ALL SOULS DAY

Today the holy mother of the Church celebrates All Souls Day, a day when we remember our loved ones who have passed away. Today is also a day when many will travel miles to visit the graves of their loved one. I asked a parishioner why and he has no answer. All he said is I visit, pray burn candles and put flowers on the grave and come back.

I too have visited graves and blessed them. And what I saw not only shocked me but also made me firm on penning down something to educate our people. At times we do thing without understanding what we are doing and why we are doing. So here are few changes that we could implement in our lives.

1.      It’s good to visit the graves of our loved ones on occasions like All souls day and may be Death anniversary. If you ask me,  I will say “I don’t go.” Why? I simply say, I believe in what I profess when I say the Creed, “I believe in the resurrection of the dead.” Our bodies which were made of mud will turn to mud. “Thou are dust and to dust thou shall return.” So what’s there in the grave is just mud. Our souls are with God, sent to the place that HE thinks best for us. “I am going ahead of you to prepare a place for you so that where I am, you too will be.” John 14:3.

So rather than running to the grave every now and then, spend some time doing what your loved ones loved doing. So if you’re loved ones liked praying you too spend some time praying every day. My parents loved beginning the day with the Eucharist and ending the day with the Rosary. My sentiment then is to imitate them by doing just the same.  

2.      Burning Candle on the grave. Our world is not the same as it was before. Pollution levels have gone up so much, that our children and grandchildren may not see this beautiful place called earth. Or they may have to move around with oxygen cylinders on their backs. In our strive to build a green dioceses lets use less candles. In that place I would invite you to spend that money in planting more trees or give that money to an orphanage. Burning candles on the grave will not do any good to the departed souls. Instead offer masses for them, pray for the lost souls and those who have no one to pray for them.  So next time you think of burning a candle think twice. The same pollution could kill all of us.   

3.      Flowers on the grave. It’s nice to see all the graves decorated on this day. One better than the other. In fact I sometime wonder is there a secret competition going on here. Who’s grave is best decorated. Correct if I am wrong. If that’s not the case then why do we spend so much money no flowers for a person who cannot see it nor smell it. When the person was alive we probably never gave them flowers. So why now? To show whom? Put flowers in the lives of the persons when they are alive, not on their graves when they can’t see nor smell. Love then, spend time with them, talk to them, make them happy when they are alive not flowers on their graves. You do it and teach your kids to do the same so that when you grow old they will do that same for you.  

Our world has changed. We are all educated now. We know what’s good and what’s bad. So like educated people let’s bring about some change in our lives.

God bless you all.

DO WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES

DO WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES

We all have dreams of an ideal community, where there is participation from all levels, where the big and the old, thin and tall, all working shoulder to shoulder to build up Gods kingdom. And we ask, “is such a community possible?” The answer is YES. The answer to such a dream was given more than two thousand year ago and it’s found even today in the gospel of Mathew.

“Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”   

I am sure when we read this passage it appears unjust, but in order to understand its true meaning, one needs to solve the riddle, to uncover the mystery, that’s hidden in it.  The answer is to this mystery is Attitude and Gratitude. Attitude of the Animators and the Gratitude towards the people of their community

I see a positive Attitude of the Animators towards the goal that is placed on their shoulders of getting the participation of their members of their community and Gratitude towards their members who take up the challenge that’s place on them. God had blessed them abundantly.

The saying fits well here, “Whatever goes round comes around,” or “You reap what you sow.” The Morning Start community has set an example for each one of us to emulate. They have reaped the abundance and will continue to reap in the future. I wish them all the best in the coming years. 

Words...Words...words...

Words words words...... Words are an important part of our life. Weather spoken or written, they throw light on our own imagination. People in the past have used images to communicate, but after that it has been the word world. 

It’s so surprising to see how words have evolved over the years, and how our so called modern generation, has been using words as if to say it’s taken for granted. What do I mean with that. In the past when we said “I love you” it meant that a person really is emotional, physically in love with a person. Even though it still mean the same today, for many it means just a passing phrase. 

I was sitting in a hotel with a friend and in the side table was a young couple. The guy was proposing to the girl and he had written a nice love letter accompanied with a flower and a chocolate. The girl was stunned. She turns around and asked him if this some kind of a Joke. The guy as taken a back, and he asked her “don’t u love me.” The girl said, yes I love you, but that does not me I and emotionally attached to you or I am going to get married to you.” Then she said something that shocked me, she said, “I love my dog too, does that mean I am going to marry my dog.” 

Words Words words....... they can make or they can break... there were a time when we used certain words to mean a certain action, for example when we said I love u it mean that u love that person. Today the word love is used so common that I feel its lost its really meaning. Its not just about words like love only. But take for example words like I’ll Kill U, Screw U, Fuck U, M*** F***, kick me for these words, not that I did not use these words in my life. But these words are so commonly used today that they have lost their original meaning. 

