A Simple Question

Before this feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary comes to an end, I thought I would just ask a simple question:

When was the last time you leaped for joy (spiritually or physically) as you approached the tabernacle, or gazed upon Our Lord exposed in a Monstrance or when He was placed on your tongue?



Eucharistic Reflection

The Heart of Jesus therefore lives in the Eucharist, since His body is alive there. It is true that we can neither feel nor see that divine Heart, but things are pretty much the same for all men. This principle of life must be mysterious and veiled; to uncover it would kill it. We can conclude to its existence only from the effects it produces. A man does not ask to see the heart of a dear friend; one word is enough to tell him of his love. But how will the divine Heart of Jesus make itself known? It manifests itself to us by the sentiments with which it inspires us; that should suffice. Besides, who could contemplate the beauty and the goodness of the divine Heart? Who could stand the brightness of its glory, the consuming and devouring flames of this fire of love? Who would dare look at this divine Ark, on which is written its gospel of love in letters which its love has its throne, and its goodness all its treasures? Who would want to penetrate into the very sanctuary of the Godhead? The Heart of Jesus! Why, it is the heaven of heavens, in which God Himself dwells and finds His delights!

No! We do not see the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus! But we possess it; it is ours!

(St. Peter Julian Eymard)

Eucharistic Reflection

Today I wish to direct attention, once

again, to the hectic pace of this modern

world. Children, come and sit with Me in

the Sacrament of the Eucharist. I am in

every tabernacle throughout the world.

Think of one now, and picture Me there.

Do I have a television? A radio? Of course

not. Yet I am truly there.

“What does He do?” you might ask. I tell

you, My child, I am not bored. I think about

 you. I worry if you are far away. I suffer if

you have chosen worldly paths and you are

endangering your soul.

 I am sad each day if there is no hope of a

 visit from you. I ask My Father to have mercy
 on you. I direct My angels to watch over you
 in the hope that someday you will return to
 Me.

My child, how often during your day do you

think of Me? You are thinking of Me now, as you
read these words. So while your mind is
resting upon Me, let Me tell you that I love
you. I want only your happiness. I can
help you in everything. I can solve your
problems and heal your wounds.

My child, come and sit before the Eucharist

in any tabernacle. My graces and blessings
will flow out to you. I want you to sit
and soak in the silence. You may close
your eyes there and I will fill your precious
head with a stream of heavenly thoughts.

I have so much to share with you. I have

seen every injury you have experienced
I longed to comfort you. Let Me comfort
you now.

(Excerpts from entry dated 8/21/2003,

Directions for Our Times (Vol. 2)

Conversations with the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus,

http://www.directionforourtimes.org/

Used with permission)

For Our Mother Mary

To our Blessed Mother Mary during this month of May -  three versions of the hymn we so love to hear!

(Video credits to YouTube,Three Tenor Concert 1994 and America's Got Talent)

Pray For Our Priests!

Why not follow Father Mark's suggestion and offer the following prayer every time you make a visit before the Blessed Sacrament?

Act of Adoration for Priests

Lord Jesus Christ, Priest and Victim,
behold, I kneel before Thy Eucharistic Face
on behalf of all Thy priests,
and especially those priests of Thine,
who at this moment are most in need
of Thy grace.
(N. and N.)
For them and in their place,
allow me to remain,
adoring and full of confidence,
close to Thy Open Heart,
hidden in this, the Sacrament of Thy Love.

Through the Maternal and Immaculate
Heart of Mary,
our Advocate and the Mediatrix of All Graces,
pour forth upon all the priests of Thy Church
that torrent of mercy that ever flows
from Thy pierced side:
to purify and heal them,
to refresh and sanctify them,
and, at the hour of their death,
to make them worthy of joining Thee
before the Father in the heavenly sanctuary
beyond the veil (Hb 6:19)
where Thou art always living
to make intercession
for us (Hb 7:25). Amen.


PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

A Mother's Love - All Life Is A Gift from God

What follows is another "must see" video that is making its rounds through Facebook. It is well worth passing on.

Thanks to GodVine.com for circulating it and for Anne Costa and Barbara Jensen for sharing it with me.

We must never forget that all human life, from the moment of conception to natural death, has value.

We are all made in God's image.

He has a plan and mission for each of us.

His plan for little Christian will be readily apparent to those who take a few moments to view this piece.

Recent Review of "Forgotten Truths To Set Faith Afire!"

