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

FRIDAY, July 30th   Mt. 13: 54-58   “And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.”

• St. Paul shares this wisdom: “Therefore, let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Cor 10:12)
• St. Ignatius of Loyola reminds us, “For it is not knowing much, but realizing and relishing things interiorly, that contents and satisfies the soul.”
• Fr. Ed shows us how to increase and relish our faith in the following meditation.

GROWING IN FAITH THROUGH THE HOLY ROSARY by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

Jesus sent His Loving Mother, Mary most holy, from heaven to the small town of Fatima, in Portugal in the year 1917. The Queen of heaven and earth appeared to three little shepherd children, Lucia de los Santos and her cousins, Francisco and Jacinta Marto.

Our Lady appeared six times and every time that she appeared she repeated the message: PRAY THE ROSARY! She revealed her name and identity as OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY. In Lourdes, Our Lady appeared 18 times to Saint Bernadette, and revealed her name and identity as THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.

Therefore, we would like to present ten reasons why we should form the most important habit of praying the Rosary, not sporadically or sometimes or simply upon an impulse. Rather, we should form the habit of praying the most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary every day; if possible, we could even pray the Rosary more than once a day, as was often the habit in the lives of many of the saints! Therefore, let us launch into reasons to convince us of the dire importance of loving Our Lady, by loving what she loves, and obeying her command—pray the holy Rosary!

1. OUR LADY TOLD US TO! 

If a mother repeats to her child an order many times it is because the mother believes in the depths of her heart that the order she is commanding is of great importance. Likewise, the Mother of God and our Mother, Mary most holy, at Fatima commanded the children, as well as the world at large, six times to pray the Rosary! If it is a command to obey our earthly mothers (Fourth Commandment), how much more should we obey our Heavenly Mother, Mary most holy!

2. THE ROSARY IS A BIBLICAL PRAYER. 

Many non-Catholics condemn the recitation of the Holy Rosary. However, very few of those who condemn this most beautiful prayer realize or recognize the fact that the Rosary is a prayer that almost totally has its origins in the Word of God itself! For example, the first series of Mysteries that we call the Joyful Mysteries are all of them found in the Gospel of Saint Luke, Chapters One and Two! This being said, we can get to know and love the Word of God by meditating upon the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary!

3. GETTING TO KNOW, LOVE AND IMITATE JESUS BETTER. 

Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, and the instrument God used to give us the Spiritual Exercises, offers us a fruit that we should beg for when we meditate or contemplate the life of Jesus; that fruit, or we might call it virtue, is to arrive at intimate knowledge of Jesus, so that we love Him more ardently, and follow Him more closely. In a parallel sense, when we form the habit of praying the Rosary well, giving our whole self to entering into the scenes or mysteries of the Rosary, one of the most sublime fruits is the same that Ignatius presents. In praying the Rosary, we get to know Jesus, love Jesus, and desire to follow Jesus through the prayers and intercession of the first disciple of Jesus, His Mother Mary!

4. SUMMARY OF THE GOSPEL. 

Recent Popes, Saint Paul VI and Saint John XXIII called the Rosary a summary of the Gospel. This was said even before the insertion of the relatively new mysteries of the Rosary, The Luminous Mysteries. In a clear, methodical and systematic form, we have the Infancy of Jesus in the Joyful Mysteries. Followed by the Luminous Mysteries, which are a good summary of the Public Life of Jesus (30-33 years of age). Then we have the Passion, suffering and death of Jesus in the Sorrowful Mysteries. Finally, as the summit of the whole prayer, we have the Glorious Mysteries, which of course present Our Lord’s Resurrection and Ascension into heaven, the Coming of the Holy Spirit, and Our Lady’s Assumption into heaven and Coronation as Queen of heaven and earth. As the Popes have alluded to, contemplation of the mysteries of the most Holy Rosary gives a clear and concise summary of the Gospels—the conception, life, death and Resurrection of Jesus seen through the eyes and heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

5. MARVELOUS PRAYER THAT CAN LIFT US TO THE HEIGHTS. 

The Rosary is indeed a marvelous prayer that can lift us to the heights of holiness if prayed well and with perseverance. This prayer is vocal in that we vocalize the beautiful prayers, the Our Father and Hail Mary. It is a meditative prayer in that we reflect upon the meaning of the mysteries and how they can be applied to our own lives right now. Furthermore, it is a contemplative prayer, meaning that we are summoned to enter into the scenes or mysteries. We are not called to be passive spectators, like going to a movie; rather we are called to enter into these contemplative scenes and become part of the lives of Jesus and Mary! The saying is true: tell me with whom you associate and I will tell you who you are. How true if we apply this to frequent association, contact and conversation with Jesus and Mary and Saint Joseph! We will be transformed, becoming more like them. Our desire and goal are the words of the great Apostle Saint Paul: “It is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me.” (Gal. 2:20)

6. PRAYER OF PEACE OF MIND, HEART AND SOUL, AND WORLD PEACE. 

In a world in which there is so much tension, fighting, selfishness, and egotism we need a peace-program. Of course, the key element is to expel the negative with the positive, and the most positive is to place Jesus and Mary as King and Queen of our world, country, state, city, home, family, and even our individual lives and hearts! At Fatima, Our Lady insisted that the Rosary be prayed to end World War I and also to prevent another war. Our Lady made the warning that if the world did not pray enough, another and worse world war would erupt. And so it happened! Sad to say, not many years after the cessation of World War I, the more bloody and gruesome World War II broke out. Sin is due to a lack of God’s presence in our minds and hearts. The recitation of the most Holy Rosary is the opposite. We are inviting Jesus into our hearts, our families and society through the prayerful, peaceful, but powerful presence of Our Lady, Queen of Peace!

