If Jesus came to your house today....

As we reflect this Sunday on the beautiful story of the encounter of the Emmaus disciples with Jesus, let us ask ourselves what would we do if Jesus knocked on our door, and asked to stay with us for a day or two........but read on......and sincerely reflect on each verse.

If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two –

If he came unexpectedly, I wonder what you’d do. 

Oh, I know you’d give your nicest room to such an honored Guest, 

And all the food you’d serve Him would be the very best, 

And you would keep assuring Him you’re glad to have Him there - 

That serving Him in your home is a joy beyond compare.

But – when you saw Him coming, would you meet Him at the door 

With arms outstretched in welcome to your Heav’nly Visitor?

Or would you have to change your clothes before you let Him in, 

Or hide some magazines, and put the Bible where they’d been? 

Would you turn off the radio and hope He hadn’t heard, 

And wish you hadn’t uttered that last, loud, hasty word?

Would you hide your worldly music and put some hymn books out? 

Could you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about? 

And I wonder – if the Savior spent a day or two with you, 

Would you go right on doing the things you always do? 

Would you go right on saying the things you always say? 

Would life for you continue as it does from day to day?

Would your family conversation keep its usual pace, 

Or would you find it hard at each meal to say table grace? 

Would you sing the songs you always sing, and read the books you read, 

And let Him know the things on which your mind and spirit feed? 

Would you take Jesus with you everywhere you’d planned to go, 

Or would you, maybe, change your plans for just a day or so?

Would you be glad to have Him meet your very closest friends, 

Or would you hope they stay away until His visit ends? 

Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on, 

Or would you sigh with great relief when He at last was gone? 

It might be interesting to know the things that you would do, 

If Jesus came in person to spend some time with you.

St Catherine of Siena

Clemente de Torres - Mystic Marriage of St Catherine of Siena

St. Catherine of Siena was born during the outbreak of the plague in Siena, Italy on March 25, 1347. She was the 25th child born to her mother, although half of her brothers and sisters did not survive childhood. Catherine herself was a twin, but her sister did not survive infancy. Her mother was 40 when she was born. Her father was a cloth dyer. Catherine was raised up to be the guide and guardian of the Church in one of the darkest periods of its history, the fourteenth century. As a child, prayer was her delight. When only seven years old, she made a vow of virginity, and afterwards endured bitter persecution for refusing to marry. Our Lord gave her his heart in exchange for her own, communicated her with his own hands, and stamped on her body the print of his wounds. At the age of fifteen she entered the Third Order of Saint Dominic, but continued to reside in her father’s shop, where she united a life of active charity with the prayer of a contemplative saint. From this obscure home the seraphic virgin was summoned to defend the Church’s cause. Armed with papal authority, and accompanied by three confessors, she travelled through Italy, reducing rebellious cities to the obedience of the Holy See, and winning hardened souls to God. In the face well-nigh of the whole world she sought out Pope Gregory XI at Avignon, brought him back to Rome, and by her letters to the kings and queens of Europe made good the papal cause. She was the counsellor of Pope Urban VI, and sternly rebuked the disloyal cardinals who had part in electing an anti-pope. Day and night she wept and prayed for unity and peace. But the devil excited the Roman people against the Pope, so that some sought the life of Christ’s Vicar. Her prayers helped bring some semblance of peace. She also established a monastery for women in 1377 outside of Siena. She is credited with composing over 400 letters, her Dialogue, which is her definitive work, and her prayers. These works are so influential that St. Catherine would later be declared a Doctor of the Church. By 1380, the 33-year-old mystic had become ill, possibly because of her habit of extreme fasting. Her confessor, Raymond, ordered her to eat, but she replied that she found it difficult to do so, and that possibly she was ill. In January of 1380, her illness accelerated her inability to eat and drink. Within weeks, she was unable to use her legs. She died on April 29, aged 33, following a stroke just a week prior. St. Catherine is the patroness against fire, illness, Italy, miscarriages, people ridiculed for their faith, and nurses.

