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SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #563

And Pilate seeing that he prevailed nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, taking water washed his hands before the people, saying: "I am innocent of the blood of this just man. Look you to it." And the whole people answering, said: "His blood be upon us and upon our children." (Matt. 27:24-25)

THE BLOOD OF OUR BLESSED LORD HAS INDEED BEEN ON THE JEWS AND THEIR CHILDREN: In the year 70 A. D. the judgment of God which they challenged overtook them, as has been described before. The Jews had rejected their Messiah and killed Him "by the hands of wicked men," acknowledging the Gentile Caesar as their sole lord; and now this Caesar, by sending his army against Jerusalem, became the instrument of the divine vengeance. Many of those very men who had cried out: "Crucify Him, crucify Him!" were alive at the time of the siege and taking of Jerusalem, and themselves experienced its bloody horrors. Many thousand Jews died on the cross under Titus; a million perished partly by the sword, partly by famine and disease; about 92,000 were sold as slaves for a nominal price (thirty being sold for one piece of silver); and the remaining few were scattered over the face of the earth.
Thus was accomplished the fate of Israel, prefigured by that of Cain, affording to all the world a most clear proof that Jesus Christ, whom Israel rejected, is the true Messiah and Redeemer.

[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.]

(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)

Daily Mass... ready to die

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Tribulation Times

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/april.asp?version=63&startmmdd=0101

April 30, 2009  

THE TRIB TIMES WILL RETURN NEXT WEEK, GOD WILLING (James 4:15).

(Rom 8:17-18) And if sons, heirs also; heirs indeed of God and joint heirs with Christ: yet so, if we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him. For I reckon that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that shall be revealed in us.  

EXCERPT BLOGGER:  Daily Mass... ready to die

I have become almost completely fearless! In this day and age where calamity can befall us at any point in time, I move around without a care in the world. And if Jesus Christ himself can subject himself to a violent and painful death, what right do I have to shy away from such an end? Granted, one does not pray for a brutal death, but my Christian faith compels me to accept the possibility calmly, even if I don't yearn such a death.

EXCERPT: The Shortness of Life by St. Alphonsus de Liguori

Third Point - Importance of the Last Moment

(Job 14, 1) "Man born of a woman, living a short time … who cometh forth like a flower, and is destroyed." 

How great, then, the folly of those who, for the miserable and transitory delights of this short life, exposes themselves to the danger of an unhappy eternity. Oh! How important is that last moment, that last gasp, the last closing of the scene! On it depends an eternity either of all delights or of all torments - a life of eternal happiness or of everlasting woe.

Let us consider that Jesus Christ submitted to a cruel and ignominious death in order to obtain for us the grace of a good death. That we may at that last moment die in the grace of God, is the reason why He gives us so many calls, so many lights, and admonishes us by so many threats.

Antisthenes, though a pagan, being asked what was the greatest blessing which man could receive in this world, answered, "A good death."

And what will a Catholic say, who knows by faith, that at the moment of death eternity begins, and that at that moment he lays hold of one of two wheels, which draws with it either eternal joy or everlasting torments? If there were two tickets in a lottery, on one of which might be written Hell and on the other Heaven, what care would you not take to draw that which gives you a right to Paradise, and to avoid the other, by which you would win a place in Hell! O God! How the hands of those unhappy men tremble who are condemned to throw the dice on which their life or death depends! How great will be your terror at the approach of that last hour, when you will say: On this moment depends my life or death for eternity; on this depends whether I shall be forever happy or forever in despair!

St. Bernardine of Sienna relates, that at death a certain prince exclaimed, with trembling and dismay: Behold, I have so many kingdoms and palaces in this world; but if I die this night I know not what apartment shall be assigned to me.

Brother, if you believe that you must die, that there is an eternity, that you can die only once, and that if you then err, your error will be forever irreparable, why do you not resolve to begin at this moment to do all in your power to secure a good death? St. Andrew Avellino said with trembling: "Who knows what will be my lot in the next life? Shall I be saved or damned?"

The thought of the uncertainty of being damned or saved filled St. Louis Bertrand with so much terror, that he could not sleep during the night, because of this thought which would suggest to him: "Who knows whether thou wilt be lost?" And will not you, who have committed so many sins, tremble?

Oh! Hasten to apply a remedy in time. Resolve to give yourself sincerely to God, and begin from this moment a life which, at the hour of death, will be to you a source, not of affliction, but of consolation. Give yourself to prayer, frequent the sacraments, avoid all dangerous occasions, and, if necessary, leave the world, secure to yourself eternal salvation, and be persuaded that to secure eternal life no precaution can be too great.

RELATED: Mortal sin: The what, why and how to heal

SWINE FLU INFO FOR FEARLESS CATHOLICS

FACTBOX: Top Swine Flu Myths Debunked

COMMON SENSE PREPARATION: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Content/HHS/phs/communicabledisease/Immunization/panflu/PDFs/Stay-At-Home_Toolkit.pdf

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Saint Bernardo Tolomei, Pray for Us!

Ladder of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 15- "On incorruptible purity and chastity"

37. The mother of sweetness is earth and dew, and the mother of purity is stillness with obedience. Dispassion of the body attained by stillness has often been shaken on coming into contact with the world; but that obtained by obedience is genuine and inviolable everywhere.   

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Blessings+
Deacon John

Sent from Mt Dora, Florida, United States

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The Fire of My Love "What Comes Forth: Sinner or Saint?" by Rita Ring, January 28, 1994

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What Comes Forth: Sinner or Saint?

January 28, 1994 6:40 a.m.

Jesus: I am with you, My child. Never think I leave your side. You are so precious to Me. Though you walk in raging waters, you will not be consumed. Your heart is Mine. Focus on Me and your love for Me. Satan is always there. Do not ever listen to him. He is trying to distract you.

Come to Me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest. You are tested in fire and what comes forth is a sinner or a saint. You must hold tight to Me and know I will give you all you need to fight your daily battles.

I want to strengthen you and deepen your commitment to Me. You must know that this too shall pass and you will be closer in your union with Me.

I am your all. This time here is so short, here today, gone tomorrow. Stay steadfast in My ways. Pray to Me constantly. I am your all. You must focus on Me now.

You will be tested in fire and go forth a sinner or saint.

R. Jesus, it is love of You I feel, deep in my breast and inexpressible. To be bottled up with such love but not behold You as I want, to know you a little but not a lot, to be so close to You but so far away!

Come, Oh come, Lord Jesus, come and dwell in my heart. Make my heart a heart on fire for love of You alone. Teach me Your ways that I may never stray from Your side. Hold me. Comfort me. Love me. Fill me with Yourself. Jesus, Jesus, I come and am engulfed in a sea of despair. You pick me up and caress my little heart and I know truly Your presence within me. It is not a myth. You are truly a Person. You are truly here. If I just sit this out, the anguish will leave and I will be made whole in You. What a union! To be united after spiritual bankruptcy. Loss of God is the greatest torment. Let me never displease You in the ways I am. I want to love You alone and live for You alone. Help me every day to become selfless. Satan is constantly bringing me back to myself! I want to live for You and You alone, to be lost inside of You in a little pocket and immersed in Your love. Tuck me away in Your heart so I might know Your love and Your ways. Let me die to self to live only in You. I am Yours. I give myself totally to You!

My true love is in Jesus, the one, true, magnificent God. He is worthy of all honor and praise. At His name every knee should bend and we are made whole in Him. To Him come and worship. Be ready. He is truly your bridegroom. He is the bridegroom of your soul. Your soul craves this union with Him. The soul's craving is far more powerful than any craving of the body. The soul craves the love of Jesus. His name is exalted. He is honored and adored. The trumpet blares and He comes forth to meet us. This is the bridegroom of our souls. We are immersed in His peace and love and we are made whole by Him. We do not do anything.

In our trials we are taught mighty lessons of His love. Alleluia. Praise God for our trials, by which we are taught. Praise Him, the holiest in the heights! May He be honored and adored and worshiped by all of His people. He is worthy of our all!

