The Peace of Christ

May 4, 2021 Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter Readings for Today

Video Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.” John 14:27 So how does the peace that Jesus gives you differ from the apparent peace that the world gives? We all want peace in life. The desire for interior peace is written upon our very nature. And though many people make choices that lead to interior disorder and even chaos, those choices are often made out of a confused sense of what actually provides fulfillment. For example, those who choose to feed an addiction to drugs or alcohol often began that addiction out of a misguided desire for happiness. The temporary fix experienced gives the temporary sense of well-being. But objectively speaking, it is very clear that the temporary “peace” one receives from these actions leads ultimately to a loss of the very thing they desire. And when these choices become addictions, the person often finds themself trapped in a downward spiral. There are also countless other ways in which people find themselves seeking satisfaction and fulfillment in life. Money, promiscuity, cheating, selfishness, anger, deception, and the like are all actions that are done with the intent of some satisfaction. Our daily goal must be to unmask those deceptive actions so that we can see them for what they are and for the fruit that they produce. These are clearly among the many ways that the “world” offers us peace. When it comes to true happiness in life, the gift of true interior peace is one of the clearest signs that we are on the right track and are making the right decisions. When we choose the will of God each and every day, those choices may be difficult and require much initial sacrifice. Love can be hard. Faithfulness to the moral law of God can be challenging. And refusing to sin is difficult. But choosing the will of God throughout our day, every day, will begin to produce within us the consoling and sustaining gift of the peace of Christ. True peace produces strength. It leads to interior integrity and wholeness. It produces clarity of thought and certitude in convictions. God’s peace leads to more peace. It leads to choices based on well-thought-out actions of love. Peace leads us to the will of God, and the will of God leads to peace. The cyclical effect is exponential and is one of the clearest guides to happiness in life. Reflect, today, upon whether you truly have peace in your heart. Do you recognize the still, strong and sustaining presence of God within your soul? Do your daily choices produce greater integrity of heart and clarity of mind? Do you find that you have joy and calm, even in the midst of life’s greatest challenges? Seek out this peace, for if you do, you will be seeking out the good God Who produces this glorious gift within your heart. My Lord of true peace, You and Your holy will are the only path to the deepest fulfillment of all of my desires in life. When I make poor choices that lead to disorder and confusion, help me to turn to You with all my heart. Please unmask any deception I struggle with and give me the strength I need to seek You and Your peace alone. Jesus, I trust in You.

Do You Not Know Me?

Monday, May 3, 2021 Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles Readings for Today

Video Philip said to Jesus, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” John 14:8–9 Today’s liturgical feast is in honor of two of the Apostles, Philip and James the Lesser.  Little is known about James other than that he was chosen by our Lord for the apostolic ministry and that we have one of his letters, which is contained in the New Testament.  James eventually went to Jerusalem and led the Church for a few decades until he was stoned to death as a martyr. Philip preached in Greece, Phrygia and Syria.  He and Saint Bartholomew were thought to have been crucified upside down. Philip preached upside down from the cross until his death. In the Gospel for today’s Mass, we are presented with an encounter that Philip had with Jesus. Though this encounter appears to be a rebuke of Philip by Jesus, it’s a rebuke that is quite heartfelt. Jesus says, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip?” Jesus did, indeed, spend much time with His disciples. They stayed together, ate together, traveled together and spent much time talking with each other. Therefore, Jesus’ comments to Philip emanated from His real and lived personal relationship with Philip. Take the first part of that statement to begin with. “Have I been with you so long…” Imagine Jesus saying this to you. Is this something He would be able to say to you? Is it true that you do spend much time with Him? Do you spend time reading the Gospels, speaking to Him from the depths of your heart, conversing with Him, praying to Him, and listening to His gentle voice? But Jesus goes on: “...and you still do not know me...?” This is a humble truth that is important to admit. It is true that even those who have a very deep and transforming life of prayer do not know our Lord deeply enough. There is no limit to the transformation that can take place in our lives when we know Jesus personally. Jesus’ statement goes on: “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” So the next question is this: “Do you know the Father?” Do you know the Father’s love, His care for you, His perfect will? Though the Father and the Son are united as one God, They are still distinct Persons, and we must, therefore, work to establish a relationship of love with each one of them. As initially mentioned, the comments from Jesus are a gentle rebuke of love to Philip, and He wants to speak this same gentle rebuke to you. But it’s a rebuke of love meant to encourage you to get to know Him better. It’s an invitation to personalize your relationship with Jesus and the Father in a real and concrete way. Do you know Him? Do you know the Son of God? Do you know the Father in Heaven? Reflect, today, upon these loving questions of our Lord as if they were spoken to you. Let His words encourage you to get to know Him more deeply. Pray for your relationship to become more personal and transforming. And as you get to know our Lord more intimately, know that it is also the Father in Heaven Whom you are getting to know. My divine and personal Lord, it is the deepest desire of Your Sacred Heart to know me and to love me. Fill my heart with this same desire so that I will not only know You, dear Lord, but also the Father in Heaven. Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your perfect love and pray that I may open myself to that love more fully each and every day. Saints Philip and James, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.

