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Thursday, 01 October 2009
Saturday, 12 September 2009
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Currently
Dark Night of the Soul: A Classic in the Literature of Mysticism By St. John of the Cross (Doubleday Image Book)
By St. John of the Cross
see relatedReal Deal
Oohhs, you know I love you. But I'm gonna have to go with St. John here. Consuming soul food from Oohhs and Aahhs can't bring my soul on a journey to have a more loving union with God. Yea, I doubt it. I do know that this can though. Aahhhh, I'm looking forward to this. Another great journey this will be.
Thursday, 13 August 2009
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Currently
Empty and Beautiful
By Matt Maher
see relatedHalfway Through
Lately I've been doing a lot of reflecting on how much has changed about me mentally, spiritually, and physically. I did some growing up on my own, grew so much deeper in the faith and with my relationship with God, and gained weight - HAPPY weight...which I intend to lose eventually. I gave my room a makeover in the beginning of summer. I was taken to the hospital twice: once in Florence and the 2nd time around at home. Had surgery for the first time ever. Had my heart broken when my brother was sent to the hospital a week after me. Watched him get married a few days after. Daily Mass became a non-negotiable. Grew apart from some people. Grew closer to others. I've been reading a lot more books than the usual. I've met some of the most inspiring people ever. I witnessed God move through the leaders of our nation and am still being constantly reminded by the Lord about how crucial the Eucharist is/should be in our lives.
This may already seem a bit lengthy but there's so much more that went on with my life within these past seven months. And most of them, if not all, I didn't see coming. Ever since my last entry, I've really been trying to put together a blog. In fact, I've jotted down several topics I wanted to write about but it didn't come through for some reason. After reflecting about the things that happened this past year, I didn't want all of these thoughts to go to waste. Writing this was more of a reminder to myself about how GLORIOUS God has been to me...and the year isn't even over yet! What happened so far this year were simple affirmations of how my life can be so wonderful if I keep on allowing God's will to be done. I'm happy because God is so faithful! He's always been and always will be. Siiiiigh.
Make your heart as happy as mine and listen to this song =)
"If indeed what I am saying is true,
and this is what the Church says,
then our hearts need to start burning
with a deeper understanding of who and what
this Eucharist is."
TRUUUUUE! More to come of this...
Monday, 08 June 2009
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Currently
A_cross//The_earth:Tear Down The Walls
By Hillsong
see relatedSouth Dakota... Next Trip?
"You prefer pine trees to palm trees, rivers to oceans, and mountains to skyscrapers..."
After cruising to the Caribbean a number of times and having an incredible semester in Europe, the mountains of North America would be a nice choice of scenery for a change. We're so blessed to live in a country with so many different geographic conditions and I really feel inspired to go someplace I have not yet visited. Some place different. South Dakota sounds pretty awesome to me. And perhaps complete another life goal and ride on a hot air balloon over the Badlands? Just some wishful thinking...
I remember sometime during the beginning of my stay in Italy, a good friend was telling me about how he'd rather explore more within the already diverse country, rather than always focusing on other places. I think it's time to explore other places in the U.S. that I haven't yet visited.
The world is huge. The first page of my travel journal lists a great number of places I still want to visit. I'm still young and I want to see the world, starting with the U.S. God-willingly. Actually in whatever order He wants. I don't mind. I just want to travel.
Read more...
Sunday, 31 May 2009
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Let The Fire Fall
Other than the Annunciation, my personal favorite ecclesiastical feast has always been Pentecost, for it commemorates such a radical event that took place in our Catholic Church thousands of years ago and continually moves me every time I am reminded of it. Though it may have occured thousands of years ago, the fire in my heart reignites just rereading the passage from Acts this time of the year or whenever I hear Talk 4 at a Youth Camp or Talk 8 at a CLP.
Trying to comprehend the fact that 3000 were converted and baptized in 1 day all because the Apostles were unimaginably filled with the Holy Spirit is so difficult for me to fathom. So Incredible. Nowadays, we would consider it a lofty unattainable task. Why is that?
Not only were the Apostles filled with the Holy Spirit. From the very beginning, the Holy Spirit dwelt within Abraham, Noah, Moses, David, Mary, and countless others. It was the same spirit that empowered Moses to lead the Hebrews out of bondage and into the Promised Land. It was that same spirit that motivated Peter to become the rock of our church. It was that same spirit that guided Mother Teresa as she did mission work for the poor. These people were all empowered by the same Spirit which then justifies our purpose. Our purpose in life should be directed always towards Heaven. Their goal was Heaven. The salvation we want and have is guaranteed by the way we live our lives. I pray that we may continue, or begin if we haven't yet started, to live with God, for living with God is being with the Holy Spirit.
It was all because of that same Spirit which propeled them to do so. Realistically speaking in our world today, I'm not saying we should be evangelizing 3,000 people in a day just like the Apostles, but we should completely and wholeheartedly allow the Holy Spirit to use us in whatever way He pleases as we reflect on The Great Commission that Jesus instructed before He ascended into Heaven. We may not evangelize 3,000 in our entire lifetime... maybe not even 100. But what we can do is simply say "yes" and LET THE FIRE FALL. Once more, He will use us in whatever way He pleases.
Happy Birthday to the Catholic Church!
