Ijournal entry 081516 # 33. Feast Of The Asumption of Blessed Mary. August, Month of the Blessed Sacrament and also Month of The Immaculate Heart of Mary. Aphorism by Hans Urs von Balthasar. Quotes by St. Josemaría Escrivá, St. Catherine of Siena, and Blessed Antonio Rosmini. "Keeping the Lord’s Day", by Fr. C. John McCloskey III. "Contemplation and Prayer", by St. Julian Eymard. Video presentation.: "A personal encounter with our God in our prayer life", by Fr. Jacques Philippe.
"O Lord, we cannot go to the pool of Siloe to which you sent the blind man. But we have the chalice of Your Precious Blood, filled with life and light. The purer we are, the more we receive". By St. Ephraem
"God, then, wishes to reveal and make known Mary, the masterpiece of His hands, in these latter times: Because She hid Herself in this world, and put Herself lower than the dust by Her profound humility, having obtained from God and from His Apostles and Evangelists that She should not be made manifest. Because, She being the Masterpiece of the Hands of God, as well here below by grace as in Heaven by glory, He wishes to be glorified and praised in Her by those who are living upon the earth. As She is the dawn which precedes and reveals the Sun of Justice, Who is Jesus Christ, She must be seen and recognized in order that Jesus Christ may also be. Being the Way by which Jesus came to us the first time, She will also be the Way by which He will come the second time, though not in the same manner. Being the Sure Means and the Straight and Immaculate Way to go to Jesus Christ, and to find Him perfectly, it is by Her that the souls who are to shine forth especially in sanctity, have to find Our Lord. He who shall find Mary shall find life,
that is, Jesus Christ, Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life
But no one can find Mary Who does not seek Her; and no one can seek Her who does not know Her; for we cannot seek or desire an unknown object. It is necessary, then, for the greater knowledge and glory of the Most Holy Trinity, that Mary should be more than ever known".
A PRAYER FOR THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY
"Holy Mother Mary, we all rejoice with you today on the feast of your glorious Assumption into heaven. Long ago in the Garden of Eden, our first parents, Adam and Eve, were told that they would have to earn their bread in the sweat of their brow and that the earth would be cursed, bringing forth thorns and thistles. Now, after Christ our Redeemer has come, and taught us how to make use of the thorns and thistles of this life, and turn them into blessings, you, like Him, have been taken up body and soul into heaven. There, with your Divine Son, you await our coming, and prepare a place for us. Mother Mary, it is a great comfort to us to realize that your precious body, the tabernacle of the infant Christ, is now in heaven with Him. Your being taken into heaven is also, like the resurrection of Christ's body, a pledge to us of the resurrection of our own bodies. It is wonderful to think that these hands, with which we earn our bread now in the sweat of our brow, will, because of the merits of Christ, one day, with our bodies, be glorified forever in heaven. O most pure Virgin Mary, help us to realize this as we go about our work from day to day. Help us to have great respect for these bodies of ours, and for those of others because we recognize in them the temple of the Holy Spirit, and because we look forward to seeing each other, body and soul, with you and your Son Jesus Christ forever in heaven. Amen."
info from this site: http://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/english3/p02584.htm
A PRAYER FOR THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY
"Holy Mother Mary, we all rejoice with you today on the feast of your glorious Assumption into heaven. Long ago in the Garden of Eden, our first parents, Adam and Eve, were told that they would have to earn their bread in the sweat of their brow and that the earth would be cursed, bringing forth thorns and thistles. Now, after Christ our Redeemer has come, and taught us how to make use of the thorns and thistles of this life, and turn them into blessings, you, like Him, have been taken up body and soul into heaven. There, with your Divine Son, you await our coming, and prepare a place for us. Mother Mary, it is a great comfort to us to realize that your precious body, the tabernacle of the infant Christ, is now in heaven with Him. Your being taken into heaven is also, like the resurrection of Christ's body, a pledge to us of the resurrection of our own bodies. It is wonderful to think that these hands, with which we earn our bread now in the sweat of our brow, will, because of the merits of Christ, one day, with our bodies, be glorified forever in heaven. O most pure Virgin Mary, help us to realize this as we go about our work from day to day. Help us to have great respect for these bodies of ours, and for those of others because we recognize in them the temple of the Holy Spirit, and because we look forward to seeing each other, body and soul, with you and your Son Jesus Christ forever in heaven. Amen."
info from this site: http://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/english3/p02584.htm
By Hans Urs von Balthasar
"The holy audacity and courage required in our dealings with God are not necessary because something must be “attained”. On the contrary, they are necessary so that the soul will not give up in defeat as it recognizes the unattainability of perfection but will rather maintain the courage to continue walking with a firm heart its impossible path—the path upon which God becomes ever greater and man ever smaller'
MTA= The perfect find for us making our Divine Mercy Consecration today. The Little Way leads us to be small and God ever so great doing the impossible as we give Him our efforts, desires, and complete surrender.