I was travelling by train in the late afternoon and it was full of college children. And I believe that’s the best place and time to learn new words, even if don’t plan to use them in ur life. And this group of boys and girls were fooling amongst themselves having a great time on their way back home. I was angry at first at the words, but then I began listening to them and they were using words like” I’ll kill u if u tell any one.” Of course she did not me that she will kill him. But in the past it was a very rarest word or sentence you would ever here, except in fights. But today it so commonly used. 

Words...words...words how we used them in the past and how they are used today... Look in the eyes of the person to really understand the meaning....

Good Friday....

The ground began to shake, buildings crumbled, and--within four short minutes--over 25,000 people were dead, many others were severely disabled and more than a half-million were left homeless. The place was Gujarat, and the date was Jan 26, 2001--the day when a massive earthquake almost wiped out the state of Gujarat from the map of India.
In the midst of the chaos and confusion, a frightened father ran to the school where his young son had gone earlier that morning. When he arrived, all he found was a pile of rubble. But he remembered the promise that he had made to his son so many times: "No matter what happens, Amol, I will always be there."
And so he began to dig--with his bare hands. He pulled up bricks and plaster and wood and metal, while other people watched in disbelief. They said, "Forget it, mister. Don't waste your time. They're all dead." He said to them, "You can stand there and grumble, or you can help me carry these heavy bricks." A few did pitch in to help, but most of them gave up once their muscles began to tire.
But the man didn't. He couldn't stop thinking of his son--and his promise--and so he continued to dig: for 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 36 hours. Finally, after 38 hours of hard labor, he heard a muffled groan from down below. He picked up one final piece of wallboard and he called out, "Amol!" Out of the darkness he heard a quivering voice, "Papa!" Then he heard other voices--14 in all. Of the 200 students who had gone into the school that morning, incredibly 14 were still alive.

When they were all safely out of the demolished building, Amol turned to his friends and proudly declared, "See, I told you my father wouldn't forget us!" And this is what Christians all around the world on this day pointing to the Cross of Jesus will be saying to one another “See didn’t I tell you, My Father would never leave us.”

John 3:16  for God so loved the World so much that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

“Greater love has no man that this than to lay down his life for a friend.” Whenever I look at the cross of Jesus, I can’t help asking myself this question. Why did have to suffer? Why such a brutal death?

My question leads me to reflect what must be going on in God’s mind. I can’t help but picture God sitting some where there up in heaven on the clouds with Jesus on one side and the Holy Spirit on the other, looking down on earth and saying to themselves, “what more do I need to do to make these people know that I Love them.” And as he was discussing this he looks at Jesus and realizes what going on in his mind, and instantly say NO. And Jesus turns to the Father and says, “Yes I can do it trust me” and God the Father say “No, I can’t let you do this. You don’t know what these children of mine will do to you”. But Jesus convinces the Father and says, “Just give me one chance and I will go down and tell my people that there is a Father who loves them who cares for them.” God the father agrees and bingo it’s Christmas.

Soon 33 years pass by with Jesus travelling the length and breadth of the Israel telling the people that there is a God who believes in them who loves them. Few believed in Him, others called him a mad man, a drunkard and a friend of tax collectors and sinners. They felt it’s better to do away with Him before he corrupts the whole community. And hand Him over to be killed. They gave him the worst treatment that could be ever given to a man at that time. They Crucified him in between two thieves.

But Jesus did not forget his mission. He did not forget his reason for coming into the world. That even though he was humiliated, that even though he was kicked and spitted at, with a crown of thorns on his head, and a heavy cross on his shoulder, and the painful piercing nails in his hand and feet, yet before he died, he makes his final petitation to his Father. “Father forgive them for they do not know what they do.”

The cross, which was a stumbling block, a symbol of defeat, shame, guilt, to many, has now been transformed into a sign of hope, because it was on the cross that Christ gained victory for us. As St Paul say, “By the wood of the cross have we all been saved.”

This evening my dear brothers and sisters, I would like to draw your attention on the three crosses that stood tall on mount Calvary. Yet keeping my main focus on that old rugged cross the emblem of suffering and shame for the Scribes and Pharisees, which when on to become a symbol of Hope for many down the centuries.

The Gospels tells us that on a hill not far away, a place called Golgotha, stood 3 crosses. In centre was a Jesus, whom Pilate called “the King of the Jews” and on either side were two criminals, who too were being crucified for their crimes. I would like to names these crosses as:
1. The Cross of Rejection
2. The Cross of Reception &
3. In the center the Cross of Redemption.
Let’s take a brief look at all these three crosses.

1. The Cross of Rejection:
On the left of Jesus as we have just heard in the passion hung a criminal, who out rightly rejected Jesus. Luke 23:39  “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us as well."

