LITANY OF THANKS FOR “MY” BAPTISM AND GRACES  (Jn. 3:1-21)

Read the encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus and focus on the words: ” Amen, amen I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and  Spirit.” (Jn. 3:5). Now call to mind with immense gratitude the spiritual graces God bestowed on you on the day of your Baptism. Turn this meditation into a Litany of Thanksgiving!!!!

1. Freed from the stain of Original Sin; washed clean, purity of soul!

2. Become a son/daughter to God the Father! Truly son/daughter of God!

3. Become brother/sister to Jesus Christ. Indeed, Jesus is our older Brother!

4.  Living tabernacle of the Holy Spirit. He is the “Sweet Guest of your soul”.

5. Living temple of the Blessed Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

6. Receive the theological virtues connecting you directly to God: Faith, Hope, and Charity!

7. Endowed with the moral or cardinal virtues: Justice, Prudence, Fortitude, and Temperance.

8. Freedom and liberation from the enemy, the power of darkness, the devil: the exorcism!

9.Outpouring of the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Piety, and Fear of the Lord. Come Holy Spirit come!

10 Sanctifying grace= meaning Friendship with Jesus.  He became your “Best Friend”. He is the Friend that will never fail you!

11 FAMILY MEMBER!  Became member of the family the Church. The Church is indeed the “Family of God”.

12. Actual graces.  These spiritual impulses like divine rays of light will descend upon the mind of the baptized and give consolation to the heart.

13. INHERITANCE.  Through Baptism, we have a right and are entitled to eternal life if we are faithful to our Baptismal Commitment.

14. EUCHARIST.  Once baptized, through preparation, we can receive the greatest sacrament: the Holy Eucharist, the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ!

15. MARY AS MOTHER.   If Baptism makes us sons/daughters of God, then it also means that we become sons/daughters of  Mary who is the Mother of God and the Mother of the Church!

Friends in Jesus and Mary,  make it a habit to give thanks to the Lord for having gratuitously given to you— without any merit of your own— the Sacrament of Baptism.  Quietly and prayerfully meditate on this list and your hearts will be filled with joy!

JESUS’ BAPTISM IN THE JORDAN:  CONTEMPLATIVE  SCENES. ( Mt.3:13-17)

Utilize your imagination to enter and to become part of this contemplative scene in the life of Jesus. Beg for the grace of intimate knowledge of Jesus, that you love Him more ardently and follow Him more closely.   THE BAPTISM SCENES…..

1. Jesus leaving Mary at Nazareth.  Try to picture and imagine the last moments that Jesus shared with His Mother Mary in Nazareth before His departure.  Imagine the two having a last meal, coffee  together and their conversation. You also are invited! What did they say? What would you say to them?

2. JESUS’ DEPARTURE.   Jesus leaves His Mother and walks quickly, determined, with His eyes fixed on the Father’s will and His mission? Are you weak and irresolute in your decisions. Walk  and talk with the Lord!

3. JORDAN RIVER AND JOHN.   Many people are   at the Jordan river because of one person: John the Baptist. Sanctity attracts!  Do you attract people to the Heart of Jesus?

4. JESUS’ PATIENCE AND HUMILITY.  Jesus with the utmost humility and patience goes to the end of the line and waits His turn—- this is the Son of God, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity!  Are you patient in waiting? Are you meek and humble of heart?

5. THE BLESSED TRINITY.  At Jesus’ Baptism is revealed a “Trinitarian Theophany”.  That is to say, manifested is the Father, in the voice, the Son in the Person of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove.  Prayer reflection!  Which of the Persons of the Blessed Trinity are you most distant from?  Beg for the grace of deeper intimacy with “That” Person. He longs to enter into deeper “Friendship” with you!

With this Biblical passage and points for meditation, you can easily grown in knowledge, love and desire to follow Jesus the Lord!

PRAYER ESSENTIALS: SILENCE AND AN OPEN HEART
I Kings 19:11-13  ELIJAH ENCOUNTERS THE LORD, WHERE???

1. God cannot be found in the midst of noise….

2. God is found in the silence; He is present in the gentle breeze!

3. Is my life cluttered with useless noises???

4. Could I eliminate excessive t.v, radio,  useless chatter, (gossip)

5.  Maybe  I have  purposely sought out noise because I am afraid to be alone and encounter myself and who God really wants me to be?

*****Meditate on this passage and these points. Have an open, friendly conversation with the Lord. He is waiting for you!

THE OPEN DOOR/ THE OPEN HEART:   REV. 3: 14-22

1. LUKEWARMNESS IN THE SPIRITUAL LIFE!  Have a fallen into a state of lukewarmness, tepidity, mediocrity in my spiritual life.  This is an abomination before the Lord.

2. FIRE!  Lord ignite my heart once again with fire. Lord give me a spark of that fire that came down on the Apostles that first Pentecost!

