THE LITTLE WAY CAN BE THE HOLY WAY

 St. Therese Lisieux, known as “The Little Flower”, the last woman to be declared a “Doctor of the Church” taught us a  very simple but profoundly sublime doctrine of holiness. It is the following: we are all called to be saints, as Jesus said:  “Be holy as your heavenly Father is holy.” However, this holiness does not consist in doing great things, but rather in doing the ordinary things of our daily life with an extraordinary holiness.   The smallest action carried out with purity of intention and intense love, has infinite value in the eyes of God.

Put in other words, God can choose the little people of the world, who have only little to offer, but who have GREAT  hearts, and God can work marvels, truly miracles in them.  Examples of this are many!

1. THE WIDOW’S MITE.   A poor widow offered a few insignificant coins in the temple, but with great love and purity of intention.  It was this woman that Jesus praised.  Not the powerful and rich that threw in huge sums with pride!

2. THE LITTLE BOY WITH THE 5 LOAVES AND 2 FISH.   The people were hungry, without food, and without means to provide for their food, and Jesus’ heart was moved to compassion for this flock without nourishment.  The little boy, gave the little that he had—  five loaves and two fish— with that “Little” Jesus accomplished a miracle of the multiplication of the loaves, feeding thousands and even left-overs!

3. WIDOW IN TIME OF ELIJAH THE PROPHET.   She gave the little oil and flour that she had for the prophet, and God multiplied the food beyond imagining until the end of the drought! God can work miracles with little people, with little things, but have enormous hearts!

4. GIDEON AND THE VICTORY.  God chose the insignificant Gideon and a few men of good will to conquer an enormous  and ferocious enemy army. Why?  The reason was simple!  The small Gideon trusted in the powerful God to do the work and the Almighty Lord conquered!

5. DAVID AND GOLIATH.    The small and insignificant Shepherd-boy, David, challenged the tall, muscular, experienced, blood-thirsty, ruthless and powerful Philistine, Goliath. David utilized a slingshot and stone to confront the giant who had an enormous sword, shield and arm-bearer to protect him.  The “small one ” conquered and annihilated the giant because he trusted in God rather than in men.  “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”

6.  FATIMA CHILDREN  AND MARY.   The Mother of God chose to appear to the most insignificant “little ones” of the world to transmit the most important message.  Jacinta, Francisco, Lucia— simple Shepherd children— Mary chose to reveal to the world the importance of prayer, penance, the Rosary, the value of the soul, and eternal life. Jesus marvelled and praised the Father for having revealed the mysteries of God to the mere little ones!

7. MOTHER TERESA OF CALCUTTA.  Small in stature, unassuming in appearance, physically weak for years before she died, God chose the small Mother Teresa of Calcutta to carry out one of the most important missions in the modern world: to recognize that Jesus indeed is truly present in “The poorest of the poor.”   Hungry, thirsty, naked, foreigner, sick and in prison– whatever you did it to the least of my brothers, you did it to me.  God chooses the humble of the world to confuse the proud.   As Mary proclaimed in her Magnificat, “He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, but has lifted up the lowly.”

8. BREAD AND WINE.  Jesus decided to use the simple elements of bread and wine and to make a radical, sublime, ineffable transformation!   With the words  of Jesus that the priest repeats in every Mass, “Take and eat this is my Body; take and drink this is my Blood, ” the most powerful transformation takes place!  God, Jesus, the second Person of the Blessed Trinity, descends from heaven to the altar and into human hearts!  God can take small people with small things but with enormous hearts, to accomplish the greatest miracles! This is the “miracle of miracles” and done in such a simple way!

9.  MARY MOST HOLY.   God chose the humble servant of the Lord, from the anawim (the poor of Yahweh) to  realize the INCARNATION.   God became man through the humble and faithful “Yes” of  Mary.  “The Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name.”

