Father Marino's Meditations

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout with Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin   WE EACH HAVE ONE OF OUR VERY OWN Autumn brings with it the celebration of angels. We learn from Scripture, the writings of the saints, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church that we each have our own personal Guardian Angel. Youngsters in Catholic schools years ago might remember the nun’s caution to leave a little space on their seats so their Guardian Angel could sit beside them. As children, we were taught about angels as a comfort. But as we mature, we sometimes forget about our Guardian Angels. Angels are not only intercessors; they are mediators. God entrusts them with His divine power to act in His name and on His behalf, to deliver His grace, reveal His Truth, direct us down the right path, and protect us from evil. Though God is fully capable of distributing His grace Himself, it is His will that all He bestows upon us come to us through mediators who are instruments cooperatin

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout with Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin G+M+B=G FORMULA FOR INTERIOR PEACE G RACE is when God gives us good things that we don’t deserve. M ERCY is when God spares us from evils that may harm us. B LESSINGS are God’s way of bestowing His GRACE and MERCY on us. G RATITUDE is when we thank God for His BLESSINGS. If you are blessed, be grateful! On this  SPIRITUAL WORKOUT WEDNESDAY, open your heart to recognize the G+M+B+G formula. Ask yourself if the formula is an answer to your prayers. God is good. He is always good in all ways. Be grateful!    

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout with Fr. Marino H. Msigala,  OFM Capuchin LIKE MARY, GO WITH HASTE On September 8, we celebrated the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and four days later, we honored Her Name Day. On September 15, we commemorated Our Lady of Sorrows. September focuses our attention on Mary and Her role in salvation history, the story of God’s plan to save humanity from sin and bring us to heaven. At the Annunciation, Mary immediately said yes to the angel and accepted Her role as the Handmaid of the Lord and the Mother of Jesus. This was big news, astonishing news, and very difficult to comprehend. But Mary, in humble faith and with great trust, said, “Yes.” When Mary learned that her older cousin, Elizabeth, was also expecting, her thoughts immediately turned to her. Mary could have worried about all that needed to be done in preparation for the birth of Jesus, but instead, she chose to focus on Elizabeth's needs. She entrusted herself co

WEDNESDAY WORKOUT Midweek Spiritual Workout with Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin HOW DO YOU DEFINE FEAR?   Fear has two meanings:   F orget E verything A nd R un   Or   F ace E verything A nd R ise The choice is yours. On this  SPIRITUAL WORKOUT WEDNESDAY , decide how you define fear. Fear is, “What if?” Faith is, “Even if!” Choose faith to overcome your fear.    

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout with Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin WHAT ARE THE 3 Cs IN LIFE? Choices Chances Change You must make a CHOICE To take a CHANCE Or your life will never CHANGE On this  SPIRITUAL WORKOUT WEDNESDAY , consider the choices you have. How might those choices force you to take a chance you might be reluctant to make? Which choice is a big chance? Are you willing to make that choice, take that chance, and change your life? With God, all things are possible.

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout with Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin A SHORT COURSE IN HUMAN RELATIONS The 6 most important words: I admit I made a mistake. The 5 most important words: You did a good job. The 4 most important words: What is your opinion? The 3 most important words: If you please. The 2 most important words: Thank you! The 1 most important word: We The least important word: I On this  SPIRITUAL WORKOUT WEDNESDAY, review this short course and try to use these 20 most important words when you talk with family, friends, and neighbors this week. What are some other important words that might improve your relationships with others?

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY  A Midweek Spiritual Workout with Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin WHAT’S IN YOUR SURVIVAL KIT? Science says that we need at least 4 basic elements to survive: Water Air Food Light And look what the Bible tells us about Jesus: I am the living Water. I am the Breath of Life. I am the Bread of Life. I am the Light of the World.   Science is right! We need Jesus to survive…and thrive! On this  SPIRITUAL WORKOUT WEDNESDAY, pack up your survival kit and journey with Jesus. How will you reflect His light to others? How will you share your survival kit so that others can survive and thrive!

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout with Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin NO PAIN; NO GAIN Grapes are trampled to make wine.   Coal is compressed to make diamonds.   Olives are crushed to release oil. Seeds are buried to bloom to fruition. When you feel trampled, compressed, crushed, buried… You are in a powerful place of transformation. Get ready for change. Prepare to be a better you. God has a plan for you. Trust His process.   On this  SPIRITUAL WORKOUT WEDNESDAY, get ready, prepare, trust the path, trust your inner light, trust the Holy Spirit, and trust God’s process. Accept the transformation that lies ahead, knowing that God is transforming you into a better version of yourself. Remember, “God saw everything that He made, and behold, it was very good.” Genesis 1:31.

WEDNESDAY WORKOUT A Midweek Spiritual Workout with Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin PRAYER OF UNKNOWING My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. I don't really know myself, and just because I think I am following Your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.   But I believe that the desire to please You does, in fact, please You. I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.   And I know that if I do this, You will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it.   Therefore, I will trust You always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.   I will not fear, for You are ever with me, and You will never leave me to face my perils alone.   You are my rock, my anchor, and my reassurance at all times, especially when I have no idea where I am going and cannot see th

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY A Midweek Spiritual Workout with Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin WHAT’S THE PASSWORD FOR CONNECTING TO GOD?   When God created fish, He spoke to the sea. When God created trees, He spoke to the earth, When God created man, He turned to Himself. Then, God said, “Let Us make man in Our image and likeness.”   If you take a fish out of water, it will die. If you remove a tree from the soil, it will also die. Likewise, when men and women are disconnected from God, they will die. God is our natural environment. We were created to live in His presence. We have to be connected to Him because it is only in Him that life exists.   We recall that water without fish is still water, But fish without water are nothing. Soil without trees is still soil, But trees without soil are nothing. God without man is still God, But man without God is nothing.   On this  SPIRITUAL WORKOUT WEDNESDAY,  know that we are nothing without God. Reme