2020 Dinner Mints
🆕 51. Pope Emeritus BDXVI: “Da stable becomes a palace –In da stable @ Bethlehem, Heaven & Earth meet. Heaven has come down 2 Earth.
Heaven does not belong 2 da geography of space, but 2da geography of da heart.Let us touch God’s humility, God’s heart! Then his joy will touch us & will make da world mo radiant. Amen”
(MC=My Comments-Realizing da significance of Christmas should produce a joy like no other. If a million trillion things are wrong, this celebration of Christ’s birth should be da 1 thing dat rejoices our souls. It’s not about da physical, but da spiritual. When we lived surrendered, Joy is unstoppable, da saints witness dat truth. We learn & live by da truth, or be miserable & defeated, da choice is ours)
50. Archbishop Fulton Sheen _”There are two ways of knowing how good God is: one is never to lose Him, and the other is to lose Him and then to find Him."
(MC=My Comments- May it never be that we come to know by the hard way)
49. PROSE IN HONOR OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. Taken from the Cluny Missal of 1523.)
🌹“Hail, thou glory of da world; hail, Virgin Mother hail, most merciful Mary!
🌹Hail, full of grace; hail, Queen of the Angels; hail, most glorious Mary!
🌹Hail, Virgin of Virgins ; hail, protectress of men; hail, most powerful Mary!
🌹Hail, Mother of the Lord; hail, parent of the Most High; hail, most prudent Mary!
🌹Hail, Mother of glory; hail, Mother of mercy ; hail, most blessed Mary!
🌹Hail, source of pardon; hail, fount of pity; hail, most clement Mary
🌹Hail, Mother of light; hail, honor of the firmament; hail, gate of heaven; hail, most gentle Mary!
🌹Hail, fair lily; hail, precious fragrance; hail; sweet incense; hail, most resplendent Mary!
🌹Hail, O meek; hail, O sweet; hail, O merciful; hail, O joyous; hail, O most beautiful Mary!
🌹Hail, gate of heaven; hail, branch prophetic; hail, flaming bush; hail, mystic fleece; hail, most happy Mary!
🌹Hail, beautiful pearl of heaven; hail, fruitful abode of Christ; hail, most comely Mary!
🌹Hail, branch of Jesse; hail, mystic ladder that reaches to heaven; hail, most noble Mary!
🌹Hail, daughter of a kingly race; hail, Mother of a Son who is God ; hail, full of joy at the birth of this Son; hail, most unrivalled Mary
🌹Hail, peerless Virgin; hail, lovely source of our happiness ; hail, wonderful in thy graces; hail, most admirable Lady!
🌹Hail, spotless Dove, pure in thy chastity, yet fruitful in charity; hail, immaculate Mary!
🌹Hail, empress of the world; hail, mediatrix of men; hail, Protectress of the world; all, joy of our hearts! Amen.”
(MC=My Comments-It was so exciting to discover this, so here now able to render my tribute to our Lady of Guadalupe with “Hails”. My favorite hails are a Trinity plus one, must have our lagniappe! What’s ur favorite ”Hail”?
🌹Hail, gate of heaven; hail, branch prophetic; hail, flaming bush; hail, mystic fleece; hail, most happy Mary!
🌹Hail, branch of Jesse; hail, mystic ladder that reaches to heaven; hail, most noble Mary!
🌹Hail, daughter of a kingly race; hail, Mother of a Son who is God ; hail, full of joy at the birth of this Son; hail, most unrivalled Mary!
🌹Hail, peerless Virgin; hail, lovely source of our happiness ; hail, wonderful in thy graces; hail, most admirable Lady!
Our Lady appeared in 1531, but in the 1870’s, the Feast day on December 12th was celebrating THE FIFTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. It was Pope Pius XII who declared Blessed Mary, under the title of “Our Lady of Guadalupe,” as the Patroness of the Americas, and on March 25, 1999, the Congregation for Divine Worship raised this feast day to the rank of “feast” for all the countries of the Americas. Claudia said Dec. 8th and Dec. 12th, were her most happiest feast days to celebrate, her soul is most joyous and it’s such a festive aura that encapsulates her. Well. My favorite everything is “Easter”, oh yes indeed, that Resurrection Power is “da bomb”. So with old school school celebrating the Immaculate Conception as an octave, we get to have it all “specialized”. Luv finding out and celebrating the Immaculate Conception as an Octave, because that is my favorite title of our Blessed Mother. Have the most medals on my person of the Immaculate Conception)
48. Advent Prayer found in the Liturgical book by Dom Prosper Guéranger: ”When thou art come, 0 Messias! men will be no more as sheep going astray without a shepherd; there will be but one fold, in which thou wilt reign by love and justice, for all power will be given unto thee in heaven and on earth. When, in the hour of thy Passion, thy enemies shall ask thee: Art thou King ? thou wilt answer them in all truth: Verily, I am. Come, dearest King, and reign over our hearts; come, and reign over this world, which is thine because thou didst create it, and will soon be thine because thou wilt have redeemed it. Reign, then, over this world, and delay not the manifestation of thy royal power until the day of which it is written: he will break Kings in the day of his wrath, reign from this very hour, and let all people fall at thy feet and adore thee in one grand homage of love and obedience.”
(MC=My Comments- What a beautiful Advent prayer, and my response is: Yes, my heart is open, come in O Messias, and reign supreme, for who is liken to thee. May thou cleanse me and make me whole, for thyself and thyself alone. For the casting out of “me”, “myself”, and “I”, is the first step to clear the way for thy reign)
47. Maike Hickson “Does this mean in ur opinion, dat every country, without exception, will B overcome by Communism?”, asked American historian & book author, William Thomas Walsh. And Sister Lucia answered: “Yes.” As da translator of this interview, Fr. Manuel Rocha, was later 2 reveal, Walsh then asked explicitly about da United States of America, adding: “& does dat mean da United States of America 2?
”Whereupon Sr. Lucia responded once mo time wit“ yes.” Dat is 2 say, da seer of da apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, which have been approved by da Catholic Church, predicted dat da United States, under certain conditions, would also become Communist. This answer might have sounded somewhat unrealistic in 1946, just after da end of da 2nd World War & da beginning of da Cold War”
(MC=my comments)=Hoping da priority is praying 4 our country & conversions of “we Da people”. Of course those walking around wit their eyes wide shut can’t see, taste, touch, & smell dat communism in our midst. Lord have mercy, but in da end Team Jesus wins.
46. Dr. Tom Neal “Whether it’s saying yes without proper deliberation 2 every opportunity R whim dat presents itself; or evading da drudgery of daily duty by rationalizing pleasurable distractions; or ignoring ur responsibility 2 da people in ur immediate sphere of influence who need U most; R being lazy; R getting caught up in da hysteria of various world-saving crusades dat make U feel important &help U ignore ur real problems; R remaining perpetually indecisive while canonizing it as “being open 2God’s will” — our common Enemy rejoices whenever we fail 2do da few things we’re actually called by God 2 do. He fears nothing, save God’s will”
(MC=my comments)= May graces b always given us & we respond 2 them for God’s glory and our good. @ da end of da day if we have allowed ourselves 2 b robbed of our treasures that can be ours in da life 2 come, 4 such foolishness here, how sad dat will b. Sadder it B dat God Himself, will also b robbed of some of His glory dat would have been His had we carried out His perfect will. We all do kno very will, dat da enemy comes 2 rob, kill, steal, & destroy, & how easily we cave sometimes. Dear God, bless us all to hear Ur call & respond with our whole heart, mind, & soul 4 da luv of thee)
45. Cornelius Á Lapide: “Open unto us, O Lord Jesus, da arcana of truth, & of Thine own tru love, Thou dat hast da key of David, who openest & no man shutteth, & shuttest & no man openeth, dat we may kno it clearly, & when we kno it, may love & cherish it, & lovin it, may indeed fulfil it, 4 Thou art our Love, Thou our Desire our Life, & our Blessedness. Amen.”
(MC=My Comments-
👓Yes, dat we may kno clearly.
👓After we kno dat we kno clearly, then may there B an explosion 2 luv & cherish dearly.
👓Then upon arriving @ dat milestone of knowin, lovin, & cherishing, is dat enough, no, no not nearly.
👓4our Love, our Desire, our Life, & our Blessedness, all must lead 2 fulfilling, ever joyfully & never, never wearily.
44. Msgr. Ronald Knox: “When Julius Caesar wished 2 cross from Durazzo 2 Brindisi in a lil boat, & da master of it wanted 2 turn back, cause da wind had risen & he was in danger of shipwreck. Caesar rebuked him 4 his cowardice in noble words dat have come down 2 us: ‘Take courage, my friend, take courage, & fear nothing; Caesar is ur passenger, & Caesar’s fortunes R ur freight.’ Wit greater, & wit better grounded confidence, da Church of God, which is Peter’s boat, has breasted da waves all thru her troubled history. It’s not upon da captain’s judgment R da pilot’s experience, not upon human wisdom R human prudence, dat she depends 4 her safe voyage: she rests secure in da presence of her inviolable passenger”
(MC=My Comments- This is certainly applicable 2 many situations facing us in sum form R fashion today. God is our Father, Jesus is wit us always in da boar of life, & da Holy Spirit powerfully leads, so indeed it’s 2 take courage & fear nothing. 4 we have good reason 2 live by faith & not by site. Jesus, I trust in U. When this is lived & taken 2 hart, we shall not want R be moved. By da hands of God alone will there b any redemptive suffering, otherwise no evil will befall us because God “delivers”, dat we can take 2 da bank. He is exactly who He says He is, & those who R His, shall not want. Capiche? Time 2 stand tall on da promises & not sit bowed down on da premises)
43. St. John of Avila: “When they were created, Adam & Eve spoke only 1 language dat lasted in da world until human pride was punished. Then, instead of 1 language by which all could understand one another, there came about a host of languages through which people could not understand one another. We learn from this dat until they rose up against their Creator & broke His commandment wit impudent pride, our 1st parents spoke only 1 spiritual language in their souls. Because of this, they had perfect concord wit 1 another, within themselves, & wit God. In da quiet state of innocence, their passions obeying reason & reason obeying God. They were @ peace wit God, within themselves, & wit each other. But when, thru foolhardy disobedience, they rose up against da Lord of da heavens, were punished, & we in them. Instead of 1 excellent language by which they could understand each other exceedingly well, there sprung up innumerable very evil languages, full of such confusion & darkness dat people could not agree wit 1 another. Nor could 1 man b in harmony within himself, & even less wit God. Da languages have no order among them, 4 they R disorder itself. In order 2 speak of them, we may reduce them 2 da order & # of 3: the languages of da world, of da flesh, & of devil. St.Bernard says, da function of da 1st is 2speak of vain things, da 2nd 2speak of pleasures, & da 3rd to speak of evil &bitter things.”
(MC=My Comments-Reading this was my gift from Hurricane Zeta. Had it not been 4 lights out, would not have pulled out an old iPad for reading. Wanted it 2 b da 1st needing a charge in case da electricity took days b4 coming back on. Without a WiFi connectuon, couldn't surf da web 4 other spiritual materials, so it was convenience to pull up some ebooks purchased years ago. Read some good things but this was shouting out: “choose me 2B da text mess”. This really helped me 2C why we often can’t dialog & reasonably discuss, rather than debate & argue, because da language 4 perfect concord & obeying reason is lacking. As a result we can’t understand each other, Lord have mercy. May we put effort in and pray to be united in spirit and on one accord with others. At times agreeing to disagree is praise worthy.
42. St. Maxillian Kolbe: “Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for those who do not have recourse to you, especially for the enemies of the Holy Church and all those recommended 2U”
(MC=For years praying: 4those who do not have recourse 2thee, now it’s truly time to add the last part. For how else can conversions and repentance occur if not by prayer)
41. St. Francis De Sales: “Do not enter in2 any compromise wit a love which is contrary 2da luv of God. Do not untie da knots, but break R cut them so dat da cords & strings may b rendered useless”
(MC=My Comments- Frienships, relationships, familial or otherwise is a good thing, a very good thing, but what a fool is da 1 who will let anything, everything, anybody, or everybody interfere wit da pursuing of da spiritual life in most excellent way. Take a look at Scripture if u will:
📖Matthew 10:37 “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me”
Well, everybody plays da fool sometimes, but please, let for us it not B all of da time!
40. Excerpt From “The Bishop of da Abandoned Tabernacle”, by St. Manuel González García: “In da Gospel, Jesus said, many times, “rise” & “walk” but “follow me” very few times, because they R words of intimacy. 2 souls who yearn 4 dat sweet & mysterious intimacy. Da words “Follow me” said 2 a soul by Jesus, who knows & means all dat he says, is equivalent 2 this: “I know ur past very well, ur present & ur future. I trust in ur love, feel comfortable near U & in ur company. I need u so much 4 my glory, & U need me 4 ur joy. I don’t want 2 live without U. I don’t only tell U 2 walk but 2 B wit me @ every moment of da day & night. Dat is why da Master used 2 say these words 2 those he chose 4 da sweetest role of becoming his intimate friends”
(MC=my comments)= What is da point of comin 2 Him if we’re not going 2 follow? Lord Jesus, da Good Shepherd, Grace us to luv mo, then we will not have a problem following wherever u May lead. There will be mountain top experiences, but let us persevere when da travels R thru da valleys.
39. Georges Chevrot: “We have all left our father’s house in da person of Adam, da 1st sinner. Da prodigal son’s sin began da day he stopped lovin his father above everything & lovin mo himself. His selfishness gained da upper hand over da luv he had had. This substance, this property which da sinful Christian squanders is his share in da inheritance of Heaven. Eternal life, which he had from God & which is something of God himself. A sinful Christian is merely a branch broken off from da trunk. He receives no mo sap, is deprived of life, withers & will soon B a stick of dead wood fit only 4 da fire. Nothing is left 2 him of da reserves he had stored up thru his prayers, efforts, faith, & zeal. He has ruined himself. He wants 2 B his own master, his only master, & straight away loses mastery over himself. He was aiming 2 gain his freedom, but in reality he has cast it away”
(MC=my comments)=Luv da writing style of this author, the book’s title is: “The Prodigal Son”. U can C clearly how it’s not my sister, R my brother, but it’s me O Lord, standing in da need of prayer, as da song goes. Wit da Holy Spirit’s help it’s 2 look within & C how we are being or have been prodigal in the sight of da Lord)
38. Text mess a short video about eagles:
https://pinger-prod-communications.s3.amazonaws.com/communications/103222298/2020/5f6f77e69cf1f6.78130780.mp4
(MC=My Comments-Perfect start 4 a new day in providing a bit of healing balm 4 what is raw. It demonstrates da reason & rhyme regarding da painful situations dat R allowed in life. In healing da wounds occurring in everyday life, lessons must be mastered. 4 me it’s 2B mo discerning, & 2B careful & cautious,will B a most valuable action. Knowing dat smoke in all likelihood indicates fire, & dat when u play wit fire u get burned, it’s so worth it 2B “eagle like” & undertake difficult tasks, endure, & persevere. 4 those walking wit God will b blest & renew their strength, & will soar on eagles‘ wings.📖Psalms 24:4-5 “The clean of hand and pure of heart, “The clean of hand and pure of heart, who has not given his soul to useless things, what is vain. He will receive blessings from the LORD, and justice from his saving God”
📖Isaiah 40:31”They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength,they will soar on eagles’ wings;They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint”
37. The Aleteia site: Da Church celebrates saints’ feast days & da date generally marks da day da saint entered in2 eternity. Nevertheless da Church does celebrate 3 nativities in da liturgy: Jesus’ birth (Dec, 25); Mary’s birth (Sept. 8); & John da Baptist’s birth (June 24). Some notable exceptions: feast of St. John Paul II, celebrated each Oct. 22, da anniversary of his election as pope; da feast of Sts. Zelie & Louis Martin, celebrated on their wedding anniversary; or St. John Henry Newman, celebrated on da date he was received in2 da Catholic Church. Da birth of Jesus is obviously a central feast complemented by da one 9mo earlier, da Annunciation on March 25, when we celebrate da moment da Incarnation happened, when Jesus was conceived in Blessed Mary’s womb. Our Lady’s birthday is also a treasure & just as Christmas is linked 2 da feast 9 months prior, so da Sept. 8 celebration points 9mo back, to Dec. 8 when we celebrate her conception. She is da Immaculate Conception. Da birthday of John da Baptist also is rich in symbolism, we C da relationship of John’s birthday 6 mo B4 da Christmas vigil because Gabriel told Blessed Mary her kinswoman was in her 6th mo of pregnancy.”
(MC=My Comments- Yes a rhyme and a reason for what and why we as a church celebrate, Praise the Lord)
36. St. John Chrysostom: "A friend is more 2 B longed 4 than da light; I speak of a genuine 1. And wonder not: 4 it were better 4 us dat da sun should b extinguished, than dat we should b deprived of friends; better 2 live in darkness, than 2 b without friends."
(MC=My Comments- We may in our life time not b granted da special gift from on high of a friend that is tried & true, a friendship like expressed in this Scripture: 2Samuel 1:26 “I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother! Most dear have you been to me; More wondrous your love to me than the love of women”. No need 2 feel left out, cause now tell me, what a friend we have in Jesus. We all get da gold, so let us rejoice & b glad, Heaven is on the horizon)
35. Mark Twain “It ain't those parts of da Bible dat I can't understand dat bother me, it is da parts dat I do understand”
MC=my comments) R u on da same page wit Mr. Twain or is it time 4 a reality check up? Lord Hep us 2 C da necessity 4 spiritual growth 2 keep moving up da ladder, & not camping out on shaky grounds. Thank u Jesus 4 da spiritual growth graces dat u pour our upon ur people, what a beautiful witness they R in inspiring others in their own unique and ever so beautiful way.
34. St. Philip Neri: “He who wishes 4anything but Christ, doesn’t know what he wishes; he who asks 4 anything but Christ, doesn’t know what he is asking; he who works, & not 4 Christ, doesn’t know what he is doing."(MC=my comments)Luv St. Phillip Neri, & how tru it is dat we could be asking 4 something dat could contribute 2 our downfall & not even kno it. Asking 4 Jesus, in Him we find no lack, we gain everything, da small & da great alike)
33. Franciscan Media: “Da feast Queenship of Blessed Mary is a logical follow-up to the Assumption, & is now celebrated on da octave day of dat feast. In his 1954 encyclical To the Queen of Heaven, Pius XII points out dat Mary deserves da title because she is Mother of God, because she is closely associated as da New Eve wit Jesus’ redemptive work, because of her preeminent perfection, & because of her intercessory power. Her queenship is a share in Jesus’ kingship. We can also recall in da Old Testament da mother of da king has great influence in court. In da 4th century St.Ephrem called Mary “Lady” & “Queen”, Church fathers & doctors continued 2 use da title. Hymns of the 11th to 13th centuries address Mary as queen: “Hail, Holy Queen,” “Hail, Queen of Heaven,” “Queen of Heaven.” The Dominican rosary & da Franciscan crown as well as numerous invocations in Mary’s litany celebrate her queenship”
(MC=My Comments- Are not queens important & don’t they have a significant role to play in the King’s kingdom? What great advantages R ours, because da Queen of heaven & earth is our heavenly mother. Her intercession reaches da King 4 us day in & day out, 4dat let us rejoice & b glad)
32. St. John of Avila: Christians must tune out da cacophony of diverse languages dat can drown out da voice of God. Da host of evil languages can b reduced to 3:
🗣Da world, which is all lies &causes 1 who listens 2 turn from da truth;
🗣da flesh, which speaks enticingly of pleasures & adopts an accusatory tone 2 torment da guilty sinner;
🗣& dat of da devil, whose words R always of evil & bitter things, whose malicious cunning exalts his listeners 2 da heights of pride R cast them in2 da abyss of despair”,
(MC=My Comments- 🌍Da World: Pay attention dat we do not get sucked in by da all da lies of da world which abounds, just keep da focus on TV & certain publications & see where da end of dat leads.
🚻Da Flesh: Kno without a doubt, when we’re deciding 2do our own thing, not wanting 2 do what is rite R just, it’s like a pleasurable flesh fest. Enjoy & see da ending of dat. ♨️Da Devil: With darkness engaging in chit-chat Dialoging about this & dat. Don’t let it be a surprise cause B4 long, lightening fast pride will rise.In silence the voice & language of God will be recognizable.
31. Delores Vita: “Face-to-face wit some gut-wrenching scenes R not easily forgotten. Da city of Chalco Mexico, in this community of 3 million people, we saw scenes of stark poverty, raw sewage, &human suffering. Sad-eyed children &mothers bent wit resignation could be seen everywhere. Most of us would look @this poverty & say, da problems are so extensive what can we do? But Fr. Al Schwartz looked @ this poverty & said we must begin”
(MC=My Comments- Da discovery of Venerable Msgr. Al Schwartz, up 4 sainthood, was such a magnificent find. Extremely inspiring, as da above quote comes from da book being read about him entitled: “My Brother’s Witness: Aloysius Schwartz”, by Delores Vita. In this day & age we need courage, & lot’s of it, so praying 4 da gift of fortitude should be a priority, making it a top on our list. It takes courage to proceed with Fr. Al’s attitude in our day 2 day living. It’s one dat should prevail in our going & coming, all life long)
30. St. Andre Bessette: “When you say the Our Father, God’s ear is next to your lips”
(MC=My Comments- Well, blessed be God. Heard this somewhere, but didn’t kno who said it. Immediately upon hearing it, it confirmed how & why da Holy Spirit have me not rattling when praying. This concept 1st came in a concrete way 2 slo me down, it was 2 imagine da Blessed Mother being right in front of me when praying da Hail Mary. When this is practiced, u really can’t pray in no other way than speaking 2 her right in front of U. Otherwise, if dat is not imagined, da tendency is there 2 fall back in2 rattling. It’s mo ingrained now 2 pray from da heart. St. Andre’s personal insight is helpful in providing da incentive 2pray as we should & not b about insulting God. It’s spiritually empowering 2 live da words of prayers & mean them. It’s now 2 imagine da Father’s ears 2 our lips along wit da Blessed Virgin being before us. 2 listen 2 our Hail Marys. Are they not attentive 2 what we say when we truly pray?)
29. Vincent Van Gogh: “Christ lived serenely, as an artist greater than all other artists, scorning marble and clay and paint, working in the living flesh."
(MC=My Comments- Dare we interfere wit His vision? Each and every circumstance in life is a chiseling moment, a reshaping of da clay, & an added dash of color. Yes, Christ is creating of us a Masterpiece 4 da Father, by the power of da Holy Spirit, without spot, stain, or wrinkle. Will we end up top of line, flawed, or rejected? Decide & act accordingly)
28. Benjamin Franklin: “Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, Creator of the Universe. That he governs the World by his Providence. That he ought to be worshiped. That the most acceptable Service we can render him, is doing good to his other Children. That the Soul of Man is immortal, and will be treated with Justice in another life, respecting its Conduct in this. These I take to be fundamental Principles of all sound Religion, and I regard them as you do, in whatever Sect I meet them.”
(MC=My Comments- 2 dat One thing alone can b said: “AMEN”!! As we move from talk 2 action, let it B unequivocally so. How many people in elected offices think feel dat same way? Let our sincere prayers rise like smoke b4 da throne of God as we seek help from da Lord)
27. St. Claude De Columbiere: “My God, I am so intimately convinced that thou dost watch over all those who hope in thee, & dat we can want 4 nothing while we expect all from thee, dat I am resolved 2 live without anxiety in da future, casting all my care on thee.
📖 Ps 4:8 “In peace I will sleep & I will rest 4 thou hast wonderfully established me in hope”.
