Dec 30- Jan 4: Daily Reflections

Dec 30 Monday (St. Egwin)                 

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-egwin : Luke 2:36-40, There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, 37 and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. USCCB video:   https://youtu.be/j2NFFlcgSh0?list=PLpTzvCOJa7DAAsw34PxZGDqnI_bBKNWa9

Dec 31st: Reflections and Liturgy

*31st December 2019, Tuesday*, Seventh Day within Octave of Christmas

1 John 2:18-21 / John 1:1-18

*Antichrists have appeared: They came from our ranks* 

30th December: Reflection and Liturgy

30th December 2019, Monday, Sixth Day within Octave of Christmas.
1 John 2:12-17 / Luke 2:36-40 

Shun the world’s attractions: The world passes; God alone remains.

Photographer David Crocket of KOMO-TV, Seattle, was caught at the foot of Mt. St. Helens when it exploded on May 18, 1980. He was nearly buried in the falling ash. Ten hours later he was miraculously spotted, picked up by a helicopter, and rushed to a hospital. After the ordeal Crocket wrote in Guideposts: “During those ten hours I saw a mountain fall apart.  I saw a forest disappear. . . .I saw that God is the only one who is immovable. . . .I feel somehow that I’m being allowed to start over . . .whatever is in his master plan for me.”

New Year

A New Year Prayer

Holy Father,

God of our yesterdays, our today, and our tomorrows.

We praise You for Your unequalled greatness.

Jan 1: Mary, Mother of God

New Year 2014 from heartnoi2k

Billy Graham's Prayer for the New Year

Our Father and our God, as we stand at the beginning of this new year we confess our need of Your presence and Your guidance as we face the future.

28th Dec: Holy Innocents

28th December 2019, Saturday, Holy Innocents, Martyrs

1 John 1:5 - 2:2 / Matthew 2:13-18

I have been redeemed: Jesus’ blood purifies us.

There’s a story about a man who dove into a raging river to rescue a drowning boy. Miraculously, the man survived; even more miraculously, the boy was saved. After the boy had recovered from the ordeal, he said to the man, “Thank you, sir, for saving me from the river.” The man put his hand on the boy’s shoulder and said, “That’s okay, son! Just make sure your life was worth saving.” What that man said to the boy, Jesus could say to each one of us here.

St. John, The Evangelist

27th December 2019, Friday, St. John, Evangelist

1 John 1:1-4 / John 20:2-8 

Eternal life becomes visible: We touched him with our hands. 

Cyril Egan wrote a poem called “A Kind of Prayer.” It’s about a person who’s looking for something. Everywhere he goes, he searches, searches, searches. One day someone asks him what he’s searching for. He responds, “I’m looking for God.” Then he adds quickly: “Don’t tell me I’ll find him in my heart (Though in a sense that’s true); And don’t tell me I’ll find him in my fellow man (Though in a sense that’s true, too). What I’m looking for is a God making a five-sense breakthrough to humanity.”

St. Stephen - Reflections and Liturgy

St. Stephen, First Martyr Wednesday, 26th December 2019

Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59 . Matthew 10:17-22

Martyrdom of Stephen: They rushed at him and stoned him.

Holy Family - Stories and Illustrations

 Collection from Fr. Tony Kadavil and Others

# 1: Grandparents are a treasure: Pope Francis said that as a child, he heard a story of a family with a mother, father, many children and a grandfather. The grandfather, suffering from Parkinson’s illness, would drop food on the dining table, and smear it all over his face when he ate. His son considered it disgusting. Hence, one day he bought a small table and set it off to the side of the dining hall so the grandfather could eat, make a mess and not disturb the rest of the family. 

Advent 4th Week-Christmas week: Dec 23-31: Daily Reflections

Dec 23 Monday: (St. John of Canty, Priest) https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-john-kanty/ Luke 1:57-66: 57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, and she gave birth to a son. 58 And her neighbors and kinsfolk heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they would have named him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother said, “Not so; he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “None of your kindred is called by this name.” 62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote,

Advent: December 23

 GOD IS GRACIOUS

Introduction

Indeed, “God is gracious.” This is the meaning of the name John. We are told today about the birth of the forerunner of Jesus, John the Baptist. We remember the coming of the Savior and how a special messenger of God had to prepare the hearts of people for the coming of the Savior. But our Savior, Jesus, came long ago. How much are we living as people who are saved? How much do we enter into God’s plan to save our world? How much do we prepare Jesus’ coming into the hearts of people today?

