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Problems of life, like knots on a rope, bring you closer to God. (Spanish) Los nudos de la vida acortan tu distancia a Dios.

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Así lo definiste Marisela cuando comparabas tu vida con una cuerda que, como un puente, te un ía a Dios. A l sufrir u na pena esta cuerda se rompía y tú tenías que unirla nuevamente, haciendo un nudo. A l hacerlo la cue rd a se a cortaba, y así también se acor t aba la distancia que te separa ba de Dios. N os platicabas de los pasos que habías dado en tu vida, en ese camino de la fe. E l primero lo habías dado de niña con esa fe infantil llena de c ando rosas palabras queriendo cantarle a Dios todos tus juegos, b esando la medalla de tu P rimera C omunión. Era una fe pequeña, como tú, que necesitaba de signos externos, pero ya desde entonces, creo Marisela, que a D i o s l e gustaba mucho ir tu voz. Y tomaste en tus manitas es a cuerda que empez aba a unirte a Él. El segundo paso lo diste siendo una linda jovencita. E n la adolescencia contagiabas alegría y como es l ógico a es a edad, le hablabas a Dios atropelladamente, pero no ...

'This is my Son, my Chosen.' Sunday Reflections, 2nd Sunday of Lent, Year C

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Transfiguration , Blessed Fra Angelico  [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel   Luke 9:28b-36 ( New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition)      Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray.   And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.    Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, i...

Seeking and Giving Mercy

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Many of us are quick to seek mercy. But how about giving mercy? I doubt we are as quick to give mercy as we are to seek mercy. That’s human nature at work. We run to Our Lord and ask for His mercy every time we sin. In His graciousness, He is quick to grant our request.  So, why don’t we run to grant mercy when someone hurts our feelings? Unlike God, who knows everything, we need time to assess the situation, determine the extent of the offense, and evaluate the depth of hurt. Only then can we mete out the necessary amount of mercy warranted. I recently had an exchange with someone on Facebook Messenger for which I took offense. My immediate reaction was one of indignation. I was not in the mood to grant mercy. However, after assessing the situation, I was able to put things in perspective. I was able to determine the amount of hurt this person caused me by her snarky comments. Taking into consideration where this person was coming from, and not knowing her true intention...

Thank God You're You! Loving Yourself

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Last year after Mass, someone said, "Come with me. You have to meet Father's sister. She looks just like you." Did anyone ever tell you, "You look just like my ________________"?  (Fill in the blank.) Maybe we do have a doppelganger or two. But no one will ever be exactly like us, even if we are cloned.  Each one of us is unique, a nonrepeatable combination of physical characteristics, talents, and memories. Each is to be cherished and loved. No wonder Jesus tells us to love others as we love ourselves. He takes it for granted that we love ourselves. And what's not to love? You may dislike certain aspects of your looks or personality. You may wish you had a voice like Lady Gaga or Andrea Bocelli or could play basketball like LeBron James. But there are many reasons to love yourself.  Let's count the ways—at least some of them. Click to continue

Repenting Requires True Contrition

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It’s not enough to say, “I’m sorry.” True contrition means that in the depths of our souls we seek a conversion of heart. We want to change our ways, with the goal of becoming a better person in the eyes of God and neighbor. That’s true repentance; true contrition of heart. Yet, how often do we slip back into repetitive sin? Identifying the Root Cause of Our Sins Lent is the perfect time to dig deep and learn the reason(s) why we commit the same sins repeatedly. There is a root cause, and that root cause usually pertains to one of the seven deadly sins. Anger “ arises when an evil persists in the face of our resistance or when a good remains beyond our grasp, despite our efforts.” 1 Envy  stems from feelings of inadequacy that result in an inordinate desire for the goods of others. Gluttony  causes you to ... Read more...

THE MATTER OF BREAD MATTERS

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The matter of “bread” in recent headlines caught my attention, particularly because I specialize in food sensitivities and the matter of gluten-free diets. First appeared the headline:   “Get Ready  –  Signs Point to a New Attack on the Eucharist Coming Soon”  (by Msgr. Charles Pope) on why a potential proposal to permit the replacement of the bread used in the consecration of the Eucharist with yuca must be opposed... >> Click HERE to Read More at: The Way To Nourish For Life <<

Mexico becoming moire prolife every year (Spanish) Un golpe esperanzador en México para proteger la vida.

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El triunfo de Nuevo León tirando la ley para legalizar el aborto en su estado, ha evitado traer una violación, es decir, matar al ser que por no ser deseado, después de un acto de barbarie y atropello, fue fecundado y comenzó una nueva vida inocente, no pedida, nos duele profundamente al igual que todos aquellos seres que por una mala conformación genética serán suprimidos sin derecho a la vida.(1) No sabemos qué pensarán los que nacieron con limitaciones y ahora traen el triunfo de medallas de oro, plata y bronce para el país, que si les dio el permiso de nacer, y este dice que se siente orgulloso de estos atletas que con esfuerzo y alegría alcanzaron la victoria en la conquista de una anhelad y competida meta.  leer más...

Praying to the dark

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When you pray ... who is listening? Is anyone there? Or are you talking to yourself? Praying to the dark? CLICK HERE

But How Do I Change?

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The truth is, Christians can change their outer actions through spiritual discipline but they cannot transform their inner spirits so they can say with St. Paul, “No longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me.”  Jesus had to die and rise again to save us from our selves, from the slavery of sin. So why does Jesus tell us: “In truth I tell you, unless you  change  and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven.” ( Matthew 18:3 ) Since I was surrounded by lots of little people for years, I like to keep things simple. However, when it comes to understanding Holy Scripture, we must turn to the Church and to Scripture scholars to help us discern the truth of what Christ is actually trying to teach us. The Word “Change” is Passive continue

Commercial Spaceflight: Another Step

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The SpaceX Crew Dragon demonstration and test flight has gone well. The spacecraft returns to Earth Friday morning. Folks may be riding Crew Dragon to and from the ISS later this year. I found quite a bit about space stations, docking technology and other more-or-less-related topics. But if this is going to be done in time, that must wait until another day. (More at A Catholic Citizen in America .)

'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.' Sunday Reflections, 1st Sunday of Lent, Year C

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The Temptation of  Christ , Juan de Flandes  [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel   Luke 4:1-13 ( New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition)      Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness,  where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished.  The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.’  Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone.”’ Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.  And the devil said to him, ‘To you I will give their glory and all th...