"A Motherly Heart Understands Each Weakness in Her Children"

Written by "Anne, a Lay Apostle"

The messages from "Anne, a Lay Apostle," from the international spiritual movement "Lay Apostles of Jesus Christ the Returning King" have been released for international distribution with the permission of Bishop Leo O'Reilly of the Diocese of Kilmore, Ireland, the diocese in which Anne and the international headquarters of the Lay apostolate reside. They have also been submitted by Bishop O'Reilly to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome. The following message comes from Volume II, entitled Conversations with the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus. I strongly encourage our readers to download these messages and, if possible, read them prayerfully before the Blessed Sacrament in the presence of our Eucharistic Jesus. They have been of untold spiritual benefit to me. —Ed. September 5, 2003 Blessed Mother Dearest children, nestled in my Immaculate Heart, you must live your lives joyfully. Jesus, my beloved Son, has given you everything you need to become true servants. In order to have peace on this earth, you must serve Him, who is all light, all goodness. I am His mother. I am also your mother. Call on me often, little children of this world. I have helped many souls reach heaven and I will help you. Confide your fears to me and I will console you. A motherly heart understands each weakness in her children and can help her children overcome habits that distract them from their union with God. Children, let me help you. Run to me when you fear you are not serving Jesus and I will lead you straight back to His holy path, the path He has marked especially for you. We are near you always, in everything. Truly, heaven and earth are joined as never before. Take full advantage of this. Heaven is happy, dearest children, because God is there. But you can be happy on earth also, because God is with you now. The more you seek Him, the more He will reveal Himself to you personally. All is well. We guard you and your loved ones without tiring, and you will see that your service to heaven brings you joy and more joy. Be with Jesus, children. For further information regarding the Lay Apostolate of Jesus Christ the Returning King, or to purchase Heaven Speaks booklets, please contact Direction for Our Times on the Web at www.directionforourtimes.com, or mail inquiries to the following address: 9000 West 81st St., Justice, IL 60458, U.S.A.

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #538

Then Judas, who betrayed him, seeing that he was condemned, repenting himself, brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and ancients, Saying: "I have sinned in betraying innocent blood." But they said: "What is that to us? Look thou to it." And casting down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed and went and hanged himself with an halter. (Matt. 27:3-5)

SUICIDE is a terrible sin, for he who commits it does not only kill his body, but also his soul, since at the very moment of his death he is committing a mortal sin, and flinging his soul into hell.

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

(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)

The Fire of My Love "Put on Christ in All Your Ways" by Rita Ring, January 9, 1994

Put on Christ in All Your Ways

January 9, 1994 7:00 a.m.

Jesus: I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. He who abides in Me will have the light of life.

God The Father: My gift to you is My Son. This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.

Jesus: Come and partake with Me at My Mass. My Mass is a glorious event. I am eager for you to come and worship.

What are the ways of the Lord? To you I give My love. If you forever focus on this love you will be right in your ways. I am Jesus, Son of the Living God, and I long to teach you My truths. To know Me and My way, you must spend time with Me and study what I am teaching you. Every minute I am teaching you some lessons. It may just be acceptance. It may be union with Me. It may be doing what you are doing for God, for My Will. You are constantly being taught. You are tried and tested in fire that you may learn the ways of the Lord.

My ways are the ways of righteousness. My ways are the ways of truth. No man comes to The Father except through Me. You must learn to follow My example in your living. You seek first the will of The Father and then you do it.

If you are to have peace and joy in your hearts, you must follow the path that I am directing you on. You do not falter. You follow Me and I lead the way. Be in union with Me to know My ways. You don't for a few hours worship and adore Me and pray to Me, then put Me away and go off and act as the world wants you to!

By your example you teach others mighty lessons. By your example others are being taught your ways. Are your ways rooted in Me? If your ways are constantly My ways, you teach My lessons. Strive to be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. Strive to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. Where I trod you likewise must walk. My life is the prescription by which you live.

But My ways I make known to you in these letters. If you read and reread these letters and listen to them spoken to you, My life becomes ever real. I am Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, and I live in you! If you focus on My words here in this book, My life will radiate from your very soul. My life cannot and will not ever be contained! My life is mighty and active. It finds its launching pad in your hearts.

Your heart is the key to My life within you. Make ready a path for Me. Open your hearts wide. Come and sit with Me awhile in silence. Be taught by the Master. I wait for you at every moment. Remember all you do here is useless if it does not have its origin in Me. Come unto Me, My little ones, and I give you the secrets of My life within your breast.

You will become My warriors in a cold war. Love will pour out of your heart to your brothers and you will touch the hearts of the coldest man. "Me?," you say. Yes, you have mighty power when I dwell deep in your heart.

You needn't ask, "How do I act here?" You act according to how I direct you. Your ways become My ways. There is a sense of acting immediately in My ways. You become Me more and more to this cold world, as you ever more let Me possess you. This is what I call you to do, to put on Christ in all your ways. My actions flow from your very soul.

Keep these letters by your side and read My Blue Book. My life will grow in your hearts and you will be acting as I act toward your brothers. No one can ever contain My life alive in your hearts.

The world goes on its merry way. But is it merry? The world is in a state of numbness. People think they need to operate the way they do. If they could stop and look at how silly are most of the treasures they are holding on to. If they would see the sickness! But they continue, and fall into the ways of the world. The ways of the world are ever changing. What was bad yesterday is good today. That should tell you something is wrong there!

My ways are direct and steadfast and never changing. They are constant and without error. They are peace and joy. They are the way to follow. The world is sick. Do not follow where they walk or you will be sick also. You cannot be part God and part world. This world is a mess. Your lives are a mess when you try to make your lives make sense to the world.

