SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #590

And Jesus again crying with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And behold the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top even to the bottom: and the earth quaked and the rocks were rent. And the graves were opened: and many bodies of the saints that had slept arose, And coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, came into the holy city and appeared to many. (Matt. 27:50-53)

THE RENDERING OF THE ROCKS gives us an idea of the effect which the contemplation of our Lord's sufferings and death ought to produce on us. At the sight of our crucified Savior, our hearts ought to "quake" with terror at the evil of sin, and "heave" with pain at the thought of His sufferings; and they ought to be "rent" with contrition, even if they be hard as stone! They ought to open and cast off their dead works and sins by a good confession, and rise to a new life with Jesus Christ (St. Bernard).

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

[MaryVitamin] fervently and constantly

St. Bonaventure reveals to an astonished Aquinas the true secret of Christian wisdom.

Mary Vitamin for May 27th

 

Topic: Turning to Our Lady fervently and constantly

 

Quote:

St. Bonaventure

"She seeks for those who approach her devoutly and with reverence, for such she loves, nourishes and adopts as her own."

St. Alphonsus di Liguori, The Glories of Mary, (Tan Books), 131.

 

Meditation:

St. Claude de la Colombiere, S.J., the spiritual director to St. Margaret Mary Alocoque, explains the many ways in which we can be tempted away from God and what is the best method for staying close to God.

 

"It is strange how many enemies we have to encounter the moment we take the resolution of becoming a saint. Everything it seems is unloosed against us; the demon with his temptations, nature by the  resistance which she sets up against our good desires; the praises of  the good; the scoffing of the wicked, the feast of the Apostle, entreaties of the tepid. If God visits you, there is vanity to fear.  If He withdraws, timidity and despair may follow close upon the greatest fervor. Our

friends are a source of temptation because of  the desire we habitually have to please them; mere acquaintances, by  our fear of displeasing them. Indiscretion is to be feared if we are moderate, and self-love always. What, then, is to be done?"

 

"God  must do all. All the better for us. We must not fear that He will fail in

anything. All we have to do is to recognize our impotence,  and to be fervent and constant in asking for help through the  intercession of Mary, to whom He refuses nothing."

First Spiritual Retreat

 

Resolution:

"Remember O most gracious advocate, that never was it known, that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your assistance, or sought your intercession was left unaided."

 

St. Claude says that we can only be fervent and constant in asking for Mary's help through the grace of God.  Today, I will ask for this grace in the Memorare.

 

Marian Vow:

Marian Seraphic Pathways

"Care should be taken not to deprive oneself of or neglect those aids which the knowledge and experience of the saints present as useful and even indispensable for a rapid journey to the heights of seraphic perfection. It is a genuine grace of the Immaculate to find those aids, and it is necessary to pray that they be conceded to all and esteemed by all without hesitation or reservations. At issue here, in fact, is our sanctification, on which depends the salvation of many."

Directory, #70

 

 I give this resolution to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

 

Thanks be to God for graces received.

 

Related sites: Castle of the Immaculate, Mary Vitamin Twitter & AirMaria

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Blessings+

Deacon John

Sent from Mt Dora, Florida, United States

The Fire of My Love "With Jesus: Intense Longing, Never Emptiness" by Rita Ring, February 13, 1994

With Jesus: Intense Longing, Never Emptiness

February 13, 1994 10:00 p.m.

R. This is how it is with Jesus: if He loves me so intently, all I need is to love Him with all my heart and we create a union. He is a sure thing. We fade in and out and this hurts His aching heart. If I love you unconditionally, and one day you love me and one day you do not, then it hurts my heart. He wants our steadfast love.

To love someone in little glimpses, but not be able to behold Him, this is our love with Jesus. We do not touch, we do not even see His face, we only have a silent love affair to be actualized at some point. To know that some day we will be united totally to Him, we will forever be with Him! This is longing! When you love someone, you long for total union, to be with that person constantly, to see that person's face, to embrace and love that person.

We must suffer this separation from Jesus now--to know Him a little, but never enough, to want to see Him, but only love Him silently. This is the only way I can be with Jesus now. I must accept this because this is all I can have now. He gives us close moments of His love sometimes, but the heart expresses many emotions: joy, sorrow, longing, wanting, emptiness. With Jesus there is intense longing, never emptiness, an ache in your heart for more, but inability to stop it.

Teach Us to Love You and One Another (A Prayer)

Lord, give me all I need to have a closer union with You. Possess my soul, permeate my being, use me as Your vessel to do Your work. Satan constantly wants us to demand the ways of ourselves. Let me die to self and think first of Your glory. Let me reach with my soul and not my body to know You more. Open me to the realm of the soul. Holy Spirit, Spirit of love, teach me how to love all people spiritually. Teach me the ways to love. I am Your child. I reach out to You to give me these gifts.

Spirit of love, teach me Your way of love. Teach me to love as God wants me to love. Teach me to love God as You so desire. Teach me all I need to love You and my neighbor. I love You, God.

http://www.sofc.org/

National Pilgrimage for the Family to the Our Lady of Aparecida Shrine (Brazil)

AMERICA/BRAZIL - National Pilgrimage for the Family to the Aparecida Shrine: "We ask the Blessed Virgin to extend her mantel over the families of Brazil, which are increasingly in need of her protection."

