Monday, February 13, 2012
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
Friday, February 03, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Sunday, December 04, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Let go
Let go
Let go and let God has his wonderful way
Let go and let God has His way
Your sorrows will vanish
Your nights turns to days
Let go and let God has His way.
God Provides. From Sunny John
Location:Euclid Ave,Middletown,United States
Monday, November 28, 2011
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Sunday, November 06, 2011
Saturday, November 05, 2011
Friday, November 04, 2011
A Prayer to our blessed Mother Mary
Take my hand o Blessed Mother,
Hold me firmly lest I fall;
I a, nervous when I'm walking
And on thee I humbly call.
Guide me over every crossing,
Watch me when I'm on the stairs,
Let MD know you are beside me,
Listen to my fervent prayers.
Bring me to my destination,
Safely every single day,
Help me with my understanding
As the hours pass away .
And when evening falls upon us,
And I fear to be alone,
Take my hand o Blessed Mother,
Once again and lead me home.
(author unknown )
God Provides. From Sunny John
Wednesday, November 02, 2011
Monday, October 31, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Thank God for every Blessing
This is the photo I took early morning before sunrise with my point and shoot camera. October 11 Tuesday 2011Recently I was waiting for my friend to give a ride to bus station for me to go to the city. As my normal routine. I got up early and was ready an hour before the scheduled time. I went out of the building. It was chilly and dark. Sun was just getting ready to get rise and spread it light around us. I could see things around. I saw a special animal just in front of the building. A real fascinating creature. AS you already imagined I took my camera and got very near to him and took two shots. The flash was so hard on its eyes. Because it was not so bright, I had to be so close to it to get a good shot. I was angry due to the powerful flash on its eyes and it got angry and starts to look like ready to attack me. I just pulled me back and stamped on the walkway. He lifted his tail and I took some photos. I showed to my friends when I reached the city and they told me Sunny you are so blessed man, otherwise you were not able to come here today. That creature was a Skunk. The odd smell will not go away for more than a week after many tomato juice baths you take throwing away the clothes you were. I did a small study on it. And here is what a skunk is. Good looking but when you go near to it you may need a real luck like the one I had if you do not know them. Thank God for saving me from the skunk. I was so close to him but God was more close to me.
Skunks (in the United States, occasionally called polecats) are mammals best known for their ability to secrete a liquid with a strong, foul odor. Although the most common fur color is black and white, some skunks are brown or grey, and a few are cream-colored. Although they have excellent senses of smell and hearing – vital attributes in a crepuscular omnivore – they have poor vision. They cannot see, with any clarity, objects more than about 3 meters (10 ft) away, making them vulnerable to death by road traffic. They are short-lived animals: Fewer than 10% survive for longer than three years. The most notorious feature of skunks is their anal scent glands, which they can use as a defensive weapon. They are similar to, though much more developed than, the glands found in species of the Mustelidae family. Skunks have two glands, one on each side of the anus. These glands produce a mixture of sulfur-containing chemicals such as methyl and butyl thiols traditionally called mercaptans, which have a highly offensive smell that can be described as a combination of the odors of rotten eggs, garlic and burnt rubber. The odor of the fluid is strong enough to ward off bears and other potential attackers and can be difficult to remove from clothing. Muscles located next to the scent glands allow them to spray with a high degree of accuracy, as far as 3 meters (10 ft). The smell aside, the spray can cause irritation and even temporary blindness and is sufficiently powerful to be detected by a human nose up to a mile downwind.
Skunks are reluctant to use this weapon, as they carry just enough of the chemical for five or six uses – about 15 cc – and require some ten days to produce another supply their bold black and white coloring however serves to make the skunk's appearance memorable. Where practical, it is to a skunk's advantage simply to warn a threatening creature off without expending scent: black and white warning color aside, threatened skunks will go through an elaborate routine of hisses, foot stamping, and tail-high threat postures before resorting to the spray. Interestingly, skunks usually do not spray other skunks, with the exception of males in the mating season. Though they fight over den space in autumn, they do so with teeth and claws.
Skunks (in the United States, occasionally called polecats) are mammals best known for their ability to secrete a liquid with a strong, foul odor. Although the most common fur color is black and white, some skunks are brown or grey, and a few are cream-colored. Although they have excellent senses of smell and hearing – vital attributes in a crepuscular omnivore – they have poor vision. They cannot see, with any clarity, objects more than about 3 meters (10 ft) away, making them vulnerable to death by road traffic. They are short-lived animals: Fewer than 10% survive for longer than three years. The most notorious feature of skunks is their anal scent glands, which they can use as a defensive weapon. They are similar to, though much more developed than, the glands found in species of the Mustelidae family. Skunks have two glands, one on each side of the anus. These glands produce a mixture of sulfur-containing chemicals such as methyl and butyl thiols traditionally called mercaptans, which have a highly offensive smell that can be described as a combination of the odors of rotten eggs, garlic and burnt rubber. The odor of the fluid is strong enough to ward off bears and other potential attackers and can be difficult to remove from clothing. Muscles located next to the scent glands allow them to spray with a high degree of accuracy, as far as 3 meters (10 ft). The smell aside, the spray can cause irritation and even temporary blindness and is sufficiently powerful to be detected by a human nose up to a mile downwind.
Skunks are reluctant to use this weapon, as they carry just enough of the chemical for five or six uses – about 15 cc – and require some ten days to produce another supply their bold black and white coloring however serves to make the skunk's appearance memorable. Where practical, it is to a skunk's advantage simply to warn a threatening creature off without expending scent: black and white warning color aside, threatened skunks will go through an elaborate routine of hisses, foot stamping, and tail-high threat postures before resorting to the spray. Interestingly, skunks usually do not spray other skunks, with the exception of males in the mating season. Though they fight over den space in autumn, they do so with teeth and claws.
My friends told me . You are so blessed. Otherwise we were not even able to come near you for a week. Even from the creatures we have a lot to learn. Thank God for saving me from the foul odor which will keep me away from my regular duties. God really take care of his faithful believer. He provides. Indeed He does.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Thought
Die to see how much they love me.
Give you your flowers when I can smell it and appreciate your love ; do not wait until I cannot even smell it.
God Provides. From Sunny John
Location:E 71st St,,United States
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Monday, August 01, 2011
Conversing with God as a friend
Conversing with God as a friend
Accustom yourself to speak to God, one to one, in a familiar Mann as to the dearest friend you have and who loves you best of all. It is a great mistake to treat God with uncertainty and to enter God's presence like a slave who, ashamed and full of fear, comes trembling with terror into the presence of a prince. It is even a greater mistake to think that conversation with God is nothing but boredom and tediousness. Nothing could be farther from the truth. "for association with her involves no bitterness / and living with her no grief, but rather joy and gladness"(wis8:16). Ask people who love God with a true love and they will tell you that in the troubles of their lives they have found no greater or more genuine relief than in loving conversation with God.
This loving conversation does not demand that you constantly strain your mind at the expense of your other activities or even your recreation. It only requires that, without neglecting your other obligations, you act on occasion toward God in the same way that you act toward those whom you love or who love you .
Your God is ever at your side, indeed, within you. "in Him we live and move and have our being" (Act 17:28). You don't need to work through a doorman if you want to approach God. God delights in your intimacy. Discuss all your business with God, your plans, your troubles, your fears-anything at all that concerns you . And do so with confidence, with your heart open wide. God can secretly speak to the person who does not speak to God. Those who are not accustomed to speaking with God will scarcely recognize God's voice when He does speak.
When we love God we find a most affectionate friend. That is why God desires to converse with us often-like a friend, without the slightest embarrassment.
St. Alphonsus de Liguori
God Provides. From Sunny John
Location:E 71st St,,United States
Monday, July 25, 2011
Live for others
Most of the days I pass through this curved outdoor bench overlooking Conservatory water in central park new York, but have a made a pause to see what it is written and what it means to me! I did not. It has rich meaning, but only when I am able to pause and see and meditate on the words. It is same with everything in my life. It has only meaning only when I make it my own and live with it.
"Alteri vivas opportet si vis tibi vivere" (One must live for another if he wishes to live for himself). A small sundial at the back of the bench bears another Latin inscription: Ne diruatur fuga temporum (Let it not be destroyed by the passage of time).
God Provides. From Sunny John
Location:E 71st St,,United States
Sunday, July 24, 2011
I said a prayer
I Said A Prayer For You
I said a prayer for you today
And know God must have heard.
I felt the answer in my heart
Although He spoke no word
I didn't ask for wealth or fame
(I knew you wouldn't mind)
I asked him to send treasures
of a far more lasting kind!
I asked that he'd be near you
At the start of each new day;
To grant you health and blessings
And friends to share your way!
I asked for happiness for you
in all things great and small
but it was for His loving care
I prayed the most of all!
(author unknown)
Fr. Sunny (Vincent) John Pazhukkakulam O. Carm.
Location:Liberty St,Albany,United States
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Saints in the painting
Prophet Elijah; Cyril of Constantinople ;Andrew Corsini, Bishop and Peacemaker; Mary Magdalene de'Pazzi; Brocard, the first Superior of Mount Carmel; Thérèse, The Little Flower; Simon Stock; Our Lady of Mount Carmel with Child Jesus; Albert of Sicily; Teresa of Jesus; Berthold, the Second Prior General of the Carmelites; Patriarch Peter Thomas; Angelus of Sicily; John of the Cross; and the Prophet Eliseus.
God Provides. From Sunny John
Location:E 71st St,,United States
Our lady of mount Carmel painting
Carmelite Saints with Our Lady and the Child Jesus
This beautiful painting depicts some of the Carmelites Saints before Our Lady and the Child Jesus.
(Left to right): Andrew Corsini, Bishop and Peacemaker; Cyril of Constantinople; the Prophet Elijah; Mary Magdalene de'Pazzi; Brocard, the first Superior of Mount Carmel; Thérèse, The Little Flower; Simon Stock; Albert of Sicily; Teresa of Jesus; Berthold, the Second Prior General of the Carmelites; Patriarch Peter Thomas; Angelus of Sicily.
(Kneeling): John of the Cross; and the Prophet Eliseus.
God Provides. From Sunny John
Location:E 71st St,,United States
Monday, July 11, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Travel's prayer
For travelers.
Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Who made heaven and earth.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, whose glory fills the entire creation and whose presence we find wherever we go, preserve those who travel and in particular those about to begin this journey. Surrounding them with your loving care, protect them from every danger and bring them back in safety to their journey's end. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Into the way of peace and prosperity, may the almighty and merciful Lord lead us, and may the Angel Raphael be with us on the way so that we may come to our home again in peace and health.
Save your servants, my God, who hope in you.
Lord, send us your help and strengthen us out of Sion.
Be unto us, o Lord, a tower of strength from the face of the enemy.
Let not he enemy prevail against us, nor the son of the iniquity have power to harm us.
Blessed be the Lord daily and may the God of our salvation make our way prosperous.
Show us your ways, O Lord, and teach us your paths.
O Lord, hear our prayer and let our cry come unto you.
May your holy angel accompany us. Be unto us, O Lord, help when we go forward, a comfort by the way, a shadow from the heat, a covering from the rain and the cold, a refuge in trouble.
Graciously hear our supplications, we beseech you, O Lord, and grant that your family may fare onward in the path of salvation so that this journey will teach all the great less ion of patience, brotherly love, kindness, and gratitude for all the gifts bestowed on mankind by God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Travelers' blessing
Bless us in our travels. We praise you, O God, for this privilege of letting us admire these sights of nature- these mountains, these rivers, these lakes,these forests.we thank you for calling us to be your pele, to admire all appreciate what you have given us. Help us to continue in your love and to praise you for ever. Amen.
God Provides. From Sunny John
Location:3rd St,Troy,United States
Garbage collectors by john h hampsch
Garbage collectors are somewhat taken for granted as they go about their malodorous task. But their importance becomes obvious when a city - wide garbage collectors' strike erupts;that's when the maggoty garbage piles up day after day' as flies and rats breed freely. If the strike is unresolved, the threat of disease sets in. Then we realize how important our daily garbage collectors are.
Wise men says that we do not realize how blessed we are when we could see the beauty around. We realize the power of our eye sight only when it fades in our life. We forget to realize the power of friendship that we have. We will know when we loose them. Start to know and thank them and God before we loose them.
Everything we have is a grace from God, the place we are in, the people we work with, the friends who are ready to do anything for us, the people who love us and those who criticize us for our lack of understanding, etc. They are all part of our growth. When we miss them we know how great they were in our life.
Before I miss you all from my life. Let me start saying to you THANK YOU.
God Provides. From Sunny John
Location:3rd St,Troy,United States
Saturday, July 09, 2011
HYMN
O Lord my God! when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed:
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
”How Great Thou Art” by Melinda Kirigin-Voss; Originally this was a Swedish folk melody, “O Store Gud” by Carl Boberg (1859-1940) and was translated by Stuart K. Hine in 1899.
God Provides. From Sunny John
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
A Prayer for Priest
Keep them, I pray Thee, dearest Lord,
Keep them, for they are Thine-
Thy priests whose lives burn out before
Thy consecrated shrine.
Keep them for they are in the world
Though from the world apart
When earthly pleasures tempt,allure-
Shelter them in Thy heart.
Keep them,and comfort them in hours
Of loneliness and pain
When all their life of sacrifice
For souls seems but in vain.
Keep them, and O remember Lord
They have no one but Thee
Yet they have only human hearts,
With human frailty.
Keep them as spotless as the Host,
That daily, they cares-
Their every thought and word and deed,
Design, dearest Lord, to bless.
( unknown )
Location:3rd St,Troy,United States
Friday, June 10, 2011
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Monday, May 09, 2011
Sunday, May 08, 2011
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Autobiography of Sam, a bird A Narrative story by Fr. Sunny John O.Carm. April 5, 2011 Hello everyone. We never met. My name is Sam and I am a bird. I am very jealous, proud and angry. I do not have any close friends, as I do not want any complications in my life. Why should I burden myself and love someone other than myself? I am not ready to accept that I am a braggart. I want others to treat me as a saintly bird. When we go hunting for food, I am the selfish one who always left my co-hunters behind as I was rushing to get all the choice food for myself. After I finish eating, I then start complaining about the food. I am never satisfied in my life and not at all concerned about anyone else. I do hope you are getting to know me a bit better! That used to be me, the greedy and unkind Sam. Yes, I was very greedy once and not at all worried about anything or anyone in this world. I was only concerned about myself. Why shouldn’t I be? I was healthy, handsome and good-looking. I never thought that what I was doing was bad. One day I decided to take a long trip to the beachside to get some fresh seafood, which I had not had in months. I had a long flight to the beach and I flew around to see what was going on. It was not a familiar place and I did not have any friends that went with me. I was alone and for the first time in my life, I felt lonely. I noticed that everyone except me was happy and they were talking to each other and were very concerned about others. There were children who were playing, couples who were enjoying their vacation and people fishing. Some were with their children enjoying the beauty of the creation. I could not enjoy anything that is going around me, because I was only concerned about myself and the fresh seafood I was about to enjoy. I went around and found food and after eating it all, I was very full. I went to enjoy the sunset and the full moon. But I realized that something was missing, I could not figure out what I was lacking. Why am I not happy like everyone else? The other birds were happy as they flew together and helped each other find food. I was starting to feel the loneliness in my life. I noticed some birds were taking a rest and I went to talk to them. However, they did not want to talk to me and I asked them if I could join them or stay with them. They were very furious and chased me away. They did not want to talk to a stranger. I was feeling down for the first time in my life and felt there was something missing and I am not as good as I think I am. I tried to make friends with the people who were fishing nearby, but even though I was very close to them, they did not even notice me walking around. I was sad and went to a corner of the beach where there was no one around. At last, I found a beauty. She looked very beautiful with a long pink mouth and colorful. Her name was Grace. She came over to ask me whether I needed any help. She realized that I am not from the area and that I was visiting. She seemed to be a very happy "person" and I was so happy to see her near me. I asked her why she was so happy and that I was not. She told me that if I wanted to be happy, I needed to forget thinking about myself and love others as I loved myself. I did not get it. But she told me about her Master and the Lord Jesus Christ in whom she has great faith. She added that Jesus is the one who protects her and provides everything and she is not worried about anything in her life. I listened to what she was telling me and I was very interested in her words because she was the only one who gave me some attention. Grace started to talk about her family. She has two "children" to take care of and was actually gathering food for them. I realized the food she shared with me was the food she collected for her "children". I was pleased that someone was caring for others, as I could not imagine myself doing that. I never helped anyone in my life; I had no friends or family to love or to feel being loved. I fed myself, saved for my future, and never thought of others. She wanted to learn more about me. I was very frank with her and told her that I never helped any one in my life and never felt any need to do so. I had no friends or any help from anyone to realize that what I was doing was wrong. No one seems to help me. Everyone was criticizing me and no one was ready to help me. She started to cry when I was telling my story. She told a story that she heard from her friends, about a sannyasi in India who was a very religious priest. The sannyasi, a wise Hindu person, had reached the outskirts of the village and settled down under a tree for the night when a villager came running up to him and said, “The stone! The stone! Give me the precious stone!” “What stone?” asked the sannyasi. “Last night the Lord Shiva appeared to me in a dream,” said the villager, “and told me that if I went to the outskirts of the village at dusk I should find a sannyasi who would give me a precious stone that would make me rich forever.” The sannyasi rummaged in his bag and pulled out a stone. “He probably meant this stone,” he said, as he handed the stone to the villager. “I found it a on a forest path some days ago. You can certainly have it,” The man gazed at the stone in wonder. It was a diamond; probably the largest diamond in the whole world, for it was as large as a person’s head. He took the diamond and walked away. All night he tossed in bed, unable to sleep. Next day, at the crack of dawn, he woke the sannyasi and said, “Give me the wealth that makes it possible for you to give this diamond away so easily.” Grace told me that it is not your possessions and what you have that make you happy. It is always what you give away that makes you happy. As long as you are greedy, you can never be happy in your life. If you try to live for others and love them more than you love yourself, then you will realize what real love, joy and happiness are. The soothing sound of the waves was teaching me wisdom, was really washing off the hardness of my life, and was making me a kind bird. She told me what the French novelist Marcel Proust (1871-1922) wrote: “We do not receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves, after a journey through the wilderness, which no one else can make for us, which no one can spare us, for our wisdom is the point of view from which we come at last to regard the world.” I realized no one else can make you happy but you, no one can take your joy away but only you can do that. I started to see others, their beauty and their kindness. For the first time, I started to look at others not as my enemy but as my own. That was a real awakening. I started to see who I was and why I was not happy. I thanked God for the realization. I never thanked God or even accepted his existence. I realized that God exists to control nature in its own order. How will it be if everybody is going to do it in their own way? God has His own harmony for everything according to what He sets for them. For the first time in my life and from the depth of my heart, I praised God for giving me life. I went to my friend to learn more about God. My heart was thirsting and hungry to know more about Him. I never cared for anyone like that and I never wanted to know about anyone in my life. I was so restless and I wanted to know more. I asked her to teach me about the Lord and she said that she did not know too much but she learns about Him from the church. She said God is all about love. She knew that people who trust in the Lord are always happy. I asked her to tell me more so that I will believe in Him, as I want to be content with myself. Let me be free of all my negativeness. She told me that one day she was searching for food near a catholic church and the church windows were open. She could see and hear all what is going on in the church and went to the window to hear more clearly. She saw the priest coming to the pulpit with a rusty, bent, old birdcage, and set it by the pulpit. Everyone was surprised to see him with a cage. Eyebrows were raised and the priest began to speak…"I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this birdcage. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright. I stopped the boy and asked. ”What you got there, son?” “Just some old birds,” came the reply. ”What are you going to do with them?” I asked. ”Take them home and have fun with them,” he answered. ”I’m going to tease ‘em and pull out their feathers to make them fight. I’m going to have a real good time.” But you will get tired of those birds eventually. " What will you do?” “Oh, I got some cats,” said the little boy. ”They like birds. The priest was silent for a moment. “How much do you want for those birds, son?” “Huh??!!! Why, you want the birds , mister. They are just plain old-field birds. They do not sing. They aren’t even pretty!” “How much?” the priest asked again. The boy sized up the priest as if he was crazy and said, “$10” The priest reached in his pocket and took out a ten-dollar bill. He placed it in the boy’s hand. In a flash, the boy was gone. The priest picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot. Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free. Well, that explained the empty birdcage on the pulpit, and then the priest began to tell this story. One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting. "Yes, sir, I just I set a trap with bait and caught a whole lot of people because they could not resist. Got ‘em all! ”What are you going to do with them?” Jesus asked. Satan replied, “Oh, I’m gonna have fun! I’m gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink, smoke and curse. I’m gonna teach them how to kill each other. I’m really gonna have fun!” "And what will you do when you get done with them?” Jesus asked. "Oh, I’ll kill them,” "How much? Jesus asked. They’ll spit on you, curse you and kill you. You don’t want those people!” Jesus asked again. How much? Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, “All your blood, tears and your life.” Jesus said, “DONE”! Then He paid the price. Then the priest picked up the cage and walked away from the pulpit. Grace stopped telling the story and I saw tears coming from her eyes. I was very touched when she told me the story. It was enough. I got it… I was not able to hear anything more. I was broken. Tears came from my eyes; they were tears of joy and peace. I felt like I am totally a new person. I bend my knee and prayed for the first time as St. Padre Pio prayed ; Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have You present so that I do not forget You. You know how easily I abandon You. Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak and I need Your strength that I may not fall so often. Stay with me, Lord, for You are my light, and without You I am in darkness. Stay with me, Lord, to show me Your will. Stay with me, Lord, so that I hear Your voice and follow You. Stay with me, Lord, for I desire to love You very much and to be in Your company always. Stay with me, Lord, if You wish me to be faithful to You. Stay with me, Lord, for as poor as my soul is I want it to be a place of consolation for You, a nest of love. Amen. Thank you my friends for listening to my story. Jesus who saved us will bless you with his love and mercy. I am Sam.
