Father Marino's Meditations

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout with Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin FIVE GIFTS FROM YOUR HEART TO THE HEART OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY A CLEAN HEART Go to confession regularly, especially near one of Mary’s feast days. A PRAYERFUL HEART Keep Mary in your heart as children do with their mother. A VIRTUOUS HEART Imitate Mary’s virtues of faith, hope, and charity. A SEEKING HEART Learn more about Mary by reading about her. A GENEROUS HEART Pray the rosary as an intercessory prayer for your family, friends, and the world. On this SPIRITUAL WORKOUT WEDNESDAY , spend some time in prayer with the Mother of God, the Help of Christians, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Our Lady of Lourdes, the Morning Star, Queen of Peace, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Mother of Mercy, Our Lady of Fatima, and the Immaculate Conception. Which of Mary’s more than 100 titles powers your prayer?

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout with Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin MIRACLE AT THE ALTAR HOW DO THE BREAD AND WINE TURN INTO THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST? TRANSUBSTANTIATION Through the power of the Holy Spirit and the instrumentality of the priest, the bread and wine become the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The transubstantiation happens during the consecration when the priest speaks the words uttered by Christ Himself at the Last Supper, “This is My Body…this is My Blood.” JOHN 6:55 The bread and wine are not a symbol for the body and blood of Christ because the words are very explicit, “This is My body.” Rather than, “This represents or is a symbol of My Body.”  “My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink.” EUCHARIST MEANS THANKSGIVING In Jesus taking the form of bread, we are reminded of our complete dependence upon God. We must believe with all our hearts that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist. Only then will we find the import

  WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout with Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin AS A CATHOLIC I do not believe in luck. I BELIEVE IN GOD’S BLESSINGS . I do not believe in karma. I BELIEVE IN GOD’S MERCY. I do not believe in feng shui, fortune-telling, charms, horoscopes, or astrology. I BELIEVE IN GOD’S GRACE. I, the Lord, am your God. You shall not have other Gods before Me.” Exodus 20:2-3 On this SPIRITUAL WORKOUT WEDNESDAY , ask yourself what you believe in and then live what you believe.

  WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout with Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin NEGATIVITY VS. POSITIVITY Consider this: Hate has 4 letters, but so does LOVE . Enemies has 7 letters, but so does FRIENDS . Lying has 5 letters, but so does TRUTH. Cry has 3 letters, but so does JOY. Negative has 8 letters, but so does POSITIVE. There are 2 sides to life. Which do you choose? On this SPIRITUAL WORKOUT WEDNESDAY , which choice will you make? Now consider ways that you can act with POSITIVITY. Turn some negatives into positives this week.

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout with Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin   THREE WAYS TO SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS Do you know that we are all called to be evangelists? Yes, us! The mission of proclaiming the word of God is the task of all the disciples of Christ because we are all baptized in Him. Evangelization is expressed in words and deeds, through the proclamation and through the witness of a life lived in Christ. We are Christians; therefore, we are evangelists! Here are three ways to evangelize, that is, spread the Good News of Christ: PRAY: Evangelization is a work of God. Pray a few simple prayers each day. Ask the Lord to give you a heart for the lost, the folks on the margin, the underserved. Remember that Christ does not call the equipped; He equips the called. Pray that He equips you, and He will! INVITE: Be hospitable and inclusive. Ask a friend to join you for a course, lecture, or movie that explains the teachings of Christ. Introduce your

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout with Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin   NO DUTY IS MORE URGENT THAN THAT OF RETURNING THANKS THANK YOU, LORD , for the times we forget to thank You and for accepting our thanks when we remember. THANK YOU, LORD,  for giving us gifts we don’t deserve and giving us ways to share them. THANK YOU, LORD,  for reminding us there are people who have less than we do and for calling on us to help them. THANK YOU, LORD,  for nourishing the earth and for nourishing us. THANK YOU, LORD,  for the promises You kept because we couldn’t keep our own and for forgiving us anyway. THANK YOU, LORD,  for our loved ones here with us and for our loved ones who are with You. THANK YOU, LORD! On this  SPIRITUAL WORKOUT WEDNESDAY , count your blessings and add a couple of lines of your own to this litany of gratitude.