“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)

WEDNESDAY, April 14th   Jn. 3: 16-27   “God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”

• How often do we stop and consider how valuable is our immortal soul—destined to live forever and ever without end??? We propose two meditations/contemplations that will hopefully let this truth sink deeper into our consciousness! So that we may live for this reality in earnest and arrive at heaven bringing as many souls as possible with us!

Part 1: CALL TO HOLINESS… by St. Louis de Montfort

Part 2: YOUR SOUL IS WORTH SO MUCH! By Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

PART 1: CALL TO HOLINESS… by St. Louis de Montfort

Chosen soul, living image of God and redeemed by the precious Blood of Jesus Christ, God wants you to become holy like Him in this life, and glorious like Him in the next. 

It is certain that growth in the holiness of God is your vocation. All your thoughts, words, actions, everything you suffer or undertake must lead you toward that end. Otherwise you are resisting God in not doing the work for which He created you and for which He is even now keeping you in being. 

What a marvelous transformation is possible! Dust into light, uncleanness into purity, sinfulness into holiness, creature being taken up into Creator! A marvelous work, I repeat, so difficult in itself, and even impossible for a mere creature to bring about, for only God can accomplish it by giving His grace abundantly and in an extraordinary manner. The very creation of the universe is not as great an achievement as this.

Chosen soul, how will you bring this about? What steps will you take to reach the high level to which God is calling you? The means of holiness and salvation are known to everybody, since they are found in the Gospel; the masters of the spiritual life have explained them; the Saints have practiced them and shown how essential they are for those who wish to be saved and attain perfection. These means are: sincere humility, unceasing prayer, complete self-denial, abandonment to Divine Providence, and obedience to the will of God.

PART 2: YOUR SOUL IS WORTH SO MUCH! By Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

All the money, possessions, houses, mountains, oceans, animals, all of creation itself has much less value than your immortal soul. Your immortal soul has infinite value. No one in the world can fully plumb the depths of the value of just ONE immortal soul. How do we know this? Jesus articulates this with luminous clarity: “What would it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his life in the process? What can a man give in exchange for his immortal soul?” (Mk. 8:36)

St. Ignatius of Loyola launched that Biblical passage like a fiery arrow at the young, proud, and self-reliant Francis Xavier, challenging the future Patron of the Missions to make the Spiritual Exercises. When he finally made the Spiritual Exercises, they transformed his life.

However, it was that fiery and piercing arrow from the mouth and Sacred Heart of Jesus the Lord that broke down the resistance of Xavier—“What would it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul in the process?”

The angelic Doctor, St. Thomas Aquinas, reiterates the same message. Aquinas affirms that everything in the created world cannot equal just one immortal soul!

For a moment, enter into a natural contemplation on the beauty of nature. The beautiful blue skies, the pure white clouds, the multi-colored leaves falling in autumn, the majestic snow-capped mountains, the brilliant and colorful rainbow–a beautiful arc spanning the heavens, the powerful and eternal waves crashing against the shore, the majestic eagle soaring into the heights, and the night sky painted with a multitude of stars sparkling to the eyes delight—all of these natural phenomena are a mere glimmer of the majestic beauty and greatness of one immortal soul. One immortal soul far transcends in greatness every natural beauty that our eyes can contemplate. For that reason, once Saint Catherine of Siena was granted a vision of one soul in the state of grace and she fell to her knees in ecstasy, stunned by its glorious beauty!

Another powerful proof to capture the infinite value of one immortal soul is the apostolic zeal that motivated the saints in their work, sacrifices, sufferings, and even their deaths! Following are a few examples of the saints and their insatiable hunger for the salvation of immortal souls!

Why did the Cure of Ars—St. John Marie Vianney spend from 13 to 18 hours in the confessional day and night, in the chilling cold of winter and the blistering humidity and heat of the summer, confessing sinners? Why? Why? Why?

For one simple reason: his love for God and love for what God loves most, the salvation of immortal souls! Why would he eat two or three potatoes a day, sleep three hours at night, battle constantly with the devil, scourge himself to the point of shedding blood, and weep copious tears? One simple reason—his love for God and love for immortal souls! This patron of Parish priests knew keenly the value of a soul reconciled to God through the Blood of Christ applied in every absolution!

Again, why would St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina willingly accept the stigmata in 1918 while absorbed in prayer, His hands and feet pierced through like his Beloved Crucified Lord and Savior? His side also pierced, like that of Jesus’ side pierced on Good Friday by the lance causing blood and water to come gushing forth. Jesus promised this modern saint that he would bear this stigmata for fifty long years and then at the end of his life it would disappear. Why did Padre Pio accept this excruciating pain of the stigmata? Once asked if it hurt, the saint responded dryly that it was not a decoration! Padre Pio suffered the stigmata in imitation of his beloved Savior, the Crucified Lord, but also to repair for sins and for the conversion of sinners. In other words, St. Padre Pio willingly bore this suffering for the salvation of immortal souls! He paid a dear price!

