The Priesthood

In anticipation for my 35th anniversary tomorrow, I share this interesting quote, while encouraging everyone to pray for vocations. We are forever grateful for all those who appreciate the work of a parish priest.

If the priest preaches for over 10 minutes, he’s long-winded.
        If the sermon is short, he didn’t prepare it.
If he has fairs and bazaars, he’s bleeding the people,
        If he doesn’t, there is no life in the parish.
If he takes too long in the confessional to help and advise sinners, he’s too long,
        If he doesn’t, he’s not a good adviser.
If he celebrates Mass in a quite voice, he’s a bore.
        If he puts feeling into it, he’s an actor.
If he starts Mass on the minute, his watch is fast,
        If he starts Mass late, he’s holding up the congregation.
If he tries to lead the music, he’s showing off,
        If he doesn’t, he does not care much what Mass is like.
If he decorates the Church, he’s wasting money,
        If he doesn’t, he’s letting it run down.
If he keeps himself neat and tidy, he is showy and worldly.
         If not, they say he is dirty and lazy.
If he organizes games and activities for the youth, they consider him a playboy.
        If he doesn’t mix with the youth, they say he is old-fashioned.
If he gets involved with an apostolate among women, he is girl-crazy.
        If he doesn’t serve all the people, they consider him abnormal.
If he makes home visits, he’s a party animal.
        If he doesn’t, they accuse him of being a loner, and does not care for his parishioners.
If he is a good administrator, he is business-minded.
        If he doesn’t, they say he is careless, and does not really care about the Church.
If he preaches of social issues, they say he is meddling with politics.
        If he doesn’t, they accuse him of not being an honest citizen.
If he preaches well, he is trying to save the world with his theories.
        If he doesn’t preach well, he is ignorant and not updated
If he works a lot and prays little, he wastes too much time at work.
        If he spends time in prayer, he is a holy roller, but is abandoning the parish.
If he defends the teaching of the Church, he's looking to become a Monsignor or a Bishop.
       If he criticizes the Church’s stand, he is a rebel.
If he tries to be like the people, he is not acting Christ-like.
        If he doesn’t imitate the people, he is a hypocrite. 

If he’s young, he’s not experienced,   

        If he’s old, he should retire.
If he doesn’t imitate Jesus, he is no priest.
         If he imitates Jesus, he is trying to be popular. 

If he imitates Jesus too much, they will crucify him.
         And if he dies, there may be no one to replace him.
PLEASE PRAY FOR VOCATIONS !

Honoring Fathers

My father John in 1985

On this Father’s Day, I remember and pray for my father John who left us on January 4, 2002, to be joined by my mother Mary 8 years later, and my brother Paul a few months after that. In his funeral homily I said that “The tremendous amount of good that my father accomplished was done with sincere and genuine humility. Whether he was painting a room, or plastering a roof before the rainy season, whether he was decorating a cake or weeding a garden, whether he was ironing a mountain of clothes or preparing a rabbit or a chicken for us to eat, he did everything with a sincere interest, sheer joy and a total commitment.  In one of the letters he used to write to me every week, precisely on the occasion of my parents' 50th Anniversary in 1998, I remember my dad writing to me that the best thing that ever happened to him was when he met my mother. . . . . they knew each other since they were very young, and got married young too, but the way they raised our family is nothing short of a masterpiece. I do not say this just to show off, but those who knew him well, know exactly what I mean.” 

My mother and father in 1982 in front of the World Trade Center, NY

But our father’s image changes over the years. Just reflect on this list of remarks one would make about our fathers at different stages of our lives.
4 years - “My daddy can do anything.”
7 years - “My dad knows a lot, a whole lot!”
8 years: “My dad does not know quite everything.”
12 years: “Oh well, my father naturally does not know that either!”
14 years: “Oh father? He is hopelessly old-fashioned.”
21 years: “Oh, that man - he is out of date!”
25 years: “He knows a little bit abut it, but not much.”
30 years: “I must find out what dad thinks about this.”
35 years: “Before we decide, let’s get dad’s opinion first.”
50 years: “What would dad have thought about this?”
60 years: “My dad knew literally everything!”
65 years: “I wish I could talk it over with dad once more.”

Let us remember them, and cherish the wealth of wisdom they shared with us over the years.

