Just as Eve was formed from Adam, your cross is formed from mine…
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
“Children, do not be afraid of your crosses. My holy cross was the instrument of redemption. Each cross is tailor-made for each soul. In fact, your cross existed and was set aside for you before you were born. Every cross is a replica of mine. Every cross originates in mine. Do you want to be Simon of Cyrene and carry my cross for me up the hill to Calvary? Then do not shun your own cross. Just as Eve was formed from Adam, your cross is formed from mine. People have fought wars over relics of the True Cross. Did those same people acknowledge the power and grace in the cross they were asked to carry, as true a relic as the piece of wood they were seeking—and as powerful. Ponder these things, my children, as the days darken. Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me.”
O my Jesus! How often I have complained about my crosses! Forgive me O Lord, for I did not fully grasp the immense honor it is to be asked to participate in your work of redemption. Lord, grant me grace upon grace, that I might carry my cross with gratitude and joy. Amen.
Posted: March 2nd, 2012 under Patience, Sacrifice.
Comments: 84
Comments
Comment from Edith
Time: March 2, 2012, 11:18 pm
Thank you for this message. It reminds me of the classic chapters: ‘On the Few Lovers of the Cross of Jesus’ and ‘On the Royal Road of the Holy Cross’ in the ‘Imitation of Christ’, a book which was such an inspiration to St. Therese, and which our Pope has also quoted from recently. I have often reflected that we only have this life in which we can ‘prove’ our love for God by suffering for Him, (by carrying our crosses uncomplainingly, in union with Our Lord). In heaven there will be no more suffering, whilst in Purgatory one is compelled to undergo purification so there is no longer that element of ‘choice’. It’s only in this life that we can CHOOSE to suffer out of love for God, by saying ‘Yes’ to each cross. And how short are the few years of this life as compared to eternity…? I echo your prayer Peli: ‘Lord, grant us the grace to carry our crosses with gratitude and joy.’ Amen
Comment from Noel
Time: March 3, 2012, 2:07 am
A very timely word, Peli. Something similar came to me, also, during Adoration today.
Comment from Michael Joyce
Time: March 3, 2012, 7:21 am
Pelianito, I had an interesting thought come into my mind a day or so ago. It was ” the more you suffer, the more you resemble My Son”. God love you.
Michael
Comment from ann
Time: March 3, 2012, 7:43 am
How powerful! Thank you, dear Lord.
Many years ago I heard that “still, small voice”speak in my heart, “how many want My gifts, how few want My Cross.”It has become the central doctrine of my spiritual life, being allowed to offer our crosses to Jesus. To those of us blessed to be Catholic we know by faith the awesome grace God grants others through these willing sacrifices–the beautiful economy of God. Sadly, this seems hard for other Christians to comprehend because they often have no theology of suffering. All of us can pray every day “My Jesus, I offer you all the crosses and sufferings of the world of those who do not know to offer them that Your Heart may be consoled and sinners may be saved.” I read that little prayer long ago somewhere along my journey and I think it is well worth praying in these days especially–as I hear the news and see the terrible suffering even now in the heartland of America with these tornadoes. God have mercy on the suffering, and please dear Lord use their and my suffering as You will for Your glory and the salvation of souls.
Comment from Philomena
Time: March 3, 2012, 11:43 am
“Just as Eve was formed from Adam, your cross is formed from mine.”
I think that is one of the most beautiful thoughts I have ever read. It makes me even more willing to join my spouse in his battle for souls. I will do my best to carry it with love, patience, humility and devotion.
Comment from pelianito
Time: March 3, 2012, 12:04 pm
Friends, someone sent me a video clip on the human person from conception to birth. It is a very scientific video, but the presenter points with wonder at the glorious design, the genius that results in each of us.
Thanks to all who have been praying for my sister. The doctor who did the biopsy thinks it may just be scar tissue. May God grant it be so!
Comment from todd
Time: March 3, 2012, 12:07 pm
In the words of Luisa Picceretta, “The paradise of this life is suffering.” May we understand and live her words. Fiat.
Comment from reeni
Time: March 3, 2012, 6:15 pm
Give to Jesus your past crosses that you didn’t think to give Him at the time of your sorrow or pain. Give to Jesus your present crosses that weigh heavy on you today. Give to Jesus your future crosses, for when you are in the midst of suffering you may not have the energy to think to pray this. Each cross offered up fills in a piece of the puzzle for the salvation of souls. “Jesus, I trust in You”.
Comment from anne
Time: March 3, 2012, 6:58 pm
Thank You Lord. The Cross is the Glorious Cross, the instrument of our transformation. May You pour out grace upon grace to all of us here so we may carry our crosses following You and bringing Your Light to this world of darkness. Our Lady be by our sides forming us, guiding us all. The world is aching for the Light of Christ.
Comment from Mary
Time: March 4, 2012, 2:20 am
my husband just walked out on me and our five children, Help me to embrace this cross, Jesus I trust in you!
Comment from pelianito
Time: March 4, 2012, 10:04 am
Oh Mary! I am so sorry! May the Mother of God be with you in a special way in your trial as she was with Jesus. Lord have mercy on your husband’s soul.
“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18
Comment from Gina
Time: March 4, 2012, 10:32 am
Mary: You definitely have my prayers. My husband walked out on me for 3 yrs.; came back and did it for good 3 yrs. later.
I know your pain and fear. I have kept my vows for the past 12 yrs. and will continue to do so. Read Isaiah 62. I will pray for restoration.