Men may turn against me; sickness may take away my strength & da means of serving thee; I may even lose thy grace by sin, but I will never lose my hope. I will keep it even 2 da last moment of my life, & all da demons in hell shall try in vain 2 tear it from me. In peace I will sleep and I will rest. Others may look 4 happiness from their riches or their talents; they may rely upon da innocence of their lives, da rigor of their penance, da # of their good works, R da fervor of their prayers; but 4 me, O Lord, my confidence shall b my confidence itself. 4 thou hast wonderfully established me in hope. This confidence has never deceived any 1. No 1 hath hoped in da Lord and been put 2 shame. I am sure dat I shall b eternally happy, because I hope firmly 2 B so, & it’s from thee, O Lord, that I hope it. In thee, O Lord, have I hoped; I shall not be confounded for ever. I know that I am frail and changeable; I know the power of temptation against the most firmly based virtues: I have seen the stars of heaven & da pillars of da firmament fall; but not even this can make me fear. As long as I hope, I am safe from every evil, & I am sure of always hoping because I hope 4 this unchanging hope. For thou, O Lord, hast wonderfully established me in hope”
(MC=My Comments-All of dat 2 say that we have 2 keep hope alive & never to give up or get disgusted with situations or people. It’s to trust God and: Hold fast, Hold on, & Hold out.
26. Victor Hugo “Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.”
(MC=My Comments- And stepping up 2 da plate 2 top dat, is da joy of da Lord which produces an everlasting springtime. Yes, go 4 da gold, drive out winter & enjoy an everlasting springtime! Very noticeable 2me is how friendly, smiley, & happy people look in non Catholic Churches & in our church the looks on some people’s faces R quite da opposite)
25. Stephen Beale: “Plagues have a way of stripping away what is superfluous, revealing naked truth. In da biblical account of da plagues dat decimated Egypt, da plagues exposed da civilization’s false gods & their utter impotence in da face of da 1 tru God (see Exodus 7 thru11). Dat might not b obvious on da surface, like da clash between pharaoh & Moses, who has God on his side. Da clue is in da plagues themselves. Bloody water, boils, hail, and locusts, among others, may seem like perfect things 2 inflict as plagues, but biblical commentators point out they have 1 other thing in common: many of them are used in depictions of da Egyptian gods. 4 example, a frog was how Heket, da god of fertility appeared in ancient Egyptian art. Frogs were viewed as sacred objects. In making frogs appear, God was demonstrating His superiority 2 this false God. Da elimination of da plague of da frogs, God affirmed His supremacy: ultimately it was He who was da source of life, not da Egyptian fertility god”
(MC=my comments)=What ever God is showing us, we need to understsmd our lessons. Just like faith is da evidence of da unseen, we need 2 look beneath da surface & pray according to be able to respond accordingly)
24. Bishop Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet “Da Blessed Virgin was set apart, & in her separation she possesses something in common wit all men & something all her own. 2understand this, we must realize we have been set apart from da rest of men & women because we belong 2 Jesus & have an alliance wit him. But Jesus made 2 alliances wit da Blessed Virgin: 1 as Savior & another as Son. Da alliance wit Jesus as Savior means she must b set apart like da other faithful; da special alliance wit Jesus as her Son means dat she must b set apart in an extraordinary fashion…. If da other faithful are delivered from evil, she must b preserved from it. & how? By a special communication of da privileges of her Son. He is exempt from sin, & Blessed Mary must also b exempt…. How shall we distinguish her from him, if they R both exempt from sin? Jesus was by nature, Mary by grace; Jesus by right, & Blessed Mary by privilege & indulgence. See her thus set apart: He who is mighty has done great things 4me”
(MC=My Comments-Can’t a blind man now C da exaltation of Our Blessed Mother was not of her or our own doing, but something thru, in, wit, & by God as a necessity. 2 come against truth is 2 come against God, knowingly or unknowingly. Happy Feast day of The Immaculate Heart of Blessed Mary
23. Book: The Crown of Sanctity: On the Revelations of Jesus to Luisa Piccarreta: “My daughter, I am not concerned about da cities, da great things of the earth—I am concerned about souls. The cities, da churches and other things, after they have been destroyed, can be rebuilt. Didn’t I destroy everything in da Deluge? And wasn’t everything redone again? But if souls are lost, it is forever—there is no 1 who can give them back 2 Me”
(MC=My Comments-Da mo things change da mo they remain they same, will we ever learn? Thank God a remnant will exist, what a shame there will not be mo)
22. St. Cyril of Jerusalem, 4th century”In approaching there4,come not wit ur wrists extended, R ur fingers spread; but make ur Lt hand a throne 4 da Rt, as 4 dat which is 2receive a King. & having hollowed ur palm, receive da Body of Christ, sayin over it, Amen. So then after having carefully hallowed ur eyes by da touch of da Holy Body, partake of it; giving heed lest U lose any portion thereof; 4 whatever U lose, is evidently a loss 2 U as it were from 1 of ur own members. 4 tell me, if any 1 gave U grains of gold, would zu not hold them wit all carefulness, being on ur guard against losing any of them, & suffering loss? Will U not then much mo carefully keep watch, dat not a crumb fall from U of what is mo precious than gold & precious stones? Then after U have partaken of da Body of Christ, draw near also 2 da Cup of His Blood; not stretching 4th ur hands, but bending, & saying wit an air of worship & reverence, Amen, hallow urself by partaking also of da Blood of Christ.& while da moisture is still upon ur lips, touch it wit ur hands, & hallow ur eyes & brow & da other organs of sense. Then wait 4 Da prayer, & give thanks un2 God, who has accounted u worthy of so great mysteries”
(MC=My Comments- Discovered this many years ago one Advent season. It was exciting to learn about making a throne wit da hands 4 Jesus at thr time of receiving Holy Eucharist. At dat time did not pay attention 2 da time period dat da Eucharistic cup was being offered, amazing to see it was da 4th century. Now it can’t be said that this is a Vatican II thing, a thinking error by some. Thank you God for da Precious Blood of Jesus, as we eat & drink as we have been asked to do)
21. Zbigniew Brezinski quote from 1970
“The technetronic era involves da gradual appearance of a mo controlled society. Such a society would b dominated by an elite, unrestrained by traditional values. Soon it will b possible 2 assert almost continuous surveillance over every citizen & maintain up-2-date complete files containing even da most personal info about da citizen. These files will b subject 2 instantaneous retrieval by da authorities."
(MC=My Comments- My response will b scriptural:”
📖Amos 3:1-8 “Hear this word, Israelites, that the LORD speaks concerning you, concerning the whole family I brought up from the land of Egypt: You alone I have known, among all the families of the earth; Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.Do two journey together unless they have agreed? Does a lion roar in the forest when it has no prey? Does a young lion cry out from its den unless it has seized something? Does a bird swoop down on a trap on the ground when there is no lure for it? Does a snare spring up from the ground without catching anything? Does the ram’s horn sound in a city without the people becoming frightened? Does disaster befall a city unless the LORD has caused it. Indeed, the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets. The lion has roared,who would not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken, who would not prophesy?”
20. Servant of God,Archbishop Luis M. Martinez“ Like da traveler pitching his tent in da desert, da Holy Spirit takes possession of souls as their most sweet Guest. But unlike da traveler, who folds his tent as morning breaks, da eternal Guest stays on. Da tent He pitches on da soil of our barrenness is something divine — a sketch, a reflection, of our heavenly home. In it dwell grace dat divinizes da soul, divine charity, da supernatural image of da Spirit who pours Himself in2 our hearts, & all da virtues & gifts. These R da conditions of His indwelling, so dat He may begin His work of sanctification & direct us wit da strong, gentle influence of luv.His ideal is 2 reproduce Jesus in us, thru Jesus, & wit Jesus, 2 take us 2da bosom of da Trinity & glorify da Father wit da supreme glorification of Jesus. Under da influence of da Holy Spirit, souls R purified, illuminated, & enkindled until they R transformed in2 Jesus, who is da ultimate ideal of God’s luv & of da aspirations of da soul, da glorious summit of da mystical ascent where we find peace &happiness — where we find God.”
(MC=My Comments- Figuring that there’s da need for us 2C a part of what da plan is, then it is 2 buy in, & finally it is to give our consent to the Holy Spirit so that He can have His own way with us. At that point, sparks will fly and transformation will be the name of the game)
19. Msgr. Nalty “It’s really almost impossible 2 realize just how much God loves us. We can get “theological” about it by lookin @ da Sacrifice of Christ on da Cross. Or we can get “material” about it by lookin @ our earthly blessings. Or we can get “emotional” about it by experiencing God’s love in our families & friends. When I recently read da passage:
📖1 Peter 2:9 But you are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises” of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light”
I didn’t think of it in “theological” way. I thought: Here’s St. Peter writing 2 his friends & saying “do U even realize how much God loves U? Look what He did 2 help U understand dat!” Basically, St. Peter is being “real” in lookin @ da luv of God in da person of Jesus. He saw 1st hand how Christ suffered &died; he saw da Resurrected Christ; he was a witness 2da Ascension; & he was present at Pentecost. We’re in da midst of these celebrations during da Easter Season, & this week has been a week of seeing God’s love working 1st hand. So, let me just ask U 1 thing: “Do u even realize how much God luvs U?! He does! He has “called U out of darkness in2 His wonderful light.”
(MC=My Comments-Luv this about getting theological, ”material”, & emotional about God’s luv, & 4me all 3aspects can b exclusive to Jesus.Never knew a day would come when after Holy Eucharist would be crying almost uncontrollably with a runny nose at the thought of this being my last Holy Eucharist for a while. Well thanks be to God, Da next day found out about a Holy Mass & so far have never skipped a beat in my 6 day routine for years. 1 day is da “stay @ home all day” experience. The material is dat can see the luv in the great blessing da Lord have blessed me with, as 2 not interrupt da experience of Him, Body, Blood, Soul, & Divinity. Can it get any better? And theologically, with all this increased intense prayer time He is calling for from me lastly, it’s definitely becoming a solid reality how much He suffered. Take a look at this pic that brought a new perspective. Led to always kneel in front of the Blessed Sacrament, & @ Fatima crawling that long distance on my knees like pilgrims do towards the basilica, know first hand about painful knees. So God have mo than proved His love 4 me a sinner, giving me Himself is the greatest proof ever)
18. Fr. Philip Dion: “In the final analysis, da responsibility 4 motivation rests squarely on da shoulders of each individual. Only we ourselves can penetrate our own will & motivate it to act. Motives can b pointed out 2 us, but unless our own intellect assimilates them & presents da goal 2 our own will as a desirable good 4 us, it will all b “sounding brass & tinkling cymbals.”
MC=My Comments- Ok, chewing & not digesting results in zero assimilation. No wonder truth is Greek a times. Lord help us 2 take a stand & learn our faith well & practice it so dat up against error we’ll kno how 2respond accordingly)
17. St. Catherine Laboure: "Whenever I go to the chapel, I put myself in da presence of our good Lord, & I say to Him, 'Lord, here I am. Tell me what U would have me do.' If He gives me some task, I am content & I thank Him. If He gives me nothing, I still thank Him since I do not deserve 2 receive anything mo than that. & then, I tell God everything dat is in my heart. I tell Him about my pains & my joys, & then I listen. If u listen, God will also speak 2u, 4 wit da good Lord, u have 2 both speak & listen. God always speaks 2 u when u approach Him plainly & simply."
(MC=my comments- Notice da ABC formula, 1st things 1st= God, what is it dat u want? Then comes da spilling of 1’s heart, & finally it’s to stop talking & listen, da most important step of all. Get God right & follow His lead, & what follows will b peace & da taste of victory)
16. Sr. M. Regina van den berg: “Dietrich Von Hildebrand asked: what is da ”thema Christi”? The ”thema Christi”— is, da particular task 2 which God calls a person @ this particular moment—is da best way of glorifying, & da surest way 2 holiness. 4 a woman whose children R crying 4her luv & presence, da ”thema Christi” is 2 attend 2 her children. What good would it do Da woman 2 give a brilliant lecture while ignoring da tears of her children? This “holy flexibility”—da fruit of lovingly embracing da cross—was a blessed art dat Edith mastered & which reveals da golden thread dat led her 2 Auschwitz”
(MC=my comments-Another example how it’s not about doing our thing, good or bad, but doing what God is calling 4 @ da moment. Nothing else counts, it’s 4 us 2 “get it” datwe must b about da Father’s business. Discernment is not just a plus, but it’s a must in living rightly da spiritual life)
15. Book: ”The School of Jesus Crucified:The Lessons of Calvary”: “Draw nigh 2 Jesus & reverently ask Him what R those wounds in His hands & feet, &He will answer dat they R da work of ur sins & da pledges of His love. He will tell u dat, 2 cancel ur sinful deeds, He has allowed His most sacred hands 2B pierced thru wit nails. Read then in these wounds da history of ur sinfulness, & detest it, read in them da history of His love, & B grateful. Dat U may frequently call 2 mind da wounds of Jesus Christ, imitate da example of da venerable
Alphonsus of Orosco, an Augustinian monk, who was accustomed, whenever he heard da clock strike, 2 remember da blows of da hammer nailing down da feet & hands of Jesus.
(MC=my comments-See what real “committed 2 Christ” Christians focus on, not da negative or on “self”, but on Christ & what pertains 2 Him. A lesson 4 me, thank u Jesus. This statement by St. John Henry Newman is making an impact on me & is an answer to the text mess above : “None Was Equal to the Weight but God”. My Lord, how terrible is sin!)
14. Catholicism Pure & Simple: Da Palm Sunday liturgy begins wit a re-enactment of da triumphal entry of Jesus in2 Jerusalem, everyone processes in 2 church carrying blessed palm or olive branches, singing joyful songs in praise of da Lord who saves us. Da joy & triumph will change 2 another focus as we move in2 church & begin 2 hear da readings about da Suffering Servant of God & da recounting of da betrayal, passion &death of da Lord . Da festive mood @ da beginning of Palm Sunday Mass turns 2 a serious & even somber note rather quickly. Holy Week has begun & we must b attentive 2 all dat is being offered 2 us 4 our reflection, prayer & spiritual benefit. Da blessed branches received & carried @ da beginning of da celebration R reminders dat we R committed 2 following Christ, even un2 death. Striving 2 b faithful 2 da Lord, we embrace da Gospel of Jesus Christ without giving up, even when we R discouraged, betrayed, mocked,R put 2 death, just as Christ was.Hearing da words of Scripture regarding da life, death &ultimately da resurrection of Christ, isn't something from da remote past wit little relevance 4 da present. Rather, all dat we celebrate throughout Holy Week is a clear reminder dat God is wit us now, working on our behalf & dat da power of da resurrection of Christ has a daily & real effect in our lives. We are 2 B convinced dat da working of da Holy Spirit in us &wit us is an undying source of grace & now & always. We R called 2 acclaim da Lord not merely wit our lips or just on certain days of da year, but wit our lives, each & every day.Blessed Charles de Foucauld, put it in terms of, “proclaiming da Gospel wit ur life.” How we live should b different from da way some1 who does not believe would live. St. Benedict tells his monks,“ur way of acting should b different from da world’s ways, meaning every follower of Christ is in need of evaluating da use of time, talents, words, thoughts & deeds. We not only evaluate,but also change what needs 2 B changed, in order 2 reflect & live out a Christian commitment here & now. This is no easy task & we may fail regularly in our attempts, but we never give up trying. Our belonging 2 Christ is 2 b a matter of da heart dat encompasses our entire being & time. We need time for work, exercise and relaxation, but all of it is 2 b consecrated 2 God & entrusted to the guidance of da Holy Spirit, so dat we may b people on fire 4God & 4 da Kingdom of God present & yet 2 come. Dat we spend time in prayer each day & joyfully participate in the sacraments of the Church, especially da Eucharist as well as Reconciliation. Jesus underwent suffering & death to draw all 2 himself. To be spiritually enriched in this Great and Holy Week this year, we pray for the grace of God to live our daily lives in the light of faith, hope and love, the theological virtues, seeing in Christ the Just One who was condemned, yet at the same time the origin of our strength and all life.May this Holy Week find us renewed in zeal 4 da things of God,4 love of God &neighbor, eager to celebrate next Sunday the Passover of our Lord, da central mystery of our Christian faith, da Resurrection of Christ. We R called 2 die wit Christ so dat we might rise wit him as well. May God illumine & guide our steps 2day & throughout our lives."
(MC=My Comments- Hitting these high points: embrace da Gospel without giving in 2 discouragement. Jesus remains faithful, let us do da same. Lip service allows us to pick & choose, we should be living, not like da world, but changed in a way that provides for living spiritually rich)
13. Fr. Blount: “Peace is joy that resting and Joy is peace that is dancing”
(MC=My Comments- Spending 8 hrs in church wit 2 of those hours being Eucharistic, it is an easy way to experoence peace is joy resting, and joy is peace dancing. All glory and honor to God for His mercy and kindness as prayers blanket the whole world now. Yes, God it is to labor and pray for the world, especially that people do not lose their souls. Everyone one day some way some how will lose their bodies to death, but none, not one have to lose their soul. And may health be restored to all those sicken by the virus)
12.Meepy: “ Be practical, be prayerful, be powerful, be proclaiming Jesus Christ, be perspective, be prepared IN JESUS’ NAME!!!
📖2 Chronicles 7:14 “God’s words says If my people which are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land”
(MC=my comments- Will we follow the recipe:
1.Be Humble
2. Be prayerful
3. Be a seeker of God’s face
4. Be one to turn from evil ways
Then the finished product will be the best ever, a cleansed soul and a healed land. Let’s be part of the solution)
11. Carol Ann Morrow: ”St. Maximillian Kolbe wore da Miraculous Medal & all da knights. It’s was & is an external sign of their consecration 2 Blessed Mary. It serves as a reminder of Kolbe’s own dependence on Blessed Mary. HeR sinless humanity gave him great comfort dat a human being could b raised 2 such heights, led him 2 trust Blessed Mary 2 lead him a sinner, 2 her Son Jesus. Da medal can remind us 2 trust & invoke da prayer given 2 St. Catherine Labouré.{St. Maximillian added da 2nd part after having witnessed virulently anti-papal, pro-Lucifer as well, if U can believe it, demonstrations in da Vatican sponsored by da Freemasons, who he specifically referenced as enemies of da church in this prayer”}
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray 4 us who have recourse 2 U, & 4 all who do not have recourse 2 U, especially da enemies of da Church & those recommended 2 U. Amen.
(MC=my comments- Saint to saint, each one takes the baton and carries on reaching ever greater heights, can’t we do da same? Might we encourage all 2 wear da Miraculous medal, our priests, our children, our friends, etc. If a saint saw dat it was fitting 2 wear 1, who should b exempt? Everyone, each living soul on earth must work out their salvation, no exceptions. How sad it will 4 a job well done, then lose out in da end, it’s about practicing what 1 preaches. Lord lead me on da straight & narrow, fill me wit mo of urself & do wit me what u will.
📖1 Corinthians 9:27 “No, I drive my body & train it, 4 fear dat, after having preached 2 others, I myself should b disqualified”
10. Gary: “Whenever I am involved in the spiritual exercise of the Stations of the Cross, it is a common practice of mine when reaching the sixth station, where Veronica wipes the face of Jesus to speak personally to the Lord. What is asked of Him is this: that He might imprint upon my heart the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love. For His imprinted face was a gift to Veronica, so can he gift me with an imprint on my heart. To ask is to receive.”
(MC=my comments- Amazing how God is speaking & teaching His people as we journey seriously towards da kingdom. He has just inspired me and because da St. Joseph Consecration recently led 2 pray 4 an increase in da Cardinal virtues, especially prudence, wit da other 3 in tow: Fortitude, Temperance, & Justice. Now da lagniappe is 2 add da Cardinal virtues of Faith, Hope, & Love. As da body of Christ interact, we make each other better,so it’s worth it to grow in da faith and share da journey. Each person brings their unique self 2 da table & we have a feast, thanks b 2 God. Praying da 6th station will never be the same again)
9. Don Calloway: “Title “Son of David” is a Messianic title. Jesus is called “Son of David” 17 times in da New Testament. Unlike Jesus, St. Joseph is not da Messiah, but he is da only other person in da New Testament referred 2as da Son of David. St.Joseph is called “Son of David” by da angel of God when he is instructed by da angel not 2 b afraid 2 take Blessed Mary in2 his home (see Mt 1:20). Why does the angel call St. Joseph da “Son of David,” Da reason cause St. Joseph needs 2 b reminded of his royal ancestry @a very crucial moment in salvation history. He had recently discovered his wife was pregnant & about 2 take action by separating himself & he had 2 know what role he had been given by God in da coming of da Messiah,lest he walk away from divine mysteries & his vocational call.He never suspected Mary of any wrongdoing, he knew he was in da presence of a great mystery. Humble & just, he planned 2 separate himself from Mary quietly in order not 2 get in da way. B 4 he could take action, da angel sent 2 remind him of his royal lineage 4 da Savior 2 b a descendant of David”
(MC=My Comments-Beautiful commentary, how it pays 2 study & learn our faith. What we learn we put in2 action & use advantageously 2 grow spiritually. Da meals r prepared, we just need 2 b quiet, sit down & take time 2 eat)
8. Fr.Don Calloway: “ 1 fundamental dimension of all Marian consecration: Be another St. Joseph 4 Blessed Mary. St. Joseph is da most Marian of all saints. His love 4 Blessed Mary is greater than dat of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Louis de Montfort, St. Alphonsus Liguori, St. Maximilian Kolbe, & St. John Paul II combined. There has never been a greater Marian saint than St.Joseph, & there never will be. Long b4 Calvary, when Jesus commanded all of his disciples 2 take Blessed Mary in2 their hearts & homes (Jn 19:26-27), St. Joseph had already taken Blessed Mary in2 his heart & in2 his home. St. Joseph is da model 4 total consecration 2 Blessed Mary”
(MC=My Comments- Having St. Joseph 2 assist us in taking Blessed Mother Mary in2 our hearts, dat’s definitely a 1 up 4 sho)
7. Ven. Fulton J. Sheen: “Love is the key to the mystery. Love by its very nature is not selfish, but generous. It seeks not its own, but the good of others. The measure of love is not the pleasure it gives – that is the way the world judges it – but the joy and peace it can purchase for others.
(MC=My Comments-
💝No, it’s not about the pleasure
💝 That’s not the criteria you can use to rightly measure
💝Thats the world’s way
💝But for God’s holy people that’s not A ok
6. St. Charles Borromeo: “If a tiny spark of God’s love already burns within U, do not expose it 2 da wind, 4 it may get blown out… Stay quiet wit God. Do not spend ur time in useless chatter… Do not give urself 2 others so completely dat u have nothing left 4 urself."
(MC=My Comments- “Nothing left 4 urself?” These days it can thus b added: “nothing much left 4 God!”This quote can surely speak 2 each 1 of us @ different times & in different ways. 2 put off what we should be doing spiritually, is not wise or smart. We’re always called 2 do our part, but it should B clear dat we R not da Savior of da world, da family, R friends, etc. Da 2nd point is dat many times God’s own people spend da big bills on self will, chatter, etc., & give God da left over change, always wit expectations dat He’ll understand. Why can’t WE B da 1’s 2 understand da need 2 prioritize & put God and His will 1st? Do we not believe this scripture:
📖Matthew 6:33 “But seek 1st da kingdom of God & His righteousness, & all these things will b given u besides”.
Especially in His own house, can’t we in silence let him speak 2 our hearts? Luv da saints, they shepherd us very well,da the lost sheep, if we allow them 2 do so. How else will we learn if we do not take da time 2study them? Not hearing very many other voices trying 2 teach us what we should already know or what we should be practicing. Every now & then someone crosses my path & their beautiful example inspires me 2 change & follow a better way. Lord have mercy, may it be da many & not da few who listen & act unto God’s good glory. Da home run isn’t scored from just hearing, but when 1 listens & puts all in2 practice by being a doer of da word, things happen. Inspired 2 pray 4 purity of heart & 2 b mindful of not losing ground by continuing 2 B vigilant, striving 4 excellence & in no way settling & leaning on my own understanding)
generally interest is
5. Jesus to Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta Vol. 7 – Feb.28, 1906: “When da soul masticates these truths & makes them her nourishment then grace communicates itself & takes possession. That’s da reason why not all souls receive these effects, because these truths speed thru their mind like a flash of lightning”
(MC=my comments- So Thankful & glad God is bringing da Divine Will in 2 clearer focus in 2020. There is an appointed time 4 everything & those wit ears will certainty hear. Come Holy Spirit come! Not receiving da effects of truth will always b a reality when we don’t thoroughly study, seriously pray, R take time 2 explore without leaning on our own understanding. Da mo time we give 2 God, Da mo open we’ll be able 2 recognize truth & adhere 2 this scripture:📖 1 Thessalonians 5: 19-21 “Do not quench da Spirit. Do not despise prophetic. Test everything;retain what is good”. Praying dat da soil of ours hearts become richer & richer so this scripture becomes a reality:Mark 4:20 “But those sown on rich soil are da 1’s who hear da word & accept it & bear fruit 30 & 60 and a hundredfold.”