Immaculate Heart of Mary

The day after the feast of Sacred Heart, we celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. On this occasion I share with you one of my favorite hymns that is used in the Breviary which the priests recite daily. This is taken from the hymn of the Morning Prayer of the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a poem whose text is attributed to Dominican sisters:
Mary the dawn, Christ the Perfect Day;
Mary the gate, Christ the Heavenly Way!

Mary the root, Christ the Mystic Vine;
Mary the grape, Christ the Sacred Wine!

Mary the wheat, Christ the Living Bread;
Mary the stem, Christ the Rose blood-red!

Mary the font, Christ the Cleansing Flood;
Mary the cup, Christ the Saving Blood!

Mary the temple, Christ the temple’s Lord;
Mary the shrine, Christ the God adored!

Mary the beacon, Christ the Haven’s Rest;
Mary the mirror, Christ the Vision Blest!

Mary the mother, Christ the mother’s Son;
By all things blest while endless ages run. Amen.

Sacred Heart

Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus goes back at least to the 11th century, but through the 16th century, it remained a private devotion, often tied to devotion to the Five Wounds of Christ. The first feast of the Sacred Heart was celebrated on August 31, 1670, in Rennes, France, through the efforts of Fr. Jean Eudes. From Rennes, the devotion spread, but it took the visions of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque for the devotion to become universal.
In all of these visions, in which Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary, the Sacred Heart of Jesus played a central role. The "great apparition," which took place on June 16, 1675, during the octave of the Feast of Corpus Christi, is the source of the modern Feast of the Sacred Heart. In that vision, Christ asked St. Margaret Mary to request that the Feast of the Sacred Heart be celebrated on the Friday after the octave (or eighth day) of the Feast of Corpus Christi, in reparation for the ingratitude of men for the sacrifice that Christ had made for them. The Sacred Heart of Jesus represents not simply His physical heart but His love for all mankind. The devotion especially emphasizes the unmitigated love, compassion, and long-suffering of the heart of Christ towards humanity.

"Sacred Heart of Jesus" by Pompeo Batoni

The devotion became quite popular after St. Margaret Mary's death in 1690, but, because the Church initially had doubts about the validity of St. Margaret Mary's visions, it wasn't until 1765 that the feast was celebrated officially in France. Almost 100 years later, in 1856, Pope Pius IX, at the request of the French bishops, extended the feast to the universal Church. It is celebrated on the day requested by our Lord - the Friday after the octave of Corpus Christi, or 19 days after Pentecost Sunday. Normally on the following day, on Saturday the church celebrates the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, walk with me today, and grant that I may hear your footsteps and see your footprints, and gladly follow where they may lead me. Talk with me today, and grant that I may hear Your tender voice, and listen to Your advice. 

Help me to feel Your presence in all the projects that I accomplish, in all the words that I say and in all the thoughts that cross my mind. Be my strength when I seem to weaken, and my courage when I start to be afraid. 

Help me to know that it is Your hand holding mine throughout all the minutes of all the hours of this day. And when night falls, grant that I may know that I am gathered to Your Sacred Heart to sleep in love and peace. AMEN.

St Anthony of Padua

St Anthony of Padua with the Child Jesus

St. Anthony of Padua was born August 15, 1195 near Lisbon, to a wealthy family and given the name Fernando. He was sent to the cathedral school in Lisbon, but in 1210, at the age of 15 he entered the Augustinian monastery of Sao Vicente in Lisbon, against the wishes of his family. But in their monastery near his native city he was distracted by visits from relatives and friends. After two years, Fernando asked to be transferred. He was sent to Holy Cross in Coimbra, a great center of learning and capital of Portugal at that time. He devoted the next eight years of his life to study and prayer, immersing himself in Sacred Scripture.

"St Anthony distributing bread" by Willem van Herp (1662)

When news of the Franciscan martyrs in Morocco reached him, he joined the Franciscan Order in 1221, when he was 26 years old. At his own request, he was sent as a missionary to Morocco with the mission of preaching among the Moors. He had to return to Europe because of ill health. After this, St Anthony was moved to Romagna (Italy) and spent 9 months as a chaplain to hermits. He was so modest that he thought nothing of spending his days carrying on the lowliest duties of the kitchen and convent. But the Lord had bigger plans for this holy man. At an ordination ceremony, the priest who was about to give the sermon fell ill suddenly and St Anthony was called upon to give the sermon in his place. Although he refused with humility at first, he eventually had to do so because of his vow of obedience to his superior. The rest as they say, is history!

