NEW YEAR, NEW START, NEW LIFE— ADVENT!

With the arrival of Advent, the church starts a new year.  Why not start a renewed spiritual life with the new Church year!  Our God is a God of many chances. Our hope is that this year will be the best of years!  Advent is time of preparation for the most important birthday in the world– Christmas, the birthday of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.   The success of the party depends on the prior preparation. Therefore, the more intensely we live Advent the more joyful will be our Christmas.  Let us prepare for our Saviour!

1. SILENCE.  Now more than even the human heart needs silence– a constant reminder of the present Pope Benedict XVI. He reminded seminarians in New York that it is hard to hear the voice of God because we are bombarded by so  many noises.   In silence, God’s gentle but insistent voice can be heard, as did Elijah in the gentle breeze on the mountain!

2. PRAYER.  Silence leads us to listening to God’s voice and communicating with the Lord. Advent is time to prolong and to intensify our prayer life. Find time, a place and form a habit!

3. WORD OF GOD.   The church highly recommends the reading of the Word of God always, but especially in Liturgically “Strong” Seasons like Lent and Advent.  Allow God’s word to speak to you, enlighten you, correct you, purify you, motivate you, challenge you, to transform your life into an authentic disciple of Jesus the Lord!

4. CONFESSION.   Your soul is indeed a “Little House of Bethlehem”.  It should be cleaned of its dirt through a good Advent confession.  Allow Gods’ Broom to sweep you clean in confession!   The Infant Jesus told St Jerome that the  gift He wanted for Christmas would be the sins of Jerome, so that he could wash them clean

5. RECONCILE.   Advent is a time to overcome long-lasting and enslaving resentments that bind us. Why not simply and humbly make mends with a brother, relative or work associate that you have been rejecting due to pride! Jesus came to set the captives free!

6. CHRISTMAS WREATH AND CANDLES.  Embellish your home, “The domestic church” with a Christmas wreath and candles.  Green is for hope!  This is the spiritual meaning!  The circle because is eternal represents God ; He has no beginning nor end.  The candle symbolizes Jesus the “Light if the world”.  The purple is for penance; pink for joy, because the Lord is soon to be born!

7. MASS/HOLY COMMUNION.  Indeed every day can be mystically, spiritually “Christmas” because Christmas celebrates the Birthday of Jesus. Jesus was born in time 2000 years ago. However, He is still born every day in the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. He is born in the hands of the priest in consecration and in the hearts of every person that receives Holy Communion. 

8. JESUS IN THE POOR.   Scrooge was converted when confronted withe the prospect of death. Jesus was born, lived and died and rose to give us eternal life. However, we are challenged to see and help Jesus in the poor.  In Advent  open your eyes to see Jesus in the poor; open your hands and heart to help him.  Jesus said,   “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you have done to me.” ( Mt. 25)

9. DAILY WORK, DAILY SANCTIFICATION.    We are all given a mission, a task, an obligation to carry out.  Why not simply renew our energy, intention and good will this Advent and do it all for the Lord.  Paul points out:  “Whether you eat or drink, do everything for the Lord.”   Holiness consists in doing the ordinary with extraordinary love. (The Little Way of St Therese.)

10. MARY/THE MOTHER OF JESUS AND OUR MOTHER.  Advent is a joyful season that culminates in the Birthday of Jesus. God chose Mary to be His Mother. Therefore, to plummet the spiritual reservoir of the meaning for Christmas, why not turn to she who gave birth to the Lord and Saviour. St Therese said that Mary is Queen, but Mother more than Queen!

In conclusion, Advent is a new year for us!  Why not start a new life?  This indeed, through God’s grace and our collaboration will the best of Years for you and for me. Mary, Mother of God and our mother, pray for us!

First, the Psalmist commands us to give thanks:  “ Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; for His mercy endures forever.”

Second, St Paul invites us in his letters to give thanks to God constantly; that means, at all times!

Third,  Jesus rejoices in gratitude and suffers when faced with ingratitude.  Jesus healed the 10 lepers of this contagious, painful, incurable disease– that of leprosy– and only one of the 10 returned to give Jesus thanks and this man was a foreigner (Samaritan). This ingratitude must have wounded the loving Heart of the Saviour!

