Analogy on why God allows pain and suffering

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: "I don't believe that God exists."

"Why do you say that?" asked the customer. "Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children?

If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things." The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.

Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt. The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: "You know what? Barbers do not exist." "How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber. "I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!" "No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."

"Ah, but barbers DO exist! That's what happens when people do not come to me." "Exactly!" affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! That's what happens when people do not go to Him and don't look to Him for help. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."

Origin of the Name Jesus Christ and the word Catholic

Please click on the links:

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03449a.htm:

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08374x.htm

The Mysteries of the ROSARY with Bible references..

The Joyful Mysteries(Said on Mondays, Saturdays)

First Joyful Mystery - The Annunciation of Gabriel to Mary

read: Luke 1:26-38

Second Joyful Mystery - The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth

read: Luke 1:39-56

Third Joyful Mystery - The Birth of Jesus

read: Luke 2:6-20/Matthew 2:1-12/John 1:1-5, 9-14, 16-18

Fourth Joyful Mystery - The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

read: Luke 2:22-35. 39-40

Fifth Joyful Mystery - Finding Jesus in the Temple

read: Luke 2:41-52

The Luminous Mysteries(Said on Thursdays)

First Luminous Mystery - The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan
read:Matthew 3:13-17/Mark 1:9-11/luke 3:21-22

The Second Luminous Mystery - The Wedding at Cana

read: John 2:11

The Third Luminous Mystery - the Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
read: Matthew 4:13-17. 5:1-12/Mark 1:14-15. 21-28/Luke 4:14-22

The Fourth Luminous Mystery - The Transfiguration of Jesus
read: Matthew 17:1-8/Luke 9:28-35/Mark 9:2-8

The Fifth Luminous Mystery - The Last Supper, the Holy Eucharist
read: Matthew 26:26-28/Luke 22:14-20/Mark 14:22-24/1st Corinthians 11:23-26

The Sorrowful Mysteries(Said on Tuesdays, Fridays)

First Sorrowful Mystery - Agony of Jesus in the Garden
read: Matthew 26:36-45/Mark 14:32-41/Luke 22:39-46

Second Sorrowful Mystery - Jesus is Scourged at the Pillar
read: Matthew 27:15-26/Mark 15:6-15/Luke 23:1-5/John 18:38-19:1

Third Sorrowful Mystery - Jesus is Crowned With Thorns
read: Matthew 27:27-31/Mark 15:16-20/John 19:2-16

Fourth Sorrowful Mystery - Jesus Carries His Cross
read: Matthew 27:31-32/Mark 15:20-23/Luke 23:26-31

Fifth Sorrowful Mystery - The Crucifixion of Jesus
read: Matthew 27:33-50/Mark 15:22-37/Luke 23:33-47/John 19:18-30

The Glorious Mysteries(Said on Wednesdays, Sundays)

First Glorious Mystery - The Resurrection of Jesus
read: John 20:1-23/Luke 24:1-12/Mark 16:1-11/Matthew 28:1-10

Second Glorious Mystery - The Ascension of Jesus
read: Luke 24:46-53/Matthew28:16-20/Mark 16:14-20/Acts 1:1-11

Third Glorious Mystery - The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
read: Acts 2:1-12

Fourth Glorious Mystery - The Assumption of Mary into Heaven
read: Luke 1:26-38. 1:41-55/1st Corinthians 15:20-26/Revelations 12:1-12

Fifth Glorious Mystery - The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth
read: Matthew 25:31-40/Revelation 7:9-17

-end-

Prayers used in the ROSARY.

Prayers used in the Rosary

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Introductory Prayers

Leader: Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you.

All: Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus.

L: O Lord open my lips.

A: And my mouth shall declare your praise.

L: O God come to my assistance.

A:O Lord make haste to help me.

L: Glory be to the father to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

A: As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

The Apostles’ Creed.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spiritand born of the Virgin Mary.He suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, died, and was buried.He descended into hell.On the third day he rose again.He ascended into heavenand is seated at the right hand of the Father.He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit,the holy catholic Church,the communion of saints,the forgiveness of sins,the resurrection of the body,and the life everlasting.Amen.The Lord’s Prayer/Our FatherOur Father, Who art in heavenHallowed be Thy Name;Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done,on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread,and forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us;and lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Glory be to the father.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and will be for ever. Amen.

The Hail Mary.

Hail Mary, full of grace! the Lord is with thee; blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Prayer to Jesus Requested By Our Lady. (Fatima Prayer)

O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, take all souls to Heaven, and help especially those most in need of Your mercy.

