MIRACLES OF JESUS

MIRACLES OF JESUS, MIRACLES OF JESUS, SCRIPTURE

                             

JESUS HEALS THE PARALYTIC

MARK 2:1-12

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.

Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, Why does this man speak that way?* He is blaspheming.

Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?

Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’?  But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth”— he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.”

He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”

REFLECTION

Many gathered around the place of Jesus so there was no room anymore…so many needs…one messiah and healer…Where there is a will there is a way…Trust in Jesus

Perseverance in prayer and faithfulness pays off in the end…when Jesus saw their faith He said, “Child your sins are forgiven.”…

WHY SINS? Why not? Sins are the cause for a fallen broken world. Nothing weighs as heavily as unrepentant sin.

Jesus left the crowd astounded and in awe of His authority Are we astounded and in awe of Jesus’ power and mercy?

MULTIPLICATION OF THE LOAVES AND FISHES

JOHN 6:5-15

When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?”  He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do.

Philip answered him, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little (bit).”  One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?”  Jesus said, “Have the people recline.”

Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. 

Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted.  When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.”  So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat.

REFLECTION

Jesus saw the needs of the people without being told…Jesus sees our needs too…do we seek Jesus when in need?

Jesus took the loaves and gave thanks…Jesus is always thankful to the Father…Jesus trusts the Father…Are we thankful each day for all God’s gifts

Those in the crowd had their fill…there was much left over…our God is a God of abundance…. give thanks to God for He is good…

Are we generous in our gifts to others…plus our time, our empathy,

THE RAISING OF LAZARUS FROM THE DEAD

JOHN 16-27

IF YOU HAD BEEN HERE!

(Jesus said to his disciples,) “Our friend Lazarus is asleep, but I am going to awaken him.”  So the disciples said to him, “Master, if he is asleep, he will be saved.” But Jesus was talking about his death, while they thought that he meant ordinary sleep.  So then Jesus said to them clearly, “Lazarus has died.  And I am glad for you that I was not there, that you may believe. Let us go to him.”…

When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him…Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.  (But) even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” 

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.”  Martha said to him, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.”  Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”  She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God…

Jesus said, “Take away the stone…So they took away the stone. And Jesus raised his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you for hearing me.  I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me.”  And when he had said this, he cried out in a loud voice,

LAZARUS COME OUT

The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth. So Jesus said to them, “Untie him and let him go.”  Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary and Martha and seen what he had done began to believe in him. 

REFLECTION

Jesus’ friend Lazarus has died….Jesus is glad he was not there so that he can perform this miracle before witnesses that they might believe in him and him who sent him…

Jesus wants witnesses to this miracle and why not because He has come to defeat sin and death a consequence of sin, Jesus is our Redeemer and Savior….and wants everyone to believe He is the resurrection and live.

Martha believes if Jesus had been there her brother would not have died …Jesus tells her, I am the resurrection and life, whoever believes me will never die…Jesus asks Martha if she believe this…Do I believe this…

Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb…Lazarus comes out…and many began this day to believe in Jesus…

What does it take for me to believe in Jesus…I mean really believe and trust in Him even my prayer as I see it goes unanswered.  God hears all our prayers and will answer with what is best for me…Can I accept that!

 

WHERE IS GOD???

CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

 

WHERE ARE WE???

 INTRODUCTION

God is in the picture above.  God is everywhere. God is omnipresent!  If God was gone so would we be gone into non-existence.   God is existence itself.  (I Am).  God is in your home, at your work, in your park, and at the bowling alley…. Where are we when it comes to God?

We may be living through the most troubling times of our lives and ask ourselves, why isn’t God doing something about this? Doesn’t God care!  God does care! He watches.  He sees. He cares.

Look at the “chosen” people in the Old Testament when they turned away from God, what was the result of going on their own… famine, slavery, and exile. Not only separated from the one true God but also their homes and native lands. They needed to turn back to God and so do we.

In this world today, God has been pushed to the margins, denied, ridiculed, mocked and suppressed by man-made laws and moral relativists who make up their own truth. Is it any wonder that we who abandon God suffer the fate of going it on our own.  Consequences of sin.

