“So when he had washed their feet [and] put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, ‘Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do,’” (John 13: 12-15)
Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord – Spiritual reflection (Taken from News.va English)
From a sermon by Saint Leo the Great, pope: “The Lord has made his salvation known to the whole world”
The loving providence of God determined that in the last days he would aid the world, set on its course to destruction. He decreed that all nations should be saved in Christ. A promise had been made to the holy patriarch Abraham in regard to these nations. He was to have a countless progeny, born not from his body but from the seed of faith. […]
In the persons of the Magi let all people adore the Creator of the universe; let God be known, not in Judea only, but in the whole world. […] As Isaiah prophesied: the people of the Gentiles, who sat in darkness, have seen a great light, and for those who dwelt in the region of the shadow of death a light has dawned. He spoke of them to the Lord: The Gentiles, who do not know you, will invoke you, and the peoples, who knew you not, will take refuge in you. […]
This came to be fulfilled, as we know, from the time when the star beckoned the three wise men out of their distant country and led them to recognize and adore the King of heaven and earth. The obedience of the star calls us to imitate its humble service: to be servants, as best we can, of the grace that invites all men to find Christ.
Dear friends, you must have the same zeal to be of help to one another; then, in the kingdom of God, to which faith and good works are the way, you will shine as children of the light: through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with God the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.
Domenico Ghirlandaio. 1485–1488. Adoration of the Magi. Ospedale degli Innocenti, Florence.
Peace.
Let Him enter your heart. Let Him take hold of every aspect of your life.
Fill every day He has given you, and gives to you, with Him. In deed, in thought, in prayer in love.
Cast away your past sins and sinfulness. Don’t continue in the past but prepare for the future. A new year is upon us. Be the change in the world for the good of all and to the Glory be Gods. Live the faith, daily. Love God above all else, daily.
The Year of Faith has concluded. May we Christian Family’s, make it our Mission to ensure we do
the Will of God. Stand up and be what our Lord has called you to be, HOLY.
Not just for 2014,but for all time, teach your children to be holy by your example. One need not be a Catholic Priest or Sister to be Holy or to be a Great Saint. We are ALL called to be saints first. Teach them to love God above all else as with this ONE lesson for life, everything falls into place in perfection of Christ Jesus, thus all society reaps the bountiful harvest of the fruits of faith. When you love God above everything, it becomes VERY easy to see, all sin stems from the soul breaking the very first commandment. “You shall have no other gods before me”
As a Catholic Parent, you have ONE job. To teach your children to love God above EVERYTHING else. Sainthood is the ONLY “Profession” we should encourage our children into. Profession of Faith. Parents are so caught up in wanting their children to succeed in the world and overlook how much more important it is to do the Will of God – the faith becomes secondary. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” Our Lord then doubled it to Love your neighbor as yourself.
With the first command to love God above all else and teach your children to also, the second command becomes natural and easy to do. If you love God above all else, doing the Will of the Father, becomes your will. The Great Saints placed God first. Not their desire to become “Scholars” as the reason they became GREAT Scholars is because of their Love for God therefore becoming Great Saints first. St. Augustine did not set out on the path to God thinking about how fantastic it was to write. He wrote everything he EXPERIENCED through God. Thus, doing the Will of God, and God giving him the title after his entering into Eternal Life. Leaving a visible path behind for others to our Lord, and thereby to Abba Father. As did all the great Saints.
In 2014, let’s make it clear to the entire world that as Christians, we love God above all else. Placing worldliness and sinful behaviors behind us. And if you fall, He will pick you back up to continue on through His Sacraments. If we do just this one thing, the entire world would never be the same. Don’t allow 2014 to become just another secular year, make it HOLY. Dedicate it to Him who gave His life to you. What is just one year to give Him in return? In one year, living the faith with your entire heart, you will never want to return to who you once were without Him. You won’t be able to remove your eyes from Him ever again.
I for one am looking forward to placing 2013 in the past. I am grateful for all God has done for me and my family. Lord may we all move forward into the new year, with YOU and never without You O Lord. May we apply all the gifts you have given to us, in all aspects of our lives, to give Abba Father all the glory and honor through Jesus Christ and the most gracious Holy Spirit, Three, eternally in the One God of all. Amen
Yesterday Pope Frances reflected on “Silence”. Pope: silence guards one’s relationship with God. I have been struggling with this for many years. Since my conversion began back in 1998. There are no coincidences. I truly feel as if my journey is over in seeking some sort of answer for what has taken place in my life. The changes that have overtaken every aspect of who I used to be, and who God has created me to be. As I went out to lunch yesterday, “Fire on the Earth” on Immaculate Heart Radio was on and answered EVERY question I have had since my conversion began. Everything is out of my hands. I cannot control a thing that takes place in what I see, hear, or in what other do. Everything is in God’s hands. All I can control is my sinfulness through repentance and the Sacraments our Lord has given to us. All I need to know is that the reason for all of this is simply because God loves me and I am a child of God. I am called to live this life as His.
