I found a brass plaque that says:
“Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you – Ralph Waldo Emerson”
I’m thinking of having it melted down into a crucifix because if you think for a second this is all there is, your sorely mistaken.
Tag: Faith
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Yesterday was my monthly meeting with the Third Order of Carmel. Our lectio divina was of John 9 (Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind). I had to leave the room as the tears ran down my cheeks. After composing myself and knowing what our Lord has done for me, please see here , I joined my group once again and realized for a fact, our Lord had called me and I had answered.
Our group talk was on St. Teresa Avila and the Interior Castle. I knew what was needed to be said as I knew through experience what was asked of me in the 6th Mansion. Our Lord had been my Life Partner, being the Spouse of my Soul. I had gone through many spiritual trials in my faith and like the pangs of birth, they would come and go, increasing in pain and strength, the more my spiritual life increased. In order to give birth, otherwise to bring for the fruit from the seed that had been planted so long ago, our Lord nurtured this faith until it had manifested into reality. Giving me the strength to carry on further into total trust in Him. Just as a woman in labor pushes and pushes for this birth, so have I in trying to bring about this “child” sooner then God had allowed. All at once while speaking about the Sixth Mansion, I seen the past few days coming to a head, giving me strength as the faith I had was crowing and our Lord called me to push further and harder just one more time, and as I did, I gave birth to this “fruit” of faith bringing me into total joy after so much pain, through the One who planted this inside of me. I handed this “fruit” to Him through the waiting arms of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and into the arms of the Most Sacred Heart of my Lord. Like the presentation of our Lord, I was presenting all He had called me to do in love. I give it all back to my Lord Jesus Christ, and pray that many “children” may come to Him through this new birth of belief in Him, completely.
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Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Ghost,
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.Holy Mary, pray for us sinners.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Queen of heaven,
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, vanquisher of Satan,
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, most dutiful Daughter,
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, most pure Virgin,
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, most devoted Spouse,
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, most tender Mother,
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, perfect model of virtue,
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, sure anchor of hope,
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, refuge in affliction,
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, dispenser of God’s gifts,
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, tower of strength against our foes,
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, our aid in danger,
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, road leading to Jesus,
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, our light in darkness,
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, our consolation at the hour of death,
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, advocate of the most abandoned sinners, pray for us sinners.For those hardened in vice, with confidence we come to thee, O Lady of Mount Carmel.
For those who grieve thy Son,
For those who neglect to pray,
For those who are in their agony,
For those who delay their conversion,
For those suffering in Purgatory,
For those who know thee not, with confidence we come to thee, O Lady of Mount Carmel.Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Hope of the Despairing, intercede for us with thy Divine Son.
Let us pray.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, glorious Queen of Angels, channel of God’s tenderest mercy to man, refuge and advocate of sinners, with confidence I prostrate myself before thee, beseeching thee to obtain for me [insert your request here]. In return I solemnly promise to have recourse to thee in all my trials, sufferings, and temptations, and I shall do all in my power to induce others to love and reverence thee and to invoke thee in all their needs. I thank thee for the numberless blessings which I have received from thy mercy and powerful intercession. Continue to be my shield in danger, my guide in life, and my consolation at the hour of death. Amen. -
We are called to be a light in the dark. There are many creep sinful things in the dark that come to us also, to bug us, to tempt us. Rather then fall into the temptation sin is offering, we must kill it with prayer, like bugs attracted to the light in a dark place, we must always be on guard against these sinful “bugs”. We must zap the sin that comes to us always, out of our life and the lives of those who need our Lords help and protection. As we are effected by the sins of those around us, we are also influencing souls through the grace our Lord gives to us to live holy lives, by our example. We need to ensure the sin dies and falls to the earth, allowing the good to rise and thrive. Ever seen how green grass grows under an area that a bug light is hanging over? That death of sinful nature gives bountiful life.
Think about it…From this mornings prayers, Divine Office:
God our Savior,
hear our morning prayer:
help us to follow the light
and live the truth.
In you we have been born again
as sons and daughters of light:
may we be your witnesses before all the world.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen. -
On my way into work this morning, I was praying the Rosary as I always do, as it is so pleasant to focus on our Lord and Mama Mary, rather than the stress that comes with a long bumper to bumper commute. I noticed a pick up truck with the “Jesus Fish”. As I was praying, in my heart I felt the presence of our Lord. Not in a way that He was driving the truck or anything even remotely close to that. In a way He was with me and my eyes catching that icon, drew me into His presence, along with praying the Rosary. During the prayers it made me smile to see it. Just as soon as the smile came, a bigger cargo truck pulled in between the two of us and I lost sight of the “Ichthys” icon. I panicked a bit and I don’t know why. It didn’t mean anything but I just wanted to see. I got into the next lane over and instantly in my heart, still as I was praying the Rosary, I heard; “Just because you can’t see Him, know He is still there”. There was something in the back of the pickup that bothered me a little and I’m not sure I want to say why because it was just an everyday shop vac. But a though had come to me that as quickly as it came to bother me, our Lord took it away from me. It had to do with abortion.
The smile returned and instantly I remembered my lack of faith for many years past. It had truly blossomed into just KNOWING He is always with us, even when we lose sight of Him. Even though I am no longer doing as much as I was in years past for my Church in activities due to having to go back to work, He is still here. “His love endures forever”.