"The holy audacity and courage required in our dealings with God are not necessary because something must be “attained”. On the contrary, they are necessary so that the soul will not give up in defeat as it recognizes the unattainability of perfection but will rather maintain the courage to continue walking with a firm heart its impossible path—the path upon which God becomes ever greater and man ever smaller'
MTA= The perfect find for us making our Divine Mercy Consecration today. The Little Way leads us to be small and God ever so great doing the impossible as we give Him our efforts, desires, and complete surrender.
| The Cheese & Crackers 🔴“The person with fortitude is the one who perseveres in doing what his conscience tells him he ought to do. He does not measure the value of a task exclusively by the benefit he derives from it, but rather by the service he renders to others". By St. Josemaría Escrivá ⚫️ “And of what should we be afraid? Our Captain on this battlefield is Christ Jesus. We have discovered what we have to do. Christ has bound our enemies for us and weakened them that they cannot overcome us unless we so choose to let them. So we must fight courageously and mark ourselves with the Sign of the Most Holy Cross". By St. Catherine of Siena 🔘 “So it can happen that the Christian, who for his part would prefer a quiet life far removed from the world’s worries – a life devoted to prayer, study, work, rest and other basic needs – is drawn out of his sanctuary which he is devoted to not through laziness but through sincere humility. He is led into activity: indeed, he may be plunged into a sea of cares, of labours great and small, noble or abject: all this for the good of his neighbour, according to the priority which God himself has established". By Blessed Antonio Rosmini |
~In the Wrong Direction Don't Budge ~ Allow Not the World To Help You Wrongly Judge~
🐴There's the best
🐴Then there's the rest
🐴Don't fall for and settled for what is less
🐴Do you think that by & by
🐴Will come along someone or something other than God that can truly satisfy
🐴To that lie, here to truthfully testify
🐴Look high & and look low there will be none
🐴No not one that can compare with the Holy One
🐴Begotten not made, God's Beloved Divine Son
🐴Jesus the Christ, the answer for today, who livest & will forever supremely reign
🐴It is He who has a love that is burning for souls in a manner that's insane
🐴Ready to be poured into every open heart, as He extends a helping hand, you'll have so much to gain
🐴The key is making the right choices, He is willing to assist you so that you can
🐴Otherwise everything inevitably hit the fan
🐴The enemy assaults bombarding you to defeat, nonstop, continuing without any wane
🐴So totally surrender, what need is there to hold on to what you should give
🐴That's the way to in Christ victoriously live
🐴A life not belonging to The Lord is a waste, precious moments lost, unretrievable, as passaging through a sieve
🐴So if you are seeking true & everlasting happiness
🐴There is only one way to properly handle that business
🐴It's a life rooted in God, amidst joy & sorrow, one that'll brings eventual spiritual bliss
🐴Here to loud & clearly say
🐴It holds true without fail, day after day, after day
🐴Only the spiritual is not temporal, the material and physical will all pass away
🐴So seek longevity
🐴For your well being, choose that which will extend into eternity
🐴Toil for a solid relationship with the Most Holy Trinity
🐴Well worth it will be the pursuit
🐴Nothing can top the graces & blessings, treasures that turns up welcomingly as everlasting spiritual loot
🐴Happy are they who are privileged and get that horn in their possession to toot and toot
🐴So hold not back, go for the gold
🐴By lukewarmness or acedia, don't be under sold
🐴Seriously and reverently join the ranks of God's heavenly fold
🐴To one and to all God graciously and unendingly extends
🐴Divine Mercy which is so powerful, believe it or not, justice it always bends
🐴Encouraged, let the repentant now make amends
🐴No need to hopelessly wander about
🐴Dismiss ever single solitary doubt
🐴Unbelief and lack of faith, please immediately cast out
🐴Accept the love of God in your heart, from He who is true and just
🐴The formula for a successful outcome is availing oneself to the soul's most welcome guest
🐴Please leave no room for what the world offers, that only leaves one down and out & hard-pressed
tmm/TruGIG
🐴There's the best
🐴Then there's the rest
🐴Don't fall for and settled for what is less
🐴Do you think that by & by
🐴Will come along someone or something other than God that can truly satisfy
🐴To that lie, here to truthfully testify
🐴Look high & and look low there will be none
🐴No not one that can compare with the Holy One
🐴Begotten not made, God's Beloved Divine Son
🐴Jesus the Christ, the answer for today, who livest & will forever supremely reign
🐴It is He who has a love that is burning for souls in a manner that's insane
