Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter

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

MONDAY, May 9th   Jn 10: 1-10   Alleluia Verse: “I am the Good Shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me.”  

Jesus is still the Good Shepherd protecting us from the wolves—our own weak flesh, the world, and the devil! How is Jesus present to us? First, in the Confessional where our sins are forgiven by the priest, Alter Christus, preparing us to receive Jesus worthily in the Sacrament of Love. Second, in the most powerful way possible, His Real Presence in the Eucharist. We actually consume the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus in every Holy Communion and become one with Him, one with God Himself!

The Two-Part, Two-Day Scripture Passages and Meditations provided by Fr. Ed help us delve deep into the Old and New Testaments to see how God prepared for all eternity the Gift of all Gifts, Himself in the Most Holy Eucharist!

PART ONE OF A TWO-PART MEDITATION SPREAD OVER TWO DAYS…

PART ONE: Paragraphs 1 thru 7.  READ AND MEDITATE on the Bible verses cited and Fr. Ed’s commentary for each day.

15 BIBLICAL MEDITATIONS FOR EUCHARISTIC ADORATION by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

PART ONE: Old Testament Focus—Paragraphs 1 thru 7.

One of the many channels that can be utilized to augment our faith, devotion, and love for the most Holy Eucharist is by reading and meditating upon key Biblical passages, both in the Old Testament as well as in the New Testament. The Old Testament presents symbols or what Bible scholars term Types or Biblical Typology of references or allusions to the Eucharist that become a reality in the New Testament.

In other words, what is present in hidden, mysterious, and symbolic form in the Old Testament breaks out in transparent Truth in the New Testament.

This being said, we will start with Old Testament Biblical types of the Mass, Eucharist, and priesthood which will lead us to the reality in the New Testament where the Eucharist—meaning Thanksgiving—was instituted by Jesus Himself at the Last Supper. Now let us dive deep into the infinite treasures, the infinite ocean of God present in His living and penetrating Word that we call the Bible, and read and meditate on Old Testament types.

1. Read Genesis Chapter 3

In this chapter we encounter Adam and Eve, our first parents, who were commanded not to eat from the tree of the forbidden fruit. They disobeyed by eating this fruit, first Eve, and then Adam. This we call Original Sin. Death entered the world through the sin of disobedience in eating the forbidden fruit.

2. Read John 6:54 From the Bread of Life Discourse

Death came from eating and disobedience. To the contrary, eternal life will come about by eating and obedience. The eating this time must be from the fruit of the tree of Calvary, which is the Body and Blood of Jesus. The Son of God Himself asserted: “I am the Bread of life; whoever eats my Body and drinks my Blood will have eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day.” In a clear and unequivocal fashion Jesus states that our salvation, our eternal life depends upon eating Himself.

3. Read Genesis 14:18–20 / Hebrews 4:14–15

This mysterious figure of the past, Melchizedek, symbolizes Jesus the High Priest. Without the person of the priest, the Eucharist or Bread of Life cannot become a reality. The priesthood is essential for the whole reality of the Mass, Consecration, Eucharist, and Holy Communion.

4. Read Exodus Chapter 16: Manna in the Desert

The Israelites were famished by the long journey through the desert. God, through the instrumentality and leadership of Moses, rained down bread from heaven called manna—meaning, What is this?

Without eating, we are all destined to die on a human and natural plane. Likewise, if we do not nourish our souls with the Bread of Life we are destined to die and perish for all eternity. The Manna in the desert is a symbol or type of the Holy Eucharist.

Actually, Jesus in the Bread of Life discourse, makes reference to Moses and the manna in the desert: “Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die.” (Jn 6:49-50)

5. Read Exodus Chapter 14: Crossing the Red Sea

The clear symbolism in this passage is that the Jews passed from slavery to freedom, led by Moses their leader. They were freed from the oppression and slavery of the Egyptians. Their passage was through the Red Sea.

In a parallel sense, sin is slavery in our lives. By shedding His red blood on the cross on Calvary that Good Friday, Jesus attained for us the true freedom of the sons and daughters of God. By receiving His Body and Blood, we are strengthened, purified, and made strong so as to cross from this life to eternal life in heaven.

6. Read 1 Kings 19:1-9 Elijah the Priest

Fleeing for his life from the wicked Queen Jezebel and King Ahab, after one day’s journey Elijah collapsed in a state of profound desolation. This was translated into falling into a deep slumber. God sent an angel to Elijah to awaken the man of God. The angel presented bread for Elijah to eat, once and then a second time. After eating, Elijah walked forty days and forty nights from the strength that came from the bread.