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SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #562

Pilate therefore went forth again and saith to them: "Behold, I bring him forth unto you, that you may know that I find no cause in him." (Jesus therefore came forth, bearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment.) And he saith to them: "Behold the Man." When the chief priests, therefore, and the servants had seen him, they cried out, saying: "Crucify him, Crucify him." Pilate saith to them: "Take him you, and crucify him: for I find no cause in him." (John 19:5-6)

ISRAEL IS NO LONGER THE PEOPLE OF GOD: With willful blindness God's chosen and highly-favored people disowned and rejected the Anointed of the Lord, the Messiah, for whom their fathers, the patriarchs and prophets, had yearned. Ever since that accursed cry "Crucify Him" was uttered, Israel has ceased to be the chosen people of God and of the Messiah; for it proved itself unfaithful to its God, its calling, its history, and its past. The fate of Israel has been a very marvelous and striking one. God prepared this people during two thousand long years for the coming of the Messiah. Every type and prophecy pointed to Him, and each day the Israelites prayed that He who was promised might speedily come. And yet when He came, full of grace and truth, to fulfill the law and the prophets, His people disowned, rejected, persecuted and killed Him! However, the delusion and passions of men could not frustrate the loving plans of divine wisdom; on the contrary, under the guidance of providence, they served to carry them out. The chosen people killed the Messiah and would not believe in Him, but Almighty God reserved to Himself a sufficient number of "true Israelites," that through them, that is, through the apostles, salavation might be proclaimed to the whole world. Salvation came out of Israel, and through her gave life to the nations of the world, even though, by their own fault, it turned to the destruction of the unbelieving Jews themselves. The vengeance which they desired and called down, fell upon them. 

[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.] 

(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible) 

 

From Mark Mallett:

Cloud by Day, Fire by Night

AS world events intensify, many are feeling panicked as they watch their security begin to crumble. It should not be so for believers. God cares for His own (and how He wishes the whole world were of His flock!) The care God provided His people in the exodus from Egypt prefigures the care He is giving to His Church today as they pass through this desert toward the "promised land".

The LORD preceded them, in the daytime by means of a column of cloud to show them the way, and at night by means of a column of fire to give them light. Thus they could travel both day and night. Neither the column of cloud by day nor the column of fire by night ever left its place in front of the people. (Exodus 13:21-22)

TWO PILLARS
In the famous prophetic dream of St. John Bosco that I have quoted here before, he saw the Church anchored between two pillars, that of the Holy Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Christ is the pillar of fire by night, and Mary the pillar of cloud by day.
Christ is our mercy in the night of sin, whether personal or collectively, such as the night our world is now passing through. His Sacred Heart burns for us as a sign of hope that death and sin are not the victors, and that we should never be afraid, even if we have sinned in a terrible way.

I will not reject anyone who comes to me. (John 6:37)

His forgiveness is the warmth of this sacred fire. Its light is truth, and the path to take. The flames are His mercy, flickering in the places of hopelessness, casting away the darkness for those who draw near.
Mary is the cloud by day, the day of grace where, through her help, we are directed toward the Kingdom of Heaven, the ultimate fulfillment of the "promised land." Her Immaculate Heart is the cloud which collects all the graces of Heaven, and like a gentle rain, pours them out upon the desert path we are treading. Its light is the reflection of the Sun, her Son, illuminating a path of Hope. And the cloud of her Heart casts a cool shadow whereby, through her presence and assistance, we find comfort in the scorching heat of trials and temptations.
The two pillars the Church and the world are passing through are also the Time of Grace and the Time of Mercy (see Vision of our Times).

THE GREAT SHAKING
These pillars are an allegory of life and death. If we refuse to follow the pillar of cloud and fire, we risk being lost in the Desert of Sin for eternity. We are in a desert right now, and it is time the Church as a whole woke up to recognize that we are facing our greatest trial yet. Economic collapse is only the start. Swine Flu is only the beginning. Only a few weeks ago, I wrote in The Time of times that our civilization, it seems, must come to the point where it is broken, hungry, and on its knees in the "pig pen of chaos" before our consciences will be ready to see reality. Indeed, in the book of Revelation, it says:

People were burned by the scorching heat and blasphemed the name of God who had power over these plagues, but they did not repent or give him glory. (Rev 16:9)

It wasn’t until after tremendous chaos that there was an enormous earthquake, a Great Shaking, and finally the people began to come to their senses:

Seven thousand people were killed during the earthquake; the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. (Rev 11:13)

The consciences of this beloved people must be violently shaken so that they may "put their house in order"… A great moment is approaching, a great day of light… it is the hour of decision for mankind.—Maria Esperanza (1928-2004), Fr. Joseph Iannuzzi, Antichrist and the End Times, P. 36

FINDING YOUR WAY
If you want to find your way through the days ahead, the answer is going to be simple, for Jesus said it is to little children that the Kingdom of Heaven is given. Follow the Pillar of Fire! That is, spend time before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. He is there to lead and guide and renew you by His Sacramental presence. Go to the Fire! Yes, it is hard! It means sacrificing something else. It means remaining in an often empty Church in the night of faith, as you remain in the quiet presence of the King. But there—oh, I promise you!—He will direct your soul, little by little, and will strengthen and heal you in ways which are mostly imperceptible. Is the Eucharist not Jesus? Is Jesus not there? He is there. He is there. Seek Him, then, where He is.
Follow the Pillar of Cloud! Our Lady is not simply a lovely object of Church art. She is the woman who crushes Satan’s head with her heel! Don’t let yourself be deceived into thinking that the Rosary, the chain of grace, is not for you. Do you wish to be holy? Do you wish to see Satan conquered? Then enter the daylight of the Holy Rosary. She will collect untold blessings from the treasuries of God’s mercy so that every good and beneficial grace will rain down upon you and your family, if you ask for them. But you must pick yourself up, go to your room, shut the door, and begin to pray. And the more dry, the more painful, the more difficult it is to pray, the more powerful your prayer is because then you are praying by faith and not by sight.
What more can I tell you? Jesus is the Word of God. Are you reading your Bible? Here too is the Pillar of Fire. What Sacred flames will illuminate your present path if you would but seek Jesus in the Word. He is waiting to speak to you, but you must take the time to listen.
Mary is your Mother. Do you need a mother? Do you want a mother? Then run to her as such. She is a lady, yes, but don’t forget that she is your Mother. Pull upon her hem, climb into her arms, tug upon her veil. Let her know with persistence all that you need, and she will make sure that her Son knows too. And remember—the Rosary is nothing other than a compendium of the Gospel. When you pray the Rosary, you are not contemplating Mary, but Jesus in the mysteries of His life.
So you see, these two pillars are really one—two hearts beating with the same love and the same mission: to bring souls safely home to the Father. And Jesus is the Way.
Two pillars. Anchor yourself to them, and you will weather the Great Storm. They form the sacred refuge of our times. And should you be called home in the midst of the thunder and lightning, count it all joy that you will see the Pillars face to face, and dwell in their midst for eternity.

FURTHER READING:

• The Great Storm

Published in: DAILY JOURNAL, TIME OF GRACE | on April 29th, 2009 |

The Fire of My Love "I Want You Holy" by Rita Ring, January 27, 1994

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I Want You Holy

January 27, 1994 2:00 a.m.

Note: I was awakened by some noise, a sort of knocking. I don't know what you would call it. It was no mistake. I started to wake up but wouldn't get up, then this noise right behind my head! I wanted to sleep, but I had to get up because I knew it was no mistake. I had just gone to bed at 11:30 p.m.!

R. I love You, Jesus. You are my spouse. I am Your servant. Help me in all Your ways to do Thy holy will. I love You so much.

Jesus: Come and put yourself in My presence. You were awakened by My call and I want you to come pronto. I have a message I want to deliver to you for this world. Ready your hearts for My call. When I call you early in the night I am ready to give you such a message.

I am your Savior. I am your God. I am Who am. I am Jesus, Son of the Living God. Do you know Who I am? You catch glimpses of Me, you study My words, you know of My love.

