Please read above at the link
Today: Via Vatican News:
Amazon Synod: The Church committed to be an ally with Amazonia
Related posts:
Tag: Conversion
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Bishop Robert Barron has a BEAUTIFUL Homily for December 23, 2018. I must share it.. A New David
I have been pondering this, for a very long time. Its a beautiful gift from our Lord, that He should deliver it through Bishop Barron. Repent. Repent. Repent.
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The Vocation of Marriage
What is a Vocation?
Catholic Dictionary
Term
VOCATION
Definition
A call from God to a distinctive state of life, in which the person can reach holiness. The Second Vatican Council made it plain that there is a “Universal call [vocatio] to holiness in the Church” (Lumen Gentium, 39). (Etym. Latin vocatio, a calling, summoning; from vocare, to call.)
As a woman, married to my husband, and also one who has accepted our Lords call for me to the Third Order of Carmel, I can strongly attest to the importance of “Ongoing Formation” with my brothers and sister in Carmel. We meet once a month, now, after a few years of discernment on my part, and my orders, as to, is this the correct path for me? Am I doing this because of a call from our Lord or am I doing this for selfish ideal, or for some other purpose that our Lord has not designed? There is a lot of time spent, in prayer and pondering a big decision as this.
As a married woman, when I look through my entire life, now, I can attest to the strong need for formation, BEFORE the Sacrament of Marriage, starting at a young age, before one jumps into the Vocation blind. As a soul who has had my fair share of interaction of others, who did not understand the Sacred Bond of the Vocation of Marriage, I ate up all the false ideas of this vocation, including the one that the world tries to feed us, that if it doesn’t work, just leave. No. When we come to understand, that decision to leave, is nothing but toxic poison that kills family due our own underdeveloped conscious, and we end up making life worse for not only us, but for all the souls effected by the sudden departure of a new family destroyed by divorce.
When I was very young, I held the strong belief that if one were to have relations with someone, they were in fact married and nothing could take that bond back, that the two shared together. It was a bond no one else had a right to share with either of the two. The most toxic thing someone told me, not long after I presented that belief I held at a very young age, was, that was the dumbest thing I could ever think or believe. Today, at the age of 50, I forgive that person and know I was right. Hindsight is 20/20. Very clearly I can see that if I had souls in my life at that time, who backed up what we believe in our faith, my life may have been a lot less painful. Only our Lord knows. But I also see how merciful He is, to lead me back to Him and that train of thought which keeps me on His track. Able to teach my daughters how important it is, to preserve the gift of self for the time our Lord has laid out for us, be it Marriage or Religious Life and not just cast ourselves wherever and whenever.
Getting back to the Vocation, A call from God to a distinctive state of life, in which the person can reach holiness. With my Vocation in Marriage, I am called to help my husband get to heaven. As he is called in this Vocation, to help me get to heaven. Last year, we were so greatly attacked spiritually and physically, this call could have ended. Through the grace of our Lord, I held on tight knowing, His love, His mercy, His call, that there was no way, on my part, I could allow something like the demon of divorce to be allowed to part, what our Lord had placed together. The temptation to walk away came dangerously close, until I was able to see how “easy” the evil one was making it to leave. I dug in and held on to our Lord, and last weekend, my husband and I renewed our Marriage Vows. This was not something we planned or set up for us to do. I had accepted a fill in request to be an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion for the Saturday Holy Mass, which we very rarely attend, and it was a special event that had been a part of Saturdays Holy Mass, without prior knowledge of either of us.
Today, there is a report from Pope Francis:
Marriage prep should be more than just a few courses, Pope tells priests
I can not tell you how much support I have for this as I am one who truly believes that Marriage preparation begins in the home, the moment our children are given to us as parents. Formation is a life long process, which should be deeply taught to youth, before they even set out in search of a spouse.
I will leave this here, with a quote in which I find to be so true and one I see to, even today, in my current state of Life, in my Vocation of Marriage.
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“If it is by the power of God that I cast out devils, says the Lord, then the kingdom of God has come to you already.”
I am grateful Lord, for the trials, tribulations, sufferings and pain. Praise, glory and honor to you O Lord Jesus Christ. My Lord and my God. Thank you Lord for Your joy and your peace. May I bring this peace and joy that you have placed in the heart of my heart, to all you place on this path in exile and may they also, return to you O Lord with their entire heart. I love you my Lord and my God and know as I am still in exile, I am incapable of loving You more than you love us. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my hope, love, faith and trust in You and I freely give this entire heart in me, that you keep alive, cleaning, beating, and nurtured by you Lord, to you, Jesus Christ my King, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, our Mother. Amen
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Thank you St. Pope John Paul II, for prayers answered…
As I was waking this morning, I couldn’t shake the thought of him, St. Faustina and the abyss of love that has replaced the abyss of misery that was my life.
Thank you Lord for him, for You and for your Divine Mercy.
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Pondering: Vatican II (inside the church) not being the reason souls left the pews, but the temptation of the ‘sexual revolution” (on the outside), being the “apple” many “fell for” that lead souls astray and out of the pews. Therefore our Lord was already prepared to address the needs of a society of souls far off, and the Father meeting them on the road to welcome them back home.
If souls were “obedient” and in love with our Lord, there wouldn’t have been a mass exodus. It’s as if a fear of something other than of our Lord gripped the souls in the pews rather than “trust” and “obedience” to our Lord, which holds all souls in love.. Just as a temptation that “original sin” is a thing of the past grips souls today and holds them in that same lack of “obedience” to God.
BUT “patience obtains all things” and “all things work for the greater glory of God”.
Just pondering….
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As I began making dinner tonight, after not feeling very well, I started gathering all I needed for dinner that was supposed to be made last night. I have had a fever and not sure what my body is doing again, and my children & husband escaped to a school function so I was left with a lot of ingredients, and no need to use them, or to cook yesterday.
Tonight, I’m preparing a pasta & shrimp meal with garlic & shallots, green onions and some lemons. I love cooking with our Lord as I am in “conversation” with Him through prayer. Simply asking Him, okay, what do we add here and should I use this and He points the little things out to me. It makes for a beautiful way to prepare a meal when the family is off doing what they are doing and allows me time away to enjoy the little consultations that our Lord gives to me.
