Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28th    Mk 10:17-27   “Then who can be saved?” “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.’”

GOD’S GOODNESS HAS NO LIMITS: LENT, A TRUE GIFT! By Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

God’s goodness has no limits. Giving, giving and more generous giving expresses the very nature of our loving and bountiful God. Count your gifts and blessings and then thank and praise our loving God. This should be done daily!

Your body, your mind, your affections, your soul—all gifts from God. Praise the Lord. The Sacraments, the Church, the Eucharist—the Bread of Life, your Guardian angel, your friends the saints, the Blessed Virgin Mary who is your loving Heavenly Mother, and the promise of eternal life in Heaven. Praise and thank the Lord the giver of all sublime gifts. Saint Ignatius reminds us also that the more we thank God for His many gifts, the more He showers us with even more and greater gifts.

LENT AS A GIFT.  Most likely you have never spent much time reflecting upon and thanking God for the Gifts present in the Liturgical Seasons—most specifically, the Annual Gift of the Season of Lent. If that is the case, now is the time to abound in thanking God for the Gift of the Season of Lent. In the words of the Psalmist: “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever.” (Ps. 136:1)

Every year, usually starting some time in February, Lent commences. The priest dons the Liturgical color of purple. Penance and a call to conversion of life marks the entire season. The first day of Lent is Ash Wednesday which sets the tone of the season. Ashes are imposed with one of two phrases which are Biblical. “Be converted and believe in the Gospel.” (Mk. 1:15)  Or “Remember that you are dust and you shall return to dust.” (Gen. 3:19) The Church announces the clarion call to conversion, as well as pointing out our mortality—one day we will all die and go before the Judgment seat of God.

GOSPEL FOR ASH WEDNESDAY: 3 PRACTICES TO ARRIVE AT CONVERSION.

The Gospel in the Mass for Ash Wednesday sets the tone for Lent. Jesus offers us three specific ways in which we can attain the conversion of our lives and finish our lives dying in the state of grace and thereby attain our goal: Heaven!

Expressed in a three-dimensional pattern we might say: we must go up, go in, and go out!

Go up—through a more intense prayer life! Go in—conversion through penance or mortification. Go out—through almsgiving or an active life of charity to live out the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. If we can strive to live out these three dimensions in our spiritual life, then undoubtedly we will arrive at a more profound conversion of heart, a real conversion of life, and a deep aversion for sin, and greater love for Jesus Christ!

Therefore, let us strive to realize that Lent is truly a great Gift from the hands and the loving Heart of the Lord Jesus to His Church, and to each and every one of us individually. With open hearts let us recognize the gift, receive the gift, and live the gift.

Ways That We Can Accept and Live Out Lent.

PRAYER…

1. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!!! Increase and fortify your personal prayer life. Indeed, what air is to our lungs, prayer is to our soul. Little prayer or a weak prayer life results in the drying up of our spiritual lungs and sure death!!!

2. WAYS TO PRAY? There are countless ways, but we will offer a list that you can choose from and implement, understanding we have to act on these good proposals and not just create castles in the air and follow wishful thinking. The following is a long list of prayers that you can undertake. If you already do some of these, add more for Lent!

1) DAILY BIBLE READING: Using these five classical steps of Lectio Divina: Lectio (Read), Meditatio (Meditate), Contemplatio (Contemplate), Oracio (Pray), Accio (Act).

2) HOLY HOUR. Use your Daily Bible Reading with Lectio Divina to give the Lord a Holy Hour of uninterrupted prayer every day for forty days. Ven. Fulton Sheen coined this “The Hour of Power!” Indeed, it was for Sheen who touched the lives of millions of people!

3) DAILY EXAMEN. Spend ten minutes every day, at any time you prefer, and go through your day thanking the Lord for the gifts of the day and begging pardon for any failures, with firm resolve to reform your life the next day.

4) THE MOST HOLY ROSARY. During the Holy Season of Lent get into the habit of praying the Rosary daily. If possible, pray the Family Rosary.  Remember the words of the Rosary-priest, Ven. Father Patrick Peyton: “The family that prays together, stays together” and “A world at prayer is a world at peace.” Incidentally, if possible, view the film/documentary PRAY! The Life of Fr. Patrick Peyton.

5) HOLY MASS. By far the greatest prayer is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. If possible, aim for daily Mass and Holy Communion. The Eucharist—Jesus, the Bread of Life, will transform your life and help you to arrive at a deep conversion of heart.

6) WAY OF THE CROSS. Most appropriate in Lent is to make the Way of the Cross. For the fourteen stations move from one to the next contemplating the love that Jesus has for you personally by suffering His Passion and death for love of you and the salvation of your immortal soul!

7) LITURGY OF THE HOURS. Learn to pray the Liturgy of the Hours which is the public worship of the Church. In the Magnificat magazine you have Morning Prayer (Lauds) as well as Evening Prayer (Vespers). Most of these prayers are taken from the Psalms, the Official Prayer Book of the Bible.

