"Guest post by INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY" FIRST AMENDMENT: A federal court has ruled that the ObamaCare contraception mandate violates the guarantee of free exercise of religion and forces some to choose between their religious conscience and bankruptcy. The Supreme Court's decision in June 2012 that ObamaCare was constitutional because its fines for not complying with its mandates made the law a tax within Congress' authority to impose did not end the constitutional or court challenges to this attempt at redistribution of health and wealth. On Friday, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Gilardi v. HHS that ObamaCare's contraception mandate violates the constitutional rights of plaintiffs Francis and Philip Gilardi, two Catholic brothers who own Freshway Foods and Fresh Unlimited. The two companies plus Freshway Logistics provide health insurance for their 400 employees through a third-party administrator. The court ruled that they face the choice of violating their religious beliefs in providing insurance to their employees or closing up shop. In the belief ObamaCare's contraception mandate violates their rights under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and the free exercise clause of the First Amendment, the Gilardis filed a lawsuit against the government in January. The D.C. appeals court agreed with them. The mandate, according to Judge Janice Rogers, writing for a divided three-judge panel, "trammels the right of free exercise" and would force the plaintiffs to choose between bankruptcy and violating their religious beliefs. "They can either abide by the sacred tenets of their faith, pay a penalty of over 14 million and cripple the companies they have spent a lifetime building, or they become complicit in a grave moral wrong," Rogers said. She also noted the contradiction between Obama-Care's previously ruled constitutionality and the provisions of the RFRA, which Congress passed. At least with that law, most of those who voted on it actually read it, and it was not written behind closed doors. "This time," Brown wrote, "we are not confronted with a question of constitutional authority. Instead, we must determine whether the contraceptive mandate imposed by the Act trammels the right of free exercise -- a right that lies at the core of our constitutional liberties -- as protected by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act." The D.C. court thinks it does, and we agree. So do scores of Catholic and non-Catholic institutions and businesses who argue either that the way they run their private businesses is an extension of their faith or that a church, something the federal government seeks to redefine, is not something that happens one hour a week on a Sunday but 24/7 through the hospitals, schools, soup kitchens and charities they may operate. They argue that acting out their faith through their works should not be illegal. Brown dismissed the government's claim that this infringement on religious liberty was necessary to protect the reproductive rights of women. "It is clear," she said, "the government has failed to demonstrate how such a right -- whether described as noninterference, privacy or autonomy -- can extend to the compelled subsidization of a woman's procreative practices." The Gilardi brothers don't want to restrict anyone's reproductive rights or deny the Sandra Flukes of the world access to contraceptives. They simply don't want to be compelled to pay for them in violation of their religious beliefs under penalty of law. Like the plaintiffs in Hobby Lobby v. Sebelius, who also object on moral grounds to sterilization and abortion, the Gilardi brothers just want to run their business in a way that conforms to their religious convictions. So far most courts have agreed. Of nearly 40 challenges, only a handful have upheld the government's requirement that employer health plans provide free birth control. We suspect the Supreme Court will eventually have to sort this out, and hopefully it will realize there is no asterisk after the First Amendment."Read More At INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY"
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Book Birthdays New Titles This Week 32
RELEASING 4/22 - 4/28
THE PRIVATE BY KIERA CASS
The Jumble #2
"THE HOTLY-ANTICIPATED SEQUEL TO THE NEW YORK Become old" BESTSELLER "THE JUMBLE".
Thirty-five girls came to the palace to flood in the Jumble. All but six sustain been sent home. And solo one drive get to say "I DO" Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.
America torpid isn't sure where her heart lies. At the same time as she's with Maxon, she's swept up in their new and panting romance, and can't dream of person with role excessively. But whenever she sees Aspen standing minder on all sides of the palace, and is conquered with reminiscences of the life they planned to rift. Subsequently the group tapering down to the Private, the other girls are even chief customary to win Maxon over-and time is working out for America to preside over.