Advent: December 20 - Liturgy

Friday December 20, 2019

THE VIRGIN MOTHER

Introduction

The two beautiful texts of today correspond to each other as promise and fulfillment of the promise. The child to be born of a young maiden as a sign of Israel’s salvation probably spoke directly of a son to be born to a king; yet, in later tradition and particularly in the Christian understanding, the text came to be understood as a messianic prophecy, which was fulfilled in Mary and the child born from her.

Advent, Thursday December 19 - Liturgy

SENT ON GOD’S MISSION 

Introduction 

People chosen by God for a special mission in his plan of salvation are constantly presented in the Bible as chosen and loved before birth, with their birth announced in a special way; they are moved by the Spirit of God; their mission demands sacrifices. Witness the call of Samson in his folkloric saga, or that of John the Baptist. The silence of Zechariah comes probably from the joy of an overwhelming message, too great to be put into words. Underlying these vocation stories is that people are weak, that salvation is gratuitously given by God, that barrenness (the barren women) gives way to fertility, that sacrifices are demanded. And so, people are to be moved by the Spirit of God. All this holds true also for us as we are called to prepare the way of the Lord. 

ADVENT - December 18, 2019 -Emmanuel -Liturgy

IMMANUEL 

Introduction 

When the kings of God’s people had not fulfilled their mission of guiding the people to God, the prophet Jeremiah announces that God would do away with them and become himself the shepherd of his people. But he will make this new beginning through a man, a virtuous shoot of the house of David. Through him, God would become his people’s integrity, the cause of our fidelity. In the New Testament, as Matthew tells us, Jesus is this Son of David through Joseph and Mary and at the same time, God’s own Son. He is indeed “God our integrity,” and Immanuel, “God-with-us,” Jesus, whose name means “Savior.” 

Advent - Dec 17 - Liturgy

Tuesday December 17, 2019 

JESUS CHRIST, "SON OF MAN" 

Introduction

The liturgical readings of today call our attention to Christ in his human reality: human like us in everything – except for sin, clarifies St. Paul – a descendant of sinners, who, as Church Fathers stress, are even singled out in Matthew’s family tree of Christ. He is a man born of a woman, a baby in a crib, a child growing up to manhood, a man walking the roads of Palestine, who could weep and be angry, had friends, had a sense of humor, and attended marriage feasts. Indeed, he was fully human, God in human form. 

Sanskrit words for 'teacher'

Sanskrit words for 'teacher' based on their unique abilities...

1. The teacher who gives you information is called: Adhyapak
2. The one who imparts knowledge combined with information is called: Upadhyaya                         3. The one who imparts skills is called: Acharya
4. The one who is able to give a deep insight into a subject is called: Pundit
5. The one who has a visionary view on a subject and teaches you to think in that manner is called: Dhrishta
6. The one who is able to awaken wisdom in you, leading you from darkness to light, is called: Guru

Sanskrit is perhaps the only language that has such a refined vocabulary to distinguish the different kinds of teachers.

Dec 16-21: 3rd Week of Advent- Reflections

Dec 16 Monday: Matt: 21: 23-27: 23 And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you a question; and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, whence was it? From heaven or from men?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, `From heaven,’ he will say to us, `Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, `From men,’ we are afraid of the multitude; for all hold that John was a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. USCCB reflections: https://youtu.be/iYgXgiTyVHU?list=PLpTzvCOJa7DAAsw34PxZGDqnI_bBKNWa9

