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

MONDAY, AUGUST 9th    Mt. 17: 22-27   “As Jesus and his disciples were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, ‘The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.’ And they were overwhelmed with grief.”

• Can you imagine following Jesus for three years, then hearing this? His disciples knew Jesus was the Messiah; He had worked enough miracles to convince them of that. Why would He prophesy His death? How could this be?
• The Apostles had no script, where they could look ahead to see how everything was going to turn out! Matthew is writing this Gospel and he says, “they were overwhelmed with grief!”
• Perhaps there have been times when we could not understand what God was doing in our lives, when we felt helpless and abandoned. Maybe we feel that way right now. This is Fr. Ed’s topic today: Desolation and how to conquer it!

MOVING FROM THE DARK TUNNEL TO SUNSHINE by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

The damp, misty, drizzling Monday morning in which we leave home with a headache and nose-drip, and everything seems bleak and dreary. Indeed, there are hours, perhaps even days in which we feel as if we are traversing a tunnel in which there is no outlet! Or if you like, days in which we feel as if we are meandering aimlessly through a dark interior, humid and foul jungle, entangled in an emotional and spiritual tug of war in which the battle seems all but lost. These images describe the interior state of soul that St. Ignatius calls Desolation.

Fr. Tim Gallagher, OMV, frequently asserts that nobody should be ashamed about experiencing this state of desolation or even finding oneself in this state. However, it is incumbent upon us to strive to use all the means at our disposal so as not to succumb to this state of being. Because if we do succumb to the state of desolation, this can wreak havoc in our lives. Indeed, it could lead to irreparable damage. Sad to say, many even make attempts against their lives when immersed in the dark, interior jungle of desolation.

Therefore, given that the reality of desolation is a universal phenomenon that characterizes all times, cultures, and persons, we will offer some concrete remedies so we can exit the dark night, the deep pit, the meandering misty jungle of our interior state of desolation. It must be said that many of our moral and spiritual pitfalls happen due to human fragility, but many also happen due to ignorance, a lack of intellectual and spiritual formation.

GAME PLAN/STRATEGY TO CONQUER THE STATE OF DESOLATION

1. HUMBLE RECOGNITION OF THE STATE.  Even though this point may appear to be obvious, it may not seem so when immersed in the state of desolation. We should humbly admit to ourselves, and to God who is always ready to help us, that we are in desolation. Our faith is low, as well as our hope and charity. Sadness, discouragement, even depression seem to be knocking and seeking entrance into our hearts. There is the overwhelming desire to simply chuck the towel in and abandon the fierce struggle. We must stop, even for a moment, and admit: “No doubt, I am in a state of desolation!”

2. PRAY IMMEDIATELY.  As the devil battles to manipulate us, like puppets on a string, plunged in an intense state of desolation, the enemy will launch arrows of deceit with these poisonous words: “Pray? Why? That is a waste of time… it never helps you anyway!” Our reaction to the wily attack of the enemy of our soul should be agere contra—to react against the temptation and to pray immediately and all the more fervently! “Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth.” (Ps. 124:8)

3. THANK GOD!  Saint Paul states: “Give thanks to the Lord in all circumstances!”  (1Thess. 5:18) True to himself, the devil will attack and try to persuade you with this idea: “Thank God now??? That is hypocrisy. You are not in the mood for that. You must be true to yourself!” However, by calling to mind some of the many benefits and blessings that God has showered upon you in the past, and thanking Him for them, can truly help to dissipate the mist of desolation imbuing your soul!

4. TALK IT OUT: BRING IT TO THE LIGHT!  In desolation the devil works overtime. The devil always works, but in desolation he works time and a half.   Satan tries to convince us, when we find ourselves cast into desolation, to keep it top-secret. Because by talking out our desolation with a spiritual guide or friend in the spirit, we humble ourselves, and the devil takes flight in the light of a humble soul!

5. WAY OF THE CROSS/STATIONS OF THE CROSS.  One of my past spiritual directors told me that in his personal experience, when he found himself cast into an intense state of desolation, by making the Stations of the Cross, without fail the desolation was conquered. Our suffering compared to the sufferings of Jesus on Calvary are reduced to nothingness!

6. CONTEMPLATE GOD’S BEAUTIFUL BOOK OF CREATION.  Still another tool or weapon in the imperious struggle to conquer desolation could be contemplating some aspect of God’s beauty in creation, even for a short interval. The glowing sunset or sunrise, the fluffy white clouds in a blue sky, the raiment of God’s beauty in a rainbow, the meadows decked with a variety of colorful flowers and the redolence of their heavenly fragrance, the recurring waves rolling onto the shore then receding, only to return again. Saint Ignatius was enthralled and captivated by the heavenly stars in the night sky. God’s beauty reflected in His creation can cast out the gloom of a dark and murky soul immersed in desolation.

7. INVOKE THE HOLY SPIRIT.  In the classical prayer to the Holy Spirit, we beg for the grace to rejoice always in His consolation. What a marked contrast. The devil insists on chaining us to an interior cave of darkness called desolation. On the contrary, the Holy Spirit yearns to fill our whole being with an overflowing tide of consolation. The Holy Spirit is a God of joy, happiness and consolation. Pray this prayer often: “Come Holy Spirit, come to me through the Heart of Mary.” This short but fervent prayer can melt the icy glacier of desolation encrusted in our soul!

8. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY/EXERCISE.  I remember the wisdom and good advice of my Mother when I was a child. When she noticed that I was in a state of sadness, tension, disorientation that we call desolation, she would tell me to go outside and play. By intense engagement in some form of physical activity, no matter what the source of the desolation might have been, it evaporated and vanished. In desolation we cave in upon ourselves; physical activity is going out of self, often to others! 

9. HUMBLY BEG FOR THE PRAYERS OF OTHERS.  Jesus said: “Truly I tell you, if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Mt. 18:19-20) In desolation, humbly asking for prayers can be the means that turns the tide from desolation to consolation. If it were not for the prayers of Saint Monica, we would never have experienced the conversion of St. Augustine. In the movie Little Boy, this little guy’s prayers, said with fervor and faith, actually moved the majestic mountain. Prayers of other prayer-warriors can move the smaller mountains of our interior state of desolation.

10. MARY: OUR LIFE, OUR SWEETNESS, AND OUR HOPE.  It is recorded in the life of Saint Frances de Sales that as a youth he traversed an intense period of profound desolation. Having lost sleep, much weight, and almost all hope, he entered into a Church dedicated to Our Lady of Victory in Paris, knelt in front of a statue of Mary and prayed the prayer the Memorare to Our Lady. “Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided….” Like a dark, dense cloud exposed to the sunlight at midday, his desolation evaporated, peace and joy invaded his soul. Frances de Sales went on to become a priest, Bishop, writer, Founder, Doctor of the Church, and a great saint. Thanks to the intercession of Mary, our life, our sweetness and our hope! May Our Lady, Cause of our joy, lift us from the dark valley of despair to the heights and summit of holiness and joy!

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

SUNDAY, AUGUST 8th    Jn. 6: 41-51    “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”

HOLY MASS, HOLY COMMUNION AND HOLINESS OF LIFE by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

Let us Let us begin with what the great friends of God, the saints themselves have preached and written on the great importance of frequent and fervent reception of Holy Communion in our lives!

1. SAINT IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA:  “One of the most admirable effects of Holy Communion is to preserve the soul from sin, and to help those who fall through weakness to rise again. It is much more profitable then to approach the divine Sacrament with love, respect and confidence than to remain away through excess fear and scrupulosity.”

2. SAINT JOSEMARIA ESCRIVA:  “When you approach the tabernacle remember that He has been waiting for you for twenty centuries.”

3. SAINT JOHN VIANNEY:  “All the good works in the world are not equal to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass because they are the works of man; but the Mass is the work of God. Martyrdom is nothing in comparison for it is but the sacrifice of man to God; but the Mass is the sacrifice of God to man.”

4. SAINT MAXIMILIAN KOLBE:  “If the angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion.”

5. SAINT FRANCES DE SALES:  “When you have received Him, stir up your heart to do Him homage, speak to Him about your spiritual life, gaze upon Him in your soul where He is present for your happiness, welcome Him as warmly as possible, and behave outwardly in such a way that your actions may give proof to all of His Presence.”

One of the key chapters in the Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium, Chapter V, is the Universal Call to Holiness. In concrete, this chapter lays out the goal and the purpose of every human person, created in the image and likeness of God: the call to become a saint! Jesus expressed this command unequivocally and with utmost clarity and transparency: “Be holy as your Heavenly Father is holy.” (Mt. 5:48) In the most famous block of teaching and preaching of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Sermon on the Mount, in the initial phase of this teaching called the Beatitudes Jesus teaches: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for holiness; they will be satisfied.” (Mt. 5:6)  Saint Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians reiterates the same truth: “This is the will of your heavenly Father: your sanctification.” (1 Thess 4:3) The modern saint, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, exhorts us in these words: “Holiness is not the privilege of the few, but the duty of all.”

Therefore, let us offer the Express-way to holiness. Instead of choosing and pursuing a circuitous, labyrinthine, laborious and sometimes frustrating path towards holiness, why not choose the quickest, most secure and efficacious path to arrive at the heights of holiness in our short life here on earth!

What is this short-cut, this smooth path to Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life? It is Jesus Himself through Mass and Holy Communion. However, the means by which we connect with this electric current of grace and holiness is through living out the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to the fullest extent possible. The Dogmatic Constitution on the Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, expresses it the following words: “The faithful must participate fully, actively and consciously in the Mass… the source and summit of holiness.”

As a motivation to all people of good will who take sincerely this Universal Call to Holiness, we will accentuate the remarkable sanctifying effects that Holy Communion can produce in the recipient of such a sublime Sacrament. Indeed, the most Holy Eucharist, which is truly and substantially the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus, the Son of the living God, is the key to all holiness.

Before entering into the effects that Holy Communion produces on the individual, a key theological concept must be explained with clarity and precision: The concept of Dispositive-grace. This means that the Sacrament of the Eucharist is truly Jesus, the Son of the Eternal Father, the Holy of Holies. However, the graces received in the reception of Holy Communion are commensurate with or in direct proportion to the disposition of the individual heart that receives Jesus. If one receives Jesus in mortal sin then he eats and drinks to his own condemnation. (I Cor. 11:17-22). If the preparation and reception is mediocre, the graces will correspond to the attitude of mediocrity. If the disposition is good, the graces will flow more freely. If the disposition is fervent then graces will redound all the more. Finally, if the preparation is excellent and the reception a heart on fire with love then the effect can be compared to a spiritual atomic-bomb: an explosion of graces. The latter should be our aim and our goal!

