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End 2016 Dinner Mints
52. Henri Nouwen: "Paul says: Da Spirit himself joins wit our spirit 2 bear witness dat we're children of God. & if we're children, den we're heirs, heirs of God & joint-heirs wit Christ. Wen we start livin accordin 2 dis truth, our lives will B radically transformed, provided we're willin 2share in Christ's sufferin,we'll also share in His glory"
(MC=Do da math, if U add rite, U'll B able 2 smell da Roses & feel da joy)
51. Henri Nouwen: "Paul says:Da Spirit himself joins wit our spirit 2 bear witness dat we're children of God. & if we're children, den we're heirs, heirs of God & joint-heirs wit Christ. Wen we start livin accordin 2 dis truth, our lives will B radically transformed, provided we're willin 2 share in Christ's sufferin, we'll also share in His glory"
(MC=Do da math, if U add rite, U'll B able 2 smell da Roses & feel da joy)
50. St. Clement of Rome: "We beseech U Lord & Master, B our help & succor. Save dose among us who R in tribulations, hav mercy on da lowly, lift up da fallen, sho UR self 2 da needy ,and heal da ungodly. Convert da wanderers of UR people, feed da hungry, release prisoners, raise up da weak, comfort da fainthearted,and let all nations kno U R God
(MC= In wat ever category U find URself, R sum1 U kno, dis prayer will reach God's hart & not return void)
49. Guigo II: "Blessed R dey who R clean in hart, 4 dey shall C God. He doesn't say, 'Blessed B dose of clean body, but dose dat B of clean hart'. 4 it's not enuf 2 hav 1's hands clean from evil deeds unless da hart B clean within of thoughts"
(MC=Using Joyce Meyer's words "stinkin thinkin", if we let dat operate in our lives,we're gonna be in deep trouble. It's lik being in quicksand, & not realizin till it 's 2late, da damage as we slowly sink.
It's 2 B bout doin da rite thing, 4 da rite reason wit luv 24/7. Every now and then, occassionally, hittin & missin will not suffice. Lord hav mercy on me/Lord have mercy on us!)
48. George Lathrop: "Just as there's no season without its particular beauty, so there's no health of soul without beauty; & da beauty of holiness is da truest & loveliest of all"
(MC=We can't undo what genetics have given us, but thank God we can transform da beauty of our souls. Let's glo & B cum radiate, takin in a lot of da "Son")
47. Mark 6:34: "As he landed he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things"
(My Comments = It's no doubt when we're at wits end, the Good Shepherd sees and monitors the situation, extending compassion while at the same time teaching us the lessons necessary for entry into eternal life. Thanks be to God, thanks be to God, mercy and love never ceases to bless us day in and day out)
46. Fr.Jacques Philippe: "There is always a whole set of circumstances we can do nothin about, not necessarily willed by God, but nevertheless permitted by Him, in which God invites us 2 consent 2 trustingly & peacefully, even if dey mak us suffer & cause problems. We're not bein asked 2 consent 2 evil, but 2 da mysterious wisdom of God who permits evil. Our consent isn't a compromise wit evil but da expression of our trus dat God is stronger dan evil. Dis is a form of obedience dat's painful but very fruitful"
(MC=Da serenity prayer can tak us a long way in acceptin wat can't B changed & let's B leve in Divine Mercy & say in all situations: Jesus I trus in U)
45. St.John Vianney: "C, my children, we mus reflect dat we hav a soul 2 save & an eternity dat awaits us. Da world, its riches, pleasures & honors will pass away; but heaven & hell will never pass away. Let us den take care"
(MC=If we don't stop & tak time 2 reflect, da world will sure hep us to 4 get & also 2 get sidetracked)
