Ijournal entry 052217 #20. May, Month of Blessed Mary. The Rule of St. Benedict. Quotes from Sister Lucia of Fatima, Fr. Andrew Apostoli, and St. Francis de Sales. A sharing by Holland obtained from the "Medjugorge Star" on Fr. Richard J. Beyer's Book: "Medjugorje Day by Day: A Daily Meditation Book Based on the Messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje". Life of Adoration in union with MARY", by St.Julien Eymard. YouTube Video presentation: Talk 3: Theology of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and Evangelism by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa.
“The general architecture of the Book of Revelation accords men and women equal status, the way Christ intended it. True, in the figure of the Whore of Babylon the elements of being evil, lustful, and female do go together; but this would indicate a gnostic conception only if, on the other hand, all goodness were to reside exclusively in male figures. In truth, however, goodness finds a brilliant expression in the vision of the woman crowned with stars. If we still wanted to look for imbalance, then the female factor would seem rather favored; for the world, after its final redemption, appears as a bride.” By Romano Guardini
The Rule of St. Benedict
"But this obedience itself will then be acceptable to God and pleasing to men, if what is commanded be not done timorously, or tardily, or tepidly, nor with murmuring or the raising of objections. For the obedience which is given to superiors is given to God, since he himself said: He that heareth you heareth me. And disciples should give their obedience with a good will, because God loveth a cheerful giver. For if the disciple obey with ill-will, and murmur not only in words but even in his heart, then, even though he fulfil the command, his work will not be acceptable to God, who sees that his heart is murmuring. For work such as this he will gain no reward; nay, rather, he will incur the punishment due to murmurers, unless he make reparation and amend."
MC= A scripture to keep in the forefront of the mind is:
"But this obedience itself will then be acceptable to God and pleasing to men, if what is commanded be not done timorously, or tardily, or tepidly, nor with murmuring or the raising of objections. For the obedience which is given to superiors is given to God, since he himself said: He that heareth you heareth me. And disciples should give their obedience with a good will, because God loveth a cheerful giver. For if the disciple obey with ill-will, and murmur not only in words but even in his heart, then, even though he fulfil the command, his work will not be acceptable to God, who sees that his heart is murmuring. For work such as this he will gain no reward; nay, rather, he will incur the punishment due to murmurers, unless he make reparation and amend."
MC= A scripture to keep in the forefront of the mind is:
It is to first evaluate and see if indeed God is speaking through someone and not just murmur, have ill-will, or raise objections. Not one of us should want to be guilty of rejecting the Lord our God and bringing condemnation upon ourselves, or laboring in vain.
🌑 “Many persons, feeling that the word ‘penance’ implies great austerities, and not feeling that they have the strength for great sacrifices, become discouraged and continue a life of lukewarmness and sin. Our Lord explained the sacrifice required of every person is the fulfillment of his duties in life and the observance of my law. This is the penance that I now seek and require.” By Sister Lucia of Fatima
🎾 “First, we must always be prudent in choosing acts of penance, some people can do certain acts of penance, while others cannot. For example, some people can fast without doing any harm to their health, while other people would be injured if they tried to fast. Perhaps these latter would do better simply to give up things they like as their sacrifices. We must be sure we’re trying to practice virtue in our hearts, too, it is a contradiction to fast from a food while failing to forgive someone who hurt us or not trying to overcome a tendency to be annoyed. Sorrow for our sins is one of the most pleasing and effective penances we can offer the Lord, as we see in the psalm King David prayed after his fall into serious sin” . By Father Apostoli