Now we will enumerate and explain exactly what can take place in the well-disposed heart that receives the Eucharistic Lord Jesus in Mass in the context of the most Holy Eucharist—the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus.

1. PURIFICATION OF THE HEART AND SOUL.  Holy Communion received with the ardent fire of charity can serve to burn away the residue of smaller sins that we call venial sins. Saint John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church, offers us this analogy. Put a rusty piece of iron in a scathing and intense fire, the fire will consume the rust and the iron will assume the same property as the fire. So it is with Holy Communion. The Council of Trent says it is the antidote to our daily infirmities. On a Pastoral note, nobody should refrain from the reception of Holy Communion if they have venal sin(s) on their soul.

2. SPIRITUAL HEART-TRANSPLANT.  Saint Margaret Mary AIacoque had the unique and incredible privilege of contemplating the most Sacred Heart of Jesus at Paray Le Monial in France. What a blessing and unique privilege indeed! However, it must be stated with gratitude and great humility that we have a more frequent and greater privilege. We can receive Holy Communion on a daily basis. In the Our Father, Jesus taught us to pray: “Give us this day our daily-bread…”  We truly receive the total Lord Jesus—His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, and that includes the Sacred Heart of Jesus. So in a real sense, every Holy Communion received worthily is truly a SPIRITUAL-HEART-TRANSPLANT. After receiving Holy Communion, we have the Sacred Heart of Jesus beating in our heart! Our heart becomes consumed in His Sacred Heart!

3. THE MOST SUBLIME VIRTUES IN THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS.  Following up on the reality of the Sacred Heart of Jesus that we receive in every Holy Communion is the fact that with Jesus’ Heart, we also receive His most sublime virtues. Faith, Hope, Charity, Humility, Patience, Obedience, Purity, Fortitude, Meekness, Gentleness, Wisdom and Knowledge—all of these and all of the virtues imaginable are truly present in every Holy Communion. Still more, these virtues in Jesus are the most refined, the most holy, the most sublime that the human mind can comprehend.

4. CONVERSION OF VICE TO VIRTUE.  For this reason, the great Educator of youth of the 19^th Century, Saint John Bosco, was a precursor of the practice of frequent Holy Communion in that he would encourage his young people in the Oratory in Turin to receive Holy Communion frequently and fervently so as to eradicate vices—especially that of impurity—and supplant them with holiness. There is no more efficacious means to conquer our vices and sinfulness then frequent, fervent and faith-filled Holy Communions! “Lord, strengthen my faith!” (Lk. 17:5)

5. MIND-TRANSPLANT.  The great Apostle to the Gentiles, Saint Paul, exhorts us in these words: “Put on the mind of Christ!” Then he insists: “You have the mind of Christ.” (1Cor. 2:16) And finally: “Do not conform your mind to this world, but but have a fresh way of thinking.” (Rom. 12:2) Indeed, if Holy Communion is the Total-Christ then that includes the mind of Jesus. If you want to burn away the dross of bad and ugly thoughts, then meditate upon the Word of God and receive Holy Communion. What chlorine is to a swimming-pool, so is the Word of God and Holy Communion to our mind!

6. SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT.  The Prophet Elijah ate the bread that the angel gave him two times, and from the energy and strength derived from that bread, the great Prophet walked forty days and forty nights. (The same length of time Jesus was in the desert!) In an analogous sense, Holy Communion endows and inundates us with spiritual energy so that we can travel with great alacrity and strength on the Highway to Heaven!

7. SPIRITUAL REMEDY AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE.  If we are well-nourished bodily when the flu-season arrives, we have a much better chance to avoid those common colds and coughs, the flu and runny-noses. On one occasion I was about to come down with a cold and some person of good will gave me Airborne—a potent dose of Vitamin C. Guess what? I avoided the cold that was about to grab hold of me! In a parallel sense, the frequent reception of Holy Communion can serve to bundle us up and fortify us against the onslaught of our imperious and disordered passions that constantly strive to inundate and overwhelm us, inciting us to sin!

8. JOY, PEACE, AND INNER CONSOLATION.  As an appetizing and enjoyable meal shared with friends culminates in joy, peace, happiness and consolation, so it is with nourishing our souls on Jesus in Holy Communion, the Bread of Life. This analogy is expressed very clearly by the Angelic Doctor, Saint Thomas Aquinas. Just as good food nourishes and uplifts the body, so does Holy Communion enrich and uplift the soul!

9. REMARKABLE SOURCE AND STRENGTH TO CARRY OUR DAILY CROSS. Jesus addresses the tired, the weary, the burdened, the overwhelmed, those experiencing heavy trials and tribulations with these words—related to Holy Mass and Holy Communion: “Come to me all you who are weary and find life burdensome and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Mt. 11:28-30). So many people have given witness to the fact that in the midst of the trials of life, the sufferings and sorrows, the heart-aches and heart-breaks, running to Jesus in Mass and receiving Him in the Sacrament of Holy Communion served as an inexpressible relief and strength, a source of solace, hope, and support! Do not try to carry your cross alone. Rather, invite Jesus to help you shoulder the burden by receiving Him into your inner-most being in Holy Communion. “Come, Lord Jesus, Come!”

10. PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE: HEAVEN WILL BE OURS FOREVER! What thought can be more consoling that the fact and truth that one day we will be united with Jesus in Heaven! He will be Our God, Savior, Friend, Companion, Support, Teacher, Master, and our Greatest Lover in Heaven. This incredible promise was made by Jesus in His “Bread of Life Discourse” in the Synagogue of Capernaum. (Jn. 6:22-71) These words are most consoling: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert and died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one might eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” (Jn. 6: 47-51) As clear as the sun at midday are these words of Jesus! If we have established the habit of receiving Jesus in Holy Communion —the Bread of Life that gives life to the world—with hearts filled with deep faith, full of fiery love and passion, and frequently as we pray in the Our Father, give us this day our daily bread, then the promise of Jesus is clear! Heaven will be ours forever and ever and ever!

In conclusion, the key to holiness in life on your Highway to Heaven is faith-filled, frequent, and fervent reception of Jesus, the Holy of Holies and your Best Friend, in Holy Communion. May Our Lady of the Eucharist intercede for us now and at the hour of our death! Amen.

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

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

SATURDAY, August 7th    Mt. 17: 14-20   “Then the disciples approached Jesus in private and said, ‘Why could we not drive it out?’ He said to them, ‘Because of your little faith.’”

• Sometimes we also have little faith. However, our Mother Mary has enough faith for herself and for us!

TEN WAYS YOU CAN LOVE MOTHER MARY by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

We often discuss who might be the best athletes, the best artists, the best writers, the best musicians; also, it must be said, there are the best of mothers. By far—and in a class by herself—the Blessed Virgin Mary was, is and always will be the best of all mothers.

This being said, mothers should recognize the fact that Mary is the best of all mothers and contemplate Mary’s words, actions, gestures, looks, intentions and life to become better and better mothers.

For our great consolation, Mary is the Mother of God and she is the Mother of the Church, but also Mary is our dearest Mother! Let us try to please Mary our Mother and as a consequence, the many mothers in the world will make huge strides in becoming better mothers all the days of their lives!

Below we will present ten different ways that we can show Mary, our Mother, our great love for her and without a doubt, through her most powerful intercession, she will attain for us the most choice graces to help us become the saints that we are called to be, and many of us as mothers.

1. TALK TO HER

We have to get into the habit of talking to Mary, our dearest Mother, very often. To confide in her, speak to her from our heart, love her, and entrust all of our life to her is most pleasing to her, as well as to her Son Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary is our Model, our Guide, our Friend and our dearest of Mothers. She loves us so much and she desires to have frequent conversations with us.

Let us start today! Good friends think about each other and talk frequently! Mary is our Mother, but she is also our friend and confidant.

2. START YOUR DAY WITH MARY

Upon waking up every morning, our first action should be that of prayer, and what prayer? Why not start your day by giving yourself totally to Jesus, in all you say, do and think, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary? Give to Jesus through Mary your eyes, your ears, your mind, your heart, your body and even your intentions—in a word, give everything to Jesus through Mother Mary. How important it is to start our day well through the Heart of Mary! If you like, you can pray the Consecration to Mary Prayer below. If you don’t have a brown scapular, it would be good to purchase one and wear Our Lady’s scapular as a sign that you belong to her and are under her protection! Wear it at all times, except in the shower.

Mary, my Queen and my Mother, I give myself entirely to you. To show my devotion to you, I consecrate to you this day my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my whole being without reserve. As I am your own, dear Mother, keep me and guard me as your property and possession. Amen.

3. TELL MOTHER MARY YOU LOVE HER

A Mother never gets tired of hearing her child say: “Mom, I really love you; you are the greatest!” The temptation might be to say the following: “She already knows it, why tell her something that she already knows?” True, a good Mother most likely already knows it. However, she still loves to hear the words. By saying: “Mom, I really love you”, the heart of your mother will leap with joy. The same must be said about Our Blessed Mother. In the simplest of words when we say: “Mother Mary, I love you”, then Mary, the Mother of God experiences great joy in her most pure and Immaculate Heart. Therefore, during the course of the day let us remember to say: “Mother Mary, I love you!”

4. WALK WITH HER

There is a well-known song in both Spanish and Italian dedicated to Mary related to this topic with the title: Santa Maria del Camino—meaning, “Our Lady of the Way”. Therefore, when we travel, and it can be a short trip or a very long one, we should invite Mother Mary to come along with us. She is a good traveling companion and can protect us from many dangers in our travels, from perils both physical and moral. How many accidents, physical and moral, have surely been prevented by traveling with Mary—Santa Maria del Camino!