Further up the road, someplace where, I do not know, I was no longer focused on the “icon” but rather on the fact of our Lords word; “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” – MATT 28:20 I don’t know where the truck turned off or where he went, but it no longer mattered. It and the shop vac were gone. I arrived at work and started my day. As I was going about my work, my thoughts were still focused on our Lord. I experienced something so profound as I was working. I remembered how my mom used to call me at my work, years ago and it was so vivid. I could see her so full of life and she was so joyful and at peace. It was as if she was calling me right that second and all she wanted to do was say hello. My mother passed away in 2002 and I hadn’t had much thought about her in such a way as she had been ill for many years and in a very fragile sickly state. Today? She was beautiful! I heard in my heart, call me, and I began to pray the Hail Mary. The image of my mother was quickly changed into that of our Holy Mother Mary and there was such joy and elation in my soul that words could never describe the feeling that I had. I then began to pray the Divine Mercy and have been in a state of peace ever since.
I don’t know was any of this means. All I know is it has been a fantastic day in which I am eternally grateful to our Lord and Mama Mary.
Ichthys:
Iota (i) is the first letter of Iēsous (Ἰησοῦς), Greek for “Jesus”.
Chi (ch) is the first letter of Christos (Χριστός), Greek for “anointed”.
Theta (th) is the first letter of Theou (Θεου), Greek for “God’s”, the genitive case of Θεóς, Theos, Greek for “God”.
Ypsilon (y) is the first letter of (h)yios[4] (Υἱός), Greek for “Son”.
Sigma (s) is the first letter of sōtēr (Σωτήρ), Greek for “Savior”.CLICK HERE: Symbolism of the Fish
EDIT TO ADD:
The picture of Mama Mary I seen in my heart this morning was one that is now stuck with me. I can’t remember if I had ever seen this particular painting of our Holy Mother or not, but the “picture” that I seen of her today in my heart was of almost a side profile of her, wearing a blue and gold veil. Brilliant blue with a gold edge, our Lord was under a year old, clinging to her chest with His head resting upon her. In total, pure Contentment. If anyone has seen this before, please share a link.
This is VERY close but the both had their eyes open with almost the same expression and Mama Mary’s veil was trimmed in a thick ribbon of gold.
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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.
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The other night, I was printing off my Divine Office prayers to pray before bed and I ran out of ink. I was left with white sheets of paper and no words. I seen the red ink tank was full and changed all the prayers from black to red and printed them off and went into my room to pray.
As I looked at the prayers, I was taken by the red words and remembered, every word of our Lord was written with the Finger of God, in the most Precious Blood of our Lord. I was awe-struck that such a simple daily task as printing out my prayers for the evening had turned into a beautiful reflection on the cost of our freedom all through the Holy Spirit.
Every letter of every word, a single droplet of His precious blood, feeding our spiritual development as children of God in the womb of the Holy Church, through the umbilical cord of faith in Him.
I just had to share this. Glory and honor to God.
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When I was a little girl, I spent many hours thinking about what my life would be like. As most do. I wondered what I would be when I grew up and would spend hours wondering who would fall in love with me. Who would want to. I was chunky & ugly and mean. (My description) I didn’t much like myself nor did many others seem to like me. I went to a Junior High dance once with a friend who attended a public school with high hopes of someone dancing with me, leaving that night, not even dancing.
I still wondered who would ever love me? I wondered if I would go up to be popular, which I did not. I wondered if I would grow up to be famous, which of course, I did not. What was I going to be? I had high hopes and a lot of dreams & ambition, that just seemed to be placed where I didn’t belong. Much of this taking place after I could not have this “True Love” (read here)
I spent most of my hours growing up, listening to love songs, hoping one day, to sing them to the one who loved me and having them sung to me. One particularly stuck out and I heard it tonight after this wonderful day in prayer.
As I was folding the laundry from todays chores, I had a music channel on and this song came on. I thought, wow, I liked this song a lot when I was little. It brought back memories. And then lyrics hit me and the tears of joy ran down my cheeks. And it happened. I realized Who loved me. Who still loves me. Who I had wondered so much about all these years. Especially listening to THIS song from my youth that I used to wonder about all the time. Here I am, writing “the story”, my on-line diary, for the first time, EVER writing something down and its all about Him. I absolutely love Him. Our Lord is, the best thing that ever happened to me. Finally I can say, Its You! It’s really YOU Lord! With Your grace, O Lord, with Your mercy, I will never leave you again! I love you!
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”
The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
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“And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.” Book of Revelation 5:5
I have, for the past weeks been dealing with breaking appliances. My dishwasher for one last week and then on Labor Day, my washing machine. Being that we don’t have that much money at this time to run out and buy new ones to replace them right away, I have been doing much of my daily chores by hand, in between taking care of the children, working my new job and keeping and staying in prayer. Its been a complete blessing in which I am very grateful to our Lord.
Today is my day off work and I spent the morning at the laundromat as rather than washing clothes by hand. As is typical for a trip to the laundry, most of the machines were broken and unless you got freshly printed paper currency, it was next to impossible to get change for the machines. As was the case.
