Ijournal entry 080116 # 31. August, Month of the Blessed Sacrament and also Month of The Immaculate Heart of Mary. Aphorism by Balthasar Gracian. Quotes by St. Isaak of Syria, St. Faustina's Divine Mercy Diary, and Nancy Ward. "Islam Will Destroy Itself By Creating Christian Martyrs!", by Dr. Taylor Marshall. Article: "Mary’s Mantle", from Wordpress. Video presentation by Fr. Andrew Matthew: "Spiritual Work Of The Legion of Mary"
🌼Happy Feast Day St. Alphonsus Ligouri 🌻
"The more a person loves God, the more reason he has to hope in Him. This hope produces in the Saints an unutterable peace, which they preserve even in adversity, because as they love God, and know how beautiful He is to those who love Him, they place all their confidence and find all their repose in Him alone". By St. Alphonsus Ligouri
also Month of The Immaculate Heart of Mary.
"The adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is truly part of the direct universal worship of God which is paid to Him by the faithful. In the daily Sacrifice of the Mass, in the receiving of Holy Communion, and in the proper observant homage of His Sacramental Presence in Churches, this worship is bound by the Church on the consciences of her children; and Benediction has now become to the people almost what choir is to religious, or the divine office to the clergy. And this worship and homage is of course not included under the idea of a special devotion. It is something which every one must have, which every one must do, else is he a rebel, a renegade, or a heretic. It belongs to Catholic dutifulness. It is a necessary part of the profession of Christian faith, and of the homage which the instructed reason of the creature owes to the majesty and presence of his Creator, wheresoever they are revealed to him". By Fr. Frederick Faber, D.D.
"All fools come to grief from want of thought. They never see even the half of things, and as they do not observe their own loss or gain. Some make much of what imports little and little of much, always weighing in the wrong scale. Many never lose their common sense, because they have none to lose. There are matters which should be observed with the closest attention of the mind, and thenceforth kept in its lowest depths. The wise man thinks over everything, but with a difference, most profoundly where there is some profound difficulty, and thinks that perhaps there is more in it than he thinks. Thus his comprehension extends as far as his apprehension". By Balthasar Gracian
MTA = It seems scripture gives us the answer to avoid playing the fool. It is necessary to not lean on one's own understanding, but to ponder as Our Blessed Mother did and be transformed by the renewal of our minds. My the power of the Holy Spirit that should help us not to make a mountain out of a mold hill and to be able to distinguish between gold from brass.
MTA = It seems scripture gives us the answer to avoid playing the fool. It is necessary to not lean on one's own understanding, but to ponder as Our Blessed Mother did and be transformed by the renewal of our minds. My the power of the Holy Spirit that should help us not to make a mountain out of a mold hill and to be able to distinguish between gold from brass.
⚫️“Do not oppose head-on thoughts that the enemy sows in your mind. Instead, cut off all conversation with them by prayer to God". By St. Isaak of Syria
🔴"This firm resolution to become a saint is extremely pleasing to Me. I bless your efforts and will give you opportunities to sanctify yourself. Be watchful that you lose no opportunity that My providence offers you for sanctification". From St. Faustina's Divine Mercy Diary, 1361
🔵 "I forget so easily how the enemy constantly works to invade my thoughts with negativity, self- doubt and temptations to react with anger and self-defense. St Benedict gives me a good strategy, “When evil thoughts come into your heart, dash them at once on the rock of Christ and disclose them to your spiritual father.” I can expose the lies of the enemy to my husband, who is my spiritual leader, and my parish priest, my spiritual father in the Sacrament of Reconciliation". By Nancy Ward
🔴"This firm resolution to become a saint is extremely pleasing to Me. I bless your efforts and will give you opportunities to sanctify yourself. Be watchful that you lose no opportunity that My providence offers you for sanctification". From St. Faustina's Divine Mercy Diary, 1361
🔵 "I forget so easily how the enemy constantly works to invade my thoughts with negativity, self- doubt and temptations to react with anger and self-defense. St Benedict gives me a good strategy, “When evil thoughts come into your heart, dash them at once on the rock of Christ and disclose them to your spiritual father.” I can expose the lies of the enemy to my husband, who is my spiritual leader, and my parish priest, my spiritual father in the Sacrament of Reconciliation". By Nancy Ward
The following scriptures crossed my path one day, and just had to say to myself: Do you know all the precepts? Does God not mean what He says? By keeping God's commands and precepts we show Him our love and set ourselves up for receiving mercy upon mercy.