This bread communicated to Elijah a super energy to help him walk all the way to the holy mountain where he encountered God in the gentle breeze. Our journey towards the eternal mountain that we call Heaven is a long, perilous, tiring, and dangerous one. We need energy and strength to persevere on the journey. That all-powerful energy comes from Jesus, who is truly the Bread of Life and nourishment for the journey to our heavenly homeland.

Editor’s Note: Feel free to read the rest of the Chapter 1 Kings 19. It is fascinating.

7. Psalm 23: The Good Shepherd                                                

Possibly to the surprise of many, there are indeed symbolic Eucharistic overtones definitely present in this Psalm. Yes! In what way? “You anoint my head with oil… my cup overflows… I believe I will dwell in the House of the Lord for years without end.”

These three separate phrases certainly have Eucharistic overtones and represent symbols or types. Anointing refers to the priesthood necessary to celebrate Mass; the cup refers to the Blood of Christ; House of the Lord refers to heaven—meaning, that if we nourish ourselves on the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation we will arrive at our eternal and permanent home: Heaven.

Tomorrow we will move from the Old Testament to the New Testament and delve into the many inspiring sources that we are all called to read and meditate upon so that we will grow in our faith, love, and devotion for Jesus who is truly present in the Bread of Life!

Fourth Sunday of Easter

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

SUNDAY, May 8th   Jn 10: 27-30   Alleluia Verse: “I am the Good Shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me.”  

We honor Mary in the month of May! Today is Part Two of a Two Part Meditation honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary—the Mother of Jesus and our own dear Mother in God’s Plan of Salvation.  Mary always leads us to Jesus, the Good Shepherd of our soul!

MARIAN DEVOTION—LIVING IT TO THE FULL! By Fr. Ed Broom, OMV (Part Two —11 thru 20)

ELEVENTH, RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION ON MARY’S FEAST DAYS.  One of the actions that causes Our Lady to rejoice exultantly is when we receive her Son Jesus in Holy Communion, but especially on Marian feast days. Mary always desires our union with Jesus. By far the most intimate union that exists in the whole created world is the union of our body, mind, heart and soul with the Eucharistic Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus in the moment of our reception of Holy Communion! One more step to upgrade your reception of Holy Communion: beg Our Lady to give you her Immaculate Heart so as to receive the Sacred Heart of Jesus with burning love in Holy Communion! Indeed Our Lady’s YES in the Annunciation was in a certain sense her first Holy Communion, because she received Jesus into the very depths of her body, mind, heart and soul. Then, after receiving Holy Communion, follow the advice of Saint Louis de Montfort and render thanks to Jesus through the “Magnificat” of Our Lady: “My soul does magnify the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior…” (Lk. 1:46-55)

TWELFTH, ENTRUST YOUR LIFE AND DEATH TO OUR LADY.  By far the most important moment for us on earth is the moment we die and how we die. This moment will determine for all eternity our eternal destiny—either salvation or damnation, either heaven or hell! If we stay close to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, thinking of her constantly and loving her fervently, then she will indeed help us in this most critical moment to breathe forth our soul in the state of grace. The other day, I actually prepared myself for death 200 times in one day! You might ask how??? Very simple: I prayed four Rosaries in one day in which I prayed 200 times to Our Lady for the grace of a holy death with these words: “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.” Indeed, if we are in the habit of praying the Rosary every day (better yet, more than one Rosary) then Our Lady will be present in our dying moments to help us breathe forth our soul in repentance, trust and love into the hands of our loving Father and heavenly Mother. There is nothing more important in life than this: to die in the state of sanctifying grace! May Our Lady, the FULL OF GRACE, obtain for us the grace of all graces—to die in the state of grace! Amen.

THIRTEENTH, CONSECRATE YOUR TOTAL BEING TO MARY.  Consecrate your whole being to Mary and renew this consecration every year. There are various forms of consecration: Saint Louis de Montfort’s “True Devotion to Mary”; Kolbe’s Consecration to the Immaculate; Father Michael Gaitley’s “33 Days to Morning Glory”. Once this consecration takes place, in which you no longer belong to yourself but are the property of Our Lady, the fruits are incredible. However, one fruit is worthy of note and a source of great consolation and it is this: trust in Our Lady’s constant presence and intercession brings interior peace of heart, mind, and soul with freedom from anxiety and worries. Why? We belong to Our Lady, the best of Mothers, and she will watch over us, guide us, and protect us, as well as our loved ones, all the days of our lives! Saint Vincent Palette spurs us on with these fiery words of love for Mary: “Those who have great devotion to Mary not only will be saved but also will, through her intercession, become great saints. Furthermore, their holiness will grow from day to day.”

