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Due to the sudden death of my father,
I will not update this site for a while.
May his soul rest in peace.
Paix à son âme!

1) When you have done everything that was commanded of you say, ‘We are useless servants’‘we have done what it was our duty to do.”
2) “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into your Master’s joy.”
There is such a paradoxical tension, such a challenge, between these two calls to be “servant”… And we need to hold both of them in front of us, the first one infused with humility and duty, dedication and generosity. And the second one is the promise – and the reality – of LOVE and REST and JOY.

You brought confusion on the guards at your tumb, but joy to your disciples,
grant the fullness of joy to all who serve you.
– Save us, Lord, through your victory.
(Liturgy of the Hours, morning prayer, Monday April 22, 2012)
Isn't it interesting how the very same events can be seen and misunderstood and bring confusion
or seen more clearly and understood more profoundly and bring joy!
(and to think that some people say that faith has no relevance to today... think again, think of the guards at the tumb! Or, another way to drive the same point home is: are we a guard or a disciple? Not that guards are not needed, of course they are, they were doing their job. We need guards. But we need disciples even more. Our call, as Christians, as followers of Jesus Christ, is discipleship. Love and meekness. Christ wants us to be his disciples).

You have visited the earth and brought life-giving rain to fill it with plenty, alleluia! (Psalm 65)
I read this verse this morning and it got me to think of something I wrote last year. I added more photos and here it is: A photo essay and an article on the waters of life on earth on one level and the life-giving streams of faith on another one and how the two are forever connected: "Waters of the oceans and streams of faith" here .

Perpetual Adoration in the Sacre-Coeur in Paris. I was blessed with having the possibility to spend a night in the Sacre-Coeur during Holy Week. It was a very special, moving and fruitful experience which I highly recommend. Once the doors are closed to the general public, once the lights have been turned off, except for one on our Lord, and one on the altar and the ambon, then you realized how special this place - and this moment - is. You can hear the noises of the city, one of the most famous city in the world, but the noises are softened, filtered, and it feels like you are in a huge vessel (as the Benedictine Sister said, the one who introduced our group to Adoration in the basilica) suspended between the world (and its noises and its distractions) and the infinite, and you are there, alone with the Lord, the Son of God, the Word made Flesh, the Prince of Peace... For more information, check out this video: here on the basilica site.

Useless Servants! Put On Your Aprons! As I proclaimed those lines and began to preach I could see people cringing and grimacing at this piece of "good news." I have struggled with this reading often wondering over its meaning and this time, a glimmer of insight was given. It has to do with the aprons! Yes, the aprons!...
"There is an old Jewish story about a man who was born into the mines and lived there below ground until he was in his twenties. Then one day the King's attendant died and he was brought up from the mines and chosen to be the King's attendant. Overnight his life was radically altered. He lived in sunlight, and ate and was clothed in fine garments and dwelled close to the king. The king and he became friends and so, in a short period of time he was not just the king's personal servant, but friend, advisor and counselor, even given the keys to the king's treasury. And so, in his fast rise to power and influence, he made enemies. These enemies kept telling the king that he was being taken advantage of, and that the servant was stealing from him. Everyday he went into the treasury and locked himself into the vault with all the king's jewels, gold and valuables, stayed there for about an hour and came out. They were sure that he was filling the hidden pockets of his long vest and garments with jewels. The king refused to believe them, but finally he had a hole drilled in the wall of the safe so that he could spy on his servant-friend and see what he was doing in his treasure house. He watched and the man entered, locked the door and took out a bundle from inside the safe area…he took off his garments and redressed in the clothes that he had worn when he came from the mines. He lit a candle and began to pray. "O Lord, help me remember that I am your servant only. I may be the king's servant and have more power than I ever imagined but it is you alone that I serve." And he prayed like this for nearly an hour. Then he undressed and put back on his fine garments, wrapped the old ragged ones up in a bundle and placed them back in the safe. He pulled himself together, unlocked the door and walked out into the corridor. The king was waiting for him there. And it was the king who bowed low before his servant and spoke to him: "My servant-friend, my court has warned me repeatedly that you are a thief and that you spend your days stealing from me and I did not believe them. But you are a thief! You have stolen my heart! You have reminded me as no one else ever has that though I may be the king, before God I am only his worthless and useless servant and that is what I will be judged as when I stand before God. Please, you must promise me that you will remind me of this always so that I too will serve God alone."
Read more here on Megan McKenna site.