Pray diligently that you will be taught such special lessons that are only taught to the most fervent hearts. Keep your soul so holy you do not want the tiniest stain of sin. You want to be pure as a bride on her wedding day. You want your gown so clean and white. What bride would want a big stain on her wedding dress? When you approach My altar, you want your gown spotless. Prepare your soul, go to Confession. Do not give in to any taunts from the devil to lead you astray. Pray for grace to ward him off. He is so evil and aims to trip you up!

He works so unnoticed. You must guard your heart as an armed guard guards a treasury. Keep your focus on Me and your thoughts on My love. I am Jesus. Nothing can compare to the love of Jesus. Profess your love often and more often during the day, "Jesus, I love You. Jesus, You are my all. Jesus, I long to be with You. Keep me ever in Your ways. I am Your servant. You are my spouse. Jesus, I want to love You and be pure." Guard your thoughts, guard your heart. Do not give in to any anger. If someone is taunting you, cast Satan out in Jesus' name and pray for strength. When you are being tried by your brothers, Satan is at hand. Send him away!

Are you pure for your wedding and the meeting of our souls? No little flaw in your soul should be overlooked. Satan tells you little things are little things and burrows a hole in there as a worm does in an apple. Every little occurrence of anger, unkindness and selfishness should be avoided. I want you to be as the saints. Your communication with Me is the most glorious event! Do not give in to promptings of Satan who tells you that you are unworthy. You know in your heart when you are tempted and when you have sinned. Constantly send him away and strive for sainthood. No holiness is too high for you. With this as your goal, you will soon, with My help, guard against unkindness and anything that is not of Me.

I know you are not perfect and I do not demand perfection. I want your commitment to Me to holiness. Then you will be ready for daily Communion with Me.

Meditate on My Passion. Think of My scourging, My Blood, My sorrowful mother. Think of all I suffered. Such horror your mind cannot comprehend, and I was God. Meditate on My wounds and My mother by My side and then know more our love for you. I loved you so much as to suffer for you. The understanding of My intense love is enhanced by studying the Passion.

I loved you to My death, beaten, battered, bruised and bloodied--weak almost to the point of death all the way. But My death came slowly and My suffering was intense, all out of love for you. I stretched My arms wide and I surrendered as a little lamb being slaughtered, willingly and lovingly for love of you. My mother suffered so by My side. She suffered with such pain and she loves you so because I loved you so! My mother is indeed your mother! Such a mother to behold!

When you meditate on this, you will become holy. I am the bridegroom of your soul. I wait for you with such love in your Communion with Me. Come and be dressed in your whitest gown. I am God. I wait for you. I am a King. Do you come with stains on your soul for such an occasion? Come in your purity and innocence. Come in your holiness. Come to Me, My beautiful spouse, white and ready for this event.

I know you will fall, sometimes, for small sins. Pray for forgiveness and come. Then go to Confession. Do not come, ever, if you have sinned mortally. This is not the way to receive the Son of Man. You must be as pure as a new bride. Your soul should be white. Always pray at the beginning of Mass with the priest for forgiveness. Make your souls holy for the Lord. He enters your mouth and you partake in union with Jesus, Son of Man.

But, you say, "Lord, You want me this holy?" I say, "Yes, I do want you this holy". To receive the Lord, you need to be constantly aware of My presence there. I am God. I am the true King of Heaven and Earth. I am coming to you as the bridegroom of your soul. Make yourself ready for Me.

At the point of your reception of Me, do not focus on your unworthiness. Focus only on My love. Before Communion you can focus on your unworthiness. At the beginning of Mass you can ask forgiveness for your sins. But, at the actual Communion, think only of My love for you. Do not focus on others and your affairs. Focus on our union together. How intense, that you receive God within your breast! I come with My heart on fire and with such intense love for you, burning, burning to be with you in Communion. Make ready your heart, for the King enters into your soul. You are My chosen. You are My beloved. You are so favored, to be given such an honor!

Focus on My love, My intense longing to be united with you. I am God and I am truly in your breast. I am the King of Heaven and Earth and I come and dwell in your heart with burning love. What an event to behold! This is My union with you. God-made-man comes and dwells in your heart! Oh, My child, with what honor you are favored! Behold Him coming and being in your body. God comes into your body! What holiness you possess! Guard your temples for they hold the King of Glory.

I am your Savior. I am your King. I am Who am and I come to dwell in your body. Such honor for you. Guard your temple. You are the recipient of Jesus Christ, Son of God. Who are you that He humbles himself to enter into your body?

You, My child, are His beloved. You are His bride. You are so loved by Him that He died a brutal death for you.

Do you not know who you are? You are as you are because He has honored you. You are clothed in dignity and honor by His love. You are made holy by His presence. You are a temple of God. Guard your temple. Keep it pure and holy. Do not let any disrespect enter there. Be knowledgeable of your worth. You are precious, that God comes to you and dwells in your heart. Oh, such dignity and honor for you, little one. Such intense and burning love!

I am Jesus. I am your Savior. I am your lover. I am your priest. I am He Who cares for you intently. I am the healer, the doctor, the spouse, the one whose bootstraps you are unworthy to tie. I am Who am and I come to you. What dignity indeed! Honor your body, honor your soul. You are Mine.

Oh, beloved, do you know more now? Come and be prepared when you are in Communion with Me. I will tell you more and more. Be open and let Me work in your heart. Pray to the Holy Spirit for His gifts. Whither I go, the Holy Spirit and The Father are with Me. We are three in one. We are God. Be as an open door. Do not expect things--knowledge, earthly signs. Just be with Me and let Me work as I so desire.

Never run from Me after Communion. Be in intense union with Me. Take advantage of such a time. It is the most sacred moment of your life. You house God inside of you. Do not clutter your minds with worldly affairs. I know you far better than you know yourself. Come and be empty, only dwelling on My love for you. Savor these moments alone with Me. Close your eyes and melt into My arms. Think of nothing but My love. Sit and be still. This is the golden moment when our souls unite and we are one with each other. Come to Me, My beloved. I wait for you as the bridegroom of your soul.

I enter and you are speechless. Sit still and soak up all I give you. Just be. Experience My peace, My love, My healing. What you receive will be different at different times. Just be open and silent. Let Me work in you.

I love you, My beloved, and I wait for My union with you. You are so precious to Me. Come and be with Me. I am so loving. No man can give you even a crumb, compared to this love of Mine. Work on your love affair with Me. I will shower you with such love as you will never ever know in your earthly hearts. Come to Me, My beloved. I wait for you, the bridegroom of your soul.

R.The Eucharist is how we are fed. As we more and more understand what is happening, we become fed more and more in our souls.

Jesus: Feed the people. Get these messages on the True Presence and My love out. When they are fed by Me, their hearts will radiate My love to their brothers and it will be as one candle to the darkest night. My light cannot be contained inside a soul. My life is a vibrant energy that radiates from your very being. Feed My people with the love of Jesus in the Eucharist and watch My love grow deeper in their hearts. Feed the priests. Make them aware of this message. They are the leaders to lead My people back.

The power is found in the Mass and Jesus in the Tabernacle. Your union with Me will help save the sick world. It is no less than I describe here. More is to come. Your hearts will burn in your chest with My presence and My love. My might will radiate from your being.

Praise the Lord, for I honor you with My presence within your hearts. Come and be fed this day and every day. My might is endless and My love is without bounds. I am a vibrant force within your breast, unable to be contained. Your answers are in Jesus in the Eucharist.

Come and experience My power and My intense love for you, My longing for your heart. I am a personal God. I am this personal with you. So you say, "Oh, God I do not understand this," and I say, "Right, you will not understand Me and My ways and how I am. I am God. I am Divine and you are human." Experience My love and quiet your heads. Come with an open heart and the trust of a small child. Experience My love. Do not try to figure God out. Be grateful and experience My love in you.

