LENTEN REFLECTIONS

INTRODUCTION

Lent is the liturgical season of the Church that mirrors the forty days Jesus spent in the desert preparing for His public ministry.   As we prepare for the Lenten season, beginning with Ash Wednesday March 2, we gather many materials together for our Spiritual Reading, reflection, and contemplation. One of the best and most reliable set of meditations are the Beatitudes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.

The Sermon on the Mount is a powerful summary of the fundamental teachings of Jesus.  The Beatitudes point out behaviors that conform to Jesus. Just as Jesus is blessed by the Father at His Baptism and Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, Jesus assigns blessedness to those who follow the Beatitudes.

He who has climbed the first mount to preach the Beatitudes must necessarily climb the Mount of Calvary to practice what He preached.   Jesus signed His own death warrant with the Sermon on the Beatitudes.  Whoever challenges the Spirit of this world is bound to be challenged, sometimes persecuted, and even put to death. You cannot have Easter without Good Friday.

SCRIPTURE

MATTHEW 5:1-12

When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, He began to teach them, saying:  “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.  Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you, because of me, Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

 COMMENTARY

“Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  Was Jesus saying the economically poor were blessed?  No! The poor can be just as greedy and envious and proud as any other sinner.  God does not value what the poor have but what they do not have, self-sufficiency, a presumption of being able to save themselves

Jesus is speaking of the poor in spirit who understand their human nature and accept all that they have comes from God. They know their salvation depends completely on the mercy of God. Whoever humbles themselves is able to repent, and allow the grace of God to lead them to conversion.

“Blessed are the Meek for they shall possess the earth.”  The word meek in Matthew 5:5 refers to a strong person who is under control.  The word meek comes from the Greek word which refers to a strong but domesticated animal like a powerful horse or ox.  A meek person is a strong disciplined person. A meek person proclaims not my will but thy will be done.  Obedience and submission to the will of God brings us peace in this world and in the next.

Greatness will no longer consist in lifting oneself up above others, but in the humbling of oneself to serve and lift others up. On the cross,  Jesus reveals that true victory does not consist in making victims but in making oneself a victim: “Victor because victim.” Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like yours:

 “Blessed are they who mourn for they shall be comforted.” Mourning referred to in this beatitude is not mourning financial loss, loneliness, divorce, or even the loss of a loved one.  Faithful Christians mourn because they have sinned, dishonoring God and fracturing the Body of Christ.

Mourning our sinfulness creates in us a desire to do what is right.  In Luke 15 is the parable of the Prodigal Son.  Convicted of his sins by the grace of the Holy Spirit, the prodigal son makes his journey home to his Father. “This son of mine was dead but now alive; he was lost but now is found.”  The son who mourned for his sins is comforted by the Father.

.“Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied.” Righteousness refers to what is upright, virtuous, noble, and morally right.  For the righteous, all their daily intentions, all their daily decisions and all their daily actions will be done the same way Our Lord would have done them.  When one hungers and thirsts after righteousness they become transformed and begin to bear the image of Jesus.

“Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.” The merciful are tenderhearted.  They go out of their way, without judging, to help those in need.  God shows us mercy when we are miserable in our sinfulness, powerless and foolish in the consequences of our sins.  Blessed be God and Father of all mercy who comforts us in our tribulations so that we may be able to comfort others in the manner we are comforted by God. “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice” Matthew 9:13

 “Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God.”  Everything impure comes from our hearts. For from within the heart of man, come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, greed, lust, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a man.” Mark 7:14–15; 21–23.

How can we possibly be truly pure of heart?  The first step is to acknowledge that we have impure hearts and our need for God’s help to cleanse our hardened hearts and deceitful motives. Everyone must purify his or her heart from every tie with the world and with evil

 “Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called Sons of God.”  Peacemakers are not only those with great love for God but for all mankind as well.  They love, desire, and delight in God’s peace.  They want to preserve peace and restore it when it is broken.

 These are people who love peace so much that they are not afraid of compromising their own peace by intervening in conflicts to procure peace among those who are in dissension.” not by destroying the enemy but by destroying hostility itself, as Jesus did on the cross.

“Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice’s sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Persecution in our time may not be bloody but may come verbally in the form of ridicule and mocking, being made fun of by the world.