Make ready a path. The Son of Man is coming and His ways He has imparted to you daily in these letters. Do not tarry. Take your hearts to God. Pray to the Holy Spirit. Ask for all I have to give you. Live in Christ. Let Him permeate your very soul. You are My Body. You are Christ, living within you, in the world. They stop and take notice, for your ways are the truth. Your ways are peace and gentleness, love and kindness. Your ways are constant and never changing. Let Me live in your heart and operate in your soul. Be My life to the world and walk the path of glory in a darkened world.

For you trod where He trod and He lives in you and you are His chosen ones.

Alleluia. Praise the Lord. Alleluia.

http://www.sofc.org/

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #537

Then Judas, who betrayed him, seeing that he was condemned, repenting himself, brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and ancients, Saying: "I have sinned in betraying innocent blood." But they said: "What is that to us? Look thou to it." And casting down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed and went and hanged himself with an halter. (Matt. 27:3-5)

THE REPENTANCE, CONFESSION, AND DESPAIR OF JUDAS: When Judas perceived the consequence of his treachery, his conscience reproached him with the awful thought: "I am guilty of the murder of my God!" And then Satan, who had taken possession of his heart by reason of his obduracy, drove him to despair. Before the deed was done, he induced Judas to sin, blinding him so that he did not perceive the heinousness of his crime, nor consider its consequences; but once the sin had been committed, he showed its full horror to the wretched sinner, and whispered to him as he had once whispered to Cain, that his sin was too great to be forgiven. Judas might have obtained pardon even then, had he possessed the proper dispositions. It is true that "he repented himself," and that he made a really good resolution of amendment, for at no price would he have committed the sin again. He confessed his guilt by the words: "I have sinned in betraying innocent blood;" and he made what satisfaction he could, for he gave back the blood-money, and tried to get the sentence of death reversed--but, for all this, he was wanting in true penance. Now, what did he lack? The sorrow of Judas was wanting in hope, and such a sorrow does not lead back to God, but rather leads to despair and to an eternal separation from God. Judas' sin in betraying our Lord was a terribly grievous one; and yet the worst sin he committed was that of despairing of the grace and mercy of God. His first sin might have found forgiveness, but there exists no forgiveness for the sin of despair; for he who despairs of God's pardon denies the infinite mercy of God, and cannot therefore benefit by it. To despair of God's mercy is one of the sins against the Holy Ghost, and it is said of these sins that they will not be forgiven either in this world or in the world to come. Furthermore, Judas' confession of his sin availed him nothing. If, full of confidence in his Savior, the God of love and mercy, he had thrown himself at His feet, confessed his guilt to Him, and implored His forgiveness, he would have most surely obtained it; but, as it was, in his despair of God's mercy, he sought for consolation from men, and confessed his guilt merely to members of the Sanhedrim. When they rejected him contemptuously, and laid all the responsibility on him, his last comfort was torn from him, and the burden of his guilty life was so heavy, that he had not the courage to bear it any longer. He felt that he had nothing more to hope for from heaven, and could find no peace on earth, so he hanged himself between heaven and earth, and to the crime of deicide added that of suicide.

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

(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)

The Fire of My Love "The Ten Commandments Rule" by Rita Ring, January 7, 1994

Image by Rob Sheridan via Flickr

The Ten Commandments Rule

January 7, 1994 3:20 a.m.

Jesus: The King of Glory comes to you in the night to deliver a message to the world. I am upset at all that is going on in the hearts of men. Their hearts are turned cold, their focus is an earthly gaze and they see no more the evil of this world before their face. Little children are being taught such vile things and the numbed state of the world is even unaware of all this evil.

Many brothers have accepted this worldliness as a sign of the times and a way of acceptance: "So it happens and it is okay in today's world."

Without God, each day more filth and evil is accepted as, "Well, so what? We must give everyone their rights. So I don't like it, but everyone has a right to their opinion. Who am I to tell my brothers how to think?"

Well, I am Jesus, Son of the Living God. You were created by My Father to know, love and serve God and you do have a right to tell all how to think. Sin is sin, what is right is right, what is wrong is wrong. The Ten Commandments stand as the rules by which you must live.

This is a godless society. The First Commandment commands that all put God First. This culture has left God entirely out of their lives. What are they doing? They are worshiping false gods. They have made themselves gods. They are living the rule, "Anything goes if you want it to." It is a sick rule. "You have every right to everything you believe in and your brother has no right to question you because you have your rights." " If your example is sinful to me and my children, that is okay."

No, none of this is okay. Evil is evil and good is good! You are living in such a sick world! Does it keep getting so bad you scarce know what to do? You must pray, America. Prayer can stop wars, prayer can change cold hearts, prayer is the only answer. When you are troubled, do not get on a box and preach about the evil. Go to your room, gather up your children and pray the rosary. This is your weapon in a sick, godless world.

God has not forgotten the world, even though the world has forgotten God. I am alive in your heart. I am ever present at the side of all those in sin. It is their choice to move from Me and turn their back on what they need. I am God and I love each and every soul. I love the hardest heart and I want to bring it back home. That is why I need you not to respond to your brother's evilness. Pray for him when he casts his ugliness toward you. Respond as I would do, with love. How can I minister to your brother if you become hardened when you deal with him? You are a tender shoot of love. Your brother has become hard. Pray for him and respond as you think I would, with love.

I still dearly love your brothers in darkness. They are lost sheep and I bid them to come home, but I cannot show them My ways if you respond to them in the same way as they act toward you. Your response must be as Mine would be. You teach such mighty lessons in your love and gentleness. It is hard to love those who are unloving and sinful, but I still love your brothers. They are souls created by God to know, love and serve Him, but they have chosen to perform evil deeds.