What a beautiful and inspirational story! It's all about the love between a father and son, it is all about relationships, about being able to "see" the potential in our children and therefore to see it in our neighbors too. Yes, really, it is all about the grace of God, which is the love of God for us, his children and all the gifts he offers us. We are not always able to see grace and love, we walk around with blinders and ear plugs for most of the time and we are usually in our own little bubble, imprisoned by our own prejudices, but, once in a while, love breaks through and grace will shine and illuminate our surroundings (and enlighten us interiorly too) and this is what is recorded in this short video!

Ant. If your virtue does not surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
INTERCESSIONS
Thanks be to Christ the Lord, who brought us life by his death on the cross.
With our whole heart let us ask him:
– By your death raise us to life.
Teacher and Savior, you have shown us your fidelity and made us a new creation by your passion,
keep us from falling again into sin.
Help us to deny ourselves today,
and not deny those in need.
May we receive this day of penance as your gift,
and give it back to you through works of mercy.
Master our rebellious hearts,
and teach us generosity.
(Morning prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours, March 2, 2012)

I'm reading a wonderful book "The Sign of Jonas" by Thomas Merton. I had not read Thomas Merton in quite a long time and I'm absolutely delighted with this book. It is his diary after he entered the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani, a Trappist monastery, recording the daily details of alternating tasks and prayers in the monastery and his own spiritual and intellectual journey. Fascinating!

THE TRUE NATURE OF FASTING. Here is a wonderful article on why we should fast in preparation for Easter and on how to do it, exteriorly and interiorly. I truly love the way the Orthodox faith insist again and again on how we cannot but be profoundly changed by our religion, on the outside and the inside, how they stress the intellectual and mystical quality of the Christian life. The article is a little long and the same thing could be said in a more condensed manner (what can I say, I'm Catholic!...). But I do love the way Bishop Ware links the crucial importance of "praying, almsgiving" and "fasting", warning us that if all three are not combined, itcan be disastrous, it can allow"pride" to sneak in our fasting. His detailling of the five misconceptions about fasting is very informative. " This sense of resurrection joy, so vividly described by Bishop Nikolai, forms the foundation of all the worship of the Orthodox Church; it is the one and only basis for our Christian life and hope. Yet, in order for us to experience the full power of this Paschal rejoicing, each of us needs to pass through a time of preparation. 'We waited,' says Bishop Nikolai, 'and at last our expectations were fulfilled.' Without this waiting, without this expectant preparation, the deeper meaning of the Easter celebration will be lost. So it is that before the festival of Easter there has developed a long preparatory season of repentance and fasting, extending in present Orthodox usage over ten weeks..". Read it all here on the Greek Orthodox American site.

Lord, may everything we do
begin with your inspiration,
continue with your help,
and reach perfection under your guidance.

Morning prayer, Liturgy of the Hours, Thursday after Ash Wednesday

I don't why exactly, but this year, more than ever, I could hardly wait for Lent to start! I see it as a great opportunity for my soul and my life.... My own reflections on Lent 2012 here

Everyone's Way of the Cross. About 10 years ago, while taking a silent Lenten retreat in St Clare's Retreat in the mountains above Santa Cruz, I discovered this most wonderful, reflective, moving and very encouraging, Way of the Cross, from Clarence Enzler. I have gone back to it again and again and I love it so much, I translated it and put it all on one page here.

MARRIAGE AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: Fundamental Goods That Stand or Fall Together. An Open Letter from Religious Leaders in the United States to All Americans. As religious leaders across a wide variety of faith communities, we join together to affirm that marriage in its true definition must be protected for its own sake and for the good of society. We also recognize the grave consequences of altering this definition. One of these consequences—the interference with the religious freedom of those who continue to affirm the true definition of “marriage”—warrants special attention within our faith communities and throughout society as a whole. For this reason, we come together with one voice in this letter. Read more of this terrific letter on the USCCB site here .

Against disease, which is evil’s doing, we must have faith in God’s love, pope says. “The four Evangelists agree that in addition to his preaching, Jesus’ main activity consisted of healing people from sickness and infirmities. Sickness is a sign of evil in the world and man, whilst healing shows that the Kingdom of God is near. Jesus came to defeat evil at its root; his healing anticipated his victory, which came with his Death and Resurrection.” “However, sickness is a typical human condition,” he added, “which shows us our lack of self-sufficiency and our need for others. In this sense and paradoxically, sickness can be a healthy moment to experience the attention of others and pay attention to others.” “Still, it is a trial that can be long and difficult... Read more here on the Asia News site.

