Ijournal entry 041116 # 15. April, month of the Eucharist. Aphorism by Simone Weil. Quotes by St. Jose Escrivá, Fr. Eric Hollas, OSB, and Brandon McGinley. "ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR", from the EWTN library. "A Decalogue for Priests", by Bishop Klaus Hemmerle. Divine Intimacy Radio: Dan and Melissa discuss the glory of the Resurrection.
"The Church in the course of the centuries has introduced various forms of this Eucharistic worship which are ever increasing in beauty and helpfulness; as, for example, visits of devotion to the tabernacles, even every day; Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament; solemn processions, especially at the time of Eucharistic Congresses, which pass through cities and villages; and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament publicly exposed . . . These exercises of piety have brought a wonderful increase in faith and supernatural life to the Church militant upon earth and they are re-echoed to a certain extent by the Church triumphant in heaven, which sings continually a hymn of praise to God and to the Lamb 'Who was slain.'" By Pope Pius XII
Info from this site:
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/prayers/view.cfm?id=756
Info from this site:
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/prayers/view.cfm?id=756
"Everything that is worthless shuns the light. Here on earth we can hide ourselves beneath the flesh. At death we can do this no longer. We are given up naked to the light. That means hell, purgatory or paradise as the case may be". By Simone Weil
MTA= Sometimes you can fool some of the people, and sometimes it's all of the people that you can fool. You can even fool yourself, but the day comes when time is no more and there can be no running or hiding, and coverups are a thing of the past. Readying to face the just judge, means to let the light shine and reveal what have become darkened by sin. With the help of grace we can strengthen what is weak, and become strong, loving and wise.
MTA= Sometimes you can fool some of the people, and sometimes it's all of the people that you can fool. You can even fool yourself, but the day comes when time is no more and there can be no running or hiding, and coverups are a thing of the past. Readying to face the just judge, means to let the light shine and reveal what have become darkened by sin. With the help of grace we can strengthen what is weak, and become strong, loving and wise.
Double-tap to edit.
🔵 Have you seen how that imposing building was built? One brick upon another. Thousands. But, one by one. And bags of cement, one by one. And blocks of stone, each of them insignificant compared with the massive whole. And beams of steel. And men working, the same hours, day after day... Have you seen how that imposing building was built?... By dint of little things! Have you noticed how human love consists of little things? Well, divine Love also consists of little things. By St. Jose Escrivá
⚫️ "The message of Easter, however, is one of excitement. It's not only about the resurrection of Jesus, but it's about our own resurrection as well. It's about our resurrection to a life that suddenly has a meaning and purpose that it might have lacked before. It's about opening our eyes to what we can and ought to do with our lives -- not just on the Sabbath but on every day". Fr. Eric Hollas, OSB
🔴 "There’s nothing new about the observation that formal schooling is not required to grow in holiness and to develop spiritual wisdom. Saints John Vianney, Thérèse of Lisieux, and André Bessette come immediately to mind. In our modern subjectivism, we assume that moral or psychological wisdom can only be derived from personal experience". By Brandon McGinley
⚫️ "The message of Easter, however, is one of excitement. It's not only about the resurrection of Jesus, but it's about our own resurrection as well. It's about our resurrection to a life that suddenly has a meaning and purpose that it might have lacked before. It's about opening our eyes to what we can and ought to do with our lives -- not just on the Sabbath but on every day". Fr. Eric Hollas, OSB
🔴 "There’s nothing new about the observation that formal schooling is not required to grow in holiness and to develop spiritual wisdom. Saints John Vianney, Thérèse of Lisieux, and André Bessette come immediately to mind. In our modern subjectivism, we assume that moral or psychological wisdom can only be derived from personal experience". By Brandon McGinley
Being that this is the Month of the Holy Eucharist, it's a perfect time to share my poetic response to St. Thomas Aquinas: "Adoro te, Devote (I DEVOUTLY ADORE YOU)"'
🔲 St. Thomas Aquinas:
I devoutly adore you, O hidden Deity,
Truly hidden beneath these appearances.
My whole heart submits to you,
And in contemplating you, It surrenders itself completely.
