Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

SUNDAY, June 26th   Lk: 9: 51-62   Alleluia Verse: “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening; you have the words of everlasting life.”

Sunday is set aside by the Church for all to go to Mass, and hopefully for most, a day of rest and family time! Family time with the family of God at Mass, and family time with our immediate and extended family. This is a good day to meditate on the blessings that flow from marriage and family. Married or not, we are all part of a family. Fr. Ed reminds us of the blessings we all want to pray for in support of marriage and family life!

BLESSINGS THAT FLOW FROM MARRIAGE & FAMILY by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

The first institution created by God Himself is the family—the union between man and woman for the benefit of the children, as well as for society. The Second Vatican Council and its documents constantly refer to the family as “The Domestic Church”—the Church in miniature.

Pope Saint John Paul II, who wrote the Letter to the Family, insists on the vital importance of the family. In fact, the family is the primary cell of society, as well as the primary building block of society. The pathway that the society follows depends on the family, its unity, integrity and solidity.

A summary glance of history highlights the inevitable fact of the importance of the family for the future of civilization. Almost all of the major civilizations declined, unraveled and dissolved for many reasons and underlying factors. However, of the most prominent would be the crisis of the family. Embedded in the society in crisis would also be a widespread proliferation of sexual license and immorality. Often indeed, the family is subject to major attacks when sexual immorality rocks the family boat, capsizes and sinks the family ship—captain, crew and all of the members.

“From the beginning God created them male and female. Therefore, the man will leave his father and mother and cling to his wife and they will form one flesh. Therefore, what God has united let no man rent asunder.” (Jn 19:4-5) This was and still is God’s original plan for man, woman and the existence of the family.

Once a man and woman bond together through the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony countless graces and blessings flow from this bond, from this marital union. Holy Matrimony and the Family is indeed a vocation. By vocation is meant a true calling from God. Indeed, there is a real calling to holiness as Jesus stated emphatically, “Be holy as your heavenly Father is holy”, in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.   

Through the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, God endows and blesses the man and woman with special graces commensurate with and corresponding to the state of Marriage and family. Through the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony both the husband and wife receive from God Himself special graces such as: the ability to grow in true love for each other, to be faithful to each other, to be open to procreation and bringing forth with God’s help new life—children, as well as to experience and live the joy of true Friendship with God, the Hidden Partner who is present every step along their pathway to Heaven.

Therefore, we would like to encourage all of those who have chosen the wonderful journey of the Marriage Covenant and commitment by highlighting the many benefits that flow from striving to live out the vocation and Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. God’s presence, grace, and Friendship is never lacking towards those who place their trust in Him. Indeed, “Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth” (Ps 124:8) and“If God is with us, who can be against us” (Rom 8:31).  

With the reception of the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony you can truly rejoice in these many blessings and still many more…

GOD’S GRACE.  By grace is meant His indwelling Presence in the soul. Indeed the name EMMANUEL is so true: “God is with us.” If we have a deep inner conviction that God is with us and we are never alone, then we can experience a peace that goes beyond our wildest imagination. When a child knows that his mother and father are present, he experiences security; lacking knowledge of their presence, the child lives penetrated with fears.

GRACE OF FAITHFULNESS.  With Holy Matrimony, God’s grace also entails the safeguard of faithfulness. True, adultery exists and can grow by leaps and bounds, but this is due to our unwillingness to correspond to the Sacramental graces of Holy Matrimony. Whoever plays with fire will get burnt. However, the grace is always present to reject the evil and to accept and do the good.

BLESSINGS OF CHILDREN.  No doubt, one of the primary purposes of Holy Matrimony is that of PROCREATION. This key word PROCREATION actually means the art of creating a new life by collaborating with God the Creator. Actually, the husband and wife provide the material means for procreation of the new child. However, in the moment of conception, God Himself intervenes and infuses the immortal soul in that new human being. That soul will exist for all eternity!

1. RAISING OF CHILDREN: FEAR OF THE LORD AND LOVE OF GOD.  Obviously, it is not enough to simply conceive the child, allow the child to be born, and say mission completed. Quite the contrary, the raising of the child in the Fear of the Lord and the love of God, and all that refers to God, flows from the reception of Holy Matrimony. Husband and wife, father and mother, loving God and expressing their sincere love for each other is a powerful means to infuse their children with an authentic love for God in their own lives.

2. STABILITY AND PERMANENCE IN MATRIMONY AND THE CHILDREN.  Without the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, a man and woman simply living together have no permanent commitment. Therefore, when times get tough and the initial sentimental and romantic feelings disappear, and another person appears on the scene, how easy it is to jump ship and abandon the children for another partner. Holy Matrimony lived with sincerity and truth establishes both stability and permanence. As a consequence, the children experience a deep sense of security, a sense of concern and love for them that can help them grow to be well-formed and emotionally stable and happy sons and daughters of God.

3. RAISING THE CHILDREN: THE WORK-LOAD IS HALVED.  If husband and wife, father and mother, collaborate with the Sacrament of Matrimony and have children then both can work as a team in raising their children. The burden is cut in half. Jesus said: “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Mt 11:30) Spiritual-physical-emotional family teamwork diminishes considerably the arduous task of forming children.

