God is Love

We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.

St. John (1 John 4:16)

Christ's Bell

THE BELL
I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )
I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 )
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28 )
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2:10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).. I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)
I belong to God
Do you know
Who you are?


Keep this bell ringing...pass it on
'The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you
And be gracious to you;
The LORD turn His face toward you
And give you peace...
Numbers 6:24-26

Shared by my friend Sue on Maui

A Liturgical Biography of Jesus

Father Stephanos has posted a Liturgical Biography of Jesus which is a good resource and reference to have. Mahalo Father!

The 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Return of the Prodigal Son by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo

Bible Verses for Comfort

Shared by Sue C.

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

2 Corinthians 1
The God of All Comfort
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God

Psalm 55
22 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

1 Peter 5
6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Matthew 11 28-30
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you
and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

(Revelation 3:20)
'"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, (then) I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.

(Matthew 7:7-8)
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks, receives; he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

(Philippians 4:6-7)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

(1 John 5:14)
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

Philippians 4:11-13
11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.


"In the world you will have distress, but do not be concerned; I have overcome the world" (John 16: 33)

My Child

Shared by my friend Kathy

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad.

Thanks to Heather for letting me know the source of this letter: SITE

Scripture Stamps

I made these little stamps using some of the scriptural passages found at Sancta Sanctis' Greatest Catholic Quotes of All Time Please help yourself.

The Primacy of Peter in Scripture

Picture courtesy of This Site

Deb has a wonderful resource on her blog regarding the Primacy of St.Peter

..."And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." ~ Matt 16-19

Visit her site by CLICKING HERE for the scripture references.

Gospel Quiz

Another friend from the same Catholic group I have been getting wonderful information from, has shared the following quiz. You will have to scroll down for the answers.
How well did you do? Post results in comment section.

Do you know your Gospel writers? After each statement below see if you can choose the Gospel writer that the statement belongs to. Is it Mark, Luke, John, or Matthew?

1. I wrote the first Gospel:


2. My Gospel is filled with symbolic language and images:


3. I am reputed to be the "disciple whom Jesus loved." :


4. I appear to have organized my Gospel like the first five books of
the Old Testament :


5. It is believed that I also wrote the book of Acts :


6. My Gospel has a heavy sense of suffering with many references to
trials and persecutions :


7. I am reputed to be a non-Jew :


8. In my Gospel I emphasize Jesus as a powerful teacher :


9. In my Gospel I attempt to present an understanding of Jesus as the
Son of God :


10. I wrote to offer those who were already Christians help in better
understanding their faith and roots :


11. My Gospel emphasizes Jesus' humanity :


12. I want the readers of my Gospel to understand that the Christian
message is for everyone-rich and poor, men and women, Jews and
Gentiles :


13. I want my readers to understand that Jesus' life is a fulfillment
of the promises made by God to Israel :


14. My Gospel is the only Gospel that uses the word "church" :


15. The truths I attempt to share in my Gospel are more deeply
theological and reflective than the truths in the other Gospels :


16. I emphasize the role of the Holy Spirit in Jesus' life :


17. I wrote my Gospel with Gentile (non-Jewish) readers in mind :


18. My Gospel constantly reminds the reader of the joy that is shared
by those who experience God's forgiving love in Jesus :


19. It is estimated that we wrote our Gospels in the middle to late
80's, CE :















1. I wrote the first Gospel:
Mark. Mark's Gospel is generally thought to have been written around
70 CE.

2. My Gospel is filled with symbolic language and images:
John

3. I am reputed to be the "disciple whom Jesus loved." :
John

4. I appear to have organized my Gospel like the first five books of
the Old Testament :
Matthew. Matthew had a particular desire to show the Jewish people
that Jesus clearly was the Messiah they were waiting for.