10. YOU AND ME!  Most of us are small people, unknown by most of the world, not having made headlines in the news or TV yesterday, today, and probably not tomorrow! Nonetheless, if  we have purity of intention, holiness of life, trust in Jesus and Mary, a bold confidence as read in the Diary of St Faustina, and we are willing to open our hearts to God, then He can take our littleness and transform it into miracles beyond the wildest of our dreams!  God takes small people with little to offer but with GREAT hearts to accomplish great miracles. He is waiting for you!

EYES ARE THE MIRROR OF THE SOUL

“The eyes are the mirror of the soul.” The mirror should be kept clear, pure, transparent, and constantly guarded from being tarnished by the dust, dirt and even filth of the world.   Spiritual Theology texts insist on the “Custody of the Senses”, but especially a vigorous and constant custody of the eyes.

What passes through the eyes, enters the mind and from the mind into the heart and from the heart into one’s life and from one’s actions are formed habits— good or bad– and these habits form one’s personality(who he really is as a person) and finally one’s eternal destiny, either eternal joy in heaven or punishment and suffering in hell!  To contemplate the Face of Jesus in the life to come, we must maintain purity of eyes, mind, body and soul in this life.  “Blessed are the pure of heart, they will see God.” (Mt.5:8)

Therefore, let us encourage a proper use of our eyes by the following practices!

1. CONTEMPLATE THE BEAUTY OF NATURE.  The starry night sky, the multi-colored rainbow, the trees glowing in foliage season, the sunrise, painting the sky with an orange -pink hue, the moon reflecting the light of the sun, the meadow filled with the flowers of God, the snow-capped mountains,  the powerful-eternal breaking of the ocean waves against the shore, the crystal-clear spring water rushing from a mountain crevice—- all of these and much more majestically point to the author HIMSELF, GOD THE CREATOR.       “O Lord, Our God , how wonderful is your name through all the earth…When I see the heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you set in place…”  (Psalm 8: 2, 4).   May your eyes be filled with the beauty of God’s creation and your heart be elevated to praise the Creator behind  creation!

2. SMILING FACE OF A CHILD.   The eyes are the mirror of the soul. The innocent smile of a child can lift you to the creator of innocence itself— The innocent Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.  “Unless you become like a child, you cannot enter the Kingdom of God.”

3. BIBLE/WORD OF GOD.  A day should never pass in which you are not reading, pondering, meditating the Word of God.  One verse, one word, one idea from the “Word of God” can fill you with light and consolation the whole day.

4 INCARNATE DOERS OF THE WORD OF GOD: THE SAINTS!   To really view, in concrete, the Word of God lived out in flesh and blood, you must read the “Lives of the saints”. The conversion of St Ignatius can be attributed to his reading the lives of the saints; Ignatius proclaimed:  “If Dominic can do it so can I; if Francis can do it so can I…”

5. MASS/CONTEMPLATION.   During Holy Mass, when the Sacred Host is being elevated, then contemplate  It (Jesus) with deep faith and burning love. In the depths of your heart pray: “My Lord and my God…” and “O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine.”  You are looking at Jesus and He is looking back at you with love!

6. HOLY HOUR AND BLESSED SACRAMENT.   After Holy Mass, spend your “Holy Hour”  (The Hour of Power, Archbishop Fulton Sheen) gazing lovingly at your Lord and God.   The Cure of Ars asked the peasant what he did while spending long hours in front of the Blessed Sacrament and the peasant responded:  “I look at Him and he looks at me and I get up filled with joy!”

7. DIVINE MERCY IMAGE.  Jesus promised that those who honor and venerate His Image of Divine Mercy will receive special graces now and for all eternity. Do not let a day pass in which you fail to contemplate the beautiful image of Divine Mercy.  “Jesus, I trust in you!”  Jesus promised Saint Faustina that His grace would pass powerfully through this image. All homes and families should contemplate with their eyes this IMAGE!!!

