I have an appointment with my kidney Dr. Dr. Al Sayyad is a renal specialist and took over from the Dr. in Dallas to monitor my progress shave ince he excised my right kidney. I would have remained Dr Caddadu's patient however Dallas is 180 miles away and Ruth doesn't drive. SO we decided in favor of Dr. Al as he is known here in Abilene.
Recently, I extended my right arm and strength while traveling to Phila. As a result, for six weeks, physicians, therapists accupuncturists and other medical types,have attempted to clear or alleviate the problem o no avail.
This Wednesday I'll go under the knife to shave four tumors fom my bladder internally. THIS ISN'T A MAJOR SURGERTY but it is inconvenient and unpleasant process. I'll be in the HOspital overnight and should be released Friday Morning barring complications.
I'm scheduled for MRIs on October October 11 and 13 to possibly determine what the shulder and arm problems may be.
Otherwise I feel ok AND I'm anticpating some success in the prognosis.
Prayers and petition will be graciously accepted.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Sunday October 4, 2009
Haven't been bloging since several weeks ago when I came down with some problems in my shoulder and upper right arm. We sortof suspected it was due to carelessnes on my part lifting a piece of luggage from the overhead compartment on a trip to Phila.
Since then I've had Xrays,sonograms, physical exams beyond measure, pain prescriptions, etc.,. all to alleviate the pain and other effects. None of the symptoms seemed to confirm a bruise or fracture. So, we'll have to wait for the picture results.
In the menwhile,I'll ask for your prayers for relief!
God love you all!
Leonard
Since then I've had Xrays,sonograms, physical exams beyond measure, pain prescriptions, etc.,. all to alleviate the pain and other effects. None of the symptoms seemed to confirm a bruise or fracture. So, we'll have to wait for the picture results.
In the menwhile,I'll ask for your prayers for relief!
God love you all!
Leonard
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Friday and Saturday
Friday September 11, 2009 of the 23rd week in ordinary to time
Readings: Timothy 1: 1-2, 12-14 Psalm 16: 1-2a, 5, 7-8, 11 Luke6: 39-42
Psalm Response: “You are my inheritance, Lord”
Paul spiritual son, Timothy, has been the recipient of two of his extant letters! Like us, Timothy was taught by his grandmother and mother. He remained like his grandparents, Christian, despite his father’s paganism. Paul encouraged him in his vocation to be a spokesperson for Christ in the areas where Paul could no longer be there in person because he was in prison.
When Timothy was faced with the skepticism and even apostasy of his recent converts, Paul reminds him of his own obstinacy when he was a neophyte, a strict Pharisee and had to be roughed up when he was acting in accordance with what he thought was the Law.
So, he advises Timothy to be forgiving, faithful and loving to those who disagree with his teaching; God has the power and the word to bring them about. They must be receptive to Him, not necessarily to His ministers. Timothy was to teach as he had been taught without wandering from the faith Paul has imparted to him.
Exuberance was to be the watchword of the Jews and to us. We are to be penetratingly obstinate when we explain the reason for our joy. Everything and all creation was enabled through God’s word so we must be when we proclaim the Gospel.
Christ departs from the parasitic teachings calling for retribution instead of forgiveness when we are demeaned or scoffed at. The practice of Love of neighbors follows the lesson of Leviticus.
As He points out, even the pagans love those who love them.
It is when we learn our lessons from Christ, Who forgave His murderers while He was being scourged and crucified. If we claim His principles, then display anything but peace and love toward those who demean us, we become active hypocrites.
It won’t be easy except if we make pardon part of our normal behavior.
Saturday September 12, 2009 of the 23rd week in ordinary time
Readings: 1Timothy 1: 15-17 Psalm 113; 1-7 Luke 6: 43-49
Psalm Response: “ Blessed be the name of the Lord, forever!
In his exhortation to Timothy, Paul uses himself as the worst of the opposition to Christ. He was given the admonition of the New Way from the high priests themselves. Therefore, armed with the power to arrest and extradite members of the sect professing Christ as the God/Man, he wrongly accused and convicted many before Christ confronted him and brought hi \m to his senses as the prodigal son di when he was brought to the truth.