3rd Sunday of Advent A: Gaudate - Rejoice

The Pope with Street Children

Advent 2nd Week - Dec 9-14: Weekday Reflections

Dec 9: Monday (Immaculate Conception of Blessed Virgin Mary) (Transferred to Dec 9^th Monday and hence not a Holy Day of obligation in the U. S. in 2019): USCCB: https://youtu.be/jGQQe-PVimw?list=PLpTzvCOJa7DAAsw34PxZGDqnI_bBKNWa9 Introduction: Mary’s prophecy given in her Magnificat, “Behold all generations will call me blessed,” was fulfilled when the Catholic Church declared four dogmas of Faith about her: 1-The Immaculate Conception, 2-The Perpetual Virginity, 3-The Divine Maternity, 4-The Assumption. The Immaculate Conception is a dogma based mainly on Christian tradition and theological reasoning. It was defined in 1854 by Pope Pius IX as a dogma of Faith through Ineffabilis Deus. Definition: From the first moment of her conception, Mary was preserved immune from original sin by the singular grace of God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race. (CCC #491). This means that original sanctity, innocence and justice were conferred upon her, and that she was exempted from all the evil effects of original sin, excluding sorrow, pain, disease and death which are temporal penalties given to Adam. (Catholic Encyclopedia).

6th December 2019, Friday, 1st Week of Advent.

Isaiah 29:17-24 / Matthew 9:27-31                   

Great things can be accomplished when there are two factors involved: conviction and commitment.

In other words, when we believe in something and we put our energy and even our lives on it, then great things can be accomplished.

The Most Dangerous TT Race in the World - Isle of Man

This is the isle of Man TT race in UK. The most dangerous race in the world. 275 KMPH in city streets!

Health - Simple Ways to Check

Two Cows - How business is done with them under Different Ideologies

Advent 2 Sunday A - John The Baptist

Rain Man - Movie

How a greedy brother Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruse)  abducts his autistic brother Raymond (Dustin Hoffman) to get his share of the 2 million dollars his father left in a will changes from an aggressive and manipulative guy into a caring brother.

http://m4uhd.net/watch-movie-6ty-rain-man-1988-online-free-m4ufree.html



OR


https://1watchfree.me/rain-man/                                     


(Copy and paste )

Dec 2-7: Advent 1st Week - Daily Reflections

Dec 2 Monday: Mt 8: 5-11: 5 As he entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, beseeching him 6 and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, in terrible distress.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion answered him, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, `Go,’ and he goes, and to another, `Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, `Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard him, he marveled, and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. USCCB video reflections: https://youtu.be/-11zPaLsOK8?list=PLpTzvCOJa7DAAsw34PxZGDqnI_bBKNWa9

Taste for Waste: Food for Garbage - Ambikapur, India

Are you "UP" for it?

I'm sure you will enjoy this. One word in the English language that could be a noun, verb, adj, adv, prep is UP.
This two-letter word in English has more meanings than any other two-letter word, and that word is 'UP'. It is listed in the dictionary as an [adv], [prep], [adj], [n] or [v].

Photographer becomes a Priest

Nov 25-30: 34th Week - Daily Reflections

Nov 25 Monday St. Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin, Martyr): https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-catherine-of-alexandria/ Luke 21: 1-4: He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury; 2 and he saw a poor widow put in two copper coins. 3 And he said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; 4 for they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all the living that she had.” USCCB video reflections: https://youtu.be/nKeR8NdlE6w?list=PLpTzvCOJa7DCwTEFRKioXB2l1OX9fULB0

The context: There were 13 trumpet-shaped receptacles that stood up against the wall of the Court of Women.  They were intended to hold the gifts of the faithful for the Temple treasury. As Jesus and his disciples sat and watched the comings and goings of those offering their gifts of support, they observed many wealthy worshipers placing significant sums into the Temple treasury.  But it was not until Jesus observed the tiny gift of two lepta (equivalent to a couple of pennies), given by a poor widow, that he was moved to comment on the proceedings.

Change our Habits- Change our Future

Positive Thinking

Positions, Titles, Designation are all temporary

Should we really bother about positions/titles/designations?

“A retired MD of a Bank came to a branch in his city where nobody recognized him, as the branch is run by new generation people.

Say Sorry - Swami

No Arms: How do you go to the Bathroom?

