Today I feel grateful for all that God has given. I feel like singing a little Bob Marley today:
Thank you, Lord, for what you've done for me.
Thank you, Lord, for what you're doing now.
Thank you, Lord, for ev'ry little thing.
Thank you, Lord, for you made me sing.
Say I'm in no competition,
But I made my decision.
You can keep your opinion.
I'm just calling on the wise man's communion.
Thank you, Lord, for what you've done for me.
Thank you, Lord, for what you're doing now.
Thank you, Lord, for ev'ry little thing.
Thank you, Lord, for you made me sing.
Sing along, sing along.
I don't fear their humiliation,
Just to prove my determination.
I don't yield to temptation,
I haven't learn't my lesson in Revelation.
Thank you, Lord, for what you've done for me.
Thank you, Lord, for what you're doing now.
Thank you, Lord, for ev'ry little thing.
Thank you, Lord, for you made me sing.
Sing along, sing along.
Say I'm in no competition
But I made my decision,
Lord, in my simple way.
Comin', comin', comin', comin'.
I love to pray.
Thank you, Lord, for what you've done for me.
Thank you, Lord, for what you're doing now.
Thank you, Lord, for ev'ry little thing.
Sunday, 22 July 2012
Thursday, 19 July 2012
Jesus Explosion X - Fr Jose visits Heaven, Hell and Purgatory
Fr Tom Jose Maniyangat is one of the speakers for Jesus Explosion X here is Trinidad this weekend. This priest from India has been to heaven, Hell and Purgatory. here is his story from the website mirmedjugorje.org
On Sunday April 14, 1985, the Feast of the Divine Mercy, Fr Tom Maniyangat was going to celebrate Mass at a mission church in the north part of Kerala, and he had a fatal accident. He had a head on collision with a jeep. He was rushed to a hospital about 35 miles away but he died on the way.
Fr Tom's soul left his body and he experienced death. He saw his body and the people who were carrying him to the hospital. He heard them crying and praying for him.He then met his Guardian angel. His angel said to him: "I am going to take you to Heaven, the Lord wants to meet you and talk with you." He also said that as part of that journey he wanted to show Fr Tom hell and purgatory.
This is how Fr Tom describes his visit to Hell and Purgatory Hell"First, the angel escorted me to hell. It was an awful sight! I saw Satan and the devils, an unquenchable fire ,worms crawling, people screaming and fighting, others being tortured by demons. I was told there are seven "degrees" or levels of suffering in the netherworld. Those who committed "mortal sin after mortal sin" in life were suffering the most intense heat. They had bodies and looked very ugly, so cruel and ugly, horrifying. They were human but like monsters: fearful, ugly-looking things. The angel told me that all these sufferings were due to unrepented mortal sins.Then, I understood that there are seven degrees of suffering or levels according to the number and kinds of mortal sins committed in their earthly lives. The souls looked very ugly, cruel and horrific. It was a fearful experience. I saw people whom I knew but I am not allowed to reveal their identities. The sins that convicted them were mainly abortion, homosexuality, sins of the flesh, euthanasia, hatefulness, lack of forgiveness and sacrilege.
The angel told me that if they had repented they would have avoided hell and gone instead to purgatory. I also understood that some people who repent from these sins might be purified on earth through their sufferings. This way they can avoid purgatory and go straight to heaven. I was surprised when I saw in hell even Priests and Bishops, some of whom I never expected to see. Many of them were there because they had misled the people with false teaching and bad example.
After the visit to hell, my Guardian angel escorted me to Purgatory. Here too, there are seven degrees of suffering and unquenchable fire. But it is far less intense than hell and there was neither quarreling nor fighting. The main suffering of these souls is their separation from God. Some of those who are in Purgatory committed numerous mortal sins; but they were reconciled with God before their death. Even though these souls are suffering, they enjoy peace and the knowledge that one day they will see God face to face.I had a chance to communicate with the souls in Purgatory. They asked me to pray for them and to tell the people to pray for them as well, so they can go to heaven quickly.
When we pray for these souls we will receive their gratitude through their prayers and once they enter heaven their prayers become even more meritorious.
Next, my angel escorted me to heaven passing through a big dazzling white tunnel. I never experienced this much peace and joy in my life. Then immediately the heaven opened up and I heard the most delightful music, which I never heard before. The angels were singing and praising God. I saw all the saints, especially the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph, and many dedicated holy Bishops and Priests who were shining like stars.
And when I appeared before the Lord, Jesus told me: "I want you to go back to the world. In your second life you will be an instrument of peace and healing to my people. You will walk in a foreign land and you will speak in a foreign tongue. Everything is possible for you with my grace." After these words, the Blessed Mother told me, "Do whatever He tells you. [John 2:5] I will help you in your ministries."Words can not express the beauty of heaven. There we find so much peace and happiness, which exceed a million times our imagination.
Our Lord is far more beautiful than any image can convey. His face is radiant and luminous and more beautiful than a thousand rising suns. The pictures we see in the world are only a shadow of His magnificence. The Blessed Mother was next to Jesus; she was so beautiful and radiant. None of the images we see in this world can compare with her real beauty. Heaven is our real home: we are all created to reach heaven and enjoy God forever.