FOURTEENTH, FALL INTO SIN—RUN TO MARY AND JESUS.  Due to Original Sin, which Our Lady—the Immaculate Conception—never had, we are sinners from conception until death. Moreover, we have a strong tendency toward sin and indeed we do fall into sin! We should never give in to discouragement, much less despair. On the contrary, our love, trust and confidence in God’s mercy should abound all the more. When we fall into sin, let us run to Mary, and then run to Jesus who is present in a special way in the Sacrament of Confession. Mothers have all experienced a time when their little toddler fell down, possibly into the mud, getting bruised and sullied. The Mother rushed to pick up their crying child, wiping off the mud and kissing the bruises. It is exactly the same when we fall down into the grimy mud of our sins: Our Lady, good Mother that she is, rushes to help us get out of the mud and return to Jesus through a good confession. “In his eagerness to show you mercy, God has given His Son as your Advocate. And then to make your confidence even stronger, He has given you another Advocate, who obtains through her prayers whatever she asks. Go to Mary, and you will see salvation.” (Saint Alphonsus Liguori)

FIFTEENTH, NAME YOUR CHILD AFTER MARY.  One of the most important duties of parents is to give their children a noble Christian name. Mothers and Fathers will never fail by naming their girls after Mary. In concrete, this means that the child named after Mary has a special protection from the one who has the most holy and powerful name, after the holy name of Jesus! All the devils take flight at the simple name of Mary! In the Divine Comedy, Dante depicts a devil ready to drag a soul into hell where the place of torture is already prepared for this specific soul. However, Jesus intervenes, thwarting and frustrating the plans of the devil, for the simple reason that once this soul invoked the HOLY NAME OF MARY! Names for Mary are many: Mary, Maria, Lourdes, Fatima, Guadalupe, Mary-Anne, Mary Therese, Conception, Maria Rosa, Rosario, etc. As a priest, what a beautiful moment I experience when I baptize a little child with the name MARY! Get in the habit, also, of praying the DIVINE PRAISES, in which we pray: “Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most Holy. Blessed be her Holy and Immaculate Conception. Blessed be her Glorious Assumption. Blessed be the NAME OF MARY, Virgin and Mother.”  By the way, the Liturgical Feast Day of the Holy Name of Mary is September 12th every year, four days after the Feast Day of her Birth on September 8th.

SIXTEENTH, BECOME A MARIAN APOSTLE.  It is inevitable that if you really love someone, you want to make that person known and loved. This most clearly applies to our love for both Jesus and Mary. Proclaim them from the rooftops! A suggestion, following in the footsteps of the saints, in particular, St. Maximilian Kolbe! One of the specific manners in which Kolbe would spread devotion to Our Lady, whom he most ardently called THE IMMACULATE, was to give out freely and abundantly medals of the Immaculate Conception, commonly known as the Miraculous Medal. Actually, Kolbe called the medals his “Spiritual Bullets”—spiritual ammunition to kill the enemy, the devil and his army. Be practical now! Purchase a bundle of medals—maybe 500!!!— study the image and its most beautiful symbolism and then give the medals freely and abundantly whenever God opens up a door, and there may be many doors if we have our spiritual eyes open! One of the most famous conversions was that of the Jew, Alphonse Ratisbonne, who to placate his Catholic friend, wore the Miraculous Medal. After which, Our Lady appeared to him in a church in Rome and he was eventually converted; then his brother was converted also. Alphonse went on to become a priest and founded an order for Jewish converts to the faith—all as a result of the presence of Mary, mediated through the Miraculous Medal! Let us lift our eyes and heart to Mary, inspired by the words of the Mellifluous Doctor of the Church, Saint Bernard, who wrote one of the most beautiful Marian poems, “Stella Maris”—Our Lady, Star of the Sea. “In danger, anguish or doubt, think of Mary and call upon Mary. Following her you will never lose your way. Praying to her you will never sink into despair. Contemplating her, you will never go wrong.”

SEVENTEENTH, SHORT PRAYERS TO MARY! Get in the habit of offering short but fervent prayers to Mary. The saints call these aspirations: “Fiery darts that pierce the heavens.” There are many, but we will offer a few: “Mary, pray for me.”  “Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.”  “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”  “Hail, holy Queen!”  “Mary, come to my aid, make haste to help me!” Short prayers said often as a fiery dart of love and plea for help can enkindle our love for Mary into a burning flame! Saint Bonaventure encourages us with this short but powerful ornament to Mary: “Blessed are those who abandon themselves into our Lady’s hands. Their names are written in the Book of life.”

