Sharing Produce and Profit

Two brothers worked at a family farm, sharing produce and profit. One was married, and the other wasn't.

One day the single brother said to himself:

It's not fair that we should share the same produce equally. I am alone, but my brother has a family to support.

So at that night he took a sack of grain from his bin, crept over the field between the houses, and drummed it into his brother's bin.

Meanwhile, his brother has a similar idea, and said:

It's not right that we should share the produce equally. I have a family whereas my brother is all alone.

So at night he took a sack of grain from his bin, and quietly dumped it into his brother's bin.

This went on for several years. Each was puzzled how his supply never dwindled. One night they bumped into each other in the dark. When they realized what had been happening, they dropped their sacks and embraced each other.

Suddenly a voice from heaven said:

Here I build my temple.
For where people meet in love,
there my presence shall dwell.

-- Author unknown
 

Letter to The Virgin of Guadalupe

I received the following prayer from my friend in Jordan. I like to share it with you:

Beautiful Virgin of Guadalupe,

I ask you on behalf of all my brothers and sisters of the world, that you bless us and protect us.

Give us proof of your love and kindness and please receive our prayers.

Oh pure Virgin of Guadalupe, give me, through your Son, forgiveness for my sins, blessings for my job, and cure for my diseases and needs.

All that you deem necessary, I ask for my family and my country.

Oh Holy Mother of God, do not disdain the pleas we present to you in our needs.

Friends Prayer

God our Father,

I ask You to bless my friends reading this right now.

I am asking You to minister to their spirit at this very moment.

Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy.

Where there is self doubting, release a renewed confidence in Your ability to work through them.

Where there is tiredness, or exhaustion, I ask You to give them understanding, patience, and strength as they learn submission to your leading.

Where there is spiritual stagnation, I ask You to renew them by revealing Your nearness, and by drawing them into greater intimacy with You.

Where there is fear, reveal Your love, and release to them Your courage.

Where there is a sin blocking them, reveal it, and break its hold over my friend's life.

Bless their finances, give them greater vision.

Raise up leaders and friends to support and encourage them.

Give each of them discernment to recognize the evil forces around them and reveal to them the power they have in You to defeat it.


-- Author Unknown
 

Iraqi Syriac Catholic Archbishop Is Released

The last 24 hours were stressful for me. I'm sure they were stressful for all Iraqi-Christians who heard about the kidnapping of Archbishop Basile Georges Casmoussa. I prayed, lit a novena candle and went to bed early. In my humble mind, I hoped to wake up to the news of his release. Yesterday, I couldn't write about his kidnapping because of my mixed feelings of fear and anger.

Thank God this crisis is over. Archbishop Basile told reporters after his release:

As soon as they found out I was a bishop, their attitude changed ... I think that my abduction was a coincidence. In recent times, there have been numerous kidnappings around here.

Based on the conversations I had with them (the kidnappers), it didn't appear to me that they wanted to strike at the Church as such.

I'm sure his kidnappers knew he was a religious figure when they decided to kidnap him. But, this is a good example of how Iraqi Christians over the years acted as peacemakers during good and bad times. Something I can't explain with any words.

This is not the first time an Iraqi-Christian clergyman has been kidnapped. Recently, two Chaldean monks of the Dora monastery in Baghdad were kidnapped by unknown individuals and released two days later.

Living in Mosul has become unbearable for many Christian families. Many Christian families have either left the country or moved back to live in small villages to avoid the hardships of being a Christian in Mosul. I'm not making up these facts. My sister-in-law's uncle, who lived in Mosul most of his life, has moved his family to a small village. Still, it didn't mean he was safe enough. A few weeks ago, he was kidnapped in front of his house in Mosul. He had returned to pick up a few things from the house to take them back to his new residence at the village. His family was forced to pay his kidnappers $40,000 U.S. before he was released.

That's why I lived with fear in my mind for the last 24 hours. I had those dark scenarios in my head. One of them was the kidnappers may behead Archbishop Basile. Knowing my people, they would've packed their bags and left to Jordan or Syria. I know moving to those two countries wouldn't guarantee them asylum in any countries. So, their future would've been bleak.

