Faith Blog: My God and My All, Let Thy Name Be Glorified!

As I reflect the crucifixion of Jesus, in the context of family life of discipleship, I am struck with awe of witnessing the glory and strength of  divine love for human and all creations. I visualize the human and divine perspectives of Jesus at this mystery. I reflect upon the human agony and cry of Jesus which can be witnessed in Jesus cry to the Father and the divine aspect of forgiveness of Jesus for all humanity and all those who hurt Him. Finally, I reflect the authority of Jesus over the life and willing surrender of life into Father's hands. Family life of call is a purposeful, willful, surrender of love. Family love has two sides to it including human side and divine side. It has human side of sufferings as family is built by man and a woman who are human, and it has also divine side, which is the love of Holy Spirit in it. Thus suffering families have human side of suffering and the divine side of suffering. Acknowledging the will of the Holy Spirit in the midst of su...

The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery THE CRUCIFIXION The hands and feet of Jesus are nailed to the cross in the presence of His afflicted Mother. "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." "This day you will be with Me in paradise." "Woman, behold your Son. Son, behold your Mother." "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" "I thirst." "It is finished." "Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit." The side of Jesus is pierced with a lance. His body is taken down and placed in the arms of His Mother. Father, by the merits of the crucifixion and death of Jesus, have mercy on us and on the whole world. Spiritual Fruit:  Pardoning of Injuries

When I reflect on Jesus carrying the Cross, I also visualize that Simon helping Jesus to carry the cross. Family has a heart of charity and charity is its primary call. Being charitable to each other within the family, neighbors, and community is a call of family life. Being charitable may also include forgiving one another, being responsible for fulfilling each other's needs, tolerating each other's weaknesses etc.... Opportunities for sacrifices at the family are many. Willful surrender of ones will under the will of God in leading the family life may help to follow Jesus with our own cross. The families those who have learned to follow Jesus on their way of the Cross inherit the strength, power, and charity to help suffering families and for those who need helping hands. Families have ability to heal themselves and have strength to heal those who suffer by their charity and witnesses. Reflecting Jesus carrying the cross at the Holy Mystery of Holy Rosary may bring hea...

When I reflect on Jesus carrying the cross, on our behalf, I also reflect that the call of family life following Jesus foot steps may require ability to carry the cross. Individual family life of call is unique and its challenges are unique. At the same time, every family is endowed by the gifts of Holy Spirit which provides the strength, stamina, charisma, endurance, and willingness to carry the cross of the family. Carrying cross within the family and for the family is a love labor. Family has inherent power to endure sufferings on the way of the cross with Jesus. Family has power to heal itself, with their willingness to suffer or carrying the cross for one another looking upon Jesus, and it has power to heal other suffering families by its witness of virtues and endurance. The world always tend to underestimate the power of the suffering family. Suffering families portray the loving heart of Heavenly Father to the world. Willing surrender to the will of God during suffering wi...

The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery THE CARRYING OF THE CROSS One condemned to death by crucifixion is forced to carry the cross to the place of execution. The suffering of Jesus is intense as the cross is laid on His bruised and wounded back and shoulders. Weak and exhausted from loss of blood, lack of food and rest, Jesus falls three times under the cross. Jesus meets His afflicted Mother causing untold anguish in the Hearts of Son and Mother. The countenance of Jesus is disfigured with blood and sweat, with dust and spittle. Veronica wipes His face, leaving on her towel the image of His countenance. Fearing that Jesus might die on the way, the soldiers force Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross behind Jesus. Jesus speaks to weeping women; "Weep not for Me, but for yourselves and your children." "If anyone is to be My disciple, let him take up his cross and follow Me." Father, by the merits of this painful journey to Calvary, have mercy on us and on the...

DAY 2 Hear me O Lord, and have pity on me. Prayer: Father in heaven, Your love for us never falters in spite of our transgressions and failures. Please show Your mercy for me in my difficulty (mention your request). Through the intercession of St. Francis and for the sake of Christ, Our Savior, have pity on me. Amen. Your offering today: See the suffering Christ in someone around you. Lord, make me an instrument of peace Where there is hatred,Let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; And where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master grant that I may Not so much seek to be consoled As to console; To be understood, As to understand; For it is in giving that we Receive, it is in pardoning that We are pardoned. And it is in Dying that we are Born to Eternal life. St Francis of Assisi Novena prayer of the Immaculate Conception. Hail, holy Lady, Most holy Queen, Mary, ...

Secular Franciscan Order St. Joan of Arc Fraternity Retreat at Poor Clare On October, 4 th 9am to 3pm In celebration of St. Francis Feast COME SHARE PRAYER AND FELLOWSHIP WITH YOUR FRANCISCAN FAMILY AT OUR RETREAT ON Saturday, October 4th, 2014 Bring your lunch, Bible, Rosary, and prayer folder with you: We will be giving a monetary gift cheque/ money to the monastery for the event. Please contribute to the cause Address Monastery of St. Clare, 1310 Dellwood Avenue, Memphis, TN 38127 See you there! Retreat Agenda (Ongoing formation activity) Retreat Leaders: Cathy/ Helen 1.     Gathering and Greeting the sisters: 9am – 915 am 2.     St. Francis song & Office: Morning Prayer 3.     9.30am – 11am: Reflection on St. Clare (Each one come prepared to discuss about St. Clare. Read about St. Clare and pick one or two virtue/s which may apply to your life. Dis...

DAY 1 O God, come to my assistance. Prayer: Heavenly Father, You know all things and nothing is hidden from You. In Your mercy and kindness, and through the intercession of Saint Francis, come to my aid in my present distress and grant my humble petition (mention your request). Amen. Your offering today: Show your humility by doing a good deed for someone today. peace prayer: Lord, make me an instrument of peace Where there is hatred,Let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; And where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master grant that I may Not so much seek to be consoled As to console; To be understood, As to understand; For it is in giving that we Receive, it is in pardoning that We are pardoned. And it is in Dying that we are Born to Eternal life. St Francis of Assisi Novena prayer of the Immaculate Conception. Hail, holy Lady, Most holy Queen, Mary, Mot...