5. It is believed that I also wrote the book of Acts :
Luke

6. My Gospel has a heavy sense of suffering with many references to
trials and persecutions :
Mark

7. I am reputed to be a non-Jew :
Luke

8. In my Gospel I emphasize Jesus as a powerful teacher :
Matthew

9. In my Gospel I attempt to present an understanding of Jesus as the
Son of God :
John

10. I wrote to offer those who were already Christians help in better
understanding their faith and roots :
Luke

11. My Gospel emphasizes Jesus' humanity :
Mark

12. I want the readers of my Gospel to understand that the Christian
message is for everyone-rich and poor, men and women, Jews and
Gentiles :
Luke

13. I want my readers to understand that Jesus' life is a fulfillment
of the promises made by God to Israel :
Matthew

14. My Gospel is the only Gospel that uses the word "church." :
Matthew

15. The truths I attempt to share in my Gospel are more deeply
theological and reflective than the truths in the other Gospels :
John. As the last Gospel written, in approximately 90-100 CE, John's
community had almost 90 years to reflect and live Jesus' Good News
before he wrote the Gospel.

16. I emphasize the role of the Holy Spirit in Jesus' life :
Luke

17. I wrote my Gospel with Gentile (non-Jewish) readers in mind :
Mark

18. My Gospel constantly reminds the reader of the joy that is shared
by those who experience God's forgiving love in Jesus :
Luke

19. It is estimated that we wrote our Gospels in the middle to late
80's, CE :
Matthew and Luke

Scripture Reading

A friend from a Catholic group shared the following:

A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who use Sacred Scripture for spiritual reading with the veneration due the word of God.

A plenary indulgence is granted if the reading continues for at least one half-hour
Another friend from the same group also shared a Protestant film on YouTube on Lectio Divina.

The video contained information on actually meditating instead of simply reading the words from the Holy Bible. This idea intrigued me so I looked for a Catholic video on YouTube. I found one but it is not permitted to be used. If you have a chance, go watch it by searching Lectio Divina. It is the one by monks.

I did find more information at the Fish Eaters site. The following is from there:

Lectio Divina (pronounced "Lec-tsee-oh Di-vee-nah") means "Divine Reading" and
refers specifically to a method of Scripture reading practiced by monastics
since the beginning of the Church.

The early centrality of reading of Sacred Scripture, and then meditating and praying over its meaning, is evident in the 48th chapter of the Rule of St. Benedict (A.D. 480-453), a book written by the Great Saint to guide monastic life.

But it was an 11th c. Carthusian prior named Guigo 1 who formalized Lectio Divina, describing the method in a letter written to a fellow religious. This letter, which has become known as Scala Paradisi -- the Stairway to Heaven -- describes a 4-runged ladder to Heaven, each rung being one of the four steps in his method of Bible reading. Those steps, and Guigo's brief descriptions of them, are:


lectio
(reading): "looking on Holy Scripture with all one's will and wit"

meditatio (meditation): "a studious insearching with the mind to know
what was before concealed through desiring proper skill"

oratio
(prayer): "a devout desiring of the heart to get what is good and avoid what is
evil"

contemplatio (contemplation): "the lifting up of the heart to God
tasting somewhat of the heavenly sweetness and savour"

Through the practice of Lectio Divina by monastics in group settings, three other steps are sometimes added to the four above such that the steps become:


statio
(position)

lectio (reading)

meditatio (meditation)

oratio (prayer)

contemplatio (contemplation)

collatio
(discussion)

actio (action)

Aloha

Today's first reading caught my attention because it mentioned "The Breath of Life" something essential to all living creatures on earth, and a way of life for the Hawaiians.

...At the time when the Lord God made the earth and the heavens--while as yet there was no field shrub on earth and no grass of the filed had sprouted, for the Lord God had sent no rain upon the earth and there was no man to till th esoil, but a stream was welling u pout of the earth and was watering all the surface of the ground--the Lord God formed man out of the clay of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a living being...

Genesis Chapter 2:4-7

The word aloha derives from the Hawaiian words alo meaning "presence," "front," "face," or "share"; and ha, meaning "breath of life" or "essence of life."

Over the decades the word aloha has been used in reference to a complex state of mind called the Aloha Spirit or sense of aloha. The Aloha Spirit is often described as a sense of care and hospitality to those around as well as respect for their personhood, even in the face of stressful environments, occasions or people...

from Wikipedia