Praying for Vocations

This 4th Sunday of Easter is traditionally known as the Good Shepherd Sunday as the readings present Jesus as our Good Shepherd. As a consequence, the church has included this day to be a day for prayers for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life.  So I share today this prayer for Vocations:

O God, Father of all Mercies, Provider of a bountiful Harvest,
send Your Graces upon those You have called to gather the fruits of Your labor;
preserve and strengthen them in their lifelong service of you.
Open the hearts of Your children that they may discern Your Holy Will; inspire in them a love and desire to surrender themselves to serving others in the name of Your son, Jesus Christ. Teach all Your faithful to follow their respective paths in life guided by Your Divine Word and Truth.
Through the intercession of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, all the Angels, and Saints, humbly hear our prayers and grant Your Church's needs.
Loving and Generous God, it is You who call us by name and ask us to follow You.
Help us to grow in the Love and Service of our Church as we experience it today.
Give us the energy and courage of Your Spirit to shape its future.
Grant us faith-filled leaders who will embrace Christ's Mission of love and justice.

Bless the churches in our world by raising up dedicated and generous leaders
from our families and friends who will serve Your people as Sisters, Priests, Brothers, Deacons and Lay Ministers. As we appreciate the selfless dedication of our many missionary priests and sisters serving in so many Dioceses, inspire us to know You better and open our hearts to hear Your call. We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord, AMEN.

You are invited

This is the official invitation being sent out to many people invited to attend the Coronation of King Charles III next Saturday May 6. If you did not receive one, the King and his Queen Consort apologize to you personally, but you are invited to at least watch the ceremony on TV. The invitation itself is a work of art as you can see it up close. There are various flowers and items connected to the King and his wife, as well a little reminders of what they love. Uniting the United Kingdom there are the 4 major flowers: The Thistle, the national flower of Scotland, Clovers, also called a shamrock, a symbol of Northern Ireland, Yellow daffodils, the national flower of Wales, and the Tudor Rose, the national flower of England. You can also see the Lily of the Valley, Queen Elizabeth's favorite flower,  symbolizing the return of happiness, Cornflowers, for hope and anticipation, Wild strawberries (part of a beloved royal dessert, strawberries and cream,) Dog roses, for love, pleasure, and beauty, Bluebells, for humility, constancy, and gratitude and a sprig of Rosemary, for remembrance. Throughout the border, 5 wildlife appear: a bee, a butterfly, a ladybird, a wren and a robin. There is also a Unicorn, a Boar and a Lion. The original artwork, created by Andrew Jamieson, was hand-painted in watercolor and gouache. Jamieson is a heraldic artist and manuscript illuminator, and part of the Art Workers' Guild. Central to the design is the motif of the Green Man, an ancient figure from British folklore, symbolic of spring and rebirth, to celebrate the new reign. The shape of the Green Man, crowned in natural foliage, is formed of leaves of oak, ivy and hawthorn, and the emblematic flowers of the United Kingdom. (Click on the invitation to enlarge)

St Gianna Beretta Molla

I would say the 5 most popular Italian saints are St Francis of Assisi, St Pio of Pietrelcina, St Anthony, St Maria Goretti and St Gianna Beretta Molla. Today we honor this last saint canonized in 2004 after sacrificing her life for her baby daughter, Gianna Emmanuela.

Born on October 4, 1922, Gianna Beretta was the 10th of 13 children, even though only 8 of the siblings survived infancy. She grew up in Bergamo, Italy where she was very active in the Catholic Action movement. In 1942, in the midst of the chaos of World War II she started her studies in Milan and graduated as a doctor in 1949, specializing in paediatrics. She actually wanted to go to Brazil to work as a paediatrician with her brother, a missionary priest, but her health prevented her from doing this. So she worked happily as a doctor, eventually meeting her future husband Pietro Molla, whom she married in 1955. They had 3 children within 5 years, and in 1961, she was pregnant with her 4th child. During the pregnancy, she developed a fibroma in her uterus, and the doctors suggested her to have an abortion to save her life. But she continued with her pregnancy and the baby was born on April 21 1962, Easter Saturday. Gianna made the ultimate sacrifice for her daughter, and she got weaker and weaker and died a week later, on April 28, 1962. Her daughter Gianna Emmanuela became a paediatrician herself, and was present with her father and two other siblings at her mother’s beatification in 1994. Another sister had died in 1964, 2 years after her mother.
The miracle that certified her canonization was done on a Brazilian woman Elizabetta Comparini, who in her 16th week of pregnancy, experienced a tear in her placenta, losing all the amniotic fluid. Praying to Gianna Beretta Molla, she continued with her pregnancy and gave birth to a healthy baby, defying all the negative prognosis the doctors had given her. Gianna was proclaimed a Saint by Pope St John Paul II on May 16, 2004, with her husband and three children present. She has since became the patron for pro-life and for pregnant women, and a great statement against abortion.

