tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11414448287755346762024-03-05T03:15:36.013-06:00Make Love your aimTherefore judge nothing before the appointed time;
wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light
what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives
of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his
praise from God.
-1 Corinthians 4:5Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838678821922937733noreply@blogger.comBlogger173125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141444828775534676.post-35781620415136840412013-08-07T15:24:00.002-05:002013-08-07T16:16:36.538-05:00John 19:26-27<div style="text-align: justify;">
It may be good but is it necessary? </div>
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What a strange question. Although, if I look back own my own life, I’ve ask this question many times, particularly when it comes to school. Is this going to be on the test? (Thanks for going through every step of how you derived the equation, but do I really need to know that? Oh, how many pages of notes I took in math classes only to realize the professor is just showing us where it came from! Too bad that was never asked on the test (or maybe that was a good thing???)) </div>
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The question shows an attitude of only being concerned with the requirements. It shows I’m really not involved, or at least not enough to spend any more time or effort than is expected of me. I’m not curious, I’m not really engaged. This may, in the case of math class, have been a survival instinct: since I didn’t have unlimited amounts of time to spend on figuring out the nuances of every equation needed to solve the problem, I’d skip to what I really “needed to know” (so I don’t fail the test! haha). But if I was more interested, or loved math more, I probably wouldn’t have thought “What a waste of my time! He’s deriving another equation!” </div>
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But it is an underlying, and sometimes explicit, question for many others things. Is it necessary to work out today? Eat healthy? Call my friend? Read the assigned reading? Get to work on time? Wear my seatbelt? Go to Mass? Pray? Another common way to put it: Do I have to? </div>
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Some of these things will be more of a given for some than for others. We each have our preferences and priorities. But what about when it comes to God, religion, and our relationship with Him? </div>
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During a bible study recently, I was pointing out that Jesus gave us His mother, and so she is now our mother. Being the only Catholic there, I knew this isn’t stressed to them very much, if at all. In fact, I was asked that while she may be good in that she points us to Jesus, is she necessary? I took the question to mean necessary for salvation because I’ve been asked if a number of things are necessary for salvation. She obviously was necessary in God’s plan of the Incarnation. It’s hard to be fully man if you don’t have a mother who gave birth to you… </div>
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So is accepting Mary as our mother, or just giving it any thought, necessary for our salvation? First, it’s a question that misses the point. If salvation was a math test, then perhaps asking a question like that is acceptable. But “being saved” and having faith is more than a class you get through so you can focus on other things. It’s meant to be a love affair! To ask if something is necessary for my lover should only be asked as a last resort. How strange would it be to ask, “is it necessary to talk to you every day?”, or “can I not celebrate your birthday?”, or “do I have to hold your hand?”! The answer to each of these is ultimately no, it’s not necessary. The relationship (hopefully) won’t end if this doesn’t occur constantly, or perhaps even if it never happened at all. However, add up these “not necessary” items and soon you won’t have much of a relationship. Put another way, if we lay in bed all day, or eat a whole package of Oreos, we most likely will not drop dead by tomorrow. But keep it up, and serious problems will develop. </div>
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Love looks to ask, “what more can I do?” instead of, “can I not do it and we still be ok?” Love asks “what else can I love about you?” (or better, “what more can I love WITH you?”). I would speculate that many go to heaven without ever asking Mary for help. However, Jesus gives His mother to us as a great blessing, as another way to keep us close to Himself. Another guide, another help, another example for us. And most of us, I think, really do need that. I need all the help I can get. </div>
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And that is why I fall in love with Jesus more and more. He holds nothing back. See all the good gifts He gives us! Look at the beautiful Church He built and gave to us! Through the Church, through Mary, I learn everything I need to know about Jesus, and then some. Look at the saints, who by dedicating their lives to Jesus are now able to confidently ask for real grace for us. Look at the fascinating creatures, the art man has created, the poems, friends, the stars, the Bible, the Sacraments! All of these Jesus gives us to lead us to Himself! How can we not be grateful and eager to explore what they have to offer? </div>
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Jesus wants us to behold Him. Let us contemplate the gift.</div>
Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838678821922937733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141444828775534676.post-68943161496738919682012-10-24T19:21:00.003-05:002012-10-24T19:52:04.225-05:00The blessing of GodHello there blog! Long time no see. I've been thinking about you lately and decided to stop by. I hope to see more of you from now on.<br />
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And now on to my actual post...<br />
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The human race has always had an obsession with children, and rightly so. For the majority of human history one’s children where the best way of carrying on yourself, in the form of knowledge, beliefs, memory, and DNA. Children were seen as a kind of wealth, in that one had more hands to work, and also a longer permanence than a single lifespan. It was honorable to have many children, and many cultures then (and some still today) saw it as a blessing from God. Each culture had some system (some complex) for raising children and certain things were expected of them and their families. I think this is natural given a human life demands some short of structure and can easily become complex.<br />
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However, in today’s modern life, this ancient obsession with children has twisted. Many of the innate and foundational desires to have children have completely disappeared. For instance, who views children as a way to, in a sense, live longer? Or as a status symbol, or as a public sign of God’s blessing? <br />
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What do we view children as now? Something my wife wanted. A burden. Unwanted. Cute but too expensive. A “handful”. Even those with children, who love their children, and enjoy being around them have a limit on how many is too many. When did having three children become the absolute most anyone could imagine having? THREE! That’s not even enough to ensure each child has both a brother AND a sister. I understand not all parents can have many babies, for some two is stretching things, either financially or mentally or both. However, shouldn’t having a large family be the ideal and desire of all?<br />
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If I can continue on my soapbox, I’d like to propose that our society would be dramatically healthier if more families were larger families. For one, it would provide more close relationships. Time and time again, it’s been shown and proven this is the biggest indictor of happiness and has the greatest impact on our health. It would lead to a stronger and larger network, so we wouldn’t feel alone. I think so many problems stem from us feeling alone. Having larger families would also, if I may assert, lead to better jobs. Jobs that take into account family life and don’t expect one to be a workaholic to keep their job. Jobs that also pay better, as one would need a stable and providing source for their family. It would most likely make people more social and build stronger communities amongst families. Also, as the parents age, they would be much less likely to be in the unfortunate situation of no money AND no one to care for them. I too believe it would lead to raising better people: people who have less pressure put on them to become something in particular and more likely to pursue something they are passionate about. They would also have a bigger net to fall on should they fail (which isn’t such a bad thing). In addition to these, I think it would make people less selfish, more able to get along with others, able to be more contented, and able to manage their priorities better. <br />
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I’m not saying this is some kind of magic cure for all our problems. Just look to the past to see that it is not. We are still human. But humans are able to improve things. That is what we do best. But first we have to know where we want to go. And I’m afraid so many of us have bought into the idea that we want to go where the money is, instead of happiness. We want to be able to control everything, including our children and their lives. We have been duped to think that if we do X, Y, and Z we will get what we want. It simply isn’t true. God holds our future, and he has our best interest in mind. Trying to control our families will never get us to happiness. Only love will. Let us work on breaking our obsession to control things, and instead let God grace us with His many gifts. Those gifts will be better than anything we could have constructed or planned ourselves.<br />