8) MEAL PRAYER. If not already in the habit, start your mealtime with a short prayer to thank God for the gift of a hearty and healthy meal. Many cannot do this because they will have no food to eat today or to give to their children.

9) THE ANGELUS PRAYER. In Lent you might intersperse your day with prayer by praying the Angelus three times a day: 9:00 a.m., 12 noon, and 6 p.m. Beg Mary to bless your mornings, afternoons and evenings!

10) VIEW THE MOVIE THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. If age appropriate, watch the movie of Mel Gibson, The Passion of the Christ. However, instead of viewing it as a mere Hollywood rendition, view it as a prayer, as a contemplation, so as to love the Lord Jesus more! He suffered all of His Passion for love of you! Which scenes touched you the most?

3. SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION. During Lent make the best Confession of your life. Indeed, this is truly the Sacrament and encounter with Christ where deep conversion really can take place.

4. READ THE DOLOROUS PASSION. In Lent much fruit can be derived from spiritual reading, most specially the Dolorous Passion by Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich.

FASTING / PENANCE / MORTIFICATION…

5. FASTING OF THE TONGUE. For the forty days of Lent avoid any words that could hurt any of your family members. Two rules can be of great help:  First: Think before you speak. Second: Do and say to others what you would like them to do and say to you.

6. FASTING FROM FOOD. Choose at least one thing at the table that you like to eat and give that up for Lent. Do it for love of Jesus, and for the salvation of immortal souls, as well as your own conversion!

7. FORM OF PENANCE: IMPROVE YOUR WORK ETHIC. A most efficacious penance/charity might simply be to upgrade your work ethic. This can be work outside the home or inside the home. Start your work on time and be orderly, systematic and methodical. Avoid cutting corners and doing a sloppy joy. Remember the words of Saint Paul: “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31)  Follow in the footsteps of Saint Therese, the Little Flower. “Holiness consists in doing the ordinary things of daily life with extraordinary love.”

ALMSGIVING / CHARITY…

8. ALMSGVING. Pray to the Holy Spirit to enlighten your mind as to how you can help out the poor in one way or another. Never forget the words of Jesus: “I was hungry, thirsty, naked, a foreigner, sick or in prison… whatsoever you did for the least of my brothers, that you did for me.” (Mt. 25: 31-46)

9. CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME. Perhaps the best way to live out almsgiving or charity would be at home. Every day make an effort—for the forty days of Lent—to do an act of charity or an act of kindness—for some member of your family. This gesture is very pleasing to God and can fortify the bonds of love in the family.

A MARIAN LENT…

10. OUR LADY OF SORROWS. May this Lent be a deeply Marian Lent. Let us contemplate the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

1. The prophecy of Simeon.  (Lk. 2: 34-35)
2. Flight into Egypt and massacre of the Holy Innocents.  (Mt. 2: 13-18)
3. Loss of the Child Jesus in the temple.  (Lk. 2: 41-51)
4. Meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross.
5. Crucifixion of Jesus with Mary at the foot of the Cross.  (Jn. 19: 25-30)
6. The Body of Jesus taken from the Cross and laid in the arms of Mary. (The Pieta)
7. The Body of Jesus laid in the tomb. (Jn. 19: 38-42)

In conclusion, friends in Jesus and Mary, let us abound in an overflowing attitude of gratitude of praise and thanksgiving towards our loving God. Indeed, how good God is in His countless gifts that He has bestowed on the world and on each and every one of us individually.

Therefore, let us recognize the Gift of Lent. Let us receive and accept it as an extraordinary gift. But then let us live out this gift! If done, our lives will be converted and our love for God will be growing, blossoming, flourishing and overflowing towards the whole world! May Our Lady attain for us a truly grateful heart!

Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27th    Lk 6:39-45   “A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil, for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.”

Lent is a time of purifying our heart, thoughts, desires, intentions, actions, and will. Today Fr. Ed offers ideas how to make this Lent and Easter our best Lent and Easter!

25 IDEAS WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT LENT AND THE EASTER SEASON. LET’S LEARN THEM!!! BY Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

Jesus comes to us and communicates His Grace and Presence to us in many marvelous ways. He said, before He ascended into Heaven, that He would be with us always even until the end of time. Then Jesus ascended into Heaven where He sits at the right hand of God the Father. How? Where? When is Jesus with us when indeed He ascended into Heaven? The response: in His Church which is His Mystical Body. The Church, in the Liturgical cycle, relives the life of Jesus every year. The two prime-times  (Strong Seasons of Christ) every year are Advent culminating in Christmas, then Lent which culminates in Holy Week and the pinnacle or high-point which is the celebration of Easter—the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Therefore, it is incumbent upon us as followers of Jesus to study and learn these prime times, especially the Lenten Season that culminates in Holy Week, and Jesus who conquers death by His Glorious Resurrection.

The following is a concise article on Twenty-Five ideas that every Catholic should know about the Lenten Season and Easter! Please read carefully, learn and memorize. Then if you really want to grow in your faith, share this with as many people as you can!!!

