TEACHINGS TO LIFT YOU UP by RITA RING Post 31, October 18, 1993

Come and Let Me Fill You

October 18, 1993 Early Morning 

Jesus speaks: My little ones, peace, love and joy. All this is from Me. You need to hold on to My hand and feel My presence with you. I am the way, I am the truth, I am the light. I come to you in a bed of peace.

Your light is growing dim. You need to be charged by Me. Come and be with Me, My little flower. Come and sit with Me alone. Put your trust totally in Me. Don't listen to others. I give you all you need. I am your God. You are My chosen daughter. Come and be filled by Me. I am Jesus, your love. I never leave you, even though you feel so empty. Come and let Me fill you. I am Jesus, Son of the Living God. All who are weary, come and I give you rest.

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #410

Jesus, therefore, when he saw her weeping, and the Jews that were come with her weeping, groaned in the spirit and troubled himself, And said: "Where have you laid him?" They say to him: "Lord, come and see." And Jesus wept. The Jews therefore said: "Behold how he loved him." (John 11:33-36)

THE COMPASSION OF THE HEART OF JESUS: "And Jesus wept."

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

Mark Mallett

—Spiritual Food For Thought—

Persecution! (Spiritual Tsunami)

I will take my stand to watch, and station myself on the tower, and look forth to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint. And the LORD answered me: "Write the vision; make it plain upon tablets, so he may run who reads it." (Habakkuk 2:1-2)

IN the wake of the 2008 U.S. and Canadian elections, something has "lifted" further in the spiritual realm.

There has been a surge of rage against the Church in America, particularly from among gays. Protests against democratic measures to keep marriage as defined between a man and a woman have taken a sudden, bold turn. Christians who have shown up to pray or counter-protest have been kicked, shoved, sexually assaulted, urinated on, and even had death threats uttered against them according to witnesses and video. Perhaps most surreal was the scene in California where a grandmother’s cross was thrown to the ground and trampled by demonstrators who began to incite fellow demonstrators to "fight." Ironically, across the world, the Hungarian parliament has just passed laws prohibiting "degrading or intimidating behavior" toward homosexuals.

It is all perhaps a distant echo of the outright persecution occurring in India where bishops are warning that there is a ‘master plan to wipe out Christianity.’ Iraq is also seeing a surge in anti-Christian activity as North Korean faithful continue to endure prison camps and martyrdom as the dictatorship there also attempts to ‘wipe out Christianity.’

One of the top Cardinals in the Vatican Curia stated what is a central message repeated often on this site: the entire Church may be about to enter her own Passion:

For the next few years, Gethsemane will not be marginal. We will know that garden. —James Francis Cardinal Stafford referring to the outcome of the USA elections; Major Penitentiary of the Apostolic Penitentiary of the Holy See, www.LifeSiteNews.com, November 17, 2008

For this reason, I have updated and republished the writing below from December 2005 which relates very much to these current events. It was one of the first writings in a "prophetic flower" which is now rapidly unfolding…

Continue reading here: http://www.markmallett.com/blog/?p=11

TEACHINGS TO LIFT YOU UP by RITA RING Post 30, October 17, 1993

Sacred Heart picture of Jesus weeping blood, village of Camurlim in Salcete, India

Do My Work

October 17, 1993

Jesus speaks: I come and you open the doors of your heart. I enter and you are made whole. Your hungry soul thirsts for only that which I can give. Open the gates. Let Me enter and wash you with My Blood. My Blood is the Blood of salvation. Nothing in this world can compare to My Blood. It is there for you, it cleans you, it feeds you. It is your all. Come and be nourished by Me. I have all you need.

Your time is not your time. I loan it to you. I loan you your time to do My work. This is your day, but it is My day to work in you. You are doing as you ought. You feel tired and worn out and you wonder why. My work is work. It is not a puffy little job. It is a big job. It is the most important thing you do. You keep doing My work and then wonder why you are exhausted. My work is hard. It is struggling up a hill in a world that has lost its way. People are closed. The world is pulling you everyplace but to Me and then you wonder why the exhaustion. You pray many hours a day and talk many more trying to sell My wares. It is hard work. People reject you. They are closed. They are not of Me. They are all busy with their stupid earthly lives. I sit and watch and they are so blind. What good does it do a man to run down a road if it is the wrong one. Hold tight, My little flower. You are doing My work and it is tedious. It is hard work. It is the best work to do. Do not wear yourself out talking on the phone. Plant My seeds and be on your way. Others must do their own seeking of Me. You only lead them to the water. You do not have to stand around and see if they will drink or not and prompt them to do so. They must read My messages and come to Me for their feeding.

You do not feed your brothers all their food. You plant the seeds. They come to Me and they are fed by Me. Hold tight to all you are doing. It is hard, hard work. I am giving you strength. Each day is a day's work, indeed. No one but I knows how much work you do in a day. You have touched a lot of hearts in one day. Be glad as each day unfolds. Be glad I am using you as My instrument to reach many. Know that this is work. You should be tired at the end of the day. I am your God and I love you, My little one. I play the organ at Mass with you. I love the music. I love people to sing. It is of great comfort to Me and My mother for all the singing. Keep singing and playing. It is so soothing to our hurt hearts. I love to hear My children sing. I love you all so much!