Thought I would share the most recent review posted on Amazon.com:

In Company with the Saints, May 6, 2012

By

  J. Stutmann "voracious reader" (Rome, NY)

This review is from: Forgotten Truths to Set Faith Afire!: Words to Challenge, Inspire and Instruct (Paperback)

When I sit down to read passages from this book, I feel as if I am sitting in company with the saints! Each saint quote is like conversing with that saint because their thoughts and what they have said is meant for all people to hear, see,and know for our spiritual benefit. I in turn am spurred to think in response to what was said and that leads to the deepening of knowledge from my head to my heart. Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints! I love reading this book in company with the Lord in adoration..the words just jump off the page to me! I have often longed for a book such as this, having quotes of so many saints at my fingertips and now I have one! Thank you Michael, for this labor of love that WILL produce much fruit!

Eucharistic Reflection

"And if you and I love our faulty fellow-human beings, how much more must God love us all? If we as human parents, can forgive our children any neglect, any crime, and work and pray patiently to make them better, how much more does God love us?

You may say perhaps: "How do we know He does, if there is a He!" And I can only answer that we know it because He is here present with us today in the Blessed Sacrament on the altar, that He never has left us, and that by daily going to Him for the gift of Himself as daily bread, I am convinced of that love. I have the Faith that feeding at that table has nourished my soul so that there is life in it, and a lively realization that there is such a thing as the love of Christ for us.

It took me a long time as a convert to realize the presence of Christ as Man in the Sacrament. He is the same Jesus Who walked on earth, Who slept in the boat as the tempest arose, Who hungered in the desert, Who prayed in the garden, Who conversed with the woman by the well, Who rested at the house of Martha and Mary, Who wandered through the cornfields, picking the ears of corn to eat. Jesus is there as Man. He is there, Flesh and Blood, Soul and Divinity. He is our leader Who is always with us. Do you wonder that Catholics are exultant in this knowledge, that their Leader is with them? "I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.""

(Dorothy Day from Another Letter to a Agnostic, The Catholic Worker, 5 (September 1, 1934):491.  )

Today's Gospel in a Picture

One Man's Example

From the inception of the Adoration Chapel in our parish and without interruption for nearly five years until a few days before his death, this gentleman came every Saturday morning.  Initially, he came for two hours each week – from 3 A.M. to 5 A.M.  Eventually, another person lent a helping hand by coming in a half-hour early each Saturday morning.  That hour and a half was not enough for Mike – he added another hour each week when he joined his wife in the Chapel each Monday evening. 

He learned to pray the Rosary there.  Oh, how he enjoyed praying the Rosary before the Blessed Sacrament! 

Nothing kept him away – not snow, not ice, not radiation treatment, not chemotherapy, not even a terminal illness.  Just weeks before his death, he came in at 3 AM in obvious discomfort.  He was coughing and had some difficulty breathing.  But how devoutly he tried to genuflect and bow his head before his beloved Lord.  After awhile, he settled in his chair, pulled out his favorite little meditation booklet and began to pray the Rosary. 

He knew that others were willing to cover his hour and half for him.  But he did not want to “inconvenience anyone”.  Despite the cancer that was raging through his weakened body, “there was no reason for him to give up his hour yet,” he said, “except that he was getting a little lazy”.  His fellow Adorers reminded him of all the prayers being offered for him during this difficult time and of their desire to be helpful to him and to his family.  He appreciated everyone’s prayers and concerns and simply told us that he did not want to get angry with God.  He never did. 

“It was okay for you to leave,” he said to the person he was relieving. "No need to stay. I'll be fine."  Mike was at peace – one with his heavenly Father and Mother. We should have all thanked him then for teaching us how to live and how to die – with absolute trust and faith in a God Who always knew what was best for him.

My friend spent his last hour before the Blessed Sacrament with his wife five days before he passed away.  He died at home surrounded by his loving family and on the feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary.  How great is our God!  This simple and humble man would have been the first one to admit that there was nothing of any value that he ever did on his own.  Anything of value that he did (and he did much of eternal value) was only by and through the grace of God.  How abundantly willing He is to provide that grace to those who love Him!

God does not promise those who love him a life here free of trials and tribulations.  Time before Him in the Blessed Sacrament is no guaranty of a struggle free life. But He does promise sufficient graces to carry our daily crosses and eternity with Him for those who love Him.

Mike loved to visit Him. You will too! Our Lord is waiting for you! Please do not disappoint Him - so many who claim to be His followers have and continue to do so.

PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament

"Blessed are thou among women!" O mother of God, all praise to you! You are a tabernacle of innocence and holiness - the only tabernacle worthy of Jesus. It was you who gave to the world the Bread of Life: you had first to be the bread of life to Him before He could be the bread of Life to us...To men, weakened by sin, you gave the Bread of the Strong; to men, starved through feeding on the empty vanities of this world, you gave the Bread of Angels. Be forever praised and thanked...

(Eucharistic Whisperings by Father Winfrid Herbst, SDS)

(Image credit to:perpetualadoration13.blogspot.com)