Tribulation Times
(1Pe 3:15-16) But sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts, being ready always to satisfy every one that asketh you a reason of that hope which is in you. But with modesty and fear, having a good conscience: that whereas they speak evil of you, they may be ashamed who falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
TESTIMONY FROM THE EDITOR: "Another One of Those Nights" It seems to happen several times each year that the Lord asks me to spend the night praying rather than sleeping. I suppose "asks" is perhaps not a strong enough word. Perhaps "prods" or even "compels" would be more accurate. The reason for these nights of prayer is frequently soon obvious. A close friend or family member will have unknowingly passed away or a significant natural disaster will have occurred. Admittedly, there are other times that I am left to wonder why the Lord needed me to pray. Needless to say, I am somewhat resistant to the call, knowing from experience the possible unpleasant nature of the aftermath. I have learned also from experience, that it makes no sense to argue. I can remind the Lord about my long day at work or the numerous responsibilities that await me the following day, but it never seems to help. I just won't be able to sleep. I need to pray. Yesterday was one of those nights. After hours of tossing about in bed while silently praying the Rosary or any of several prayers that came to mind, I began to feel like I was now finally allowed to go to sleep. Just as I was starting to doze off, I heard what I thought was an audible voice! "Mami, Mami"! My mind began to race. Was I praying for my mother? Was I supposed to say more Hail Marys? My eyes snapped open and once again I heard the same words, "Mami, Mami", yet this time more distinctly. Sheepishly, I realized that Daniel, my seven year old son, was calling from downstairs in his bedroom. I didn't have the heart to wake my wife. Sleep would have to wait. As I climbed onto his bunk bed, I realized the Lord was instructing me that my prayer time was not quite over. I again began my litany of prayers, waiting for Daniel to fall asleep. Each time I made the slightest movement in bed, he instantly opened his eyes. No, I would be praying for a while. After what seemed to be hours (and probably was), he appeared to be sleeping soundly. I carefully slid down his creaky bed and stealthily climbed down the ladder of the bunk bed. "Where are you going", Daniel asked, just as my feet hit the floor. "To the bathroom, Daniel, I'll be right back", I answered. A few moments later, I was lying once again next to Daniel, praying away the night. Finally at 5:30 am, I climbed back into my own bed to get my forty-five minutes of sleep. At last, the Lord decreed, it was bedtime. Ninety minutes later I sprang out of bed, late for morning Mass. I rushed out of the house, as I remembered that the regular Thursday lector was out and I was to be his replacement. After opening the office, I briskly walked over to Church, arriving minutes before Mass was to begin. There would be no time to rehearse the readings. Imagine my surprise as I proclaimed this segment from the First Reading from the prophet Isaiah: "Yes, for your way and your judgments, O LORD, we look to you; Your name and your title are the desire of our souls.
My soul yearns for you in the night, yes, my spirit within me keeps vigil for you; When your judgment dawns upon the earth, the world's inhabitants learn justice." As I walked back to the office, joyfully pondering the mysterious relationship between God and His children, my mood began to darken. Why did God need me to pray last night? Immediately I thought... Delfin! Delfin has been a patient of mine for over twenty years. We have gone through a lot together, as I have warily cared for his remaining seeing eye. I had been notified earlier in the week by his wife that he had been hospitalized with a stroke, and was unable to communicate with her. I now wondered whether perhaps my prayers were meant to speed his way through Purgatory. "Did Delfin die", I sadly wondered? As soon as my wife arrived in the office, I noticed she had a message in her hands from Delfin's wife. I hurriedly asked her to please return her call immediately. Delfin had not died. No, the doctors had been wrong. He had not suffered a stroke, but rather an electrolyte imbalance. Once treated, he was once again conversing with his wife! She had called to pass on the good news. God knows if it was Delfin who kept me up last night. Perhaps it was another Delfin, in a far corner of the world, or on his own journey through Purgatory. But regardless of the reason, I'm glad He did.