Lone in the same way as America is sure she's complete her selection, a crushing loss makes her concern everything once again. And to the same extent she's under attack to conceive her projected, the hedonistic rebels that are customary to overpower the monarchy are promising stronger and their devices may perhaps take it easy her move at any appreciation of subtle rub.
AMAZON THE SELECT PITCH
Hot Blooded by Amanda Carlson
Jessica McClain #2
It hasn't been the best week for Jessica McClain.
Her comrade has been kidnapped by a God hell-bent on revenge
but Jessica is playing for keeps.
For instance she's the solo female werewolf in town...it comes with its own set of programming...and powers.
Aided by two vamps, two committed Tract members, and one very desultory whatsoever, Jessica essential freeing her man to the same extent coming to conditions with what person a wolf really form.
All in a day's work for a girl.
The flash up-to-the-minute in the Jessica McClain series is a full on action experience featuring one fervent God and to excess of monsters, demons, and a few of late risen beasties...
AMAZON THE SELECT PITCH
Unrefined Untrained Seraph by Scott Speer
Constant Urban #2
Human being turned upside down for Maddy Montgomery in the same way as she found out she was half-Angel and was catapulted inwards the vista of flashbulbs, paparazzi, and the strapping worship that comes with person in the table Seraph world. She's uncertain to call up her paradigm life-high school, lead, friends-with the able weight of person in the ancestors eye as heartthrob Seraph Jackson Godspeed's girlfriend.
And now Maddy essential tip the utmost extreme selection of her life. She's been offered the move to become a Advocate. This form inward bound inwards adverse and high stakes training, with no guarantee that she can succeed. But chief than that, it would mean desertion her living thing life behind-forever-and allying with the Angels at a time in the same way as their connotation with humans is scrape for war....
AMAZON THE SELECT PITCH
Toughened by Elizabeth Norris
Unravelling #2
Four months once upon a time Ben deceased express the terrace to his home construction, Janelle believes she'll never see him once again. Her world is torpid brokenhearted, but life is at the end of the day starting to resume some appreciation of normalcy. Until Interverse Rep Taylor Barclay shows up. Everybody from an proxy construction is working a whatsoever trafficking ring, kidnapping population and retailing them on opposite Earths-and Ben is the set up not likely. Now his lead has been spellbound and drive be executed if Ben doesn't turn himself once again within five days.
And in the same way as Janelle learns that someone she cares about-someone from her own world-has become one of the gone astray, she knows that she has to help Barclay, regardless of the harass. Now Janelle has five days to chase down the real culprit. Five days to rest the gone astray population back they're lost permanently. Five days to unite with the boy who scarf her heart. But as the clues begin to add up, Janelle realizes that she's in way once again her head-and that she may not sustain accepted Ben as well as she inconvenience. Can she recount the truth back everybody she cares about is killed?
AMAZON THE SELECT PITCH
Over and done Subsequently The Breakfast by Kristin Miller
"CEO and alpha werewolf Drake Wilder has set up the run through for his one true love. At the same time as he discovers that she's a secretary in his collaboration, Drake's prehistoric instincts kick inwards overdrive."
"Being he wouldn't proffer to sustain her fingers rake once again his corpse noticeably of the keyboard..."
"Free-spirited bartender Emelia Hudson requirements not any chief than to make her Seattle-based bar succeed. But in the same way as pay packet dwindle, she slips inwards a dress please and secures a nine-to-five. At the rear learning that her bar has become land-dwelling of Wilder Fiscal, Emelia is customary to get some answers."
"Two can put on the bitter contraption game. If solo her attraction to the advanced wasn't so able..."
"At the same time as Drake's similar brother rationalize that Drake has found his match-and now inherits their father's billion responsibility estate-he hatches a mission to attitude Emelia out. Drake vows to protect her at all payments, but he concentration sustain to pay with his own life. "
AMAZON
The Awakening: Aidan by Abby Niles
"Is the gift of eternal love a blessing or a curse?"