I sometimes feel my minority is cursed. Most of the time we're accused of being Westerners just because we share the same religion as the American troops. Most of the time, the Americans don't recognize our existence as they don't want to look like they favor one minority over the rest of the country. So, what's our fault in this mayhem. Should we stay and suffer or leave and still suffer.

Could someone from The White House, The Pentagon or The State Department tell this minority what to do next.

I know every sector of Iraqi society has its own problems these days. But, we're the one minority that neither side wants to protect. Very soon we won't exist on the Iraqi census. That's why I encourage every Iraqi Christian living aboard with a nearby voting center to go and vote. Be the voice of the ones inside the country who can't make their voice heard.

Isn't It Strange?

Isn't it strange how a 20 dollar bill seems like such a large amount when you donate it to church, but such a small amount when you go shopping?

Isn't it strange how 2 hours seem so long when you're at church, and how short they seem when you're watching a good movie?

Isn't it strange that you can't find a word to say when you're praying, but you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend?

Isn't it strange how difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of the Bible, but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel?

Isn't it strange how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or games, but they do whatever is possible to sit at the last row in Church?

Isn't it strange how we need to know about an event for Church 2-3 weeks before the day so we can include it in our agenda, but we can adjust it for other events in the last minute?

Isn't it strange how difficult it is to learn a fact about God to share it with others, but how easy it is to learn, understand, extend and repeat gossip?

Isn't it strange how we believe everything that magazines and newspapers say, but we question the words in the Bible?

Isn't it strange how everyone wants a place in heaven, but they don't want to believe, do, or say anything to get there?

Isn't it strange how we send jokes in e-mails and they are forwarded right away, but when we are going to send messages about God, we think about it twice before we share it with others?

It's strange isn't it?

-- Author Unknown

Barbershop Dialogue

My friend sent me the following inspirational story last year:

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair and his beard cut as always. He began to have a good conversation with the barber who attended him. They talked about so many things and various subjects. Suddenly, they touched on the subject of God.

The barber said: "Look man, I don't believe that God exists."

"Why do you say that?" asked the customer.

"Well, it's so easy, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God does not exist. Oh, tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God exists, there would be no suffering nor pain. I can't think of loving a God who permits all of these things."

The customer thought for a moment, but he didn't respond because he did not want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long hair and a beard. It was very long, and a long time since he had his hair cut and he looked dirty and unkempt. The customer entered the barbershop again and he said to the barber:

"You know what? Barbers do not exist."

"How can you say they don't exist?" asked the surprised barber. " I am here and I am a barber. Why I just worked on you!"

"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did there would be no people with long hair and beard like that man who is outside."

"Ah, barbers do exist. What happens is that people do not come to me."

"Exactly!", affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God does exist. What happens is people don't go to Him and do not look for Him. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."

Daily Prayer For Vocations

God, our father, we trust in your loving kindness and ask you to hear the prayers we offer for Your Church.

Through your grace, we seek men willing to generously offer their lives to You in the priesthood and religious life.

Bless and guide those who are discerning Your call. Help us be the water and sunlight that help vocations grow.

And, remember those who have answered your call. Keep them close to you.
 

Crying Out For Recognition

People today are crying out for recognition. They want to be persons. They want to be noticed, not in a showy way or because they have money or status, but because they are human beings.

Each of us is on a pilgrimage. We are seeking to encounter others who have the same needs as ourselves.

The greatest need of all is the need to be loved. But we pass one another by without noticing, without the slightest sign of recognition.

As Christians we are united by a close bond. So close that St. Paul called the Christian community "The Body of Christ."

It is time we begin to notice one another. Each person is a brother or sister in Christ. Each person then must be recognized. Each person must be given some sign of friendship, be it only a smile or a node of the head.

-- Catherine De Hueck Doherty
 

St. Anthony Prayer

St. Anthony, gentlest of Saints, your love for God and charity for his creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on your word, which you were ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I ask you to obtain for me the favors that I seek (mention your request here).

The answer to my prayer may require a miracle, even so, you are the Saint of Miracles.

O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was full of sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the Infant Jesus, who loved to be held in your arms; and the gratitude of my heart will ever by yours.
 

Christmas Is About Giving

Merry Christmas everyone. I know it's very late. But, I needed to take a break from blogging and enjoy the short holiday.