10 Physical Features In Women That Attract Men The Most

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The Looks will always matter when it comes to dating, especially with men.

Men are visual creatures — always have been and always will be. Most guys tend to be pretty easy to please, though, and also have a certain favorite part of a woman’s body or physical feature that makes them weak in the knees.

Have you ever wondered what men find attractive in women? What role does physical attraction play in dating?

Well, wonder no more. Here are the full details about what physical features men find most attractive in a woman.

1. Butt

Look, men have been staring at women’s behinds for ages. It’s biologically wired in men to want a girl with a large behind, primarily because it’s a sign of good health.

The rounder your butt is, the more likely it is that guys take notice. Most men love butts, even if they won’t admit it.

2. Breasts

No, you don’t need to have large breasts to get guys to pay attention to you.

In fact, most men prefer average to slightly smaller-sized breasts. As long as they are perky and pretty, you’re good to go.

READ MORE:  15 Things Men Find Attractive in Women You Probably Didn\"t Know

3. Legs

A good pair of legs, specifically toned ones, will have many men turning their heads. Much like with butts, most men subconsciously see strong legs as a sign that you’re in good health, and that gets them interested.

4. Eyes

Yes, the eyes have it! You’d be surprised at how many men will notice a woman’s eye before her body.

Adding mascara, by the way, has been shown to boost how sexually attractive men find you significantly, and also is known to make you look more youthful. So, eyes are definitely an asset to consider.

5. Lips

Lipstick and lip gloss were made for a reason, you know. Guys do like to look at women’s lips, especially if they look thick and youthful.

6. Clearskin

Acne is never sexy, no matter your gender. Clear skin is something that men, adore — doubly so if it’s soft.

Regular facials, the occasional trip to the dermatologist, and just having an overall healthy look to your skin is really attractive to just about everyone out there.

7. Hair

For some guys, well-styled hair is their kryptonite. This is particularly true if the guys in question have a thing for particular hair color.

Speaking as someone who regularly dyes their head an unnatural shade of red or pink, having a certain flattering hairstyle is something that will attract guys to you.

8. Well-kept nails, hands, and feet

If you think guys don’t notice manicures and pedicures, you’re wrong. Foot fetishism is actually the most common kink in the world, and it’s also one of the only non-sexual body parts that actually come up in porn searches.

So, those trips to the salon will certainly get men noticing.

READ MORE:  Attractive Face or Body? Scientists Uncover What Men Prefer The Most

9. Your figure

An hourglass figure has long been known to attract men, especially if it’s on the more svelte side of things. Thankfully, there are ways to lose weight or even camouflage the way your body looks — if it’s really that important to you, that is.

10. Your smile

A good smile is something that really can make an average girl look like a model, and, to a point, can also make a girl look more approachable and ready to flirt. Meanwhile, a scowl often translates into “Leave me alone.”

So, if you’re looking to learn what guys find attractive physically, a smile can be a major magnet.

Source: yourtango.com

What is the best country to live and work in the EU, out of Belgium, the Netherlands, or Germany?

Mathieu Ahlstrom 

Let’s already frame this: I’m comparing the more-urban areas of all three; the countrysides in any will be tough for an outsider to really feel comfortable.

I’ve lived in all three and certainly for my preferences I would say The Netherlands..

It has a very high standard of living and the compactness means that job opportunities are geographically easy to find. You can pursue a varied, and ambitious, career path without necessarily having to move house each time.

The geography links it very easily to the rest of the continent; from Schiphol you can get just about anywhere in Europe (and the world) with a direct flight. And even if it’s not Emirates, KLM is a very solid airline.