<br />Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838678821922937733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141444828775534676.post-28980507677001090522012-04-23T01:46:00.000-05:002012-04-23T01:46:45.532-05:00A come to Jesus momentI wish I had the strength to be Christ to the world. I understand on nights like this why Jesus had to suffer so much. To save us will cost everything. As I become less naïve to the world, I realize how hard this life will be. How hard my own heart is, and how seemly impossible it is to penetrate anyone else’. And yet, God can. He is the only one who can break through. The only one with enough love to have the stamina to achieve it. We are completely unworthy. So disgusting and ignorant and evil. But there He is, with love in His eyes. I’ll never understand how perfection can tolerate it, even want it. And still, THAT is truth.<br />
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One of my favorite parts in all of scripture is John 15:18-19- “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”<br />
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To me, the world is a sad reality, and we are called to bring hope to its miserable depths. I can’t think of anything harder, except for maybe saving my soul. I have witnessed this hate. It is so sudden and strong I’m taken aback every time. But yet, they hate Jesus even more. They hate the one who created them from nothing but love, who keeps them in existence right now because of love, and who gives them good days. How will they ever come to love me if they can’t even love Jesus?<br />
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It’s hard not to desire worldly love. In a way, we are all at least a little wrapped up in it. And yet, I am frequently reminded that I will never get it. I guess it’s a starting point to genuinely not wanting it. And yet, I continue to see how fickle and easily swayed it is. How gullible people can be about the most dangerous of things, and so skeptical about the most important. It seems like an easy mission when first starting out- surely this is common sense I tell myself. Then the real battle begins, and I realize I’ll be thankful to just have myself come out intact. <br />
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I don’t mean to have such a depressing view. Really the only hope I have is in Jesus. He is somehow strong enough. He still, somehow, loves us. If He is willing to go through all this, maybe somehow, I can go with Him. God help me.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838678821922937733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141444828775534676.post-47258186529115540582011-12-01T22:56:00.001-06:002011-12-01T23:04:16.350-06:00MemoriesIt’s reaching towards the end of the semester, the year, and my college experience. My childhood, if not already long gone, is definitely heading towards a definitive close. I know how I get around this time of year (all sappy and sad). It’s the period of waiting, preparing, and yet also remembering. What better way to wait than remember right?<br />
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I still think back to the summer before my senior year of high school. I went to New Zealand and Australia. But when I think about that trip I don’t think of all the places we saw or things we did (although they were very exciting), I think about the night I went swimming at a resort in Australia on one of the last nights of the trip. Maybe it’s because I love the night, or swimming, or feeling so right that night. Or maybe it was a combination. But when I think back to my short floating session, I can’t help but remember the only other person in the pool that night. A boy who was also on our trip, although I had hardly talked to him before then. Our travel group was big and he was a part of a different group of friends. But there he was, alone, in the pool.<br />
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The pool was beautiful. It was wide with long lanes that lead to a cutoff that overlooked a lake. At the right spot, it looked like the pool water was hovering above the lake. On the far side of the lake was a magnificent tree with a single spotlight which mirrored it on the motionless water. The stars were unbelievable and the pool was colored so blue it seemed as if I was swimming in the sky. I swam over to this boy. It was just too perfect to keep all to myself. But he wasn’t interested in conversation. He told me politely enough that he was working on improving his swimming. So up and down he went, slowly, but surely. So I continued to float, staring into the stars.<br />
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Less than two weeks after we returned to North Carolina, this boy was dead. He was hit by lightening which induced a coma. He died soon after from pneumonia. I attended his memorial service, the first I had ever been to. What I remember, and still feel, is peace. Peace that night and peace at his service. It’s hard to think about a life, all the hopes and dreams, history, beliefs of a person and come to some logical conclusion other than this is what God willed. This boy had a full life. I had the privilege to glimpse it.<br />
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What I remember tonight is how wonderful and mysterious God is. I know every encounter I have is the plan of God and I hope to allow these experiences to touch my heart, even if its in anger or fear. He makes things right. I just have to hold on through the painful and joyous lessons alike.<br />
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God bless you this Advent!<br />
<br />Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838678821922937733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141444828775534676.post-38719827966790105342011-05-22T11:38:00.000-05:002011-05-22T11:38:01.775-05:00Happy Sunday!Today is the fifth Sunday of easter and St. Rita's feast day! Have wonderful day! It is beautiful here!<br />
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St. Rita, pray for us!Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838678821922937733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141444828775534676.post-48955017810489679112011-05-19T15:23:00.000-05:002011-05-19T15:23:31.810-05:00Names and Heresies<blockquote>What’s in a name? that which we call a rose <br />
By any other name would smell as sweet.</blockquote><br />
Or so goes the famous line of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. I won’t pretend to know much about this line or the play either (don’t worry, I know the gist of it), but that line has always bothered me. It seems in blatant contradiction to another famous line:<br />
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<blockquote>Therefore God has highly exulted 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 2:9-11)</blockquote><br />
<em>That at the NAME of Jesus</em>… and nothing else. That name is powerful. The idea of names, especially in Judaism and Christianity, is very important. Your name was who you were. Not a representation, symbol or identifying sound, but precisely who you are. This is why it was such a big deal for God to change your name. It meant you were completely different now. Who you are has changed: your name has changed. Just thinking about it, I can come up with many other examples. In the Old Testament, the name of God was only spoken once a year by the priest because it was that powerful. The Vatican also just declared in 2005 that Yahweh not be spoken or pronounced in any liturgical celebrations. Have you noticed some song lyrics have changed? Also, the idea of having a “good name”, and trying to uphold that. <br />
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Names mean something. They certainly aren’t arbitrary. Obviously the name of God means something, but what about human-given names? Do they mean anything? I suppose one could make the argument that anything given by God is sacred, but something given by humans may not be. I mean, some people name their children things like Petal Blossom Rainbow and Poppy Honey and Daisy Boo (and yes, these girls are <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/03/petal-blossom-rainbow-jam_n_182745.html"><strong>all siblings</strong></a>!). What about those names? What if you don’t like your name, or it doesn’t seem to quite fit who you are?<br />
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I’d still have to think these names are very important and isn’t just a name among other names. It is you! That is your name! We learned in the Gospel this past Sunday that the shepherd calls his own sheep by name. If that name could be replaced with the same effect, do you think Jesus would do that instead? Well, it can’t because that name means a whole lot. You recognize that name, and you follow the one who calls it. Before you are even baptized the Church asks the parents what name is given to the child. From the beginning, our name is what calls us to God.<br />
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One more thing (since I feel I’m on a roll) when you get to heaven, God will give you a name that only He will call you and only you know. How ridiculously awesome is that? If that doesn’t show the power behind a name I don’t know what will.<br />
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And while I was thinking more about this, I realized too how ideas such as whether names are important or not impact how we think about other things. Specifically in regards to Truths about God. I think that is why the Church has always been such a strong fighter against heresies. We must think about God rightly if we are to have a solid faith in Him. Some great saints spent their lives fighting heresies. They could have been helping the poor or something instead. Why supposedly waste all that time and energy on correcting a silly idea? Because ideas matter A LOT! A simple idea will affect how you think about other things, and will also usually affect your actions as well. And if you have the wrong idea about God (aka, a heresy), wow, will that lead you to some awful places.<br />