4. Raoul Plus, S.J: "2 Not try 2 live in interior silence is equivalent 2 giving up the effort 2 lead a truly Christian life. Da Christian life is a life of faith, lived in da invisible 4 what is invisible. Any1 who is not in constant contact wit da invisible world runs da risk of remaining always on da threshold of a tru Christian life. ...Solitude is da stronghold of da strong. Strength is an active virtue & our power of keeping silence marks da level of our capacity 4action. Without this interior cell,we would b incapable of doing great things, either 4 ourselves or 4 others.”
(MC=My Comments- luv da old school Jesuits from long ago, they definitely had it going on. Case in point 2day, interior silence b4 Holy Mass @ church 2day, some things unfolded about St. Joseph's upcoming role in my life. If there would not have been silence how could da Holy Spirit have busy in my soul. Quiet people, & be watchful 4 da surprises & da elevated paths made manifest 2 u spiritually. Hanging low wit da chatter flow, then nowhere will u go)
3. St.Angela Merici: "Above all, b on ur guard not 2 want 2 get anything done by force, cause God has given free will & wants 2 force no 1, but only proposes, invites & counsels”
MC=(MC=my comments-= My Comments-Learning who 2 hold-em wit & who 2 fold-em wit. All 4 da greater good & working 2 not lose out on graces R merits, because in da end it’ll b 2 late 2 recapture what we passed on and should not have. Most of all, how sad 2 fail 2cglorify God 2 da highest R persist in offensive behavior)
2. CCCstates:“In human life signs & symbols occupy an important place. As a being @ once body & spirit, a person expresses & perceives spiritual realities thru signs & symbols. As a social being, a person needs signs & symbols 2 communicate wit others, thru language, gestures & actions. Da same holds true 4 our relationship wit God.”
(MC=My Comments- Reading about the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, decided 2 renew my baptismal promises in this way: V. Do you reject Satan?
R. I do. (MC=My Comments- I most certainly do
V. And all his works?
R. I do. (MC=My Comments- yes, you better believe it, I do)
V. And all his empty promises?
R. I do. (MC=My Comments- yes in indeed I do, lies, leftovers, & trash, is only what darkness gives. Or trying to give to us that which is already ours or something that only our Good & gracious God can provide)
V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
R. I do. (MC=My Comments- I do, & not only do I believe in God Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, I love Him with my whole heart, and if that is not accurate, then I WANT to love Him with my whole heart)
V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
R. I do. (MC=My Comments- I do, because what can be more true or right to consent to)
V. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
R. I do, (MC=My Comments- I do, I did, and always hope to do so, never falling away from The Truth, the Whole truth, and nothing but the truth)
V. God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and forgiven all our sins. May he also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever.
R. Amen. (MC=My Comments- Amen, amen, & amen, now sprinkling myself with a Holy Water. Can’t wait until tomorrow to do this expecting many graces)
1️⃣. Dom Forgeot: “Death requires preparation. In da Litany of da Saints, we find this request: “From sudden & unexpected death, deliver us, Lord.” B 4 da progress in medicine death could b swift & painful. We all kno dat we R going 2 die. We should live life accordingly”
(MC=My Comments- It’s a new yr, so let’s b determined 2 live well, 4 none kno da day R Hour. Why keep making da same mistakes dat do not lead 2 living da spiritual life well & 4 not preparing 4 da life 2 come. This is different 4 all of us. Scripture uses the words stupid Galatians, well they are not alone, sadly count me in dat #. Being busy wit what is passing away, really makes no sense, Lord have mercy.
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2019 Dinner Mints
50. Peter Kwasniewski: "Da secular world “prepares” (if we can use dat word) 4Christmas wit months of garish decoration, holiday treats, &
spending sprees, but when Dec. 26 rolls around, da world already feels Christmas is “over.” @ most it will allow itself a day or 2 of recuperation from excess jollity & then back 2 work. In a best-case scenario, decorations mite stay up till Jan. 1 or a bit later, 4 "ringing in da new yr.” After dat, da season of celebration is over. Catholics ought 2 have a totally different conception: B4Christmas, we observe da penitential season of Advent, preparing 4 da great feast without 2 much overt joy. Traditionally families would decorate da Christmas tree shortly b4 da great day, on da 23rd or 24th. Come Midnight Mass, we usher in the Nativity of da Lord, which is intensely celebrated for an octave (8days, from Dec. 25 to Jan. 1, da Circumcision, also known as da Solemnity of Mary,Mother of God). Da Nativity extends out 2 Epiphany on Jan. 6, da famous “12th day” & inaugurates 40 days of Christmastide, ending on Feb. 2 wit Candlemas or da feast of da Purification of da Blessed Virgin Mary, also known by its Greek title, da Presentation of the Lord. In other words, 4 concentric circles of celebration: Christmas, da octave, da 12 days, &da 40 days"
(MC=My Comments-Christmas is an Octave, so us celebrate all 8 days in a special way)
49. Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “Celebrating Advent means learning how 2 wait. Waiting is an art which our impatient age has 4gotten. We want 2 pluck da fruit b4 it has had time 2 ripen. Greedy eyes R soon disappointed when what they saw as luscious fruit is sour 2 da taste. In disappointment & disgust they throw it away. Da fruit, full of promise rots on a ground. It is rejected without thanks by disappointed hands. Da celebration of Advent is possible only 2 those who R troubled in soul, who kno themselves 2 B poor & imperfect, and who look 4ward 2 something greater 2 come. 4 these, it is enough 2 wait in humble fear until da Holy One himself comes down 2 us, God in da child in da manger. God comes. The Lord Jesus comes. Christmas comes"
(MC=My Comments- Yea, 4 those who prepare, will receive what da world can't give. Da material, can never hold it's own pitted against the spiritual. It's takes a lifetime 4 sum 2 learn dat, but everything is passing away, & only what pertains 2 da eternal lasts & is satisfying forever)
48. Fr. Alfred Delp “Our efforts always belong 2God’s work, even when it's only 2keep da manger prepared in which da Child wants 2lie. Our deeds count, even when like simeon we only stretch out our arms in patience &faith in loyal endurance so dat we may receive da holy gift. Even when we only wait, poor &yearning in da darkness, in fervent longing – we're ready &may help 2bring bout da fullness of time.Da miracle of God comes not only from above. It also comes thru us; it's also dwelling in us. It has been given 2every person,& lies within each 1of us as something divine,& it waits. Calling 2us, it waits 4da hour when we let flow out in2 da world da love dat proceeds from us" (MC=My Comments- Participation in offering up reparation pleases God, so as we R granted life anew, may we do our part in helping 2renew da church & also helping ourselves)
47. Esther de Waal: "Uncrowd my heart, O God, until silence speaks in ur still, small voice; turn me from da hearing of words, & da making of words, & da confusion of much speaking, 2 listening, waiting, stillness, silence.
(MC=my comments- Da noise of da world dat we allow R dat bombard us is like a magnet; it’s only da grace of God dat can free us & let da sound of silence be what we hear clearly. This silence will draw us towards a meditative response dat dialogs with God accordingly)
46. Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen: “Incapable as we R of paying our debts 2 God according 2 justice, we should @ least try 2 supply 4 them by our gratitude.Even da poorest beggar, having nothing 2 give in return 4 da alms he has received, can always acknowledge a kindness by showin gratitude. This is our position in regard 2 God: we have nothing of our own; all we R &have comes from Him, & in return 4His infinite generosity, we can do nothing but use His gifts 2 express our gratitude.
📖1Thessalonians 5:18“In all things give thanks: 4 this is da will of God in Christ Jesus concerning u all ”God who showers blessings upon us wit infinite generosity, has a perfect rite 2 expect gratitude from us. Yet this,a natural need of a humble, delicate soul, is a duty so often neglected even by good people, even by those who have received da most favors from God. He sus complained of this neglect when only 1 of da 10 lepers cured returned 2 thank Him:
📖Luke 17:17,18 “And where R da 9? Is there no 1 found 2 return & give glory 2 God, but this stranger?”
(MC=My Comments-GIVE THANKS, give thanks. So thankful 1st of all 4 da gift of life & a spiritual relationship wit da Trinity. Thanful dat my stolen iPad Pro was returned on a Thursday 2 weeks ago 2 da day, & 4 every 1God have allowed & those presently crossing my path. Better cause of those traveling da spiritual path wit me. My lagniappe blessing was after Mass Fr. Al asked me about da Holy Sacrament of Reconciliation. Missed 4 da week & wanted 2 ask him, but said no, don’t bother da kind priest on Thanksgiving. But God let him ask me, so very thankful 4 dat. God knows our desires & wishes and will meet them according to His good will)
45. Fr. Simon Devereux: "Lord, 2day help me 2 begin again & not give in 2 discouragement. I easily focus on my shortcomings; U rejoice in every inch of my progress. Thank u! Amen"
(MC=My Comments-Reasons 4 discouragement R varied, but let’s not focus on da short end of da stick, da part in God's hands extends way beyond what would be visible if we could C. There4, walk by faith & not by site)
44. St. John Kronstadt "Lord! I am - a miracle of Thy goodness, wisdom and omnipotence, inasmuch as I was brought by Thee from non-existence into existence; inasmuch as I am preserved until now by Thee in this existence; inasmuch as by the mercy, bounties, and love to mankind of Thine Only-begotten Son, I shall inherit eternal life, provided I am faithful unto Thee"
(MC= Da miracle of life, what a blessings 2 have been given a chance w live in da land of the living. Imagine, God specifically chose each 1 of us 4 Himself. We did not have a part to play in entering in2 this life, but we sure a have a big part to play as 2 where we'll live once we cross over 2 da other side. It's not just about making it in, but how decorated will our crown be in us giving God the glory)
43. Servant of God, Fr. Romano Guardini: “4 many a believer da Mass has assumed da character of a sacred spectacle R of sum mysterious proceeding b4 which he says his prayers.Its reality consequently is buried, & something irreplaceable is lost. Da reasons 4 this R many & go so far back dat criticism is pointless. But it’s time dat da Mass become again 4 da faithful what it is & was instituted 2b: da sacred action of Christ’s community, which, though under da care of da priestly office, is meant 2 live & act as a tru community, as da Acts of da Apostles (2:46) & da 1st Epistle 2 da Corinthians (11:17-34) point out”
(MC=my comments- =my comments- If u can’t say Amen, say ouch. Da blind would b capable os seeing da truth 2 what Fr. Romano Guardini is saying and he is not speaking of the year 2019, so imagine how much more applicable today.His book began being translated & published in the 40’s)
42. Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica: “In da Aramaic tongue in which our Lord spoke, da word “woman” implies greater honor than da word “mother.” 2day, it is difficult 4 us 2 understand how da Lord could have addressed His mother as “woman.” Likewise, when da Lord was in Cana of Galilee, da Most Holy Theotokos turned 2 Him & said, they have no wine [John 2:3]. And He said 2 Her, Woman, what is dat between Me & thee? Mine hour is not yet come [John 2:4]. In our language, when we say “woman” this has a somewhat disrespectful meaning, but when we say “mother” it is much mo intimate & affectionate. But in da Aramaic tongue, da word “woman” is much mo respectful.”
(MC=my comments-How much on our own without serious study will we understand? An unlimited horizon opens up to 1 who does not have a closed heart & welcomes truth which penetrates by da power of da Holy Spirit & set captives free)
41. Servant of God, Elizabeth Leseur: "I kno by experience dat in hours of trial certain graces R obtained 4 others, which all our efforts had not hitherto obtained. I have thus come 2 da conclusion dat suffering is a higher form of action, da highest expression of da wonderful Communion of Saints.”
(MC=my comments- If we begin 2 b transformed by da renewal of our minds in da light of da saints, suffering will become a weapon of mass destruction, powerful beyond imagining. Let us b convinced dat "in hours of trial certain graces R obtained 4 others". Armed wit dat mentality, we'll C dat there is value in what we R undergoing & dat will strengthen us 2 stand tall accepting what God is permittin R willing what He wills.
40. Monastic Community of da Monastery of Christ in da Desert: “Da pilgrimage or Exodus of da Israelites from Egypt in2 Canaan cont 2 B a paradigm or pattern 4 all who go 2 God exemplifying da journey of da soul 2 God. Such a journey requires purification & change, asking 1 to put preferences aside & make way 4 da needs &hopes of others, form 1 fmly on da same path 2vda eternal dwellin place of God. Da people who set out on such a journey become transformed by da experience if they truly persevere in faith, hope & luv. Da experience of da Hebrews is ours as well, God’s people, encounterin many trials along da way. Da people who followed Moses encountered setbacks dat were external such as hunger & thirst. Other trials were interior, as da temptation 2 infidelity 2 God & idolatry makin gods of what is not God. All of us,in this 21st century, go thru da same kinds of difficulties & trials in our lives, 2 discover within ourselves a lack of confidence in God’s help, & mend up puttin our trust in fleeting things, such as money, pleasure R ambition, rather than God’s provident care 4 us. As a help 2 keep us on da right track, Jesus offers us precisely what we need in our struggles, namely a life of prayer, wherein we place all our hope in God. ‘Our help is from da Lord who made heaven & earth’, is what we proclaim in da Psalm. Placing Christ @ da center of our life, we’re able 2 meet life’s challenges & burdens wit trust dat da trials will not break us,but make us mo ready 2enter in2 a life of luv & service as God’s own people. Without fear R shame call out wit trust & hope all da day long. ‘Never despair of God’s mercy’, St. Benedict says it in his Rule. Followers of Christ will even have 2put up wit a great deal of unjust treatment @ da hands of those opposed 2 God. Despite this reality, we must cont 2 ask 4 God’s help day & nite, without givin up, never growin faint. We can always build our hope upon our Lord’s words dat God, in spite of all appearances, is in fact so different from an unjust judge simply cause God is all good, merciful & gracious 2nhis children. 2 easily people give up prayin when they don’t receive da response they desire & conclude dat prayer is of no use. God answers our prayers, but not always as we expect R request, but still we believe God truly answers our prayers. Da seemingly long delay of da comin of God’s kingdom ought not make us grow weary R give up in prayin. ‘Whoever prays well, lives well,’ da great Church Father St. Augustine once said. Dat is certainly da teachin of Jesus valid 4 us 2day. Dat doesn’t mean knowin all da rite formula, but askin from da heart 4? all we need from our God: patience, luv, perseverance, 4giveness, gentleness, humility, peace & contentment wit what we have & who we R. Da Lord luvs us without measure & calls us 2 intensify da bonds of luv between individuals, families, communities & nations, 2 form in Christ 1 body. We’re called 2 do this everywhere & @ all times, never losing patience. We may feel fragile & insignificant, not capable of makin an impact by our seemingly small lives R efforts. But God accepts each & every 1 of us, wit outstretched hands, & is always ready 2 hear & answer us wit grace dat never fails. Let us rejoice in this great gift from a God who luvs us wit infinite love”
(MC=My Comments-May we cont 2 grow up, rejoicing exceedingly & realizing da great treasure we have in da provident care of God day in & day out. Ponderin & reflecting will help even a fool realize dat God knos best & it’s never best 2 want what He doesn’t want. Imagine getting every answer 2 prayer according 2our wishes? When we get real, it will b a delight 2 rest in God & trust Him in all things, Lord have mercy,help me 2climb dat mountain all da way 2 da top.How sad, 4 some will die & never even come near da mountain of trust.Dat we might learn 2live life not choosing da good thing, but choosing what is better.Motivated by excellence due grace,desire will be combustion 4 dat fire. 4 da slothful & those wit a penchant 4 mediocrity, much spiritual ground will cont 2 b lost, & what a shame 4 all of eternity 2 lose opportunities 2 bring glory 2 God & lose valuable merits. Time 2 evaluate our behavior, wouldn’t U say?)
39. Constance Hull: ”Da movement away from our fallen nature 2 sainthood occurs as Christ purifies us thru a fire dat is extremely painful, but never annihilates us. This purifying fire is how God forms us in 2 da holy saint He is callin each 1 of us 2 become. How this is accomplished varies wit God’s will. However different our refinement, da ultimate end 4 all of is da same.1of da most difficult aspects of this refinement process is learnin how 2 submit our will 2 God’s will, not strictly out of begrudging obedience, but out of luv 4 Him. We R called 2 echo da words of Our Lord by repeatedly sayin 2 God: “Not my will, but Ur will”. This is difficult 4 us 2 do cause we have our own plans, dreams, & desires, many of them good. Tension arises most keenly when we desire something inherently good, but which God—4 mysterious reasons—decides isn't 4 us. We struggle 2 C how our tru joy can only b found in surrendering completely 2 God’s plan 4 our lives when it’s opposed 2 our own plans”
(MC=My Comments- Haven’t we all “been there-done dat”, or @ da point rite now? Time 2 C da lite & go God’s way. Really, so much mo worth it, & wit a lil bit of wisdom, u’ll kno like da Casino, da house always comes out da winner in da end. Jesus, we trust in U)
38. G.K. Chesterton: “If there were no God,there would be no atheists”
MC=My Comments- See how everyone have 2 depend on God so way some how, 4 truly He is all in all. Thank God we don’t just have to, but we want God 2 B our all in all)
37. St. Aloysius Religious Education: “Our bodies reflect what we are doing. When we sit; we listen, when we kneel; we are repenting or adoring, when we bow down; we make ourselves very small and humble before Our God in Adoration. Adoration is when the faithful visit & pray with Our Lord in the Chapel or da Church where Jesus is in da Tabernacle
(MC=My Comments- May there b no disconnect. We R 2 love & worship God wit our whole being, dat is wit all of our heart, soul, & mind. 4 there is indeed rhyme & reason 2 all dat we r called 2 do. 2 offer God a half baked cookie is 2 play Cain, 4 we kno an offering of worship dat is of a poor quality will b rejected. Let have da heart of Abel, Lord please, please, create a clean heart in me(us) & renew da rite spirit, cause 2morrow may b 2 late)
36. St. Teresa of Calcutta: “Loving trust and total surrender made Our Lady say yes to the message of the angel, and cheerfulness made her run in haste to serve her cousin Elizabeth. So much in our lives, too, is saying yes to Jesus, and running haste to serve him in the poorest of the poor.”
(MC=my comments- We can mo readily say yes & give our fiat when we
#1. Trust dat God is doing da rite thing (How can God do what is wrong)&
#2, BELIEVE dat He knows what He is doing( Is He not the Creator of heaven & earth),
& 3. Feel & live in His love( Who’s else “IS” love) ,
then just like dat,
🤛🏼1,2,3
🤛🏼we are free
🤛🏼in confidence
🤛🏼Surrendering 2 providence
🤛🏼Truly from the heart
🤛🏼Not later, but right from da start)
35. St. Augustine: "A man may lose da good things of this life against his will; but if he loses da eternal blessings, he does so with his own consent"
(Mc = my comments - Well if da saints aren’t always on da money, praise da Lord 4 them telling it like it is. Heard da following words on this side, but sure don't won't 2 hear them in tnext life: 'U brought dat upon Urself". B mindful day u’re not robbing urself)
34. Balthasar Gracian “A shrewd man knows dat others when they seek him do not seek him,but their advantage in him & by him”(MC=my comments
-U can grab dat bull be da horns wit this scripture: Colossians 3:23-24
”Whatever U do,do from da heart,as 4da Lord ¬ 4others,knowing dat U will receive from da Lord da due payment of da inheritance; B slaves of da Lord Christ”.Wit da said,keep on doing good,as kindness is sometimes taken 4weakness)
33. Frater Hibernicus “Francis lived in a time when da Church was shaken by scandals & tensions - far worst than in our own time. However, he was clear dat his calling meant remaining firmly within da family of da Church, staying open & available 2 God's gracious action himself, & working 2 make da Church mo clearly, mo effectively a sacred space where da grace of God's goodness can b experienced by a seeking world”
(MC=My Comments-What strikes me here is this: How many people R really aware dat certain behaviors in church interferes wit, R inhibits da workings of grace in their own souls & da souls of others by polluting da sacred space? Thank God 4 da growth dat have allowed some people 2 let da truth set them free from leaning on their own understanding & 2 opening up of their hearts 2 da Holy Spirit in a deeper way. Mercy, da Mercy of God helps us 2 grow. Lord we all fall short & blindness prevails in various degrees, so please help us who seek perfection, 2embrace U wit our whole heart, mind, soul,& spirit, then we will C as U see, thus da old way passing away & all becoming new)
32. St. Oscar Romeo“We cannot do everything, & there is a sense of liberation in realizing dat. This enables us 2 do something, & 2 do it very well.”
(MC=My Comments-Realy, we can’t carry da weight of da world on our shoulders, nor can we expect 2walk around scot free, we “MUST”carry our cross.There will be a “Veronica” &a “Simon” 4 every situation, plus da Lord our God said that He would never leave R 4sake us. That said, we can handle life, let’s do our part, trusting God will finish what we R called 2 by grace 2 start)
31. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI: ”May we advance in dat knowledge of da heart, which is da wisdom of da saints. Let us pray dat da Lord may make his face 2 shine upon us, B gracious 2us (cf. Nm 6: 24-7) & bless us. We may b certain of it: if we never tire of seekin His Face, if we never give in2 da temptation of discouragement & doubt, if also among da many difficulties we encounter we always remain anchored 2him, we’ll experience da power of His love & mercy. May da fragile Child whom the Virgin shows 2 da world make us peacemakers, witnesses of Him, da Prince of Peace”
(MC=my comments-Yes, God is 4ever faithful & true. Strapped 2Him like a bomb, in da explosion, all work 4 good & we find ourselves standing on da Rock. Jesus, take care of everything 4all of us, cause we trust in U, & it is in U, dat we never trust in vain)
30. Servant of God, Catherine Doherty: “Everybody seems 2B pilgrimaging, in da sense dat human beings R puttin 1 foot in front of da other all day long, resting a lil @ night. We can go after many things; we can go on pilgrimages seekin gold & silver, fame, power, & so on. But those R not really pilgrimages; they R shams. They R imaginary goals dat once attained, fall apart & R replaced by other goals dat become dust again. Ultimately, we remain empty. But 1 cannot apply da word “pilgrimage” 2dat sort of thing. There are only 2 pilgrimages in life: 1 to heaven & 1 to hell”
(MC=my comments-R our daily actions steps dat R leadin us 2 da kingdom of heaven, or are we spinning wheels, or being derailed? What adds up @ da end of da day in da spiritual column counts most.
⌛️For better or for worse, this will b very plain
⏳When out of the hourglass all of da sand drain)
29. St.Mother Teresa of Calcutta: "Everybody today seems 2B in such a terrible rush, anxious 4 greater developments & greater riches @ so on, so dat children have very little time 4 their parents. Parents have very little time 4 each other, & in da home begins da disruption of peace in da world."
(MC=my comments- Really, we are surely living this full speed rite now. Worst of all, people are 2 busy 4 God, 4 da things of God. An emphasis should be on seein Da truth in what St Teresa of Calcutta is saying: "In da home begins da disruption of peace in da world".We must get it rite in our homes, starting 1st wit self, then to touch kids & grandkids. If we don't do our job, da world will not fail 2 touch them, & in most instances it will not b a touch for good)
28. Joseph Pronechen: "Let God Be God. In everything, St. Pio constantly counseled people, by word & example, 2 "pray, hope & don't worry." Could there B a mo fittin message 4mour time of stress & uncertainty --or a mo effective means 2 spiritual growth? Fr. Apostoli thinks not. "Once U make known ur needs, fears, hopes, concerns, doubts & struggles 2 God in prayer, and have asked for his help, u have 2 now trust da Lord 2 listen cause of His great compassion. It's a big order. We tend 2 push da panic button, 2 look @ da things dat can go wrong. We worry like mad. If I really believe God does luv me & will truly take care of me, I should not worry." Padre Pio asked his spiritual charges 2 sho da sincerity of their trust by workin hard @ not worrying.