BACK TO EARTH As they were moving my dead body to the morgue, my soul came back to the body. I felt an excruciating pain because of so many wounds and broken bones. I began to scream and then the people became frightened and ran away screaming.One of them approached the doctor and said: "The dead body is screaming." The doctor came to examine the body and found that I was alive. So he said: "Father is alive. It is a miracle - take him back to the hospital."
Sunday, 15 July 2012
Monday, 9 July 2012
A wedding with a difference
This weekend I went to a wedding. The couple seemed to be very active in their church: An open bible church. Their wedding was so different from the many that I have attended. Many of these churches don’t have ceremony that we have as Catholics. Still, the pastor gave a good sermon.
I had a problem with the church though. There were ten flags on the left (as the congregation sits) of the stage. The one up front was a Trinidad Flag. THE NATIONAL FLAG. Yet the fifth flag was the one on the highest mast (pole). THAT IS WRONG. As of July 2012 the Marabella Full Gospel Church needs to fix that fault.
After the wedding ceremony at the church the wedding party went to take photographs (as per usual), and the guests went to the reception hall. Then started what I termed “a reception of cultural events”. There was what I thought to be, a scout band playing trumpets and drums to welcome the guests. Then in the hall there was a violinist playing contemporary music. When the bride and groom came, there was a herald announcing the maid of honour, parents, etc, and all were made to stand as he announced the entry of the bride and groom.
As the evening went on, there were the usual speeches, but these were punctuated by (1) a woman singing a beautiful song, (2) a hop hop dance that was very entertaining, (3) a French dance (which was actually an African dance complete with belair outfits). And I cannot not mention The Master of ceremonies. He was a Hoot.
The wedding started at three o’clock in the evening at the church and at eight o’clock at the reception we had our dinner. A full evening of entertainment. It was such a shame that we ate and ran. We had to pick up our kids form the sitter. In so doing, we missed the couple cutting the cake and their first dance.
One thing I always enjoy at weddings is the dancing. Many people would have a lot of alcohol to drink and with all the family around and the older music played by the DJ, would be free to effect some very funky dancing. We were not served alcohol. So I am not sure that there was any to be served and the hall was so packed with tables that it did not appear that there was any dancing afterwards.
You know, in Hindu and muslim weddings in Trinidad, Alcohol is not served. In fact there is no alcohol on the premises. Still, Trinidadians like their grog, SO, if you want a drink, there are many who hang out in the street, with their car trucks open partaking of liquor. They are as ubiquitous as ants in a house full of sugar. However, I felt that the guests at that wedding were not so inclined.
Now, this was what I would call a Pentecostal wedding. And although it was different from what I am accustomed to, my wife and I still had a great time. The Bride and groom looked radiant and happy. It reminded me of the day I got married.
May God bless you in your new life Mr and Mrs Joseph.
I had a problem with the church though. There were ten flags on the left (as the congregation sits) of the stage. The one up front was a Trinidad Flag. THE NATIONAL FLAG. Yet the fifth flag was the one on the highest mast (pole). THAT IS WRONG. As of July 2012 the Marabella Full Gospel Church needs to fix that fault.
After the wedding ceremony at the church the wedding party went to take photographs (as per usual), and the guests went to the reception hall. Then started what I termed “a reception of cultural events”. There was what I thought to be, a scout band playing trumpets and drums to welcome the guests. Then in the hall there was a violinist playing contemporary music. When the bride and groom came, there was a herald announcing the maid of honour, parents, etc, and all were made to stand as he announced the entry of the bride and groom.
As the evening went on, there were the usual speeches, but these were punctuated by (1) a woman singing a beautiful song, (2) a hop hop dance that was very entertaining, (3) a French dance (which was actually an African dance complete with belair outfits). And I cannot not mention The Master of ceremonies. He was a Hoot.
The wedding started at three o’clock in the evening at the church and at eight o’clock at the reception we had our dinner. A full evening of entertainment. It was such a shame that we ate and ran. We had to pick up our kids form the sitter. In so doing, we missed the couple cutting the cake and their first dance.
One thing I always enjoy at weddings is the dancing. Many people would have a lot of alcohol to drink and with all the family around and the older music played by the DJ, would be free to effect some very funky dancing. We were not served alcohol. So I am not sure that there was any to be served and the hall was so packed with tables that it did not appear that there was any dancing afterwards.
You know, in Hindu and muslim weddings in Trinidad, Alcohol is not served. In fact there is no alcohol on the premises. Still, Trinidadians like their grog, SO, if you want a drink, there are many who hang out in the street, with their car trucks open partaking of liquor. They are as ubiquitous as ants in a house full of sugar. However, I felt that the guests at that wedding were not so inclined.
Now, this was what I would call a Pentecostal wedding. And although it was different from what I am accustomed to, my wife and I still had a great time. The Bride and groom looked radiant and happy. It reminded me of the day I got married.
May God bless you in your new life Mr and Mrs Joseph.
Saturday, 7 July 2012
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