It’s been a great many years of placing the pondering to paper, but it’s time to end the blogging.
When it’s time to renew, the site will expire.
I will be downloading all the pondering to save for my children, if they are ever interested in reading them, and let the website go.
I personally thank each of you for reading what I had to say and pray you have been brought closer to our Lord.
May He bless you and keep you.
Peace in our Lord,
Peg
There is only one God. Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The Pillar has a post we all need to read.. The ‘Who can receive Holy Communion?’ ultimate explainer™
As one who was out of Communion, could not receive our Lord for a time, repented of my grave sin and came to fall in love with our Lord in a way, that I know without a doubt was pure grace, not being able to receive was a come to Jesus moment, in which I was able to see, just how out of Communion I had placed myself.
The entire debate over what the Catholic Church has abided by since the beginning, is more damaging than telling me I was out of Communion. Its not political pandering. Its not weaponizing the Eucharist. It’s finally teaching us ALL what WE believe as the UNIVERSAL Catholic Church.
I pray that we all get back on the same page.
The tomb is empty!
He is risen indeed!
Blessings to all this Easter!
LIVE | Special Contemplation of the Holy Shroud of Turin
From a letter by Saint Leo the Great, pope
(Epist. 28 ad Flavianum, 3-4: PL 54, 763-767)
The mystery of man’s reconciliation with God
Lowliness is assured by majesty, weakness by power, mortality by eternity. To pay the debt of our sinful state, a nature that was incapable of suffering was joined to one that could suffer. Thus, in keeping with the healing that we needed, one and the same mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ, was able to die in one nature, and unable to die in the other.
He who is true God was therefore born in the complete and perfect nature of a true man, whole in his own nature, whole in ours. By our nature we mean what the Creator had fashioned in us from the beginning, and took to himself in order to restore it.
For in the Savior there was no trace of what the deceiver introduced and man, being misled, allowed to enter. It does not follow that because he submitted to sharing in our human weakness he therefore shared in our sins.
He took the nature of a servant without stain of sin, enlarging our humanity without diminishing his divinity. He emptied himself; though invisible he made himself visible, though Creator and Lord of all things he chose to be one of us mortal men. Yet this was the condescension of compassion, not the loss of omnipotence. So he who in the nature of God had created man, became in the nature of a servant, man himself.
Thus the Son of God enters this lowly world. He comes down from the throne of heaven, yet does not separate himself from the Father’s glory. He is born in a new condition, by a new birth.
He was born in a new condition, for, invisible in his own nature, he became visible in ours. Beyond our grasp, he chose to come within our grasp. Existing before time began, he began to exist at a moment in time. Lord of the universe, he hid his infinite glory and took the nature of a servant. Incapable of suffering as God, he did not refuse to be a man, capable of suffering. Immortal, he chose to be subject to the laws of death.
He who is true God is also true man. There is no falsehood in this unity as long as the lowliness of man and the pre-eminence of God coexist in mutual relationship.
As God does not change by his condescension, so man is not swallowed up by being exalted. Each nature exercises its own activity, in communion with the other. The Word does what is proper to the Word, the flesh fulfills what is proper to the flesh.
One nature is resplendent with miracles, the other falls victim to injuries. As the Word does not lose equality with the Father’s glory, so the flesh does not leave behind the nature of our race.
One and the same person—this must be said over and over again—is truly the Son of God and truly the son of man. He is God in virtue of the fact that in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He is man in virtue of the fact that the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven;
To be poor in spirit, for me, is to be filled with humility. The virtue at odds with being full of pride. When we live in humility, we are able to accept that we are not God, although we are created in His image and shine His Light. We then, do not act in a way which would diminish the Joy of our Lord and in turn are filled with His joy.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Mourning is grief. Grief is never premiant for one with faith in our Lord. We know without a doubt that death does not have the final say. There is great joy in knowing that our loved ones have just stepped into the other room and one day, we will also.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
To be meek, is not to be weak, but strong in the virtue of love for neighbor. When love of the other is lived, there is peace in the land. Thus, we work together with others and are not filled with a desire to overtake for selfish ambition. If we quell selfish ambition, there is joy shared with all in society.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
What is this hunger? It is the hunger for our Lord. Our Lord is all that can satisfy the soul. If we truly hunger for righteousness, we stay on His path and follow Him intently, this leads to joy. His joy! Everlasting joy.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
It is mercy which is the driving force of the pure form of happiness. No one who has ever been shown mercy, was ever enraged. Rather, they are relived and are at peace. Peace and Joy are sisters who go hand in hand
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
A clean heart, is also a clean conscious, clear sight, clean hands and nothing “unclean” can see God. When one can see Him, He can not be unseen and thus, joy can not e taken away. We then strive to stay clean.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
What great joy we obtain by being called children of God! The greatest joy obtainable.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
We are called by our Lord to follow Him. How persecuted to death He was. So we should also and be filled with JOY as we follow Him to the resurrection!