I had tried to use a five dollar bill a few times in the change machine without any success. A man approached me and said “Let me use my 10 dollars and then I will give you the change you need.” It worked, praise God, and I was able to start my daily chores.
Something rang in my heart about how familiar this situation was. This man was there with his wife and I couldn’t help but smile at the both of them. I then realized what was printed on the shirt he was wearing. “Lion of Judah”. I was struck instantly in awe. There was nothing to wonder about. I just knew.
I remembered how our Lord had used His body in exchange for mine to overcome this world. I remembered all He had done for me to convert my heart, so tenderly and with so much tenacity. Just to keep me on His path. Our Lord has changed me so drastically in so many ways. I was overwhelmed with gratitude.
I couldn’t help but see our Lord in all these actions along with Mama Mary, silently carrying on in her work. You see, this mans wife didn’t say a word to me as she continued about her chores. I sat down as we all waited for the wash to be clean and thought about how our Lord had cleansed me with His most precious blood. All He had done for me. All He had allowed me to see on this journey back to Him.
I began to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet. At that moment, another woman walked in to use the “change” machine and was also having difficulty’s. She began ranting about how nothing ever worked and started making a scene. I prayed a chaplet for her for peace and she walked over to where we were sitting to use another change machine. One in which was visibly empty. The light was blinking and I told her it wasn’t working. She didn’t like that very much. As she was walking away, I noticed her t-shirt and the words on it. My jaw dropped. It was a “SEIU” t-shirt. Nothing worked for her. She was unable to get the “change” she needed. She left the laundromat and went to a neighboring business to get change. This left me wondering… I don’t believe this is the place to discuss what was going through my mind. I prayed again for her, and all of us.
After tossing all the clean clothing into the dryers, I left for a few moments to head back home. I had been pondering attending Holy Mass but could not make it to the early mass this morning before this. As I got in my truck, the radio came on and a song called “get here” played and I knew I had to get home, change my clothes and get to the 12:05 Holy Mass. I just knew our Lord wanted me to be with Him. I ran back home, did what I needed to do and realized I needed to grab extra change for parking. I got back to the laundry, with a close parking spot and as I was getting out of my car, the man who offered me change, was coming out. He came to me and asked me if I had any change left as all he needed was one dollar. I reached into my pocket and handed him his change for a dollar, thinking how I needed to give our Lord 100% of my life and the glory and honor but also the gratitude in all I do, see and experience in this life and the next as it is not about me, but only Him.
After tossing all the clean clothing into baskets, looking up, I noticed a picture hanging up of St. Clare of Assisi. I got on the road to Holy Mass. It was spectacular. I don’t remember being this focused on Him in all other times of celebrating with Him. I continued in prayer on the way home and as I got out of my truck, I heard something I hadn’t heard in many years. It was a pet name my dad used to call me when I was in ballet classes at the age of five. In my heart as I got out of my truck, I heard “Hiya twinkle toes”. Out loud, I said “twinkle toes?” and laughed so hard remembering my dad calling me that name. Something I hadn’t heard since ballet class all those years ago. A smile came to my face, much bigger then the one I had all morning and I thanked our Lord.
Its been a glorious day! All praise and all thanksgiving be Yours Most High, Jesus Christ. I love you.
EDIT TO ADD:
I didn’t know St. Clare of Assisi’s feast day was August 12th as well as August 11th until just now. August 12th was also my dad’s birthday. He entered into eternal life on September 23 1996. It was his death, that lead to the beginning of my conversion back home to our Lord. -
Every time I see this picture, I fall deeper in love with our Lord.
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Ever since my conversion began back in 1998, I have been struggling with the idea that I could somehow be a mom and faithful to our Lord as I have been called. Last night as I was washing dishes I realized just how seriously under attack I had been over the years by the evil one, and still am.
I learned last night one of the most evil things to ponder is, “If I would have” or “I should have never” in regards to setting my life completely on religious life, rather than on the family I have been blessed with, all leading to ponder regrets. I have been plagued by this thought since the beginning, only now realizing this is not the voice of our Lord. This is the voice of the Culture of Death saying don’t have children, pursue YOUR selfish wants. Take care of YOU first.
It’s no different then the woman who puts off marriage and children to advance her career to become something other than what she was created to be. Constantly chasing after that carrot on the stick that she could never get to take a bite of because as you move forward, the stick carrying that carrot, moves at the same pace. Leading us to haul a bigger cart of misery and regrets, “Oh if I had married that man who loved me I would have a family by now”.
Our Lord never moves the goal posts. He moves the players to enable them to score the touchdown. The evil one constantly moves the goal posts making it impossible to score, no matter how much effort you put into the play. You could be wide open, receive the ball and just about to cross the goal and with every step, the goal becomes further and further out of reach. In the end, you never score. No matter how many times you try.
The gift of my family and the vocation of Marriage and Motherhood, is what needs to be placed first and when we place them above what we are searching for, and place ourselves last, we quickly understand our Lord is present in our own homes, waiting for that hug, to be tucked into bed, to be told to brush teeth and to pray with. Every action that has been done to pull closer to our Lord outside of the home, is brought into the home to be shared so in turn they can share it with their children.