EIGHTEENTH, PROMOTE MARIAN-EUCHARISTIC PROCESSIONS.  A very curious fact about Lourdes, France! It is well-known that many miracles have occurred in Lourdes where Our Lady appeared to Saint Bernadette Soubirous 18 times in 1858. During these apparitions, Our Lady asked the little girl to dig in the ground and as a consequence the miraculous waters of Lourdes began to flow, and they flow to this very day. With great trust in Our Lady’s intercession, many have been healed. However, of paramount importance is the following: most miracles have occurred at dusk when the priest walks in the courtyard outside the Basilica in procession with the Blessed Sacrament! There in the presence of the Eucharistic Lord Jesus, the Son of Mary, many have been healed. It stands to reason: Jesus is the DIVINE PHYSICIAN. One of the titles for Our Lady is HEALTH OF THE SICK! Therefore, let us promote and attend processions in honor of Our Lady and her Eucharistic Son, and healings will come about in the body, but even more important, in the souls of sinners!!! Let us listen to the words of Saint Pope Leo the Great about the power of Mary over the devil: “The devil is always looking for someone to devour. In the same way, Mary is always looking for someone she can help in any way.”

NINETEENTH, MAY AND OCTOBER—MONTHS OF MARY.  In her infinite wisdom, the Church has set apart two special months to honor Mary: May is the month of Mary and October is the month of the most holy Rosary. In the month of May, let us strive to offer some concrete action every day to show Mary our great love for her: prayers, sacrifices, acts of charity, readings, etc. In October, let us pray the Rosary every day, or more than one, with great fervor. Let us unite our families to pray the Rosary and sing to Our Lady hymns of great joy. Let us bring our children to the feet and Heart of Mary. “Mary is more prompt than all the saints in coming to our aid. She has a great desire to comfort us. The moment she is invoked, she welcomes our prayers and grants us her assistance.” (Saint Alphonsus Liguori)

TWENTIETH, THE ROSARY, THE ROSARY, AND THE ROSARY.  The prayer that Our Lady loves most is the most Holy Rosary. Let us get in the habit of praying it often and with much attention and love, and our Lady will shower us with countless blessings! Every Hail Mary prayed well is a kiss that we send up to heaven. Our Lady of Fatima appeared six times to the children—Jacinta, Francisco, and Lucia—and at every appearance she insisted that the Rosary be prayed. Actually the official name of our Lady of Fatima is OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY. Saint Pope John Paul II in his document “The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Rosary” warmly exhorted the whole world to pray the Rosary and for two specific intentions: for the family and for world peace. The Rosary priest, Father Patrick Peyton, encourages us with these words: “The family that prays together stays together.” And, “A world at prayer is a world at peace.”

Saturday of the Third Week of Easter

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

SATURDAY, May 7th   Jn 6: 60-69   Jesus said: “It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life.”

We honor Mary in the month of May! Today is Part One of a Two Part Meditation honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary—the Mother of Jesus and our own dear Mother in God’s Plan of Salvation: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.” (Lk 1:35)

MARIAN DEVOTION—LIVING IT TO THE FULL! By Fr. Ed Broom, OMV (Part One —1 thru 10)

In his spiritual masterpiece, True Devotion to Mary, Saint Louis de Montfort expresses the exalted, sublime, and glorious role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the plan of Redemption and in the presence of God Himself. Meditate deeply upon these words as we enter into a topic of the greatest importance for our salvation, as well as the salvation of the entire world:

“Mary is the supreme masterpiece of Almighty God and He has reserved the knowledge and possession of her to Himself. She is the glorious Mother of God the Son who chose to humble and conceal her during her lifetime in order to foster humility. He called her “Woman” as if she were a stranger, although in His heart He esteemed and loved her above all men and angels. Mary is the sealed fountain and the faithful spouse of the Holy Spirit. She is the sanctuary and resting place of the Blessed Trinity, where God dwells in greater and more divine splendor than anywhere else in the universe, not excluding His dwelling above the cherubim and the seraphim. No creature may enter there without being specially privileged.” (True Devotion to Mary, Saint Louis de Montfort, #5)

In this essay we would like to offer various practical suggestions on how we can cultivate and live out true devotion to Mary and as a consequence, learn to love more fully and completely the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Indeed, Our Lady is the shortcut to the very heart of God Himself.

FIRST, CONSECRATION TO MARY.  At the very start of every day, upon hearing the alarm clock in the morning, let your first thoughts and words be those of your consecration to Jesus through Mary. The Cure of Ars, Saint John Marie Vianney, points out that in the spiritual life if we start the day well, there is a good chance that we will end it well. Start off the day offering yourself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Great start on the highway to heaven! Saint John Damascene, a Father of the Eastern Church states: “To serve Mary and to be her courtier is the greatest honor we can possibly possess. For to serve the Queen of Heaven is already to reign on high, and to live under her command is a greater thing than to reign.”

