Fr. Ed Broom, OMV Oblates of the Virgin Mary

Catholic Ignatian Marian Spirituality

MASS READINGS AND MEDITATION | AUGUST 10, 2020

August 10, 2020

Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

Reading 1 2 COR 9:6-10

Brothers and sisters:
Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver.
Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you,
so that in all things, always having all you need,
you may have an abundance for every good work.
As it is written:
He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.
The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food
will supply and multiply your seed
and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

Responsorial Psalm PS 112:1-2, 5-6,7-8, 9

R. (5) Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.

Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.  R. 

Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice;
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.  R. 

An evil report he shall not fear;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear
till he looks down upon his foes.  R. 

Lavishly he gives to the poor, 
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.  R. 

Alleluia JN 8:12 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness
but will have the light of life, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel JN 12:24-26

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,
it remains just a grain of wheat;
but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
Whoever loves his life loses it,
and whoever hates his life in this world
will preserve it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me,
and where I am, there also will my servant be.
The Father will honor whoever serves me.”

Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

69 God has revealed himself to man by gradually communicating his own mystery in deeds and in words.


St. Lawrence Distributing the Treasures of the Church. Bernardo Strozzi. circa 1625.
North Carolina Museum of Art via Google Cultural Institute


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

MONDAY, AUGUST 10th  Jn. 12:24-26 “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, produces much fruit.”  

  • Christ was the first grain of wheat to fall to the ground and die so as to produce abundant fruit! We are the fruit of Christ’s Passion and death, shedding every drop of His precious Blood for our salvation.
  • That is why, according to Church teaching, Fridays are a day of voluntary, personal prayer and penance in remembrance of the price Jesus paid for our redemption.
  • One of the most powerful and efficacious means to show our gratitude in prayer and penance is to actually join Jesus on the cross, and Mary beneath the cross, in their redemptive suffering for the salvation of souls on the Via Dolorosa by praying the Stations of the Cross every Friday. You can do this in your own room.
  • Jesus commanded us: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mt. 5:48) Jesus knows we cannot do that without Him; by commanding us to do something we cannot do on our own, He is promising to help us. 
  • These particular Stations of the Cross assist us in on-gong conversion of heart, mind, body and soul, so as to be a pleasing and fragrant offering to the Lord, and bring great joy to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary!

+ STATIONS OF THE CROSS +  by Father Ed Broom, OMV

The Stations of the Cross is a book of the love of God for each and every one of us. In it we can find all the virtues that we need to practice and to arrive at perfection and to attain eternal life. Let us briefly go through the Stations prayerfully and allow the Spirit of God to move us to love and imitate Jesus.

WE ADORE YOU, O CHRIST, AND WE BLESS YOU, BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD.

I. JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH

  • Innocent people today are condemned to death, especially innocent babies in the wombs of their mothers.  Do you defend life?  Have you been absorbed by the “Culture of Death” mentality?
  • Do you judge and condemn people in your life?  Jesus says, “Judge not lest you yourself be judged.”
  • Is there some of Pontius Pilate in you?  He was a people-pleaser more than a God-pleaser.  Do you do things for the honor and glory of God or for your own honor and glory: vanity and pride?
  • Pilate was a coward.  Are you willing to speak up and live the truth, despite possible criticism?
  • Are you a relativist?  “What is the truth?”  Do you humbly abide by all the truths taught by the Catholic Church?
  • Have you ever been falsely accused?  How did you take it?
  • Have you ever falsely accused anyone else?

II. JESUS CARRIES HIS CROSS

  • What is/are your cross/crosses?
  • Do you recognize them as gifts from God?
  • How do you carry your cross?
  • Do you complain about the cross God has given you?
  • Are you aware that others have crosses, maybe heavier than yours?
  • Do you unite your cross to the cross of Jesus?
  • Do you see value in the cross?
  • Does suffering have value for you and in the eyes of God?
  • Do you understand the cross is related to the Glory to follow?
  • Do you run away from the cross?

 III.   JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME

  • When do you fall into sin?
  • Why do you fall into that sin?
  • Are you trying not to fall into that sin?
  • Do you know the root causes of your falls?

IV. JESUS MEETS HIS SORROWFUL MOTHER

  • Who is Mary for you?
  • Do you share your crosses with the Blessed Mother?
  • What do you think went on in the Heart of Mary in this encounter?
  • Do you have compassion for the suffering people of the world?
  • Have you ever felt helpless in certain circumstances of your life?
  • Do you turn to Mary in temptations, struggles and stress?

V. SIMON OF CYRENE HELPS JESUS CARRY THE CROSS

  • Do you help people carry their crosses?
  • Are you a Good Samaritan on the highway of life?
  • Are you a Simon of Cyrene?  Helping others?
  • Do you make your neighbors’ crosses even heavier?  How?
  • Who is the person God is asking you to help now?
  • Who has been the Simon/Simons who have entered your life?
  • Have you thanked God for these many good people God has sent to help you to be where you are now?  Are you grateful?
  • Do you resist or hold off doing the good God wants you to do?

VI. VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS

  • Do you care about other people?
  • Are you at times selfish?
  • Are you aware of the Face of Jesus present in your soul through grace?
  • Have you disfigured the Face of Jesus in your soul through sin?
  • Have you crowned Him with thorns in your soul?
  • Are you afraid to look in the Face of Jesus?  Why?  What have you done?  Peter looked into the eyes of Jesus and began his conversion.
  • Do you long to see the Face of God in heaven?  Really?  How much?
  • Do you encourage Infant Baptism so as to have the Face of Jesus in a baby’s heart as soon as possible?
  • Do you try to avoid sin so as to retain the Face of Jesus in your soul?

VII.   JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME  

  • When you fall, do you get up right away?
  • Do you get discouraged and depressed after your fall?
  • Do you really trust in the Mercy of God?
  • Do you believe in the Mercy of God?
  • Have you made other people fall into sin by your bad example?
  • Have you made amends to help them to get up?

VIII. THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM WEEP OVER JESUS    

  • Have you wept for your sins?
  • Have you wept for the sins of your children?
  • Have you wept for the sins of your relatives?
  • Have you wept for the sins of your nation?
  • Are your tears crocodile tears or real tears of sorrow and repentance?
  • What does the beatitude, “Blessed are those who weep, for they shall be consoled” mean to you?

IX. JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME

  • What can you do to avoid the near occasion of sin?
  • Do you sin when you are tired and frustrated?
  • How can you better cope with weariness?
  • Will God always forgive you?
  • Why do you refuse to get up right away after your fall?
  • Do you pray for sinners, that they will get up and turn to God for mercy?
  • Are you concerned for the salvation of the world?

X. JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS

  • Are you aware of the stripping of Jesus as related to the sins against purity?
  • Are you sorry for your sins against purity?
  • Have you repented of them?
  • Are you avoiding bad movies/shows?  Bad magazines?  Bad electronic media?
  • Are you associating with someone who might place you in danger of sins against purity?
  • Do you dress modestly at all times?
  • Do you speak and act with modesty and decency?
  • What about your speech?
  • Are you striving for greater purity of heart, mind, body, soul and intention?
  • What does the beatitude, “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.” mean to you?