Keep spreading My word and doing My work. You feel tired because it is indeed work, but I will supply you with extra energy and blessings for all you do. I need you to do this work for Me. You always bounce back and go full steam ahead. That is Me! All of a sudden you are refreshed and wonder what happened. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, but I have all the power. The very hairs of your head are numbered. I give you strength when you are doing My work. Oh, how I love you. I am pleased with your work. Your weariness is worth it. I will give you a bath in My love and you will go and feel like flying. I am your love, little, one. Thank you.

Man is not the master of eternity

VATICAN - AVE MARIA: Mgr Luciano Alimandi -

Man is not the master of eternity

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - How many talents we have received and continue to receive from the Lord; who can ever count them? Beginning with the gift of life, our existence on this earth is studded with "gifts-talents", natural and supernatural, entrusted to us by the good Lord, first of all for our good, that we may make them bear fruit, by living them and putting them at the service of the Giver of the gifts and our neighbour.

As the Holy Father Benedict XVI said, talents multiply when they are given to others: "yes, the gift Christ give us is multiplied when we share it! It is a treasure to be spent, invested, share with everyone, as we are taught by that great administrator of the talents of Jesus, St Paul the Apostle " (Benedict XVI, Angelus 16 November 2008).

Talents can be multiplied: "prayer" by praying; "faith" when we witness; "love" when we love; "consolation" when we console; "mercy" when we forgive… The list could continue and become very long, because the Lord is never "restrained", as we are, in giving and, above all, in giving Himself. His only limit is to have no limit. It is his creatures who with the choice of life, decide to multiply or bury the talent-gifts He offers them with such forbearance and magnanimity.

"Lord what do you wish me to do"? How much discernment is necessary to discover the talent of a "vocation"! This one, after the talent of life, is the most precious of all, because, if we take the right path, the path for which the Lord created and called us, then the gifts He has reserved for us, which He has written in the history of our vocation, will develop precisely in the measure of this call. If a young man realizes in his heart that the Lord is calling him to the priesthood and, after much prayer, sees that this is the central "talent" of his life, and he decides to follow Jesus, on his path he will see for himself how much fruit that talent will bring for himself and for everyone. And what is the best fruit, the most desired fruit? Jesus himself! He is the goal of our talents. Whether called to the priesthood or another vocation, all Christians have one final and absolute goal, the Lord Jesus.

Benedict XVI, again commenting the parable of the talents during the Angelus meditation said: "the Word of God this Sunday … speaks of 'man about to go abroad who summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them' (Mt 25,14). The man in the parable represents Christ, the servants are his disciples and the talents are gifts which Jesus entrusts to them. Therefore these gifts, besides natural qualities, represent the riches which the Lord Jesus left us as a legacy, that we may make them bear fruit: his Word deposited in the holy Gospel; Baptism, which renews us in the Holy Spirit; prayer - the 'Our Father' - which we lift up to God as sons and daughters united in the Son; his forgiveness, which he commanded us to carry to all people; the sacrament of his Body given up and his Blood shed. In a word: the Kingdom of God, which is Jesus in person, present and living in our midst".

Jesus is the Talent par excellence. He gives himself to each of us in baptism, and we decide whether or not to let Him grow in our life, like the vine joined to a branch: " As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself, unless it remains part of the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. " (Jn 15, 4). Jesus teaches us the secret for making the Talent and talents bear fruit: " 'If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow me " (Lk 9, 23). If on this path we want to be 'cunning that is, to live our belonging to Christ only in appearance, then: there will be no fruits; our friendship with Jesus will not flourish; we will never be 'captured' by Christ, indeed we will try to capture Him; we will not be 'servants', indeed we may even take the place of the master, the master of our life, and the life of other people … With such selfish logic we will run off track, because no one can deceive God.

The Gospel tells us that on several occasions the Scribes and the Pharisees sought to deceive Jesus, thinking that he was a fallible man like themselves. They were so terribly wrong. We can deceive others and even ourselves, but not the Lord! Our life will speak and we shall be judged for our deeds: if we have given our life, our vocation and our talents to Jesus, for our salvation and the salvation of all souls, then from Him we will receive the eternal reward; if we have been miserly with ourselves, with the gifts received, if we have buried our vocation, then, like the rich glutton, we will suffer in torment (cfr. Lc 16, 19-31).

How many words of Jesus tell us about the reward given to the just and the punishment reserved for the evil! We cannot deceive ourselves: God is merciful, but He is also just: " because the standard you use will be the standard used for you" (Lk 6, 38). Besides this passage on God's justice we could cite many others and we would be speechless to hear how we will be judged.