🌕In so far as divine love beautifies our souls and makes us pleasing to his divine Majesty, it is called grace; in so far as it gives us strength to do good, it is called charity; but when it reaches such a degree of perfection, that it makes us not only do the good, but do so carefully, frequently, and readily, then it is called devotion. Charity and devotion differ no more, the one from the other, than the flame from the fire." By St. Francis de Sales
🎾 “First, we must always be prudent in choosing acts of penance, some people can do certain acts of penance, while others cannot. For example, some people can fast without doing any harm to their health, while other people would be injured if they tried to fast. Perhaps these latter would do better simply to give up things they like as their sacrifices. We must be sure we’re trying to practice virtue in our hearts, too, it is a contradiction to fast from a food while failing to forgive someone who hurt us or not trying to overcome a tendency to be annoyed. Sorrow for our sins is one of the most pleasing and effective penances we can offer the Lord, as we see in the psalm King David prayed after his fall into serious sin” . By Father Apostoli
🌕In so far as divine love beautifies our souls and makes us pleasing to his divine Majesty, it is called grace; in so far as it gives us strength to do good, it is called charity; but when it reaches such a degree of perfection, that it makes us not only do the good, but do so carefully, frequently, and readily, then it is called devotion. Charity and devotion differ no more, the one from the other, than the flame from the fire." By St. Francis de Sales
Johnny Lee's "Lookin for Love" was the vehicle used to inspire the composition of this poetic message, please hop aboard and take a ride:
~ Lookin for The Right Love? ~ Take Tips from The Holy Dove ~
~ Lookin for The Right Love? ~ Take Tips from The Holy Dove ~
👁🗨Johnny Lee= Well, I've spent a lifetime lookin' for you;
singles bars and good time lovers were never true.
💌Tmm= Hardcore perseverance is a path traveled but by only a relative few
👁🗨Johnny Lee= Playin' a fools game hopin' to win;
👁🗨Johnny Lee= and tellin' those sweet lies and losin' again.
💌Tmm= There is no lasting payoff in regards to sin
👁🗨Johnny Lee= I was lookin' for love in all the wrong places,
👁🗨Johnny Lee= Lookin' for love in too many faces,
💌Tmm= Leaning on one's own understanding is the perfect way to end up being in the category of spiritual lost cases
👁🗨Johnny Lee= searchin' their eyes and lookin' for traces
💌Tmm= Happiness is a result of holiness via prayer and a whole lot of graces
👁🗨Johnny Lee= of what I'm dreamin' of.
💌Tmm= Know for sure there's nothing that can compare with what God offers from above
👁🗨Johnny Lee= Hopin' to find a friend and a lover;
👁🗨Johnny Lee= I'll bless the day I discover
💌Tmm= Jesus is the one and only, search high search low, there is no other
👁🗨Johnny Lee= another heart lookin' for love.
💌Tmm= The real deal only comes from above
👁🗨Johnny Lee= And I was alone then, no love in sight;
👁🗨Johnny Lee= and I did ev'rything I could to get me though the night.
💌Tmm= The one thing needed is turning to the Lord, a sure thing, it's not a maybe it will work, or maybe it might
👁🗨Johnny Lee= Don't know where it started or where it might end;
👁🗨Johnny Lee= I turned to a stranger just like a friend.
💌Tmm= Nothing compares to establishing a true relationship with Christ the Lord, something you can always consider a Godsend
👁🗨Johnny Lee= I was lookin' for love in all the wrong places,
👁🗨Johnny Lee= Lookin' for love in too many faces,
💌Tmm= The answer is to get in touch with God, a home run that will take you around all the bases
👁🗨Johnny Lee= searchin' their eyes and lookin' for traces
of what…
💌Tmm= A romance of holiness with the Lord our God, the end all, consider then the chase is finally cut
singles bars and good time lovers were never true.
💌Tmm= Hardcore perseverance is a path traveled but by only a relative few
👁🗨Johnny Lee= Playin' a fools game hopin' to win;
👁🗨Johnny Lee= and tellin' those sweet lies and losin' again.
💌Tmm= There is no lasting payoff in regards to sin
👁🗨Johnny Lee= I was lookin' for love in all the wrong places,
👁🗨Johnny Lee= Lookin' for love in too many faces,
💌Tmm= Leaning on one's own understanding is the perfect way to end up being in the category of spiritual lost cases
👁🗨Johnny Lee= searchin' their eyes and lookin' for traces
💌Tmm= Happiness is a result of holiness via prayer and a whole lot of graces
👁🗨Johnny Lee= of what I'm dreamin' of.