1. SEASON OF GRACE FOR OUR CONVERSION. Every year God through His Church, His Mystical Body, offers us a special season of grace for conversion. Our conversion should be to renounce sin and to imitate the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. ASH WEDNESDAY. Every year Lent commences with ASH WEDNESDAY. The Ashes symbolize our mortality, that one day we will die and pass from time to eternity and meet our Judgment. “Remember that you are dust and to dust shall you return.” (Gen. 3: 19)

3. FASTING. Those who have arrived at ages 18 up to 59 are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday, as well as Good Friday. We deprive our bodies of food so we can lift our minds and souls up to God.

4. FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT: JESUS IN THE DESERT. On the First Sunday in Lent we contemplate Jesus in the desert where He prayed and fasted for forty days, and was tempted by the devil. For us to conquer the devil, the flesh, and the world we must imitate Jesus. We must both fast and pray!

5. FORTY DAYS. Our Lenten journey lasts forty days—not including the Sundays of Lent.  Forty is a key Biblical number. The Jews spent 40 years in the desert before arriving at the Promised Land. Jonah preached that Nineveh would be destroyed in forty days if there was no conversion. Jesus spent forty days in the desert praying and fasting.

6. LITURGICAL CHANGES. There are some Liturgical changes during the Lenten Season:  The Alleluia and Gloria are suppressed. Flowers are taken from the Church. The priest vests in purple—a penitential color!

7. CONVERSION OF HEART. As mentioned above, Lent is a serious time of striving for conversion of our lives. When imposing the ashes, the minister can also say the first words of Jesus in His preaching ministry: “Repent (be converted) and believe in the Gospel.”  (Mk. 1: 15)  Jesus offers us three ways to arrive at this conversion of life! They are the following.

8. PRAYER. By praying we go up to God and He comes down to us, to help us reject sin and practice virtue. All true conversions are ultimately the fruit of prayer—one’s own personal prayer or the prayer of others, and usually both!

9. MASS AND PRAYER. By far, the greatest prayer in the universe is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. If possible, Lent is a very propitious time to attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as frequently as our time and schedule permit.

10. PENANCE (FASTING). Jesus stated: “Some devils are cast out only by prayer and fasting.” (Mt. 17: 28)  We should all choose some form of fasting with the help of a good Spiritual Director.

11. CONFESSION AND CONVERSION. One of the most efficacious means to attain true conversion of heart is by preparing our hearts, minds, and souls to make a good Sacramental Confession to the priest, and let the Precious Blood of Jesus wash us clean.

12. ALMSGIVING. The practice of ALMSGIVING should not be limited to simply giving a beggar some money, food or clothing. Rather, almsgiving can be interpreted in the manner in which we treat people in general. Most especially should we express kindness, compassion, courtesy, patience, and a genuine spirit of sacrifice with those in our own home! “Charity begins at home!”

13. THE WAY OF THE CROSS. A very salutary practice to undertake in Lent is to make the Stations of the Cross. By contemplating these fourteen stations or scenes in the Life of Jesus—the culminating point of His Passion, we recognize how much Jesus suffered for us and loves us. Indeed, each of us can truthfully say Jesus suffered all of this for me!

14. FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT: THE COLOR PINK. Two times in the Church calendar the priest can wear the color pink in the celebration of the Mass—the third Sunday of Advent and the fourth Sunday of Lent. Why? This color symbolizes JOY. The fact that Jesus was born for us and that He suffered, died and rose from the dead for us in a source of infinite Joy! In allowing pink vestments in the course of these two penitential seasons, the Church is anticipating this Joy!

15. HOLY WEEK BEGINS! The Church enters into the solemn and most important week of the year with Holy Week. Palm Sunday initiates Holy Week. We call to mind when Jesus entered the City of Jerusalem mounted on a donkey, and the people acclaimed Him: “Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” (Mt. 21: 9) Amidst these jubilant cries of exultation, they waved their Palm branches.

16. THE LITURGY OF PALM SUNDAY. The priest wears the color red—for the Precious Blood of Jesus. The Gospel reading is the account of the Passion of Jesus.

17. THE EASTER TRIDUUM. The Easter Triduum, the very heart of the Holy Week celebration, consists of three days and culminates in Easter. These three days are the following:  Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. These days are of the greatest importance!

18. HOLY THURSDAY. On this solemn day, there is only one Mass celebrated: the Mass of the Lord’s Supper celebrated in the evening. This day calls to mind two of the greatest gifts that Jesus bestowed upon the Church: Institution of the most Holy Eucharist and institution of Holy Orders or the Priesthood. This day especially should call us to renew our faith, devotion and love for the Eucharist and to pray for priests and for more holy priestly vocations.

19. GOOD FRIDAY. On this day we stand underneath the cross with our Sorrowful Mother, Mary most holy, and with her teary eyes and pierced Heart  contemplate Jesus, who suffers three long hours on the cross, shedding every drop of His Precious Blood for our eternal salvation. If you were the only person in the world, Jesus would have suffered His atrocious agony for love of you and the salvation of your immortal soul. Jesus hanging on the cross is the most powerful contemplation of Love in the universe!

