Friday, October 31, 2008

ELECTION REFLECTION

Happy Halloween!

From all of us at American Life League, we wish you and your family a very happy and a very safe Halloween!


By Judie Brown

I just finished reading another commentary on the upcoming elections. It is said that this is a defining moment in our nation's history, not to mention the history of the pro-life movement. Some even say that all that we mere human beings have accomplished politically in the fight's brief, nearly-40-year history could be totally undone.

As I was reading these commentaries, a few thoughts came to mind, and instead of keeping them to myself, I am inspired to share them with you. They all revolve around one of my favorite Catholic priests, the late Father John Hardon, S.J. I miss him terribly, but have never forgotten some of his most profound words, which apply to each of us in these days leading up to November 4 and certainly the days that will follow.

Writing on a Catholic's responsibility in the pro-life movement today, he commented, 

Saint Ignatius explains it all in his Spiritual Exercises. The followers of Christ are in constant conflict with the followers of Satan. Who would doubt that the massive genocide in the modern world is the result of demonic seduction? Not only individuals but whole nations have been seduced by the devil. Jesus told the unbelieving Jews who challenged His claims and wished to kill Him by telling them, "The father from whom you are is the devil, and the desires of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning."  (John 8:4-1).

So it was in first century Palestine. So it is at the close of the twentieth century in America.

Not to know this is not to know that the devil is behind the global genocide that has spread like an epidemic of death throughout the world. 

Though Father Hardon wrote these words nearly 10 years ago, they apply more today than ever before.

Regardless of how the world views it, abortion is a curse that has been brought about by human emotions, attitudes and desires. Whether we care to admit it or not in polite company, it is most certainly an evil action promoted with extreme vitriol, night and day, by Satan himself and his minions.
In fact, if you think about it for a moment or two, it is clearly one of the vilest acts in human history. What is even more grotesque is that we are living in an age when the killing of a preborn baby is described as a "right," and in fact, is lauded by many in politics, not to mention private life.

Abortion is the direct murder of an innocent child – a child whose future is known to God, but who will never be known to his parents or the world itself. These children go silently to their graves, which are frequently trash bins or incinerators. There is no regard for their integrity as perfect expressions of God's love for the world.

They are, in a manner of speaking, martyrs whose only error in life was that their fate resided in the hands of human beings who thought nothing of taking their lives. Their killers assuaged any possibility of guilt with excuses that differ, one from the other, like the trees in a forest. It is a tragedy that words cannot possibly describe. It is a pox upon our land that will never be resolved in a voting booth.

So, while others will expound endlessly about this coming election being a defining moment or the most historic event in our nation's history, I would like to reflect on this coming Tuesday in a completely different way. It is, as is every day, an opportunity for pro-life Americans to renew our commitment to God, not to partisan politics.

Let us prepare for whatever may come and whatever horrors may await mankind by most sincerely surrendering today, tomorrow and every day to Christ. Let us offer Him our meager efforts with a prayer of trust in His power to right every wrong and to work through us toward His victory for the human person.

His name will not be found on any ballot, but His power is undeniable.

The perfect prayer for this daily spiritual exercise is the Lord's Prayer. As Father Hardon taught,

The perfection of the Our Father is unique because it comprehends everything which it behooves us to ask of God as either necessary or useful for salvation. Its seven petitions have been variously compared to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, to the seven Sacraments, and to the three theological and four cardinal virtues of the New Law.

Surely in our day and age, we should be begging God as never before to protect us from sin, to lead us away from the temptation to betray or deny Him, and to deliver us from the worldly attractions that are constantly before us.

Let us recall these profound words written by Father Hardon: "To heroically live out what we believe is not child's play. It means that our lifestyle reflects our faith which does not believe that we have here a lasting home."

Let us pray for our nation, and more importantly, for each human being, so that respect for the human person becomes the defining reason why – in the land of the free and the home of the brave – votes are cast in recognition of Our Father, Who art in Heaven.

Judie Brown is president of American Life League and a member of the Pontifical Academy for Life.


Respond to Judie
http://www.all.org/newsroom_judieblog_response.php?id=2386

TEACHINGS TO LIFT YOU UP by RITA RING Post 11, August 31, 1993

Christ Crowned with Thorns
Antonello da Messina (Antonello di Giovanni d'Antonio) (Italian, Sicilian, born ca. 1430, died 1479)
Oil, perhaps over tempera, on wood; 16 3/4 x 12 in. (42.5 x 30.5 cm)

I Died In Peace

God's Blue Book I Cover

August 31, 1993

Jesus speaks: You are hurried. Relax and soak in My peace. Only My peace will quiet you. Your days are full of changes. You are adapting well, but always come back to My peace. Breathe in Jesus, out anxiety and fear. In Jesus, out anxiety. Quiet your mind and focus just on My face. See My sorrowful face, see Me with thorns. Bring yourself back to the Passion. It is because of you and your sins I suffered and died for all My children. How great is My love for you that I would die for love of you. Think of this-that you have a friend Who died for you. Oh, how I love, how I long to be with you to tell you of My infinite love for you. Your human minds cannot even comprehend My Divine love! In your deepest meditation you couldn't come close to all the love I have for you. But you must keep trying to know and feel this love. This is your salvation. This is what sets you free in a world of hate. You can always be drawn back to My love and know it is waiting for you always. It never stops. It is infinite. This is what comforts your troubled soul. When they scorn you and mock you, think of Me loving you. I am the all-perfect love. Always come back to Me. Don't let the world get to you. I am here, with peace, love, joy, rapture, being connected to your heart so divinely. I love you so much! I wish you would totally feel this love the way I want you to.

The only way you can experience Me more is to let go of the world more. In this bustling world, My peace reigns. It is in the quiet of your heart. It is within you and you can stay connected at every moment. You never have to lose this peace no matter what goes on around you. You can be a pillar of peace because I am peace. I am joy. I died in peace and dignity. My peace was not shattered even to death. You can experience this peace if you stay in Me. It is My gift I give you. Remember I was at peace at My death. You are being strengthened in your trials. You are growing in My peace. You are learning not to shatter to anything, that if you stay rooted in Me I never leave you and you remain at peace though the earth be shaking. For I am He Who lives in you. You can have this same consistency, but you must stay so connected to Me every minute, every second. Breathe in Jesus, out fear. Look at My face. It is there for you. Look and see Me, I am your rock. You will not falter or fall on your face. Your heart is rooted in My peace and My love. It is consistent, it is everlasting, it is intense and it is My gift to My children who remain fixed in Me. I love you.

http://www.sofc.org


SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #389

And it came to pass that as he was in a certain place praying, when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him: "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples". And he said to them: "When you pray, say: 'Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.' " (Luke 11:1-4)

PRAYER IN COMMON is recommended by our Lord in these words: "If two of you shall consent upon earth concerning anything whatsoever they shall ask, it shall be done to them by My father who is in heaven." No matter, therefore, how few people meet to pray together, their united prayer will be heard. Household and family prayers; all general, public worship, and meetings of confraternities, guilds etc., etc., are pleasing to God.

