Ijournal entry 050916 #19. May, a Month of Blessed Mary. Aphorism by Simone Weil. Quotes by Thomas à Kempis, St. Jose Escrivá, and St. Symeon the New Theologian. "A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23", By Phillip Keller. Our Lady of Medjugorje's May 2, 2016 message through Mirjana. Audio presentation by Fr. Jacques Philippe: A Women's Retreat on "Thirsting for Prayer".
"Holy Church is ever desirous to maintain a tender devotion in the hearts of the faithful towards the Most Blessed Virgin, and from the earliest ages of Christianity she has encouraged the consecration of the Saturday to her. It is related that there was in the church of Santa Sofia at Constantinople a picture of the Mother of God which was veiled during the rest of the week, but on Friday evening the veil was raised without human aid, and lowered on the evening of Saturday. Thus did Almighty God manifest His Will that Saturday should be dedicated to Mary. It was on Saturday she took so great a part in the work of our redemption, and it was fitting that on the morrow of the day when she so bitterly wept over the sorrowful scene of Calvary we should remember her tears shed for us in a special manner. Again, on Saturday God rested from His work in the creation of the world, and the Church consecrates this day to her, to honor the mysterious repose of the Holy Ghost in her Immaculate Heart, and that of Our Blessed Savior in her chaste womb. Saturday is the introduction to Sunday the symbol of eternal rest and the Holy Virgin is truly invoked under the title of Gate of Heaven Janua Cceli. Saturday, moreover, is the day between Friday, the day of mourning, and Sunday, the day of joy and the Holy Virgin is the mediatrix between God, Who is Eternal Beatitude, and man, who is subject to endless evils and miseries. Mary is the way to arrive at Jesus, and Saturday is a prelude to the solemnity of Sunday. Saturday is as a magnificent portal consecrated to the Mother of God, by which we enter the Sanctuary of God Himself. The Saints held this day in great esteem on it they redoubled their pious exercises and many begged, as a signal favour, that they might die on a Saturday"
Info from this book: "Month of Mary, according to Francis of Sales"
📚 Link for a free PDF copy: http://www.todayscatholicworld.com/the-month-of-mary.pdf
Info from this book: "Month of Mary, according to Francis of Sales"
📚 Link for a free PDF copy: http://www.todayscatholicworld.com/the-month-of-mary.pdf
"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, and you can even fool yourself, but da day comes when time is no more and there can be no running or hiding. Readying to face the just judge, is to let the light shine and reveal what have been darkened by sin. With the help of grace we can become strong, loving and & wise.
MTA= Sometimes you can fool some of the people, and sometimes it's all of the people, and you can even fool yourself, but da day comes when time is no more and there can be no running or hiding. Readying to face the just judge, is to let the light shine and reveal what have been darkened by sin. With the help of grace we can become strong, loving and & wise.
⭕“Without the Way,nthere is no going, Without the Truth, there is no knowing, Without the Life, there is no living". By Thomas à Kempis
🔴 Christ gives us his risen life, he rises in us, if we become sharers in his cross and his death. We should love the cross, self-sacrifice and mortification. Christian optimism is not something sugary, nor is it a human optimism that things will “work out well.” No, its deep roots are awareness of freedom and faith in grace. It is an optimism which makes us be demanding with ourselves. It gets us to make a real effort to respond to God’s call. Not so much despite our wretchedness but in some way through it, through our life as men of flesh and blood and dust, Christ is shown forth: in our effort to be better, to have a love which wants to be pure, to overcome our selfishness, to give ourselves fully to others - to turn our existence into a continuous service". By St. Jose Escrivá
🔵 "Those to whom Christ has given light as He has risen, to them He has appeared spiritually, He has been shown to their spiritual eyes. When this happens to us through the Spirit He raises us up from the dead and gives us life. He grants us to see Him, who is immortal and indestructible. More than that, He grants clearly to know Him who raises us up (Eph. 2:6)
