2017 Dinner Mints
Hope you still have a little room
For a couple of mints that you can consume
Hope you still have a little room
For a couple of mints that you can consume
🆕 49. W. Philip Keller: "Da greatest & deepest demonstration of tru love da world has ever known. 4 God looked down upon sorrowing, struggling, sinning humanity & was moved wit compassion 4 da contrary, sheep-like creatures He had made.In spite of da tremendous personal cost it would entail 2 deliver them from their dilemma, He chose deliberately 2 descend & live amongst them dat He might deliver them. This meant laying aside His splendor, His position, His prerogatives as da perfect & faultless One. He knew He would b exposed 2 terrible privation, ridicule, false accusations, rumor, 2gossip, & 2 malicious charges dat branded Him as a glutton, drunkard, friend of sinners, & even an imposter. It entailed losing His reputation, would involve physical suffering mental anguish, & spiritual agony. In short, His comin 2 earth as da Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, was a straightforward case of utter self-sacrifice dat culminated in da cross of Calvary. Da laid-down life, poured-out blood were da supreme symbols of total selflessness. This was love. This was God. This was divinity in action, delivering men from their own utter selfishness, stupidity, their own suicidal instincts as lost sheep unable 2 help themselves. In all of this there is an amazing mystery. No man will ever b able fully fathom its implications. It's bound up inexorably wit da concept of God's divine love of self-sacrifice which is so foreign 2 most of us who are so self-centered. @ best we can only grasp feebly da incredible concept of a perfect person, a sinless 1 being willing actually 2 B made sin dat we who R so full of faults, selfish self-assertion, & suspicion might b set free from sin & self 2 live a new, free, fresh, abundant life of righteousness. Jesus told us Himself that He had come dat we might have life & have it more abundantly."
(MC=My Comments- Well it's all up 2us,He said that he had come dat we might have life mo abundantly, something 2 celebrate more than anything else. Now anyone one who might think that they do not have a reason to celebrate, now have one.)
48. Servant of God Catherine Doherty: “Doing da laundry is clothing da naked. Da kitchen routine of preparing food in its ordinariness is feeding da hungry in da reality of everyday life. I hope & pray dat U, now & in da coming tomorrows, will remember da holiness of lil things done well over & over again 4 da love of God. Every task routine or not, is of redeeming, supernatural value because we're united wit Christ. We must b recollected & stay aware of this truth"
(MC=My Comments- Surprise, surprise, surprise, what we might think is worth something may b valueless, or near so in God's sight. On da flip side, what may seem insignificant, but done wit great luv, may end up being priceless. Without fail, could it be da last ending up being 1st, & da 1st ending up last in some cases?)
47. Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Letters from Prison: "...difficulties are magnified all out of proportion, simply by fear and anxiety. From da moment we wake until we fall asleep we must commend other people wholly and unreservedly to God & leave them in his hands, & transform our anxiety for them into prayers on their behalf: With sorry and with grief . . . God will not be distracted"
(MC=My Comments- Something we constantly get 2 practice & will forever have 2 do so in da living. When we truly pray & it touches da heart of God, da prayer is like a baton being passed and we await da results as He runs da rest of the race for us. The Lord God reaches da finish line with a solution, one that we can bank on. Let us trust & grow in faith this Advent season knowing dat da babe will end up not grandstanding, but 4 sho He's da real deal on a tree at Calvary, so all is well)
46. Fr. Richard Clarke, S.J. Book: "Da Devout Year“: Advent is essentially a time of hope. It's not in itself a time of joy except so far as hope of da joy 2 come which brings with it a present gladness. It's an exact representation of our life on earth. We R in a place of exile & a valley of tears, but yet our hope amid all da darkness should b lighted up & rendered joyous by da prospect of future joy. Da motto of our life is our Lord's farewell words 2 his disciples: "U indeed shall have sorrow, but ur sorrow shall b turned in 2 joy. "This must b my consolation in all sorrow. I must try & 4 get my present troubles in da happy thought of joy 2 come.”
(MC=My Comments- Advent, advent, let us go 4 a clean sweep. Fr. Sidney inspired us to dive in 2 advent like a mini Lent. What can you add & what can u sacrifice this season. Ponder & let da Holy Spirit fine tune, as will b da process 4 me. Now is da time, plese do si if u so will)
45. Cardinal Robert Sarah: “Man feels obliged 2 seek ever new realities dat give him an appetite 2 own things; but his eyes are red, haggard,& sick. Da artificial spectacles & the screens glowin uninterruptedly try 2 bewitch da mind & the soul. In the brightly lit prisons of da modern world, man is separated from himself & from God. He is riveted 2 ephemeral (passing away) things, farther & farther away from what is essential. Da silence of da eyes consists of being able 2 close 1's eyes in order 2 contemplate God who is in us, in da interior depths of our personal abyss. Images R drugs dat we can no longer do without, because they are present everywhere and @ every moment. Our eyes “are sick, intoxicated, they can no longer close. It's necessary 2 stop 1's ears 2, cause there R sonic images dat assault & violate our sense of hearing, intellect, & our imagination. It's difficult 4 us not 2 hear this world dat is constantly gesticulating, seekin 2 stun & daze us so as 2 abandon us like ships wrecked on the reefs or common, useless scraps cast up on the shore.Humanity itself has returned 2 da sad prophecy of Isaiah, which was repeated by Jesus: “Seeing they do not see, & hearin they do not hear, nor do they understand”
(MC=My Comments-Caught in a trap, da world have us going around in circles, not getting anywhere,but only bent on gettin mo.Time 2implore a bit of tunnel vision. Only by prayer of da heart will we b able 2 surrender 2 da Holy Spirit in prayer 2 view things wit da mind of Christ)
44. Fr.Simon Devereux: "Lecrae says: 'If U live 4 other people's acceptance, U will die from their rejection'. 2 of da deepest needs of da human heart R 2 B chosen & 2 B included. Traumatic experiences, particularly in our formative years, can tear holes in our heart. No matter how hard we try lookin 4 affirmation & affection from others (even our spouse), it will never b enuf 2 fill our "leaky" hearts. Da cure is 2 turn 2 our Lord & ask Him 2 give us new hearts, as He promised through His prophet Ezekiel"
(MC=My Comments-Livin 2 da full is only possible if we're livin in Christ, led by da Holy Spirit, content wit acceptin da unfoldin will of Father God, assured of Our Blessed Lady's & da Angels and saints help. Then & only then, will what matter most, which is da real truth, point us 2 our valuable worth. Despite da opinions of others, which may result in them mistreating us, we'll rejoice in da truth of God's luv & flourish. Otherwise we ALLOW da rejection of others 2 triumph over da acceptance of God. Prioritize. If God is 4 us who can b against?)
43. Fr. Richard Heilman: "The CCC says:"Hope is the "sure and steadfast anchor of the soul ... that enters ... where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf." Hope is also a weapon that protects us in the struggle of salvation: "Let us ... put on the breastplate of faith and charity, and for a helmet the hope of salvation." It affords us joy even under trial: "Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation." Hope is expressed and nourished in prayer, especially in the Our Father, the summary of everything that hope leads us to desire.Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ's promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit (The virtue of hope keeps man from discouragement; it sustains him during times of abandonment; it opens up his heart in expectation of eternal beatitude. Buoyed up by hope, he is preserved from selfishness and led to the happiness that flows from charity"
(MC=My Comments- Glorious hope keeps us afloat.The anchor that keeps us from sinking. May all your hopes & dreams be realized through, with & in Christ Jesus. Grace disposes every advantageous tool we need,blessed be God for His help that helps is fight the good fight of Faith in Love and by love)
42. Charles Rich: "Da Saints lived from moment 2 moment, doing God's will as it made itself manifest 2 them during dat moment. God wants us 2 live 4 one moment @ a time, not 2 b over concerned wit what tomorrow has in store. 1moment @ a time was da motto of da Saints, it was in this way dat they were able 2 put up wit da trials of their lot. It's in da moment in which we now find ourselves dat God wants us 2 live. This is a beautiful expression in da Epistle 2 da Thessalonians dat has always fascinated me. It goes like this, "2 await from heaven da Son He, (God) raised from da dead—Jesus..."(Thessalonians 1:10). How wonderful these words sum up da purpose of this life! This is da objective which as Christians we should place b 4 ourselves & da goal we should set our hearts upon. What better way 2 spend our earthly days than in lookin 4 ward 2 da comin of Christ in his glorified state? We can become saints if we say wit St. John, "Come, Lord Jesus!"(Revelation 22:20")
(MC=My Comments- So luv my newly discovered friend, & what he's sayin in his book: "Reflections". Please do just dat in regards to this mess. A deceased Jewish convert 2 Catholicism, Charlie Rich is surely "wowing me". Remember da sayin "I want 2 B like Mike, well I want 2 B like Charlie)
41. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI: “Hope”, is a key word in Biblical faith—so much so dat in several passages da words “faith”& “hope” seem interchangeable. Da Letter 2da Hebrews closely links the “fullness of faith” 2 “da confession of our hope without wavering”. Likewise, when da 1st Letter of Peter exhorts Christians 2 B always ready 2 give an answer concerning da logos—da meaning & da reason—of their hope, “hope” is equivalent 2 “faith”. We C how decisively da self-understanding of da early Christians was shaped by their having received da gift of a trustworthy hope, when we compare da Christian life wit life prior 2 faith, R wit da situation of fa followers of other religions. Paul reminds da Ephesians dat b 4 their encounter wit Christ they were “without hope & without God in da world”. Of course he knew they had had gods, they had had a religion, but their gods had proved questionable, & no hope emerged from their contradictory myths. Notwithstanding their gods, they were “without God” & consequently found themselves in a dark world, facin a dark future. (How quickly we fall back from nothing 2 nothing): so says an epitaph of dat period. In this phrase we see in no uncertain terms da point Paul was making. In da sam vein he says 2 da Thessalonians: U must not “grieve as others do who have no hope”. Here 2 we C as a distinguishing mark of Christians da fact dat they have a future: it's not dat they kno da details of what awaits them, but they know in general terms their life will not end in emptiness.Only when da future is certain as a positive reality does it become possible 2 live da present as well. So now we can say: Christianity was not only “good news”—da communication of a hitherto unknown content. In our language we would say: da Christian message was not only “informative” but “performative”.Dat means: da Gospel is not merely a communication of things dat can b known—it's 1 dat makes things happen & is life-changing. Da dark door of time, of da future, has been thrown open. Da 1 who has hope lives differently; da 1 who hopes has been granted da gift of a new life"
(My Comments- Serving a hearty steak dinner. Coming away encouraged dat hope allows me 2 experience new life in situations dat seems a lost cause wit da potential of bringing wit it intense clouds of sadness, R producing an extreme heaviness of heart, elements dat R not of God. Jesus came dat we might have life 2 da full, & dat means graces sufficent 2everything. Where hope flourishes we can run & not grow weary, walk & not grow tired. Choosing 2 hope,hope, hope, may U also do da same)
40. Fr. Rolly Arjonillo: "2 want 2 B holy, 2 B a saint, is utterly important, 4 it's da 1st step 2 holiness. As we desire 2 obtain something, desire is da 1st step in every human action, & this desire is converted in searchin 4 da means 2 obtain what is desired & puttin it in 2 practice. With God’s grace, we must 1st want 2 B holy so as 2 put in 2 effect da means which God has disposed 2 reach holiness: prayer, sacraments & da interior struggle 2 live da virtues practiced & taught by Christ during His life. If 1 doesn't desire 2 B holy, neither shall he want R exert da effort 2 employ da means"
(MC)=My Comments-No wonder progress isn't made @ times, da desire may be absent. Da now Rhema word is "Desire". God meets da desire & in due season we get da good thing we desire. 4 me, what can be better than a high place in da heavenly.Pray tell me, what can b a better desire, What?)
39. Charles Rich"U have a cross.U mistake ur cross 4a problem,so U try 2solve it.But it can’t b solved.Dat is ur problem!”
(MC =my comments-Luv it.dat may also work in da reverse,sum problems aren't crosses,it's a lack of a backbone dat is da problem.Just discovered Charles Rich,& like Marino Restrepo,he is da real deal.Would luv 2b just like Charles,want 2walk in his footsteps.Like Louis might say:he's goin my way,all da way!)
38. St.Silouan the Athonite: “If U suffer some misfortune, then think: “The Lord sees my heart, & if it pleases Him, it will b well both 4 me & others.” And thus your soul will always b @ peace. But if someone murmurs, “This is bad, & that is bad,” then he will never have peace in his soul, even though he fasts & prays a lot.”
(MC= Those who have gone B 4 us have distilled da truth & da infiltrates have been removed, let us b attentive. Various world views R often contaminated, will dat b da cup u sip from? C all as coming from God's hands, r what He is allowing, then da fight in u will help u persevere in faith, holdin fast in peaceful hope that Love will surely C U through 2 da end)
📖 1 Peter 1:7"These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world"
37. Sts.John Chrysostom & Augustine"Even as da violence of da wind,when it rushes upon strong trees &sways them in all directions,does not root them up,but renders them still firmer &stronger by these attacks,so da soul dat's holy &lives in a healthy religious state is not damaged by da fierce assailments of tribulation,but rather purified &strengthened by them"
(MC=Let da wisdom of da saints ring in truth 2 da ears of the spiritual man. When da storm is upon us R our luv 1's, let our confidence lie in God as we humbly pray. Though not delivered "from", it's by deliverance "through", that our lot will b as God so wills. He will not allow da burdens 2 B heavier than what is bearable. Rooted in da scripture below, we'll end up victorious while standin in prayer till da storm ceases 2B. 4all shall pass away 1day)
📖1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken U but such as is common 2man; and God is faithful,who won't allow U 2B tempted beyond what u R able,but wit da temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it"
36. Fr. D. Russell: "When something’s difficult, we say it’s impossible. When something hurts, we say it’s killing us. When we don’t like da food, we say there’s nothing 2eat. This doesn’t really help, by da way, it’s okay 2 complain 2 da Lord. Da Psalms R full of complaints. B honest wit God, wit ur neighbor, ur family & ur friends about what U suffer. B truthful & never lose sight of da good dat is also there. Never b ungrateful 4 da good you’ve been given while u honestly complain about da bad. When we begin wit gratitude 4 da good I promise our honest complaint about da bad will b mo readily heard & answered"(MC=There Is always dat fine line 2 tread. 4 percision we call on da Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit help us 2 perseverance with feet planted on the prayerful path leading to true knowledge and understanding)
35. John Locke: "The Bible is one of da greatest blessings bestowed by God on da children of men. It had God as its author; salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture for its matter. It's all pure, all sincere; nothing too much; nothing wanting!"
(MC=Very sure every single person reading this will have read or will b readin something from the Bible today, like we should be doing every single day of our lives. If this is not so for you, let this day be the firs't day of da rest of ur life for reading something from da bible)
34. St. Basil: "Not even David was blameless. For his thoughts were diverted and he sinned against Uriah's wife. Another example is surely enough to keep one who is living a godly life safe. This example is Judas' fall from better to worse. After being Christ's disciple for so long, he sold his Master for his own profit but received punishment instead. Learn from this, beloved, that the one who begins well isn't perfect. It is the one who ends well whom God approves of. So then, don't allow your eyes to sleep or your eyelids to slumber so that you can be saved like "a roe from the net and a bird from the snare. For you are passing through the midst of traps. You are walking on top of a high wall where a fall is much more dangerous"
(MC=We have no rest against the fight 4 eternal life. Aiming low by mediocrity, might end up being disastrous, 4Judas was a disciple & in da inner circle, but he sure didn't fare too well in the end)
John 1:5: "Da light shines in da darkness, & da darkness has not overcome it"
(MC=This scripture came 2 mind when 1st viewing a pic online of da 2017 eclipse. Plainly illustrated is da fact dat da darkness coverin da world we live in 2day is only 4 a season & is obstructin da lite, but incapable of completely obliteratin it. Da light, as Truth, Jesus Himself, is unchangeable & invincible, capable of being witnessed by those who R on da fringe, in Christ. This isn't so 4 those who partake of da mainstream madness. Christ's lite will set us free & guide us along da way 2 life everlasting. So it's 2 fear not, in no way 2 B dismayed, cause we're never completely in da dark. As trials & troubles develop, tribulations sprout up here & there, it's 2 B assured dat all is workin 4 good. Da eclipse of "good", by way of da graces coming from da hands of God, will b our strength till we C da full lite of day 4 ever & ever in da kingdom of our Glorious Father. Amen & Amen!)
33. Fr. LawrenceCarney: "A lady in her mid-80's called da parish 2 begin classes 2 become Catholic. After about a yr. she said she wasn't ready. Her parents raised her 2 B a good Protestant. She lamented da idea of “turning her back on them” 2 B cum Catholic. I walked 2 her house a few times 2 visit, in hopes she would continue wit her initial desire 2 convert. After those visits proved futile, I entrusted her in 2 da Blessed Virgin Mary’s hands. Since doing Rosary walks 4 a few yrs, I had developed a routine & followed da same route each day. But 1 day, when I came 2 this woman’s house, I did something different. I paused & thought about paying her a visit. But then I was inspired 2 keep walkin & storm heaven 4 her conversion. Da next day she called me & said, “Father, I saw da Blessed Virgin Mary appear @ da foot of my bed. Then I saw u walk by my window prayin da Rosary. I want 2 complete my entry in 2 da Catholic Church.”
(MC=Sharin a sliver from my new book:"Walking The Road To God: Why I Left Everything Behind And Took To The Streets To Save Souls by Fr. Lawrence Carney". A perfect purchase 4 this month wit da upcoming feast days of St. Monica & St. Augustine. Any liken 2 Augustine here, R any experiencing any Augustinian like problems in ur life? Da solution is 2 KEEP PRAYING & do not lose heart. 1 mo point 2 address: try 2 always FOLLOW da lead of da Holy Spirit @ all times. When da gifts & fruits can't b seen & are inoperable, we R not Spirit led, PERIOD! No matter how many prayers we pray, Masses we attend, consecrations we make, R retreats we attend. It's either being Holy Spirit led & glorifyin God, R not. We're livin a life of faith R not, spiritually thriving R barely surviving. A reality check 2 hep avoid a later spiritual train wreck. Lord have mercy & help me & those who R in most need of thy mercy 2 live a life victoriously & courageously trustin & acceptin crosses till deliverance come, knowin all is workin 4good. Remember, self made crosses aren't da real deal, there 4 ignorance is not bliss as da world purports)
32. Dr. Thomas J.Neal "Saints “thin out” da distance between da old & new creations, inaugurating (or hastening!) da passing over of this world in 2 da next. Maranatha! Saints R effective signs who permit da Absolute Future of eternity 2 crash in 2 time’s present here & now, consecrating it in a manner analogous 2 transubstantiation"
(MC=Wowing wit sum strong spiritual coffee if u get 2 take a sip & "get it"! Da mo we morph & become who God intended us to b, we transform this earth, a liquidation occurs, expanding the territory of the spiritual in da world. All for God's glory, let it be, let it B.)