[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.]
(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)

Thursday, October 30, 2008

TEACHINGS TO LIFT YOU UP by RITA RING Post 10, August 28, 1993

Come To My Tabernacle

God's Blue Book I Cover

August 28, 1993

Jesus speaks: My precious child, I long to be with you. I am here. You must find a way to be with Me every day in front of the tabernacle. If others distract you, you must find a way.

Satan is trying to stop My time with you. I am your true love and I long to spend time with you each day. Hold tight to My face. I am here little one. Don't ever doubt that again. My words are simple. They are truth. No one knows My intense love for them. I long for these moments with you. I am indeed here. If you have to come and be with Me during the day, I want these moments with you in front of the tabernacle. I am truly sitting here with you, Body and Soul.

I am Jesus, Son of the living God. Never doubt Me again. I have made myself known to you, My child. You offend Me so with your doubt and your busyness on other matters. You spend time fuming and fretting and feeling sorry for yourself when I am waiting here to be with you and talk to you. I don't care about other matters. I am very jealous. I want this time every day. You feel so bad inside when you are not alone with Me in church. That is where your comfort comes from. You are so upset inside when you do not spend it here. Don't you know these things? Being home is not the same. I am truly present in the tabernacle. You needn't run anywhere. You have a key to the church. I love you. I don't want to remind you that this is where it all is. I want you to love Me so much you don't even think you can function without time alone with Me in church. Come to Me every day. You do not go a day without food. You can't go a day without time absolutely alone with Me. If you do, it will be a disaster. Have you not felt the gnawing in your heart when you didn't do it yesterday? You crave this time alone and your tears are from not being alone with Him Whom you truly love.

I am Jesus Christ, Son of the one true God. I have chosen you to write these messages which are meant for all and you are busy-doing what, My child? Did you not cry and feel bad most of yesterday? This is your proof. You knew you wanted to be with Me here so badly you almost drove back out. You have to be alone with Me. In front of the tabernacle is best. I am the living God and I am in the tabernacle. You must be here or you will be so lost inside. Spend time with Me, My child. Nothing else matters. I am the one, true God and you shall not have other gods before Me. I command this because this is how you were created and this makes you most happy. Come to Me all you who labor and I will give you rest. I will give you peace, not as this world gives you peace, but My peace, which only I can give.

The gift I give to you, My child, is My Son. Would you refuse My gift? He waits for you every day and where do you go-to the grocery?- to do your wash? What do you do, child?

I am waiting for you. Would you keep Me waiting and turn your back? Is one hour too much for the Son of God? I give you 24 hours. One hour is so little to ask. This is where your peace lies. All else is fruitless.

Not one day should be spent without one hour of private prayer with Me, preferably in the church in front of the tabernacle. Come to Me My little babies. I want to comfort you. I want to care for you. You are all mixed up with your priorities. I grow tired that you don't listen and tell others of My great and glorious love for all My children. This is your main goal. Pray with Me and spread My intense love for all My children. Yes, and I will give you all you need, child. Quit thinking you have to do other things. You have to be with Me and I will make it all work out. I want all to know of My intense love for My children. I died that you might live, not in this world, but in the world to come. I am the way, the truth and the light. All else is useless if it is not rooted in Me and for My work. Time is very short, little one. Listen to My words. You have wasted enough time. Don't delay. All must know of My love for them. It is in Me that they are made whole. Nothing else matters, My child.

http://www.sofc.org


SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #388

"And I say to you: Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you. For every one that asketh receiveth: and he that seeketh findeth: and to him that knocketh it shall be opened: And which of you, if he ask his father bread, will he give him a stone? Or a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he reach him a scorpion?
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father from heaven give the good Spirit to them that ask him?"
(Luke 11:9-13)

CONFIDENCE in prayer is urged on us by our Lord's grand and distinct promise: "Everyone that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened." Everyone, therefore, without exception, is heard when he asks for right things, in a right way. "Every real prayer, that is, every prayer which proceeds from the inward needs of the heart, and which is offered up to obtain what is really good and necessary, is heard by God. He is always ready to give us what we need, and only desires what is good for us" (Bisping). And if, sometimes, we do not receive that which we in our short-sightedness have asked for, God gives us something else instead, which is better for us to have. Our Lord explains this in His simile of the child who asks his father for bread, etc. If no earthly father, hearing and understanding his request, would be so cruel to his child as to give him something useless or hurtful instead of the thing for which he asks; how much less would our heavenly Father do such a thing. He will always listen to our prayer, and give us those things which conduce to our welfare.

[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.]
(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

FROM MARK MALLETT:

The Breaking of the Seals

This writing has been on the forefront of my thoughts since the day it was written (and it was written in fear and trembling!) It is perhaps a summary of where we are at, and where we are about to go. The Seals of Revelation are likened to the "labor pains" Jesus spoke of. They are a harbinger of the proximity of the "Day of the Lord", of retribution and reward on a cosmic scale. This was first published September 14th, 2007. It is the starting point for the Seven Year Trial series which was written earlier this year…

FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS/
VIGIL OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS

THERE is a word which has come to me, a rather strong word:

The seals are about to be broken.

That is, the seals of the Book of Revelation.

IT BEGINS

As I wrote in 7-7-7, I feel there is a great significance to the motu proprio (personal motion) of Pope Benedict which permits the Latin rite of the Mass to be said around the world without special permission required. That comes into effect today. In essence, the Holy Father has healed a wound whereby the "source and summit" of the Christian Faith, the Holy Eucharist, has been reconnected in a certain way to the Divine Liturgy of Heaven. This has cosmic ramifications.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

For where in many parishes confusion has reigned with Tabernacles removed from the sanctuary, kneeling removed from the worship, the Liturgy subjected to experimentation, and a devotion to the "People of God" replacing worship of Jesus’ Real Presence, Pope Benedict’s Summorum Pontificum begins to restore Christ to the center of our universe, rather than man.

Following the letters to the seven churches in Asia calling them to repentance, St. John is given a vision of the Divine Liturgy taking place in Heaven. There is grief at first because John does not see anyone who can bring to completion God’s plan for salvation, that is, anyone who can open the scroll with seven seals. Was John witnessing a time in the Church when Jesus was not the center of our Liturgies as He should be?

I shed many tears because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or examine it… Then I saw standing in the midst of the throne and the four living creatures and the elders, a Lamb that seemed to have been slain… He came and received the scroll from the right hand of the one who sat on the throne. (Rev 5:4, 6)

The scroll contains God’s divine judgment. And the only one truly righteous enough to open the scroll is the "Lamb that seemed to have been slain," that is, Jesus Christ crucified and risen: the Holy Eucharist. When Jesus enters this Divine Liturgy, worship breaks out in Heaven.

And the Lamb is set to open the seals…

THE DAYS OF THUNDER

I kept hearing in my heart "six seals." But in the Book of Revelation, there are seven.

As I pondered this, I sensed the Lord saying that the First Seal has already been broken:

Then I watched while the Lamb broke open the first of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures cry out in a voice like thunder, "Come forward." (Rev 6:1)

A voice like thunder

Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a violent hailstorm.