That is the best gift anyone can receive. Forgiveness and repentance from the sinful life I had led is only achieved through the grace He has given me. I accept His gift freely and without any soul on earth coming to me to say YES! It was Him. Or NO! That is not Him. You see, “Silence” is our Lords way of allowing the soul to discern what is from Him and what is not. Silence is the way He speaks the loudest. The way He allows us to continue on to Him without a push or force, but freely. What truly is odd about Pope Frances comments is that I made a Christmas Video to share with all. It was made over a week ago and it does exactly as Pope Frances has asked. Taking into account the first video I made was deleted by another media outlet because it contained things with a copyright. Its okay. Everything happens for a reason. Here it is:
I have spent many years speaking about my experience’s and trying way to hard to explain to souls who could never comprehend what our Lord has done with me, to me, and it truly is personal. For me and only today, after 15 years of this journey, I have come to understand there isn’t a soul on earth that can answer for Him. That can justify for Him what He has done to me. It is truly Him who I seek. Him who I live for and Him who I give the glory to for all that has taken place. I have said all I need to say. Now, I leave this blog, and the talking and actions and everything to our Lord. I pray that I have not said too much. It truly is time for me to be silent and relish in the gifts our Lord has given to not just me, but to all who seek Him.
This does not mean that I return to the old way of life but continue on in the new life He has given to me. I continue to pray for all until He calls me back home. I truly have PEACE! This is not the end. But the beginning.
Merry Christmas. Life is His wonderful gift!
‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.’
I can’t help but think of the first Advent while Mama Mary was waiting in silence for her Child to enter into the world. “Let it be done according to your word”, the “yes” for all time, bringing true Peace to earth. Peace that has never been known since the fall of man.
Now, WAKE UP!
Jesus said to his disciples:
“As it was in the days of Noah,
so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
In those days before the flood,
they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage,
up to the day that Noah entered the ark.
They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away.
So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man.
Two men will be out in the field;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Two women will be grinding at the mill;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Therefore, stay awake!
For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.
Be sure of this: if the master of the house
had known the hour of night when the thief was coming,
he would have stayed awake
and not let his house be broken into.
So too, you also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”(Mt 24:37-44).[1]Today we celebrate the First Sunday of Advent and a new liturgical year for the Church, year A, which features the Gospel of Matthew. In today’s readings, the passage speaks to the uselessness of looking for signs for the coming of the Lord in glory; there will be none. The metaphor of the thief sneaking in during the night makes us aware that watchful waiting and vigilance are necessary. As Christians, we know that our Lord is coming even if we cannot know a precise time. Our Lord calls us to be watchful, attentive, like the homeowner and not to be carried away by the flood as in the days of Noah. If we become loose in our Christian living, we may be caught vulnerable and unprepared.
This was taken from this mornings Divine Office. Please read my post from a few days ago, “Watch”
To be “sleeping” as our Lord is speaking of, means not being attentive to His words. Being worldly, living in the world with disregard to the spiritual life, and not putting on the “new man”. Sleep walking among those wide awake. Don’t fall asleep.
It is now the hour for you to wake from sleep, for our salvation is closer than when we first accepted the faith. The night is far spent; the day draws near. Let us cast off deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us live honorably as in daylight; not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual excess and lust, not in quarreling and jealousy. Rather, put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the desires of the flesh. Romans 13:11-12
Wake up! Take a shower (Confession) and put on the “New Man”, pick up your “cross” and lets go! We have a journey to take. Glory to God, Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us all.
Crown him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon his throne,
Hark! how the heav’nly anthem drowns
All music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing
Of him who died for thee,
And hail him as thy matchless King
Through all eternity.
Crown Him the Son of God,
Before the worlds began,
And ye who tread where He hath trod,
Crown Him the Son of Man;
Who every grief hath known
That wrings the human breast,
And takes and bears them for His own,
That all in Him may rest.
Crown Him the Lord of life,
Who triumphed over the grave,
And rose victorious in the strife
For those He came to save.
His glories now we sing,
Who died, and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring,
And lives that death may die.
Crown Him the Lord of lords,
Who over all doth reign,
Who once on earth, the incarnate Word,
For ransomed sinners slain,
Now lives in realms of light,
Where saints with angels sing
Their songs before Him day and night,
Their God, Redeemer, King.
Crown Him the Lord of Heaven,
Enthroned in worlds above,
Crown Him the King to Whom
Is given the wondrous name of Love.
Crown Him with many crowns,
As thrones before Him fall;
Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns,
For He is King of all.
“Crown Him With Many Crowns” taken from Divine Office, as I was praying, I knew in my heart, this was much better than what I could say about my King. Our Lord.
Purgatory….
