The Impossible is Possible

Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
The calf and the young lion shall browse together,
with a little child to guide them. ~ Taken from Isaiah 11:1-10

Today we hear about opposites attracting, about the less likely companions becoming friends or at least being at peace with one another.


When we find peace within ourselves, we become the kind of people that can live at peace with others, even the most unlikely.1

Pope Francis, this morning in his daily homily, urged those present to reflect on how the peace of which the prophet Isaiah speaks of “is a peace that is so moving, it is a peace of joy, a peace of praise,” which we can also say is “noisy, in praise, a peace that bears fruit in becoming a mother of new children.”........


This peace “comes precisely in the joy of praise for the Trinity, and of evangelization, of going to the people to tell them who Jesus is,” noted the Pope, drawing attention to Jesus’ “dogmatic declaration” in the Gospel when he affirms to his father that “you decided to reveal Yourself not to the wise, but to the little ones.” 2.
 
During this first week of Advent, let us pray for the peace we might need to be at peace with those we are not.


1. Adapted from Peace Pilgrim Quotes 

2 CNA

Seek God's Way of Thinking

December 02, 2013 Message through Mirjana:

"Dear children, with a motherly love and a motherly patience I am looking at your ceaseless wandering and how lost you are. That is why I am with you. I desire to help you to first find and come to know yourself, so that, then, you would be able to recognize and to admit everything that does not permit you to get to know the love of the Heavenly Father, honestly and wholeheartedly. My children, the Father comes to be known through the cross. Therefore, do not reject the cross. Strive to comprehend and accept it with my help. When you will be able to accept the cross you will also understand the love of the Heavenly Father; you will walk with my Son and with me; you will differ from those who have not come to know the love of the Heavenly Father, those who listen to Him but do not understand Him, those who do not walk with Him - who have not come to know Him. I desire for you to come to know the truth of my Son and to be my apostles; that, as children of God, you may rise above the human way of thinking and always, and in everything, seek God's way of thinking, anew. My children, pray and fast that you may be able to recognize all of this which I am seeking of you. Pray for your shepherds and long to come to know the love of your Heavenly Father, in union with them. Thank you." 

Our Lady Queen of Peace, pray for us during this season of Advent, that we may seek God's way of thinking, anew.

Strengthen Me Oh Lord

It started as a tiny thought,

I would not let it go.

Then I started to nurture it,

 and it began to grow.

It followed me with every step,

It wouldn’t go away.

Like wild winds of a tempest storm,

I was battered night and day.

 I threw myself onto my knees

And I began to pray:

Forgive me Lord for the wrong I've done,

I long to start anew;

To live each day with joy and peace,

To live each day for you.

Heavenly Father, thank you form my being able today to decide for You in all my thought, feelings and actions. Now, too, I decide for You as Your Son Jesus Christ decided for You and as His and our Mother decided for You. Strengthen me this day my Lord, that if I am shaken like the branches of a tree in a tempest storm, that I cling to the vine that gives life to the branches, Your Son Jesus Christ.  Amen

“Dear children! Today I call you to open yourselves to prayer. Prayer works miracles in you and through you. Therefore, little children, in the simplicity of heart seek of the Most High to give you the strength to be God’s children and for Satan not to shake you like the wind shakes the branches. Little children, decide for God anew and seek only His will – and then you will find joy and peace in Him. Thank you for having responded to my call.” Message to Marija , BVM, Medjugorje 10/25/2013

The Prophets Cry

Chosen by God,

was he formed.

To prepare,
to make straight,
to lead.

Cradled in the womb,

 so still,

until blessed by divine presence,

he leaped.

In faithful obedience

he grew.

The calling a sharp cry within.

Drawn to the silence,

he wandered.

The wilds of the desert his home.

In prayer he found understanding,

With the Spirit he was never alone.

Through fasting he found strength

and courage;

soon holy wisdom came.

Silent no more,

the prophet cried out,

and bodily they heard him proclaim.

All who have ears listen.

Repent, change your ways

while you may.

For the Kingdom of Heaven is near us.

His message still holds true today.