In all religious communities, the soul seeks to live in communion with others, seeking the same goal, to score one for our Lord. Its teamwork on the spiritual level and the hardest part of this Vocation of Marriage and Motherhood, outside of the Religious Life, is knowing without a doubt we are all on the same team, and our goal is to ensure, not that I score the touchdown, but that the one of us does, so we all give the glory to God. Not to live and play on the team of the Culture of Death, where life is frowned upon, but rather the Culture of Life, to allow all God’s creation to continue.
Thank you Mama Mary, Queen of Heaven, on this day of your Nativity for this day to understand that we all have a bigger role to play in God’s plans and with humility and casting away self, to raise the next generation, allowing us to see life through His eyes and understand the smaller we become, the bigger the plans He has for us. I ask you to cover all mothers with your mantle, that they may be guided by your perfection in all motherly ways. Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us all.
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John 2
1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
4 “Woman,[a] why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
I woke up this morning less than inspired to do anything. I had a bad two nights of pondering and was almost at the point of not wanting to carry on anymore. I won’t get into details, as I continued on anyway. I had thoughts of not attending my meeting this morning with the Third Order of Carmel and literally had to push myself to be enthused to go, no doubt seeing now the attack I am under.
In prayer with my Carmelite Brothers and Sisters, we focused on this Gospel in our daily meditation.
Upon reading “On the third day”, a smile broke on my face which could not be contained internally. I was brought to Easter Sunday. Our Lords public mission began at the words of Mary asking Him to take care of a situation involving friends. I seen for the first time His two natures. One being He’s human nature, saying to His mother, “How does this concern me” and then seeing Him in His agony “Father thy will, not mine”. After telling our Holy Mother this, He proceeds to do as she asked of Him. As in the garden, He proceeded to do as Abba Father had asked of Him.
I then seen His divine nature take over, in regards to telling Mama Mary, “My Hour has not yet come”, but doing as He knew, Abba Father had requested of Him. In the garden, He wakes the sleeping Apostles, “Could you not stay awake with me one hour”. I can’t help but see that one hour as all time, to spend completely with our Lord, never leaving His side. Staying awake in the faith as so we are not tested and wander from Him in search of things that do not serve any purpose in His hour, for Him.
I’m focused today on that hour as “A day with the Lord is as a thousand years and a thousand years as a day.” (2 Peter 3:9). Our Lords hour began at the moment our Holy Mother asked Him to perform this single act. Man created time and God is outside of time and space. Therefore it is still our Lords hour as all time belongs to Him. That very moment at the wedding, the “Clock” began to tick in the hearts of all men, and the “Hands” can never be moved from the position they are in, stretched out on the cross, of our Lord.
Revelation 1:8
I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord,
which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. -
I attended Holy Mass this morning with my Carmelite brothers and sisters and heard a very profound story that needed to be shared on this day of prayer and fasting, during the homily.
Father is the Chaplin at a local hospital and a couple of days ago, received a call from a mother seeking a priest. He entered the room of a distraught mother who’s little child, a little girl, was very close to death. You see, this woman is Muslim and her husband is a Non-Practicing Catholic. After a long conversation between the Priest and the Mother, on this day, as we speak, the child close to death, is now being baptized Roman Catholic by this wonderful Priest.
I heard this story and it made me cry for joy. As it is taking place on a day we all seek to bring peace, this mother has through the act of God, brought her daughter to true peace.
Please include this little girl in your prayers today and her entire family.
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The USCCB has offered the following prayer:
Almighty eternal God, source of all compassion,
the promise of your mercy and saving help fills our hearts with hope.
Hear the cries of the people of Syria;
bring healing to those suffering from the violence,
and comfort to those mourning the dead.
Empower and encourage Syria’s neighbors
in their care and welcome for refugees.
Convert the hearts of those who have taken up arms,
and strengthen the resolve of those committed to peace.O God of hope and Father of mercy,
your Holy Spirit inspires us to look beyond ourselves and our own needs.
Inspire leaders to choose peace over violence
and to seek reconciliation with enemies.
Inspire the Church around the world with compassion for the people of Syria,and fill us with hope for a future of peace built on justice for all.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace and Light of the World,who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Amen. -
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.
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Taken from Paul Claudel, via Magnificat Monday, from a meditation of his on the Apostles’ Creed:
We live… in a state of disorder. There has been a corruption of the original order, of the order that charged all things to become visible; there has been a warping of certain wheels, which causes friction throughout the mechanism. The disorder cannot, by definition, be the work of the Creator, because everything that proceeds from him is, by definition, good. Therefore it can only be the work of the free creature, free to choose himself as an end, instead of God who has no end.
Difference, preference … this false preference is the so-called original sin, which is the result of this original difference away from God in which the creature delights, and delights as an end in itself.
The consequence of original sin, by which the finite being chooses himself as end, is the End, either death or separation — separation for the rebel angels forever banned from life, death for man who loses his body, or the essential difference in which he delights.
By his sin, man withdraws from God his body and the service of his body, to which all nature is bound in solidarity. He is no longer “adjusted.” What he robbed while in a state of grace he cannot now restore in a state of sin. God alone can restore God (or God’s work) to himself by a sort of recreation or regeneration.”Fiat,” says the Father, “voluntas mea.” “Fiat voluntas tua,” answers the Son.If you think for a second, that “American Entertainment” is anything less than one huge pornography industry, you are greatly mistaken. Vulgarity has replaced every aspect of clean entertainment that all one can see anymore is the manifestation of a very perverse nation, with a twisted reality, who has lost her entire set of morals and values.
