Jim's prayer

Recently I was reminded of a story I heard about a man named Jim.

Everyday this man would go to his church for about 3 minutes and kneel before the altar.The young priest caught up with him one day and asked, “ Since I arrived some 7 years ago, I have noticed that you come here every afternoon and leave almost straight away. I am curious about what you do?”

“I pray replied the old man.”

The priest asked earnestly; “What do you pray in just a few minutes?”

“I say; here I am Jesus. It is Jim, I love you”

Several years later Jim was moved into a nursing home. Days after his arrival the staff noticed a significant change in all the other residents. A month after staying at the home, everyone there seemed a lot happier. Jim would walk around the home each morning and visit every single person. He would smile at them, chat for a while and dramatically lift their spirits, including the staff.

The same priest who knew him at his church came to give communion at the home one day and spoke about the change in everyone, with Jim.

“Jim, the staf have told me how you visit everyone here each day and cheer them all up. That everybody seems a lot happier since you arrived. What do you say to everyone?”

Jim replied; “I just chat with them and say something nice about their hair, the watch they are wearing or talk about the football. Often I just give them a smile and ask if I can do anything for them.”

“I’m always happy after Jesus comes to see me each day.” Jim responded.

“Jesus comes to see you each day?” exclaimed the priest.

“Yes” Jim beamed, “he comes first thing in the morning and stands exactly where you are”.

“What does he say?” asked the priest.

“Here I am Jim. It is me Jesus, I love you”

Hear this.

Take comfort in the story when Jesus was told about Lazarus; "that the one you love is ill" (John 11). Jesus was not reminded that the one who loves you is ill. Instead, Jesus was addressed in terms of his relationship with Lazarus. This distinction is important because it reveals the fact that God does not answer prayers based on how we have felt and acted towards him. Our Fathers love is perfect and unconditional. Our faith and love toward God may wax and wain but his love and commitment to us is always the same.

The power of prayer is from the one who hears it, not the one who asks.


Father the one you love needs some help.

The one You love is afraid.

The one You love is sick.

The one You love is sad.

The one You love is worried.

The one You love needs you.

May your love of God grow each and every day. Amen.

But me no buts.

The word but has stopped so many noble ventures. How many times have you used it to stop you from doing what God wants you to?

When God told Moses to lead his people, Moses replied:"
Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of Egypt?"
Exodus 3:11.

Sound familiar? It does to me. Self doubt is common in most people. We wonder if we are in the right job, being good parents, dating the right person or living in the right city.
When it comes to sharing our wonderful Catholic faith however, God reminds us :
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. "Ah, Lord GOD!" I said, "I know not how to speak; I am too young."
But the LORD answered me, Say not, "I am too young." To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Jeremiah 1:5

Could God be any clearer on this subject? So I encourage you to go deeper into your role as prophet. In your blog, the reading at Mass, giving communion to the sick, your parish group or just in your family. No matter where you are, take stock of these words: YOU have been APPOINTED. No buts about it.

3 am

"3 a.m. is when the pain meds wear off. 3 a.m. is when sleep deserts you. 3 a.m. is when the silent movie of your life begins to roll in front of your staring eyes. 3 a.m. is when the deep, bone deep, gut deep, heart-wrenching grief of the things you haven't done explodes like a grenade . . . But I'll tell you a mystery. Right there. Right then. Right in the middle of 3 a.m. Beside all the pain, physical and emotional . . . in the midst of wrenching grief, God was with me. . . ."


by Sylvia Lefort Masi. Taken from Get Well Wishes -- prayers, poems and blessings author -June Cotner. HarperCollins.

Sweet somthings

A few days ago I went to Mass in order to take the Sacrament of Communion to some people in a nearby hospital.
My parish priest took the time to say to me that it was so good of me to do this.
Of course he knew that the pleasure was just as much mine. However it was the kind word from someone to another that is the point here.

I wasn't feeling particuliarly enthused that cold, rainy evening to go to the hospital but after being praised by someone I look up to, I felt a warmth and energy come over me.

Love doesn't always require us to fast for a day or giving up a new purchase. Sometimes the best thing we can do for someone is to offer a kind word or sing their praises to them.

Could it be that Jesus who loves us more than anyone sings our praises everyday? Are you listening?

Can you hear him tell you how much he loves you?

How wonderful he thinks you are?

How talented you are?

How much he wants to help you?

How everything will work out?

How he is changing you each and every day?

That he will never leave you?

I think you can.

Say it clear

My wife and I watched the WYD mass at Randwick racecourse yesterday and we both felt an immense pride. It was great to see around five hundred thousand brothers and sisters gather to celebrate in my own country. Yet greater still was the sense of connection I felt with all these people from all around the world. I felt part of one big Catholic happy family. There was a sea of coloured flags from so many different nations and I truly felt a part of something so much bigger than my little parish. I could identify with the creed I recite every Sunday-we believe in one holy and apostolic church. When the media talks about religion not being as relevant to people today I was somewhat surprised to see so many attending this mass. Our beloved church is so full of young passion and commitment. Together there is nothing we cannot do. Say it clear and say it loud: I’m Catholic and I’m proud.

Not no way Jose.

Sometimes in life we can get discouraged to say the least. We may seem to feel overwhelmed by our circumstances and feel that we are trapped in by them. Not too unlike the enslaved Israelites in Egypt. We can look around and not see a way out of all our problems. We try too figure out with our finite minds how the problems are going to be resolved. Though we may not be able to see the way, God can. We may feel surrounded by problems but God will make a way. He parted their Red sea and he will do the same for you and I. We may not see it now, but he does. Let us not say No way Jose, but rather yes way His way. To be more succinct, Yahweh.