XI. JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS

  • Try to imagine the nails going through the Hands of Jesus. Nails going through His Feet.
  • Are you aware that your sins and mine were the nails that pierced the Hands and Feet of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?
  • Are people nailing Jesus to the cross even today? How?
  • Are you responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus? How?
  • What do you think was the greatest pain in the crucifixion of Jesus?
  • Are there other Jesus’ being crucified even today in our world?  Who are these?

 XII. JESUS IS RAISED UPON THE CROSS AND DIES   

  • Jesus spoke seven times on the cross.  Which “word (phrase)” strikes you most?
  • Imagine the Blood of Jesus trickling down to the ground.  Do you realize that His Precious Blood was shed for you?
  • What do you think the sentiments of the Heart of Jesus were as He hung upon the cross?
  • Can you identify with one of the thieves?
  • What went on in the heart of the apostle John as he stood beneath the cross?
  • What about the Magdalene?
  • What was the attitude of the soldiers who threw dice for Jesus’ garments?
  • What about the crowd?
  • What do you think happened to the centurion under the cross when he thrust the sword into the side of Jesus?
  • Can you enter into the Sorrowful Heart of Mary in this moment?  How did she feel?
  • How would you like to die?  A martyr?  A cancer victim?  Suddenly?
  • Have you prayed for a happy death?
  • Would you be ready to meet your maker now?  Why?  Why not?
  • Why put off conversion when we know not when we are going to die?

XIII. JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS AND PLACED IN THE ARMS OF HIS BLESSED MOTHER  

  • They took the nails out of the Hands of Jesus.  Can you take those nails out, too?  How?  A good confession?
  • Do you treat the Body of Jesus with respect in Holy Communion?
  • How must Mary have felt holding her dead Son in her arms that first Good Friday?
  • Can you imagine the bruised, bloody, wounded Body of Jesus?
  • How do you receive Jesus into your heart?
  • Look at the wounds of Jesus.  Are you wounded?  Do you bring your wounds to Jesus to be healed by His wounds?  He is the Wounded Healer.
  • Do you take your neighbor down from the cross or keep him on the cross?
  • What does the saying from Isaiah mean to you, “By His wounds we are healed”?

XIV. JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB

  • Why did Jesus die?
  • Why was Jesus buried?
  • You will die and be buried.  What does that mean to you?
  • Are you really ready to die?
  • Mortal sin is death.  What does that mean?
  • What does the phrase, “Bury my sins, O Lord, with You in the tomb” mean?
  • What went on in the heart of Mary as they buried her Son and they rolled the stone to the tomb?
  • How do funerals, burials, cemeteries affect you?  Do they speak to you about spiritual realities?
  • Do you ever meditate on the 4 Last Things: DEATH, JUDGEMENT, HEAVEN AND HELL?  How often?  Add the idea of ETERNITY – forever and ever!
  • If death is so evident from the news, movies, and everyday life, why do people avoid thinking about death?  Do you avoid thinking about it?
  • Do you bury your sins in the Infinite Ocean of God’s Mercy?

CONCLUSION:  To meditate in depth on the Passion, suffering and death of Jesus is one of the most powerful means to understand the depth, width, height and enormity of the love God has for you and me. NO GREATER LOVE HAS A MAN THAN HE LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS. If Jesus loves me so much, what am I willing to do and suffer for Him? Love is measured by the willingness to suffer for the loved one.

As you enter the confessional to confess your sins, do so as if this confession will be your LAST!

As you prepare to receive Holy Communion, do so as if the Communion you are about to receive is your FIRST, your LAST, and your ONLY Communion!

End Stations of the Cross

“Apart from the cross there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven.”  (St. Rose of Lima)

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me and gave Himself for me.” (St. Paul: Gal. 2:20)

Copyright 2020 Oblates of the Virgin Mary
St. Peter Chanel Church, Hawaiian Gardens, CA

 


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MASS READINGS AND MEDITATION | AUGUST 9, 2020



August 9, 2020

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 1KGS 19:9, 11-13

At the mountain of God, Horeb,
Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter. 
Then the LORD said to him,
“Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD;
the LORD will be passing by.” 
A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains
and crushing rocks before the LORD—
but the LORD was not in the wind. 
After the wind there was an earthquake—
but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 
After the earthquake there was fire—
but the LORD was not in the fire. 
After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. 
When he heard this,
Elijah hid his face in his cloak
and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.

Responsorial Psalm PS 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14 

R. (8) Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD — for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.  R. 

Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.  R. 

The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and prepare the way of his steps.  R. 

Reading 2 ROM 9:1-5

Brothers and sisters:
I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie;
my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witness
that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart. 
For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ
for the sake of my own people,
my kindred according to the flesh. 
They are Israelites;
theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants,
the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises;
theirs the patriarchs, and from them,
according to the flesh, is the Christ,
who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.


Alleluia PS 130:5

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I wait for the Lord;
my soul waits for his word.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 14:22-33

After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat
and precede him to the other side,
while he dismissed the crowds. 
After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. 
When it was evening he was there alone. 
Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore,
was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. 
During the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them walking on the sea. 
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. 
“It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. 
At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” 
Peter said to him in reply,
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 
He said, “Come.” 
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. 
But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;
and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter,
and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 
After they got into the boat, the wind died down. 
Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,
“Truly, you are the Son of God.”

Catechism of the Catholic Church

IN BRIEF

68 By love, God has revealed himself and given himself to man. He has thus provided the definitive, superabundant answer to the questions that man asks himself about the meaning and purpose of his life.


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

SUNDAY, AUGUST 9TH  Mt. 14:22-36  “He went up on the mountain by himself to pray.”

 Part 1: Persevering in Prayer by St. Catherine of Siena

 Part 2: Holiness through a Robust Prayer Life by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

 Persevering in Prayer… St. Catherine of Siena (+1380)

But always we persevere, and must persevere, with the same desire for obedience with which we began on that first day. With that same holy fear we must exercise our spirit in continual humble prayer right up to the last day of our life, so that our spirit will never become lazy.

We should always be occupied with praying the Psalms or meditating or raising our mind to God, pondering within ourselves the blazing charity we discover and see in the blood of the Word, God’s Son. For He has made a bath of His blood to wash away our sins.

When we see and consider that God loves us so much, we cannot keep ourselves from loving. And when we love, our mind thinks about the object of our love. Now we cannot live without love. And since two opposing loves cannot exist together, we must of necessity be stripped of perverse love and clothed in God’s love. Because our heart cannot but be sensitive to the One we love, we use holy thoughts to drive out the evil thoughts the devil would like to put into our heart.

And the devil, finding that our heart is ablaze in the fire of divine charity, doesn’t come around much, any more than a fly comes around a boiling cauldron. But if the devil were to find our heart fearful and lukewarm, he would come in right away with all his ugly thoughts and imaginings.