The Basilica dedicated to St Anthony in Padua (Padova), Italy

The last two years of his life he spent in Padua, preaching, hearing confessions and working to help the poor. St. Anthony died on June 13th, 1231 at Arcella, a suburb of Padua in the apartment reserved for the chaplain of the sisterhood of Poor Clares of Arcella. There he received the last rites and died. He was only 36. Saint Anthony was canonized in 1232 by Pope Gregory IX and declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XII in 1946. He holds the record for the second fastest canonization in history: he was declared a saint 352 days after his death. In 1263, a basilica was built in his honor. He was above all the greatest preacher of the middle ages and one of the finest orators of all time. Today he is one of the most famous saints and is often called upon by Catholics to help find lost possessions. Saint Anthony of Padua is usually sculpted or portrayed holding the child Jesus, or a lily or a book, or all three, in his arms.

7 years in Baker City

Inside St Francis De Sales Cathedral, Christmas 2010

Today I conclude my 7th year here at the Cathedral in Baker City. Tomorrow I'll start my 8th year and hope to spend a few more years here, as long as the Bishop allows me. It has been a pleasant and spiritually-enriching experience for me personally, as it's been for the parishioners I met, both here in Baker City, as well as my mission churches of Unity, North Powder and Halfway, the last of which is still within our parish boundaries.

I pray that I can continue to serve my people and encourage them to to participate as fully and as enthusiastically as they can in the life of this parish. After leading the renovation project to coincide with the Cathedral's centennial in 2008, I am always happy to welcome visitors, new coverts and parishioners who have returned back to their second home. The Cathedral parish has served many needy families and will continue to be an example of faith, prayer and sincere commitment from everyone who has become a part of my own family. 

On my arrival on June 13, 2005

I am forever grateful for the Staff, members of various organizations, and ministers who serve at our celebrations, especially when the bishop is here during Holy Week, Christmas, ordinations, confirmations and other diocesan events. I look forward to welcome our new bishop Liam Cary on the weekend of June 30 and July 1, as he visits our cathedral for the first time.

Another great Maltese artist

Paul Camilleri Cauchi's painting of the Blessed Mother in Gharb, Gozo, (Malta)

During Lent, I shared with you the works of sculptor Michael Camilleri Cauchi, producing two beautiful statues of Jesus crowned with thorns, and another one of Jesus falling under the cross. His brother Paul is another accomplished artist in his own right, producing prolifically all over the island of Malta in various churches, painting ceilings, domes, and altar-pieces with exceptional creativity, color and movement. 

The Assumption of Mary in Cathedral Church, Rabat, Gozo, (Malta)

His style is evident from these paintings I here reproduce, all of which are photos I took in my recent visit to Malta. Along with my favorite Maltese painter Emvin Cremona, Paul Camilleri Cauchi has left his indelible mark all over the island of Malta, even though he is originally from the sister island Gozo, 5 miles northwest of Malta. Sacred art in Malta has become the envy of many other countries, thanks to these two and other artists.

Part of a ceiling of the Annunciation church in Balzan, Malta

Corpus Christi

From the Vatican Museums, a magnificent tapestry of the Last Supper

A very special day indeed for all Catholics, as we celebrate the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, known also as Corpus Christi. We remember that day when Jesus instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper, as we reflect on the poetic words written by St Thomas Aquinas in 1264 at the order of Pope Urban IV, in his sequence Lauda Sion Salvatorem.
Here are a few verses of this sequence, translated from the Latin original:
 

His own act, at supper seated
    Christ ordain'd to be repeated
    In His memory divine;
    Wherefore now, with adoration,
    We, the host of our salvation,
 
Consecrate from bread and wine.
    Hear, what holy Church maintaineth,
    That the bread its substance changeth
    Into Flesh, the wine to Blood.
    

Jesu, shepherd of the sheep:
    Thou thy flock in safety keep,
    Living bread, thy life supply:
    Strengthen us, or else we die,
    Fill us with celestial grace.
   
Thou, who feedest us below:
    Source of all we have or know:
    Grant that with Thy Saints above,
    Sitting at the feast of love,
    We may see Thee face to face.
    Amen. Alleluia.

