tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74408126437784217102024-02-21T23:41:50.193+05:30Totus Tuus, Maria!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7440812643778421710.post-1628074362463703182016-05-28T21:12:00.000+05:302017-03-12T16:37:10.200+05:30Saint Pope John Paul II<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">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.</span></div>
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<br></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="color: #cc0000; font-style: italic;">“He gave us tranquility and peace even up to the last
day," </b>Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, who was present at the Polish pope’s
death, told CNA in an interview.</span></span></div>
</div><a href="https://reflectionsofapoorsoul.blogspot.com/2016/05/saint-pope-john-paul-ii.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7440812643778421710.post-19279957886357926672016-05-24T09:54:00.000+05:302016-05-24T09:54:56.858+05:30He Still Weeps<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">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 <span class="HighlightChar"><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">“Every time
we sin, we give those scourges to Jesus. Every time we sin, we are one of those
Pharisees who mocked at Jesus.”</span></i></b></span> 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.</span></div>
</div><a href="https://reflectionsofapoorsoul.blogspot.com/2016/05/he-still-weeps.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7440812643778421710.post-48220940416116897292016-05-21T12:33:00.001+05:302016-05-21T12:33:12.456+05:30Do You Love Me?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Received this beautiful message this morning…</div>
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<br></div>
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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!"</div>
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<br></div>
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Then He asked, "If you were physically handicapped,
would you still love me?"</div>
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<br></div>
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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."</div>
</div><a href="https://reflectionsofapoorsoul.blogspot.com/2016/05/do-you-love-me.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7440812643778421710.post-90483905745665572232016-05-20T14:28:00.002+05:302016-05-20T14:30:00.748+05:30My Mercy Yearns To Be Spent<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_446109531"></span><span id="goog_446109532"></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3_3ejly-nxnu6qCh4AysbnoMWJo8-XrcbXvxC3ABjXb0AImJngTp9jDQfJEWIcvwtLyHgcSSC8SkJEhvlC-z1Wn-LevvoD8Y3xxdIbMvL2da-40fWQrnDysb_rohbkDEGG6XaBJihVs7/s1600/01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3_3ejly-nxnu6qCh4AysbnoMWJo8-XrcbXvxC3ABjXb0AImJngTp9jDQfJEWIcvwtLyHgcSSC8SkJEhvlC-z1Wn-LevvoD8Y3xxdIbMvL2da-40fWQrnDysb_rohbkDEGG6XaBJihVs7/s640/01.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
</div><a href="https://reflectionsofapoorsoul.blogspot.com/2016/05/my-mercy-yearns-to-be-spent.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7440812643778421710.post-23364095313431017972016-04-26T15:03:00.000+05:302016-05-03T20:42:20.345+05:30A Father’s Love<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today I would like to ponder upon it from the father’s point
of view.</span></div>
</div><a href="https://reflectionsofapoorsoul.blogspot.com/2016/04/a-fathers-love.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7440812643778421710.post-1880055662763531642016-04-26T10:22:00.000+05:302016-04-26T10:22:26.824+05:30I Was Sunk Deep Down In A Valley<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I was sunk deep down in a
valley,</div>
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But now I walk right up
the alley. </div>
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I faced struggles I could
not cope,</div>
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But the Lord has given me
new hope.</div>
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<br /></div>
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He lifted me up and sat
me on a rock,</div>
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A rock firm and strong,
that none can knock.</div>
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He is my
pillar and my strong fort,</div>
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In His
arms, do I find comfort.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The Saviour
who rose from the dead,</div>
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Will guide
me through my way ahead.</div>
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In Him I
find a life ever new,</div>