So we must keep active so that we will be found not lukewarm or empty but filled with God in holy desire, remembering and meditating on the wonderful blessings we have received from Him! End of Reflection

Therefore, let us eagerly be led by Fr. Ed to a deeper, more robust prayer life and Heaven!

HOLINESS THROUGH A ROBUST PRAYER LIFE… Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

We are all called to become saints! Jesus said this very clearly in the Gospel, the Good News of the Kingdom, with these words: Be holy as your heavenly Father is holy. (Mt. 5:48) Also, in one of the Beatitudes the Lord exhorts us: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice (or holiness), for they will be satisfied. (MT 5:6) Saint Paul to the Thessalonians reiterates the same challenge: This is the will of your heavenly Father: your sanctification. (I Thess. 4:3) Bible verses constantly remind us of our call to holiness. If that were not sufficient, the lives of the saints and their words motivate us to be holy as our heavenly Father is holy. The following are a few examples:

1) Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta asserted: “Holiness is not the privilege of the few, but it is the duty of all.”

2) Saint Jose Escriva de Balaguer stated: “The greatest crisis in the modern world is the crisis of lack of saints.”

3) Cure of Ars. The devil stated that if there were four more saints like the Cure of Ars, St. John Marie Vianney, then his kingdom would be destroyed. Wow! The power of the saints!

One of the most important documents in the modern world, Lumen Gentium, Chapter V, is entitled: The Universal Call to Holiness. In other words, not a mere fraction are called to be holy, but all, absolutely all!!! None are excluded.

On one occasion, in a homily, I asked the people this simple question: How many of you want to go to heaven??? All raised their hands. Then I asked:  How many of you want to be saints??? Very few raised their hands. Then I intervened saying:  Who is in heaven? God the Blessed Trinity, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the angels, and the SAINTS!!! Therefore, if you want to get to heaven, you have to become a saint!!!

Let us give a path we can choose to undertake to arrive at becoming a saint, and that is by following the pathway of striving to attain a robust prayer life. We will offer ten concrete suggestions to arrive at this most noble of all enterprises—to become holy as our heavenly Father is holy!

1. CLEAN THE WINDOW OF YOUR SOUL. The sun cannot beam through a dirty window. Likewise, God’s grace and the Holy Spirit cannot penetrate a dirty or sullied heart; that heart must be purified by means of a good sacramental confession. Trust in God’s mercy and have recourse to the Sacrament of Confession. Try to prepare well and make the best confession of your life. This will clear the window pane of your soul to receive the divine invasion of God’s grace. Remember the words of Jesus in one of the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the pure of heart, they will see God.” (Mt. 5:8)

2. GIVE TIME! So that the Holy Spirit could descend powerfully on the Apostles, they had to pray at length; not just a few minutes! Rather, they made a novena—nine days in which the Apostles, united with the Blessed Virgin Mary, prayed fervently for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, as in striving for perfection in any activity, be it sports, music, academics, languages, writing, or painting, the time spent is essential; so it is with the art of all arts, the art of prayer! We must give quality time to learn to pray well!

3. PLACE! Also of great importance is that of finding some place to pray. In that place there must be silence! Remember that God spoke to the prophet Elijah when he arrived at the mountain, not in the fire, nor in the earthquake, nor in the storm and thunder; rather, God spoke to Elijah in the silence of the gentle breeze! Find a place of silence. Ven. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen encouraged the famous Hour of Power (that he kept faithfully for more than 50 years) be done in front of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. This is the ideal place! But it is not possible for all. Most likely, for many it must be done in some quiet corner of your home, which is called by the Church documents, The Domestic Church.

4. MATERIAL TO PRAY WITH! Saint Teresa of Avila, one of the few women Doctors of the Church, who is known as The Doctor of Prayer, stated that we should never go to our prayer period without having some book as a guide. Of greatest value and importance as a guide, stimulus, and motivation for prayer, should be the Bible, which is the Word of God. Another great source of immense richness is the Liturgy: the prayers present in Holy Mass, as well as the Liturgy of the Hours. Holy words spark holy thoughts and these spark holy desires—there we have the essence of prayer!!! From eyes, to head, to heart!!! Then Pope Francis says also your feet— bring your prayer fruits into the lives of others!!!

5. PRAYER METHOD. Spiritual writers in the mystical life of prayer frequently suggest that we utilize some form or type of prayer method. Methods are useful in all forms of learning: languages, sports, driving, and cooking. But it is even more important in learning the art of all arts, the art of prayer. Methods abound, but we would suggest a method that Pope Benedict XVI proposed in his document Verbum Domini—the Word of God! In this superb writing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, he recommends the prayer method known as LECTIO DIVINA. Following, we give a brief summary of this method to come to our aid:

a) LECTIO—Read the text very carefully with the help of the words of Samuel in the Temple: Speak, O Lord, for your servant is listening!!!

b) MEDITATIO—In imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, ponder, ruminate, think deeply on the Word of God, its meaning and purpose in your own life, and how it can help you grow in holiness.

c) CONTEMPLATIO—Imagination! Use your imagination and try to picture that you are truly present in the scene. Saint Ignatius calls this Composition of Place. Try to imagine the Face of Jesus gazing at you with love.

d) ORATIO—Moved by the Holy Spirit enter into conversation with the Lord Jesus, the Father, the Spirit and the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is the most important part of the method that actually leads to this intimate conversation and dialogue with God. Saint Teresa of Avila explains prayer as simply a dialogue of friendship between two friends who love each other! Talk to the Lord as long as you want. He is never in a hurry, but longs for you to talk to Him, to love Him, to establish a deep friendship with Him.

e) ACTIO—After you have finished your formal prayer period, then move to put into practice what you have done in your intimate time of prayer with the Lord. Take as your example the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Annunciation leading to the Visitation. In the Annunciation, we contemplate the Blessed Virgin Mary absorbed in prayer as our contemplative model. In the Visitation, we see Mary launching into action to serve her cousin, Saint Elizabeth, in her need. In sum, our prayer should move us to action, to put love in action. If you like, prayer should transform us into Contemplatives in Action!

 f) TRANSFORMATIO—Finally, the net result of fervent and efficacious prayer should be that of a life being transformed. In the words of the great Apostle Saint Paul: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me!” (Gal. 2:20)

6) THE HOLY SPIRIT.  On one occasion, while talking to a Jesuit priest in spiritual direction, Saint Teresa of Avila complained that her prayer life seemed to be stagnant. This Jesuit director suggested that Saint Teresa pray more to the Holy Spirit to aid her in her prayer struggle. She did this and almost immediately she noticed a marked transformation in her prayer life. Saint Paul in the Letter to the Romans (Chapter 8) states: We do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Holy Spirit intercedes with ineffable groans so that we can say “Abba, Father.” (Rom. 8:26) Therefore, as you start off your prayer period, never forget to invite the presence of the Interior Master of Prayer (cf Teresa of Avila) and that is the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, the Holy Spirit. Here is a short but efficacious prayer: Come Holy Spirit, come through the Heart of Mary!