5. IMITATE MARY

If we know someone and have a deep respect for them, that often leads to imitation, and imitation to following, and following to a deep love for that person. Saint Louis de Montfort highlights the ten principal virtues of Mary that we should strive to imitate: her deep humility, lively faith, blind obedience, unceasing prayer, constant self-denial, surpassing purity, ardent love, heroic patience, angelic kindness, and heavenly wisdom. (True Devotion to Mary, St. Louis de Montfort #108)

6. TRUST AND ENTRUST TO MARY

If we truly have confidence in a person than we can entrust our cares to that person, knowing that this special person will care for us and protect us. Consider this, God the Father entrusted His only begotten Son to the care of Mary. Therefore, we can entrust our lives totally to the care of Mary, our dearest and most loving Mother. “Never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection was left unaided.” (The Memorare, St. Bernard)

7. TELL MARY OF YOUR SORROWS AND FAILURES 

We could be tempted by the enemy, the devil, who truly hates Mary, to feel inhibited in telling Mother Mary our sorrows and deep sufferings. The contrary should be the case! The best of mothers, Mary knows very clearly that when a child is hurt and wounded, that is when the child needs the most tender love and care. So it should be with us! When the days seem to be cloudy, bleak, gloomy and downright depressing in the depths of our soul, it is then that we really need to open up and talk to Mary our Mother! Mary is both a refuge for sinners and health of the sick—two titles for Mary in her famous Litanies!

8. CALL UPON MARY WHEN TEMPTED

Our life is a constant battle; we are soldiers of both Jesus and Mother Mary. That means that we are on a constant battle-ground. Our enemies are three: the devil, the flesh, and the world. Aware of this intense reality of spiritual combat, we should call upon the Holy Name of Mary in the midst of the battle and the victory will be ours! The famous Battle of Lepanto proved a striking victory through invoking Mary and the recitation of the most Holy Rosary, at the insistence of Pope Saint Pius V. May we entrust our battles to Mary, who is more powerful than a whole army in battle array! The mere name of Mary causes terror and fear in all of hell!

9. PROMOTE LOVE FOR MARY AS MOTHER

If indeed we have truly experienced the love, care, and tenderness of Mary in our daily lives, then undoubtedly we will want to make Mother Mary known far and wide. Mary is not loved and honored due to one principal reason: she is not known! How can she be made known? In many ways! Encourage the reading of good books on Mary like The Glories of Mary by St. Alphonsus Liguori, True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis de Montfort, and Mater Redemptoris and The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Rosary both by Pope Saint John Paul II.

Encourage recitation of the Holy Rosary and praying it daily, give out Rosaries with pamphlets on how to pray the Rosary, and finally, encourage the wearing of the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

10. DIE IN THE ARMS OF MARY

The most important moment in our life is the moment that we die. This moment will determine for all eternity, our eternal destiny—either heaven or hell. Why not prepare to die in grace, to die a holy death, at least 50 times a day? How, you might ask? Simply by praying the most Holy Rosary daily. Every time we pray the Hail Mary, we are preparing ourselves for a holy and happy death with these words: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Therefore, let us rejoice with the keen awareness that we all have a heavenly Mother, Mary the Mother of God, the Mother of the Church, and our dear Mother. She knows us, cares for us, protects us, but especially, she loves us! Indeed, in the midst of the trials, struggles, and intense battles of life let us find our refuge in the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus!

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

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

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

FRIDAY, AUG. 6th    Mk. 9: 2-10   FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD                    

“Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John, and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.”

The Transfiguration by Pope Francis (Excerpt from Angelus Message 2014):

From the event of the Transfiguration I would like to take two significant elements that can be summed up in two words: ascent and descent.

We all need to go apart, to ascend the mountain in a space of silence, to find ourselves and better perceive the voice of the Lord. This we do in prayer. But we cannot stay there!

Encounter with God in prayer inspires us anew to “descend the mountain” and return to the plain where we meet many brothers weighed down by fatigue, sickness, injustice, ignorance, poverty both material and spiritual.

To these brothers in difficulty, we are called to bear the fruit of that experience with God, by sharing the graces we have received. And this is curious. When we hear the Word of Jesus, when we listen to the Word of Jesus and carry it in our heart, this Word grows. Do you know how it grows? By giving it to others!

The Word of Christ grows in us when we proclaim it, when we give it to others! And this is what Christian life is. It is a mission for the whole Church, for all the baptized, for us all: listen to Jesus and offer Him to others.

And now let us turn to our Mother Mary, and entrust ourselves to her guidance in learning a little more how to “ascend” with prayer and listen to Jesus, and “descend” with brotherly love, proclaiming Jesus.

TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

For today’s meditation read and pray over very attentively the Biblical passage of the Transfiguration—the forth Luminous Mystery. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you in a very special way. Be docile, open and willing to listen to the Word of God. Our Lady pondered and meditated deeply the Word of God and she can help you to do the same!

Jesus willingly came to earth to share our human condition.  Jesus has two natures: the Divine (He is God), and the Human (He is man). The union of the two natures is the Incarnation. It was through Our Lady’s “Yes” that Jesus came down from heaven to earth, and took on a human body. (Lk. 1:26-38) We’d like to offer some images for reflecting on this great mystery.

The Formation of Jesus’ Body.  It was Our Lady, Mary most holy, who formed the Sacred Body of Jesus within her most pure womb during the course of nine months, giving to Him from her own body and substance—His blood, veins, arteries, lungs, arms and hands, legs and feet, His eyes, nose and mouth.

