Worship: The Lord Upholds My Life
Truer words were never sung.
Unfortunately, it took me a long time to fully realize this fact. And James, lovely plain-spoken James offers a wake-up call. He tells us that we must cry out to the Lord properly. That we too often let our own selfish passions get in the way of letting the Lord uphold our lives. And we get caught in a nasty cycle of asking for help incorrectly, not receiving and then trying to 'go it alone' under our own power, allowing our passions to cause harm along the way. Basically, we're behaving at times like toddlers with a temper tantrum.
It's a good thing that God is a patient parent. He waits for us to calm down and speaks to us gently. Eventually we may understand. Just let Him take care of things, trust in Him, don't fight with your siblings over things you want... If He wants you to have something, to achieve something, He will bless you with it. And that will be a better blessing than you ever could have imagined.
This Week's Feasts:
St. Vincent de Paul - 27th September
Born to a peasant family, educated by Franciscans. He later became a priest and teacher. He loved the poor. He is a fine example of someone who took seriously Corporeal Acts of Mercy. He fed and clothed the poor, nursed the sick - and even help people find work. He is probably best known for the Society named in his honor.
Did you know? St. Vincent was captured by pirates and made a slave. He was released after converting his master to Christianity!
How to celebrate: This Wednesday, visit a food pantry with a donation, take clothing to St. Vincent de Paul Society, or visit a shelter near you where you can volunteer to visit with homeless, read stories to homeless children, help with repairs, or serve a meal. Visit someone in hospital, bring some work clothes to a local bank, volunteer to teach someone to read or gain a skill so that they can find work.
Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael - Archangels - 29th September
Michael - the warrior, protector
Patronage: Against temptations; against powers of evil; officers; radiologists; sailors; the sick; security forces; soldiers; against storms at sea; swordsmiths; those in need of protection
Symbols: Angel with wings; dressed in armour; lance and shield; scales; shown weighing souls; millstone; piercing dragon or devil; banner charged with a dove; symbolic colors orange or gold.
Gabriel - the messenger
Patronage: Ambassadors; broadcasting; childbirth; clergy; communications; diplomats; messengers; philatelists; postal workers; public relations; radio workers; secular clergy; stamp collectors; telecommunications
Symbols: Archangel; sceptre and lily; MR or AM shield; lantern; mirror; olive branch; scroll with words Ave Maria Gratia Plena; Resurrection trumpet; shield; spear; lily; symbolic colors, silver or blue.
Raphael - the guide, healer
Patronage: Blind; bodily ills; counselors; druggists; eye problems; guardian angels; happy meetings; healers; health inspectors; health technicians; love; lovers; mental illness; nurses; pharmacists; physicians; shepherds; against sickness; therapists; travellers; young people; young people leaving home for the first time
Symbols: Staff; wallet and fish; staff and gourd; archangel; young man carrying a staff; young man carrying a fish; walking with Tobias; holding a bottle or flask; symbolic colors, gray or yellow
Prayer:
Heavenly King, You have given us archangels to assist us during our pilgrimage on earth. Saint Michael is our protector; I ask him to come to my aid, fight for all my loved ones, and protect us from danger. Saint Gabriel is a messenger of the Good News; I ask him to help me clearly hear Your voice and to teach me the truth. Saint Raphael is the healing angel; I ask him to take my need for healing and that of everyone I know, lift it up to Your throne of grace and deliver back to us the gift of recovery. Help us, O Lord, to realize more fully the reality of the archangels and their desire to serve us. Holy angels, pray for us. Amen.
Unfortunately, it took me a long time to fully realize this fact. And James, lovely plain-spoken James offers a wake-up call. He tells us that we must cry out to the Lord properly. That we too often let our own selfish passions get in the way of letting the Lord uphold our lives. And we get caught in a nasty cycle of asking for help incorrectly, not receiving and then trying to 'go it alone' under our own power, allowing our passions to cause harm along the way. Basically, we're behaving at times like toddlers with a temper tantrum.
It's a good thing that God is a patient parent. He waits for us to calm down and speaks to us gently. Eventually we may understand. Just let Him take care of things, trust in Him, don't fight with your siblings over things you want... If He wants you to have something, to achieve something, He will bless you with it. And that will be a better blessing than you ever could have imagined.
This Week's Feasts:
St. Vincent de Paul - 27th September
Born to a peasant family, educated by Franciscans. He later became a priest and teacher. He loved the poor. He is a fine example of someone who took seriously Corporeal Acts of Mercy. He fed and clothed the poor, nursed the sick - and even help people find work. He is probably best known for the Society named in his honor.
Did you know? St. Vincent was captured by pirates and made a slave. He was released after converting his master to Christianity!
How to celebrate: This Wednesday, visit a food pantry with a donation, take clothing to St. Vincent de Paul Society, or visit a shelter near you where you can volunteer to visit with homeless, read stories to homeless children, help with repairs, or serve a meal. Visit someone in hospital, bring some work clothes to a local bank, volunteer to teach someone to read or gain a skill so that they can find work.
Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael - Archangels - 29th September
Michael - the warrior, protector
Patronage: Against temptations; against powers of evil; officers; radiologists; sailors; the sick; security forces; soldiers; against storms at sea; swordsmiths; those in need of protection
Symbols: Angel with wings; dressed in armour; lance and shield; scales; shown weighing souls; millstone; piercing dragon or devil; banner charged with a dove; symbolic colors orange or gold.
Gabriel - the messenger
Patronage: Ambassadors; broadcasting; childbirth; clergy; communications; diplomats; messengers; philatelists; postal workers; public relations; radio workers; secular clergy; stamp collectors; telecommunications
Symbols: Archangel; sceptre and lily; MR or AM shield; lantern; mirror; olive branch; scroll with words Ave Maria Gratia Plena; Resurrection trumpet; shield; spear; lily; symbolic colors, silver or blue.
Raphael - the guide, healer
Patronage: Blind; bodily ills; counselors; druggists; eye problems; guardian angels; happy meetings; healers; health inspectors; health technicians; love; lovers; mental illness; nurses; pharmacists; physicians; shepherds; against sickness; therapists; travellers; young people; young people leaving home for the first time
Symbols: Staff; wallet and fish; staff and gourd; archangel; young man carrying a staff; young man carrying a fish; walking with Tobias; holding a bottle or flask; symbolic colors, gray or yellow
Prayer:
Heavenly King, You have given us archangels to assist us during our pilgrimage on earth. Saint Michael is our protector; I ask him to come to my aid, fight for all my loved ones, and protect us from danger. Saint Gabriel is a messenger of the Good News; I ask him to help me clearly hear Your voice and to teach me the truth. Saint Raphael is the healing angel; I ask him to take my need for healing and that of everyone I know, lift it up to Your throne of grace and deliver back to us the gift of recovery. Help us, O Lord, to realize more fully the reality of the archangels and their desire to serve us. Holy angels, pray for us. Amen.
posted by Nissa at 8:30 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home