April 12th, 2008 by admin
SAN ANTONIO, Texas authorities raided a ranch belonging to a breakaway Mormon sect, removing almost 200 women and children since Thursday. Police began the raids after reports that a 16-year-old girl was physically and sexually abused.
Detectives seek evidence of a marriage between the girl and a 50-year-old man. She is thought to have had a child when she was 15, BBC News online reported Monday.
Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints leader Warren Jeffs was jailed as an accomplice to rape. Under Texas law, girls younger than 16 cannot marry, even with parental approval.
Texas Child Protective Services removed 137 children and 46 women, who are being questioned. Spokeswoman Marleigh Meisner said they were doing fine and officials remained at the ranch looking for more children.
It was not clear whether the girl was still at the compound or was among those removed and had not been identified. Officials were also authorized to remove computer hard drives, CDs, DVDs and photos.
Meisner was unable to say whether the women and children left voluntarily. Local news reports said shelters had been set up for them.
The authorities said none of the women and girls picked up in initial raids would be returning to the ranch. Eighteen of them were at risk of further abuse and would remain in state custody, they said.
Copyright 2008 by United Press International.
This news arrived on: 04/09/2008…www.arcamax.com
April 12th, 2008 by admin
He hears our Prayers.
______________
“Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
1 Peter 3:10-12 NIV
______________
Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
Isaiah 59:1,2 KJV
______________
Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects.
James 5:16 RSV
______________
If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:8-9 NASB
______________
We need a Saviour because we are sinners…
And the wages of sin is death.
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift:
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God
is the object of our faith; the only faith
that saves is faith in Him.
April 11th, 2008 by admin
“A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile
the moment a single man contemplates it,
bearing within him the image of a cathedral.”
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
April 11th, 2008 by admin
G-O-S-P-E-L
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son…” – John 3:16
I love John 3:16. In fact, it’s the first Bible verse I’ve ever memorized. It’s easy! All you need to do is remember the word “Gospel” and use each letter for the key words like this:
“For God so loved the world that He gave his Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not Perish, but have Eternal Life.”
How convenient it is when we know the words of the Bible by heart! When Angelito Nayan was abducted in Afghanistan, it was a memorized verse from Jeremiah 29:11 that gave him hope.
“For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord. Plans for your welfare, not for woe! Plans to give you a future full of hope.”
He shared that verse with his fellow abductees and boosted their morale until they were released.
Get into the habit of reading the Bible and memorizing the verses that touch you. And when you’re down, joyful, tired or discouraged, you’ll know the perfect words that God wants to share with you. Cecil Lim
REFLECTION:
Be closer to God by keeping His words close to your heart.
Lord, help me to learn the words that bring me nearer to You.
THE CROSS: THE EFFECT, NOT THE CAUSE
In the old Catechism, it was stated that Jesus became man “to die on the cross to save us from sin.” While this answer remains valid, it is no longer the first answer to the same question. The first answer should now be this: Jesus became man because God loves us so much and He wants us to share in His divine life through His Son, Jesus.
Read John 3:16 carefully. It tells us the very reason why God sent us His Son Jesus. Do you read the word “cross” or the verb “die?” No, you do not. Instead, you read the word “love.” Love is the only reason why Jesus became man. God loves us not because His Son died for us. Rather, His Son died for us because God loves us. As far as God’s love for us is concerned, the Cross is not the cause.
God loves us even before there was a cross. It is the effect of His love for us. He loves us even with the cross. Do we love Him in the same way? Do we love God even before some form of a cross tests us? Do we love Him even with the cross? The opening thought of this reflection leads us to conclude with another question. If man did not sin, would Jesus have come? I suppose you should know the answer very quickly. Of course, He would! It is not sin that made Jesus come to us. Have you forgotten? It is love, not the Cross, which gave us the Son of God. Fr. Bobby Titco
Reflection Question:
How do I understand and appreciate God’s personal love for me?
Help me love You, Father God, even with the cross. Help me love Jesus in the cross. Help me love beyond the cross. Amen.
St. Francis of Paola, hermit, pray for us.
1st READING
The reason for the arrest of the apostles was obviously not sustainable in terms of the truth. This is what we can read into their freedom by an angel of the Lord. Further evidence of this is seen in that they did not seek to flee but went straight back to doing what they had been doing before their arrest. What can we learn from this? Simply that when we are convinced of the truth then we ought to be willing to stand by it no matter what the cost.
