The extraordinary became ordinary & vice-versa; the big & little ways

My novice master mentioned that the one pushing for the canonization of St. John Bosco resented the fact that St. John Bosco performed too many miracles. I forgot why. Was it supposed to be done for special occasions only - for big stuff like cancer? I know that if I have a gift to heal, I would quit my job and just heal all day long. I think everyone I know will do the same. So, I don’t get it. If you want to read about St. John Bosco, you can go to Salesiana Publishers on the web. He died at 1888, so there are actual photos of him. He was also ordered by the pope to write his memoirs. The accounts about his encounters with the devil is not far from what is shown in the movies – except that they’re real.
(Picture: St. John Bosco (1888) hearing confessions.)

I don’t have any miracles to report, only “coincidences” that I’ve blogged about earlier. My model, Bo, has a lot more and he has published them at http://bosanchez.ph/category/blogs/ It appears that miracles happened because he followed God’s leadings - no matter how impractical e.g. he felt that God wanted him to buy this woman a ticket. He was ready to do it at the cost of being stranded in Israel. And the stories go on.

In the video, Bo talks about just that – inviting everyone to stop being indifferent and to dedicate oneself to service.

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFpHfhjGs2A )

(Video: Bo Sanchez on a talk about overcoming indifference.)

I have friends like Ed Tiong who organizes a Filipino Ministry in VA and Ed Deausen leads a prayer group of couples and calls every one once a week to encourage them in the faith. Then there are my former companions in the Salesian Congregation who dedicated themselves with vows to educate and evangelize the young. I think they’re making miracles too – not just as awe-inspiring. For me, I am down to driving my kids to Catechism and bringing them to Mass on Sundays and confessions every now and then. I lead the prayers and teach them the ways of God. But between that and putting bread on the table, I have a few hours keeping in touch with friends over the internet. Somehow, I feel that to be acceptable too.

I remember on the last day of my Novitiate, my novice master suggested that we make 3 resolutions. I made 2 and asked him to suggest a third. He said, “Be extra-ordinarily ordinary.” It does not mean to be mediocre or so-so; rather, it means to do ordinary things with extraordinary love. I guess that’s the “little way” of St. Therese of the Child Jesus; it’s not as awesome and earth shaking as St. Francis or St. Peter.

So if the extra-ordinary became ordinary for St. John Bosco, we can make the ordinary extra-ordinary.

Onslaught

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Cool saint, not a sour puss

Source: http://www.lolsaints.com/saints/2009/holiness-then-fun

This guy, the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, had a family with wealth and political prestige while he was growing up in Rome. His father wanted him to be another influential and rich man, but Pier wanted to live a life of virtue and charity.

He secretly gave much to the poor and the sick around his house, and he often helped those who couldn't help themselves. He did all of these things while living a life full of joy and friendship (as can be seen in the picture above!). He died, sadly, of Polio at a young age, and his father (and likely many others who didn't know Pier as well as they should've) was surprised to witness thousands of mourners lining the city streets, in honor of Blessed Frassati's humble service to them.

He was beatified (made a Blessed) by Pope John Paul II in 1990, and is especially honored by those who like to live their Catholic faith filled with fun, joy and humility... including all the Saints ;-)

More at: http://www.bettnet.com/frassati/

You will feel God's love if you ask.

We all need to be loved and feel loved. But love cannot be bought or demanded. It has to be given freely and consciously to be real. It is tragic when people cannot find others to love them.

But there are always two around. The first is God, whom the Lord Jesus taught to be "The" Father. A friend of mine asks God for some love saying, "Hey Dad, can you give me a hug?" I'm sure it works because I do the same. The second is yourself. How can others love us if we do not even care for ourselves?

When our need to be loved has been filled - as least for today, then we can truly love. Our love will not be a trick to get others to love us back, but will be free and real, not manipulative and business like - waiting for pay back. It will be just like the love that our heavenly Father has given. One cannot give what one does not have. Nemo dat quod non habet.

May you feel God's love today I pray. (But you have to ask.)

This "Fishy" site is flagged.

This "Fishy" site is flagged.

Image source: http://media.photobucket.com/image/american%20flag%20pictures/kortny0602/I_Am_The_American_Flag.jpg

Where Reagan succeeded & Obama failed

Obama's like Reagan is some ways - but not where it counts. Newt's opinion below can help anyone in a leadership role succeed even if they're not from Harvard Law.

Excerpt:
"But unlike Reagan, seven months into his presidency, Obama's program for change is foundering, while Reagan's was triumphant.
:
While Reagan had enough confidence in his ideas to leave their fate to the American people, Obama has time and again tried to cut the people out of the democratic process.
Instead of having the confidence to defend its ideas, Obama has tried to rush his agenda through Congress with little or no debate, attempted to demonize those who disagree with it, and even asked Americans to inform on their fellow Americans who disagree.
Reagan is often damned with feint praise as "the great communicator" - as if his speaking style, not his ideas, was responsible for his success.
Obama first seven months is turning into proof that the gift of oratory isn't enough.
The lesson Reagan understood so well in 1981 is still true today.
Trust the people."

Click link for complete article:
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columns/The-Great-Communicator-and-the-Great-Obfuscator-8102941-53165292.html

Source:
The Great Communicator and the Great ObfuscatorBy:
Newt Gingrich
Examiner ColumnistAugust 14, 2009

Christian Art: "Stop that!"

Suggested title for mosaic: "Stop that!"



Image Source: http://www.lolsaints.com/saints/2009/stop