Saturday, March 05, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
Ordination anniversary
My priestly Ordination and Feast of John Neumann
In June of 1836 on the day of his first Mass, Father John Neumann (1811-1860) whose feast we celebrate today, uttered a prayer that consisted of only five words: “Dearest God, Give me holiness.” He had only recently arrived in the United States. He had studied for the priesthood in his native Bohemia, but there were so many priests in his homeland that the bishop decided there would be no more ordinations for an extended period. So at the age of twenty-five John Neumann set out for America and was there ordained to the priesthood by the Bishop of New York. The next day, he prayed those five words: “Dearest God, Give me holiness.” As he celebrated the Eucharist at the very beginning of his priestly service, he prayed for holiness. My dear brothers and sisters, today is the anniversary of my own ordination. I was ordained in January 5th 1997. Please pray that I will be dying as a holy priest.
Vocation of the prophet Jeremiah says in Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."And God’s further words to Jeremiah were also verified in John Neumann: "To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with you...says the Lord."
The words of Saint Paul, the great missionary Apostle, apply so well to Saint John Neumann: “I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the Gospel, so that I too may have a share in it” (1 Cor 9:19; 22-23).
In his book Written in Blood, Robert Coleman tells the story of a little girl, Mary, who needed a blood transfusion. Her little brother, Johnny, had suffered from the same disease that she had and had recovered two years earlier. Since her best chance of recovery was a transfusion from someone who had recovered from the disease, her little brother was identified as the ideal donor. "Would you give your blood to Mary?" the doctor asked. Johnny hesitated. His lower lip started to tremble. Then he smiled and said, "Sure, for my sister." Soon the two kids were wheeled into the hospital room. Neither of them spoke, but when their eyes met, Johnny grinned. As the nurse inserted the needle into his arm, Johnny's smile faded. Johnny watched his blood flow through the tube. When the ordeal was over, Johnny's shaky voice broke the silence. "Doctor, when do I die?"
It was only then that the doctor realize why Johnny had hesitated, why his lip had trembled when he agreed to donate his blood. He thought giving his blood to his sister meant giving up his life. When he agreed to give the blood, Johnny had agreed to die so that his sister would live. Fortunately, Johnny did not have to die to save his sister.
No matter what type of good work a priest does the highpoint of the priest’s ministry is celebrating the Eucharist. It is the most important moment of the day for the priest.
Prayer and the Eucharist is the most important time of every day in the life of a priest and religious.
I always look for my joy in knowing that I am doing what is best for the kingdom of God. Whether 10% or 99% of people appreciate what I do is not the decisive factor in whether I am happy or unhappy. Because I am human it is a consideration but it is not the decisive factor. Last Christmas day one woman who was a lapse catholic came to me and said “father I was against catholic life but because of you I am coming back.” that was my best Christmas gift this year.
I remember the words of my patron saint, St. Vincent de Paul “To rely on our talents is a cause of great loss. When someone places confidence in his own prudence, knowledge, and intelligence, God, To make him know and see his insufficiency, withdraws from him His help and leaves him to work by himself. This is often why our undertakings miserably fail.’ “Dearest God, Give me holiness.” Amen.
In June of 1836 on the day of his first Mass, Father John Neumann (1811-1860) whose feast we celebrate today, uttered a prayer that consisted of only five words: “Dearest God, Give me holiness.” He had only recently arrived in the United States. He had studied for the priesthood in his native Bohemia, but there were so many priests in his homeland that the bishop decided there would be no more ordinations for an extended period. So at the age of twenty-five John Neumann set out for America and was there ordained to the priesthood by the Bishop of New York. The next day, he prayed those five words: “Dearest God, Give me holiness.” As he celebrated the Eucharist at the very beginning of his priestly service, he prayed for holiness. My dear brothers and sisters, today is the anniversary of my own ordination. I was ordained in January 5th 1997. Please pray that I will be dying as a holy priest.
Vocation of the prophet Jeremiah says in Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."And God’s further words to Jeremiah were also verified in John Neumann: "To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with you...says the Lord."
The words of Saint Paul, the great missionary Apostle, apply so well to Saint John Neumann: “I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the Gospel, so that I too may have a share in it” (1 Cor 9:19; 22-23).
In his book Written in Blood, Robert Coleman tells the story of a little girl, Mary, who needed a blood transfusion. Her little brother, Johnny, had suffered from the same disease that she had and had recovered two years earlier. Since her best chance of recovery was a transfusion from someone who had recovered from the disease, her little brother was identified as the ideal donor. "Would you give your blood to Mary?" the doctor asked. Johnny hesitated. His lower lip started to tremble. Then he smiled and said, "Sure, for my sister." Soon the two kids were wheeled into the hospital room. Neither of them spoke, but when their eyes met, Johnny grinned. As the nurse inserted the needle into his arm, Johnny's smile faded. Johnny watched his blood flow through the tube. When the ordeal was over, Johnny's shaky voice broke the silence. "Doctor, when do I die?"
It was only then that the doctor realize why Johnny had hesitated, why his lip had trembled when he agreed to donate his blood. He thought giving his blood to his sister meant giving up his life. When he agreed to give the blood, Johnny had agreed to die so that his sister would live. Fortunately, Johnny did not have to die to save his sister.
No matter what type of good work a priest does the highpoint of the priest’s ministry is celebrating the Eucharist. It is the most important moment of the day for the priest.
Prayer and the Eucharist is the most important time of every day in the life of a priest and religious.
I always look for my joy in knowing that I am doing what is best for the kingdom of God. Whether 10% or 99% of people appreciate what I do is not the decisive factor in whether I am happy or unhappy. Because I am human it is a consideration but it is not the decisive factor. Last Christmas day one woman who was a lapse catholic came to me and said “father I was against catholic life but because of you I am coming back.” that was my best Christmas gift this year.
I remember the words of my patron saint, St. Vincent de Paul “To rely on our talents is a cause of great loss. When someone places confidence in his own prudence, knowledge, and intelligence, God, To make him know and see his insufficiency, withdraws from him His help and leaves him to work by himself. This is often why our undertakings miserably fail.’ “Dearest God, Give me holiness.” Amen.
Saturday, January 01, 2011
Friday, December 31, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
Sunday, December 05, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Monday, November 08, 2010
Saturday, November 06, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
September 16 my nephew could have been 33 Years Old
Happy Birthday to my nephew Sreejith John on September 16, 2010.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Sunday, August 01, 2010
Mount Carmel School Anthem,Kosigi
Lyric:- Fr Sunny John O.Carm.
Music: - Ms Deirdre Broderick
Jai Ho Carmel
Though the world where we live
May not have alot to give
Our light of wisdom’s shining through
God of knowledge, bless our School
Oh, Mount Carmel,
Mount Carmel ‐ Where our dreams come true*****************
Chorus:
Jai ho Carmel, Jai ‘Matha’
We will always make you proud
We sing it strong
We sing it loud
Jai ho Carmel, Mount Carmel **********
Jai ho Carmel, Jai ‘Matha’
We will always make you proud
We sing it strong
We sing it loud
Jai ho Carmel, Mount Carmel **********
Oh, our Mother of Love
Source of wisdom from above
We place our hope and trust in you
God almighty, you touch the earth
At Mount Carmel
Mount Carmel ‐ How we love you too++++++++++++
Source of wisdom from above
We place our hope and trust in you
God almighty, you touch the earth
At Mount Carmel
Mount Carmel ‐ How we love you too++++++++++++
Chorus:-
Jai ho Carmel, Jai ‘Matha’
We will always make you proud
We sing it strong
We sing it loud
Jai ho Carmel, Mount Carmel
We will always make you proud
We sing it strong
We sing it loud
Jai ho Carmel, Mount Carmel
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Our Lady of Mount Carmel July 16
Rejoice in Carmel
Dear brothers and sisters in Carmel,
Imagine our loving Mother Mary standing at the foot of the Cross. She is there, the stoic, incomparable Mother and living altar of sacrifice. Any person of feeling can perceive this, but we come to understand, too, that calmness and silence are the most appropriate response at a time of such intense and crushing emotions. Mary consented to this sacrifice long ago. it was asked of her and she agreed.
And so our Blessed Lady could only stand there in silence. And she prayed. She and her Divine Son were the only ones who knew what was actually happening.
She knew that He was the world’s Redeemer. She knew that He was offering a Sacrifice, the Sacrifice. He was offering the Sacrifice that would once more open to us the gates of Heaven. Being God as well as Man, the price He was paying for our salvation was of infinite worth. So she joined with Him in offering this sacrifice to the Father.
Our Lord told us that we all have to be like little children if we wish to have the right approach to salvation. And little children look to their mother to learn what to do.