3. MATERIALISM.  Have riches taken a hold of your heart?  You cannot serve both God and money at the same time.  Are your possessions possessing you? Remember Lazarus and the rich man. The rich man was lost because his riches blinded him to Jesus in the poor Lazarus outside the gate.  Do I have blind spots in my spiritual life?

4. REPROOF!  God reproves those He loves. Accept reproval and fraternal correction with great humility— you will grow in holiness!

5. OPEN DOOR!  Jesus now is knocking at the door of your heart.  Is your door closed with lock and key and chain? is your door (heart) locked just with key?  is your door closed? is your door partially open? is your door totally open.  The Lord is knocking and waiting!

The above are two Biblical passages that can help you to enter into a retreat or simply to meditate. Two essentials for prayer are   SILENCE AND OPENNESS..   May the Blessed Virgin Mary, our great example, attain for us  exterior and interior silence and a well-disposed heart. “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word.”

Father Ed Broom, OMV, is Associate Pastor of St. Peter Chanel Church in Hawaiian Gardens, California. He is a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary and was ordained by Saint John Paul II on May 25, 1986. Fr. Ed teaches Catholic Ignatian Marian Spirituality through articles, podcasts, a radio show, retreats and spiritual direction.

 

SPIRITUAL READING: RENEW YOUR MIND IN CHRIST!

On our pathway to holiness, we should use all of the means and helps we can to arrive at our eternal home: heaven.  Spiritual writers and spiritual directors are unanimous in the invaluable importance of frequent  SPIRITUAL READING.   Forming the habit of frequent, methodical, well-ordered “Spiritual Reading” can fortify our spiritual life, as vitamins do to the body.  Consult your confessor or Spiritual Director as to what would be the “best” spiritual reading for you now, how to do and when to do it and without a doubt your spiritual life well skyrocket!  To encourage you, these are the many fruits that can be picked from the tree of the person who takes seriously “Spiritual Reading”.

1. LOVE OF GOD.   Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love Him with all our soul, strength, and MIND.  We cannot love someone who we do not love.  Good Spiritual Reading puts us in contact with God, through knowing Him better and knowledge of Jesus generates love for  Him.

2. PURIFICATION OF THE MIND.  Today we are exposed to much moral dirt– t.v. the radio, the Internet, the street, maybe even the workplace— good spiritual reading serves to purify the mind. As chlorine is to your backyard pool, so is good spiritual reading to the mind, sullied by the dust of the world!

3. HOLY THOUGHTS AND HOLY ACTIONS.   By reading the mind is filled with holy thoughts that lead to holy actions and eventually to holy lives and finally heaven! St Paul says we should focus on heavenly things.

4. PRAYER ENRICHMENT.  Notice that when you have formed the habit of “Spiritual Reading” then when you go to your prayer it is easier because this “Holy mind-set” and holy thoughts can be brought to prayer. A good spiritual reading and a fervent meditation are like hand in glove.

5. PERMANENT FORMATION/CATECHESIS.  Many today have never been properly educated in the faith, have been poorly catechized, or not even catechized at all. Therefore, spiritual reading— for example, reading the CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH— can fulfill a catechetical void that many have been immersed in!

6. FROM DESOLATION TO CONSOLATION.  We all experience moments(maybe hours) of desolation, in which God seems distant and we have lost the “Taste” for spiritual things. St. Ignatius insists that we must fight against desolation and not give in to it. If we give into desolation then it can cause irreparable damage to our spiritual life.  An extraordinary help in desolation can be quiet, peaceful recollected spiritual reading. Personally, if find reading from the DIARY OF ST FAUSTINA: DIVINE MERCY IN MY SOUL is an oasis of peace and consolation in  moments of aridity, temptation and desolation. Have in store your favorite books to conquer desolation!

7. APOLOGETICS.  Reading can lead to knowledge of the faith and defense of the faith. At Confirmation, the Bishop sent the newly confirmed as an apostle to “Spread the faith and to defend the faith.” Read the spiritual topic you love; defend it when the opportunity arises!

8. CONVERSION!  St Ignatius, St Augustine, St Teresa of Avila— all of these great saints received signal graces through “Spiritual Reading”. Ignatius read the lives of the saints and was moved by their heroic lives and exclaimed:  “If Dominic did it so can I; If Francis did it so can I….. Your own deeper conversion can take place through spiritual reading!!! Try it!

9.  AVOID MENTAL STAGNATION.   The mind has to be constantly renewed and replenished and reinvigorated; otherwise mental stagnation can set in!  Many spouses could improve markedly their married life if they both applied themselves to Spiritual Reading. Therefore, upon meeting they can share their day as well as the fruits and lights and insights derived in from their Reading!

