Archive for June 11, 2019

On turning 50

Posted: June 11, 2019 by CatholicJules in Life's Journeys, Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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On my 50th birthday…

A milestone which calls for celebration? Yes only if I am where I ought to be, according to the will of my heavenly Father. I can finally relate to what St Paul said in Acts 20:24 “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may accomplish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

How did I get to where I am today? Well I had never in my youth imagined that I would one day speak or even think the way I do now. For Christ was certainly far from me and only because I was the one who kept my distance. I wanted to live life to the fullest, and so searched for pleasures of the world to fulfill the longing to be whole. Only to find that if we want to live life to the full, we can only to do so through life with and in Him. Truly our lives are restless till we rest in Him.

I strongly believe and I have shared this before, that it was through the intercession of both my mum and our Blessed Mother Mary that I found my way back into the fold. And I was indeed blessed that our Lord sent strong spiritual directors to guide me into a deepening of my faith. All would come to naught had I not at the same time made the decision, to respond to His call to be Faithful and obedient unto Him. While it is still a constant struggle to remain so, I have all the necessary graces I need from my Lord through His Holy Sacraments.

So today as I reflect on my life I ask what are my joys having turned 50? Well apart from being blessed with loving parents and a sister, I have a loving family of my own. And most would think that these are all the blessings one could hope for. Not so with God our loving Father because He has blessed me with a huge extended family through the various communities I belong to. And many other sisters and brothers in Christ throughout His church who share a connection with me and the potential to deepen our relationship. All this is possible through Christ our Lord who unites us all in Him.

Thank You Jesus for my life in You.

Glory and Praise be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and forever Amen

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: June 11, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Can we not be counted as one amongst many of our dear sisters and brothers who are filled with the Holy Spirit and on fire for our Lord? To be recognised as a disciple with a zeal to share the love of our master with all whom we meet.

St Barnabas is indeed such a great role model who brought many into the faith and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. He even guided St Paul in such a way, not allowing the fact that St Paul was highly knowledgeable and well read to intimidate him in any way. He was a humble servant of our Lord Jesus Christ and truly a light for the world after Christ.

Jesus my Lord may your light shine through me such that all who see my deeds and hear my words will give praise to God my Heavenly Father. Amen

St Barnabas pray for us…

First reading

Acts 11:21-26,13:1-3

A great number believed and were converted to the Lord.
The church in Jerusalem heard about this and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. There he could see for himself that God had given grace, and this pleased him, and he urged them all to remain faithful to the Lord with heartfelt devotion; for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. And a large number of people were won over to the Lord.
Barnabas then left for Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. As things turned out they were to live together in that church a whole year, instructing a large number of people. It was at Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians.’
In the church at Antioch the following were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. One day while they were offering worship to the Lord and keeping a fast, the Holy Spirit said, ‘I want Barnabas and Saul set apart for the work to which I have called them.’ So it was that after fasting and prayer they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Gospel

Matthew 5:13-16
Your light must shine in the sight of men

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.
‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.’