Aparecida (Agenzia Fides) – Nearly 30,000 people participated in a Mass celebrated this past Sunday, May 24, in the Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida (Brazil), for the National Pilgrimage for the Family (see Fides 20/4/2009). Organized by the Bishops' Commission for Life and the Family, of the Brazilian Bishops' Conference (CNBB), with the theme "The Family, Disciple and Missionary at the Service of Life," the pilgrimage's main objective was to awaken consciences to the importance and value of the family in the midst of the current crises, as well as foster the family bonds present in the General Directives of the Evangelization of the Church in Brazil and the Aparecida Document. The CNBB decided on this date, as May has been chosen by the United Nations as the "Month of the Family." The religious importance of Aparecida for Brazil and the fact that Mary is the patron of the city, contributed to its being chosen to host the event, which was aired on Catholic programming all over the country.

According to the program of activities on Saturday, May 23, there was a Mass at 7pm in the National Basilica, followed by a torchlight procession. On Sunday, there was a Family Festival. At 8am, there was a Mass in the Basilica, followed by the Festival, featuring testimonies and musical presentations.

"We come to ask the Mother of God and Our Mother to extend her mantel over the families of Brazil, which are increasingly in need of her protection, on account of the great challenges they face in these days," said Archbishop Geraldo Lyrio Rocha of Mariana, President of the CNBB, in his homily on May 24. In his homily, he pointed out that the family "is the place for learning virtues, values, criteria, and attitudes essential in authentic social living." He also mentioned that the family only exists in a marriage between a man and a woman and therefore, "should not be confused with other forms of coexistence."

In order to strengthen the institution of the family, the President of the CNBB said in his homily, "there should be an intense and rigorous pastoral work in favor of the family." In this sense, according to Archbishop Geraldo, "it is important to multiply Family Associations that are capable of dialogue with the various political powers." These, in turn, should "make a solid commitment to promote methods of respecting, valuing, and protecting families."

He also recalled the importance of Social Communication in this sense, as it should "offer programming that is more in sync with the growth and development of the new generations, promoting a culture of life that is dignified and positive, reducing superficialities and vulgarity as well as aggressiveness and violence, promoting a culture of respect, dialogue, and friendship."

In concluding his homily, he asked Our Lady of Aparecida to accompany all the families on their earthly pilgrimage and teach them how to live in joy and unity, like the Family of Nazareth. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 26/5/2009)

Links:
Complete text of the homily of Archbishop Geraldo Lyrio Rocha
http://www.fides.org/por/documents/Homilia_de_D._Geraldo_Lyrio_Rocha.doc

Satan Has a Secret

Tribulation Times

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

May 27, 2009    

(John 16:33) These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you shall have distress. But have confidence. I have overcome the world.

LINK: To Bear Witness To the Truth: An Unequivocal Moral Obligation for All Christians by Rev. John Corapi, SOLT, STD

ESSAY: Three Secret Strategies of Satan to Destroy our Children, our Families, our Culture, and our Church by Bro. Ignatius Mary

St. Michael conquers Satan. Image by stevecadman via Flickr

Satan has a secret. It is the secret about his three primary strategies to destroy us. If Satan can convince our culture to adopt the philosophy precipitated by these secret strategies he can brainwash our children, disrupt our families, manipulate our culture, and bring apostasy within the Church.

All the problems that we see today in society and in our church can be traced to these three fundamental strategies. It is the basis of the politically correct movement and of the heresy of individualism. These strategies are the fuel that powers feminism, the engine that drives liberalism, and the vehicle of the post-modern worldview that predominates our world today and that contaminates the Church.

These three secret strategies are:

1. All opinions are equal
2. Never judge anyone
3. Never step on toes

No one escapes the sinister tentacles of these devilish doctrines; we are all contaminated by these strategies—every one of us. The question is not whether we are immune from these strategies, for we are not; it is not whether we are indeed contaminated by them, because we are; the only question is what are we going to do about it? How are we to exorcise the contamination of this pervasive worldview from our minds? More....

LINK: Spiritual Warfare (A Catholic Perspective) 

Another image of St. Michael defeating Satan. Image by stevecadman via Flickr

FROM THE MAILBAG: YOUR BATTLE IS THE LORD'S

The reason I am writing this is to remind you the battle you are facing is not yours, but God's. If you are a child of his, you can be certain that Satan will "rage against you."

In 2 Chronicles 20, a great multitude came against God's people. King Jehoshaphat and his people set their hearts to seek the Lord and to fast. The king cried out to God a prayer that most of us have prayed at times in our spiritual journey: "We have no might against these that come against us, neither do we know what to do; but our eyes are upon you" (20:12). "The Spirit of God came in the midst of the congregation…saying, Be not afraid nor dismayed…for the battle is not yours, but God's (20:14-15).

Isaiah gave this warning to all satanic forces: "Who have you reproached and blasphemed? And against whom have you exalted your voice?... Even against the Holy One of Israel" (Isaiah 37:23).