After becoming aware of the precepts, it wasn't long before encountering someone to share Precept 1 with, regarding servile work on Sunday. One morning on the way to church a hired man was across the street doing yard work. Driving off, decided to roll the windows down and approach him in a nice way. He had a cross around his neck, so he may not have been Catholic but was most probably a christian. He said he was going to church later, and he is too busy all week to do this job. After telling him about the scripture about working on the sabbath, he didn't say he didn't know this was wrong, but said he knew, but too busy all week to heed this.
Reading an article by Jean Khoury, found at this site:
http://amorvincit.blogspot.com/2016/07/151-soothing-spiritual-fanaticism.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FnllIn+%28Spirituality%29
speaks eloquently to this subject : All this shows a lack of growth. A fragmented and reduced approach to the real God, the real Jesus, the real Gospel. It illustrates a very superficial understanding of Christianity, and quite a serious degree of spiritual blindness. "...you said, you see, therefore your sins remain" said Jesus to the Pharisees toward the end of Chapter 9 in St John's Gospel.
Most times we really do know that what we are doing is not exactly right, but our will trumps God's. My advice was to encourage him to make a change, to see if he could pray for the grace to not work on at least one Sunday and to attempt to get the job done betweenMonday through Saturday. Asked him to pray for me as he would be in my prayers, because we all have mountains to climb and battles to fight to become better Christians. We smiled at each other and it was time for me to hurry off so as not to be late for Mass. It was a pleasant exchange and a seed planted, and amazing all so this transpired on the very day the reading about the precepts of the church was discovered.
Reading an article by Jean Khoury, found at this site:
http://amorvincit.blogspot.com/2016/07/151-soothing-spiritual-fanaticism.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FnllIn+%28Spirituality%29
speaks eloquently to this subject : All this shows a lack of growth. A fragmented and reduced approach to the real God, the real Jesus, the real Gospel. It illustrates a very superficial understanding of Christianity, and quite a serious degree of spiritual blindness. "...you said, you see, therefore your sins remain" said Jesus to the Pharisees toward the end of Chapter 9 in St John's Gospel.
Most times we really do know that what we are doing is not exactly right, but our will trumps God's. My advice was to encourage him to make a change, to see if he could pray for the grace to not work on at least one Sunday and to attempt to get the job done betweenMonday through Saturday. Asked him to pray for me as he would be in my prayers, because we all have mountains to climb and battles to fight to become better Christians. We smiled at each other and it was time for me to hurry off so as not to be late for Mass. It was a pleasant exchange and a seed planted, and amazing all so this transpired on the very day the reading about the precepts of the church was discovered.
Daniel 9:4 I prayed to the LORD, my God, and confessed, “Ah, Lord, great and awesome God, you who keep your covenant and show mercy toward those who love you and keep your commandments and your precepts! Exodus 31:15 "For six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day is to be put to death" |
⤵️7 Precepts of the Church
⏩I. Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, and resting from servile works.
⏩II. To observe the days of abstinence and fasting.
⏩III. To confess our sins to a priest, at least once a year.
⏩IV. To receive Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist at least once a year during Easter Season.
⏩V. To contribute to the support of the Church.
⏩VI. To obey the laws of the Church concerning Matrimony.
⏩VII. To participate in the Church's mission of Evangelization of Souls.(Missionary Spirit of the Church)
⏩I. Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, and resting from servile works.
⏩II. To observe the days of abstinence and fasting.
⏩III. To confess our sins to a priest, at least once a year.
⏩IV. To receive Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist at least once a year during Easter Season.
⏩V. To contribute to the support of the Church.
⏩VI. To obey the laws of the Church concerning Matrimony.
⏩VII. To participate in the Church's mission of Evangelization of Souls.(Missionary Spirit of the Church)
"Islam Will Destroy Itself By Creating Christian Martyrs!", by Dr. Taylor Marshall
Info from this site: http://taylormarshall.com/2016/07/islam-will-destroy-itself-by-creating-christian-martyrs.html?utm_source=Taylor+Marshall%27s+Updates&utm_campaign=0b432829d8-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_64accbc3c7-0b432829d8-59118113&ct=t(Regular_Blog_Updates_Campaign)
"Nero did not understand it. Diocletian did not understand it.
God’s greatest love is unleashed into creation through martyrdom.
When a believer in Jesus Christ surrenders his life in death for witness of Christ, suddenly and immediately the power of the crucified Lord enters into the world.
Two “citizens” of the Islamic State beheaded the 86-year-old priest Father Jacques Hamel. Like Nero and Diocletian, the Islamic State does not comprehend the power they are fighting.