Still more, why did the three little shepherd children of Fatima—Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta willingly accept constant sacrifices that entailed great suffering, even though they were mere children? Why? Why? Why? The response is the same: first, their love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary; second, their love for what Jesus and Mary love most in this world—immortal souls. The list of the sacrifices that these children underwent at such tender young ages staggers the imagination and shows the power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of generous souls.

Jacinta. Let us just take a few of the sacrifices of Jacinta Marto, the youngest of the three seers at Fatima. What radically transformed the three children, but especially Jacinta, was the graphic vision of Hell on July 13, 1917. Seeing souls being tossed about in the fire without any equilibrium, hearing their desperate cries never to be relieved, seeing hideous animals (the devils) trans-piercing these souls causing them eternal torment, provoked in little Jacinta a profound conversion of heart and life! Little Jacinta, small in stature but a giant in love for souls, was ready to offer all she had for the salvation of immortal souls.

Jacinta gave up her favorite sweet grapes that grew on the hillsides of Portugal and the innocent dancing that she loved. On one occasion, while tending sheep on a blistering summer day, all three of the children were dying of thirst, so Lucia fetched a pitcher of water from a neighboring farm house. But both Jacinta and Francisco implored Lucia to pour the water into the ground so that they could suffer thirst for souls! When Jacinta complained about a pounding headache, Francisco suggested she offer it up for souls – this she promptly did! All three children wore a rough rope around their waist that chaffed their skin, though Our Lady told then not to wear it at night so they could rest. Why? Once again, for the salvation of immortal souls. Due to her extraordinary generosity and love for souls, when Saint Pope John Paul II beatified Jacinta, he called her a “Little victim soul”.

St. Faustina. In the Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul, Jesus revealed to Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska His love for souls. However, Jesus pointed out that love for the salvation of souls is measured by our willingness to suffer for these souls! The more we love, the more we are willing to suffer!

The Blood of Jesus. Finally, the Word of God teaches us most poignantly the value of souls related to the Precious Blood Jesus shed for all of us, but for each one of us individually on Calvary that first Good Friday.

“Now if you invoke as Father him who judges impartially according to each one’s works, conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning, realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like gold or silver, but with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb.”     (1 Peter 1:17-19)

In sum, your soul was saved by the Precious Blood that Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ shed for you on Calvary that first Good Friday. Indeed, if you were the only person created in the whole universe, Jesus would have shed every drop of His most Precious Blood for your immortal soul alone! How precious and valuable indeed, you and your immortal soul are in the eyes of Almighty God!

Copyright 2021 Oblates of the Virgin Mary St. Peter Chanel Church, Hawaiian Gardens, CA

“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)

TUESDAY, April 13th   Jn. 3: 7B – 15 “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

Catechism of the Catholic Church:

402 All men are implicated in Adam’s sin, as St. Paul affirms: “By one man’s disobedience many (that is, all men) were made sinners”: “sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all men sinned.”²⁸⁹

The Apostle contrasts the universality of sin and death with the universality of salvation in Christ. “Then as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to acquittal and life for all men.”²⁹⁰

THE POWER OF THE CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

Let us meditate upon what the saints have said about the power of the cross and then spend time in silence and meditate upon the crucifix, the most eloquent symbol of love in the entire world. With Saint Francis of Assisi, who bore the wounds of Christ in his body through the mystical grace of the stigmata, let us pray with all of our heart: “We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.”

WHAT SOME SAINTS HAVE SAID ABOUT THE CROSS:

“It is not the finest wood that feeds the fire of Divine love, but the wood of the cross.” (St. Ignatius of Loyola)

“Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent.” (St. John of the Cross)

“The road is narrow. He who wishes to travel it more easily must cast off all things and use the cross as his cane. In other words, he must be truly resolved to suffer willingly for the love of God in all things.”  (St. John of the Cross)

“The Passion of Christ is the greatest and most stupendous work of Divine Love. The greatest and most overwhelming work of God’s love.”  (St. Paul of the Cross)

“O cherished cross! Through thee my most bitter trials are replete with graces.” (St. Paul of the Cross)

“Our Savior’s Passion raises men and women from the depths, lifts them up from the earth, and sets them in the heights.”  (St. Maximus of Turin)

Now let us enter into our own meditation-contemplation on the mystery of the Holy Cross as we lift our gaze to a graphic crucifix and peer into the five deep wounds of Jesus, who loved us so much that He was crucified, suffered and died for each one of us. How great is the love of God for me and for you!!!