Tonight as the meal is simmering in the pan, our Lord allowed me reflect on the topic of conversation that has been on everyone’s mind in regards to receiving Him at Holy Mass. I had shared my story before, but tonight as I began to ponder it, He made me laugh so hard and filled me with His joy. A few days ago, I had brought my girls to the mall and we entered into a store called Bath and Body Works. To be honest, I don’t much care for their products as that’s just not where I find simple pleasures, and this is in no way a plug, but its funny how things work in the end, and give glory to our Lord, even when the world doesn’t understand what it did, or is doing.
I allowed my daughter to purchase a few things that she liked and as we made our way to the back of the store, I notice next to the register, a bottle of hand soap named “Lemoncello”. I laughed because I had heard this story a few months ago: Rome prepares for Holy Year of Mercy – with ice cream. I purchased the limoncello soap.
Back to making dinner and pondering with our Lord, all the ingredients were in the pan, and now were ready to simply simmer. I walked to the sink and began to wash my hands. As I used the soap, I noticed the name: Bath and Body Works. I smiled as our Lord began to remind me again. Bath meaning Confession, as the Sacrament of Confession is the “shower for your soul” and Body meaning Eucharist, His Body in a state of grace, followed by “Works”. It works. Peace. “This is the time for mercy.” “Gather in my name”, not scatter.
Its a great consultation to have Him cooking with me in this home, I look forward to going to His home for our next meal together.
Praise, glory and honor to our Lord.
Praying for conversions back to our Lord now,and always, especially for the coming of the Holy Year of Mercy.
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The Global Warming Of Hearts
Please see the edits to the previous post.
Ecology of Pope Francis.
LISTEN UP! What Pope Francis is saying, is when you place love of God, Abba Father, above ALL ELSE, there would be no need to talk about a clean environment, saving abused animals, ending abortion etc. because it would BE CLEANER, they would be “saved” because placing your love for Him above all else, trickles down and shows in your love for all His creation and creatures. “Right Praise” and “Right Worship” becomes doing what is right and just. Faith and works. Its the love relationship.”“If you love me, you will keep my commandments” <–click there
End of rant. It all starts with YOU! “Who do YOU say that I am?” LIVE IT!
E·col·o·gy
ēˈkäləjē/the branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.
Our Lords way of “Global Warming”
EDIT TO ADD: Pope Francis…
View original post 20 more words
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Rethink Assisted Suicide becoming law as this will become the reality if it is not stopped. Never forget that the (click link) T4 Program of Nazi Germany is the foundation of this law and it can easily become the “Assisted Suicide” program of any nation that has lost its moral compass.
We already see it today here in the USA through the passing of Roe VS Wade going from RARE instance to on demand. The very thought of passing a law to allow someone to murder their own children in the womb and now to commit suicide is the distinct sign, the moral compass of the nation is smashed and broken.
The “euthanasia” program was Nazi Germany’s first program of mass murder. It predated the genocide of European Jewry (the Holocaust) by approximately two years. The program was one of many radical eugenic measures which aimed to restore the racial “integrity” of the German nation. It endeavored to eliminate what eugenicists and their supporters considered “life unworthy of life”: those individuals who—they believed—because of severe psychiatric, neurological, or physical disabilities represented both a genetic and a financial burden on German society and the state.
When the government is making your health decisions, and paying for them, it quickly becomes the government who will pull the plug because of that bottom line.
Repent.
UPDATE: And now…
People are being euthanized in Europe… for autism
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Saturday July 4th, I will be dedicating to our Holy Mother Mary and first Saturday. I ask you to join me as we celebrate her, our Catholic Faith and TRUE Independence from our sinfulness. I have my flag out already. I will be bringing my children to Holy Mass after we all receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Just an idea I feel needs to be shared.
“In the end, My Immaculate Heart will triumph.” – Our Lady of Fatima
FREEDOM!
All praise, honor and glory to our Lord, Jesus Christ.
EDIT to add:
Its not a call to abandon hope, nor to hide inside this day, but to celebrate LIFE in Christ. To still enjoy our Lords creation. TO STILL live the life our Lord has given to us and to appreciate Holiness in the Light. Its not that we are NOT still sinners, but rather we know we are and we are TRYING with the grace of God to get back home to our Lord, in TRUE Love. Agape!
“Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
Amen!”EDIT:
The original photo has been changed at the top of this post. WITHOUT KNOWING, I was flying my Vatican Flag upside down for many many WEEKS. I didn’t know it. Today, I fixed it. Keep in mind ANY flag flown upside down is a sign of “distress” and NOT disrespect. Pray for this nation and the ENTIRE Church.
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REPENT…
All over the MSM you see “Love Wins” in regards to the same sex marriage law being man made legal in 50 US states. Yes. Love most certainly does win but most do not know who He is yet. I pray that many will receive the grace from our Lord for understanding of who He is.
Again SCOTUS chants “We have no king but Caesar”. Just as it was chanted through the pen for Abortion and now for Marriage. Jesus Christ is MY King, not the USA. It was Saint Augustine of Hippo who stated that “An unjust law is no law at all”. Just as an unjust law is no law at all, so to are the men and woman who enforce the unjust law. So to are those who follow the unjust law. I will not. I OPENLY refuse to worship the “Golden Calf” of the nation. Jesus Christ is my King. “But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15
“Regardless of what a narrow majority of the Supreme Court may declare at this moment in history, the nature of the human person and marriage remains unchanged and unchangeable. Just as Roe v. Wade did not settle the question of abortion over forty years ago, Obergefell v. Hodges does not settle the question of marriage today. Neither decision is rooted in the truth, and as a result, both will eventually fail. Today the Court is wrong again. It is profoundly immoral and unjust for the government to declare that two people of the same sex can constitute a marriage.”
Please continue to read at the link.
Repent. Pray Divine Office 3X daily. Pray the Rosary daily. Pray before every meal. Attend daily Holy Mass (if you can) and if you can not, participate in it through EWTN rebroadcast. Pray without ceasing. Receive the sacraments frequently. “LOVE one another as I have loved you” – Be not afraid. DO not give into disrepair. Give in only to our Lord Jesus Christ. Teach your children to do the same! LIVE the faith. Don’t just talk about it.
The Sacrament of Marriage will never change.
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“And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
On this beautiful feast of Corpus Christi, we were blessed with my youngest daughter making her First Holy Communion yesterday at Holy Mass. It was bitter sweet for me, as I quickly learned that I would never be preparing any more of my children for this beautiful Sacrament. I thought of years past, when Grandparents, Aunts & Uncles, Cousins and EVERYONE would pile into the Church to witness this beautiful Sacrament. There was always a huge family gathering that followed with great food and cards & a big cake. There were only five of us in our family to celebrate this beautiful day for her. My husband, her older sister and my sister & brother-in-law.her Aunt & Uncle, my sister & brother in law, along with myself.