I was once asked if I would consider taking a “position” in the “Divine Office”. Unaware of what I was being asked, I was also told about the “Office of the Dead”. I chose the position in the “Divine Office”. I only have to show up 4 times a day for a 1/2 hour each time. But I must put my heart into the “job”. The pay is out of this world. I accepted the “position”. Little did I know it was in the “Office of the Dead” located in the “Divine Office”.
Eternal Father, I offer You the most precious blood of thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, for those in my own home and in my family. Amen.
This quote goes for any information on the Catholic Church and her teachings with any source outside of the Catholic Church herself:
“Trying to learn and follow the teaching of Pope Francis as filtered by The New York Times is like asking the Pharisees, Sadducees and Judas to explain “what He really said”. – Father Aphorism
Would you go to a coffee-house and order a steak? Would you call a plumbing contractor to change a light bulb? Why in the world would ANYONE go to any source outside of the source itself to find information about the teachings of the Catholic Faith, or what the Holy Father has said? Its mind-boggling to think of so many souls that call themselves Catholic, that choose to believe those who are not, over the Church herself. Need information? Go to the Vatican Website to learn about your faith. Click Here: VATICAN – HOLY SEE
The Catholic Church, through our Holy Father, has not said anything she hasn’t said since the very beginning over 2000 years ago. It’s just now, you are finally hearing truth for the first time as the Holy Spirit is working diligently to break the hearts of stone and turn them back into flesh. The world in which we live is so hell-bent on the Catholic Churches destruction,
it has forgotten what the truth is and what it means to truly love. Before reading anything, pray. Pray to our Lord that He allows you to see the truth as it is, and not as someone has twisted it out of proportion for you to swallow, that when it hits the belly of your soul, it twists back and twists you out of proportion.
Lord have mercy on us all.
I am a sinner. A repentant sinner. In all that you can read in all I have written, what it all comes down to is I have done nothing. Nothing that anyone else who believes in our Lord would not have done. I am a sinner. A repentant sinner, only now, living the faith that our Lord has given to us. I am no different than anyone else. Anyone else who said yes Lord.
This is where my entire conversion of heart has come to, today. I have a blazing love for all souls, but more for our Lord. I try to live within the balance of the world to come, and exile. I can not survive without our Lord. Without being in full communion with Him and His bride. Without receiving the sacraments continually, and in a steady life of prayer. I can not live in Him, without the glory being given to Him at all times. This is where He has brought me. Many years have passed and I have been through many trials. In all my tribulation, I have accomplished nothing but the acceptance of God gaining my soul. Only today, the race home has begun. All else was simply training for the race. With our Lords help, may I win to give Him the glory and all my love, as today and all days, belong to Him. I have done nothing, but everything wrong. Today the right path is open. Only now finding I am truly empty, to be filled with our Lord. You, Lord have “Cleaned the inside of cup and dish first so that it and the outside are both clean.” All glory and honor to God.
EDIT TO ADD:
Recognizing sin, accepting mercy is key to salvation, pope says
Jesus told his disciples that the entrance to heaven is like a “narrow gate,” not because God has made salvation so difficult, but because people find it difficult to recognize their sinfulness and accept God’s mercy, Pope Francis said.
Call to prayer for the Church in China
Virgin Most Holy, Mother of the Incarnate Word and our Mother,
venerated in the Shrine of Sheshan under the title “Help of Christians”,
the entire Church in China looks to you with devout affection.
We come before you today to implore your protection.
Look upon the People of God and, with a mother’s care, guide them
along the paths of truth and love, so that they may always be
a leaven of harmonious coexistence among all citizens.
When you obediently said “yes” in the house of Nazareth,
you allowed God’s eternal Son to take flesh in your virginal womb
and thus to begin in history the work of our redemption.
You willingly and generously cooperated in that work,
allowing the sword of pain to pierce your soul,
until the supreme hour of the Cross, when you kept watch on Calvary,
standing beside your Son, who died that we might live.
From that moment, you became, in a new way,
the Mother of all those who receive your Son Jesus in faith
and choose to follow in his footsteps by taking up his Cross.
Mother of hope, in the darkness of Holy Saturday you journeyed
with unfailing trust towards the dawn of Easter.
Grant that your children may discern at all times,
even those that are darkest, the signs of God’s loving presence.
Our Lady of Sheshan, sustain all those in China,
who, amid their daily trials, continue to believe, to hope, to love.
May they never be afraid to speak of Jesus to the world,
and of the world to Jesus.
In the statue overlooking the Shrine you lift your Son on high,
offering him to the world with open arms in a gesture of love.
Help Catholics always to be credible witnesses to this love,
ever clinging to the rock of Peter on which the Church is built.
Mother of China and all Asia, pray for us, now and for ever. Amen!
