Wake up and rise

03/27/2025

As they stood on the observation deck of the Empire State Building, a profound stillness enveloped the space. The sun blazed overhead, yet it was as if a different light began to emanate from Jesus himself. His jacket shimmered with an ethereal glow, transforming into a fabric that seemed woven from pure light. The brilliance radiating from His face dimmed the harsh glare of the midday sun, casting a warm and inviting aura around Him. Peter, Susanna, and John exchanged glances filled with awe.
“Is this real?” Peter whispered, his voice barely audible over the distant sounds of the city below. “It must be,” Susanna replied breathlessly.
“Look at Him!” As Jesus turned towards them, countless figures appeared around Him—men and women dressed in garments from various eras and cultures. Their faces were diverse yet united in joy as they engaged in animated conversation with their Lord.
“Who are they?” John asked, his eyes wide with wonder.
“They are my friends,” Jesus said gently, His voice resonating like music through the air. “Each one has walked their own path but found their way to me and answered to my call” Peter’s heart raced as he recognized some of them: Dorothy Day smiled warmly at him; Pope John Paul II nodded in acknowledgment; Mother Teresa’s presence radiated compassion; and Maximilian Kolbe stood resolute among them. Overwhelmed by emotion, Peter fell to his knees.
“Lord,” he stammered, “I want to stay here forever.” Jesus knelt beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“You can carry this light within you wherever you go,” He encouraged softly. “It is not confined to this place.” The atmosphere shifted as more questions flooded into their meeting space. Each inquiry seemed to draw out deeper truths about faith and existence.
“What do you want us to learn from all this? Susanna asked hesitantly.
“To love unconditionally,” Jesus replied without hesitation. “In every moment of darkness, let your hearts shine brightly.” As He spoke these words, His form glowed even brighter—a beacon of hope amidst uncertainty.
As the vibrant scene unfolded around Jesus, Peter, Susanna, and John found themselves captivated by the figures that flickered in and out of sight. Each moment felt like a brush with history, as if time itself had bent to allow these luminaries a brief audience with their Lord.
“Look!” John exclaimed, pointing towards a figure clad in a flowing robe. “Is that Martin Luther?”
“It is!” Susanna gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief. “What could he possibly want to share with us?” The great reformer stepped forward, his expression earnest yet serene.
“Faith is not merely belief; it is action,” he declared passionately. “You must live your faith boldly.” With those words hanging in the air, he began to fade away, leaving behind an echo of conviction. Peter’s heart raced as another figure emerged—a woman with fierce determination etched on her face.
“Rosa Parks!” he shouted in recognition.
“Stand firm in your convictions,” she urged them, her voice strong and unwavering. “Change begins when you refuse to accept injustice.” Just as quickly as she appeared, she vanished into thin air, leaving behind an aura of courage.
“This is incredible,” Susanna whispered, still reeling from the encounters. “What do they want us to understand?” Suddenly, a gentle laugh filled the space as another figure materialized—Albert Einstein, his wild hair framing a face full of wisdom.
“Imagination is much more important than knowledge,” he said playfully. “Dare to dream beyond what you know.” His presence was magnetic; just as they began to absorb his message, he too faded into nothingness. The trio stood in stunned silence for a moment before Peter broke it.
“They’re here for us—to inspire us.” Jesus smiled knowingly at them all.
“Each one has left you with seeds of thought,” He said softly. “Nurture them well.”

A book "When the Messiah comes" coming soon

03/24/2025

Imagine you are sitting on a riverbank. Boats and ships—thoughts, feelings, and sensations—are sailing past. While the stream flows by your inner eye, name each of these vessels. For example, one of the boats could be called “my anxiety about tomorrow.” Or along comes the ship “objections to my husband” or the boat “I don’t do that well.” Every judgment that you let pass is one of those boats; take time to name each one and then allow them move down the river.

03/21/2025

In March 1942, during the first Sunday of Lent, Thomas Merton was accepted as a novice at the convent. In June, he received a letter from his brother John Paul stating he was soon to leave for the war and would be coming to Gethsemani to visit before leaving. On July 17 John Paul arrived in Gethsemani. John Paul expressed his desire to become a Catholic, and by July 26 was baptized at a church in nearby New Haven, Kentucky, leaving the following day. This would be the last time the two saw each other. John Paul died on April 17, 1943, when his plane failed over the English Channel. A poem by Merton to John Paul appears in The Seven Storey Mountain.

03/20/2025

If you really want to make a friend, go to someone’s house and eat with him…. The people who give you their food give you their heart.
—César Chávez

Power of Prayer
The Bible Series
Slawomir Bardski
Prayers
Prayers to God

03/19/2025

Get to Know and Love Saint Joseph

Saint Joseph, our father and lord, is a teacher of the interior life. Place yourself under his patronage and you'll feel the effectiveness of his power.

Speaking of Saint Joseph in the book of her life, Saint Teresa says: 'Whoever fails to find a Master to teach him how to pray, should choose this glorious Saint, and he will not go astray.' — This advice comes from an experienced soul. Follow it.

Ask your Mother Mary, ask Saint Joseph and your Guardian Angel to speak to the Lord and tell him the things you can’t manage to put into words because you are so dull.

The Way, 559, 560 and 561

03/18/2025

In one of catechesis on prayer, Pope Francis emphasizes the connection between Christian prayer and daily life. Prayer isn’t confined to formal religious settings, for our liturgical prayer extends and overflows into everyday situations, in our homes, daily duties, and work. Prayer, in this context, is described as an ongoing dialogue with God, akin to carrying a beloved person in one’s heart wherever they go.