God’s wrath is not of an angry person out of control but is felt as a consequence of our sins.  God is holy and the unrepentant sinner cannot endure His holiness; the sinner experiences God’s holiness as wrath.  Unrepentant sin is totally incompatible with the holiness of God.

God heard the cries of Israel enslaved in Egypt in the Book of Exodus. Back then, they were crying out for deliverance for decades.  What about our patience and perseverance?

 Let us imitate St Paul

For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race;f I have kept the faith.  From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.2 TIMOTHY 4:7-8

ISAIAH THE PROPHET WARNS US IN OLD TESTAMENT

For Jerusalem has stumbled and Judah has fallen, because their speech and their actions are against the Lord,
To rebel against His glorious presence. Their very look bears witness against them; they boast of their sin like Sodom. They do not hide it. Woe to them! They deal out evil to themselves. Woe to them!  Happy the just, for it will go well with them, the fruit of their works they will eat.  ISAIAH 3:8

CONCLUSION.

We live in an immoral world perhaps like never before. We sacrifice our young in the womb; we approve of same sex couples marrying. God never wills evil but allows evil to happen out of respect for our free will.  We no longer live in the world that God made but the world we have made

Deep within his conscience man discovers a law which he has not laid upon himself but which he must obey. Its voice, ever calling him to love and to do what is good and to avoid evil, sounds in his heart at the right moment.  For man has in his heart a law inscribed by God, a Moral conscience (CCC #1776-1778)

 

PRAY. PRAY. PRAY

FOR OURSELVES, OUR NEIGHBOR, OUR COUNTRY

 

 

 

WHO TOUCHED ME!

SCRIPTURE

WHO TOUCHED ME?

And a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years,* who [had spent her whole livelihood on doctors and] was unable to be cured by anyone, came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak. Immediately her bleeding stopped.

Jesus then asked, “Who touched me?” While all were denying it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds are pushing and pressing in upon you.” But Jesus said, “Someone has touched me; for I know that power has gone out from me.” When the woman realized that she had not escaped notice, she came forward trembling.

Falling down before him, she explained in the presence of all the people why she had touched him and how she had been healed immediately. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you; go in peace.”t Luke 8:43-48

REFLECTION

In the beautiful picture above Jesus asks Who touched me? Power has gone out from Jesus…; for I know that power has gone out from me…Let us seek that power…

What released that power from Jesus? the woman fell down before Jesus and confessed her faith in Jesus… if I but touch him…How is my faith…Do I reach out to Jesus…only in crisis?

Jesus is a healer…he can’t help himself…Come unto Me all ye that are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Jesus calls on all of us to seek healing in Him. Why not?

Come without delay…there is nothing I cannot forgive and heal…

Come forth…touch me…and see…(JESUS)

 

 

 

 

 

FEAST OF SACRED HEART OF JESUS

CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS

JUNE 7, 2024

 BACKGROUND

In the eleventh and twelfth centuries we find the first indications of devotion to the Sacred Heart. It was the Benedictine and Cistercian monasteries that the devotion began. It was St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, however, who made this devotion widespread.

In Jesus’ appearance to Margaret Mary in the 17th century, June 1675, Jesus disclosed he wanted to share the wonders of His love and the treasures of His goodness to all the world.

Jesus told Margaret Mary, “Behold the Heart that has so loved men. Instead of gratitude I receive from the greater part of mankind only sacrilege, contempt, indifference and ingratitude.” Jesus asked Margaret Mary for a feast of reparation to His Most Sacred Heart.

COMMENTARY

June is the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This specific feast day is celebrated the first Friday after the feast of Corpus Christi. .

The “heart” has been the symbol of love almost forever. Valentine cards are filled with hearts, boxes of candy come in heart shape boxes, so is it any surprise that Jesus divine and human wants us to focus on His heart pierced for our salvation. Jesus is the model of love, service, and compassion.

    Jesus reveals His Sacred Heart

to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

After Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque received apparitions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus she told her Mother Superior and asked what she should do. Mother Superior advised Margaret Mary to tell the Priest in Confession and ask his advice.

