tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65017216313147520472024-02-08T07:29:41.395+01:00Remaining in the Silence (with loud thoughts)Silence is a universal language. Love, amazement, prayer; all of these need silence. In a world constantly speaking we need silence to remember (or perhaps encounter for the first time) reality. To behold reality is to behold the truth and one can only be silent before the Truth. When we find silence we need to stay there for then we are very close to the Truth. It is my desire to have a heart that lives in the Truth.
Here you will find parts of my heart in words. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981089461402320609noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6501721631314752047.post-62858757436859120962019-04-01T01:09:00.002+02:002019-04-01T01:10:58.291+02:00The Total Gift-Exchange of Holy Communion<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">This reflection on the total gift-exchange of Holy Communion came out of me earlier on the book of faces. Wanted to share it here, too. [It was my response to a question on whether a non-Catholic Christian can receive the sacrament of Reconciliation.. My thought is that there’s more to it than just yes or no; I’m always interested in the *why*. So here’s my take on the *why*]</span><br />
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">What is implied in seeking absolution (in the sacrament is a reconciliation) is a moral/spiritual restoration of full communion in Christ’s Body; the whole Christ (the Totus Christus) which necessarily includes His Bride which is one flesh with Him. So, either that moral/spiritual communion is restored or it is deepened (if no mortal sin was present.) </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">For one outside of *visible* and *public* full communion with that same Christ and His universal Church such as a.) a Catholic who publicly renounced the Catholic Faith and wishes to repent and confess his sins against faith (aka manifest heresy or apostasy) and be restored to full communion or b.) a baptized Christian who was never in visible and public full communion with Christ’s Church to begin with... These can receive the sacrament of penance (after proper catechetical instruction by the local pastor or RCIA if it is preferred) and absolution when they confess all mortal sins against faith, hope, and charity. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Visible and public full communion happens for the first time or it is restored via the sacrament of confession <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(and a lifting of any censures for anyone who publicly committed heresy/apostasy but that’s another nuanced conversation) </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">The restoration of visible and public communion occurs through public confession of sin which allows for the public confession of faith in the liturgical assembly I.e. the Church. This visible and public communion allows for a deepening of one’s moral/spiritual communion with the Body of Christ—especially in Holy Communion.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">So, the person is making a public gesture by reorienting themselves towards Christ’s Body; they are declaring that their whole life belongs to the whole Christ (the Totus Christus; all that He is and all that He teaches) when they publicly go to a public representative of Christ <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>*and of* the whole Church—a priest—in order to confess their sins against faith hope and charity so as to receive grace that is sanctifying (even though the confessed sins themselves may not be made publicly known out of prudence and the Church’s/Christ’s compassion) and that sanctifying grace can now grow in that person bringing them from grace to grace towards their Heavenly calling of eternal, public and full communion with the whole Christ in Heavenly.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">So public confession of sin and public confession of faith (both done in the midst of “the assembly” or the “Ecclesia” or the Church; i.e. these are liturgical acts) allows for public confession of one’s total love for and hope in Christ via sacramental, Eucharistic Communion with His whole Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">This Eucharistic Communion is a liturgical, public covenant wherein one swears one’s entire being to Jesus—one confesses and swears/vows “I am all yours and everything I have is yours” and the Father says “My child, you are with me always. Everything I have is yours” and He gives us all that He has—His Son—in Holy Communion. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">So to receive the sacrament of reconciliation is to say publicly “I am no longer my own; I am “Christ’s” as we seek to love the Lord with our *whole* heart, mind, soul, and strength and love our neighbor as we would wish to be loved (i.e. wholly, completely) This *includes* the total gift of one’s mind in public assent to the Faith of the Church; the confession of the Bride and her public “fiat”; her public acceptance & declaration of exactly Who He is and what He says. As in the marital act when one holds nothing back from one’s spouse, so in a more intimate way one holds nothing back from Christ—even one’s intellectual beliefs clinging to His every word—in the sacrament of reconciliation. It is the necessary preparation </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">(if there needs to be a restoration of the sanctifying baptismal grace) of the bride-soul-church so as to properly receive all of her Bridegroom—God Himself—in the Eucharistic covenant (aka sacrament) </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">To sum up, in the midst of the assembly of believers confession of sin and confession of faith (and hope and love) allow for a fuller participation in communion with Christ who has publicly revealed Himself as totally in love with us. Our Bridegroom, then, waits at the altar for His bride.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981089461402320609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6501721631314752047.post-34900295586239485472018-09-06T19:01:00.003+02:002018-09-06T19:15:56.306+02:00Fiery Conviction; Two Cents Worth: Repentance, Purification, and Receiving all the Fullness of God<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Why is deeper and deeper conviction of sin/repentance/purification necessary for us? Here's my two cents.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the psalms we pray “search my heart oh God” (Psalm 139) and we of course want the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin--and that more and more deeply--so that we can allow His purifying fire to burn away everything that is unfit to be laid on the foundation of Christ in us. God is building His edifice in us so that we can grow into Christ come to full stature.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Full stature. Complete. Lacking in nothing. Sanctified. Divinized as the eastern Catholics/Orthodox would say. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All done.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’m reminded of 1 Corinthians Chapter 3:11-15 which speaks of our works being tried by the fire of the Holy Spirit’s conviction and truth. Our sinful works like straw and wood will be burned up but our works of charity and mercy will be revealed for what they are, the works of Christ which will be like gold refined by fire laying up treasure for us in eternal life. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because <b>the Day</b> will bring it to light. It will be <b>revealed with fire</b>, and the <b>fire will test the quality of each person’s work</b>. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. <b>If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.</b>" (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Or another translation has it in verse 15: “he will be saved but only as through fire.” Catholics and Eastern Orthodox see one sense of these verses as referring to the further purification of the soul needed after death if one hasn’t allowed the Spirit to fully purify one’s heart and burn away all the dross of our worldly and selfish works. This He prefers to do in this life; to help us completely let go of our various attachments and favorite sins. Certainly, <b>“the Day”</b> of the final judgment will bring this <b>refiner’s fire. </b>Also, our own personal, final <b>"Day"</b> (if we die before that Second Coming of Christ) will--if we die in God’s friendship--allow us the mercy of Christ’s redemption to become fully manifest in us </span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“...but only as through fire.” </span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We are to come grow into Christ come full stature (Ephesian 4). </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That’s more or less what Catholics understand purgatory to be; the refiner’s Fire making us ready for the Heavenly Holy of Holies—since “nothing impure [i.e. not fully purified by the fire of the Holy Spirit] shall enter Heaven” Revelation 21:27. If we follow the commandments then we will reach Heaven (step 1 being "believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as you shall be saved [saved from eternal hell fire and saved by the refiner's fire of the Holy Spirit who sanctifies anyone who draws near to God.] However, if have not yet let God fully sanctify us by the time we die; if we have not yet let God fully have His way then His goodness will burn away all the remnants of our selfishness so that we can completely (i.e. with a "whole heart") say, “let it be done to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We will certainly need to allow Him to fully purify our souls one way or another. Hopefully we let His Love fully conquer us before we die but His mercy will need to purify the faithful-but-still-somewhat-worldly-and-sinful soul after that soul departs the body to be with the Lord in all His fiery love! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A large part of being saved from our sin is just allowing the Holy Spirit to convict us of all the ways in which we are rooted in ourselves rather than Christ; all the ways in which we are selfish rather than selflessly loving towards our Father and each other. We don't know what we won't know so we have to let God show what He needs to show. Deeper conviction of and repentant sorrow for our sins is a grace to be prayed for fervently, daily. We need to know what we have done and what we have failed to do so that we can let Christ fully live in us with nothing held back from Him or from each other. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses </span><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him? </span><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth. </span><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[Now] this is how we shall know that we belong to the truth and reassure our hearts before him in whatever our hearts condemn, for God is greater than our hearts and knows everything </span><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Beloved, if [our] hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence in God and receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And his commandment is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us. Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them, and the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit that he gave us." (1 John 3:17-24)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I remember reading in 33 Days to Merciful Love by Fr. Michael Gaitley that it’s OK to ask God to be gentle with us :) If deeper purification scares you then do not fret. Ask Him to be gentle with you. I like that. I think God prefers to be gentle with us when convicting us of sin--when we allow Him to be gentle--but if He has to shake us up to make sure we stop hurting ourselves and others spiritually (like a mother who slaps the hand of her child reach for a hot stove) then by golly He’ll do it. Though we should humble ourselves and ask for His gentle mercy to descend on us first. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think deeper repentance is a gift we should continually ask for since it’s impossible for us to know our sins apart from God’s light touching upon it. The only way to properly see our sin is through God’s eyes and heart anyway; otherwise we just just fall into blindness or self-condemnation or scrupulosity or the accuser’s lies and ain’t nobody got time for that—because <b>the Day</b> draws near. We need our lamp alight.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Where is your lamp stand?</span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over </span></span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny." </span></span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(Matthew 5:23-25)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unless you owe two cents.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981089461402320609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6501721631314752047.post-5182479438107063132018-08-22T19:53:00.004+02:002018-08-29T03:25:35.288+02:00We have forgotten Love<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit;">“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as o</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: inherit;">ften as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11: 23-26)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-variant-ligatures: normal;">“Forget not Love!” - St Maximilian Mary Kolbe</span></span></div>
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Jesus loves to abide in us. “He Who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.” (John 6: 56) Then, later in John’s Gospel—during Jesus’ time of intimate sharing with and intercession for His disciples while they are in Holy Communion with Him (this is when He institutes the Eucharist in the Cenacle in the Gospel of John chapters 13-17), He lovingly exhorts His disciples (and us!) not to forget to remember to eat their daily bread—His flesh and blood—by receiving the Bread from Heaven daily in Holy Communion. He is pleading with them (and us!) to “Abide in Me and I in you!” (John 15:4) by receiving Holy Communion as often as possible for “As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup you proclaim—you remember!— the death—the love!—of the Lord until He comes.” (See 1 Corinthians 11: 26)</div>
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He pleads with you.<br />
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Jesus’ flesh and blood is our daily bread and our inheritance from Heaven as Christians. “I came that they might have ͏life and have it to the full!” (John 10:10) and “I am the living bread which came down from Heaven; if anyone eats of this bread he will live forever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh.” - John 6:51) Knowing that even our bodies need food every day God gave the Israelites the Manna in the desert to eat every day and likewise Jesus, God-made-flesh and born in the House of Bread (Bethlehem), exhorts us to eat the Living Bread every day. He begs us not only through His teaching in the Scriptures but also through His teaching in the Magisterium (“He who hears you hears Me”) and by His teaching through the example of the Saints’ lives who most authentically lived in Christ and show us how to do so, “As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me will live because of Me.” (John 6:57) </div>