10. GOOD EXAMPLE!   Jesus said He is the Light of the world; also He said that we are to be the light of the world. Parents, apply yourself to good reading and your children, hopefully, will follow your good example. Spiritual Reading is spiritual light to illuminate the home and the family!

In conclusion, start today your spiritual reading. What to read? Suggestions: Bible, lives of the saints, Catechism, teachings of the Popes, moral theology to form one’s conscience, Prayer…. and many more! Consult your Spiritual Director. With the habit of Spiritual Reading your knowledge of Jesus will increase, your love for Him will abound and your sharing with others will multiply and your home in heaven prepared!

Father Ed Broom, OMV, is Associate Pastor of St. Peter Chanel Church in Hawaiian Gardens, California. He is a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary and was ordained by Saint John Paul II on May 25, 1986. Fr. Ed teaches Catholic Ignatian Marian Spirituality through articles, podcasts, a radio show, retreats and spiritual direction.

CHARITY; SUPERNATURAL LOVE IS THE GREATEST!!!
For Catholic-Christians, the greatest virtue is charity (supernatural love). Looking up to the cross, it has two dimensions, the horizontal and the vertical.  The “Vertical” going up, is our relationship with God.  We are called to love Him with all our heart, mind, soul, strength.   The “Horizontal— extending out in two directions, is the love that we must show to our neighbor. As we read in the letter of John, “How can you say you love God who you do not see, if you hate your brother who you see?  This being said, what are some Biblical passages that  challenge us to live out the horizontal dimension of love?   Behold!!!

1.  James puts it with his characteristic bluntness:  “Faith without works is dead!” Therefore, show your faith the way you treat your brother!

2.  Jesus said, “Not all who say Lord, Lord, will enter into heaven, but those who do the will of my heavenly Father. ”  (Mt 7)

3. Jesus said,  “I am the Vine and your are the branches… I have called you so that you bring forth fruit in abundance.” (Jn 15).  Our charity must produce abundant apostolic fruits, in bringing souls to God.

4. The Parable of the Good Samaritan. (Lk10).   Jesus is truly present in our neighbor. Age, sex, ethnic background, intelligence or lack of it— all these do not matter!  Jesus is present in all who suffer!   Help them!

5.  The Parable of Lazarus and the Rich man. (Lk16).   The rich man was condemned, not for what he “did”, but for what he  “did not” do!!!! That is to say, he did not come to the rescue of the beggar outside his door. That beggar was “Jesus in disguise”. Blessed Mother of Calcutta stated, “We must see Jesus in the distressing disguise of the poor.

6.  The Parable of the Last Judgment.  (Mt 25).  It could not be any clearer in how to find Jesus!  “I was hungry, thirsty, naked, a foreigner, sick and in prison… Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me…”  Let us open our eyes to see!!!!

7. The Parable of the Talents.  (Mt 25)   Cultivating and using our talents, is another way that charity is expressed.   St. Ignatius in “The Contemplation to attain love” says that love is manifested in giving. Our talents are given to us by God to be cultivated and given to others generously.  Mother Teresa expressed it clearly:  “Give until it hurts!” Do you lay down to bed every night hurting for having given so much that day????

8.  ZACHEUS.  TRUE CONVERSION! (Lk. 19) the acid test of conversion is change of life.  The little tree-climber proved to Jesus that he was repentant by offering half of his money to the poor and if he had defrauded anyone, four times as much. Is your charity evident in your desire to do reparation for past damage!  Shoulders to the plow!

9. GIVING AND JOY!   God loves a joyful giver. For this reason St Paul stated: “There is more joy in giving than in receiving.”  Remember the acronym:  J.O.Y.= JESUS….OTHERS….YOU….  If that is the proper order, interior joy will be the prize!

10. MARY AND CHARITY.   Vatican II and Lumen Gentium chapter 8 is on Mary and her role in the church. The Council fathers’ highlighted the greatest virtue of Mary: her charity! After Mary received Jesus in her heart in the Annunciation (Incarnation) then immediately, not procrastinating as we often do,  “La filsofia de la manana”, she moved quickly on an errand of charity to help her elderly cousin in need( Lk 1) us be docile and open to God’s inspirations, like Mary, and be ready to help, even though it costs!

Conclusion,  All of us are called to live out the Gospel of charity. Look at the cross and contemplate the two bars.  The “Vertical” let us go up to God in a fervent prayer life. Then, let us go out to our neighbor in a fiery apostolic zeal. How much should we love God? St Francis de Sales give us the answer:  ” The measure that we should love God is to love God without measure.”

Father Ed Broom, OMV, is Associate Pastor of St. Peter Chanel Church in Hawaiian Gardens, California. He is a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary and was ordained by Saint John Paul II on May 25, 1986. Fr. Ed teaches Catholic Ignatian Marian Spirituality through articles, podcasts, a radio show, retreats and spiritual direction.