The Vocation of Flannery O'Connor; by Father Damian Ference. I have already said on more than one occasion how much I love Flannery O'Connor and how much I am thankful for her faith (and her writing skills). Here is a very good introduction to her, to her work and her "vocation". One of the greatest disciples of the twentieth century was neither a priest, nor a religious, nor a married person. She was a celibate, single woman who spent the last 13 years of her life battling lupus while writing some of the best fiction the world has ever known... Read more here on the Word On Fire site.

Today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple ! It is such an amazing moment of the reality of the world being embraced and infused with a new light by the reality of the divine, it is such a beautiful meshing of the visible and the invisible world : the parents (the inner circle of the family) taking their newborn baby (the Lord of Creation) to the Temple (the house of worship) to be circumcised (the love and respect of tradition) and the Priest Simeon (the holy servant of God ever present to God's message) holding in his arms the child (the Savior of the world) and recognizing Him and proclaiming it to these ever widening circles:
- to the parents (to Mary the Theotokos, to Joseph the Guardian of the Redeemer),
- to Anna the prophetess (the devout and pious lay woman who ran out and told everyone),
- to the whole world (the promise to Israel is now unfolding and extended to all nations on the planet),
- to us today right here and now (think of the direct link going from that moment in the temple to each Mass today, anywhere in the world; going from the prayers of that day in the temple to the heart of each Christian praying today)… It was - and is, till the end - the process of the sanctification of the world!
Blessed be God!

Yoga - Health or Stealth? I am a very Christocentric Catholic and therefore I greatly appreciated the concluding paragraphs of this article (plus I'm already convinced of the hidden manipulations in "yoga"). But if you are using such Eastern practice as an exercise program or a relaxation method, unaware of what's behind the program and the method, please do read the whole article here on the Cross and the Veil site.

Internet mini-retreats. A friend recommended this link to me saying it was "powerful and spiritualy enriching" and I tried it, I liked it, so I am passing it on... here by Loyola press.

True submission and its power for good. "It is one of the paradoxes of creation that we gain control by submission." (Fulton J. Sheen) Yet submission's reputation is worse than any four-letter word currently in use. Feminist groups and others have denigrated the concept of submission without considering its merits. Children submit to the authority of their parents, teachers, religious and community leaders. Adults submit to the laws of the land, their employers, the demands of their state in life, to various rules and organizations that serve their purposes. All of these things make for good children, good parents, and good citizens. Read more of this intriguing article by Dan Shea here on Catholic.org.

Romans chapter 8 verses 38-39 For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nothing already in existence and nothing still to come, nor any power, nor the heights nor the depths, nor any created thing whatever, will be able to come between us and the love of God, known to us in Christ Jesus our Lord. Today on the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, I can only say Thank you Paul!

Why I love religion AND I love Jesus! Here are 6 terrific videos explaining (sometimes very movingly and always truthfully and faithfully) how the love for Jesus needs to be coupled with the love for His Church.
What would you think of a father who would say I love my kids but I hate this "family" thing?
What would you think of a husband who would say I love my wife but I hate marriage?
It's the same for the Son of God and religion. I find it very appropriate to post these videos today, on the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, because what are the most beautiful and famous Epistles in the world if not love letters to Jesus and His Church?
- Why I love religion and love Jesus by Fr. Claude (Dusty) Burns here
- A Response to "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus" by Defense 4 the faith, a young man here
- Catholic Response to "Why I Hate Religion but Love Jesus" by Ryan at Franciscan here
- RE: Why I hate religion, but love Jesus (A plea) by Madeline Marie a young girl here
- Why I Love Religion and I Love Jesus by Fr. Brian Carpenter. here
- Why I Hate Religion But Love Jesus - A Catholic Response By make a friar … here

For a listing of prayers, articles,
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see the Site Map

Saint Nilus of Sora. The subject of the Skete Rule is primarily not the outward order of the monastery, but the inward activity of the monk. The Holy Fathers call this activity the "Mental work", which means the practice of the Orthodox spiritual life, centering on the Prayer of Jesus. After an introduction emphasizing that all outward, bodily labors are precisely for the purpose of purifying the "inner vessel", St. Nilus gives an outline of the inward spiritual battle, which occurs in the mind, in the realm of thoughts. The victory or defeat which the Orthodox Christian sustains here is then translated into the virtues or vices which can be observed outwardly. Five degrees can be distinguished in the battle as one is led away from God-pleasing purity of mind:... Read more here on the Hermitage Journal org.

