The Medjugorge message given by Our Lady to the Medjugorge visionary Mirjana during her annual apparition on March 18th, 2010, so we present it here again:
“Today I call you to love with all your heart and with all your soul. Pray for the gift of love, because when the soul loves it calls my Son to itself. My Son does not refuse those who call Him and who desire to live according to Him.
Pray for those who do not comprehend love, who do not understand what it means to love. Pray that God may be their Father and not their Judge. My children, you be my apostles, be my river of love. I need you. Thank you.”
The Rev. Fr. Melvin Doucette, M.Afr./ 1704 Palmer Road, RR 2
Tignish, PE (Prince Edward Island) C0B 2B0 / CANADA
Tel: 902-882-2004 / Email: melvin.douce...@pei.sympatico.ca
Friday, March 19, 2010
"I bless all those with a humble heart"
Dear Friends,
The Cleansing of the Temple
Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all those engaged in selling and buying there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. And he said to them, "It is written: 'My house shall be a house of prayer,' but you are making it a den of thieves." The blind and the lame approached him in the temple area, and he cured them. When the chief priests and the scribes saw the wondrous things he was doing, and the children crying out in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant and said to him, "Do you hear what they are saying?" Jesus said to them, "Yes; and have you never read the text, 'Out of the mouths of infants and nurslings you have brought forth praise'?" And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany, and there he spent the night. (Matthew 21:12-17)
We had another fine day yesterday but around noon we had a shower. It did not last long but a lot of snow disappeared. The temperature was around seven or eight degrees Celsius.
I spent the day yesterday preparing for the weekend. I packed my suitcase and all the things I will need for the three days in Tignish. I will leave this afternoon so I can get ready to begin in the evening after supper. I will be back home on Sunday afternoon where I will give a talk in the Little Shrine about Our Blessed Mother. Then I will get ready to go to Charlottetown on Monday afternoon in order to be on the spot to take the plane at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday for Las Vegas going via Toronto, Canada.
Below is the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Joseph. Jesus spoke to him these words,
"Today is the Feast day of St. Joseph, My foster father, who is the Patron Saint of the Church. I call you all to honor him today.
I was very angry when I came to the Temple in Jerusalem one day and many people were selling all kinds of things there. I took a rope and I drove them all out of the Temple, as this building was the house of God.
I might do the same thing today because many people who go to church act as if they are at the marketplace. They talk and laugh in a holy place where all should be silent for prayer. They are not conscious that I am there present in the Tabernacle. Many pass by the Tabernacle and they do not as much as bow their head. Is it not the custom to genuflect as you pass by Me? If you believe in your Lord and Savior, you will acknowledge His presence and bend the knee before Him. Those who do not show reverence show a lack of faith. I bless all those with a humble heart. I love you."
Father Melvin
Thursday, March 18, 2010
"I bless you all"
Dear Friends,
The Entry into Jerusalem
...Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tethered, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them here to me. And if anyone should say anything to you, reply, 'The master has need of them.' Then he will send them at once." This happened so that what had been spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: "Say to daughter Zion, behold, your king comes to you, meek and riding on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden." The disciples went and did as Jesus had ordered them. They brought the ass and the colt and laid their cloaks over them, and he sat upon them. The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and strewed them on the road. The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying: "Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest." And when he entered Jerusalem the whole city was shaken and asked, "Who is this?" And the crowds replied, "This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee." (Matthew 21:1-11)
Yesterday morning I celebrated Holy Mass at the Little Shrine of Our Lady of Prince Edward Island and in the evening I was at the prayer meeting at our church. We prayed for the people of Haiti and Chile who are suffering very much because of the huge earthquakes that struck these countries. Tomorrow I will go to Tignish Heritage Inn until Sunday afternoon for the weekend retreat or growth weekend. Then on Tuesday morning I will take the plane from Charlottetown and fly to Las Vegas, Nevada, for a nine-day novena for world peace. I will only be back on the 2nd of April.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Redeemer given to Joseph. Jesus spoke to him these words,
"Every year the Church celebrates My solemn entry into Jerusalem on an ass and this day is called Palm Sunday. I entered Jerusalem as their King and many people were present to welcome Me. The people in the crowd carried palm branches in their hand and they sang the song "Hosanna to the Son of David."
This entry into Jerusalem shows you that I am the Lord, the Messiah, entering the city of God. This is the place where I will offer My great sacrifice for the salvation of all the people of the world for which I was born. In a few days I will carry My cross through this city and this cross is the symbol of all the sins of the world. I will be nailed to it in great suffering for all to see and upon the cross I will offer to My Heavenly Father the oblation that takes away the sins of the world. This supreme act of love will change the world forever.
I call you all to join Me during these days as I live My last days on earth. Join the crowds at My entry into Jerusalem and during the way of the cross. I bless you all."
Father Melvin
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
"Give your 'yes' to Me today"
Dear Friends,
The Healing of the Two Blind Men
As they left Jericho, a great crowd followed Jesus. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, "Lord, Son of David, have pity on us!" The crowd warned them to be silent, but they called out all the more, "Lord, Son of David, have pity on us!" Jesus stopped and called them and said, "What do you want me to do for you?" They answered him, "Lord, let our eyes be opened." Moved with pity, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight, and followed him. (Matthew 20:29-34)
We had a beautiful sunny day yesterday and the snow is fast disappearing. The temperature reached 5 degrees Celsius. All are thanking God for giving us such wonderful weather.
I was at the Immaculate Conception Church, Palmer Road, yesterday evening for Eucharistic Adoration. Then I went to Miscouche for a meeting at the Acadian (French) Museum there, which lasted two hours. This morning I will celebrate Holy Mass at the Little Shrine of Our Lady of Prince Edward Island and I will offer it for all those who are inscribed in the Book of Remembrance. Holy Mass is offered for them every Wednesday. This evening I will go to our church for the prayer meeting. I will be in Tignish this weekend for the retreat starting on Friday evening and ending on Sunday at noon.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord, the Son of God, given to Joseph. Jesus spoke to him these words,
"My friends, sickness, suffering and death do not come from God. They are the result of sin. The Father created Adam and Eve in such a way that they would never suffer any sickness and they would not die. It is because of their horrible sin against the Father that all these things came to be.
I always have pity on all the people who suffer in any way. When I saw these two blind men shouting for help one day as we were leaving Jericho, I asked them what they wanted. They asked to be able to see. I placed My hand on their eyes and immediately they were healed. It was a great joy for Me to see them so happy once their sight was restored. They were men of faith. The crowd who saw this miracle was touched indeed. In showing them this great power, they would come to accept that I was the Messiah, the Savior, who had come into the world to save them.
