The bizarre thing is that there is so much fury, anger and dissention in my personal life that I've been visiting here to find some peace! Boy do i need to prayerfully reassess the forum I'm living in!
I have wasted so much time and energy composing a response to this thread this morning. It has caused me much distress, something my health does not need. I have sensed a sickness here for some time and not just in the obvious places. In my training I was taught to look for health and build on that so this perspective goes against the grain. Just remember pruning is not just to eliminate excess and disease but to improve health, appearance, growth and yield. And of course the best results of the pruning knife depend on the consideration and ability of the pruner. In real terms I have not been part of this family for long so the parting will be less painful if I am subject to the cut. I presume I am on the hit list having been accused, albeit falsely, of heresy and apostasy. For a lighter side see Funny or Die video. How to do it with Gary Ep3 Pruning.
God direct you Padraig. I enjoy this forum. It has a special quality all of its own. I have been happy to get a glimpse of various messages from various sources, and do appreciate the chance to consider other messages. This is one of the nice things on your site for sure. And there are loads of great videos when time permits. I am glad you are not going to close shop. Fingers crossed I'm not on the list for the chop. LOL
Thank you, Padraig.....I am glad Our Lady has made it clear that this is HER Pope. I don't read the attack threads about the Pope....they are isolated. Once in a while, the Pope Haters parachute into a "normal" thread and I find that disturbing. This is Our Lady's Living Room. I am grateful she has moved you to do this....I am grateful she has created our little community....she loves us so, how do we ever deserve her love and attention to all of us?
Thank you Padraig, and I support you 100% with what must be done. For me, this place is a place of love and support for each other as so many of us are being pruned right now. We pray for each other and lift each other up as our lady transforms us into her apostles...and I for one know how painful the transformation process is and how much I have needed the support of this forum, especially when I first joined. Time is so short we must use it wisely and I think the banter on those closed theads was a real distraction from the most important task at hand...that is to be spiritually ready for what lies ahead.
Not that my opinion is important but I agree with you PS. There is a time and a place for banter and a time and a place for battle. Banter can be the preamble to preparation for battle as may be found in a changing room between the players before a big football match. Then the manager walks in and there is silence. Looks like the manager has walked in. It may even happen between opposing sides before kick off or between boxers before a fight. It has its place but the time comes when it is out of place. I did not find the banter a distraction but a light relief and it was of a good quality. I needed it. But I get the point you are making and I see the need for listening and action. I am off to say my rosary for Brian for his recovery and well being. I don't agree with him but he is my brother in Christ and he has great qualities. I hope my last shot at humour caused no offense. But as St Paul says "Love takes no offense." I dare say most of us need to be pruned in this area. I know I do.
Any action will not be retrospective. I mean from now on. Lets look to the fouture, not the past. I think we will see a sudden upswing in the spiritual tone of this home of Mary very quickly. Watch and see. People should not be scandlised by trouble and dissent, look at the Church herself. We are a Church of sinners.
Thank you Padraig, Sorry I've been MIA, we just moved 625 miles to a 105 yr old "fixer upper" and when I'm not cleaning and fixing, I'm sleeping. I'm dog tired. I know you were trying to be open and tolerant of discussion, but be wary about attack from within. That's what my heart says anyway. Peace and God's blessings on you. pcj
That' s just what Our Lady was telling me prayer, Jill. Its hard to believe but some people actually believe that Pope Francis is not validly elected Pontiff and have their own half hidden agenda. I will be taking care of this and them shortly as the occasion permits. May St Joseph, Patron of travellers bless you on your move.
We call ,Mary answers. She always answers. She always, always answers. That is what being a mother means, always to be there when needed.
