tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24050931059014199162024-10-25T04:15:06.253-04:00Meditations on scripture and Christianity.Paula Lombardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105251044121884049noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405093105901419916.post-47876657168411159182021-01-27T09:55:00.004-05:002021-01-27T09:57:15.054-05:00

These petunias grew between the pavement and a slab of granite on my front doorstep. I did not plant the petunia. It just surfaced. For one thing the petunia is an "annual" plant and would not be expected to bloom in the spring on its own. Second, it has been a hot, dry summer and I have never watered this plant, yet it has grown and thrived all summer. My husband and I have been careful not to

Paula Lombardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105251044121884049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405093105901419916.post-47828037413577177562020-02-01T15:59:00.003-05:002020-02-01T15:59:45.939-05:00

Choice is not merely a word. Choice has a face. Choice is a person. Learn their stories. #FacetheChoice

Paula Lombardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105251044121884049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405093105901419916.post-52657376852693678052019-08-29T11:35:00.000-04:002019-08-29T12:00:10.821-04:00

Please watch this video and see Christopher Duffley, who as born premature at 1 pound 12 ounces, at 26 weeks. Christopher is a musician, signer, and blind and autistic.Christopher is truly an inspiration and gift. [Catholic Communications Program]. (2019, April 23). REAL TO REEL - CHRISTOPHER DUFFLEY MISSION POSSIBLE -- 4.20.19 [Video File] Retrieved from https://youtu.be/StKfxLA2BKk

Paula Lombardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105251044121884049noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405093105901419916.post-44479459530477417252019-07-31T07:06:00.003-04:002019-07-31T07:16:19.946-04:00

This morning I was reading through the August issue of the Catholic TV monthly magazine and I found an article that reminded me of my love of gardening and how I feel a sense of communion with God in my gardening chores and enjoyment of the fruits of those labors. Just looking at the variety and beauty within each flower, herb, and vegetable, is such a witness to the miracle of creation

Paula Lombardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105251044121884049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405093105901419916.post-44642385716737079492018-09-27T09:15:00.000-04:002018-09-27T09:28:16.657-04:00

There I was this morning attempting to pray a thankful prayer for the wonderful summer I had taking day trips around NE with my husband and soaking in the beauty of the region. And then I quickly fell into a pitiful place of worrying about retirement and not having enough money to have that dream retirement I so often hear about from others who buy new homes and travel. That’s not going to be

Paula Lombardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105251044121884049noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405093105901419916.post-34693244353034409772018-07-04T11:31:00.002-04:002018-07-04T11:39:15.476-04:00

It’s the 4th of July and wicked hot here in NH. 92 degrees at 10:30 am! As I ponder on what to do today, I felt this was a good time to sit at my computer, in front of a fan and share some thoughts on the sanctity of life and our so called “freedom” in this current American culture. I follow the organization Women Speak for Themselves on Facebook. I encourage you to go tot their website and

Paula Lombardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105251044121884049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405093105901419916.post-70724002362824702902018-05-08T16:33:00.000-04:002018-05-08T16:33:56.271-04:00

He paused I waited. He continued, When you live in the past with its mistakes and regrets it is hard. I am not there. My name is not I Was When you live in the future, with its problems and fears, it is hard. I am not there. My name is not I Will Be When you life in this moment it is not hard. I am here. My name is I Am

Paula Lombardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105251044121884049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405093105901419916.post-66371826998444541702017-12-29T08:09:00.001-05:002017-12-29T08:09:37.314-05:00

How does one get through the secular, consumer driven Christmas season and manage to feel and see God’s presence? This Christmas season was very different for me and thanks to a lot of snow and ice, we were homebound for several days prior to Christmas and Christmas day. Our plans to visit family on the weekend before Christmas got canceled due to the forecast of snow and ice over the weekend

Paula Lombardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105251044121884049noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405093105901419916.post-84288162898612561322017-10-26T08:21:00.001-04:002017-10-26T08:21:02.883-04:00