🔃The red carpet have been splendidly laid out for us,
🔃Because of the passion not easily, but with much fanfare & fuss
🔃We should appreciatively act, surrender totally, & humbly walk or run up the red carpet to meet you our God & Lord
🔃Time to totally abandon ourselves & let down our guard
🔃You know that we are dust, you know us like a book
🔃That which is now seen will someday change, a clear vision of what will be is apparent as you take another look
🔃Your great desire is to hug & kiss us clean
🔃Intense Jesus, is your interest in us, it's ever so marvelously keen
🔲 St. Thomas Aquinas:
Sight, touch, taste are all deceived in their judgment of you,
But hearing suffices firmly to believe.
I believe all that the Son of God has spoken;
There is nothing truer than this word of truth.
🔃That we who have an ear
🔃Let us fail not to comprehend what we hear
🔃If we listen to God with the heart, we'll never be deceived
🔃Attentively with consistency the beauty of truth will always be perceived
🔃For truth totally sets one free
🔃Nothing else can be so liberating for you and for me
🔃It's impossible for souls united & abiding in Christ to fail in hearing His voice
🔃So well worth it for all of us to make the right choice
🔃The sheep needs to get to know the shepherd as the Shepherd knows His sheep
🔃That will happen as intimate company we begin to frequently keep
🔲 St. Thomas Aquinas:
On the cross only the divinity was hidden,
But here the humanity is also hidden.
I believe and confess both,
And ask for what the repentant thief asked.
🔃To have nothing leaves room for the hungry to be filled with good things
🔃 Incomparable in value to the likes of diamonds, jewels & even gold rings
🔃In walking spiritually by faith and not sight
🔃We'll experience God's power & His supreme might
🔃As another repentant thief we ask & hope to hear, just one word will suffice
🔃That this day we too can be with you as you reside in our heart's paradise
🔃No doubt, the sincere will truly receive God's generosity & much more besides
🔃What surprises are stored up for supple hearts where Jesus comfortably resides & abides
🔃Receiving Jesus in Eucharist, what a unique treat to be with Him in the paradise of one's own heart.
🔃Seize & treasure the Divine captive and never allow Him to depart
🔲 St. Thomas Aquinas:
I do not see the wounds as Thomas did,
But I confess that you are my God.
Make me believe more and more in you,
Hope in you, and love you.
🔃Truly without you we're in the shadow of death in stark darkness
🔃Swallowed by sin we descend further & further into a dreadful abyss
🔃But because we have the words of Jesus we can hope & truly believe
🔃Our Lord God have a sure remedy to save sinners, & for sin sick souls a healing balm to sooth & relieve
🔃At the Lord's table we are nourished & healing graces are lavishly granted us to
🔃Nothing provides life to our souls like the body & blood of Jesus, a unique gift refreshing us anew
🔃Great things can be accomplished in us if we let Him ignite a raging fire
🔃Saying yes allows the materialization of His every wish & desire
🔃It's a must, no matter what to keep on believing and hoping
🔃Trusting that things will be rightly ordered as we pray & live a life most holy & loving
🔲 St. Thomas Aquinas:
O memorial of our Lord's death!
Living bread that gives life to man,
Grant my soul to live on you,
And always to savor your sweetness.
🔃The past alive in the present, & perpetuating the future so mysteriously,
🔃Enraptured & enchanted ever so gloriously
🔃Saving Lord, enable us so intimately to connect ourselves & be united with thee
🔃My God, my God, how precious you are to those who love you and for sure to me
🔃So sweet is our indulgence, a dwelling so richly afforded to each & every one of us
🔃There is nothing greater that could be granted, it surely appears as thus
🔲 St. Thomas Aquinas:
Lord Jesus, Good Pelican,
wash my filthiness and clean me with your blood,
One drop of which can free
the entire world of all its sins.
🔃The blood bath is purposed with every soul in mind.
🔃A gesture offered, one ever so extremely kind
🔃No sin can escape it's efficacy to sparkle & dazzle with brilliancy, transforming every soiled stained soul.
🔃Like a waterfall lasting for a life time, unlimited the times the repentant can return to become clean & made whole.
🔃For a lifetime, no depletion is possible so come one, come all unto Him
🔃Pleasing if it's planned or if it's spirit led on a whim
🔃Everyone come, let the blood saturate your soul to remove every stain, wrinkle & spot
🔃It will serve you well in this life & surely in the one to come, helping to change your lot
🔲 St. Thomas Aquinas:
Jesus, whom now I see hidden,
I ask you to fulfill what I so desire:
That the sight of your face being unveiled
I may have the happiness of seeing your glory. Amen.