The true measure for Christians, for our decisions, our desires, is eternal life, which starts here on earth. The things of heaven must be the foundation of things here below, because they are the things which decide the goodness of the latter, not vice versa. It is God who will judge mankind at the end of time, even though here on earth, it is often men who pass judgement on God! This is why Christians cannot fail to invoke divine mercy, every day for themselves and for all men and women, turning to the Mediatrix of the human race, the Most Blessed Virgin Mother, with the words of the Ave Maria: "… Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen!"

(Agenzia Fides 19/11/2008)

[MaryVitamin] Preparing for the Presentation

Topic: Presentation of Mary in the Temple (November 21)

 

Quote:

"There never was, and never will be, an offering on the part of a pure creature greater or more perfect than that which Mary made to God when, at the age of three years, she presented herself in the temple to offer him, not aromatical spices, nor calves, nor gold, but her entire self, consecrating herself as a perpetual victim in his honor."

St. Alphonsus di Liguori, The Glories of Mary, (Tan Books: 1978), 337.

 

Meditation:

Part of St. Francis de Sales' sermon for the Presentation of Mary in the Temple.

"Let us pass on now to the third point, which is the absolute surrender of our glorious Mistress to the Divine Majesty. It is thus that we must give ourselves totally to the Lord because the Saviour does not want us to do what He Himself cannot do—which is to give Himself to us partially. His goodness is so great that He wishes to give Himself to us totally. Similarly, He desires, and it is only just that we give ourselves to Him without reserve. […]

There remains what is most difficult to give up, yourself, your own will. It must be annihilated entirely, without reserve. "

The Sermons of St. Francis de Sales on Our Lady, (Tan Books:1985), 44.

 

Our Lady, even at the tender age of three, was well advanced in the paths of holiness. She well understood the desires of God. She did not try to hand Him things, but rather Her own heart, Immaculate and pure.

 

Resolution:

Today I will imitate Our Lady's gift of self. Today I will think of Our Lady standing in the Temple seemingly empty handed but actually giving to God the greatest gift any creature has ever offered. Today, when I pass the crucifix, I will show my empty hands to the Lord on the cross and imitate Our Lady's offering of her Heart.

 

Marian Vow:

St. Francis de Sales

God is not satisfied with our offerings when they are not accompanied by that of our own heart, … the Divine Majesty asks first for our heart. 'My son, give Me your heart' [Prov. 23:26], says this incomparable Goodness, and after that your offerings will be pleasing to Me."

The Sermons of St. Francis de Sales on Our Lady, (Tan Books:1985), 44.

 

I will tap my heart in remembering my Marian Vow.

 

 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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Visit Your Group

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #409

Martha therefore, as soon as she heard that Jesus was come, went to meet him: but Mary sat at home. Martha therefore said to Jesus: "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But now also I know that whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee." Jesus saith to her: "Thy brother shall rise again." Martha saith to him: "I know that he shall rise again, in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her: "I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, although he be dead, shall live: And every one that liveth and believeth in me shall not die for ever. Believest thou this?" She saith to him: "Yea, Lord, I have believed that thou art Christ, the Son of the living God, who art come into this world." (John 11:20-27)

THE CHIEF DOCTRINE OF CHRISTIANITY is the Divinity of Jesus Christ. It was because Martha believed that Jesus was the Son of the living God that she also believed His words: "I am the resurrection and the life," although she probably did not understand their full meaning.

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

TEACHINGS TO LIFT YOU UP by RITA RING Post 29, October 16, 1993

I Am He Who Walks by Your Side

October 16, 1993

Jesus speaks: The way to Me is the way of the cross. Stay fixed on Me. Pray. Sacrifice and be with Me. This is the way and the only way. The world tells you to go and find gratification here. I say nothing on the face of this earth gives you any gratification. Gratification comes from Me and the children I have created and My light operating out of them. To seek senseless gratification in things leads to momentary pleasure which is useless. You must find all things in their relationship to Me. To seek pleasure anywhere on the face of this earth separate from Me is to seek sin. I am God. My light and goodness shines in My children. Come be with Me. Come and share My love in each other. Come and know My ways are not rooted in this world. My ways are found only in Me. My ways are found in others who spend time with Me and fill themselves up with Me and reflect My presence and love in their being. Nothing else is of any account. Come and worship and be with Me. I am so good. I give you all you need. Let fear and anxiety go. It is so useless. Man cannot harm you. Your root is strong in Me. They may bruise your leaves or even bite at your branches, but you snap back because your roots are thick and prosperous when they are rooted in Me. No man has the least power over you when you are rooted in Me because no man has any power over Me. Satan gets his power from people who let him use them, but it is a false power. No one can get at the heart of you, your very essence, because I am all powerful. Smile, My child, you aren't tired. You are charged and ready for the slaughter. Slaughter you, this world does, but be of no avail to that which goes on around you. I am He Who makes you strong. I am He Who feeds you. I am He Who protects you. I am He Who walks by your side and, though the earth be shaken and the stars and sun cease to shine, I am still steadfastly by your side giving you the strength you need in this troubled world. I love you with such intensity. Focus on My love, not your fear. That is Satan. My love is power. It is there for you. Nothing can touch you now or ever. Little one, don't doubt. You let Satan in to prompt you. Cast him out. Let his teeth gnash. You needn't ever listen to his sick truths! He aims to stop you. You focus on My love. Your roots are steadfast in Me, but you must come to Me and be charged or he gets to you. You need a full battery. In this world, only the tabernacle provides this for you. I am your God and I love you, little one. Hold tight to this.