20. HOLY SATURDAY: THE SILENCE AND CONTEMPLATION OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS. This day Jesus is resting in the tomb for the entire day. The theme of this day is to accompany Our Lady of Sorrows in silence. United with Mary, we relive the Sorrowful Passion of Jesus. All of His agony is still fresh in the mind and memory, eyes and Heart of Mary. She relives Jesus’ Passion that day. We are invited to spend the day at the side of Mary and console her, and she also consoles us in our sorrowful reliving of the sufferings of her Son and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

21. EASTER VIGIL MASS: JESUS IS TRULY RISEN FROM THE DEAD! This same night, with the most glorious Mass of the year, the Easter Vigil Mass, the Church and the world at large celebrate the most glorious event in human history!   Jesus Christ is truly risen from the dead! Alleluia! He has come back from the dead in His risen Body and will never die again!

22. THE BEAUTY OF THE VIGIL MASS. In this Mass, the catechumens will receive the three Sacraments of initiation—Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. The Alleluia breaks forth to praise God. The Gloria is sung in union with the angels. Then there is a long series of beautiful Biblical Readings summarizing the history of salvation. Following the Liturgy of the Word, we enter the Liturgy of the Eucharist. In receiving Holy Communion, we rise with Christ to new life!

23. EASTER DAY AND EASTER SEASON. Easter being such a glorious Solemnity cannot be celebrated in one day, and in fact is celebrated over eight days. Jesus’ Resurrection gives meaning to all human life. After the trials, struggles, pains and sorrows of this life, if we persevere in grace until the end, we will participate in the fruits of Easter—we will rise with the Risen Lord and attain the purpose of our life—Heaven!

24. DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY. Graces abound! The Sunday after Easter, the Church celebrates DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY. Those who have been confessed and participate at Mass and receive Holy Communion with burning love on this day, receive the Divine Mercy Promise: forgiveness of our sins and total remission of our sins. This can be compared to a second Baptism; our soul becomes as white as the snow. If we were to die right then, immediate entrance into heaven!

25. EASTER SEASON. The Easter Season lasts fifty days and concludes with the Solemnity of Pentecost—the coming of the Holy Spirit and the Birthday of the Catholic Church. During all this Season, the Acts of the Apostles, also known as the Gospel of the Holy Spirit, is read at Holy Mass!

Let us lift our eyes to Mary, who stood beneath the cross uniting her sufferings with the sufferings of Jesus for the salvation of the world. Let us also rejoice with Mary, and with overflowing and exultant jubilation, because the crucified Lord Jesus has truly risen from the dead, never to die again. “Queen of Heaven rejoice, alleluia, for the Lord has truly risen from the dead.”

Saturday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

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

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26th    Mk 10:13-16   “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of god belongs to such as these.”

We are reminded of the Beatitude, “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.” On this, Mary’s Day, let us beg Our Blessed Mother for the grace to grow in purity of heart, mind, body, soul, desire and intention!

MARY AND THE BATTLE FOR PURITY! By Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

Our life on earth is a constant battle. Spiritual writers assert that we have to defend ourselves against three constant enemies: the devil, the flesh, and the world. The battle is relentless and ends only when our life comes to an end.

Now more than ever, temptations wage against the virtue of chastity, or if you like, the virtue of purity. In clear, certain, and unequivocal language Jesus wants us to live out this most challenging virtue taken from the Sermon on the Mount, one of the eight Beatitudes: “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God.” (Mt. 5:8) In other words, for us to see God through faith in this life we must have pure interior vision. The final reward will be to contemplate God forever in heaven through the Beatific Vision. However, purity is one of the primary and principle conditions.

COUNTLESS TEMPTATIONS AGAINST PURITY: NOW MORE THAN EVER.  Television, movies, posters and bill-boards, immodest dress and language, the use and abuse of the Internet via phone, computer, tablet, etc., as well as certain political platforms and agendas—all of the above and many more militate fiercely against the virtue of purity!

WORDS OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA IN 1917. Our Lady of Fatima revealed a powerful and graphic vision of Hell on July 13, 1917 to three shepherd children to whom she appeared. With deep sadness, Our Lady stated that most of the souls who go to hell and lose God for all eternity do so because of sins against the virtue of purity. More than 100 years have passed and the world now offers even more and worse temptations against this most important virtue. We should reflect upon the words of Mary and constantly beg for the grace to live out that very special Beatitude already mentioned: “Blessed are the pure of heart; for they will see God.” (Mt. 5:8)

A STORY FROM THE LIFE OF A SAINT. A young man destined for great things in the Vineyard of the Lord, Anthony Mary Claret was put to the test. Even in his early years, Anthony had a fervent prayer life, a deep knowledge of God, and clarity of conviction on the importance of striving for holiness and eternal life. However, God allowed young Anthony to be tested. On one occasion, struck with sickness and confined to bed, Anthony was fiercely and insistently attacked by impure thoughts. Being a real soldier of Jesus and Mary, he prayed. Despite his prayers, the temptations did not disappear; rather, they seemed to invade and attack him with even greater violence!