The public transport network is dense and generally reliable, with very active rider-interest groups that holds the various bodies to account when they fall short.

The people are generally honest and open, and won’t hassle you much about where you’re from. Chances are there’s already a community of folks from your home country that you can connect with for those “homesick” moments.

No matter what kind of culture you’re into, it’s never more than a 45-minute drive away. Pretty much every music act, big or small, comes through at some point. Art exhibitions, performances, dance, it’s an unbelievably rich offer.

The “vereniging” (social club) culture is a wonderful feature of civil society. There are groups of different levels of organisation/formality for just about every hobby and interest. It’s a great aspect of a healthy civil society, and is one more way to connect with people and/or learn Dutch.

Dutch is effectively optional (though highly recommended for the sake of simplicity); everyone speaks enough English to get by and most services (mobile providers, energy companies, etc.) have some version of an official English customer service. For example when Ziggo (the cable company) sends a snail-mail letter about upcoming maintenance in the area, there will be a website mentioned where an English translation can be found.

If you have kids, there are international schools of all stripes to send them to - and nowadays even English-language public schools if school fees aren’t your thing.

Government works. It seems like a boring simple thing, but it will make your life so much easier. You generally get what you pay for tax-wise, and the needle tends to be set on a more generous end for subsidies and social programmes that actually make life pleasant (even despite austerity measures of the past ~10 years).

Everything has a downside: it can be expensive, especially if you live in a city centre location. The same open dynamic that makes it easy to connect on a basic level doesn’t necessarily extend to the deeper friendships; there are so many foreigners who pass through, many Dutch don’t see the benefit in building a close relationship with someone who’ll move away in a while.

And some foreigners find navigating the healthcare system a bit offputting. The quality is very good, but you sometimes need push a bit harder to get the treatment you want. Bedside manner is often perceived as tough; don’t expect too much sympathy or coddling.

Being a small country also means getting passed over for certain things.. for example there’s still no real local Amazon site or Amazon Prime (though the German Amazon site has some localised features). And before the EU forced harmonisation of mobile phone roaming, it seemed unfair that you could go all through Germany/France without paying roaming charges whereas the Dutch contracts only covered a sliver of territory.

There are, however, certain advantages to the others..

Belgium has a certain warmth and quirkiness, even as the language politics drone on in the background and bore the foreigner. You’ll certainly eat well pretty much everywhere you go. Be prepared for lots of bureaucracy though. English is generally fine in Flanders, but much less in Wallonia. And outside of Brussels it will be tough to find work unless you speak one/both of the local languages.

Germany is a huge country with many different facets. It is big enough to be worth learning the language (which is still necessary for much of the day-to-day), but is generally affordable. If you enjoy cars, you will be at home. Unlike in the Netherlands where big/powerful cars are not only heavily taxed, but also frowned upon socially as ostentatious and spendthrifty, you can indulge in big engines and high speeds with a clear conscience. But like most large countries, it has an inward-looking tendency.

Hope that helps! And if it’s a three-way tie, I’d say the Netherlands still wins because you can easily get to both Belgium and Germany if you really want to change it up.

EDIT: Some points to add.. the 30% tax rule is another sweetener for expats in NL. If you meet certain criteria, the first 30% of your income is tax free. The thinking is that you will not use Dutch social security in retirement, so need to make alternative arrangements. It is granted for five years with the possibility to extend for another five. After that you\"re just local and start paying into social security.

Also the variable quality of housing stock is worth pointing out. It\"s just not that great in terms of quality, especially compared to Germany. Poor insulation, cheaper materials, etc. Older houses can be very charming but have lots of maintenance issues. A Finnish friend says that the Dutch live in tents.

Dutch attitudes are also not everyone\"s cup of tea. As a commenter pointed out, complaining about everything, being rude and talking about getting things cheaply are key themes.

The weather also generally sucks. Spring and summer can be really nice but can also be wet. Winter is just dreary and waterlogged. It\"s the number one complaint.