The best Christmas story I found during the last few days was of a man who walked into a homeless shelter and handed the homeless people $100 each. That's the spirit of Christmas. Read the story here.

How Christmas Works In Iraq

I was going to write about the difficulties facing Iraqi Christians this year. Then, read Dilnareen's post and thought she's right. Let's forget about war and talk about Christmas during perfect times. I moved my Christmas post from last year here. This way, people new to this blog would have the chance to read about Iraqi-Christians' Christmas traditions.

One thing I noticed, many Iraqi-Christians are turning Christmas into a commercial festival of Santa Claus and gifts exchange. I'm not against dear Santa. He really works hard during Christmas season. But, I like the "Pure Christmas." The Christmas I remember from when I lived in Iraq.

As Fr. Yousif said in his e-mail to me:

In this Christmas, nobody can be more near the first Christmas as the Iraqis. Cold, fear, strangers, but we know the Lord is between us, this is our joy and hope.

Merry Christmas everyone and enjoy the reading.

ORIGINAL POST: 12/22/2003
American Christmas preparations are more simple than Iraqi preparations.

Most Iraqi Christians, Assyrians in special, would fast from December 1st until Christmas day. Almost every year, I fast the week before Christmas. Christmas feels different when I fast. Christmas in the Middle East is more spiritual than the commercial Western Christmas.

For at least two weeks before Christmas in Iraq, Christian families shop for koleicha (Christmas sweets) ingredients. Iraqi Christian women are so proud of their secret recipes to make the best koleicha. Ingredients would include white flour -- French white flour was always the best. Fillings include walnuts, dates and a special kind of filling made of butter, sugar, flour and special spices. Each woman has her own secrets on how to make the best dough for their koleicha and will not reveal it to anyone. Yes, it's a family recipe secret.

Now, you would think our mothers would settle for a pound or two of flour. Hell no. My mom's standard was 20-30 pounds of flour when we were still a big family. After my brothers and sisters left the country, my mom reduced her standard to 7-10 pounds.

To make all this amount of sweets you better have good friends and relatives to help you with your big koleicha day. This is how it works: friends and relatives that you could count on would decide a schedule, so you could help them the day they make theirs in return for their help to you. My task changed from one year to another. I always found the easiest task to do -- like cooking lunch for these hard working women. My mom -- being my mom -- would always keep the cooking sheets for me to clean after all is done. Great. I can't complain anyway.

The next episode is to give a plate of koleicha to your neighbors. If you are working, another plate goes to your colleagues at work. My Muslim friends would get their share too as I WANTED my share during their Eid. The postman and trash collector were always on our list of "who gets koleicha this year?"

This happened every year of my life -- even during worst years of Iran-Iraq war in Basrah. For Iraqi Christians, Christmas is not Christmas if you don't make koleicha.

The few days before Christmas are devoted for cleaning the house and putting up the Christmas tree. This part of Christmas is identical to Christmas in any other part of the world, except we don't exchange gifts. Good plan. You could keep your budget under control during Christmas.

The most popular Iraqi Christian food for Christmas is pascha. Well, this is one other food not easy to make and our mothers would not allow anyone to help them with preparing this meal, another family recipe secret.

Most people would go to the midnight mass, come home and break their fast with eating pascha. I think that's the best part of Christmas, and I really miss it. These masses are very long (about 2 to 3 hours). Me and my sister, who moved to America after she got married, would attend the last mass on Christmas day. This is usually the shortest mass. It has a disadvantage though. You can't eat your favorite pascha until you come back home from church. It is kind of a temptation so you would have something to tell the priest if you ever go to confession on Christmas day.

We have many churches in Iraq where Christian populations are high. In Basrah, we have two Catholic churches, Latins, Syrian Catholic and others have their own churches too. Baghdad has lots of churches as most Christians lives in Baghdad. Mosul, Dehuk, Sulaymania, Arbil and kirkuk governorates have their own share of churches.

Christians make 3% of Iraq's population. The most popular sector is the Chaldean Catholic church, which is a branch of the Roman Catholic Church.

The family usually gathers for Christmas lunch at the parents house. You would invite a family or two that would invite you for next Christmas lunch.

OK, now you think by this we're over with Christmas and could have some rest. No, so far we had "The Fellowship Of The Food". Playing next at a home near you, we have the sequel, "Return of The Christmas Visits".

