Children of Medjugorje June Newsletter

© Children of Medjugorje 2008
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Dear Children of Medjugorje,
Praised be Jesus and Mary!

 

1 - On May 2nd, Mirjana shared the following message after her monthly apparition: "Dear children, I am with you by the grace of God, to make you great - great in faith and love - all of you! You whose heart has been made hard as a stone by sin and guilt."  ('While she was saying that', added Mirjana, 'she looked at the people concerned by that with sorrow on her face and tears in her eyes').  "But you, devout souls, I desire to illuminate you with a new light. Pray that my prayer may meet open hearts, that I may be able to illuminate them with the strength of faith and open the ways of love and hope. Be persevering. I will be with you."

2 - A coma of light?  Father Tim Deeter's witness, given last night, is going to comfort many who refuse to compromise with the culture of death!  A sick person in a coma is a soul who lives mysterious experiences with God, and God sometimes allows these experiences to come to the light...

While serving as an assistant parish priest, Father Deeter was also assigned the night shift of chaplaincy at a large Catholic hospital directly behind the parish.  The night shift was busy for him, and he would see many patients.  It was a time when all the exams and tests had been completed by the doctors for the day, and all the visiting family members and friends had gone home.  The patients were left alone, many of whom were awaiting surgery the next day.  It was during this time, more than any other during the day, that patients requested the presence of a priest.

There was one person in particular whom Fr. Tim visited every evening.  Helen had been in a coma for several weeks (comatose patients can often still hear, since hearing is the last sense to leave).  He would pray an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be with her each night and then briefly fill her in about the latest happenings of the day: news, sports, weather, etc.  One evening, Fr. Tim had a long list of people to visit, and so he thought he might not have time to see this particular woman. "Besides", he thought, "she is not responsive, so would it really matter if I skipped a night?  Would she really miss me?"  Yet, when he finished his nightly rounds, he had this nagging feeling that he should still visit Helen.  

It was about 3 o'clock in the morning.  Father entered her room, not even turning on the lights, for the moon was bright and provided enough.  Sitting in a chair next to Helen's bed, he began to quickly recite the usual prayers, figuring that this would be enough.  Still he had a feeling deep inside that he should do something more for her.   Something then told him that he should give Helen the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation; perhaps she did not have the chance for absolution prior to her illness.   So he explained to her that he would offer her sacramental absolution.  He indicated that he would give her a short period of silence during which she could acknowledge her sins in her heart.  He then recited an Act of Contrition and asked Helen to pray along with him silently.  Following this he prayed over her, giving her absolution from all of her sins.  (Remember:  the word 'absolution' does not mean 'forgiveness', but 'release'.) 

As Father concluded the words of absolution, Helen sat bolt upright in her bed!   With eyes wide open, she reached forward her arms and, with a smile on her face, cried out, "JESUS!"  Shocked -- and not afraid in the least -- Fr. Tim quickly turned towards the wall that Helen was facing, and saw a small wooden crucifix hanging on the wall.  He looked back at Helen, and saw that she had fallen back on her pillow, and died.  It took Father several minutes to comprehend what had happened:  something in Helen's life had been tying her down to this life, but when she was released from that bond, she was freed to go to Jesus.  Father said to us, "It was like being in my room, writing at my desk, and suddenly feeling someone is there.  I turn, and see a shadow in the hallway, or the door quietly closing.  I don't actually see who it is, but I know someone was just there.  In the same way, I did not see Jesus, but I am certain that He had been in that room."

At Helen's funeral, her sister approached Fr. Tim.  She had heard that he had been with her sister at the time of her death.  Father told her that he had given Helen sacramental absolution, even while she was comatose.  The woman expressed her gratitude, and said, "When my sister and I were children, we were taught to pray every night for the grace of a happy death (dying in the state of God's grace).  Now I know that God heard our prayers, and I am so grateful that my sister was able to die in peace."

Sometimes Father Tim asks comatose patients to hold his hand tight if they want to receive absolution.  These patients would often respond with a light pressure of the hand, indicating that they hear and understand everything, and that they wish to receive the Sacrament. These testimonies should be shouted from the rooftops!

 

3 – Adopt a priest?  On June 25th we'll be celebrating the 27th Anniversary of the Apparitions. Yes, our Mother does not tire of giving us messages and blessings, and her huge tenderness! 

 Let's present our Mother a novena! While we are preparing to celebrate her, let's express to her our gratitude by a concrete action, for her greatest joy: since she insisted so much lately that we pray for our priests, we propose that each one of us adopt a priest in his heart. 
 
We can imagine names that correspond to priests in crisis: for lack of support in prayer or some other reasons, they are thinking of leaving their beautiful vocation. Each one of us will take one of these names, and ask the Gospa to choose herself the priest in difficulty carrying that name. Then the priest will be our beloved child during all the days preceding June 25^th.  During this novena, we will multiply prayers, sacrifices and offerings, according to the generosity of our heart.  Thus we will obtain tons of graces for that priest, helping him to remain a priest, even to become a holy priest! 

To make sure we have the full 9 days, we may continue after June 25^th if necessary.  Some will take to heart to continue this adoption beyond the novena, praying a decade of the Rosary each day or offering God some renouncement. This is how Our Lady trained the young people of her prayer group in Medjugorje: when she had a plan to fulfill, she asked their concrete help and her requests were always specific.

Ideas of first names: Bernard, Louis, Gerard, Francis, Vittorio, Jimmy, Raphael, Charles, Stéphane, Alessandro, Michael, Frederic, Pascal, Antoine, William, Sergio, Michel, Henry, Claude, Boutros, Casimiro, Jozo, Marcello, Jean, Joseph, Eduardo, Daniel, Nicolas, James, Slavko, Dominic, Jakov, Karol, Agostino, Luka, Jonathan, Andrew, Petar, Richard, Eugene, Alvaro, Laurent, Enrico, Tony, Philippe, Christopher, Julien, Ulrich, Cyril, Benedict, Serafino, Simon, Yves, Joshua, Gianni, Tomek, Yan, Thomas, Marek, Matthiew, Piotr, Pawel, Sigmund, Baptist, Ephrem, Camille, Amadeus, Charbel, Joachim, Alfonso, Vianney, Frantz, Théophane, Thierry, Damiano, Vincent, Denis, John, Xavier, Sebastien, Jerome, Alexis, Dimitri, Jaime, Stanislaus, Paul, Andreas, Timothee, Johan, Ruben, Alvise, Boulos, Mauro, David, Marius, Massimiliano, Karl, Benjamin... 

