Encouragement Series...

PERSONAL PROPERTY

Constance Cameron tells the story of a lesson her mother taught her. One day, when she was about eight, she was playing beside an open window. Inside, Mrs. Brown was CONFIDING A PERSONAL PROBLEM to Constance's mother. After Mrs. Brown had gone, the mother realized that Constance had heard everything that had been said. She called her in and said, " If Mrs. Brown had left her purse here today---would we give it to anyone else? "

" Of course not, " the girl said. Her mother went on, " Mrs. Brown left something more precious that her pocketbook today. SHE LEFT A STORY THAT COULD MAKE MANY PEOPLE UNHAPPY. That story is not ours to give to anyone. It is still here, even though she left it here. So we shall not give it to anyone. Do you understand? "

She did and from that day on, whenever a friend would share a confidence or even engage in careless gossip---she considered what they said to be the PERSONAL PROPERTY of the other person and not hers to give away.

WHAT A GREAT WAY TO SQUELCH GOSSIP. Look at the confidence of others as their personal property, not to be given to anyone else. The old saying bears great truth, " If you don't have something positive to say about someone/something, it's best not to say anything at all. "

A shut mouth gathers no foot.

AMAZING STRENGTH

A YOUNG MAN WAS RUNNING A RACE, AND he found himself falling further and further behind his competitors. His friends cheered him on from the sidelines, but to no avail. Then SUDDENLY, his lips began to move, his legs picked up speed, and to the amazement of the entire crowd watching the race, he passed his competitors ONE BY ONE---and won the race!

After he had been awarded a blue ribbon and received the congratulations of his coach and teammates, he turned to his friends. One of them asked, " WE COULD SEE YOUR LIPS MOVING BUT WE COULDN'T MAKE OUT what you were saying. What were you mumbling out there? "

The young man replied, " Oh, I WAS TALKING TO GOD. I told Him, " Lord, You pick 'em up and I'll put 'em down......You pick 'em up and I'll put 'em down! "

When we live our lives the way we know God's word commands us, and we are believing to the best of our ability THAT THE LORD WILL HELP US, we are then in a position to know with certainty what the Apostle Paul knew, " I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me. "

When we do what we can
God will do what we can't.

BLIND FAITH

Dr. Amanda Whitworth WAS FRUSTRATED AS SHE CREPT UP A HILL WITH EIGHT CARS INFRONT OF HER. They were stuck behind a slow-moving truck and she was in a hurry. Amanda's last patient had needed more attention than was allotted for regular examinations and she was late leaving to pick up her daughter from day school. Now she breathed a prayer that she would not be late again. It would be her third time and because the day school did not tolerate parental tardiness, she would have to make new arrangements for Allie's afternoon care.

Amanda silently fumed at the truck's progress. No one dared pass the truck on the long hill, as it was impossible to see oncoming cars around it. Suddenly, the truck driver WAVED HIS HAND indicating that all was clear ahead. AS AMANDA ZIPPED PAST HIM, IT OCCURRED TO HER that this man was probably a stranger to all who passed him.---yet nine people trusted their lives and the lives of their families to this man.

What a tremendous picture of how we do all that we can do,,,,,,,,,,,,,and then, we must trust even the smallest detail of our lives to the CARE OF GOD, our loving Heavenly Father. It's comforting to know that He can always see exactly what's ahead!

My job is to take care of the possible and
TRUST God with the impossible.

GOD'S ELEGANT PLAN

John Hull, author of Touching the Rock, IS BLIND. In telling his life story, he recounts that his mother spent two years attending Melbourne High School---lodging there with MILDRED TRELOAR. While living with her, John's mother began attending weekly Bible classes with her. Over the months, her personal dedication to the Lord was renewed and deepened as the pages of the Bible came alive for her. It was this vibrant faith that she passed to her son, John.

Where did Mildred Treloar acquire her faith? From her father, Mr. Treloar who had desired to become a minister as a young man, but was rejected by his denomination. Rather than become bitter, he poured his faith into Mildred. While John's mother lived with Mildred, she spent many hours reading the Bible to Mr. Treloar---and vividly recalled for John Mr. Treloar's great hope of heaven. WHY WAS MR. TRELOAR UNACCEPTABLE AS A MINISTER? HE WAS BLIND!!!

John Hull credits Mr. Treloar with much of his own spiritual formation: a blind man passing on his faith to another blind man over a 60-year time span.

There is an ELEGANCE to God's plan when we are faithful to reinvest our faith in others.

A Christian must keep the faith, but not to himself!

WHAT IS DIVINE PROVIDENCE?

It is GOD'S LOVING CARE FOR US! God always sees us and watches over us with loving care. He sees and knows all things: past, present and future. He knows even our hidden thoughts.