The above photos is one of many I took while in Rome recently, many of which I will share with you over the next few months. This is a huge tapestry by Flemish craftsmen, hanging in one of the halls of the Vatican Museum. You can always click on the image to see it in more detail.

Corpus Christi procession

In anticipation of tomorrow’s solemn feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, also known as Corpus Christi, I share with you today a few photos I took back in 2008 during a procession in the town of Rabat in Malta.

During the morning procession in this particular town, the First Communion children also accompany the procession, as do priests, sisters and lay people, followed by a marching band playing Eucharistic hymns.

The Blessed Sacrament is carried by a local pastor, or was the case that year a visiting Bishop, accompanied by members of the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament, seen here in red capes, some of whom carry the baldacchino which is held above the monstrance with the Eucharist, carried by the bishop.

Churches are richly decorated with plenty of candles, tapestries, and all the church paraphernalia on display. Each parish in Malta would hold a procession with the Blessed Sacrament, some of them in the morning, others in the late afternoon.

Religious Orders - part 2

Trappist Monks (O.C.S.O.) of Spencer, Massachusetts

Here are  more acronyms of various Religious Orders:

S.A. - Franciscan Friars of the Atonement
F.M.S. - The Marist Brothers
S.C. - Society of the Sacred Heart
F.S.C - Brothers of the Christian School
S.C.J - Priests of the Sacred Heart
Glmy - The Glenmary Home Missions
S.D.B. - Society of Don Bosco (Salesians)
L.C. - Legionaires of Christ
S.J. - Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
M.M. - Maryknoll Missionaries
S.M. - Society of Mary (Marianists)
M.S. - Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette
S.M.A. - Society of African Missions
M.S.C. - Missionaries of the Sacred Heart
 

Capuchin Friars of the Renewal, (C.F.R.)

S.M.M. - Montfort Missionaries
M.S.P. - Missionaries of St Paul
S.P. - Servants of the Paraclete
O.Carm - Carmelite Fathers and Brothers
SS.CC. -Congreg of the Sacred Heart of Jesus & Mary
O.Cart - Order of the Carthusians
S.S.S. - Society of the Blessed Sacrament
O.C.D. - Order of Discalced Carmelites
S.X. - Xaverian Missionary Fathers
O.C.S.O - Order of the Cistercian of the Strict Observance (Trappists)
S.V.D. -Society of the Divine Word
T.O.R. - Third Order Regular (Lay Franciscans)
O.F.M. - Franciscan Friars
V.C. - Vincentian Congregation

Religious Orders - part 1

Frequently you come across various acronyms, usually after the names of Priests and Nuns. Some are very familiar, but many others are pretty vague, and people are left wondering what they mean. So, I compiled for you a list of Initials that relate to Religious Orders for men. Over the next few days, I’ll share with you a few more, as well as a list of Religious Orders for women, some of which may be similar.

Some members of religious orders with different robes, from years gone by.

C.F.C - Congregation of Christian Brothers
O.F.M. Cap - The Capuchin Friars
C.F.R - Franciscan Friars of the Renewal
O.F.M. - Conventual Franciscans
C.I.C.M. - Missionhurst Congregation
O.Mar - Order of the Maronite Monks
C.J. - Josephite Fathers
O.M.I. -Oblates of Mary Immaculate
C.J.M. - Congregation of the Mission
O.P. - Order of Preachers (Dominicans)
C.M.F. - Claretian Missionaries
O.S.A. - The Augustinians
C.M.I. - Carmelites of Mary Immaculate
O.S.B.M. -Order of St Basil the Great
C.O. - Oratorians

Various monks and saints of the Dominican Order (O. P.)

