Another great thing is this, the weather pattern is finally broken. No snow this week a little cold startng out but slow warming at the end of the week. Melting, Thank God.
I was in morning prayer today and working on my Lenten journey.
During my prayer I use a visual in my mind as a way of taking this journey.
In everyone one of us there is a deep expanse of places that we have yet to see, feel and understand. Things that are hardwired into us and things that are learned that are tought by our parents and others during our upbringing. These things effect us in ways that we often don’t realize. I think that these are the things that steer us at times emotionally and we will say I don’t know why I feel this or say  that. It can also cause us to do  a particular action. ? But we did and it  and it is our truth.
I guess what I am trying to find is my core, I think that God has created a masterpiece in us all. A body that is powerful yet weak, a mind that is capable of huge things and handles bodily,communication, reasoning and life processes daily yet the cells can die and leave us helpless.
I have always sought myself out. Even as a child sitting on my back stoop. I worked mega hours while in high school and college. I was a commuter student. I remember coming down whenever I woke up from sleep it was crazy hours during the day when I worked all night and had school in the mornings. I would come down late afternoon my body tingling from exhaustion and sit on the back stairs in the sun just looking , feeling, and smelling useing my senses. These moments I would travel deep inside of myself trying to find me. Was I in the right place ? Was my path going the right way?
I think my biggest fear in my life is and always has been that I will not be or fulfill what God called me too before my birth. I know that he knows my heart and my faults so I believe that he loves me. But, I do not want to settle for a half lived life.
Life to me is not my next trip, my new car etc. My life especially since cancer has been how can I help others more? How do I effect a change while I am here. How can I inspire others to see how much God loves them without seeming preechy?
Well, when I pray and meditate on myself I try to let the Holy Spirit just guide me to where I need to be.I picture myself like a diver who is going deeper in an ocean in search of something yet to be found. It may sound strange but it works for me.
The deeper you get into the ocean the darker it gets but when you have a light and turn it on you can see the beauty. There is healing there.There is self awareness there and you see opportunities that you thought did not exist.
It’s funny, back a while ago on this blog I was led by God and the Holy Spirit to an amazing women who took what I have done for a long time in my prayer life to a physical experience.
I lived vicariously through her and she inspired me. I felt like I was in that chair seeing, touching and feeling. I was alive.
So, as part of my Lenten journey I will share it once again.
I was just sitting here reflecting on my day and thinking wow today  is the beginning of Lent. It is Ash Wednesday. 🙂
So , I will begin to focus on a new change once again on my aproach to my prayer life. I had instituted a concerted effort for Advent that was beneficial so now I need a fresh new plan.
Lent
Is  preceding Easter that in the Christian Church is devoted to fasting, abstinence, and penitence in commemoration of Christ’s fasting in the wilderness. In the Western Church it runs from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday and so includes 40 weekdays.
How true are these words, Â The importance of one person. In the Lenten Season we look to Jesus as our guide to what’s truthful and right.
But remember he looks upon us in a similar way during our life’s journey. We are all important to each other. Do we really appreciate that fact? We also need to support our neighbors.
We really should appreciate others. Each person that I have met during my life  I could see their goodness ever if they have made mistakes. Sometimes we need to get a little further down the road in our lives to look into the rear view mirror to see their true value to us.
You know, one of the most important thing That I do weakly is to get to church. I love my parish family and we help oneanother simply by being present. I try to attend the same mass as much as possible because I want to see those who share their  life journeys with me as I share mine with them. They make my week complete.
Back around 12 years ago I was listening  to Father Martin H. from St. Basils give a talk at the center in Methuen.
He is a  Holy and  good man who is brilliant in his perception of life  and his ability to  deliver a message of love to his flock.
People were going to his mass and not to their own parishes. He said I love to see you all here but you need to be present in your own communities as well. He went on further to say God has you there for a reason. You are called to be Christ there as well. And, he was 100 percent right. Fathers church is packed at the center for Monday night liturgy. But we need to be present on the weekends if not daily to be part of our own parish communities. We are the salt and the light.
If we are not there who will be. A community needs dedicated members to lift each other up. Life is beautiful but it is a challenge nonetheless.