Our faith is challenged in books, plays, movies and nightly on TV.  The Word of God is a stumbling block to ungodly people.  They can’t get at our God so they attack those who follow God.  Our kingdom is not of this world! “When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate” 1 Corinthians 4:12–13

REFLECTION

Where are the Beatitudes in my life? Am I really present to the suffering Jesus in the faces I meet? Do I give to the impoverished of spirit as well as the physically impoverished? Do I offer kind words of encouragement to those suffering from affliction of mind and spirit? Am I merciful to others or does my judgmentbget in my way?

 Do I proclaim courageously and vigorously the Words of the Gospel or do I cower and compromise…am I absorbed into the culture and trends of this world…  Is my heart detached from false idols…does my heart seek the kingdom of heaven first and foremost?

 PRAYER

Merciful Father, Help us to be among the poor in spirit; to be among those who mourn for all that’s wrong and broken in this world; Help us to be among the meek, the merciful, to be a true friend to those who are hated, misunderstood, rejected, and disregarded … Help us to be peacemakers… to build bridges to restoration and reconciliation with family, friends, and the world at large. In Jesus name, we pray!

 

 

Earlier this week I published the Corporal Works of Mercy Lenten Reflection.  This is a companion piece that also fits in well with our Lenten reflections.  We diminish so Jesus can increase in us. It is good to reflect on service, how we can put others before ourselves. Jesus was all about service.  “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” Mark 10:45 Remember his washing the feet of his apostles at the Last Supper.

“When he had washed their feet [and] put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them,…You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, as I have done for you, you should also do”.  John 14:12-15

The Spiritual Works of Mercy may not be as well-known as the Corporal Works of Mercy but have long been a part of the Christian tradition, appearing in the works of spiritual writers throughout history.  Jesus attended to the spiritual well-being of those he ministered to; these Spiritual Works of Mercy guide us to help our neighbor in their spiritual needs.

In today’s blog, I list the spiritual works of mercy and make a few suggestions for carrying out these acts of mercy, especially in this time of pandemic. In adopting these works of mercy we demonstrate in a visible way our love for God who commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Jesus attended to many spiritual needs through prayer. He prayed that His disciples would not succumb to the power of Satan at the time of the Last Supper. “And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are….When I was with them I protected them in your name…But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely…^.I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one.” John 17:11-13

Jesus cast out demons and called people to conversion like St. Matthew Matthew 9:9.,Zacchaus, Luke 19:2

And the Samaritan woman at the well. The woman gives Jesus a drink of water, Corporal work of Mercy..  Jesus offers her “living water” of conversion, Spiritual work of Mercy.

WHOEVER DRINKS THE WATER I GIVE

WILL NEVER THIRST

JOHN 4:14

COUNSELING THE DOUBTFUL

Everyone has moments of doubt in their faith journey.  To “counsel” in the spiritual realm refers to helping someone with a difficult spiritual decision they are about to make. Doubt is a spiritual burden, and it is an act of mercy to offer counsel and help lighten the load. We should always remember that Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and turn to him along our way.  Has someone asked you for advice? Be sure you offer advice filtered through Jesus who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Reassure and support those who may be especially anxious during this time of Covid pandemic.

INSTRUCTING THE IGNORANT

A person may be uninformed for a variety of reasons, some of which are innocent, others are not. It may be youth or inexperience, or a person may be uninformed because of laziness, narrow-mindedness, arrogance or erroneous information. No matter the root cause, it is a work of mercy to inform the uninformed.

Jesus is the master when it comes to instructing the ignorant. His heart was moved with compassion for the people because they were “like sheep without a shepherd” Matthew 9:36 Learn about our faith and be open to talking with others about our beliefs.  There is always something more to discover about our faith.  Utilize the Bible and Catechism of the Catholic Church as resources. Take this time to recommit to your own study and formation during this Lenten season.

 ADMONISHING THE SINNER

Do not judge, but be supportive in helping others find their way and correct their mistakes.  “Remove first the beam in your eye before removing the splinter in your neighbor’s eye.” Together we can learn to walk more closely with Christ.

Remember it is not all about us.  No one gets to heaven by themselves.  We must not keep our faith to ourselves. Our faith is as result of thousands and thousands who went before us.  As they modeled the faith so too we must model the faith for others. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us.” Hebrew 12:1. Those clouds of witnesses are those that have gone before us and rest in bosom of Christ.

When you correct someone, don’t be arrogant. We are all in need of God’s loving correction.  Being confined in close quarters for long periods of time with families can test us in more ways than one.  Be supportive in helping others find their way forward in the Spirit of Christ.