Humans as Reconcilers of Heavens and Earth by Matthew Tsakanikas. A terrific article on faith and freedom and why we are here and what we should do while here. "The trials and chastisements God permits, and even sends, are not because God hates us. God is love and loves us more than we love ourselves. He revealed this in Christ. Chastisements are aspects of God's providence within creation and they are difficult to understand by reason alone. Their understanding requires faith and revelation because God's ways are so high above ours. By faith we must accept that God is love and that God wills that the souls of all men be saved. Otherwise trials and chastisements become incomprehensible to rational creatures. Ultimately, trials and chastisements are about us facing our selfishness and choosing to love so that we grow in virtue..." Read more here on the Catholic Lane site.

Prayer Request: Presbyterian Elder Wants to Become Catholic. I love the catholic faith. However, I'm an elder in my Presbyterian church, and my wife reacted with absolute horror and anguish when I told her of my interest in Catholicism. She literally cried for almost a week. Yet I also find my fellowship with my evangelical brothers stimulating and encouraging, even life changing. So for now I'm kind of in a spiritual no-man's land. At adoration, I remember the Syrophoenician woman, pray a sincere act of contrition, and ask that Christ would come spiritually into my heart Read more of this fascinating journey here on the blog: Young, Evangelical and Catholic.

Unconditional parental love, by Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D “In part these pressures are the natural temptation to avoid the burdens of care for the handicapped .... In part, however, they are the pressures of cultural attitudes, assimilated by many Christians, toward the child.” He continues: “For many it has become merely quaint to think of each child as a unique gift of God; children are more like planned acquisitions in our culture, acquisitions which should fit into our expectations about how our lives should go, about the ease and enjoyments that should characterize our lifestyle. A child who might threaten our ease may, if he or she is viewed as an acquisition, be thought of as a replaceable acquisition. And indeed genetic counselors will tell parents: You can terminate this pregnancy and try again for a ‘normal child.’” Read more of Fr. Tadeusz very thoughtful article here on the site of Catholic San Francisco.

Glimpses of Divine Humor by Andrew M. Seddon, M.D. "On the rare occasions when I attempt the impossible task of imagining what heaven might be like, I envision saints — but not the dour, stern, serious saints of so much artwork. I imagine smiling saints with a humorous twinkle in their eyes. Saints such as Aidan, Cuthbert, Columba, and Patrick; an eighth-century pilgrim to the Holy Land from Byzantium (more of him later); and closer in time and experience, Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman. Why smiling saints? Because, looking back along my path to the Catholic Church, I can see the instances of humor that God used along the way, glinting like flecks of gold sprinkled in a vein of quartz".... Read more of this fascinating conversion story here on the Coming Home network site.

Claude Newman & his conversion through the intercession of the Virgin Mary. The remarkable true story of the miraculous intercession of the Virgin Mary in 1944 to prisoner Claude Newman of Mississippi - The Virgin Mary appears in a series of visions through the intercession of the Miraculous Medal and converts two men on death row. Claude Newman was an African American man who was born on December 1, 1923 to Willie and Floretta (Young) Newman in Stuttgart, Arkansas.... Read more here on Mystics of the Church site.

The Many Meanings of Christmas. Expert on St. Francis Considers the Crib and Other Elements of Jesus' Birthday. The account of Jesus has been given within the coordinates of history, that is, in a place and time: the place is that of Palestine and the time is -- as we say in the Creed -- "under Pontius Pilate." However, this isn't enough because many saw his humanity, listened to his word, admired also the miracles he wrought, but only some believed in his divinity. As St. Francis of Assisi says ... Read more here on Zenit.org site.

Love is Born on Christmas Morn - and the Whole World Begins Again. By Deacon Keith Fournier. "The Eternal Word, coexistent with the Father and the Spirit in the perfect unity that is Trinitarian Love, became a real man in real time and real history. He understands who we are. He truly entered into entirety of the human experience and in Him it has been forever transformed. Love is born today and in Him the world begins again. The One through whom the Universe was created entered into time and the world is recreated anew in Him". Deacon Keith has the gift to be able to write about the reality of the faith in a wonderful, clear and reasonable way and it gives us courage for the journey. Read more of this beautiful - and true - article here on the Catholic.org site.

The Mystery of the Incarnation. Mystery means something very specific in this context. It’s not exactly about a thrilling novel with a surprise ending, but it’s actually close. Mystery is about a plan that God is working through the course of everyday human events: People falling in love and getting married. Kids being born, growing up and themselves having kids. One nation warring against another. All these things you can see. But there is a hidden purpose of God that is being accomplished underneath it all and through it all. Read more here on The Integrated Catholic Life site.