Acts 5:17- 26
17 The high priest rose up and all his companions, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and, filled with jealousy, 18 laid hands upon the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, led them out, and said, 20 “Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell the people everything about this life.” 21 When they heard this, they went to the temple early in the morning and taught. When the high priest and his companions arrived, they convened the Sanhedrin, the full senate of the Israelites, and sent to the jail to have them brought in. 22 But the court officers who went did not find them in the prison, so they came back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked and the guards stationed outside the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 When they heard this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss about them, as to what this would come to. 25 Then someone came in and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are in the temple area and are teaching the people.” 26 Then the captain and the court officers went and brought them in, but without force, because they were afraid of being stoned by the people.
P S A L M
Psalm 34: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R: The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
1 [2] I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. 2 [3] Let my soul glory in the LORD; the lowly will hear me and be glad. (R) 3 [4] Glorify the LORD with me, let us together extol his name. 4 [5] I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. (R) 5 [6] Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. 6 [7] When the poor one called out, the LORD heard, and from all his distress he saved him. (R) 7 [8] The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 [9] Taste and see how good the LORD is; blessed the man who takes refuge in him. (R)
G O S P E L
John reminds us that God sent Jesus to redeem us, not condemn us. It is quite bizarre how the Church and those who desire to imitate Her teachings portray God as a stern judge rather than the God of Love which is the clear witness of the New Testament. As Christians, it is up to us to dispel the false images of God present in today’s media by living the truth that He is first and foremost a God of love.
John 3:16-21
16 God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. 21 But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.
my reflections
think:When we are convinced of the truth, we ought to be willing to stand by it no matter what the cost.
www.kyregma.com (04.02.08)
April 11th, 2008 by admin
BREAD BROKEN FOR BROKEN PEOPLE
“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” – John 6:56
There are different kinds of people during communion in the Mass. There are those who run to the communion line, jostling to be the first. They can be called the “Winners.” There are those who receive communion whispering softly, “Amen.” They can be called “Humble.” Others shout amen at the top of their lungs. They can be branded as “True Worshipers.” And there are still others who, after receiving the host, open their mouth wide to show it to their kids. They are called the “Evangelizers.”
Once, I saw a teenager who wildly waved hello when she saw someone familiar just after receiving communion. We can call that person “Miss Friendship.” And what about a young boy I saw who chewed the host as if it was bubble gum? That boy could actually wear a shirt that says, “Hungry for Jesus.”
It’s easy to judge some of these people as irreverent, inconsiderate or maybe, to an extent, even “sinful.” They should be taught how to properly receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, right? But in spite of their actions, Jesus knows them. He knows their brokenness.
And He knows that the broken bread in the Eucharist is for broken people. Arun Gogna
REFLECTION:
How do I give reverence during Holy Communion?
Lord let me be like You — accepting of others’ brokenness.
In yesterday’s Gospel, Jesus said, “The bread that I shall give is My Flesh for the life of the world.” Today, His hearers argue how He can give them His flesh to eat. But Jesus does not make excuses or declares an erratum. Instead, He stresses His claim even more: “I tell you most solemnly, if you do not eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink His Blood, you will not have life in you. Anyone who does eat My Flesh and drink My Blood has eternal life… For My Flesh is real food and My Blood is real drink.”
It is very clear, therefore, that Jesus truly intended to be food and drink for us. And this desire was of no equal importance to Him that He did not mind offending the sensibilities of His hearers.
We should give the same importance to the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Jesus — the Holy Eucharist. With utmost adoration, we should approach it and receive it. By doing so, we afford Jesus the importance and adoration He deserves.
Jesus is our food. He wants us to feed on Him. He also wants us to feed others with Him. The more we consume Him, the more we become part of Him. The more we become part of Him, the more we should reflect Him to others. We reflect Him to others by living His life of total self-giving for the sake of others.
The Holy Eucharist is both a precious gift and mandate. Let us not forget fulfilling the mandate even as we always are mindful to receive the gift.Fr. Bobby Titco
Reflection Question: What does the Holy Eucharist command me to do?
Lord Jesus, You gave us Yourself so that we, too, may give ourselves to others. Strengthened by Your gift of self in the Holy Eucharist, may everything we do always be life-giving. Amen.
St. Gemma Galgani, virgin, pray for us.