We have always had the truth before us; either by our teachers or by our parents. They may not have possessed the wisdom of the ages but they followed the Church in Her wisdom unwaveringly when the imparted the faith unaltered to us as sure.
When we stand at our pew, raise our arms as a sign of our fealty, we become the example of Faith and Truth for others to follow.
The example of the pagan Centurion, in his belief in the power of Christ to forgive sin, and thereby heal sicknesses, the Centurion embossed on our souls the everlasting words disclaiming our worthiness to receive Him Body and Soul.
We truly are unworthy. However, God authorizes us to receive Him at every Eucharistic celebration if we repent and exhibit our sorrow through our love of our neighbors.
Readings: Timothy 1: 1-2, 12-14 Psalm 16: 1-2a, 5, 7-8, 11 Luke6: 39-42
Psalm Response: “You are my inheritance, Lord”
Paul spiritual son, Timothy, has been the recipient of two of his extant letters! Like us, Timothy was taught by his grandmother and mother. He remained like his grandparents, Christian, despite his father’s paganism. Paul encouraged him in his vocation to be a spokesperson for Christ in the areas where Paul could no longer be there in person because he was in prison.
When Timothy was faced with the skepticism and even apostasy of his recent converts, Paul reminds him of his own obstinacy when he was a neophyte, a strict Pharisee and had to be roughed up when he was acting in accordance with what he thought was the Law.
So, he advises Timothy to be forgiving, faithful and loving to those who disagree with his teaching; God has the power and the word to bring them about. They must be receptive to Him, not necessarily to His ministers. Timothy was to teach as he had been taught without wandering from the faith Paul has imparted to him.
Exuberance was to be the watchword of the Jews and to us. We are to be penetratingly obstinate when we explain the reason for our joy. Everything and all creation was enabled through God’s word so we must be when we proclaim the Gospel.
Christ departs from the parasitic teachings calling for retribution instead of forgiveness when we are demeaned or scoffed at. The practice of Love of neighbors follows the lesson of Leviticus.
As He points out, even the pagans love those who love them.
It is when we learn our lessons from Christ, Who forgave His murderers while He was being scourged and crucified. If we claim His principles, then display anything but peace and love toward those who demean us, we become active hypocrites.
It won’t be easy except if we make pardon part of our normal behavior.
Saturday September 12, 2009 of the 23rd week in ordinary time
Readings: 1Timothy 1: 15-17 Psalm 113; 1-7 Luke 6: 43-49
Psalm Response: “ Blessed be the name of the Lord, forever!
In his exhortation to Timothy, Paul uses himself as the worst of the opposition to Christ. He was given the admonition of the New Way from the high priests themselves. Therefore, armed with the power to arrest and extradite members of the sect professing Christ as the God/Man, he wrongly accused and convicted many before Christ confronted him and brought hi \m to his senses as the prodigal son di when he was brought to the truth.
We have always had the truth before us; either by our teachers or by our parents. They may not have possessed the wisdom of the ages but they followed the Church in Her wisdom unwaveringly when the imparted the faith unaltered to us as sure.
When we stand at our pew, raise our arms as a sign of our fealty, we become the example of Faith and Truth for others to follow.
The example of the pagan Centurion, in his belief in the power of Christ to forgive sin, and thereby heal sicknesses, the Centurion embossed on our souls the everlasting words disclaiming our worthiness to receive Him Body and Soul.
We truly are unworthy. However, God authorizes us to receive Him at every Eucharistic celebration if we repent and exhibit our sorrow through our love of our neighbors.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
September 10,2009
Readings: Colossians 3: 12-17 Psalm 150: 1-6 Luke 6: 27-38
Psalm Response: " Let everything that breathes praise the Lord"
Paul has confidence the Colossians whom he personally taught will remain in the traditions and Gospel he proclaimed.
