Saturday, February 19, 2011

Do you put work before God and your family?

God has high ideals for each one of us and he is concerned how high priority we place our houses, families and relationships with him. Whoever  is committed to work more and more  and very least committed to be around  God and their  families such person is called  being workaholic and such people  are addicted to their work the same way as an alcoholic person  is addicted to alcohol. One can not ignore work nor his family commitments. But it has to be balanced perfectly fairly and rightly. Before everything we need to have a right relationship and quite time with God and seek him first, and then God will work out everything for good when we rely on him and walk according to his ways rather than pursuing everything with our own selfish and foolish wisdom. In Psa 127:2 says “It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep. God gives us the gift of grace and blessing on our domestic lives if we've committed our way to Him”..

Pro 3:6 says “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight”.

a) A Godly man and a husband: No man can be a good Christian unless he is a good father, a good husband and a good citizen and a good spiritual leader in his home .He first will have the proper relationship with God and then his family. He follows God, makes every effort to be at home, to lead, guide, teach and counsel his children. He loves his wife sacrificially like the Christ loved the church, he is kind, understanding, trustworthy, faithful, honest, truthful, committed, considerate and patient towards his wife. Eph. 5:25-28 says "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself”.
1 Peter 3:7 says: “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may
not be hindered.”
Marriages that are built on God’s terms will be happy and committed and the couples are able to live together “till death do they part fulfilling Gods purpose in their lives.

b) Families today: In Today’s society more families have ignored Godly principles for their life and families. Many men have become selfish, weak and wimpy have engaged themselves to be too workaholic at the expense of their families. When they come home tired after working or during week ends they would either find the things to be busy themselves either on computer or some favorite TV shows or supporting their basketball, footfall, golf, or some other sports than raising their children with great Godly morals and values  or spending time with their wife and kids. All these will distract the person to be away from God and family. As we all know that there are just -too many things available in the world to distract us but we need to remind ourselves that that being busy and being spiritual effectiveness do not go well together.

Many people have little time or no time to spend with their wife and children. As a result wife and children are left alone. For Many men in our society work is more important than family. In pursuing selfish pleasure, material things, money, work, career they are failing in fulfilling their spiritual responsibility and have ignored their responsibility of being a loving husband and Father of children. To be a loving husband and Father of children it takes many responsibilities, sacrifices in the family.
 Matt. 6:33, says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added."

There are many things that can be done together and should be done together to bind tighter the unity of the family. God's plan for the training of children is in the two parents, the husband and wife. Family is complete with both present, both being a good example and both being role models for their children. Parenting is a team effort. Parents who live contradicting lives will destroy the stable life of their children. When parents fail to stay in God's plan for family and life they will not be in a position to lead their children in obtaining the godly goals in their life.


c)Consequences of not spending family time: As a result of neglecting  their marriage and their family ,children are left to raise themselves , some of the parents have even dumped their responsibilities to grand parents, wives, day cares, schools , Sunday schools, churches  etc which eventually has lead to dysfunctional families  . And such families will look solution  outside the bible for guidances and sources such as media, Godless society, ungodly friends and advisers for values and direction and becomes failure in all they do at the end.

American families and marriages are falling apart, divorce rate has increased tremendously, some family members  have even fallen into the trap of alternative lifestyles ,they are living a stressful lives, strife  and hurtings, health problems have increased which affects them physically,mentally,emotionally and spiritually as well, immorality  such as perversions, fornication adultery , violence, promiscuity etc, have increased , many of them are addicted  to smoking, tobacco, drug addictions  etc to relieve their  stress and the lost love and affection , criminal activities have become common , families are living daily  in continual conflicts, family breakups, extreme feminism have become the substitution to  traditional family with Godly values. Bible is full of family values and how God designed the family to function.

Their life instead of being filled with warmthness, closeness, family bond, love, they have replaced with work, career, making money, selfish talents, pleasures and richness. They have made their personal family life style as business lifestyles.

Many man and women often forget these verses from Gods word and they force themselves so hard to work above everything.1st Timothy 6:10 tells us that the love of money is the root of ALL evil. Workaholic pursues his career at the expense of his family. Arrogance, self-righteousness replaces the righteousness of God, Rom. 10:3.

