Forgiveness of Sins

A missionary on one of the islands was sitting in his cool seaside hut one day when one of the village women came in, carrying a handful of dripping sand she had just picked up off the beach. "Do you know what this is?" she asked. "It looks like sand," said the missionary. "Do you know why I brought it here?" she asked. "No. I can't imagine why," the padre answered. "Well, these are my sins," the women explained. "My sins are as countless as the sands of the sea. How can I ever obtain forgiveness for all of them?" "You got that sand down by the shore, didn't you?" said the missionary. "Well, take it back there, and pile it up into a heaping mound of sand at the water's edge. Then you sit back and watch the tide come in and slowly wash away the pile altogether. That is how God's forgiveness works."...

Dear friends, Our God is a merciful God. He is always ready to forgive us of our sins. Only we need to approach Him and show our repentant and contrite heart. He is always ready to receive us no matter how sinful we are. In Isaiah 1:18 God says to the people: "Now, let's settle this matter. You are stained red with sin, but I will wash you as clean as snow. Although your stains are deep red, you will be as white as wool." 

Education

An Arab sheik was getting along in years and he felt that it was time to name one of his sons his successor. He had three sons, who were triplets. He loved them all equally and did not know which of them to choose as a successor. So he sent them off to a distant land and promised that the one who would come back with the most useful learning would get the birthright. The three went off to distant lands; attended universities and visited exotic places. The first brother invented magic glasses with which he could see any place he wished to see on earth. The second perfected a magic carpet on which he sat and zoomed to any part of the earth in five minutes. The third son invented a medicine that could cure any sickness. After some years the three came together for a birthday party and explained what they had found. The first son looked through his magic glasses and saw his father dying. The second invited the other two to hop onto his magic carpet and within five minutes they were at their father's side. There the third son took out his magic medicine and cured his father at once. Now the sheik was more confused than ever, since it took the work of all three of them to save his life....

That is the story of Christian education. It needs three places of schooling: the home, the church and the classroom. If one of them is lacking, the other two won't work. It is the same with the Trinity too, Father, Son and Holy Spirit plays an important role in every Christians life. Though three but ONE God.  

Believing in People

A wealthy businessman in a small town had signs printed and placed all over the town. They stated that if any person in the town who owed debts, would come to his office on a certain day between nine and twelve in the morning, he would pay those debts. Naturally, that promise was the talk of the town. But very few believed it. They thought there was a catch somewhere. The day came. The business man sat in his office at nine. Bu ten, no one had come. At eleven, a man was seen walking up and down outside, occasionally looking up at the office door. Finally he seemed to take courage and open it. He put his head in and asked, "Is it true that you will pay any person's debt?""That's right," the rich man replied. "Are you in debt?" "I certainly am," the caller answered. "Do you have along the bills and statements to prove it?" The visitor produced the documents and the business man wrote out a check covering all of them. Before twelve o'clock, two other men came and had their debts paid. People outside could not believe it. But now there was no time left to have their bills paid.

If people don't believe in the goodness of man, how can they believe in the goodness of God?  Today let's believe in the deeds of the people around us and trust them.

God Hidden in People

Once God promised an elderly lady that he would visit her that day. So she got ready... She scrubbed and cleaned and polished and dusted and put everything in order. Then she sat down and waited for God to come. Suddenly someone knocked. She raced to the door and quickly pulled it open and what did she see but just a poor beggar standing outside. "No, not today," the lady said, "for heaven's sake get along with you... I am waiting for God to come any minute now... I can't be bothered with you." The beggar left as hungry as he had come. A bit later there was another knock. The lady opened the door even faster than before. A poor old man stood there. "Sorry," said the lady, "I can't take care of you today." With that she slammed the door in his face. Quite a bit later someone again knocked at the door. Again it was a ragged hungry beggar. She sent him off empty-handed and sat down to wait. Evening came on and still there was no sign of God. Finally she went to bed with a heavy heart. She dreamt that the good Lord had come to her and said, "I came to you three times today and all three times you threw me out."

There is an old custom in the monasteries of Europe. All guests, all people coming to the door, are treated well, because they believe in the old saying: "When a guest comes, Christ comes." 

Dear friends, God is also gonna visit us today in our lives. Let us not be like the lady who wanted God to meet her in a Godly form. God is present in all human being. Today as we meet people around in our parish, community, offices, schools and colleges let's meet God in them. Let's seize the day. 