As you know, I used suffering and death as the means to save you from your sins and to open heaven for you. In My Passion, which you will celebrate soon, I was able to offer Myself in sacrifice to the Father for your redemption. Come now and accept Me as your Savior and My blood will wash you clean. You will be renewed by the Holy Spirit and become the beloved of the Father. Give your 'yes' to Me today and every day."
Father Melvin
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
"I want you with Me"
Dear Friends,
The Workers in the Vineyard
"The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.' So they went off. He went out again around noon, and around three o'clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o'clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?' They answered, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard.' When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.' When those who had started about five o'clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, "These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us.' He said to one of them in reply, 'My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Am I not free to do as I wish with my money? ... Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last." (Matthew 20:1-16)
We had another beautiful day yesterday with the sun the whole day. I was at the Manor in Alberton yesterday afternoon to celebrate Holy Mass with the people there. We lost one resident, Margaret Doucette, who will be buried today.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Joseph Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
"All the people of the world are asked to enter My Kingdom. Some enter as babies, others as youth, still others as adult and even some during their last days on earth. You are never too late to enter the Kingdom. Now is the appropriate time for you to be a full member of My Kingdom. This is what the story of the workers in the vineyard is all about.
You enter the Kingdom during your years on earth and you receive your reward when you enter heaven. All those who enter heaven receive the same reward, which is everlasting happiness in heaven. There are different degrees of happiness but all are filled to the brim once they are in heaven. In heaven you see the Father, the Holy Spirit and I, the Son, together with My Blessed Mother and all the angels and saints. There in this holy place you are filled with joy forever. In heaven, there is no sickness, injury, tiredness, hunger or thirst. There is no death and nothing negative. Everything is positive and full of light. Heaven is the home for which the Father has created you. Do not let the things of this world turn you away from your primary goal but keep it always before you. My grace is always there ready for you if you ask for it. I want you with Me."
Father Melvin
Monday, March 15, 2010
"You need Me"
Dear Friends,
The Rich Young Man
Now someone approached Jesus and said, "Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?" Jesus answered him, "Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments." He asked him, "Which ones?" And Jesus replied, "You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19:16-23)
We had another fine day yesterday although the temperature was a few degrees lower. It was sunny the whole day and we should have sun again today.
Yesterday morning I celebrated Holy Mass at the Church of the Assumption in the village of Miminegash and a good group of people attended. Today I will go to the Manor in Alberton to celebrate Holy Mass with the residents and to give Holy Communion in their rooms to those who are bedridden.
Below you have the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Joseph. Jesus spoke to him these words,
"It is very difficult for rich people to enter heaven because they are attached to their possessions. Many of them want to follow the commandments and would like to follow Me but they cannot get rid of their riches. They believe they need their possessions for their security. They do not realize that what they need is strong faith and the graces to follow Me on earth and to be united with Me forever in heaven.
It is the same for so many people that are addicted to all kinds of things. How difficult it is for an alcoholic or a drug addict to stop taking liquor or drugs! It is the same for those who smoke; even if they need to stop smoking because it is ruining their health, they do not have the strength to do so. However, if they believe in Me and ask Me for the help they need with their addiction, I will give them the grace to stop and get rid of the problem. If their faith is weak, they need to see a person of great faith who can pray for them to receive the grace they need to liberate them.
I am calling you all, My brothers and sisters, to get rid of all that is blocking your relationship with Me. If you turn to Me, I will help you so that your faith may be strong and our relationship will grow every day. You need Me if you want success in your life and to reach heaven one day. Come and I will give you My peace and My love."
Father Melvin
Medjugorje Day By Day Mar 24 - The vigil of the Annunciation
"In the sacrament of Eucharistic love He still abides in littleness to stay with us always" (St. Katharine Drexel).
"After partaking of the Living Bread, remember what our Lady must have felt when the Holy Spirit overpowered her, and she who was full of grace became full with the body of Christ" (Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta).
Medjugorje Day By Day Mar 24 - The vigil of the Annunciation
"In the sacrament of Eucharistic love He still abides in littleness to stay with us always" (St. Katharine Drexel).
"After partaking of the Living Bread, remember what our Lady must have felt when the Holy Spirit overpowered her, and she who was full of grace became full with the body of Christ" (Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta).
"As a child, Mary was presented to the Lord in the temple by her parents, Anne and Joachim. Mary gave herself completely to do the Father's will. By the power of the Holy Spirit, the womb of the Virgin Mary became the first tabernacle of adoration for Christ the King!" (From our November 2003 "Could you not watch one hour with Me?" newsletter. The entire text may be viewed at the Newsletters section of our website at www.ACFP2000.com).
Mother Teresa -
The aim of taking a retreat is to advance in the knowledge and love of God, to purify ourselves, and to reform and transform our lives according to the life of our model, Jesus Christ.
It is not so much a looking back on the achievements and failures of the past, as a looking forward to a more generous imitation of our Lord Himself.
Meditations by Padre Pio -
Always love suffering, which, besides being the work of Divine Wisdom, reveals the work of His love to us even more (ASN, 43).
Archbishop Fulton Sheen
Without Faith it's all psychobabble!
"When religion is strong, it purges the unconscious mind of all those fears and anxieties, those worries and psychoses which psychoanalysis tries to expunge in the soul without faith."
St. Faustina's diary http://www.marian.org/directory_flash.html -
Eighth Day
Today bring to Me the souls who are in the prison of Purgatory, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice. (1226)
Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet, who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of the purifying fire, that in that place, too, the power of Your mercy may be praised.
From that terrible heat of the cleansing fire
Rises a plaint to Your mercy,
And they receive comfort, refreshment, relief
In the stream of mingled Blood and Water.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded: Manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. (1227)
MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY
These thoughts for a day are taken from a daily meditation book based on the Messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje by Father Richard J. Beyer, Ave Maria Press.
Mar 24 - THE VIGIL OF THE ANNUNCIATION
On this vigil in 1985 Our Lady said:
"Today I invite all of you to confession, even if you have already gone a few days ago. I wish that you would live my feast in your hearts. You are not able to, if you do not abandon yourselves completely to the Lord, It is for this reason that I call you to reconciliation with the Lord". (First Years March 24, 1985).