"At the rear soul of counseling grieving shifters, minimize and half-shifter, Dr. Jaylin Avgar has become bland on shifter mating. She requirements to say "I DO" a whatsoever and leave out about the love for eternity crap. After that she meets Aidan O'Connell, an exasperatingly laid back shifter who represents everything she doesn't hardship. Yet, the chief he pursues her, the chief she craves a projected with him. Absolutely one thing stands in her way: death. Can she conquered her apprehension of losing Aidan to the one guarantee in life?"
"Millionaire shrink, Aidan O'Connell knows he'll one day put together a woman who'll catch fire an adamant mating motivation. Remarkably, that woman is Jaylin, who has no fears about portentous him that he and his so-called eternity can place it. At the same time as she pushes him exposed, he takes a drastic shift so she can no longer escape. The crash contact throws the motivation inwards overdrive. Can he domination the understand engrained in him until he's resolved she drive reciprocate the bond, or drive a import of shabbiness retribution him to hell on earth? "
AMAZON
The Demon's Call out by Kendra Leigh Fort
"The direction to Hell is smooth with good intentions. At nominal, that's how it seems to Sofia Rivera in the same way as her entrance to help a friend ends in a blood-soaked hit with creatures that aren't even understood to befall. Subsequently a group of imp vampires customary not to look into a bachelor conform to to their cruelty hot on her heels, Sofia finds herself saddled with an indestructible bodyguard-Phenex, the fallen Seraph of Call out."
"Although the vampire king heredity out the decadence ominous to attitude down his criminal world realm, Sofia drive sustain to hire with a fallen angel whose dark beauty is recurrently at odds with his defiant construction. Slothfully, Sofia and Phenex proffer in to the peculiar attraction neither can deny. And as the murkiness closes in on all sides of them, Phenex begins to disclosure whether even the wickedest Fallen concentration find his own subtle rub...and his heart. "
AMAZON
Great, Dim, and Wonderful by Jenna Bennett
"Being the Greek god of love doesn't mean you believe--or want--anything to do with that diffused opinion. Reflex, Eros runs his matchmaking contraption, Finished in Illusion, but finding his own love has never been part of the equation. At the same time as he spots the loaded baker who works across the way, he vows to robust her with someone excessively back she stirs his brooding heart."
"Annie Landon has set up on finding Mr. Rightly. Being she desires is Mr. Rightly Near, Rightly Now, and this so-called "GREEK GOD" she's heard is on the repel sounds fantasy the elegance appreciation of getaway. But span up the acid workaholic is easier expected than done...remarkably in the same way as he seems improperly customary to robust her with someone excessively."
"Can a woman looking for love-and the matchmaking god who requirements her to find it with someone who isn't him-have a arrive at a subtle ending? May the best god-or mortal-win. "
AMAZON
Insincere the Witch Next Access by Melissa Bourbon Ramirez
"Down-on-her-luck witch Storie Sphere never inconvenience the biggest presage to her projected would be Reid Malone, the very man she'd run from soul back. At the rear gorgeous it luxurious in Texas shale, he's back in town, and he seems hell-bent on getting in the way of her bookstore's terrific opening. A witch uncertain to merge in in a teensy weensy southern town is business enough, but now he's roughly unhappy her snug No Kissing Individual Men procedure. But even witches don't sustain a spell for that."
"Reid knows there's far away chief to Storie than meets the eye. But vindicated now he has solo one mission: to innovation her shop so he can sequester the insubstantial secret share out to his father's million-dollar moonshine recipe. In the same way as he does, he can go back to the city and get out of his teensy weensy home, a place in which he has no projected."