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It may seem useless to most people why the Church is so adamantly opposed to ordaining women (not to mention not even having the ability to do so). But this matters a lot. It affects how we see Christ, how He relates to us, gives Himself to us, and how we respond to that love. A simple idea will have massive consequences. Just look at what the idea of a woman’s choice has gotten us. The culture of death is everywhere, and it all started from an idea.<br />
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So, in conclusion (because I think I’ve gone on way too long after so long a silence), names are freaking awesome and the Church rocks and will fight heresies to the death. And that’s the Church and God I want to serve! Have a blessed day!Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838678821922937733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141444828775534676.post-31229320046416501412011-04-18T17:26:00.000-05:002011-04-18T17:26:37.317-05:00When I Survey The Wondrous CrossWhen I survey the wondrous cross<br />
On which the Prince of glory died,<br />
My richest gain I count but loss,<br />
And pour comtempt on all my pride.<br />
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Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,<br />
Save in the death of Christ my God;<br />
All the vain things that charm me most,<br />
I sacrifice them to his blood.<br />
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See from his head, his hands, his feet,<br />
Sorrow and love flow mingled down;<br />
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,<br />
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?<br />
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Were the whole realm of nature mine,<br />
That were a present far too small:<br />
Love so amazing, so divine,<br />
Demands my soul, my life, my all.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838678821922937733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141444828775534676.post-15387077323492572672011-03-25T00:44:00.002-05:002011-03-25T00:44:38.789-05:00Examples and AnswersIt’s been said that when we are born we are blank slates. We learn from everything around us: the environment, culture, family, friends, food, language, everything. From the moment of birth we are being shaped by what is around us and what we experience. Of course there are also things that make us who we are that do not come from outside sources of the world, but for the most part, we look to others to gather how we should act, react, and think about things. For example, we learn so much from our parents. We even sometimes adopt their characteristics and quirky behaviors. Role models also provide us with something to aspire to, with something we can relate to, but also know we are lacking.<br />
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Today however, I realized that this can only go so far. Looking and learning from examples can only get me to a point. Examples are just that: they aren’t answers. Neither answers to my life or my situation.<br />
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So where to go where the example ends? I’m not content to just see what happens, to just pick a way and go. I know how limited and ignorant and frail I am. And even if I tried that, it would be hardly bearable with each uncertain decision made on a whim (even if I convinced myself I’ve thought it out). No, that won’t do. <br />
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Where the example ends is where God precisely picks up. To where my reasoning becomes tangled and shallow is where God will show me the way. He will whisper each next move and I’ll know that is my turn. We can’t rely on examples because we are all different. Each and every person has had a completely unique life. They each have a completely unique soul. Looking at examples are great to learn the human condition, but it can’t tell much about my future. But God knows my future and exactly what I’ll need. <br />
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So as I enter all new territory for me, I realize that I’ve been in uncharted lands all my life. God has directed me, given me examples, and also unique answers. As I move on to places (both physical and abstract) with fewer and fewer applicable examples, I won’t worry, because examples weren’t truly important to begin with. God is with me.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838678821922937733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141444828775534676.post-17694600530545857452011-03-12T22:25:00.000-06:002011-03-12T22:25:46.937-06:00Show me what I'm looking for<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I found this video on my computer today. I was practically obsessed with this song about two years ago, and in the spirit of my last post, wanted to share it. It's such a beautiful prayer and one that God is definitely answering.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzHzOjbGAA5JDqF4ljXL2OvL9PqY2kJjdGNkAiMfDIFq2Itwp4KMgC2NHkdQJmmCqNVKSsu-4SltAnyUum3cQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">Show Me What I'm Looking For- Carolina Liar</div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838678821922937733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141444828775534676.post-11456567905003400162011-03-02T00:19:00.000-06:002011-03-02T00:19:08.305-06:00Desires of the HeartI have no idea what I need. (Or want, really)<br />
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I think I’ve really missed the boat on this one. Somehow I’ve never quite realized that all my prayers to “give me whatever I need” and “let your will be done” were really just a cover up for the fact I have no clue what either of those things are. <br />
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A priest told me to persistently and boldly ask for the desires of my heart, and in those desires lies God’s will for my life. So I had to ask myself, what are those desires? And……I didn’t get far.<br />
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I don’t know.<br />
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It’s not that I don’t ask God for things. I do all the time! I ask for strength almost every moment of the day. I ask my guardian angel to carry me when I’m running. I even asked to grow taller (and it worked!). But to ask for the desires of my heart? I have never done that because I don’t even know what those are. <br />
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After this struck me (which was like finding out Santa doesn’t exist) I tried to start somewhere. The result was a very short list of things I always find immense satisfaction in. They are pretty vague, and I wouldn’t classify them as “desires”. But that’s it. That’s all I got.<br />
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Maybe I’ve always been like this. I remember having to write an essay in 7th grade on a goal or accomplishment we wanted to achieve in life, and I wrote mine on being happy. I guess I’ve never been much for particulars.<br />
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But we should know ourselves. I want to ask for the desires of my heart. God put them there, and I should find out what that is. But here I am, still “unknown”. I suppose I’ll do what I always do and ask God to take care of it.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838678821922937733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141444828775534676.post-82936958329375867582011-01-26T00:02:00.000-06:002011-01-26T00:02:02.596-06:00My 2 cents......on the <a href="http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=8995">remarks of our President</a> Monday. My comments in <span style="color: red;">red</span>.<br />
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Today marks the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that protects women’s health and reproductive freedom, and affirms a fundamental principle: that government should not intrude on private family matters. <span style="color: red;">If speaking of abortion, it can never be said it protects women’s health. In fact, it destroys it. In every way, especially reproductively and psychologically, not to mention the future risk of cancer. Abortion protects nothing of women.</span> <br />
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I am committed to protecting this constitutional right. I also remain committed to policies, initiatives, and programs that help prevent unintended pregnancies, support pregnant women and mothers, encourage healthy relationships, and promote adoption. <span style="color: red;">I would love to see a list of these programs. I would also be interested in seeing if “supporting pregnant women and mothers” was more than referrals to “safe” abortion clinics and access to even more contraception. Also what is healthy about a relationship that seeks to destroy the fruits of it?</span><br />
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And on this anniversary, I hope that we will recommit ourselves more broadly to ensuring that our daughters have the same rights, the same freedoms, and the same opportunities as our sons to fulfill their dreams. <span style="color: red;">If we really want to commit ourselves to women’s rights that equal men's, abortion can be in no way a part of that. Even suggesting that abortion is part of the answer (if not the main solution) suggests that the only way women can be equal to men is that they become men. As a woman, I am appalled by this and in no way wish to be a man. If anything, men should wish to be equal to us. WOMEN BRING LIFE! I would be jealous…</span>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838678821922937733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141444828775534676.post-18340133064609744902011-01-25T23:31:00.000-06:002011-01-25T23:31:10.648-06:00Shadow AngelsNight falls down<br />
My mind turns to you<br />
Sweet one who only God knows<br />
You speak to me<br />
Giggle softly<br />
Tell me your dreams<br />
The great plan God wrote<br />
Love swept you away<br />