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“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15) “And His commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3)</div>
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In fact, His commandments are very sweet. “You have given them bread from Heaven, having all sweetness within it!” (Antiphon from the Rite of Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament”</div>
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He pleads with you and with me with a desperate love:</div>
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“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11: 28-30)</div>
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Let us allow ourselves to be yoked to Jesus, our daily bread, in Holy Communion every day and so find rest for our souls. This is the light burden He calls us to; to rest on His heart and more: to abide in His Heart. “Abide in Me and I in you.”</div>
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Say, “Yes! I swear this covenant with you! Amen!” when at Mass we are proposed the words, “The Body of Christ.” </div>
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It means, “All of you for all of me for always.”</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981089461402320609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6501721631314752047.post-4553425110935726032018-08-21T23:32:00.001+02:002018-08-21T23:32:18.666+02:00In the Wake of Scandal, Repair the Breach<div style="text-align: center;">
Something for each of us to consider after such devastatingly sad and upsetting news of the Pennsylvania Report on clergy sexual abuse and misconduct: How am I called to make reparation?</div>
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God really is inviting you personally to some concrete response of love in the face of such evil.</div>
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"Where you do not find love, put love, and there you will find love." - St. John of the Cross</div>
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Consider praying the Chaplet of Reparation or getting a group together to pray the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet and offer in reparation for the sins of priests and lay people who committed these terrible crimes. Perhaps a regular Rosary prayer group could come of this for you. Perhaps you could approach your Pastor and agree to take the lead in establish perpetual adoration at your Parish. <a href="https://mostholyeucharist.com/coordinator-resources/" target="_blank">(Click here to learn more about going about establish adoration at your Parish and consider having one of the Missionaries of the Most Holy Eucharist come to preach a mission to launch perpetual adoration.)</a></div>
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Doesn't Jesus deserve our love? What response of love does He deserve from you? What will you offer Him? </div>
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What concrete step will you make in your life to "repair the breach"?</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Chaplet-Reparation-Other-Prayers-Sinu/dp/1621383474/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1534883075&sr=1-1&keywords=chaplet+of+reparation" target="_blank">Chaplet of Reparation prayer booklet</a></div>
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(prayers are available for free online elsewhere; just google search it if you're interested!)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981089461402320609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6501721631314752047.post-11250960635109556292018-05-13T22:43:00.002+02:002018-05-13T22:43:17.934+02:00Time to Enjoy<div style="text-align: center;">
What brings you joy?</div>
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Now that I have a week off before summer classes start I'm realizing I can take time to enjoy my time. I can do what I want! I enjoy writing. I enjoy reading. I enjoy walking, and talking, and learning about new things. I enjoy museums, and monuments, and coffee shops. I enjoy baseball games! I enjoy being able to breathe and not have any particular obligation barreling down upon me. </div>
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So, I can at least enjoy this week before classes rev back up again.</div>
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But you. What do you enjoy? Even in our busy lives, we need recreation regularly. We need leisure and fun. We have to let ourselves enjoy our time from time to time. Work is necessary though not necessarily altogether unenjoyable; it's just that it happens to be work and work can be tough sometimes. Obligations are obligatory. Duty needs to be taken care of. </div>
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But if everything was taken care of and if you had the freedom to freely choose what to do with your time, what would you choose to do with your free time? </div>
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When you are most fully alive what does that look like? When you are at play what are you like? What kinds of fun do you like to have.</div>
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I hope this Lord's Day is restful and enjoyable and rejuvenating for you. </div>
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I hope you enjoy your time. </div>
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There's a time for everything; even and, perhaps, especially fun.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981089461402320609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6501721631314752047.post-29731600782560362072018-03-05T22:39:00.001+01:002018-03-05T22:39:17.804+01:00WhoWasTheMissingPersonInYourLife<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z-ZJoPEr2Dg" width="480"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981089461402320609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6501721631314752047.post-12783674807239676382018-02-04T21:48:00.003+01:002018-02-04T21:49:10.173+01:00A Dialogue on Painful Beauty: It Hurts so Good<div class="p1">
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<span class="s1">A reflection on beauty which me and one of my best friends, Katie, were just considering together:</span></div>
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<span class="s1">"Deep truth heals your minds, and deep goodness heals your will, but deep beauty wounds your heart. Deep beauty hurts." - Peter Kreeft</span></div>
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<span class="s1">It reminds me of the wound of love that St John of the Cross talks about and the Transfixing of St. Teresa of Avila.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Have you ever seen that statue where she is in ecstasy?</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Her heart is being pierced by a seraph angel with the love of God.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He delights (almost sadistically but really excitedly) to cause her this pain.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>She is in rapture at receiving her invisible Bridegroom through the ministry of His messenger, the angel. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">"The Bridegroom is here!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Come out to meet Him!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">"How beautiful are the feet of Him Who brings good news!" </span></div>
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<span class="s1">And if His feet are beautiful how much more His face!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>How much more intense is the beauty of His Heart to the one who loves that Heart.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Maybe beauty wounds because it opens up that which it penetrates.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Beauty cuts and molds the receiver/perceiver into the shape of itself.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Beauty is diffusive of itself.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It makes everything it shines upon beautiful.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Every man who has ever seen a terribly beautiful woman knows what I am talking about. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Katie: I think he [Peter Kreeft] was just getting at that when we experience real beauty, we get a glimpse of the creator, of what we were created for, but it’s just a glimpse and our hearts want it so badly that we’re wounded because it’s not ours now." - Katie<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Myself: We don’t even understand it [beauty]... and that wounds us...our lack of being able to receive its fullness hurts us… but then it increases our willingness to become worthy of such Beauty... like a man who knows he wants a particular woman; he has to become worthy of her and it is painful until he becomes such and is deemed as such by her.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Katie: But we’ll always be incomplete in this world.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Myself: Maybe our own recognition of our lack of beauty, our not living up to our beautiful dignity as Beauty’s image... that is what pains us.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The piercing truth that I am not worthy of Beauty yet I compulsively need it. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">"Why doesn't God let all of us hear this angel music all the time if it's so beautiful?... Maybe He does but we don't hear it because we let wordly wax grow in our souls' ears... Or maybe not.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Maybe it's not our folly but God's wisdom and mercy that insulates us from the angels' music... Maybe God puts cotton in our ears because such great beauty would drive us mad!" - Peter Kreeft</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981089461402320609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6501721631314752047.post-27862627840560974242018-02-03T04:40:00.000+01:002018-02-03T04:40:03.072+01:00Fallen from our First Love<div class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="s1"><b>Fallen from our First Love - by Matt Malicki, MA Theology</b></span></div>
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<span class="s2"><b>“Could you not watch with Me for one hour?… Keep watch and pray” (Matthew 26:40-41)</b></span></div>
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<span class="s2">There are many sources of evil plaguing our society.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>However, we as a Church must be reinvigorated by the consoling certainty of God’s Word especially when it says, “Where sin abounded grace abounded all the more” (Romans 5:20). As Catholics we know where this grace comes from and where it points us to: Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>As the Catechism of the Catholic Church aptly puts it in paragraph 1324, “The Eucharist is ‘the source and summit of the Christian life.’ "The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.” This one source of life, this one summit we aspire to is one which Catholics need to fall in love with again. The numbers of the polls differ but the reality remains that many Catholics do not believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and this is because they have not encountered Him there.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>That is so partly because they have not heard persuasive, convicted preaching encouraging them to “Behold, the Lamb of God!” (cf. John 1:29) and to truly open their hearts to such an encounter! “But how are men to call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?…So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ” (Romans 10:14, 17).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Thus, many (not all) do not call upon our Eucharistic Lord in faith and love because they have not heard of His Real Presence.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>However, even among those who do believe this doctrine there are not enough Eucharistic “adorers”; not enough lovers of the Blessed Sacrament struck with “Eucharistic Amazement” as Pope St. John Paul II talked about at the beginning of section six in his encyclical, <i>Ecclesia de Eucharistia</i>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Now in our time in the Church is a “very acceptable time” (2 Corinthians 6:2) for Eucharistic love and amazement to be stirred up in the hearts of Catholics (cf. Song of Solomon 2:7) because this is in some ways is the grace of graces; to abide with and in Christ.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>In a time when there is a presence of profound evil in the world we must remember that the outpouring of God’s goodness is even greater.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We are given the Presence of His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord hidden in the Most Blessed Sacrament (the “hidden manna” cf. Revelation 2:17).</span></div>
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<span class="s2"><b>“It is the Lord!” - John 21:7</b></span></div>
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<span class="s2">This Eucharistic awakening of hearts is often experienced as a kind of shock, a life-changing realization and experience of Christ’s Sacred Presence. That kind of Apostolic recognition of Jesus “in the breaking of the bread” (Luke 24:35) is the kind of faith we need today if we are to turn the tide of sin into a deluge of God’s love and mercy.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>However, we have mostly forgotten that Jesus is really there or we were never introduced into His Eucharistic Presence through the faith of another adoring believer.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Many Catholics have never encountered any “wise men” in adoration before the Presence of the Incarnate Word. “And going into the house they saw the child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11). What gift do we bring the King of Kings?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I believe the gift of His Real Presence in the Eucharist deserves the gift of our real presence in perpetual Eucharistic adoration.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>However, we have not given Him the homage and loving attention He deserves. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s2"><b>“They treat me as a dead object.” (Diary of St. Faustina, 1385)</b></span></div>
