₦airaland Forum

Peritus:
I hope you know that her role is not just intercessory as some argue. How do you see this prayer to our mother of perpetual help?
"O Mother of Perpetual Help, grant that I may ever invoke thy most powerful name, which is the safeguard of the living and the salvation of the dying. O Purest Mary, O Sweetest Mary, let thy name henceforth be ever on my lips. Delay not, O Blessed Lady, to help me whenever I call on thee, for, in all my needs, in all my temptations I shall never cease to call on thee, ever repeating thy sacred name, Mary, Mary."

There is nothing wrong in that prayer, no matter what gratitude or praise a good child gives to his/her mother, a good father even though he made the provisions possible, will never be in antagonism with that, in fact some of us privileged to come from such a home, have seen the father appreciate the child for the honor done his wife. There is no Competition between God and Mary in the Life of a Catholic.

From today's Gospel JN 13:21-33, 36-38

"...Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.” Peter said to him, “Master, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.”

Peter!...

"A saint is a sinner who keeps trying"---St. Josemaria Escriva.


Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all.

From Today's Gospel JN 12:1-11

"...Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples, and the one who would betray him, said, “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages and given to the poor?” He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions...The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him".


Lazarus was in the grave for four days before he was raised by Jesus, yet we see the Chief Priests making a plot, what was their plot? To kill Lazarus! For goodness sake, he was just coming from there! That's what envy does to humans, it makes one enmeshed in fruitless ventures, it makes one blind to fruitful ventures, it eats up time, eats up flesh, eats up reason and extinguishes happiness. No wonder the church named it as one of the "Capital Sins". In this last week of lent, let's recall the seven capital sins as contained in the CCC p1866. They are: pride, avarice, envy, wrath, lust, gluttony, sloth.

pride- undue self-esteem or self-love, which seeks attention and honor and sets oneself in competition with God
avarice - the inordinate love for riches.
envy- Resentment or sadness at another's good fortune. Not same as jealousy. Jealousy seeks another advantage for oneself while envy tries to destroy another advantage.
wrath-The desire of vengeance.
lust- The inordinate craving for or indulgence in sexual pleasure.
gluttony- Overindulgence in food or drink. "...whose god is their belly" Phil.3:19.
sloth (laziness)- A culpable lack of physical or spiritual effort.

They are capital sins not because of their gravity, but because of their being a foundation and conduit for many other sins. Take a look at the Gospel reading of today and see how many of these you can Identify.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to you.

MrAladin:
na me oo... work no give me chance. we all know wetyn naija dey go tru right in terms of security challenges.

we need una prayers to combat dis menace.

Indeed we're aware bro, may our lady of victories keep you safe and obtain for us all the victory we yearn for.

If one seeks the truth sincerely, he shall find it.

From today's Gospel MT 1:16, 18-21, 24A

....Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly....

What a contrast to our very world today, where people are so self centered. People profess love with their lips, but are first to throw the other to the dogs at the slightest disappointment. To what extent have people not gone to ridicule their partners at the slightest betrayal. Imagine Joseph, your normal artisan, a carpenter, getting betrothed to Mary, your normal alter girl or blue army member. She tells him she is a virgin and they agree on a chaste relationship, then he finds out she is unmistakably pregnant. What a betrayal! What a disappointment! In today's world Facebook, twitter and Nairaland will be buzzing. Joseph of course had to do the right thing, he had to divorce her, but in the midst of this, he was still concerned about her, he was going to do it quietly. Joseph was a nice man. Today, it is so disheartening to see the extent couples go, even in marriage, to revenge a wrong. Some have killed the partner, some have aborted a child, some have slandered the other party, some have committed arson, even some have taken revenge by committing the same offence, while some have committed suicide. St. Joseph's example teaches us the contrary. Are you in a marital relationship, whether -pre or post-, it's time to take a look at yourself, if you find yourself in Joseph's shoes, how far will you go in thinking about the welfare of your partner... even in your hurt? This is not yet a case of "forgive and forget" but a case of selflessness and non-vindictiveness. Pray for a heart that truly loves, a heart not selfish, a heart that isn't proud. O Jesus, meek and humble of heart- make my heart like unto thine.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all.

Happy feast of St Joseph.

MrAladin:
hello brethren.
Good afternoon

Chai, Oga Landlord. Na your eye be this?