1. CRUCIFIX ON THE WALL OF ALL OF YOUR BEDROOMS. 

It is highly recommended that all of your bedrooms have the crucifix. Also, it should be a crucifix in which the Corpus— meaning, the Body of Christ is present. A cross without the Corpus of Christ almost deprives the cross of its real meaning. Jesus suffered and died on the cross; His Body hung on the cross for three long hours (12 Noon to 3:00 p.m.).

2. CONTEMPLATE THE CROSS. 

Get in the habit before retiring every night of spending at least a few moments in silence in which you contemplate, look deeply at the cross and He who died on the cross for you, Our Savior Jesus Christ—with immense love and gratitude. Contemplation is a form of prayer in which we think deeply with our minds and love immensely with our hearts for the immense love that Jesus has for all, but for me individually.

3. CALL TO MIND THE WORDS THAT JESUS SAID ON THE CROSS. 

A very salutary and sanctifying practice is to call to mind the Seven Last Words (phrases) that Jesus pronounced from the cross and take these words into your mind and your heart.  Venerable Fulton J. Sheen asserts that from the pulpit of the cross, Jesus preached His last and most eloquent homily. Let us be attentive students and listeners, and lovers of Christ!

MEMORIZE THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF JESUS, THE ELOQUENT PREACHER

• Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.
• I thirst.
• My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
• Woman, behold thy son; son, behold thy Mother.
• Amen, I say to you: today you will be with me in Paradise.
• It is finished.
• Father, into your hands I commend my spirit

4. IMITATE THE SAINTS—ST. FRANCIS! KISS THE WOUNDS OF CHRIST. 

Prayer is not simply a cerebral, that is to say, a mere intellectual function. Prayer involves the whole person.  St. Francis, and many of the saints, would express their love for their crucified Savior by kissing Jesus’ five wounds. You do the same! By doing so, you are manifesting the heartfelt love that you have for Jesus! The open wounds in His sacred hands and feet were perforated by nails, and a sword pierced His side and Sacred Heart, all for love of you and your eternal salvation. How great is the love of the crucified Savior for you and the salvation of your immortal soul!

5. LIKE MARCELINO—TALK TO YOUR CRUCIFIED LORD.

(DVD Miracle of Marcelino, 1955 black and white version) In this movie-classic, imitate the little orphan boy—Marcelino and talk to the Lord Jesus from the depths of your heart. Use simple words, but words anointed with great love and passion, expressing your heartfelt gratitude for the Lord Jesus and all He did for you!

6. CONTEMPLATE THE CROSS, CALVARY RELATED TO HOLY MASS. 

As you lift your gaze to Jesus hanging from the cross, call to mind the intimate relationship between Jesus crucified on Good Friday on Calvary and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Invisible as it is, and with the utmost depth of mystical meaning, every time an ordained priest offers the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass—Calvary and the crucified Lord Jesus are present. In every Mass, the fruits of the crucified Lord are available to all of humanity. Next time you go to Mass, contemplate the big Crucifix on the wall behind the priest who celebrates Mass, and remember that Calvary is present when the priest lifts up the Host and elevates the Chalice…O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine…

7. JESUS’ OPEN ARMS ON THE CROSS.  

Contemplate now the open arms of Jesus as He hangs from the cross. There is depth of meaning here. Saint Augustine, giving a symbolic interpretation of the crucifix and the position of Jesus’ Body says: Jesus has His head bent to kiss us; His arms open to embrace us; and His heart open to receive us. Jesus’ open arms are symbolic of the arms of the Father of the Prodigal Son. The meaning? Despite the sad reality of our many sins, God always, at all times and on all occasions, has His arms wide-open symbolic of forgiveness.  As the Prophet Isaiah reminds us: “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” (Is. 1:18) In concrete, Jesus beckons us to return to Him with a sincere and contrite heart through the reception of the Sacrament of His Mercy, the Sacrament of Confession, and be renewed, reformed, and made anew!

8.  JESUS’ BLOOD STAINED BODY AND GARMENTS.  

As you contemplate the blood-stained body of Jesus and His few garments, the virtue of purity and modesty should surge in your mind and heart. Both the stripping of Jesus and His brutal scourging at the pillar were accepted willingly by Jesus to repair for the countless sins of impurity committed by all of humanity, and by us individually. Our Lady of Fatima commented sadly that most souls are lost due to sins against the 6th and 9th Commandments—that is to say, sins committed against the virtue of purity. May our contemplation of the lacerated and bloody Body of the Lord Jesus inspire within us a great desire for purity—in mind, thought, word, deed and intention. Jesus taught us in the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the pure of heart, they will see God.” (Mt. 5:8)