Peli: I don’t know if I can mention it here but there is a wonderful non-demoninational group named Covenant Keepers, Inc. which can help Mary and anyone else going thru her situation. They are based in Oklahoma.
Comment from Michele
Time: March 4, 2012, 11:23 am
Mary
Angels came and ministered to Jesus during his agony in the garden and when he was in the desert. I pray they would continually do that for you during this overwhelming trial.God bless you and carry you and your children.
Comment from bonnie
Time: March 4, 2012, 11:49 am
I just came to understand that I had rejected a “tailor made” cross on Friday. Jesus told me in His soft, still voice that it was “My Wound” that I was refusing to change the dressings on.
When I am trying to come up with excuses for not having to do something SHOULD be an indication to me that it is something that I must do!
Ouch – for the graces rejected, too! Jesus, help me to to keep from being an obstacle, in my thoughts, words and deeds – to living in Your Holy and Divine Will.
Comment from Edith
Time: March 4, 2012, 11:54 am
Dear Mary, I feel for your situation, and will pray for you and your family. My husband and I also have 5 children, and have also had times of separation in our marriage, but God is always faithful, and He will guide you. Jesus, we trust in You.
Comment from pelianito
Time: March 4, 2012, 1:13 pm
One of the blog readers sent me an email from Steve Shawl denouncing a hoax email attributed to Ivan calling for three Hail Marys at 6:30 each day to avert war.
The subject line reads: Subject: RE: Urgent Message from Our Lady to Ivan – A Visionary at Medjugore …
Steve’s request:
Thank you for checking. This reported message given to Ivan is false. It is a hoax. Please do all you can to stop this from circulating. Ivan was with us when this broke and asked us to do all we can to stop this. God Bless!
Steve Shawl
The Medjugorje Web
http://www.medjugorje.org
Comment from jan
Time: March 4, 2012, 1:37 pm
Sorry, Mary. I had a similiar experience and know how difficult it is. You’re not alone. Also check out Rejoice Ministries on line. God Bless. Jan
Comment from ann
Time: March 4, 2012, 2:24 pm
Dear Mary–I am offering the Precious Blood of Jesus for you and your children and your husband right now. Your pain must be beyond bearing. I have not ever experienced what you are experiencing but I have had pain that seemed to me beyond what I could bear (losing a child)and truly I found and continue to find–as Peli quoted, The Lord is close to the broken hearted and the crushed in spirit He saves”
May you find His peace in the middle of this agony. May God in His mercy send you someone to help you through this.
Comment from anne
Time: March 4, 2012, 4:39 pm
Dear Mary and Gina, you are in my Adoration today. May the Lord heal your husbands and strengthen you with grace. i fully understand.
Comment from anne
Time: March 4, 2012, 7:40 pm
A very prayerful old man in his eighties made an interesting comment the other day………….the devil knows how short time is so he is going after the remnant so strongly now. there is no point going after the others as sadly they are settled comfortably in the darkness. i think this is so true.
he is really going after the remnant!
Comment from pelianito
Time: March 4, 2012, 8:10 pm
Anne, I totally concur!!! It seems every time I turn around there is division. Every time I open my mouth it seems to go sideways. I’m thinking of keeping my mouth shut and staying home! The importance of frequent confession has never been greater dear friends! Walk slowly and carefully.
Comment from Sue
Time: March 4, 2012, 8:43 pm
Oh, dear Mary, how my heart aches for you and your children. You are not alone. Your name and your sorrows are united to our Mother of Sorrows. Try hard to imagine Mother Mary ‘s holy mantle covering you and your dear children in your heartache. I will pray for you and your children. Pray also for your husband– he will be saved by your and others’ prayers for him.
Comment from Mary Therese
Time: March 4, 2012, 11:07 pm
Mary, you and yours are in the depths of my prayers. Be at peace knowing that this may be a much lesser burden than satan had prepared for you. Allow others to help you if the offer arises. Work side-by-side with Mother Mary and ask your guardian angels for help as well… If you need direction, say, “Mary bring me into the Light”. There you she will help you out of the confusion found in darkness.
For all those who are struggling, which is probably all of us:
http://matthewsix25to34.wordpress.com/2012/03/01/ask-in-faith/
Comment from Karen
Time: March 5, 2012, 5:18 am
I just began the seven sorrows rosary novena and ordered a book about Saint Joseph revelations given to Mother Mary Cecilia Baij, both seem to reinforce the same message of embrace your cross, trust and be silent which is what i need to focus upon this lent and forever. I will continue to keep you all in my prayers, Mary i have the same situation 3 children the Lord will see us through it. My daughter is scheduled for tests today similar to Peli’s sister, pls pray for us that she will not require surgery. thank you
Comment from ann
Time: March 5, 2012, 6:35 am
Oh Anne and Peli–how true! I have said to myself more than once, just don’t speak–of anything! Lord, set a guard over my tongue! And more than that, don’t listen when others speak in anger or division or criticism or whatever. (in other words, stay home!) And I want desperately to do weekly Confession but every other week seems to be the best I can do. The prayerful old man’s comment certainly explains a lot–everyone I know who is trying to stay faithful is having an excruciating time of it. But I can say that what’s come out of this for me lately is a deeper understanding of what root sins operate in my life. So there is a kind of interior winnowing going on and I thank God for it. It occurs to me that with the remnant the devil doesn’t have the traction to destroy us (at least I pray to God he doesn’t) but he’s out to neutralize us, make us so mired in our difficulties that we cease to be of use–like soldiers taken out of the battle because of wounds.