These apparitions are unprecedented in history, what a privilege to live in our times and witness them! Let us be generous in our response! "Pray for the salvation of the world as long as God permits me to be with you", Mary says to us!  I have a suggestion: write a note to her with the name you have chosen for your "protégé" priest, and tell her what you are doing for him. Your letters will be laid at her feet during an apparition. ("Queen of Peace", B.P. 2157; F - 06103 Nice cedex, France). Thank you! 
 

Dear Gospa, you care so much about our eternity,
Please help us revise our values and adopt yours!

 

Sister Emmanuel +

(Translated from French) 

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PS 1 – Father Tim Deeter's beautiful and inspiring journey from skeptical parish priest to good friend of Father Jozo and stalwart defender of Medjugorje can be found on the Children of Medjugorje website at: http://www.childrenofmedjugorje.com/cart/product.php?productid=16149&cat=105&page=1

 

 

PS 2 - We need your help to spread Sister Emmanuel's new book, The Hidden Child of Medjugorje! Read it and offer it, you won't regret it! In the US go to our COM store: www.childrenofmedjugorje.com then click "Shop COM".  $19. In Medjugorje at "Devotions", 9€. Tel. +387 36 651 497, or "Catholic bookstore", Tel. +387 36 650 917.  In UK, 7£, Tel +44 2920 460 189. In Ireland, Veritas, Dublin, Tel: 01 878 8177 - sales@veritas.ie In South Africa, Tel: +27 393 172 825

Other languages: French, 17,50€ www.editions-beatitudes.fr Spanish, 7€, "Hijos de Medjugorje", Barcelona, Spain - +34 629 79 28 49 - gsba15@yahoo.es  The Portuguese version obtained the Imprimatur! At Diel, Lisboa, www.dielnet.com. German, Parvis Verlag, Swizerland. Tel / fax: +41 269 159 399 - www.parvis.ch  Polish, 7€, Wyd. Marianow, Warsaw - Tel: +48 22 642-5082 - www.wydawnictwo.pl  Italian, Editrice Shalom, Ancona, 9€ - Tel: +39 071 745 0440 - www.editriceshalom.it Dutch, n.imkamp@tele2.nl

Bookstores may contact us at pray@childrenofmedjugorje.com

PS 3 - In order to receive this monthly report from Sr. Emmanuel in English, please go to our website: www.childrenofmedjugorje.com

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SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #251

The Parable of the Seed and the Cockle.
Continued.

" 'Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? Whence then hath it cockle?' And he said to them: 'An enemy hath done this.' And the servants said to him: 'Wilt thou that we go and gather it up?' And he said: 'No, lest perhaps gathering up the cockle, you root up the wheat also together with it. Suffer both to grow until the harvest, and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers: Gather up first the cockle, and bind it into bundles to burn, but the wheat gather ye into my barn.' " (Matt. 13:27-30)

GOD SUFFERS EVIL IN HIS CHURCH: 1. because He gave man a free will; 2. in order that the sinner may have time for conversion; 3. that the just may be proved and gain more merit; that even the wicked may bring glory to God, His holiness and justice being made manifest in them.

[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.]
(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)

Pope Benedict XVI has a Visitor: President Bush!

They are at the Lourdes Grotto at the top part of the Vatican Gardens behind the Basilica of St. Peter. 

You can tell that His Holiness is explaining to the President of the United States the apparitions of Our Lady.

"And then Our Lady appeared to Bernadette and said: "I am the Immaculate Conception!" And President Bush was astonished!!!

He responded: "Quick! Baptize me now!!! Like the eunuch was baptized by the deacon, Saint Philip!"

Wishful thinking by a lowly deacon . . .

If Downhearted, Come Quickly to the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts

By "Anne," a Lay Apostle

Saturday, 14 June 2008

The following presents the messages from Jesus to Anne regarding the value of suffering in His instructions to His Lay Apostles (Volume X: Jesus Speaks to His Apostles). The messages are both sublime and powerful, and we share them with you. Anne, a visionary from Ireland, has received permission from her local ordinary, Bishop Leo O'Reilly, for the distribution of messages which she receives from Jesus, God the Father, Our Blessed Mother, the angels and saints. September 30, 2004 Jesus From now on, I will think of you as My apostles. As I prepared My original apostles to begin My beautiful church on earth, I now commission you to reclaim My beautiful church. You have such great heavenly assistance. When I speak of My Church, I am speaking of the body of the Church, comprised of its people. You are to call them back to the safety of the family of God. I send you out as I sent out the first group. You are to speak freely of Me. If a soul rejects Me, hold no malice for that soul. Simply pray for them and move along, seeking out another. Often you are like a farmer sowing seeds. I, Myself, must reap the harvest. This should not concern you because to insist on reaping what you have sown in this instance is not appropriate. Sometimes God is needed to ignite the Divine. Use My words, dear little apostles. Spread them everywhere. Keep your words limited and allow Me to claim the soul. You will soften the soul by loving the person. Your love and your example can predispose a soul so that I can find the opening I need. What joy is there in this work! How satisfying is a Rescue Mission when souls are saved. And they will be saved, do not fear. You will be successful but only I can measure your success. You are successful now are you not? You are following My will. You are working for the Kingdom. You are preparing to go out into the world on the greatest work of mercy ever known to your world. Children, dear apostles, there is great kinship between you. Support each other and encourage each other. Do not judge, but neither withhold heavenly obtained wisdom if a fellow apostle is in error. I am your guide. Ask Me if I want you to correct someone. All is well. We begin. October 1, 2004 Jesus My little apostles must climb steadily up the steep hill to heaven. By doing this, moving steadily, you bring many souls behind you. If you leave the path to examine this distraction or that earthly offering, you will lose souls. This is a time for sustained service. You have experience and your experience tells you that service to the Lord is not glamorous. On the contrary, service to Me is often quite dreary in appearance, when compared to what the children of the world are doing. While others amuse themselves, My servants are working. Well, dear ones, I do not want you to be downhearted, so at this time, I am going to give graces for My apostles to have the greatest joy in their service to Me. Remember that others must be drawn home to their family. To do that, We must make them see that the household of God is a good and joyful place to dwell. So in each day, in each little service to the Kingdom, you must accept My joy. If you begin to feel downhearted, you must come quickly to My Sacred Heart or to the Immaculate Heart of Our mother. We will replace your gloom with joy again so that others will be drawn. We are a family of happiness and peace. We are calm and confident. We know that God is good and that He is Our Father who will not let us perish. Why, dear apostles would we be sad? If you lose worldly possessions, understand that you have sent them here to heaven and you will collect them when you arrive. You will collect vastly greater things in heaven than you have given to Me on earth because I am all generosity. So let nothing grieve you. Nothing.

