Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord for the blessing of our Catholic schools.

Philip Kosloski on Beginning Our Prayers with Thanksgiving

"Learning how to pray can often be difficult, but the good news is that Jesus gave us an example with his life.

"The Catechism of the Catholic Church mentions how Jesus would frequently begin his prayers with thanksgiving . . ."

In a recent commentary, writer Philip Kosloski reflected on the importance of beginning our prayers thanking God for everything we have received.

To access Mr. Kosloski's complete post, please visit:

Aleteia; Philip Kosloski: Jesus would often begin his prayers with thanksgiving (26 JAN 24)

Reflection Starter from Pope Francis

"Accumulating material goods is not enough to live well, because life does not depend on what we possess (cf. Lk 12:15). Life depends on good relationships: with God, with others, and also with those who have less." - Pope Francis

Free Range Acapella: "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy"

As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of Free Range Acapella presenting "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy":

 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of good handymen/women.

The Seed Planted in St. Paul’s Heart

January 25th is the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, when we commemorate a monumental event in the life of the early Christian Church. Occurring in the years immediately following Christ's death and resurrection, Paul’s conversion happened abruptly, but its effects have remained with us ever since, resounding throughout the centuries and speaking to humanity of the astounding power of God to intervene in our lives.

It happened on the Road to Damascus, where Paul was on his way to capture Christians and bring them to Jerusalem for punishment. Just before entering the city to terrorize the followers of Christ, Paul was met with a flash of light and fell from his horse. Jesus then spoke to him, saying, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting; but rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do."

Paul was blind for three days after that miraculous encounter, until Jesus appeared in a dream to one of the Christians of Damascus telling him to go to Paul. The man went and laid his hands on Paul, who was healed in the name of Jesus. He was baptized, became part of the Christian community, and went on to become the greatest evangelist of his time.

It's interesting to note that Saint Stephen's martyrdom laid the groundwork for Paul's conversion because something happened at that event to plant a seed in Paul's heart, a seed just waiting to grow once he discovered Christ. Paul was present at the stoning of Saint Stephen, when the great apostle gave witness to the depths of his faith by forgiving his attackers even as they put him to death. As a figure in authority, Paul may have ordered the execution or was overseeing it in some manner, and one can only imagine the lingering effect Stephen's act of forgiveness would have had on Paul and others involved.

Looking at these key points in time bracketing the conversion of Saint Paul - from the seed of forgiveness planted in his heart at Saint Stephen's stoning, and culminating with the healing intervention of a follower of Christ - we see a dynamic that has played out repeatedly ever since the Holy Spirit was given to the Church after the Resurrection. This dynamic that comes to life so vividly in the story of Paul's conversion is rooted in the reality that God desires to work through each one of us. This is why Christ came into the world, to enter the struggle of humanity in the most intimate and sacrificial way.

In working through us, Christ calls us to witness to each other, like Saint Stephen's witness of forgiveness. And He calls us to go to each other on healing missions in the way His follower from Damascus went to Paul. These witnesses were joined to the miraculous intervention of Christ on the Road to Damascus to help inspire Paul to spend the rest of his life providing witness to others through preaching so exquisite, it is handed down to us as part of Sacred Scripture itself.

Paul witnessed to us in the way he lived after his conversion and right up to the way he died, following in the footsteps of Saint Stephen as a holy martyr of the Church, giving up his life to join with the other martyrs and Christ Himself in becoming the seed that produces good and lasting fruits. May Saint Paul intercede for us and inspire us daily to take up our cross and follow Christ.

This essay is this week's "Light One Candle" column by Father Ed Dougherty, M.M., The Christophers' Board of Directors ; it is one of a series of weekly columns that deal with a variety of topics and current events.

Background information:

The Christophers

Reflection Starter from Benjamin Franklin

"The sting of a reproach, is the truth of it." - Benjamin Franklin,(in Poor Richard's Almanack, 1746)

Chevalier de Saint-Georges: Symphony No. 1 in G Major

It's time for some classical music. This is a presentation of Joseph Bologne, Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges' Symphony No. 1 in G Major, Op.XI, as presented by the Boise Baroque Orchestra:

 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of good bishops, including their encouragement and their example.

Fr. Joe Newman, OSFS, on Ready Acts of Charity

"In the Introduction to the Devout Life, Francis de Sales identifies ready acts of charity as one of the descriptors of true devotion. As someone who slowly reaches for his wallet when the bill comes, I have a hard time seeing myself as ready to act with love. When reflecting on the Gospel passage where Jesus calls the apostles to follow him, we hear from Mark 1:20 that, 'immediately they left their nets and followed him.' Immediately?  I think I would have been left in the boat dragging my feet. I still say to the Lord, 'Now is the wrong time, I am not ready.'"

In a recent commentary, Father Joe Newman, OSFS, reflected on one example of St. Francis' encouragement..

To access Fr. Newman's complete post, please visit:

De Sales Weekly: Provincial Reflection: Ready? (25 JAN 24)

Reflection Starter from Louisa May Alcott

"The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely." - Louisa May Alcott

Jane Jackson: "Salvation Belongs to Our God"

As we continue to live this week, I offer this version of Jane Jackson presenting "Salvation Belongs to Our God":