NOVEMBER 2024 MEDITATION

The month of December is a time designated by the Church for all Catholics and Christians to prepare for the arrival of Jesus at Christmas time. The first four weeks of December are recognized as the Advent season.  The word “Advent,” itself means Coming. It is also a time of preparation for the Second Coming of Christ.  As my Parish’s pastor reminded us at Sunday Mass, “Jesus has already come, we await his Second Coming, are you ready?” Every week during Advent the Church focuses on the positive themes and fruits of the spirit, hope, peace, joy and love.  In faith, Christians gather to pray and reflect on the coming of Christ, whether it be to prepare for His birth, or on His second Coming.  The question asked is “Are you ready?” As we wait for the coming of Jesus, may we be confident in knowing, “Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit.” (Romans 5:5) The birth of Jesus brought a ray of hope to the world.  In that hope, may we continue to pray for human life.   The unborn are our future rays of light.  Pray that their light will not be extinguished. Let us protect life, just as St. Joseph did when he fled from Herod to Egypt to save the life of the infant Jesus. Let us pray for the sanctity of life.  May we turn to St. Joseph, Terror of Demons.  May we follow his example of obedience to God through the Angel, who warned St. Joseph in a dream about Herod’s plans to kill baby Jesus. Let us ask Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Unborn, to place her mantle of protection over the unborn and for all human life.  The Holy angels surround us.  They live to praise and to give glory to God.  The angels are sent by God to guide and protect us.  Our Guardian angels are assigned to help us stay on the path of holiness.  They whisper the ways of good and help us to follow and imitate Jesus.  The angel’s mission is to keep us focused on God and the promise of Heaven.  Although, the angels, and the saints, are invisible, they serve to remind us of the paradise that awaits us if we persevere in the ways of Christ. "I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts.  I will put my spirit within you and make you live by my statutes, careful to observe my decrees.  You shall live in the land I gave your fathers; you shall be my people, and I will be your God."  Ezekiel 36:26-28   The Lord of Light shared His love for us by giving the world the gift of our Savior.  Jesus is the gift that brings comfort to our souls.  Jesus is coming.  Give him your heart, so that He may bring you peace in a world that is restless.  Open your hearts to the Lord and receive an ocean of endless love.  John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world might be saved through him.”

NOVEMBER 2024 MEDITATION

“Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice…”Psalm 130

November is the month the Church dedicates to all the Holy Souls.  The importance of prayer for all who have died is a practice of the Church.  Catholics believe in Purgatory, a state where the souls of the dead are purified from the consequences of their sins. In our prayers for the dead, we are praying to God for their purification and for His mercy. “For gold is tested in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation.  Trust in Him and He will help you, make your ways straight and hope in Him.  Sirach 2:5-6.  It is said, when we die, we are unable to pray for ourselves.  The Holy Souls can pray for us and they do.  St. Catherine of Bologna said,“…..God makes our prayers known to them; and then they, full of charity, most assuredly do not omit to pray for us.” In the following prayer for the dead, we petition to God to let our loved ones have perpetual light and petition for their soul to be at peace, with these words, “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.  May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.”  St. Thomas Aquinas wrote, “Always pray for the dead.   If deceased persons are prayed for by offering the Eucharist or by any prayer and have no further need of purification, the prayers are not unavailing.  The deceased in heaven receive an increase in their intimacy of God’s love and an increase in their own intercessory power.”  November is a special month for the Church.  It is a time to remember and pray for our loved ones.  Our prayers for the deceased are a beautiful reminder about the power of prayer and the power of love.  Love lives on beyond time.  Even though our loved ones are no longer here on earth, our prayers for them become an endless song of undying love.  November can also be a time to reflect and confirm our belief in the promise of Jesus.  “In my father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” John 14:2. This November reserve time to pray for departed loved ones.  Let us pray for all the holy souls, remember the words of Father Pio, "We must empty Purgatory with our prayers."

OCTOBER 2024 MEDITATION

And there appeared to Him an angel from Heaven, strengthening Him.  Luke 22:43.

   In the Catholic Church the feast day of the Guardian angels is celebrated on October 2nd and each Tuesday, the Holy Mass is dedicated to the Holy Angels and Guardian angels.  Theologians believe that everyone has a Guardian Angel; although, it is not clear if our Guardian angel was assigned to us at birth or at the moment of conception.  It should give all of us great comfort to know that the Lord loves each of us so much that He assigns our Guardian angel to care for us.  For He will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways. Psalm 91:11 Even more touching is that when Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, Father God sent Jesus an angel to strengthen him. The angels are not visible to us, but they are present.  They act as protectors, spiritual guides and are messengers of God.  The Guardian Angel’s mission is to get us to Heaven.  He works behind the scenes to help us choose good from evil.  St. Gemma Galgani could see her Guardian Angel. In one of her moments of illness, she heard her angel say, “‘If Jesus afflicts you in your body, it is always to purify you in your soul. Be good.” St. Gemma said, “From the moment I got up from my sick bed (was cured –editor) my guardian angel began to be my master and guide. He corrected me every time I did something wrong, and he taught me to speak but little, and only when I was spoken to.” In St. Gemma’s biography a priest writes that letters from Gemma were sent and/or given to him by angels.  He was given proof when God answered his prayers through a young boy who delivered her letters to him, even though the priest was miles away. The boy spoke not a word and left.  After this event, the priest would say, his letters from Gemma were received by faithful angelic delivery. Father Germano wrote, “I confess I do not understand it at all....To how many tests did I not I submit this singular phenomenon in order to convince myself that it took place through a supernatural intervention!”  What a gift, to be able to see our Guardian Angel.  We may not be blessed to see them, but believe we are blessed to have one.  Angels are important in the work of God.  They do the will of God.  They adore, praise and glorify Him at all times.  The Saints are aware of the holy angels and the blessings God sends through them.  Saint Francis de Sales said, "Make friends with the angels, who though invisible are always with you,” and Saint Father Pio of Pietrelcina said, "How consoling it is to know that we have a spirit who from womb to tomb never leaves us, even for an instant, not even when we dare to sin. And this heavenly spirit guides and protects us like a friend, a brother.”  Look to your Guardian angel.  Pray that you may follow His path to holiness.  Your Guardian Angel does the will of God.  May you hear his promptings so that on that faithful day, He will greet you at the gates of Heaven where His Mission would have been accomplished for you listened and obeyed the Will of God as you opened your soul to do and live the Will of God.

SEPTEMBER 2024 MEDITATION

The Catholic Church celebrates September 29th as the Feast of the Archangels, St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael.  Although angels have been depicted by artists as cute, small, or beautiful, they are described in the bible as powerful spirits, so powerful that men bow down in fright.  When men have bowed down to the angels, the angels have corrected them and said, “…..worship God.”  These three powerful archangels are mentioned in the bible.  St. Michael is mentioned twice in the Old Testament and twice in the New Testament.  The first time he is mentioned is in the Book of Daniel where he comes to comfort Daniel and promises to be his helper.  The last time St. Michael is mentioned is in the Book of Revelation where he leads a battle against the prideful Lucifer and wins victory for God.  St. Michael’s name means, Who is Like God.  St. Gabriel, the Archangel is also mentioned in the bible.  He too is first mentioned in Daniel.  He is also referred to in the Annunciation.  He is the angel that greeted Mary and announced to Mary that she had been chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus.  The name of Gabriel means God has shown Might.  St. Raphael is mentioned in the Book of Tobit.  His name means God Heals.  The importance of the angels and the role they play cannot be stressed enough.  The Angels are referred to in the bible 300 times.  The bible shows the importance of the Angels and how they deal with mankind for God.  They are described as messengers and protectors.  The Holy Angels are obedient and loyal to God.  Throughout the bible they honor and praise the Lord.  Their honor and praise of the Lord continues, when the Angels song of worship is said at every Mass.  At that time, we too join the angels in praise and worship as we pray, “Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of your glory, Hosanna in the highest, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, hosanna in the highest.” These words of honor and worship are said at every Mass throughout the world.  Bible scholars believe that there are millions of angels. The Book of Revelation 5:11 to describe the number of angels reveals, “Myriads of myriads, or tens of thousands of times tens of thousands.”  The holy angels are prepared and ready to do the will of God.  In the second coming the Angels will be active.  “Then will appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory; and he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other (Matthew 24:30-31).  Let us be thankful for the Holy Angels who are sent to guide and lead us to Heaven.  God in His wisdom filled the heavens with the light and beauty of these spirits.  May they fill our hearts with the light of Christ in whom both angel and man are joined together in love by God, our Creator.

AUGUST 2024 MEDITATION

“In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph.” Our Lady of Fatima

The Catholic Church dedicates the month of August to devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. However, there are two hearts that are close to most Catholics, the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus, one can’t separate one from the other.   Traditionally, these two hearts can be found side by side.  One can’t celebrate, the Immaculate Heart of Mary without being reminded of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  In Mary’s own prayer, the Magnificat, it states “my soul doth magnifies the Lord.”  Indeed, our Lady, magnifies Jesus, her son.  Looking at an image of her pierced heart by a sword and burning flame at the top of her heart, reminds us of the great pain Jesus suffered on the cross.  The burning flame is a reminder of the great and unique love of a son for His mother and a mother for her son.  Both hearts, Jesus’ pierced heart with thorns and Mary’s pierced by a sword, tell the story of sacrifice and to the extent selfless love will go, to demonstrate the limitless measures it will take for love, even to die on a cross.  Two important Marian feasts are also celebrated in August, 'The Feast of the Assumption of Mary' and the 'Queenship of Mary.  Both feast days give honor to our Blessed Mother.  We as Catholics, do not worship Mary, but honor her for saying “yes” to the miracle of Jesus and her mission as the mother of God.  As Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said, “no Mary, no Jesus.” Due to the lack of the importance of Mary’s role in the salvation of the world, there are many misconceptions by other Christians and as a result, many sins and offenses are made against her Immaculate Heart.  The devotion to the Immaculate Heart has been practiced for years, but it was at Fatima in 1917 through the apparitions and messages that the Immaculate Heart devotion gained popularity. In one of the apparitions, Mary told the visionaries that Jesus wanted to start the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary worldwide.  She told Sister Lucy, one of the children who saw Mary at Fatima, “I will never forsake you.  My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God. Saint Pius X granted a plenary indulgence to those who on the first Saturday of the month would observe a Marian devotion or devotions in honor of the Blessed Mother to make reparation for the blasphemies spoken against her.  Mary holds a special place in the hearts of many of her children.  On that day on Calvary, she too suffered.  She was and is united to Jesus.  Both Jesus and Mary feel the pain of our sin.  On that saddest of days, when Jesus died on the cross, Mary became our spiritual mother.  Let us unite ourselves to her heart by letting her know how much we love her.  Let us make reparation by praying the rosary.  Every prayer of the rosary becomes a rose.  Let us offer her a rosary as we focus on her son, the center of our prayer.  We join our hearts in love to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and she presents our prayers on a gold platter before the throne of God.

JULY 2024 MEDITATION

The month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus.  The Precious Blood devotion serves as a reminder of the passion of Christ and His abundant love for us. Jesus spilled his blood to give us salvation.  He shed many drops of blood, in the garden, in the scourging, in the crowning with thorns, in the crucifixion, all a total gift of self, a gift freely given.  He gave up His life so that we could have eternal life.  Why this great sacrifice?  Jesus’ blood was shed for our sins. In our modern world, few recognize sin. We fail to recognize the severity and the ugliness of sin.  Sin is flashed before our eyes on television screens, in movies, on billboards, it is seen as glitter and as something that is normal, the truth is sin is far from being beautiful. If the film or scales were removed from our eyes, the reality of sin and its ugliness would be seen.  The opening of our eyes to truth would expose the stain of sin.  Seeing sin, we would want to cleanse ourselves from the mark it leaves in our souls.  A soul given to us by God the moment of our conception.  Sin is an offense against God. The Church recognizes venial sin and mortal sin.  Venial sin comes from our everyday weakness and is not considered serious. Mortal sin, on the other hand, is serious and separates us from God, it kills our soul and can send us to damnation, if we do not repent. “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 Jn. 1:8-9).” In the Sacrament of Penance our sin is forgiven and our relationship with God is mended.  The blood of Jesus washes our soul.  "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin." 1 John 1:7 Jesus poured his blood.  His blood poured out in abundance to save the world.  “We are living in times in which the Divine Blood must cleanse the entire world.”  St. Gaspar del Bufalo In many Catholic Churches the crucifix is hung in the center of the room.  There is a reason the Catholic Church portrays Jesus on the cross.  Jesus is depicted on the cross with open wounds so that we never forget His sacrifice.  Take a good look at the crucifix.  See His many wounds, and offer Him a prayer of Thanksgiving.  “How is it that we do not die of love in seeing that God Himself could do no more than shed His divine blood for us drop by drop?”  St. Teresa of the Andes The blood of Jesus is sacred.  How can we not honor it, since it has redeemed us.  Sacred is the heart of Jesus and precious is His blood.  We believe in God’s mercy and trust in His promise. “O blood and water which gushed forth from the heart of Jesus as a font of mercy for us, I trust in you.” Divine Mercy Devotion   The blood of Jesus poured out from His veins, is the same blood we receive at Mass after the bread and water have been consecrated by the Priest.  When we drink from the chalice, in that moment His blood flows in our veins and Jesus is near to us in a very special way.  He warms our soul and relieves our thirst.  A true gift from Heaven.  May we never tire from receiving the true Presence in Holy Communion.  I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  Revelation 7:14

JUNE 2024 MEDITATION

“I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts.”  Ezekiel 36:26

The Catholic Church devotes the month of June to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.  The image of Jesus with His heart exposed shows the great love Jesus has for humanity.  He exposes His heart as an invitation for us to love Him.  Jesus loves.  He taught his followers the meaning of love by His example of laying down His life on the cross.  Jesus taught us, the two greatest commandments,  “You shall love the Lord, your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the greatest commandment.  The second is like it:  You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  Matthew 22:37-29 Jesus hears our prayers of the heart.  He knows these prayers come from our inner most being.  The prayer of the heart comes from within.  It is the prayer of the heart that allows us to be meek and humble before God.  The prayer of the heart is one that lets God know that we can do nothing without Him.  The prayer of the heart is the prayer where we willingly come before God and surrender all our burdens, all our hopes, all our fears before the magnificence of God and our littleness.  Even though Jesus has divinity within Him, he shares his humanity with us, by giving us compassion.  He though divine, shares himself in the smallness of the host.  It is through the eucharist that we receive the Lord.  After receiving communion, we hold him ever nearer to our hearts.  In thanksgiving of His true presence in the eucharist, we honor Him and have a special moment with Jesus.  At every Mass, and if we have prepared ourselves to receive Him worthily by going to the sacrament of confession, we then consume His body and blood, the true miracle that occurs at every Mass.  Pope Frances in June 2020 said, “Do not be afraid to present to him (Jesus) all the intentions of our suffering humanity, its fears, its miseries. May this Heart, full of love for men, give everyone hope and trust.”…I invite you to discover the riches that are hidden in the Heart of Jesus.” Every time you receive Him in the Most Holy Eucharist,
allow yourself to unite to Jesus.  St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, “Do not let the past disturb you, just leave everything in the sacred heart and begin again with joy.”  As you gaze upon an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus or gaze upon a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus look closely at the center of the image.  In many of the images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, artist depict his heart wrapped in thorns, surrounded by flames, and on top of the heart is the cross to serve as a reminder of his great sacrifice of love, death on the cross.  Jesus died to give; to give us eternal life and to save us from our sins.  He gave to the end.  What a wonderous love.  Jesus both human and divine understands man for He became one of us. As followers of Jesus, we learn to love others and we do our best to be His hands, his feet, his voice.  In service we bring His light and His love to others.  Pope Benedict XVI said, “Being converted to Christ, becoming Christian, meant receiving a heart of flesh, a heart sensitive to the passion and suffering of others.”  The Sacred Heart of Jesus is the story of love.  Jesus brings us hope.  When we allow Jesus to touch our hearts, his flame of love continues to ignite and bring light to the areas of darkness in our world.  In your moment of prayer, take time to reflect on an image of the heart of Jesus.  Imagine yourself accepting his invitation to go into His sacred heart.  Let the Sacred Heart of Jesus reveal God’s transforming power of love. Feel His love.  Feel the warmth of the flames in your heart. Accept the gift of His love and be transformed.

MAY 2024 MEDITATION

“Hail Mary full of Grace.”

The month of May is a special month.  It is the month the Catholic Church dedicates to honor Mary, the mother of God, in a unique way.  In Catholic churches celebrations are held to crown Mary recognizing her as Queen of Heaven and of earth.  Going back in time, to the moment when the angel Gabriel visits Mary to let her know she has been chosen by God to carry the son of God, marks the beginning of her life with Christ.   This moment is known as the annunciation.  The Angel Gabriel’s announcement “Hail full of grace,” acknowledges the grace Mary has received from the three persons of the blessed Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Receiving divine love from God, Mary is chosen from all women to be the Mother of God.  The angel bows down and waits to hear her response.  His message sent from heaven, allows Gabriel to lay at Mary’s feet.  His greeting is of praise and admiration.  He gazes at her and waits for the “yes” that will change the world.  Every time we pray the Hail Mary and say, “the Lord is with Thee,” we too acknowledge God’s presence in Mary.  She surrendered to God and loved Jesus.  She is the perfect disciple of Christ.  Pope John Paul II, said  “From Mary we learn to surrender to God’s Will in all things. From Mary we learn to trust even when all hope seems gone. From Mary we learn to love Christ her Son and the Son of God!”   In her “yes” Mary is overshadowed by the Holy Spirit and conceives Jesus.  Even though she carries Jesus, in her womb, Mary remains a humble servant of the Lord.  Mary, the handmaid of the Lord, is known as the Queen of Angels, and although a Queen, she is more known throughout the earth as our spiritual mother.  In her many apparitions Mary reminds us to pray.  She calls for our conversion.  As she said at the wedding in Cana, “do whatever he tells you;” she continues in our present day to plea that we listen to His voice and follow His commandments.  Those who have been blessed to see her, describe her as a beautiful mother.  A radiant light of beauty.  Her physical appearance is beyond words.  Her beauty has been described by saints as “a marvel to behold.”  "My Lady is beautiful, beautiful beyond compare; so beautiful that when one has seen her once, one would wish to die so as to see her again; so beautiful that when one has seen her, one can no longer love anything earthly."  St. Bernadette  Even though Mary is beautiful, she remains humble and lives the virtues.  She is goodness. St. Louis de Montfort said, “God the Father gathered all the waters together and called them the seas or maria [Latin, seas]. He gathered all His grace together and called it Mary or Maria . . . This immense treasury is none other than Mary whom the saints call the ‘treasury of the Lord.’ From her fullness all men are made rich.”  The month of May is special.  Flowers are in bloom and give a rich fragrance; and color the landscape with vibrant colors.  The month of May is the perfect month to honor Mary for she too fills our hearts with the beauty of heaven and gives us her love.  As we pray our rosary and say the Hail Mary prayer, she gives us her motherly kiss of love.  As we touch each bead, we are brought closer to Jesus, who is the center of our prayer.  Mary brings us closer to Jesus.  When we ask Mary to intercede for us, she lovingly brings our petitions to God, and our prayers are perfected by her mother’s heart.  She brings us to Jesus and shares the love of Heaven with us.  This May, honor Mary, give her flowers and take the time to thank her for her “yes” to God.  A “yes” that changed the world forever and brought light into darkness.

APRIL 2024 MEDITATION

Luke 1:35
And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, the Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.”
 
The Catholic Church devotes the month of April to the third person of the Blessed Trinity, the Holy Spirit and to the Holy Eucharist.  In the Annunciation, in the message of the Angel Gabriel to Mary, the power of the Holy Spirit was at work.  The power of the Holy Spirit would overshadow Mary and she would conceive a son.  Jesus, was anointed with the Holy Spirit and by God.  Jesus, was healer, was teacher and was light to all He touched.  When we receive the Holy Spirit, the effects of the Spirit can be seen.  The effects of the Spirit may bring strength, and gifts of wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety and fear of the Lord.  The awareness of the Spirit leading, guiding and transforming causes a positive change in the life of the Christian. The Holy Spirit is often described as the wind.  The wind blows and moves, and although, we do not know where it comes from or where it goes; we know the wind is present because its movement causes the trees to bend and sway.  The wind’s movement causes things to fly.  We know it is present.  Such is our transformation when the Spirit moves us.  In 2024, the Catholic Church celebrated Easter Sunday at the end of March.  Although, the followers of Jesus did not understand Jesus when he said to them, "If I do not leave, the Spirit will not come," (John 16:7) The apostles were saddened when He told them He must leave.  Jesus said He would send the Advocate, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  Acts 1:8. After Jesus ascended into Heaven, He kept His promise.  He sent the Holy Spirit.  The same Holy Spirit that has moved and transformed the hearts of all those who believe.  The Holy Spirit dwells within us and is present in the Holy Eucharist.  Both are gifts that Jesus gave us.  In the gift of the Spirit and in receiving communion, we become, as Corinthians 6:19-20 states, “Don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and who was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourselves but to God; he bought you for a price. So use your bodies for God's glory.”
 
The Holy Spirit guides us in our daily prayers, at work and in discerning what we are to do.    He is our guide in our difficult moments. He enlightens our minds and our hearts to do the will of God. 
 
In the Holy Eucharist is the Real Presence of Jesus, This same eucharist when received at Mass in Holy Communion becomes nourishment for our soul.  Before the priest consecrates the host, he calls upon the Holy Spirit to come down upon the bread and wine and to transform them into the body, blood, soul & divinity of Jesus.  This transformation is a true miracle from Heaven.  The Holy Eucharist and the Holy Spirit work hand in hand to renew us.
 
This month take time to visit Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration.  Look at the monstrance and allow the Son of God to heal you.  There is a reason the monstrance looks like the sun.  The sun comforts, warms and nourishes our bodies; the son of God comforts, warms and nourishes our souls.  While at Adoration, thank the Holy Spirit for His power, His gifts and His fruits. 
 
Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and life. He who believes in me, even if he dies, will live." (John 11:25)
 
John 6:32-33
³² Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. ³³ For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

MARCH 2024 MEDITATION

The Solemnity of St. Joseph is celebrated on March 19th.  The Church dedicates the month of March to St. Joseph.  He is the Foster Father of Jesus.  He too like Mary was selected by God, the Father.  Both St. Joseph and Mary were given the mission to care for the child Jesus.  Although, there are no words spoken by St. Joseph in the 4 gospels, he is described as the protector of Jesus.  Messages from God were given to him by the angels.  In each message he was obedient.  St. Joseph showed great virtue.  Obedience, he listened to the angel and married Mary and never left her side.  He was patient and helped raise Jesus and taught Jesus his trade as a carpenter.  St. Joseph showed Jesus the importance of work.  He built things with his hands.  Building requires patience, it takes time to finish constructing a wooden object, yet St. Joseph persevered in seeing his product completed. He loved Jesus.  He escaped Herod and traveled to Egypt to save Jesus as an infant, for Herod gave his soldiers orders to kill every first- born son. All of St. Joseph’s actions required courage.  He was courageous for God and for his family.  People say actions speak louder than words.   St. Joseph is the perfect example of a man of good honor.  He was a true parent to Jesus.  He lived a virtuous life. “The result of humility and fear of the Lord is riches, honor and life.” Proverbs 22:4   It is said by some, that Jesus and Mary were with St. Joseph at his death.  Imagine having these two great and holy lights at your side.  Jesus, the Son of God, and Mary, the mother of God.  The graces flowing near St. Joseph’s death bed must have filled the room and his soul.  Could this be the reason that many pray to St. Joseph for intercession and the grace of a holy death?  Jesus and Mary loved St. Joseph.   In the moment of his death their love accompanied him to heaven.  Grace flowed.  The soul lives on forever.  God is merciful.  His light lives on.   As the morning sun shines and you see the bright rays, imagine the light of Christ filling your soul with His love.

Every morning when the sun rises

My heart fills with love

For looking at the rays of light

As they touch the ground;

I am reminded of a time long ago

When the Son of God rose to give light to my soul.

The Soul is like a flower

It grows in light

Nurtured

The flower is fed sunlight &

The soul is filled with the Son’s light

In both flower and soul

It is love that brings growth

The Father, our Creator, shares His love with 

The Flowers of the field and

Nurtures every open soul to receive His Divine Graces

For when a soul is open to receive

It blooms beyond imagination &

Reaches heavenly heights

Where the Souls of the Faithful

Decorate the Halls of Heaven &

Shine for eternity in the Presence of God. 

 Maricela Svoboda

FEBRUARY 2024 MEDITATION

As Valentine’s Day draws near and the world focuses on love, let us draw near to Jesus.  Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent.  This year Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day are observed on the same day. Throughout February, we see boards and walls marked with the symbol of a heart.  We see the word Love decorated in many colorful ways.  Symbols of love can be seen displayed in many places.  This Lent, allow the Sacred Heart of Jesus to be displayed within your heart.  Allow yourself to recall His passion.  The pain He experienced and wounds He received were taken on by him out of love for us.  Red, the color of the Passion.  Red the color of his blood splattered throughout His body.  Look to the crucifix and remember His sacrifice of love.  We tend to turn away from suffering.  This Lent from February 14th to Holy Thursday, March 28th 2024, do your best to take a good look at Jesus on the cross.  He took on the sins of the world to give us eternal life.  Jesus is a King.  …rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross. Philippians 2:7-8 Look to Jesus then look to self.  Remember, we are never alone.  The Lord is with us in the good and in the bad.  Don’t be afraid to look at the Cross for the cross is the story of love and of human suffering.  Jesus was divine and human in every sense of the word but sin.  He felt pain, he felt abandonment, he felt rejection.  Prior to the crucifixion, a punishment He did not merit, He loved.  How did He love?  He healed all those who were ill.  When evening came, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were ill. Matthew 8:16 Luke 4:40 says, While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them. This Lent look to Jesus.  Be confident of His Divine Love.  Remember His words and His promise of love.  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden light.  Matthew 11:28-30. This Lent rest in Jesus.  Enter His Sacred Heart and listen to the silence.  Stay in this silence and find the answers of your soul but more than self, find the God who loves, the Creator.  For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16.  The Holy Trinity is love.  They are 3 separate persons in one God who love the human race.  They are together in love.  And no doubt you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.  Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the Devil, for God was with him.  Acts 10:39. Look to the Cross and find light.