How we should all live………
AND,
Witness God, every moment, you never know who’s watching or Who God may save. 🙂 Amen.
I have  had  alot of great witnesses in my life. Bricks in my foundation. Thats why I believe in Faith, God and Miracles….
And, Here I sit in this moment. Amen.
Not because of who I am! but Because Of Who He Is. Amen !!!!!!
real faith- brian free and assurance video.wmv_0001.wmv
What a beautiful group . God Bless them in their ministry !
What a God given gift Fr. Leo Clifford was to this world. And continues to be even after his death. Amen.
Before you view this short but beautiful video I want you to watch it with a very important fact in the forefront of your mind.
I had never seen this teaching before but as God would have it, it came to my attention while I was on YouTube. The timing was only possible because God wanted it.
Father Leo Clifford was a brilliant and Holy man of God.
This video is a synopsis of all of the things on my blog, God’s calling for us, our need of Faith beyond our world , our willingness to say yes. He also calls us to relationship with him for our own needs but also for others. As Father said we need to work on our own personal symphonies , where our God given talents that were given to each one of us is perfected and we can then share the fruits of them  with others in order to  bring the world back to God. AMEN.
This striking message that is pulled together on this video below confirms for us all that God is real, his love for us is real and reaffirms the fact that we have a higher purpose beyond ourselves. Again, Â after watching this video I reached again a little bit of a higher understanding about my life and its intrinsic value to the world and to God.
Something clicked into place for me a new reality that I now own.
With all the snow and the long weekend I came upon this fascinating special that was on P.B.S. Nova show. The technology that was used back in the Roman empire  was incredible. It was a time of horrific blood shed as well.
What some people have done to others over the history of the world is so Evil. We need to be mindful of the past or it can and will repeat itself.
I found other related things to vue as well. Its eye opening for sure.
Nova Coliseum. ROMAN TRAP OF DEATH . Â incredible documentary
History, Facts and Information about Christian Persecution The content of this article provides interesting history, facts and information about life in Ancient Rome including Christian Persecution by the Romans. Many early Christians were persecuted due to the edicts of various Roman Emperors. Many of the early Christians were tortured and sentenced to terrible deaths, some of which took place in the Colosseum. The most notorious persecutor of the early Christians was Emperor Diocletian (r.284-305). For information about these terrible persecutions click the following link:
Christian Persecution Christians were expected to take part in rituals and sacrifices to the pagan gods and goddesses of the Romans. Many Christians went into hiding to avoid the order and converting to Christianity during this period was highly dangerous of Christian Persecution. Statues or idols of gods and goddesses were erected at the corners of the streets, in the market-places and over the public fountains making it impossible for a Christian to go out without being put to the test of offering sacrifice. To refuse would mean torture and death under the Edict of Diocletian and Christian Persecution.
Christian Persecution – The Martyrs who became Saints Many Christian Martyrs who died during the Christian Persecution were later canonised by the Catholic Church. The history, biography together with descriptions of the lives and deaths of early Christians are detailed in the following recommended website:
Persecution of Christian Martyrs The following men and women were tortured and put to death during the reign of the Emperor Diocletian and his notorious Christian Persecution. Christians were scourged till the flesh parted from the bones, and then the wounds were rubbed with salt and vinegar. Other Christians who were persecuted were racked till their bones were out of joint, and others hung up by their hands to hooks, with weights fastened to their feet. No Roman citizen could be sentenced to crucifixion. Despite being found guilty of the same crime, St. Paul and St. Peter faced different fates. St. Paul was beheaded because he was a Roman Citizen. St. Peter who was not a Roman citizen, was crucified. A short description of the tortures suffered and forms of execution inflicted on saints and martyrs during the Christian Persecution by the Romans are illustrated in the following descriptions:
Christian Persecution – Saint Dorothy
Her family converted to Christianity and her parents were sentenced to death for their convictions. Dorothy was offered leniency if she would renounce Christianity, worship the Roman gods and take a husband. She refused to renounce her faith and was tortured. She still would not renounce her faith and was sentenced to death by beheading.