31. Dan: "All U must do is walk wit faith, always believing because you'll never C it comin"
(MC= Yep, sometimes U'll never c da curve ball till it arrives, just like Divine assistance is always present to help us hit a home run, but we often can't C dat either. So with faith it is, that 2day we will embrace faith & hit a home run in every situation we encounter. So proud of Dan, God is touching him, cause where there is smoke there's fire. Rising from his soul, tru prayer is developin, praise da Lord)
30. Book by Fr. Emile Neubert SM: My Ideal, Jesus Son of Mary “As far as da supernatural world was concerned, ur natural mother brought u 4th a stillborn child. Dat u mite come 2 life, sanctifying grace had 2 B infused in2 U @ da baptismal font. This sanctifying grace came 2 U thru Mary, 4 except thru her no grace is ever given. When u were transformed from a child of wrath 2 a child of God, it was Mary who gave birth 2 U un2 dat life divine"
(MC=Mite sum say, Mary? {She is BLESSED Mary 2 me} U should b attributing all this 2 Jesus, but answer this question. Who did da God/Man get His human DNA from"? Whose womb did He pass thru? So thru Blessed Mary we get Jesus & all passes from Him thru her 2 us. God chose da pathway, & as it so says in Matthew 11:6 "Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me". Yep, it comes from God thru Blessed Mother. What mother isn't laboring overtime @ parenthood 4 da best advantage 4 her children? Let's thank God 4 Jesus & da gift of Blessed Mary dat makes all dat da Father desires possible, dat we become tru children on da road 2 eternal life 2 inherit the kingdom of God 4 all eternity. Can it get any better? Either ur in R u are out, no grey in da equation)
29. ST.VINCENT DE PAUL: "4 accordin 2 Our Lord’s words, it suffices 4 perfection 2 deny self, take up da cross & 2 follow Him. Now, who denies himself & takes up his cross & follows Christ better than he who seeks not 2 do his own will,but always dat of God? Behold, now, how little is needed 2 become a Saint! Nothin mo than 2nacquire da habit of willin, on every occasion, what God wills"
(MC=God made it so dat da rich R da poor, intelligent R intelligent, all can attain sainthood. It's if u want it, u can have it. Exercising our free will is in our power, 4 better or worse. If da "me,myself & I" is put 2 death, then da virtues 4 sainthood can rise from da ashes)
28. Br. Francis Wagner: "Prayer without a heart truly centered on God is simply recitation"
(MC=This so reminds me of something Cathy recently shared wit me, may it have da same effect on u as it did on me: Please go 4gold! "St.Bernard was assistin 1 night @Matins, he saw sum angels who were carefully noting down da merit of each of da monks. Da merit of those who were praying wit much fervor, they set down in golden characters; of those who wit less fervor, in silver characters; of those wit goodwill, but without affection, in ink; of those wit sloth & drowsiness, in water; but as 2 those who were in mortal sin R voluntarily distracted, they wrote nothing, but, standin motionless, they lamented their blindness")
27. St.Alphonsus Liguori: "St.Antoninus says: 'Rebecca was a figure of Mary, who commands da angels 2 bring her sinners (symbolized by da kids goats-Genesis 27), so dat she may prepare them in such a way (by obtaining 4 them sorrow & intention 2repent) dat she can render them dear & acceptable 2 her Lord'. Here we may well apply 2 our Blessed Lady da words of da Abbot Franco: “O truly wise woman, who knew how 2 dress these kids so well dat they R not only equal 2 real venison in flavor, but often superior 2 it!”
(MC=We who r consecrated 2 our Dear Blessed Mary, Mother Of God, should rise up & come 2 her in faith, knowin she will present 2 God all dat she C's disordered in our lives & do what she unfailin does. For us 2 figure out what she does wit our heart instead of da mind, will blindside da enemy, cause then there will B no reason 4 one not 2 persevere in faith, knowin whom we hope in, Jesus da Lord. 1 that will never forsake us or leave us. Our behavior is different when we kno da bridegroom is wit us)
26. Dom Basilio Magno: "Da 1st activity, as in da parable of da seed & da soil, is 2 fertilize da soil 2 ensure da seed bears much. Without fertilizing da soul 1st, it's futile 2proceed. This 1st step isn't an intellectual process, though it must b guided by intelligence, 1 thing dat must b done 2 fertilize da soil is 2 remove da stones, i.e., 2 strip 1 self of all distractions dat turn attention 2anything lower in da scale of value, everything dat is not God. Some of these distractions R mere distractions of da mind, as when a child’s attention is distracted by a puppy in a pet shop. But other distractions R moral, i.e., when da instincts of fallen nature turn da mind 2a scale of values far lower-2 food, gain in property, an eminent position, respect by one’s fellows, mere comfort, R lastly 2 mere boredom wit da quest 4 God. Truth isn't won in a moment. Just as it takes time 4 a tree 2 grow, da truth only grows if da necessary steps R taken"
(MC= Those who R serious will dive in 2 da meat & potatoes. Fertilizing da soul is a step 2 take seriously if 1 is interested in bearing fruit. What do U need 2do? R u spiritually as healthy as u should b? What stones need u remove & cast aside? Scripture says few find da narrow path,R u among da many R da few?
25. Fr. Jose Guadalupe Trevino: "Jesus isn't on His Eucharistic throne 2 receive da adoration of da angels & 2 enjoy da company of da blessed. These He finds in heaven. But He is on His Eucharistic throne 2 receive YOUR adorations, 2 listen 2 YOUR confidences, & 2 console & alleviate YOUR sorrows & trials."
(MC=If ever an Amen is due leading 2metanoia, this is! Each of us carries a uniqueness, & da sound of our Praise is lik no other 2 da Lord. Jesus desires 2 hear each note 2 complete da melody of love dat delights His heart. Don't be a no show or AWOL. C da order of things: We adore, He listens, consoles, & alleviates. let's do our part, & God most certainly will do His. Non Catholics, spend sum quiet time alone an encounter Jesus as da "Word" in da bible. Read & meditate, then write down UR thoughts & sho Jesus sum luv by takin dat bible in ur hands, & it's words into ur heart,being alone wit Him. It's not da quantity of time, but quality dat counts. Catholics b extremely grateful we have da Word, & da Word made flesh in da Sacrament of da Holy Eucharist as stated in
📖John 1:14 "And da Word became flesh, & dwelt among us, & we beheld His glory, glory as of da only begotten from da Father, full of grace & truth". My P.S.=Da very lil time we Give God in church r chapel,why does He have 2 share dat wit others, please give him your undivided attention, go outside 2 talk 2 others, don't invade da Sacred Space. If u have ears 2 hear, hear. If not continue as u so see fit, let God b da judge. No harm,no problem✌🏼️
24. Wesley Baines: "Spanish runner Iván Fernández received massive attention after a Dec. 2012 race, & 4 very good reason. He lost.
Intentionally. Leadin Kenyan runner Abel Mutai pulled well ahead of Fernández, but near da end, mistakenly thought he had already crossed da finish line, pullin up bout 10 meters short. Fernández caught up 2 Mutai, but rather than exploiting Mutai’s mistake which would have netted him a wholly legal win, he stayed behind da Kenyan runner, using gestures 2 guide him 2 da actual finish line, & 2 victory. 'He was da rightful winner, said Fernández. He created a gap I couldn't have closed if he hadn't made a mistake. As soon as I saw he was stoppin, I knew I wasn't going 2 pass him. 'Fernández set an example for all competitors in a culture dat often emphasizes winnin @ any cost. He could hav simply passed Mutai on da track, but decided 2 take da path of kindness. He shows us dat when we're kind, we win—even in loss"(MC=Just touched by da kindness of Mary who offered 2 pay my portion of da fee 4 da upcoming evangeslistic 4 week series. We have da group quota of 5 so she don't b going, but so touched by her kindness, sum 1 rarely get 2 C any mo. Readin bout Ferńandez so inspires me, & heps me C dat da "now" Rhema word is "kindness". If goodness is engrained in da heart, then it won't b hard 2 execute kindness @ da drop of a hat. Thnx 2 all of u, 4 ur kindness in being by my side spiritually)
23. St.Bernard of Clairvaux: "There R mo people converted from mortal sin 2 grace than there R religious converted from good 2 better"(MC=Even da blind can surely C da truth of this. Lord deliver us from mediocrity & bathing in lukewarmness. Let us as members of da nu breed, pray 4 da graces 2 respond 2 truth & not tightly hold on 2 errant ways. Ask, and we shall receive, 4 a blessin 2 have & keep an open heart & mind. Dat means being up 2changing & letting what is in da head travel 2 da hart. In essence not doing what we want, but instead want reverence & allegiance dictates that we give un2 God)
22. Barbara Brown Taylor: "What? Mary can hardly believe her ears! Has da angel been here 2? How does Elizabeth kno? But Elizabeth needs no explanation @ all. Without askin a single question, she takes her young cousin in her arms & lets her kno dat everything, finally, will b all right. Then Mary’s stomach does another flip, & she feels a song comin on. Dat is 1of da effects total acceptance has on da soul, U C. UR foot starts tapping &mere words will not suffice— U want music, a brass band, an entire symphony 2 accompany ur outpourin of gladness. In just such a frame of mind, Mary opens her mouth &begins 2sing, “My soul magnifies the Lord, & my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 4 He has looked wit favor on da lowliness of His servant.” . . . God has blessed her in her low estate, has made her a promise she believes, & dat is da living definition of fait, fait dat gives substance 2our hopes, fait in things not seen. . . .But da words 2 her song keep comin, spillin from her lips:“He has filled da hungry wit good things, & sent da rich away empty.” All of a sudden she has become an articulate radical, an astonished prophet singin bout a world in which da last have become 1st & da 1st, last. What is mo, her song puts it all in da past tense, as if the hungry have already been fed, da rich already freed of their inordinate possessions. How can dat B? Her baby is no bigger than a thumbnail, but already she is reciting his accomplishments as if they were history. Her faith is in things not seen, faith dat comes 2 her from outside herself, & dat is why we call her blessed"
(MC=2day being da feast of da Visitation, let us in no way doubt what God has begun continues, 4 He has no end, Our Blessed Mother still visit us, & proclaims God's greatness. God rescues, revives, & redeems day in & day out. B encouraged. Let us 2 dat visit & bring God in sum form 2 some1. B it spiritually, physically, in person, text, email, R on da Fone, whatever, just do it in da name of Jesus)
21. St. Julien Eymard: “Grow @ da foot of da cross, under da shadow of Jesus & Mary. We shall not then fear da tempests dat lay low da cedars, nor da thunderbolt dat strikes da mountain top.”
(MC=To follow da advice of da saints is 2 florish in this life & da life 2 cum. Otherwise we limp along, when we can be walking and not getting tired, & running & not growing weary. It's about responding 2 grace; either God is giving graces r He is not. My bet is, He is giving graces, it's just not me responding. Lord have mercy, hep da helpless)
20. St.Eugene De Mazenod: "Come &'learn who U are in da eyes of God. U poor of Jesus Christ,mU afflicted,munfortunate suffering, infirm, diseased: all U who R burdened wit misery, listen 2me! U R da children of God, brothers & sisters of Jesus Christ,mco-heirs of His eternal kingdom, His cherished inheritance. Lift up ur minds: U R da children of God. Look thru da tatters dat cover U. There is an immortal soul within U made 2 da image of God, a soul redeemed @ da price of da very blood of Jesus, mo precious in da eyes of God than all da riches & all da kingdoms of this earth. Kno ur dignity –U even share da Divine Nature–Children of God, Children of da Most High!"
(MC=If this doesn't get u excited & pumped, spiritual death have set in. Realize how much u mean 2 God, dat u R sum body wit royal blood running thru ur spiritual veins. How can u b defeated by slime? U will have da victory, u will win. If this isn't 4 u now, it will b in time 2 cum. It mayB 4 sum 1 u kno,encourage them now. What is in da head need to B solidified in da hart, then we'll B da head & not da tail)
19. Dionysios Farasiotis: "Fr. Porphyrios had a small parrot he taught 2 pray in order 2 illustrate da absurdity of some Christians' empty repetition of words of prayer, as well as da ridiculous opinion commonly presented in Eastern religions dat 1 can make moral advances by physical exercises R breathin techniques. Every so often, da parrot would mechanically say, 'Lord,hav mercy.' Da elder would respond, 'Look, da parrot can say da prayer, but does dat mean dat it is praying?Can prayer exist without da conscious & free participation of da person who prays?"
(MC=Hopefully we respond 2 da graces given 4 praying well & cum 2 realize dat da record breakin speed of sayin rather than prayin da Rosary, liturgical prayers, etc. is disordered. Mindless unfocused participation is unacceptable in God's site. May we care not 2 b parrot like, but dove like, operatin in da spirit. Praise da Lord & thank u Jesus 4 practitioners of da faith dat care 2 plese U, rather than self. Deliver me/us mo & mo from bad habits)
18. Vicki Burbach: "In everything we do 2 day, we are Christ bearers– we R His hands & feet in da world. R we drawin people 2 Him, or R we pushing them away? Just think of da power U hav wit every step, every look, every word, every touch. What RU going 2 do wit dat power 2day? Will U demand? Will U take? Will U grumble? Will U groan? R will U offer? Will U give? Will U comfort? Will U encourage? Will U sacrifice?"
(MC=Lord in UR great mercy, hep us while we R on this side of heaven 2 let da Holy Spirit direct our steps, looks, words, & our touches & brushes wit others be as gracious & loving as so pleases you. Fruits from da tree of our hearts fall either ripe or immature, good R rotten, let us continue to be mindful in cultivating good all the days of our lives)
17. Feast day of St.Catherine of Sienna,Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI explains: "In a vision dat was ever present in Catherine's heart & mind Our Lady presented her 2 Jesus who gave her a splendid ring, sayin 2her: “I,UR Creator &Savior,espouse u in da faith, dat U will keep ever pure until u celebrate ur eternal nuptials wit me in Heaven”
(MC=How important a role our Lady can play in our lives,consecration is vital. Throwin out a question of upmost importance 4us: R we daily readying ourselves, males & females, 4our upcomin wedding? No bachelors R bachelorettes in heaven. Remember in Galatians 3:28:"There is neither Jew nor Gentile,mneither slave nor free, nor is there male & female,4 U are all 1 in Christ Jesus")
16. Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR "I think what is most helpful 4 our growth in faith is 2 take time 2 sit down. Pray 4 guidance of da Holy Spirit, read each of da resurrection accounts & take notes. Who saw Jesus on dat Sunday? (Wat,where,when &how did they C him?) What did Jesus tell them? How was He different than b4 His death? I believe u'll get caught up in da wonder of this glorious event. U will b astounded & excited bout who Jesus is & what He's about in & thru us. He wants 2 envelop us mo & mo in His lovin lite. A holy friend recommended I read da visions of Blessed Ann Catherine Emmerich’s book, in Vol 4 bout da resurrection events, “The Life of Jesus Christ &Biblical Revelations.” As I read these stories I almost found myself there as if I was watchin a movie. I want 2 B like Mary Magdalene seeing Jesus on Easter Sun. am. Now I often pray, wanting 2 B enveloped & transformed in Christ’s glorious light"
(MC=Da assignment was 1st & 4most 4 me 2complete, as it is optional 4 those who r spiritual partners journeying along. Da text mess dat is shared daily is just a snapshot of my spiritual journey. Thank God 4 classmates contending 4 gold. In case sum 1 is led 2 join in da suggestion by Fr. Bob coming from da Holy Spirit 2 whom da call goes out to, here is da Gospel passage from Da Monday after Easter 2 simplify it 4 u. May B sum 1 will join me in da Marathon of Matt, Mark, Luke, & John. My 1st unplanned Easter Octave exercise. Exercise is so necessary 4 our spiritual well being, so don't b 2 busy 2 keep in spiritual shape. Work it people, work it 4God, a lil or a lot, just work it. Learned so much from researching, as this turned out 2 B an all evening exercise. What stuck me most was t notice in an inspiring way how after appearing to the 12, Jesus appeared to more than 500. May we labor to be counted among His disciples included in that five hundred number)
📖 1 Corinthians 15:6 "After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep."
15. The Catholic Company:
“O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55 Alleluia! He is risen! This is da most joyous feast of da year. Christ's death &resurrection R da foundation of da Christian faith. Da churches R now filled wit Jesus' presence & wit His Light. They R no longer silent, as we join our voices & songs of praise wit da choirs in heaven. We're reminded of Christ's promise: "I will give U a joy which no 1will take from U"
(MC=Happy Resurrection Easter Sesason. May da power that caused Jesus to rise & triumph over death, be UR's in abundance so dat u experience da victory in every area of ur life un2 da glory of God. B it 4 U a bit tough or B it easy, may God in His mighty power b ever @ UR side ushering in little by little da reign of da kingdom, designing a fabulous blueprint 4 da future glory of UR soul. Peace & good Allaluia people of God, topped wit da cherry of luv!)
14. St.Jerome"Wit a Christian, not da beginning but da end is what is important. St. Paul had a bad beginning but a good end. Judas had a good beginning but a bad end"
(MC=Thank God wit Christ leading da way we can have a reality greater than a fairy tale ending if we would but follow wit our hole hart, repent, & not lose heart. 4 Judas it wasn't da sin, but un repentance & him losing hart dat caused his demise. Also it's not da 1 closest 2 Jesus dat stays close 2 da end, so beware we must)
13. Kevin Perrotta: "Da Psalmists don't want answers, they want action. Their whys R not inquiries in a classroom discussion but cries for help in an emergency room. The Psalmists try 2 persuade God 2 act, they appeal 2 His compassion. They try 2 talk God in 2 doing what they want, but they base their appeal on what God wants. 2 paraphrase Jesus: "May ur kingdom come, may ur will B done!"
(MC=Obtain da rite key, & da door of peace opens, otherwise it's constantly knocking wildly @mall da wrong doors & spinnin wheels. Been there,bdone dat, so now tired of playin da fool. How beautiful is da wisdom from da Psalms)
12. Br. Daniel Korn,C.Ss.R. "Repentance is da umbrella dat's over our Lenten practices of fasting, prayer, & almsgiving. U must recognize dat U need 2 amend UR ways & root out those things which pull U in 2 selfish & sinful patterns of behavior. Da icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help can hep U in ur repentance. She looks @ & points 2 da Child Jesus held in her arms. When u follow da way she's pointing, notice Jesus & how He focuses on da sacrificial cross da angel is presenting 2 him. She is askin U dat famous phrase: “What would Jesus do?”
