THE (10) STEPS ON THE STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN….

We were created to know, love and serve God in this life so as to be happy with Him in heaven. Put in other words we were created to praise God, reverence God, serve Him and by means of this save our soul. (St Ignatius Principle and Foundation, Spiritual Exercises # 23).   The climb is steep, slippery and perilous in our ascent to heaven. Here is a ladder with 10 rungs that will lead us safely to heaven.

1. PRAYER.  St. Alphonsus Liguori affirms:  “He who prays much will be saved; he who does not pray much will be damned.”  Conclusion: let us strive every day to improve and upgrade our prayer life.

2. SIN.   Our mortal enemy number one is  SIN!  The saints are different in many aspects, but united on one principle: DEATH RATHER THAN SIN.  (St. Dominic Savio)

3. CONFESSION.  However, if we do fall, never give in to discouragement, but trust all the more in God’s mercy. Make a good confession and return to joy and peace of soul!

4.  MERCY AND FORGIVENESS.  “Be merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful.” Never seek revenge; give mercy.  This is the greatest attribute of the Heart of Jesus and hopefully it will be yours.

5. PERMANENT FORMATION.   As followers of Christ, we must make a concerted effort to grow in knowledge of our faith through  study.  Jesus said that we should love God with all our heart, soul, strength and MIND!!!!  This demands study— a constant reminder of Pope Benedict XVI.

6. DAILY OBLIGATION DONE WELL.  Lucia of Fatima asked Our Lady what penance God wanted of them and Mary said to carry out your daily obligation well.  St. Therese of Lisieux made famous her “Little Way” which consists in doing our ordinary obligation with extraordinary love. Let us go for it!

7. OUR TONGUE  AND WORDS.   Saint James is blunt and to the point:  “One should be slow to speak and quick to listen.”   The person that does not control his tongue will never attain to true holiness.  How often  a word said without reflection has resulted in calamity!!!

8. PENANCE.  To  overcome the old man, the flesh, our innate concupiscence, prayer is key. However, we must add to prayer, penance!   A bird cannot fly with one wing; nor can we fly high in the spiritual life without the two wings of : prayer and penance!

9. MASS AND HOLY COMMUNION.   Certainly the quickest road to holiness is direct encounter and reception of Jesus who is the source and summit of all holiness. Form the habit of fervent and frequent Communion.  Jesus is the “Holy of Holies”. Communion gives us the very Sacred Heart of Jesus with its most sublime virtues.

10. MARY and the Holy Rosary.   By praying the holy Rosary, Mary intercedes for us and attains for us her virtues.   We become like those with whom we associate. By spending time with Jesus and Mary, we become holy because they indeed are holy.  “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death”. Amen

Father Ed Broom, OMV, is Associate Pastor of St. Peter Chanel Church in Hawaiian Gardens, California. He is a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary and was ordained by Saint John Paul II on May 25, 1986. Fr. Ed teaches Catholic Ignatian Marian Spirituality through articles, podcasts, a radio show, retreats and spiritual direction.

BATTLE FOR PURITY: THE VIRTUE OF THE HEROES OF GOD!!!!

Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure of heart; they will see God.” (Mt. 5:8) To see God in this life– through true prayer– and to contemplate the face of God in eternity, we must strive for a greater purity of person: in eyes, mind, body, heart, soul, in our whole being!  Our Lady of Fatima spoke about purity in 3 different ways.  First, many marriages are not pleasing to God. Second, many immodest fashions will enter the world that will be displeasing to God. Finally, she said with deep sadness of heart that most souls are lost for all eternity due to the sins against purity.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church asserts that we must strive for self-control constantly. Thew devil knows his time is short; therefore, he is launching all of the artillery in his army to capture souls, especially through purity.  Soldiers of Christ that we are, what must be our strategy, the fight the good fight, run the good race and save our immortal soul. Some practical points!