SECOND, BROWN SCAPULAR OF CARMEL.  The exterior sign of our consecration to Mary is our faithful wearing of the brown scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It is worn over our shoulders and actually rests very close to our heart—symbolic of being in the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Church endows the faithful with special blessings and indulgences simply upon wearing the Scapular. Of course kissing the Scapular most clearly manifests our great love for Mary, our Mother, and her maternal and constant love for us at all times and in all places. Saint Claude de la Colombiere, the renowned Jesuit and spiritual director of Saint Margaret Mary, gives a point which is enlightening. He said, “Because all the forms of our love for the Blessed Virgin and all its various modes of expression cannot be equally pleasing to her, and therefore do not assist us in the same degree to reach Heaven, I say, without a moment’s hesitation, that the Brown Scapular is the Most Favored of all!” (Excerpt from Garment of Grace, pages 4-5) We strongly encourage you to purchase and read the small pamphlet Garment of Grace so as to understand better the origin and purpose of the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, as well as see the countless miracles that have been attributed to its faithful use!

THIRD, PRAY THE ANGELUS!  One of the most pleasing prayers that causes Our Lady to rejoice is that of The Angelus. Past Popes have traditionally prayed The Angelus on Sundays at noon. This beautiful prayer that begins with three short biblical passages and three Hail Marys is a short summary of the two pillars of our Catholic-Christian faith—the Incarnation and the Passion, death and Resurrection of Jesus, as well as the role of Mary in the work of our Redemption. If possible, you might get in the habit of praying The Angelus three times a day: 9 in the morning, 12 noon, and 6 p.m. It takes less than 5 minutes! This could prove to be an excellent way to sanctify the morning hours, afternoon hours, and evening hours with the sweet fragrance of the presence of the Mystical Rose—the Blessed Virgin Mary. Pray humbly over the words of the great Franciscan Doctor of the Church, Saint Bonaventure and his great love for Mary: “Entrust your cause to her who is the Mother of mercy, and zealously offer her day by day most special marks of reverence.  Endeavor to maintain within both body and soul the spotlessness of her purity, and walk in her footsteps humbly and gently like her.”

FOURTH, TALK OFTEN TO MARY YOUR MOTHER.  Friends are constantly thinking about each other, calling each other, texting each other, sending e-mails; friends always find blocks of time to go out and enjoy each other’s presence. Moreover, if we truly love another person, our greatest desire is to share our life and all we have and all we are with that person. The first and greatest of all the commandments is to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. After our love for God should come our great love for Mary, the Mother of God, the Mother of the Church, and our own dear Mother in the order of grace. In Spanish and Italian there is a well-known song to Mary: Santa Maria del Camino. Its meaning? On the highway of life, in our traveling towards our eternal homeland which is heaven, we earnestly desire Mary to be with us in all moments. Indeed this was one of the favorite Marian titles that Saint Ignatius treasured—in Italian: “La Madonna de la Strada”—Our Lady of the Way. May Our Lady accompany us in the midst of so many perils of body, mind and soul to our heavenly homeland! The Founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary expressed this succinctly in Latin: Maria cogito, Maria invoca—Think of Mary, Invoke Mary.”

FIFTH, IMITATE MARY.  Saint Ignatius of Loyola, in the context of the Spiritual Exercises, directs us to the very center, core or heart of the Spiritual Exercises: THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST. Upon undertaking the all-important task of contemplating the life of Christ, Ignatius insists on begging for this specific grace: Intimate knowledge of Jesus that we love Him more ardently and follow Him more closely. There was never anyone in the world who came to know, love and follow Jesus better than Mary. So much so, that the Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium, Chapter 8 highlights that Our Lady was the first disciple of Jesus! Furthermore, no one lived a more virtuous life, aside from Jesus Himself, than Mary most holy. In the classic True Devotion to Mary, Saint Louis de Montfort lists the sublime virtues of Mary that we should be encouraged to imitate and emulate in our daily struggle for perfection. “True devotion to Our Lady is holy, that is, it leads us to avoid sin and to imitate the virtues of Mary. Her ten principal virtues are: deep humility, lively faith, blind obedience, unceasing prayer, constant self-denial, surpassing purity, ardent love, heroic patience, angelic kindness, and heavenly wisdom.” (True Devotion to Mary, by Saint Louis de Montfort, #108) We imitate those with whom we associate; if we are constantly walking with Jesus and Mary, we are on a sure path to holiness of life!

