“I am the good shepherd,” thus says the Lord: Reflection by Cynthia Abegail

“I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away —- and the wolf snatched them and scatters them.  The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep.  I am the good shepherd, I know my  own and my own know me just as the Father knows me and I know the Father.  And I lay down my life for the sheep.  I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.  I shall bring them also and they will listen to my voice.  So there will be one flock, one shepherd.  For this reason, the Father loves me because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.”  Jn10:11-18

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This gospel is one of the most beautiful imagery in the New Testament.  It shows a loving sacrifice, care, love and concern of the Good Shepherd to his sheep.

The sheep is an allegory for the people, the faithful and the lost.  I can see in this scenario an encompassing Love not only for those who follow the Lord.  It is a love beyond human understanding!  It is a love that gathers—-that outreach—-a love that breaks barriers.

In the same way as the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit are One:  the final goal is definitive communion and unity!  Just as Jesus loves all, we must help one another, save one another, reach out to the poor, marginalised, the depressed, the homeless and the lost!  It’s not an elitist ideology like, “I am better than others.”  It is a caring approach, a selfless life dedicated to God and others.  How sweet that life is!  Let us imitate the Lord, our Good Shepherd.  Praise the Lord forever and ever!!!

“Lord, to whom shall we go, you have the words of eternal life:” Reflection by Cynthia Abegail

“He went on, ‘This is why I told you that no one could come to me except by the gift of the Father.  After this many of his disciples went away and accompanied Him no more.  Then Jesus said to the Twelve, ‘What about you, do you want to go away too?’  Simon Peter answered, ‘Lord to whom shall we go? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe, we have come to know that you are the Holy One of God.’   Jn 6: 65-69

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Knowing Jesus is a gift from Almighty Father.  It comes from the Father to show us that everything is grace and gifts.  We are empty without God, we are nothing without God.  Even faith is a gift, so we do not receive it by doing good work, but it’s freely given.

Job from the story in the Old Testament aced the idea:  “I came to the world bare and and I will go back to dust empty,” just to paraphrase it.  He is an exemplary child of God!  He knows who he is and he knows the greatness of God.

From this premise, St Peter, the leader of the disciples,  deep in his heart knows that Jesus is the only Way.  He has nowhere to go because Jesus has the words of eternal life.  He did not waver this time because the Father has lifted the veil of blindness from him, but he will deny Jesus before the Crucifixion.  Most of us are like Peter, we love Jesus; then we deny Jesus, finally we acknowledge Jesus.  The Lord knows our weaknesses.  He forgives us always, as long as we repent of our sins and go back to Him.

Yes, the Lord has the words of eternal life!  If salvation and life eternal matters to us, let us come back to Lord Jesus.  In Him, there is no damnation by His Precious Blood shed in Calvary.  He had ransomed us and saved us from the pits of Hades.  

Praise the Lord!  We love you Almighty Father, we love you Jesus, the Son of God, we love you Holy Spirit, All in One! Amen.  Alleluia.

MORNING PRAYER TO ABBA FATHER : REV FR JOSE VETTIYANKAL, VC

MORNING PRAYER TO ABBA FATHER

My father, I come into your presence, even as I begin my day. I come to find WISDOM so that today I will not make foolish mistakes, so that I will know when to speak and when to keep silent, when to act, and when to refrain from action. I come to find PEACE, so that nothing may worry me or upset me today. I come to find COURAGE, to be patient, not to give up hope, to accept disappointment knowing You will turn all things for my good. I have come to find LOVE, so that nothing makes me bitter unforgiving and unkind. I have come to begin this DAY with You and I desire to continue this day with You so that it will be a day with nothing to regret. Father you are my provider and I know that you will provide my day's needs. Father you are my protector keep me this day free from all attacks from powers of darkness, cover me with precious Blood of your son Jesus and surround me with your angels. I make This Prayer in Jesus Name, AMEN.

(Thanks to  Rev Fr Jose Vettiyankal VC, a prominent provincial in India whose expertise is healing ministry through God's grace.
He has an apostolate to the Divine Mercy in an international
level.  Praise God for Fr. Jose and for all the Vincentians in
India and in the world).  New World

Source:  www.nityaradhana.com

“My Heart is moved with compassion, thus says the Lord:” Reflection by Prayer Aid (Jane Pimenta)

My heart is moved with compassion for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance.” Mark 8:2-3 

The heart of God is moved with compassion for us and everyone who is troubled, but the hands of God remain tied if we will not surrender and trust Him completely. We have to fight anxiety, (through prayer, praise, celebrating the Eucharist, sitting before the Blessed Sacrament…and any other way we know). As fear begins to leave us, we feel the Presence of God take its place, and know in our hearts that He is providing for us. When we come to Him for help He will NEVER send us away empty, but…. He will fulfil only His plans not ours.  Are we ready to subject our plans to Him?   “Jesus I surrender everything to you, you take care of it.”  (We totally concur!  Our Awesome God is loving and compassionate.  Whenever we are kind and merciful to people, we are reflecting in our lives the goodness of God.  Superb reflection).  Cynthia Abegail for New World.

