Gratitude & Thanksgiving

LInk to EWTN explanation of this iconic painting EWTN explanation The Trinity, called The Hospitality of Abraham Russian painter Andrei Rublev (1360 - around1427) The term Trinity is not mentioned in the Bible, but the revelation of a Trinitarian God is understood in Gen 18. Genesis 18:1-8 The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks  of Mamre…..He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. He said, “My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.”  So, they said, “Do as you have said.” … About Andrei Rublev's painting Rublev’s icon depicts this scene with three angels, similar in appearance, sitting around a table.  In the background is the house ...

Notes summarised from The Study: "Foundations of Faith : A Journey Through the Catechism of the Catholic Church" (Workbook pages 35-37) Notes from "Overview of Catholic Theology", Rev Fr Michael Chan

Today, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity.     As I journey through the Foundations of Faith program*, the Lord led me this morning to the pages about the Trinity.  Today's feast will hold fresh meaning as I seek a deeper understanding of this great mystery. Sharing some notes from the pages I read - quoting directly from the book and from the CCC. ------------------------- God is eternal blessedness,  undying life, unfading light.   God is love:   Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  (CCC 257)   THE CONCEPT OF THE TRINITY The word "trinity" is not in the Bible. But the New Testament constantly refers to three distinct Persons who are equally divine yet completely one (2 Cor 13:14). From the earliest days, the Church's worship has been tri-personal - giving glory to the Father , through the Son ("through him, and with him and in him)... in the unity of the Holy Spirit ." In the second century, church Father Tertullian...

PERSONAL NOTES taken of Homily @ MASS  CELEBRATING THE FEAST DAY OF OUR LADY OF THE CENACLE These are quick notes taken (not verbatim). Any errors or omissions are mine alone.  For private sharing only, please do not post on social media apps (1)  God always makes the first move.   Every good we do come from the one source: The One who calls The One who equips The One who sends (2) It is not only about doing,  but about remaining in the Lord.  It is about being. (3) Our first call is to be in the presence of God so as to live out the being: of being the beloved of being the child of God (4) It is about being connected before stepping out.  It is about prayer before mission listening before speaking communion before action (5) Mission without prayer is empty action.   Service without prayer life is a drain.   But prayer is not an escape from mission. (6) Renewal - Ez 36:23-28 A new heart and a new spirit Renewal changes the way...

PERSONAL NOTES taken @ SSVP Annual Retreat (16 May 2026) Conduced by Rev Fr Richards Ambrose RETREAT THEME:  ARE YOU BOUND FOR HEAVEN? [This is not a verbatim transcript (& Fr did not have visuals/slides).  These are brief notes taken for reference.  The notes are not compiled in the exact sequence of Fr's delivery, but re-organised to a small extent, and put under headings for better clarity.   Any errors or omissions are mine alone.] For personal sharing only.   Strictly not for posting on social media apps please.  PART A - THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN AND THE FULLNESS OF LIFE We are all called to be saints. What state do I need to be in to be in heaven? WHAT IS NECESSARY TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN? To know Jesus and to follow Jesus God created us to  know him love him serve him We can enter the Kingdom of God because God has given us The Word of God His Holy Spirit . THE FULLNESS OF LIFE The fullness of life is to be found in union with ...

Capturing beautiful words of wisdom by David Morales, one of my favourite artist About drawing the ordinary

Collecting gems from the Daily Rosary Meditation by the School of Faith.- episode on 14 Jan 2026

I encountered this ancient prayer recently, and loving it: Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with all its love, all its sufferings and all its merits. First To expiate all the sins I have committed  this day and during all my life.  Glory Be... Second To purify the good I have done poorly  this day and during all my life.  Glory Be... Third To supply for the good  I ought to have done,  and that I have neglected  this day and all my life.  Glory Be... The “Prayer of Daily Neglects“ focuses on atoning for the small faults and negligences that occur in our daily lives.  It involves reflecting on moments when we have been inattentive to those around us, wasted time, or failed in small ways, and asking for God’s mercy.  The prayer helps us to become more conscious of minor sins and to make amends through contrition, resolution to improve, and grace sought from God.

I encountered a really beautiful thought today: What draws people is the  quiet strength and calm joy of someone who lives in God’s peace. A peaceful spirit  is the only way to be  a   consistent witness of the Gospel. It was said as part of the Daily Rosary Meditation hosted by Dr Mike Scherschligt, who was introducing St Seraphim of Sarov (1754), whom Dr Mike said, gave a single piece of advice: Every Christian in the state of grace carries the Trinity within.  Our task is to let others glimpse God through us.  That happens only when our hearts are calm,  trusting in Him, whatever comes.  When we are at peace,  people can see God in us.