God told his people Israel, and he tells us today: "The battle is not against you. It is Satan's rage against me, the Lord who abides in you." God said to Satan, "I know where you abide, and where you come and go, and your rage against me" (37:28).

I ask you: where is your battle? In your marriage? Your business or job? Your finances? Your health? Does your battle get more intense day after day? If you have a heart for Jesus and a desire to cleave to him, you will face the rage of hell. But that is still not your battle.

You can end your battle quickly if you choose – simply by quitting and giving in to your fears and doubts. Satan will not bother those who give up their confidence in the Lord.

Yes, the battle is the Lord's, but we have a part – and that is to trust and believe his promises in the face of hopelessness and what seem to be impossibilities. "Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God?" (Isaiah 40:27).

Faith demands that I turn over all my problems – all my critical situations, all my fears, all my anxieties – into the hand of the Lord. When I have done all I can do, and I know my battle is beyond my power, I must submit all into his hands.

Our Lord knows the raging of Satan, and we must truly believe he will act. He will bring us through floods and fires and put to chase all spiritual enemies. Here is God's Word concerning what he will do: "Because of your rage against me…it has come into my ears, therefore I will put a hook in your nose, and my bridle in your lips, and I will turn you back by the way you came" (Isaiah 37:29).

If you will hold fast to your faith – trusting him, resting in his promises, rejecting all lies of Satan coming into your mind – then expect God to come by his Spirit into your situation and bring an expected end to your particular battle. He will move heaven and earth to deliver you and make a way. The way out is to trust, trust, trust! "He makes wars to cease" (Psalm 46:9).

Ladder of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 17- "On non-possessiveness"

6. He who has tasted the things on high easily despises what is below. But he who has not tasted the things above finds joy in possessions.   

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

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

Blessings+

Deacon John

 

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #589

And Jesus, having cried out with a loud voice, gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in two, from the top to the bottom. (Mark 15:37-38)

THE WONDERFUL RENDING OF THE VEIL OF THE TEMPLE showed 1.  that Jesus by His Death had opened to all men the way into the real Holy of Holies, even heaven; 2. that the Temple of the Old Covenant, with its typical laws and sacrifices, had lost its meaning, and that from henceforth substance and fulfillment would take the place of shadows and types.

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

[MaryVitamin] St. Philip, Mirth and Pentecost

Mary Vitamin for May 26th

 

Topic: St. Philip Neri, Mirth and Pentecost 

 

Quote:

"Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the latter day."

Proverbs 31:25

 

Meditation:

St. Philip Neri (May 26), known as the Apostle of Rome and the Humorous Saint, experienced an extraordinary phenomenon.

 

"He was twenty-nine years old at the time, and as the feast of Pentecost was approaching, Philip who had always had a special devotion to the Holy Spirit, was praying with extreme earnestness for his gifts and graces, when he seemed to see a globe of fire which entered his mouth and sank down into his heart. At the same time he was pervaded by a fire of love which seemed to be a positive physical heat, so that he had to throw himself on the ground and bare his breast to cool it. When he rose he was seized with a violent trembling, accompanied by an extraordinary sense of joy, and putting his hand to his heart, he felt there a swelling as big as a man's fist. After his death it was discovered that the first two of the false ribs were broken, and the broken ends thrust outwards, never having rejoined or return to the normal position during he fifty remaining years of Philip's life." 9

Fr. V.J. Matthews, Saint Philip Neri (Tan Books: 1984), 9.

 

Why does the Lord work such marvelous spectacles in the lives of some saints? Should we think this is just an impressive miracle or accidental gift with no further meaning? It is more in keeping with the greatness of the Divine Mind and Plan that extraordinary miracles point to a deeper meaning.  As we've seen with St. Clare, (previous MV) we learn more about the Incarnation and the Blessed Virgin Mary by delving into these mysteries.

 

Our Lady's monumental experiences with the Holy Spirit resulted in her Immaculate Conception and later the Incarnation what happened to Our Lady at Pentecost? Does the life of St. Philip Neri help us to understand?

 

St. Philip Neri was marked by prudential, meek and zealous seeking of souls. He exhibited such a high degree of purity that his countenance seemed as white as alabaster and "his eyes sparkled as no painter could paint." He is greatly known for his humor and it seems his humility knew no limits. All of these traits reflect the virtues of Our Lady. He was also known as the "Humorous Saint" and "[i]n his own lifetime his room came to be known as the School of Christian Mirth 79

 

Some of St. Philip's most memorable sayings are:

 

"I will have no melancholy, no low spirits in my house."

"My Son, persevere in this cheerfulness, for this is the true way to make progress in virtue."

 

Resolution:

Today, reflecting on the Strong Woman of the proverbs and the life of St. Philip Neri, I will practice one act of cheerfulness to grow in virtue and to imitate the joy of Our Lady.

 

Marian Vow:

"It is of primary importance that the love of Christ be always animating us--'The charity of Christ urges us on' (II Cor 5:14) -to live in a perfect sharing of prayer, action, sorrow and joy."

Father Stefano Manelli, Traccia Mariana I give this resolution to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

 Thanks be to God for graces received.