THE BATTLE CRY AND VICTORY. It seemed as if all hell was let loose against this young man. When the battle was at its fiercest, Anthony prayed all the more fervently to the Blessed Virgin Mary for help in this imperious assault! The most pure Virgin and Queen of Heaven and earth came to his rescue, but not without a final avalanche of attacks. As Anthony lay in bed, he opened his eyes only to stare at an army of enemies— evil spirits, devils surrounding him. They wanted to win the victory and tempted Anthony ferociously to give into sin. Anthony Claret wielded and brandished his spiritual weapon and fought to the end. What was the spiritual weapon that he wielded for the victory? It was calling fervently to the Blessed Virgin Mary for help.

OUR LADY COMES TO THE RESCUE. When it seemed almost as if the battle would be lost, the most pure Virgin Mary appeared to Anthony. The many evil spirits, the evil spirits of impurity, terrified at the presence of the Virgin Mary, fled! The devils were conquered through the intercession of the most powerful Virgin Mary.

GIFT OF CHASTITY. With the enemy—the devil and his minions vanquished, Anthony was given the very special grace of perfect chastity. He would go on to be ordained a priest, a Bishop, the Founder of the Claretians who are devoted to spreading devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a prolific writer, an eloquent and powerful preacher, a tireless missionary in Spain and even in Cuba, and finally a great saint, now praising God forever in heaven through the intercession and presence of the most pure and holy Virgin Mary.

PROTOEVANGELIUM. After the fall of our first parents, Adam and Eve, God made a promise of Good News—the PROTOEVANGELIUM. “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)  This is the constant and mortal battle between good and evil, light and darkness, the devil with his fallen angels and God with His mighty army. In this army of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary has been chosen as one of the Lord’s chief allies, friends, and spiritual soldiers. In Guadalajara, Mexico, Our Lady is titled La Generala del Ejercito—meaning, the General and Chief of the army. We are soldiers in this battle, and we have on our side Mary, the General and Chief of the army, and Jesus the King of the Universe!

WHAT ABOUT US? HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO US NOW? The response to this question is very simple. With great peace, trust, and serenity we must come to terms with the fact that we are in mortal battle against the devil, the flesh, and the world. Life is a constant battle! We will have frequent and sometimes powerful temptations. The devil never goes on vacation! Saint Peter compares the devil to a fierce and roaring lion seeking to devour whomever he can. Therefore, being soldiers of Jesus and Mary, we should know what to do when the attacks descend upon us. We should entrust ourselves to the Blessed Virgin Mary and place all that we have and all that we are in her hands and her Immaculate Heart. This also means we give to Mary our temptations of all types!!!

TEMPTED? TURN TO MARY. When temptations, especially against the holy virtue of purity, assault you, lift up your mind, heart, and soul to the Blessed Virgin Mary; entrust yourself and your temptations to Mary!

THE HAIL MARY. Pray fervently the prayer that Mary loves most—the Hail Mary, the Angelic Salutation. Mary, most pure and most holy, will rush to your aid and conquer the enemy, as in the case of Saint Anthony Mary Claret and countless other saints who were put to the test. We are all very weak, but Jesus and Mary are All-Powerful. Let us not rely upon our own resources and strength but in the most powerful intercession of Mary, who is truly the Mother of God, the Mother of the Church, and our pure, loving and tender Mother.

Friday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

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

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25th    Mk 10:1-12   “Jesus told them, ‘From the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God had joined together, no human being must separate.’”

We have often heard Fr. Ed say, “Never have we lived in a world with so much information, and at the same time, so much confusion!” Fr. Ed clears up the confusion with clear, cogent reasoning based on Scriptural truths regarding the biggest lie of all!

LET US AVOID THE SEXUAL IDENTITY CRISIS!!! By Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

Everything that God created in the world is good. After creating, in the Book of Genesis, God says that it was good. The stars, the moon, the earth, the seas, the animals, the night and the light—all that God created was and is good.

Now the crowning summit or apex of creation was when God decided to create man and woman, and He created them in His image and likeness. Of all that God created, the human persons, man and woman, are the greatest in the natural world. So much is this the case that God created all other beings subordinate to the human persons—man and woman. Furthermore, God created all other lower beings as a means to help both man and woman to arrive at their final destiny and that is the eternal bliss of Heaven.

In other words, all created reality God brought into existence so that the human persons—man and woman—could use creation as a ladder by which to ascend to Heaven. Put succinctly, man and woman must use creation for its proper end and purpose so as to arrive at Heaven, and not to abuse created reality.

Never have we lived in a world with so much information. With the proper use of the Internet, we can learn about almost anything in a matter of a few seconds. However, it also must be stated that never have we lived in a world with so much confusion.

Therefore, this short article will present a clear and concise explanation of the identity, purpose and destiny of human persons. We must know where we come from, who we are, and where we are headed in our short earthly sojourn. Clarity of purpose, identity and destiny is indispensable for human persons!