JANUARY 2024 MEDITATION

The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. (Luke 1:49)

The month of January is dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus.  The second commandment of 10 commandment states, “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord Thy God in Vain.”  This commandment demands reverence for God and for all holy things. The 3rd Commandment is a reminder of our oath and vow to God. He is and should be first.  He is above all things.  In Heaven, before the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, he was given the word of a powerful, holy name, Jesus. “In the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven on earth and under the earth.” Phil 2:10 Mary in the prayer of the Magnificat recognizes all that the Lord has done for her.  In Luke 1:49 above, she is praising the Lord and His magnificence.  She calls Him mighty for she personally sees and experiences His greatness, yet, in His power is holiness.  The Lord is perfect and pure. He is total goodness.  God is love and, in His love, He holds us.  We understand power as being a force used to destroy, but the Lord says about His power, “9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”2 Corinthians 12:9.  The name of Jesus carries power and also has the power to heal. Mark 16:17-18 “And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick and they shall recover.” We cannot begin to comprehend the powerful name of Jesus.  In our world today, power is often used by corrupt people to destroy, however, to the Lord, power is meant to be used for good.  The power of the Lord, heals us, holds us and restores our brokenness.  His power, removes the stain of sin.  In the name of Jesus, the faithful receive the Sacraments and are reminded of His mission, that He came to save and to give us eternal life. Jesus came to lead us to the Father.  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.”  John 14:6. In the Litany to the Most Holy Name of Jesus, the final prayer states, “…. Make us, O Lord, to have a perpetual fear and love of Your holy name, for You never fail to govern those whom You establish in Your love. You, Who live and reign forever and ever. Amen So powerful is the name of Jesus, that in the Church’s final prayer for souls, we ask the Lord for all our dearly departed, “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.  May the souls of the faithful departed in the mercy of God, rest in peace.” As you pray for the faithful departed, focus on His perpetual light.  

The light of fire that burns but does not harm.
His perpetual light warms your soul and comforts you.
He gathers every tear drop, and waters the garden where you grow. 
He waters the withered part of you, and His gentle rhythm of compassion heals your wounds. 
His fragrance of love spreads to open hearts; His sweet aroma fills the souls who call to Him. 
Call His Holy name and You feel find peace.

DECEMBER 2023 MEDITATION

Advent in 2023 begins on December 3rd and ends on December 24th.   The word Advent means the coming of Christ into the World.  John 1:14 “And the word became flesh and dwelt among us. Full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father”. In anticipation of His coming, we prepare spiritually to receive Him.  We prepare by reflecting on God and on the many ways He touches our hearts; and ponder how He speaks to us.  He speaks to us in the silence; some say He speaks in the whisper of the wind.  To hear Him and to see Him, we must be still.  In our loud and noisy, dark and busy world, it can be difficult to experience a moment with God. We can find Him in the silence, but if every day is filled with noise, loud music, loud talking, loud city sounds, how can we hear His whisper? In our dark and busy world, how do we let in a spark of His light in our filled hours of activity, work, and conversation, can we be still and silent long enough to allow Him in?   Try.  Allow yourself to clean up the clutter.  Empty yourself of all that is of this world and fill yourself with Christ.  Have that conversation with Him.  The conversation where you open your heart.  At that time, you may hear Him telling you of His great love for you.  This same moment you will experience, with each word spoken and each breath taken in by you, that Jesus becomes clearer.  The image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, now becomes real, for as you develop this relationship, you now enter into His very heart.  A heart filled with light, fire, pain and love.  Your heart joins His and you find the love Jesus has been holding for you.  Jesus has been waiting patiently.  You realize, Jesus, the newborn child, celebrated at Christmas, is the needed hope for our dark world.  Looking at Jesus, wisdom fills your soul and you understand He came to Save. His radiance shines in the souls who look to Him.  How can a soul stained with Sin see the purity of love in Jesus and Mary?  It is only when we repent, and see and confess our sin that we can see Mary and Jesus.  This repentance allows us to enter the love within the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This Advent prepare your heart for the Lord, you may receive the greatest gift by Christmas.  The true gift of God.  God is love.  He gave us Jesus.  We separated ourselves from God, but God has never separated himself from us.  Allow His light to enter into the darkest areas of your life. When you do, you may find healing and happiness, but more than that you may find peace.  “And now these three remain; Faith, Hope and Love, but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

NOVEMBER 2023 MEDITATION

To pray for loved ones who have died is important and is tradition for members of the Catholic Church.  On November 2nd the Church celebrates All Souls Day.  November is also the month the Catholic Church designates to remember the dead and to pray for them in a special way.   All those who have gone before us are honored by the Church.  The Church teaches of the Communion of Saints  and about the promise of eternal life for those who believe and follow Jesus.  The importance of prayer for all who have died is a practice of the Church.  When a loved one dies, we do not know the state of their soul.  It is this not knowing that brings us to pray for the repose of their soul. The Catechism of the Catholic Church 1030-1031 states, “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death, they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.  The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned….”  Purgatory is a gift of love from God.  The souls in Purgatory will receive Heaven, it is a matter of time.  Our prayers for the dead are very important.  Catholics believe this to be true, so much so, that at every Mass we pray for the souls of the faithful departed.  Short prayers such as, “Eternal rest, grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them, “help to bring comfort to the families of the deceased.  Families have Masses said for the deceased, Gregorian Masses are also requested by the family and friends of those who have died.  Our prayers for the dead are an act of love.  We pray and we grieve them, and miss our loved ones who are no longer with us, yet prayers and Masses keep their memory alive in our hearts.  As Catholic Christians, we believe in the hope of everlasting life, and believe that when it is our time to die that we will be reunited with our loved ones in Heaven.  We also believe Father God will be with us in Heaven.  Revelation 21:1-4 “He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; [4] he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.” May November be a special time of prayer and remembrance for our loved ones.  “As we enter Heaven, we will see them, so many of them coming towards us and thanking us.  We will ask who they are, and they will say, a poor soul you prayed for in Purgatory.” Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen

OCTOBER 2023 MEDITATION

Among all the devotions approved by the Church none has been favored by so many miracles as the devotion of the most Holy Rosary.” Pope Pius IX 

The Church dedicates the month of October to the Most Holy Rosary.  The rosary is a beautiful form of prayer.  Although to some, its prayers may appear to be repetitive, it is so much more than repetition.  The rosary is our prayer of love to Our Lady and most importantly, a prayer of love and thanksgiving to Jesus.  The mysteries of the rosary focus on the life of Jesus.  In our hand, we hold the rosary, the instrument that unites us with the Angels and Saints in Heaven. The rosary holds four mysteries, the Joyful, the Luminous, the Sorrowful and the Glorious.  The Joyful Mysteries tell the story of how God sent St. Gabriel, the Archangel, to tell Mary she had been chosen to be the Mother of God.  This is known as the Annunciation.  Her “yes” begins the rest of the mystery and tells the story of Jesus as an infant and as a child.  When we place our focus on the mysteries, we enter into the heart of Mary.  We join with her in contemplating our love for Jesus. We also grow closer to Mary as we picture ourselves in the scene of the mystery.  Each Our Father prayed is like a love song to Father God.  Each Hail Mary said, is a reminder to us that the Lord is with us as He is with Mary. The Luminous Mysteries tell the story of Jesus’ baptism and enlighten us on our own baptism.  From Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding at Cana, turning water into wine; to Jesus spreading the good news about the Kingdom; to Peter, James and John witnessing the Divinity of Jesus on Mount Tabor, to the Passover  where Jesus shares bread with his apostles saying, “This is my body given for you….”  Then shares the cup saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, poured out for you,” all of these events are in the Luminous mysteries.  The Luminous mysteries are about the ministry of Jesus and about the many miracles He performed.  The Sorrowful Mysteries, tell of the many wounds Jesus suffered for us.  Each wound Jesus endured are a reminder of our sins, and the pain sins cause Jesus.  The mysteries are called Sorrowful, for indeed they are.  As we pray each sorrowful mystery, we place ourselves with Jesus.  In our love for Him, we see what He endured causing us deep sorrow.  The Glorious Mysteries take us to the Resurrection of Jesus,  and to His Ascension into Heaven.  We experience the power of the Holy Spirit and feel great hope in the promise of the Kingdom.  Our hope becomes strengthened when we contemplate Mary being assumed into Heaven.  Each touch of our fingers on every bead, and every prayer of the rosary takes us closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  Our prayers of the rosary are not repetitive but are our loving response to Jesus, when He asks Peter, “Do you love me.” Yes, Lord, we love you, with each prayer of the rosary, we love you more and more.

“The Rosary is the ‘weapon’ of defense and salvation.” -Saint Padre Pio

SEPTEMBER 2023 MEDITATION

Psalm 34:7. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Throughout the bible, are stories about God’s Holy Angels.  They are best known as messengers, protectors and guardians.  The holy angels act on behalf of God to bring Him glory. It is not surprising to learn that Angels are honored in the Catholic Church on September 29th on the Feast Day of the Archangels, St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael.  The holy angels are honored again on October 2nd with the Feast of the Guardian Angels.  Guardian angels are also recognized and given special devotion every week on Tuesdays. Such is the importance of their role that the Church honors them with Feast Days and Devotions. 

Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?  Hebrews 1:14 This scripture indicates that God created angels to help His people.  In our world today, there are many beautiful stories about angels helping people when they are in danger.  These angel testimonies are given by people who experienced their heavenly help; even to the point where the angel saved their life. Psalms 91:11-12 For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways.  On their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.  The Guardian angels have a mission.  They are constantly at work to help us.  Their mission is to get us to heaven.  Jesus said in Luke 15:10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.  Angels are Superior to humans, yet they serve God and are assigned to us as Guardian angels. St. Thomas Aquinas, a Doctor of the Church, confirms the angel’s superiority in his work Angelic Beings; when he wrote, “For him, in the Order of Nature, angels are higher than men.”

Even though many artists depict angels as cute, they are powerful spirits that are obedient to God.  Their force and power described in the book of Revelation is eye opening.  After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth so that no wind could blow on earth or sea or against any tree (Revelation 7:1). Imagine the amount of strength they possess if they can hold back the four winds throughout the entire earth and there are only four of them.

At Mass the angels are remembered right before the Priest consecrates the Host, he and the Congregation all say the important song of the angels. Just like in the Book of Revelation 4:8  when the angels give honor and glory to God as they sing… “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, who was and who is and who is to come.” At Mass we pray, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord, God of hosts, Heaven and Earth are full of your glory, Hosanna in the Highest, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.  Hosanna in the highest.  All eyes are on the altar, giving God reverence for the great sacrifice of love, where He gave up His only Son, so that we may have eternal life.  

Although, the Holy angels are not visible to most of us, they are present in our world.  In scripture, they were busy doing God’s work and were busy communicating God’s message to people.  Theologians say, we are surrounded by the holy angels.  The Angel of the Lord is mentioned throughout the bible.  He too, was bringing God’s message to the chosen people of God.  This September 29th and October 2nd please take time to honor the angels.  There are many beautiful prayers and Novenas asking for their intercession.  

The angels are servants of God and play an important role in God’s work.  Remember their importance and try to read Scripture verses on angels. The gospel of Matthew describes the light of honor the angels give to God, Matthew 25:31  When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.

AUGUST 2023 MEDITATION

The Feast Day of the Queenship of Mary was established by Pope Pius XII in 1954.  This Feast Day in 2023 will be celebrated by the Catholic Church on August 22.  Pope Pius XII in his encyclical Ad Caeli Reginam states that “Mary’s divine maternity is the main principle on which Mary’s queenship rests.” In a Vatican II document called the Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Genitum, it states that “Mary is exalted above all angels, and men to place a second only to her Son, as the most holy Mother of God who was involved in the mysteries of Christ….” Mary served Jesus. She was there to support Him.  As the Queen Mother to Jesus Christ the King, she also served as an advocate for the people.  Yet, with this title of Queen, Mary has always been the handmaid of the Lord.  She is that special servant that magnifies the Lord.  Her title of Queen does not take away from Jesus.  Instead, she points us toward her son.  Mary, thrice blessed by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, is full of grace and yet she continues to hold a mother’s heart.  In Fatima, our lady told Lucia, “My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God.”  The Immaculate Heart of Mary is a perfect heart of virtue and love.  She is and has always been an advocate for all her children.  She intercedes for us.  She is loved and honored in the Catholic Church for her “yes” to God.  Mary is a perfect example of virtue.  St. Therese of the Child Jesus said of Mary, “She is more mother than queen.”  She is such a spiritual mother to us, that she continues to be seen on earth by visionaries and seers.  She comes lovingly asking us to change our ways.  She reminds us to pray and reminds us to follow the way of Christ.  She even cries for us.  St. Alphonsus Liguori, said, “So Mary is a Queen.  And, for our consolation, we ought to remember that she is a most tender and kind Queen, eager to help us in our miseries. So much so that the Church wants us to call her in this prayer Queen of Mercy. Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy.”  For those who have been graced to see her, all speak of her indescribable beauty. The many statues and paintings of Mary are limited when it comes to portraying her beauty.  She is called Queen of Angels because as the Little Daughter of the Divine Will, Luisa Picarreta wrote in the Book of Heaven, “We can call our Lady Queen of the Angels, because she was more favored by God than all the Angels, and she can and really does do more for our souls than the heavenly spirits could ever do.”  We honor Mary with the ultimate gift of love.  We honor her because she gave Jesus life. Every time we pray a rosary or recite the Hail Mary, we honor her through prayer when we say, “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Yes, Catholics celebrate the Queenship of Mary on August 22nd, but she continues to fill hearts as the Mother of God and as our Mother.  St. Father Pio loved Blessed Mother, and would say, “Give yourself up into the arms of your heavenly Mother.  She will take good care of your soul.” Although, she is more recognized as mother, in recognizing her as Queen, we honor her with the words of the Salve Regina, Hail Holy Queen enthroned above O Maria. Hail Queen of mercy and of love, O Maria.  Triumph, all ye Cherubim; Sing with us ye Seraphim, Heaven and Earth resound the hymn:  Salve, Salve, Salve Regina.

JULY 2023 MEDITATION

The Catholic Church devotes the month of July to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus.   The Precious Blood of Jesus is of immense value.  The gift of the consecrated bread and wine changing into the body and blood of Christ is called transubstantiation.  The teaching of the Catholic Church is in the belief of the real presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist.  This belief is the difference between Christian Catholics and Protestant Christians.  Even though the change cannot be seen by the naked eye, the Church teaches that at the moment of consecration, the bread and wine become the substance of the body and blood of Christ.  Jesus is truly present and  the consecration is not simply symbolic.  When believers are present at Mass and they receive the Eucharist in Faith, all the while believing that it is Christ whom they are receiving, then all forms of healing may take place.  In the bible, Jesus admired the people of great Faith.  The Centurion believed that Jesus would heal his servant.  His faith In Christ was so powerful; he believed Jesus did not have to touch the sick servant, but that Jesus had only to say the word and his servant would be healed.  The centurion said to Jesus, “Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my servant shall be healed” (Luke 7: 6-7).  This faith in the power of Jesus, came from a centurion who was a Roman solider in charge of 100 men. Although Centurions were not Jewish, the Centurion believed in the authority of Jesus. Centurions were experienced soldiers and were considered to be the best soldiers in the army.  Centurions were pagan, yet God used two Centurions to demonstrate the strength of God and the power of faith. Longinus is the centurion who pierced the side of Jesus while Jesus was nailed to the cross.  He witnessed blood and water gush from the pierced side of Jesus.  The side he personally pierced with his sword.  The Precious blood of Jesus flowed into his mind and into his heart.  When the centurion who stood facing him saw how he breathed his last he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” —Mark 15:39. The precious blood of Jesus can transform souls.  Even though it was Longinus who pierced the side of Jesus, a miracle and a transformation occurred in his heart, when he witnessed the blood and water pouring out.  He was at the foot of the cross, when he saw the Lord’s precious blood pour out of the wound he inflicted.  His heart and soul were transformed at that moment, so much so, Longinus died as a martyr for his belief in the power of Christ.  The Lord is merciful, he shares his love for us.  The blood of Christ in the chalice is the cup of life.  Jesus’ body was lifted on the cross and his blood was poured for us.  His blood is a reminder of eternal life.  Life everlasting. His blood cleanses us from our sin.  “How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.”  Hebrews 9:14   Let us give thanks and honor to God for the sacrifice of His only son so that “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

Ephesians 1:7 
“Almighty Father, I place the Precious Blood of Jesus before my lips before I pray, that my prayers may be purified before they ascend to your divine altar.”  St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi

JUNE 2023 MEDITATION

The Catholic Church devotes the month of June to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The image of His Sacred Heart permits the viewer to see the heart of our loving Savior. A heart full of love and compassion.  His heart is made visible through the images of statues and paintings.  Why is His heart exposed?  To remind each of us about the immense love of God.  Jesus reveals His heart.  Do we expose our hearts to God and to one another?  Our world can be cold and dark, yet the light of Christ waits for us to embrace the warmth of His love.  When we allow our hearts to be revealed to God; we then open them to receive the wonders of Mercy and of His love.  “And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them; I will take the stony heart out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 11:19 A heart of flesh is one that feels and has compassion for others.  Jesus exposes his heart.  His compassion awaits and is available to all who come to Him.  The Sacred Heart of Jesus holds a treasure of a message.  The message of love and of the two greatest commandments that Jesus gave us. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.  And second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39 Our world is busy.  Our world is noisy.  We are surrounded by noise.  We are surrounded by the flashing lights of technology.  There is lots of movement and activity in the world.  To remove ourselves from the clutter of the world, we may retreat to nature or to a quiet place.  In this stillness, if we grant it, we find God and find rest.  “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 of heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29 God is love are simple words with lots of meaning.  A heart filled with love is like a canvass filled with the colors of a field of flowers.  Imagine being present in that field and from a distance looking at the field seeing the rays of the sun beaming down upon every flower and every blade of grass.  As the wind blowing through the field moves the flowers and the grass in one movement of dance; the eyes are delighted to see unity in motion. Think of this, we are like the flowers and Jesus is the sun, shining His rays of love into our hearts.  When we allow Him into our hearts, then we like the flowers in the field become one in the movement of the endless love of God.  “Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful;’ 1Corinthians 13:4…..Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.1 Corinthians 13:7 So faith, hope, love abide, these three, but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

MAY 2023 MEDITATION

"…But who has loved God more than Mary?  She  loved God more, in the first moment of her life, than all the saints and angels have loved Him in the whole course of theirs; as we shall consider at length when we speak of the virtues of Mary…”. St. Alphonsus de Liguori

   In the Catholic Church, the entire month of May is dedicated to honor Mary, the Mother of God, and our Spiritual Mother. Upon saying daily prayers many Catholics invoke the sweet name of Mary as they pray, “Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus,” these biblical words are the first part of the prayer. To confirm our hope in our Spiritual Mother, St Alphonsus de Liguori in The Glories of Mary wrote…..Not by chance, nor in vain, do the servants of Mary call her mother….mother indeed, for she is truly our mother, not according to the flesh, but the spiritual mother of our souls and our salvation…” and to further confirm that Mary is our Spiritual Mother, God revealed to St. Gertrude, “..Jesus was the first-born according to the flesh, but men were second-born according to the spirit.”  Mother Mary loves humanity and in her love for us, throughout history, has appeared to her children with words of love and of kindness.  She cares for her children and like a good mother, gives warning and asks for conversion.  Prior to her appearance at Fatima, the Angel of Peace taught the visionary children to pray.  The angel prayed, “O God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love Thee.  I ask forgiveness for all those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love Thee.”  Through this prayer, it seems as if the Angel of Peace was sent to open the hearts of the children to receive the holy light of Heaven into their souls; to see Blessed Mother more clearly and to pray for the souls of those who believe and those who do not believe in God.  Compassion comes from Heaven to heal and soften the wounded hearts of man.  Mother Mary said  to St Bridget “I am the queen of heaven and the mother of mercy; I am the joy of the just, and the gate of entrance for sinners to God….I am called by all the Mother of Mercy, and truly the mercy of God towards men has made me so merciful towards them..” In the second part of the Hail May prayer, we pray, “Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.” In the world of today, very few think about the hour of death.  It is inevitable.  We are born, we live, and then comes death.  When we are at the end of life, the final things become present.  In that last moment the soul realizes, there is judgement, Heaven and there is a Hell.  The soul may experience fear if it has never called upon the Light and Mercy of God.  However, in that closing moment, the Divine Mercy of Jesus is present.  He comes to console the soul in that final moment.  Such is the great love of God that He waits for the soul to open its heart to Divine Love; the God who created us into being out of Love.  To those who pray, and ask for the intercession through Mary our Mother; she also comes to guide the soul to Heaven.  Holy is her mantle of heavenly light; she comes to the bedside of the dying and opens her mantle where she carries the souls who have asked for her to intercede at the hour of death.   St. Bonaventure wrote, “Every one who loves this good mother and trusts in her protection should take courage and repeat:  What do you fear, o my soul?  The cause of thy eternal salvation will not be lost, as the final sentence depends upon Jesus, who is thy brother and upon Mary who is thy mother.”  The month of May is the perfect month to celebrate Mary.  In May all the flowers are in bloom and the bright colors of nature bring joy to eyes of the beholder.  Mary gave birth to Jesus.  He brings light and hope to all who believe.  Mother Mary’s obedience and “yes” brought Jesus, the light of the world. In regard to honoring Mary, Mother Teresa of Calcutta said it simply, “No Mary, No Jesus.”  In Matthew 18:3 Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven.  Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven.”  The sin of pride keeps us from God.  The virtue of Humility brings us closer to God.  As children, we look to our parents.  As believers, we look to Jesus and Mary our Spiritual Mother, thrice graced.   Odo of Kent wrote, “  ….whoever desire to find true wisdom must direct all their love and endeavor towards Mary.  But Christ who is called the power and the wisdom of God is the true Wisdom…Whoever desires to have this Wisdom must direct his study towards the Mother, for in Mary must he study who is to find Christ.  For through Mary, we come to Christ as through a mother to a son, through the Mother of mercy to Mercy Himself.”  Let us honor Mary, our spiritual mother.  May the month of the blooming season; the month of daffodils, tulips, roses and other flowers, open our hearts to bloom with love for Mary.  May we remember her “yes.” The “yes” that gave us Jesus, the Savior of the world.

APRIL 2023 MEDITATION

“I (Jesus) send you to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light and from the authority of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance” Acts 26:18 

On April 9th the Church celebrates Easter Sunday.  A glorious day when Christian believers all over the world, honor Jesus as the Savior, who died and rose again.  In His resurrection, man finally understood the glory of God.  Christ has risen. It is morning.  We have been given new birth.  Rejoice.  God’s love, mercy and forgiveness continue to be the focus for one week after Easter Sunday, the Catholic Church honors Jesus in Divine Mercy Sunday.  Both feast days share in the message of the Father’s love for us.  The beautiful image of Divine Mercy shows the Father’s love through the Rays of light that seem to come directly from the image of Jesus.  “Oh, blood and water which gushed forth from the heart of Jesus as a font of mercy for us, I trust in you.”  (Chaplet of Divine Mercy) Jesus is light.  From Him comes all light.  “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness.” John 8:12.  Darkness fills the earth, yet it is Jesus who helps us overcome the darkness.  He is the lamp lighting our way, permeating our soul, His light fills us.  God brightened our world through Jesus.  At every healing and every miracle performed, God through Jesus, demonstrated His power, but stronger than His strength, Father God showed humanity the power of His love.  The passion and suffering Jesus endured is the gift that would transform the world.  He poured His blood and poured His love from that cross on Calvary.  He gave of himself to give us the light and hope of Heaven.  God the Father, gave his only begotten son so that we would have eternal life.  The Resurrection of Jesus, celebrated on Easter Sunday, is the sign Jesus gave to let us know that we too will live on if we believe in Him, and follow and keep His Word.  Mercy;  through the wounds of Jesus comes healing.  Blood and water, gushes forth and is seen in the image of Divine Mercy.  His blood and water cleanse our sins.  Jesus gazes at us.  In the silence of prayer, we look towards Jesus and become radiant in His light.  His tender gaze fills our hearts.  When we look towards Jesus, He opens our eyes  and our hearts to see the darkness of sin.  His gaze softens hardened hearts.  The power of God lives on.  Yes, Jesus overcame death.  Sin brings death to the soul.  If Jesus had not died to save us, our souls would be lost forever to the fierce fire of Hell and to the hatred of the enemy, Satan.  God’s love lives on for His love is poured into our Hearts through the Holy Spirit.  The Lord loves us in abundance.  The Gifts and Fruits of the Spirit flow forth to and from those who believe. Jesus, we trust in You.  We ask your forgiveness.  We confess our sins.  When death comes, we believe in your promise.  “Faith is like a bright ray of sun light.  It enables us to see God in all things as well as all things in God.”  Pope Francis. We wait for the day when we will arrive to our heavenly home, where Jesus will lead us through the gates of paradise as we delight and rejoice in the eternal light of endless love. “And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb.”  Revelation 21:23

MARCH 2023 MEDITATION

In 2023 the Lenten season for Christians begins on February 22nd and joyfully ends on Easter Sunday, April 9th.  The passion of Christ is our focus.  He, who is love itself, gave up His life that we may have eternal life.  Focusing on the Passion, in remembrance of Jesus, our eyes look toward the cross.  Where did the heavy wood of the cross come from?  The cross was once a tree that was rooted.  From the ground, the tree received nourishment. From the sky, the tree received water and sunlight.  Visualizing the wood that holds Jesus, there is no sign it ever had life.  Jesus now hangs on the cross and darkness seems to rule the earth.  The same darkness comes into our minds on Ash Wednesday, when we are reminded, as ashes are placed on our foreheads, that “from dust you came, and to dust you shall return.”  It is written in the Bible, that God created human beings out of dust.   Such was His love for us, He formed us in His likeness.  Seeing the ashes on our foreheads, we are reminded of the loving hand of God, without God’s help, we would remain dust.  He breathed life into our nostrils.  Lent is the perfect time to reflect on the great love and mercy of God.  Man was mere dust but by the hand of God, we became His masterpiece.  During lent, when we ponder back to the beginning of human origin and think about dust alone, like that wood we would be lifeless.  Every day, we like the tree are nourished.  As each new day begins, the earth is filled with life.  The earth created by God. The sun shines and warms the human heart.  We live, breathe, and move.  The soul within us, holds the Holy Spirit.  Free-will, gives us the opportunity to choose to fill our souls with His heavenly light or to fill the soul with sin and darkness.  Sin brings death to the soul and prevents the soul from receiving the Holy light of God.  In our noisy, busy world, our hearts can become as hard as the wood that Jesus was crucified on.  Lent gives us the opportunity to look deeply into ourselves, to the point we recognize the darkness and hardness of our sins. We then can acknowledge our sins and ask the Lord’s forgiveness.  In the silence of the desert, we can hear our hearts yearning for the goodness of God.  These 40 days of reflection are known to heal and cleanse the soul.  “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”  Ezekiel 36:26. We remember the physical, and emotional suffering of Jesus.  He gave up his life.  He emptied himself.  Having been whipped, beaten, spat upon, his blood left a trail of suffering, and yet left a trail of mercy.  Yes, He, the innocent lamb was merciful towards the injustice and sin committed against Him.  A trail of blood and a trail of love.  A trail of tears.  Blood and tears poured out for love of us.  He walked His final walk to Calvary.  His courageous act of love removed the sting of death.  “Death, where is your victory?  Death where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:54-55   When all seems lost, and Jesus surrenders and says, “Father, into your hands, I commend my Spirit; and when he had said this, he breathed his last.”  Luke 23:46   Yes, all seems lost. But then comes the morning when Jesus rises from the dead.  By His death and resurrection, He gives us everlasting life.  The wood of the cross, we from dust came, and God who is all loving, gives us the gift of eternal life. No human being can understand the mercy of God.  Even though Lent is a time of reflecting on the Passion, and the suffering and the death of Jesus, it is also a time of great joy.  Lent is also a time to be grateful and thankful in knowing that by His sacrifice, we were saved.