This reconciliation to God is possible because of the redeeming sacrifice of Christ on Calvary:
For in (Christ) all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him… (Col 1:19-22).
Reflection:
On this vigil of the Annunciation, Our Lady says that, "I wish that you would live my feast in your hearts." This may sound puzzling until we reflect on the core message of the Annunciation, which is Mary's complete abandonment to God's will, signified by her unequivocal yes to all he asked of her. Thus the Blessed Mother wishes us to experience this same surrender to God in our own hearts, this same yes to God that consecrates us entirely to him. Thus her feast day, her yes, is experienced within us.
The fruit of this abandonment in our lives is a profound trust and confidence in the Lord, the same trust that Mary possessed. She longs to share it with us.
The one obstacle is sin, and so it follows that Our Lady would end her message by saying, "Therefore, I call all of you to reconciliation with God." Our reading from St. Paul resounds with the same advice. Mary invites everyone to confession, where our sins are forgiven and can no longer separate us from God. We can therefore abandon ourselves to the Lord like trusting children, joining our yes to God with that of hers.
Application:
If you have not received the sacrament of reconciliation within the last month, make a firm commitment to do so this week, as Our Lady urges in her message today.
Medjugorje Day By Day Mar 23 - Renounce those things which are hur
"Aside from the Blessed Virgin, Saint Joseph was the first and most perfect adorer of our Lord." "Among the graces which Jesus gave to His foster-father—and He flooded him with graces attached to every one of His mysteries—is that special to an adorer of the Blessed Sacrament. That is the one we must ask of Saint Joseph. Have confidence, strong confidence in him. Take him as the patron and the model of your life of adoration." "Saint Joseph, first and most perfect of adorers, obtain for me the grace to love, adore, and serve Christ Eucharistic as you did." (St. Peter Julian Eymard)
"Before whom am I? You are, Holy Church answers me, in the presence of Jesus Christ, your King, your Savior, and your God . . . . Adore Him therefore, O my soul, with the faith of the kings of Bethlehem. Offer Him the incense of your adoration, as to your God; the myrrh of your mortification, as to your Savior; the gold of your love and the tribute of dependence, as to your King!" (St. Peter Julian Eymard).
Mother Teresa -
Who Is Jesus to Me?
Jesus is the Hungry to be fed.
Jesus is the Thirsty to be satiated.
Jesus is the Naked to be clothed.
Jesus is the Homeless to be taken in.
Jesus is the Sick to be healed.
Jesus is the Lonely to be loved.
Who Is Jesus to Me?
Jesus is the Love to be loved.
Jesus is the Joy to be shared.
Jesus is the Sacrifice to be offered.
Jesus is the Peace to be given.
Who Is Jesus to Me?
Jesus is the Word to be spoken.
Jesus is the Truth to be told.
Jesus is the Way to be walked.
Jesus is the Light to be lit.
Jesus is the Life to be lived.
Meditations by Padre Pio -
The lot of chosen souls is to suffer. God, the author of all grace and of every gift leading to salvation, has decreed that glory will be ours on condition that we endure suffering in a Christian spirit (Letters II, p. 262).
Archbishop Fulton Sheen
Without the Face of Love you have the mask of evil
"If there is not one great Face of Love that bends over mankind, its troubled mind will fill it with a thousand horrible masks."
St. Faustina's diary http://www.marian.org/directory_flash.html -
Seventh Day
Today bring to me the souls who especially venerate and glorify My mercy, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over My Passion and entered most deeply into My Spirit. They are living images of My Compassionate Heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death. (1224)
Most Merciful Jesus, whose Heart is Love Itself, receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who particularly extol and venerate the greatness of Your mercy. These souls are mighty with the very power of God Himself. In the midst of all afflictions and adversities they go forward, confident of Your mercy. These souls are united to Jesus and carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls will not be judged severely, but Your mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life.
A soul who praises the goodness of her Lord
Is especially loved by Him.
She is always close to the living fountain
And draws graces from Mercy Divine.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify and venerate Your greatest attribute, that of Your fathomless mercy, and who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls are a living Gospel; their hands are full of deeds of mercy, and their spirit, overflowing with joy, sings a canticle of mercy to You, O Most High! I beg You O God: Show them Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have placed in You. Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus, who said to them, I Myself will defend as My own glory, during their lifetime, and especially at the hour of their death, those souls who will venerate My fathomless mercy. (1225)
MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY
These thoughts for a day are taken from a daily meditation book based on the Messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje by Father Richard J. Beyer, Ave Maria Press.
MARCH 23 - RENOUNCE THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE HURTING YOU
During Lent of 1990 Our Lady spoke of attachments:
"Dear Children, I invite you to surrender to God. In this season of Lent, I ask you to especially renounce those things to which your are attached but which are hurting you and your spiritual life. Therefore, little children, decide completely for God, and do not allow Satan into your life through those things that hurt both you and your spiritual life.
Little Children, God is offering himself totally to you, but you can discover and recognize him only in prayer. Therefore, make a decision for prayer! (Monthly Message Feb. 25, 1990).
St. Paul also warns of worldly attachments:
Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil 3:17-20).
Reflection:
St. Paul criticizes the self-indulgent Christians of his day, for although they claim allegiance to Christ, they ignore his model of servanthood and sacrifice.
They seem to satisfy their own desires even before thinking about the needs of others; to their detriment, they are "set upon the things of this world."
Our Lady of Medjugorje points to the same danger:«I ask you to especially renounce," she says, "those things to which you are attached, but which are hurting you and your spiritual life."
Application:
Today, take the time to identify those attachments or addictions that hurt your spiritually. They could include alcohol, drugs, shopping, television, status seeking, power games, manipulation of others, and materialism in many forms. After you identify your own harmful attachments, isolate one and consciously work on moderating or even eliminating it for one week. At the same time, pray to the Blessed Mother for the special grace you will need; she will generously provide it.
Medjugorje Day By Day Mar 22 - I have been appealing for renewal
"We all have in him [St. Joseph] a model and a protector. As adorers of the Sacramental Jesus, we continue near the Blessed Sacrament his service, his adoration and his love. He will watch over us and give us his spirit and virtues. Leading us to Jesus, he will say to Him: 'I cannot be on earth any longer to watch over You and serve You, but bless these adorers who are replacing me; give them the graces You gave me, so that their service may recall and replace mine.' How happy St. Joseph is to see us crowding about Jesus in His Sacrament, feeble, abandoned, persecuted, more in need of defenders and servants than in His Infancy . . . . Saint Joseph, be my protector, my model, and my father in my service of Jesus Eucharistic" (St. Peter Julian Eymard).