(MC= Trying 2 make a conscience effort 2 put super sensitivity 2 bed & accept all as an opportunity 2 B mo like Christ in da spirit of:
📖Isaiah 53:7 "He was offered because it was His own will, & He opened not His mouth: He shall B led as a sheep 2da slaughter, &shall B dumb as a lamb B 4 His shearer, & He shall not open His mouth". Consider
what would B good 4 U 2 do)
11. Jean-Pierre de Caussade: "Every moment is given 2 us from God & thus bears da stamp of God’s will 4 us. When we "accept" what we cannot avoid & endure wit luv & resignation things which could cause us weariness & "disgust," we R following da path 2 sanctification"
(MC=Can it b any plainer? Often da cafeteria plan is da choicest path being chosen 2 sanctification, but how sad dat is. 2 feed on milk every blessed day we grace da earth, what a shame. Can't this Lent B a new beginning 4 us all (4 me) 2 accept what isn't changing after we have tried our best? Acceptance will lead 2 tru joy & what a surprise when God Himself may in a twinkling of an eye bring about a change)
10. Br.David Steindl-Rast: "What U catch produces knowledge, but what catches u produces wisdom"
(MC=What a big difference between knowledge & wisdom. So evident by how people live da Christian life. Some seek knowledge & R content, while others R led by da Holy Spirit 2 make the quantum leap to abide in the Wisdom of Christ because they begin 2 understand wit da mind of Christ. Getting out of the drivers seat allows God 2 lead. Let's pray 4 da gift of wisdom 4 ourselves & others. We "b askin" 4 trinkets and can come away wit a good catch, but most important is 2 ask 4 wisdom & B caught by scripture, da Word of God
📖James 1:5 "But if any of U lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives 2 all generously & ungrudgingly, & he will B given it")
9. Glenn Ringtved: "Cry, Heart, But Never Break"
(MC=This illustrates 2 me how we live best da present moment. We roll with da tide & stand beneath out Calvary crosses without crumbling like our Blessed Mother Mary. 4 what isn't passing, is all about: "thy will B done",& it's 2 say:"strengthen me oh God, let grace & courage B my constant companions. Remember joy does come in da am in this life, but in da life 2cum it's without end. When it becomes all bout "HIM" & it is not bout "US", da sting fades, a breakthrough occurs, & we chase bubbles no longer)
8. Nancy Shuman: "We R da 1's God has put in charge of lighting lamps of love wit our tenderness"
(MC= We were 1 st luved by God, so dat qualifies us 2 sow seeds of luv in return. We reap what we sow, so may our harvest b bountiful. May God release drops of tender mercy all, He c's & knows, so may comfort & strength, peace & joy hem any prevailing garment of heaviness that is bring worn, regarding ur body, soul, R spirit)
7. Our Lady of Lourdes: "I do not promise 2 make U happy in this world but in da other"
(MC=What good would it b 4 all of our happiness 2B in this world, when we are just passing thru. Better 4 guaranteed happiness where it will last 4 ever & ever.Our Lady of Lourdes pray 4 us & thank u 4a fantastic Consecration Day 4 Us)
6. Mother Angelica: "Faith is 1 foot on da ground, 1 foot in da air, & a queasy feeling in da stomach. U don't kno what's going 2 happen 2 morrow, but U do kno dat His Presence & His Providence rises before dawn, & dat's all U need 2 kno"
(MC=If U hav faith, then U'll trust URself 2 Jesus in a heart beat. Then hope will float, love will sprout, & peace will blossom. What a lovely way 2 live!)
5. Fr. Anthony Zimmerman: "Once had da unforgettable experience of sitting 4 a long time on a bench just outside da Holy Sepulchre, reflecting on this scene. It was on da very spot where Mary turned 2 C Jesus. Somehow heaven never seemed closer 2 me. When Jesus spoke da word �Mary� she came out of her daze, & all da world was rite again. U & I await a similar experience. After death, when Jesus greets us & calls us by name, our eternal happiness will begin. This world will B behind us, & we'll b enraptured by da goodness & kindness of Jesus, & my Father & UR Father, my God & ur God. Eternal rest grant unto us, O Lord"
(MC=This helps we think not with the usual sadness in regards to all da fmly & friends who have gone b 4 me, but this produces sparks of joy. Reflecting upon their happiness, that will 1 day B ours, makes clear the reason why we r given life @this moment, it's 2 prepare 4 eternity. R u sho U r using time wisely?)
4. Blessed Robert Southwell: "God gave Himself 2 U; give yourself 2 God"
(MC=Don't B caught in buying or selling UR self 2da devil, give UR self 2 God. Da best quickest, most efficient, & surest way 2 do dat is da route taken by God: Da Blessed Immaculate Holy Virgin Mary!
3. Nancy Shuman: "Da world isn't safe from sin & evil- even da body isn't safe from harm. But within da cloistered heart there is refuge. Da Lord is wit me; I will not B afraid. In da cloister I'm always safe.
📖Psalm 107:29"He stilled da storm 2a whisper;da waves of da sea were hushed."
(MC= 2day, hunker down in UR cloistered heart & kno UR refuge in Jesus pays off. He alone can still UR storms & calm da wild waves splasing in UR mind. He's directin UR ship of life 2 sail on 2wards victory. Though U may not C da victory, hav sense 2 kno that He who is mighty does great things, B encouraged children of Almighty God, maker of heaven and earth)
2. Dom André Gozier, O.S.B: “There R distractions dat enter our lives on a regular basis. If we pay 2 much attention 2 these distractions, we R unable 2 truly listen, unable 2 give God our full attention. It's only when we listen 2 God wit our whole heart, without distraction, dat we're most aware of God’s will 4 our lives, &mmost aware of da love shared between creature & Creator. Let us pray dat da distractions which enter our lives may B short-lived, & dat these distractions will succumb 2 a settled heart ready 2 listen 4 God’s voice"
(MC=Now is da time 4 a fresh start & 2 carve out sum undistracted time periods 4 settling down & preparin 2 listen 2 what is going on within. How else can u awaken silence?)
1. Servant of God,Fr.Walter J. Ciszek.: "Every moment of our lives no matter how dull R routine R trivial it may seem in itself,has a dignity &a worth beyond human understanding.4it means dat no moment can B wasted,no opportunity missed,since each has a purpose in man’s life,each has a purpose in God’s plan.Think of ur day,2day R yesterday.Think of da work u did,da people U met,moment by moment.What did it mean 2U-&might it have meant 4God?Is da question 2simple 2answer, or R we just afraid 2ask it 4fear of da answer we must give?”
(MC=4da new yr.Lord,may we ask da rite questions ¬ B afraid 2respond 2what is asked of us,knowin God's master plans will work 4our good &His glory,now &in da long run)
(MC=My Comments- Well it's all up 2us,He said that he had come dat we might have life mo abundantly, something 2 celebrate more than anything else. Now anyone one who might think that they do not have a reason to celebrate, now have one.)
48. Servant of God Catherine Doherty: “Doing da laundry is clothing da naked. Da kitchen routine of preparing food in its ordinariness is feeding da hungry in da reality of everyday life. I hope & pray dat U, now & in da coming tomorrows, will remember da holiness of lil things done well over & over again 4 da love of God. Every task routine or not, is of redeeming, supernatural value because we're united wit Christ. We must b recollected & stay aware of this truth"
(MC=My Comments- Surprise, surprise, surprise, what we might think is worth something may b valueless, or near so in God's sight. On da flip side, what may seem insignificant, but done wit great luv, may end up being priceless. Without fail, could it be da last ending up being 1st, & da 1st ending up last in some cases?)
47. Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Letters from Prison: "...difficulties are magnified all out of proportion, simply by fear and anxiety. From da moment we wake until we fall asleep we must commend other people wholly and unreservedly to God & leave them in his hands, & transform our anxiety for them into prayers on their behalf: With sorry and with grief . . . God will not be distracted"
(MC=My Comments- Something we constantly get 2 practice & will forever have 2 do so in da living. When we truly pray & it touches da heart of God, da prayer is like a baton being passed and we await da results as He runs da rest of the race for us. The Lord God reaches da finish line with a solution, one that we can bank on. Let us trust & grow in faith this Advent season knowing dat da babe will end up not grandstanding, but 4 sho He's da real deal on a tree at Calvary, so all is well)
46. Fr. Richard Clarke, S.J. Book: "Da Devout Year“: Advent is essentially a time of hope. It's not in itself a time of joy except so far as hope of da joy 2 come which brings with it a present gladness. It's an exact representation of our life on earth. We R in a place of exile & a valley of tears, but yet our hope amid all da darkness should b lighted up & rendered joyous by da prospect of future joy. Da motto of our life is our Lord's farewell words 2 his disciples: "U indeed shall have sorrow, but ur sorrow shall b turned in 2 joy. "This must b my consolation in all sorrow. I must try & 4 get my present troubles in da happy thought of joy 2 come.”
(MC=My Comments- Advent, advent, let us go 4 a clean sweep. Fr. Sidney inspired us to dive in 2 advent like a mini Lent. What can you add & what can u sacrifice this season. Ponder & let da Holy Spirit fine tune, as will b da process 4 me. Now is da time, plese do si if u so will)
45. Cardinal Robert Sarah: “Man feels obliged 2 seek ever new realities dat give him an appetite 2 own things; but his eyes are red, haggard,& sick. Da artificial spectacles & the screens glowin uninterruptedly try 2 bewitch da mind & the soul. In the brightly lit prisons of da modern world, man is separated from himself & from God. He is riveted 2 ephemeral (passing away) things, farther & farther away from what is essential. Da silence of da eyes consists of being able 2 close 1's eyes in order 2 contemplate God who is in us, in da interior depths of our personal abyss. Images R drugs dat we can no longer do without, because they are present everywhere and @ every moment. Our eyes “are sick, intoxicated, they can no longer close. It's necessary 2 stop 1's ears 2, cause there R sonic images dat assault & violate our sense of hearing, intellect, & our imagination. It's difficult 4 us not 2 hear this world dat is constantly gesticulating, seekin 2 stun & daze us so as 2 abandon us like ships wrecked on the reefs or common, useless scraps cast up on the shore.Humanity itself has returned 2 da sad prophecy of Isaiah, which was repeated by Jesus: “Seeing they do not see, & hearin they do not hear, nor do they understand”
(MC=My Comments-Caught in a trap, da world have us going around in circles, not getting anywhere,but only bent on gettin mo.Time 2implore a bit of tunnel vision. Only by prayer of da heart will we b able 2 surrender 2 da Holy Spirit in prayer 2 view things wit da mind of Christ)
44. Fr.Simon Devereux: "Lecrae says: 'If U live 4 other people's acceptance, U will die from their rejection'. 2 of da deepest needs of da human heart R 2 B chosen & 2 B included. Traumatic experiences, particularly in our formative years, can tear holes in our heart. No matter how hard we try lookin 4 affirmation & affection from others (even our spouse), it will never b enuf 2 fill our "leaky" hearts. Da cure is 2 turn 2 our Lord & ask Him 2 give us new hearts, as He promised through His prophet Ezekiel"
(MC=My Comments-Livin 2 da full is only possible if we're livin in Christ, led by da Holy Spirit, content wit acceptin da unfoldin will of Father God, assured of Our Blessed Lady's & da Angels and saints help. Then & only then, will what matter most, which is da real truth, point us 2 our valuable worth. Despite da opinions of others, which may result in them mistreating us, we'll rejoice in da truth of God's luv & flourish. Otherwise we ALLOW da rejection of others 2 triumph over da acceptance of God. Prioritize. If God is 4 us who can b against?)
43. Fr. Richard Heilman: "The CCC says:"Hope is the "sure and steadfast anchor of the soul ... that enters ... where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf." Hope is also a weapon that protects us in the struggle of salvation: "Let us ... put on the breastplate of faith and charity, and for a helmet the hope of salvation." It affords us joy even under trial: "Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation." Hope is expressed and nourished in prayer, especially in the Our Father, the summary of everything that hope leads us to desire.Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ's promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit (The virtue of hope keeps man from discouragement; it sustains him during times of abandonment; it opens up his heart in expectation of eternal beatitude. Buoyed up by hope, he is preserved from selfishness and led to the happiness that flows from charity"
(MC=My Comments- Glorious hope keeps us afloat.The anchor that keeps us from sinking. May all your hopes & dreams be realized through, with & in Christ Jesus. Grace disposes every advantageous tool we need,blessed be God for His help that helps is fight the good fight of Faith in Love and by love)
42. Charles Rich: "Da Saints lived from moment 2 moment, doing God's will as it made itself manifest 2 them during dat moment. God wants us 2 live 4 one moment @ a time, not 2 b over concerned wit what tomorrow has in store. 1moment @ a time was da motto of da Saints, it was in this way dat they were able 2 put up wit da trials of their lot. It's in da moment in which we now find ourselves dat God wants us 2 live. This is a beautiful expression in da Epistle 2 da Thessalonians dat has always fascinated me. It goes like this, "2 await from heaven da Son He, (God) raised from da dead—Jesus..."(Thessalonians 1:10). How wonderful these words sum up da purpose of this life! This is da objective which as Christians we should place b 4 ourselves & da goal we should set our hearts upon. What better way 2 spend our earthly days than in lookin 4 ward 2 da comin of Christ in his glorified state? We can become saints if we say wit St. John, "Come, Lord Jesus!"(Revelation 22:20")
(MC=My Comments- So luv my newly discovered friend, & what he's sayin in his book: "Reflections". Please do just dat in regards to this mess. A deceased Jewish convert 2 Catholicism, Charlie Rich is surely "wowing me". Remember da sayin "I want 2 B like Mike, well I want 2 B like Charlie)
41. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI: “Hope”, is a key word in Biblical faith—so much so dat in several passages da words “faith”& “hope” seem interchangeable. Da Letter 2da Hebrews closely links the “fullness of faith” 2 “da confession of our hope without wavering”. Likewise, when da 1st Letter of Peter exhorts Christians 2 B always ready 2 give an answer concerning da logos—da meaning & da reason—of their hope, “hope” is equivalent 2 “faith”. We C how decisively da self-understanding of da early Christians was shaped by their having received da gift of a trustworthy hope, when we compare da Christian life wit life prior 2 faith, R wit da situation of fa followers of other religions. Paul reminds da Ephesians dat b 4 their encounter wit Christ they were “without hope & without God in da world”. Of course he knew they had had gods, they had had a religion, but their gods had proved questionable, & no hope emerged from their contradictory myths. Notwithstanding their gods, they were “without God” & consequently found themselves in a dark world, facin a dark future. (How quickly we fall back from nothing 2 nothing): so says an epitaph of dat period. In this phrase we see in no uncertain terms da point Paul was making. In da sam vein he says 2 da Thessalonians: U must not “grieve as others do who have no hope”. Here 2 we C as a distinguishing mark of Christians da fact dat they have a future: it's not dat they kno da details of what awaits them, but they know in general terms their life will not end in emptiness.Only when da future is certain as a positive reality does it become possible 2 live da present as well. So now we can say: Christianity was not only “good news”—da communication of a hitherto unknown content. In our language we would say: da Christian message was not only “informative” but “performative”.Dat means: da Gospel is not merely a communication of things dat can b known—it's 1 dat makes things happen & is life-changing. Da dark door of time, of da future, has been thrown open. Da 1 who has hope lives differently; da 1 who hopes has been granted da gift of a new life"
(My Comments- Serving a hearty steak dinner. Coming away encouraged dat hope allows me 2 experience new life in situations dat seems a lost cause wit da potential of bringing wit it intense clouds of sadness, R producing an extreme heaviness of heart, elements dat R not of God. Jesus came dat we might have life 2 da full, & dat means graces sufficent 2everything. Where hope flourishes we can run & not grow weary, walk & not grow tired. Choosing 2 hope,hope, hope, may U also do da same)
40. Fr. Rolly Arjonillo: "2 want 2 B holy, 2 B a saint, is utterly important, 4 it's da 1st step 2 holiness. As we desire 2 obtain something, desire is da 1st step in every human action, & this desire is converted in searchin 4 da means 2 obtain what is desired & puttin it in 2 practice. With God’s grace, we must 1st want 2 B holy so as 2 put in 2 effect da means which God has disposed 2 reach holiness: prayer, sacraments & da interior struggle 2 live da virtues practiced & taught by Christ during His life. If 1 doesn't desire 2 B holy, neither shall he want R exert da effort 2 employ da means"
(MC)=My Comments-No wonder progress isn't made @ times, da desire may be absent. Da now Rhema word is "Desire". God meets da desire & in due season we get da good thing we desire. 4 me, what can be better than a high place in da heavenly.Pray tell me, what can b a better desire, What?)
39. Charles Rich"U have a cross.U mistake ur cross 4a problem,so U try 2solve it.But it can’t b solved.Dat is ur problem!”
(MC =my comments-Luv it.dat may also work in da reverse,sum problems aren't crosses,it's a lack of a backbone dat is da problem.Just discovered Charles Rich,& like Marino Restrepo,he is da real deal.Would luv 2b just like Charles,want 2walk in his footsteps.Like Louis might say:he's goin my way,all da way!)
38. St.Silouan the Athonite: “If U suffer some misfortune, then think: “The Lord sees my heart, & if it pleases Him, it will b well both 4 me & others.” And thus your soul will always b @ peace. But if someone murmurs, “This is bad, & that is bad,” then he will never have peace in his soul, even though he fasts & prays a lot.”
(MC= Those who have gone B 4 us have distilled da truth & da infiltrates have been removed, let us b attentive. Various world views R often contaminated, will dat b da cup u sip from? C all as coming from God's hands, r what He is allowing, then da fight in u will help u persevere in faith, holdin fast in peaceful hope that Love will surely C U through 2 da end)
📖 1 Peter 1:7"These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world"
37. Sts.John Chrysostom & Augustine"Even as da violence of da wind,when it rushes upon strong trees &sways them in all directions,does not root them up,but renders them still firmer &stronger by these attacks,so da soul dat's holy &lives in a healthy religious state is not damaged by da fierce assailments of tribulation,but rather purified &strengthened by them"
(MC=Let da wisdom of da saints ring in truth 2 da ears of the spiritual man. When da storm is upon us R our luv 1's, let our confidence lie in God as we humbly pray. Though not delivered "from", it's by deliverance "through", that our lot will b as God so wills. He will not allow da burdens 2 B heavier than what is bearable. Rooted in da scripture below, we'll end up victorious while standin in prayer till da storm ceases 2B. 4all shall pass away 1day)
📖1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken U but such as is common 2man; and God is faithful,who won't allow U 2B tempted beyond what u R able,but wit da temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it"
36. Fr. D. Russell: "When something’s difficult, we say it’s impossible. When something hurts, we say it’s killing us. When we don’t like da food, we say there’s nothing 2eat. This doesn’t really help, by da way, it’s okay 2 complain 2 da Lord. Da Psalms R full of complaints. B honest wit God, wit ur neighbor, ur family & ur friends about what U suffer. B truthful & never lose sight of da good dat is also there. Never b ungrateful 4 da good you’ve been given while u honestly complain about da bad. When we begin wit gratitude 4 da good I promise our honest complaint about da bad will b mo readily heard & answered"(MC=There Is always dat fine line 2 tread. 4 percision we call on da Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit help us 2 perseverance with feet planted on the prayerful path leading to true knowledge and understanding)
35. John Locke: "The Bible is one of da greatest blessings bestowed by God on da children of men. It had God as its author; salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture for its matter. It's all pure, all sincere; nothing too much; nothing wanting!"