7. CONQUERING VICES. 

Sin can get a hold of us and we become slaves to sin. Jesus Himself says that sin is slavery. A well-known convert once said that before becoming Catholic, he liked going to book stores to look over the books and buy some of them. However, while there, no matter how hard he tried, he could not resist, almost as if he were drawn by a magnet, checking out and browsing through the bad magazines. Though he was still a Protestant, he started to pray the most Holy Rosary, and immediately, his desire to look at the indecent magazines left him totally. He attributed this miracle to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Rosary. Among the many virtues that Our Lady desires to attain for us is the virtue of purity. One of Our Lady’s messages in Fatima was that most souls are lost for all eternity due to the sins of the flesh, that is to say, sins against the virtue of purity. Jesus expressed this most clearly in one of the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the pure of heart; they will see God.” (Mt 5:8)

8. FAMILY UNITY. 

One of the most sorrowful realities in the modern world is the breakup of the family unit. Vatican II calls the family the domestic church. Saint Pope John Paul II says, “the family is the basic cell of society, and as the family goes, so goes the rest of society.” After the attack on the World Trade Center, Sept. 11, 2001, Pope Saint John Paul II published a spiritual masterpiece with the title Blessed Virgin Mary and the Rosary. We encourage all of our readers to read and meditate upon this spiritual masterpiece so as to get to know and love the most Holy Rosary even more! In this papal document the saintly pontiff encouraged the world at large to pray the Rosary, but especially for two intentions. First, he exhorted us to pray the Rosary for world peace. Second, he warmly encouraged us to pray the Rosary for the sake and salvation of the family. The Rosary priest, Father Patrick Peyton, expresses this truth in these timely maxims: “The family that prays together stays together” and, “A world at prayer is a world at peace!” This being said, every family should make a concerted effort to pray the Rosary together for the sake of their own family, as well as for all of the families of the world, and that peace would reign in the world starting first and foremost with our own individual hearts! The new movie now available is Pray: The Story of Patrick Peyton. An amazing testimony to the man and the power of the Rosary! Watch it!

9. THE ROSARY AS SPIRITUAL SLINGSHOT TO CONQUER THE DEVIL. 

In one of the most important meditations in the Spiritual Exercises, with the title The Two Standards, Saint Ignatius presents our spiritual life in the light of a fierce combat between Satan and his disciples fighting against Jesus and His disciples for dominion in our souls! Given today’s materialism, consumerism, hedonism, agnosticism, moral relativism, and militant atheism, the devil can hide behind each of these erroneous philosophical systems to trap us and finally enslave us! It almost appears as if we are David against Goliath (I Sam. 17)! David was much younger and smaller, with no military preparation, no sword, no shield, nor even any armor. On the other hand, Goliath was a giant, with much experience in battle, wearing armor and wielding a huge crescent sword that he had used to kill many, with a shield bearer preceding him. Goliath curses little David, but David proceeds with confidence in the name of Yahweh, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. The little shepherd boy approaches the line of battle quickly and resolutely, reaches for a stone, places it in his slingshot and launches it at Goliath. The stone takes off like a rocket and rivets itself in the forehead of Goliath, who quickly cascades to the ground. As the giant lays unconscious on the ground, David wields the sword of Goliath and cuts off his head! Victory!!! Today we are surrounded by many Modern Goliaths, as mentioned and named above. Therefore, for us to win the fierce battle, we must place ourselves under the military leadership of the Blessed Virgin Mary, carry proudly our spiritual weapon— the most Holy Rosary, and use it frequently and confidently. We have sure hope with such a weapon and so great a leader that the battle will be won and the victory will be ours!

10. SPIRITUAL TREASURES STORED UP IN HEAVEN.

One of the greatest saint-mystics in the Catholic Church is Saint Gertrude, the Great. Not only is she the author of the classic Herald of Divine Love (read it!!!), but also she was a great mystic and visionary. Jesus often would appear to her and talk to her with great familiarity and love, as He desires to do with us. On one occasion, the saint saw Jesus in heaven. The scene was beautiful! Bathed in light and beauty, Jesus had a huge pile of coins, shiny and glimmering golden coins. As Saint Gertrude contemplated this scene, Jesus placed another golden coin on the top of the huge pile. Curious as to the meaning of the scene, this great lover of Jesus and Mary, Saint Gertrude, begged the Lord to explain its meaning. Without any hesitation Jesus said that those golden coins were the many fervent Hail Marys that Gertrude had prayed, and that she had just finished another, upon which Jesus was depositing another golden coin for all eternity. Therefore, if you want to be a multi-billionaire in heaven, start right now and pray the Rosary, pray the 50 Hail Marys that compose the Rosary every day! Indeed, through the intercession Mary, Mother of Jesus, Mother of the Church, and your loving Mother, Jesus will store up for you abundant treasures in heaven!

Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus

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

THURSDAY, July 29th   Jn. 11: 19-27   R. Alleluia, alleluia. “I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.”

• In today’s Gospel, we see one of Christ’s greatest miracles, raising Lazarus from the dead after being in the tomb for four days!
• Upon seeing the cave where his friend, Lazarus, was buried, Jesus wept. Then Jesus commanded that they remove the stone blocking the cave. Martha objected. There is a reason they rolled a stone in front of that cave; there would be already be a stench from the rotting body.
• Jesus responded, “Did I not tell you if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” And we know what happened. The stone was removed and Lazarus walked out and was restored to his loving sisters!
• When we walk with the Lord, we walk in the light. Even the darkness is light in the presence of the Lord. Certainly we experience the light of the Lord in His merciful forgiveness in Confession. Even more so, we experience the light and glory of the Lord in the most Holy Eucharist – Jesus truly present in His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity! There is a reason the chalice, the paten, and the tabernacle are of gold or silver – vessels proper to a King!
• We also find the light of Christ in prayer! Especially in the Psalms – which cover the whole gamut of human emotions and yearnings! It is here that Jesus, the Son of God made man, touches our hearts deeply with a love and compassion that knows no bounds! Let Fr. Ed take us on this journey from our head to our heart!