🔃For the slave turned heir, for the brother now part of the heavenly family
🔃The beginnings of what it means to truly belong & live oh so happily
🔃The removal of the veil, vision sharpened by purity with eyes now able to see what is a sheer pure gift
🔃One affording the soul a gigantic spiritual uplift
🔃The fires of love, being ignited by desire will surely bring about the goodness & kindness of The Lord
🔃As all the days of our lives we'll be able to live united in love & in one accord
🔃On into eternity, may there be awaiting us the glory of God that unfolds for ages without end
🔃Causing a resounding unending Amen, Amen and Amen!
I devoutly adore you, O hidden Deity,
Truly hidden beneath these appearances.
My whole heart submits to you,
And in contemplating you, It surrenders itself completely.
🔃The red carpet have been splendidly laid out for us,
🔃Because of the passion not easily, but with much fanfare & fuss
🔃We should appreciatively act, surrender totally, & humbly walk or run up the red carpet to meet you our God & Lord
🔃Time to totally abandon ourselves & let down our guard
🔃You know that we are dust, you know us like a book
🔃That which is now seen will someday change, a clear vision of what will be is apparent as you take another look
🔃Your great desire is to hug & kiss us clean
🔃Intense Jesus, is your interest in us, it's ever so marvelously keen
🔲 St. Thomas Aquinas:
Sight, touch, taste are all deceived in their judgment of you,
But hearing suffices firmly to believe.
I believe all that the Son of God has spoken;
There is nothing truer than this word of truth.
🔃That we who have an ear
🔃Let us fail not to comprehend what we hear
🔃If we listen to God with the heart, we'll never be deceived
🔃Attentively with consistency the beauty of truth will always be perceived
🔃For truth totally sets one free
🔃Nothing else can be so liberating for you and for me
🔃It's impossible for souls united & abiding in Christ to fail in hearing His voice
🔃So well worth it for all of us to make the right choice
🔃The sheep needs to get to know the shepherd as the Shepherd knows His sheep
🔃That will happen as intimate company we begin to frequently keep
🔲 St. Thomas Aquinas:
On the cross only the divinity was hidden,
But here the humanity is also hidden.
I believe and confess both,
And ask for what the repentant thief asked.
🔃To have nothing leaves room for the hungry to be filled with good things
🔃 Incomparable in value to the likes of diamonds, jewels & even gold rings
🔃In walking spiritually by faith and not sight
🔃We'll experience God's power & His supreme might
🔃As another repentant thief we ask & hope to hear, just one word will suffice
🔃That this day we too can be with you as you reside in our heart's paradise
🔃No doubt, the sincere will truly receive God's generosity & much more besides
🔃What surprises are stored up for supple hearts where Jesus comfortably resides & abides
🔃Receiving Jesus in Eucharist, what a unique treat to be with Him in the paradise of one's own heart.
🔃Seize & treasure the Divine captive and never allow Him to depart
🔲 St. Thomas Aquinas:
I do not see the wounds as Thomas did,
But I confess that you are my God.
Make me believe more and more in you,
Hope in you, and love you.
🔃Truly without you we're in the shadow of death in stark darkness
🔃Swallowed by sin we descend further & further into a dreadful abyss
🔃But because we have the words of Jesus we can hope & truly believe
🔃Our Lord God have a sure remedy to save sinners, & for sin sick souls a healing balm to sooth & relieve
🔃At the Lord's table we are nourished & healing graces are lavishly granted us to
🔃Nothing provides life to our souls like the body & blood of Jesus, a unique gift refreshing us anew
🔃Great things can be accomplished in us if we let Him ignite a raging fire
🔃Saying yes allows the materialization of His every wish & desire
🔃It's a must, no matter what to keep on believing and hoping
🔃Trusting that things will be rightly ordered as we pray & live a life most holy & loving
🔲 St. Thomas Aquinas:
O memorial of our Lord's death!
Living bread that gives life to man,
Grant my soul to live on you,
And always to savor your sweetness.
🔃The past alive in the present, & perpetuating the future so mysteriously,
🔃Enraptured & enchanted ever so gloriously
🔃Saving Lord, enable us so intimately to connect ourselves & be united with thee
🔃My God, my God, how precious you are to those who love you and for sure to me
🔃So sweet is our indulgence, a dwelling so richly afforded to each & every one of us
🔃There is nothing greater that could be granted, it surely appears as thus
🔲 St. Thomas Aquinas:
Lord Jesus, Good Pelican,
wash my filthiness and clean me with your blood,
One drop of which can free
the entire world of all its sins.