FEBRUARY 2023 MEDITATION

The Holy Family is made up of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.  February is the month the Catholic Church dedicates to the Holy Family.  When I think of the Holy Family, I can hear my mother and grandmother say in Spanish, “los tres dulce nombres,” in English, “the three sweet names.”  Yes, the Holy Family is sweet.  They are sweetness sent from Heaven.  To describe someone as sweet means they are pleasant, kind, and gentle toward others.  In the dynamics of family life, we learn to be pleasant and kind towards one another.  In this outpouring of love, we discover how to work out our differences and learn to respect others.  Trials in our families teach us to be patient and loving.  When this loving and caring family dynamic is followed, then family members, when outside of the family, pass on gentleness and kindness to friends and other people they encounter.  Jesus, Mary, and Joseph cared about each other.  They worked and prayed together.  Great love was felt in their home.  Mary and Joseph willingly allowed themselves to be led by God.  They willingly took care of Jesus as an infant.  Like most parents, they protected Jesus.  They fed and clothed him.  Great was their love for Jesus, that he grew in stature and in wisdom.  At the Annunciation, the Angel Gabriel said the name of Jesus and the world was ever changed.  Through Mary’s “yes,” hope was born.  St. Bernardine of Siena said, “Was it not through the brilliance and sweet savour of this Name, that God called us into His marvelous light?” God’s light spread through the world with the help of the angels at his birth.  The news of Jesus’ birth made the spark of hope shine brighter in the hearts of men.  Mary, as Mother, for her obedience, was given grace by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  She was thrice graced.  The magnificence of God touched her soul.  She was assumed into Heaven where she continues to be a Spiritual Mother to us all.  The name of Mary is special, Abbot Rancone said, “After the most sacred name of Jesus, the name of Mary is so rich in every good thing, that on earth and in heaven there is no other from which devout souls receive so much grace, hope and sweetness.  For there is something so admirable, sweet, and divine in this name of Mary, that when it meets with friendly hearts, it breathes into them an odor of delightful sweetness.”  The Holy Family, three sweet names, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, set the example for all families on earth.  They lived the virtues of faith, hope and love.  When we hear of them in the bible, when we pray our rosaries and contemplate on the mysteries of the rosary, our hearts and our minds are enlightened on their holiness.  We desire to live the virtues.  We desire to walk with these virtues to the path of holiness and with the help of God ultimately enter heaven.  St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, said about St. Joseph, ““Let us love Jesus above all, let us love Mary as our mother; but then, how could we keep from loving Joseph, who was so intimately united to both Jesus and Mary? And how can we honor him better than by imitating his virtues? Now, what else did he do in all his life but contemplate, study, and adore Jesus, even in the midst of his daily labors? Behold, therefore, our model.” Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, the Holy Family, are our perfect role models.  We need to open our hearts to them.  We can learn so much from them.  In our prayers we should turn to them for intercession.  They can hear our prayers.  We simply need to pray and believe our prayers will be answered.  St. John Paul, II, said, “Whereas, Adam and Eve were the source of evil which was unleashed on the world, Joseph, and Mary are the summit from which holiness spreads all over the earth.”  God is good.  In His mercy and love, he gave us the Holy Family to teach us how we should strive to be.  The Lord is giving and generous.  Every day is a new day.  Each day brings the discovery of the many gifts from God who loves us.  He blesses us abundantly. “And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8
Proverbs 24:13 My son, eat honey, for it is good and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

JANUARY 2023 MEDITATION

Because of this, God greatly exalted him

and bestowed on him the name

that is above every name, 

that at the name of Jesus

every knee should bend, 

of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 

and every tongue confess that

Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:6-11 

In the Catholic Church the month of January is dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus.  The name Jesus means savior.  Jesus, our savior, came to earth to save us from our sins.  It was St. Gabriel, the archangel who announced to Mary, “And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.”  Luke 1:31. At this moment, take a deep breath, and say the name of Jesus.  Say it slowly, Je…sus…, Je…sus…Je…sus. How does it make you feel when you utter His name?  Do you find peace and comfort when you call out to Him?  When speaking of the name of Jesus, St. Bernard of Clairvoux said, “To speak of it brings to the mind all that the name stands for.  To call on it calms and soothes the heart.”  Yes, the name of Jesus brings peace to the heart, but it is also said to protect us from the devil.  The devil is a creature, a fallen angel, who fears the name of Jesus.  He fears Jesus because He loved us so much that He died and rose again, so that we might have eternal life.  The name of Jesus has power, and protects us from evil, yet the mere mention of His name can also cure the sick.  St. Bernardine of Siena said, “Was is not through the brilliance and sweet savour of this Name, that God called us into His marvelous light?” In reverence and in prayer, in the Chapels of Eucharistic Adoration are found believers on bended knee, adoring and praising God.  The light of Christ shines brightly in the hearts of those in Eucharistic Adoration.  As if following the words to the hymn by Ignaz Franz, Holy God we Praise Thy Name, all are in prayer, kneeling and praising God.  Even though no words are spoken aloud in Adoration, the reverence shown to the Eucharistic Presence of the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus can be felt.  The light of Christ shining forth from the Monstrance brings the hearts of the faithful together while accompanied by the celestial hymns of the choirs of angels.  All are praising God and speaking His Holy Name in their hearts and in their minds.  Jesus is with us.  Close your eyes and say his name.  Say his name, gently and slowly, and as you breath in his name, let Him fill you with His love.  Take the time to thank Him and praise Him for the many blessings He has bestowed upon you. May you be blessed for Jesus lives.  “The Lord bless you and keep you.  The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.  The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace.”  Numbers 6 24-26. 

DECEMBER 2022 MONTHLY MEDITATION

The month of December is a time for Catholics and for all Christians to prepare for the “Coming of Christ.”  The first four weeks of December are recognized as the Advent season.  Advent, the word itself means Coming.  In preparation of Jesus’ coming, many Churches hold Missions, to move the hearts of believers into preparing their souls for the birth of Jesus.  In faith, Christians gather to pray and reflect on the coming of Christ, whether the reflection be on His birth, or on His second Coming.  The question asked is “Are you ready?”  “Jesus is Coming.” Reflecting on the coming of Jesus, one is reminded of times past, when the world was in darkness, yet there were those who believed in the coming Messiah, the one spoken about in the Word of God.  Those believers started the spark.  Today, the candles on the Advent wreath are for hope, love, joy and peace.  In preparing and believing in his Coming, the virtue of hope like that original spark is what lights the first candle on the Advent wreath.  He the Lord of Light, shared His love for us by giving the world the gift of our Savior.  Jesus is the gift that brings comfort to our souls.  As in Psalm 95, “Come let us sing joyfully to the Lord; Let us come before Him with a song of praise,” yes, let us be joyful. Jesus came into this world of darkness to bring His light into our souls.  His death and resurrection brought us everlasting life.  In song, He is the Spring of Joy, that showers and refreshes our souls with His word.  Jesus said, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. In our busy, noisy world, we must be still to know God.  In our moments of stillness, we can hear and come to know God.  In stillness and in prayer, we receive grace.  Like the disciples, who were in the locked room, Jesus appears in our hearts, our minds, our souls and in that stillness, we can hear within ourselves, the voice of Jesus say, “Peace be with you.” Jesus brings us peace.  When He returned to Father God, He did not abandon us.  He sent the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to be among us.  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”  Romans 15:13 As we wait for the coming of Jesus, may we be confident in knowing, “Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit.” (Romans 5:5) As the lighted candles burn, we are filled with gratitude to God for sending His Son Jesus into the world.  Jesus is the light of the world. This advent season, let his light shine through you.  He came into the world to show the Father’s love for us.  Our Lord, though magnificent, came into the world as a helpless infant to show us His Divine Mercy and to cleanse us from sin.  “All grace flows from mercy, and the last hour abounds with mercy for us.  Let no one doubt concerning the goodness of God; even if a person’s sins were as dark as night, God’s mercy is stronger than our misery.  One thing alone is necessary; that the sinner set ajar the door of his heart, be it ever so little, to let in a ray of God’s merciful grace, and then God will do the rest.” (No. 1507)

NOVEMBER 2022 MONTHLY MEDITATION

November is the month the Church designates for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.  In Heaven and on Earth the souls of believers pray unceasingly, for prayer is the utmost act of love.  Our prayers for the suffering souls in purgatory, give those in purgatory the gift of being released into Heaven where they will be in the glory and presence of God

   Psalm 130 says, “Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;  Lord, hear my voice!..” In the depths of purgatory, the souls cry out to the Lord.  The Lord hears their cries and hears our prayers for them.  In the  Diary of St. Faustina , Divine Mercy in my Soul, entry #1397 ,St. Faustina wrote, that Jesus said, “The loss of each soul plunges Me into mortal sadness. You always console me when you pray for sinners.  The prayer most pleasing to Me is prayer for the conversion of sinners.  Know my daughter that this prayer is always heard and answered.”  Our Lord is merciful. God is a loving Father.  He sent his only son, Jesus, to give us salvation.  In His mercy and in His love, God forgives us our sins, but we must come to Him in the sacrament of confession.  We must open our hearts and our minds and ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the window of our souls, allowing us to see the truth and the ugliness of our sins.  Psalm 130 continues with …”But with You is forgiveness that You may be revered.  I trust in the Lord, my soul trusts in His word.”  How blind we can be to the darkness of sin.  This darkness keeps us from the Light of Christ, and the glory of Heaven. When our eyes are opened, by the grace of God, we see the impurities of our soul.  Only Jesus through the Priest, can absolve us from our sin, purifying our soul to receive the beauty of the purest light of Christ. Surrounded by the purity of His light, we then offer God the reverence he should be given.  The angels give reverence to God through all of eternity.  They see the glory and the wonder of the Lord.  Even though, the angels are Superior to humans, they worship and bow down to almighty God.  In our moment of grace, after confession, we too, join the angels in our unending hymn of praise.  “Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory, hosanna in the highest, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, hosanna in the highest.” Psalm 130 ends with “For with the Lord is kindness, and with Him is plenteous redemption; and He will redeem Israel from all their iniquities.”  Although the people we have loved are no longer with us on earth, we can always remember them in our prayers.  We plead for the souls of our loved ones.  We pray that our prayers open the gates of Heaven and that once those gates are opened, the angels will accompany them to the throne of God. Purgatory is where we go, to make atonement for our sins before we enter Heaven.  We believe that purgatory is a gift from God.  It is that final phase of purification for our souls.  Our Guardian angels try their best to guide us to Heaven, but being mortal and having flesh, “the spirit is strong, but the flesh is weak,” Matthew 26:41  At every Mass, the faithful  pray for the souls of the faithful departed.  May we continue the unending prayers for those who have died.  Saints have said, a soul in Purgatory may suffer, but they have the assurance of entering Heaven when atonement has been made.  “The fire of purgatory is the same fire of Hell; the difference between them is that the fire of purgatory is not everlasting.  St. John Vianney

As we enter Heaven, we will see them, so many of them, coming towards us and thanking us.  We will ask who they are, and they will say, “a poor soul you prayed for in purgatory.  Venerable Fulton Sheen

OCTOBER 2022 MEDITATION

The month of October is celebrated by the Catholic Church as the month of the Most Holy Rosary.  One of the most comforting thoughts about the rosary is that when we pray it, we are never alone.  It is said the angels, the saints, and the Holy Souls in purgatory pray the rosary with us and for us. The rosary when prayed in a group with others intensifies the prayers.  The rosary, the chain that connects heaven and earth is now connected through the group prayers of the faithful.  Every bead represents a prayer being said for someone or for something.  A prayer for a child who is ill, a prayer for a peaceful outcome to a war, a prayer of protection for travel, etc.; these prayers have one thing in common, an outpouring of love.  We pray because we have love for others and trust that the Lord and all of Heaven are listening, and will assist us, and gift us with the Father’s will.  When the prayers are said with sadness, every bead becomes a tear.  A tear that is collected by the angels in heaven, as Father Pio of Pietrelcina said, “Your tears were collected by the angels and were placed in a golden chalice, and you will find them when you present yourself before God.”  Miracles of the Rosary have been documented.  “Among all the devotions approved by the Church none has been favored by so many miracles as the devotion of the most Holy Rosary.” Pope Pius IX   An example of a rosary miracle is the documentation of the Jesuit Priests who were praying their rosaries at the time the atomic bomb hit Hiroshima, Japan, during World War II.  Although they were in the same city of Hiroshima, where many people burned and died, resulting from the dropping of the deadly, and destructive atomic bomb, the Jesuit Priests were not harmed in any way, and lived many years after the bombing to tell others about their miracle of the rosary.  “The holy Rosary is a powerful weapon.  Use it with confidence and you’ll be amazed at the results.”  St Josemaria Escriva. Truly the rosary is a gift from Heaven.  In the mid to late 1300s, when a plague hit Europe, and then followed by the heresy of Flagellantes, and the schism in 1376, it was then, Our Lady is said to have asked Blessed Alan de la Roche to re-establish the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary.  During this time, Blessed Alan started to preach about the powerful prayers of the Rosary.   Many Popes and Saints promote praying the Rosary.  Pope Paul V said, “The rosary is a treasury of graces.”  It is no wonder, that this gift from Heaven is a powerful weapon against evil.  Exorcists are known to carry rosaries with them when they pray for the possessed.  Father Amorth, a Priest, and an Exorcist, said in his book, The Last Exorcist, “During an exorcism, Satan told me, through the possessed person, “Every Hail Mary of the Rosary is a blow to the head for me; if Christians knew the power of the Rosary, it would end me.” 

In the Magnificat Prayer, Mary calls herself, “his lowly servant.”  The lowly servant that proclaims at every moment, “the greatness of the Lord.” It is her great humility and Mary’s life of virtue, that the Evil One, fears and hates, but most of all the Enemy hates Mary’s goodness.  The Rosary, a gift from Our Lady, in its simplicity, can defeat the darkness of the Evil One.  One can say that the Rosary is a light of love that extinguishes the darkness. The Evil One tries his best, to surround and keep humanity in the darkness and ugliness of sin.  Saint Jose Maria Escriva said, “If you say the Holy Rosary every day, with a spirit of faith and love, our Lady will make sure she leads you very far along her Son’s path.” Our Lady comes to our aid, with every Hail Mary uttered from our lips, we are reminded of the beginning, the Annunciation, when the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.  Jesus, our Savior, and our hope became flesh to save us from our sins.  Even in the end, when all seemed lost, as Jesus hung on the cross.  Hope remained for those who believed, for on the third day he rose again, and gave us eternal life. “Give me an army saying the Rosary and I will conquer the world.” – Blessed Pope Pius IX  By Maricela Navarro Svoboda

MONTHLY MEDITATION SEPTEMBER 2022

  The Catholic Church celebrates September 29^th as the Feast Day of the three archangels St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael.  The Catholic Church recognizes and names 3 archangels, but in the Book of Enoch, a Jewish writing, seven archangels are named.  In the book of Tobit, St. Raphael discloses his identity to Tobit and Tobias and also numbers 7 archangels, “I am Raphael one of the seven holy angels who present the prayers of the saints and enter into the presence of the glory of the Holy One.”  Tobit 12:15   The Eastern Orthodox Church, and other Christian sources, and also Jewish sources do name and recognize the 7 archangels.  However, the Catholic Church only recognizes 3 archangels by name, but does acknowledge there are 7 archangels according to Scripture and tradition. The Catechism defines angels as immortal beings, as pure spirits and personal beings with intelligence and free will.  They serve as messengers of God and are also protectors.  St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael are also known as the Great Messengers of God because of the immense role they play in God’s plan.  They are also given the title Saints because they have free will and remained faithful to God and are with God and share in His life and in His goodness.St. Gabriel, is known as the angel of the Annunciation.  His name means “Strength of God.”  In the Annunciation, Mary’s yes begins God’s plan of salvation.  Imagine Mary surrounded by light radiating from the angel Gabriel.  The strong and powerful St. Gabriel, shining with God’s heavenly light, appears to Mary and yet, she has no fear, and freely she says “yes” accepting her role as the Mother of God.  St. Gabriel did the will of God by appearing to Mary and delivering God’s message.  When contemplating the will of God in our lives, do we freely say “yes” to His will and not ours?  Thy will be done not mine.

St. Raphael’s name means “Remedy of God, or Medicine of God.”  In the book of Tobit, Raphael appears to Tobias and Tobit and disguises himself as a young man.  He accompanies and protects Tobias, the son of Tobit, on his long journey.  He returns Tobias and his bride safely home and gives Tobias the remedy that cures Tobit’s blindness.  St. Raphael tells both father and son to not be afraid for they will be safe.  He also says to them, “…praise God forever.  For I did not come as a favor on my part, but by the will of our God.  Therefore, praise him forever….and now give thanks to God for I am ascending to him who sent me.” Tobit 12:17-20   As in the first commandment, “You shall have no other Gods before me.”  St. Raphael’s advice to Tobit and Tobias reminds us to give God and only God, glory, honor, praise and thanks. St. Michael’s name means “One who is like God.”  St. Michael is described in the book or Revelation as the angel who led the army of God’s angels to fight against the rebellious angels.  St. Michael is the angel who fought and won the battle against, Lucifer, and the rebellious angels.  He and his army cast Satan into hell.  St. Michael defends us in the battle against the powers of evil.  Pope Leo XIII, in the early 1900s wrote the prayer to Saint Michael after receiving a prophetic vision.  The prayer had stopped being recited but due to the evils in our modern world, the prayer is once in many churches, again recited at the end of every Mass. In honoring the 3 archangels, may we be reminded of the angels and saints unending hymn of praise to God, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of your Glory, Hosanna in the highest, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.  Hosanna in the highest.” Although, the angels are invisible, they are present in our world, the Lord, loves us so much that He has given us angels to protect us from harm and to guide us on the right path into heaven. May our hearts remain grateful for God’s loving gift of our friends, the holy angels.

Meditation August 2022

  The Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord is celebrated on August 6^th.    Reflecting on the Transfiguration, I picture walking with Peter, James and John, to the top of the mountain named Tabor.  We have all slowed down to spend time with Jesus. As we walk up the mountain there is no fear, for we are all with Christ.   Jesus usually went alone to pray to God, the Father, but on this particular occasion, the Lord invites us to come with Him.  
Joining the Lord as we walk together, we are united in prayer.  As we come close to the top of the mountain, we all see Jesus,  
“And he was transfigured….;”
his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.”  
What must it have been like to see the face of our Lord shine like the sun? Depending on the brightness of the light, we all would have felt the warmness from the rays of light as their radiant beams touched our hearts and our minds.  Seeing Jesus transfigured before our eyes must have brought feelings of happiness and joy.  For in this transfiguration, is the hope of things to come.  
As followers of Jesus, we transform our lives in Him.  

In witnessing His transformation on that mountain, Peter, James and John saw the glory of the Lord.  The experience helped to make the promise of the Kingdom of God a reality.  In that moment, the apostles could see a glimpse of the reality of Heaven.  In this revealing moment of truth, the apostles want to remain seeing Jesus in His heavenly glory.  

They want to remain comforted in the beauty and glory of God.  But alas, they are not allowed to freeze in the moment, instead, they are so fixated in the moment, that all their senses are ignited and they hear the voice of God the Father, as he says, 

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.”  

Hearing the voice of God, assured them of Jesus’ divinity.  It also confirmed that following Jesus was the way, the truth and the life.  In listening to the word of God and imitating Jesus, the promise of eternal life was within reach.  When we are at the end of life, we too can look forward to seeing and being with God in all His glory.  The comfort of His Holy light for all eternity brings great peace to the soul.  In our busy lives, it can be difficult to stay in that moment of grace.  Those moments where in the silence we can hear God speaking to us.  Yet,  let us never forget that the Lord is near to us.  He is listening.  

We may not be on the mountain top at every moment, but Jesus is present with us in all the valleys and the mountain tops.  In those difficult moments prayer brings us to the peace of Christ.  In the valley we will experience suffering, Jesus said

“….My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.”  

I am most happy then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ’s power over me.  

2 Corinthians 12:9

July 2022 Meditation

  “This blood that but one drop has the power to win all the world forgiveness of its world sin.”  St Thomas Aquinas” July is the month the Church devotes to the Precious Blood of Jesus. During the Passion, Jesus courageously and lovingly poured out His blood to save us from our sins. Our sin is so severe that to cleanse us, the Son of God had to greatly suffered and shed His blood for us to be forgiven.  Jesus, the Son of God, He Himself God creator of us all and this magnificent universe! So strong was His love for humanity that He accepted suffering. Punished and tortured, Jesus, the innocent lamb, with no stain of sin on Him was crucified. Nails driven through His hands and feet, a crown of thorns placed on His head, all these things caused a great deal of pain and excessive blood to flow.  
Jesus said, “This is my blood, which is shed for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins.” 
The Blood of Jesus is the only blood that ransoms us from death, reconciles us to God and protects us from all evil. 
St. John Chrysostom said, “This blood, when worthily received, drives away demons and puts them at a distance from us, and even summons to us angels and the Lord of angels. This blood, poured out in abundance, has washed the whole world clean. This is the price of the world; by it Christ purchased the Church." -St. John Chrysostom 

The early Fathers believed that the Church was born from the pierced side of Christ, and that through the Blood of Christ the sacraments were brought forth.   St. Gaspar del Bufalo was dedicated to the Precious Blood and founded the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Most Precious Blood.  “We must let it be known how the Blood of Christ cleanses the souls and sanctifies them, particularly by means of the sacraments.” St. Gaspar del Bufalo   Although we do not understand suffering.  We understand that Jesus suffered for us.  In His suffering we discovered His mercy and His great love. St. Ignatius of Antioch said, “I long to drink of His blood the gift of unending love.” In discovering His great love, we too are willing to suffer for Jesus.  St. Gaspar del Bufalo also said, “Jesus has given us His blood even to the last drop.  What is there left to do?  Jesus is a victim, Behold I am ready, O my God, to be a victim of love.”

June 2022 Meditation

  “Jesus, gentle and humble of heart, touch our hearts and make them like your own. ”(from the Litany of the Sacred Heart.)The Catholic Church celebrates the month of June as a month to honor the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.  The Feast Day of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated on Friday, June 24^th, 2022.God is Love.  These words hold true to the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  The image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus shown with His heart exposed has great meaning. The beautiful heart of Jesus is filled with divine light.  His heart is open and visible, to become a heart that is shared.  His love is shared with us in every moment.  St. Francis de Sales wrote, “When did God’s love for you begin?  When He began to be God.  When did He begin to be God?  Never, for He has always been without beginning and without end, and so He has always loved you from eternity.” Inside the Sacred Heart, the image depicts the cross and the thorns surrounding the heart as small, in comparison to the face of Jesus whose eyes can penetrate deep into the soul. Our souls long for this eternal love.  

The image is as if Jesus is saying, “Yes, I suffered on the Cross and wore a crown of thorns but as you look into my eyes those images disappear because my love is and was greater.  I laid down my life, for you.”  In the Litany of the Sacred Heart, somewhere in the prayer are the words, “Heart of Jesus, infinite majesty.”  Yes, Jesus is majesty because His power and His love are superior, and his heart holds an over abundance of love.  His love is without limit. In that same litany are the words “Heart of Jesus, patient and full of mercy.”  Even on the cross, Jesus held a self-less love.  He asked Father God to “forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Full of compassion and mercy, Jesus laid down His life so that we would have everlasting life. He gave till His last breath.  “Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation. Have mercy on us.”  When we go to Jesus in prayer, our hearts receive consolation from all the burdens we carry.  All worry, all anxiety, can be given to Him and then our hearts are comforted in peace, the peace only He can give.  The litany prayer goes on to say, “We honor the heart of your Son broken by man’s cruelty, yet symbol of love’s triumph.” From the beginning of time, God has given man love.  He created us into being out of love.  He created every living thing out of love.  In His Divinity, He gave us His Son, Jesus.  Yes, God is love.  The next time you see the Sacred Heart of Jesus, remember God’s love.  Look to the Cross and be certain God loves humanity.  God loves each one of us uniquely.  God invites us all to open the door to our hearts and allow Jesus to fill our souls with His outpouring love and mercy but He also expect love from us.A quote from the revelations of the Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque: 
“Pointing at His wounds, Jesus spoke these harsh words: “Behold at what state my chosen people have reduced me to, they whom I had destined to appease justice, but instead secretly persecute me! If they do not repent, I will punish them severely. Having preserved my just ones, I will immolate all others to the fury of my wrath.” 
“Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in You. Have mercy on us and on the whole world.  Immaculate Heart of Mary be my salvation.”

May 2022 Meditation

  “From Mary we learn to surrender to God’s will in all things. From Mary we learn to trust even when all hope seems gone.  From Mary we learn to love Christ her Son and the Son of God.”  St. John Paul, II                               

Catholics throughout the world celebrate May as the month of Mary. The Catholic Church formally dedicates May to recognize and honor Mary, our spiritual mother and the mother of God. One morning while I was praying the rosary and was contemplating the joyful mysteries, the miracles of God filled my mind. In this moment of enlightenment, my mind and my heart were with Mary.  First thought that came to mind was the miracle of her a virgin, carrying a baby in her womb without knowing man.  A gift and miracle from God.  