Taking into account most of my family is out of state and my parents have been gone for close to 15 years, I found myself at odds with how things were and how they are today. I was wrestling with the Parable of the Wedding Feast. So many invited, but everyone has something better to do. My husbands family consists of a sister, her baby and husband and his mother here in California, about 50 miles north, who very recently suffered a death of a teen nephew and could not attend. The rest of his family is in London and other parts of the world. We did what we could to make it a special day.
I couldn’t help but ponder the utmost importance of the family’s role in the celebration and how big a part they are in making the child receiving the Sacrament understand its a BIG deal. When many come to celebrate something you have done, seeds are planted not for you, but for future generations to come. For them to make the Sacrament a BIG deal for their children and not lose the reverence for it and our Lord, by family that just can’t be bothered to participate. Therefore my child will understand that if she is given the gift of children later on, she to will do everything to make the Sacrament a Big Deal. Because it is.
In my struggles with not having many attend, I was presented with a thought that its not just about one day. Its about every day. Its a continuing “Celebration” in all time and eternity and as long as our Lord was present, so were all the Holy Angles & Saints. So were all those family members who could not be there for the party here with us, who are now with our Lord.
I find myself today, embracing the “tiny bunch of grapes” left in my home that are present to celebrate not only my daughters First Holy Communion, but for all Holy Communions in the Celebration of the Holy Mass that is ongoing for all time and eternity.
As we continued today, my husband surprised me and the girls with a trip to Greek Fest here in San Diego. We ate great food and seen children dancing and my children played games in the children area. As we sat with them, my youngest pointed to a sign and an area for very small children and said to me: “Mommy? Why can’t I be under 3 so I can play in that place?”. The Holy Spirit inflamed my heart with an answer. I said to her, you are under 3. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we have to move on to different areas because we grow. That doesn’t mean your not under 3.(Father, Son & Holy Spirit) You will always be under 3. As long as you stay under 3. As we grow bigger, and we look back, we forget to look back forward to the things we can do and need to do rather then the things we can’t do anymore. God wants to show you new things as you are growing. She completely understood it! She didn’t throw a fit, she moved on. And so did I.
May the Celebration continue!
Glory to God.
EDIT TO ADD: From June 4th, 2015. Pope Francis on Twitter: “We need to build up society in the light of the Beatitudes, walking towards the Kingdom with the least among us.”
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Last night my family and I attended the San Diego Padres game. We bought tickets through my girls school to sit in a section dedicated to all the school. My youngest child got in some trouble earlier in the day the second I dropped her off for school, so I actually thought of keeping her home and letting my husband and older daughter go.
As we waited for my husband to get home so they could go, I kept hearing in my heart, its a family occasion. My daughter who got in trouble at school had already been punished at school for her behavior and I just was not settled completely what I was deciding. At the last second, I decided that we would all go.
As we go there and made our way to the fantastic seats and began to settle in, my older daughter pretended to be a princess, blew kisses to all and went to throw herself in her seat. Well, much to her surprise she fell back hard. Really hard and smacked her elbow on the arm rest as the seat she though was there had folded up and she slammed into the ground. It hurt. No one from her school had seen what she had done so it saved her little pride moment but she was hurt. We sat for a moment as I checked out her elbow to see what damage had been done and the pain on her face was there. She couldn’t move it and streaked at the thought of moving it.
For the first two innings of the game I comforted her and kept vigil for her and the elbow to see if maybe she had broken something. We couldn’t just jump in the car and go to the hospital to get her checked out as we had taken the train to get to the park. The more the tears flowed the more I became to worry if she had in fact broken something. I got up and walked her to the First Aid station. All we needed was ice.
As we walked through a maze of different directions we go there. Looked through the window and a group of souls opened the door for us. The immediately brought her in and placed her on a medical chair and began asking the questions and checking her out. The nurse and the EMT checked her over and she was given an ice pack to keep any swelling down. They talked to her and had her bend it and move it to see where she had gotten hurt. After a while, then they handed her a Padres hat and a baseball. I was never expecting that.
As I sat there I was flooded with thoughts of our Lord. How much more then will your Heavenly Father give to you? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
I have worried about so much in my life taking place that I had in the past allowed the worry to replace Life. Even for the benefit of others, as that is the basis for all worry I have had. Worry does no good. Its the parable of the 10 Virgins that strikes me here. In all that I do for our Lord, I can not give my prayers and works to others to use for their salvation. God doesn’t have grandchildren. Only you can say yes to the adoption to be His child. I can’t share my holiness with you for your salvation. I can be a model of holiness, but I can not be a fountain. That is reserved for our Lord. You have to become holy using His grace. You have to trim your lamps at all times. Which is done through prayers, receiving the sacraments and obedience to Him. You have to use His grace for your salvation.
When I first noticed and acted upon my conversion of heart, all I was looking for was to go to heaven. When you realize what comes with Heaven, you can only start to understand, all I wanted was an “ice pack”.
My daughter is fine, just a bruise and is playing today, a little more guarded over what she had experienced last night.
Thanks be to God for no broken bones.
Thanks be to God for all His gifts. Thanks be to Jesus Christ our Lord for the gift of Life. Thanks be to the most Holy Spirit for giving gifts of the Father and the Son. All praise and honor and all glory to the most Holy Trinity for You are all we truly need. Amen.
From Catholic Online:
Glory be to the Father,
Who by His almighty power and love created me,
making me in the image and likeness of God.
Glory be to the Son,
Who by His Precious Blood delivered me from hell,
and opened for me the gates of heaven.
Glory be to the Holy Spirit,
Who has sanctified me in the sacrament of Baptism,
and continues to sanctify me
by the graces I receive daily from His bounty.
Glory be to the Three adorable Persons of the Holy Trinity,
now and forever.
Amen.One point I feel a need to make..
The San Diego Padres beat the “Pits” burg Pyrites
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Its not the Catholic Church that has failed in Ireland with the passing of same sex Marriage. She never can. It is secularism that blinked exposing itself for the terminal cancer it has always been and many souls are suffering because of it. When our Lord was crucified and put to death, the secular world thought that was the end of Him also. False peace, is what same sex Marriage, abortion, and all that contradicts what is Right and Just in our Lord, is.