44. St. Tomas Aquinas: “2one who has fait, no explanation is necessary. 2one without faith, no explanation is possible.”
(MC= Dat heps me 2 C why St.Bernadette said, 'my job is 2inform not 2convince'. Wat a way 2 eliminate arguing. B assured discussin & dialoging wit a lovin open heart is a good thing, so don't throw out da baby wit da bath water. In other words, kno when 2hold em & wen 2 fold em)
43. St. Escriva: "Da power of God is made manifest in our weakness & it spurs us on 2 fight & battle against our defects, though we kno dat we'll never achieve total victory durin our earthly pilgrimage. Da Christian life is a continuous beginnin again each day. It renews itself over & over"
(MC=B not discouraged lil lambs,cause da Master Shepherd always hav a backup plan & a safety net ready 4 His own. In da end wit our God we win, so it's a mus 2 persevere & hold on)
42. St.Teresa of Avila: "Oh, my Lord! How tru it's dat whoever works 4 U is paid in troubles! &wat a precious price 2 dose who luv U if we understand its value"
(MC= Sounds lik no cross, no crown 2 me. Betcha St. Paul kno all about bein paid in troubles, but just imagine wat his earnings hav afforded him? Let's go 4 it precious lambs)
41. David Platt: "Follow Me" is a life & death message 4 all who claim da name of Christ. Jesus' call 2 follow him is mo dan an invitation 2 pray a prayer. It's a summons 2 lose UR life & find new life in him"
(MC=Reality is soberin, but if we let it sink deep within our soul, we'll advance lik never B 4 in da spiritual life)
40. St. Vincent De Paul: "A sure way 4 a Christian 2 grow rapidly in holiness is a conscientious effort 2 carry out God's will in all circumstances & @ all times"
(MC= It's a guarantee, if we put a foot forward, Jesus will carry us all the way. 4 if grace doesn't do it, how else will it get done? God please give me the strength 2 go 4ward & not stand still R B paralyzed.
39. St. Ambrose: "Wat is man if U do not visit him?Remember, Lord dat U formed me from dust & hav made me as 1 who is weak. How can I stand if U don't constantly look upon me 2 strengthen dis clay, so dat my strength may proceed from UR face?)
(MC=Our need 4mo of God can B satisfied. It's 2 call & He will never fail 2 answer in mercy wit luv. No exceptions 2 dat rule)
38. Ivan Pavlov: “Perfect as da wing of a bird may B, it'll never enable da bird 2 fly if unsupported by da air"
(MC=Dis is sayin 2 me:It's a must hav 4 God 2B in da mix, if He is, why worry? Results do not depend on da natural, but da supernatural, Wat's UR take?)
37. Hugh Black: “2 B joined 2 gether in Christ is da only permanent union, deeper than blood ties, higher than da bond of kin, closer than da most sacred earthly relationship. Spiritual kinship is da great nexus 2 unite men"
(MC=Mak sense cause all pass away except da spiritual. Thnk God spiritual partners help 2 make us better)
36. Charles Spurgeon: "Trustin in God U"ll not B compelled 2 mourn. Walk in da path of integrity wit steadfast steps & show dat U R invincibly strong in da strength which confidence in God alone can confer. Thus U'll B delivered from anxious care & not troubled wit evil tidings, UR hart fixed, trustin in da Lord"
(MC= My goodness, can't U feel dis is good advice deep down in UR soul?Den, do sumthing,pray 4 grace 2 grow up & B strong, lovin, & wise)
35. St.Bonaventure "We B leve Mary opens da abyss of God's mercy 2 whomsoever she wills, when she wills, & as she wills; so dat there's no sinner however great who is lost if she protects him"
(MC= Da weddin feast @Cana was da 1st time Jesus wrought 4th a miracle @ her urging; GoodNews, her influence continues. Holy Virgin Mary pray 4 us)
34. Blaise Pascal: "Love has reasons which reason cannot understand"
(MC=Dat's why da 1 walkin by Faith & not by site, is with out fail, da 1 who's victor in all circumstances, hands down)
33. Book: By Way of da Desert “Da enemy throws a lot of dirty garbage in 2 UR house & it's UR job 2 clean out whatever he throws in. If U fail 2 do dis, UR house will fill wit so much corruption, U'll not B able 2 enter. Da moment he begins 2 shovel dirt, clean it out, lil by lil. Wit Christ’s help, U can keep a tidy house"(MC=Best 2 keep Jesus & Holy Mary as doorkeepers of UR soul, dey will surely get da job done. Angelic hep will B lik 'who let da dogs out')
32. Francois Fenelon: "A person doesn't only lose time by doin nothin, R doin wha is wrong, but he also loses it by doin somethin other than dat which he ought 2 do, even though wat he does is good"(MC=Following the path and advice of da holy 1's sure make sense, if we plan on getting to where they are)
31. St.Alphonsus Liguori: "Consider what #'s of men hav hidden themselves in deserts, & shut themselves up in caves in order da mo effectually 2 secure their eternal welfare, & what art thou doin? Oh! give thyself sincerely 2 God,& say 2 Him from thy heart: Lord, behold, I'm now thy servant, ready & willin 2 do whatever thou commandest me. Mary assist me."