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #408

Jesus therefore again groaning in himself, cometh to the sepulchre. Now it was a cave; and a stone was laid over it. Jesus saith: "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith to him: "Lord, by this time he stinketh, for he is now of four days." Jesus saith to her: "Did not I say to thee that if thou believe, thou shalt see the glory of God?" They took therefore the stone away. And Jesus lifting up his eyes, said: "Father, I give thee thanks that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people who stand about have I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me." When he had said these things, he cried with a loud voice: "Lazarus, come forth." And presently he that had been dead came forth, bound feet and hands with winding bands. And his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus said to them: "Loose him and let him go." Many therefore of the Jews, who were come to Mary and Martha and had seen the things that Jesus did, believed in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them the things that Jesus had done. The chief priests, therefore, and the Pharisees gathered a council and said: "What do we, for this man doth many miracles? If we let him alone so, all will believe in him; and the Romans will come, and take away our place and nation." But one of them, named Caiphas, being the high priest that year, said to them: "You know nothing. Neither do you consider that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people and that the whole nation perish not." And this he spoke not of himself: but being the high priest of that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation. And not only for the nation, but to gather together in one the children of God that were dispersed. From that day therefore they devised to put him to death. (John 11:38-53)

THE CAUSES OF UNBELIEF: The impressions produced by the miracle of the raising of Lazarus from the dead were very different. Many believed in Him now who had not believed before; and for them the miracle worked salvation. The Pharisees and their followers could not deny the fact of the miracle, but they believed none the more in our Lord's divine mission, and the wonderful miracle only served to harden them in their obstinate incredulity--once more grace knocked at their hearts for the last time by the means of this stupendous miracle which even they could not deny; but so blinded were they by their hatred and envy of Jesus, that they resisted and shut out the true knowledge of Him which was, as it were, forced on them. They had to admit that our Lord did "many miracles;" but this undeniable fact so increased their hatred, that they could not even bring themselves to pronounce His name, but called Him "this man." Though they owned that He worked the miracles they did not draw the logical conclusion that therefore they must believe in Him, but, on the contrary, the illogical conclusion that therefore they must kill Him! However wonderful the miracles He might work, one thing was certain, they would not believe in Him! The Messiah must die, or else their own position would be injured, and their hypocrisy unmasked! "If we let Him alone," said they, "all men will believe in Him." They even wished to put Lazarus to death, "because many of the Jews by reason of him went away and believed in Jesus" (John 12:11). Pride, envy and love of power combined to blind these men, and destroy their souls by reason of their unbelief. Pride and envy are capital sins.

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

TEACHINGS TO LIFT YOU UP by RITA RING Post 28, October 16, 1993

My Child, Don't Listen to Satan

October 16, 1993 

Jesus speaks: You are with Me, child. Lighten up and feel My presence. I am your true Savior. I am with you in the silence. You are doing as you should. Breathe in Me and out fear. No matter what happens, you have Me as your savior and lover. All else is insignificant! Trust in Me, My little scared baby. Release all fear. Satan is the king of fear, doubt, hate, division and worry. I am the master of love and union and strength. All things work in Me. Focus on Me and My entire divine presence here. You are finally with Me, little one, all alone. What a golden opportunity and Satan is trying to create problems in your mind to keep us apart. Let go of all his prompting. Be with Me. I love you so. Your problems are nothing. I am here. I will protect you from his lies. Be with Me, little one. I love you so. Put all doubt and worry aside. I am your God and I love you so.

Well, as I said in another place, Fr, Robert has given me permission to start a new MMP Cenacle Prayer Group, so yesterday (Monday) morning after Mass at St. Pat's I met with some of the parishioners who pray the Rosary in church each day and asked who would like to be a member of the Cenacle. Surprisingly, three or four ladies and one man were interested. So then we decided that Mondays after Mass would be the meeting day. I explained that each Cenacle is named after Our Lady such as "Our Lady of the Rosary" etc., and I read off some of the names of other Cenacles in the MMP Directory. One of the daughters of a new member said "How about that name you just said, Mystical Rose?" We all agreed that that was a beautiful name and I guess we will name our Cenacle "Our Lady, Mystical Rose." The the young girl said: "My middle name is Rose!" I thought that was really sweet. By the way, as a coincidence, today is the Feast of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, a missionary Nun to America. Here is a short biography from EWTN:

Rose Philippine Duchesne came to the wilds of North America when anything west of Pittsburgh was considered uncharted wilderness. She came up the Mississippi to Missouri and established a school at St. Charles as early as 1818, while St. Elizabeth Seton was doing her work in the eastern United States. She is the foundress of the American branch of the Society of the Sacred Heart.

