When the Son of Man Comes-the Warning – Part 1

I am granting the world a time of mercy (Diary of St. Faustina)

In the past couple of days I have been resting with the Lord and there have been a few things that have just been repeating within me. I was determined to understand and begged the Lord for His light. So after much time in contemplation the Lord seemed to have heard me in prayer, and I received a deeper understanding of Our Lady’s 11/25/12 message, which on the surface would appear to be again just a normal message. I was able to see this message in a whole different light.

As a reminder, this is the message Our Lady just gave to the world on 11/25/12 pending the 2nd of the month message to come: I encourage the reader to take this to their own private prayer.

“Dear children! In this time of grace, I call all of you to renew prayer. Open yourselves to Holy Confession so that each of you may accept my call with the whole heart. I am with you and I protect you from the ruin of sin, but you must open yourselves to the way of conversion and holiness, that your heart may burn out of love for God. Give Him time and He will give Himself to you and thus, in the will of God you will discover the love and the joy of living. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

I will be making this post in (2) parts, to give the reader time to sort and reflect for themselves.

We have been hearing the readings of the Mass which conclude the liturgical year with the Feast of Christ the King, and the reign of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God.

However today’s reading in the gospel of Luke ended with the words “your redemption is at hand.“ Luke 21

From the beginning of the liturgical year, the Lord has been giving me a word in my private prayer. We have as a family have gone through much tribulation in this past year, and I would often say to the Lord light heartedly, “I’m not feeling very redeemed.” So I have been very perplexed by what He meant when He said this, trying to understand what this is all about. Today I felt like I just wanted to put my foot down and try to understand what He was saying.

So I dove a little deeper into Luke’s gospel chapter 21:25-36, where we are today in the daily reading awaiting the reign of Jesus Christ our Soverign King. The Lord led me to begin with verse 21:25 which said,

“…There will be signs in the sun, the moon and the stars and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves…”

I thought ‘YES, this is is all occurring now especially coming from a huge mega storm Hurricane Sandy on the east coast, and all the more events; so yes there are signs in the heavens. Those who have been to Medjguroje have seen many phenomena especially with the dancing sun, falling stars and the moon miracles that have occurred.

Of course science would give its own explanation forgoing that God is the master of the Universe and of Creation, and all these things occur by His design. There have been many sightings of the face of Jesus, Blessed Mother, angels, etal in the clouds and amidst many storms, that are posted all over the place, and we can say personally we have witnessed them ourselves in person.

So it is safe to say, yes, these things are occurring. So I went on reflecting:

“…People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world for the powers of heaven will be shaken, and then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory…” (Luke 21)

Your redemption is at hand

“…But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand. (the Lord gives the example of the sign of the fig tree); in the same way when you see these things happening know that the Kingdom of God is near. Amen I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away…”

This discourse the Lord gave to His apostles before He was about to be put to death.

I recalled the word of God to St. Faustina when He said that His Kingdom on earth is His life in the human soul. (Diary 1784) So I began to understand this reading in this light. But deep within, I knew there was more to this, and took to heart the close of this discourse from the Words of Jesus:

“…Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness, and the anxieties of daily life and that day catch you by surprise, like a trip. For that day will assult everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times, and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulation that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man…”

For anyone who has eyes to see, or ears to hear and a listening heart, we would see these days as the Lord speaks are occurring, by the “sign of the times in which we are living.” Our Lady often says, “see the sign of the times in which you are living…” See is the key word, look and see what is happening.

Our Lady is here to help us in this time, preparing us to meet her Son, preparing us to encounter Him, but maybe something more. She has said often we must pray to comprehend why she is with us and to comprehend her message. The Holy Spirit will bring light in the prayer, when the heart is open to hear what she is saying. Our Lady is only giving hints of the purpose for her coming, and we are called to ask, seek and find.

Personally, I am affirmed that this is the time of tribulation for this generation now by the signs that have been given.

However, throughout history there have been many tribulation times for the Church for certain generations of a people who strayed from the path of God.

But today Our Lady makes it clear that this time is different. This time is her time she said. This is a time of grace (she just said that in her message of 11/25/12 again. This is a time of mercy, said the Lord to St. Faustina who was told that she would prepare the world for His final coming.