4. FAMILY-LIFE IS HEAVEN-BOUND.  Another priceless gift that flows from the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony and the authentic Catholic family is the accomplishment of the primary goal and purpose of all of us: to get to Heaven! When Father and Mother, husband and wife, live out their Sacramental life to the fullest by participating in the Sacramental life of the Church, the children receive a bountiful down pouring of graces. Seeing Mom and Dad receiving Holy Communion with faith, love and fervor is a powerful magnetic force that can attract and pull their children into the same practice. Words can be cheap, example most powerful!

5. AUTHENTIC OUTPOURING OF LOVE.  The husband and wife, the father and mother, who strive to live out the Gospel’s mandate of love, “Love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 15-12), pour forth this love on their children. In a word, we all want to be loved but we cannot give what we do not have ourselves. Once the couple experience God’s overflowing love, they can love each other, and then that love pours down upon their children. Permeated by God’s love flowing down from the hearts of loving spouses and parents, these children can radiate and transmit love in a world so inundated by egoism and selfishness.

6. GOOD ADVICE THAT LASTS A LIFE-TIME.  Also flowing from the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony is the grace of the Holy Spirit upon parents to counsel, to direct, to guide their children on the right path. Parents can help their children to choose the right Higher Education, the right profession, and finally the right life-vocation. The Gift of the Holy Spirit of Counsel comes from the proper reception of the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.

7. THE HOLY FAMILY AS MODEL.  Of course, the best model for all families is the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Saint Joseph. Mary was and is the perfect wife and Mother, and Saint Joseph, the perfect husband and father. Clearly Jesus was the perfect Son. All true and authentic families should lift their gaze and contemplate Jesus, Mary and Saint Joseph as role models for their own lives and growth in holiness!

Closing prayer:  “Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, make my heart like unto thine; Jesus, Mary and Joseph, assist me in my last agony. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I breath forth my soul unto thee.”

Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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

SATURDAY, June 25th   Lk: 2: 41-51   THE IMMACULATE HEART OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY   Alleluia Verse: “Blessed is the Virgin Mary who kept the word of God and pondered it in her heart.”

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

After Jesus, nobody has loved us more than Mary in her most pure Immaculate Heart. Also, after the sufferings of Jesus, there is nobody on earth who suffered more than Mary.

THE SEVEN SORROWS OF MARY

The Church invites us to contemplate the Passion of Jesus through the eyes and Heart of Mary. Classically, there are Seven Sorrows of Mary. The Franciscans especially have a charism of promoting this powerful devotion. These Seven Sorrows start when Jesus is a little baby in the arms of Mary, up through Jesus’ mangled, bloody, sword-pierced Body in the arms of Mary at the foot of the cross, if you like, the Pieta of Michelangelo!

The following is an orderly, chronological listing of the Seven Sorrows of Mary, from the Infancy of Jesus up to His death and ending with His burial:

1. Prophecy of Simeon — “A sword will piece your heart.”

2. Flight into Egypt — Herod in pursuit to kill the Child Jesus.

3. Jesus is Lost in the Temple — Mary’s sorrow in losing Jesus for three days!

4. Mary meets Jesus on the way to Calvary — Mary meeting the eyes of Jesus as He carries the cross.

5. Crucifixion of Jesus — Mary present and witnessing the crucifixion of her Beloved Son.

6. Lowering of Jesus into Mary’s Arms — the dead body of Jesus is lowered into the arms of Mary.

7. Burial of Jesus — the separation of Jesus and Mary with the burial of Jesus in the tomb.

In each one of these seven sorrows of Mary, we are invited to enter into the mind, soul, and Heart of Mary to experience, at least to a limited degree, the sorrow of Mary, and then to console her. If we truly love a person, we want to share our life with that person, in good times and in bad, in health and in sickness, in riches and in poverty, until death do we part (Marriage promises). Our love for Jesus and Mary can and should far transcend our love on a human and natural level. As the Song of Songs expresses it: Love is stronger than death. 

Therefore, we will offer some concrete means by which we can contemplate the sorrows of Mary and at the same time offer her our consolation. The lover rejoices with the beloved, but is also willing to weep and suffer with the pains and sorrows of the beloved.

1. The Prophecy of Simeon…

“A sword of sorrow will pierce your heart so that the thoughts of many may be revealed.” 

A concrete way in which we can console the Heart of Mary in this contemplation would be to go to frequent confession in honor of Mary. Mary’s powerful prayers and presence will attain for us the grace to examine our conscience and then reveal our inmost secrets of conscience to the priest who represents Jesus. The end result will be absolution, forgiveness, and re-birth into a life of grace. Mary, whose title is full of grace, will rejoice in your opening up your mind, heart, and soul to the Mercy of Jesus in Confession.

2. The Flight into Egypt…

Saint Joseph got up and taking the Mother and Child fled into Egypt. 