Touch your brothers by your example. Touch your brothers with your goodness. Strive to be holy as your Heavenly Father is holy. Strive after sainthood. See, in the eyes of all, Jesus Who truly loves them. Do not let your hearts be troubled by all this evil. Trust in Me and know I beckon you to prayer and sacrifice. These are your tools to fight off the evil one. Do not join him. Rise up and fight against him with My weapons. My weapons are My love. Wear My love on your breast. Come to Me and fill yourself with My love and enter the ranks as one armed in a battle which is fought through the love of Jesus. Never respond with hate to your brothers. Hate the acts, but love your brothers. See them as ones who are sick and in need of your prayers. You cannot argue with your brothers. To do so is to argue with Satan. Satan loves to argue with you and you won't change a hardened heart powered by an evil world. You will do more with acts of love and prayers. Pray constantly. It is in your love that you will fight the mightiest battle. It is in your love and prayers that you will make headway in this evil world.

I am all powerful. I am in control. Do not be fooled by the false power your evil brothers display. I have all the power. There is nothing that happens that I do not allow. I can stop this world in an instant if I so desire. Your job is to pray and love. Your job is to trust in the God Who loves all and knows all that is happening. Your job is to stay so fixed to Me that you never doubt but totally feel My presence within you, acting out of you.

I, My child, am alive in you if you let Me act through you. Become selfless and unattached to the things of this world. Plant seeds of love and God everywhere you tread. How many hearts you touch each day! Spend time refueling yourself before Me in the tabernacle. You are being called not to fight with your brother. You are being called to be Christlike, to love your brothers and spend time in daily prayer. Your gift to the world is Christ dwelling within your breast.

Go to daily Mass and Communion. Pray in adoration every day. Pray and play with your children and stay very close to them. Do not allow your children to be indoctrinated by the TV and other sources of brainwashing the world uses. Stay close to them and constantly tell them about your deep love for Me. Everything you share with your child about God is a seed I can make grow into My life within them.

Read your children these letters. Do not hold back from them anything you feel about God. Give them the greatest gift you can give. Share your love and your relationship with God. If they have a basis in God, they can fall back on it when they are pressed on by this world. All that will save you is your faith.

Pray for strength, America. Pray for faith and trust in God. Come and sit in front of My tabernacle and be led down the right road. I make all things work for you when you stay fixed in Me. Do not fume, do not fret. Spend one hour in prayer in front of the tabernacle every day. Let Me work in your heart and you will run and not get weary. You will fly on eagles' wings and I will be by your side. Though heaven and earth pass away, not one letter of the law will pass away.

R. Alleluia, Alleluia. Praise the Lord for He is Holy. He comes as a mighty wind into the midst of His people. His power is without limits and He does not falter on His way. He will come and dwell in you, but you must stay fixed in Him. Your gift to this world is your time spent in front of the tabernacle. Your gift to this world is your love of God. Your gift to this world is your soul saturated by the love of Christ which shines in a dark world. Your gifts are the time you spend with Christ and His dwelling within your breast.

Jesus: Read these letters. They are My letters to you to become close to Me in all this darkness. America may have forgotten God, but I did not forget you. This is the mighty medicine to turn men's minds and hearts back to God. If I came and I died a brutal death for love of you, would I not send a mighty medicine this day to save My loved ones? These letters are My love for you. I am ever present this day and yearn to be in communion with you. Your relationship with Me will save this sick world. Come and let Me lead you. I am He Who loved you to My death.

Do I not love you this much this very day? I am Jesus, Son of the Living God. Do not fume or fret, America. Make ready your hearts for His coming. It is in your love that I am alive in this world today. Busy yourselves in the things of God. That is your weapon in this sick world. Read and reread each letter hand delivered by Me to you. These will make Me live in your hearts and you will preach mighty lessons of My love to your brothers.

Alleluia, I am God. Alleluia.

http://www.sofc.org/

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SEVEN SORROWS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

"And thy own soul a sword shall pierce." St. Luke, 2:35

Today, the Friday after Passion Sunday (old calendar), Holy Mother Church asks us to recall the principle sorrows of Mary, our Sorrowful Mother. Rightly is our Blessed Mother called the Sorrowful Mother. She is indeed the Mother of Sorrows. She is the Queen of Martyrs. In fact, Her whole life was a martyrdom. The sufferings of the poor, for instance, She had to bear all through Her life. Mary was poor, as poor, perhaps poorer, than the poorest of us.

A thread of sorrow ran through all Her years in that She could see ahead to the time when Her only Son, now an Infant, now a little curly-headed Boy, now an obedient and respectful young Man, would have to die a most painful and disgraceful death.

And oh, Her sufferings during the Passion of Jesus, Her anguish as He carried His cruel cross, Her agony as She stood beneath that cross watching Him die. Who could ever measure Her grief or count Her tears?

It was most fitting that the woman whom God gave us for our heavenly Mother should be a Mother of Sorrows, a woman who had to suffer. As we all know, suffering is the lot of every human being. There is not, nor was there ever, a man, a woman, or a child but had to suffer. No person ever living that had not at least one sword in his or her heart, at least one sorrow, at least one affliction.

Sometimes we judge other people saying, "But so and so has no trials in his or her life?" How do we know that? Can we see into their interior? Most often we only see one side of the story. The fact is: Every human being has some sort of sorrow. Is it not consoling then that we children of Mary have for a Mother one who has borne a many-sworded sorrow? As children of Mary, we are all glad that we have such a Mother who suffered too; because only one who has suffered can rightly console, can satisfactorily comfort the sufferings of others. As Scripture says, '[God] comforts us in all our afflictions and thus enables us to comfort those who are in trouble, with the same consolation we have received from Him. As we have shared much in the sufferings of Christ, so through Christ do we share abundantly in His consolation.' (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). Certainly Mother Mary shared in Christ's sufferings!

Yes, everyone has a cross. Bitter indeed are some of our crosses--death of dear ones, sickness, poverty, misunderstanding, difficulties in our home and in our work.

What is your cross? Thank God for it. Ask Our Lady to show you how to carry it. Our Blessed and Sorrowful Mother, She who sits at the side of Her divine Son, with whom She suffered here on earth, Mary is now in Heaven waiting to help you, waiting to console you, waiting to be a sympathetic Mother to you.

