Father Marino's Meditations

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout with Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS FILLED WITH 12 GIFTS The traditional season of Christmastide or Twelvetide begins on December 25, with daily festivities and gift giving, culminating in the feast of Epiphany, January 6, the manifestation of Jesus to the world. Rather than partridges in pear trees and endless drummers drumming, here are twelve sacred gifts, dear to the hearts of those who celebrate Christ year ’round. Enjoy opening each one! On the 1st day of Christmas our true love gave us LOVE : “See what great love the Father has lavished on us.” 1 John 3:1 On the 2nd day of Christmas our true love gave us HOPE : “For you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:5 On the 3rd day of Christmas our true love gave us WISDOM : “He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” Daniel 2:21 On the 4th day of Christmas our true love gave us JOY: “He will yet fil

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Spiritual Workout with  Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin YOUR DESTINY IS IN YOUR HANDS There once was a wise man that was known throughout the land for his wisdom. One day a young boy, feeling that it was his duty, decided to test the wise man and prove that the wise man was a fake. The boy thought to himself, “I will bring a live bird to test the wise man. I will hold the bird behind my back and I will ask him whether the bird is dead or alive. If he says that it is alive, I will squeeze the bird and kill it. If he says the bird is dead, I will free the bird and let him fly away. Either way, I will prove that the wise man is a fake!” With that idea in mind, he approached the wise man and asked, “Oh wise man, I have a bird in my hand. Can you tell me if the bird is dead or alive?” The wise man paused for a moment and replied, “Young man, that which you hold in your hands is what you make of it. If you wish the bird to be dead, then it will die. If you

  WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout  with  Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin PRAYING THE “O” ANTIPHONS WITH HOPEFUL EXPECTATION The Roman Catholic Church has been praying the "O" Antiphons since at least the eighth century. These are special intercessions and prayers offered to the Infant Jesus expressing our hopes and desires as we await His coming.  They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament.  They proclaim the coming Christ as the fulfillment not only of Old Testament hopes but present ones as well. Their repeated use of the imperative "Come!" embodies the longing of all for the Divine Messiah. Let’s pray the “O” Antiphons together in spirit this season! December 17 O Wisdom  of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge!   December 18 O Leader  of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout  with  Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin IS IT REALLY DIRTY LAUNDRY? A young, successful couple found their dream home. Shortly after purchasing it, the couple sat at their kitchen table to indulge in a delicious breakfast. The wife looked out the window, and to her surprise, she saw her neighbor hanging dirty laundry on the clothesline. “That laundry isn’t clean, it’s still dirty!” she said to her husband. “Someone needs to teach her a thing or two when it comes to washing her clothes!” A couple of days later, the couple sat down at their kitchen table for another meal. The wife saw her neighbor hanging clothes on the clothesline. But this time something was different. “Wow, look!” the surprised wife said to her husband, “Her clothes are clean! Someone must have taught her how to do her laundry.” Without raising his head from his plate, the husband kindly responded, “Actually, honey, I got up early this morning and washed the window.