9. THE CROSS AND CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS, AND OURS… 

As you look up to the cross and contemplate Jesus with love, recall His words: “Anyone who wishes to be my follower must renounce himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Lk. 9:23) Spend some quiet time in prayer before the Crucified Lord Jesus; open up the very depths of your heart and pour out your thoughts and feelings with respect to your own crosses. Jesus desires to listen to you, accompany you, and really help you. He is not indifferent to the cries and supplications of your heart, but desires all the more to help you! What might be your cross or crosses? A health problem, an economic strait, a difficult relative, a rebellious son or daughter, a tense relationship with your spouse, a work conflict, a spiritual doubt, the loss of a loved one, the wounds of a past deep hurt, fear of the dark and ominous clouds of the future, the fear of physical suffering and your own mortality and death? All of the above can be the subject of your colloquy with the crucified Lord Jesus. Often, our cross is simply too heavy because we fail to invite Jesus to come and help us carry our cross!!! Invite Jesus! Listen to His words: Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Mt. 11:28-30)

Copyright 2021 Oblates of the Virgin Mary, St. Peter Chanel Church, Hawaiian Gardens, CA

“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)

MONDAY, April 12th   Jn. 3: 1-8   Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.”

• Catholic-Christian Baptism is being born of water and the Holy Spirit. Yesterday we celebrated the Solemnity of Divine Mercy Sunday! Indeed, Jesus’ Divine Mercy is unfathomable, a grace so great that it is beyond the comprehension of both the Angels and Saints in heaven and on earth!!!
• Divine Mercy forgives the sinner, paving the way for an even greater mystery of God’s Mercy – reception of the most Holy Eucharist – reception in our body and soul of the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!
• As an adjunct to Divine Mercy Sunday, let us pray with the following new article by Fr. Ed. Broom, OMV

LIVE OUT THE GREATEST PRAYER:  HOLY MASS! by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

There is nothing greater on earth then the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass; it is where Heaven unites with earth in a symphony of praise, adoration, worship, thanksgiving, supplication and reparation. Before offering a ten-step program to improve our participation in Holy Mass, let us spend a brief time in meditating and reflecting on what some of the great saints have said in praise of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

St. Thomas Aquinas: “Man should tremble, the world should quake, all Heaven should be deeply moved when the Son of God appears on the altar in the hands of the priest.”

St. Leonard of Port Maurice: “Know, O Christian, that the Mass is the holiest act of religion. You cannot do anything to glorify God more, nor profit your soul more than by devoutly assisting at it, and assisting as often as possible.”

St. Francis of Assisi: “It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do so without Holy Mass.”

St. Pio of Pietrelcina: “No human tongue can enumerate the favors that trace back to the Sacrifice of the Mass. The sinner is reconciled to God; the just man becomes more upright; sins are wiped away; vices are uprooted; virtue and merit increases; and the devil’s schemes are frustrated.”

St. Bernard: “Martyrdom is nothing in comparison with the Mass because martyrdom is the sacrifice of man to God, whereas the Mass is the sacrifice of God to man.”

Now we offer ten brief but important suggestions on ways that we can live out the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass more efficaciously. Our sanctification and salvation depend on Holy Mass and how we live out the fruits of this Greatest of all Miracles!]

PREPARATION:

1. PREPARATION: COME EARLY BEFORE MASS STARTS. One of the ways in which we truly diminish the efficacy of the graces that we receive from the greatest prayer and Gift left to us from the Sacred Heart of Jesus is to be lazy in our preparation for Holy Mass. This becomes manifest in a lazy, nonchalant, flippant attitude when sauntering in late for Mass, with no misgivings. If we were invited to a banquet with a King and Queen, no doubt our punctuality would not be in jeopardy. Yet how often and even common it is to come late to visit the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, the Creator of the universe, in Holy Mass!

2. PLACE YOUR OWN INTENTIONS ON THE ALTAR OF THE MASS. In the Parish, usually the priest has a specific intention for the Mass. However, this should not exclude your own intentions. There are no limits to intentions, but three could be of great value:

• PURGATORY. Pray for the souls in Purgatory. These souls are saved, but must be purified of the sins that they did not repair for sufficiently while on earth. Your personal Mass intention for these poor souls could greatly alleviate their sufferings, or even free them completely so they can make their flight to Heaven.

• CONVERSION OF SINNERS. Many sinners can be converted by the fervent prayers of others. The most powerful prayer is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and fervent Holy Communions. Let us work with the Lord for the salvation of souls by offering the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus to the Father imploring mercy for the conversion of poor sinners.

• PERSONAL CONVERSION OF HEART. Until we die, we are all called to personal conversion. The first words in the Public ministry of Jesus were: “Be converted because the Kingdom of God is at hand.”  (Mk. 1:15). This can be applied to Holy Communion. We are transformed into what we eat. Upon receiving Holy Communion, we become transformed by consuming the Host, for in it is the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and His most noble sentiments. What is lacking in our poor heart can be more than abundantly supplied in Holy Communion if we desire it!