Why did I call this cross a cross of Rejection, for two simple reasons? We see in this person a :
a. Lack of Guilt
b. The Lack of Humility.

Lack of guilt  we see that he had no interest in admitting his guilt, he was mad because he was caught for his wrong doing and was being crucified. He had no sorrow in him that he had offended God and sinned against him. No! he was mad because he was caught. “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us as well he said.” And isn’t this what the world is teaching us today, the 11th Commandment, “do whatever you want but don’t get caught.”
Story of the boy caught stealing pencils in school…

The Lack of Humility  Instead of being humble and looking for mercy, we are told this thief "railed" on Jesus in Luke 23:39  “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us as well." The word "railed" means to scoff; to make fun or to ridicule, to make fun off. Isn’t this what happens most of the time when you try to be a good witness to someone, or a good Catholic?

This thief still had some pride in him to act this way towards the only one who could save him. And the bible tells us the Pride leads to death. So on the first cross hung the un-repented sinner, the cross of rejection, who rejected Jesus out rightly.
He had no guilt or shame for what he did.
He had no belief in the Son of God.
He had no humility for the mess he was.

What about us: Think of the number of time
 I had no guilt for the sins I have committed.
 I did not believe that God could save me of my sinfulness, the mess I am in.
 Refused to humble myself before God.
Have mercy on my O Lord.

2. The Cross of Reception [ read Lk 23: 40 – 41]
On the right of Jesus hung another criminal who was also given the same treatment as the first. But in comparison to the first he accepted his faults. As I reflect on this 2nd cross I notice something very important and that’s why I have name it the cross of reception.

a. He feared God: In Luke 23:40, we read this thief said to the thief that hung on the Cross of Rejection, "have u no fear of God". The Bible says, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom".
 He knew that God controlled his destiny.
 He knew that God was the judge of things.

b. He realized that he too was condemned like Jesus

c. He acknowledges his sin
V 41¨
The Bible tells us that "all have sin and come short of the glory of God."

Acknowledgment of ones sin is the first step of getting saved. A person must first acknowledge they are a sinner. If a person does not see themselves as sinner then there is no need to be save. This is why the Pharisees during the time of Jesus did not repentant and submit to the baptism of repentance under the ministry of John the Baptist. They were self-righteous, trusting in being the physical seed of Abraham to save them. Nothing has changed much the religion of the Pharisees is still around today. Today, most folks are trusting in something else other than the shed blood of Jesus Christ to save them.
d. The thief on the cross of reception acknowledged he deserved his sentence - verse 41, "we receive the due reward of our deeds".
He knew clearly that he reaped what he had sown. In other words, he said "I am guilty for what I have done and deserve to be in the predicament that I am in."
 He acknowledged that he deserved his death sentence.
 He was sorry for his sin, not that he got caught but because he sinned

e. Finally: this thief acknowledged that Jesus did not deserve the death sentence - verse 41 "but this man hath done nothing amiss."
He realized and acknowledged the sinlessness of the man next to him.

There was only one last thing that this man did: He turned to the center cross, the third cross, The Cross of Redemption and uttered these words - verse 42 " Lord remember me in your kingdom."
Unlike the other thief on the Cross of Rejection, the thief on The Cross of Reception had no doubt who Jesus was. He came to Jesus humbly, admitting his sin, accepting his sentence of death, and crying out to God for his mercy. This thief believed that Jesus Christ could save him. John 1:12 "But to those who accepted him, he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name.”


3. The Cross of Redemption
Finally, we want to notice the third cross, The Cross of Redemption.

And what was Jesus’ response to the 2nd thief on the Cross of Reception - verse 43 "Amen, I say to you, Today you shale be in paradise with me."

Show me one religion on this planet that promised paradise to us. Show me one religion in this big wide world, that will tell you for sure, "You are going to paradise ( heaven) and all you had do was ask to go there through trusting in the shed blood of Jesus Christ for the atonement of your sins. The bottom line is there isn’t any. Only Bible can and makes that promise, because it is based on the man on that third cross, The Cross of Redemption.

That’s the Good news for us today. That there is a
 A God who cares for us
 A God that believes in us, who is so madly in loves with us, that He send his only son to die for us, to redeem us and promise us paradise, a place where He is, so that we too may be with him, provide we put out trust in him.

That’s why today is called Good Friday, because today we remind ourselves that we have a Good God who cares for us.

“By the wood of the Cross we have been saved.” Amen.

As we enter into the 1st week of Lent TRANSFORMING LIVES IS HERE FOR YOU....

Ash Wednesday.... the beginning of the Happy Season of LENT: Every time we begin the Season of Lent, every one post as to WHAT WE SHOULD DO.... How many of us post and says, WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO...

This year i want it to be different...so i posting as to what i am going to do and invite U to join me in this Life Transforming Sessions that i have found on the net. Its by a Diocese of St Albans & Belize in the US.