(MC=Very sure every single person reading this will have read or will b readin something from the Bible today, like we should be doing every single day of our lives. If this is not so for you, let this day be the firs't day of da rest of ur life for reading something from da bible)
34. St. Basil: "Not even David was blameless. For his thoughts were diverted and he sinned against Uriah's wife. Another example is surely enough to keep one who is living a godly life safe. This example is Judas' fall from better to worse. After being Christ's disciple for so long, he sold his Master for his own profit but received punishment instead. Learn from this, beloved, that the one who begins well isn't perfect. It is the one who ends well whom God approves of. So then, don't allow your eyes to sleep or your eyelids to slumber so that you can be saved like "a roe from the net and a bird from the snare. For you are passing through the midst of traps. You are walking on top of a high wall where a fall is much more dangerous"
(MC=We have no rest against the fight 4 eternal life. Aiming low by mediocrity, might end up being disastrous, 4Judas was a disciple & in da inner circle, but he sure didn't fare too well in the end)
John 1:5: "Da light shines in da darkness, & da darkness has not overcome it"
(MC=This scripture came 2 mind when 1st viewing a pic online of da 2017 eclipse. Plainly illustrated is da fact dat da darkness coverin da world we live in 2day is only 4 a season & is obstructin da lite, but incapable of completely obliteratin it. Da light, as Truth, Jesus Himself, is unchangeable & invincible, capable of being witnessed by those who R on da fringe, in Christ. This isn't so 4 those who partake of da mainstream madness. Christ's lite will set us free & guide us along da way 2 life everlasting. So it's 2 fear not, in no way 2 B dismayed, cause we're never completely in da dark. As trials & troubles develop, tribulations sprout up here & there, it's 2 B assured dat all is workin 4 good. Da eclipse of "good", by way of da graces coming from da hands of God, will b our strength till we C da full lite of day 4 ever & ever in da kingdom of our Glorious Father. Amen & Amen!)
33. Fr. LawrenceCarney: "A lady in her mid-80's called da parish 2 begin classes 2 become Catholic. After about a yr. she said she wasn't ready. Her parents raised her 2 B a good Protestant. She lamented da idea of “turning her back on them” 2 B cum Catholic. I walked 2 her house a few times 2 visit, in hopes she would continue wit her initial desire 2 convert. After those visits proved futile, I entrusted her in 2 da Blessed Virgin Mary’s hands. Since doing Rosary walks 4 a few yrs, I had developed a routine & followed da same route each day. But 1 day, when I came 2 this woman’s house, I did something different. I paused & thought about paying her a visit. But then I was inspired 2 keep walkin & storm heaven 4 her conversion. Da next day she called me & said, “Father, I saw da Blessed Virgin Mary appear @ da foot of my bed. Then I saw u walk by my window prayin da Rosary. I want 2 complete my entry in 2 da Catholic Church.”
(MC=Sharin a sliver from my new book:"Walking The Road To God: Why I Left Everything Behind And Took To The Streets To Save Souls by Fr. Lawrence Carney". A perfect purchase 4 this month wit da upcoming feast days of St. Monica & St. Augustine. Any liken 2 Augustine here, R any experiencing any Augustinian like problems in ur life? Da solution is 2 KEEP PRAYING & do not lose heart. 1 mo point 2 address: try 2 always FOLLOW da lead of da Holy Spirit @ all times. When da gifts & fruits can't b seen & are inoperable, we R not Spirit led, PERIOD! No matter how many prayers we pray, Masses we attend, consecrations we make, R retreats we attend. It's either being Holy Spirit led & glorifyin God, R not. We're livin a life of faith R not, spiritually thriving R barely surviving. A reality check 2 hep avoid a later spiritual train wreck. Lord have mercy & help me & those who R in most need of thy mercy 2 live a life victoriously & courageously trustin & acceptin crosses till deliverance come, knowin all is workin 4good. Remember, self made crosses aren't da real deal, there 4 ignorance is not bliss as da world purports)
32. Dr. Thomas J.Neal "Saints “thin out” da distance between da old & new creations, inaugurating (or hastening!) da passing over of this world in 2 da next. Maranatha! Saints R effective signs who permit da Absolute Future of eternity 2 crash in 2 time’s present here & now, consecrating it in a manner analogous 2 transubstantiation"
(MC=Wowing wit sum strong spiritual coffee if u get 2 take a sip & "get it"! Da mo we morph & become who God intended us to b, we transform this earth, a liquidation occurs, expanding the territory of the spiritual in da world. All for God's glory, let it be, let it B.)
31. Dan: "All U must do is walk wit faith, always believing because you'll never C it comin"
(MC= Yep, sometimes U'll never c da curve ball till it arrives, just like Divine assistance is always present to help us hit a home run, but we often can't C dat either. So with faith it is, that 2day we will embrace faith & hit a home run in every situation we encounter. So proud of Dan, God is touching him, cause where there is smoke there's fire. Rising from his soul, tru prayer is developin, praise da Lord)
30. Book by Fr. Emile Neubert SM: My Ideal, Jesus Son of Mary “As far as da supernatural world was concerned, ur natural mother brought u 4th a stillborn child. Dat u mite come 2 life, sanctifying grace had 2 B infused in2 U @ da baptismal font. This sanctifying grace came 2 U thru Mary, 4 except thru her no grace is ever given. When u were transformed from a child of wrath 2 a child of God, it was Mary who gave birth 2 U un2 dat life divine"
(MC=Mite sum say, Mary? {She is BLESSED Mary 2 me} U should b attributing all this 2 Jesus, but answer this question. Who did da God/Man get His human DNA from"? Whose womb did He pass thru? So thru Blessed Mary we get Jesus & all passes from Him thru her 2 us. God chose da pathway, & as it so says in Matthew 11:6 "Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me". Yep, it comes from God thru Blessed Mother. What mother isn't laboring overtime @ parenthood 4 da best advantage 4 her children? Let's thank God 4 Jesus & da gift of Blessed Mary dat makes all dat da Father desires possible, dat we become tru children on da road 2 eternal life 2 inherit the kingdom of God 4 all eternity. Can it get any better? Either ur in R u are out, no grey in da equation)
29. ST.VINCENT DE PAUL: "4 accordin 2 Our Lord’s words, it suffices 4 perfection 2 deny self, take up da cross & 2 follow Him. Now, who denies himself & takes up his cross & follows Christ better than he who seeks not 2 do his own will,but always dat of God? Behold, now, how little is needed 2 become a Saint! Nothin mo than 2nacquire da habit of willin, on every occasion, what God wills"
(MC=God made it so dat da rich R da poor, intelligent R intelligent, all can attain sainthood. It's if u want it, u can have it. Exercising our free will is in our power, 4 better or worse. If da "me,myself & I" is put 2 death, then da virtues 4 sainthood can rise from da ashes)
28. Br. Francis Wagner: "Prayer without a heart truly centered on God is simply recitation"
(MC=This so reminds me of something Cathy recently shared wit me, may it have da same effect on u as it did on me: Please go 4gold! "St.Bernard was assistin 1 night @Matins, he saw sum angels who were carefully noting down da merit of each of da monks. Da merit of those who were praying wit much fervor, they set down in golden characters; of those who wit less fervor, in silver characters; of those wit goodwill, but without affection, in ink; of those wit sloth & drowsiness, in water; but as 2 those who were in mortal sin R voluntarily distracted, they wrote nothing, but, standin motionless, they lamented their blindness")
27. St.Alphonsus Liguori: "St.Antoninus says: 'Rebecca was a figure of Mary, who commands da angels 2 bring her sinners (symbolized by da kids goats-Genesis 27), so dat she may prepare them in such a way (by obtaining 4 them sorrow & intention 2repent) dat she can render them dear & acceptable 2 her Lord'. Here we may well apply 2 our Blessed Lady da words of da Abbot Franco: “O truly wise woman, who knew how 2 dress these kids so well dat they R not only equal 2 real venison in flavor, but often superior 2 it!”
(MC=We who r consecrated 2 our Dear Blessed Mary, Mother Of God, should rise up & come 2 her in faith, knowin she will present 2 God all dat she C's disordered in our lives & do what she unfailin does. For us 2 figure out what she does wit our heart instead of da mind, will blindside da enemy, cause then there will B no reason 4 one not 2 persevere in faith, knowin whom we hope in, Jesus da Lord. 1 that will never forsake us or leave us. Our behavior is different when we kno da bridegroom is wit us)
26. Dom Basilio Magno: "Da 1st activity, as in da parable of da seed & da soil, is 2 fertilize da soil 2 ensure da seed bears much. Without fertilizing da soul 1st, it's futile 2proceed. This 1st step isn't an intellectual process, though it must b guided by intelligence, 1 thing dat must b done 2 fertilize da soil is 2 remove da stones, i.e., 2 strip 1 self of all distractions dat turn attention 2anything lower in da scale of value, everything dat is not God. Some of these distractions R mere distractions of da mind, as when a child’s attention is distracted by a puppy in a pet shop. But other distractions R moral, i.e., when da instincts of fallen nature turn da mind 2a scale of values far lower-2 food, gain in property, an eminent position, respect by one’s fellows, mere comfort, R lastly 2 mere boredom wit da quest 4 God. Truth isn't won in a moment. Just as it takes time 4 a tree 2 grow, da truth only grows if da necessary steps R taken"
(MC= Those who R serious will dive in 2 da meat & potatoes. Fertilizing da soul is a step 2 take seriously if 1 is interested in bearing fruit. What do U need 2do? R u spiritually as healthy as u should b? What stones need u remove & cast aside? Scripture says few find da narrow path,R u among da many R da few?
25. Fr. Jose Guadalupe Trevino: "Jesus isn't on His Eucharistic throne 2 receive da adoration of da angels & 2 enjoy da company of da blessed. These He finds in heaven. But He is on His Eucharistic throne 2 receive YOUR adorations, 2 listen 2 YOUR confidences, & 2 console & alleviate YOUR sorrows & trials."
(MC=If ever an Amen is due leading 2metanoia, this is! Each of us carries a uniqueness, & da sound of our Praise is lik no other 2 da Lord. Jesus desires 2 hear each note 2 complete da melody of love dat delights His heart. Don't be a no show or AWOL. C da order of things: We adore, He listens, consoles, & alleviates. let's do our part, & God most certainly will do His. Non Catholics, spend sum quiet time alone an encounter Jesus as da "Word" in da bible. Read & meditate, then write down UR thoughts & sho Jesus sum luv by takin dat bible in ur hands, & it's words into ur heart,being alone wit Him. It's not da quantity of time, but quality dat counts. Catholics b extremely grateful we have da Word, & da Word made flesh in da Sacrament of da Holy Eucharist as stated in
📖John 1:14 "And da Word became flesh, & dwelt among us, & we beheld His glory, glory as of da only begotten from da Father, full of grace & truth". My P.S.=Da very lil time we Give God in church r chapel,why does He have 2 share dat wit others, please give him your undivided attention, go outside 2 talk 2 others, don't invade da Sacred Space. If u have ears 2 hear, hear. If not continue as u so see fit, let God b da judge. No harm,no problem✌🏼️
24. Wesley Baines: "Spanish runner Iván Fernández received massive attention after a Dec. 2012 race, & 4 very good reason. He lost.
Intentionally. Leadin Kenyan runner Abel Mutai pulled well ahead of Fernández, but near da end, mistakenly thought he had already crossed da finish line, pullin up bout 10 meters short. Fernández caught up 2 Mutai, but rather than exploiting Mutai’s mistake which would have netted him a wholly legal win, he stayed behind da Kenyan runner, using gestures 2 guide him 2 da actual finish line, & 2 victory. 'He was da rightful winner, said Fernández. He created a gap I couldn't have closed if he hadn't made a mistake. As soon as I saw he was stoppin, I knew I wasn't going 2 pass him. 'Fernández set an example for all competitors in a culture dat often emphasizes winnin @ any cost. He could hav simply passed Mutai on da track, but decided 2 take da path of kindness. He shows us dat when we're kind, we win—even in loss"(MC=Just touched by da kindness of Mary who offered 2 pay my portion of da fee 4 da upcoming evangeslistic 4 week series. We have da group quota of 5 so she don't b going, but so touched by her kindness, sum 1 rarely get 2 C any mo. Readin bout Ferńandez so inspires me, & heps me C dat da "now" Rhema word is "kindness". If goodness is engrained in da heart, then it won't b hard 2 execute kindness @ da drop of a hat. Thnx 2 all of u, 4 ur kindness in being by my side spiritually)
23. St.Bernard of Clairvaux: "There R mo people converted from mortal sin 2 grace than there R religious converted from good 2 better"(MC=Even da blind can surely C da truth of this. Lord deliver us from mediocrity & bathing in lukewarmness. Let us as members of da nu breed, pray 4 da graces 2 respond 2 truth & not tightly hold on 2 errant ways. Ask, and we shall receive, 4 a blessin 2 have & keep an open heart & mind. Dat means being up 2changing & letting what is in da head travel 2 da hart. In essence not doing what we want, but instead want reverence & allegiance dictates that we give un2 God)
22. Barbara Brown Taylor: "What? Mary can hardly believe her ears! Has da angel been here 2? How does Elizabeth kno? But Elizabeth needs no explanation @ all. Without askin a single question, she takes her young cousin in her arms & lets her kno dat everything, finally, will b all right. Then Mary’s stomach does another flip, & she feels a song comin on. Dat is 1of da effects total acceptance has on da soul, U C. UR foot starts tapping &mere words will not suffice— U want music, a brass band, an entire symphony 2 accompany ur outpourin of gladness. In just such a frame of mind, Mary opens her mouth &begins 2sing, “My soul magnifies the Lord, & my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 4 He has looked wit favor on da lowliness of His servant.” . . . God has blessed her in her low estate, has made her a promise she believes, & dat is da living definition of fait, fait dat gives substance 2our hopes, fait in things not seen. . . .But da words 2 her song keep comin, spillin from her lips:“He has filled da hungry wit good things, & sent da rich away empty.” All of a sudden she has become an articulate radical, an astonished prophet singin bout a world in which da last have become 1st & da 1st, last. What is mo, her song puts it all in da past tense, as if the hungry have already been fed, da rich already freed of their inordinate possessions. How can dat B? Her baby is no bigger than a thumbnail, but already she is reciting his accomplishments as if they were history. Her faith is in things not seen, faith dat comes 2 her from outside herself, & dat is why we call her blessed"
(MC=2day being da feast of da Visitation, let us in no way doubt what God has begun continues, 4 He has no end, Our Blessed Mother still visit us, & proclaims God's greatness. God rescues, revives, & redeems day in & day out. B encouraged. Let us 2 dat visit & bring God in sum form 2 some1. B it spiritually, physically, in person, text, email, R on da Fone, whatever, just do it in da name of Jesus)
21. St. Julien Eymard: “Grow @ da foot of da cross, under da shadow of Jesus & Mary. We shall not then fear da tempests dat lay low da cedars, nor da thunderbolt dat strikes da mountain top.”
(MC=To follow da advice of da saints is 2 florish in this life & da life 2 cum. Otherwise we limp along, when we can be walking and not getting tired, & running & not growing weary. It's about responding 2 grace; either God is giving graces r He is not. My bet is, He is giving graces, it's just not me responding. Lord have mercy, hep da helpless)
20. St.Eugene De Mazenod: "Come &'learn who U are in da eyes of God. U poor of Jesus Christ,mU afflicted,munfortunate suffering, infirm, diseased: all U who R burdened wit misery, listen 2me! U R da children of God, brothers & sisters of Jesus Christ,mco-heirs of His eternal kingdom, His cherished inheritance. Lift up ur minds: U R da children of God. Look thru da tatters dat cover U. There is an immortal soul within U made 2 da image of God, a soul redeemed @ da price of da very blood of Jesus, mo precious in da eyes of God than all da riches & all da kingdoms of this earth. Kno ur dignity –U even share da Divine Nature–Children of God, Children of da Most High!"
(MC=If this doesn't get u excited & pumped, spiritual death have set in. Realize how much u mean 2 God, dat u R sum body wit royal blood running thru ur spiritual veins. How can u b defeated by slime? U will have da victory, u will win. If this isn't 4 u now, it will b in time 2 cum. It mayB 4 sum 1 u kno,encourage them now. What is in da head need to B solidified in da hart, then we'll B da head & not da tail)
19. Dionysios Farasiotis: "Fr. Porphyrios had a small parrot he taught 2 pray in order 2 illustrate da absurdity of some Christians' empty repetition of words of prayer, as well as da ridiculous opinion commonly presented in Eastern religions dat 1 can make moral advances by physical exercises R breathin techniques. Every so often, da parrot would mechanically say, 'Lord,hav mercy.' Da elder would respond, 'Look, da parrot can say da prayer, but does dat mean dat it is praying?Can prayer exist without da conscious & free participation of da person who prays?"
(MC=Hopefully we respond 2 da graces given 4 praying well & cum 2 realize dat da record breakin speed of sayin rather than prayin da Rosary, liturgical prayers, etc. is disordered. Mindless unfocused participation is unacceptable in God's site. May we care not 2 b parrot like, but dove like, operatin in da spirit. Praise da Lord & thank u Jesus 4 practitioners of da faith dat care 2 plese U, rather than self. Deliver me/us mo & mo from bad habits)
18. Vicki Burbach: "In everything we do 2 day, we are Christ bearers– we R His hands & feet in da world. R we drawin people 2 Him, or R we pushing them away? Just think of da power U hav wit every step, every look, every word, every touch. What RU going 2 do wit dat power 2day? Will U demand? Will U take? Will U grumble? Will U groan? R will U offer? Will U give? Will U comfort? Will U encourage? Will U sacrifice?"
(MC=Lord in UR great mercy, hep us while we R on this side of heaven 2 let da Holy Spirit direct our steps, looks, words, & our touches & brushes wit others be as gracious & loving as so pleases you. Fruits from da tree of our hearts fall either ripe or immature, good R rotten, let us continue to be mindful in cultivating good all the days of our lives)
17. Feast day of St.Catherine of Sienna,Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI explains: "In a vision dat was ever present in Catherine's heart & mind Our Lady presented her 2 Jesus who gave her a splendid ring, sayin 2her: “I,UR Creator &Savior,espouse u in da faith, dat U will keep ever pure until u celebrate ur eternal nuptials wit me in Heaven”
(MC=How important a role our Lady can play in our lives,consecration is vital. Throwin out a question of upmost importance 4us: R we daily readying ourselves, males & females, 4our upcomin wedding? No bachelors R bachelorettes in heaven. Remember in Galatians 3:28:"There is neither Jew nor Gentile,mneither slave nor free, nor is there male & female,4 U are all 1 in Christ Jesus")
16. Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR "I think what is most helpful 4 our growth in faith is 2 take time 2 sit down. Pray 4 guidance of da Holy Spirit, read each of da resurrection accounts & take notes. Who saw Jesus on dat Sunday? (Wat,where,when &how did they C him?) What did Jesus tell them? How was He different than b4 His death? I believe u'll get caught up in da wonder of this glorious event. U will b astounded & excited bout who Jesus is & what He's about in & thru us. He wants 2 envelop us mo & mo in His lovin lite. A holy friend recommended I read da visions of Blessed Ann Catherine Emmerich’s book, in Vol 4 bout da resurrection events, “The Life of Jesus Christ &Biblical Revelations.” As I read these stories I almost found myself there as if I was watchin a movie. I want 2 B like Mary Magdalene seeing Jesus on Easter Sun. am. Now I often pray, wanting 2 B enveloped & transformed in Christ’s glorious light"
(MC=Da assignment was 1st & 4most 4 me 2complete, as it is optional 4 those who r spiritual partners journeying along. Da text mess dat is shared daily is just a snapshot of my spiritual journey. Thank God 4 classmates contending 4 gold. In case sum 1 is led 2 join in da suggestion by Fr. Bob coming from da Holy Spirit 2 whom da call goes out to, here is da Gospel passage from Da Monday after Easter 2 simplify it 4 u. May B sum 1 will join me in da Marathon of Matt, Mark, Luke, & John. My 1st unplanned Easter Octave exercise. Exercise is so necessary 4 our spiritual well being, so don't b 2 busy 2 keep in spiritual shape. Work it people, work it 4God, a lil or a lot, just work it. Learned so much from researching, as this turned out 2 B an all evening exercise. What stuck me most was t notice in an inspiring way how after appearing to the 12, Jesus appeared to more than 500. May we labor to be counted among His disciples included in that five hundred number)
📖 1 Corinthians 15:6 "After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep."