A woman named Hagar was lost and wandering about the desert with her son who was DYING OF THIRST. Not wishing to see him die, she laid the boy on the ground and left in tears. But the boy's cries reached God and He sent His angel to show Hagar a miraculous SPRING which came up from the sand to quench her thirst and that of her son.

GOD IS SO GOOD. He never abandons His creatures, but provides food for the BIRDS, and BREAD FOR THE POOR. He gives us strength and health, sunlight and rain, flowers in the spring, warmth in the summer, and fruit in autumn. In the wintertime, He makes seeds GERMINATE BENEATH THE SNOW. Just as a mother carries her baby, so does PROVIDENCE CARRY US in its arms.

God, AS INFINITE WISDOM, guides us to the everlasting happiness in Heaven for which He has destined us. AS INFINITE GOODNESS, He has prepared Heaven for us that we may be happy with Him forever. AS INFINITE POWER, He gives us all the means for body and soul to attain Heaven. AS INFINITE JUSTICE, He rewards the good and punishes the wicked.

If we love God, we shall understand His loving care for us and we shall TRUST FIRMLY that His love will provide for us all the things we need to serve Him in this world. God even uses suffering either, to guide souls or to recall them in the way of salvation. St. Therese of the Child Jesus exclaimed, " I thank Thee, Lord for having made me pass through the crucible of so much suffering! "

" Bodily suffering, borne with patience, purifies the souls that are good. "--St. Augustine

DISRESPECT FOR GOD'S HOLY NAME

Profane language or Blasphemy in the following exclamations used without any thought of paying honor to God, the Blessed Mother and the saints:

Oh! my God! My God! Good Lord! Diyos ko! Dios me! Dios mio!

Dios ko, 'day! Jesus, Mary, Joseph! Jesus Christ! Susmaryosep!

Maryosep! Mariano! Ay, sus! Sus, Ginoo!

O, my gosh! By golly! Gee whiz! Gee!

My goodness! Good grief! and other derivatives and innovations all refer to "O, my God!" and hence, are sinful. The frequency of use leads to HABIT, which becomes automatic and easily picked up when heard by others---causing a multiplier effect down the line. Likewise, it is sinful to quote Holy Scripture in a light or irreverent manner.

An Act of Reparation for Profane Language

Blessed be God.
Blessed be His Holy Name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man.
Blessed be the Name of Jesus.
Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be His Most Precious Blood.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete (intercessor).
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be St, Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Blessed be God, in His angels and in His saints.

(An indulgence of 3 years, if said privately; 5 years, if said publicly; a plenary indulgence on the usual conditions, if said every day for a month.)

St. Jerome said that there is no sin more serious than blasphemy. It is insulting language for God, either directly or through His saints, and holy things. It is a sin of the devil, as one offends God directly, not only His image. Use the name of God only in prayer, adoration and thanksgiving.

COVETOUSNESS cont...

The good man relies not on earthly possessions, but on Providence according to the command of Christ. " Be not troubled saying, what shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed? Your Father knoweth that you have need of all these things. Seek ye, therefore first, the kingdom of God and His justice, and all these things shall be added unto you. "

This commandment forbids all desire to take or to keep unjustly what belongs to others and ENVY at their success. The following are guilty of violating this commandment:

1. Those who desire or resolve to steal or cause loss to others---even if this is not carried out.

2. Children who wish for the death of their parents, in order to obtain their property.

3. Those who wish for war, epidemics, storms, fire, legal troubles, social outbreaks, or other calamities in order TO PROFIT from their products' high prices, and

4. Those who deny the right of private property, such as Socialists, or Communists,

THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHBORS' GOODS (THE 10TH COMMANDMENT).

Covetousness is an excessive desire and concern for money or possessions, as to set one's heart upon them. Two kinds of covetous persons: 1) those who love money so much, that they take unjust means of getting it. 2) those who do not take unjust ways of getting money--- put pursue it too ardently AND KEEP IT TOO TIGHTLY.

People are covetous in the following manner---
1. In acquiring---if they let their minds be occupied habitually with their worldly interests OR neglect their spiritual duties for the sake of earthly gains.

2. In possessing---if their possessions make them PROUD, if they trust in them, if they are too sparing to themselves OR hardhearted to the poor, OR if they cannot part with their money easily to pay their debts, and

3. In losing---if they allow their peace of mind to be disturbed habitually at every loss that happens to them. To a good man, riches may be compared with his clothes, which can be taken off easily. To a covetous man, riches may be compared WITH HIS SKIN, which can be taken off only with great torment. The good man accepts losses with resignation and he can say, " The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, as it hath pleased the Lord so it is done; blessed be the Name of the Lord. " TO BE CONTINUED

IMPORTANT NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY

1) Exercise, both physical & mental

2) Healthy food

3) A Prayer life---this brings about a positive outlook in life and, ESPECIALLY

4) TO BRING PEOPLE TO HEAVEN, with them! This is ideal, but OPTIONAL, because of our free will...

