It is a mark that you will frequently see today. Made of ashes, traced on the foreheads of countless Christians.
In the old horror movies it was the instrument that could recoil the most hideous monster--the cross.
A year ago the movie that depicted its origin, though wildly popular was largely viewed as a horror movie.
Yes the cross is something that when faced alone, without the hope that has at its foundation Jesus is a very scary symbol.
"Remember that you are dust and unto dust you shall return"...that is unless you "repent and believe the good news."
What is this good news? What is it that turns this mark of execution into a sign by which we can conquer?
Years ago I encountered a young woman dying of cancer clutching a large crucifix to herself, holding on to it for dear life. She was joyful. "There is power here," she told me.
As you walk around bearing the mark of the cross on your forehead today reflect on her words. Think of how you confront the horrors of life. Have you repented yet, had that change of mind to see the world you live in differently than those not marked with the sign?
Believe and experience the power....
Wednesday, February 9, 2005
Tuesday, February 8, 2005
A Pre-Lent Message from Father Groeschel
From Untitled Document:
"Unfortunately Lent has come by bad times. Some people hardly know it's Lent and don't manage even to do the very minor fasting that the Church requires on Fridays and a few other days. May I suggest to you that you pick out something really to do for Lent? I'd like to excuse myself this year because I'm sort of just staying alive and that's been quite a chore, however I'm not going to excuse myself and I'm going to pick out some secret little penance that I don't like and do it while I'm recovering.
A wonderful Carmelite sister of Alhambra, California, Sister Mary Anastasia, was a great person for marvelous quotations. She had a superb sense of humor and when she died at 94, her community put out a little book of her wise sayings. One of them is, "if it doesn't sting, it's not a sacrifice". So in Lent if you give up meat on certain evenings, don't move to lobster thermador. A penance must sting and the more it stings the beautiful Easter you will have and the better you will be prepared for the big Easter at the end of time."
"Unfortunately Lent has come by bad times. Some people hardly know it's Lent and don't manage even to do the very minor fasting that the Church requires on Fridays and a few other days. May I suggest to you that you pick out something really to do for Lent? I'd like to excuse myself this year because I'm sort of just staying alive and that's been quite a chore, however I'm not going to excuse myself and I'm going to pick out some secret little penance that I don't like and do it while I'm recovering.
A wonderful Carmelite sister of Alhambra, California, Sister Mary Anastasia, was a great person for marvelous quotations. She had a superb sense of humor and when she died at 94, her community put out a little book of her wise sayings. One of them is, "if it doesn't sting, it's not a sacrifice". So in Lent if you give up meat on certain evenings, don't move to lobster thermador. A penance must sting and the more it stings the beautiful Easter you will have and the better you will be prepared for the big Easter at the end of time."
Pro-Life Advocates Will Head to Florida if Terri Schiavo Threatened
From Pro-Life Advocates Will Head to Florida if Terri Schiavo Threatened:
"Several pro-life groups say they plan to flood Florida with activists should a local judge set aside the stay that is in place prohibiting Terri Schiavo's estranged husband from starving her to death. Judge George Greer could decide as early as Monday whether to lift the stay.
Should he do that, the pro-life groups will bring 'scores of people' to the state to 'pray, lobby and peacefully intervene on Terri's behalf.'
Organizers don't say what kind of specific actions they will take to protect Terri, but they hope the combined campaign will place a renewed focus on the disabled woman's plight.
'This campaign will shine a spotlight on the barbaric manner in which Terri is being treated and hopefully shock the conscience of our nation so it never happens again,' says Dr. Gary Cass, executive director of Reclaiming America.
Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, said he hoped 'people will come to Florida from across the nation to save Terri's life and work to ensure that no one will have to endure this kind of punishment and torture again.'"
"Several pro-life groups say they plan to flood Florida with activists should a local judge set aside the stay that is in place prohibiting Terri Schiavo's estranged husband from starving her to death. Judge George Greer could decide as early as Monday whether to lift the stay.
Should he do that, the pro-life groups will bring 'scores of people' to the state to 'pray, lobby and peacefully intervene on Terri's behalf.'
Organizers don't say what kind of specific actions they will take to protect Terri, but they hope the combined campaign will place a renewed focus on the disabled woman's plight.
'This campaign will shine a spotlight on the barbaric manner in which Terri is being treated and hopefully shock the conscience of our nation so it never happens again,' says Dr. Gary Cass, executive director of Reclaiming America.
Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, said he hoped 'people will come to Florida from across the nation to save Terri's life and work to ensure that no one will have to endure this kind of punishment and torture again.'"
Monday, February 7, 2005
Pope's Blessing 'probably recorded'
Vatican denies it.
From The Australian: Pope's blessing 'probably recorded' [February 07, 2005]:
"THE words of Pope John Paul II's Angelus blessing today were 'probably recorded' after his voice faltered when he started to deliver the traditional blessing from his hospital window, Italian media reported.
In an exercise designed to show the Pope was recovering from the severe breathing difficulties and throat infection that caused him to be hospitalised last week, the Vatican appears to have resorted to a tape as the pontiff seemed to choke on the first few words of his blessing.