 COMFORTING THE SORROWFUL

Comforting the sorrowful is one of our spiritual works of mercy. As Ecclesiastes informs us, for every beginning there is an end, where there is life there is inevitable death. Be open to listening and comforting those who are dealing with grief.  Even if we aren’t sure of the right words to say, our presence can make a big difference. Lend a listening ear to those going through a tough time.  A few moments of your day may make a lifetime of difference to someone who is going through a difficult time.

I will share a story making the internet rounds: a small boy saw an old man sitting on a bench in a park. The man was crying. The boy left his mother and walked over to the man. The mother watched as the boy climbed up on the bench and looked gently into the man’s face. The man, touched by the boy’s gesture, began to weep more visibly. The boy also started to cry. After a few minutes, the man hugged the boy and sent him back to his mother’s side. When the boy returned, the mother asked him why he felt a need to go over to the man. The boy responded, “He looked like he needed help crying. I wanted to help him do that. ”

FORGIVING INJURIES

Many people interpret forgiveness to mean that they must stop having negative feelings about something that happened to them, or toward someone who hurt them. Those are just feelings. Many also think of forgiveness as a work they must do out of their own power, rather than as a gift to be received from God.

No! Forgiveness is a work of God within us whereby He acts to free us from the poisonous effects of bitterness and grief that often accompany the harm that was inflicted upon us. The past no longer has control over us.

Our Lord Jesus taught us to pray “forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”  So what we are saying, in effect, is “if I don’t forgive others, Lord, then don’t forgive me.”

In calling us to forgive, God is offering us the gift to be free of a great deal of poison and of a costly emotional state that robs us of joy and strength. What a relief it is to just be free of that weight!  Forgiveness does not necessarily mean that we are able or even should resume relationships with people who have done us great harm.

At times, we are able to do so, but it is not always advisable. Sometimes relationships are poisonous for both parties involved. Sometimes, because the other person has not or cannot repent (perhaps because of addictions or deep-seated drives), it is too dangerous to be close to him or her.

THIS SON OF MINE WAS DEAD 

AND HAS COME TO LIFE AGAIN 

LUKE 15:24

BEARING WRONGS PATIENTLY

“But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” – Luke 6:27-28

We have all been wronged by another person in some way. And sometimes it is perceived wrongs. Often, our response is anger and a desire for vengeance, to give what we received no matter how unkind or unfair.  But, Jesus taught us to turn the other cheek, to love our enemies, and most importantly, to forgive them.

The virtue of patience is required to bear the wrong.  We are called to be perfect as the Heavenly Father is perfect. “The Lord is patient and merciful, slow to anger…Psalm 103 We need patience to endure the sorrow that besets us so that we do not betray the good we have.

Do not be bitter about wrongs done against you.  Place your hope in God so that you can endure the troubles of this world and face them with a compassionate spirit.  Frustrated with someone? Step away from the situation, take a few deep breaths, pray the Our Father, asking God for patience

PRAYING FOR THE LIVING AND THE DEAD

Prayer is one of the most powerful ways we can support others.  Joining together in prayer for the living and the dead entrusts us all into God’s care. Let living people know you are praying for them and don’t be shy about asking them for prayers.  We are all in this Mystical Body of Christ together!

Jesus taught us to pray always and never to lose heart Luke 18:11 St. Paul echoed this with the simple exhortation, “Pray without ceasing” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 St. James also warned, “You have not because you ask not” .James 4:2 Prayer can avert war, bring healing, cause conversion, bestow peace and serenity, and call down mercy—sweet, beautiful mercy. Prayer is inestimable; its value can never be told.

Perhaps one of the greatest joys of Heaven will be seeing how much of a difference our prayers made, even the distracted and perfunctory ones. Imagine that in Heaven a sinner comes up to you and says, “Though we never met, your prayer reached me and God applied His power to me.”

Too many Catholics today miss the boat for praying for the dead.  Many are quick to point to heaven and say their loved one is looking down on us now in God’s heavenly arms.  But hold on a minute! Scripture doesn’t say that we go right to Heaven when we die. No, indeed, there is a brief stopover at the judgment seat of Christ

“It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment”  Hebrews 9:27 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad”  2 Corinthians 5:10

Our deceased loved ones go to the judgment seat of Christ, and that is worth praying about! We have the promise of Heaven but Jesus says, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” Matthew 5:49  I would guess not many of us are in that state, right now.

When we send our faithful loved ones to judgment, although we send them with hope, we are aware that finishing work”pruning” may be necessary. Purgation and purification are necessary before entering Heaven, of which scripture says, Nothing impure will ever enter it” Revelation 21:27

Praying for the dead, then, is the last and greatest spiritual work of mercy. By the grace of it, and through its help, souls attain the glory God has prepared for them from the foundation of the world.