1. CREATION IS GOOD.  As mentioned earlier, all that flows from God’s creative Hand is good—from the most simple of all creation to the highest—human persons: man and woman! Evil comes from abuse of God’s good gifts; this we call sin!

2. GOD CREATED MAN AND WOMAN IN HIS LIKENESS.  The Bible states unequivocally that God created man and woman in His image and likeness. Quite simply the following: there are vestiges in the human persons—man and woman—that reflect attributes that are qualities of God. Three would be the following: intellect, will, and soul. The human persons have intellect to know the truth; they have the will to love God; they have an immortal soul so as to live beyond the grave and to be united with an Immortal God for all eternity.

3. TWO DIFFERENT, DISTINCT SEXUAL IDENTITIES.  Now in the midst of the chaos and confusion of the sexual-identity crisis, it must be stated with the utmost clarity that from the very beginning God created two different human persons with different sexual identities. There is no admixture or confusion.

4. MALE AND FEMALE.  The distinction is very clear: male and female. God created male and female, man and woman in His image and likeness.  (Read Gen. 3:18-25). “So, the Lord God cast a deep sleep on the man, and while he was asleep, he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. The Lord God built up into a woman the rib that he had taken from the man. When he brought her to the man, the man said: ‘This one at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called woman for she was taken out of man.’” (Gen 2:21-23)

5. NAMES OF FIRST MAN AND WOMAN:  The Bible gives the names of the first man and the first woman: the first man’s name, Adam, meaning taken from the earth; the first woman, Eva, meaning the mother of all the living.

6. MATRIMONY: NATURE AND PURPOSE!  From the beginning, God, who is the author and origin and lover of life, desired life and the multiplication of life, especially human life. The means by which God, from the very start, desired new life to have its origin is through the loving union of man and woman, male and female (two separate and distinct sexes). This realizes its purpose and perfection in the oldest of institutions in the Bible—Holy Matrimony! The bond of Holy Matrimony takes place between man and woman, and the first union was Adam and his union with Eve. Adam, the husband, and Eve, the wife.

7. KEY BIBLICAL PASSAGE: DISTINCTION OF SEXES AND MARITAL UNION.  A key passage for the distinction of sexes and the purpose of Marital union is the following: “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife and the two of them become one flesh.” (Gen. 2:24) Jesus confirms this and adds: “And what God has united let no man rent asunder.” (Mt. 19:6) These few words give a foundation for both Holy Matrimony and its indissoluble character and permanence.

8. TWO DIFFERENT AND DISTINCT SEXES AND COMPLIMENTARITY.  God created male and female, man and woman, Adam and Eve as distinct human persons. However, it must be stated with utmost clarity that there is no superiority between man and woman. Rather, there is equality but complementarity. That is to say, both man and woman are different physically, biologically, emotionally, affectively and in their differences they complement and complete each other by their loving union.

9. NAME IT, CLAIM IT, TAME IT AND CORRECT IT.  It must be asserted with utmost clarity that there exists today a Sexual-identity crisis that sad to say is spreading far and wide like wildfire. This manifests itself by promoting the practice of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, transgenderism. Not only that, but also the legal approval and promotion of surgical sex changes. All of this goes totally against the above Biblical explanation, as well as the Natural Law written in the heart of every human person, and mere common sense. Still more, if this aberrant and erroneous sexual agenda grows, it will militate strongly against the family which is the basic cell of society, the primary and foundational institution of society. History has proven it true: when the family unravels in a society, than that society and civilization are placed in jeopardy, and will decline and end in debacle and ruin. So we must name it, claim it, tame it and correct it.

10. ACCEPT GOD’S DESIGN AND WILL FOR YOU.  God loves you with an eternal and infinite love and His love never changes. We must humbly and with great gratitude accept the way that God created us. He created us male or female, either a boy or a girl, man or woman. There is no other option. Let us thank God for His love and goodness and be proud of our distinct sexual identity. In the words of Saint Paul, let us strive to glorify God with all our being, with our body, mind, and soul in this life so as to glorify Him forever in heaven.

In conclusion, my friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, let us pray for the grace to have utmost clarity as to our own distinct sexual identity—our male identity or our female identity and live according to this identity. As adults and parents, let us also do all in our power to help our children, our teens to avoid falling into this pernicious, poisonous and toxic sexual identity crisis. Let us learn the Truth about God and ourselves—our distinct sexual identity. Let us live the Truth, let us love the Truth, and let us teach the Truth. Indeed, Jesus is “THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE AND THE TRUTH WILL SET US FREE!”

Thursday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24th    Mk 9:41-50   “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.”

Our Lady of Fatima revealed Five Sins against the Immaculate Heart of Mary, one related to “these little ones” —blasphemes against children. Fr. Ed offers us this meditation on sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary. May we strive to console Our Lady!

