Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Jesus Astonishes the Scholars

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

While traveling through Essex County today, I stopped at the Holy Name of Jesus. The Catholic Church is in East Orange, New Jersey.  The beautiful church is located on the corner of Dodd Street and Midland Avenue.

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

Unfortunately, the church doors were closed.  However, the exterior architecture caught my attention with its beauty.  I took some photos above the front entranceway to highlight the exquisite artistic design of the church.

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

Scripture - Luke 2:41-47

The Boy Jesus at the Temple

His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.

Photographs Copyright 2010 Loci B. Lenar

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Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Is there intolerance to Judeo-Christian beliefs?


Moses and the Burning Bush

By Loci B. Lenar

Several blogs use my photography from Flickr.com to illustrate a story or news item with good intentions. I do appreciate their support and they have my approval to continue to do so.

However, it's been brought to my attention that some blogs with an intolerance to Judeo-Christian beliefs are posting my photographs on their sites to discredit religion in general. Furthermore, inappropriate conduct that targets a person’s religious belief is nothing less then disrespectful. Therefore, permission is denied to guilty parties and their websites for inappropriate exploitation of photographs and all the images should be removed as soon as possible.

*** 

However, in Luke 6:27-28, I am reminded of the following, "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."

Psalm 27:1 states, The LORD is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid?

In order for people to change their wrongful ways, Our Lord Jesus calls us to pray for them daily.  May Almighty God pour out the Holy Spirit and bring forth conversion and peace to everyone that has lost their way to the road of salvation.

The above photograph of the stained glass detail of Moses and the Burning Bush is one of the images in question.  The photograph is the right side of the double doors leading into the entranceway of the Church of St. Joseph. The Catholic church is located on New Street in Mendham, NJ, USA.

Copyright 2010 Loci B. Lenar
All Rights Reserved

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Our Lady of Czestochowa



The painting is a replica of Our Lady of Czestochowa. The picture is displayed behind the alter in Saints Peter and Paul Church, located on Route 46 in Great Meadows, New Jersey, USA.

Excerpt from CatholicTradition.org:

The miracles attributed to Our Lady of Czestochowa are many and most spectacular. The original accounts of them, some of them cures, are archived by the Pauline Fathers at Jasna Gora. Papal recognition of the miraculous image was made by Pope Clement XI in 1717.

For additional information regarding miracles associated with Our Lady of Czestochowa, please visit the following link:

Photograph Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Prayerful Healing for Children

Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them;
for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these."
Matthew 19:14


Prayerful Healing for Children

Heavenly father
from the moment of creation you've
predestined the salvation of your people
through the resurrection of your
divine Son Jesus
in order for all to believe.

Through his miraculous words,
Lazarus has risen,
eyesight is restored,
leprosy healed,
demons flee;
transformed drinking water into wine,
wonders for all to witness by God's design.

Merciful Father
We humbly petition thee to heal and save our children from illness
beseeching for the grace of deliverence on behalf of all who suffer
from infirmities of the mind, body, and soul.

Almighty God
We thank thee for hearing our pleas
and restoring our children to health
through tender mercy and healing grace
from your divine Son Jesus
Amen

© Loci B. Lenar

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Prayerful Healing is written for anyone in need of encouraging words, especially families with children. I was inspired to write the prayer as a result of what I believe is a miraculous healing through Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ of a heart ailment and from years of suffering painful headaches. Through the blessings and grace of God, I was healed of a heart arrhythmia known as Atrial Fibrillation. The medical condition is treated with Lanoxin, a cardiac medicine. However, I've not used the medication for over ten years. I was treated by Dr. Gilbert Mandel of Denville, NJ, for the disorder. Additionally, I was healed from years of suffering painful headaches after countless visits to physicians with treatments that went to no avail.

Through power of prayer and Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, God's healing grace cured me. The healing sacrament is administered through the church. I was anointed with the healing sacrament by Father Richard Tartaglia of Saint Mary's Church, Denville, NJ.

In James 5, Verse 14-15 the following is noted: "Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven."

I give praise, glory, and thanks to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for all the spiritual gifts and blessings.

(The beautiful stained glass window of Jesus with children sitting on his lap was photographed in Saint Mary's Church. The window is small but very captivating when seen. The church is located on the corner of Route 46 and Myers Avenue, Denville, NJ).

© 2008 Loci B. Lenar



Monday, January 28, 2008

Tribute to a King: A Sign from Heaven


Pope Benedict XVI called for Christian unity on Friday, January 26, during a vespers service at Rome's Basilica of St. Paul's. He said during a prayer service that "Unity with God and our brothers and sisters is a gift that will come from on high." My response to Pope Benedict's statement is for the Catholic faith to respectfully consider honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with Beatification. The following story will provide insight to the issue:

Tribute to a King is written in honor of the great legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr with words flowing in revelation. In the early 1990s, the Spirit of the Lord imparted me with a vision of our world gifted and Blessed in Peace during a spiritual visitation. Through discernment, the Lord is preparing our Millennium for the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy by building a bridge of peace and unity between people and cultures, including reconciliation amongst religious denominations.

In Revelation 19:9, the following is conveyed: 'Then the angel said to me, "write this: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These words are true; they come from God." '

I discussed the matter with my spiritual advisor, Father Richard Tartaglia of Saint Mary's Church, Denville, NJ, and indicated that God's Will is to usher in an era of peace with unity. I also disclosed that through a spiritual locution/impartation, our Lord conveyed that Dr. King is "a saint of my kingdom."

The following is noted in Psalm 145:21, "My mouth will speak your praises, Lord; all flesh will bless your Holy name forever." With the power of the Holy Spirit, the Lord indeed speaks through the faithful. As a Christian and Catholic, the legacy of Dr. King should be remembered for not only his great dream, but for courage in following in the footsteps and gospels of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Quoting the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr : "So I say to you, seek God and discover Him and make Him a power in your life. Without Him all of our efforts turn to ashes and our sunrises into darkest nights. Without Him, life is a meaningless drama with the decisive scenes missing. But with Him we are able to rise from the fatigue of despair to the buoyancy of hope. With Him we are able to rise from the midnight of desperation to the daybreak of joy. St. Augustine was right - we were made for God and will be restless until we find rest in Him."

Dr. king also said, "Love is the most durable power in the world. This creative force, so beautifully exemplified in the life of our Christ, is the most potent instrument available in mankind's quest for peace and security."

Not only a great civil rights leader, but Dr. King was a Babtist Minister and a co-pastor with his father at Ebenezer Baptist Church from 1960 until his death in 1968. The Catholic faith should respectfully consider honoring King as a doctor of the church with Sainthood. Canonization should not be limited to Catholics, but also be considered for virtuous Christians of other denominations as well. I believe changes are needed in the church in order to help bring forth unity amongst all Christians and Catholics.

The following is conveyed in Isaiah 55: 9 and 11, "As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts. So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it."

In Psalm 37, Verse 4-6, the following is noted: "Find your delight in the Lord who will give you your heart's desire. Commit your way to the Lord; trust that God will act and make your integrity shine like the dawn, your vindication like noonday."

Let us not forget that in the house of God all are equal! In unified prayer all is possible through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The vision will come to pass with God's timing. I give praise and glory including thanks to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for all the gifts and spiritual wonders unfolding. (To read poem, please click on image)

Copyright 2008 Loci B. Lenar