Hail Holy Queen.

Hail! Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,Hail our life, our sweetness and our hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, O most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy towards us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement! O loving! O sweet Virgin Mary!

The Litany of the blessed Virgin

Leader: Lord, have mercy on us.
Answer: Lord have mercy on us.
L:Christ, have mercy on us.
A:Christ have mercy on us.
L:Lord, have mercy on us.
A:Lord have mercy on us.
L: Christ hear us.
A:Christ, graciously hear us.

L:God, the Father in Heaven.
A:have mercy on us.
L:God the Son, Redeemer of the world.
A: have mercy on us.
L:God the Holy Spirit.
A: have mercy on us.
L:Holy Trinity, One God.
A:have mercy on us.

L:Holy Mary,
A:pray for us.
Holy Mother of God,
pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins,
pray for us.
Mother of Christ,
pray for us.
Mother of the Church,
pray for us.
Mother of divine grace,
pray for us.
Mother most pure,
pray for us.
Mother most chaste,
pray for us.
Mother inviolate,
pray for us.
Mother undefiled,
pray for us.
Mother most amiable,
pray for us.
Mother most admirable,
pray for us.
Mother of good counsel,
pray for us.
Mother of our Creator,
pray for us.
Mother of our Savior,
pray for us.
Virgin most prudent,
pray for us.
Virgin most venerable,
pray for us.
Virgin most renowned,
pray for us.
Virgin most powerful,
pray for us.
Virgin most merciful,
pray for us.
Virgin most faithful,
pray for us.
Mirror of justice,
pray for us.
Seat of wisdom,
pray for us.
Cause of our joy,
pray for us.
Spiritual vessel,
pray for us.
Vessel of honor,
pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion,
pray for us.
Mystical rose,
pray for us.
Tower of David,
pray for us.
Tower of ivory,
pray for us.
House of gold,
pray for us.
Ark of the covenant,
pray for us.
Gate of heaven,
pray for us.
Morning star,
pray for us.
Health of the sick,
pray for us.
Refuge of sinners,
pray for us.
Comfort of the afflicted,
pray for us.
Help of Christians,
pray for us.
Queen of Angels,
pray for us.
Queen of Patriarchs,
pray for us.
Queen of Prophets,
pray for us.
Queen of Apostles,
pray for us.
Queen of Martyrs,
pray for us.
Queen of Confessors,
pray for us.
Queen of Virgins,
pray for us.
Queen of all Saints,
pray for us.
Queen conceived without original sin,
pray for us.
Queen assumed into heaven,
pray for us.
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
pray for us.
Queen of the family,
pray for us.
Queen of Peace,
pray for us.
Leader:Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Answer:spare us, O Lord!.
L:Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
A:graciously hear us, O Lord!
L:Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
A:have mercy on us.

L:Queen of the most Holy Rosary, Pray for us,
A: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

All: Let us pray. O God, whose only begotten son, by his life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life. Grant we beseech thee that meditating upon these mysteries of the most Holy Rosary, of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We may imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ, our Lord, Amen.

Closing Prayer.

Leader:May the divine assistance remain always with us.

Answer: Amen.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.

Answer: Amen.

Leader: May the blessing of almighty God: Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, descend upon us and remain with us always.

Answer: Amen.
-end-

How to Pray the ROSARY.

How to Pray the Rosary

1. Make the sign of the cross.
2. Say the our Father.
3. Say three Hail Marys for increase of Hope, Faith and Charity.
4. Say the Glory be to the Father.
5. Announce the Mystery to be meditated upon; pause for a while; announce the intention for which the decade is offered, then say the Our Father..
6. Say ten (10) hail Marys while meditating on the mystery that has just been announced.
7. Say the glory be to the Father and the Fatima Prayer.
8. Repeat steps 5 to 7 for each of the remaining four meysteries.
9. Pray the Hail Holy Queen.
10. Recite the Litany of the Blessed Virgin.
11. Say the closing Prayer.

What feeds your mind? by: Marino J. Dasmarinas

This is the one million dollar question: What feeds your mind? Is it your worries? Is it your desire for money? There are a lot of things that feeds our mind and we may not know it that some of these are actually depreciating us.

Worry no more, the Bible tells us: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34)
Is it your desire for money? The Bible has this to say: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. (1st Timothy 6:10)
Feed your mind with God and you will not go wrong; this is what the Bible tells us: “Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you." (Matthew. 6:33).