MAY, THE MONTH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

For the love of Jesus and Mary, and for the good of our own souls, we honor MARY, as the mother of God, and as our mother---the mother of all Christians. We can obtain her powerful and generous assistance and special protection by a sincere and practical devotion to her, both in words and action. OUR PRAYERS NEED NOT BE VERY LONG. " The least homage is sufficient, PROVIDED IT BE CONSTANT. " Hence, what we have once resolved to do in honor of our Blessed Mother must never be put aside or neglected but must be FAITHFULLY PERSEVERED DAILY, UNTIL DEATH.

Aside from hearing MASS in her honor on her feast days, and on Saturdays, reciting the LITANY OF LORETO and the HOLY ROSARY
--- we may practise the following little acts:

1) Rise punctually in the morning, invoking her as the " Morning Star."
2) Take a short time from your recreation to spend in meditation on the mysteries of her life.

3) Invoke her 63 times as " Virgin Mother " in honor of her 63 yrs on earth. TO BE CONTINUED

A DROP OF HOLY WATER FOR EVERYONE

Every Catholic home must have a supply of Holy Water ! Dear Parents, when worry and fear take possession of your heart, go to your Holy Water font (a bowl, usually of stone to hold the water used in baptismal services) and give your loved ones the benefit of the Church' prayers. Sprinkle your SLEEPING CHILREN with Holy Water and have some readily available in fonts in all bedrooms, and encourage all family members to bless themselves, morning and night, and during the day, while saying, " By this Holy Water and by Thy precious Blood, wash away all my sins, O Lord. "

Holy Water, a sacramental which derives its great power and efficacy from the prayers of the Church, has been used in all Catholic Churches throughout the world and among all the faithful since the very beginning of Christianity. IT IS ORDINARY WATER MIXED WITH A LITTLE SALT AND BLESSED BY A PRIEST with solemn prayers to beg God's blessing on those who use it, and protection from the powers of darkness. The combined elements of water and salt signify the glorious mission of Holy Water---that of PURIFICATION AND PRESERVATION.

The great spiritual wealth concentrated in EVERY TINY DROP OF HOLY WATER, when used with faith and reverence, can do the following:

1) The forgiveness of venial sins and the remission of its temporal punishment,

2) The expulsion of devils who hate Holy Water because of its power over them. St. Teresa of Avila has left us these words of counsel, " I have found by experience that there is nothing from which the devils fly more quickly than from Holy Water.

3) The healing of the sick. The prayers of the Church, which the priest makes to God when he blesses the water, ASCEND TO HEAVEN EACH TIME one takes Holy Water or sprinkles another with it, and God's blessings DESCEND on soul and body.

4) The prevention of spiritual and temporal dangers. Holy Water can move the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus to bless our loved ones and protect them from all harm of soul and body, especially from dangers from fire, storms, sickness or other calamities threaten. NO MATTER HOW FAR AN ABSENT FAMILY MEMBER MAY BE, when we pray while making for him the SIGN OF THE CROSS WITH HOLY WATER, the effects of the prayers of the Church in that tiny drop of Holy Water will reach him instantly!

5) The relief of the Souls in Purgatory who ardently long for Holy Water. Sprinkle a few drops of Holy Water and pray fervently, " O God, in Thy mercy, multiply these drops into as many drops of Holy Water AS THERE ARE SOULS IN PURGATORY, and allow them not to feel the pains of Purgatory, as long as the moisture of Holy Water is present. " Often make the Sign of the Cross with Holy Water, INDULGENCE OF SEVEN YEARS FOR DOING SO---may be applied to the Souls in Purgatory.

Note: Supply of Holy Water is usually available at the Parish Ofc.

SELF-DENIAL FOR THE SAKE OF THOSE PERSECUTED IN THE WORLD TODAY cont...

7) To mortify myself in the use of radio, television and reading materials once in a while---for those who are permitted little or no recreation...and are FORCED TO LISTEN to falsehood, blasphemy and irreligious propaganda.

8) To mortify myself in speech by not saying anything that will make me appear learned or clever---for those who are tortured to MAKE FALSE CONFESSIONS or to accuse the innocent of crimes.

9) To pray, attend holy mass or do some devotion---for those who are forbidden to hear mass or receive the sacraments and are severely punished IF THEY ARE DISCOVERED PRAYING EVEN SILENTLY. To be continued