The appearance of Mary, Ark of the New Covenant, coincides, I believe, with the thunderous activity of the first seal:

I looked, and there was a white horse, and its rider had a bow. He was given a crown, and he rode forth victorious to further his victories. (6:2)

Mary has been appearing in unprecedented ways in this generation to prepare the way for her Son, Jesus, to enter our hearts. Indeed, Mary’s apparitions have paved the way for the conversion of hundreds of thousands of souls. They have sparked renewed love for Jesus in the Eucharist. They have produced thousands of zealous apostles, souls consecrated to and dedicated to Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior, victorious King, riding upon the white horse of purity, and piercing us with the arrows of His love and mercy.

But I believe the First Seal may not be fully disclosed; that the Rider of this white horse will manifest Himself to the world in a kind of "warning" in which everyone’s conscience will be revealed. It will be a victory of cosmic proportions.

From a reader who experienced the following vision:

I was in adoration after Mass on Thursday, June 28, and as I was kneeling and praying, well, more listening I guess—all of a sudden a most magnificent, most beautiful powerful white horse that I have ever seen or imagined, engulfed in white light, appeared before me (facing me head on). My eyes were closed so I guess it was an illusion or something…? It was only an instant and faded and then shortly after was replaced by a sword

SECOND SEAL: THE RED HORSE AND THE SWORD

Revelation 6 speaks of a coming sword—that is, war:

When he broke open the second seal, I heard the second living creature cry out, "Come forward." Another horse came out, a red one. Its rider was given power to take peace away from the earth, so that people would slaughter one another. And he was given a huge sword. (Rev 6:3-4)

There is no question that Heaven has warned us of this "red horse" and "sword" through modern apparitions such as La Salette and Fatima. Recently, Pope Benedict (Cardinal Ratzinger) made a sobering observation in his reflection on the vision of the Fatima seers:

The angel with the flaming sword on the left of the Mother of God recalls similar images in the Book of Revelation. This represents the threat of judgment which looms over the world. Today the prospect that the world might be reduced to ashes by a sea of fire no longer seems pure fantasy: man himself, with his inventions, has forged the flaming sword.The Message of Fatima, from the Vatican’s website

Over the course of this past year, the Lord, through a series of inner words and warnings, has pointed me towards that red dragon of Communism. The dragon is not dead, and has found another way to devour the earth: through materialism (or the consequences of it).

We see this power, the force of the red dragon… in new and different ways. It exists in the form of materialistic ideologies that tell us it is absurd to think of God; it is absurd to observe God’s commandments: they are a leftover from a time past. Life is only worth living for its own sake. Take everything we can get in this brief moment of life. Consumerism, selfishness, and entertainment alone are worthwhile. —POPE BENEDICT XVI, Homily, August 15th, 2007, Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Indeed, it was Russia’s Lenin who once said,

The Capitalists will sell us the rope with which we will hang them.

It is the money of the "Capitalists" which has in fact empowered the red dragon once again in Communist China. If this dragon were to merely flex its muscles, the shelves of department stores in North America would essentially be emptied. The consumerism of everything "Made in China" has consumed the West.

And the knot tightens.

I wrote here some time ago of a reoccurring dream in which I saw…

…stars in the sky begin to spin into the shape of a circle. Then the stars began to fall… turning suddenly into strange military aircraft. —see Visions and Dreams

One day last year, I asked the Lord what this dream meant, and I heard in my heart: "Look at the flag of China." So I looked it up on the web… and there it was, a flag with stars in a circle.

Of note is the rapid build-up of military force in China and Russia, as well as recent Russian military exercises and a strengthening of relations with Venezuela (but of more importance is the incredible growth of the underground Church in China!)

It is also legitimate to ask the question if, in some way, the Second Seal began to be broken with the destruction of the World Trade Center and the "pre-emptive war" on Iraq—events which have led to a global "war on terror" with violence escalating in many nations and which may culminate in a new, world war…

THE LAST SEALS

The following five Seals begin to unfold very much like "after-effects" of a world-war or global chaos—and the opportunity for a New World Order:

  • A food shortage occurs (Third Seal).
  • Plagues, famine, and chaos spread due to the break down of civilization (Fourth Seal)
  • Persecution of the Church (Fifth Seal), perhaps in a preliminary form of removing the right to preach Christian morals and charitable tax exempt status, and imprisonment for those who refuse to obey.
  • A massive earthquake possibly caused by cosmic disturbances… possibly the universal Illumination itself (Sixth Seal)
  • Silence ensues, perhaps a pause for repentance, before the final woes (Seventh Seal leading to the Seven Trumpets)

The Seventh Seal is significant. I believe it will mark the end of the Time of Grace (in so far as every exhaustible means has been extended to unbelievers in this present time of preparation; note, I say Time of Grace, not necessarily Time of Mercy.) Yes, even as the Seals are broken, God will be reaching out to souls, drawing them to His merciful heart even as they draw their last breath in repentance. God desires with a burning passion that each of His creatures live with Him in Paradise. And the chastisements of the Seals will be as the firm hand of a Father, using discipline as a last resort to call the lost Prodigal sons of the world to Himself.

The Seventh Seal represents the time when God commands His angels to "put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of God" before a major purification of the earth ensues. Then will come the sound of the Seven Trumpets, and the final Days of Justice before the Era of Peace will begin. Woe to those who refuse to open their heart at that time.

I do not want to punish aching mankind, but I desire to heal it, pressing it to My merciful Heart. I use punishment when they themselves force Me to do so; My hand is reluctant to take hold of the sword of justice. Before the Day of Justice, I am sending the Day of Mercy. (Diary of St. Faustina, 1588)

It is important to remember that we should not necessarily read the seals as linear events, nor as events confined to one particular time in history or one region. Certainly, we are already seeing an explosion of violent persecutions against Christians in places such as Iraq and India among others. I believe, however, that we will see a more definitive breaking of these seals, if not a completion of them, perhaps very soon… And that is really what I feel the Lord is preparing us for: the end of an era, and beginning of a new Era of Peace long prophesied in both the Old and New Testaments and spoken of by the early Church Fathers.

MESSAGE OF HOPE

It is clear the Holy Father perceives that we are living in remarkable times. But we must not lose perspective: these are not the times of defeat, but the days of victory! Mercy triumphing over evil.

We see of course that today too the dragon wants to devour God who made himself a Child. Do not fear for this seemingly frail God; the fight has already been won. Today too, this weak God is strong: He is true strength. —POPE BENEDICT XVI, Homily, August 15th, 2007, Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand. (Luke 21:28)

REFERENCE:

  • The Seven Year Trial: a series of writings which tie in Revelation with Church Teaching, the early Church Fathers, and approved private revelation.

Published in: DAILY JOURNAL, SIGNS | on October 29th, 2008 |

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"It is increasingly more acceptable in the public square to bash Christians and mock their most deeply held religious beliefs and Al Franken leads the way," said Dr. Gary Cass of the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission. "By using his comedy routines and writings to ridicule Christ and Christians, Franken joins a dark breed of shock comics who confuse religious blasphemy with comedic talent. Franken ought to admit he is wrong to bash Christians and issue them an apology." To sign our petition for his apology click here.