7. SPIRITUAL DIRECTION. Athletes need coaches; musicians, teachers; new teachers, mentors. Likewise, with regard to the art of prayer, we all need some trained person to guide us, orient us, encourage us, some times to correct us; in sum, someone to direct us on the right path! That person in spiritual theology is called the Spiritual Director. Saint Teresa of Avila, Saint John of the Cross, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, and many saints are unanimous in asserting that we all have a dire need for a Spiritual Director to help us to grow in holiness and advance in the way of perfection in the sometimes challenging and arduous ascent of the Holy Mountain of Prayer. (Saint John of the Cross: Ascent of Mount Carmel) Beg Our Lady of Good Counsel to help you to find a good Spiritual Director; this indeed is one of those pearls of infinite value!

8. SPIRITUAL READING. Of capital importance in our growth in the art of prayer is the importance of good reading, especially on the topic of prayer. There are many books written on prayer and we will suggest the following:

  • The Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part IV (4)
  • Introduction to the Devout Life, Saint Frances De Sales
  • The Life – Interior Castle – Way of Perfection, Saint Teresa of Avila
  • Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul, Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska
  • Treatise On Prayer, Saint Alphonsus Liguori
  • Fire Within – Deep Prayer, Deep Conversion – Prayer Primer, Thomas Dubay

These are just a few from the masters, but they can truly teach us the art of all arts, the art of prayer. Spiritual reading is absolutely essential for serious growth in our prayer life. Part of spiritual direction will be to address spiritual reading, especially on prayer.

9. PRAYER AND PENANCE. On one occasion, while taking a walk, I noticed a black bird, a crow, in front of me on the path. As I drew closer, the bird did not take flight. I thought that maybe I had a latent Franciscan charism with the birds and animals. But to my chagrin, this was not the case. The reason? The bird did not fly away because the little creature had a broken wing. This triggered in my mind this reflection and application! The bird could not fly away due to a broken wing. In a parallel sense, for us to fly high, to really soar into the heights of prayer in our spiritual life, we desperately need two wings: the wing of prayer accompanied by the wing of penance. Our Lady of Fatima and Our Lady of Lourdes both insisted on the importance of both prayer and sacrifice or penance as the most efficacious means for the conversion of poor sinners. Our Lady of Fatima said with sadness: Many souls are lost because nobody prays and offers sacrifices for them.

10. THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY AND PRAYER. Saint Louis de Montfort in his classic True Devotion to Mary states unequivocally: The shortest, easiest, and most efficacious path to Jesus is through the Blessed Virgin Mary. Therefore, it must be said as we come to the conclusion of our essay on building a robust prayer life that we must invite the Blessed Virgin Mary into our life, and that means into our prayer life which is our union with God. The Holy Spirit descended powerfully upon the Apostles who were united in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Therefore, if we truly desire to establish a strong, robust, dynamic prayer life that will motivate us to become holy as our heavenly Father is holy, we must have frequent, fervent, filial, and confident recourse to Mary, the Mother of God, the Mother of the Church, and our dear Mother. Mary, teach us how to pray and give us an ardent desire to fall daily in love with Jesus, our Lord God, Friend, and Savior!

Copyright 2020 Oblates of the Virgin Mary
St. Peter Chanel Church, Hawaiian Gardens, CA

 

 

 

 

 

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MASS READINGS AND MEDITATION | AUGUST 8, 2020


August 8, 2020

Memorial of Saint Dominic, Priest

Reading 1 HAB 1:12-2:4

Are you not from eternity, O LORD,
my holy God, immortal?
O LORD, you have marked him for judgment,
O Rock, you have readied him punishment!
Too pure are your eyes to look upon evil,
and the sight of misery you cannot endure.
Why, then, do you gaze on the faithless in silence
while the wicked man devours
one more just than himself?
You have made man like the fish of the sea,
like creeping things without a ruler.
He brings them all up with his hook,
he hauls them away with his net,
He gathers them in his seine;
and so he rejoices and exults.
Therefore he sacrifices to his net,
and burns incense to his seine;
for thanks to them his portion is generous,
and his repast sumptuous.
Shall he, then, keep on brandishing his sword
to slay peoples without mercy?I will stand at my guard post,
and station myself upon the rampart,
And keep watch to see what he will say to me,
and what answer he will give to my complaint.

Then the LORD answered me and said:
Write down the vision
Clearly upon the tablets,
so that one can read it readily.
For the vision still has its time,
presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint;
If it delays, wait for it,
it will surely come, it will not be late.
The rash man has no integrity;
but the just man, because of his faith, shall live.

Responsorial Psalm PS 9:8-9, 10-11, 12-13

R. (11b) You forsake not those who seek you, O Lord.

The LORD sits enthroned forever;
he has set up his throne for judgment.
He judges the world with justice;
he governs the peoples with equity. R.

The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of distress.
They trust in you who cherish your name,
for you forsake not those who seek you, O LORD. R. 

Sing praise to the LORD enthroned in Zion;
proclaim among the nations his deeds;
For the avenger of blood has remembered;
he has not forgotten the cry of the poor. R. 

Alleluia 2 TM 1:10 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 17:14-20

A man came up to Jesus, knelt down before him, and said,
“Lord, have pity on my son, who is a lunatic and suffers severely;
often he falls into fire, and often into water.
I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him.”
Jesus said in reply,
“O faithless and perverse generation, how long will I be with you?
How long will I endure you?  
Bring the boy here to me.”
Jesus rebuked him and the demon came out of him,
and from that hour the boy was cured.
Then the disciples approached Jesus in private and said,
“Why could we not drive it out?”
He said to them, “Because of your little faith.
Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed,
you will say to this mountain,
‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move.
Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Catechism of at the Catholic Church

67 Throughout the ages, there have been so-called “private” revelations, some of which have been recognized by the authority of the Church. They do not belong, however, to the deposit of faith. It is not their role to improve or complete Christ’s definitive Revelation, but to help live more fully by it in a certain period of history. Guided by the Magisterium of the Church, the sensus fidelium knows how to discern and welcome in these revelations whatever constitutes an authentic call of Christ or his saints to the Church.

Christian faith cannot accept “revelations” that claim to surpass or correct the Revelation of which Christ is the fulfilment, as is the case in certain nonChristian religions and also in certain recent sects which base themselves on such “revelations”.

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

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8TH   Mt. 17: 14-20   Feast of Saint Dominic   “Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed… nothing will be impossible for you.”

If we want to grow in Faith, we must turn to Mary – the Woman of Faith!
“Saint Paul tells us that our religion is vain unless we have faith in the mystery of our Savior’s Resurrection — where was this faith on the day after our Lord’s death? In one heart only, and that was Mary’s. As it was her chaste womb that had held within it Him whom heaven and earth cannot contain, so on this day, by her firm and unwavering faith, she resumes within her single self the whole Church.”  ~Dom Prosper Gueranger

IMITATE THE VIRTUES OF MARY – THE BIG TEN by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

From the cross, Jesus gave the person He loved most on earth, His Blessed Mother Mary, to Saint John and to us as our Mother most holy! May we strive to know Mary, to love Mary, and to imitate Mary a little more every day. In his Marian Spiritual Masterpiece, True Devotion to Mary, Saint Louis de Montfort highlights ten of the most important virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Let us put forth this list of Mary’s principal virtues.