Saying the Rosary - part 2

Miracle at Cana stained glass at St Mary's, Manhasset, NY

Here is the continuation of the Mysteries of the Rosary started yesterday. The idea once again is very simple. I am suggesting adding a simple phrase after the word ‘Jesus’ in the Hail Mary. Here is the first Hail Mary in full, repeated 10 times after the First Luminous Mystery. Then follows the phrase to add after the word Jesus for each of the other 9 remaining mysteries.

1^st Luminous Mystery: The Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist - Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus, baptized in the Jordan River. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

2^nd Luminous Mystery – Miracle at Cana in Galilee: .......Jesus, who changed the water into wine.

3^rd Luminous Mystery – The proclamation of the Kingdom: ......Jesus, who proclaimed the Kingdom of God.

4^th Luminous Mystery – The Transfiguration: .....Jesus, who was transfigured on Mount Tabor (with Moses and Elijah.)

5^th Luminous Mystery – The Institution of the Eucharist: .....Jesus, who gave us His Body and Blood in the Eucharist.

1^st Glorious Mystery – The Resurrection: .......Jesus, who rose from the dead for our sakes.

2^nd Glorious Mystery – The Ascension of Jesus: ....Jesus, who ascended into Heaven.

3^rd Glorious Mystery – The Descent of the Holy Spirit: .....Jesus, who sent the Holy Spirit on the apostles.

4^th Glorious Mystery – The Assumption of Mary: ......Jesus, who raised you to Heaven body and soul.

5^th Glorious Mystery – The Coronation of Mary: .....Jesus, who crowned you Queen of Heaven and Earth.

Saying the Rosary - part 1

The Rosary - stained glass at St Mary's Manhasset, NY

May I suggest a new way to say the Hail Mary during the Rosary, so that it will feel less monotonous, as some people claim. The idea is very simple. I am suggesting adding a simple phrase after the word ‘Jesus’ in the Hail Mary. Here is the first Hail Mary in full, repeated 10 times after the First Joyful Mystery. Then follows the phrase to add after the word Jesus for each of the other 19 mysteries. Luminous and Glorious Mysteries tomorrow.

1^st Joyful Mystery: Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

2^nd Joyful Mystery – the Visitation: ....Jesus, whom you carried in your womb as you visited Elizabeth.

3^rd Joyful Mystery – The Birth of Jesus:....Jesus, born in the stable of Bethlehem.

4^th Joyful Mystery – The Presentation: ......Jesus, who was presented to the Father in the temple.

5^th Joyful Mystery – The Finding in the Temple: .......Jesus, who taught the Teachers in the temple.

1^st Sorrowful Mystery – The Agony in the Garden: ......Jesus, who passed through his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.

2^nd Sorrowful Mystery – The Flogging at the pillar: .....Jesus, who was flogged for our own sins.

3^rd Sorrowful Mystery – The Crowning of Thorns: ......Jesus, who was crowned with thorns.

4^th Sorrowful Mystery – Carrying of the Cross: ......Jesus, who carried the cross on his back.

5^th Sorrowful Mystery – The Crucifixion: ......Jesus, who died for us on the Cross.

Ingo and Poldi

Poldi, the owlet and Ingo, the German Shepherd

Yet another heart-warming story about animals. When humans misbehave with conflict, violence and wars, I always turn to our animals and one can always find something touching and inspirational. In their silence and humility, they can always teach us something positive and good. For years, photographer Tanja Brandt has made it her mission to capture magnificent photos of animals and wildlife. Recently, the German artist found a new challenge when she photographed the unique bond between two unlikely friends: Ingo, a Belgian shepherd, and Poldi (Napoleon), a one-year-old owlet. 

The owlet and canine have a special “protector-protected” relationship and that their affection towards each other couldn’t be any more evident. Ingo lovingly guards Poldi, who apparently “doesn’t know how to live free.”The owlet hatched two days after his six brothers and sisters, therefore, has always been very vulnerable due to his small size. Comparatively, Ingo was raised by a family of strong, and oftentimes ruthless, police dogs.“They respect each other and they can read each other,” says the photographer.