Igbaba2:
pls., encourage faithfuls on powers lies in holy rosary and divine mercy chaplet.......... I mean individuals testimonies lets shared dem, dereby deeping some pples faith, its important

You're much welcome. The thread is already over 400 pages, and there have been testimonies of these along the line, now that you are here, you may want to enrich the thread further with yours, to the glory of God.



How SalC missed this post baffles me, I guess it's the hunger of the Lenten fasts.

From today's Gospel JN 8:51-59

"...Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ You do not know him, but I know him. And if I should say that I do not know him, I would be like you a liar. But I do know him and I keep his word. Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.” So they picked up stones to throw at him;
but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area."

This Passage reminds me of some threads here on Nairaland. Threads were our separated brethren come to condemn Catholics and certain practices of the church. Do you see the disconnect between Jesus and the Jews? Read that passage thoughtfully, put yourself in the place of the Jews, and see if you easily understood Jesus. Jesus was saying the truth, but how will they understand without calming down and listening to him explain things? How will they understand Jesus, if they only take recourse to what their scribes say about Jesus' message? How will one understand the catholic teachings and practices without calming down and listening to Catholics explain? How will one understand the teachings; when your information are got from a non Catholic web page? See how they argue with Jesus in their ignorance, same way you feel reading what some of these brethren post. But it didn't stop Jesus from saying the truth, so it shouldn't stop you from doing same. It is a spiritual work of mercy to do so, it is alms giving in it's own right...and this is a special period for it.

The spiritual works of mercy are:

To instruct the ignorant;
To counsel the doubtful;
To admonish sinners;
To bear wrongs patiently;
To forgive offences willingly;
To comfort the afflicted;
To pray for the living and the dead.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all.

A week to Tridum.

From today's reading Ex 32:7-14

But Moses implored the LORD, his God, saying, “Why, O LORD, should your wrath blaze up against your own people,whom you brought out of the land of Egypt...So the LORD relented in the punishment
he had threatened to inflict on his people.

"For the forgetfulness and ingratitude of men, we will console you O Lord....
For the blasphemies uttered against you, we will console you O Lord....
For the coldness of a greater part of your children, we will console you O Lord..."

Have you heard or participated in this prayer before? That's the Act of reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This is the words of a mediator, an intercessor. That's the role Moses played for the Israelites, he prevented their total annihilation at certain times, appeasing the anger of God, inflamed by their stubbornness. The world needs intercessors today, for the many acts of man that provokes God's anger. Many have given their lives as a sacrifice to God in intercession for their fellow men, taking upon them the vows of poverty, obedience and chastity, willing tools in God's hands and a kind of victim souls for the world. May their rewards never pass them by. You O privileged Catholic, how do you participate in this intercessory role, what do you offer? I encourage you to read up the full act of reparation, you may find in one of the lines, a way to console our Lord.

Today, on her birthday, let me walk in prayers with sister bluerange, as we meditate on our Lord's sufferings in this period of Lent, may your sighs of consolation be greatly appreciated by Him, and may He look upon you with utmost love and keep you secure in the hollow of his hands.
Happy birthday bluerange.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all.

From today's Gospel Jn 11:25a, 26

Jesus answered the Jews:
“My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.” For this reason they tried all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath but he also called God his own father, making himself equal to God.

In the beginning was the word, the word was with God, the word was God. Jn1:1. . The church teaches only what God has revealed, not what she understands. In the course of doing this, the church teaches even what she terms mysteries. Things that have been revealed by God, but for which explanation is not so humanly easily comprehensible. One of these is the incarnation, that a man is born of a virgin. Another of these is the Trinity, that there are three distinct persons in one God, yet not three gods. This is the moral burden of the church, not to pick and choose, but to guide her children to the whole truth, comprehensible or not, as long as it is the truth. That you may know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. O how dangerous it is not to be in the fold, there are wolves out there. My faith! My Pride!
Today, let me walk in prayers with dear Papist, as we observe this period of Lent with the universal Church, may her guidance keep you secure, may you find grace in her Treasury, and may she lead you to Jesus at the end.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all.

From today's Gospel JN 5:1-16

"...One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years.When Jesus saw him lying thereand knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be well?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.” Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked...."