O.S.F. - Brothers of Third Order Franciscans
C.P. - Congregation of the Passion
O.S.J. - Oblates of St Joseph
C.P.M. - Congregation of the Fathers of Mercy
O.S.M. - Servites
C.S.B. - Basilian Fathers
O.S.P.P.E. - Pauline Fathers
C.S.C. - Congregation of the Holy Cross
O.SS.T. - Order of the Holy Trinity
C.S.P. - Paulist Fathers
P.I.M.E. -Pontifical Institute of Foreign Missions
C.S.Sp. - Holy Ghost Fathers
R.C.J.- Rogationist Fathers
C.SS.R. - Redemptorist Fathers
S.A. - Franciscan Friars of the Atonement

Maltese sacred architecture

One of the sculpted arches above one of the side altars

On my recent visit to Malta, I had the opportunity to visit many churches and take hundreds of photos of paintings, statues, as well as a sample of the typical Baroque architecture that dominates most churches. One particular church is St Mary's parish church in Birkirkara. It used to be the old parish church, until the bigger one of St Helena was built. Recently it was given the status of a parish once again, while over the past 40 years, much reconstruction was done inside the church, as you can see from these photos. 

A general view of the inside of the church

All architecture is made from locally-hewn limestone. The church is missing a dome, which may be re-built in the future years. Much of the work was done by local stone masons, led by Abraham Schembri. It is certainly one of the hidden gems of Maltese sacred architecture.

Another section of the apse above one of the side altars

The ornate facade of the same St Mary church in Birkirkara

Saint Boniface

SAINT BONIFACE was born in 680 in Devonshire, England. From the age of thirteen he was educated in the Benedictine monastery of Exeter, where he later became a monk.
He went to Rome to obtain the Pope's blessing on his mission to Germany. It was a slow and dangerous task. He destroyed the temples of idols and built churches instead. Once he cut down a huge oak that was dedicated to the god Jupiter, and then used the tree in building a church dedicated to St. Peter. Boniface was eventually sent to Rome where the Pope made him a bishop. He returned to Germany and started a number of dioceses, while correcting abuses and building more churches.
Once Boniface was in Holland converting a tribe of people. While he was waiting to administer Confirmation to some newly baptized Christians, a troop of pagans arrived.  He said to his Christian friends, "My children, do not resist." The pagans killed Boniface and 52 Christians who were with him on June 5, 755. He is well loved in Germany where he is regarded as the Patron Saint, also admired in England.

Say it more often !

These are some expressions we should say more often in our daily conversations. Whether at home, in a car, at school or at work, while relaxing or even at Church, this world would be a much better place if we were to use these expressions more frequently. We just have to remind ourselves and others....to say it more often !

"Thanks for working so hard for us, Dad.”
"Let's just stay home and enjoy each other."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean what I said."
"You're the best friend anyone could have."
"I'm not going out because I have to study."
"I'm not going; those guys are too wild for me."
"I'll buy it out of my own money."
"This parish is great."
"I like your sermons. They make me think."
"What a spectacular sunset ! Thank You God."
"I'll hold the door for you."
"You can have my seat if you want to."
"Let's see the movie of your choice tonight."
"Thank you for praying for me”
"Sure, I'll volunteer.”
"Let's visit your mother."
"That was a great dinner, Mom.”
"I'm glad I'm in this family."
"I'm glad I married you."
"Let's celebrate!"
"You're welcome."
"Thank You... I'm sorry....I love you !”
"Let's say grace together before we eat."
"Can I help you clean up the kitchen ?"
"It's OK. You can go ahead of me."
"Shouldn't we be more grateful to God.”
"Let's shut the TV off, and pray the Rosary."
"I appreciate your kindness."
"Thank you for calling me last night."
"Let me shovel some of the snow for you."
"Can I get you anything from the store."
"Do you have any letters to mail ?"
"Go ahead, watch whatever program you wish."
“Do you want to watch any other game?"
"If you're drinking, then I'll drive tonight."
"If you want, you can use our swimming pool."
"Let me help you clean up the basement."
"I'm very happy that I met you."
"That was a beautiful card you sent me."
"Thank you for understanding !"
"It's Sunday. Let's go to Church together."
"Thanks for visiting me in the hospital."
"I'll change the diaper !"
"I'll feed the baby today."

Holy Trinity

"Old Testament Trinity" by Andrei Rublev

The Rublev Icon of the Trinity is one of the most descriptive Icons ever created. It was painted by a Russian monk Andrei Rublev in 1411 and is presently seen at the Tretyakov State Gallery, Moscow, Russia. Shaped to fit into a perfect circle, the three figures who look like angels represent the Trinitarian Godhead, without beginning or end.
In Genesis chapter 18, the image of three mysterious angelic visitors is described as appearing to Abraham. Rublev created this Icon, giving the angels thin staffs to symbolize authority, and each wearing blue plus other colors, sitting around a table with a chalice like bowl in the center. It is named the “Old Testament Trinity.”
 
