Bob Lord’s Christmas Message to you

November 10, 2015


From My Pew

Thanks for the Memories…..

BobPenny3

Family, many of you will recall the theme song of Bob Hope.  He sang a few chords from a song he had sung in one of his earlier movies.  But it had great meaning to Bob Hope and the people he sang to, especially the troops overseas during his annual Christmas tours from 1944 to 1990.

Well, the view from my pew has been a little different this last year and a half since Penny left me to go to Heaven.  I’ve gone through our writings and selected some personal stories which you may not have read or heard before if you’re not familiar with all our writings.  I tried to find particular ones where Penny was the sole author because she was such an inspired writer, and also because I love her very much.  One, which you will find interesting, is written by both of us from our particular vantage point of the day we met, September 23, 1957, her birthday.  That was taken from our book, “The Journey and the Dream”

She had such a vivid recollection of her childhood, especially of holidays when she was young.  One of them tells about how she remembers Christmas in an Italian neighborhood, the sights and smells of the holiday.  She writes so beautifully, so descriptively.  This one comes from our book, “Miracles of the Child Jesus”

bookbcj3d (2)

These are just some of the memories I want to thank my precious girl for, and also for you, who have traveled with us over the years through our books, television programs and lecture series.  You have been an important part of our lives and ministry.

Memories never get old

At this most important time of the year, you might want to turn your mental vision inward to the memories which have been important to you over the years.  Think back on the people who have made such a difference in your lives.  Most likely they would be family, spouses, children, grandchildren and so on.  Try to remember a Christmas that meant so much to you and them.  It may have been long ago, or it may have been more recent.

Try to remember other important times in your lives.  For those of you who are married, dig deep into your soul to the day you married, or the days leading up to your marriage.  Think about the day you met, and the bond that was created between you as a couple and as children of God began.

If you are a priest or a religious, think back to the day you fell in love with Jesus, and Mother Mary, and when you decided to give your lives to them.  Bring back to memory the day of your ordination, or for religious, the day of your final profession, where you made the lifetime commitment to give up your lives to your spouse.

These times, these memories are treasures you and your loved ones have, that no one else has.  Hold on to them; cherish them.  If your loved one is still with you, reminisce those times in your lives that have meant so much to you.  If you are separated by death, get together spiritually, perhaps at the end of the day, and relive these memories.  It’s the best Christmas gift you can give one another.  They are truly priceless.

And if I may combine Mr. Hope’s sign off with ours,

“Thanks for the memories…..We love you!”

 

Browse our Chrstmas Ideas http://bobandpennylord.com

1 Comment | Christmas | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Brother Joseph Freyaldenhoven

Treasures from the Crib of Jesus

November 22, 2011

Family, God is so good.  We have been racking our brains trying to give you some  really meaningful gifts  from the Lord for this Christmas season.  As it turns out, we read Conversations With God, a meditation book by Francisco Fernandez, of Opus Dei, founded by St. Jose Escriva.  There are two teachings we want to share with you, which we believe you will agree constitute two of the greatest gifts the Lord could give you.

The teaching for Monday of the 30th week in Ordinary Time was from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians, Chapter 4, verse 4 through 8.  It’s as if the Lord guided our hands to this section of the Bible.  It’s one of the most beautiful as well as powerful teachings of St.  Paul.  Let us share it with you.

 

“Rejoice in the Lord always.

I shall say it again, Rejoice!

Your kindness should be known to all.

The Lord is near.

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything

By prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,

Make your requests known to God.

Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding,

Will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers (and sisters) whatever is true

Whatever is honorable, whatever is just,

Whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious,

If there is any excellence, and if there is anything worthy of praise,

Think about these things.

Keep on doing what you have learned and received,

And heard and seen in me.

Then the God of Peace will be with you.”

 

The second gift the Lord wanted us to share with you came in the teaching for the next day, Tuesday of the 30th week.  The title of the teaching is “The Glory of the Children of God.  The first paragraph reads “Our sense of Divine Filiation.  We thought we knew the meaning of the word from our study of Latin in school.  But to be sure, we checked on the Dictionary definition of Filiation.  The meaning they gave us was

The Fact of being a child of a certain Parent.

Then the teaching began.  From Psalm 2:7, we are taught:

I will proclaim the decree of the Lord Who said to me, “You are  My son, today I have begotten you.”

“Today speaks of eternity.  It is the today of the intimate life of God, the ‘today’ of eternity, the ‘today’ of the Most Holy and ineffable Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” (Pope John Paul II)

According to its definition, Filiation requires an equality of nature.

Then the author takes us to the Prologue to St.  John’s Gospel, John 1:12-13.

But to all who received Him, who believed in His Name, He gave power to become Children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of flesh, nor the will of man, but of God.

St. Athanasius expanded on this.