Sins of Humankind

When he was asked his opinion on the sins of humankind, Mohandas Gandhi insisted that all sin is social. Not long before his assassination, Gandhi wrote what he called the 7 blunders of humanity on a paper, given then to his grandson Arun. According to Arun, the seven blunders were:

1. Wealth without Work,
2. Pleasure without Conscience,
3. Knowledge without Character,
4. Science without Humanity,
5. Worship without Sacrifice,
6. Commerce without Morality,
7. Politics without Principle.
Later Arun added an eighth blunder,
8. Rights without Responsibility.

Still later, Steve Gilbert, director of technology at the labyrinth-Forum at Maricopa Community College in Tempe, Arizona added 4 more human blunders:
9. Technology without Direction
10. Connection without Community,
11. Teaching without Joy,
12. Learning without Hope.

The prayerful soldier

During World War II, in Italy a young soldier was assigned to a camp with other soldiers who were there to fight and kill, nothing else. Albert was a very devout young man, and on the first night at the barracks, he knelt down to pray before going to sleep. His friends started making fun of him and ridicule him. The second night was more of the same, as clothes, shoes and books were thrown at him as he prayed. However he persisted in his prayer and by the fourth night, the teasings and jokes and comments started to decrease.  By the end of the week, they stopped altogether, and realized what a special, serious young soldier Albert was. They recognized him as a valiant soldier who does not get intimidated easily with persecutions and criticism. He ended up by winning their respect and a few of them even joined him at prayer every evening.

St Mark

        St Mark - Mdina Cathedral, Malta

We celebrate today the feast of one of the Evangelists, and companion to St Paul in many of his missionary voyages - Saint Mark. He is sometimes called John Mark. Both he and his mother, Mary, were highly esteemed in the early Church, and his mother's house in Jerusalem served as a meeting place for Christians there. St. Mark was associated with St. Paul and St. Barnabas (who was Mark's cousin) on their missionary journey through the island of Cyprus. Later he accompanied St. Barnabas alone. We know also that he was in Rome with St. Peter and St. Paul. Tradition ascribes to him the founding of the Church in Alexandria. St. Mark wrote the second Gospel, probably in Rome sometime before the year 60 A.D.; he wrote it in Greek for the Gentile converts to Christianity. Tradition tells us that St. Mark was requested by the Romans to set down the teachings of St. Peter. This seems to be confirmed by the position which St. Peter has in this Gospel. In this way the second Gospel is a record of the life of Jesus as seen through the eyes of the Prince of the Apostles. St Mark has also my all-time favorite quote in the Bible...when Jesus sent the apostles on their mission, he asked them not to carry any walking stick or a second tunic or money bag..."They were however,  to wear sandals." (Mark 6:9)

What did Jesus look like ?

                               
The Peruvian artist Walter Huaman just produced a hyperrealistic image of Jesus after intense investigation, based mostly on the shroud of Turin. He said: “I was very struck and wondered what it would be like to be able to make a hyperrealistic statue of Jesus to be able to see him in all his dimensions, as if he were right in front of us.” The artist was able to contact representatives of centers specialized in studying the Holy Shroud from different countries such as Spain, Italy, and Mexico. The information he obtained made it possible for him to advance in his project. The Shroud of Turin was the source from which Walt was able to obtain information such as Jesus’ height, hair length, beard shape, and so on. Regarding the materials used to achieve his sculpture, Walt found the best material to be medical grade silicone.  It’s the material most similar to human skin due to the fact that it’s also used when making medical prostheses. The skin color would have to be in agreement with Jesus’ birthplace, a dark, tan color. All head hairs, eyelashes, and eyebrows were put on one by one. The replicas of the clothing and accessories were made using as a reference original garments from the time of Jesus, such as sandals from the first century in the Middle East. 