CONSOLE THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

Our Lady is sad, with the deep sorrow of her sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, as she says these words that all of us should seriously take to heart and put into practice:

“Sacrifice yourself for sinners and say many times, especially when you make some sacrifice: ‘O Jesus, it is for Thy love for the conversion of sinners and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.’” (Our Lady of Fatima to the children and to the whole world.)

With these words as an introduction, let us enter into the topic of this specific Marian theme for our reflection, meditation, and prayer.

Our Lady revealed that there were five Sins against her Immaculate Heart. We will briefly list them and strongly urge all to strive to make due reparation for these sins that wound the Immaculate Heart of our heavenly Mother so deeply. When moral damage is perpetrated due to sin, then in justice we must do all in our power to repair for the damage done.

THE FIVE SINS AGAINST THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY:

1. BLASPHEMES AGAINST THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.

2. BLASPHEMES AGAINST MARY’S PERPETUAL VIRGINITY.

3. BLASPHEMES AGAINST MARY’S DIVINE MATERNITY, and at the same time, failure to recognize her as Mother of all mankind.

4. THE CHILDREN. Blasphemes against children—all those who try to sow in the hearts of children a coldness, indifference, rejection or even hatred toward their Immaculate Mother Mary.

5. HOLY IMAGES. The offenses of those who aggrieve the Immaculate Mother Mary by damaging and outraging her holy images.

Our Lady appeared six times to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal, in 1917. Lucia was the oldest of the three, at 10 years of age. The younger two, Francisco and Jacinta, died within two and a half years after Our Lady’s appearances. These words about the five sins against the Immaculate Heart of Mary were spoken to Sister Lucia when she was living in the convent as a nun. The words were actually spoken by Jesus who ardently desires that acts of prayer and reparation be made. The reason? So that those who have so grievously offended Mary, the Mother of Jesus, will beg pardon for these grave sins and thereby receive mercy from the Heart of Jesus.

Common sense tells us that not one of us wants to go before the Lord Jesus on the day of our judgment having grievously offended His Mother Mary! The thought of this should fill us with a reverential Fear of the Lord and an ardent desire to repair for our sins, as well as the sins of the whole world. “For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion, and the sufferings of the sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”

Let us now proceed to take each and every one of these Marian offenses, strive to understand the offense, and consider what we can do on our part to offer worthy Acts of Reparation to the Heart of Mary and the Heart of Jesus, whose Sacred Heart was formed in the womb of Mary.

I. BLASPHEMES AGAINST THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.

The Immaculate Conception, one of the four Marian dogmas of the Church, proclaims that the Blessed Virgin Mary from the moment of her conception in the womb of her mother, Saint Anne, was preserved from the stain of Original Sin that all of us contracted from our first parents, Adam and Eve. To repair for those who mock, deride, and make fun of this most profound, sublime, and holy gift that God endowed upon Mary, we suggest these concrete Acts of Reparation.

1) PRAISE AND THANK GOD constantly for having endowed Mary with this most sublime gift! Reflecting on Mary’s Immaculate Conception, purity, and virginity, call to mind the words of the English poet, Wordsworth: “Woman! Above all women glorified, our tainted nature’s solitary boast.”

2) LITURGICAL CELEBRATION. Every year, celebrate and participate with great joy and gratitude in the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th. This is the day the Church extols and exalts Mary as the Immaculate Conception. Did you know that Mary is the Patroness of the United States of America under her title of the Immaculate Conception?

3) HOLY COMMUNION OF REPARATION. Offer your Holy Communion on that day especially in reparation for all the sins and blasphemes against Mary, the Immaculate Conception.

4) THE MEDAL. Wear with great joy and pride, the medal with the title The Medal of the Immaculate Conception, also known as The Miraculous Medal due to the many miracles attributed to its being worn with trust in Mary. Try to purchase and read the beautiful and inspiring booklet on The Miraculous Medal called Garment of Grace.

5) PRAY THIS PRAYER OFTEN in reparation for the sins against Mary, the Immaculate Conception: “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” (Words inscribed on the front of the Miraculous Medal.)

II. BLASPHEMES AGAINST MARY’S PERPETUAL VIRGINITY. Another one of the Church’s Marian dogmas, the Perpetual Virginity of Mary, is what the words express. Mary was always a virgin. She was a virgin before the birth of Jesus, during the birth of Jesus, and after the birth of Jesus! Perpetual means ALWAYS! How can we repair for the sins against the Perpetual Virginity of Mary?

1) CLARITY OF EXPRESSION. Be ready and willing to explain to all the meaning of this wonderful privilege given to Mary from God Himself.

2) MODESTY. In imitation of the sublime purity of Mary, let us all strive to live lives of great modesty in the way we dress, walk, speak, and act. This is a great means to repair for sins against the Perpetual Virginity of Mary.

3) PURITY. Jesus said: “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God.” (Mt. 5:8) In ourselves and in our children, let us strive to live lives of great purity. If this is done, we will be able to contemplate the Faces of Jesus and Mary in time and forever in heaven.