It’s pathetic to see a nation of hungry animals just waiting for that “child actor” to be taken into the abyss of “sex sells”. If sex sells, what is it selling but more sex and all you have left is sex, then there is nothing left to sell. You are left only to the realization, you have already sold your own souls and all that “free love” was not so free.
Such is the world in which we live, but not where we are to stay.
Our Lord is looking for you…
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For all who are worried about what is taking place in the world, The persecution of Catholics and Coptic’s in Egypt and everywhere in this world. Take comfort. They can loot the churches, burn them down, destroy all “visible” aspects of the Christian and Catholic faith they want in Egypt and elsewhere. NO ONE can destroy the faith in the Heart of every one of God’s faithful. PERIOD! The “Body” is the Temple of our Lord and He shall prevail.
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. John 4:23”
Physical man-made buildings come & go, SOULS go on FOREVER~! Christ Jesus, is our King and He is alive and well in our hearts, no matter what they do to the “buildings” we worship Him in.
I offer you to look at Servant of God, Cardinal Van Thuan.
“After South Vietnam was conquered by the North Vietnamese communists in 1975, Archbishop Thuan – who had just been appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Saigon – like hundreds of thousands of his countrymen, was imprisoned. He served a total of 13 years in prison, for nine years of which he was in solitary confinement at Vinh Phu prison in Hanoi, former capital of North Vietnam. The pope said the man celebrated Mass every day in prison, “with three drops of wine and a drop of water in his hand. This was his altar. This was his cathedral.”
“During thirteen years in jail, in a situation of seemingly utter hopelessness, the fact that he could listen and speak to God became for him an increasing power of hope, which enabled him, after his release, to become for people all over the world a witness to hope—to that great hope which does not wane even in the nights of solitude.” 2007 encyclical, Spe Salvi, Benedict XVI referred to Thuận’s Prayers of Hope
Servant of God, Cardinal Van Thuan, pray for us
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
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This is what happens when society continues to vote for the lesser of two evils.
In the beginning, the “evil” doesn’t “seem” so bad, (It doesn’t affect me) but over time, it grows into something so large, it tramples everything good in its path that stands in the way of it ruling every life that it has been growing in. Abortion: Made legal in 1973 in the USA, but laws protecting the faithful from government paying for them was enacted. (Band Aid) Society KNEW it was wrong but did it anyway.
This is the war between the Culture of Life and the Culture of Death. Truth verses lies. It’s very obvious to see the destructive path this man, Obama, (Although it could be anyone who subscribes to this way of thinking) and the Culture of Death are leading our nation into, from the same destructive path she has been on for many years. It’s just now, under his control, the evil has become big enough to see without a microscope.
Secularism is the cancerous “tumor” in society and it is always life threatening. The culture of death starts like a single cell of cancer, that without “cutting it out” but rather placing a band-aid over it, enters the lymphatic system of society and metastasize into many areas, until it makes us all physically sick. Leading only to death. We know, over time, the Band-Aid always falls off.
The cure can only be found in the Truth. God help us.
This post is not just about abortion, but ALL the aspects of the Culture of Death. We, the Catholic Church, the faithful who believe, ARE the cure! Alone against society, the cure has been non responsive, collected together, the monster of the culture of death in which we live can and WILL be defeated. Like radiation attacking a tumor, we need to work together. Beginning in each and every home. Radiating out into the society in which we live.
“Let nothing disturb you” does not mean don’t act on anything. It means act on what our Lord is telling you to act on, in the face of every condemnation that may come as He is with you. When a soul reaches out to you, reach back out to them. Don’t feel a need to stay in your comfort zone to protect YOUR faith but reach out to those in need to BRING them the consolation our Lord has given to you, least you become to “rich” to move in any direction, including closer to Him for the benefit of the entire Church and all society at death’s door, giving all the glory to God.
“We must never grow accustomed to evil!” – Pope Francis
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I just returned from assessing my garden. Over the years I have had an abundance of fruit from my trees. At various times of the year, it has come in handy to place in my children’s lunches and when money had been very tight for eating wonderful snacks through a week of not spending a dime because, I had not one to spend. We were comforted by God with the fruit that was so needed through harsh times. All provided by, grown by and nurtured by, our Lord.
This season, it’s very different. My fig tree is bursting with figs. More this year then any other. Right now they are ripe for picking. But my orange tree that is usually bending over, bending branches full of oranges, has only one this year. Not one tangerine. Not one pomegranate. Not one single lime and after five years, not a single bunch of grapes on the vine. It is a very harsh year for fruit in my garden.
With that being said, our Lord truly provides and I thank Him not only for this harsh year, but for all of them. They are a blessing used to pull us closer to Him and to make us aware that He provides for all our needs. In more ways than we can ever imagine.