8. BAD IMAGES: T.V, INTERNET, MOVIES, MAGAZINES….. All of these should be avoided like the plague!  If you are uncertain if you should be viewing any image or scene from the above, then simply ask yourself the question:  “Would Jesus, Mary and Joseph sit down with me with joy for this entertainment!!!!  You have the answer!!!!

9. CRUCIFIX.  Have a graphic, authentic depiction of Jesus crucified in your home, hopefully in your room.  From head to foot, contemplate your suffering saviour with your eyes. Remember, He suffered all of those atrocious, excruciating agonies for you that you might love Him all the more!  Often Jesus exhorted Saint Faustina to contemplate His sufferings!

10. MARY MOST HOLY.  Have an image(statue, painting, mosaic) of Mary always close to you. Greet her in the morning, and evening and in between— if possible! At the start of the day, consecrate your whole being…. your eyes, mind and heart to Mary.   St. John Berchmans stated, “I want to keep my eyes pure in this life so as to contemplate with the greatest clarity the beauty of Mary in heaven.”

In conclusion, let us keep vigilance over our eyes, fill them with pure, honest and noble ideas, images, and the beauty of  creation.   “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God.”  (Mt 5:8)

St. John Bosco had many dreams with profound spiritual meaning. Probably the most famous is the dream of the SHIP  at sea.   He envisioned a Ship at sea being tossed by the waves, surrounded my enemy boats, and in danger of being sunk.   The Captain on the helm of the ship is peering into the distance and he views two pillars that ascend from the waters, one a bit higher than the other.

The Captain knew that the safety of the ship and all of the crew members depended on one thing: to steer the ship in between the two pillars. With great energy of will and firm determination, the Captain succeeded in directing the ship in between the two pillars, and then chaining and anchoring the ship to the two pillars. This done, the waters subsided, the enemy ships disappeared, and the ship gently but securely arrived at the shore, safe and sound with all of the members!

On the top of the lower pillar was a majestic and beautiful image of Mary, “Help of Christians”. On the top of the higher pillar was enthroned  an impressive image of  Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament!  Mary’s eyes are contemplating the image of the Blessed Sacrament with folded hands and reverential posture.

This dream/vision of St. John Bosco expresses the hallmarks of Catholicism, and can be utilized as a clear, but powerful and convincing  educational tool to teach others the very essence of the Catholic faith. Following is    the symbolic interpretation of the  DREAM OF THE SHIP.( Saint John Bosco).

1. THE STORMY SEA.   Points to our life on earth which is truly a battle, it is combat and all are soldiers in the army of Christ the King! 

2. ENEMY SHIPS.   The 3 enemies that every soldier of Christ must encounter and conquer with the help of Christ the King.  They are the devil, the flesh and the world!

3. THE DEVIL tempts us with sinful thoughts and tries to seduce us as he did Eve in the garden!

4. THE FLESH.  As a result of Original Sin, the flesh demands instant satisfaction and flees from penance and discipline.

5. THE WORLD.  Tries to convince us that true happiness can be found in the things of this world.  “Eat, drink and be merry!  Live it up!  You have one life to live– go for it!

6.  THE CREW MEMBERS   on the ship are us, hoping to arrive safely at the shore.

7. THE SHIP.  Is the Catholic church.   As God used Noe to save his family and a few animals in the Ark, so God provides us with a secure refuge from our enemies in the Bark of Peter— the Catholic Church.

8. THE CAPTAIN.  The Captain of the Ship is the Holy Father, The Pope! If the crew can look to the Pope for spiritual and moral guidance, obey him, and trust him, then we are on sure footing.

9. PILLAR: THE EUCHARIST!   The Pope points to the two pillars leading to salvation.  The greatest is the most Holy Eucharist.  The Pope insists on our faith,  love and devotion towards Jesus truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.

10. MARY: HELP OF CHRISTIANS.   Mary, under the title, “Help of Christians”, always points to Jesus.  She said, “My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour…” and “Do whatever he tells you.”   To love Mary is to love Jesus; the two are inseparable!