💌Tmm= Know for sure there's nothing that can compare with what God offers from above
👁🗨Johnny Lee= Hopin' to find a friend and a lover;
👁🗨Johnny Lee= I'll bless the day I discover
💌Tmm= Jesus is the one and only, search high search low, there is no other
👁🗨Johnny Lee= another heart lookin' for love.
💌Tmm= The real deal only comes from above
👁🗨Johnny Lee= And I was alone then, no love in sight;
👁🗨Johnny Lee= and I did ev'rything I could to get me though the night.
💌Tmm= The one thing needed is turning to the Lord, a sure thing, it's not a maybe it will work, or maybe it might
👁🗨Johnny Lee= Don't know where it started or where it might end;
👁🗨Johnny Lee= I turned to a stranger just like a friend.
💌Tmm= Nothing compares to establishing a true relationship with Christ the Lord, something you can always consider a Godsend
👁🗨Johnny Lee= I was lookin' for love in all the wrong places,
👁🗨Johnny Lee= Lookin' for love in too many faces,
💌Tmm= The answer is to get in touch with God, a home run that will take you around all the bases
👁🗨Johnny Lee= searchin' their eyes and lookin' for traces
of what…
💌Tmm= A romance of holiness with the Lord our God, the end all, consider then the chase is finally cut
A sharing by Holland obtained from the "Medjugorge Star" on Fr. Richard J. Beyer's Book: "Medjugorje Day by Day: A Daily Meditation Book Based on the Messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje"
"Referring to the month of May, Our Lady said: May this month be for you the month of the rosary and reading your Bible... (VPG 5-9-88).
Reflection: The month of May means that spring is here, and all of nature seems to rejoice; budding flowers and trees, green grass and sunshine, usher in a season of soft colors and new life. This is Mary's month, of May crownings, processions, the rosary and, as she says today, a time for reading sacred scripture. As Catholics, we are aware that the Bible is the inspired spired word of God, that his presence and truth are found within its pages. In somewhat the same way, nature reveals the image and beauty of God. St. Paul writes:
Reflection: The month of May means that spring is here, and all of nature seems to rejoice; budding flowers and trees, green grass and sunshine, usher in a season of soft colors and new life. This is Mary's month, of May crownings, processions, the rosary and, as she says today, a time for reading sacred scripture. As Catholics, we are aware that the Bible is the inspired spired word of God, that his presence and truth are found within its pages. In somewhat the same way, nature reveals the image and beauty of God. St. Paul writes:
As spring unfolds, may we discover anew God's preserve in creation, and with the psalmist sing his praise:
Psalm 65:9-10,12-13. "You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide the people with grain, for so you have prepared it. You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth. The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy, the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy" |
Application: In celebration of this month dedicated to Our Lady, set aside in your home a May altar, placing on it an image of the Blessed Mother, some spring flowers, a candle, and a rosary. As a family, light the candle each day and offer Our Lady some special prayers, such as the rosary, the litany of Mary, or another prayer for the special intentions of the Queen of Peace"
Book: “Month of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament", by St.Julien Eymard,
Excerpts from the chapter: “LIFE OF ADORATION IN UNION WITH MARY"
“Our Lord feared that men, not knowing how to find and adore Him in His Sacrament, would become discouraged and forget Him. The child, as we know, does not search long. If he does not at once find what he wants, he changes his desire, and runs after something else. This is what Our Lord feared for us. So, He left us His Mother, whose mission it should be to take us by the hand and lead us'to His tabernacle. The Blessed Virgin, then, became our Mother in view of the Eucharist. It is for her to show'us how to find our Bread of Life, to make us appreciate and desire it. It is her mission to form us to adora tion. She gathered at Jerusalem a com munity of pious women; she remained in the midst of them, distributing to each one her treasure and her grace of love. Her influence extended to the disciples, to the first Faithful. Like a true mother she reared her children, training them to virtue and to the duties of their state. What Mary did then she will do again for us. She will instruct us, showing us Our Lord in the Eucharist, sharing with us her own reverence for Him, and her devotedness to His service; for all that a mother has belongs to her children, and it is for them that she stores it up.
