tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360759352024-03-06T23:04:00.672-08:00These Forty DaysA Lenten JourneyNissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188747079145361597noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36075935.post-3185874030304945222013-01-11T07:36:00.001-08:002013-01-11T07:36:47.091-08:00View from the Domestic Church: Bringing Lent Home with Mother Teresa<a href="http://viewdomesticchurch.blogspot.com/2013/01/bringing-lent-home-with-mother-teresa.html">View from the Domestic Church: Bringing Lent Home with Mother Teresa</a><br />
<br />
<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/172/3123482AAEB197A70381524F163CB786.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36075935.post-78139784851715831532012-02-22T18:20:00.003-08:002012-02-22T18:28:05.682-08:00Living Water: Thirst Asks for Nothing Less<blockquote style="font-style: normal; ">Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you <b>living water</b>.” John 4:10</blockquote><br />Another Lent begins and this year (as many years), I am giving up soda. I have a real love-hate relationship with Coca-Cola. It’s the only soda I like to drink, but I also know it’s bad for me: the caffeine, the calories (I can’t abide by diet, so no help there) and how it just leaves me thirsty. Yet when I’m dehydrated, the first thing I want is a soda!<div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><br />It’s a bad habit, developed through my own weakness. I’d actually given it up for the most part as an adult, until my sweet mom thought I deserved a treat now and then and started bringing it to my house. Of course, soda is everywhere—combo meals come with free soda, but you pay for the bottled water (tap water tastes awful where we live); restaurants offer free refills. It’s a standard. I’m not blaming my mom or society, however. I’m the one who took the treats, said yes to refills and let the bad habit develop. I’m the one who, after 40 days of abstinence, welcomes the bad habit back. I drink it even when it makes me more thirsty.</div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><br />Sin is a lot like that. We don’t always see it for what it is. Sometimes, we think of it as a “treat,” a kind of vacation from holiness. Some things actually can be a treat if we keep them under control, but lead to sin when we make them a habit (like when a love of food becomes gluttony.) Society, especially today’s, offers us plenty of opportunities to sin; and indeed, considers many sins as harmless and something we have the right to indulge in. So, we give in to our appetites and our wants.</div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><br />But just like Jesus tells the woman at the well, some drinks just leave you thirsty.<br />We don’t know the whole story of the woman at the well, but we know she had several husbands and was living with a man she was not married to. It seems to me that she thirsted for something—companionship? Love? Maybe simple financial support?—but she hadn’t found it. She drank the wrong kind of “water,” and it kept her thirsty, so she fell again into the bad habits—leaving one wrong man just to take up with another. Then Jesus comes and offers living water, the water that will quench with such thoroughness that you never thirst again.<br />Can you imagine being filled with such love and holiness that you could look at the “treats” of sin and say, “Know what? I’m not thirsty.”</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br />So, forty days without soda for me. Will I have one on Easter? I’m not sure, but I know one thing: from now on when I crave one, I’ll take a moment to consider the woman at the well.<br />Jesus, fill me with living water.<br /><br /><i><blockquote>Karina Fabian is an author, wife, and mother of four currently living in Utah. In 2010, she and her father wrote a short devotional, Why God Matters: How to Recognize Him in Daily Life. This year, they invite people to share their Lent stories at http://whygodmatters.com</blockquote></i>*"Thirst asks for nothing more" was the slogan campaign for Coca Cola in 1938.</div>Nissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188747079145361597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36075935.post-71373349529598284262012-02-22T08:09:00.002-08:002012-02-22T08:16:25.939-08:00Father Augustine's Homily for Ash Wednesday<span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 85%; "><object><embed src="http://gadboisfamily.com/audio/homilies/ashwed.mp3" autostart="false" autoplay="false" controller="true" title="QuickTime"></embed></object><br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: 85%; "><i>Father Augustine Measures, OSB is a priest of the <a href="http://ampleforth.org.uk">Ampleforth</a> Community. He shepherds the people of St. Mary's and St. Benedict's in Bamber Bridge near Preston in Lancashire, England.</i></span></div>Nissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188747079145361597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36075935.post-33072055206811126652012-02-21T20:01:00.002-08:002013-02-09T07:09:53.485-08:00“Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do it to me.”<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta lived her life to satiate the thirst of Jesus on the Cross. In serving the poorest of the poor, she wholeheartedly lived the message in the Gospel of Matthew 25:40, “Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do it to me.” Because she did, each person she encountered was Jesus to her. She served Jesus within everyone whom God put within her reach from the ones she rescued from the gutters of Calcutta, India to Bl. Pope John Paul II. To do this, she fueled herself with a deep prayer life grounded in the sacraments.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">In every chapel in her convents all around the world, two simple yet poignant words have been painted on the wall beside the tabernacle: “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I Thirst</b>.” Mother Teresa wanted to remind everyone who entered that Jesus thirsts for our love and wants us to thirst for His as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">Below is my recent interview with Fr. Benedict Groeschel on EWTN’s “Sunday Night Prime” in which we converse about “Mother Teresa, Our Friend” since we both knew her. During our conversation I share some of my experiences in knowing Mother Teresa. The lessons of love I learned from knowing Blessed Mother Teresa for about ten years are ones I strive to share with others through my books, talks, radio and television shows.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Palatino;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/W20W23JkO2g?rel=0" width="500"></iframe><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">Fr. Benedict Groeschel </span><span style="font-family: Palatino;">, C.F.R.</span><span style="font-family: Palatino;">was kind enough to recommend my new book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bringing Lent Home with Mother Teresa</i>. He said, "</span><span style="font-family: Palatino;"><b>Can you imagine spending Lent with Mother Teresa? A chance of a lifetime! Donna-Marie's book will do that exactly for you. Enjoy!</b>"<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">It’s ONLY $2.50 (plus shipping and handling) and available autographed from my website: <a href="http://www.donnacooperoboyle.com/">www.donnacooperoboyle.com</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglegaknmisqF-fasByExVVXIuwIhCoNTmXdq_TMpANW9pgXBtFsPi-KJuTVFAAJoO-qz_i_CPZk9mJyRzD7UkO4tCG7ECPgWZNQrOzWUqKLoIAaxvPEPsEl9mli7ixZ0AhuB8B_Q/s1600/51u3Jo3r6qL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglegaknmisqF-fasByExVVXIuwIhCoNTmXdq_TMpANW9pgXBtFsPi-KJuTVFAAJoO-qz_i_CPZk9mJyRzD7UkO4tCG7ECPgWZNQrOzWUqKLoIAaxvPEPsEl9mli7ixZ0AhuB8B_Q/s200/51u3Jo3r6qL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Palatino;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">Description from the publisher</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">: Popular author and EWTN host Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle presents a daily devotional companion for families with young children. She illustrates how to bring Lent home, doing "small things with great love" under the guidance of the Blessed Mother Teresa, with whom she enjoyed a close friendship.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">While many Lenten reflection booklets are designed for individuals or small groups, this one is formatted specifically for families and draws on the wisdom of Blessed Mother Teresa. This daily guide shows parents and children alike how to put her words into practice with practical suggestions on how to live the threefold call of Lent: to fast, pray, and care the poor. Each Sunday's focus is drawn from the themes assigned to that Sunday of Lent and a project for the week ahead is suggested. Usable during all three Catholic lectionary cycles.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">Have a beautiful grace-filled Lenten journey! May we strive to follow dear Blessed Mother Teresa's way of serving Jesus in everyone we meet. That means <i>everyone</i>--the ones who contradict your Christianity, the ones who cut you off in traffic, the sometimes grouchy spouse, the children who are acting up--all of them. They all need our Lord's love coming through you to them.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Palatino;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">God bless!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">Donna-Marie</span><span style="font-family: Palatino;"><o:p></o:p></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36075935.post-22519031958710000942012-02-21T10:48:00.004-08:002012-02-21T10:55:22.053-08:00Pope's Lenten Message: "We Must Not Remain Silent Before Evil" "We Must Not Remain Silent Before Evil" We Must Not Remain Silent Before Evil<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionOj5sGnMBdMjDr9-p9WpfVRlrp8ohBhe25yX-1NT0qjIrbH9fcX_m1SPasQsh2nvuURqJTlBWJN6i9p-2b1bEhETKy7FCqcD_PNewx3l7lz22-YvA2ZyUzXTT0LQPFIRXvG-/s1600/BenXVIportrait.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 215px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionOj5sGnMBdMjDr9-p9WpfVRlrp8ohBhe25yX-1NT0qjIrbH9fcX_m1SPasQsh2nvuURqJTlBWJN6i9p-2b1bEhETKy7FCqcD_PNewx3l7lz22-YvA2ZyUzXTT0LQPFIRXvG-/s320/BenXVIportrait.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711664378410596082" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">"Let us be concerned for each other, to stir a response in love and good works"<br />(Heb 10:24)</span><br /><br />Dear Brothers and Sisters,<br /><br />The Lenten season offers us once again an opportunity to reflect upon the very heart of Christian life: charity. This is a favourable time to renew our journey of faith, both as individuals and as a community, with the help of the word of God and the sacraments. This journey is one marked by prayer and sharing, silence and fasting, in anticipation of the joy of Easter.<div><br />This year I would like to propose a few thoughts in the light of a brief biblical passage drawn from the Letter to the Hebrews: "Let us be concerned for each other, to stir a response in love and good works". These words are part of a passage in which the sacred author exhorts us to trust in Jesus Christ as the High Priest who has won us forgiveness and opened up a pathway to God. Embracing Christ bears fruit in a life structured by the three theological virtues: it means approaching the Lord "sincere in heart and filled with faith" (v. 22), keeping firm "in the hope we profess" (v. 23) and ever mindful of living a life of "love and good works" (v. 24) together with our brothers and sisters. The author states that to sustain this life shaped by the Gospel it is important to participate in the liturgy and community prayer, mindful of the eschatological goal of full communion in God (v. 25). Here I would like to reflect on verse 24, which offers a succinct, valuable and ever timely teaching on the three aspects of Christian life: concern for others, reciprocity and personal holiness.