What manner of ailment do you suffer from, physical? Social? Financial? Emotional? Spiritual? And how long have you been with it? Have you given up hope, are you finding your solution in the right place? Take a look at the man above, for thirty eight years he was sick, but he continued to hope for a cure in the conventional way, until he met Jesus. He met the Lord while seeking for a cure in a way in tune with his beliefs. Where do you now seek your cure, is it still in tune with your beliefs, have you turned to another god or are you now playing God? This is a period of retreat, a time to turn back, a time to reconcile with Christ, your miracle may just be at your door, be ready.
Today, let me walk in prayers with dearest Kamsified, as we hope on the Lord in this season of Lent, may He visit you at your point of needs, Wow onlookers with your miracle, and may you receive renewed life in your vocation of choice.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all

From today's Gospel Jn 4:43-54

At that time Jesus left [Samaria] for Galilee.For Jesus himself testifiedthat a prophet has no honor in his native place.When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him,since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves had gone to the feast.

Galilee, how happy a place it is, to have welcomed the Lord. At a time when Jesus would rather not perform a miracle in His home town, He performed a second in Galilee. Are you a Galilee for Christ? Is your body a sanctuary of rest for Jesus? A place where He gets consolation from many sacrilege against Him? A Holy place of repose as against those who receive Him unworthily in Eucharist? This is the time to wash and clean, this is the period of grace and mercy. Let's avail ourselves of this opportunity offered by the Lenten season, and make ourselves Galilee's for Christ. While you do this dear one, expect your miracle soon.

Today let me walk in prayers with btoks, as we prepare ourselves in this period, may His grace pour out on you like showers and may the Lord be well pleased in you.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all.

A happy birthday to you dearest SalC, your touch on this thread has been nothing short of motherly. You are a rare make, a beautiful soul encased in this dust of ours. May your light shine brightly ever, and may you never stop to add light to light, virtue to virtue and wisdom to wisdom in your joy filled years ahead. God bless you Ada oma.

Good day brethren, a splendid Sunday to all.

Aizenosa:
Mr Syncan as a member of this family and a happy follower of this thread I want to thank you for your so many messages of inspiration words cannot express how grateful this family is for them. We pray that Christ in His infinite love continue to bless u with continual inspiration through the Holy Spirit to keep up the good work thank you bro

Amen Amen. Thank you dearest brother for your kind words, may the Lord look upon you as He did to Veronica at the sixth station.

Rich4god:
Thanks for the update.

You're welcome bro.

From today's reading HOS 6:1-6

"...Let us know, let us strive to know the LORD; as certain as the dawn is his coming, and his judgment shines forth like the light of day!...."


People get attracted to each other for different reasons, however, to sustain such relationships, each party strive to know more about the other. As a matter of fact, it's one of the earliest topics of discussions in the beginning of any relationship such as friendship, marriage, courtship etc. The continued sustenance or progress of these relationships often lie on how well you know the other and accommodate his/her dos and don'ts. Are you in a relationship with God? How much do you know him? Knowing God is not like saying all men are the same, no, there is no one like Him, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD". Reading the scriptures, reading the lives of saints and hearing or reading the words of the Magisterium. These are ways of knowing the lord. May we strive each day to know Him better.


Today on the eve of your birthday, let me walk in prayers with you dear SalC, as we encounter the Lord more and more in this period of Lent, may you grow in your knowledge of Him and keep you ever close and secure in God's heart.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all.

From today's reading HOS 14:2-10
...I will heal their defection, says the LORD, I will love them freely; for my wrath is turned away from them. I will be like the dew for Israel: he shall blossom like the lily; He shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar, and put forth his shoots. His splendor shall be like the olive tree and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar. Again they shall dwell in his shade and raise grain; They shall blossom like the vine, and his fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon....

Gospel MK 12:28-34
"...The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”"

Whenever God is in Lovey lovey mood in scriptures, His words inflames the heart. At such times, He holds nothing back in his blessings. Happy then is one in whom God is pleased, and who loves God with his whole heart. God is love, we only love in part, the degree of the purity of our love is proportional to the degree or our perfection. Hence, one who is closer to God loves more. That's why Jesus told the scribe in the gospel "You are not far from the Kingdom of God". Our first love should be God, have you ever experienced the love of God in your heart? A feeling of intense appreciation and a desire not to be separated from Him. I've read several books of saints professing love for God, but a simple, practicable,captivating and utterly beautiful book is "The autobiography of a saint" by St. Theresa of lisieux. It is a love story of God and a beautiful soul. Love God and Love your neighbor as yourself, that is the compendium of all that Christ taught.