As Father Apostoli explains, "worry may signal we're trying 2 take control of matters dat belong 2God. As St. Pio himself put it: "The Lord is a father, the most tender and best of fathers. He cannot fail to be moved when his children appeal to him."
(MC=My Comments-Ok, we may pray, we may hope, but 2 out of 3 will not cut it. We have 2 go 4 triple digits: pray, hope, and don't worry. Asvice 4 me 2 take 2 heart. Asking also St. Pio & St. Therese 2 intercede 4 all. May we B protected from hurt, harm, danger, or damage. May what we have been given, we continue 2B good stewards of, beautiful gifts from God as He so wills. Jesus the bridge over troubled waters, save us.)
27. Fr. Emile Neubert: “Da heart is capable of intuitions dat surpass da limits of cold reason. A friend understands things bout his friend which da cleverest psychologist couldn't divine. But are da bonds of friendship ever stronger than when we are in da presence of Blessed Mary & when we endeavor 2 discover what will cause her greatest pleasure? Da will intervenes @ da same time as da mind & heart. We know what an important role da will plays in da acceptance of truths in da moral order, especially those dat require us 2 hold our nature in check. Da will must impose silence on da passions & on egotism; it must welcome truth sincerely such as it is, wit its most formidable consequences. How many men don't C cause they R afraid 2 look! Close 2 Blessed Mary we do not fear 2 look; close 2 her da passions R calm, egotism is ashamed of itself; close 2 her we R sincere.”
(MC=My Comments- How important our Blessed Mother is 2 da depth and quality of our relationship wit Jesus. She is in da kno, & her whispers 2 Him & from Him truly enhances our spiritual lives. A cripple surely walks better with a cane, get it?)
26. Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen: “Adorable Heart of my most lovin Jesus, what good have U found in me 2 make U luv me without limit, even though my heart, stained by a 1000 faults, was so cold & indifferent 2 ward U? Da great proofs of luv U have shown me when I didn't luv U, give me hope dat U will now find acceptable da proofs of my luv. Receive my loving Savior, my desire 2 consecrate myself entirely 2 da honor & glory of ur Sacred Heart; accept da gift of all dat I am. I consecrate 2 U my person, my life, actions,pains & sufferings, desiring 2B in da future a victim consecrated 2 Ur glory, on fire @ this moment, & 1 day 2B entirely consumed by da holy flames of ur luv. I offer U my Lord &my God,my heart wit all its desires,dat it may b perfectly conformed 2 urs. I belong wholly 2ur Heart,I am entirely urs.O my God, how great R ur mercies toward me!… My adorable Savior, accept my consecration also in reparation 4 da offenses which I have not ceased 2 commit against U, by corresponding so badly 2 ur luv. I am giving U very little, but @ least I wish 2 give u all dat is in my power & all dat u wish & desire from me; there4, by consecrating my heart 2 u, I give it 2 U never 2 take it back”
(MC=my comments-Thank God 4 an opportunity in da land of da living 2 express our luv 2 da Lord 4 all da blessings dat flow 2 us. Recently listening to a YouTube video where da priest asked some grade schoolers why is it that Jesus heart is pictured on da outside? 1 little girl said dat He loves us so much He can’t keep it in, cause He want 2 give it all away to us. Kids get it, do we?)
25. St.Bernard of Clairvaux: ”Da goodness of God knows how 2 use our disordered wishes & actions, often lovingly turning them 2 our advantage while always preserving da beauty of ‘His’ order."
(MC=my comments-Isn’t it a blessing 2 receive love in abundance from a God who loves passionately, even those who don’t give Him da time of day. Incredible is dat da flow of love from Da Most Sacred Heart of Jesus as a fountain 4 us sinners. Let’make an effort 2 return dat love, perfecting it as time goes on)
24. Fr.Alexis Lefebvre, S.J.(1869): "JESUS CHRIST always spoke wit simplicity, as da Gospel shows, in parables. He loved 2 reveal da great mysteries of da kingdom of God under da simple form of comparisons, or popular narrations, suited 2 da comprehension of all. This peculiar characteristic of His divine mission had been predicted by His prophets My: I will open mouth in parables (Ps. Ixxvii. 2). Da Divine Master in parables give light & grace 2 us as we meditate upon them, 4 we shall find therein the revelation of da tenderness of da Heart of Jesus 4 faithful souls who love Him, as well as da revelation of His infinite mercies towards those who abandon & outrage Him. Consider da parable of da Good Shepherd & da Prodigal Son, da Heart of God proves His goodness"
(MC=My Comments- After reading what Fr. Lefebvre wrote, it is plainer 2 see dat we R indeed living in da age of Divine Mercy. In 1869 he said dat God reveals great tenderness 2 those who luv Him & infinite mercies 2 those who abandon Him, well can't da blind C how much He is being abandoned 2day in every way? So now we see why St. Faustina & St. John Paul II were destined 2 bring 2 light God's revelation of Divine Mercy in this our times. What a gift we have in da chaplet of Divine Mercy, may mercy satisfy justice giving poor sinners a chance)
23. Fr. Andre Prevot: “By union St. Gertrude appropriates 2 herself da merits of Jesus. She does da same wit da merits of da Saints. 1 day, b 4 Communion, finding herself little prepared, she asked da Blessed Virgin & all da Saints 2 offer 2 God 4 her all da good dispositions wit which they had prepared 2 receive His graces. She also besought Our Lord 2 offer 4 her His own perfect dispositions, when on da day of His Ascension, He was about 2appear b 4 His Father. Then, some time after, as she tried 2 discover what she had gained by this prayer, Jesus said 2 her: Thou hast gained 2 appear in da eyes of da citizens of Heaven, adorned with all da merits thou hadst asked 4. Then He added Why shouldst thou distrust Me, Who am da Lord Almighty & beneficent? Cannot I act like an earthly friend who adorns his friend wit his own ornaments, in order dat he may appear as richly attired as himself?
(MC=This is kind of like an open book test, how can you lose? Time to get mo bang 4da buck, or think about it as a fantastic exchange rate.)
22. Servant of God Luis M. Martinez's book “True Devotion 2 da Holy Spirit”: “With even greater reason, because He is mo 4 gotten, da Holy Spirit must b given His proper place, da place dat rightfully belongs 2 Him in Christian life & Christian perfection. Devotion 2 da Holy Spirit must become what St. Grignion de Montfort made of devotion Blessed Mary: something not superficial & intermittent, but constant & profound, fillin da depths of souls & impregnating lives wit da sweet unction of infinite love.Christian life is da reproduction of Jesus in souls; & perfection, da most faithful & perfect reproduction, consists in da transformation of souls in 2 Jesus. This is da doctrine of St.Paul, set forth time & again in his letters. As 4 perfection, these profoundly comprehensive words R well known: 'It is now no longer I dat live, but Christ lives in me.' Da word transformation is also from St. Paul:'But we all, wit faces unveiled, reflecting as in a mirror da glory of da Lord,are being transformed in 2 His very image from glory to glory'. Now, how will this mystical reproduction b brought about in souls? In da same way in which Jesus was brought in2 da world, da Holy Spirit conveyed da divine fruitfulness of da Father 2 Blessed Mary"
(MC=My Comments- A new twist to add to this year’s novena 4me, will B 2 read from the book True Devotion 2da Holy Spirit” 4 da next 9days. What new twist can u add?)
21. Fr. Carlo Giuseppe Quadrupani: “Look upon God as an infinitely good & tender father & believe dat He only allows da devil 2 try His children dat their merits may increase & their recompense b correspondingly greater. Da mo persistent da temptation, da clearer it's dat U have not given consent 2 it. An enemy doesn't besiege a fortress dat is already in his power, & da mo obstinate da attack, da mo certain we may b dat our resistance continues. Ur fears lead U 2 believe u R defeated, @ da very moment U R gaining da victory. This comes from da fact dat u confound feeling wit consent & mistaking a passive condition of da imagination 4 an act of da will, U consider dat U have yielded 2 da temptation because U felt it keenly”
(MC=My Comments- Yes, dat we battle & not roll over & die is a sign we are winning, because in da end da battle is da Lord's & we win. Our limit is da starting point 4 God 2 dive rite in & win 4 us da victory.)
20. Our Lady of Fatima: “If men knew what eternity is, they would do everything 2 change their lives”
MC=My Comments- By dat same token, if men knew dat da uninhabited places vacated by da fallen angels are slots waiting 2 B taken, how different would each person run da race. Anything goes, or half @ it would B a no-go)
19. Magnificat magazine: "Do you want to be well?” The Lord asks da obvious in order 2 incite even deeper desire, 2 ensure we do not grow cold 2 da possibility of real transformation. We sit by da waters of Christ’s open side, from which a river flows dat gives life 2 every living creature; we find shelter in da “5 porticoes” of Christ’s wounds, expecting his command: “Take up your mat & walk.”
(MC=My Comments- Halleluia, we can always find that mercy is in season, no matter day or hour. May each of us encounter in our time of need, da merciful love of God b4, behind, beneath, & above us 4ever & ever. Amen!)
18. St. Bernardine of Siena “Whenever da divine favor chooses someone 2 receive a special grace, or 2 accept a lofty vocation, God adorns da person chosen wit all the gifts of da Spirit needed 2 fulfill da task @hand”
(MC=my comments-As ☔️ umbrellas R our’s 4 when & not if it rains, God never fails in gifting us wit da needed paraphernalia 2 get every spiritual job done. Our mission can accomplished, no ifs, ands, or buts)
17. Caryll Houselander: “In our sin, we R da tombs in which Christ lies dead, but @ da 1st movement of sorrow 4 sin He rises from da dead in us. Da life of da world is renewed by our sorrow, & da soul dat was in darkness radiates da morning light. In da moment dat we are 4 given, da world is flooded wit forgiveness.”
(MC=my comments-How delightful 4 da personal resurrections in our lives which God gets 2 witness when we rise from our tombs of sin & sincerely repent. Blessed are we 2 have da Sacrament of Reconciliation instituted by Christ 2 give grace & help us 2 effectively rise time & time again. Da fallen angels had 1 chance only. Ananias & Sapphira didn’t fare out 2well either (Acts 5:1-11). Jesus came dat we mite have life, & life 2 da full. Try 2 hit da confessional weekly. Go from good, 2 better, 2 best. Delusional is da 1 who thinks no signs of sin can b found in their lives dat frequently. Ask sum 1 around u often, if honest, they’ll let u kno ur sins 1 by 1. Really? Yes, really!)
16. St. John of Kronstadt: "Be free from care in the presence of your Lord. He has enclosed you with Himself upon all sides. He penetrates you wholly and knows all your thoughts, all your needs and inclinations, and if you live in Him with faith and love, then no evil shall befall you. 'The Lord is at hand; be careful for nothing' (Phil. 4:6)."(MC=My Comments- Good news, good news. This 4 me just adds 2 my joy, because He is risen, alleluia, alleluia, and that is good news indeed. The truth frees one from darkness, as da light sparkles in da soul, making us glad.)
15. Fr. Emile Neubert, SM: “We kno thru faith dat da blessed in heaven, in contemplating God, see us wit our needs & our prayers, & dat they can assist us by interceding wit God in our behalf. This is da foundation of da Catholic doctrine of da communion of saints. Indirectly, then, in da beatific vision, da saints see us & kno us in so far as God judges it proper 2 enlighten them. In like manner, it’s indirectly thru da beatific vision dat da Blessed Virgin is present 2 us, C’s us, & sends us unceasingly da graces we receive”
(MC=my comments- Began a “Rule of Life” this year, & da rule of life 4 da week is every Saturday 2 read something pertaining 2 Our Blessed Mother Mary Ever Virgin, or meditate on her life in sum way. Da sharing from this book: “Life of Union With Mary”, is perfect 2 help me/us truly appreciate & underestimate something in da Apostles Creed. Every time we pray it, 4 it’s “2 pray” rather than “ 2 say”, cause only then can our faith become alive & vibrant in da heart as we become mo solid wit da realization of d truth. 2 rattle mindlessly is very unfruitful. Let’s consider & value da tenant of our Faith where we are joined as da body of Christ in da communion of saints: church triumphant (Heaven), church suffering (Purgatory), & church militant (Earth),what a great treasure. In da end, members of da latter 2 will end in up in heaven or hell, since Purgatory isn't a final resting place. Da bottom line is heaven or hell. Thank God 4 a place where a soul dat is not damned can B totally purified. Disbelief, no problem, in death we’ll all C da truth, B it 4 better or 4 worse. So not only as our heavenly mother, but by default in da communion of saints, so special is our help from Our Lady & those deceased can we B greatly assisted. Let this b goodnews 4 us this day) Read Da following about da Apostles Creed: “While there is no verifiable written word 4 word representation of da Apostles Creed prior to 340 A.D., we can b confident dat da Apostles Creed is da most accurate representation of da Christian Faith in da form of a creed.Da Saints taught what they called "The Rule of Faith" which is essentially da Apostles Creed. Da early church had no codified defined creeds as we have today. Da Christian teachings were handed down thru da preaching of da Saints. Da early church taught what is basically in da Apostles creed, yet, they never had a written form of their teaching & called it "The Apostles Creed."
14. Dr. Gregory Bottaro: “A homily from St. Francis de Sales on July 2, 1618– ‘The nard is a small shrub which exudes a very sweet perfume; it does not rise high like da cedars of Lebanon, but remains in its lowliness, exhaling its perfume wit such sweetness dat it delights all those who smell it. Da holy & most sacred Virgin was this precious nard who never exalted herself on account of anything dat was said or done 2 her; but in her lowliness & littleness, like nard, she gave forth a perfume of such sweet fragrance dat it rose 2 da throne of da Divine Majesty, who was so charmed &delighted by it dat He left Heaven 2 come down here upon earth & become incarnate in da most pure womb of this incomparable Virgin’. Now Questions 4 Reflection: Have U experienced moments of wonder & awe in da Lord’s will 4U? How has He surprised U wit a profound gift? Can U imagine increasing da sweetness of these moments by reflecting on them in light of ur devotion 2 Our Lady & St. Joseph? In 1concrete way, how can U give ur fiat, ur yes, 2 da Lord 2day?”
(MC=my comments-Sharing da answer 2nda last question-“In 1 concrete way, how can U give ur fiat, ur yes, 2 Lord 2day?”. Well, by asking God’s specific will in regards 2 what he wants for me 2 do 2day. Putting my plans b 4 Him & getting a “no”,will mean not follow my agenda 2nmy liking, but acknowledging God’s holy will. Always it should b God’s will not ours, in regards 2 things small & great.)
13. e-Catholic2000: “Enlighten me, good Jesus, wit da brightness of internal light, & take away all darkness from da habitation of my heart. Restrain my wandering thoughts & suppress da temptations which attack me so violently. Fight strongly 4 me, & vanquish these evil beasts -- da alluring desires of da flesh -- so dat peace may come thru Your power & da fullness of Your praise resound in da holy courts, which is a pure conscience. Command da winds & da tempests; say 2 da sea: "Be still," & 2 da north wind, "Do not blow," & there will be a great calm”
(MC=my comments- We ourselves, can not remove ourselves from or escape darkness, only light can dispel darkness. When we submit & surrender all to Him, He who is da light of da world, then Jesus can transform da dark which is out of order in our lives. @ dat point we can begin 2 see, until then our reality is darkened truth, 4which we kno not. Wit da illuminating light there comes a peace, as da soul breathes in harmony wit God)
12. Fr.Simon Devereux, LC: “Da pleasure of a slice of juicy watermelon lasts a moment; da joy of hearing words of love lasts a life-time. Lord, may we not B afraid 2 tell our loved ones how we truly feel. May we never regret having left unsaid what we wanted them 2kno. Amen”
(MC=my comments- 2morr may B 2 late, so express ur luv & care in a special, unexpected way 2 sum 1 today. A spiritual hug in da Lord 4 sum 1 who may need it, surely they may feel God)
11. Julius Evola: “We cannot ask ourselves whether ‘woman’ is superior or inferior 2 ‘man’ any more than we can ask ourselves whether water is superior or inferior 2 fire … There can be no doubt dat a woman who is perfectly woman is superior 2 a man who is imperfectly man, just as a farmer who is faithful 2 his land & performs his work perfectly is superior 2 a king who cannot do his own work.”
(MC=my comments-Let us live out our vocation & celebrate dat God created male & female as we stand in truth. Being a part of da solution & not da problem, our prayers & sacrifices help settle da dust from so confused a generation, it’s 2 catechize our own so dat da truth can set them free)
🎚1 Corinthians 11:11-12 “Woman is not independent of man or man of woman in the Lord.For just as woman came from man, so man is born of woman; but all things are from God.
🎚Galatians 3:28”There is neither Jew nor Greek: there is neither bond nor free: there is neither male nor female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.
10. Orthodox Christian Bishoy: “Lent is a time of battle, it’s a time for spiritual renewal. There are those who are of da school dat there should be spiritual discipline all year long, thus no need 4 a special regimen during Lent, but 2 most people, this is seen as a time of spiritual renewal, almost like a special New Year’s for Lent. Throughout da year many of us will have fallen short of our spiritual disciplines. Many of us will have developed & accepted bad habits. Many of us will have lost da consistency needed 4 spiritual development. This is a time of year dat we sanctify, or make holy, or set aside for no other thing than an intense renewal of our relationship wit God. It’s a time 2 vacation from da world dat you’ve been addicted 2, & spend time wit ur Spouse, ur Father, ur God. It’s a time 2msay dat yes, I’ve left U all year long, & it’s time 2 spend time wit U in a very meaningful way”
(MC=my comments-The orthodox don't play, we (ME) would do well 2 take note. We kno where spiritual discipline all year long leads year after year to, SAINTS! Da title b 4 ur name is da greatest 1 obtainable: St. This Lent let's all be up 4 working it!)
9. Dr. Ben Carson (world famous neurosurgeon)"I’ve had the privilege of being able to operate on little babies that were 25, 26, 27, 28 weeks’ gestation,and I can guarantee you, they can feel, they can react.You have to give them anesthesia, if you’re going to cut them. Believe me,they can also respond to comfort and to warmth.”
(MC=my comments- Lord have mercy, something worth praying & sacrificing 4. At least once take da time 2 pray outside an abortion torture chamber while there is not a ban like in parts of da UK. Be encouraged because with all the prayers from many people over time, thank God some places have closed. A blest Miraculous medal left behind can complete da prayers)
8. Catechism of the Catholic Church 1817: “Hope is da theological virtue by which we desire da kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ's promises & relying not on our own strength, but on da help of da grace of da Holy Spirit”
(MC=my comments- Isn’t it good news that we don’t have rely solely on our own strength 2 get our front row seat if that is our desire? We just must cooperate and keep desiring, and hope will certainly fuel dat very well 4 those seriously pursuing their faith)
7. Jason Angelette" Have we busied ourselves, becoming too busy? A friend of mine says that busy is an acronym: Bound Under Satan's Yolk"
(MC=My Comments- Seems when we are busy it's never, or almost never the case of being too busy because of spiritual business.It’s just the opposite, about something secular. The spiritual always have to take the hit, and that is sad.Is that not true? How busy were you today about spiritual business?)
6. Venerable Fulton Sheen: "Knowledge halts at da threshold of da temple; love enters in & worships"
(MC=My Comments-Oh yea, knowledge know's what is supposed 2B done, but love rolls up it's sleeve & actually gets da job done. Love's chief concern is not “self”, but God. Dat we all might mo & mo become Christians of excellence after God's own heart)
5. “Noah did according 2 all dat God had commanded him. He did just so.—Genesis 6:22. Noah had never built an ark before. So he had 2 rely on Jehovah, doing “just so”—that is, just as Jehovah directed. The result? Noah got it right da 1st time”
(MC=my comments- This is da concept: “Noah had never built an ark before. So he had 2 rely on God, doing just as God directed. Da result? Noah got it right da 1st time.“ 2 live this day by day, moment by moment, we should be prayed up, surrendered 2 God, following da lead of da Holy Spirit, covered wit da Blood of Jesus in Union wit Blessed Mary, St. Joseph & da angels & saints, then we’ll be ready & equipped 2 do as God says, which results in “getting it right da 1st time. Yes to:
🎚Get it right da 1st Time
🎚God’s will 1st & not mine
4. Dr. Tom J. Neal: “How 2say Yes 2 God, No 2 others. Yes, sometimes God in extra-ordinary circumstances gives us mystical graces 2 communicate His will & bypasses da normal process of exercising common sense judgment. Those charismatic moments can B beautiful, though even they need 2 B tested. But ordinarily, God acts thru careful thinking about how we can best luv Him & our neighbor in da moment; thru praying 4 Divine lite, striving 4 purity of heart, making da maximal use of our gifts 2 better church & world, relying on wise mentors 4 advice & correction, making our best judgments & then going 4ward with a will 2 persevere & carry da cross; all-the-while open 2 correction along da way.Discover in God’s will a wonderful freedom & fun.God allows us a spacious space in which 2 exercise a real creativity which positively contributes novelty 2 His plan. God is a Father not a dictator, a lover not a puppet master. He doesn’t give us freedom only 2 render it irrelevant. Yes, He wants us 2 have da heart of da child, but also da mind of an adult [1 Cor. 13:11].”
(MC=my comments-It’s not God’s will dat every petal B stripped from us & dat we dance 2 da tune of every pied piper coming our way. Prudence is a virtue dat we all need. 2 kno when 2 hold-em & when 2fold-em, priceless!
🎚Galatians 5:1 “For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery”
3. Fr. George Loring, S.J.: "In order 2 have an idea of what a billion is, let us consider dat a billion seconds are equal 2almost 32,000 years. Light which travels at a speed of 300,000 km per second, in 1 year covers a distance equivalent to 200 million times around da earth. Measured in kilometers, it’s about 10 billion of them. Da speed of light according 2 da laws of physics cannot be surpassed. Da speed of light is da maximum speed which can B attained as demonstrated by Einstein’s equation of E=mc2, speed @ which mass would become infinite"
(MC=My Comments- Well if b4 da foundation of da world God had U in mind, does He really know you & what U are going thru? Jesus says He is da light of da world, so it’s already an established fact dat He is da ultimate, da primacy, da 1st born. So is His church going down, or will we B overcome by trials, troubles, or tribulations if He is da strong man guarding our lives? Not hardly people, not hardly. If u can’t fully understand da dynamics of spiritual physics, just live by faith, in hope, & because of Love and do not lose heart!)
🖤💛Colossians 1:18 “And he is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he may hold the primacy”
🖤💛Luke 11:21 “When a strong man armed keepeth his court, those things are in peace which he possesseth.
Keep these scriptures in mind 2day & apply them 2 ur life & situations in play.
🖤💛Ephesians 1:4 “As he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and unspotted in his sight in charity”
G🌑 SAINTS👃
2. St. Francis De Sales: "Our confidence in God must b founded on His infinite goodness & on da merits of da Passion & death of our Lord Jesus Christ, wit this condition on our part: dat we should preserve & recognize in ourselves an entire & firm resolution 2 belong wholly 2 God, & 2 abandon ourselves in all things & without any reserve, 2 His Providence."
(MC=My Comments- Do U need da recipe for being worry free, peacefully shored up in hope, well here it is, via St. Francis De Sales. If we place on trust completely in God, knowing He never fails because His great love would never allow such a thing, being a full fledge child of His, we have all the reason in the world to know all will work out for good. No matter what it looks like, how bad it gets, the bottom line is that God is in control. He is in control of all circumstances, and not circumstances controlling Him. If this is clear, it will be demonstrated by our actions & attitudes)
1️⃣ St. Mary of Jesus Crucified "The proud person is like a grain of wheat thrown into water: it swells, it gets big. Expose that grain to the fire: it dries up, it burns. The humble soul is like a grain of wheat thrown into the earth: it descends, it hides itself, it disappears, it dies; but to revive in heaven...She further reminds us, "At the feet of Mary I came back to life."
(MC=My Comments-Da New Year is awaiting the "New Virtuous U" & da clock is ticking.Let us not disappoint & begin now 2 work on 1 thing consistently 4 da rest of da year. What will it be 4 U? Da million dollar question will have an invaluable worth in heaven if it's answered correctly now.Get it or "who cares"? Choose life!)