The secular world has always contradicted our Lord. It does not mean in any way they win or they can change anything. It means our Lord is Right and Just. Stick with Him. Not them. Do not cling to anything but Him. The gates of hell shall not prevail. Pray for those who persecute you. May they who have been swayed by secularism away from the Truth, be converted back to the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Your country can not save you. Your family can not save you. Your friends can not save you. Only Christ can save you. Place your Faith, Hope and Love back in Jesus Christ and nothing else. Repent. Not only Ireland, but everyone. Return to your first Love. God never changes. “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
There is a good reason for the upcoming Year of Mercy and our Lord Jesus Christ knows what He is doing.
Repent. Our Lord converted my heart when I was far off from Him, when my ideas of life were actually death to my soul. I pray today for the conversion of all who are still far away from Him through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, our Mother, Spouse of the most Holy Spirit, intercede for us and bring us into the fullness of the Sacred Heart of your Son, our Lord. Amen
Cardinal Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) in an address during the Eucharistic Congress in 1976 for the Bicentennial celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence … said:
“We are now standing in the face of the greatest historical confrontation humanity has ever experienced. I do not think that the wide circle of the American Society, or the whole wide circle of the Christian Community realize this fully. We are now facing the final confrontation between the Church and the anti-church, between the gospel and the anti-gospel, between Christ and the antichrist. The confrontation lies within the plans of Divine Providence. It is, therefore, in God’s Plan, and it must be a trial which the Church must take up, and face courageously -
In the heart of every sinner, there truly is a dragon slayer by the name of Jesus Christ. A dragon is not a myth but a reality in sin. The war being waged within the soul against the powers of this world becomes manifest when the sinner repents, or turns away from self, therefore becoming the penitent and uniting with the Dragon Slayer and not the dragon.
At that moment the soul can identify, submit and surrender completely to the voice and actions of our Lord Jesus Christ. In order to slay this dragon of sinfulness, every gift of the Holy Spirit of our Lord must be used for the purpose it was given, and not for self. Every repentant sinner is called to the Army of Christ, not to slay one another, but rather to slay the dragon of sin that seeks to destroy all souls.
The Penitent becomes what our Lord created, a dragon slayer, and not dragon fodder.
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Lord Jesus Christ, most merciful Saviour of the world, we humbly beseech You, by Your most Sacred Heart, that all the sheep who stray out of Your fold may in one days be converted to You, the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls, who lives and reigns with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without end.
Amen. -
I need to share this as I don’t know anything about this subject, but I can tell you with my entire heart, this IS what happened to me.
Garabandal apparitions – “Besides the two “messages”, the visionaries forecast a “warning”, a “miracle” and a “punishment” (if people do not correct their ways). The warning is described as a momentary stopping of time around the world, with all people then seeing the spiritual condition of their souls, and how they should amend their ways.”
This is what our Lord has allowed me and continues to allow me to see.. I have been living in a perpetual state of knowing I have seen this before, as it was all told to me, since 1997. See my post REPENT REPENT REPENT.
I’m not afraid to speak about it, nor tell the events or story. I have nothing to hide. I fear only our Lord. Test me. Question me. Put me through the wringer. I have nothing to hide nor embellish.
Glory to God.
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A week ago, I was contacted by a man with questions about Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. I was taken back at his call because I had not been the Captain of the Adoration Society for at least 8 months. You see, he held on to a very old Church bulletin with my contact information inside, in regards to sitting with our Lord.
As the call came, I was going to give him the churches contact information and send him on his way. He began to ask questions, and I knew in my heart he was crying for help. As we talked he opened up, and the Holy Spirit began to do His work. The man on the other end of the phone, began to tell me what he had been through in the past few years, and ever time he said a word, I could see myself. In all he was saying, I had been there. You see, the man, who I will call David, was emptying his heart out to me, in regards to how he wanted to come back home to the Catholic Faith.
Since my ties to the parish he was inquiring about had been in the past, I gave him the contact information to do what he needed to do. We talked for over an hour and he made it very clear, he was screaming for Our Lord to help him. We cried together in discussing the faith and the love our Lord has for us, and the rocky road we had been on. I was overcome with a love that no one could understand. I could see the pain this man was in and knew the help he needed as I had screamed out for the same help many years ago. When I was lost, unknowingly on the road “down from Jerusalem to Jericho.”
A few days later, he called me back and in the midst of our conversation, he had revealed to me that no one was contacting him for the numbers I had given to him. He then began to reveal many struggles he was enduring even in his own home for simply praying. He began to pray more, and his sisters began chastising him. “What are you praying for?” Why do you want to go to Church?” “Whats wrong with you?” “Are you crazy?”. Simply because he was turning away from sin, and to our Lord. This poor man was being “beaten” and “robbed” of his faith in his own family.
I had a few concerns in speaking to him as I was now Married and in all honesty, I didn’t think it was a good idea to carry on a relationship, EVEN one on one Spiritually, with someone I had not known, nor who had known my husband. In listening to David, he had revealed to me that he had a cousin who was a Catholic Priest but had not talked to him in some time. I advised David that he NEEDED a good strong Spiritual adviser to help him out and since no one was getting back to him, it would be a fantastic idea to contact his cousin the Priest. David agreed, and begged me to join him in Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Friday, as he was afraid to go alone, and so I agreed to join him.
Not sure of David would call his Priest Cousin, I tracked him down myself. I had given Father the background and told him that I would LOVE to continue to help David, but didn’t think it would be good, under my circumstances. He had revealed to me that David did in fact contact him but he wanted to talk to me first and was glad he did. He assured me that David would have adequate care now in his spiritual needs. I said “God bless you Father”, and hung up the phone, knowing I had brought this beaten man to the Doctor that can nurse him back to health.
Thank you God..
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My husband and I have been friends of the Anderson family, for many years. I am requesting prayers pleas for the soul of Tina and Ethan, for the return of Hanna but most of all, for the conversion of the soul of Jim, the man accused in the kidnaping and murders.
Forgives is the most powerful medicine that can be used to fix a broken heart.