Today, let me walk in prayers with you; dear Ubenedictus, as we meditate on the purest of love as exemplified by the cross; in this period of lent, may the crucified Lord draw you closer to Him each day, and may His glory be made manifest in your life everyday.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all.

From today's reading JER 7:23-28

Thus says the LORD: This is what I commanded my people: Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people.
Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper...

Gospel LK 11:14-23

...When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

From the moment of our baptism the Lord calls us to walk with him. We've all at one point or the other experienced a feeling of security because of the presence of another person we look up to. That's how God wants us to feel in his presence, for nothing could be greater than the one who created all. God promises numerous blessings on the one who walks with Him, in His ways, guided by His light. I could remember only a particular line in one of Patty Obasi's songs, it goes like this "ngozi Chukwu na-eme ogalanya, o naghi enye nsogbu" "God's blessings maketh rich and added no sorrow" Prov.10:22. Each time I listen to that his song, I used to watch out for that part and join him in the singing, lol. Walking with the Lord brings Joy, It matters not what is happening to you outwardly, even if the worlds weight rests heavily on your shoulder, there's this inner tranquility that envelopes you when you walk with the Lord, especially when you're facing a wrong consequence for doing the right thing. That peace is a great thing, it is invaluable. Let's walk with the Lord brethren, for whoever does not walk with Him is against Him. Let's start from the below list in this lent, if you cannot do it alone, join a group:

Corporal Works of mercy

To feed the hungry
To give drink to the thirsty
To clothe the naked
To harbour the harbourless
To visit the sick
To ransom the captive
To bury the dead.

Today, let me walk in prayers with you Chikk, as you walk through this period of lent with the Lord, may His presence be the assurance you need that you cares and concerns do touch heaven, and may your days ahead be joy filled.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all.

chikk:
Hello and good evening everyone. Happy new year, lent, and new month to you all. May this month bring us more grace to overcome the challenges of our lives.

Mr syncan, I read. Weldone sir.

Salc, kamsified, jnrbayano, rich4god, debbie, etc. I greet you all in the name of Jesus + Mary.

Kindly visit the thread: https://www.nairaland.com/2963343/call-support-orphanage-trip

We're planning a trip to an orphanage in abuja come this easter. I don't know who's in abuja, you're welcome to join us. If you're not, you're welcome to make donations of kind, cash and/or prayers.

Thanks a lot and God bless you all immensely!!

Thanks nne, that's commendable, may the very act of charity bring the participants immense blessings.

From today's reading DT 4:1, 5-9

"...For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us..."

How closer could your God be to you O catholic, how closer could He be? He has made Himself but food for you that He may dwell in you and you in Him. There's this song I love so much, it's titled "O What Could My Jesus Do More", one of the stanzas goes like this :

In life and In death Thou art mine,
My Saviour, I'm sealed with Thy blood;
Till eternity on me doth shine,
I'll feed on the flesh of my God.
I'll feed on the flesh of my God.

Throughout the centuries, aye even till this very day, Eucharistic miracles have continued to prove to mankind the presence of God in the form of bread and wine. From the miracle of lanciano, Italy in the 8th Century, when a consecrated host changed to a bleeding flesh before a doubting monk, to the miracle of Santarem, Portugal in the 13th Century, when a consecrated host changed to flesh before a woman who was to take it to a sorceress, up till the miracle of Chirattakonam, India in the 21st century (2001), When drops of blood began to flow from a consecrated host during Eucharistic adoration, God has continued to show each generation that The Lord our God is truly present in the Eucharist. At the tarbenacle, Christ is hidden in the form of bread, "come to me all you heavy laden, he said, and I will give you rest". I posted this link below sometime ago, it's a nice video of present reality, a Eucharistic miracle in our present time.

https://www.facebook.com/staycatholic/videos/1492019390814564/?fref=nf.

Today, let me walk in prayers with my brother Italo, as we partake in the breaking of bread this Lent, may the Eucharistic Lord be ever present in your life, to transform you more and more into Him, and may you find succor each time you approach Him at the Tabernacle in prayers.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all.