 

Related sites: Castle of the Immaculate, Mary Vitamin Twitter & AirMaria

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Blessings+
Deacon John

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From Coletta Immaculatae:

 

History of the Wonder-working Sitka icon of the Mother of God

The Sitka Icon of the Mother of God Located at the Cathedral of St Michael the Archangel in Sitka, Alaska is one of the most revered Icons in North America: the Sitka Mother of God.
This Icon has been attributed to a famous Iconographer, Vladimir Lukich Borovikovsky
(1758-1826), a protégé of the Empress Catherine II who was instructed at the Academy of Arts in St Petersburg, Russia. In addition to being a great portrait painter, Borovikovsky also painted many of the Icons for the Cathedral of the Kazan Icon in St Petersburg.
 

Painted in the style of the Kazan Mother of God Icon, on canvas, the Sitka Mother of God Icon is
36 x 17½ inches in size. An exceptionally beautiful and detailed riza of silver covers the Icon of the
Theotokos and Christ child, and the Image of God the Father blessing from above.
 

The Cathedral received the Icon as a gift from the laborers of the Russian American Company in
1850, two years after the Cathedral was completed. Even with their meager wages, these men
generously made their contribution to the Church.

Miracles have been attributed to the Sitka Mother of God Icon over the years. It is believed that
the gaze of the eyes of the Theotokos have led to the restored health of those who prayed before
the Icon. Because of the peaceful gaze of the Theotokos, the Icon has been described as a “pearl of Russian ecclesiastical art of ineffable gentleness, purity and harmony….” And “…the most
beautiful face of the Mother of God with the Divine Child in her arms is so delicately and
artistically done that the more one looks at it the more difficult it is to tear one’s gaze away.”
 

Originally part of the main Iconostasis at the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel in Sitka,
Alaska, the Icon is now permanently located on the far left side of the Iconostasis in a special
place of honor.

The Fire of My Love "He Will Grant Your Heart's Request" by Rita Ring, February 12, 1994

Image via Wikipedia

He Will Grant Your Heart's Request

February 12, 1994

Note: This message was received from Jesus as directions on when to give the priest a message. He told me to wait until He came to the front of the church. I did not want to wait, but did and gave him this message verbally.

Jesus: Give not in to the body to seek instant gratification. The body wants its way and now. When I give you a command, wait for My time. My time is the perfect time. I know all things and I make all things work in harmony. You know little of many things. You see from limited vision. You act on impulse in your time and you are acting without My aid.

Wait on Me. My time is perfect. Do not push. Do not fret. Do not fume. Be entirely tuned in to the promptings in your heart. My time is perfect. My ways are direct and steadfast. I am He Who knows all things and I intently love you. To My death I loved you.

I give you from My heart. Accept all things in My plan and know I am ever by your side. Alleluia. You are so blessed, little one!

http://www.sofc.org/

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Our Lady's Medjugorje Message to Marija of May 25, 2009

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Our Lady's Medjugorje message of May 25, 2009

Dear children! In this time, I call you all to pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit upon every baptized creature, so that the Holy Spirit may renew you all and lead you on the way of witnessing your faith – you and all those who are far from God and His love. I am with you and intercede for you before the Most High. Thank you for having responded to my call.

A Reflection (by Sr. Isabel)
There is a time and a season for everything. This is the time and the season during which we pray for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Our Lady invites us to pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit anew in the life of every baptized person. We received the Holy Spirit at our baptism and were strengthened in the Holy Spirit at our Confirmation. But, every day we need new strength and new wisdom of the Holy Spirit. With Pentecost on Sunday, we have time to pray fervently for the gifts of the Holy Spirit that we need to be the witnesses of our faith in our daily lives. We probably won't be called to any heroic kind of witness such as martyrdom, but we are called daily to live our lives in such a way that we radiate the Holy Spirit. Our Lady is the Spouse of the Holy Spirit and the Help of all Christians. If we ask her, she will intercede for us and assist us in responding to the Holy Spirit each day

Posted by Ed Sousa, Sr. at 2:41 PM  www.ingodscompany2.blogspot.com

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May 25-31: National Family Week: “The Home is a Holy Place”

EUROPE/GREAT BRITAIN - 

Image via Wikipedia

London (Agenzia Fides) – The Catholic Church in Great Britain is celebrating National Family Week from May 25-31. In honor of the event, the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales have prepared a resource pack.
The Home is a Holy Place resource pack aims to help parishes celebrate the presence of God as love in all loving family relationships and proclaim the holiness of our homes as places of life, love, service, teaching, fellowship, witness and prayer. The pack includes prayer cards, group reflection materials and a DVD featuring interviews with families. It may be used in many different settings, including with parents of children preparing to receive the sacraments, couples preparing for marriage, and parish or school groups.