BLESSINGS THAT FLOW FROM THE PSALMS by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

Throughout the centuries countless men and women have been enriched by the praying of the Psalms. Yes, men and women, the young and the old, the healthy and the sick, lay people, priests, Religious and consecrated souls have received countless blessings from the Psalms.

The blessings that flow from the Psalms are abundant, overflowing and timeless. Therefore, it is definitely worth our time, effort and reflection to call to mind these copious blessings. As we learned from the Psalms, “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His mercy endures forever” (Ps. 107:1), let us render a resonant thanks to God for enriching us with the praying of the 150 Psalms.

This article can easily be transformed into a prayer, most specifically a prayer of thanksgiving, offering to the Lord an attitude of gratitude. Indeed, let us imitate that one leper who returned to thank Jesus, out of the ten who were healed by the Divine Physician, and prostrate ourselves in spirit before the Lord to render Him a heartfelt THANK YOU, LORD!!!

THE COUNTLESS BLESSINGS THAT FLOW FROM THE PSALMS

1. LEARNING THE ART OF PRAYER: THE BEST OF PRAYER BOOKS! 

My friends in the Lord, of all of the prayer-books ever composed, the Book of the Psalms is the “Prayer book par excellence.” Never has there ever been a more perfect prayer book for beginners, as well as for the proficient and well advanced in the spiritual life, than the Book of the Psalms. All of the most noble expressions in the art of prayer are expressed in the Psalms. Indeed, the Psalms is a true Gift from God to all of humanity!

2. ENCOUNTERING THE HOLY SPIRIT. 

It is true that God used King David as one of the key instruments to compose the Psalms, however, the principal author of the Book of the Psalms is God Himself, the Holy Spirit. That being said, by praying the Psalms we encounter the Holy Spirit and His manner of communicating how we are to speak to God. The Psalms can transform us more and more into docile instruments in the Hands of the Holy Spirit.

3. LEARNING THE ART OF PRAYER—VARIOUS MODES OF PRAYER. 

St. Teresa of Avila basically defines prayer as two friends spending time alone together in the art of communication. Intimate friends know how to communicate on various levels. Therefore, given that God wants to be our Best Friend, the Psalms teach us these various modes of expression, various modes or levels of communication. The following are examples of a few of these modes: praise and adoration, admiration and wonder, abundant thanksgiving, contrition and sorrow, supplication and petition, oblation and offering of oneself, and the honest expression of fears, worries, anxieties and doubts. Good friends can express themselves to an intimate friend on all of these levels. The same can be done with God. The Psalms offer us a sublime method, model and catalyst.

4. PSALMS AS LITURGICAL PRAYER: LITURGY OF THE HOURS. 

When prayed in the context of the Liturgy of the Hours, the Psalms prayed as such become a formal part of the Official Prayer of the Church. This helps us to pray for the Church at large, as well as for the needs, conversion and sanctification of the whole world.

5. PRAY ALWAYS. 

Jesus introduced the Parable of the Insistent Widow (Lk. 18: 1-8), to show his disciples that it is necessary to pray always and to never lose heart. One of the primary aspects and blessings that flow from the Liturgy of the Hours is the urgent exhortation of the Lord to pray not just sporadically, but to strive to pray constantly. The Liturgy of the Hours offers five different times in the day that we are beckoned to pray, so as to sanctify these different hours of the day.

6. PRAYER DISCIPLINE. 

Saint Ignatius in the Spiritual Exercises states that one of the primary goals or purposes of doing the Spiritual Exercises is so that we might “order the disordered in our lives, so that we might discover God’s will in our lives and carry it out.” Praying the Psalms in an orderly, methodical and systematic fashion helps us to have greater discipline in our lives, greater harmony, as well as the ability to carry out our work with greater perfection.

7. IMITATION OF THE HOLY FAMILY. 

Transporting ourselves back to the time of the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary, and St. Joseph, we come to the keen awareness that each member of the Holy Family prayed the Psalms. What could be a better goal in our lives than to strive to imitate Jesus, Mary and St. Joseph, most especially in the art and practice of prayer! Most likely Jesus, Mary, and St. Joseph prayed the Psalms as a family, in the Synagogue, on the way to the Temple, in the Temple of the Jerusalem, as well as personally and privately. How inspiring and consoling to know that we are praying the Psalms—the prayers—that Jesus, Mary and St. Joseph prayed constantly!

8. EXCELLENT PREPARATION FOR THE LITURGY OF HOLY MASS. 

The graces and blessings indeed abound all the more! The graces that flow from the Sacraments, most especially from Holy Mass, are infinite. However, the graces that we receive depend on our disposition. In theology, this is termed dispositive grace. In other words, the better the preparation and disposition for Mass and Holy Communion, the more abundant the flow of graces. This being said, the prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours before Holy Mass, and as a preparation for Mass, can be a most sure and efficacious means to help us derive abundant fruit from the greatest prayer in the world, the Sacrifice of Calvary renewed, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

9. PERSONAL, ECCLESIAL, AND FAMILY SANCTIFICATION. 

All are called to holiness, to become saints. Jesus’ words are cogent, clear and convicting: “Be holy as your heavenly Father is holy.” Holiness flows from contact with God. Fervent prayer and the Sacramental life are two of the most powerful sources of grace. To reiterate, the Book of Psalms is the “Book of prayer, par excellence.” No doubt, if the Psalms are prayed methodically, systematically, fervently and attentively then one of the most superb fruits will be growth in holiness.