How can we console the Heart of Mary in this painful sorrow? We all live in perpetual spiritual combat, spiritual warfare. We can console the Heart of Mary by imitating good Saint Joseph in fleeing from moral evil that we call temptation to sin. When you are tempted to sin, run to Mary; throw yourself into the arms of Mary; seek refuge in the Immaculate Heart of Mary. She is a sure refuge!

3. Losing and Finding Jesus in the Temple…

After three days of sorrowful searching, they found Jesus in the temple listening to and teaching the Jewish teachers.

What might be a concrete application of this third sorrow of Mary? Many mothers and fathers over the past fifty years have lost their children spiritually. That is to say, despite the hard efforts of their parents, children may still wander from the faith, no longer assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and worse still, willfully choose a sinful lifestyle.

Just as Jesus was lost and Mary suffered excruciating pains, so do parents suffer intensely the moral and spiritual loss of their children whom they love so much! Like Saint Monica and the eventual conversion of Saint Augustine, why not pray? Especially pray the rosary daily, as Our Lady exhorted the three children of Fatima to do, so that these lost and wandering prodigal sons and daughters, these lost sheep of the fold, will return. In other words, through the Holy Rosary, place these children in the Heart of Mary.

4. Jesus Meets Mary on the Way of the Cross…

As Jesus climbs Calvary on the way to His crucifixion, He meets Mary. A concrete manner in which we can console Mary is to imitate Jesus by carrying our crosses. However, with this important stipulation: share your crosses with Mary. The mere presence of Mary contemplating Jesus with the cross on His shoulders, consoled Jesus.

Dig deep into your heart so as to identify your biggest cross, as well as your smaller ones. Then bring these crosses to the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary. Imitating a little child in the arms of his mother, talk to Mary about these crosses. She is very interested in helping you to carry your cross with faith, confidence, trust and love. Often our crosses are overwhelming; they are just too heavy, thorny, and splintery to carry because we are trying to carry them by ourselves, without inviting Mary to help us! We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

5. Mary at the Foot of the Cross…

In this most painful mystery of the crucifixion, Passion, suffering, and death of Jesus—Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, was present the whole time. Jesus spoke from the cross to John and Mary: “Woman behold thy son; son behold thy mother. The disciple took her into his home.” (Jn 19:26-27) In that moment Jesus gave Mary—in the person of Saint John—to the world as the universal spiritual Mother, as our Mother! 

How can we console Mary in this mystery? Imitate Saint Juan Diego with Our Lady of Guadalupe and the little boy in the movie Marcelino, pan y vino or Miracle of Marcelino (1955 version). In what way? Very simple: be like a small child and tell Mary everything that is happening in your life, trusting totally and unreservedly in the Maternal Presence and Heart of your loving Mother Mary.

6. Jesus Placed in the Arms of Mary…

The artist Michelangelo depicted this masterfully in the famous Pieta. The film producer Mel Gibson presented this in the movie The Passion of the Christ in a most powerful and moving fashion. How can we console the Heart of Mary? To love Jesus is to love Mary; they are inseparable! The suffering Body of Jesus is present now in His Mystical Body, the Church. In a most powerful and special way, the Body of Christ comes to us in the greatest of all the Sacraments, the most Holy Eucharist, within the context of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

The greatest single gesture that we can do on the face of the earth is to receive Jesus, the Son of Mary, in Holy Communion. Therefore, a superb way in which we can console the Heart of Mary is to pray to receive Jesus in Holy Communion through Mary’s most pure and Immaculate Heart, because no one ever received Jesus with greater or more pure love than the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

7. Jesus Taken From Mary and Buried in the Tomb…

In this last of the seven sorrows, we witness the separation of Jesus and Mary when Jesus is placed in the tomb and buried. Without a doubt, one of the best ways we can console and rejoice the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary is to beg Mary for the grace to die daily to sin—the greatest evil that exists! Then, of greatest importance, beg Mary for the grace of a holy and happy death.

By constantly and earnestly praying to Mary the Hail Mary and the Holy Rosary, with Mary’s help we are preparing ourselves for the most important moment in our life: the very moment that we die! This will determine our eternal destiny—eternal salvation or eternal loss. We trust that through Mary’s prayers we will gain our eternal salvation.

May this be our prayer every night, and the moment we die:

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, make my heart like unto thine. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, assist me in my last agony. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I breathe forth my soul unto thee. O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine!

Solemnity of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

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

FRIDAY, June 24th   Lk: 15: 3-7   SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS   Alleluia Verse: “I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me.”

Part I: Commentary on the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Part II: Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

SACRED HEART OF JESUS, BURNING FURNACE OF CHARITY by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

“Come to me, all you who are weary and 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 yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” (Mt 26:26-38)

May is the month of Mary; July is the month of the Precious Blood of Jesus; October is the month of the Most Holy Rosary; November, traditionally, we pray for the dead. Finally, our focal point of this essay, is who we honor in the most special way in the month of June, and that is The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

We will encourage our readers to cultivate a deeper devotion to the most Sacred of Jesus by offering ten concrete suggestions. The clearest and most tangible symbol of God’s love for us is the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Burning Furnace of Charity. Draw close with great confidence and allow His Sacred Heart burning with love for you to set your heart on fire with love for Him and for the salvation of the whole world!