KAITEUR FALLS IN CENTRAL GUYANA: PICTURE BY PININTEREST

MESMERIZING!

BE THANKFUL.......FORWARDED BY ABRAHAM G

Be Thankful........

.( Our New World is blessed with so many stories,Poems and maxims of life. Below please enjoy something we all have to know how great our God is and how much we all are blessed. Thanks To our Abraham, G, for forwarding it for our readers)New World

Today, in the bus, I saw a girl with golden hair I looked at her and sighed and wished I was as fair. When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle. She had one leg and used a crutch. But as she passed, she passed a smile. Oh, God, forgive me when I whine I have 2 legs, the world is mine. I stopped to buy some candy. The lad who sold it had such charm. I talked with him a while, he seemed so very glad. If I were late, it'd do no harm. And as I left, he said to me, "I thank you, you've been so kind. It's nice to talk with folks like you. You see," he said, "I'm blind." Oh, God, forgive me when I whine. I have 2 eyes, the world is mine. Later while walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes of blue He stood and watched the others play He did not know what to do. I stopped a moment and then I said, "Why don't you join the others, dear?" He looked ahead without a word. And then I knew, he couldn't hear. Oh, God, forgive me when I whine. I have 2 ears, the world is mine. With feet to take me where I'd go. With eyes to see the sunset's glow. With ears to hear what I would know. Oh, God, forgive me when I whine. I've been blessed indeed, The world is mine. If this poem makes you feel like I felt, just forward it to all your friends, after all, it's just a simple reminder.... We have soooooo much to be thankful for!!! "Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire, If you did, what would there be to look forward to? Be thankful when you don't know something, For it gives you the opportunity to learn." "Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons. Be thankful when you're tired and weary, Because it means you've made a difference."

Jokes Only by Cynthia Abegail: “That’s Women”

The worst enemy of women is gravity!  Why?  Those sagging skin pulled downwards by this mysterious force...

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There are so many folds and flats and wrinkles.  She imagines a cool flat iron is better than that serum to flatten her face.  Why has the moon been explored?  My craters are more simple. 😊

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I love those eyelashes curls!  If they could be thinner it could be better.

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Those eyebrows mesmerises me.  If only the arch doesn’t make one looks a matron!

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That make-up stirs my imagination.  If it does not make you a magician, so much the better.  Cool.

THE FLOWERS IN A MEADOW: POEM BY ARIANNA ROSE PHILIP

THE FLOWERS IN THE MEADOW: ARIANNA ROSE PHILIP

THE FLOWERS IN THE MEADOW

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A LIMERICK

ARIANNA ROSE PHILIP

I WAS WALKING IN THE MEADOW

AND I SAW A FLOWER THAT WAS YELLOW

IT STARTED TO RAIN

AND IT FELT LIKE JELLO

THEN THE RAIN STOPPED

AND ALL NEW FLOWERS POPPED

AND ON MY WAY HOME

I THOUGHT OF A FUNNY FELLOW

********

Copyright: Arianna Rose Philip

A poem with a scent of freshness and innocence!  A young gifted poet, Arianna is granddaughter of

Chief Editor of New World publications, George Kurian and she is also the daughter of Anisha Kurian- Philip and Mr Philip.  Excellent poem).  Cynthia Abegail

ARIANNA  LOVES TO DEDICATE THIS POEM TO ANIL KURIAN, HER UNCLE

ON HIS BIRTHDAY FEBRUARY 22nd. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY DEAR UNCLE.

“The hair of your head are numbered:” Reflection by Prayer Aid (Jane Pimenta)

“Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins?  And not one of them is forgotten before God.  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows”  Luke 12:6-7

Jesus knows our situation is difficult, yet He asks us not to worry!  He loves us deeply, and intimately, He knows everything about us, He is aware of things in our lives that even we may not be aware of.  I find this very comforting, if in times of worry and anxiety we turn to Him, and surrender the situation to Him, He will lead us in a perfect way.  Let us be quiet and try and understand that God’s love will lead us, and protect us in any and every situation.   “Jesus I surrender everything to you, you take care of it” (We always forget that God provides in all situations, but we simply have to ask!  Thanks Jane for this deep reflection.  Brilliant).  Cynthia Abegail for New World).

BEAUTIFUL PAINTING FORWARDED BY ABRAHAM G

                            BEAUTIFUL PAINTING

THANKS ABRAHAM G

DELIVERANCE PRAYER ---REV JOSE VETTIYANKAL, VC www.nityaradhana.com)

LAYMAN'S DELIVERANCE PRAYER

I claim protection of the precious blood of Jesus on me and on (persons concerned). In the name of Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, I cast out the evil spirit of (anger, jealousy, hatred, gluttony, alcoholism, pride, watching TV, etc.) from this person. Let the Holy spirit come upon you and transform everything around you. 0 Lord Jesus, send your Holy Spirit upon this person and transform his/her life into your image and likeness and change his/ her problems, difficulties and weak-nessess for his/her favour and for your glory and the greater glory of your Father. Follow this prayer by Free Praise using the gift of tongue or use Alleluia praise.
(Thanks to Rev Fr Jose Vettiyankal for this powerful deliverance prayer from any evil
spirit of bondage.  This could be prayed by any lay person anytime and could be prayed
daily for purification and in the name of Jesus Christ.  A very important prayer!)
New World

A PHOTO FROM KERALA BY ZOORJEE

Marvellous Photo: Forwarded By Zoorjee

What a striking photo from Kerala

Please click on the picture to enlarge it.