This week the gospel focused on one of those difficult to understand passages in the New Testament, the book of Matthew. It’s a passage that year after year, I read it, hear it discussed at mass, and in the end, I really truly don’t get it. I will say that this week, I think I got it. It’s the passage where the Pharisees backed Jesus into an either/or position. Instead, Jesus gives them this

Paula Lombardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105251044121884049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405093105901419916.post-77755035424315834792017-09-06T07:41:00.003-04:002017-09-06T07:45:28.501-04:00

I have never been good at spontaneous prayers. If someone asks me to say a prayer, my initial reaction is usually panic, and speakers “cramp”. It always amazes me how some people can just come up with fabulous thoughtful prayers on the spot. I mostly pray in private conversation with God. However, I am always looking for prayers that speak to my heart and desire to understand myself better and

Paula Lombardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105251044121884049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405093105901419916.post-14451567640000892982017-06-26T06:43:00.000-04:002017-06-26T06:43:08.147-04:00

Catechism - a summary of the principles of Christian religion in the form of questions and answers, used for the instruction of Christians.For many years I have had a beautiful hard bound copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church sitting on my bookshelf, waiting for me. Intuitively I knew this was a really important book, but, similar to being introduced to the holy bible, I didn’t know where

Paula Lombardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105251044121884049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405093105901419916.post-87269455445066526322017-06-07T08:22:00.002-04:002017-06-07T08:22:23.024-04:00

Feast of the Holy Spirit “On this feast of Pentecost, we celebrate the fact that this breath, this wind, this hurricane of mercy has been loosed upon the world.”  Fr. Robert Baron The Holy Spirit has been a mystery to me as the triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is in a general sense, a difficult concept to wrap your head around. The bible includes the three persons in one God,

Paula Lombardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105251044121884049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405093105901419916.post-62191056253797806382017-04-24T07:21:00.000-04:002017-04-24T07:21:11.805-04:00

On Easter day, this year at the small St. Mary’s Parish, the church was packed to capacity with some standing in the back. There were so many families and lots of children and babies. The atmosphere was full of activity and energy. If only these people would want to come to mass every week. What a blessing that would be for themselves and for the church, the body of Christ. I used to be one of

Paula Lombardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105251044121884049noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405093105901419916.post-36750768022355418092017-04-03T17:08:00.000-04:002017-04-03T17:10:34.317-04:00

Each liturgical season of the past few years, I begin with the desire to make it the best ever. I began Lent with that same intention. I failed my giving up coffee after a few days. Silly of me to give up a medicinal item. I must have forgotten how a cup coffee can sometimes ward off a migraine or at least take the edge off a migraine headache. Instead, I have been trying to give up small treats

Paula Lombardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105251044121884049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405093105901419916.post-26522767681696650302017-03-20T14:50:00.000-04:002017-03-20T14:50:34.986-04:00

Thank you Lord for this fabulous first day of spring in NH. It is sunny, no wind, 49 degrees, the lilacs are budding and the birds are chirping. I love being able to take a midday break and walk while all is quite in the neighborhood. We still have quite a bit of snow on the ground, but it does feel like spring. I was able to just be in the moment during my walk and let go of some difficult

Paula Lombardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105251044121884049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405093105901419916.post-20929569018524240092017-03-02T08:42:00.000-05:002017-03-03T08:48:58.666-05:00

We are now in the second day of the season of Lent and I am thinking, what can I do/sacrifice for God this season. I am committed to giving up coffee and I am already counting the days till my next cup. Yes, that is a sacrifice, but so typical.  I’ve been getting email updates from Beth Gaby who is organizing the 40 Days for Life Concord, and thinking about committing some time to join

Paula Lombardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105251044121884049noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405093105901419916.post-79288677764308102512017-02-27T08:18:00.000-05:002017-03-03T08:46:58.696-05:00

A quote from Theodor Seuss Geisel's  (Dr. Suess) book, Horton Hears a Who! (1954) "Don't give up! I believe in you all.A person's a person, no matter how small!And you very small persons will not have to dieIf you make yourselves heard! So come on, now, and TRY!"I heard this quote this morning, watching mass on EWTN and wanted to share this with anyone who has not heard it. The