SIXTH, LEARN MORE ABOUT MARY.  There is a maxim worthy of belief: “You cannot love someone you do not know.” This is common sense! Therefore, the more we get to know Our Lady, the more we will love her, follow her, imitate her, and even bring others to her. Books, articles, magazines, pamphlets, documents, periodicals written on Our Lady are limitless! For the sake of brevity, we should like to suggest one literary classic, most likely the most well-known and published work ever on Our Lady: The Glories of Mary written by one of the greatest saints and lovers of Mary in the history of the world, Doctor of the Church and Founder of the Redemptorist Order, Saint Alphonsus Maria Liguori. This spiritual gem is a sublime but simple commentary on the Marian prayer we say at the end of the most Holy Rosary—the Hail Holy Queen! Saint Alphonsus insists that we should never fear to approach Our Lady for she is pure Mercy, as we pray:  “Hail Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope.” Having talked to people who have read prayerfully this beautiful Marian masterpiece, the common reaction is an overflowing heart of love and devotion for Mary. Saint Alphonsus was enamored with love for Mary and it overflows to those who prayerfully read this masterpiece! Order it and start reading; you will never regret it!

SEVENTH, TEMPTATIONS? TURN TO MARY.  Our life on earth is a constant battle until we die. We all must encounter, confront and battle against three major enemies: the devil, the flesh, and the world. The devil has a mortal hatred for Mary. The Book of Genesis prophesied the devil’s crushing defeat through the woman, the second Eve, who is Mary: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers. He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel.” (Gen 3:15) When the devil is on the prowl tempting us, trying to seduce us, trying to allure us into his net or trap, then we must invoke the holy name of Mary. Indeed, very potent in the battle against Satan and his minions is praying the Hail Mary in time of temptation with great fervor, devotion, and trust. Another potent Marian prayer: “Never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided…” from the Memorare. One of the greatest preachers in the history of the Church, and a Doctor of the Church, is Saint Anthony. Let his words inspire you to turn to Mary in your temptations and struggles: “Seek refuge in Mary because she is the city of refuge. We know that Moses set up three cities of refuge for anyone who inadvertently killed his neighbor. Now the Lord has established a refuge of mercy, Mary, even for those who deliberately commit evil. Mary provides refuge and strength for the sinner.”

EIGHTH, PROBLEMS? RUN TO MARY!  Little children are not afraid to run to their Mother when they have any sort of problem. Likewise, we should never fear running to Mary, our Heavenly Mother, when problems knock at our door. Crosses, contradictions, sufferings, and problems are part and parcel of the life of all, but especially those who decide firmly to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and Mary. A superb example for us is the person of Saint Juan Diego. This poor, simple, humble, and childlike man was afflicted with a very serious problem—the seeming imminent death of his elderly uncle, Juan Bernardino. Early in the morning, while rushing to the city of Mexico to find a priest to give his uncle the Last Rites, Juan Diego encountered of Lady of Guadalupe. With the most consoling and encouraging words, she resolved his problem and restored health to his apparently dying uncle: “Do not be afraid. I have you in the crossing of my arms, in my shadow, in the folds of my mantle…” Interpretation: Mary wants Juan Diego (as well as you and me) to find refuge in her heart, her shadow, and her very womb—so that she can form us into Other Christs!!! Therefore, when we are loaded down with problems and crosses—run and seek refuge in the arms and Immaculate Heart of Mary! She is a loving Mother who will never neglect or forsake you!

NINTH, IMAGES OF MARY.  When we love somebody who might not be physically present, we carry a photo of that person in our wallet, or have their picture in our home, or keep photos of them on our cell-phone. Therefore, we can look at them at will and this brings the person we love present to us—if not actually in person, at least artistically or by means of photos. Thanks be to God, in the past 2000 years there have been many artistic masterpieces done of the “Masterpiece of Creation”—Mary most holy. All of us in our home, wallet, car, and especially in our heart should have an image or images of Our Lady. Paintings and pictures are countless. Beyond doubt, the most depicted person after Jesus is Mary! Choose one or more that inspire you most: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Fatima, Lourdes, Perpetual Help, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, Our Lady Help of Christians, the Holy Family—just to mention a few. Highly recommended is enthroning the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary in your home. This practice produces abundant blessings upon the family, as well as those who come to visit the family. The saying is so true: “A picture is worth more than a thousand words.” An attractive picture, painting or statue of Mary is worth more than a billion words! May the great lover of the Immaculate inspire us by his words, Saint Maximilian Kolbe: “When we dedicate ourselves to Mary, we become an instrument in her hands. Let us then be guided by her, for she will provide for the needs of body and soul and overcome all difficulties and anxieties.”