</div><div><br />1. "Let us be concerned for each other": responsibility towards our brothers and sisters.<br />This first aspect is an invitation to be "concerned": the Greek verb used here is katanoein, which means to scrutinize, to be attentive, to observe carefully and take stock of something. We come across this word in the Gospel when Jesus invites the disciples to "think of" the ravens that, without striving, are at the centre of the solicitous and caring Divine Providence (cf. Lk 12:24), and to "observe" the plank in our own eye before looking at the splinter in that of our brother (cf. Lk 6:41). In another verse of the Letter to the Hebrews, we find the encouragement to "turn your minds to Jesus" (3:1), the Apostle and High Priest of our faith. So the verb which introduces our exhortation tells us to look at others, first of all at Jesus, to be concerned for one another, and not to remain isolated and indifferent to the fate of our brothers and sisters. All too often, however, our attitude is just the opposite: an indifference and disinterest born of selfishness and masked as a respect for "privacy". Today too, the Lord’s voice summons all of us to be concerned for one another. Even today God asks us to be "guardians" of our brothers and sisters (Gen 4:9), to establish relationships based on mutual consideration and attentiveness to the well-being, the integral well-being of others. The great commandment of love for one another demands that we acknowledge our responsibility towards those who, like ourselves, are creatures and children of God. Being brothers and sisters in humanity and, in many cases, also in the faith, should help us to recognize in others a true alter ego, infinitely loved by the Lord. If we cultivate this way of seeing others as our brothers and sisters, solidarity, justice, mercy and compassion will naturally well up in our hearts. The Servant of God Pope Paul VI stated that the world today is suffering above all from a lack of brotherhood: "Human society is sorely ill. The cause is not so much the depletion of natural resources, nor their monopolistic control by a privileged few; it is rather the weakening of brotherly ties between individuals and nations" (Populorum Progressio, 66).</div><div><br />Concern for others entails desiring what is good for them from every point of view: physical, moral and spiritual. Contemporary culture seems to have lost the sense of good and evil, yet there is a real need to reaffirm that good does exist and will prevail, because God is "generous and acts generously" (Ps 119:68). The good is whatever gives, protects and promotes life, brotherhood and communion. Responsibility towards others thus means desiring and working for the good of others, in the hope that they too will become receptive to goodness and its demands. Concern for others means being aware of their needs. Sacred Scripture warns us of the danger that our hearts can become hardened by a sort of "spiritual anesthesia" which numbs us to the suffering of others. The Evangelist Luke relates two of Jesus’ parables by way of example. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, the priest and the Levite "pass by", indifferent to the presence of the man stripped and beaten by the robbers (cf.Lk 10:30-32). In that of Dives and Lazarus, the rich man is heedless of the poverty of Lazarus, who is starving to death at his very door (cf. Lk 16:19). Both parables show examples of the opposite of "being concerned", of looking upon others with love and compassion. What hinders this humane and loving gaze towards our brothers and sisters? Often it is the possession of material riches and a sense of sufficiency, but it can also be the tendency to put our own interests and problems above all else. We should never be incapable of "showing mercy" towards those who suffer. Our hearts should never be so wrapped up in our affairs and problems that they fail to hear the cry of the poor. Humbleness of heart and the personal experience of suffering can awaken within us a sense of compassion and empathy. "The upright understands the cause of the weak, the wicked has not the wit to understand it" (Prov 29:7). We can then understand the beatitude of "those who mourn" (Mt 5:5), those who in effect are capable of looking beyond themselves and feeling compassion for the suffering of others. Reaching out to others and opening our hearts to their needs can become an opportunity for salvation and blessedness.</div><div><br />"Being concerned for each other" also entails being concerned for their spiritual well-being. Here I would like to mention an aspect of the Christian life, which I believe has been quite forgotten:fraternal correction in view of eternal salvation. Today, in general, we are very sensitive to the idea of charity and caring about the physical and material well-being of others, but almost completely silent about our spiritual responsibility towards our brothers and sisters. This was not the case in the early Church or in those communities that are truly mature in faith, those which are concerned not only for the physical health of their brothers and sisters, but also for their spiritual health and ultimate destiny. The Scriptures tell us: "Rebuke the wise and he will love you for it. Be open with the wise, he grows wiser still, teach the upright, he will gain yet more" (Prov 9:8ff). Christ himself commands us to admonish a brother who is committing a sin (cf. Mt 18:15). The verb used to express fraternal correction - elenchein – is the same used to indicate the prophetic mission of Christians to speak out against a generation indulging in evil (cf. Eph 5:11). The Church’s tradition has included "admonishing sinners" among the spiritual works of mercy. It is important to recover this dimension of Christian charity. We must not remain silent before evil. I am thinking of all those Christians who, out of human regard or purely personal convenience, adapt to the prevailing mentality, rather than warning their brothers and sisters against ways of thinking and acting that are contrary to the truth and that do not follow the path of goodness. Christian admonishment, for its part, is never motivated by a spirit of accusation or recrimination. It is always moved by love and mercy, and springs from genuine concern for the good of the other. As the Apostle Paul says: "If one of you is caught doing something wrong, those of you who are spiritual should set that person right in a spirit of gentleness; and watch yourselves that you are not put to the test in the same way" (Gal 6:1). In a world pervaded by individualism, it is essential to rediscover the importance of fraternal correction, so that together we may journey towards holiness.<span style="font-size: 100%; "> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Scripture tells us that even "the upright falls seven times" (Prov 24:16); all of us are weak and imperfect (cf. 1 Jn 1:8). It is a great service, then, to help others and allow them to help us, so that we can be open to the whole truth about ourselves, improve our lives and walk more uprightly in the Lord’s ways. There will always be a need for a gaze which loves and admonishes, which knows and understands, which discerns and forgives (cf. Lk 22:61), as God has done and continues to do with each of us.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div>2. "Being concerned for each other": the gift of reciprocity.</div><div><br />This "custody" of others is in contrast to a mentality that, by reducing life exclusively to its earthly dimension, fails to see it in an eschatological perspective and accepts any moral choice in the name of personal freedom. A society like ours can become blind to physical sufferings and to the spiritual and moral demands of life. This must not be the case in the Christian community! The Apostle Paul encourages us to seek "the ways which lead to peace and the ways in which we can support one another" (Rom 14:19) for our neighbour’s good, "so that we support one another" (15:2), seeking not personal gain but rather "the advantage of everybody else, so that they may be saved" (1 Cor 10:33). This mutual correction and encouragement in a spirit of humility and charity must be part of the life of the Christian community.</div><div><br />The Lord’s disciples, united with him through the Eucharist, live in a fellowship that binds them one to another as members of a single body. This means that the other is part of me, and that his or her life, his or her salvation, concern my own life and salvation. Here we touch upon a profound aspect of communion: our existence is related to that of others, for better or for worse. Both our sins and our acts of love have a social dimension. This reciprocity is seen in the Church, the mystical body of Christ: the community constantly does penance and asks for the forgiveness of the sins of its members, but also unfailingly rejoices in the examples of virtue and charity present in her midst. As Saint Paul says: "Each part should be equally concerned for all the others" (1 Cor 12:25), for we all form one body. Acts of charity towards our brothers and sisters – as expressed by almsgiving, a practice which, together with prayer and fasting, is typical of Lent – is rooted in this common belonging. Christians can also express their membership in the one body which is the Church through concrete concern for the poorest of the poor. Concern for one another likewise means acknowledging the good that the Lord is doing in others and giving thanks for the wonders of grace that Almighty God in his goodness continuously accomplishes in his children. When Christians perceive the Holy Spirit at work in others, they cannot but rejoice and give glory to the heavenly Father (cf. Mt 5:16).</div><div><br />3. "To stir a response in love and good works": walking together in holiness.<br />These words of the Letter to the Hebrews (10:24) urge us to reflect on the universal call to holiness, the continuing journey of the spiritual life as we aspire to the greater spiritual gifts and to an ever more sublime and fruitful charity (cf. 1 Cor 12:31-13:13). Being concerned for one another should spur us to an increasingly effective love which, "like the light of dawn, its brightness growing to the fullness of day" (Prov 4:18), makes us live each day as an anticipation of the eternal day awaiting us in God. The time granted us in this life is precious for discerning and performing good works in the love of God. In this way the Church herself continuously grows towards the full maturity of Christ (cf. Eph 4:13). Our exhortation to encourage one another to attain the fullness of love and good works is situated in this dynamic prospect of growth.</div><div><br />Sadly, there is always the temptation to become lukewarm, to quench the Spirit, to refuse to invest the talents we have received, for our own good and for the good of others (cf. Mt 25:25ff.). All of us have received spiritual or material riches meant to be used for the fulfilment of God’s plan, for the good of the Church and for our personal salvation (cf. Lk 12:21b; 1 Tim 6:18). The spiritual masters remind us that in the life of faith those who do not advance inevitably regress. Dear brothers and sisters, let us accept the invitation, today as timely as ever, to aim for the "high standard of ordinary Christian living" (Novo Millennio Ineunte, 31). The wisdom of the Church in recognizing and proclaiming certain outstanding Christians as Blessed and as Saints is also meant to inspire others to imitate their virtues. Saint Paul exhorts us to "anticipate one another in showing honour" (Rom 12:10).</div><div><br />In a world which demands of Christians a renewed witness of love and fidelity to the Lord, may all of us feel the urgent need to anticipate one another in charity, service and good works (cf. Heb 6:10). This appeal is particularly pressing in this holy season of preparation for Easter. As I offer my prayerful good wishes for a blessed and fruitful Lenten period, I entrust all of you to the intercession of the Mary Ever Virgin and cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing.<br /><br /></div><div>From the Vatican, 3 November 2011<br />BENEDICTUS PP. XVI</div>Nissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188747079145361597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36075935.post-24225797725467941022009-04-10T11:08:00.000-07:002009-04-10T11:08:00.683-07:00The Last Seven Words...<em>A lovely gift sent to us by Father Augustine:</em><br /><br /><strong>THE SEVEN WORDS OF JESUS ON THE CROSS </strong><br /><br />Jesus died on the Cross to redeem mankind, to save us from our sins, because he loves us.<br />He was mocked, scorned, and tortured in the praetorium; carried his cross up the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem to Calvary, nailed to the Cross, hung between two common criminals, and suffered an indescribable end.<br /><br />When religious pilgrimages to the Holy Land were prevented by military occupation of Jerusalem, a popular devotion known as the Way of the Cross arose during Lent, fourteen stations retracing the Passion, Crucifixion, Death, and Burial of Jesus.<br /><br />The Seven Words are the last seven expressions of Jesus on the Cross recorded in Scripture.<br /><br /><br /><strong>THE FIRST WORD </strong><br /><br />"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."<br />Gospel of Luke 23:34<br />Jesus says this first word only in the Gospel of Luke, just after he was crucified by the soldiers on Golgotha, with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. The timing of this suggests that Jesus asks his Father to primarily forgive his enemies, the soldiers, who have scourged him, mocked him, tortured him, and who have just nailed him to the cross. But could this not also apply to his Apostles and companions who have deserted him, to Peter who has denied him three times, to the fickle crowd, who only days before praised him on his entrance to Jerusalem, and then days later chose him over Barabbas to be crucified? Could this not also apply to us, who daily forget him in our lives?<br /><br />Does he react angrily? No, he asks his Father to forgive them, because they are ignorant! At the height of his physical suffering, his Divine love prevails and He asks His Father to forgive his enemies.<br /><br />Right up to his final hours on earth, Jesus preaches forgiveness. He teaches forgiveness in the Lord's Prayer: "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us [Matthew 6:12]." When asked by Peter, how many times should we forgive someone, Jesus answers seventy times seven [Matthew 18:21-22]. At the Last Supper, Jesus explains his crucifixion to his Apostles when he tells them to drink of the cup: "Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins [Matthew 26:27-28]." He forgives the paralytic at Capernaum [Mark 2:5], and the adulteress caught in the act and about to be stoned [John 8:1-11]. And even following his Resurrection, his first act is to commission his disciples to forgive, the Scriptural foundation for the Sacrament of Confession: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if the retain the sins of any, they are retained [John 20:22-23]."<br /><br /><br /><strong>THE SECOND WORD </strong><br /><br />"Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."<br />Gospel of Luke 23:43<br />Now it is not just the religious leaders or the soldiers that mock Jesus, but even one of the criminals, a downward progression of mockery. But the criminal on the right speaks up for Jesus, explaining the two criminals are receiving their just due, and then pointing to Jesus, says, "this man has done nothing wrong." Then, turning to Jesus, he asks, "Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingly power [Luke 23:42]." What wonderful faith this repentant sinner had in Jesus - far more than the doubting Thomas, one of his own Apostles! Ignoring his own suffering, Jesus mercifully responds with His second word.<br /><br />The second word again is about forgiveness, this time directed to a sinner. Just as the first word, this Biblical expression again is found only in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus shows his Divinity by opening heaven for a repentant sinner - such generosity to a man that only asked to be remembered!<br /><br /><br /><strong>THE THIRD WORD </strong><br /><br />"Jesus said to his mother: "Woman, this is your son".<br />Then he said to the disciple: "This is your mother."<br />Gospel of John 19:26-27<br />Jesus and Mary are together again, at the beginning of his ministry in Cana and now at the end of his public ministry at the foot of the Cross. What sorrow must fill her heart, to see her Son mocked, tortured, and now just crucified. Once again, a sword pierces Mary's soul, the sword predicted by Simeon at the Temple [Luke 2:35]. . There are four at the foot of the cross, Mary his Mother, John, the disciple whom he loved, Mary of Cleopas, his mother's sister, and Mary Magdalene. His third word is addressed to Mary and John, the only eye-witness of the Gospel writers.<br /><br />But again Jesus rises above the occasion, and his concerns are for the ones that love him. The good son that He is, Jesus is concerned about taking care of his mother. In fact, this passage offers proof that Jesus was the only child of Mary, because if he did have brothers or sisters, they would have provided for her. But Jesus looks to John to care for her.<br /><br />St. Joseph is noticeably absent. The historic paintings, such as Tondo-doni by Michelangelo and The Holy Family by Raphael, suggest Joseph was a considerably older man. St. Joseph had probably died by the time of the crucifixion, or else he would have been the one to take care of Mary. Early Christian traditions and the second-century apocryphal Protoevangelium of James hold that Joseph was a widower, and his children by his widow were the "brothers and sisters of Jesus."<br /><br />Another striking phrase indicating Jesus was an only child is Mark 6:3, referring to Jesus: "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" Now if James, Joses and Judas and Simon were also natural sons of Mary, Jesus would not have been called the "son of Mary."<br /><br /><br /><strong>THE FOURTH WORD </strong><br /><br />"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"<br />Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34<br />This is the only expression of Jesus in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. Both Gospels relate that it was in the ninth hour, after 3 hours of darkness, that Jesus cried out this fourth word. The ninth hour was three o'clock in Palestine. Just after He speaks, Mark relates with a horrible sense of finality, "And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed his last [Mark 15:37]."<br /><br />One is struck by the anguished tone of this expression compared to the first three words of Jesus. This cry is from the painful heart of the human Jesus who must feel deserted by His Father and the Holy Spirit, not to mention his earthly companions the Apostles. As if to emphasize his loneliness, Mark even has his loved ones "looking from afar," not close to him as in the Gospel of John. Jesus feels separated from his Father. He is now all alone, and he must face death by himself.<br /><br />But is not this exactly what happens to all of us when we die? We too will be all alone at the time of death! Jesus completely lives the human experience as we do, and by doing so, frees us from the clutches of sin.<br /><br />There can not be a more dreadful moment in the history of man as this moment. Jesus who came to save us is crucified, and He realizes the horror of what is happening and what He now is enduring. He is about to be engulfed in the raging sea of sin. Evil triumphs, as Jesus admits: "But this is your hour [Luke 22:53]." But it is only for a moment. The burden of all the sins of humanity for a moment overwhelm the humanity of our Jesus.<br /><br />But does this not have to happen? Does this not have to occur if Jesus is to save us? It is in defeat of his humanity that the Divine plan of His Father, and as the Trinity, His plan will be completed! It is by His death that we are redeemed.<br /><br /><br /><strong>THE FIFTH WORD </strong><br /><br />"I thirst"<br />Gospel of John 19:28<br />The fifth word of Jesus is His only human expression of His physical suffering. Jesus is now in shock. The wounds inflicted upon him in the scourging, the crowning with thorns, and the nailing upon the cross are now taking their toll, especially after losing blood on the three-hour walk through the city of Jerusalem to Golgotha on the Way of the Cross. Systematic studies of the Shroud of Turin, as reported by Gerald O'Collins in Interpreting Jesus, indicate the passion of Jesus was far worse than one could imagine. The Shroud has been exhaustively studied by every possible scientific maneuver, and the scientific burden of proof is now on those who do not accept the Shroud as the burial cloth of Jesus.<br /><br /><br /><strong>THE SIXTH WORD </strong><br /><br />When Jesus had received the wine, he said, "It is finished";<br />and he bowed his head and handed over the spirit.<br />Gospel of John 19:30<br />It is now a fait accomplit. The sixth word is Jesus' recognition that his suffering is over and his task is completed. Jesus was obedient to the Father and gave his love for mankind by redeeming us with His death on the Cross.<br /><br />The above painting is meant to capture the moment.<br />What was the darkest day of mankind became the brightest day for mankind.<br /><br />When Jesus died, He "handed over" the Spirit.<br />Jesus remains in control to the end, and it is He who handed over his Spirit. One should not miss the double entendre here, for this may also be interpreted as His death brought forth the Holy Spirit. This becomes more evident in John 19:34: "But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water." The imagery of water recalls the Holy Spirit as "living water." This fulfills the prophecy in Zechariah 12:10: "They will look upon him whom they have pierced." The piercing of Jesus' side prefigures the sacraments of Eucharist (blood) and Baptism (water), and as well the beginning of the Church.<br /><br /><br /><strong>THE SEVENTH WORD </strong><br /><br />Jesus cried out in a loud voice,<br />"Father, into your hands I commend my spirit":<br />Gospel of Luke 23:46<br />The seventh word of Jesus is from the Gospel of Luke, and is directed to the Father in heaven, just before He dies. Luke quotes Psalm 31:5 - "Into thy hands I commend my spirit; thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God." Luke repeatedly pleads Jesus' innocence: with Pilate [Luke 23:4, 14-15, 22], through Dismas, the criminal [Luke 23:41], and immediately after His death with the centurion" "Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, 'Certainly this man was innocent [Luke 23:47].'"<br />The innocent Lamb had been slain for our sins.<br /><br />Jesus fulfills His mission, and as He says so clearly in John's Gospel, He can now return: "I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father [John 16:28]."<br />Jesus practiced what He preached: "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends [John 15:13]."Nissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188747079145361597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36075935.post-32463262535512022362009-04-06T15:32:00.000-07:002009-04-06T15:35:16.800-07:00TFD Episode #6:: Surrender with Deacon Tom, Part 6<span style="font-weight:bold;">Surrender - To the Cross. Your Cross.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><object><embed src="http://partridgehillmedia.com/deacontom/Surrender6.mp3" autostart="false" autoplay="false" controller="true"></embed></object><br /><br />Many thanks to Deacon Tom Fox for providing us these beautiful reflections. Thank you for joining us each Lenten Monday, we hope that you have been abundantly blessed by this Lent's reflections.<br /><br />Remember, you can also download these podcasts via iTunes.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Deacon Tom Fox was ordained by Archbishop Charles Chaput into the Diocese of Denver. He worked in a mountain town parish at the foot of the Rocky Mountain National Park. Thousands of tourists and visitors came to his parish as they vacationed in and around the Continental Divide. Frequent requests for his homilies and Communion Service reflections led to a parishioner volunteering to set up a website (<a href="http://www.deacontomonline.com/">www.deacontomonline.com</a>) where Tom stores some of his preaching. Deacon Tom has also worked with pre-marriage formation for young couples, baptismal prep for parents and he has taught RCIA for several years.