Funny how things seem to pop up, forgotten moments which are now important. I remember back in 2002 I was having a particularly difficult time. My wife went back to Florida. I was in Pennsylvania working a job, she had enough of my craziness. She wished me well, said I would just have to go through what I was going through by myself; she couldn’t do it. I knew it and understood, I didn’t like it but I understood. Shortly after that, I remember one afternoon there was a bird flying through the work site which was on the Delaware River. I don’t know if it was a shore bird or what, I couldn’t tell at the time, I don’t remember much about it except when it tilted its belly to the sun, in the light of the sun shine, the light reflected off the bottom of its wing and in that nanosecond, I saw something, a glimpse of something really beautiful. It was years later, literally 10 years later, that I understood what I saw. It was because of Bishop Barron’s homily; he described what was objectively valuable and what was subjectively satisfying. I didn’t know I was having one of those objectively valuable experiences at the time, I certainly wouldn’t have phrased it that way but that’s what it was. There are those times when we see something in nature, have a realization given as a grace which changes our lives, when the event is incidental and the experience monumental.
Know you are on my prayer list. Your Brother in Christ.
I hope this letter finds you in good spirits.
This morning, I was looking back at the day in South Carolina while I was driving through the mountains watching the sun shine through the trees and the leaves were blowing and the shadows were dancing across the hood of my car. It was truly beautiful. Reminded me of the day on the Delaware River, that magic moment when the world became objectively beautiful. I know now what a valuable experience these moments hold for us. I can see in my mind’s eye the morning looking over the Atlantic Ocean when I realized that I’m the only one on the planet that’s seeing the sun glistening across the water the way it is right now, right here. It’ll never happen that way again, it’s only happened like that one time, this time. Now I realize in those moments, I’m part of that cosmic concert, sometimes I’m playing an instrument, sometimes I’m just listening to the orchestra. it’s all good. Blessings for all of us. Your friend in Christ
Tag Archives: Hope
Prayer for Forgiveness
Before I bring my confessions and petitions, I present my gratitude and praise to you Eternal Father, Christ Jesus and Holy Spirit. Thank you for this glorious life, thank you for leading me, guiding me through this world of strife and temptations. Thank you for helping me in all things and in all ways.
You know all the things I have done and the things I have failed to do. I am praying now, you will forgive me of all my sins, known and unknown, actions and thoughts which were not pleasing to you. Forgive me for the things I hold in my heart which are unholy, forgive me for my fantasies, moments of anger and the dread of fear, anxieties and depression. I pray that everything I do from this moment increases the faith, love, and trust I have in you.
Forgive me Lord for the pain and confusion I have caused in other peoples’ lives. Console them with the same consolation I receive from you. Heal their hearts and cleanse their souls.
In the name of Jesus Christ, I renounce all unholy spirits, all unrighteous thoughts, all thoughtless reactions and deeds. I want only to live in your presence Lord, following your will. Make my life a blessing for everyone. AMEN
Encouragement XVI
Dear Friend,
You know it’s not easy being a Christian. On one hand, Christ Jesus makes demands; on the other hand, He gives guidance and brings great benefits. We all cherish the joy and peace of mind we find in His presence. There is gratitude and thanksgiving for His gifts. There is always hope because where there is Christ Jesus, our risen Lord, there is hope. There is always hope because our faith in Him fosters trust in Him. In those moments of faith and trust, when standing in the light of His love we all find the strength to pray for ourselves, the ones we love and for all the people suffering in this horrible pandemic.
We know the world, we have seen life unfolding in all its joys and happiness, the beautiful memories of times gone by. We have seen the other side too, a world in its sadness caught up in confusion and strife. During these troubling times, through our faith, the power of prayer and providence of His love, He has given us the strength to endure, to conquer our fears and manage our uncertainties. This world has taught us many lessons, the same lessons we passed down to our children and to their children as well. This is the time to draw from all we know, all we have learned and all we have shared. This is the time to remember Psalm 27:14; “Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.”
From the priests, deacon, the staff and all the congregation of St. Jude Catholic Church, know we are praying with you. Take courage in our prayers, find strength in knowing you are not alone, we are with you and you are with us. We love the Lord, He is our Savior, our strength in all times. We go to Him; He is with us.
Encouragement XV
Dear Friends,
In Isaiah 26:4, we read, “Trust in the Lord forever, For in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock.” What reassuring words we have from Isaiah. Trust in the Lord forever, He is everlasting. And what did Christ Jesus say to Peter? You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church. So here we are 2000 years later, all Christians, in all our congregations, worshiping Christ Jesus our Savior.
Comforting to know, we have a Savior, our Lord, sturdy, secure, and forever. He is with us and for us. It’s not that He wants anything from us, He wants all good things for us. Just as He told Peter, nothing can stand against my Church not even the gates of hell or legions of demons, or all the evils of this world or the dreadful pandemic we all face; nothing at all can shake His Church from its foundation on the Rock.
He didn’t ask us to love Him, have trust and faith in Him before He met His passion on the Cross. He knew the trials we would face, the troubles we would endure and the doubts we would have, but He went to the Cross, He did it anyway. He trusted in His Father. Christ Jesus held tight to what had been and what would be, an everlasting covenant, one with His Father and one with us. Our triune God has never changed and will never change. As sure as the Rock, the Rock of faith, trust, love, and hope stands now in His Church.