St. Anthony of Padua & The Cross

Saint Anthony of Padua said: "Extending his arms on the cross like wings, Christ embraces all who come to him sheltering then in his wounds."
The cross beckons in the darkness of our woundedness of sin to Christ. In his wounds, at his cross we find shelter, healing and wholeness. This season of Lent let's pray that all those struggling in life may find the peace and healing that Christ longs to provide. Together let's surrender anew to His wounds.

SURRENDER
His call to love he heard anew,
Surrender made that clear.
His broken heart in trust
He offered up without fear.

The tears and broken heart,
he gave in simple hope,
That Loves dawn
shine through
and brighten
others dark nights.

Spiritual Warfare

There is an interesting post on another Christian website, Bob Larson Ministries, that describes a profound meeting that took place recently at the Vatican. Bob Larson is a Protestant Christian minister that is quite active in the ministry of exorcism. He describes his meeting with the Vatican's chief Exorcist, Father Gabriel Amorth,( http://www.boblarson.org/Bob_Larson_-_Vatican_Report_/bob_larson_-_vatican_report_.html ). This prayerful meeting, I am convinced, has caused great joy in Heaven and intense fear and consternation in Satan's legions.
Spiritual warfare is a reality affirmed in Scripture (Eph. 6:12-20). It is intensely evident in the harsh and graphic warfare of the spirit seen in our world today. The blindness, hatred and violence expressed in the bloody Islamic reactions to cartoons, the greed, corruption and violence that fuels the wars in the oil soaked mideast, the scandels in the church (Catholic and protestant), the battle for the family (divorce, materialism, hedonism and sexual promiscuity), abortion, the false gospel of SELF, all of these and many more are powerful examples of Satan seeking to destroy the soul and life of humanity.
Sadly Christians can fall to two common temptations in this conflict. One is to ignore or pretend that this warfare is not real but just the stirrings of ultra-conservative Christians. It seeks to either dismiss the manifestations of evil as only psychological problems or the product of ignorant superstitious minds. The second popular temptation is to over emphasize the power of Satan and yield to fear and doubt. This is evident when Satan is blamed for every disruption or challenge to the harmony of life. It may be fed with virtual superstitious devotions or scrupulosity.
The truth-filled response and teaching of the Church lead us as Christians to rejoice in the victory (and yes the battle) we share in the triumph of Christ achieved at the holy Cross and the resurrection. We need to take the time to prayerfully heed the message of God's Word and His Church: (II Cor. 10:4, Lu. 22:31;; Jn 16:33;; I Jn 5:4 and the many exorcisms shared in the Gospels, done by Christ and in the Book of Acts by His Church; also study the Catechism of the Church, paragraphs:391-395 & 1673).
The meeting of Bob Larson and Fr. Amorth invites and challenges all beleivers to recognize the conflict at hand and to allow the Holy Spirit to unite us, at the Cross, with our Lord, our Blessed Mother and all the saints to grow in the victory of God's grace and redemptive love. Jesus promised Peter that upon this rock He would "...build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" Mt. 16:18. Jesus describes a growing, victorious people and faith that would confront and overwhelm the very gates of hell. This battle of holy love is ours, with Christ and His holy angels.

Prayer to St. Michael

St. Michael the archangel
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against
the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray.
And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host,
thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.

St. Sebastian

May the same grace that brought St. Sebastian into the arms of Christ through the martyrs path be with us. For those in deep persecution and for all the faithful in their daily spiritual sacrifices, St. Sebastian, pray for us.

ST. SEBASTIAN
by H. Martin
20 January 2006


Body broken, pierced by arrows,
Sebastian knew and felt the sorrow.

Called by God to simply trust,
Faced the hate that doubt did thrust.

Roman soldiers, courage known,
Sebastian something more did own.

Called to serve the King of Kings,
A holy joy his life would sing.

Strength, courage, faith he shared,
with those cringing under persecutors glare.

