Lent 3 ~ Good Works ~ Alms Giving

   Lent is a beautiful time of growing closer to Christ by giving of ourselves through the good works of prayer, fasting and alms giving. In these ways, we aspire to imitate Our Blessed Lord in the way that he gave Himself, without reservation,  to all of us. Fear is the greatest obstacle to generosity. Holy Scriptures teach us that love casts out all fear.

     While visiting Guatemala, I was overwhelmed by the generosity of the people there. Their life is a life of poverty by our country's standards. What amazed and humbled me was the freedom with which people gave of their time, work and goods. They did not hold back. There was no measuring of how much was given nor was there an expectation of anything in return. Giving to those in need came easily.
     It is said that the higher one's income, the more difficult it is to be generous. Are material possessions too much to lose? Why is it so difficult to share? Why are prayers of petition more desperate and fervent than prayers of thanksgiving? What is so frightening about giving away material possessions? Elaborate household alarm systems and expensive storage of never used items underscore the anxiety attached to protecting material goods. What is so scary about losing what is so easily lost? The despair associated with holding on to things is evenly matched with the despondency of not having enough. All of this occurs with the full awareness of nearby poverty. 
     A dear friend is a contemplative nun. She owns nothing. Her peaceful smile is ever present. She fears nothing, not even death. Her only concern is that she is not giving Jesus enough love.
     May this Lent's alms giving take away our fear and fill us with the love of Christ.

Prayer

Fasting

Alms Giving

Lent 2 ~ Good Works~Fasting

    Lent is a beautiful time of growing closer to Christ by giving of ourselves through the good works of prayer, fasting and alms giving. In these ways, we aspire to imitate Our Blessed Lord in the way that he gave Himself, without reservation,  to all of us.

  Jesus sacrificially obeyed God's Will by giving us 

His body and blood in the Holy Eucharist

     Holy Scriptures present us with many examples of holy fasting. Jesus teaches us the necessity of fasting. His words "only by prayer and fasting" address the singular manner by which the demon possessed boy was freed from a lifetime of anguish. He uses the word "when", not "if" with regards to fasting and prayer which He requires in the lives of His followers. 
      Life changing sacrifices and miracles flourished in the lives, of Moses, Daniel and Esther.  Fasting was an essential element in the lives of many Saints.

   Eating is necessary to sustain life. It is the center of many social events. We eat to celebrate, as in weddings. Food is brought to mourning family and friends as part of the activity of consolation. Human attention to food, water and eating is of

immense cultural, social, economic and historic significance.
  So, why is fasting such an important element in our reltionship with God? 
     During a holy fast, we deliberately remove ourselves from the consumption of specific foods for a specific periods of time (hours, days) , so as to concentrate upon God. Holy fasting is without motives of vanity or ego. Holy Mother Church
 prescribes fasting for lay persons, always with consideration of limitations presented by age, state of life and state of health. To disregard these factors removes the holiness of the fast-period. Before embarking on a fast, consult with a Holy priest.
   Roman Catholics fast for one hour before receiving Holy Communion. May we receive the grace to obey God's Holy Will for us in our "hours/days of fasting" during this Lenten season, because in obedience to the Will of the Father, Jesus gives us His Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist.

Prayer

Fasting

Alms Giving

Lent 1 ~ Good Works ~ Prayer

     Lent is a beautiful time of growing closer to Christ by giving of ourselves through the good works of prayer, fasting and alms giving. In these ways, we aspire to imitate Our Blessed Lord in the way that he gave Himself, without reservation,  to all of us.

       Prayer is lifting our hearts and souls to God. This Heavenward act of love, characterized by its simplicity and beauty, can be expressed vocally or mentally. Spontaneous or recited, sung or signed, our offerings of praise, thanksgiving, petition, contrition are essential in our growing relationship with our Creator. True holy reverent prayer is accomplished only with the divine help of the Holy Spirit. And let us never underestimate the assistance of our Guardian Angel. Our Catholic Catechism is filled with a treasury of lessons about prayer. The writings of many Holy men and women of God teach us that the inevitable multitude of tangible and intangible distractions to prayer, present an overarching struggle which can only be counterbalanced by supernatural grace. This grace, which strengthens holy perseverance, comes from Our Almighty Father, and is delivered to us by the Blessed Virgin Mary. The intercession of Mary, and all of the Saints and Angels make it possible for us to successfully overcome every obstacle to remaining in union with Christ through prayer. God commands us to pray for one another, even if we are "enemies". Prayer is so powerful, yet so easily overlooked amid daily activities. It is true that "prayer changes things", especially the heart of the person praying. 
     The time we spend praying would be spent engaged in some other activity. So, in order to pray we must "give up" something we would otherwise be doing. Prayer involves us in a subtle act of sacrifice, the supernatural results of which are uniquely perceived by the soul.
   There are many opportunities for simple, quiet prayer during any busy day. Morning prayers and Scripture reading set a lovely tranquil pace for the remainder of the day. Jesus used to get away from the frenzy of activity that so often surrounded Him so as to spend time in solitude with His Father. Jesus listened To God. He listened to hear God's will. He was always disposed to obey, even when it required suffering. Healing, miracles, love and compassion flowed from Him without limits.
   I once read a sign that said "A day hemmed in prayer is less likely to unravel." I believe that a Lent woven in prayer embroiders our hearts ever more securely within the Heart of Jesus.