She was born in Grenoble, France, in 1769, her father a successful businessman. She was educated by the Visitation nuns and, although her father opposed her decision, she entered the Visitation Order in 1788, in the middle of the French Revolution. She was not able to make her profession because of the disruption of the Revolution and had to return home when the Visitation sisters were expelled from their convents.

During the Revolution, she cared for the sick and poor, helped fugitive priests, visited prisons, and taught children. After the Revolution, she tried to reorganize the Visitation community but was unsuccessful, so she offered the empty convent to St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, foundress of the Society of the Sacred Heart, and entered the Sacred Heart Order herself. When the bishop of New Orleans, William Du Bourg, requested nuns for his huge Louisiana diocese, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne came to the United States, arriving in New Orleans in 1818.

She and her four nuns were sent to St. Charles, Missouri, where she immediately opened a school; then at Florissant, she built a convent, an orphanage, a parish school, a school for Indians, a boarding academy, and a novitiate for her order. In 1827, she was in St. Louis where she founded an orphanage, a convent, and a parish school. Her energy and ideas were prodigious. When she was seventy-two years old, she founded a mission school for Indian girls in Kansas and spent much of her time there nursing the sick.

Her last years were spent at St. Charles, a model and inspiration to those around her, facing all the hardships of pioneer work. She died on November 18, 1852, at the age of eighty-three and was canonized in 1988. She was truly the "missionary of the American frontier," one that her beloved Potawatomi Indians called , "Woman-who-prays-always."

Thought for the Day: Setback after setback after setback, even into old age! This woman of bronze—St. Rose Philippine Duchesne—let nothing stop her, nothing discourage her, nothing slow her down. We can do almost anything for God if we refuse to be discouraged and are willing to pay the price: the price is something called holiness.

In imitation to St. Rose, let us also "pray always", especially the Rosary and united with the Marian Movement of Priests world-wide!

WORDS FROM THE POPE:

VATICAN - "The work in the great vineyard of the Lord is in need of 'christifideles laici' who, like the Most Holy Virgin Mary, pronounce and live a 'fiat' to the plan of God in their lives," the Holy Father tells the Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Laity

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - "Every situation, circumstance, and activity in which the unity between faith and life can shine, is entrusted to the responsibility of the faithful laity, moved by the desire to communicate the gift of encountering Christ and the certainty of the dignity of the human person. They are entrusted with the task of bearing witness to charity, especially with the poorest, those who most suffer, and those most in need, as well as assuming every Christian task meant to create conditions of greater justice and peace in human coexistence, and open up new horizons to the Gospel!" With these words, the Holy Father Benedict XVI addressed participants in the 23rd Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, whom he received in audience on November 15. The Pope asked that the Pontifical Council for the Laity "to use diligent pastoral care in seeing to the formation, testimony, and collaboration of the lay faithful, in the most diverse situations in which the authentic human decency of life in society is at stake." In a particular manner, the Pope referred to "the urgent need for formation according to the Gospel and pastoral accompaniment for a new generation of Catholics involved in politics, that they may be coherent with the faith they profess, with moral rigor, capable of cultural judgment, professional competence, and passion for serving the common good."

In his address, the Holy Father cited the theme of the Plenary Assembly: "Twenty years after 'Christifideles laici': memory, development, new challenges and tasks," recalling some of the issues in the document. The Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles laici, "defined as the magna carta of the Catholic laity of our times," fruit of the VII Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in 1987, on the vocation and mission of the laity, is a an organic reassessment of Vatican Council II's teaching on the laity that "guides the discernment, reflection, and direction of the laity's commitment in the Church."

The Pope cited the development of the participation of the laity in many dioceses, recalling that "the active awareness of the charismatic dimension of the Church has led to an appreciation for both the simplest charisms that God's Providence bestows on people, as well as those that show a great spiritual, educational, and missionary fruitfulness." Pope Benedict XVI especially thanked the Pontifical Council for the Laity "for their work in the last decade, of welcoming, accompanying, discerning, recognizing, and encouraging these ecclesial associations, favoring a deepening in their Catholic identity, helping them to more fully enter into the great tradition and living fabric of the Church, and supporting their missionary developments."

"To refer to the Catholic laity," the Pope said, "means to make reference to a countless group of baptized persons, working in many different situations to grow as disciples and witnesses of the Lord and discover and experience the beauty of the truth and the joy of being Christians. The current cultural and social conditions makes this kind of apostolic activity even more urgently necessary, so as fully to share the treasure of grace and sanctity, of charity, doctrine, culture and works of which the Catholic tradition is composed. The new generations are not only the chief recipients of such transmission, ... but also those whose hearts await proposals of truth and happiness to which to render Christian witness, as already happens in such a marvelous way." Recalling World Youth Day in Sydney, the Pope encouraged the Pontifical Council for the Laity to "continue the work of this providential pilgrimage of youth in the name of Christ, working towards for the promotion of an authentic formation and pastoral ministry among the youth wherever they are."