Say, Sorry: It helps and heals

Letters A,B,C & D in Numbers

No, Catholic Parents Should NOT Let Small Kids “Decide For Themselves” About the Faith.

No, Catholic Parents Should NOT Let Small Kids “Decide For Themselves” About the Faith.

I feel the necessity to say this at least once a week to parents when it comes to their role in the spiritual development of their children:

Christ the King - 34th Sunday C

33rd Week: Nov 18-23: Daily Reflections

Nov 18 Monday (The Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles; St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, Virgin (U.S.A.):      

 https://www.franciscanmedia.org/dedication-of-churches-of-saints-peter-and-paul/; 

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-rose-philippine-duchesne/;

Lk 18: 35-43: 35 As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; 36 and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 And he cried, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me receive my sight.” 42 And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” 43 And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. USCCB video reflections: https://youtu.be/zQCjK1_YAHo?list=PLpTzvCOJa7DCwTEFRKioXB2l1OX9fULB0

33 Sunday C - Liturgical Prayers

Greetings

Neither death nor life,
neither the present nor the future
nor any other creature
can separate us from the love of God,
the love he has made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord.
May the Lord Jesus be always with you.
R/ And also with you.

Introduction by the Celebrant

A. We Are People Of Hope
In all ages there have been "prophets of doom," as the good Pope John XXIII called them. They are people so scared by the problems of their time that they think the end of the world is near. Our day is one of rapid changes, much violence and hunger and suffering. Now we know about them immediately via television and other media. No wonder that many sects arise and speculate about the end of our world. The message of today's liturgy is: don't be afraid. Keep trusting in God, be a steadfast Christian and bear witness to God's love. You are in his hands, and Christ is here among us.

Who's My Neighbour - Billy Graham

33rd Sunday - Fighting back or Falling Back

32nd Week- Nov 11-16 - Reflections

 Nov 11 Monday (St. Martin of Tours, Bishop) https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-martin-of-tours/ : Lk 17:1-6 1 And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come; but woe to him by whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung round his neck and he were cast into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.  3 Take heed to yourselves; if your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him; 4 and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, and says, `I repent,’ you must forgive him.” 5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this sycamore tree, `Be rooted up, and be planted in the  sea,’ and it would obey you. For USCCB video reflections:https://youtu.be/an3n2hFh-_g?list=PLpTzvCOJa7DCwTEFRKioXB2l1OX9fULB0

CO-INCIDENCE OF LIFE:

1. CHURCH  has 6 letters so does MASJID and TEMPLE

2. BIBLE has 5 letters so does QURAN and GEETA.

32 Sunday C - Liturgical Prayers

Greetings

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself,
and God our Father, who has given us his love,
comfort you and strengthen you
in everything good that you do and say.
His joy and hope be always with you. 
R/ And also with you.

32 Sunday C - Mystery of Resurrection

31st Week - Nov 4-9: Daily Reflections

Nov 4 Monday (St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop): https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-charles-borromeo/ Lk 14:12-14: He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your kinsmen or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return, and you be repaid. 13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” USCCB video reflections: https://youtu.be/VKaTKCJ6kGQ?list=PLpTzvCOJa7DCwTEFRKioXB2l1OX9fULB0

Nov 19: Daily Reflections from CSC Pune Scholastics

Murphy's and Other Laws of Life

Murphy's First Law for Wives:
If you ask your husband to pick up five items at the store and then you add one more as an afterthought, he will forget two of the first five.

31 Sunday C - Zachaeus, Come down

31st Sunday C from Jaimelito Gealan

 Gospel Text: Luke 19:1-10

*******************************************************
Michel de Verteuil
General Textual comments
This Sunday’s passage tells the story of Jesus’ meeting with Zacchaeus. It is a very touching story, full of character, so deep that we are always finding new things in it, treasures we had not noticed before.  God however did not write the story for us to admire St Luke’s extraordinary artistry as a storyteller, but so that we could recognise ourselves in it and discover how he has been and continues to be at work in the world.