We read in the text of True Devotion to Mary by Saint Louis de Montfort (# 108):
Third, 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.

Let us humbly beg our Blessed Mother Mary for the grace to understand these ten virtues that she practiced always to a heroic degree of perfection, but also let us beg for the grace to be able to put these virtues into practice in our daily walk of life!

1. DEEP HUMILITY. A humble person recognizes that all the good they have done, and can do, is a result of the Presence of God in their life. Mary was most humble, calling herself the servant or the handmaid of the Lord. Also, in her magnificent canticle of praise that we call The Magnificat (Lk. 1:46-55), Mary states that God has looked with favor upon the humility of His handmaid. Let us beg Mary for a meek and humble heart so that like her, we will attribute our successes to God and our failures to ourselves.

2. LIVELY FAITH. Faith is one of the three theological virtues—faith, hope, and charity. Faith is believing in God and His Word without seeing with our eyes. Jesus gently reproved the doubting Thomas with these words: “Blessed are those who believe without seeing.” (Jn. 20:29) Mary is the woman of faith par excellence. Even though Mary witnessed the Passion, suffering and death of Jesus, she believed that He would conquer death. Therefore, when we are tempted to doubt, let us turn to Mary, the woman of faith, and beg for her most powerful intercession.

3. BLIND OBEDIENCE. By giving her consent in the Annunciation—“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word.” (Lk. 1:38)—Mary displayed an admirable attitude of obedience to the Word of God and trust in His holy will. When we are tempted to rebel and turn against God, let us, through Mary’s prayers and example, obey God like Mary and like Jesus who “was obedient to death, even death on the cross.” (Phil. 2:8)

4. UNCEASING PRAYER. Prayer can be defined as communication with God. There is no better example in the world, aside from Jesus, with respect to a life of constant prayer then that of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Scripture tells us, “Mary pondered these things in her heart.” (Lk. 2:19) Continually she thought of God in her mind and loved God with all of her heart; she maintained constant communication with the Blessed Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The devil of laziness can attack all of us. May Our Lady inspire us to be constant, fervent, and faithful in prayer! Indeed, prayer is the key to our salvation. What air is to the lungs, prayer is to the soul!

5. CONSTANT SELF-DENIAL. Another way of wording this is mortification—the ascetical life which leads to the mystical life of union with God. Mary denied and sacrificed herself in all times and places. By doing so, she gave full reign for God to work in the entirety of her life. In Mary’s approved Apparitions, both in Lourdes and Fatima, she strongly encouraged the practice of prayer, but also that of sacrifice. By making sacrifices we are imitating Mary in the art of self-denial. Self-denial turns us towards God and away from self. Mary was always God-centered and never self-centered. May this be our style of life!

6. SURPASSING PURITY. One of the most sublime virtues that characterizes the most Blessed Virgin Mary is that of her spotless purity; Mary is known as the Immaculate One. In Fatima, Our Lady sadly expressed that most souls are lost to the eternal fires of hell due to sins against the virtue of holy purity. Mary is the Perpetual Virgin. She was virgin before the birth of Jesus, during the birth of Jesus, and after the birth of Jesus. True devotion to Mary can help us maintain our purity, and if we have lost it, to seek restoration through Sacramental Confession. Contemplating a beautiful picture, painting, or statue of Our Lady can instill in us noble aspirations for purity.

7. ARDENT LOVE. Of all the virtues that we are called to practice, that of ardent love, sometimes called charity, is the greatest. Read the beautiful hymn of love of Saint Paul: I Corinthians 13. Our Lady practiced love to a sublime degree and in two ways, for love or charity has two dimensions. Mary at all times and in all places loved God first and foremost. However, Mary expressed concretely her love for God by ardent love for her neighbor. Examples of this. In the Annunciation, through her unconditional Yes Mary showed her total and unreserved love for God. However, moving in haste to visit her cousin Elizabeth, Mary manifested great love for her neighbor. In imitation of Mary, may we say in the words of Saint Paul, “The love of God compels me.” (2 Cor. 5:14) May we learn this double commandment—love of God and love of neighbor—and strive to live it out on a daily basis. Saint John of the Cross states: “In the twilight of our existence, we will be judged on love.”

8. HEROIC PATIENCE. Not one of us can say that we are patient at all times, in all places, and in all circumstances. Unlike Mary, who manifested remarkable patience! Consider Mary in her pregnancy, travelling the long trek to Bethlehem and then being rejected—what great patience! Losing the Child Jesus when He was twelve years of age for three long days before finding Him in the Temple—another manifestation of heroic patience! Most especially, in accompanying Jesus in His Passion leading up to His brutal Crucifixion and death, Mary manifested an unequalled patience! When our patience is put to the test, let us call out to Mary for her assistance. She will never fail us!

9. ANGELIC KINDNESS. The opposite of kindness is rudeness. Just try to imagine the way and manner in which Mary must have treated her neighbor! A warm welcome, a kind and winning smile, courtesy to the maximum, an attentive ear to listen—all of these are clear manifestations of kindness, angelic kindness. Mary did all this to the highest degree! Saint Frances de Sales on this virtue commented: One can attract more flies with a spoonful of honey then with a barrel full of vinegar. In other words, kindness attracts others to Christ while rude and drastic measures repel them. May Our Lady teach us what it means to be kind and may we put it into practice!!!

10. HEAVENLY WISDOM. One of the sublime titles given to Mary in her glorious Litany is that of SEAT OF WISDOM. A wise person knows what is most important in life. Dynamic love for God and ardent desire for the salvation of immortal souls are hallmarks of true wisdom. Our Lady had a burning love for God and a fervent desire for the conversion of sinners and their eternal salvation. “The Blessed Virgin persevered in her union with her Son unto the cross… joining herself with his sacrifice in her mother’s heart.” (Vat II, Lumen Gentium) King Solomon was once wise, but he gave into his weakness—that of lustful desires—and ended his life a fool. We beg the intercession of Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom to attain for us not only wisdom now, but perseverance in this sublime virtue until the very end!

In conclusion, may we ardently desire to know, love, and imitate our Blessed Mother Mary! May we be motivated with a firm decision to meditate frequently and fervently on the virtues of Mary most holy and then strive to live them out all the days of our life! Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

 LET US END WITH THESE SAINT QUOTES HONORING OUR DEAREST MOTHER!

 In honor of the Feast of St. Dominic, let us acknowledge his devotion to Mary and the Rosary:
According to St. Louis de Montfort in his book The Secret of the Rosary… “But it was only in the year 1214, however, that Holy Mother Church received the Rosary in its present form and according to the method we use today. It was given to the Church by Saint Dominic who had received it from the Blessed Virgin as a powerful means of converting the Albigensians and other sinners.”