Attached pls join me in this Life Transforming series and Make the most of Lent...

Am I or Am I Not.....

A question asked by millions of young people in the country. Am I with Anna or not with him? Over the last forth night or so INDIA [as i would like to put it] has erupted. Chanting patriotic songs & Praises of Anna....a 1 man army against the government on the issue of corruption. The Jan Lokpal Bill against the Jokers Bill which the government has prepared.

A Number of young people have taken leave some bunking colleges to rally around this one man who is fighting for a strong bill against corruption. While all this is happening there are a number of people [especially those who are against this man or those how had a bad experience of him] who are digging into muddy waters and sharing all their bad experience against this man. After reading to all this, forced me to ask myself this important question...Am I with this man or NOT with him....I can’t stop here because the question is incomplete and only when I complete the question will it make sense... Am I with this man or NOT with him on the whole issue of Corruption.

I am not interested on what he did or did not do in the past. At present he comes across as a true crusader of the Anti Corruption Drive and YES I am with him. And I am confident that Millions will join him as the issue is important and if not tackled now it will destroy our Nation.

In fact he has become so popular amongst the masses that he is among the top 10 most-searched terms on Google from August 15-18. As per Google Insight, Jan Lokpal Bill, Kiran Bedi and Arvind Kejriwal were also among the top searches. On Friday, Anna logged 1.64 crore Google results while Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan trailed at 1.38 crore.

On Independence Day, Anna had over five lakh mentions through status updates and comments across top social networking sites, including Facebook and Twitter in the country. Two days later, the number had shot up to 9 million. On Thursday, while he was still in Delhi's Tihar Jail, the number of posts and updates mentioning him rose to over 12 million.

If you are not with him, It’s time to wakeup..its time for each one of us to ask this same question ARE WE WITH ANNA OR NOT ON THE ISSUE OF CORRUPTION.

Feats of St John Marie Vianney....

Over the last many years the image of the Priest has taken a beating, with the sex scandal in the US and the corruption scandal in many part of our own city and Country.

Last year accidently I was given a letter which was written by a group of so called “Concern Citizens” criticizing the priest for many wrong decisions that we have taken or favouring their own men for the some work in the church...

While there are many ifs and buts, it better not to dig into such matters. In a few days from now we celebrate the Feast of St John Marie Vianney and following his example, do something that he did best. PRAY...

Pls Pray for your Priest..we need your prayers to do thing in a manner that is RIGHT and JUST in the sight of God.

Why you need to write a will.......

Posted by: "Bombay Catholic Sabha, Kalina" MangaloreanCatholics@gmail.com
Mon Aug 1, 2011 12:04 am (PDT)


For the past six months, Delhi-based Padma Malhotra and her three children have been struggling to access what is rightfully theirs. They have been unable to lay hands on the financial assets of Malhotra's husband, who passed away in January. The emotional trauma of losing him was followed by despair at not being able to withdraw the money lying in his bank account or access his other investments. This upheaval has been sparked by a single act of omission on the part of Malhotra's husband-writing a will.

"My husband didn't leave a will and had not named a nominee," she says ruefully. So, she and her kids have been running around to prove that they are the only legal heirs. Malhotra's husband has a substantial amount of money in his bank account, but it cannot be withdrawn till the bank is satisfied that there are no other claimants. "We have submitted copies of the death certificate and our ration card as well as a letter of indemnity, but the bank is demanding more documents," says Malhotra.

In Noida, 73-year-old RR Grover is not leaving anything to chance. He has experienced at close quarters how problematic it can be if the head of the family dies without leaving a will. "I don't want my heirs to run around to get what is theirs. So I have drafted a will that spells out how the assets will be distributed among them," he says.

Writing a will

Any adult who wants to distribute his assets can write a will. "Whether you are a daily wage earner or a tycoon , you have the right to dispose of the assets you own according to your wish," says Rajesh Dalmia, a Kolkata-based certified financial planner. A will is an instrument that allows you to do so.

It is not necessary to write it on a stamp paper or even get it registered. You can write a will on plain paper and it will be as legally valid as one prepared by a lawyer. All it should do is identify you as the testator (or the person who is making the will), list out your assets and specify how these are to be distributed. Whether you type it out or write it down, it is a legal document as long as it is signed by you and attested by two witnesses.

"The only requirement is that the will should be legible. If a person is old and frail, he should avoid writing it himself and get it typed to avoid disputes in the future," says Amit Aggarwal, a lawyer with SNG & Partners, a Delhi-based law firm.

However, if there is a complication in the ownership of assets and wealth, you may need the help of a legal professional to draft the will. Such a person will ensure that there are no loopholes or ambiguity in the language that may lead to disputes later on. More importantly, he will make sure that the distribution is within the ambit of the law. "When it comes to making a will, the wishes of the testator should be legally enforceable. Therefore, consulting a professional on this matter is important," says Pavan Duggal, a Delhi-based lawyer.

