memorial day rememberance

Let us remember those who gave their life that we may enjoy this day. Let us continue to pray for the families of those who gave their life that we may be free. For the many children who will not know a normal family and have lost a parent.
May we continue to pray for the safety of those who continue to say yes to keep us free.
As we enjoy this day in whatever way we find fitting, let us not forget the reason for this holiday.

Lent works of Love

Lent begins tomorrow. In Catholic tradition we receive ashes on or forehead to remind us we are dust and to dust we will return. we all receive ashes no matter our status, education, number of friends or whatever we feel is important to us. 

It seems to me if we believe Jesus is our Lord and Savior, knowing he saved us from ourselves most of all, we will rejoice in our salvation. 

For me lent is a time of reaching out to the other, doing works of love not works of obligation. Reaching out to those we would rather not reach out to. That will take some prayer and fasting on my part. 
I am sure you like me have some things you would rather not do, people you would be just as happy not to encounter in a day. 

If we are attentive I am confident God will send in our daily path,  those we need to reach to.  We could also pray for opportunities to reach out with works of love, if we have the courage to do so.

May you lent be fruitful in many opportunities to have works of love.

FRESH AIR AGAIN

Some of the beliefs that are held in the church but contrary to the loving nature of God are now being set aside by the Pope who was recently named The Man of The Year by TIME Magazine.

In his latest revelations, Pope Francis said:

“Through humility, soul searching, and prayerful contemplation we have gained a new understanding of certain dogmas. The church no longer believes in a literal hell where people suffer. This doctrine is incompatible with the infinite love of God. God is not a judge but a friend and a lover of humanity. God seeks not to condemn but only to embrace. Like the fable of Adam and Eve, we see hell as a literary device. Hell is merely a metaphor for the isolated soul, which like all souls ultimately will be united in love with God.”

In a shocking speech that is reverberating across the world, Pope Francis declared that:
“All religions are true, because they are true in the hearts of all those who believe in them. What other kind of truth is there? In the past, the church has been harsh on those it deemed morally wrong or sinful. Today, we no longer judge. Like a loving father, we never condemn our children. Our church is big enough for heterosexuals and homosexuals, for the pro-life and the pro-choice! For conservatives and liberals, even communists are welcome and have joined us. We all love and worship the same God.”
In the last six months, Catholic cardinals, bishops and theologians have been deliberating in the Vatican City, in discussing the future of the church and redefining long-held Catholic doctrines and dogmas. The Third Vatican Council, is the largest and most important since the Second Vatican Council was concluded in 1962.
Pope Francis convened the new council to “finally finish the work of the Second Vatican Council.”
The Third Vatican Council concluded with Pope Francis announcing that…
Catholicism is now a “modern and reasonable religion, which has undergone evolutionary changes. The time has come to abandon all intolerance. We must recognize that religious truth evolves and changes. Truth is not absolute or set in stone. Even atheists acknowledge the divine. Through acts of love and charity the atheist acknowledges God as well, and redeems his own soul, becoming an active participant in the redemption of humanity.”
One statement in the Pope’s speech has sent traditionalists into a fit of confusion and hysteria…
“God is changing and evolving as we are, For God lives in us and in our hearts. When we spread love and kindness in the world, we touch our own divinity and recognize it. The Bible is a beautiful holy book, but like all great and ancient works, some passages are outdated. Some even call for intolerance or judgement. The time has come to see these verses as later interpolations, contrary to the message of love and truth, which otherwise radiates through scripture. In accordance with our new understanding, we will begin to ordain women as cardinals, bishops and priests. In the future, it is my hope that we will have a woman pope one day. Let no door be closed to women that is open to men!”
A few cardinals in the Catholic church are against Pope Francis’ latest declarations. Watch out for the report.
SOURCE: Copyright © 2013 Diversity Chronicle All Rights Reserved.

NEW YEARS RESOLUTION

I believe in one word resolutions. 

Think of one word that you want to keep in mind everyday as your resolution. 

My word is Presence. Presence to my God, others and myself.
Being as totally present in the moment as I can Be