"Our Eucharistic faith tells us that Christ the King is himself here present, the tabernacle serving equivalently as his throne of grace. In this context, then, we may aptly apply the inspired and inspiring words: 'Let us come boldly before the throne of grace, to meet with mercy and win that grace which will help us in our needs'" (Heb. 4:16). (Fr. Richard Foley, S.J.)
Mother Teresa -
Our ideal is no one but Jesus.
We must think as He thinks,
love as He loves,
wish as He wishes;
we must permit Him to use us to the full.
Meditations by Padre Pio -
True servants of God have always preferred adversity as being more in conformity with the way taken by our Head, Who worked out our salvation by means of the cross and humiliations (Epist. IV, p. 148).
Archbishop Fulton Sheen
The empty soul feeds Satan's needs
"Whence came the millions to accept the superstition of Nazism, Fascism, and Communism if it were not from an emptiness of soul brought about by a loss of faith? The essence of political superstition is the identification of the laboring class and Messianism."
St. Faustina's diary http://www.marian.org/directory_flash.html -
Sixth Day
Today bring to me the meek and humble souls and the souls of little children, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as earthly Angels, who would keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. Only the humble soul is able to receive My grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence. (1220)
Most Merciful Jesus, You yourself have said, "Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart." Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy and they are the heavenly Father's favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy. (1221)
A truly gentle and humble soul
Already here on earth the air of paradise breathes,
And in the fragrance of her humble heart
The Creator Himself delights. (1222)
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek souls, upon humble souls, and upon the souls of little children who are enfolded in the abode which is the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance to Your Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very throne. Father of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and by the delight You take in them: Bless the whole world, that all souls together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen. (1223)
MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY
Mar 22 - I HAVE BEEN APPEALING FOR RENEWAL
The Madonna is firm in her call to Lenten renewal and prayer :
" Dear Children, day after day I have been appealing to you for renewal and prayer in the parish, but you are not responding. Today I am calling you for the last time. This is the season of Lent, and you as a parish should out of love, be moved to live my messages. If you do not, I do not wish to continue giving them. God is permitting me that. Thank you for responding to my call." Weekly Message Feb. 21, 1985
Psalm 38 is a repentant call to God :
For I am ready to fall, And my pain is ever with me. I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin.
Those who are my foes without cause are mighty. And many are those who hate me wrongfully.
Those who render me evil for good Are my adversaries because I follow after good. Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, do not be far from me; Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation. ---Psalm 38 ;17-22
Reflection :
Both Our Lady and the psalmist today call us to repentance, to acknowledge our sin, neglect, or indifference in the sight of God.
Because we have a tendency to sin or to be spiritually lethargic, repentance is the true measure of spiritual sensitivity. It means asking the Lord to forgive us and then abandoning our sinful or lethargic ways. But we cannot do this sincerely unless we are truly sorry for our misdeeds and then commit ourselves to positive action.
This is the Virgin's wish today, that we take to heart her call to renewal and prayer. It is a serious matter for all of us.
Application :
Review your spiritual life today. Has Lent been a time of prayer and renewal for you? If not, make a fresh start today.
Medjugorje Day By Day Mar 21 - Give up something dear
"The Way of the Cross is thus a path leading to the heart of the Eucharistic mystery: popular piety and sacramental piety of the Church blend together and become one" (Pope Benedict XVI).
"The swaddling clothes of an infant hid the Son of God in Bethlehem, and the appearance of bread and wine hides the Reality of Christ" (Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen).
Mother Teresa -
Believe in Jesus trust in Him with blind and absolute confidence because He is Jesus. Believe that Jesus and Jesus alone is life and sanctity is nothing but that same Jesus intimately living in you; then His hand will be free with you.
Give yourself unswervingly, conforming yourself in all things to His holy will.
Love Jesus generously.
Love Him trustfully, without looking back and without fear. Give yourself fully to Jesus. He will use you to accomplish great things on the condition that you believe much more in His love than in your weakness.
Meditations by Padre Pio -
Yes, I love the Cross, the Cross alone; I love it because I see it always on Jesus' shoulders (Letters I, p. 377).
Archbishop Fulton Sheen
We have our divine priorities askew
"At the end of the twentieth century [and now in the 21st] we find ourselves living in an era of superstition in which minds believe everything as fanatics and quacks become shrines of worship and objects of adoration."
St. Faustina's diary http://www.marian.org/directory_flash.html
There is a series of graces which God pours into the soul after these trials by fire. The soul enjoys intimate union with God. It has many visions, both corporeal and intellectual. It hears many supernatural words, and sometimes distinct orders. But despite these graces, it is not self-sufficient. In fact it is even less so as a result of God's graces, because it is now open to many dangers and can easily fall prey to illusions. It ought to ask God for a spiritual director; but not only must it pray for one, it must also make every effort to find a leader who is an expert in these things, just as a military leader must know the ways along which he will lead [his followers] into battle. A soul that is united with God must be prepared for great and hard-fought battles.
After these purifications and tears, God abides in the soul in a special way, but the soul does not always cooperate with these graces. Not that the soul itself is not willing to work, but it encounters so many interior and exterior difficulties that it really takes a miracle to sustain the soul on these summits. In this, it absolutely needs a director. People have often sown doubt in my soul, and I myself have sometimes become frightened at the thought that I was, after all, an ignorant person and did not have knowledge of many things, above all, spiritual things. But when my doubts increased, I sought light from my confessor or my superiors. Yet I did not obtain what I desired. (121)
MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY
Mar 21 - GIVE UP SOMETHING DEAR
The Blessed Mother speaks of sacrifice today :
"Thursday (day of the Eucharist), may each one find his way to fast; he who smokes, may abstain from smoking; he who drinks alcohol, have him not drink. Have each one to him. May these recommendations be conveyed to the parish." Special Message Mar 1, 1984
From the prophet Isaiah :
Seek the Lord while he may be found, Call upon him while he is near; Let the wicked forsake their way, And the unrighteous their thoughts; Let them return to the Lord, that he may have Mercy on them, And to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. ---Isaiah 55 :6-7
Reflection :
The concept of sacrifice and repentance reaches far back into the Old Testament. In the ancient rites of animal sacrifice, a person who had sinned brought an unblemished animal to the Temple priest. The individual then placed his hand on the head of the animal while it was killed, symbolizing his identification with the animal as his substitute. He symbolically transferred his sins to the animal, and thus his sins were taken away (atonement). Finally the animal was burned on the altar, signifying the person's complete dedication to God.