“O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”  

Next, the image of her cousin Elizabeth fills my mind and I see Elizabeth who is beyond the age of conceiving who is now with child. These two miracles focus on women and the gift of new life.  The work of God.  Both miracles are impossibilities to man but are made possible by God.  Our loving God chooses to bring new life into our world.  In the Joyful mysteries of the rosary based on Scripture, the Lord continues to perform wonderful miracles between Mary and Elizabeth.  When Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, as soon as the baby hears the sound of Mary’s voice, Elizabeth’s baby leaps in her womb, and then Elizabeth filled with the Holy Spirit recognizes Mary as the “mother of my Lord.” Elizabeth and the baby in her womb receive divine knowledge.  

Their actions show and their words know Mary is carrying the son of God.  In the book of Wisdom, Mary is described in Chapter 7:25-26 "She is a breath of God's power- a pure and radiant stream of glory from the Almighty.  Nothing that is defiled can ever steal its way into Wisdom.  She is a reflection of eternal light; a perfect mirror of God's activity and goodness."  To look at Mary and see her as a “reflection of eternal light,” allows artist to paint, and us to see, a beautiful image of her holy beauty.  A beauty that lives on forever throughout all eternity and is a reflection of God. 

Mary’s heavenly beauty is the beauty of purity.  Mary mirrors God.  She shows and tells us of His goodness. This month take the time to honor Mary in a special way for she gave us our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.  Pray the rosary in her honor.  Give tribute to Mary with images of her as the “Madonna” throughout your home. In your garden have statues of Mary tenderly holding Jesus in her arms with motherly love.  In your prayers, don’t be afraid to ask her for intercession.  Mary, the daughter of God, the mother of Jesus and the spouse of the Holy Spirit is very close to the heart of God.  Mary is thrice blessed by the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Each member of the Holy Trinity loves her and blesses her with grace.  

Imagine the graces Mary can bring to each of us.  Saint Maximilian Kolbe said of Mary, “Love our Lady.  And she will obtain abundant grace to help you conquer in your daily struggle.”

Mary can and does bring us closer to Jesus, all we need to do is to open our hearts to our Blessed Mother and let her fill us with her love.

“Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much.  You can never love her more than Jesus did.”   -St. Jose Maria Escriva 

“Always stay close to this Heavenly Mother, because she is the sea to be crossed to reach the shores of Eternal Splendor.”  -St. Padre Pio

April 2022 Meditation

While looking at an image of the Sacred Heart, I contemplate Jesus, and am reminded of heavenly love. The heart of love that began with Father God, and the heart of Jesus, both generously and fully given to humanity. A magnificent love expanding beyond time.  This Sacred Heart full of mercy and compassion.  The Sacred Heart pours love into the human heart.  The Sacred Heart of Jesus, meek and humble, invites us to imitate His love.  Jesus’ great love for mankind brings him to the cross and it is on the cross that Jesus shows His sacrificial love.  “Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends.”  John 15:13   In the Sacred Heart image, His crucifixion is reflected by a picture of his exposed heart showing a knife piercing His heart and a crown of thorns surrounding it. When we open our hearts to His love, then we too become filled with love. A love that goes beyond self, compelling us to share it with others.  “Love one another, as I have loved you.”God’s plan was paradise, but sin caused us to separate from Divine love.  

Our true sorrow of sin leads us to discover the freedom of truth and the joy in giving and receiving forgiveness. The Lenten season ends on Easter Sunday, April 17^th.  In Jesus’ resurrection, we find morning’s light and hope.   My reflection on Jesus continues, as I look at another divine image, the Divine Mercy image.  Looking at the rays of the Divine Mercy fill my soul with the healing power of the resurrected Jesus.  In the words of the prayer of Divine Mercy from the Diary of St. Faustina, I hear, “O blood and water, which gushed forth from the heart of Jesus, as a fount of Mercy for us, I trust in you.”  Meditating on the image, I see Jesus.  In the background is complete darkness, pitch black. Jesus is light.  He wears white and He stands out in the darkness.  Imagine life without Jesus; there would be no recognition of sin and blinded by the enemy, we would continue to live in sin and without light.  Yet, in the Divine Mercy image, it is Jesus, the Savior, who comes through the darkness to rescue me, the sinner.  Where Jesus stands, there is the light of illumination.  Red is the color of the eternal life He gives and white is the color of the purity of my soul, when I bare my sins in the sacrament of Reconciliation and I am cleansed of my sins.  “I have not come to call the righteous, but to call sinners to repentance.”  Luke 5:32 Divine Mercy Sunday is celebrated the Sunday after Easter, April 24^th.  

The Divine Mercy devotion brings many graces to those who practice it.  Divine Mercy Sunday is known as the Feast of Mercy.  “The Feast of My Mercy has issued forth from my very depths for the consolation of the whole world.” Diary #1517 Jesus also said to St. Faustina, Diary #699 “On that day the very depths of My tender Mercy are open.  I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My Mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.  On that day are open all the divine floodgates through which graces flow.”  St. John Paul, II, gives great clarity to Divine Mercy when he is quoted as saying,“There is nothing more man needs than Divine Mercy – that love which is benevolent, which is compassionate, which raises man above his weakness to the infinite heights to the holiness of God.”

Happy and Blessed Easter to All!           

MARCH 2022 MEDITATION

Lent gives Christians an opportunity to devote time to the Lord through prayer, Scripture, almsgiving, sacrifice through fasting. Lent is a special season that provides the time for us to journey into the deepest part of our soul where we can discover the beauty of God.  Prayer of the heart is the tool that opens the door to experience a deeper relationship with God.  But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.  And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.  Matthew 6:6. Prayer unites us to God.  The prayer of the heart is much more than reciting prayers.  It is a time to go deeper, to get closer, to meditate and contemplate on your love for the Lord, but most of all to receive the Lord’s great love for each one of us.  When we discover God’s love, then we are transformed.  Lent begins on March 2, 2022, Ash Wednesday and lasts 40 days.    On Ash Wednesday ashes in the sign of the cross are placed on the forehead of Christian believers at Mass.  These ashes are used to remind us that we belong to Jesus.  The ashes also remind believers that Jesus suffered and died on the cross to redeem us sinners from our sins.  Yes, sins. We all commit sins.  One need simply to reflect on the 10 commandments or reflect on the virtues to find that sin runs rampant in the world. To reflect means we must take the time to review our day through our thoughts and actions, and even actions not taken.  Have our thoughts and our actions brought us to sin? We live in a world that is noisy, yet to find the Lord we need silence. This Lent will you take the time to heal through prayer?  Will you take the time to discover Jesus, the Divine Physician?  He can be heard in the silence of your heart.  Will you take the time to commit at least 15 minutes daily for prayer and to open the door of your heart; to journal and to hear the words He is speaking to you?  Turn off the sound of the world and turn on the sound of silence.  Psalm 46:10  “Be still and know that I am God.”These dark ashes are as dark as our sin and are a symbol of our grief and the deep mourning we feel for the sins we commit. “Repent, and believe in the Gospel, or “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” are the words spoken as the ashes are placed on the forehead.

On Easter comes the morning when Jesus washed us free from sin.  He gave us salvation.  The prophet Isaiah foretold of God’s plan for judgement/justice and salvation/grace, when he wrote, “to appoint to the mourners of Sion, and to give them a crown for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, a garment of praise for the spirit of grief.  And they shall be called in it the mighty ones of just, the planning of the Lord to glorify Him.”  Isaiah 61:3 Jesus anoints us with the Holy Spirit.  He gave us the Holy Spirit and called Him the Paraclete, the Advocate.  The Holy Spirit empowers us.  The Light of Christ shines in us and the ashes are removed for Jesus saved us from the darkness of sin and gave us everlasting life.  Let us awaken our hearts for God with great gratitude.

FEBRUARY 2022 MEDITATION

The Catholic Church, on February 2, celebrates the Feast Day of the Presentation of the Lord, when Jesus is brought to the temple by Mary and Joseph.  By bringing Jesus to the Temple, they are being obedient to Mosaic law.  In their acknowledgement of God as the giver of this great gift, they arrive at the Temple to praise God.  As they enter the Temple, Mary and Joseph are greeted by Simeon and Anna, two people of advanced age, who have dedicated their lives to prayer and fasting. The young couple, meet Simeon and Anna and in acceptance of their piety and wisdom, both listen and learn from these two holy religious people who are filled with the Holy Spirit. When Simeon receives Jesus in his arms, he gives him a blessing, proclaiming the Infant Jesus, as the future Savior, the chosen one of God, the light of the world:He took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.” – Luke 2:28-32

Yet, Simeon who proclaims Jesus as the light of the world, also speaks of Christ as ‘a sign of contradiction’. The description of Jesus, as a sign of contradiction, tells of the future suffering of Jesus, and foretells of the suffering and sorrow of his mother Mary.  Yes, Jesus brings light to defeat the darkness, but this hope also comes with sorrow. Simeon tells Mary, she will share in Jesus' suffering through a sword pierced heart. Pope John Paul II in Redemptoris Mater, in describing Mary and Simeon's prophecy wrote: 

“for they tell her of the actual historical situation in which the Son is to accomplish his mission, namely, in misunderstanding and sorrow. While this announcement on the one hand confirms her faith in the accomplishment of the divine promises of salvation, on the other hand it also reveals to her that she will have to live her obedience of faith in suffering, at the side of the suffering Savior, and that her motherhood will be mysterious and sorrowful.” 

Anna rejoices for she is grateful to experience being in the presence of the Divine Infant.  She had been praying for years, never giving up hope in the promised one.  Simeon and Anna were given the gift of Wisdom to understand the Messiah had finally arrived.  The Angel of the Lord had declared unto Mary, and she had conceived by the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit was allowing them to know that God was in their midst.  They too had listened to the word and believed that the word was made flesh and now dwelt among them.  Like The Angelus Prayer, "Pour forth we beseech Thee O Lord, they grace into our hearts," 

How had this grace poured into the hearts of Simeon and Anna?  They received this grace through prayer and the virtue of patience.  Both were elderly, but they never stopped praying or believing.  Having lived through trials and disappointments, neither had lost their faith or their hope in God.  They were strengthened in faith through their prayers. As we live through life's daily trials, the Corona Virus, violence, and the threat of war, and disappointments, may we be reminded of the words of the Angelus, and may we too be strengthened by grace, "that we to whom the incarnation of Christ thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the Glory of His Resurrection through the same Christ our Lord.  Amen.

January 2022 Meditation

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John.  On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.  And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:9-11)

On January 9^th, 2022 the Church celebrates The Baptism of the Lord.  The Baptism of the Lord confirms and recognizes Jesus as the Son of God.  Picture being at this momentous occasion.  See the sparkling water, as Jesus comes up from the water.  Clear, shiny water, and Jesus engulfed in this translucent shower.  Jesus himself, needs no cleansing, He is free of sin. Yet, in being baptized by John, Jesus chooses to identify with sinners.  He bows in humility and allows himself to be baptized.  In the time of Jesus and John, baptism had been practiced for centuries by the Jews.  Back then, the Jews used a Mikveh (a collection of water) for spiritual cleansing to remove impurity and sin. By being baptized Jesus not only sets the example but lives among us.  He identifies with sinners, the people whom He came to save.  As Jesus, looks up, He sees the heavens as they open.  When we see a normal sky, we see blue on a clear day, and clouds all around on a cloudy day. But picture this special day when the sky is torn open.  Heaven is open.  Open like a curtain full of glitter, with the rays, pointing down to Jesus, and there for all to see is Jesus surrounded by this heavenly light.  It must have been spectacular to see the Divine light of heaven shining down on our Savior.  But, then upon looking more closely, the whiteness of the dove can be seen touching Jesus with its wings.  

The Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, gently touching Jesus and with each touch of its wings, great love can be felt as the Holy Spirit pours its loving light upon the Lord.  Then as if these divine images were not sufficient to call this moment a great miracle, the voice of God himself can be heard penetrating through the hearts of everyone present.  The Holy Trinity made its presence known. The words of God, “my beloved,” gave Jesus the approval of His heavenly Father.  When John baptizes Jesus, he is announcing to everyone there that Jesus is the chosen one of God.  John is declaring that Jesus is the person he had been speaking of who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.  

Jesus’ baptism symbolizes our baptism.  In baptism we receive many graces, one being becoming the adoptive children of God. We are the children redeemed by Jesus’ suffering on the cross.  In baptism we are purified in water through the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The light from the Paschal candle onto the baptismal candle is symbolic of our faith. 

In baptism we are renewed, as St. Paul said, 

“Do you not know that all we who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into his death?  For we were buried with Him by means of Baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ has arisen from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also may walk in newness of life.  For if we have been united with Him in the likeness of His death, we shall be so in the likeness of His resurrection..” Romans 6:3-5   

Pope Benedict XVI described baptism best, when he said “Baptism is communion with the One who conquered death and holds in his hand the keys of life.  Belonging to this circle, to God’s family, means being in communion with Christ, who is life and gives eternal love beyond death.”

December 2021 Meditation

December is the month when the Catholic Church and Christians throughout the world commemorate the birth of Jesus.  Christmas is a special time.  It is a time when new life is celebrated in joy.  Mary in her obedience to God and in response to the Angel Gabriel said “yes.”  Her “yes” to life gave us the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ. The Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12th is in perfect alignment of Our Lady’s “yes” to life.  The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe holding a baby is a symbol of her constant protection to the unborn.   Our Lady’s loving presence in Jesus’ life reminds us of the importance of a mother’s love. Our Lady’s apparitions throughout the world continue to show the great love and compassion she has for her earthly children.  Sin keeps us from God.  Prayer and the sacraments bring us closer to God.  In her messages, she reminds us to pray and asks for our conversion. As in the question of Isaiah 49:25 Can a woman forget her infant, so as not to have pity on the son of her womb,”

Our Lady does not forget. She is merciful and intercedes for us before the throne of God.  

In Our Lady’s 4^thapparition to St. Juan Diego, she said, “Hear me and understand well, my son the least, that nothing should frighten or grieve you. Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who is your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything.”Under her patronage, we find the center of her love, Jesus.  He, the Prince of Peace is waiting for us to come to Him.  When we find God, we too like St. Augustine, will say 

“You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless, until they can find rest in you.” 

Our Lady of Guadalupe mirrors the light of God.  She was given the power to crush the head of the serpent.  By her intercession we can fight the enemy in the battle for life.  Unlike Mother Mary’s “yes” there are many in our world today who say “no” to life.  The World Health Organization estimates 40 to 50 million abortions are performed yearly worldwide and per day 125,000 are performed worldwide. Our Lady of Guadalupe given the title as the Patroness of the Unborn is appropriate. Prior to appearing to St. Juan Diego, human sacrifices were common and occurred in the thousands.  For instance, in 1487 during a dedication of a new temple, it was recorded that in 4 days 80,000 human sacrifices were given to the Gods. It has been estimated that one out of five children were given in sacrifice to Aztec Gods.  After her apparitions of 1531 to St. Juan Diego, it was documented that approximately 8-10 million Aztecs converted to Catholicism. Devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe grew and popes, such as, Pope Gregory XIII, Pope Benedict XIV, Pope Pius VII, Pope St Pius X, Pope Leo XIII, Pope Pius XII, Pope John XXIII, Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, all found ways to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe. Pope Benedict the XVI in 2005 said a prayer in Spanish before an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Vatican Gardens.  He said, 

“Holy Mary, who under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe are invoked as mother by men and women…encouraged by the love you inspire in us, we once again place our life in your maternal hands.”  

The birth of Jesus brought a ray of hope to the world.  May we continue to pray for human life.   The unborn are our future rays of light.  Pray that their light will not be extinguished. Giving the unborn the right to birth brings new light to the world.  The light of a cure for cancer, the light of new inventions, the light of a new saint; giving the unborn the opportunity to live, brings God’s abundant love to all, an outpouring of His grace.  Our Lady of Guadalupe is the Mother of God.  She brings us closer to Jesus.  This Christmas, as we contemplate the birth of Christ, may we pray for the sanctity of life.  Ask Our Lady of Guadalupe to place her mantle of protection over the unborn and for all human life.  

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.

November 2021 Meditation

When I contemplate the Catholic Church and its November 1st and November 2nd   Feast Days; I can’t help but think of Heaven.  All Saints Day is said to have initiated as All Martyr’s Day.  The followers of Jesus began to honor those Christians who gave their lives defending the faith. 

As far back as the 3rd century, the belief back then and today is that believers who died for their faith were taken to Heaven by the angels and are in the Presence of the beatific vision. Listening to the word of God at Mass today in celebration of All Saints Day.  I recall the words that lingered in my heart and in my mind from the Book of Revelation, 

“I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people and tongue.  They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.”   

As the Psalm was sung, the words were penetrating my heart. 

“Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.” Psalm 24 

Seeing all the people at Mass today, I got teary eyed and said, “Yes Lord, we are here gathered because we too long to see your face.”  But unlike, the Saints who are before the throne of God, we hold this same longing and hope for the day that we too shall be before Him for all eternity. Then the gospel acclamation confirmed our love for Jesus.  For in that moment, the words bringing much peace to my soul, is hearing Jesus say, 

“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.” 

These words, for those who have faith, have great meaning for only in Christ can our souls find peace; without God, our soul is restless.  The beatitudes tell the story of the blessing of God.  He knows our hearts, and our minds.  When the gospel for All Saints Day was read, I clearly heard, Jesus goes up to the mountain. I imagine Jesus, looking down from the mountain and seeing all our pain. He sees those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst, the persecuted, those who are insulted, and He the giving God that He is, says, 

“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in Heaven and to the clean of heart, the Word says, “they will see God.” Jesus, Our Savior, died and rose again.

His selfless act of giving His life, now gives us great hope and consolation.  On November 2nd, the Feast of All Souls, the Church prays for all those who have gone before us.  Prayers are said for our departed brothers and sisters because of our belief in purgatory.  In the Second Book of Maccabees, Judas Maccabeus orders the army which He leads to pray and to offer sacrifices for their dead soldiers.  Even in a Benedictine Monastery in France, the Abbot is said to have encouraged the monks to pray for the souls of the faithful departed. St Odilo, is said to be the abbot in France who instituted the commemoration of all the souls between 998 and 1030. Catholics believe Purgatory is a gift.  It is a place where souls receive purification.  Our prayers help in their purification.  We  believe “that all who die in God’s grace and friendship but still imperfectly purified undergo the process of purification.”  

As the names of deceased loved ones are said at Mass; saying their names is a way of honoring them. For those hearing their loved ones’ name said out loud, it brings remembrance of their loved one, brother, sister, mother, father, friend, etc. all are departed souls who touched the lives of the living. 

November, a special month, to honor our loved ones, but more than that, it is the month where we put our hope in God and His perpetual light which brings eternal rest through the mercy of God.

October 2021 Meditation

The Catholic Church celebrates October as the month of the Most Holy Rosary.  According to Catholic tradition, it is believed that Mary appeared to St. Dominic and gave him the rosary to use as a weapon against the heresy of Albigensian which denied Jesus' incarnation. The rosary prayers are powerful and when meditated and contemplated upon bring us closer to Jesus through Mary.  Pope Paul wrote "meditate on the mysteries of the Lord's life as seen through the eyes of her who was closest to the Lord." In similar words St. Louis de Montfort said and taught "Jesus through Mary."  Each Hail Mary when prayed is believed to be a single rose we personally give to Mary and when we pray the complete rosary, we are giving Mary a bouquet of roses. Catholics believe that when all the mysteries of the rosary are prayed in completion, we are offering Mother Mary a spiritual bouquet.  

The Rosary is known as a perfect prayer because it holds the story of salvation. It is no wonder that in the many apparitions of Mary, her message is to pray, pray, pray.  The rosary is also known as the perfect instrument to fight the forces of evil.  Our Lady's request to pray the rosary daily brings peace to those who pray it with faith.  This peace comes from Jesus Christ, the Son of God and is a grace given to us by God.  Our Lady's messages, tell the faithful to pray the rosary for world peace for through prayer, Christians changes things, but the root of our prayers is based on faith.

In 2002 Pope John Paul, II made a change to the rosary, he added the Luminous Mysteries, or Mysteries of Light.  He also wrote Rosarium Virginis an Apostolic Letter on the Most Holy Rosary.  The Luminous Mysteries focus on the ministry of Jesus.  St. John Paul, II saw the Luminous Mysteries as a way for those who pray the rosary to enter more fully into Jesus’ life and he said of the rosary, “….as a doorway to the depths of the Heart of Christ, ocean of joy and of light, of suffering and of glory.”  The Rosary is a beautiful devotion.  When seeking to purchase a rosary one can find all different kinds of rosaries, from bright color glass beads to wood beads, from tiny beads to large beads, from elaborate rosaries to simple rosaries, one thing is certain, the rosary when prayed with the heart opens the door to graces from Heaven.  In the mysteries of the rosary lies a hidden mystery, the mystery of heaven.  The Lord asked the faithful to pray from the heart.  The rosary is all about the life of Jesus but it is also tells of a mother’s great love for her son.  So great is Mother Mary’s love that she sent the rosary as the unending prayer of love.  At any given time, someone, somewhere is praying the rosary.  As each bead is held, the memory of Jesus and his life are seen and felt.  He lives in our minds and our hearts. 

The rosary is the prayer joining heaven’s prayers with ours as both glorify the Lord with each Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be.  These prayers become one, united as a song of love to God.  The rosary is a strong prayer of love given to us by Mother Mary to God above.

September 2021 Meditation

THE SANCTUS

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of hosts 

Heaven and Earth are full of your glory

Hosanna in the Highest 

Blessed is He who Comes in the Name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the Highest.

   Imagine being surrounded by angels at Mass.   In the holy sacrifice of the Mass, Heaven and Earth are joined together. Saints have been quoted as saying they see Angels surrounding the Altar.  Catholics believe, the Holy Angels pray the Sanctus at Mass with the faithful and are present at Mass. St. John Chrysostom said, “The angels are present here. The angels and the martyrs meet today. If you wish to see the angels and the martyrs, open the eyes of faith, and look upon this sight. For if the very air is filled with angels, how much more so the Church! And if the Church is filled with angels, how much more is that true today when their Lord has risen into heaven! The whole air about us is filled with angels. Hear the apostle [Paul] teaching this, when he bids the women to cover their heads with a veil because of the presence of the angels.”  These pure Spirits have absolute fidelity to God. As we honor the archangels, St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and Saint Raphael on September 29th their Feast Day, may we be reminded of God's great love.  In His great love for humanity, God has given us the angels to guide and protect us. The angels offer God perpetual adoration and are in everlasting union with Him.  St. Michael fought the heavenly battle against Lucifer and His minions, and in victory, He and the angels received eternal glory.  St. Michael, and the Heavenly army remain faithful to God and are in perfect love and union with God.  It is said, the Holy Angels of God join us in prayer. St. John Chrysostom writes, regarding the Resurrection and Mass, “It is not only earth, but heaven as well which has part in today’s feast. . . The Angels exult, the Archangels rejoice, the Cherubim and the Seraphim join us in the celebration of today’s feast. . . What room is there for sadness?”  How can we be sad when the angels are with us?  The Angels are invisible to most humans, but imagine while praying the rosary inside a chapel, hearing them whispering in your ear, "the angels are praying with you."  As you finish the final decade of the rosary, you see a flower arrangement of roses on the altar, and with every Hail Mary prayed, a petal falls to the ground. As proof you walk over to where the petals have fallen and there on the floor you find 10 petals representing the Hail Mary's of the Rosary.  How beautiful our prayers must become when Heaven touches the prayer of our hearts.  The Holy angels cannot receive the Eucharist but join in the celebration.  These pure Spirits join us prior to Communion and purify the air with the mist of their purity.  St. Gabriel, is the angel of the Annunciation.  The light Gabriel shone on Mary, the Mother of God, was immense, it must have been so bright that St. Gabriel, provided shade to Mary with His massive yet gentle wings. 

   In this heavenly light, she was illuminated with sanctifying grace, and her "yes" became a yes of the perfect example of doing the will of God.   In the book of Tobit, St. Raphael, was sent disguised in a man's body.  He was sent by God to help and protect Tobit, the Father, and Tobias, the son of Tobit.  As a result of Raphael's protection and guidance, Tobias returned safely home. St.  Raphael was a companion on the journey, but he was also sent as healer and cured Tobit of his blindness.  St. Raphael gives words of wisdom when he says, "'Bless God, utter his praise before all the living for the favors he has given you. Bless and extol his name. Proclaim before all people the deeds of God as they deserve, and never tire of giving him thanks."  Tobit 12:6   In the Agony in the Garden, Father God, sends an angel to console Jesus.  God the Father in His great love also gives to each of us a Guardian Angel.  If God sent an angel to Jesus, imagine his unending love and endless mercy for his earthly children that He gives a Guardian angel to accompany us on our earthly journey and to console us. Each one of us is assigned an angel of the heavenly court, we are precious in God's sight.  At Jesus' birth, the angels were with Jesus and Mary and announced His birth to the shepherds.  When Mary is crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth, the Angels are also present to salute her as the Queen of Angels.  On September 29th, the Feast of the Archangels and on October 2rd, the Feast of the Guardian angels may we pay tribute to all the Holy Angels and what they have done for us, so that we may enter heaven for all eternity.

August 2021 Meditation

The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on August 15th.   On this feast day Catholics recognize her bodily assumption into heaven at the end of her life.  Pope Pius XII referenced Psalm 132 to explain the Catholic Church dogma that the "Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory." Mary was exalted above the angels.  Mary, our spiritual Mother and queen of heaven and earth.  As I pray and meditate on the 4th mystery of the Sorrowful Mysteries where Mary is recognized as assumed into Heaven.  I imagine the angels transporting Our Lady into Heaven where Jesus welcomes her home.  In that special moment, when Mary's journey began with the message of an Angel; the angel of the Lord, a spiritual being, bowed down and greeted Mary.  In bowing, the angel honors her as the chosen one of God. The angel, waits for her answer and Mary, filled with virtue, is obedient to God. In the prayer, The Angelus, "she conceives by the Holy Spirit."  She was not afraid, instead she said "yes, be it done to me according to thy word." Our Lady's "yes" begins our journey into the light of Christ, for her "yes" allows the word to become flesh.  Jesus, the Son of God, becomes human.  Father God's love brings Jesus to dwell among us.  "In you is the source of life and in your light, we see light." Psalm 35:10 Jesus living among us, fills us with the desire for God.  As in the Angelus, we ask for the Lord to pour his grace into our hearts.  Pour, to flow rapidly in a steady stream.  This stream of living water, refreshing every soul that is open to receive the outpouring of His love.  Grace upon grace, how gracious and giving is our Lord.  