Fourth, Jesus was the epitome of GRATITUDE.  Before working the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves, Jesus raised His eyes to heaven and gave thanks!

Fifth,  LAST SUPPER AND EUCHARIST.   At the Last Supper Jesus took bread and “Gave thanks”. “Eucharist”, a word coming from Greek actually means “Thanksgiving.” Therefore the greatest gift, “The Gift of Gifts”, from God Himself, the “Eucharist means “Thanksgiving”.

Therefore, all of us should strive to give constant thanks to God our supreme and most generous Benefactor.  Honestly, everything we have in life on a natural, economic, social, moral, spiritual plane are pure gifts of God.   As St. Paul asserts, quoting the Greek poet:  “In Him we live and move and have our being.”

Why not compose your own LITANY OF THANKS!   Following is a list of reasons why our heart should be abounding in thanksgiving. It is our duty, but also our privilege to thank God!   This list will limit itself to spiritual gifts from the “Giver of all good Gifts”.

1. FAITH IN GOD.  A rapidly spreading phenomenon is the acceptance of ATHEISM— the denial of God. Your faith, do not take it for granted; rather, be thankful for it and cultivate it, as the seed planted and nourished!

2. PRAYER.  You pray? If yes, also give thanks!  This too is a gift coming from “The Gift of Gifts” the Holy Spirit who actually teaches us to pray.  “We do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Holy Spirit, intercedes with ineffable groans so that we can say, Abba, Father.” (Romans 8). Many do not pray and consequently suffer sadness, confusion and aimlessness in life!

3. GUARDIAN ANGEL.  He is your constant friend at your side.  Give thanks to God for His gift of friendship, but talk to him and thank him for having inspired you with holy thoughts and saved you from many dangerous spiritual pitfalls!

4. DIVINE MERCY.  Despite your many failures, God has forgiven you as He forgave the Prodigal Son upon his return, and as the wandering sheep brought back to the fold. God’s mercy, His greatest attribute— Lord I thank you and I praise you for such a wonderful gift!

5. SAINTS.   There is a wonderful crowd of Heavenly Friends that are waiting for your prayers from heaven and longing to see you advance in Friendship with God. Your prayer to them fills them with joy and results in your receiving added graces on earth to arrive safely Home to heaven!

6. PATRON SAINT!  In a very special manner, due to your parent’s choice, you have a very special friend— he is your patron saint.  Look him up. Read on his life!  Underline the 3 virtues he practiced best! Ask for his intercession to overcome in you that which is most displeasing to God. His intercession is powerful before the throne of God!

7 . BIBLE/ GOD’S WORD OF TRUTH.  What songs of gratitude should explode from our hearts knowing that we have the “Word of Truth”, the Bible, and can read, meditate, assimilate and live it all the days of our lives.  Years ago, there was less access to the Bible and less literacy. Today Bibles are easy to purchase and can be read in any time and place!

8.  BLESSED SACRAMENT.    “Really Present” in even the most humble church in the world is the Blessed Sacrament.  The Blessed Sacrament is truly Jesus, the “King of Kings and the Lord of Lords” and He is waiting for  His friend— you– to visit Him and thank Him for all that He has so generously given to you.   Yo need not travel across mountain, hillside, nor ocean to encounter Him. Just go to your closest church and there He is waiting!

9. HOLY MASS.  Every day of the year and every hour throughout the world the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is being offered by the priest to God the Father for the forgiveness of sins, conversion of sinners and for the salvation of the entire world. Your gratitude should manifest itself by your assistance in Mass, participation and reception of Holy Communion.  Remember that Mass/ “Eucharist” means “Thanksgiving”. No greater  gift in the world than God Himself, descending from heaven to earth to abide in the human heart. All this becomes a reality in Holy Mass and in the reception of Holy Communion!

10. MARY: MOTHER OF GOD, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH, MY MOTHER.    In the prayer “The Hail Holy Queen” we invoke Mary  the Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope…”  In the midst of the stormy, dark,  uncertain sea that we live in, we can always look up and see Mary, the Star of the Sea pointing the way to the eternal shore of salvation.  Hail, Mother of God, Hail, Mother of the Church, Hail, star of the Sea, Hail, Holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope….