10. INEFFABLE SOURCE OF CONSOLATION. 

There are times in our lives when we find ourselves in a state of desolation. That is to say, when we feel a cloud of sadness, darkness, loneliness, even a sense of futility invading our lives; it is at these times that the Psalms can console us with these or similar words: “The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall lack… Even though I walk through dark valleys, you are there at my side with your rod and your staff.” (Psalm 23: 1, 4) How true! Many of the Psalms, and especially Psalm 23, can serve as light in the midst of darkness, hope when surrounded by despair, support when it seems as if everyone and everything is on the verge of collapsing and submerging into ruin. In the midst of desolation, opening up our heart to one of the many Psalms can encourage and convict us not to give up the struggle but to fight, to trust more confidently in the Lord who is with me at all times with His rod and His staff, to lead and to guide me along straight paths.

In conclusion, we invite all to undertake the most noble initiative and enterprise of praying the Psalms regularly! Pray them in any way you discern is best for you. Consult your Spiritual Director if you have one! The Psalms can be prayed from your Bible or in the context of the Liturgy of the Hours. They can be prayed in community with the Church or in your private prayer time. The Psalms can be prayed Morning, Midday, Evening or even before retiring for the Night. The key is simply this: to pray the Psalms. If prayed fervently and regularly, God will bless you most abundantly with peace, joy, spiritual insight, growth in holiness, and a sure pathway on the Highway to Heaven. With the Psalmist let us conclude: “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever.” (Ps. 107:1)

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

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

WEDNESDAY, July 28th   Mt. 13: 44-46   “The Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”

Intro…

As Catholics, our Pearl of great price is the most Holy Eucharist, Jesus’ Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity under the appearance of bread and wine!

Truly the whole Jesus – the baby Jesus in the arms of Mary, the boy Jesus lost in the Temple, the craftsman Jesus working side-by-side with St. Joseph in the carpenter shop – the itinerant preacher Jesus who had nowhere to lay his head at night – the miracle worker Jesus who looked with pity and compassion on the suffering of others – the crucified Jesus who for our sake suffered scourging, crowning with thorns, and death nailed to a cross – the Resurrected Jesus who ascended into heaven, sending the Holy Spirit to guide us to all truth in His Mystical Body, the Church, where He continues to teach and guide us along right paths, forgive us our sins, and nourish us with His own Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity unto eternal life! All the while, Jesus was painfully aware of those who would reject Him, reject His Church, and reject His offer of salvation.

The Holy Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit knowing this – our fall from grace and the cost to redeem us – still chose to create us. How much we are loved by our Triune God!

Today, let us do what all families do, and recall our family history tracing the promise and fulfillment of our “Pearl of great price”, our Eucharistic Lord – Jesus with us!

JESUS TRULY IS THE BREAD OF LIFE! By Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

BIBLICAL PASSAGES POINTING TO THE EUCHARIST…

One of the many channels that can be utilized to augment our faith, devotion, and love for the greatest of all the Sacraments, the most Holy Eucharist, is by reading and meditating upon key Biblical passages, in the Old Testament as well as in the New Testament. The Old Testament presents symbols or what Bible scholars term Types, Biblical Typology of references or allusions to the Eucharist that becomes a reality in the New Testament. In other words, what is present in hidden, mysterious, and symbolic form in the Old Testament breaks out in transparent Truth in the New Testament.

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

OLD TESTAMENT REFERENCES TO THE EUCHARIST…

1. GENESIS Chapter 3. In this chapter we encounter Adam and Eve, our first parents, who were commanded not to eat from the tree of the forbidden fruit. They disobeyed by eating this fruit, first Eve, and then Adam. This we call ORIGINAL SIN. Death entered the world through the sin of disobedience of our first parents in eating the forbidden fruit.

2. NEW TESTAMENT CONTRAST: THE BREAD OF LIFE DISCOURSE. JOHN Chapter 6: 25-59. Death came from eating and disobedience. To the contrary, eternal life will come about by eating and obedience. The eating this time must be from the fruit of the tree of Calvary, which is the Body and Blood of Jesus.The Son of God Himself asserted: “I am the Bread of life. Whoever eats my Body and drinks my Blood will have eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day.” (Jn. 6:54) In a clear and unequivocal fashion Jesus states that our salvation, our eternal life, depends upon eating Himself.

3. GENESIS 14: 18-20 / HEBREWS 4: 14-15. BREAD AND WINE OFFERED BY MELCHIZEDEK. This mysterious figure of the past symbolizes Jesus the High Priest. Without the person of the priest, the Eucharist or Bread of Life cannot become a reality. The priesthood is essential for the whole reality of the Mass, the Consecration, the Eucharist, and Holy Communion.

4. EXODUS Chapter 14. THE CROSSING OF THE RED SEA. The clear symbolism in this passage is that the Jews passed from slavery to freedom, led by Moses their leader. They were freed from the oppression and slavery of the Egyptians. Their passage was through the RED SEA. In a parallel sense, sin is slavery in our lives. By shedding His RED BLOOD on the cross on Calvary that Good Friday, Jesus attained for us the true freedom of the sons and daughters of God. By receiving His Body and Blood we are strengthened, purified, and made strong so as to cross from this life to eternal life in heaven.