Who you are speaks louder to me than anything you can say

At the beginning of my 8:00 a.m. class one Monday at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), I cheerfully asked my students how their weekend had been. One young man said that his weekend had not been very good. He’d had his wisdom teeth extracted. The young man then proceeded to ask me why I always seemed to be so cheerful. His question reminded me of something I'd read somewhere before: “Every morning when you get up, you have a choice about how you want to approach life that day,” I said to the young man. “I choose to be cheerful". “Let me give you an example,” I continued.

The other sixty students in the class ceased their chatter and began to listen to our conversation. “In addition to teaching here at UNLV, I also teach out at the community college in Henderson, about seventeen miles down the freeway from where I live. One day a few weeks ago I drove those seventeen miles to Henderson. I exited the freeway and turned onto College Drive. I only had to drive another quarter-mile down the road to the college. But just then my car died. I tried to start it again, but the engine wouldn’t turn over. So I put my flashers on, grabbed my books, and marched down the road to the college.

“As soon as I got there I called AAA and asked them to send a tow truck. The secretary in the Provost's office asked me what had happened. ‘This is my lucky day,’ I replied, smiling. “‘Your car breaks down and today is your lucky day?’ She was puzzled. ‘What do you mean?’

“‘I live seventeen miles from here.’ I replied. ‘My car could have broken down anywhere along the freeway. It didn't. Instead, it broke down in the perfect place: off the freeway, within walking distance of here. I'm still able to teach my class, and I've been able to arrange for the tow truck to meet me after class. If my car was meant to break down today, it couldn't have been arranged in a more convenient fashion.’ “The secretary's eyes opened wide, and then she smiled. I smiled back and headed for class.” So ended my story to the students in my economics class at UNLV.

I scanned the sixty faces in the lecture hall. Despite the early hour, no one seemed to be asleep. Somehow, my story had touched them. Or maybe it wasn't the story at all. In fact, it had all started with a student's observation that I was cheerful. A wise man once said, “Who you are speaks louder to me than anything you can say.” I suppose it must be so.

Author: Lee Ryan Miller - story from his book "Teaching Amidst the Neon Palm Trees" 

A Bamboo Tree

A farmer had a cluster of beautiful bamboo trees. One day he stood before the tallest one and said, "My friend, I need you." "Sir," said the bamboo, "Use me in any way you wish, I am ready." Then the gardener's voice became serious and he said, "In order to use you, I've got to split you in half." Then the bamboo reacted, "Split me" Oh, no... I'm the nicest bamboo in this garden. Use me in any way you wish, but please don't split me in half." "Well," said the gardener, "if I can't split you, I can't use you." The bamboo went silent. Then it bowed its head and said, "Okay. If the only way you can use me, is by splitting me, go ahead." "But that's not all," said the gardener. "I am going to have to cut off all your branches." "That will be the end of my beauty," the bamboo said. "But - if that's the only way I can be of use - cut me down altogether." So the farmer cut down the bamboo, removed its branches and split it down the middle. After hollowing out its insides, he brought it to a spring of water. It became a pipe to bring water to the gardens and make them fertile and fruitful.

It gave its life to help other lives. Everyday right around us people are giving their lives that we might live... Take our parents, our teachers, ... friends. Above all Christ gave His life for us. Are you ready to sacrifice your life for others benefit? Are you ready to split yourself, cut yourself in order to enrich others?  

READ THE FOLLOWING CREED EVERYDAY WITHOUT FAIL

I believe in myself. I believe in those who work with me. I believe in my employer. I believe in my friends. I believe in my family. I believe that God will lend me everything. I need with which to succeed if I do my best to earn it through faithful and honest service. I believe in prayer and I will never close my eyes in sleep without praying for divine guidance to the end that I will be patient with other people and tolerant with those who do not believe as I do. I believe that success is the result of intelligent effort and does not depend upon luck or sharp practices or double-crossing friends, fellow men or my employer. I believe I will get out of life exactly what I put into it, therefore I will be careful to conduct myself toward others as I would want them to act toward me. I will not slander those whom I do not like. I will not slight my work no matter what I may see other doing. I will render the best service o f which I ma capable because I have pledged myself to succeed in life and I know that success is always the result of conscientious and efficient effort. Finally, I will forgive those who offend me because I realize that I shall some time offend and I will need their forgiveness. 