The priest told Saint Margaret Mary to ask Jesus what he confessed in his last confession. Next confession the priest asked Saint Margaret what Jesus said. Margaret Mary, uncomfortably, answered, “Jesus said “I don’t know, I have forgotten them!”

 REFLECTION

In this culture of death, let us spend the month of June in Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, lifting up our Nation, indeed the whole world, to the One in whom we place all of our trust. His Heart still beats with Mercy and Love for the world.

The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus reminds us of Jesus’ humanity as well as His divinity and the significance of His sacrifice. Jesus suffered, He felt pain, He literally laid down his life for us …. The cross is not about how much Christ suffered but how much God loves us.

Suffering (passion) is part of human condition. Love and suffering go together,You love until it hurts, just ask a caregiver caring for a loved one. And It wasn’t easy for Jesus to do the Father’s will. “Father if possible remove this cup from me, but not my will thy will be done. Luke 22:42

 PRAYER

 ADORABLE Heart of Jesus, infinitely rich in mercy, heal the wounds of our souls. We humbly prostrate ourselves before Thee to express the sorrow that fills our hearts for the coldness and indifference we have so often embraced….

JESUS MEEK AND HUMBLE OF HEART
MAKE MY HEART LIKE UNTO THINE!

ADORABLE Heart of Jesus, source of true contrition impart to our hearts the spirit of penance, and give to our eyes a fountain of tears, that we may bewail our sins now and for the rest of our days.

 ADORABLE Heart of Jesus, source of true contrition and ever merciful to the penitent sinner, impart to our hearts the spirit of penance, that we reject our sins now and for the rest of our days. Strengthen our weakness, confirm our resolutions of amendment, that nothing in life or death may ever again separate us from Thee.

AMEN

 

FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI THURSDAY MAY 30 2024

CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS

THIS IS THE BREAD COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN 

 INTRODUCTION

 At the Last Supper, Jesus taught his disciples to offer bread and wine in his memory. Taking the bread, he told us, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me”

Luke 22:19. Offering the chalice, he said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you” Luke 22:20

 Before the consecration at Mass, the priest in persona Christi calls on God to send the Holy Spirit to change this bread and wine into the Body and Blood of His Son the same way the Spirit overshadowed Mary at the Annunciation.

BACKGROUND

 For 700 years and more, the Church has celebrated with great joy the Feast of Corpus Christi, the great gift of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, given to us at the Last Supper.

The feast of Corpus Christi was established on September 8, 1264 by Pope Urban IV as a universal feast of the Church, to be celebrated on the Thursday following Trinity Sunday.  Today, in the United States, the feast is celebrated on the following Sunday.

For centuries after the celebration was extended to the universal Church by Pope Urban IV, the feast was also celebrated with Eucharistic processions.  The faithful would venerate the Body of Christ as the procession passed by. In recent years, this practice has almost disappeared, though some parishes still hold a brief procession around the outside of the parish church.

 BREAD OF LIFE DISCOURSE

I am the living bread from heaven…whoever eats this bread will live forever…whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day…whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him” John 6:48

JESUS INSTITUTES THE EUCHARIST AT THE LAST SUPPER

 Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the new covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:26-28.

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

1323 At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again.

1360  The Eucharist is a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Father by which the Church expresses her gratitude to God for all His blessings, for all that He has accomplished through Creation, Redemption, and Sanctification. The word Eucharist means first of all “thanksgiving.

 Accidents” are those things that appeal to our senses, touch, sight, taste, etc. The host looks like bread, tastes like bread etc. The “substance” of the Eucharist is changed (into the Body and Blood of Jesus. (transubstantiation)

The real presence of Jesus’ Body and Blood remain as long as the “accidents” remain. This is why the Blessed Sacrament may be reserved in the tabernacle for sick calls and adoration.

O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine,

All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine

The Eucharist is one and the same sacrifice on Calvary extended through time to us at Mass. Some think Catholics say Jesus is sacrificed again and again during every Mass. No, it is the one sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary which is RE-PRESENTED through time to us in every Mass

REFLECTION

 If we want to be intimate with Jesus he tells us how, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.” John 6:54

We receive the Holy Eucharist with sublime humility and gratitude.  God, in whom the fullness of power, and glory dwells, humbled Himself that He became like one of us in every way but sin that we may share in His Divinity.

