Sept.6 - Wk 3 - Day 5 - Seeking better understanding of Jesus

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MariaChristi

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Dear Brothers and Sisters,

A holy priest once told my husband and me: “More saints are made by looking at the crucifix…” and I see Mary doing that when Jesus spoke to her and to John from His Cross:
To Mary: “Woman, behold your son”
To John: “Son, behold your Mother”
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For us to understand Jesus better we need to LISTEN to Jesus as He speaks to us; both Mary and John listened to Him and they did the Truth they heard! Mary heard Jesus addressing her as the new Eve – in calling her “Woman” for Mary had pondered the Word of God in Genesis 3:15:
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; They will strike at your head, while you strike at their heel.
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Mary heard the Truth of her Spiritual Motherhood and she began to live that Truth for all of us. John in hearing Jesus’ words to him also began to hear the truth of taking Mary to be more than he realized. He took Mary into his life.

As we participate this Sunday in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, let us offer ourselves with Jesus and Mary to the Father:
Father, into Thy Hands I commend my spirit.
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O Jesus living in Mary, come and life in Thy servants, in the Spirit of Thy Holiness, in the fullness of Thy Might, in the Truth of Thy Virtues, subdue every evil spirit for Thy glory!

Prayers to be said daily: Litany to the Holy Spirit, Ave Maris Stella, Litany to the Holy Name of Jesus.
 
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Mary is the best person to lead us to Jesus​

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Are youths today being empowered by the Holy Spirit? This topic was discussed by about 100 teens and young adults who participated in the Empowered online conference organized by the Royal Ambassadors Youth (RAY) on May 29, 2020 with renowned Catholic speaker and missionary, Paul J. Kim, Texas, USA.
With his wit and humor, Paul first shared about his life and how his encounter with God transformed him and led him to his current mission. He shared how he lived a life seeking fulfillment from worldly things, only to realize that God is the only one who can fill the emptiness he experienced.

Paul explained that one of the most common misconceptions among Catholics is that we have to be perfect before we can be holy and close to God. “We don’t even have to change to go to God. We go to God and He changes us. We come to Him as we are. Jesus has extended His invitation not only to the best people but even the worst, because that’s what His mission was all about.”

Paul also emphasized his love for the Rosary and explained how Mother Mary played a big role in his transformation. “When I started to pray the Rosary more seriously, I began to feel more peace and joy than I ever had in my life. Strange things started happening such as smelling roses out of nowhere, and I knew for a fact that the Mother of Jesus was with me.” He further encouraged the participants to develop a relationship with the Blessed Virgin, for she is the best person to lead us to Jesus.

Adapted from Herald News

Read more on mariedenazareth.com:​

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
 
Dear hazcompat,

I had not heard of Paul J. Kim before reading your reply to today’s post on this current 33 Day Journey toward Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary described by St. Louis de Montfort in his treatise on “True Devotion”. I read the full article in the Herald News which you linked to your reply, and I’m always happy to know there are still those who pray the Rosary and encourage others to love Mary more.

When I did some additional research online I discovered more about Paul’s ministry. Looking at the pictures and reading more, I was surprised a bit that his ministry looked more like “entertainment” but perhaps that is a way to introduce young people to learn more. I hope that it does go deeper.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your Faithful. Kindle in us the Fire of Your Love. Jesus, we trust in You, Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.
 
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St Anthony of Padua began his praise of the Blessed Virgin with the same spontaneous and enthusiastic praise that a common woman had for Jesus who frees the possessed from the grip of evil spirits.* “Blessed are they! Truly blessed is the womb that has deserved to bear for nine months the Good, the sovereign Good, the happiness of the angels and the Lord of the universe” (Sermon in Praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary).
Our Saint dedicated seven sermons to Mary, singing her praises and celebrating the feasts of the Nativity, Annunciation, Purification and Assumption . Raised in the shadow of the Lisbon Cathedral, which is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, it was in this church that, as a child, Fernando learned the first rudiments of knowledge ( Rigaldina , 10,45). He then assiduously followed the tradition of the Church Fathers and maintained a filial devotion to the Virgin Mary. His Sermons echo the most beautiful descriptions of the Song of Songs:

"As the morning star announces the dawn and chases away the darkness of the night,* on the morning of grace, Mary announced the sun of justice to those who dwelt in the darkness of the spirit." (Saint Anthony, Nativity of the Virgin Mary)
  • “The Nativity of Mary illuminated the world that lived in obscurity and the shadow of death.” (Saint Anthony, Nativity of the Virgin Mary)
    - Mary, radiant sun and arch of glory:
  • "The Blessed Virgin was like a radiant sun in the Annunciation of the Angel, like a shining rainbow in the Conception of the Son of God." (Saint Anthony, Annunciation of the Virgin)
    **- Mary, perfumed incense in the days of summer
  • “Incense is harvested twice a year; the double harvest designates Christ’s double offering: the first time, it was his Mother who offered him in the temple; the second time, he offered himself as a sacrifice to the Father, for the reconciliation of the human race.” (Saint Anthony, Purification of the Virgin Mary)
    - Mary, vase of solid gold, decorated with precious stones:
  • “The Blessed Virgin was a vase by her humility; golden, by her poverty; solid, by her virginity; adorned with precious stones of all heavenly rewards.” (Saint Anthony, Assumption of the Virgin Mary)
  • “What a great favor and what great dignity it would be for a poor woman,” wrote Saint Bernard , “to have a son with an Emperor! Mary had a son with God the Father,” that is why she deserved to be crowned in Heaven." (Saint Anthony, Assumption of the Virgin Mary)
“We ask you, Our Lady, holy Mother of God, that in this Nativity of your Son, whom you begot while remaining a virgin, you may wrap us in swaddling clothes and lay us in a manger, obtain forgiveness from Him, heal by your mercy the burns of our sins and lead us to the joy of the eternal feast. May He help us who today has deigned to be born of you, and to whom belongs honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
(Saint Anthony, Annunciation of Mary)
 
Ah yes, hazcompat – today is the vigil of Mary’s Feast of her Nativity. Every devout son and daughter of Mary wants to praise God for His great gift of Mary!

There was an asterisk after your opening words regarding St. Anthony of Padua in your reply. I wondered if those words about St. Anthony were written by someone as an introduction to St. Anthony’s Sermon in Praise of the the Blessed Virgin and/or his other sermons.

I’m always grateful to read quotes from Saints like St. Anthony of Padua who were given such tremendous Graces by God and cooperated with those graces.

Today is the Vigil of Mary’s Nativity - let us all rejoice in God’s Gift of Mary to us! 🙂
 
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Dear Mynach,

Thanks for your “heart” which indicates that you liked the post on “seeking better understanding of Jesus” (especially through Our Blessed Mother Mary). Today is the vigil of her Nativity, and I hope you will be praying in Thanksgiving to God for the Beautiful Gift of Mary to all of us, and tomorrow will be a day of particularly beautiful graces given by God to all who will be Consecrating themselves totally to Jesus through Mary.
 
Dear hazcompat,

Thanks for your heart – and for all your replies – most of all thanks for your love of Jesus through Mary and your desire to honor her because God has so honored her. 🙂 Today the Church celebrates the Nativity of Mary and so let us thank God Always and for everything – How Infinitely Good He is sending His Only Begotten Son to save us, Jesus, became Incarnate by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary Immaculate.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful. Fill us as you filled Mary, with Jesus!
 
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