A nice civil discussion of things we share in common

[moosears]

Bishop Fulton J. Sheen rendered quite an inspiring meditation on Jesus being called Mary’s “firstborn” too. A snippet from his little book - THE SEVEN LAST WORDS, The Third Word ; Woman , Behold your Son pgs [25,26]:

"…Nazareth passed to Calvary, and the nails of the shop into the nails of human malignity. From the Cross He contemplated His last will and testament. He had already committed His blood to the Church, His garments to His enemies, a thief to Paradise, and would soon commend His body to the grave and His soul to His Heavenly Father. To whom, then,could He give the two treasures which he loved above all others, Mary and John ? He would bequeath them to one another, giving at once a son to His Mother and a Mother to His friend. ‘Woman!’ It was the second Annunciation! The midnight hour, the silent room, the ecstatic prayer had given way to the mount of Calvary, the darkened sky, and a Son hanging on a Cross. Yet, what consolation! It was only an angel who made the first Annunciation, but it is God’s own sweet voice which makes the second.

’Behold your son!’ It was the second Nativity! Mary had brought forth her First-born without labor, in the cave at Bethlehem; she now brings forth her second-born,John, in the labors of the Cross. At this moment Mary is undergoing the pains of childbirth, not only for her second-born,who is John, but also for the millions who will be born to her in Christian ages as ‘Children of Mary.’

Now we can understand why Christ was called ‘her First-born.’ It was not because she was to have other children by the blood of flesh, but because she was to have other children by the blood of her heart. Truly, indeed, the Divine condemnation against Eve is now renewed against the new Eve,Mary, for she is bringing forth her children in sorrow.

Mary, then, is not only the Mother of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, but she is also our Mother, and not by a title of courtesy, not by legal fiction, not by a mere figure of speech, but by the right of bringing us forth in sorrow at the foot of the Cross. It was by weakness and disobedience at the foot of the tree of Good and Evil that Eve lost the title Mother of the Living; it is at the foot of the tree of the Cross that Mary, by sacrifice and obedience, regained for us the title, Mother of the Living. What a destiny to have the Mother of God as my Mother and Jesus as my Brother!"

Bishop Sheen always had an awesome way with words! Just listening to him can draw a person into contemplation on the deep mysteries of our faith. I have this book too. This makes me want to read it again. Thanks for the beautiful post.

 

[JReducation]

Bishop Fulton J. Sheen rendered quite an inspiring meditation on Jesus being called Mary’s “firstborn” too. A snippet from his little book - THE SEVEN LAST WORDS, The Third Word ; Woman , Behold your Son pgs [25,26]:

"…Nazareth passed to Calvary, and the nails of the shop into the nails of human malignity. From the Cross He contemplated His last will and testament. He had already committed His blood to the Church, His garments to His enemies, a thief to Paradise, and would soon commend His body to the grave and His soul to His Heavenly Father. To whom, then,could He give the two treasures which he loved above all others, Mary and John ? He would bequeath them to one another, giving at once a son to His Mother and a Mother to His friend. ‘Woman!’ It was the second Annunciation! The midnight hour, the silent room, the ecstatic prayer had given way to the mount of Calvary, the darkened sky, and a Son hanging on a Cross. Yet, what consolation! It was only an angel who made the first Annunciation, but it is God’s own sweet voice which makes the second.

’Behold your son!’ It was the second Nativity! Mary had brought forth her First-born without labor, in the cave at Bethlehem; she now brings forth her second-born,John, in the labors of the Cross. At this moment Mary is undergoing the pains of childbirth, not only for her second-born,who is John, but also for the millions who will be born to her in Christian ages as ‘Children of Mary.’

Now we can understand why Christ was called ‘her First-born.’ It was not because she was to have other children by the blood of flesh, but because she was to have other children by the blood of her heart. Truly, indeed, the Divine condemnation against Eve is now renewed against the new Eve,Mary, for she is bringing forth her children in sorrow.

