Pope Francis' Cry for Peace

"Today, dear brothers and sisters, I wish to add my voice to the cry which rises up with increasing anguish from every part of the world, from every people, from the heart of each person, from the one great family which is humanity: it is the cry for peace! It is a cry which declares with force: we want a peaceful world, we want to be men and women of peace, and we want in our society, torn apart by divisions and conflict, that peace break out! War, never again! Never again, war! Peace is a precious gift, which must be promoted and protected. There are so many conflicts in this world which cause me great suffering and worry, but in these days my heart is deeply wounded in particular by what is happening in Syria, and anguished by the dramatic developments which are looming.

I appeal strongly for peace, an appeal which arises from the deep within me. How much suffering, how much devastation, how much pain has the use of arms carried in its wake in that martyred country, especially among civilians and the unarmed! I think of many children will not see the light of the future! With utmost firmness I condemn the use of chemical weapons: I tell you that those terrible images from recent days are burned into my mind and heart. There is a judgment of God and of history upon our actions which are inescapable! Never has the use of violence brought peace in its wake. War begets war, violence begets violence.

With all my strength, I ask each party in this conflict to listen to the voice of their own conscience, not to close themselves in solely on their own interests, but rather to look at each other as brothers and, decisively and courageously, to follow the path of encounter and negotiation, and so overcome blind conflict. With similar vigour I exhort the international community to make every effort to promote clear proposals for peace in that country without further delay, a peace based on dialogue and negotiation, for the good of the entire Syrian people.

May no effort be spared in guaranteeing humanitarian assistance to those wounded by this terrible conflict, in particular those forced to flee and the many refugees in nearby countries. May humanitarian workers, charged with the task of alleviating the sufferings of these people, be granted access so as to provide the necessary aid.

What can we do to make peace in the world? As Pope John said, it pertains to each individual to establish new relationships in human society under the mastery and guidance of justice and love
(cf. John XXIII, Pacem in Terris, [11 April 1963]: AAS 55, [1963], 301-302).

All men and women of good will are bound by the task of pursuing peace. I make a forceful and urgent call to the entire Catholic Church, and also to every Christian of other confessions, as well as to followers of every religion and to those brothers and sisters who do not believe: peace is a good which overcomes every barrier, because it belongs all of humanity!

I repeat forcefully: it is neither a culture of confrontation nor a culture of conflict which builds harmony within and between peoples, but rather a culture of encounter and a culture of dialogue; this is the only way to peace.

May the plea for peace rise up and touch the heart of everyone so that they may lay down their weapons and let themselves be led by the desire for peace.

To this end, brothers and sisters, I have decided to proclaim for the whole Church on 7 September next, the vigil of the birth of Mary, Queen of Peace, a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, the Middle East, and throughout the world, and I also invite each person, including our fellow Christians, followers of other religions and all men of good will, to participate, in whatever way they can, in this initiative.

On 7 September, in Saint Peter’s Square, here, from 19:00 until 24:00, we will gather in prayer and in a spirit of penance, invoking God’s great gift of peace upon the beloved nation of Syria and upon each situation of conflict and violence around the world. Humanity needs to see these gestures of peace and to hear words of hope and peace! I ask all the local churches, in addition to fasting, that they gather to pray for this intention.

Let us ask Mary to help us to respond to violence, to conflict and to war, with the power of dialogue, reconciliation and love. She is our Mother: may she help us to find peace; all of us are her children! Help us, Mary, to overcome this most difficult moment and to dedicate ourselves each day to building in every situation an authentic culture of encounter and peace. Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us!"

Philippians 1: 3-4

It is good to sit in your presence,
to sigh a breath of relief,
to hear the birds chirping
above the sound of the traffic,
to sense your nearness,
to have the edginess within touched and softened,
to listen for your voice
speaking deep within my soul,
longing to give direction to this new day--
if only a word.

Every muscle relaxes as I sit still in this chair,
the tension in my hands seeps out through my fingertips,
the tightness in my shoulders releases
as my head bows.
I look like I'm praying or sleeping
as I am soaking You in.