🔴 Christ gives us his risen life, he rises in us, if we become sharers in his cross and his death. We should love the cross, self-sacrifice and mortification. Christian optimism is not something sugary, nor is it a human optimism that things will “work out well.” No, its deep roots are awareness of freedom and faith in grace. It is an optimism which makes us be demanding with ourselves. It gets us to make a real effort to respond to God’s call. Not so much despite our wretchedness but in some way through it, through our life as men of flesh and blood and dust, Christ is shown forth: in our effort to be better, to have a love which wants to be pure, to overcome our selfishness, to give ourselves fully to others - to turn our existence into a continuous service". By St. Jose Escrivá
🔵 "Those to whom Christ has given light as He has risen, to them He has appeared spiritually, He has been shown to their spiritual eyes. When this happens to us through the Spirit He raises us up from the dead and gives us life. He grants us to see Him, who is immortal and indestructible. More than that, He grants clearly to know Him who raises us up (Eph. 2:6)
and glorifies us (Rom. 8:17)
with Himself, as all the divine Scripture testifies. These, then, are the divine mysteries of Christians. This is the hidden power of our faith, which unbelievers, or those who believe with difficulty, or rather believe in part, do not see nor are able at all to see". By St. Symeon the New Theologian
The Holy Spirit was a work last week, let us be mindful and having ears, hear. The "Potato dish, which was French Fries, that was served up last week about confession, was confirmed the very next day. At our church, there were cards placed on the table about going to confession.
Maybe someone else have seen these particular cards before, but it was a first for me. Also this month's signature closing was chosen a while ago and the article was not chosen to coincide with it, that probably was God being about His business.
Here below is the poem that was given to me spoken about in the Ijournal entry that talked about the Lord as the Good Shepherd.
Here below is the poem that was given to me spoken about in the Ijournal entry that talked about the Lord as the Good Shepherd.
~~ A Shepherd So Good ~ Following Him, Everyone Should ~~
☝🏼️It is in the Good Shepherd in whom one should place all of one's faith
☝🏼️Since we none know the day or the hour, we should in no way hesitate
☝🏻A factual necessity & not in the least superfluous, wisdom can surely to us dictate
☝🏻️Of extreme importance let every Christian realize to Jesus ought one intensely & readily capitulate
☝🏻️He alone can lead us safely home to heaven's pearly gate
☝🏻A mission supreme, let's set this as a priority to which our energy & time we generously daily dedicate
☝🏼Certainly a perilous journey where snares & traps at strategic corners for us most cunningly do await
☝🏼️Unimaginable is finding ourselves in a battle where the stakes are heightened in so grave a state
☝🏻On our own, navigation on the path to Eternal Life will be impossible, the Shepherd's rod & staff we come to highly appreciate
☝🏻Wild passions, sinful tendencies will certainly derail us without Divine Grace being there to abate
☝🏼Only He who is The Way, The Truth, & The Life, be the one who can our every step successfully calculate
☝🏼Bringing us the victory to defeat every obstacle blocking our destiny to life everlasting & allowing us to achieve checkmate
☝🏻️A place where our appetite for God He Himself will not fail to satiate
☝🏻️Truly How great is our God, how great, how great!
tmm/TruGIG
™
It seems so many people are troubled, this is the perfect dish to share.
Book: "A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23", by Phillip Keller
Excerpts:
"I SHALL NOT WANT"
In my mind's eye I can still see them standing at the fence, huddled sadly in little knots, staring wistfully through the wires at the rich pastures on the other side. To all their distress, the heartless, selfish owner seemed utterly callous and indifferent. He simply did not care. What if his sheep did WANT green grass; fresh water; shade; safety or shelter from the storms? What if they did WANT relief from wounds, bruises, disease and parasites? He ignored their needs -- he couldn't care less. Why should he -- they were just sheep -- fit only for the slaughterhouse.
I have become increasingly aware of one thing ... It is ... the Master in people's lives who makes the difference in their destiny. Despite an unparalleled wealth in material assets we are outstandingly insecure and unsure of ourselves and well nigh bankrupt in spiritual values.