In Mary's Assumption into heaven, we too are given hope in our own resurrection.  Jesus' promise of Heaven awaits us all.  Mary was the first to welcome Jesus to earth.  Holding him in her arms she gives the infant Jesus her heart.  As the angels accompany Mary into Heaven, Jesus is there to greet her and now it is He who holds her in His arms in a welcoming and loving embrace. O Mother Mary, your purity of heart, and your life of preparation, has exalted you in Heaven, even higher than the saints.  O Blessed Mother, as I reflect on the Assumption, I see the importance of your role in man's salvation.  Although complex, the simple words of Mother Teresa of Calcutta say it all, "No Mary, no Jesus."  

“Mary, who is a human creature, one of us, reaches eternity in body and soul”, said Pope Francis. This is why we invoke her as the “Gate of Heaven”. “There she awaits us, just as a mother waits for her children to come home”.  Pope Francis on August 15th 2019.

“Even though your most holy and blessed soul was separated from your most happy and immaculate body, according to the usual course of nature, and even though it was carried to a proper burial place, nevertheless it did not remain under the dominion of death, nor was it destroyed by corruption.

“Indeed, just as her virginity remained intact when she gave birth, so her body, even after death, was preserved from decay and transferred to a better and more divine dwelling place. There it is no longer subject to death but abides for all ages.” (St. John Damascene, priest and Doctor of the Church, Homily 2 on the Dormition)

July 2021 Meditation

In the tradition of the Catholic faith, July is the month of the Precious Blood of Jesus.  Focusing on the Lord and His passion, one recalls His great suffering. Pondering the blood Jesus shed, a thought comes to mind. What does blood represent?  Blood, this fiery red liquid substance called blood, represents life.  Blood flows through our veins.  Blood streams into the chambers of the heart.  Both blood and heart are in rhythm.  They are together with each beating of the human heart.  The two provide the movement that is needed to keep the rest of our bodies functioning.  Jesus, both human and divine, shares in the movement of the heart.  Jesus’ Sacred Heart is full of love and mercy.  In paintings of the Sacred Heart, he is seen pointing to His heart. His heart is exposed. It is exposed and visible to show us that his heart is on fire for love of us.  As one looks at the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the expression on His face, appears as one of love, peace, and joy.  Moving our eyes to another painting, we see the painting of the crucifixion.  The oil painting shows His Precious blood falling from his face and from his body.  This precious blood spilling out for love of us.  His blood pouring down.  From the top of His head, where He was pierced with the crown of thorns, to the bottom of His feet, pierced by nails, the Lord generous in His giving pours out every ounce of life from his body as a gift for us. As a result of His sacrifice, we are given eternal life. 

But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.  Isaiah 53:5. 

The Precious Blood of Jesus is priceless.  Jesus, courageously suffers for our sins.  He is punished and tortured, though He had done nothing wrong.  He the innocent lamb, with no stain of sin on Him.  His blood poured out to save us from sin.  Jesus, dear Jesus, in your love and generosity, you poured out your blood, you kept not one ounce of your blood for you.  Instead, you poured every drop for love.  Even in what seemed to be the darkest moment for humanity.  Jesus, our Savior and our King, was nailed on a tree to die and hung on the wood to be shamed, to be mocked, to be spit upon.  

In what seemed to be a hopeless moment for the followers of the Way, the darkness could not hide the light.  Light shone down from Heaven, the clouds opened, and the hidden rays of His Divinity touched the world.  These hidden rays were later revealed to many saints, who received the gift to see the invisible.  Saint Faustina, saw the rays of His Divine Mercy pouring out into the darkness.  He is light, in Him there is no darkness at all.  The light came to remove the darkness of sin.  The darkness of evil that lingers heavily in the air, destroying souls, as it contaminates and blinds man in the pool of sin.  After the crucifixion, when all looked hopeless to his followers, Jesus rose from the dead.  Hope returned.  

"I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” John 16:33 

When you are feeling sad, despondent, hopeless, and feel the heaviness of the weight of the world, look to Jesus, look to His holy face and remember his Precious Blood and imagine his blood pouring through you, giving you his healing light.

June 2021 Meditation

“Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in you. Immaculate Heart of Mary be my salvation.”

The Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated the entire month of June in the Catholic Church. Looking at an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, helps us to venerate the beautiful image of Jesus with His heart exposed.  The image shows what appears to be a crown of thorns piercing his heart, a flame and a cross. The Sacred Heart is an expression of Jesus’ love for all of humanity.  Jesus’ love overflows for humanity.  His passion and suffering are the gifts He gave for our salvation.  The heart is known as a symbol of love.  When a heart shape is drawn, one need only look at the heart to know, that the simple heart outlined in pencil represents love.  How much greater love is represented by the exposed heart of Jesus? Seeing His pierced heart, shows the wounds Jesus endured to give us everlasting life.  A gift of total self, for our salvation.

“Consider often that it is only the humble of heart that can enter into the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, converse with Him, love Him and be loved by Him.” St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

“Do not let the past disturb you just leave everything in the Sacred Heart and begin again with joy.” St. Mother Teresa

As devotion to the Sacred Heart spread, so too the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  As Catholics Mary and Jesus are shown together in the many works of art.  They go hand in hand.  Saint Mother Teresa was known to say, “No Mary, no Jesus.”  The mission of Mary and Jesus began the moment Mary said “yes. Jesus’ heart was pierced for our sins, and Mary’s Immaculate Heart was pierced by sorrow, as Simeon had prophesied at the presentation of Jesus in the temple. These two hearts were united by God. 

The image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the fire within her heart demonstrate Mary’s heart ablaze for God and for Jesus.   The roses encircling her heart are a symbol of her suffering. 

“Do you not know, that not only is Jesus, resting and dwelling continually, in the Heart of Mary, but that He is himself, the heart of Mary.”  St. John Eudes

As a result of this same unity, Mary, like Jesus, loves us.  She loves us so much, that in her apparitions, she tries to protect us by making us aware of the pain our sins cause God.  She, being the good mother that she is, warns us about events that will take place, if we continue to sin.  She lovingly asks us for prayer, for conversion and for true contrition of our sins.  In love for her children, she appears dressed in the traditional clothing of the area where she is appearing.

“If you put all the love of the mothers into one heart it still would not equal the love of the Heart of Mary for her children.” – Saint Louis de Montfort

The Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary are two hearts that give great love.  May the two images remain engraved in our hearts to remind us of the love that awaits us in Heaven.

Prayer to the Two Hearts

O Jesus, only son of God, only son of Mary, 

I offer you the Most loving heart of your Divine Mother

Which is more precious and pleasing to you than all hearts.

O Mary, Mother of Jesus, 

I offer you the most adorable heart of your well beloved son, who is the life and love and joy of your heart.

Blessed be the most loving heart and sweet name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the most glorious Virgin Mary, his Mother, in eternity and forever.  Amen.  

By St. John Eudes

May 2021 Meditation

The Catholic Church honors Mary in the month of May.  In the begging of the month, Catholics celebrate Mary by crowning Her statue with a beautiful crown. The crowning, a traditional Catholic practice, recognizes Mary as Queen of heaven and earth.  The statues of Mary represent Her and are symbolic of Her presence.  Mary has been given many titles, but the month of May is most fitting for the titles of: Mystical Rose, Rose Ever Blooming, Lily Among Thorns, Flower of Jesse’s Root; all of these names represent the awaited hope of Spring where new birth begins. Flowers bloom, and all around is new life.  Mary’s “yes,” brought us light, the light of Jesus.  Jesus, the son, shone His perfect light upon us.  For those who believe, Jesus returns believers to the Garden where God the Father first gave life. Like the flowers in Spring, our souls blossom with Jesus.  Believing in Jesus and the promise in Heaven for all eternity brings us hope and joy like no other. There has been an association between Mary and the month of May since the dark ages.We venerate Mary for the following reasons:Mary is Jesus’ mother. She became the first disciple the moment she gave the angel of the Annunciation her yes. 
Mary was the first to follow Jesus.  She took care of Jesus and was with him when he was a child.  When Jesus became an adult, she followed him and heard him speak the Good News.Mary is our spiritual Mother. Jesus gave Mary to us at the foot the cross when he told John, “this is your mother and told Mary this is your son.” Mary loves us so much She gave up Her Son so that we would have eternal life.

There are many other reasons She is honored.  In Her many apparitions, She gives messages of Her concern and great love for Her earthly children.  She protects us from harm and encourages us to do good.  Her apparitions in the month of May help to ignite the fire of love for Mary.  Authenticated Apparitions of Mary in May are the following:St. Catherine Laboure           May 1830 (miraculous medal) 

Paris, France

La Salette, France                 May 1846St. BernadetteOur Lady of Lourdes            May 1858

France

Fatima, Portugal                   May 1917 (Pray the rosary for peace) 
Let us join in by honoring our spiritual Mother Mary.  Let us honor Her in a special way for She gave us Jesus.  Emmanuel, God with us.  Pray the rosary in her honor.  Have images of Mary throughout your home.  Ask for her intercession.  Mary is thrice blessed.   Imagine the graces She brings.  Open your heart to Blessed Mother and She can and does bring you closer to Jesus.“Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much.  You can never love her more than Jesus did.”  Saint Maximilian Kolbe“Love our Lady.  And she will obtain abundant grace to help you conquer in your daily struggle.” St. Jose Maria Escriva‘From Mary we learn to surrender to God’s will in all things. From Mary we learn to trust even when all hope seems gone.  From Mary we learn to love Christ her Son and the Son of God.”  St. John Paul, II

April 2021 Meditation

This month Christians celebrate Easter, the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried and rose again on the third day in fulfillment of the scriptures. He died, so that we would have eternal life.  

On Good Friday, Catholic’s venerate the cross.  Reflecting on the wood of the cross, brought forth images to enlighten my soul.  I thought of Jesus, hanging on the cross, beaten, nails driven through his hands and feet.  Blood pouring from his head to his feet while Jesus hung on the wood of the cross.  Then I saw another image of what the cross had been. The cross had been a tree that had given good things.  The wood of the cross, holding the body of Jesus crucified, had been a tree providing shade to cool someone from the heat of the day.  The tree once had branches reaching up to the sky.  The tree branches moved by the wind provided a breeze to those sitting in the shade.  There had been green leaves sprouting from the limbs of the tree representing new life. The beautiful tree is now the cross where Jesus was lifted to die.  To be condemned to die of crucifixion was a torturous death.  Jesus had done no wrong.  Yet, he was treated like a criminal and was given the same death; to die on a cross. Suffering, pain, sorrow, Jesus accepted His cross, though He was innocent.  By dying on this cross Jesus took on the sins of the world.  He gave up His life to save us from our sins.  I continued to look at the cross, crying, imagining Jesus’ agony, and pain. I thought of the hate driving those nails, into his hands and feet.  The same hate piercing his head, where the crown of thorns dug deeply into his sacred head.  This hate digging deeply into his body creating wounds as if to remove the human body of Jesus.  

Great was man’s hate, but greater was God’s love. Deep wounds but deeper love was given to us, underserving sinners.  Again, I looked at the wood of the cross, and thought, Jesus was both human and divine. When Jesus said,” into your hands I commend my Spirit,” the light of God touched my heart.  For the cross has greater meaning than Jesus dying on it. The cross means He gave himself so that we would have eternal life.  The cross represents the great love of God.  Jesus courageously and lovingly gave up His life.  The wood of the cross again becomes the symbol of life.  The tree of life, like the tree in the Garden of Eden, exhibits God’s presence and fullness of eternal life through God.  Look at the cross; the Sun’s light shines upon it; the sun’s rays serve as the divine mercy of God where there is great hope in the promise of Christ.  

March 2021 Meditation

The Church celebrates the Feast of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on March 19th. Pope Francis declared December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021 as the Year of St. Joseph and 150 years ago in 1870 Pope Pius, the IX named St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church.

Although not much is said about St. Joseph in the bible, we need only look to the story of Jesus to see the characteristics of St. Joseph.  Jesus, the son of God, came into the world as a baby.  A tiny baby needing the protection of loving parents.  Mary and Joseph carried out God’s plan by virtue. The first virtue obedience. Joseph accepted the will of God. His dreams gave him insight on protecting the Holy Family. Four times an angel appeared to Joseph in his dreams and four times Joseph obeyed and followed the will of God. 

In the first dream an angel told Joseph not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, because she conceived by the Holy Spirit. This could be described as the Annunciation to Joseph.

In the second dream, an angel appeared and warned Joseph to flee to Egypt.

In the third dream, an angel of the Lord instructs Joseph to take the young child and his mother to the land of Israel.  The angel said it was safe to go back to Israel.  Herod had died.

In the fourth dream Joseph is warned to not go to Judea.  Archelaus, the son of Herod was reigning in Judea and Joseph went to Nazareth instead.

Pope Francis in a letter writes, “St. Joseph is the special patron of all those forced to leave their native lands because of war, hatred, persecution and poverty.” ….” Consequently, every poor, needy, suffering or dying person, every stranger, every prisoner, every infirm person is the child who Joseph continues to protect….”

St. Joseph has many titles. Patron of the Dying is one of the many titles he holds.  As Patron of the Dying, St. Joseph experienced the grace of being accompanied by Mary and Jesus at his deathbed.  It has been said he died in the arms of Jesus, the son of God, and Mary, the Mother of God was at his side upon his death.  One can only imagine the happiness St. Joseph must have felt having these two holy and pure souls at his side.  St. Joseph, as Patron of the Dying, having experienced peace by having Jesus and Mary at his side; would want others to experience the same grace of dying a happy death.

Another title St. Joseph is given is Terror of Demons and Conqueror of Hell.  When the trials of life overcome you and despair sets in seek the help of St. Joseph.  He was faithful to God and never despaired, instead he focused on the hope of our Savior Jesus Christ.  St. Joseph trusted and loved God.  He obeyed and followed the will of God.  St Joseph is a perfect example of virtue.  Many of the great saints called upon him for intercession.  In these uncertain times, go to St. Joseph and experience his help and protection against any evil that may be tormenting you.  After experiencing his intercession, you too may become a witness, joining the saints and others, giving testimony of St. Joseph’s graces given to him by God for obeying His will and protecting and caring for Jesus, His son.

“Truly, I doubt not that the angels, wondering and adoring, came thronging in countless multitudes to that poor workshop to admire the humility of him who guarded that dear and divine child, and labored at his carpenter’s trade to support the son and mother who were committed to his care.”  St. Francis de Sales

“There are many saints to whom God has given the power to assist us in the necessities of life, but the power given to St. Joseph is unlimited:  It extends to all our needs, and all those who invoke him with confidence are sure to be heard.”  St. Thomas Aquinas

“Be in good spirits under the fatherly mantle of St. Joseph, a place of safest refuge in trials and tribulations.”  St. Joseph Marla

February 2021 Meditation

Psalm 33:4-5        Glorify the Lord with me

                             Together let us praise His name.

                             I sought the Lord and He answered me

                             From all my terrors He set me free.

The year 2021 brings Ash Wednesday on February 17^th.  As we approach the season of Lent with its 40 days, may we open our hearts and our minds to focus on Jesus and His passion.  Take time to pray and to reflect on God’s love and His Divine Mercy. We are loved and graced by God so undeservingly. Yet, God, the Creator, loved each one of us beyond our human imaginations.  The greatness of God’s love allowed Him to sacrifice His only Son, Jesus.

In your moments of prayer, observe the paintings or the sculpted figures of the Way of the Cross.  Each artist depicts the stations in different ways, but look closely, there is no mistaking the pain in the face of Jesus as He takes on the sins of the world.  How can we not glorify the Lord in His pain?  Every part of His body beaten and torn.  Looking at the images, we pray and ask for forgiveness and at the same time give thanksgiving to God, for giving us salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. How can we not be reverent as we sit in the pews looking towards the altar, upon seeing the large crucifix where Jesus is the center of our focus?  How can we not, be reverent looking towards the tabernacle and knowing Jesus is truly present in the Holy Eucharist?  This bread of angels, given to us by God, to feed our souls.  Jesus, both human and divine, is in the tabernacle waiting to feed our souls.  His body, His blood, His Divinity, will soon be consumed in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at the Sacrament of Communion.  A communion that brings us together to praise and glorify God.  We are fed the body and blood that gives eternal life.  The food from Heaven that fills our soul.  Take time every day to speak with your heart to the Lord in prayer.  When we seek Him, it touches His Sacred Heart, for He the patient and loving God is invisibly present at every moment. Invisibly until we pray. Through the prayers of the heart Jesus reveals himself.  To those with faith, we see Him in the silence.  He is seen every morning, in the sun that rises.  He is heard in the wind as the leaves whisper our name.  He is present, in the smile of a friend or stranger.  Jesus can be seen. Yes, even now, in the time of the Pandemic, Jesus is present in the healing and in the dying of our loved ones.  In healing there is grace for those who receive it. When our loved ones die, there is grace for Jesus is also present as we recognize the gift of the brother, the sister, the friend who has gone before us.  Each one, a gift to us from God.  Life, a precious gift from the Creator.  Seek the Lord and receive His gift of peace.  It is in finding Him where we find shelter.  Our fear is lifted when we call His name.  This Lent will you take the time to glorify the Lord with me and praise His name.

JANUARY 2021 MONTHLY MEDITATION  

   “Behold, I stand at the gate, and knock.  If any man shall hear my voice, and open to me the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”  

Apocalypse 3:20 Douay-Rheims

   As the year 2020 comes to an end and the new year 2021 begins, let us put all our focus on our Lord Jesus Christ.  The year 2020 gave us the opportunity to be on a daily spiritual retreat.  As the world became more uncertain, believers became more certain of one important factor, that “without God we are nothing.” 

   The Corona Virus reminded all people of our vulnerability and of our mortality.  Thousands of people died due to complications from the Corona Virus. Yet thousands more survived.  God’s mercy could be seen in the many miracles of healing He performed.  Thousands of prayers were said as people gathered electronically to pray or as more people took the time to pray.  Looking to Christ everyday more people were drawn closer to God.  Each day became a blessing.  Each person became a gift.  God’s mercy was given in the form of peace as we prayed.  

   Living during the Pandemic allowed many to hear the Lord gently knocking on the door of their hearts.  Before the Pandemic, few could hear him knocking.  Now in our littleness His gentle knock was heard and that closed door which had prevented us from sharing our hearts with Him, could now be open to receive His healing love.  Blindness had shut our eyes close and as we lived day after day, we could not see the beauty of God all around.  Now with open hearts the bright sun is welcomed.  We give thanks to God for filling our lungs with air as each new day begins. We can hear the birds sing.  We watch the tree branches as they dance with the wind.  Every sound, every action becomes God’s love song of life. As we stand at the door, breathing in the beauty of God’s love, we reverence the Holy Name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. The name above all names.  Reverence for the Lord deeply engraved in our hearts we recall the letter to the Philippians where St. Paul wrote, “So that at Jesus’ name every knee must bend in the heavens, on the earth and under the earth, and every tongue proclaim to the glory of God the Father: Jesus Christ is Lord” (2:10-11).  

   When with faith, we call on His Most Holy Name, it is then that we are seeking Him and asking for His help.  We call on Him and this act of imploring becomes our love song to Him.  Our song is the song of Need.  We need Him. “For whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved.” Romans 10:13 …In my name they will cast out demons, they will speak in new tongues, they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them, they will lay their hands on the sick and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17-19). 

   As the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast Day of the Holy Name of Jesus on January 3rd, take time to pray with an open heart and in love call upon Jesus and with all your being say, “Bless the Lord, my soul; all my being, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, my soul; do not forget all the gifts of God, Who pardons all your sins, heals all your ills.  

Psalm 103:1-3

   So, in Jesus most holy Name,"Let us pray for the salvation of souls of those who are dying today, those for whom tomorrow will be too late."

December 2020 Meditation

“And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”  Luke 9-11

In our time it is easy to forget that the glory of the Lord “shines around us.”  To focus on “fear” is a quick route to living without hope. Over two thousand years ago, before Jesus’ birth, the people were in great darkness.  Our heavenly Father’s gift of Jesus, had not come. The Psalms spoke of His coming, yet Jesus had not come down to earth.  The world had not received the hope and promise of salvation. We on the other hand have received the gift of Jesus.  We have only to look to Him to renew our hope.  Through our prayers of the heart, we can see the glory of the Lord.  The prayers from our hearts allow us to see the surrounding beauty of the Lord.  These prayers of the heart permit grace to pour down upon our spirit and it is then that we are filled with God’s love.  Our hearts become hearts of flesh open to receive the gifts of God’s divine love. Prayer strengthens us.  We should never neglect our prayers for it keeps us in conversation with God and when we ask Jesus to help us, He fills our soul with consolation and helps us overcome our weakness and sin. The good news of Jesus’ birth filled people with great joy.  As Christians, we live this joy and pass it on.  Jesus brings us the joy of eternal life.  Once again, God opens paradise through Jesus who frees us from sin and death.  God’s glory shines all around us for through Jesus, God made His Divine love known.  When we are called by God to leave the fullness of time, we journey on to the promise of eternity.  “Through the tender mercy of our God, when the day shall dawn upon us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”  Luke 1:78-79

Jesus, our Savior brought the gift of the Father’s love, no matter what happens on earth, the glory of the Lord shines within us and those who believe are graced with peace and joy. The peace and joy meant for all humanity.  Faith in God, helps us in all moments of our life.  Every moment whether of grief or of loss and tribulation, or of happiness or success is a moment to encounter God.  Prayers of the heart allow us to see the glory of the Lord in everything. 

“Dear Lord, flowers may not always bloom for whatever reason, but when a field of flowers is in bloom it is marvelous to behold;

thank you Lord for the dew that quenches the flower’s thirst and allows it to grow;

thank you for the breeze that brings movement to the field, swaying to and fro,

the field, the flowers, appear to be dancing,

the sun has its spotlight on the field of flowers and the movement of colors brings joy to my eyes,

I know it is you Lord, that brings everything to life.

NOVEMBER 2020 MONTHLY MEDITATION

On November 1^st the Solemnity of All Saints, and November 2, All Souls Day the Church remembers the people who have gone before us. - All Saints Day is the day the Church honors and celebrates the faithful triumphant. Saints are the men and women who remained faithful to God throughout their life and received the eternal reward of heaven.The saints are in Heaven, because they are in full union with God, we ask them to intercede for us.  We call out to them by name and ask them to pray for us.  In their love and concern for us they intercede and help our prayers reach the throne of God.

 …..Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

As Catholics, we also believe Blessed Mother Mary will pray for us.  In the Hail Mary prayer, Catholics recognize Mary as the Mother of God and are confident and believe that she prays for her earthly children.  Catholics believe Mary, our Spiritual Mother, helps us throughout our lives but most especially at the hour of our death.  Her intercession is a powerful one.  At the wedding feast in Cana, she turned to Jesus when the wine had run out and said to Him, “there is no wine,” and Jesus responded that His time had not yet come. Yet in her concern for the couple, she looked to Jesus and let Him know that the wine had run out. Mary, knew in her motherly heart, that Jesus would grant her request, therefore she told the servants to “do whatever He tells you.”  The wedding at Cana is where Jesus performs the first public miracle.  He turned the water into wine.  At the wedding, Mary becomes our first intercessor. Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints pray and intercede for us so that we too may receive the reward of Heaven.

On November 2^nd, All Souls Day, the Church prays for and remembers all friends and loved ones that have died. The names of departed loved ones are written and placed in the Book of Life at every Catholic Church. Cemeteries are visited where prayers for the dead are recited.  

“Always pray for the dead.  If deceased persons are prayed for by offering the Eucharist or by any prayer and have no further need of purification, the prayers are not unavailing. The deceased in heaven receive an increase in their intimacy of God’s love and an increase in their own intercessory power.” St. Thomas Aquinas“If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored all rejoice together.” 1 Corinthians 12:26

 Let us raise our eyes, our hearts, and our minds to Heaven.  In this month of November 2020 and the year of the Coronavirus Pandemic, let us remain in faith, hope and love.  In every trial, and tribulation, turn to Jesus.  Surrender.  Give Him your burdens and He will give you rest.  

 “Whoever follows Jesus in this life is welcome where he has preceded us. Therefore, as we visit the cemeteries, let us remember that resting in those tombs are merely the mortal remains of our dear ones who await the final resurrection.  Their souls, as Scripture tells us, are already “in the hand of God.” Wisdom 3:1. Thus, the most proper and effective way to honor them is to pray for them, offering acts of faith, hope and charity.  In union with the Eucharistic Sacrifice, we can intercede for their eternal salvation and experience the most profound communion in the expectation of being together, enjoying forever the Love which created and redeemed us.”  Pope Benedict XVI November 1, 2009).

October 2020 Monthly Meditation

“The Rosary is a long chain that links heaven and earth. One end of it is in our hands and the other end is in the hands of the Holy Virgin…The Rosary prayer rises like incense to the feet of the Almighty. Mary responds at once like a beneficial dew, bringing new life to human hearts.”
-St. Therese of Lisieux
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The Church dedicates the month of October to the Holy Rosary.  The mysteries of the rosary center on the life of Jesus.  Though we pray many Hail Mary’s, the Lord Jesus is the center of the prayer, for Jesus holds a special place in the center of our lady’s heart. Imagine the Angel Gabriel’s great stature and radiating light when he appears to Mary to announce the coming of Christ.  The angel said “Hail, favored one!  The Lord is with you.”  The angel announced that the Lord was with her.  What conformation to hear these words from an angel; favored by God. When the angel tells her the story of how all this will take place.  “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you and for that reason the holy child shall be called the Son of God.” Then Mary responds with her strong “yes” when she says “may it be done to me according to thy word.” Mary’s strong faith and love of God gave her the strength and courage to say “yes.” The moment she responds, is the moment Mary becomes the first believer.  She was the first to set her eyes on Jesus and was the first to hold Him.  In that mother’s heart is divine grace filling her with great love for Jesus.  As we pray holding the chain of the rosary all of heaven joins in our prayers to God.  The angels and saints (the celestial court) connect to the prayers deep within our heart.  Every day as we hold onto the rosary and say our prayers, the mysteries of the rosary become ours.  On Monday’s and Wednesday’s, we live the Joyful mysteries, as we are called to look for hope in Christ.  In the Joyful mysteries we are called to remember the Lord Jesus in our midst.  In these uncertain times, the light of Christ still shines for He gives us peace, a peace that man cannot give.  The gift of peace a true blessing for those who believe.  Mother Mary, full of grace, shares her grace with us.  Before the birth of Jesus, the world was in great darkness.  Today amongst the confusion, words turn to babbling and have no meaning. Protests turn to riots that invade and destroy structure; yet, we are not afraid for the light of Christ is in our hearts and peace dwells within us despite the chaos.  On Tuesday’s and Friday’s, the Sorrowful mysteriesremind us that Jesus gave up His life to give us life.  Our souls live on after death.  The promise of Jesus, to give us eternal life in Paradise, becomes reality.  The Glorious mysteries, are prayed on Sundays and Wednesdays, and remind us that Jesus conquered death.  They also remind us that the Holy Spirit, the Comforter is with us and gifts us with gifts. In the Glorious mysteries, Our Blessed Mother is assumed into Heaven, where we hope to see her when our days will end on earth and begin in Heaven. 