Text from page http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/05/22/pope_francis:_call_to_prayer_for_the_church_in_china/en1-694330
of the Vatican Radio website
I don’t usualy share other news but this is close to my heart. From Immaculate Heart Radio
Vatican doctors confirm miracle in John Paul II’s canonization process
Posted on April 23, 2013 by Stephanie
Vatican Insider’s Andrea Tornielli reports that a proposed miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed John Paul II has been approved by Vatican medical experts. In the process of canonization, a miracle must be approved for the person to be declared “Blessed” (which John Paul II was on May 1, 2011) and then a second miracle, which must occur after the beatification ceremony, must be approved in order to move the canonization process forward.
There are a few more steps that need to be taken before Blessed John Paul II can be canonized as a saint, though. The alleged miracle must be brought before theologians and then the bishops and cardinals of the Vatican Congregation for the Saints. If it is approved by all these, it will be brought before Pope Francis for his final approval. However, many consider this first step of approval by medical experts to be the most fundamental and crucial step.
Please continue here Immaculate Heart Radio
From Vatican Insider:
A saint now!” The canonisation of Wojtyla is getting closer quickly and it could be celebrated next October. In fact, in the past few days, the medical council of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints has recognized as inexplicable one healing attributed to the blessed John Paul II. A supposed “miracle” that, if it is also approved by theologians and the cardinals (as it is very likely), will bring the Polish Pope, who died in 2005, the halo of sainthood in record time, just eight years after his death.
While I spent time with our Lord in Gethsemane last night, I pondered. Why did my Lord cling to this rock. Why not keep waking up St. Peter, St James and St John?
The rock was and still is today, a better specimen at doing God’s will then any mortal man. The rock our Lord clung to, had been created by God, to do as God asked, and did exactly what God had designed it to do. To be a rock. It was not budging from Gods order. Thus was the obedience of our Lord. He could not be moved from carrying out God’s will. He did exactly as our Father had asked. Thus the reason we cling to Him and not any worldly object or person. He is my Rock. He doesn’t budge. He doesn’t change, I do. He is set firm and His Bride is set with Him. She does not budge.
A Letter to Victoria's Secret From a Father.
Beautiful! Had to share.
Dear Victoria’s Secret,
I am a father of a three-year old girl. She loves princesses, Dora the Explorer, Doc McStuffins and drawing pictures for people. Her favorite foods are peanut butter and jelly, cheese and pistachios.
Even though she is only three, as a parent I have had those thoughts of my daughter growing up and not being the little girl she is now. It is true what they say about kids, they grow up fast. No matter how hard I try I know that she will not be the little ball of energy she is now; one day she will be a rebellious teenager that will more than likely think her dad is a total goof ball and would want to distance herself from my embarrassing presence.
I know that this is far down the line and I try to spend as much time as I can with her making memories of this special time.
But as I read an article today posted on The Black Sphere, it really got me thinking that maybe the culture that we currently find ourselves in is not helping the cause.
Recently I read an article that Victoria’s Secret is launching a line of underwear and bras aimed at middle school aged children. The line will be called “Bright Young Things” and will feature ” lace black cheeksters with the word “Wild” emblazoned on them, green and white polka-dot hipsters screen printed with “Feeling Lucky?” and a lace trim thong with the words, “Call me” on the front.”
As a dad, this makes me sick.
Please continue reading HERE for the full letter and here “Victoria’s Secret is coming for your Middle Schooler“. Please help stop the Sexualization of Children.
When a nation worships the above images more than God, you see the nation pushing all her citizens off the cliff into the pit, justifying gay marriage and abortion like its nothing. Don’t worship these images, worship God and you will understand very quickly abortion is murder is there is no such thing as gay marriage. You will learn quickly that true charity, is love, and given in love from the heart. Not from a separate account from the government that they dip into it for (fill in the blank) reasons hidden from those who pay into it.
“I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. You shall have none other gods before me. You shall not make you any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth: You shall not bow down yourself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, And showing mercy to thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.”
Marriage is not about the love you have for your partner, but the love you have for God. You love God first and you’re neighbor as you love yourself. You love your “spouse” because: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Christ IS the “Spouse” of your soul.
Please do not “Assume” that by my posting this I hate anyone. Because I don’t. I love everyone. Homosexuality may or may not be a choice. That is not the issue. Having sexual relations outside of the bonds of marriage is the issue not only for homosexuals but straight singles as well. Marriage is designed for having CHILDREN. Look at what sex outside of marriage (because it feels good) is doing to society. Just look.
Lord deliver us from the government and all who seek not your face nor to do Your will, who falsely swear they are one nation under you, when they worship not you but themselves. Lord have mercy on us and convert this nation back to serving only you Lord. I ask you in the most Holy Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
I can relate. I don’t believe he would be to happy about the way folks celebrate his feast day. He drove the snakes out of Ireland, he didn’t drive them in. Just as St. Valentines day is not a free day for fornication.
My husband was in Dublin for St Patrick’s Day one year and it was very quiet. The only people who get drunk and obnoxious are those wo do no understand the Saint or the feast or the faith behind him..
For more help, please follow the link below. Think.