An ugly kind of love<br />
One who searched for<br />
Things unreachable<br />
Beautiful soul whisper in my ear<br />
Tell me of heaven<br />
Your true home<br />
Let your kind heart think of me tonight<br />
Shadows looming near<br />
That I may meet you one day<br />
And finally see your faceRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838678821922937733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141444828775534676.post-48287279270397483292011-01-18T23:14:00.001-06:002011-01-18T23:27:16.387-06:00Life (updates)Even though it’s late, Happy 2011!! Just when I was charging through last year, a new one comes along just to keep things interesting! Things have been crazy, as usual, but I didn’t want to forget about this old blog here. I have so many ideas for this thing, and yet they never seem to actually happen. Maybe when I graduate… But in the mean time, here’s some of what I’ve been up to:<br />
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I finished last semester really well, worked like a madman, had a lot of quality time with friends, then met up with my family in Miami to board a cruise! We went to the island of Roatan in Honduras, Belize City, Costa Maya then stopped in Key West on Christmas. It was a wonderful vacation full of family time (we even won a game show), adventure (we climbed to the top of an ancient Mayan temple) and a midnight Christmas Mass! After the cruise we traveled around Florida and went to this super awesome park where we saw hundreds of manatees and a whole slew of other exotic wildlife! We even saw a mother alligator with five baby alligators chilling on her head, all sunning themselves! It was one of the coolest things!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-460BQ1Y0yk6kONeTFVwpSLQzsme8UhQteZsbXoaqRsOD-aiKEfxSYcYlc1KBtrSs-zLo8KPzt2ShRrKf2kw4uRp1Pl0M7O1sKgJGifJeLsBZ-4OibL6tO91jWvxUJMKU50gJdtW9Rg/s1600/Lamanai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-460BQ1Y0yk6kONeTFVwpSLQzsme8UhQteZsbXoaqRsOD-aiKEfxSYcYlc1KBtrSs-zLo8KPzt2ShRrKf2kw4uRp1Pl0M7O1sKgJGifJeLsBZ-4OibL6tO91jWvxUJMKU50gJdtW9Rg/s400/Lamanai.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lamanai Mayan site- We climbed all the way up this temple!</div><br />
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We are college football NATIONAL CHAMPS!! Talk about an exciting return to Auburn! Not only did we get the first two days of school cancelled for weather, but we also got to cheer on our Tigers to an undefeated season! What an unbelievable year! My friends watched the game at the Catholic student center and it was madness! It was so much fun and afterwards we ran- literally ran- to Toomer’s corner to witness the celebration. I even brought a roll of toilet paper! Definitely a night to remember! The city left the paper up for 5 days, and it was beautiful! Then, because of all the travel delays everyone had getting back after the game, we practically did nothing in our classes last week! WAR EAGLE times a trillion!<br />
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I was able to travel to central Alabama this past Sunday to meet up with my fellow missionaries and share about Uganda with their church. It was so good to see everyone again. They are all really inspiring people. I remember getting back and having experienced all these things, both fun and hard, but not quite knowing how to let others adequately know. I think I just get in a mode of accepting the fact most people in my life will not really understand what I’m trying to convey to them. But this Sunday, when I met back up with my team, none of that applied. They were all there and had all seen and done what I had done. We have similar stirrings in our hearts and even if everyone else may not really know, we know. It was so nice to just be there. We all had a big lunch with all the family and friends and special guests afterwards. I hope we can do something like that again. I also hope to start attempting to write about the mission trip, which is something I’ve been subconsciously avoiding. Probably because there is so much I want to say.<br />
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Yesterday I traveled to Montgomery for the Inauguration of Governor Bentley. The company I work for are the primary photographers for all the inaugural events, and I helped photograph people with Gov. Bentley at the public party at the baseball stadium and then at the Inauguaral Ball. I never would have thought that when I took this job I would be working at events like these. It was very neat but very hard on my feet. The poor things take so much abuse from me.<br />
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And I guess that catches me up to today. God has worked countless ways in my life and in the lives of those I know these past few months. One example is my whole career situation. For anyone who read my post on all that (and I’ve since deleted it), you may have gleaned how much attention I had given it. Well this past week, I received an email informing me that I am too short to qualify for that job and they won’t be able to submit my packet. In all honesty, I was very happy to hear that. Not because I didn’t want to be an RPA pilot, but because it is so obvious that God stepped in and showed me where to go. This career field is so new that they haven’t even sorted through all the qualifications for it yet. They pretty much just copied and pasted the pilot qualifications (I’ve known that I am too short to be a pilot) into the RPA field. Most likely by this time next year, they will update the qualifications (which height won’t play a real factor in). God really watches out for me. This is just another example of how He has shown me exactly where to go and when. Whatever I end up doing in the Air Force (which I’ll find out in about 2 months!) I KNOW that that is exactly what I’m meant to do. <br />
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So happy new year! I hope this year can live up to last year! It looks like it’s already off to a great start!Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838678821922937733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141444828775534676.post-72219747166610869342010-12-25T00:00:00.001-06:002010-12-25T00:00:03.874-06:00Holy NightFall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices! <br />
O night divine, the night when Christ was born<br />
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine! <br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Jr-2eyRtV4"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">Beautiful song</span></strong></a>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838678821922937733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141444828775534676.post-27077379291637268012010-12-15T01:25:00.007-06:002010-12-15T14:15:02.914-06:00A basic summary of (a few) Church teachingsA few days ago I recieved this comment on an <a href="http://ritabea.blogspot.com/2010/07/maker-and-instruction-manual.html"><strong>old post</strong></a><strong>:</strong><br />
<blockquote>Hey Ruth, I have some question after reading some of your posts regarding the church and your recent missions to Uganda. Please read all scriptural references given, prayerfully consider their meaning in the context of scripture, alone. Thought....<br />
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If "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God", and "in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." How does salvation come by baptism/membership in a church, when scripture clearly defines the church as a body of true believers? <br />
"Neither shall their be salvation in any other (name)".... so why has the glorious Church been lifted up as a precursor for salvation, or the vessel through which the Holy Spirit is "unleashed", or limited in His work, so to speak? I would like to ask one more simple question for thought. If you delete this post that is OK, but please read for your own edification. <br />
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According to Ephesians 2:1-10, you are saved by Grace through Faith (not your own doing, the Faith to believe comes from God). It is grace, or unmerited favor, and faith that is the gift from God. This may help you clarify Ephesians 1:3-14. "sealed with the promised Holy Spirit" He won't let you go. See Romans 5:8, while we were sinners, Christ died for us, and looking at Romans 5:15-16 this for grace to abound much more since, according to one man's transgression sin entered the world, and death through sin, by one man...Christ, many more are offered grace. </blockquote><blockquote>There is really nothing to "figure out" or understand here except that we are all under God's wrath/judgment because He is Holy, and we are not...PERIOD. Our efforts to please Him, or try and appease Him for falling short of His standard of Holiness are "as filthy rags." But PRAISE be to God because He provided the substitutionary sacrifice that was perfect (lived a righteous life, tempted as we are but was yet without sin) so that the righteousness of Christ could be "credited" to our account, so to speak, when we believe in Him. <br />
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(Romans 4:8 Blessed is the man in whom God does not impute sin. - this is a one time legal declaration by God...not a life-long, hope I can become good enough to please Him. We would ALL be doomed if that were the case. Where would the "peace that surpasses all understanding" be in that type of salvation. See Rom. 10:6-7. We don't say who will reach up into heaven and bring Christ down or who will reach down and bring Christ up from the abyss (or grave)...why, because God has already done this on our behalf, ONCE for all. <br />