15. The Catholic Company:
“O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55 Alleluia! He is risen! This is da most joyous feast of da year. Christ's death &resurrection R da foundation of da Christian faith. Da churches R now filled wit Jesus' presence & wit His Light. They R no longer silent, as we join our voices & songs of praise wit da choirs in heaven. We're reminded of Christ's promise: "I will give U a joy which no 1will take from U"
(MC=Happy Resurrection Easter Sesason. May da power that caused Jesus to rise & triumph over death, be UR's in abundance so dat u experience da victory in every area of ur life un2 da glory of God. B it 4 U a bit tough or B it easy, may God in His mighty power b ever @ UR side ushering in little by little da reign of da kingdom, designing a fabulous blueprint 4 da future glory of UR soul. Peace & good Allaluia people of God, topped wit da cherry of luv!)
14. St.Jerome"Wit a Christian, not da beginning but da end is what is important. St. Paul had a bad beginning but a good end. Judas had a good beginning but a bad end"
(MC=Thank God wit Christ leading da way we can have a reality greater than a fairy tale ending if we would but follow wit our hole hart, repent, & not lose heart. 4 Judas it wasn't da sin, but un repentance & him losing hart dat caused his demise. Also it's not da 1 closest 2 Jesus dat stays close 2 da end, so beware we must)
13. Kevin Perrotta: "Da Psalmists don't want answers, they want action. Their whys R not inquiries in a classroom discussion but cries for help in an emergency room. The Psalmists try 2 persuade God 2 act, they appeal 2 His compassion. They try 2 talk God in 2 doing what they want, but they base their appeal on what God wants. 2 paraphrase Jesus: "May ur kingdom come, may ur will B done!"
(MC=Obtain da rite key, & da door of peace opens, otherwise it's constantly knocking wildly @mall da wrong doors & spinnin wheels. Been there,bdone dat, so now tired of playin da fool. How beautiful is da wisdom from da Psalms)
12. Br. Daniel Korn,C.Ss.R. "Repentance is da umbrella dat's over our Lenten practices of fasting, prayer, & almsgiving. U must recognize dat U need 2 amend UR ways & root out those things which pull U in 2 selfish & sinful patterns of behavior. Da icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help can hep U in ur repentance. She looks @ & points 2 da Child Jesus held in her arms. When u follow da way she's pointing, notice Jesus & how He focuses on da sacrificial cross da angel is presenting 2 him. She is askin U dat famous phrase: “What would Jesus do?”
(MC= Trying 2 make a conscience effort 2 put super sensitivity 2 bed & accept all as an opportunity 2 B mo like Christ in da spirit of:
📖Isaiah 53:7 "He was offered because it was His own will, & He opened not His mouth: He shall B led as a sheep 2da slaughter, &shall B dumb as a lamb B 4 His shearer, & He shall not open His mouth". Consider
what would B good 4 U 2 do)
11. Jean-Pierre de Caussade: "Every moment is given 2 us from God & thus bears da stamp of God’s will 4 us. When we "accept" what we cannot avoid & endure wit luv & resignation things which could cause us weariness & "disgust," we R following da path 2 sanctification"
(MC=Can it b any plainer? Often da cafeteria plan is da choicest path being chosen 2 sanctification, but how sad dat is. 2 feed on milk every blessed day we grace da earth, what a shame. Can't this Lent B a new beginning 4 us all (4 me) 2 accept what isn't changing after we have tried our best? Acceptance will lead 2 tru joy & what a surprise when God Himself may in a twinkling of an eye bring about a change)
10. Br.David Steindl-Rast: "What U catch produces knowledge, but what catches u produces wisdom"
(MC=What a big difference between knowledge & wisdom. So evident by how people live da Christian life. Some seek knowledge & R content, while others R led by da Holy Spirit 2 make the quantum leap to abide in the Wisdom of Christ because they begin 2 understand wit da mind of Christ. Getting out of the drivers seat allows God 2 lead. Let's pray 4 da gift of wisdom 4 ourselves & others. We "b askin" 4 trinkets and can come away wit a good catch, but most important is 2 ask 4 wisdom & B caught by scripture, da Word of God
📖James 1:5 "But if any of U lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives 2 all generously & ungrudgingly, & he will B given it")
9. Glenn Ringtved: "Cry, Heart, But Never Break"
(MC=This illustrates 2 me how we live best da present moment. We roll with da tide & stand beneath out Calvary crosses without crumbling like our Blessed Mother Mary. 4 what isn't passing, is all about: "thy will B done",& it's 2 say:"strengthen me oh God, let grace & courage B my constant companions. Remember joy does come in da am in this life, but in da life 2cum it's without end. When it becomes all bout "HIM" & it is not bout "US", da sting fades, a breakthrough occurs, & we chase bubbles no longer)
8. Nancy Shuman: "We R da 1's God has put in charge of lighting lamps of love wit our tenderness"
(MC= We were 1 st luved by God, so dat qualifies us 2 sow seeds of luv in return. We reap what we sow, so may our harvest b bountiful. May God release drops of tender mercy all, He c's & knows, so may comfort & strength, peace & joy hem any prevailing garment of heaviness that is bring worn, regarding ur body, soul, R spirit)
7. Our Lady of Lourdes: "I do not promise 2 make U happy in this world but in da other"
(MC=What good would it b 4 all of our happiness 2B in this world, when we are just passing thru. Better 4 guaranteed happiness where it will last 4 ever & ever.Our Lady of Lourdes pray 4 us & thank u 4a fantastic Consecration Day 4 Us)
6. Mother Angelica: "Faith is 1 foot on da ground, 1 foot in da air, & a queasy feeling in da stomach. U don't kno what's going 2 happen 2 morrow, but U do kno dat His Presence & His Providence rises before dawn, & dat's all U need 2 kno"
(MC=If U hav faith, then U'll trust URself 2 Jesus in a heart beat. Then hope will float, love will sprout, & peace will blossom. What a lovely way 2 live!)
5. Fr. Anthony Zimmerman: "Once had da unforgettable experience of sitting 4 a long time on a bench just outside da Holy Sepulchre, reflecting on this scene. It was on da very spot where Mary turned 2 C Jesus. Somehow heaven never seemed closer 2 me. When Jesus spoke da word �Mary� she came out of her daze, & all da world was rite again. U & I await a similar experience. After death, when Jesus greets us & calls us by name, our eternal happiness will begin. This world will B behind us, & we'll b enraptured by da goodness & kindness of Jesus, & my Father & UR Father, my God & ur God. Eternal rest grant unto us, O Lord"
(MC=This helps we think not with the usual sadness in regards to all da fmly & friends who have gone b 4 me, but this produces sparks of joy. Reflecting upon their happiness, that will 1 day B ours, makes clear the reason why we r given life @this moment, it's 2 prepare 4 eternity. R u sho U r using time wisely?)
4. Blessed Robert Southwell: "God gave Himself 2 U; give yourself 2 God"
(MC=Don't B caught in buying or selling UR self 2da devil, give UR self 2 God. Da best quickest, most efficient, & surest way 2 do dat is da route taken by God: Da Blessed Immaculate Holy Virgin Mary!
3. Nancy Shuman: "Da world isn't safe from sin & evil- even da body isn't safe from harm. But within da cloistered heart there is refuge. Da Lord is wit me; I will not B afraid. In da cloister I'm always safe.
📖Psalm 107:29"He stilled da storm 2a whisper;da waves of da sea were hushed."
(MC= 2day, hunker down in UR cloistered heart & kno UR refuge in Jesus pays off. He alone can still UR storms & calm da wild waves splasing in UR mind. He's directin UR ship of life 2 sail on 2wards victory. Though U may not C da victory, hav sense 2 kno that He who is mighty does great things, B encouraged children of Almighty God, maker of heaven and earth)
2. Dom André Gozier, O.S.B: “There R distractions dat enter our lives on a regular basis. If we pay 2 much attention 2 these distractions, we R unable 2 truly listen, unable 2 give God our full attention. It's only when we listen 2 God wit our whole heart, without distraction, dat we're most aware of God’s will 4 our lives, &mmost aware of da love shared between creature & Creator. Let us pray dat da distractions which enter our lives may B short-lived, & dat these distractions will succumb 2 a settled heart ready 2 listen 4 God’s voice"
(MC=Now is da time 4 a fresh start & 2 carve out sum undistracted time periods 4 settling down & preparin 2 listen 2 what is going on within. How else can u awaken silence?)
1. Servant of God,Fr.Walter J. Ciszek.: "Every moment of our lives no matter how dull R routine R trivial it may seem in itself,has a dignity &a worth beyond human understanding.4it means dat no moment can B wasted,no opportunity missed,since each has a purpose in man’s life,each has a purpose in God’s plan.Think of ur day,2day R yesterday.Think of da work u did,da people U met,moment by moment.What did it mean 2U-&might it have meant 4God?Is da question 2simple 2answer, or R we just afraid 2ask it 4fear of da answer we must give?”
(MC=4da new yr.Lord,may we ask da rite questions ¬ B afraid 2respond 2what is asked of us,knowin God's master plans will work 4our good &His glory,now &in da long run)
🆕
52. Dr. Thomas Neal: "If God is invisible light dat wishes 2 b made visible in His infinite colors, then we're da prism He made 2 reveal 2 all creation His splendor. If God is invisible water vapor who wishes 2 water da earth & raise from it food 2 feed all, then we're da cloud dat condenses His life-giving water & sends His rain on da earth. We do these by our lives &by our prayer!"
(MC=If we did good this year, then let's do better next yr. A moment by moment thing, because No 1 knows da day R da hr. Let's do our job assigned by God well, in season & out. Whether it's taken 2 heart by others R not. Renew UR commitment now, 2 day is da day, if u plese!)
51. Book: Meditations forAdvent and Easter “B4 His first coming He sends da Baptist; but Jesus is always sending messengers B4 His face, for He is always coming 2 His people wit sum new grace, new mercy, sum new kindness. How many messengers has He sent U this year, &how did U receive His messengers? When He came, was da way prepared? He sent U a messenger of warning, by da flight of time, @ da close of last year; a messenger of recollection, by a short retreat a messenger of remembrance of His passion in Lent; a messenger of remembrance of His love @ Easter. He sent U perhaps messengers 2 say earth was not UR home, by sickness & suffering, by kind trials, temptations, by wise & loving admonitions. He sent U messengers of daily graces, which perhaps U were 2 much occupied with other things 2notice, R if U noticed them, U have 4gotten them. Oh, if we only profited by all da messengers Jesus sends us, how different our lives would B!”
(MC=God, plese 4give me 4 missin so many messages cause of an obstinate & closed heart. Cum, cum, Lord Jesus, dis is da season, so renew in me a greater love 4 truth by way of da messengers sent 2 me. Grant me graces 2hear ur voice of guidance comin thru da speech & writings of others. Touch my mind so understanding will cum easily in regards 2 spiritual things dat I mite live, holy, & pleasing un2 U & not myself. May I C wit eyes wide open & not wide shut 2 da beauty of purity. Let my mouth speak so as 2 glorify U & uplift others. I hope Lord 2 keep movin 4ward, not standin still R goin backwards. What is UR prayer?)
50. Fr. Alban Goodier: “It's not a little thing 2 discover dat 1 so perfect as Our Lady could B troubled; She was troubled @ da angel saying; his saying thus far, had been no more than da wonderful salutation; she was troubled because an Angel had used such wonderful words to her as: " Hail,full of grace, da Lord is wit thee, blessed art thou among women"; & in her trouble she asked herself what these words would mean, & why they should B addressed 2 her. Soon she was 2 understand; soon she was 2 glorify God @ da thought dat dis salutation would ring thru da world 4all time; & it's a joy 2 me 2 kno dat when she hears it from my lips it's a cause of joy 2 her. Da Angel calms her trouble wit words dat might well hav caused fear & anxiety in 1 less steeped in faith, hope, & love. She isn't 2 fear, because she has found favor wit God; He hath regarded da lowliness of His handmaiden. She isn't 2 fear because, virgin as she is, vowed 2 virginity as she is, she is 2 B a mother; how could dis but B a further trouble? She isn't 2 fear, because da Son she is 2 bring forth is 2 B da Messiah; what a weight of sufferin dis must mean! She isn't 2 fear, cause she is henceforth 2 B something quite different from dat which she has hitherto been; her life is 2 B tossed & torn,& no longer left in its utter & happy solitude. How many a saint has quaked with fear at such a prospect!”
(MC=When we have a clear heart completely surrendered 2 Jesus, abiding in Him as He abiding in us, we'll, have a mentality like to as our Blessed Lady. Like Jesus, she was willing 2 suffer da cost winning souls, dying 2 self & Jesus going all da way & dying on da cross. He is coming 2 show us da way. Let's unite with Him 2 learn from bottom up 2 walk in His footsteps, loving what He loves, being a sacrificial lamb without counting da cost. Our Lady was ready, we should always model her.)
49. Mitch Finley: "Take an Advent memo—Joy is deeper than feelings. U can find joy in da Nazi death camps of World War II, & 2day U can find joy in people who take care of people who have da most terrible diseases. Joy, tru joy, is not superficial. When prayer brings loosey-goosey feelings of comfort & joy, enjoy da fizz while it lasts but don't expect it 2 last. Live on a deeper level than dat. God of quiet Advent joy, help me 2 welcome emotional & spiritual comfort when it comes, but help me 2cultivate love & joy regardless"
(MC=Happiness does indeed come & go, but thanks B 2 God if want joy 24/7, we can hav it with, in, & thru Jesus, da only source of joy. 4me dat's a joy dat nothing can top,absolutely NOTHING!!!
48. Neal Maxwell: "Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room 4 Jesus"
(MC=Da ball us in our court, free will gets first serve. 4 those weaned from milk, it's not just a matter of having 'room'. Of utmost importance is the type of room that is luxuriously being provided & da amenities available in our hearts! If it so pleases U, take a few moments 2 ponder what u have 2 offer)
47. St. John Damascene: “Prayer is da raising of 1's mind & heart 2 God, R da requesting of good things from God"
(MC=Let's keep a balance, R better yet, how bout giving God a two 4one. Dat means heaps of praise, thanksgiving &da expressing of our luv over & above da norm. May our mindset be about abundantly giving ourselves 2 God, preceding & following our constant requests; looking 2receive, receive, receive. Nothing is wrong wit asking 2 receive, but giving should B a priority 2)
46. Mark Mallett: "Patience is a fruit of da Holy Spirit, 1 dat few of us exercise perfectly. But when it comes 2 pursuing God, we should B impatient! We should never hesitate 2 follow Him, 2 run 2 ward Him, 2 assail Him wit a thousand tears & prayers. After all, this is what lovers do. On da other hand, God is very patient wit us. I mean, He 2 pursues us, & relentlessly. But when He finds our hearts closed, our doors shut, He simply stands there & knocks in a thousand different ways"
(MC=Let's live life right side up, with fire under our spiritual feet 2
keep us in pursuit of the great heavenly prize. Da virtuous, with a quiet spirit, hears da slightest knock @ da door of the heart & kindly respond)
45. Archimandrite Zacharias: "Zeal is like a pot boiling on da stove: no fly R any domestic animal comes near 2 pollute da food that's meant 4 man only, because of da heat of da stove. But as soon as da fire goes out & da food cools down, da flies approach & leave their impurities in it. Da same applies 2 man’s heart: if it burns wit zeal 4 God, it will never B pillaged by thoughts arising from da passions. Da hound of carnal desires won't B able 2 devour da food, namely da heart of man, which must B kept 4 God alone. Da zealous man will withstand trials"
(MC=Let us ask so dat we shall receive, & what R we askin 4? To B delivered from lukewarmness, irreverence, spiritual blindness, & obstinacy 2 truth which conflicts with our own wills. How does deliverance come? Grace, grace, grace 4 Zeal. 4 loving God with an undivided heart will fire us up 4 authentically living da spiritual life. No wonder it's hard withstanding trials, zeal is absent. Now we kno what 2 ask for. This life is short and we get just 1 shot, so it's imperative we get it right!)
44. Charlie Johnston: "If God is not with me, I should B stopped. Kno dat no 1 on earth has any power over U dat God has not allowed. There4, any setbacks R resistance R 4 UR or their good – 4 UR purification R 4 their inspiration & recovery. As inspirational as it can B 2 others 4 U 2 live prosperity well, kno dat it is even mo inspirational when U bear adversity well. Never squander da grace of adversity by pining away 4 what was safe & comfortable when U were not fully mature"
MC= Lingo so pep rally like, fires up the truth and strengthens our resolve to keep on keeping on. If you don't need to hear this now, file it away for a later date, because for sure without a doubt, you'll need it hear this one day)
43. Fr.Gabriel Magdalen: "We freely givin up a satisfaction or a pleasure in order 2 impose on ourselves, 4 luv of God, something which is contrary 2 our own natural inclinations; thus prove dat we prefer 2 satisfy God rather than ourselves"
(MC= Should not dat B takin root in our lives, even a lil bit moe, in a way dat's pleasin 2 God after all these years? Well, can say not where once was, but far from da goal. 4 sho still tryin, what about U?)