I AM THE RESURRECTION AND LIFE

 

 

 

THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT

  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Mark 12:31

In the Good Samaritan parable, Luke 10:25-37, Jesus teaches his disciples that to love our neighbor is to show mercy to everyone we meet. No division, no enmities, no adversaries.  Corporal works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor.

Everyone is obliged to perform the works of mercy, according to his own ability and the need of his neighbor. It is important to remember that ordinary deeds done every day to relieve the corporal or spiritual needs of others are true works of mercy, if done in the name of Christ.

Corporal works of mercy are found in the teachings of Jesus and give us a model for how we see and treat others as if they were Jesus in disguise. What better time to practice these works of mercy than during this Lenten season.

WHATEVER YOU DO TO THE LEAST OF MY BRETHREN 

YOU DO TO ME!

MATTHEW 25:37-46

 CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY

The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned and burying the dead. Among all these, giving alms (money) to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity (brotherly love); it is also a work of justice pleasing to God.

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH #2447

FEED THE HUNGRY

There are many people in this world who go without food.  Support Food Banks especially in this time of pandemic. Caretakers who provide for the sick or dying, may not have the energy to shop or cook. Providing meals to a friend during a difficult time, is an effective act of charity. During this lent let your fast remind you of those who go to bed every night hungry all year round.

Pray for those that do not have what they need.  Why are those of us who have more than we need when there are those who have less than they need?

GIVE DRINK TO THE THIRSTY

How can you and I, as followers of Jesus Christ, practice this corporal work of mercy in our world today?  The obvious thing is, when we see someone who is thirsty, to give them a glass or bottle of water.  These days we do not meet many thirsty people by the roadside, as the early Christians did.

But as citizens and voters we can make a big difference in the availability of clean water. Supporting “clean water” policies to insure that there will be clean water for future generations is one way to give drink to the thirsty.

Nearly 1-billion people lack access to a supply of safe water. More than 3.4 million people a year die from water-related diseases. Every 21 seconds a child in the world dies of such diseases. Nearly one-fifth of all childhood deaths are caused by diarrhea, which kills more young children than AIDS, TB, and malaria combined. (Source: water.org.)

JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH REFUGEES IN EGYPT

 SHELTER THE HOMELESS

The Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head” (Mt 8:20).  Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God, was born in a borrowed manger, had no fixed address in his public ministry, and was buried in another man’s grave.  It is quite an irony: He who made the universe became a homeless person. Jesus, Mary and Joseph were themselves refugees fleeing into Egypt to avoid the infanticide of Herod.

 There are people today, here in America, who seem to be against all immigration.  But the truth is:  almost all of us are the descendants of immigrants!  And we, as believers, need to treat the immigrants with respect and according to their human dignity, as we would want to be treated ourselves.

 ‘When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19:33-34

There are many circumstances that could lead to someone becoming a person without a home.  Christ encourages us to go out and meet those without homes, affirming their worth and helping them seek a resolution to the challenges they face. Many homeless shelters need warm blankets and other goods.

THE WIDOW’S MITE

 GIVE ALMS TO THE POOR

Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury.  Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” Mark 12:41

Donate money to organizations that have the ability to provide support and services for those in need. . Remember in this time of pandemic that the lack of Masses and activities may result in parishes struggling financially; be sure to continue your support and if possible, increase offerings for those who cannot donate due to recent financial hardship or inability to work.

VISIT THE SICK

Some are sick, not from physical illness but from social isolation. One thinks especially of the elderly in our communities who, whether at home or in long-term care facilities, live in geographical isolation from their loved ones. The call to visit the sick can mean reaching out to the friendless in our local nursing homes: those who are ‘sick at heart’ from being lonely and forgotten and who are regularly deprived of the basic human need called ‘friendship.

Our mere presence, as someone willing to be a friend and a listening ear, can mean much more to them than we can imagine. In spite of their illness, these individuals still have much to offer to those who take the time to visit and comfort them. Along the way the infirm will be giving us the precious gift of growing in compassion.

Invest time in reaching out via phone call or by sending a letter or card to those who may feel particularly isolated during this time.  Offer to assist caregivers of chronically sick family members by grocery shopping or cooking for them so they do not have to risk exposure in this time of pandemic.

