Thursday of the Third Week of Easter
“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)
THURSDAY, May 5th Jn 6: 44-51 Jesus said: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. It is written to the prophets: They shall all be taught by God.”
AN IGNATIAN REPETITION:
It was the will of God the Father, that God the Son become man born of the Virgin Mary, through the overshadowing of God the Holy Spirit, that we might have eternal life with them in heaven! Also, that we might know the love of God for us through the love of Jesus and Mary that we can read in every page of the Gospels!!!
May Fr. Ed’s contemplation help us enter into a deeper friendship with our two best friends, Jesus and Mary! This is a TWO-DAY MEDITATION due to the length and depth of the content!
TALKING WITH MY BEST FRIENDS, JESUS AND MARY by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV
FAITHFUL FRIENDS ALWAYS. Jesus and Mary are your best friends in all places and all times. You can talk to them and confide in them always! Jesus and Mary are always ready and willing to listen to you and talk to you as friends do. At the Last Supper, Jesus said to the Apostles (as well as to you and me): “I call you FRIENDS.” His friendship has not changed in 2000 years and it will never change. Jesus and Mary have a great longing, a great desire, in this precise moment to enter into a conversation of Friendship with you.
ENTER INTO THIS CONVERSATION OF FRIENDSHIP WITH JESUS AND MARY.
A STARTING HELP: PICTURE/PAINTNG, STATUE OF JESUS AND OF MARY.
Now place yourself in the Presence of Jesus and Mary. Imagine that they are looking at you with great tenderness, kindness, and love. Lift your eyes, as well as your heart, to the images of Jesus and Mary. Now open up your heart and talk to Jesus and Mary. Tell them everything that is on your mind, everything that is in your heart. They are the best of listeners.
SOME HELPS TO ENTER INTO CONVERSATION WITH JESUS AND MARY. As a means to help you, imagine that Jesus and Mary with great love for you are asking you some very simple questions. Respond to these questions in your own words. Your words can be simple, uncomplicated, humble, and sincere. Here we go with our loving conversation with Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary, His Mother and your Mother!
1. WHO ARE YOU? Why not start with the basics. Jesus asks “who are you”? That is a good question. Who are you in the eyes of the world? Are you a man or woman, younger or older, single or married, father or mother, brother or sister? Do you work, go to school, stay at home with the kids, or possibly you’re retired? Now, who are you in your own eyes? What do you think of yourself? Are you happy with who you are? If you could change one thing about yourself, what would that be? Now, who are you in the eyes of Jesus and Mary? Do you think about the fact that Jesus suffered and died on the cross and Mary suffered beneath the cross—all for love of you? Do you really know how precious you are in their eyes? They are listening very attentively to your answers, to your words, even to the movements of your heart. You can speak to Jesus and Mary as long as you want. They are in no hurry. Right now you are the most important person in the world to them.
2. WHAT IS ON YOUR MIND NOW? In all times and places something is crossing your mind. Right now, why not express to Jesus and Mary the thoughts that are crossing or running through your mind. Talk to them about these thoughts. Do these thoughts bring you joy or sadness, peace or anxiety? Talk sincerely about your thought world. Perhaps things that you cannot talk to anyone else about. Jesus and Mary do not mean for you to carry your burdens alone.
3. ARE YOU FEARFUL? We all go through moments of fear and about many things. Perhaps in the past few days, or perhaps in the distant past, there has been something in your life that caused you to enter into a state of fear. This is an excellent topic of conversation between you and Jesus and Mary. Often the Apostles had fears; all people have fears in their lives. So do you and so do I. Bring these fears to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Jesus, who calmed the fears of the Apostles in the storm, can calm your fears too!