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We don't need a priest like in the old testament to offer any kind of sacrifice for us, now or forever. Hebrews 10:14-17. v.14 "For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified." How many offerings? see v.12 "But when Christ had offered for all a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. focus on ONCE and the NEW covenant he makes in Christ's blood for the redeemed. In light of these verses, Rom 10;6 and Heb 10:12, is a perpetual sacrifice for sin by a priest, who himself sins, necessary? Or has scripture already answered this question with a PERFECT sacrifice who said "it is finished" when He had completed His Father's work here on earth? Ruth, please take these passages to heart, they are the foundation of the gospel (Good News) of what Christ did on our behalf. It is not that I am trying to discourage you, but only to help you discern that scripture interprets scripture. All 'revelation' must be brought to bare in "light" of the revealed Word of God, not teachings of men, who themselves may be errant. Heb 9:24-28. Christ does not need to be offered many times in mass for sins. He did this once, and will return to save those who eagerly await Him. Phil. 1:6</blockquote>Please bear with me in this long post (if you've made it to here, that's pretty good!). I promise you its extremely interesting (or at least I thought so). This has taken way too long to post, which is why I don’t have an apologetics blog. <a href="http://phatcatholic.blogspot.com/"><strong>This site</strong></a> is excellent at explaining what the Church believes and why. I do have a disclaimer on the right, over there ---->, but it seems this post will have to be an exception. Since the questions were asked to me, I’ve answered them. You may also check out the <a href="http://www.vatican.va/phome_en.htm"><strong>Vatican’s website</strong></a><strong> </strong>or <a href="http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/"><strong>the Catechism</strong></a>. But of course, if you want to continue the discussion, I will do my best. These explanations are how I understand them and they are in no way complete (one could write books on these subjects).<br />
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I am using the Revised Standard Version for quoting the Bible (and commentary from the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible for inspiration).<br />
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First of all, I would like to explain how the Catholic Church interprets scriptures. We look at the Bible in its entirety. Believing it is the inspired word of God, we don’t ignore some parts in favor of others. This includes the Old Testament. We take Jesus very seriously when he says “Do not think I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them” (Matthew 5:17). The Greek word translated “fulfil” means “to make complete”. We believe the New Covenant includes and concludes the Old Covenant. The entire Bible tells the story of salvation and always gives us God’s plan for what to believe and how to live and worship. I tell you this because that is how I will be answering your questions. I will look at what the Old Testament (and Old Covenant) included and how it has been perfected in the New Covenant with Jesus.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">How does salvation come by baptism/membership in a church, when scripture clearly defines the church as a body of true believers?</span></strong> <br />
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The Old Covenant was entered into by circumcision. The New Covenant is also entered into by circumcision, but in a different way. Here is what I wrote back in June:<br />
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<blockquote>Phil 3:2-3, which says, "Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh". True circumcision refers to the spiritual circumcision of the heart, which happens at Baptism. This spiritual circumcision is obviously prefigured with bodily circumcision, but is no longer necessary (because we now have the true circumcision). Deuteronomy 30:6 tells us that God will circumcise our hearts so that we will love God with all our hearts and souls. (Also see Romans 2:28-29 and Colossians 2:11-12)</blockquote>In the New Covenant, our hearts are circumcised by baptism (thus making the regular circumcision unnecessary). Ezekiel 36:25-27 says “ I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances.” Christian baptism does just that. Acts 2:38 says “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” In the Catholic Church we are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and when the water is poured upon the head (or the person is immersed), sins are washed away, the Holy Spirit rests upon them, and they are now a very real part of the Body of Christ, the Church. “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body…”(1 Cor. 12:13). 1 Peter 3:21 also states “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ…” (I think you would also enjoy reading 1 Peter 3, starting at verse 18, which talks about Jesus dying for sins once for all.) Christ DID die for our sins and ONLY because of that, now we can be saved. Baptism is how you enter into the salvation he offers us.<br />
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The next part of your question is about the church as a true body of believers. My explanation of baptism already hit on this a little, but I wanted to completely answer your question. The Church is a true body of believers. At baptism, one becomes a member of the Church. The Church is the body of Christ, with Christ as the head of the body/Church. “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it” (1 Cor. 12:27) and “He is the head of the body, the Church; he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent” (Colossians 1:18). So by baptism, you come into the Church. And that leads into your next question…<br />
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">Why has the glorious Church been lifted up as a precursor for salvation, or the vessel through which the Holy Spirit is "unleashed", or limited in His work, so to speak?</span></strong><br />
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A few assumptions made about the Church in this question are incorrect. Firstly, nothing can limited God in His work. The Church doesn’t claim this, nor can it ever, because it simply is impossible. The Church is where God has revealed Himself to us and it was created by God Himself to enact His grace and use it as a means to save us. “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matt 16:18). The word “Church” is used in the Old testament for the “congregation” of Israel united to God. The Church today is an assembly united to God, and was started by Jesus Himself. Although there are countless ways God acts, it is through His Church that God reaches us and administers His grace. The Church is where “God’s grace is on full offer. The Church is where we find the fullness of life Christ wants for us.”-Fr. Robert Barron<br />
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I was just thinking about this last week. I’ll share with you the analogy I came up with.<br />
I think we will agree that learning isn’t restricted to any one thing or place. You can learn in many different ways with many different things. But someone who goes to school, we would say is “educated”. Someone who has a degree from a respected university is “more educated”. But if learning isn’t limited to a classroom, or books and teachers with lesson plans, why do we say that? Because in the classroom, we learn about a subject more fully, more in-depth. The structure of school, with different grades, subjects, and ways of learning, is a more conducive environment for learning and for learning something well. If someone was only being taught things as they went on with their life, many important things may be missed. For instance, if I never went to school, I would hardly know anything about math. I wouldn’t know much about biology, such as cell structure. I wouldn’t have read “classics” simply because those weren’t something I wasn’t interested in at the time. Even though I have a mother who has been a teacher for almost 30 years, and have been to countless museums, historical sites, and have traveled a lot, my education still would not have been as complete as it is if I didn’t go to school. And I know I’m still not done learning.<br />
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I see this comparable with the Church. Yes, you “can get God” other ways and in other places, but it’s in the Church where you find a true and complete understanding of God. I have experienced God’s love in a more tangible way, and have learned more deeply about God in the Church than I have ANYWHERE else. I believe, and the Bible says, it’s because Jesus created it and that is the main way He wants it to be. As I’m typing, I know I need to stop myself. I can probably go on about the Church for the next million words. If you would like to know more, I would love to tell you : )<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">I will now respond to the next part of your comment, which didn’t have a particular question.</span><br />
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As I was reading <strong>Ephesians 2:1-10</strong>, I couldn’t help but also read the commentary. I know I can’t say it better, so I’ll write it here:<br />
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<blockquote>The first half of the chapter (Ephesians 2:1-10) explains how Christ reconciles men with God. (<strong>2:8</strong>) <strong>grace</strong>- The biblical term for (1) God’s favor and (2) God’s supernatural life. The former designates the conditions of its bestowal (a free and undeserved gift, Romans 6:23), and the latter designates the content of the gift we receive (a share in the divine nature, 2 Peter 1:4). <strong>Have been saved</strong>-<span style="font-size: x-small;">(the notes led me to Romans 5:10, which comments on “shall we be saved”. It says) </span>Salvation can be described in terms of the past, present and future. It is past with reference to Baptism, which saves us from our sins (1 Peter 3:21, <span style="font-size: x-small;">see above</span>). It is a present reality when we allow grace to make us steadily more virtuous and holy (1 Cor 1:18). It is a future hope that we will for ever live with the Lord in glory (Heb 9:28, CCC169, 1026). <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Now back to the Ephesians commentary) </span><strong>Through faith</strong>- Faith is instrumental in saving us and uniting us with Christ. In the context of conversion, salvation is conferred through the instrument of Baptism (1 Peter 3:21), and salvation is received through the instrument of faith (Romans 3:24-25). For Paul, belief in Jesus Christ is a divine gift (Phil 1:29)… (<strong>2:10</strong>) <strong>good works</strong>- Works of righteousness that pertain to salvation (Romans 2:6-7). These are made possible by the grace of God empowering us from within (Phil 2:12-13, Heb 13:20-21). The Second Council of Orange decreed in 529 A.D. that man, weakened by the fall of Adam, is incapable of performing good works worthy of eternal life by his own natural strength. Only by supernatural help of the Spirit can we be humble, obedient, and loving in a way that truly pleases the Lord (Canons 1-25. CCC 2008-11).</blockquote><br />