"Rome molested the Church. And Rome was overcome through martyrdom. Islam has been molesting Christianity for 1,400 years. And Islam will be defeated through martyrdom. It’s easy to day, but the difficult questions are these:
Martyrdom was so common that Christianity underwent a crisis of identity after Constantine legalized Christianity: Can Christians truly be Christian without the reality of impending martyrdom?
The monastic revolution of the 4th and 5th centuries was a response to this identity crisis – the monastics sought to regain the danger and asceticism of carrying the cross.
For me personally, this is a moment of personal crisis. I wrote books about Christ. I record podcasts and videos about Christ. I talk about Christ frequently. But am I ready for this to happen to me:
…two Islamic State knifemen who cut the priest’s throat after bursting into a French church and taking nuns and worshippers hostage before being shot dead by police.
Father Jacques Hamel, pray for us."
Info from this site: http://taylormarshall.com/2016/07/islam-will-destroy-itself-by-creating-christian-martyrs.html?utm_source=Taylor+Marshall%27s+Updates&utm_campaign=0b432829d8-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_64accbc3c7-0b432829d8-59118113&ct=t(Regular_Blog_Updates_Campaign)
"Nero did not understand it. Diocletian did not understand it.
God’s greatest love is unleashed into creation through martyrdom.
When a believer in Jesus Christ surrenders his life in death for witness of Christ, suddenly and immediately the power of the crucified Lord enters into the world.
Two “citizens” of the Islamic State beheaded the 86-year-old priest Father Jacques Hamel. Like Nero and Diocletian, the Islamic State does not comprehend the power they are fighting.
"Rome molested the Church. And Rome was overcome through martyrdom. Islam has been molesting Christianity for 1,400 years. And Islam will be defeated through martyrdom. It’s easy to day, but the difficult questions are these:
- Do I believe that God would give me the grace to die as faithfully as a martyr?
- Would I be willing for my children to demonstrate the witness of a martyr in the future?
- Would I rejoice to be a martyr as so many thousands of martyrs have in previous centuries?
Martyrdom was so common that Christianity underwent a crisis of identity after Constantine legalized Christianity: Can Christians truly be Christian without the reality of impending martyrdom?
The monastic revolution of the 4th and 5th centuries was a response to this identity crisis – the monastics sought to regain the danger and asceticism of carrying the cross.
For me personally, this is a moment of personal crisis. I wrote books about Christ. I record podcasts and videos about Christ. I talk about Christ frequently. But am I ready for this to happen to me:
…two Islamic State knifemen who cut the priest’s throat after bursting into a French church and taking nuns and worshippers hostage before being shot dead by police.
Father Jacques Hamel, pray for us."
Article: "Mary’s Mantle", from Wordpress.
Info from this site: https://marythemotherofgod.wordpress.com/2010/10/28/marys-mantle/
"1Kings 19:19: “… and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.”"Elijah cast His mantle on Elisha, symbolizing the latter’s discipleship. MIn the light of the Annunciation to Mary, the Holy Spirit having found His spouse in Mary cast His mantle of Grace upon her. This mantle she wears in all her revered portraits and paintings is thus to be taken for more than just a traditional clothing. Mary’s mantle should remind us symbolically of the fullness of Grace that has come upon her. Her mantle is His shield against the principalities and powers of this world. In this mantle, she hid her child from powerful kings and preying people. More, she confined to her world, His world, happily, within this mantle, wanting to be known to no one other than the Lord. And if any more, only to the ones He chose.Perhaps then Mary remained so less known in her days and is yet to be well understood by many, today.
Mary would not have wanted anything more than to forget herself and to deliver His Son to this world. She chose to hide herself and reveal Her Son instead. How many of us concentrate on self embellishment and self showcase? How many of us are willing to let the Self take the backseat and let the Christ in us perform? Can we tie up Christ in us so that we can take spotlight?Would you do something for God in your lifetime that would cause a sword to pierce through your heart?
Would you do something for God if you were not going to be known or acknowledged for it, in your lifetime? Would you like to be known to God and God alone? Would you want to be His? Save your words and thoughts for Him alone? Would you rejoice in the Lord alone? Can He be your only source of peace and exaltation? Would you magnify Him?
Do anything and everything only for His pleasure? To see your Father smile? You would if Her Mantle shielded you.
He hath clothed many throughout the eras with His Holy Spirit. Each of the vibrant colors of the Spirit indicate special callings. Not one has been clothed as Mary has been- with all the 7 shades of His Holy Spirit; for it is said only of Mary: ”Hail Mary, full of Grace..”