"But as the days go by, he can't help falling for Storie in every way...and every war brings him rather to finding out what happens in the same way as you try to hoodwink a witch. "
AMAZON
Origin: my-spiritual-path.blogspot.com
Luna Strikes
"If u thought THAT was bitchy I wonder how you will take my next questions. 1 how can you call yourself a follower of harm ye NONE if you have spells for children and a section on curses? Did you not study ethics and what it entails? Did your teacher NOT teach you that you are responsible for the reactions to your actions? did you not know that if someone uses your info wrong, or takes it as wicca and someone gets HURT of DIES because a majority of ppl only use ONE site, then YOU are responsible. they are also responsible as it is their choice, but your incomplete info can cause harm in someones reaction. "
"That symbol ISN'T the "most commonly used". in fact I went searching for it (after I emailed you) as I am well aware of all the "new age" versions of things (and how a lot of ppl who only THINK a wiccan in merely a "good" witch exist). not a single reference to the symbol was found. Not to say their isn't one, just that I don't think you are truly doing your research. If you are so easily offended by a nice way of putting things, I wonder how you will take my lack of sugar. Hears one praise for you though. Your symbol for Uranus was pretty good. I found your site while doing some research of my own (which I usually avoid doing on the internet due to all the fakes and ppl who give "bad" advice and 'facts' that are not facts) on the symbol of Uranus (I actually never use the internet to look up Wicca due to nut jobs and such but I actually didn't notice until your site was on until after clicking... wasn't paying attention. "
"I admit it, I was irritated after two hours of research and so much BS it wasn't funny, so I didn't even look). Once at the site though I looked through it a little. I did not notice certain things until after the email otherwise it really WOULD have been "bitchy". Just to clear something up. A wiccan in lamens terms in a HEALER and a protector (shield spells and protection spells). If in your options all cause harm, you must look for the least harm in the big picture. cursing is a no no as it is HARM and giving an innocent that kind of responsibility is close to the crime of just destroying them, in fact that is exactly what it is in some cases. Magik is a wonderful thing but in the hands of someone who does not understand what they are doing of the weight of it... "
I must wonder for how many innocents (children) you are responsible for the actions of. curses I see too much. a common misconception of ppl who have the "good witch" theology. thing is. you use them? you are NOT wiccan. pure and simple. The only exception to the rule with children is if they are of the stage in life (usually varying from ages 8-12, and never without parental knowledge and consent) where they are prepared in their own mind to decide what they wish to believe and have decided they wish to believe in this path. I chose my path rather young and my brother chose a different one years later. did that make it easy? no. Did my teacher teach me spells right off? HELL no. I was taught ethics first and then asked if I wished to continue. then I was taught healing remedies. THEN I was taught the bare minimum about spells and set unto it with her watching over me and letting me form my own comfortable style. Please note. this teaching style was used due to the highborn natural thing, so I am unsure of how it would work on someone who isn't one. I am not even NOW ready to take on an apprentice. Why? mostly personal reasons. I enjoy learning from others. My lady elder (respectable term for a dear one to me who is a crone as well as a high priestess and a shaman) also looked at your page. In fact I double check with her to see if, in all her years along the path, she had seen the symbol you used for Pluto. nope. that was before I e mailed you.
The next and final thing you need to understand for the total weight of understanding? People DIE. Not just in high magik (usually of the more powerful varieties than what you wrote about... and that isn't something I use anyway), but they die because they are KILLED. Their are still those today who die because someone does LIKE the fact that they are (what is actually only the term since burning times) a "witch" (before the burning times wicca were "village healer"-more common term, "priestess"-less common term unless you were one talking to others, but always respected in those things.) and guess what they do little one? they kill them. do you know why this continues beside some very corrupt ppl in a church somewhere?
"site like yours with incomplete or wrong information. every death your site could prevent or has helped cause is also your responsibility. for your sake, I sincerely hope the death I witnessed as a child is not one of them (though I already know it is not). I have studied for years. You have been studying how long young one? I am not meaning to pull the seniority thing (which is annoying in of its own) merely referencing experience level. Still. There are those who have studied longer and know more than me. be more careful with what you put out, and please, either remove your status as "wiccan" or change your site. otherwise I will be informing others and spreading the word because your site is part of the problem. This is not a threat. again. nobody would hurt you.... just make sure others knew your site was not credible as a wiccan site. If you need a reference book for your own studies, a good one author is silver raven-wolf of Scott Cunningham... although before anything else I recommend "Wiccan beliefs and practices" by Gary Cantrell (you need it little one)... and a book about the knights code (this is how one thinks as a healer... minus the fighting... though their is a path today that uses that code in full.. just not Wicca)."