1. BIBLE RESOURCES.  First and foremost, we should be keenly aware of the many passages where we can encounter the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Bible, the Word of God. A few passages that can encourage your meditation:

a) Lk 1: 26-38. The most Sacred Heart of Jesus was being formed in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary during the course of her pregnancy, which lasted about nine months. By honoring the most pure womb of Mary we are indirectly honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus and promoting respect for human life from conception until natural death.

b) Mt 11: 28-30. Jesus Himself describes His own Heart with two words: meek and humble. Let us often pray this short prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus: “Jesus meek and humble of Heart make my heart like unto thine.”

c) Mt 26: 26-28. THE LAST SUPPER. It was at the Last Supper that Jesus instituted the most Holy Eucharist which is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. Of course, the noblest organ in the human person is the heart. Therefore, when we receive Holy Communion, we also receive the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. In a real sense, we can assert that every time we receive Holy Communion we receive a HEART TRANSPLANT!!!

d) Jn 19: 34. THE PIERCING OF THE SACRED HEART. After Jesus died, breathing forth His spirit into the hands of the eternal Father, the soldier with the lance, thrust the sword which pierced the side and Heart of Jesus, the Savior. From His open side and open Heart came gushing forth both blood and water. The waters of Baptism and Confession—forgiveness for our sins. The blood of the Most Holy Eucharist!

Utilize the above four Gospel passages pointing to the most Sacred Heart of Jesus for your meditation and contemplation. Dig deep into the treasures of Sacred Scripture in which we can encounter the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Read each passage, savor each passage, how does each passage speak to you?

2. IMAGE AND ENTHRONEMENT. A practice most pleasing to God is purchasing an attractive image of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus and enthroning this image in a prominent place in your home. By doing this you are stating publicly that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Lord Jesus is the Heart and center of your home and family.

3. FORMAL ENTHRONEMENT. Invite a priest into your home with the Book of Blessings in which he can formally bless your home by enthroning the image of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The ritual consists of a Biblical passage, prayers, the use of holy water and the formal enthronement prayer. Enormous blessings flow from honoring the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, especially by means of a formal enthronement.

4. THE LITANY OF THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS. Get in the habit of praying the Litany of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The mystical, Biblical, and poetic beauty of this Litany indeed is most inspiring and uplifting to our spiritual life. Perhaps pray it every Friday, the day we honor the Passion and Death of Our Lord and Savior.

5. VISIT THE BLESSED SACRAMENT AND ADORE. When you go to visit the Blessed Sacrament in the Church—exposed or in the Tabernacle—then you are truly visiting the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Saint Pope John Paul II asserted that the Tabernacle is indeed the living Heartbeat of the Catholic Church. The more people visiting the Blessed Sacrament—the most Sacred Heart of Jesus—the healthier that Parish is!

6. HOLY COMMUNION: THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS. As mentioned earlier, Holy Communion is the total Christ. Therefore, we receive in Holy Communion the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Receive Jesus often, but never in a routine or mechanical fashion, rather with burning love and devotion!

7. JUNE: THE MONTH OF THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS. We should honor, praise, and worship the most Sacred Heart of Jesus always. However, the month of June is the month most specifically dedicated to honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you!

8. SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS. Within the context of the month of June the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. This sublime and glorious Solemnity is celebrated on the Friday after the Sunday in which Corpus Christi is celebrated. On this day, in Holy Mass, we thank God for His infinite love that He has given to us in the Person of Jesus, but most especially in His Most Sacred Heart. As we contemplate the open Sacred Heart of Jesus pierced with the lance on Good Friday, we come to a keen awareness of how much Jesus really loves each and every one of us, having died for us and allowing His Sacred Heart to be pierced for us.

9. IMITATE THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS. Knowledge generates love, love generates imitation, and imitation eventually generates transformation. Saint Paul could assert with utmost sincerity: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Gal 2:20) The virtues manifested in the Sacred Heart of Jesus are many: humility, compassion, patience, courage, purity, obedience, penance, meekness, and most especially that of charity—supernatural love. By striving to imitate these virtues, you will most surely be on the highway to holiness and the highway to heaven.

10. SACRED HEART OF JESUS AND THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY.  It would be incomplete if we did not encourage all of those growing in love for the most Sacred Heart of Jesus to cultivate devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. As stated at the start of this essay, the most Sacred Heart of Jesus was formed in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary for nine months. For this reason, why not enthrone the most Sacred Heart of Jesus in union with enthronement of the Immaculate Heart of Mary; they are indeed inseparable!

In conclusion, as we struggle in our daily pilgrimage towards heaven in this valley of tears, in this spiritual war-zone, striving to carry our cross and burdens patiently, let us seek refuge frequently in the Immaculate Heart of Mary and in the Sacred Heart of Jesus—the two most safe refuges! Trustfully heed the words that issued from the most Sacred Heart of Jesus: “Come to me, all you who are weary and 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 yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” (Mt 26: 26-38) If we seek refuge in His Sacred Heart in life, then we will be able to rest on His Sacred Heart in heaven for all eternity!