"Dear children! Also today, the Most High is giving me the grace to be with you and to lead you towards conversion. Every day I am sowing and am calling you to conversion, that you may be prayer, peace, love - the grain that by dying will give birth a hundredfold. I do not desire for you, dear children, to have to repent for everything that you could have done but did not want to. Therefore, little children, again, with enthusiasm say: 'I want to be a sign to others.' Thank you for having responded to my call."  BVM, August 25, 2013,Medjugorje

A Gentle Tongue

A gentle tongue is a tree of life,

 but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

Proverbs 15:4

Like the smell of smoke that hangs in the air

Long after the embers of the fire have grown cold,

So do words that are spoken in haste.

 Like a haze that covers the horizon,

Words of anger cloud the mind long after being said,

Interfering with the gift of life God has given us this day.

Lord, let my words be filled with kindness and compassion

And may I not be afraid to use them with generosity.

Gentle Jesus,

Make my heart like yours.

"More than ever, humanity needs prayer”

Organizers estimate that visionary Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic met a quarter of the Christian population during her one-week stay in Israel and Palestine. Devotion to prayer was revived and will continue, priest says. Mary assured attendees that she and Jesus never left The Holy Land.

Vicka greets the crowd of about 10,000 people in Bethlehem on August 25. Photo: Jeries Photography / Facebook

Medjugorje visionary Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic was seen and heard by 25 percent of the Christian population during her August 19-26 stay in The Holy Land, organizers of the first international Maranatha pilgrimage are estimating.

“I am completely satisfied with the response. Having Vicka with us here fulfills my dream. Today, Medjugorje is present in every Christian family and community in The Holy Land. People are asking questions about how to connect to the Maranatha Movement for the healing of humanity. I do not have words to describe my feelings” Maranatha world coordinator Sabrina Covic-Radojicic tells the Croatian daily Vecernji List.

Vicka kissing a child before her apparition in Bethlehem. Photo: Jeries Photography / Facebook

Vicka returned to Medjugorje on Monday, also very much pleased with the events of the week.

“I am overjoyed. I have been in the Holy Land before, but I never could bring Our Lady’s message. I do not know why I could not, only God knows. Obviously it was time for people to hear. But, behold, the time has come. People have heard and will hear the message. But this should not stop here, prayer for the healing of people should continue. More than ever, humanity needs prayer” Vicka tells the Croatian paper.

Procession before Vicka’s apparition in Maelia on August 21

And devotion to prayer will continue, says Fr. Nadeem Shakouri, the pastor of Maelia where Vicka’s apparition was attended by about 13,000 people on August 21.

“I am delighted. Only the Lord could muster this crowd. I thank Him for the gift of Vicka’s arrival. It gives us hope that peace is possible in these regions. He asks us to continue to pray not only during Vicka’s stay in the Holy Land, but also after her departure. Pray for all the sick hearts awaiting recovery, and for all who witnessed these precious days and who will themselves become carriers of the messages” Fr. Shakouri tells Vecernji List.

Vicka addressing the crowd in Bethlehem on August 25. Photo: Jeries Photography / Facebook

The priest was further uplifted by the message the Virgin Mary passed on from the apparition in Maelia.

“Our Lady’s message today encourages us because she told the faithful of the Holy Land that she has been with us all the time with her Son, and that they never left. We believers from Galilee will never forget these days. In her honor we bless the statue which we brought from Medjugorje one month ago, that we will be constantly reminded of this day” says Fr. Shakouri.

With Fouad Boutros Ibrahim Twal, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem far right, Vicka’s visit united the highest ranking clerics in The Holy Land. Photo: Jozo Ivankovic / Facebook

On August 24, Fouad Boutros Ibrahim Twal, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, ”expressed his fraternal hospitality” and thanked for the devotion to recollection and prayer, and for the joy offered to all who met Vicka whom he welcomed to The Holy Land, Vecernji List further reports.

Both he and Elias Shakouri, the Bishop of the Melkite Catholic Church, were invited by Maranatha organizers to participate in the international Youth Festival in Medjugorje next year, Maranatha world coordinator Sabrina Covic-Radojicic informs.
source  http://www.medjugorjetoday.tv/

In God's Company 2

A Marian Apparition Unites Believers in Galilee

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."   Matthew 4:18-19

Medjugorje visionary Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic’s public apparition on Wednesday was attended by Christians, Jews and Muslims alike, and also brought together the three Bishops of Galilee along with Orthodox priests when Mass was celebrated. Organizers estimate 13,000 people were present.