 

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #250

The Parable of the Seed and the Cockle.

Another parable he proposed to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man that sowed good seed in his field. But while men were asleep, his enemy came and oversowed cockle among the wheat and went his way. And when the blade was sprung up, and had brought forth fruit, then appeared also the cockle. And the servants of the good man of the house coming said to him. 'Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? Whence then hath it cockle?' And he said to them: 'An enemy hath done this.' And the servants said to him: 'Wilt thou that we go and gather it up?' And he said: 'No, lest perhaps gathering up the cockle, you root up the wheat also together with it. Suffer both to grow until the harvest, and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers: Gather up first the cockle, and bind it into bundles to burn, but the wheat gather ye into my barn.' " (Matt. 13:24-30)

EVIL IN THE CHURCH OF GOD: In order that the apostles and other preachers of the Gospel might not lose heart, when, in spite of all their efforts, men would not be converted, our Lord teaches in this parable that it must needs be that evil shall grow up in the Church alongside of the good, and that the complete separation of the evil from the good will only take place at the end of the world.

[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.]
(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)

WATCH A SHORT VIDEO ABOUT THE FATIMA WAX MUSEUM

Wax Museum in Fatima, Portugal

13/06/2008

The wax museum in Fatima was founded in 1984 with the intention of displaying for all pilgrims the important events of 1917 when the Virgin appeared in Portugal to the small shepherd children.

The wax museum in Fatima was founded in 1984 with the intention of displaying for all pilgrims the important events of 1917 when the Virgin appeared in Portugal to the small shepherd children.

The museum is composed of two parts: the first displays the apparition of Our Lady to the shepherd children; the second presents the personalities connected to Fatima.

HERE IS THE URL: http://www.h2onews.org/_page_videoview.php?id_news=752#

[MaryVitamin] St. Anthony of Padua

Mary Vitamin for June 13th   Topic: Reflections on Our Lady  by St. Anthony of Padua   Quote: St. Anthony of Padua "And as the moon at its full she shines. The blessed Mary is said to be the full moon, because in every way perfect."   Meditation: St. Anthony of Padua "The moon is imperfect when a half-moon, because it is stained or horned. But the glorious Virgin neither in Her birth had any stain, because sanctified in Her mother's womb, guarded by angels, nor in Her days had She the horns of pride. Hence, She shone fully and perfectly. She is said to be light because She dispels the darkness." A sermon of St. Anthony    Resolution: Today I will call to mind that Our Lady is often referred to as the full moon. As Archbishop Fulton Sheen says: "God, Who made the sun, also made the moon. The moon does not take away from the brilliance of the sun. All its light is reflected from the sun. The Blessed Mother reflects her Divine Son; without Him, she is nothing. With Him, she is the Mother of Men." Archbishop Fulton Sheen, The World's First Love, 1952   Marian Vow: Franciscan Third Order members should have "knowledge of Marian Spirituality according to the great Saints, above all  Franciscan." Marian Seraphic Pathways, Constitutions #17   I give this resolution to the Blessed Virgin Mary.   Thanks be to God for graces received.   Related site: Castle of the Immaculate & AirMaria

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SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #249

I. The Parable of the Seed.
Continued:

"The sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the way side. And it was trodden down: and the fowls of the air devoured it. And other some fell upon a rock. And as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And other some fell among thorns. And the thorns growing up with it, choked it. And other some fell upon good ground and, being sprung up, yielded fruit a hundredfold." Saying these things, he cried out: "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." And his disciples asked him what this parable might be. To whom he said: "To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to the rest in parables, that seeing they may not see and hearing may not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. And they by the way side are they that hear: then the devil cometh and taketh the word out of their heart, lest believing they should be saved. Now they upon the rock are they who when they hear receive the word with joy: and these have no roots: for they believe for a while and in time of temptation they fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they who have heard and, going their way, are choked with the cares and riches and pleasures of this life and yield no fruit. But that on the good ground are they who in a good and perfect heart, hearing the word, keep it and bring forth fruit in patience. (Luke 8:5-15)

THE THIRD CLASS are those who have faith and hold fast to it, but who do not live up to it, being quite absorbed in the things of the world. They give themselves up to the concupiscence of the eyes, the concupiscence of the flesh, and the pride of life, and bring forth no fruits worthy of faith. They have faith, but it is dead. The three principal enemies of faith and the life of faith are, therefore: 1. the devil and his allies, who seek to deprive men of the willingness to believe, 2. weakness and vacillation of heart and will, 3. the three evil passions which govern the world. The word of God bears fruit in those only who, besides accepting it willingly, cherish it in a heart purified by faith, and patiently and perseveringly live up to their faith.
Religion and grace are, therefore, affairs, not of reason, but chiefly of the heart and will. A powerful understanding is not necessary or even sufficient for salvation, or to enable us to lead a life according to faith. What is indispensable is a good heart, willing to receive what is great and supernatural.