VISIT THE PRISONERS

Jesus was a prisoner; so were Peter and Paul and many of the saints, bishops, and teachers of the first few centuries of Christian life were.  So free Christians took it upon themselves to visit their friends, bringing food, solace, and encouragement.

People in prison are still people, made in the image and likeness of God.  No matter what someone has done, they deserve the opportunity to hear the Word of God and find the Truth of the message of Christ.

You may donate to charities that give Christmas presents to children whose parents are in prison. If you know a family member of one who is incarcerated, support them with a phone call or card.

Visiting prisoners may seem like one of the more difficult of the works of mercy simply because of the difficulty in gaining permission to enter the jail or prison and the need for training in how to minister to the imprisoned. Check out prison ministry in your local diocese. There are often ways to correspond with prisoners safely by mail.

Above all, pray for those in prison.  Prisoners abound in our society, and most of them are not behind bars. Many of our neighbors and family members are imprisoned by their addictions, others are isolated by their anxiety. Someone you know may need your presence more than you can imagine.

BURY THE DEAD

Funerals give us the opportunity to grieve and show others support during difficult times.  Through our prayers and actions during these times we show our respect for life, a gift from God, and comfort to those who mourn.

Grief is a rolling, painful journey with stops and starts and no discernable end. No two people grieve in the same way, and remembering that and resisting comparisons will help us support those we love. It is in the weeks and months after the funeral when our support can mean the most.  A phone call or email just to let the grieving person know we care can be a boost in a painful day.

We can include a grieving person in lunch, dinner or other plans.  At the end of the meal, I can make plans to meet my friend for coffee, giving him/her something to look forward to.  A note of condolence can touch the heart in the days and weeks after a death, and much later, it can be re-read and offer comfort again.

CONCLUSION

FRANCIS EMBRACES JESUS IN THE DISGUISE OF A LEPER

 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?   Can that faith save him?

If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day   And one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,”But you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it?  Faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

JAMES 2:14-17

FOLLOWING JESUS IS AN ADVENTURE IT IS NOT JUST CARRYING MY CROSS BUT LIGHTENING THE CROSSES OF OTHERS LIKE SIMON OF CYRENE DID.

TO LOVE MY NEIGHBOR IS TO LOVE GOD I CANNOT LOVE GOD AND HATE MY NEIGHBOR

IF I DON’T FORGIVE ANOTHER WILL I BE FORGIVEN BY GOD?  WHY TAKE THE CHANCE? HELP ME TO SHOW MERCY OVER JUDGMENT.

A RECONCILED SOUL IS A PEACEFUL SOUL, NO ADVERSARIES TO SHADOW BOX WITH, NO CLINCHING AND GRITTING OUR TEETH, LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE.  SHARE THE PEACE OF CHRIST THAT IS BEYOND ALL UNDERSTANDING, FORGIVE AND BE SAVED

AS I MEASURE SO WILL IT BE MEASURED TO ME.  GOD BE MERCIFUL TO ME A SINNER

GOD IS GOD AND WE ARE NOT.  WHAT DO I HAVE TO BOAST OF?  MY SINS???  WE MAY GIVE UP ON JESUS BUT HE NEVER GIVES UP ON US.

IN THE PRODIGAL SON STORY THERE IS THE PRODIGAL WHO REPENTS AND RETURNS TO HIS FATHER’S HOUSE AND THE FATHER THAT RUNS TO GREET HIM.  THEN THERE IS THE OLDER BROTHER WHO RESENTS BOTH THE SON SEEKING FORGIVENESS AND THE FATHER OFFERING FORGIVENESS.  PLEASE GOD, LET ME NOT BE LIKE THE OLDER SON STANDING IN JUDGMENT BUT RATHER OFFER MERCY TO ALL I MEET.

IS MY PRAYER SELF CENTERED LIKE THE PHARISEE IN THE TEMPLE OR GOD CENTERED LIKE THE TAX COLLECTOR, O GOD BE MERCIFUL TO ME A SINNER?  IS GOD THE PRINCIPLE ACTOR IN MY PRAYER?

LORD THAT I MIGHT SEE!  YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.  LIFT THE DARKNESS OF SELF-SERVING. SHED LIGHT ON MY SINFULNESS AND REMOVE WHAT YOUR LIGHT HAS REVEALED.

JESUS THE HEALER,. HEAL ME FROM MY PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL INFIRMITIES  JESUS MAKE ME WHOLE AGAIN AS THE FATHER INTENDED!

HIS HOUR HAD NOT YET COME.  WHAT IS MY HOUR?  HAS IT ALREADY PASSED OR STILL TO COME?   DON’T LET ME MISS IT….THY WILL BE DONE!