From Today's Gospel MT 18:21-35

"...Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened,they were deeply disturbed, and went to their masterand reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant!I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant,as I had pity on you?’Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt.So will my heavenly Father do to you,unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”

To forgive isn't an easy thing when the injury really did hurt. How many times however have we ourselves been in need of forgiveness, when with our whole heart we had wished and prayed that we be forgiven our error... to err is indeed human. We do no need to feel like forgiving someone before we do so, because forgiveness is not an emotion, it is an act of will, you just decide to do it. It is not an easy thing to do when the hurt was deep “Forgiveness is a beautiful idea – until you have something to forgive.” (C.S.Lewis) But it is the Christian thing to do, for St. Paul encourages us thus : "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ Forgave you” Ephesians 4:31-32. Forgiveness isn't to forget... that could be called denial, nor should it be confused with reconciliation, for Jesus forgave those who crucified him; even though they were yet to repent.

As a help towards forgiveness,Someone offered these three steps:
1. Take your mind off of the person you can’t forgive:Do not allow yourself to grumble, or justify your situation, or feel sorry for yourself, or dream about ways to get even. Kill those thoughts as soon as you see them coming.
2. Remember that you are a sinner too.: Recall specific ways you’ve needed forgiveness. Ask God to help you, if you can’t. Go to confession, if that helps.
3. Every time that person comes to mind, say the words “I forgive you” whether you feel it or not.Make it an act of the will and ask the Holy Spirit to pour God’s love into your heart. Over time, start asking God to bless the person. Romans 12:14.
Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

Today, let me walk in prayers with you dear babestell, as you meditate on the cross this lenten period, may the full power of God to forgive be felt in your life, may you be more and more like our Lord in the forgiveness of others, and the Joy of the Lord fill your heart always.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all.

From Today's Reading 2 KGS 5:1-15AB

...The prophet sent him the message: “Go and wash seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will heal, and you will be clean.” But Naaman went away angry, saying, “I thought that he would surely come out and stand there to invoke the LORD his God, and would move his hand over the spot, and thus cure the leprosy. Are not the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be cleansed?” With this, he turned about in anger and left....

Pride!The scripture tells us to test every spirit, the test of humility is a very sure way that has been used for ages, for the devil is always proud..."Humility is the only thing that no devil can imitate".-- St John Climacus. The virtue of humility seems to be eroding in the modern day Christian, it is portrayed even in the way we speak to the Creator...'We put pride into everything like salt. We like to see that our good works are known. If our virtues are seen, we are pleased; if our faults are perceived, we are sad. I remark that in a great many people; if one says anything to them, it disturbs them, it annoys them. The saints were not like that -- they were vexed if their virtues were known, and pleased that their imperfections should be seen.'--St. Jean Marie Baptiste Vianney . Pride prevents us from obtaining what God has put on our way as a source of blessing, for God loathes pride...The greatest misery does not stop Me from uniting Myself to a soul, but where there is pride, I am not there. (1563) --St. Faustina, Divine Mercy in my Soul. Just like humility Identifies God's child, Pride puts one in the devil's camp and household, for it is in the gene of the evil one...“It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.” --Saint Augustine. May The Lord keep us grant us the grace to be humbler each day, may we shed every shred of pride in our lives.

Today, let me walk in prayers with OZAOEKPE, may your participation in this lenten period, make you more and more Christlike in the imitation of the virtue of humility, and may you have angelic companions to help you out; like the servants did to Naaman.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all.

From Today's Reading MI 7:14-15, 18-20

...Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance; Who does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency, And will again have compassion on us, treading underfoot our guilt? You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins; You will show faithfulness to Jacob, and grace to Abraham, As you have sworn to our fathers from days of old.