Strength and character much admired,
the Roman court was inspired.

“Honor Rome, the world is yours”,
Sebastian faced the tempters throne.

Pleasure, pride, senses heed,
let your noble flesh be pleased.

While admired, sought by men,
to serve and be their pleasing friend,

Sebastian heard a greater need,
from the soul of men did plead.

“Fill the empty void I know,
while pleasure, power, pride do flow”.

Empty hearts do ache and long,
for love, for purpose, to belong.

Sebastian heard the desperate plea
and to Christ he did flee.


Finding there Love’s full embrace,
he found the courage with to face.

Doubts and fears, hatred strong,
for those denying Satan’s song.

Called to choose whom to serve,
Sebastian for the Christ did yearn.

Doubt in hate the arrows lust
for his body with killing thrust.

Left to die the martyrs death,
arrows failed his life to quench.

Holy care a sister gave,
life remained, courage brave.

Doubt and hate, pride did hear,
so chose to attack again their fears.

Clubs assailed, the body pierced,
crushing breaking his noble face.

Sebastian’s holy body died.
Sisters, brothers , faithful cried.

Tears of love they did know,
tears of joy even more so flowed.

Sebastian brave, in holy love
shared with us his martyrs blood.

Bringing to all who will,
the hope, the love of Christ to fill.

Persecution still does flow,
from doubt and hatred’s brutal blows.

Called to Christ to love, to live,
in simple faith and courage give.

Our lives in trust and love for Him,
who frees us from the chains of sin.


Free to follow, serve and fight,
in the quest for holy life.

Saint Sebastian for us pray
that with courage we may stay,

Close to our Holy King
So His praise and love to sing.

Rain, winds, floods, mud and debris ushered in the New Year. While the weather has mostly cleared there is still a lot of clean-up being done. Roads especially take a beating in this sort of weather. from potholes, mudslides and flood damaged bridges we find that the normal path of life can be disrupted. Sometimes this is for a brief period. it may be just an ongoing aggravation as we detour around a slide, a pothole or wash out. Some roads may face extended closures. The picture in this blog is the First Street Bridge over the Russian River just below flood peak. Our neighbors to the south in Geyserville are facing an unknown time of closure of the Hwy. 128 Bridge over the river. It was significantly damaged during the flood.
Having worked "flood duty" for many years (American Red Cross, Twin Hills-Gold Ridge Fire District, Calif. Dept. of Forestry & Fire Protection) I was especially constrained to pray for both victims and responders during these challenges. Floods bring many hazards and challenges but one in particular is that they tend to impact those involved for extended periods of time. A fire or accident can be a tragedy that can change lives profoundly. However they tend to be of fairly short duration. The recovery or rebuilding may be extended but the actual crises is usually short, yet painful.
Floods are usually more prolonged in there assault on our lives. They are usually preceded by a stormy siege (in an of itself problem laden). Some floods are gradual with time to prepare and respond. Flash floods can occur very quickly with horrendous results. Here in Northern California we face both. The actual flood can occur for hours, days or even weeks. Then comes the clean-up and rebuilding. That can take years. All this brings about the reality of flood-fatigue. This is the condition that sets in when victims or responders run out of adrenalin and the harsh muck and stench of the damage is recognized.
Storms, floods and the damage and decay they bring are sometimes the seeming condition of life on a broader scale. In personal struggles, family or work challenges we can often face sieges of harsh weather. Then come the actual floods of life. Sickness, financial troubles, relationship losses all can overwhelm and inundate the individual or family. While we may face the early tides of trouble in our own strength,soon we all can face the exhaustion of flood-fatigue.
The pictures at the top of this blog are of our flooding river. While the river was flooding, just to the northeast of the bridge the rainbow appeared. Once again I was reminded that it is in the storms and floods of life that we discover the promises, the strength and provision of Christ. It is in our need, fatigue and weakness that we experience the epiphanies of Emmanuel, God with us.