In sum, let us cultivate an attitude of gratitude.  Let us give thanks to God at all times, in all occasions, and with all people. God rejoices in the heart  that constantly is beating: “Thank you Lord…Thank you Lord…Thank you Lord… DEO GRATIAS!!!

 THE LITTLE WAY CAN BE THE HOLY WAY

 St. Therese Lisieux, known as “The Little Flower”, the last woman to be declared a “Doctor of the Church” taught us a  very simple but profoundly sublime doctrine of holiness. It is the following: we are all called to be saints, as Jesus said:  “Be holy as your heavenly Father is holy.” However, this holiness does not consist in doing great things, but rather in doing the ordinary things of our daily life with an extraordinary holiness.   The smallest action carried out with purity of intention and intense love, has infinite value in the eyes of God.

Put in other words, God can choose the little people of the world, who have only little to offer, but who have GREAT  hearts, and God can work marvels, truly miracles in them.  Examples of this are many!

1. THE WIDOW’S MITE.   A poor widow offered a few insignificant coins in the temple, but with great love and purity of intention.  It was this woman that Jesus praised.  Not the powerful and rich that threw in huge sums with pride!

2. THE LITTLE BOY WITH THE 5 LOAVES AND 2 FISH.   The people were hungry, without food, and without means to provide for their food, and Jesus’ heart was moved to compassion for this flock without nourishment.  The little boy, gave the little that he had—  five loaves and two fish— with that “Little” Jesus accomplished a miracle of the multiplication of the loaves, feeding thousands and even left-overs!

3. WIDOW IN TIME OF ELIJAH THE PROPHET.   She gave the little oil and flour that she had for the prophet, and God multiplied the food beyond imagining until the end of the drought! God can work miracles with little people, with little things, but have enormous hearts!

4. GIDEON AND THE VICTORY.  God chose the insignificant Gideon and a few men of good will to conquer an enormous  and ferocious enemy army. Why?  The reason was simple!  The small Gideon trusted in the powerful God to do the work and the Almighty Lord conquered!

5. DAVID AND GOLIATH.    The small and insignificant Shepherd-boy, David, challenged the tall, muscular, experienced, blood-thirsty, ruthless and powerful Philistine, Goliath. David utilized a slingshot and stone to confront the giant who had an enormous sword, shield and arm-bearer to protect him.  The “small one ” conquered and annihilated the giant because he trusted in God rather than in men.  “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”

6.  FATIMA CHILDREN  AND MARY.   The Mother of God chose to appear to the most insignificant “little ones” of the world to transmit the most important message.  Jacinta, Francisco, Lucia— simple Shepherd children— Mary chose to reveal to the world the importance of prayer, penance, the Rosary, the value of the soul, and eternal life. Jesus marvelled and praised the Father for having revealed the mysteries of God to the mere little ones!

7. MOTHER TERESA OF CALCUTTA.  Small in stature, unassuming in appearance, physically weak for years before she died, God chose the small Mother Teresa of Calcutta to carry out one of the most important missions in the modern world: to recognize that Jesus indeed is truly present in “The poorest of the poor.”   Hungry, thirsty, naked, foreigner, sick and in prison– whatever you did it to the least of my brothers, you did it to me.  God chooses the humble of the world to confuse the proud.   As Mary proclaimed in her Magnificat, “He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, but has lifted up the lowly.”

8. BREAD AND WINE.  Jesus decided to use the simple elements of bread and wine and to make a radical, sublime, ineffable transformation!   With the words  of Jesus that the priest repeats in every Mass, “Take and eat this is my Body; take and drink this is my Blood, ” the most powerful transformation takes place!  God, Jesus, the second Person of the Blessed Trinity, descends from heaven to the altar and into human hearts!  God can take small people with small things but with enormous hearts, to accomplish the greatest miracles! This is the “miracle of miracles” and done in such a simple way!

9.  MARY MOST HOLY.   God chose the humble servant of the Lord, from the anawim (the poor of Yahweh) to  realize the INCARNATION.   God became man through the humble and faithful “Yes” of  Mary.  “The Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name.”