“The Son of God became man, so that the sons of men, the sons of Adam, might become sons of God.  He (Jesus) is the Son of God by His nature.  We are Sons of God by grace.”

St. John wrote “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. (1John 3:1)

St. Paul touches on it “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.”

(Romans 8:19-23)

Then he teaches of the fullness of this adoption “So through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir.” (Gal 4:7)

And for us, the culmination of this truth is borne out by St. Paul’s writing  to the Romans (Romans 8:29-30)

“For those He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the Image of His Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified.”

Praise You Jesus!  We are sons and daughters of God.  We have been predestined; we have been called; we have been justified; we shall be glorified.

Family, we could not have created any words, any prose or poetry which would come anywhere near what we wish for you this Christmas Season.  The world has all but destroyed all the joyful traditions that we have held onto from the time we were children.  We need something to hang onto, something which will give us joy and peace this Christmas Season.  Things might not always turn out the way we expect.  We ourselves always have great expectations of how Christmas is going to be in any given year.  And then it never works out the way we fantasized.  But our thinking was of the world, not of God.  No matter how many Christmas commercials tempt us to dream about what will make us happy, no matter how many times we watch “Miracle on 34th Street” or James Stewart in “A Wonderful Life”, at the end of the day on Christmas night, it’s always somewhat of a disappointment when the day is done and it  did not turn out as we had dreamed.  It’s at that time, when the world has not given us what we want for Christmas, that we have to turn to the Scripture Passages the Lord has given us from the Saints. Reading those passages, gently covered in the warmth and comfort we will get from the knowledge that the God of peace is always with us, we can breathe a sigh of relief, and fall gently into a Christmas sleep of the innocence.  Thank you dear Lord Jesus, and thank you St. Paul, St. John and Blessed John Paul II.  And from all of us here to all of you there, we wish you nothing but the peace and joy that is Christmas to live in your hearts this year and all the years of your life.  We love you!

Put Christ in Christmas Campaign – 40% off – Code CHRIST40

http://bobandpennylord.com

2 Comments | Uncategorized | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Brother Joseph Freyaldenhoven

Child Jesus in the Holy Land

November 22, 2011

The Bible comes to life in the Holy Land! The very walls of the church of the Transfiguration cry out what happened here. Jesus had told them days before that He would have to go to Jerusalem to suffer at the hands of the elders, scribes and chief priests, that He would be put to death and rise again on the third day. If you recall, Peter could not stand the prospect of the Lord suffering and dying. Jesus brought His closest Disciples to this bit of Heaven on earth to strengthen them for the days ahead, for the torture He would have to endure and they witness.

It was here, on this spot, that Jesus was transfigured before their eyes. It was here that a voice, coming from the cloud that overshadowed them, said, “This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased; hear Him.”

When Jesus was transfigured, and Moses and Elias appeared with Him, Peter, filled with joy, exclaimed, “Lord it is good for us to be here. If Thou will it, let us set up three tents here, one for Thee, one for Moses and one for Elias.” They wanted to stay up on that mountain of life and hope. They did not understand and subsequently did not want to ascend another mountain to what they feared was death and hopelessness. They loved the Lord and they loved the Life He brought to them. They did not want it to end.

But as the mosaics on the wall of the main Altar showed, the Angels were also there, living the moment and, like the Disciples, anticipating the future. Twelve Angels towered over the Sanctuary: Three Angels loomed above the Baby Jesus in the crib, depicting His Birth; three more Angels appeared, with one holding the Chalice and the Host, representing the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Who would be with us till the end of the world; then there were three Angels hovering over the Lamb of Sacrifice – a precious white lamb with its throat slashed and bleeding, portraying Our Lord and His willing Sacrifice on the Cross; and finally your eyes travel to three Angels, with one standing on the tomb, announcing the Resurrection – our hope that we too will rise.

The innocent Lamb bleeding! Each time we journeyed in faith to the Holy Land, this imagery of the Lord’s Passion, as seen through the sacrifice of a very precious looking little lamb, would be the one which would always draw us, bringing us down on our knees, our eyes spilling over with tears. Then on one Pilgrimage, while we were meditating on the Lamb, a pilgrim called us over to the mosaic of the Infant Jesus in His crib. The pilgrim insisted, “Look at His Eyes!”

Here before us was a tiny Baby with curly hair, a chubby Baby, a carefree Baby, a joy to behold, with a tiny bird in His plump little Hands. From a distance He had looked like an ordinary baby, so sweet, so peaceful, so adorable, so untouched. Then we stepped closer and looked into His Eyes! They were not the eyes of a baby. Those Eyes were Eyes that had seen the world and its sins and grieved. I could not take my eyes off the Baby’s Eyes. I wanted to shout, Lord what had you known when You were born? Did you know the agony you would one day endure, the rejection and betrayal that you would suffer, the pain that would accompany You to Your death watching Your Mother grieving at the foot of the Cross, the sorrowful Passion and Crucifixion that You would realize at the hands of those You had come to save? Did you see it all? Your Eyes say You did. Your Eyes say, You knew it before You were born and You said Yes!! Your Eyes say, with each step You took, You knew You were going one step closer to the Cross.

We have, by the grace of God, traveled the four corners of the world, but nowhere has any painting or statue more poignantly portrayed the Babe Who was born to die for our sins. This image in the Holy Land, revealed not only the purity and innocence of the Baby in the manger, but a wisdom far surpassing His Years. His path already preordained, the Baby illustrated on the mosaic wall of the Church of the Transfiguration looks as if He has already taken His first steps toward the Salvation of the world through His Passion, Death and Resurrection. This image of the Baby Jesus placed an indelible mark on our hearts and souls and we would never be the same. No matter how many days and nights pass, we will never forget the look in my Lord’s Eyes.

Put Christ in Christmas Campaign – 40% off all items

Code CHRIST40 – http://bobandpennylord.com

Leave a Comment » | Uncategorized | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Brother Joseph Freyaldenhoven

Santo Nino de Atocha

November 17, 2009

Miracles of Santo Nino de Atocha

One miracle, which was chronicled in 1829, tells of a woman who was wrongly sentenced to prison. She pleaded to the authorities that she had been wrongly imprisoned, but to no avail. To make matters worse, she could find no one who would come forth to help her prove her innocence. She prayed tirelessly to Our Lady of Atocha and the Blessed Infant in Her arms, for help. The more she prayed, the more it seemed help was not forthcoming. But this dear lady believed; with all her heart, she believed. So she kept praying.

A young Man, elegantly dressed, entered the prison from nowhere, it seemed. He brought food and water to the distressed woman. He said it was in response to a request the imprisoned woman had made to His Mother. She begged Him for help with her plight. He was able to free her from the jail. She asked Him His name, that she might remember Him and pray for Him. He said to her, “My Mother is Maria of Atocha. My name is Emmanuel of Atocha.”

It didn’t occur to her at the time what the young man was telling her, regarding his identity. She walked all through the night, towards the little town of Fresnillo, that she might go to the Shrine of the Lady of Atocha and give thanks for the miraculous escape she’d had because of Her intercession. When she entered the Church, she saw the statue of the Santo Niño in the Arms of Our Lady of Atocha, at the main Altar of the church. She could see that this was the same Child who had helped her at the prison. Then she remembered the tradition of the Santo Niño; and how He would come to the prisons at night. She knew that Our Lady and Our Lord Jesus had answered her prayers.

The shepherd and the rattlesnake

Another miracle concerns a shepherd who was out in the forest, tending his flock. This day, our story finds him alone, sitting under a tree, seeking some kind of shelter from the pouring rain. There was not a soul to be seen for miles. Stealthily a snake slithered out from under a rock, unnoticed by the shepherd. The rattlesnake struck before he knew what was happening. The shepherd was bitten on his right leg, and became completely incapacitated. Unable to move, he prayed with what strength he had left; but felt no relief. Then he remembered the stories his mother had told him about Our Lady of Atocha, and the powerful intercessor She was with Her Son. He prayed to Our Lady of Atocha and Our Lord Jesus, the Santo Niño de Atocha. He did not receive the instantaneous healing he expected. In fact, he felt no relief. Weak, life quickly ebbing out of him, he finally passed out.

When he regained consciousness, he was sure he was in Heaven, or rather he prayed he was in Heaven. But when he looked around him, everything was the same as it had been, or was it? He noticed the sun was shining and the storm was over. There was a little Boy, a Niño, standing
over him, talking softly to him, with a gourd of water in His hand. The little Boy gave the shepherd some water to drink from the gourd. Then He gave him some bread from his basket. Upon drinking the water and eating the bread, the shepherd began to feel better immediately. He was bewildered by what was happening, as he still had not figured out who the Boy was. All he knew was he could feel himself getting better.

He got up and walked around. His leg was healing! The dizziness was leaving him! There was no more swelling, and his fever had left him. He was well! He looked around for the little Boy, but He was gone. The shepherd thought this curious, but didn’t make too much of it. He left the forest, his mission to go to the Church of Our Lady of Atocha and offer Her praise and thanksgiving for saving his life. His experience was the same as that which the woman in the first miracle encountered. When the shepherd walked into the church, there, on the main altar, seated on a throne, was the little Boy, the Niño who had saved his life in the forest, and in His Hand was the same basket from which He had given the shepherd food and in the other Hand the gourd from which the Niño had given him to drink. Only now he realized that it was not just a niño, it was the Santo Niño, who had saved his life.

For more information about Santo Nino de  Atocha click here

1 Comment | Child Jesus | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Brother Joseph Freyaldenhoven