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Tom's work on the internet led to his monthly contributions to the wonderful Lisa Hendey site for Catholic mothering (<a href="http://www.catholicmom.com/">www.catholicmom.com</a>) and a little later to a monthly column on the family site <a href="http://www.catholicfamilypodcast.com/">www.catholicfamilypodcast.com</a> . The last year or so, Tom has been recording weekly reflections for the podcast found at <a href="http://www.catholicmoments.com/">www.catholicmoments.com</a> He was interviewed on the Catholic Relevant Radio Network and he is working on completion of a Pontifical College Josephinum course on Diaconate Ministry for Marriage and Families. Deacon Tom and his wife Dee now reside in north central Arizona and Tom was granted deacon ministry faculties by the Tucson Diocese.</span></span>Nissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188747079145361597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36075935.post-42258609110401681242009-03-30T07:35:00.000-07:002009-03-30T07:39:55.534-07:00TFD Episode #5:: Surrender with Deacon Tom, Part 5<span style="font-weight:bold;">Surrender - To the Father, Like a Child</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><object><embed src="http://partridgehillmedia.com/deacontom/Surrender5.mp3" autostart="false" autoplay="false" controller="true"></embed></object><br /><br />Many thanks to Deacon Tom Fox for providing us these beautiful reflections. Join us each Lenten Monday for another installment in our 2009 series "Surrender". You can also download these podcasts via iTunes.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Deacon Tom Fox was ordained by Archbishop Charles Chaput into the Diocese of Denver. He worked in a mountain town parish at the foot of the Rocky Mountain National Park. Thousands of tourists and visitors came to his parish as they vacationed in and around the Continental Divide. Frequent requests for his homilies and Communion Service reflections led to a parishioner volunteering to set up a website (<a href="http://www.deacontomonline.com/">www.deacontomonline.com</a>) where Tom stores some of his preaching. Deacon Tom has also worked with pre-marriage formation for young couples, baptismal prep for parents and he has taught RCIA for several years.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Tom's work on the internet led to his monthly contributions to the wonderful Lisa Hendey site for Catholic mothering (<a href="http://www.catholicmom.com/">www.catholicmom.com</a>) and a little later to a monthly column on the family site <a href="http://www.catholicfamilypodcast.com/">www.catholicfamilypodcast.com</a> . The last year or so, Tom has been recording weekly reflections for the podcast found at <a href="http://www.catholicmoments.com/">www.catholicmoments.com</a> He was interviewed on the Catholic Relevant Radio Network and he is working on completion of a Pontifical College Josephinum course on Diaconate Ministry for Marriage and Families. Deacon Tom and his wife Dee now reside in north central Arizona and Tom was granted deacon ministry faculties by the Tucson Diocese.</span></span>Nissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188747079145361597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36075935.post-83075607039416042212009-03-26T06:54:00.000-07:002009-03-26T07:06:18.660-07:00TFD Special: Father Augustine on the Luminous MysteriesFather Augustine again discusses the luminous mysteries.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><object><embed src="http://partridgehillmedia.com/fatheraugustine/LUMINOUSMYSTERIES.mp3" autostart="false" autoplay="false" controller="true"></embed></object><br /><br />I have also <a href="http://partridgehillmedia.com/fatheraugustine/LUMINOUSMYSTERIESpaper.doc">linked the paper</a> which Father provided to his attendeesNissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188747079145361597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36075935.post-39152932010403044402009-03-25T07:16:00.000-07:002009-03-25T07:20:47.567-07:00The Annunciation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6qXLTma94IkTPiFt27hOLaXBUy8TKD8nWEVmQvaoYPdhsz7zwN85YSzTNQImvnftB9LH2LXkxhndaGCutWjFPJPBlW-KQLjoltWmLBmPHhe3vZ_etsEtmSHFALCBTKM9TuE9/s1600-h/churchannunciationaltar.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6qXLTma94IkTPiFt27hOLaXBUy8TKD8nWEVmQvaoYPdhsz7zwN85YSzTNQImvnftB9LH2LXkxhndaGCutWjFPJPBlW-KQLjoltWmLBmPHhe3vZ_etsEtmSHFALCBTKM9TuE9/s400/churchannunciationaltar.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317130116681926114" /></a><br />Many thanks to Fr. Augustine Measures, OSB for this beautiful homily on this holy day!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><object><embed src="http://partridgehillmedia.com/fatheraugustine/ANNUNCIATION09.mp3" autostart="false" autoplay="false" controller="true"></embed></object>Nissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188747079145361597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36075935.post-35537975282036643022009-03-24T05:03:00.000-07:002009-03-24T05:03:00.516-07:00Splinters form the CrossBy Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle<br /><br />“Grant, Lord, that your faithful may become partakers in your passion through their sufferings in this life, so that the fruits of your salvation may be made manifest in them,” we read in the Divine Office.<br /><br />When recently discussing a painful ordeal with a dear friend, we reminisced about our meeting each other over twenty years ago. She was pregnant with her first child, and I with my second. We recalled how we had helped each other throughout our difficult pregnancies and encouraged each other while nursing our tiny babies, who got us up every two hours. We have watched each other’s children blossom and grow.<br /><br />Each of us has also suffered the loss of an unborn child through a miscarriage. We were able to hold each other’s hand.<br /><br />I remember being wheeled into the operating room, sad and very scared, when I had lost a baby. I had been l5 weeks pregnant.<br /><br />A nurse placed a package on my stomach and helped me open it as I was still being wheeled in for surgery because of the miscarriage. Inside was a statue of Jesus surrounded by little children. There was also a lovely, little note: “Jesus loves all his little children. I love you and I’m praying for you.”<br /><br />A tear trickled down my cheek and I remembered to whisper a prayer. My friend’s thoughtful gesture touched me. Very shortly, the anesthesia took effect and then I remember waking up with lots of tubes and more IVs. I was told by the nurse that I had lost a lot of blood and had nearly died on the operating table. I was told that I needed to stay in the hospital a couple of days. How could I? I was only supposed to be here for a couple of hours. My little daughter and older son won’t understand. I need to go home. I was able to talk my doctor into allowing me to return home that evening to be with my family after I had a transfusion.<br /><br />My thoughts returned to the gift that I had received from my dear friend. How she had managed to get that special treasure to the hospital before my emergency surgery remained a mystery to me. Her loving thoughts, concern and prayers helped me through the loss as did the help from my dear family and friends.<br /><br />My friend, too, suffered the pain of losing an unborn child. God allowed me to be a comfort to her because he had allowed me to relate to her pain, so similar to that I had experienced earlier.<br /><br />It was interesting, too, that we each also experienced placenta previa and a hemorrhaged uterus, forcing us into complete bed rest during our pregnancies. Having older children to care for, we asked ourselves, “What is complete bed rest? Mothers don’t really get to rest, do they?”<br /><br />We each managed to get through our long pregnancies, supporting one another, counting the days till we would come face to face with our precious infants. And then, once again, we were on our feet heading into yet another chapter of our lives.<br /><br />At times it may seem that things will always be this way, that nothing will change. Yet our lives progress in phases. A nine-month difficult pregnancy may seem like an eternity. A painful separation or divorce may leave us devastated. An unexpected accident or a sudden death of a loved one is very hard to handle and get over.<br /><br />We need to remember that this, too, will pass. Time goes on and time heals. Each difficulty or “splinter from the Cross” has with it a solution and God’s grace. Every earthly pain or trial ends. Then we move on to another level of life, complete with new joys and sorrows and challenges. God, in His divine providence, provides for us the perfect amount of grace to get us through.<br /><br />Our journey throughout our lives may take us along some very challenging roads. We might find ourselves at times in the most unexpected places. The gift of faith that God has given us for the asking will surely help to carry us through.<br /><br />St Francis de Sales tells us in the Introduction to the Devout Life: “We need to suffer patiently not only the burden of being ill, but of being ill with the particular illness that God wants for us, among the people that He wants us to be with, and with the discomforts that He permits us to experience. I say the same of all other tribulations.”<br /><br />Suffering is a part of life. But faith makes it bearable and love makes it a way to draw closer to the One Who suffered and died so that we might live. His Cross, our splinter — both are redemption.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, mother of five and Lay Missionary of Charity writes from Connecticut. She is the author of the Best-selling book, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers</span>, published by Our Sunday Visitor Publishing. Her book, <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Heart of Motherhood: Finding Holiness in the Catholic Home</span>, published by Crossroad Publishing. Her book, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine-Month Novena for Mothers-To-Be</span>, bears a foreword by Blessed Teresa of Calcutta whom the author knew personally and was released in April 2007. These three books were encouraged and endorsed by Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta and given a blessing by Pope John Paul II. They are available through her website: <a href="http://www.donnacooperoboyle.com/">www.donnacooperoboyle.com</a>. Donna-Marie's latest books are: Catholic Saints Prayer Book , published by Our Sunday Visitor Publishing, The Domestic Church: Room by Room: A Mother's Study Guide, and Grace Cafe: Serving up Recipes for Faithful Mothering, both by Circle Press Publishing. Donna-Marie donates a portion of the proceeds to the Missionaries of Charity to help the poor, as well as parish organizations. Donna-Marie writes for a number of magazines, newspapers and Catholic websites. She has appeared on EWTN television, she has a regular radio segment called, "Mom's Corner" with Teresa Tomeo on "Catholic Connection," Ave Maria Radio. She is a regular contributor to Catholic Mom.com. Catholic Exchange, Catholic Online, and Catholic Outpost. She lectures on a number of topics and can be reached through her website or at DMCOBoyle@aol.com .</span></span>Nissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188747079145361597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36075935.post-47744912722607933472009-03-23T06:52:00.000-07:002009-03-30T07:35:27.378-07:00TFD Episode #4:: Surrender with Deacon Tom, Part 4<span style="font-weight:bold;">Surrender - No Matter What</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><object><embed src="http://partridgehillmedia.com/deacontom/Surrender4.mp3" autostart="false" autoplay="false" controller="true"></embed></object><br /><br />Many thanks to Deacon Tom Fox for providing us these beautiful reflections. Join us each Lenten Monday for another installment in our 2009 series "Surrender". You can also download these podcasts via iTunes.