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His love
is a joy that I never knew.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Praised
be the Lord Jesus Christ, forever and ever. Amen</div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt;">
#hopeinGod #God’sloveneverends</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7440812643778421710.post-39306391182079081662016-04-02T21:59:00.002+05:302016-04-26T17:13:19.914+05:30A Small Story from the Life of St. Pope John Paul II<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_h06aHo6RW234FmQKOlaApYZM7zZJS8idfcQn2lbrGQ2oiYaCVROaN3Tt34nEloj-TavCx7d-R1adc_cR2Ziii0FgGf6OYO5xosWa8d0DjIGnITdI7tYN4xszF0KhF_x7FQ_CZbcDWB7/s1600/john-paul-ii.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_h06aHo6RW234FmQKOlaApYZM7zZJS8idfcQn2lbrGQ2oiYaCVROaN3Tt34nEloj-TavCx7d-R1adc_cR2Ziii0FgGf6OYO5xosWa8d0DjIGnITdI7tYN4xszF0KhF_x7FQ_CZbcDWB7/s200/john-paul-ii.jpg" width="159"></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">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<sup>nd</sup>, exactly on the Eve of Divine Mercy Sunday.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"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.</span></div>
</div><a href="https://reflectionsofapoorsoul.blogspot.com/2016/04/a-small-story-from-life-of-st-pope-john.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7440812643778421710.post-68531022465668434792016-01-01T12:51:00.001+05:302016-05-18T10:30:28.560+05:30The Treasure That Mary Is<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">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. </span><o:p></o:p></span><br>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
</div><a href="https://reflectionsofapoorsoul.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-treasure-that-mary-is.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7440812643778421710.post-89349550544230699382015-12-31T13:45:00.003+05:302016-04-26T17:14:48.231+05:30The First of January<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On the first of January, the Church celebrates the feast of
the Mother of God – the Octave of Christmas. </span></div>
<div class="BodyStyle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
<div class="BodyStyle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">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.</span><br>
</div></div><a href="https://reflectionsofapoorsoul.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-first-of-january.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7440812643778421710.post-11795440804098203542015-12-28T13:59:00.000+05:302016-05-03T20:38:01.253+05:30The Eyes That Wept For Lazarus<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus came in to this world to open the doors of mercy
for us and Jesus Himself is the Door of Mercy.</span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">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.</span><br>
<div class="BodyStyle" style="text-align: justify;">
</div></div><a href="https://reflectionsofapoorsoul.blogspot.com/2015/12/i-will-sing-of-mercies-of-lord-forever.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7440812643778421710.post-42200534173414271782015-12-25T19:09:00.002+05:302016-04-26T17:19:06.031+05:30Joy to the World!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfRt0dizKlIO-Vp98kddremHwKL4UNfBed-TMTeYWQxt77lHX7w4MWA-4lopdwY78ItKGiqBFRqxVSZbHy7xspiMEnOV1Dtb-fQpIqYnj8ivBs6BWl64u4G7YfVQMiIG2wDocNIZO4qWr/s1600/emmanuel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_nLH4sqOl_v_s7jqOG61HZLKp6m_TfPskvdXqrUbF3YDiqSTKm6f0A9p-xKuKoZIDRJ_z_MCBvlu780ME0yqknOVAR0Ef5c8LNIyOznjzzYMUhmai-3GNGsubqIXgDnizGaTjxjU-_ar/s1600/emmanuel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_nLH4sqOl_v_s7jqOG61HZLKp6m_TfPskvdXqrUbF3YDiqSTKm6f0A9p-xKuKoZIDRJ_z_MCBvlu780ME0yqknOVAR0Ef5c8LNIyOznjzzYMUhmai-3GNGsubqIXgDnizGaTjxjU-_ar/s320/emmanuel.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they
shall name him “Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” (Mt 1:23)</span></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="BodyStyle">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. (Mk
1:3)</span></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="BodyStyle">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who
is the Messiah, the Lord. (Lk 2:11)</span></div>
</div>
<div class="BodyStyle">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="BodyStyle">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have
seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace
and truth. (Jn 1:14)</span></div>
</div>
<div class="first-line-none" style="background: white; line-height: 12.15pt; margin-bottom: 5.05pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="BodyStyle">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, the Saviour is born to be with us unto the end of the age.