Always men are searching for safety beyond themselves. They are restless, unsettled, covetous, greedy for more -- wanting this and that, yet never really satisfied in spirit. By contrast the simple Christian, the humble person, the Shepherd's sheep can stand up proudly and boast. "The Lord is my Shepherd -- I shall not want."
I am completely satisfied with His management of my life. Why? Because He is the sheepman to whom no trouble is too great as He cares for His flock. He is the Rancher who is outstanding because of His fondness for sheep -- who loves them for their own sake as well as His personal pleasure in them. He will, if necessary, be on the job twenty-four hours a day to see that they are properly provided for in every detail. Above all, He is very jealous of His name and high reputation as “The Good Shepherd.”
He is the owner who delights in His flock. For Him there is no greater reward, no deeper satisfaction, than that of seeing His sheep contented, well fed, safe and flourishing under His care. This is indeed His very 'life.' He gives all He has to it. He literally lays Himself out for those who are His. He will go to no end of trouble and labor to supply them with the finest grazing, the richest pasturage, ample winter feed, and clean water. He will spare Himself no pains to provide shelter from storms, protection from ruthless enemies and the diseases and parasites to which sheep are so susceptible. No wonder Jesus said,
🌷 "I am the Good Shepherd -- the Good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."
And again,
🌷 "I am come that ye might have life and that ye might have it more abundantly."
From early dawn until late at night this utterly self-less Shepherd is alert to the welfare of His flock. For the diligent sheepman rises early and goes out first thing every morning without fail to look over his flock. It is the initial, intimate contact of the day. With a practiced, searching, sympathetic eye he examines the sheep to see that they are fit and content and able to be on their feet. In an instant he can tell if they have been molested during the night -- whether any are ill or if there are some which require special attention. Repeatedly throughout the day he casts his eye over the flock to make sure that all is well. Nor even at night is he oblivious to their needs. He sleeps as it were 'with one eye and both ears open' ready at the least sign of trouble to leap up and protect his own. This is a sublime picture of the care given to those whose lives are under Christ's control. He knows all about their lives from morning to night.
🌷"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits -- even the God of our salvation.
🌷"He that keepeth thee will not slumber or sleep."
In spite of having such a master and owner, the fact remains that some Christians are still not content with His control. They are somewhat dissatisfied, always feeling that somehow the grass beyond the fence must be a little greener. These are carnal Christians -- one might almost call them 'fence crawlers' or 'half Christians' who want the best of both worlds. I once owned an ewe whose conduct exactly typified this sort of person. She was one of the most attractive sheep that ever belonged to me. Her body was beautifully proportioned. She had a strong constitution and an excellent coat of wool. Her head was clean, alert, well-set with bright eyes. She bore sturdy lambs that matured rapidly. But in spite of all these attractive attributes she had one pronounced fault. She was restless -- discontented -- a fence crawler. So much so that I came to call her 'Mrs. Gad-about.' This one ewe produced more problems for me than almost all the rest of the flock combined. No matter what field or pasture the sheep were in, she would search all along the fences or shoreline (we lived by the sea) looking for a loophole she could crawl through and start to feed on the other side.
It was not that she lacked pasturage. My fields were my joy and delight. No sheep in the district had better grazing. With 'Mrs. Gad-about' it as an ingrained habit. She was simply never contented with things as they were. Often when she had forced her way through some such spot in a fence or found a way through the end of the wire at low tide on the beaches, she would end up feeding on bare, brown, burned-up pasturage of a most inferior sort. But she never learned her lesson and continued to fence crawl time after time. Now it would have been bad enough if she was the only one that did this. It was a sufficient problem to find her and bring her back. But the further point was that she taught her lambs the same tricks. They simply followed her example and soon were as skilled at escaping as their mother. Even worse, however, was the example she set the other sheep. In a short time she began to lead others through the same holes and over the same dangerous paths down by the sea.
After putting up with her perverseness for a summer, I finally came to the conclusion that to save the rest of the flock from being unsettled, she would have to go. ... it was a difficult decision ... I loved her in the same way I loved the rest. Her strength and beauty and alertness were a delight to the eye. But one morning, I took the
killing knife in hand and butchered her. It was the only solution to the dilemma. She was a sheep, who in spite of all that I had done to give her the very best care -- still wanted something else. She is not the one who said, 'The Lord is my Shepherd -- I shall not want.'