🆕 51. Pope Emeritus BDXVI: “Da stable becomes a palace –In da stable @ Bethlehem, Heaven & Earth meet. Heaven has come down 2 Earth.
Heaven does not belong 2 da geography of space, but 2da geography of da heart.Let us touch God’s humility, God’s heart! Then his joy will touch us & will make da world mo radiant. Amen”
(MC=My Comments-Realizing da significance of Christmas should produce a joy like no other. If a million trillion things are wrong, this celebration of Christ’s birth should be da 1 thing dat rejoices our souls. It’s not about da physical, but da spiritual. When we lived surrendered, Joy is unstoppable, da saints witness dat truth. We learn & live by da truth, or be miserable & defeated, da choice is ours)
50. Archbishop Fulton Sheen _”There are two ways of knowing how good God is: one is never to lose Him, and the other is to lose Him and then to find Him."
(MC=My Comments- May it never be that we come to know by the hard way)
49. PROSE IN HONOR OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. Taken from the Cluny Missal of 1523.)
🌹“Hail, thou glory of da world; hail, Virgin Mother hail, most merciful Mary!
🌹Hail, full of grace; hail, Queen of the Angels; hail, most glorious Mary!
🌹Hail, Virgin of Virgins ; hail, protectress of men; hail, most powerful Mary!
🌹Hail, Mother of the Lord; hail, parent of the Most High; hail, most prudent Mary!
🌹Hail, Mother of glory; hail, Mother of mercy ; hail, most blessed Mary!
🌹Hail, source of pardon; hail, fount of pity; hail, most clement Mary
🌹Hail, Mother of light; hail, honor of the firmament; hail, gate of heaven; hail, most gentle Mary!
🌹Hail, fair lily; hail, precious fragrance; hail; sweet incense; hail, most resplendent Mary!
🌹Hail, O meek; hail, O sweet; hail, O merciful; hail, O joyous; hail, O most beautiful Mary!
🌹Hail, gate of heaven; hail, branch prophetic; hail, flaming bush; hail, mystic fleece; hail, most happy Mary!
🌹Hail, beautiful pearl of heaven; hail, fruitful abode of Christ; hail, most comely Mary!
🌹Hail, branch of Jesse; hail, mystic ladder that reaches to heaven; hail, most noble Mary!
🌹Hail, daughter of a kingly race; hail, Mother of a Son who is God ; hail, full of joy at the birth of this Son; hail, most unrivalled Mary
🌹Hail, peerless Virgin; hail, lovely source of our happiness ; hail, wonderful in thy graces; hail, most admirable Lady!
🌹Hail, spotless Dove, pure in thy chastity, yet fruitful in charity; hail, immaculate Mary!
🌹Hail, empress of the world; hail, mediatrix of men; hail, Protectress of the world; all, joy of our hearts! Amen.”
(MC=My Comments-It was so exciting to discover this, so here now able to render my tribute to our Lady of Guadalupe with “Hails”. My favorite hails are a Trinity plus one, must have our lagniappe! What’s ur favorite ”Hail”?
🌹Hail, gate of heaven; hail, branch prophetic; hail, flaming bush; hail, mystic fleece; hail, most happy Mary!
🌹Hail, branch of Jesse; hail, mystic ladder that reaches to heaven; hail, most noble Mary!
🌹Hail, daughter of a kingly race; hail, Mother of a Son who is God ; hail, full of joy at the birth of this Son; hail, most unrivalled Mary!
🌹Hail, peerless Virgin; hail, lovely source of our happiness ; hail, wonderful in thy graces; hail, most admirable Lady!
Our Lady appeared in 1531, but in the 1870’s, the Feast day on December 12th was celebrating THE FIFTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. It was Pope Pius XII who declared Blessed Mary, under the title of “Our Lady of Guadalupe,” as the Patroness of the Americas, and on March 25, 1999, the Congregation for Divine Worship raised this feast day to the rank of “feast” for all the countries of the Americas. Claudia said Dec. 8th and Dec. 12th, were her most happiest feast days to celebrate, her soul is most joyous and it’s such a festive aura that encapsulates her. Well. My favorite everything is “Easter”, oh yes indeed, that Resurrection Power is “da bomb”. So with old school school celebrating the Immaculate Conception as an octave, we get to have it all “specialized”. Luv finding out and celebrating the Immaculate Conception as an Octave, because that is my favorite title of our Blessed Mother. Have the most medals on my person of the Immaculate Conception)
48. Advent Prayer found in the Liturgical book by Dom Prosper Guéranger: ”When thou art come, 0 Messias! men will be no more as sheep going astray without a shepherd; there will be but one fold, in which thou wilt reign by love and justice, for all power will be given unto thee in heaven and on earth. When, in the hour of thy Passion, thy enemies shall ask thee: Art thou King ? thou wilt answer them in all truth: Verily, I am. Come, dearest King, and reign over our hearts; come, and reign over this world, which is thine because thou didst create it, and will soon be thine because thou wilt have redeemed it. Reign, then, over this world, and delay not the manifestation of thy royal power until the day of which it is written: he will break Kings in the day of his wrath, reign from this very hour, and let all people fall at thy feet and adore thee in one grand homage of love and obedience.”
(MC=My Comments- What a beautiful Advent prayer, and my response is: Yes, my heart is open, come in O Messias, and reign supreme, for who is liken to thee. May thou cleanse me and make me whole, for thyself and thyself alone. For the casting out of “me”, “myself”, and “I”, is the first step to clear the way for thy reign)
47. Maike Hickson “Does this mean in ur opinion, dat every country, without exception, will B overcome by Communism?”, asked American historian & book author, William Thomas Walsh. And Sister Lucia answered: “Yes.” As da translator of this interview, Fr. Manuel Rocha, was later 2 reveal, Walsh then asked explicitly about da United States of America, adding: “& does dat mean da United States of America 2?
”Whereupon Sr. Lucia responded once mo time wit“ yes.” Dat is 2 say, da seer of da apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, which have been approved by da Catholic Church, predicted dat da United States, under certain conditions, would also become Communist. This answer might have sounded somewhat unrealistic in 1946, just after da end of da 2nd World War & da beginning of da Cold War”
(MC=my comments)=Hoping da priority is praying 4 our country & conversions of “we Da people”. Of course those walking around wit their eyes wide shut can’t see, taste, touch, & smell dat communism in our midst. Lord have mercy, but in da end Team Jesus wins.
46. Dr. Tom Neal “Whether it’s saying yes without proper deliberation 2 every opportunity R whim dat presents itself; or evading da drudgery of daily duty by rationalizing pleasurable distractions; or ignoring ur responsibility 2 da people in ur immediate sphere of influence who need U most; R being lazy; R getting caught up in da hysteria of various world-saving crusades dat make U feel important &help U ignore ur real problems; R remaining perpetually indecisive while canonizing it as “being open 2God’s will” — our common Enemy rejoices whenever we fail 2do da few things we’re actually called by God 2 do. He fears nothing, save God’s will”
(MC=my comments)= May graces b always given us & we respond 2 them for God’s glory and our good. @ da end of da day if we have allowed ourselves 2 b robbed of our treasures that can be ours in da life 2 come, 4 such foolishness here, how sad dat will b. Sadder it B dat God Himself, will also b robbed of some of His glory dat would have been His had we carried out His perfect will. We all do kno very will, dat da enemy comes 2 rob, kill, steal, & destroy, & how easily we cave sometimes. Dear God, bless us all to hear Ur call & respond with our whole heart, mind, & soul 4 da luv of thee)
45. Cornelius Á Lapide: “Open unto us, O Lord Jesus, da arcana of truth, & of Thine own tru love, Thou dat hast da key of David, who openest & no man shutteth, & shuttest & no man openeth, dat we may kno it clearly, & when we kno it, may love & cherish it, & lovin it, may indeed fulfil it, 4 Thou art our Love, Thou our Desire our Life, & our Blessedness. Amen.”
(MC=My Comments-
👓Yes, dat we may kno clearly.
👓After we kno dat we kno clearly, then may there B an explosion 2 luv & cherish dearly.
👓Then upon arriving @ dat milestone of knowin, lovin, & cherishing, is dat enough, no, no not nearly.
👓4our Love, our Desire, our Life, & our Blessedness, all must lead 2 fulfilling, ever joyfully & never, never wearily.
44. Msgr. Ronald Knox: “When Julius Caesar wished 2 cross from Durazzo 2 Brindisi in a lil boat, & da master of it wanted 2 turn back, cause da wind had risen & he was in danger of shipwreck. Caesar rebuked him 4 his cowardice in noble words dat have come down 2 us: ‘Take courage, my friend, take courage, & fear nothing; Caesar is ur passenger, & Caesar’s fortunes R ur freight.’ Wit greater, & wit better grounded confidence, da Church of God, which is Peter’s boat, has breasted da waves all thru her troubled history. It’s not upon da captain’s judgment R da pilot’s experience, not upon human wisdom R human prudence, dat she depends 4 her safe voyage: she rests secure in da presence of her inviolable passenger”
(MC=My Comments- This is certainly applicable 2 many situations facing us in sum form R fashion today. God is our Father, Jesus is wit us always in da boar of life, & da Holy Spirit powerfully leads, so indeed it’s 2 take courage & fear nothing. 4 we have good reason 2 live by faith & not by site. Jesus, I trust in U. When this is lived & taken 2 hart, we shall not want R be moved. By da hands of God alone will there b any redemptive suffering, otherwise no evil will befall us because God “delivers”, dat we can take 2 da bank. He is exactly who He says He is, & those who R His, shall not want. Capiche? Time 2 stand tall on da promises & not sit bowed down on da premises)
43. St. John of Avila: “When they were created, Adam & Eve spoke only 1 language dat lasted in da world until human pride was punished. Then, instead of 1 language by which all could understand one another, there came about a host of languages through which people could not understand one another. We learn from this dat until they rose up against their Creator & broke His commandment wit impudent pride, our 1st parents spoke only 1 spiritual language in their souls. Because of this, they had perfect concord wit 1 another, within themselves, & wit God. In da quiet state of innocence, their passions obeying reason & reason obeying God. They were @ peace wit God, within themselves, & wit each other. But when, thru foolhardy disobedience, they rose up against da Lord of da heavens, were punished, & we in them. Instead of 1 excellent language by which they could understand each other exceedingly well, there sprung up innumerable very evil languages, full of such confusion & darkness dat people could not agree wit 1 another. Nor could 1 man b in harmony within himself, & even less wit God. Da languages have no order among them, 4 they R disorder itself. In order 2 speak of them, we may reduce them 2 da order & # of 3: the languages of da world, of da flesh, & of devil. St.Bernard says, da function of da 1st is 2speak of vain things, da 2nd 2speak of pleasures, & da 3rd to speak of evil &bitter things.”
(MC=My Comments-Reading this was my gift from Hurricane Zeta. Had it not been 4 lights out, would not have pulled out an old iPad for reading. Wanted it 2 b da 1st needing a charge in case da electricity took days b4 coming back on. Without a WiFi connectuon, couldn't surf da web 4 other spiritual materials, so it was convenience to pull up some ebooks purchased years ago. Read some good things but this was shouting out: “choose me 2B da text mess”. This really helped me 2C why we often can’t dialog & reasonably discuss, rather than debate & argue, because da language 4 perfect concord & obeying reason is lacking. As a result we can’t understand each other, Lord have mercy. May we put effort in and pray to be united in spirit and on one accord with others. At times agreeing to disagree is praise worthy.
42. St. Maxillian Kolbe: “Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for those who do not have recourse to you, especially for the enemies of the Holy Church and all those recommended 2U”
(MC=For years praying: 4those who do not have recourse 2thee, now it’s truly time to add the last part. For how else can conversions and repentance occur if not by prayer)
41. St. Francis De Sales: “Do not enter in2 any compromise wit a love which is contrary 2da luv of God. Do not untie da knots, but break R cut them so dat da cords & strings may b rendered useless”
(MC=My Comments- Frienships, relationships, familial or otherwise is a good thing, a very good thing, but what a fool is da 1 who will let anything, everything, anybody, or everybody interfere wit da pursuing of da spiritual life in most excellent way. Take a look at Scripture if u will:
📖Matthew 10:37 “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me”
Well, everybody plays da fool sometimes, but please, let for us it not B all of da time!
40. Excerpt From “The Bishop of da Abandoned Tabernacle”, by St. Manuel González García: “In da Gospel, Jesus said, many times, “rise” & “walk” but “follow me” very few times, because they R words of intimacy. 2 souls who yearn 4 dat sweet & mysterious intimacy. Da words “Follow me” said 2 a soul by Jesus, who knows & means all dat he says, is equivalent 2 this: “I know ur past very well, ur present & ur future. I trust in ur love, feel comfortable near U & in ur company. I need u so much 4 my glory, & U need me 4 ur joy. I don’t want 2 live without U. I don’t only tell U 2 walk but 2 B wit me @ every moment of da day & night. Dat is why da Master used 2 say these words 2 those he chose 4 da sweetest role of becoming his intimate friends”
(MC=my comments)= What is da point of comin 2 Him if we’re not going 2 follow? Lord Jesus, da Good Shepherd, Grace us to luv mo, then we will not have a problem following wherever u May lead. There will be mountain top experiences, but let us persevere when da travels R thru da valleys.
39. Georges Chevrot: “We have all left our father’s house in da person of Adam, da 1st sinner. Da prodigal son’s sin began da day he stopped lovin his father above everything & lovin mo himself. His selfishness gained da upper hand over da luv he had had. This substance, this property which da sinful Christian squanders is his share in da inheritance of Heaven. Eternal life, which he had from God & which is something of God himself. A sinful Christian is merely a branch broken off from da trunk. He receives no mo sap, is deprived of life, withers & will soon B a stick of dead wood fit only 4 da fire. Nothing is left 2 him of da reserves he had stored up thru his prayers, efforts, faith, & zeal. He has ruined himself. He wants 2 B his own master, his only master, & straight away loses mastery over himself. He was aiming 2 gain his freedom, but in reality he has cast it away”
(MC=my comments)=Luv da writing style of this author, the book’s title is: “The Prodigal Son”. U can C clearly how it’s not my sister, R my brother, but it’s me O Lord, standing in da need of prayer, as da song goes. Wit da Holy Spirit’s help it’s 2 look within & C how we are being or have been prodigal in the sight of da Lord)
38. Text mess a short video about eagles:
https://pinger-prod-communications.s3.amazonaws.com/communications/103222298/2020/5f6f77e69cf1f6.78130780.mp4
(MC=My Comments-Perfect start 4 a new day in providing a bit of healing balm 4 what is raw. It demonstrates da reason & rhyme regarding da painful situations dat R allowed in life. In healing da wounds occurring in everyday life, lessons must be mastered. 4 me it’s 2B mo discerning, & 2B careful & cautious,will B a most valuable action. Knowing dat smoke in all likelihood indicates fire, & dat when u play wit fire u get burned, it’s so worth it 2B “eagle like” & undertake difficult tasks, endure, & persevere. 4 those walking wit God will b blest & renew their strength, & will soar on eagles‘ wings.📖Psalms 24:4-5 “The clean of hand and pure of heart, “The clean of hand and pure of heart, who has not given his soul to useless things, what is vain. He will receive blessings from the LORD, and justice from his saving God”
📖Isaiah 40:31”They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength,they will soar on eagles’ wings;They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint”
37. The Aleteia site: Da Church celebrates saints’ feast days & da date generally marks da day da saint entered in2 eternity. Nevertheless da Church does celebrate 3 nativities in da liturgy: Jesus’ birth (Dec, 25); Mary’s birth (Sept. 8); & John da Baptist’s birth (June 24). Some notable exceptions: feast of St. John Paul II, celebrated each Oct. 22, da anniversary of his election as pope; da feast of Sts. Zelie & Louis Martin, celebrated on their wedding anniversary; or St. John Henry Newman, celebrated on da date he was received in2 da Catholic Church. Da birth of Jesus is obviously a central feast complemented by da one 9mo earlier, da Annunciation on March 25, when we celebrate da moment da Incarnation happened, when Jesus was conceived in Blessed Mary’s womb. Our Lady’s birthday is also a treasure & just as Christmas is linked 2 da feast 9 months prior, so da Sept. 8 celebration points 9mo back, to Dec. 8 when we celebrate her conception. She is da Immaculate Conception. Da birthday of John da Baptist also is rich in symbolism, we C da relationship of John’s birthday 6 mo B4 da Christmas vigil because Gabriel told Blessed Mary her kinswoman was in her 6th mo of pregnancy.”
(MC=My Comments- Yes a rhyme and a reason for what and why we as a church celebrate, Praise the Lord)
36. St. John Chrysostom: "A friend is more 2 B longed 4 than da light; I speak of a genuine 1. And wonder not: 4 it were better 4 us dat da sun should b extinguished, than dat we should b deprived of friends; better 2 live in darkness, than 2 b without friends."
(MC=My Comments- We may in our life time not b granted da special gift from on high of a friend that is tried & true, a friendship like expressed in this Scripture: 2Samuel 1:26 “I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother! Most dear have you been to me; More wondrous your love to me than the love of women”. No need 2 feel left out, cause now tell me, what a friend we have in Jesus. We all get da gold, so let us rejoice & b glad, Heaven is on the horizon)
35. Mark Twain “It ain't those parts of da Bible dat I can't understand dat bother me, it is da parts dat I do understand”
MC=my comments) R u on da same page wit Mr. Twain or is it time 4 a reality check up? Lord Hep us 2 C da necessity 4 spiritual growth 2 keep moving up da ladder, & not camping out on shaky grounds. Thank u Jesus 4 da spiritual growth graces dat u pour our upon ur people, what a beautiful witness they R in inspiring others in their own unique and ever so beautiful way.
34. St. Philip Neri: “He who wishes 4anything but Christ, doesn’t know what he wishes; he who asks 4 anything but Christ, doesn’t know what he is asking; he who works, & not 4 Christ, doesn’t know what he is doing."(MC=my comments)Luv St. Phillip Neri, & how tru it is dat we could be asking 4 something dat could contribute 2 our downfall & not even kno it. Asking 4 Jesus, in Him we find no lack, we gain everything, da small & da great alike)
33. Franciscan Media: “Da feast Queenship of Blessed Mary is a logical follow-up to the Assumption, & is now celebrated on da octave day of dat feast. In his 1954 encyclical To the Queen of Heaven, Pius XII points out dat Mary deserves da title because she is Mother of God, because she is closely associated as da New Eve wit Jesus’ redemptive work, because of her preeminent perfection, & because of her intercessory power. Her queenship is a share in Jesus’ kingship. We can also recall in da Old Testament da mother of da king has great influence in court. In da 4th century St.Ephrem called Mary “Lady” & “Queen”, Church fathers & doctors continued 2 use da title. Hymns of the 11th to 13th centuries address Mary as queen: “Hail, Holy Queen,” “Hail, Queen of Heaven,” “Queen of Heaven.” The Dominican rosary & da Franciscan crown as well as numerous invocations in Mary’s litany celebrate her queenship”
(MC=My Comments- Are not queens important & don’t they have a significant role to play in the King’s kingdom? What great advantages R ours, because da Queen of heaven & earth is our heavenly mother. Her intercession reaches da King 4 us day in & day out, 4dat let us rejoice & b glad)
32. St. John of Avila: Christians must tune out da cacophony of diverse languages dat can drown out da voice of God. Da host of evil languages can b reduced to 3:
🗣Da world, which is all lies &causes 1 who listens 2 turn from da truth;
🗣da flesh, which speaks enticingly of pleasures & adopts an accusatory tone 2 torment da guilty sinner;
🗣& dat of da devil, whose words R always of evil & bitter things, whose malicious cunning exalts his listeners 2 da heights of pride R cast them in2 da abyss of despair”,
(MC=My Comments- 🌍Da World: Pay attention dat we do not get sucked in by da all da lies of da world which abounds, just keep da focus on TV & certain publications & see where da end of dat leads.
🚻Da Flesh: Kno without a doubt, when we’re deciding 2do our own thing, not wanting 2 do what is rite R just, it’s like a pleasurable flesh fest. Enjoy & see da ending of dat. ♨️Da Devil: With darkness engaging in chit-chat Dialoging about this & dat. Don’t let it be a surprise cause B4 long, lightening fast pride will rise.In silence the voice & language of God will be recognizable.
31. Delores Vita: “Face-to-face wit some gut-wrenching scenes R not easily forgotten. Da city of Chalco Mexico, in this community of 3 million people, we saw scenes of stark poverty, raw sewage, &human suffering. Sad-eyed children &mothers bent wit resignation could be seen everywhere. Most of us would look @this poverty & say, da problems are so extensive what can we do? But Fr. Al Schwartz looked @ this poverty & said we must begin”
(MC=My Comments- Da discovery of Venerable Msgr. Al Schwartz, up 4 sainthood, was such a magnificent find. Extremely inspiring, as da above quote comes from da book being read about him entitled: “My Brother’s Witness: Aloysius Schwartz”, by Delores Vita. In this day & age we need courage, & lot’s of it, so praying 4 da gift of fortitude should be a priority, making it a top on our list. It takes courage to proceed with Fr. Al’s attitude in our day 2 day living. It’s one dat should prevail in our going & coming, all life long)
30. St. Andre Bessette: “When you say the Our Father, God’s ear is next to your lips”
(MC=My Comments- Well, blessed be God. Heard this somewhere, but didn’t kno who said it. Immediately upon hearing it, it confirmed how & why da Holy Spirit have me not rattling when praying. This concept 1st came in a concrete way 2 slo me down, it was 2 imagine da Blessed Mother being right in front of me when praying da Hail Mary. When this is practiced, u really can’t pray in no other way than speaking 2 her right in front of U. Otherwise, if dat is not imagined, da tendency is there 2 fall back in2 rattling. It’s mo ingrained now 2 pray from da heart. St. Andre’s personal insight is helpful in providing da incentive 2pray as we should & not b about insulting God. It’s spiritually empowering 2 live da words of prayers & mean them. It’s now 2 imagine da Father’s ears 2 our lips along wit da Blessed Virgin being before us. 2 listen 2 our Hail Marys. Are they not attentive 2 what we say when we truly pray?)
29. Vincent Van Gogh: “Christ lived serenely, as an artist greater than all other artists, scorning marble and clay and paint, working in the living flesh."
(MC=My Comments- Dare we interfere wit His vision? Each and every circumstance in life is a chiseling moment, a reshaping of da clay, & an added dash of color. Yes, Christ is creating of us a Masterpiece 4 da Father, by the power of da Holy Spirit, without spot, stain, or wrinkle. Will we end up top of line, flawed, or rejected? Decide & act accordingly)
28. Benjamin Franklin: “Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, Creator of the Universe. That he governs the World by his Providence. That he ought to be worshiped. That the most acceptable Service we can render him, is doing good to his other Children. That the Soul of Man is immortal, and will be treated with Justice in another life, respecting its Conduct in this. These I take to be fundamental Principles of all sound Religion, and I regard them as you do, in whatever Sect I meet them.”
(MC=My Comments- 2 dat One thing alone can b said: “AMEN”!! As we move from talk 2 action, let it B unequivocally so. How many people in elected offices think feel dat same way? Let our sincere prayers rise like smoke b4 da throne of God as we seek help from da Lord)
27. St. Claude De Columbiere: “My God, I am so intimately convinced that thou dost watch over all those who hope in thee, & dat we can want 4 nothing while we expect all from thee, dat I am resolved 2 live without anxiety in da future, casting all my care on thee.
📖 Ps 4:8 “In peace I will sleep & I will rest 4 thou hast wonderfully established me in hope”.