🔃The blood bath is purposed with every soul in mind.
🔃A gesture offered, one ever so extremely kind
🔃No sin can escape it's efficacy to sparkle & dazzle with brilliancy, transforming every soiled stained soul.
🔃Like a waterfall lasting for a life time, unlimited the times the repentant can return to become clean & made whole.
🔃For a lifetime, no depletion is possible so come one, come all unto Him
🔃Pleasing if it's planned or if it's spirit led on a whim
🔃Everyone come, let the blood saturate your soul to remove every stain, wrinkle & spot
🔃It will serve you well in this life & surely in the one to come, helping to change your lot
🔲 St. Thomas Aquinas:
Jesus, whom now I see hidden,
I ask you to fulfill what I so desire:
That the sight of your face being unveiled
I may have the happiness of seeing your glory. Amen.
🔃For the slave turned heir, for the brother now part of the heavenly family
🔃The beginnings of what it means to truly belong & live oh so happily
🔃The removal of the veil, vision sharpened by purity with eyes now able to see what is a sheer pure gift
🔃One affording the soul a gigantic spiritual uplift
🔃The fires of love, being ignited by desire will surely bring about the goodness & kindness of The Lord
🔃As all the days of our lives we'll be able to live united in love & in one accord
🔃On into eternity, may there be awaiting us the glory of God that unfolds for ages without end
🔃Causing a resounding unending Amen, Amen and Amen!
"ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR", from the EWTM LIBRARYInfo from this site:
http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/BENMOOR.htm
(Ran across this at just the right time. Recently encountered someone who was not open and resistant to spiritual info because it wasn't coming from someone with a degree in theology. Thank God for many affirmations on the erroneousness of this assumption. Only one thing is truly needed, whether educated of uneducated, the operation of the Holy Spirit in power and might)
"Benedict was born of Negro parents who were slaves on an estate near Messina, Sicily. Though of the lowest social rank, they possessed true nobility of heart and mind. As a baby Benedict was freed by his master and as a young boy he showed such a devout and gentle disposition that he was called the "holy Moor." While working in the fields one day some neighbors taunted him on account of his race and parentage. His meek demeanor greatly impressed a Franciscan hermit who was passing by and who uttered the prophetic words: "You ridicule a poor Negro now; before long you will hear great things of him." Wishing to join these hermits, Benedict sold his meager belongings and gave the proceeds to the poor and then entered the community. After the death of the superior, Benedict was chosen his successor, though greatly against his will. When Pope Pius IV ordered all hermits to disband or join some Order, Benedict became a Friar Minor of the Observance at Palermo, and was made a cook. He was happy in this work since it enabled him to perform many little acts of kindness toward the others. His brethren were greatly edified by the saintly cook, especially when they saw angels at times helping him in his work.
The Chapter of 1578 made him guardian, or superior, of the friary, though he protested that he was not a priest, in fact could neither read nor write. He was a model superior, however, and won the esteem and obedience as well as the love of his subjects. As superior he gave free rein to his love for the poor, and no matter how openhanded he was, the food never seemed to give out. After serving as superior he was made novice master, and to this difficult post he brought gifts that were evidently infused: he was able to instruct with an amazing knowledge of theology and to read the hearts of others. At his request he was relieved of his office and again made cook, but he was no longer an obscure Brother, for thousands flocked to the friary, seeking cures or alms or counsel and help. He died after a brief illness, having foretold the hour of his death. His veneration has spread throughout the world, and the Negroes of North America have chosen him their patron."
http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/BENMOOR.htm
(Ran across this at just the right time. Recently encountered someone who was not open and resistant to spiritual info because it wasn't coming from someone with a degree in theology. Thank God for many affirmations on the erroneousness of this assumption. Only one thing is truly needed, whether educated of uneducated, the operation of the Holy Spirit in power and might)
"Benedict was born of Negro parents who were slaves on an estate near Messina, Sicily. Though of the lowest social rank, they possessed true nobility of heart and mind. As a baby Benedict was freed by his master and as a young boy he showed such a devout and gentle disposition that he was called the "holy Moor." While working in the fields one day some neighbors taunted him on account of his race and parentage. His meek demeanor greatly impressed a Franciscan hermit who was passing by and who uttered the prophetic words: "You ridicule a poor Negro now; before long you will hear great things of him." Wishing to join these hermits, Benedict sold his meager belongings and gave the proceeds to the poor and then entered the community. After the death of the superior, Benedict was chosen his successor, though greatly against his will. When Pope Pius IV ordered all hermits to disband or join some Order, Benedict became a Friar Minor of the Observance at Palermo, and was made a cook. He was happy in this work since it enabled him to perform many little acts of kindness toward the others. His brethren were greatly edified by the saintly cook, especially when they saw angels at times helping him in his work.