It is a solemn warning to the carnal Christians - the backslider - the one who wants the best of both worlds. Sometimes in short order they can be cut down."
Book: "A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23", by Phillip Keller
Excerpts:
"I SHALL NOT WANT"
In my mind's eye I can still see them standing at the fence, huddled sadly in little knots, staring wistfully through the wires at the rich pastures on the other side. To all their distress, the heartless, selfish owner seemed utterly callous and indifferent. He simply did not care. What if his sheep did WANT green grass; fresh water; shade; safety or shelter from the storms? What if they did WANT relief from wounds, bruises, disease and parasites? He ignored their needs -- he couldn't care less. Why should he -- they were just sheep -- fit only for the slaughterhouse.
I have become increasingly aware of one thing ... It is ... the Master in people's lives who makes the difference in their destiny. Despite an unparalleled wealth in material assets we are outstandingly insecure and unsure of ourselves and well nigh bankrupt in spiritual values.
Always men are searching for safety beyond themselves. They are restless, unsettled, covetous, greedy for more -- wanting this and that, yet never really satisfied in spirit. By contrast the simple Christian, the humble person, the Shepherd's sheep can stand up proudly and boast. "The Lord is my Shepherd -- I shall not want."
I am completely satisfied with His management of my life. Why? Because He is the sheepman to whom no trouble is too great as He cares for His flock. He is the Rancher who is outstanding because of His fondness for sheep -- who loves them for their own sake as well as His personal pleasure in them. He will, if necessary, be on the job twenty-four hours a day to see that they are properly provided for in every detail. Above all, He is very jealous of His name and high reputation as “The Good Shepherd.”
He is the owner who delights in His flock. For Him there is no greater reward, no deeper satisfaction, than that of seeing His sheep contented, well fed, safe and flourishing under His care. This is indeed His very 'life.' He gives all He has to it. He literally lays Himself out for those who are His. He will go to no end of trouble and labor to supply them with the finest grazing, the richest pasturage, ample winter feed, and clean water. He will spare Himself no pains to provide shelter from storms, protection from ruthless enemies and the diseases and parasites to which sheep are so susceptible. No wonder Jesus said,
🌷 "I am the Good Shepherd -- the Good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."
And again,
🌷 "I am come that ye might have life and that ye might have it more abundantly."
From early dawn until late at night this utterly self-less Shepherd is alert to the welfare of His flock. For the diligent sheepman rises early and goes out first thing every morning without fail to look over his flock. It is the initial, intimate contact of the day. With a practiced, searching, sympathetic eye he examines the sheep to see that they are fit and content and able to be on their feet. In an instant he can tell if they have been molested during the night -- whether any are ill or if there are some which require special attention. Repeatedly throughout the day he casts his eye over the flock to make sure that all is well. Nor even at night is he oblivious to their needs. He sleeps as it were 'with one eye and both ears open' ready at the least sign of trouble to leap up and protect his own. This is a sublime picture of the care given to those whose lives are under Christ's control. He knows all about their lives from morning to night.
🌷"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits -- even the God of our salvation.
🌷"He that keepeth thee will not slumber or sleep."
In spite of having such a master and owner, the fact remains that some Christians are still not content with His control. They are somewhat dissatisfied, always feeling that somehow the grass beyond the fence must be a little greener. These are carnal Christians -- one might almost call them 'fence crawlers' or 'half Christians' who want the best of both worlds. I once owned an ewe whose conduct exactly typified this sort of person. She was one of the most attractive sheep that ever belonged to me. Her body was beautifully proportioned. She had a strong constitution and an excellent coat of wool. Her head was clean, alert, well-set with bright eyes. She bore sturdy lambs that matured rapidly. But in spite of all these attractive attributes she had one pronounced fault. She was restless -- discontented -- a fence crawler. So much so that I came to call her 'Mrs. Gad-about.' This one ewe produced more problems for me than almost all the rest of the flock combined. No matter what field or pasture the sheep were in, she would search all along the fences or shoreline (we lived by the sea) looking for a loophole she could crawl through and start to feed on the other side.
It was not that she lacked pasturage. My fields were my joy and delight. No sheep in the district had better grazing. With 'Mrs. Gad-about' it as an ingrained habit. She was simply never contented with things as they were. Often when she had forced her way through some such spot in a fence or found a way through the end of the wire at low tide on the beaches, she would end up feeding on bare, brown, burned-up pasturage of a most inferior sort. But she never learned her lesson and continued to fence crawl time after time. Now it would have been bad enough if she was the only one that did this. It was a sufficient problem to find her and bring her back. But the further point was that she taught her lambs the same tricks. They simply followed her example and soon were as skilled at escaping as their mother. Even worse, however, was the example she set the other sheep. In a short time she began to lead others through the same holes and over the same dangerous paths down by the sea.
After putting up with her perverseness for a summer, I finally came to the conclusion that to save the rest of the flock from being unsettled, she would have to go. ... it was a difficult decision ... I loved her in the same way I loved the rest. Her strength and beauty and alertness were a delight to the eye. But one morning, I took the
killing knife in hand and butchered her. It was the only solution to the dilemma. She was a sheep, who in spite of all that I had done to give her the very best care -- still wanted something else. She is not the one who said, 'The Lord is my Shepherd -- I shall not want.'
It is a solemn warning to the carnal Christians - the backslider - the one who wants the best of both worlds. Sometimes in short order they can be cut down."
Our Lady of Medjugorje's May 2, 2016 message through Mirjana:
"Dear children, my motherly heart desires your true conversion and a firm faith so that you may be able to spread love and peace to all those who surround you. But, my children, do not forget; each of you is a unique world before the Heavenly Father. Therefore, permit the continuous working of the Holy Spirit to work on you. Be my spiritually pure children. In spirituality is beauty. Everything that is spiritual is alive and very beautiful. Do not forget that in the Eucharist, which is the heart of faith, my Son is always with you. He comes to you and breaks the bread with you; because, my children, for your sake He died, He resurrected and is coming anew. These words of mine are familiar to you because they are the truth, and the truth does not change. It is only that many of my children have forgotten it. My children, my words are neither old nor new, they are eternal. Therefore, I invite you, my children, to observe well the signs of the times -- to 'gather the shattered crosses' and to be apostles of the revelation. Thank you."
"Dear children, my motherly heart desires your true conversion and a firm faith so that you may be able to spread love and peace to all those who surround you. But, my children, do not forget; each of you is a unique world before the Heavenly Father. Therefore, permit the continuous working of the Holy Spirit to work on you. Be my spiritually pure children. In spirituality is beauty. Everything that is spiritual is alive and very beautiful. Do not forget that in the Eucharist, which is the heart of faith, my Son is always with you. He comes to you and breaks the bread with you; because, my children, for your sake He died, He resurrected and is coming anew. These words of mine are familiar to you because they are the truth, and the truth does not change. It is only that many of my children have forgotten it. My children, my words are neither old nor new, they are eternal. Therefore, I invite you, my children, to observe well the signs of the times -- to 'gather the shattered crosses' and to be apostles of the revelation. Thank you."
Women's Retreat on "Thirsting for Prayer", by Fr. Jacques Philippe
Link to audio presentation:
http://ec.libsyn.com/p/d/e/9/de92b0556aa49436/Fr._Philippe_Talk_1_12-4-15.mp3?d13a76d516d9dec20c3d276ce028ed5089ab1ce3dae902ea1d06ce8633d7c05aac9c&c_id=10748208
Link to audio presentation:
http://ec.libsyn.com/p/d/e/9/de92b0556aa49436/Fr._Philippe_Talk_1_12-4-15.mp3?d13a76d516d9dec20c3d276ce028ed5089ab1ce3dae902ea1d06ce8633d7c05aac9c&c_id=10748208