Be His
The soul not ready for our Lord…
A woman is taking care of the household as her Spouse is on a very long business trip. Little by little things begin to go wrong arround the house. He left her with more resources than she could have ever dreamed of having. A sink backs up one week. The next week some shingles fall off the roof in a wind storm. A few days later, the toilet overflows. A few days later a window is broken. The woman sits and does nothing to fix the things going wrong. She puts them off and says to herself, its my spouses job to fix those things, not mine. He will have to fix them when He gets home. After weeks and years of her Spouse away on business, the house has fallen into disrepair and she is sleeping on a pile of rubble. Her Spouse returns and she sees Him walking up to the front door that is hanging on one hinge. As soon as He crosses the threshold, she begins to cry and tell Him if He was here the house would not be ruined. If He would have done His job, they would still have a home today. He looks at her and knowing He has been away for so long, begins to clean up the mess she allowed to happen. He stops as her complaining continues and walks away.
A ready soul….
A woman is taking care of the household as her Spouse is on the same long business trip. Little by little things begin to go wrong arround the house. A sink backs up one week. She fixes it because she knows her Spouse is busy and not here yet. He left her with more resources than she could have ever dreamed of having. She loves Him so much, and does not know when He will be returning. She takes it up and fixes the problem immediately, so He doesn have to when He returns. The next week some shingles fall off the roof during a wind storm. She calles a roofer to help her fix the problem as she knows she can not fix it alone. She does not want her loving Spouse to have to take care of it upon His return. All the same things begin to go wrong and she pulls all she has in strength together to fix all that goes wrong before her loving Spouse returns. One day, she is looking out a window she learned how to fix, and seen her Spouse walking up the front walk. She ran to the door as He opened it and they fell into each others arms and kissed passionately. (I’ll end it there).
Do you think our Lord wants to sit and have a cup of coffee with you and talk about all the things that went wrong while you were living? Do you think He wants to hear you complain about how long He was gone? Of course not. All He wants to do is grab you in His arms and hold you and love you. The falling down house is the soul in need of serious repairs. A soul who has not gone to confession, not taken care of the business at”home” with the gifts our Lord has given to us to do so, while He is away. The ready soul is the one who used everything our Lord has left them, to ensure when He returned, He would not have to do much before grabbing hold of His spouse.
Think about it….
When you are in love, not a second goes by that you can not think of the person you are in love with. It’s like two teenagers constantly texting each other, seconds apparat just telling the other, I love you. This is how our Lord wants you to Love Him. Everything you see, taste, touch, hear, learn, and know, should remind you of Him. When the two meet again, everything around them disappears and all they see is the love between them. Not the things that separated them.
Yesterday a friend posted some photos of the bronze statue of our Lord that was cast from 3D images of the Shroud of Turin, on his Facebook page from his trip to Israel.
Had to share his and a few I found online.
From his trip. The full body.
You can see where the scourges inflicted wounds on His body.
“What matters for the believer, is that the Shroud is a mirror of the Gospel. The image it presents has such a profound relationship with what the Gospels tell of Jesus’ passion and death that every sensitive person feels inwardly touched and moved at beholding it” (John Paul II, Address given in Turin on May 24, 1998).
Beauty is in the eye of the believer.
A post for my Protestant friends as to why the “Pope” is so important. Catholics too! Who do not understand why the Pope is the “Voice” and not the vice.
The BEST explanation I have ever heard, outside of the Holy Bible was given by Father Robert Barron in the video below. I ask my readers to watch this and understand how important the Pope is in this world.
Calling ALL Catholics! Answer The Call! Bishops Call for Nine Days of Prayer, Penance and Pilgrimage for Life
From the USCCB –
On January 22nd and January 25th our nation will remember the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
Since that tragic decision, more than 55 million children’s lives have been lost to abortion, and the lives of millions of their parents have been shattered.
As part of the bishops’ recent call to prayer, “Nine Days of Prayer, Penance and Pilgrimage” will take place January 19-27, 2013.
This time period, focusing on the theme of pilgrimage, includes:
■ Blessings of pro-life pilgrims (en español)
(See page 10, 2012 Respect Life Program Liturgy Guide)
■Novena – Sign up for daily emails below, or text “9days” to 99000 to receive it through daily text messages!
■Youth and young adult activities (“Pro-Life Profiles” and a high school age video contest)
■Closing Eucharistic Holy Hour
Please go to the link HERE to the USCCB Page and Sign Up to receive daily email messages during the novena!
In order to remain “One Nation Under God” we must focus on the Spiritual Cliff that is in front of the US, behind the US and surrounding the US rather than the fiscal cliff. Put your faith back in God and not in His creation nor the men who believe they are gods.
Here is another idea that goes with my post a few days ago “Holy Innocents Pledge“. MOST Vons Food Stores in California have Starbucks located inside of their stores. Contact them and let them know you will not purchase food or prescriptions from them until they STOP supporting Abortion.
