Suicidal Thoughts

I had suicidal thoughts yesterday’s morning.

I almost jump off from the flat I was staying.

I didn’t care if I was going to hell.

I didn’t care if Jesus loves me.

I didn’t even think about God.

I only thought of my parents.

How much it would break their hearts if I took that jump.

So I want to thank Him.

For giving me them.

Pitiful

Tags

reflection

Most of my friends on Facebook are Catholics. I noticed that by the amount of ‘Blessed Sunday’ posts and other Day of Celebration greetings I received on the social media.

Then perhaps a very small good number of them are the non-believers. Most people I know do not express their atheism online but of course some did. And of course the expression was done by a sarcasm to those who believe in Him.

When most people would react in anger if not offended by these remarks, I found it to be saddening.

I found them to be pitiful.

Of course I am foreseeing atheists to be very angry with this blog so if you are not planning to be reading this with an open mind I suggest you to walk away.

Just close this tab.

I’m sharing to my fellow believers.

Remember when you feel sad and down, but everything still bearable. Because you know it is bearable because you know God will never leave you alone.

They don’t have that.

Because they refuse to believe that.

Remember when you are unable to help, but you intercede for it. Later you find out God grant you a small miracle that you can’t wait to share with your cell-group members?

They don’t have that.

Because their definition of miracle is when God drop something from heaven. The small things that happen, they called it coincident.

I suddenly remember one story of Mother Theresa I heard a long time ago. When she had few food left to give to the poor, suddenly a truck full of food was sent by a stranger.

She prayed to God. The food came. Was it human or God who sent the food?

Of course atheists and non-believers would have different answer.

One thing I could say as a follower of Christ why I think atheists are pitiful, because they have no one to lean on when things get ugly and life gets darker.

How do I know He is there in the first place? I never seen Him in person.

It’s easy. I just believe.

Self-Judging is a Christian Virtue, said Pope Francis

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homily, lent, pope francis, reflection

In his Lenten homily on Mar 2, the head of Catholic church said self-judging is a Christian virtue.

Here are some meaningful quotes from that homily.

To judge oneself means “not hiding from the roots of sin that are in all of us, the many things we are capable of doing, even if we cannot see them.”

“We are all masters, professors of self-justification and have an alibi to explain away our shortcomings, our sins while putting on an innocent face. This is no way to lead a Christian life.”

“This Lent, it would do us all good to have this dialogue with the Lord,” in which we accuse ourselves. Let us ask for mercy.

Read the full report here.

We are All Sinners

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pope francis, quote, reminder

We are all sinners. We are all called to a conversion of heart.

— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) February 3, 2015

Graces Derived from Assisting at Mass

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catholic, Eucharist, graces, Holy Eucharist, mass, pieta, promises

1. The Mass is Calvary continued.
2. Every Mass is worth as much as the sacrifice of our Lord’s life, sufferings and death.
3. Holy Mass is the most powerful atonement for your sins.
4. At the hour of death the Masses you have heard will be your greatest consolation.
5. Every Mass will go with you to judgement and plead for pardon.
6. At Mass you can diminish more or less temporal punishment due to your sins, according to your fervor.
7. Assisting devoutly at Holy Mass you render to the sacred humanity of Our Lord the greatest homage.
8. He supplies for many of your negligences and omissions.
9. He forgives the venial sins which you have not confessed. The power of Satan over you is diminished.
10. You afford the souls in Purgatory the greatest possible relief.
11. One Mass heard during life will be of more benefit to you than many heard for you after your death.
12. You are preserved from dangers and misfortunes which otherwise might have befallen you. You shorten Your Purgatory.
13. Every Mass wins for you a higher degree of glory in Heaven.
14. You receive the priest’s blessing which ratifies in Heaven.
15. You kneel amidst a multitude of holy angels, who are present at the adorable Sacrifice with reverential awe.
16. You are blesed in you temporal goods and affairs.

In eternity, we shall fully realize that it was certainly worthwhile to have assisted at Holy Mass daily. Pray for priests that they may offer the mass with holy love and reverence.

Glory Be To Jesus and Mary

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glory be to jesus and mary, letter, pieta, prayer, virgin mary

A letter written by the Blessed Virgin Mary to the City of Messina where St. Paul, the Apostle preached the gospel, which has been preserved in the Reliquary of the great altar.