The rest of Ephesians chapter goes on to talk about the old circumcision (of the flesh) and how God reconciles men and nations with one another. A few things about this. 1. I wanted to show you that we believe many of the same things (and that some of the things you said come straight from Catholic councils going back to the 6th century). We are both Christian and regard Jesus as God. I hope you weren’t under the impression I believe anything contrary to that. By the way, the <a href="http://www.catholicapologetics.org/ap030700.htm"><strong>Catholic Church gave the world the Bible in 393 A.D.</strong></a> when the Council of Hippo listed the books (before then, many Popes had decreed the same list). 2. Also, to reiterate how important Baptism is. It is completely necessary for salvation. 3. That being a Christian isn’t a one time deal. God isn’t the president of an organization. He doesn’t want your yearly dues and a “belief” statement every so often. God wants everything you have. He wants to completely change your life (inside and out). He wants us to freely choose Him, which means choosing to live as He directs us to. That means to strive for holiness, for your whole life. How great would a marriage be if you showed up on the wedding day but never spoke to your spouse again? The life of a Christian is continuous conversion. Like you referenced, we are filthy as rags, which means we must be given faith and grace and salvation, but God doesn’t force us to receive any of these against our will. If we choose to reject Him later, God will respect that choice. God doesn’t let us go, but at the end of our life if we reject Him, then God respects our wishes.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">We don't need a priest like in the old testament to offer any kind of sacrifice for us, now or forever.</span></strong> <br />
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Although this wasn’t a question, I need to respond to this. Priests are extremely important. Jesus is referred to as the High Priest (The entire Hebrews chapter 7 talks about priesthood, and how and why Jesus is the High Priest.), so obviously, we need (at least one) priests. In the Old testament, we have three “kinds” of priests. The high priest (Aaron, Exodus 28:3), ministerial priests (Aaron’s sons, Exodus 28:40-41), and universal priests (Israel, Exodus 19:6). And in God’s mighty plan for the world, we now also have three kinds of priesthood. The High Priest is Jesus (Hebrews 2:17, 3:1), the ministerial priests are the ordained priests and bishops (Romans 15:16, 1 Timothy 3:1,8; 5:17, Titus 1:7) who have been given to us by God since Jesus first chose his apostles, and the universal priests are all the faithful (1 Peter 2:5,9, Revelation 1:6). We are incorporated into the priestly office of Christ upon our Baptism. We are all priests, called “to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). The ministerial priests are the ones asked by God in a special way to “feed and tend the flock” (John 21:15-17). Not everyone in the flock can tend and feed. There have to be shepherds where that is their primary and life-long mission. Each of the universal priests and the ministerial priests share in the priesthood of Jesus. Jesus, again, is the reason we can even be priests in the first place. It always comes back to Him. <br />
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As far as priests being sinners, I will direct you to Numbers 16:1-3. Korah and 250 other well known community leaders rose up against Moses and accused him of declaring himself holier than the rest. They argued because all are holy, none should claim a position higher than the rest. This is basically the same argument only you reverse it saying since no one is perfect, they can’t be “higher”. But as I’ve already explained, God chooses His priests, and it is to share in the priesthood of Christ. Also, we are told to obey the elders (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, 1 Timothy 5:17, Hebrews 12:9, 13:7,17, 1 Peter 5:5), and those who do not are judged harshly (2 Peter 2:10-12, 1 John 4:6, 3 John 1:9-11, Jude 1:8-10). Jude 1:11 tells us that “they will perish because of their rebellion”.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">Is a perpetual sacrifice for sin by a priest, who himself sins, necessary?</span></strong><br />
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I’ve already answered the part about the priest sinning and I’ll let Nicholas Hardesty explain the rest. Read <a href="http://phatcatholic.blogspot.com/2006/11/once-for-all-sacrifice-of-christ.html"><strong>more here</strong></a>.<br />
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<blockquote>When [Jesus was on] the Cross, he gave his entire self to the world so as to achieve the objective redemption. In other words, in giving of his entire self, he made it possible for man to enter heaven. But, the merits of this total self-giving must be applied to us somehow if we are to benefit from it. This is the subjective redemption. Every day man is in need of it, so Jesus never ceases to give to the Father his one gift on the Cross. This gift is made real in our lives through the Mass, when celebrate the gift of his entire self (to the Father, and consequently to us) in the Eucharist. <br />
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[Jesus] abolished the old sacrifices so as to set up the very sacrifice that we celebrate in the Mass. It is in the Mass that we are "sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" (Hebrews 10:10).<br />
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Some people use Hebrews 10:12 as a mark against the Sacrifice of the Mass, but this verse is in reference to the sacrifices of the Old Law that he abolished. The blood of lambs will no longer do. Now we partake of the Blood of the Lamb (1 Pet 1:18-19; Rev 7:14; 12:11). His Blood is the new covenant (Lk 22:20; Heb 12:24). Just as the levitical high priest offered sacrifice to the Lord and then the people ate the sacrifice (to participate in the Old Covenant), in the Mass the priest stands in the person of Christ offering His one sacrifice to the Lord and then we eat the sacrifice (to participate in the New Covenant).</blockquote>If this still seems a bit strange, just read what Justin Martyr (yes, this is the famous Christian martyr) says about the Mass, and more particularly, about the Eucharist, which is really what you are referring to. This was written in 155 A.D.<br />
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<blockquote>God speaks by the mouth of Malachi, one of the twelve [minor prophets], as I said before, about the sacrifices at that time presented by you: "I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord, and I will not accept your sacrifices at your hands; for from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, my name has been glorified among the Gentiles, and in every place incense is offered to my name, and a pure offering, for my name is great among the Gentiles" [Mal. 1:10-11]. He then speaks of those Gentiles, namely us [Christians] who in every place offer sacrifices to him, that is, the bread of the Eucharist and also the cup of the Eucharist. (Dialogue with Trypho 41)</blockquote>The Mass (in its basic form) has been celebrated since Jesus first did it at the Last Supper. When we celebrate Mass, the one sacrifice of Jesus is re-presented. What Jesus did on the cross for us is enough, and now we have access to it every day with Mass (as Jesus instructed us to do). You can read more from the <a href="http://www.staycatholic.com/ecf_the_mass.htm"><strong>early Church fathers about the Sacrifice of the Mass here</strong></a>. Or simply more info on the <em>Sacrifice</em>, <a href="http://www.antioch.com.sg/cgi-bin/HN_Open/get/messageboard/354/13/2/8/1/2.html?frame=response"><strong>here</strong></a>.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Last thoughts:</span><br />
Your comment was intriguing, in that it lead me to see the biblical basis for the beliefs of the Catholic Church. I hope you also read what I have written and honestly think about them as well. In your comment you pointed out being “sealed with the Holy Spirit”. Catholics are sealed with the Holy Spirit when they are confirmed. If you're interested, you can <a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p2s2c1a2.htm"><strong>read more about that here</strong></a><strong>.</strong> Also, here is a good look at the reasoning behind “scripture interpreting scripture” (<a href="http://phatcatholic.blogspot.com/2007/08/is-scripture-self-interpreting-part-1.html"><strong>Part 1</strong></a> and <a href="http://phatcatholic.blogspot.com/2007/08/is-scripture-self-interpreting-part-2.html"><strong>Part 2</strong></a>). May God bless you abundantly during this Christmas season!Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838678821922937733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141444828775534676.post-57263220351291148792010-11-21T13:52:00.000-06:002010-11-21T13:52:03.271-06:00What I've learned in Uganda so far......we have so much. I will never be unthankful for anything ever again. <br />