When we receive the Eucharist in Holy Communion, the Priest says, “the Body of Christ” and we say “Amen.” Our “Amen” means we recognize and acknowledge the real presence, body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ.

Jesus is present in the Blessed Sacrament, in all the tabernacles of the world.  Yes, in our parish.  He awaits us. Let us go to meet him in adoration. Filled with humility and faith we pray for this world, making amends for the many sins against Him and His Church. Let our reparation for sin and adoration never cease! Let us commit to Eucharistic Revival in our lives!

TAKE AND RECEIVE,

THIS IS MY BODY, THIS IS MY BLOOD

 

MIRACLES

MIRACLES OF JESUS, SCRIPTURE

JESUS RAISES THE WIDOW’S SON FROM THE DEAD LUKE 7:11-23

Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him.  As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. 

When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.”  He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!”    The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 

Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, “A great prophet has arisen in our midst, “God has visited his people.”  This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and to all the surrounding region. 

REFLECTION:

God has visited His people. How often do I acknowledge this in humble prayer and thanksgiving? The Good News of God visiting his people spread throughout the region…do I spread the good news in my daily life to others…

…God is with us…Jesus raising the dead widow’s son gives us all hope that Jesus will one day raise us from death to eternal life.

JESUS WALKS ON THE SEA MATTHEW 14:25-36

During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came toward them, walking on the sea.  When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. 

At once (Jesus) spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”  Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”  He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. 

But when he saw how (strong) the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

 Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”  After they got into the boat, the wind died down.  Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.” 

REFLECTION:

Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”  How many fears I have…how little trust in Jesus…how far do I have to sink before I cry out, Lord, save me

I hear in the silence of my soul…Oh you of little faith…Come to me you who are labored and burdened…

with Jesus anything is possible…no real harm will come to me…unless I separate myself from Jesus…

JESUS HEALS BLIND BARTIMAEUS MARK 10:46-52

As he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging.

On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.”

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, he is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. 

Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.”  Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

REFLECTION:

A blind beggar beside the road…just like the rest of us…in need …broken…Jesus Son of David have pity on me….

Jesus asks Bartimaeus, What do you want me to do for you? …Jesus knows what we need before we ask…but He waits to hear it from our own lips…Why is that do you think?

I pray, Lord, that I may see… remove the blinders of material attachments from my heart…that I may see clearly to follow you on the way… that I may give glory to the Father…

 

 

 

 

PENTECOST SUNDAY MAY 19 2024

CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS

THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRITY ADVOCATE AND SANCTIFIER

 “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid… I will not leave you an orphan… The Spirit will teach you…inspire you…remind you of my word…and call to mind your sins that you may be reconciled and live… He will teach you through my church and proclaim the good news…

 I have so much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it all at once…trust me…trust the Holy Spirit who will guide you to all truth… you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” John 16:7-16

 INTRODUCTION

Pentecost means fiftieth. The Jewish festival of Pentecost, 50 days after Passover, was first spoken of in Exodus 23:16 as “the feast of harvest,” and again in Exodus 34:22 as “the day of the first fruits. This Jewish feast celebrates the sealing of the Old Covenant on Mount Sinai.

The Christian feast of Pentecost is one of the most ancient feasts of the Church, We mark it as the birthday of the Church when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles in tongues of fire.

The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Most Blessed Trinity, equal to the Father and equal to the Son.  The term Spirit comes from the Hebrew word, ruach, meaning breath or air. His presence on the world stage is made known in Scripture in its earliest book, Genesis.

In the First Creation Story in Genesis 1:2 the Spirit of God was moving over the face of deep waters, bringing order out of chaos. In the Second Creation Story, Genesis 2:7, “The Lord God formed man from the dust of the land and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living being.”

The Blessed Trinity is not complete without the Holy Spirit whom we adore and glorify with the Father and the Son.  “Glory be to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be forever.” …One God…three Divine Persons.