5. EXODUS Chapter 16. THE MANNA IN THE DESERT. The Israelites were famished from their long journey through the desert. God, through the instrumentality and leadership of Moses, rained down bread from heaven called manna—a word meaning What is this? Without eating, we are all destined to die on a human and natural plane. Likewise, if we do not nourish our souls with the Bread of Life, we are destined to die and perish for all eternity. The Manna in the desert is a symbol or type of the Holy Eucharist. Actually, Jesus in the Bread of Life discourse makes reference to Moses and the manna in the desert: “I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which one may eat and not die.” (Jn. 6:48-50)

6. 1 KINGS 19: 1-9. THE GREAT PROPHET ELIJAH. Fleeing for his life from the wicked Queen Jezebel and King Ahab, after one day’s journey, Elijah collapsed in a state of profound desolation. This translated into falling into a deep slumber. God sent an angel to Elijah to awaken the man of God. The angel presented bread for Elijah to eat, once and then a second time. Elijah walked forty days and forty nights from the strength that came from the bread. This bread communicated to Elijah a super human energy to help him walk all the way to the holy mountain where he encountered God in the gentle breeze. Our journey towards the eternal mountain that we call HEAVEN is a long, perilous, tiring, and dangerous one. We need energy and strength to persevere on the journey. That all-powerful energy comes from Jesus, who is truly the Bread of Life and nourishment for the journey to our heavenly homeland.

7. PSALM 23. THE PSALM OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD. Possibly to the surprise of many, there are indeed symbolic Eucharistic overtones definitely present in this Psalm. Yes! In what way? “You anoint my head with oil… my cup overflows… I believe I will dwell in the House of the Lord for years without end. These three separate and distinct phrases certainly have Eucharistic overtones and represent symbols or types. Anointing refers to the priesthood necessary to celebrate the Mass. Cup refers to the Blood of Christ. House of the Lord refers to heaven—meaning, that if we nourish ourselves on the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation we will arrive at our eternal and permanent home: HEAVEN!!!

NEW TESTAMENT REFERENCES TO THE EUCHARIST… 

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

1. JOHN Chapter 6. Once again we return to the all-important chapter of John 6. This long chapter of 71 verses, offers three essential themes for our meditation. 1) Jesus multiplies the loaves. Here Jesus works a miracle over nature, multiplying bread and fish for the multitude and for us, so as to dispose and prepare our minds, hearts, and souls for the miracle of the Eucharist. 2) Jesus walks on water, showing His power over His own body, again preparing us for the miracle of the Eucharist. In Mt. 14:22-32, Jesus walks on water and gives Peter the power to walk on water as long as he keeps his eyes on the Lord. If we truly believe in the Lord, we can carry out miracles. “Lord, I do believe, help my unbelief.” (Mk. 9:24) 3) Finally, close to two thirds of John Chapter 6 is the BREAD OF LIFE DISCOURSE. This magnificent preaching of Jesus teaches us, without stammer or stutter, with the greatest clarity, that if we want to live forever we must nourish ourselves on the Bread of Life: “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat of the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.” (Jn. 6:53)

2. MATTHEW 26:26-28 / LUKE 22:19. THE INSTITUTION OF THE EUCHARIST. In the context of the Last Supper, Jesus celebrates the First Mass on that Holy Thursday night. In the same context Jesus institutes and ordains the first priests; these are the Apostles. “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them saying, ‘Take and eat, this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’” In the Last Supper account of Luke, Jesus then says to the apostles, “Do this in remembrance of me.” In awe and thanksgiving let us lift our hearts in praise to the Lord for this most sublime gift. Let us beg for greater faith and love for the Eucharist, as well as implore the Lord for Good and Holy priests.

3. REVELATION Chapter 3:20. JESUS STANDS AND KNOCKS.  This short but challenging passage presents Jesus as a pilgrim-traveler knocking at the door. The owner can choose to leave the door shut and ignore the traveler’s knock or he can open the door to the weary traveler and invite him to supper. The Eucharistic Lord is knocking at the door of your heart now! What will be your response???

4. I CORINTHIANS 11:17-34. THE EUCHARISTIC ABUSE. This passage in the Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians explodes! Unfortunately, in this early Christian Community there were members who were abusing the Eucharist. The more affluent were eating and drinking, even getting drunk, and neglecting the poor. Then after this scandal, they would be eating and drinking the Body and Blood of the Lord, and Saint Paul says, to their own condemnation. This Biblical passage gives us the foundation for the importance of receiving the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Jesus, in the state of grace. Otherwise, we could be eating and drinking, not for our salvation, but for our own condemnation!

5. LUKE Chapter 24: 13-35. THE DISCIPLES ON THE ROAD TO EMMAUS. A beautiful and heartwarming Easter passage, offers us a summary of Holy Mass in miniature. Two disciples, walking away from Jerusalem after Christ’s crucifixion and death, are in the depths of desolation, until a stranger joins them. That “stranger” is the risen Jesus, unrecognized by them. The journey on the way to their little cottage, talking with Jesus and listening to Him, is the Liturgy of the Word. He said to them, “Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. The Breaking of the Bread in the little cottage in Emmaus is the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Approaching their destination, they urge him to stay with them. Sitting down at the table, he takes bread, gives thanks, breaks the bread, and gives the bread, only it is no longer bread, it is His Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist. “Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’” One key interpretation: when we live and walk without Jesus, we live and walk in utter darkness, desolation, and sadness. However, once we allow Jesus to walk with us in His Word in Sacred Scripture, and dwell within us in His Body and Blood in the Eucharist, Jesus, the Son of God and the Light of the World, breaks through the clouds and shines on our path, the clouds of sadness dissipate and we experience an overflowing and abundant joy!