I found myself tagged in a note today, from someone I greatly admire. Someone who lent me a merciful ear to listen to me and in kindness offered words to guide me on my parlous journey through discernment. This is the note. Thank you Father John P. Mack. From the note, dated: January 24, 2011
St Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor, patron of writers and journalists
From The Introduction to the Devout Life by Saint Francis de Sales; bishop
When God the Creator made all things, he commanded the plants to bring forth fruit each according to its own kind; he has likewise commanded Christians, who are the living plants of his Church, to bring forth the fruits of devotion, each one in accord with his character, his station, and his calling.
I say that devotion must be practiced in different ways by the nobleman and by the working man, by the servant and by the prince, by the widow, by the unmarried girl and by the married woman. But even this distinction is not sufficient; for the practice of devotion must be adapted to the strength, to the occupation and to the duties of each one in particular.
Tell me, please, my Philothea, whether it is proper for a bishop to want to lead a solitary life like a Carthusian; of for married people to be no more concerned than a Capuchin about increasing their income; or for a working man to spend his whole day in church like a religious; or on the other hand for a religious to be constantly exposed like a bishop to all the events and circumstances that bear on the needs of our neighbor. Is not this sort of devotion ridiculous, unorganized and intolerable? Yet this absurd error occurs very frequently, but in no way does true devotion, my Philothea, destroy anything at all. On the contrary, it perfects and fulfills all things. In fact if it ever works against, or is inimical to, anyone’s legitimate station and calling, then it is very definitely false devotion.
The bee collects honey from flowers in such a way as to do the least damage or destruction to them, and he leaves them whole, undamaged and fresh, just as he found them. True devotion does still better. Not only does it not injure any sort of calling or occupation, it even embellishes and enhances it.
Moreover, just as every sort of gem, cast in honey, becomes brighter and more sparkling, each according to its color, so each person becomes more acceptable and fitting in his own vocation when he sets his vocation in the context of devotion. Through devotion your family cares become more peaceful, mutual love between husband and wife becomes more sincere, the service we owe to the prince more faithful, and our work, no matter what it is, becomes more pleasant and agreeable.
It is therefore an error and even a heresy to wish to exclude the exercise of devotion from military divisions, from the artisans’ shops, from the courts of princes, from family households. I acknowledge, my dear Philothea, that the type of devotion which is purely contemplative, monastic and religious can certainly not be exercised in these sorts of stations and occupations, but besides this threefold type of devotion, there are many others fit for perfecting those who live in a secular state.
Therefore, in what situations we happen to be, we can and we must aspire to the life of perfection.
–From the Office of Readings, January 24
Father,
You gave Francis de Sales the spirit of compassion
to befriend all people on the way to the salvation.
By his example, lead us to show your gentle love
in the service of our fellow men and women.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. AMEN.
St Francis de Sales, early modern Roman Catholic bishop and doctor
St Francis de Sales is patron of writers and journalists.
+Live Jesus+
fjm
How often do you hear Catholics, or anyone for that matter, use the phrase, “I am living my faith”. Or, this is “my” faith?
What is “my” faith and is it truly aligned to “THE” faith in which I profess?
We hear our Lord say, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” at His calming of the storm at sea. Why do you supposes that is? Now, I suppose its due to their lack of faith. Such is the case with all of us, who live “our” faith, without even looking deeper into what THE faith is. We are drawn away with the changing tides of the world, through living “our” lack of faith, making it up as we go, and lose sight of THE faith that our Lord has given to us.
When we chose to live “our” faith, we are often tempted to, and often do, cast aside Truth for something other than the Truth, because it “sounds” good, rather than is good. We end up falling for anything that soothes our “itching ears“.
During this time of Christian Unity, may we adhere to THE faith and let go of the “presumptions” of what THE faith is. I strongly advise anyone to read the Catechism of the Catholic Church to find out what living THE faith is truly, and pray that Catholics come to the realization that living it, and not living what we think is it, truly brings the peace of our Lord. Live it!