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Deacon Tom Fox was ordained by Archbishop Charles Chaput into the Diocese of Denver. He worked in a mountain town parish at the foot of the Rocky Mountain National Park. Thousands of tourists and visitors came to his parish as they vacationed in and around the Continental Divide. Frequent requests for his homilies and Communion Service reflections led to a parishioner volunteering to set up a website (<a href="http://www.deacontomonline.com/">www.deacontomonline.com</a>) where Tom stores some of his preaching. Deacon Tom has also worked with pre-marriage formation for young couples, baptismal prep for parents and he has taught RCIA for several years.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Tom's work on the internet led to his monthly contributions to the wonderful Lisa Hendey site for Catholic mothering (<a href="http://www.catholicmom.com/">www.catholicmom.com</a>) and a little later to a monthly column on the family site <a href="http://www.catholicfamilypodcast.com/">www.catholicfamilypodcast.com</a> . The last year or so, Tom has been recording weekly reflections for the podcast found at <a href="http://www.catholicmoments.com/">www.catholicmoments.com</a> He was interviewed on the Catholic Relevant Radio Network and he is working on completion of a Pontifical College Josephinum course on Diaconate Ministry for Marriage and Families. Deacon Tom and his wife Dee now reside in north central Arizona and Tom was granted deacon ministry faculties by the Tucson Diocese.</span></span>Nissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188747079145361597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36075935.post-2310802340482963822009-03-18T06:44:00.000-07:002009-03-18T06:45:06.231-07:00TFD Episode #3:: Surrender with Deacon Tom, Part 3<span style="font-weight:bold;">Surrender is Love</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><object><embed src="http://partridgehillmedia.com/deacontom/Surrender3.mp3" autostart="false" autoplay="false" controller="true"></embed></object><br /><br />Many thanks to Deacon Tom Fox for providing us these beautiful reflections. Join us each Lenten Monday for another installment in our 2009 series "Surrender". You can also download these podcasts via iTunes.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Deacon Tom Fox was ordained by Archbishop Charles Chaput into the Diocese of Denver. He worked in a mountain town parish at the foot of the Rocky Mountain National Park. Thousands of tourists and visitors came to his parish as they vacationed in and around the Continental Divide. Frequent requests for his homilies and Communion Service reflections led to a parishioner volunteering to set up a website (<a href="http://www.deacontomonline.com/">www.deacontomonline.com</a>) where Tom stores some of his preaching. Deacon Tom has also worked with pre-marriage formation for young couples, baptismal prep for parents and he has taught RCIA for several years.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Tom's work on the internet led to his monthly contributions to the wonderful Lisa Hendey site for Catholic mothering (<a href="http://www.catholicmom.com/">www.catholicmom.com</a>) and a little later to a monthly column on the family site <a href="http://www.catholicfamilypodcast.com/">www.catholicfamilypodcast.com</a> . The last year or so, Tom has been recording weekly reflections for the podcast found at <a href="http://www.catholicmoments.com/">www.catholicmoments.com</a> He was interviewed on the Catholic Relevant Radio Network and he is working on completion of a Pontifical College Josephinum course on Diaconate Ministry for Marriage and Families. Deacon Tom and his wife Dee now reside in north central Arizona and Tom was granted deacon ministry faculties by the Tucson Diocese.</span></span>Nissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188747079145361597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36075935.post-73101385639790236492009-03-14T07:49:00.000-07:002012-02-22T07:41:49.781-08:00A Mother's Faith-filled Life in Imitation of Our Blessed MotherHere's an excerpt from the first chapter, "The Foyer: Our Blessed Mother Mary and Motherhood" from my book, <em>The Domestic Church: Room by Room: A Mother's Study Guide</em> to ponder this week of Lent...<br /><br />"Thoughts to Ponder... <br /> <br />If Mary, who was the Mother of God, can be his handmaid, taking delight in serving others, I can certainly strive to be a handmaid, too. Within my vocation of motherhood I will find a deep and lasting peace when I become intimately united to Christ while striving to be a servant to others, especially within my own family. Through the gift of myself, I receive so much in return—much more than I can ever imagine.<br /> <br />A life of prayer is necessary to come closer to Jesus and to understand God’s holy will for my life. Prayer and the many graces that are bestowed upon me in my vocation will ultimately give me the necessary strength to carry out my duties within my household, as well as to increase the love for my family. <br /> <br />It would be a lie to convey that a mother’s daily life is only one of blissful loving embraces and constant “warm fuzzies.” Motherhood is intrinsically beautiful, but while she is in the “trenches” with whiny demands, diapers, overflowing hampers of dirty laundry, and the constantly refilling kitchen sink, mothers know that the feeling of love for her family may not always emerge easily in every circumstance. It will, at times, come through the sacrifice of giving of herself and her decision to remain faithful to her vocation. A mother decides to love and to continue to love her family in God’s plan for her salvation and the salvation of her family. Through a mother’s loving service, God is at work sanctifying her soul when she thoroughly surrenders her heart to his holy will.<br /> <br />When life seems difficult within the family, I have recourse to the Blessed Mother who was human like me and will truly understand my problems. She will intercede for me; she is waiting to hear my prayers. Mothers can learn from Mary who is an example of one who listened to God and allowed the Holy Spirit to inspire and guide her. I can learn from Mary that a mother’s prayer is powerful. When I am asked to endure suffering or pain within my role as a mother, I can turn my thoughts to Mother Mary and ask her assistance and intercession. Throughout difficulties, and while trusting in God during particular situations within my homelife, I can meditate on Mary’s faithful trust in Our Lord and in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When I experience the deep joy in my role as a mother, I can feel an affinity with Mary, who experienced deep joy in mothering Jesus.<br /><br />Blessed Teresa of Calcutta taught me to say a very simple but poignant prayer to the Blessed Mother. She said, “Mary, Mother of Jesus, be a Mother to me now.” Let us invoke her often.<br /> <br />Let us also pray along with Blessed Teresa of Calcutta that the words in John’s Gospel, “love one another; even as I have loved you” will “not only be a light to us, but also a flame consuming the selfishness which prevents the growth of holiness”—so that love will permeate our vocation of motherhood.<br /><center>***</center><br /> <br />“Holy Mary, Mother of God, our Mother, teach us to believe, to hope, to love with you. Show us the way to his Kingdom! Star of the Sea, shine upon us and guide us on our way!”—Benedict XVI ( Spe Salvi (Christian Hope), November 30, 2007)<br /><br /><center>***</center><br /><br />Dear Blessed Mother Mary, please open my heart to see the holiness within my vocation of motherhood. Please guide me each day as I guide my children towards Heaven. Help me to have the courage to strive to serve others as you did, rather than expect to be served. I pray that I may also be a “handmaid of the Lord.” I pray for the courage to say to the Lord, “be it done unto me according to Thy Word.” Teach me, please, dear holy Mary, and bring me to Your Son Jesus. Amen."<br /><br /><center>***</center><br />Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, mother of five and Lay Missionary of Charity writes from Connecticut. She is the author of the Best-selling book, Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers, published by Our Sunday Visitor Publishing. Her book, The Heart of Motherhood: Finding Holiness in the Catholic Home, published by Crossroad Publishing. Her book, Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine-Month Novena for Mothers-To-Be, bears a foreword by Blessed Teresa of Calcutta whom the author knew personally and was released in April 2007. These three books were encouraged and endorsed by Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta and given a blessing by Pope John Paul II. They are available through her website: www.donnacooperoboyle.com. Donna-Marie's latest books are: Catholic Saints Prayer Book , published by Our Sunday Visitor Publishing, The Domestic Church: Room by Room: A Mother's Study Guide, and Grace Cafe: Serving up Recipes for Faithful Mothering, both by Circle Press Publishing. Donna-Marie donates a portion of the proceeds to the Missionaries of Charity to help the poor, as well as parish organizations. Donna-Marie writes for a number of magazines, newspapers and Catholic websites. She has appeared on EWTN television, she has a regular radio segment called, "Mom's Corner" with Teresa Tomeo on "Catholic Connection," Ave Maria Radio. She is a regular contributor to Catholic Mom.com. Catholic Exchange, Catholic Online, and Catholic Outpost. She lectures on a number of topics and can be reached through her website or at DMCOBoyle@aol.com .<br />Read more...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36075935.post-68994140061458537902009-03-10T09:18:00.000-07:002009-03-10T09:18:00.446-07:00Scriptural Stations Meditations - Fourteenth Station<div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCB1R3ltjDWOSvpVtY3y0q42i81SQSmAgoLFuoeJFOwYQyyz52eQWtRrSDXRXL8fg7-pCw_DDafOwap3AJSK_CPPOBdtIAMCTX_e5MV_VaiKk55M8VP7DCU_UpNRV4bykSWvn0/s1600-h/pieta+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307157361049873938" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 105px; height: 161px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCB1R3ltjDWOSvpVtY3y0q42i81SQSmAgoLFuoeJFOwYQyyz52eQWtRrSDXRXL8fg7-pCw_DDafOwap3AJSK_CPPOBdtIAMCTX_e5MV_VaiKk55M8VP7DCU_UpNRV4bykSWvn0/s320/pieta+2.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong>Jesus is Placed in the Tomb</strong><br /><br /><div><div></div><div>We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.<br />Because by Your holy cross You have<br />redeemed the world.</div><br /><div>When it was evening,<br />there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph,<br />who was himself a disciple of Jesus.<br />He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus;<br />then Pilate ordered it to be handed over.<br />Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it [in] clean linen<br />and laid it in his new tomb that he had hewn in the rock.<br />Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomb<br />and departed.</div><div><em>~Matthew 27: 57-60</em></div><em><br /><br /></em><div><em>We pray:</em></div><div><em></em>Lord Jesus, Your friends pull the iron from Your<br />mangled hands and feet and<br />balance your stiffened body down from the cross.<br />They must look on Your closed eyes in bitter confusion,<br />seeing their beloved friend silenced by those who opposed him.<br />Bitter grief and a kind of hopelessness is their only food now;<br />they do not understand that they will soon see You alive again.<br />Your lifeless body is anointed and wrapped in a sheet<br />and then laid in a borrowed tomb, sealed from sight,<br />from those who love You, in darkness. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWotAARqs0qunmcKjTQC3D5uy7Q9Y8d5D1hbIv1kKIsF4TuZ4yN4KMfz5IFmBhGvQkD6eO1WozIanAJF9pG3GijMXOMeS00lzPUx-9N6W_JS2VFIsuxzg8B4-pgRGcm5Dq8iBp/s1600-h/jesus+tomb.