Later, reflecting on the work of the Pontifical Council of the Laity on the dignity and participation of women in the life of the Church and society, Benedict XVI said: "Christian women need awareness and courage to face demanding tasks, for which, however, they do not lack the support of a strong inclination to holiness, special prudence in discerning the cultural currents of our time, and the unique passion for caring for others that is characteristic of them. Never will enough be said as to how much the Church recognizes, appreciates, and values the participation of women in her mission at the service of the Gospel."

The Pope concluded his address, recalling that "the work in the great vineyard of the Lord is in need of 'christifideles laici' who, like the Most Holy Virgin Mary, pronounce and live a 'fiat' to the plan of God in their lives." (SL) (Agenzia Fides 17/11/2008)

Links:
Complete text of the Holy Father's address, in Italian
http://www.evangelizatio.org/portale/adgentes/pontefici/pontefice.php?id=1279

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #407

Martha therefore, as soon as she heard that Jesus was come, went to meet him: but Mary sat at home. Martha therefore said to Jesus: "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But now also I know that whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee." Jesus saith to her: "Thy brother shall rise again." Martha saith to him: "I know that he shall rise again, in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her: "I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, although he be dead, shall live: And every one that liveth and believeth in me shall not die for ever. Believest thou this?" She saith to him: "Yea, Lord, I have believed that thou art Christ, the Son of the living God, who art come into this world." (John 11:20-27)

THE NECESSITY OF FAITH: "He that believeth in Me, although he be dead, shall live." It follows, therefore, that he who does not believe will not attain to eternal life.

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

FROM MARK MALLETT:

The Restrainer

St. Michael the Archangel — Michael D. O’Brien

This writing was first posted in December of 2005. It is one of the core writings on this site which has unfolded into the others. I have updated it and resubmit it today. This is a very important word… it places into context so many things unfolding rapidly in the world today; and I hear this word again with fresh ears.

Now, I know that many of you are tired. Many of you are finding it difficult to read these writings for they deal with troubling subjects which are necessary to unmask evil. I understand (perhaps more than I’d like to.) But the image which came to me this morning was that of the Apostles falling asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane. They were overcome with grief and just wanted to close their eyes and forget it all. I hear Jesus once again saying to you and I, His followers:

Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you many not undergo the test. (Luke 22:46)

Continue reading here: http://www.markmallett.com/blog/?p=152

TEACHINGS TO LIFT YOU UP by RITA RING Post 27, October 14, 1993

The Good Shepherd

October 15, 1993 - 1:45p.m.

Jesus speaks: Come to Me, My little lamb. You are so dear to Me. I make this day for you to enjoy My air, hear the birds, see the glory in the autumn day with all its beautiful color. You are so favored. If I make this for you on earth to enjoy, how much more I will give you in heaven. I am the God of this universe. I am in everything I have created. I have given you all the little worms and all the leaves. I have given you all that you see that is in nature. I am such a good God and I love you so much. Trust in Me and know I never leave your side and I am present in all you do. But you must come and be filled by Me. I appreciate your sacrifices. The very hairs of your head are numbered. I make the crooked ways straight and I bless you in all your trials. Every day I sit and am attentive to all your cares, like the greatest lover. I watch by your side and I never slumber or sleep. I am there, watching you and guarding you and I tell you all the little promptings in your head. How would I know if I am not right with you always, guarding you from the trouble ahead? How many times I push a truck from your path. By all rights, you should be dead, but who knows how you and the truck did not crash in the same space. I do. I made you come out of it unharmed. I guarded you.

I wait for you. I long for you. I am He Who never leaves you and never takes a vacation. I tell you all you need to know in your head. I am not talking to some and not to others. I am talking to all in the silence of their hearts. I do not love some of My children better than others. I love you all so much. I wait and wait for each child to come and when they stay away and hurt, I am most hurt. I am the giver of all good gifts, yet you go to empty wells for that which you need and never find except in Me. I am the Good Shepherd. I know Mine and Mine know Me and I make Myself attentive to all My sheep. Some wander and insist on staying away. I try to get them to come home but they must graze other lands. Their hearts ache and they wander in darkness, never feeling satisfied, always searching, always unsettled, but never finding that which is right before them.

Oh children, I love you. You are lost and I seek you so diligently and you stay far from Me. You do not even speak My name. I am the Good Shepherd. You are little lost lambs. I want to hold you and caress you and take you to your home. I want you not to worry but to follow Me and you do your own things and are miserable inside. Come that you might have the life I give, life eternal, a life that is not even able to be understood by you, but is so much more than the most beautiful day. I watch. I wait. I never leave your side. You are little fearful lambs. What do you have to fear? Join My flock, feel My love, know My face and all I have to give you. You wander in a valley of darkness, ready to fall or bump your head or be really dumb, but you take the lumps and proceed on your willful little ways.