A master craftsman

Edward Azzopardi in front of some replicas of banners he crafted himself.

I want to introduce to you today a young master craftsman who does incredibly delicate work with a simple surgical knife. He works mainly with paper or cardboard, but he also has done etching on glass as well as delicate and intricate work on wood or plywood. He is Edward Azzopardi, who teaches Graphical Communication (Technical Drawing) in a local Secondary School. He is a member of a local Band Club, Peace Band Club of Naxxar and does a lot of work for this club, including designing and crafting many of the colourful banners that are displayed during the week-long celebration of Our Lady of Victory each year in his local town in the first week of September. 

Edward at work with his surgical knife, a work of utmost precision.

With utmost dexterity and meticulous precision, Edward manoeuvres his knife to cut various shapes and designs, which he then highlights with colored pencils to create one masterpiece after another. I was impressed with the humility of Edward, as is the case with most artists and craftsmen, who are usually shy and let their masterpieces speak.

Our Lady of Victory banner

Replica of the altar gate at Naxxar parish church.

More interesting quotes

The 7 ages of man: Spills, Drills, Thrills, Bills, Pills, Ills, Wills.

Advice is very much like snow – the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon and the deeper it sinks into the mind. – Coleridge.

There’s no sort of work that could ever be done well if you minded what fools say. – George Eliot.

Never trouble trouble, till trouble troubles you. You’ll only double trouble and trouble others too.

Errors should be reasons for growth, not excuses for discouragement.

The human race is divided into two classes: those who go ahead and do things, and those who sit still and ask: “Why wasn’t it done the other way?”

There are only two rules for good manners: One is: always think of others, and the other is: never think of yourself.

Divine Mercy

The painting of Divine Mercy done by Adolf Hyla in 1943

The Sunday after Easter will always be known as Divine Mercy Sunday, as people pray the novena handed down to us by St Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun and visionary, who was pushed away by many church authorities in her time and after her death. But Pope St John Paul, a Polish himself, re‑opened her case and authenticated her visions, and even canonized her in the year 2000, precisely on Divine Mercy Sunday. The faithful pray the novena by reciting 50 times "For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world." The image of Jesus with white and red rays coming out of his heart has become a popular image among devout Catholics, after it being condemned for many years. The original painting was painted by Eugeniusz Kazimirowski in 1934 with Sister Faustina's instructions and before her death in 1938. Another popular version of the painting was done by Adolf Hyła painted in 1943.

The statue of the Risen Christ at Naxxar parish church.

May the mercy of God help those who are searching for direction, and may the Risen Christ encourage us with visions of hope, peace and joy.

Quotes on Children

Nothing helps a child more than a tap on the back, as long as it’s given often enough, hard enough and low enough. – Archbishop Fulton Sheen.

Every child comes into the world with the message that God is not discouraged of man yet. – Rabindranath Tagore.

COURAGE is bringing a child into the world, feeding him and clothing him, caring for him and worrying about him, disciplining him and educating him, preparing him to the best of your ability for the life he is going to lead. And then letting him live it.

The most deadly of all possible sins is the mutilation of a child’s spirit. – Erik Erikson.

A baby is God's personal opinion that the world should go on.

Fatima children to be Saints

Francisco and Jacinta to be canonized May 13, 2017.