My own P'tite Bûches de Noël... here .

"You can kill us but you cannot destroy us," the Martyr Justin said to the Roman judge who sentenced him to death.

Homily on the Transfiguration, by Saint John Chrysostom. I am reading this most beautiful homily! I have already said how much I love the Feast of the Transfiguration, I already once wrote how much Saint Ephraim's comments helped me. The reason why the Transfiguration matters so much is because HIS transfiguration is OUR hope, HIS glory shown to Peter, John and James (before his Passion and Resurrection) is a gift to us, a token of his love for OUR own good; it is a little taste of the fullness of peace, a quick preview of paradise. And as the Golden Mouth said: it was done to strengthen us. Read it here on the site: The Divine Lamp.

The Contemplatives of Saint Joseph. Have a look at the order founded by Fr. Vito Perrone: here What a blessing it is, what a blessing it will be, for the Bay Area and for the world. To find out more about Fr. Perrone and how this new order of contemplative men came about, read this very good article on Catholic SF: here .

I write about myself and about the discovery of faith, I tell the story of this great adventure filled with little miracles that keep unfolding themselves in each blessed moment of "kindness" and how easily I almost overlooked them... here

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see the Site Map

De la chair d’Adam à la chair du Christ : saint Irénée et Tertullien. Visibilité, consistance et bonté de la chair: Irénée voit en premier lieu dans l’incarnation le lieu de la manifestation, de la visibilité de Dieu par tous : « À tous le Père s’est révélé, en rendant son Verbe visible à tous, comme c’est aussi à tous que le Verbe a montré le Père et le Fils, puisqu’il a été vu de tous […] En lire plus ici. sur le site des Soeurs Apostoliques de Saint-Jean.

Adoration perpétuelle en la basilique du Sacré-Coeur à Paris. J'ai eu la tres grande chance de pouvoir y passer une nuit, durant la semaine Sainte, et c'est une experience étonnante, émouvante, et unique en son genre, et je la recommende chaudement! Une fois que les portes de la basilique sont fermées, une fois toutes les lumieres éteintes, sauf une sur le Seigneur, aur l'autel et l'ambon, et quelques bougies ici et là, on prend conscience d'être dans un endroit - et un moment - bénit, on entend les bruits de la ville (l'une des plus célebres au monde) mais les bruits sont feutrés, filtrés, et on se sent comme dans un vaisseau (comme l'a dit la soeur Benedictine qui introduisait notre groupe a l'Adoration dans la basilique) on est dans un moment de grâce, suspendu entre le monde (et ses bruits et ses distractions) et l'infini, chacun de nous face à face avec le Seigneur, le Fils de Dieu, le Verbe fait chair, le Prince de la Paix... Pour plus d'information, allez voir le site de la basilique ici

Le Christ est vivant. Créés dans le Verbe, nous cheminons dans le Christ depuis toujours. Il nous conduit à son propre accomplissement qui se produit à l’heure de sa Résurrection. Elle le fait passer, et nous en lui, de la vie "terrestre" à la vie de Dieu. En lui Dieu s’est fait homme pour que l’homme se fasse Dieu... En lire plus ici.

Celui qui demeure en moi porte beaucoup de fruit. L'abbé Pierre répétait souvent : "Lorsque nous arriverons à la fin de notre vie, on ne nous demandera pas si nous avons été croyants, mais si nous avons été crédibles", si nous avons vécu de façon cohérente nos engagements chrétiens. Notre foi peut se développer si elle est vivante, si elle joue un rôle actif dans notre vie de tous les jours, si elle porte du fruit. C'est pourquoi nous venons rencontrer le Seigneur chaque dimanche afin d'écouter sa parole et reprendre des forces pour la semaine qui commence. Porter du fruit ne veut pas dire faire des choses extraordinaires, ça veut dire faire bien les choses ordinaires. En lire plus ici sur le site du Père Yvon-Michel Allard, s.v.d., directeur du Centre biblique des Missionnaires du Verbe Divin, Canada.