TENTH, DEFEND MARY.  Imagine a mean person with bad will was attacking the good name of your Mother—what an affront, offense, and insult! Beyond a shadow of a doubt, you would try to defend the good name of the person who helped bring you into existence. Mary is our spiritual Mother and we should love her holy name and her heavenly privileges immensely. Therefore, we should strive to defend her to the max! Our Lady of Fatima revealed that her Immaculate Heart was deeply wounded by those who attack her privileges: 1) Her Immaculate Conception, Divine Maternity, and Perpetual Virginity, as well as her holy images, and the scandalizing of innocent children whom Our Lady loves so much! It is incumbent upon all lovers of Mary to defend her by our words, example, and lifestyle. Indeed, sometimes we can sin by our silence! The well-known political statesman, Edmund Burke, asserted: “So that evil triumph, it is sufficient that good men do nothing.” This is called the sin of omission! Let us allow the words of the great Saint Alphonsus spur us on to love and defend Mary: “Many will not let devotion to the Blessed Virgin take root in their hearts. But blessed is the person who accepts this grace and keeps it. Such a devotion is in all who are the Lord’s heritage—in all who will praise Him eternally in heaven.”

Editor’s Note: To be continued tomorrow, Part Two —11 thru 20.

Copyright 2022 Oblates of the Virgin Mary / St. Peter Chanel Church, Hawaiian Gardens, CA

Friday of the Third Week of Easter

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

FRIDAY, May 6th   Jn 6: 52-59   Jesus said: “Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him.”

CCC 1324. The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” “The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.”

CCC 1419.  Having passed from this world to the Father, Christ gives us in the Eucharist the pledge of glory with him. Participation in the Holy Sacrifice identifies us with his Heart, sustains our strength along the pilgrimage of this life, makes us long for eternal life, and unites us even now to the Church in heaven, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the saints.

OUR SPIRITUAL ­GOLDMINE: JESUS IN OUR HEARTS! By Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

Prime time of the greatest importance in our life, without doubt, is when we have the Eucharistic Presence of Jesus in our hearts. The Real Presence could not be a better descriptive term! Upon receiving the Eucharist, Holy Communion, we truly have the Real Presence of Jesus in the depths of our heart, mind, body, and soul. Really and truly the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus, the Eternal Son of God the Father, permeates, imbues, and penetrates our whole being with His Real Presence.

Entering into the 36^th year of my Priesthood, I am keenly aware of the sad fact that many people, after receiving Holy Communion—Jesus into their souls all too often do not know what to do? Fumbling with their hands, picking at their fingernails, looking into their phone, staring at me, contemplating their watch, is often the attitude of many right after receiving Jesus in His Real Presence in Holy Communion.

This flippant, distracted, bored bodily posture betrays the clear fact that many, all too many, practicing Catholics have lost belief and faith in the Real Presence of the Eucharistic Lord. Due to a diluted, overly sentimental catechesis, perhaps many never learned what the Eucharist truly is! How else can we describe this other than a full-blown Catholic identity crisis! As Catholics, if we do not know or believe in the Eucharist as the true Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus, then Catholics we are not!

The essential thrust and purpose of this brief essay is to help us to believe firmly in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Mass, in the Eucharist, in Holy Communion. Then consequently to strive with all the fiber of our being to receive Jesus with more faith, devotion, and love. By far, there is no greater action underneath the sun that we can do than to receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. However, we must receive Him with increasing faith and confidence, as well as purity of heart, devotion, hunger, and love. One Holy Communion well-received can transform us into great saints. 

DISPOSITIVE GRACE. The lack of fruits in the reception of Holy Communion is not due to the Sacrament we receive, rather it is due to a lack of proper disposition in receiving the Lord of Lord’s and King of King’s! The better the disposition of our heart, the more abounding and copious the graces that follow!

The following points consist of what we can do and how we should act upon receiving the most Holy Eucharist, the Real Presence—the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Eucharistic Lord. Every Holy Communion we receive should be received as if it were our first, our last, and even our only Holy Communion!

1. PRAISE THE LORD!  

The Eucharistic Jesus is truly God. Therefore, the highest form of prayer that we can offer Him is that of praise. Unite your whole being with the angels and saints in Heaven and praise the Lord with all of your heart. As a primer, you might even recite the Divine Praises: “Blessed be God; blessed be His Holy Name; blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man; blessed be the Name of Jesus; blessed be His most Sacred Heart; blessed be His most Precious Blood; Blessed be Jesus in the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.” Beg the angels and saints to help you pray this prayer of Eucharistic praise with love and fervor!

