
that’s all that matters.
The Creator and The Creature.
I adore You, Lord and Creator, hidden in the Blessed Sacrament. I adore You
for all the works of Your hands, that reveal to me so much wisdom, goodness
and mercy, O Lord. You have spread so much beauty over the earth, and it
tells me about Your beauty, even though these beautiful things are but a
faint reflection of You, Incomprehensible Beauty. And although You have
hidden yourself and concealed Your beauty, my eye, enlightened by faith,
reaches You, and my soul recognizes its Creator, its Highest Good; and my
heart is completely immersed in prayer of adoration.
My Lord and creator, Your goodness encourages me to converse with You. Your
mercy abolishes the chasm which separates the Creator from the creature. To
converse with You, O Lord, is the delight of my heart. In You I find
everything that my heart could desire. Here Your light illumines my mind,
enabling it to know You more and more deeply. Here streams of graces flow
down upon my heart. Here my soul draws eternal life. O my Lord and Creator,
You alone, beyond all these gifts, give your own self to me and unite
Yourself intimately with Your miserable creature. Here, without searching
for words, our hearts understand each other. Here, no one is able to
interrupt our conversation. What I talk to You about, Jesus, is our secret,
which creatures shall not know and Angels dare not ask about. These are
secret acts of forgiveness, known only to Jesus and me; this is the mystery
of His mercy, which embraces each soul separately. For this incomprehensible
goodness of Yours, I adore You, O Lord and Creator, with all my heart and
all my soul. And, although my worship is so little and poor, I am at peace
because I know that You know it is sincere, however inadequate…
As I was writing the above words, I saw the Lord Jesus leaning over me, and
He asked, My daughter, what are you writing?
I answered, “I am writing about You, Jesus,
about Your being hidden in the Blessed Sacrament, about Your inconceivable
love and mercy for people.” And Jesus said,
Secretary of My most profound mystery, know that yours is an exclusive
intimacy with Me. Your task is to write down everything that I make known to
you about My mercy, for the benefit of those who by reading these things
will be comforted in their souls and will have the courage to approach Me. I
therefore want you to devote all your free moments to writing.
“But, O Lord, shall I always have a moment, at
least a brief one, in which to write?” and Jesus answered,
it is not for you to think about that. Only do as
much as you can, and I will always arrange things so that you will easily be
able to do what I ask of you…
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CATHOLIC TEACHING/CONVICTION/TESTIMONY |
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BOYFRIENDLESSNESS, AND THAT'S OK?
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n high school every girl is supposed to have a boyfriend,
right?
Don't they pass them out with the textbooks? I guess I was
absent then, because I never got mine. By my junior or senior
year, it seemed as though all of my friends had boyfriends. Some
were on their second, third or sixth. But not me.
How could life go on? I went to a school of about 1,200
students, roughly half of whom were boys. If not one guy in 600
had any interest in me, there couldn't be much hope for the
future, could there?
I was miserable. I thought I was missing out on what high
school was all about. And what was worse, to keep my friends, I
had to spend time with them and their boyfriends. I watched them
hold hands, whisper secrets and exchange knowing looks. It was
awful. I had a terrible case of the "I-don't-have-a-boyfriend"
blues.
I spent agonizing hours trying to analyze the problem. It was
my psychology teacher who gave me a bit of hope. She had us
write a paper answering questions about ourselves. One question
was about relationships with the opposite sex.
My answer: "The guys just think of me as a buddy. I'm someone
for them to talk to, but not a girlfriend."
My teacher wrote a note on my paper. It said, simply, "Your
day will be after high school, believe me."
I didn't believe her. How could she know that? But it sounded
good. And she was right. My day did come even after college. Of
course I can't guarantee it, but it's likely yours will too.
Looking back, I can see some reasons that some girls don't
have boyfriends in high school and (can it be true?) some
benefits to being unattached through those years. I wish I had
known some of this while I was battling my emotions in high
school. Maybe it can help you.
Why doesn't anyone like me?
You're trying too hard. If the fact that you don't have a
boyfriend fills all of your thoughts and conversations, chances
are it shows. Guys may not be able to see any interests you have
that they might share.
Worrying excessively about what is wrong with you puts the
focus of your attention on yourself. People are attracted to
those who are interested in others and in the world around them.
You're being evaluated by the wrong standards. A lot of guys
at my school chose girlfriends according to looks, popularity
and what their friends would think (the same reasons a lot of
girls chose boyfriends).
Remember that even those who are considered attractive can
have unattractive features or characteristic. And even if you
consider yourself unattractive, you do have some attractive
features. You've heard that beauty is in the eye of the
beholder, and that's true.
Looks have little to do with whether you will ever have a
boyfriend. Your personality will speak louder than the fact that
you have a little too much here or not enough there.
Popularity isn't much of an issue after high school. The time
will come when people will appreciate you for yourself, not for
who your friends are or what group you're in.
You're painfully shy. Often people confuse shyness with
conceit or snobbery. This is especially true if you are pretty.
People may accuse you of thinking you're too good for them. You
may not even be aware that you are considered pretty. You may
even feel unattractive.
Shyness often disappears on its own as you get older, but you
can help it along by getting involved in activities you are
interested in. It will be easier to talk with people when you
have something in common to discuss.
You don't really want a boyfriend. You think you do because
it's what everyone is supposed to want. But, really, you don't
feel ready for a relationship, so you sidestep the opportunities
that come your way. There is nothing at all wrong with this.
More girls are resisting the pressure and deciding not to have a
boyfriend.
Benefit of Boyfriendlessness.
You have time to develop closer friendships. Since you're not
devoting most of your attention to one person, you're free to be
more involved in the lives of your friends.
Spending time with a lot of different people can help you to
better understand people and to develop new interests. Doing
things in groups can be a lot of fun--a way to get to know guys
without the pressure of an official date.
You won't make certain mistakes you'll regret later. Plenty
of people are pressured into premature sexual relationships.
That doesn't mean you will be, but you've heard the statistics
on the number of teenage pregnancies. You don't hear much about
those who "just" feel emotionally betrayed and guilty.
If you don't have a boyfriend, you will be less likely to
have to deal with these issues or to expose yourself to sexually
transmissible diseases, which can ruin or even end your life.
You have time to focus on your schoolwork. That probably
doesn't sound too exciting, but it can help you when it comes
time to choose a college or university or enter the job market.
You probably won't marry prematurely. Several of my friends
who had boyfriends in high school were married within a year
after graduation. Some of them have good marriages, but most of
them wish they had waited a few years.
They wish they had taken time to travel or further their
education. They realize, too, that they were not financially
prepared for the responsibilities of marriage. For these
reasons, in many cultures marriage is just not the next logical
or ideal step after high school.
A Forgotten Best Friend.
I was a Catholic, and I did not practice much my religion
until I enter the college and join a Christian Club. I come to
recognize that Jesus is truly the best friend for all teenagers.
He's there whenever you need Him. He listens intimately to you.
And He responds with grace. We all know "a friend in need is a
friend in deed". The Bible also tells us how close Jesus is to
us: "God's message is near you, on your lips and in your heart"
(Rm. 10:8). He even call us friends and died for friends. Jesus
is the "hidden' treasure to the youth.
A Happy Ending. It can be hard to overcome the "I-don't-
have-a-boyfriend" blues, but being single in high school can be
a blessing in disguise. And another thing. It may seem like
everyone else has a boyfriend, but stop and look around. You're
not alone. There's nothing wrong with you. It's just not time
for you yet, and that's OK.
(YOU magazine)
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