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 Greetings!
There was a time when I felt sorry for that poor fellow in the Gospel parable who buried his talent in the ground. When he was called upon by his master to give an account, he was dismissed as a 'good-for-nothing servant' and ordered to be thrown out into 'the outer darkness where they was weeping and gnashing of teeth' (Matt. 25: 14-29).
I always thought that it was rather unfair that he was given such a harsh sentence, because the punishment he received was surely disproportionate to his crime.
Admittedly, he wasn't a very enterprising chap. He didn't earn any interest on his master's investment, but, on the other hand, he didn't embezzle or squander it either. In fact, he returned the original amount, so the worst you could say about him was that he may have been unduly timid and acted in an over-cautious manner.
However, my sympathy for this character soon faded away when I re-examined verses 24 and 25 and discovered a deeper meaning hidden there. At this point in the story the servant explained that his shameful inaction was caused by fear and that his fear was he saw his master as 'a hard man', who reaped where he had not sown and who gathered where he had not scattered.
Sooner or later, it seems to me, we all have to face up to a basic choice in life. We can either listen to those fears in our hearts which distort our vision and paralyze our movement, or we can listen to the words of Jesus, words that reveal the truth and set our spirit free.
As the Gospel shows clearly, Jesus reveals God to us as a loving and merciful Father who is incapable of being mean or harsh. But if we allow our vision to be constricted by fear, we may tend to look on God as a 'hard man', who latches on to every little mistake we make and hands out punishment for every little offence we commit.
Perhaps, we need to take more notice of St. Paul's reminder to the Galatians that 'we are led by the Spirit and called to freedom'. Perhaps, we need to remember, too, that if we allow our lives to be dominated by fear, especially the fear of failure or the fear of rejection, then much good is likely to be left undone.
On the other hand, if we have the courage to let the Spirit guide our steps we will be in a better position to see God as he really is and to see ourselves as his children. In that case, we shall avoid the misery of feeling spied upon or watched and rejoice in the freedom of being welcomed and accepted.
In Mary Help of Christians,
I remain,
Fr. Jim McKenna SDB
Director
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A Perspective on Prayer
Once a Man was asked, What did you Gain by Regularly Praying to GOD.?
The Man replied, Nothing....
But, let me tell you what I Lost:
Anger,
Ego,
Greed,
Depression,
Insecurity,
& Fear Of Death.
Sometimes, the Answer to our Prayer is not Gaining, but Losing.......
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 The Land of Truth
By Idries Shah
A certain man believed that the ordinary waking life, as people know it, could not possibly be complete...
He sought the real Teacher of the Age. He read many books and joined many circles, and he heard the words and witnessed the deeds of one master after another. He carried out the commands and spiritual exercises which seemed to him to be most attractive.
He became elated with some of his experiences. At other times he was confused; and he had no idea at all of what his stage was, or where and when his search might end.
This man was reviewing his behavior one day when he suddenly found himself near the house of a certain sage of high repute. In the garden of that house, he encountered Khidr, the secret guide who shows the way to truth.
Khidr took him to a place where he saw people in great distress and woe, and he asked who they were. "We are those who did not follow real teachings, who were not true to our undertakings, who revered self-appointed teachers," they said.
Then the man was taken by Khidr to a place where everyone was attractive and full of joy. He asked who they were. "We are those who did not follow the real Signs of the Way," they said.
"But if you have ignored the Signs, how can you be happy?" asked the traveler.
"Because we chose happiness instead of Truth," said the people, "just as those who chose the self-appointed chose also misery."
"But is happiness not the ideal of man?" asked the man.
"The goal of man is Truth. Truth is more than happiness. The man who has Truth can have whatever mood he wishes, or none," they told him. "We have pretended that Truth is happiness, and happiness Truth, and people have believed us, therefore you, too, have until now imagined that happiness must be the same as Truth. But happiness makes you its prisoner, as does woe."
Then the man found himself back in the garden with Khidr beside him.
"I will grant you one desire," said Khidr.
"I wish to know why I have failed in my search and how I can succeed in it," said the man. "You have all but wasted your life," said Khidr, "because you have been a liar. Your lie has been in seeking personal gratification when you could have been seeking Truth."