A profile of Jesus by Walter Huaman

Jesus is the light that guides you in the darkness. Nowadays with so many high quality images, children are difficult to impress. Hyperrealistic art makes an impact and allows us to have an emotional connection. It’s the first time that an image has been made from the Holy Shroud of a glorious Christ, in his fullness. It’s a work of extraordinary realism. It’s a unique piece in its genre. The general public that has seen the work in person has been impressed by the expression it has and by what it transmits.

Welcoming Jesus

'The meeting at Emmaus' by Emvin Cremona, Senglea church, Malta.

The meeting of Jesus with the disciples at Emmaus today makes me think of a similar situation which can happen to us. What if Jesus decided to come to your house today? Let’s say you hear a knock on the door, and you find Jesus there asking if He could spend a day or two with you. I’m sure you’ll give Him the best room of the house, cook for Him the best meal, and invite Him to go around your town. And tell Him how proud you are to have Him visit you. But when you see Him at the door, would you be ready to open your arms to embrace His presence, or would you have to excuse yourself while you change your clothes? Would you go running to hide the magazines and photo albums and replace them with a copy of the Bible? Would you quickly turn the radio and TV off, and cover the computer screen, and regret you have uttered that harsh comment about your siblings?

Would you quickly replace the paintings you have hanging and put in their place a crucifix and a picture of the Blessed Mother which you had hidden in the attic ? Yes, it would be worth reflecting on whether you would continue to do the things you did before ? Or use the same language you used before ? Maybe you start saying Table Grace, if you haven’t been saying it before you eat ? Would you take Jesus along where you had planned to go, or maybe you change your plans for a day or two ? Would you be delighted to have Him meet your close friends, or would you rather they stay away for a few days ? Ask yourself if a day like this would make you happy or uncomfortable ? Would you show happiness by His presence, or sigh with relief when He at last is gone ?  Now although many of you may be thinking this is a hypothetical situation, a fictitious scenario that would never happen, but effectively it is not, because Jesus is present in our midst everywhere, every day.

6 Most important words

 

The most important sentences and words in our language:

6 words: I was wrong. Please forgive me.
5 words: You did a good job.
4 words: What is your opinion?
3 words: Can I help?
2 words: Thank you
1 word: You
Least important word: I

King Charles’ Coronation

Within a few days, King Charles III will be crowned in a momentous celebration watched all around the world. The religious aspect of it all is quite interesting, even from a Catholic perspective. To start, Pope Francis has sent two fragments of the true Cross on which Jesus was crucified. They are relics of inestimable value. They will be embedded in a silver processional cross specially made in Wales, and which will be carried in procession at the start of the Westminster Abbey ceremony on May 6. This is an extremely important and historic gift from Rome, a powerful moment in our history. The multi-faith ceremony is also going to be quite unique. Representatives of Britain’s Muslim, Sikh and Hindu people will be present in prominent seats and invited to greet the king, but the prayers, anointing and crowning will all certainly be specifically Christian and identical to those used in coronations of past centuries. Something that has been much overlooked is that anti-Catholic aspects of the ceremony, introduced in the 17th century, have now been abandoned. In 1901 when King Edward VII was crowned, he was obliged to repeat an oath specifically denouncing the doctrine of transubstantiation. He disliked it and deliberately spoke it in a very low voice so as not to hurt the feelings of his Catholic subjects. It was the last time the oath was used; with the next king, George V, it was abandoned. King Charles III will simply promise to uphold the teachings of the Church of England and will add something about defending religious freedom generally. And there will be formal Catholic participation in the service, most probably with the Cardinal-Archbishop of Westminster reading a prayer, as he did at the queen’s funeral last September.

