Father Marino's Meditations

  WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout  with  Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin LENT: A TIME TO MAKE TIME TO PRAY, FAST & GIVE ALMS On this  Spiritual Workout Wednesday,  let's remember Ash Wednesday is the start of the Lenten Season and the beginning of a firm resolution to  PRAY  a little more than usual,  FAST  and/or abstain without complaint and  GIVE ALMS   in terms of time, talent, and treasure to others with a joyful heart.  Then, when Easter comes, we can look back and see if our prayer brought us closer to God, whether our fasting helped us to grow spiritually, and if our almsgiving made a difference in the lives of others.

  WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout  with  Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin I PRAYED; GOD ANSWERED    I  asked God for strength, that I might achieve.  I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.  I asked God for health, that I might do greater things.  I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.  I asked God for riches, that I might be happy.  I was given poverty, that I might be wise.   I asked God for power, that I might have the praise of men. I was given weakness, that I might feel the need for God.   I asked God for all things, that I might enjoy life. I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.   I received nothing that I asked for, but everything I had hoped for.   Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.   I am, among all others,  most richly blessed. On this Spiritual Workout Wednesday , let's rethink what we ask of God by asking Him what he asks of us. Let's listen to the message He wa

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout with  Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin EVERYTHING IS GRACE;  GRACE IS EVERYTHING According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, grace is participation in the life of God.” (CCC #1996-1997) Grace is a gift from God free and undeserved. We currently live in a culture where people tell themselves they deserve to have anything they want, whenever they want, simply because they want it or think they have earned it in some way. So, to hear that God is giving us a free and undeserved gift might sound rather shocking to the modern ear. The truth is, that due to our sinful nature we don’t deserve this gift of grace that God freely offers us. The sins that we commit every single day are the same sins that nailed Jesus to His cross for our sake (another freely given and undeserved gift) which, by our human standards, is an unforgivable thing to do. By offering us this undeserved gift of grace, God is demonstrating His unconditional lo

  WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout with Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin TIME: VALUE IT AND USE IT WELL To realize the value of ONE YEAR , ask a student who failed a grade. To realize the value of ONE MONTH , ask a mother who gave birth to a premature  baby. To realize the value of ONE WEEK , ask the editor of a weekly newspaper. To realize the value of ONE HOUR , ask lovers waiting to meet. To realize the value of ONE MINUTE , ask a person who missed a plane. To realize the value of ONE SECOND , ask someone who just avoided an accident. To realize the value of ONE MILLISECOND , as the person who won the silver medal in the Olympics. Treasure every moment that you have. Remember that time waits for no one. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present. On this Spiritual Workout Wednesday, take some time before you retire for the night and consider how you spent the day. How did you use the gift of time today? How might y