[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.]
(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)

[MaryVitamin] Guarding the Eyes

San Matteo della Decima (1734 -1802 Bologna) Saint Camillus of Lellis Oil on canvas: 41? x 29 1/8 in. 106 x 74 cm. Having been reduced to poverty by heavy gambling, Lellis was employed by the Caputchins of Manfredonia. In 1570 he began to live a life of penance and became a nurse at the hospital of St. Giacomo (Rome). Mary Vitamin for June 12th        Topic: Guarding the Eyes   Quote: St. John Eudes "If you would imitate her simplicity, guard yourself from curiosity, suffering in your heart only one design and pretension; namely, to know God and to please Him, and to attach yourself inseparably to His Divine Will. Above all, detest and abhor lying, artifice and deceit, as sworn enemies of Christian simplicity." The Wondrous Childhood of the Most Holy Mother of God, 251.   Meditation: A lesson from Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity: "[Bl. Elizabeth of the Trinity] simply could not understand how a person could carelessly leave God Who dwells within the soul in order to turn to the world and earthly things. 'God dwells within you, do not leave Him so often', she advised. Even as she worked the sisters noticed her recollected attitude. She once wrote, 'It is wonderful to recall that, except for the vision of seeing God, we possess God as all the Saints in Heaven do. We can surely be with Him always and no one can take us away from Him. He dwells in our souls!' "   Resolution: Today I will be careful to guard myself from excessive curiosity. I will turn my eyes from billboards, joggers, bicyclists, internet ads to the "God who dwells within." This is not a sterile, puritanical mortification but a sweet and hopeful mortification if I practice guarding my eyes in imitation of Our Lady. Her eyes are always on the Lord.    Marian Vow: The Life of Penance. "The first and most valuable penance is that of the sacramental Confession. The tertiaries ordinarily should approach the sacrament once a week (or at least twice a month) and each day examine their conscience. Let them fulfill their daily duties with fidelity and diligence in union with the Immaculate; observe justice in their dealings at work; practice mortification and promote peace in the social and political order; dress modestly and nourish themselves soberly, avoiding entertainments which are not consistent with the spirit of patience and sacrifice (dancing, theater, unseemly performances, etc.)." Marian Seraphic Pathways, Traccia   I give this resolution to the Blessed Virgin Mary.   Thanks be to God for graces received.   Related site: Castle of the Immaculate & AirMaria

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BATTLING FOR AMERICA'S SOUL

From: William Zambrano MD <hereiam@tribtimes.com>

Tribulation Times

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/june.asp?version=63

June 11, 2008  

(1Ti 4:1-3) Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, through the pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and enjoin abstinence from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

EDITORIAL: Battling for America's Soul: How Homosexual "Marriage" Threatens Our Nation and Faith

It is clear, therefore, that the battle for marriage in America is the clash of two worldviews.  On the one hand, those Americans who still defend a moral law.  On the other, the homosexual revolution and its secularist allies.

The stakes are also clear.  This is a battle for the soul of America.  The so-called Cultural War is gradually becoming a Religious War.  For one cannot modify the lex agendi (rules of morals) without thereby modifying the lex credendi (rules of belief) given the profound relationship between the two.  He who accepts as good and even exalts homosexual practice cannot adore the true and living God who destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of that sin.  (Gen.  18-19)

In view of the above, it is urgent to resist the imposition on our country of "morals" opposed to those of Christ.

Our resistance must be accompanied by sincere, ardent, and persevering prayer, since, as the Savior admonished us, "without Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

Lastly, since the legalization of homosexual "marriage" is a public sin that can draw God's punishment upon our country, we must sacrifice and do penance, for God does not despise "a contrite and humbled heart." (Ps.  50:19)

The hour is late.  Our Lady warned at Fatima that sin weighs heavily in the scales of God's justice.  God will not be mocked.  (Gal.  6:7) By taking energetic and faithful action in this struggle, we can heed the Blessed Mother's maternal warning, recognize and correct our failings, and rightly be one nation under God.  The choice is ours.

May She help us all to do our duty, in full and faithful compliance with the perennial and immutable teaching of Holy Mother Church on the intrinsic evilness of homosexual acts.

RELATED: Catholic Priest Investigated for 'Hate Crime' in Canada

THE CATHOLIC THING: A New Sexual Constitution?

CONCERNED WOMEN FOR AMERICA: Day of Prayer for Marriage on June 17

Ladder of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 7- "On Joy-Making Mourning"

3. Repentance is the cheerful deprival of every bodily comfort.   

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Prayer request?  Send an email to: PrayerRequest3@aol.com

This month's archive can be found at: http://www.catholicprophecy.info/news2.html.

Jesus looks deep into our eyes and 'calls' us

"Follow Me!"

VATICAN - AVE MARIA by Mgr Luciano Alimandi -

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Word of God we hear at Sunday Mass should accompany and illuminate us all through the week so that revealed Truth, found especially in the Gospel, may continue its path of light in our hearts. Last Sunday we heard the Gospel of the calling of St Matthew. As soon as he heard the Lord say "follow Me", the Gospel tells us, "he stood up and followed Him" (Mt 9, 9). In this response we are struck by the generous impetus of the publican who without hesitation started to follow Jesus. We all know that without a cause there can be no effect and that, the latter is in proportion to the former. If Matthew's impetus was so great, how great must have been the grace of Christ's call? How intense the attraction of the Word "follow me"?

When we think of Jesus, when we re-read His Gospel and the encounter, the moment, the situation narrated by Sacred Scripture, we should always remember the exceptional "attraction" which radiated from the Person of Christ. Everything about Him was "charged" with grace: His gaze, His features, His silence … but His Word was something extraordinary, so much so that those who heard Him were amazed "and started asking one another what it all meant, saying 'Here is a teaching that is new, and with authority behind it: he gives orders even to unclean spirits and they obey him!" (Mk 1, 27). Anyone without prejudice who approached Jesus could not fail to notice the power of the Truth which he proclaimed and which He was! For this reason Simon Peter said to Jesus: "you have the words of eternal life " (Jn 6, 68).
St. Thomas Aquinas, in his commentary on John, says: "now man longs for two things above all: first the knowledge of truth, which is proper to him alone; and second the continuation of his existence, which is common to all created things. Christ is however the way to reach the knowledge of truth, since he is himself the truth: Lead me Lord in truth and I shall walk in your way, (cfr. Ps 85, 11)" (from the second reading of the Divine Office for Saturday of Week 9 of the Year).