DETERMINATION

To persevere is always a reflection of the state of one’s inner life, one’s philosophy and one’s perspective.”

- David Guterson Snow in Falling on Cedars.

Conversation of Johnny and Mamma after having observed Fr Bartholomew Dassano.

 Johnny Bosco: “If I were a priest, I should always be in the midst of the children – calling them around me – making them love me. In their ears I would whisper a word of good advice: my whole life would be consecrated to them. Oh, how I wish I could have the consolation of speaking, if only for a few minutes, with the Parish Priest. I want him to give me just one good though; one little piece of advice. It surely could not take him more than a minute.

Mamma: “Don’t you see that he’s got sermons to preach, confessions to hear and all the others cares of the parish on his shoulders?”

Johnny Bosco: “I know all this, but surely we, boys, are also of his flock.”

Mamma: “Yes, indeed you are, but he has no time to waste on you.”

Johnny Bosco: “Then was Jesus losing time when He called the little ones to His saying, ‘Allow little children come to Me. “When I am a priest you will see that I will give myself up entirely to the children. You will not see me walking about with a serious face. But I will hasten to them and be always the first to speak to them.”

Rest of the story we all know how Johnny Bosco moves along and becomes a priest who gives his life for the poor and abandoned youth. He is able to pave the way to fulfill his dream and determination. He is ever ready to die for his boys. His motto “Give me souls, take away the rest”, summarizes his determination and the words he uttered when he had a bad experience with Fr Dassano his parish priest then.

Don Bosco did not allow the incident to go off like that but he made a firm determination that he will not be like Fr Dassano. He made use of this bad experience into something enriching for himself.

Dear friends, are we able to enrich ourselves when we come across any bad experiences in our lives? How determined are we? Have we thought of becoming someone especial? Do you want to float on the river bank or do you want to swim against the current?

Remember, the words of Abraham Lincoln;

  “Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way.”

TIME IS EVERYTHING IN LIFE,

 MAKE THE BEST USE OF IT

Time is the inexplicable raw material of everything. With it all is possible; without it, nothing. The supply of time is truly a daily miracle, and affair genuinely astonishing when one examine it. You wake up in the morning, and lo! Your purse is magically filled with twenty-four hours of the unmanufactured tissues of the universe of your life! It is yours. It is the most precious of possessions…No one can take it form you. It is unstealable. And no one receives either more or less than you receive.

In the realm of time there is no aristocracy of wealth, and no aristocracy of intellect. Genius is never rewarded by even an extra hour a day. And there is no punishment. Waste your infinitely precious commodity as much as you will, and the supply will never be withheld form you… Moreover, you cannot draw on the future. Impossible to get waste to-morrow; it is kept for you. You cannot waste the nest hour; it is kept for you.

- Arnold Bennett

Dear friends how do we make use of our time? Do we make use of it or do we waste it? Today let's make use of it to the full capacity. 

The Praying Hands

Back in the fifteenth century, in a tiny village near Nuremberg, lived a family with eighteen children. Eighteen! In order merely to keep food on the table for this mob, the father and head of the household, a goldsmith by profession, worked almost eighteen hours a day at his trade and any other paying chore he could find in the neighborhood.

Despite their seemingly hopeless condition, two of Albrecht Durer, the Elder's, children had a dream. They both wanted to pursue their talent for art, but they knew full well that their father would never be financially able to send either of them to Nuremberg to study at the Academy.

After many long discussions at night in their crowded bed, the two boys finally worked out a pact. They would toss a coin. The loser would go down into the nearby mines and, with his earnings, support his brother while he attended the academy. Then, when that brother who won the toss completed his studies, in four years, he would support the other brother at the academy, either with sales of his artwork or, if necessary, also by laboring in the mines.

They tossed a coin on a Sunday morning after church. Albrecht Durer won the toss and went off to Nuremberg. Albert went down into the dangerous mines and, for the next four years, financed his brother, whose work at the academy was almost an immediate sensation. Albrecht's etchings, his woodcuts, and his oils were far better than those of most of his professors, and by the time he graduated, he was beginning to earn considerable fees for his commissioned works.

When the young artist returned to his village, the Durer family held a festive dinner on their lawn to celebrate Albrecht's triumphant homecoming. After a long and memorable meal, punctuated with music and laughter, Albrecht rose from his honored position at the head of the table to drink a toast to his beloved brother for the years of sacrifice that had enabled Albrecht to fulfill his ambition. His closing words were, "And now, Albert, blessed brother of mine, now it is your turn. Now you can go to Nuremberg to pursue your dream, and I will take care of you."