CHRISTIANITY IS A SALVATION RELIGION.  IF YOU ARE NOT A SINNER YOU JUST DON’T GET IT.  IT’S NOT FOR YOU.  CHRISTIANITY IS MADE UP OF SINNERS IN NEED OF A SAVIOR.  JESUS HAVE MERCY ON ME!

“I AM THE RESURRECTION AND LIFE.”  NO MATTER HOW DEAD YOU ARE IN SIN, JESUS CAN CALL YOU BACK TO LIFE!  LISTEN FOR HIS CALL!

JESUS CHRIST CRUCIFIED.  GOD LOVES US FULLY, COMPLETELY, UNCONDITIONALLY EVEN TO DEATH.  DO NOT FEAR THE CROSS, EMBRACE IT BECAUSE IT IS AN ICON OF GOD’S LOVE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIRST STATION JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATHWe adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

REFLECTION

Jesus, you stand all alone before Pilate. Nobody speaks up for you. How alone you must feel…You devoted your entire life to helping others, where are they now…Help me to be grateful for what you did for me and never abandon you…when I am falsely accused help me to love my enemies and pray for those who hurt me.

SECOND STATION JESUS CARRIES HIS CROSS

We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

REFLECTION

Jesus you accepted your cross  made up of my sins.  It wasn’t easy but you carried it just the same. Sometimes I feel my cross is too big.  I complain and look to others who I believe have lesser crosses. I feel sorry for myself.  Oh My Jesus, help me to bear my cross patiently and generously for love of you.

 THIRD STATION JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME

We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

REFLECTION

Jesus, the cross you carry is very heavy. You are becoming weak and almost ready to faint, and you fall down. Nobody seems to want to help you.  The heavy burden of my sins weigh Thee down beneath the cross. I detest them; I beg you to pardon them.  May your grace help me never to commit them again.

FOURTH STATION JESUS MEETS HIS AFFLICTED MOTHER

 

We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

REFLECTION

Oh My Jesus, it is with great sorrow that I see the pain you share with your Mother Mary. What gave you both the courage to carry on?   As my Redeemer, it seems you and your Mother were teaching me how to suffer and give this suffering to the Father for the salvation of souls. Help me to offer up my suffering for others.

FIFTH STATION SIMON OF CYRENE HELPS JESUS CARRY HIS CROSS

We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

REFLECTION

Oh My Jesus, Simon of Cyrene was enlisted by the soldiers to help you carry your cross less you die before crucifixion.  You, who hold up the whole universe, allowed a creature to help you.  What an example of humility to allow others to attend to you.  I don’t have to always be on the giving side; help me to accept offers of help from others.  In so doing, I will be blessed and so will they.

SIXTH STATION VERONICA WIPES

THE FACE OF JESUS

We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

REFLECTION

 My Jesus, where were all the hundreds of peoples whose bodies and souls were healed by you? Why only one woman? Veronica, setting aside fear and human respect offers you the comfort of her veil.  My sweet Jesus, imprint your Divine Image upon my soul…that I may attend to the needs of others on your behalf despite the situation or circumstances.

SEVENTH STATION JESUS FALLS A SECOND TIME

We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

REFLECTION

On My Jesus, You fall a second time under the pain of the Cross.You rise from this fall.  What looked like weakness is unparalleled strength. The world often looks down upon the poor as failures, the sick as useless and the aged as a burden. There is a vast difference between the way the world sees and the way God sees. Weak and powerful Jesus, give comfort of your presence to the aged, sick, and handicapped.  Let the infirm glory in their weakness.

EIGHTH STATION JESUS SPEAKS

TO THE HOLY WOMEN

We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

REFLECTION

My Jesus, I am amazed at your compassion for others in your time of need. When I suffer, I have a tendency to think only of myself but when you saw the holy women weeping over your torments, you consoled them and taught them to look deeper into Your Passion.  Help all those who are discouraged, sick, lonely and old to recognize Your Presence in their midst. No one suffers alone.  Easter is coming!

NINTH STATION JESUS FALLS THIRD TIME

We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

REFLECTION

My Jesus, even with the help of Simon You fell a third time. Were you telling me that there may be times in my life that I will fall again and again despite the help of friends and loved ones?  When I cry out from the depths of my soul, “This suffering is more than I can bear,” You whisper, to my innermost being, “Yes, I know, Keep going, I know how hard it is to rise”? Easter is coming, rejoice!