6. MATTHEW 6:9-13. In the Lord’s Prayer, that we commonly call THE OUR FATHER, there are seven petitions. One of these refers to the Eucharist and Holy Communion. “Give us this day our daily bread…” One way in which this can be interpreted is the challenge, inasmuch as it is possible according to your daily obligations, to attend Mass and to receive Holy Communion even on a daily basis. In other words, this daily bread could be interpreted as daily Mass and Holy Communion. Those who have formed the habit of daily Mass and Holy Communion find that they cannot live without this nourishment of our Eucharistic Lord! Try it out: daily Mass and Holy Communion, and see how your life improves!

7. LUKE 1: 38. MARY AND RECIEVING JESUS. As soon as Our Lady gave her consent to God through the Archangel Gabriel with the words of her Fiat, her Yes: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word” (Lk. 1:38), then, “The word became flesh and dwelt among us.”(Jn. 1:14) Pope Saint John Paul II makes a parallel between Mary’s YES to God and our AMEN when we receive Jesus in Holy Communion. In this sense, Mary’s Yes resulted in receiving Jesus into her heart, mind, body, and soul; so also our Amen when we receive Jesus in Holy Communion results in Jesus entering into our heart and into the very center of our being. For that reason, it is important to beg Mary for the grace to receive Jesus with great faith, devotion, and love in Holy Communion.

8. LUKE 1: 46-55. MARY’S MAGNIFICAT.  We conclude on a Marian note taken from the great Marian lover, Saint Louis de Montfort, who gave us True Devotion to Mary. Related to the Mass, Holy Communion, and the Eucharist, Saint Louis says that one of the best ways that we can render a proper thanksgiving to Jesus after receiving Him in Holy Communion is by praying Mary’s MAGNIFICAT. “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…”

Through the intercession of the most pure and Immaculate Heart of Mary may all of you grow in your faith, belief, devotion, and love for Jesus in frequent and fervent Masses and Holy Communions. Indeed, Jesus is the Bread of Life, and whoever eats His Body and drinks His Blood will have eternal life in joy, peace, and happiness forever in Heaven. “O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine.”

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

TUESDAY, July 27th   Mt. 13: 36-43   “Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, ‘Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.’”

PART ONE:  The Gospel according to Matthew (25: 31-46)

He said in reply, “He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the Kingdom. The weeds are the children of the Evil One, and the enemy who sows them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his Kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

PART TWO: Commentary

Why repeat the Gospel reading? Because it describes our world today, and the perennial battle between good and evil that will last until this world ends and Jesus returns in glory and majesty to separate the sheep from the goats. (cf Mt. 25: 31)

The twentieth Century was a century of social and moral upheaval. Two world wars, the spread of communism, promulgation of the pill and other contraceptive means leading to legalization of abortion, denigration of women, high divorce rates, explosion of sexually transmitted diseases, proliferation of pornography, LBGT Agenda now being introduced even into elementary schools, shrinking population of regular Church attendees of every denomination. As for Catholics, only about 25% of Catholics attend Church on Sunday.

This can lead to discouragement until we read what the Catholic Church has to say about these times.

PART THREE: This Present Age and the Coming of Christ

628. Though already present in his Church, Christ’s reign is nevertheless yet to be fulfilled “with power and great glory” by the King’s return to earth.

This reign is still under attack by the evil powers, even though they have been defeated definitively by Christ’s Passover.

Until everything is subject to him, “until there be realized new heavens and a new earth in which justice dwells, the pilgrim Church, in her sacraments and institutions, which belong to this present age, carries the mark of this world which will pass, and she herself takes her place among the creatures which groan and travail yet and await the revelation of the sons of God.”

According to the Lord, the present time is the time of the Spirit and of witness, but also a time still marked by “distress” and the trial of evil which does not spare the Church and ushers in the struggles of the last days. It is a time of waiting and watching.

675. Before Christ’s second coming the Church must pass through a final trial that will shake the faith of many believers. The persecution that accompanies her pilgrimage on earth will unveil the “mystery of iniquity” in the form of a religious deception offering men an apparent solution to their problems at the price of apostasy from the truth.

The supreme religious deception is that of the Antichrist, a pseudo-messianism by which man glorifies himself in place of God and of his Messiah come in the flesh.

676. The Antichrist’s deception already begins to take shape in the world every time the claim is made to realize within history that messianic hope which can only be realized beyond history through the eschatological judgment. The Church has rejected even modified forms of this falsification of the kingdom to come under the name of millenarianism, especially the “intrinsically perverse” political form of a secular messianism.

677. The Church will enter the glory of the kingdom only through this final Passover, when she will follow her Lord in his death and Resurrection. The kingdom will be fulfilled, then, not by a historic triumph of the Church through a progressive ascendancy, but only by God’s victory over the final unleashing of evil, which will cause his Bride to come down from heaven.God’s triumph over the revolt of evil will take the form of the Last Judgment after the final cosmic upheaval of this passing world.

II. TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD

678. Following in the steps of the prophets and John the Baptist, Jesus announced the judgment of the Last Day in his preaching. Then will the conduct of each one and the secrets of hearts be brought to light. Then will the culpable unbelief that counted the offer of God’s grace as nothing be condemned. Our attitude to our neighbor will disclose acceptance or refusal of grace and divine love. On the Last Day Jesus will say: “Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.”