Next Friday (Good Friday) we will recall Her principle sorrows. She had many more, but Mother Church centers our attention on the seven swords that pierced Her tender Heart:

1. The prophecy of Simeon that a sword of sorrow would pierce Her Heart, was a bitter pain.
2. The flight into Egypt made Her experience the sadness of exile and the loss of Her home.
3. The three-day loss of Jesus made Her Heart ache with anxiety.
4. What anguish when She met Jesus on the way of the cross.
5. One would think Her Heart would break as She stood beneath the cross at Christ's death.
6. Only a mother who holds a dead child in her arms can know anything of Mary's grief as She held Jesus taken down from the cross.
7. Only a mother who puts a child to bed in a grave can understand at all how Mary felt at the burial of Jesus.

Mary, our Sorrowful Queen, reaches out Her sympathy and help to everyone who suffers. She, more than any other woman, knew the pang and pain of sorrow. We can go to Her and take others to Her also. We can then be Our Lady's consolers!

Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!
[Adapted from a homily by Rev. Arthur Tonne, O.F.M.]

As we approach Holy Week and the Easter Triduum, we provide this classic hymn to the Mother Co-redemptrix, one of the most beautiful ever written, for your Lenten meditation.

At the Cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful Mother weeping,
Close to Jesus to the last.

Through her Heart, His sorrow sharing,
All His bitter anguish bearing,
Now at length the sword has passed.

O how sad and sore distressed
Was that Mother highly blessed
Of the sole-begotten One!

Christ above in torment hangs,
She beneath beholds the pangs
Of her dying, glorious Son.

Is there one who would not weep,
'Whelmed in miseries so deep,
Christ's dear Mother to behold?

Can the human heart refrain
From partaking in her pain,
In that Mother's pain untold?

Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled,
She beheld her tender Child,
All with bloody scourges rent.

For the sins of His own nation
Saw Him hang in desolation
Till His spirit forth He sent.

O sweet Mother! Font of love,
Touch my spirit from above,
Make my heart with yours accord.

Make me feel as you have felt;
Make my soul to glow and melt
With the love of Christ, my Lord.

Holy Mother, pierce me through,
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Savior crucified.

Let me share with you His pain,
Who for all our sins was slain,
Who for me in torments died.

Let me mingle tears with you,
Mourning Him who mourned for me,
All the days that I may live.

By the Cross with you to stay,
There with you to weep and pray,
Is all I ask of you to give.

Virgin of all virgins blest!
Listen to my fond request:
Let me share your grief divine.

Let me to my latest breath,
In my body bear the death
Of that dying Son of yours.

Wounded with His every wound,
Steep my soul till it has swooned
In His very Blood away.

Be to me, O Virgin, nigh,
Lest in flames I burn and die,
In His awful judgment day.

Christ, when you shall call me hence,
Be your Mother my defense,
Be your cross my victory.

While my body here decays,
May my soul your goodness praise,
Safe in heaven eternally.
Amen.

The Cross is salvation and judgment

VATICAN - WORDS OF DOCTRINE: Rev Nicola Bux and Rev Salvatore Vitiello -

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Contemplating Jesus, from whom our faith comes and by whom it is made perfect, we cannot fail in these coming days of holy spiritual tension, to see the close connection which exists between the Cross of Christ and the mission of the Church. The Cross is the Christian's sign of identification and, consequently, the identification sign in every place where Christians are present, places inhabited by a "new presence" by people destined to be ever more perfectly, the "mystical body" of the Lord, His presence in the world.

In this sense the Cross is potentially and objectively missionary: to announce and to carry the Cross is to announce and to carry Christ, who conquered death and thus gave new meaning to suffering, giving it that horizon of redemption and sharing, which makes it truly a "place of salvation".

The Cross of Christ is a place of salvation, the source of all possible salvation: those to whom salvation is offered, also non Christians, will be saved solely thanks to the Cross of Christ and not without participation in ecclesial mediation (cfr. Dominus Jesus). This certainty supports and animates mission, rendering every baptized Christian a 'bearer of the cross' in the explicitly visible sense and in the spiritual sense.

The Cross, before which every man, directly or indirectly, must stand, in order to understand himself more radically, is also a "place of judgment". In this context, judgment and salvation are to be seen not in counter-position, but closely connected to one another, in that necessary complementarity without which there would be no proper respect or authentic participation of human freedom in the plan for salvation.

As the Holy Father recalls: " With death, our life-choice becomes definitive—our life stands before the judge. Our choice, which in the course of an entire life takes on a certain shape, can have a variety of forms. There can be people who have totally destroyed their desire for truth and readiness to love, people for whom everything has become a lie, people who have lived for hatred and have suppressed all love within themselves. This is a terrifying thought, but alarming profiles of this type can be seen in certain figures of our own history. In such people all would be beyond remedy and the destruction of good would be irrevocable: this is what we mean by the word Hell. On the other hand there can be people who are utterly pure, completely permeated by God, and thus fully open to their neighbors—people for whom communion with God even now gives direction to their entire being and whose journey towards God only brings to fulfillment what they already are" (Spe Salvi 45).

The Cross demands our act of faith, it demands clarity and frank announcement of the one truth which saves, and above all, willingness to "offer ourselves as a living and pleasing sacrifice to God " for our own salvation and the salvation of the world. From the daily martyrdom of "little crosses" which all of us bear, to the great call to bear supreme witness, every Christians knows that his own personal victory and that of the whole world lies, "in hoc signo", in the sign of the Cross

(Agenzia Fides 2/4/2009; righe 37, parole 520)

VATICAN - AVE MARIA: Mgr Luciano Alimandi -

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - "But when the Son of man comes, will he find any faith on earth?" (Lk 18, 8) How often in the Gospel does the Lord Jesus underline the importance of faith! If faith fails, the Lord is unable to work miracles, to flood the hearts of the faithful with grace, to conquer evil... Without faith the Gospel cannot spread, because incredulity stifles the breath of the Spirit. When in the place of faith there is incredulity, the heart of the Christian becomes like the heart of St Thomas: it can no longer see the light, the saving influence. Only if we follow Jesus, can we see clearly, because we no longer walk in darkness (cfr. Jn 8, 12). The disciples of Emmaus, like Thomas, had to travel a path of "conversion", a path of "returning to Jesus" through faith.