Late School in CA- Kids Sleep More - Less Tardiness

https://fox40.com/2019/10/14/newsom-signs-bill-that-pushes-schools-to-start-classes-later/

Speak Well of Others

All Saints - Nov 1- Liturgical Prayers

Rev 7:2-4, 9-14; Ps 24:1-2,3-4,5-6 ;1 Jn 3:1-3;  Mt 5:1-12

Greeting (Rom 1, 7)
To all of you who are God's beloved
and called to be saints,
grace and peace from God our Father
and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Lord's peace stay with you. R/ And also with you.

30th Week: Oct 28- Nov 2: Daily Reflections

Oct 28 Monday (Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles) https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saints-simon-and-jude/ : Apostles Simon (the Zealot) and Jude (Judas Thaddeus):   Lk 6:12-16 12 In those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and all night he continued in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, he called his disciples, and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles; 14 Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, 15 and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. For USCCB video reflections: https://youtu.be/s60xIDdcHFs?list=PLpTzvCOJa7DD9TgXScDzmUNxVbbSBuOSi

30th Sunday C - Liturgical Prayers

Greetings

The Lord stands by me and gives me power.
The Lord will rescue me from all evil
and bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.
May the Lord be always with you.
R/ And also with you.

30th Sunday C - The Pharisee and The Tax Collector at the Temple

30th Sunday of Ordinary Time from heartnoi2k

Thomas O’Loughlin
Introduction to the Celebration
 Today we are going to reflect on self-knowledge and humility. By gathering here in public we are telling the world that we take the need to profess faith in God seriously; we are saying we are people with a definite way of life, that we have taken up the cross of discipleship. But without humble awareness of our faults and our need of God’s mercy, we could be deceiving ourselves. Let us ask the Spirit to enlighten our minds that we might know our failings, and to give us the humility to ask for mercy.
***********

29th Week - Oct 21-26: Daily Reflections

Oct 21 Monday: Lk 12: 13-21: 13 One of the multitude said to him, “Teacher, bid my brother divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or divider over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take heed, and beware of all covetousness; for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; 17 and he thought to himself, `What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, `I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20 But God said to him, `Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” USCCB video reflections: https://youtu.be/X_lZzgNfYjg?list=PLpTzvCOJa7DD9TgXScDzmUNxVbbSBuOSi

29th Sunday C - Persistent Widow

29th sunday c from heartnoi2k

Michel de Verteuil
General Comments

28th Week: Oct 14-19: Daily Reflections

Oct 14 Monday (St. Callistus I, Pope, Martyr) https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-callistus-i/ : Lk 11:29-32: 29 When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For as Jonah became a sign to the men of Nineveh, so will the Son of man be to this generation. 31 The queen of the South will arise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. USCCB reflections: https://youtu.be/Km3lgo0S6y4?list=PLpTzvCOJa7DD9TgXScDzmUNxVbbSBuOSi

28th Sunday C - Liturgical Prayers

Greetings

May all of you who are chosen by God, be saved by Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord, and share in his eternal glory. May Jesus our Lord be with you.
R/ And also with you.

28th Sunday C - Ten Lepers

28th Sunday C from Jaimelito Gealan

Oct 7-12: 27th Week - Reflections

Oct 7 Monday: (Lk 10: 25-37) (Our Lady of the Rosary)

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/our-lady-of-the-rosary/ USCCB video reflections: To be added Lk 1: 26-38: This feast was established by Pope St. Pius V in thanksgiving for the victory at Lepanto, 7 Oct 1571, which stopped the Turkish invasion of Europe. Importance: The word Rosary means “Crown of Roses” and each prayer in the Rosary is considered a flower presented to Mary. It is called the “Breviary of the Common People” and the “Psalms of the Illiterate.” The prayers we repeat are Biblical and hence “inspired,” and the mysteries we meditate upon are taken from the lives of Jesus and Mary.  The “Our Father” is a prayer taught by Jesus himself. The “Hail Mary” is also rooted in the Scriptures. Its first half echoes the words of the Archangel Gabriel and those of Elizabeth, both addressed to Mary. The third prayer — the “Glory be to the Father” — ancient in its wording, surely reflects the unceasing prayer of adoration and praise found in the Book of Revelation. The various events in the lives of Jesus and Mary on which we meditate during the Rosary are expressions of the Paschal Mystery, that is, the Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus, in which Mary shared.