I do wish to mention that this past week on three separate occasions from three different sources I received the same “message”–so simple that all of you know it and it’s my weakness that probably made it necessary for Our Lord to remind me–and it is this: Jesus loves us. There is no condemnation in Christ. He loves us–pure and simple. He died for us. If Christ is for us who can be against us? God is our Father. He wants our salvation more than we do. He wants the salvation of our loved ones more than we do. They are His children. He loves us. That simple. No fear. No accusation. Love. And everything that happens to us through His direct or permissive Will is out of love. And all the wrong we’ve done in the past or will do in the future is forgiven and will be forgiven, was forgiven on the Cross. We need only kneel before the Cross and receive the Blood of Jesus in holy Confession. Finally, the one person hardest to forgive is ourselves but if Jesus forgives us, who are we to hold on to our sins. We must let them go into the Ocean of Divine Mercy.
Like I said, obvious, simple, but I needed to be reminded, and our Blessed Lord graciously and mercifully sent me three different “messages” to tell me so. Perhaps someone out there reading this needs to hear it too.
Comment from pelianito
Time: March 5, 2012, 8:00 am
Very well said Ann and timely. The simple message I keep getting is “patient endurance”. The Lord knows that every fiber of my being wants to flee and hide. Jesus we trust in you!
Comment from June1
Time: March 5, 2012, 8:39 am
Not to frighten, but when I see things like this, the Medjugorje secrets are the first thing on my mind. Listening to Mirjana’s brief overviews of them, I wonder if this would fall somewhere towards the last three or four: http://rt.com/news/paint-asteroid-earth-nasa-767/
Pray, pray, pray!
Comment from Pam
Time: March 5, 2012, 9:23 am
Mary, I am so sorry for you sad news. I shall pray that the Lord place a thorny hedge around your husband and that he shall not find peace or happiness on any path he walks except the path that leads back to his family and Jesus.
Comment from liz
Time: March 5, 2012, 10:58 am
On rcspiritualdirection.com there is a posting today on struggling during lent and a prayer by St. Theresa of Avila to help us. Have been bombarded with distractions and many temptations this Lent, so I really identify with all of you.
The Lord reminded me today in my journal that His mercy is infinite and it’s His to dispense. But we must ask for it.
May God grant us the grace of humility and humbly throw ourselves in this fountain of mercy. God bless.
Comment from marius
Time: March 5, 2012, 11:24 am
Now…this message came as a surprise for me.I can get my head around to absorb it,but my heart is too torn apart to accept it even though I know it is true.So how on earth shall I fully accept my cross without complaining,because this is what I’ve been doing for the last 4 years.Honestly,I thing I lost my fight and I changed camps,rebelling against God.
Comment from pelianito
Time: March 5, 2012, 12:23 pm
Marius the biggest fight of our lives is with our own will. When we can say, “Thy will be done,” and mean it, we will have won a great victory against the enemy.
Comment from Kathy
Time: March 5, 2012, 12:35 pm
Peli,
You have no idea how timely this message is for me!!!!!!!! Thank you.
marius,
I am having the same problem and it’s in an area that I have long dealt with. It’s in an area of my personality that has always fought against what I see as UNFAIR. It’s my first impulse and I react this way without even thinking about it first. It finally dawned on me that maybe it’s because I am trying to overcome this in my own power. So, I plan to go to confession and seek God’s grace to assist me. I can’t do this without HIS help. I should have learned this by now…but apparently I STILL try to do it all by myself.
Praise His Name…He who always helps us!
Comment from Mary
Time: March 5, 2012, 2:09 pm
Wow thank you everyone for your kind words and prayers! My re-conversion back into my faith came when I was 29 and 9 months pregnant with my second child. A truck hauling a trailer hit my car on the drivers side and I wasn’t wearing my seat belt the last thing I remember before it hit me was saying I’m dead! I opened my eyes and my car was totaled, but there was not a scratch on me. Someone on the scene called an ambulance and while they were doing a ton of different tests my husband arrived and I heard the doctors and the police tell my husband they could not believe that I was alive and my unborn child was alive after seeing the car. I was discharged the next day and I was not practicing my faith at all but my mom had given me a book called one bread one body so after questioning why I was alive I opened that book to the day of the accident and the commentary listed every mortal sin that I never confessed on the same day as my accident. I was in confession that afternoon showing and telling this dear priest everything that happedned the day before. The Lord placed on my heart that had He allowed me to be taken at that moment I would have been in Hell. So you see the cross that I am carrying is more of a agony of seeing someone I love in that darkness, and I hope that the Lord will be just as merciful to him as he was to me. To be honest my past life was worse than his and now that I have expirienced God’s love and Mercy I want everyone to have that. I believe the Lord is allowing this now because He knew I would not have been able to do it until now. I am a homeschool mom and I have taught my children early on about the importance of their faith and have been blessed to get them to daily masses and frequent confession often. So Please continue the prayers for me that I will always show him love and please pray for him that God will pull him out like he did me. I have a good christian friend that works with a strong athiest and he is constantly tormenting her and her faith at work and she said I am not gonna fight scripture with him Mary do you know what I am gonna do? I am gonna love him so much and then I am gonna show Him my Jesus. So in her words pray that I will do the same to my husband. Thanks again for all your love and kindness. God Bless
Comment from Jean
Time: March 5, 2012, 5:00 pm
Please pray for me; I feel like someone who stuck their finger in a light socket.