679. Christ is Lord of eternal life. Full right to pass definitive judgment on the works and hearts of men belongs to him as redeemer of the world. He “acquired” this right by his cross. The Father has given “all judgment to the Son”. Yet the Son did not come to judge, but to save and to give the life he has in himself. By rejecting grace in this life, one already judges oneself, receives according to one’s works, and can even condemn oneself for all eternity by rejecting the Spirit of love.

IN BRIEF

680. Christ the Lord already reigns through the Church, but all the things of this world are not yet subjected to him. The triumph of Christ’s kingdom will not come about without one last assault by the powers of evil.

681. On Judgment Day at the end of the world, Christ will come in glory to achieve the definitive triumph of good over evil which, like the wheat and the tares, have grown up together in the course of history.

682. When he comes at the end of time to judge the living and the dead, the glorious Christ will reveal the secret disposition of hearts and will render to each man according to his works, and according to his acceptance or refusal of grace.

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

Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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

MONDAY, July 26th   Mt. 13: 31-35   “The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.”

• A mustard seed does not grow into a large bush that the birds come to dwell in overnight! Neither do we grow in patience overnight! This is a virtue that can take many years of constant practice to acquire. But with this virtue comes calm, peace and joy! And we will find others gravitate to us, seeking the peace that we radiate.

PATIENCE, PATIENCE, AND MORE PATIENCE!!! By Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

A woman talking to the Lord in prayer, begged the Lord for a very special virtue that she sorely needed, and this was the content of her concise but almost desperate prayer: “Lord, I beg you, Lord, I truly beg you, give me patience and I need it right now!” I think we can all identify with the heartfelt prayer of this woman begging for a virtue that we all need on a daily basis, probably even on an hourly basis. So important is this virtue that Jesus said: “By your patience you will save your souls.” (Lk. 21:19) All of us must strive to practice patience, but of primary importance, and Saint Ignatius of Loyola insists on this, we must beg for the grace from God to be patient.  

Therefore, we would like to offer a strategy, a clear and practical program on how we can eventually, with the help of God’s grace which is never lacking, attain that most important and most needed virtue of PATIENCE. With God’s grace all is possible. Or if you like: “Nothing is impossible with God!” (Lk. 1:37)

1. GOD’S INFINITE AND ETERNAL LOVE.  

Most of us have heard this phrase countless times, such that it may seem to be a trite, hackneyed, pious platitude, a common cliché. However, this short but profound Biblical truth must descend from our head to our heart and it is this: GOD REALLY AND TRULY LOVES ME!!! Most certainly we have heard and read this truth many times, but maybe it has never really sunk into the depths of our heart. In a word, we must be convinced not only that GOD IS LOVE, but that God has an infinite and eternal love for me at all times, in all places, and in all circumstances! And yes, it must be stated, God loves me even when I fail Him due to my moral failures that we call sin. Jesus came not for the perfect but for sinners, and all of us fall into that category. As Saint Paul clearly reminds us in Romans: “Where sin abounds, the mercy of God abounds all the more.” (Rom 5:20) Therefore, pray and meditate upon this most simple but profound truth: God really does love me always and without limitations. His love is both eternal and infinite! This is our Great God!

2. CONTEMPLATE THE CRUCIFIX. 

In the life of Saint John Bosco in the context of the Oratory, his mother, Margarita, stayed with him to help with the many household chores in attending to rambunctious teenage boys. However, she had reached her limit with the disorder caused by these mischievous teens, and had her bag packed, ready to return to her home. Father John Bosco, her son, said nothing, only lifted his finger to the wall where there was a crucifix, with Jesus hanging from it. After gazing upon Jesus hanging and suffering on the cross, Mama Margarita understood how much Jesus loved these abandoned youths and how Jesus wanted Margarita to practice patience. Thereupon, this holy woman and mother of a saintly priest, dropped her baggage and spent the rest of her life assisting John Bosco with the youth! Therefore, in your life, when it seems as if the cross you are carrying is unbearable, lift up your eyes to contemplate Jesus hanging on the cross loving you, and loving all of humanity, patiently enduring the pain for all. With great humility thank Him, and He will give you special graces to practice patience.

3. BEG FOR THE GRACE. 

Saint Augustine states: “We are all beggars before God.” That means we are all in dire need of God’s help at all times and in all places because we are very weak. We may be weak, but God is strong! As the Psalmist reminds us: “Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth.” (Ps. 124:8) After begging the Lord to remove the thorn in his flesh, Saint Paul was told by the Lord: “My grace is sufficient!” (2 Cor. 12:9) Causing the great Apostle Paul to cry out: “When I am weak, it is then that I am strong.” (2 Cor. 12:10) Indeed, if in our weakness we beg the Lord fervently for the grace to be patient, He will rush to our aid. God hears and responds to such a humble and persevering prayer!

4. MAKE THE WAY OF THE CROSS. 

On one occasion, I was speaking to a Spiritual Director and he made this comment: “When I find myself in a state of desolation, when things appear to be dark, dreary, and hopeless, I make the Stations of the Cross and inevitably the desolation disappears.” Without doubt, this can be applied to patience. When you feel your patience is gone, that the weight of the cross is unbearable and you can no longer support it, then slowly in prayer walk the Stations of the Cross, aka the Way of the Cross with the Lord and you will receive renewed strength, vitality, and patience! With Saint Francis of Assisi we pray: “We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.” (Purchase or find on-line the Stations of the Cross, aka the Way of the Cross to pray as needed.)