4. WHAT MIGHT BE SOME FEARS? Fears can come in many shapes, forms, colors and shades. Never forget that both Jesus and Mary love you always and are always ready to listen to you and help you. Here are a few that might be your fears right now. Your future? Maybe you are fearful about your future. We are living in challenging times. Maybe your future is uncertain and this causes fear. Talk to Jesus and Mary about this. Ask them to help you place your future in their loving and caring hands. Or it could be that you or one of your family members has a serious health problem and that makes you fearful. Ask the Divine Physician for healing in mind and body. Always trusting in His Divine Providence to know what is best for each person. Remembering that when He gives a cross, He promises to help us carry it! Maybe your fears are for spiritual well-being—yours or someone else’s. In this case what is needed is a Soul Doctor and a good Confession. If it is for yourself, don’t put it off! The enemy wants to steal your soul—and that is how he does it! He paralyzes us with fear! Ask a friend to go with you, so you won’t back out! If your fear is for someone else who is putting off Confession and Conversion—Prayer and Penance are your weapons. Jesus says some demons are only driven out by prayer and penance!
5. OTHER FEARS? Family tension and problems! Your fears might be in your home, in your own family. Maybe there is tension, turmoil, anger and bitterness among some family members, maybe even you are involved, and this is a constant cause of fear and anxiety in your mind and heart. Open up your heart to Jesus and Mary and talk to them about these family tensions and fears. Talk to Jesus and Mary about your family members. Most likely there is one family member who is most in need of prayers. Beg Jesus and Mary to help you pray for them and bring peace to your heart! Jesus and Mary are always attentive to your prayers and willing to help you carry the cross.
6. WOUNDS OF THE PAST/WOUNDS IN THE PRESENT. Because of the Original Sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve, we live in a world that is deeply wounded. And that means that we too are wounded, and most likely we have wounded others. Perhaps even now you carry a wound (or wounds) in your heart. Past or present, being abused in any number of ways leaves huge, gaping wounds. Being physically beaten, emotionally abused, rejected, perhaps abandoned—all of these experiences leave wounds that can be very deep.
Now is the time to bring your wounds to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, wounded by the lance that pierced His Sacred Heart causing blood and water to gush forth, as well as to the Immaculate Heart of Mary who suffered in her heart all that Jesus suffered in His body as she stood beneath the cross. All for love of you and me and to bring healing to us in body and soul.
7. JESUS, THE WOUNDED HEALER. In prayer we can bring these many and perhaps huge wounds to Jesus. The Bible says: “By His wounds we are healed.” (Is 53:5) Do not be afraid to open up and talk to Jesus about your wounds because by His wounds we are healed. Call to mind the many sick, suffering, and wounded people who came to Jesus begging for healing while He walked the earth. Jesus’ heart was moved with pity and compassion for them and He healed them because of their faith and trust in Him. Imagine that you are one of those wounded and sick persons in the time of Jesus: the blind, the deaf, the mute, the leper, the paralytic! Like them, go to Jesus now and ask for healing! Also go to the Immaculate Heart of Mary known as the Refuge of Sinners, Health of the Sick, and Mother of Mercy and Consolation. Turn to Mary, your loving Mother, and open your wounded heart to her—talk to her, let her console you! One more step is necessary. Beg Jesus and Mary for the grace to pray for those who wounded you—pray for their eternal salvation. Something as simple as three Hail Marys every time they come to mind. Praying for them will bring peace to your soul, for the mercy you show them will be showered upon you for your sins by your loving and Merciful Savior!
8. YOUR TEMPTATIONS. Now here is another topic to talk with Jesus and Mary about: your temptations! Do not be ashamed in your conversation with Jesus and Mary to talk to them about your temptations. Everybody in the world is subject to temptations and until the very end of our lives. The devil never goes on vacation. Always remember that a temptation is not a sin unless we give in to it. Bring to Jesus and Mary the temptations you are experiencing. Here might be a few. Temptations to give into discouragement—bring this to the Heart of Jesus who said, “Come to me all you who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Mt 11:28) Temptations to give in to impurity—bring this to the Immaculate Heart of Mary for the devils of impurity flee from her! Temptations to anger and impatience—turn to Jesus who said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Mt 11:29) Temptations to laziness—this can be about avoiding work or doing it poorly—talk to Mary who went in haste to help her elderly cousin Elizabeth pregnant with John the Baptist. Temptations to lie—turn to Jesus who said: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” (Jn 14:6) Temptations to disobey, to do our will instead of God’s will! Turn to Mary who said: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, let be it done to to me according to your will.” (Lk 1:38) Then run to Jesus who was obedient even to death and death on the cross: “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet, not my will, but your will be done!” (Mt 26:39) Bringing your temptations to Jesus and Mary are the best ways to overcome them and defeat the devil!