"For unto you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" - {Luke 2:8-13} So proclaimed the angels to the shepherds. Now over two thousand years later the proclamation has not lost any power or majesty to any who will listen in faith. The Sandro Botticelli painting helps us to realize the profound immensity of this event. It also invites us to open our hearts to the unseen, or unheard beauty and message of the Kingdom of God. As we worship Him this Christmas may we truly join the angels in proclaiming His glory. May we allow Mary to bring us to know, as we have known Him before, Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us.
This Christmas may we each draw near to the Christ child and allow Him to touch our hearts to believe, our ears to hear, and our eyes to see Him.

The Roses of Guadalupe

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a rich and beautiful account of the visitation of our Blessed Mother to a struggling new believer in a land where the Gospel of her Son was struggling agaisnt the paganism of the native Americans and the cruel greed and politics of a conquering world power. It was a setting with failure written all over it. Not unlike the the Church, Christ's Kingdom today. But for the grace of God.
I find many aspects of the story inspiring. But as a gardener the Castilian Roses are of special interest. For the native American, Juan Diego, to find the roses, in December in Mexico and the for the roses to transform into the image of Our Lady provide a two-fold miracle whose power should not be lost on us today.
Juan Diego found the roses in response to trust and a loving obedience. The blossoms of God's grace bloom wherever fertile hearts are willing to allow the Light of the Gospel to shine. The external seasons, the climate (spiritual, moral) will have as much impact as God's design and faith determine.
One lesson is clear. The beauty of God's grace and love longs to bloom in our hearts, our lives and our times as we but trust and have the courage to follow Him.

Closed for Christmas?

According to Fox New's Brit Hume several "mega churches" are planning on being closed for Christmas day, http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,177763,00.html . The rationale given by the church leaders is that since Christmas has become so secularized that it doesn't really matter and that this provides staff time to spend with their family on Christmas day.
This is a sad commentary on the focus and health of the American Christian depth of faith and love for Christ, Emmanuel, God with us. IF the primary focus of these "mega church" worship services is entertainment and the gratification of the American appetite for sensory gratification then perhaps it is just as well. I guess it is truly is a lot of work to produce and present some of the weekly media productions and the staff will probably like the day off.
However what about..coming to Him who came for us, to worship and adore Christ Jesus? What about simply listening in faith and love to the Scriptures, or receiving His sacred Body and Blood in the Eucharist? What about worshipping, together, with family, the birthday of our King?
What about Jesus?

Christ is coming...Where are we going?

Advent..it struck me today how much is said about the coming of Christ, appropriately enough. Christ is coming, returning in glory, it is a real and powerful promise. Also the truth and beaurty of Christ's first coming, the Incarnation, God, made flesh, born in a stable, in redeeming love for us all. Simply, truthfully powerfully said..God came and is returning...yet it leads me to consider, where are we going?
Are we "going crazy" trying to meet the absurd and impossible demands of the season played out in the glossy advertisements and commercials? Buy this gift and your loved one will forever love you and be happy!!!! HOGWASH!

Are we going to make all the family meet our hopes and expectations and when there any get togethers everyone will be in place with their smiles of harmony?? Probably not. And if our hope is that they will meet our expectations perhaps it is better to thankfully pray for our loved ones and ask God to bless and guide them where He wills for their happiness.

Are we going down memory lane visiting all the "what if's", the "if only that hadn't happened" or "if I had only"...Memories are precious and need to be visited. But to live in the past???

There are many places we can go this Advent season. But if He came for us. Might we not want to go to Him?

Dark the Night

DARK THE NIGHT

Dark the night,
embraced only by the empty ache of loneliness.
Dark the clouds,
with their cold caress of sorrow.

Questions torn from the heart,
borne on the wind,
buffet the soul,
with stinging tears.

Weary and in pain,
stumbling in the dark,
with wounds confounding
his senses.