🐴Ready to be poured into every open heart, as He extends a helping hand, you'll have so much to gain
🐴The key is making the right choices, He is willing to assist you so that you can
🐴Otherwise everything inevitably hit the fan
🐴The enemy assaults bombarding you to defeat, nonstop, continuing without any wane
🐴So totally surrender, what need is there to hold on to what you should give
🐴That's the way to in Christ victoriously live
🐴A life not belonging to The Lord is a waste, precious moments lost, unretrievable, as passaging through a sieve
🐴So if you are seeking true & everlasting happiness
🐴There is only one way to properly handle that business
🐴It's a life rooted in God, amidst joy & sorrow, one that'll brings eventual spiritual bliss
🐴Here to loud & clearly say
🐴It holds true without fail, day after day, after day
🐴Only the spiritual is not temporal, the material and physical will all pass away
🐴So seek longevity
🐴For your well being, choose that which will extend into eternity
🐴Toil for a solid relationship with the Most Holy Trinity
🐴Well worth it will be the pursuit
🐴Nothing can top the graces & blessings, treasures that turns up welcomingly as everlasting spiritual loot
🐴Happy are they who are privileged and get that horn in their possession to toot and toot
🐴So hold not back, go for the gold
🐴By lukewarmness or acedia, don't be under sold
🐴Seriously and reverently join the ranks of God's heavenly fold
🐴To one and to all God graciously and unendingly extends
🐴Divine Mercy which is so powerful, believe it or not, justice it always bends
🐴Encouraged, let the repentant now make amends
🐴No need to hopelessly wander about
🐴Dismiss ever single solitary doubt
🐴Unbelief and lack of faith, please immediately cast out
🐴Accept the love of God in your heart, from He who is true and just
🐴The formula for a successful outcome is availing oneself to the soul's most welcome guest
🐴Please leave no room for what the world offers, that only leaves one down and out & hard-pressed
tmm/TruGIG
(Just mentioned about the guy doing the yard job on a Sunday, and here cones this post one week later)
Keeping the Lord’s Day, by Fr. C. John McCloskey III
Info from this site:
https://www.thecatholicthing.org/2016/08/07/keeping-the-lords-day/
"We are all aware of how much the percentage of Catholics (and other Christians) keeping holy the Lord’s Day through church attendance has plummeted in the last fifty years. Another aspect of honoring the Third Commandment has also been jettisoned in modern times, even by many who attend Sunday Mass and strive to live according to their faith.
For there is no question that many Catholics and other Christians nowadays, at least in the United States, do not pay much attention to the importance of resting on this day. In the book of Genesis, we read that God made the world in six days and rested on the seventh, after seeing that all that he had created was good. The work of creation continues, with man as a coworker, and God means us to honor his example not only in the working but in the resting, interrupting the rhythm of our labors.
St. John Paul II’s apostolic letter on the Lord’s Day, Dies Domini, sets the foundation for understanding the meaning of Sunday for Christians. He emphasizes man’s creaturely dependence on God for everything and affirms the fact that everything belongs to God, even time.
In the Old Testament, the Ten Commandments included one admonishing us to remember the Sabbath – the seventh day, on which God rested from all his work and found it good, a “contemplative” resting as St. John Paul puts it.
In the New Testament, the meaning of the Sabbath has been transferred to Sunday because, “in the weekly reckoning of time Sunday recalls the day of Christ’s Resurrection. It is Easter which returns week-by-week, celebrating Christ’s victory over sin and death, the fulfillment in him of the first creation and the dawn of ‘the new creation’
Keeping the Lord’s Day, by Fr. C. John McCloskey III
Info from this site:
https://www.thecatholicthing.org/2016/08/07/keeping-the-lords-day/
"We are all aware of how much the percentage of Catholics (and other Christians) keeping holy the Lord’s Day through church attendance has plummeted in the last fifty years. Another aspect of honoring the Third Commandment has also been jettisoned in modern times, even by many who attend Sunday Mass and strive to live according to their faith.
For there is no question that many Catholics and other Christians nowadays, at least in the United States, do not pay much attention to the importance of resting on this day. In the book of Genesis, we read that God made the world in six days and rested on the seventh, after seeing that all that he had created was good. The work of creation continues, with man as a coworker, and God means us to honor his example not only in the working but in the resting, interrupting the rhythm of our labors.