Image by Catholic Church (England and Wales) via Flickr

Archbishop Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop-elect of Westminster and newly appointed President of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, said he hoped that the pack will help families to appreciate the presence of God in their lives: "For most of us, home is the place where the foundations of our faith were laid. Home is the place where we grow in understanding of what faith means in daily practice. Home is the place where we learn how to be patient, forgiving and full of joy. But the home also needs to be the place where we learn how to pray, how to talk to God and how to see ourselves as a family living in God's presence. 'Home is a Holy Place' will help families to appreciate the presence of God in their lives and how an awareness of that presence can build up a life of faith in response to God's love."
Bishop John Hine, Chair of the Bishops' Committee for Marriage and Family Life, is encouraging parishes across England and Wales to use the resource pack during the Week. "As we celebrate National Family Week, I hope this resource pack will help raise greater awareness of God's presence at home, not only among families but also among all those who serve them within our Catholic community," he said.

(RG) (Agenzia Fides 25/5/2009)

 

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #588

THE SEVEN LAST WORDS ON THE CROSS

4. The Seventh Word

Jesus therefore, when he had taken the vinegar, said: "It is consummated." And bowing his head, he gave up the ghost. (John 19:30)

TO DIE A GOOD DEATH, we must do as our Lord Jesus did, i. e. resign ourselves entirely to the will of God, and commend our souls to the care of our heavenly Father, with a childlike love and confidence.

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

Our Lady, Pentecost and obedience

Mary Vitamin

 

Topic: Our Lady, Pentecost and Obedience

 

Quote:

"[A]ll who love obedience are highly pleasing to the Blessed Virgin."

St. Alphonsus di Liguori, The Glories of Mary, (Tan Books) 495.

 

Meditation:

Image by Lawrence OP via Flickr

Hence Venerable Bede, explaining Our Lord's answer to the woman spoken of in the Gospel, who exclaimed,

Blessed is the womb that bore Thee Yea, rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it,

explains that Mary was indeed blessed in becoming the Mother of God, but that she was much more so in always loving and obeying the Divine will.

St. Alphonsus di Liguori, The Glories of Mary,(Tan Books), 495.

 

Obedience is a hallmark of the Blessed Virgin Mary and one attribute which calls down the Holy Spirit:

 The God of our fathers has raised up Jesus whom you put to death. We testify to this. So too does the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those that obey him. (Acts 5:32)

Resolution:

Image via Wikipedia

To prepare to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit this Pentecost, I will look for one opportunity to practice obedience. I will please the Blessed Virgin Mary and prepare my soul for the Holy Spirit.

 

Marian Vow:

St. Maximilian Kolbe

What kind of prayer is most efficacious? The most efficacious prayer is that which flows from obedience and obligation. In other words, those rather grim and everyday sources of grace for us and for souls.  This does not signify that private prayer is of little value, for it has great value, but only in relationship to those of obligation is it of lesser value.

 

Will to Love, (Marytown Press),96

I give this resolution to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Thanks be to God for graces received.

Related sites: Castle of the Immaculate , Mary Vitamin Twitter & AirMaria

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Visit Your Group 

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Blessings+
Deacon John

Sent from Mt Dora, Florida, United States

t for you too.

The Fire of My Love "To Grow, You Cannot Remain the Same" by Rita Ring, February 12, 1994

To Grow, You Cannot Remain the Same

February 12, 1994
After Mass

Jesus: I give you this intense love. Look at Me hanging, arms outstretched. Do you see I am giving you My all out of deepest love of you! How do I wake you? I profess it so profusely, but you do not open your hearts. You crave My love, you want it so badly, but you do not realize I am giving it to you now.

You are My beautiful daughter. I speak to you. You will be rejected but you will plant seeds that will germinate in the hearts of many. You must do My work. Do not be attached to the glory or the persecution. I am God and My might is endless. I am He Whom you love, He Whom you seek. Come to Me and I will fill you!

Image by Joe the WOP via Flickr

Preach the Real Presence. I am truly here, God alone! Preach My love on fire for every soul. People are hungry, they will listen. Lead My people to My love.

R. Jesus is speaking to you in the whispers in your heart. Do you block His words and only do what you want?

Jesus: To die to yourself you must listen to every word I plant in your heart, even the ones you do not want to hear because you might have to change something. To grow, you cannot remain the same. There is no growth if the plant stays the same.

I come to feed you, to fertilize you. I give you just the right fertilizer in your heart. Do you want to grow or do you want to remain unchanged? You wil

Image via Wikipedia

l not grow if you do not use My fertilizer. It is the quiet whispers in your heart.

"Oh no, not that, Lord!" Oh, say "yes" to all I send you. It is with the greatest of love. It comes from Him Who laid down His life for you, Who gave you the last beat of His heart. I am Who am. I am God and I come before you, bruised, bloodied and beaten and I say, "Do you love Me so much as to listen to My promptings in your heart, to love your sick brothers, to do as The Father wills you to do?" I gave you the last beat of My heart. Why do you hold back? I am He Who loves you. I send you good things. Even crosses are good things. You grow from your trials and crosses.

Growth demands a change. Love finds a way into the hearts of others when you love with a heart of God.

Oh, child, I love you.

http://www.sofc.org/

Image by angelofsweetbitter2009 via Flickr

MESSAGE of MAY 25, 2009

“Dear children! In this time, I call you all to pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit upon every baptized creature, so that the Holy Spirit may renew you all and lead you on the way of witnessing your faith – you and all those who are far from God and His love. I am with you and intercede for you before the Most High. Thank you for having responded to my call.”