Sacred Heart of Jesus.  It was Our Lady who formed the most Sacred Heart of Jesus within her most pure womb. Turn to Our Lady and beg her to form your heart. Beg her to intercede for you with her most powerful prayers so as to purify and recreate your heart to become more like the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Until you can say with Saint Paul: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Gal. 2:20)

Friendship with Jesus.  One of the many lessons that flows spontaneously from the Transfiguration of Jesus is that of human friendship. Jesus ardently desired to enter into deep friendship with the men whom He chose—especially Peter, James and John. These were the three who accompanied Jesus as He ascended the mount of the Transfiguration. At the Last Supper, Jesus will call all His Apostles friends!

Walk and Talk with Jesus.  Just as Jesus walked and talked with His friends that day, Jesus wants to walk and talk with you right now. He wants to enter into a deep friendship with you. He wants to know the thoughts, desires, and concerns of your heart. Open up to Him, speak to Him.

Mary and Friendship with Jesus.  There is no one on earth, nor even in heaven, aside from the Father and Holy Spirit, who had a deeper friendship with Jesus than did His Mother Mary, most holy.

Mary knew Jesus in the womb.  No greater intimacy exists in this world, on a human level, than that of a baby being formed, nourished and growing in the womb of their mother.

Mary knew Jesus as a child.  Jesus spent most of His life on earth with Saint Joseph and Mary in their home in Nazareth. Mary watched Jesus grow, she talked to Jesus, listened to Jesus, contemplated Jesus—His face and His eyes. This happened for thirty long years. Turn to Mary as you strive to enter into deeper friendship with Jesus and beg her to help you to know Jesus better. Stop and talk to Our Lady right now with total confidence in her desire to help you. She is your mother and you are her child.

Santa María del Camino (Our Lady of the Way).  There is a very well-known song in both Italian and Spanish with the title: “Santa Maria del Camino”—Our Lady of the Way! As Jesus climbed the Mount of the Transfiguration and made His way to the top, to the summit, His Apostles Peter, James and John walked with Him. In your travels in life, beg Our Lady to accompany you, to be with you and to never abandon you, for Mary will always lead you to Jesus. Mary will help you to climb the summits with Jesus and enter into deep conversation and union with Him.

Calvary and Mary.  Soon Jesus will climb not a mountain, but a hill – the hill of Calvary. Each of us has our own Calvary hill to climb. We should never presume to have the strength to carry our cross by ourselves. We want to call on Jesus and Mary to help us carry the cross every step of the way! Life without Jesus and Mary can leave us sad, depressed, and even bitter. That is why we cry out to Mary… “Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope!”

Pilgrim People. We are pilgrim people heading towards our eternal destiny, which is heaven. As we climb the mountain towards our eternal destiny—heaven, Mary can guide us, help us, encourage us, and comfort us. Spend some time now and talk to Mary about your past journey in life—the smooth and the rocky paths. Talk to Mary about your present journey in life, what has changed. Now talk to Mary about your future journey, your future pilgrimage in life towards your eternal home—your hopes, your desires, possibly your fears.

Star of the Sea. The great Marian Doctor of the Church, Saint Bernard, depicts this powerful image. A ship at sea is being assaulted by constant waves; the wind is beating mercilessly against its rudder; and the waters are starting to enter the ship. There is a real danger of losing the ship, of the ship capsizing and eventually sinking. All of a sudden a beautiful star breaks through the night clouds and glimmers forth. This star seems to be pointing towards the shore. The captain, with great confidence, looks intently and deeply at the star and decides to follow it. The waves subside, the storm calms down, the winds abate. With unspeakable peace and swiftness the ship arrives safely at the shore. The ship with its captain and crew are saved. Thanks to our Lady, the Star of the Sea!

In the midst of the tempests, storms, afflictions, trials, and temptations that are constantly present in our lives, we must lift our gaze to Our Lady, Star of the Sea. She will safely direct us to the port of salvation, to our eternal home which is heaven.

Mountain Top and the Shore.  Both the mountain top of the Transfiguration, as well as the shore, are symbolic of heavenly rest at the end of our journey. Jesus wants to walk with us, talk with us, be with us and accompany us the whole way. Our Lady also wants to keep us close to her on this perilous journey.

Distractions and Temptations.  It is all too easy to give up climbing a high and challenging mountain. It is all too easy to sink in the waves of our own sensuality and selfishness and give up the fight. For that reason, we want to call out to Mary, who will always lead us to Jesus. The devil has a mortal fear of Mary, even of her Holy Name. Why not in moments of temptation call upon the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary—they are our sure salvation!

The Transfiguration’s Many Messages. The mystery of the Transfiguration has many powerful and deeply spiritual messages. The one that we have chosen is friendship with Jesus and His mother, Mary to arrive at our eternal destination, Heaven!

Ignatian Note. The Virgin that Saint Ignatius of Loyola had special devotion to was “La Madonna de la Strada”—literally translated: “Our Lady of the street”, loosely translated: “Our Lady of the way.” In the Jesuit Mother House in Rome this beautiful image can be found.