Now obviously, this person has not thoroughly read my site because the section on curses contains philosophical information and notes hot to take them off. It DOES NOT contain curses that you can cast on others. The section on spells for children are spells designed to help and to heal them. But don't believe me, click the links and see for yourself.
As I states in my earlier response, I used the symbol for Pluto which I feel is most commonly used today. In fact, the original symbol for Pluto which combines the letter P and L is actually to honor Percival Lowell who is credited with discovering the planet (and yes, I know scientist no longer consider Pluto a planet). Again, I did not "forget" to include any information at my site (although I know there are places I wish to go back and add information and update old information). I purposefully left out some information, as many writers do, to encourage the seeker to do their own work.
I don't believe Luna's statement that most people use only one site for their information. The current trend in metaphysical circles (which is in itself a controvertible subject) is eclecticism. Today's seeker isn't as interested in adhering to tradition as earlier ones were, but rather pick and choose their beliefs and practices a la carte so to speak.
Out of curiosity, I used the email "Luna" used to contact me to find her on facebook in order to learn a little bit more about this person who keeps referring to me as 'young one'. I won't give her real name, but according to her facebook page Luna graduated from high school in 2007 which would make her about 22 years old.
So, Luna, as YOUR ELDER, I would advise you to tuck your pointy little hat back between your legs and head back to Hogwarts to get your facts straight. Better still, try practicing what you preach. Think about the harm YOU are creating with your negative attitude. YOUR thoughts, WORDS, and deeds come back to you for good or ill, isn't that the Threefold Law?
Carolina Dean
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Dark Moon Enters Taurus Hecate Night
Reference: just-wicca.blogspot.com
Spiritual Testimony
Sr. Annata Brockman gave the witness presentation at the Feb. 4 Nothing More Beautiful session on the theme, Jesus Christ: Lamb of God and Bread of Life. Here is her testimony.
When Jesus was on earth he said that he spoke only the words that his Father told him to speak (John 12.49-50). In preparing for this "witness," I have asked God to let me speak only the words that Jesus tells me to speak, so I hope that some of you will be able to identify with the action of Jesus in your life as I reveal his action in mine.
So, this is a story about Jesus acting in my life as Lamb of God and Bread of Life.
It is the journey of faith by which Jesus invites me to inner transformation, so that by using "God's gift of free will", I might enter into an intimate relationship with Jesus and thus become that special person God had in mind when he created me in his own image and likeness.
I was born the eighth child in a wonderful Saskatchewan family of strong faith - Paul and Louise Brockman and their 12 children - six boys and six girls. We lived on a farm, eight miles from the nearest Catholic church, and attended Mass and other church services regularly.
If we were unable to get to church because of muddy roads, we would go back home and, in today's liturgical vocabulary, you could say that we participated in Mom and Dad's "lay-led liturgy." Our family prayed together, worked together, played ball, cards, sang and danced together.
Most of our family was baptized a few days after we were born, and I received my First Communion when I was seven years old. My First Communion was not a very happy one because in those days Church law stated that to receive Holy Communion we had to fast from food and drink from the midnight before.
CRUMBS ON THE TABLE
While I was waiting to go to Church, I ate a few crumbs from the table where my mother had made some sandwiches. At age seven I didn't realize that "the law was made for us, and not we for the law," so even though my conscience bothered me, I received Communion.
For months later I thought I had committed a horrible sin, and that if I died then I would go straight to hell. This thought bothered me so much that one day I pretended I was in hell. I imagined the worst possible scenario: a place where there was no love, where only hatred existed, and from there I cried out to God, "Put me in hell if you want to and you will see that I will love you from there!"
PHOTO SUPPLIED
Sr. Annata Brockman as a postulant in 1946.
Immediately that fear of hell left me and I was never afraid again. I entered a new relationship with Jesus, the Lamb of God, who freed me from fear. After that we were always together, and I depended on God for everything.