What is very different this year, for the first time in over eight years, I was offered a job, and have decided to take it. It will end my active duty within the Legion of Mary but being that it is only a part-time job, I can continue to attend Holy Mass daily, drop my children off at school and still be able to pick them up when they get out. Still allowing me to be a full-time practicing Catholic. The pay offered, was much higher than I had expected and the company itself, is for a very well-known Church Supply company. Only our Lord can arrange this life He has given to me in such a wonderful way. In all this company supply’s, I can see daily, and still be around the very beauty of the faith. I look at the supply’s of this company as the “seeds” needed to be planted in order that the harvest of souls can be fed in a way that gives glory to our Lord. Much of my life has been spent in disbelief, in one way or another. Be it my own idea of who God is, or in the twisted way of thinking I had not been good enough to please Him, to live the faith, or to trust in Him. Our Lord has proved me wrong time and time again, manifesting Himself so greatly in my life over the past fifteen years, leavening no room for doubt, He truly loves me and His mercy endures forever. I have sought Him in all and have found Him in all.
I start this new job on September third, the feast day of St. Gregory the Great.
“Dearly beloved, what do you see in these events? Do you really believe that it was by chance that this chosen disciple was absent, then came and heard, heard and doubted, doubted and touched, touched and believed? It was not by chance but in God’s providence. In a marvelous way God’s mercy arranged that the disbelieving disciple, in touching the wounds of his master’s body, should heal our wounds of disbelief. The disbelief of Thomas has done more for our faith than the faith of the other disciples. As he touches Christ and is won over to belief, every doubt is cast aside and our faith is strengthened. So the disciple who doubted, then felt Christ’s wounds, becomes a witness to the reality of the resurrection.” (Pope St. Gregory the Great, Doctor of the Church)
I have spent many years away from “home”, working for others, in love, through love and charity. There is no doubt our Lord is telling me it is time to work for those closest to me. The closer you become to Christ, the more painful it becomes. All the doors He held open for you, need closing, so only one remains. That door leads to the Chamber of our Lord. I submit to His will.
May the Legion of Mary, Mystical Rose be more prosperous, with my departure. Mama Mary has shown me so much and taught me what sacrifice is, mercy is, and patience. Not only teaching me what they truly were, but how to put them into use. My departure is only physical. My heart and soul will continue to carry the Legion and her message, in all that I encounter and apply it all again, in love.
If any one of you should be asked if he loved God, he would answer with entire confidence and complete conviction, ‘I do.’ But you heard at the beginning of the reading what Truth said: ‘If anyone loves me, he will keep my word.’ The proof of love is its manifestation in deeds (1 Jn 4:16). This is why John says in his Letter: ‘He who says, ‘I love God,’ and does not observe his commandments is a liar’ (1 Jn 2:4). Our love is true if we keep our self-will in check according to his commandments. One who is still wandering here and there through his unlawful desires does not really love God, because he is opposing him in his self-will.
‘And my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.’ Consider, dearly beloved, how great this solemnity is that commemorates the coming of God as a guest in our hearts. If some rich and powerful friend were to enter your home, you would quickly clean the entire house for fear something there might offend your friend’s eyes when he entered. Let any one then who is preparing his inner house for God cleanse away the dirt of his evil deeds.
You see what Truth tells us: ‘We will come and make our home with him.’ He does indeed enter the hearts of some but does not make his home there, because through repentance they acquire respect for God, but during a time of temptation they forget that they have repented and so return to committing sins as if they had never wept over them at all. The Lord comes into the heart and makes his home in one who truly loves God and observes his commandments, since the love of his divine nature so penetrates him that he does not turn away from it during times of temptation. That person loves truly whose heart does not consent to be overcome by wicked pleasures. The more pleasure a person finds in lower things the greater is his separation from heavenly love.
‘One who does not love me does not keep my words.’ Dearly beloved, enter into yourselves and inquire if you truly love God. But let not one believe the answer his heart gives in his own case apart from the testimony of his works. Let him examine his words, his thoughts and his life concerning the love of his Creator. God’s love is never idle. Where it exists, it does great things; if it refuses to work, it is not love. – an excerpt from the book Gregory the Great: Forty Gospel Homilies
Money in my life has always been a distraction away from all that God has provided for us. I have never had an attachment to it, but rather see it for what it is. Knowing this more deeply now before taking on my new job, truly is a blessing in more ways then I could ever imagine. God provides for all our needs. Including filling us with understanding on how to use money and how not to let it use us.
Thank you Lord for all you have done to me, in me, for us and all who love you.
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“Mine are the heavens and mine is the earth. Mine are the nations, the just are mine, and mine the sinners. The angels are mine, and the Mother of God, and all things are mine; and God himself is mine and for me, because Christ is mine and all for me. What do you ask, then, and seek, my soul? Yours is all of this, and all is for you. Do not engage yourself in anything less or pay heed to the crumbs that fall from your Father’s table. Go forth and exult in your Glory! Hide yourself in it and rejoice, and you will obtain the supplications of your heart.” – Saint John of the Cross, Sayings of Light and Love, 27
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I had to share..
Vespers – Part of the Homily NOT preached Today (Aug 17) at the Vigil Mass: “Jesus has indeed set the earth on fire with His truth, and there will be no peace in this world until all falsehood finally bows to the truth”.