R. We see Jesus living in the souls that He touches with these letters. As people with Jesus deep in our hearts, we have a spiritual union with Him and we become true brothers in Christ. There is love between us as in a spiritual family. The thread which is His love is woven between us, uniting us in a bond with one another. It is a very strong, spiritual bond. To see the love of Jesus in one's heart creates a great love for that person because we love Jesus so much. How can you not love a soul that is so fixed on love of Jesus? Our love for Jesus radiates from our being. Our brothers, who likewise love Jesus, become very close to us. We see Jesus in their lives and we cannot help but love the spirituality about them and the love of Christ which is emitted from their very being.

We are rich with the love of Jesus deep in our breasts and we are twice blessed with the love of Jesus in those with whom we share this love. We see His love in their souls and we are filled by His life in them. It is an energy that is created when we are joined together and it cannot be contained. Such a feeling of love between brothers is a powerful force indeed. The love of Jesus is so big. It grows when we are joined together with each other.

Praise Jesus for such great friends, whose hearts reflect His love and who emit such an energy which feeds us again. We are indeed His chosen ones to be given such blessings in Him and in each other! Jesus' love is a powerful force. We must continue toward union and not division. This force is spiritual and most loving. It is a mighty feeling to see Jesus' love in our brothers!

He is fortifying His army with our love. We are soldiers of love in this cold war. When joined, the warmth of His love is stronger than any cold (which was seen in the cold nights this winter at the seminary. December 3l was so cold, but so touching in my heart). I was very warmed by the company of those who were there. Is this our lesson, that we may be physically cold, but the warmth of Jesus' love in our hearts is the true warmth? We can freeze to death on the outside, but the love of Jesus warms our hearts to intensity on the inside. Our hearts are burning, our toes are frozen but what is important is the hearts, for we continue to appear in large numbers in the deepest cold. Remember December 8? Such an experience, the healing service of Christ the King. Wow! Such warmth! Special moments. All that matters are the things of God.

The food for our souls is Jesus Christ. We are fed by Him. We need the Eucharist. This is what sustains us. He is trying to tell us this in these messages. It is this, and this alone, that we need. Compared with cold temperatures, the things of God are the mighty things. Not things of the body--things of the soul! His food is food indeed. His drink is drink indeed. All that sustains us in the end are the things of God. His Body and His Blood are our true food! May we all see this truth in our hearts. The mystery of the Eucharist, God-made-man coming into our souls, is our true food. He is food and drink, indeed!!

Alleluia. God is so good and He has visited His people. He is in our presence. He is with us. We are the chosen and He comes in these messages to shout His love into our ears. He wakes me with noises to deliver this to you. Harken and listen! Such honor you possess! He comes to deliver a message to you. Do you think He would come to this world as a human being and die a brutal death and then let you miss His love? He is the same God today as the day He was born and died and resurrected. He is the same God, with the same message, with the same words, with the same love. He is God--one, true, consistent--and He delivers this message to You!

Jesus: Listen, My children. I am coming to you. I am your Savior. I am your ardent Lover. Listen, My little loved ones. I am Who am. Come to Me in the Eucharist. You are the chosen ones. Oh, let Me tell you of My love for you! Read these letters. Shout their contents. Hearts will know Me and My love from these letters. Get them out. I Tell you that you are the vibrant force that will change this world. I love you. Read My message. Shout it. People are numb and miserable.

I call each of you to be My thread to weave My blanket together. Study My messages here. Let Me possess your souls so I can operate your bodies. I need your selflessness. I need your union with Me.

What an army this is, My army of love! Many will come out in big numbers from these letters. You hold the key to opening the hardened hearts of America. Preach My love. Let the vibrancy of My love radiate from your souls.

You at the Center (Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center, Norwood, Ohio) are My soldiers. Let Me form you into My warriors, warriors of love in this cold world. I have all the power. Let My power live in you. You house the real power in your souls. The world will take notice of the life within you. You are the threads of the tapestry. Strong threads you are when you are woven out of My love. My threads will not break for I am God and I am mighty! Your job is to become selfless and let Me possess you so I am operating from you. I want to use each of you to do My work. Do not tarry. Get My messages out to all My faithful ones. My army is dependent on You!

Such a big job, you say? Not a big job when I am the power behind the operation! You will fly when you rest in My arms. I want this done. Who are you to think you are doing it? I am He Who operates you and My ways are steadfast and direct and without error. When I do the work, it is a major success.

Who could do such work as at the Center except a mighty force that powers it all. I am so happy for My faithful servants there and all those who work so hard. Their work is bearing much fruit, but the power behind it all is Mine. I want this to happen and it will. You are being powered by Me. Let go and relax. I do not make mistakes. My mother is there in it all. My work is at hand. Yours is total submission. You are working on a sure thing. Little distractions are but little distractions to the big plan. Accept all things as coming from Him Who loves you.

Alleluia. You are My faithful ones. Know I am in the tabernacle, ready with your supplies. Come and be charged by Me. Sit and soak in the rays. I work in your hearts and you go away with My might. You come empty, you leave full. You are My warriors going into battle. Your supplies are in front of the tabernacle. Your food is the Holy Eucharist. Your answer is union with Jesus Christ. Quit looking to your feeble minds and your earthly ways to solve your problems. Come to Me and be empty and let Me work through you. You are My soldiers. Be submissive and yielding to the Master. Your union with Me is the answer. I am He Who has all the might. You are My servants. Be selfless, submissive, and let Me possess your souls. Die to yourselves that you will live in Me.

Alleluia. I come to you here and you will heed all I have given you. When I call, you answer. I am calling you today to be attentive to Me, for I am He Who loves you and wants to possess your soul. I am mighty. My might will flow from you. Be selfless, pray constantly, open wide and I enter in and you no longer are you, but Myself, dwelling within you. Alleluia.

Such might! Who could possess such might? And you worry! For what? I am He Who powers you. Be selfless and unattached and be busy, for the work at hand depends on your faith and trust in Me. Pray for strength against the evil one. Do not worry. I am Almighty. Just do your job and get your love from Me. You must follow My directions here--Mass, Holy Communion, Adoration, Prayer for Union with Me and prayer to the Holy Spirit. Your mother is watching after you. Pray, pray, pray. Pray to God The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Pray! Mary is ever by your side. Where I am, so is My mother. You needn't worry. You do not do it in the end. You become selfless. Let Me operate your souls. I am God. I am mighty. I am your all!

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Pope: Dignified Liturgy Reveals Beauty of God

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(29 Apr 09 - RV) "If the Liturgy is beautiful and dignified, it helps us to perceive the splendour of God".

That was the message at the heart of Pope Benedict XVI's catechesis in his Wednesday Audience, held in a sunny St Peter's Square.

The Pope's thoughts on the liturgy stemmed from his reflections on early Christian writers of East and West, in particular Saint Germanus, Bishop and Patriarch of Constantinople, who in the 8^th century openly opposed Emperor Leo III's campaign against the use of sacred images, judging them to be a source of idolatry. Because of his opposition Germanus was forced to retire in exile to a monastery, where he later died. But his memory was not forgotten, and in the Second Council of Nicea, which restored devotion to sacred images, his name was honoured:
 "The writings of Germanus, steeped in an ardent love of the Church and devotion to the Mother of God, have had a wide influence on the piety of the faithful both of the East and the West. He promoted a solemn and beautiful Liturgy and is also known for his insights in Mariology. In homilies on the Presentation and the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, Germanus extols her virtue and her mission. A text which sees the source of her bodily incorruption in her virginal maternity was included by Pope Pius XII in his Apostolic Constitution Munificentissimus Deus. I pray that through the intercession of Saint Germanus we may all be renewed in our love of the Church and devotion to the Mother of God".

In comments in Italian Pope Benedict went on to say that God created man in his own image and likeness, but that this image has been soiled by human sin to such a point that it is almost unrecognisable to modern man. The Pope emphasised that sacred images teach us how to search for God in the face of Christ and the saints, who have been illuminated by Holiness.