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SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #587

THE SEVEN LAST WORDS ON THE CROSS

4. The Sixth Word

Afterwards, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said: "I thirst." (John 19:28)

THE THIRST OF JESUS: The cry: "I thirst," revealed not only the torturing bodily thirst which our Blessed Lord was suffering, but also His burning desire for our salvation and our love. The desire for our salvation was the cause of all our Lord's pain. It is our business--not that of His executioners--to quench His burning thirst by appreciating and responding to His infinite love, and by caring for the salvation of our own souls. 


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

Today, May 24, is the 

Feast of Mary Help of Christians

Mother Mary is the help of every individual Christian. When a child is frightened or hurt or in any need it runs to its mother, and mother always helps. When a child cries for help mother rushes to its assistance. That is just what Mary, Help of Christians, does for each one of us. When we are attacked by the enemies of our soul or body, she hurries to our help. Here are some enemies of our soul:

A. One of the greatest enemies of our soul is the world. By the world we mean the spirit of the world, a spirit that entirely forgets and neglects God. The enemy is called "secularism" which means worldliness. This spirit is not one of faith; it is not one of morals. It is a spirit that condemns or ignores sacred things. It is a spirit that permits and approves immorality, bad example, contraception, abortion, etc., etc. These practices are the enemies of the individual soul and Mary is our protection against them.

B. The second enemy of the soul is the flesh. Ever since the fall of Adam and Eve, the spirit has lost control over the flesh. Even St. Paul experienced it: "I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner to the law of sin that is in my members. . . . Unhappy man that I am! Who will deliver me from the body of this death? (Romans 7:24).

C. The third enemy of the soul is the devil. He was driven out of heaven, because of his pride. Ever since he and his cohorts are trying to drag souls down to hell. The devil is clever. He uses every means to trap us. He makes evil suggestions. He deceives minds and assaults Christian souls. Here again Mary is our help.

St. Dominic receives the Rosary Image via Wikipedia

As Mother of God's children, Mary has responded by helping Christians throughout the ages. She has done this by coming to the aid of individuals, families, towns, kingdoms and nations.

In 1214 she gave the Rosary to Saint Dominic as a weapon to combat the Albigesian heresy which was devastating Southern France. It is very clear to Christians and it is also the Will of God that we have and will continue to have the Help of Mary through the recitation of the Holy Rosary.

In the year 1531 Our Lady appeared in Mexico to an indian named Juan Diego. He was a humble peasant aged 51. As a result of the apparitions, over 10 million indians were converted to Catholicism, the sacrificial killings of babies stopped, and Our Lady left an image which is a reflection of herself imprinted miraculously on the tilma of Juan Diego. 

Battle of Lepanto Image via Wikipedia

In 1571 the whole of Christendom was saved by Mary Help of Christians when faithful Catholics throughout Europe prayed the Rosary. The great battle of Lepanto occurred on October 7th 1571. For this reason this date has been chosen as the feast of the Holy Rosary. In 1573 Pope Pius V instituted the feast in thanksgiving for the decisive victory of Christianity over Islamism.

Near the end of the 17th century, Emperor Leopold I of Austria took refuge in the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians at Pasau, when 200,000 Ottoman Turks besieged the capital city of Vienna. Pope Innocent XI united Christendom against the ominous attack of Mohammedanism. A great victory occurred thanks to Mary Help of Christians. On September 8th, Feast of Our Lady's Birthday, plans were drawn for the battle. On September 12, Feast of the Holy Name of Mary, Vienna was finally freed through the intercession of Mary Help of Christians. All Europe had joined with the Emperor crying out "Mary, Help!" and praying the Holy rosary.

Pope Pius VII Image via Wikipedia

In 1809, Napoleon's men entered the Vatican, arrested Pius VII and brought him in chains to Grenoble, and eventually Fontainbleau. His imprisonment lasted five years. The Pope smuggled out orders from prison for the whole of Christendom to pray to Our Lady Help of Christians, and thus the whole of Europe once again became a spiritual battle ground, not of arms against ruthless arms, but of Rosaries against ruthless military might. Soon Napoleon was off the throne and the Pope freed from prison. 

After proving her maternal help, throughout the centuries, Our Lady has continued to appear in hundreds of places throughout the world mainly during the 20th century, Lourdes and Fatima being the most famous apparitions. She has brought help from Heaven, and has warned her children to do prayer and penance as a formula for peace. She has stressed that her children must pray the Holy Rosary daily. Let us continue to call on Our Lady, Help of Christians, in these sorrowful times, so that her Immaculate Heart will triumph and her Divine Son Jesus, will reign in the hearts of all mankind!