"O my Queen," exclaims St. Bonaventure, "Thou art not only standing near the Cross, but thou art with Thy Son on the Cross; Thou dost suffer, thou art crucified with Him, the only difference being that while He suffers in His body, thou dost suffer in thy loving Heart.” St. Lawrence Justinan said "Both Mother and Son were nailed to the Cross, the Son in the body, the Mother in her Heart,"
On Calvary, the only Son of Mary gave us an inestimable gift, when in the excess of His incomprehensible goodness He addressed Himself to each one of us in the person of St. John and speaking of His holy Mother, said to us: "Behold thy Mother" (John 19:27). Jesus gave the Church His own mother, Mary, to be our mother.
On Calvary this love is shown in the gift of a mother, his mother, who thus becomes our mother too.
Mary cares for all of us just as lovingly as she cared for the child Jesus. As a mother gives her child food, clothing, shelter, encouragement, protection and love, Mary gives us all these things.
When she appeared to Saint Simon Stock, Mary presented him with the Brown Scapular. Through the Brown Scapular, Mary has given her children clothing and the hope of the promises she attached to it, promising the salvation of her Son, especially from purgatory.
We’re called to be contemplative and prophetic. These are big words and they may frighten us but they are translated into being people of faith who are willing to follow the footsteps of Jesus according to the need of the time.
Carmelites are all called to be a living sign in the world. How? Be a sign of joy in the world of unhappiness. Celebrate your life every day. As St Paul says in Philippians 4:4 or in 1 Thessalonians 5:16 says Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
How to Rejoice Always ?
The Greek word used here for “rejoice” means to be glad, full of cheer, joyful. Paul tells us not only to rejoice, but to rejoice always—to always be full of cheer and gladness.
Just from human nature, it is not natural to be always rejoicing. If we have a flat tire, we grumble. Computer problems bring groans. Being sick brings moans. There is just a lot of stuff that happens that leads us to complaining instead of rejoicing.
Nehemiah said, “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).
This joy is an inside job; it does not come from outward circumstances. Real joy is not based on what is happening around you, but on what is happening in you. You can have the greatest joy in the worst of situations, and that joy will be the strength you need to prevail in the hardest of adversities. Jesus said that when we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, everything else will be taken care of (Matthew 6:33). If you know Jesus, you have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you; if you have the Holy Spirit, then you already have the fruit of the Spirit at work in you. Be joyful, because you are worth more than many sparrows.
True and lasting joy is all about God. David said, “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11).
God can help because He knows our every thought, feeling, and fiber in our body. He knows our problem even before we are aware of it. That alone is good reason to trust in the Almighty and happy in life.
God does not love us because of anything “good” that we might have done. God loves us because we have humbly laid all our sins at the foot of the cross.
Rejoice has the word joy as its root. Joy, true joy, is deeper than a painted on smile. Our feelings can be up and down with each passing moment, and happiness can come and go just as quickly. Experiencing true joy, being able to rejoice always, is a gift from God, given in spite of circumstances. No matter what happens – good, bad, and everything in between – Christ is with us to see us through it. This doesn’t mean that life won’t hurt, but that even in the midst of the hurts, we can rejoice because God is still good.
Most of the time our joy gets stolen from the inside out instead of the other way around. Usually we are the ones who isolate ourselves from the joy.
Let me tell you a secret. If you are waiting around for joy to find you, you are going to be waiting for a long time. Do not wait for your life to be perfect in order to open your heart to joy – you’ll never experience joy at that rate.
Preacher Alan Jenkins says, “…If your plan for finding joy is to be rich, healthy, successful, and beloved; if your goal is to have a pain-free, trouble-free life, then get ready for lots of disappointment.”
Most people live a life with a cup that is either half-full or half empty. The people who have a half-full cup are the ones that are typically smiling. You can have a joyful life if you just take a few moments to see the glass as it really exists.
My dear brothers and sisters, Enjoy and celebrate your life in Carmel because you have a place in Jesus’ heart. You are precious to Jesus. God LOVES you and offers a wonderful PLAN for your life. He gave His own Mother as our Mother and sister. What more we can ask for!
Rejoice my dear brothers and sisters because we have a mother, who loves us and who knows us and able to help us. Be a living sign in the world as a living Carmelite not as a dead person but alive in Spirit. Celebrating our life everyday because we have a place in Jesus and we have a Mother to look- after.
Remember the words of St. Teresa of Avila: “Now Jesus has no other mouths, eyes, ears, hands and feet than ours.” He counts on us.
May our loving Mother intercede for you.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dear brothers and sisters in Carmel,
Imagine our loving Mother Mary standing at the foot of the Cross. She is there, the stoic, incomparable Mother and living altar of sacrifice. Any person of feeling can perceive this, but we come to understand, too, that calmness and silence are the most appropriate response at a time of such intense and crushing emotions. Mary consented to this sacrifice long ago. it was asked of her and she agreed.
And so our Blessed Lady could only stand there in silence. And she prayed. She and her Divine Son were the only ones who knew what was actually happening.
She knew that He was the world’s Redeemer. She knew that He was offering a Sacrifice, the Sacrifice. He was offering the Sacrifice that would once more open to us the gates of Heaven. Being God as well as Man, the price He was paying for our salvation was of infinite worth. So she joined with Him in offering this sacrifice to the Father.
Our Lord told us that we all have to be like little children if we wish to have the right approach to salvation. And little children look to their mother to learn what to do.
"O my Queen," exclaims St. Bonaventure, "Thou art not only standing near the Cross, but thou art with Thy Son on the Cross; Thou dost suffer, thou art crucified with Him, the only difference being that while He suffers in His body, thou dost suffer in thy loving Heart.” St. Lawrence Justinan said "Both Mother and Son were nailed to the Cross, the Son in the body, the Mother in her Heart,"
On Calvary, the only Son of Mary gave us an inestimable gift, when in the excess of His incomprehensible goodness He addressed Himself to each one of us in the person of St. John and speaking of His holy Mother, said to us: "Behold thy Mother" (John 19:27). Jesus gave the Church His own mother, Mary, to be our mother.
On Calvary this love is shown in the gift of a mother, his mother, who thus becomes our mother too.
Mary cares for all of us just as lovingly as she cared for the child Jesus. As a mother gives her child food, clothing, shelter, encouragement, protection and love, Mary gives us all these things.
When she appeared to Saint Simon Stock, Mary presented him with the Brown Scapular. Through the Brown Scapular, Mary has given her children clothing and the hope of the promises she attached to it, promising the salvation of her Son, especially from purgatory.
We’re called to be contemplative and prophetic. These are big words and they may frighten us but they are translated into being people of faith who are willing to follow the footsteps of Jesus according to the need of the time.
Carmelites are all called to be a living sign in the world. How? Be a sign of joy in the world of unhappiness. Celebrate your life every day. As St Paul says in Philippians 4:4 or in 1 Thessalonians 5:16 says Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
How to Rejoice Always ?
The Greek word used here for “rejoice” means to be glad, full of cheer, joyful. Paul tells us not only to rejoice, but to rejoice always—to always be full of cheer and gladness.
Just from human nature, it is not natural to be always rejoicing. If we have a flat tire, we grumble. Computer problems bring groans. Being sick brings moans. There is just a lot of stuff that happens that leads us to complaining instead of rejoicing.
Nehemiah said, “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).
This joy is an inside job; it does not come from outward circumstances. Real joy is not based on what is happening around you, but on what is happening in you. You can have the greatest joy in the worst of situations, and that joy will be the strength you need to prevail in the hardest of adversities. Jesus said that when we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, everything else will be taken care of (Matthew 6:33). If you know Jesus, you have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you; if you have the Holy Spirit, then you already have the fruit of the Spirit at work in you. Be joyful, because you are worth more than many sparrows.
True and lasting joy is all about God. David said, “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11).
God can help because He knows our every thought, feeling, and fiber in our body. He knows our problem even before we are aware of it. That alone is good reason to trust in the Almighty and happy in life.
God does not love us because of anything “good” that we might have done. God loves us because we have humbly laid all our sins at the foot of the cross.
Rejoice has the word joy as its root. Joy, true joy, is deeper than a painted on smile. Our feelings can be up and down with each passing moment, and happiness can come and go just as quickly. Experiencing true joy, being able to rejoice always, is a gift from God, given in spite of circumstances. No matter what happens – good, bad, and everything in between – Christ is with us to see us through it. This doesn’t mean that life won’t hurt, but that even in the midst of the hurts, we can rejoice because God is still good.
Most of the time our joy gets stolen from the inside out instead of the other way around. Usually we are the ones who isolate ourselves from the joy.
Let me tell you a secret. If you are waiting around for joy to find you, you are going to be waiting for a long time. Do not wait for your life to be perfect in order to open your heart to joy – you’ll never experience joy at that rate.
Preacher Alan Jenkins says, “…If your plan for finding joy is to be rich, healthy, successful, and beloved; if your goal is to have a pain-free, trouble-free life, then get ready for lots of disappointment.”
Most people live a life with a cup that is either half-full or half empty. The people who have a half-full cup are the ones that are typically smiling. You can have a joyful life if you just take a few moments to see the glass as it really exists.
My dear brothers and sisters, Enjoy and celebrate your life in Carmel because you have a place in Jesus’ heart. You are precious to Jesus. God LOVES you and offers a wonderful PLAN for your life. He gave His own Mother as our Mother and sister. What more we can ask for!
Rejoice my dear brothers and sisters because we have a mother, who loves us and who knows us and able to help us. Be a living sign in the world as a living Carmelite not as a dead person but alive in Spirit. Celebrating our life everyday because we have a place in Jesus and we have a Mother to look- after.
Remember the words of St. Teresa of Avila: “Now Jesus has no other mouths, eyes, ears, hands and feet than ours.” He counts on us.
May our loving Mother intercede for you.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Saturday, July 03, 2010
Friday, July 02, 2010
A Journey to Carmel
A Journey to Carmel
Carmel is a journey — a journey within. Carmel is a call to journey into oneself to find oneself and there to find God with one’s truest self. You will encounter problems along the way, but Carmel gives me tools here, in the saints, in the Rule, and with a supportive community and friends. We are traveling to that heritage of Carmel the source of our spirituality and tradition.
The name "Carmel" means, in Hebrew, "Vineyard of God"! The name of the Order is derived from the Mount of Carmel in Palestine where dwelt the disciples of the prophet Elias and after him, Eliseus.It was on Mount Carmel that Elijah made his stand against the many prophets of Baal and Asherah who were corrupting the Israelites at the time.