TENTH STATION JESUS IS STRIPPED

OF HIS GARMENTS

We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

REFLECTION

My sweet Jesus, it seems that every step to Calvary brought you fresh shame and humiliation. How your sensitive nature must have recoiled at being stripped before a crowd of people. Have mercy on us who would violate the virtue of chastity.  Sins of the flesh run rampant.  Grant us the courage of conversion of our ways.

 ELEVENTH STATION JESUS IS NAILED

TO THE CROSS

We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

REFLECTION

It is hard to imagine God being nailed to a cross by His own creatures. It is even more difficult for my mind to understand a love that permitted such a thing to happen! As those men drove heavy nails into your hands and feet, dear Jesus, you were stretching out your arms to show us how much you love us?  Teach me to keep my arms ever open to love, to forgive and to render service.

TWELFTH STATION JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS

We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

REFLECTION

God is dead! No wonder the earth quaked, the sun hid, the dead rose and Mary stood by in horror. All creation rebelled as the Word made Flesh departed from this world.  A common thief responded to your love with deep Faith, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Dear Jesus, help us to humbly reach out to you, especially when we need forgiveness of our sins.

 THIRTEENTH STATION JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS

We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

REFLECTION

My Jesus, it was with deep grief that Mother Mary finally took you into her arms. You are once more surrounded by only a few followers.   The greatest act of love was given mostly in isolation with little notice. Give to all men the grace to see that doing your will is more important than success.  Let me accept praise or blame, success or failure with equal serenity.

FOURTEENTH STATION JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB

We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

REFLECTIONS

My Jesus, You were laid to rest in a stranger’s tomb. You were born with nothing in a stable.  Most of us live and die knowing and known by only a few. Will we ever learn the lesson of humility that makes us content with who we are, where we are and what we are?  Dear Jesus, grant me the grace of acceptance and let me rejoice on Resurrection day with all the Angels in a hymn of praise and thanksgiving for so great a love- so great a God!

CLOSING PRAYER

My Jesus, I have traveled Your Way of the cross. It seems so real. I feel so ashamed that I complain of my sufferings.  Help me to see the Father’s will in every incident of my daily life.

Help me to trust the Father and to realize that there is something great behind the most insignificant suffering.

Teach me the lessons contained in my Cross, the wisdom of its necessity, the beauty of its variety, and the fortitude that accompanies even the smallest cross.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEVEN LAST WORDS OF JESUS

FIRST WORD “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

LUKE 23: 26– 37…. As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him.

But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children”. Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing….

WE ADORE YOU O CHRIST, AND WE BLESS YOU

BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD!

MEDITATION

Jesus always sees beyond what other people see.Jesus always sees. He sees people for who they really are. When he first meets Peter, he doesn’t see just a poor fisherman from a small town beside the Sea of Galilee; he sees someone with the potential to lead a church. When he sees Matthew at his tax table, he doesn’t just see a tax collector but a potential follower.  When he meets Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector in Jericho, he doesn’t see just the most sinful person in the region— he sees someone seeking redemption. When he sees the woman caught in adultery, he doesn’t see just her sin; he sees a person in need of forgiveness and healing.

From the cross, Jesus doesn’t see just executioners, but people making dreadful decisions.  Forgiveness is a gift you give the other person and yourself.  You may want to forgive but feel incapable of doing so. If you have the desire to forgive, God can work with that.  You may not be able to let go of the resentment but God can! True forgiveness is a grace from God.

 SECOND WORD “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

LUKE 23: 39– 43 One of the criminals, hanging with Jesus kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

 WE ADORE YOU O CHRIST, AND WE BLESS YOU

BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD!

MEDITATION

In this second word, Jesus promises the hope of the afterlife, of “paradise,” At the Last Supper in John’s Gospel Jesus tells his apostles, “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. . . . I go to prepare a place for you.” What does your place look like?  I am sure it will be a perfect fit because Jesus has selected it.…Eyes have not seen, ears have not heard what God has prepared for those who love him….

From the moment of our conception, God has been inviting us into relationship.  As we look back over our life and ponder these moments, we can see the presence of God…His intervention on our journey home. St. Paul puts it this way in Romans 8:38, “not even death can separate us from the love of God.”  This relationship will be perfected and complete in “paradise.”

THIRD WORD “Woman, here is your son. . . . Here is your mother.”

JOHN 19: 26– 27 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.

WE ADORE YOU O CHRIST, AND WE BLESS YOU

BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD!