Pope Francis on Thursday announced his intention to canonize Francisco and Jacinta Marto, the shepherd children and visionaries of Fatima, when he visits the famed place in May to mark the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Mary on the site. Francisco, 11, and Jacinta, 10, became the youngest non-martyr children in the history of the Church when they were beatified May 13, 2000, by Pope John Paul II.
The brother and sister, who tended to their family’s sheep with their cousin Lucia Santo in the fields of Fatima, Portugal, witnessed the apparitions of Mary now commonly known as Our Lady of Fatima. During the first apparition, which took place May 13, 1917, Our Lady asked the three children to pray the Rosary and make sacrifices for the conversion of sinners. The children did this and were known to pray often, giving their lunch to beggars and going without food themselves. They offered up their sacrifices and even refrained from drinking water on hot days. When Francisco and Jacinta became seriously ill with the Spanish flu in October 1918, Mary appeared to them and said she would take them to heaven soon. Bed-ridden, Francisco requested and received his first Communion. The following day, Francisco died, April 4, 1919. Jacinta suffered a long illness and was eventually transferred to a Lisbon hospital, where she underwent an operation for an abscess in her chest. However, her health did not improve and she died Feb. 20, 1920. Lucia survived and lived a long life as a Carmelite nun, seeing more apparitions of the Blessed Mother. She met many of the Popes, to whom she entrusted with the Secret of Fatima. She died in 2004, aged 97.

Interesting Quotes

Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and winds long to play with your hair. – Kahlil Gibran.

Do not follow where the path leads; rather go where there is no path and leave a trail. –Thoreau

You use a glass mirror to see your face. You use works of art to see your soul. – G.B. Shaw.

There is no amount of joy and happiness you can achieve, no amount of work you can accomplish, as long as you don’t mind who gets the credit.

Great ideas need a landing gear, as well as wings. That is to control them and to start them off.

4 Bodies

This is a story about 4 people, Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job to be done, and Everybody was asked to do it. Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it. But Nobody did it. Somebody got very angry about that, because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it. But Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when actually Nobody asked Anybody.

Someone else said once that if you want something done properly, give it to a busy person, and he/she will find the time and energy to do it, as busy as they may be. My personal suggestion is: if you want something done, do it yourself.

More flash-backs from Holy Week

The Altar of Repose at my chapel at Hilltop Gardens

There was so much to share during Holy Week, that I had to add at least one more post with various decorations. displays and exhibitions all over the Maltese islands. Most of these were displayed only for one week, normally from Palm Sunday until Easter, but were all worth a visit, and a few photos to remember them for posterity.

One of the elaborate exhibits with statues of the Passion of Christ

Caravaggio's 'Eucharist at Emmaus' made from salt and semolina

Another display with more statuettes of the Passion of Christ

A church on Good Friday, with no decorations.

More from Holy Week and Easter

The Risen Christ at the Valletta procession

There was so much to absorb during Holy Week here in Malta, and so I share a few more photos from my perspective and from my camera angle, which people seem to enjoy. After the Good Friday processions, which were solemn, somber and reverent, a festive procession with the statue of the Risen Christ was held yesterday in many villages. 

From Good Friday suffering to Easter Joy

During the Easter season, a custom is kept that all the parish priests and pastors visit families for the annual Easter house blessing. Some parishes extend it throughout the year in the form of family visits so that they can have more time to talk with parents and help in any issues that may arise in their pastoral interaction.

An impressive crucifix I found at an exhibition

An exhibition with over 200 crucifixes

Resurrection

The Resurrection is the supreme sign of every Christian that God does indeed act in this world to bring good out of evil…..His rising from the dead is proof enough of this. But there’s more proof….just look around you everywhere.

He brings a prayerful life to someone searching for meaning and direction….

He brings patience to those who are always worried and uptight….

He brings Victory out of defeat…..

He brings Joy to those who cannot seem to smile anymore….

He brings a beautiful baby to her who was premeditating an abortion….

He brings light to those who are still living in darkness….

He brings enlightenment to those couples whose marriage has become more of a struggle than a joy…..

He brings hope out of despair…..

He brings new life to those worried about dying….

He brings peace to this world ravaged with wars, fighting and oppression….He brings Love and reconciliation to those who may have been harboring thoughts of revenge and hate……

He brings Optimism in a world tormented by pessimism.

May the Easter blessings come upon all of you who visit this blog, and may the joy we experience today, remain with us all year long, especially with those who have suffered so much in their lives. May the Light of Christ illumine their every way, and lead them to happier days ahead.