Read my post at <a href="http://4cornersministries.blogspot.com/2010/11/uganda-team-update.html">4cornersministries.blogspot.com/2010/11/uganda-team-update.html</a>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838678821922937733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141444828775534676.post-35759830961837791712010-11-18T09:15:00.000-06:002010-11-18T09:15:26.928-06:00Uganda Novena Day 8 and 9Well, I'm off! Please continue praying for the whole trip and especially for the people in Uganda! Have a great and thankful Thanksgiving!<br />
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Novena Prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary:<br />
O Most Blessed Mother, heart of love, heart of mercy, ever listening, caring, consoling, hear our prayer. As your children, we implore your intercession with Jesus your Son. Receive with understanding and compassion the petitions we place before you today, especially ...for the work, both spiritual and physical, that will take place, a safe and fruitful mission and Ugandans who are suffering in any way.<br />
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We are comforted in knowing your heart is ever open to those who ask for your prayer. We trust to your gentle care and intercession, those whom we love and who are sick or lonely or hurting. Help all of us, Holy Mother, to bear our burdens in this life until we may share eternal life and peace with God forever.<br />
Amen. <br />
Pray for us, St. Peter ClaverRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838678821922937733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141444828775534676.post-49407501381253711462010-11-16T23:54:00.000-06:002010-11-16T23:54:33.265-06:00Uganda Novena Day 7Tomorrow is my last full day before I leave! I’m still super busy (just like every day this semester), but I know I can get it all done. Most of my to-do list contains schoolwork, which again, isn’t a departure at all from the rest of the semester (ahhh). <br />
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I received four packages today with almost all my supplies I’m bringing with me. Tomorrow I should get my last one (containing rosaries and saint metals)! It will all fit perfectly in my bags! In my bags I’m bringing eyeglasses and the charts to determine prescriptions, work gloves and pants, crayons, colored pencils and other school supplies, lots of rosaries and how-to-pray-the-rosary guides, mini-catechisms, saint metals and chains, soap and toothbrushes, Sunday school-type coloring books and advent worksheets, mosquito nets, a suit for a seminarian, colorful bracelets for girls, and many well wishes from friends. I’m SO excited! Tomorrow I start my malaria medication!<br />
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Novena Prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary:<br />
O Most Blessed Mother, heart of love, heart of mercy, ever listening, caring, consoling, hear our prayer. As your children, we implore your intercession with Jesus your Son. Receive with understanding and compassion the petitions we place before you today, especially ...for the work, both spiritual and physical, that will take place, a safe and fruitful mission and Ugandans who are suffering in any way.<br />
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We are comforted in knowing your heart is ever open to those who ask for your prayer. We trust to your gentle care and intercession, those whom we love and who are sick or lonely or hurting. Help all of us, Holy Mother, to bear our burdens in this life until we may share eternal life and peace with God forever.<br />
Amen. <br />
Pray for us, St. Peter ClaverRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838678821922937733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141444828775534676.post-53765368069426321642010-11-15T23:58:00.001-06:002010-11-16T00:15:02.590-06:00Uganda Novena Day 6Some trip info:<br />
I'll be arriving in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, and also traveling to Masaka, which is where Fr. Michael will meet us.<br />
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I'm traveling with 14 other missionaries, three of whom are college students, and one other who is Catholic.<br />
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Myself and another missionary will be distributing over 1,000 pairs of glasses.<br />
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I will tour one of the two overflowing seminaries in the diocese of Masaka.<br />
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To learn more about the organization I'm traveling with, visit their website, <a href="http://www.4cornersministries.org/">http://www.4cornersministries.org/</a><br />
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Novena Prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary:<br />
O Most Blessed Mother, heart of love, heart of mercy, ever listening, caring, consoling, hear our prayer. As your children, we implore your intercession with Jesus your Son. Receive with understanding and compassion the petitions we place before you today, especially ...for the work, both spiritual and physical, that will take place, a safe and fruitful mission and Ugandans who are suffering in any way.<br />
We are comforted in knowing your heart is ever open to those who ask for your prayer. We trust to your gentle care and intercession, those whom we love and who are sick or lonely or hurting. Help all of us, Holy Mother, to bear our burdens in this life until we may share eternal life and peace with God forever.<br />
Amen. <br />
Pray for us, St. Peter ClaverRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838678821922937733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141444828775534676.post-75179253804064302062010-11-14T23:48:00.004-06:002010-11-14T23:53:50.428-06:00Uganda Novena Day 5Tonight I want to be honest. It’s these moments that I know make people uncomfortable. Perhaps many of you who read this don’t know me in “real life”, but most who do, would probably describe me as a happy person. And I am. But those who know me really well know of my darker side. I rarely talk about it. I know people would rather see “the happy” and they rarely know how to handle the lesser known sides of my personality. Perhaps that is why I go here to “fight” my battles. I chronicle my dealings with my shadows because they have followed me all my life, and I suspect they will continue to for the rest of it as well.<br />
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Tonight I glimpsed a conversation where it was thought that those who lie to themselves are the happiest, where those who are honest about things tend to become more depressed. A beautifully written post about this <a href="http://jfink.tumblr.com/post/1468069889/love-and-folly">can be found here</a>. I knew the young man that that post is directed towards. And even now, it still remains tragically beautiful in my mind. I'm not sure anything can be beautiful unless it’s tragic as well. Perhaps that’s why I think THE most beautiful thing is Jesus hanging, dead, on the cross. Every time I walk into a church I want to cry because the crucifix is so beautiful. It is also very tragic. Perhaps also, I love Our Lady of Sorrows because that is the true disposition in my heart. I am sorrowful. Every day I see so much tragedy, and it breaks my heart, but I don’t want to run from it.<br />
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Perhaps also this is what makes me differ from most (although I know not all). I want to stay with the tragic, the ones who feel hopeless and abandoned and unloved and utterly destitute. Maybe misery loves company, but when I experience this, I know God is near. There are no facades in place, no smiles to trick others into thinking you are okay. I know this is something I can do nothing about, and for some reason, I don’t want to run. <br />
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Perhaps I stay to see God in action. Indeed He is the only one who can help the tragedies of this world. He is the only one who can save them. In witnessing a tragedy, either of my own or another’s, I know, more deeply than ever before, who I am. I am a powerless woman who relies on God for everything. In coming face to face with utter tragedy, I also experience God’s awesome power. I’ve seen it at Kenneth’s funeral. I knew it that day that what took place is something I wouldn’t easily forget, because I witnessed God coming to earth and showing Himself to us. God uses death more perfectly than anything eles for coming into our hearts.<br />
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Maybe the shadows aren’t so bad. Perhaps that is how God’s reveals Himself to me. Maybe that’s why I don’t want to run away. Can we pay the price? I know I can’t, but I know Jesus can and He already did. And with this knowledge I go into the world as a “happy” person, for truly I am. The truth does set us free, it just may not be what we expect.<br />
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In relating to Uganda, I’m not sure what I will witness on the mission trip. I’ve been told about “the cry” which can be heard all night in most villages. It is a cry of a mother who just lost a child, normally of some disease. I’ve been told it is the most heart piercing sound you will ever hear. I think of Mary’s cry.<br />
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Please pray this novena with me. Pray for whatever breaks your heart. This world is tragic but not hopeless. Let us never forget that it is not hopeless.<br />
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Novena Prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary:<br />
O Most Blessed Mother, heart of love, heart of mercy, ever listening, caring, consoling, hear our prayer. As your children, we implore your intercession with Jesus your Son. Receive with understanding and compassion the petitions we place before you today, especially ...for the work, both spiritual and physical, that will take place, a safe and fruitful mission and Ugandans who are suffering in any way.<br />