Do not let our Lord’s gift of peace remain unopened. Do not be afraid.
There is no better time than now, to put away the failed political ideas and the political ideology’s behind them and to put on the armor of Christ. Nothing and no one but our Lord can save us. Turn back to Him and may you find the eternal peace He alone can give. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” John 14:27
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
His peace within ensures His peace abounds.
This morning, in contemplation of my Carmelite Lectio Divina, the closing prayer is a prayer I must share, which truly reduced me to a pool of joyful tears.
Lord, my Father, I have really seen your star, I have opened my eyes to your presence of love and salvation and I have received the light of life. I have contemplated the night changed into light, pain into joy and solitude into communion; yes, all this happened before you, in your Word. You have led me through the desert; you have led me to your house and opened the door for me to enter. There I saw you, your Son Jesus, Savior of my life; there I prayed and adored, I cried and found your smile, I kept silence and learnt to speak. In your house, merciful Father, I have found life once more!
And now I am going back, I have resumed my journey, but the way is not the one I took before and my life is not what it was before. Your Word has left me with a new heart, capable of opening itself to love, to listen, to welcome and become home to so many brothers and sisters whom you have placed in my way. I was not aware, Lord, but you have made me into a child again, you have given birth to me with Jesus. Thank you,
Father, my Father!
January 1, 2021, we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God. True God and True man.
Ponder, if you will, the tasks of a Mother. Contemplate our Holy Mother doing these same tasks for our Lord. He needed to grow into a man, to eat, to drink, to be changed, to be bathed, to be held, to be comforted, to be taught. To be loved.
Ponder his cooing to her, how He gazed into her eyes, how he touched her face as she held Him near.
Ponder, did she teach Him to say Abba first before He said Mama?
She is a Mother like all mothers in sharing every responsibility that comes with Motherhood and unlike any other mother, being the Immaculate Conception.
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
In the still of the night, our Holy Mother rests after bringing us the gift of our Salvation, our Lord Jesus Christ.
St. Joseph, Foster Father of our Lord, protector of the Holy Family, Terror of demons, protect us in this year dedicated to you, as you protected our Holy Mother and our Infant Lord from the evil of this world. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
— Amen.
May you be blessed and come to know our Lord in the time which you have been given.
Merry Christmas to all
St. Joseph seeks lodging…. May we all make room in our hearts for our Lord and our Holy Mother in this Year of St. Joseph. Through the intercession of St. Joseph. Amen.
Just listen.. From the beginning
Please Read: A Christmas letter from St. Nicholas to the accidental Arians of 2020
Jesus Christ is LORD, and nothing less than LORD.
My birthday is December 7th, the feast of St. Ambrose. On some social media sites, they have an app to have money donated for a specific cause that one has. Well, I have one, but it’s up to you to do it. I will leave this here until that day. Remember, we are entering into the Season of Advent. Be the Light.
For my birthday this year, I am asking that everyone donate what you can to your Catholic Parish, to be honest with everyone in your life, to see the good in others and when the bad is seen, that you see it within yourself first, knowing that our Lord can heal it if you ask Him, because He healed it in you and place yourself last. I pray it brings you face to Face with our Lord and you recognize Him.
| Jesus Christ is Lord – Plea for Unity and Humility. |
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever – Hebrews 13:8
Place your faith, hope and love in our Lord, where it all belongs.
As we enter into this very celebrated weekend, I would like to point out three very important things that take place.
2. All Saints Day – All Hallows’ Day – See how it all goes together? Just as Christmas Eve is celebrated in anticipation of Christmas, so to is All Hallows’ Eve celebrated in anticipation of All Saints Day, or All Hallows’ Day. This is the day we commemorate all the Saints in Heaven, known and unknown, who strove to enter through the narrow gate and win the crown of Victory in Christ. Please read: What’s the Point of All Saints Day?
3. All Souls Day – “The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed” is a day of prayer and remembrance for the souls of those who have died. The Roman Catholic celebration is associated with the doctrine that the souls of the faithful who at death have not been cleansed from the temporal punishment due to venial sins and from attachment to mortal sins cannot immediately attain the beatific vision in heaven, and that they may be helped to do so by prayer and by the sacrifice of the Mass. In other words, when they died, they had not yet attained full sanctification and moral perfection, a requirement for entrance into Heaven. This sanctification is carried out posthumously in Purgatory. In this year of Covid, where so many of us have lost loved ones due to this virus, please see Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary regarding plenary indulgences for the faithful deceased in the current situation of pandemic, 23.10.2020
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen
So you see, this is a very special weekend, in which we place our thought’s and prayers, in the direction of the souls in most need, who’s earthy life has already ended and eternal life has officially begun. It’s a reminder that we too, shall die.