“By contemplating Himself from all eternity, The Father begets the mirror image of Himself, God the Son… The Father and Son see each other in infinite Divine beauty and embrace in infinite love.  The Spirit is that love that proceeds between Father and Son.” Catechism of the Council of Trent 1545

PENTECOST SUNDAY 33 AD

MARY AND THE APOSTLES IN THE UPPER ROOM

 Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he promised his disciples that he would pray to his Father that the Holy Spirit be given to them.   Jesus promised “The Spirit will teach you all things and bring to your mind whatever I have said to you.”  John 14:26

 “When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…” Acts 2:1-3

While the Holy Apostles were generally ignorant of the Holy Spirit at this time, the Immaculate Mary knew the Spirit intimately. Mary was possessed by the Holy Spirit and filled with grace at the first moment of her existence. Moreover, the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary in a powerful way at the virginal conception of Christ our Lord.

The Holy Spirit overshadowed the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Annunciation and she conceived the body of Christ, Our Lord. Now the Holy Spirit at Pentecost mystically conceives the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church.

Through the Holy Spirit, our faith is awakened.  We are inspired to know Jesus and the One who sent Him.  The Holy Spirit stirs up in us repentance for sin and conversion.  Until the end of time, the Spirit guides, protects, and inspires the Church of Christ and its members.

Come Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of Life.

 REFLECTION

 How do I interact with the Holy Spirit? What prayers do I say?   

Do I call on Him, before reading scripture…before making difficult decisions… for protection against temptation?

 How can my relationship to the Spirit assist me to overcome tendencies in pride, anger, lust, greed, envy, excess, and laziness…do I ever thank the Holy Spirit for his assistance.?

 If you feel God has abandoned you or stepped away, take heart. Consider the disciples after Jesus left the earth. We are not left alone but kept safe guided by His Spirit.

“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:25-26

 ST. AUGUSTINE PRAYER TO HOLY SPIRIT

Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.

Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.

Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy.

Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy.

Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy.  Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEAST DAY OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA MAY 13

CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS, MARY MOTHER OF GOD

OUR LADY APPEARS TO

FRANCISCO, JACINTA, AND LUCIA

May 13 is the anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady to three shepherd children in the small village of Fatima, Portugal in 1917.

BACKGROUND

Between May 13 and October 13, 1917, three Portuguese children, Francisco and Jacinta Marto and their cousin Lucia dos Santos received apparitions of Our Lady at Cova da Iria near the city of Fatima. Mary had instructed the children after the first apparition May 13 to meet here the following 5 months on the 13th.

Mary asked the children to pray the rosary for world peace, pray for sinners, and for the conversion of Russia. Mary gave the children three secrets.

                  LUCIA and FRANCISCO and JACINTA

FATIMA SECRETS

The First Secret: the Vision of Hell

As the Lady was finishing the prayer, she opened her hands again. It seemed to open the earth! It revealed a very terrifying scene as the children were shown a vision of hell! It was only for a brief moment that they saw the fires of hell, the ugliest demons, and the poor charred and transparent burning souls of people suffering tremendously.

The Second Secret:

 WORLD WAR 1 is going to end.  But if people do not cease offending God, a worse one will break out during the Pontificate of Pius XI. When you see a night illumined by an unknown light, (KRISTALLNACHT) know this is the great sign given you by God that he is about to punish the world for its crimes, by means of war, famine, and persecutions of the Church and of the Holy Father.  

 To prevent this, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart, and the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart.  If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace.

The Third Secret is revealed but Kept Secret at instructions of Blessed Mother.

 When Lucia grew up, she wrote down the secret

 THIRD SECRET:

 “a bishop dressed in white…the Holy Father passed through a big city half in ruins and half trembling with halting step, afflicted with pain and sorrow, he prayed for the souls of the corpses he met on his way; having reached the top of the mountain, on his knees at the foot of the big Cross he was killed by a group of soldiers who fired bullets and arrows at him….,

Pope John Paul II directed the Holy See’s Secretary of State to reveal the third secret in 2000; it spoke of a “bishop in white.” Many people linked this vision to the assassination attempt against Pope John Paul II in St. Peter’s Square on May 13, 1981. 