A detail of the cross fragments and the top part of the Processional Cross

Relics of the True Cross have long been treasured by Christians around the world. According to legend, St. Helena, the mother of Constantine, miraculously discovered the cross in 326. Pieces of the cross were taken back to Rome and Constantinople. From there those pieces were further divided and dispersed to other shrines and holy sites.  The cross will be made available for veneration to both the Anglican and Catholic churches in Wales. Given that many consider the pieces of the cross among the most precious relics in all of Christendom, the Pope’s gift is being seen as an incredible ecumenical sign of goodwill. The Cross of Wales is made of Welsh slate, wood and silver. On it are inscribed the Welsh words of St. David, patron saint of Wales: “Be joyful. Keep the faith. Do the little things.” At the center, arranged into a tiny cross are the precious shards of Christ’s cross.

Mother Angelica – born 100 years ago

                    

Today, April 20 marks the centenary of Mother Mary Angelica’s birth. On that day 100 years ago, Rita Rizzo, who would eventually become a nun who would touch the lives of tens of millions of people around the world by founding the world’s largest Catholic media network, was born. Armed with only $200, and 12 cloistered nuns with no television background, Mother turned the monastery’s garage into a television studio. On August 15, 1981, EWTN went on the air as the country’s first Catholic satellite television station. Mother became a television star hosting a popular and still running show, Mother Angelica Live. … Today, the Eternal Word Television Network is the largest Catholic media organization in the world. The remarkable Canton, Ohio, native who became a Poor Clare nun went on to found two thriving religious orders and the world’s largest religious media network. After experiencing various ailments, including an inability to walk, Sister Mary Angelica promised God that if she was able to walk again, she would found a monastery in the South. But with God’s help, she accomplished much more. She  refused to take ‘No’ for an answer, and instead relied on God to provide. She loved to say ‘Dare to do the ridiculous, so that God can accomplish the miraculous!’ That sums up so much of how she lived her life. She was poor and from a broken family, with a mother who had serious emotional issues. She had very few advantages in life. She had enormous sufferings. Yet God always was there for her. He was always in her life, guiding and healing her and bringing her forward to do the work he had destined for her. In founding EWTN, the world looked at Mother and thought this whole idea was ridiculous. From both inside and outside the Church, the idea that a cloistered nun with barely a high-school education and so many physical challenges could create a television network was seen as ridiculous. But it turned out to be miraculous ! Mother Angelica died on March 27, 2016. Happy Birthday in Heaven.

Tulip Farm 15 years ago

My recollection today takes me to Mount Angel Abbey in Oregon where the priests of the Baker Diocese are doing their annual retreat. Close to the Abbey there is a spectacular tulip farm in the town of Monitor. So my nostalgic memories today take me to that splendid field where thousands of tulips are now in full bloom. Although I cannot be there to enjoy them in person, however my collection of photos let me share some of the photos I took on that day. The first time I was there in 2007, I was oblivious of the sun roasting my head, and forgetting to take a hat with me, I ended up with a severe heat stroke, as all the priests looked at me when I returned to the Abbey, and everyone was saying, 'what happened to your head?' It took me a whole week to recover, but the over 150 photos I took let me forget of any pain I felt on my head. (click to enlarge)

How we treat people

A student recalls how in his second month of college, his professor gave them a pop quiz, and just like everyone else, he breezed through the questions until he read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was some kind of joke. He had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, blonde-haired and in her 50's, but how would he know her name? He handed in his paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward their quiz grade." Absolutely, "said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say "hello" to them. The student recalls: ‘I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.’ Lesson: always be kind to others, because the way you treat them will be the way they would treat you in return, no matter how important or unimportant they are.

20 years ago

My first Easter Mass in John Day, April 2003

Back in 2003, precisely in the beginning of April, I started my ministry in the Diocese of Baker, in the small parish of St. Elizabeth of Hungary in John Day, Oregon. I remember when Bishop Robert Vasa dropped me off, picked up a Coke from the refrigerator, and said to me ‘Fr Julian, you’re on your own now, Goodbye.’ That started my two and a half of rebuilding the spirit of the people, who, reminiscent of the movie ‘Lilies in the Field’ with Sidney Poitier, they were like flowers whom I cradled lovingly and created a harmonious community. That was until the bishop had asked me to move to the Cathedral for 8 years, which of course left many of my parishioners disappointed, and made my new people in Baker City happy. It was unfortunate that bishops use these small communities as a trial run to see if the priest is good enough to take on a bigger parish. 