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<span class="s2">We know that this pains the sensitive Heart of Jesus because unrequited love is the height of pain which the human heart experiences.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Jesus Sacred Heart is fully human, perfectly sensitive,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>overflowing with love and, therefore, pained by the real absence of His people before His Eucharistic throne.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Jesus spoke to St. Faustina (the bearer of the message of Divine Mercy to the world) about this unbelief in His Eucharistic Presence and confided to her, “When I come to a human heart in Holy Communion My hands are full of all kinds of graces which I want to give to the soul. But souls do not even pay attention to Me; they leave Me to Myself and busy themselves with other things. ... They treat Me as a dead object.” (<i>Diary of St. Faustina</i>, 1385) Once, when St. Margaret Mary (the Saint to whom the revelation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was given) asked Jesus what in her was most displeasing to Him He told her that it was her inattentiveness to His Presence in the Eucharist. This should shock us awake just as the Apostles were awoken by Christ’s words, “Could you not watch with me one hour?” (Matthew 26:40) Even a Saint— who received mystical revelations from Christ— had not been as attached and attentive to Our Lord’s Eucharistic Presence as He wanted! How much more then ought we “yoke” ourselves next to His Sacred Body in the Eucharist as parishes and communities through perpetually adoring His Holy Presence?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This is a sweet yoke which Christ desires for His Church to receive when He invites His bride to, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The Church and its members are called to be yoked next to and in union with Christ’s Eucharistic Body.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Jesus longs to gaze upon the unveiled faces of more of the members of His Bride, the Church, coming to adore Him but many remain outside the throne room and outside the banquet hall.</span></div>
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<span class="s2">There is something to notice about Jesus’ loving complaint towards His sleeping Apostles in the Garden of Gethsemane.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Jesus highlights a kind of <i>minimum expectation</i> of the time we should give to prayer rather than a <i>normative expectation</i>: “Could you not be with me for <i>at least</i> one hour?”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Rather than ensuring that we set aside “enough” time for a Holy Hour each day and treat that as the norm we should be open to the Lord asking us to abide in His Presence whenever He wants and for as long as He desires our company.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Are we open to being called to His side more often or do we presuppose that He would not want us to keep watch with Him for more than an hour? We need not limit our time with Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration based on Christ’s minimum expectation by arbitrarily making “one hour and one hour only” into the norm.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Rather, our normative disposition needs to be that of the Saints who went where Christ called them as soon as His summons was heard. </span><span class="s2">Further, love caused them to peacefully abide there as long as Jesus desired.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We can become like Eucharistic handmaids, so to speak, by imitating our Lady’s normative disposition and default posture as being one of sitting at the Master’s feet ever attentive to the slightest movement of His hand indicating His heart’s current desire.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Be it done unto me according to your word” (Luke 1:38) As adorers of the Eucharistic Lord our starting point is to be with Jesus, only leaving His Presence when He sends us out in order to invite others into His Presence. Being in His Eucharistic Presence then is the source and the summit of all our Apostolic ministry.</span></div>
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<span class="s2">Further, we must be willing to pour out—like St. Mary Magdalene’s perfumed anointing oil in John 12:3—our time and love at the Lord’s feet either in silent adoration or in tongues of praise as the Spirit enables us (cf. Acts 2:4).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Jesus knows our weakness, however, and acknowledges that, “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” This is the place of tension where we are called by the Lord to stretch our expectations and dispositions through intentional and extravagant love. “Where you do not find love, put love, and there you will find love” as St. John of the Cross simplifies it. We must become more and more willing to allow the Lord’s “intrusions” into our lives by letting Him come and “plunder” our time, energy, faculties, and resources.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>In doing so, Jesus prevents them from the being dissipated on the cares of the world and transfers them to His sweet and kingly dominion.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man; then indeed he may plunder his house” (Mark 3:27). How willing are we to allow Jesus to plunder our houses? To steal our time? Our plans? To steal our hearts and allow Him to take everything? He is like a thief in the night for whom we must keep all the windows and doors unlocked!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We must surrender to Christ the deed to our house where all our possessions reside so that Jesus can move freely, dispossessing us of all our possessions so that He Himself may become our only possession; our pearl of great price.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We must become possessed then of Christ’s Spirit!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We must allow this “Holy Spirit possession.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This is true freedom: to be freed from sin and freed for love by the Son who alone makes us free (cf. John 8:36). We must choose self-forgetful love or we will continually be saddened at the remembrance of our many possessions like the rich young man (cf. Matthew 19:16-30). The “one thing” we and the rich young man lack is the total freedom to follow Christ wherever He leads.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>In our current state, however, the weakness of our sinful flesh (which Jesus highlighted in the Garden of Gethsemane) paradoxically is strong enough to bind the willingness of our spirit to respond to the Lord’s summons to “keep watch and pray” (Matthew 26:41).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We are rich with the goods and cares of the world like the rich young man but spiritually impoverished by our the very flesh of ours which enjoys them so much. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The spirit is indeed willing but the flesh is weak wherever it is still bound by some sin or attachment.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>As St. John of the Cross’s word of wisdom reminds us one remains bound by a rope just as by a thread so long as that thread is still holding fast hence the need for Christ to come to our sleeping, bound up spirits and rouse them awake as He did in the Garden of Gethsemane for His Apostles! Jesus’ authority to “bind and loose” is continual work in our lives of binding the dispositions of the sinful flesh—which interrupt and delay the good we are called to do— and steadfastly loosing the ropes and threads which keep us enslaved to sin and various attachments. Romans 7:19-21 speaks of the opposition which exists between the willing spirit and the sinful flesh, “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.” So we must let Christ, Who is stronger than this “evil close at hand” within us, to be about His Father’s business of deliverance and healing in our lives by frequenting His Eucharistic Presence where He ministers to our every need. Zeal for His Father’s house consumes Jesus (cf. John 2:17) and that same Spirit of zealous love will consume our imperfections to the extent that we allow Him the opportunities to enflame our hearts more and more by drawing near the “Burning Furnace of Charity” (see the Litany of the Sacred Heart).</span></div>
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<span class="s2"><b>“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!" (Matthew 27:37)</b></span></div>
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<span class="s2">Yet, as individuals and as a Church we keep Jesus waiting and do not give Him opportunities to free us! We then wonder when He will deliver us from evil!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>When, many wonder for example, will we be delivered of the evil of abortion in our world? However, does not this particular evil stem from society’s lack of recognition of the gift of that newly created life; a certain “unbelief” about the presence of life in the womb?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Many are unwilling to “see” the little person hidden underneath the veil the mother’s sanctuary-like womb.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>A sacred presence of the image of God is borne within her yet the gift is unrecognized and therefore too often “treated as a dead object"-just as Jesus’ Presence in our sanctuaries is “despised and rejected” or at the least ignored and unloved. Hear in the following prophetic complaint a foreshadowing of the neglect given to Jesus in the Eucharist: “He was despised and rejected</span><span class="s4"> </span><span class="s2">by men; a man of sorrows,</span><span class="s4"> </span><span class="s2">and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not” (Isaiah 53:3).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s2"><b>“He came to His own home but His own people received Him not.” (John 1:11)</b></span></div>
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<span class="s2">Imagine if the members of the Church were all enkindled with the fire of “Eucharistic amazement” and recognized Jesus there, proclaiming His Presence like the Apostle John, “It is the Lord!”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Like Peter diving into the sea so that he could be near Jesus as soon as possible we would have to tear people off of the roof tops of our churches because they would be so desperate to touch even the hem of His garment (cf. Matthew 9:21) let alone receive Him in Holy Communion! It is this type of Eucharistic love by which Jesus wishes to be lifted high in order to “draw all men to [Himself]” (cf. John 12:32). The magnetic and desperate attraction of love should have us as a Church eager to catch even just a glimpse of Jesus just like Zacchaeus (cf. Luke 19:1-9).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It should cause us to cry out for healing and salvation like blind Bartimaeus shouting at the top of his lungs, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Luke 18:38) Further, our faith would save not just us but those for whom we would zealously bring before the Master’s feet in passionate intercessory prayer both at Holy Mass and during Eucharistic Adoration.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>As a Church we must lower our paralyzed and broken culture before the countenance Divine Mercy confident of the power of His saving gaze to ignite faithful repentance and revivify society out of its moral paralysis.</span></div>
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<span class="s2"><b>“Awake, O sleeper!” (Ephesians 5:14)</b></span></div>
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<span class="s2">Jesus has given Himself to us in the sacraments and especially in the Eucharist in order to resurrect us to new life and love. “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. And this bread, which is my flesh, I will give for the life of the world" (John 6:51).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Yet, how far we have fallen from the source of our life!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>How long will we wait—how long will we make Jesus wait—before we rouse from sleep and sprint towards the summit of holiness, the Eucharistic meal which Christ’s Body provides for us? Increasingly we will share in His Divine Life to the extent that we allow the light radiating from His Eucharistic countenance to penetrate even into the dark corners of our hearts.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Many people’s faith in the Eucharist is like sleeping beauty in need of a wake-up call from Heaven!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“But when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it is said, ’Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.’ Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:13-17ff).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>St. John Bosco was shown in a prophetic dream a vision which illustrates the urgency of anchoring ourselves more and more to Eucharistic devotion. In his dream St. John Bosco saw a huge ship which represented the Church.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This ship was being tossed by violent waves while under siege from all sides.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>In the midst of this crisis the helmsman, the Pope, desperately tried to anchor the boat to two pillars. First, to a taller pillar on top of which was the Eucharist.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Second, to a shorter pillar atop which was Our Lady.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Let us awake then from the meaning of this prophetic dream into the reality Heaven kissing earth at the consecration of Christ’s Body and Blood occurring on our altars! The meaning of this dream was caught by Pope St. John Paul II in his countless proclamations of Christ’s Real Presence highlighting the Church’s real need to abide with Him in Eucharistic Adoration. Hence, the voice of Christ speaking through His vicar urging of the Bishops, Pastors, and lay people of the Church to pray—to beg!— for the grace of Eucharistic conversions budding forth from a rekindled “Eucharistic amazement” in the Church.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This is the way forward toward effectively evangelizing our culture of death: a resurrected awareness and love of the Body of Christ in the heart of the Church.</span></div>
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<span class="s2"><b>“He is here!” - St. John Vianney</b></span></div>
