Tag: 5 Reading and Reflection

The Nativity- A Universal Story

Posted: by Steven Hepburn

The Nativity- A Universal Story

In which I reflect upon the appeal that the narrative of the journey to Bethlehem, the rejection by the Inn and the birth of Jesus has to those who are not necessarily Christian because it is an archetypal tale.

There are, I think, two chief elements which combine to universalise the appeal of the Nativity narrative and they are both centered on the figure of Mary. Firstly and necessarily she is pregnant. There are relatively few “journey” stories which feature pregnant women for reasons too numerous to list. One factor would be that pregnancy itself is a journey. Whether our Lady travelled to Bethlehem or not a child would have been born to her, her life would have been transformed. The external details of the trip are simply a reflection in the outer world of a development which in any event was taking place in her inner world. ….

Sponsor a Child – Practice Compassion

Posted: by Virginia Lieto

What a difference you could make if you were to sponsor a child! It is within your power to alleviate the suffering of a child.

Sponsor a Child

Back in 2005, we had a visiting priest come and speak to our parish about the opportunity to sponsor a child in a third world country, where living conditions were deplorable, yet the faith was ablaze. After Mass, I stopped by the table. I saw this picture of a small little Guatemalan girl, named Heydi, age 7. She was dressed in a simple little dress, yet she had no smile. She stole my heart! I immediately entered her sphere of suffering and wanted to do whatever I could to alleviate that suffering. There were many pictures on the table of children in need just like Heydi, but for some reason it was… Read more…

Embracing Compassion – Step into the Suffering

Posted: by Virginia Lieto

Does embracing compassion come easy to you? Or, do fears, doubts and past hurts get in your way and inhibit you from alleviating the suffering of others?

Embracing compassion: “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matt 25:40). Do you need any additional rationale for embracing compassion? When you care for those who suffer, you minister to the Lord, Himself! Jesus states this exhortation slightly differently, yet appeals with the same message in Matt 10:42 where He says, “ And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple – amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.” Jesus is telling us that we have each been called to be compassionate to our fellow man, in the same manner as Jesus demonstrated compassion during His time on earth.
As humans, we are, by nature, social beings, meant to live in communion with each other. Therefore, we are called by Christ to have…Read more… 

Advent- The Final Countdown

Posted: by Steven Hepburn

Advent- The Final Countdown

In which I blog about the scorn poured on the idea of a Second Coming of Jesus and about how we should prepare for it.

“One day we shall encounter Him as He is, human and divine, and we shall do so face to face. This will not be a different Jesus from the Son of Mary, from the teacher who walks through the pages of the Gospel, from the One we encounter in the Eucharist. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.The most important question when that encounter takes place is not ‘will I be punished?’ or ‘will I be rewarded?’ It is ‘will my heart leap for joy, will my love for Him burst forth from me?”

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What is Christ-like Compassion?

Posted: by Virginia Lieto

What is Christ-like compassion? How often do we act like the Good Samaritan in our everyday lives? Are we good at expressing pity, but not compassion?

Compassion is defined as the desire to alleviate the suffering of another; to give care and concern. Compassion differs from pity in that compassion requires an act of charity, whereas pity requires only a feeling of sorrow for someone else’s suffering/situation. To have true compassion for someone means that you step into the sphere of suffering, without forming judgment, and you do what you can to alleviate the suffering of someone else. Sounds a little Christ-like, doesn’t it? Read more…

Practicing Gentleness – A Treasured Virtue

Posted: by Virginia Lieto

Practicing gentleness requires strength. Sounds contradictory doesn’t it, since most people equate gentleness with weakness?

Practicing gentleness first requires an assessment of one’s own behavior. Truthfulness and self-awareness should be at the heart of this assessment. If you determine that you are routinely aggressive, or overly assertive, than gentleness is needed. Expressions of aggressive behavior are emotionally based, not reason based, where decisions and reactions stem from emotion, not facts.

How many times have you watched the Dr. Phil show and heard him say to someone acting in an aggressive or overly assertive manner, “How’s that been working for you?” He knows that aggressive/overly-assertive behavior does not produce wanted results.

Practicing gentleness requires…Read more…

Gentleness – For Some a Struggle

Posted: by Virginia Lieto

How can embracing gentleness change your life? Why is embracing gentleness so important? Embracing gentleness can only lead to good things in your life. I speak from experience.

Before retiring from the bank auditing profession to go back to school to obtain my Masters in Pastoral Theology, I was an over-achieving technology audit manager who sought excellence in all that I did, and also sought excellence from all those who worked for me and with me. Because of my good track record of job performance, I had been tapped to lead a very special project that would impact the working style and quality of my entire team of approximately 50 people. I took this responsibility very seriously. I had an intense passion for the work, and especially the work ethic. Well, I got the job done, and after it was all over, Read more…

Gentleness – A Christ-like Attribute

Posted: by Virginia Lieto

What does it mean to express gentleness towards others? Is it a sign of weakness, or a sign of strength? You be the judge.

Gentleness is not only a fruit of the Spirit, but it is also the state of possessing a kind, amiable, mild-tempered nature, where one judges conscience by reason rather than by passion. A gentle person prudently forms judgments logically rather than impulsively. To express gentleness, we must articulate our points in a respectful, gentle tone. We must use our reason to assess actions, while at the same time holding our emotions at bay. Read more…

Practice Respect – Do You Do It?

Posted: by Virginia Lieto

Practicing Respect – what does that mean to you? Do you offer respect to someone when you see them making a stupid or erroneous decision? Practicing respect gets easier once we acknowledge that everyone has been created in the image and likeness of God, AND once we acknowledge that our neighbor has the right to make his/her own choices, even when we personally would not make the same choice. That’s what free will is all about. If God can respect our own individual free will, and allow each of us to make, what may seem to others to be, stupid or erroneous mistakes, then we must respect the choices of others. Read more…

Veterans and Your Families – Thank You

Posted: by Virginia Lieto

Veterans and your families: A huge thank you for your service and sacrifice. Thank you for your fortitude, commitment, leadership, courage, bravery and willingness to serve on our behalf. You are a virtuous group of people. May Our Lord bless you and your families on this day. May we as Americans, never forget the sacrifice you paid to maintain our freedom. May we never take you or our freedom for granted. God bless you! – Virginia Lieto