Let me tell you a story. "A certain man started receiving frequent visits from a spirit that claimed to be Jesus Christ. The apparition used to give him instructions which he promptly passes on to his parish priest. Under the guidance of the priest, this continued for a while, but the local Bishop wasn't keen on such stories. However, after much persuasion from his priests; who felt the unnatural events needed a keener interest, the Bishop later agreed to an audience with the visionary. He listened to him carefully as he narrated what has been happening to him; and the messages of the apparition, then he thought for a while and said "When next the apparition comes visiting, tell him that I, the bishop, as a youth committed a particularly terrible offence and of which I had told Jesus through the priest at confession, let him tell you the offence and I will confirm it". The man went home happy, for at this time he believed it was Jesus who was visiting him, so he was relieved that the bishop will now look favorably on the events. When next the vision came, he promptly made the request, and what happened next was a shock to him. As soon as he finished repeating what the bishop had said, the apparition started walking around with a frown on his face, like someone trying to remember something, he moved from side to side, deep in thought, trying to remember, then after a while, turned to the man and said "tell him that I don't remember". Oh, the man screamed, cursed and rebuked the apparition, called it devil, agent of Satan, and many more obscenities". He reported to the priests, and on their next visit to the bishop, he was visibly shaking as he retold what had happened. Surprisingly however, the bishop's disposition from that day became favorable towards the events, for he had said "I tested the spirit with Hebrew 8:12, and it passed in flying colours". The man later went back to his scriptures, then he opened to Hebrews 8: 12, and he read :For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. Glory to Jesus! I will leave you to imagine with what amount of tears and pleading with which he received the next visit of the apparition".

For the sins that you've shown contrition and confessed, God remembers no more. Are you still in doubt if you've been forgiven? Doubt no more, for doubt is a heavy load on you, it increases your weight, makes it difficult to run to Jesus, but will instead sink you in the ocean, you may want to ask Peter (Matt.14:30), therefore do not offend God by continuing to punish yourself, as if your Loving father never forgives. Today's Gospel, the prodigal Son,LK 15:1-3, 11-32 illustrates the whole message better.
Today let me walk in prayers with my dear Sister peppyluv02, as we go through this period of lent in penance, may the lord look upon you with kindness and remember your guilt no more, may He acknowledge you as His daughter.


Good morning brethren, a splendid day to all.

Rawblings:
Anything that's not in the bible is man made. Maccabees is not part of the bible because it's just a book that gives useful advice.. If there was anything like purgatory, we'd all know. Why is that it's only Catholics that accept it? I was once a catholic.. An Altar Server sef. I started studying the word of God and listening to TBN and i discovered i didnt belong there......

Bla bla bla bla, yet you refuse to edit that post where you combined your speech and mine. Why should i continue this discussion with someone whose intent is to deceive?

From Today's Reading GN 37:3-4, 12-13A, 17B-28A
Israel loved Joseph best of all his sons,for he was the child of his old age;and he had made him a long tunic.One day, when his brothers had gone to pasture their father’s flocks at Shechem, Israel said to Joseph,“Your brothers, you know, are tending our flocks at Shechem. Get ready; I will send you to them.” So Joseph went after his brothers and caught up with them in Dothan. They noticed him from a distance, and before he came up to them, they plotted to kill him.

From the Gospel MT 21:33-43, 45-46
There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another,‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.

"Human life is sacred",says the church, "because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God and it remains for ever in a special relationship with the Creator, who is its sole end. God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end: no one can under any circumstance claim for himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being". The brothers plotted against Joseph, so did the tenants against their master's representatives. However, the brothers of Joseph restrained from murder, while the tenants executed theirs. Today, blood flows on earth, human life is taken everyday via abortion by Christians. Man continues to plot and carry out murder each passing day, by killing vulnerable humans yet unborn. Let's take a look at the end of the stories shown in our readings. In the first, Joseph's brothers got saved from famine because they chose not to kill, while in the second, the tenants were put to death because they shed murdered another.For your lifeblood I will surely require a reckoning. . . . Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for God made man in his own imageGen.9:5-6. Have you participated in abortion, actively of passively? Have you reconciled with God? With all your strength flee from giving consent to abortion, discourage it, and live a chaste life.


"I cannot bring myself to speak of the many virgins who daily fall and are lost to the bosom of the Church, their mother. . . . Some go so far as to take potions, that they may insure barrenness, and thus murder human beings almost before their conception. Some, when they find themselves with child through their sin, use drugs to procure abortion, and when, as often happens, they die with their offspring, they enter the lower world laden with the guilt not only of adultery against Christ but also of suicide and child murder" St. Jerome. (Letters 22:13 [A.D. 396])

Today, let me walk in prayers with Fembleez1, as we pray in this period of lent, may the Lord renew the life of grace in you, may you be sound in health of body and soul, and may all evil plans against you not succeed.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all.