If we as crew members, are faithful members of Holy Mother Church, if we love Mary, love and receive the Eucharist reverently and frequently and fervently, if we have a humble, reverential and obedient attitude towards the Pope, the Holy Father, the Vicar of Christ, His Holiness, the Supreme Pontiff, then we will arrive safely to the shore. This shore is our heavenly homeland!
Long live Mary!  Long live Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament!  Long live the Pope!

“Viva Maria!” ” Viva Jesus Sacramentado!”    “Viva el Papa!”

WISDOM: SEEKING FOR WHAT IS TRULY IMPORTANT.

God asked Solomon to ask for anything and he would receive it. Instead of asking for money, power and prestige and personal glory,  Solomon asked instead for a wise and discerning heart so as to govern properly the people entrusted to hm.  God was pleased with this and indeed gave him a wise and discerning heart, but also riches, power and prestige.
Like Solomon. we should beg for true “Wisdom”.

What is Wisdom?   It is a gift of the Holy Spirit and according to St. Thomas Aquinas, it is the greatest of the 7 gifts.   A concise, easy to memorize , definition of “Wisdom” is  TO RELISH THE THINGS OF GOD.   The Psalmist expresses it with these words:  ‘Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. ”     Jesus expresses it as such: ” Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and everything will be given to you beside.”  This being said, what are manifestations to detect a truly “Wise” person? Here is the check list!   The truly “wise” person relishes and rejoices in the following activities.

1. PRAYER.   He is drawn to union with God in prayer. He has established a set time to pray and faithfully defends that time.  The Cure of Ars said that the basic duty of man on earth is to pray and to love.

2. THE WORD OF GOD.   Jesus responded with determination to the devil’s temptation that man does not live on Bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.  The truly wise person breaks open the bread of the word and nourishes himself on it daily. “Give us this day our daily bread.”

3.  SPIRITUAL FORMATION.  He is keenly aware of how much there is to learn about the treasures of his faith and rejoices in studying the faith.

4.  RETREATS.  He recognizes the need to leave the world and to be with the Lord in silence for a prolonged period. Jesus started off His public ministry with 40 days in the desert and then launched into the active ministry.   “First come and be with Jesus; then go out to the whole world.”  This is the proper order!

5. WILL OF GOD.  A truly wise person strives to seek the will of God in his life and then begs for the grace to carry it out faithfully.  “Thy Kingdom come they will be done..”.  Any endeavour done outside the will of God is barren and fruitless!

6. SAINTS FRIENDSHIP.   Wise people spend time with those of like interests!  The wisest persons who ever lived were the saints.   Indeed we imitate those with whom we associate. Saintly people will read the lives of the saints and imitate their example! Saints!  True models of heavenly wisdom!

7. TRUE MOTIVATION!   Truly wise people are constantly asking themselves before acting and making decisions this question:  “Will this action or decision draw me closer to heaven as well as others?”   If so,  may it be done!

8. HUMILITY.  A truly wise person realizes that he does not know it all, but humbly seeks counsel and advice from a Spiritual Director who can shed light on his darkness. St Teresa of Avila had several saints that she consulted!

9. PEARL OF INFINITE PRICE.   True wisdom pursues the “pearl of infinite value” and that is the Most Holy Eucharist. If in the course of the day, the Eucharist has been received worthily, then that person carries within his heart, mind, and soul the “Wisest of the Wise” Jesus!   Truly wise people have a double nourishment: the Bread of the Word, and the Bread of Life. They eat from the  two tables.  (Vatican II, Sacrosanctum Concilium)

10. MARY, THE SEAT OF WISDOM.  One of the many beautiful titles for the Blessed Virgin Mary is “Seat of Wisdom”.  Indeed true love and devotion to Mary fosters love and obedience for Jesus.  The last words recorded of Mary in the Bible, in the Wedding Feast of Cana, were among the wisest words ever pronounced:   DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU. (Jn. 2:5)

If the world would simply take to heart these last words recorded of Mary, “The Seat of Wisdom” and put them into practice, salvation would be universal; all would be saved! May Mary attain for all of us true Wisdom and eternal life!