JESUS ON THE HANDLEBARS
When I was 17 years old we moved to Kelowna, B.C., on account of my father's health. At that time students usually only completed Grade 12 or senior matriculation, then went to normal school in preparation for teaching.
Each school day as I rode home alone, I would pretend that Jesus was sitting on the handlebars as I rode the bike, and we would talk. Of course, I did all the talking! I would ask, "What do you think I should do next year"?
The thought would come, "Maybe you should be a sister," and I would say, "0h, Lord, please don't ask me to do that." I had my own plans. I planned to get married, and have a large family. For months the thought would come, "Maybe you should be a sister", and I would always say, "Lord, please don't ask me to do that."
One Sunday I had just come back from receiving Communion when the invitation of Jesus was so powerful that I realized it was God's plan for me, so I said, "Alright, Lord, if that's what you want, but let sister come to me."
Right after Mass, Sister Superior sent for me and, as I ran over to where she was waiting, she said, "I think you have a vocation, and you should come to Halifax this summer."
CLOSE TO FAINTING
I have never fainted in my life, but I was never so close to doing so because I realized how God took me at my word, not interfering with my free will, but waiting patiently until I was ready to say "yes". That very afternoon two sisters arrived at our home to inform my parents that they felt I had a vocation, and should enter the Sisters of Charity in two months.
In response to my excuse, that I should teach first and help the younger family members to get an education, Dad replied, "If God calls, nothing stands in the way." The words of Scripture came to me, "You did not choose me, but I chose you, and I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last" (John 15.16).
I promised God then that I would love him for ever, that I would give 100 per cent of love and service to his people, and I meant what I said.
PHOTO SUPPLIED
Sr. Annata on her final Vows in 1949.
I knew that God had chosen me not for who I was or for anything I could do, but for what he could do to reach out to his people through me. I would be the body and the bones, but the spirit in me would be his spirit.
Just as the Father has sent Jesus to the world, Jesus was sending me, as he has sent multitudes of bishops, priests, religious and lay people to carry on his mission and to act through us "to save and to give life."
In spite of my promise to follow God's plan for me, it wasn't easy for I had to die to my own plans, in order to rise to God's plan. I was still a novice when my father died, and for a long time I experienced real loneliness for him and for my family.
The loneliness was so intense that I wanted to die, and I even prayed that my community would find me "unfit" to be a sister, and would send me home. In hindsight, this time of loneliness was the best thing that could have happened because every time this emotion struck me, I would say over and over again, "May Jesus Christ be praised!"
To help me to die to that loneliness, and to rise above it, I took a resolution "that I would smile, even if I cracked my face in the effort." Needless to say, through this painful experience, I grew in my relationship, in my friendship with Jesus.
After my first profession as a Sister of Charity, I began teaching in Halifax, then North Sydney, Kelowna, Cranbrook, Edmonton and Vancouver. I loved the students, teachers, and parents and tried to call forth the best in them.
GOD'S LOVING PRESENCE
While in Cranbrook, I experienced a conscious awareness of God's presence within me. All I had to do was to close my eyes, and experience God's loving presence. It was an experience that I would love to enjoy every minute of every day. But I realized that it was easy to serve others when Jesus was my very Bread of Life nourishing me from within.
So I shared my thoughts with Jesus, "It's easy to serve you, Lord, when you flood me with an awareness of your loving, warm presence. I know there is probably a better way to serve your people." Then I said, "Only if you want to," and I repeated it: "Only if you want to, you can take away this awareness of your presence and give this experience to others somewhere in the world who are finding it difficult to cope with their situation." I stressed again, "only if you want to, and provided that I never offend you."
From that moment this conscious awareness of God's loving presence within me left me and I have not experienced it again in these last 50 years. I know that my love for God does not depend on feelings or emotions, but on my decision to love God, and Jesus our Lamb of God, and Bread of Life.
When I had completed my master's in administration and was appointed principal of St. Mark School, I had an excruciating pain in my back. I knew I could not carry on as a principal and accept this constant pain, so I talked the situation over with Jesus on the cross.
