All day yesterday passed by with the focus on the power of those words. After the week of such a hard work – they brought so much comfort. No one and nothing will defeat God’s love. His love is with me every day. How good it is to imagine that He is holding my hand.

Because of the great sense of tiredness, the whole day was passing by as if in slow motion. Except for the waking up part, as I got up very early to meet the Faculty members at breakfast, which we had together before they left – each to their homes. Impressions from the most wonderful moments, apperaciation for the great effort of all involved…

And the most important joy – that He gave us strength and His grace, and that all that is happening for His glory. God of love and life. And He is showing His love to us all the time – He is holding your hand and won’t let anybody snatch you out of it. He won’t let us part from Him even through our weaknesses.

Tired but happy to be able to take part in something bigger than us,

And always close to you

Fr. Jay 

I woke up around 5 o’clock local time (around noon-time in Poland), not knowing whart to do. It was dark outside, the whole house was asleep. A wonderful time for prayer and meditation. After the rosary the meditation led me to our recent days. I was still between Polish and local time and I rememberd Friday’r reading on the feeding of multitude (John 6: 1-15).

I was struck by the Apostles counting on their own strengths only, on what they had. The first thing they thought about on hearing Jesus’ question (“Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?”) was how much money that had and how much food one of the listeners had. They never thought about the Lord being with them and they felt helpless. And Jesus? He made use precisely of what seemed to them too modest and insufficient in this situation.

Jesys did not perform the miracle of creating of food (although he was able to do it) but the miracle of multiplication. As if he’d wanted to say: you don’t need what you haven’t got. All you need I have given into your hands. But remember just one thing: Me. With Me you’ll have enough of everything.

I have to make myself aware of it constantly, too. Especially here, thousands miles from home and the nearest and dearest and with a widow’s mite – as seen from the local point of view – in my pocket. The most important thing is that the Lord is here with me. He’s using my reality and especialy the people in it.

Jesus said to Nicodemus “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ” (John 3:16)

I remember being moved very much by those words when I was young . I was getting to know Jesus at that time. I felt so important and chosen and loved so much. Unselfishly and unconditionally.  Simply because I am!

Jesus said to her, “Mary.” (John 20:16a)

I am always enchanted with the the story of Mary at Jesus’ tomb, Mary, who was looking for the Lord, and He wanted her to recognise Him as living.

Mary recognised the risen Lord when He called her by name, even though she didn’t see Him yet. She believed when she heard His voice.

And how many times Jesus called me by name?

The first time – when I was baptised; at every Eucharist; every day when He comes to me with His word.

Jesus, let me always see You with the eyes of faith, when You call me by name which you’ve always known. 

Dorota

Good morning!

It’s now!

It’s already here!

The New Year!

Indeed, it sneaked in awkwardly between Monday and Tuesday. Some greeted it with fireworks, dances and toasts ;), and some – with prayer. 🙂

In our home we even prepared a special place for it – on the wall! In place of the old calendar, of course.

Even though I don’t know what this year will bring, I’m looking forward to it. And I’m happy it’s come, becuase today the Lord blesses us so aboundantly! With such a blessing you can move the mountains. 🙂

May the Lord bless you
    and keep you;
May the Lord make his face shine on you
    and show you His favour;
May he Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.

So they will put My name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.

(Numbers 6:24-27)

Dosia

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim… (1John 1:1)

He’s done everything so that you might touch Him, like St John did.

He knew that as a newborn baby needs the touch – you’ll have the same basic need, too. For some reasons He was not afraid of your scratches, wounds or dirt. You may touch Him whenever you want. You may touch Him in His Word – you can feel it under your fingertips when you tap the relevant app on your portable device, if you prefer it over the paperback or hardcover.

You may touch Him in the Eucharist, you may – as St John – rest on His Heart, where all the torment finds relief. You may – like a child – get entangled in His robe, get lost in it completely. You may let Him grip your hand firmly when the world around you seems to be collapsing.

No matter if you experienced in your life the “bad touch” or not enough of touch – you can touch Him and let Him touch you without fear. That’s why He came to this world. To tell you about the proximity you don’t have to be afraid of.

M

For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you: Do not fear; I will help.

(Isaiah 41,13)

‘ Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus’.(Luke 5:18)

Not a long time ago, when my Mother-in law was to stay with us, I was paralysed myself with my fear, reluctance and prejudices.

Luckily, I was surrounded by friends who carried me in their hearts before Jesus and He healed me.

It is for me a great privilege when I can help someone, when I can carry someone in my heart before His throne and give him to the King who will heal, not only what is visible but also what is hidden to the eyes.

It is good to have friends in the community of the church. They will care for us when we ourselves are unable to get before the face of the Lord.

Dosia

To celebrate birthday – it’s normal in our culture. Because the birth is certainly a moment when someone IS present. And today’s celebration is a feast dedicated to the conception. The beginning of man that is first known only to God. Today, in particular, the beginning of Mary.

Her beginning is special: it’s so full of grace as to take away from her the burden of sin – this fatal inclination that makes our life a struggle and that so often brings ourselves and the others to tears, However, this fullness of grace does not deprive Mary of her humanity. Because she was ‘greatly troubled’ when the Angel came to her, and posed him questions, and later on searched for her Son ‘anxiously” – and told Him about it. So She can accompany us with full understanding of our daily cares, questions, joys and disappointments.

When today we send to heaven our best wishes for Her, we can be sure that no conceived man is ever omitted by the Father of Life. The Word for today says is that ‘He chose us in Him before the creation of the world’ and  ‘in love He predestined us for adoption to sonship’. He chose you, He chose me. And He never called that off. He chose also this little One who was born several days ago with only half of the brain and the nuns from the
Foundation in Wrocław were looking for help for the baby.

In spite of all the circumstances, each beginning is a miracle of infinite love.

Małgosia

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:14)

We know for sure that He’s coming back again. He said so himself many times.

That’s why I, especially in the Advent, learn to expect Him with joy – like a beloved guest who likes to surprise us and never says when he’s going to visit us.

And I think it’s not so much the problem whether the Guest sees everything spanking clean. He cares more for my love, my kind reception and the ready heart. And the joy about His coming.

Basia