Pray, Read the Bible specially the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John (this is where you will intimately know who really Jesus is) and meditate on its words. Attend Mass or your Church service (if you’re not a Catholic). When you feed your mind with God you’ll have peace in your heart and you’ll feel Jesus presence in your life every step of the way.

What are you feeding your mind right now?

How did the word CATHOLIC came into being?

The original existing reference to the “Catholic Church” occurred in a letter written by St. Ignatius of Antioch.

In his Letter to the Smyrnaeans written in 107 AD the following statement was written: “Wherever the bishop is, let the people be there; just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.” This declaration is interesting for numerous reasons. One reason is that the name “Catholic” used to designate Jesus’ Church was apparently not new. St. Ignatius felt no need to clarify or defend the name. This points to an earlier year for the beginning of the name Catholic. It is not a stretch to conceive the beginning of the name “Catholic” to the first century. Another reason that this statement is remarkable is that the man that first wrote that the Church was called “Catholic” was from Antioch. It was also in Antioch that the followers of Jesus were first called “Christians” (Acts 11:26). One other reason that this statement from St. Ignatius is interesting is that Jesus and the Catholic Church are united as one. “Wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.” In other words, Jesus is always found with the Catholic Church. This fulfills the words of our Lord, “Behold, I am with you always even until the end of the world!” (Matthew 28:20).

Why do Catholics have crucifixes?

Please click on the link:

http://www.thebostonpilot.com/articleopinion.asp?ID=6018

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Please click on this link:

http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/entiretoc1.htm

or

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

My Reflections for the fifth Sunday of Lent (John 11:3-7,17,20-27,33-45) March 9, Jesus, Mary, Martha and their brother Lazarus

My reflections:
Our relationship with our friends has different degrees; there are friends whom we can freely unburden whatever emotions we have. There are those whom we are wary of sharing our deepest secrets for fear of betrayal and scorn. This is also true on how we give our love to our friends. There is superficial love and there’s sacrificial or agape love towards our friends.

In the gospel we clearly see the deep friendship and love amongst Jesus and sisters Mary and Martha together with their brother Lazarus. When Lazarus got sick both sisters went to see Jesus and told him: "Master, the one you love is ill." ( Jn 11:3). On Jn 11:5 it says “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” On Jn 11:20 it says: “When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him.” Then when Jesus was already in their house Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. Jn. 11:21.
When Jesus saw where Lazarus was buried he wept. Jn. 11:35.
What does these following Bible passages tell us? It simply tells us that Jesus can also be our friend; he is a friend that is not bounded by time and space, he is an ever present friend; we must be aware of his presence in our lives. He is a friend that is always there ready to listen, ready to help us lighten our load. We just need to be open to him.

On Matthew 11:28 Jesus tells us: "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.

The Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: Isaiah 11:2

The Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
There are seven gifts of the Holy Spirit as quoted in Isaiah 11:2 the first is Wisdom second is Understanding, third is Counsel, and fourth is Fortitude fifth is Knowledge sixth is Piety and the seventh is Fear of the Lord.

The Gift of Wisdom
The gift of wisdom points those who have it to see things from God’s perspective. Wisdom is completeness of knowledge. Wisdom inspires us through meditative reflection on what we believe. The gift of wisdom supports the virtue of faith and shields us against foolishness.

The gift of Understanding
The gift of understanding gives to the mind of those who have it a charm for understanding Jesus’ public disclosure without any difficulty. It helps those who have it penetrate to the heart of discovered fact even when they do not fully understand its entirety.

The gift of Counsel
The gift of counsel perfects in those who have it the virtue of carefulness. It enables an individual to judge without delay and correctly, as by intuition, what should be done in difficult situations through the gift of counsel the Holy Spirit speaks to the heart and shows those who have it what to do. Jesus gave His followers a gift like counsel when He told them, Mt 10:19 “When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

The gift of Fortitude
The gift of fortitude brings to those who have it a determined spirit of resolution, decisiveness of mind, and indomitable will to persevere with a profound faith in God’s providence that overcomes all obstacles. It brings courage to persevere despite trials, sickness, maltreatment or external failure. A Catholic who becomes steadfast in his faith will be condemned by the world, but the gift of fortitude will sustain him.

The gift of Knowledge
The gift of knowledge enables those who have it to make wise judgment and opinion. He can see God’s providence in everything that happens to his life and he is able to wisely discern the good and bad side of it.

The gift of Piety
The gift of Piety creates an instinctive love for God and fidelity to those who are consecrated to God. Piety arises from the Holy Spirit’s supernatural communication, rather than from effort or acquired habit.Piety is the gift wherein, at the Holy Spirit's initiation, we give worship and duty to God as our Father."