 
“Some people are so foolish that they think they can go through life without the help of the Blessed Mother. Love the Madonna and pray the rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today. All graces given by God pass through the Blessed Mother.” -St. Padre Pio 
On Thursday’s, the Luminous mysteries, call us to evangelize and to proclaim the Kingdom of God.  The Luminous mysteries tell the story of Jesus’ ministry.  Jesus served as healer, teacher, minister and friend.   
After sunset all who had friends who were sick with various diseases brought them to Jesus; he placed his hands on every one of them and healed them all.  Luke 4:40 
We hear, we are living in uncertain times, as Christian believers, we are living.  Living in faith.  Living with the love of the Lord in our hearts.  “Sacred Heart of Jesus, in you I put my trust.”  For every uncertain day, we are certain that the mercy and love of God is here, in this present moment.  Turning to Jesus for everything in prayer.  In sorrow and in joy, He has the power to heal us all.  The prayers of the rosary become the weapon that removes the blindness from our eyes.  The weapon that helps us hear truth in the word of God.  The prayers of the rosary become the weapon that we carry out into the battlefield as we bring the hope and light of Christ to all our brothers and sisters.  Pray the Holy Rosary.  Allow the prayers to unite us to heaven and may peace grow in our hearts as we are strengthened by grace with each prayer.
“The rosary is the book of the blind, where souls see and there enact the greatest drama of love the world has ever known; it is the book of the simple, which initiates them into mysteries and knowledge more satisfying than the education of other men; it is the book of the aged, whose eyes close upon the shadow of this world, and open on the substance of the next. The power of the rosary is beyond description.” – Archbishop Fulton Sheen
“The Rosary is a powerful weapon to put the demons to flight and to keep oneself from sin…If you desire peace in your hearts, in your homes, and in your country, assemble each evening to recite the Rosary. Let not even one day pass without saying it, no matter how burdened you may be with many cares and labors.” – Pope Pius XI

September 2020 Meditation

The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows has been in the liturgical calendar since 1814 when Pope Pius X set the date of September 15^thas the day to honor the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As far back as the 12^thcentury Catholics honored Mary with the title of Our Lady of Sorrows.  In various Catholic countries such as Brazil, Guatemala, Italy, Malta, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, the Philippines and Spain, our lady’s sorrows are also honored through the Friday of Sorrows Feast, held one week before Good Friday.  The Friday of Sorrows focuses on the emotional pain Christ’s passion caused Mary, His mother.  Mary loved Jesus, her Son and with her motherly love she shared in his pain. She suffered with Him.  Mary stood faithfully at the foot of the cross.  The same cross where Jesus’ hands and feet were wounded and pierced by nails.  At the foot of the cross Jesus spoke to Mary and to John.“Seeing His mother there with the disciple whom He loved, Jesus said to His mother, 'Woman, there is your son.' In turn He said to the disciple, 'There is your mother.”(John 19:26-27).In that moment “As Mary now becomes spiritual mother of John, at the same time she becomesspiritual mother of all believers.”  Segalla, Giovanni 449 The image of Mary as Our Lady of Sorrows is most often portrayed with Mary’s heart pierced by a sword, or her heart pierced by seven swords; or as a winged heart pierced with a sword. The swords are usually very long and are inserted deeply into her heart.  Another image of Our Lady of Sorrows is depicted by the many tears on Mary’s face.  The images of Our Lady of Sorrows try to reflect the deep compassion of our Lady for her Son and for us, her spiritual children.In Simeon’s prophecy to Mary, he is giving a glimpse of her suffering but Simeon is also giving a prophecy about the destiny of Christ as well, “and a sword will also pierce your very soul.”The martyrdom of Mary was not caused by the executioners' sword, but proceeded from bitter sorrow of heart.”  St. Bernard of Clairivaux

Mary in sharing the sufferings of her son was united to Him.  Jesus suffered for the sins of the world, though He was sinless.  Mary was conceived without sin.  Both Mary and Jesus gave their compassionate hearts to save us from our sins.  These two pure hearts loved us beyond time.  United in suffering, they willing walked the road to Calvary.  Both mother and son, did the will of the Father....She stood in keeping with the divine plan, suffering grievously with her only-begotten Son. There she united herself, with a maternal heart, to His sacrifice, and lovingly consented to the immolation of this Victim which she herself had brought forth (#58). (The Second Vatican Council in its Dogmatic Constitution on the Church.Mary in her “yes” accepted her mission as mother of the Savior.  By accepting His birth, she also accepted His death.  She received Him in her arms in the joy of birth and received Him in her arms in the sorrow of death.  Both hearts united to accomplish the Father’s will.  Unlike Adam and Eve who disobeyed the Father and brought sin and death to humanity, Jesus and Mary restored the Father’s plan to give us eternal life.  She cooperates in the divine plan of salvation.The tears of Our Lady move human hearts for they are the tears of a loving mother.  In her apparition on September 19, 1846, in La Salette France, in the French alps, Our Lady appeared to two children with a message to give to the world. She wanted her words to be brought to the attention of all people. The first words of Our Lady as she spoke to the children were about her disobedient children. … "If my people will not submit…"Her opening words reflect the message of her Apparition.  Her protest is against sin—and the non-submission of humans to God. At La Salette, Our Lady cried without stopping.  She shed tears for God who was offended by man and she mourned the unavoidable destruction and collapse of her sinful children.  In this time of suffering due to the pandemic and to uncertainty, may we recognize Mother Mary’s love for us. As children of God, may we remember the passion of Christ and His sacrifice for our salvation.  In our acknowledgement of the passion, may we join our tears with Mary’s sorrows as we look to God for mercy. With trust and loving hearts let us say: Jesus, I trust in You! Mother of Sorrows, pray for us!

 The Seven Sorrows of MaryThe Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34–35)The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13)The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem (Luke 2:43–45)The Meeting of Mary and Jesus on his Way to Calvary (traditional)Standing at the Foot of the Cross (John 19:25)Jesus Being Taken Down from the Cross (Matthew 27:57–59)The Burial of Jesus (John 19:40–42)

August Meditation

In the month of August, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven.  Mary, our Spiritual mother joins Jesus, her son, in heaven where she is united with God.  Mary’s union with God helps us to keep our gaze toward our eternal homeland.  In Mary’s Magnificat she magnifies the Lord and having said “yes” she surrenders all to God to give Him glory and honor. In recognizing the Assumption of Our Lady lies the hope that in our humanity we too, like Mary, can reach our heavenly Father by being obedient to His word and by our every effort made to imitate Jesus, our Savior, who suffered and died to give us eternal life.  May our hearts be directed toward God so that we may reach the glory of heaven.

Mary’s Assumption into Heaven was formally declared a dogma of the Catholic faith in 1950 by  Venerable Pope Pius XII “that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever-Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.”

 

Assumption Day celebrates the belief that when Mary died her body was not exposed to the process of physical decay but was “assumed” into heaven and reunited there with her soul.Pope Benedict the VXI, in celebrating the feast day of the Assumption said, “By contemplating Mary in heavenly glory, we understand that the earth is not the definitive homeland for us either, and that if we live with our gaze fixed on eternal goods we will one day share in this same glory and the earth will become more beautiful.” After being assumed both body and soul into Heaven imagine Blessed Mother Mary surrounded by the angels and saints in Heaven.  Being the mother of God and now in Heaven with Jesus, the King, it only seems fitting that she who said, “yes,” would be crowned as Queen of Heaven and of earth.

On August 22^ndthe Church also celebrates the Queenship of Mary. Speaking on the Queenship of Mary, Pope Pius IX said "Turning her maternal Heart toward us and dealing with the affair of our salvation, she is concerned with the whole human race. Constituted by the Lord Queen of Heaven and earth, and exalted above all choirs of Angels and the ranks of Saints in Heaven, standing at the right hand of Her only-begotten Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, she petitions most powerfully with Her maternal prayers, and she obtains what she seeks."



In Luke 1:46-55, the Magnificat or Canticle of Mary, Mary said:My soul magnifies the Lord
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
Because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid;
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed;
Because He who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is His name;……

Truly Mary magnifies the Lord and in being the first disciple of Jesus to say “yes” the lowly handmaid is thrice exalted in grace by the Holy Trinity.  In her Magnificat Mary recognizes the Lord’s power and holiness and declares God’s endless mercy.  Mary’s brilliance in Heaven is the hope and aspiration of all Christians to be in intimate union with God. May we ask Mary for her intercession.  She is our Spiritual mother who through her came Jesus. Jesus through Mary, Mary who was the first to see and hold Jesus.  “Dearest Mother, close to our hearts, we ask, as she carries the infant Jesus in her arms “Can I hold and kiss baby Jesus?”  In the Pieta, as she carries the lifeless body of Jesus who has just died on the cross, we ask, “Dearest Mother, may I help you carry Jesus?  May I weep with you?”

Mary shared in the life of her son.  Like the mysteries of the rosary, in the beautiful joyful moments of Jesus’ birth, infancy and childhood she was present. In the Luminous mysteries, the moments of Jesus’ ministry for the Kingdom of God, Mary was there celebrating his first miracle and the beginning of His ministry.  In the sorrowful moments of His life she was there and wept at the foot of the cross.  In her arms at birth and in her arms in death, the loyal and faithful mother was beside her son. Mary is the example we should follow.  As the Mother of God and our Mother, she helps us on the road to holiness.  With the Angel Gabriel, may we acclaim the Angelus, as we honor Mary, the Mother of God, the Queen of Heaven and our Mother as we say:

Hail Mary full of GraceThe Lord is with TheeBlessed Art Thou among womenAnd blessed is the fruit of your womb, JesusHoly Mary, mother of God,Pray for us sinners now and at the hour ofOur death.  Amen.

JULY 2020 MEDITATION

The Feast of the Most Precious Blood is celebrated by the Catholic Church in the month of July.  The blood of Jesus is described as precious but what is the meaning of precious? Precious is defined as an object, substance, or resource of great value, not to be wasted or treated carelessly.”

 The Blood of Christ is of great value because Christ's blood is the price Jesus paid to save mankind from every type of sin.  Jesus shed a tremendous amount of blood.  For this reason, the Devotion to the Most Precious blood is one devotion dedicated to the seven times Jesus shed blood.  This devotion places the circumcision, when Jesus was circumcised as an infant, as Jesus’ first time to shed blood for the human race.  The second instance is in the agony in the Garden where Jesus sweat drops of blood.  The third is when Jesus bled after the soldiers scourged Him at the pillar.  His body bled from the force of the whips containing metals which tore into His flesh.  In the fourth instance Jesus continues to shed blood when the crown of thorns is forcefully placed onto his head by the soldiers as they mock him.  The fifth time Jesus bled was in His every step on the Way of the Cross; His blood continues to fall.  When Jesus reaches Golgotha is the sixth time recognized by the devotion, when He is crucified and nailed to the cross.  Blood falls as nails pierce his feet and his hands. The seventh and final time is at the end of the passion when the soldier pierced Christ’s side, it was then that this wound pierced His heart. The blood and water that poured out from the side of Jesus is said to be the moment His heart was pierced with the lance.  Imagine being at the foot of the cross and seeing Jesus’ blood pouring from His face and body and onto the cross.  It is a blood poured out in perfect love.

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood” (Leviticus 17:11). Jesus Christ suffered, yet he lived and loved each of us even unto death.  The blood poured from His veins. Jesus freely gave His life and His heart for you and for me.  Jesus’ blood poured out to cleanse us from our sins. “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18).

It was necessary that the Blood of the Son of God be shed to forgive us from our sins. The Blood of Jesus is the only blood that ransoms us from death, reconciles us to God and protects us from all evil.

It is impossible to reflect on the Most Precious Blood of Jesus without recognizing the tears of Mary as joined to Jesus’ blood.  In this valley of tears, Mother Mary hears our prayers.  She is our advocate.  For every wound, every blow and every drop of blood that Jesus shed Mary cast tears.  She suffered His pain.  When Simeon said, 

“and a sword will pierce your soul too- so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.”  Luke 2:35  

Mary’s heart breaks and Our Lady of Sorrows agonizes over the pain inflicted upon Jesus’ precious body. At the foot of the cross Jesus gives us our spiritual mother, Mary.  Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, 

‘Woman, behold, your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his home” (Jn 19:25–27).  

All that took place is according to God’s plan.  Jesus himself had said, 

“This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you” (Lk 22:20). The precious blood of Jesus poured out for all humankind. 

During this uncertain time of the Corona virus, turn to the Most Precious blood of Jesus for help.  Remember the blood that fell from the Crown of thorns. The Lord is near, even now as we carry the pain of the Corona virus in our hearts.  Cover yourself and loved ones with the blood of Jesus.  Give thanks for His sacrifice of love.  There is hope where once there was none.  Jesus died to save us.  Let His light shine in your heart.  Jesus’ heart pierced with a spear, Mary’s heart pierced with sorrow, two broken hearts become united forever.  In the image of the “Pieta”, Mary embraces her son.  She holds the battered body of Jesus close to her with great love and cries tears of sorrow. 

“Let it be done according to thy will, Lord,” she prays.  Looking towards Divine Providence we too join in Mother Mary’s prayer and say, “thy will be done Lord, thy will be done.”

Meditation for the Month of June 2020

“Do not let the past disturb you.  Leave everything in the Sacred Heart of Jesus and begin again with joy.” St Teresa of Calcutta

The feast day in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus has been celebrated and recognized by the Church since 1856, but the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is said to have begun sometime in the Middle Ages.  

The image of the Sacred Heart has been depicted by many artists in many ways, but the one thing the images have in common is the great love Jesus expresses through the designs of the artists.  There is a painting of the Sacred Heart of Jesus by Pompeo Batoni. Batoni’s painting of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of the most famous images of the Sacred Heart.  Batoni’s painting illustrates Jesus holding is heart in his right hand and extending his hand as if to offer His heart to all of humanity.  Every day of every moment, Jesus offers his love to all mankind.  Just as in the painting of Batoni, Jesus extends his hand and offers His heart.  Jesus can be found present in the Eucharist; body, soul and divinity.  He is waiting for us to desire Him.  He desires we not only reach for his heart but that we give our heart to Him.  So great is His love for humanity, that throughout John 17 Jesus prays for us.  

.²⁰ “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹ that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²² I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— ²³ I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17:20-23

Jesus prays to God the Father with all his heart.  In this scripture Jesus speaks of the Father’s love for Him and for us. He wants the world to know, God loves humanity.  God loves each person uniquely.

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, who experienced an apparition of Jesus in 1673, while in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament on the Feast Day of St. John the Evangelist, describes the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  She said, “ “The Divine Heart was presented to me in a throne of flames, more resplendent than a sun, transparent as crystal, with this adorable wound. And it was surrounded with a crown of thorns, signifying the punctures made in it by our sins, and a cross above signifying that from the first instant of His Incarnation, […] the cross was implanted into it […].”

James Kubicki, S.J. in his book Rediscovering the Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, A Heart on Fire , writes, “As you enter more deeply into what has come to be known as devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, I pray that you will become more aware of the Heart that the Lord asks you to receive, that Heart which is and which He desires to unite with your own…..United to the Heart of Jesus, your heart will be transformed, and you will be “filled with the utter fullness of God.”

Through the Eucharist we can become united with Jesus. When we receive the Eucharist Jesus is in our innermost being.  It is Divinity that touches our hearts.  Jesus, in His greatness becomes small.  He becomes small to give us the gift of Himself and of eternal life.  So, Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. John 6:53

In this month, reflect on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and remember the beauty and great love of his Most Sacred Heart.  In a simple prayer with great meaning, pray “Jesus, meek and humble of heart make my heart like yours,”and in the silence of your heart feel the fire of God’s great love.  Jesus is here to nourish and heal every heart that comes to Him. May He bring you peace and joy.

"Every time I hear anyone speak of the Sacred Heart of Jesus or of the Blessed Sacrament, I feel an indescribable joy. It is as if a wave of precious memories, sweet affections and joyful hopes swept over my poor person, making me tremble with happiness and filling my soul with tenderness." ~ Pope John XXIII The Great

MAY 2020 MEDITATION

“Hail Holy Queen Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope….” such are the words from a prayer, said to Our Lady.

The Catholic Church honors Mary in the month of May. It was at the foot of the cross that Jesus gave us our spiritual mother Mary.  When Jesus, therefore, saw his mother and the disciple standing by whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold thy son.”  Then he said to the disciple, “Behold thy mother.”  And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. John 19:26-27.  

As a disciple of Jesus, we too are to take Mary home and thus bring her into our hearts.  Mary is full of compassion and love for all humanity as demonstrated in her messages in history and modern apparitions.  As Catholics we believe that Mary intercedes for us, even at the hour of our death. Every Hail Mary prayed from the lips of her children, becomes a prayer of hope.  With deep belief and sorrow, we say, “Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.  Amen.”

As our mother, Mary hears our words, and hears true remorse for our sins, she as a loving mother intercedes, and brings our prayers before God.  When we look to Mary, she helps us turn from our vices and gently brings us closer to Jesus. Full of grace, her mercy allows us to look towards Jesus, and then in grace, her tears shed for us, touch the heart of God and forgiveness is given by Jesus, who is love and Mercy itself.  As our Mother of Mercy, Mary wants us to turn to the merciful love of Christ. 

During the corona virus pandemic, all people have had time to ponder about life and the meaning of life. Loved ones have died and special moments shared have become a memory.  Even in the loss of human life, our brokenness can bring us into light. In moments of desperation, we can reach out to our spiritual mother, who in turn will bring us before the Divine Physician, whose mercy can heal our wounds. Our celestial mother, brings us consolation for through her intercession, and her great love she is present to see the mercy of God answer our prayers.

St Padre Pio, said,“She is the Mother of mercy, because she bore in her womb the very Face of divine mercy, Jesus, …The Son of God, made incarnate for our salvation, has given us his Mother, who joins us on our pilgrimage through this life, so that we may never be left alone, especially at times of trouble and uncertainty.”

Pope Francis is once quoted as saying, “The gift that Mary bestows in offering us Jesus is the forgiveness which renews life, enables us once more to do God’s will and fills us with true happiness. This grace frees the heart to look to the future with the joy born of hope.” 

Although we are now living through the Pandemic, may we allow Our Mother of Mercy, to help us see there is beauty in every day we are given.  The dawn of a new day, brings hope to a world where in spite of death, there is light and that light is the beauty of Jesus. Direct your heart to Mary in the month of May and see the merciful face of Jesus.  It is then you will experience true peace, for He said: "Be not afraid!"

April 2020 Meditation

'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.'  Proverbs 3:5-6

As Easter Sunday approaches, and this Lenten season draws to a close, and as the world continues suffering with the Coronavirus Pandemic, one can say, we are living the sorrowful mysteries of Jesus’ life. Just as Jesus, our Lord and Savior was crowned with the Crown of Thorns, humanity too is experiencing pain from the thorns of a virus that has been described as a crown by medical experts.  There are those who say we are living in uncertain times, but the Christian places trust in the Divine Providence of God. Although, we may not understand the ways of God, we believe in His infinite goodness.  It is our faith in God that gives us confidence in Him.  His grace heals us from despair, anger and doubt. We find peace in Jesus, our Savior. Believers are never alone for God is in our midst.  

Listening to reports of the thousands of lives lost to the virus, brings many emotions to the surface.  Hearing of people dying without their loved ones nearby can bring tears to our eyes and sorrow to our hearts, but we must not lose hope.  

'And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.'  John 14:3

Jesus assures us with these words.  Trusting in his words, envision Jesus wrapping his arms around the soul who is dying.  Jesus is love. He is with us in our last moments. Jesus brings hope to the lost and to believers.  Recall the good thief, who in his final moments recognizes his sin, and recognizes God, turning to Jesus, he says, 

“Remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  Jesus responds, “today you will be with me in Paradise.” 

Our merciful God loves and gives beyond understanding.  

“He gave up His life that we may have eternal life.” 

Though we rejected Him, He never rejects us.  St. Hildegard of Bingen wrote, “It is easier to gaze into the sun, than into the face of the mystery of God.  Such is its beauty and its radiance."  

God says: "I am the supreme fire: not deadly but rather, enkindling every spark of life.”  

This Easter season, grow in your trust for the Lord by keeping in conversation with God with the prayers of your heart.  Praying with our hearts allows the grace of God to fill us with firm belief in God and helps us to grow in faith.  Having grown in faith, when we say the words, 

“Jesus, I trust in You” 

the words will come from deep within our hearts and the presence of God will bring comfort to our soul.

March 2020 Meditation

Dear Lord,

As I prayed this morning and reflected on the mysteries and prayers of the rosary a thought of Mary came to mind.  Mary was your first human "yes."  She was obedient.  She was the first disciple.  Although the bible does not speak much of Mary, it says a lot about her character. Mary, beloved daughter was mentioned in the most significant moments of Jesus' life.  Heaven spoke to Mary.  In the largeness, and illuminating light of the angel Gabriel, the messenger of God, touched Mary's soul as she lovingly and willingly said, "yes," to Father God; in doing so, she became the Mother of God and the first disciple. Her "yes" enkindled the many other Yes' of the servants of the Lord. Though Mary was favored by the Trinity, she never acted above anyone else.  She was content on being the Mother of Jesus.  She was the first to feel His presence in her womb.  She was the first to lay her eyes upon the God-man. She was the first to hold Him in her arms.  Yet, Mother Mary, silently, lovingly and loyally beside Him never put herself above any disciple of Jesus.  She was an example of "true humility."  She loved Jesus with the human heart of a mother's love.  Mary was with Jesus when He performed His first miracle. Was Mary like John who through the Holy Spirit leaped in His mother's womb?  Mary being the spouse of the Holy Spirit, having been overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, could the Holy Spirit have gifted her with the knowledge of when Jesus should be nudged to fill the empty wine jugs?  Jesus multiples the loaves, the wine, everything He does is to show His love.  It was His love for His mother, and His love for all people that began His ministry. Jesus did not say "no" to His Mother.  He simply said to her, “O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” The jugs were filled. The moment was joyous.  The wine was not only multiplied but was the best to be served at the wedding. Not only does Jesus fill the wine jars, but the Lord fills the heart of everyone He touches.  

Later, after Jesus has healed thousands, after He has proclaimed the Kingdom of God.  After people have followed Him and have been touched by Jesus. After wanting Him to be King, they now march against Him.  They scorn and mock Him.  They have become blinded and can no longer see all the good Jesus did.  They now want Him dead.  Their hearts have been turned to stone.  The human heart, the heart that stayed a heart of flesh, the heart that loved Jesus to the end was Mary.  She watched the people's love turn to anger.  She felt every blow.  She heard the insults.  Yet, Mary remained.  She was at the foot of the cross.  She looked at Jesus, whose face was filled with blood.  She wept.  Her tears were joined with His.  Both Mary and Jesus began their journey with great joy, but at the end of the journey, they both wept.  Divine Love seemed to be lost in the darkness of sin; but Divine Love prevailed.  She weeps for Jesus and she weeps for us. Thousands of years have passed since the crucifixion but every day, humanity throws stones, tears flesh, and does its best to destroy love.  Humanity Our Lady cries for you.  There is no mystery, for after Jesus' resurrection, we were saved despite our inequities.  There is no mystery, for those who love God, know that we are "nothing" we are nothing without Him.  Mother Mary I weep with Thee.  If only your children would turn to Thee, Thou would direct them to Jesus, where the fire of love burns for eternity and we have only to open our hearts and ask for forgiveness to gain the gift of eternal happiness.

February Meditation

This year the season of Lent begins on February 26^th. This same day is known as Ash Wednesday, a Christian holy day of prayer and fasting.  Christians are marked with a cross by ashes placed on the forehead. The symbol of a cross is made with the ashes.  The ashes symbolize penance and mourning.  "Repent, and believe in the Gospel" or "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return, " are the words that are spoken as the symbol of the cross is made on the forehead.  This tradition by the Church originated in the 6^thcentury.  

"We offer you our failures, we offer you attempts.  The gifts not fully given, the dreams not fully dreamt….we rise again from ashes to create ourselves anew." 

The words from the hymn Ashes by Tom Conry, describe the days of reflection for the 40 days of Lent.  The meaning of reflection is:·       To look deep inside oneself.  ·       To ponder, as Mother Mary did, all those things in her heart. ·       To look beyond the surface and to dig deep down into all those moments in our life that are stored within ourselves.  ·       To discover, what the Lord is saying to us.  ·       To discover what the Lord is teaching us.  ·       To listen to the Lord in the silence of our hearts.God desires we give Him our hearts. Jesus, the Son, gave up His life in love for us and for our salvation.  If Jesus, the Son of God, can offer up His life, so that we might have eternal life, why can't we give our whole heart to Jesus?  ….."Return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping and moaning return to the Lord.  Joel 2:12   Tears from an open heart, are tears from a soul, whose eyes have been opened to see the truth of their sin.  To follow Jesus, one must imitate the ways of Jesus.  The life of a Christian is one that works on holiness daily.  Yes, we fall, but with Christ, "we rise again."  "I can do all things in Him who strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13.   Jesus yearns for our hearts.  In the book, The Imitation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, by Fr. Peter J. Arnoudt, S.J., Jesus states, 

"Thy heart, Child, is Mine.  For, when it had no being, I created it; when it was lost, I sought and ransomed it; when it lay an easy prey to the enemies that were going to carry it off, I protected and preserved it.  Thus, by giving Me thy heart, thou dost only give Me what is Mine."  