1st READING
Paul sincerely believes that he was doing God’s work by persecuting the Early Church. I believe this precisely because of the fact that he eventually converted to Christianity. This indicates his remarkable openness to God’s Word and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 9: 1-20
1 Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that, if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains. 3 On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 He said, “Who are you, sir?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, for they heard the voice but could see no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus. 9 For three days he was unable to see, and he neither ate nor drank. 10 There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is there praying, 12 and [in a vision] he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, that he may regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias replied, “Lord, I have heard from many sources about this man, what evil things he has done to your holy ones in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call upon your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites, 16 and I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name.” 17 So Ananias went and entered the house; laying his hands on him, he said, “Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you came, that you may regain your sight and be filled with the holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. He got up and was baptized, 19 and when he had eaten, he recovered his strength. He stayed some days with the disciples in Damascus, 20 and he began at once to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
P S A L M
Psalm 117: 1bc, 2
R: Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
1 Praise the LORD, all you nations; glorify him, all you peoples! (R) 2 For steadfast is his kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever. (R)
G O S P E L
Jesus’ words once again become a point of argument. This particular teaching on giving His flesh to eat isn’t easy to accept. It will only be fully understandable after His earthly mission is completed. Jesus is not talking about mere food like manna in the desert. The food He gives is both real and spiritual, leading to eternal life.
John 6: 52-59
52 The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53 Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” 59 These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
my reflections
think: Do I believe in the reality of the Eucharist?
www.kyregma.com (04.11. 2008)
April 11th, 2008 by admin
This issue is not related to the drought in many parts of the
country. It comes from the mind and pencil of a child.
The day after his seventh birthday, my son Joseph left the
water on in his bathroom with a rag in the sink, and it
overflowed onto the floor and almost all over the bathroom.
This was the third time this happened; a prior time we had to
replace the ceiling sheetrock on the level below the bathroom.
This time my wife figured he needed to write an essay on why
he shouldn’t leave the water running to make sure he got the
point.
This is what my newly turned 7 year old wrote on his own.
It tickled me so that I could add no additional punishment.
25 Reasons why I should not leave the water on:
1. We will not have any bath water.
2. The ceiling will be leaking.
3. The Internet will be broken.
4. No TV.
5. We won’t have any water to drink or wash our hands.
6. The lights will be out.
7. We will be wet.
8. We won’t have any medicine.
9. I will have to go to bed.
10. I can’t write anymore.
11. We will have a drought.
12. The house will be dirty.
13. The floor will be covered with water.
14. We will have no food.
15. We will have no water.
16. We might not be able to see.
17. We might not have any clothes.
18. The house can be under water.
19. I can get in trouble.
20. We can get our mom and dad mad.
21. Nobody will have water.
22. The paint can come off stuff.
23. Our shoes, books, CDs and all our stuff can have
water in them.
24. It can burn the house down when it touches heat.
25. We would spend all our money on water and not have
money for food.
~A MountainWings Original~
www.mountainwings.com
April 10th, 2008 by admin
Meditation
Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.
If you’re abused because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It’s the Spirit of God and his glory in you that brought you to the notice of others. If they’re on you because you broke the law or disturbed the peace, that’s a different matter. But if it’s because you’re a Christian, don’t give it a second thought. Be proud of the distinguished status reflected in that name!
It’s judgment time for Christians. We’re first in line. If it starts with us, think what it’s going to be like for those who refuse God’s Message!
1 Peter 4:12-17 The Message
www.arcamax.com
April 10th, 2008 by admin
God is watching over us!
_____________
“Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of men and livestock in it. And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,” declares the LORD, “and I will be its glory within. “
Zechariah 2:4,5 NIV
______________
As the mountains are round about Jerusalem,
so the LORD is round about his people,
from this time forth and for evermore.
Psalm 125:2 RSV
______________
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear Him,
And rescues them.
O taste and see that the LORD is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
Psalm 34:7,8 NASB
______________
We need a Saviour because we are sinners…
And the wages of sin is death.
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift:
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God
is the object of our faith; the only faith
that saves is faith in Him.
www.arcamax.com
April 10th, 2008 by admin
A man walks into his doctor’s office and puts a note on the table for the doctor to read. It said, “I can’t talk! Help me!”
The doctor nodded sagely, and instructed the man to put his thumb on the table. The man thinks to himself that his thumb has nothing to do with his inability to talk, but he does as the doctor ordered.
The doctor quickly picked up a big book and whacks the man’s thumb with it as hard as he could.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!” the man yelled.
“Good, good,” the doctor said. “Come back tomorrow and we’ll work on the ‘B’.”
www.arcamax.com
April 10th, 2008 by admin
The water-proof towel
Glow in the dark sunglasses
Solar powered flashlights
Submarine screen doors
A book on how to read
Inflatable dart boards
A dictionary index
Powdered water
Pedal powered wheel chairs
Water proof tea bags
Watermelon seed sorter
Zero proof alchohol
Reusable ice cubes
See through toilet tissue
Skinless bananas
Do it yourself roadmap
Helicopter ejector seat.
www.arcamax.com