"Stay with us Lord, the day is coming to a close " (Lk 24, 29). Yes, when faith disappears, darkness falls. The further we are from Jesus, the greater the darkness, darkness rule our life and even the presence of Jesus becomes ghostly. Our words are similar to those of the disciples of Emmaus: "we hoped…" (Lc 24, 21).

Instead if we have faith and we renew it day after day, with many acts of faith during the day, we live in the presence of Christ, we are part of his history which is everlasting, ever relevant. The true believer speaks of Jesus not as a marvelous experience of the past, but in the present, and sees the future in the hands of Divine Providence.
If we live our faith in Jesus we can say with our heart those wonderful words of the Gospel: "It is the Lord!" (Jn 21, 7). This was the exclamation of the apostle Jesus' loved, the one who saw the empty tomb and believed (Jn 20, 9), the one who recognized Jesus when he appeared on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, after the apostles had fished all night without success (cfr. Jn 21, 3). An act of faith is like Peter's plunge into the water to reach Jesus. True faith is a leap towards Jesus who draws us to himself with his living presence.

Faith helps us to see the presence of Jesus in our midst, and it also has to power to strengthen and intensify this presence: "where two or three are gathered in my name, I am with them " (Mt 18, 20). If we gather in the Name of Jesus, this means we believe in Him!

This is why the Devil tries to steal faith from our hearts. If faith disappears so does grace! The prince of this world, the Gospel tells us, acts not only when Jesus is tempted, during the forty days in the desert, but also in the week of his Passion when: Judas betrays Jesus; the high priests, the scribes, the Pharisees and the angry mob all call for the death of Jesus, while Pilate washes his hands of the matter; the Romans are instigated to violence against the Man, who has committed no evil ...

In this dark scenario, Our Lady remains firm in her faith: like a beam of light illuminating the gloom when night falls on the world as Jesus dies. If we stay at the foot of the cross with Mary and with John the only apostle who remained, our faith will never fail.

Peter, who experienced the night of the faith, temptation, denial, wrote to the faithful as the first Pope: "Keep sober and alert, because your enemy the devil is on the prowl like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand up to him, strong in faith and in the knowledge that it is the same kind of suffering that the community of your brothers throughout the world is undergoing" (1 Pt 5, 8-9). If faith is the greatest of all gifts, it is clear that to lose it is the greatest of all dangers. This is why the Lord chose to anchor the Church's faith to the rock, to "Peter" (cfr. Mt 16, 18). Peter, the Pope, can never lose his faith, because the Lord promised: "I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail, and once you have recovered, you in your turn must strengthen your brothers." (Lk 22, 32). As Catholics we know that to keep the faith we must follow Peter, the Pope, the Shepherd of the universal Church.

The Holy Father Benedict XVI, Peter of our day, guides and enlightens us and we must thank Heaven that when Peter speaks it is Christ's the power which confirms our faith: "In our days, when in vast areas of the world the faith is in danger of dying out like a flame which no longer has fuel, the overriding priority is to make God present in this world and to show men and women the way to God. (…). The real problem at this moment of our history is that God is disappearing from the human horizon, and, with the dimming of the light which comes from God, humanity is losing its bearings, with increasingly evident destructive effects." (Benedict XVI, concerning the remission of the excommunication of the four bishops consecrated by archbishop Lefebvre, 10 March 2009).

Lent calls us to Conversion and first of all to conversion of faith, which means moving from incredulity to complete trust in Jesus who speaks to of us repeating what he said to Thomas: "Do not be unbelieving any more but believe" (Jn 20, 27).

(Agenzia Fides 1/4/2009; righe 58, parole 918)

[MaryVitamin] Heroic Patience of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Mary Vitamin for April 3rd

 

Topic: Heroic Patience* of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 

Quote:

St. Alphonsus di Liguori

"Mary's whole life was a continual exercise of her patience; for, as the angel revealed to St. Bridget, 'as a rose grows up amongst thorns, so did the Blessed Virgin grow up amongst tribulations.'"

St. Alphonsus di Liguori, TheGlories of Mary, (Tan Books), 582.

 

Meditation:

St. Alphonsus di Liguori

"If we, then, wish to be children of Mary, we must endeavor to imitate her in her patience; 'For what' says St. Cyprian, 'can enrich us with greater merit in this life, and greater glory in the next, than the patient enduring of sufferings?' 'Rejoice then' exclaims St. Gregory, 'We can be martyrs, without the executioner's sword, if we only preserve patience.'"

St. Alphonsus di Liguori, TheGlories of Mary, (Tan Books),  582 & 583.

  

Resolution:

Today, I can share in a small way the martyrdom of the Blessed Virgin Mary by persevering in patience. I beg to be able to remember her unbloody, yet true martyrdom at the foot of the Cross. I will try to remember the Seven Dolors and do my utmost to preserve patience by keeping my mind on her.

 

Marian Vow:

I have the martyred Soul of patience always with me by virtue of my Marian Vow. I must allow Her to be the guiding breath within me. Be the instrument! Call on the vow to persevere in patience. 

 

I give this resolution to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

 

Thanks be to God for graces received.