We are called to love our enemies and to love unconditionally. Although not very easy to do. Especially when that mercy and love is not returned. When we do, we can understand with a pure heart: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
Although most are not able to reach this point yet, I feel I must and say to Jim Dimagio, not because I have to, but rather it is in my heart, the forgiveness and mercy of our Lord, is always extended. All you have to do is reach for Him. What is done, is done. No matter how horrific the sins you have committed have been in the eyes of all, our Lord was crucified and died for you to. His mercy endures forever. You have the chance to crush the head of the evil one driving you to sin, do it. Turn yourself in to police. It’s not to say that all is forgotten by society, as you are still held accountable for your actions. With God, with our Lord, being held accountable, owning up to our sins comes much easier and the burden becomes lighter to carry. Please turn yourself in, put an end to all of this and allow God, our Lord, through the Holy Spirit, to fully heal our broken hearts and move closer to God.
I forgive him Lord and I place him, and all of this in your hands.
Matthew 18:21-35 “Then came Peter to him (Jesus), and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I must forgive him? Seven times?’
Jesus said to him, ‘I won’t tell you “seven times,” but seventy times seven.’ Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king that would settle accounts with his servants. When he began to reckon with them, one was brought to him that owed him ten thousand talents. But since he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all that he possessed, so that payment could be made. Therefore, the servant fell down and besought him, saying, ‘Lord, have patience with me and I will pay you all of it!’
Then the master of the servant was moved with compassion and let him loose, and forgave his debt.
But the servant went out and found one of his fellow servants that owed him a hundred pence, and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ And his fellow servant fell down at his feet and besought him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will pay you all of it!’ But he would have none of it, and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt.
So, now, when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told their master all that was done. Then, his master, after he called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you desired it of me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just like I had pity on you?’
And his master was very angry, and delivered him to be tortured until he should repay everything that was due. So, this is like my heavenly Father will do toward you if you do not forgive every brother’s trespasses.” -
With the release of Pope Francis encyclica, Lumen Fidei, (PDF HERE) today, which he worked with the help of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the Consecration to St. Michael the Archangel, along with the news of the Beatification of Blessed Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII, I can say its been a busy faith full day, and not business as usual.
I had announced on July 1 via my Facebook page:
In 1998, I had a very amazing encounter, in which I was asked questions about things only God knew about me. In this encounter, events were mentioned and I was asked about them… I thought it was just a “Conversation”. Most everything that has been told to me, has come to pass. The only thing I can say about this with true understanding is this: It brought me back home to our Lord. I do not fear the things taking place. I only have fear of the Lord.
I stand by this, because:
“The entire conversation is etched on my soul, and I remember it and the events that took place during, and after as if they are being read back to me, and pointed out as they occur. I have lived like this since that day, watching, sometimes in the past, trembling in fear, and now, in love and understanding. The very fact I am saying this today, is in direct correlation to when I was told to reveal this about me. I do not fear what others may say, as I know without a doubt, this could only be done by God, and the things He has done to my soul only He could do. Glory to God. Repent. Today I know I am not alone.”
You see, when my conversion began in full swing, my family and even for a moment, thought I was crazy, because I did not have the gift of “Understanding” from the Holy Spirit in order to “See” where I was in my sinfulness, when God had called my name. I knew in my heart, no one could know the things in my heart, but God. And He did and still does. This brings an entirely different meaning to the words spoken to me back then: “The men in the “White Suits” are going to help you”. I had taken this to mean that I should place my faith in the medicine the world was giving me, and to the worldly, the men in the white suits are not a good thing. I am a repentant sinner who fully understands that I am not home yet. With the grace and mercy of God, through our Lord, He will lead me there one day.
I know without a doubt today, after reading Lumen Fidei, I have lived this faith and continue to do just that through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Glory to God. Good and merciful Lord, THANK YOU!
Through my faith in You O LORD, today! I declare, You created me, You touched me, You saved me, You redeemed me, and I know, You love me! You O Lord are my God. There is no other, you O Lord, are God. You O Lord are whom I love above all things. With your grace O Lord, may I stay with you in Your light, to do they will, and pull closer to you every day, through hope, love and mercy. AMEN
NOTHING that I have said here should give glory to me, nor do I seek any, but only to give everything to God. “Be not afraid”.
Consecration to St. Michael:
Saint Michael the Archangel, invincible Prince of the Angelic hosts and glorious protector of the universal Church, I greet thee and praise thee for that splendour with which God has adorned thee so richly. I thank God for the great graces He hast bestowed upon thee, especially to remain faithful when Satan and his followers rebelled, and to battle victoriously for the honour of God and the Divinity of the Son of Man.Saint Michael, I consecrate to thee __________________. I choose thee as our patron and protector and entrust the salvation of my soul to thy care. Be the guardian of my obligation as a child of God and of the Catholic Church as again I renounce Satan, his works and pomps.
Assist me by thy powerful intercession in the fulfilment of these sacred promises, so that imitating thy courage and loyalty to God, and trusting in thy kind help and protection, I may be victorious over the enemies of my soul and be united with God in Heaven forever. Amen. -
After a long spiritual battle, going further back then I can remember, my husband and I have finally married in the Catholic Church, May 4, 2013. We had been living as brother and sister for many years so I could continue on in the journey home to the Catholic Church. After several years of uncertainty, rumors of divorce and other daggers spit at us from Satan, we have, only by the grace of God, finished this race. Many miracles occurred on this road. I am forever grateful to our Lord.
After all the ups and downs, I was given a beautiful spiritual gift I will not soon forget. On our way home from our wedding celebration, close to our home, I looked arround as my husband was driving and sence of being in friendly surroundings had overtaken me.. It was a peace I had not had for some time. I can ony describe this as a soldier coming home from war to a waiting family. I could breath. I could relax and it was as if our Lord had taken a creat crushing weight off of my soul. It truly has been a daily battle of intense fighting for freedom. Our Lord had allowed me R & R. There is nothing in this world more precious than KNOWING, God’s will have been done, the battle won and now, I could sit back and breath on this front of the war I know for fact, I am now fighting on the side of God and for good.
The gift from God below, (at the link) is the greatest gift I have ever received. I live to give this gift back to Him. With His grace, His will be done. Always.
https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=10201294534230201
Thank you Lord, your servant is listening…..
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For all Catholics who feel this day is the most important day of the year omitting Easter, Christmas or every Sunday. For all who believe they have to receive the ashes at all cost but want no part of the Holy Mass, the blessings, or going to confession. Who want no part of repenting, or sacrifice. All you have to do is go into your yard, roll around in the dirt, get up and go to work. I will keep praying for you’re conversion of heart to return back to the Catholic Faith.
For all others, I will see you in the Eucharist and continue to pray for you’re strength to continue. May God have mercy on us all.