Prayer

Fasting

Alms Giving

Prayer of Saint Gertrude for Souls in Purgatory

"Eternal Father, 

I offer to Thee the Most Precious Blood 

of Thy Divine Son Jesus

in union with the Masses said throughout the world this day 

for all the Souls in Purgatory."

Amen

found at weekday Mass

       Through an "interesting" series of events, I foud myself planted in the front row of a weekday Mass. My arrival, though very tardy, was surely the result of the hand of God. Father was in the middle of his sermon and the only available seat not requiring me to step in front of someone in the same pew was directly in the line of the Holy Spirit's "fire" filled gifts.  The words Father spoke at that precise  moment were exactly what my soul needed.  At once sobering and comforting, God's direct message rendered me overcome with amazement and joy.

        The morning's events underscored for me that God's action in our lives is neither random nor coincidental. Our Heavenly Father has a definite plan for the eternal good of every one of His beloved children. He finds us wherever we are and welcomes us into His heart.

   Dear Jesus, please strengthen my willingness to answer your sweet call.

Saint Anthony of Padua,

patron saint of lost souls and of finding that which is lost

 

The Anima Cristi Prayer:

Soul of Christ sanctify me

Body of Christ save me

Blood of Christ inebriate me

Water from the side of Christ wash me

O good Jesus hear me

Within Thy wounds hide me

Suffer me not to be separated from Thee

From the malignant enemy defend me

In the hour of my death call me

And bid me to come to Thee

That with Thy saints and angels I may praise Thee

Forever and ever.  AMEN

Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe~Sueños Realizados

Our Lady of Guadalupe~Dreams Come True

Irish Wedding Blessing

~Irish Wedding Blessing~

"May your mornings bring joy and your evenings bring peace.

May your troubles grow few as your blessings increase.

May the saddest day of your future

Be no worse than the happiest day of your past.

May your hands be forever clasped in friendship

And your hearts joined forever in love.

Your lives are very special,

God has touched you in many ways.

May his blessings rest upon you

And fill all your coming days."

Whatsoever Things Are Lovely

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice

Let your modesty be known to all men. The Lord is nigh.

Be nothing solicitous; but in every thing, 

by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, 

let your petitions be made known to God.

 And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, 

keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 

For the rest, brethren, 

whatsoever things are true,whatsoever modest, whatsoever just, 

whatsoever holy, whatsoever lovely, whatsoever of good fame, 

if there be any virtue, 

if any praise of discipline, 

think on these things."

Philippians 4:4-8 
Douay-Reims Roman Catholic Bible

The deepest desire of Mary/El deseo más profundo María

     The deepest desire of our Santísima Virgen María is that all of her children would fall in love with Jesus. Her holy and pure life was defined by her "Yes" to the Holy and perfect will of God, our Heavenly Father. Our holy mother Mary was gloriously assumed into heaven. There, from her Immaculate heart, she intercedes for her children. There she eternally and blissfully gazes upon and contemplates the adorable face of her Son, our Savior, Jesus.

     El deseo más profundo de nuestra Santísima Virgen María es que todos sus hijos se caería en amor con Jesús. Su vida santa y pura se define por su "Sí" a la Santa y perfecta voluntad de Dios, nuestro Padre Celestial. Nuestra Santa Madre María fue asunta al cielo gloriosamente. Allí, desde su Corazón Inmaculado, ella intercede por sus hijos. Allí, ella eternamente y felizmente mira y contempla el rostro adorable de su Hijo, nuestro Salvador, Jesús.

Please read~
"No se turbe su corazón/Let not your heart be disturbed"
Thank you