God bless us all+

Deacon John

The Gift of the Blessing

Image via Wikipedia

Agenzia FIDES –  20 may 2009

SPECIALE FIDES


The Blessing of the Father in Heaven

The Blessing of Christ

Blessings in the Life of the Church

The Priest's Blessing

The Blessing in the Family

The Gift of the Blessing

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Blessings belong to the great spiritual treasures of the Church. They are a wonderful gift of God to mankind. How often do we experience the comfort and strength which a blessing - received in faith - gives us. Blessings number among the simplest signs by which the Church expresses her loving care for each person. Mother Church accompanies us with her blessings from the cradle to the grave.. Any liturgical celebration and the administering of all the sacraments is linked with the sign of blessing.The blessing has a permanent place in the life of the Christian family. In all the situations of life, in joy an sorrow, for young and old, a blessing is a source of hope and confidence. The Latin word for blessing, "benedicere", means literally: "to say (something) good". From the book of Genesis we know that if God says something should be, it is, and it is good. When we ask God to bless us, we beg Him - as before Holy Communion - to say the word and we will be healed. God's word upon us brings us something good and saving for body and soul. Let us meditate on this wonderful mystery of the blessing with the Catechism of the Catholic Church so that we can receive it and /or give it with even greater awareness.

The Blessing of the Father in Heaven
Blessing and life belong closely together. All life - both of nature and of grace - comes from God. The blessing is power of God which gives life and sustains it. In the Catechism we read: "Blessing is a divine and life-giving action, the source of which is the Father" (1078). The Apostle Paul expressed this beautifully in the Letter to the Ephesians: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him" (Eph 1:3-4).
Sacred Scripture speaks of the mystery of God's blessing, from beginning to end, . "From the beginning until the end of time the whole of God's work is a blessing. From the liturgical poem of the first creation to the canticles of the heavenly Jerusalem, the inspired authors proclaim the plan of salvation as one vast divine blessing." (1079)

The whole of the history of salvation is a sign of the marvelous blessing by which God blessed us even before the creation of the world. "From the very beginning God blessed all living beings, especially man and woman. The covenant with Noah and with all living things renewed this blessing of fruitfulness despite man's sin which had brought a curse on the ground. But with Abraham, the divine blessing entered into human history which had been moving towards death, to redirect it towards life, towards its source. By the faith of 'the Father of all believers', who embraced the blessing, the history of salvation is inaugurated" (1080).

God's blessing then works in two ways: It drives away the powers of death and darkness, which have entered the world through sin, and it grants anew to man that life which binds him to the source of all life, to the Triune God.

Because Abraham received God's blessing in faith, he became himself a blessing: "And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. …and by you all the families of the earth shall bless themselves" (Gen 12:2,3). As people of faith we are called to follow the example of Abraham because "Every baptized person is called to be a 'blessing' and to bless." (1669). Mother Julia thus invited the Spiritual Family The Work: "We are to be a blessing. That is our whole mission."

The Blessing of Christ

Already in the Old Testament God revealed His blessing in astounding events: "in the birth of Isaac, the escape from Egypt (Passover and Exodus), the gift of the promised land, the election of David, the presence of God in the Temple, the purifying exile and return of a 'small remnant'" (1081). These divine blessings find their fulfillment in the Incarnation of the Son of God and in the sending of the Holy Spirit. "The Father is acknowledged and adored as the source and the end of all the blessings of creation and salvation. In His Word who became Incarnate, died, and rose for us, He fills us with his blessings. Through His Word, He pours into our hearts the Gift that contains all gifts, the Holy Spirit" (1082).
The promise to Abraham, that he would be abundantly blessed, found its fulfillment in the coming of Jesus Christ. For this reason Elizabeth cried out to the Mother of Jesus the beautiful words which we repeat in each "Hail Mary": "Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb" (Lk 1:42). God blessed Mary in a unique way because of her all surpassing faith: "The Father blessed Mary more than any other created person 'in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places'…(Ep 1:3)" (492).

Her Son Jesus Christ brings to mankind the fullness of God's blessing which man rejected and lost through sin. As we said, blessing and life go together. When therefore Christ said of Himself: "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (Jn 10:10), He could likewise have said: I came that they may have blessing and have it abundantly.

In the Gospel we read that Jesus blessed the five loaves and the

Image via Wikipedia

 two fishes before He wondrously multiplied them (cf. Lk 9:14). We all know the moving scene of Jesus taking the children in his arms, laying his hands on them, and blessing them (cf. Mk 10:13-16). When He left to His disciples His most precious gift, namely the Sacrament of His Body and Blood, which we celebrate every day, yet especially each Sunday, He took bread and wine and gave thanks and praise. He said a blessing, and gave it to them with the words: "Take this; this is my Body. … This is my Blood" (Mk 14:22-24).

Finally, it is especially meaningful that His last act before ascending into heaven was to bless His disciples: "Then He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands He blessed them. While He blessed them, He parted from them, and was carried up into Heaven. And they worshiped Him…" (Lk 24:50-52)

Blessings in the Life of the Church

From the beginning the Church has given her blessing, in faithfulness to the testament of Christ. The Apostle Paul began most of his letters with a blessing: "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom 1:7; see also 1 Cor 1:3; 2 Cor 1:2; Gal 1:3, etc.).All the faithful are exhorted to bless: "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them" (Rom 12:14). "Do not return evil for evil or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary bless, for to this you have been called, that you may obtain a blessing" (1 Pet 3:9).