L'humilité: " Qui s'abaisse sera élevé…". A travers les abaissements présentés comme les 12 degrés d'une échelle de Jacob dressée vers le ciel et par laquelle on descend en montant et l'on monte en descendant, saint Benoit veut conduire son disciple vers " la cime de la plus haute humilité ", synonyme, selon lui, de sainteté. Point de départ, 1er degré de l'humilité : la conscience aigue, mêlée de crainte, de l'universelle présence de Dieu. Plutôt qu'étapes successives d'un itinéraire, les degrés intermédiaires apparaissent comme les différents aspects complémentaires d'un même mouvement spirituel. Qu'ils s'agisse de renoncer à propre volonté (2ème degré d'humilité), d'obéir par amour (3ème degré), même dans les choses difficiles (4ème degré ), d'ouvrir son cœur au père abbé (5ème degré ), de se considérer comme un serviteur inutile (6ème degré), d'être convaincu de son état (7ème degré), de se conformer a la règle commune (8ème degré), d'aimer le silence (9ème degré), de rire modérément (10ème degré), de parler sans éclat de voix (11ème degré), de garder un maintien modeste et recueilli (12ème et dernier degré). Saint Germain de Talloires, un homme qui, à l'école de saint Benoit, sous la conduite de l'Esprit, est monté parce qu'il s'est abaissé devant l'Absolu de Dieu.
Extrait de " Dans la lumière de la règle, saint Germain de Talloires " par Henri Riguet.

" Un chemin de croix " très personnel, très actuel et très emouvant… La première fois ou je l'ai fais, c'était dans les collines au dessus de Santa Cruz, en Californie. Je faisais une retraite silencieuse chez les sœurs franciscaines de " St Clare Retreat ". Le chemin de croix monte à travers les arbres de la colline et le texte de ces méditations est attaché à chaque station, sur chaque croix. J'ai appris, bien des années après, que l'auteur de ces commentaires méditatifs est Clarence Enzler (1910-1976), un catholique américain, auteur de beaucoup de livres et pamphlets et recueil de prières, père de 13 enfants, qui travailla d'abord pour le Département de l'Agriculture puis pour " Catholic News Services ". Publié en 1970, ce petit livret de méditations de Carême (Everyone's Way of the Cross) a été vendu a des millions d'exemplaires. Le texte qui suit est ma propre traduction.
1. Jésus est condamné à mort.
Le Christ dit: Entre les mains de Pilate, ton autre " toi-même ", je vois la volonté de mon Père. Bien que Pilate ne soit pas juste, il est le gouverneur et il a tout pouvoir sur moi. Et ainsi le Fils de Dieu obéit… Si je peux me courber devant l'autorité de Pilate car telle est la volonté de mon Père, pourquoi refuses-tu d'obéir à ceux que j'ai placé au dessus de toi ?
Je réponds : Mon Seigneur Jésus, l'obéissance t'a couté la vie. Pour moi, c'est un acte de ma volonté - pas plus - et pourtant comme il m'en coute de me courber. Enlève les œillères de mes yeux que je puisse voir que c'est à toi que j'obéis dans tous ceux qui me commandent.
En lire plus ici dans la section "prayers" de ce site.

Pour une liste alphabétique des articles, prières, photos et recettes,
sur ce site: Site Map

Première Lettre de Paul aux Corinthiens 10, 31 - 11, 1 Frères, 10, 31 tout ce que vous faites : manger, boire, ou n'importe quoi d'autre, faites-le pour la gloire de Dieu. 32 Ne soyez un obstacle pour personne, ni pour les Juifs, ni pour les païens, ni pour l'Eglise de Dieu. 33 Faites comme moi : en toutes circonstances je tâche de m'adapter à tout le monde ; je ne cherche pas mon intérêt personnel, mais celui de la multitude des hommes, pour qu'ils soient sauvés. 11, 1 Prenez-moi pour modèle ; mon modèle à moi, c'est le Christ. Il y a au moins deux leçons dans ce texte : une affirmation théologique, d'abord, qui devrait nous faire voir notre vie quotidienne sous un autre jour ; et ensuite une leçon de comportement. L'affirmation théologique est la suivante : parce que Dieu n'a pas dédaigné de se faire homme, aucun des aspects de votre vie n'est méprisable ; Dieu vous a ressemblé en tout, vous pouvez lui ressembler en tout. Car agir « pour sa gloire », cela veut dire que chacun de nos gestes, même les plus ordinaires, peut être un point de ressemblance avec Dieu... Bien sûr, la liberté n'est pas la licence de faire n'importe quoi ! « Tout est permis, mais tout ne convient pas » dit Paul. J'aime beaucoup les commentaires de Marie Noëlle Thabut. Allez donc voir la suite de son commentaire sur la Lettre de Paul aux Corinthiens , vous le trouverez en bas de la page ici sur le site des Eveques de France.

