Gratitude & Thanksgiving

Noting down some gems I am reading…. When someone would ask Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta what they could do to serve,  she was known for taking the person’s hand and touching each finger, she would say,  You-did-it-to-me. I was hungry  and you gave me to eat,  I was naked  and you clothed me,  I was sick  and you visited me.  Whatever you did  to the least of my brethren,  you did it to me. Mt 25:31 Pope Francis said  We are to be  heralds of mercy .  Especially at a moment  full of great hopes  and signs of contradiction,  to introduce everyone to the great mystery of God’s mercy by contemplation of the Face of Christ. ” To love God and neighbor is not something abstract, but profoundly concrete: it means seeing in every person the face of the Lord to be served, to serve him concretely .” Jesus gives us two faces, and  actually only one real face, that of God reflected in many faces, because in t...

                                      Recent events and chats with friends prompted me to more consistently pursue my exercise regime - walks and cycling.  So, I have been looking out for, and inviting walking companions but none readily agreed.  At dinner one of these evenings with old friends, one of them inspired me with her daily hour long morning walks.  Before bed that night, I decided I would go ahead albeit by myself.  I set the alarm for 7am. I woke up on time and set off for the walk alone.    As soon as I started the walk, my heart thanked the Lord for the beautiful morning and the peace.     I prayed the morning prayer with an audio app, which took 18 beautiful minutes.     Then I listened to the day's scripture readings.   I had reached Frankel by then, witnessing the neighbourhood "waking up".  I  decided to p...

Excerpt from Rev Fr Robert Barron's reflections in the second Joyful mysteries of the Rosary (the Visitation of Mary)  

Heavenly Father, St Joseph set aside his own plans, to embrace your dream for us.   You invited his help to care for Jesus Your Son and our Saviour.   Enable us to live by Your loving plan, and to reflect to the   world  the light of Christ.  Just as St Joseph was faithful parent and diligent worker, give parents the wisdom to support own children and to guide them in the way and work of Your Kingdom.   May we, like St Joseph, have tenderness and reverence for your creations.  We learn from him to approach others justly and tenderly and to see our world as endowed with the glory of God. Teach us to love one another and to be of humble service to all of creation empowered by your life within us.  St Joseph, man of dream and trusting steward, pray for us. 

Rev Fr Michael Payyapilly VC (online mass) spoke about today's Gospel Luke 5:17-26 - the story of some men carrying the paralyzed man to Jesus.