3. PARTICIPATE IN HOLY MASS. The Church Documents. (Sacrosanctum Concilium) warmly encourage us to participate in Holy Mass. Passive, inattentive, distracted presence in the Mass is counter-productive. The more actively we are engaged, the more abundant the graces will flow upon us and the whole world. Spiritual bench-warmers in Mass unfortunately are all too many!

Often the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass has been divided into two essential parts: 1) The Liturgy of the Word; 2) The Liturgy of the Eucharist. 

LITURGY OF THE WORD.

4. LISTEN ATTENTIVELY TO THE WORD OF GOD. One of the key parts of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is “The Liturgy of the Word”. On Sundays, the rich Banquet of the Word of God offers us three wonderful Readings. How we should hunger for the Word of God. Jesus responded to the devil: “Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” (Mt. 4:4) In most Sunday Masses, the First Reading is taken from the Old Testament, followed by part of a Psalm. Then the Second Reading is taken from the New Testament, usually from one of the Epistles/Letters of St. Paul. Finally, the most important and prominent Reading is from one of the Gospels. For this last of the Readings we stand, manifesting our great reverence in encountering Jesus. May we listen attentively to the Word of God, understand it with our mind, and put it into practice. Then the priest, who represents Jesus the High Priest, in his homily explains the Readings and how we can put the Word of God into practice in our daily lives. May we listen attentively and heed the challenge to follow Christ and His living Word.

5. THE PROFESSION OF FAITH / THE CREED. Following the Readings is the Profession of Faith, also known as the Creed. We stand and profess what we believe as followers of Jesus Christ. If a non-believer were to ask you what you believe as a Catholic, right away you could refer them to the Creed in the Mass. Then you could refer them to the Catechism of the Catholic Church which explains the Creed in the most minute detail. Upon receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation we should be ready to be an Apostle, ready and willing to defend the faith, as well as to spread the faith. Indeed, one of the best ways to grow in our faith is to share it with others.

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

The Council Fathers speak about two tables from which we are called to nourish our souls. Our mind consumes the Word of God; our soul, the Eucharistic Presence of Jesus, the Bread of Life. The Liturgy of the Eucharist can actually be divided into three essential parts: Offertory, the Consecration, and Holy Communion. These three parts will be explained briefly. May we sincerely strive to live the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass!

6. THE OFFERTORY. This essential part of Holy Mass consists of the faithful offering a monetary donation and then the presentation of the gifts, at times characterized by the Offertory Procession. In the Offertory, we return to our intentions that we placed on the altar as we arrived early even before Mass started.  Once again, in spirit, we deposit on the altar all of our intentions: Souls in Purgatory, the conversion of sinners, and our own personal conversion. Actually, you can place as many intentions on the altar as you like. The more intentions we offer, the more pleasing to God.

7. CONSECRATION. This is the sublime and solemn moment in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass where you witness “The Greatest Miracle” occur. When the priest pronounces the words of Consecration over the Bread and Wine, there is a radical transformation.  In fact, the Bread and Wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Jesus the Lord. Upon this double consecration, rapt in awe, we worship the same Jesus who was crucified and rose from the dead. It is the same Lord, but under the Eucharistic species. “O come, let us adore Him!”

8. HOLY COMMUNION.  We have arrived at the culminating moment of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass— Holy Communion.  Never should we forget even for an instant that Holy Communion is truly and substantially the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If we are in the state of sanctifying grace, then we can approach to receive this most sublime Gift—God Himself. However, our attitude of heart should be great humility, purity, faith, and hunger for the Bread of Life. The two greatest gestures we can do on earth is to receive absolution from the priest in Confession, and to receive Holy Communion! However, it must be said, the better the disposition of our heart, the more abundant the graces.

9. THANKSGIVING. After we have received Jesus in Holy Communion, we should not rush off, but rather spend some time in silence to render Jesus abundant thanksgiving. In the words of the Psalmist: “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; his love endures forever.” (Ps. 136:1) Thank the Lord Jesus from the depths of your heart for the great gift of Himself in Holy Communion. The word Eucharist actually means “Thanksgiving”.

10. BE A MISSIONARY: BRING THE FRUITS OF THE MASS TO THE WHOLE WORLD!  If we are really living the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, then as we leave Mass we should have the ardent desire to bring the fruits of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to others. Our Lady is our Model. She received Jesus in the Annunciation when she said to the Angel, “Behold, I am the hand maid of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word.” (Lk. 1:38) Then she went in haste to bring Jesus to others in the Visitation to her cousin Elizabeth. (Lk. 1:39) May we follow Mary as our example and guide. Let us bring the Eucharistic Lord to the world by our words and our actions.

In conclusion, my friends in Jesus and Mary, we can never thank God enough for the sublime Gift of the Mass and the Holy Eucharist. Let us never weary of thanking Jesus for the Mass and the Holy Eucharist. Love the Mass, live the Mass, and bring the fruits of the Mass to the whole world!