  Notes taken from homily by Rev Fr Simon Tan, CSsR - at the Funeral Mass of a 17 year old 

  In our Bible study group today, we had a robust discussion about "meekness of wisdom" in James 3:13.  Several related terms came up—meekness, humility, gentleness, and obedience.  While these words share some similarities, their differences weren’t immediately clear to us, and we found ourselves wrestling with the concepts. So, I took a little time to do some research and have compiled my findings here, organized in a way that makes sense to me.   [Do know that I claim no authorship of these insights - they come from various online resources that I have simply read, digested and compiled to the best of my abilities.  I would be grateful for any corrections or additional thoughts you may have.] ------------------------------------ FIRST, ARE THESE FOUR ALL CATHOLIC VIRTUES? "Humility", "Obedience", "Gentleness" and "Meekness" are all Catholic virtues ,  although they are NOT part of the three Theological virtues (Faith, Hope, Charity)...

Noting down wisdom from a book I am slowly savouring - "The Cup of My Life" by Joyce Rupp.   This post (#4 of this series) is about emptying ourselves. ... ---------------- (Below are thoughts taken from the book, some are exact words from the author, some are paraphrased by me....to serve as notes to be re-read and gems to be revisited.) ------------ A cup that is always full does not have room to receive. THE CONSTANT CYCLE IN LIFE The spiritual path is a constant cycle.... - of emptying and filling - of dying and rising - of accepting and letting go The full cup is repeatedly emptied so that it can be filled again and again. THE EMPTYING This emptying happens in many ways: - Sometimes I choose to be emptied of my fullness when I get involved in a situation where someone's life asks for a lot of my time and energy . This emptying can be draining, but it might also be rewarding and satisfying because I have a sense of truly giving to another.   - Some times, life empt...

Noting down wisdom from a book I am slowly savouring - "The Cup of My Life" by Joyce Rupp.   This post (#3 of this series) is about  clutter, the spiritual kind ... ---------------- (Below are thoughts taken from the book, some are exact words from the author, some are paraphrased by me....to serve as notes to be re-read and gems to be revisited.) ------------ PHYSICAL CLUTTER Most of  are constantly  trying to get rid of  physical clutter in our lives.   "I just get my heaping basket of correspondence emptied and it's full again.  I finally clear off the top of my desk and the next week it is messier than it was ever.  I dust the house and put things away only to have to re-do it again soon afterwards.  It seems like there is always a stack of something waiting to be sorted and discarded." INNER, SPIRITUAL CLUTTER But not so many of us are aware that we have  inner, spiritual clutter   too. Things like  anxiety,...

  Noting down wisdom from a book I am slowly savouring - "The Cup of My Life" by Joyce Rupp.   This post (#2 of this series) is about  the many facets of a cup applicable to our spiritual life. ---------------- (Below are thoughts taken from the book, some are exact words from the author, some are paraphrased by me....to serve as notes to be re-read and gems to be revisited.) ------------ #1      https://gratitude-thanksgiving.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-cup-of-our-spiritual-life-1.html #2     https://gratitude-thanksgiving.blogspot.com/2025/08/contemplating-on-many-facets-of-cup-2.html #3      https://gratitude-thanksgiving.blogspot.com/2025/08/a-new-way-of-looking-at-clutter.html #4      htt ps://gratitude-thanksgiving.blogspot.com/2025/08/emptiness-is-gift.html

Noting down wisdom from a book I am slowly savouring - "The Cup of My Life" by Joyce Rupp.   This post (#1 of this series) is about The Cup of Our Spiritual Life. ---------------- (Below are thoughts taken from the book, some are exact words from the author, some are paraphrased by me....to serve as notes to be re-read and gems to be revisited.) ------------ The Cup of our spiritual life an ordinary cup a sacred vessel connecting me with life and with God We are the temple of the Holy One We are each a container  designed to hold the Divine Presence. God goes with us wherever we go. We carry God into every relationship and experience. God has made a home in our heart and in the heart of each one we meet. We are simply an empty cup until we are filled with the loving energy of God. We are beauty set to music. The cup of our spiritual life  must be cared for and replenished as  it pours its contents away  in loving service. #1      https://grat...

  I have the chance to study the Book of James with a group of amazing ladies, following the lectures of Jeff Cavins (by the Ascension Press). Of the many many nuggets of truth and wisdom the Book of James imparts, there is a section that talks about a faith filled approach towards the poor and the posture/attitude we ought to take in view "the problem" of the poor. . Below are some notes I have taken down from this study.   I hope you will be blessed just as I am blessed by the guidance. ------------ NOTES taken from Jeff Cavin's Study of James  (Parital notes from Lecture 3  - Wisdom and the Law of Love) -------------- WHY SHOULD WE BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE POOR?   We should be  concerned with the poor simply because God is concerned with the poor. God expects us to be his arms and his mouth, and be his body to the world - to be merciful and walk in justice.   PARTIALITY AND SHOWING DISTINCTION To show partiality is to show a liking or preference...