Legal viability

A will cannot override the natural succession of ancestral wealth. A person cannot will away the entire inherited property. He can pass on only his share to anybody he wants, but the remaining property can be willed only to the legal heirs. Suppose a Hindu man inherits 50 lakh from his father. If he has four legal heirs, then he has only a 20% share in that amount. The balance belongs to the four heirs.

If you want to bequeath assets to people other than the natural heirs, you would need to mention the reason for doing so. This would foreclose the chances of any objection from other beneficiaries.

A will has to be attested by at least two witnesses. They should be reliable and preferably much younger than you are in order to ensure that they are alive when your will is being executed.

Sanjana Bali, a partner with KB Partners, a Delhi-based law firm, recounts a case in which the deceased had willed everything to one of his children. The other siblings filed an objection but the sole beneficiary could not prove the validity of the will because the witnesses could not be located. The matter was resolved only after the beneficiary agreed to split the assets with the others.

Such cases bring into focus the role of the executor of the will, who is supposed to oversee the distribution of your assets according to your will. "Not only should he be a reliable person, but someone your heirs will be willing to listen to," says Narendra Ahuja, a Delhi-based lawyer. If the asset distribution is not equitable, it can lead to squabbles, and unless the executor can resolve them, the matter may end up in court.

This is also the reason legal experts advise that the will should be registered. This is not mandatory, but it puts a stamp of authenticity. Registering a will can cost as little as 200-300. You can get it registered with a sub-registrar. To make it ironclad, use a stamp paper to make the will. One copy of the will is filed in the registrar records and the original is given back to the testator.

Is gifting a better option?

Instead of going through the rigmarole of making a will, one can simply gift them during one's lifetime . However, gifting has its own limitations. Once the asset is given, it becomes the property of the receiver . Experts say it is risky for a person to give away all his assets during his lifetime and then be at the mercy of the beneficiaries.

On the other hand, an individual can change his will, deleting names and adding new ones. A minor change can be done by filing a codicil instead of rewriting the entire will. This is a supplementary document which specifies the changes in the will. "One of the reasons people postpone making a will is the misconception that it cannot be altered. This is not true; you can make any number of changes," says Ahuja. The latest will supersedes all previous documents.

Appoint a nominee

One seamless option of transferring assets to your heirs is to make them nominees. All financial investments offer this facility. However, while a nomination ensures a smooth transfer of assets, it does not make the nominee the sole owner of those assets . The other legal heirs can stake a claim to them.

In a case that came up before the Supreme Court in 1983, a life insurance policyholder died without writing a will, leaving behind his mother, wife and son. His wife was the nominee of the insurance policy, but his mother and his son filed petitions, both demanding a one-third share. The court ruled in their favour, stating that the nomination only indicates that the person is authorised to receive the amount but is not the sole owner of that sum.

Making a will online

A few companies such as Warmond Trustees & Executors and Vakilno 1.com offer to make a will online. You need to register with the company and key in your personal and financial information. Once this is uploaded, the company drafts a will and sends it to you within seven days. Besides making the will, these companies help with the registration and also act as an executor. The cost of this convenience: 10,000.

However, this option works only if you have a simple portfolio and there are no conditions involved in the distribution of assets. "This is because any will with a complex structure requires a one-on-one discussion," says Sandeep Nerlekar, MD and CEO, Warmond Trustees & Executors. If you want an online will, you as well as the two witnesses need to have a digital signature.

If there is no will, the estate of the deceased is distributed in accordance with the law of succession. However, such cases usually end up in court or are settled after acrimonious negotiations. There is also a cost attached. If you apply for a succession certificate from the court because there's no will, you need to pay up to 3% of the value of the assets. This is why you should settle these issues during your lifetime. "A will is a legal document that clearly demarcates what should go to whom and bypasses all succession laws. It reduces the chances of dispute and lessens emotional distress," says Bali.

How to bequeath your digital assets

A significant part of our lives is spent online, saving or exchanging information in the form of blogs, photos, e-mails and financial data. Have you wondered what happens to it after you are gone? There is no legislation in India stipulating who will own online accounts, such as e-mail and social media, if the owner dies. "More and more, things are moving to the digital eco-system ," says Pavan Duggal, a Supreme Court lawyer, who recently got a will drafted for digital assets. The bequeathment process is similar to that for physical assets. The first step is to make an inventory. If the assets have monetary or personal value, name the person who will be the sole owner. However, many of these Websites are based overseas and your heirs may have to travel abroad for completing legal formalities

The People i Left behind........

It’s really hard to sit in a new place and not look back at the people u have left behind. I have just been transferred from St Joseph’s Church Goregaon East to Holy Family Church Pestom Sagar and I can’t remember single instance that I have not looked back to think of people who were a part of my life.