So there is clearly something unique about this time we are living in the present day. And above all, for this generation, Our Lady has revealed that satan is unchained on many occasions; it seems that all of hell is unleashed on the earth, affirming the words of God who said above, “…for that day will assault the everyone who lives on the face of the earth; be vigilant at all times…”

I will conclude here and continue in part II

Coming out of the Desert-Passion Week Reflections

Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me

Our Lady once said in Medjugorje, “Great is the love of God. I repeat Great is His love…” This coming week we will walk with the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary as we enter into Holy Week, mindful of the Passion of the Lord.

Take time this week to go into solitude and silence, and reflect in deep contemplation the mystery of man’s redemption.

These reflections are the beginning of the way of the Cross, and through the week, I will post the remaining reflections to complete the Passion of the Lord. Let us never forget all that the Lord has done for us. For we have been purchased at the price of His blood.

Remember also, Our Lady never left his side on the way of the Cross. She is always with us as well in our times of trial and stuggles.

At the cross her station keeping,
stood the mournful mother weeping,
close to Jesus to the last…

Opening reflection:
“Dear children! Rejoice with me in this time of spring when all nature is awakening and your hearts long for change. Open yourselves, little children and pray. Do not forget that I am with you and I desire to take you all to my Son and He may give you the gift of sincere love towards God and everything that is from Him. Open yourselves to prayer and seek a conversion of your hearts from God; everything else He sees and provides. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (4/25/02)

Day 1 – “The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward.” (Mt. 26:59-60)

Jesus: “Do not be surprised that you are sometimes unjustly accused. I myself first drank this cup of undeserved suffering for love of you (289). When I was before Herod, I obtained a grace for you; namely that you would be able to rise above human scorn and follow faithfully in my footsteps.”

Blessed Mother: “I am teaching you love and I am showing you that the dear Father has loved you…He sacrificed His Son for your salvation, my children. I am leading you children towards love, towards the dear Father. I am leading you toward eternal life. Eternal life is my Son. Accept him and you will have accepted love.”

St. Faustina: We are sensitive to words and quickly want to answer back without taking any regard as to whether it is God’s will that we should speak. A slient soul is strong; no adversities will harm it if it perseveres in silence. The silent soul is capable of attaining the closest union with God.

Songs 4:11, Songs 1:1-2, Songs 2:8, Songs 4:16

Day 2 – “Pilate took Jesus and had Him scourged. And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on His head, and clothed Him in a purple cloak, and they came to him and said, “Hail King of the Jews!” So Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. Pilate said to them, ‘behold the man!’ When the chief priests and the guards saw Him, they cried out, ‘crucify Him!’” (John 19:1-6)

Jesus – “Do not be afraid of sufferings, I am with you. The more you will come to love suffering the purer your love for me will be.”

Blessed Mother: “I am always with you, and do not be afraid of temptations because God is always watching over us. Also I have given myself to you and I sympathize with you even in the smallest temptation.”

St. Faustina: Jesus, I thank you for the little daily crosses, for opposition to my endeavors, for the hardships of communal life, for the misinterpretation of my intentions, for humiliations at the hands of others, for the harsh way in which we are treated, for false suspicions, for poor health and loss of strength, for self denial, for dying to myself, for lack of recognition in everything, for the upsetting of all my plans…

Songs 5:1, Rev. 21:2, Gen. 3:1-5, Rev. 12:13-17

Day 3 – “We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; but the Lord laid upon Him the guilt of us all…” (Is. 53:6, 12)

Jesus: “Involuntary offenses of souls do not hinder my love for them or prevent me from uniting myself with them. But voluntary offenses, even the smallest obstruct my graces and I cannot lavish my gifts on such souls.” (1641).

Blessed Mother: “I call all of you to decide for holiness. May for you little children, always in your thoughts and in such situations holiness be in the first place, in work and in speech. In this way you will also put it into practice; little by little, step by step prayer and a decision for holiness will enter your family. Be sure with yourselves and do not bind yourselves to material things but to God.”