(MC= Dat was da topic 4 St. Alphonsus's meditation for da day of da week dat falls on a Saturday: "On da eternity of da pains of Hell". Surely, we wood benefit by meditating on da same & not on was is fleetin & slowly passin away)
30. Smith Wigglesworth: “I'm not moved by wat I see, not moved by wat I feel. I am moved only by wat I believe”
(MC=Dat's da philosophy dat should 2 B dominating my world view, after all, my belief is in da 1, true, & livin God. Is it anything He can't do? Wat is it dat is 2 hard 4 Him 2 handle?)
29. Fr.Al Lauer: "If Jesus isn't Lord of all, then He isn't Lord @ all in UR life"
(MC=While we R askin 4 dis, dat, & da other, it's 4 sho we should ask 2 B shown da area where we still need 2 subject ourselves 2 Jesus Christ. 2 ask is 2 receive, so why wait? Now is da time 2 work while it is still day & da breath of God courses thru our veins)
28. Dom Bonaventure,Prior: "Give up all else dat U may B a man of prayer. Leave da common people on da plain & wit Moses climb da mountain 2 pray 2 God"(MC=B among da few & not da many! It's about pullin out in 2 da deep. Climbing is hard work, but da returns on da investment & descendin radiant down da mountain is priceless!)
27. St. Teresa of Avila: "Nothin can compare wit da delight da Lord desires a soul 2enjoy in dis exile. May u B be blessed 4 ever, Lord! May all things praise U forever!"
(MC=It is 2 kno dat God who hav given us His only Son, desires 2give us every other good gift. When we receive a "No", it's 4 good reasons. Can we dare 2believe da truth?)
26. Blessed Dominic Barberi: "Divine assistance 4 da Church isn't restricted 2 da 1st centuries of da Church but is continued & will B continued 2 da end of time. Dis reflection has calmed my spirit on mo than 1 occasion. May it serve 2 calm UR's wen U witness error wormin its way about"
(MC=Since God "is", & not "was", R "will B", it can B noted dat He's ever present & actively reconcilin all things 2 Himself. Dere 4, da bottom will never fall out, so we R safe & secure.Time 4 us all 2 B leve & liv lik it! God is in control, & wen He says enuf, den it will B enuf!
25. St.Peter Julian Eymard: "If I could C da mission each creature has 2 wards me 2 bring me 2 God, wat wonders of luv would B revealed! God's goodness has upheld me, & many graces lik sweet flowers hav bedecked da pathway of my life! I should acknowledge da claims of His luv, goodness, & His justice. Oh my God, I do! I adore dem,I luv dem, !Reign over me!
