Carline Francois's Blog - Posts Tagged "grace"
From the pages of : 'Joy of the Gospel' by Pope Francis
As we come to the realities of the happenings around us, one can only bear in mind the life God has given us and the graces and blessings that make their way to us. So, too, we don't lose sight of the people around us. People that are hurting and suffering. We give thanks, in a breath of gratefulness and gratitude. Our prayers are heard by the Lord and we are edified.
In this section Pope Francis gives us to know the efficacy of God's grace and mercy. How we come to be part it of whether we are on the receiving end, on the giving end or even on the sidelines looking on.
'A people for everyone...
112. The salvation which God offers us is the work of his mercy. No human efforts, however, good they may be, can enable us to merit so great a gift. God, by his sheer grace draws us to himself and makes us one with him. He sends His Spirit into our hearts to make us his children, transforming us and enabling us to respond to his love by our lives. The Church is sent by Jesus Christ as the sacrament of the salvation offered by God. Through her evangelizing activity, she cooperates as an instrument of that divine grace which works unceasingly and inscrutably. Benedict XVI put it nicely at the beginning of the Synod's reflections: "It is important always to know that the first word, the true initiative, the true activity comes from God and only by inserting ourselves into the divine initiative, only begging for this divine initiative, shall we too be able to become-with him and in him-evangelizers." This principle of the primacy of grace must be a beacon which constantly illuminates our reflections on evangelization.'
Reading the above was enlightening to know the encouragement that the Lord gives us. We listen. Our only response is to receive in our hearts and pass it on. It's a work of faith that we step forward...
Blessings for the evening. :)
In this section Pope Francis gives us to know the efficacy of God's grace and mercy. How we come to be part it of whether we are on the receiving end, on the giving end or even on the sidelines looking on.
'A people for everyone...
112. The salvation which God offers us is the work of his mercy. No human efforts, however, good they may be, can enable us to merit so great a gift. God, by his sheer grace draws us to himself and makes us one with him. He sends His Spirit into our hearts to make us his children, transforming us and enabling us to respond to his love by our lives. The Church is sent by Jesus Christ as the sacrament of the salvation offered by God. Through her evangelizing activity, she cooperates as an instrument of that divine grace which works unceasingly and inscrutably. Benedict XVI put it nicely at the beginning of the Synod's reflections: "It is important always to know that the first word, the true initiative, the true activity comes from God and only by inserting ourselves into the divine initiative, only begging for this divine initiative, shall we too be able to become-with him and in him-evangelizers." This principle of the primacy of grace must be a beacon which constantly illuminates our reflections on evangelization.'
Reading the above was enlightening to know the encouragement that the Lord gives us. We listen. Our only response is to receive in our hearts and pass it on. It's a work of faith that we step forward...
Blessings for the evening. :)
Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
A man of God.
He contemplated God's creation.
In this deep reflection, St. Francis
saw the beauty and grace that surrounded him.
The beauty reflected in his writings, music, life of prayer, life of service to Christ Jesus...
In rebuilding Christ's Church, he brought reform and many to the faith.
His humility was illuminated by those who knew him.
St. Francis of Assisi brought the light of the Gospels to life.
That light brought a new friend in St. Clare of Assisi.
Her dedicating her life to Christ as His bride became her consolation to Our Lord who suffered on the Cross for our salvation.
Canticle of the Creatures
-said to be the final prayer St. Francis wrote.
Lord let me be an instrument of your peace.
where there is hatred, let me sow love.
where there is injury, pardon.
where there is doubt, faith.
where there is despair, hope.
where there is darkness, light.
where there is sadness, joy.
O' Divine Master grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood as to understand; to be loved , as to love.
Because it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
We remember St. Francis of Assisi this day as an example to follow in our own walk with the Lord.
May we always have compassion for one another as St. Francis exemplified and as Christ taught us.
May we follow Christ in a manner of St. Francis with humility and love glorifying our beloved Lord.
May the blessings and graces be with you!
He contemplated God's creation.
In this deep reflection, St. Francis
saw the beauty and grace that surrounded him.
The beauty reflected in his writings, music, life of prayer, life of service to Christ Jesus...
In rebuilding Christ's Church, he brought reform and many to the faith.
His humility was illuminated by those who knew him.
St. Francis of Assisi brought the light of the Gospels to life.
That light brought a new friend in St. Clare of Assisi.
Her dedicating her life to Christ as His bride became her consolation to Our Lord who suffered on the Cross for our salvation.
Canticle of the Creatures
-said to be the final prayer St. Francis wrote.
Lord let me be an instrument of your peace.
where there is hatred, let me sow love.
where there is injury, pardon.
where there is doubt, faith.
where there is despair, hope.
where there is darkness, light.
where there is sadness, joy.
O' Divine Master grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood as to understand; to be loved , as to love.
Because it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
We remember St. Francis of Assisi this day as an example to follow in our own walk with the Lord.
May we always have compassion for one another as St. Francis exemplified and as Christ taught us.
May we follow Christ in a manner of St. Francis with humility and love glorifying our beloved Lord.
May the blessings and graces be with you!
Desert Blooms
A Lenten Reflection
Dry parched earth under my feet.
Solar rays make contact on my skin.
My mind seems relaxed, yet it
does wander backwards.
Thoughts of yesteryear creep up
triggering pain and hurts that
I long to forget.
My present is strained by the pull
of negative moments of past
experiences.
Son's encounter awakens my desolation.
His holy face...interrupts my wandering mind.
Bringing a healing quiet that stills
my thoughts...
In the distance, I hear 'be still and know that I AM God'...
A peace enters my mind & new thoughts
take the place of what was before...
Peace of mind reigns inspiring a wellspring of hope...
Precepts of the Lord sustains me and gives me protection...