A PRIEST WHO STOLE 50 EUROS???

A couple invited a priest of their parish for dinner in their home. After the priest left, the woman said to her husband; " I think the priest has stolen the 50 EUROS that I kept on the table of which I had the intention to give him". Angrily her husband exclaimed; " if they are not pedophile, they are thieves. There is no need to invite him again. We shall from henceforth be attending Mass in another parish".

Do you think that Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is slightly overrated in India?

Rohit Sawant, studied at Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore

Why I feel that Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam is slightly overrated ?

I will list some of the incidents for which I feel Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam is slightly overrated.

---

Once Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam rejected the suggestion of putting broken glass on the walls of DRDO( Defence Reserch and Development Organisation) building that needed protection. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam rejected it stating “If we do that, birds won't be able to perch on the wall”.

What Time Should You Sleep?

By James Pang
Is there a best time to sleep? There is a saying that sleeping early and waking up early is good for your health. How true is that? Is it alright to sleep late and wake up late?

La Croix International

• 
  Religion

  From the Letter of Pope Francis to the Germans

  The origins, reception and various interpretations of the pope’s views on the German synod
• 
  Environment

  Central American Catholic bishops set up ecological network

  Workshop pledges ‘commitment to the protection of life’ in the region
• 
  Religion

  ‘Indigenous cathedral’ to be built in the Amazon

  Indigenous people will help create a church approved by the pope

Religion

We must not fail to respond to migrants, pope says

The theme for this 105th World Day of Migrants and Refugees: 'It is not Just about Migrants'

Oct 2019 - Daily Reflections by Pune CSC Scholastics

27 Sunday C: Faith at least as large as a Mustard Seed

Sept 30- Oct 5: 27th Week - Daily Reflections

Sept 30 Monday (St. Jerome, priest, Doctor of the Church)    https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-jerome/ : Lk 9:46-50: 46 And an argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. 47 But when Jesus perceived the thought of their hearts, he took a child and put him by his side, 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me; for he who is least among you all is the one who is great.” 49 John answered, “Master, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he does not follow with us.” 50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him; for he that is not against you is for you.” USCCB video reflections:    https://youtu.be/y5Q04_fK5p0?list=PLpTzvCOJa7DD-uFtIWwJSoiHMmBgqLd9d

The context: Today’s Gospel describes Jesus’ criterion for greatness and his advice to be accepting of others who do good in ways different from ours. He exhorts the spiritual leaders as well as all believers in responsible positions in his Church to be like children, humble, trusting and innocent.

Time - Definition

Language of the European Union

The European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the European Union rather than German, which was the other possibility.

As part of the negotiations, the British Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5- year phase-in plan that would become known as "Euro-English".

26 Sunday C: Lazarus - God Turns Tables

Sept 23-28: 25th Week - Reflections

Sept 23 Monday (St. Pius of Pietrelcina, priest. Click here: (https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-pio-of-pietrelcina/ ): Lk 8:16-18: 16 “No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a vessel, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, that those who enter may see the light. 17 For nothing is hid that shall not be made manifest, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light. 18 Take heed then how you hear; for to him who has will more be given, and from him who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”USCCB video reflections: Click here: https://youtu.be/JUikjOW9AVc?list=PLpTzvCOJa7DD-uFtIWwJSoiHMmBgqLd9d

Phone Bill and The Maid

The phone bill was exceptionally high so the husband called a family meeting to discuss the issue.

Dad: This is unacceptable. I don't use the home phone, I use my work phone.

Mum: Me too. I hardly use our home phone. I use my company's phone.

Son: I always use my office mobile, I never touch the home phone.

All of them were shocked and together looked at the maid who was patiently listening to them.

Finally the Maid said, "What you all looking at me? So we all use our work phones. What's the big deal??

25 Sunday C: Stewardship

25th Sunday C from Jaimelito Gealan

Michel de Verteuil
General Textual Comments

Sept 16-21: 24th Week - Reflections

Sept 16 Monday (St. Cornelius, Pope and St. Cyprian Bishop, martyrs= https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-cornelius/ ): Lk 7:1-10: 1 After he had ended all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 Now a centurion had a slave who was dear to him, who was sick and at the point of death. 3 When he heard of Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his slave. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation, and he built us our synagogue.”6 And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; 7 therefore I did not presume to come to you.