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307157852760562210" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 320px; height: 244px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWotAARqs0qunmcKjTQC3D5uy7Q9Y8d5D1hbIv1kKIsF4TuZ4yN4KMfz5IFmBhGvQkD6eO1WozIanAJF9pG3GijMXOMeS00lzPUx-9N6W_JS2VFIsuxzg8B4-pgRGcm5Dq8iBp/s320/jesus+tomb.bmp" border="0" /></a><br />Your friends are grieving and Your enemies are celebrating uneasily.<br />But the stone tomb is like a womb that will give birth to everlasting life.<br />Because You accepted even death, death on a cross (Phil 2:8), death is never the end.<br />Death is always a new beginning.<br /><br />Lord, through the cross You have conquered death and made it flow into life.<br />You are placed alone in the tomb to show us that<br />the grave’s utter aloneness is not the end for which we are created. </div><br /><div><br />You will soon rise, triumphant over death and sin, with the power to draw all of us to You in everlasting joy and unity.<br />You are living eternally,<br />and You created each of us to live forever with You.<br />Help us to remember that only our bodies enter the tomb;<br />our souls are always alive in You.<br />Give us this deep knowledge of salvation,<br />so that we will be moved to offer our lives<br />as a sacrifice of praise and gratitude.<br />May we see past the cross and past the tomb to the<br />light of the Resurrection, knowing that<br />the silence and darkness of death is only the crossing ground<br />to an eternal song of praise, and the Day that will never end.</div><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307158461162983458" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 260px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32kIz0m0e3FixBWQNwt8VWp2sHbkPhSWdvSFLWc0VZ3mIFzDGjMwAfoABEqazb32LW3rMRGYEDcohcDLmUzVjJcr2qMIR11zmU5lsYSnqegMq0zG19XnzPtSGRf8SZDFK2iMR/s320/Jesus%2520resurrection.gif" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>Closing Prayer:</strong></div><div>Lord Jesus,<br />in looking at Your suffering,<br />we begin to penetrate the mystery that here is Your glory.<br />We continuously rediscover the value and meaning of the Cross,<br />the truth of which opens us to hope in the face of so many difficulties.<br /><br />As we “look on Him whom we have pierced” (Jn 19:37),<br />our own sorrows can be seen as a privileged way<br />to the very Heart of Christ, poured out for us.<br />You are alive and breathing through Your Church and<br />through each soul, ever revealing Yourself anew,<br />because love is always new, and continues to find new ways<br />to give itself and to express itself.<br />It is this truth that embraces every age and every situation<br />and makes the Cross the one sign of our salvation.<br /><br />May we who have faithfully reflected on these mysteries follow in your steps and so come to share your glory in heavenwhere you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spiritone God, for ever and ever.<br />Amen. </div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36075935.post-70513003778932119842009-03-10T05:03:00.001-07:002009-03-10T05:06:57.776-07:00Total Consecration:: Week 1, Day 6 - Self KnowledgeToday's readings followed by Litany of the Holy Spirit, Litany of Loreto, and Ave Maris Stella.<br /><br />Luke 17:1-10 (NAB)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;">He said to his disciples, "Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the person through whom they occur.</span><a style="font-style: italic;" name="v2"> </a><span style="font-style: italic;">It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.</span><a style="font-style: italic;" name="v3"> </a><span style="font-style: italic;">Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.</span><a style="font-style: italic;" name="v4"> </a><span style="font-style: italic;">And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, 'I am sorry,' you should forgive him."</span><a style="font-style: italic;" name="v5"> </a><span style="font-style: italic;">And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."</span><a style="font-style: italic;" name="v6"> </a><span style="font-style: italic;">The Lord replied, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to (this) mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.</span><a style="font-style: italic;" name="v7"></a><span style="font-style: italic;"> "Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, 'Come here immediately and take your place at table'?</span><a style="font-style: italic;" name="v8"> </a><span style="font-style: italic;">Would he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished'?</span><a style="font-style: italic;" name="v9"> </a><span style="font-style: italic;">Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?</span><a style="font-style: italic;" name="v10"> </a><span style="font-style: italic;">So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.'"</span></blockquote><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size:100%;">Imitation of Christ, by Thomas á Kempis: Book 3, Chapter 47 </span><br /></div><p style="font-family: times new roman;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p><blockquote><p style="font-family: times new roman;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">That All Grievous Things Are to Be Endured For the Sake of Eternal Life</span></span> </p><p style="font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;" align="left"> <span style="font-size:100%;"> My son, be not wearied out by the labors which thou hast undertaken for My sake, nor let tribulation cast thee down ever at all; but let My promise strengthen and comfort thee under every circumstance. I am well able to reward thee, above all measure and degree. Thou shalt not long toil here, nor always be oppressed with griefs. Wait a little while, and thou shalt see a speedy end of thine evils.</span></p></blockquote><p style="font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span> </p>Nissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188747079145361597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36075935.post-12818292685963438222009-03-10T05:03:00.000-07:002009-03-10T05:03:00.634-07:00Lenten Strategies; Listening, Not LookingBy Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle<br /><br />We are constantly searching for signs and wonders, never satisfied, always looking, seldom quiet or still enough to listen. Pope Benedict said, “As long as we live in the world, our relationship with God consists more in listening than in seeing; and even contemplation comes about, so to say, with eyes closed and thanks to the inner light lit within us by the Word of God.”<br /><br />He said, “Human life is, in fact, a journey of faith and as such, progresses more in the shadows than in full light, and is not without moments of obscurity or even complete blackness.”<br /><br />Each day we get up to face a new day. We may feel we have our lives figured out to a certain extent, but in actuality, we are always venturing into the unknown, walking in faith. Our Holy Father also told us that the Blessed Virgin “advanced in her own pilgrimage of faith day after day.” We should remember that although she was the mother of Jesus, she was human like us and needed to be steadfast in prayer to walk in faith.<br /><br />Humbly listening to the voice of the Lord, Mary meditated on the Word of God through Scripture and through events in the life of her Son in which she knew and accepted as the voice of God.<br /><br />By remaining close to our Lady, we can progress in our faith through the shadows of this Lent and the uncertain days ahead in our lives. We can seek the Blessed Mother’s help in our journey, asking her to teach us to be quiet so that we will be able to listen.<br /><br />Our Lord is always present even when He seems obscure or absent. He is always waiting for us to communicate with Him and listen to His loving words to us. We have to learn how to be still to hear Him. Visits to the Blessed Sacrament help us to quiet our thoughts and move aside the clutter of our minds that gets in the way of a real communication with our Lord. Resting in our Lord’s presence in the Blessed Sacrament will refresh our souls. Seeking out more time for prayer in the stillness of our hearts wherever we are in our walks of life will help us come closer to our Lord and His holy will for us.<br /><br />Our Holy Father specifically told the faithful during Lent to “listen to Him in His Word, conserved in Holy Scripture…listen to it in the events of our own lives, seeking to read therein the messages of Providence,” and finally, “to listen to it in our brothers and sisters, especially in the smallest and the poorest, towards whom Jesus Himself calls for a concrete display of our love.”<br /><br />Jesus gives us this message through His Vicar on earth asking us to begin to truly listen for Him. We can take some time out each day to pick up the Bible, the Divine Office or the Readings of the day and after reading, pause to listen. We can be more attentive to the nitty-gritty of our lives and the events that fill our days. Nothing is a coincidence. Is our Lord speaking to us?<br /><br />We need to look outside ourselves and find the “smallest” and the “poorest” in our families and in our neighbors and coworkers and respond with a “concrete display of our love.”<br /><br />Pope Benedict told us that our Lord “always speaks to us, and expects us to pay the greatest attention, especially in this period of Lent.” Our Lord is speaking to us. Do we hear Him?<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, mother of five and Lay Missionary of Charity writes from Connecticut. She is the author of the Best-selling book, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers</span>, published by Our Sunday Visitor Publishing. Her book, <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Heart of Motherhood: Finding Holiness in the Catholic Home</span>, published by Crossroad Publishing. Her book, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine-Month Novena for Mothers-To-Be</span>, bears a foreword by Blessed Teresa of Calcutta whom the author knew personally and was released in April 2007. These three books were encouraged and endorsed by Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta and given a blessing by Pope John Paul II. They are available through her website: <a href="http://www.donnacooperoboyle.com/">www.donnacooperoboyle.com</a>. Donna-Marie's latest books are: Catholic Saints Prayer Book , published by Our Sunday Visitor Publishing, The Domestic Church: Room by Room: A Mother's Study Guide, and Grace Cafe: Serving up Recipes for Faithful Mothering, both by Circle Press Publishing. Donna-Marie donates a portion of the proceeds to the Missionaries of Charity to help the poor, as well as parish organizations. Donna-Marie writes for a number of magazines, newspapers and Catholic websites. She has appeared on EWTN television, she has a regular radio segment called, "Mom's Corner" with Teresa Tomeo on "Catholic Connection," Ave Maria Radio. She is a regular contributor to Catholic Mom.com. Catholic Exchange, Catholic Online, and Catholic Outpost. She lectures on a number of topics and can be reached through her website or at DMCOBoyle@aol.com .</span></span>Nissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188747079145361597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36075935.post-76478160794125034042009-03-10T04:41:00.000-07:002009-03-10T05:11:05.547-07:00TFD Episode #2:: Surrender with Deacon Tom, Part 2<span style="font-size:85%;"><object><embed src="http://partridgehillmedia.com/deacontom/Surrender2.mp3" autostart="false" autoplay="false" controller="true"></embed></object><br /><br />Many thanks to Deacon Tom Fox for providing us these beautiful reflections. Join us each Lenten Monday for another installment in our 2009 series "Surrender". You can also download these podcasts via iTunes.