                             Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Good Friday procession

The statue of the Agony in the Garden

Yesterday was a solemn day in the streets of the Maltese islands as quite a few parishes organized Good Friday processions through the streets of their respective towns and villages. I followed the procession at Naxxar and here are just a few photos of what was a very solemn and reverent display of the passion and death of Jesus Christ.

The High priests Annas and Caiaphas

Hundreds of local folks took part in these processions, which included various Old Testament and New Testament characters, Roman soldiers and at least 10 live size statues depicting the last few hours of our Savior. Now the pain, the darkness and the suffering of Lent and Holy Week turns into Easter joy.

The statue of the Crucifixion

Three Roman soldiers

The Entombment of Jesus

Our Lady of Sorrows passes by the church

Altars of Repose

Altar of Repose at Naxxar parish church

Behold some of the most beautifully decorated Altars of Repose in some of the Maltese churches. These photos were taken on Holy Thursday evening or Good Friday morning when throngs of people go and pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament, reserved overnight in a special place decorated with flowers, candles, angels and other symbols connected to the Eucharist. Every parish and just about every church and chapel prepares this special altar, with the flowers used later on for the Easter season.

Altar of Repose at the old St Julian's church

Altar of Repose at St Dominic's church in Valletta

The last photo shows me during the foot-washing ceremony at my Hilltop Gardens chapel during the Mass, with the simple altar of repose on the right hand side.

Holy Thursday Mass at Resurrection chapel

Maltese Craftsmen 2

Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane with two angels

Today I introduce a friend of mine and prolific craftsman with his hands and his time. Chris Micallef started very young at his interest of forming statues with clay. Over the years he must have formed scores of statuettes, mostly saints and Holy Week characters which he also painted and set up in their environment with appropriate surroundings. His current exhibition is set up at his parents’ home and besides the replicas of the Good Friday statues, it includes a miniature church, complete with a main altar, 8 side altars and another set of even smaller Holy Week statues. 

Chris next to his miniature church

Chris works as a restorer at Palazzo Parisio in Naxxar, making sure this ornate palace is always at its very best for visitors and tourists to admire. He is also responsible for the upkeep of the old St Julian’s church which he decorates with friends according to the liturgical season, including an elaborate altar of repose set up for today Holy Thursday.

Statuettes of the Flogging and the 'Ecce Homo'

The Last Supper display

Maltese craftsmen 1

The Agony in the Garden, a set of three statuettes by Shawn Saliba

I introduce you today and tomorrow to two young artists and craftsmen who have created beautiful statues, artwork and all kinds of statuettes from clay, terracotta and other material. Today we meet Shawn Saliba whom I met during an exhibition of some of his works, during this Holy Week, known for the many exhibitions held throughout the Maltese Islands.

The young artist Shawn Saliba in front of three of his works

Sorrowful Mother, a bas-relief terracotta by Shawn Saliba

Miniature statues

Here are some miniature statues on display in various Holy Week exhibitions held all around Malta. Many young artists and craftsmen showcase their works in several places, especially in church halls, but also in their own private homes.

A customary set of statues are always carried out in processions on Good Friday, and young artists minitiarize them and display them for the public to see and admire.

More to come over the next few days. Please click to enlarge and see a better resolution of each photo. The above were taken at a Birkirkara St Joseph the Worker parish hall.

The Cross on the altar

The church at Naxxar. Good Friday statues are also displayed on the sides.

It is customary in Maltese churches that the Cross is placed on the main altar during the Lenten season. It is usually a large life-size crucifix, which in some parishes is taken down on Good Friday during the afternoon service, and placed on a bed with the hands of Jesus folded down on the sides. 

The old St Julian's, Lapsi church decorated on Palm Sunday.

As you can see from these two churches, the imposing figure of the crucified Jesus dominates the main altar and provides a perfect atmosphere for meditation on His passion and death, especially during Holy Week. Side walls are also decorated with black tapestry, which are taken down after Good Friday and usually replaced with red tapestry for the Easter season.