The Word has been planted today--
the universal Word--from the Mass readings.
You shall reap what you sow, and
God longs to supply plenty. 2 Cor 9: 6-10
The psalm response proclaims,
Blessed are those who lend to those in need. Ps 112
Plenty are they in our lives.
And the Gospel--the Good News--says,
We must die to self to have eternal life. Jn 12: 24-26

Speak, O Lord, your servant and friend is listening.
I am so excited to be with you,
so excited to wait for you to speak.
What will you say today?
One word--one song--from you--Eternal One--
will satisfy me,
and I will run and skip and jump for joy!

O, Divine Musician, how you love to drop songs
into my heart,
and I hear it now from Philippians 1.
"I thank my God each time I think of you,
and when I pray for you, I pray with joy."

So for all who have asked for prayer,
and all who need prayer,
I thank my God as I remember you and pray with joy.

Love & prayers,

Sheila

Just For Today

My dear friends,

One of my dearest heavenly friends is St. Therese of Lisieux. She inspires me day after day, especially with her simple desire to love.

She speaks of a profound truth in the following poem. If I can "just for today"...LOVE...both the receiving and the giving of...because she understood by divine grace, that is who she is and that is who we are...LOVE. And love is present...it is now, not tomorrow.

"My Song for Today" by St. Therese:

My life is but an instant, a passing hour.
My life is but a day that escapes and flies away.
O my God! You know that to love you on earth,
I only have today!

Oh, I love you, Jesus! My soul yearns for you.
For just one day remain my sweet support.
Come reign in my heart, give me your smile,
Just for today!

Lord, what does it matter if the future is gloomy?
To pray for tomorrow, oh no, I cannot!...
Keep my heart pure, cover me with your shadow,
Just for today.

If I think about tomorrow, I fear my fickleness.
I feel sadness and worry rising up in my heart.
But I'm willing, my God, to accept trial and suffering,
Just for today.

O Divine Pilot! whose hand guides me.
I'm soon to see you on the eternal shore.
Guide my little boat over the stormy waves in peace,
Just for today.

Ah! Lord, let me hide in your Face.
There I'll no longer hear the world's vain noise.
Give me your love, keep me in your grace,
Just for today.

Near your divine Heart, I forget all passing things.
I no longer dread the fears of the night.
Ah! Jesus, give me a place in your Heart,
Just for today.

Deign to unite me to you, Holy and sacred Vine,
And my weak branch will give you its fruit,
And I'll be able to offer you a cluster of golden grapes,
Lord, from today on.

I've just this fleeting day to form
This cluster of love, whose seeds are souls.
Ah! give me, Jesus, the fire of an Apostle,
Just for today.

O Immaculate Virgin! You are my Sweet Star
Giving Jesus to me and uniting me to Him.
O Mother! Let me rest under your veil,
Just for today.

My Holy Guardian Angel, cover me with your wing.
With your fire light the road that I'm taking.
Come direct my steps... help me, I call upon you,
Just for today.

Lord, I want to see you without veils, without clouds,
But still exiled, far from you, I languish.
May your lovable face not be hidden from me,
Just for today.

Soon I'll fly away to speak your praises
When the day without sunset will dawn on my soul.
Then I'll sing on the Angels' lyre,
The Eternal Today!...

And so I say "just for today," my friends, love,

Sheila

Firm Purpose

A nation of firm purpose
you keep in peace;
in peace, for its trust in you.   Is 26: 3

Let us be a people, O Lord, who seek your promise to Solomon:
a people who humble themselves and pray,
a people who seek your presence,
a people who turn from our evil ways,
that You may hear us from heaven,
and pardon our sins,
and revive our land. 2 Chron 7: 14

Let this be our firm purpose that we may inherit your promise of peace.

I am blessed in the city.

I am blessed in the field.

I am blessed in my down sitting.

I am blessed in my uprising.

I am blessed socially, physically, mentally, psychologically.

I am blessed relationally, interpersonally and physiologically.

I am blessed. Every part of my life is blessed.

I speak to my government that they would come into divine alignment 
and that they would lead morally and ethically.

I speak that our business is successful,

that we are increasing and there is no decrease.