Men may turn against me; sickness may take away my strength & da means of serving thee; I may even lose thy grace by sin, but I will never lose my hope. I will keep it even 2 da last moment of my life, & all da demons in hell shall try in vain 2 tear it from me. In peace I will sleep and I will rest. Others may look 4 happiness from their riches or their talents; they may rely upon da innocence of their lives, da rigor of their penance, da # of their good works, R da fervor of their prayers; but 4 me, O Lord, my confidence shall b my confidence itself. 4 thou hast wonderfully established me in hope. This confidence has never deceived any 1. No 1 hath hoped in da Lord and been put 2 shame. I am sure dat I shall b eternally happy, because I hope firmly 2 B so, & it’s from thee, O Lord, that I hope it. In thee, O Lord, have I hoped; I shall not be confounded for ever. I know that I am frail and changeable; I know the power of temptation against the most firmly based virtues: I have seen the stars of heaven & da pillars of da firmament fall; but not even this can make me fear. As long as I hope, I am safe from every evil, & I am sure of always hoping because I hope 4 this unchanging hope. For thou, O Lord, hast wonderfully established me in hope”
(MC=My Comments-All of dat 2 say that we have 2 keep hope alive & never to give up or get disgusted with situations or people. It’s to trust God and: Hold fast, Hold on, & Hold out.
26. Victor Hugo “Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.”
(MC=My Comments- And stepping up 2 da plate 2 top dat, is da joy of da Lord which produces an everlasting springtime. Yes, go 4 da gold, drive out winter & enjoy an everlasting springtime! Very noticeable 2me is how friendly, smiley, & happy people look in non Catholic Churches & in our church the looks on some people’s faces R quite da opposite)
25. Stephen Beale: “Plagues have a way of stripping away what is superfluous, revealing naked truth. In da biblical account of da plagues dat decimated Egypt, da plagues exposed da civilization’s false gods & their utter impotence in da face of da 1 tru God (see Exodus 7 thru11). Dat might not b obvious on da surface, like da clash between pharaoh & Moses, who has God on his side. Da clue is in da plagues themselves. Bloody water, boils, hail, and locusts, among others, may seem like perfect things 2 inflict as plagues, but biblical commentators point out they have 1 other thing in common: many of them are used in depictions of da Egyptian gods. 4 example, a frog was how Heket, da god of fertility appeared in ancient Egyptian art. Frogs were viewed as sacred objects. In making frogs appear, God was demonstrating His superiority 2 this false God. Da elimination of da plague of da frogs, God affirmed His supremacy: ultimately it was He who was da source of life, not da Egyptian fertility god”
(MC=my comments)=What ever God is showing us, we need to understsmd our lessons. Just like faith is da evidence of da unseen, we need 2 look beneath da surface & pray according to be able to respond accordingly)
24. Bishop Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet “Da Blessed Virgin was set apart, & in her separation she possesses something in common wit all men & something all her own. 2understand this, we must realize we have been set apart from da rest of men & women because we belong 2 Jesus & have an alliance wit him. But Jesus made 2 alliances wit da Blessed Virgin: 1 as Savior & another as Son. Da alliance wit Jesus as Savior means she must b set apart like da other faithful; da special alliance wit Jesus as her Son means dat she must b set apart in an extraordinary fashion…. If da other faithful are delivered from evil, she must b preserved from it. & how? By a special communication of da privileges of her Son. He is exempt from sin, & Blessed Mary must also b exempt…. How shall we distinguish her from him, if they R both exempt from sin? Jesus was by nature, Mary by grace; Jesus by right, & Blessed Mary by privilege & indulgence. See her thus set apart: He who is mighty has done great things 4me”
(MC=My Comments-Can’t a blind man now C da exaltation of Our Blessed Mother was not of her or our own doing, but something thru, in, wit, & by God as a necessity. 2 come against truth is 2 come against God, knowingly or unknowingly. Happy Feast day of The Immaculate Heart of Blessed Mary
23. Book: The Crown of Sanctity: On the Revelations of Jesus to Luisa Piccarreta: “My daughter, I am not concerned about da cities, da great things of the earth—I am concerned about souls. The cities, da churches and other things, after they have been destroyed, can be rebuilt. Didn’t I destroy everything in da Deluge? And wasn’t everything redone again? But if souls are lost, it is forever—there is no 1 who can give them back 2 Me”
(MC=My Comments-Da mo things change da mo they remain they same, will we ever learn? Thank God a remnant will exist, what a shame there will not be mo)
22. St. Cyril of Jerusalem, 4th century”In approaching there4,come not wit ur wrists extended, R ur fingers spread; but make ur Lt hand a throne 4 da Rt, as 4 dat which is 2receive a King. & having hollowed ur palm, receive da Body of Christ, sayin over it, Amen. So then after having carefully hallowed ur eyes by da touch of da Holy Body, partake of it; giving heed lest U lose any portion thereof; 4 whatever U lose, is evidently a loss 2 U as it were from 1 of ur own members. 4 tell me, if any 1 gave U grains of gold, would zu not hold them wit all carefulness, being on ur guard against losing any of them, & suffering loss? Will U not then much mo carefully keep watch, dat not a crumb fall from U of what is mo precious than gold & precious stones? Then after U have partaken of da Body of Christ, draw near also 2 da Cup of His Blood; not stretching 4th ur hands, but bending, & saying wit an air of worship & reverence, Amen, hallow urself by partaking also of da Blood of Christ.& while da moisture is still upon ur lips, touch it wit ur hands, & hallow ur eyes & brow & da other organs of sense. Then wait 4 Da prayer, & give thanks un2 God, who has accounted u worthy of so great mysteries”
(MC=My Comments- Discovered this many years ago one Advent season. It was exciting to learn about making a throne wit da hands 4 Jesus at thr time of receiving Holy Eucharist. At dat time did not pay attention 2 da time period dat da Eucharistic cup was being offered, amazing to see it was da 4th century. Now it can’t be said that this is a Vatican II thing, a thinking error by some. Thank you God for da Precious Blood of Jesus, as we eat & drink as we have been asked to do)
21. Zbigniew Brezinski quote from 1970
“The technetronic era involves da gradual appearance of a mo controlled society. Such a society would b dominated by an elite, unrestrained by traditional values. Soon it will b possible 2 assert almost continuous surveillance over every citizen & maintain up-2-date complete files containing even da most personal info about da citizen. These files will b subject 2 instantaneous retrieval by da authorities."
(MC=My Comments- My response will b scriptural:”
📖Amos 3:1-8 “Hear this word, Israelites, that the LORD speaks concerning you, concerning the whole family I brought up from the land of Egypt: You alone I have known, among all the families of the earth; Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.Do two journey together unless they have agreed? Does a lion roar in the forest when it has no prey? Does a young lion cry out from its den unless it has seized something? Does a bird swoop down on a trap on the ground when there is no lure for it? Does a snare spring up from the ground without catching anything? Does the ram’s horn sound in a city without the people becoming frightened? Does disaster befall a city unless the LORD has caused it. Indeed, the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets. The lion has roared,who would not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken, who would not prophesy?”
20. Servant of God,Archbishop Luis M. Martinez“ Like da traveler pitching his tent in da desert, da Holy Spirit takes possession of souls as their most sweet Guest. But unlike da traveler, who folds his tent as morning breaks, da eternal Guest stays on. Da tent He pitches on da soil of our barrenness is something divine — a sketch, a reflection, of our heavenly home. In it dwell grace dat divinizes da soul, divine charity, da supernatural image of da Spirit who pours Himself in2 our hearts, & all da virtues & gifts. These R da conditions of His indwelling, so dat He may begin His work of sanctification & direct us wit da strong, gentle influence of luv.His ideal is 2 reproduce Jesus in us, thru Jesus, & wit Jesus, 2 take us 2da bosom of da Trinity & glorify da Father wit da supreme glorification of Jesus. Under da influence of da Holy Spirit, souls R purified, illuminated, & enkindled until they R transformed in2 Jesus, who is da ultimate ideal of God’s luv & of da aspirations of da soul, da glorious summit of da mystical ascent where we find peace &happiness — where we find God.”
(MC=My Comments- Figuring that there’s da need for us 2C a part of what da plan is, then it is 2 buy in, & finally it is to give our consent to the Holy Spirit so that He can have His own way with us. At that point, sparks will fly and transformation will be the name of the game)
19. Msgr. Nalty “It’s really almost impossible 2 realize just how much God loves us. We can get “theological” about it by lookin @ da Sacrifice of Christ on da Cross. Or we can get “material” about it by lookin @ our earthly blessings. Or we can get “emotional” about it by experiencing God’s love in our families & friends. When I recently read da passage:
📖1 Peter 2:9 But you are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises” of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light”
I didn’t think of it in “theological” way. I thought: Here’s St. Peter writing 2 his friends & saying “do U even realize how much God loves U? Look what He did 2 help U understand dat!” Basically, St. Peter is being “real” in lookin @ da luv of God in da person of Jesus. He saw 1st hand how Christ suffered &died; he saw da Resurrected Christ; he was a witness 2da Ascension; & he was present at Pentecost. We’re in da midst of these celebrations during da Easter Season, & this week has been a week of seeing God’s love working 1st hand. So, let me just ask U 1 thing: “Do u even realize how much God luvs U?! He does! He has “called U out of darkness in2 His wonderful light.”
(MC=My Comments-Luv this about getting theological, ”material”, & emotional about God’s luv, & 4me all 3aspects can b exclusive to Jesus.Never knew a day would come when after Holy Eucharist would be crying almost uncontrollably with a runny nose at the thought of this being my last Holy Eucharist for a while. Well thanks be to God, Da next day found out about a Holy Mass & so far have never skipped a beat in my 6 day routine for years. 1 day is da “stay @ home all day” experience. The material is dat can see the luv in the great blessing da Lord have blessed me with, as 2 not interrupt da experience of Him, Body, Blood, Soul, & Divinity. Can it get any better? And theologically, with all this increased intense prayer time He is calling for from me lastly, it’s definitely becoming a solid reality how much He suffered. Take a look at this pic that brought a new perspective. Led to always kneel in front of the Blessed Sacrament, & @ Fatima crawling that long distance on my knees like pilgrims do towards the basilica, know first hand about painful knees. So God have mo than proved His love 4 me a sinner, giving me Himself is the greatest proof ever)
18. Fr. Philip Dion: “In the final analysis, da responsibility 4 motivation rests squarely on da shoulders of each individual. Only we ourselves can penetrate our own will & motivate it to act. Motives can b pointed out 2 us, but unless our own intellect assimilates them & presents da goal 2 our own will as a desirable good 4 us, it will all b “sounding brass & tinkling cymbals.”
MC=My Comments- Ok, chewing & not digesting results in zero assimilation. No wonder truth is Greek a times. Lord help us 2 take a stand & learn our faith well & practice it so dat up against error we’ll kno how 2respond accordingly)
17. St. Catherine Laboure: "Whenever I go to the chapel, I put myself in da presence of our good Lord, & I say to Him, 'Lord, here I am. Tell me what U would have me do.' If He gives me some task, I am content & I thank Him. If He gives me nothing, I still thank Him since I do not deserve 2 receive anything mo than that. & then, I tell God everything dat is in my heart. I tell Him about my pains & my joys, & then I listen. If u listen, God will also speak 2u, 4 wit da good Lord, u have 2 both speak & listen. God always speaks 2 u when u approach Him plainly & simply."
(MC=my comments- Notice da ABC formula, 1st things 1st= God, what is it dat u want? Then comes da spilling of 1’s heart, & finally it’s to stop talking & listen, da most important step of all. Get God right & follow His lead, & what follows will b peace & da taste of victory)
16. Sr. M. Regina van den berg: “Dietrich Von Hildebrand asked: what is da ”thema Christi”? The ”thema Christi”— is, da particular task 2 which God calls a person @ this particular moment—is da best way of glorifying, & da surest way 2 holiness. 4 a woman whose children R crying 4her luv & presence, da ”thema Christi” is 2 attend 2 her children. What good would it do Da woman 2 give a brilliant lecture while ignoring da tears of her children? This “holy flexibility”—da fruit of lovingly embracing da cross—was a blessed art dat Edith mastered & which reveals da golden thread dat led her 2 Auschwitz”
(MC=my comments-Another example how it’s not about doing our thing, good or bad, but doing what God is calling 4 @ da moment. Nothing else counts, it’s 4 us 2 “get it” datwe must b about da Father’s business. Discernment is not just a plus, but it’s a must in living rightly da spiritual life)
15. Book: ”The School of Jesus Crucified:The Lessons of Calvary”: “Draw nigh 2 Jesus & reverently ask Him what R those wounds in His hands & feet, &He will answer dat they R da work of ur sins & da pledges of His love. He will tell u dat, 2 cancel ur sinful deeds, He has allowed His most sacred hands 2B pierced thru wit nails. Read then in these wounds da history of ur sinfulness, & detest it, read in them da history of His love, & B grateful. Dat U may frequently call 2 mind da wounds of Jesus Christ, imitate da example of da venerable
Alphonsus of Orosco, an Augustinian monk, who was accustomed, whenever he heard da clock strike, 2 remember da blows of da hammer nailing down da feet & hands of Jesus.
(MC=my comments-See what real “committed 2 Christ” Christians focus on, not da negative or on “self”, but on Christ & what pertains 2 Him. A lesson 4 me, thank u Jesus. This statement by St. John Henry Newman is making an impact on me & is an answer to the text mess above : “None Was Equal to the Weight but God”. My Lord, how terrible is sin!)
14. Catholicism Pure & Simple: Da Palm Sunday liturgy begins wit a re-enactment of da triumphal entry of Jesus in2 Jerusalem, everyone processes in 2 church carrying blessed palm or olive branches, singing joyful songs in praise of da Lord who saves us. Da joy & triumph will change 2 another focus as we move in2 church & begin 2 hear da readings about da Suffering Servant of God & da recounting of da betrayal, passion &death of da Lord . Da festive mood @ da beginning of Palm Sunday Mass turns 2 a serious & even somber note rather quickly. Holy Week has begun & we must b attentive 2 all dat is being offered 2 us 4 our reflection, prayer & spiritual benefit. Da blessed branches received & carried @ da beginning of da celebration R reminders dat we R committed 2 following Christ, even un2 death. Striving 2 b faithful 2 da Lord, we embrace da Gospel of Jesus Christ without giving up, even when we R discouraged, betrayed, mocked,R put 2 death, just as Christ was.Hearing da words of Scripture regarding da life, death &ultimately da resurrection of Christ, isn't something from da remote past wit little relevance 4 da present. Rather, all dat we celebrate throughout Holy Week is a clear reminder dat God is wit us now, working on our behalf & dat da power of da resurrection of Christ has a daily & real effect in our lives. We are 2 B convinced dat da working of da Holy Spirit in us &wit us is an undying source of grace & now & always. We R called 2 acclaim da Lord not merely wit our lips or just on certain days of da year, but wit our lives, each & every day.Blessed Charles de Foucauld, put it in terms of, “proclaiming da Gospel wit ur life.” How we live should b different from da way some1 who does not believe would live. St. Benedict tells his monks,“ur way of acting should b different from da world’s ways, meaning every follower of Christ is in need of evaluating da use of time, talents, words, thoughts & deeds. We not only evaluate,but also change what needs 2 B changed, in order 2 reflect & live out a Christian commitment here & now. This is no easy task & we may fail regularly in our attempts, but we never give up trying. Our belonging 2 Christ is 2 b a matter of da heart dat encompasses our entire being & time. We need time for work, exercise and relaxation, but all of it is 2 b consecrated 2 God & entrusted to the guidance of da Holy Spirit, so dat we may b people on fire 4God & 4 da Kingdom of God present & yet 2 come. Dat we spend time in prayer each day & joyfully participate in the sacraments of the Church, especially da Eucharist as well as Reconciliation. Jesus underwent suffering & death to draw all 2 himself. To be spiritually enriched in this Great and Holy Week this year, we pray for the grace of God to live our daily lives in the light of faith, hope and love, the theological virtues, seeing in Christ the Just One who was condemned, yet at the same time the origin of our strength and all life.May this Holy Week find us renewed in zeal 4 da things of God,4 love of God &neighbor, eager to celebrate next Sunday the Passover of our Lord, da central mystery of our Christian faith, da Resurrection of Christ. We R called 2 die wit Christ so dat we might rise wit him as well. May God illumine & guide our steps 2day & throughout our lives."
(MC=My Comments- Hitting these high points: embrace da Gospel without giving in 2 discouragement. Jesus remains faithful, let us do da same. Lip service allows us to pick & choose, we should be living, not like da world, but changed in a way that provides for living spiritually rich)
13. Fr. Blount: “Peace is joy that resting and Joy is peace that is dancing”
(MC=My Comments- Spending 8 hrs in church wit 2 of those hours being Eucharistic, it is an easy way to experoence peace is joy resting, and joy is peace dancing. All glory and honor to God for His mercy and kindness as prayers blanket the whole world now. Yes, God it is to labor and pray for the world, especially that people do not lose their souls. Everyone one day some way some how will lose their bodies to death, but none, not one have to lose their soul. And may health be restored to all those sicken by the virus)
12.Meepy: “ Be practical, be prayerful, be powerful, be proclaiming Jesus Christ, be perspective, be prepared IN JESUS’ NAME!!!
📖2 Chronicles 7:14 “God’s words says If my people which are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land”
(MC=my comments- Will we follow the recipe:
1.Be Humble
2. Be prayerful
3. Be a seeker of God’s face
4. Be one to turn from evil ways
Then the finished product will be the best ever, a cleansed soul and a healed land. Let’s be part of the solution)
11. Carol Ann Morrow: ”St. Maximillian Kolbe wore da Miraculous Medal & all da knights. It’s was & is an external sign of their consecration 2 Blessed Mary. It serves as a reminder of Kolbe’s own dependence on Blessed Mary. HeR sinless humanity gave him great comfort dat a human being could b raised 2 such heights, led him 2 trust Blessed Mary 2 lead him a sinner, 2 her Son Jesus. Da medal can remind us 2 trust & invoke da prayer given 2 St. Catherine Labouré.{St. Maximillian added da 2nd part after having witnessed virulently anti-papal, pro-Lucifer as well, if U can believe it, demonstrations in da Vatican sponsored by da Freemasons, who he specifically referenced as enemies of da church in this prayer”}
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray 4 us who have recourse 2 U, & 4 all who do not have recourse 2 U, especially da enemies of da Church & those recommended 2 U. Amen.
(MC=my comments- Saint to saint, each one takes the baton and carries on reaching ever greater heights, can’t we do da same? Might we encourage all 2 wear da Miraculous medal, our priests, our children, our friends, etc. If a saint saw dat it was fitting 2 wear 1, who should b exempt? Everyone, each living soul on earth must work out their salvation, no exceptions. How sad it will 4 a job well done, then lose out in da end, it’s about practicing what 1 preaches. Lord lead me on da straight & narrow, fill me wit mo of urself & do wit me what u will.
📖1 Corinthians 9:27 “No, I drive my body & train it, 4 fear dat, after having preached 2 others, I myself should b disqualified”
10. Gary: “Whenever I am involved in the spiritual exercise of the Stations of the Cross, it is a common practice of mine when reaching the sixth station, where Veronica wipes the face of Jesus to speak personally to the Lord. What is asked of Him is this: that He might imprint upon my heart the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love. For His imprinted face was a gift to Veronica, so can he gift me with an imprint on my heart. To ask is to receive.”
(MC=my comments- Amazing how God is speaking & teaching His people as we journey seriously towards da kingdom. He has just inspired me and because da St. Joseph Consecration recently led 2 pray 4 an increase in da Cardinal virtues, especially prudence, wit da other 3 in tow: Fortitude, Temperance, & Justice. Now da lagniappe is 2 add da Cardinal virtues of Faith, Hope, & Love. As da body of Christ interact, we make each other better,so it’s worth it to grow in da faith and share da journey. Each person brings their unique self 2 da table & we have a feast, thanks b 2 God. Praying da 6th station will never be the same again)
9. Don Calloway: “Title “Son of David” is a Messianic title. Jesus is called “Son of David” 17 times in da New Testament. Unlike Jesus, St. Joseph is not da Messiah, but he is da only other person in da New Testament referred 2as da Son of David. St.Joseph is called “Son of David” by da angel of God when he is instructed by da angel not 2 b afraid 2 take Blessed Mary in2 his home (see Mt 1:20). Why does the angel call St. Joseph da “Son of David,” Da reason cause St. Joseph needs 2 b reminded of his royal ancestry @a very crucial moment in salvation history. He had recently discovered his wife was pregnant & about 2 take action by separating himself & he had 2 know what role he had been given by God in da coming of da Messiah,lest he walk away from divine mysteries & his vocational call.He never suspected Mary of any wrongdoing, he knew he was in da presence of a great mystery. Humble & just, he planned 2 separate himself from Mary quietly in order not 2 get in da way. B 4 he could take action, da angel sent 2 remind him of his royal lineage 4 da Savior 2 b a descendant of David”
(MC=My Comments-Beautiful commentary, how it pays 2 study & learn our faith. What we learn we put in2 action & use advantageously 2 grow spiritually. Da meals r prepared, we just need 2 b quiet, sit down & take time 2 eat)
8. Fr.Don Calloway: “ 1 fundamental dimension of all Marian consecration: Be another St. Joseph 4 Blessed Mary. St. Joseph is da most Marian of all saints. His love 4 Blessed Mary is greater than dat of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Louis de Montfort, St. Alphonsus Liguori, St. Maximilian Kolbe, & St. John Paul II combined. There has never been a greater Marian saint than St.Joseph, & there never will be. Long b4 Calvary, when Jesus commanded all of his disciples 2 take Blessed Mary in2 their hearts & homes (Jn 19:26-27), St. Joseph had already taken Blessed Mary in2 his heart & in2 his home. St. Joseph is da model 4 total consecration 2 Blessed Mary”
(MC=My Comments- Having St. Joseph 2 assist us in taking Blessed Mother Mary in2 our hearts, dat’s definitely a 1 up 4 sho)
7. Ven. Fulton J. Sheen: “Love is the key to the mystery. Love by its very nature is not selfish, but generous. It seeks not its own, but the good of others. The measure of love is not the pleasure it gives – that is the way the world judges it – but the joy and peace it can purchase for others.
(MC=My Comments-
💝No, it’s not about the pleasure
💝 That’s not the criteria you can use to rightly measure
💝Thats the world’s way
💝But for God’s holy people that’s not A ok
6. St. Charles Borromeo: “If a tiny spark of God’s love already burns within U, do not expose it 2 da wind, 4 it may get blown out… Stay quiet wit God. Do not spend ur time in useless chatter… Do not give urself 2 others so completely dat u have nothing left 4 urself."
(MC=My Comments- “Nothing left 4 urself?” These days it can thus b added: “nothing much left 4 God!”This quote can surely speak 2 each 1 of us @ different times & in different ways. 2 put off what we should be doing spiritually, is not wise or smart. We’re always called 2 do our part, but it should B clear dat we R not da Savior of da world, da family, R friends, etc. Da 2nd point is dat many times God’s own people spend da big bills on self will, chatter, etc., & give God da left over change, always wit expectations dat He’ll understand. Why can’t WE B da 1’s 2 understand da need 2 prioritize & put God and His will 1st? Do we not believe this scripture:
📖Matthew 6:33 “But seek 1st da kingdom of God & His righteousness, & all these things will b given u besides”.
Especially in His own house, can’t we in silence let him speak 2 our hearts? Luv da saints, they shepherd us very well,da the lost sheep, if we allow them 2 do so. How else will we learn if we do not take da time 2study them? Not hearing very many other voices trying 2 teach us what we should already know or what we should be practicing. Every now & then someone crosses my path & their beautiful example inspires me 2 change & follow a better way. Lord have mercy, may it be da many & not da few who listen & act unto God’s good glory. Da home run isn’t scored from just hearing, but when 1 listens & puts all in2 practice by being a doer of da word, things happen. Inspired 2 pray 4 purity of heart & 2 b mindful of not losing ground by continuing 2 B vigilant, striving 4 excellence & in no way settling & leaning on my own understanding)
generally interest is
5. Jesus to Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta Vol. 7 – Feb.28, 1906: “When da soul masticates these truths & makes them her nourishment then grace communicates itself & takes possession. That’s da reason why not all souls receive these effects, because these truths speed thru their mind like a flash of lightning”
(MC=my comments- So Thankful & glad God is bringing da Divine Will in 2 clearer focus in 2020. There is an appointed time 4 everything & those wit ears will certainty hear. Come Holy Spirit come! Not receiving da effects of truth will always b a reality when we don’t thoroughly study, seriously pray, R take time 2 explore without leaning on our own understanding. Da mo time we give 2 God, Da mo open we’ll be able 2 recognize truth & adhere 2 this scripture:📖 1 Thessalonians 5: 19-21 “Do not quench da Spirit. Do not despise prophetic. Test everything;retain what is good”. Praying dat da soil of ours hearts become richer & richer so this scripture becomes a reality:Mark 4:20 “But those sown on rich soil are da 1’s who hear da word & accept it & bear fruit 30 & 60 and a hundredfold.”