All works out in My plan. I am the Good Shepherd. I love My sheep. I watch out for them. I tend My flock. I sit patiently by you and I prompt you on what you must do but you do not listen. You do your own will. You create your own problems. You do not sit quietly with Me. Please come. I am waiting. Be converted to My ways and you are fed. I am the Good Shepherd. Come, little scared sheep. Come to Me and be saved.

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #406

Jesus said: "Where have you laid him?" They say to him: "Lord, come and see." And Jesus wept. The Jews therefore said: "Behold how he loved him." But some of them said: "Could not he that opened the eyes of the man born blind have caused that this man should not die?" Jesus therefore again groaning in himself, cometh to the sepulchre. Now it was a cave; and a stone was laid over it. Jesus saith: "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith to him: "Lord, by this time he stinketh, for he is now of four days." Jesus saith to her: "Did not I say to thee that if thou believe, thou shalt see the glory of God?" They took therefore the stone away. And Jesus lifting up his eyes, said: "Father, I give thee thanks that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people who stand about have I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me." When he had said these things, he cried with a loud voice: "Lazarus, come forth." And presently he that had been dead came forth, bound feet and hands with winding bands. And his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus said to them: "Loose him and let him go." Many therefore of the Jews, who were come to Mary and Martha and had seen the things that Jesus did, believed in him. (John 11:34-45)

THE ESPECIAL OBJECT OF THIS MIRACLE: The time of our Lord's Passion and Death was at hand, and He wrought this mighty miracle beforehand in order that the faith of His disciples, and more especially of His apostles, might be strengthened, and "that they might believe" and not doubt when they saw their Lord and Master in the hour of His abasement; and most of all to enable them to hope, when they saw His body laid in the sepulcher, that He who had raised up Lazarus would Himself rise again.

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

By "Anne," a Lay Apostle

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 – Ed. October 9, 2004 Jesus My dear little apostles must heed My words in all calm. I am sending you the clearest instructions so that you have a clear vision of your mission. We are pulling souls back into the safety of the Christian family. We do so with love. My dear ones, I love you. I call you into service in all love and through your service to Me you will gain the greatest of graces for the intentions you hold dear. Do not fear that you will lose by your service to the Kingdom. There is only gain possible for you. Give Me each of your concerns and begin. Walk each day in the knowledge that you are fulfilling God's holy will for you and fulfilling your role in the Kingdom. It is for this mission you were placed on earth at this time. Do not refuse Me. Say yes to Jesus. You will be filled with My Light. Step forward in faith and allow My divine understanding to come to you. October 11, 2004 Jesus My dear little apostles, I will always be with you. You walk in the world and My graces flow out from you. Because I confirm you in the Light, you spread heavenly light wherever you go. During this time you will begin to see this more clearly. This is a result of the vast amount of grace that is flowing through each one of you into your world. There will be those who will say that Christ's followers have always done this for the world. This is true, of course. But do not believe that these times are like other times. These times are different for many reasons. I am returning. The process has begun. Let none of My followers deny that I am working with a profound urgency. Despite the need for this urgency, I am also spreading a profound sense of calm and peace. All is well, little apostles. You have chosen wisely and you will serve heaven in all peace and trust. 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 #405

Jesus said to them: "Lazarus our friend sleepeth: but I go that I may awake him out of sleep." His disciples therefore said: "Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well." But Jesus spoke of his death: and they thought that he spoke of the repose of sleep. Then therefore Jesus said to them plainly: "Lazarus is dead. And I am glad, for your sakes; that I was not there, that you may believe. But, let us go to him." Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples: "Let us also go, that we may die with him."
Jesus therefore came: and found that he had been four days already in the grave. (Now Bethania was near Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off.) And many of the Jews were come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Martha therefore, as soon as she heard that Jesus was come, went to meet him: but Mary sat at home. Martha therefore said to Jesus: "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But now also I know that whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee." Jesus saith to her: "Thy brother shall rise again." Martha saith to him: "I know that he shall rise again, in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her: "I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, although he be dead, shall live: And every one that liveth and believeth in me shall not die for ever. Believest thou this?" She saith to him: "Yea, Lord, I have believed that thou art Christ, the Son of the living God, who art come into this world." And when she had said these things, she went and called her sister Mary secretly, saying: "The master is come and calleth for thee." She, as soon as she heard this, riseth quickly and cometh to him. For Jesus was not yet come into the town: but he was still in that place where Martha had met him. The Jews therefore, who were with her in the house and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up speedily and went out, followed her, saying: "She goeth to the grave to weep there." When Mary therefore was come where Jesus was, seeing him, she fell down at his feet and saith to him. "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." Jesus, therefore, when he saw her weeping, and the Jews that were come with her weeping, groaned in the spirit and troubled himself, And said: "Where have you laid him?" They say to him: "Lord, come and see." And Jesus wept.
The Jews therefore said: "Behold how he loved him." But some of them said: "Could not he that opened the eyes of the man born blind have caused that this man should not die?" Jesus therefore again groaning in himself, cometh to the sepulchre. Now it was a cave; and a stone was laid over it. Jesus saith: "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith to him: "Lord, by this time he stinketh, for he is now of four days." Jesus saith to her: "Did not I say to thee that if thou believe, thou shalt see the glory of God?" They took therefore the stone away. And Jesus lifting up his eyes, said: "Father, I give thee thanks that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people who stand about have I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me." When he had said these things, he cried with a loud voice: "Lazarus, come forth." And presently he that had been dead came forth, bound feet and hands with winding bands. And his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus said to them: "Loose him and let him go." Many therefore of the Jews, who were come to Mary and Martha and had seen the things that Jesus did, believed in him. (John 11:11-45)