"And yet I came to the point where I found you," said the man, " and that is something which happens to hardly anyone at all."
"And you met me," said Khidr, "because you had sufficient sincerity to desire Truth for its own sake, just for an instant. It was that sincerity, in that single instant, which made me answer your call."
Now the man felt an overwhelming desire to find Truth, even if he lost himself.
Khidr, however, was starting to walk away, and the man began to run after him.
"You may not follow me," said Khidr, "because I am returning to the ordinary world, the world of lies, for that is where I have to be, if I am to do my work."
And when the man looked around him again, he realized that he was no longer n the garden of the sage, but standing in the Land of Truth.
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 Laughter the best medicine
Paid For Standing
The owner of a manufacturing firm decided to make a surprise tour of the factory. Walking through the warehouse he noticed a young man lazily leaning against a packing crate.
The factory owner angrily said, "Just how much are you being paid?"
The young man replied, "A hundred dollars a week." The owner pulled out his wallet, peeled off five $20 bills and shouted at the young man: "Here is a week's pay-now get out and don't come back!" Without a word, the young man stuffed the money into his pocket and left.
The warehouse manager, standing nearby, stared in amazement.
"Tell me," the boss asked him, "How long has that guy worked for us?"
"He didn't work here," replied the warehouse manager,
"He was just the Fed-Ex guy delivering a package."
Getting Married
A man brings his best buddy home for dinner unannounced at 5:30 after work.
His wife begins screaming at him and his friend just sits and listens in.
"My hair and makeup are not done, the house is a mess, the dishes are not done, I'm still in my pajamas and I can't be bothered with cooking tonight ! Why the hell did you bring him home for?"
Husband answers "Because he's thinking of getting married"
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DID I SAY THAT?*
Police in Los Angeles had good luck with a robbery suspect who just couldn't control himself during a lineup. When detectives asked each man in the lineup to repeat the words:
'Give me all your money or I'll shoot', the man shouted, 'that's not what I said!'
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 The Devotion of the Three Hail Marys
The devotion of the THREE HAIL MARYS is a very simple yet most efficacious devotion.
Everyday, recite Three Hail Marys, adding the invocation: "O Mary, My Mother, keep me from mortal sin." Many people recite the Three Hail Marys as part of their morning and night prayers. To practice this devotion in time of danger, stress, special need or temptation, is a sure means to obtain Our Lady's help.
Thank you so much dear Jesus and Mother Mary for the gift of a baby girl to my daughter and a baby boy to my daughter-in-law. Keep them always under your care. Remy Ryan, NJ
Thanks to Mary Help of Christians and Don Bosco for the many favors granted.
Vijay Aranha, UK
We are grateful to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady Help of Christians. Our brother has returned to us on 18th June 2015 after 27 years. Bertha Quadros, FL
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In Closing
Dear devotees of Our Lady and Don Bosco,
If you have received a miracle through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother, we would like to hear from you. Email us at MaryShrine@aol.com.
Bookstore hours: Monday - Saturday - 10 am to 5 pm, Sundays: 12 - 4 pm
Weekday Masses: 12 noon. Confessions on weekdays begin at 11.30 am.
Sunday Masses: 11 am and 12.30 pm
Other activities: Day Retreats, Weekend retreats, Don Bosco Summer Camp, Eucharistic Adoration, Friday night Lenten Dinners, 50/50 raffle, 350 club, Rosary Madonna Statue. Rent Lomagno Hall, Rent our Banquet Hall.
MEMORIES
Remember a Loved One: Engrave plaques on Wall of Memories, adopt a Tree, Engrave blocks on Walk of Honor, All Souls, All year Candle lighting, Holiday (Christmas and Easter), Flowers, Schedule a Mass, Bell Chimes.
MASS INTENTIONS
To offer a mass intention, please write to
Fr. Jim McKenna SDB
174 Filors Lane,
Stony Point, NY 10980
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Marian Shrine
174 Filors Lane, Stony Point, NY 10980
(845) 947-2200
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