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<span class="s2">We must totally transform our pastoral efforts and make them heroically Eucharistic.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The patron saint of priests, St. John Vianney, knew the primary importance of drawing the Church’s gaze towards Eucharistic Adoration when walked up to the pulpit and preached his famously fiery yet very short sermon. Pointing toward the tabernacle he shouted: “He is HERE! He IS here! HE is here!”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He descended from the pulpit and took his seat.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>His parishioners heard him loud and clear.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>They knew where their Priest’s pastoral focal point was: revivifying faith in the Real Presence.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Our Priests need to imitate this kind of John the Baptist-like preaching: “Behold, the Lamb of God!” (John 1:29). The Priest is the “Friend of the Bridegroom” who must rejoice greatly at the Bridegroom’s presence and voice so that the Bride will be stirred up in love.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>She shall respond to the call of the Bridegroom “as in the days of her youth” (Hosea 2:15) and return to the love which she had at first for Christ’s resurrected and glorified flesh (cf. Rev 2:4). The Church will draw near and abide in Holy Communion with Christ’s Body in the Eucharist so that the Church may more and more be one with Him entering into a New Springtime of extravagant love; a second honeymoon, if you will, coalescing into a New Pentecost.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“My beloved speaks and says to me: ‘Arise, my love, my dove, my fair one, and come away; for behold, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of pruning has come, and the rice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the covert of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and your face is comely’” (Song of Solomon 2:10-14).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>May the Bride of Christ console His heart with the constant vision of her face praising Him with her sweet voice and abiding in ever growing union with Him in Holy Communion!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Here is the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>worldwide, perpetual, Eucharistic adoration.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>O Mary, teach the Church how to be the Bride which your Son deserves!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He deserves our constant attention and love!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He deserves that every parish attend to His presence at all hours!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He wants constantly to be with the one He loves.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He wants to be with us.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Let us give Him what He wants.</span></div>
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<span class="s2"><b>“You have forgotten the love you had at first.” (Revelation 2:4)</b></span></div>
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<span class="s2">For his to happen, however, our pastoral efforts as a Church must be redirected and renewed in “Eucharistic amazement.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The modern Church has largely lacked the miraculous fruits proper to the power and presence of Christ in the world precisely because many pastors and laborers in the Lord’s vineyard have forgotten the first love of the Church, namely, Christ in Holy Communion from which flows all the other loves and activities of the Church.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>In the modern Church’s many attempts to keep itself afloat we’ve wasted too much time and energy in merely plugging up holes in our sinking ship wherever we notice hemorrhaging. Let us then take inspiration and counsel from St. John Bosco’s aforementioned prophetic dream by anchoring ourselves to the Eucharist and Our Lady.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It is the bridal love of the Marian and contemplative heart of the Church which empowers the Apostolic ministry and guides the shepherds of the Church in leading their flocks to green pastures.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>After the Resurrection Peter and John heard the voice of Christ commanding them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>They were doing it all wrong; depending on their own efforts and human expertise.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>However, though they didn’t yet perceive that it was the Incarnate Word of God speaking to them they obeyed nonetheless and “gave it a try” so to speak. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s2">The abundant yield of fish which they took in after listening to Jesus’ suggestion—or, rather, command—testified to the veracity of that Word which had directed them to do something different from what they had been doing up to now.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Their rekindled amazement at the efficaciousness of Christ’s Word sets them on fire with renewed love and deep repentance.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Note the dynamic involving these particular “friends of the Bridegroom.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>John—in some ways representing the contemplative dimension of the Church— recognizes the Bridegroom, “It is the Lord!” and Peter—often seen as representing the governing authority of the Church— enthusiastically draws near to the Body of Christ standing on the shore.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The shore here serves as an image for the dividing line between and heaven and earth.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The place where the water and earth meet is right where the Incarnate God-Man stands.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Analogously, a Eucharistic Adoration Chapel is like a portal, a gateway between heaven and earth precisely because within its walls stands the One Who is Himself the gate between heaven and earth. In this Gospel scene Peter swam towards Heaven’s shore.</span></div>
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<span class="s2">It is a good thing that Peter listened to John’s prophetic word to him and followed his heart’s desire to be with Jesus!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Peter’s desire to be near Jesus led him right to an encounter with the heart of Christ the Good Shepherd. Ashamed of having denied three times the one He loved Peter was busy about many things; burying himself in the work of fishing which was so familiar to him until He first encountered Christ.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>However, the call of love from John stirs Peter to put aside all his cares and dive into the darkness of faith swimming towards the shores of Heaven.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Peter had fallen from the love He had at first.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>However, Peter’s acceptance of John’s contemplative intuition leads Peter to encounter the Resurrected Body of Christ on the shore.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It is from that bodily encounter that Peter is sent forth to feed and tend to Jesus’ sheep and lambs.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>With what shall Peter feed them?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“For my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink” (See John chapter 6). To where share Peter lead the sheep? “In verdant pastures He leads me. He leads me beside still waters where He gives me repose.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(Psalm 23: 2-3)<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Into the open pasture of Heaven the soul in Holy Communion is able to wander in delight and rest in safety just as, at the Last Supper, John the Beloved got lost in the joyful contemplation of Christ’s Words by resting his weary mind upon the gentle Heart of Jesus.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“It is so good to know that when we receive Holy Communion we receive all of Heaven save for the vision!” so says St. Elizabeth of the Trinity.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>To be fruitful in the work of harvesting the Lord’s vineyard the Pastoral worker must first listen in contemplation to the Bridegroom’s voice emanating from Christ’s Body “Let the children come to me and do not hinder them” (Matthew 19:14). Thus, the Pastors and leaders in the Church will “lead the ewes with care” right to the Good Shepherd who remains with His Church in the Eucharist, “even to the consummation of the world.” <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s2">We must sit at Jesus’ feet like Mary Magdalene. However, as it is we are often overly anxious and troubled about many ministerial things like Martha and we are running the risk of losing everything.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Eerily coincidental is the Biblical copyist’s placement (intentional or not it matters little) of the verse describing how many of Jesus’ disciples went away from Him after He preached the Bread of Life discourse. The mark of the beast spoken of in the book of Revelation is, of course, 666.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>John 6:66 says, “After [proclaiming the Eucharist] many of His disciples drew back and no longer went about with Him.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This also seems to be when the first stirrings of betrayal began to rise up in Judas based on Jesus’ words, “‘Did I not choose you, the Twelve, and one of you is a devil?’ He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the Twelve, was to betray him” (John 6:70-71) .<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Perhaps there is a concern today among the faithful and even the clergy about how to share the doctrine of the Real Presence effectively. We may shy away from speaking too strongly on the Real Presence.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We can understand the reaction of some of Jesus’ listeners during His Bread of Life discourse when they said, “This is a hard saying, who can accept it?” (John 6:60)<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We can imagine an inner monologue sounding something like, “After all, when Jesus preached so strongly about the Eucharist in John chapter 6 many of His disciples left Him!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I don’t want to push people away from the parish or even the Church.” Few would accuse Jesus of preaching this message inadequately but our times are different from His after all. Paradoxically, fear may cause us to believe, “If I am too clear about this then people may not clearly understand!”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We also do not want to draw criticism from other people.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Besides, we may think, “Shouldn’t we gradually work up to teaching people about the Eucharist? Is this really so urgent?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Is it the most important thing to focus on in our catechesis? How much of an emphasis should the Eucharist have in our Sunday schools and preaching?”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We must always gently encourage each other by regularly proposing that we turn to the Lord for Wisdom in every pastoral intuitive and ministry.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We must ask the Lord how He sees the matter.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“What would you have me do, Lord?”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>as St. Paul said (cf. Acts 22:10).</span></div>
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<span class="s2"><b>“Will you also go away?” - John 6:67</b></span></div>
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<span class="s2">Our concerns and hesitations about properly sharing the beautiful truth of Christ’s Real Presence must be brought to Jesus in prayer.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We must beg Him to give us the conviction of the Saints that we might acts like the Saints!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Clergy and laity alike must continuously petition Christ, “Lord, increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5)<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And, “Lord, I want to see!” (Luke 18:41)<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>After Jesus watched many of His disciples walk away in response to His Bread of Life discourse He turned to the Apostles and asked, “Will you also go away?”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Peter spoke up for the rest of the Apostolic band by testifying to the absolute trustworthiness of Jesus’ words. Peter said, in effect, “There is nowhere else I’d rather be than to be with you, Lord.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Peter’s exact words were, “Lord, to whom shall we go?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>You have the words of eternal life.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We have to come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:68-69).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We must ask ourselves in what ways have we gone away from the source and summit of life, the Eucharist, in our prayer life, our preaching, our teaching, our conversations, and the other areas of our lives.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We can challenge ourselves by meditating on the fact that Judas’ departure from Christ was a gradual process but it was—apparently—initially rooted in his lack of full adherence to Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Staying anchored in Our Eucharistic Lord becomes then our safety.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“Did I not choose you, the Twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the Twelve, was to betray him” (John 6:70-71). Perhaps in prayer before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament we can ask Him to show us the ways in which we have unwittingly departed from Him.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Perhaps we can meditate on the Last Supper accounts where Jesus tells the Twelve that one of them would betray Him.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We might ask Jesus candidly, “Is it I, Lord? Show me how I may have left You in some way.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>How are you are calling me to deeper union with You?”</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Jesus invites us to keep watch and be ready for Him like wise virgins of the parable in </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Matthew 25: 1-13. Mary Magdalene can serve as a preeminent example of how to do this: stay close to Our Lord’s Body and staying attentive to His Word! (cf. Luke 10:42) Unless we stay close to Christ’s Body in the Eucharist then we risk having our lamp stand taken away from us as Christ warns the church of Ephesus in the second chapter of the book of Revelation. If they did not repent and return to the “love they had at first” then Jesus told them their lamp stand would be removed from them.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Perhaps the large number of Catholics who have left the Church in recent decades may be explained partly by the fact that many just do not really believe in the </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Eucharist as the “source and summit of the Christian life” aka our “first love.”