1. PRAYER.  Purity is a supernatural virtue that can only be attained by God’s grace and of course an efficacious channel of grace is prayer. Beg the Lord for the grace of purity. He desires to grant you this grace more than you want to receive it.  “Ask and you will receive…

2. PENANCE.  Jesus declared,  “Some devils can only be cast out by prayer and fasting.”  Penance is a means we use to fortify our will in the determination of living the demanding virtue of purity. At Fatima, Our Lady asked for prayer but also for sacrifices for the conversion of sinners. She said that many souls are lost because nobody prayers for them nor offers sacrifices for them.  To fly, a bird needs both wings.  To soar in the spiritual life, we need prayer and penance.

3 EYE-CONTROL!   Another necessary means to attain purity is the custody of the senses, especially the eyes.  “The eyes are the mirror of the soul. ”  Eyes, mind, heart, life— that is the dynamic.  We end up carrying out what has been seen, conceived in our hearts.  A good saying to remember is, “Out of sight, out of mind.”  If we do not see a bad image, it will not be engraved on our minds!   Remember the fall of David!  It started by a lack of control of the eyes!

4. AVOID OCCASIONS OF SIN.   “He who plays with fire, will get burnt.”  Also, “He who plays in danger will perish in it…’ Finally, “He who walks on a slippery slope will slip and fall.”  We must make a determined effort to avoid any person, place or thing that could be an occasion for us to fall into impurity.

5. AVOID LAZINESS!   “Laziness is the workshop of the devil.”  If you do not have anything to do, then the devil will give you plenty to do.   St Bonaventure asserts that when we are busy then one devil can tempt us, but if we have nothing to do, then an army of devils can attack us.” Let us not give free play to this army of devils of impurity. Have a schedule and keep busy in the vineyard of the Lord.”

6. DESOLATION!   When we are in a state of desolation, meaning— sadness, lack of faith, hope, love, weariness, sluggishness, lack of the desire to live, feeling unloved and unwanted— this is a prime time that the devil launches bombs at us, especially temptations against purity.  Ignatius teaches us that we have to intensify our spiritual life in this time so as to conquer the enemy!

7.  TALK IT OUT TO A SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR.   The saints teach us that a temptation revealed is a temptation conquered. (St Philip Neri). St. Ignatius in rule 13 encourages us to open up to our spiritual director in moments of trial, desolation and temptation. The devil works in secrecy— he says:  “Do not tell anyone!!!!!”

8. CONFESSION!  Having recourse to the Sacrament of Confession is a powerful arm to disarm Satan.  The Blood of the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, serves as a shield to protect us against the fiery darts of the devil. (Ephesians 6).  Wounded soldiers need healing. Jesus is the wounded healer!

9.JOY!  Cultivate an attitude of joy in your life.  Many temptations against purity come when we are sad. St Francis de Sales says that the worse thing in the world after sin is sadness.  Beg Mary, “Cause of our joy” to attain this wonderful fruit of the Holy Spirit.”   Put into practice the words of St. Paul: “Rejoice in the Lord; I say it again rejoice in the Lord!”

10. GOOD FRIENDS.  Good friends keep us away from dangerous circumstances. Also remember that you have heavenly friends: the saints, the angels and of course Jesus, Mary and Saint Joseph.

11.  THE BREAD OF THE ANGELS AND VIRGINS AND SAINTS; HOLY COMMUNION. The most powerful remedy for attaining purity ina all respects is the frequent, fervent, and faith-filled reception of Holy Communion.  Why?  The reason is clear.   Your body receives the Body of Christ and His Precious Blood will be circulating through your very veins.  This Precious Blood purifies of  disordered affections and extinguishes the fire of passions.  May you hunger and thirst for the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ!

12. PHYSICAL EXERCISE.  On a human level, hard and demanding physical exercise can serve to expend excessive energy, thereby diminishing temptations and sins against the virtue of purity!

13. SELF-KNOWLEDGE.   The desert  Fathers have coined a famous axiom:  KNOW THYSELF!   Daily Examen and rewind the clock of your life and seeing past falls in the area of purity can be a great help for “Preventive Medicine”. All to frequently we fall into sins because of ignorance of our past and our major weak point, as well as our “Weak moments”.

14. ST JOSEPH.   Of all the saints, good St Joseph is the most powerful.  St Teresa of Avila has said that he is the patron of all intentions.  However, St Joseph was the chaste guardian of the chaste Virgin Mary and he is always ready to come to our aid in moments of temptation.  One of his titles is “Terror of demons”.  He is often depicted with Lily in hand, symbolizing his spotless innocence and purity.