4. Raoul Plus, S.J: "2 Not try 2 live in interior silence is equivalent 2 giving up the effort 2 lead a truly Christian life. Da Christian life is a life of faith, lived in da invisible 4 what is invisible. Any1 who is not in constant contact wit da invisible world runs da risk of remaining always on da threshold of a tru Christian life. ...Solitude is da stronghold of da strong. Strength is an active virtue & our power of keeping silence marks da level of our capacity 4action. Without this interior cell,we would b incapable of doing great things, either 4 ourselves or 4 others.”
(MC=My Comments- luv da old school Jesuits from long ago, they definitely had it going on. Case in point 2day, interior silence b4 Holy Mass @ church 2day, some things unfolded about St. Joseph's upcoming role in my life. If there would not have been silence how could da Holy Spirit have busy in my soul. Quiet people, & be watchful 4 da surprises & da elevated paths made manifest 2 u spiritually. Hanging low wit da chatter flow, then nowhere will u go)
3. St.Angela Merici: "Above all, b on ur guard not 2 want 2 get anything done by force, cause God has given free will & wants 2 force no 1, but only proposes, invites & counsels”
MC=(MC=my comments-= My Comments-Learning who 2 hold-em wit & who 2 fold-em wit. All 4 da greater good & working 2 not lose out on graces R merits, because in da end it’ll b 2 late 2 recapture what we passed on and should not have. Most of all, how sad 2 fail 2cglorify God 2 da highest R persist in offensive behavior)
2. CCCstates:“In human life signs & symbols occupy an important place. As a being @ once body & spirit, a person expresses & perceives spiritual realities thru signs & symbols. As a social being, a person needs signs & symbols 2 communicate wit others, thru language, gestures & actions. Da same holds true 4 our relationship wit God.”
(MC=My Comments- Reading about the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, decided 2 renew my baptismal promises in this way: V. Do you reject Satan?
R. I do. (MC=My Comments- I most certainly do
V. And all his works?
R. I do. (MC=My Comments- yes, you better believe it, I do)
V. And all his empty promises?
R. I do. (MC=My Comments- yes in indeed I do, lies, leftovers, & trash, is only what darkness gives. Or trying to give to us that which is already ours or something that only our Good & gracious God can provide)
V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
R. I do. (MC=My Comments- I do, & not only do I believe in God Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, I love Him with my whole heart, and if that is not accurate, then I WANT to love Him with my whole heart)
V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
R. I do. (MC=My Comments- I do, because what can be more true or right to consent to)
V. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
R. I do, (MC=My Comments- I do, I did, and always hope to do so, never falling away from The Truth, the Whole truth, and nothing but the truth)
V. God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and forgiven all our sins. May he also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever.
R. Amen. (MC=My Comments- Amen, amen, & amen, now sprinkling myself with a Holy Water. Can’t wait until tomorrow to do this expecting many graces)
1️⃣. Dom Forgeot: “Death requires preparation. In da Litany of da Saints, we find this request: “From sudden & unexpected death, deliver us, Lord.” B 4 da progress in medicine death could b swift & painful. We all kno dat we R going 2 die. We should live life accordingly”
(MC=My Comments- It’s a new yr, so let’s b determined 2 live well, 4 none kno da day R Hour. Why keep making da same mistakes dat do not lead 2 living da spiritual life well & 4 not preparing 4 da life 2 come. This is different 4 all of us. Scripture uses the words stupid Galatians, well they are not alone, sadly count me in dat #. Being busy wit what is passing away, really makes no sense, Lord have mercy.
———————————————————————————————————————————--
2019 Dinner Mints
50. Peter Kwasniewski: "Da secular world “prepares” (if we can use dat word) 4Christmas wit months of garish decoration, holiday treats, &
spending sprees, but when Dec. 26 rolls around, da world already feels Christmas is “over.” @ most it will allow itself a day or 2 of recuperation from excess jollity & then back 2 work. In a best-case scenario, decorations mite stay up till Jan. 1 or a bit later, 4 "ringing in da new yr.” After dat, da season of celebration is over. Catholics ought 2 have a totally different conception: B4Christmas, we observe da penitential season of Advent, preparing 4 da great feast without 2 much overt joy. Traditionally families would decorate da Christmas tree shortly b4 da great day, on da 23rd or 24th. Come Midnight Mass, we usher in the Nativity of da Lord, which is intensely celebrated for an octave (8days, from Dec. 25 to Jan. 1, da Circumcision, also known as da Solemnity of Mary,Mother of God). Da Nativity extends out 2 Epiphany on Jan. 6, da famous “12th day” & inaugurates 40 days of Christmastide, ending on Feb. 2 wit Candlemas or da feast of da Purification of da Blessed Virgin Mary, also known by its Greek title, da Presentation of the Lord. In other words, 4 concentric circles of celebration: Christmas, da octave, da 12 days, &da 40 days"
(MC=My Comments-Christmas is an Octave, so us celebrate all 8 days in a special way)
49. Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “Celebrating Advent means learning how 2 wait. Waiting is an art which our impatient age has 4gotten. We want 2 pluck da fruit b4 it has had time 2 ripen. Greedy eyes R soon disappointed when what they saw as luscious fruit is sour 2 da taste. In disappointment & disgust they throw it away. Da fruit, full of promise rots on a ground. It is rejected without thanks by disappointed hands. Da celebration of Advent is possible only 2 those who R troubled in soul, who kno themselves 2 B poor & imperfect, and who look 4ward 2 something greater 2 come. 4 these, it is enough 2 wait in humble fear until da Holy One himself comes down 2 us, God in da child in da manger. God comes. The Lord Jesus comes. Christmas comes"
(MC=My Comments- Yea, 4 those who prepare, will receive what da world can't give. Da material, can never hold it's own pitted against the spiritual. It's takes a lifetime 4 sum 2 learn dat, but everything is passing away, & only what pertains 2 da eternal lasts & is satisfying forever)
48. Fr. Alfred Delp “Our efforts always belong 2God’s work, even when it's only 2keep da manger prepared in which da Child wants 2lie. Our deeds count, even when like simeon we only stretch out our arms in patience &faith in loyal endurance so dat we may receive da holy gift. Even when we only wait, poor &yearning in da darkness, in fervent longing – we're ready &may help 2bring bout da fullness of time.Da miracle of God comes not only from above. It also comes thru us; it's also dwelling in us. It has been given 2every person,& lies within each 1of us as something divine,& it waits. Calling 2us, it waits 4da hour when we let flow out in2 da world da love dat proceeds from us" (MC=My Comments- Participation in offering up reparation pleases God, so as we R granted life anew, may we do our part in helping 2renew da church & also helping ourselves)
47. Esther de Waal: "Uncrowd my heart, O God, until silence speaks in ur still, small voice; turn me from da hearing of words, & da making of words, & da confusion of much speaking, 2 listening, waiting, stillness, silence.
(MC=my comments- Da noise of da world dat we allow R dat bombard us is like a magnet; it’s only da grace of God dat can free us & let da sound of silence be what we hear clearly. This silence will draw us towards a meditative response dat dialogs with God accordingly)
46. Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen: “Incapable as we R of paying our debts 2 God according 2 justice, we should @ least try 2 supply 4 them by our gratitude.Even da poorest beggar, having nothing 2 give in return 4 da alms he has received, can always acknowledge a kindness by showin gratitude. This is our position in regard 2 God: we have nothing of our own; all we R &have comes from Him, & in return 4His infinite generosity, we can do nothing but use His gifts 2 express our gratitude.
📖1Thessalonians 5:18“In all things give thanks: 4 this is da will of God in Christ Jesus concerning u all ”God who showers blessings upon us wit infinite generosity, has a perfect rite 2 expect gratitude from us. Yet this,a natural need of a humble, delicate soul, is a duty so often neglected even by good people, even by those who have received da most favors from God. He sus complained of this neglect when only 1 of da 10 lepers cured returned 2 thank Him:
📖Luke 17:17,18 “And where R da 9? Is there no 1 found 2 return & give glory 2 God, but this stranger?”
(MC=My Comments-GIVE THANKS, give thanks. So thankful 1st of all 4 da gift of life & a spiritual relationship wit da Trinity. Thanful dat my stolen iPad Pro was returned on a Thursday 2 weeks ago 2 da day, & 4 every 1God have allowed & those presently crossing my path. Better cause of those traveling da spiritual path wit me. My lagniappe blessing was after Mass Fr. Al asked me about da Holy Sacrament of Reconciliation. Missed 4 da week & wanted 2 ask him, but said no, don’t bother da kind priest on Thanksgiving. But God let him ask me, so very thankful 4 dat. God knows our desires & wishes and will meet them according to His good will)
45. Fr. Simon Devereux: "Lord, 2day help me 2 begin again & not give in 2 discouragement. I easily focus on my shortcomings; U rejoice in every inch of my progress. Thank u! Amen"
(MC=My Comments-Reasons 4 discouragement R varied, but let’s not focus on da short end of da stick, da part in God's hands extends way beyond what would be visible if we could C. There4, walk by faith & not by site)
44. St. John Kronstadt "Lord! I am - a miracle of Thy goodness, wisdom and omnipotence, inasmuch as I was brought by Thee from non-existence into existence; inasmuch as I am preserved until now by Thee in this existence; inasmuch as by the mercy, bounties, and love to mankind of Thine Only-begotten Son, I shall inherit eternal life, provided I am faithful unto Thee"
(MC= Da miracle of life, what a blessings 2 have been given a chance w live in da land of the living. Imagine, God specifically chose each 1 of us 4 Himself. We did not have a part to play in entering in2 this life, but we sure a have a big part to play as 2 where we'll live once we cross over 2 da other side. It's not just about making it in, but how decorated will our crown be in us giving God the glory)
43. Servant of God, Fr. Romano Guardini: “4 many a believer da Mass has assumed da character of a sacred spectacle R of sum mysterious proceeding b4 which he says his prayers.Its reality consequently is buried, & something irreplaceable is lost. Da reasons 4 this R many & go so far back dat criticism is pointless. But it’s time dat da Mass become again 4 da faithful what it is & was instituted 2b: da sacred action of Christ’s community, which, though under da care of da priestly office, is meant 2 live & act as a tru community, as da Acts of da Apostles (2:46) & da 1st Epistle 2 da Corinthians (11:17-34) point out”
(MC=my comments- =my comments- If u can’t say Amen, say ouch. Da blind would b capable os seeing da truth 2 what Fr. Romano Guardini is saying and he is not speaking of the year 2019, so imagine how much more applicable today.His book began being translated & published in the 40’s)
42. Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica: “In da Aramaic tongue in which our Lord spoke, da word “woman” implies greater honor than da word “mother.” 2day, it is difficult 4 us 2 understand how da Lord could have addressed His mother as “woman.” Likewise, when da Lord was in Cana of Galilee, da Most Holy Theotokos turned 2 Him & said, they have no wine [John 2:3]. And He said 2 Her, Woman, what is dat between Me & thee? Mine hour is not yet come [John 2:4]. In our language, when we say “woman” this has a somewhat disrespectful meaning, but when we say “mother” it is much mo intimate & affectionate. But in da Aramaic tongue, da word “woman” is much mo respectful.”
(MC=my comments-How much on our own without serious study will we understand? An unlimited horizon opens up to 1 who does not have a closed heart & welcomes truth which penetrates by da power of da Holy Spirit & set captives free)
41. Servant of God, Elizabeth Leseur: "I kno by experience dat in hours of trial certain graces R obtained 4 others, which all our efforts had not hitherto obtained. I have thus come 2 da conclusion dat suffering is a higher form of action, da highest expression of da wonderful Communion of Saints.”
(MC=my comments- If we begin 2 b transformed by da renewal of our minds in da light of da saints, suffering will become a weapon of mass destruction, powerful beyond imagining. Let us b convinced dat "in hours of trial certain graces R obtained 4 others". Armed wit dat mentality, we'll C dat there is value in what we R undergoing & dat will strengthen us 2 stand tall accepting what God is permittin R willing what He wills.
40. Monastic Community of da Monastery of Christ in da Desert: “Da pilgrimage or Exodus of da Israelites from Egypt in2 Canaan cont 2 B a paradigm or pattern 4 all who go 2 God exemplifying da journey of da soul 2 God. Such a journey requires purification & change, asking 1 to put preferences aside & make way 4 da needs &hopes of others, form 1 fmly on da same path 2vda eternal dwellin place of God. Da people who set out on such a journey become transformed by da experience if they truly persevere in faith, hope & luv. Da experience of da Hebrews is ours as well, God’s people, encounterin many trials along da way. Da people who followed Moses encountered setbacks dat were external such as hunger & thirst. Other trials were interior, as da temptation 2 infidelity 2 God & idolatry makin gods of what is not God. All of us,in this 21st century, go thru da same kinds of difficulties & trials in our lives, 2 discover within ourselves a lack of confidence in God’s help, & mend up puttin our trust in fleeting things, such as money, pleasure R ambition, rather than God’s provident care 4 us. As a help 2 keep us on da right track, Jesus offers us precisely what we need in our struggles, namely a life of prayer, wherein we place all our hope in God. ‘Our help is from da Lord who made heaven & earth’, is what we proclaim in da Psalm. Placing Christ @ da center of our life, we’re able 2 meet life’s challenges & burdens wit trust dat da trials will not break us,but make us mo ready 2enter in2 a life of luv & service as God’s own people. Without fear R shame call out wit trust & hope all da day long. ‘Never despair of God’s mercy’, St. Benedict says it in his Rule. Followers of Christ will even have 2put up wit a great deal of unjust treatment @ da hands of those opposed 2 God. Despite this reality, we must cont 2 ask 4 God’s help day & nite, without givin up, never growin faint. We can always build our hope upon our Lord’s words dat God, in spite of all appearances, is in fact so different from an unjust judge simply cause God is all good, merciful & gracious 2nhis children. 2 easily people give up prayin when they don’t receive da response they desire & conclude dat prayer is of no use. God answers our prayers, but not always as we expect R request, but still we believe God truly answers our prayers. Da seemingly long delay of da comin of God’s kingdom ought not make us grow weary R give up in prayin. ‘Whoever prays well, lives well,’ da great Church Father St. Augustine once said. Dat is certainly da teachin of Jesus valid 4 us 2day. Dat doesn’t mean knowin all da rite formula, but askin from da heart 4? all we need from our God: patience, luv, perseverance, 4giveness, gentleness, humility, peace & contentment wit what we have & who we R. Da Lord luvs us without measure & calls us 2 intensify da bonds of luv between individuals, families, communities & nations, 2 form in Christ 1 body. We’re called 2 do this everywhere & @ all times, never losing patience. We may feel fragile & insignificant, not capable of makin an impact by our seemingly small lives R efforts. But God accepts each & every 1 of us, wit outstretched hands, & is always ready 2 hear & answer us wit grace dat never fails. Let us rejoice in this great gift from a God who luvs us wit infinite love”
(MC=My Comments-May we cont 2 grow up, rejoicing exceedingly & realizing da great treasure we have in da provident care of God day in & day out. Ponderin & reflecting will help even a fool realize dat God knos best & it’s never best 2 want what He doesn’t want. Imagine getting every answer 2 prayer according 2our wishes? When we get real, it will b a delight 2 rest in God & trust Him in all things, Lord have mercy,help me 2climb dat mountain all da way 2 da top.How sad, 4 some will die & never even come near da mountain of trust.Dat we might learn 2live life not choosing da good thing, but choosing what is better.Motivated by excellence due grace,desire will be combustion 4 dat fire. 4 da slothful & those wit a penchant 4 mediocrity, much spiritual ground will cont 2 b lost, & what a shame 4 all of eternity 2 lose opportunities 2 bring glory 2 God & lose valuable merits. Time 2 evaluate our behavior, wouldn’t U say?)
39. Constance Hull: ”Da movement away from our fallen nature 2 sainthood occurs as Christ purifies us thru a fire dat is extremely painful, but never annihilates us. This purifying fire is how God forms us in 2 da holy saint He is callin each 1 of us 2 become. How this is accomplished varies wit God’s will. However different our refinement, da ultimate end 4 all of is da same.1of da most difficult aspects of this refinement process is learnin how 2 submit our will 2 God’s will, not strictly out of begrudging obedience, but out of luv 4 Him. We R called 2 echo da words of Our Lord by repeatedly sayin 2 God: “Not my will, but Ur will”. This is difficult 4 us 2 do cause we have our own plans, dreams, & desires, many of them good. Tension arises most keenly when we desire something inherently good, but which God—4 mysterious reasons—decides isn't 4 us. We struggle 2 C how our tru joy can only b found in surrendering completely 2 God’s plan 4 our lives when it’s opposed 2 our own plans”
(MC=My Comments- Haven’t we all “been there-done dat”, or @ da point rite now? Time 2 C da lite & go God’s way. Really, so much mo worth it, & wit a lil bit of wisdom, u’ll kno like da Casino, da house always comes out da winner in da end. Jesus, we trust in U)
38. G.K. Chesterton: “If there were no God,there would be no atheists”
MC=My Comments- See how everyone have 2 depend on God so way some how, 4 truly He is all in all. Thank God we don’t just have to, but we want God 2 B our all in all)
37. St. Aloysius Religious Education: “Our bodies reflect what we are doing. When we sit; we listen, when we kneel; we are repenting or adoring, when we bow down; we make ourselves very small and humble before Our God in Adoration. Adoration is when the faithful visit & pray with Our Lord in the Chapel or da Church where Jesus is in da Tabernacle
(MC=My Comments- May there b no disconnect. We R 2 love & worship God wit our whole being, dat is wit all of our heart, soul, & mind. 4 there is indeed rhyme & reason 2 all dat we r called 2 do. 2 offer God a half baked cookie is 2 play Cain, 4 we kno an offering of worship dat is of a poor quality will b rejected. Let have da heart of Abel, Lord please, please, create a clean heart in me(us) & renew da rite spirit, cause 2morrow may b 2 late)
36. St. Teresa of Calcutta: “Loving trust and total surrender made Our Lady say yes to the message of the angel, and cheerfulness made her run in haste to serve her cousin Elizabeth. So much in our lives, too, is saying yes to Jesus, and running haste to serve him in the poorest of the poor.”
(MC=my comments- We can mo readily say yes & give our fiat when we
#1. Trust dat God is doing da rite thing (How can God do what is wrong)&
#2, BELIEVE dat He knows what He is doing( Is He not the Creator of heaven & earth),
& 3. Feel & live in His love( Who’s else “IS” love) ,
then just like dat,
🤛🏼1,2,3
🤛🏼we are free
🤛🏼in confidence
🤛🏼Surrendering 2 providence
🤛🏼Truly from the heart
🤛🏼Not later, but right from da start)
35. St. Augustine: "A man may lose da good things of this life against his will; but if he loses da eternal blessings, he does so with his own consent"
(Mc = my comments - Well if da saints aren’t always on da money, praise da Lord 4 them telling it like it is. Heard da following words on this side, but sure don't won't 2 hear them in tnext life: 'U brought dat upon Urself". B mindful day u’re not robbing urself)
34. Balthasar Gracian “A shrewd man knows dat others when they seek him do not seek him,but their advantage in him & by him”(MC=my comments
-U can grab dat bull be da horns wit this scripture: Colossians 3:23-24
”Whatever U do,do from da heart,as 4da Lord ¬ 4others,knowing dat U will receive from da Lord da due payment of da inheritance; B slaves of da Lord Christ”.Wit da said,keep on doing good,as kindness is sometimes taken 4weakness)
33. Frater Hibernicus “Francis lived in a time when da Church was shaken by scandals & tensions - far worst than in our own time. However, he was clear dat his calling meant remaining firmly within da family of da Church, staying open & available 2 God's gracious action himself, & working 2 make da Church mo clearly, mo effectively a sacred space where da grace of God's goodness can b experienced by a seeking world”
(MC=My Comments-What strikes me here is this: How many people R really aware dat certain behaviors in church interferes wit, R inhibits da workings of grace in their own souls & da souls of others by polluting da sacred space? Thank God 4 da growth dat have allowed some people 2 let da truth set them free from leaning on their own understanding & 2 opening up of their hearts 2 da Holy Spirit in a deeper way. Mercy, da Mercy of God helps us 2 grow. Lord we all fall short & blindness prevails in various degrees, so please help us who seek perfection, 2embrace U wit our whole heart, mind, soul,& spirit, then we will C as U see, thus da old way passing away & all becoming new)
32. St. Oscar Romeo“We cannot do everything, & there is a sense of liberation in realizing dat. This enables us 2 do something, & 2 do it very well.”
(MC=My Comments-Realy, we can’t carry da weight of da world on our shoulders, nor can we expect 2walk around scot free, we “MUST”carry our cross.There will be a “Veronica” &a “Simon” 4 every situation, plus da Lord our God said that He would never leave R 4sake us. That said, we can handle life, let’s do our part, trusting God will finish what we R called 2 by grace 2 start)
31. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI: ”May we advance in dat knowledge of da heart, which is da wisdom of da saints. Let us pray dat da Lord may make his face 2 shine upon us, B gracious 2us (cf. Nm 6: 24-7) & bless us. We may b certain of it: if we never tire of seekin His Face, if we never give in2 da temptation of discouragement & doubt, if also among da many difficulties we encounter we always remain anchored 2him, we’ll experience da power of His love & mercy. May da fragile Child whom the Virgin shows 2 da world make us peacemakers, witnesses of Him, da Prince of Peace”
(MC=my comments-Yes, God is 4ever faithful & true. Strapped 2Him like a bomb, in da explosion, all work 4 good & we find ourselves standing on da Rock. Jesus, take care of everything 4all of us, cause we trust in U, & it is in U, dat we never trust in vain)
30. Servant of God, Catherine Doherty: “Everybody seems 2B pilgrimaging, in da sense dat human beings R puttin 1 foot in front of da other all day long, resting a lil @ night. We can go after many things; we can go on pilgrimages seekin gold & silver, fame, power, & so on. But those R not really pilgrimages; they R shams. They R imaginary goals dat once attained, fall apart & R replaced by other goals dat become dust again. Ultimately, we remain empty. But 1 cannot apply da word “pilgrimage” 2dat sort of thing. There are only 2 pilgrimages in life: 1 to heaven & 1 to hell”
(MC=my comments-R our daily actions steps dat R leadin us 2 da kingdom of heaven, or are we spinning wheels, or being derailed? What adds up @ da end of da day in da spiritual column counts most.
⌛️For better or for worse, this will b very plain
⏳When out of the hourglass all of da sand drain)
29. St.Mother Teresa of Calcutta: "Everybody today seems 2B in such a terrible rush, anxious 4 greater developments & greater riches @ so on, so dat children have very little time 4 their parents. Parents have very little time 4 each other, & in da home begins da disruption of peace in da world."
(MC=my comments- Really, we are surely living this full speed rite now. Worst of all, people are 2 busy 4 God, 4 da things of God. An emphasis should be on seein Da truth in what St Teresa of Calcutta is saying: "In da home begins da disruption of peace in da world".We must get it rite in our homes, starting 1st wit self, then to touch kids & grandkids. If we don't do our job, da world will not fail 2 touch them, & in most instances it will not b a touch for good)
28. Joseph Pronechen: "Let God Be God. In everything, St. Pio constantly counseled people, by word & example, 2 "pray, hope & don't worry." Could there B a mo fittin message 4mour time of stress & uncertainty --or a mo effective means 2 spiritual growth? Fr. Apostoli thinks not. "Once U make known ur needs, fears, hopes, concerns, doubts & struggles 2 God in prayer, and have asked for his help, u have 2 now trust da Lord 2 listen cause of His great compassion. It's a big order. We tend 2 push da panic button, 2 look @ da things dat can go wrong. We worry like mad. If I really believe God does luv me & will truly take care of me, I should not worry." Padre Pio asked his spiritual charges 2 sho da sincerity of their trust by workin hard @ not worrying.