MEDITATION

Jesus looks upon his Mother and beloved apostle.  He gives them to one another. Mary had many relatives so she does not need John to take care of her.  John already has a Mother, Salome married to Zebedee. When Jesus gives Mary to John, He is giving Mary to us.  Mary is our advocate and intercessor with Jesus.  Mary’s faith and obedience was challenged at the Annunciation but once she understood that God would take care of everything, Mary believed and obeyed.

We who take Mary in are the beloved disciple too.  Every Christian family should take Mary into their heart as John did., We should especially pray to the Mother of Sorrows at the hour of our death.. She assisted so lovingly at the death of her Divine Son, she will also assist us at our hour of death and obtain for us the grace of a happy death.

FOURTH WORD “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

MARK 15: 33– 39 When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “Listen, he is calling for Elijah; let us see whether Elijah will come to take him”.”

 WE ADORE YOU O CHRIST, AND WE BLESS YOU

BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD!

MEDITATION

Even nature darkened in empathy with its Creator.  As dark of time it was, did Jesus despair and give up hope when he was crucified? No, of course not.  As Jesus took on the sins of all, he in his humanity was the furthest he could be from God.  This last word begins Psalm 22, “my God, my God why have you forsaken me?,” a prayer that all faithful Jews prayed often when in need.  At the end of Psalm 22 the Suffering Servant does not despair but continues to trust.  Psalm 22 concludes, ” He did not hide his face from me, but heard when I cried to Him. “…

There is a big difference between believing God is absent and feeling God is absent.  Jesus has been subjected to an exhausting series of late-night inquests, brutalized by Roman guards, and marched through the streets of Jerusalem under the crushing weight of the cross;  now nailed to the wood and suffering excruciating pain. Even so, Jesus is still in relationship with God His Father— calling on him from the cross. When you pray in suffering, doubt and darkness ask Jesus in His resurrected glory at the right hand of the Father to give you His kind of Trust that in the end all will be well!

 FIFTH WORD “I am thirsty.”

 JOHN 19: 28– 29 …when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth.

 WE ADORE YOU O CHRIST, AND WE BLESS YOU

BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD!

MEDITATION

The child, Jesus, entered the world as helpless as any newborn.  He needed to be nursed, held, fed, burped, and changed. Jesus would have skinned his knees on the rocky ground, bumped his head on doorways, and pricked his fingers on thorns.  Like all of us, Jesus sweated and sneezed and scratched…Everything proper to the human being, except sin.  These bodily experiences include hunger and thirst.  It is not only a physical thirst Jesus expresses on the cross.

Jesus thirsts for conversion, repentance, and salvation of all.  Jesus asks us to thirst for Him the same way He thirsts for us….Do I thirst for Jesus?  Am I confident that Jesus will satisfy my thirst? “The heart is restless until it rests in thee.” St. Augustine.  Think about it!

SIXTH WORD “It is finished.”

JOHN 19: 30 When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

WE ADORE YOU O CHRIST, AND WE BLESS YOU

BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD!

MEDITATION

These words clearly say Jesus has done the work assigned Him by the Father.  On the cross Jesus has shown the depth of His Father’s love for us. For some, Jesus’ death on the cross is a stumbling block and others folly.  But Scripture says, ”he humbled himself becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.^*Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth…and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,^* to the glory of God the Father” Phillipians 2:8-11

Sometimes our mission from God may seem a mistake or folly because we don’t see the results we would like here on earth.  But in the hands of God,  God can take any of our efforts and multiply and shower abundance on the whole world because of something a faithful servant has begun…we are sowers of seeds…the Holy Spirit cultivates the seeds and brings them to fruition….Have faith, faithful servant and keep your eyes on the prize!

  SEVENTH WORD “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”

LUKE 23: 44– 49 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “Truly this man was the Son of God” Mark 15:39

WE ADORE YOU O CHRIST, AND WE BLESS YOU

BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD!

MEDITATION

In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked His Father if this cup could past but not my will, your will be done…do we imitate Jesus in submitting to the Father’s will… obeying God’s commandments… not holding anything back from God… like a  part I don’t want God messing with…a pattern of selfishness, a desire for power and wealth…Do we trust God….Jesus trusted the Father and on third day rose from the day with glorified body and sits at the right hand of Father….certainly we do not know the changes that will occur in us if we hand ourselves over to God…but we do know the more we give to the Father the more he gives back… no Easter without Good Friday,,,, God will never be outdone in generosity.  Alleluia! Father into your hands I commend my Spirit, Amen!