St. Faustina: My Jesus, despite your graces, I see and feel all my misery O my Jesus how prone I am to evil, and this forces me to be constantly vigilant. But I do not lose heart. I trust God’s grace, which abounds in the worst misery.

Lk. 1:30, Ps. 19:5-6, Songs 8:6

Day 4 – “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. And you yourself a sword will pierce…” (Lk. 2:34-35)

Jesus: “Although all the works that come into being by My will are exposed to great sufferings, consider whether any of them has been subject to greater difficulties than that work which is directly mine – the work of redemption. You should not worry too much about adversities.” (1643)

Blessed Mother: “I thank you for every sacrifice you have offered. And now I urge you to offer every sacrifice with love. I wish you, the helpless ones to begin helping with confidence and the Lord will keep on giving to you in confidence…(Queen of Peace)

“I am Mother to you all, thanks to the unfathomable mercy of God. Most pleasing to me is that soul which faithfully carries out the will of God. Be courageous. Do not fear apparent obstacles, but fix your gaze upon the passion of my Son, and in this way you will be victorious…” (1643)

St. Faustina; Mary, Mother of Mercy be near me always, especially in suffering as you were on your Son’s way of the cross.

Eph. 3:17-19, Eph. 5:21, Hos. 2:21-22

Day 5 – “As they led Him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus…” (Lk. 23:26)
Jesus: “Write that by day and by night My gaze is fixed upon him, and I permit these adversities in order to increase your merit. I do not reward for good results but for the patience and hardships undergone for my sake.” (86)

Blessed Mother: “I wish to tell you to open your hearts to the Master of all hearts. Give me all your feelings and all your problems! I wish to comfort you in all your trials. I wish to fill you with peace, joy and love of God.”

St. Faustina: “Jesus, you do not give a reward for the successful performance of a work, but for the good will and the labor undertaken. Therefore, I am completely at peace, even if all my undertakings and efforts should be thwarted or should come to naught. If I do all that is in my power, the rest is not my business.”

Hos. 2:16, Songs 2:13-14, Luke 1:46-55, John 19:26-27

Day 6 – “He grew up like a sapling before him, like a shoot from the parched earth there was in him no stately bearing to make us look at him, no appearance that would attract us to him. He was spurned and avoided by men, a man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity. One of those from whom men hide their faces spurned, and we held him in no esteem.” (Is. 53:2-3)

Jesus: “Know that whatever good you do to any soul, I accept it as if you had done it to me.” (1768)

Blessed Mother: “I see that you are tired. I wish to support you in your effort, to take you in my arms so that you may be close to me. I give you my heart; accept it. I wish to be constantly with you, with the heart.”

St. Faustina: I am learning how to be good from Jesus, from Him who is goodness itself, so that I may be called a child of the Heavenly Father (669). Great love can change small things into great ones, and it is only love which lends value to our actions. (303)

2 Cor. 12:9, Gal. 5:22-23, Rev. 22:17, Is. 55:1

Day 7 Review

A Child’s Prayer-Reflection on 4/2/11 Medjugorje Message

If you do not believe my words, at least believe my wounds...

“Dear children, with motherly love I desire to open the heart of each of you and to teach you personal unity with The Father. To accept this, you must comprehend that you are important to God and that He is calling you individually. You must comprehend that your prayer is a conversion of a child with The Father; that love is the way by which you must set out – love for God and for your neighbor.

That is, my children, the love that has no boundaries, that is the love that emanates from truth and goes to the end. Follow me, my children, so that also others, in recognizing the truth and love in you, may follow you. Thank you.

[Once again Our Lady called us to pray for our shepherds, our priests, and said: “They have a special place in my heart. They represent my Son.”]

When our Lady first gave this message what stood out for me was one her desire to ‘open the heart’ and to teach us how to have a relationship with God the Father.

Our Lady said that in order for us to accept this, we must comprehend that we are important to God, and that He is calling us individually.

Let’s look at this a little closer. How many of us think that God does not notice me? God doesn’t love me, or God won’t care? You know that the Catechism of the Catholic Church says, when there is doubt, there is spiritual blindness.