In concluding your climb and your sea-journey with Jesus and Mary, spend some closing moments opening up your heart to its very depths and talk to Mary. Tell her all that is going on right now in your life. Ask her to be with you always, every step along the way until your reach heaven. Always remembering that the quickest path to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is through the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

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

THURSDAY, AUG. 5th   Mt. 16: 13-23   “Jesus said to them: ‘Who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter said in reply, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’”

• In a world wounded by sin it is not surprising that we have a wounded Church. However, Christ is the head of the Church, and He has promised that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it!
• Our job is to be a healer, not a wounder! We have presented this meditation in the past. Let us each examine our conscience. What have we done to build up the Church? What are we doing now to build up the Church? What can we do in the future to build up the Church? Fr. Ed offers excellent suggestions!
• Note: In Sinu Jesu mentioned below is directed to priests/Bishops, but Jesus says it is also for lay people who desire a deeper friendship with Him.

10 WAYS WE CAN HEAL A WOUNDED CHURCH by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

Venerable Fulton J. Sheen once stated that the Church goes through a crisis about every 500 years. Presently the Church is traversing an exceedingly painful period. Scandals seem to be rocking the Church to its very foundation. Indeed, many, especially the vulnerable, are exiting the Church in considerable numbers. Nobody can deny the fact that Holy Mother Church suffers deep, gaping wounds that will not be healed overnight.

The challenge is before us. We can jump ship or we can strive to mend the holes in the ship. We can throw in the towel and call it quits or we can fight the good fight until the end. Each and every one of us must make the choice.

I hope and pray that our choice will be the choice of Joshua and his entire family with these decisive words: “As for me and my family: we will follow the Lord!” (Josh 24: 15) May it be your choice in words and actions: “As for me and my family, we will stay in the Church and strive with every fiber of our being to transform the Church! And this transformation will commence with my own personal spiritual and moral life!”

In imitation of Joshua and his family and all the courageous saints of the past, we would like to offer ten short, clear, and practical helps to regroup, rebuild, restore, and start anew with this thought: “The worst of times can indeed be the best of times.” And may each of us decide this will start with me and my own personal life and commitment! Let us dig deep within our own hearts and strive for a radical conversion of life through the infinite love of the Merciful Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

1. Fervent Prayer to Mary and the Holy Spirit

The nascent Church underwent a radical transformation and conversion due to the presence of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the infusion of the Holy Spirit. Read the account of Pentecost (Acts 2). At the prospect of Jesus’ Passion, suffering, and death on the cross, all of the Apostles, with the exception of Saint John, fled, paralyzed with fear. The little group of followers that Jesus chose basically jumped ship and abandoned the pursuit Jesus had instilled in them. 

However, a powerful nine day Retreat (Novena) concluded with the sound of a rushing wind and tongues of fire as the Holy Spirit descended on Mary and the Apostles. Fears, doubts, confusion, insecurities—all disappeared through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the presence, prayer, penance, and perseverance of Mary, the Mother of God.

Mary gave birth to Jesus in Bethlehem; Mary would be present at the birth of the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ on Pentecost. If indeed the Church is to undergo a deep reform and a deep healing it must come about by fervent, prolonged, sacrificial prayer, and the presence of Mary.

Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church and author of the Glories of Mary, asserted: “When a person declines and descends into lukewarmness, it is because he is lacking the presence of Mary. Mary attains fire, fervor, and deep prayer!”

2. Avoid Gossip

Saint James issues a strong warning and admonition: “Be quick to listen and slow to speak.” (Jas 1:19) All too often it is easier to give ears to gossip, negative criticism, character assassination, as well as to spread this with our own tongue. Saint Augustine makes this interesting observation: “The more we criticize and condemn others, the less we examine our own lives.” A very strong recommendation on this topic of the loose tongue and venomous tongue: read Saint James Chapter 3:1-11—the sins of the tongue!

With respect to the problems in the Church, why not talk to God, as well as your Confessor, and offer fervent prayers for the Church.

3. Practice and Perseverance in Penance

Our Lady of Fatima stated that many souls are lost because too few people pray and offer sacrifices for the conversion of poor sinners. Jesus said: “Some devils can be cast out only by prayer and fasting (penance).” (Mt. 17: 21)

All of us, young and old, man or woman, rich or poor, can choose some concrete form of penance and offer that for the conversion and healing of Holy Mother Church. As Saint Therese of Lisieux, who loved the Church intensely, pointed out: “Holiness does not depend upon the greatness of the action, but the love that accompanies it.” In other words: Do the ordinary things of daily life with extraordinary love!

4. Support and Encourage Hard–Working Priests in Their Labors.

Despite the failures and scandals present in the Church, there are still many hard-working, holy, and generous priests who are working in the vineyard of the Lord almost unperceived. The Press often promotes and spreads the bad news, but ignores, conceals, and hides the manifold good actions that many priests carry out in the Lord’s vineyard day and night.

The next time you have contact with a priest in Confession or after Mass, you might say a prayer for him and give him a kind word of encouragement. That can go a long way. (I can testify to this through experience.)

5. Find Models for the Church

A wounded, limping, and floundering Church is in dire need of splendid models to follow from both the past and the present. Athletes admire their heroes. Writers admire literary masters. Artists look for exemplary models after whom to style their work.

Now more than ever, priests, as well as Bishops, must lift their eyes to brilliant models. These of course are the saints. Von Balthasar states that in the heavenly firmament shine stars in gleaming splendor and these are the saints.