Memento mori is a Latin phrase meaning ‘remember you must die’. All of us need to remember that our time here in exile, this life, is not long but forever is eternity. How we spend eternity depends on how we have lived here. It is wise to prepare for this moment through repentance and heeding the words of our Lord: “Strive to enter through the narrow gate , for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” Luke 13:24
Lord convert our hearts.
O Lord, our God, we know it is You who are the Just Judge at the moment of our death and it is You, whom we should fear. You have said that not a sparrow falls to the ground without our Father’s knowing. You, Lord Jesus Christ, know all things, and Your mercy is endless. Have mercy on the souls today, who seek to enter into Your Kingdome. Grant them eternal rest in You. Grant their family’s the comfort of Your peace through Your most Holy Spirit and wipe away the tears we shed for those whom we have lost and You have gained, for the glory of God our Father.
Son of Justice, convert the hearts of those who plan and carryout attacks on Your children, that they may come to acknowledge You are Lord and God of all. For this is justice, that they should not perish, but come to know, love and serve You, most Holy Trinity and proclaim Your mercy forever and to our Father, be the praise, glory and honor. Amen
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
“an unjust law is no law at all” St. Augustine.
As Catholics, we are ORDERED to treat everyone with dignity, mercy and love. We are not ordered to embrace sin and in no way can anyone change the Dogma of the Church.
An unjust law, is no law at all. If ONE unjust law, is accepted, that would mean ALL unjust laws would have to be embraced and accepted. It’s not an option.
Watch and see that the EDITING of this “movie” in which Pope Francis was “quoted”, was edited to cut out the full quote and the proper context in which Pope Francis had actually spoken on this subject.
No different than ALL the other times our Holy Father was taken out of context and misquoted.
Trust in our Lord, love one another anyway and be at peace.
What did Pope Francis say about civil unions? A CNA Explainer
10/23/2020 UPDATE: Mexican broadcaster: Vatican held back Pope Francis’ words on same-sex civil unions in 2019 interview footage
Father Agustino Torres has a great explanation that he posted on Instagram too, HERE
“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it.” Psalm 24
“Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar
and to God what belongs to God.” Every created thing and everyone, is His.
I share with you today, a beautiful reflection via Elijah’s Breeze, of the Homily from Bishop Silvio José Báez O.C.D. – No Caesar is God — Silvio José Báez, O.C.D.
I must share this beautiful reflection from today’s Lectio Divina, through today’s Gospel.
“Jesus overcame the power of evil, Satan, who causes so much fear to people, He dominated him, seized him, conquered him, cast him out, eliminated him, exterminated him, destroyed him and killed him!” By this the Gospel wants to tell us: “It is forbidden to the Christian to fear Satan!” By his Resurrection and by his liberating action, Jesus drives away from us the fear of Satan, He gives freedom to the heart, firmness in our actions and causes hope to emerge in the horizon! We should walk along the path of Jesus savoring the victory over the power of evil!
Be not afraid to do the same. Fear nothing but our Lord. Have the courage that strengthens in Love, to conquer all that is holding you back from loving as you have been called to love.
Please take the time to read Pope Francis’s new Encyclical to fraternity and social friendship. I pray you read it.
You can find the link by CLICKING HERE
After morning prayers this morning, I sat and watched the series, The Chosen. About ten minutes into it, the phone rang. I looked to see who it was, and I did not answer the phone. There was no need to. As I seen the name, I was flooded with Light. There was no need to answer the phone, as I had already answered the “call”. I did not know who was on the other end of the phone, but I do know Him, who called me long ago.
It is said of St. Mary Magdalene, that our Lord had expelled seven demons from her. (see Mk 16:9; Lk 8:2). She is a deeply penitent women of our Lord’s. She had given herself completely to our Lord, in the way of service to the Apostles. Giving up herself, for Him, which is The highest form of gratitude to our Lord. It’s not a simple thank you, but a life of thanksgiving. A life lived full in Love with Him. In choosing to do what is right and just, and doing His will.
I will never forget the day He called me. It is an unforgettable moment, that dictates every action that I take now, still. It was a day that I truly was given hope. It was a day that my soul cried and was answered by the One who created me. It can never be forgotten nor understood in words in which I try to write or say. It can only be understood in the mystery of faith.