10. YOU AND ME!  Most of us are small people, unknown by most of the world, not having made headlines in the news or TV yesterday, today, and probably not tomorrow! Nonetheless, if  we have purity of intention, holiness of life, trust in Jesus and Mary, a bold confidence as read in the Diary of St Faustina, and we are willing to open our hearts to God, then He can take our littleness and transform it into miracles beyond the wildest of our dreams!  God takes small people with little to offer but with GREAT hearts to accomplish great miracles. He is waiting for you!

EYES ARE THE MIRROR OF THE SOUL

“The eyes are the mirror of the soul.” The mirror should be kept clear, pure, transparent, and constantly guarded from being tarnished by the dust, dirt and even filth of the world.   Spiritual Theology texts insist on the “Custody of the Senses”, but especially a vigorous and constant custody of the eyes.

What passes through the eyes, enters the mind and from the mind into the heart and from the heart into one’s life and from one’s actions are formed habits— good or bad– and these habits form one’s personality(who he really is as a person) and finally one’s eternal destiny, either eternal joy in heaven or punishment and suffering in hell!  To contemplate the Face of Jesus in the life to come, we must maintain purity of eyes, mind, body and soul in this life.  “Blessed are the pure of heart, they will see God.” (Mt.5:8)

Therefore, let us encourage a proper use of our eyes by the following practices!

1. CONTEMPLATE THE BEAUTY OF NATURE.  The starry night sky, the multi-colored rainbow, the trees glowing in foliage season, the sunrise, painting the sky with an orange -pink hue, the moon reflecting the light of the sun, the meadow filled with the flowers of God, the snow-capped mountains,  the powerful-eternal breaking of the ocean waves against the shore, the crystal-clear spring water rushing from a mountain crevice—- all of these and much more majestically point to the author HIMSELF, GOD THE CREATOR.       “O Lord, Our God , how wonderful is your name through all the earth…When I see the heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you set in place…”  (Psalm 8: 2, 4).   May your eyes be filled with the beauty of God’s creation and your heart be elevated to praise the Creator behind  creation!

2. SMILING FACE OF A CHILD.   The eyes are the mirror of the soul. The innocent smile of a child can lift you to the creator of innocence itself— The innocent Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.  “Unless you become like a child, you cannot enter the Kingdom of God.”

3. BIBLE/WORD OF GOD.  A day should never pass in which you are not reading, pondering, meditating the Word of God.  One verse, one word, one idea from the “Word of God” can fill you with light and consolation the whole day.

4 INCARNATE DOERS OF THE WORD OF GOD: THE SAINTS!   To really view, in concrete, the Word of God lived out in flesh and blood, you must read the “Lives of the saints”. The conversion of St Ignatius can be attributed to his reading the lives of the saints; Ignatius proclaimed:  “If Dominic can do it so can I; if Francis can do it so can I…”

5. MASS/CONTEMPLATION.   During Holy Mass, when the Sacred Host is being elevated, then contemplate  It (Jesus) with deep faith and burning love. In the depths of your heart pray: “My Lord and my God…” and “O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine.”  You are looking at Jesus and He is looking back at you with love!

6. HOLY HOUR AND BLESSED SACRAMENT.   After Holy Mass, spend your “Holy Hour”  (The Hour of Power, Archbishop Fulton Sheen) gazing lovingly at your Lord and God.   The Cure of Ars asked the peasant what he did while spending long hours in front of the Blessed Sacrament and the peasant responded:  “I look at Him and he looks at me and I get up filled with joy!”

7. DIVINE MERCY IMAGE.  Jesus promised that those who honor and venerate His Image of Divine Mercy will receive special graces now and for all eternity. Do not let a day pass in which you fail to contemplate the beautiful image of Divine Mercy.  “Jesus, I trust in you!”  Jesus promised Saint Faustina that His grace would pass powerfully through this image. All homes and families should contemplate with their eyes this IMAGE!!!

8. BAD IMAGES: T.V, INTERNET, MOVIES, MAGAZINES….. All of these should be avoided like the plague!  If you are uncertain if you should be viewing any image or scene from the above, then simply ask yourself the question:  “Would Jesus, Mary and Joseph sit down with me with joy for this entertainment!!!!  You have the answer!!!!