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This picture is called “Escorting Souls to Heaven” by Howard David Johnson.By praying for the dying, we are in fact walking that soul as far as we can home, to our Lord..
A few months ago, I was with a good friend who was passing on from this world, to eternal life. I sat at his bedside and through our Lord, managed to break the selfish bonds I had attached to him. I started to pray. There were a few souls in the room with him at this time who were conversing about the old days when our friend was in better shape and spirits. Rather then continue in the small talk, I listened to the voice telling me to get to work. In doing so, quickly recruited them to pray with me.
I opened my purse and grabbed the rosary given to me that belonged to my mother, after she had passed away. Along with the rosary, I grabbed a pamphlet that contained the prayers for Divine Mercy given to Saint Faustina by our Lord. The second I began to pray, I could feel something like a hammer smashing all selfishness of fear of breaking up the party, and getting down to work as to why I was there in the first place. I wasn’t called to this mans bedside for a party with friends we had in common. No. I was there to ensure he had an escort home to our Lord.
When my mother passed away many years ago, I sat at her bedside with my brothers and sisters crying not only for losing her, but understanding now that I had grown attached to her and was mourning for my loss rather then praying for her gain. I wasted all that time at her side for myself, rather then in prayer for her soul.
While at my friends side, later that first night, deep in prayer, I could see his fear melt away. He went from slashing his arms around, to holding tight. At this time he was semi conscious and I noticed he faintly started to pray with me. I could hear ever so slightly at times when I would recite the Hail Mary, him reaching for the words from a very deep place in his heart. Using all his might to hang on to each word in a faint whisper with all his strength. I stayed with my friend until 3:30 AM when a word of peace came to my heart. I knew our Lord was telling me to go home and rest as my friends condition was not changing.
I got home and fell asleep on my couch. Not even changing into pajamas. I managed to get a couple hours of rest and quickly woke at 7 AM, with that inner voice in my heart calling to me to get to the hospital. I entered the hospital and to my friends bedside before 7:45. I immediately began to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet. Before I could finish, while half way through the fifth chaplet, my friend Fred’s soul was handed over to our Lord. I finished the Chaplet, said good by and left my friends body satisfied, knowing there will be more time to gather with friends to reminisce about the good old days when he was here.
There was a story recently sent to me about a group of people would would sit with the dying who did not have family to sit with them as they were passing on called “No One Dies Alone“. I was deeply saddened to read this article as the group was just there sitting and holding hands with them. Although they were showing them mercy, no prayers were offered as the group did not believe in God. A snip from the article:
Barbara Farkas is certain about what happens after death. It is the end, she says; there is no heaven, no hell, no journey that lies ahead. Her conviction hasn’t changed, no matter how many times she has sat with the dying.
Well Barbara Farkas, I am certain that there is God, heaven, hell and eternal life. I know this for fact. It was the voice of my Lord that woke me to go and attend to my friend. “In death, the body separates from the soul, the human body decays, and the soul goes to meet God, while awaiting its reunion with its glorified body” (C 997). Death, judgment, heaven and hell, the last things we all will go through. I pray and ask my readers to pray for Barbara Farkas that her heart be converted, That she may, through the Immaculate heart of Mary, to the Sacred Heart of our Lord, give Him the glory and honor of the work she is doing, rather then seek it for her own. It is not her thoughts that are driving her, but that of our Lord. I pray she sees Him working in her by doing this soon.
So often we hear of such story’s, I can’t help but see through the medias attempt to sterilize the death of a human being and equate it to that of a death of a pet. Or even to launch a preemptive strike on our morals again to push for making euthanasia for people acceptable. Call it knowing the truth in the spin cycle of this article. You see, euthanasia is legal in Oregon and the first thing we read in this article is:
Volunteering to aid terminal patients at a hospital, a woman finds patience, calm and compassion she didn’t know she had. No One Dies Alone started in Oregon in 2001 and has spread across the country.
Just in time for the government through Obamacare to pass its next law in support of euthanasia. I know its coming down to putting our elderly to sleep like animals because they cost to much to keep alive. The more I pondered this, the more I couldn’t get the idea of a future government agency or private group of “Death Watchers” out of my thoughts. Can’t make it to your loved ones death bed? NO PROBLEM we will sit with them because we understand how important it is for you to go to work and how much of an inconvenience it must be for a loved one to be dying when your vacation is scheduled. Think about it. Its just one more step into hell for this nation.
One snip from the article is here:She sympathizes with families who can’t be at the hospital when a relative dies. Some live too far away or can’t take time from their jobs or find their estrangements, no matter the circumstances, too hard to bridge. For others, death is just too painful to watch.
My friend Fred was just shy of his 90th birthday. His wife had passed away a few weeks earlier who’s only living relative was a niece who just “didn’t get along” with Fred. I had many differences with Fred also, but understand we are to love our neighbor as our self and knew, I needed to be there to walk him home. To be his body guard on the way home. Take it to the bank. There is a heaven. There is a hell. There most certainly is God and we will ALL be held accountable for our actions and lack there of.
Ensure your last times with your loved ones are spent in prayer. Give them a the most precious going away gift money could never buy. Pray for them before they leave you, pray over them and never stop praying for them after they have left. Walk them as far home to our Lord as you can, not away from Him.
Most Merciful Jesus, lover of souls, I pray Thee, by the agony of Thy Most Sacred Heart and by the sorrows of Thine Immaculate Mother, to wash in Thy Most Precious Blood the sinners of the world who are now in their agony, and who will die today. Heart of Jesus, once in agony, have mercy on the dying. Amen.
St Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us. Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us all. I beg of Thee to put an end to all selfish desires this world has, and convert the hearts of those who try to mask selfish deeds. May my Lord allow them to see Your face O Lord in the dying and the elderly that they may come to understand how all life is a gift from the Father and respect all life all souls as your possessions; never forgetting it is God alone who decides when any life ends. Amen
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I just broke into tears because I read something that I have been going through since 1998. I have NEVER been able to place it into this paragraph that has capture the essence of it all.
From the article: All Sin Is Disgusting
“If you want a truly Lenten experience, then pray earnestly that the Holy Spirit will reveal to you the damage that your sins have done. And then hold onto your butts, because it’s going to be a horrible ride. Don’t forget to pray for hope and healing at the same time, nothing hurts more than looking your own guilt in the face.”
It is a horrible ride. A very SLOW walk through purgatory. The ONLY THING that has kept my sanity throughout my entire experience is KNOWING it is REAL and so builds my faith and LOVE for Christ and I can only hold onto the mercy of God and pray continually.