St. John Paul II’s apostolic letter on the Lord’s Day, Dies Domini, sets the foundation for understanding the meaning of Sunday for Christians. He emphasizes man’s creaturely dependence on God for everything and affirms the fact that everything belongs to God, even time.
In the Old Testament, the Ten Commandments included one admonishing us to remember the Sabbath – the seventh day, on which God rested from all his work and found it good, a “contemplative” resting as St. John Paul puts it.
In the New Testament, the meaning of the Sabbath has been transferred to Sunday because, “in the weekly reckoning of time Sunday recalls the day of Christ’s Resurrection. It is Easter which returns week-by-week, celebrating Christ’s victory over sin and death, the fulfillment in him of the first creation and the dawn of ‘the new creation’
It is the day which recalls in grateful adoration the world’s first day and looks forward in active hope to ‘the last day,’ when Christ will come in glory.
The spiritual meaning of the Sabbath is thus realized in the Resurrection of our Lord on Easter Sunday. Today, as Dies Domini acknowledges, the special character of Sunday has been swamped by the purely secular character of the weekend: “Unfortunately, when Sunday loses its fundamental meaning and becomes merely part of a ‘weekend,’ it can happen that people stay locked within a horizon so limited that they can no longer see ‘the heavens.’”
St. John Paul explains at length the special need for the regular communal worship of the Church on Sunday through meditating on the mystery of Communion and of the mystical body of Christ:
Those who have received the grace of baptism are not saved as individuals alone, but as members of the Mystical Body, having become part of the People of God. It is important therefore that they come together to express fully the very identity of the Church, the ekklesia, the assembly called together by the Risen Lord who offered his life “to reunite the scattered children of God.”
Lest we forget, Sunday is also meant to be a day of joyful rest in solidarity. We need regular rest from work that goes beyond staring at video games or television sets or aimlessly wandering through malls. Families in particular should strive to spend some at least of this day in activities that will help nourish and refresh them through the coming week, such as spending time in nature. St. John Paul exhorts us:
In order that rest may not degenerate into emptiness or boredom, it must offer spiritual enrichment, greater freedom, opportunities for contemplation and fraternal communion. Therefore, among the forms of culture and entertainment which society offers, the faithful should choose those which are most in keeping with a life lived in obedience to the precepts of the Gospel. . . .Sunday should also give the faithful an opportunity to devote themselves to works of mercy, charity, and apostolate.
Those of you who are parents have a responsibility to help your children, even your grandchildren, to see the importance of Sunday as an opportunity to enjoy family life. Keeping holy the Lord’s Day is not only an obligation but also a need. As we thank Christ for liberating us from sin, we should remember that everything belongs to God, including our time. St. John Paul’s concluding paragraph of Dies Domini sums up the meaning of Sunday in this way:
As the weekly “solemnity,” Sunday will continue to shape the time of the Church’s pilgrimage, until that Sunday which will know no evening. Therefore, dear Brother Bishops and Priests, I urge you to work tirelessly with the faithful to ensure that the value of this sacred day is understood and lived ever more deeply. This will bear rich fruit in Christian communities, and will not fail to have a positive influence on civil society as a whole.
We thank our God for giving us life and a world full of wonders to live in, liberating us from sin and opening up to us the doors of salvation. And one way of thanking him is to remember that everything belongs to God, including our time".
The spiritual meaning of the Sabbath is thus realized in the Resurrection of our Lord on Easter Sunday. Today, as Dies Domini acknowledges, the special character of Sunday has been swamped by the purely secular character of the weekend: “Unfortunately, when Sunday loses its fundamental meaning and becomes merely part of a ‘weekend,’ it can happen that people stay locked within a horizon so limited that they can no longer see ‘the heavens.’”
St. John Paul explains at length the special need for the regular communal worship of the Church on Sunday through meditating on the mystery of Communion and of the mystical body of Christ:
Those who have received the grace of baptism are not saved as individuals alone, but as members of the Mystical Body, having become part of the People of God. It is important therefore that they come together to express fully the very identity of the Church, the ekklesia, the assembly called together by the Risen Lord who offered his life “to reunite the scattered children of God.”
