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Food for the Soul





If you prefer not to scroll down for the writings, you can just click on the titles below:

A Child's Love | The Holy Spirit | Raise Up Your Child | Words of Faith | Pray Together
Contradicting Others | The Father and the Son | Accept It In His Name








A CHILD'S LOVE

Recently, upon asking my preschool-age daughter if she was ready to say her bedtime prayers, she nodded, closed her eyes immediately and spoke her prayer: "God, I love you...I love you so, so much...Don't forget I love you." After saying this, she was silent for a quite a long time. I then asked her what else she wanted to add. She answered, "That's it, mom. I'm done." So often, we pray for what we need, we even thank God for what we have, but how often do we tell Him we love Him?
People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them, and when the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. Jesus, however, called the children to himself and said, "Let the children come to me and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it."
(Luke 18:15-17 NAB)

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?" He said in reply, You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." He replied to him, "You have answered correctly; do this and you will live." (Luke 10:25-28 NAB)

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THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit teaches hearts. He takes the weak by the hand. He leads those who are making progress toward perfection. He is the one who shines in those who are cleansed from all stain and makes them spiritual by fellowship with Him. ... From this fellowship comes foreknowledge of the future, understanding of mysteries and the manifestation of hidden realities. From it the gifts of grace flow. It makes us citizens of heaven, draws us into the dance of the angels. It gives us joy without end and joins us to the eternity of God. {St. Basil the Great}
Therefore, I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven either in this age or in the age to come. (Matthew 12:31-32 NAB)

What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?" (Luke 11:11-13 NAB)

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RAISE UP YOUR CHILD

Each second we live is a new moment of the universe that will never be again...And what do we teach our children? That two and two make four, and that Paris is the capital of France. We should say to each of them: Do you know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In all the years that have passed, there has never been another child like you. Your legs, your arms, your clever fingers, the way you move...You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel. And when you grow up, can you then harm another who is, like you, a marvel? {Pablo Casals}
God created man in his image; in the divine image He created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27 NAB)

We do not keep them from our children; we recite them to the next generation, the praiseworthy and mighty deeds of the Lord, the wonders that He performs. (Psalm 78:4 NAB)

For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the learning of the learned I will set aside." Where is the wise one? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made the wisdom of the world foolish? Consider your own calling, brothers. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong. (1 Corinthians 1:19-20 26-27)

We love because He first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.
(1 John 4:19-20 NAB)


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WORDS OF FAITH

For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it.
You say: "It's impossible." God says: All things are possible. (Luke 18:27)
You say: "I'm too tired." God says: I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: "Nobody really loves me." God says: I love you. (John 3:16 & John 13:34)
You say: "I can't go on." God says: My grace is sufficient. (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: "I can't figure things out." God says: I will direct your steps. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: "I can't do it." God says: You can do all things. (Philippians 4:13)
You say: "I'm not able." God says: I am able. (II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: "It's not worth it." God says: It will be worth it. (Romans 8:28)
You say: "I can't forgive myself." God says: I FORGIVE YOU. (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: "I can't manage." God says: I will supply all your needs. (Philippians 4:19)
You say: "I'm afraid." God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear. (II Timothy 1:7)
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated." God says: Cast all your cares on ME. (I Peter 5:7)
You say: "I don't have enough faith." God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith. (Romans 12:3)
You say: "I'm not smart enough." God says: I give you wisdom. (I Corinthians 1:30)


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COMMUNAL PRAYER (PRAYING WITH OTHERS)

Solitary prayer, our personal dialogue with God, is of extreme importance for obvious reasons. Communion in prayer is achieved by 2 or more people, praying as one. It is a form of prayer that is sometimes neglected and whose power is often forgotten. Divine Liturgy (Mass) is a great opportunity for parishioners to join their souls in prayer. In addition we must not forget to pray together with our spouses and also with our children. This has the added benefit of our children learning from our input and example, as well as the strength of the prayer being multiplied.