Comment from anne
Time: March 5, 2012, 5:13 pm
Ann thank you for sharing. Pam i like your thorny hedge idea that the path to bring happiness is back to the Lord and then to home.
Comment from Mary Therese
Time: March 5, 2012, 10:50 pm
To save souls and nations:
http://divinemercyillumination.blogspot.com/2012/02/new-fasting-practice-for-yourselves.html
We must ignore every temptation to despair:
http://divinemercyillumination.blogspot.com/2012/02/great-tribulations-coming.html
May our lights shine before all, that they might see and be attracted to Christ:
http://divinemercyillumination.blogspot.com/2012/03/instrument-of-christ.html
Comment from aj
Time: March 6, 2012, 5:47 am
Friends,
A timely reflection by Marino Restrepo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YFp41FXZao
GOD Bless us all.
YESHUA, we Trust in YOU!
Comment from June1
Time: March 6, 2012, 6:15 am
Mary, you have the right attitude. 
When I deal with my usually impossible husband, I not only wonder what Jesus would do, but the saints. Turning to St. Rita, St. Ignatius and St. Gianna does wonders for your strength and will. Definitely read up on St. Rita, if you don’t know her. She had quite a tormented relationship but, in the end, won Heaven for her husband and sons.
Praying for you!
Comment from June1
Time: March 6, 2012, 7:47 am
God Bless this woman!
Comment from Bryan
Time: March 6, 2012, 12:14 pm
Hi all,
Have been a silent observer for about 2 years now…i am from SW Louisiana…guess its time to speak up. Mary and marius…..i am with you and know exactly how you feel. My former spouse left me and 5 children (ages 4 to 14) about 4 years ago this month for “greener” pastures, this after a 24 year relationship. I could not pray, didnt care to hear any words of encouragement from anybody. All i wanted to do was vomit and/or die. It was such agony and i told a very holy priest who we called “Pater” of this and he simply told me….Bryan, how many Our Father’s, Hail Mary’s and Glory Be’s was Jesus reciting on the cross…..no, He was moaning and He was groaning for 3 hours. He said “those are prayers” and encouraged me to simply wrap a rosary around my hand or a St. Benedict crucifix in order to “grip” something….and that the rehearsed prayers would come back one day. And they did after much therapy through a professional counselor and my parish priest in my eventual annulment process. I had to go and re-live my previous 44 years beginning at age 2 when my Way of the Cross started with my dad committing adultery on my mom, sexual abuse a few years later, exposure to pornography and then growing up Southern Baptist…all wrapped into one big mess with much false foundations to live by. Yes, i converted/reverted to Holy Mother church on Easter Vigil 1999. One by one me and the Good God have dealt with this from His endlessssssss MERCY….yes it is hard to swallow that bitter pill of forgiveness, but its the only way. And, Kathy i identify with your “personality” defect of seeing things as “UNFAIR”….yep, yep, yep i battle with that frequently.
To all of you kind folks out there, i have been silently attaching my little prayers to your great ones and the Holy Spirit is now moving quickly in our world as we are all anticipating great things to come….and they will come.
God Bless all and thanks for the spritual direction for the last 2 years.
Bryan
Comment from pelianito
Time: March 6, 2012, 12:35 pm
God bless you Bryan. Your testimony is very edifying. God is merciful, patient and oh so GOOD! Peace.
Comment from June1
Time: March 6, 2012, 2:04 pm
Wow, Bryan! First of all, welcome! 
Secondly, what that priest told you is fantastic. I NEVER would have thought of that. I feel so much better now, thinking about the many times when I told God, I’m sorry but I simply can’t pray. To know that that was a prayer gives me hope. And to know that we still have dynamic priests like that around does my heart good.
Comment from ann
Time: March 6, 2012, 2:16 pm
Brian, thank you so much. You have –as our protestant brothers and sisters would say–”blessed me” with your comments. Your little prayers are not little! When you’ve hung on the Cross with Jesus, your prayers are most definitely not little. Thank you for joining them to ours. God bless you, dear dear brother.
Comment from marius
Time: March 6, 2012, 2:32 pm
Brian,your testimony is openning mortal wounds in my heart.This life should be like a playstation game:we should have the option to end the game when is getting to painfull and unplugged the cord.But this is not according to His will,is it?…
Comment from Mary
Time: March 6, 2012, 2:56 pm
june1
I go often to St. Rita, St.Monica, ST.Augustine and I named my 4th child Gianna Joy, after St.Gianna. Also on my day of the accident my mom had called me at the hospital and she is this powerful prayer warrior who has 13 children, Mary I just was at my friends’s house, another women who has a large family and most of all of their children are not practicing thier faith or have left it, and we were praying to St.Monica for the safety, protection and conversion of all of our children. My mom went on to tell me that it was St.Monica’s feast day on the day of my accident. Two weeks later I had a beautiful baby girl who we named Monica Marie. I also had 4 miscarriages the last one I was 16 weeks pregnant and delivered him at home Sean Patrick, and I wish everyone could see how developed a baby is at 16 weeks he was beautiful and amazing. God is definately working 9 children to a couple who started out saying only one! Please continue to keep us in prayer my husband’s name is Joseph. God Bless
Comment from Jeanne
Time: March 6, 2012, 3:05 pm
Family: yes, that is what you are!!!
This Lent is unique for me this year as my Mother has only hours left on this earth. She is a beautiful soul. 3 1/2 weeks ago she fell and broke her left shoulder, hip and fractured her vertebrae. Her spirit gave up, and now we walk with her in the valley.