</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Jesus’ promise to Mary Magdalene is the same promise He offers to us: if we choose the better part of abiding near His Body and listening to His Word then this gift of Himself would not be taken from us. Why? Because Jesus Himself would protect her—and us— from anyone which would try to separate Jesus from Mary Magdalene.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Sometimes they may even include the dear, well-intentioned, over-worked Marthas in the Church! However, let us remember that, “What God has joined together man must not separate” (Mark 10:9). God has joined His Son to His Bride, the Church, in a holy and nuptial communion of love whereby the Church is called to perpetually adore the Eucharistic Body of Christ.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The act of faith on the part of the Church, wherever she exposes Jesus Christ on altars for the world to see, is an act which releases torrents of Divine Mercy from the Sacred Heart of Jesus.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Rather than frenetically exhausting ourselves, like Martha, in ministerial initiatives we must recognize that “the better part” which Mary chose—and which we, too, must choose— is the quickest way to convert the world. We must more and more lovingly “waste time” sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening to the guidance of His Spirit, and obeying His every Word. Perhaps our works in ministry are not as effective as we might have hoped because as a Church we have not come before Our Lord in the Eucharist imploring, “What would you have me do, Lord?” How much of our ministry planning is done in prayer?</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">How many of our evangelization/catechetical ideas are truly inspirations of the Holy Spirit flowing from the silence of prayerful adoration sitting at Jesus’ feet?</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Do we do this collectively as ministry teams?</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Do we do this as individuals? By the hemorrhage of people leaving the Church and the apparent lack of fruit seen in the low number of conversions to the Church (who then stay in the Church and become fruitful disciples themselves) we can rightly wonder: are too many over-worked Marthas in the Church and not enough joyful Marys? Martha can choose the better part like Mary did whenever she wants, however.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">It is not too late to turn the tide though currently there seems to be far too many ministers in the Church who are anxious and troubled by too many unnecessary distractions cloaked under the guise of “ministry.” </span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s2">Here a powerful witness can present itself to our people:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The Priest in Adoration.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>People to see their shepherds before the Good Shepherd in humble adoration!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The Priest is given the commission by Christ to teach His people how to pray.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Catholics need the inspiration and immense grace flowing from their Priest leading them in Eucharistic Adoration. He is to be the Eucharistic adorer par excellence teaching his people how to pray by way of example and preaching.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It is worth quoting at length two magisterial documents focused towards Priests. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s2">The first is from Pope St. John Paul II’s letter to the pastors of the Church, <i>Pastores Dabo Vobis</i>:</span></div>
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<span class="s2">Pastoral charity, which has its specific source in the sacrament of holy orders, finds its full expression and its supreme nourishment in the Eucharist. As the Council states: ‘This pastoral charity flows mainly from the eucharistic sacrifice, which is thus the center and root of the whole priestly life. The priestly soul strives thereby to apply to itself the action which takes place on the altar of sacrifice.’ Indeed, the Eucharist re-presents, makes once again priest, the sacrifice of the cross, the full gift of Christ to the Church, the gift of his body given and his blood shed, as the supreme witness of the fact that he is head and shepherd, servant and spouse of the Church. Precisely because of this, the priest's pastoral charity not only flows from the Eucharist but finds in the celebration of the Eucharist its highest realization — just as it is from the Eucharist that he receives the grace and obligation to give his whole life a "sacrificial" dimension (paragraph 23).</span></div>
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<span class="s2">The second quote is from the Second Vatican Council’s decree on the ministry and life of Priests, <i>Presbyterorum Ordinis</i>:</span></div>
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<span class="s2">The other sacraments, as well as with every ministry of the Church and every work of the apostolate, are tied together with the Eucharist and are directed toward it. The Most Blessed Eucharist contains the entire spiritual boon of the Church, that is, Christ himself, our Pasch and Living Bread, by the action of the Holy Spirit through his very flesh vital and vitalizing, giving life to men who are thus invited and encouraged to offer themselves, their labors and all created things, together with him. In this light, the Eucharist shows itself as the source and the apex of the whole work of preaching the Gospel (section 5).</span></div>
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<span class="s2">Priests and laity alike would benefit tremendously from reading or re-reading these two documents and will be delighted in discovering how profoundly Eucharistic both documents are.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s2">These selections above highlight in a particular and forceful way, however, the necessity of pursuing like Mary Magdalene the “better part” which is the one thing necessary: abiding with the Body of Christ (cf. Psalm 27).</span></div>
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<span class="s1">“Jesus wept” John 11:35</span></div>
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<span class="s2">In many places the Church today is like the church of Ephesus which Jesus warned of losing their lamp stand in Revelation chapter 2 if they did not return to the love they had at first.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We must keep vigil in prayer with the lamp stand which Christ has given to us.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We must keep watch for the Bridegroom’s return in glory by sitting before His veiled and sacramental Body.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>As individuals we must come to Jesus whenever He calls us to Him.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>As parish communities we must surround Him perpetually with Eucharistic Adoration like a seamless garment, unbroken and uninterrupted by any absence of adorers’ time. "Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night within his temple and He who sits upon the throne will shelter them with His presence” (Revelation 7:15). With our lamp stand of communal love we must indicate the perpetual Eucharistic Presence Christ in our parishes just like the sanctuary lamp which highlights where Jesus is in the tabernacle!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Our little light of love and grace on that lamp stand should be pointing to the Light of the World who cloaks Himself under the lamp shade of His Eucharistic veil.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Even further, a growing, worldwide movement of perpetual Eucharistic adoration serves as a unified sign to the world proclaiming, “Jesus is here! We are one in Him! He is present in our tabernacles and on our altars and our perpetual presence before Him is the sign that He is here!”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But in many places we leave Our Savior alone. We leave Him alone and rejected; “despised by men” (Isaiah 53) by our very act of not paying Him due regard (individually and communally) like the Pharisee, Simon (see Luke 7:36-49).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Simon payed Christ lip-service through his invitation to share a meal and a conversation at his house.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Simon failed, however, to wash our Lord’s feet and gave Him no kiss.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Simon went through the “motions of ministry” so to speak but did not have love. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s2">We, too, often go about many works but we must constantly strive to ensure that they spring from Eucharistic love! “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And if I have prophetic powers, and unfelt and all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing” (1 Corinthians 13: 1-3). In the story with the Pharisee, Simon, there is another figure whom we find: Mary Magdalene!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Again, she shows us how to love like a repentant sinner-become-disciple!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>In the scene Mary Magdalene—representing the contemplative heart of extravagant love which we are all called to cultivate—washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, dried them with her hair, while unceasingly kissing the beautiful “feet of Him who brings good news” (Isaiah 52:7). She anointed Jesus’ Sacred Body with the perfumed oil of extravagant love.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Far from this simply being Mary Magdalene wasting her time before Christ’s Sacred Body or lavishly throwing away her resources to show Him love, Jesus praises her and admits that her story will always be told!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Indeed, may her story be told again and again in us!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>May we imitate her lavish outpouring love upon Jesus!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Hers was an attitude which wanted only the best for her sweet Jesus! May we, then, become exactly that: the best lovers and adorers of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>May our hearts become more and more those which Jesus deserves; hearts which lavishly pour themselves out in love at His feet and in His service.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>How will we respond today to Christ’s invitation to reawaken our hearts to Love enfleshed in the Eucharist?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>What resolve does He ask of you? What does His heart desire from you? “Oh, Lord, I love you not so much for what you give but what you take!” said St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Let us pray then, “Lord, take my heart!” <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s2"><b><i>Indifference</i>, by GA Studdert Kennedy</b> </span></div>
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<span class="s2">When Jesus came to Golgotha, they hanged Him on a tree, </span></div>
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<span class="s2">They crowned Him with a crown of thorns, red were His wounds and deep, </span></div>
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<span class="s2">For those were crude and cruel days, and human flesh was cheap. </span></div>
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<span class="s2">When Jesus came to Birmingham, they simply passed Him by. </span></div>
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<span class="s2">For men had grown more tender, and they would not give Him pain, </span></div>
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<span class="s2">Still Jesus cried, ‘Forgive them, for they know not what they do,’ </span></div>
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<span class="s2"><b>Revelation 2:1-7<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s2">To the angel of the Church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear evil men but have tested those who call themselves apostles but are not, and found them to be false; I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. <i>But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then from what you have fallen, repent and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent… </i>He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981089461402320609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6501721631314752047.post-41797392648417187802018-02-02T06:36:00.002+01:002018-02-02T06:36:21.625+01:00Who knows your potential better? You or the Devil?<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="aoerc" data-offset-key="1cjme-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "SF Optimized", system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.12px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span data-offset-key="1cjme-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Does the enemy acknowledge more about your potential than you do? He knows of far worse sinners than us who became much greater Saints. The enemy knows what God can do in you. Do you and I? More importantly what is stopping you from allowing God to transform your potential into actuality? "Even the demons believe; and tremble." - James 2:19 Believing without allowing the God you believe in to have His way in you is closer to how the demons believe than how the Saints do. The perfect example of faith was given by the Virgin Mary when she said, "Be it done unto me according to your word." Luke 1:38 If we believe He can do what He says He can do then we need to let Him do what He wants to do. Let the work of love direct your faith so that you may receive that for which you hope. Faith (acknowledging His Lordship) without works (love) is dead (without hope.) Now, "hope does not disappoint" (Romans 5:5). Why? Because hope. doesn't. quit. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="bq4uj-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Don't quit. Don't stop believing. Love never fails. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="fos7l-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">"Love never fails...Faith, hope, and love abide; these three. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13: 8, 13</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="7b8fp-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Miracle-working faith, prophetic gifts, wisdom, knowledge, heroic penances and sacrifices are all worthless in the end without the love of Christ activated and acting in an through us (see 1 Corinthians 13: 1-3)</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="c349g-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">So if hope doesn't disappoint, love never fails, and faith can move mountains then what's missing in our lives? Why don't we see the changes we need? </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="b4b9d-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">If we do what we've always done we will always get what we've always got.