Christian Courage: Why are you Catholic?

 Here is a good testimony of why we should be Catholic. There is no secret that the Catholic Church at present is in crisis--in a dramatic way. In Church history we read about the Arias Heresy or Protestant Reformation, Iconoclast Heresy etc... These are known as the great heresies. There have always been wayward  pastors, but these great heresies were so dramatic how they effect the life of the Church, that we are in awe that the Church could survive it.

Ironically many of our saints came out of these crisis of Faith. It is always romantic to read about heroes, but to be in the thick of the war is not romantic-- it is scary.

So my point is, even though the Church is in crisis the sacraments are still available and we can pray and worship God as best we can. It does not depend on how good the priest or bishop is. God will not judge you on their Faith but yours. If corruption comes in our lifetime, we still need to be faithful to what Jesus Christ has past down to us as the deposit of the Faith.

Father or bishop wako will not be around forever, it is just a bad period of time we happen to live in. The testimony below shows the Holy Spirit still calls and inspires even in the midst of the storm.

Here is a link to the above young man's you tube channel
https://www.youtube.com/c/SeanHussey/videos

Christian Courage: The Lebanese saint who unites Christians and Muslims, and Huge Miracle in Phoenix

 [editor: St. Charbel worked a great miracle in Phoenix Arizona USA below is the video testimony of the woman healed from blindness]

catholicnewsagency.com

by Hannah Brockhaus

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Annaya, Lebanon,
Jul 23, 2019

St. Charbel Makhlouf is known in Lebanon for the miraculous healings of those who visit his tomb to seek his intercession – both Christians and Muslims.

“St. Charbel has no geographic or confessional limits. Nothing is impossible for [his intercession] and when people ask [for something], he answers,” Fr. Louis Matar, coordinator of the Shrine of St. Charbel in Annaya, Lebanon, told CNA.

Speaking in Arabic with the help of an interpreter, Matar said the shrine, which encompasses the monastery where the Maronite Catholic priest, monk, and hermit lived for nearly 20 years, receives around 4 million visitors a year, including both Christians and Muslims.

Matar, who is responsible for archiving the thousands of medically-verified healings attributed to the intercession of the Maronite priest-monk, said that many miraculous cures have been obtained by Muslims.

faith formation: Self-Speak, Worship and Mental Health

 
A healthy spirituality must have a healthy mindset and use of language. Not only those words we speak to others, but the self-speak in our  own heads. From our thoughts our emotions are fed. And emotions and thoughts create "the heart" from which the mouth speaks.
 
As St. James says in 3:2
"... If anyone does not stumble in what he says, this one is a perfect man, able indeed to bridle the whole body."
 
But the novice in the spiritual life doesn't see words as important. They will often use emotional exaggerated defeatist language in generalities, which must be avoided, For example :
 "this is the worst day";
"These things (bad) always happen to me";
 "It will never get better."
" he is disrespecting me"
Also living in the past, thinking  “if only I had done this …”


While hyperbole is used in scripture at times, it is of an instructive nature; not a way of living our  life.
 
Language must be accurate and true, not alarmist or defeatist.  Anger or  Fear leads to disobedience, and lack of hope in God. When the people of Israel were freed from slavery all they did was complain. And God said:
"Not one of these - not one of this evil generation - shall see the good land that I swore to give to your ancestors" (Deut. 1:35).
 
The only Israelites who entered the Promised Land from the Exodus, after 40 years of miracles and wandering, are Caleb and Joshua, the only ones to not lose hope.
 

faith formation: A repaired Soul can be more beautiful -- regular confession

We would never say that we should sin to become more beautiful to God but we should sincerely repent and commit to reforming and changing. Some people get discourage by going to confession for the same sins. But we must realize that confession is the best way to gain strength to avoid sin.

Luke 7:47
“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”

Amazing World,: The 8th Grade Drop Out Who Invented Dunkin' Donuts-

 A positive attitude can accomplish much. But often we get examples of those who are delusionally  positive---they can't admit something isn't working.

The example of the founder of Dunkin' Donuts shows us that he saw what works and went with that. He also benefited from good mentors. Whatever one wants to do in life it is priceless to get advice from a wise man of experience.

Sirach  27: 12 – ‘Limit the time you spend among fools, but frequent the company of thoughtful men.’

Proverbs 12:15
"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice."

Christian Courage: Documentary on St. Augustine a “Voice for All Generations"

Explore the conversion story of one of the most significant figures in church history and learn about his struggle to find answers amid a sea of competing voices. Travel with host Mike Aquilina to fourth-century Rome and Milan to discover why St. Augustine has become a “Voice for All Generations.”

Amazing World: Animal Odd Couples

 The world is an amazing place with so many mysteries.

Here we see the unique relationships developed by humans and other animals.

Here is another video that shows animals make friends even across animal species.