Other Marian Quotes…

“Mary having co-operated in our redemption with so much glory to God and so much love for us, Our Lord ordained that no one shall obtain salvation except through her intercession.”
—St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

“Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.”
—St. Maximilian Kolbe

“To give worthy praise to the Lord’s mercy, we unite ourselves with Your Immaculate Mother, for then our hymn will be more pleasing to You, because She is chosen from among men and angels. Through Her, as through a pure crystal, Your mercy was passed on to us. Through Her, man became pleasing to God. Through Her, streams of grace flowed down upon us.” (Diary 1746)
—St. Faustina

“In dangers, in doubts, in difficulties, think of Mary, call upon Mary. Let not her name depart from your lips, never suffer it to leave your heart. And that you may obtain the assistance of her prayer, neglect not to walk in her footsteps. With her for guide, you shall never go astray; while invoking her, you shall never lose heart; so long as she is in your mind, you are safe from deception; while she holds your hand, you cannot fall; under her protection you have nothing to fear; if she walks before you, you shall not grow weary; if she shows you favor, you shall reach the goal.”
—St. Bernard of Clairvaux

“If you ever feel distressed during your day — call upon our Lady — just say this simple prayer: ‘Mary, Mother of Jesus, please be a mother to me now.’ I must admit — this prayer has never failed me.”
—St. Mother Teresa

“If you invoke the Blessed Virgin when you are tempted, she will come at once to your help, and Satan will leave you.”
—St. John Vianney

“All true children of God have God for their father and Mary for their mother; anyone who does not have Mary for his mother, does not have God for his father.”
—St. Louis Marie de Montfort

After the Rosary, this is a most powerful prayer for help from our Blessed Mother. This prayer saved a young man from despairing of his life and his salvation. Today we know him as St. Francis de Sales!

THE MEMORARE…

REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Copyright 2020 Oblates of the Virgin Mary
St. Peter Chanel Church, Hawaiian Gardens, CA


The vision of St. Dominic receiving the Rosary from the Virgin by Bernardo Cavallino



Basilica of San Domenico, Bologna, Italy




Relic of the skull of St. Dominic, found in the Basilica of San Domenico, Bologna, Italy

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MASS READINGS AND MEDITATION | AUGUST 7, 2020

August 7, 2020

Friday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 NA 2:1, 3:1-3, 6-7

See, upon the mountains there advances
the bearer of good news, 
announcing peace!
Celebrate your feasts, O Judah,
fulfill your vows!
For nevermore shall you be invaded
by the scoundrel; he is completely destroyed.
The LORD will restore the vine of Jacob,
the pride of Israel,
Though ravagers have ravaged them 
and ruined the tendrils.Woe to the bloody city, all lies,
full of plunder, whose looting never stops!
The crack of the whip, the rumbling sounds of wheels;
horses a-gallop, chariots bounding, 
Cavalry charging, the flame of the sword, the flash of the spear,
the many slain, the heaping corpses,
the endless bodies to stumble upon!
I will cast filth upon you,
disgrace you and put you to shame;
Till everyone who sees you runs from you, saying,
“Nineveh is destroyed; who can pity her?
Where can one find any to console her?”

Responsorial Psalm

DEUTERONOMY 32:35-36, 39, 41 

R. (39c)  It is I who deal death and give life.

Close at hand is the day of their disaster,
and their doom is rushing upon them!
Surely, the LORD shall do justice for his people;
on his servants he shall have pity.  R.

“Learn then that I, I alone, am God,
and there is no god besides me.
It is I who bring both death and life,
I who inflict wounds and heal them.”  R.

I will sharpen my flashing sword,
and my hand shall lay hold of my quiver,
“With vengeance I will repay my foes
and requite those who hate me.”   R.

Alleluia MATTHEW 5:10 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness;
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 16:24-28

Jesus said to his disciples,
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world
and forfeit his life?
Or what can one give in exchange for his life?
For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory,
and then he will repay each according to his conduct.
Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here
who will not taste death
until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”

Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

There will be no further Revelation

66 “The Christian economy, therefore, since it is the new and definitive Covenant, will never pass away; and no new public revelation is to be expected before the glorious manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ.”28 Yet even if Revelation is already complete, it has not been made completely explicit; it remains for Christian faith gradually to grasp its full significance over the course of the centuries.

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

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7TH   Mt. 16:24-28   “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

PART 1: Points of Reflection on today’s Scripture Verse…

PART 2: Taking Up Our Cross and Following Jesus by St. John Henry Newman

PART 3: POWER OF THE CROSS – Contemplation by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

PART 1… Points of Reflection

  • Taking up one’s cross and following Jesus can be seen as docility and obedience to the will of God in all that He permits to happen each day, each moment of our life. Doing His will, not our will! Isn’t that what Jesus said in the Garden of Olives— “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but your will be done.” (Lk. 22:42)
  • We can do this if we truly believe that God is good and that His hand is guiding, purifying, and saving us by means of everything that happens in our life. God wills good, but He permits evil to bring about an even greater good. One that wouldn’t exist without the evil. So that we will look back and thank God even for the evil that befell us. (Augustine and Aquinas) Do you think Ignatius of Loyola, looking back on his life, thanked God for the cannon ball that shattered his legs in the Battle of Pamplona? Without the cannon ball we wouldn’t have the saint or the Spiritual Exercises or Discernment of Spirits!
  • Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it can be described as pouring oneself out as a libation for the good of others—remembering that charity begins at home! We only find ourself when we give ourself away! We only discover who we are when we see who we become to others. We celebrated the Feast Day of St. John Vianney, Cure of Ars on Tuesday. One of the most selfless saints in the Catholic Church, he was named Patron of Parish Priests worldwide by Pope Pius XI in 1929.
  • This is living out the two greatest commandments: 1) “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. 2) Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mk. 12:30-31) At the Last Supper Jesus said: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (Jn.13:34)
  • “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jer. 29:11) Always remembering our future is our eternal home; this life is only the journey on the way.
  • St. Ignatius loved Our Lady under the title Santa Maria della Strada or Our Lady of the Way. Let us think about Mary when the Angel appeared and asked her to be the Mother of God. She had a question, how can this be since I am a virgin? God had already asked for her promise of total virginity. Once the Angel said it would be by the Power of the Holy Spirit, Mary gave her unconditional Yes. If we are to be saved, and take many other souls with us, our Yes must also be unconditional.

PART 2:  Taking up our cross and following Jesus… by St. John Henry Newman (+1890)      

There is an inward world into which they enter who come near to Christ. If they have drunk of Christ’s cup and tasted the Bread of His Table in sincerity, it is not with them as in time past.

A change has come over them, unknown indeed to themselves, except in its effects, but they have a portion in destinies to which other men are strangers, and, as having destinies, they have conflicts also. They drank what looked like draught (drink) of this world, but it associated them in hopes and fears, trials and purposes, above this world.

