Learning to be Quick to Listen

The stigmata, a phenomenon where individuals bear the wounds of Christ's Passion , are intrinsically linked to the brutal reality of Jesus's crucifixion. Far exceeding any cinematic portrayal, the actual Roman crucifixion was an event of indescribable violence and degradation. This barbaric practice, widespread throughout the Roman Empire, was designed not only to inflict unimaginable physical torment but also to strip the victim of all dignity, often being the ultimate punishment for slaves. The intentional dehumanization inherent in Roman crucifixion — a process involving scourging, carrying the cross, and ultimately being nailed to it — provides a crucial backdrop for understanding the profound mystery of the stigmata. The sheer savagery of Christ's suffering, which led to specific wounds in his hands, feet, side, and head, forms the archetypal blueprint for these mystical manifestations in certain saints. Saints who have received the stigmata are seen as participating ...

Are you living for the now or for eternal happiness and joy? If you answered the former, it is time for a U-turn. If you answered the latter, keep on heading down that path.  Our lives are supposed to be centered on joy in the Lord . Pursuing a life that revels in the world and its empty promises may bring you pleasure but the joy you are seeking is from our Father. When you are walking with the Spirit, people are attracted to you and what you have. It is the perfect opportunity to talk about Jesus and his promise of eternal life in Heaven. There are so many stories of the rich and powerful never finding fulfillment.  How many film stars have veered into a life of calamity and ended up alone and sad. Once their god of choice (money, fame, notoriety, etc.) has abandoned them, they find themselves bound by what others think of them. On the other hand, look at the people who chose to do great things, not for themselves, but for others. Through them, Jesus worked to spread his me...