Pope Benedict added that today we tend to only see what is negative in the Church, above all its sins; but that with the help of faith we become capable of seeing the Church in a more authentic way so we may rediscover its divine beauty. In this way a liturgy that is dignified and aims for beauty helps us all to rediscover the splendour of God".

Among the thousands present at this weeks audience was one very particular pilgrim who had made his way from America to greet Pope Benedict. And not for the first time. He is Joseph J. Esposito, New York City Police Chief. He told us why he had wanted to make this pilgrimage from the Big Apple together with his family:

"He had a tremendous influence on everybody in New York when he came, I would hope that he would have a similar influence when he goes to Israel, for peace. It's something we need and I think one of the main ways we are going to get there is through prayer, and who better to tell us to pray for it than the Holy Father".

 

Free Father Mattaos -- Coptic (Egyptian Christian) Priest is Unjustly Tried and Imprisoned in Egypt

 

MEDIA ADVISORY, April 29 /Christian Newswire/ -- Father Mattaos Wahba, is the priest of Archangel Michael Church at Kerdasa, Geza, Egypt. He is a pious man of God who encourages his congregation with Jesus' message of loving one's enemy, blessing those who curse you; doing good to those who hate you; and praying for those who despitefully use and persecute you. (Mathew 5:44) Fr. Mattaos is a model Egyptian citizen that has not ever committed a crime or seen the inside of a prison other than in the context of ministering to inmates.

Recently Father Mattaos' life abruptly changed overnight. He was arrested, charged and tried for aiding a young Muslim woman in getting an ID card that had falsified data indicating her religion as Christian rather than Muslim. The ID card was said to enable her to marry a Christian man and to flee the country. On October, 2008, the court found him guilty and sentenced him to 5 years at hard labor.

However, the facts dictate entirely a different story. The young woman, named Reham Abdel Aziz Rady, was born to a Muslim family. She converted to Christianity and underwent unbearable degrees of torturous harassments from her family and Egypt's Secret Police. She was subsequently released from custody without an ID card. Such prevents her rightful privileges of citizenship. She cannot get employment, rent living quarter, apply for a passport; much less apply for a marriage license. Even, if she still possessed her old Muslim ID, it would prevent her from marrying a Christian. There is no legal way to change the religion of a Muslim in an ID card.

In 2004, a well-intentioned person attempted to help her. They allowed Reham to use an ID card belonging to a recently deceased young Christian woman of approximately the same age, named Mariam Nabil. Two years later, Reham, now called Mariam, and a Christian man fell in love and decided to marry. The couple contacted Fr. Mattaos to conduct the marriage ceremonies. The priest knew nothing of the false ID and Mariam's former Muslim background. In good faith he conducted the ceremony and the newly wed couple fled the country.

On April 24, 2009, Mariam appeared with Brother Rasheed on the popular Arabic Al Hayat TV program "A Daring Question". She testified, "Father Mattaos did not have any role in getting my ID card. I did not know him then, as this took place in 2004 and I got married in 2006." Mariam added, "I have the right to have an ID card that reflects my true religious affiliation. The Egyptian government does not give Muslims who convert to Christianity a legal alternative to get these papers. Had I been a Christian who wanted to convert to Islam, I would have had all the help I needed. But, because I am leaving Islam they put hurdles in my way."

Father Mattaos did not commit a crime. He does not deserve to be imprisoned. He is paying a price of Egypt's present-day policy of denying religious freedom. Ironically, their policy is against the Egyptian constitution and standard human rights laws to which Egypt is a signatory. Make no mistake about it. Father Mattaos' imprisonment is designed to send a message to Coptic Egyptian priests and Protestant pastors: The Egyptian government will deal harshly with any clergyman who is suspected in aiding Muslims converting to Christianity.

We call upon officials in the US State Department; Human Rights organizations; the global community of Christian believers; and all freedom loving people to join us in our outcry. We urge you to contact the Egyptian Embassy demanding the immediate release of Father Mattaos. Insist in strong tones that every Egyptian citizen be granted the basic human right to follow the religion of his/her choice.

EMBASSY OF THE ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT

3521 International Ct. NW Washington DC 20008

TEL: 202.895.5400 FAX: 202.244.4319

E-mail: Embassy@egyptembassy.net

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SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #561

Pilate therefore went forth again and saith to them: "Behold, I bring him forth unto you, that you may know that I find no cause in him." (Jesus therefore came forth, bearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment.) And he saith to them: "Behold the Man." When the chief priests, therefore, and the servants had seen him, they cried out, saying: "Crucify him, Crucify him." Pilate saith to them: "Take him you, and crucify him: for I find no cause in him." (John 19:5-6)

FEAR OF MAN led Pilate to condemn our Blessed Lord against his convictions, for he feared the displeasure of Caesar more than the displeasure and vengeance of heaven. It was fear of man which also caused St. Peter's fall, and which is, every day, the cause of countless sins. The true fear of God drives out human fear, and bestows fortitude; and he who cares for the praise or blame of men more than for the praise or blame of God, acts in a cowardly manner and has no living faith. Our Lord warns us against human respect in the strongest terms: "Fear not them that kill the body and are not able to kill the soul," He says (Matt. 10:28), "but rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell," i. e. the infinitely Holy and Just God. 

[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.] 

(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible) 

The Fire of My Love "Seek the Things of God" by Rita Ring, January 26, 1994

The Sacred Heart on High Altar of the Cathedral Church of St. Patrick in El Paso, Texas. Image via Wikipedia

Seek the Things of God

January 26, 1994 5:00 a.m.

Jesus: I am with you. Do not ever fear for I am constantly by your side. Though you walk in raging waters, My might is with you, so you will not be consumed.

I come to you in the night to deliver a message. I am pleased that your messages will be published. I will tend to their publishing.

I am Jesus, Son of God. I tend to the lilies of the field. Are you not much more valuable than these? I will tend to all of your affairs. All you need do is trust in Me and know I am your God. My might is ever present with you and you never have a power failure if you stay fixed in Me.

My love goes with you on your way. Let Me possess your soul and operate from your body. I need you to do My work. I need your selflessness so, through you, I can accomplish all the tasks I need to. Turn your whole being over to Me so I can operate through your soul. Remain selfless and unattached and I will go with you on your way. My ways are steadfast and direct. My ways are pure and without error. My ways are the ways for you to travel. But you must be totally unabsorbed and selfless or I cannot operate from you as I so desire.

The world is constantly pulling you back to yourself. The world is full of self. It is self oriented. It says, "You are an end in yourself. You must think of yourself, make yourself a God. You are an end in yourself. You are to be honored and worshiped. Your feet must smell their best and your hair must be the right color. Your body needs to be perfect and ready for all the world wants to use it for." The world wants you to focus entirely on yourself, be an end in yourself, be perfect, live to make yourself perfect, sell yourself as the perfect being.

I tell you not to be concerned with what you are to wear. Do not be concerned with yourself. Your body will soon wither and die and all that will remain are the things of God.

You must surrender your life to Me to possess it and have life eternal. To look to this life as an end in itself is to lose eternal life. Unless you die to yourselves, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.

The world says, "God is dead and of no account." The world has turned godless and has made themselves gods. I say, "I am the Lord, Thy God, and nothing shall come before Me!" This is the first commandment. The world is violating the very first commandment by its nature.

Seek after the things of God. It is in God that your hearts are made whole and your life has meaning. It is in the things of God that your peace lies. All else is of no account and leads to the destruction of the soul.

It is so sick how far the world has gone off in such a short time. The devil is feeding the world with the world's evilness. The world has become so corrupt, his job is made light by others' doing his works. He is so cunning and so crafty. People do not realize how far off they have gone. They are so numb they do not even feel. To make yourself an end in yourself is so sinful. It denies the very reason for your existence, which is to know, love and serve Me.

Pray for your children, America. You are all diseased, far worse than with any flu. Your hearts are hard and your souls are cold in your chest and you do not know how truly sick you are. You can only be ministered to by the direct hand of God. He wants to care for you and lead you home. He wants to show you the way back to His Sacred Heart. He waits for you every day, all day and all night, in the tabernacle. His presence is the healing for your sickness. Sit in front of the Doctor. Make yourself holy and receive Him in Communion. He is the divine healer. There is none to compare to the Savior. He is all powerful and His works are endless. From generation to generation He frees the brokenhearted and leads them with love and conviction back to Him. Now is the time of My greatest mercy.

Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for your brothers. They are in deep need of healing. They need My mercy. My mercy prayer is so powerful. Constantly be in prayer. Constantly be in union with Me. Feel the flutter of My love in your breast constantly. I never leave you. Stay so fixed in Me that Satan will be sent away. Strive to be holy. Strive to live your life only as I will, with Me operating your very soul. Make yourself selfless, unattached and totally yielding to the will of The Father. Get into sync with Jesus and all else is a melody you are performing with your life.

Life with Jesus is a harmony that no worldly life has. Life with Jesus is direction and fulfillment. Life with Jesus is joy, even in sorrow, a joy that everything that happens is from Him Who loves you. My hand is in all you experience. Accept all your trials as permitted by Me Who truly loves you.

I am your all. I am your end. I am your physician. I am the reason to live. When you live in Me, your life is a song and you play for the world the song of Jesus. You play a song of harmony and love and your hearts are at peace for Him Who loves you is using you in a mighty way. You are being used for the greatest job there is. The job of Jesus Christ is the most important work. All else is useful only as it has reference to Him!

Guard your little ones and spend time in prayer and playing with them. Silence your TV. Some commercials and cartoons are bad! Pray for them who feed themselves with TV. They are turning sicker by the minute. Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, pray the morning offering. Do little sacrifices all day and never take your mind off of Jesus.

I am your salvation in this sick world. I love you, My little one. I love you!

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The Fire of My Love "Respond In All You Do With Love" January 24, 1994 

Respond In All You Do With Love 


January 24, 1994 2:50 a.m. 

Jesus: I want you to write a special message to everyone. I am God and I am talking to you. You are My messenger to reach many. This is not a little task. This is a big task. Thank God that He has given you such a gift. I want you to thank and praise God! Look how fast you are attacked and torn to shreds. That is how Satan works. Think of what he said. Listen to the words. Are they not just the same that constantly tell you in your head that you have not done enough, that God is upset with you, that You aren't doing it right, that You should be ashamed, that nobody is like you, that you didn't do it right, that you didn't do enough? Yet you are spending your life trying to serve Me! 

I am pleased with your efforts to do My will. You are right to always try harder. I tell you what I want. You must say the prayer for Union with Jesus constantly. Make yourself selfless and unattached. Be of a clean heart, always ready to be led by My hand. Your days of sufferings are not over. This world will be tested more and more by My might. Continue to pray--I mean every day, all day! 

Get up early. Offer up the sacrifice to Me. Pray the Morning Offering with your children. Make your whole day a day of prayer. Come and be with Me all day in your mind. I want your constant union with Me. Silence Satan who is telling you constantly that you should be ashamed and that you have not done enough! 

Do not focus on your attempts to do My will. Focus on Me, My love, the job at hand. Do not worry about yourself. I am God and I want to use you. If you are worrying about how you did and how you should improve, you are focusing on self. Be spontaneous and constantly in prayer. Satan is the Master of Deceit. He wants you to always feel bowed down. 

My life within you makes you vibrant. You know you are constantly struggling to do My will. You try harder to do that which your heart is telling you to do. I do not demand perfection. I want love. Try to serve Me with all your heart. Think of your great love for Me and know this is what beckons you to serve Me so ardently. 

Respond in all you do with love. Love is the answer. When others hate you, forget their hate. It is Satan using them. They are blind and in need of your love. Be selfless. Do not worry how others offend you. Say, "Thank you. You have given me such an opportunity for grace." What a gem. Look at Me on the cross. Offer it up and forget yourself. You have work to do, don't ever give in to self-pity. You cannot do My work and let Satan taunt you through others. 

Realize that, when others are being mean, it is Satan who acts through them. Come and be alone with Me and read the Blue Book. Say "thank You, Lord" for your trials. This is such a high form of prayer, to not react to another's anger! You are to say what I prompt you to say and go away and pray. Don't give in to attacks by Satan. Say "thank you" and do as you think I would do. 

Do those things that you would never have done. When others taunt you and are mean, do not respond with anger, but love. If someone is attacking you verbally, go away. Do not be attacked. Do not even listen to what they say. Believe Me, it is Satan who speaks through them. So those words are ringing in your ears? Forget them and offer them up. Don't dwell on any words of Satan. They should sound like the silly arguments he plants in your head. 

Concentrate on Me. Say thanks for the opportunity for grace and forget the words of the attackers. They are the empty words of Satan to get to you and shame you. Oh, how he aims to shame you and tell you others are watching your ways! They see what you have and are jealous, so they criticize you. Keep doing as you are doing and praise God they are watching you! You know what you are doing. You are striving to serve Me. They are, indeed, watching. By your good works others are being fed. I minister to others through your example. 

Come to Me, little ones. Come at work, come always in your hearts. I am there to tend to your littlest care. I am your ardent lover. Have a two-way conversation with Me. Don't tell any more people what a sad soul said to you. Come and tell Me in your choir, at work, in your home, in your car. I am there, your best friend, ready to listen with love. Let Me kiss your wounds and send you out to play. 

You are freed in Me. I am God and I can take a hard day, when Satan is really pressing on your mind, and lift your hearts up in a second. Or I may let you suffer and help you to offer it up for grace. Whatever I do, I will be teaching you a mighty lesson. 

Listen all day with the ears to be taught by Me. Every minute is a day in My school. My big lesson is to remain selfless. Do not bring your selves back to yourselves. Remain steadfast in Me. Do not complain to others. That is a great opportunity for grace and complaining brings you back to yourself. Carry your crosses and, when the burden seems great, leave them at My feet and proceed with doing My work. 

I am with you, little, beautiful ones. I love you intently and I am by your side. I am being attacked when you are. I have known all your trials and their frustrations. Come to Me and I will give you rest. I love you! 
 

Prayer for the Hardened Heart 

Jesus, place Your hands on my brother. His heart is in need of Your healing. His heart is dark and hard and he needs You to melt all the hate and anger that has made his heart black and cold. Thaw his heart with the warmth of Your love. Let the fire of Your love turn his heart soft, vibrant, aglow inside, with Your rich love. 
Let the heart be as Yours, red and filled as a furnace with Your love, red outside, burning with white light and heat inside. Melt the trouble away. Cast the devil and his hatred back to hell. Command him to stay there and never to return to the heart of my loved one. You are all powerful. You I adore and honor and praise. You I am forever thanking for Your great glory. You I love intently. 
Thank You, Jesus, for responding to this heart. 
We love You so!

Chinese Catholic community preparing for the month dedicated to the Virgin Mary

ASIA/CHINA - 

Beijing (Agenzia Fides) – The Chinese Catholic community is making preparations for the month dedicated to the Virgin Mary, which is widely celebrated in China. The month of May in all the parishes is celebrated with pilgrimages, praying the Rosary, Adoration, and the recitation of Marian prayers. Thanks to the initiative of the Holy Father Benedict XVI, which established May 24 as the feast of Our Lady Help of Christians in his Letter to Chinese Catholics in 2007. In 2008, he himself composed the Prayer to Our Lady of She Shan, on the occasion of the first Day of Prayer. Thus, the month of May takes on an even greater significance, offering an occasion of communion among the Church in China, the Pope, and the Universal Church.

PRAYER OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI
TO OUR LADY OF SHESHAN
ON THE OCCASION OF THE WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
FOR THE CHURCH IN CHINA (24 MAY 2008)

 

 

Virgin Most Holy, Mother of the Incarnate Word and our Mother,
venerated in the Shrine of Sheshan under the title "Help of Christians",
the entire Church in China looks to you with devout affection.
We come before you today to implore your protection.
Look upon the People of God and, with a mother's care, guide them
along the paths of truth and love, so that they may always be
a leaven of harmonious coexistence among all citizens.