Jesus gave up His life for us.  In His final moments, hanging on the cross, so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta understood these last words of Jesus.  She said, 

"I thirst" is something much deeper than Jesus just saying "I love you."  Until you know deep inside that Jesus thirsts for you- you can't begin to know who He wants to be for you.  Or who He wants you to be for Him."  

On that Holy Cross, Jesus felt the longing of every soul who searches to be fulfilled.  

“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”  St. Augustine's Confessions   

Jesus is an endless fountain of mercy and love.  He gives, He offers, He pours Himself, there is no end to His love. Blood and water poured from His side while on the cross.  This Lenten season give your heart to Jesus.  He will do the rest.  Jesus is the grand physician.  He holds the power to heal every broken heart.  But for your heart to mend and for healing to begin, your heart must be open to receive God's amazing grace.  

"Give, then thy heart to Me, Child; I will fill it with peace, and with gladness, and with bliss….The Imitation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

January Meditation 2020

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.” Psalm of David Psalm 103:

The Catholic Church celebrates the Holy Name of Jesusin the month of January.  The name of Jesus means “God saves.”  To those who believe in Jesus' message, Jesus is Savior and Lord.  Christians honor, revere, and bless the Holy Name of Jesus. For many Christian hearts, saying the Holy Name of Jesus, brings hope and love.  In Scripture, an angel revealed the name of Jesusto St. Joseph in a dream.  

"She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."Matthew 1:21

Upon hearing the Holy Name of Jesus, Christiansare reminded of how He died for us and how in dying He gaveus eternal life. 

"But he was pierced for our sins, crushed for our iniquity. He bore the punishment that makes us whole, by his wounds we were healed." Isaiah 53:5   

Jesus gave up His life for the sins of every human being.  Jesus bore a human heart that contained a Divine love that is merciful and endless. The human heart has limitations, but a Divine heart is love itself.  In St. Faustina's diary #367 Jesus said, 

"My Heart overflows with great mercy for souls, and especially for poor sinners. If only they could understand that I am the best of Fathers to them and that it is for them that the Blood and Water flowed from My Heart as from a fount overflowing with mercy."  

St. Alphonsus de Liguori, wrote, 

“A name of love.  For the name of Jesus brings to our remembrance all the sufferings which Jesus has endured for us in His life and at His death.” 

The Holy Name of Jesus conveys the great loveFather God has for us. God in giving us Jesus, shows the Lord’s great mercy for all His children. The Holy Name of Jesus is a powerful one; in the name of Jesus, demons are cast out, people are healed, the lame can walk, people are protected, and many graces and blessings are received.  St. Bernardine of Sienna and St. John of Capistrano were devoted to the Holy Name of Jesus.  Both saints would carry a monogram with the letters IHS, to represent Latin words meaning “Jesus, Savior of Mankind.” The Holy Name is so powerful that the name itself becomes a prayer.  Jesus beads are a devotional tool and are used to recite the Jesus Prayer.  The Jesus Prayer originated in the Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches. The strand of beads known as, Chotki can contain 100 beads or 25. The beads are used to pray a silent breath prayer, on inhalation "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God" and on exhalation "have mercy on me, a sinner.” This is also known as the Prayer of the Heart. When one stops to think of the many graces and blessings received by saying the Holy Name of Jesus, it is hard to understand why there are those who do not invoke His Holy Name and implore His divine mercy.  Instead there are those who blasphemy and ridicule the name of Jesus.  If only they would take a moment to listen to the music that flows from our lips when His name is spoken with reverence and with love. Taking time to utter His name in the silence can move a soul to conversion.  Happy are those who find comfort and consolation in the name of Jesus for their souls are filled with the grace of God.  The Holy Name of Jesus, is a name above all names, 

^"so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth," Philippians 2:10

DECEMBER 2019 MEDITATION

For today in the City of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manager.  And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:  Glory to God in the highest….Luke 2:11-14
This December and every December the Church celebrates the Divine Infancy of Jesus.  Jesus, our savior is born on Christmas day.  Even before time began, Jesus' mission is to rescue all of humanity from sin and to bring us back to God.  In the Nicene creed we pray, …"I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth of all things visible and invisible."  The invisible cannot be seen by human eyes, but as people of faith, we believe the invisible is all around us.  At Jesus' birth, let us open our eyes to see the army of angels surrounding Him. Angels live to praise and give glory to God. The Holy angels surround us and are invisibly present.  They are sent by God to guide us and protect us from all evil. When our eyes go astray from God, the angels work to bring our vision back to the Creator of Heaven and earth.  Given "free will" we can choose to follow God or to turn away from Him.  When we focus on God, Christmas becomes a time of great hope and of great light. In our busy, noisy world, let us stop to reflect on Jesus' birth and the meaning of God's gift of salvation.  Walk with me as we slowly walk towards the manger where Jesus is laid.  For generations, there has been the loss of hope.  Darkness has hardened the hearts of men. Now we walk together, the path of life is bright, and our hearts are beating quickly, as we experience everlasting joy.  The closer we get to the manger, the more our hearts are filled with joy.  Together we can see the infant Jesus.  At that moment, the invisible has become reality and we can see and hear the angels sing.  The greatest of lights has touched our souls.  Birth represents new life.  This tiny child, Jesus, has given meaning to our lives.  God's words have become living words, for as we see baby Jesus, we experience transformation.  "I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts.  I will put my spirit within you and make you live by my statutes, careful to observe my decrees.  You shall live in the land I gave your fathers; you shall be my people, and I will be your God."  Ezekiel 36:26-28   We kneel in front of baby Jesus.  The light upon us is bright.  Looking at Mary, we ask to hold Him.  She smiles and says "yes."  Then as each one of us picks him up, to bring Him closer to our hearts, the longing desire to have Him near becomes a must.   Holding him close to our hearts, the greatest of loves begins.  Jesus becomes the light of our world.  The desire, the longing, to have Him near, is like a fire in our hearts.  Our hearts have become natural and we surrender them to God as He melts and molds them for the good.  Blessed Mother Mary, carried Jesus in her womb.  If we in a moment can experience His grace, how much more has her soul been blessed by grace, as she has carried Him for months inside her womb.  Outside of the womb, she has held Him.  She has touched and kissed Him and with her voice has sung to Him.  We can only imagine the many songs of praise that passed her lips.  In this month of December, may the joy of Jesus fill your hearts, and may your hope remain here on earth and throughout eternity.  The grace of Faith has set us free.   All glory and honor to the Most Holy Trinity.

….I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,

the Only Begotten Son of God,

born of the Father before all ages.

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;

through him all things were made.

For us men and for our salvation

he came down from heaven,

and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,

and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,

he suffered death and was buried,

and rose again on the third day

in accordance with the Scriptures.

He ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory

to judge the living and the dead

and his kingdom will have no end.

who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.

NOVEMBER 2019 MEDITATION

As Catholics, we believe we make up the Body of Christ and are in communion with each other.  As members of that communion, we pray for one another.  We together make up the Communion of Saints recognized as:  The Church Triumphant (souls in Heaven), the Church Suffering (souls in Purgatory) and the Church Militant (souls on Earth).  We believe we are always in communion even when we pass from this world.  November is the month the church devotes to the Holy Souls in Purgatory.  

November 1^st is the day the Church celebrates Mass for all the Saints, and November 2^ndis the day the Church holds Mass for all those who have died. 2 Macabees 12:46 states, 

" a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins." 

Notice the word "holy".  We pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Holy is defined as "dedicated or devoted to the holy service of God."  The Lord has asked us to pray with our hearts, and in that same love we are asked to pray for the dead.  It is said, when we die, we are unable to pray for ourselves.  The Holy Souls can pray for us and they do.  Since they can no longer pray for themselves, we are asked to pray for them.  St. Catharine of Bologna, said, 

"….God makes our prayers known to them; and then they, full of charity, most assuredly do not omit to pray for us."  

Many saints have made known to us that our prayers help the holy souls in Purgatory.  St Catherine of Genoa was known to say, "Purgatory is a stepping stone to Heaven."  Purgatory is temporary, while Hell is eternal.  The Holy Souls in Purgatory are assured of Heaven, they are simply waiting to be purified by our prayers and by God's mercy.  "…the souls in Purgatory have an assured hope of seeing Him and of being entirely satisfied; and there-fore they endure all hunger and suffer all pain until that moment when they enter into eternal possession of this bread, which is Jesus Christ, or Lord, our Savior, and our Love." St. Catherine of Genoa.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church 1030-1032 states, "All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of Heaven."  The Holy Souls in Purgatory have a great pain while there, that great pain is the separation from God.  St Catherine of Genoa described Purgatory as the burning love of God, in whose flames souls are purified from every stain.  In her document Treatise on Purgatory she wrote, "

"In Purgatory the flames incessantly consume it (the rust of sin) and as it (the rust of sin) disappears, the soul reflects more and more perfectly the true sun who is God.  Its (the soul's) contentment increases as this rust wears away, and the soul is laid bare to the divine ray, and thus one increases and the other decreases until the time is accomplished." 

 St. Catherine also states God is all mercy and his open arms are ever extended to receive us into His glory.  She also writes that when every stain is burned away, the soul is brought to the highest perfection…..

"nothing of herself remains, and God is her entire being."  

There are those who say, Purgatory is a gift from God.  For as 2 Macabees 12:44-46 when describing Judas and the expiation for the dead states;

"for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death. But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to reset in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought.  Thus, he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from sin."  

Our prayers our powerful, this November take time to pray for the repose of souls of all your friends and loved ones.  Offer Masses, your Holy Communion, and your sufferings and sacrifices for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory who are unable to pray for themselves.  The kind acts you offer for these souls will help to bring them in full union with God.

OCTOBER 2019 MEDITATION

The month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary. It is said, Our Lady appeared to St. Dominic in 1206.  St. Dominic had been praying diligently in his fight to combat Albigensian heresy, a dualistic belief.  Albigensians saw the universe as a struggle between good and evil.  They believed that the physical world was evil. To the Albigensian the good God came from the New Testament and the bad God came from the Old Testament. They even believed the God of the Old Testament was Satan. Albigensians identified the Christian church as evil.  St. Dominic fought against that heresy and Our Lady, gave St. Dominic the rosary as a weapon to fight this heresy.  Later in the 15th century, Our Lady, appeared to St. Alan de la Roche.  In deed the rosary is a powerful tool against the forces of evil. In Mary's many apparitions she has given loving words of comfort, and hope.  Our Lady of Fatima on May 13, 1917 in her first apparition said, "Pray the rosary every day to obtain peace for the world and the end of the war."

When we pray the rosary with our hearts, then one can easily turn the prayer into a contemplative prayer.  Pope Gregory, I, said, "The greatness of contemplation can be given to none but those who love."  St.  Pope John Paul, II, in his Apostolic letter, Rosarium Virginis Mariae to the bishops, clergy and the faithful, on the Most Holy Rosary said, "The Rosary, though clearly Marian in character, is at heart a Christocentric prayer. In the sobriety of its elements, it has all the depth of the Gospel message in its entirety, of which it can be said to be a compendium. (2) It is an echo of the prayer of Mary, herperennial Magnificat for the work of the redemptive Incarnation which began in her virginal womb. With the Rosary, the Christian people sits at the school of Mary and is led to contemplate the beauty on the face of Christ and to experience the depths of his love. Through the Rosary the faithful receive abundant grace, as though from the very hands of the Mother of the Redeemer."  

Like St. Therese of Lisieux, the rosary can be prayed as a prayer of the heart, when we focus on the life of Jesus. She said: "For me prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned towards Heaven; it is a cry of recognition and love; embracing both trial and joy."  Yes, when we look towards heaven, Mary is the Queen of angels. She is graced threefold, by the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Maryexceeds the angels in the fullness of grace.  St. Thomas Aquinas wrote, "…. very fittingly is she called “Mary” which means “in herself enlightened”: “The Lord will fill your soul with brightness” [Is 48:11]. And she will illumine others throughout the world for which reason she is compared to the sun and to the moon."  Mary who carried Jesus in her womb, is closer to God than all the choirs of angels. As Queen of Angels, the angels obey Mary with great angelic love.

Again, looking towards heaven, the angels are present in all the mysteries of the rosary.  In the joyful mystery of the nativity, the angels proclaim to the shepherds in the field, watching over their flocks at night. Luke, Chapter 2, "An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favorrests."

In the Luminous mysteries, in the Baptism at the Jordan, heaven speaks, when the Holy Spirit appears in the form of a dove.  In the Sorrowful mysteries, Father God, sends an angel to console Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and beyond the rosary, God the Father in His love for us assigns a Guardian angel to us at birth and/or conception.  Great is the love of Heaven for humanity.  In the Glorious mysteries, at the Resurrection of Jesus, two angels announce that the Lord has risen and as the Queen of Angels is assumed into Heaven, the angels too accompany her and are present as she is crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth.

Pray the rosary with your heart and the Lord may speak to you as never before.  Join heaven and pray the rosary together with the holy angels and saints, “Make friends with the angels, who though invisible are always with you. Often invoke them, constantly praise them, and make good use of their help and assistance in all your temporal and spiritual affairs.” St. Francis of Sales. 

The month of October is the month of the Holy Rosary.  May the mysteries of the life of Jesus Christ, Our Lord, open your heart to receive many graces.  May the friends of Heaven, angels and saints, and Our Lady strengthen your prayer before the throne of God.  

“Go to the Madonna. Love her! Always say the Rosary. Say it well. Say it as often as you can! Be souls of prayer. Never tire of praying, it is what is essential. Prayer shakes the Heart of God, it obtains necessary graces!” Padre Pio. 

“The Rosary is the most beautiful and the richest in graces of all prayers; it is the prayer that touches most the Heart of the Mother of God. If you wish peace to reign in your homes, recite the family Rosary.” Pope Saint Pius X. 

September Meditation

The Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows on September 15th.  To get a better insight of this celebration, let us reflect on the words, and on the image of Our Lady of Sorrows. First, we must define sorrow.  Sorrow is a feeling of extreme anxiety, pain, anguish, suffering, torment and heartache. Now, let us we go back in time to the crucifixion where Jesus, her son, has died on the cross.  Mother Mary was at the foot of the cross.  She felt the hard wood of the cross where her son had given up His life in reparation for our sins. 
Seeing Mary as Our Lady of Sorrows means Mary's heart is aching. "Mother, did you tremble, when you felt his wounds?  You were present at His birth, and now at the foot of the cross you are present at His death. Had I been with you Mother, your sorrow would have become my sorrow too.  For in your heart Mother dear, you felt Jesus' pain, and agony and I cry with you.  I understand the sorrow in your sigh and in your tears."
Even in those moments when we are blind and lost, Mary is near and ready to direct us to Jesus.   Mary truly is mother.  
“If you ever feel distressed during your day—call upon our Lady—just say this simple prayer: ‘Mary, Mother of Jesus, please be a mother to me now.’ I must admit—this prayer has never failed me.”   —Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
From the beginning when Mary heard the words of the angel Gabriel, she trusts in the Lord with all her heart. She stands firm in her faith until the end when she gives up her son.  A good mother helps her children to set their sight on God. Amidst the pain and suffering, Mother Mary turns to God for consolation.  Like Ruth in the bible, Mary is true to her son and remains faithful despite her sorrow.
Ruth 1:¹⁶ But Ruth said: "Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God.  ¹⁷ Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The LORD do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me."
As I look at the image of Our Lady of Sorrows, I look at Mary's face, and focus on her tears.  Tears fall from her eyes.  My heart goes out to Our Blessed Mother.  The tears flow down from her eyes to her face, where her face reveals a heavy sadness.  
"Dear Mother, I am most certain that the flame is your love."  Still observing the image, "I see the seven swords, as they pierce your heart.  The wounds of your heart are inflicted as deep as the nails on the hands and feet of Jesus."  Mother and son suffer.  The two hearts are forever joined together.  The Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary are two hearts set aflame with love.  

1Corinthians 13:13…So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
From the beginning to the end of Jesus' life, Mary is there and places Jesus in her arms. The first placement of Jesus in Mary's arms is filled with joy.  Here she holds an infant who is hope for the world.  The final placement of Jesus in his mother's arms is when Jesus is taken down from the cross. Mary holds the lifeless body of Jesus where all hope seems to be lost.  The final sorrow is greater than the first joy of holding baby Jesus in her arms.  Mary's suffering is a great example of sanctity of suffering.  
Yes, Our Lady of Sorrows cries, she cries for her son and for her earthly children.  Sin is prevalent in our world.  Yet, when we repent of our sins, and cry tears of sorrow for our sins, it is then that Mary's sorrow turns to joy.  In the moment we repent, it is then that we return to God.
1 Peter 2:25 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
²⁵ For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and ^[a]Guardian of your souls.
In preparation of the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows on September always remember the Feast of the Holy Cross to understand the close connection between Jesus' Passion and Mary's Sorrows.
Prior to the Feast of the Sorrows of Mary, reflect and pray on the Seven Sorrows of Mary listed below.  Mary stood at the foot of the Cross where her son Jesus was nailed to the tree.  Her soul was pierced by the sword of sorrow as Simeon had foretold. May Mary's seven sorrows bring you closer to her son, Jesus Christ.

1. The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)

1. The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)

1. Loss of the Child Jesus for three days (Luke 2:41-50) 

1. Mary meets Jesus on his way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-31; John 19:17)

1. Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-30)

1. The body of Jesus being taken from the Cross (Psalm 130; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31-37)

1. The burial of Jesus (Isaiah 53:8; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42; Mark 15:40-47)

August 2019 Meditation

Thoughts on Creation By Maricela Navarro Svoboda
Creation.
Every day is a new day.  At dawn I hear the birds sing.
There is one bird that sings louder; one bird that sings above the others; one bird that sings many songs.
I believe it is the Mocking Bird
His songs are joyful.
I imagine the little bird singing loudly and joyfully to God.
Giving thanks for another day.  Thanks for the morning.
His song awakens with the dawn and at sunset his song rests.
I listen to that tiny bird and his song is beautiful.
This one little bird stands out above the rest.
He leads me to believe as I say my prayers to God; As I sing to God; that
God sees only me and sees my open heart and then God gifts me with His Divine Love.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Use this tiny speck to bring others to my Lord.
Just as the bird adds to the beauty of the new day; so
Does my prayer of the heart add light to the light of Day.
Creation.
Grand and awesome.
I a tiny speck in this huge universe the Lord created. 
What an awesome God.
A God who loves me so very much that He fills the depth of my soul.
This tiny speck is lifeless without Him.
My Lord and My God.
Tears of joy run down my face
Only you, O Spirit of God, could touch my heart in such a way.

Magnificent Lord
Thank you for the earth and all created things
All a wonder and joy to behold.
The wind, the trees rustling branches and leaves;
The streams glistening and flowing making ripples
As the water flows from the stream to the river
Small is the stream and how much larger is the river?
I am a tiny speck in the great wonder that is the Universe.
For God is Creator
In this time and every day, He gives
I bow down to worship, praise, and thank our generous, merciful, and loving God
The God who made me
In the fullness of time I enjoy everything the Lord has made and makes
At the end of time, where and when time ceases to exist, I will go before the Lord; 
There my soul will sing praises unceasingly to the Most Blessed Trinity
On earth I find my rest in Him and hope in the promise of the Kingdom of Heaven
Where Father God, Jesus, my Savior, and the Holy Spirit will wrap my soul in their eternal embrace.

JULY 2019 MEDITATION

“Don’t hold yourselves cheap, seeing that the creator of all things and of you estimates your value so high, so dear, that He pours out for you every day the most precious blood of His only-begotten Son.” St. Augustine

The Church dedicates the month of July to the Precious Blood of Jesus. Jesus shed His blood as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity, so that we would be saved. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24).

In the Gospel of St. Luke, it is written, that on the night before He was to be crucified, while in the Garden of Gethsemane, His sweat became like droplets of blood.  In His Divinity, Jesus knew all that He would endure at the hands of man. In His humanity, Jesus was overcome with tremendous anguish and sorrow. At the crucifixion, the wounds inflicted on His body by the large nails, penetrated through His hands, feet and side.  So great was the anger, and sin of man, that man's brutal force pierced through His body.  Jesus, the innocent lamb, tortured, and hung on a cross to die. His crucifixion was an execution designed for criminals and most evil of men.  An innocent man, a man without sin, crucified for all to see.  He gave His life and shed His blood to free us from all sin.  His love, is the greatest love poured out.  He shed blood for the gift of eternal life.  His crucifixion is a love offering of forgiveness.  Jesus said, “This is my blood, which is shed for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins.” The Precious Blood of Jesus washes our sin away. “These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14).

How powerful and necessary it is for us to regularly meditate on the five wounds of Jesus Christ! It is the most efficacious way to get closer to our Savior and appreciate what He did for love of us.

St. Bernard of Clairvauxsaid in a homily "Where can the weak find a place of firm security and peace, except in the wounds of the Savior? Indeed, the more secure is my place there the more he can do to help me."

"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends."John 15: 13  The blood of Jesus poured out in atonement for our sins. Even the angels take part in this sacrifice and are depicted in paintings as collecting the blood of Jesus in a chalice.  In the Holy Eucharist we receive the body, blood, soul and Divinity of Jesus.  The Eucharist is also recognized as the bread of heaven or bread of angels.  A holy bread that calls for the Father's mercy.  A holy sacrifice, the spilling of the Son's blood for the forgiveness of our sins.  

“This blood, when worthily received, drives away demons and puts them at a distance from us, and even summons to us angels and the Lord of angels. This blood, poured out in abundance, has washed the whole world clean. This is the price of the world; by it Christ purchased the Church." St. John Chrysostom

JUNE 2019    MEDITATION

When I gaze upon the image of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, 1 Corinthians 13: 13, comes to mind:  So, faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love. New American Bible

The month of June is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and on June 29^th, the church celebrates the Feast Day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

During this month, take time to look at an Image of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.  Close your eyes for a moment and venerate Jesus' burning love for you.  Open your eyes and look directly into the image and focus on His pierced heart.  Thorns encircle his heart and drops of blood can be seen.  Flames are above the heart and above the flames is a cross.  In the center of Jesus' chest is His Sacred Heart surrounded by light.  A light that seems to pour out beyond the image.  Gazing at His heart, and then looking beyond His heart, looking up to see His face; the image of His face reflects peace.  The grace of peace He gives to those who take time to be still and gives graces to those who ponder the powerful image of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. When one looks at the image as a whole; the rays of His holiness burst forth.  Jesus is surrounded by rays of light.  Jesus is both divine and human.  In the human heart are stored emotions and feelings of affection.  His divine and human heart beats with unending love for us. Look to Jesus and find His Divine love. Open your heart to receive the holy love of Jesus that creates love in the human heart.  

"I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies, your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts." Ezekiel 36:26   

Jesus is full of compassion.  He waits for us to desire His sacred fire so that we may be consumed with His love. God's love is flowing from the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He sends His grace to give courage to the fearful, to purify us from our sins, and sends graces of salvation.  In 1673-1675, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque received visions from Jesus and His wishes to establish a special feast day to honor His Sacred Heart.  On May 8, 1873, Pope Pius IX, formerly approved the devotion.  Pope Leo XIII, twenty-six years later July 21, 1899, recommended that bishops throughout the world observe the Feast Day and approved several indulgences for the Sacred Heart Devotion.  On the First Friday of every month, the Church also recognizes the Sacred Heart of Jesus and through this devotion, offer reparations for sins. 

In honor of His Sacred Heart carry a picture of this image with you.  When you feel abandoned, lonely, misunderstood, and/or depressed.  Look at the image and recall how much He loves each one of us.  He died on that cross for you and me.  Meditate on His burning love.  "Love one another, as I have loved you." John 13:34   Jesus, who suffered and died for us, is always ready to console us.  He was beaten, tortured, spit upon, scourged, crowned with a crown of thorns, and pierced with nails on his hands and feet, and then hung upon a cross to die.  All for love of us.  Yet, He yearns to console us; the very people who condemned Him unjustly to the Cross. He offered the ultimate sacrifice, he died for us out of an abiding love, a love that never ends.  Yes, take time to gaze upon the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  Take time to be perfected in His love. His wounds represent His suffering love.  Take time to enter His wounds and discover the mystery of the Divine heart of Jesus. A treasure to behold.

"Most High and glorious God,

Lighten the darkness of my heart

And give me sound faith,

Firm hope and perfect love…."St. Francis of Assisi

Dear Lord, may those who are dying and those who will die today, prepare a resting place within their hearts for the Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, so that the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, may rest in peace.

May 2019 Meditation

"Mary, Mother of Jesus be Mother to me now." St.  Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Mary is our spiritual mother. Most people describe a mother's love as unconditional and everlasting.  A mother's love is a special love and is a bond between a mother and her children. In the month of May when the flowers are in bloom, and the earth is full of life; it comes as no surprise that the Catholic Church celebrates May as the month of Mary.  Mary the Mother of God is honored by the Church.  The most prominent Marian feast days in May are:

·      May 1            Queen of Heaven

·      May 13          Our Lady of Fatima

·      May 24          Mary Help of Christians

·      May 31          Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

Mary, the Queen of Heaven, was joyful when the mystery of Jesus in the Resurrection was fulfilled.  Her joy was and is in Jesus.  Mary was the first to gaze upon Jesus at his birth.  Her earthly children turn to her to seek Jesus in her arms, and to partake in her love of Jesus.  Mary is the perfect model of faith and love. A mother's instinct is to protect her children. As the brothers and sisters of Jesus, we are faith filled and turn to Mary for protection and lovingly ask for her intercession.  Mary is the woman chosen by God, to crush the head of the serpent.

And the Lord God said to the serpent: She shall crush thy head….and the dragon was angry with the woman.

Mary hears the prayers of the faithful and truly serves as protector of her earthly children.  Saint John Paul, II, said, "From the time when the disciple took her to his own home, the mystery of the spiritual motherhood of Mary has been actualized boundlessly in history. Motherhood means caring for the life of the child.  Since Mary is the mother of us all, her care for the life of man is universal."

Yes, May is the month of Mary.  She is honored by the Church with many titles of devotion and acts of devotion.  One such act is to honor Mary by crowning a statue of Mary.  It is most commonly known as a May Crowning.  The crown may be adorned with colorful flowers to represent Mary's virtues and beauty.  