 

Related sites: Castle of the Immaculate & AirMaria

 

*Heroic Patience is one of the virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary listed by St. Louis de Montfort, the other 9 are:

 

Profound humility

Living faith

Burning charity

Universal mortification

Angelic sweetness

Divine wisdom

Continuous prayer

Blind obedience

Divine purity

 

Father Stefano Maria Manelli FI adds the Franciscan virtues of:

Seraphic poverty

Perfect joy

 

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Blessings+
Deacon John

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #536

And the men that held him mocked him and struck him. And they blindfolded him and smote his face. And they asked him saying: Prophesy: "Who is it that struck thee?" And blaspheming, many other things they said against him. (Luke 22:63-65)

WHAT THE SUFFERINGS OF JESUS WERE: It is with deep emotion and compassion that we approach the thought of what our Lord Jesus suffered that night. For hours together a low, ruffianly rabble amused itself by mocking the Son of God! These men abused Him and insulted Him in every way they could think of: they struck Him with their brutal fists, they tore out His hair, they spat on His sacred Face; and Jesus bore all silently and without complaint. His Sacred Face, full of gentleness and grace, was marred with bruises, and dishonored by the spittle of the very scum of humanity! Truly and terribly were David's words of prophecy fulfilled (Ps. 21:7): "I am a worm and no man, the reproach of men, and the outcast of the people!" If we contemplate our Savior in this state of deep abjection, we too could almost put the question to Him: "Art Thou the Christ? Art Thou the Son of God? Why dost Thou suffer this terrible treatment?" This is His answer: "I suffer this for love of thee; to make satisfaction for thy sins, and to give to thee an example of humility and patience."

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

(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)

The Fire of My Love "Share My Love With This World" by Rita Ring, January 7, 1994

Share My Love With This World

January 7, 1994 9:00 a.m.
After Mass

Jesus: I am the Alpha. I am the Omega. I am He Whose bootstraps you are unworthy to fasten, but I come to you, little ones, just the same, out of great love, to give you many gifts for your soul. Are you there ready to receive all I come to bring to you or are you closed? Open the doors to your hearts and let Me enter into you. Be open wide and experience Me filling you.

You I call and you I will send to preach My words. I want all to know of My True Presence. You will tell young and old that I am God and I, God, am truly present in the Eucharist.

This is My mission: to help all to prepare their hearts for My coming. I am such a personal God. I come to My children but they are blinded by their own eyes. You are blind and you do not see what transpires here. Jesus is Lord. He is God. He enters your soul and you receive Him. Who are you that God comes to you and yet you turn away in such indifference!

My relationship with you is not a little thing. It is a deep, deep union that I want with you. Open your hearts. Pray for this union. My Blue Book is a recipe book for this union. I have given you all the ingredients here necessary for an intimate union with Me. Your submissiveness, your willingness to let Me possess your soul, your time spent in silence in front of the tabernacle, daily Mass and Holy Communion, periods of spiritual communion throughout the day, allowing yourself to die to you and be open entirely to My possessing you and permeating your very being!

These ingredients are given with such love in My letters. As you take the ingredients, your souls rise like bread dough with yeast. The life that grows inside you is a life that is too mighty to contain. Just as the dough bursts forth above the bowl, you are filled to the brim and over with this life of Christ. This life is cast on your brothers. It cannot be contained. Your eyes sparkle and your soul emits a mighty energy which is transmitted by Me. You radiate from your very soul. The light I give to you shines in the dark world as a mighty light on the darkest night. One soul, you say, in such a dark world? Not one, but many, will light this dark world from reading My personal love letters to you here. I want to save each and every soul. I love each of you just this way.

Come on this journey with Me. Open your hearts and read My words here. They are your mighty medicine for healing a sick world. Oh, how I love each and every one of you. Please come and share My love. My heart aches for your love. Your brothers cannot make up your love to Me. I want your love and I love you. I am God. Do not try to understand the mystery. Feel My mighty love for you and quit looking for answers. You are missing the best part. Oh, how I love you. I give to you from My bounty and you, My child, are made whole.

Come and sup with Me that I might heal you and make you whole. Read My words here. They are your prescription for life, My life deep within your breast. Then this world will truly know Me through your eyes and the light you cast in the darkness.

Alleluia, Alleluia.

http://www.sofc.org/

April 2nd Message to Mirjana Soldo

Today's apparition to visionary Mirjana Soldo for nonbelievers was scheduled to be held at the Blue Cross at the base of Apparition Hill at 9:00 a.m. Due to rain, plans changed early this morning and the apparition was held in Mirjana's home. Pilgrims began gathering outside the home of Mirjana at about 6:30 a.m. and prayed all mysteries of the Rosary. The pilgrims were not going to let the rain keep them from receiving Our Lady's blessing, and being in Her presence, even if they weren't inside the room where She would appear. The apparition started at 8:52am and lasted about four minutes.

"Dear children, God's love is in my words. My children, that is the love which desires to turn you to justice and truth. That is the love which desires to save you from delusion. And what about you, my children? Your hearts remain closed; they are hard and do not respond to my calls. They are insincere… With a motherly love I am praying for you, because I desire for all of you to resurrect in my Son. Thank you."

--
Blessings+
Deacon John

Sent from Mt Dora, Florida, United States

[MaryVitamin] Fifth Dolor

Image via Wikipedia

Mary Vitamin for April 2nd

Topic: Fifth Dolor; the Crucifixion

 

Quote:

"But what did it avail thee, O Lady," says Saint Bonaventure, "to go to Calvary and see this son expire?"

St. Alphonsus di Liguori, The Glories of Mary, (Tan Books: 1978), 494.

Meditation:

St. Bonventure:

"Ah, thy heart did not then think of its own sorrows, but of the sufferings and death of thy dear Son, and therefore thou wouldst thyself be present, at least to compassionate Him."

St. Alphonsus di Liguori, The Glories of Mary, (Tan Books:1978), 494.

Resolution:

When I stop to listen and to pay attention to the sufferings and complaints of others, I imitate the Blessed Virgin Mary in Her compassion. I will think of this today to help me to patiently listen.

 

Marian Vow:

"In the apostolate let there always reign harmony among the members of every M.I.M. Cenacle So, too, let harmony and charity always be safeguarded with other ecclesiastical groups, whether parochial or diocesan, regional or national, and let the tertiaries be a leaven of peace and fraternal charity everywhere among all men."