Everything in life can be part of this dialogue with God. Joy becomes a reason for praise, and trials become opportunities to seek help through prayer. Prayer remains alive in our lives, even when our mouths are not speaking; our hearts continue the conversation with God. How can we learn to pray, even when going about secular activities? How can we infuse them with prayer? LINK to all Pope's Catechesis on prayer in comments.


The Bible Series
Power of Prayer

03/18/2025

Hallow, the most downloaded Catholic app in the world

Hallow helps people deepen their relationship with God through guided prayer and meditations, Bible readings, music, and more.

With over 800 million prayers completed across more than 150 countries and 22 million downloads, it is the #1 Catholic app in the world.

This year, Hallow challenge is inspired by the founder of Opus Dei's “The Way.” The global challenge will be guided by well-known figures from around the world.

03/17/2025

Another Bible inspiration:

Ruth is the daughter-in-law. She is a Moabite woman who leaves her father’s house to marry a recently arrived immigrant to her town. Her betrothed is a Jewish man, the son of Naomi. Although they are of different ethnic backgrounds, Ruth joins the immigrant Jewish man’s household. She moves in with a Moabite sister-in-law, a Jewish brother-in-law, and a Jewish mother-in-law and father-in-law. The six adults live as what we today might call a mixed family: four immigrants and two locals who are bound together by marriage.
Power of Prayer
Krzysztof Borawski

03/15/2025

Interesting statement by Jordan Peterson:

True unity comes from commitment

“If there is no uniting story, there is diversity. We worship diversity now in a stupid matter. There is no difference between diversity and war. No that’s not going to work.

Why just can’t people do whatever they want with whoever they want? Because it defeats itself quickly. It’s not a sustainable game. If it’s only you, I don’t want to be anywhere near you.

Without uniting narrative there is nothing but war. Power? It’s not about power. Power is not the game. Try tyrannizing your wife an you’ll see what happens. Try tyrannizing yourself and see how successful you are. Power is not the game. So, what is the game?

Voluntary self-sacrifice. You offer yourself up in the service of something that is higher. That is the basis of society. That is the basis of psychological stability. The Christian insistency is that this is the basis of the world.”

Power of Prayer
Unity
The Bible Series

Jordan Peterson breaks down the deeper meaning of human consciousness, arguing that the mind’s complexity points to something beyond mere chance. He critique...

03/12/2025

How do you measure your success?

Jesus stood at the center, flanked by Simon and Thomas, who were both ready to voice their concerns about morality and wealth.
„You claim that wealth is not a measure of success,” Simon began, his tone sharp. „But how can you ignore those who have worked tirelessly to achieve it? Is it not their right to enjoy the fruits of their labor?” Jesus met Simon's gaze with unwavering calm. „Wealth can be a tool for good or ill,” He replied thoughtfully. „It is not the possession of riches that defines us but how we choose to use them.” He gestured toward a merchant in the crowd, known for his generosity. „Consider him; he shares his abundance with those in need.”
„But what about those who hoard their wealth?” Thomas interjected, crossing his arms defiantly. „Isn't it unjust that they prosper while others suffer?” A woman from the back shouted.
„And what of our hard work? Shouldn't we be rewarded for our efforts?” Jesus nodded slowly, acknowledging her point. „Hard work is indeed commendable,” He said gently. „Yet true fulfillment comes from lifting others as we rise ourselves.” His words hung in the air like a challenge. Simon leaned forward, intrigued yet skeptical.
„So you suggest that we should feel guilty for our success?”
„Not guilt,” Jesus clarified, raising His hand to quell rising voices. „Rather an awareness of our interconnectedness. When one suffers, we all suffer.” He paused as murmurs rippled through the crowd. A young man stepped forward hesitantly.
„If wealth isn't everything, then what should we strive for?” he asked earnestly.
„Strive for love and compassion,” Jesus answered warmly. „These are treasures that cannot be taken away.” The crowd fell silent as they absorbed His message—some nodding in agreement while others remained contemplative.

READ THE WHOLE BOOK https://www.naffy.io/slawomir-bardski/the-transfiguration-and-online-chatting-turn-on-the-internet-jesus-wants-to-talk-to-you-qu9

spiritual leadership

03/11/2025

Theologian Serene Jones offers a description of God’s grace:

God does not stay at a distance from us but constantly seeks to transform our lives by asking us to awaken to the divine presence. God is a mysterious, creative, sustaining life force.… God is there all the time. The challenge for us is to open our eyes, ears, hands, minds, and hearts to receive the truth of God’s real, persistent presence, God’s grace. When we open ourselves to it, we are changed by it. The way we perceive the world shifts, like a radically refocused camera lens, and we experience life differently. You see everything around you as suffused with God’s love. You see God’s grace everywhere, saturating all existence. This process of awakening to what is already true, but you haven’t previously seen it, is called conversion—a word that literally means “to see anew.”

03/10/2025

In a world of fault lines and fractures,
we stand in a place where opposites come together,
awaiting the birth of what is to come.

https://www.naffy.io/slawomir-bardski/pope-francis-catechesis-on-prayer-wFM

If you are doubting, welcome.
If you are healing, welcome.
If you are angry at injustice, welcome.
We await a new genesis,
one more beginning in a series of starts,
trailing backwards in time to the very first day.
If you are afraid, welcome.
If you are joyful, welcome.
If you are longing to belong, welcome.