Psa 127:1 says  A Song of Ascents, of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.
Proverbs 3:24 says : The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,but he blesses the home of the righteous.”
In (Genesis 2:1–2) God worked six days and rested on the seventh,  shows that God expects us to take  rest.
At the end often people will realize that there is no greater joy than to be around your family and childrens.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

What about the sexual abuse cases in the priesthood?

Talking about this issue puts Catholics in a difficult position. There are incredible exaggerations floating around in the secular media and among Evangelicals, yet if a Catholic corrects the exaggerations then he is accused of making excuses for the tragedies.
The Catholic priesthood is not the only institution that has been hit with scandal.

http://www.reformation.com/

Source:http://www.davidmacd.com/catholic/priest_sexual_abuse_cases.htm

Bible references for the Catholic Mass

INTRODUCTORY RITES
 WE STAND UP
ENTRANCE SONG
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.

Biblical Foundation

Mt   28:19
I Chron 16:36
II Cor 13:13
PENITENTIAL RITE
My brothers and sisters, to prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us call to mind our sins:
I confess to almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault in my thoughts and in my words, in what l have done, and in what l have failed to do. And l ask blessed Mary, ever virgin, all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
James 5:16
Rom 12:16; James 3:6
I Thes 5:25
Rev 5:11, 6:9
Rev. 2:5,16,21; 3:3; 16:11
I Jn 1:9

Tobit 8:4; I Tim 1:2;Psm 51
GLORIA
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord Cod, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right
hand of the Father, receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

OPENING PRAYERThis prayer, said by the priest, is different in each single mass. Whe he finish we answer: Amen
WE TAKE A SEAT  
GLORIA
Lk. 2:14
Rev 19:6
Rev 22:9; Eph 5:20; Rev 7:2
II Jn 3; Phil 2:11; Jn 1:29

Rom 8:34
Lk 4:34; Lk 1:32
Jn 14:26
LITURGY OF THE WORD

FIRST READING
The Word of the Lord / Thanks be to God
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
SECOND READINGThe Word of the Lord / Thanks be to God
ALLELUIAWE STAND UP
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
A reading from the holy gospel according to...
Glory to you, Lord. ( GOSPEL )
This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
HOMILY WE TAKE A SIT
WE STAND UP
CREED OR THE PROFESSION OF FAITH

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL OR GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
Text related to the readings of the Day

Old Testament / Acts of the Apostles
Psalm
New Testament
Psalm
II Cor 1:2
Gospel- Explanation of Readings
Deut 6:4 Gen 14:19 Gen 1:1
Jn 3:16 Acts 2:36
Lk 1:35
Matt 1:22-23
Jn 19:1-2, 17-19
I Pe 3:18-19
I Cor 15:3-4
Mk 16:19
Acts 10:42. II Tim 4:1
Acts 2:17 Rom 5:5
Mt. 16:18. Rom 12:5
Rev 5:1, 7:9, 22:5, 20
Jn 20:23
Rom 8, 11
I Tim 2:1-2
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
WE TAKE A SEAT
PRESENTATION OF GIFTS
COLLECTION
Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made. It will become for us the bread of life.
Blessed be God for ever.

Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. I will become our spiritual drink.
Blessed be God for ever.
Pray, brethren, that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.
May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good, and the good of all his Church.
WE STAND UP

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
This prayer, said by the priest, is different in each single mass. Whe he finish we answer: Amen.
PREFACE AND EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It's right to give him thanks and praise.

Father, it is our duty and our salvation ...
... And so we join the angels and the saints in proclaiming your glory as we sing (say):
Holy, holy, holy Lord. God of power and might.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

WE KNEEL DOWN
Lord, you are holy indeed, the fountain of all holiness.
Let your Spirit come upon these gifts to make them holy,
so that they may become for us the body + and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Before he was given up to death, a death he freely accepted, he took bread and gave you thanks. He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said:
Take this, all of you, and eat it: this is my Body which will be given up for you.
When supper was ended, he took the cup. Again he gave you thanks and praise, gave the cup to his disciples, and said:
Take this, all of you, and drink from it; this is the cup of my Blood, the Blood of the New and Everlasting Covenant. It will be shed for you and for all men so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me.
Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again .
WE STAND UP
In memory of his death and resurrection,
we offer you, Father, this life-giving bread, this saving cup. ....

...Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is yours, almighty Father,
for ever and ever.
Amen. 
Acts 4:35 - II Cor 9:12-13
Eccl 3:14 Sirach 17

Jn 6:35
Psm 68, 36
Lk 22:17-18
Psm 68:36

Heb 12:28

Psm 50:23

Text related to the readings of the Day
 
II Cor 1:2
Lam 3:41
Col 3:17
Col 1:3


Is 6:3 . Rev 4:8

Mk 11:9-10

II Mac 14:36

Phil 2:8 Jn 10:17-18
Mk 14:22-25 Mt 14:22-25 Lk 22:19-20.  I Cor 11:23-25
 Acts 2:23-24 / I Cor 15, 3-4
Rev 22:17 22:20
Jn 6:51
 I Cor 10:17
 Eph 6:18
II Mac 12:45-46
I Cor 15, 20-23. 29-30
 2 Tes 1:4-5.
Rev 7:9-15
Heb 9:15
I Cor 12:12-13
Rev 7:12
RITE OF COMMUNION

Let us pray with confidence to the Father in the words our Saviour gave us:
OUR FATHER

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.
Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles: "I leave you peace, my peace I give you", look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom where you live for ever and ever.
Amen.
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
And also with you.

WE GIVE EACH OTHER A SIGN OF PEACE
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
grant us peace.


This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.
Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,
but only say the word and I shall be healed
.

WE GO TO RECEIVE COMMUNION
At the moment of communion the priest or the minister will say: The body of Christ.
We must answer:Amen.

WE RETURN TO OUR PLACE AND WE TAKE A SIT TO PRAY QUIETLY
WE STAND UP
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
This prayer, said by the priest, is different in each single mass. Whe he finish we answer: Amen

CONCLUDING RITE
 The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son,
and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Go in the peace of Christ.
Thanks be to God.
FINAL SONG
Mt. 6:9-13






Jn 17:15


Rev 5:12-13

Jn 14:27


Jn 20.19


Rom 16:16
Jn 1:29



Rev 19:9
Mat 8:8


Text related to the readings of the Day
 
II Cor 1:2

Lk 24:51


Lk 7:50
II Cor 9:15

Bible references for the Catholic Mass

Also see the Mass references in the Book of Revelation
INTRODUCTORY RITES
 WE STAND UP
ENTRANCE SONG
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.

Biblical Foundation

Mt   28:19
I Chron 16:36
II Cor 13:13
PENITENTIAL RITE
My brothers and sisters, to prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us call to mind our sins:
I confess to almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault in my thoughts and in my words, in what l have done, and in what l have failed to do. And l ask blessed Mary, ever virgin, all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
James 5:16
Rom 12:16; James 3:6
I Thes 5:25
Rev 5:11, 6:9
Rev. 2:5,16,21; 3:3; 16:11
I Jn 1:9

Tobit 8:4; I Tim 1:2;Psm 51
GLORIA
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord Cod, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right
hand of the Father, receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

OPENING PRAYER
This prayer, said by the priest, is different in each single mass. Whe he finish we answer: Amen
WE TAKE A SEAT  
GLORIA
Lk. 2:14
Rev 19:6
Rev 22:9; Eph 5:20; Rev 7:2
II Jn 3; Phil 2:11; Jn 1:29

Rom 8:34
Lk 4:34; Lk 1:32
Jn 14:26
LITURGY OF THE WORD

FIRST READING
The Word of the Lord / Thanks be to God
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
SECOND READING
The Word of the Lord / Thanks be to God
ALLELUIAWE STAND UP
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
A reading from the holy gospel according to...
Glory to you, Lord. ( GOSPEL )
This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
HOMILY WE TAKE A SIT
WE STAND UP
CREED OR THE PROFESSION OF FAITH

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL OR GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
Text related to the readings of the Day