I speak into my day and I download prosperity into my day,

success into my day.

I speak over those that I love - I speak prosperity and success.

I speak into my home, that my home is a haven of shalom.

I speak into my loved ones. I speak that their lives will come back into alignment.

I decree and declare that wealth and riches are in our home.

I speak into my mind peace, into my heart courage;

I speak into my feet that there are paths I can walk on

to overcome every obstacle.

I am the head and not the tail.
I am first and not last. I am above and not beneath.
I am loved by God, I am chosen by God, I am protected by God.

Today shall come into direct alignment with the plans and purposes of God.

Every good and every perfect gift is of God.

TODAY is my gift, therefore it will begin perfectly and it will end well.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

based on Deuteronomy Chapter 28
Thank you, precious Erin, for sharing this with me.

Thanksgiving Prayer After Holy Mass

Lord, Father all-powerful and ever-living God,

I thank You for even though I am a sinner,

your unprofitable servant, not because of my worth

but in the kindness of your mercy,

You have fed me with the Precious Body and

Blood of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

I pray that this Holy Communion

may not bring me condemnation and punishment

but forgiveness and salvation.

May it be a helmet of faith and a shield of good will. 

May it purify me from evil ways

and put an end to my evil passions.

May it bring me charity and patience,

humility and obedience, and

growth in the power to do good.

May it be my strong defense against all my enemies,

visible and invisible, 

and the perfect calming of all my evil impulses,

bodily and spiritual.

May it unite me more closely to you, the One true God,

and lead me safely through death

to everlasting happiness with You.

And I pray that You will lead me, a sinner,

to the banquet where you,

with Your Son and Holy Spirit, are true and perfect light,

total fulfillment, ever-lasting joy, without end,

and perfect happiness to your saints.

Grant this through Christ our Lord, AMEN.

written by St. Thomas Aquinas

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Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/prayers/AQUINAS.htm#ixzz2CLUlMFLI

On Silence

I have known silence since my early 20's which has been several decades now. Silence has been my friend. She is like Sophia--Lady Wisdom--to me and I love and long to spend time with her.

I had a profound experience of silence which happened last May in the midst of my father's final days here on earth. Only a few weeks before he passed away, I was showered with grace-filled moments of silence where the Divine Physician spoke from his heart and whispered secrets to mine. And the story goes like this...

He ambled feebly down the hallway,
I turned and to my surprise he was by my side.
I had come to be with Kathryn, my mother,
his beloved spouse of nearly 61 years.

Together we slowly walked down another hall toward her room--
He pushing his walker, me--slightly touching his shoulder.

She, Kathryn, lie waiting in her bed, unaware of the great communion about to happen.
He was now ambling over to her bedside,
Reaching out to take her hand.
I, standing on the other side of the bed, watching...
All done in silence.

He had no need to utter a word, yet
the words were written for me in invisible script.
In silence I strangely understood
This would be the last time I would witness their profound love--
Of the two being together on this earth.

Silently, I weep, as I thought of that reality which became true.
The beauty of what I was beholding between them
felt like more than I could bear.

For almost half an hour, he stood silently.
I asked him if he wanted a seat.
He wanted only--
only to be hovering over her was enough--
holding her hand without words, and yet,
a hundred "I love yous" he communicated.

When he was ready to go, I walked with him, quite silently,
back down the hallway to his room.
We had been lifted to a realm where language was transcended.
I knew the true love I had witnessed.
He knew too!
That was enough.

Only two and a half days later,
after falling and breaking his hip,
his final journey of passing into eternal silence began.

One week later,
yet another trauma--a major brain bleed,
He could never utter a word distinctly again.

And yet, that same hand held mine now--
Our hands--those of all my siblings--in that hospital room,
And it communicated a depth of words
No language could adequately do justice.

His eyes as they gazed deeply into ours,
Spoke every unspoken word to his children,
of the last sixty years that he and our mother's love
had generated.

In that silence we found grace, we found gift,
And we were able to love him
More than ever before.
Each stroke of his face, each touch of his body,
Reassured him and us of a love that will never die--
A love that will be forever!