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Deacon Tom Fox was ordained by Archbishop Charles Chaput into the Diocese of Denver. He worked in a mountain town parish at the foot of the Rocky Mountain National Park. Thousands of tourists and visitors came to his parish as they vacationed in and around the Continental Divide. Frequent requests for his homilies and Communion Service reflections led to a parishioner volunteering to set up a website (<a href="http://www.deacontomonline.com/">www.deacontomonline.com</a>) where Tom stores some of his preaching. Deacon Tom has also worked with pre-marriage formation for young couples, baptismal prep for parents and he has taught RCIA for several years.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Tom's work on the internet led to his monthly contributions to the wonderful Lisa Hendey site for Catholic mothering (<a href="http://www.catholicmom.com/">www.catholicmom.com</a>) and a little later to a monthly column on the family site <a href="http://www.catholicfamilypodcast.com/">www.catholicfamilypodcast.com</a> . The last year or so, Tom has been recording weekly reflections for the podcast found at <a href="http://www.catholicmoments.com/">www.catholicmoments.com</a> He was interviewed on the Catholic Relevant Radio Network and he is working on completion of a Pontifical College Josephinum course on Diaconate Ministry for Marriage and Families. Deacon Tom and his wife Dee now reside in north central Arizona and Tom was granted deacon ministry faculties by the Tucson Diocese.</span></span>Nissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188747079145361597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36075935.post-26361347546298456662009-03-09T09:11:00.000-07:002009-03-09T09:11:00.567-07:00Scriptural Stations Meditations - Thirteenth Station<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJ7Tn7RZ4y9ll3xMp-COFHkCC4_kFixPT_jURQPEJH6pMiTBwBKNM5MO7wnVafdVI3iG8a7fIta37V0iOyjrlVkrl2G1FGljK2p7qAePtNt1jkwus1p5o6PEXKXILD5RpFnfb/s1600-h/crucifixion+2.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307156164732223794" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 320px; height: 278px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJ7Tn7RZ4y9ll3xMp-COFHkCC4_kFixPT_jURQPEJH6pMiTBwBKNM5MO7wnVafdVI3iG8a7fIta37V0iOyjrlVkrl2G1FGljK2p7qAePtNt1jkwus1p5o6PEXKXILD5RpFnfb/s320/crucifixion+2.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><strong>Jesus Dies on the Cross</strong></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.<br />Because by Your holy cross You have<br />redeemed the world. </div><br /><br /><div><br />[I]n order that the scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I thirst."<br />So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and<br />put it up to his mouth.<br />When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, "It is finished."<br />And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.<br />Now since it was preparation day,<br />in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, …<br />the Jews asked Pilate that they be taken down…<br />[W]hen [the soldiers] came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead,<br />they did not break his legs,<br />but one soldier thrust his lance into his side,<br />and immediately<br />blood and water<br />flowed out.<br /><em>~John 19: 28-34</em></div><em><br /><br /></em><div><em><br />We pray:</em></div><em><br /><br /></em><div><em></em>Lord Jesus, we can only look with wonder at this moment that<br />changes all of history and changes us,<br />this moment of our salvation.<br />At the sight of Your Body tortured and pierced for us,<br />we see clearly that redemption is not a kind of business transaction<br />in which we exchange prayers and penance for sins;<br />redemption is wrought by love that, in immolating itself wholly,<br />transforms darkness into light, hate to love, selfishness into gift.<br />The altar of the Cross defines God for us, and redefines Love.<br />In looking on You whom they have pierced (Jn 19:37),<br />we come to understand that You will spare nothing<br />to bring us to the radiance for which we are created.<br />We begin to see more clearly that our own activity<br />must be united to Your one saving action.<br />At every Mass, we are here at this moment anew,<br />and as the drop of water poured into the chalice is completely assimilated<br />into the rich wine of Your love and transformed,<br />so our own ordinary offerings are transformed<br />within the Chalice of Your Heart<br />by Your immense love and become worthy gifts to the Father.<br /><br />Lord, You are always reaching out to us, offering Yourself to us wholly;<br />this love is only revealed to most people through our own open arms.<br />We must be Christ to one another.<br />This is our own inescapable role in the revelation of love.<br />Your heart transformed acts of malice and hate <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4L9vfpysES9cyqCfw3HAschRucoSZGM_K3PTYdcU_h8EX4P-7IN6WBycFdpuZYJ8IdsYtbNOsVWQ6AS22sPvKWasw7Dm4qeULo21QflCWL6g_K8-6sHPbmQ5Da7JI-ZVoGAJ/s1600-h/crucifixion.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307156389637520466" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4L9vfpysES9cyqCfw3HAschRucoSZGM_K3PTYdcU_h8EX4P-7IN6WBycFdpuZYJ8IdsYtbNOsVWQ6AS22sPvKWasw7Dm4qeULo21QflCWL6g_K8-6sHPbmQ5Da7JI-ZVoGAJ/s320/crucifixion.bmp" border="0" /></a><br />into moments of grace and the victory of love;<br />renew our hearts with Your love, so that we can continue this<br />transformation in the world.<br /><br />May we come to know through this apparent defeat,<br />as the last drops of blood and water<br />pour out from Your Heart onto the ground, that Love has the final victory. </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36075935.post-15533015344821663182009-03-09T04:58:00.000-07:002009-03-10T05:03:09.442-07:00Total Consecration:: Week 1, Day 5 - Self KnowledgeToday's readings followed by Litany of the Holy Spirit, Litany of Loreto, and Ave Maris Stella.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size:100%;">True Devotion To the Blessed Virgin Mary, No. 228 </span></div><p style="font-family: times new roman;" align="center"> </p><p style="font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;" align="left"> <span style="font-size:100%;"><blockquote>Of Judgment, and the Punishment of Sinners In all things look to the end; and how thou wilt stand before that strict Judge (Heb. 10:31) to whom nothing is hid, who is not appeased with gifts, nor admitteth excuses, but will judge according to right. O wretched and foolish sinner, who sometimes art in terror at the countenance of an angry man, what answer wilt thou make to God who knoweth all thy wickedness (Job 9:2)! Why dost thou not provide for thyself (Luke 16:9) against the day of judgement, when no man can be excused of defended by another, but every one shall be a sufficient burden for himself!</blockquote></span> </p><br /><br />Luke 16:1-8 (NAB)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;">Then he also said to his disciples, "A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property.</span><a style="font-style: italic;" name="v2"> </a><span style="font-style: italic;">He summoned him and said, 'What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.'</span><a style="font-style: italic;" name="v3"> </a><span style="font-style: italic;">The steward said to himself, 'What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me? I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg.</span><a style="font-style: italic;" name="v4"> </a><span style="font-style: italic;">I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.'</span><a style="font-style: italic;" name="v5"> </a><span style="font-style: italic;">He called in his master's debtors one by one. To the first he said, 'How much do you owe my master?'</span><a style="font-style: italic;" name="v6"></a><span style="font-style: italic;"> He replied, 'One hundred measures of olive oil.' He said to him, 'Here is your promissory note. Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.'</span><a style="font-style: italic;" name="v7"> </a><span style="font-style: italic;">Then to another he said, 'And you, how much do you owe?' He replied, 'One hundred kors of wheat.' He said to him, 'Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.'</span><a style="font-style: italic;" name="v8"></a><span style="font-style: italic;"> And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently. "For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span></blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>Nissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188747079145361597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36075935.post-79356471146773847982009-03-08T09:08:00.000-07:002009-03-08T09:08:00.726-07:00Scriptural Stations Meditations - Twelfth Station<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX03UWbwgiKsnNc3fJT0Ml3-6oCnvYtqEylAUpufIXYXVrCNOlHtpF8HivPgc8Yf9pTGmjWKIHe7X6_8I3IbM8YX8zh9LmzNbVvPqnAJ8S2XV4z-qjDJzpp78xA_C-qIBh6Cc7/s1600-h/MaryAtFootOfCross.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307154858591876754" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 266px; height: 320px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX03UWbwgiKsnNc3fJT0Ml3-6oCnvYtqEylAUpufIXYXVrCNOlHtpF8HivPgc8Yf9pTGmjWKIHe7X6_8I3IbM8YX8zh9LmzNbVvPqnAJ8S2XV4z-qjDJzpp78xA_C-qIBh6Cc7/s320/MaryAtFootOfCross.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><strong>Jesus Speaks to His Mother and the Disciple</strong></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.<br />Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.</div><br /><div><br />Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother<br />and his mother's sister,<br />Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.<br />When Jesus saw his mother<br />and the disciple there whom he loved,<br />he said to his mother,<br />"Woman, behold, your son."<br />Then he said to the disciple,<br />"Behold, your mother."<br />And from that hour<br />the disciple took her<br />into his home.</div><br /><div><em>~John 19: 25-27</em></div><em><br /></em><div><em><br />We pray:</em></div><em><br /></em><div><em></em></div>Lord Jesus, though You seem to have nothing now,<br />You are still giving.<br />You give mercy and forgiveness to all,<br />You give Your promise of salvation to the Good Thief,<br />and now You give Your own Mother to us.<br />Mary’s Heart, pierced with the sword of sorrow<br />prophesied by Simeon so many years ago,<br />is now open to the whole world.<br />She stands at the foot of the Cross, consumed with grief<br />yet looking straight into the face of suffering, strong in hope.<br />She accepts this as she has accepted every detail of her life:<br />as the Father’s perfect will, which she need not understand.<br />She must only trust.<br />She does not waver, does not draw back from her fiat,<br />“Be it done to me as you have said” (Lk 1:38).<br />She places no limits or conditions on her Yes,<br />because she trusts fully that nothing is impossible for God.<br />She is confident that You will reign, that this is necessary,<br />and that Love will conquer all.<br /><br />Lord, bring us beyond our woundedness<br />to the place where we know that our peace and our joy<br />are to be found only in doing the will of the Father wholeheartedly.<br />Help us to remember, like Mary, that the Mystery of God<br />does not require our understanding, but rather our trust;<br />we must trust God’s loving plan for His creation,<br />and do all we can to spread the Fire You came to<br />enkindle on earth.<br /><br />May this entrusting of Your mother to the beloved disciple<br />and of Your beloved disciple to Mary be a sign to us that You do not want us to walk alone,<br /><div>and inspire us to support one another as we journey toward You.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36075935.post-76275891167280462282009-03-08T04:56:00.000-07:002009-03-10T04:58:37.687-07:00Total Consecration:: Week 1, Day 4 - Self KnowledgeToday's readings followed by Litany of the Holy Spirit, Litany of Loreto and Ave Maris Stella.