Old Testament / Acts of the Apostles
Psalm
New Testament
Psalm
II Cor 1:2
Gospel- Explanation of Readings
Deut 6:4 Gen 14:19 Gen 1:1
Jn 3:16 Acts 2:36
Lk 1:35
Matt 1:22-23
Jn 19:1-2, 17-19
I Pe 3:18-19
I Cor 15:3-4
Mk 16:19
Acts 10:42. II Tim 4:1
Acts 2:17 Rom 5:5
Mt. 16:18. Rom 12:5
Rev 5:1, 7:9, 22:5, 20
Jn 20:23
Rom 8, 11
I Tim 2:1-2
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
WE TAKE A SEAT
PRESENTATION OF GIFTS
COLLECTION
Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made. It will become for us the bread of life.
Blessed be God for ever.

Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. I will become our spiritual drink.
Blessed be God for ever.
Pray, brethren, that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.
May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good, and the good of all his Church.
WE STAND UP

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
This prayer, said by the priest, is different in each single mass. Whe he finish we answer: Amen.
PREFACE AND EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It's right to give him thanks and praise.

Father, it is our duty and our salvation ...
... And so we join the angels and the saints in proclaiming your glory as we sing (say):
Holy, holy, holy Lord. God of power and might.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

WE KNEEL DOWN
Lord, you are holy indeed, the fountain of all holiness.
Let your Spirit come upon these gifts to make them holy,
so that they may become for us the body + and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Before he was given up to death, a death he freely accepted, he took bread and gave you thanks. He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said:
Take this, all of you, and eat it: this is my Body which will be given up for you.
When supper was ended, he took the cup. Again he gave you thanks and praise, gave the cup to his disciples, and said:
Take this, all of you, and drink from it; this is the cup of my Blood, the Blood of the New and Everlasting Covenant. It will be shed for you and for all men so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me.
Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again .
WE STAND UP
In memory of his death and resurrection,
we offer you, Father, this life-giving bread, this saving cup. ....

...Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is yours, almighty Father,
for ever and ever.
Amen. 
Acts 4:35 - II Cor 9:12-13
Eccl 3:14 Sirach 17

Jn 6:35
Psm 68, 36
Lk 22:17-18
Psm 68:36

Heb 12:28

Psm 50:23

Text related to the readings of the Day
 
II Cor 1:2
Lam 3:41
Col 3:17
Col 1:3


Is 6:3 . Rev 4:8

Mk 11:9-10

II Mac 14:36

Phil 2:8 Jn 10:17-18
Mk 14:22-25 Mt 14:22-25 Lk 22:19-20.  I Cor 11:23-25
 Acts 2:23-24 / I Cor 15, 3-4
Rev 22:17 22:20
Jn 6:51
 I Cor 10:17
 Eph 6:18
II Mac 12:45-46
I Cor 15, 20-23. 29-30
 2 Tes 1:4-5.
Rev 7:9-15
Heb 9:15
I Cor 12:12-13
Rev 7:12
RITE OF COMMUNION

Let us pray with confidence to the Father in the words our Saviour gave us:
OUR FATHER

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.
Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles: "I leave you peace, my peace I give you", look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom where you live for ever and ever.
Amen.
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
And also with you.

WE GIVE EACH OTHER A SIGN OF PEACE
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
grant us peace.


This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.
Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,
but only say the word and I shall be healed
.

WE GO TO RECEIVE COMMUNION
At the moment of communion the priest or the minister will say: The body of Christ.
We must answer:Amen.

WE RETURN TO OUR PLACE AND WE TAKE A SIT TO PRAY QUIETLY
WE STAND UP
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
This prayer, said by the priest, is different in each single mass. Whe he finish we answer: Amen

CONCLUDING RITE
 The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son,
and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Go in the peace of Christ.
Thanks be to God.
FINAL SONG
Mt. 6:9-13






Jn 17:15


Rev 5:12-13

Jn 14:27


Jn 20.19


Rom 16:16
Jn 1:29



Rev 19:9
Mat 8:8


Text related to the readings of the Day
 
II Cor 1:2

Lk 24:51


Lk 7:50
II Cor 9:15