FATIMA WARNINGS

 In the apparition of July 13, 1917 Our Lady warned the three children that if people did not stop offending God, He would punish the world “by means of war, hunger and persecution of the Church and of the Holy Father.

 Russia will spread its errors throughout the world, raising up wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred, the Holy Father will have much to suffer and various nations will be annihilated.”

 In a 1957 interview, Sr. Lucia, elaborated more on Persecution of the Church by adding the diminishment of the shepherding of the Church.  The devil found the easiest way to seize souls was to undermine those consecrated to God, especially priests and bishops leaving the souls of the faithful abandoned by their leaders. ie. pedophile priest scandals

 MIRACLE OF THE SUN

 On October 13, 1917, Our Lady of Fatima made her last public appearance with a great miracle, the miracle of the sun.  A great throng of 70,000 spectators witnessed the miracle of the sun. It had rained all during the apparition.

CROWD VIEW THE MIRACLE OF THE SUN OCTOBER 13, 1917

The sun spun rapidly like a gigantic circle of fire. Its rim became scarlet; whirling, it scattered red flames across the sky. Its light was reflected on the ground, on the trees, on the bushes, and on the faces and clothing of the people, which took on brilliant hues and changing colors.

After performing this bizarre pattern three times, the globe of fire seemed to tremble, shake, and then plunge in a zigzag toward the terrified crowd. All this lasted about ten minutes.  Finally, the sun zigzagged back to its original place and once again became still and brilliant, shining with its normal brightness.

REFLECTION

One of God’s harshest chastisements is when he permits his people to fall into the hands of clergy who are priests in name only.  God cries out through his prophet Jerimiah, “Return, rebellious children and I will appoint for you shepherds after my own heart, who will shepherd you wisely and prudently!” Jeremiah 3:14-15

Today, where are our shepherds???….a staggering number of Catholic Church leaders who occupy places of responsibility in the Church have fallen victim to the error of Modernism, the belief that some aspects of Catholic doctrine can change over time. It can’t!

Customs and Church discipline may change over time but not doctrine. It is hard enough to live in this secular world without an undermining of the Faith given to us by Jesus Christ by those He left behind to shepherd us.

 Pray that our priests and bishops will be Good Shepherds in imitation of Christ that they may lead us faithfully to the Way, the Truth, and Life, of Jesus Christ.  Stop watering down Church teaching… Jesus was unique; He didn’t go along to get along. And neither should we!

Satan, the Father of Lies, will say anything and do anything to entice us to separate from God just as he did with our first parents, Adam and Eve, …God knows well that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, who know* good and evil. Genesis 3:5

 How did that work out for Adam and Eve???? Things we seek to fill us up apart from God will not do the trick.  St. Augustine says it best, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee.”

 REPENT AND BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL!

ASCENSION THURSDAY MAY 9 2024

CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS

INTRODUCTION

 Ascension is one of the earliest Christian festivals dating back to the year 68 CE Ascension Thursday, is celebrated forty days after Easter Sunday and ten days prior to Pentecost.

This is a Holy Day of obligation when celebrated on Thursday in the US.  But in many dioceses it has been moved to the following Sunday.

This meaningful feast celebrates Christ’s entrance into heaven and foreshadows our resurrection and glorification in heaven. It also looks forward to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and beginning of the church.

JESUS RETURNS TO THE FATHER

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Before Jesus ascends to the Father, He sends His disciples on mission:

Go therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world” Matthew 28:19.

Jesus comforts His disciples with these words:

 … But you shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the uttermost part of the earth.

 …And while they were beholding him going up to heaven, two men stood by them in white garment who said: You men of Galilee, why stand you looking up to heaven?  This Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, as you have seen him going into heaven….Acts 1:7-12

 REFLECTION

Jesus ascended into heaven by His own power and will come to judge the living and the dead at the end of time by His own power.  Jesus is God after all. Jesus is our judge now and forever. We must not judge. Judge not less you be judged in the same manner.

Jesus promises them and us a helper.. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth.  John 14:16-17 The Holy Spirit inspires us to make good choices and convicts our conscience when it chooses the wrong path. Pray to the Holy Spirit daily.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created,
and you shall renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray.