42. Elder Joseph the Hesychast: "Now U become angry & fainthearted & grieved, thinkin dat da heavenly Father is slow in answerin. But I tell U dat this will also happen as U desire—it will definitely happen—but 1st it takes prayer wit all UR soul,& then U must wait. & when U have 4gotten UR request & have ceased askin 4it, it will cum 2U as a reward 4UR patience & endurance. When U reach da verge of despair while prayin & seekin, then da fulfillment of UR request is near. Christ wants 2 heal sum hidden passion within U, & this is why He delays in grantin UR request. If U obtain it sooner, when U demand it, UR passion remains uncured within U. If U wait, u obtain UR request & da cure of da passion. & then U rejoice exceedingly & give warm thnks 2 God Who arranges all things in wisdom & does everything 4our benefit"
(MC=Those walkin in holiness, goin B 4 us kno da score. Will we B attentive & try 2 put in 2 practice what is preached? Lord help me/us 2 truly put in 2 practice what we learn)
41. St.Teresa of Calcutta: "We must not B surprised when we hear of murders, of killings, of wars, of hatred. If a mother can kill her own child, what is left but 4 us 2 kill each other"
(MC=There can B personal slippery slopes right in our lives. Let us C where we R failing 2 take heed. God's warnings makes sense 2 us on the back end, but He knows exactly what is happening from the front end. Mediocrity is definitely a slippery slope, it can cause us 2 b spit right out of the mouth of da Lord. We need 2 B hot R cold. B reverent & mindful of how u serve @ Mass, church, pray, etc. No one is excerpt from examining themselves)
40. St.Jerome: " I should B sorry 2 allow my fears 2 teach me faithlessness, when Christ has put da tru faith in the power of my choice"
(MC=Thank God 4 this lil nudge 2 help us realize 2 keep the faith because God stands by His every word & the Holy Spirit is there 2 help us choose wisely if we listen. Da right choice helps us 2 over come & experience da victory)
39. Mike Aquilina: "Angels are a large part of reality & as with other large parts of reality—speeding Mack trucks or looming brick walls—we benefit greatly from their service & ignore them @ our peril. Angels are everywhere—right @ UR side, powerful heavenly beings who play a significant role in da personal drama of daily life—UR life"
(MC=Da Angels played great roles in scripture & since God is da same yesterday, 2 day & 4 ever, in our lives, it'll B da same. On their feast day let's implore hep, as special graces R granted by God on feast days, askin 4 hep from Michael in my daily trials, hep from Gabriel dat a good message from God cum my way(wonderful meditations & contemplarions) & healin graces from Raphael (need 2 trus God mo). On the feast of the Angels asking that light, guard, rule and guide in excess. What R u askin 4? If it's in God's will, 2 ask is 2 receive)
38. St. Padre Pio: "Let us always keep B4 our eyes da fact dat here on earth we R on a battlefield &!dat in paradise we shall receive da crown of victory; dat this is a testin-ground &mda prize will B awarded up above; dat we R now in a land of exile while our tru homeland is Heaven 2 which we must continually aspire. Jesus will assist U & give U da grace 2 live a heavenly life & nothin whatever will B able 2 separate U from His luv"
(MC=If we get nothin else from what was said, let's get dis: NOTHING can separate us from God's luv. Is He a God of hate R does He not, luv, luv, sinners? We're got da proof, so let's rejoice 2day & sho sum luv back: luv God, luv URself, & luv UR neighbor. Amen!)
37. Jesus 2 St.Faustina: "Give away everything @ da 1st sign of a demand, even if they were da most necessary things. Don't ask 4 anything without consultin Me. Allow dem 2 take away even wat is due U—respect, UR good name—let UR spirit rise above all dat. & so, set free from everything, rest close 2 My Heart, not allowin UR peace 2 B disturbed by anything. My pupil, consider da words which I hav spoken 2U"
(MC=Dis is how these words speaks 2 me: Da 1st sign of demand 2 me is signified by my allowin da present moment 2 unfold as God is permittin R perpetratin. 4 every 2nd of our lives develops in a purposeful manner in da sight of God, believe dat! So in dat lite "givin away" is acceptin wat can't B changed, R by a lesser degree prayin, "Lord let dis cup pass, but not my will but thine B done". In regards 2: "don't ask 4 anything", 2 me it's bout livin each moment wit da dominant mindset of: "Lord, wat would U hav me do?" Dat essentially lets us B led by da spirit in wat we do R say. We may not always get it rite, but nevertheless we R tryin, & 4 sho, God writes straight wit crooked lines. "My response 2: "Allow dem 2take away even wat is UR due", means 2 me 2 make an exchange. It's a give & take situation which results in receivin peace as we give up control of wat is sometimes uncontrollable anyway. 'Restin close 2 da hart of Jesus, is abidin deeply in da sanctuary of 1's own heart where He resides if He has been granted admittance. There is where trust constructs guard rails, hedges, fences, etc. in order 2 seal peace deep within. Trust is such an effective barrier dat put in 2 action, it won't allow troubled waters 2 affect & disturb inner peace. Like a tide, it may roll in, but it is immediately repelled by 12 barriers comin 2mind dat R strategically placed: belief, acceptance, understandin, trust, truth, hope, fait, luv, patience, endurance,perseverance, & fortitude. In essence wat dis is speakin 2 me is simply 2: "Let God B God, & let go minute by minute)
36. St.Teresa Benedicta of daCross: "Dat my hole life down 2 da smallest details has been marked out 4me in da plan of Divine Providence & has a completely coherent meanin in God's all-seeing eyes, & so I am beginnin 2rejoice in da lite of glory wherein this meanin will B unveiled 2me."
(MC=Lord hav mercy,hep me 2believe, then strength & rejoicing will follow here & now, with ecstasy in da life 2 come. It's an exchange of worry & sadness 4 trust & rejoicin, Hallaluia)
35. ABBA THEODOROS: "We're not able 2"keep obsessive thoughts from intruding upon our souls in a disturbing way. But we do have da power 2 limit da time these troubling ideas may linger within us. We can refuse 2 allow obsessions 2ncontrol us. Withdrawal from da world diminishes our obsessions & opens us 2 da realization 2 a life dat Is hidden in Christ"
(MC=Grace builds upon grace. Success 1 time out of 10, with repeated tries,bwill B cum 2 out of 10, etc. etc. etc. With dat we gain momentum day by day, so don't give up da struggle)
34. Charlie Johnston: Choose well & seriously, then go steadily & resolutely 4ward, regardless of da obstacles U encounter. MNever calculate da odds. If it's rite, go 4ward despite insurmountable odds. Never B seduced by mere temporal advantages in 2 doin somethin unworthy. If UR weakness betrays U & U do something unworthy, renounce it, get up, & cont. on UR way. If I'm wit God, I can B delayed, prestrained R diverted,nbut I can't B stopped. MIf God isn't wit me,mI should B stopped. Kno dat no 1 on earth has any power over U dat God hasn't allowed. There 4 any setbacks R resistance are for UR or their good–4 UR purification R 4 their inspiration & recovery. As inspirational
as it can B 2 others 4 U 2 live prosperity well, kno dat it's even mo inspirational when U bear adversity well. Never squander da grace of adversity by pining away 4 what was safe & comfortable when u were not fully mature"
(MC=Daily we can put in 2 action fait & not just 2 trust God when things R going well, but our tests R 2 hep us trust dat God knows what He's doin when things aren't goin so well. Da game changer is MATURITY, yep, there'll B growin pains)
33. Don Schwager: "Love is da gift of givin 1self 4 da good of others.m Da root of all sin is disordered luv &mpride which is fundamentally puttin myself above God &mmy neighbor-it's lovin & serving self rather than God & neighbor. Luv which is rooted in pleasin myself is self-centered & possessive-it's a selfish luv dat takes from others rather than gives 2 others. Tru luv is rooted in God's truth &mrighteousnes"(MC=Many times we may C no need 2 confess & repent, yet day in & day out we may rob. How? Because a selfish luv takes rather than gives. Now da robber becomes a liar as well, a 2 for 1 in this case is not a good thing. Let's B mindful 2day 4 opportunities 2give rather than take. Cum Holy Spirit! Change my heart O God,may my attitude B mo lik URs)
32. Pope emeritus BDXVI: "Friendship is 1 of da noblest & loftiest human sentiments which divine Grace purifies & transfigures. Like St. Francis & St. Clare, other Saints 2 experienced profound friendship on da journey 2wards Christian perfection. Examples are St. Francis de Sales & St. Jane Frances de Chantal. St Francis de Sales himself wrote: "It's a blessed thing 2 luv on earth as we hope 2 luv in Heaven, & 2 begin dat friendship here which is 2nendure 4 ever there. I'm not now speakin of simple charity, a luv due 2 all mankind, but of dat spiritual friendship which binds souls together, leading dem 2 share devotions & spiritual interests, so as 2 have but 1 mind between dem"
(MC=Thank u friend, a blessin from God 2 journey & partner with as we travel da road of perfection. God ordains dat we make each other better)
31. Blessed Antonio Rosmini: "God summons us 2 action thru external circumstances: either we C an obvious need, as da good Samaritan did; R we receive a specific request. If we fix our eyes on da Lord who summons us, our response will B prompt & full of luv, even 2 da point of sacrifice"
(MC=Brothers & sisters let us learn 2luv. Let's operate wit eyes wide open, wit Samaritan type behavior being da name of da game 4us. The wounded R all around, C Jesus & lend a helpin hand, pass not by. Be a Christian in deed & not just in name)
30. St.Francis de Sales: "Don't get upset wit UR imperfections. It's a great mistake because it leads nowhere 2get angry cause UR angry, upset @ being upset, depressed @ being depressed, disappointed cause UR disappointed. So don't fool UR self. Simply surrender 2 da Power of God's Luv, which is always greater than our weakness"
(MC=It really does hep 2 let go & let God. Time 2 stop trying 2 give what we don't have & let God work through, in, & with us. If u don't have that problem, then u don't have that problem, praise the Lord)
29. Jean Khoury: "In da Sermon on da Mount, Jesus shows us dat not only our acts call 4 healin but our hearts also need 2 B healed. 'U hav heard dat it was said 2 dose of ancient times, U shall not murder; & whoever murders shall B liable 2judgment. But I say 2U dat if U R angry wit a brother R sister, U'll B liable 2 judgment (Mt 5:21-22). But Christ also deals wit da little Pharisee who is in each of us, & in doing so he unveils da mechanisms of da human soul. 4 example, in Mt.23 an entire chapter deals wit da mechanisms of hypocrisy which divide da human soul. Their unveilin leads 2 da unifying work in da depths of our being. In other passages, Christ speaks 2 da Pharisee in us,“da prodigal son”, “da adulteress who has been 4 given”, & so on 2 da outside world 1 wants 2 appear pure, but da deepest roots of our being R entangled in contradictions. Instead of imaginin a world dat's pure, barren, R black on 1side & white on da other, filled wit people who R either bad R good, Christ wants us 2 learn 2 become aware of our shadows, our undisclosed motivations, which we don't normally acknowledge R quite simply ignore although very real. When U fast R do good works (Mt. 6) don't seek 2 blazon it abroad nor attract approval R praise. Christ came 2 free wit his power da depths of da human hart, & dis is precisely what da Sermon on da Mount is all about:"& I say 2U”: I will reveal UR depths 2U, if U R willing 2C dem. Thus we come 2 understand dat not only da world is a mix of black &white, but we 2 R. This discovery is quite uncomfortable 2; & yet without it we would B in danger of throwin da baby out wit da bathwater: da evil &da author of dis evil, da wheat &da chaff! Entering in2 our depths is therefore a healthy thing 2 do, enablin us slowly 2 B freed, as we discover @ once our wretchedness, our “nothingness” as St.Thérèse of da Child Jesus put it – & da great mercy without which we could not otherwise bear 2confront da depths of our nothingness"
(MC=Surely it's clear why we need mercy. A meat & potatoes mess, but just say cum Holy Spirit Cum. Relax & C what cums 2 UR mind. Can imagine "ME" standin wit Jesus @my side, lookin @"MYSELF", & we R discussin dat "I" need 2 change, da 1 who wants 2 rule in da unholy trinity, consistin of ME, MYSELF, & I. We agree dat abiding in Him & walkin in His shadow, will help me eliminate creating 1. The truth will set me free, as self made shadows like doubt, lack of trust, being poorly catechized, intolerance,etc. will cease, it's just to abide in The Lord.)
28. St.Basil of Caesarea: "By da sight of visible & sensible things da mind is led, as by a hand, 2 da contemplation of invisible things”
(MC=Let us be mindful that dis does not work in reverse, leading us 2 sin. 4 our good, dat of others, & to God's glory, it's imperative we be very careful about what we C & what we hear)
27. Fr. De Rouville: "Even in Holy things do nothing hurriedly, 4 precipitation, too, can hinder the inner harmony which alone unites man 2God"
(MC=Truly wise words, going unheeded 2 our detriment 4 sure. No wonder we R prodded along the "hurry hurry", "rush rush" way, because this upsets our harmony with God. So when we can't B stopped, R our relationship with God can't B severed, plan B but opposing forces is 4 our harmony 2 B disrupted. 4 instance, nothing may stop us from praying, but praying from the heart reverently, mindful that every word B internalized so that we can mean what we say? Oh no, obstacles 2 that will appear left & right encouraging us 2 rattle on. By grace, we will take a stand & B vigilant & will B harmoniously abiding in the Lord Our God, right?)
26. Fr.Bartunek: "Among da many lessons, Jesus teaches how 2 B a Christian apostle. He tells us how 2react when we're rejected, our efforts appear 2 bear no fruit,when we run in 2 opposition, & when disciples fail in their attempts 2 win people over 2 Christ. When dat happens, they R simply 2 shake da dust from their feet & move on.
(MC=Find myself being way 2 complex: upset, aggravated, discouraged, displeased etc. Time 4 a lil simplicity, dat means 2 shake da dust & move on, cause there'll always B some 1 up 2 acceptin truth & growin. Thank God 4 my partners in da climb, tryin 2 reach new heights & contendin 4 a front row seat & not da back)
25. Blessed Zefirino Agostini: "Do not B dismayed by toil R sufferin, nor by da meager fruit of UR labors. Remember dat God rewards not accordin 2 results, but effort"
(MC=Hallaluia, dat's like gettin graded on a curve, no excuses 4 not scoring big. Jump as high as U can, great efforts will cause God 2 lower da bar, because of His great mercy)
24. Jeff Mirus: "Frustrating as it may B 2 us neophytes, God’s will must B continually embraced in wat Fr. De Caussade calls da sacrament of da present moment. In other words, it's manifested most clearly not in what we wish, R hope, R plan, but in da dread, dreary & definitely deceptive circumstances of our daily lives"
(MC=Life experiences R allowed 2 teach & 2 help us grow; Heaven is da place 4 perfect happiness & contentment. Let's not confuse da 2, no matter how enticing. Painful 2 hear but true, don't U think? Developing trust will really help us to walk hand in hand wit peace)
23. Dawud Walid: "Mohammad Ali’s trus in God helped his perspective after receivin wat would B a devastatin diagnosis 4 sum 1 who had been so active. He reflected a very strong fait in da face of dat debilitatin disease. I remember him sayin dat he was humbled by God allowin him 2 hav a disease 2 sho him who was really da greatest, dat God is da greatest". Ali would say there was a hidden blessin in it"
(MC=When U really cum 2 kno da truth who is Jesus Christ, UR set free 2 kno dat God will rite straight wit crooked lines & dat U can persevere & bear da cross till da crown cums)
22. Fr. Simon Devereux: "There's nothin da Blessed Virgin Mary wants mo dan 4 us 2 B cum livin images of her Son. MAll we need 2 do is keep still in His hands while He works on us, & 2 remember her final words recorded in scripture: "Do watever He tells U"
(MC=We mus make her goal ours, not just hearin words of wisdom,but listening 2 dem)
21. Fr.Eric Hollas: "I've learned dat 10 reasons against doin sumthing can B very compellin, but dat 1 very good reason 4 doin sumthing can scatter da other 10 lik bowling pins"
(MC=May we B tru instruments of God choosin what is rite rather dan what's easy. God plese give us da grace)
20. St. John Paul II: "May da Holy Spirit, da Spirit of Pentecost, hep U 2 clarify wat's ambiguous, give warmth 2 wat's indifferent, enlighten wat's obscure, & 2B B4 da wurl tru & generous witnesses of Christ's luv, 4 no 1 can live without luv"
(MC=If da fire falls on wat's flammable, a blaze ensues & luv consumes, so let's immerse ourselves in tru fervent prayer)
19. Dom Gueranger: "Jesus would observe da Sabbath as He did every title of da Law; He would spend it as da day of rest after da work of His Passion, in da silence of da sepulcher. But early on da 8th day He rises 2 life &vdat life is 1 of glory. Let then da week wit its Sabbath pass by; wat we Christians want is da 8th day,nda day beyond da measure of time, da day of eternity whose lite isn't intermittent R partial, but endless &bunlimited"
(MC=Da pattern &bmold isn't broken, as it was in da beginning, so it is now. We labor hard workin 4 an eternal rest dat will bring peace & Joy. Every passion leads 2 da Resurrection, if not sooner dan 4 sho later, BELIEVE DAT!)
18. Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “After death something new begins, over which all powers of da world of death hav no mo might"
(MC=Yes, yes, 4 when da seed dies den it bears fruit, a resurrection of sorts. Let's die 2 self & sin, dat we mite bear fruit 4 Christ. There is no other way, not goin it as we so C fit, but as it is HIS prerogative)
17. N.T. Wright: “Da resurrection completes da inauguration of God's kingdom. It is da decisive event demonstrating dat God's kingdom really has been launched on earth as it is in heaven"
(MC=We hav our invitation 2 da ball, so it's 2 B well dressed in virtues &brepentant of sin, cause we never kno da date da limo will arrive 2pick us up 4 da eternal feast. By being improperly R inappropriately dressed, we'll B denied entrance, so let's set about dis life gettin all spiritually dolled up, B we guys R girls)
16. St.Ephrem: "If He wasn't flesh, whom did da Apostles & Angels C bein taken up in2heaven? If He wasn't God, 2whom was heaven opened, & da Powers worship in fear & da Father invite 2 “Sit @ my rite hand”
((MC=If we kno da correct answer, than da next step is 2 liv as we kno: not defeated but truly as if ALL is workin 4 our good.Don't B beat down, but "Beat Down"
15. St.John Chrysostom: "O Death, where's UR sting? O Hell, where's UR victory? Christ is risen & U R overthrown. Christ is risen & da demons R fallen. Christ is risen & da angels rejoice. Christ is risen & life reigns. Christ is risen ¬ 1dead remains in da grave"
(MC=Christ is risen & wat do U hav 2say? 4me da vision of a real brite
eternity looms brilliantly & keeps me sold out 2 da mission wit no thoughts of givin up R given in, not EVER by da grace of God!)
14. Mark Mallett: "Da key 4 all of us is 2 not allow seemingly insurmountable obstacles B4 us 2 penetrate da hart, disturb our peace & trust in God. We mus keep da Passion of Jesus ever B 4 us as a reminder dat da Father never abandons us even wen every 1 else does"
(MC=2 often we err in keepin da obstacles B 4 us, obscurin our spiritual vision & obstructin da power of da Holy Spirit, wit da Pasion no where on da radar. Dat mus change 4 us 2 experience da victory)
13. Janet Klasson: "If U really desire union mo dan U desire 2 cling 2 wat's standin in UR way, God will grant it 2U. U'll B cum a saint, 4His mercy desires 2 giv U dis gift far mo dan U could ever desire it URself"(MC= Dat sam power dat could raise Jesus from da dead, is da sam power 2 transform lives if we say yes, B leve in it, & den act)
12. Pope Francis: "Da Gospel of Easter is very clear: we need 2 go back there 2 C Jesus risen & 2 B cum witnesses of His Resurrection. Dis is not 2 go back in time; it's not a kind of nostalgia. It's returnin 2 our 1st luv, in order 2 receive da fire Jesus has kindled in da world & 2 bring dat fire 2 all people, 2 da very ends of da earth"
(MC=True authentic transformation sets da tone 4 being a real witness of da Resurrection, other wise UR spiritual life is just a mirage)
11. St.Augustine: "2 fall in love wit God is da greatest romance; 2 seek Him da greatest adventure; 2 find Him, da greatest human achievement"
(MC=There's da best, den there's all da rest, so in the wurl why settle 4 less?)