But, the whisper of dawn is heard..

"I know and understand,
your needs and your hopes,
they are of My design...
Surrender to My arms
know my Holy Love"

Surrendering anew,
Light from dawn beckoned,
In weary hope he saw
that His Love would never die.

Bailey & the rain

Bailey, my Golden Retriever is very happy today. Northern California is very rainy. Creeks are flowing, grass is soggy, puddles are prolific. This morning he and I went to the vineyard behind St. Peter's for his mid-morning tinkle break. As I huddled under the umbrella he grinned his way through the rain. Savoring the puddles, eating the green grass, trying to take a sneaking run into the creek he was overjoyed with life, amidst the storm. For good measure he took a good roll on the wet lawn in front of the church. Bailey's only frustration is that when he went inside the office no one would come out to play. In spite of his disappointment his Golden grin was soon replacing the disappointment in his eyes.
It reminded me of the prayer I saw the other day; "Lord make me the person my dog sees in me", even when I won't roll in the wet grass with him.

Poems

KINGDOM OF HOLY LOVE

Holy Jesus, our Lord, Savior, our Love,
As your servants help us to follow You,
In the quest of Your Kingdom of Holy Love.

Help us to look with Your eyes of faith
as we behold You and each other
To listen with your ears of truth,
to Your Word Your call in our lives
To touch and feel with your passion and mercy.

In trusting holy love may we embrace
In and at Your Cross.
Help us to cast aside the fears,
To reject the doubts of the world that assail our
lives.

As servants of Your Holy Love,
may you knit and embrace our spirit and souls,
with the love of Your choosing,
And, as we die to self and this world
In Your Love
may the passion of your Cross unite our lives,
in Your Kingdom of Holy Love.


Help us, as we follow You,
In this quest for Your Kingdom,
To share and proclaim the beauty and joy
Of Your Holiness,
The limitless expressions
Of Your Love,
To all we meet.

Clothed in naked hope,
the quest for love commands.
To love as You love us,
to break through fearfilled lands.


ASCENSION LOVE

Holy Ascended Lord, teach us to love as you love.
May we see the sorrows of life with Your eyes of hope
and healing.
May we share the joys You bring with humble open
hearts.
Help us to embrace, with you, all you bring to us,
with that same love and mercy with which You draw us
to yourself.
Lead us Jesus to love as You loved, sharing the
passion of the Cross and the intense boundless joy of
Your resurrection. As we live, as we love, Holy Lord,
make us Your lovers in true word and deed.
Amen


COURAGE

Courage,
to seek, to share, to be open,
Courage,
to hope, to trust,
Courage,
to be happy, to give and receive,
Courage,
to hurt, to heal,
Courage,
to forgive, and be forgiven,
Courage,
to succeed, to fail,
Courage,
for life
Courage,
for His love.

"Love has no room for fear; rather perfect {mature}
love casts out all fear" I John 4:18

GOD'S LOVE SLAVE

Hearing His call I came,
In fear, in dread,
Knowing myself, unworthy, weak and broken,
Seeing Him, Beautiful in Holiness
and Love.

My sin, my failures,
I sought to hide,
In reason and faulty intellect,
In pride-filled unbelief.

Still he called,
He drew me to Himself,
In His arms, with gentle strength,
He washed and healed,
And I saw,

His hands were scarred,
His side, the wound,
I cried, Why?
He answered, Love
He smiled, I cried,
In Love...

He whispered gently,
Will you trust Me?
Yes I said,
Lifting my head, he looked at me,
Will you love Me?
Yes, I wept.

Drawing me closer,
I felt the pierce, the thrust,
And with the pain
His Love entered.

After resting He spoke again,
Let us go,
Let us love.
Hearing His call,
I will follow...amazed,
In Love.

{Exodus 21:5-6; Romans 12:1-2; I Peter 2:16-17;
4:1-8}