Marian Seraphic Pathways, Constitutions, #56.

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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Visit Your Group

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Blessings+
Deacon John

Sent from Mt Dora, Florida, United States

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SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #535

And apprehending Jesus, they led him to the high priest's house. But Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall and were sitting about it, Peter was in the midst of them. Whom when a certain servant maid had seen sitting at the light and had earnestly beheld him, she said: This man also was with him. But he denied him, saying: "Woman, I know him not." And after a little while, another seeing him, said: "Thou also art one of them." But Peter said: "O man, I am not." And after the space, as it were of one hour, another certain man affirmed, saying: "Of a truth, this man was also with him: for he is also a Galilean." And Peter said: "Man, I know not what thou sayest." And immediately, as he was yet speaking, the cock crew. And the Lord turning looked on Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, as he had said: "Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny thrice." And Peter going out, wept bitterly. (Luke 22:54-62)

DIVINE WISDOM PERMITTED PETER'S FALL: 1. so that Peter might become very humble, and, as the vicar of the Good Shepherd, might be gentle and considerate to those under his charge; 2. that all men might learn to know the mercy of God and the power of grace, and that no sinner might give himself up to despair.

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

(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)

Wednesday April 1, 2009

Marija, Visionary:

“Every blessing from Our Lady that we receive in the apparition
is not only a grace for us, but also…our families will receive blessings…”

The following is an interview that a Friend of Medjugorje did with Marija on February 24, 2004. Marija was going to be with us May 1-5, 2004 and she shared with us the following to encourage as many people as possible to come and be in the presence of Our Lady. We share this interview with you now, in the hopes that it will touch many hearts and encourage many to come and be with Our Lady this year for July 1-5, 2009 (click here). Please pause and pray before reading it as the words have the ability to penetrate your heart and place a fire in it.

Q: Marija, why did Our Lady say that She is happy to see us in such large numbers when She is referring to those gathered?

A: Every time I receive Our Lady, when there are many numbers present in the apparitions, Our Lady blesses us and She asks, really from everyone of us, to be more near to Her and to be Her instruments. The more people are with Her, the more Her plan is fulfilled.

Q: So you would say it is important to be in the presence of Our Lady?

A: Yes. Also the blessing of Our Lady is important.

Q: How does the apparition affect our soul when we are in Her presence?

A: Always we should be open for the graces Our Lady wishes to give us. Our Lady has said, “Pray for my intentions. The moment you pray for my intentions, it is then possible I can help you.” Then our hearts, our minds are open for the blessing of Our Lady, of the presence of Our Lady, and so in this way you become more open to receive grace from Our Lady and your soul is affected.

Q: So, being in the presence of Our Lady, even if loved ones are not with us, does it affect our loved ones and our family back home?

A: Yes. Our Lady always says, “You are instruments. I invite you, dear children,” and so Our Lady said that you will become more of an example for others, when you’re back with them. You bring blessings to them of the apparitions. To us, Our Lady gives graces in the apparitions, when we are present with Her. For our family, our loved ones, the people who are near to us in our family, who thought it may not be possible for them to come and be blessed by Our Lady in an apparition, they, too will receive blessings from those who pray for them in preparation for and during the apparition. And so, every blessing from Our Lady that we receive in the apparition is not only a grace for us, but also…our families will receive blessings and we are able to give these graces to other people.

Q: Our Lady said in 1984 that there are particular graces available during the moment of the apparition. Can you explain what some of these graces are?

A: I always say, the presence of Our Lady is a “big” grace for every one of us. Many times it is possible that we are tired, we don’t understand, we have unimportant problems, sicknesses, and we always are asking Our Lady only for help with these situations. But Our Lady desires to give us more, much more larger number of graces. Not only does Our Lady give the grace of blessing you, but also She grants many other gifts for those present, to be more open for God’s Word and more open for graces that She desire to give to us, not only these days, but also throughout all our life. Also, She desires to give the grace for us to give thanksgiving to God for Her presence in the apparitions. This is a great grace. Our Lady said pray. The moment when you pray, you become more open and your heart is more open, and it is then that She can intercede before God and help you with many other graces She wishes to give you.

Q: Marija, when everything in your day goes wrong and your crosses bear down real hard on you, what happens to those life burdens at the moment you see Our Lady?

A: Every time at the moment of the apparition, we, the visionaries, forget everything and we then become aware only of Our Lady and Her presence and more beautiful things are in our hearts. But in our mind, ‘we remember’ also those people who are present and in a special way, those who are physically sick, and those who are spiritually sick.

Q: So, if we are in the presence of Our Lady with you can we experience the same grace of our life’s burden being lifted as you, and how do we so this?

A: Yes. Our Lady said pray. And I have seen, from the beginning, that Our Lady asks from us to be more open for prayer every day, more open for sacrifice, for fasting and after, we will see the fruit of prayer in our personal conversion, and with our conversion, we help also other people to convert and to be near to God.

Q: So, we can experience, in a sense, the same thing you experience in the apparition in regards to our life burdens being lifted?

A: Yes. We have this experience in the beginning – Our Lady appeared and She became more important for us, and life’s problems, less important. Then, little by little Our Lady said, “I am not important. God needs to be in the center of your life.” In this way, Our Lady helped us to give our problems to God and instead of having problems, we had God.

Q: Why does Our Lady bless everyday in Her apparitions?

A: Our Lady blesses us and I think the most beautiful thing is this blessing of Our Lady that is for everyone.

Q: In the early days, one priest said, we do not clearly understand the full significance of this daily blessing, but that it has some profound effect upon the whole world. Do you understand what he means by that?

A: I think Our Lady’s presence is the same for us. We do not understand it at the moment, but one day, God will give us the possibility to understand more.

Q: Marija, several of the visionaries on various occasions said that these are the last apparitions on earth. What did Our Lady say to you about this?