Someone says, “During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act”. We are living in such times. The world today stands in a great danger of being crushed by the secular aggression that is pouring out from all sides. A prophet is always a revolutionary. A prophet’s primary duty is to speak forth God’s message to God’s people; to tell people the truth they would not like to hear. A prophet to admonishes, reproves, denounces sin, calls to repentance, and brings consolation and pardon. Human society in every age bears testimony to the fact that to offer the light of truth to any morally depraved society is to invite serious repercussions. Prophet Jeremiah called the people of Judah to repentance. So the people hated him because of this, and plotted to kill him. Through baptism, we share in Christ’s own prophetic office. We too are invited to speak the word of God to our increasingly morally depraved world. As prophets, we are also called to speak in prayer to God the way Jesus does, and the main prayer of Jesus to His Father is the offering of His flesh and blood. We too are called to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, in spiritual worship. We are called to be completely crucified to the world, live to God alone, enjoying an intimate familiarity with the Lord. This is total commitment. As St Paul rightly counsels in the second reading, we must persevere in living out our faith, while always keeping Jesus before our eyes, and having in mind the joys of eternal life that await us in heaven.
One Egyptian Christian said two days ago, following the burning of several Churches in his country: “You can burn our Churches but you cannot burn our faith”. This is the spirit of martyrdom to which we are called as prophets in Christ. Jesus has indeed set the earth on fire with His truth, and there will be no peace in this world until all falsehood finally bows to the truth.
Fr-Nwora Okeke
Johns Creek, Georgia -
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” John 15:18
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Many Christian and Catholic Churches in Egypt are being burned and are under attack by the Muslim Brotherhood. We need to pray continually for this to come to an abrupt end. Lord have mercy on us all.
Kudos to Fr. Z. and The Blaze:
“A wave of devastating violence swept through Egypt Wednesday as the government attempted to disband the supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi from their sit-ins. According to the Associated Press, 638 people have now been confirmed killed, and nearly 4,000 are injured.”
Churches (links to photos and story’s here)
Alexandria
1.Father Maximus Church
Arish
1.St George Church | BurnedAssiut
1.Good Shepherds Monastery | Nuns attacked
2.Angel Michael Church | Surrounded
3.St George Coptic Orthodox Church
4.Al-Eslah Church| Burned
5.Adventist Church | Pastor and his wife kidnapped
6.St Therese Church
7.Apostles Church | Burning
8.Holy Revival Church | Burning
9.Qusiya DioceseBeni Suef
1.The Nuns School
2.St George Church | al-WastaCairo
1.St Fatima Basilica | Heliopolis | Attempted Attack
2.Virgin Mary’s Church | Hakim Village | BurnedFayoum (Five churches)
1.St Mary Church | El Nazlah |
2.St Damiana Church | Robbed and burned
3.Amir Tawadros (St Theodore) Church
4.Evangelical Church | al-Zorby Village | Looting and destruction
5.Church of Joseph | Burned
6.Franciscan School | BurnedGharbiya
1.Diocese of St Paul | BurnedGiza
1.Father Antonios
2.Atfeeh BishopricMinya (Around twelve churches)
1.Church of the Virgin Mary and Father Abram | Delga, Deir Mawas |
2.St Mina Church | Abu Hilal Kebly, Beni Hilal |
3.Baptist Church | Beni Mazar |
4.Monastery | Deir Mawas | Ahram (Arabic)
5.Delga Church | Attacked (Previously attacked with fire)
6.The Jesuit Fathers Church | Abu Hilal district
7.St Mark Church | Abu Hilal district
8.St Joseph Nunnery |
9.Amir Tadros Church
10.Evangelical Church |
11.Anba Moussa al-Aswad Church |
12.Apostles Church |Qena
1.St Mary’s Church | Attempted BurningSohag
1.St George Church
2.St Damiana | Attacked and burned
3.Virgin Mary | Attacked and burned
4.St Mark Church & Community Center
5.Anba Abram Church | Destroyed and burnedSuez
1.St Saviours Anglican Church
2.Franciscan Church and School | Street 23 | Burned
3.Holy Shepherd Monastery and Hospital
4.Good Shepherd Church (molotov cocktail thrown)- Relationship with Holy Shepherd Monastery unknown.
5.Greek Orthodox ChurchChristian Institutions
•House of Father Angelos (Pastor of Church of the Virgin Mary and Father Abram) | Delga, Minya | Burned |
•Properties and Markets of Copts | al-Gomhorreya Street, Assiut
•Seventeen Coptic homes | Delga, Minya | Burned
•YMCA | Minya| Burned
•Coptic Homes | Qulta Street, Assiut | Attacked
•Offices of the Evangelical Foundation & Oum al-Nour | Minya
•Coptic-owned shops, pharmacy, and hotels | Karnak and Cleopatra Streets, Luxor | Attacked and Looted
•Dahabeya Nile Boat | Minya| Church-owned
•Bible Society bookshop | Cairo | Burned
•Bible Society | Fayoum
•Bible Society | al-Gomohoreya Street, Assiut
•Ezbet el NekhlJesus, Mary and Joseph, help us!
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Virgin most holy, Mother of God, Immaculate Heart of Mary I pray, protect our Lords priests this day and always from the evil one. Crush him, again and again I beg you that they may see his evil intentions and pull closer together into the arms of our Lord and complete His will through the grace of piety that you most Holy Mother in Heaven are so full of, along with all the graces needed that you Most Loving Mother understand that are needed today. May they, through you, Blessed Mother, overcome this world and be strengthened to carry the heavy crosses assigned to them by our Lord, with greater ease and peace. I pray through you Mama Mary, most favorite of Abba Father, to your Son our Lord.
