Though the human heart is very poor, at times dark, cold, inhabited by animal passions, and just as the infinite and Holy God was pleased to be born into a cave in the rock of Bethlehem, dark, cold, in the company of the ox and ass, so may he be pleased to born anew into our hearts this Christmas that the poor may rejoice once again at the unspeakable kindness of God and the Angles may glorify the Lord.
Merry Christmas and may the Holy Family of Nazareth accompany your family throughout the new year.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
The Woman and Her Child - The Sign of Divine Fruitfulness of Redemption
Today's Mass Readings for December 19
The Woman shall bear a Son. This is THE sign of scripture, of the first proclamation of the Gospel given to Eve in Genesis 3:15, the promise of the Messiah in Isaiah of the Virgin who will name her child Emmanuel in Isaiah 7:14, and the last book of Scripture with the Woman whose child is born in the heavens in Revelation 12:1. From cover to cover the Scriptures talk about it. It is one of the most common artistic depictions, one that we need to ask the Holy Spirit to paint on our hearts - the Woman and her Son.
It is also an icon of the barren being made fruitful since a virgin conceived the God-man, those who were thought to be humiliated with lifelessness are now fertile.
If we are not honest with ourselves and live cloaked in a mask of presumption we will say with the spirit of the world, "I am a good person, I haven't killed anybody, and I try to be nice to everybody." We won't be able to admit that we are barren. We do not know how to love the way God does. We are very very poor. We don't have really any humility, faith, virtue, or merit. That is when God comes to us in our emptiness and fills us to overflowing with HIS fruitfulness, his Son. Only the Woman can give him to us just as only was by the Virgin Mary that he was born. The Mediatrix of the Nations, She who gives Christ to poor hearts must obtain for us the great grace of the Savior.
May Mary's image, holding the babe who will save the world from death and infertility, be painted on our hearts that we may turn and be made worthy to receive Christ the Lord in a new way this Christmas.
Behold the Face of God Made Man, the Face of the Baby in the Womb
Listen to my homily for today:
Mass Readings for Today, the 4th Sunday of Advent.
And the Word became a zygote and dwelt among us
Jesus Christ the Lord became a tiny embryo and thus united himself to all embryos to show that their dignity is just as sacred at the first hour of conception as the rest of the nine months they spend in the womb. The clarification of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith issued in 2008 entitled, Dignitatis Personae, outlines bioethics in relation to embryos and scientific research.
“Thus the fruit of human generation, from the first moment of its existence, that is to say, from the moment the zygote has formed, demands the unconditional respect that is morally due to the human being in his bodily and spiritual totality. The human being is to be respected and treated as a person from the moment of conception; and therefore from that same moment his rights as a person must be recognized, among which in the first place is the inviolable right of every innocent human being to life”Each embryo, especially because Jesus Christ himself was an embryo at one point in his human growth, has the same dignity accorded any human person.
By virtue of the simple fact of existing, every human being must be fully respected. The introduction of discrimination with regard to human dignity based on biological, psychological, or educational development, or based on health-related criteria, must be excluded. At every stage of his existence, man, created in the image and likeness of God, reflects “the face of his Only-begotten Son…Therefore any infringement of this dignity of persons in embryonic level of their growth is a grave moral evil that must be stopped.
In vitro fertilization is an infringement of this dignity not only because
1. "The process of in vitro fertilization very frequently involves the deliberate destruction of embryos" but also because it has the tendency toFor this reason it must be said that intracytoplasmic injection is also gravely immoral. However,
2. "dissociate procreation from the integrally personal context of the conjugal act: human procreation is a personal act of a husband and wife, which is not capable of substitution."
Techniques which assist procreation “are not to be rejected on the grounds that they are artificial. As such, they bear witness to the possibilities of the art of medicine. But they must be given a moral evaluation in reference to the dignity of the human person, who is called to realize his vocation from God to the gift of love and the gift of life”There are many kinds of great medicine that are artificial and totally moral and excellent aids to man living out his vocation.
Other offenses against the dignity of embryonic life of man includes:
-cryogenic preservation of embryos (freezing)It must also be held that genetic therapy or manipulation on embryos to produce a desired personal trait is also gravely immoral. That is not to say that the use of adult stem cells or gene therapy upon adults compromises any ethical laws, but can greatly advance medical science as a means of healing man's ills in a completely ethical way.
-human cloning
-embryonic stem cell research
-hybridization of man with other animal species
-intraceptive and contragestative processes that compromise the life of the embryo or cause abortion (processes that interfere with implantation of the embryo on the uterine wall or other kind of interference)
May Our Lady help us to answer the call to defend the dignity of each and every single human person from the moment of conception to natural death.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Raise a Glad Cry, Break Forth in Jubilant Song
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| 26 week old fetus smiling. Jesus rejoiced in Mary's Womb |
Mass Readings for Today.
This weeks readings show us how to perpetually remain in the joy of God. This does not mean our joy will not be accompanied by the rest of life's sorrows, pains, irritations and frustrations. It simply means that joy is primary.
If we, like the sinners and tax collectors in the Gospel for today accept the plan of God, we will find joy. If we do not, like the Pharisees and lawyers, we will find only the pain of not following God's plan. God is pure joy - a holy communion of joyful love of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. His plan is to bring us up into this joyful communion and share it with all.
Our Lady, the Immaculate and joyful Heart of Mary, can obtain for us the gift of true joy.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
You Can Decide Today to Be A Joyful Person Forever
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| Jesus and Laughing Baby by Jean Keaton |
Listen to my homily for Gaudete Sunday:
If you have trouble listening click here.
Ingredients for being a joyful Christian:
1. Humility - Accept with St John the Baptist, "I am not the Christ" I am not God. Can you make the sun rise and set? God can. Let God be God and you be his creature. Recognize his authority and accept the gift of life he has given you.
2. Humility - Accept the truth of who you are - one who is loved by God, whom he created out of nothing, whom he chose for baptism and continues to chose to gift his Body and Blood in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
3. Humility - Accept life as it is and you will find that it is pretty good. God has given you so much. Even if you have suffered something you have not suffered in vain or alone. God has never abandoned you and never will.
Notice that humility is made up of two vitamins:
VITAMIN A - ACCEPTANCE
VITAMIN T - THANKGIVING
Take plenty of these vitamins every day for lots of JOY.
God love you. Rejoice and don't stop until 15 minutes after your dead. Then you can rejoice eternally with God.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Consecration to Jesus Through Mary: DAY 33
Reading:
Imitation: Book 4, Chapter 11
Of the Necessity of Communion
O sweetest Lord Jesus, how happy is the devout man who feasts at Your banquet, at which there is no other food but Yourself, his only Lover, most desired of all that his heart can desire!
How deeply I long to pour out my heartfelt tears in Your presence, and like the pious Magdalen, to wash Your feet with them. But where is such devotion in me, such copious shedding of holy tears? Surely, in Your sight, and before Your holy angels, my whole heart ought to be inflamed and weep for joy: for I have You with me truly present in this Sacrament, though You are under another form. My eyes could not bear to see You in Your own divine brightness, nor could the whole world stand in sight of the splendor of Your majesty. In concealing Yourself in this Sacrament You have regard for my weakness.
True Devotion; Nos. 261-265
We must do our actions in Mary. Our Blessed Lady is the true terrestrial paradise for the New Adam, and the ancient paradise was but a figure of her. In this earthly paradise we have riches, beauties, rarities and inexplicable sweetness, which Jesus Christ, the New Adam has left here; it was in this paradise that He took His complacence for nine months, worked His wonders and displayed His riches with the magnificence of a God. It is in this earthly paradise that there is the true tree of life, which has borne Jesus Christ, the Fruit of Life, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil, which has given light unto the world. There are, in this divine place, trees planted by the hand of God, and watered by His Divine Unction, which have borne and daily bear fruit of divine taste. It is only the Holy Spirit, Who can make us know the hidden truth of these figures of material things. The Holy Spirit, by the mouth of the Fathers, also styles the Blessed Virgin the Eastern Gate, by which the High-Priest, Jesus Christ, enters the world, and leaves it. By it, He came the first time. He will come the second, by it.
Finally, we must do all our actions for Mary, we must take her for our proximate end, our mysterious means, and our way to go to Jesus Christ. Supported by her protection we must undertake and achieve great things for Christ. We must defend her privileges, when they are disputed. We must stand up for her glory when it is attacked; we must draw all the world, if we can, to her service, and to this true and solid devotion. We must pretend to no recompense for our little service, except the honor of belonging to so sweet a Queen, and the happiness of being united through her to Jesus, her Son, by an indissoluble tie, in time and in eternity.
Of the Necessity of Communion
O sweetest Lord Jesus, how happy is the devout man who feasts at Your banquet, at which there is no other food but Yourself, his only Lover, most desired of all that his heart can desire!
How deeply I long to pour out my heartfelt tears in Your presence, and like the pious Magdalen, to wash Your feet with them. But where is such devotion in me, such copious shedding of holy tears? Surely, in Your sight, and before Your holy angels, my whole heart ought to be inflamed and weep for joy: for I have You with me truly present in this Sacrament, though You are under another form. My eyes could not bear to see You in Your own divine brightness, nor could the whole world stand in sight of the splendor of Your majesty. In concealing Yourself in this Sacrament You have regard for my weakness.
True Devotion; Nos. 261-265
We must do our actions in Mary. Our Blessed Lady is the true terrestrial paradise for the New Adam, and the ancient paradise was but a figure of her. In this earthly paradise we have riches, beauties, rarities and inexplicable sweetness, which Jesus Christ, the New Adam has left here; it was in this paradise that He took His complacence for nine months, worked His wonders and displayed His riches with the magnificence of a God. It is in this earthly paradise that there is the true tree of life, which has borne Jesus Christ, the Fruit of Life, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil, which has given light unto the world. There are, in this divine place, trees planted by the hand of God, and watered by His Divine Unction, which have borne and daily bear fruit of divine taste. It is only the Holy Spirit, Who can make us know the hidden truth of these figures of material things. The Holy Spirit, by the mouth of the Fathers, also styles the Blessed Virgin the Eastern Gate, by which the High-Priest, Jesus Christ, enters the world, and leaves it. By it, He came the first time. He will come the second, by it.
Finally, we must do all our actions for Mary, we must take her for our proximate end, our mysterious means, and our way to go to Jesus Christ. Supported by her protection we must undertake and achieve great things for Christ. We must defend her privileges, when they are disputed. We must stand up for her glory when it is attacked; we must draw all the world, if we can, to her service, and to this true and solid devotion. We must pretend to no recompense for our little service, except the honor of belonging to so sweet a Queen, and the happiness of being united through her to Jesus, her Son, by an indissoluble tie, in time and in eternity.
Prayers:
Litany of the Holy Spirit Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Father all powerful, Have Mercy on Us, Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world, Save Us, Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless life of both, sanctify us. Holy Trinity, Hear Us, Holy Spirit, Who proceedest from the Father and the Son, enter our hearts. Holy Spirit, Who art equal to the Fatherand the Son, enter our hearts. Promise of God the Father, have mercy on us. (etc.) Ray of heavenly light, Author of all good, Source of heavenly water, Consuming fire, Ardent charity, Spiritual unction, Spirit of love and truth, Spirit of wisdom and understanding, Spirit of counsel and fortitude, Spirit of knowledge and piety, Spirit of the fear of the Lord, Spirit of grace and prayer, Spirit of peace and meekness, Spirit of modesty and innocence, Holy Spirit, the Comforter, Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, Holy Spirit, Who governest the Church, Gift of God, the Most High, Spirit Who fillest the universe, Spirit of the adoption of the children of God, Holy Spirit, inspire us with horror of sin. Holy Spirit, come and renew the face of the earth. Holy Spirit, shed Thy light in our souls. Holy Spirit, engrave Thy law in our hearts. Holy Spirit, inflame us with the flame of Thy love. Holy Spirit, open to us the treasures of Thy graces. Holy Spirit, teach us to pray well. Holy Spirit, enlighten us with Thy heavenly inspirations. Holy Spirit, lead us in the way of salvation. Holy Spirit, grant us the only necessary knowledge. Holy Spirit, inspire in us the practice of good. Holy Spirit, grant us the merits of all virtues. Holy Spirit, make us persevere in justice. Holy Spirit, be Thou our everlasting reward. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Send us Thy Holy Spirit. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, pour down into our souls the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant us the Spirit of wisdom and piety. V. Come, Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful, R. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Let us pray. Grant, O merciful Father, that Thy Divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, liveth and reigneth, one God, forever and ever. R. Amen.
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Saturday, December 10, 2011
Consecration to Jesus Through Mary: DAY 32
Reading:
Imitation: Book 2, Chapter 7
Of Loving Jesus Above All Things
Blessed is the man who knows what it is to love Jesus, and to despise himself for the sake of Jesus. You must give up all other love for His, since He wishes to be loved alone above all.
Love of creatures is receiving and constantly changing, but the love of Jesus is true and permanent. If you hold onto creatures, you will fall with them; if you hold onto Jesus, you will remain firmly planted forever.
Love Him then keep Him as a friend. He will not leave you as others do; nor will He permit you to suffer eternal death. Separate yourself a little from everything, then. Cling therefore to Jesus in life and death; trust yourself to Him alone who can help you when all others fail you.
The nature of Christ's love is such that it will not admit a rival; He wants you for Himself alone. He desires to sit on the throne of your heart as King; which is His right. If you only knew how to free yourself of the love of creatures, how quickly would He come into your heart!
True Devotion; Nos. 257-260
There are also some very sanctifying interior practices for those whom the Holy Spirit calls to a high perfection. These may be expressed in four words: to do all our actions: by Mary, with Mary, in Mary, and for Mary, so that we may do them all the more perfectly by Jesus, with Jesus, in Jesus and for Jesus.
By Mary: We must obey her in all things, in all things conduct ourselves by her spirit which is the Holy Spirit of God "those who are led by the Spirit of God, are the children of God." Those who are led by the spirit of Mary, are the children of Mary, and among clients of Mary, none are true or faithful but those who are led by her spirit. Jesus has rendered Himself, so completely the Master of Mary, that He has become her own spirit. A soul is happy indeed when it is all possessed and overruled by the spirit of Mary, a spirit meek and strong, zealous and prudent, humble and courageous, pure and fruitful.
We must do our actions with Mary. We must consider in every action how Mary has done it, she being in our place. For this end, we must meditate on the great virtues which she practiced during her life, first of all her lively faith, by which she believed, without hesitation, the angel's word, and believed faithfully and constantly, up to the foot of the Cross; her profound humilty which made her hide herself, hold her peace, submit to everything, and put herself last of all.
Prayers:
Litany of the Holy Spirit Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Father all powerful, Have Mercy on Us, Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world, Save Us, Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless life of both, sanctify us. Holy Trinity, Hear Us, Holy Spirit, Who proceedest from the Father and the Son, enter our hearts. Holy Spirit, Who art equal to the Fatherand the Son, enter our hearts. Promise of God the Father, have mercy on us. (etc.) Ray of heavenly light, Author of all good, Source of heavenly water, Consuming fire, Ardent charity, Spiritual unction, Spirit of love and truth, Spirit of wisdom and understanding, Spirit of counsel and fortitude, Spirit of knowledge and piety, Spirit of the fear of the Lord, Spirit of grace and prayer, Spirit of peace and meekness, Spirit of modesty and innocence, Holy Spirit, the Comforter, Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, Holy Spirit, Who governest the Church, Gift of God, the Most High, Spirit Who fillest the universe, Spirit of the adoption of the children of God, Holy Spirit, inspire us with horror of sin. Holy Spirit, come and renew the face of the earth. Holy Spirit, shed Thy light in our souls. Holy Spirit, engrave Thy law in our hearts. Holy Spirit, inflame us with the flame of Thy love. Holy Spirit, open to us the treasures of Thy graces. Holy Spirit, teach us to pray well. Holy Spirit, enlighten us with Thy heavenly inspirations. Holy Spirit, lead us in the way of salvation. Holy Spirit, grant us the only necessary knowledge. Holy Spirit, inspire in us the practice of good. Holy Spirit, grant us the merits of all virtues. Holy Spirit, make us persevere in justice. Holy Spirit, be Thou our everlasting reward. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Send us Thy Holy Spirit. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, pour down into our souls the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant us the Spirit of wisdom and piety. V. Come, Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful, R. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Let us pray. Grant, O merciful Father, that Thy Divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, liveth and reigneth, one God, forever and ever. R. Amen.
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Friday, December 9, 2011
Consecration to Jesus Through Mary: DAY 31
Reading:
Imitation: Book 4, Chapter 2
Of the Love God Shows You In The Blessed Sacrament
Trusting in Your great goodness and mercy, Lord, I come as one sick to the Physician, as one thirsty to the Fountain of Life, as one in need to the King of heaven; I come as a servant to my Master, as a creature to my Creator, as a dejected soul to my loving Comforter.
But why should You come to me? Who am I that You should give Yourself to me? How can a sinner dare show his face in Your presence? And why do You condescend to visit a sinner? You know Your servant: You know he has no good in him, and, therefore, You have no reason to grant him this great grace. Thus I confess my unworthiness; and I acknowledge Your goodness. I praise Your mercy, and I give thanks for Your boundless love.
True Devotion: Nos. 243-254
Those who undertake this holy slavery should have a special devotion to the great mystery of the Incarnation of the Word (25th of March). Indeed, the Incarnation is the mystery proper in this practice, inasmuch as it is a devotion inspired by the Holy Spirit; first to honor and imitate the ineffable dependence which God the Son was pleased to have on Mary, for His Father's glory- and our salvation-which dependence particularly appears in this mystery where Jesus is a captive and a slave in the bosom of His Blessed Mother, and depends on her for all things. Secondly, to thank God for the incomparable graces He has given Mary and particularly for having chosen her to be His most holy Mother, which choice was made in this mystery. These are the two principal ends of the slavery of Jesus and Mary. Because we are living in an age of intellectual pride and there are around us numerous, puffed-up scholars, conceited with critical spirit who have plenty to say against the best established and most solid practices of piety, it is better for us not to give them any needless occasion of criticism, hence, it is better to say, we are slaves of Jesus in Mary and call ourselves slaves of Jesus Christ, rather than the slaves of Mary; taking the denomination of our devotion rather from its last end, which is Jesus Christ, than from the means to the end, which is Mary; we may use either term though. Another reason is that the principal mystery we celebrate and honor in this devotion is the mystery of the Incarnation wherein we can see Jesus only in Mary and incarnate in her bosom. Hence it is more to the purpose to speak of the slavery of Jesus in Mary, and of Jesus residing and reigning in Mary according to that beautiful prayer, O Jesus living in Mary. Come and live in Thy servants, In the spirit of Thy holiness, In the fullness of Thy might, In the truth of Thy virtues, In the perfection of Thy ways, In the communion of Thy mysteries, Subdue every hostile power. In Thy spirit, for the glory of the Father. Amen
Those who adopt this slavery ought to have a great devotion to saying the Hail Mary. Few Christians, however enlightened, know the real value, merit, excellence and necessity of the Hail Mary. It was necessary for the Blessed Virgin to appear several times to great and enlightened saints to show them the merit of it.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Consecration to Jesus Through Mary: DAY 30
To know Christ is to know the Cross. To know Christ without the Cross is to follow a false notion of Christ. Like Jesus, only when have Our Lady near us, do we have the courage to daily mount the Cross and walk its royal road. Knowledge of Christ means that we enter into a very deep imitation of his sufferings.
Reading:
St. Matthew: Chapter 27: 36-44
The crucifixion
...and then sat down and stayed there keeping guard over Him. Above His head was placed the charge against Him; it read: "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews." At the same time two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left.
The crucified Christ is mocked
The passers-by jeered at Him; they shook their heads and said, "So you would destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days! Then save yourself! If you are God's son, come down from the cross!" The chief priests with the scribes and elders mocked him in the same way. "He saved others;" they said, "He cannot save himself. He is the king of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He puts hiis trust in God; now let God rescue him if he wants him. For he did say, "I am the Son of God." Even the robbers who were crucified with Him taunted Him in the same way.
Imitation: Book 2, Chapter 12
The Royal Road of the Cross
To many the saying, "Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Me," seems hard. How much harder, however, will the words on the Day of Judgment be: Depart from Me, you accursed ones, into the everlasting fire. (Matthew 25:41) Those who follow the cross willingly now, will not fear the last judgment. When the Lord comes to judge, the Sign of the Cross will be in the heavens' then will those servants of the cross, who in their lifetime made themselves one with the Crucified, draw near with great trust to Christ, the judge.
Why are you afraid, then, to take up the cross when through it you can win an eternal kingdom? In the cross is salvation; in it is life; in it is protection from your enemies; in it is heavenly sweetness; in it is strength of mind; in it is joy of spirit; in it is the highest virtue; in the cross is perfect holiness.
Take up your cross and follow Jesus, and you will merit eternal life.
Prayers:
Litany of the Holy Spirit Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Father all powerful, Have Mercy on Us, Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world, Save Us, Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless life of both, sanctify us. Holy Trinity, Hear Us, Holy Spirit, Who proceedest from the Father and the Son, enter our hearts. Holy Spirit, Who art equal to the Fatherand the Son, enter our hearts. Promise of God the Father, have mercy on us. (etc.) Ray of heavenly light, Author of all good, Source of heavenly water, Consuming fire, Ardent charity, Spiritual unction, Spirit of love and truth, Spirit of wisdom and understanding, Spirit of counsel and fortitude, Spirit of knowledge and piety, Spirit of the fear of the Lord, Spirit of grace and prayer, Spirit of peace and meekness, Spirit of modesty and innocence, Holy Spirit, the Comforter, Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, Holy Spirit, Who governest the Church, Gift of God, the Most High, Spirit Who fillest the universe, Spirit of the adoption of the children of God, Holy Spirit, inspire us with horror of sin. Holy Spirit, come and renew the face of the earth. Holy Spirit, shed Thy light in our souls. Holy Spirit, engrave Thy law in our hearts. Holy Spirit, inflame us with the flame of Thy love. Holy Spirit, open to us the treasures of Thy graces. Holy Spirit, teach us to pray well. Holy Spirit, enlighten us with Thy heavenly inspirations. Holy Spirit, lead us in the way of salvation. Holy Spirit, grant us the only necessary knowledge. Holy Spirit, inspire in us the practice of good. Holy Spirit, grant us the merits of all virtues. Holy Spirit, make us persevere in justice. Holy Spirit, be Thou our everlasting reward. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Send us Thy Holy Spirit. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, pour down into our souls the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant us the Spirit of wisdom and piety. V. Come, Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful, R. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Let us pray. Grant, O merciful Father, that Thy Divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, liveth and reigneth, one God, forever and ever. R. Amen.
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Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Consecration to Jesus Through Mary: DAY 29
How many thousands of times have you heard the same scripture passage but failed to penetrate to its inner meaning because you lack the resolve to put it into practice? The seed of the Word lies fruitless landing on hardened soil. Our Lady's Immaculate soil is soft and suple, delicate and docile, because of her desire to not trust her own capacity to know and live the Word. The ingenious nature of this consecration is that we truly have to empty our own preconceived notions of what it means to be disciples, assume that we know nothing, and ask in humility for the grace to begin to live the Gospel.
Reading:
Imitation: Book 1, Chapter 1
Of the imitation of Christ and indifference to earthly vanities
He who follows me does not walk in darkness. (John 8:12) Christ reminds you with these words that you must imitate His life, if you wish to be truly enlightened and freed from all blindness of heart. Your main task therefore, should be to study the life of Our Lord.
The teaching of Christ is greater than the advice of all the saints taken together. And if you study it with His frame of mind and heart, you will find in His teaching a hidden source of consolation and strength. Unfortunately, however, so many people care little or nothing about the Word of God, even though they have heard it time and time again, because they do not have the spirit of Christ. Yet, if you really want to understand the Words of Christ, you must try to pattern your whole life on His.
What good is it to be able to explain the doctrine of the Blessed Trinity if you displease the Blessed Trinity by your lack of humility? It is a good life that makes you pleasing to God, not high-sounding words and clever expressions. It is better to feel contrition for your sins than to know how to define it. What good is it to know the entire Bible by heart and to learn the sayings of all the philosophers if you live without grace and the Love of God?
Vanity of vanities, all is vanity unless you serve God and love Him with your whole heart. (Ecclesiastes 1:2) The greatest wisdom of all is to see the kingdom of heaven by despising the things of this world.
Prayers:
Litany of the Holy Spirit Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Father all powerful, Have Mercy on Us, Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world, Save Us, Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless life of both, sanctify us. Holy Trinity, Hear Us, Holy Spirit, Who proceedest from the Father and the Son, enter our hearts. Holy Spirit, Who art equal to the Fatherand the Son, enter our hearts. Promise of God the Father, have mercy on us. (etc.) Ray of heavenly light, Author of all good, Source of heavenly water, Consuming fire, Ardent charity, Spiritual unction, Spirit of love and truth, Spirit of wisdom and understanding, Spirit of counsel and fortitude, Spirit of knowledge and piety, Spirit of the fear of the Lord, Spirit of grace and prayer, Spirit of peace and meekness, Spirit of modesty and innocence, Holy Spirit, the Comforter, Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, Holy Spirit, Who governest the Church, Gift of God, the Most High, Spirit Who fillest the universe, Spirit of the adoption of the children of God, Holy Spirit, inspire us with horror of sin. Holy Spirit, come and renew the face of the earth. Holy Spirit, shed Thy light in our souls. Holy Spirit, engrave Thy law in our hearts. Holy Spirit, inflame us with the flame of Thy love. Holy Spirit, open to us the treasures of Thy graces. Holy Spirit, teach us to pray well. Holy Spirit, enlighten us with Thy heavenly inspirations. Holy Spirit, lead us in the way of salvation. Holy Spirit, grant us the only necessary knowledge. Holy Spirit, inspire in us the practice of good. Holy Spirit, grant us the merits of all virtues. Holy Spirit, make us persevere in justice. Holy Spirit, be Thou our everlasting reward. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Send us Thy Holy Spirit. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, pour down into our souls the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant us the Spirit of wisdom and piety. V. Come, Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful, R. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Let us pray. Grant, O merciful Father, that Thy Divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, liveth and reigneth, one God, forever and ever. R. Amen.
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Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Consecration to Jesus Through Mary: DAY 28
Want to show someone you love them? Give them a gift they could not deserve nor could ever pay back revealing at the same time you give it without condition or ulterior motive. That is the Father's gift to us of the Eucharistic Jesus. As if he has give his greatest gold to the poorest of sinners. This novelty ought never wear off but should inspire in us deep sentiments of his unfailing kindness, mercy, generosity and patience that we come to the true knowledge of Jesus Christ and the mystery of his love so rejected and ignored among men.
Reading:
St. Matthew: Chapter 26: 1, 26-29; 36-46
The conspiracy against Jesus
Jesus had now finished all he wanted to say, and he told his disciples, "It will be Passover, as you know, in two days' time, and the son of Man will be handed over to be crucified."
The Institution of the Eucharist
Now as they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and when he had said the blessing he broke it and gave it to the disciples, "Take it and eat," he said, "This is my body." Then he took the cup, and when he had returned thanks, he gave it to them "Drink all of you from this," he said "for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, which is to be poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. From now on, I tell you, I shall not drink wine until the day I drink the new wine with you in the kingdom of my Father."
Gethsemane
Then Jesus came with them to a small estate called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, "Stay here while I go over there to pray." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him. And sadness came over him, and great distress. Then he said to them "My soul is sorrowful to the point of death. Wait here and keep awake with me." And going on a little further he fell on his face and prayed. "My Father," he said, "if it is possible, let this cup pass me by. Nevertheless, let it be as you, not I, would have it." He came back to the disciples and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, "So you had not the strength to keep awake with me one hour? You should be awake, and praying not to be put to the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Again, a second time, he went away and prayed: "My Father," he said, "if this cup cannot pass by without my drinking it, your will be done." And he came again back and found them sleeping, their eyes were so heavy. Leaving them there, he went away again and prayed for the third time, "You can sleep on now and take your rest. Now the hour has come when the Son of Man is to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up! Let us go! My betrayer is already close at hand."
Prayers:
Litany of the Holy Spirit Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Father all powerful, Have Mercy on Us, Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world, Save Us, Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless life of both, sanctify us. Holy Trinity, Hear Us, Holy Spirit, Who proceedest from the Father and the Son, enter our hearts. Holy Spirit, Who art equal to the Fatherand the Son, enter our hearts. Promise of God the Father, have mercy on us. (etc.) Ray of heavenly light, Author of all good, Source of heavenly water, Consuming fire, Ardent charity, Spiritual unction, Spirit of love and truth, Spirit of wisdom and understanding, Spirit of counsel and fortitude, Spirit of knowledge and piety, Spirit of the fear of the Lord, Spirit of grace and prayer, Spirit of peace and meekness, Spirit of modesty and innocence, Holy Spirit, the Comforter, Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, Holy Spirit, Who governest the Church, Gift of God, the Most High, Spirit Who fillest the universe, Spirit of the adoption of the children of God, Holy Spirit, inspire us with horror of sin. Holy Spirit, come and renew the face of the earth. Holy Spirit, shed Thy light in our souls. Holy Spirit, engrave Thy law in our hearts. Holy Spirit, inflame us with the flame of Thy love. Holy Spirit, open to us the treasures of Thy graces. Holy Spirit, teach us to pray well. Holy Spirit, enlighten us with Thy heavenly inspirations. Holy Spirit, lead us in the way of salvation. Holy Spirit, grant us the only necessary knowledge. Holy Spirit, inspire in us the practice of good. Holy Spirit, grant us the merits of all virtues. Holy Spirit, make us persevere in justice. Holy Spirit, be Thou our everlasting reward. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Send us Thy Holy Spirit. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, pour down into our souls the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant us the Spirit of wisdom and piety. V. Come, Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful, R. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Let us pray. Grant, O merciful Father, that Thy Divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, liveth and reigneth, one God, forever and ever. R. Amen.
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