That day Matthew clearly realized that the One who was calling him possessed the Truth, that His word was different from any other word, because it gave the power of discipleship. The result of that meeting is known to all: from that day onwards his life was no longer the same: he left the tax bench for Jesus, before his personal interests he put the Messiah and this changed everything.

Down through the centuries countless numbers of persons have experienced the power of the Words "follow me". Rather than 'saving' their life, than clinging to the 'tax bench', they chose to 'rise up' and follow Jesus and imitate his style of life. How many young men, who became priests, felt in their soul the sweet power of Jesus call to 'follow' Him and, like Matthew discarding all earthly bonds, have thrown themselves into the adventure of belonging solely to God.

Today as then, the Lord needs these sort of men willing to detach themselves from the goods of the world, from a human profession and, above all, from affective bonds, to put themselves totally at His disposal. He was free and he desires free people to follow Him, like Matthew. The vocation to celibacy "for the kingdom of heaven" (cfr. Mt 19, 12), always comes from Jesus' call and every call is a gift of His love.

Without the request "follow me" along this path, it would be absurd for a young man to renounce building his own family, having children to educate in the faith and in love of God. But if this word is heard in the depths of the soul, it would be absurd not to respond to it. This would mean renouncing the greatest treasure on earth: the ministerial priesthood, is a treasure because the priest represents Jesus and without this ministry there would be no way for us to approach the greatest of all miracles: the most holy Eucharist.

Saint John Bosco used to say "the greatest gift God can give to a family is a son who becomes a priest" and Saint Augustine used to say "the priest is the summit of all greatness". During this month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, many in the Church pray especially for the sanctification of priests and doing this they support priest on their way to become ever more similar to Jesus. In this spirit, it is touching to reread what St Francis of Assisi, filled with humility and love, said about priests:

" God gave me and still gives me such faith in priests who live according to the form of the Holy Roman Church that even if they persecuted me I would still run back to them, because of their posit ion. And if I had all the wisdom of Solomon and came upon some poor little priests in their parishes, I would preach there only if they wished me to do so. And I want to fear, love and honour these and all others as my lords. And I do not even want to think about there being any sin in them, because I see the son of God in them and they are my lords. And I do this because in this world I physically see the most high Son of God only in his most holy body and blood, which they receive and they alone administer to others...." (Testament of St Francis year 1226).

 

(Agenzia Fides 11/6/2008)

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #248

I. The Parable of the Seed.
Continued:

And he taught them many things in parables, and said unto them in his doctrine: "Hear ye: Behold, the sower went out to sow. And whilst he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the birds of the air came and ate it up. And other some fell upon stony ground, where it had not much earth; and it shot up immediately, because it had no depth of earth. And when the sun was risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And some fell upon good ground; and brought forth fruit that grew up, and increased and yielded, one thirty, another sixty, and another a hundred." And he said: "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Mark. 4:2-9)

THE SECOND CLASS have a good will and are religious-minded people, but they are shallow and weak in character. They receive the word of God eagerly, but their faith does not penetrate to the depths of their heart and will, and lacks firmness and steadfastness. Therefore they fall away as soon as trials and persecution put their faith to the test. Remember the Israelites in the desert!

[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.]
(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)

FROM MARK MALLETT: -SPIRITUAL FOOD FOR THOUGHT-

Fascist Canada?

The test of democracy is freedom of criticism. —David Ben Gurion, the first Israeli Prime Minister

CANADA’S national anthem rings out:

…the true north strong and free…

To which I add:

…so long as you agree.

Agree with the state, that is. Agree with the new high priests of this once great nation, the judges and their deacons, the Human Rights Tribunals. This writing is a wake-up call not just for Canadians, but for all Christians in the West to recognize what has arrived at the doorstep of the "first world" nations.

PERSECUTION IS HERE

This past week, two Canadian figures have been tried by these non-elected, quasi-judicial "tribunals" and found "guilty" of discriminating against homosexuals. A marriage commissioner in my province of Saskatchewan was fined $2500 for refusing to marry a gay couple, and a pastor in Alberta was fined $7000 for writing to a newspaper about the dangers of the gay lifestyle. Fr. Alphonse de Valk, who publishes the highly respected and orthodox magazine Catholic Insight, is currently accused of promoting "extreme hatred and contempt" for having publicly defended the Church’s traditional definition of marriage. Remarkably, the accused in all such cases are required to pay their own legal fees while the party issuing the complaint has all their expenses covered by the state—whether there is a basis for the complaint or not. Catholic Insight has spent $20 000 so far out of their own pockets to cover legal expenses, and the case is still in the investigation stage!

In the case of the Alberta pastor, Rev. Stephen Boissoin is being silenced for life. He is to:

…cease publishing in newspapers, by email, on the radio, in public speeches, or on the internet, in future, disparaging remarks about gays and homosexuals. –Decision on Remedy, Alberta Human Rights Commission ruling against Stephen Boissoin

Furthermore, he is required to go against his conscience and apologize to the complainant.

This is like a Third World jail-house confession — where accused criminals are forced to sign false statements of guilt. We don’t even ‘order’ murderers to apologize to their victims’ families. Because we know that a forced apology is meaningless. But not if your point is to degrade Christian pastors. —Ezra Levant, Canadian columnist (himself being investigate by a tribunal); Catholic Exchange, June 10th, 2008

Levant adds:

Does that happen anywhere outside of Communist China?

SILENT CONSENT

Perhaps one of the most poignant and dangerous signs of our times is the relative silence on the part of the Church in Canada regarding this new level of persecution. Canada was once one of the most admired nations on the planet. But as I travel and correspond throughout the world now, a common question I hear is, "What’s happening to Canada??" Indeed, the clergy have fallen so silent in speaking with a moral voice that even the secular media are criticizing them. In a public forum where leaders in Canada’s mainstream media were gathered, a CBC radio producer said that the moral issues here are not being addressed by the clergy as they are in countries such as England:

The difficulty is, in Canada, churches are almost unwilling to do that, are unwilling to engage in those types of issues, in those types of discussions… The Catholic Church in Canada is almost quintessentially Canadian. —Peter Kavanaugh, CBC Radio

Uncontroversial. Nice. Asleep.