Copyright 2021 Oblates of the Virgin Mary, St. Peter Chanel Church, Hawaiian Gardens, CA

“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)

SUNDAY, April 11th   Jn. 20: 19-31   “Jesus said to him, ‘Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.’”

• Who is Jesus Christ to me? Do I believe in Jesus, both God and man? Do I seek to know Jesus in all His different facets? Do I place my trust in Jesus? Are there particular ways I need Jesus to be present to me here and now? Answer these questions and more in the richly contemplative meditation to follow.

JESUS: THE CENTER OF MY LIFE! By Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

Jesus Christ is the center of all human history, the alpha and the omega, the principle and foundation, the beginning and the end, the key that unlocks eternal life to all who believe and place their trust in Him. By His Incarnation, life, death, and Resurrection, Jesus has divided history into two blocks of time: B.C. and A.D. Never has any other person come onto the stage of human history and had such a huge impact, and He did this all in no more than 33 years.

The following exposition in its essence is a prayer to Jesus. The short prayer expressions or prayer gems are taken from Sacred Scripture, most of them from the texts of the Gospels. If you like, these are Christological titles transformed into short prayers. It is our intention and desire that you will very slowly pray over these titles in imitation of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, who pondered the Word of God in her Immaculate Heart.

CHRISTOLOGICAL TITLES TRANSFORMED INTO PRAYER…

Titles for Jesus are many and rich indeed! Let us learn to pray, to really talk to Jesus through His many and various titles inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus, you are the Bread of Life, give me a growing hunger and insatiable thirst for you. (Jn. 6:25-71)

Jesus, you are The Good Shepherd, grant me the deep inner security that I am really never alone because you are walking next to me, side by side; with your rod and your staff you guide me. (Psalm 23 / Jn. 10:1-21)

Jesus, you are truly The Resurrection and The Life, attain for me an ardent yearning to live with you for all eternity in heaven. (Jn. 11:1-44)

Jesus, your name means Savior, I beg you to stretch out your gentle but strong hand to save me. Lord Jesus, save me from doubt, from my inner fears and anxieties, from my lack of trust in your Divine Providence. Lord, in the midst of the storms of life, when it seems as if my life is on the verge of capsizing and sinking, descend upon me with your calm and lead me to a safe haven. (Lk. 1:26-56))

Jesus you are truly The Divine Physician, The Divine Doctor, I implore you to touch me with your hand and heal me. Lord Jesus, I admit my infirmities. Heal my mind with your light. Heal my soul with your grace. Heal my memory with your peace. Heal my body with your strength. (Mt. Chapters 8 and 9)

Jesus, you are the best of all Teachers. (Jn. 20:16) I sit before you and beg for you to truly become my Teacher. I thank you for the Gospels, (Good News) in which I can sit at your feet to absorb and drink in your Words of Truth. (The Gospels)

Jesus, you are The Way, the Truth, and the Life. Pave the way for me on the highway to heaven. Inundate me in the rays of your truth. Attain for me eternal life in heaven. (Jn. 14:6)

Jesus, you are the Alpha and Omega, the Principle and Foundation of my life. Attain for me fullness of life by having you at the very center of my life—my thoughts, words, decisions, and actions. (Rev. 22:13)

Jesus, you said: I am the Light of the world, cast out the dark regions present in my mind, my memory, my understanding, my will, my desires, my intentions, and my life. Shine on me and in me, so that your Presence in my life may enlighten many others. (Jn. 8:12)

Jesus, you are truly the Logos—the Word of God issuing forth from the Eternal Father. May your Words be engraved deeply in my whole being so that I will be a living expression of your truth in the world. (Jn. 1:1)

Jesus, you are Emmanuel—God with us! In this journey of life heading toward our eternal destiny—heaven—may I constantly be aware of your gentle and consoling presence. May my prayer be that of the disciples on the road to Emmaus: Stay with us, Lord, for the day is far spent. (Lk. 24:29)

Jesus, you are the Christ-Messiah, the Anointed One. Through Baptism and Confirmation, I have received a double-anointing. I implore you to anoint my thoughts and words so that I will be an anointed presence for my brothers and sisters. (I Jn. 5:1)

Jesus, you indeed are The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. By your Precious Blood, that I receive through the Sacraments of Confession and Communion, may I be cleansed and purified of all my past and present sins and so live in the liberty of the sons and daughters of God. (Jn. 1:29)

Jesus, you are the Healing Hand that saves. Stretch out your hand to touch my festering wounds and heal me and all of suffering humanity. (Mt. 8:1-4)

Jesus, you are truly the Wounded-Healer. Indeed, it is by your wounds that we are healed.  May I seek refuge in your wounds, especially your wounded Sacred Heart – my true and eternal refuge! (Is. 53)