10. Alice Von Hildebrand: "Blind people kno dey R blind & can't C, dey kno dey suffer from a deficiency. No blind man will accuse sum 1 lookin @ a sunset & say dey R hallucinatin, cause dey kno their weakness. In da Gospel dis blind man in Jericho says: 'Lord heal me'. Da apostles say B quiet, but he screams louder. Jesus cums & ask: 'Wat do U want?' Lord dat I may C"
(MC=Dat we mite all cum 2 truly kno our every weakness, not dismiss truth, & beg 2 B healed & made whole)
9. St.Teresa Benedicta of da Cross: "Whatever didn't fit in wit my plan did lie within da plan of God. I hav an ever deeper & firmer belief dat nothin is merely a accident wen seen in da light of God"
MC=✔️ out da attitude of da saints. It's not about being victimized by da enemy, wen things go wrong, R differ from their expectations. It's all about God, since dat is who dey center their life around. Dat brings hope & perseverance 2da surface, because of da ultimate joy that is 2 cum. Why?, cause dey kno light never fails 2 overcum the darkness, never ever! Wen our minds Bcum renewed, our heart &countenance will also change, 4 better & not 4 worse)
8. The Blessed Virgin Mary speaks 2 St. Catherine Laboure: "Hav a medal struck upon dis model. Those who wear it will receive great graces, especially if dey wear it around their neck"
(MC=R U Catholics wearin UR Miraculous Medal round ur neck? Wat about UR wife, husband, & kids? Words 2 da wise "get on it"! Can U afford 2 pass up great graces? But on da other hand, if U don't believe, den U don't believe)
7. Mary Poust "Wen handed an answer in prayer dat goes against everything U hoped 4: a job not found, a life not saved, an illness not cured, can U go 2 God in prayer &t truly open UR self up 2 His will rather dan try 2 bend God's will 2 UR own?
(MC=Hopefully lil by lil we'll all grow in 2 da shoes of God's will, rather dan walk round in spiritual shoes ill fitting, 2 large or 2small. 4 our way will never B better dan God's. Sum times it's all bout timing, so wait on da Lord)
6. Peter Kreeft: "4Socrates, there R only 2 kinds of people: da wise who kno dey R fools; & fools who tink dey R wise. Similarly 4 Christ & all da prophets, there R only 2 kinds of people: saints who kno dey R sinners; & sinners who tink dey R saints. Which RU?
(MC=Mis dat 1, & UR in 4 a very long hot eternity)
5. Patricia Russell: "Jesus sleeps durin a violent squall, da disciples panic. It’s odd dey C Jesus’ calm demeanor as a lack of concern. We often react similarly & question where Jesus is, though we kno He watches over us. We want an immediate response, but should take comfort in his lack of urgency, dat's da surest sign da situation isn’t as bad as it seems. Calm my fears Lord, hep me trust in UR protection"
(MC=It's time 2 kno dat we kno, dat we kno, right? If not now, den wen? From da hart, let's pray MO, den it'll B possible 2 4sho KNO!)
4. St.Thomas Aquinas: "Many cry 2 da Lord dat dey may win riches, avoid losses; dat their family may B established, 4 temporal happiness, worldly dignities; & lastly dey cry 4 bodily health, which is da patrimony of da poor. 4 all these things many cry 2 da Lord & hardly cries 4 da Lord Himself! How easy it's 4 a man 2 desire all manner of things from da Lord & yet not desire da Lord Himself! As dough da gift could B sweeter dan da Giver!”
(MC=Well St. T, U've said a mouth full, with dat, let us now swallow & digest for spiritual health & growth unto our good & God's glory)
3. Dom Mabillon" May it please God not 2 impute it 2 me as a crime dat I hav passed so many years studyin da acts of da Saints, & yet resemble dem so lil.”
(MC=May it not B a crime imputed 2 us 4 going 2 Mass, Holy Hour, prayin Rosaries, Chaplets. Novenas, etc. & end up not resemblin Christ @ all,R very lil in behavior. Time 4 us 2 B mindful & learn now, while it is still day)
2. Jean Khoury: "If U R good @ certain things & U hav proved U can do dem, den UR handed mo important matters 2deal wit. Da Kingdom of God is da most important thing in life, & it's not offered immediately, but is preceded by a period of preparation. Dis is why da Lord himsef says: 'Well done, good & faithful servant! U hav been faithful wit little things; I'll put U in charge of greater things (Matt.25:21). Emerge from a lukewarm Spiritual Life"
(MC=Wat better resolution, dan 2 diss lukewarmness. Resolutions R only worth sum thing if U make it a reality. Ask 4 da grace 2 change 1 thing. How bout considerin da reverence category, mine wat U do in church R chapel (🙊quiet)
1. St. Athanasius: "He became wat we R, dat He mite make us wat He is"
(MC=It's a tall order, but God mak da impossible possible. If we want it with all da graces available, let our anthem B: Cum Holy Spirit,Cum!)
52. Dr. Thomas Neal: "If God is invisible light dat wishes 2 b made visible in His infinite colors, then we're da prism He made 2 reveal 2 all creation His splendor. If God is invisible water vapor who wishes 2 water da earth & raise from it food 2 feed all, then we're da cloud dat condenses His life-giving water & sends His rain on da earth. We do these by our lives &by our prayer!"
(MC=If we did good this year, then let's do better next yr. A moment by moment thing, because No 1 knows da day R da hr. Let's do our job assigned by God well, in season & out. Whether it's taken 2 heart by others R not. Renew UR commitment now, 2 day is da day, if u plese!)
51. Book: Meditations forAdvent and Easter “B4 His first coming He sends da Baptist; but Jesus is always sending messengers B4 His face, for He is always coming 2 His people wit sum new grace, new mercy, sum new kindness. How many messengers has He sent U this year, &how did U receive His messengers? When He came, was da way prepared? He sent U a messenger of warning, by da flight of time, @ da close of last year; a messenger of recollection, by a short retreat a messenger of remembrance of His passion in Lent; a messenger of remembrance of His love @ Easter. He sent U perhaps messengers 2 say earth was not UR home, by sickness & suffering, by kind trials, temptations, by wise & loving admonitions. He sent U messengers of daily graces, which perhaps U were 2 much occupied with other things 2notice, R if U noticed them, U have 4gotten them. Oh, if we only profited by all da messengers Jesus sends us, how different our lives would B!”
(MC=God, plese 4give me 4 missin so many messages cause of an obstinate & closed heart. Cum, cum, Lord Jesus, dis is da season, so renew in me a greater love 4 truth by way of da messengers sent 2 me. Grant me graces 2hear ur voice of guidance comin thru da speech & writings of others. Touch my mind so understanding will cum easily in regards 2 spiritual things dat I mite live, holy, & pleasing un2 U & not myself. May I C wit eyes wide open & not wide shut 2 da beauty of purity. Let my mouth speak so as 2 glorify U & uplift others. I hope Lord 2 keep movin 4ward, not standin still R goin backwards. What is UR prayer?)
50. Fr. Alban Goodier: “It's not a little thing 2 discover dat 1 so perfect as Our Lady could B troubled; She was troubled @ da angel saying; his saying thus far, had been no more than da wonderful salutation; she was troubled because an Angel had used such wonderful words to her as: " Hail,full of grace, da Lord is wit thee, blessed art thou among women"; & in her trouble she asked herself what these words would mean, & why they should B addressed 2 her. Soon she was 2 understand; soon she was 2 glorify God @ da thought dat dis salutation would ring thru da world 4all time; & it's a joy 2 me 2 kno dat when she hears it from my lips it's a cause of joy 2 her. Da Angel calms her trouble wit words dat might well hav caused fear & anxiety in 1 less steeped in faith, hope, & love. She isn't 2 fear, because she has found favor wit God; He hath regarded da lowliness of His handmaiden. She isn't 2 fear because, virgin as she is, vowed 2 virginity as she is, she is 2 B a mother; how could dis but B a further trouble? She isn't 2 fear, because da Son she is 2 bring forth is 2 B da Messiah; what a weight of sufferin dis must mean! She isn't 2 fear, cause she is henceforth 2 B something quite different from dat which she has hitherto been; her life is 2 B tossed & torn,& no longer left in its utter & happy solitude. How many a saint has quaked with fear at such a prospect!”
(MC=When we have a clear heart completely surrendered 2 Jesus, abiding in Him as He abiding in us, we'll, have a mentality like to as our Blessed Lady. Like Jesus, she was willing 2 suffer da cost winning souls, dying 2 self & Jesus going all da way & dying on da cross. He is coming 2 show us da way. Let's unite with Him 2 learn from bottom up 2 walk in His footsteps, loving what He loves, being a sacrificial lamb without counting da cost. Our Lady was ready, we should always model her.)
49. Mitch Finley: "Take an Advent memo—Joy is deeper than feelings. U can find joy in da Nazi death camps of World War II, & 2day U can find joy in people who take care of people who have da most terrible diseases. Joy, tru joy, is not superficial. When prayer brings loosey-goosey feelings of comfort & joy, enjoy da fizz while it lasts but don't expect it 2 last. Live on a deeper level than dat. God of quiet Advent joy, help me 2 welcome emotional & spiritual comfort when it comes, but help me 2cultivate love & joy regardless"
(MC=Happiness does indeed come & go, but thanks B 2 God if want joy 24/7, we can hav it with, in, & thru Jesus, da only source of joy. 4me dat's a joy dat nothing can top,absolutely NOTHING!!!
48. Neal Maxwell: "Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room 4 Jesus"
(MC=Da ball us in our court, free will gets first serve. 4 those weaned from milk, it's not just a matter of having 'room'. Of utmost importance is the type of room that is luxuriously being provided & da amenities available in our hearts! If it so pleases U, take a few moments 2 ponder what u have 2 offer)
47. St. John Damascene: “Prayer is da raising of 1's mind & heart 2 God, R da requesting of good things from God"
(MC=Let's keep a balance, R better yet, how bout giving God a two 4one. Dat means heaps of praise, thanksgiving &da expressing of our luv over & above da norm. May our mindset be about abundantly giving ourselves 2 God, preceding & following our constant requests; looking 2receive, receive, receive. Nothing is wrong wit asking 2 receive, but giving should B a priority 2)
46. Mark Mallett: "Patience is a fruit of da Holy Spirit, 1 dat few of us exercise perfectly. But when it comes 2 pursuing God, we should B impatient! We should never hesitate 2 follow Him, 2 run 2 ward Him, 2 assail Him wit a thousand tears & prayers. After all, this is what lovers do. On da other hand, God is very patient wit us. I mean, He 2 pursues us, & relentlessly. But when He finds our hearts closed, our doors shut, He simply stands there & knocks in a thousand different ways"
(MC=Let's live life right side up, with fire under our spiritual feet 2
keep us in pursuit of the great heavenly prize. Da virtuous, with a quiet spirit, hears da slightest knock @ da door of the heart & kindly respond)
45. Archimandrite Zacharias: "Zeal is like a pot boiling on da stove: no fly R any domestic animal comes near 2 pollute da food that's meant 4 man only, because of da heat of da stove. But as soon as da fire goes out & da food cools down, da flies approach & leave their impurities in it. Da same applies 2 man’s heart: if it burns wit zeal 4 God, it will never B pillaged by thoughts arising from da passions. Da hound of carnal desires won't B able 2 devour da food, namely da heart of man, which must B kept 4 God alone. Da zealous man will withstand trials"
(MC=Let us ask so dat we shall receive, & what R we askin 4? To B delivered from lukewarmness, irreverence, spiritual blindness, & obstinacy 2 truth which conflicts with our own wills. How does deliverance come? Grace, grace, grace 4 Zeal. 4 loving God with an undivided heart will fire us up 4 authentically living da spiritual life. No wonder it's hard withstanding trials, zeal is absent. Now we kno what 2 ask for. This life is short and we get just 1 shot, so it's imperative we get it right!)
44. Charlie Johnston: "If God is not with me, I should B stopped. Kno dat no 1 on earth has any power over U dat God has not allowed. There4, any setbacks R resistance R 4 UR or their good – 4 UR purification R 4 their inspiration & recovery. As inspirational as it can B 2 others 4 U 2 live prosperity well, kno dat it is even mo inspirational when U bear adversity well. Never squander da grace of adversity by pining away 4 what was safe & comfortable when U were not fully mature"
MC= Lingo so pep rally like, fires up the truth and strengthens our resolve to keep on keeping on. If you don't need to hear this now, file it away for a later date, because for sure without a doubt, you'll need it hear this one day)
43. Fr.Gabriel Magdalen: "We freely givin up a satisfaction or a pleasure in order 2 impose on ourselves, 4 luv of God, something which is contrary 2 our own natural inclinations; thus prove dat we prefer 2 satisfy God rather than ourselves"
(MC= Should not dat B takin root in our lives, even a lil bit moe, in a way dat's pleasin 2 God after all these years? Well, can say not where once was, but far from da goal. 4 sho still tryin, what about U?)
42. Elder Joseph the Hesychast: "Now U become angry & fainthearted & grieved, thinkin dat da heavenly Father is slow in answerin. But I tell U dat this will also happen as U desire—it will definitely happen—but 1st it takes prayer wit all UR soul,& then U must wait. & when U have 4gotten UR request & have ceased askin 4it, it will cum 2U as a reward 4UR patience & endurance. When U reach da verge of despair while prayin & seekin, then da fulfillment of UR request is near. Christ wants 2 heal sum hidden passion within U, & this is why He delays in grantin UR request. If U obtain it sooner, when U demand it, UR passion remains uncured within U. If U wait, u obtain UR request & da cure of da passion. & then U rejoice exceedingly & give warm thnks 2 God Who arranges all things in wisdom & does everything 4our benefit"
(MC=Those walkin in holiness, goin B 4 us kno da score. Will we B attentive & try 2 put in 2 practice what is preached? Lord help me/us 2 truly put in 2 practice what we learn)
41. St.Teresa of Calcutta: "We must not B surprised when we hear of murders, of killings, of wars, of hatred. If a mother can kill her own child, what is left but 4 us 2 kill each other"
(MC=There can B personal slippery slopes right in our lives. Let us C where we R failing 2 take heed. God's warnings makes sense 2 us on the back end, but He knows exactly what is happening from the front end. Mediocrity is definitely a slippery slope, it can cause us 2 b spit right out of the mouth of da Lord. We need 2 B hot R cold. B reverent & mindful of how u serve @ Mass, church, pray, etc. No one is excerpt from examining themselves)
40. St.Jerome: " I should B sorry 2 allow my fears 2 teach me faithlessness, when Christ has put da tru faith in the power of my choice"
(MC=Thank God 4 this lil nudge 2 help us realize 2 keep the faith because God stands by His every word & the Holy Spirit is there 2 help us choose wisely if we listen. Da right choice helps us 2 over come & experience da victory)
39. Mike Aquilina: "Angels are a large part of reality & as with other large parts of reality—speeding Mack trucks or looming brick walls—we benefit greatly from their service & ignore them @ our peril. Angels are everywhere—right @ UR side, powerful heavenly beings who play a significant role in da personal drama of daily life—UR life"
(MC=Da Angels played great roles in scripture & since God is da same yesterday, 2 day & 4 ever, in our lives, it'll B da same. On their feast day let's implore hep, as special graces R granted by God on feast days, askin 4 hep from Michael in my daily trials, hep from Gabriel dat a good message from God cum my way(wonderful meditations & contemplarions) & healin graces from Raphael (need 2 trus God mo). On the feast of the Angels asking that light, guard, rule and guide in excess. What R u askin 4? If it's in God's will, 2 ask is 2 receive)
38. St. Padre Pio: "Let us always keep B4 our eyes da fact dat here on earth we R on a battlefield &!dat in paradise we shall receive da crown of victory; dat this is a testin-ground &mda prize will B awarded up above; dat we R now in a land of exile while our tru homeland is Heaven 2 which we must continually aspire. Jesus will assist U & give U da grace 2 live a heavenly life & nothin whatever will B able 2 separate U from His luv"
(MC=If we get nothin else from what was said, let's get dis: NOTHING can separate us from God's luv. Is He a God of hate R does He not, luv, luv, sinners? We're got da proof, so let's rejoice 2day & sho sum luv back: luv God, luv URself, & luv UR neighbor. Amen!)
37. Jesus 2 St.Faustina: "Give away everything @ da 1st sign of a demand, even if they were da most necessary things. Don't ask 4 anything without consultin Me. Allow dem 2 take away even wat is due U—respect, UR good name—let UR spirit rise above all dat. & so, set free from everything, rest close 2 My Heart, not allowin UR peace 2 B disturbed by anything. My pupil, consider da words which I hav spoken 2U"
(MC=Dis is how these words speaks 2 me: Da 1st sign of demand 2 me is signified by my allowin da present moment 2 unfold as God is permittin R perpetratin. 4 every 2nd of our lives develops in a purposeful manner in da sight of God, believe dat! So in dat lite "givin away" is acceptin wat can't B changed, R by a lesser degree prayin, "Lord let dis cup pass, but not my will but thine B done". In regards 2: "don't ask 4 anything", 2 me it's bout livin each moment wit da dominant mindset of: "Lord, wat would U hav me do?" Dat essentially lets us B led by da spirit in wat we do R say. We may not always get it rite, but nevertheless we R tryin, & 4 sho, God writes straight wit crooked lines. "My response 2: "Allow dem 2take away even wat is UR due", means 2 me 2 make an exchange. It's a give & take situation which results in receivin peace as we give up control of wat is sometimes uncontrollable anyway. 'Restin close 2 da hart of Jesus, is abidin deeply in da sanctuary of 1's own heart where He resides if He has been granted admittance. There is where trust constructs guard rails, hedges, fences, etc. in order 2 seal peace deep within. Trust is such an effective barrier dat put in 2 action, it won't allow troubled waters 2 affect & disturb inner peace. Like a tide, it may roll in, but it is immediately repelled by 12 barriers comin 2mind dat R strategically placed: belief, acceptance, understandin, trust, truth, hope, fait, luv, patience, endurance,perseverance, & fortitude. In essence wat dis is speakin 2 me is simply 2: "Let God B God, & let go minute by minute)
36. St.Teresa Benedicta of daCross: "Dat my hole life down 2 da smallest details has been marked out 4me in da plan of Divine Providence & has a completely coherent meanin in God's all-seeing eyes, & so I am beginnin 2rejoice in da lite of glory wherein this meanin will B unveiled 2me."