But the Lord required more than a sacrifice. He also asked the sinner to be truly repentant of his sins. The outward symbol (the sacrifice) and the inner change (repentance) were to work together in seeking the forgiveness of God. In our own day, sacrifices such as Our Lady recommends (foregoing alcohol, television, smoking, etc.) also serve as outward signs of repentance, but they also speak of dedication and reverence for the Lord, for they involve the whole person, soul and body, Words of love are easy, but backing them up with sacrifice adds creditability and power to our prayer.
Acts of self-denial also keep us focused on the Lord and help build character, in that we learn not to jump at every stray impulse. Involved here are some forgotten truths, brought to light again by the Blessed Virgin.
Application :
Our Lady is very specific in her message today. Let us simply heed her advice.
Medjugorje Day By Day Mar 18 - Be thankful in front of the cross
"Among the graces which Jesus gave to His foster-father—and He flooded him with the graces attached to every one of His mysteries—is that special to an adorer of the Blessed Sacrament. That is the one we must ask of St. Joseph.
Have confidence, strong confidence in him. Take him as the patron and the model of your life of adoration" (St. Peter Julian Eymard).
"As a child, Mary was presented to the Lord in the temple by her parents, Anne and Joachim. Mary gave herself completely to do the Father's will. By the power of the Holy Spirit, the womb of the Virgin Mary became the first tabernacle of adoration for Christ the King!" (From our November 2003 "Could you not watch one hour with Me?" newsletter. The entire text may be viewed at the Newsletters section of our website at www.ACFP2000.com).
"Christian piety has rejoiced to learn from the Book of Acts that Mary was present at the first gatherings of the faithful, when they broke bread together as brothers and spent long hours in prayer. And modern art has often portrayed the heavenly Mother in the act of receiving from the hand of St. John, the beloved disciple, the Communion of the Body and Blood of her Son . . . . When we say that in the Eucharist we have the Son and in Mary we have his Mother, have we not said all?" (Bl. Pope John XXIII).
The Cross is the food of Hope.
Mother Teresa -
Am I convinced of Christ's love for me and mine for Him? This conviction is like sunlight which makes the sap of life rise and the buds of sanctity bloom. This conviction is the rock on which sanctity is built.
What must we do to get this conviction?
We must know Jesus, love Jesus, serve Jesus.
I must not attempt to control God's actions; I must not count the stages in the journey He would have me make. I ask Him to make a saint of me, yet I must leave to Him the choice of that saintliness itself and still more the choice of the means which lead to it.
Everything of you should be sweetness and peace
Meditations by Padre Pio -
If you suffer with resignation in doing His will, you do not offend Him but love Him. And your heart will find great comfort in remembering that in your hour of pain Jesus Himself suffers in you and for you. He did not abandon you when you fled from Him; why should He abandon you now that you are proving your love for Him by the martyrdom of your soul? (GF, 174).
Archbishop Fulton Sheen
America is spoiled because she expects too much!
"The discontent is far greater among the over-privileged than the underprivileged. The rich need the psychoanalysts more than the poor. Few European minds cracked under two wars. Many American minds have. The first learned not to expect anything. This lesson America has yet to learn."
St. Faustina's diary http://www.marian.org/directory_flash.html -
Second Day
Today bring to me the souls of priests and religious, and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave Me the strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them, as through channels, My mercy flows out upon mankind. (1212)
Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men and women consecrated to Your service, that we may perform worthy works of mercy; and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven.
The fountain of God's love
Dwells in pure hearts,
Bathed in the Sea of Mercy
Radiant as stars, bright as the dawn.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company [of chosen ones] in Your vineyard-upon the souls of priests and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen. (1213)
MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY
Mar 18 - BE THANKFUL IN FRONT OF THE CROSS
Our Lady reminds us of her message of March 13th, and speaks of gratitude:
"Dear Children, remember the four things you have to do during Lent. Tonight when you go home, I ask you to be thankful in front of the cross for all that you fell you should be grateful for; thank Jesus for what you have. My Son will hear you (Visionary Prayer Group February 13, 1989).
Second Corinthians also speaks of gratitude:
Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God (2 Cor 4:15)
Reflection:
The Virgin speaks many times of gratitude in her messages, for it is a form of love of God. Poets and writers have searched for words beautiful enough to express their thanks for such great gifts, but none have succeeded so well as St. Francis of Assisi. May his Canticle of the Sun be our own hymn of thanksgiving today:
O most high, almighty Lord God, To You belong praise, glory, honor and all Blessings. Praise to my Lord God with all his creatures, And especially our brother the sun, who brings Us the day and who brings us the light; Fair is he who shines with such great splendor;
O Lord, he signifies You to us! Praise to my Lord for our sister the moon and For the stars. Which he has set clear and lovely in heaven. Praise to my Lord for all those who pardon One another for his love' s sake, And who endure weakness and tribulation; Blessed are they who peaceably shall endure; For You, O God, shall give them a crown! Praise to my Lord for our sister, the death Of the body from which no man escapes. Woe to him who dies in mortal sin! Blessed are they who are found walking in Your most holy will, For the second death shall have no power To do them harm. Praise and bless the Lord and give him thanks, And serve him with great humility.
Application:
Offer one decade of your rosary today simply in thanksgiving to God For all his gifts. In addition, review Our Lady's message of March 13th, as she has requested today.
Mother Teresa -
The aim of taking a retreat is to advance in the knowledge and love of God, to purify ourselves, and to reform and transform our lives according to the life of our model, Jesus Christ.
It is not so much a looking back on the achievements and failures of the past, as a looking forward to a more generous imitation of our Lord Himself.
Meditations by Padre Pio -
Always love suffering, which, besides being the work of Divine Wisdom, reveals the work of His love to us even more (ASN, 43).
Archbishop Fulton Sheen
Without Faith it's all psychobabble!
"When religion is strong, it purges the unconscious mind of all those fears and anxieties, those worries and psychoses which psychoanalysis tries to expunge in the soul without faith."
St. Faustina's diary http://www.marian.org/directory_flash.html -
Eighth Day
Today bring to Me the souls who are in the prison of Purgatory, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice. (1226)
Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet, who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of the purifying fire, that in that place, too, the power of Your mercy may be praised.