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:85%;">From True Devotion To the Blessed Virgin Mary, No. 228 </span><br /></div><p align="center"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"> </span></p><blockquote style="font-style: italic;"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:85%;">Preparatory Exercises </span> </p> <span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><br /> During the first week they should offer up all their prayers and acts of devotion to acquire knowledge of themselves and sorrow for their sins. Let them perform all their actions in a spirit of humility. With this end in view they may, if they wish, meditate on what I have said concerning our corrupted nature, and consider themselves during six days of the week as nothing but sails, slugs, toads, swine, snakes and goats. Or else they may meditate on the following three considerations of St. Bernard: "Remember what you were -corrupted seed; what you are - a body destined for decay; what you will be -food for worms." They will ask our Lord and the Holy Spirit to enlighten them saying, "Lord, that I may see," or "Lord, let me know myself," or the "Come, Holy Spirit". Every day they should say the Litany of the Holy Spirit, with the prayer that follows, as indicated in the first part of this work. They will turn to our Blessed Lady and beg her to obtain for them that great grace which is the foundation of all others, the grace of self-knowledge. For this intention they will say each day the Ave Maris Stella and the Litany of the Blessed Virgin. </span></blockquote><br /><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"> Imitation of Christ, by Thomas á Kempis: Book 2, Chapter 5 </span><br /></div><p align="center"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"> </span></p><blockquote><p align="center"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Of Self-consideration</span></span> </p><p style="font-style: italic;" align="left"> <span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:85%;">We cannot trust over much to ourselves (Jer. 17:5), because grace oftentimes is wanting to us, and understanding also. Little light is there in us, and this we quickly lose by our negligence. Oftentimes too we perceive not our inward blindness how great it is. Oftentimes we do evil, and excuse it worse (Psalm 141:4). We are sometimes moved with passion, and we think it zeal. We reprehend small things in others, and pass over our own greater matters (Matt. 7:5). Quickly enough we feel and weigh what we suffer at the hands of others; but we mind not how much others suffer from us. He that well and rightly considereth his own works, will find little cause to judge hardly of another. </span></p></blockquote><p style="font-style: italic;" align="left"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"></span> </p>Nissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188747079145361597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36075935.post-81474267006630606882009-03-07T09:05:00.000-08:002009-03-07T09:05:00.773-08:00Scriptural Stations Meditations - Eleventh Station<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2L3AUgLtA95PfyQ45MpKQe2xYWul26t10FtUr4NtDAjdk21fWkMlTVHtr_6DwEfIJe3ChEq1i76dbAWBtB3ClhplZ-nSVBcyAYlwFT4Zk9xqNryMPnCupVC6SYe6LCBbZKhs/s1600-h/Jesus&thief%2520(kt).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307153971913344050" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 220px; height: 317px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2L3AUgLtA95PfyQ45MpKQe2xYWul26t10FtUr4NtDAjdk21fWkMlTVHtr_6DwEfIJe3ChEq1i76dbAWBtB3ClhplZ-nSVBcyAYlwFT4Zk9xqNryMPnCupVC6SYe6LCBbZKhs/s320/Jesus&thief%2520(kt).jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong>Jesus Promises His Kingdom to the Good Thief</strong><br /><br />We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.<br />Because by Your holy cross You have<br />redeemed the world. <div> </div><div>Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying,<br />"Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us."<br />The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply,<br />"Have you no fear of God,<br />for you are subject to the same condemnation?<br />And indeed, we have been condemned justly,<br />for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes,<br />but this man has done nothing criminal."<br />Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."<br />He replied to him,<br />"Amen, I say to you, today<br />you will be with me in Paradise."</div><div><em>~Luke 23: 39-43 </em></div><em></em><div><em><br />We pray:</em></div><div><em></em></div>Lord Jesus, Your love is freely given, but cannot be forced on us.<br />Love must be freely accepted.<br />Here, in extreme agony as You take Your last labored breaths,<br />You are still reaching out with love to all who will open themselves to it, especially the least among us.<br />The “Good Thief” is good because he acknowledges his<br />helplessness and sinfulness and reaches toward You with hope;<br />he knows that he is “not good” alone and reaches out to You,<br />seeing Your goodness and love.<br />He opens himself to this love,<br />and enters Heaven through the door of Your freely borne wounds.<br />The rejection of Your great love for us defines sin;<br />this great love is the inexhaustible Source of Mercy,<br />which desires to forget every offense,<br />restore us to our original dignity, and fill us with every good thing.<br />Your goodness and mercy are like water or light,<br />reaching into every space that is open to them,<br />filling every space that is not sealed against them.<br /><br />Lord, You never fail to repay our slightest efforts toward You<br />and to fill whatever we open to You.<br />Give us the grace to acknowledge our own powerlessness,<br />so that we will remain open to Your healing touch,<br />to the cleansing waters of Your merciful Love,<br />and to the glorious light of Your Truth<br />and be re-created in Your image.<br />Fully alive, we can walk in the freedom of the Spirit<br />Who is Life and Love.<br /><br />May Your eager forgiveness and infinite mercy<br />help us to acknowledge our weakness<br />and open our hearts to the radiance of Your Love.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36075935.post-2374437684965592202009-03-07T04:50:00.000-08:002009-03-10T04:56:33.064-07:00Total Consecration:: Week 1, Day 3 - Self KnowledgeToday's readings followed by Litany of the Holy Spirit, Litany of Loreto and Ave Maris Stella.<br /><br />Luke 13:1-5 (NAB)<br /><dd style="font-style: italic;"><blockquote>At that time some people who were present there told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. He said to them in reply, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans?<a name="v3"> </a>By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!<a name="v4"> </a>Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them --do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem?<a name="v5"> </a>By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!"</blockquote></dd><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style=";font-family:arial,helvetica,verdana,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Nos. 81 and 82 </span><br /></div><p align="center"><span style=";font-family:arial,helvetica,verdana,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" > </span></p><blockquote><p align="center"><span style=";font-family:arial,helvetica,verdana,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">We Need Mary in order to Die to Ourselves </span></span> </p><p style="font-style: italic;" align="left"> <span style=";font-family:arial,helvetica,verdana,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >Secondly, in order to empty ourselves of self, we must die daily to ourselves. This involves our renouncing what the powers of the soul and the senses of the body incline us to do. We must see as if we did not see, hear as if we did not hear and use the things of this world as if we did not use them. This is what St. Paul calls "dying daily". Unless the grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain and does not bear any good fruit. If we do not die to self and if our holiest devotions do not lead us to this necessary and fruitful death, we shall not bear fruit of any worth and our devotions will cease to be profitable. All our good works will be tainted by self-love and self-will so that our greatest sacrifices and our best actions will be unacceptable to God. Consequently when we come to die we shall find ourselves devoid of virtue and merit and discover that we do not possess even one spark of that pure love which God shares only with those who have died to themselves and whose life is hidden with Jesus Christ in him. <br /> <br /> Thirdly, we must choose among all the devotions to the Blessed Virgin the one which will lead us more surely to this dying to self. This devotion will be the best and the most sanctifying for us. </span> </p></blockquote><dt><br /></dt>Nissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188747079145361597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36075935.post-57356750725540332592009-03-06T08:59:00.000-08:002009-03-06T08:59:00.414-08:00Scriptural Stations Meditations - Tenth Station<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjooGsolskyO1ojvovoWCSHVMbIWUYSPXn3AxB2nOfZ6aID03wdv4jfXTcAU8jZ9F2Wk4ObjDL3NuBG2RuA5ezxuMWXq24jhtc2UNUu0T32wfw2pcqBCZnnbLPi88ejbmnGgth1/s1600-h/Jesus_Nailed_on_Cross.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307153281595576818" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjooGsolskyO1ojvovoWCSHVMbIWUYSPXn3AxB2nOfZ6aID03wdv4jfXTcAU8jZ9F2Wk4ObjDL3NuBG2RuA5ezxuMWXq24jhtc2UNUu0T32wfw2pcqBCZnnbLPi88ejbmnGgth1/s320/Jesus_Nailed_on_Cross.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><strong>Jesus is Crucified</strong><br /><br />We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.<br />Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>When they came to the place called the Skull,<br />they crucified him and the criminals there,<br />one on his right, the other on his left.<br />[Then Jesus said,<br />"Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."]<br />The people stood by and watched;<br />the rulers, meanwhile,<br />sneered at him and said,<br />"He saved others, let him save himself<br />if he is the chosen one, the Messiah of God."<br />Even the soldiers jeered at him.<br />Above him there was an inscription that read,<br />"This is the King of the Jews."<br /><em>~Luke 23: 33-38</em></div><em><br /></em><div><em><br />We pray:</em></div><em><br /></em><div><em></em></div>Lord Jesus, in total freedom, You open Your arms and are<br />stretched out on the wood of the cross,<br />accepting every detail of this execution –<br />the ridicule of a pitiless crowd,<br />the rough wood against torn skin,<br />exposure to the stinging wind,<br />the crudeness of the executioners,<br />the blood in Your eyes,<br />the raging pain of thorns in the skull,<br />and the sickening violence of iron driven into flesh.<br />Utter agony.<br />A sign proclaims You “King of the Jews.”<br />Earthly kings reign by making people subject to them;<br />You reign by making Yourself subject to us, by giving Yourself wholly.<br />Raised on the throne of the Cross, crowned with thorns, You reign;<br />and You offer Yourself as gift to the Father,<br />offering each one of us and all we suffer –<br />within Your Heart, capable of transforming all things with love,<br />we are present to You in this moment of salvation.<br /><br />Lord, because You desire to share Your victory with us,<br />the Cross is always open to love willing to suffer for others,<br />and the Redemption is always being completed by our own self-giving.<br />Help us to move beyond intellectual assent or commitment to action<br />and to become oblation,<br />pouring ourselves out for others in union with You,<br />so that by carrying Your death in our bodies,<br />Your life may also be manifest (2 Cor 4:10).<br />In this way, we present our own bodies as a holy and living sacrifice,<br />which is our spiritual worship (Rom 12:1),<br />and all we do for love is transformed into glory.<br /><br />May Your willingness to give all for each of us enable us to<br />walk toward You in the shadow of the Cross,<br />which fills every void and makes sense of every difficulty and every pain.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0