From today's Gospel LK 16:19-31

Jesus said to the Pharisees:
“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.

Try to think about this scenario as portrayed in the song below:

She calls out to the man on the street
'Sir, can you help me?
It's cold and I've nowhere to sleep,
Is there somewhere you can tell me?'

He walks on, doesn't look back
He pretends he can't hear her
Starts to whistle as he crosses the street
Seems embarrassed to be there

Oh think twice, it's another day for you and me in paradise
Oh think twice, 'cause it's just another day for you,
You and me in paradise, think about it

She calls out to the man on the street
He can see she's been crying
She's got blisters on the soles of her feet
She can't walk but she's trying


Dives(means rich) the rich man omitted doing a good work, we were not told he committed evil. Often these days you hear of people boasting about their latest luxurious acquisitions, some a Gold shoe, some a Hermes bag, while others a Rolls Royce car. Even some who claim to be "shepherds in God's household" also flaunt wealth these days, yet all I can say is "Remember Dives". Never you feel too poor to be of help, if i may use students as example.... Sisters, when you notice that fellow student who'll ask to make use of that "attachment" you want to dispose of, do not feel irritated,rather remember Dives and do good. Brothers, when you notice that room mate who'll not let you throw away that soup you forgot to warm, but will collect it, put potash and pepper, and dine on it, do not be perplexed, please remember Dives and offer to share fresh packs. Look around brethren, there's just an opportunity to help, to listen, to encourage, to be a companion...to be God's sent.

Today, let me walk in prayers with you dear Jennydoris, as you participate in the activities of this Lenten period, may your cup never run dry, may your blessing be overflowing as a living spring to all around you.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all

debbie:
Do we have people here that use ABIDE or THE WORD AMONG US? It is a very good daily devotional and rich too.
http://www.wau.org/
How is everyone doing?

Thanks for the info sis, I am sure the glory of God is visible in our lives. Eku lent o.

From Today's Reading JER 18:18-20

The people of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem said,
“Come, let us contrive a plot against Jeremiah. It will not mean the loss of instruction from the priests, nor of counsel from the wise, nor of messages from the prophets. And so, let us destroy him by his own tongue; let us carefully note his every word.”
Heed me, O LORD, and listen to what my adversaries say. Must good be repaid with evil that they should dig a pit to take my life? Remember that I stood before you to speak in their behalf, to turn away your wrath from them.

Gospel MT 20:17-28

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”....

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

I recall this beautiful poem written by Kent M. Keith, a nice poem it is. It's an encouragement to you and I that we persevere in doing good, even if we are repaid with ill. The prophet Jeremiah persevered, Jesus persevered...and so shall we.

Today let me walk in prayers with you MrAladin, In this period of lent, may God keep you secured as you go about doing good. May He watch over you and yours and guide you with His eyes.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all.

Rawblings:
Lol. funny. Stop using the bible to decieve yourself. THERE IS NOTHING LIKE PURGATORY. THERE'S NO STORY RELATED TO PURGATORY. learn to read wide and not only catholic books.. Thanks. Ask the holy spirit to help you. If there was purgatory, we'd have known since

Kindly edit that post above, and own up to your own writings. Don't make it look as if I wrote this trash you have up here, that's called deceit. I am quoting scriptures and you can only continue to shout "there is nothing like purgatory" without scriptural backing, yet you call yourself a Christian. Now you say I should ask the Holy Spirit, as if it is your village spirits that have taught me to know scriptures this much, enough to confound you in your ignorance. There is Purgatory and We've always known.


Even from the time of the Christian Martyrdom

"[T]hat very night, this was shown to me in a vision: I [Perpetua] saw Dinocrates going out from a gloomy place, where also there were several others, and he was parched and very thirsty, with a filthy countenance and pallid color, and the wound on his face which he had when he died. This Dinocrates had been my brother after the flesh, seven years of age, who died miserably with disease. . . . For him I had made my prayer, and between him and me there was a large interval, so that neither of us could approach to the other . . . and [I] knew that my brother was in suffering. But I trusted that my prayer would bring help to his suffering; and I prayed for him every day until we passed over into the prison of the camp, for we were to fight in the camp-show. Then . . . I made my prayer for my brother day and night, groaning and weeping that he might be granted to me. Then, on the day on which we remained in fetters, this was shown to me: I saw that the place which I had formerly observed to be in gloom was now bright; and Dinocrates, with a clean body well clad, was finding refreshment. . . . [And] he went away from the water to play joyously, after the manner of children, and I awoke. Then I understood that he was translated from the place of punishment" (The Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicity 2:3–4 [A.D. 202]).