“It was the biggest man-made event in the history of Galilee. Never before have we had this gathering with Our Lady and this huge number of people” Charbel Maroun, the President of the Marian Movement of Lay People in Galilee, tells Medjugorje Today.

“Lots of people were crying of joy, crying because of the grace the experienced. They listened to what they heard about Medjugorje, and loved it. Thousands of young people were there. And one of my co-workers told me about a huge number of confessions” he says.

 “There were a lot of Muslims. They liked it so much, they started crying because they were so happy to be present. There were also many members of the Israeli army. Never mind ethnicity or religious background, everybody was present and happy” Charbel Maroun reports.

“You could feel the Holy Spirit in the entire area. The people of Galilee will never forget this meeting. The majority of people here are weak in devotion and spirituality, and so for many it was the first time they saw such a huge manifestation of prayer.”

During Vicka’s apparition, the Virgin Mary asked the attendees to pray for the Church in Galilee.

We need to make a commitment.

 In a message given Ivan and Marija in the context of a prayer group meeting, on August 19, 1988, Our Lady said the following:

“Dear children, I would like this to be a time of decision for you. Make a commitment to follow me, follow me! I wish to do so much, but I cannot do anything without you: your resolve is too weak.
So pray during this time dear children. Only through prayer can you receive the strength of commitment that you need. I am here to help you my children .  

Today Our Lady asks for our commitment so that her plans in Medjugorje will succeed. In prayer today, let us ask Christ and the Blessed Mother to strengthen our commitment in following them with enthusiasm and courage.

1. Medjugorje Today

2. Medjugorje Day by Day 

Lonely Writer’s Song

 God has always shared His grace to me through others, and this morning was one of those times of sharing.

 As I finished my daily scripture  readings, I came across this heartfelt poem from a young Catholic mother. The words she wrote reminded me that the Lord alone is my comfort and my rock. He is all I will ever need.

 

Love and Be Loved ~ A Daily Practice

 

Posted on July 28, 2013 by amysecrist

    

“When my spirit is failing within me,
still, Lord, you know my paths.” ~ Psalm 142:4

The middle of the day
is dead of night to me,
the evening even more;

But Lord, you know my heart,
my mind, my soul; you are near me
upon this desolate shore.

When everything is darkness,
when everyone has fled
and I am left alone,

You, Lord, are my comfort,
the rock
upon which I build my home.

And though you seem to hide,
to forget,
to care not where I go,

Each morning I awake,
I remember,
it is you whom I should love more.

For it is you who brings the morning,
brings the sun
and wakes my soul,

You who lifts my spirit,
calms my mind,
and makes me whole.

 

Posted on August 15, 2013 by SBrinkmann

Pope Francis is planning to consecrate the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on October 13 while kneeling before the statue of Our Lady of the Rosary from Fatima which will be flown to Rome for the event.

According to the official website of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Fatima, Portugal, the statue of Our Lady which is currently housed in the Little Chapel of Apparitions will be brought to Rome on October 12-13 to be present for the Marian Day celebrations. The actual consecration will take place on October 13.

In a letter addressed to Bishop Antonio Marto, of Leiria-Fatima, the President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, wrote: “The Holy Father strongly desires that the Marian Day may have present, as a special sign, one of the most significant Marian icons for Christians throughout the world and, for that reason, we thought of the beloved original Statue of Our Lady of Fatima”.

This will not be the first time the world was consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The first consecration took place on October 31, 1942, when Pope Pius XII consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart.

He followed this consecration 10 years later with another, only this time he specifically consecrated the Russian people to the Immaculate Heart in keeping with a request made by Our Lady during the apparitions of July 13, 1917. Pope Paul VI renewed this consecration in 1964.

According to correspondence by Sr. Lucia, one of the three children to whom Mary appeared in Fatima, these consecrations did not yet fulfill Our Lady’s request; and so, in 1982, Pope John Paul II invited all the bishops of the world to join him in consecrating the world and Russia to the Immaculate Heart. However, because so many bishops did not receive the invitation in time for the consecration, Sr. Lucia said that Our Lady’s request still had not been fulfilled.

