“Heavenly King, Comforter Spirit of Truth, who are ev’rywhere present and filling all things, Treasury of Blessings and Giver of Life, come and dwell within us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls o gracious one.”
HAPPY PENTECOST SUNDAY!
The commemoration of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and the Mother of God. Pentecost is also the mission in the world, and for christian unity within the diversity of nations, languages, and cultures.
Troparion: (Tone 8)
Blessed are you, O Christ God. You have shown the fishermen to be all-wise, sending down upon them the Holy Spirit. Through them you have caught the whole world in your net. O Lover of us all, glory to you!”
Kontakion:
“When the Most High descended and confused tongues, he scattered nations. When he distributed the tongues of fire, he called all to unity. We also, with one voice, glorify the Most Holy Spirit.”
More spacious than the heavens…
Photo by totoksks
Photo from Orthphoto.net
Silent Service to Answer Prayers.
Living in was has been an extreme catholic experience for the pass year, my current journey has made me struggle with my faith and my beliefs. While my roommate loves to talk about God all the time which includes movies and music. While I enjoy the conversation, I would love to talk about current events, games, and other things that are happening in the world. As the topics never changes, I continue to struggle with my connection to see if I am good enough for God or am I just not good enough for the person. While I can not just throw out how I feel (for the right words never seem to get out) I simply just follow the words of my grandmother “silent service.” She always expressed that we should all show kindness to others by giving yourself and your time without any reward in return.
This silent service always brings me to these words in the bible
“But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” Matthew 6:6
My inner room always seems to be the kitchen where the dishes continue to stack up to the sky. While I would easily complain about them to my roommate, I simply accept the cross and move on. While it never gets noticed that I have done most of the work in the apartment that I have been living in for the past year, I do not expect any reward in return but a clean home :) (Which we should all strive for) But continue to ask in prayer to God “Why me?!”
The answer came to me:
As I was getting my cup of coffee at the cafe this morning I heard the words “Pray like its all up to God and Work like its all up to You!” These words struck me as I began to think that my prayer was simply not going to give everything that I wanted. I was given the opportunity to ask for guidance and work through my struggle/cross.
God doesn’t give you anything you can’t handle, but I wish he didn’t trust me this much. I find myself as the end of dark dirt road, but with a small light at end this time. For now I know that this cross I have been carrying will soon lead me to the truth and to the end of this struggling journey.
I wish you all the best this day and pray that you remember that prayer is more than just asking for you want right now. :)
(Source: verbumcarofactumest)
So, I just want to show off some work I have done.
Annually at my college, we hold what is called a Jesus All-Nighter.
Basically, we open with a mass, and then expose Christ in the Blessed Sacrament for the next 24 hours, and finish off with mass to close.It’s a beautiful thing. Actually, it is fantastic! We do a variety of events from the Divine Mercy Concert, Faith Sharing, and Glowing Night Rosary (which is saying the rosary on the soccer field by walking from giant glow stick to giant glow stick). Not to mention we also do Praise and Worship, Pizza with the Padre, and so much more!
So these are the social media ads I made for it and I must say that I am rather proud of them and I hope you enjoy them for what they are.
God bless y’all!
Live Jesus!
“When tempted, invoke your Angel. he is more eager to help you than you are to be helped! Ignore the devil and do not be afraid of him: He trembles and flees at the sight of your Guardian Angel.” - St. John Bosco
Bright Monday and Bright Tuesday Tradition.
At the end of the celebration of the Divine Liturgy the young and young at heart participate in an old tradition of throwing water at each other. It is a symbolic reminder of our own baptism in the spirit.
“All you who have been baptized in Christ have put on Christ! Alleluia!”
CHRIST IS RISEN! INDEED HE IS RISEN!
“Although you descended into the grave, O Immortal One, you destroyed Hades’ power. You arose as a victor, O Christ God. You exclaimed to the myrrh-bearing women: Rejoice! You gave peace to you apostles and granted resurrection to the fallen.”
Holy and Great Friday:
According to local custom, the procession with the burial shroud takes place while the people sing:
“The Noble Joseph took down from the cross Your most pure body. Anointing it with spices, he wrapped it in pure linen, and placed it in a new tomb.”
The procession ends at the grave where the priest places the burial shroud, incenses it, and venerates it.
(Pictures were taken from my home parish: St. Elias Byzantine Catholic Church - Carteret NJ)