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Cross Mountain © Caritas of Birmingham Monday
October 27, 2008

“The Greatest Souvenirs From Medjugorje are Our Lady's Messages.”


Talk Given by Visionary Jakov Colo in Medjugorje
October 27, 2008

I would like to start by saying what is the most important regarding Our Lady’s apparitions, and then what is the most important of all and that is Our Lady’s messages and what Our Lady is calling us to do in these twenty-seven and some more years. When the apparitions first started, I was only ten. I used to have a normal life of an average child around here. I was living in the faith of a very small child and this is what my parents were teaching me. They were teaching me that God exists and that Our Lady exists. I was praying with my family like every other child around here. Sometimes I would look forward to the end of the prayer. I used to go to church to Holy Mass, and it was very difficult to be still for an hour. That was my life before the apparitions.

Jakov With Crowds October 27, 2008 ©COB

Jakov Colo, the youngest of the six visionaries, speaks as a group of English-speaking pilgrims listen intently to what he has learned through Our Lady.

On June 25, 1981, God gave me a great gift. That is to be able to see Our Lady. I can share with you, that was the most beautiful day in my life. When we found ourselves at the foot of Apparition Hill, and we were able to see this image of Our Lady motioning to us to come to Her, what I felt in that first moment was fear. I was very scared. I really had the desire to run away from this place but at the same moment, what is strange is, I felt a desire in my heart to go near to this person and to get to know Her. I do not remember how I found myself in front of Her, but I remember what was the most beautiful and that was when I first looked into Our Lady’s eyes and then I saw that love of Our Lady. What I felt in my heart was that I was so loved. I felt so protected. In those moments there are no words good enough to describe the beauty of this feeling. In that moment you can only talk in your heart, and in my heart I was saying, I hope that this is never going to end. This new peace and this new joy was something extraordinary and at that moment my new life started. This new life was something that I was never asking God for, because I never knew that Our Lady was able to appear in this way. I was wondering, at the beginning, am I going to be able to follow all of this and accept all of this? Am I ready for this? At that moment, I also understood in my heart, if God has chosen me then He knows why, and just one thing was left for me and that was to put my life into His hands and to say my yes to Him.

That is how everything started, and it has lasted for twenty-seven years now. As I was growing up, I was given to understand one more thing. I just shared with you that I was given a great gift from God to be able to see Our Lady. After some time, I understood that I received an even greater gift than that one and that is to be able to get to know Jesus through Our Lady. That is why Our Lady is coming here, to bring us all to Jesus. Our Lady has been appearing here for twenty-seven years and for many people that is very strange. Many people are wondering why She is coming for such a long time and why so many messages. I always say to all of them, we are not supposed to be wondering why. God knows why. That is the plan of God. We need to say something else, and that is something that you are forgetting most of the time. That is to be grateful and give thanks to God for all of the graces that we are given here, because if each one of us opens our heart you will understand why Our Lady is coming. You will understand that Our Lady is our Mother, a Mother who tells us so much. A Mother who wants to bring us to peace and to Her Son and that is Jesus Christ. That is why Our Lady is giving us Her messages, because Our Lady’s messages are nothing but the way to get to Jesus.

Everything comes only through prayer, conversion, peace, fasting and Holy Mass. When you hear these messages for the first time, there is so many of them. I also was wondering at the beginning how we are able to read all of these messages. Our Lady told us in the beginning, “Dear children it is enough that you open your hearts and let me do the rest.” It is really up to us if we are going to be willing to put ourselves into God’s hands and are we ready to live these messages. Our Lady says pray; pray the Holy Rosary, renew prayer of the Rosary. Our Lady always says that you need to pray from the heart. You need to feel peace and joy in prayer. You need to turn prayer into joy. You are not supposed to feel like prayer is an obligation for you. Prayer must become a joy. Prayer must become our everyday nourishment. But prayer is also something else and that is what Our Lady shared with us here. Prayer is response in answer for everything that you are looking for. You are coming to Medjugorje with so many questions. You’re coming to us visionaries and searching for answers. We are not able to give answers for all of your questions. If you open your hearts, and if you start praying, you are going to understand yourself what God is asking from you.

Our Lady says that you need to pray in your families. You need to put God in the very first place in your life, and you must have the time for God. Because if God is in our family then we can be the type of family that Our Lady wants us to be, and that is a holy family. Our Lady also says there is nothing that is able to unite a family like praying together. You need to bring up your children in the faith, because we parents have a great responsibility because children are a gift from God. Everything is starting from the family. There is one thing I would like to repeat that Fr. Slavko used to say. He said from the very beginning you need to plant the seeds of faith into your children. He also said, even if someday they distance themselves from God, they will be back for sure. Because with every seed you gave to them in the early days, it has stayed in their hearts.

Our Lady also says one needs to fast on Wednesdays and Fridays on bread and water only. Many people find it very difficult to fast. Many people have difficulties even starting to fast. As soon as you say bread and water, that is always a problem. They are wondering why, what is the point in fasting? There is one message that gives us a straight answer to this. Our Lady said, “Dear children, with fasting and prayer you can achieve everything, you can even stop wars.” This is why fasting is good. We do not understand. We are listening, but we are not hearing. When we are fasting and praying, why are we doing this and for whom are we doing this? This is all for us, for our own future and for our own salvation. When we are fasting, we need to do it out of love, in silence. Not everybody is supposed to know that we are fasting. If you accept fasting with love and silence, you will be grateful to God. How many of us are really thanking God for everything that He has given to us, even this piece of bread that we are getting every day on our tables? You know how many people are starving all around the world. So often we just ask and ask, God grant me this, and God grant me that. Whenever we ask for something, we want to get it right away. I get to hear every so often from different people who say, “I’ve been praying for this for a year and nothing has happened.” This is not faith. Our Lady always says, “Pray and have a strong faith.” Everything else is going to be provided by God, and who knows us better than God? Who knows what the best is for us in every moment? Who loves us so much? That is God. We need to open our hearts to Him, and He will take care of our lives.

When you come here to Medjugorje, why are you coming? The visionaries are not supposed to be in the first place, even though some of us are quite beautiful. (laughter) We’re not mentioning names. You are not supposed to come to Medjugorje for signs. Many people are looking for signs. If you really and truly are looking for signs, signs are all over the place. We are the sign of God. God is going to give you a sign in His time; you’re not supposed to be looking for it. The greatest sign of Medjugorje is conversion – to change our lives here and to start a new life here. A new life with God. What is even more important is to take this with us back to our homes. We can take as many souvenirs as we want from Medjugorje, but if we bring a rosary with us, are we going to be praying with this rosary? Are we going to be praying in front of the Cross? The greatest souvenirs from Medjugorje are Our Lady’s messages. We need to bring them to our homes. We need to live them. We need to pass them on to others, because Our Lady says “be my apostles” around the world. When we say “apostle for Our Lady,” it doesn’t mean to be going around and preaching, because we all are very good with words, but we need to be living them. We need to be an example with our lives, and may others recognize God in us and how God is working within us. This is what I wanted to share with you, and I will now take a couple of questions.