Amen
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Saint Maximilian Maria Kolbe, O.F.M. Conv., (Polish: Maksymilian Maria Kolbe; 8 January 1894 – 14 August 1941) was a Polish Conventual Franciscan friar, who volunteered to die in place of a stranger in the Nazi German death camp of Auschwitz, located in German-occupied Poland during World War II.
Kolbe was canonized on 10 October 1982 by Pope John Paul II, and declared a martyr of charity. He is the patron saint of drug addicts, political prisoners, families, journalists, prisoners, and the pro-life movement. Pope John Paul II declared him “The Patron Saint of Our Difficult Century”.
Due to Kolbe’s efforts to promote consecration and entrustment to Mary, he is known as the Apostle of Consecration to Mary.
Pray for us…
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Alfred Delp: A Self-surrender at the Heart of the WorldI had to re-blog this from Father Peter Nguyen on Alfred Delp. Please read it in full at the above link.
“In the Kingdom of God there is no self-made man. An open heart receives the thoughts of God. An open ear receives his guidance. Life either comes to grip with the great Heart or nothing else. One must be capable of genuine decision and devotion”
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EDIT TO ADD: Never mind: Although I am sure he helped to get the Priest where he needed to be at the perfect time:
May God bless you always Rev. Patrick Dowling.
It’s STILL miraculous. To think for a second that our Lord didn’t have a hand in this Priest being right there at the perfect time, having the “tools” needed, advising the rescue workers that their tools would now work, the fact he became a priest in the first place and did our Lords will, is interesting and miraculous in itself. Glory STILL goes to God. I see our Lord’s hand in this no matter what anyone else sees.
______________________________________________Everyone keeps speculating as to who the Mystery “Priest” was in regards to the story that broke a few days ago.
See here: Could “Mystery Priest” be a long-dead Benedictine Monk?What everyone keeps missing is his words…
“your tools will work now.”
I can’t help but see St. Michael the Archangel at work. He is after all the patron of Firefighters, Police and rescue workers.
Angel priest in Missouri details emerge: Anointed crash victim and firefighters (Video)
In any case, thank you Lord for sending a Heavenly Host, to help all involved. May the glory be yours for all time.
From EWTN:
Glorious prince St. Michael,
chief and commander of the heavenly hosts,
guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits,
servant in the house of the Divine King
and our admirable conductor,
you who shine with excellence
and superhuman virtue deliver us from all evil,
who turn to you with confidence
and enable us by your gracious protection
to serve God more and more faithfully every day.St. Michael the Archangel, pray for us
I pray to him all the time, for the protection of all our Lord’s first responders…
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Pray for us.
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My husband and I have been friends of the Anderson family, for many years. I am requesting prayers pleas for the soul of Tina and Ethan, for the return of Hanna but most of all, for the conversion of the soul of Jim, the man accused in the kidnaping and murders.
Forgives is the most powerful medicine that can be used to fix a broken heart.
We are called to love our enemies and to love unconditionally. Although not very easy to do. Especially when that mercy and love is not returned. When we do, we can understand with a pure heart: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
Although most are not able to reach this point yet, I feel I must and say to Jim Dimagio, not because I have to, but rather it is in my heart, the forgiveness and mercy of our Lord, is always extended. All you have to do is reach for Him. What is done, is done. No matter how horrific the sins you have committed have been in the eyes of all, our Lord was crucified and died for you to. His mercy endures forever. You have the chance to crush the head of the evil one driving you to sin, do it. Turn yourself in to police. It’s not to say that all is forgotten by society, as you are still held accountable for your actions. With God, with our Lord, being held accountable, owning up to our sins comes much easier and the burden becomes lighter to carry. Please turn yourself in, put an end to all of this and allow God, our Lord, through the Holy Spirit, to fully heal our broken hearts and move closer to God.
I forgive him Lord and I place him, and all of this in your hands.
Matthew 18:21-35 “Then came Peter to him (Jesus), and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I must forgive him? Seven times?’
Jesus said to him, ‘I won’t tell you “seven times,” but seventy times seven.’ Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king that would settle accounts with his servants. When he began to reckon with them, one was brought to him that owed him ten thousand talents. But since he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all that he possessed, so that payment could be made. Therefore, the servant fell down and besought him, saying, ‘Lord, have patience with me and I will pay you all of it!’
Then the master of the servant was moved with compassion and let him loose, and forgave his debt.
But the servant went out and found one of his fellow servants that owed him a hundred pence, and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ And his fellow servant fell down at his feet and besought him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will pay you all of it!’ But he would have none of it, and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt.
So, now, when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told their master all that was done. Then, his master, after he called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you desired it of me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just like I had pity on you?’
And his master was very angry, and delivered him to be tortured until he should repay everything that was due. So, this is like my heavenly Father will do toward you if you do not forgive every brother’s trespasses.” -
When no one cares about what you have seen, what you have done, the changes in your soul that only God could do, good! Then will you start to understand that God cares, God has done everything and that is all that matters.
Peg Pondering Again 