Intentions de prière de Benoît XVI pour Février 2012, l'intention de prière universelle du pape Benoît XVI est pour l'accès à l'eau potable, son intention de prière missionnaire concerne les personnels de santé.
Universelle - L'accès à l'eau courante. Pour que tous les peuples aient plein accès à l'eau et aux ressources nécessaires à leur subsistance quotidienne.
Missionnaire - Les personnels de santé. Pour que le Seigneur soutienne l'effort des personnels de santé des régions les plus pauvres dans l'assistance aux personnes malades et âgées.

L'Icône du Christ Miséricordieux. Une page sur l'histoire et la signification de cette vision celebre de la soeur Faustine, le 22 février 1931... En lire plus ici sur le site suisse de Sainte Faustine.

C'est la semaine de Prières pour l'Unité des Chrétiens.
Montre nous Seigneur a quel point tu nous aimes
Et par la force de ton Esprit, rapproche les Chrétiens divisés,
Que ton Eglise apparaisse clairement comme ton signe au milieu du monde
Et que le monde attiré par sa lumière croie en Jésus ton envoyé.
Lui qui règne avec toi et le saint Esprit pour les siècles des siècles. Amen
Seigneur Jésus-Christ, tu as dit à tes apôtres: "Je vous laisse la paix, je vous donne ma paix";
Ne regarde pas nos péchés mais la foi de ton Eglise;
Pour que ta volonté s'accomplisse, donne-lui toujours cette paix,
Donne ta paix:
- aux église catholiques, aux églises orientales, aux églises orthodoxes et à leurs Patriarches,
- aux églises issues de la Réforme, à la Communion Anglicane, aux églises évangéliques,
- à toutes les assemblées chrétiennes qui invoquent ton Nom, et aux responsables de chacune de ces églises. Mets un terme à notre division et conduis-nous vers l'unité parfaite, Toi qui règnes pour les siècles des siècles.

Les Chartreux. Sur le dernier Courrier International, Il y a un article très intéressant sur un monastère de Chartreux, au Portugal. Comme je ne pouvais pas avoir accès à l'article en ligne, (car je ne suis pas abonnée), je suis allée voir le site des Chartreux directement et je me suis mise à lire leurs "statuts" ici : La solitude: Notre application principale et notre vocation sont de trouver Dieu dans le silence et la solitude. Là Dieu et son serviteur entretiennent de fréquents colloques, comme il se fait entre amis. Là, souvent l'âme fidèle s'unit au Verbe de Dieu, l'épouse à l'Époux, la terre au ciel, l'humain au divin. Mais longue est la route, arides et desséchés sont les chemins du pèlerinage vers la source d'eau vive...

Le petit Journal de Sœur Faustine sur l'au delà - Enfer, Purgatoire, Paradis. J’ai senti aujourd’hui, combien l’âme d’un agonisant désirait des prières. J’ai prié pour cette âme tout le temps qu’il lui fallut pour trépasser et jusqu'à je le ressente. Oh ! Combien les âmes des mourants ont besoin de prières ! Ô Jésus, inclinez les âmes à prier souvent pour les agonisants ! En lire plus ici sur le site de EUCHARISTIE SACREMENT DE LA MISÉRICORDE.

Pour une liste alphabétique des articles,
prières, photos et recettes,
sur ce site: Site Map

Vatican II et la Parole de Dieu. Samedi 21 janvier 2012 le sanctuaire Saint-Bonaventure organise, en partenariat avec l’Espace Saint-Ignace et l’Agora Tête d’Or, une journée consacrée au concile Vatican II. En lire plus ici sur le site du diocese de Lyon.

Mgr Yves Boivineau à la tête de Justice et Paix. Le conseil permanent de la Conférence des évêques de France (CEF) a nommé Mgr Yves Boivineau président de Justice et Paix France. Évêque d'Annecy depuis 2001, il succède à Mgr Michel Dubost, évêque d'Evry qui a été élu en novembre dernier président du Conseil pour les relations interreligieuses et les nouveaux courants religieux. Justice et Paix France a reçu de l'Église de France la mission de faire entendre, dans les grands débats de notre temps, une voix qui soit à la fois pertinente et évangélique et d'aider les chrétiens à être actifs et vigilants sur les questions de justice et de paix internationales. En lire plus ici sur le site du Dauphiné Libéré.