(MC=Lord hav mercy,hep me 2believe, then strength & rejoicing will follow here & now, with ecstasy in da life 2 come. It's an exchange of worry & sadness 4 trust & rejoicin, Hallaluia)
35. ABBA THEODOROS: "We're not able 2"keep obsessive thoughts from intruding upon our souls in a disturbing way. But we do have da power 2 limit da time these troubling ideas may linger within us. We can refuse 2 allow obsessions 2ncontrol us. Withdrawal from da world diminishes our obsessions & opens us 2 da realization 2 a life dat Is hidden in Christ"
(MC=Grace builds upon grace. Success 1 time out of 10, with repeated tries,bwill B cum 2 out of 10, etc. etc. etc. With dat we gain momentum day by day, so don't give up da struggle)
34. Charlie Johnston: Choose well & seriously, then go steadily & resolutely 4ward, regardless of da obstacles U encounter. MNever calculate da odds. If it's rite, go 4ward despite insurmountable odds. Never B seduced by mere temporal advantages in 2 doin somethin unworthy. If UR weakness betrays U & U do something unworthy, renounce it, get up, & cont. on UR way. If I'm wit God, I can B delayed, prestrained R diverted,nbut I can't B stopped. MIf God isn't wit me,mI should B stopped. Kno dat no 1 on earth has any power over U dat God hasn't allowed. There 4 any setbacks R resistance are for UR or their good–4 UR purification R 4 their inspiration & recovery. As inspirational
as it can B 2 others 4 U 2 live prosperity well, kno dat it's even mo inspirational when U bear adversity well. Never squander da grace of adversity by pining away 4 what was safe & comfortable when u were not fully mature"
(MC=Daily we can put in 2 action fait & not just 2 trust God when things R going well, but our tests R 2 hep us trust dat God knows what He's doin when things aren't goin so well. Da game changer is MATURITY, yep, there'll B growin pains)
33. Don Schwager: "Love is da gift of givin 1self 4 da good of others.m Da root of all sin is disordered luv &mpride which is fundamentally puttin myself above God &mmy neighbor-it's lovin & serving self rather than God & neighbor. Luv which is rooted in pleasin myself is self-centered & possessive-it's a selfish luv dat takes from others rather than gives 2 others. Tru luv is rooted in God's truth &mrighteousnes"(MC=Many times we may C no need 2 confess & repent, yet day in & day out we may rob. How? Because a selfish luv takes rather than gives. Now da robber becomes a liar as well, a 2 for 1 in this case is not a good thing. Let's B mindful 2day 4 opportunities 2give rather than take. Cum Holy Spirit! Change my heart O God,may my attitude B mo lik URs)
32. Pope emeritus BDXVI: "Friendship is 1 of da noblest & loftiest human sentiments which divine Grace purifies & transfigures. Like St. Francis & St. Clare, other Saints 2 experienced profound friendship on da journey 2wards Christian perfection. Examples are St. Francis de Sales & St. Jane Frances de Chantal. St Francis de Sales himself wrote: "It's a blessed thing 2 luv on earth as we hope 2 luv in Heaven, & 2 begin dat friendship here which is 2nendure 4 ever there. I'm not now speakin of simple charity, a luv due 2 all mankind, but of dat spiritual friendship which binds souls together, leading dem 2 share devotions & spiritual interests, so as 2 have but 1 mind between dem"
(MC=Thank u friend, a blessin from God 2 journey & partner with as we travel da road of perfection. God ordains dat we make each other better)
31. Blessed Antonio Rosmini: "God summons us 2 action thru external circumstances: either we C an obvious need, as da good Samaritan did; R we receive a specific request. If we fix our eyes on da Lord who summons us, our response will B prompt & full of luv, even 2 da point of sacrifice"
(MC=Brothers & sisters let us learn 2luv. Let's operate wit eyes wide open, wit Samaritan type behavior being da name of da game 4us. The wounded R all around, C Jesus & lend a helpin hand, pass not by. Be a Christian in deed & not just in name)
30. St.Francis de Sales: "Don't get upset wit UR imperfections. It's a great mistake because it leads nowhere 2get angry cause UR angry, upset @ being upset, depressed @ being depressed, disappointed cause UR disappointed. So don't fool UR self. Simply surrender 2 da Power of God's Luv, which is always greater than our weakness"
(MC=It really does hep 2 let go & let God. Time 2 stop trying 2 give what we don't have & let God work through, in, & with us. If u don't have that problem, then u don't have that problem, praise the Lord)
29. Jean Khoury: "In da Sermon on da Mount, Jesus shows us dat not only our acts call 4 healin but our hearts also need 2 B healed. 'U hav heard dat it was said 2 dose of ancient times, U shall not murder; & whoever murders shall B liable 2judgment. But I say 2U dat if U R angry wit a brother R sister, U'll B liable 2 judgment (Mt 5:21-22). But Christ also deals wit da little Pharisee who is in each of us, & in doing so he unveils da mechanisms of da human soul. 4 example, in Mt.23 an entire chapter deals wit da mechanisms of hypocrisy which divide da human soul. Their unveilin leads 2 da unifying work in da depths of our being. In other passages, Christ speaks 2 da Pharisee in us,“da prodigal son”, “da adulteress who has been 4 given”, & so on 2 da outside world 1 wants 2 appear pure, but da deepest roots of our being R entangled in contradictions. Instead of imaginin a world dat's pure, barren, R black on 1side & white on da other, filled wit people who R either bad R good, Christ wants us 2 learn 2 become aware of our shadows, our undisclosed motivations, which we don't normally acknowledge R quite simply ignore although very real. When U fast R do good works (Mt. 6) don't seek 2 blazon it abroad nor attract approval R praise. Christ came 2 free wit his power da depths of da human hart, & dis is precisely what da Sermon on da Mount is all about:"& I say 2U”: I will reveal UR depths 2U, if U R willing 2C dem. Thus we come 2 understand dat not only da world is a mix of black &white, but we 2 R. This discovery is quite uncomfortable 2; & yet without it we would B in danger of throwin da baby out wit da bathwater: da evil &da author of dis evil, da wheat &da chaff! Entering in2 our depths is therefore a healthy thing 2 do, enablin us slowly 2 B freed, as we discover @ once our wretchedness, our “nothingness” as St.Thérèse of da Child Jesus put it – & da great mercy without which we could not otherwise bear 2confront da depths of our nothingness"
(MC=Surely it's clear why we need mercy. A meat & potatoes mess, but just say cum Holy Spirit Cum. Relax & C what cums 2 UR mind. Can imagine "ME" standin wit Jesus @my side, lookin @"MYSELF", & we R discussin dat "I" need 2 change, da 1 who wants 2 rule in da unholy trinity, consistin of ME, MYSELF, & I. We agree dat abiding in Him & walkin in His shadow, will help me eliminate creating 1. The truth will set me free, as self made shadows like doubt, lack of trust, being poorly catechized, intolerance,etc. will cease, it's just to abide in The Lord.)
28. St.Basil of Caesarea: "By da sight of visible & sensible things da mind is led, as by a hand, 2 da contemplation of invisible things”
(MC=Let us be mindful that dis does not work in reverse, leading us 2 sin. 4 our good, dat of others, & to God's glory, it's imperative we be very careful about what we C & what we hear)
27. Fr. De Rouville: "Even in Holy things do nothing hurriedly, 4 precipitation, too, can hinder the inner harmony which alone unites man 2God"
(MC=Truly wise words, going unheeded 2 our detriment 4 sure. No wonder we R prodded along the "hurry hurry", "rush rush" way, because this upsets our harmony with God. So when we can't B stopped, R our relationship with God can't B severed, plan B but opposing forces is 4 our harmony 2 B disrupted. 4 instance, nothing may stop us from praying, but praying from the heart reverently, mindful that every word B internalized so that we can mean what we say? Oh no, obstacles 2 that will appear left & right encouraging us 2 rattle on. By grace, we will take a stand & B vigilant & will B harmoniously abiding in the Lord Our God, right?)
26. Fr.Bartunek: "Among da many lessons, Jesus teaches how 2 B a Christian apostle. He tells us how 2react when we're rejected, our efforts appear 2 bear no fruit,when we run in 2 opposition, & when disciples fail in their attempts 2 win people over 2 Christ. When dat happens, they R simply 2 shake da dust from their feet & move on.
(MC=Find myself being way 2 complex: upset, aggravated, discouraged, displeased etc. Time 4 a lil simplicity, dat means 2 shake da dust & move on, cause there'll always B some 1 up 2 acceptin truth & growin. Thank God 4 my partners in da climb, tryin 2 reach new heights & contendin 4 a front row seat & not da back)
25. Blessed Zefirino Agostini: "Do not B dismayed by toil R sufferin, nor by da meager fruit of UR labors. Remember dat God rewards not accordin 2 results, but effort"
(MC=Hallaluia, dat's like gettin graded on a curve, no excuses 4 not scoring big. Jump as high as U can, great efforts will cause God 2 lower da bar, because of His great mercy)
24. Jeff Mirus: "Frustrating as it may B 2 us neophytes, God’s will must B continually embraced in wat Fr. De Caussade calls da sacrament of da present moment. In other words, it's manifested most clearly not in what we wish, R hope, R plan, but in da dread, dreary & definitely deceptive circumstances of our daily lives"
(MC=Life experiences R allowed 2 teach & 2 help us grow; Heaven is da place 4 perfect happiness & contentment. Let's not confuse da 2, no matter how enticing. Painful 2 hear but true, don't U think? Developing trust will really help us to walk hand in hand wit peace)
23. Dawud Walid: "Mohammad Ali’s trus in God helped his perspective after receivin wat would B a devastatin diagnosis 4 sum 1 who had been so active. He reflected a very strong fait in da face of dat debilitatin disease. I remember him sayin dat he was humbled by God allowin him 2 hav a disease 2 sho him who was really da greatest, dat God is da greatest". Ali would say there was a hidden blessin in it"
(MC=When U really cum 2 kno da truth who is Jesus Christ, UR set free 2 kno dat God will rite straight wit crooked lines & dat U can persevere & bear da cross till da crown cums)
22. Fr. Simon Devereux: "There's nothin da Blessed Virgin Mary wants mo dan 4 us 2 B cum livin images of her Son. MAll we need 2 do is keep still in His hands while He works on us, & 2 remember her final words recorded in scripture: "Do watever He tells U"
(MC=We mus make her goal ours, not just hearin words of wisdom,but listening 2 dem)
21. Fr.Eric Hollas: "I've learned dat 10 reasons against doin sumthing can B very compellin, but dat 1 very good reason 4 doin sumthing can scatter da other 10 lik bowling pins"
(MC=May we B tru instruments of God choosin what is rite rather dan what's easy. God plese give us da grace)
20. St. John Paul II: "May da Holy Spirit, da Spirit of Pentecost, hep U 2 clarify wat's ambiguous, give warmth 2 wat's indifferent, enlighten wat's obscure, & 2B B4 da wurl tru & generous witnesses of Christ's luv, 4 no 1 can live without luv"
(MC=If da fire falls on wat's flammable, a blaze ensues & luv consumes, so let's immerse ourselves in tru fervent prayer)
19. Dom Gueranger: "Jesus would observe da Sabbath as He did every title of da Law; He would spend it as da day of rest after da work of His Passion, in da silence of da sepulcher. But early on da 8th day He rises 2 life &vdat life is 1 of glory. Let then da week wit its Sabbath pass by; wat we Christians want is da 8th day,nda day beyond da measure of time, da day of eternity whose lite isn't intermittent R partial, but endless &bunlimited"
(MC=Da pattern &bmold isn't broken, as it was in da beginning, so it is now. We labor hard workin 4 an eternal rest dat will bring peace & Joy. Every passion leads 2 da Resurrection, if not sooner dan 4 sho later, BELIEVE DAT!)
18. Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “After death something new begins, over which all powers of da world of death hav no mo might"
(MC=Yes, yes, 4 when da seed dies den it bears fruit, a resurrection of sorts. Let's die 2 self & sin, dat we mite bear fruit 4 Christ. There is no other way, not goin it as we so C fit, but as it is HIS prerogative)
17. N.T. Wright: “Da resurrection completes da inauguration of God's kingdom. It is da decisive event demonstrating dat God's kingdom really has been launched on earth as it is in heaven"
(MC=We hav our invitation 2 da ball, so it's 2 B well dressed in virtues &brepentant of sin, cause we never kno da date da limo will arrive 2pick us up 4 da eternal feast. By being improperly R inappropriately dressed, we'll B denied entrance, so let's set about dis life gettin all spiritually dolled up, B we guys R girls)
16. St.Ephrem: "If He wasn't flesh, whom did da Apostles & Angels C bein taken up in2heaven? If He wasn't God, 2whom was heaven opened, & da Powers worship in fear & da Father invite 2 “Sit @ my rite hand”
((MC=If we kno da correct answer, than da next step is 2 liv as we kno: not defeated but truly as if ALL is workin 4 our good.Don't B beat down, but "Beat Down"
15. St.John Chrysostom: "O Death, where's UR sting? O Hell, where's UR victory? Christ is risen & U R overthrown. Christ is risen & da demons R fallen. Christ is risen & da angels rejoice. Christ is risen & life reigns. Christ is risen ¬ 1dead remains in da grave"
(MC=Christ is risen & wat do U hav 2say? 4me da vision of a real brite
eternity looms brilliantly & keeps me sold out 2 da mission wit no thoughts of givin up R given in, not EVER by da grace of God!)
14. Mark Mallett: "Da key 4 all of us is 2 not allow seemingly insurmountable obstacles B4 us 2 penetrate da hart, disturb our peace & trust in God. We mus keep da Passion of Jesus ever B 4 us as a reminder dat da Father never abandons us even wen every 1 else does"
(MC=2 often we err in keepin da obstacles B 4 us, obscurin our spiritual vision & obstructin da power of da Holy Spirit, wit da Pasion no where on da radar. Dat mus change 4 us 2 experience da victory)
13. Janet Klasson: "If U really desire union mo dan U desire 2 cling 2 wat's standin in UR way, God will grant it 2U. U'll B cum a saint, 4His mercy desires 2 giv U dis gift far mo dan U could ever desire it URself"(MC= Dat sam power dat could raise Jesus from da dead, is da sam power 2 transform lives if we say yes, B leve in it, & den act)
12. Pope Francis: "Da Gospel of Easter is very clear: we need 2 go back there 2 C Jesus risen & 2 B cum witnesses of His Resurrection. Dis is not 2 go back in time; it's not a kind of nostalgia. It's returnin 2 our 1st luv, in order 2 receive da fire Jesus has kindled in da world & 2 bring dat fire 2 all people, 2 da very ends of da earth"
(MC=True authentic transformation sets da tone 4 being a real witness of da Resurrection, other wise UR spiritual life is just a mirage)
11. St.Augustine: "2 fall in love wit God is da greatest romance; 2 seek Him da greatest adventure; 2 find Him, da greatest human achievement"
(MC=There's da best, den there's all da rest, so in the wurl why settle 4 less?)
10. Alice Von Hildebrand: "Blind people kno dey R blind & can't C, dey kno dey suffer from a deficiency. No blind man will accuse sum 1 lookin @ a sunset & say dey R hallucinatin, cause dey kno their weakness. In da Gospel dis blind man in Jericho says: 'Lord heal me'. Da apostles say B quiet, but he screams louder. Jesus cums & ask: 'Wat do U want?' Lord dat I may C"
(MC=Dat we mite all cum 2 truly kno our every weakness, not dismiss truth, & beg 2 B healed & made whole)
9. St.Teresa Benedicta of da Cross: "Whatever didn't fit in wit my plan did lie within da plan of God. I hav an ever deeper & firmer belief dat nothin is merely a accident wen seen in da light of God"
MC=✔️ out da attitude of da saints. It's not about being victimized by da enemy, wen things go wrong, R differ from their expectations. It's all about God, since dat is who dey center their life around. Dat brings hope & perseverance 2da surface, because of da ultimate joy that is 2 cum. Why?, cause dey kno light never fails 2 overcum the darkness, never ever! Wen our minds Bcum renewed, our heart &countenance will also change, 4 better & not 4 worse)
8. The Blessed Virgin Mary speaks 2 St. Catherine Laboure: "Hav a medal struck upon dis model. Those who wear it will receive great graces, especially if dey wear it around their neck"
(MC=R U Catholics wearin UR Miraculous Medal round ur neck? Wat about UR wife, husband, & kids? Words 2 da wise "get on it"! Can U afford 2 pass up great graces? But on da other hand, if U don't believe, den U don't believe)
7. Mary Poust "Wen handed an answer in prayer dat goes against everything U hoped 4: a job not found, a life not saved, an illness not cured, can U go 2 God in prayer &t truly open UR self up 2 His will rather dan try 2 bend God's will 2 UR own?
(MC=Hopefully lil by lil we'll all grow in 2 da shoes of God's will, rather dan walk round in spiritual shoes ill fitting, 2 large or 2small. 4 our way will never B better dan God's. Sum times it's all bout timing, so wait on da Lord)
6. Peter Kreeft: "4Socrates, there R only 2 kinds of people: da wise who kno dey R fools; & fools who tink dey R wise. Similarly 4 Christ & all da prophets, there R only 2 kinds of people: saints who kno dey R sinners; & sinners who tink dey R saints. Which RU?
(MC=Mis dat 1, & UR in 4 a very long hot eternity)
5. Patricia Russell: "Jesus sleeps durin a violent squall, da disciples panic. It’s odd dey C Jesus’ calm demeanor as a lack of concern. We often react similarly & question where Jesus is, though we kno He watches over us. We want an immediate response, but should take comfort in his lack of urgency, dat's da surest sign da situation isn’t as bad as it seems. Calm my fears Lord, hep me trust in UR protection"
(MC=It's time 2 kno dat we kno, dat we kno, right? If not now, den wen? From da hart, let's pray MO, den it'll B possible 2 4sho KNO!)
4. St.Thomas Aquinas: "Many cry 2 da Lord dat dey may win riches, avoid losses; dat their family may B established, 4 temporal happiness, worldly dignities; & lastly dey cry 4 bodily health, which is da patrimony of da poor. 4 all these things many cry 2 da Lord & hardly cries 4 da Lord Himself! How easy it's 4 a man 2 desire all manner of things from da Lord & yet not desire da Lord Himself! As dough da gift could B sweeter dan da Giver!”
(MC=Well St. T, U've said a mouth full, with dat, let us now swallow & digest for spiritual health & growth unto our good & God's glory)
3. Dom Mabillon" May it please God not 2 impute it 2 me as a crime dat I hav passed so many years studyin da acts of da Saints, & yet resemble dem so lil.”
(MC=May it not B a crime imputed 2 us 4 going 2 Mass, Holy Hour, prayin Rosaries, Chaplets. Novenas, etc. & end up not resemblin Christ @ all,R very lil in behavior. Time 4 us 2 B mindful & learn now, while it is still day)
2. Jean Khoury: "If U R good @ certain things & U hav proved U can do dem, den UR handed mo important matters 2deal wit. Da Kingdom of God is da most important thing in life, & it's not offered immediately, but is preceded by a period of preparation. Dis is why da Lord himsef says: 'Well done, good & faithful servant! U hav been faithful wit little things; I'll put U in charge of greater things (Matt.25:21). Emerge from a lukewarm Spiritual Life"
(MC=Wat better resolution, dan 2 diss lukewarmness. Resolutions R only worth sum thing if U make it a reality. Ask 4 da grace 2 change 1 thing. How bout considerin da reverence category, mine wat U do in church R chapel (🙊quiet)
1. St. Athanasius: "He became wat we R, dat He mite make us wat He is"
(MC=It's a tall order, but God mak da impossible possible. If we want it with all da graces available, let our anthem B: Cum Holy Spirit,Cum!)