And not just the Church, but politicians as well. I wrote to the Premier of Saskatchewan, the province I live in, regarding Orville Nichols, the fined marriage commissioner:

Dear Hon. Premier Brad Wall,

I am writing regarding the astonishing ruling of the Human Rights "Tribunal" which has fined marriage commissioner Orville Nichols for exercising his religious freedom by refusing to marry two gay men.

I am a family man, with seven children and another on the way. We recently moved to Saskatchewan. I wonder today if the future of my children, who will become tomorrow’s voters and taxpayers, will be one in which they are not free to embrace the morals which this country was founded upon? If they will not be free to teach their children millennia of objective truth? If they will have to fear being true to their conscience? The eyes of many of us are upon you, waiting to see if you will lead this province not only in balancing budgets and improving health care, but more importantly, in defending families and freedom of speech.

For therein lies the future of this province, this nation, and the world. "The future of the world passes through the family" (Pope John Paul II).

And here was the response:

In the interest of providing you with a thorough response, I have taken the liberty of referring your email to the Honourable Don Morgan, Q.C., Minister of Justice and Attorney General, for his direct reply.

It is clear that neither the Church nor the political establishment fully grasp what is happening here: Canada is looking very much like a fascist nation. But no one believes it because there aren’t soldiers standing on the street corners or kicking in doors to arrest honest citizens.

Well, I shouldn’t say "no one." Rev. Stephen Boissoin says he will not recant, nor will he remain silent. And some of the media have raised concerns over freedom of speech. We cannot remain silent. For if we do, the enemy will win battles which we need not lose during this time of the Great Storm. Our responsibility to speak the truth becomes even more imperative the darker it becomes.

Proclaim the word; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching. (2 Tim 4:2)

Here is a letter I received from a Pentecostal pastor who received the same non-reply as I did… a voice of reason which needs to be raised, and quickly:

Premier Brad Wall:

Your response to my earlier email is an indication of your limited understanding of the importance of this issue, and the extreme discriminatory nature of the actions of the Human Rights Tribunal, and the passive compliance and complicity of the Saskatchewan Government’s response to it… To require a public servant to violate their fundamental rights of religion and conscience is to exercise a form of totalitarian control found only in the most controlling and secular states existing in the world today. Canadians have certain rights and freedoms that are inalienable, they can neither be given or taken away; yet the human rights tribunal and the Saskatchewan Government have determined they will do so in regards to Orville Nichols, and whoever else they may deem politically incorrect and publicly expendable. The Saskatchewan government must act immediately to overturn this outlandish judgment, and to limit the uncontrolled exercise of the human rights tribunals power over citizens lives and affairs.

Rev. Ray G. Baillie
Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta

THE PULSE OF PERSECUTION

Scripture says,

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. (Hos 4:6)

Lifesitenews.com is among the finest news sources in the world following the battle between the culture of life and the culture of death. Through its numerous world-wide reports, one can measure the pulse of persecution which is quickening. You can subscribe to their email service free here. On these so-called "tribunals" and their proceedings, you can read more on their activities below.

Please pray for me, dear brothers and sisters, that I too will not flee for fear of the wolves.

God will permit great evil against the Church: heretics and tyrants will come suddenly and unexpectedly; they will break into the Church while bishops, prelates and priests are asleep. They will enter Italy and lay Rome waste; they will burn down the churches and destroy everything. —Venerable Bartholome Holzhauser (1613-1658 A.D.), Apocalypsin, 1850; Catholic Prophecy

FURTHER READING:

• From my archives: Love and Truth

• Alberta Pastor Fined $7000 and Ordered to Publicly Apologize and Remain Silent on Homosexuality

• Fascism Has Come To Canada

• Canadian Human Rights Commission Employees Admit to Misconduct

• "Show Trial" Opens in Vancouver

• Knights of Columbus Forced to Pay Damages to Lesbians for Refusing to Rent Hall for “Wedding” Reception

• Saskatchewan Marriage Commissioner Fined For Refusing To "Marry" Homosexuals

• Canadian Mainstream Media Reps Blast Bishops for Failing to Speak Out Strongly on Moral Issues

• Cardinal Ouellet Says Bishops Must Follow Pope in Speaking out More on Moral Issues

Published in: DAILY JOURNAL, SIGNS | on June 10th, 2008 |

[MaryVitamin] the first pyx

Mary Vitamin for June 11th    Topic: The Immaculate Heart of Mary – the first pyx   Quote: Our Lady of Fatima "In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph." July 13, 1917   Meditation: Sr. Lucia "It was in this Heart that the Father placed his Son, as if in the first tabernacle. Mary was the first pyx that held Him, and it was the blood of her Immaculate Heart which communicated to the Son of God his life and his human nature, from which we all, in turn, receive 'grace upon grace'  (Jn 1, 16)." "Calls" From the Message of Fatima, The Eleventh Call    Resolution:  I will spiritually place Our Lord in the golden vessel of my devotion to Our Lady. As I tap my heart today, I will ask Our Lady to be my spiritual pyx which resides in my heart. In my daily encounters with the people in my family (or others) who need me to bring Jesus to them, I will call upon Our Lady, the first pyx.   Marian Vow: Sr. Lucia "To establish in the world devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary means to bring people to a full consecration through conversion, self-dedication, intimate esteem, veneration and love." "Calls" From the Message of Fatima, The Eleventh Call    I give this resolution to the Blessed Virgin Mary.   Thanks be to God for graces received.   Related sites: Castle of the Immaculate & AirMaria

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SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #247

I. The Parable of the Seed.
Continued:

And he spoke to them many things in parables, saying: "Behold the sower went forth to sow. And whilst he soweth some fell by the way side, and the birds of the air came and ate them up. And other some fell upon stony ground, where they had not much earth: and they sprung up immediately, because they had no deepness of earth. And when the sun was up they were scorched: and because they had not root, they withered away. And others fell among thorns: and the thorns grew up and choked them. And others fell upon good ground: and they brought forth fruit, some an hundred fold, some sixty fold, and some thirty fold.
He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Matt. 13:3-9)

THE FIRST CLASS of those in whom there is wanting a good will to receive God's word with faith. They hear it indeed, but they will not open their hearts to it, because the devil and his human agents have succeeded by scorn, prejudice and false explanations in so setting them against everything supernatural, that they utterly refuse to believe. Take, for instance, the Pharisees in our Lord's time, and also the so-called "enlightened" men of the present day.