THE DIVINITY OF OUR LORD JESUS: Throughout all this story our Lord spoke and acted as God.
a) He called Himself the Son of God, and said that He was the (author of the ) resurrection and the life.
b) He solemnly addressed God as His Father, thanking Him for having always heard Him; for the will of God the Father is one with the will of God the Son.
c) He accepted Martha's confession of faith: "I believe that Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God."
d) He manifested His omniscience by knowing that Lazarus was dead, though He was far from Bethania, and no one had brought Him the news of his death.
e) He revealed His omnipotence in the most glorious way, by calling back to life, by His sole word, a man who had been four days in the grave, and whose body was already corrupt. He called Lazarus not only from the grave but from corruption, overcoming death in the very midst of its work of devastation, and thus revealing Himself to all present as the very Lord of life and death--as the resurrection and the life. Our Lord worked this miracle before many witnesses. They had all known Lazarus, and they all knew that he was dead: many of them had seen him laid in the tomb, and the moldering decay of his body was perceptible to their senses, as they stood around the open grave: and, behold, by the mighty power of one omnipotent word he who was dead stood alive and in the full vigor of his manhood in their midst! Not even our Lord's bitterest enemies could deny the miracle!

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

TEACHINGS TO LIFT YOU UP by RITA RING Post 26, October 11, 1993

Be With Me

October 11, 1993

Jesus speaks: You are My child and I love you. I am with you in all you do. Trust in Me and feel My presence in you. Come to Me and be with Me. Relax, let go. I want to fill you. Be still, just you and Me, present together. There is no life without Me. I breathe life into your soul and you are filled to the brim. I make your life flowing with milk and honey. I am the God of this universe. I wait to share time with you. This is where it all is. Relax, this is your golden hour. Don't spend it thinking you should be anywhere else. You are with Me, alone here, and I am God. Think how you would be if a king were here. Well, there is not a king that comes close to Me. Treat Me with royalty, reverence. I am God and I am truly present in the tabernacle. I am your Savior, your lover, your best friend. This hour fills all the moments of the rest of your day. Do not waste one moment in enjoying all of its fruits. Soak in your time with Me. You are a battery ready to be charged. I charge you and you operate on this charge all day. Each moment must be focused on Me or you are unplugging yourself from My power and your time is useless. Focus on Me. Think hard. See Me and My face. Feel Me within your heart. I am your God and I love you so. Choose life that you might live. I give you My life. The life of your soul is in Me and I am ready to give it to you. My child, be with Me. Quit writing. I long to be with you. You are so dear to Me. I love You. Jesus.

http://www.sofc.org

The evil eye of envy

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #404

" The kingdom of heaven is like to an householder, who went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And having agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour, he saw others standing in the marketplace idle. And he said to them: 'Go you also into my vineyard, and I will give you what shall be just.' And they went their way. And again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did in like manner. But about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing, and he saith to them: ;Why stand you here all the day idle?' They say to him: 'Because no man hath hired us.' He saith to them: 'Go ye also into my vineyard.' And when evening was come, the lord of the vineyard saith to his steward: 'Call the labourers and pay them their hire, beginning from the last even to the first.' When therefore they were come that came about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first also came, they thought that they should receive more: And they also received every man a penny. And receiving it they murmured against the master of the house, Saying: 'These last have worked but one hour. and thou hast made them equal to us, that have borne the burden of the day and the heats.' But he answering said to one of them: 'friend, I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny? Take what is thine, and go thy way: I will also give to this last even as to thee. Or, is it not lawful for me to do what I will? Is thy eye evil, because I am good?' So shall the last be first and the first last. For many are called but few chosen." (Matt. 20:1-16)

THE HATEFULNESS OF ENVY: The envious sin 1. against brotherly love, because they do not heartily wish well to their neighbor, but grudge him the good things that he has. They sin 2. against the love of God, for in their hearts they find fault with Him, saying to themselves: "It is not just that God should give such and such things to that man!" Thus an envious man attacks the rights of God's own Majesty.

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