LITANY OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

In 1899 Pope Leo XIII approved this Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for public use. A total of 33 invocations, one for each year of life of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us. Christ graciously hear us.

R. Have mercy on us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, formed in the womb of the Virgin Mother by the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.                                                                                       

Heart of Jesus, united substantially with the word of God, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, of infinite majesty, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, holy temple of God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, glowing furnace of charity, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, vessel of justice and love, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, King and center of all hearts, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells all the fullness of the Divinity, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father is well pleased, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, whom we have all received, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, patient and rich in mercy, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, rich to all who invoke Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, fount of life and holiness, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, saturated with revilings, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, crushed for our iniquities, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, made obedient unto death, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who hope in Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, delight of all saints, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Christ graciously spare us.
Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.

V. Jesus, meek and humble of Heart. R. Make our hearts like unto Thine.

Let us pray: Almighty and everlasting God, look upon the Heart of Thy well-beloved Son and upon the acts of praise and satisfaction which He renders unto Thee in the name of sinners; and do Thou, in Thy great goodness, grant pardon to them who seek Thy mercy, in the name of the same Thy Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You, world without end. Amen.

Vigil Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist 

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

THURSDAY, June 23rd  Lk: 1: 57-66, 80  Solemnity of the Nativity of John the Baptist 

“They were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, ‘No. He will be called John.’ So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, ‘John is his name,’ and all were amazed.”

SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST POINTS THE WAY TO CHRIST! A GLORIOUS EXAMPLE WORTHY OF IMITATION!!! By Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

“I am the voice crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way for the Lord.’” Again: “I am not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Great Prophet.” Then, “He must increase, and I must decrease.” And, “I am not even worthy to unfasten his sandal-straps.” All of these expressions resound from the voice and heart of the same person: SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST! Speaking of this person, Jesus exalts him to a sublime degree: “Of all men born of women, none is greater than John the Baptist.”

The lessons that the great Saint John the Baptist can teach us are many. These lessons in virtue can easily motivate all of us, in this precise moment, to abandon a life of sin or mediocrity and pursue a life of heroic virtue, to pursue a life of great holiness. Chapter V of the Dogmatic Constitution of Vatican II Lumen Gentium commands us to holiness of life. This chapter is the Universal Call to Holiness. Jesus stated it succinctly and unequivocally: “Be holy as your heavenly Father is holy.” (Mt 5:48)

Therefore, let us learn from the person of the great Saint John the Baptist to abandon a life of tepidity, lukewarmness and apathy and allow the fire of the Holy Spirit, and the example and prayers of Saint John the Baptist, to ignite an ardent flame within us.

1. MARY AND SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST.

There is an intimate connection and bond of holiness between Mary and Saint John the Baptist. Mary visited John when he was still in the womb of his mother, Saint Elizabeth. Mary’s word, and the silent presence of Jesus in her womb, caused John the Baptist to leap for joy in the womb of his mother and be filled with the Holy Spirit, resulting in his sanctification. Our Lady’s presence and word can also sanctify each and every one of us. Stay close to Mary!

2. THE PRO-LIFE SAINT.

In a world characterized by loss of respect for life from the moment of conception until natural death, it is worthy of note that the parents of John welcomed him in their old age. Beyond the normal age of child-bearing, Elizabeth said YES to life and brought forth Saint John the Baptist. Every child in the womb is precious and a true gift from God, endowed with a special mission.

3. DESERT-EXPERIENCE.

Saint John the Baptist did not launch himself into a flurry of activity right away, nor did Jesus! Jesus spent His formative years in the family of Nazareth. According to tradition, Saint John the Baptist spent long years in the desert preparing himself for his great mission. He was called to prepare the way of the Lord, but he first had to prepare himself. How important the lesson of the Baptist for us! To be successful Apostles we must prepare ourselves by means of prayer, penance, and self-discipline. The more exact and demanding the preparation, the more abundant the apostolic fruits!

4. SILENCE. 

In the desert, far distant from noise and clatter, and the cacophony of strident protests, the Baptist settled in silence, propitious for listening attentively to the Word of God. What a powerful lesson. Pope Benedict XVI, speaking to seminarians in New York, commented on how difficult it is today to hear the voice of the Lord because of the reality of being bombarded by so many alien noises. May Saint John the Baptist help us to cherish silence! “Speak, O Lord, for your servant is listening.” (1 Sam 3:10)

5. PENANCE. 

To soar to the heights in the spiritual life like an eagle, we need two wings: the wings of prayer and penance. In a world imbued with hedonism, sensuality, gluttony, drinking bouts, and the philosophy of pleasure, the lifestyle of the Baptist is a countersign and very counter-cultural! No elegant, gourmet dining for the Baptist! Quite the contrary, his nourishment was locusts and wild honey, being fed from God’s gratuitous gifts of nature.