The parish church of St Elizabeth of Hungary, John Day, OR.

That’s what happened with the John Day parish, which had seen at least  4 more pastors since then. But my stay there was one of the happiest as I brought many people back to church and made many converts, getting acquainted in the process with the ranching lifestyle of Eastern Oregon. It was fun seeing people coming to church in their boots and cowboy hats and inviting me to visit their ranches and ride horses, shoot a gun and even milk a cow. I even bought a black cowboy hat, which I was proud to show off during one of my Masses, only to be told, in front of a laughing congregation, that ‘only the bad guys wear black  hats.’ Thankfully some nice friends gave me a grey hat. That was 20 years ago !

Divine Mercy Sunday

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."

                 
At a stadium celebration of the Feast of Divine Mercy in the Philippines, thousands in prayer, witnessed a very special grace, confirming the message of St Faustina: “Jesus, I trust in You”. The Glory of God’s Promise of his faithfulness to His people long ago in the Old Testament made clear again in His Rainbow on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 7, 2013. The Rainbow spanned the sky above the largest Divine Mercy Shrine in the world, the shrine towering at 75 feet; the Divine Mercy statue at 50-feet. The shrine is located at Divine Mercy Hills in El Salvador City of Misamis Oriental on the island of Mindanao. The Philippines is on fire for Divine Mercy, and it all started with simple prayer cards printed by the Marians of the Immaculate Conception. U.S. servicemen brought these Divine Mercy prayer cards with them to the Pacific Theater during World War II. The message and devotion found a beachhead in the Philippines, and the rest is history!

Easter Banners

I share with you two banners I created in the 1980s for my church of Holy Spirit in New Hyde Park, NY. Both of them are related to Easter, the first one was a simple repetition in a rainbow color of the word Alleluia. The second one shows 8 panels with 8 different themes: 1. The celebration of Mass. 2. The Cross. 3. Confession. 4. The Light of the world. 5. Palm Sunday. 6. Holy Thursday. 7 Good Friday and 8. Easter. Both of them were crafted with felt in 1983, so they are 40 years old. It was a labor of love and I did a few others which were hung seasonally in our church.

14 Thanks yous

At the end of the Stations of the Cross held at the Colosseum in Rome on Good Friday, these 14 thank yous were offered as a concluding prayer. The 2nd Station had a reference to Malta, which embarrassed me to say the least. In fact I wrote a letter to the Editor of the Times of Malta which you can read at the end of this list. The Stations this year had reflections by various people who suffered some form of humiliation. Pope Francis did not attend because of cold weather, especially since he was still recovering from bronchitis.

Lord Jesus, eternal Word of the Father, you became silent for us.  And in the silence that leads us to your tomb, there is still a word that we want to say to you, recalling the journey of the Stations of the Cross we have travelled with you: thank you!

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the meekness that overwhelms arrogance.

Thank you, for the courage with which you embraced the cross.

Thank you, for the peace that flows from your wounds.

Thank you, for having given us your holy Mother to be our Mother as well.

Thank you, for the love shown in the face of betrayal.

Thank you, for turning tears into smiles.

Thank you, for having loved everyone without excluding anyone.

Thank you, for the hope you instil in time of trial.

Thank you, for the mercy that heals sufferings.

Thank you, for stripping yourself of everything to enrich us.

Thank you, for having transformed the cross into the tree of life.

Thank you, for the forgiveness you offered your executioners.