All heads turned in eager expectation to the far end of the table where Albert sat, tears streaming down his pale face, shaking his lowered head from side to side while he sobbed and repeated, over and over, "No ...no ...no ...no."

Finally, Albert rose and wiped the tears from his cheeks. He glanced down the long table at the faces he loved, and then, holding his hands close to his right cheek, he said softly, "No, brother. I cannot go to Nuremberg. It is too late for me. Look ... look what four years in the mines have done to my hands! The bones in every finger have been smashed at least once, and lately I have been suffering from arthritis so badly in my right hand that I cannot even hold a glass to return your toast, much less make delicate lines on parchment or canvas with a pen or a brush. No, brother ... for me it is too late."

More than 450 years have passed. By now, Albrecht Durer's hundreds of masterful portraits, pen and silver-point sketches, watercolors, charcoals, woodcuts, and copper engravings hang in every great museum in the world, but the odds are great that you, like most people, are familiar with only one of Albrecht Durer's works. More than merely being familiar with it, you very well may have a reproduction hanging in your home or office.

One day, to pay homage to Albert for all that he had sacrificed, Albrecht Durer painstakingly drew his brother's abused hands with palms together and thin fingers stretched skyward. He called his powerful drawing simply "Hands," but the entire world almost immediately opened their hearts to his great masterpiece and renamed his tribute of love "The Praying Hands."

The next time you see a copy of that touching creation, take a second look. Let it be your reminder, if you still need one, that no one -- no one - - ever makes it alone!

Remember to sincerely thank those who have helped you to get where you are!

Source: www.astrogemswww.astrogems.com/stories.php.com/stories.php

I was 20 and had just finished my first degree when I aksed my father's advice on how to approach the world of work. He had a long and distinguished career in the Indian Army and rose to become commander-in-chief of a million men. He was a soldier's soldier and his men adored him. His manner was strict and firm, but he was very friendly. He appreciated and trusted people and gave then freedom.

"Come and see me in my office if you want to talk to me about work" he said. So I made an appointment with his ADC and went to see him. He had a huge office and I felt very small.

"You are starting out and you will be given a lot of tasks to fulfill" he said. "The first thing is always to do something to the best of your ability. Then the second time you do it, give it that little bit extra". What he was saying was: "Take the initiative; be innovative; be creative. Always go the extra mile."

Source: Karan Bilimoria, founder and chief executive of Cobra Beer, speaking to Sheridan Winn for "Business Life".

Dear friends, even in the Gospel we come across Jesus telling His disciples to go an extra mile if somebody ask them to go with them."If someone takes your coat, give him your cloak as well; if he makes you go a mile with him, go with him two." [Mathew]  It is always good to put our energy and strength or heart fully into what we do. We can do better if we put a bit extra effort from our side. So today let's "Take the initiative; be innovative; be creative. Always go the extra mile."

Always render more and better service than is expected of you, no matter what your task may be.  -Mandino, Og

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THE BEST ADVICE EVER GIVEN ON TIME MANAGEMENT

Charles M. Schwab, who transformed Bethlehem Steel Company into the largest indendent steel producer in the world in the world, once issued a challenge over the dinner table to a management consultant name Ivy Lee: “Show me a way to get more things done with my time and I’ll pay you any fee within reason.” Lee handed him a pad of blank paper.

“Each evening write down the things you have to do tomorrow, he said, “and number them in order of importance. First thing in the morning start working on item one and two…then the same with three…then four. Don’t be worried if you haven’t finished them all, if you can’t do it by this method you can’t do it by any other. Use this system every day.” Shortly afterwards Schwab sent Lee a cheque for $25, 000. He said later that it was the most profitable lesson he had ever learnt in his business career.

-John Adair

Hey! friends how do you manage your time? Do you plan ahead or do you do the things as they come your way? It is good that we need to plan our time ahead and if we do so we will save lot of time and will achieve many things within a short span of time. Let's try to plan our day, week and months ahead of time. If you do so you will see what you can achieve and how much time you will have in your hand.  

Time is the most valuable coin in your life. You and you alone will determine how that coin will be spent. Be careful that you don’t let other people spend it for you.
~ John Dryden

REST IF YOU MUST, BUT DON’T YOU QUIT

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,

When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh.