6. A Litany of Saints

Why not compose a Litany of saintly priests and Bishops and pray fervently this Litany on a daily basis for the conversion, healing, reform and renewal of the Church? If you like, I will start the list with ten saintly Bishops followed by ten saintly priests and you can add your own.

However, we must pray fervently and insistently to them for the Church! Indeed, their prayers are very powerful to say the least. Let us first lift our minds, our hearts and souls to these saintly Bishops: Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Saint Robert Bellarmine, Saint Anthony Maria Claret, Saint Albert the Great, Saint John Neuman, Saint Frances de Sales, Saint Augustine, Saint Athanasius, Saint John the Evangelist, Saint John Fisher… now you can add your own!

Next let us lift our minds, our hearts and souls to saintly priests: Saint John Bosco, Saint Padre Pio, Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Saint Philip Neri, Saint John Vianney, Saint Louis de Montfort, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Saint Francis Xavier, Saint Damian of Molokai… now add your own, please.

By forming this double Litany of saintly Bishops and priests and praying it fervently every day, an outpouring and effusion of graces will descend upon the Church, and especially upon priests and Bishops. The prayers of these priestly souls and saints in heaven will never fail us!

7. A Modern Model for Priests and Bishops: Ven. Fulton Sheen

Personally, I never weary of promoting the Beatification of Ven. Fulton Sheen. Indeed, in the modern world with its modern crises, this man of God who died in 1979 was a true prophet and serves as a brilliant model for both priests and Bishops.

Upon retiring as Bishop at age 75, Sheen dedicated the last few years of his life to preaching retreats, but specifically to priests and Bishops. He always concluded with one simple idea: the Holy Hour —the Hour of Power. In a word, Sheen insisted that if priests, as well as Bishops, truly yearned for a sincere conversion of heart and life then it would come through daily contact with the Eucharistic Lord Jesus, present in the Tabernacle. This meant the priests and Bishops had to make a commitment to make a daily Holy Hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

If done with constancy, fervor, faithfulness, and perseverance, the net result would be conversion, sanctification, and a true life of priestly holiness. Please pray for priests and Bishops, that through the intercession of Ven. Fulton Sheen, they will give the Lord Jesus that hour, the Holy Hour, the Hour of Power. If done, the priest/Bishop will be imbued with power in his ministry to gather in an abundant harvest of souls.

8. In Sinu Jesu

Building on this, recently, a simple but profound spiritual masterpiece is spreading far and wide. The title is In Sinu Jesu: When Heart Speaks to Heart — The Journal of a Priest at Prayer. The theme is very simple. Jesus, who is the High Priest par excellence, has a burning desire to establish, cultivate, and grow in friendship with every priest and Bishop. Most especially, Jesus longs for priests/Bishops to come before Him in the Blessed Sacrament and spend time with Him. In this time, Jesus longs to speak heart to heart to the priest/Bishop.

What does Jesus desire of the priest/bishop? The following: his presence, prayer, thanksgiving, supplication, adoration, love, confidence, sincerity, transparency. In a word, Jesus’ Heart is burning with an ardent fire to cultivate a deep, dynamic friendship with every priest and Bishop in the world, until the end of time. As is displayed on the front cover, Saint John is leaning on the Heart of Jesus. This Beloved Disciple, Saint John, is the model for every priest and Bishop. They must get to know, converse with, trust, abandon themselves to, and befriend Jesus. If this is done, the life of the priest/Bishop will undergo a radical transformation, as well as the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ.

Pray and meditate upon this short passage from the Book: “Listen to me, open to me the ear of your heart, and I will speak to you as I promised. I will instruct you. I will teach you. I will show you the way in which you are to go. My heart yearns for yours. I so desire your company… I have called you to experience the grace of my friendship. I want you to be for my Heart another Saint John, loving me, seeking me, listening to me, abiding in my presence…” (In Sin Jesu, page 21)

9. Mercy, Mercy, and Once Again Mercy

Priests and Bishops must be totally immersed and transformed by the mercy in the Heart of Jesus. The Lord Jesus stated on many occasions to Saint Faustina Kowalska in the Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul, that the greatest attribute in the Heart of Jesus is His infinite mercy. However, for both priest and Bishop this mercy is a two-way street. First, he must experience the mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus as sinner and penitent.

In a word, a priest who expresses mercy to others, must first experience the merciful love of Christ as a penitent. Before saying “I absolve you of your sins”, the priest/Bishop must hear and experience those words expressed to and for him. In other words, before becoming the Father of the Prodigal Son, we first must be the son embraced by the loving Father. No one can give what he does not have himself!

10. Mary: Mother of God, Mother of the Church, and Mother of Priests

Among the many titles for Our Lady are the following from the prayer the Hail Holy Queen: “Our life, our sweetness, and our hope…” In the midst of the struggles, trials, battles, turmoil and confusion of life, the priest/Bishop must walk very closely with Mary most Holy—our life, our sweetness, and our hope.” 

The feminine, motherly, tender presence of Mary must constantly fill, absorb, and protect both the priest and the Bishop. That lonely, hollow, and desolate void that many priests at times may experience can be filled by the presence of Mary.

Saint Therese, who prayed constantly for priests, once stated that, “Mary is both Queen and Mother, but she is more Mother than Queen.” The priest must experience this tender, loving presence of Mary whose love is constant, pure, attentive, powerful, and most efficacious!

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