(MC= Let's take our cue from dis wonderful saint. Da saints were always ridin high on the hog of luv 4 God, & dey utilized every grace so as not 2B plagued wit "po understandin")
24. Fr.Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen: "4 dis, O Jesus,was UR sacred side pierced, dat it mite give us an easy entrance. UR Heart was opened dat we mite dwell there, safe from exterior disturbances. In addition, U were pierced by a spear, so dat thru da visible wound, we could C da invisible, 1 which luv inflicted on U, 4 he who burns wit luv, is wounded by luv. Wat better evidence of UR ardent luv could U hav given us than by permittin da lance 2 pierce, not only UR Body, but even UR Hart? Da wound in UR flesh then shows 4th da wound in UR spirit"
(MC=4 refreshment,4 refuge & 4 safety, as sheep, let us make our grazing grounds da Sacred Hart of Jesus, He who is our 1true & loyal Good Shepherd)
23. ABBA ANTONY: “Wen U sit quietly alone U escape 3wars: hearin, speakin, & seein. Da 1 thing U'll fight all da time is UR own heart"
(MC=Seems 2 me 2 conserve spiritual energy in order 2 fight da good fite 2 keep our hart in da rite place, we need 2 go AWOL from from da other 3)
22. G.K.Chesterton: “A dead thing can go wit da stream, but only a living thing can go against it.” (MC=Let da truth B told, sometimes God may barely find a spiritual pulse in us, but Halleluia, we haven't succumbed by goin wit da flow. B encouraged, life support won't B withdrawn, we're given a fightin chance 2 repent daily)
21. From a meditation book: "Pray dat U may profit by all da messages of grace Jesus sends. Dis year how many messengers has He sent U, & how did U receive His messengers? A messenger 2 say dat earth was not UR home, by sickness sufferin, trials & temptations, & by wise & lovin admonitions. If we only profited by wat Jesus sends, how different our
lives would B"
(MC= When we truly internalize dat all works 4 our good, da auto pilot will kick off & allow us 2value trials & sufferings. It's 2 consider from da jump da truth in Romans 8:28, & not wait 2 do so late in da game. If it's just making baby steps on a road ever so long and winding, dat's good, but 4 sho, we hav 2 keep steppin)
20. Dietrich von Hilderbrand: "No matter how insoluble the puzzle may appear 2 our human understandin, even in such moments we must feel secure in da infinite luv of God"
(MC= My God, my God, my God, please hep us 2 persevere. Cont. 2 lite da way 4 us thru da darkness we encounter in dis world, dat we may journey safely thru da storms, & over every stumblin block)
19. St. John Chrysostom: "I'm not a monk, U might say. I hav a wife, children, & I hav 2 take care of my household, but dis is wat ruins everything, thinkin only monks need 2 read divine Scriptures. U need it much mo than dey. Those livin in da world & who R wounded every day hav most need of medicines."(MC=Quick, self medicate, grab a hold of a pill, a
"Gos Pel": Matt, Mark, Luke, R John, & U will B strengthened. Just opened up to Matthew 11. Amazin, cause was given dat scripture in Medugorge: Matthew 11: 28-30. This is so needed for myself and my aunt Nora rite now. Hope UR {gos-pill}Gospel hits da spot and offers you a bit if relief)
18. St.Elizabeth Ann Seton: "We must pray literally without ceasing in every occurrence & employment of our lives. Dat prayer of da heart which is independent of place R situation, is rather a habit of lifting up da heart 2 God as in a constant communication wit Him."
(MC=As our minds R never far from pleasure, let's begin 2 delite in da Lord & we'll B guilty as charged 4 prayin without ceasing, Capiche?)