When you obediently said "yes" in the house of Nazareth,
you allowed God's eternal Son to take flesh in your virginal womb
and thus to begin in history the work of our redemption.
You willingly and generously cooperated in that work,
allowing the sword of pain to pierce your soul,
until the supreme hour of the Cross, when you kept watch on Calvary,
standing beside your Son, who died that we might live.

From that moment, you became, in a new way,
the Mother of all those who receive your Son Jesus in faith
and choose to follow in his footsteps by taking up his Cross.
Mother of hope, in the darkness of Holy Saturday you journeyed
with unfailing trust towards the dawn of Easter.
Grant that your children may discern at all times,
even those that are darkest, the signs of God's loving presence.

Our Lady of Sheshan, sustain all those in China,
who, amid their daily trials, continue to believe, to hope, to love.
May they never be afraid to speak of Jesus to the world,
and of the world to Jesus.
In the statue overlooking the Shrine you lift your Son on high,
offering him to the world with open arms in a gesture of love.
Help Catholics always to be credible witnesses to this love,
ever clinging to the rock of Peter on which the Church is built.
Mother of China and all Asia, pray for us, now and for ever. Amen!

In the province of Shaan Xi, home to the most renowned Marian shrine, the dioceses and parishes have already begun organizing events in May: pilgrimages, volunteer groups, etc. The parish of Long Gang, in the area of Wenzhou, which at Easter had 189 Baptisms and 157 Confirmations (and prepared over 7,000 easter eggs for the children in the neighborhood), has begun arrangements for accommodating pilgrims. The parish is very active and pious, and every year about 60 pilgrimage groups come to visit, especially in May. During the preparatory encounter held on April 12, the pastor and the parochial committee decided that the motto for welcoming the pilgrims during the month of May should be: "Smile, warmth, patience, awareness, and promptness." (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 24/4/2009)

The Fire of My Love "My Power Is Endless" by Rita Ring, January 23, 1994

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My Power Is Endless

January 23, 1994 4:00 a.m.

Jesus: I am your God. I am here and ever present. This letter is for all and not for a few. Give this letter to every child, even the hardest of hearts. Let them all hear Me talk here.

I am your Savior. I am He Who saves you. I died for you that you might have life and have it more abundantly, but you do not understand such things. You are too wrapped up in the today of your life. You worry for needless tasks at hand and miss My divine, ardent love.

I am loving you always. My heart is full with the fire of My love. My heart is ablaze for you. I love you individually. I love you as you are. I do not love you if you are good and then abandon you in darkness.

My heart is on fire with love for you. Come to Me in your weariness. Come to Me in your joy. I never cast you off. I love you as you are. I want to give you My love. I want you to know that I am truly here just for you. I am a personal God. I am not a God far off that you cannot know. I am right with you always.

I love you with an ardent love. I love you, little one. Hear My voice proclaim such love for you. I am God and I come here to love you. You are a human being and God loves you. You are My precious little one. I want to share My love with you. I am God and I have gifts to give you that only I can give.

You wander this barren land in search of treasure. You seek idle pursuits. You look and do not find. The hungry soul seeks satisfaction in a cold, lonely world. The hearts of men have turned cold and are in darkness and you watch while your own heart grows so cold and empty in your chest.

I wait for you in the tabernacle. I have all you need. I give you Myself, God-made-man, in the Eucharist and you wander this empty land and do not find rest. You, My child, will never find rest. Your soul was created by The Father to know, love and serve God. The soul is only fed by God. You search, you wander, you look to all this world has to offer. You attempt to fill yourself with the things of the world, but you feel empty. You are empty and searching, but you search a barren desert.

You are searching for the love of God. Your soul was created to be filled by Me alone. To try to fill the soul with the things of the world is a futile search. You won't find even a crumb to satisfy the soul. So you wander, you wait, you are so stubborn. You have turned your backs on Me. I have tried to make you see Me and My ways but you, in your pride, think that you are autonomous.

You are not the end. You are not the one with the power! I have all the power! If I cease to think of you for one second, you cease to be. You think you are able to sustain yourself. You, My little ones, are totally dependent on Me for the air you breath. I could poison your air in one second or take it away. You are dependent on Me for the sunlight, for your water, for your warmth to heat your home.

I am in control! You are so silly to even think that you can control your life. Such ignorance, not to see that which is before you, to go to school so many years and not know the basic facts! Are you in control of the air you breath? Is it possible that it could be poisoned or cease to be? Then how do you, in all your pride, think you are in control? Could you freeze to death or are you totally in control of that?

Think, child. A power much greater than yourself is holding your life in His hands. I am constantly watching out for you. That is why your air is there, that is why you do not freeze. Why are there not dead birds about? Who cares for such little creatures? They do not have intelligence, yet they survive and chirp with joy.

The seasons come and go and the world just cares for itself. It keeps going. One season does not destroy the life of the next season. It all works. You in your ignorance tell yourself it all works and no one is running things. Try to create life. Man cannot create life from nothing, no matter how hard he tries. He cannot do it

You are so blind! Open your eyes. You have tunnel vision. The TV has become your god. It seems so powerful, but it is a box with signals running through it. In one second it is out and totally quiet. I am He Who has all the power. I am He Who gives life. I am He Who sustains you. I am He Who tends to the creatures of the earth and sends the tormenting weather. I am He Who am! I am He Whose might is endless. I am He. I am. Open your eyes and see all that is before you. Look beyond your cars and your man-made things and see all the things of God. See the air you breathe. See the sun that shines. See the water that you need so desperately. In one second I can show you My power!

I am the Lord thy God and thou shalt not have any gods before Me. I am He Who am. I am He Whose bootstraps you are unworthy to fasten, yet I come to you. God comes to you and gives you life. God comes to you and gives you love. God comes to you and cares for you and you turn your back and in your arrogance run away.

Yours has become an egotistical world. You have, in your sin, taken My name from the minds of your children. You have turned yourselves into gods, but not one of you has any of the real power. I possess all the power! I can rock you off your rocker. The world does not exist without Me. I come to you in great love. I care for you with great love. I died for you that you can enter My kingdom. My kingdom is not of this world. This is your test. This world is not an end in itself. It is a short layover for the kingdom of God which is at hand!

In one second I can snatch your life from you and all that remains are the things of God. In one instant you can die and then what control have you? You are mortal beings. Your body withers and fades. Your cars grow old in front of your eyes. Your TVs are silenced by pulling the plug. Quit looking to this world for your power. I can silence your power in a moment. You have created bombs to destroy yourself. What might is this? I give you life. You cannot create life. You cannot be God! You are as you are. Why is it not enough?

I give you My love. I give you all you need. I promise you a land of glory for loving one another. I only ask you to love Me, love one another, and then such a reward! I give you beautiful trees and birds and skies and food and beautiful children. I give you beauty and love and you make your world hard and ugly.

Oh, children, open up your eyes! Look beyond your clutter. Look and see Me. See My life in each other. See your beautiful children. You create things, you make gadgets, then you pat yourselves on the back and call yourselves gods. I make a beautiful child. I give you a flower. I make a beautiful tree. You are so full of pride!

I have all the power. One second, and you are on your road to where? Your life is ended. There is no age for the death of the body. It happens to old and young alike. Wake up and see your Savior and your God. I am Who am. I am your God. I am loving and good. You have made false idols your gods and you miss My love. You are missing the love of God. This is your test. This is your layover here. You are here to do My work. My work is the work of love. Love God. Love one another. All else is useless if it does not have reference to the love of God.

You are a sick society. Wake up. Take off your blinders. See your world through the eyes of God. You, My little ones, are powerless. I have all the power. Make Me the center of your life or you fail the test. This is your exam. Will you graduate into My kingdom?