I am the oldest of 6: 5 girls, 1 boy. All the girls are Christians of one denomination or another, though we were all raised Catholic. I am the only practicing Catholic. My brother is a bruised reed.
God is doing an amazing work right now. Last night all 6 of us were with my Mother. She asked to say night time prayers. It was so sweet and healing……..
But it all feels so surreal…….there appears to be no disease, but she is dying…….
My infant daughter died 23 years ago and a wise and holy woman told me that “your tears are your prayers”……
Another wise and holy woman said to offer up the pain and suffering that someone is causing you, for their conversion.
Last Friday on my way home from work, I went to stop in at a Eucharistic Chapel….it was closed early, but the Church was open. Confessions were just ending and I was able to go in.
Here I went to see Jesus, but He came to meet me in the Confessional.
I told something to the priest in the Confessional and he told me it was meant to be shared. So here goes:
Last Friday, first Friday, I went to Mass with my family (husband and children). I looked up from my prayers at all the people there, and like a tsunami was overcome with the knowledge that God is working very hard and in different ways, to get each person to Heaven. Each person is unique and God works uniquely with each person. It is an active and ongoing process, and very complicated yet simple, because it is God’s work.
My mind then wandered for a few seconds as I thought of the world’s current population (almost 7 billion people) and that God was uniquely and individually working with 7 billion people to bring them to the truth of His existence and His love.
WOW!!!!!
Praised be Jesus!!
Comment from Mary Therese
Time: March 6, 2012, 4:07 pm
We are forgiven:
http://divinemercyillumination.blogspot.com/2012/03/come-to-me-in-holy-confession.html
And we are shown a courageous act of forgiveness:
http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=9883
Her light shines before all…
Comment from Mary Therese
Time: March 6, 2012, 5:32 pm
Something to think about…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVN2MMuiedI&feature=sdig
Comment from Noel
Time: March 6, 2012, 8:03 pm
‘It occurs to me that with the remnant the devil doesn’t have the traction to destroy us (at least I pray to God he doesn’t) but he’s out to neutralize us, make us so mired in our difficulties that we cease to be of use–like soldiers taken out of the battle because of wounds.’
Oh, YES! YES, YES! I’ve been out of the fight for a few days because of exactly this, and exactly what Peli described.
The amount of division is breathtaking. At just the moment when the Church should be united against her foes, all the cracks are spreading from years of cliques, gossip, unforgiveness, desires for power and our own way in the church. Our parish, seemingly a unified and stable parish, is fracturing under the pressure of the economic downturn and people’s unhappiness with many things, taken out on the staff.
Pray for your priests. They are under severe attack. There are also those who are giving them bad advice under the guise of being helpful leaders. Pray for discernment. Pray for our Bishops.
A godly old priest once said something in a sermon I have never forgotten: ‘The difference between kind old people and bitter, nasty old people is that some have given their pain to Jesus and the others didn’t.’ The choices we make now about our pain are going to have lasting consequences, they’re going to form our personalities for the years to come. This is a sobering thought.
There is a time when the blow first comes that we can’t really function, and that is reasonable and understandable. Thank God for support groups, compassionate doctors and counselors. But down the road, we have to make choices. Just this week I was weeping in the shower (the only really private place in the house) screaming soundlessly, ‘I forgive! I forgive!’ It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but it did break the bondage I was in and restore my ability to go on.
Comment from e
Time: March 6, 2012, 8:13 pm
Dear friends,
I lift up each and every one of you in prayers today. May God Bless you all.
e
Comment from David
Time: March 6, 2012, 8:52 pm
Mary, God bless you! I am a teacher in a high school and so many students are from broken families. I know two students in particular who suffer the same from their dads leaving them. I feel helpless and can only ask how they are doing and promise my prayers. It is very sad. What else can be done?
Comment from aj
Time: March 6, 2012, 9:22 pm
David,
You can adopt them…spiritually. Be their Dad and stand in the breach for their wandering dads. They may never know it here on earth but the FATHER WHO sees all will grant them many blessings if you stand in the place of their father and intercede for them. We are one body, one body in CHRIST and we do not stand alone.
Pray for these little ones under your care…I assure you, if you fast and pray for them as their dads should have, your reward will meet you on the other side of this life…but their will be crosses to help JESUS with on this journey to expiate for the sins of those who abandoned them. The reward my friend will be inextinguishable.
I want to suggest we all Spiritually adopt someone or someones this Lent and offer pray and fast for them. If you decide to do this, Let the HOLY SPIRIT enlighten you as to who this person is. This is how we assist in healing the broken body of CHRIST.
Shalom my friends.
JESUS I Trust in YOU!!!!!!!
Comment from Kathy AE
Time: March 7, 2012, 1:08 am
Bryan, my memory was stirred by your words “ I told a very holy priest who we called “Pater” of [my suffering and not being able to pray] and he simply told me….Bryan, how many Our Father’s, Hail Mary’s and Glory Be’s was Jesus reciting on the cross…..no, He was moaning and He was groaning for 3 hours. He said “those are prayers” and encouraged me to simply wrap a rosary around my hand or a St. Benedict crucifix in order to “grip” something….and that the rehearsed prayers would come back one day.”
I remembered that before I returned to the church, I sometimes held a rosary when I felt troubled, and it comforted me. I remembered a story that I heard of the serial killer Bundy, who came upon a potential victim, but he felt afraid and would not touch her as she slept because she held a rosary in her hand –see the story here: http://www.bettnet.com/blog/index.php/weblog/comments/how_i_knew_the_priest_who_ministered_to_ted_bundy_his_victims/.