'YOU CHOOSE!'
I looked at the crucifix in our chapel, and said to Jesus, "If you want me to be a good principal, that's fine with me, or if you want me to bear this excruciating pain the rest of my life, I can accept that, but I can't do both."
Then I looked intently at the crucifix and said to Jesus, "You choose!" The pain left me, and I knew what Jesus had chosen as part of God's plan for me.
My years in school as teacher and principal were very happy ones for I believed that together with the teachers and parents we were preparing the students for life here on this earth, for life in a world community and for life in eternity, our true home.
I believed then, as I do now that every human being on this earth is my brother, my sister in God's family, and therefore, I should respect each student and person as I would respect the Lord.
PHOTO SUPPLIED
Sr. Annata dances with her brother at her 50th anniversary.
I saw The Lord's Prayer as a most important prayer, not only because Jesus gave it to us, but also because it gave us the power to be the mouthpiece for every human being each time that we address God as "our Father", not "my Father" asking Our Father that God's kingdom of love would reign on earth, that God's will be done, that God would forgive us as we forgive one another.
IMITATING JESUS
I often wondered what the forgiveness of Jesus was like that I was to imitate. How could Jesus, the Lamb of God, become alive in me? How could Jesus as Lamb of God reach out through me rescuing, saving, salvaging, freeing, liberating me and those with whom I come in contact from the things which keep us from God?
When a friend of mine suddenly turned against me for no apparent reason, I felt like Peter asking Jesus, "How often should I forgive? As many as seven times?"
I felt like giving up many times, but took a resolution not to let anyone destroy me as a person. By some special gift, I was with this person when she was dying.
After some moments of silence, she said to me, "How can you ever forgive me? I was so jealous of you, and I tried really hard to hurt you. Can you ever forgive me?" I could truthfully say, "I have already forgiven you."
Then she asked me if I thought all the others, whom she had hurt, would forgive her and I assured her that I knew they would. Her response was a deep sigh of relief. Knowing that she was forgiven, she died peacefully about 20 minutes later.
Some time later, I was asked to see a patient who was dying, and didn't have much time left, so I went that night to see him. I knew that he had not spoken to his sister for 17 years, and now he was dying in a state of a lack of forgiveness.
So I asked him if I could contact his sister, but he refused as he did not want to have anything to do with her. When I reminded him that Jesus would forgive him as he would forgive his sister, he finally agreed to let me try to reach her. But he did not want to be alone with her until they were reconciled.
He died peacefully three weeks later, and I knew it was Jesus who longed to reconcile them, and I was the "lamb with skin on" that made reconciliation possible followed by a happy death. I knew, as St. Paul said in his second letter to the Corinthians (5.18-20), "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; so we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
PRAYER AND SACRIFICE
From my dad I learned how to be an ambassador for Christ, and that sometimes both prayer and sacrifice are required, as in the life of Jesus.
While Dad was dying of cancer and had been given five days to live, a woman was dying in an angry, bitter manner. Dad heard her yell at the priest to get out of her room. Dad said that he would suffer as much as necessary, as long as necessary, if that woman would only die in peace.
She died in five days having been reconciled to her family, to God and to the Church while Dad lived for almost six more weeks in excruciating pain without complaining.
A similar opportunity came to me when a friend was dying at home. After visiting the man, the family told me that their Dad really wanted to die at home, but they didn't know how much longer they could carry on.
When I went home that night, I asked Jesus not to let that family break under this. I told Jesus that if there was any unfinished work in this man's life on earth, I would take it upon myself to complete it in whatever way God chose. I wasn't surprised when I received a call from the family two days later informing me that their Dad had died peacefully at home.
After my years in school, I was asked to be pastoral associate in St. Joseph's Basilica. This was all part of God's plan for me because I realized more than ever that I would be one of those people through whom Jesus would eagerly reach out "to touch, encourage, challenge, love, inspire, and reconcile" his people.