Mary is a mother. She will, then, educate us. When the child goes wrong in its work, the mother is there to put it right. If it is sick, she cares for it. She never leaves her child, for she must fulfill her mission of teacher. It is Mary who will train you. She will inspire you with her manner of adoring, she will even make your adoration in you, for she can breathe into you the spirit of true and earnest adoration. It is only the heart of a mother that can make itself perfectly understood by her child. The Blessed Virgin must say to you: "Come, adore with me." Our Lord has given us Mary to be the bond of union between Him and us. Mary gives us the first attraction to Jesus. The child goes first to its mother, by instinct; the mother leads it to its father. But it does not run of itself to the father; at first, it follows the mother. Our Lord has, then, given us Mary for Mother, that she may be for us a first centre of easy attraction.
Before knowing the Eucharist, we knew the name of our Mother, we already loved her. Mary attracted us to herself. She formed us to the virtues necessary for the Eucharistic life. It was meet that it should be thus, and it is evident that there will be good vocation to the Blessed Sacrament, true devotion to the Eucharist, only among those that Mary shall have formed. Yes, yes! The child is formed only in its mother's arms and on her bosom. To be agreeable to the Heart of Our Lord, all vocations must pass through Mary's hands.”
The mother is the centre. She is always the centre. We have need to live with her, to dwell with her. The Blessed Virgin is not like the saints, who gain for us certain graces once in a while; she obtains for us all graces. We have need of her at all times. Again, it is the mother who teaches the child the word that pleases the father. She composes the little speech for the child to recite; she prepares the feast according to the father's taste.—Do you see at what I am aiming? I would say to you: Adore Our Lord in the company of the Blessed Virgin. I do not say dwell in her. No! Jesus is there before you, that you may address yourself directly to Him; but do so in union with Mary. Live with her, live in her house. Since Our Lord has given her to you as a teacher, never adore without her. Say to her: "Sweet Mother, come with me. A mother always goes with her child. With out thee I should not know what to say.
Represent to yourself Mary on her knees in the Cenacle. Behold her adoring her Son hidden in the Eucharist. O how pleasing to Him were her words! How well she knew how to touch the heart of her Son! Kneel at Mary's side. Seek not to walk alone. Do not walk before her, but keep at her side. Make the same adoration as she does, offer the same homage.—"0 Jesus, I do not know how to adore, but I offer Thee the words, the ecstasies of Thy Mother's heart, which is mine, also. I do not know how to adore, but I repeat to Thee her adoration for sinners, for the conversion of the world, and for all the wants of the Church."
By so doing, you will rejoice Mary's heart. She will show you to Jesus, saying: "Behold, my Son, how I live again in this soul, how I again adore Thee in and by him. O yes, if anyone ought to honor, love, and serve Mary, it is he who makes profession of living for the Eucharist. He has need of Mary, in order to adore. He must make but one with her in his adoration. Ah! let the Blessed Virgin govern your life. Let her lead you to Jesus. She desires only one thing, the glory of her Divine Son and your happiness.
Practice. —As much as possible, prepare yourself for Holy Communion by assisting at Holy Mass.
Aspiration. —The Divine Sparrow of the tabernacle has found in thee His nest, O Blessed Virgin, and He lovingly dwells therein"
Excerpts from the chapter: “LIFE OF ADORATION IN UNION WITH MARY"
“Our Lord feared that men, not knowing how to find and adore Him in His Sacrament, would become discouraged and forget Him. The child, as we know, does not search long. If he does not at once find what he wants, he changes his desire, and runs after something else. This is what Our Lord feared for us. So, He left us His Mother, whose mission it should be to take us by the hand and lead us'to His tabernacle. The Blessed Virgin, then, became our Mother in view of the Eucharist. It is for her to show'us how to find our Bread of Life, to make us appreciate and desire it. It is her mission to form us to adora tion. She gathered at Jerusalem a com munity of pious women; she remained in the midst of them, distributing to each one her treasure and her grace of love. Her influence extended to the disciples, to the first Faithful. Like a true mother she reared her children, training them to virtue and to the duties of their state. What Mary did then she will do again for us. She will instruct us, showing us Our Lord in the Eucharist, sharing with us her own reverence for Him, and her devotedness to His service; for all that a mother has belongs to her children, and it is for them that she stores it up.