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="1nlg0-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Consider asking God what He wants to do in your heart and in your life. If your prayer is oriented towards and open to Him then you might just find yourself being overshadowed by His Holy Spirit and becoming a God-bearer to the world; a Christian whose life witnesses to and magnifies the Lord just like the Virgin Mary, "For He Who is mighty has done great things for me and Holy is His Name!" - Luke 1:49 </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjooY7PxUV7FvrmjE3NAY34EQmyopxGFHW_8P3o2MWlY79FghxDi1qgQ8D0vdrhXQeCYjgQAccLl31jzSMkE5ucDxMfAfLJT-pZbmGVyLWKqnj9nYnG1_i9cwsx4XVxN2jT1KjNdz4R_DpA/s1600/2-1273235741-pregnant-mary-statue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="550" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjooY7PxUV7FvrmjE3NAY34EQmyopxGFHW_8P3o2MWlY79FghxDi1qgQ8D0vdrhXQeCYjgQAccLl31jzSMkE5ucDxMfAfLJT-pZbmGVyLWKqnj9nYnG1_i9cwsx4XVxN2jT1KjNdz4R_DpA/s320/2-1273235741-pregnant-mary-statue.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span data-offset-key="3qatm-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">What was the mighty thing that God did for Mary? Jesus. What was the joyful proclamation Mary made? Jesus.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="8l5r7-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Who is this Jesus? "He shall be called Holy; the Son of God." </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="a6l8h-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Let it be done to you according to His Word. Your life has potential to magnify and amplify the volume of God's Word. You are His speaker. Your life is to be a prophetic proclamation of that Word. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="d0gtb-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">He is the Light and you are His lampstand. "Let your light shine before men so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Heavenly Father." - Matthew 5:16</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="f0hdr-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Get out from under that bushel basket where the devil wants to keep you. You are called to shine for all the world to be able to see clearly and hear certainly that JESUS is Lord. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="9lkbo-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">The devil knows you have this potential. Do you? You are pregnant with possibility. It's time to deliver your Message to the world. What is God saying to you? What is God saying to the world through you? Will you give God's Word the voice that is your life?</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981089461402320609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6501721631314752047.post-13823945724643784092017-06-10T07:28:00.004+02:002017-06-10T08:11:23.554+02:00To Wonder at the Woman<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"When Jesus saw His mother, and the disciple who He loved standing near, He said to His mother, 'Woman, behold, your son!' Then He said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother!' And from that hour the disciples took her into his own home."</span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;">- John 19: 26-27</span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;">These two verses of Sacred Scripture reveal two sacred truths (at least, two which I'd like to discuss; there are more than that): </span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;">1.) Jesus saved the best for last</span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;">and</span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;">2.) His best belongs to you; and you to her.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6OOuS2GNtev3vsbAxLaycjvX_0LN6VUPA7_fYr8Duwn-EuaZR5uPfM_JViODsznwNbV_VEe32zWKmlmNTOY1haqQutRnMSCg_2SOn9fE11SI9BVlO6so6PORGnrSae2_wNpmDbUF7pZN/s1600/IMG_1343.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6OOuS2GNtev3vsbAxLaycjvX_0LN6VUPA7_fYr8Duwn-EuaZR5uPfM_JViODsznwNbV_VEe32zWKmlmNTOY1haqQutRnMSCg_2SOn9fE11SI9BVlO6so6PORGnrSae2_wNpmDbUF7pZN/s320/IMG_1343.JPG" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;">Consider that Jesus saved the best for last. Among His final gifts we find our Lord offering immense graces; the Holy Eucharist, the Sacred Priesthood, His holy example of faithful and long-suffering love, and His filial "Yes" to the Father in the "Garden of Crushing" Gethsemane is translated most commonly as "Oil press". This is the garden where olives were pressed to make oil. Spiritually this indicates the "oil of gladness" (which is our salvation) was pressed from the agony of the One "acquainted with suffering and crushed for our iniquity." (See Isaiah's suffering servant.) The pressure of mankind's sin and of God's justice began to press down upon the body and soul of the God-man. Here is where mankind's sin and God's love began to crush the body of the the Messiah and where His Heart began to be pierced. (Remember, too, that this is when a sword also began to pierce the heart of His Mother.)</span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;">But these gifts were not enough. Jesus, our King, had yet to crown His Queen-Mother over His Kingdom. Before He expired and "breathed forth His last" (i.e. His last breath being His last gift, the Holy Spirit, Whose reception was Providentially held in the Father's Heart until Pentecost after Our Lady finished preparing the Bride in the Cenacle for the Spirit's coming.) Jesus breathed forth the words of His penultimate gift - His Queen and Mother - "Woman, behold your son! ... Behold, your mother." We must wonder at this Woman; this New Eve. He gave this New Eve to His bride, the Church, to show His bride how to be "holy and immaculate" (Ephesians 5:27) He gives to the "disciple whom He loved" (i.e. you for you are His beloved disciple) a Mother. This Mother of Jesus is now our mother because we are "in Christ" and a "new creation." Our new creation came about through the spiritual and very real maternity of the Mother of Christ; the Mother of the Church (i.e. the Mother of the Body as well as the Head). The pangs of spiritual childbirth which Mary experienced at the Cross brought forth the New Creation which was told to "Behold your mother!" Will we look upon the one perfectly redeemed to see how we ought to be?<br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;">We can't forget, too, that we belong to her. We are her children; her responsibility. If we entrust ourselves to her Immaculate Heart as Jesus entrusted Himself to her immaculate womb then we will come to "full stature" in Christ. The more you love her the more you will be imitating Christ who gave all for her preservation from sin. He merited her Immaculate Conception by His suffering and death and, God Who is outside of time and space, applied them ahead of time to prepare the way for The Way to enter time and space. This is the grace of the Immaculate Conception. Jesus bound Himself by the Immaculate Conception to win for us an Immaculate Salvation in the Church. We are called to "Be Holy, for I am Holy." God spoke those words to Mary at the moment of her conception. "Let there be light!" And there was light. "Be holy and immaculate!" And the Immaculate Conception was brought forth whom we call Mother Mary.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;">Be hers and you will be safe. The God-man was safe in her arms and under her care. She is a gift to you. Be a gift to her. She is called "Mother" and "Queen" and you are called "My child." Be everything she deserves as your mother and which God your Father calls you to - your mother deserves your best; even to your last breath.</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981089461402320609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6501721631314752047.post-25496496497779384782017-03-18T05:26:00.000+01:002017-03-18T05:26:03.203+01:00If You but knew the Grace of God<div style="text-align: center;">
St. Thomas Moore taught that one grows in wisdom by meditating on one or more of the four last things: Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell. Whether this meditation is constant or sporadically intentional isn't nearly as important as simply doing it. Of these four which do you find more drawn to for the purposes of your own spiritual considerations?</div>
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Wisdom is knowing what things are for; knowing their final cause or ultimate purpose. Wisdom allows one to see the true value of something and does not add nor subtract from that precise value. It sees reality and the things contained in reality as God does. God is Wisdom and our destiny - should we choose to accept it - is to be caught up in His Divine Wisdom forever catching His eternal perspective.</div>
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What will allow you to focus on the true value of things? Would the fact of your impending, inescapable death do that? How about the intervention of judgment over your life after you die; will imagining that experience cause you to change your ways? What about the excitement of Heaven? The horrors of final and irrevocable loss in Hell? What will shock you into clairvoyant attention to what matters most and what doesn't matter after all? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisy7QEdpNam_w_g2iC6LOVAZk9zhBd7V-GrCv19UiXeVmwci1HAGKX2OOx877TxqVuL1GWJOKqphAvPbtkNMxCSQ11oF7h2hHZAWPssWYlFMZBBlHWdPtHbyMMf6nTuis-K6Dh8Nb3OVGx/s1600/gen_fingerlens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisy7QEdpNam_w_g2iC6LOVAZk9zhBd7V-GrCv19UiXeVmwci1HAGKX2OOx877TxqVuL1GWJOKqphAvPbtkNMxCSQ11oF7h2hHZAWPssWYlFMZBBlHWdPtHbyMMf6nTuis-K6Dh8Nb3OVGx/s320/gen_fingerlens.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Don't close your eyes to things yet unseen. Wisdom goes beyond the immediate and incorporates into the present that which is inevitable: The Four Last Things. We all will die, be judged, and end up in Heaven or Hell. Lent is a good time to seek clarity of sight. We need the lense of God's Wisdom to lift us above our petty pursuits in order that we might <b>"<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 19, 32); color: #001320; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [us] heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Phillipians 3:14)</span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981089461402320609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6501721631314752047.post-69359612714496971322017-03-03T22:04:00.002+01:002017-03-03T22:04:16.532+01:00Lenten Check-In... Don't Give Up Early<div style="text-align: center;">
Lent can be hard. We make all sorts of commitments and resolutions for positive change. And then we accidentally eat bacon on the first Friday of Lent and we think it's all over (I didn't do that btw... Not this Lent anyway..)</div>
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"Lent is a time when you really feel like a Christian" a Priest said to me recently. I think he means that there is something intrinsic to being a Christian that involves sacrifice; giving up certain pleasures for the sake of a greater good. What greater good are you going after this Lent? If you've struggled in these first few days with your Lenten commitment that is ok. Just start over and recommit. That, too, is what Christianity is all about. Fresh starts - whenever we need them. A clean slate is available to you even now.</div>
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So visit confession this weekend. Go often and grow. Pray more and love better this Lent. You can do this because you're not alone. You're in this Lenten "training season" with hundreds of millions of other Catholics around the world. God is with you. Ask Him to encourage you and to help you make your commitments to Him. He's worth the effort and He will help you in the fight. </div>
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"The Lord is a warrior. LORD is His name." (Exodus 15:3)</div>
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Let Him fight <i>with</i> you this Lent. Don't give up.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981089461402320609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6501721631314752047.post-61067061302129770002017-02-21T03:41:00.003+01:002017-02-21T03:42:02.001+01:00The time has come. It is now.<div style="text-align: center;">
When does God give His grace?</div>
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Right now.</div>
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Sometimes we shoot our own spiritual foot by staying stuck in the regrets of the past or or anticipating too much the future scenarios that may or may not ever come. While God is eternal and is present in all space and time we are not. We are not in eternity (not *yet* at least) but are confined to the <strike>prison</strike> sacrament of the present moment.</div>
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If you have ever felt frustrated by the limits imposed on you by being in time then you may be a fallen human being. Not to worry though. God comes to meet us fallen human beings in a particular meeting "place." He entered time and space in the Incarnation of His Word made flesh. That same God accompanies us every.single.moment.</div>
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Do you need to reread that last sentence?</div>
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Every single moment God pours out the abundance of His very self upon you. He does this in every present moment and every present moment is precisely where you are. </div>
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So don't miss out on what God is offering you right *now* just because it feels easier to let your mind wander away into the past or the future unnecessarily. Don't miss out on the gift being offered right now for the sake of entertaining unhelpful thoughts or negative feelings which aren't helping you receive God's love where it's being offered (i.e. right now.)</div>
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The present moment is called by spiritual authors a "sacrament" because it, being a physical reality, conveys something spiritual. Your present moment, located in time and space, mediates God to you. He called Himself "I AM" to Moses and says the same to you. "Be still and know that I am..." </div>
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He Who Is is all you need and all you need is right here right now. Open your heart to God and to what He is offering you (His own Son, Jesus, and His Holy Spirit.) </div>
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Remain in the silence with Him. Let Him speak His Word to you and fill you with His Spirit. In the now He comes to meet you. Will you meet Him there, too?</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981089461402320609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6501721631314752047.post-33226712913419736192017-02-15T20:51:00.001+01:002017-02-15T20:51:39.954+01:00Prepare to Prepare<div style="text-align: center;">