I am sitting in my big black 4x4 Storm after mass. The readings fit perfectly into our times, about prophesy and mercy and justice and the futility of relying on riches and our own resources. We were also treated to a wonderful homily on these themes (and a wee joke before the recessional hymn) The theme of power and abuse of power came up as did all these in the recent adresses of our Holy Father. Our priest spoke of the path to discernent of true and false prophesy, of the role of prophet which asks us to set aside our own predujices to be able to speak and witness authentically on behalf of Another. He spoke on how we have to be familiar with God's mind before we can be His representative or messenger or witness. How this comes through prayer and knowledge of the Scriptures and Catechism and Tradition. With regard to Scripure and Catechism after mass he spoke to me and distinguished between inerrancy and perfection. He spoke about power and because he is a military chaplain as well as a Tribunal Judge he spoke with authority. He suggested the power in prophesy was best seen in God hol ding his fire, not letting rip with both barrels. This is God's mercy. This is what prophesy is about. He suggested that those who have true Power do not have to act. The singing was great and the hymns well chosen. Holy God we Praise Thy Name and the one based on Ephesians 3. 14-21. All in all a truly inspiring mass. I had felt good having visited an old patient in a home. Between her failing mind and my loss of memory it was hilarious. During our visit the great grandchildren came in, climbed up on her little single bed and snuggled in. They didn't care great gran was loosing her marbles. Now that is true Power...the Power of Love.
Love can burn like a fire and cut like a sword. The two Hands of God, on the one Hand Mercy in the other Justice. I think Saint Fautina in her Diary speaks so prophetically about this. How in this present time we are in a time of Mercy (which Pope Francis is preaching) but how we are moving with great rapidity to the time of Justice. You will prepare the world for My final coming. (Diary 429) Speak to the world about My mercy ... It is a sign for the end times. After it will come the Day of Justice. While there is still time, let them have recourse to the fountain of My mercy. (Diary 848) Tell souls about this great mercy of Mine, because the awful day, the day of My justice, is near. (Diary 965). I am prolonging the time of mercy for the sake of sinners. But woe to them if they do not recognize this time of My visitation. (Diary 1160) Before the Day of Justice, I am sending the Day of Mercy. (Diary 1588) He who refuses to pass through the door of My mercy must pass through the door of My justice. (Diary 1146). In addition to these words of Our Lord Sr. Faustina gives us the Words of the Mother of Mercy, the Blessed Virgin, You have to speak to the world about His great mercy and prepare the world for the Second Coming of Him who will come, not as a merciful Savior, but as a just Judge. Oh how terrible is that day! Determined is the day of justice, the day of divine wrath. The angels tremble before it. Speak to souls about this great mercy while it is still the time for granting mercy. (Diary 635). https://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/mercy/coming.htm The difficulty arises for us poor sinners in that we sometimes place forth Justice, to the exclusion of Mercy, extinguishing the fire of love which should always burn in our hearts and on the other that we disregard Justice thus preoffering cheap grace and some kind of free ride to heaven without regard to sin and its consequences. . The time of Mercy is now, as Pope Francis has indicated. But make no mistake the Terrible time of Justice, as Our Lady told St Faustina is almost upon us.
I support you Padraig!! It must be done. The enemy is sifting many in the church. Today....I had to make it clear to 2 freinds that there is nothing to fear in Pope Francis and to doubt him is to doubt Christ. This seems to be my mission lately......defending the Pope and trying to set people straight on this very thing. I use to be one of those who bashed the pope and doubted but Charlie J. Set me straight and I'm so grateful. Today when I told my spiritual director that all week it seemed God was using me to calm people down....and knowing that I was like them over a year ago......he told me I graduated. LOL!! But in all seriousness.......we must do what God and Our Lady is calling us to do and that is to strengthen our brethren ....not bring them down and put doubt and fear into hearts and minds. There is work to be done .....and it's time to battin down hatches and man the deck because the sea is getting choppy. God bless you Padraig and all our moderators. Holy Mother guide us!!
How very true, you know what came to me while reading this thread. Merciful Jesus asks us to be His apostles of Mercy, leave the judgement to Him. Blessed Mother in the alleged Medjugorje messages asks us the same. Holy Father Francis is asking us the same. In his words "Who are we to judge." And Padraig is asking us to be merciful not judgemental. And to quote Blessed Mothers little Sherpa from the Emerald Isle. "At the end of the day we shall be judged on love."
Thank you Julia. I have never been called a, 'Sherpa' , before. I had to do a recheck to rediscover what a , 'Sherpa' is. I thought maybe a breed of dog.
Brian, There are times I find you too contentious for my taste, but I must admit your unflinching and passionate, two qualities I respect. May Mary find a way to allow you to be yourself, yet keep you on board! Safe in the Barque of Peter!