Jakov October 27, 2008 ©COB

Jakov, through his translator, answers questions from several of the pilgrims present.

Q. Would you comment on the painting of Our Lady that is behind you?

A. I cannot really make any comments on this painting, but I will try to describe how Our Lady looks in the apparitions. It is impossible to describe the beauty of Our Lady. I am able to see Our Lady like a very young person. She has a grey gown and a white veil. She has blue eyes and dark hair. She is standing on a cloud. Everything else is very difficult to describe because we were very surprised by Our Lady’s beauty. We did not know that it was possible for someone to be so beautiful. We asked Her why She is so beautiful. She said, “I am so beautiful because I love. In order to be beautiful you must love also.”

Q. When you stopped receiving the visions in 1998, did you receive a parchment like Mirjana?

A. No I did not receive a piece of parchment. I am so smart that I can keep everything in my head. Mirjana is older, that is why Our Lady did that. (laughter).

Q. How did you or what was your take on the October 25th message?

A. I think that all of us in Medjugorje must take and understand these monthly messages. In these messages that Our Lady gives on the twenty-fifth, there is a message for us (visionaries) just as there is for you. Each one of us must pray about it. There is one thing in Our Lady’s messages. Every message that Our Lady gave here in Medjugorje, each one of them has all of the main messages that She gave. In order to be able to understand every message of Our Lady, we need to start living the main messages of Our Lady.

Q. Could you describe what Heaven, purgatory and hell were like when you and Vicka were taken there?

A. I usually talk about Heaven only. Every so often people ask me about this, and they always start with hell. But you came to Medjugorje, and Our Lady wants us all to be in Heaven. We need to be thinking about Heaven. I truly believe that no one is able to describe Heaven in the right way. I did see one huge endless space. There was a most beautiful, special, and extraordinary light – one warm light which you really feel great being in. We were able to see many people there, but I was also especially surprised that I was not able to see differences in age of the people there. Vicka always likes to say there are no skinny or heavy ones there. (laughter) This is what we were able to see with the eyes. I was only eleven at the time. It took me a long time to understand some things and lots of praying too. I understood, at some point, that Heaven is not what we are able to see with our eyes. Heaven is in our hearts. I’m sure that even here on earth, if we place God in the very first place and if you live with God, even here you can live a kind of Heaven. There is one question that we need to be asking ourselves all of the time, are we ready for Heaven? This is the greatest secret of every individual, and that is also to be ready for God in every moment of our lives.

Q. What does Our Lady think about the state that the world is in or what does She think about what is taking place in the world?

A. I can only talk about the time of the apparitions here in Medjugorje. During this time of the apparitions, Medjugorje has been visited by approximately thirty million people. Many people have found conversion here in Medjugorje. They found God in Medjugorje. So many prayer groups have been founded all around the world as a fruit of Medjugorje, but Our Lady is still coming, and She is always encouraging us to do more. She wants us to live Her messages. I think each one of us has to ask ourselves, “What did I do so far? Was I able to do more?” There is one more thing that people forget so often. Sometimes we are embarrassed in front of God. For example, how many of us would make the Sign of the Cross and start our meal with prayer in a restaurant? We are embarrassed at what others may say if we do that. We do not know that as we’re doing it, we may be helping someone else, because if Our Lady says that through prayer and fasting we can even stop wars, then that is really true. We need to start living in this spirit. I believe that each one of you that comes to Medjugorje, your real pilgrimage will start when you go back home. At that time you will see what you have received in Medjugorje and whether you will be able to continue to live it.

Q. Jakov for ten years now you have not been seeing Our Lady everyday. How do you feel at the apparition time? How are you taking this situation that you are not able to see Our Lady on a daily basis any more?

A. I grew up with Our Lady’s presence in my life, and Our Lady meant so very much to me, especially at the beginning of my life. I lost both of my parents when I was very young. Our Lady meant everything to me. On that day, when Our Lady told me that She was going to stop Her daily apparitions to me, I asked myself so many questions. “How am I going to be able to continue my life if I don’t get to see Her every day? What am I going to do at twenty to six when She used to appear before?” As I told you earlier, Our Lady told us to pray and you will get all of the answers. I did get my answer. I understood that it is not so important to see Our Lady physically, but it is most important to have Our Lady in our heart. To be able to see Her with the eyes of your heart, but I’m still anxious to get to Christmas time every year.*

I will be praying for all of you for all of your intentions and you please, pray for us. We all need your prayers. Let us all stay united in prayer.


*When Our Lady announced to Jakov that She would no longer appear to him everyday, She told him that he would see Her now only once a year, and that it would be on Christmas Day. Every Christmas Jakov has been promised to see Our Lady until the end of his earthly life.

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LET US OFFER REPARATION FOR THIS SACRILEGE!

Parish stunned by sacrilege act

Monstrance
The Monstrance was taken from St Peter's Church in Warrenpoint

Members of a County Down parish have been left stunned by the theft of a Monstrance from their church.

The Monstrance, which contained the Host, was taken from St Peter's Church, Warrenpoint at lunchtime on Tuesday.

Very Reverend Canon John Kearney said that although the artefact was valuable, it was "the sacrilege" which had upset his congregation.

"It has caused, certainly, a palpable sense of shock and sadness in the community," he said.

"It's a special day in the parish because many, many people come to the church in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament to take time out to pray, to reflect."

Please pray:

O Most Holy Trinity, I adore Thee;

My God, my God, I love Thee in the Most Blessed Sacrament! (3 times)

 

TEACHINGS TO LIFT YOU UP by RITA RING Post 9, August 23, 1993

I Am a Jealous God

God's Blue Book I Cover

August 23, 1993

I am your God and you shall have no gods before Me, not money or power or man. You must make Me the center of your life. Whenever you are filled with anxiety you have made something else your God. You must hold fast to My presence by your side and know I am there and nothing can harm you. Though the earth be shaken and the sun not give its light, I will hold your hand and you will be My child. You needn't worry. Let go of it all, My child. The very hairs of your head are numbered. I am by your side in this cross. Sit back and enjoy this air, the freedom and silence. You need to be with Me. I am a jealous God. I do not want you to block My way to you with sorry thoughts of remorse. I am here and I am loving you at every turn. I am the God of all your Fathers. I am all power. You must only trust Me. Put all your doubt aside and know that I am present to you, My little one. I am God. Quit putting so much importance on what your friends have said to you. The devil uses them to get to you. You are very distracted and hurt. Snap out of it. I am Jesus and I am your God. They are not. They do not matter, My child. I am running the show. I could stop this whole world at this moment if I so desired. I am licking your wounds with My divine healing. You will not suffer this pain any more this day. This is a day created by Me to show you My love. Have the day and enjoy its fruits. Focus on My great love for you. I care for you as no other can. I miss your attentiveness to Me when you are distracted and bowed down.

I am a jealous God. I want your all. I want you doing My work. You are not spreading My love when you are engulfed in a sea of despair. A day lost without My love being spread through you is a day lost for all those around you. Forget them. They make you feel guilty and bad. They are being operated by Satan's snares. He is so cunning. You, My child, can't go there. You are loved dearly by Me. I am hurt by your pain. Ask for My grace to wash away all memory of this scourging, but to remember only how deeply I am affected by neglect in Communion from those who do not love Me.