As Father Apostoli explains, "worry may signal we're trying 2 take control of matters dat belong 2God. As St. Pio himself put it: "The Lord is a father, the most tender and best of fathers. He cannot fail to be moved when his children appeal to him."
(MC=My Comments-Ok, we may pray, we may hope, but 2 out of 3 will not cut it. We have 2 go 4 triple digits: pray, hope, and don't worry. Asvice 4 me 2 take 2 heart. Asking also St. Pio & St. Therese 2 intercede 4 all. May we B protected from hurt, harm, danger, or damage. May what we have been given, we continue 2B good stewards of, beautiful gifts from God as He so wills. Jesus the bridge over troubled waters, save us.)
27. Fr. Emile Neubert: “Da heart is capable of intuitions dat surpass da limits of cold reason. A friend understands things bout his friend which da cleverest psychologist couldn't divine. But are da bonds of friendship ever stronger than when we are in da presence of Blessed Mary & when we endeavor 2 discover what will cause her greatest pleasure? Da will intervenes @ da same time as da mind & heart. We know what an important role da will plays in da acceptance of truths in da moral order, especially those dat require us 2 hold our nature in check. Da will must impose silence on da passions & on egotism; it must welcome truth sincerely such as it is, wit its most formidable consequences. How many men don't C cause they R afraid 2 look! Close 2 Blessed Mary we do not fear 2 look; close 2 her da passions R calm, egotism is ashamed of itself; close 2 her we R sincere.”
(MC=My Comments- How important our Blessed Mother is 2 da depth and quality of our relationship wit Jesus. She is in da kno, & her whispers 2 Him & from Him truly enhances our spiritual lives. A cripple surely walks better with a cane, get it?)
26. Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen: “Adorable Heart of my most lovin Jesus, what good have U found in me 2 make U luv me without limit, even though my heart, stained by a 1000 faults, was so cold & indifferent 2 ward U? Da great proofs of luv U have shown me when I didn't luv U, give me hope dat U will now find acceptable da proofs of my luv. Receive my loving Savior, my desire 2 consecrate myself entirely 2 da honor & glory of ur Sacred Heart; accept da gift of all dat I am. I consecrate 2 U my person, my life, actions,pains & sufferings, desiring 2B in da future a victim consecrated 2 Ur glory, on fire @ this moment, & 1 day 2B entirely consumed by da holy flames of ur luv. I offer U my Lord &my God,my heart wit all its desires,dat it may b perfectly conformed 2 urs. I belong wholly 2ur Heart,I am entirely urs.O my God, how great R ur mercies toward me!… My adorable Savior, accept my consecration also in reparation 4 da offenses which I have not ceased 2 commit against U, by corresponding so badly 2 ur luv. I am giving U very little, but @ least I wish 2 give u all dat is in my power & all dat u wish & desire from me; there4, by consecrating my heart 2 u, I give it 2 U never 2 take it back”
(MC=my comments-Thank God 4 an opportunity in da land of da living 2 express our luv 2 da Lord 4 all da blessings dat flow 2 us. Recently listening to a YouTube video where da priest asked some grade schoolers why is it that Jesus heart is pictured on da outside? 1 little girl said dat He loves us so much He can’t keep it in, cause He want 2 give it all away to us. Kids get it, do we?)
25. St.Bernard of Clairvaux: ”Da goodness of God knows how 2 use our disordered wishes & actions, often lovingly turning them 2 our advantage while always preserving da beauty of ‘His’ order."
(MC=my comments-Isn’t it a blessing 2 receive love in abundance from a God who loves passionately, even those who don’t give Him da time of day. Incredible is dat da flow of love from Da Most Sacred Heart of Jesus as a fountain 4 us sinners. Let’make an effort 2 return dat love, perfecting it as time goes on)
24. Fr.Alexis Lefebvre, S.J.(1869): "JESUS CHRIST always spoke wit simplicity, as da Gospel shows, in parables. He loved 2 reveal da great mysteries of da kingdom of God under da simple form of comparisons, or popular narrations, suited 2 da comprehension of all. This peculiar characteristic of His divine mission had been predicted by His prophets My: I will open mouth in parables (Ps. Ixxvii. 2). Da Divine Master in parables give light & grace 2 us as we meditate upon them, 4 we shall find therein the revelation of da tenderness of da Heart of Jesus 4 faithful souls who love Him, as well as da revelation of His infinite mercies towards those who abandon & outrage Him. Consider da parable of da Good Shepherd & da Prodigal Son, da Heart of God proves His goodness"
(MC=My Comments- After reading what Fr. Lefebvre wrote, it is plainer 2 see dat we R indeed living in da age of Divine Mercy. In 1869 he said dat God reveals great tenderness 2 those who luv Him & infinite mercies 2 those who abandon Him, well can't da blind C how much He is being abandoned 2day in every way? So now we see why St. Faustina & St. John Paul II were destined 2 bring 2 light God's revelation of Divine Mercy in this our times. What a gift we have in da chaplet of Divine Mercy, may mercy satisfy justice giving poor sinners a chance)
23. Fr. Andre Prevot: “By union St. Gertrude appropriates 2 herself da merits of Jesus. She does da same wit da merits of da Saints. 1 day, b 4 Communion, finding herself little prepared, she asked da Blessed Virgin & all da Saints 2 offer 2 God 4 her all da good dispositions wit which they had prepared 2 receive His graces. She also besought Our Lord 2 offer 4 her His own perfect dispositions, when on da day of His Ascension, He was about 2appear b 4 His Father. Then, some time after, as she tried 2 discover what she had gained by this prayer, Jesus said 2 her: Thou hast gained 2 appear in da eyes of da citizens of Heaven, adorned with all da merits thou hadst asked 4. Then He added Why shouldst thou distrust Me, Who am da Lord Almighty & beneficent? Cannot I act like an earthly friend who adorns his friend wit his own ornaments, in order dat he may appear as richly attired as himself?
(MC=This is kind of like an open book test, how can you lose? Time to get mo bang 4da buck, or think about it as a fantastic exchange rate.)
22. Servant of God Luis M. Martinez's book “True Devotion 2 da Holy Spirit”: “With even greater reason, because He is mo 4 gotten, da Holy Spirit must b given His proper place, da place dat rightfully belongs 2 Him in Christian life & Christian perfection. Devotion 2 da Holy Spirit must become what St. Grignion de Montfort made of devotion Blessed Mary: something not superficial & intermittent, but constant & profound, fillin da depths of souls & impregnating lives wit da sweet unction of infinite love.Christian life is da reproduction of Jesus in souls; & perfection, da most faithful & perfect reproduction, consists in da transformation of souls in 2 Jesus. This is da doctrine of St.Paul, set forth time & again in his letters. As 4 perfection, these profoundly comprehensive words R well known: 'It is now no longer I dat live, but Christ lives in me.' Da word transformation is also from St. Paul:'But we all, wit faces unveiled, reflecting as in a mirror da glory of da Lord,are being transformed in 2 His very image from glory to glory'. Now, how will this mystical reproduction b brought about in souls? In da same way in which Jesus was brought in2 da world, da Holy Spirit conveyed da divine fruitfulness of da Father 2 Blessed Mary"
(MC=My Comments- A new twist to add to this year’s novena 4me, will B 2 read from the book True Devotion 2da Holy Spirit” 4 da next 9days. What new twist can u add?)
21. Fr. Carlo Giuseppe Quadrupani: “Look upon God as an infinitely good & tender father & believe dat He only allows da devil 2 try His children dat their merits may increase & their recompense b correspondingly greater. Da mo persistent da temptation, da clearer it's dat U have not given consent 2 it. An enemy doesn't besiege a fortress dat is already in his power, & da mo obstinate da attack, da mo certain we may b dat our resistance continues. Ur fears lead U 2 believe u R defeated, @ da very moment U R gaining da victory. This comes from da fact dat u confound feeling wit consent & mistaking a passive condition of da imagination 4 an act of da will, U consider dat U have yielded 2 da temptation because U felt it keenly”
(MC=My Comments- Yes, dat we battle & not roll over & die is a sign we are winning, because in da end da battle is da Lord's & we win. Our limit is da starting point 4 God 2 dive rite in & win 4 us da victory.)
20. Our Lady of Fatima: “If men knew what eternity is, they would do everything 2 change their lives”
MC=My Comments- By dat same token, if men knew dat da uninhabited places vacated by da fallen angels are slots waiting 2 B taken, how different would each person run da race. Anything goes, or half @ it would B a no-go)
19. Magnificat magazine: "Do you want to be well?” The Lord asks da obvious in order 2 incite even deeper desire, 2 ensure we do not grow cold 2 da possibility of real transformation. We sit by da waters of Christ’s open side, from which a river flows dat gives life 2 every living creature; we find shelter in da “5 porticoes” of Christ’s wounds, expecting his command: “Take up your mat & walk.”
(MC=My Comments- Halleluia, we can always find that mercy is in season, no matter day or hour. May each of us encounter in our time of need, da merciful love of God b4, behind, beneath, & above us 4ever & ever. Amen!)
18. St. Bernardine of Siena “Whenever da divine favor chooses someone 2 receive a special grace, or 2 accept a lofty vocation, God adorns da person chosen wit all the gifts of da Spirit needed 2 fulfill da task @hand”
(MC=my comments-As ☔️ umbrellas R our’s 4 when & not if it rains, God never fails in gifting us wit da needed paraphernalia 2 get every spiritual job done. Our mission can accomplished, no ifs, ands, or buts)
17. Caryll Houselander: “In our sin, we R da tombs in which Christ lies dead, but @ da 1st movement of sorrow 4 sin He rises from da dead in us. Da life of da world is renewed by our sorrow, & da soul dat was in darkness radiates da morning light. In da moment dat we are 4 given, da world is flooded wit forgiveness.”
(MC=my comments-How delightful 4 da personal resurrections in our lives which God gets 2 witness when we rise from our tombs of sin & sincerely repent. Blessed are we 2 have da Sacrament of Reconciliation instituted by Christ 2 give grace & help us 2 effectively rise time & time again. Da fallen angels had 1 chance only. Ananias & Sapphira didn’t fare out 2well either (Acts 5:1-11). Jesus came dat we mite have life, & life 2 da full. Try 2 hit da confessional weekly. Go from good, 2 better, 2 best. Delusional is da 1 who thinks no signs of sin can b found in their lives dat frequently. Ask sum 1 around u often, if honest, they’ll let u kno ur sins 1 by 1. Really? Yes, really!)
16. St. John of Kronstadt: "Be free from care in the presence of your Lord. He has enclosed you with Himself upon all sides. He penetrates you wholly and knows all your thoughts, all your needs and inclinations, and if you live in Him with faith and love, then no evil shall befall you. 'The Lord is at hand; be careful for nothing' (Phil. 4:6)."(MC=My Comments- Good news, good news. This 4 me just adds 2 my joy, because He is risen, alleluia, alleluia, and that is good news indeed. The truth frees one from darkness, as da light sparkles in da soul, making us glad.)
15. Fr. Emile Neubert, SM: “We kno thru faith dat da blessed in heaven, in contemplating God, see us wit our needs & our prayers, & dat they can assist us by interceding wit God in our behalf. This is da foundation of da Catholic doctrine of da communion of saints. Indirectly, then, in da beatific vision, da saints see us & kno us in so far as God judges it proper 2 enlighten them. In like manner, it’s indirectly thru da beatific vision dat da Blessed Virgin is present 2 us, C’s us, & sends us unceasingly da graces we receive”
(MC=my comments- Began a “Rule of Life” this year, & da rule of life 4 da week is every Saturday 2 read something pertaining 2 Our Blessed Mother Mary Ever Virgin, or meditate on her life in sum way. Da sharing from this book: “Life of Union With Mary”, is perfect 2 help me/us truly appreciate & underestimate something in da Apostles Creed. Every time we pray it, 4 it’s “2 pray” rather than “ 2 say”, cause only then can our faith become alive & vibrant in da heart as we become mo solid wit da realization of d truth. 2 rattle mindlessly is very unfruitful. Let’s consider & value da tenant of our Faith where we are joined as da body of Christ in da communion of saints: church triumphant (Heaven), church suffering (Purgatory), & church militant (Earth),what a great treasure. In da end, members of da latter 2 will end in up in heaven or hell, since Purgatory isn't a final resting place. Da bottom line is heaven or hell. Thank God 4 a place where a soul dat is not damned can B totally purified. Disbelief, no problem, in death we’ll all C da truth, B it 4 better or 4 worse. So not only as our heavenly mother, but by default in da communion of saints, so special is our help from Our Lady & those deceased can we B greatly assisted. Let this b goodnews 4 us this day) Read Da following about da Apostles Creed: “While there is no verifiable written word 4 word representation of da Apostles Creed prior to 340 A.D., we can b confident dat da Apostles Creed is da most accurate representation of da Christian Faith in da form of a creed.Da Saints taught what they called "The Rule of Faith" which is essentially da Apostles Creed. Da early church had no codified defined creeds as we have today. Da Christian teachings were handed down thru da preaching of da Saints. Da early church taught what is basically in da Apostles creed, yet, they never had a written form of their teaching & called it "The Apostles Creed."
14. Dr. Gregory Bottaro: “A homily from St. Francis de Sales on July 2, 1618– ‘The nard is a small shrub which exudes a very sweet perfume; it does not rise high like da cedars of Lebanon, but remains in its lowliness, exhaling its perfume wit such sweetness dat it delights all those who smell it. Da holy & most sacred Virgin was this precious nard who never exalted herself on account of anything dat was said or done 2 her; but in her lowliness & littleness, like nard, she gave forth a perfume of such sweet fragrance dat it rose 2 da throne of da Divine Majesty, who was so charmed &delighted by it dat He left Heaven 2 come down here upon earth & become incarnate in da most pure womb of this incomparable Virgin’. Now Questions 4 Reflection: Have U experienced moments of wonder & awe in da Lord’s will 4U? How has He surprised U wit a profound gift? Can U imagine increasing da sweetness of these moments by reflecting on them in light of ur devotion 2 Our Lady & St. Joseph? In 1concrete way, how can U give ur fiat, ur yes, 2 da Lord 2day?”
(MC=my comments-Sharing da answer 2nda last question-“In 1 concrete way, how can U give ur fiat, ur yes, 2 Lord 2day?”. Well, by asking God’s specific will in regards 2 what he wants for me 2 do 2day. Putting my plans b 4 Him & getting a “no”,will mean not follow my agenda 2nmy liking, but acknowledging God’s holy will. Always it should b God’s will not ours, in regards 2 things small & great.)
13. e-Catholic2000: “Enlighten me, good Jesus, wit da brightness of internal light, & take away all darkness from da habitation of my heart. Restrain my wandering thoughts & suppress da temptations which attack me so violently. Fight strongly 4 me, & vanquish these evil beasts -- da alluring desires of da flesh -- so dat peace may come thru Your power & da fullness of Your praise resound in da holy courts, which is a pure conscience. Command da winds & da tempests; say 2 da sea: "Be still," & 2 da north wind, "Do not blow," & there will be a great calm”
(MC=my comments- We ourselves, can not remove ourselves from or escape darkness, only light can dispel darkness. When we submit & surrender all to Him, He who is da light of da world, then Jesus can transform da dark which is out of order in our lives. @ dat point we can begin 2 see, until then our reality is darkened truth, 4which we kno not. Wit da illuminating light there comes a peace, as da soul breathes in harmony wit God)
12. Fr.Simon Devereux, LC: “Da pleasure of a slice of juicy watermelon lasts a moment; da joy of hearing words of love lasts a life-time. Lord, may we not B afraid 2 tell our loved ones how we truly feel. May we never regret having left unsaid what we wanted them 2kno. Amen”
(MC=my comments- 2morr may B 2 late, so express ur luv & care in a special, unexpected way 2 sum 1 today. A spiritual hug in da Lord 4 sum 1 who may need it, surely they may feel God)
11. Julius Evola: “We cannot ask ourselves whether ‘woman’ is superior or inferior 2 ‘man’ any more than we can ask ourselves whether water is superior or inferior 2 fire … There can be no doubt dat a woman who is perfectly woman is superior 2 a man who is imperfectly man, just as a farmer who is faithful 2 his land & performs his work perfectly is superior 2 a king who cannot do his own work.”
(MC=my comments-Let us live out our vocation & celebrate dat God created male & female as we stand in truth. Being a part of da solution & not da problem, our prayers & sacrifices help settle da dust from so confused a generation, it’s 2 catechize our own so dat da truth can set them free)
🎚1 Corinthians 11:11-12 “Woman is not independent of man or man of woman in the Lord.For just as woman came from man, so man is born of woman; but all things are from God.
🎚Galatians 3:28”There is neither Jew nor Greek: there is neither bond nor free: there is neither male nor female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.
10. Orthodox Christian Bishoy: “Lent is a time of battle, it’s a time for spiritual renewal. There are those who are of da school dat there should be spiritual discipline all year long, thus no need 4 a special regimen during Lent, but 2 most people, this is seen as a time of spiritual renewal, almost like a special New Year’s for Lent. Throughout da year many of us will have fallen short of our spiritual disciplines. Many of us will have developed & accepted bad habits. Many of us will have lost da consistency needed 4 spiritual development. This is a time of year dat we sanctify, or make holy, or set aside for no other thing than an intense renewal of our relationship wit God. It’s a time 2 vacation from da world dat you’ve been addicted 2, & spend time wit ur Spouse, ur Father, ur God. It’s a time 2msay dat yes, I’ve left U all year long, & it’s time 2 spend time wit U in a very meaningful way”
(MC=my comments-The orthodox don't play, we (ME) would do well 2 take note. We kno where spiritual discipline all year long leads year after year to, SAINTS! Da title b 4 ur name is da greatest 1 obtainable: St. This Lent let's all be up 4 working it!)
9. Dr. Ben Carson (world famous neurosurgeon)"I’ve had the privilege of being able to operate on little babies that were 25, 26, 27, 28 weeks’ gestation,and I can guarantee you, they can feel, they can react.You have to give them anesthesia, if you’re going to cut them. Believe me,they can also respond to comfort and to warmth.”
(MC=my comments- Lord have mercy, something worth praying & sacrificing 4. At least once take da time 2 pray outside an abortion torture chamber while there is not a ban like in parts of da UK. Be encouraged because with all the prayers from many people over time, thank God some places have closed. A blest Miraculous medal left behind can complete da prayers)
8. Catechism of the Catholic Church 1817: “Hope is da theological virtue by which we desire da kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ's promises & relying not on our own strength, but on da help of da grace of da Holy Spirit”
(MC=my comments- Isn’t it good news that we don’t have rely solely on our own strength 2 get our front row seat if that is our desire? We just must cooperate and keep desiring, and hope will certainly fuel dat very well 4 those seriously pursuing their faith)
7. Jason Angelette" Have we busied ourselves, becoming too busy? A friend of mine says that busy is an acronym: Bound Under Satan's Yolk"
(MC=My Comments- Seems when we are busy it's never, or almost never the case of being too busy because of spiritual business.It’s just the opposite, about something secular. The spiritual always have to take the hit, and that is sad.Is that not true? How busy were you today about spiritual business?)
6. Venerable Fulton Sheen: "Knowledge halts at da threshold of da temple; love enters in & worships"
(MC=My Comments-Oh yea, knowledge know's what is supposed 2B done, but love rolls up it's sleeve & actually gets da job done. Love's chief concern is not “self”, but God. Dat we all might mo & mo become Christians of excellence after God's own heart)
5. “Noah did according 2 all dat God had commanded him. He did just so.—Genesis 6:22. Noah had never built an ark before. So he had 2 rely on Jehovah, doing “just so”—that is, just as Jehovah directed. The result? Noah got it right da 1st time”
(MC=my comments- This is da concept: “Noah had never built an ark before. So he had 2 rely on God, doing just as God directed. Da result? Noah got it right da 1st time.“ 2 live this day by day, moment by moment, we should be prayed up, surrendered 2 God, following da lead of da Holy Spirit, covered wit da Blood of Jesus in Union wit Blessed Mary, St. Joseph & da angels & saints, then we’ll be ready & equipped 2 do as God says, which results in “getting it right da 1st time. Yes to:
🎚Get it right da 1st Time
🎚God’s will 1st & not mine
4. Dr. Tom J. Neal: “How 2say Yes 2 God, No 2 others. Yes, sometimes God in extra-ordinary circumstances gives us mystical graces 2 communicate His will & bypasses da normal process of exercising common sense judgment. Those charismatic moments can B beautiful, though even they need 2 B tested. But ordinarily, God acts thru careful thinking about how we can best luv Him & our neighbor in da moment; thru praying 4 Divine lite, striving 4 purity of heart, making da maximal use of our gifts 2 better church & world, relying on wise mentors 4 advice & correction, making our best judgments & then going 4ward with a will 2 persevere & carry da cross; all-the-while open 2 correction along da way.Discover in God’s will a wonderful freedom & fun.God allows us a spacious space in which 2 exercise a real creativity which positively contributes novelty 2 His plan. God is a Father not a dictator, a lover not a puppet master. He doesn’t give us freedom only 2 render it irrelevant. Yes, He wants us 2 have da heart of da child, but also da mind of an adult [1 Cor. 13:11].”
(MC=my comments-It’s not God’s will dat every petal B stripped from us & dat we dance 2 da tune of every pied piper coming our way. Prudence is a virtue dat we all need. 2 kno when 2 hold-em & when 2fold-em, priceless!
🎚Galatians 5:1 “For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery”
3. Fr. George Loring, S.J.: "In order 2 have an idea of what a billion is, let us consider dat a billion seconds are equal 2almost 32,000 years. Light which travels at a speed of 300,000 km per second, in 1 year covers a distance equivalent to 200 million times around da earth. Measured in kilometers, it’s about 10 billion of them. Da speed of light according 2 da laws of physics cannot be surpassed. Da speed of light is da maximum speed which can B attained as demonstrated by Einstein’s equation of E=mc2, speed @ which mass would become infinite"
(MC=My Comments- Well if b4 da foundation of da world God had U in mind, does He really know you & what U are going thru? Jesus says He is da light of da world, so it’s already an established fact dat He is da ultimate, da primacy, da 1st born. So is His church going down, or will we B overcome by trials, troubles, or tribulations if He is da strong man guarding our lives? Not hardly people, not hardly. If u can’t fully understand da dynamics of spiritual physics, just live by faith, in hope, & because of Love and do not lose heart!)
🖤💛Colossians 1:18 “And he is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he may hold the primacy”
🖤💛Luke 11:21 “When a strong man armed keepeth his court, those things are in peace which he possesseth.
Keep these scriptures in mind 2day & apply them 2 ur life & situations in play.
🖤💛Ephesians 1:4 “As he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and unspotted in his sight in charity”
G🌑 SAINTS👃
2. St. Francis De Sales: "Our confidence in God must b founded on His infinite goodness & on da merits of da Passion & death of our Lord Jesus Christ, wit this condition on our part: dat we should preserve & recognize in ourselves an entire & firm resolution 2 belong wholly 2 God, & 2 abandon ourselves in all things & without any reserve, 2 His Providence."
(MC=My Comments- Do U need da recipe for being worry free, peacefully shored up in hope, well here it is, via St. Francis De Sales. If we place on trust completely in God, knowing He never fails because His great love would never allow such a thing, being a full fledge child of His, we have all the reason in the world to know all will work out for good. No matter what it looks like, how bad it gets, the bottom line is that God is in control. He is in control of all circumstances, and not circumstances controlling Him. If this is clear, it will be demonstrated by our actions & attitudes)
1️⃣ St. Mary of Jesus Crucified "The proud person is like a grain of wheat thrown into water: it swells, it gets big. Expose that grain to the fire: it dries up, it burns. The humble soul is like a grain of wheat thrown into the earth: it descends, it hides itself, it disappears, it dies; but to revive in heaven...She further reminds us, "At the feet of Mary I came back to life."
(MC=My Comments-Da New Year is awaiting the "New Virtuous U" & da clock is ticking.Let us not disappoint & begin now 2 work on 1 thing consistently 4 da rest of da year. What will it be 4 U? Da million dollar question will have an invaluable worth in heaven if it's answered correctly now.Get it or "who cares"? Choose life!)