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New: Novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague
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Last updated: 16 Nov 98
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This page is dedicated to my Lord Jesus Christ. It is my firm hope
that it re-inspires me from time to time when I need it, and re-awakens
in me the "child-like faith" my Master requires of me. I hope
this page affects you, too, in positive ways. May the Lord bless us and
keep us; may He make His face shine upon us; and may He stretch out His
right hand to guide us in all our endeavors. Amen.
New: Christian News Page New: Novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague
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"Do you love me?"
I answered,
"Of course, God! You are my Lord and Saviour!"
Then He asked,
"If you were physically handicapped, would you still love me?"
I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and the rest of my
body and wondered how many things I wouldn't; be able to do, the
things that I took for granted.
And I answered,
"It would be tough Lord, but I would still love You."
Then the Lord said,
"If you were blind, would you still love my creation?"
How could I love something without being able to see it?
Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how many of them
still loved God and His creation.
So I answered,
"Its hard to think of it, but I would still love you."
The Lord then asked me,
"If you were deaf, would you still listen to my word?"
How could I listen to anything being deaf?
Then I understood. Listening to God's Word is not merely using our ears,
but our hearts.
I answered,
"It would be tough, but I would still listen to Your word."
The Lord then asked,
"If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?"
How could I praise without a voice?
Then it occurred to me: God wants us to sing from our very heart and
soul. It never matters what we sound like. And praising God is
not always with a song, but when we are persecuted, we give
God praise with our words of thanks.
So I answered,
"Though I could not physically sing, I would still praise Your Name."
And the Lord asked,
"Do you really love Me?"
With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly,
"Yes Lord! I love You because You are the one and true God!"
I thought I had answered well, but God asked,
"THEN WHY DO YOU SIN?"
I answered,
"Because I am only human. I am not perfect."
"THEN WHY IN TIMES OF PEACE DO YOU STRAY THE FURTHEST? WHY ONLY IN TIMES OF TROUBLE DO YOU PRAY THE EARNEST?"
No answers. Only tears.
The Lord continued:
"Why only sing at fellowships and retreats? Why seek Me only in times of worship? Why ask things so selfishly? Why ask things so unfaithfully?"
The tears continued to roll down my cheeks.
"Why are you ashamed of Me? Why are you not spreading the good news? Why in times of persecution, you cry to others when I offer My shoulder to cry on? Why make excuses when I give you opportunities to serve in My Name?"
I tried to answer, but there was no answer to give.
"You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this gift away. I have blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you continue to turn away. I have revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge. I have spoken to you but your ears were closed. I have shown My blessings to you, but your eyes were turned away. I have sent you servants, but you sat idly by as they were pushed away. I have heard your prayers and I have answered them all."
"DO YOU TRULY LOVE ME ?"
I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond belief. I had
no excuse. What could I say to this? When I my heart had cried out and
the tears had flowed, I said,
"Please forgive me Lord. I am unworthy to be Your child."
The Lord answered,
" That is My Grace, My child."
I asked,
"Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do You love me so?"
The Lord answered,
"Because you are My creation. You are my child.
I will never abandon you.
When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you.
When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you.
When you are down, I will encourage you.
When you fall, I will raise you up.
When you are tired, I will carry you.
I will be with you till the end of days, and I will
love you forever."
Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so cold?
How could I have hurt God as I had done? I asked God,
"How much do You love me?"
The Lord stretched out His arms, and I saw His nail-pierced hands.
bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Saviour.
And for the first time, I truly prayed.
The young man was at the end of his rope. Seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees in prayer. "Lord, I can't go on," he said. "I have too heavy a cross to bear." The Lord replied, "My son, if you can't bear its weight, just place your cross inside this room. Then open that other door and pick out any cross you wish."
The man was filled with relief. "Thank you, Lord," he sighed, and he did as he was told. Upon entering the other door, he saw many crosses, some so large the tops were not visible. Then he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a far wall. "I'd like that one Lord," he whispered. And the Lord replied, "My son, that is the cross you just brought in."
There are many reasons why God would not want you, but don't worry. = You're in good company!
- Moses stuttered. -- David's armor didn't fit. --- John Mark was rejected by Paul. ---- Hosea's wife was a prostitute. ----- Amos' only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning. ------ Jacob was a liar. ------- David had an affair. -------- Solomon was too rich. --------- Abraham was too old. ---------- David was too young. ----------- Timothy had ulcers. ------------ Peter was afraid of death. ------------- Lazarus was dead. -------------- John was self-righteous. --------------- Jesus was too poor. -------------- Naomi was a widow. ------------- Paul was a murderer. So was Moses. ------------ Jonah ran from God. ----------- Miriam was a gossip. ---------- Gideon and Thomas both doubted. --------- Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal. -------- Elijah was burned out. ------- John the Baptist was a loudmouth. ------ Martha was a worrywart. ----- Mary was lazy. ---- Samson had long hair. --- Noah got drunk. -- Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse? - So did Peter, Paul--well, lots of folks did.
But God doesn't require a job interview. He doesn't hire and fire like most bosses, because He's more our Dad than our boss. He doesn't look at = financial gain or loss. He's neither prejudiced nor partial, judging, grudging, sassy, nor brassy, not deaf to our cry, nor blind to our need.
Satan says, "You're not worthy."
Jesus says, "So what? I AM."
Satan looks back and sees our mistakes. God looks back and sees the = Cross.
Sure--there are lots of reasons why God shouldn't want us. But if we are in love with Him, if we hunger for Him more than our next breath, He'll use us in spite of who we are, where we've been, or what we look like.
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, now and forever, Amen.
Divine Heart of Jesus, convert sinners, save the dying, and deliver the holy souls in purgatory.
Almighty God, thank your for the gift of your Son, Jesus. I can't begin to imagine how awful it must have felt to watch your only Son as He suffered on the Cross. But you redeemed Him, Lord, and I beg of You to redeem me as well. Have mercy upon me when I come to meet you in Your Kingdom. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, it is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, grant that peace, the fruit of justice and charity, may reign throughout the world, Amen.
Jesus, we pray for an end to abortion, euthanasia, and all life-denying activities which we sinners practice in our brief sojourn on this planet.