Mary, then, is not only the Mother of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, but she is also our Mother, and not by a title of courtesy, not by legal fiction, not by a mere figure of speech, but by the right of bringing us forth in sorrow at the foot of the Cross. It was by weakness and disobedience at the foot of the tree of Good and Evil that Eve lost the title Mother of the Living; it is at the foot of the tree of the Cross that Mary, by sacrifice and obedience, regained for us the title, Mother of the Living. What a destiny to have the Mother of God as my Mother and Jesus as my Brother!"

Bishop Sheen had a tremendous devotion to our Blessed Mother. I heard a story on EWTN, but I can’t recall who told it. When John Paul II visited NY he was looking forward to seeing the late Bishop Sheen. They were at the Cathedral at St. Patrick’s and Sheen was no where to be seen.

At the end of the service, I believe it was Vespers, the Holy Father asked for Sheen. They went looking for him and found him in one of the side chapels in front of a statue of Mary completely wrapped in prayer. He had been there throughout the entire event and had not noticed that the Pope and bishops had entered the Cathedral. He completely missed the event. That’s how deep he was in prayer to the Blessed Mother.

The Holy Father called him a true son of Mary and the Church. The bishop died not long after.

I thought it was a beautiful story. I had not heard that before.

JR

 

[NeedImprovement]

…
, not enough thoughts of leaving God any room to do His work in the heart where things cannot be seen by those around us…

You said something very profound and beautiful Jeanette…hope I can remember it.

 

[Jeanette_L]

You said something very profound and beautiful Jeanette…hope I can remember it.

I’ll put it in a word file and paste it on here every once in a while.

Hey, seriously though, thanks. God holds our hands through some nasty stuff sometimes, hoping we can come out the other side learning something now and again. Glad one of those things helped someone else too.

 

[NeedImprovement]

I have this feeling that once in a while when He’s holding my hand with one hand, He has to hold his nose with the other.

 

[catharina]

Bishop Sheen always had an awesome way with words! Just listening to him can draw a person into contemplation on the deep mysteries of our faith. I have this book too. This makes me want to read it again. Thanks for the beautiful post.

Bishop Sheen? Yes, he was a wonder.

 

[Deacon_Ed_B]

Exactly. And the good thing is, you are being guided by your head, not by your emotions.

Just a thought on emotions. We have all heard the saying “Emotion is not devotion”. While that is true, if we as humans would be without emotion, we would be truly sterile in our relationships. Emotions are a part of our lives. We each experience emotions in all of our relationships, even the one with God. That said, lets simply recognize that our emotions do not determine our love or ascent. We all say through marriage encounter, that love is a decision. This is why saints undergoing the dark night, have such tremendous growth. Although lacking the emotions which follow love, they love none the less and seek and search for that reward in union. This is how we should all be in our relationship with God. i.e., seeking him with a determined desire, even if we to not feel “the warm fuzzies” if you were.
Prayers & blessings
Deacon Ed B

 

[Deacon_Ed_B]

I love Mary, but truthfully, feel uncomfortable with Christians who exaggerate her importance and spend more time focused on her than on Christ. Hear me right – I pray the Hail Mary every day, but…Christ is the Center, the All, the Godhead. Christ is my life.

Lets not forget Mary"s role in our lives. She is the mediatrix of ALL grace. What that means is than ANY grace we receive comes to us through Mary, from Jesus. That is a role that is more important than most people realize. Lets not also forget, that Jesus, the second person the the Blessed Trinity, became man because of her fiat. Where would we be without her?
Prayers & blessings
Deacon Ed B

 

[Jeanette_L]

I have this feeling that once in a while when He’s holding my hand with one hand, He has to hold his nose with the other.

Too funny!