I read recently that Byzantine Catholics (fully Catholic like Roman Catholics except they have different liturgical traditions, spiritual expressions, and ways of explaining doctrine often times) have something that we could rightly call "Pre-Lent." In fact, a bit back in our own Roman Catholic tradition there was this practice in the pre-Vatican II liturgy (today called the "extraordinary form of the Mass.) It started on "Septuagesima Sunday." Septuagesima is a Greek term which indicates 70 days before Easter. So, even before the 40 days of Lent there is this notion of intentional preparation for the preparation that is Lent!</div>
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Phew! That's a lot. So... what's the point?</div>
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Here is is. Lent is sneaking up upon us very soon (March 1st is Ash Wednesday.)</div>
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Have you prayed about what your Lenten practices ought to look like? Is God inviting you to fast from something like a particular social media feed or your favorite beverage? Does God want you to incorporate daily Scripture reading or meditation on the daily Mass readings? How about praying the Rosary more frequently? Confession more often? Have you started thinking about the type of preparation you ought to have during your Lenten preparation for Easter?</div>
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It's not too early to invite the Holy Spirit to enlighten you as to the next right moves. Prepare to make this your best Lent ever. Spend some time today with your prayer journal and ask God what He wants your Lent to look like. Otherwise, it may just end up looking like nothing special. Don't miss the opportunity!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981089461402320609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6501721631314752047.post-44168582553759065072017-02-04T07:38:00.002+01:002017-02-04T07:49:38.436+01:00A history of St Michael and the Devil<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is the short version of how St Michael came to be the prince of all the angels and how the Devin rebelled against God. This is from the Church's ancient Tradition and is attested to by many of the Fathers of the Church and other Saints and is also biblically sound. This is the Catholic view.</div>
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So Michael was the Angel that opposed Lucifer when he rebelled. Michael defensed God's honor by glorifying God hence Michael means "Who is like God?" Since Lucifer wanted to be like God and take His throne. "I will ascend to the throne of the almighty." (Isaiah 14:14) This was before the creation of the material universe. The Angels were the first creations of God and are purely spiritual beings (not material in nature; personal beings with an intellect and will.) When they were created God offered them a choice (since they have a will able to choose) to accept or reject Him. Lucifer, one of the most intelligent of the angels, chose to reject God and in his pride and vanity actually thought himself to be able to overcome the Almighty. Lucifer means Bearer of Light which highlights his intellect. Michael chose the path of true freedom and chose to love His Creator and stood up for His honor. He and the angels who chose to love God were awarded with the eternal vision of seeing God face to face. Hence, Michael led the Angels in a victory of intellect and will against the rebellious Angels (whom we now call demons because of their twisted nature though still highly intelligent and powerful in will) for God's honor. Michael was then given the particular grace/blessing of being raised as the highest of the angels because of his haste in choosing to love God and defend Him glory against the insult of Lucifer and the rebellious Angels.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981089461402320609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6501721631314752047.post-55616782664616833912017-02-03T06:03:00.002+01:002017-02-03T06:03:43.842+01:00Speaking Words of Wisdom Let it Be<div style="text-align: center;">
It's one of the most iconic Beatles songs; Let it Be.</div>
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Whisper words of wisdom... let it be...</div>
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You know, in the beginning there wasn't anything *to* be. There was not dirt, no birds, no water, not even space for those things to exist in and not even time for those to exist when. No matter. There was He Who Is. </div>
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Praise God that God didn't decide to simply let things be only as He. He did not desire to be the only one to exist (though He was perfectly happy being Who He Was and Is and Always Will Be.) God made a choice. He chose to create things - He created beings who specialize in be-ing. All of the universe - visible and invisible (angels be real ya know) - is being in He Who Is. All of creation is held in existence by the One Who exists for all eternity; the One Whose very nature it is *to be.* </div>
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God is really good at being.</div>
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He is also good at letting things be.</div>
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You see, God has a hand in all things even if some of His creation (namely us) don't want to take Him by the hand. We fallen (by choice) humans are good at *not* being because we're experts at sinning - making choices away from He Who Is. We choose evil (an absence of good) and each time we move one step closer to the edge (and I'm about to break!... Linkin' Park anyone? Ok moving on...)</div>
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True. Our sinful choices can never annihilate us out of existence; out be-ing. Even Satan himself, as radically evil as he is, is still good insofar as he exists; he cannot stop existing because God continues to say "Let it be." </div>
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God created beings who could choose to *be* at rest or *be* in a state of unrest. Our choices bring us peace (i.e. closer to God in Christ) or greater and greater turmoil. God honors our choices.</div>
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So what will you choose? The secret to reaching eternal happiness is to say to God's plan and love (with all of our heart intact) "Let it be! Your Will be done because Your Will is the best way to *be*."</div>
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May Heaven forbid that we reject God and, in the end, hear Him ratify our rejection, "Let it be... your will be done, My child." </div>
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May we imitate Mary, the greatest receiver of God's Being in all of history, "Let it be done to me according to Your Word." (Luke 1:38)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981089461402320609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6501721631314752047.post-8965391439541771462017-01-20T02:59:00.001+01:002017-01-20T02:59:06.662+01:00He Waits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
*Ignore the background music from the event going on downstairs in the hall.* </div>
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Here are some thoughts on prayer and "keeping Jesus waiting" for your consideration.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981089461402320609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6501721631314752047.post-40971833725375384812017-01-17T03:45:00.002+01:002017-01-17T03:45:50.174+01:00New Wine Needs New Wineskins.. What's a Wineskin??<div style="text-align: center;">
Today's Gospel ends with one of my favorite verses (which, coincidentally, sums up the whole Bible),<br /><br />"New wine is poured into fresh wineskins" - Jesus (in Mark 2:22)</div>
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In biblical times people drank a lot of wine. Not because they were running away from their problems but because they were trying to prevent digestive ones. Wine was generally made to be much weaker than we are familiar with today however the alcohol kept the beverage safe to drink. Water wasn't always safe to drink. People died a lot more back then than they do today.</div>
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I mean, death came earlier in ancient times for many reasons but, to sum it up, the modern world has advanced medicine and knowledge of all the things. So, today we know how to survive better because we know of the existence of things like bacteria. </div>
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So, people in Jesus' day drank wine and they stored it in things called "wineskins" which was usually made of animal skins. Newly made wine would need to be stored in a big ol' jar or a wineskin and it would begin fermenting which would stretch the wineskin. If the wineskin was used before then that means it would have been stretched already by the previous fermentation of wine. HENCE, the need for NEW wine to be poured into a NEW wineskin. The new wine expanded the new wineskin, it didn't burst, and everyone was happy.</div>
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In the Old Testament God gave the wine of His grace through the Law and the Prophets. The people's hearts became used to this wine. Jesus came on the scene, though, and had a new wine for the Israelites and the world. For the people to receive the new wine of the Holy Spirit into their lives they would need new wineskins, new hearts, in order to stretch with the "fermentation" process of conversion which God calls us to. Hence, "New wine is poured into fresh wineskins" is really a summary of the Bible because in Christ not only are we given something new but we are made new. </div>
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So that's the general meaning of the verse. But, God's Word doesn't just speak in general, informative, and interesting messages for us. God's Word speaks directly to each heart. The problem can happen, however, that even though God may be trying to communicate something intensely and uniquely personal to an individual that person may not be open or listening. That person (i.e. you and me) needs to be open to what God wants to give. We need to let go of our old wineskins and give God new hearts to which He can pour Himself into.</div>
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Life application? God is laboring, <i>trying </i>to give you something new. "Behold, I am doing something new. Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?" - God (Isaiah 43:19) You (and me) are very good at resisting His gifts. For various reasons we as human beings struggled to let God love us while He struggles <i>to</i> love us. Remember when Jacob wrestled with God (via His angel) in the Old Testament? Yeah, that's all of us. Our mission in the spiritual life (and in life in general) is to let God has His way; to let God win; to let God give us the new wine of His grace. In every moment He has a new grace or blessing for you. What is He trying to give you in this moment? </div>
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In your prayer time try to come to God in a posture of receptivity and be intentional about it. Read a Scripture passage (perhaps the one above about the wineskins) and ask God what it is He is trying to give to you. He ALWAYS wants to give us His grace. Don't resist. Otherwise, our hearts will remain pretty much as they are right now. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981089461402320609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6501721631314752047.post-18972235589124909792017-01-05T05:25:00.005+01:002017-01-05T05:25:50.390+01:00When will you have your epiphany?<div style="text-align: center;">
What is an epiphany? A great awakening or realization? Some type of discovery of earth-shattering import? A new perspective on some previously known idea?</div>
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Well, if you're Catholic, the word "Epiphany" should conjure memories of Magi in motion towards the Messiah with Mary His mother. Alliteration altogether aside, the feast of the Epiphany is a time when we rediscover the greatest discovery the world has ever known - Jesus the Christ.</div>
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And they probably found him by way of camel.</div>
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This weekend the Catholic Church around the world (and the Orthodox Churches, as well) recall the great feast of the Epiphany when the Magi traversed land and sand to meet the Lord Jesus. The star in the east guided them and acted as God's messenger. Perhaps it was an Angel. Perhaps God's providential design of the universe anticipated these historic moments and planned for a particular star to guide their way even from the beginning of time. Regardless, God guided the magi to His Son and "No one comes to [the Son] unless the Father draws him." (So says Jesus Himself in John 6:44) </div>
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So where is the Father drawing you? Of course, to His Son but let's ask a further question for reflection. <i>How</i> is the Father drawing you to His Son? </div>
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And are you following the way He has traced out? Are you following the guiding star of His providence? Are you even moving?</div>
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A wise man from the east once said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Wise men from the east made a long, arduous journey by taking one step after another (whether their own or their camels'.) And you? Will you allow your heart to be drawn by the Father towards His Risen Sun from the east? We have much to discover. We have an epiphany awaiting us! Let's no longer stay comfortable in our own homes that we've made for ourselves but let's instead venture out onto the adventure traced out for us by the Father. </div>
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I've always wondered if there were supposed to be more than just three wise men. Perhaps some decided to stay home... What a terrible mistake that was now wasn't it? Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981089461402320609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6501721631314752047.post-2829505335025770002017-01-02T21:58:00.002+01:002017-01-02T22:00:42.894+01:00He Makes All Things New...Including You