17. Pope Francis "Any 1 who sets off on da path of doin good 2 others is already drawin near 2 God, & is already sustained by His help. 4 it's characteristic of da divine light 2 brighten our eyes whenever we walk 2 wards da fullness of luv"
(MC=Not appreciated? No problem, keep doin good, in God's system every effort is worth sum-thing in da long run)
16. Mark 3:27 "But no 1 can enter a strong man's house & plunder his goods, unless he 1st binds da strong man; then indeed he may plunder his house"(MC=Let us hire Jesus Christ as Lord & Master & assign Him 2 da job as watchman. Den we won't hav 2 worry bout being pillaged. His services R free, now how's dat 4 a deal)
15. St.Therese of Lisieux: "4 every grace I made good use of, He gave me many mo"
(MC=Since God is da same yesterday, 2day, & 4ever, da template remains da same. When it comes 2 grace, 4 sho dat's not da time 4 one 2 B economical; it's a spiritual use it R lose it. Choose wisely!)
14. Friar Jim Van Vurst: "God holds each in da palm of his hand. 1 single human being is of infinitely greater value than all da immeasurable universes out there. Da reason simple: each life is in God’s image & likeness, value is never based on size. All dat God created, children of God R valued most. Jesus didn't die 4 da material universe, but 4 U & me"
(MC=Rejoice, Jesus punched UR personal redemption card, da proof is da Resurrection. Proudly carry it well in 2 eternity)
13. Cloud of Unknowing: "4 Jesus 2 B our source of hope we hav 2 place Him squarely in front of us & keep our eyes on him. We hav 2 let Him block our view of wat's goin rong & wat we fear mite go wrong. We hav 2 let His crucifixion absorb da pain we're feelin. Wen we connect our sufferings 2 Christ's sacrifice, we also connect our lives 2 His resurrection"
(MC=We so R armed as soldiers of God,let us 4ward march)
12. Matthew 25:34 "Den da King will say 2dose @ his rite hand, Cum, O blessed of my Father, inherit da kingdom prepared 4 U from da foundation of da wurl"(MC= Fantastic, a place was set aside 4 us B 4 we were even born. Dat's a great indicator of God's dream 4 us. Dat sho's He means us well by workin all 4 dat end, which is our good & His glory. Wat does it take 4 us 2 believe dat, & live in victory, trustin wit our hole hart & soul dat we're included in da master plan? BELIEVE DAT! B leve now, don't wate!
11. St.Don Bosco: "Don't try 2 excuse UR faults; try 2 correct dem"
(MC= It's best 2 B bout accusin & not excusin, cause wat we don't work on now, we'll have 2 work on later. B assured it's easier accomplished here and now while mercy dominates, cause in da afterlife we experience God's justice)
10. St.Francis De Sales: "Review da many Sacraments U hav received & C where R da fruits from receivin. Where R da precious jewels wit which UR Heavenly Bridegroom decked U?Wit wat prep hav U received dem? Reflect upon UR ingratitude, while God sought 2save U, U hav fled & rushed upon destruction. Not 1 faculty hasn't been sullied & stained; not 1 day has passed wit out sins B 4 Thee. Is dis a fittin return 4 all my Creator’s gifts, my Redeemer’s Blood? I hav been so disloyal"
(MC=A lil self reflection reveals a whole lot of imperfections. Dat said, da need 4 weekly, @ least monthly confession, should B quite evident)
9. Latest church Dr. of 2days, St.Gregory of Narek: "If I were 2 fill da basin of da sea wit ink & measure out parchment da length & breadth of a field of many leagues, tak all da reeds of da forests & woods & turn dem in 2 pens, still I wouldn't B able 2 record even a fraction of my accumulated wrong-doins. 2 set da Cedars of Lebanon as a scale & put Mount Ararat on 1 side of my iniquities, it wouldn't cum close 2 balancin"
(MC=WOW, C da bluprint we need 2follow? How does our attitude measure up? It's Lent, past time 4 us 2 get 2 work in C-ing ourselves, knoin thyself mo, & not gettin mad wen corrected, R wen faults R pointed out)
8. Interviewer 2 Blessed Mother Teresa: Wen U pray, wat do U say 2 God? She said, I don’t talk, I simply listen. Interviewer: Den wat is it God says 2 U wen U pray? She replied, He also doesn’t talk, He also simply listens. After an awkward pause, she said, If U can’t understand da meanin of wat I’ve said, I’m sorry but dere's no way I can explain it any better."