They were to abhor their past lives and begin to praise God by their imitation of Christ. We also must bring into our hearts and minds the proper attitudes; thinking always, not of ourselves but as would Christ.
The sinful aspects of our society were learned not ingrained. If we follow the "celebs" who revel in notoriety, we will think nothing of their actions of fostering whatever brings them pleasure and fame; even if the fame is scurrilous.
If we will focus on the cross and the sufferings of Christ for our sake, we will be unable to wend our way into the path of unrighteousness.
The psalm and response urge us to always be aware of the sacrifice God, through the action of His Son, enabled us to concentrate on the virtues of Faith, Hope and Love!
Luke makes the life in Christ seem simple and at the same time difficult.
Love your enemies? Do good to those who harm you? What kind of irresponsibility is that. The prophets say God's foolhardy ways are wisdom when compared to our actions.
Therefore, we are to be like Him; unwisely wise!
God gives us no options! We are to think and do in terms of His love. Thereby, we become like Him; as He is in us.
Psalm Response: " Let everything that breathes praise the Lord"
Paul has confidence the Colossians whom he personally taught will remain in the traditions and Gospel he proclaimed.
They were to abhor their past lives and begin to praise God by their imitation of Christ. We also must bring into our hearts and minds the proper attitudes; thinking always, not of ourselves but as would Christ.
The sinful aspects of our society were learned not ingrained. If we follow the "celebs" who revel in notoriety, we will think nothing of their actions of fostering whatever brings them pleasure and fame; even if the fame is scurrilous.
If we will focus on the cross and the sufferings of Christ for our sake, we will be unable to wend our way into the path of unrighteousness.
The psalm and response urge us to always be aware of the sacrifice God, through the action of His Son, enabled us to concentrate on the virtues of Faith, Hope and Love!
Luke makes the life in Christ seem simple and at the same time difficult.
Love your enemies? Do good to those who harm you? What kind of irresponsibility is that. The prophets say God's foolhardy ways are wisdom when compared to our actions.
Therefore, we are to be like Him; unwisely wise!
God gives us no options! We are to think and do in terms of His love. Thereby, we become like Him; as He is in us.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Date: Sunday September 13, 2009 - 24th Sunday Ordinary Time
Readings: Isaiah 50:5-9 Psalm 116: 1-9
James 2:14-18 Mark 8:27-35
Every time I hear the term, "Suffering Servant", my mind immediately pictures Jesus in an attitude of unbelievable pain on the cross.
Christ had been curing people of various ills in the gentile regions of Palestine.
Jesus was a Jew; however, He took seriously, a Jew's obligation to love one's neighbor as oneself. (Lv. 19:18).
We read Isaiah's suffering servant oracles and assume he's predicting the future distress for Jesus. In reality, Isaiah had no concept of the future, and, in fact, was addressing the Israel, in exile, living in captivity in Babylon, as the suffering servant. The people of Babylon weren't very hospitable to these immigrants. After all, there were only enough jobs around to satisfy the needs of the Babylonians. They didn't need immigrants from across the Euphrates to take away their birthright.
Matthew and Luke repeat Mark's story of Jesus asking His disciples," Who do the people say I am?" When Pete responded, "You are the Christ, the Messiah", we attach attributes to his declaration , far from Peter's mind. The disciples, including Peter, used "Messiah" and Christ as synonyms for someone who would rid the people of the Roman conquerors. When Jesus declared His eventual suffering and death, Pete naturally, was taken aback. He thought, "If you die, what happens to the revolt?" Jesus wasn't anxious to die either! However, He was aware of the tremendous outpouring of the Father's love for His people. Therefore, He willingly accepted the task of emptying Himself of all glory and death on the cross, as His gift of Love.
We have an opportunity, every day, as the Body of Christ, to make up for anything which may be lacking in Christ's ultimate sacrifice.
St. James gives us the blueprint. Our Faith is empty without love of neighbor. We manifest our Christian heritage when we clothe, feed, and shelter those in need (our neighbors). Whether we fulfill their need physically, by alms, psychologically, by our show of care and commitment, or, spiritually, by our prayer, we give what we have for the sake of those God loves.
