Apr. 24 - "One does not live on bread alone..."

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Alleluia Verse before today’s Gospel is taken from the words of Jesus to satan in the temptation scene:

One does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. (Mt 4:4)

Waiting for Pentecost, “Listening” to God’s Word with Mary is important — and perhaps more so than ever! During this pandemic, how many have been tempted in various ways --some experiencing failures in virtue, while others have been led to heroic sacrifices and great patience during trials. Why? What may have possibly made the difference between the actions of persons ?

2 days ago, Apr. 22, I asked: "Where are we ‘Interiorly’ ?" I asked because I believe God’s Word tells us He works good in all things for those who love Him and are called according to His Purpose (cf Rom 8:28). If we have not been able to experience some “Good” from God then I wonder if we have been listening far more to the “spirit” of the world which is opposed to Christ, and not listening to the Spirit of Christ, the Word Made Flesh, by the Power of the Holy Spirit, in the womb of the Virgin Mary.

Yesterday, Apr 23, I asked, “Who truly listens?” and gave the link to 3 options of Mass Readings. Today, I still wonder “Who truly listens” and I would add: to Whom are we listening? Is it the spirit of the world, our own spirit, or the Spirit of God? It is importatnt to remember Jesus’ words from the Cross:

“Behold your Mother”

Mary is both Mother and Model for the Church. Have we listened to Jesus as Mary did and pondered His words and deeds – all in our hearts? Have we listened to the Holy Spirit given to bring us into ALL the Truth Who is Jesus?

Since the coming of the corona virus and orders to many of us to stay “inside” our homes and also to practice “social distancing” it has given many of us much more time to “Listen” with the ears of our hearts to God, but have we?

The “Interior Life” is not what the spirit of the world is interested in, but those who seek God sincerely, believe He dwells within our souls by Sanctifying Grace infused at Baptism. We have been raised with Christ and our lives are in Him as members of His Mystical Body, the Church. He is the Good Shepherd Who feeds His Flock! There is no reason to hoard, or complain, or fear, but every reason to believe, hope and love Him and all – because of Him!

Two options for Mass Readings for today are both beautiful and can be read HERE

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Cath,

Thanks for your faith-full and loving “heart” which lets us know know you read and I suspect you also listened or will listen to either or both options for the Mass Readings today.

As I did yesterday, I spent more time on the optional memorial of St. Fidelis, priest and martyr, than on Friday of the Second Week after Easter. The final lines of the First Reading blessed me as did the entire Gospel Passage:

First Reading from Col 1: 24 - 29

…it is Christ in you, the hope for glory.
It is Him whom we proclaim,
admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
For this I labor and struggle,
in accord with the exercise of His power working within me.

And from The Gospel of John 17: 20 - 26

Jesus raised His eyes to heaven and said:
"Holy Father, I pray not only for these,
but also for those who will believe in Me through their word,
so that they may all be one,
as you, Father, are in Me and I in you,**
that they also may be in us,
that the world may believe that You sent Me.
And I have given them the glory You gave Me,
so that they may be one, as We are one,
I in them and You in Me,
that they may be brought to perfection as one,
that the world may know that you sent me,
and that you loved them even as you loved me.
Father, they are your gift to me.
I wish that where I am they also may be with me,
that they may see my glory that you gave me,
because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Righteous Father, the world also does not know you,
but I know you, and they know that you sent me.
I made known to them Your name and I will make it known,
that the love with which You loved Me
may be in them and I in them."

May we open wide our mouths and be filled with the “Bread of Holy Scripture”, even as Mary was filled with the Word made Flesh! Come Holy Spirit, fill the Hearts of your Faithful; kindle in us the Fire of Your Love.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear QuietTrad,

Thank you also for your faith-full and loving “heart” which reveals your love for Jesus through Mary. How the Lord must look with tenderness upon those who honor His Mother! I’ve posted this account before but it touches my heart each time I read the Child Jesus’ words and Mary’s words:

Lucia was a postulant in the Convent of St. Dorothy in Pontevedra, Spain when she had the apparition of our Blessed Mother. She was standing over a cloud of light with the Child Jesus at her side. The Blessed Virgin put one hand on Lucia’s shoulder, while her other hand sustained her Immaculate Heart that was surrounded with thorns. The Child Jesus said: "Have compassion on the Heart of your Blessed Mother. It is surrounded with thorns that ungrateful men pierce each moment, and there is no one that is willing to offer an act of reparation to take the thorns away."

Our Lady immediately said to Lucia: “Look, my daughter. My Heart is surrounded with thorns that ungrateful men pierce unceasingly with their blasphemies and ingratitude. You, at least, try to console me and announce that for all those, who for five consecutive first Saturdays, confess, receive Holy Communion, pray the Holy Rosary and accompany me for 15 minutes by meditating on the mysteries of the Holy Rosary with the intention to do reparation, I promise to assist them at the hour of death with the graces needed for salvation.” For more see HERE

Let us often spend time with Mary to console her and keep her company as we pray and ponder with her the Mysteries of her life with Jesus.

“O Jesus living in Mary, come and live in Your servants, in the spirit of Your holiness, in the fullness of Your power, in the perfection of Your ways, in the truth of Your virtues, in the communion of Your mysteries. Rule over every adverse power, in Your Spirit, for the glory of the Father. Amen” – Prayer of Fr Jean Jacques Olier, S.S. (1608-1657).