In the Quiet

+ J.M.J. Good morning. It has been a while, hasn't it? My goodness, I've taken a very long break from writing. Writing is uncomfortable for me. It forces me to be honest with myself, and with my audience, and that kind of hurts. Remember my last post? It's okay if you don't; I wrote it last summer. My last blog post was full of hurt. I stopped writing because I was tired of feeling pain. But guess what? I have a story to tell, and I will not be silent anymore. How have you been? How are you feeling?  I'm a little tired. I've been having trouble sleeping. I really abhor wasting time, so I decided to utilize this time when I'm awake too early. Writing used to be a comfort for me. When I was little, I started writing in a diary. I thought it was cool. Now, journal writing is something seen as important for your mental health, at least for women. It's probably helpful for men too, but sometimes they get their feelings out in differen

This is probably an age-old question (whatever that means), but can men and women be just friends? Let me clarify. Can men and women, in fact, be just friends, without any romantic attachments/feelings? I'm going to answer this question, but keep in mind, it's only my opinion, based on my experiences. I think that men and women can be just friends. Mind you, this is if they are not married or in religious life. Friendships can still be maintained in these states, but not really close ones, and wisely so. So I've stated that, and I don't feel that much else needs to be said. Except... Sometimes the guy may have it in his mind that he wants to get to know you better, in the ulterior motive that he wants to be more than just friends in future. This is not always true, but it is something good to be aware of. Sometimes, the guy had it in mind all along, and you never even saw it coming. You were platonic friends, and then BOOM! It blew up in your face, and you end

Pray for a friend. I know a friend that really needs prayers. But then, who doesn't? Pray that you may be a good friend to that person. Pray that that person can see the light of Christ.  Saint of the Day Monday, March 18, 2013 St. Cyril of Jerusalem (315?-386) The crises that the Church faces today may seem minor when compared with the threat posed by the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Christ and almost overcame Christinity in the fourth century. Cyril was to be caught up in the controversy, accused (later) of Arianism by St. Jerome (September 30), and ultimately vindicated both by the men of his own time and by being declared a Doctor of the Church in 1822. Raised in Jerusalem, well-educated, especially in the Scriptures, he was ordained a priest by the bishop of Jerusalem and given the task of catechizing during Lent those preparing for Baptism and during the Easter season the newly baptized. His Catecheses remain valuable as exampl

Cement a friendship. I must say that I have a great need of this activity. I am so distanced from most of my friends. Get together with your friend and have a cup of coffee together or go shopping, or both. You'll both be glad you took the time to care. Saint of the Day Sunday, February 24, 2013 Blessed Luke Belludi (1200-c. 1285) In 1220, St. Anthony was preaching conversion to the inhabitants of Padua when a young nobleman, Luke Belludi, came up to him and humbly asked to receive the habit of the followers of St. Francis. Anthony liked the talented, well-educated Luke and personally recommended him to St. Francis, who then received him into the Franciscan Order. Luke, then only 20, was to be Anthony's companion in his travels and in his preaching, tending to him in his last days and taking Anthony's place upon his death. He was appointed guardian of the Friars Minor in the city of Padua. In 1239 the city fell into the hands of its enemies. Nobl