Readings: Isaiah 50:5-9 Psalm 116: 1-9
James 2:14-18 Mark 8:27-35
Every time I hear the term, "Suffering Servant", my mind immediately pictures Jesus in an attitude of unbelievable pain on the cross.
Christ had been curing people of various ills in the gentile regions of Palestine.
Jesus was a Jew; however, He took seriously, a Jew's obligation to love one's neighbor as oneself. (Lv. 19:18).
We read Isaiah's suffering servant oracles and assume he's predicting the future distress for Jesus. In reality, Isaiah had no concept of the future, and, in fact, was addressing the Israel, in exile, living in captivity in Babylon, as the suffering servant. The people of Babylon weren't very hospitable to these immigrants. After all, there were only enough jobs around to satisfy the needs of the Babylonians. They didn't need immigrants from across the Euphrates to take away their birthright.
Matthew and Luke repeat Mark's story of Jesus asking His disciples," Who do the people say I am?" When Pete responded, "You are the Christ, the Messiah", we attach attributes to his declaration , far from Peter's mind. The disciples, including Peter, used "Messiah" and Christ as synonyms for someone who would rid the people of the Roman conquerors. When Jesus declared His eventual suffering and death, Pete naturally, was taken aback. He thought, "If you die, what happens to the revolt?" Jesus wasn't anxious to die either! However, He was aware of the tremendous outpouring of the Father's love for His people. Therefore, He willingly accepted the task of emptying Himself of all glory and death on the cross, as His gift of Love.
We have an opportunity, every day, as the Body of Christ, to make up for anything which may be lacking in Christ's ultimate sacrifice.
St. James gives us the blueprint. Our Faith is empty without love of neighbor. We manifest our Christian heritage when we clothe, feed, and shelter those in need (our neighbors). Whether we fulfill their need physically, by alms, psychologically, by our show of care and commitment, or, spiritually, by our prayer, we give what we have for the sake of those God loves.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Wednesday 9-9,2009
The 23rd week in ordinary time
Readings: Colossians 3: 1-11 Psalm 145: Luke 6: 20-26
Psalm Response; "The Lord is compassionate toward all His works"
If one professes and is a Christian, Paul outlines the difficulties and the joys of being so!
The Colossians had been part of the pagan culture and were, in the past, immune to the virtues cited in Paul's letter.
Four major sins, included in Paul's litany consisted in their practices before they became aware of their salvation.
Murder, Apostasy, Adultery and Idolatry were considered the norm.
Murder included personal killing but also hatred, indifference and lack of compassion.
Apostasy was rampant because they sacrificed to and adored Adonis, Zeus and a myriad of deities they worshiped.
Adultery meant illicit relationships with beings of both genders; no one was immune!
Idolatry encompassed the love of money, power and esteem. The One God was an aberrant concept.
Paul wanted and instructed them to remain in close contact with the principles he had taught them. Not for personal aggrandizement but to emphasize God's role in their life and practices.
The Psalm tells of God's providence. He never leaves us without then support of His Holy Spirit. At times, we ignore His wise counsel. However, He is compassionate toward all His works.
Luke's beatitudes number four(4) as opposed to Matthew's nine(9). Luke has four(4) contrasting "woes".
If we are truly Christian, we can rejoice when others oppose our principles. The prophets of old were similarly opposed, although they were God's spokespersons.
Don't expect open arms and your disappointments will be nil.
Love God!; Love your neighbor as you love yourself!
Readings: Colossians 3: 1-11 Psalm 145: Luke 6: 20-26
Psalm Response; "The Lord is compassionate toward all His works"
If one professes and is a Christian, Paul outlines the difficulties and the joys of being so!
The Colossians had been part of the pagan culture and were, in the past, immune to the virtues cited in Paul's letter.
Four major sins, included in Paul's litany consisted in their practices before they became aware of their salvation.