Again I say, I did not answer the phone today, but the call long ago and carry the message with me always. The call from our Lord to repent and believe in Him. Today, I ask you too, for the glory of our Lord, repent and believe in the Gospel, before the day that phone rings. To allow yourself to be purged of all that is not Him. Of all that is evil. Of all that tarnishes the soul.
Today is the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels.
“God is strong”, “God heals”, “Who is like God!”
Repent and believe in the Gospel!
Fantastic talk by Bishop Robert Barron on what is going on. Listen closely and see if you can see why our education system is failing. Why Hollywood is failing and keeps putting out trash. It IS Marxism. It IS Communism. It is the driving out God and replacing Him with me. This is the driving force of Communism. Fluid is a word heard a lot lately, be it gender fluid etc. When we see fluid as in a body of water, it always needs a form to be identified. What communism does is preach to the individual that YOU are in control of what you would like the form to be. Without thinking about where and Who created the “fluid” to begin with.
Think of Life Giving Water. Jesus Christ offers us the water of life. What form does this life giving water produce, but that of THEE Truth. With THEE Truth, comes law, order, freedom and peace.
O most holy virgin, mother of our Lord Jesus Christ: by the overwhelming grief you experienced when you witnessed the martyrdom, the crucifixion, and the death of your divine Son, look upon me with eyes of compassion and awaken in my heart a tender commiseration for those sufferings, as well as a sincere detestation of my sins, in order that, being disengaged from all undue affections for the passing joys of this earth, I may long for the eternal Jerusalem, and that henceforth all my thoughts and all my actions may be directed toward this one most desirable object.
Honor, glory, and love to our divine Lord Jesus, and to the holy and immaculate mother of God.
Amen.
St. Bonaventure
SEVEN SORROWS
Yesterday, as I returned from physical therapy, I was greeted by the most beautiful flower. My “King of the Blues” Lotus was in bloom! It had graciously surprised me, as it was not supposed to bloom this late in the season and I did not expect it until next May. I was SO overcome with joy and awe! I could not believe it had bloomed.
From the moment I started working on this little pond, I had pondered, no pun intended, the beauty of the Lotus. I had always wanted them. They had become a favorite flower of mine going all the way back to childhood. Probably because I could not have them. Growing up in the Midwest and Chicago winters, prevented the thought of every having them. Now living in Souther California, and seeing them bloom at my sisters before she remover her pond, sparked the interest in me to grow them here.
When I seen the “King of the Blues” lotus for the first time, I knew it was one I needed to try to grow. I deeply admire blues music and through suffering thought it would be a beautiful addition of joy to my garden.
The day I received this tiny little tuber, it had two little leaves curled up and not even open. I thought of the parable of the mustard seed, and its tininess of what it could become. As I planted it, I pondered the spiritual meaning of the flower. What this most beautiful flower is planted in, is very thick and soggy mud. Like the sludge of the earth. How we too are born in this world of sin and suffering, trying to make our way through it all, from birth to death. The filthy mud and water we make our way through, sometimes overcome by it all. In the midst of chaos, my Lotus blooms. In Christ, we rise above it all.
If you have ever had to walk through thick mud, you may understand what I am referring to. This world cakes us in sinfulness and we, through the grace of our Lord and His sacrament of Baptism (water), must find His way out of it and overcome it all. Well, like the Lotus flower, we do just that when we follow our Lord . We are called to rise above the murky waters and filth of this world to give glory to Him. That which we suffer through, is only but a moment of time and we grow from it.
Today is the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Yesterdays beautiful bloom made me ponder her more deeply as the Most Beautiful Flower. Today as I looked deeper, I was able to see that I now have TWO beautiful flowers, inspiring me to singing the Hymn: Mary the Dawn
Mary the dawn, Christ the Perfect Day;
Mary the gate, Christ the Heavenly Way!
Mary the root, Christ the Mystic Vine;
Mary the grape, Christ the Sacred Wine!
Mary the wheat sheaf, Christ the living Bread;
Mary the rose tree, Christ the Rose blood-red!
Mary the temple, Christ the temple’s Lord;
Mary the shrine, Christ the God adored!
Mary the beacon, Christ the Haven’s Rest;
Mary the mirror, Christ the mother’s Son.
Both ever blest while endless ages run.
Amen
In the midst of chaos, my Lotus blooms. With a crown of Glory, she is adorned. Mama Mary, pray for us.
Peg Pondering Again 