Jesus, you are the Friend who is always faithful. May I experience you as a true Friend, always ready to welcome me, willing to walk with me, talk with me, and be present to me. You indeed are my true Friend who will never fail me. (Jn. 15:15)

Jesus, you are the Son of God made man. I am eternally grateful to you for becoming like us in all things except sin.  I praise and thank you for assuming your humanity from the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Jesus, you are the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. As such, I adore you and pay you homage as King of my whole being. Jesus, I beg you to reign over my whole being. Reign over my mind, my thoughts, my imagination, my feelings, my intentions, my body and soul in time and for all eternity. (Rev. 19: 16)

Jesus, you indeed are the Crucified Savior. May my love and devotion to you result in crucifying and putting to death all in me that is unworthy of you—that is to say, sin and all of its negative effects. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. (Mt. 27: 32-56)

Jesus, your Most Sacred Heart is a burning furnace of charity. Set my heart on fire with love for you and love for souls. You said: “I have come to cast fire on the earth and I am not at peace until that fire be enkindled.” Lord Jesus, give me that fire! (Lk. 12: 49)

Jesus, you are the Son of God, the Son of man, and the Son of Mary! Through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your loving Mother, may I arrive at a deeper knowledge of you, a deeper love for you, a deeper understanding of you, and a more earnest yearning and longing to follow you all the days of my life!  Jesus, Son of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may you be the very center of my life, now and for all eternity. Amen. (Mk. 6:3)

Copyright 2021 Oblates of the Virgin Mary

St. Peter Chanel Church, Hawaiian Gardens, CA

“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)

SATURDAY, April 10th   Mk. 16: 9-15   ^“Jesus said to them, ‘Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.’”

• As Jesus sends the first Apostles out as missionaries “into the whole world” to “proclaim the Gospel to every creature”, so does He send us out!
• Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta said Mary was the first Missionary of Charity.
• Fr. Ed gives us the Five Indispensable M’s of every Missionary!

MEDITATION, MASS, MERCY, MISSION, MARY! By Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

If you can strive to live out these five “M’s” in your life, no doubt, you are on the Highway to holiness. The five M’s: Meditation, Mass, Mercy, Mission, and Mary!

In our brief exposition we will strive to offer a short explanation of each and every one of the letters that starts with M—a five letter alliteration! Easy to remember: Meditation, Mass, Mercy, Mission, and Mary! Ready, set, go!

1. MEDITATION. As followers of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, an indispensable quality or aspect in our following of the Lord is that of daily MEDITATION. In the Lord’s Prayer, the Our Father, we pray: “Give us this day our daily Bread…”  After fasting forty days and forty nights, the devil tempted Jesus who was hungry to change stones into bread. Jesus responded to this temptation quoting from the Old Testament: “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” (Deut. 8:3) Jesus emphasized the proper priorities or hierarchy of values that we must embrace; the Bread of the Word of God that nourishes the mind prevails over the physical bread that sustains the body. Physical bread terminates in the stomach to be digested; the Bread of the Word of God in the mind to be absorbed in Truth! Let us make a concerted effort and a determined determination to find time on a daily basis to meditate upon the Word of God. If possible, let us follow the invitation of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen: “To make the Hour of Power!” Daily meditation on the Word of God will communicate to your person light, peace, joy, and a keen awareness that the Lord is walking with you during the course of the day. “The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.” (Psalm 23:1)

2. MASS. Underneath the firmament of heaven, while traveling as pilgrims toward our eternal homeland that is Heaven, there is no greater prayer on earth than the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is the Divine rainbow that connects Heaven with earth. It is the cross of Christ that connects us to the Heavenly Father. It is the renewal of the Sacrifice of Calvary. Jesus offers His Precious Blood and His five wounds to the Eternal Father for the salvation of the entire world. In every Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the entire Paschal Mystery is accomplished. That is to say, in every Holy Mass this happens, in a mystical and invisible but very real way the Sacrifice of Calvary, the Passion and death, but also the Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As much as possible and according to circumstances in our life and our specific vocation, we should make an effort to attend and participate in Holy Mass, fully, actively and consciously. If we are in the state of sanctifying grace, then we should hunger for the Eucharist, the Bread of life. “As the deer yearns for the running streams, so my soul yearns for you, O Lord.” (Psalm 41:1)  The fervent, frequent, faith-filled reception of Holy Communion is the greatest act that a human person can carry out this side of Heaven! Our sanctification and salvation, as well as that of the world at large, depends on Holy Mass and fervent Holy Communions! Let us tap into this infinite reservoir of grace right now!