A: Our Lady said from the beginning that these are the last apparitions on earth in which we can hear Our Lady, touch Our Lady, speak with Our Lady, where we can pray with Our Lady, apparitions where it is possible that we ‘have’ Our Lady. In other apparitions – people have spiritual experiences – but not like us, the six visionaries; where Our Lady speaks to us. This is really the last and special grace. Normally one person may see Our Lady (like Bernadette or St. Catherine of the Miraculous Medal who also touched Our Lady). But here, six visionaries are a number which is very credible. But this is the last where we can touch Our Lady, speak to Her, etc., in this way.

Q: So why are these the last apparitions on earth?

A: Our Lady wants to help teach us and to help us understand everyday more and more that Her presence and God’s presence are to be always in our daily lives.

Q: Also, is it after the secrets are revealed, will there not be any need for the apparitions?

A: Our Lady is with us so She can give us knowledge of the secrets and to help us through the secrets. After the secrets are realized, Our Lady will not need to come anymore. Also, I always say that the secrets are a secret at this moment. It is not possible for me to speak of the secrets.

Q: So, is it also because so much is being given through these apparitions of the Blessed Mother that these manifestations of the real, physical presence of the Virgin Mary is sufficient to the end of the world, whether it be 100 years or 2000 years away?

A: Also because Our Lady gives every day so many graces that we, everyday, are able to live more and more this presence of Our Lady.

Q: Vicka has also said very clearly that these are the last apparitions on earth. What would you say to those who try to re-qualify that Our Lady didn’t really mean this, that this is not really what Our Lady said?

A: I say always, for us, who accept Our Lady’s words, this is a big grace…for other, we must pray. Here, we receive many graces and so for other people to be close with Our Lady, to live Our Lady’s messages, we must pray more and more everyday for them that they become more and more closer to God. And through Our Lady, as with us, God will become the center of their life. Not only is holiness for priests, but also for mothers and fathers and others. In this way, holiness spreads as Our Lady invites us all here in Medjugorje.

Q: So, what do you say in regards to the importance of those who can come be in the presence of Our Lady in Alabama – for your visit and for Our Lady’s apparitions?

A: What I always say. To be ready to pray. Come and be ready to open your heart to Our Lady’s messages, and that Our Lady will help us all the more every day.

Q: So, what would you tell people in preparation for the pilgrimage to Alabama?

A: To prepare through prayer and sacrifice. Make sure you give Our Lady many prayers each day before you come.

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THIRTY SIXTH AND LAST MEDITATION
FOR LENT

And it came to pass that when they were there, her days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first born son and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger: because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2: 6-7)

There is place for everyone, there is no place for Jesus Christ! The world begins to reject and despise our Divine Savior even before His birth. The Man-God is reduced to be born in a stable, while mere men are born in palaces. What were, then, the sentiments of Jesus Christ at seeing Himself so badly lodged, and what must still be His sentiments in our days at seeing Himself so badly received, while many Christians are lodged in magnificent houses? Do the sacred vessels which continually contain Jesus Christ, do the holy places where He resides, correspond to the sumptuous magnificence which appears in the houses and in the furniture of people of the world? But at least, would that Jesus Christ did not find Himself so often in impure souls and in hearts sullied by a thousand sins! I know, O my Savior, that Thy delights are to be in a pure heart; purify my heart then in order that Thou mayest find Thy delights there that I may have henceforth the pleasure of receiving Thee less unworthily. Inflame this heart of mine with Thy pure love; may Thy Sacred Heart come and take the place of mine, and let mine henceforth be so intimately united to Thine that our two hearts may have henceforth always the same sentiments. Amen.

[From 'The Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus' by Fr. John Croiset, SJ]

The Fire of My Love "Be Open To His Love" by Rita Ring, January 6, 1994

Be Open To His Love

January 6, 1994 3:00 a.m.

Jesus: I love you with such intensity. The feeling you have in your chest is indeed My great love for you. Hold on to this and know how much I truly love you.

You are chosen by Me to write here. I want you to share your intimacy with Me. I want to be close to all My children. Do not hold back. It is your openness to others about this that will lead so many to great intimacy with Me. I am truly here, little one, and I love you for your openness. I am using you to lead others to Me and in union with Me. Do not worry of such revelations. I am guarding you, My precious one. I love you so intently. The incense on your hands is a sign of My constant presence with you.

Don't question. You need to be so assured that I am here constantly. Talk about Me. Open yourself up and do not be afraid. It is your openness that will lead many hearts to intimacy with Me. I am guarding you, little one. Let go now of everything and focus only on Me and My love. Make a Spiritual Communion and come to Me. Come with such love and longing for your Love, your true Love, the one, true God. I am here blessing you. Receive Me into your spirit. I love you.

http://www.sofc.org/

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #534

And apprehending Jesus, they led him to the high priest's house. But Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall and were sitting about it, Peter was in the midst of them. Whom when a certain servant maid had seen sitting at the light and had earnestly beheld him, she said: This man also was with him. But he denied him, saying: "Woman, I know him not." And after a little while, another seeing him, said: "Thou also art one of them." But Peter said: "O man, I am not." And after the space, as it were of one hour, another certain man affirmed, saying: "Of a truth, this man was also with him: for he is also a Galilean." And Peter said: "Man, I know not what thou sayest." And immediately, as he was yet speaking, the cock crew. And the Lord turning looked on Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, as he had said: "Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny thrice." And Peter going out, wept bitterly. (Luke 22:54-62)

THE COMPASSION OF JESUS: In the midst of His sufferings Jesus, while tormented by His enemies and unjustly condemned to death, forgot Himself and thought of His fallen apostle, and sought to recall and convert him by His glance. He did not upbraid him, nor punish him, but cast on him one look of love and compassion to bring him to a knowledge of his sin, and to kindle in him the hope of forgiveness. O, how unfathomable is the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus!

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

(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)