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

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.

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