15. Finally, LOVE FOR THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. Experience through the ages has proven that those who are particularly devoted to Mary, have been able to live the virtue of purity with greater  facility.  Many have been saved from falling into serious sins against purity by invoking the Holy Name of Mary.  “Never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection was left unaided.  In moments of temptation, we should cry out to Mary:  “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”

In conclusion, let us beg for the grace to live more fully a life of purity. St John Berchmans, a great lover of Mary said,  “I wish to keep my eyes pure in this life so as to contemplate the beauty of the face of Mary in heaven.”  May we live this Beatitude and receive the promise:  “Blessed are the of heart, for they will see God.”

Father Ed Broom, OMV, is Associate Pastor of St. Peter Chanel Church in Hawaiian Gardens, California. He is a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary and was ordained by Saint John Paul II on May 25, 1986. Fr. Ed teaches Catholic Ignatian Marian Spirituality through articles, podcasts, a radio show, retreats and spiritual direction.

 

When we are invited to be a guest at a home, we put on our best manners. If you were invited to be a guest for a King, Queen, Governor, multi-millionaire, or even to be a guest at the Vatican residence of the Pope,  undoubtedly you would manifest your best manners.   What about if you were invited to be a guest at the royal palace of the “King of Kings” and “Lord of Lords”, Jesus the Son of the living God.  Actually you are, every time you go to church, and especially when you attend Holy Mass.   What are some “Church manners” or church etiquette that is merited?  Let us go through the list.

1. PUNCTUALITY!  Arrive early for Mass!  The better you are prepared, the more graces the Lord has in store for you.  None of us would show up half-way through the World Series or a famous opera or the graduation ceremony of our son or daughter. Be early to greet the Lord. he is God and he deserves it!

2. MODESTY!  Remember that we are created in the image and likeness of God; moreover, through Baptism, we are temples of the living God. St Paul calls Christians, “Ambassadors of Christ”.  Followers of Jesus and Mary should always spread the sweet fragrance of Christ by decorum in dress, but especially in God’s house.   An immodesty dressed person can distract another person the whole mass and be a source of sin!

3. CELL-PHONES!  Do not even bring them into church.  If your are awaiting an important call, then go to a later Mass.  A cell-phone that goes off in Mass distracts from the whole sacred character of the Mass. Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Ben. 15) noted a loss of the sense of the sacred in the modern world, especially in Mass. He also noted that general morality declines in proportion to the loss of the sense of the sacred in the Mass and Liturgy.

4. NO GUM!  Mass is not a baseball game, ball-park, or tennis match! Worse yet, many stick their gum underneath the church pew.  What could be more rude. Furthermore, chewing gum breaks the hour fast! 

5. NO TALKING!  If you are talking in church to another, then this distracts the others who come to church and Mass to talk to God. Furthermore, it  irritates greatly those who come to church to meet and talk to God!  Remember that church is the house of God!

6. PARTICIPATE!   Many come in to Mass as if they were spectators in an opera or play.  The church insists that those who come to Mass should participate fully, consciously, and actively in Mass. Learn the responses; relish moments of silence; sing w joyfully when called to!  Many Masses are like the one in the the funeral about to be transported to the cemetery: no response to anything!

7. CHILDREN’S GAMES, CHEERIOS, COINS!  Avoid bringing these to Mass!  The little ones can do without these for an hour. Parents, you are the first teachers of your children, already teach them how to participate in Mass. Inculcate in the little ones the sense of the sacred!

8. COMMUNION!  Of course the most important part of the Mass is Jesus truly present in Holy Communion!  Receive Jesus with faith, love and devotion!  If you have fallen out of the state of grace, then run to the confessional some time before Sunday Mass so that you can receive Holy Communion.  The most important moment in our life, is when we receive Jesus in Holy Communion.  “As the deer yearns for the running waters, so  my soul yearns for you, my Lord and God.”  We should hunger and thirst for the Bread of Life, at least every Sunday!

9. END OF MASS!  Do not leave Mass early! Wait for the final blessing and song, then you can leave with Jesus in your mind and heart.  While leaving, no arguing in the car, or honking at other cars! Remember who you have just received!