They came as for a blessing, and they have found a work. They are soldiers of Christ’s army; they fight against things seen and unseen. To their surprise, as time goes on, they find that their lot is changed. They find that in one shape or other adversity happens to them. If they refuse to afflict themselves, God afflicts them. One blow falls, they are startled; it passes over, it is well; they expect nothing more.

Another comes, they wonder; “Why is this?” they ask. They think that the first should be their security against the second; they bear it, however, and it passes too.

Then a third comes; they almost murmur; they have not yet mastered the great doctrine that endurance is their portion.

O simple soul, is it not the law of your being to endure since you came to Christ? Why come you but to endure? Why did you taste His heavenly feast but that it might work in you? Why did you kneel beneath His hand but that He might leave on you the print of His wounds?

Why wonder then that one sorrow does not buy off the next? Does one drop of rain absorb the second? Does the storm cease because it has begun? Understand your place in God’s Kingdom, and rejoice, not complain, that in your day you have your lot with prophets and Apostles!  End of Reflection by Blessed John Henry Newman

 PART 3: POWER OF THE CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST—Contemplation 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 OF THE 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 me so much that He was crucified, suffered and died for me. How great is the love of God for me!!!

1. CRUCIFIX ON THE WALL OF THE BEDROOMS IN YOUR HOME.  It is highly recommended that all of your bedrooms have a crucifix on the wall. A crucifix has a Corpus—meaning, the Body of Christ nailed to the wood of the cross. The 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, from 12 noon to 3:00 pm, for our salvation!

2. CONTEMPLATE THE CROSS.  Get into the habit before retiring every night of spending at least a few moments in silence contemplating, looking deeply at the cross and He who died on the cross for love of you—the Savior, Jesus Christ, and offer Him your immense love and gratitude. Contemplation is a form of prayer in which we think deeply with our mind and love immensely with our heart for the immense love that Jesus has not just for all, but for me individually.

3. RECALL TO MIND THE WORDS 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. Take these words into your mind and your heart. Ven. Fulton J. Sheen asserts that from the pulpit of the cross, Jesus preached His last and best homily. Let us be attentive students and listeners. (Listed below)

4. MEMORIZE THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF JESUS, THE MOST ELOQUENT PREACHER:

  • Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing. (23:34)
  • Amen, I say to you: today you will be with me in Paradise. (Lk. 23:43)
  • Woman behold thy son; son behold thy Mother. (Jn. 19:26-27)
  • I thirst. (Jn. 19:28)
  • My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Mt. 27:46)
  • It is finished. (Jn. 19:30)
  • Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. (Lk. 23:46)

5. IMITATE THE SAINTS AND KISS THE WOUNDS OF CHRIST.  Prayer is not simply a cerebral, that is, a merely 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 on the crucifix. You do the same! By doing so, you are manifesting the heartfelt love that you have for Jesus. Every one of those open wounds that Jesus endured – the nails that perforated His hands and His feet, the lance that entered His side and pierced His Heart causing blood and water to gush forth, were for love of you and for your eternal salvation. How great is the love of the crucified Savior for you and how great His desire for the salvation of your immortal soul!

6. LIKE MARCELINO TALK TO THE CRUCIFIED LORD.  (Movie: 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.

7. CONTEMPLATE THE CROSS AND CALVARY RELATED TO HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE 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, then Calvary and the crucified Lord Jesus is 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 is celebrating 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!

8. 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, in all times and on all occasions, has His arms wide-open to receive us—symbolic of forgiveness. As the Prophet Isaiah reminds us: “Though your sins be as scarlet, they will be as white as the 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!

9. JESUS’ BLOOD STAINED BODY AND GARMENTS.  As you contemplate the blood-stained body of Jesus and the few garments, the virtue of purity and modesty should surge in your mind and heart. Both the stripping of Jesus, as well as the 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 the 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 body, mind, thought, word, deed, desire and intention. Jesus taught us in the Beatitudes: Blessed are the pure of heart, they will see God. (Mt. 5:8)

10. 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. (Mt. 16:24) Spend some quiet time in prayer before the Crucified Lord Jesus and open up the very depths of your heart, pour out your feelings and emotions with respect to your own crosses. Jesus desires to listen to you, to accompany you, and to really help you. He is not indifferent to the cries and supplications of your heart but desires 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 a spouse, a work conflict, a spiritual doubt, the loss of a loved one, the pain of a past deep wound, fear of the dark and ominous clouds of the future, the fear of suffering and of your own mortality and death. All of the above can be the subject of your colloquy with the crucified Lord Jesus. Our cross often is simply too heavy because we fail to invite Jesus to come and help us carry our cross. Invite Him. 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 2020 Oblates of the Virgin Mary
St. Peter Chanel Church, Hawaiian Gardens, CA

 

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MASS READINGS AND MEDITATION | AUGUST 6, 2020

August 6 2020

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

Reading 1 DN 7:9-10, 13-14

As I watched:
Thrones were set up
and the Ancient One took his throne.
His clothing was bright as snow,
and the hair on his head as white as wool;
his throne was flames of fire,
with wheels of burning fire.
A surging stream of fire
flowed out from where he sat;
Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him,
and myriads upon myriads attended him.
The court was convened and the books were opened.

As the visions during the night continued, I saw:

One like a Son of man coming,
on the clouds of heaven;
When he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before him,
The one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship;
all peoples, nations, and languages serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.

Responsorial Psalm 97: 1-2, 5-6, 9

R. (1a and 9a) The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many islands be glad.
Clouds and darkness are round about him,
justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.

The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.

Because you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth,
exalted far above all gods.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.

Reading 2 2 PT 1:16-19

Beloved:
We did not follow cleverly devised myths
when we made known to you
the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.
For he received honor and glory from God the Father
when that unique declaration came to him from the majestic glory,
“This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven
while we were with him on the holy mountain.
Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable.
You will do well to be attentive to it,
as to a lamp shining in a dark place,
until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

Alleluia MT 17:5

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 17: 1-9

Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John,
and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them;
his face shone like the sun
and his clothes became white as light.
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them,
conversing with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
“Lord, it is good that we are here.
If you wish, I will make three tents here,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, behold,
a bright cloud cast a shadow over them,
then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.”
When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate
and were very much afraid.
But Jesus came and touched them, saying,
“Rise, and do not be afraid.”
And when the disciples raised their eyes,
they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

As they were coming down from the mountain,
Jesus charged them,
“Do not tell the vision to anyone
until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

The Transfiguration by Raphael, c.1520

III. Christ Jesus — “Mediator and Fullness of All Revelation”

God has said everything in his Word

65 “In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son.”  Christ, the Son of God made man, is the Father’s one, perfect and unsurpassable Word. In him he has said everything; there will be no other word than this one. St. John of the Cross, among others, commented strikingly on Hebrews 1:1-2:

In giving us his Son, his only Word (for he possesses no other), he spoke everything to us at once in this sole Word – and he has no more to say. . . because what he spoke before to the prophets in parts, he has now spoken all at once by giving us the All Who is His Son. Any person questioning God or desiring some vision or revelation would be guilty not only of foolish behaviour but also of offending him, by not fixing his eyes entirely upon Christ and by living with the desire for some other novelty.