The Chapter of 1578 made him guardian, or superior, of the friary, though he protested that he was not a priest, in fact could neither read nor write. He was a model superior, however, and won the esteem and obedience as well as the love of his subjects. As superior he gave free rein to his love for the poor, and no matter how openhanded he was, the food never seemed to give out. After serving as superior he was made novice master, and to this difficult post he brought gifts that were evidently infused: he was able to instruct with an amazing knowledge of theology and to read the hearts of others. At his request he was relieved of his office and again made cook, but he was no longer an obscure Brother, for thousands flocked to the friary, seeking cures or alms or counsel and help. He died after a brief illness, having foretold the hour of his death. His veneration has spread throughout the world, and the Negroes of North America have chosen him their patron."
"A Decalogue for Priests", by Bishop Klaus Hemmerle
(These principles can very much be useful if applied to the lives of every believer, they are not just for priests)
Info from this site:
http://www.sisterbriege.com/A%20Decalogue%20for%20Priests.htm
🙄"1. How I live as a priest is more important than what I do as a priest.
(How I live as a Christian is more implant than what I do as a Christian)
🙄2. What Christ does through me is more important than what I do by myself.
3. It is more important that I live the unity of the priesthood than plunge myself headlong and alone into ministry.
(It is more important that I live the unity of brotherhood than plunge myself headlong and alone into working in the vineyard)
🙄4. The ministry of prayer and word is more important than serving at tables.
🙄5. It is more important to nurture the spiritual welfare of those who build up the parish community than to undertake alone as many activities as possible.
(It is important that our spiritual welfare be nurtured than undertaking many activities)
🙄6. It is more important to be present in a few key points radiating life than to be half-present everywhere and in a hurry.
🙄7. It is more important to work in unity with others than alone, no matter how capable I may feel. In other words, communion is more important than action.
🙄8. It is more important to value the Cross which yields true life, than to value the apparent success of human talents and efforts.
🙄9. It is more important to have an open soul - open to the community, the diocese, the universal Church - than a soul fixed on particular interests, no matter how important they may seem.
🙄10. It is more important to witness to my faith than to be caught up in every demand that is made upon me."
(These principles can very much be useful if applied to the lives of every believer, they are not just for priests)
Info from this site:
http://www.sisterbriege.com/A%20Decalogue%20for%20Priests.htm
🙄"1. How I live as a priest is more important than what I do as a priest.
(How I live as a Christian is more implant than what I do as a Christian)
🙄2. What Christ does through me is more important than what I do by myself.
3. It is more important that I live the unity of the priesthood than plunge myself headlong and alone into ministry.
(It is more important that I live the unity of brotherhood than plunge myself headlong and alone into working in the vineyard)
🙄4. The ministry of prayer and word is more important than serving at tables.
🙄5. It is more important to nurture the spiritual welfare of those who build up the parish community than to undertake alone as many activities as possible.
(It is important that our spiritual welfare be nurtured than undertaking many activities)
🙄6. It is more important to be present in a few key points radiating life than to be half-present everywhere and in a hurry.
🙄7. It is more important to work in unity with others than alone, no matter how capable I may feel. In other words, communion is more important than action.
🙄8. It is more important to value the Cross which yields true life, than to value the apparent success of human talents and efforts.
🙄9. It is more important to have an open soul - open to the community, the diocese, the universal Church - than a soul fixed on particular interests, no matter how important they may seem.
🙄10. It is more important to witness to my faith than to be caught up in every demand that is made upon me."
Divine Intimacy Radio: Dan and Melissa discuss the glory of the Resurrection and the dramatic changes that it brought about in the lives of Christ's disciples.
Easter is upon us! Rejoice in the triumph of Christ!
Link to audio presentation:
DIR_032716_-_Easter__The_Resurrection.mp3
Easter is upon us! Rejoice in the triumph of Christ!
Link to audio presentation:
DIR_032716_-_Easter__The_Resurrection.mp3