I had to think back, and still sometimes I find myself saying do you really love me Lord, do you really care that much? For most of us, it is easy to say that. Why? Because we’ve grown up with so little love from childhood on. We grew up with conditional love…for someone to love us unconditional is not natural for us to believe in, because we do not naturally know it. But its real.

Our Lady once said that children learn the love of God through mother and father loving each other, and through the love that parents give their children. If God is Father, and our relationship with our maternal father has been wounded or severed, then we are not going to know a fathers love, and will not come to know especially the love of God as Father. Our view of an imperfect father’s love will be distorted, to the point we say, I don’t need God because He was never there for me.

I cannot count how many times I hear this said by those who do not believe especially with teens-gosh the crisis with teens is so great right now. But yet they are still miserable, and bring misery into the lives of those around them.

Contrary to what we think, Our Lady makes it clear. YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO GOD. God knows us by name. God knew us before we were formed in the womb. (Jer.1) Not one child is an accident, NOT ONE!

Every human being was born out of the heart of the Father, out of love. The gift of baptism awakened the spirit within us to share in this life with the Father. It is God the Father that put your spirit in the womb of your Mother, and gave you a body to exist. The body is the vessel that carries your human spirit, united with the divine Spirit of God as a baptized Christian.

So why is it that so many do not know God’s love? Why is the world so cold to the love of God? Why is it so hard for anyone to enter into a loving relationship with their Creator and pretend to say He does not exist? How can we love or believe in something or someone that we cannot see?

Well like most relationships…it takes effort. You are going to get out of the relationship as much as you put in to the relationship.

We under estimate the power of the Word of God. If God who is all omnipotent can create such a vast and majestic universe has the power to do this by His spoken Word, how can we doubt when He said that (1) He will be with us to the end of time; (2) This is my body (my blood) given up for you; (3) If you see me you have seen the Father, for the Father is in me…and I can go on and on.

The Word of God (Jesus) came in the flesh so tell the world that the Father is real, and a living being. The Word of God allowed Himself to be handed over by men to be tortured and beaten to prove to the world that even to this kind of death, it is worth it to seek the Father.

Our Lady comes with the same message. It only takes an open heart to begin to understand that YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO GOD whether you want to believe it or not.

YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO GOD ENOUGH FOR HIM TO KEEP SENDING HIS OWN MOTHER INTO THE WORLD TO TELL YOU SO. If you are not feeling loved in your home, with your family, your spouse, community or work place you only have need to go so far as to your local parish the ark of salvation for all mankind, and sit before the Most Blessed Sacrament or the tabernacle where God Himself is fully present as He promised He would be, and let Him love you, and bathe you in His love. Here is the refuge for the human heart. The world cannot offer this love. Only God can offer the love the human heart desires.

I heard in the gospel yesterday the voice of the Lord say these words from John 8:47.

He said, “whoever belongs to God hears the Word of God; for this reason you do not listen because you do not belong to God…”

You belong to God if you hear the Word of God, and later he says, if you hear the word and ACT ON IT. This is Jesus saying this to those who did not believe in Him or His Word, which He said that He spoke from what He heard from His Father. He came to testify to the truth.

Jesus said, “no one can come to the Father except through me.” Saints Peter and Paul both said that there is no other name given to mankind for salvation except the name of Jesus Christ. So then why are we chasing after false prophets? The name of Jesus Christ every knee must bow in the heavens, on earth and under the earth.

The name of Jesus Christ is the ONLY WAY TOWARD SALVATION. Jesus Christ is the only acceptable sacrifice pleasing in the eyes of the Father. If we want to know the Father, we must know the Son. We must look like Jesus. We must come to know Jesus in the most intimate way as a Bride who desires to be one with her Spouse.

The Father is offering a love and is extending his hand in mercy to a world that is in desperate need of it. Jesus, Who is Divine Mercy said His mercy is unfathomable, incomprehensible; that means there is no limit, no end, no boundaries as our Lady just said. His mercy and love is eternal…never ending. We only have need to “open our hearts to receive it.”

So we have to ask ourselves, what is standing in the way of me receiving the love of God. What do I give more importance to in my life that is more important to God?