To stand before the face of the living God is the vocation of all Carmelites. The holy prophet set us an example. He stood before God's face because this was the eternal treasure for whose sake he gave up all earthly goods. The hermits of Carmel lived as sons of the great prophet and as "brothers of the Blessed Virgin."
In the reign of king Ahab of the northern kingdom of Israel (874-853 B.C.), the Israelites apostatized after pagan gods called Baal and Asherah (Baal’s consort), and left the living God of their ancestors. As Elijah saw Israel going deeper and deeper into idolatry, his soul was distressed and his indignation aroused.
The time had come when God must speak to them by means of judgments. Until they should turn to God with repentance, and acknowledge Him as the source of all blessing, there should fall upon the land neither dew nor rain.
"As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand," he declared, "there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word." True to his words the nature obeyed the prophet and the land began to cry for water.
The earth is parched as if with fire. The scorching heat of the sun destroys what little vegetation has survived. Streams dry up Once-prosperous cities and villages have become places of mourning. Hunger and thirst are telling upon man and beast with fearful mortality.
There was nothing left to eat or drink, and the rain would not come yet for many months. Still, Elijah was not greatly troubled. He was hungry, but he knew that God, whom he faithfully served, would feed him in some way.
God sent him to a widow woman in Zarephath to find an asylum in her home. even in her dire extremity she bore witness to her faith by a compliance with the request of the stranger who was asking her to share her last morsel with him.
Wonderful was the hospitality shown to God's prophet by this Phoenician woman, and wonderfully were her faith and generosity rewarded.
And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so, that there was no breath left in him. "And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed. . . . And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord. . . . And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.
The widow of Zarephath shared her morsel with Elijah, and in return her life and that of her son were preserved. And to all who, in time of trial and want, give sympathy and assistance to others more needy, God has promised great blessing. He has not changed. His power is no less now than in the days of Elijah. No less sure now than when spoken by our Savior is the promise. "He that receives a (true) prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward." Matthew 10:41.
Through the long years of drought and famine, Elijah prayed earnestly that the hearts of Israel might be turned from idolatry to allegiance to God. God Himself was working out His plan, and all that His servant could do was to pray on in faith and await the time for decided action.
And still there was no rain. At last. "after many days," the word of the Lord came to Elijah. "Go, show thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth."
In obedience to the command. "Elijah went to show himself unto Ahab."
Standing before Ahab, Elijah demanded that all Israel be assembled to meet him and the prophets of Baal and Ashtoreth on Mount Carmel. "Send," he commanded. "and gather to me all Israel unto Mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table."
Carmel overlooked a wide expanse of country; its heights were visible from many parts of the kingdom of Israel. At the foot of the mount there were vantage points from which could be seen much of what took place above. Elijah chose this elevation as the most conspicuous place for the display of God's power and for the vindication of the honor of His name.
Facing King Ahab and the false prophets, and surrounded by the assembled hosts of Israel, Elijah stands, the only one who has appeared to vindicate the honor of God. Unashamed, un-terrified, the prophet stands before the multitude, fully aware of his commission to execute the divine command. Looking first upon the broken-down altar of Jehovah, and then upon the multitude, Elijah cries out in clear, trumpet like tones. "How long halt you between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him." "Who is on the Lord's side?" (Exodus 32:26),
Places of worship to Baal were located on Mount Carmel. The prophet Elijah defeated Baal in its own territory. Baal was the principal god of the Canaanite pagan religion, which used ritual prostitution in its cultic worship practices believing that it may achieve the fertility of the land. Baal both owned and fertilized the land. The Israelites committed the sin of trying to combine the worship of their true living God with that of Baal, the Canaanite false god.
While Israel on Carmel doubts and hesitates, the voice of Elijah again breaks the silence: "I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let the priests of Baal choose one bullock and I will use the other. Let them call on the name of their gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answers by fire, let him be God."
The morning passes, noon comes, and yet there is no evidence that Baal hears the cries of his deluded followers. There is no voice, no reply to their frantic prayers. The sacrifice remains unconsumed. . One suggests one thing, and another something else, until finally they cease their efforts.
Elijah prays as if he knows God is there, a witness to the scene, a listener to his appeal.
"Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel," the prophet pleads. "let it be known this day that Thou art God in Israel, and that I am Thy servant, and that I have done all these things at Thy word. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that Thou art the Lord God, and that Thou hast turned their heart back again." 1.Kings 18:36,37.
No sooner is the prayer of Elijah ended than flames of fire, like brilliant flashes of lightning, descend from heaven upon the up reared altar, consuming the sacrifice, licking up the water in the trench, and consuming even the stones of the altar.
The people on the mount cry out together as with one voice. "The Lord, He is God; the Lord, He is God."
Elijah said to Ahab; "for there is a sound of abundance of rain." Then the prophet went to the top of the mount to pray.
Elijah’s persistence in sending his servant seven times to look for rain was rewarded with his announcement, after those years of drought, "Behold a cloud as small as a man’s hand is coming up from the sea" (1 Kngs 43,44).
While under the inspiration of the Almighty, he had stood the severest trial of faith, Forgetting God, Elijah fled on and on, until he found himself in a dreary waste, alone. Utterly wearied, he sat down to rest under a juniper tree. And sitting there, he requested for himself that he might die. "It is enough; now, O Lord," he said, "take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers."
The journey of transformation is normally long with many twists and turns as all that is false within us is gradually transformed into Christ. The dark night is a great blessing from God. It is the time when God is reaching into the hidden places of our hearts in order to transform us completely. The dark night is not dark at all. On the contrary, it is very bright, too bright for us and so it seems to be dark.
God did not forsake Elijah in his hour of trial. God had sent an angel from heaven with food for His servant. "Arise and eat," the angel said.
God told Elijah to anoint Elisha as his successor and co-worker. The faithful Elisha was now with Elijah as his servant, and he was to be prophet after him. Elisha asked that a double portion of his master's spirit might be upon him. He did not ask to be a greater prophet than Elijah, but to have a large, a double gift, such as a father gave to his oldest son. It was promised if he should see Elijah when he was taken from him. He did see him, for “it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder: and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it.” He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and it had the same power in his hands that it had had in the hands of Elijah. Listen and we will read this part of the story. (2 Kings 2:1-8)
Eliseus continued the work of fighting idolatry, working many miracles which surpassed those of his master.
It was also on Mt. Carmel that Elias, deep in prayer, sent his servant to scan the horizon for rain. Finally, after looking seven times, the servant reported "a little cloud...like a man's foot arising out of the sea." (3 Kings 18: 43-44) Tradition holds that Elias knew the cloud to be a sign of the coming of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of the Redeemer. "Henceforward, Carmel was sacred in the eyes of all who looked beyond this world."
Our Lady of Mount Carmel is also known as “Star of the Sea” a title that developed out of the little cloud that rose from the sea as Elijah prayed. Mary is the cloud that rises out of the sea. The sea is saltwater, undrinkable, a vast body of water, next to which the kingdom can still thirst and die. The sea is salty, impure, an image of fallen humanity. Mary rises out of this sea, pure and perfect, laden with the water of grace that will pour out through her to all humanity--not the source of Grace herself, nevertheless the container into which all is poured until it overflows out to all people, limitless, and life-giving. Not God, but human, Mary rises from the sea, pure and Immaculate in her conception, formed as a vessel of God's grace and a place of refuge for His people.
Thus, the Carmelite looking upon the Blessed Virgin sees both the contemplative and the example. She is Queen and Mother of Carmel. She is the chief protector, guide, and example of the Order. But by virtue of her human birth She is our sister as well as our mother in faith.
The continued attacks of the Mohamedans forced the Carmelites in Palestine to send the majority of their friars to Europe in 1244. The following year Saint Simon Stock was chosen to be the 6th general of the Order and the government of the Carmelites was transferred to England. The holy man of Kent was eighty years old by this time, alert, but noticeably weakened by his life-long penances. His primary concern was not for himself but for Mary’s favored Order which was still being racked by an ever increasing variety of persecutions and internal problems.
In 1251, burdened with the weight of his many troubles, Saint Simon repaired to the Monastery in Cambridge. He poured forth fervent prayer in the privacy of his cell asking Heaven again to bestow its graces upon the spiritually parched Carmelites. Just as Elias had obtained through this prayer the end of three years’ draught in Israel, so too did Saint Simon, in a most singular manner receive an answer to his entreaty. Whilst in ecstasy he beheld the Mother of God surrounded by a multitude of angels. Our Lady held in her hands the full scapular of the Carmelite habit and looking upon Saint Simon with utmost compassion she said, “Receive, my beloved son, this habit of thy Order. This shall be to thee and to all Carmelites a privilege that whosoever dies clothed in this shall never suffer eternal fire.” The holy carmelite was filled with unspeakable joy and consolation.
The Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a sign approved by the Church and accepted by the Carmelite Order as an external sign of love for Mary, of the trust her children have in her, and of commitment to live like her.
The word scapular indicates a form of clothing, which monks wore when they were working. The Scapular came to symbolize the special dedication of Carmelites to Mary, the Mother of God, and to express trust in her motherly protection as well as the desire to be like her in her commitment to Christ and to others. Thus it became a sign of Mary.
The Scapular came to symbolize the special dedication of Carmelites to Mary, the Mother of God, and to express trust in her motherly protection as well as the desire to be like her in her commitment to Christ and to others. Thus it became a sign of Mary.
On the 750th anniversary of the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Pope John Paul II wrote to the entire Carmelite Family. He noted that two truths are evoked by the sign of the Scapular: (1) the constant protection of the Blessed Virgin, not only on life's journey, but also at the moment of passing into the fullness of eternal glory; and (2) the awareness that devotion to her cannot be limited to prayers and tributes in her honor on certain occasions, but must become a "habit," which is a permanent orientation of one's own Christian conduct woven of prayer and interior life, through frequent reception of the sacraments and the concrete practice of the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. The Scapular becomes a sign of the "covenant" and reciprocal communion between Mary and the faithful: translating Jesus' gift on the Cross of his Mother to John, and through him to all of us, and the entrustment of the beloved Apostle and of us to her, who became our Spiritual Mother.