9. CRUCIFIX.  Have a graphic, authentic depiction of Jesus crucified in your home, hopefully in your room.  From head to foot, contemplate your suffering saviour with your eyes. Remember, He suffered all of those atrocious, excruciating agonies for you that you might love Him all the more!  Often Jesus exhorted Saint Faustina to contemplate His sufferings!

10. MARY MOST HOLY.  Have an image(statue, painting, mosaic) of Mary always close to you. Greet her in the morning, and evening and in between— if possible! At the start of the day, consecrate your whole being…. your eyes, mind and heart to Mary.   St. John Berchmans stated, “I want to keep my eyes pure in this life so as to contemplate with the greatest clarity the beauty of Mary in heaven.”

In conclusion, let us keep vigilance over our eyes, fill them with pure, honest and noble ideas, images, and the beauty of  creation.   “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God.”  (Mt 5:8)

St. John Bosco had many dreams with profound spiritual meaning. Probably the most famous is the dream of the SHIP  at sea.   He envisioned a Ship at sea being tossed by the waves, surrounded my enemy boats, and in danger of being sunk.   The Captain on the helm of the ship is peering into the distance and he views two pillars that ascend from the waters, one a bit higher than the other.

The Captain knew that the safety of the ship and all of the crew members depended on one thing: to steer the ship in between the two pillars. With great energy of will and firm determination, the Captain succeeded in directing the ship in between the two pillars, and then chaining and anchoring the ship to the two pillars. This done, the waters subsided, the enemy ships disappeared, and the ship gently but securely arrived at the shore, safe and sound with all of the members!

On the top of the lower pillar was a majestic and beautiful image of Mary, “Help of Christians”. On the top of the higher pillar was enthroned  an impressive image of  Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament!  Mary’s eyes are contemplating the image of the Blessed Sacrament with folded hands and reverential posture.

This dream/vision of St. John Bosco expresses the hallmarks of Catholicism, and can be utilized as a clear, but powerful and convincing  educational tool to teach others the very essence of the Catholic faith. Following is    the symbolic interpretation of the  DREAM OF THE SHIP.( Saint John Bosco).

1. THE STORMY SEA.   Points to our life on earth which is truly a battle, it is combat and all are soldiers in the army of Christ the King! 

2. ENEMY SHIPS.   The 3 enemies that every soldier of Christ must encounter and conquer with the help of Christ the King.  They are the devil, the flesh and the world!

3. THE DEVIL tempts us with sinful thoughts and tries to seduce us as he did Eve in the garden!

4. THE FLESH.  As a result of Original Sin, the flesh demands instant satisfaction and flees from penance and discipline.

5. THE WORLD.  Tries to convince us that true happiness can be found in the things of this world.  “Eat, drink and be merry!  Live it up!  You have one life to live– go for it!

6.  THE CREW MEMBERS   on the ship are us, hoping to arrive safely at the shore.

7. THE SHIP.  Is the Catholic church.   As God used Noe to save his family and a few animals in the Ark, so God provides us with a secure refuge from our enemies in the Bark of Peter— the Catholic Church.

8. THE CAPTAIN.  The Captain of the Ship is the Holy Father, The Pope! If the crew can look to the Pope for spiritual and moral guidance, obey him, and trust him, then we are on sure footing.

9. PILLAR: THE EUCHARIST!   The Pope points to the two pillars leading to salvation.  The greatest is the most Holy Eucharist.  The Pope insists on our faith,  love and devotion towards Jesus truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.

10. MARY: HELP OF CHRISTIANS.   Mary, under the title, “Help of Christians”, always points to Jesus.  She said, “My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour…” and “Do whatever he tells you.”   To love Mary is to love Jesus; the two are inseparable!

If we as crew members, are faithful members of Holy Mother Church, if we love Mary, love and receive the Eucharist reverently and frequently and fervently, if we have a humble, reverential and obedient attitude towards the Pope, the Holy Father, the Vicar of Christ, His Holiness, the Supreme Pontiff, then we will arrive safely to the shore. This shore is our heavenly homeland!
Long live Mary!  Long live Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament!  Long live the Pope!

“Viva Maria!” ” Viva Jesus Sacramentado!”    “Viva el Papa!”