Every time I pick up a Scrap card written by someone from the parish, I can’t help but smile and say to myself yes he/she has really touch my life... every SMS ends with the lines, Fr. We really miss u...and I smile back and say to my self...yes even I miss them.

In spite of all the ups and downs I experienced, I really enjoyed myself. There was lot to learn for every experience, form every encounter. An old sister once told me when I was a seminarian, that there is lot to learn from every single soul, provided u r willing to learn, and that has been my experience. Be it the Home for the Aged [ oooops sorry, my sweethearts ], the SSC animators or the zones that I was in touch with, or the Youth of the parish, they all made me feel young and one of them. The Eucharistic celebrations every Sunday and the Canteen after that was the high point of everything.

I loved every moment of my stay there. The little fights among the cats and ms J’s, the miss calls and the sms’s, the picnics and the waterfalls, the church collections and movies, the shared breakfast and lovely small parties we had, and how can I forget the many times I bored u all with my sermons, hmhmhm how I miss all those moments, they will never come again, but they will remain a treasure for the rest of my life. All in all I will miss all my young little sweethearts, some of them are still in touch with me.

Thanks for all that U have done for me!

Sayonara!

Yes we will meet again....

Reactions and Response:

Reactions and Response:

Suddenly, a cockroach flew from somewhere and sat on a lady. I wondered if this was the cockroach's response to all the glory that was spoken about it! She started screaming out of fear. With panic stricken face and trembling voice, she started jumping, with both her hands desperately trying to get rid of the cockroach. Her reaction was contagious, as everyone in her group got cranky to what was happening. The lady finally managed to push the cockroach to another lady in the group. Now, it was the turn of the other lady in the group to continue the drama. The waiter rushed forward to their rescue.

In the relay of throwing, the cockroach next fell upon the waiter. The waiter stood firm, composed himself and observed the behavior of the cockroach on his shirt. When he was confident enough, he grabbed and threw it out with his fingers. Sipping my coffee and watching the amusement, the antenna of my mind picked up a few thoughts and started wondering! Was the cockroach responsible for their histrionic behavior? If so, then why was the waiter not disturbed? He handled it near to perfection, without any chaos. It is not the cockroach, but the inability of the ladies to handle the disturbance caused by the cockroach that disturbed the ladies.

I realized even in my case then, it is not the shouting of my father or my boss that disturbs me, but it's my inability to handle the disturbances caused by their shouting that disturbs me. It's not the traffic jams on the road that disturbs me, but my inability to handle the disturbance caused by the traffic jam that disturbs me.

More than the problem, it's my reaction to the problem that hurts me.



The Take-Away:

The women reacted, whereas the waiter responded. We should not react in life, we should always respond.



Reactions are instinctive whereas responses are always intellectual !!!

This site is very informative, which ever diseases you click-upon (I wish you don’t have one),.... it gives you the video explanation !!!!
Interactive Sites on Medical Information

The tutorials listed below are interactive health education resources from the Patient Education Institute. Using animated graphics, each tutorial explains the procedure or condition in easy-to-read and understand language. You can also listen to the tutorial.

JUST CLICK ON YOUR PREFFERED AILMENT
These tutorials require a special Flash plug-in, version 6 or above... If you do not have this in your PC, you will be prompted to obtain a free download of the software before you start the tutorial.

Diseases and Conditions:
This site is very informative, which ever diseases you click-upon (I wish you don’t have one),.... it gives you the video explanation !!!!
Interactive Sites on Medical Information

The tutorials listed below are interactive health education resources from the Patient Education Institute. Using animated graphics, each tutorial explains the procedure or condition in easy-to-read and understand language. You can also listen to the tutorial.

JUST CLICK ON YOUR PREFFERED AILMENT
These tutorials require a special Flash plug-in, version 6 or above... If you do not have this in your PC, you will be prompted to obtain a free download of the software before you start the tutorial.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/

Poem

Reflecting on the Book of Job,the first readings for this week, i would like to share a beautiful Poem that i found:

"My dreams of Life were laid;
My journey mapped and made,
The Lord was at my Side,
to be my Friends and Guide.

And so I started out.
but then the Sky turned dark.
The road grew steep and stark,
i scared could travel on.
I turned and cried out: 'My Lord!
Why the Pain; Why the plight?
Where's the road; where's the light?

The Lord turned and said: 'My Child!
Why the Fear; why the Fret?
Where's your heart; where's your Faith?
I chose this road for you,
Just Trust and Travel on."

Another short Story....

A well-to-do lady who had become Spiritual late in life was walking along the city street accompanied by her granddaughter. When a
beggar approached them, the old lady listened to his tale. She then took a bill from her purse and placed it in his palm. At the next corner a Salvation Army volunteer was waiting and the old lady dropped a gift into her kettle. Her granddaughter looked at her with curiosity and then said: “Grandma, I guess you have lost a lot since you became
a woman of faith, haven’t you?”

