Father Marino's Meditations

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout with Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin I AM: LIVING IN THE PRESENT I was regre t ti n g t h e p ast a n d fearing t h e fu t u re. S udd e n ly m y Lord was sp e aki n g: “My n a m e is I a m .” H e p a u se d . I wa i t ed . He c onti n u e d . “W h en you live in t h e p ast w i th all i t s m istak e s a n d regre t s, it i s h ard. I am n ot t h ere. My n a m e is n ot I was. W h en you live in t h e fut u re w i th its p r o b le m s a n d fear s , i t is h ard. I am n ot th ere. My n a m e is n ot I will b e. W h en you live in t h is m om en t, it is n ot h a r d . I am h ere. “My n a m e is I a m .” And I am with you.   On this Spiritual Workout Wednesday , when regrets haunt you, worries trouble you, and future fears numb you, remember that God says His name is I am and “I am with you.” Make His name your mantra and whisper it throughout the day,

  WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout with  Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin COMMEMORATING THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS IN JANUARY January is traditionally dedicated to honoring the Holy Name of Jesus. We recognize the power and holiness of His name and honor it by keeping the second commandment, “You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain.” Unfortunately, in our secular world, we may easily slip into using expressions that dishonor His name. Social media and perhaps our own conversations casually use/misuse God’s name. Consider the many times we have exclaimed or heard exclaimed, “OMG!” How many times have we seen this expression on social media? Let’s clean up our act! Let’s raise our conversation to a higher level! On this Spiritual Workout Wednesday , let’s resolve to listen to ourselves more carefully. Let’s think before we allow ourselves to dishonor God’s name. When God’s name slips out unintentionally in casual conversation, just add a quick “be merci

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout with  Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin WHERE IS GOD WHEN WE NEED HIM? Although we know, and we believe that God is everywhere, sometimes we forget and think we are lost and that we have lost Him. The good news is that even when we think we have lost Him, He never loses us. Oftentimes God is found in the most unusual circumstances and in very surprising places. In every human experience, it is possible to encounter the presence of God. Sometimes it requires silence. Sometimes it requires patience. Sometimes it requires stillness. God is here, there, everywhere. Tune in to God to turn on to His presence. On the Spiritual Workout Wednesday, remember a time when you experienced God’s presence in a difficult relationship, in a failing, in loneliness, at work or in pleasure. Remember the comfort of knowing that despite the challenge you faced, God was with you through it all. If God brings you to it; He will bring you through it.

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout with  Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin PRAYER: A NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION Sometimes, we treat God like an ATM Machine. We stop by for a few minutes, tap in our identification and request what we want, and leave. It’s true that Jesus did say, “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”   Luke 11:9-10 But Jesus might be especially pleased with a few more prayers.   Let’s resolve this year to add a bit more to our prayer practice. ACTS is a good acronym to help us remember that asking God for what we want is just one way to pray. On this Spiritual Workout Wednesday , let’s consider adding A doration, C onfession , and T hanksgiving to our prayers of S upplication.