In the course of centuries various blessings have come into use in the Church. Throughout the ages these were collected ever and again in a Benedictionale; liturgical books which contain blessings for various times in the liturgical year (the blessing of candles on the Presentation of our Lord, of palms on Palm Sunday, of water in the Easter Vigil ; then the blessing of throats on the Feast of St. Blase, etc.; then there are blessings in the life of the family and in public life (the blessing of the couple on a special wedding anniversary, the blessing of fields, of a house, of a car or a machine, etc). Through the abundance of blessings, the Church expresses her concern for the welfare of man, especially for his everlasting salvation.

Moreover, each sacrament is accompanied by other sacred signs called sacramentals. Among them are "sacred signs which bear a resemblance to the sacraments. They signify effects, particularly of a spiritual nature, which are obtained through the intercession of the Church" (1667). So they prepare people "to receive the chief effect of the sacraments, and various occasions in life are rendered holy" (1667).

Thus the Church knows various forms of blessings: the simple blessing (of persons, objects, places or meals) "praises God and prays for His gifts". "The Church imparts blessings by invoking the name of Jesus, usually while making the holy sign of the cross of Christ" (1671).

A special type of blessing ("not to be confused with sacramental ordination") consecrates persons to God (the blessing of an abbot or abbess of a monastery, the consecration of virgins, the rite of religious profession, etc.) Another type sets certain objects apart for liturgical use (the dedication of a church, of an altar, of church bells,or also of liturgical vestments and utensils: holy oils, vessels, also icons and pictures etc.). These blessings "have a lasting importance" because they consecrate persons or reserve objects for divine worship (1672).

Finally there are the exorcisms, when "the Church asks publicly and authoritatively in the name of Jesus Christ that a person or object be protected against the power of the Evil One and withdrawn from his dominion" (1673). In a simple form, exorcism is performed at the celebration of Baptism. Of course, we should often pray with faith and trust for protection against the evil works of Satan, implore the help of the Archangel Michael, and in a spirit of faith make the sign of the cross with holy water, etc. The solemn exorcism, called a "major exorcism" can be performed by a priest only and with the permission of the bishop.

When we in faith ponder on the power and the richness of the blessing in the life of the Church, we can understand the words of Mother Julia: "The blessing is like a light shining more brightly than the light of the sun."

The Priest's Blessing

All who are baptized can bless. However, "…the more a blessing concerns the ecclesial and sacramental life, the more its administration is reserved to the ordained ministry (bishops, priests or deacons)" (1669). The Church has always believed that the blessing of a priest is of specific importance.
Already the priests of the Old Covenant had received the special authority from God to bless. God chose Aaron and his sons to be priests and told them through Moses: "Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, The Lord bless you and keep you: The Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you: The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace" (Numb. 6:23-27).

In Jesus Christ, the Eternal High Priest of the New Covenant, whom the Father sent "to bless all of us" (cf. Acts 3:26), we have the fullness of God's blessing. The priest of the New Covenant receives through his ordination the authority to give people, in the name of Jesus Christ, the "fullness of the blessing of Christ" (Rom 15:29). Faith teaches us that it is Christ Himself who works and blesses through the priests (1548). Mother Julia says this in simple words, which bear witness to her deep faith: "The priest's blessing is a wonderful gift coming to us from God. It is God Himself who on the day of his ordination gave the priest the power to bless".

The Blessing in the Family

When they were first created, man and woman received a special blessing: "God blessed them, and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase …" (Gen. 1,28) Therefore it has rightly been said: "Sacred Scripture and the Church's traditional practice see in large families a sign of God's blessing and the parents' generosity." (2373).

Through the sacrament of marriage Christian parents receive the mission to bless one another and the children whom God gives them. When this is done regularly and with faith in the family-circle - for instance after rising in the morning or before all leave the home or at night before going to bed - this blessing marks the whole atmosphere in the family: it becomes a source of grace, of unity and peace, helping the children to get to know the beauty of their Christian faith already at an early age.

The blessing, given to the children by their parents, and especially also the occasional blessing by a priest who visits the family, is a precious means of religious education, if it is given and received with respect and faith: "Through the grace of the sacrament of marriage, parents receive the responsibility and privilege of evangelizing their children. Parents should initiate their children at an early age into the mysteries of the faith of which they are the first heralds for their children. They should associate them from their tenderest years with the life of the Church. A wholesome family life can foster interior dispositions that are a genuine preparation for a living faith and remain a support for it throughout one's life" (2225).

Among the simple expressions of faith, which are of great importance in the daily life of the family and which have a notable influence on the atmosphere of the home, is the blessing before and after meals: "Even when we have done our work, the food we receive is still a gift from our Father, it is good to ask Him for it with thanksgiving, as Christian families do when saying grace at meals" (2834).

A blessing is something great and beautiful. Let us endeavor to receive and to give it in an attitude of faith and awe. The blessing is, as it were, a spiritual bond between the Sacred Heart of Jesus and us, that strengthens us in the unity of the Church, the large Family of God, and guides us to adoration in spirit and in truth: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord the Lord of Hosts".(Is. 6,3)
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Dossier by p. Hermann Geissler FSO
Per gentile concessione della Famiglia spirituale "L'Opera"
Agenzia Fides 20/05/2009; Editor Luca de Mata


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Blessings from+
Deacon John

Sent from Mt Dora, Florida, United States

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