Day 23 (Week 2) - First Friday of Sept

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today we pray the Sorrowful Mysteries and ponder the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary in the Passion. What tremendous mystery there is in God’s Love for us! What mystery in the deep union of Mary with God and His desire for us to be united with Him! This morning’s Gospel commentary speaks about the great union of Christ and His Church:

Friday of the Twenty-second week in Ordinary Time -Commentary of the day -St Paschasius Radbertus (?-c.849), Benedictine monk

“The two shall be made into one. This is a great foreshadowing; I mean that it refers to Christ and the church.” (Eph 5:31)

A strange and extraordinary union occurred when “the Word became flesh” in the Virgin’s womb and thus “made his dwelling among us” (Jn 1:14). Just as all the elect were raised in Christ when he rose, so was this wedding celebrated in him, and the Church was united with the Spouse through the bonds of marriage when the man-God received the fullness of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and when the divinity came to dwell in his body… Christ became man through the Holy Spirit, and in his quality as Spouse he came out of the womb of the Virgin, who was his nuptial chamber. But when the Church is born again of water in that same Spirit, she becomes one body in Christ, so much so that the two “become as one,” (Mt 19:5), which in reference to Christ and the Church “is a great foreshadowing.” (Eph 5:31).

This marriage continues from the beginning of the Incarnation of Christ until the moment when Christ will come again and all the rites of nuptial union will be fulfilled. Then those who are ready and who, as is necessary, will have fulfilled the conditions for such a great union, will be filled with respect and will enter with him into the eternal wedding hall(Mt 25:10). While she is waiting, Christ’s promised Spouse advances and every day keeps her covenant with him in faith and affection until he returns again.

On this First Friday of September, let us keep our eyes on Jesus and see by faith His Love on the Cross. Let us hear His words to John more deeply than ever: “Behold your Mother” and let us see by faith our Mother given to us. May the Holy Spirit conform our hearts to the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Immaculate Heart of Mary pray for us that we may be worthy sons and daughters.

Litany of the Holy Spirit HERE
Ave Maris Stella HERE

 

[liturgy96]

Today we pray the Sorrowful Mysteries and ponder the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary in the Passion. What tremendous mystery there is in God’s Love for us! What mystery in the deep union of Mary with God and His desire for us to be united with Him! This morning’s Gospel commentary speaks about the great union of Christ and His Church

Thanks for this! Insights such as this have inspired me in tough times, as well as led to my greater devotion to our Lord in the Eucharist

 

[MariaChristi]

Thanks for this! Insights such as this have inspired me in tough times, as well as led to my greater devotion to our Lord in the Eucharist

Dear Liturgy96,

Thanks for your reply. It is a work of the Holy Spirit to conform us more and more into Christ. Please let us continue to pray for one another on this journey and for all those in most need of God’s Mercy. The more we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit, and do the Truth we hear, the more we grow in the Life of Christ as Mary did.

“O Jesus, living in Mary, come and live in your servants, in the spirit of 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. Olier)