III. BLASPHEMES AGAINST MARY’S DIVINE MATERNITY. This is the greatest of all of Mary’s privileges—her Divine Maternity! This means that Mary is truly the Mother of God. This was proclaimed dogmatically at the Council of Ephesus in 431 A.D. Mary was proclaimed as the THEOTOKUS—she who was the vessel that carried God within her as His Mother.

1) LITURGICAL SOLEMNITY. Once again we invite all to make due reparation for the sins and blasphemes against Mary, this time against the Divine Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, by celebrating with preparation, attention, devotion, and joy the Liturgical Solemnity of Mary’s Divine Maternity. Actually, on Christmas day we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus the Lord, but at the same time, we cannot separate the birth of Jesus from Mary, the mother who gave Him birth—that is to say, Mary’s Divine Maternity. Mary as Mother of God is also celebrated as we usher in the New Year. On January 1st we celebrate both Mary, the Holy Mother of God, and the World Day of Peace.

2) COMMUNION OF REPARATION. On these two days strive to make fervent Holy Communions and offer them in reparation for all the sins against Mary as Mother of God.

3) THE HAIL MARY. Pray the Hail Mary often with the purpose of reparation for the sins of the world, but most especially for the sins against Mary as Mother of God. We specifically call to mind our desire for reparation when praying these words in the second part of the Hail Mary: Holy Mary, Mother of God….

4) ABORTION AND REPARATION. In a real sense, the Divine Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary challenges us to offer Mary’s YES to life in her Divine Maternity to repair for the countless abortions—the destruction of innocent life in the womb. How do we do this? By supporting life from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death.

IV. BLASPHEMES AGAINST CHILDREN.

All those who try to sow in the hearts of children a coldness, indifference, rejection, or even hatred toward their Immaculate Mother Mary. May the words of Jesus expressing His tender love for children resonate in our hearts: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Mt. 19:14) This scandal of blasphemes against children lacerates the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, especially when adults, particularly those in authority, speak negatively, sarcastically, and derisively as they demean, mock, and make fun of the person of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

How much Mary really loves all, but children in a special way, and how much Mary desires their purity, innocence, and the salvation of their immortal souls! It is not by chance that Our Lady of Fatima appeared to three simple shepherd children—Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta!!! Those who cause coldness, indifference, rejection, or worse yet hatred toward the Blessed Virgin Mary in the hearts of children are indeed committing an outrageous offense. We must offer due reparation to the sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary. The following are some suggestions.

1) BAPTISM. Have your children baptized as soon as possible, thereby transforming them into sons and daughters of God and of Mary.

2) NAME. Why not name your child in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary? Marian names are plentiful: Mary, Maria, Maryanne, Fatima, Lourdes, Guadalupe, Lupe, Concepcion, Dolores, etc. Having Mary’s name brings with it a special blessing!

3) CONSECRATION TO MARY. In the celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism, there is a final Rite of consecrating the child to Mary. Do it!

4) MARIAN MEDAL. Place on your child, even the little ones, a beautiful medal of Mary.

5) CATECHISM. In the context of catechizing your children, or being a teacher of catechism, tell the children who Mary is. Tell them that besides being the Mother of Jesus, she is their Heavenly Mother. Tell them how much she really loves them! Teach the children to love Mary, and to talk to her with much love, devotion, and confidence!

V. SCANDAL AND BLASPHEMES THROUGH THE IMAGES OF MARY.

In recent times, there has been a series of blasphemes against images of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Statues have been sprayed or destroyed. Paintings and pictures have been ruined. Possibly even worse, there have been movies and programs that have mocked and blasphemed the Blessed Virgin Mary. How this wounds deeply the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus! It is true that the devil both hates and has a mortal fear of the Blessed Virgin Mary and will do all in his power to blaspheme her, often using human agents or instruments! Let us offer due reparation; here are some suggestions.

1) IMAGES. Buy attractive paintings/pictures of Mary and display them in your home. Why not one for every room!

2) CONSECRATION OF YOUR HOME. Buy a beautiful image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, then ask a priest to bless it and enthrone it in your home. 

3) CONSECRATION OF THE FAMILY. When enthroning the image of Mary in your home, why not invite the priest to formally enthrone your whole family to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus! Make it public; invite other families to the celebration. And do this in reparation for blasphemes against Marian images.

4) CHURCHES. Encourage priests and Pastors to have beautiful images, paintings, and statues of Mary to honor and beautify their churches.

5). HOLY CARDS OF MARY. Buy a good number of attractive Holy Cards of Mary and on the back have written these words of reparation: “Sacrifice yourself for sinners and say many times, especially when you make a sacrifice: ‘O Jesus, it is for Thy love for the conversion of sinners and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.’” Then pass these out to family and friends and invite them to pray this prayer daily!

We hope and pray that all will have a greater love, respect, devotion, and limitless trust in the power, presence, and prayers of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in our daily lives. Therefore, let us do all in our power to show our great love and tenderness towards our Heavenly Mother by offering due reparation for the many sins committed against her great honor and singular role in our eternal salvation!