Lest we forget, Sunday is also meant to be a day of joyful rest in solidarity. We need regular rest from work that goes beyond staring at video games or television sets or aimlessly wandering through malls. Families in particular should strive to spend some at least of this day in activities that will help nourish and refresh them through the coming week, such as spending time in nature. St. John Paul exhorts us:
In order that rest may not degenerate into emptiness or boredom, it must offer spiritual enrichment, greater freedom, opportunities for contemplation and fraternal communion. Therefore, among the forms of culture and entertainment which society offers, the faithful should choose those which are most in keeping with a life lived in obedience to the precepts of the Gospel. . . .Sunday should also give the faithful an opportunity to devote themselves to works of mercy, charity, and apostolate.
Those of you who are parents have a responsibility to help your children, even your grandchildren, to see the importance of Sunday as an opportunity to enjoy family life. Keeping holy the Lord’s Day is not only an obligation but also a need. As we thank Christ for liberating us from sin, we should remember that everything belongs to God, including our time. St. John Paul’s concluding paragraph of Dies Domini sums up the meaning of Sunday in this way:
As the weekly “solemnity,” Sunday will continue to shape the time of the Church’s pilgrimage, until that Sunday which will know no evening. Therefore, dear Brother Bishops and Priests, I urge you to work tirelessly with the faithful to ensure that the value of this sacred day is understood and lived ever more deeply. This will bear rich fruit in Christian communities, and will not fail to have a positive influence on civil society as a whole.
We thank our God for giving us life and a world full of wonders to live in, liberating us from sin and opening up to us the doors of salvation. And one way of thanking him is to remember that everything belongs to God, including our time".
"Contemplation and Prayer", by St. Julian Eymard
Info from this site: http://blessedsacrament.com/us/st-peter-julian-eymard/quotes-st-peter-julian-eymard/
“In order to succeed in it (prayer), it should be done when we first awaken, when our whole being is calm and recollected. We need to make our meditation before anything else.
As far as possible, you should pray in quiet and silent devotion. Try to have a favorite topic of prayer, such as a devotion to the passion of Jesus, the Blessed Sacrament, awareness of the divine presence; go directly to Jesus without too much fuss.
Before prayer begins, leave aside any duties which would distract you.
Have confidence in prayer. It is the unfailing power which God has given us. By means of it you will obtain the salvation of the dear souls whom God has given you and all your loved ones. Ask and you shall receive, Our Lord said. Be yourself with the good Lord.
We must know where mediocrity of spirit comes from. The first is the worst: it’s a scattered mind, a life which is too active. Nothing can cling to it. It’s like the seed of the Gospel falling on the open road. The remedy is to bring the mind back to natural reflection by some reading or serious meditations which strike it and help it to be focused. In general, it’s better to choose a great truth than a pious feeling. The work of truth is to refocus our attention, reflection, and finally, devotion.
The second source of mediocrity of spirit is mental boredom toward what is serious and positive. This illness can only be healed by openness to divine love, since it is based on discouragement.
The third source is laziness of the mind which fears to consider the truth. The fourth source is when we counteract the grace, the attraction of the moment. The mind becomes closed and foolish. We must follow the need and light of the moment".
Info from this site: http://blessedsacrament.com/us/st-peter-julian-eymard/quotes-st-peter-julian-eymard/
“In order to succeed in it (prayer), it should be done when we first awaken, when our whole being is calm and recollected. We need to make our meditation before anything else.
As far as possible, you should pray in quiet and silent devotion. Try to have a favorite topic of prayer, such as a devotion to the passion of Jesus, the Blessed Sacrament, awareness of the divine presence; go directly to Jesus without too much fuss.
Before prayer begins, leave aside any duties which would distract you.
Have confidence in prayer. It is the unfailing power which God has given us. By means of it you will obtain the salvation of the dear souls whom God has given you and all your loved ones. Ask and you shall receive, Our Lord said. Be yourself with the good Lord.
We must know where mediocrity of spirit comes from. The first is the worst: it’s a scattered mind, a life which is too active. Nothing can cling to it. It’s like the seed of the Gospel falling on the open road. The remedy is to bring the mind back to natural reflection by some reading or serious meditations which strike it and help it to be focused. In general, it’s better to choose a great truth than a pious feeling. The work of truth is to refocus our attention, reflection, and finally, devotion.
The second source of mediocrity of spirit is mental boredom toward what is serious and positive. This illness can only be healed by openness to divine love, since it is based on discouragement.
The third source is laziness of the mind which fears to consider the truth. The fourth source is when we counteract the grace, the attraction of the moment. The mind becomes closed and foolish. We must follow the need and light of the moment".
Video presentation.: "A personal encounter with our God in our prayer life", by Fr. Jacques Philippe
Link to video: https://youtu.be/EJIZpE73QsU
Link to video: https://youtu.be/EJIZpE73QsU