The Brown Scapular is a sacramental of the Catholic Church. A sacramental is, by definition, “a sacred sign which bears resemblance to the sacraments, and by means of which spiritual effects are signified and obtained through the prayers of the Church.” (CCC 1667). In the case of the scapular, the sacred sign is the scapular itself and the spiritual effect is the protection of one’s souls through the prayers of Mary, as she promised in the vision to St. Simon Stock.
O beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, most fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven, holy and singular, who brought forth the son of God, still ever remaining a pure virgin, assist us in our necessities. O Star of the Sea, help and protect us. show us that You are our Mother. Amen.
O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee.
The acid test of progress on the spiritual journey is whether we are becoming better human beings. How we actually treat other people is the testing ground of the authenticity of the transformation, which is taking place within us. We cannot make progress in the life of prayer unless we progress in the love of God and a very practical love of neighbor. St. John of the Cross said;"In the evening of this life, you will be judged on love!"
The Carmelite Order is the only one in the Church that can trace its origin back to the Old Testament. Elias who lived some 800 years before the birth of Our Lord, was fittingly chosen by God to be its founder. He was the fiery prophet who never died but was carried away from the earth in a blazing chariot, a symbol of the burning zeal and love of God which would prevail among the Carmelites. He was the glowing figure who, together with Moses, appeared with Our Divine Lord at the Transfiguration, a symbol of the eternal glory which will be awarded to those who die clothed in the habit of Carmel.
Carmel is a journey — a journey within. Carmel is a call to journey into oneself to find oneself and there to find God with one’s truest self. You will encounter problems along the way, but Carmel gives me tools here, in the saints, in the Rule, and with a supportive community and friends. We are traveling to that heritage of Carmel the source of our spirituality and tradition.
The name "Carmel" means, in Hebrew, "Vineyard of God"! The name of the Order is derived from the Mount of Carmel in Palestine where dwelt the disciples of the prophet Elias and after him, Eliseus.It was on Mount Carmel that Elijah made his stand against the many prophets of Baal and Asherah who were corrupting the Israelites at the time.
To stand before the face of the living God is the vocation of all Carmelites. The holy prophet set us an example. He stood before God's face because this was the eternal treasure for whose sake he gave up all earthly goods. The hermits of Carmel lived as sons of the great prophet and as "brothers of the Blessed Virgin."
In the reign of king Ahab of the northern kingdom of Israel (874-853 B.C.), the Israelites apostatized after pagan gods called Baal and Asherah (Baal’s consort), and left the living God of their ancestors. As Elijah saw Israel going deeper and deeper into idolatry, his soul was distressed and his indignation aroused.
The time had come when God must speak to them by means of judgments. Until they should turn to God with repentance, and acknowledge Him as the source of all blessing, there should fall upon the land neither dew nor rain.
"As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand," he declared, "there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word." True to his words the nature obeyed the prophet and the land began to cry for water.
The earth is parched as if with fire. The scorching heat of the sun destroys what little vegetation has survived. Streams dry up Once-prosperous cities and villages have become places of mourning. Hunger and thirst are telling upon man and beast with fearful mortality.
There was nothing left to eat or drink, and the rain would not come yet for many months. Still, Elijah was not greatly troubled. He was hungry, but he knew that God, whom he faithfully served, would feed him in some way.
God sent him to a widow woman in Zarephath to find an asylum in her home. even in her dire extremity she bore witness to her faith by a compliance with the request of the stranger who was asking her to share her last morsel with him.
Wonderful was the hospitality shown to God's prophet by this Phoenician woman, and wonderfully were her faith and generosity rewarded.
And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so, that there was no breath left in him. "And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed. . . . And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord. . . . And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.
The widow of Zarephath shared her morsel with Elijah, and in return her life and that of her son were preserved. And to all who, in time of trial and want, give sympathy and assistance to others more needy, God has promised great blessing. He has not changed. His power is no less now than in the days of Elijah. No less sure now than when spoken by our Savior is the promise. "He that receives a (true) prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward." Matthew 10:41.
Through the long years of drought and famine, Elijah prayed earnestly that the hearts of Israel might be turned from idolatry to allegiance to God. God Himself was working out His plan, and all that His servant could do was to pray on in faith and await the time for decided action.
And still there was no rain. At last. "after many days," the word of the Lord came to Elijah. "Go, show thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth."
In obedience to the command. "Elijah went to show himself unto Ahab."
Standing before Ahab, Elijah demanded that all Israel be assembled to meet him and the prophets of Baal and Ashtoreth on Mount Carmel. "Send," he commanded. "and gather to me all Israel unto Mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table."
Carmel overlooked a wide expanse of country; its heights were visible from many parts of the kingdom of Israel. At the foot of the mount there were vantage points from which could be seen much of what took place above. Elijah chose this elevation as the most conspicuous place for the display of God's power and for the vindication of the honor of His name.
Facing King Ahab and the false prophets, and surrounded by the assembled hosts of Israel, Elijah stands, the only one who has appeared to vindicate the honor of God. Unashamed, un-terrified, the prophet stands before the multitude, fully aware of his commission to execute the divine command. Looking first upon the broken-down altar of Jehovah, and then upon the multitude, Elijah cries out in clear, trumpet like tones. "How long halt you between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him." "Who is on the Lord's side?" (Exodus 32:26),
Places of worship to Baal were located on Mount Carmel. The prophet Elijah defeated Baal in its own territory. Baal was the principal god of the Canaanite pagan religion, which used ritual prostitution in its cultic worship practices believing that it may achieve the fertility of the land. Baal both owned and fertilized the land. The Israelites committed the sin of trying to combine the worship of their true living God with that of Baal, the Canaanite false god.
While Israel on Carmel doubts and hesitates, the voice of Elijah again breaks the silence: "I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let the priests of Baal choose one bullock and I will use the other. Let them call on the name of their gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answers by fire, let him be God."
The morning passes, noon comes, and yet there is no evidence that Baal hears the cries of his deluded followers. There is no voice, no reply to their frantic prayers. The sacrifice remains unconsumed. . One suggests one thing, and another something else, until finally they cease their efforts.
Elijah prays as if he knows God is there, a witness to the scene, a listener to his appeal.
"Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel," the prophet pleads. "let it be known this day that Thou art God in Israel, and that I am Thy servant, and that I have done all these things at Thy word. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that Thou art the Lord God, and that Thou hast turned their heart back again." 1.Kings 18:36,37.
No sooner is the prayer of Elijah ended than flames of fire, like brilliant flashes of lightning, descend from heaven upon the up reared altar, consuming the sacrifice, licking up the water in the trench, and consuming even the stones of the altar.
The people on the mount cry out together as with one voice. "The Lord, He is God; the Lord, He is God."
Elijah said to Ahab; "for there is a sound of abundance of rain." Then the prophet went to the top of the mount to pray.
Elijah’s persistence in sending his servant seven times to look for rain was rewarded with his announcement, after those years of drought, "Behold a cloud as small as a man’s hand is coming up from the sea" (1 Kngs 43,44).
While under the inspiration of the Almighty, he had stood the severest trial of faith, Forgetting God, Elijah fled on and on, until he found himself in a dreary waste, alone. Utterly wearied, he sat down to rest under a juniper tree. And sitting there, he requested for himself that he might die. "It is enough; now, O Lord," he said, "take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers."
The journey of transformation is normally long with many twists and turns as all that is false within us is gradually transformed into Christ. The dark night is a great blessing from God. It is the time when God is reaching into the hidden places of our hearts in order to transform us completely. The dark night is not dark at all. On the contrary, it is very bright, too bright for us and so it seems to be dark.
God did not forsake Elijah in his hour of trial. God had sent an angel from heaven with food for His servant. "Arise and eat," the angel said.
God told Elijah to anoint Elisha as his successor and co-worker. The faithful Elisha was now with Elijah as his servant, and he was to be prophet after him. Elisha asked that a double portion of his master's spirit might be upon him. He did not ask to be a greater prophet than Elijah, but to have a large, a double gift, such as a father gave to his oldest son. It was promised if he should see Elijah when he was taken from him. He did see him, for “it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder: and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it.” He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and it had the same power in his hands that it had had in the hands of Elijah. Listen and we will read this part of the story. (2 Kings 2:1-8)
Eliseus continued the work of fighting idolatry, working many miracles which surpassed those of his master.
It was also on Mt. Carmel that Elias, deep in prayer, sent his servant to scan the horizon for rain. Finally, after looking seven times, the servant reported "a little cloud...like a man's foot arising out of the sea." (3 Kings 18: 43-44) Tradition holds that Elias knew the cloud to be a sign of the coming of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of the Redeemer. "Henceforward, Carmel was sacred in the eyes of all who looked beyond this world."
Our Lady of Mount Carmel is also known as “Star of the Sea” a title that developed out of the little cloud that rose from the sea as Elijah prayed. Mary is the cloud that rises out of the sea. The sea is saltwater, undrinkable, a vast body of water, next to which the kingdom can still thirst and die. The sea is salty, impure, an image of fallen humanity. Mary rises out of this sea, pure and perfect, laden with the water of grace that will pour out through her to all humanity--not the source of Grace herself, nevertheless the container into which all is poured until it overflows out to all people, limitless, and life-giving. Not God, but human, Mary rises from the sea, pure and Immaculate in her conception, formed as a vessel of God's grace and a place of refuge for His people.
Thus, the Carmelite looking upon the Blessed Virgin sees both the contemplative and the example. She is Queen and Mother of Carmel. She is the chief protector, guide, and example of the Order. But by virtue of her human birth She is our sister as well as our mother in faith.
The continued attacks of the Mohamedans forced the Carmelites in Palestine to send the majority of their friars to Europe in 1244. The following year Saint Simon Stock was chosen to be the 6th general of the Order and the government of the Carmelites was transferred to England. The holy man of Kent was eighty years old by this time, alert, but noticeably weakened by his life-long penances. His primary concern was not for himself but for Mary’s favored Order which was still being racked by an ever increasing variety of persecutions and internal problems.
In 1251, burdened with the weight of his many troubles, Saint Simon repaired to the Monastery in Cambridge. He poured forth fervent prayer in the privacy of his cell asking Heaven again to bestow its graces upon the spiritually parched Carmelites. Just as Elias had obtained through this prayer the end of three years’ draught in Israel, so too did Saint Simon, in a most singular manner receive an answer to his entreaty. Whilst in ecstasy he beheld the Mother of God surrounded by a multitude of angels. Our Lady held in her hands the full scapular of the Carmelite habit and looking upon Saint Simon with utmost compassion she said, “Receive, my beloved son, this habit of thy Order. This shall be to thee and to all Carmelites a privilege that whosoever dies clothed in this shall never suffer eternal fire.” The holy carmelite was filled with unspeakable joy and consolation.
The Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a sign approved by the Church and accepted by the Carmelite Order as an external sign of love for Mary, of the trust her children have in her, and of commitment to live like her.
The word scapular indicates a form of clothing, which monks wore when they were working. The Scapular came to symbolize the special dedication of Carmelites to Mary, the Mother of God, and to express trust in her motherly protection as well as the desire to be like her in her commitment to Christ and to others. Thus it became a sign of Mary.
The Scapular came to symbolize the special dedication of Carmelites to Mary, the Mother of God, and to express trust in her motherly protection as well as the desire to be like her in her commitment to Christ and to others. Thus it became a sign of Mary.
On the 750th anniversary of the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Pope John Paul II wrote to the entire Carmelite Family. He noted that two truths are evoked by the sign of the Scapular: (1) the constant protection of the Blessed Virgin, not only on life's journey, but also at the moment of passing into the fullness of eternal glory; and (2) the awareness that devotion to her cannot be limited to prayers and tributes in her honor on certain occasions, but must become a "habit," which is a permanent orientation of one's own Christian conduct woven of prayer and interior life, through frequent reception of the sacraments and the concrete practice of the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. The Scapular becomes a sign of the "covenant" and reciprocal communion between Mary and the faithful: translating Jesus' gift on the Cross of his Mother to John, and through him to all of us, and the entrustment of the beloved Apostle and of us to her, who became our Spiritual Mother.
The Brown Scapular is a sacramental of the Catholic Church. A sacramental is, by definition, “a sacred sign which bears resemblance to the sacraments, and by means of which spiritual effects are signified and obtained through the prayers of the Church.” (CCC 1667). In the case of the scapular, the sacred sign is the scapular itself and the spiritual effect is the protection of one’s souls through the prayers of Mary, as she promised in the vision to St. Simon Stock.
O beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, most fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven, holy and singular, who brought forth the son of God, still ever remaining a pure virgin, assist us in our necessities. O Star of the Sea, help and protect us. show us that You are our Mother. Amen.
O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee.
The acid test of progress on the spiritual journey is whether we are becoming better human beings. How we actually treat other people is the testing ground of the authenticity of the transformation, which is taking place within us. We cannot make progress in the life of prayer unless we progress in the love of God and a very practical love of neighbor. St. John of the Cross said;"In the evening of this life, you will be judged on love!"
The Carmelite Order is the only one in the Church that can trace its origin back to the Old Testament. Elias who lived some 800 years before the birth of Our Lord, was fittingly chosen by God to be its founder. He was the fiery prophet who never died but was carried away from the earth in a blazing chariot, a symbol of the burning zeal and love of God which would prevail among the Carmelites. He was the glowing figure who, together with Moses, appeared with Our Divine Lord at the Transfiguration, a symbol of the eternal glory which will be awarded to those who die clothed in the habit of Carmel.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Sunday, May 02, 2010
Journey to Kerala
All I have is Grace
I reached in Delhi on April 27th early Morning at 3:00am local time in India. All my flight journey was without any problems as He always provides everything I need in my life. I know my Lord will always protect and send His Angels before me to prepare everything for me before I reach the place. When I reached Out one of the Carmelite friar and one of his friend was on the way to take me to his house for the time I spend in New Delhi. They came by car and I reached their home around 5:00am on April 27th Tuesday. After taking a nice shower and having the breakfast in North Indian style we visited some of his friends and have a small time with them. Then after lunch we visited the Birla temple, Kuthab Minar, Places of the embassy area. You won’t believe the area where the embassies area build up. They all are like different palaces. I was so cautious for my food and water all my time in Delhi. Afternoon we visited the famous Rail Museum in Delhi. After visiting the India Gate, Parliament building and Presidents House we came back home for the day. You can imagine a total different climate and place. When I left New York it was 45 F and when I reached in Delhi it was 45 Celsius. Thank God I was fine until the day I left Delhi on May 1, 2010. visi
On April 28, 2010 Wednesday Both myself and my co-Friar took a bus to Agra fort to see Red fort and Taj Mahal. We reached the place around 5:30 am and reached Agra Red Fort around noon. After visiting the Red Fort we had the lunch break and time for shopping. Then we left to visit Taj Mahal. There was not much time and all the vehicles are not permitted to go inside due to the pollution. It was my first visit in Taj Mahal. A Crown Palace, a place of Love and a real symbol for love for all eternity. A tomb made by a king for his wife. After visiting Agra a group who were with us in the Bus was late to reach the bus so We could not see much in Agra, so we left to Madura, Hindus believe that is the Birth place of Krisha. A story tells that like the Herod in the Bible the King was afraid of his Kingdom and there was a prophesy that his nephew will take over his Kingdom so send His pregnant sister and her husband in jail so that whenever she deliver a boy child he can Him. But there was God’s intervention and the newborn boy was changed with another female child and God saved Krisha for the salvation of the people. We reached Back to Delhi at 11:45Pm and reached the home we were staying around 12:05 am.
On April 29 Thursday, 2010 we took the new Metro to a famous temple made out of stone in area 60 acres of Land .The whole temple was made of stone carving different deities and the base of the main temple. All these temples are tightly protected and you are not allowed to take any kind of electronincs items like mobile phones, cameras etc., After visiting the exibisions which is well down with all the modern techniques and there was an Imax movie on the Ramaswamy we reached the home by Metro and walking around 8:00Pm.
On April 30th Friday around 10 am after the morning prayers and breakfast we visited the Sacred heart Cathedral where I spend two months before for the retreat and for the Magic performance and from there we went to all the samadies of the great polititions of India beginning the father of Nations Mahathma Gandhi in Rajghat, then to Rajive Ghandi , Indira Ghandi and Nehru the first Prime Minister of India. It was a long walk like walking in Central Park. The Sun was very hot. This climate is record heat since 60 years. My co-Friar was very tired even though he is living here in India. After taking a small break we took a Cycle rakisha to the Red Fort build by Sharjahan and it is the Place on January 26 on our Republic day prime Minister raise the Indian Flag and salute the nation. After seeing the places and the palace we walked to the musjith a muslim temple build by the king for his worship which is the biggest Mosque may be in the world. We did not go in because it was too much entrance fee because we had the camera with us. Then we came back home for the day and end of the visit.
On May 1, 2010 Saturday early morning after having breakfast and saying thanks to the old Couple who took care of us, I reached the Domestic Airport and started typing my journey report. Now it is 11:30Am and I am waiting the airpot for the flight to Kochin Kerala which is around 12:45pm.
Today is May 2, 2010.
I reached from Delhi to Cochin at 4.40 pm and my co friar and the provincial procurator was waiting one hour to receive me at the airport. I reached at thrissur provincial house at 8pm on Saturday may 1, 2010. Then having a shower and dinner all our friars who stays at the provincial house went for a movie and came back at 12:00am. Getting up at 5:30 we had a Holy Mass and went again to the airport to recive the Provincial Fr Sojan who was coming from Germany. On the way I visited one of our house at Karukutty where Fr Bosco is doing his mission for the gangsters. I came back from the airport at 11:30am and I have the evening festival mass of Mother Mary the Parish festival of our Parish attached to the Provincial house where Fr Martin is the parish priest. After 6:30 pm mass I will go to my house and possibly will reach at 11:00pm .
All I have is Grace
I reached in Delhi on April 27th early Morning at 3:00am local time in India. All my flight journey was without any problems as He always provides everything I need in my life. I know my Lord will always protect and send His Angels before me to prepare everything for me before I reach the place. When I reached Out one of the Carmelite friar and one of his friend was on the way to take me to his house for the time I spend in New Delhi. They came by car and I reached their home around 5:00am on April 27th Tuesday. After taking a nice shower and having the breakfast in North Indian style we visited some of his friends and have a small time with them. Then after lunch we visited the Birla temple, Kuthab Minar, Places of the embassy area. You won’t believe the area where the embassies area build up. They all are like different palaces. I was so cautious for my food and water all my time in Delhi. Afternoon we visited the famous Rail Museum in Delhi. After visiting the India Gate, Parliament building and Presidents House we came back home for the day. You can imagine a total different climate and place. When I left New York it was 45 F and when I reached in Delhi it was 45 Celsius. Thank God I was fine until the day I left Delhi on May 1, 2010. visi
On April 28, 2010 Wednesday Both myself and my co-Friar took a bus to Agra fort to see Red fort and Taj Mahal. We reached the place around 5:30 am and reached Agra Red Fort around noon. After visiting the Red Fort we had the lunch break and time for shopping. Then we left to visit Taj Mahal. There was not much time and all the vehicles are not permitted to go inside due to the pollution. It was my first visit in Taj Mahal. A Crown Palace, a place of Love and a real symbol for love for all eternity. A tomb made by a king for his wife. After visiting Agra a group who were with us in the Bus was late to reach the bus so We could not see much in Agra, so we left to Madura, Hindus believe that is the Birth place of Krisha. A story tells that like the Herod in the Bible the King was afraid of his Kingdom and there was a prophesy that his nephew will take over his Kingdom so send His pregnant sister and her husband in jail so that whenever she deliver a boy child he can Him. But there was God’s intervention and the newborn boy was changed with another female child and God saved Krisha for the salvation of the people. We reached Back to Delhi at 11:45Pm and reached the home we were staying around 12:05 am.
On April 29 Thursday, 2010 we took the new Metro to a famous temple made out of stone in area 60 acres of Land .The whole temple was made of stone carving different deities and the base of the main temple. All these temples are tightly protected and you are not allowed to take any kind of electronincs items like mobile phones, cameras etc., After visiting the exibisions which is well down with all the modern techniques and there was an Imax movie on the Ramaswamy we reached the home by Metro and walking around 8:00Pm.