I know that I often hold my rosary or a St. Benedict crucifix in my hand as I pray, the Liturgy of the Hours, for example. It feels right. It makes me feel closer IN MY FLESH to God. After all, we are flesh and spirit.
What that old priest advised was so true. I clung to the rosary when I couldn’t pray the rosary, even when I was separated from the Church. And today I pray the rosary every day. I hold it in my hand every night and will not go to sleep without it. I felt that this was something I needed to do, even before I had read the Bundy story. These are sacramentals. They protect us and draw us to God. Think of many pictures of the saints with the crucifix in their hands, how they venerated the sacred image. We kiss the crucifix on Good Friday only because we don’t have Jesus in the flesh to kiss—and I can’t help but think that to Him, we are kissing Him, showing our love, our sorrow, and repentence.
The meaning of the St. Benedict medal (which is a strong protection against Satan: http://www.osb.org/gen/medal.html
A St. Benedict rosary which you can purchase online which has the St. Benedict medal embedded in the crucifix: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM6020054001P?sid=IDx20101019x00001a&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=SPM6020054001
Bryan, continue to grip your rosary, even if you don’t say it. You are expressing your faith and groaning your prayer to God. Prayer is an attitude and a posture of body and spirit. He hears you always. Even when we don’t know how to pray, the Spirit groans within our spirit. St. Paul taught us this.
Comment from anne
Time: March 7, 2012, 3:37 am
This morning i read the latest from http://www.divinemercyillumination.org on confession. Then i went to Mass and i really asked the Lord to truly develop compassion in my heart. After Mass i was amazed at how much the Lord showed me flowing from the above message from www. Dm illum . We are all broken people and ONLY the LORD can heal and truly share His Compassion for humanity with us. Confession is a marvellous gift and we should truly go there for a change of heart. No shopping lists, but a deep desire for change of heart, to be given the Heart of Jesus. We go in with our brokenness and the Lord pours down mercy, compassion and grace of healing. It is there for us but sadly the world does not know and sadly so many Catholics do not realize the value of it. How broken the world is and how in need of God to heal and make whole.
so i ask for the gift of the revelation of the truth to all in the coming Illumination. Our brokenness, the Merciful Love of God as gift. A humble and contrite heart i will not scorn.
Comment from Kathy
Time: March 7, 2012, 9:51 am
anne,
Isn’t interesting how we are AGAIN hearing about the importance of Confession? This sacrament of Reconciliation REALLY works. It is powerful….and I know this from personal experience. I guess that’s why I am so chagrined to see how I forget so quickly that THIS is exactly what I need when the Holy Spirit reveals another part of me that needs some “house cleaning.”
Byran, I’m praying and groaning with you.
Kathy AE, thanks for that link to the power of the rosary via the potential victim. That story is the PERFECT thing to share with one of my family members.
Comment from Mary Therese
Time: March 7, 2012, 9:52 am
Whoever gave us the link to Mary Clark–thank you. Her messages remind me of the time that the Lord kept taking me in spirit over the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and telling me to jump out of the plane in which I got there. It took me very many times before I leapt out. I haven’t landed since–and this was over 15 years ago!
You need to send her an email, I believe, and then she will put you on her list from which she sends out messages that she receives–for your discernment:
Comment from Becky-TN
Time: March 7, 2012, 2:19 pm
For the Souls in Purgatory – Masses through the Marians
https://secure.marianweb.net/holysouls/index.php
God Bless,
Becky-TN
Comment from Mick
Time: March 7, 2012, 2:21 pm
aj,
I have tears in my eyes, reading what you just wrote. What an awesome, Spirit-inspired idea! I’m going to read your post to my husband, and discuss with him if there’s someone (or someones) that he/I/we should spiritually adopt. Thank you for sharing this suggestion.
Comment from Patti
Time: March 7, 2012, 3:08 pm
The messages from Mary Clark can also be accessed here:
http://ft111.com/maryclark.htm
For your discernment.
Comment from Noel
Time: March 7, 2012, 5:13 pm
The Lord has sent another parable from life on the Farm.
A chicken was badly injured – we’re not sure how, but when my husband went out to put the birds in, one had a deep wound on her thigh. I brought her inside, washed the wound with saline and administered some med for chickens, put her in a small, clean cage and applied a few drops of Holy Water with prayer. It was not looking good for that hen, less than a year old.
A nurse friend kindly provided some information on wounds which I used in the days that followed. A wound this bad would have been treated in a hospital if the patient were human, or in a veterinary clinic if it were a dog or cat, but chickens don’t seem to have anyone who cares for them except the long suffering farmers. Another Farm might have just put the chicken down but since we have a small flock we tried to save her.
The chicken began to recover! She laid eggs in her cage and graduated to what my friend calls a ‘step down unit’ of two laundry baskets.
It seemed good after a few days to take her outside and let her walk around to strengthen the injured muscle and pick up bits of grit for her crop. After a couple of these ‘constitutionals’, the hen found her way to the fenced-in area where the other hens live, and I started to think about how the conversation might go between the hen and her buddies. Since I can’t tell them apart, if I have to use names I count in Latin.
‘Nona, is that YOU? We thought you died.’
‘I almost did. But now I’m in the most wonderful place! Inside the Farmer’s house! It’s warm, and clean, and full of light, and I have all kinds of treats…things, white things called ‘oats’ that taste sweet and nutty.’