Saint Elmo
Elmo was tortured by having his intestines wound onto a winch or capstan and then finally he was beheaded.
Saint Euphemia
Euphemia was tortured on the wheel but still refused to renounce her faith. She was sentenced to death in the arena where she died of wounds inflicted by the wild animals who attacked her.
Saint Florian
Christian Persecution – He was sentenced to death but first tortured by a variety of cruel tortures. He was thrown into the Enns River with a mill stone tied around his neck.
Saint George
George was a Roman soldier and rose to the rank of tribune in the Roman army. He converted to Christianity, confessed his faith and sentenced to torture followed by death by beheading.
Saint Hippolytus
Hippolytus was martyred by being bound by the feet to the tails of two wild horses and dragged to his death.
Saint Ignatius (the First Martyr at the Colosseum)
Ignatius was the Bishop of Antioch who was sentenced to death in the Roman arena by the Emperor Trajan in 107AD. He was torn to pieces by wild beasts at Rome.
Saint Januarius
Januarius was martyred with by first being first thrown to wild beasts in the arena and when the animals would not attack him he was beheaded.
Saint Justina
Justina was a devout Christian and had taken vows of chastity. She was ordered to go to the Roman temple to Minerva to worship the Roman goddess and offer her virginity as sacrifice and renounce Christianity. She refused and was stabbed to death with a sword.
Saint Lucy
Lucy was a devout Christian and had taken vows of chastity. Rather than accept the hand in marriage of a lover who desired her for the sake of her beautiful eyes, she plucked them out. According to legend her sight was restored to her the next day. Her martyrdom, instigated by her rejected lover, was accomplished by a dagger thrust into her neck in AD 303.
Saint Margaret
Margaret was thrown into a dungeon and beheaded.
Saint Pancras
Pancras announced his Christian faith publicly. He was arrested and then beheaded.
Saint Pantaleon
The story and history of Saint Pantaleon. Pantaleon was denounced as a Christian. He was put to torture but refused to renounce his faith. He bound to an olive tree, with a nail driven through his body and then beheaded.
Saint Phocas
Phocas is said to have dug his own grave prior to his death by beheading.
Saint Sebastian
He was shot with arrows, and left for dead but he survived and nursed back to health. He then returned to preach to Diocletian, the Roman emperor who had him beaten to death in Rome.
Saint Vincent
Vincent was put to the torture by his flesh being lacerated by iron forks and thrown into the sea.
Saint Vitus
Vitus was condemned to death in the arena. Legend tells that the wild beasts and lions refused to attack Vitus and he was killed by the terrible fate of being boiled in oil.
Christian Persecution – Saint Agnes
Agnes was only twelve years old when she was led to the altar of Minerva at Rome and commanded to obey the laws of Diocletian by offering incense. Her clothes were stripped off, and she had to stand in the street before a pagan crowd she was then beheaded
Saint Dorothy
Dorothy was stretched upon the rack, then she was buffeted in the face and her sides burned with plates of red-hot iron. She was finally beheaded.
Saint Eulalia
Eulalia was twelve years old when the bloody edicts of Diocletian were issued. Two executioners tore her sides with iron hooks, so as to leave the very bones bare. Next lighted torches were applied to her breasts and sides. The fire at length catching her hair, surrounded her head and face, and she was stifled by the smoke and flame.
Christian Persecution – Saint Eusebius
Eusebius was beheaded on the orders of Emperor Maximian.
Saint George
George was a soldier who at first obtained the favor of Diocletian. He was subjected to a lengthened series of torments, and finally beheaded.
Saint Pantaleon
After suffering many torments Pantaleon was condemned to lose his head.
Saint Sabinus
The hands of Sabinus were cut off, he was scourged, beaten with clubs, and torn with iron nails and then beheaded.
Saint Sebastian
Sebastian was an officer in the Roman army, led before Diocletian, and, at the emperor’s command, pierced with arrows and at last beaten to death by clubs.
Christian Persecution – Saint Vincent
Vincent was stretched on the rack, his flesh was torn with hooks and he was bound in a chair of red-hot iron; lard and salt were rubbed into his wounds and he finally died.