You know how people hurt you, but you don't feel the pain. You know the evilness in cruel remarks, but you don't feel the pain, for My love is a balming ointment for you in the day of battle. I have felt all the pains. Meditate on My passion. I have suffered.

You need to let light flow through you. You need to cooperate with My grace to erase those feelings from your heart and trust in Me, My beautiful child. Trust that I am the God Who truly loves you. Unto death I have suffered for you. Meditate on this. I love you, little one. I love you.

http://www.sofc.org

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #387

And Jesus said to them: "Which of you shall have a friend and shall go to him at midnight and shall say to him: 'Friend, lend me three loaves, Because a friend of mine is come off his journey to me and I have not what to set before him.' And he from within should answer and say: 'Trouble me not; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot rise and give thee.' Yet if he shall continue knocking, I say to you, although he will not rise and give him because he is his friend; yet, because of his importunity, he will rise and give him as many as he needeth." (Luke 11:5-9)

PERSEVERANCE in prayer and its necessity are taught us by the parable of the importunate friend, who though he presented his petition at a time most inconvenient to his friend, and therefore very unfavorable to his cause, got what he wanted, simply because he asked persistently. This example, taken from human life, was given by our Lord to show the necessity of persistence and perseverance in prayer. God is our best friend, and He will undoubtedly hearken to us if we pray without ceasing. The man in the parable at last granted his friend's request, simply to be rid of his importunity: but is this the case with God? Certainly not! God hearkens to us out of pure love; but He often suffers us to plead for a long time in order that, by reason of our perseverance, we may become more worthy to receive what we ask for. Our prayers to God can never be inopportune, because He is ready at all times to hearken to us.

[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.]
(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

FROM MARK MALLETT:

The Perfect Storm


"The Perfect Storm", source unknown

First published March 26th, 2008.

From subsistence farmers eating rice in Ecuador to gourmets feasting on escargot in France, consumers worldwide face rising food prices in what analysts call a perfect storm of conditions. Freak weather is a factor. But so are dramatic changes in the global economy, including higher oil prices, lower food reserves and growing consumer demand in China and India.NBC News online, March 24th, 2008

In an "unforeseen and unprecedented" shift, the world food supply is dwindling rapidly and food prices are soaring to historic levels… "We’re concerned that we are facing the perfect storm for the world’s hungry." —Josette Sheeran, Executive Director, World Food Program; Dec 17th, 2007; International Herald Tribune

"It will not take much to put the U.S. economy into recession… [there is a] perfect storm consisting of the worst credit crunch in decades, falling house prices, and $100 oil. —David Shulman, Senior Economist, UCLA Anderson Forecast; March 11th, 2008, www.inman.com

The Washington-based International Monetary Fund has warned of a ‘perfect storm’ caused by surging oil prices and the turbulence on financial markets. ‘The combination of the credit crunch and high oil prices could bring a big reduction in international trade from which no one would be immune.’ —Simon Johnson, Chief Economist IMF, Nov 29th, 2007; www.thisismoney.co.uk

It’s been 16 months… In the intervening time following the identification of the malady now known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), things haven’t gotten any better for the nation’s bees, which pollinate about one-third of U.S. crops—some $15 billion worth... "It is something else. It is a perfect storm, if you want to call it that. Anything that weakens or ages [the bees] will contribute, we believe, to CCD." Kevin Hackett, national program leader for research on bees and pollination, Agricultural Research Service; March 24th, 2008; www.palmbeachpost.com

I am reminded today of the words which came to me at the beginning of this year (see The Year of the Unfolding).

A PERFECT STORM

For over two years, I have been compelled to write about a present and coming "storm." Preparation for this storm is at the very heart of these writings.

If the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes, and takes any one of them; that man is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand. (Ezekiel 33:6)

Didn’t Noah prepare the ark for a storm? If Mary is the "new ark", then she has been sent to prepare us for the Great Storm. The warning is one of spiritual preparation so that when the storm is unleashed, you will already be safely in the Ark of Mary’s Heart; so that when that which is built on sand begins to crumble, you will be firmly set upon the Rock, who is Christ; so that when "Babylon" begins to collapse, it will not fall on your head! Your trust will be firmly in Christ, and with Mary’s help, it will not be shaken!

Can you not see the lightning all about you? Are the winds of change not blowing? Can you not hear the claps of thunder?

What should you do to physically prepare? I have no idea. God said He would provide for your needs, and that we should "seek first the Kingdom." The plan hasn’t changed. It’s just more urgent than ever.

Many are frantically trying to secure their lifestyle right now as world systems begin to teeter like a drunken sailor. Being a good steward is one thing… building your own god is another.

Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to save them on the day of the LORD’S wrath… (Zeph 1:18)

What God is asking of you now is quite radical, actually. To be willing to let go of absolutely everything on a moments notice. Can you?

FAITH IS WHAT CONQUERS

The victory that conquers the world is our faith. (1 John 5:4)

What this Scripture means is that when your dreams dissolve, your security shatters, and everything around you seems to collapse, you do not fall with it, because your trust is in God and what He is allowing to happen in your life. That’s how you conquer the pain, and suffering, and cancer, and violence, and injustice, and hatred, and fear. You trust God like a little child in the midst of it, and thereby conquer the power of death—and all its fruits—by accepting the nails of sorrow into your own hands and the crown of discomfort upon your brow and waiting patiently in the darkness of the tomb of God’s silence. Isn’t this precisely what Jesus did whom we are called to imitate? This isn’t some distant, unreachable spirituality—it is the timeless "stuff" of following Christ in all ages, the warp and woof of being His disciple.

Whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it. (Mark 8:35)

FOCUS

Mary has come to prepare us for a great storm, a Great Battle too. What are we doing then with our time and our energy? Where are our hearts storing up treasure? Are we listening to our Mother?

No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him. (2 Tim 2:4)

It is a call to focus—not to become gloomy Christians—but focused on the fact that we have a great mission—a Great Co-mission to be salt and light to others, each and every moment.

I truly believe that our lifestyles in North America are going to change—-yes, I think that is what the Lord is telling us. But if we have already begun to live as pilgrims, detached from the world, and hungering and thirsting for the Kingdom (Matt 5:6), then what we may lose in comfort we will consider to be great gain!

In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me. (Phil 4:12-13)

It is strength which comes through faith—childlike trust in all circumstances.

The forces of darkness do indeed seem to have mustered together a "perfect storm." However, Heaven is countering with it’s own Perfect Storm. And it has all the force of a hurricane, rushing at the speed of a Woman’s heel about to crush a serpent’s head:

Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a violent hailstorm. (Rev 11:19)

FURTHER READING:


Published in: DAILY JOURNAL, SIGNS | on October 28th, 2008 |

TEACHINGS TO LIFT YOU UP by RITA RING Post 8, June 17, 1993

Surrender

God's Blue Book I Cover

June 17, 1993 - Early Evening

Jesus speaks: Oh My child, I am with you. Drink in My presence. Know I never leave you. Even though everything seems mixed up, I am there.