From that terrible heat of the cleansing fire
Rises a plaint to Your mercy,
And they receive comfort, refreshment, relief
In the stream of mingled Blood and Water.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded: Manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. (1227)
MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY
Mar 24 - THE VIGIL OF THE ANNUNCIATION
On this vigil in 1985 Our Lady said:
"Today I invite all of you to confession, even if you have already gone a few days ago. I wish that you would live my feast in your hearts. You are not able to, if you do not abandon yourselves completely to the Lord, It is for this reason that I call you to reconciliation with the Lord". (First Years March 24, 1985).
This reconciliation to God is possible because of the redeeming sacrifice of Christ on Calvary:
For in (Christ) all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him… (Col 1:19-22).
Reflection:
On this vigil of the Annunciation, Our Lady says that, "I wish that you would live my feast in your hearts." This may sound puzzling until we reflect on the core message of the Annunciation, which is Mary's complete abandonment to God's will, signified by her unequivocal yes to all he asked of her. Thus the Blessed Mother wishes us to experience this same surrender to God in our own hearts, this same yes to God that consecrates us entirely to him. Thus her feast day, her yes, is experienced within us.
The fruit of this abandonment in our lives is a profound trust and confidence in the Lord, the same trust that Mary possessed. She longs to share it with us.
The one obstacle is sin, and so it follows that Our Lady would end her message by saying, "Therefore, I call all of you to reconciliation with God." Our reading from St. Paul resounds with the same advice. Mary invites everyone to confession, where our sins are forgiven and can no longer separate us from God. We can therefore abandon ourselves to the Lord like trusting children, joining our yes to God with that of hers.
Application:
If you have not received the sacrament of reconciliation within the last month, make a firm commitment to do so this week, as Our Lady urges in her message today.
Medjugorje Day By Day Mar 20 - Pray before the crucifix
St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, Spouse of the Bl.
Virgin Mary:
"We all have in him [St. Joseph] a model and a protector. As adorers of the Sacramental Jesus, we continue near the Blessed Sacrament his service, his adoration and his love. He will watch over us and give us his spirit and virtues. Leading us to Jesus, he will say to Him: 'I cannot be on earth any longer to watch over You and serve You, but bless these adorers who are replacing me; give them the graces You gave me, so that their service may recall and replace mine.' How happy St. Joseph is to see us crowding about Jesus in His Sacrament, feeble, abandoned, persecuted, more in need of defenders and servants than in His Infancy . . . . Saint Joseph, be my protector, my model, and my father in my service of Jesus Eucharistic" (St. Peter Julian Eymard).
"Jesus seems continually to exclaim from the altar: Come to me, all you who work hard and who carry heavy burdens and I will refresh you (Matthew 11:28).
Come, He says, come you who are poor; come, you who are infirm; come, you who are afflicted; come, you who are just and you who are sinners, and you shall find in me a remedy for all your losses and afflictions. This is the desire of Jesus Christ: to console every person who calls upon Him" (St. Alphonsus Liguori).
"O Jesus of the Eucharist! O consecrated Host! O envied Monstrance! O blessed Ciborium, beloved of my heart! The Tabernacle is my Treasure and, far or near, my eyes never lose sight of it, for it contains the God of Love" (Concepcion Cabrera de Armida).
The Cross is that solid wood that preserves and maintains always enkindled the fire of Charity.
Mother Teresa -
To be able to do all these, pray lovingly like children, with an earnest desire to love much and make loved the Love that is not loved.
Food without substance, is worth nothing. They swell the stomach. So are works without an internal spirit and without the right intention. Emptied of Divine Substance, they are worth nothing and serve only to inflate the person, who receives more harm than good.
Meditations by Padre Pio -
Keep strongly and constantly united to God, consecrating all your affections, torments, and your entire self to Him, patiently awaiting the return of that beautiful sun, whenever the Spouse is pleased to visit you through trials of aridity, desolation and darkness of spirit (Letters III, p. 674.)
Archbishop Fulton Sheen
No mystery as to why we have missed the Mystery
"When minds abandon their concern about final destiny, they substitute for the mystery of what happens after death, the mystery of how someone was murdered. But mystery there must be."
St. Faustina's diary http://www.marian.org/directory_flash.html -
Novena - http://www.marian.org/divinemercy/novena.html
THIRD DAY
"Today bring to Me ALL DEVOUT AND FAITHFUL SOULS, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. These souls brought Me consolation on the Way of the Cross. They were that drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness."
Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces in great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from It. We beg this grace of You by that most wondrous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, grant them Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but rather, with all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify Your boundless mercy for endless ages. Amen.
FOURTH DAY
"Today bring to Me THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN GOD* AND THOSE WHO DO NOT YET KNOW ME. I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy."
Most compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who do not believe in God and of those who as yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may extol Your wonderful mercy; and do not let them escape from the abode which is Your Most Compassionate Heart.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who do not believe in You, and of those who as yet do not know You, but who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw them to the light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is to love You. Grant that they, too, may extol the generosity of Your mercy for endless ages.
Amen.
*Our Lord's original words here were "the pagans." Since the pontificate of Pope John XXIII, the Church has seen fit to replace this term with clearer and more appropriate terminology.
FIFTH DAY
"Today bring to Me THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAVE SEPARATED THEMSELVES FROM MY CHURCH,* and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. During My bitter Passion they tore at My Body and Heart, that is, My Church. As they return to unity with the Church, My wounds heal and in this way they alleviate My Passion."
Most Merciful Jesus, Goodness Itself, You do not refuse light to those who seek it of You. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Church. Draw them by Your light into the unity of the Church, and do not let them escape from the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart; but bring it about that they, too, come to glorify the generosity of Your mercy.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Son's Church, who have squandered Your blessings and misused Your graces by obstinately persisting in their errors. Do not look upon their errors, but upon the love of Your own Son and upon His bitter Passion, which He underwent for their sake, since they, too, are enclosed in His Most Compassionate Heart. Bring it about that they also may glorify Your great mercy for endless ages. Amen.
*Our Lord's original words here were "heretics and schismatics," since He spoke to Saint Faustina within the context of her times. As of the Second Vatican Council, Church authorities have seen fit not to use those designations in accordance with the explanation given in the Council's Decree on Ecumenism (n.3). Every pope since the Council has reaffirmed that usage. Saint Faustina herself, her heart always in harmony with the mind of the Church, most certainly would have agreed. When at one time, because of the decisions of her superiors and father confessor, she was not able to execute Our Lord's inspirations and orders, she declared: "I will follow Your will insofar as You will permit me to do so through Your representative. O my Jesus " I give priority to the voice of the Church over the voice with which You speak to me" (497). The Lord confirmed her action and praised her for it.
MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY
Mar 20 - PRAY BEFORE THE CRUCIFIX
On this day in 1989, the Blessed Virgin said to the prayer group:
"From tonight I ask you to pray even more. Meditate on the wounds of Jesus. Pray as much as you can in front of the crucifix." (Visionary Prayer Group March 20, 1989).
1 Corinthians also speaks of the cross:
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God…For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength (1 Cor 1:18; 22-25)
Reflection:
Once Our Lady said to the seers, "If you knew how much I loved you, you would weep for joy." In much the same way, prayer before a crucifix can bring the same tears, for it is the greatest evidence of God's love in the universe.
This is the reason why Mary asks us to contemplate the wounds of Christ, for they speak so clearly of his love. Christ's entire life, and especially his passion, were one unequaled act of divine love. He would go to any extreme to win us back; he would endure any suffering to save us; he would give anything, even his life. It is hard to fathom such an all-consuming love, but the more we ponder it, the more we realize its astonishing depth. This is Mary's wish.
On the surface, the Lord's crucifixion was an abhorrent and terrifying event---a man tortured to death by degrees. But what motivated Jesus to endure the unthinkable, his intense love for us, is the key to understanding what the world calls "the folly of the cross." Yet believers know that the cross is the inscrutable wisdom of Love seeking its surest proof, its fullest expression for the sake of the beloved.
The mystery of the cross, for truly it is a mystery of the deepest currents of love, can only be comprehended through prayer, and then only by degrees. Hence Our Lady's request today.
Application:
Spend time in prayer today before a crucifix, contemplating the wounds of Christ and the love they signify for you.
Medjugorje Day By Day Mar 19 - Today we honor St. Joseph
St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, Spouse of the Bl.
Virgin Mary:
"We all have in him [St. Joseph] a model and a protector. As adorers of the Sacramental Jesus, we continue near the Blessed Sacrament his service, his adoration and his love. He will watch over us and give us his spirit and virtues. Leading us to Jesus, he will say to Him: 'I cannot be on earth any longer to watch over You and serve You, but bless these adorers who are replacing me; give them the graces You gave me, so that their service may recall and replace mine.'
How happy St. Joseph is to see us crowding about Jesus in His Sacrament, feeble, abandoned, persecuted, more in need of defenders and servants than in His Infancy . . . . Saint Joseph, be my protector, my model, and my father in my service of Jesus Eucharistic" (St. Peter Julian Eymard).
"Jesus seems continually to exclaim from the altar: Come to me, all you who work hard and who carry heavy burdens and I will refresh you (Matthew 11:28).
Come, He says, come you who are poor; come, you who are infirm; come, you who are afflicted; come, you who are just and you who are sinners, and you shall find in me a remedy for all your losses and afflictions. This is the desire of Jesus Christ: to console every person who calls upon Him" (St. Alphonsus Liguori).
The Cross is the torch of working Faith.
Mother Teresa -
Trust in the good God who loves us, who cares for us, who sees all, knows all, can do all things for my good and the good of souls. One thing Jesus asks of me: that I lean upon Him; that in Him alone I put complete trust; that I surrender myself to Him unreservedly. Love Jesus with a big heart.
Serve Jesus with joy and gladness of spirit, casting aside and forgetting all that troubles and worries you.
If you peal back the veil of humanity, you should see the Divinity
Meditations by Padre Pio -
Let us not spare ourselves on our ascent to Calvary for love He Who sacrificed Himself for love of us and let us patient, certain of our flight for Tabor (ASN, 42).
Archbishop Fulton Sheen
Think about what has filled our void today!
"An age without faith is an age of superstition. Religious belief is so essential to the heart that once it is cast aside, some false form is called in to fill the void. Unless the house is tenanted with goodness, seven devils worse than the first come in to dwell there."
MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY
Mar 19 - ST. JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF MARY
As St. Joseph is the patron of workers, it is appropriate today that we hear Our Lady's special message on this topic:
"Dear Children, always pray before your work and end it with prayer. If you do that, God will bless you and your work. These last days, you have prayed little and worked very much. Pray more. In prayer, you will find rest (Weekly Message (July 5, 1984).
In his second letter to the Thessalonians, St. Paul also takes up the theme of work:
For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone's bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat (2 Thes 3:7-10)
Reflection:
Today we honor St. Joseph, the great guardian and protector of God's greatest treasures, namely, his divine Son, and Mary, our Mother. St. Bernadine of Siena, a Franciscan of the 15th century, once wrote, "In Joseph the Old Testament finds its fitting close.
He brought the noble line of patriarchs and prophets to its promised fulfillment. What God had offered as a promise to them, he held in his arms."
Joseph is also the patron saint of workers, which is the subject of our readings today, He taught the skills of carpentry to Jesus, who gave labor an intrinsic dignity. From the Vatican II document "The Church Today": "We hold that by offering his labor to God, a man becomes associated with the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who conferred an eminent dignity on labor when, at Nazareth, he worked with his own hands." In the words of Kahlil Gibran, "work is love made visible"; today we celebrate this love in the person of St. Joseph.
Application:
In her message, Our Lady calls us to "always pray before your work, and end your work with prayer." Today let us do exactly that, beginning a practice that will hopefully evolve into a habit.
Medjugorje Day By Day Mar 16 - MANY LIVE IN SIN
"In the Eucharist the Church is completely united to Christ and his sacrifice, and makes her own the spirit of Mary. This truth can be understood more deeply by re-reading the Magnificat in a Eucharistic key. The Eucharist, like the Canticle of Mary, is first and foremost praise and thanksgiving. When Mary exclaims: 'My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour', she already bears Jesus in her womb. She praises God 'through' Jesus, but she also praises him 'in' Jesus and 'with' Jesus. This is itself the true 'Eucharistic attitude'" (Pope John Paul II, Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 58).
The Cross is that beneficent water that not only purifies me, but provides the nourishment for the virtues in me. It makes them grow in me. And then it leaves me, when it brings me back to Eternal Life.
Mother Teresa -
Jesus has chosen us for Himself; we belong to Him. Let us be so convinced of this belonging that we do not allow anything, however small, to separate us from this belonging from this love.
"The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass gives boundless honor to the Most Blessed Trinity because it represents the passion of Jesus Christ and because through the Mass we offer God the merits of Our Lord's obedience, of His sufferings and of His Precious Blood. The whole of the heavenly court also receives an accidental joy from the Mass.