(MC=It's Lent, so sacrifice a bit of time & ruminate on dis. 40 days of Lent 2 ponder, may B da same things often. Ponderin daily will greatly benefit all. If interested in my take on wat da Blessed said, let me kno. Wen U get somethin, plese let me kno)
7. Judy Keane: "St. JPII gave da wurl a great gift wit 'Theology of da Body' pointin da way out of da gray & leadin in 2 da lite of God’s Luvin Plan. Da theme of TOTB is: da body is a sign of da Invisible Mystery of God, viewed as a kind of Sacrament-wit da mystery of God bein revealed thru it. Dere 4 da body used in a holy purpose can mak visible wat's invisible: da Spiritual & Divine. Acceptin da lie bout wat luv is accordin to 50 Shades of Grey, & other forms of pornography, we R ultimately left unhappy, disillusioned & denigrated"
(MC= Peter Kreeft said da Devil's favorite color is grey. Let's discern rite from rong, black R white, watching wat U C & hear is important)
6. Dom Eugene Boylan, O.C.R. “We hav our own plans 4 happiness, & 2 often look upon God as sum 1 who'll hep us carry dem out. Da tru state of affairs is invariably da reverse of dis. God has his own perfect plans 4 our happiness, & is waitin 4 us 2 hep Him carry dem out. & let it B CLEAR dat we can in no way improve on God's plans"
(MC= Dat rubber stamp mentality must go! Even if we hav 2 kick & scream, holler & cry, cause dat's a mentality that doesn't fly wit da Lord our God")
5. Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “Silence in da face of evil is itself evil: God won't hold us guiltless. Not 2speak is 2speak. Not 2act is 2act!
(MC= Silence is golden, but not in dis case. Doin da rite thing @ da rong time, R 4da rong reason, will get U no where. Plese, plese read da veggie again: http://gigapostolate.weebly.com/veggie.html
4. 1 Kings 3:3 "Although Solomon luved da LORD, walkin in da statutes of David his father, he offered sacrifice & burned incense on da high places"
(MC=R U sacrificin & burnin incense on high places by watchin da immodest & hearin profanity @ da movies & on TV, rendering it's a good movie, R good show? Isaiah 5:20 says woe 2callin evil good. Don't compromise & sell out by partakin & recommending da tainted to others. B not a betrayer 2 purity. It's time 4 us 2 C da lite, if not now wen? We kno wat happened 2 Solimon in da end, 4 warned is 2B 4 armed)
3. "St.Felix was captured, tortured, & imprisoned. In prison an angel appeared & freed him 2 hep St. Maximus who was starvin 2 death. After assistin, he fled his captors by hidin in a hole. A spider quickly spun a web over da hole preventin da pursuers from findin his hidin place"
(MC= B encouraged in UR trials. God hav no problems
in regards 2 rescue techniques. He uses wat He pleases, works how He pleases, & wen He pleases,
even comin thru @ da midnight hour. Keep UR hope alive & jus TRUST, TRUST, TRUST)
2. St.Francis De Sales: "A Spider can't kill a bee, but it can spoil da honey",
MC = Da wat, da where, da wen & da how's R important in life. Let's B vigilant bout where we go, who we C, wat we do, how we act, & wen 2go rite & wen 2go R left. A slight slip may end up causin a detrimental spiritual fall. B ware, sin will get U 1way R another; play wit fire & UR sure 2 get burned)
1. Blessed Columba Marmion“God is everywhere present,says St. Ambrose,but He is nearest to those who love Him & He dwells far from those who neglect His service ”
(MC= He never leaves R 4sakes us, but dwellin is a different story, dat's 4lovers. Go 4da gold, go 4 dwellin)
Hope you still have a little room
For a couple of mints that you can consume
For a couple of mints that you can consume