RosemarieDRE: HOW IS IT THAT YOU MUST DECREASE...SO GOD CAN INCREASE?

Monday, May 4, 2009

HOW IS IT THAT YOU MUST DECREASE...SO GOD CAN INCREASE?

Saturday night, we went to a concert by the Huntington Men's Chorus. They were wonderful, and our very own deacon had a solo, which was simply incredible. I told him afterward that he must sing EVERYTHING from now on...homilies, lessons, voicemail messages...EVERYTHING!

During the show, I spotted an elderly man, across the aisle, enjoying himself immensely. During the entire concert, he kept tapping the tips of his fingers together in time to the music. He was too cute. The smile on his face, that never dimmed the entire time, was infectious.

I can't get that man out of my mind. He simply glowed with the excitement of a little child! He came to enjoy himself and that is what he did! He had a way about him that reminded me of a young boy enjoying a new toy. Watching him enjoy the program made my enjoyment of the show increase.

I imagine that is how God feels when he watches us. His enjoyment of creation and humanity must increase when he sees us enjoying and taking good care of it and each other.

I think of the commercial, when I was a little girl, of the Native American man looking out over litter strewn along the highway, and garbage ruining the lake...the commercial ended with a tear streaming down that man's cheek.

I wonder, how many more times, God's enjoyment decreases by our actions and our words in relation to the created world and each other.

We have been told, and know it to be true that we must decrease so God may increase.

What are YOU doing today, that might increase God's enjoyment?

What are YOU doing that might bring a tear, instead, like the one in that long ago commercial?

How is it that YOU must decrease...so God can increase?

2 comments:

NCSueMay 4, 2009 at 6:45 PM
A friend of mine (who died several years ago) used to have such a childlike faith - simple, joyful, trusting. It was quite touching to see. And she used to pray daily, "Lord Jesus, please grow real big in me and help me to grow real small." I suspect she's giggling in heaven right now.

Thank you for this post - it meant a lot to me.
NCSue
http://acts17verse28.blogspot.com/
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RosemarieDREMay 13, 2009 at 4:37 PM
You are very welcome! I think I might adopt that prayer: simple and direct. God isn't fooled by the flowery...He knows our hearts and souls better than we ever could. Your friend sounds like a gem. I am sorry for your loss. But, know that with the kind of faith she had she is watching over you and interceding for you in every circumstance.
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PRAYER FOR THE YEAR FOR PRIESTS

Dear Lord,
We pray that the Blessed Mother wrap her mantle around your priests and through her intercession strengthen them for their ministry.
We pray that Mary will guide your priests to follow her own words:
"Do whatever He tells you (John 2:5).
May your priests have the heart of Saint Joseph, Mary's most chaste spouse.
May the Blessed Mother's own pierced heart inspire them to embrace all who suffer at the foot of the cross.
May your priests be holy, filled with the fire of your love, seeking nothing but your greater glory, and the salvation of souls.
Amen.

Saint John Vianney,
Pray For Us.

PRAYER TO THE APOSTLE PAUL

PROCEDURE FOR THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

1. Greet the priest.

2. While making the Sign of the Cross say: "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been (length of time) since my last confession."

3. List your sins. Use this link to help you examine your conscience beforehand:
Examination of Conscience

4. When you are done say: "For these and all the sins of my past life I am truly sorry."

5. Listen for Father's advice and your Penance.

6. Pray The Act of Contrition (see below).

7. Wait for Absolution.

8. Make the Sign of the Cross as Father blesses you.

9. Thank, Father and go do your Penance.

10. Bask in the glow of renewal and peace!

Act of Contrition

My God,
I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against You whom I should love above all things.

I firmly intend with Your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, suffered and died for us. In His name, my God have mercy.
Amen.

NOVENAS

Efficacious Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

I. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you." Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of...... (here name your request) Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory Be.... Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

II. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you." Behold, in your name, I ask the Father for the grace of.......(here name your request) Our Father...Hail Mary....Glory Be To the Father....Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

III. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away." Encouraged by your infallible words I now ask for the grace of.....(here name your request) Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory Be to the Father...Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of you, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, your tender Mother and ours.

Say the Hail, Holy Queen and add: St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us.

-- St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

CHAPLET OF SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father...

[Say one Our Father and three Hail Marys after each of the following nine salutations in honor of the nine Choirs of Angels]

1. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Seraphim may the Lord make us worthy to burn with the fire of perfect charity. Amen.

2. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Cherubim may the Lord grant us the grace to leave the ways of sin and run in the paths of Christian perfection. Amen.

3. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Thrones may the Lord infuse into our hearts a true and sincere spirit of humility. Amen.

4. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Dominations may the Lord give us grace to govern our senses and overcome any unruly passions. Amen.

5. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Virtues may the Lord preserve us from evil and falling into temptation. Amen.

6. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Powers may the Lord protect our souls against the snares and temptations of the devil. Amen.

7. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Principalities may God fill our souls with a true spirit of obedience. Amen.

8. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Archangels may the Lord give us perseverance in faith and in all good works in order that we may attain the glory of Heaven. Amen.

9. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Angels may the Lord grant us to be protected by them in this mortal life and conducted in the life to come in Heaven. Amen.

Say one Our Father in honor of each of the following leading Angels: St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael and our Guardian Angel.

Concluding Prayers:

O glorious prince St. Michael, chief and commander of the heavenly hosts, guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits, servant in the house of the Divine King and our admirable conductor, you who shine with excellence and superhuman virtue deliver us from all evil, who turn to you with confidence and enable us by your gracious protection to serve God more and more faithfully every day.

Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ, that we may be made worthy of His promises.

Almighty and Everlasting God, Who, by a prodigy of goodness and a merciful desire for the salvation of all men, has appointed the most glorious Archangel St. Michael Prince of Your Church, make us worthy, we ask You, to be delivered from all our enemies, that none of them may harass us at the hour of death, but that we may be conducted by him into Your Presence.

This we ask through the merits of Jesus Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

PRAYER TO SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host
-by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits, who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.

For More Prayers And Devotions Go To:
ETERNAL WORD TELEVISION NETWORK

Monday, May 4, 2009

HOW IS IT THAT YOU MUST DECREASE...SO GOD CAN INCREASE?

2 comments:

RosemarieDRE

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