Lent Sunday 5 B The Hour has Come

From Fr. Tony Kadavil:
Readings

First Reading: Jeremiah 31: 31-34

Second Reading: Hebrews 6: 7-9
Gospel: John 12: 20-33

Anecdotes 

1) "I made a difference for that one." (Adapted and condensed from “The Star Thrower” – a story by Loren Eiseley (1907-1977), from the book Unexpected Universe): One day, a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, "What are you doing?" The boy replied, "Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going down. If I don't throw them back, they'll die." "Son," the man said, "don't you realized there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can't make a difference!" After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, "See? I made a difference for that one." "The Star Thrower" is a classic story of the power within each one of us to make a difference in the lives of others. Today’s gospel challenges us to make a difference in the lives of other people by our sacrificial service to those around us in the family, in the workplace and in a wider society.

A Lovely Poem

CRANKY OLD MAN

When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in an Australian country town, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value.

Later, when the nurses were going through his meagre possessions, They found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital.
One nurse took her copy to Mel bourne . The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas editions of magazines around the country and appearing in mags for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem.

And this old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous' poem winging across the Internet.

Cranky Old Man

What do you see nurses? . . .. . .What do you see?
What are you thinking .. . when you're looking at me?
A cranky old man, . . . . . .not very wise,
Uncertain of habit .. . . . . . . .. with faraway eyes?

Who dribbles his food .. . .. . . and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice . .'I do wish you'd try!'
Who seems not to notice . . .the things that you do.
And forever is losing . . . . . .. . . A sock or shoe?

Who, resisting or not . . . .. lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding . . . .The long day to fill?
Is that what you're thinking?. .Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse .you're not looking at me.

I'll tell you who I am . . . . . As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, .. . . . as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of Ten . .with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters .. . . .. . who love one another

A young boy of Sixteen . . . . with wings on his feet
Dreaming that soon now . . .. . . a lover he'll meet.
A groom soon at Twenty . . . ..my heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows .. . .that I promised to keep.

At Twenty-Five, now . . . . .I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide . . . And a secure happy home.
A man of Thirty . . . . . . My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other . . .. With ties that should last.

At Forty, my young sons .. .have grown and are gone,
But my woman is beside me . . to see I don't mourn.
At Fifty, once more, .. ..Babies play 'round my knee,
Again, we know children . . . . My loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me . . . . My wife is now dead.
I look at the future ... . . . . I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing . . . young of their own.
And I think of the years . . . And the love that I've known.

I'm now an old man . . . . . . .. and nature is cruel.
It's jest to make old age . . . . . . . look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles .. . . grace and vigour, depart.
There is now a stone . . . where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass . A young man still dwells,
And now and again . . . . . my battered heart swells
I remember the joys . . . . . . I remember the pain.
And I'm loving and living . . . . . . . life over again.

I think of the years, all too few . . .. gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact . . . that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people . . . . . . . open and see.
Not a cranky old man.
Look closer . . . . see . .. . . .... . ME!!

Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within ... . . .
we will all, one day, be there, too!

Then and Now - humour

Famous and Infamous People: Their Childhood -ppt

WhatWillBecomeOfThem.pps cw

A Penny on the Sidewalk

You always hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being good luck, gifts from angels, etc.

This is the first time I've ever heard this twist on the story.

Gives you something to think about.

Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home.

Our Thanksgiving

With Gratitude in Our Hearts
Text: I Thessalonians 5:12-24
Suggested song: Count Your Blessings

I. The Ten Lepers - Luke 17:11-19

A. I’m sure all ten were happy to have been healed.

B. Perhaps in their joy nine rushed off to tell their loved ones, but only one returned to say “thank you.”

C. We get so caught up in our personal miseries that when they are suddenly gone, we forget to simply say “thank you.”

II. God wants our appreciation

A. Continually offer a sacrifice of praise - Hebrews 13:15

B. Psalm 50:14 - Offer God thanksgiving

C. Come to Him with thanksgiving - Psalm 95:2; 100:4

D. “The World is Mine!” - Dot Aaron

Today, upon a bus, I saw a lovely girl with golden hair.
I envied her, she seemed so gay; I wished I were as fair.
When suddenly she rose to leave,
I saw her hobble down the aisle.
She had one leg, and wore a crutch,
And as she passed – a smile.
O God, forgive me when I whine.
I have two legs, the world is mine!

Meditation on Life

SPEND FEW MINS OF YOURS  So strange…………!!! Rs 20 looks so big amount when you have 2 give that 2 a poor But looks small when you give it as a tip at a restaurant. ………………………………………………………………… Praying to God for 3 min looks hard But 3 hrs of movie is ok for us ……………………………………………………………………… After whole day of hard work , we have no problem to go to a gym But doing house work and helping mom looks very tiring! ……………………………………………………………………… We wait for 1 full year for Valentine’s day But when do mother’s day comes we never know …………………………………………………………………… One couldn’t give a piece of bread 2 the child above But this painting where he looks sad was sold for lakhs of rupees ……………………………………………………………………. To forward this message we will think but to forward stupid jokes we never think VERY STRANGE……………………………!!!