I am here with you. You will know what to do. My hand is forever upon you, protecting you and keeping you from harm. I will never leave you. I am He Who comforts you. Breathe in My peace, My direction, My will, My way. Surrender it all up to Me and let yourself feel the freedom of surrender. Your life is guided by Me. You only have to operate.

I am puttering you about. You go as a little doll that is wound up. Does this little doll get anxious. Does it get tired? It just stops when the power is off. It isn't mad. It doesn't worry about food and who will wind it up. Nobody else matters. He just goes and does his thing when he is wound up. Otherwise he is motionless and sits and waits. Sit and wait on the Lord and I will grant your heart's request. You are powered by Me. There is no need for anxiety. I am He Who comforts you, runs you, loves you. You needn't worry. Just be for Me. Be My hands, My heart, My love. Be totally selfless and full of direction by Me. Do you feel used little child? I want to use you to do My work. I want to use you to walk for Me and talk for Me and smile for Me and be there for others for Me. Die of yourself and live in My love. I will use you, yes, I will. You will know when you grab back your control. You will stumble and fall and feel afraid. You will need to let go and surrender because you will want to get back control. Trust Me. I am here-no need to fret and fear and be anxious. I am always with you and you needn't worry ever, because I will never leave you orphaned and alone. I am always by your side. My hand is upon you. You are My precious daughter, My brother, My child. I am here, let go of it all. Surrender to My power. Feel it as it lifts you up like a balloon over the troubled earth. You don't care. You know it will all work out. Look at all you worried all your life-for what? Did it go away? No, you only suffered for your lack of trust. Trust Me and let it go. I am the God of Jacob and Joseph and all your ancestors. Doesn't it seem silly to think of them wasting their life worrying? It didn't add a moment to their life. Listen to My work and just do it, let go, live and be happy. My joy is there. You have been lifted up and now you see and feel this glory of the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

My peace I give to you My child, not as man can give but as only I can give. Your heart is at unrest, but I have been with you and have seen you through. Hold tight to Me and grab hard onto My hand. Let go. You need not worry. You are engulfed in a sea of fear. With Me, there is no fear. I am peace and I give it now to you. Breathe in peace and Jesus, and out fear. Enjoy the fruits of this moment with your little ones. I am He Who comforts you. You will not be orphaned. My plan is always working with you. Hold My hand. Trust in Me. There are trials to test your love and strength. Offer them up for your sins and others.

You have partaken in a beautiful journey with the Lord. It may seem as if you have followed your tail around, but I have been with you through all of it and guided you. Your life unfolds a mystery and I have the key and know where you are going. You are following My path. It may seem a little crooked at times but it is directed and straight. Enjoy each moment. Now I go with you every second. You are not alone. I am here with you right now.

I am here always. My rod and staff is upon you. You have handled your trials well. Stay close to Me and feel My presence. All is well. The devil wants you to look at dark corners. Look into the light, into the sunlight of My heart. I am here with you My child. I love you!

Know this-you are chosen by Me to do My work, to stay close, to walk your journey close to Me, to carry your cross. It is the only way to Me. My way is not easy. It has bumps and pitfalls, but you know My plan is at work, even in the pits. You are My precious child. I love you. As you are tired, weary, place your yoke upon My shoulders and I will give you rest. Breathe in the richness of God. I am your shepherd. I know Mine and Mine know Me. Read this to My little children. I love them so. They are so dear and precious to Me.

http://www.sofc.org


SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #386

"Thus therefore shall you pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. Amen." (Matt. 6:9-13)

PRAYER IS AN ART which must be learnt and practiced. Our Lord teaches this by showing us 1. for what we are to pray, and 2. how we are to pray. Jesus tells us what we are to pray for, in the Our Father; and in the same prayer He partly tells us how we are to pray, for by the very first words He teaches us that we should pray to God with the confidence of children, while the fifth petition reminds us of our sins, and, therefore, warns us to pray with deep humility. By His exhortations, similes, and parables, our Lord urges us to pray 1. with perseverance; 2. with confidence; and 3. in common.

[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.]
(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)



Mark

The Collapse of Bablyon


Stock market brokers responding to turmoil

THE COLLAPSE OF THE ORDER

As I drove through the United States two years ago on a concert tour, I marveled at the quality of living I witnessed in nearly every state, from the caliber of the roads, to the abundance of material wealth. But I was taken aback by the words I heard in my heart:

It is an illusion, a lifestyle which has been borrowed.

I was left with the sense that it was all about to come crashing down.

I know what the media is saying today: predictions of a deep recession, a serious economic slow-down, a major stock market correction etc. But, that is not what I believe is here and is coming. Now, let me say right out that I may be wrong; that this writing apostolate of the past three years has derailed; that I am a delusional fool bereft of reality. But, let me at least be a committed fool. I believe what the Lord has been forming me to write, preparing me to say, and inspiring me to voice is that the end of this era is upon us. The old order which, from roughly the time of the French Revolution until now, is crumbling like a house built on sand, and the winds of change are beginning to carry it away.

Continue reading here: http://www.markmallett.com/blog/?p=800

Monday, October 27, 2008

TEACHINGS TO LIFT YOU UP by RITA RING Post 7, May 13, 1993

Cling to Me

God's Blue Book I Cover

May 13, 1993 

Jesus speaks: My dear child, if you stay close to Me, then I live in you and you live in Me. I am He Who created you and I love you with such an intensity that you will never know. My words are your truth. You must abide in My heart in all things. There is no room for doubt. My ways are steadfast, direct, and without error.

You must stay rooted in Me to ward off the power of the evil one. His grip is paralyzing and crippling. His power is stronger every day.

When you live in Me, I am in your heart and he has no power over Me. I am your God. I am your true lover. I want to protect you. I want to guard you from this force. Stay rooted firmly in Me and he will have no power.

I am He Who comforts you. My hand is upon you. Hold tight to Me, My child. My eyes are fixed right on you. You are My most precious child. I love you as no other can. My arms are about you. My tenderness surrounds you. My love is in your heart. You go not alone. I walk with you.

I share every aspect of your life with you. Cling to Me, feel My presence. It is warm and secure within your chest. There is no room for fear, for I cast out fear and bring you comfort and joy.

http://www.sofc.org


SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #385

Jesus heard that they had cast him out. And when he had found him, he said to him: "Dost thou believe in the Son of God?" He answered, and said: "Who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him?" And Jesus said to him: "Thou hast both seen him; and it is he that talketh with thee." And he said: "I believe, Lord." And falling down, he adored him. (John 9:35-38)

CONFIDENCE IN DIVINE PROVIDENCE: The poor man's life-long blindness was apparently a very great misfortune. It was not so really; for God ordained that this blindness should not only tend to the glory of His Son, but should be the cause of the salvation of him for whom it was apparently a terrible affliction. We should never murmur against what is sent to us by God, but should always be satisfied, and say to ourselves: "The All-wise God alone knows to what good end such and such an apparent misfortune may lead."