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We are comforted in knowing your heart is ever open to those who ask for your prayer. We trust to your gentle care and intercession, those whom we love and who are sick or lonely or hurting. Help all of us, Holy Mother, to bear our burdens in this life until we may share eternal life and peace with God forever.<br />
Amen. <br />
Pray for us, St. Peter ClaverRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838678821922937733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141444828775534676.post-53949135597942413702010-11-13T22:19:00.003-06:002010-11-13T22:32:26.976-06:00Uganda Novena Day 4One thing I’ve struggled with in the past is trusting God. Although I can’t say I don’t struggle with it anymore, I’ve found myself wanting to, and more easily, trusting in Him. <br />
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Something that I’ve been thinking a lot about recently is how each person’s journey to God is radically different. We each have a different background, are interested in and attracted to different things, and fulfill a unique vocation. And it makes sense: each one of us is unique and will never be repeated for all of eternity. With each person’s uniqueness brings a unique faith and path to God. I’ve come to deeply appreciate what the Church holds inside her for each of us. The Church offers us the support for our unique journey. It provides resources for our individual needs and interests. It recognizes that each of us struggles differently and at the same time knows, in a profound way, that we are all striving for the same thing.<br />
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It is beautiful really. In a world with so many persons: persons of every walk of life from every corner and field, from every experience, each of them is led to Christ by the Church. The Church is truly universal, and that shows that the Church is truly God’s, for God made each of those persons, and to leave even one person out would be tragic and terrible.<br />
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I also cherish those times I “peek” into another person’s faith journey: to see how God is acting in their life, to see how their unique place in the world is exactly how God chooses to reveal Himself to them. It shows me that I am not alone in experiencing the Holy Spirit acting. I’m not alone in my experiences of divine “coincidences” that continue to give me strength, hope, and needed grace. I am not alone in this Church.<br />
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And our individual journeys' are not exclusive to themselves. We each weave in and out of each other’s paths. God uses us to brings other’s to Him, while doing the same for us. <br />
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This is why I trust God now more than I ever have before. I now know, because I’ve witnessed it in my own life and in others, that God really does take care of us. Each of us is unique, and so are our experiences of God, and so will be how God leads us to Himself. But no matter the means, He never has us do it alone. And so I can trust God, because He has made me the way I am and has led me to exactly where I am, so that my journey is perfectly suited for me to find Him. He has a plan for the rest of my days, both here on earth and in heaven. I don’t need to worry about the future or the present anymore; God really does know what He’s doing.<br />
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Please join me in this novena for the mission trip to Uganda.<br />
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Novena Prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary:<br />
O Most Blessed Mother, heart of love, heart of mercy, ever listening, caring, consoling, hear our prayer. As your children, we implore your intercession with Jesus your Son. Receive with understanding and compassion the petitions we place before you today, especially ...for the work, both spiritual and physical, that will take place, a safe and fruitful mission and Ugandans who are suffering in any way.<br />
<br />
We are comforted in knowing your heart is ever open to those who ask for your prayer. We trust to your gentle care and intercession, those whom we love and who are sick or lonely or hurting. Help all of us, Holy Mother, to bear our burdens in this life until we may share eternal life and peace with God forever.<br />
Amen. <br />
Pray for us, St. Peter ClaverRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838678821922937733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141444828775534676.post-56917569585948353672010-11-12T23:44:00.002-06:002010-11-13T22:22:36.788-06:00Uganda Novena Day 3In Uganda I'll be visiting Father Michael. He has been visiting our parish for the past three summers. He is in a music group called <em>Anawim</em>, or "The Poor Ones of God". Check out the <a href="http://www.anawimuganda.com/">website here</a>. Here is one of his music videos, "Joy of the Lord". The chorus is in english.<br />
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Please join me in this novena.<br />
Novena Prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary:<br />
O Most Blessed Mother, heart of love, heart of mercy, ever listening, caring, consoling, hear our prayer. As your children, we implore your intercession with Jesus your Son. Receive with understanding and compassion the petitions we place before you today, especially ...for the work, both spiritual and physical, that will take place, a safe and fruitful mission and Ugandans who are suffering in any way.<br />
We are comforted in knowing your heart is ever open to those who ask for your prayer. We trust to your gentle care and intercession, those whom we love and who are sick or lonely or hurting. Help all of us, Holy Mother, to bear our burdens in this life until we may share eternal life and peace with God forever.<br />
Amen.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838678821922937733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141444828775534676.post-40580484626805290012010-11-11T23:56:00.001-06:002010-11-12T00:55:47.983-06:00Uganda Novena Day 2I wanted to thank all those who have helped me and the team with the mission. Without your prayers and support, this mission wouldn't be possible. I especially want to thank my mom, CeeCee at <a href="http://cynthiacarol.blogspot.com/">Fiat mihi secundum Verbum Tuum</a>, Ross at <a href="http://subtectummeum.blogspot.com/">Under My Roof</a>, Nelson, who drove 10 hours to train me, the rest of my team, who have been uber helpful and awesome, anyone who came out to my many fundraisers, all the friends who donated time or money, including Erin, Jairo, Kelley, Taylor, Alejandro at <a href="http://alteran1985.blogspot.com/">Veritatis Splendor</a>, Katie, Ashley, Kelley, Adam, Whitney, and anyone eles who have been praying for me. The day is almost here! Please join in a novena for the work, both spiritual and physical, that will take place, a safe and fruitful mission and Ugandans who are suffering in any way.<br />
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Novena Prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary:<br />
O Most Blessed Mother, heart of love, heart of mercy, ever listening, caring, consoling, hear our prayer. As your children, we implore your intercession with Jesus your Son. Receive with understanding and compassion the petitions we place before you today, especially ...(special intention). <br />
We are comforted in knowing your heart is ever open to those who ask for your prayer. We trust to your gentle care and intercession, those whom we love and who are sick or lonely or hurting. Help all of us, Holy Mother, to bear our burdens in this life until we may share eternal life and peace with God forever.<br />
Amen.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838678821922937733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141444828775534676.post-11604356643580180582010-11-10T23:56:00.000-06:002010-11-10T23:56:04.019-06:00Uganda Novena Day 1In 9 days I’ll be on my way to Uganda! I have chosen St. Peter Claver as the patron saint for this mission. He is the patron of African mission work as he dedicated his life to serving Africans who were brought to the new world as slaves. He converted over 300,000 people! Pray for us St. Peter Claver!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cartagenainfo.net/saintpeterclaver/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="http://www.cartagenainfo.net/saintpeterclaver/17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">If you would like, please join me in praying this novena. It is the prepare for the work, both spiritual and physical, that will take place and for a safe and fruitful mission. I am also praying for Ugandans who are suffering in any way.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Novena Prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">O Most Blessed Mother, heart of love, heart of mercy, ever listening, caring, consoling, hear our prayer. As your children, we implore your intercession with Jesus your Son. Receive with understanding and compassion the petitions we place before you today, especially ...(special intention). </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We are comforted in knowing your heart is ever open to those who ask for your prayer. We trust to your gentle care and intercession, those whom we love and who are sick or lonely or hurting. Help all of us, Holy Mother, to bear our burdens in this life until we may share eternal life and peace with God forever.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Amen.</div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838678821922937733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141444828775534676.post-10904921645830264252010-11-09T23:35:00.000-06:002010-11-09T23:35:53.228-06:00Quick Quote for WednesdayEven though the Lord protects warriors and he who is "mighty in battle" encourages his own soliders, saying, "Do not be afraid, because I have overcome the world," still we should know, dearly beloved, that even with this incentive the fear is lifted, not the struggle. -St. Leo the GreatRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838678821922937733noreply@blogger.com1