O God, who have taught the hearts of the faithful
by the light of the Holy Spirit,
grant that in the same Spirit we may be truly wise
and ever rejoice in his consolation.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Ascension Thursday should be a day filled with joy and hope that we will one day be resurrected and glorified like Christ.

Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed* we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2

 Christ’s Ascension shows us that his work on earth was completed! God had sent Jesus with a very special mission. When that mission was complete – Jesus joined the Father in heaven.

We, all, are called to mission by virtue of our Baptism. . Go, therefore,* and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.* And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age. Matthew 28:19

By Baptism we all have the “mission” of bringing the Gospel message of Jesus to the world, What does my mission look like? How am I fulfilling my mission?  What could I do better?

JESUS TAKES HIS THRONE

ASCENSION THURSDAY MASS

God mounts his throne to shouts of joy:

a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

All you peoples, clap your hands,

shout to God with cries of gladness,

For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,

is the great king over all the earth.

God mounts his throne to shouts of joy:

a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;

the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.

Sing praise to God, sing praise;

sing praise to our king, sing praise.

God mounts his throne to shouts of joy:

a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

 Responsorial Psalm

Psalms 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

 

 

FEAST OF SAINT JOSEPH THE WORKER MAY 1.

CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS

PATRON SAINT OF WORKERS

 In 1955 the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker was promulgated by Pope Pius XII to be observed on May 1. This feast was added to the Church calendar to counter the Communist May Day celebrations. In Red Square, troops paraded their latest military hardware in front of huge, stage-managed crowds to celebrate the might of their working class.

 Saint Joseph was a faithful practicing Jew from the line of David and Foster father of Jesus.  St Joseph was a humble carpenter who knew what it was to work hard, often for meagre pay, in order to earn a living to support his wife and foster child.

It was the Will of God that Joseph and his foster-Son should spend their days together in manual labor. By the daily labor in his shop, St. Joseph provided for the necessities of his holy spouse and of the Incarnate Son of God.

Jesus, too, was a carpenter who learned the trade from Saint Joseph and spent his early adult years working side-by-side in Joseph’s carpentry shop. God allowed Himself to be taught carpentry skills by Saint Joseph in order to show us what sanctity can be attached to the simple and humble role of a workman

Beginning in the Book of Genesis, the dignity of human work has long been celebrated as a participation in the creative work of God.  By work, humankind fulfills the command found in Genesis to care for the earth “The LORD God then took the man and settled him in the Garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it.” Genesis 2:15

Humanity shares in God’s image not only in thinking and loving, but also in creating. Sure, we don’t create from nothing, only God can do that! But whether we make a table or a cathedral, we are called to bear fruit with our hands and mind, ultimately for the building up of the Body of Christ, the Church!

REFLECTION

SAINT JOSEPH THE WORKER WITH MARY AND JESUS

When I think of this feast day of St. Joseph the carpenter and foster father of Jesus, I think of the ordinary saints among us who have not been canonized and probably never will be.  My Father was such a man, a humble worker, through the depression era, providing for his wife and three children.

I had the privilege of witnessing his faith.  His attendance at Mass, leading a family rosary and inviting neighbors to join us, walking to Mother of Perpetual Devotions each Tuesday…  almsgiving when we didn’t have much to share, and his kneeling by the side of the bed to say his night prayers.  .

Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation.  We were created with a vocation to work whatever it might be. Each of us have gifts. Use them for the salvation of the world.

Work is a necessity, part of the meaning of life on this earth, a path to growth, human development and personal fulfillment. We are the heirs of the work of those who came before us and must do the same for those who come after us.

JESUS, MARY. AND JOSEPH PRAY FOR ME

PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH

O glorious St. Joseph, Saint of the workbench, cheerfully toiling side by side with Jesus,

obtain for us the grace to work conscientiously with peace and patience,

without ever shrinking from weariness and frustration,

Teach us also to value lives of hidden splendor.

Saint Joseph, we implore your powerful intercession

in obtaining for us from your Divine son all spiritual blessings,

particularly the grace of a happy death, In Jesus’ name we pray@