2. THANK THE LORD. 

Eucharist actually means Thanksgiving. What do we have that we have not received from our Divine Benefactor, God Himself? All the good we have in our total person is a generous and bountiful manifestation of God’s love for us. The only thing that God did not give us is our sins; we chose them! May the prayer of the Psalmist resound in the depths of our heart after Holy Communion: “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever.” (Ps 136:1)

3. BEG PARDON OF THE LORD. 

How true Sacred Scripture: “The just man falls seven times a day.” (Prov 24:16) Due to our many sins, we have fallen short of the glory of God in many times, places, and circumstances. As with David, who committed adultery and the murder of the innocent man, then suffered heartfelt compunction, let us beg for mercy for ourselves and for the whole world praying part of Psalm 51: “Lord, have mercy on me, have mercy on me. My sin is always before my eyes… A humble and contrite heart you will not spurn… send forth your spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth.”

4. BECOME BARTIMEUS THE BEGGAR.  

The great Saint Augustine asserted: “We are all beggars before the Lord.” Let us imitate Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, and implore the Lord to help us in our desperate need. Holy Communion is truly Jesus the Light of the world; let us beg Jesus to take the scales from our eyes so that we can contemplate His Face with ever greater clarity.

5. BEG FOR OTHERS THE GRACES THEY NEED. 

Our reception of Holy Communion should be Catholic—meaning universal! Saint Paul states: “The love of God compels us.” (2 Cor 5:14) This love should be universal and all-embracing such that we both beg and pray for the many graces that so many people stand in desperate need of! Now that the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus beats in our heart, let us heed the words of Jesus Himself: “Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened.” (Mt 7:7)

6. INTERCEDE FOR DEATH-BED SINNERS. 

A category of persons who are often in desperate need of prayers are those individuals who are in their last moments, their last and ultimate agony. By far, the most important moment in our life is the moment of our death; that will determine our eternal destiny—either Heaven or Hell forever and ever and ever! In our thanksgiving after receiving the Eucharistic Lord Jesus, who said from the cross: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing”, (Lk 23:34) beg for the conversion and salvation of deathbed sinners. Who knows how many souls will be saved by our fervent Eucharistic prayers after receiving our Eucharistic Merciful Savior?

7. REST ON THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS. 

Jesus said: “Come to me all of you who find life burdensome and you will find rest for your souls; for my yoke is easy and my burden, light.” (Mt 11:28-30) After receiving Holy Communion, we can imitate Saint John the Beloved by simply resting lovingly and peacefully on Jesus’ Sacred Heart—the best Resting Place!

8. CAST YOUR CARES UPON THE LORD. 

Saint Peter expresses very important human sentiments and situations that we all experience in the course of our lives every week, perhaps even every day—problems, worries, anxieties, and confusion. Saint Peter’s Letter expresses this state of soul and the remedy in this short but clear concept: “Cast your cares upon the Lord because He cares for you.” (1 Pt 5-7) As the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus beats in our heart, He will help alleviate our worries by removing them or at least helping us to carry our present crosses! Jesus is our Best Friend who will never fail us!

9. BEG FOR A HEART-TRANSPLANT!

Our heart, mind, and soul can be compared to a Garden. Amidst the roses, tulips, and daffodils flourish ugly and all too-prevalent weeds! If the weeds are given permission to grow, flourish, and spread, then in a matter of time they will suffocate the beautiful flowers! The Garden analogy applies to our virtues and sins. The flowers are our virtues; the weeds are our sins. If not uprooted, the vices will dominate in our lives and sin will reign! Upon reception of Holy Communion, we should beg the Lord Jesus to uproot and exterminate the weeds of sin in us, so that the flowers of virtues can flourish and blossom. May the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus transplant our heart and make us saints!

10. OUR LADY OF THE EUCHARIST AND THANKSGIVING.

Finally, let us beg the Immaculate Heart of Mary to help us speak to the Heart of Jesus to praise Him, love Him, and worship Him. Saint Louis de Montfort suggests praying Mary’s Canticle of Praise, the Magnificat, as our thanksgiving for the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus beating in the depths of our soul. May Mary’s words echo in our heart after we receive Jesus in Holy Communion: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior… (Lk 1:46-55)

In conclusion, the most important gesture in our life is receiving the Eucharistic Jesus in the depths of our heart and soul in Holy Communion. Then the minutes after Holy Communion become the most precious moments in our whole human existence—our union and conversation with Jesus truly present within us! Let us strive with all the fiber of our being to better prepare to receive the Eucharistic Jesus in Holy Communion, but also to improve our THANKSGIVING by loving Him and talking with Him sincerely from the depths of our mind and heart! Our sanctification—our growth in grace, our growth in virtue and overcoming vice, and our final perseverance—can truly depend on the manner in which we respond to the Lord Jesus after receiving Him in Holy Communion. May Our Lady of the Eucharist, with the angels and saints, come to our help!

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!