6. A SIMPLE, FRUGAL LIFE-STYLE. 

How much time, energy, and money are wasted on luxurious buying and having related to wardrobe. Saint John the Baptist challenges us to look deeply into our own buying and having with respect to our wardrobe and dress! How did the Baptist dress? Quite simply: he donned a camel’s fur garment and wore a leather belt around his waist. He had no need for a closet to store extra clothing! Let’s examine our wardrobe and buying sprees from the perspective of the Baptist.

7. HIS PREACHING STYLE AND METHOD. 

The preaching style of the Baptist and his message were simple, direct, and to the point. He did not mince nor waste words. The very essence of his preaching could be summarized in one simple word: CONVERSION!!! Very similar to the first preaching of Jesus: “Be converted; the Kingdom of God is at hand.” (Mk 1:15)

8. HIS DISCIPLES.

A very interesting note is that of John’s close disciples; who were they? Actually, some of the Apostles that Jesus chose were already being formed and taught by Saint John the Baptist. Among these were Saint John the Evangelist, as well as Saint Andrew. John the Baptist pointed to Jesus saying, “The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” (Jn 1:35) Hearing this, John and Andrew left the Baptist to follow Jesus. (Jn 1:36-38) What profound humility in the Baptist, allowing his disciples and friends to leave him so that they could follow in the company of Jesus! The Baptist considered himself a mere sign—paving the way and pointing to Jesus! What an example for us!

9. HIS MISSION. 

Saint John the Baptist had no identity-crisis. He knew with utmost clarity who he was, where he was called to be, and exactly what his mission entailed. Baptisms! The latter part of his life, he was called to the Jordan River where he would first summon the people to a life of conversion and then he would baptize them. A culminating moment in John’s life is when Jesus enters the scene at the Jordan River and asks to be baptized by John the Baptist. Despite his feelings of unworthiness, the Baptist humbly submits to the request of Jesus and he baptizes the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. In this moment the profound mystery of the Blessed Trinity becomes manifest. The voice of God the Father is heard, Jesus enters into the waters thereby sanctifying all future waters used to baptize, and the Holy Spirit becomes manifest in the presence of the Dove.

10. HIS GLORIOUS GRAND FINALE! 

The Grand Finale of the life of SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST was his glorious death. He was martyred. The primary reason for the glorious death of Saint John the Baptist was his courage in denouncing publicly the adulterous, incestuous and scandalous actions of King Herod. The cowardly and wicked king had actually taken the wife of his brother, Philip, and made her his own. The Kingdom was muted, but not John the Baptist. He raised a clarion voice of denunciation: “It is not right for you to live with her!” (Mt 14:4) For this, John was incarcerated. On the occasion of the birthday of the wicked King and a lascivious dance by his step-daughter, Herod made a rash promise to give the girl whatever she asked for. Her mother, filled with hatred for John, promptly told her daughter to ask for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. King Herod sent executioners to the prison and John was decapitated. This great saint died to defend the indissoluble character of Holy Matrimony and the evil of divorce and adultery. He lost his physical life but gained Heaven for all eternity!

His miraculous conception—his mother being beyond childbearing age, his prayerful and penitential preparation in the desert, and a life spent calling for repentance and conversion of life, ultimately leading to the glorious death of Saint John the Baptist, can most splendidly serve as a model for all of us who yearn for a life of authentic holiness. May we ardently desire to live out his virtues: prayer, penance, silence, humility, detachment, mission, love for Jesus, love for the truth, and undaunted courage to face evil and deceit with a willingness to die for the truth, should the Lord give us the grace! Great and Glorious Saint John the Baptist, pray for us!

Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

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

WEDNESDAY, June 22nd   Mt 7: 15-20   Jesus said: “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them.”

What about us? What is our good fruit? Fr. Ed presents a meditation on the Beatitudes as the good fruit we are to embrace and live out, quoting Saint John Paul II: “The Beatitudes are a mirror into the Heart of Jesus.”  

THE BEATITUDES: ATTITUDES OF THE HEART OF JESUS by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

THE PREACHING OF JESUS AT HIS BEST.  Our meditation/contemplation will be on the preaching of Jesus. In fact we might even present as the heart of His preaching, the Sermon on the Mount, which can be found in the Gospel of Saint Matthew, Chapters 5, 6, and 7. However, the focus of this meditation is Jesus’ preaching of the EIGHT BEATITUDES and their promises. (Mt 5:1-12) Pope Saint John Paul II stated: “The Beatitudes are a mirror into the Heart of Jesus.” If we sincerely want to have a glimpse into the Sacred Heart of Jesus and His most sublime virtues, then enter into the Beatitudes. That will be our meditation, our contemplation, and our challenge—to really get to know Jesus more intimately, love Him more ardently, be motivated to follow Him more closely, and bring others to Him. And last, but by no means least, to become like Him. Until in the words of Saint Paul: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Gal 2:20)

FIRST BEATITUDE: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.”