DEATH: “Do not ask for whom the bell tolls, the bell tolls for you!”

Small or tall, dark or light, male or female, young or old, one thing they all have in common: the phantom of death soon or later will knock at their door.  A wise old woman-catechist stated:  “Death is the most certain of all realities, but it is also the most uncertain.” Death, nobody escapes it; however, nobody knows the day, the hour, the moment, nor the manner nor place! Still, the most important moment in our life is the moment we die and “how” we die!   To die in the state of sanctifying grace— in God’s Friendship– is the greatest of graces.  Why? Salvation, heaven, will be ours for all eternity!   How can we be prepared to die so as to live forever, let us see!

1. NO TO SPIRITUAL DEATH!   Avoid mortal sin at all costs— this  is “Spiritual death”.  If one dies in mortal sin– this is the worse— it is what the book of Apocalypse calls the “second death”. This results in the eternal loss of the soul for all eternity!

2. FALLEN, GET UP!  If you fall into mortal sin, get up by a good confession immediately!  Do not let the sun go down on your living in mortal sin.

3. LIVE EACH DAY IN THE LORD!   Live each day as if it were  the last day of your life!  Indeed, it could be.   Jesus will come like the thief in the night. Be prepared!

4. REWARD!  Remember your reward: heaven!  The reward for the faithful servant is tremendous:HEAVEN!  No trial, suffering, setback, anguish is too great if we think about the award that awaits: to be with God forever and ever!  “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it entered the mind of man the wonderful things that God has prepared for those who love Him.”

5. PRAYER!  St Augustine coined a memorable maxim: “He who prays well, lives well; he who lives well dies well; he who dies well, all is well.”   This says it all! Learn to pray well and your death well be holy! Give time, effort and energy to improving your prayer life!

6. SAINTS!  Look to the saints; read their lives; pray to them!  They have made it home safe and are our “best of friends” to help us by example and prayer to have a holy and happy death.

7.  NOVEMBER.  Especially in the month of the November to reflect every day on the “Last Things”: death, judgement, heaven and hell! Briefly, every night before retiring, remind yourself of these eternal truths!  One day I will die, be judged and either be saved or damned! These serious, eternal truths, once understood and prayed over, are powerful tools for conversion of life!

8.  BEGGARS FOR THE GREATEST GIFT!  When all is said and done, the only thing that really matters in this life is to attain the reason for our existence, our Principle and Foundation, the salvation of our immortal soul.  Therefore, a day should never pass in which we do not beg the Lord Jesus for the salvation of our soul—- the grace of a holy and happy death– as well as the salvation of our family as well as the salvation of the whole world.   “For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. ” (Chaplet of Divine Mercy).

9. SHORTCUT TO THE ETERNAL GOAL.  (John 6) In unequivocal and clear words Jesus paves out the way to die well and to live forever: Nourishment on the “Bread of Life”.  Jesus says and repeats this all-important message:  “I am the Bread of life. Whoever eats my body and drinks my blood will have everlasting life.”   The body indeed will die, it must die!  But the soul will live forever if its nourishment has been “The Bread of Life in Holy Communion.” Proposal: “Give us this day our daily bread”….May this “Daily Bread” be daily Holy Communion. Then we will die physically only to live eternally in heaven!  Take the shortcut!

10. MARY: THE KEY TO HEAVEN!   Get into the habit of preparing yourself at least 50 times a day for your death— for a holy death— by saying the prayer that Mary loves most: the Hail Mary and the Holy Rosary.  “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen”  If said faithfully, the Holy Mother of God will be at your side and attain for you a holy and happy death and present you to Jesus, the fruit of her holy womb and heaven will be yours. The last words of St Bernadette were:    “Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for me poor sinner now and at the our of my death. Amen”