24 Sunday C - Good Shepherd - Liturgy

Greetings 

Let us give thanks to the Father
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
for he has given us strength
and he came to forgive us our sins.
May his mercy and love be always with you. 
R/ And also with you.

Animals've Got Talent

Story of the Old Man and Son

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and a four-year old grandson. The family ate at the dinner table but the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating rather difficult. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.

24 Sunday C: Good Shepherd

24th Sunday C from Jaimelito Gealan

Gospel reading: Luke 15:1-32 (Full Form)

Michel de Verteuil
General Textual Comments
Verses 1 to 3 give us an overall picture of the kind of person Jesus was – and thus an image of God.
We follow that path in our meditation: we recognise and celebrate human beings who were images of Jesus for us, and allow them to reveal God to us.

Sept 9-14: 23rd Week - Odd Year: Weekday Reflections

Sept 9 Monday (St. Peter Claver (U.S.A.): Lk 6:6-11: 6 On another Sabbath, when he entered the synagogue and taught, a man was there whose right hand was withered. 7 And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him. 8 But he knew their thoughts, and he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Come and stand here.” And he rose and stood there. 9 And Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?” 10 And he looked around on them all, and said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored. 11 But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.

Birth Day of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Church has celebrated Mary's birth since at least the sixth century. A September birth was chosen because the Eastern Church begins its Church year with September. The September 8 date helped determine the date for the feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8 (nine months earlier).
Scripture does not give an account of Mary's birth. However, the apocryphal Protoevangelium of James fills in the gap. This work has no historical value, but it does reflect the development of Christian piety. According to this account, Anna and Joachim are infertile but pray for a child. They receive the promise of a child that will advance God's plan of salvation for the world. Such a story (like many biblical counterparts) stresses the special presence of God in Mary's life from the beginning.

Sept 8: Nativity of BVM - Liturgy

BIRTH OF MARY
Feast
September 8

Readings:
Mic 5:1-4 or Rom 8:28-30; Ps 13:6ab, 6c; Mt 1:1-16, 18-23

Introduction

The Bible, including today's readings, sees Mary in function of her Son; nothing more is said about her in the Gospel than what illustrates and serves Christ's mission. Her inconspicuous and self-effacing service is very telling about her character and role—and at the same time about our mission: to witness quietly to the pre-eminence of Christ, to serve him, to be open to his salvation, to live for others.

23 Sunday C - Demands of Discipleship

23rd Sunday C from Jaimelito Gealan

Michel de Verteuil 
General Textual comments
 The passage is in three movements:
– verse 25: the framework of the passage;
– verses 26, 27 and 33: the challenge to radical discipleship; and
– verses 28 to 32: the practical approach to discipleship.

Sept 2-7: Weekday Reflections

(Sept 2-7) 

Sept 2 Monday: Lk 4:14-30: Jesus in the synagogue at Nazareth 14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and a report concerning him went out through all the surrounding country. 15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. 16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up; and he went to the synagogue, as his custom was, on the Sabbath day. And he stood up  to read; 17 and there was given to him the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened the book and found the place where it was written,

Sept 2019 - Daily Reflections by Pune CSC Scholastics

22 Sunday C -

22nd Ordinary Sunday, Year C, 01.09.2019

Ecclesiasticus 3:17-20, 28-29 / Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24 / Luke 14:1, 7-14

What we are sitting on are called pews. They look like benches but there is a difference between pews and benches.

Saint AUGUSTINE, Bishop, Doctor, Memorial

August 28

Introduction

Some need half of a lifetime to discover that they were wrong – or perhaps to have the courage to be honest enough with themselves and to face God and themselves. Like Augustine. His was a restless heart, he was a seeker. Once he had found this courage and his rest in God, he reflected deeply on his faith. He became a brilliant theologian, yet a simple man accessible to the simple people and a model of love to those around him.