5. HONEST CONVERSATIONS WITH JESUS, MARY, AND SAINT JOSEPH. 

Our prayer, to be authentic, must be honest. If we find our life situation to be very difficult, to the point of being almost impossible, then it is time to sit down in front of Jesus, and you might invite Saint Joseph and Mary to be present as well, and pour out your heart to your Best Friends—Jesus, Mary, and Saint Joseph. Jesus said: “Unless you become like a little child, you cannot enter the Kingdom of God.” (Mt. 18:3) Take for a model, if you like, the movie Marcelino Pan Y Vino, also known as The Miracle of Marcelino (1955 version). This little orphan boy with holy abandon opens up to Jesus, expressing the deepest desire in his heart, as well as his greatest suffering—the lack or absence of the love of a mother and his great desire to have a mother. He tells all to Jesus. Jesus hears the little boy and accedes to his request. So must we be like a little child, so must we imitate the holy abandon, trust, and simplicity of Marcelino, and tell the Lord how difficult it is at times to bear the cross and beg for the sorely needed patience. The Lord, Mary, and Saint Joseph will not delay in coming to your assistance!

6. MEDITATE / CONTEMPLATE UPON HEAVEN—YOUR ULTIMATE DESTINY.     

It must be stated with bold truth: we do not meditate or contemplate enough on the reality of heaven. Our life is very short, like the flower that rises in the morning and withers and dies as the sun goes down, or like smoke blown by the wind. Saint Augustine states that our life in comparison with eternity is a mere blink of the eye. Our Lady of Fatima said that if humanity would only meditate upon eternity, they would be converted immediately! We must meditate upon the shortness of our life, the purpose of our life, and the eternal reward that awaits us.

The simple Catechism teaches us this eternal truth: “We are here on earth to know God, love God, and serve God, so that we will be happy with Him forever in heaven.” Even our greatest crosses and sufferings can be supported if we meditate more often upon Heaven—its joys, rewards, and reality, and this forever!

Saint Paul breaks out with this radiant and consoling truth: “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it entered into the mind of man the wonderful things that God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Cor. 2:9) Also in Revelation: “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Rev. 21:3-4) Whatever our troubles, let us say to ourselves, “This too shall pass”, and allow the thought of Heaven to attain for us patience, patience, and even more patience!!!

7. OFFER IT UP, DO NOT WASTE IT! 

Of course, the whole concept and virtue of patience is related to suffering. Our patience can be tried with respect to our health, finances, family problems, social conflicts, academic or work challenges or failures, ruptured relationships, mental and emotional turmoil, and uncertainties of all kinds—all of these and more can put our patience to the test! However, instead of complaining and becoming bitter over your crosses, why not accept the crosses, beg for the patience to carry them, and then offer the crosses, as well as your patient endurance, to God for the conversion and salvation of sinners—there are many out there who need these special graces if they are to be saved, even in our own families! This is a prayer Our Lord cannot fail to answer! Also, with this supernatural view or perspective, the crosses become lighter and patience comes easier. Try it! Lift up your mind and cultivate a more supernatural vision of your life, your crosses, and their eternal value!

8. DON’T HIDE IT, BUT SHARE IT. 

One of the key aspects of Ignatian Spirituality is that in our spiritual life, we are not made to be loners, rugged individualists, like the pioneer, Daniel Boone. On the contrary, to make it to heaven, we have to learn to work with others and we must have some form of spiritual direction or accompaniment. Of capital importance for our spiritual progress is the need to have a spiritual director and to be able to open up with great humility, trust, and transparency, especially when the cross seems heaviest and our patience is being put to the test. You might be surprised that after you have unloaded—articulated and expressed your cross and your need for patience to your spiritual director, how the cross seems to  diminish in size and the patience that seemed almost impossible is indeed very possible. Jesus said: “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Mt. 11:30)

9. THREE AREAS WHERE WE MUST ESPECIALLY BE ON GUARD AND BEG FOR THE GRACE. 

Jesus said: “By your patience, you will save your souls.” (Lk. 21:19) A good part of our spiritual victory can be achieved through awareness, vigilance, self-knowledge, and a Daily Examen. In our short lives there are three areas where we need patience: 1) With God, 2) With Others, and 3) With Ourselves. Let us briefly address these three areas.

First, with respect to God, possibly it has happened that you have been praying to God for something and it seems that He is not listening. Nothing could be further from the truth! God always hears us, but He often makes us wait so that we can grow in the virtues of patience and prayerfulness. Saint Monica prayed for more than 30 years for the conversion of her family! But it happened—not only was her son, Augustine, converted, but also her husband and mother-in-law!

Second, with respect to patience with others, of great help might be the simple reminder of our own faults and sins and how patient God is with us! So should we be patient with the limitations of others!

Finally, Saint Frances de Sales insists that we must be patient with ourselves. “The just man falls seven times a day, but rises again.” (Prov 24:16) Saint Junipero Serra was famous for saying: “Siempre Adelante, Siempre Adelante y nunca atras.” That is, “Always forward, always forward and never look back.” The Founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, Venerable Bruno Lanteri coined the two word axiom: NUNC COEPI—NOW I BEGIN, meaning that if I fall, I will get up as many times as needed and try again trusting in God’s infinite patience, mercy, and love. Indeed, as the Psalmist teaches us: “God is slow to anger and rich in kindness.” (Ps. 103:8)

10. MARIA COGITA, MARIA INVOCA… THINK OF MARY AND INVOKE MARY.

Once again, a hallmark of the spirituality of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary is a tender, total, and unlimited trust in the presence, power, prayer, perseverance, and purity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the prayer, the Memorare, Saint Bernard offers us these most consoling words: O most gracious Virgin Mary, never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided…” Why not form this habit, consecrate your days to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. However, during the course of the day, especially during trials and tribulations when the cross seems most heavy, lift up your eyes and call upon the Holy Name of Mary. As a most loving and tender Mother, she will never fail you!

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