A year later, in October of 1983, Pope John Paul II tried again, this time at the Synod of Bishops. He followed this with another consecration in March, 1984, in which he was “united with all the pastors of the Church in a particular bond”. Both the pope and Sr. Lucia were uncertain that the conditions had been met, but in 1989, Sr. Lucia confirmed that it had been accomplished and that “God will keep His word.”

Three months later, on November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall fell. Within a month, peaceful revolutions took place in Soviet satellite states such as Czechoslovakia, Romania, Bulgaria and Albania. In 1990, East and West Germany were unified. On Christmas Day, 1991, the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republic was dissolved.

The Marian Day celebration in Rome, which will take place Oct. 12-13, will include a recitation of the Rosary with those gathered in Marian shrines throughout the world; a prayer vigil; Marian catechesis; and Holy Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square.

© All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace®  http://www.womenofgrace.com

Posted on August 15, 2013 by SBrinkmann

Pope to Consecrate World to IHM in October

Posted on August 15, 2013 by SBrinkmann

Pope Francis is planning to consecrate the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on October 13 while kneeling before the statue of Our Lady of the Rosary from Fatima which will be flown to Rome for the event.

According to the official website of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Fatima, Portugal, the statue of Our Lady which is currently housed in the Little Chapel of Apparitions will be brought to Rome on October 12-13 to be present for the Marian Day celebrations. The actual consecration will take place on October 13.
In a letter addressed to Bishop Antonio Marto, of Leiria-Fatima, the President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, wrote: “The Holy Father strongly desires that the Marian Day may have present, as a special sign, one of the most significant Marian icons for Christians throughout the world and, for that reason, we thought of the beloved original Statue of Our Lady of Fatima”.
This will not be the first time the world was consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The first consecration took place on October 31, 1942, when Pope Pius XII consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart.
He followed this consecration 10 years later with another, only this time he specifically consecrated the Russian people to the Immaculate Heart in keeping with a request made by Our Lady during the apparitions of July 13, 1917. Pope Paul VI renewed this consecration in 1964.
According to correspondence by Sr. Lucia, one of the three children to whom Mary appeared in Fatima, these consecrations did not yet fulfill Our Lady’s request; and so, in 1982, Pope John Paul II invited all the bishops of the world to join him in consecrating the world and Russia to the Immaculate Heart. However, because so many bishops did not receive the invitation in time for the consecration, Sr. Lucia said that Our Lady’s request still had not been fulfilled.
A year later, in October of 1983, Pope John Paul II tried again, this time at the Synod of Bishops. He followed this with another consecration in March, 1984, in which he was “united with all the pastors of the Church in a particular bond”. Both the pope and Sr. Lucia were uncertain that the conditions had been met, but in 1989, Sr. Lucia confirmed that it had been accomplished and that “God will keep His word.”
Three months later, on November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall fell. Within a month, peaceful revolutions took place in Soviet satellite states such as Czechoslovakia, Romania, Bulgaria and Albania. In 1990, East and West Germany were unified. On Christmas Day, 1991, the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republic was dissolved.
The Marian Day celebration in Rome, which will take place Oct. 12-13, will include a recitation of the Rosary with those gathered in Marian shrines throughout the world; a prayer vigil; Marian catechesis; and Holy Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square.
© All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace®  http://www.womenofgrace.com

- See more at: http://www.womenofgrace.com/blog/?p=23520#sthash.YAQZDAH6.dpuf

Pope to Consecrate World to IHM in October

Posted on August 15, 2013 by SBrinkmann

Pope Francis is planning to consecrate the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on October 13 while kneeling before the statue of Our Lady of the Rosary from Fatima which will be flown to Rome for the event.