‘Aw, come on! You can’t get me to believe a story like that! You’ve been hiding in the woods. Better look out, that’s where the hawks are.’
‘Haven’t you ever wondered where the farmers come from in the morning and go at night? We hens have no idea what it’s like Inside, where the Farmer lives! There’s music, and voices, and wonderful smells, and they give me a bit of their food.’
‘Yeah…their food has crazy names, too, I bet, like ‘oats’.
‘Look: don’t you remember we get bits of strange, wonderful food sometimes with our scraps?’
‘So what does that prove? Say, have you haven’t been near the herb bed, you know, where the poppies are?’
‘Poppies aren’t even up yet, and any chick knows they have thorns. I tell you, it’s true!’
‘Well, if you’re having time to dream you must not be laying much.’
‘I lay an egg almost every day, like you do. And farmers don’t eat chicken feed.
‘OK, so wherever you’d been, you’ve been dreaming. Are you coming in? ‘Cause if you are, you have to fight for your place again and I was ahead of you.’
‘No…here comes the Farmer to get me. I’ll be back when I’m stronger, and you’ll see, I’m not crazy. I’ll tell you stories about it until you see it’s true’
‘Don’t waste your beak on me. A coop is a coop and that’s all there is. It’s nests, eggs, hawks and feeders, and grass if you’re lucky. If you wind up at the bottom of the pecking order, it’s chicken food for you, girl! And there’s no such thing as oats – you made it up out of bread scraps and oyster shell.’
‘There is, though. I ate some. There really is….’
Comment from marius
Time: March 7, 2012, 5:57 pm
In addition to your post,I recomend reading this:
http://www.stgemmagalgani.com/2008/11/jesus-teaches-st-gemma-value-of.html
Comment from Sandra
Time: March 7, 2012, 6:48 pm
Not sure if this site has been mentioned before, but Fr. MacRae’s most recent article is well worth reading. (Actually they all are)For those of you not familiar with Fr. MacRae, he was falsely accused of sexual assault and has been in prision for the last 18 years. There is an effort under way to have an appeal, where new evidence can be brought forward.
http://www.thesestonewalls.com/
The Gravity of Grace: When Bad Things Happen to Good People
Comment from Mary Therese
Time: March 7, 2012, 7:07 pm
These fit so well!
http://crownofstars.blogspot.com/2012/03/5-simon-carries-cross.html
http://crownofstars.blogspot.com/2012/03/our-ladys-march-message-to-mirjana.html
Comment from pelianito
Time: March 7, 2012, 8:01 pm
Brilliant allegory Noel! Another chapter in Chicken Coops for the Soul.
Comment from aj
Time: March 7, 2012, 9:35 pm
Mick,
The idea of spiritually adopting a soul came to me while writing to David, so after I posted it, I too asked the Good LORD to put a person/s in my heart and lo and behold…my wife.
It came to me in a number of different ways that I must concentrate prayer for her this Lenten season. Someone had introduced me to a website http://www.e5men.org/ taken from Ephesians 5, where men fast for their wives every 1st Wednesday and that was today, so it added some confirmation to what I thought the SPIRIT was telling me.
Again, CHRIST at work building HIS broken body through each one of us who would accept HIS call. It is so much easier sometimes to minister/evangelise/fast and pray for those wounded in the extended family of CHRIST and in doing so could neglect our 1st calling to our immediate family.
Shalom and GOD Bless us all.
Comment from Edith
Time: March 8, 2012, 1:47 am
Dear all, My 11 y.o. put me onto this video, which has been gaining momentum via social communications, particularly amongst young people, with many hits on You Tube… It has brilliantly promoted a particular cause, which I certainly believe is worth praying for: The capture and bringing to justice of a mass murderer in Africa, responsible for recruiting child-soldiers and performing many atrocities. The video highlights the potential for young people to actively bring about change in the world: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4MnpzG5Sqc
However it has also made me reflect on the power of modern-day social communications – the protests in Egypt also started out through such means, but now others have hijacked the so-called ‘Arab Spring’ for their own agendas. How easy it would be to unite everyone in a supposedly worthwhile cause only to use that momentum to achieve other – hidden – ends. And yet what a power-house for the Church if Christians were able to use these same social communications to show a united front in promoting their faith! Lord, have mercy on your poor world, and help us to be truly united both in our love for You, and for one another…
Comment from pelianito
Time: March 8, 2012, 8:13 am
Good point aj. It seems easier to serve “out there”, when our first responsibility is to ensure the salvation of our own souls first and the the rest of the family. It reminds me of when you go on an airplane. They always tell you that if the oxygen masks come down, put your own on first and then help those around you. Only when you are “safe” can you be of any use to others. I was watching a movie about Mother Teresa and in the first months of her ministry she was always giving away her own food. Then she became sick and started to need care herself. Someone mentored her and taught her that in order to help others we have to be in good shape ourselves. That goes for spiritual as well as physical. Our prayers will be more effective if we have a solid prayer life and go to confession regularly.
Comment from Ann G.
Time: March 8, 2012, 5:55 pm
Edith,
There is something weird about how viral this video has become. What happened in Uganda was an atrocity. It is not ongoing. Why has this gone nuts with the social media. Both my high school student and my 8th grader have been talking about this.