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: small;">One of my favorite passages from Scripture comes from Revelation 21:5 And he who sat upon the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true."</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: small;">He really does make things new. In fact, everything Jesus touches becomes new. Is there a part of your heart that you still need to allow the Lord to touch? What part of your life is He reaching out towards? His words are trustworthy and true. He really does make all things new.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: small;">Where do you need renewal during this New Year? In the wake of the calendar moving forward what needs to change in your life? Have you resolved to let the Jesus make all things new in your life? </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: small;">Take 20 or 30 seconds (or more) of silence - right now. As awkward as that may seem you really do have the freedom not to move on to the next bit of internet information just yet. You really can take a moment - whenever you like - to let the Lord approach you in peace. What is He looking at in your life right now? What is He wanting to give you? What would an infinitely loving and powerful God have to offer you? Where is your greatest need? Be there with Christ and let Him make it new.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981089461402320609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6501721631314752047.post-57540477212293210512016-12-28T07:25:00.001+01:002016-12-28T07:25:45.261+01:00Optimus Prime - The Most Noble and Great One<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, I'm no Latin scholar. In fact, I passed Latin with a C average. It was an extremely helpful (though difficult) class and now I can read Latin things... for the most part... kind of...</div>
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You may be familiar with the Transformers movie series. I've been on a kick with them lately. I really like that Optimus Prime guy. I did a little research into what his Latin name translates to (even though, being the C student that I was in Latin, I already had a pretty good idea thank you very much.) Judging from Optimus Prime's character from the movie's I'd like to propose that his name means, "The Most Noble and Great One." </div>
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Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not a Transformers aficionado... But I kind of want to be now. After seeing a few of these movies I realize what it is that pulls me towards them - It's Optimus. </div>
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Sure, "Optimus" primarily (no pun intended) translates as "Best" while "Most Noble" is only a secondary (even tertiary) rendering of the word - but I think "Best" is too bland; it doesn't describe Optimus' at his core. "Noble," however, absolutely does. Optimus is so appealing because he embodies (or rather, enmetals) what it means to be noble. That is to say Optimus Prime stands tall morally and follows his conscience towards what is true, good, and worth living and dying for.</div>
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Are you noble? One quick way to find out is to ask yourself, "Would others describe me as noble?" If not then you may have some work to do. Nobility stands out. Nobility gets noticed. It's not plain to see because it wants to be seen but because it is the only thing worth seeing in a world looking for anything that catches its eye. Nobility, however, doesn't just catch your eye. It catches your heart. It makes you want to be better. </div>
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The Saints were noble. Great leaders (i.e. anyone who leads others closer to the truth) are noble. Do you want to be noble? Deep down we all do. The difficulty comes in when we don't act according to the core of who we are; according to our true identities. We're Princes and Princesses; nobility and children of the Most Noble and Great One - God our Father. While Optimus Prime may stand as a fictional icon of the Angelic order sent to protect us we, through a gift of our Father, have infinitely more nobility than we can stand at times. That's why we often choose to fall short of our high calling to holiness - it is hard to stand tall when the river of the culture crushes against you to sweep you off your feet and into hell. Not all wooing is worthy of our hearts yet we too often give in to the siren call of sin, don't we? </div>
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So let us pray to recognize our nobility. Let us pray that we would see in us what God has placed there - His Divine Spark. If we knew who we were - truly <i>knew</i> and fully believed it - we'd stand up like royalty and fight for the world. So if you find yourself sitting or laying down these days and aren't sure what you're really supposed to be doing in life then take heart. Let the nobleness of God's choosing you and calling you to rise embolden you. Take His hand and be raised to new life. Be raised to new life daily; to a higher life; to a greater life; to the most noble life there is. Pure Life. Let Life transform you into who you really are. A child of the Most Noble and Great One.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981089461402320609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6501721631314752047.post-80110735023464547192016-12-19T17:56:00.004+01:002016-12-19T17:56:39.653+01:00Christmas with a Twist<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">I hope you got everything you wanted for Christmas.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Really.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">I just wish you knew what it was that you truly wanted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The same goes for me, too, of course. Often we are unaware of our more authentic desires especially around Christmas time. They tend to get swallowed up by the more immediate, material trimmings of the season. Now Christmas, as we all know, isn’t about the presents and decorations (though these things have their significance and value.) The gifts remind us of the Gift that God gave us in Christ. The decorations can remind us of the way the Lord’s grace adorns our soul through the redemption He won for us. We even get to have time with friends and family and gorge ourselves (avoiding gluttony of course) with our favorite holiday treats. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But wait, there’s more!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">It’s the Christmas music, right? Maybe it’s the snow (for us midwesterners at least)? The time off of school/work? The cute Christmas outfits (for the ladies)? The Muppet Christmas Carol (arguable the best Christmas movie ever made)? </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">What else could we <i>possibly</i> desire?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">I will pray that you discover your restlessness this Christmas.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">You’re welcome.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">It really is a gift to know how much we long for peace and joy.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">To desire something one does not possess is called “hope” and I *hope* that this Christmas you let yourself notice your own spiritual poverty; your own lack of inner rest (to whatever extent it may exist for you.)</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">Have you been away from God? From Church?</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">Please come back.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 11px;">We love you here in the Catholic Church</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 11px;">.</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">You are wanted.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Your presence (and absence!) makes a difference to our community in ways we may only understand in Heaven.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Part of our restlessness is because we can separate ourselves from God and His family (the Church.)</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">A peaceful conscience and the life of God in your heart is just a confessional visit away.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">May your restlessness never let you rest; never let you settle. For us Americans (as opposed to those in #Aleppo, Syria or any other war torn region) it’s easy to be deceived into think we couldn’t possibly want anything more; and, if we did want it, we would just need to save up or ask for it for Christmas. However, as 2016 draws to a close I sincerely pray that you become more and more aware of the One that we are too often unaware of - Jesus. He is </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">real.</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> He </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">does</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> love you. He really is God become man, born in a backwater town, placed in a feeding trough in a stable only to grow up to become our heart’s food; the Bread of Life in Holy Communion. Jesus desires to satisfy our hungry hearts. The greatest gift we can offer Him for His birthday is to allow Him to give Himself to us. Strange isn’t it? It is better to give than to receive. So let us give Jesus what He wants. He wants to take all of our sin and replace it with all of His love. </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Perhaps this Christmas you can discover </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">the greatness of your hunger for </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">God encountering the </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">greatness of His hunger to fill you; to love you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Let Him love you this Christmas. The Christ-child isn’t the only one that needs to be held during this Silent Night.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981089461402320609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6501721631314752047.post-1053560705272209522016-11-14T06:09:00.004+01:002016-11-14T06:09:42.559+01:00What are we to do?<div style="text-align: center;">
Since everyone seems to have something to say about the recent election...</div>
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I'll refrain from further commentary. Quite frankly, I don't have all the facts and the pundits don't either. We can make (and ought to make) reasonable decisions based upon our reasonable amounts of research all while maintaining an open mind (open to being corrected) to what Providence may be doing in history.</div>
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Politics, though, isn't as interesting a topic as theology. The subject matters are incomparable. Man's domain versus God's dominion. </div>
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What part of your heart still needs to have Christ rule as King? </div>
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We are easily led astray into worry, fear, doubt, etc. in regards to this world. Our thoughts tend to follow rhetoric because they want to follow <i>something</i>; even if it's not the truth. What we think about tends to generate either anxiety or peace because it is either anchored in a lie or a truth. We naturally desire the truth and so are made for it. So why do we fall for the lie so often? Why do we allow ourselves to be ruled by falsehood?</div>
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This week find out with the Lord in your prayer why you don't trust Him more. </div>
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Then ask Him to help you trust Him.</div>
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He really <i>does</i> love you. Let Him rule over your heart and your life. He will bring peace. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981089461402320609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6501721631314752047.post-27136201440541885792015-12-25T05:46:00.002+01:002015-12-25T05:46:25.809+01:00And so this is Christmas...<div style="text-align: center;">
John Lennon may have thought he had summed up the mystery of Christmas in his hit single going by the same title as this blog post but I would suggest the soon to be canonized Mother Teresa had a deeper insight into it all.</div>
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Love came to us that we might come to love. To love others. To love God. To love with the strength of God's own Heart pounding within us. Love goes out and then it brings in. It seeks the unloved and makes them loved. It welcomes the unloved by loving them. The Son of God (Love in the Flesh) seeks us, finds us, then invites us to become love.</div>
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Living love... How will you change this Christmas? The Lord is offering you His Heart. Will you take it? Or will you keep yours, unwilling to give it away in love?</div>
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Give yourself away to Love this Christmas and you will find yourself this Christmas.</div>
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"For it is only in the sincere gift of self that man truly finds himself." - Second Vatican Council</div>
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Let love win this Christmas. Let God (Who is Love) win your heart and you will begin to win hearts for Love. Live Christmas today... and ever day.</div>
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Merry Christmas!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981089461402320609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6501721631314752047.post-12106527661539129242015-12-25T05:42:00.001+01:002015-12-25T05:43:03.676+01:00Final Moments - Love MercyWhat would you have done better this Advent? Take <i>that</i> and bring it into the Christmas season.<br />
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"Ok, Lord.. please bring a greater good out of my negligence and weakness."<br />
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His mercy is glorified when it is called upon and that is why Divine Mercy took flesh; to be called upon.<br />
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"Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved" as the Scripture says.<br />
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As we are beginning the journey of this Year of Mercy we ought to call upon Mercy. Ask Mercy Himself to do everything for you which you yourself cannot do. Realize, too, that what we cannot do is... everything.<br />
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"Apart from Me you can do nothing" Jesus says in John's Gospel.<br />
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Are you trying to do something apart from the Lord? Know that, if this is the case, it won't bear fruit. At least, not any kind of healthy, spiritually nutritious fruit for you or anyone else. However, if you bring all you do to the Lord then Mercy will make you a true disciple who bears much fruit.<br />
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The Tree of Life is beginning to blossom the fruit of the Savior; the Savior Himself. The Tree of Life is the source of Mercy for us. Bloom where you are planted. Root yourself in Mercy this Christmas.<br />
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"For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)<br />
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Love Him. Love Mercy. All will be well because all will be His when we give all to Him. Become a gift of self to Mercy this Christmas. Give yourself over. Love Mercy.<br />
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"Seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)<br />
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Merry Christmas!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981089461402320609noreply@blogger.com0