[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.]
(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)

Mark Mallett

—Spiritual Food For Thought—

To Those in Mortal Sin…

(First published September 1, 2006. NOW available in pamphlet form. See bottom. )

BEFORE the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord communicated a word so powerful, so pregnant with Mercy, that I left the church exhausted:

To those lost souls bound in mortal sin:

THIS IS YOUR HOUR OF MERCY!

To those enslaved by pornography,

Come to Me, the Image of God

To those who are committing adultery,

Come to Me, the Faithful One

To prostitutes, and those who use or sell them,

Come to Me, your Beloved

To those engaging in unions outside the bounds of marriage,

Come to Me, your Bridegroom

To those who worship the god of money,

Come to Me, without paying and without cost

To those in witchcraft or bound in the occult,

Come to Me, the Living God

To those who have made covenant with Satan,

Come to Me, the New Covenant

To those drowning in the abyss of alcohol and drugs,

Come to Me, who am Living Waters

To those enslaved in hatred and unforgiveness,

Come to Me, Fount of Mercy

To those who have taken the life of another,

Come to Me, the Crucified One

To those who are jealous and envious, and murder with words,

Come to Me, who am jealous for you

To those who are enslaved by love of self,

Come to Me, who has laid down His life

To those who once loved me, but have fallen away,

Come to Me, who refuses no soul…. and I will blot out your offences, and forgive your transgressions. I will remove your sins, as far as the east is from the west.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I command the chains which hold you to be broken. I command every principality and power to release you.
I open my Sacred Heart to you as a hiding place and refuge. I will refuse no soul who returns to Me trusting in My infinite Mercy and Love.

THIS IS YOUR HOUR OF MERCY.

Run home to Me, my beloved, run home to Me, and I will embrace you as a Father, clothe you as My child, and protect you like a Brother.

To the one in mortal sin,

Come to Me! Come, before the last few grains of Mercy fall through the hourglass of time…

THIS IS YOUR HOUR OF MERCY!

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STEPS TO HEALING
for a soul
REPENTING OF MORTAL SIN:

Pray Psalm 51 right now:

"Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness;
in your abundant compassion blot out my offense.
Wash away all my guilt; from my sin cleanse me.
For I know my offense; my sin is always before me.
Against you alone have I sinned;
I have done such evil in your sight
That you are just in your sentence,
blameless when you condemn.
True, I was born guilty, a sinner,
even as my mother conceived me.
Still, you insist on sincerity of heart;
in my inmost being teach me wisdom.
Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure;
wash me, make me whiter than snow.
Let me hear sounds of joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Turn away your face from my sins;
blot out all my guilt.
Create in me a clean heart, O God
and put a new and right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation;
sustain in me a willing spirit.
I will teach the wicked your ways,
that sinners may return to you.
Rescue me from death, God, my saving God,
that my tongue may praise your healing power.
Lord, open my lips; my mouth will proclaim your praise.
For you do not desire sacrifice;
a burnt offering you would not accept.
The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not spurn."

AMEN.

1. Resolve to find a priest and go to the Sacrament of Confession as soon as possible. Jesus gave priests the authority to forgive sins (John 20:23), and wants you to hear that you are forgiven.

2. Smash your idols. You must remove from your midst those things which are leading you to sin. Jesus said, "If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into hell." (Matt 5:29)
• Throw away pornography anywhere you have it.
• Remove computers/TV’s that are a temptation, or put them where you can be accountable. What is more important: convenience, or your soul?
  
• Pour alcohol or drugs down the sink.
• Move out of your partner’s home if you have been living together in sin, and commit to remaining pure in actions and intentions until marriage.
  
• Get rid of any occultist items, such as horoscopes, Ouija Boards, Tarot Cards, amulets, charms, books or novels on witchcraft or the occult which contain spells, chants, etc. and say a prayer asking God to cleanse you of all evil influence or bondage from these things:

  "JESUS, I renounce the use of __________ and ask You to place the power of Your Holy Cross between me and this evil."

3. Make ammends:
• Ask forgiveness when possible.
• Give back or replace what has been stolen, or repair what has been broken.
• Do what is necessary to undo harm where possible.

4. Take necessary steps to get help where needed:
• If you have an addiction, or feel overwhelmed by the effects of grave sin, you may need qualified counselling. This may be the way in which God wishes to bring about your complete healing, as long as it takes.

5. Go back to church and begin to receive the Sacraments which Christ has provided to strengthen, heal, and transform you. Find a church which you know is faithful to its Catholic teachings. If you aren’t Catholic, ask the Holy Spirit to lead you where to go. And begin to pray each day, speaking with Jesus as you would with a friend. There is no other love greater than God’s love for you, and you will discover this more deeply through prayer and reading the Bible, which is His love letter to you. Trust Him with all your heart.

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Questions often asked…

• What exactly IS mortal sin:

Mortal sin is a radical possibility of human freedom, as is love itself. It is a rejection of God’s moral order expressed in His commandments, and written on the human heart. For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must be present: grave matter, full knowledge of the evil of the act, and full consent of the will — one’s God-given free will.

• How does it affect us now, and in eternity?

Mortal sin cuts one off from sanctifying Grace and the gift of eternal life offered freely through Jesus Christ. If mortal sin is not redeemed by repentance and God’s forgiveness, it causes exclusion from Christ’s kingdom and the eternal death of hell — for our freedom has the power to make choices forever, with no turning back.