”I, Mary Virgin, servant of God, very humble Mother of Jesus Christ, Son of God, the Almighty and Eternity, to all who are in Messina, health and benediction in our Lord. You have learned by the ambassadors who have been sent to you. You received the gospel and acknowledged that the Son of God has become man, and has suffered the passion and death for the salvation of the world, and that He is Christ and also the true Messiah. I beseech you to perservere, promising to you, and all your posterity, to assist you in the presence of My Son.”

(Great graces are given to those who carry a copy of the letter.)

Mary Virgin, very humble servant of God.

Ave Maris Stella

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ave maris stella, pieta, prayer

During a riot at Rome, a mob came to the house where St. Bridget lived; a leader talked of burning Bridget alive. She prayed to Our Lord to know if she should flee to safety. Jesus advised her to stay: ”It doesn’t matter if they plot Thy death. My power will break the malice of Thy enemies: ”if Mine crucified Me, it is because I permitted it.” Our Blessed Mother added: ”Sing as a group the Ave Maris Stella and I’ll guard you every danger.”

Ave Maris Stella
Dei Mater alma,
Atque semper virgo,
Felix coeli porta.

Sumens illud ave,
Gabriellis ore,
Funda nos in pace,
Mutans Evae nomen.

Solve vincla reis
Profer lumen caecis
Mala nostra pelle
Bona cuncta posce

Monstra te esse Matrem
Sumat per te preces
Qui pro nobis natus
Tulit esse tuus

Virgo singulas
Inter omnes mitis
Nos culpis solutos
Mites fac et castos

Vitam presta puram
Iter para tutum,
Ut, videntes Jesum
Semper collaetemur
Sit laus Deo Patris,
Summo Cristo decus
Spiritui sancto:
Tribus honor unus.
Amen.

Hail thou star of ocean
Portal of the sky
Ever virgin Mother
Of the Lord Most High

Oh! by Gabriel’s Ave
Uttered long ago,
Eva’s name reversing,
Established peace below

Break the captives’ fetters,
Light on blindness pour,
All our ills expelling,
Every bliss implore

Show thyself a Mother,
Offer Him our sights,
Who for us incarnate
Did not thee despise

Virgin of all virgins
To thy shelter take us,
Gentlest of the gentle
Chaste and gentle make us

Still, as on we journey,
Help our weak endeavor,
Till with thee and Jesus
We rejoice forever
through the highest heaven,
To the almight Three
Father, Son, and Spirit,
One same glory be.

Amen.

Power of Prayer

Tags

allsaintsday, prayer, quote, quotes, saints

I have been reading The Story of a Soul, the autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux again.

I was compelled to these quotes she wrote about prayer.

“Verily in prayer and sacrifice lies all my strength, they are my invincible arms; experience has taught me that they touch hearts far more easily than words.”

“How wonderful is the power of prayer! It is like unto a queen, who, having free access to the king, obtains whatsoever she asks.”

“Apart from the Divine Office, which in spite of my unworthiness is a daily joy, I have not the courage to look through books for beautiful prayers. I only get a headache because of their number, and besides, one is lovelier than another. Unable therefore to say them all, and lost in choice, I do as children who have not learnt to read—I simply tell Our Lord all that I want, and He always understands. With me prayer is an uplifting of the heart; a glance towards heaven; a cry of gratitude and love, uttered equally in sorrow and in joy. In a word, it is something noble, supernatural, which expands my soul and unites it to God. Sometimes when I am in such a state of spiritual dryness that not a single good thought occurs to me, I say very slowly the “Our Father” or the “Hail Mary,” and these prayers suffice to take me out of myself, and wonderfully refresh me.”

Blessed All Saints’ Day!

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allsaintsday, catholic, music, praise, praise and worship, song, worship

Let us join all the saints in heaven to praise our almighty God on this All Saint’s day with this song from Planetshakers!

Still, My Soul Be Still

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Kristyn Getty, music, praise and worship, prayer, song, theme song, worship

I offer up my prayer now Lord. I just want my soul be still.

Words and Music by Keith & Kristyn Getty & Stuart Townend  

Still my soul be still 

And do not fear 

Though winds of change may rage tomorrow

 God is at your side 

No longer dread 

The fires of unexpected sorrow  

God You are my God 

And I will trust in You and not be shaken 

Lord of peace renew 

A steadfast spirit within me 

To rest in You alone  

Still my soul be still 

Do not be moved 

By lesser lights and fleeting shadows 

Hold onto His ways 

With shield of faith 

Against temptations flaming arrows  

Still my soul be still 

Do not forsake 

The Truth you learned in the beginning 

Wait upon the Lord 

And hope will rise As stars appear when day is dimming