Every second I am alive is spent in constant repentance leaving self behind, thinking only of others.
EDIT TO ADD:
It truly is: “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” A blessing in disguise
At least while I am here, I get reprieve! I can SEE His grace at work. I can see it in the Church! I can see Him in EVERYTHING! When the reprieves come, its a beautiful peace. Its a constant ride that doesn’t end until He says “It is finished”.
From the agony in the Garden: “”My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” Mark 14:34
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My tribulation, is knowing our Lord with my entire heart, mind, soul & body. In knowing He is with us and not being able to express Him deeply enough to others. In seeing Him EVERY DAY in every second of my life, and not being able to share this great Joy with the entire world all together. With undeniable proof in my life He is real, and having most of the world tell me, its only in my mind. The greatest sadness and joy is knowing Him, while others do not.
BELIEVE IT! REPENT: ” I want love, not sacrifice; knowledge of God, not holocausts.”
This mornings universals, are ABSOLUTE TRUTH! I heard this for the first time today and undoubtedly know this for fact.
To the sinner, God has said this:
Why do you recite my statutes?
Why do you dare to speak my covenant?
For you hate what I teach you,
and reject what I tell you.
…The moment you saw a thief, you joined him;
you threw in your lot with adulterers.
You spoke evil with your mouth,
and your tongue made plans to deceive.
Solemnly seated, you denounced your own brother;
you poured forth hatred against your own mother’s son.
All this you did, and I was silent;
so you thought that I was just like you.
But I will reprove you –
I will confront you with all you have done.
Understand this, you who forget God;
lest I tear you apart, with no-one there to save you.
Whoever offers up a sacrifice of praise gives me true honour;
whoever follows a sinless path in life will be shown the salvation of God.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
I want love, not sacrifice; knowledge of God, not holocausts.I believe nothing can happen that will outweigh the supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For Him I have accepted the loss of everything, and I look on everything as so much rubbish if only I can have Christ and be given a place in Him. I am no longer trying for perfection by my own efforts, but I want only the perfection that comes through faith in Christ and is from God and based on faith. All I want is to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and to share His sufferings by reproducing the pattern of His death. That is the way I can hope to take my place in the resurrection of the dead. Not that I have become perfect yet: I have not yet won, but I am still running, trying to capture the prize for which Christ Jesus captured me. I am far from thinking that I have already won. All I can say is that I forget the past and I strain ahead for what is still to come. I am racing for the finish, for the prize to which God calls us upward to receive in Christ Jesus. We who are called “perfect” must all think in this way.
Philippians 3:8-15 -
“From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us” Acts 17:26-27
Lord Jesus Christ, most merciful Saviour of the world, we humbly beseech You, by Your most Sacred Heart, that all the sheep who stray out of Your fold may in one day be converted to You, the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls, who lives and reigns with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without end.
Amen.
Father, hear our prayers for the salvation of the world. Grant Mercy to all souls that turned away from You. Open their hearts and minds with Your light.
Gather Your children from the east and the west, from the north and the south.
Have mercy O God on those who do not know You. Bring them out of darkness into Your light. You are our saving God Who leads us in our salvation. Protect us from evil.
Bless and praise You O Lord, hear our prayers and answer us. You, our Savior, are the hope of all the ends of the Earth and the distant seas. May Your way be known upon Earth; among all nations Your salvation.
We put the world in Your hands; fill us with Your love. Grant us peace through Christ, our Lord.
Amen -
Found a link to the answer to this question, and others that arise during the journey back home…
The Conversion of the Heart to God
Q. What is repentance?
A. Repentance, which is also called penance, is the sincere conversion of the heart from sin to God. To understand this, we must observe, that in sin there are two great evils, which Almighty God himself describes with astonishment in these words, “Be astonished, O ye heavens! at this – for my people have done two evils; they have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and have digged to themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water,” Jerem. ii. 12. In every mortal sin, there are two enormous evils, to wit, the turning away from God, infinitely good, and the very fountain of goodness and life, and the embracing, in his stead, the monster sin, by the allurement of some deceitful appearance of an imaginary happiness, justly compared to a broken cistern that can hold no water, but only filth. Wherefore repentance, which is the opposite of sin, and the destroyer of sin, must have these two opposite conditions, the turning away from sin with horror, detestation, and sorrow, for having offended so great a God, and the returning back to God, to embrace him by love, and faithfully to obey his holy law.EDIT TO ADD 2/25/15
The link above is to Catholic Doors and I just found this about them: Website Review: Catholic Doors MinistryFor the answer to the question:
Five Ways to Practice Conversion
FR. ED BROOM, OMV
Be converted, the kingdom of God is at hand.These are the first world we hear from the lips of Our Blessed Savior as He initiates His Public ministry. Conversion in Greek is Metanoia, meaning change of heart. The core of the teaching of the Precursor of Jesus, St. John the Baptist, was the same, “Be converted because the Kingdom of God is at hand.” Furthermore, St. Peter and the Apostles also preached the call to conversion. Therefore, if the greatest of all prophets, the first Pope, and Jesus Himself preached the urgency of conversion then indeed it must be important!
The Church, the Mystical Body of Christ, reiterates this message in various forms and seasons. At the start of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, after greeting the people, the priest invites himself and the whole congregation to pause briefly for an examination of conscience. On what? Our communal and personal recognition of sin and humble invocation that God would have mercy on us and help us to undergo metanoia—conversion of life.
Ways that we can undergo a true conversion of life
The following are ways that we can delve deep into our souls and strive for a sincere and deep conversion of life! However, we must always remember that true conversion of life is more God’s work in our souls than our doing! We must collaborate with the grace of the Lord!1. Memory. Our memory is in need of constant purification. St. Paul exhorts us to put on the mind of Christ; then he says that you have the mind of Christ. Past wounds in our early years, addictions that enslaved, abuses either physical, emotional, social or moral—all of these must be brought to the Lord for a deep healing and conversion. One short but powerful suggestion: THE WORD OF GOD! The Word of God is powerful like a two-edged sword that separates bone from marrow. The daily reading of the Word of God in prayerful meditation can result in the conversion of the mind. One more step: memorize Sacred Scripture! If you like this analogy: what chlorine is and does to a swimming pool (cleansing and purifying) the Word of God can do to the human mind. Lord, may your Word be a light for my path and a torch for my steps!