The Catholic Church also honors motherhood in the month of May. This May 12^this Mother's Day.  It is a day where the gift of motherhood is recognized and appreciated. A mother's love is giving.  It is a love from deep within the heart that gives beyond self.  A mother's love brings us growth and with the seed of love planted deep within the child's heart, they in turn pass on that love to others and it is then God's love is made known and His gifts are outpoured.  

Pope Francis words about Mary said in the Basilica of St. Mary Major, on May 4^th2013, describe Mary best;

"Mary's whole existence is a hymn to life, a hymn of love to life; she generated Jesus in the flesh and accompanied the birth of the Church on Calvary and in the Upper Room.  …Mary is the mother who gives us health in facing and overcoming problems, gives us health to make us free to make definitive choices; the mother who teaches us to be fruitful, to be open to life and to be always fruitful in the good, fruitful in joy, fruitful in hope, to never lose hope, to give life to others, physical and spiritual life….this we ask for all of us: give us the health that you alone can give us, to be ever a sign and instrument of life.  Amen."

O sweet mother, pray for us now and for those who are dying. 

April 2019 Meditation

At the Last Supper, when Jesus said to his Apostles, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me” (Lk 22:19);it was then that The Most Blessed Sacrament was first presented.  Jesus consecrated the bread and the wine.  The bread became the Body of Christ, the wine, His most precious Blood.

It is no surprise that the Catholic Church dedicates the month of April to the Blessed Sacrament.  Throughout Lent, Christians focus on Jesus’ suffering and His death.  He shed His blood, to give us eternal life.  At every Catholic altar, a Crucifix is placed at the center, as a sign of the great love God has for us. Jesus Blood, poured from his wounds to save us from the fires of hell.  The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass recognizes Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, and Catholics come to form a deeper union with Jesus. The Holy Eucharist is truly a mystery.  It is a mystery because, although invisible, Jesus is present, body, blood, soul and divinity in the Most Holy Eucharist.  When we receive Jesus in the Sacrament of Holy Communion, we receive God’s grace. Catholics join at the Supper of the Lord, and after receiving Him in Holy Communion, we take time to thank, praise, and adore Him. We speak to Him through the prayers of our hearts.  The gift of the Holy Eucharist is so special that the Church celebrates Mass daily. Holy Communion is where we receive Jesus and all of the grace that God wants for us. The Eucharist is the mana, the mysterious food for our soul. As our bodies needs food so likewise, our souls. 

St. Peter Julian Eymard, the Apostle of the Eucharist, said, “The holy Eucharist is Jesus past, present and future… It is Jesus sacramentalized… Blessed is the soul that knows how to find Jesus in the divine Eucharist, and in Jesus Hostia everything else”. 

All Catholics should strive to be like St. Peter Julian Eymard, who in the Eucharist found God’s great love expressed. He believed that through prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, a person grows in their appreciation of the Mass and the value of Holy Communion.He believed, having the Blessed Sacrament exposed highlights the Real Presence of Jesus, and attracts people to prayer and to adore Him. In some Catholic Churches, Eucharistic Adorationis dedicated one day out of the week, while Perpetual Eucharistic Adorationis the devotion of adoration of Jesus Christ present in the Holy Eucharist 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  

Jesus was crucified on the cross as a sign of His great love.  Let us spend an hour with Him to show our great love for Him.  May we reverence Him with prayers of praise and thanksgiving. May weremember Jesus and how He suffered; may we remember the hope of Heaven, that one day we too may join Jesus in His kingdom. May we unite ourselves with Jesus so that we live our daily life in hope that the Holy Spirit will help and guide us to do the will of God.

The Angel of Portugal, in Fatima, taught the three children prayers of Adoration and Mercy to the Holy Trinity. This beautiful prayer is not from human wisdom but came straight from God.

Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore You profoundly, and I offer You the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifference with which He Himself is offended. And through the infinite merits of His most Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg the conversion of poor sinners. Amen.  

“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.” (John 6:54-57).

“Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of the Holy Eucharist which is the gift of yourself, body, blood, soul and divinity, May those who are dying and those who will die today, partake of the graces that flow from the Blessed Sacrament, so that they receive the gift of being in your presence in the Halls of Heaven.  Amen.”

March 2019 Meditation

Saint Joseph, the Foster Father of Jesus is honored during the month of March by the Catholic Church.  Although, not much is written in the bible about St. Joseph, what is written in the Gospel of Matthew tells the story of Joseph and the four messages he received from God through his dreams.  Joseph's actions based upon the messages in the dreams, highlight his virtues of obedience, faith and trust in God.  Had we received these four messages in a dream today, would we have been as quick to do the will of God?  The four messages from God to Joseph tell of the following: in the first message, Matthew 1:20-21, Joseph has faith and believes in the angel sent by God; when the angel proclaims that Mary conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph trusts the message and marries Mary and is obedient to God in the plan of Salvation. In the second dream, Matthew 2:13, an angel appears to Joseph once again, and warns him to flee to Egypt. Joseph believes in the message and flees to Egypt.  In the third dream, Matthew 2:19-20 Joseph is told by an angel of the Lord, that it is safe to return to Israel.  In Matthew 2:22, the 4^thdream, because he was warned that Herod's son was reigning in Judea, Joseph departs to Galilee.  Joseph's obedience and trust in the Lord not only protected him, but also kept Jesus and Mary safe from harm. The messages of God from the angels to Joseph are a perfect example of God's love for humanity. St. Joseph served the Lord, and like Mary, Joseph was chosen by God to carry out His plan.  

To be chosen by God for such an honor brought abundant graces to Joseph.  St. Joseph is known as the advocate of the dying.  It is believed St. Joseph died in the arms of Jesus and Mary.  Joseph received a blessing to have died in the arms and physical presence of the Holy Ones of God.  There is no question to have died in the arms of Jesus and Mary, brought Joseph the gift of peace and love.  It is no wonder, that St. Joseph is also known as the Patron Saint of a Happy Death. For the blessing of Jesus and Mary, continue to flow through St. Joseph and onto us at our death.  St. Alphonsus Liguori believed "Jesus loved St. Joseph, as a father and a friend, for this reason, St. Joseph's mediation is more effective than any other saint.  He was with Jesus and Mary at his death, their presence obtained St. Joseph special power against evil spirits especially at the hour of our death."  

Pope Francis, made more known, the devotion of putting our written prayers under the statue of the sleeping St. Joseph. Through St. Joseph's dreams and the messages sent by God, St. Joseph lived in true faith and obedience of God.  Since Joseph allowed the Lord to guide Him, we too, can ask for his powerful intercession and example by practicing the Sleeping St. Joseph devotion.  God chose Joseph to be the protector of the Holy Family.  We too should call upon St. Joseph for protection.  St. Bernadine of Siena, in Father Donald Calloway's book, St. Joseph Gems, is quoted as saying, "O Blessed Joseph, be ever mindful of us; give us the benefit of your powerful prayers."   In the same book by Father Calloway, St. Thomas Aquinas, said, "Some Saints are privileged to extend to us their patronage with particular efficacy in certain needs, but not in others; but our holy patron St. Joseph has the power to assist us in all cases, in every necessity, in every undertaking."

Many references have been made by the earlier saints regarding St. Joseph's powerful intercession. Popes of the Church, such as Pope Leo the XIII, Pope St. John Paul, II, and Pope Francis also have called upon St. Joseph for intercession and have recognized the special graces St. Joseph received as the chosen Foster Father of Jesus. With the example set by St. Joseph and his love for the Holy Family, let us call on His protection at this moment in time when the conjugal family is being attacked and is on the verge of disappearing all together. May the intercession of this powerful saint, help to keep families together as the unit they were initially designed to be created by God.

Go, then to Joseph, and do all that he shall say to you;
Go to Joseph, and obey him as Jesus and Mary obeyed him;
Go to Joseph, and speak to him as they spoke to him;
Go to Joseph, and consult him as they consulted him;
Go to Joseph, and honor him as they honored him;

Go to Joseph, and be grateful to him as they were grateful to him; Go to Joseph, and love him, as they love him still.

- St. Alphonsus Liguori

February 2019 Meditation

The Church dedicates the month of February to the Holy Family.  Jesus, Mary and Joseph comprise the Holy Family. When I look at pictures or statues of the Holy Family, I can't help but to ponder on what the artist is depicting.  Upon taking a closer look, one can't help but notice, the kind embrace and love Mary is portrayed as having in her role as the Mother of God. She holds Jesus gently in her arms and close to her heart.  Alongside Mary is Joseph, the Foster Father of Jesus; he too is depicted as standing close to Mary and Jesus. Looking at pictures and the statues of the Holy Family, even closer, it is quite evident that the baby Jesus is the center of their focus.  The Lord God, our Creator, has an order to things. In the book of Genesis, the first book of the bible, where the first story of creation is told, it is written, 

"God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them.  God blessed them saying "Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it."  Genesis, 1: 27-28.  

In Genesis, 1: 31 it is also written, "God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good…"  

The Holy Family is the perfect example of the Spirit and virtues all families should aspire to fulfill; with Jesus as their focus, it is a reminder to all Christians, that God should be at the center of our lives for that is where holiness is planted.  Like the seeds in a garden, family life requires work; loving work. Taking time from ourselves to water the seeds, to remove the weeds, is how we learn to love one another. In the garden called family, lies the fruits of our sacrificial labor. In surrendering ourselves to the needs of the people closest to us, we as people learn and live the virtues strengthening us in God's call to holiness.  St. Pope John Paul II, said it best, when he said, 

"The family, more than any other human reality, is the place in which the person is loved for himself and in which he learns to live the sincere gift of self."  

In our world today, the traditional family, is fading away.  The order that the Lord established and makes known in His Holy Word, is being erased.  Man is changing what the Lord first established. As Christians, we must encourage the traditional values and morals the Lord, himself created.  The sacrament of marriage between a man and a woman is the created order that the Lord in His magnificence and wisdom setup for humanity. In our world today, we hear that there is a growing concern about the low birth rate occurring among various countries throughout the world.  The news reports indicate that fewer babies are being born along with fewer Church marriages taking place. Could it be that the greatest virtue is disappearing? 

…So, faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.  1Corinthians 13:13  

February is the month of the Holy Family may we strive to be more like the Holy Family within our own families.  "Everything God had made was good", living with the Spirit of the Lord, may we share His gifts with others so that our world can grow in goodness and in love.  These virtues are from the Lord, sharing them helps to nurture the hearts of his children bearing "good fruit" and sends God's much needed graces to restore our souls and the world.

Love is patient, love is kind.  It is not jealous, love is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek to its own interests, it is not quick tempered; it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Dear Holy Family,
May your love touch the hearts of those who are dying and those who will die today.  By your example, may their hearts be transformed so that they may live in the Presence of God for all eternity.  

Amen.

January 2019 Meditation

The Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord on January 6^th commemorates the adoration of Jesus by the wise men (magi) from the East.  The arrival of the Wise men, bearing gifts for the infant Jesus, initiated the Feast of the Epiphany and with that first spark they lit the flame for all the world to adore Christ.  To adore means to worship, glorify and praise.  When we prayerfully worship, glorify and praise God, we enter the depths of the heart where the virtue of love has been rooted.  The magi come to Jerusalem to pay homage to the newborn King.  Epiphany is derived from the Greek word epiphainen meaning "to shine upon or to manifest." The visit of the Magi, Jesus' baptism and the Miracle at Cana are three events where the Lord manifests himself. 

The wise men searched for the infant.  They were guided and led by a star to the place of Jesus' birth.  In adoration, the wise men prostrated in prayer before the infant child.  They brought him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh; with these gifts they honored him as the Divine King whose kingship was revealed through the words of a prophet:

"and you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel." Matthew 2:6

May we search our hearts with determination, to find Jesus in our lives.  May Jesus, the treasure of our heart, bring His light to the world through our words and actions . May our beloved Lord, be adored, honored and praised  in all the tabernacles of the world now and forever! 

Although Jesus was born long ago, he continues to live in us.  He brings us love and hope.  An image or statue of the Madonna, with the infant Jesus, depicts the love of a mother for her child.  Mary carries the baby in her arms, and gazes at Him.  In the image, one sees the gentleness and tenderness of Mary.  Blessed Mother in love and honor said yes to God.  The handmaid of the Lord in prayer pondered all things in her heart.  Mary's Immaculate Heart holds that same love for all her children.  "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee…"Mary carried Jesus in her womb.  Truly the Savior was and is with her.  Mary brings us closer to Jesus. In her motherly love, she intercedes for all her children even "at the hour of our death."  The magi brought gifts. Father God sent us the treasure from heaven, Jesus.  Yes.  Let us worship and adore Him.  Let us give the gift of our heart and may our voices join with the angel's song of adoration, as together we sing the Gloria to our newborn King.  

Dear Lord Jesus, Light of the World,  illumine the hearts of those who are dying and those who will die today.  May Mother Mary become the dawn as she brings the coming of a new day in the birth of Jesus.  May Jesus and Mary touch the hearts of those who are dying so that they may receive everlasting life.  Amen.

December 2018 Meditation

During the Advent season, the Sacrament of Penance is generously offered by the Church and is easily available for those who seek to partake in this Sacrament.  Advent is a time of preparation for our souls and an Act of Contrition said directly from the heart, prepares us to receive Christ worthily on Christmas Day. Through God's merciful love and by His grace, we receive the blessing of Jesus in our lives.  For Christians, when Christmas Day finally arrives it is a time to celebrate and to recognize the first coming of Jesus Christ. Emmanuel, "God with us, " becomes a meaningful reality.  The rising Sun becomes a Son that lights the new dawn. As the title of a song by Marty Haugen states "My Soul in Stillness Waits," we too, silently and reflectively wait for "our only hope of glory," Jesus Christ.  Advent is also a time to reflect on the second coming of Jesus.   1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy. Jesus Christ fills us with His light.  He prepares our souls and our lives for His second coming.  1 Thessalonians 3:13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. Therefore, in preparation for the birth of Our savior, let us increase our prayers and good works.  

Fasting can take us to gratefulness and helps us to truly enjoy the most awesome Feast Day of Christmas.  Scripture informs us that the world waited for the Messiah to save mankind and to restore man's relationship with God.  This Advent season let us count our blessings. The miracle of Christ's birth has restored our relationship with God, Our Father.  Let us celebrate, Jesus' birth, life, death and resurrection, for He has redeemed us, and once again our true home, Heaven is accessible and welcomes us.  The gift of eternal life awaits us.  Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Lord, is our new morning; the angels sing His glory and His praise forevermore.  Gloria in excelsis deo, Glory to God in the Highest.  "We worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Glory to God in the Highest and peace to his people on earth." May the infant Jesus live in your heart today and always and may faith, hope and love remain in you and keep you true to follow in the ways of Christ.   

Dear Lord, May our Sweet Mother Mary be with those who are dying today and with those who will die in this Advent season.  May the words of her Magnificat be in their hearts.  May she help them encounter God with the same joyful adoration of her heart. "My Soul Proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my Spirit rejoices in God my Savior."  In the most Holy Name of Jesus, we pray, 
Amen.

November 2018 Meditation

“We have loved them during life; let us not abandon them in death, until we have conducted them by our prayers into the house of the Lord.” St. Ambrose (d. 397)

The Catholic Church during the month of November recognizes and honors the Holy Souls.  The Church begins the liturgical calendar of November with the celebration of the Solemnity of All Saints on November 1st.  All Saints Day is a holy day of obligation.  On this day the Church venerates all the saints who have been recognized by the Church and honors all the faithful who are now in Heaven.  All Saints Feast Day began in the 4th century; it was a day to commemorate Christian martyrs.  All Saints Day serves as a reminder of how we are all called to live a life of holiness. 

 “The Saints are not supermen, nor were they born perfect.  They are like each one of us.  They are people, who before reaching the glory of heaven, lived normal lives with joys and sorrows, struggles and hopes.  What changed their lives?  When they recognized God’s love, they followed it with all their heart without reserve or hypocrisy.  They spent their lives serving others, they endured suffering and adversity without hatred and responded to evil with good, spreading joy and peace.  This is the life of a Saint.” Pope Francis, All Saints Day 2017

The following day, November 2nd, the Church commemorates all those holy souls who have died, and those Holy Souls in Purgatory.  Catholics believe Purgatory as a “purification.”  The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines purgatory as a "purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven," which is experienced by those "who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified" (CCC 1030). Catechism 1031 notes: "this final purification of the elect . . . is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.”

In our prayer for the dead, “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.  May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace,” we petition to God to let our loved ones have perpetual light.  We petition for their soul to be at peace. 

Masses are offered, through our request, for the repose of the soul of our loved one who has died.  Our hearts call out to God with the hope of eternal life for our faithful departed. 

Throughout the ages, our many petitions for the dead have touched the hearts of composers, who have turned our prayers for the dead into beautiful music in the Mass for the Dead, known as the Requiem.  Composers have been moved and inspired to write beautiful music from the heart and to touch the heart.  Since medieval times to modern day, composers wrote music for Mass for the Dead. From Wolfgang Mozart’s Requiem in D Minor in 1791 to Franz Von Suppe’s Requiem in D Minor in 1855.

The many beautiful melodies for the Requiem Mass have touched the hearts of many.  It is a prayerful music which unites our souls with the communion of saints in the sacrifice of the Holy Mass.  As the music plays, and believers listen, the beauty of the music’s sounds expresses our love for those who have gone before us.  The musical notes written by the composer, seem to soar to heavenly heights as if to describe the soul of the departedas it prepares to be released into the eternal home that our soul longs for since birth. Listening to music written for the dead can lead to moments of various emotional highs and lows.  But most importantly, listening to the music can lift our hearts and prayers to God as we pray for our loved one to be eternally in the Presence of God.

Dear Lord,

We pray for those souls who are dying and for those who will die today, may their souls be at peace with God and may they be filled with the Holy light of God.  The Light of God that heals all wounds and guides us to our heavenly kingdom, where peace and joy live on throughout eternity.  Amen.

October 2018 Meditation

The Church devotes the month of October to the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Spreading this devotion has been attributed to three saints.  The first is St. Dominic de Guzman from the 12th Century, Blessed Alan de La Roche from the 15th century, and St. Louis de Montfort from the 18th century.  It is said St. Dominic used the prayers of the rosary to destroy heresy, while, Blessed Alan de La Roche was told in a dream that Mary had instructed St. Dominic to spread the devotion.  In Blessed de la Roche's dream, Mary said to Dominic, “If you want to reach these hardened souls and win them over to God, preach my Psalter.” The Psalter is the prayer from the angel Gabriel when he greeted Mary in the annunciation with the words, "Hail Mary full of Grace." St. Louis de Montfort believed in the power of the rosary so much so he wrote, “If you say the Rosary faithfully until death, I do assure you that, in spite of the gravity of your sins you shall receive a never-fading crown of glory. Even if you are on the brink of damnation, even if you have one foot in hell, even if you have sold your soul to the devil as sorcerers do who practice black magic, and even if you are a heretic as obstinate as a devil, sooner or later you will be converted and will amend your life and will save your soul, if — and mark well what I say — if you say the Holy Rosary devoutly every day until death for the purpose of knowing the truth and obtaining contrition and pardon for your sins.”
The prayers of the rosary when said with faith, hope and love unite us with our Blessed Mother, the holy angels, saints and all of Heaven.  When the rosary prayers are said with the heart, the rosary can make love visible. In 1917 this love was made visible when the Blessed Virgin Mary is reported to have appeared to three shepherd children in Fátima, Portugal.  Our Lady was seen by Lúcia dos Santos, Francisco Marto and Jacinta Marto.  Prior to the appearance of Our Lady, the Angel of Peace, had appeared and instructed the children on prayer and on how to pray.  In the beginning of Our Lady of Fatima's apparition, unlike Lucia and Jacinta who could see Mary, Francisco could not see Our Lady. Lucia then said to Mary, “Francisco wants to see you too."  Blessed Mother said to Lucia, “Tell him to say the Rosary, and he will see me.” Francisco desired to see Our Lady and prayed the rosary as instructed.  To Francisco's amazement, after saying a few Hail Mary's, he too could see Our Lady surrounded in brightness and love.

Amazing things happen when we open our hearts to God.  Christians say their prayers daily.  They speak to God with formal prayers and in conversation, yet for some, praying the traditional Catholic prayers of the rosary, does not come easy.  In fact, there are Catholics who avoid praying the rosary altogether.  However, every day they pray, brings them closer to praying the rosary.  Strengthening and building up their daily prayers, seems to prepare them for that special day when their hearts and minds have grown into the scenes of the mysteries of the rosary.   Where praying has become contemplative prayer, they begin to live the rosary and discover the joys, sorrows, glories and the luminous events of the life of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.  There are other times, when by making a promise of praying the rosary daily, to Our Lady and asking for her intercession, they experience a miracle.  Such is the case of a wife, who not fond of praying the rosary, one day asked for a miracle.  Her husband, had been ill with pneumonia for several weeks and was told by a medical doctor that he was in the last stage of pneumonia.  On her knees, she prayed.  She asked Our Lady to intercede for her husband.  She promised Our Blessed Mother that if her husband was cured, she would pray the rosary daily.  Low and behold, where things seemed impossible, and death was near, her husband was healed.  This happened over 30 years ago, she has not stop praying the rosary every day.
  The rosary has become a beautiful prayer with the vivid colors of life; joy, sorrow, light and glory.
St. Josemaria Escriva wrote, "The holy Rosary is a powerful weapon. Use it with confidence and you'll be amazed at the results."

The next time, you hold a rosary in your hands.  Remember you are not praying alone.  All of heaven is praying with you.  The prayers of the rosary for penance are reminders of God's great mercy and love.  Imagine.  Every prayer said on a bead, becomes a rose being offered up to heaven.  Imagine, the tears in your heart being offered to God as an offering of love as you share in the sorrows and joys of Jesus and His mother.  As your hands feel that first bead, it becomes a connection to heaven and as you say each prayer, the angels and saints are united with you.  The unity of your prayers with heaven makes prayer a powerful weapon.  The prayers of the rosary form a beautiful crown of flowers.  A crown filled with the sweet scent of love created by the prayers of your heart.   Our Lady and the angels lovingly and humbly present your crown of prayers before the throne of God.
"The whole purpose of the Rosary is to lead to this deep experience of Our Lady, who together with Jesus breathes the Spirit into us."- Thomas Keating
 
Dear Lord,
I pray this rosary for all who are dying and for those who will die today.  May my prayer create a special rose of love for each soul who is dying and for each soul who will die today.  May the sweet aroma of love and compassion in my prayer reach the halls of heaven.  May a door in heaven be opened to receive each child you created.  In your merciful love, dear Lord, hear my prayer.  Amen.

September 2018 Meditation

The Catholic Church believes, man together with the angels worship the Lord.  It is only right, that in honor of the angels, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Archangels Gabriel, Raphael, and Michael on September 29thand dedicates Monday's to the Holy Angels of God. The importance of angels by the Church is noted in The Catechism of the Catholic Church, a reference guide on the Church's statement of faith, and of Catholic doctrine attested by Sacred Scripture, Apostolic Tradition and the Magisterium of the Church:  "The wholelife of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of the angels."  In the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, in preparation of the gifts, the Priest says, "together with the angels we acclaim, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord, God of Power and Might, Heaven and Earth are full of your Glory Hosanna in the Highest, Blessed, is He who comes in the name of the Lord."

In the bible, the archangels, these holy spirits of heaven each have a mission assigned by God and are protectors and messengers of God.  When St. Gabriel appeared to Mary, Luke 1:30, his words were, "…Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God's favor. St. Raphael, in the Book of Tobit, 12:17, also says…"Do not be afraid; peace be with you.  Bless God forever."  It would seem the powerful angels of heaven, produce fear in the human heart.  Yet their message is reassuring, when they state, do not be afraid.  In both statements above, to God is given much glory. These angels of God, on a mission, work to unite us with God.  St. Michael, in the book of Daniel, 12:1 is described as the "great Prince, defender of your people."  In the Prayer to St. Michael, as written by Pope Leo the XIIIth, the prayer states "St Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle.  Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil…." In this prayer, we cry out to St. Michael to protect us against the evil one.   St. Michael in the Liturgy of the Mass is said to be the angel who leads the souls of the faithful departed into heaven. In all these instances, the Archangels, are described as heavenly friends sent to us by God.  The passages in the bible, and the prayers give us assurance of God's heavenly help.  The messengers of God come to our assistance through the will of God and His love for us.

Even the Archangels names signify power.  Gabriel, means:  God is mighty, God is my strength, the strength of God.  Raphael, means: God heals or the Divine Healer or Medicine of God. Michael wars against Satan his name means: Who is Like God?  He is the Prince of the Heavenly Hosts and Chief Warrior angel.  All three Archangels were given extraordinary missions. Only three names of Archangels were revealed in Sacred Scripture.  The traditional number of archangels is seven, however, only three names were revealed in the Bible.  In the non-canonical book of Enoch, the four names of the other angels are provided.
The angels of God carry out God's plan.  They act as instruments of God.  They work in the goodness of God.  St. Raphael, in the Book of Tobit, was sent by God to cure and comfort the senior Tobias and Sara. He blessed young Tobias' marriage by instructing the couple to pray and instructed them on how to attain moral perfection. When his mission is complete he reveals himself as an archangel of extraordinary light and beauty.  He says to both father and son, " I am the Angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord….now bless the Lord on earth and give thanks to God."

Yes, together with the Holy angels we worship and glorify God.  In a childlike way, one can say, the angels are our friends.  We have much to learn from them about holiness.  The archangel Gabriel's message brings the greatest joy to mankind in the Annunciation.  He announces the coming of Christ and gives the world hope.  St. Raphael, protects and guides Tobias and gives heavenly moral advice.  He returns Tobias home safe and sound to his family.  St. Michael, protects God's people and is a warrior for God.  He fights the invisible battle between good and evil. The angels and archangels are invisible to the human eye, yet they are very much at work in the battle for souls. In our limited human capabilities, we may not see the angels of God, but knowing that the Lord has sent them to aid us on our way to the heavenly kingdom is a kind act of love from God to his earthly children.  Heaven is at work and all of God's angels work on the human heart to unite both man and angel in the praise and glory of God.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for giving us your angels as guides and companions on our spiritual journey.  Please send your Holy angels to comfort the dying and those who will die today.  May the souls who are dying be given the infused gift of spiritual sight, so that they may see the light of Your love in these heavenly spirits. May the angels wipe away the tears of fear, and replace them with the peace of Christ, as these souls are given a glimpse of the Kingdom of Heaven through the love of the angels of God.  

Amen.