Safeway Corporate Office & Headquarters
5918 Stoneridge Mall RoadPleasanton CA 94588
(800) 723-3929
Yesterday, I posted about a portion of Starbucks purchases going to support Abortion. “Come Together” with our Lord.
Why is it we find such a need to stop for that cup of coffee in the morning on our way to where ever we are going? Wouldn’t our time be much better spent having a cup of coffee at the breakfast table with our family’s? Our spouses? Our children? Or alone in prayer with our Lord? How about spending that first 15 minutes of the day, at home with the people God placed in our lives, if only to tell them you love them over coffee rather than in a line worrying about if they got your order right? Time is something we don’t seem to have enough of until its to late. That first 15 minutes of the day to pray with loved ones could make all the difference in the world. Make your coffee time count. Pray together. Especially to end abortion. This way, it’s a win win situation. Your not supporting abortion unknowingly, and you’re praying to end it.
Morning Offering:
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart: the salvation of souls, the reparation for sin, and the reunion of all Christians. I offer them for the intentions of our bishops and of all Apostles of Prayer, for the end of abortion worldwide and in particular for those recommended by our Holy Father this month.
35 Jesus wept.
36 “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied
37 Then the Jews said, “See how much he loved him.”
38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.
39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.
42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” John 11 35:44
He called me and I came back home. I had been dead in sin for much longer then 4 days, and He has raised me out of my self-inflicted tomb of destruction, because He loves us too. He turned my sins into a focal point to avoid at all cost, The wages of sin is death. He reignited the flame of love that burns for Him and burns away the sinfulness I had been carrying. He pulled me through the forge and is reshaping my soul into what she was created to be. Simply, in love with Him. I see the Glory of God in all things. I see the Glory of God is everywhere. He removed my grave-clothes of sin, and replaced them with the garments of hope, love, mercy and faith in Him for all time. There shall never be another in whom I love as much.
Thank you Abba Father, for sending your Son, our Lord, to save us all. I was not physically there the day He rose Lazarus, but I am now and I shall never forget, least my heart-break at the very thought of our Lord weeping.
St. Lazarus pray for us that Christ our Lord raises us all out of the filth of our sinfulness, that we may all see the Glory of God in one another and never return to our old ways seeking selfish pleasures. Lord have mercy on us all. Amen
“Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Luke 23:42
How many times do I see myself at the good thief, crucified with our Lord, to many to be counted and when all is said and done, I should be counted as the bad thief.. I try to try to do what is right and just and find myself doing exactly what is wrong and unjustified in the eyes of our Lord. Yesterday I attended Holy Mass and seen a soul not “looking” as if they were praying to our Lord but rather what seemed to be one holding Him in contempt. Not standing at the right times, not participating in the prayers and certainly not showing any amount of reverence for our Lord, but yet, going up to receive Him in the Eucharist. I cringed and became adamant that one could receive our Lord in such a way. The Priest turned to him first and offered our Lord to him, then to me. When Mass had ended and I walked out, I thought of my attitude towards the other who had received our Lord is this way, and was quickly reminded of how I to used to receive our Lord. Completely looking past the Mass, the Wedding Feast, to what I would be doing after. Looking to the day after the beautiful time I had with Him. I was quickly reminded of the times I did not have any idea how much our Lord loved me and how I was so confused upon returning to Him. I didn’t understand why I had returned, but I did return. I was reminded that I was not the only one to see our Lord in this way and I did not have a monopoly on His love nor His voice. Time belongs to Him and be it that we do not understand why He calls us back is not the point, but rather the fact He called us back in the first place, is the only point that matters. No one is perfect but Him and rather than condemnation to any souls, I should have been full of joy that another had returned to Him, to be a part of His body. To call on Him at every step. Forgive me Lord. I know not what I do.
This first week of Advent and in the coming weeks before Christmas and the birth of our Lord, I feel a strong need to understand I am not alone in this faith and to be alone in His body would simply be vainglory in my faith. I need to understand I have to recall that I too have worn the shoes of homelessness, I have worn the shoes of unworthiness and could very easily return to that person. Nothing has come from me but rather from the One True God. I need to remember me as the bad thief and beg for our Lords mercy every day of my life. Knowing that I must stay awake and not fall asleep in the misery of the world, nor the fact that God giveth and taketh away. I must continue on the path of what is right and just, no matter how painful it may be. Everything is for the greater glory of God.
I found a little plaque today while walking through Goodwill that put it all in perspective for me. “I love Jesus not only for what He is, but for what I am now that He is in my heart.”. Thank you Lord for correcting the things in me, You are not. I love You.
