Virgin of the Poor

Today, the Feast of Elizabeth's Visitation to the Blessed Virgin Mary also coincides with "the 75th anniversary of the apparitions of the “Virgin of the Poor” at the Marian Shrine in Banneux" (Vatican Radio). According to the source article for this post "The pope remarked that the happy coincidence of the anniversary of the apparitions of the Virgin of the Poor with the annual Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is an opportunity to help the faithful with the example and prayers of Our Lady to continue on the path of spiritual renewal and to appreciate that the “precept of charity” spurs us on in a diligent service to others in daily life" (Vatican Radio).

The Pope recognizes the need for the Blessed Virgin Mary and her intercession for us in heaven for spiritual renewal. Today we live in a society that is becoming secularized--Godless. It is appropriate then, for us, believers in Christ and Catholics, to flock to our Blessed Mother for her intercession so a spiritual renewal may happen! If no one is to pray for the state of our society then how is society going to be changed. It begins with both you and me! To be completely honest, I complain. I complain when I see the government is doing something against my values. One downfall of my constant complaining is that it leads me to judge, to judge people, institutions, motives, etc. I complain about my college and how it isn't the ideal Catholic college that I'd like it to be. The result is me judging the President and others. I complain about liberal theology, that contradicts Church teaching and as I result I judge the professors, whether their priests or not. I complain about the immoral behavior of students in the res halls and how ungodly it is and as a result I judge them.

But I have to ask myself how many times in my complaining, in my judging, did I afterwards pray for the college and its leadership or for the professors, or for the students. How often have I prayed for the conversion of these individuals? In my general prayers each day I pray for the conversion of my college campus and its students but I don't use my time of complaining to pray. I can do so much more but I don't. This is the point I'm driving at. I always love to have a platform or someone I can call and vent to. But if I took the time to pray, the outcome may be better and if it were to improve, the end result would be a better world.

I believe the Pope reminds us on this momentous occasion of the 75th anniversary of the apparitions of Mary as Virgin of the Poor "to continue on the path of spiritual renewal and to appreciate that the “precept of charity” spurs us on in a diligent service to others in daily life" (Vatican Radio). The Blessed Mother does that. All our prayer, whether seeking Mary's intercession, the saints, or going directly to God, can help us as we serve people in our daily life. Through our service we become people of love and people of prayer, transforming the world, one deed and prayer at a time.

Prayer to Our Lady of Banneux:
Blessed Virgin of the Poor, look with favor on us, your poor, suffering children. Hear our prayers, and draw us daily to the Living Water.

Sources:
News Article: http://www.oecumene.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=207722

Picture and Prayer: Holy Spirit Interactive

Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day, a day set aside by our country to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may be free. Americans today gathered for memorial day parades, celebrations of remembrance, Catholics gathered for special Masses to pray for the deceased. Places of business close and the government halts its operations. Today, I attended a few Memorial Day functions.

1. A tradition of my parish is to hold mass in our cemetery chapel on this day.

2. I attended the local parade and remembrance celebration.

3. I began my political involvement for the 2008 Election Season,

One thing that really struck me during the remembrance celebration (I don't know what to call the ceremony at the local cemetery) was the overwhelming reference to God, the afterlife, and other Christian references. It seems that Memorial Day helps us to remember our roots as a nation--One Nation Under God. The ceremony began with an opening and closing prayer. The guest speaker referenced heaven and other Christian terms. We sang God Bless America. It was a day of God and Country! We learned about the 13 folds of the flag and what each one meant (hint: some refer to God and Heaven).

One thought that I had during the entire ceremony and even afterwards is the question: are there people here who would be opposed to mention of God. It seems that we are always trying to make everything non-religious to be friendly to the small minority of those who don't believe. Yet, I don't know if anyone was opposed, but in my opinion it is only fitting that God is referred to on this our memorial day. When we use words like the ultimate sacrifice or just gathering in a cemetery, one is only inclined to think about their faith [in the resurrection of the body].

I also mentioned I began campaigning today at my second parade for an individual challenging for a seat in Congress. As a Political Science major you could say that my job is a professional volunteer for various different campaigns. I don't get paid, but I make phone calls on occasion, walk a lot of parade routes, put up yard signs, all for an individual who I believe will represent my ideologies in Congress. Of course, I'd like to get paid for this work and in some ways I am almost an employed volunteer with no benefits, but all in all, studying Communications and Political Science, this only looks good on a resume when I do have a college degree. I don't know if I will ever get involved in the Media or Politics, but I enjoy these areas of study but in the end I'm working to save babies and other morals of mine as a volunteer.

A Memorial Day Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,
As we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, we think of how they have followed in the footsteps of your son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Please hold our service men and women in your strong arms. Cover them with your sheltering grace and presence as they stand in the gap for our protection.
We also remember the families of our troops, and ask for your unique blessings to fill their homes and your peace, provision and strength to fill their lives.
May the members of our armed forces be filled with courage to face each day and may they trust in the Lord's mighty power to accomplish each task. Let our military brothers and sisters feel our love and support.
In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Sources:

Image and Prayer: http://christianity.about.com/b/2008/05/22/weekly-prayer-post-memorial-day-prayer.htm

An Introduction

"And the Pharisees and Sadducee's came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather; for the sky is red.' And in the morning, 'It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but not sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah." So he left them and departed." Matthew 16:1-4

This is the scriptural basis for this blog: The Signs of Jonah. Jonah represents Jesus and the sign of Jonah would be Christ's resurrection from the dead after just three days. "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly, so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" (Mt 12:40).

I begin this blog as a sophomore in college, who is pursuing studies in Mass Communications, Political Science and Philosophy, as a way to improve my poor writing skills. I will blog on a variety of topics, including: Religion, Politics, the Media and the Culture, the Pro-Life movement, and other various topics.

You can expect at least one post a day except when I'm traveling. Additionally, this blog as it is called, The Signs of Jonah, is an effort to also blog about what I believe are "the signs of the times" or the way I would refer to it, "the signs for our times". In the scriptural basis for this blog, Jesus says that "an evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign." Jesus works daily signs and miracles in our livelihood, but people today still reject Jesus Christ and the gospel message while seeking signs or an affirmation to believe. Today, more than ever, these daily signs are coming from Jesus, the Church, the Blessed Mother, etc. Each week, you can expect a post on a "sign for the times" beginning first with the various Marian apparitions throughout time and their messages for us to return to God.

So if your ready to read the thoughts of a college student, if your ready to learn about the Signs of Jonah, the signs of our Resurrected Lord from a Catholic perspective, then sit back in your computer chair, add this website to your favorites and check back daily. Look for a commentary on current events with a Catholic bias.

Sincerely Yours,

Edward