9. EVEN YOUR SINS! Now this is a very important topic of conversation: your sins! Jesus did not come for the perfect; He came to save sinners. The name JESUS means God saves! The worst thing we can do is fail to TRUST in Jesus, fail to TRUST in His love and mercy for us at all times and in all circumstances! Therefore, as soon as you are aware that you have sinned, bring your failure, your sins, to the most Merciful Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Tell Jesus that you love Him and you are sorry for your sins. Tell Him that you want to change. Beg Jesus for the grace and the strength to change. Then tell Jesus and Mary of your desire to go to confession as soon as possible. The prophet Isaiah encourages us with these words: “Though your sins be like scarlet, I will make them as white as the snow.” (Is 1:18) Say these words often to Jesus, words that give great consolation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary: JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU!!! Also, none of us know the day or the hour when we will die. Therefore, never go to bed without doing an examination of conscience and making a perfect act of contrition—that is to say, a contrition of love, contrition for hurting the One you love and Who loves you most in the world—with the firm intention to go to confession as soon as possible. If you were to die in that state, your sins would be forgiven!
10. YOUR PLANS, YOUR GOALS, YOUR DREAMS. At every stage of life, we should have plans, goals, and even dreams. You should have long term goals, short term goals, and dreams to accomplish. Jesus and Mary are very interested in these. Open up your heart and talk to Jesus and Mary about these noble aspiration and goals. As we get older, the aspirations of this life should begin to give way to aspirations and longing for eternal life! Jesus and Mary are very interested in your goals and dreams, in your future here and in eternity! Open up and talk to them about your future!
11. THANKSGIVING: AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE. Jesus and Mary rejoice when we tell them these two words: THANK YOU! Therefore, try to get in the habit of thanking Jesus and Mary every day for the many gifts they have given you that day. In sum, what do we have that we have not received from God? Nothing! Except our sins—those we freely chose. Sometime each day look up to Jesus and Mary and pour out your heart in gratitude!
12. IMITATE THE ONE GRATEFUL LEPER. On one occasion ten lepers came to Jesus and He healed the ten, but only one came back to give Jesus thanks! May you be that one grateful leper! Thank Jesus for all that you are and all that you have! Give thanks for your health—Lord Jesus, thanks! For your family—Lord, I lift up my hands in thanks! For freedom—Jesus, once again thanks! For my Catholic faith—Lord, from the depths of my heart thanks!!! And for so many other graces and gifts that He has showered upon you that only you know!
13. BECOME A BEGGAR BEFORE JESUS. Beggars would sometimes approach Jesus and He would often grant what they requested. Now it is your turn to become the beggar. Jesus said: “Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. (Mt 7:7) Any need that is in your heart, open up now and become a beggar before Jesus. He loves to help humble and trusting beggars!
14. BEG FOR OTHERS. Do not limit your prayers to yourself. Rather, go outside yourself and beg for others’ intentions, for others’ needs. Beg for your family members certainly. Then beg for world peace; beg for starving children; beg for the sick and the dying; beg for the homeless and the orphans. Beg also for the suffering souls in Purgatory to be released to Heaven! Beg for the conversion of poor sinners, of dying sinners. Many graces descend upon the world due to the prayers of beggars like us!
15. LOVE JESUS AND MARY, FOR THEY LOVE YOU! The most important sentiment that can flow from our hearts is that of love. Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Never forget how much Jesus and Mary love you! In your own words tell them how much you really do love them. Love is the bond of perfection. Saint John of the Cross says: “In the twilight of our lives, we will be judged on love.” Beg Jesus and Mary for the grace to know how much they truly love you! Then beg Jesus and Mary for the grace to love them more each day! Finally, beg Jesus and Mary for the grace to love them now, tomorrow, and forever in heaven!