TV station Sky Italia said in a report the Pope's brief blessing was 'probably recorded'.
There was no immediate response from the Vatican."
From The Australian: Pope's blessing 'probably recorded' [February 07, 2005]:
"THE words of Pope John Paul II's Angelus blessing today were 'probably recorded' after his voice faltered when he started to deliver the traditional blessing from his hospital window, Italian media reported.
In an exercise designed to show the Pope was recovering from the severe breathing difficulties and throat infection that caused him to be hospitalised last week, the Vatican appears to have resorted to a tape as the pontiff seemed to choke on the first few words of his blessing.
TV station Sky Italia said in a report the Pope's brief blessing was 'probably recorded'.
There was no immediate response from the Vatican."
Sunday, February 6, 2005
Lent Begins This Wednesday...
My book--The Power of the Cross is a Lenten devotional. For those of you within driving distance of Indy I'm offering a retreat this upcoming weekend:
At the Fatima Retreat House in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 11-13, 2005
'The Power of the Cross' Lenten Retreat
with Author Michael Dubruiel
This retreat is aimed at applying the passion Of Christ to your everyday life. Learn God's unique Purpose and mission for you, how to overcome the evil that you have suffered at the hands of others, to find God' presence in difficult times, and to discover the keys to unleashing the power of the cross in your life.
Registration Friday @ 6:30 pm until Sunday 1:00 pm Cost of retreat is $145.00 which includes program, materials, meals and overnight accommodations. $50.00 deposit is required at registration. "
If you live in a different part of the country, Indianapolis has Southwest, ATA, Independence Air all flying into their airport--all at incredibly low, low rates!
The book can be viewed here:
A young woman dying of a terminal illness and abandoned by her family is filled with unspeakable joy.
At the Fatima Retreat House in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 11-13, 2005
'The Power of the Cross' Lenten Retreat
with Author Michael Dubruiel
This retreat is aimed at applying the passion Of Christ to your everyday life. Learn God's unique Purpose and mission for you, how to overcome the evil that you have suffered at the hands of others, to find God' presence in difficult times, and to discover the keys to unleashing the power of the cross in your life.
Registration Friday @ 6:30 pm until Sunday 1:00 pm Cost of retreat is $145.00 which includes program, materials, meals and overnight accommodations. $50.00 deposit is required at registration. "
If you live in a different part of the country, Indianapolis has Southwest, ATA, Independence Air all flying into their airport--all at incredibly low, low rates!
The book can be viewed here:
A young woman dying of a terminal illness and abandoned by her family is filled with unspeakable joy.
What is her secret?
Discover what she knew and what it means for you in The Power of the Cross!
Pope Gives Blessing from Hospital Window
From MSNBC - Despite crisis, pope vows to continue mission
Speaking with difficulty, Pope John Paul II appeared on Sunday at his hospital window for the first time since taking ill and said through an aide that he was still “serving the Church and all humanity.”
The 84-year-old Pope, rushed to hospital last Tuesday with breathing problems, made a brief appearance from the window of his 10th floor suite in Rome’s Gemelli hospital
At the end of a message read by an aide, the pope delivered his blessing in a voice that was faint, hoarse and cracking. He then made the sign of the cross.
At the start he was wheeled to the window while seated and wore his traditional white cassock and skullcap. His face looked red and his eyes distant as he waved slowly to the faithful.
Speaking with difficulty, Pope John Paul II appeared on Sunday at his hospital window for the first time since taking ill and said through an aide that he was still “serving the Church and all humanity.”
The 84-year-old Pope, rushed to hospital last Tuesday with breathing problems, made a brief appearance from the window of his 10th floor suite in Rome’s Gemelli hospital
At the end of a message read by an aide, the pope delivered his blessing in a voice that was faint, hoarse and cracking. He then made the sign of the cross.
At the start he was wheeled to the window while seated and wore his traditional white cassock and skullcap. His face looked red and his eyes distant as he waved slowly to the faithful.
Pope was 'near death'
From News.com.au | Pope was 'near death' (07-02-2005):
"THE Pope was just 10 minutes from death when he was rushed to hospital last week, a report has revealed.
The Pope's condition was far graver than his spokesman let on, according to the US magazine Inside the Vatican due out this week.
He twice refused to be taken to hospital by a helicopter, the report said.
The Pope 'shook his head decisively' after his powerful personal aide, Bishop Stanislaw Dziwisz, first suggested he go to hospital and then refused a second request from his doctor, Renato Buzzonetti."
"THE Pope was just 10 minutes from death when he was rushed to hospital last week, a report has revealed.
The Pope's condition was far graver than his spokesman let on, according to the US magazine Inside the Vatican due out this week.
He twice refused to be taken to hospital by a helicopter, the report said.
The Pope 'shook his head decisively' after his powerful personal aide, Bishop Stanislaw Dziwisz, first suggested he go to hospital and then refused a second request from his doctor, Renato Buzzonetti."
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