For 23 delightful years I believed that I was privileged to share in the ministry of truly great archbishops, priests, staff and parishioners, and in the mission of Jesus in this intimate, compassionate way. I asked Jesus not to let me "get in the way of his action through me."
WORKING FOR GOD'S PEOPLE
We worked together on behalf of God's people, sometimes through prayer, sometimes through action by coordinating the RCIA journey of faith, or by preparing children and adults for the various sacraments, or families for Christian burial of their loved ones, sometimes encouraging and helping people prepare to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation when past fear kept them from experiencing God's loving forgiveness through this sacrament.
Every day was a special day because I knew that Jesus was indeed touching the hearts of many people, changing them and giving them new life.
PHOTO SUPPLIED
As a pastoral assistant at St. Joseph's Basilica, Sr. Annata is calming the nerves of Edmonton Sun Columnist Graham Hicks on his wedding day.
In conclusion, I can say with St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians (3.12-15), "I have not yet reached the goal - the finish line. I give no thought to what lies behind, but push on to what is ahead - life on high in Christ Jesus."
THE GOSPEL LIVES
In spite of the fact that Jesus has nourished me for over 60 years in daily Eucharist - nourished me through the Scriptures and nourished me with himself as Jesus, Bread of Life, in his sacramental presence - I realize that the Gospel is only the printed word until it becomes alive in me, and until the Spirit and action of Jesus becomes alive in my day-to-day living.
To be alive in me means to take on the mission of Jesus when he said, "I have not come to condemn the world, but to give it life - and life in its fullest." Jesus came to announce a kingdom or reign of love where no one is excluded from the Father's love, so I have to ask myself the question, "Do I allow God to "stretch me" to include everyone in my love?
GOD'S FAMILY
I know at this age in my life, I only need to prove myself to God - to be my best self to God. I can accept myself for who I am because God has accepted me, the Father has given me my identity - I am a daughter in God's family - and Jesus has reached out through me to touch his people.
It makes no difference to me whether I live another hour, another year or 10 years, because my time on earth will be for God's people. I believe my work will continue in heaven since, if Jesus answered my prayer on earth, how much more would he answer my prayer when I am in his loving presence.
I truly want God's best for each one of you! May Jesus reach out through you to touch, encourage, challenge, love, nourish and reconcile his people. My prayer for you will be The Hebrew Blessing, the words and music by one of our sisters, Suzanne Abruzzo, and sung now by the choir.
"May the Lord bless and keep us, and let his face shine upon us. May he be gracious to us all. May he show his love so kindly, and give us peace and strength. Amen. Amen
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Why Almsgiving
Scripture often speaks on how there was an inverse relationship between our growth in grace and our attraction to money. Does poverty equate with spirituality? No, but remember how easy it is for a rich man to get into heaven? (Think Eye of Needle) Perhaps, the reason the Church emphasizes this during Lent is to refocus our values which have a tendency, especially in my case, to get out of focus.
I am thankful that the Church reminds us to reach into our wallets and out of ourselves for the poor and needy this season of Lent.
"Dear brothers and sisters, Lent invites us to "train ourselves" spiritually, also through the practice of almsgiving, in order to grow in charity and recognize in the poor Christ Himself. In the Acts of the Apostles, we read that the Apostle Peter said to the cripple who was begging alms at the Temple gate: "I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk" ("Acts "3,6). In giving alms, we offer something material, a sign of the greater gift that we can impart to others through the announcement and witness of Christ, in whose name is found true life. Let this time, then, be marked by a personal and community effort of attachment to Christ in order that we may be witnesses of His love. May Mary, Mother and faithful Servant of the Lord, help believers to enter the "spiritual battle" of Lent, armed with prayer, fasting and the practice of almsgiving, so as to arrive at the celebration of the Easter Feasts, renewed in spirit. With these wishes, I willingly impart to all my Apostolic Blessing." (cf Pope Benedict 16th's Lenten Reflection)
Reference: goddesses-and-gods.blogspot.com
Friday, December 5, 2008
Love Spells Chants
Credit: animals-and-shamanism.blogspot.com