One of the biggest mistakes we can make on the road back home to our Lord, is to think for even a second, I was put here to “Protect” God. There is a huge difference between admonishing the sinner and protecting God. How often we ponder the Crucifixion of our Lord and think, I would have done something to stop that if I were there! We crucify our Lord over and over again, every time we sin. Just as the world does. The difference between the two is that the soul in love with our Lord understands He rose from the dead, and gave his life that we can be forgiven. It was God’s will. His forgiveness is always on the table, free for the taking like Dad’s car keys, but we must seek Him, and ask for it. “I absolve you of your sins” is the definitive yes. We know being His children, we we take His forgiveness and go into the world, its not to say we wont get scratches on His “car” or in worse cases, crash it through our sinfulness. We will. But He still allows us to take it. When we take it and we are not responsible, the damage comes quick. Sometimes before we even leave the driveway or get the key in the ignition. We must understand that His forgiveness came at a price and to be responsible for any “damage” that occurs after to this brand new car is our own fault. The worldly soul doesn’t ask but assumes its okay to take the car, takes it and the motor burns out because he didn’t realize the “car” needed more oil and a new filter. Prayer is the oil that fills our lamps. The new filter can be found in confession. If the filter is plugged with sin, nothing can get through to the rest of the motor.
God wants us to take His forgiveness, but to be careful, not to be afraid and never leave the car in fear it may become damaged, but rather to do what we need to accomplish the tasks He asked us to perform for Him.
When we make the mistake of thinking we can protect God, we are acting just as Simon Peter did in regards to our Lord and the will of God, that He should die for our sins and be raised on the third day. When Jesus predicts His death, “Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you! Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Parking the car, hands on the steering wheel, sitting inside not doing a thing God asked of us.
When we think we are to protect God, we are denying the very fact He is God and does not need our protection. From anything or anyone. His will be done, no matter how painful we know it will be for us and the one committing the sin, in order that His plans are solidified. Not ours. Later on we see where St. Peter denied Christ three times. In the world we live, while we are in the “Spirit” we see the crimes (sins) being committed against God and far to often believe we need to protect God, when the realization is, we need just not to deny Him and admonish the sinner. Allowing God to do the job that needs to be done. Be it in any way He wills. Our job is to present the TRUTH at every turn. When we choose not to, we are committing the sin of omission and are just as guilty as the one we are watching fall into the pit of sin. “Omission” is the failure to do something one can and ought to do. If this happens advertently and freely a sin is committed. Some times, when we think we are protecting God, we tend to do to much and start blaming and pointing fingers rather then simply correcting the sinner with truth thinking we are doing good. This is the “Protecting” of God that I am speaking about. The truth is, when placed in this position we are actually to be protecting ourselves against doing this. “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Deny yourself, not God. God still loves the sinner as much as He loves you and His will is to bring both of us home. Not one over the other. We are called to protect God’s (children) and the seeds we are sowing in them, He will make grow. If any damage is done to the “car” on the trip, tell Him right away. He can fix that.
Devotion in Honor of the Five Holy Wounds
As I kneel before Thee on the Cross, most loving Savior of my soul, my conscience tells me it is I who have nailed Thee to that Cross with these hands of mine, as often as I have fallen into mortal sin, wearing Thee with my monstrous ingratitude.
My God, my chief and most perfect Good, worthy of all my love, seeing Thou hast ever loaded me with blessings, I cannot now undo my misdeeds, as I would most willingly, but I can and will loathe them, grieving greatly for having offended Thee Who art infinite Goodness. And now, kneeling at Thy feet, I will try at least to compassionate Thee, to give Thee thanks, to ask of Thee pardon and contrition. Wherefore, with heart and lips I say:
(To the Wound of the Left Foot)
Holy Wound of the Left Foot of my Jesus, I adore Thee! I compassionate Thee, O my Jesus, for that most bitter pain which Thou didst suffer. I thank Thee for the love whereby Thou was wearied in overtaking me on to way to ruin, and didst bleed amid the thorns and brambles of my sins. I offer to the Eternal Father the pain and love of Thy most Sacred Humanity, in atonement for my sins, all of which I detest with sincere and bitter contrition.
(To the Wound of the Right Foot)
Holy Wound of the Right Foot of my Jesus, I adore Thee! I compassionate Thee, O my Jesus, for that most bitter pain which Thou didst suffer. I thank Thee for the love which pierced Thee with such torture and shedding of blood in order to punish my wanderings and the guilty pleasures I have granted to my passions. I offer to the Eternal Father all the pain and love of Thy most Sacred Humanity, and I pray unto Him for grace to weep over my transgressions with burning tears, and to enable me to persevere in the good which I have begun, without ever swerving again from my obedience to the commandments of my God.
(To the Wound of the Left Hand)
Holy Wound of the Left Hand of my Jesus, I adore Thee! I compassionate Thee, O my Jesus, for that most bitter pain which Thou didst suffer. I thank Thee for having, in Thy love, spared me the scourges and eternal damnation which my sins have merited. I offer to the Eternal Father the pain and love of Thy most Sacred Humanity, and I pray Him to teach me how to turn to good account my span of life, and bring forth in it worthy fruits of penance, and so disarm the angry justice of my God.