Un nouvel art d'aimer. Un autre aspect de l’art d’aimer, sans doute le plus exigeant, car il met à l’épreuve l’authenticité et la pureté de l’amour, demande que nous aimions les premiers, c’est-à-dire que nous prenions l‘initiative d’aimer, sans attendre que l’autre fasse le premier pas. Une telle façon d’aimer nous expose personnellement. Pourtant, si nous désirons aimer à l’image de Dieu et faire grandir la capacité d’amour que Dieu a mise en nos cœurs, il nous faut agir comme lui. Il n’a pas attendu d’être aimé par nous et nous a montré de mille manières qu’il nous aime le premier, quelle que soit notre réponse. Extrait de Un nouvel art d’aimer (Nouvelle Cité, 2006), de Chiara Lubitch (1920-2008), fondatrice des Focolari. Trouvé sur le site de la paroisse du Bienheureux Pierre Favre des Aravis ici.

Les différentes spiritualités. "Le vent souffle où il veut" (Jean 3,8). Voici quelques critères qui permettent de parler véritablement d'un courant spirituel qui fait école : Accents et insistances particuliers sur tel ou tel point de la vie chrétienne, qui donne une cohérence d'ensemble à la démarche spirituelle...En lire plus ici sur le site de la Conférence des évêques de France.

Joyeux Noël ! Les crèches de croire.com Un choix superbe de crèches, du monde, du desert, de l'artiste, des saltimbanques, crèches interactives ou animée ou autres. A voir absolument ici .

Dix jeunes qui font bouger l'Eglise de France. Voici un article très intéressant! "La Croix" a choisi de donner un coup de projecteur - naturellement non exhaustif - sur dix jeunes, pour la plupart passés par les JMJ, qui participent aujourd'hui au renouveau de l'Église ... Lire l'article ici sur le site de La Croix.

Benoît XVI : la foi nourrit l'âme. Dec 3, 2011 | Malgré le consumérisme qui caractérise le temps de Noël, les traditions populaires de la foi ne disparaissent pas et créent un refuge pour l'âme, un espace où entre le silence, la réflexion, Dieu. C'est ce qu'a souligné Benoît XVI vendredi après-midi après le Noël artistique offert par la télévision bavaroise ... En voir plus ici

Un brin d'humour: Qui fait l'ange… fait la bête de com ! Une manière très originale de parler de l'Annonciation… Moi, ca me parait très vrai, bien dit et même marrant… En lire plus ici sur le site des Sacristains.

La Transfiguration expliquée par saint Jean Chrysostome. Je suis en train de lire un livre merveilleux: "Joie de la Transfiguration d'apres les Peres d'Orient". Saint Jean Chrysostome en a tres bien parlé: "Représentez-vous ce qui donne d'ordinaire le plus de terreur aux hommes : la mort, la pauvreté, l'infamie et cent autres choses fâcheuses, qui nous font plus peur que la mer n'en faisait alors aux Juifs. Cependant Jésus Christ les persuade de se raidir contre ces maux et de passer au travers de ces souffrances comme à pied sec et dans une pleine paix. Pour les fortifier donc, et pour les exercer dans cette pénible carrière, il fait venir en leur présence ces divins athlètes d'autrefois, qui s'étaient le plus signalés au temps de l'ancienne Loi".

Antienne:
Vous tous qui avez soif, venez vers les eaux !
Cherchez le Seigneur : il se laisse trouver, alléluia.

Psaume 41:
Comme un cerf altéré
cherche l'eau vive,
ainsi mon âme te cherche
toi, mon Dieu.

Mon âme a soif de Dieu,
le Dieu vivant ;
quand pourrai-je m'avancer,
paraître face à Dieu ?

Aujourd'hui, ici, il pleut, mais il a neigé juste au dessus de nous, a 300 mètres au dessus,
on voit la neige sur les montagnes autour de nous.

La "conversion" du Cardinal Martini.. C'est peut-être l'Esprit-Saint. Un article de Paolo Rodari, "Le rêve de Jérusalem" et quelques archives (7/1/2010). Bref, comme cela a été dit souvent dans ces pages, le cardinal a été recruté par les medias comme anti-pape (et non ante-pape, comme il s'est défini lui-même) et il est possible qu'au soir de sa vie, il en ait assez. Eh! oui, au soir de notre existence, quand la grande et la vraie et la seule EXIT montre le bout de son nez, on doit reviser pal mal de choses... En lire plus ici sur le site de Benoit et moi.fr

Pour une liste alphabétique des articles & prières sur ce site: Site Map

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