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SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #560

 And he entered into the hall again; and he said to Jesus: "Whence art thou?" But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate therefore saith to him: "Speakest thou not to me? Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and I have power to release thee?" Jesus answered: "Thou shouldst not have any power against me, unless it were given thee from above. Therefore, he that hath delivered me to thee hath the greater sin." (John 19:9-11)

TEMPORAL AUTHORITY IS FROM GOD: "Thou shouldst not have any power against Me, unless it were given thee from above," said our Lord to Pilate. God is the Lord of heaven and earth, and from Him comes all authority and power; so that all those whose duty it is to command others ought to exercise their authority in the name of God, and according to His will.

[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.]

(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)

 

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #559

Pilate therefore went forth again and saith to them: "Behold, I bring him forth unto you, that you may know that I find no cause in him." (Jesus therefore came forth, bearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment.) And he saith to them: "Behold the Man." When the chief priests, therefore, and the servants had seen him, they cried out, saying: "Crucify him, Crucify him." Pilate saith to them: "Take him you, and crucify him: for I find no cause in him." (John 19:5-6)

WHO WAS GUILTY OF OUR LORD'S SUFFERINGS AND DEATH? 
1.  Pilate bore a guilt which the washing of his hands could not wash away. He knew and testified that Jesus was innocent, and was not worthy of death--and yet he condemned Him to be crucified. By doing this he abused his power and violated the laws of justice. He sinned against the fifth commandment by condemning Jesus unjustly, and thereby causing His death. 
2.  The Jews, and especially the chief priests and the ancients, were even more guilty than Pilate. They delivered their Messiah to death, and killed Him with their sharp tongues, by means of false accusations. It is true that they did not quite know that Jesus was the Son of God, as St. Peter testified in his discourse after he had healed the man born lame: "Brethren, I know that you did it through ignorance" (Acts 3:17). But their ignorance and unbelief were both wilful, because they let themselves be blinded by pride and envy, and shut their eyes to the light of faith which streamed on them from the life, words, and wonderful works of Jesus. 
3.  However, neither the malice of the Jews nor the weal compliance of Pilate could have caused our Lord's death, had not the eternal counsel of God decreed that His Incarnate Son was to die to redeem us from sin and eternal punishment. It is, therefore, our sins which bear the real burden and guilt of our Blessed Lord's sufferings and death, and cry out louder than His bitterest enemies: "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" Let us, then, beat our breasts and say with St. Alphonsus: "Mercy and pardon, O eternal God, for by our sins we have nailed Thee to the Cross!"

[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.]

(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)

FROM MARK MALLETT:

The Silent Answer

 
Jesus Condemned, by Michael D. O’Brien

THERE is coming a time when the Church will imitate her Lord in the face of her accusers, when the day of debating and defending will give way to The Silent Answer.

"Have you no answer? What are these men testifying against you?" But Jesus was silent and answered nothing. (Mark 14:60-61)

THE ECLIPSE OF TRUTH

I wrote recently about the coming Revolution. Many simply cannot believe this is possible. But what we think and what we see are two different things: the signs of the times are all around us. Whether it is a Miss USA candidate standing up for traditional marriage, or the Holy Father exposing the lie about condoms, the response is increasingly unrestrained. One of the greatest signs, at least in the case of the Holy Father, is that he is increasingly being flogged by fellow bishops. I think of Our Lady of Akita whose message, ironically, Pope Benedict approved himself when he was Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith:

The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church in such a way that one will see cardinals opposing cardinals, bishops against bishops. The priests who venerate me will be scorned and opposed by their confreres… — Our Lady of Akita, Third and last message, October 13th, 1973;www.ewtn.com/library/mary/akita.htm

As far back as the 1990’s, I produced a two-part mini-documentary for a newscast exposing the fact that condoms do little to prevent the sexually transmitted diseases of Chlamydia and Human Papilloma Virus (which is linked to cervical cancer) since these are transmitted through touch. Furthermore, there is substantial evidence that condoms actually lead to an increase in sexual activity, exacerbating the AIDS epidemic:

There is a consistent association shown by our best studies, including the U.S.-funded ‘Demographic Health Surveys,’ between greater availability and use of condoms and higher (not lower) HIV-infection rates. —Edward C. Green, Director of the AIDS Prevention Research Project at the Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies; LifeSiteNews.com, March 19th, 2009

But the days are here and coming where the evidence matters little; where truth is subjective; where history is rewritten; where the wisdom of the ages is mocked; where reason is replaced by emotion; freedom displaced by tyranny.

In one of my very first writings, I wrote:

The intolerance of "tolerance!" It is curious how those who accuse Christians of hatred and intolerance are often the most venomous in tone and intent. It is the most obvious—and easily over-looked hypocrisy of our times.
Jesus prophesied these days at the very beginning of His ministry:

And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. (John 3:19-20)

THE TIME OF TIMES

Once again, brothers and sisters, we should not be afraid to call evil by its name, recognizing that we are living in an extraordinary battle, what Pope John Paul II called "the final confrontation." The immensity of this battle was underscored again by Bishop Robert Finn of the diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

As I speak a word of encouragement today I also want to tell you soberly, dear friends, "We are at war!" …today’s issues bring "an intensity and urgency to our efforts that may rival any time in the past." —April 21st, 2009, LifeSiteNews.com

Bishop Finn acknowledged that the war is often between members of the Church itself.

The "battle between believers," who claim a certain "common ground" with us, while at the same time, they attack the most fundamental tenets of the Church’s teachings, or disavow the natural law—this opposition is one of the most discouraging, confusing, and dangerous. —Ibid.

Or disavow the central message of the Gospel itself? The sitting Chairman of the German Episcopal Conference, Archbishop of Freiburg, Robert Zollitsch, recently said,

Christ "did not die for the sins of the people as if God had provided a sacrificial offering, like a scapegoat." Instead, Jesus had offered only "solidarity" with the poor and suffering. Zollitsch said "that is this great perspective, this tremendous solidarity." The interviewer asked, "You would now no longer describe it in such a way that God gave his own Son, because we humans were so sinful? You would no longer describe it like this?"
Monsignor Zollitsch responded, "No." —LifeSiteNews.com, April 21st, 2009

Discouraging, confusing, dangerous. Nonetheless, we need to speak the truth while it is time for speaking truth, even if, says Bishop Finn, "it means we might get scolded at times by those who want us to speak less."

You know that he was revealed to take away sins… The blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin… Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (1 John 3:5; 1:7; John 1:29)

CARRIERS OF HOPE!
Satan and the enemies of life would love for you and I to crawl into a hole and remain silent. This is not The Silent Answer I am speaking of. For whether we speak or whether we are silent, our lives must shout the Gospel of Jesus Christ through either our words or our deeds; through the proclamation of truth or the witness of love… a love that triumphs. Christianity is not a religion of philosophical babble but the Gospel of transformation where those who believe in Jesus, who turn from a life of sin, and follow in the footsteps of the Master, are "transformed from glory to glory" (2 Cor 3:18) through the power of the Holy Spirit. This transformation should be visible to the world in all that we are and do. Without it, our witness is sterile, our words powerless. 

If Christ’s words remain in us we can spread the flame of love that He kindled on earth; we can bear aloft the torch of faith and hope with which we advance towards Him. —POPE BENEDICT XVI, Homily, St. Peter’s Basilica, April 2nd, 2009; L’Osservatore Romano, April 8th, 2009

Perhaps Pope Benedict signaled the days of Silent witness approaching when, in his trip to Africa, he echoed the simplicity with which the Apostles in their days of persecution approached the world:

I am leaving for Africa aware that I have nothing to propose or give to those whom I shall meet except Christ and the Good News of his Cross, a mystery of supreme love, of divine love that overcomes all human resistance and even makes forgiveness and love for one’s enemies possible. —Angelus, March 15th, 2009, L’Osservatore Romano, March 18th, 2009

As the Church enters her own Passion, the day will come when The Silent Answer will be all there is left to give… when the Word of Love will speak for and through us.

…we will not be swayed from our path, though the world seduce us with its smiles or try to terrify us with naked threats of its trials and tribulations. —St. Peter Damian, Liturgy of the Hours, Vol. II, 1778

Published in: DAILY JOURNAL, THE GREAT TRIALS | on April 24th, 2009 |