(To the Wound of the Right Hand)
Holy Wound of the Right Hand of my Jesus, I adore Thee! I compassionate Thee, O my Jesus, for that most bitter pain which Thou didst suffer. I thank Thee for Thy graces lavished on me with such love, in spite of all my miserable obstinacy. I offer to the Eternal Father all the pain and love of Thy most Sacred Humanity, and I pray Him to change my heart and its affections, and make me do all my actions in accordance with the will of God.
(To the Wound in the Sacred Side)
Holy Wound in the Side of my Jesus, I adore Thee! I compassionate Thee, O my Jesus, for the cruel insult Thou didst suffer. I thank Thee, my Jesus, for the love which suffered Thy side and Heart to be pierced, that the last drops of Blood and water might issue forth, making my redemption to abound. I offer to the Eternal Father this outrage, and the love of Thy most Sacred Humanity, that my soul may enter once for all into that most loving Heart, eager and ready to receive the greatest sinners, and from it may never more depart
“O Glorious Prince of the heavenly host, St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle and in the terrible warfare that we are waging against the principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the evil spirits. Come to the aid of man, whom Almighty God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of Satan.
“Fight this day the battle of the Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in Heaven. That cruel, ancient serpent, who is called the devil or Satan who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold, this primeval enemy and slayer of men has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the earth in order to blot out the name of God and of His Christ, to seize upon, slay and cast into eternal perdition souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. This wicked dragon pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity.
“These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where the See of Holy Peter and the Chair of Truth has been set up as the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be.
“Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious power of hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly find mercy in the sight of the Lord; and vanquishing the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.
V. Behold the Cross of the Lord; be scattered ye hostile powers.
R. The Lion of the tribe of Judah has conquered the root of David.
V. Let Thy mercies be upon us, O Lord.
R. As we have hoped in Thee.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
Let us pray.
O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy holy Name, and as supplicants, we implore Thy clemency, that by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin Immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious St. Michael the Archangel, Thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all the other unclean spirits who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of souls. Amen.”
Its not often a new song will move me in such a way, but this one has. I was on my way to cover for someone who could not make it to Adoration this morning, I heard this song, and it put into perspective, my entire life and relationship with our Lord. It moved me to tears, as only He is constantly in my thoughts. When I arrived at Adoration in front of the tabernacle, the song played on. I know where this song is from, but the lyrics and the music fit, perfectly. Its Christina Perri’s, A Thousand Years. From this day forward, every time I hear this song, I will remember Him and the way this song played at the most perfect time and sing it to Him, with Him.
Heart beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave
How can I love when I’m afraid To fall
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt
Suddenly goes away somehow
One step closer
I have died everyday
waiting for you
Darlin’ don’t be afraid
I have loved you for a
Thousand years
I’ll love you for a
Thousand more
Time stands still
beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything
Take away
What’s standing in front of me
Every breath,
Every hour has come to this
One step closer
I have died everyday
Waiting for you
Darlin’ don’t be afraid
I have loved you for a
Thousand years
I’ll love you for a
Thousand more
And all along I believed
I would find you
Time has brought
Your heart to me
I have loved you for a
Thousand years
I’ll love you for a
Thousand more
One step closer
One step closer
I have died everyday
Waiting for you
Darlin’ don’t be afraid,
I have loved you for a
Thousand years
I’ll love you for a
Thousand more
And all along I believed
I would find you
Time has brought
Your heart to me
I have loved you for a
Thousand years
I’ll love you for a
Thousand more
EDIT TO ADD 9/5/2018
Its taken me a while to add this into this post. When this took place, my heart was struck and overcome by so much. This video was taken by me, when my sister took me on a little pilgrimage, to St. Norbert College, · De Pere, WI. The second we walked in, it was silent, and all of a sudden, the people began to play.
“with the Lord, ‘a day’ can mean a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day” (II Peter 3:8).
Acts 13:23-25 – To keep his promise, God has raised up for Israel one of David’s descendants, Jesus, as Saviour, whose coming was heralded by John when he proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the whole people of Israel. Before John ended his career he said, ‘I am not the one you imagine me to be; that one is coming after me and I am not fit to undo his sandal.’
Hymn
Hail, O thou of woman born,
Highest rank attaining,
Saint of whom an Angel spoke,
‘John’ thy name ordaining:
Hallowed from thy mother’s womb,
Lamp divinely lighted
To enlighten them that sit
In death’s shade benighted.
Hail to thee, with herald voice
God in flesh revering,
With thy finger pointing out
Christ, the Lamb, appearing:
At the Jordan thou didst cry,
Sinner’s doom declaring,
And, by water’s cleansing sign,
Way for God preparing.
Hail, who, over mortals all,
Rightly wast appointed
To baptize the sacred head
Of the Lord’s Anointed:
Who didst hear the Father’s voice,
That blest rite attending,
And didst see the Holy Ghost,
As a dove descending.
Peg Pondering Again 