One of the Deadliest Sin --- Greed

Sometimes, we could focus on the deadly sin of pride because it is the root of many evil.  On the other hand, there is another one which could really entrench in the deep recesses of one's soul if unchecked.

Is it greed for money alone?  Not at all.  Money could be a root of evil, yet if is used to help the poor and the needy without search for fame, then it becomes an instrument for good.

Greed could come in many forms, greed for position, for power, for satisfaction of one's earthly desires and for all forms of vices.  One could not be greedy, too, for that "thou art holy attitude."  This is the very Pharisee attitude denounced by Lord Jesus in Scripture.  One could be following all the morals of the law in detail, but if in his or her heart, one puts down his brethren, then what good is in there?

Love is the very essence of Christian living.  Of course, one must follow the systematic and organised steps in worship of God.  The point is, "Do it with love, not with contempt."  Do it with allowance for errors because remember, no one is perfect!

Our goal is to go to heaven.  How can we fulfill our goal if our heart is full of spite for our neighbours and our mouth is full of poison for gossiping and backbiting.  We are not meant to be perfect, neither we are meant to be destroyers of peace and joy. We are meant for greater things for eternity but it should start from our hearts!

Cynthia Abegail Bernardo

WHEN YOU ARE DOWN TO NOTHING, GOD IS UP TO SOMETHING FORWARDED BY ABRAHAM G

STORY: WHEN YOU ARE DOWN TO NOTHING, GOD IS UP TO SOMETHING: FORWARDED BY ABRAHAM, G

When you're down to nothing, God is up to something.


This is beautiful! Try not to cry.

She jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room. She said:'How is my little boy ? Is he going to be all right ? When can I see him ?'

The surgeon said, 'I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn't make it.'

Sally said, 'Why do little children get cancer ? Doesn't God care any more ? Where were you, God, when my son needed you ?'

The surgeon asked, 'Would you like some time alone with your son ? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to the university.'

Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said good bye to son. She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair. 'Would you like a lock of his hair ?' the nurse asked.

Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally.

The mother said, 'It was Jimmy's idea to donate his body to the University for Study. He said it might help somebody else. 'I said no at first, but Jimmy said, 'Mom, I won't be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom.' She went on, 'My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could.'

Sally walked out of Children's Mercy Hospital for the last time, after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy's belongings on the seat beside her in the car.

The drive home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried Jimmy's belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son's room.

She started placing the model cars and other personal things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She laid down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep.

It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Laying beside her on the bed was a folded letter. The letter said :

'Dear Mom, I know you're going to miss me; but don't think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just 'cause I'm not around to say 'I Love You'. I will always love you, Mom, even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you won't be so lonely, that's okay with me. He can have my room and old stuff to play with. But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn't like the same things us boys do. You'll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know. Don't be sad thinking about me. This really is a neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything. The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly. And, you know what? Jesus doesn't look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus himself took me to see GOD ! And guess what, Mom ? I got to sit on God's knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody important. That's when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you good bye an d everything. But I already knew that wasn't allowed. Well, you know what Mom ? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter. I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you. God said for me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him 'Where was He when I needed him ?' 'God said He was in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was right there, as He always is with all His children. Oh, by the way, Mom, no one else can see what I've written except you. To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn't that cool ? I have to give God His pen back now He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I'm sure the food will be great.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I don't hurt anymore. The cancer is all gone. I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore and God couldn't stand to see me hurt so much, either. That's when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was a Special Delivery ! How about that ?

Signed with Love from God, Jesus & Me.

(Let's see Satan stop this one.) Take 60 seconds and repost this, within the hour, you will have caused a multitude of believers to pray to God for each other. Then sit back and feel the Holy Spirit work in your life for doing what you know God loves 'When you're down to nothing, God is up to something.'

Email this.Title: This is beautiful ! Try not to cry.

Send this to 10 people in 2 minutes and you will feel the Holy Spirit brightening your life in just an hour.

GOD'S GRANDEUR: BY GERARD MANLY HOPKINS: POEM FORWARDED BY CYNTHIA ABEGAIL

GOD'S GRANDEUR

The world is charged with the grandeur of God.
It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;
It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil
Crushed. Why do men now not wreck his rod
Generations have trodded, have trod, have trod;
And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;
And wear man's smudge and share man's smell: the soil.
Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod...
O' morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs---
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.
Gerard Manly Hopkins
(1844-1899)
Acknowledgement: Ferguson, Salter, Stallwarthy.
The Norton Anthology of Poetry