The gift of Fear of the Lord
The gift of fear of the Lord confirms profound respect for God’s splendor and self-sacrificing love for God. It protects us from sin through fear of offending God. I just want to make it clear that this gift has nothing to do with fear of punishment. We express fear of the Lord in a perfect act of contrition/repentance.

N.B. If we will look through Isaiah 11:2 there are only six gift of the Holy Spirit. It doesn’t include the gift of Piety. However the foundation of the established names of the gifts of the Holy Spirit which is the Septuagint and the Vulgate read "piety" for fear of the LORD when it first came out, therefore listing seven gifts.

THE WORLD NEEDS MEN (author unknown)

I bought this poster in a Christian bookstore way back June 19, 1992, I want to share this with you all.

...Who cannot be bought;

...Whose word is their bond;

...Who put character above wealth;

...Who possess opinions and will;

...Who are larger than their vocations;

...Who do not hesitate to take chances;

...Who will not lose their individuality in a crowd;

...Who will be as honest in small things as in great things;

...Who will make no compromise with wrong;

...Who will not say they do it: "Because everybody else does it;

...Who are true to their friends in adversity as well as in prosperity;

...Who do not believe that shrewdness, cunning, and hardheadedness are the best qualities for winning success;

...Who are not ashamed or afraid to stand for the truth when it is unpopular, who can say "no" with emphasis, although all the rest of the world says "yes".

...Whose ambitions are not confined to their own selfish desires.

THE BUM (A touching story about needing and giving help)

Everyone respects and helps the millionaire, the famous, the boss, those with beauty and brains.What about the bum on the street?

This is a real story. It happened to the writer of MountainWings.com. Let us read his story:

I was parked in front of the church cleaning out my Jeep. I was waiting on someone. Coming my way from across the street was what society would consider a bum. From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no money.

There are times when you feel generous but there are other times that you just don't want to be bothered. This was one of those "don't want to be bothered times." "I hope he doesn't ask me for any money," I thought. He didn't. He came and sat on the wall in front of the bus stop to wait on the bus.

After a few minutes he spoke. "That's a very pretty Jeep," he said. He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him. His scraggly blond beard keep more than his face warm. I said, "thanks," and continued cleaning out the Jeep.

He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never came. As the silence between us widened something inside said, "ask him if he needs any help." I was sure that he would say "yes" but I held true to the inner voice.

"Do you need any help?" I asked. He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never forget.

We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from those of higher learning and accomplishments. I expected nothing but an outstretched grimy hand. He spoke the three words that shook me.

"Don't we all?" he said. I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above a bum in the street, until those three words hit me like a twelve gauge shotgun.

Don't we all? I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I needed help. I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus fare, but enough to take a cab anywhere in the city and get food and shelter for the day.

Those three little words still ring true. No matter how much you have, no matter how much you have accomplished, you need help too. No matter how little you have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, even without money or a place to sleep, you can give help. Even if it's just a compliment, you can give that.

You never know when you may see someone who appears to have it all. They are waiting on you to give them what they don't have. A different perspective on life, a glimpse at something beautiful, a respite from daily chaos, that only you through a torn world can see.

Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets.

Maybe he was more than that.

Maybe he was sent by a power that is great and wise, to minister to a soul too comfortable in themselves. Maybe God looked down, called an Angel, dressed him like a bum, then said, "go minister to that man cleaning the Jeep, that man needs help."

Don't we all?

Holy Mass

My first official activity for January 1, was to served in our 7:30 am Mass here at our parish church. For years, this has been my regular activity. For us Catholics January first (1) being the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God is also a holiday of obligation.

It is very good to start our first day of the year with our presence at Holy Mass because this is our highest form of worship to God. Aside from that, nothing can compensate with our presence at Mass. Without us knowing it, we derive a lot of blessings from it. Based on the history of the church a lot has been blessed with their regular attendance at Mass.

Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, said, "If you don't get anything out of Mass, it's because you don't bring the right expectations to it.” The Mass is not entertainment, he said. It is worship of the God who made us and saves us. It is an opportunity to praise God and thank Him for all that He has done for us.

Bishop Sheen further said: “If we have a correct understanding of Mass, it will become more meaningful for us. We will want to go to Mass. We will understand why the Mass is God's precious gift to us, and we wouldn't think of refusing that gift.

My regular attendance at Mass has enormously changed me; why not give it a try?