Christian Persecution The content of this Christian Persecution category on life in Ancient Rome provides free educational details, facts and information for reference and research for schools, colleges and homework. Refer to the Colosseum Sitemap for a comprehensive search on interesting different categories containing the history, facts and information about Ancient Rome.
Christian Persecution
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Christian Persecution
History, Facts and information about Christian Persecution
The times and people of Ancient Rome
The society, culture and life of the Romans
The Romans and life in Ancient Rome – Christian Persecution
Christian Persecution
Ancient history, facts and interesting information about Christian Persecution
Edict of the Emperor Diocletian
The Romans – Christian Persecution – Edict of Diocletian – Deaths – Saints – Torture – Christian Persecution – Daily – Family – Culture – Society – Christian Persecution – Edict of Diocletian – Deaths – Saints – Torture – Christian Persecution – Home – Rural – Styles – Times – Aspects – Everyday – Way – Country – Empire – Republic – Anceint – Ancient – Kingdom – Ancient Rome – Encyclopedia – Christian Persecution – Edict of Diocletian – Deaths – Saints – Torture – Christian Persecution – Reference – Research – Facts – History – Famous – Information – Info – Romans – Christian Persecution – Edict of Diocletian – Deaths – Saints – Torture – Christian Persecution – Italy – Educational – Schools – Colleges – Homework – Anceint – Daily – Family – Culture – Christian Persecution – Edict of Diocletian – Deaths – Saints – Torture – Christian Persecution – Society – Home – Rural – Styles – Times – Aspects – Everyday – Christian Persecution – Edict of Diocletian – Deaths – Saints – Torture – Christian Persecution – Country – Empire – Republic – Anceint – Ancient – Kingdom – Christian Persecution – Ancient Rome – Christian Persecution – Written By Linda Alchin
As a follow up to Valentines Day, I received this from a friend on my email and isn’t it amazing how  true the Spirit and message of this song really makes sence.
Gods Gift. 🙂
When we are young and first meet the one, we have a desperation to cultivate that special gift of love. We have to remember that even for 60 years marriage. the passion, the love and longing.Â
so, thanks Sue for this song link.
Hunter Hayes – I Want Crazy (Official Music Video)
This writing today has been ebbing up for so long. I had written a little about this 4 years ago . But I cannot ignore it for one more moment. There Is one big fat trouble maker that is around messing with us all the time. That is the devil. He is such a nothing to me.
I have had such run in’s with him over the years of my life . We all have.  Some , I brought on by my own actions. When I was younger I did not have a whole lot of the understading of the power that emotions and the words that  we speak have in ours lives and others that we speak them too. Vengeance is not ours.  Their is power in the spoken word. They can be good and they can be destructive.
People need to be aware of how devastating their words can be. That’s why we need to speak good all the time. It’s not being phony, it’s being loving. It’s not easy but it is a better way to live.
This point was brought to my attention recently once again when one of my good friends  was recounting a terrible encounter with someone they knew. Where someone unleashed a huge amount of garbage, insanity and harmful words out of the clear blue. It was meant to devastate them .That’s evil for you. It was the devil as far as I am concerned. I really did not want to get involved but  I just said it is what it is. I have known my friend for years a better person you could not find. I said to my friend we  all have dealt with things like this in our lives at some point. I just counseled my friend  that they needed to just be loving in prayer for that person and keep your distance to protect themself from a future assault. When people spew out hate ridiculously with n no foundation or reason then that  issue is fully theirs so, you do not own it.
You see, this person who was under attack was very strong in faith so evil did not ruin their life, they were saddened for the offender that’s all. Plus the friend was no longer a friend.
I was watching Pope Francis not long ago talking about how the dev– is so jealous of the Saints and we are the future Saints by the way that we are called to live therefore it only makes since that we would be attacked. The dev– Â wants us devastated and feeling repressed. The greatest feeling is having God and his truth in your heart. Nothing can really bother you. Evil does not have any hold in your life.
He is bent on our destruction. Jesus saved us yes, but we need to continue to be saved. We need to stay close to God, and live the commandments to the best of our abilities.