I behold the Son's face shining with rays of light...
All discouragement gone, and new joy is my consolation....
Son leads me onward to a beautiful oasis teeming with green foliage and flowers of every kind growing from a carpet of grassy meadow.
Deep blue lagoon with waterfall splashing...beckons me for a swim...
'Not yet', I whisper.
In a little while, with childlike abandon, I unstrap my sandals and plunge into the waters of the deep blue lagoon.
I see the myriad types of fresh water fish, different colors & hues swimming alongside of me.
Some are luminescent alighting the space around them.. others glistening in the water, as if sun's rays are sprinkling shimmers on them.
What awe inspiring sight, at what my Creator has given me.
In a new moment, my sight fulfilled and my being made whole, I pulled upward above the waters into a new element.
Fresh air fills my lungs as I breathe it in.
A 'ruah' if you will.
Only my Lord knows this sanctity.
I swam back to shore, only to find set a campfire crackling with the sound of fire wood burning.
I settle near the campfire and to my amazement, my daily meal is ready, prepared for me (a picnic).
After enjoying the fruits of my amazement, a sweet fragrance tickles my senses...
leading me to a new place....
There before me stands, a Garden of roses inviting me to take a seat and drink in its beauty.
Rest embraces me until tomorrow, as I slumber in my Creator's castle.
A new day awaits as we come to an end of a present transformation...
The desert blooms!
Dry parched earth under my feet.
Solar rays make contact on my skin.
My mind seems relaxed, yet it
does wander backwards.
Thoughts of yesteryear creep up
triggering pain and hurts that
I long to forget.
My present is strained by the pull
of negative moments of past
experiences.
Son's encounter awakens my desolation.
His holy face...interrupts my wandering mind.
Bringing a healing quiet that stills
my thoughts...
In the distance, I hear 'be still and know that I AM God'...
A peace enters my mind & new thoughts
take the place of what was before...
Peace of mind reigns inspiring a wellspring of hope...
Precepts of the Lord sustains me and gives me protection...
I behold the Son's face shining with rays of light...
All discouragement gone, and new joy is my consolation....
Son leads me onward to a beautiful oasis teeming with green foliage and flowers of every kind growing from a carpet of grassy meadow.
Deep blue lagoon with waterfall splashing...beckons me for a swim...
'Not yet', I whisper.
In a little while, with childlike abandon, I unstrap my sandals and plunge into the waters of the deep blue lagoon.
I see the myriad types of fresh water fish, different colors & hues swimming alongside of me.
Some are luminescent alighting the space around them.. others glistening in the water, as if sun's rays are sprinkling shimmers on them.
What awe inspiring sight, at what my Creator has given me.
In a new moment, my sight fulfilled and my being made whole, I pulled upward above the waters into a new element.
Fresh air fills my lungs as I breathe it in.
A 'ruah' if you will.
Only my Lord knows this sanctity.
I swam back to shore, only to find set a campfire crackling with the sound of fire wood burning.
I settle near the campfire and to my amazement, my daily meal is ready, prepared for me (a picnic).
After enjoying the fruits of my amazement, a sweet fragrance tickles my senses...
leading me to a new place....
There before me stands, a Garden of roses inviting me to take a seat and drink in its beauty.
Rest embraces me until tomorrow, as I slumber in my Creator's castle.
A new day awaits as we come to an end of a present transformation...
The desert blooms!
Love's Smile
A light shines on my face.
It's warmth touches my cheeks.
As the corners of my lips lift slightly,
my heart catches up with the emotion
that is stirred up in my soul.
There is a song that sings silently,
a soft sound that only I can hear.
Love's smile is my secret hiding place,
that belongs to me.
A gift from above, I can only cherish.
A gift from above, I can only wish for.
Special things come bearing graces in the
wake of faith.
Special things come bearing hope in the
darkest days.
Love's smile is my secret hiding place,
that belongs to me.
It's warmth touches my cheeks.
As the corners of my lips lift slightly,
my heart catches up with the emotion
that is stirred up in my soul.
There is a song that sings silently,
a soft sound that only I can hear.
Love's smile is my secret hiding place,
that belongs to me.
A gift from above, I can only cherish.
A gift from above, I can only wish for.
Special things come bearing graces in the
wake of faith.
Special things come bearing hope in the
darkest days.
Love's smile is my secret hiding place,
that belongs to me.
Second Sunday of Easter: Divine Mercy of the Lord
In the Jubilee Year of Mercy
Easter Sunday awakened us to a New joy.
The Joy of the Resurrection of Our Lord
Jesus Christ.
Mercy is given to us in a new way.
Mercy becomes part of our relationship
with Our Lord.
Mercy is the eternal life that God beckons us
to.
A soul's call, Faustina-Maria, gives a new light
into God's Mercy through Jesus Christ.
Her humility inward and outward, not for man's
glory, but for God's work Glory.
She exemplified her love in her devotion to this
beautiful message of Mercy, which, is actually
an attribute of God.
St. Faustina, Pray for us.
It only makes sense that Divine Mercy is celebrated
during the season of Easter.
Divine Mercy, is God's love for us.
Easter Sunday awakened us to a New joy.
The Joy of the Resurrection of Our Lord
Jesus Christ.
Mercy is given to us in a new way.
Mercy becomes part of our relationship
with Our Lord.
Mercy is the eternal life that God beckons us
to.
A soul's call, Faustina-Maria, gives a new light
into God's Mercy through Jesus Christ.
Her humility inward and outward, not for man's
glory, but for God's work Glory.
She exemplified her love in her devotion to this
beautiful message of Mercy, which, is actually
an attribute of God.
St. Faustina, Pray for us.
It only makes sense that Divine Mercy is celebrated
during the season of Easter.
Divine Mercy, is God's love for us.