2. Eyes. Our eyes need constant vigilance and control. Unfortunately, the most powerful addiction in the United States is that of pornography. Children are exposed to this ravenous and merciless wolf at a very tender age. Studies show that pornography can be more powerful than the addiction to drugs. A recovering gang member, drug-addict and alcoholic rejoiced that he was able to conquer all the above vices. However, he could not detach himself from the addiction to pornography. Three suggestions to attain this metanoia/conversion.
At the crack of dawn upon waking, to consecrate one’s whole being— especially the eyes—to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Second, when tempted invoke the Precious Blood of Jesus as a shield against the fiery darts of the devil.
Lastly, visit the Blessed Sacrament exposed and contemplate the Eucharistic heart of Jesus. In the words of the Psalmist: “Look to the Lord and be radiant with joy.”
3. Tongue. Our tongue has to be controlled constantly! Saint James reminds us poignantly that we should be slow to speak and quick to listen. Jesus reminds us that every word that issues from our mouth will be subject to judgment. Also the Lord tells us that from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Three concrete suggestions to attain conversion of our mouth, a transformation of our speech. First, we should get in the habit of speaking more to God and less to people. Second, we should learn to hold back our impulses and think before we speak. Finally, apply the Golden Rule of Jesus to speech. Do to others what you would have them do to you; say to others what you would like them say to you! Following this advice we are on the highway to converting our tongue!4. Intentions. Being honest with ourselves we must humble admit that our intentions are often mixed. Even in the best of actions are hidden some self-seeking, self-love and vanity. Sincere examination of conscience will highlight this truth! In the Diary of Saint Faustina, time and time again Jesus manifests His desire that she always have purity of intention, that her actions be done to please Him and for the honor and glory of God. The Bible points out that man sees the appearance but God reads the heart. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus strictly warns us not to do our actions to be seen and praised by man. Remember! Do your actions such that your right hand does not even know what your left hand is doing. Your father who sees in secret will recompense you.
The motto of St. Ignatius, the founder of the Company of Jesus (the Jesuits) is four letters: A.M.D.G. —Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam—meaning, for the greater glory of God. That indeed should be the motivating principle that drives all of our actions in life! One concrete suggestion to obtain the conversion/metanoia of our intentions— Give all to Jesus through the hands of Mary. In the classic of St. Louis de Montfort, True Devotion to Mary, St. Louis presents a scene in which a pauper desires to present the King with an apple. The apple is not of the best, nor is the pauper the most worthy of admiration. However there is a secret to access to the heart of the King—the love the King has for his Queen. If the pauper can reach the Queen and give her the apple, then her Highness will take the apple, polish it, place it on a golden platter next to a beautiful flower and present it to the King. Then the King will accept it. Why? Not because of the pauper but because of the powerful and irresistible persuasion of the Queen. If we place our intentions in the Immaculate Heart of Mary then she purifies, embellishes and corrects our distorted motives!
5. Heart. Last but not least we all must go through a daily conversion of the very center of our being— our heart. Jesus says that from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The human heart can contain within it the most noble of intentions, but the human heart can also embrace the most despicable of desires! Constant conversion/metanoia of heart is necessary on a daily basis!
What might be the most efficacious means to undergo a true conversion of heart? Simple and to the point: FERVENT AND PASSIONATE DAILY HOLY COMMUNION! In Holy Communion we receive the totality of Jesus: His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Therefore, if we receive His Body, that means we also receive His Sacred Heart. In the most Sacred Heart of Jesus can be found all of the most sublime virtues and to the highest degree of holiness and perfection.
Faith, hope, charity, patience, purity, meekness, obedience, mortification, fortitude— just to mention a few, are some of the virtues present in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. These virtues are present in every Consecrated Host that we can receive in Holy Communion on a daily basis. In a real sense, we can undergo a daily spiritual HEART-TRANSPLANT every time we receive Holy Communion with faith, devotion and love. Beyond a shadow of doubt, Holy Communion received with the proper dispositions is by far the most efficacious channel to arrive at a true conversion of heart. Our Lord’s loving Heart burns and consumes all that is ugly and ignoble in our hearts so that we can truly say with the Apostle Saint Paul: “It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me!”
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My typical Saturday…with only one difference. I got my lazy but off the computer for a break to wash my kitchen floor and had a friendly chat with the Holy Spirit while doing so. It went something like this:
Holy Spirit: Hey Peg?
Me: Yes?
Holy Spirit: Remember back when you were so distraught and didn’t have anyone left to turn to regarding the state of your soul and the mortal sins you were covered in? Remember when your eyes were so swollen from crying, thinking that God would never forgive you and that He must be punishing you, and you thought God hated you?
Me: Yes. I’ll never forget that day. Or the days that followed.
Holy Spirit: Remember when you dropped everything you were doing, got in your car, drove to find any Catholic Church, and parked your car, walked in and sat in the pew, and broke down in tears again, begging God to forgive you?
Me: Yes. I don’t know how I got there or how I brought myself to do that.
Holy Spirit: Remember there was only one other person in that church, that just happened to be open? A church building where the doors were not locked? Remember then after sitting in tears, the Catholic Priest who just happened to be there, who just happened to tap you on the shoulder and ask you if he could help you?
Me: Yes. I was lucky that day!!
Holy Spirit: Luck? HAHA! Remember it being as if the Priest was pulling your teeth, for him to get you to confess your sins? Remember Him asking you if you would like to confess them and you did everything you could not to and told him that God would never forgive you but you confessed your sins anyway?
Me: Yes. For many years after, I struggled with thinking He was very angry with me. I walked out that day thinking, pfft, yeah. My life then was hell. I hated being there but didn’t know how to get out. I wasn’t sure if I could. In the state of hell that is. I didn’t want to leave the church.
Holy Spirit: Do you understand now, it was I who was with you, before you acted on my Love for you and you decided to go? Do you know now that it was I who carried you out of that hell you were living in and continue to keep you from there? Do you know now, that is God’s Grace? Do you know now, it was I who planted the seeds of repentance? I who made it possible for you to find the open church? I who made sure the Priest was there for you? I who was with you when you left and stayed with you? I who am STILL with you? I who Love you? I who made everything so EASILY possible for you to return to me? All you did was listen and followed your heart, where I can always be found. Do you know now how much God loves you? How much God loves ALL his children?
Me: I do now. Thank you Lord!
More like the Holy Spirit washing the floor with me…..
*Self Knowledge
Peg Pondering Again 