3. MERCY. What is MERCY? It is nothing less than the Infinite Love of God forgiving the sinner. According to Saint Faustina, Saint Pope John Paul II, and the Angelic Doctor, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Mercy is the greatest attribute or virtue in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Often a huge roadblock in our journey to holiness is a certain pride or resentment, disguised as a lack of forgiveness. Often almost unaware, we cling to resentments in which we have not fully forgiven. This serves as a true roadblock and obstacle in our itinerary to holiness. It might even be that we hold on to a resentment or grudge against God for something that He has allowed to transpire in our lives. Or perhaps some person hurt us, and we have not fully forgiven that person. Perhaps we have failed in one way or another and we are unwilling to forgive ourselves and seek forgiveness from God through the Sacrament of Confession. When we truly learn to forgive, we set the captive free; and that captive is our own miserable self!

4. MISSION. From Baptism, all are called to be true missionaries. Anointed as priest, prophet, and king, the Sacrament of Baptism empowers us with a triple mission. As priestly people we offer sacrifices for our sins and those of the whole world. As kings we learn to serve as Jesus teaches us: “The Son of man has not come to be served, but to serve and give his life in ransom for many.” (Mt. 20: 28) Then as prophet, we are all called to preach and spread the Word of God by word and by example.  Furthermore, the last words of Jesus in the Gospel of Saint Matthew are: “Go out to the whole world and teach them all that I taught you. Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And behold, I am with you always, even until the end of the world.”  (Mt. 28: 19-20) In the quiet of prayer, beg the Holy Spirit to enlighten your mind to discern and to follow up on the specific way or ways in which you can spread the Word of God and proclaim the Kingdom. All of us are called to be passionate and fiery missionaries. If we love Jesus, then we should love what He loves most—the salvation of immortal souls. With an aching Heart, Jesus proclaimed: “I have come to cast fire on the earth, and I am not at peace until that fire is enkindled.” (Lk. 12:49)  As a missionary, may you cast fire and start a conflagration!

5. MARY: THE MOTHER OF GOD, THE MOTHER OF THE CHURCH, AND OUR LOVING MOTHER. It is interesting, the order or juxtaposition of this exposition. Indeed, Mary lived out to the fullest extent possible these first four M’s: Meditation, Mass, Mercy, and Mission. Hence, she can assist us to live them out most efficaciously!

1) MEDITATION:  Twice in the Gospel of Saint Luke in Chapter Two, Mary is presented as a model for meditation. After the visit of the Shepherds, the Evangelist states that Mary pondered these things in her heart. The word ponder means to meditate, to ruminate (the way a cow chews the cud), to reflect seriously upon these happenings related to Jesus. Then about twelve years later, when the Child Jesus was found in the Temple after three days of sorrowful search, once again Mary pondered these events in her Immaculate Heart. Hence, Mary serves as a model of meditation for all of us!

2) MASS.  When Our Lady appeared in Mexico (Guadalupe), France (Lourdes), and Portugal (Fatima), unequivocally she asked that a Church be built. Why? So that people would go frequently to this sacred place where Jesus is offered to God the Father in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the salvation of immortal souls. Saint Pope John Paul II asserted that in every celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Mary is present as she was at the foot of the cross on Calvary when Jesus offered Himself as the sacrificial Victim for the salvation of the world. (Jn. 19: 25-27)

3) MERCY.  Among the many mystical and poetic titles given to the Blessed Virgin Mary is that of Mary as MOTHER OF MERCY. In fact, one of the greatest spiritual literary masterpieces ever written on Mary exalting Mary’s sublime virtue of mercy is “The Glories of Mary” by Saint Alphonsus Liguori. This unique, classic spiritual masterpiece comments on one prayer—the Hail Holy Queen. In this beautiful prayer recited at the end of the Holy Rosary, we pray:  “Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope…”  Saint Alphonsus asserts that nobody should ever fear approaching Mary because Mary is pure MERCY! She is the quickest bridge to the merciful Heart of Jesus. In our battles to conquer our pride and resentments, Our Lady is a most efficacious means and intercessor!

4) MISSION.  Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary motivates our hearts, filling them with the fire of the Holy Spirit to bring Christ to others and bring others to Christ—both! For that reason, one of the greatest Missionaries in the history of the Church, Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta, pointed out with accurate precision: “Mary was the first Missionary of Charity.” Why? Because in the Mystery of the Visitation Mary went in haste to bring Jesus to Saint Elizabeth and Saint John the Baptist in her womb. Therefore, let us humbly implore Mary the Missionary that through her most powerful prayers she would ignite in our hearts a fiery and passionate desire to set all on fire in the world with the love for Christ!

In conclusion, friends in Jesus and Mary, let us strive to live out the spiritual alliteration of the 5 M’S: 1) MEDITATION, 2) MASS, 3) MERCY, 4) MISSION, and 5) MARY! If carried out with energy of will, intelligence, and perseverance, we will have entered on the super-highway to Heaven. Let us push the pedal to the medal and reach our eternal goal!