[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKFoiiZERm8&w=560&h=315]

Silent Night. The only carol I could play to completion at Christmas at mum’s

Silent Night. The only hymn that was picked by fr D to sing during one our masses.

Silent Night. The only and opening hymn that we recognised during local Sunday mass in Italian

A little pondering afterward, I thought and I said: perhaps it is now the season for me to embark on a silent retreat!

Isaiah 40:25-31 The Lord strengthens the powerless

The Lord is an everlasting God,

he created the boundaries of the earth.

He does not grow tired or weary,

his understanding is beyond fathoming.

He gives strength to the wearied,

he strengthens the powerless.

Young men may grow tired and weary,

youths may stumble,

but those who hope in the Lord renew their strength,

they put out wings like eagles.

They run and do not grow weary,

walk and never tire.

Ps 102

My soul, give thanks to the Lord

all my being, bless his holy name.

who redeems your life from the grave,

who crowns you with love and compassion.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord

Matthew 11:28-30

My yoke is easy and my burden light

Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’

It just came to me last night “to find consolation even amidst the pile and backlog of my work, to see joy in the blessings that I have an abundance of work, and to carry it all with out with a grateful heart despite the unease of feeling behind and not on top of things and the constant feeling of having to catch up”

I also find much peace, comfort and consolation when my desk is absolutely clear and not filled inside with more things than I need. In fact, I always strive to empty away the excess, battle to introduce more new items, but feel I have just way too much stuff within my desk area at work. A clear desk provides much clarity, and that includes the inside and the bottom area!

“It takes a moment of decision to allow the Kingdom into our lives.  The moment we decide to live a life of detachment, contentment, freedom and trust in God, the Kingdom is immediately available to us”

-Archbishop William Goh

How wonderfully glorious to feel a fantastic refreshed sense of renewal this morning, liberty and contentment and pure joy! Blessings indeed on this Feast of St Francis. The Transitus after mass was the first weekday mass in ages since Gubbio arrived!

He continues to speak to me after I was caught between my brother, his family and our mum. The message is clear.

I didn’t pray began I began my day yesterday and just realised it this morning after how I acted and what I did to my brother last night. And then after reading this first reading I came up with this rhyming title. A definite lesson for me to revert back to routine state of prayerfulness

2 Thessalonians 1:1-5,11-12 ©

We thank God for your faith and your love

From Paul, Silvanus and Timothy, to the Church in Thessalonika which is in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ; wishing you grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We feel we must be continually thanking God for you, brothers; quite rightly, because your faith is growing so wonderfully and the love that you have for one another never stops increasing; and among the churches of God we can take special pride in you for your constancy and faith under all the persecutions and troubles you have to bear. It all shows that God’s judgement is just, and the purpose of it is that you may be found worthy of the kingdom of God; it is for the sake of this that you are suffering now.

Knowing this, we pray continually that our God will make you worthy of his call, and by his power fulfil all your desires for goodness and complete all that you have been doing through faith; because in this way the name of our Lord Jesus Christ will be glorified in you and you in him, by the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Love St Paul

The Lord is kind and full of compassion.

I will bless you day after day

and praise your name for ever.

The Lord is great, highly to be praised,

his greatness cannot be measured.

The Lord is kind and full of compassion.

Age to age shall proclaim your works,

shall declare your mighty deeds,

shall speak of your splendour and glory,

tell the tale of your wonderful works.

The Lord is kind and full of compassion.

They will speak of your terrible deeds,

recount your greatness and might.

They will recall your abundant goodness;

age to age shall ring out your justice.

The Lord is kind and full of compassion.

The Lord is kind and full of compassion,

slow to anger, abounding in love.

How good is the Lord to all,

compassionate to all his creatures.

The Lord is kind and full of compassion.

Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

They are happy who do his will,

seeking him with all their hearts,

I have sought you with all my heart;

let me not stray from your commands.

Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

My soul is ever consumed

as I long for your decrees.

I have chosen the way of truth

with your decrees before me.

Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

See, I long for your precepts;

then in your justice, give me life.

I open my mouth and I sigh

as I yearn for your commands.

Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.