You know they say THAT the dev– ‘s biggest success thus far in this world is that he HAS people thinking that he does not exist meanwhile he corrupts people into all different types of problems and situations. For me it was at its worst, his attack during the writings I did for the church. God was there with me but, fear was a factor for me.
I had my pastor come out and Bless my home, things settled down , my faith grew and I am careful what happenes in this house at all times there are portals that can be opened and evil that is just waiting to raise heck with you.
I do not fear the devi– I am done with that !
He has lurked around and manipulated so many people for so long. Degrading each generation slowly but surely. He has attacked the  foundation of this country and our world in so many ways. Including the churches. The Popes have said it. Where their are people there is temptation. There is ego, Power, greed and selfishness, there is  sin.
As I have said, it happens in every  structure of society. From  private, corporate entities, religions and churches , in the medical community as well. Any walk of life as a matter of fact. Where there are people there is brokeness.
Today, I will take on what has happened to my church, The Priest scandal. I remember how hard it was to find my feet with my church after this. I was disgusted. As a matter of fact I knew the 1st publicized settlement victim.
God Bless The Children
Back in the early 70,’s when I was a young alter boy myself at St. Agnes in Arlington this event occurred, I had arrived to church early and went into the waiting area outside of the inner Sacristy . Alter boys were never allowed in there and I just remember the quiet in the area, I was waiting for the priest to arrive to say mass. All of a sudden a boy came out of the inner sacistry and scurryed by. i said hello to him he barely acknowledged me and he left the church. Something was off. I could feel that as a 9 year old boy. But I would not , nor could I ever  have imagined that day what happened  on hallowed ground. About 18 years later it hit the newspaper, the Boston Globe and the television and I knew what had happened.Â
The Devil tempted this priest and he fell. The destruction that it has caused will take a very long time to recover. There are no words for what the children faced during this time. I am not a priest nor was  I a victim of any clergy.
But, on a personal level I feel that every member of the Catholic church became a victim. First but foremost the abuse victims were horribly victimized and then all of innocent priests and clergy have suffered too.
I know a lot of wonderful priests and clergy who work very hard to be Christ and to bring his good news to this world. It was so hard for them to get up everyday and do their ministry work and be treated like they were all monsters. That took Faith and courage.
There were some priests who were totally innocent that were accused. They spent years in humble service but when lawyers are out getting dough for people, some people saw an opportunity to get money. So they accused and the Priest WAS removed from their ministry work and after intensive scrutiny and investigation they were cleared by Rome and the secular legal system. Where was the headline coverage of that? The devil working overtime for sure.
BTW, the abuse of children, elderly and all of us is  happening in every structure of  our society. No matter what faith or what political party you associate with.
Imagine if one of your family members, work colleagues, country club members were to perpetrate an act against a child does that mean that everyone connected to that organization is  guilty?
Absolutely Not !
As I have said in the past, I could never be able to take this topic beyond what I just have. But, I don ‘ t have to either. I am not defending anyone who has hurt anyone including the priests they have been dealt with by our legal system And more importantly God will address them in due time.
It took me a long time to put my personal anger and disgust into a place where I could once again look at the beauty of my church.
I have to admit now that I love the traditions of my church and the sacraments. But I also acknowledge that their are many wonderful faiths with their own traditions. They are all seeking the same thing God.
In the case of my church, the biggest winner was the devil. He used some weak men and they abused innocent children and damaged the church here on Earth.
A lot of good people said I am not going to church  anymore and cut themselves off from God in the  Holy mass.
I have come to realize that I do not rely on an institution for my faith and relationship with God. I have personally learned that my church experience only enhances my faith walk. The traditions of my faith and church experience are important to me because my fellow parishioners rely on me as I rely on them. The church no matter what faith or denomination is its people. The same people that Jesus died on the cross for .
So, I am blessed that I have a great parish family, a Holy Priest who is always present and is doing God’s works for those that he is called to help.
But, I will say this too, I will never give up on God. I do not put my stock into any earthly institution. We are human so they too get corrupted and flawed. They are just people too.
So, I am just passing through this life on my way to the garden. 🙂
So, the devil looses because I am plugged into the source my God and he’s got me burning on all cylinders. 🙂
Just Danny Speaks 