
Fr. Duffy has a hand painted on hanging in his home.
Raphael Sanzio, usually known by his first name alone (in Italian Raffaello)(April 6 or March 28, 1483 – April 6, 1520)was an Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance, celebrated for the perfection and grace of his paintings and drawings. Together with Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci he forms the traditional trinity of great masters of that period.]Source: Wikipedia
During Lent we shall in a special way and with deep feeling meditate on the Passion of Our Lord and examine our conscience on what sin of ours caused that special pain to Jesus.
I will make reparation and share that pain by doubling my penance.
I shall keep strict custody of my eyes;
I shall keep clean thoughts in my mind;
I shall touch the sick with greater gentleness and compassion;
I shall keep the silence of the heart with greater care, so that in the silence of my heart I hear his words of comforts, and from the fullness of my yeart I comfort Jesus in the distressing disguise of the poor.
I shall confess especially my neglect of penance.
We often pray, "Let me share with you your pain; I want to be the companion of Jesus crucified," and yet when a little spittle of an uncharitable remark or a thorn of thoughtfulness is given to us, how we forget that this is the time to share with him his shame and pain.
During this Lent let us improve our spirit of prayer and recollection. Let us free our minds from all that is not Jesus...
Let us adore Jesus in our hearts, who spent 30 years out of 33 in silence; who began his public life by spending 40 days in silence; who often retired alone to spend the night on a mountain in silence. He, who spoke with authority, now spends his earthly life in silence. Let us adore Jesus in the Eucharistic silence.Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Criticizers are not hard to find. What the world needs are good encouragers. Not more people to find fault, but people to point outSteve Goodier
strengths and encourage us to excel. The most successful people look for positive qualities. They see potential where others see failure. And they encourage success in others.
Mark Twain put it like this: "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too, can become great."
Who do you spend time with? Criticizers or encouragers? Surround yourself with those who believe in you. Your life is too important for anything less.
Thoughtfulness is the beginning of great sanctity. If you learn this art of being thoughtful, you will become more and more Christ-like, for his heart was meek and always thought of others.Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta