June 8 - "Blessed are the clean of heart, for. they..."

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today’s Gospel is from Matthew’s account of the Beautitudes:

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.
Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Mt 5:1-12)

One can spend years perhaps a lifetime pondering these Beatitudes, but I chose one, by God’s Grace to ponder today. Listening to: “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God”, I hear the Truth God always speaks – Who is Jesus, Meek and Humble of Heart, Who always did the will of His Father on this earth, and after He ascended into heaven, with the Father sent the Holy Spirit that we too may know and do all Truth.

In this same Sermon on the Mount, Jesus will teach us to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is Perfect (Mt 5:48) and how to pray to the Father (Mt 6: 9-13).

Also in today’s Gospel we can hear not only Jesus speaking but Mary’s words to the Father as her pure, Immaculate Heart opened to receive Jesus and Mary said:

“Behold the Handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me, according to your Word”.

Mary is both Mother and Model for us, His Church. We are called now to carry Jesus in our hearts and like our Mother, listen to Jesus, pondering in our hearts all that He said and did.
The Church is constantly in need of renewal. We need to renew our Baptismal graces, and so the Church provides for us to do that especailly at Easter, but at any time.

Everyday if we are moved to do so, we can ask, and I encourage all to ask often, for the grace to grow in our Baptismal Gifts of supernatural Faith, Hope and Charity, and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit given to us at Baptism. Confirmation is the “completion” of our Baptism in that it gives us the graces we need to mature and witness to our faith and bear even more fruit from the Gifts of the Holy Spirt.

We are also blessed by the sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist as we seek to confess our sins and receive the the Body and Bood of Christ to enable us to grow in holiness. How much more reverent, and prayerful we need to become by God’s Grace if we are to be true children of God and of Mary . Sacred Heart of Jesus, make our hearts like Yours. Immmaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us, who long to see God.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Stephie,

Thanks again for your Faith-Full and loving "heart"which lets us know you listened and pondered today’s Gospel as Our Mother Mady did on this earth. I’m currently reading a book by the Venerable Fulton J. Sheen – it is an old book published with a copyright date of 1952. I’m not sure how we came to have it, since it is so well worn and having very fragile yellowing pages. But what a treasure!

The Title is: “The World’s First Love”. The love in Sheen’s heart for our Mother is so evident that it shines through his words. It is not a “sentimental book” but rather a serious tribute to Mary as Mother and Model. The world would do well to read from this holy man’s works or tune into EWTN to see some of his TV and Radio appearances. He is a remarkable teacher. He has made many converts and brought back to the Catholic Faith many who had strayed.

May God grant a surge of new readers to the books of Fulton Sheen, and/or listeners to his past radio and video programs Which glorify God and renew the courage and commitment in the hearts of the Catholics all over the world. Thanks again Stephie for your “heart” and your own devotion to Mary , and your perseverance in living and sharing Jesus as Mary did.

 

[Katie777]

Dear Maria Christie
I always try and give people benefit of doubt.
But now I am dealing with a much larger issue. I see through them. They want money on my behalf.
It pains me to be stubborn. I was offered 1/3 Of my moms estatewhen I should get 1/2.The other owner lied. I emailed him dont lie. I’ll here from him in 5 or 6 days when hes not busy I’m busy too… Ugh. I’m a mess. I miss my mom.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Katie,

I believe God put it into the heart of every woman to be a helper and to love others almost “instinctively”!!! I want to see good in people too because I know God created us in His Image, but I also know that without Him we can do nothing. Jesus and Mary looked to God always seeking to do His Will.

When we earnestly ask God for His Truth He will give to us as He promised. If this person believes in God then your words to him may bring the truth back to him that God hates lies! I will pray that he will repent and do the Truth as you have pointed it out to him. Keep praying for him, dear Katie. Prayer with faith moves mountains as we know.

Yes, I miss my mother too. It is hard to be without those dear Mothers who not only gave us our natural lives (with our Dads cooperation, of course) but they also brought us to the Baptismal Font to receive our Supernatural Life! You may “feel” like a mess but you remain a daughter of God and He remains always with His children, as does our spiritual Mother Mary. Trust in God’s Power working through Mary. Remember Mary didn’t always understand but she always believed and trusted and loved God throughout the difficulties she faced. We are her daughters too!