By His Mercy, in our times, a few He hath chosen to give His Mother to. To be clothed with the Mary Mantle; the very one He clothed Mary. These are Mary’s very own children; the true disciples of Mary; her very own babes who yearn for their mother’s shade and caress amidst turmoil and turbulence. For them, her mantle is a cloth spun in His Divine Grace, the threads of which shalt never wear or tear.
PRAYERS TO OUR LADY OF MERCY
-Our Lady and Virgin of Mercy
we beg you that through your maternal intercession before your Son Jesus Christ, you obtain for us the true freedom of the children of God and that you make us free of any slavery, so that we may experience the joy of salvation. Amen.
-Mary, Mother of God, gift from Christ to all men. The Blessed Trinity sent you to Barcelona, as messenger of liberty and mercy, so that through Peter Nolasco, you may show yourself co-redemptrix, mediator, Mother of all, tenderness of God for the poor.
Mother of Mercy, teach us to value our Christian faith, make us capable of loving with merciful charity, transform us into bearers of your peace.
That your kisses may melt the violence that envelops us, until we recuperate, in your maternal mantle, the hope of family, that the world may be transformed into a home.
Bless this, your city which proclaims you its patron and its princess and delights itself in calling you Mother".
Info from this site: https://marythemotherofgod.wordpress.com/2010/10/28/marys-mantle/
"1Kings 19:19: “… and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.”"Elijah cast His mantle on Elisha, symbolizing the latter’s discipleship. MIn the light of the Annunciation to Mary, the Holy Spirit having found His spouse in Mary cast His mantle of Grace upon her. This mantle she wears in all her revered portraits and paintings is thus to be taken for more than just a traditional clothing. Mary’s mantle should remind us symbolically of the fullness of Grace that has come upon her. Her mantle is His shield against the principalities and powers of this world. In this mantle, she hid her child from powerful kings and preying people. More, she confined to her world, His world, happily, within this mantle, wanting to be known to no one other than the Lord. And if any more, only to the ones He chose.Perhaps then Mary remained so less known in her days and is yet to be well understood by many, today.
Mary would not have wanted anything more than to forget herself and to deliver His Son to this world. She chose to hide herself and reveal Her Son instead. How many of us concentrate on self embellishment and self showcase? How many of us are willing to let the Self take the backseat and let the Christ in us perform? Can we tie up Christ in us so that we can take spotlight?Would you do something for God in your lifetime that would cause a sword to pierce through your heart?
Would you do something for God if you were not going to be known or acknowledged for it, in your lifetime? Would you like to be known to God and God alone? Would you want to be His? Save your words and thoughts for Him alone? Would you rejoice in the Lord alone? Can He be your only source of peace and exaltation? Would you magnify Him?
Do anything and everything only for His pleasure? To see your Father smile? You would if Her Mantle shielded you.
He hath clothed many throughout the eras with His Holy Spirit. Each of the vibrant colors of the Spirit indicate special callings. Not one has been clothed as Mary has been- with all the 7 shades of His Holy Spirit; for it is said only of Mary: ”Hail Mary, full of Grace..”
By His Mercy, in our times, a few He hath chosen to give His Mother to. To be clothed with the Mary Mantle; the very one He clothed Mary. These are Mary’s very own children; the true disciples of Mary; her very own babes who yearn for their mother’s shade and caress amidst turmoil and turbulence. For them, her mantle is a cloth spun in His Divine Grace, the threads of which shalt never wear or tear.
PRAYERS TO OUR LADY OF MERCY
-Our Lady and Virgin of Mercy
we beg you that through your maternal intercession before your Son Jesus Christ, you obtain for us the true freedom of the children of God and that you make us free of any slavery, so that we may experience the joy of salvation. Amen.
-Mary, Mother of God, gift from Christ to all men. The Blessed Trinity sent you to Barcelona, as messenger of liberty and mercy, so that through Peter Nolasco, you may show yourself co-redemptrix, mediator, Mother of all, tenderness of God for the poor.
Mother of Mercy, teach us to value our Christian faith, make us capable of loving with merciful charity, transform us into bearers of your peace.
That your kisses may melt the violence that envelops us, until we recuperate, in your maternal mantle, the hope of family, that the world may be transformed into a home.
Bless this, your city which proclaims you its patron and its princess and delights itself in calling you Mother".
Video presentation by Fr. Andrew Matthew: "Spiritual Work Of The Legion of Mary"
YouTube video link:
https://youtu.be/kpvey-tqKno
YouTube video link:
https://youtu.be/kpvey-tqKno