“Yes,” said the old lady, “I have. I have lost a quick temper, a habit of criticizing others, and a tendency to spend all my spare time in frivolous social events and pleasures that mean nothing. I have
also lost a spirit of greed and selfishness.

Yes, indeed, I have lost a good deal. “And what I have gained is invaluable!-- Peace of mind; power in prayer; a Friend Who is always with me, knows, loves and protects me; fulfillment and richness in life that I never knew existed; faith that allows no room for fears; a promise of a wonderful Heavenly Home when I’m through with this earthly one--and much more! Yes, I’m happy about what I’ve lost, and what I have gained is priceless!”

How many of us fall in the trap of not giving...Today as we celebrate the feast of Mother Marys Birthday..let us lear to give of our selves..She gave her self totally in the hands of God...Let it be done to me as You have said....Mary Sets and example for us to imitate..Happy feast to each one of You and God Bless you...

Thought for the Day - Short Stories

Once when there was a famine, a kind, rich baker sent for twenty of the poorest children in the town, and said to them, “In this basket there is a loaf for each of you. Take it, and come back to me every day at this hour till God sends us better times.”

The hungry children gathered eagerly about the basket, and most quarreled over the bread, because each wished to have the largest loaf. At last they went away without even thanking the good gentleman.

But Gretchen, a poorly dressed little girl, did not quarrel or struggle with the rest, but remained standing quietly to the side. When the ill-behaved children had left, she took the smallest loaf, which alone was left in the basket, kissed the gentleman’s hand, and went home.

The next day the children were as ill behaved as before, and poor, timid Gretchen received a loaf scarcely half the size of the one she got the first day. When she went home, and her mother cut the loaf
open, many new shining pieces of silver fell out of it.

Her mother was very much alarmed, and said, “Take the money back to the good gentleman at once, for it must have gotten into the dough by accident. Be quick, Gretchen! Be quick!”

But when the little girl gave the rich man her mother ’s message, he said, “No, no, my child, it was no mistake. I had the silver pieces put into the smallest loaf to reward you. Always be as contented, kind,
and thankful as you now are. Go home now, and tell your mother that the money is your own.”

If we give to others, yield to them to make them happy, or put their wishes above our own, we can sometimes feel like we’re losing out. But we’re not really. God sees such unselfishness, and He will reward
it. You never lose by giving.

--Adapted from McGuffey’s Third Reader

Hi Friends...

Many have been asking me why have not a regular blogger and not posted something for a long long time...

i have no excuse or reasons to give..just say that i will now be a regular to My Page and share with u something that interest me..

Hope u enjoy reading my stuff and reflections...

Holy Eucharist

3 Mistakes We make at Mass

by Melody Laila

(01) Come in Late: Can you imagine if you were given the chance to meet with U.S. President Barack Obama? Regardless of what your political views are, it would be a great honor & opportunity that no one would miss. Most likely, you’d pick your clothes out carefully, if you’re a woman, you’d probably also get your hair done, you’d ‘casually’ let it slip that you were going to meet the president (or perhaps not so casually, by blogging about it!). Whatever you’d do however, this is one thing you would not do: you would not be late.
You’d probably even be very early, just so that you could get a good place if possible & to make sure the security checks didn’t make you run behind time. All this to meet with a human being.
And when we’re given the Amazing, Miraculous, Divine honor & opportunity to meet with & receive Jesus in the most Holy Sacrament of Mass, what do we do?
Often times we do it on automatic, routinely, just doing what we have to do to complete an obligation. I’ve been late to Mass one time too many. If I say I love the Lord and if I truly believe He’s really present during Mass, then how can I be late, no matter what the human justification?
To combat this area, I now pick out my clothes the night before (helps especially since I go for an early Mass on Sunday). I also aim to reach church a whole 15 minutes before Mass starts - that way even if I get 5 to 10 minutes before Mass starts, it helps me settle in & pray before, rather than run in all huffing & puffing just in time or miss anything because I’m late.



(02) Paid more attention to the Punctuation & Pronunciation of the Reader than the Reading: I fancy myself a good orator. And so, many times when the lector (churcy term for the person who reads the readings during Mass) makes a mistake in pronunciation or the like, instead of letting it go & concentrating on what the Lord is saying to me, I have laughed in my head. Or wondered how “these people” can go to read.
This shameful pride of mine is just the door Satan needs to enter into me and steal away the precious gifts the Lord intends to give to me during the Reading of His most Holy Word during Mass.
To combat this area, I consciously ask the Lord to remove all pride from me & if my focus does shift off the reading to the reader, I ask the Lord for pardon & consciously try to focus on the reading again.