 

[NeedImprovement]

…
2. The perpetual virginity of Mary seems to be a big problem, because of the use of such terms in the scriptures as the “brothers” of Jesus and Mary gave birth to her firstborn son. Many people don’t realize that the term “first-born” was a very special title given to the male heir in Jewish culture. This term is really saying something of Jesus than about Mary having more children. Jesus is the heir…

Fraternally,

JR

 

[NeedImprovement]

…
2. The perpetual virginity of Mary seems to be a big problem, because of the use of such terms in the scriptures as the “brothers” of Jesus and Mary gave birth to her firstborn son. Many people don’t realize that the term “first-born” was a very special title given to the male heir in Jewish culture. This term is really saying something of Jesus than about Mary having more children. Jesus is the heir…

Fraternally,

JR

Part of the privilege of being the first-born in the Jewish tradition was that the first-born recieved a double portion of the inheritance…correct?

 

[catharina]

Bishop Sheen had a tremendous devotion to our Blessed Mother. I heard a story on EWTN, but I can’t recall who told it. When John Paul II visited NY he was looking forward to seeing the late Bishop Sheen. They were at the Cathedral at St. Patrick’s and Sheen was no where to be seen.

At the end of the service, I believe it was Vespers, the Holy Father asked for Sheen. They went looking for him and found him in one of the side chapels in front of a statue of Mary completely wrapped in prayer. He had been there throughout the entire event and had not noticed that the Pope and bishops had entered the Cathedral. He completely missed the event. That’s how deep he was in prayer to the Blessed Mother.

The Holy Father called him a true son of Mary and the Church. The bishop died not long after.

I thought it was a beautiful story. I had not heard that before.

JR

Beautiful report. I’d never heard this.

 

[NeedImprovement]

Beautiful report. I’d never heard this.

I’d only heard the part about being called a faithful son of the Church and of Mary…not the part about being so immersed in prayer with Her that he almost missed the entire visit…it seems the best leaders lead not only by word, but primarily by example.

Thanks JR Education

 

[DustinsDad]

What is this, the Inquisition?

JR has posted his life story on this forum many times over. What is the reason and/or motives for such a question as this? I personally find this offensive, at the very least.

This thread is for civil discussions. Let’s keep it that way please.

Thanks.

Perhaps the reader is wondering which version to believe.

 

[wildleafblower]

Lets not forget Mary"s role in our lives. She is the mediatrix of ALL grace. What that means is than ANY grace we receive comes to us through Mary, from Jesus. That is a role that is more important than most people realize. Lets not also forget, that Jesus, the second person the the Blessed Trinity, became man because of her fiat. Where would we be without her?
Prayers & blessings
Deacon Ed B

Hi Deacon Ed B. Prior to reading your comment, I happened to be reading a Vatican document dated October 2, 2000 by IOANNES PAULUS II to Sister M. Nirmala Joshi M.C., Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity. I’ll quote a small portion of it:

"In this year of the Great Jubilee, as the Church throughout the world sings the praises of the Most Holy Trinity for the ineffable gift of the Word made flesh, there is for you and the entire family born of the charism of Mother Teresa of Calcutta the added joy of celebrating the Fiftieth Anniversary of the foundation of the Missionaries of Charity.

It was on 7 October 1950 in the little chapel at 14 Creek Lane in Calcutta that Archbishop Perier established the Foundress and her first eleven companions as a Religious Congregation of Diocesan Right. This moment of grace came after a long process of discernment of God’s will by Mother Teresa, as she listened to “the call within a call” (Letter of the Foundress). That small beginning has become an abundant stream of grace within the Church as the Missionaries of Charity have grown in ways that could not have been foreseen fifty years ago. For that great gift, I join you in giving glory to our Heavenly Father and I exhort you in the words of the First Letter of Peter: "As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace (4:10)." 212.77.1.245/news_services/bulletin/news/7792.php?index=7792&po_date=17.10.2000&lang=ge
http://212.77.1.245/news_services/bulletin/news/7792.php?index=7792&po_date=17.10.2000&lang=ge