Paula Lombardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105251044121884049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405093105901419916.post-18882216781495818052017-01-19T08:44:00.000-05:002017-01-19T08:44:10.458-05:00

Yesterday we were blessed with that beautiful frozen precipitation from above. While not everyone considers a snowy day a blessing, a lot of us do. The snow covered the gray and bare landscape we have been experiencing in yet another snowless winter in NH. I love the quietness of a snow storm, minus the snowplows that shake the house as they go by. I like shoveling the driveway. It’s good

Paula Lombardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105251044121884049noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405093105901419916.post-32428124332535719672016-12-16T12:23:00.000-05:002016-12-16T12:23:45.544-05:00

Advent Here we are in the third week of Advent. Here in NH we have snow on the ground and it’s freezing cold. 8 degrees right now and -7 this morning. We love the snow because it’s a Christmas tradition the “White Christmas”. The other day I was watching an EWTN show “Conversations with Cardinal Dolan” and Elizabeth Ficocelli was a guest author and speaker who talked about the season of

Paula Lombardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105251044121884049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405093105901419916.post-91023573553473204622016-12-16T12:04:00.000-05:002017-03-02T08:58:45.983-05:00

After experiencing chest pain again, and progressively worse, I got checked into the emergency room of our local hospital. I went through the standard protocol of EKG, heart monitor, blood work etc. At 59 years of age and having several risk factors, they kept me overnight and I stayed hooked up to a heart monitor. This was actually comforting, knowing that care was only a few steps away. While

Paula Lombardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105251044121884049noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405093105901419916.post-1754741383157259622016-07-26T07:23:00.003-04:002016-07-29T06:47:50.182-04:00

This morning I am reading Saint Faustina’s Diary, page 494 (1395), and I here is what the Lord shared with Saint Faustina about Holy Communion:“I desire to unite Myself with human souls; My great delight is to unite Myself with souls. Know, My daughter, that when I come to a human heart in Holy Communion, My hands are full of all kinds of graces which I want to give to the soul. But souls do not

Paula Lombardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105251044121884049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405093105901419916.post-8275186341179050682016-07-26T07:23:00.002-04:002016-07-26T07:34:03.015-04:00

In the Catholic world, we are in the year of Mercy. God’s mercy is evident through the bible, however, in the 1930’s sister Faustina, under the counsel of the Lord, Jesus, wrote the Divine Mercy Chaplet. At that time, Sister Faustina (now Saint Faustina Kowalska) was a young Polish woman with very little formal education. You would never know that from reading her diary, Divine Mercy of My Soul,

Paula Lombardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105251044121884049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405093105901419916.post-60492969162551591462016-06-22T08:12:00.001-04:002016-06-22T08:16:51.260-04:00

Recently my husband and I ventured out for a pilgrimage to Boston's Basilica. In architecture, the term basilica signifies a kingly, and secondarily a beautiful, hall. ( New Advent, Basilica- http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02325a.htm) I enjoy watching documentaries of the holy lands throughout the world and have felt left out of these experiences because of

Paula Lombardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105251044121884049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405093105901419916.post-35141614866090496822016-05-17T08:13:00.000-04:002016-05-17T08:13:49.809-04:00

Last Saturday night, I decided to tune into the movie, Sleepless in Seattle, the 1993 classic love story. It seemed like a “safe” movie that hopefully would pass my “G” rating preference in movies. However, very soon into the story I was upset over the story line. The setting is: Tom Hanks (Sam) loses his wife to cancer and he is now a single dad trying to move on with his life with his son Jonah

Paula Lombardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105251044121884049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405093105901419916.post-82022107616821938102016-05-12T06:54:00.002-04:002016-05-12T06:56:15.035-04:00

Today I want to share another excerpt from Saint Therese of Lisieux's, autobiography, The Story of a Soul. Saint Therese entered a Carmelite Monastery when she was only 15 years old. She is known for her simple and humble personality, and is referred to  as the “little flower”. The religious community that she joined, along with several of her biological sisters, is a cloistered community,

Paula Lombardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105251044121884049noreply@blogger.com0