"Again, [amen,] I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where you two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:19-20 NAB)

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CONTRADICTING OTHERS

One shouldn't contradict anybody, because we should avoid contention and dispute -- unless there was sin or harm in consenting. At any rate, when it is necessary to contradict anybody, or to assert one's own opinion, it should be done gently and considerately, without irritation or vehemence. Indeed, we gain nothing by sharpness or petulance. {St. Louis}

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9 NAB)

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THE FATHER AND THE SON

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art. When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to Vietnam and died there. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art. The young man held out his package. "I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this." The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so moved that his eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. "Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift." The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?" There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one." But the auctioneer persisted, "Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?" Another voice shouted angrily, "We didn't come to see this painting...We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!" But still the auctioneer continued, "The son! The son! Who'll take the son?" Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. "I'll give $10 for the painting," he said. Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. The auctioneer continued, "We have $10, who will bid $20?" "Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters," came a voice from the crowd. "$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?" asked the auctioneer. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!"

A man sitting on the second row shouted. "Now let's get on with the collection!" The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I'm sorry, the auction is over," he said. "What about the paintings?" someone asked. The auctioneer explained, "I'm sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!"

God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is, "The Son, the Son, who'll take the Son?" Because you see, whoever takes the Son, gets everything. {author unknown}

Jesus said to him (Thomas), "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6 NAB)

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ACCEPT IT IN HIS NAME

Be ready then, my child, to bear great afflictions for your Lord, even to martyrdom itself; resolve to give up to Him all that you hold most precious, if He should require it of you; father, mother, husband, wife, or child; the light of your eyes; your very life; for all such offering your heart should be ready. But so long as God's Providence does not send you these great and heavy afflictions; so long as He does not ask your eyes, at least give Him your hair. I mean, take patiently the petty annoyances, the trifling discomforts, the unimportant losses which come upon all of us daily; for by means of these little matters, lovingly and freely accepted, you will give Him your whole heart, and win His. I mean the acts of daily forbearance, the headache, or toothache, or heavy cold; the tiresome peculiarities of husband or wife, the broken glass, the loss of a ring, a handkerchief, a glove; the sneer of a neighbour, the effort of going to bed early in order to rise early for prayer or Communion, the little shyness some people feel in openly performing religious duties; and be sure that all of these sufferings, small as they are, if accepted lovingly, are most pleasing to God's Goodness, Which has promised a whole ocean of happiness to His children in return for one cup of cold water. And, moreover, inasmuch as these occasions are for ever arising, they give us a fertile field for gathering in spiritual riches, if only we will use them rightly.

Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. (I Thessalonians 5:17-18 NAB)
When I read in the Life of St. Catherine of Sienna of her ecstasies and visions, her wise sayings and teaching, I do not doubt but that she "ravished" her Bridegroom's heart with this eye of contemplation; but I must own that I behold her with no less delight in her father's kitchen, kindling the fire, turning the spit, baking the bread, cooking the dinner, and doing all the most menial offices in a loving spirit which looked through all things straight to God. Nor do I prize the lowly meditations she was wont to make while so humbly employed, less than the ecstasies with which she was favoured at other times, probably as a reward for this very humility and lowliness. Her meditations would take the shape of imagining that all she prepared for her father was prepared for Our Lord, as by Martha; her mother was a symbol to her of Our Lady, her brothers of the Apostles, and thus she mentally ministered to all the Heavenly Courts, fulfilling her humble ministrations with an exceeding sweetness, because she saw God's Will in each. Let this example, my daughter, teach you how important it is to dedicate all we do, however trifling, to His service. And to this end I earnestly counsel you to imitate that "virtuous woman" whom King Solomon lauds, one who "layeth her hands" to all that is good and noble, and yet at the same time to the spindle and distaff. Do you seek the higher things, such as prayer and meditation, the Sacraments leading souls to God and kindling good thoughts in them, in a word, by all manner of good works according to your vocation; but meanwhile do not neglect your spindle and distaff. I mean, cultivate those lowly virtues which spring like flowers round the foot of the Cross, such as ministering to the poor and sick, family cares, and the duties arising therefrom, and practical diligence and activity; and amid all these things cultivate such spiritual thoughts as St. Catherine intermingled with her work. Great occasions for serving God come seldom, but little ones surround us daily; and our Lord Himself has told us that "he that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much."(Luke 16:10) If you do all in God's Name, all you do will be well done, whether you eat, drink or sleep, whether you amuse yourself or turn the spit, so long as you do all wisely, you will gain greatly as in God's Sight, doing all because He would have you do it. {An Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales}

And the King will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for Me.' (Matthew 25:40 NAB)

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