10. MARY AS MODEL!  After Mary received Jesus in her heart at the moment of the Annunciation, she went quickly to bring Jesus to others, to her cousin St Elizabeth, an elderly woman expecting John the Baptist.  After the final blessing, the Mass is really not over but mist be lived and brought to others like Mary. May Mary teach us to love the Mass, live the Mass and bring the fruits of the Mass to the whole world.

Father Ed Broom, OMV, is Associate Pastor of St. Peter Chanel Church in Hawaiian Gardens, California. He is a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary and was ordained by Saint John Paul II on May 25, 1986. Fr. Ed teaches Catholic Ignatian Marian Spirituality through articles, podcasts, a radio show, retreats and spiritual direction.

YOUR ANGEL FRIEND: WAYS TO GROW IN THIS FRIENDSHIP

1. PRAY!  Have a set time to pray to your Guardian angel every day. Greet him in the morning; greet him in the evening; greet him at midday!
2. MICHAEL.   “Who is like unto God”.  Daily pray the prayer to St Michael the archangel, defend us in battle. Especially call upon him in time of spiritual battle and temptation.  He is the patron saint of soldiers and of course we are spiritual soldiers fighting for the conquest of our souls and the souls of the whole world!
3. GABRIEL.   “Power of God”.  He is the patron saint of communication. (Pope Paul VI). Before initiating a conversation with anybody invoke this Archangel that your thoughts, words and intentions would be directed to the Honor and glory of God.  He who communicated the greatest message— that of the Incarnation of the Son of God   to Mary— can help you to be a true herald of good news!
4. RAPHAEL.  “GOD HEALS”.   Turn to this archangel for many special intentions. Beg him to guide you to heaven.  Implore the grace of purity of life!  Ask him to help you to use your eyes to contemplate the beauty of God.  All important, beg him for your son/daughter that they might meet the future spouse that God has planned for them.  Raphael is the patron of  those called to the married life!  All important, ask him to fill you with joy.  In moments of sadness, may he become your companion through the dark tunnels of life, pointing you towards your eternal home.
5. ANGELS AND MASS!  Another special grace that your angel can attain for you is  the ability to concentrate more fully in the greatest of prayers— the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.   The Guardian Angel of Fatima taught Jacinta, Francisco, and Lucia how to adore God and how to receive Jesus reverently in Holy Communion and our angels can help us.

Father Ed Broom, OMV, is Associate Pastor of St. Peter Chanel Church in Hawaiian Gardens, California. He is a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary and was ordained by Saint John Paul II on May 25, 1986. Fr. Ed teaches Catholic Ignatian Marian Spirituality through articles, podcasts, a radio show, retreats and spiritual direction.

Do you know the twelve (12) best sentences that begin with “I”??????  Here they are!!!!!
1. “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” (Our goal in life is Jesus)

2. “I am the Light of the world.” (Darkness will be dispelled!)

3. “I and the Father are one….” (Unity in the Family)

4. “I am the Bread of life….” (Nourishment for eternal life)

5. “I know the Father and the Father knows me…” (All is seen and known by Him)

6. “I have come to bring life and life in abundance….” (Life has true meaning in Him)

7. “I am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and they know me…” (Our Leader and Guide)

8. “I am the Resurrection and the life…” (Eternal life in Him)

9. “I am the vine and you are the branches…bring forth fruit.” (Call to bear fruit).

10.“I will send you the Consoler…”  (Sweet Guest of the soul: the Holy Spirit)

11. “I am the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word….” (She always leads us to Him)

12.“I absolve you of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” (Forgiveness and peace through Jesus and the Church)
If we focus upon “Me. Myself and I…”then we will be led to sadness and discouragement. However, if we focus our attention upon the “I” above, then we will experience joy, peace, in this life and eternal life!

Father Ed Broom, OMV, is Associate Pastor of St. Peter Chanel Church in Hawaiian Gardens, California. He is a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary and was ordained by Saint John Paul II on May 25, 1986. Fr. Ed teaches Catholic Ignatian Marian Spirituality through articles, podcasts, a radio show, retreats, and spiritual direction.