Thank you, for having defeated death.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the light you kindled in our nights.  In reconciling all divisions, you made us all brothers and sisters, children of the same Father who is in heaven.

https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/letters-editor-april-12-2023.1024670

From 8 years ago

Today I reflect back on my last parish of St Francis of Assisi in Bend, Oregon with some of the decorations we used to have, which most probably are still in place. I remember buying a beautiful crucifix for the historic church, built in 1920, and you can see it here surrounded by Easter lilies. The flowers and angels in front of the main altar also convey a happy festive atmosphere. In the second photo you can also see the new Monstrance I bought for the parish, with donations that came in as soon as I made the announcement. The new modern church built in 2009 was more innovative as an empty tomb was set up in front of the main altar, which created a very realistic scene of that day of the first Easter in Jerusalem. (click to enlarge)

My sister Josephine

June 19, 1977 - my Ordination

Remembering today my dear sister Josephine who left us a year ago. She was a tower of strength for my parents and the whole family over the years. In particular she took care of our house for so many years, cleaning, scrubbing, washing, especially over the last 20 years alone with my mother, and by herself since 2010. But always thinking of others in her humble, simple way of life. From my funeral homily: 'St. Teresa of Calcutta used to say that the ideal Christian does not do extraordinary things in life, but rather ordinary things with a great heart, with lots of love. And Josephine did precisely this throughout her entire life – with sincere love, towards us, and everyone who knew her. 

And like Martha, more than Mary of Bethany....while we talk and check on our cell-phones, Josephine prepares something for us to munch on, through her gentle hospitality. But contrary to Martha, she doesn’t object to anything, or ever complains that nobody is helping her. And when illness hit home, she accepted everything without ever complaining, with a brave resignation and incredible courage. And if there is an expression that fits her is this in rhyming Maltese – Ġuża l-Kuraġġuża. (The Courageous Josephine!)' I Thank you Lord that you gave us a person who through her patience and simplicity, obeyed you faithfully, served us humbly, and spoke with her prudent silence, pregnant with love. Her eloquent silence endeared her to many friends who admired her for her humility, meekness and gentleness – and that is why everybody loved her. Rest in Peace, with our parents and brother Paul.

Noli me tangere

'Noli me Tangere' by Ciro Ferri

These are the words Jesus spoke to St. Mary Magdalene when He appeared to her after His resurrection. In fact at first she thought He was the gardener, because the new image of the Risen Christ was now different from what He looked like before. But after calling her name, she recognized Him and responded by the affectionate words “Rabbouni” (Teacher - Rabbi.) Many artists painted this touching scene, and in every one of them I noticed that Jesus is seen pushing Mary away from Him, thereby the title and the words He uttered to her “Noli me Tangere” - Do not touch me, because I have not as yet gone to my Father.  Mary Magdalene was honored that she was the very first person to whom Jesus appeared. He could have waited to show himself to Peter or John who were running towards the empty tomb together. He could have even chosen to show Himself to His mother Mary, who was probably with the 11 apostles, waiting to hear any further news of his disappearance. But instead, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, the woman disciple who loved Him so much, because He had forgiven her so much of her past.

The Easter Lily

                            

Just as the poinsettia takes center stage at Christmas time, the Easter Lily does the same at Easter time, adorning our sanctuaries and being used to decorate our altars for the Easter season every year. The Easter Lily was discovered by a missionary priest in the 19th century on Ryukyu Island, off Japan. It is a stem rooting lily, growing up to 3 feet high. It bears a number of trumpet shaped, white, fragrant, and outward facing flowers, with pointed green leaves. Its technical name is Lilium longiflorum. The missionary who found it eventually tried to take some bulbs to England, but was stranded in Bermuda, where they bloomed for the first time on April 16, 1854. They reached Philadelphia in 1876. From the 1890s to the early 1920s, there was a thriving export trade of bulbs from Bermuda to New York. A disease affected the Bermuda lilies: this was identified by Lawrence Ogilvie. Then most Easter lily bulbs arriving in the United States were imported from Japan before 1940s. The supply of bulbs was suddenly cut off after the attack on Pearl Harbor and Easter lilies became extremely valuable in the United States. Once the plant and flowers have withered, you can plant the bulb in any garden, and they will come up again. In warmer climates, they will sprout again by the following August, otherwise, wait for next spring.

Alleluia

He is truly Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

He brings a Prayerful Life to someone searching for meaning and direction.
He brings Peace 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 living in darkness.
He brings Enlightenment and Understanding to those couples whose marriage has been 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 by war and fighting and oppression.
He brings Love and Reconciliation to those harboring thoughts of revenge and hate.
He brings Optimism in a world tormented by pessimism.