Friday, April 1, 2022

THE MAIN WAYS TO CONQUER TEMPTATIONS

 


“God never allows us to be tempted beyond our strength but will always give us the grace ,which we need, in order to resist, “God is faithful,” St Paul writes, “and will not permit you to be tempted beyond your strength but with the temptation, will always give you a way out that you may be able to bear it” (1 Cor 10-13).


The man who is so discouraged by frequent falls that he surrenders to temptation and resigns himself to the slavery of sin, as if there were no other way out, is making a fatal mistake.

God is infinitely good and merciful and loves us all, even those who are sinners.

Remember the parable of the Prodigal Son and of the lost sheep,

How could our Heavenly Father abandon us and not give us the strength to resist evi?


If we are discouraged, let us ask God’s help for He loves us and knows how weak we are.

“He knows how we are formed” (Ps 102:14).

It is a favourite trick of the devil, to persuade us that nothing can help us.


Let us cast aside all thoughts of discouragement, therefore and arm ourselves with the necessary spiritual weapons.

With humble perseverance and the grace of God, we are sure to triumph.”


CARDINAL ANTONIO BACCI

Wednesday, July 7, 2021

A INSPIRATIONAL STORY - THE DEW DROP


The Dew Drop 

Peter Hughes  

 

As the sun rose, a dew drop became aware of its surroundings. There it sat on a leaf, catching the sunlight and throwing it back out. Proud of its simple beauty, it was very content. Around it were other dew drops, some on the same leaf and some on other leaves round about. The dew drop was sure that it was the best, the most special dew drop of them all.

Ah, it was good to be a dew drop.

The wind rose and the plant began to shake, tipping the leaf. Terror gripped the dew drop as gravity pulled it towards the edge of the leaf, towards the unknown. Why? Why was this happening? Things were comfortable. Things were safe. Why did they have to change? Why? Why?

The dew drop reached the edge of the leaf. It was terrified, certain that it would be smashed into a thousand pieces below, sure that this was the end. The day had only just begun and the end had come so quickly. It seemed so unfair. It seemed so meaningless. It tried desperately to do whatever it could to cling to the leaf, but it was no use.

Finally, it let go, surrendering to the pull of gravity. Down, down it fell. Below there seemed to be a mirror. A reflection of itself seemed to be coming up to meet the dew drop. Closer and closer they came together until finally...

And then the fear transformed into deep joy as the tiny dew drop merged with the vastness that was the pond. Now the dew drop was no more, but it was not destroyed.

It had become one with the whole.

REMEMBER THAT AS LONG AS YOU SURRENDER TO JESUS CHRIST FEAR IS TRANSFORMED INTO JOY.






Tuesday, July 6, 2021

STRANGE BUT TRUE...........SPIDERMAN AT THE VATICAN

 SPIDERMAN AT THE VATICAN

Pope Francis had an unexpected visitor during his June 23 Wednesday audience in San Damaso Courtyard at the Vatican–a man dressed in a Spider-Man suit!

28-year-old Italy resident Mattia Villardita visits sick children in the hospital dressed as the Marvel character to help “alleviate some of the suffering” of the patients.

He visited  the pope and presented him with a Spider-Man mask.

“I’m Catholic and I’m very happy about this experience,” Villardita said. “[Pope Francis] told me to take a lot of selfies with the kids in the square.”



Villardita’s Story

Villardita told CNA that Pope Francis knows of his “Superheroes in the Ward” mission, where he and some friends volunteer to visit sick children in the hospital dressed up as superheroes.

He said his childhood health problems and undergoing many surgeries inspired him to create this charity. 

“I was a patient for 19 years at the Gaslini Pediatric Hospital in Genoa, because I was born with a congenital malformation,” he said. “That experience has helped me to help these patients and their families.”

Villardita added that he created a video calling service during Italy’s COVID-19 lockdowns. He made more than 1400 personal calls to the hospital before in-person visits resumed in December.

He said shaking hands with Pope Francis and speaking with him about his mission was a “really, really moving experience.”