Mary is a mother. She will, then, educate us. When the child goes wrong in its work, the mother is there to put it right. If it is sick, she cares for it. She never leaves her child, for she must fulfill her mission of teacher. It is Mary who will train you. She will inspire you with her manner of adoring, she will even make your adoration in you, for she can breathe into you the spirit of true and earnest adoration. It is only the heart of a mother that can make itself perfectly understood by her child. The Blessed Virgin must say to you: "Come, adore with me." Our Lord has given us Mary to be the bond of union between Him and us. Mary gives us the first attraction to Jesus. The child goes first to its mother, by instinct; the mother leads it to its father. But it does not run of itself to the father; at first, it follows the mother. Our Lord has, then, given us Mary for Mother, that she may be for us a first centre of easy attraction.
Before knowing the Eucharist, we knew the name of our Mother, we already loved her. Mary attracted us to herself. She formed us to the virtues necessary for the Eucharistic life. It was meet that it should be thus, and it is evident that there will be good vocation to the Blessed Sacrament, true devotion to the Eucharist, only among those that Mary shall have formed. Yes, yes! The child is formed only in its mother's arms and on her bosom. To be agreeable to the Heart of Our Lord, all vocations must pass through Mary's hands.”
The mother is the centre. She is always the centre. We have need to live with her, to dwell with her. The Blessed Virgin is not like the saints, who gain for us certain graces once in a while; she obtains for us all graces. We have need of her at all times. Again, it is the mother who teaches the child the word that pleases the father. She composes the little speech for the child to recite; she prepares the feast according to the father's taste.—Do you see at what I am aiming? I would say to you: Adore Our Lord in the company of the Blessed Virgin. I do not say dwell in her. No! Jesus is there before you, that you may address yourself directly to Him; but do so in union with Mary. Live with her, live in her house. Since Our Lord has given her to you as a teacher, never adore without her. Say to her: "Sweet Mother, come with me. A mother always goes with her child. With out thee I should not know what to say.
Represent to yourself Mary on her knees in the Cenacle. Behold her adoring her Son hidden in the Eucharist. O how pleasing to Him were her words! How well she knew how to touch the heart of her Son! Kneel at Mary's side. Seek not to walk alone. Do not walk before her, but keep at her side. Make the same adoration as she does, offer the same homage.—"0 Jesus, I do not know how to adore, but I offer Thee the words, the ecstasies of Thy Mother's heart, which is mine, also. I do not know how to adore, but I repeat to Thee her adoration for sinners, for the conversion of the world, and for all the wants of the Church."
By so doing, you will rejoice Mary's heart. She will show you to Jesus, saying: "Behold, my Son, how I live again in this soul, how I again adore Thee in and by him. O yes, if anyone ought to honor, love, and serve Mary, it is he who makes profession of living for the Eucharist. He has need of Mary, in order to adore. He must make but one with her in his adoration. Ah! let the Blessed Virgin govern your life. Let her lead you to Jesus. She desires only one thing, the glory of her Divine Son and your happiness.
Practice. —As much as possible, prepare yourself for Holy Communion by assisting at Holy Mass.
Aspiration. —The Divine Sparrow of the tabernacle has found in thee His nest, O Blessed Virgin, and He lovingly dwells therein"
Talk 3: Theology of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and Evangelism by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa
Link to the YouTube video:
https://youtu.be/kyTVqvQflis
Link to the YouTube video:
https://youtu.be/kyTVqvQflis