Our love for Mother Teresa keeps popping up in our discussions. I’m thrilled by reading within that document by Pope John Paul, he says, " In speaking of community life, Mother Teresa constantly stressed the need to fulfil the Lord’s “new commandment” to love one another (cf. Jn 13:34). She herself always gave a shining example of “a readiness to serve others generously, a willingness to welcome them as they are, without ‘judging’ them (cf. Mt 7:1-2), and an ability to forgive up to ‘seventy times seven’ (Mt 18:22)” (Vita Consecrata, 42). As you face the challenges of the new millennium, I encourage you to bear steadfast witness to genuine evangelical love among yourselves, that love which becomes a “particular sign, before the Church and society, of the bond which comes from the same call and the common desire – notwithstanding differences of race and origin, language and culture – to be obedient to that call” (ibid., 92)."
and
“With cherished memories of the beloved Mother Teresa, I commend all the members of the Missionaries of Charity Family to the maternal protection of **the Immaculate Heart of Mary: may the Mother of the Redeemer **enkindle in each of you a renewed desire for holiness, a keener thirst for Jesus, a deeper love for your vocation, and a more ardent desire to love and serve the Lord in the poorest of the poor.”

I think we forever remain our blessed Mother’s beloved children. I love her. Peace be with you.

 

[Auntie_M]

I join in that convert family. I grew up Protestant, also, and heard alot of their “opinions” about Catholics. Not favorable at all. So when I converted and the rest of my family stayed Protestant, it was quite a shock for them.

Mary was not an issue for me, as I had always admired her and wished alot of times that we could “see” her more than just at Christmas, as is the Protestant way. As a matter of fact, there wasn’t much that I didn’t accept.

IF I had gone to the Catholic Church many years ago, I probably would have had these problems. But, God, is his wisdom, knew I wasn’t ready till He said I was ready. For I prayed 10 years for Him to show me the True church, the one Jesus started.

And, yes, Deacon Ed, there are alot of emotions that we should recognize. I never made that “decision”, but the first mass I ever went to, a great relief overcame me, I knew I was home. Don’t ask me how, it just had to be God’s way. And “coincidence” after “coincidence” followed verifying that I was where I was supposed to be. It was the MOST BEAUTIFUL feeling I had ever experienced. That is until I was able to recieve communion!!!
THAT WAS AWESOME, a feeling like I had never had in my life.
(And I was a Christian a VERY long time before this)

Don’t dismiss any “fuzzy feelings” though, just pray for verification.
He’ll let you know…

 

[Deacon_Ed_B]

And, yes, Deacon Ed, there are a lot of emotions that we should recognize. I never made that “decision”, but the first mass I ever went to, a great relief overcame me, I knew I was home. Don’t ask me how, it just had to be God’s way.** And “coincidence” after “coincidence” followed verifying that I was where I was supposed to be.** It was the MOST BEAUTIFUL feeling I had ever experienced. That is until I was able to receive communion!!!
THAT WAS AWESOME, a feeling like I had never had in my life.
(And I was a Christian a VERY long time before this)

Don’t dismiss any “fuzzy feelings” though, just pray for verification.
He’ll let you know…

bolding = mine

Just one thought to throw in. There are no coincidences with God. He definitely knows what he is doing and reaffirms our faith in the most wonderful ways. But definitely planned on his part. You could even say that it is God talking to us.
Prayers & blessings
Deacon Ed B

 

[JReducation]

Hi Deacon Ed B. Prior to reading your comment, I happened to be reading a Vatican document dated October 2, 2000 by IOANNES PAULUS II to Sister M. Nirmala Joshi M.C., Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity. I’ll quote a small portion of it:

"In this year of the Great Jubilee, as the Church throughout the world sings the praises of the Most Holy Trinity for the ineffable gift of the Word made flesh, there is for you and the entire family born of the charism of Mother Teresa of Calcutta the added joy of celebrating the Fiftieth Anniversary of the foundation of the Missionaries of Charity.