Jesus lived what He preached starting out with this first Beatitude. Jesus was rejected before He was born – “there was no room for them at the inn”. (Lk 2:7) He was born in a poor stable in Bethlehem. He worked a hard and demanding job as a Carpenter. Once He left home, He had no fixed abode as He Himself said: “The foxes have their holes and the birds of the air have their nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay His head.” (Lk 9:58) For three years Jesus lived relying and depending totally on the Father’s Divine and Providential care. He died rejected on the cross, stripped of His garments and of His dignity. Finally, He was buried in a borrowed tomb. Jesus truly lived poverty, detachment, and total trust in God.

What about us? Are we attached to persons, places, things, opinions, circumstances, even our own way of thinking and mode of living? Have we become a slave of things? Have we allowed our possessions to possess us? Let us examine our life and pray over this Beatitude!  May this become our prayer: “Lord Jesus, give me the grace to cling only to you!”  

SECOND BEATITUDE: “Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

Three times we see Jesus weeping in His Public life. First, over the city of Jerusalem: “How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing.” (Mt 23:37) Second, at the death of His friend Lazarus with Mary and Martha present: “Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’” (Jn 11:35-36) Third, in the Garden of Gethsemane, entering into His Passion. This is recounted in the Letter to the Hebrews: “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death.” (Heb 5:7)

What profit can be derived from weeping? In our case we should weep for our many sins, the sins of our children and family, as well as for the sins of the world at large. Our Lady of La Salette (France) wept for the sins of the people. Our Lady of Syracuse (Sicily) and Our Lady of Akita (Japan) wept tears of blood for the sins of the people. Saint Monica wept profuse tears for the conversion of her wayward son, Augustine, who became the great Saint and Doctor of the Church—Saint Augustine.

Therefore, pray over this Beatitude and weep, most especially for our own personal sins and those of our family, but also for the sins of the world. “Be converted, because the Kingdom of God is at hand.” (Mk 1:15)

THIRD BEATITUDE: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the land.” 

Meekness is not weakness, but rather powerful emotion under control. Often meekness is translated or understood as the virtue, so necessary, of PATIENCE!!! Once again we contemplate the infinite patience of Jesus at all times and places. His patience with His faulty and flawed Apostles. His patience with the Pharisees constantly attacking Him. His patience with the many sinners who came to Him. Most especially, His patience in His Passion. His patience carrying the cross—now stumbling and falling, now getting up again. His patience and mercy toward His enemies: “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Lk 23:34) 

Let us contemplate Jesus and beg for true meekness of heart with this prayer: “Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto thine.” Let us pray for patience with God and His dealings with us; patience with others, especially our family members; and patience with ourselves. Most important, let us never give into discouragement. When we fall, get up! Nunc Coepi—Now I begin. “Even if I should fall a thousand times a day, a thousand times I will get up again and say Nunc Cœpi–Now I begin.” (Ven. Bruno Lanteri, Founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary)

FOURTH BEATITUDE:  “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness or holiness, for they will be satisfied.”

Jesus is the model of holiness—meaning, the whole life of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was resplendent and perfect in holiness—a model for us to follow, to imitate. Jesus wants us to be holy, to become a great saint! Later, Jesus issues an imperative command: “Be holy as your heavenly Father is holy.” (Mt 5:48) What Jesus commands us to do, He will give the grace and power to carry out.

But first we must beg fervently, frequently, and full of faith for the grace to be holy. Then in all of our words, actions, and intentions may we have Jesus always before our eyes. One of the most famous books ever written is precisely that: The Imitation of Christ!!! Beg for the grace to live out this wonderful but challenging Beatitude. May the prayer of the Psalmist be yours and mine: “As the deer yearns for running streams, so my soul longs for you, O Lord my God.” (Ps 42:1) May we hunger and thirst for God and for holiness above any other person, place or thing in our lives!!!

FIFTH BEATITUDE:  “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

Once again, Jesus is our sublime and supreme model in His preaching and life-style.

A few of Jesus’ teachings on the importance of mercy:

+ “Be merciful as your Heavenly Father is merciful.” (Lk 6:36)

+ “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” (The Our Father)

+ “I tell you, anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Leave your gift at the altar and be reconciled with your brother, then offer your gift.” (Mt 5:22-23)

+ “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.” (Lk 23:34 – from the cross)

Of course the most sublime example of mercy shown by Jesus, as mentioned above, was when He hung from the cross, basically an open, gaping wound: “Father forgive, them for they know not what they are doing.” (Lk 23:34) Scourged, crowned with thorns, spat upon, insulted, abandoned by His friends, and seemingly by His Heavenly Father, what does Jesus do? He forgives them from the depths of His Pierced Heart! What a sublime example of love, compassion, forgiveness, and especially the BEATITUDE of MERCY!!!

Our life and Mercy. Let each one of us dig into the depths of our heart and be sincere, honest and transparent. How many times in our life have we been willing to forgive??? Let us beg now for the grace to forgive all those who have hurt us, and especially beg for the grace to reject resentment and hard feelings that militate against living out this Beatitude: “Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy.” Saint Ignatius gives us the secret to achieve this: Agere Contra, meaning act against. Act against our resentment and hard feelings by praying daily for the persons who have hurt us in our life, even when we don’t feel like it! This is not hypocrisy, this is heroic virtue. God’s grace will do the rest! And the person God sets free, will be each one of us!