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns.

And many a failure turns about

When he might have won had he stuck it out.

Don’t give up though the pace seems slow-

You may succeed with another blow!

Success is failure turned inside out-

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell just how close you are.

If may be near when it seems so far.

So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit-

It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.

Every bucket counts

One day, having learned that the King of Fez was hunting lions in the neighbourhood, they decided to invite him and his court, and killed a number of sheep in his honour. The sovereign had dinner and went to bed. Wishing to show their generosity, they placed a huge goatskin bottle before his door and agreed to fill it up with milk for the royal breakfast.

The villagers all had to milk their goats and then each of them had to tip his bucket into the container. Given its great size, each of them said to himself that he might just as well dilute his milk with a good quantity of water without anyone noticing.

To the extent that, in the morning, such a thin liquid was poured out for the king and his court that it had no taste than the taste of meanness and greed.

Source: "Leo The African" by Amin Maalouf

Dear friends, at times we too think like the villagers. We do stay, work with lots of people in our offices, schools and communities. When times comes to share or to be generous we tend to be like the villagers saying to ourselves, 'who will notice if I do not give my best'. Every individual makes a difference in one's life and every individual counts much in the community or society. Their share and contribution counts a lot. If one does not do his/her part the whole community suffers and as a consequence all the members suffer. Remember we are called to be sharers of God's love and mercy. We are called to be generous. We need to share what we can afford and remember God loves a cheerful giver. So let's not be selfish today and give what we can to others. Let's be sincere and generous. Every bucket counts and every generous act matters. 

The frogs and the tower

There once was a bunch of tiny frogs...... Who arranged a running competition. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower. A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants...

The race began...

Honestly, no-one in crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower. You heard statements such as:

"Oh, WAY too difficult!!"

"They will NEVER make it to the top".

"Not a chance that they will succeed. The tower is too high!"

The tiny frogs began collapsing. One by one...... Except for those who in a fresh tempo were climbing higher and higher...

The crowd continued to yell "It is too difficult!!! No one will make it!"

More tiny frogs got tired and gave up...

...But ONE continued higher and higher and higher...

This one wouldn't give up!

At the end, everyone else had given up climbing the tower. Except for the one tiny frog who, after a big effort, was the only one who reached the top!

THEN all of the other tiny frogs naturally wanted to know how this one frog managed to do it?

A contestant asked the tiny frog how the one who succeeded had found the strength to reach the goal?

It turned out...

That the winner was deaf.

Dear friends, in our country, society, communities, schools and groups we to have people or the audience who always tries to discourage us by saying we need to follow the tradition. It is out of question to do things with new ideas and ways. There are people who tries to discourage us in venturing into new projects and missions. But remember we need not give up we need to move on to do good with new ideas and ways. At times we may need to be deaf like that tiny frog who managed to climb the tower and became the winner. Remember all the successful people did not tread the same beaten path but they chose to tread the new allies and roads.  Let's not give up our desires and hopes in mere saying of the people's views and comments. 

The starfish

Once a man was walking along a beach. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day. Off in the distance he could see a person going back and forth between the surf's edge and and the beach. Back and forth this person went. As the man approached, he could see that there were hundreds of starfish stranded on the sand as the result of the natural action of the tide.

The man was stuck by the the apparent futility of the task. There were far too many starfish. Many of them were sure to perish. As he approached, the person continued the task of picking up starfish one by one and throwing them into the surf.

As he came up to the person, he said: "You must be crazy. There are thousands of miles of beach covered with starfish. You can't possibly make a difference." The person looked at the man. He then stooped down and pick up one more starfish and threw it back into the ocean. He turned back to the man and said: "It sure made a difference to that one!"

Dear friends remember every freedom fighter made a difference to our country. Their sacrifice their zeal and their courage made a difference in your and my life. It is because of their different way of thinking and way of doing things enabled India to stand as a free country from the clutches of the British Government. 

It is one Lady who made a difference in our salvation history. It is Her attitude, Her yes, that made a difference in the life of every Christians. She thought and went ahead with God's plan which was different from Her plans and desires. It is because of Her that Son of God came down on earth to save and redeem us. 

So dear friends, as we celebrate the 65th Independence Day of Our Mother India and Solemnity  of the Assumption of Mary let's strive to make a difference in our life and in others life. Wishing u Happy Independence and Happy Feast of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven.