Ijournal entry 062716 #26. June, Month of The Sacred Heart. Maxim by St. Philip Neri. Quotes by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D., St. John of the Cross, and St. Teresa Margaret.
"How Muhammad Ali inspired hope in those who suffered", by Mary Rezac. "On the Angelic Salutation", The Angelic Doctor ST. THOMAS AQUINAS (Part B). Audio conference : "An Intimate Companion Part 1 - The Greatness of Therese", by Bishop Patrick Ahern
"How Muhammad Ali inspired hope in those who suffered", by Mary Rezac. "On the Angelic Salutation", The Angelic Doctor ST. THOMAS AQUINAS (Part B). Audio conference : "An Intimate Companion Part 1 - The Greatness of Therese", by Bishop Patrick Ahern
"The Carthusian, called Lansperguis (circa 1539), recommended that People have a Picture of theSacred Heart to Foster their Devotion. He encouraged that the picture be placed where it would be easily seen, so that by seeing it, Holy Love would be kindled in the Soul. He also encouraged that this Picture be Kissed with Affection. This is perhaps the First Reference to encouraging People to have a Picture of the Sacred Heart"
Info from this site: http://copiosa.org/heart/heart_sacred.htm
Info from this site: http://copiosa.org/heart/heart_sacred.htm
"Even though a man may be unable to attain such a height of sanctity, he ought to desire it, so as to do at least in desire what he cannot carry out in effect". By St. Philip Neri
MTA= In the race we are trying to win, not just place, right?
🌶When the backdoor is open, an entrance is provided to come in.
🌶If the window is cracked, the aroma will flow in, partake of the fragrance.
🌶When it's all said and done...
MTA= In the race we are trying to win, not just place, right?
🌶When the backdoor is open, an entrance is provided to come in.
🌶If the window is cracked, the aroma will flow in, partake of the fragrance.
🌶When it's all said and done...
⚫️ "The highest perfection consists not in interior favors, or in great raptures, or in visions, or in the spirit of prophecy, but in bringing our wills so closely into conformity with the will of God that, as soon as we realize He wills anything, we desire it ourselves with all our might, and take the bitter with the sweet". By Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D.
🔴 "Since thy beloved spouse is the treasure hidden in the field of thy soul, for which treasure the wise merchant gave all that he had, it will be fitting that, in order to find it, thou forget all that is thine, withdraw thyself from all creatures, and hide in the interior closet of the Spirit". By St. John of The Cross
⚪️ “Knowing that a bride cannot be pleasing to her spouse unless she endeavors to become what he wishes her to be ... I will always think of my neighbors as beings made in your likeness, produced by your divine love, redeemed at the price of your precious Blood, looking upon them with true Christian charity, which you command. I will sympathize with their troubles, excuse their faults, always speak well of them, and never willingly fail in charity towards them in thought, word, or deed.” By St. Teresa Margaret
🔴 "Since thy beloved spouse is the treasure hidden in the field of thy soul, for which treasure the wise merchant gave all that he had, it will be fitting that, in order to find it, thou forget all that is thine, withdraw thyself from all creatures, and hide in the interior closet of the Spirit". By St. John of The Cross
⚪️ “Knowing that a bride cannot be pleasing to her spouse unless she endeavors to become what he wishes her to be ... I will always think of my neighbors as beings made in your likeness, produced by your divine love, redeemed at the price of your precious Blood, looking upon them with true Christian charity, which you command. I will sympathize with their troubles, excuse their faults, always speak well of them, and never willingly fail in charity towards them in thought, word, or deed.” By St. Teresa Margaret
Upon awakening on Trinity Sunday, thoughts reverted to a reading that had crossed by path a few days before. That triggered an in-depth pondering about the love of God. The reading centered on how God gave us His only Begotten Son. Looking back at what was written down, my thoughts can be used to "sho sum luv" at this moment to Our Loving Father God, our Merciful, Compassionate and Saving Lord Jesus, and the Sweet Holy Spirit.
My thoughts:
👨❤️💋👨Father, Father, how fantastic, great, and deep is your love for us, proven by the gift of Yourself through Your Well Beloved Son, Jesus, and The Most Holy Spirit. Thank you so much, for every grace and blessing, how generous a Father You are, and what a tremendous gift is Jesus the Christ, and the Holy Spirit. What can surpass "God" as a gift? All Honor and Glory, taking a cue from Jesus:
My thoughts:
👨❤️💋👨Father, Father, how fantastic, great, and deep is your love for us, proven by the gift of Yourself through Your Well Beloved Son, Jesus, and The Most Holy Spirit. Thank you so much, for every grace and blessing, how generous a Father You are, and what a tremendous gift is Jesus the Christ, and the Holy Spirit. What can surpass "God" as a gift? All Honor and Glory, taking a cue from Jesus:
May one and may all say to you my Father:
Father, You excellently proved Your love for me, for us, assured of this, there is not a single doubt now in my mind. Gracious is our Father, and you are our God, and we will be your children forever. You make us glad now, and what we have to look forward to forever, it is beyond our imagination what we will get to experience when face to face and enjoy with you intimately forever. We love you Father, help us to love you more passionately, exclusively, and for sure, single mindedly.
Thank you Most Holy Father, absolutely so thankful and madly in love with you for wanting and loving me so. You decided to create me and give me your Only Begotten Son. Hey Blessed Father, loving you more and more, and more, as every thought on this matter keeps on and on convincing me of the truth of that sublime reality.
👨❤️💋👨👨❤️💋👨Jesus, Jesus, The One True and Living Second Person of the Trinity, exclusively mine, exclusive to each created person. Jesus you are my Shepherd, my God, a treasured gift from my Father, what shall I want? It's me feeling like royalty, because the King robed in majesty, Jesus Christ, is mine and I am His.
Jesus, the Christ, Lord of lords, you proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that your love equals that of the Father. For you were most willing to come to me and lovingly abide. You gave your all, your everything to redeem and save me. No cost could ever be higher to purchase a wretched dinner. The life of God given in exchange for a sinful creature, unthinkable, something ordinarily to be unheard of, nevertheless you alone said yes and signed up for the mission. If the magnitude of such love can't be understood, how pitiful and sad. Not one, single, solitary thing more, could you have done to emphatically say: I love you!
I accept and pledge my love to you, poor as it may be, but the desire is there. May it may strengthen day by day. To follow you closely is my goal. To give you rest in the peaceful temple of my heart and securely place the reins of control in your hands is paramount to achieving that goal. It's the willing of not mine taking center stage, but God's Holy will that seems the best way to reciprocate love for love. The exclamation point regarding your love for me is the Passion, and my thank you with an exclamation point is my response.
👨❤️💋👨👨❤️💋👨👨❤️💋👨Holy Spirit, Most Holy Spirit, Third Person of the Godhead, last but in no way least, come, come, come. Oh, so powerful God, Sanctifier, you prove your love in such a unique way. The Father created me, Jesus redeemed me, but what good would that be if it was impossible to live spiritually sanctified? You Sweet Holy Spirit, make it possible for me to take advantage of the saving work accomplished on the cross? Without your love poured out upon me in compassion and empowering me to live holy and within the Father's will, the living dead would be my lot every minute of every hour, of every day. Your wondrous love, you prove it unceasingly, by overshadowing me and helping me to live holy, to live loving, to live wise, and in spirit and truth. My failures continues, but your inspiration boosts my tries. Without you everything would be upside down. Wrong's arrow would be pointing up, signifying "go for it", and right's arrow would be pointing downwards, implying something that should be dismissed and ignored. What great love expressed, constant guidance to an errant, obstinate, sinner, in so patient a way and with utmost kindness. You pick up the slack and grant grace. In abundance comes strength and courage, as You wrap it all up, truly sealing the deal with love. Very blest are we to have an Advocate par excellence on our side, come Holy Spirit come.
👨❤️💋👨👨❤️💋👨Jesus, Jesus, The One True and Living Second Person of the Trinity, exclusively mine, exclusive to each created person. Jesus you are my Shepherd, my God, a treasured gift from my Father, what shall I want? It's me feeling like royalty, because the King robed in majesty, Jesus Christ, is mine and I am His.
Jesus, the Christ, Lord of lords, you proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that your love equals that of the Father. For you were most willing to come to me and lovingly abide. You gave your all, your everything to redeem and save me. No cost could ever be higher to purchase a wretched dinner. The life of God given in exchange for a sinful creature, unthinkable, something ordinarily to be unheard of, nevertheless you alone said yes and signed up for the mission. If the magnitude of such love can't be understood, how pitiful and sad. Not one, single, solitary thing more, could you have done to emphatically say: I love you!
I accept and pledge my love to you, poor as it may be, but the desire is there. May it may strengthen day by day. To follow you closely is my goal. To give you rest in the peaceful temple of my heart and securely place the reins of control in your hands is paramount to achieving that goal. It's the willing of not mine taking center stage, but God's Holy will that seems the best way to reciprocate love for love. The exclamation point regarding your love for me is the Passion, and my thank you with an exclamation point is my response.
👨❤️💋👨👨❤️💋👨👨❤️💋👨Holy Spirit, Most Holy Spirit, Third Person of the Godhead, last but in no way least, come, come, come. Oh, so powerful God, Sanctifier, you prove your love in such a unique way. The Father created me, Jesus redeemed me, but what good would that be if it was impossible to live spiritually sanctified? You Sweet Holy Spirit, make it possible for me to take advantage of the saving work accomplished on the cross? Without your love poured out upon me in compassion and empowering me to live holy and within the Father's will, the living dead would be my lot every minute of every hour, of every day. Your wondrous love, you prove it unceasingly, by overshadowing me and helping me to live holy, to live loving, to live wise, and in spirit and truth. My failures continues, but your inspiration boosts my tries. Without you everything would be upside down. Wrong's arrow would be pointing up, signifying "go for it", and right's arrow would be pointing downwards, implying something that should be dismissed and ignored. What great love expressed, constant guidance to an errant, obstinate, sinner, in so patient a way and with utmost kindness. You pick up the slack and grant grace. In abundance comes strength and courage, as You wrap it all up, truly sealing the deal with love. Very blest are we to have an Advocate par excellence on our side, come Holy Spirit come.
"How Muhammad Ali inspired hope in those who suffered", by Mary Rezac
Info from this site:
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/how-muhammad-ali-inspired-hope-in-those-who-suffered-28177/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email
Info from this site:
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/how-muhammad-ali-inspired-hope-in-those-who-suffered-28177/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email
"On January 19, 1981, in Los Angeles, Muhammad Ali talked a man down from jumping off a ninth-floor fire escape, an event that made national news. 'Former heavyweight champions slip out of the news as easily as ex-presidents, but Muhammad Ali was never your garden-variety champion of all the world,' Walter Cronkite said on the Jan. 20, 1981, edition of the CBS Evening News. 'Yesterday in Los Angeles, he responded like a superhero when a distraught man threatened suicide.'
Ali told the distraught man that he was his brother, that he loved him and wanted to take him home to meet his friends. After half an hour, Ali had his arm around the man’s shoulder and led him to safety.
While boxing legend Muhammad Ali will go down in history as “The Greatest” fighter, some of his greatest fights – for hope, courage, and human dignity – took place outside the ring. In 1984, at the age of 42 and just a few years into retirement from boxing, Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Never one to accept defeat and with a keen ability to inspire hope in others, Ali used his diagnosis to raise awareness and funding for research on the progressive neurological disease. MBut it was not just his fighting attitude, but his religious belief, that kept him moving forward. Dawud Walid, Executive Director of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said Ali’s trust in God helped his perspective after receiving what would be a devastating diagnosis for someone who had been so active. 'He reflected a very strong faith in the face of that debilitating disease,' Walid told CNA. 'I remember him saying that he was humbled by God allowing him to have a disease, to show him who was really the greatest, that God is the greatest,'he said. '(Ali) would say there was a hidden blessing in it.'
By being so public about his diagnosis, Walid said Ali was able to show the world that one can still have courage and hope in the face of suffering. 'I remember him lighting the Olympic flame in Atlanta, and he struggled and he was there shaking but it was really a sign of courage and a sign of hope not just to people who are struggling with Parkinson’s disease, but other diseases, that you still can have dignity in the face of such enormous challenges,' Walid said. 'A diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease or another movement disorder is not a death sentence,'reads a statement on Muhammad Ali Parkinson’s Center website. The site also posted a tribute video to Ali, who died Friday at the age of 74, after a 32-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s patients in the video recall how Ali’s courage and generosity in the face of suffering changed their lives. M'I had no idea how much of a difference Muhammad Ali would make in my life. Now that I have Parkinson's disease, his generosity has been a blessing for me personally,” a man says in the video. 'He never said ‘I can’t do this’, so that has become my motto too,' another patient says.
Besides his fighting record, charisma, and Parkinson’s advocacy, Ali is also remembered for his peaceful, although controversial, protest and resistance of the draft for the Vietnam war. Ali cited his Islamic religious beliefs, as well as racism, as his reasons for being a conscientious objector. He was arrested for draft evasion and unable to fight for four years while his case went through appeals court. His appeal took four years to reach the U.S. Supreme Court, which in June 1971 reversed the conviction in a unanimous decision that found the Department of Justice had improperly told the draft board that Ali's stance wasn't motivated by religious belief.
Ali, who was born Cassius Marcellus Clay, changed his name when, inspired by Malcolm X, he converted to the Nation of Islam, a controversial American Muslim sect that advocated racial separation and rejected the pacifism of most civil rights activism. He later switched to the more mainstream Sunni Islam. Walid said that Ali openly talked about his belief in God and the virtues contained in all the world’s religions. 'He believed that if people lived by those virtues, especially the Golden Rule, then this earth would be a much better place.'
During his life, Ali met with religious people and leaders throughout the world of various persuasions and denominations, including, in 1982, St. John Paul II. A sports fan himself, and an eventual Parkinson’s suffer as well, John Paul II exchanged autographs with the famed boxer during a private audience at the Vatican.
Ali told the distraught man that he was his brother, that he loved him and wanted to take him home to meet his friends. After half an hour, Ali had his arm around the man’s shoulder and led him to safety.
While boxing legend Muhammad Ali will go down in history as “The Greatest” fighter, some of his greatest fights – for hope, courage, and human dignity – took place outside the ring. In 1984, at the age of 42 and just a few years into retirement from boxing, Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Never one to accept defeat and with a keen ability to inspire hope in others, Ali used his diagnosis to raise awareness and funding for research on the progressive neurological disease. MBut it was not just his fighting attitude, but his religious belief, that kept him moving forward. Dawud Walid, Executive Director of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said Ali’s trust in God helped his perspective after receiving what would be a devastating diagnosis for someone who had been so active. 'He reflected a very strong faith in the face of that debilitating disease,' Walid told CNA. 'I remember him saying that he was humbled by God allowing him to have a disease, to show him who was really the greatest, that God is the greatest,'he said. '(Ali) would say there was a hidden blessing in it.'
By being so public about his diagnosis, Walid said Ali was able to show the world that one can still have courage and hope in the face of suffering. 'I remember him lighting the Olympic flame in Atlanta, and he struggled and he was there shaking but it was really a sign of courage and a sign of hope not just to people who are struggling with Parkinson’s disease, but other diseases, that you still can have dignity in the face of such enormous challenges,' Walid said. 'A diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease or another movement disorder is not a death sentence,'reads a statement on Muhammad Ali Parkinson’s Center website. The site also posted a tribute video to Ali, who died Friday at the age of 74, after a 32-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s patients in the video recall how Ali’s courage and generosity in the face of suffering changed their lives. M'I had no idea how much of a difference Muhammad Ali would make in my life. Now that I have Parkinson's disease, his generosity has been a blessing for me personally,” a man says in the video. 'He never said ‘I can’t do this’, so that has become my motto too,' another patient says.
Besides his fighting record, charisma, and Parkinson’s advocacy, Ali is also remembered for his peaceful, although controversial, protest and resistance of the draft for the Vietnam war. Ali cited his Islamic religious beliefs, as well as racism, as his reasons for being a conscientious objector. He was arrested for draft evasion and unable to fight for four years while his case went through appeals court. His appeal took four years to reach the U.S. Supreme Court, which in June 1971 reversed the conviction in a unanimous decision that found the Department of Justice had improperly told the draft board that Ali's stance wasn't motivated by religious belief.
Ali, who was born Cassius Marcellus Clay, changed his name when, inspired by Malcolm X, he converted to the Nation of Islam, a controversial American Muslim sect that advocated racial separation and rejected the pacifism of most civil rights activism. He later switched to the more mainstream Sunni Islam. Walid said that Ali openly talked about his belief in God and the virtues contained in all the world’s religions. 'He believed that if people lived by those virtues, especially the Golden Rule, then this earth would be a much better place.'
During his life, Ali met with religious people and leaders throughout the world of various persuasions and denominations, including, in 1982, St. John Paul II. A sports fan himself, and an eventual Parkinson’s suffer as well, John Paul II exchanged autographs with the famed boxer during a private audience at the Vatican.
"On the Angelic Salutation", The Angelic Doctor ST. THOMAS AQUINAS (Part B)
Info from this site:
https://franciscan-archive.org/bvm/salut.html
"§8. But Christ excelled the Blessed Virgin in this, that He was conceived and born without original (sin).1 Moreover the Blessed Virgin was conceived in original (sin), but not born (in it). She Herself also exercised the works of all virtues, but the other saints (only) certain special ones: because one was humble, another chaste, another merciful; and for that reason they are given as an example of special virtues, just as blessed Nicholas is an example of mercy etc.. But the Blessed Virgin is an example of all virtues: because in Her you find the example of humility:
Info from this site:
https://franciscan-archive.org/bvm/salut.html
"§8. But Christ excelled the Blessed Virgin in this, that He was conceived and born without original (sin).1 Moreover the Blessed Virgin was conceived in original (sin), but not born (in it). She Herself also exercised the works of all virtues, but the other saints (only) certain special ones: because one was humble, another chaste, another merciful; and for that reason they are given as an example of special virtues, just as blessed Nicholas is an example of mercy etc.. But the Blessed Virgin is an example of all virtues: because in Her you find the example of humility:
and after this, verse 40
of chastity, « since I do not know a man », verse 34
and of all virtues; as is sufficiently clear. Thus, therefore, the Blessed Virgin is full of grace both as much as regards the working of good, and as much as regard the avoiding of evil.
§9. Second, She was full of grace as much as regards it redounding from the soul to the flesh and/or body. For it is a great thing among the Saints that they have so much of grace that it sanctifies their soul; but the soul of the Blessed Virgin was so full that from it there overflowed grace into Her flesh, so that from it She migh conceive the Son of God. And for that reason Hugh of St. Victor says: "Because in Her heart the love of the Holy Spirit burned in a singular manner, for that reaason She worked wonders in Her flesh, inasmuch as that from it there was born God and man ".
§9. Second, She was full of grace as much as regards it redounding from the soul to the flesh and/or body. For it is a great thing among the Saints that they have so much of grace that it sanctifies their soul; but the soul of the Blessed Virgin was so full that from it there overflowed grace into Her flesh, so that from it She migh conceive the Son of God. And for that reason Hugh of St. Victor says: "Because in Her heart the love of the Holy Spirit burned in a singular manner, for that reaason She worked wonders in Her flesh, inasmuch as that from it there was born God and man ".
§10. Third, as much as regards it overflowing unto all men. For it is a great thing in any saint, when he has so much of grace that it sufficies for the salvation of many; but when one had so much that it would suffice for the salvation of all men of the world, this would be the greatest; and this is in Christ, and in the Blessed Virgin. For in every danger you can obtain salvation from the glorious Virgin Herself. Whence
Likewise in every work of virtue you can have Her as a helper; and for that reason Eccli.i. 24:25 says of Her, « In Me ever hope of life and virtue ». Thus, therefore She is full of grace, and exceeds the angels in the plenitude of grace; and on this account She is fittingly [convenienter] called Mary, which is interpreted "She who is illuminated in Herself"; whence
and She is an Illuminatrix unto others, as much as regards the whole world; and for that reason She is likened to the sun and to the moon.
§11. Second, She excelled the angels in divine familiarity. And for this reason the Angel, designating this, said: « the Lord is with Thee »; as if he were to say: "For this reason I exhibit reverent to Thee, because Thou are more familiar with God than I, for the Lord is with Thee" « The Lord », he said, the Father with the same Son; which no angel, nor any creature had.
§11. Second, She excelled the angels in divine familiarity. And for this reason the Angel, designating this, said: « the Lord is with Thee »; as if he were to say: "For this reason I exhibit reverent to Thee, because Thou are more familiar with God than I, for the Lord is with Thee" « The Lord », he said, the Father with the same Son; which no angel, nor any creature had.
The Lord, the Son, in Her womb.
Therefore, the Lord is with the Blessed Virgin in a manner other than with an angel; because He is with Her as Son, He is with an angel as Lord. The Lord, the Holy Spirit, as in a temple; whence She is called: "temple of the Lord", "sacrarium of the Holy Spirit", because She conceived of the Holy Spirit:
Thus, therefore, the Blessed Virgin was more familiar with God than an angel; because He was with Her as the Lord, the Father, the Lord the Son, the Lord, the Holy Spirit, that is as the whole Trinity. And for that reason there is sung of Her: "Of the whole Trinity the noble Triclinium". Moreover this word, « The Lord is with Thee », is the more noble word which can be said to Her. Deservedly, therefore, does the Angel revere the Blessed Virgin, because She is the Mother of the Lord, and for that reason is the Lady. Whence this name Mary befits her [convenit ei], which in the Syriac toungue is interpreted, "the Lady".
§12. Third, She exceeds angels as much as regards purity: because the Blessed Virgin was not only pure in Herself, but also procured purity for others. For She Herself wsa the most pure even as much as regards fault, because the Virgin Herslef incurred neither mortal nor venial sin. Likewise as much as regards punishment. For three maledictions have been given to men on account of sin. The first was given to the woman, that is, that she would conceive with corruption, would carry with a burden [cum gravamine], and would give birth in pain. But from this the Blessed Virgin was immune: because She conceived without corruption, carried in solace, and gave birth to the Savior in joy.
§12. Third, She exceeds angels as much as regards purity: because the Blessed Virgin was not only pure in Herself, but also procured purity for others. For She Herself wsa the most pure even as much as regards fault, because the Virgin Herslef incurred neither mortal nor venial sin. Likewise as much as regards punishment. For three maledictions have been given to men on account of sin. The first was given to the woman, that is, that she would conceive with corruption, would carry with a burden [cum gravamine], and would give birth in pain. But from this the Blessed Virgin was immune: because She conceived without corruption, carried in solace, and gave birth to the Savior in joy.
The second was given to man, that is that in the sweat of his face he would eat his bread. From this the Blessed Virgin was immune: because, as the Apostle says, 1 Cor. 7, virgines are released from the cares ofthis world, and make time for God alone. The third was common to men and women, that is that they would return into dust. And from this the Blessed Virgin was immune, because She was assumed into Heaven with Her body. For we believe that after death She was resuscitated, and born into Heaven.
Blessed art Thou among women.
§13. Thus, therefore, was She immune from every malediction, and for that reason blessed among women; because She alone endured the maladiction, and carried the Blessing, and She has opened the gate of Paradise; and for that reason the name Mary befitted her, that which is interpreted "Star of the Sea"; because just as sailors are directed to port by means of a star of the sea, so Christians are directed by means of Mary to glory."
§13. Thus, therefore, was She immune from every malediction, and for that reason blessed among women; because She alone endured the maladiction, and carried the Blessing, and She has opened the gate of Paradise; and for that reason the name Mary befitted her, that which is interpreted "Star of the Sea"; because just as sailors are directed to port by means of a star of the sea, so Christians are directed by means of Mary to glory."
CONFERENCE SERIES - SAINT THERESE"An Intimate Companion Part 1 - The Greatness of Therese", by Bishop Patrick Ahern
(Scroll down the web page to locate the audio talk, unable to separate the individual audio file)
Info from this site
http://padrepiodevotions.org/audio/#holy-rosary
(Scroll down the web page to locate the audio talk, unable to separate the individual audio file)
Info from this site
http://padrepiodevotions.org/audio/#holy-rosary