Every Christmas, the parents would make sure they remember which families visited us first, and which families didn't visit last Christmas and were supposed to visit. People who visit includes best friends, family members, uncles, aunts and sometimes first cousins. This works exactly like Christmas cards work in Western countries. If someone visits you this Christmas, you return their visit this Christmas. If someone didn't visit you last Christmas, you actually don't visit them this Christmas. You have from Christmas day till 6th of January to finish this task.

Let me tell you, this is not an easy task if you have a big family like mine. I used to escape most of this exercise by staying home with my grandma, also to take care of any visitors while my parents are visiting other families.

Christian Iraqis in Australia haven't changed much of these traditions after moving to Australia except that Australian Christmas is during summer and pascha is not a favorable meal for hot weather.

So, anytime you think your Christmas is full of stress, just appreciate not living in Iraq were there are two many things to do.

I love Christmas in Dallas, all I have to do is buy gifts, wrap them, put them under the tree, attend Christmas mass and have dinner with my family-in-law. How hard is that compared to Big Fat Iraqi Christmas.

Have a nice Christmas, Yule, Hanukkah everyone.

I believe In Death

I believe in death,
I believe that it is a part of life,
I believe that we are born to die,
to die that we may live more fully;
born to die a little each day
to selfishness, pretence, and to sin.

I believe that
we taste death in moments of
sorrow and disappointment,
when we are afraid,
have courage, and give up,
when we see our dreams broken,
and every time we say goodbye.

I believe that
we are dying before our time
when we live in bitterness,
in hatred and in isolation.

I believe that
each day we are creating
our own death by the way we live.

To those who believe in Christ,
death is the gateway to eternal life.


-- Author Unknown

For Every Living Creature

May I be a protector to those without protection,
A leader for those who journey,
And a boat, a bridge, a passage
For those desiring the further shore.

May the pain of every living creature
Be completely cleared away.

May I be the doctor and the medicine
And may I be the nurse
For all sick beings in the world
Until everyone is healed.

Just like space
And the great elements such as earth,
May I always support the life
Of all the boundless creatures.

And until they pass away from pain
May I also be the source of life
For all the realms of varied beings
That reach unto the ends of space.


-- Author Unknown

Love of Family and Friends

Lord, it was you who planted us on this earth. You fenced us around with the love of our families and friends. Their care towered over us. Under the shelter of this tower we grew in safety and peace.

We put out early blossoms. We filled up with leaves. People had great hopes for us. You had great hopes for us.

But now the year of our life is passing. The harvest is approaching. What have we to show? What fruit have we produced?

What if, after all this care, we should be found to be without the fruits of love? What if we had nothing to offer but your grapes of indifference, selfishness and neglect?

May you, Lord, have mercy on us, and with your patient urging help us to return your love.


-- Author Unknown

Instruments of The Lord

I found the following words on my church bulletin few years ago. They're as good as when I first read them:

This was the farewell command of Christ.
He has no body now on earth but ours.
He has no hands but ours to raise up the fallen.
He has no feet but ours to seek out the lost.
He has no eyes but ours to see the silent tears of the suffering.
He has no ears but ours to listen to the lonely.
He has no tongue but ours to speak a word of comfort to the sad.
He has no heart but ours to love the unloved.
Christ often picks the little unknown people to do his greatest work.

St. Nicholas - The Real Santa

Dec. 6th is feast of St. Nicholas in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and other parts of Europe. The best way to learn about this saint is by learning the difference between him and Santa Claus. So, here are the differences as published on St. Nicholas Center web site.

Santa Claus is round and plump;
St. Nicholas is tall and thin.

Santa Claus wears a stocking cap;
St. Nicholas wears a bishop's hat.

Santa Claus comes December 25th;
St. Nicholas comes December 6th.

Santa Claus is often seen in stores;
St. Nicholas is often seen in churches.

Santa Claus flies through the air—from the North Pole;
St. Nicholas walked the earth, caring for those in need.

Santa Claus, for some, replaces Jesus at Christmas;
St. Nicholas, for all, points to Jesus at Christmas.

Santa Claus isn't bad;
St. Nicholas is just better!


-- C. Myers & J. Rosenthal

Browse their web site. It includes good information about this saint.