• Is hell real?

Immediately after death, the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer its punishments, “eternal fire.” The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in Whom alone man can possess the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs.

(References: Catechism of the Catholic Church, Glossary, 1861, 1035)

• What do we do if a loved one is in mortal sin?

If we truly love family and friends, we will not make excuses for their lifestyles in order to be liked or to keep from being rejected by them. We must speak the truth, but in gentleness and love. We must also be equipped spiritually, for our battle is not with flesh but with “principalities and powers” (Eph 6:12).

The Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet are powerful tools to combat the forces of darkness–make no mistake about this. Fasting also avails us or the situation with tremendous graces. Jesus highlighted that some spiritual battles simply can’t be won without it. Fast, pray, and give everything to God.

NEW!
Now available in pamphlet form. Go to:

http://www.markmallett.com/mortalsinpamphlet.html

Published in: DAILY JOURNAL, TIME OF GRACE | on June 10th, 2008 |

Updated Tuesday	June 10, 2008

Ivan’s Prayer Group Apparition at the Blue Cross

Taken at the Blue Cross tonight, on June 9, 2008. These are the treasured seats of pilgrims who desire to be as close as possible to Our Lady in Her apparitions at the Blue Cross. Visionary, Ivan, kneels right in front of this statue of Our Lady, and it is here that Our Lady appears. For these coveted seats, pilgrims will arrive four or more hours ahead of the time of Our Lady’s apparition. Sitting on these sharp, hard stones also gives the opportunity to offer a sacrifice of love for Our Lady, and yet, rarely will you see anyone complain. They know that there are several hundred other pilgrims who would gladly exchange their place.

Pilgrims started arriving at the Blue Cross several hours before Ivan would have his prayer group apparition. Prayer began amongst the pilgrims just after 6:00 p.m., praing the Rosary in preparation for the normal daily apparition time. The Rosary was prayed in English and Spanish and at 6:40 p.m. everyone paused for at least 7 minutes for silent prayer. The Rosary then continued through the mysteries, eventually adding Italian, French and Croatian to the Spanish and English. Songs were being sung between each decade. This continued until Ivan’s prayer group began.

It was a beautiful evening, as all those present watched the day slowly turn into night. The moon was shining brightly and the closer it came to apparition time, the more stars appeared in the sky. By 8:00 p.m. there were 200-300 pilgrims present, but soon after a steady stream continued to come from all directions, filling up the surrounding areas around the Blue Cross. By the time Our Lady appeared, there were 2000 to 3000 pilgrims present at the Blue Cross. At 9:30 p.m., Ivan began the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary in preparation for Our Lady’s coming. Our Lady appeared to Ivan at 10:00 p.m. and stayed for several minutes. The following is Ivan’s description of the apparition.

Tonight Our Lady came joyful and happy. At the beginning, as always, She greeted us with Her Motherly greeting, “Praised be Jesus, my dear children.” Then with Her arms extended, She prayed over us for a time and blessed us with Her Motherly Blessing. She blessed all the religious articles brought for blessing. Our Lady prayed especially for all the sick present. Then Ivan recommended all of us and our intentions and especially the sick to Our Lady. Our Lady then said:

“Dear children, also today the Mother calls you: renew my messages, live my messages. Dear children, I am with you and I intercede before my Son for all of you. Pray. Pray, my dear children. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

After, we prayed with Our Lady an Our Father and a Glory Be and then Our Lady left in an illuminated Sign of the Cross saying, “Go in peace, my dear children.”

How many mothers have made the journey to Medjugorje with their children for the sole purpose of having their children blessed in an apparition with Our Lady? Mothers from all over the world have made the long, arduous pilgrimage to Medjugorje bringing their children, healthy and sick, to have the experience of their lifetime. What will these two children witness in their lifetimes, seeing the fulfillment of the apparitions of Our Lady? Imagine them as grandparents, after everything has come to pass of what Our Lady foretold in Medjugorje, sharing with their grandchildren their memories of being at the Blue Cross with Our Lady on June 9, 2008.

We are full steam ahead in preparation for July 1-5 and Our Lady’s apparitions with Marija’s visit. We are hearing stories of people who are coming who were just informed about it and immediately decided to come. You can pass to all you know the July 1-5 brochure by clicking here. Some people are ripe to receive it and your efforts with God’s grace can be the cause of someone’s salvation. This is a unique opportunity God is offering.

May 16, 1987

“Dear children, when God calls men, it is really a great thing. Think about how it would be sad to let pass those opportunities that God allows without taking them.”

Many people are coming for the same reason as the mother to the left who brought her children to Medjugorje, to have their children and families blessed in the presence of Our Lady and consecrated to Her Immaculate Heart.

A Friend of Medjugorje
Caritas of Birmingham
Operated by The Community of Caritas

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SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #246

I. The Parable of the Seed.

" The sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the way side. And it was trodden down: and the fowls of the air devoured it. And other some fell upon a rock. And as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And other some fell among thorns. And the thorns growing up with it, choked it. And other some fell upon good ground and, being sprung up, yielded fruit a hundredfold. Saying these things, he cried out: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Luke 8:5-8)

THE DIFFERENT WAYS OF RECEIVING THE WORD OF GOD: The sower is our Lord Jesus Christ, Who, through the apostles and their successors, proclaims the word of God. The field is the heart of man, for which the divine seed is destined. The chief lesson contained in the parable is that the effect of God's word upon the soul depends entirely on the preparation and disposition of him who hears it, just as the fruitfulness of the natural seed depends on the cultivation and quality of the earth in which it is sown. The three cases mentioned in which the seed brought forth no fruit, point out the chief hindrances which man puts in the way of the efficacy of God's word.

[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.]
(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)

Proud & Unrepentant!

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #245

And he was casting out a devil: and the same was dumb. And when he had cast out the devil, the dumb spoke: and the multitudes, were in admiration at it. (Luke 11:14)

KEEPING BACK SINS IN CONFESSION: The unfortunate man who was made dumb by the devil is a type of those sinners whose lips are closed by Satan, so that they do not make a full and sincere confession.

[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.]
(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)