Saint Pope John Paul II

A once avid outdoors-man whose final years were marked by disability and suffering, Saint John Paul II witnessed to what it truly means to die with dignity, says a close friend who was with him until the end.

“He gave us tranquility and peace even up to the last day," Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, who was present at the Polish pope’s death, told CNA in an interview.

He Still Weeps

Last Sunday, during the Holy Mass this distressing image came to my mind: Jesus, scourged and beaten up, completely bathed in blood, carrying the cross moves slowly forward. There’s a deep sorrow in His face. And these words flashed in my mind “Every time we sin, we give those scourges to Jesus. Every time we sin, we are one of those Pharisees who mocked at Jesus.” I had heard these words before – the words that had pierced the very bottom of my heart. I had heard it at a retreat I had attended about a month back.

Do You Love Me?

Received this beautiful message this morning…

One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise. Ah! ... the beauty of God's creation is beyond description. As I watched, I praised God for His beautiful work. As I sat there, I felt the Lord's presence with me. He asked me, "Do you love me?" I answered, "Of course, God! You are my Lord and Saviour!"

Then He asked, "If you were physically handicapped, would you still love me?"

I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and the rest of my body and wondered how many things I wouldn't be able to do and thought about the things that I take for granted. I answered, "It would be tough Lord, but I would still love You."

My Mercy Yearns To Be Spent

A Father’s Love

The Prodigal Son is a parable that has been reflected and spoken about so many times in so many different ways and in so many different contexts. I myself have considered various aspects from the parable in my previous blogs, and will speak about it still more. And yet, the parable’s beauty, eloquence and wholeness is never lost or diminished in spite of so many repetitions.

Today I would like to ponder upon it from the father’s point of view.

I Was Sunk Deep Down In A Valley

I was sunk deep down in a valley,

But now I walk right up the alley.

I faced struggles I could not cope,

But the Lord has given me new hope.

He lifted me up and sat me on a rock,

A rock firm and strong, that none can knock.

He is my pillar and my strong fort,

In His arms, do I find comfort.

The Saviour who rose from the dead,

Will guide me through my way ahead.

In Him I find a life ever new,

His love is a joy that I never knew.

Praised be the Lord Jesus Christ, forever and ever. Amen

#hopeinGod #God’sloveneverends

A Small Story from the Life of St. Pope John Paul II

Today is April 2nd - the Eve of Divine Mercy Sunday. 11 years ago, a Pope, who was instrumental in spreading the message of Divine Mercy, the Pope who declared the second Sunday of Easter (i.e. the first Sunday after Easter Sunday) as the Divine Mercy Sunday while canonizing St. Maria Faustina, died on April 2^nd, exactly on the Eve of Divine Mercy Sunday.

"The Message of Divine Mercy has always been near and dear to me… which I took with me to the See of Peter and which in a sense forms the image of this Pontificate." Pope John Paul II wrote in his encyclical on Divine Mercy.

The Treasure That Mary Is

Being raised in a Catholic-Protestant crossover household – my mother being a Catholic and my dad protesting everything that is Catholic – I had my reservations regarding complete devotion to Mary. I was baptized in the Catholic Church and raised in the Catholic traditions, following the sacraments and teachings of the Church. But my dad has developed a kind of rebellion towards the Church over a period of time and would challenge some of its traditions, one of which was the place of honor and privilege given to the Blessed Virgin.

As a result, (and I feel ashamed of myself as I say this) I too had developed a sense of unwillingness in fully dedicating myself to the Holy Mother and in believing with complete conviction in her role in God’s plan of redemption. I would ask her intercession and pray the rosary and all, but my heart was not in it. I would always be careful that my prayers do not amount to a prayer to Mary herself, thereby equaling her with God in any way. I would constantly remind myselves that the veneration to Mary is of the status of an interceder and not that of God. All these thoughts blocked or hindered the flow of grace into my life. 

The First of January

On the first of January, the Church celebrates the feast of the Mother of God – the Octave of Christmas.

Most Church-goers believe that they go to the Church on this day to usher in the New Year at Church. It is in fact called “New Year’s Mass”. It is of course the first of January and the New Year’s Day, but the day is of much more significance than just being the first day of a new year.

The Eyes That Wept For Lazarus

Jesus came in to this world to open the doors of mercy for us and Jesus Himself is the Door of Mercy.

God created us in His mercy and love. He formed us in love and out of love, because God is love and in love he abides (1Jn 4:16). Bible throughout is a story of God’s love for mankind, the betrayal of man and God’s mercy in pardoning the myriad offences of His children. It begins with love and it ends with mercy.