Glenn Beck mentioned on his show today that something seems off about Uganda suddenly getting attention. Is Obama trying to get us into yet another war. Please check this out:http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/03/07/guest_post_joseph_kony_is_not_in_uganda_and_other_complicated_things
Comment from pelianito
Time: March 8, 2012, 6:02 pm
Ann G. thanks for this. We have to be so careful about what we believe. Always best not to jump on a band-wagon until we have done our own research. Jesus, lead us to all truth!
Comment from Mary Therese
Time: March 8, 2012, 6:49 pm
A very large problem mentioned in a homily by a courageous priest:
http://amac.us/religious-liberty-homily
The answer, when all prayers are placed into the Divine Will:
Comment from Kathy AE
Time: March 8, 2012, 7:03 pm
AJ and Mick, your comments reminded me of something I read from St. Teresa of Avila’s INTERIOR CASTLE about a year ago; it also reminded me of our obligation to concentrate our spiritual efforts on our “territory of souls”:
– INTERIOR CASTLE, 7TH CASTLE
“I told you elsewhere that the devil sometimes puts ambitious desires into our hearts, so that, instead of setting our hand to the work which lies nearest to us, and thus serving Our Lord in ways within our power, we may rest content with having desired the impossible. Apart from praying for people, by which you can do a great deal for them, do not try to help everybody, but limit yourselves to your own companions; your work will then be all the more effective because you have the greater obligation to do it.” (254 OR 255).
It seems that God most wants us to sacrifice and pray for those closest to us, “DO NOT TRY TO HELP EVERYBODY, BUT LIMIT YOURSELVES TO YOUR OWN COMPANIONS; YOUR WORK WILL THEN BE ALL THE MORE EFFECTIVE BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE GREATER OBLIGATION TO DO IT.”
Comment from Mary Therese
Time: March 9, 2012, 12:20 pm
Sometimes our territory of souls must include those we would not expect. We must be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit!
“Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
― St. Francis of Assisi
When placed in the Divine Will, all prayer becomes miraculous and Divinely multiplied… Now is not the time to rest. If nothing else, when we see a person who obviously does not try to please God, we can use this gentle yet powerful prayer placed into the Divine Will for them:
“O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You.” ~Another soul entrusted to Divine Mercy…~
Comment from Kathy AE
Time: March 9, 2012, 1:33 pm
My understanding of “territory of souls,” at least according to Marino Restrepo, includes everyone with whom we have even the slightest contact. He says that even in eternity we will retain these human bonds to share, to pray for, etc..
Comment from Peggylou
Time: March 9, 2012, 7:19 pm
Like many of you here, I read through these comments and pray for our online family. Today particularly the comments all resonate with me. To Mary, I was divorced with three small children and have put St. Joseph at the head of my family as my spiritual husband and father to my children. It gives me peace to know my family is in his hands. Tomorrow is the day to start a novena to St. Joseph to end on his feast day, March 19. http://www.americaneedsfatima.org/Prayers/nine-day-novena-to-st-joseph.html?utm_source=E0424&utm_medium=email&utm_term=E0424&utm_content=E0424&utm_campaign=19258
To Bryan, yes, many times at night I hold the rosary – when I have trouble focusing to say the whole rosary, I just recite the Divine Mercy chaplet which is shorter and much easier to recite when you are in emotional pain that makes it difficult to concentrate on prayer. God hears our prayers in our groans and sighs, too. God bless us all, yes we are in times where we are under savage attack and it is so hard to identify, let alone step around, some of the tricks and traps that are set for us to stumble. God give us the wisdom and strength we need to do your mighty work in these perilous times.
Comment from Mary Therese
Time: March 9, 2012, 8:18 pm
We are His. It is simple. Make our requests, (as found in the Divine Will), of the Father in Faith…
http://matthewsix25to34.wordpress.com/2012/03/01/ask-in-faith/
Comment from pelianito
Time: March 9, 2012, 10:15 pm
Praise report! Thanks be to God my sister’s biopsy came back normal. Thank you all for your prayers dear sisters and brothers!
Comment from anne
Time: March 10, 2012, 2:43 am
Peggylou, so right about traps and snares. i pray and hope the Holy Spirit guides us all in these times.
Comment from ann
Time: March 10, 2012, 6:32 am
Thanks be to God for your sister’s clean bill of health. I am so very glad to hear it.
Comment from Edith
Time: March 10, 2012, 3:30 pm
Great news Peli – thanks be to God
Comment from liz
Time: March 10, 2012, 5:09 pm
Thankyou Lord for prayers being answered! Glad to hear your news Peli.
Comment from Edith
Time: March 10, 2012, 6:10 pm
Thank you Marius for that link to Our Lord’s beautiful messages to St. Gemma on the value of the crosses that we each receive -VERY appropriate, and they tie in so well with all the comments here…
Comment from jeanne
Time: March 12, 2012, 7:24 pm
Noel, thank you for your chicken story!!! How appropriate as I ponder my mother’s death early this morning.
I day dream about the joy and love and peace she is experiencing seeing Jesus and Mother Mary right now!!!
Thank you for your chicken stories!!!
About an hour ago while at work, I was feeling very lost in my heart and head, reeling in the emotions of this day and the past week. In walks a new employee, who is a passionate Catholic and I get goosebumps thinking that God has sent her for me! Praised be Jesus!
Comment from pelianito
Time: March 12, 2012, 8:20 pm
Jeanne, I am so sorry for your loss! May songs of the angels welcome your mother into her heavenly home. Thanks be to God who comforts the afflicted!
Comment from Carol S
Time: April 1, 2012, 8:43 am
Mother please help me , I want to be who God wants me to be.
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