On April 30th Friday around 10 am after the morning prayers and breakfast we visited the Sacred heart Cathedral where I spend two months before for the retreat and for the Magic performance and from there we went to all the samadies of the great polititions of India beginning the father of Nations Mahathma Gandhi in Rajghat, then to Rajive Ghandi , Indira Ghandi and Nehru the first Prime Minister of India. It was a long walk like walking in Central Park. The Sun was very hot. This climate is record heat since 60 years. My co-Friar was very tired even though he is living here in India. After taking a small break we took a Cycle rakisha to the Red Fort build by Sharjahan and it is the Place on January 26 on our Republic day prime Minister raise the Indian Flag and salute the nation. After seeing the places and the palace we walked to the musjith a muslim temple build by the king for his worship which is the biggest Mosque may be in the world. We did not go in because it was too much entrance fee because we had the camera with us. Then we came back home for the day and end of the visit.
On May 1, 2010 Saturday early morning after having breakfast and saying thanks to the old Couple who took care of us, I reached the Domestic Airport and started typing my journey report. Now it is 11:30Am and I am waiting the airpot for the flight to Kochin Kerala which is around 12:45pm.
Today is May 2, 2010.
I reached from Delhi to Cochin at 4.40 pm and my co friar and the provincial procurator was waiting one hour to receive me at the airport. I reached at thrissur provincial house at 8pm on Saturday may 1, 2010. Then having a shower and dinner all our friars who stays at the provincial house went for a movie and came back at 12:00am. Getting up at 5:30 we had a Holy Mass and went again to the airport to recive the Provincial Fr Sojan who was coming from Germany. On the way I visited one of our house at Karukutty where Fr Bosco is doing his mission for the gangsters. I came back from the airport at 11:30am and I have the evening festival mass of Mother Mary the Parish festival of our Parish attached to the Provincial house where Fr Martin is the parish priest. After 6:30 pm mass I will go to my house and possibly will reach at 11:00pm .
I reached in Delhi on April 27th early Morning at 3:00am local time in India. All my flight journey was without any problems as He always provides everything I need in my life. I know my Lord will always protect and send His Angels before me to prepare everything for me before I reach the place. When I reached Out one of the Carmelite friar and one of his friend was on the way to take me to his house for the time I spend in New Delhi. They came by car and I reached their home around 5:00am on April 27th Tuesday. After taking a nice shower and having the breakfast in North Indian style we visited some of his friends and have a small time with them. Then after lunch we visited the Birla temple, Kuthab Minar, Places of the embassy area. You won’t believe the area where the embassies area build up. They all are like different palaces. I was so cautious for my food and water all my time in Delhi. Afternoon we visited the famous Rail Museum in Delhi. After visiting the India Gate, Parliament building and Presidents House we came back home for the day. You can imagine a total different climate and place. When I left New York it was 45 F and when I reached in Delhi it was 45 Celsius. Thank God I was fine until the day I left Delhi on May 1, 2010. visi
On April 28, 2010 Wednesday Both myself and my co-Friar took a bus to Agra fort to see Red fort and Taj Mahal. We reached the place around 5:30 am and reached Agra Red Fort around noon. After visiting the Red Fort we had the lunch break and time for shopping. Then we left to visit Taj Mahal. There was not much time and all the vehicles are not permitted to go inside due to the pollution. It was my first visit in Taj Mahal. A Crown Palace, a place of Love and a real symbol for love for all eternity. A tomb made by a king for his wife. After visiting Agra a group who were with us in the Bus was late to reach the bus so We could not see much in Agra, so we left to Madura, Hindus believe that is the Birth place of Krisha. A story tells that like the Herod in the Bible the King was afraid of his Kingdom and there was a prophesy that his nephew will take over his Kingdom so send His pregnant sister and her husband in jail so that whenever she deliver a boy child he can Him. But there was God’s intervention and the newborn boy was changed with another female child and God saved Krisha for the salvation of the people. We reached Back to Delhi at 11:45Pm and reached the home we were staying around 12:05 am.
On April 29 Thursday, 2010 we took the new Metro to a famous temple made out of stone in area 60 acres of Land .The whole temple was made of stone carving different deities and the base of the main temple. All these temples are tightly protected and you are not allowed to take any kind of electronincs items like mobile phones, cameras etc., After visiting the exibisions which is well down with all the modern techniques and there was an Imax movie on the Ramaswamy we reached the home by Metro and walking around 8:00Pm.
On April 30th Friday around 10 am after the morning prayers and breakfast we visited the Sacred heart Cathedral where I spend two months before for the retreat and for the Magic performance and from there we went to all the samadies of the great polititions of India beginning the father of Nations Mahathma Gandhi in Rajghat, then to Rajive Ghandi , Indira Ghandi and Nehru the first Prime Minister of India. It was a long walk like walking in Central Park. The Sun was very hot. This climate is record heat since 60 years. My co-Friar was very tired even though he is living here in India. After taking a small break we took a Cycle rakisha to the Red Fort build by Sharjahan and it is the Place on January 26 on our Republic day prime Minister raise the Indian Flag and salute the nation. After seeing the places and the palace we walked to the musjith a muslim temple build by the king for his worship which is the biggest Mosque may be in the world. We did not go in because it was too much entrance fee because we had the camera with us. Then we came back home for the day and end of the visit.
On May 1, 2010 Saturday early morning after having breakfast and saying thanks to the old Couple who took care of us, I reached the Domestic Airport and started typing my journey report. Now it is 11:30Am and I am waiting the airpot for the flight to Kochin Kerala which is around 12:45pm.
Today is May 2, 2010.
I reached from Delhi to Cochin at 4.40 pm and my co friar and the provincial procurator was waiting one hour to receive me at the airport. I reached at thrissur provincial house at 8pm on Saturday may 1, 2010. Then having a shower and dinner all our friars who stays at the provincial house went for a movie and came back at 12:00am. Getting up at 5:30 we had a Holy Mass and went again to the airport to recive the Provincial Fr Sojan who was coming from Germany. On the way I visited one of our house at Karukutty where Fr Bosco is doing his mission for the gangsters. I came back from the airport at 11:30am and I have the evening festival mass of Mother Mary the Parish festival of our Parish attached to the Provincial house where Fr Martin is the parish priest. After 6:30 pm mass I will go to my house and possibly will reach at 11:00pm .
All I have is Grace
I reached in Delhi on April 27th early Morning at 3:00am local time in India. All my flight journey was without any problems as He always provides everything I need in my life. I know my Lord will always protect and send His Angels before me to prepare everything for me before I reach the place. When I reached Out one of the Carmelite friar and one of his friend was on the way to take me to his house for the time I spend in New Delhi. They came by car and I reached their home around 5:00am on April 27th Tuesday. After taking a nice shower and having the breakfast in North Indian style we visited some of his friends and have a small time with them. Then after lunch we visited the Birla temple, Kuthab Minar, Places of the embassy area. You won’t believe the area where the embassies area build up. They all are like different palaces. I was so cautious for my food and water all my time in Delhi. Afternoon we visited the famous Rail Museum in Delhi. After visiting the India Gate, Parliament building and Presidents House we came back home for the day. You can imagine a total different climate and place. When I left New York it was 45 F and when I reached in Delhi it was 45 Celsius. Thank God I was fine until the day I left Delhi on May 1, 2010. visi
On April 28, 2010 Wednesday Both myself and my co-Friar took a bus to Agra fort to see Red fort and Taj Mahal. We reached the place around 5:30 am and reached Agra Red Fort around noon. After visiting the Red Fort we had the lunch break and time for shopping. Then we left to visit Taj Mahal. There was not much time and all the vehicles are not permitted to go inside due to the pollution. It was my first visit in Taj Mahal. A Crown Palace, a place of Love and a real symbol for love for all eternity. A tomb made by a king for his wife. After visiting Agra a group who were with us in the Bus was late to reach the bus so We could not see much in Agra, so we left to Madura, Hindus believe that is the Birth place of Krisha. A story tells that like the Herod in the Bible the King was afraid of his Kingdom and there was a prophesy that his nephew will take over his Kingdom so send His pregnant sister and her husband in jail so that whenever she deliver a boy child he can Him. But there was God’s intervention and the newborn boy was changed with another female child and God saved Krisha for the salvation of the people. We reached Back to Delhi at 11:45Pm and reached the home we were staying around 12:05 am.
On April 29 Thursday, 2010 we took the new Metro to a famous temple made out of stone in area 60 acres of Land .The whole temple was made of stone carving different deities and the base of the main temple. All these temples are tightly protected and you are not allowed to take any kind of electronincs items like mobile phones, cameras etc., After visiting the exibisions which is well down with all the modern techniques and there was an Imax movie on the Ramaswamy we reached the home by Metro and walking around 8:00Pm.
On April 30th Friday around 10 am after the morning prayers and breakfast we visited the Sacred heart Cathedral where I spend two months before for the retreat and for the Magic performance and from there we went to all the samadies of the great polititions of India beginning the father of Nations Mahathma Gandhi in Rajghat, then to Rajive Ghandi , Indira Ghandi and Nehru the first Prime Minister of India. It was a long walk like walking in Central Park. The Sun was very hot. This climate is record heat since 60 years. My co-Friar was very tired even though he is living here in India. After taking a small break we took a Cycle rakisha to the Red Fort build by Sharjahan and it is the Place on January 26 on our Republic day prime Minister raise the Indian Flag and salute the nation. After seeing the places and the palace we walked to the musjith a muslim temple build by the king for his worship which is the biggest Mosque may be in the world. We did not go in because it was too much entrance fee because we had the camera with us. Then we came back home for the day and end of the visit.
On May 1, 2010 Saturday early morning after having breakfast and saying thanks to the old Couple who took care of us, I reached the Domestic Airport and started typing my journey report. Now it is 11:30Am and I am waiting the airpot for the flight to Kochin Kerala which is around 12:45pm.
Today is May 2, 2010.
I reached from Delhi to Cochin at 4.40 pm and my co friar and the provincial procurator was waiting one hour to receive me at the airport. I reached at thrissur provincial house at 8pm on Saturday may 1, 2010. Then having a shower and dinner all our friars who stays at the provincial house went for a movie and came back at 12:00am. Getting up at 5:30 we had a Holy Mass and went again to the airport to recive the Provincial Fr Sojan who was coming from Germany. On the way I visited one of our house at Karukutty where Fr Bosco is doing his mission for the gangsters. I came back from the airport at 11:30am and I have the evening festival mass of Mother Mary the Parish festival of our Parish attached to the Provincial house where Fr Martin is the parish priest. After 6:30 pm mass I will go to my house and possibly will reach at 11:00pm .
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