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

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6TH    Mk. 9:2-10   Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

  • St. Paul reminds us: “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” (Rom. 6:3-4)
  • Newness of life for the Christian begins with Baptism – is nourished and sustained in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Eucharist – and anticipated in the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor.
  • Therefore, we offer three Meditations today to help us see with spiritual eyes the glory upon glory of our supernatural life that begins here and is fulfilled in eternity!

PART 1: Baptism: Newness of Life in Christ by Pope Francis

PART 2: The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass glorifies us with Our Lord and His Church!  by Sister Aemiliana Lohr, O.S.B

PART 3: Transfiguration on Mount Tabor by Anastasius of Sinai, Bishop.

Baptism: Newness of Life in Christ by Pope Francis

Therefore, it is not a formality! It is an act that touches the depths of our existence. A person who is baptized and a person who is not baptized are not the same. We, by baptism, are immersed in that inexhaustible source of life, which is the death of Jesus, the greatest act of love in all of history! And thanks to this love we can live a new life, no longer at the mercy of evil, of sin, and of death, but in communion with God and with our brothers and sisters.

By the power of baptism we are gathered into Jesus’ relation to God the Father. We are bearers of a new hope, the hope of going on the path of salvation our whole life long. And it is a hope that does not disappoint. Remember, hope in the Lord never disappoints! Thanks to baptism, we are capable of forgiving and of loving even those who offend us and do evil to us. By our baptism, we recognize in the least and in the poor the face of the Lord who visits us and makes Himself close to us! Baptism helps us recognize in the face of the needy, of the suffering, and also of our neighbor, the face of Jesus.

A last point which is important, I ask you a question: can a person baptize him or herself? No one can be self-baptized! No one! We can ask for it, desire it, but we always need someone else to confer this sacrament in the name of the Lord. For baptism is a gift bestowed in a context of care and fraternal sharing! Throughout history, one baptizes another, another, and another… it is a chain, a chain of grace! It is an act of brotherhood, an act of filiation to the Church. In the celebration of baptism we can see the most genuine features of the Church, who like a mother continues to give birth to new children in Christ, in the fecundity of the Holy Spirit. End Pope Francis

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass glorifies us with Our Lord and His Church!  by Sister Aemiliana Lohr, O.S.B. (+1972)

The Holy Sacrifice today which glorifies us with our Lord and His Church anticipates the last resurrection at the end of time. It makes us certain of what we most deeply are, and of our victory.

This was the reason for Christ’s anticipation of His manhood’s glory on the mountain. But in Him, man in the realest sense because He bore within Himself the whole race of believers; we who have died a mystical death by baptism are already constituted partakers of His glory.

Yet with us, as with Him before He had suffered, that glory is not continuously visible. Only when we have borne conformation to Christ throughout the whole of our earthly lives, and striven always more consciously to realize it; only when we have borne our share of the pains of Christ, to their last end in our body’s death, will the full splendor of the risen and glorified Christ break out in us.

But we must hold fast to the fact that the light of this glory shines already in every true Christian, although it be hidden. If sin has put it out or weakened it, it is to come once more to flame by the exercise of fast and penance, to come to new and greater brilliance. The end is the glorified Christ of the Gospel, living in every one of us!

In this hour when He becomes present to us in the Holy Sacrifice, we learn what we are and what our concern in life is. The struggle, the weariness, the renunciation are not ends in themselves. They bring to being in secret the glory of the life which is to be ours in time to come. While our body is weary, near to fainting, the resurrection and the glory of the Mystical Body grow and have increase!  

Christians, whom the world despises, are the only really alive people; and that in the highest degree. The power of life which streams out of them, the life of Christ, is hidden. It brings them through their sufferings and burdens, it gives wings to their going along the way of the cross, and in everything assures them of the victory.

The Transfiguration of the Lord is the transfiguration of His Church! When He comes again at the world’s end, the hidden life of glory in all who belong to Him will be made visible to all the world.

Even now this is revealed to the faithful in the mystery, to make them conscious of the hidden power that is theirs, and enable them to withstand temptation more manfully!  End Sister Aemiliana Lohr, O.S.B.

From a sermon on the Transfiguration of the Lord… by Anastasius of Sinai, Bishop.

Upon Mount Tabor, Jesus revealed to His disciples a heavenly mystery. While living among them He had spoken of the kingdom and of His second coming in glory, but to banish from their hearts any possible doubt concerning the kingdom and to confirm their faith in what lay in the future by its prefiguration in the present, He gave them on Mount Tabor a wonderful vision of His glory, a foreshadowing of the kingdom of heaven.

It was as if He said to them: “As time goes by you may be in danger of losing your faith. To save you from this I tell you now that some standing here listening to me will not taste death until they have seen the Son of Man coming in the glory of His Father.”

Moreover, in order to assure us that Christ could command such power when He wished, the evangelist continues: Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter, James and John, and led them up a high mountain where they were alone. There, before their eyes, he was transfigured. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. Then the disciples saw Moses and Elijah appear, and they were talking to Jesus.

These are the divine wonders we celebrate today; this is the saving revelation given us upon the mountain; this is the festival of Christ that has drawn us here. Let us listen, then, to the sacred voice of God so compellingly calling us from on high, from the summit of the mountain, so that with the Lord’s chosen disciples we may penetrate the deep meaning of these holy mysteries, so far beyond our capacity to express.

Jesus goes before us to show us the way, both up the mountain and into heaven, and – I speak boldly – it is for us now to follow Him with all speed, yearning for the heavenly vision that will give us a share in His radiance, renew our spiritual nature and transform us into His own likeness, making us forever sharers in His Godhead and raising us to heights as yet undreamed of.

Let us run with confidence and joy to enter into the cloud like Moses and Elijah, or like James and John. Let us be caught up like Peter to behold the divine vision and to be transfigured by that glorious transfiguration. Let us retire from the world, stand aloof from the earth, rise above the body, detach ourselves from creatures and turn to the Creator, to whom Peter in ecstasy exclaimed: Lord, it is good for us to be here.

It is indeed good to be here, as you have said, Peter. It is good to be with Jesus and to remain here forever. What greater happiness or higher honor could we have than to be with God, to be made like Him and to live in His light?

Therefore, since each of us possesses God in His heart and is being transformed into His divine image, we also should cry out with joy: It is good for us to be here – here where all things shine with divine radiance, where there is joy and gladness and exultation; where there is nothing in our hearts but peace, serenity and stillness; where God is seen.

For here, in our hearts, Christ takes up His abode together with the Father, saying as He enters: Today salvation has come to this house. With Christ, our hearts receive all the wealth of His eternal blessings, and there where they are stored up for us in Him, we see reflected as in a mirror both the first fruits and the whole of the world to come.  End Anastasius of Sinai, Bishop.

Copyright 2020 Oblates of the Virgin Mary
St. Peter Chanel Church, Hawaiian Gardens, CA

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