According to the official website of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Fatima, Portugal, the statue of Our Lady which is currently housed in the Little Chapel of Apparitions will be brought to Rome on October 12-13 to be present for the Marian Day celebrations. The actual consecration will take place on October 13.
In a letter addressed to Bishop Antonio Marto, of Leiria-Fatima, the President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, wrote: “The Holy Father strongly desires that the Marian Day may have present, as a special sign, one of the most significant Marian icons for Christians throughout the world and, for that reason, we thought of the beloved original Statue of Our Lady of Fatima”.
This will not be the first time the world was consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The first consecration took place on October 31, 1942, when Pope Pius XII consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart.
He followed this consecration 10 years later with another, only this time he specifically consecrated the Russian people to the Immaculate Heart in keeping with a request made by Our Lady during the apparitions of July 13, 1917. Pope Paul VI renewed this consecration in 1964.
According to correspondence by Sr. Lucia, one of the three children to whom Mary appeared in Fatima, these consecrations did not yet fulfill Our Lady’s request; and so, in 1982, Pope John Paul II invited all the bishops of the world to join him in consecrating the world and Russia to the Immaculate Heart. However, because so many bishops did not receive the invitation in time for the consecration, Sr. Lucia said that Our Lady’s request still had not been fulfilled.
A year later, in October of 1983, Pope John Paul II tried again, this time at the Synod of Bishops. He followed this with another consecration in March, 1984, in which he was “united with all the pastors of the Church in a particular bond”. Both the pope and Sr. Lucia were uncertain that the conditions had been met, but in 1989, Sr. Lucia confirmed that it had been accomplished and that “God will keep His word.”
Three months later, on November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall fell. Within a month, peaceful revolutions took place in Soviet satellite states such as Czechoslovakia, Romania, Bulgaria and Albania. In 1990, East and West Germany were unified. On Christmas Day, 1991, the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republic was dissolved.
The Marian Day celebration in Rome, which will take place Oct. 12-13, will include a recitation of the Rosary with those gathered in Marian shrines throughout the world; a prayer vigil; Marian catechesis; and Holy Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square.
© All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace®  http://www.womenofgrace.com

- See more at: http://www.womenofgrace.com/blog/?p=23520#sthash.YAQZDAH6.dpuf

Pope to Consecrate World to IHM in October

Posted on August 15, 2013 by SBrinkmann

Pope Francis is planning to consecrate the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on October 13 while kneeling before the statue of Our Lady of the Rosary from Fatima which will be flown to Rome for the event.

According to the official website of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Fatima, Portugal, the statue of Our Lady which is currently housed in the Little Chapel of Apparitions will be brought to Rome on October 12-13 to be present for the Marian Day celebrations. The actual consecration will take place on October 13.
In a letter addressed to Bishop Antonio Marto, of Leiria-Fatima, the President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, wrote: “The Holy Father strongly desires that the Marian Day may have present, as a special sign, one of the most significant Marian icons for Christians throughout the world and, for that reason, we thought of the beloved original Statue of Our Lady of Fatima”.
This will not be the first time the world was consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The first consecration took place on October 31, 1942, when Pope Pius XII consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart.
He followed this consecration 10 years later with another, only this time he specifically consecrated the Russian people to the Immaculate Heart in keeping with a request made by Our Lady during the apparitions of July 13, 1917. Pope Paul VI renewed this consecration in 1964.
According to correspondence by Sr. Lucia, one of the three children to whom Mary appeared in Fatima, these consecrations did not yet fulfill Our Lady’s request; and so, in 1982, Pope John Paul II invited all the bishops of the world to join him in consecrating the world and Russia to the Immaculate Heart. However, because so many bishops did not receive the invitation in time for the consecration, Sr. Lucia said that Our Lady’s request still had not been fulfilled.
A year later, in October of 1983, Pope John Paul II tried again, this time at the Synod of Bishops. He followed this with another consecration in March, 1984, in which he was “united with all the pastors of the Church in a particular bond”. Both the pope and Sr. Lucia were uncertain that the conditions had been met, but in 1989, Sr. Lucia confirmed that it had been accomplished and that “God will keep His word.”
Three months later, on November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall fell. Within a month, peaceful revolutions took place in Soviet satellite states such as Czechoslovakia, Romania, Bulgaria and Albania. In 1990, East and West Germany were unified. On Christmas Day, 1991, the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republic was dissolved.
The Marian Day celebration in Rome, which will take place Oct. 12-13, will include a recitation of the Rosary with those gathered in Marian shrines throughout the world; a prayer vigil; Marian catechesis; and Holy Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square.
© All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace®  http://www.womenofgrace.com

- See more at: http://www.womenofgrace.com/blog/?p=23520#sthash.YAQZDAH6.dpuf