Father Marino's Meditations

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout with Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin   YET HE WENT ON…   W h en we g e t d e p r e ss e d , w h en we h ave a h ard t i m e c o n t i nu i n g t o d o g o o d , w h en we f e el a l o n e a n d n o b o d y else seems t o b e on our si d e, let’s r e f lect on t h is:   J e s u s f r o m Hi s c h i l d h o o d h ad t h e d e a d l i est of e n e mie s . J e s u s w as ig n o r ed a n d p assed ov e r f or th i r t y yea r s. J e s u s bore t h e very w o r s t i nt e r p r e t a t i o n s of H i s very k i nd e s t ac t i o n s . J e s u s h ad a ll H is w o rd s w ar p e d , t w is t e d , f alsely r e p o r t e d , mag n i f ie d , mi n i mi z e d , and ma d e t o m e a n t h e v e ry opp o s i t e b y m e n s e t ex p r essly t o c a t c h H i m . J e s u s h ad n o s u p p o r t f r o m t h ose i n a u t h o r i t y, o n l y s u s p i c io

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A  Midweek Spiritual Workout with Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin   DEATH’S DOOR A sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, “Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side.”   Very quietly, the doctor said, “I don’t know.” “You don’t know? You’re a Christian and don’t know what’s on the other side?” The doctor stood at the door, ready to open it. On the other side, there was the sound of scratching and whining. As the doctor opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him in an eager show of gladness. Turning to the patient, the doctor said, “Did you notice my dog? He’s never been inside this room before. He didn’t know what was inside. All he knew was that his master was here. When the door opened, he ran in without fear. I know little about what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing…I know my Master is there, and that is enough for me.” On this  S

  WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout with Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin LENT: A TIME TO LET GO Let go of bitterness.  Embrace forgiveness. Let go of jealousy.  Embrace gratitude. Let go of hatred.  Embrace love. Let go of anger.  Embrace peace. Let go of pride.  Embrace humility. Let go of selfishness.  Embrace service. Let go of despair.  Embrace joy. Let go and let God.   On this  SPIRITUAL WORKOUT WEDNESDAY, ask yourself what you must let go of and what you need to embrace to bring this Lenten season to a fruitful completion on Easter Sunday.

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout with Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin IN HIS IMAGE   I slipped His fingers; I escaped His feet. I ran and hid for Him; I feared to meet him.   One day, I passed Him, fettered on a tree. He turned His head and looked and beckoned me.   Neither by speed nor strength could He prevail. Each hand and foot were pinioned by a nail.   He could not run nor clasp me if He tried, but with His eyes, He bade me reach His side.   “For pity's sake,” thought I, “I’ll set you free.” “Nay, take this Cross,” He said, “and follow Me.”   This yoke is easy. This burden light. Not hard, nor grievous if you wear it tight.   So did I follow Him who could not move, An uncaught captive in the hands of Love.”   ~ Elizabeth Cheney, 15 th century poet On this  SPIRITUAL WORKOUT WEDNESDAY, remember that Christ bore the burden of our sins. He suffered, died, and rose for us. His crucifixion is our redemption.

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout with Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin THE KISS OF CHRIST Lo, there He hangs – Ashen figure pinioned against the wood. God grant that I might love Him As I know, I really should.   I draw a little closer To feel His love divine, And hear Him gently whisper “Ah, precious child of mine –   If now I would embrace you, My hands would stain you red. And if I leaned to whisper, My thorns would pierce your head.”   ‘Twas then I learned in sorrow That love demands a price. ‘Twas then I learned that suffering Is but the kiss of Christ. ~This is variously attributed to Fr. John H. Hampsch, CMF or Caryll Houselander   On this  SPIRITUAL WORKOUT WEDNESDAY, remember the suffering you or someone close to you has borne. Consider how that suffering was received: with anger, impatience, despair, or acceptance. How does the image of suffering as the kiss of Christ, help to soften the pain?

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout with Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin CH R I S T CRUC I FIED   H is b r o w is r e nt , He th i n k s of yo u . H is eyes are gl a z e d , He looks for you. H is f ace is d ra w n , H e year n s f or yo u . H is voice is w e a k , H e c alls f or yo u .   H is h a nd s are p ie r c e d , H e b ec k o n s y o u .   H is f e e t are t o r n , H e se e k s f or yo u .   H is h e a rt is o p e n ed Wi d e f or y o u .   H is b lo o d is s h ed F o r love of yo u .   F o r all of t h is, W h at w ill YOU d o?   ~ Fr. Leo n ard E d w ard F e e n e y , S.J. (2 . 18.1 8 97 – 1 . 30.1 9 78)   On this  SPIRITUAL WORKOUT WEDNESDAY, remember that Christ bore the burden of our sins. He suffered, died, and rose for us. His crucifixion is our redemption. For this gift of salvation, what will you do?

   WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout with Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin THE CRUCIFIX: THE BOOK OF LIFE   If you want to love God, look at the Crucifix!   If you hope for eternal happiness, look at the Crucifix! If you wonder how much God loves you, look at the Crucifix! If you wonder how much God wants you in heaven, look at the Crucifix! If you wonder how God tries to save you from damnation, look at the Crucifix! If you wonder how much God wants to save your immortal soul, look at the Crucifix! If you wonder how much you should forgive others, look at the Crucifix! If you wonder how much your faith demands of you, look at the Crucifix! If you want to know what unselfishness and generosity are, look at the Crucifix! If you wonder how you can bring others to Christ, look at the Crucifix! If you want to understand the need for self-denial and mortification, look at the Crucifix! If you wish to live well, look at the Crucifix! If  I   If you wish to die well, look at th