Murder, Apostasy, Adultery and Idolatry were considered the norm.
Murder included personal killing but also hatred, indifference and lack of compassion.
Apostasy was rampant because they sacrificed to and adored Adonis, Zeus and a myriad of deities they worshiped.
Adultery meant illicit relationships with beings of both genders; no one was immune!
Idolatry encompassed the love of money, power and esteem. The One God was an aberrant concept.
Paul wanted and instructed them to remain in close contact with the principles he had taught them. Not for personal aggrandizement but to emphasize God's role in their life and practices.
The Psalm tells of God's providence. He never leaves us without then support of His Holy Spirit. At times, we ignore His wise counsel. However, He is compassionate toward all His works.
Luke's beatitudes number four(4) as opposed to Matthew's nine(9). Luke has four(4) contrasting "woes".
If we are truly Christian, we can rejoice when others oppose our principles. The prophets of old were similarly opposed, although they were God's spokespersons.
Don't expect open arms and your disappointments will be nil.
Love God!; Love your neighbor as you love yourself!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Mary's birthday
Tuesday 9/8/09; Nativity of Mary the mother of God; of the 23rd week in ordinary time.
Readings: Micah 5: 1-4a Romans 8: 28-30 Psalm 13: Matthew 1: 1-12. 18-23
Psalm Response: " With delight I rejoice in the Lord"
The prophet Micah foresees the Davidic line continued through the least of the tribes of Israel, Bethlehem. He also forecasts the rejection, by the old Israel, the Jewish nation, the savior who, according to the prophecy of Isaiah, burned into their brain; would be born of a virgin as applied typologically to Jesus' mother.
Although the Church denies the fatalistic, general predestination, it agrees God predestined some souls to be His vessels and messengers from time immemorial. These are the predestined mentioned in Romans 8!
The psalmist presupposes the forthcoming of his salvation through the forgiveness of sin.
He has been good to us! Therefore we rejoice in the Lord!
The genealogy of Matthew categorizes many Jewish ancients as kin to Jesus going back to Abraham, who was the father of the Hebrew nation.
Although Christ was to His elder brethren, none-the less, to show His love for all people, through the Holy Spirit's prompting, He included several gentile women in His genealogy to open His salvation to all of His creation.
Joseph, His foster-father had the right to separate from Mary who in his mind was no longer a virgin. However, in a dream. emulating Jacob's son, Joseph, he was given a vision of her innocence. Therefore, he took her into his home as his wife. He was a righteous man and God's choice as Christ's early caretaker.
We can substitute for Joseph when we care for and attend to the needs of the Church, His Body!
Readings: Micah 5: 1-4a Romans 8: 28-30 Psalm 13: Matthew 1: 1-12. 18-23
Psalm Response: " With delight I rejoice in the Lord"
The prophet Micah foresees the Davidic line continued through the least of the tribes of Israel, Bethlehem. He also forecasts the rejection, by the old Israel, the Jewish nation, the savior who, according to the prophecy of Isaiah, burned into their brain; would be born of a virgin as applied typologically to Jesus' mother.
Although the Church denies the fatalistic, general predestination, it agrees God predestined some souls to be His vessels and messengers from time immemorial. These are the predestined mentioned in Romans 8!
The psalmist presupposes the forthcoming of his salvation through the forgiveness of sin.
He has been good to us! Therefore we rejoice in the Lord!
The genealogy of Matthew categorizes many Jewish ancients as kin to Jesus going back to Abraham, who was the father of the Hebrew nation.
Although Christ was to His elder brethren, none-the less, to show His love for all people, through the Holy Spirit's prompting, He included several gentile women in His genealogy to open His salvation to all of His creation.
Joseph, His foster-father had the right to separate from Mary who in his mind was no longer a virgin. However, in a dream. emulating Jacob's son, Joseph, he was given a vision of her innocence. Therefore, he took her into his home as his wife. He was a righteous man and God's choice as Christ's early caretaker.
We can substitute for Joseph when we care for and attend to the needs of the Church, His Body!
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