Humility and Gratitude

May 2, 2021 Fifth Sunday of Easter (Year B) Readings for Today

Video “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.”  John 15:5 What a great little reminder...“Without me you can do nothing.” At first, hearing this may hurt.  It may hurt our pride, and we may react to this idea negatively.  Is it really true?  Can we really do nothing without God?  Obviously the answer to that is “Yes.”  Jesus does not lie.  We can do nothing without God in our lives. In fact, if God were to forget us for one moment, we would cease to exist.  Even our very existence depends upon God continuing to will that we exist.  And as for doing good, making a difference, having a productive life, etc., we can do nothing good without God’s grace. Though this may be hard to hear at first, we should ponder it regularly.  And if we do ponder it and embrace this truth, two things will happen in our souls.  First, we will grow in humility.  Humility is the most important virtue in which we can grow.  It’s been referred to as “the mother of all virtues.”  This is because from this virtue, all other virtues flow.  Humility means we realize that God is everything and that we need Him with a 100% need.  This humble truth will enable us to seek God in all things and to invite Him deeply into every part of our lives. A second thing that will happen in our souls when we realize that we can do nothing without God is that we will grow in gratitude.  As we see that God is everything AND we begin to see that He provides us with constant grace in our lives, our only appropriate response will be “Thank you!”  We will be grateful to God for everything because we will realize that everything that is good is a gift from Him. Reflect, today, upon these truths of humility and gratitude and allow them to sink in.  As you do, allow these virtues to grow to greater fruition in your life. Lord, I do believe that I can do nothing without You.  Help me to believe this with an even greater conviction and, as I do, help me to grow in humility and gratitude.  Jesus, I trust in You.

The Ordinary Path to the Extraordinary

Saturday, May 1, 2021 Optional Memorial of Saint Joseph the Worker Readings for Today

Video Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, "Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter's son?” Matthew 13:54–55 On December 8, 2020, Pope Francis announced the beginning of the universal celebration of the “Year of Saint Joseph,” which will conclude on December 8, 2021. He introduced this year with an Apostolic Letter entitled “With a Father’s Heart.” In the introduction to that letter, the Holy Father said, “Each of us can discover in Joseph—the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence—an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble.” The Gospel above, taken from the readings for this memorial, point to the fact that Jesus was “the carpenter’s son.” Joseph was a worker. He worked with his hands as a carpenter so as to provide for the daily needs of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Son of God. He provided them with a home, with food, and with the other daily necessities of life. Joseph also protected them both by following the various messages of the angel of God who spoke to him in his dreams. Joseph fulfilled his duties in life in a quiet and hidden way, serving in his role as father, spouse and worker. Though Joseph is universally recognized and honored today within our Church and even as a prominent historical world figure, during his lifetime he would have been a man who was largely unnoticed. He would have been seen as an ordinary man doing his ordinary duty. But in many ways, that is what makes Saint Joseph an ideal man to imitate and a source of inspiration. Very few people are called to serve others in the spotlight. Very few people are publicly praised for their day-to-day duties. Parents, especially, are often greatly unappreciated. For that reason, the life of Saint Joseph, this humble and hidden life lived out in Nazareth, provides most people with inspiration for their own daily lives. If your life is somewhat monotonous, hidden, unappreciated by the masses, tedious, and even boring at times, then look to Saint Joseph for inspiration. Today’s memorial especially honors Joseph as a man who worked. And his work was quite ordinary. But holiness is especially found in the ordinary parts of our daily lives. Choosing to serve, day in and day out, with little or no earthly accolades, is a service of love, an imitation of the life of Saint Joseph, and a source of your own holiness in life. Do not underestimate the importance of serving in these and other ordinary and hidden ways. Reflect, today, upon the ordinary and “unremarkable” daily life of Saint Joseph. If you find that your life is similar to what he would have experienced as a worker, a spouse and a father, then rejoice in that fact. Rejoice in the fact that you are also called to a life of extraordinary holiness through the ordinary duties of daily life. Do them well. Do them with love. And do them in inspiration of Saint Joseph and his spouse, the Blessed Virgin Mary who would have shared in this ordinary day-to-day life. Know that what you do each and every day, when it is done out of love and service of others, is the surest path to holiness of life for you. My Jesus, Son of the carpenter, I thank You for the gift and inspiration of Your earthly father, Saint Joseph. I thank You for his ordinary life lived with great love and responsibility. Help me to imitate his life by fulfilling my daily duties of work and service well. May I recognize in the life of Saint Joseph, an ideal model for my own holiness of life. Saint Joseph the Worker, pray for us. Jesus, I trust in You.