Prayer request? Send an email to: PrayerRequest3@aol.com
READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/july.asp?version=63&startmmdd=0101
July 15, 2010 THE TRIB TIMES WILL RETURN NEXT WEEK, GOD WILLING (James 4:15).(1Pe 3:15-16) But sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts, being ready always to satisfy every one that asketh you a reason of that hope which is in you. But with modesty and fear, having a good conscience: that whereas they speak evil of you, they may be ashamed who falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
TESTIMONY FROM THE EDITOR: "Another One of Those Nights" It seems to happen several times each year that the Lord asks me to spend the night praying rather than sleeping. I suppose "asks" is perhaps not a strong enough word. Perhaps "prods" or even "compels" would be more accurate. The reason for these nights of prayer is frequently soon obvious. A close friend or family member will have unknowingly passed away or a significant natural disaster will have occurred. Admittedly, there are other times that I am left to wonder why the Lord needed me to pray. Needless to say, I am somewhat resistant to the call, knowing from experience the possible unpleasant nature of the aftermath. I have learned also from experience, that it makes no sense to argue. I can remind the Lord about my long day at work or the numerous responsibilities that await me the following day, but it never seems to help. I just won't be able to sleep. I need to pray. Yesterday was one of those nights. After hours of tossing about in bed while silently praying the Rosary or any of several prayers that came to mind, I began to feel like I was now finally allowed to go to sleep. Just as I was starting to doze off, I heard what I thought was an audible voice! "Mami, Mami"! My mind began to race. Was I praying for my mother? Was I supposed to say more Hail Marys? My eyes snapped open and once again I heard the same words, "Mami, Mami", yet this time more distinctly. Sheepishly, I realized that Daniel, my seven year old son, was calling from downstairs in his bedroom. I didn't have the heart to wake my wife. Sleep would have to wait. As I climbed onto his bunk bed, I realized the Lord was instructing me that my prayer time was not quite over. I again began my litany of prayers, waiting for Daniel to fall asleep. Each time I made the slightest movement in bed, he instantly opened his eyes. No, I would be praying for a while. After what seemed to be hours (and probably was), he appeared to be sleeping soundly. I carefully slid down his creaky bed and stealthily climbed down the ladder of the bunk bed. "Where are you going", Daniel asked, just as my feet hit the floor. "To the bathroom, Daniel, I'll be right back", I answered. A few moments later, I was lying once again next to Daniel, praying away the night. Finally at 5:30 am, I climbed back into my own bed to get my forty-five minutes of sleep. At last, the Lord decreed, it was bedtime. Ninety minutes later I sprang out of bed, late for morning Mass. I rushed out of the house, as I remembered that the regular Thursday lector was out and I was to be his replacement. After opening the office, I briskly walked over to Church, arriving minutes before Mass was to begin. There would be no time to rehearse the readings. Imagine my surprise as I proclaimed this segment from the First Reading from the prophet Isaiah: "Yes, for your way and your judgments, O LORD, we look to you; Your name and your title are the desire of our souls.
My soul yearns for you in the night, yes, my spirit within me keeps vigil for you; When your judgment dawns upon the earth, the world's inhabitants learn justice." As I walked back to the office, joyfully pondering the mysterious relationship between God and His children, my mood began to darken. Why did God need me to pray last night? Immediately I thought... Delfin! Delfin has been a patient of mine for over twenty years. We have gone through a lot together, as I have warily cared for his remaining seeing eye. I had been notified earlier in the week by his wife that he had been hospitalized with a stroke, and was unable to communicate with her. I now wondered whether perhaps my prayers were meant to speed his way through Purgatory. "Did Delfin die", I sadly wondered? As soon as my wife arrived in the office, I noticed she had a message in her hands from Delfin's wife. I hurriedly asked her to please return her call immediately. Delfin had not died. No, the doctors had been wrong. He had not suffered a stroke, but rather an electrolyte imbalance. Once treated, he was once again conversing with his wife! She had called to pass on the good news. God knows if it was Delfin who kept me up last night. Perhaps it was another Delfin, in a far corner of the world, or on his own journey through Purgatory. But regardless of the reason, I'm glad He did.
Ladder of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 26- "On discernment of thoughts, passions, and virtues"
74. To the pious it is natural to give to everyone who asks; and to the more pious to give even to him who does not ask. But not to demand a thing back from the person who took it, especially when they have the chance, is characteristic perhaps only of the dispassionate.Prayer request? Send an email to: PrayerRequest3@aol.com
This month's archive can be found at: http://www.catholicprophecy.info/news2.html.
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