From Today's Reading IS 1:10, 16-20


"...Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow. Come now, let us set things right, says the LORD: Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; Though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool...."

Come now let us set things right, says the Lord...I once watched a documentary titled "Marian apparitions of the twentieth century", I did enjoy the collection, it was amazing. In it one cannot fail to marvel at the similarities with what our earthly mothers do, what mother would see the child heading towards harm and will stay and watch? Mothers would throw caution into the winds, abandon any form of comfort, act without thoughts, put themselves in danger, talk themselves hoarse, just to keep the child from harm. Oh, how I watched from Fatima to Banneux, Garabandal to Zeitun, from Akita to Kibeho, all with one message..."Come let us set things right, says the Lord" she reminds us. She cries each time that we should Pray, Pray, Pray, flee from sin and do good. What manner of child are you, to hear the cries of your mother and remain unmoved, your Mother! Think about it, make a resolve this lent, run to her, for she who is full of grace, will help you back and sustain you in Christ. To the Jews the Lord had this to say in today's Gospel "The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you... MT 23:1-12. But today, we hear people saying "I am a catholic but I don't agree with all her teachings", Yet the Church, unlike the scribes and pharisees, has the holy spirit and the promise of Christ's presence till the end of time. The Church says Mary is our Mother, the Holy spirit has said so, and that she truly has been, in words and in deeds. Taste and see! Pray for us Oh Mother.
Today, let me walk in prayers with ChineloSA, as you pray in this period of lent, may your prayers be rightly directed and made more effective by Mary's Intercession, and may her presence be your reassurance when you're in a crossroad.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all.

dhardline:
I never said a believer cannot sin ...that is why i said that only those who are sick are in need of physicians and one who says he is not sick ie. Without sin ,does not need Christ.He dies daily,very true,same thing am saying. But this is what i really want you to pick out of this

We are told to strive for perfection by dieing daily to our sins,let me assume that i die daily and then reach perfection here on earth does that not make we 'whole' and no more in need of a physician?hence no need of Christ.
We die daily to rid of selves of the adamic nature in us which will continue until death..one who tries to rid himself of this adamic nature no longer has sin reigning in his members(that is no longer slave to sin/don't commit sins at will) hence being justified. what he battles now in Christ is this adamic nature which the process sanctifies him.

Now Corinthians chapter 3 verse 11 to end : 11 already sates the foundation which is being built

on which is Jesus christ.who builds on Jesus Christ if not the saved?

Are you also aware that the works of the unrighteous is an abomination unto God?

Hence the works being talked about here are the works of the saved.

Since both already built on Christ both are saved but the reward for works done is the

differnce.God wants us to do quality work for him here on earth and those works done will be

tested and rewarded and he who does his work fully will get his reward but he that does his work

shabbily will pass thru pains here on earth for him to repent and give his all in God service.

Also note that WORKS is different from FRUITS of the spirit.e.g love,joy,peace. Which is also different from the law e.g thou shalt not kill,commir adultery etc.

Works is what you do as a thru christian to promote the kingdom of Christ e.g evengelising(i my self lack in this aspect alot), comforting your brethens in despair,giving to the needy and also for the spreading of his gospel etc.

So after Judgement, you'll be sent back to earth to pass through your pain or what? St. Paul was clear, he said "for the day shall declare it". What day is he talking about? And note that he was writing to believers, yet he categorized them, he talked about the first group as he said "He shall receive his reward" 1cor. 3 vs 14. But to these ones we talk about he said " He shall be saved" 1cor.3 vs 15. Only the one who enters heaven is saved, for as long as you're on earth you are running the race. I do not know if you have more assurance of heaven than St. Paul, yet he said he puts his body under discipline for even he fears of disqualification, he said "lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected". Do you now wear Christ more than St. Paul?