It was on 7 October 1950 in the little chapel at 14 Creek Lane in Calcutta that Archbishop Perier established the Foundress and her first eleven companions as a Religious Congregation of Diocesan Right. This moment of grace came after a long process of discernment of God’s will by Mother Teresa, as she listened to “the call within a call” (Letter of the Foundress). That small beginning has become an abundant stream of grace within the Church as the Missionaries of Charity have grown in ways that could not have been foreseen fifty years ago. For that great gift, I join you in giving glory to our Heavenly Father and I exhort you in the words of the First Letter of Peter: "As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace (4:10)." 212.77.1.245/news_services/bulletin/news/7792.php?index=7792&po_date=17.10.2000&lang=ge
http://212.77.1.245/news_services/bulletin/news/7792.php?index=7792&po_date=17.10.2000&lang=ge

Our love for Mother Teresa keeps popping up in our discussions. I’m thrilled by reading within that document by Pope John Paul, he says, " In speaking of community life, Mother Teresa constantly stressed the need to fulfil the Lord’s “new commandment” to love one another (cf. Jn 13:34). She herself always gave a shining example of “a readiness to serve others generously, a willingness to welcome them as they are, without ‘judging’ them (cf. Mt 7:1-2), and an ability to forgive up to ‘seventy times seven’ (Mt 18:22)” (Vita Consecrata, 42). As you face the challenges of the new millennium, I encourage you to bear steadfast witness to genuine evangelical love among yourselves, that love which becomes a “particular sign, before the Church and society, of the bond which comes from the same call and the common desire – notwithstanding differences of race and origin, language and culture – to be obedient to that call” (ibid., 92)."
and
“With cherished memories of the beloved Mother Teresa, I commend all the members of the Missionaries of Charity Family to the maternal protection of **the Immaculate Heart of Mary: may the Mother of the Redeemer **enkindle in each of you a renewed desire for holiness, a keener thirst for Jesus, a deeper love for your vocation, and a more ardent desire to love and serve the Lord in the poorest of the poor.”

I think we forever remain our blessed Mother’s beloved children. I love her. Peace be with you.

Her feast day is coming up, Sept 5, at least in the Franciscan Ordo. I love her feastday.

JR

 

[Auntie_M]

bolding = mine

Just one thought to throw in. There are no coincidences with God. He definitely knows what he is doing and reaffirms our faith in the most wonderful ways. But definitely planned on his part. You could even say that it is God talking to us.
Prayers & blessings
Deacon Ed B

My sentiments exactly!
There are NO coincidences when it’s God’s plan. But we must pray for God to “verify” in some little way that it is He who is speaking to us. Cause, WOW, He WILL verify it BIGTIME!

By living through a personal crisis as I have, it does make you depend on God for everything.

Looking back, it almost seems scarey how God answered my prayers. He provided in ways that just didn’t seem possible. He not only provided our basic necessities but alot of what we wanted too.

It seemed like I was living in one miracle after another and still am…He amazes me every day.

as the song goes…“God is in Control”:yup:

 

[JReducation]

My sentiments exactly!
There are NO coincidences when it’s God’s plan. But we must pray for God to “verify” in some little way that it is He who is speaking to us. Cause, WOW, He WILL verify it BIGTIME!

By living through a personal crisis as I have, it does make you depend on God for everything.

Looking back, it almost seems scarey how God answered my prayers. He provided in ways that just didn’t seem possible. He not only provided our basic necessities but alot of what we wanted too.

It seemed like I was living in one miracle after another and still am…He amazes me every day.

as the song goes…“God is in Control”:yup:

This is why the saints always worked with a spiritual director and a confessor. St. Teresa of Avila always said that the best way to verify God’s activity in our lives is through learned men or women.

Fraternally,

JR