(03) Post Communion Fashion Parade: Am quiet ashamed to say I ever did this, but yet it is true. There was a time that after communion, I’d settle down & quite happily look at whatever everyone else receiving communion & walking down the aisle - or the fashion ramp in my head - was wearing. Worse still, I’d judge them: “too skimpy for church / what, no time to get out of tracks? / too fat to be wearing that!” Yes, I know. I was horrible.

Mercifully the Lord pardons all sinners who’re truly repentant - which means those who are not only sorry but also make a concerted effort to not repeat the sin.
And to this extent, I now sit on the first pew & pretty much kneel & close my eyes until well after communion is over.
As an added benefit of doing this, I’m able to concentrate on praying after communion better and the whole experience of receiving the real Presence of our Lord is now a valued one. Have noted only three mistakes, but there are so many other things we are all sometimes guilty of:

* Being distracted by the Choir / Cantor / Musicians (for no fault of theirs)
* Being judgmental about the Priest celebrating / giving Holy communion
* Being distracted by other people in Mass (again for no fault of theirs)
* Not actually praying the prayers, but only saying them automatically like a machine
* Rushing off before the last hymn is sung!
* Fussing about with children during Mass - good tip: sit near the exits so that in event of an emergency / crying baby, you can leave without a big to-do!
* Keeping Cell phones on during Mass!
* Talking to person near by during Mass
* Fussing about with hair / adjusting clothes too much

Remember Holy Mass is a Community form of prayer - if we fail to do our part, besides You are preserved from dangers and misfortunes which otherwise might have befallen you. You are blessed in your temporal goods and affairs despite you not realising it. nce, St. Teresa was overwhelmed with God's Goodness and asked Our Lord "How can I thank you?" Our Lord replied, "ATTEND ONE MASS."

A Virtual Visit to Vatican

INSTRUCTIONS: After you link on the site below and select an image and it appears, then
HOLD DOWN THE LEFT MOUSE BUTTON AND SLOWLY MOVE THE CURSOR AROUND THE ROOM. THEN CLOSE THE WINDOW AND START OVER. CLOSE BY CLICKING ON THE UPPER LEFT CORNER ARROW. BE SURE TO USE THE MOUSE WHEEL TO ZOOM IN. THE DETAIL IS BEAUTIFUL !!

Cut and past the below link onthe web address page...

http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_giovanni/vr_tour/index-en.html

The most awesome thing I have ever seen on the net. The Vatican virtual tours.
Once you get the hang of it, you can easily spend hours on this site
The lower left of your screen has a plus and minus button for zooming.

Should I celebrate my Birthday????

This is a Question I asked a thousand times….and yes yesterday I asked once again…Should we celebrate our Birthdays. YES…..

I, on purpose say yes in Capitols, because it has its own reasons. It’s good to be thankful for what you have achieved in life…the good and the bad.

Birth is our beginning. It is a window to the chance of a lifetime, the chance to fulfill our unique mission. So a birthday is a meaningful occasion, to be celebrated just as a nation celebrates its birth or as an organization celebrates its founding. Still, it is much more than an occasion to receive gifts. It is a chance to remember the day that a major event occurred, to celebrate and give thanks and to reflect upon how well we are fulfilling our calling.

A birthday is a time to celebrate birth itself, the joy of life. It is also an occasion to rethink your life: How great is the disparity between what I have accomplished and what I can accomplish? Am I spending my time properly or am I involved in things that distract me from my higher calling? How can I strengthen the thread that connects my outer life and my inner life?

On your birthday, gather with family and friends and enjoy something meaningful together.
I know many of them who close themselves on their birthday…switch off phones, go out on a be all by them selves on that day…people who have a different view of life…since I am getting old so why celebrate..

It's not the day you hate, but the fact that we are getting older, nor as fit or healthy as we used to be, we've stopped going out for midnight parties. and started listening to FM radio and eating diet food, or sometimes it's just looking at our shinning hair falling into the bowl, doesn’t mean that we should close our selves to others…

Cheer up, honey, You're not the only one getting old. No one likes getting older. But it's happening to us all, and ignoring your birthday won't make the family parties go away.

Even if you shut your self from the world or sit alone on a mountain top for the day, you're going to be a year older. What's more, if you're all alone with your depressing thoughts, who's going to stop you from jumping off?

I say, embrace your oldness. Take your age, multiply it by 100, then fly or drive that many kilometers away from where you live. Allow your favorite friends to accompany you and leave the rest behind. A birthday comes just once a year, so make birthday time extra special for those you care about.

I like to end with this beautiful poem I found on the net with regards to birthday….

Birthday Blessings
Instead of counting candles,
Or tallying the years,
Contemplate your blessings now,
As your birthday nears.
Consider special people
Who love you, and who care,
And others who’ve enriched your life
Just by being there.
Think about the memories
Passing years can never mar,
Experiences great and small
That have made you who you are.
Another year is a happy gift,
So cut your cake, and say,
"Instead of counting birthdays,
I count blessings every day!"
By Joanna Fuchs