Strength For The journey

I'm not sure who sings this song. If you know the singer's name, please let me know:

There is a road meant for you to travel.
Narrow and steep is the Shepherd’s way.
And as you say “Yes”, letting me guide you,
I will be strength for the journey.

There is a cross meant for you to carry.
There is a cross meant for you alone.
And as you bow down in humble surrender,
I will be strength for the journey.

How many times have you doubted my word?
How many times must I call your name?
And as you say “Yes”, letting me love you,
I will be strength for the journey.

Two Traveling Angels

By Unknown Author

Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room. Instead the angels were given a small space in the cold basement.

As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, "Things aren't always what they seem."

The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest. When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field.

The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel how could you have let this happen? The first man had everything, yet you helped him, she accused. The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die.

"Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied. "When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it."

"Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead. Things aren't always what they seem."

Sometimes that is exactly what happens when things don't turn out the way they should. If you have faith, you just need to trust that every out come is always to your advantage. You just might not know it until some time later...

God Still Answers Prayers

I'm not sure the following story is true. I post it here for its good meaning and message:

A young man had been to Wednesday night Bible Study. The Pastor had shared about listening to God and obeying the Lord's voice. The young man couldn't help but wonder, "Does God still speak to people?" After service he went out with some friends for coffee and pie and they discussed the message. Several different ones talked about how God had led them in different ways.

It was about ten o'clock when the young man started driving home. Sitting in his car, he just began to pray, "God...If you still speak to people speak to me. I will listen. I will do my best to obey." As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the strangest thought to stop and buy a gallon of milk. He shook his head and said out loud, God is that you?" He didn't get a reply and started on toward home. But again, the thought, buy a gallon of milk. The young man thought about Samuel and how he didn't recognize the voice of God, and how little Samuel ran to Eli. "Okay, God, in case that is you, I will buy the milk." It didn't seem like too hard a test of obedience.

He could always use the milk. He stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off toward home. As he passed Seventh Street, he again felt the urge, "Turn down that street. This is crazy he thought and drove on past the intersection. Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh Street. At the next intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh. Half jokingly, he said out loud, "Okay, God, I will".

He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should stop. He pulled over to the curb and looked around. He was in a semi-commercial area of town. It wasn't the best but it wasn't the worst of neighborhoods either the businesses were closed and most of the houses looked dark like the people were already in bed. Again, he sensed something, "Go and give the milk to the people in the house across the street." The young man looked at the house. It was dark and it looked like the people were either gone or they were already asleep. He started to open the door and then sat back in the car seat.

"Lord, this is insane. Those people are asleep and if I wake them up, they are going to be mad and I will look stupid." Again, he felt like he should go and give the milk. Finally, he opened the door, "Okay God, if this is you, I will go to the door and I will give them the milk If you want me to look like a crazy person, okay. I want to be obedient. I guess that will count for something but if they don't answer right away, I am out of here. "He walked across the street and rang the bell. He could hear some noise inside. A man's voice yelled out, "Who is it? What do you want?" Then the door opened before the young man could get away. The man was standing there in his jeans and T-shirt. He looked like he just got out of bed. He had a strange look on his face and he didn't seem too happy to have some stranger standing on his doorstep.

"What is it?" The young man thrust out the gallon of milk , "Here, I brought this to you. "The man took the milk and rushed down a hallway speaking loudly in Spanish. Then from down the hall came a woman carrying the milk toward the kitchen. The man was following her holding a baby. The baby was crying. The man had tears streaming down his face. The man began speaking and half crying, "We were just praying. We had some big bills this month and we ran out of money. We didn't have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking God to show me how to get some milk." His wife in the kitchen yelled out, "I asked Him to send an Angel with some. Are you an Angel?"

The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the money he had on him and put in the man's hand. He turned and walked back toward his car and the tears were streaming down his face. He knew that God still answers prayers.

Mary Did You Know

It's nice to listen to Christmas songs at this time of the night. So, I thought to share with you the lyrics of Kenny Roger's song "Mary Did You Know:"

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?

Did you know,
that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered,
will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you know
your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?

Did you know,
that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby,
you've kissed the face of God.

The blind will see
The deaf will hear
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of The Lamb.

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?

Did you know,
that your baby boy is heaven's perfect lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding, is the great I AM.