Several doctors of the Church—together with St. Thomas Aquinas—tell us that, for the same reason, all the blessed in Heaven rejoice in the communion of the faithful because the Blessed Sacrament is a memorial of the passion and death of Jesus Christ, and that by means of it men share in its fruits and work out their salvation" (St. Louis de Montfort).
You must be attentive to everything that may not be sweetness and peace if you do not want to dishonor me.
Meditations by Padre Pio -
Suffering has been loved joyfully by great souls. It is the auxiliary of creation after the unfortunate fall; it is a most powerful lever to raise man up again, it is the helping hand of Infinite Love for our regeneration (ASN, 42).
Archbishop Fulton Sheen
God helps those who help themselves for His sake
"Contentment is not inconsistent with our endeavor to have our condition improved. We do everything we can, as if all depended on us, but we trust in God as if everything depended on Him."
St. Faustina's diary http://www.marian.org/directory_flash.html -
Jesus, I trust in You.
Novena to The Divine Mercy
which Jesus instructed me to write down and make before the Feast of Mercy. It begins on Good Friday.
I desire that during these nine days you bring souls to the fountain of My mercy, that they may draw from them strength and refreshment and whatever grace they need in the hardships of life, and especially at the hour of death.
On each day you will bring to My Heart a different group of souls, and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy, and I will bring all these souls into the house of My Father. You will do this in this life and in the next. I will deny nothing to any soul whom you will bring to the fount of My mercy. On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My bitter Passion, for graces for these souls.
I answered, "Jesus, I do not know how to make this novena or which souls to bring first into Your Most Compassionate Heart." Jesus replied that He would tell me which souls to bring each day into His Heart. (1209)
MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY
Mar 16 - MANY LIVE IN SIN
The visionaries say that the Virgin is usually happy when she appears to them, but in giving today's message she was in tears:
"There are so many men who live in sin. Here there are likewise among you some people who have offended my heart. Pray and fast for them (Locution Jelena & Mirajana March 21, 1984).
Reflection: Although sin is a tragic reality of our world, as the Gospa reminds us today, so is the limitless mercy and forgiveness of God, who has reconciled us to himself through the Cross.
As St. John writes:
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world (1 Jn2:1-2).
The grace of God's forgiveness is freely given to all who acknowledge their sin with a repentant heart; indeed, the church gives us the season of Lent for this very purpose. From Psalm 51, the Prayer of Repentance:
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; In the greatness of your compassion wipe out My offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt And of my sin cleanse me. For I acknowledge my offense, And my sin is before me always: "Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight" That you may be justified in your sentence, Vindicated when you condemn. A clean heart create for me, O God, And a steadfast spirit renew within me. ---Psalm 51:1-6; 12 (NAB)
Repentance always touches the heart of God, and he embraces us with tender forgiveness. The Blessed Mother not only calls us personally to repentance today, but asks us to pray and fast for the many souls who are hardened in sin. In fact, throughout her many messages this is a major theme. In engaging in this ministry of prayer for the conversion of sinners, we are going that extra mile in living Our Lady's messages.
Application:
Today offer the Sorrowful Mysteries for the conversion of sinners, and perhaps your fasting or other sacrifice on Friday.
Medjugorje Day By Day Mar 15 - Read the Bible
"When I am before the Tabernacle, I can say only one thing to Our Lord: 'My God, you know that I love you.' And I feel my prayer does not tire Jesus; knowing the helplessness of His poor little spouse, He is content with her good will" (St. Therese, The Little Flower).
The Cross is the noble seat of uncreated Wisdom that teaches me the most high doctrines, subtle and sublime. Therefore, the Cross alone will unveil to me the most secret mysteries, the most hidden things, the most perfect perfection, hidden to the most learned and wise of the world.
Mother Teresa -
Love begins at home.
Everything depends on how we love each other. Do not be afraid to love until it hurts, for this is how Jesus loved.
Each suffering that the soul endures, is one more dominion which she attains over herself.
Meditations by Padre Pio -
He who begins to love, must be ready to suffer (CE, 25).
Archbishop Fulton Sheen
The greater our love for God, the less our needs in this world
"Contentment is based on the idea that `our sufficiency is not from ourselves but from God.' The soul does not desire or lack more than what God has supplied him. His will suits his state after he has exhausted his resources and his desire does not exceed his power. Hence everything that happens is judged to be as good and worthy of Divine appointment. As Socrates observed: `He is nearest to God who needs the fewest things.'"
St. Faustina's diary http://www.marian.org/directory_flash.html -
O Lord, my Love, I thank You for this day on which You have allowed me to draw a wealth of graces from the fountain of Your unfathomable mercy. O Jesus, not only today, but at every moment, I draw from Your unfathomable mercy everything that the soul and body could want. (1178)
Jesus. From all My wounds, like from streams, mercy flows for souls, but the wound in My Heart is the fountain of unfathomable mercy. From this fountain spring all graces for souls. The flames of compassion burn Me. I desire greatly to pour them out upon souls. Speak to the whole world about My mercy. (1190)
MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY
Mar 15 - READ THE BIBLE
The Queen of Peace speaks of scripture to the prayer group:
I ask you again to multiply your prayers to prepare yourself for Easter. Also, read the Bible, especially those passages that speak of the Passion of Jesus. Prepare yourself to look at Jesus "eye to eye". Tonight when you go home, pray in front of the cross in thanksgiving for all the graces you have received (Visionary Prayer Group March 17, 1989).
In Hebrews, Paul speaks of the power of scripture:
Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb 4:12).
Reflection:
The American poet Timothy Dwight once said: "The Bible is a window in this prison-world, through which we may look into eternity." And yet cannot enlighten or reveal God's will to us unless we read and reflect upon it, which Our Lady calls us to do today.
In Hebrews, Paul speaks of scripture as living, life-changing, and dynamic. God's word reveals who we are and the purpose of life. It penetrates the core of our moral and spiritual life; it helps us to discern what is within us, both good and bad.
As the message of scripture becomes a part of us, it will affect our lifestyle, character, and decisions. It will begin to shape our lives.
Application:
Continue to make sacred scripture a part of your daily life. As Our Lady requests of us for Lent, begin to read the narratives of Christ's Passion, beginning today with Matthew 26:36 –27:61. The others are Mark 14:32—15:47; Luke 22:39—23:56; and John 18:1—19:42.
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