[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.]
(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)

Sunday, October 26, 2008

TEACHINGS TO LIFT YOU UP by RITA RING Post 6

To The Reader

Jesus wants to share His love with you. He comes in these letters to tell you how you can be in intimate union with Him.

All of us possess everything we need to have an intimate union with Him. He has written to me since October of 1991. For at least a year I sat in front of the tabernacle and begged him to talk to me. I wanted words. I prayed to the Holy Spirit and begged and begged Him to baptize me. After a long and seemingly endless search, trying to hear God, He told me to "feed the hungry." For six weeks this was all I heard. I thought maybe I wasn't feeding my children well or eating well enough myself. What a long wait for three words! At long last one day, as I was writing to Jesus, I received a letter back. He told me, "I am Jesus, Son of the Living God." I did not want to write this but it kept coming-and so many other messages. I knew nothing of anyone getting messages. I wrote them, reluctantly, and hid my notebooks. The letters kept coming-a lot in the night-and I would be awakened by long letters which I felt compelled to get up and write down. I read these letters privately and my life began to change. I felt a new life within me.

He taught me of His fervent love and how truly present He was. He taught me how precious I was to Him. Over and over again He would call me His precious child and tell me how He loved me, how He clothed me with dignity and honor. He told me over and over how He was right by my side always. He is teaching me to give up all fear and to trust in Him. He is teaching me to let go of myself and let Him run my life. I am trying every day to do His will.

He is also telling you in your heart all you need to know. He has all the answers for you there in your heart. You must be silent and go to Him so you can hear His words for you.

Sit in front of the tabernacle and be with Him. Sit and be open and just be with Him. Read these letters there. These are Jesus' love letters to you. Sit in front of the tabernacle and let Him talk to you. Sit silent awhile. Read these letters part of the time. Open any page and He will talk to you. Do not read this like a book, cover to cover. Just open to a page and read that page. That is the way He speaks to you.

Introduction

I searched my whole life for You, Lord. I looked in every corner and I traveled many roads. I wondered, I cried, I complained. When my crosses came, I asked You to take them away and I tried everything to get rid of them. I didn't see the lessons You so sweetly taught me every day. I cursed my cross and went my way, crying, "Lord, Lord, take it away today," but it got so tough and I traveled so many roads that in desperation I cried, "Spirit, Spirit, open up my mind to know God's way for me."

He came, after my begging, and He showed me paths I never saw before. It is this personal walk with Jesus that I follow every day. This is the answer to our souls' crying prayers. Jesus, Jesus, You are beautiful to us. Oh, how I love You for being all You are. You are mighty and full of power and glory and You care with such love for little us. Oh, God, You are so great and I thank You. We worship and adore Your precious name! At Your name, every knee should bend, and to Your glory. Alleluia. Praise the Lord!

My loving Jesus, when I read and reread these letters, You become alive to me. Thank You, Jesus, for Your spoken words to me.

He took me and led me down life's little way and I was no longer alone or afraid. With each letter I grew to know this loving, wonderful God. And He came every day. He said, "Read these messages again and again. The more You do, the more I will live in your very soul." He opened my heart as I sat in silence before Him in the tabernacle and in those silent moments He changed my weary soul. He came alive inside me as He wants to be in you, so sit and be with Him and let Him work in you. Read and reread His messages. They show His love for you. He loves you so much and He wants to be with you. Open the book at any place and He will speak to you.

There is much to know of this loving God of ours. This journey never ends. I am working, just like you. I am being taught by Him and He wants to teach you. He loves us just where we are with such love and we grow together in His love for us in this Blue Book from Him.

http://www.sofc.org


SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #384

" I must work the works of him that sent me, whilst it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." When he had said these things, he spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle and spread the clay upon his eyes, And said to him: "Go, wash in the pool of Siloe," which is interpreted, "Sent." He went therefore and washed: and he came seeing. (John 9:4-7)

THE OUTWARD SIGNS OF THE SACRAMENTS: The outward means used by our Lord for the cure of the man born blind, namely the anointing with clay and the washing with water could not, of themselves, have restored his sight. But it was our Lord's almighty will that these ceremonies should by the means by which He gave sight to the blind man. They were types of the outward signs in the Sacraments, which are the means chosen by God for imparting the inward and supernatural graces which are given to us in the holy Sacraments.

[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.]
(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Children of Medjugorje Message of October 25, 2008





Message of October 25, 2008

"Dear children! In a special way I call you all to pray for my intentions so that, through your prayers, you may stop Satan's plan over this world, which is further from God every day, and which puts itself in the place of God and is destroying everything that is beautiful and good in the souls of each of you. Therefore, little children, arm yourselves with prayer and fasting so that you may be conscious of how much God loves you and may carry out God's will. Thank you for having responded to my call."



TEACHINGS TO LIFT YOU UP by RITA RING Post 5

Recommended Prayers

The reader is encouraged to pray the prayers below-the Holy Spirit Prayer, the Act of Consecration and the Promises of the Sacred Heart-each day, and especially before reading the messages in this book.

Holy Spirit Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, almighty Sanctifier, God of love, who filled the Virgin Mary with grace, who wonderfully changed the hearts of the apostles, who endowed all Your martyrs with miraculous courage, come and sanctify us. Enlighten our minds, strengthen our wills, purify our consciences, rectify our judgment, set our hearts on fire, and preserve us from the misfortunes of resisting your inspirations. Amen.1

Act of Consecration: Lord Jesus, I consecrate myself to Your most Sacred Heart. You reveal Your Heart as a symbol of Your love in all its aspects, including Your most special love for me as this most unique individual. Help me always to love You in return. Help me to give myself entirely to You. Help me always to pour out my life in love of God and neighbor. Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in You.

Dear Blessed Virgin Mary, I consecrate myself to your maternal and Immaculate Heart, this Heart which is symbol of your life of love. You are the Mother of my Savior. You are also my Mother. You love me with a most special love as this unique child of yours. In a return of love, I give myself entirely to your motherly love and protection. You followed Jesus perfectly. You are His first and perfect disciple. Teach me to imitate you in the putting on of Christ. Be my motherly intercessor so that, through your Immaculate Heart, I may be guided to an ever closer union with the pierced Heart of Jesus, this Jesus Who leads me ever closer to the Father in the Holy Spirit.2

Promises of Our Lord to those devoted to His Sacred Heart:

  1. I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
  2. I will establish peace in their homes.
  3. I will comfort them in their afflictions.
  4. I will be their refuge during life and above all in death.
  5. I will bestow a large blessing on all their undertakings.
  6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy.
  7. Tepid souls shall grow fervent.
  8. Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
  9. I will bless every place where a picture of My Heart shall be set up and honored.
  10. I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened of hearts.
  11. Those who promote this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be blotted out.
  12. I promise you in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love will grant to all those who communicate on the first Friday in nine consecutive months the grace of final penitence; they shall not die in My disgrace nor without receiving their sacraments; My divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.3

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1. Shepherds of Christ Handbook, Second Printing, p. 30.
2. Tell My People, Shepherds of Christ Publications, p. 81.
3. First given by Our Lord to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and published in various sources
.