The one of the left is the Father….”in my Father’s house there are many mansions” – notice the tower behind him. The center angel is Christ, with two fingers blessing the offerings, and also to symbolize the human and divine natures. The tree behind him foreshadows the tree of life and the  tree on which he was crucified.
The third angel on the right is the Holy Spirit, dressed in green and blue, symbolic of life. A mountain is behind him, where Moses received the 10 commandments, where Jesus was transfigured, Sinai and Tabor respectively. An open space in the center is an invitation for us to join this mystery draped in the theology of color and arranged in a geometry of grace.

Pope John Paul II had special devotion to this Icon, and besides the image of the Black Madonna of Czestochowa, this is the only other image he had in his bedroom at the Vatican. He also dedicated the last three years of the last millennium to the Holy Trinity respectively, 1998 to Jesus, 1999 to the Holy Spirit and 2000 to God the Father.

NY Mets no-hitter

Amazing front page of the NY Post of June 2, 2012

We waited 51 years for this bit of news, and since I’ve been a die-hard New York Mets fan since I arrived in New York in 1981, it is very appropriate to share this incredible news. For the first time in their history, and after 8,019 games, a Mets pitcher has thrown a no-hitter. The pitcher is Johan Santana, a native Venezuelan who has already pondered retirement after an injury side-lined him for a few months. But yesterday, June 1st, 2012 will be forever etched in Mets history as a truly historic date. After the likes of Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Dwight Gooden, Ron Darling, David Cone, Pedro Martinez, and another 250 pitchers have not been able to throw a no-hitter, Johann did just that on a historic Friday night. For those European visitors to this blog, a no-hitter happens when a pitcher throws at 27 batters in a game and no one gets a hit off him. And that’s what happened yesterday, even though Johann was helped with some incredible catches in the outfield by the other players. Which comes to show that baseball is a team sport. A no-hitter is not rare, and in fact there are on average two or three no-hitters every year, but the Mets have incredibly never got one, until yesterday. The only other team now without a no-hitter are the San Diego Padres.

The full 1986 New York Mets team that won the World Series.

To add a little trivia to this story, back in 1986, the NY Mets invited me to give them the Blessing and Invocation at the annual dinner they host for the fans in January, just before the players leave for spring training. And as I sat on the dais with the likes of Gary Carter, Darryl Strawberry, Jesse Orosco, Bobby Ojeda, and so many others, I prayed that they would hit timely home-runs in the bottom of the 9th and eventually win the World Series. And sure enough, my prayers have been answered, because that same year, the New York Mets were crowned World Series Champions. Of course I cannot take any credit for the victory, but I guess every little prayer helped, including my blessing and Benediction on the team.

ABCs of Commitment

I open my heart and my mind to be aware of the ABCs which will lift my spirits up day by day.
 

"Christ the Teacher" by Maltese artist Emvin Cremona at Hamrun church, Malta

Almighty Creator of the Universe, who created all that we have and cherish.
Beloved Father, God of compassion.
Create in me a clean heart this day, to love you more.
Deliver me from the limitations of my ego.
Exalt your presence in my mind, and keep me always focused on You.
Forgive all that I have done against You, myself and others.
Grant me peace, and grant peace to all the world.
Hold me steadfastly within the boundaries of your truth.
Inspire my heart to know You better, my ears to hear You, and my eyes to recognize You.
Justify me in the presence of all enemies.
Knead my heart with works of kindness and acts of humility.
Let no harm befall me or my loved ones.
May all I do or say glorify You, and never let any word of mine ever hurt You.
Nourish me with Your Wisdom and Knowledge.
Open my eyes to know your vision of truth.
Purge my heart of all things that are offensive to your law.
Quiet my soul in the midst of confusion and temptation.
Renew my commitment to You.
Save me from my secret fears.
Teach me to trust You at all times.
Use all You have given me to serve You.
Victory for Your cause is my desire.
Walk with me so that my strength will never be diminished.
Xamine my heart continually.
Your Love and Grace are my good fortune.
Zealously, I commit my life to serving you faithfully and dutifully.
 

Until today, you may not have been aware of the power of knowing the alphabet. Just for today, practice in making each letter of the alphabet come alive in your life.