SIXTH BEATITUDE: “Blessed are the clean of heart (pure of heart) for they will see God.”

A most challenging virtue and disposition of heart and soul to live. Jesus is our model always and at all times! Jesus’ eyes, mind, heart, soul, body, and even His intentions were always most pure, and focused on the Face of the Eternal Father. The will of Jesus was to carry out the will of His Heavenly Father. Our Lady of Fatima said with sadness that most souls are lost as a result of impurity—breaking the 6th and 9th Commandments. Let us look into our inner being, our life past and present, and humbly beg for purity. Beg for purity of eyes, ears, body, mind, heart, soul, and even purity of intention. In the words of Saint Paul: “Whether you eat or drink do all for the honor and glory of God.” (1Cor 10:31) Call to mind the motto of Saint Ignatius in the Spiritual Exercises: A.M.D.G.—All for the honor and glory of God. Finally, in the words of Saint Paul again: “You have been redeemed by the Blood of Jesus; therefore, glorify God in your bodies!” (1 Cor 6:20)

Our bodies are Temples of the living God! May we use them in all times and places to glorify God. In closing, let us turn to the Blessed Virgin Mary and consecrate ourselves to her most pure and Immaculate Heart: “Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation!” Take the thorns from her Heart and instead crown her Heart with beautiful roses—the rose petals of our purity of heart, mind, body, and soul!!!

SEVENTH BEATITUDE: “Blessed are the peace-makers for they will be called the children of God.”

Lift your eyes to Jesus and beg for the grace to live out this Beatitude that refers to peace! The Prophet Isaiah called Jesus the Prince of Peace. Jesus would greet the Apostles with the word: SHALOM meaning—PEACE BE WITH YOU! Upon the birth of Jesus, the angelic choir sang: “Glory to God in the highest and peace to people of good will.” (Lk 2:13-14) Upon appearing to the Apostles in the Upper Room that first Easter Sunday night, Jesus addressed the Apostles in these words: “‘Shalom! As the Father sends me so I send you.’ And He breathed on them and said: ‘Receive the Holy Spirit; whose sins you forgive, they will be forgiven, and whose sins you hold bound, they will be held bound.’” (Jn 20:21-23)

A key Sacramental interpretation of this beatitude is the following: to be a true peace-maker, we must first be at peace with God by renouncing sin and our sinful patterns. For we will never be at peace with others while we are at war with God and within ourselves! How can this be done? Most clearly by forming the habit of frequent, well-prepared, and well-made Sacramental Confessions. What beautiful and consoling words from the priest: “I absolve you of your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Your sins are forgiven, go in PEACE!” Let us meditate upon this Beatitude and examine our habit of Confession and the quality of our confessions. Likely there is room for improvement! May Our Lady, Queen of Peace, come to our aid!

EIGHTH BEATITUDE: “Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.”

Once again, not only did Jesus teach this Beatitude but He lived it to the highest degree of perfection. After being persecuted in His public life, Jesus endured His most bitter Passion, suffering, and death on the cross. This is a most sublime teaching on the Beatitude on Persecution. As the Acts of the Apostles states: “Jesus went about doing good.” (Acts 10:38) Despite His kindness and all the good He did—His love for the poor, the sick, the suffering, the marginalized, those forgotten and neglected, even the little children, the orphans and widows, and forgiving penitents—Jesus was nailed to the cross.

Therefore, if we really live out the first Seven Beatitudes, our reward is the Eighth: “Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” Indeed, if we are really and truly living out the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, then we will experience some form of persecution. It might be at work, or in our extended family, or even in our immediate family, maybe even from our spouse and children. Jesus said that He did not come to bring peace but war, especially in the family. Family members will be divided because of their allegiance and love for Jesus the Lord. We cannot serve money and God, nor the world and God. They are diametrically opposed. Jesus must be our alpha and omega, our beginning and end, our principle and foundation, our purpose and meaning in life. Jesus has to be the ardent and constant desire of our heart. Who were those who really lived out this last Beatitude to the highest degree? Obviously this would be the class that we call the MARTYRS—a word meaning witness. They gave the most eloquent witness to their love for the Lord Jesus by imitating Jesus in shedding their blood for Him! “No greater love exists than to give one’s life for one’s friends.” (Jn 15:30)

CONCLUSION

May this serious and deep meditation on the Beatitudes spur you on with every fiber of your being to get to know Jesus more fully, love Him more ardently, and follow Him more closely, so as to bring others to Him more frequently, and live out the words of Saint Paul related to our transformation in Christ: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Gal 2:20)

Biographical notes: Pope Francis in Gaudete et Exultate has left an excellent commentary on the Beatitudes, Chapter Three, Numbers 63-109. Also, the modern author, preacher and Retreat Director, Jacques Phillipe, has written a book on the Beatitudes. Great resources for our spiritual life and growth!