Let us receive Him into our lives and pay homage to Him. Let the Word become
flesh and dwell in our hearts. Let us be filled with joy on seeing the Lord.</span></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Merry Christmas to all. God bless. God is with us. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7440812643778421710.post-6975382004116072352015-12-12T22:03:00.000+05:302016-04-26T17:19:45.393+05:30Our Lady of Guadalupe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9kxYnfwYdeVFJLsMDKapPkmqj6lrlS5RneDqGfX-ySwhkNIjw-Y1vzixS06vvFfIjGtNmU5B36AwzbOB_7lXY83GQIYczy56uQjFxZubw9mTft4fNVEvqLwbL3d1JGcQPzVIh-ESsEzgv/s1600/guadalupe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9kxYnfwYdeVFJLsMDKapPkmqj6lrlS5RneDqGfX-ySwhkNIjw-Y1vzixS06vvFfIjGtNmU5B36AwzbOB_7lXY83GQIYczy56uQjFxZubw9mTft4fNVEvqLwbL3d1JGcQPzVIh-ESsEzgv/s200/guadalupe.jpg" width="135"></a></div>
<span style="text-align: justify;">Today is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The above image
was given by our Mother to a humble peasant on December 12, 1531 as a token of her
appearance and the urge to build a Shrine in her name for the sake of conversion
of sinners. The image was formed on a piece of garment worn by the peasant with
colors so beautiful that were not to be found anywhere on earth. The bishop was
astounded at the sight of the image and passed orders to build a Shrine in
honor of the Blessed Virgin. Many people believed and turned from their evil
ways.</span><br>
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</div>
<div class="BodyStyle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br>
</div></div><a href="https://reflectionsofapoorsoul.blogspot.com/2015/12/today-is-feast-of-our-lady-of-guadalupe.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7440812643778421710.post-32223590834640246592015-12-08T21:58:00.000+05:302016-04-14T15:34:29.278+05:30Feast of Immaculate Conception<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Today is Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the holy,
solemn day to commemorate the immaculate conception of the Blessed Mother.</span></div>
<div class="BodyStyle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 16.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></span></div>
<div class="BodyStyle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 16.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">While most people know the phrase “Immaculate
Conception,” there is at least one common misconception about the doctrine. The
Immaculate Conception does not refer to the conception of Jesus in the womb of
Mary (for which we have the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord on March 25<sup>th</sup>),
but rather the conception of Mary to her mother, Saint Anne.</span></span></div>
</div><a href="https://reflectionsofapoorsoul.blogspot.com/2015/12/feast-of-immaculate-conception.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7440812643778421710.post-54694290922593507332015-12-07T20:40:00.000+05:302016-04-14T15:35:50.091+05:30The Prayer of the Pharisee<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Jesus was a bold, bold man. He is the kind of person who would take up
some really annoying examples which directly apply to you and throw it right into
your face. One such episode is the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax
Collector, said in the presence of precisely those people whom it referred to
in the parable (Lk 18:9-14).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">The Pharisee was condescending, sanctimonious and judgmental while the
tax collector was simple, humble and accepting of his own mistakes. He was
realistic and exactly knew what he was. He had the insight to see himself
exactly as he was. The Pharisee, on the other hand, no matter what he thought of
himself to be, was highly deluded. The man lived with a false sense of
self-worth, with a sense of righteousness which actually never existed. And
isn’t that just a little sad?</span><br>
</div></div><a href="https://reflectionsofapoorsoul.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-prayer-of-pharisee.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7440812643778421710.post-13029620581779569062015-12-01T09:59:00.000+05:302016-04-26T17:21:24.496+05:30A Voice Cries Out!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwt9x2mgtOf44vvB8OHDRs7o9hhINZkQGHkTz43oI-L4l28-VK6R2GW49gWQhCXv0eJs8i1iS4Lq0uU_E2BvcmpndF7myO6SDC7v7TzQvGoEEAXZILhnOF8BmTic69t1kZg_quxOrdPuQ/s1600/Prepare-a-Way-for-the-Lord.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwt9x2mgtOf44vvB8OHDRs7o9hhINZkQGHkTz43oI-L4l28-VK6R2GW49gWQhCXv0eJs8i1iS4Lq0uU_E2BvcmpndF7myO6SDC7v7TzQvGoEEAXZILhnOF8BmTic69t1kZg_quxOrdPuQ/s200/Prepare-a-Way-for-the-Lord.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and
a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall
rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and
might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. His delight
shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the
poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the
earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill
the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness
the belt around his loins. (Is 11:1-5)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">A voice
cries out:</span></span> <span class="text"><span style="background: white;">“In the
wilderness prepare the way of the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="background: white; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">,</span></span> <span class="text"><span style="background: white;">make straight in the desert a highway
for our God.</span></span> Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain
and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level,<span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">and the rough places a plain.</span></span> <span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background: white;"> </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">Then the glory of the Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">shall be revealed,</span> and all people shall see it
together,</span> for the mouth of the Lord<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">has spoken.”</span></span> (Is 40:3-5)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy
Advent Everyone!</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7440812643778421710.post-79514757910702286302015-11-30T21:55:00.002+05:302016-04-14T15:37:02.305+05:30The Two Blind Men<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Going
through the Gospel of Mark, I noticed the healings of two blind men – one at
Bethsaida (Mk 8:22-26) and another at Jericho (10:46-42). Reading keenly, I
realized there is a difference, a sharp contrast in the way both these healings
take place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">At
the Bethsaida healing, Jesus took the blind man by hand, led him out of the
village, put saliva on his eyes and laid hands on him. The man could now see,
but not clearly. So Jesus laid hands on him again and looked at him intently.
The man’s sight was restored and he could see everything clearly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The
Jericho healing, on the other hand, was quick and easy. Jesus heals the man
with just a few words – “Go, your faith has made you well.”</span><br>
</div></div><a href="https://reflectionsofapoorsoul.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-two-blind-men.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7440812643778421710.post-2419777673140725022015-11-28T15:23:00.002+05:302016-04-14T15:38:34.877+05:30The Parable of the Sower<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">While
going through the parable of the sower (Mk 4:1-20), I always assumed myself to
be in the category of the seeds that fall on the good soil. The only question was whether I produced a yield of 30, 60 or 100. I always knew it for sure that
it was anything but 100, and therefore prayed for the grace to bear a bountiful
fruit of 100.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Going
through the passage once again this morning, I was somehow stuck by the realization
that how terribly wrong I had been all these years, how sadly mistaken. May the
good Lord forgive me my ignorant self-righteousness.</span><br>
</div></div><a href="https://reflectionsofapoorsoul.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-parable-of-sower.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7440812643778421710.post-15012942711763341092015-11-25T21:23:00.000+05:302016-04-26T17:24:46.084+05:30The Path of Grace<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The
Blessed Virgin Mary is the greatest example of a life of grace. Her grace was
so whole and complete that it sets her apart to be chosen as the holy mother of
God. The angel of the Lord addresses her as “full of grace”. Nowhere in the Bible
do we come across anyone being addressed as being full of grace. We have
prophets, great kings, wise men, holy men and women, martyrs, et al; but none
of them was ever given such an honor and recognition from an angel from Heaven.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mary’s
reaction to this address is noteworthy. She is “greatly troubled” and does not
understand what it meant. Anybody having received such dignified remarks from
an angel of God would be elated and inflated with pride. But Mary, on the
contrary, is perplexed.</span><br>
</div></div><a href="https://reflectionsofapoorsoul.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-path-of-grace.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0