Who is the father we believe? The father of lies that says you are no good, that God does not love you? Or do you believe the Word of God in the flesh Who says, “I am love and mercy itself; put great trust in my unfathomable mercy…” God does not create junk. On the contrary God said what He has created is good.

The Lord began to teach more on the scripture from the gospel of John 8:42-46. He had me focus on these words all the more…

“If God were your Father you would love me for I come from God and am here, I did not come on my own, but He sent me. Why do you not understand what I am saying? Because you cannot bear to hear my word…”

Jesus is asking those who are questioning him “Why do you not understand what I am saying?” He repeats often, that those who know Him, know His voice and will recognize truth. If we do not know Him, then we do not know truth, and will not recognize nor accept His voice in the Word.

But the Lord made it clear, if we do not listen to His voice, then there is only one other voice that we welcome, as he said because we cannot bear to hear the truth-because that would mean we would have to change our life-and we get too comfortable in our sin; or we cannot bear to think we have to put effort into changinig for the good….

“Because you cannot bear to hear my word you belong to your father the devil and you willingly carry out your fathers desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie he speaks in character because he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I speak the truth, you do not believe me…If I am telling you the truth why do you not believe me?”

There is the truth and there is the lie. Which is easier to believe? Truth cuts through the heart. Truth breaks open the heart, and often comes with pain. Human nature naturally hides from truth. The Lord is revealing Himself in fullness of truth, but we cannot bear to hear it.

I find it is no different today. Our Lady in her messages is offering a remedy to the whole human race to reconcile with God. The outreach of heaven is incomprehensible at this time, and yet still so many are rejecting her love. She wants to teach us how to pray to the Father, she wants to teach us how to love her Son, and remind us of how He suffered for us so patiently with such great love. And what is the typical response of most of her children; “ah, that’s nice, Oh so what..or I cannot live that kind of life, that is for someone else…”

Really? If we are rejecting her, we are rejecting the one who sent her. In the gospel of John, the Lord spoke to us about the world’s hatred. He said if they rejected you, remember they rejected Him first. How so true do I find these words to be with the obstinacy of human creatures, even among those closest to me who have seen and witnessed great things.

And for this and the hardness of hearts, the Lord said he would send a deceiving spirit so that they would believe the lie. And so dear friends, here we are today. If we reject the one Whom the Lord sends, then we are rejecting him, and we have chosen another god in the making, the father of lies.

Our Lady calls us little children. Do we know the power of the prayer of a little child? A child who speaks only from the heart when a child is in need of the love of mother or father?

I remember when my girls were little, and to hear the words…’mommy or daddy’ would just melt my heart with their tiny little voices. How do you think the Father would respond to such love and innocence of a child who cries out to him in love.

This is what Our Lady means when she says, “…you must comprehend that your prayer is a conversation of a child with the Father; that love is the way by which you must set out, love for God and neighbor….”

Jesus taught us how to pray to the Father. Read the gospels. Seek out how many times He went off to pray to His Father in secret. John chapter 17 is a good reflection on the prayer of Jesus. Now put love to this prayer as you hear the words, “Father, they are your gift to me…”

We can hear these words as parent with our children, or we can hear it as Jesus praying for me; or we can hear it as Blessed Mother praying the words of her Son to the Father for our sake….the depth of the Word of God is boundless and eternal. If we only knew the power of His mercy in it.

Once we understand this and the Word of God becomes flesh in us, and who we are, then the love of God will emanate from us TRUTH, and nothing can stop His truth from moving forward. Others will begin to see that living love is within the heart, and others will desire this love and long for it. And before you know, conversion of heart is moving ahead.

My friends, the only way the fruit of Medjugorje will be known in the world is if the pilgrims of Medjugorje are living in the world as a witness to Our Lady’s time of visitation with her Son. One cannot go to Medjugorje and go back to his former way of life…woe to you if you did not take to heart the seriousness of the grace that had been given you. The more evil tries to end what is good, the more accountable the children of Our Lady must be for truth and to live the truth as what she calls apostles of love. We are responsible to make Medjugorje known by our deeds, not just in words.

YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO GOD IN THIS TIME. WITHOUT YOU GOD’S PLAN CANNOT BE REALIZED. BE A WITNESS THAT YOU LOVE GOD ABOVE EVERYTHING. HOLY MARTYRS DIED WITNESSING, I AM A CHRISTIAN AND I LOVE GOD OVER EVERTHING…DO NOT SURRENDER!

Debates can go on and on in word, but deeds do not lie. Your actions must speak louder than your preaching…it is required! Christians can no longer shrink from their Christian vocation.

Remember these words of Jesus to St. Faustina… “If you do not believe my word, at least believe my wounds.” Now, there is truth. Live out the remaining days of your Lenten season gazing at Jesus Crucified, and thank him with all your heart for the immeasurable love He has for you, and on Good Friday beg the Lord for mercy upon the whole world and be reconciled to God.

Let us all pray for our shepherds and priests, and for the fulfillment of the great plan of God.
Ave Maria!

“Do not be afraid of sufferings; I am with you (151). The more you will come to love suffering, the purer your love for me will be. (279)” (Diary of St. Faustina)

Be sure to take to prayer you call to go to Medjugorje. We are taking pilgrims, especailly young people on August 4th through 8/16. Click on the tab for the 22nd Annual Youth Prayer Festival for more information. A great gift for one who is graduating and beginning their adult life preparing for their vocation.

Divine Mercy Novena Begins April 22

Tell the Whole World about my unfathomable Mercy...

Divine Mercy Sunday, May 1, 2011. Novena begins on Good Friday

Divine Mercy Novena. Jesus to St. Faustina: “On each day [start on Good Friday] of the novena, you will bring to My Heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy. On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My Passion, for the graces for these souls. By this novena, I will grant every possible grace to souls.” ( #1209 & 796)

Day One: “Today bring to Me All Mankind, especially all sinners and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me.”

Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins, but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from it. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy forever and ever. Amen.

Day Two: “Today bring to Me Souls of Priests and Religious and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave Me strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them as through channels My mercy flows out upon mankind.”

Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men and women consecrated to Your service, that they may perform worthy works of mercy, and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in Your vineyard, upon the souls of priests and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation, and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen.

Day Three: “Today bring to Me All Devout and Faithful Souls and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. These souls brought Me consolation on the Way of the Cross. They were that drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness.”

Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces in the great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from it. We beg this of You by that most wondrous love for the Heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely.

Eternal Father, turn Your Merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion, grant them Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus may they never fail in love of lose the treasure of the holy faith, but rather, with all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify Your boundless mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Day Four: “Today bring to Me Those who do not believe in God and Those Who do not yet know Me. I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy.”

Most Compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who do not believe in God and of those who as yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may extol Your wonderful mercy; and do not let them escape from the abode which is Your Most Compassionate Heart.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who do not believe in You, and of those who as yet do not know You, but who are enclosed in the most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw them to the light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is to love You. Grant that they, too, may extol the generosity of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Day Five: “Today bring to Me the Souls of those who have separated themselves form my Church and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. During My bitter Passion they tore at My Body and Heart, that is My Church. As they return to unity with the Church, My wounds heal and in this way they alleviate My Passion.”

Most Merciful Jesus, Goodness Itself, You do not refuse light to those who seek it of You. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Church. Draw them by Your light into the unity of the Church, and do not let them escape from the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart; but bring it about that they, too, come to glorify the generosity of Your mercy.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Son’s Church, who have squandered Your blessings and misused Your graces obstinately persisting in their errors. Do not look upon their errors, but upon the love of Your Own Son and upon His bitter Passion, which He underwent for their sake, since they, too, are enclosed in His Most Compassionate Heart. Bring it about that they also may glorify Your great mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Day Six: “Today bring to Me The Meek and Humble Souls and the Souls of Little Children and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as earthly angels who will keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. Only the humble souls is capable of receiving My grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence.”

Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said, “Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart.” Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy, and they are the Heavenly Father’s favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart. O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek souls, upon humble souls and upon little children, who are enfolded in the abode of the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance to Your Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very throne. Father of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and by the delight You take in them: Bless the whole world, that all souls together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Day Seven: “Today bring to Me The Souls who especially Venerate and Glorify My mercy and immerse them in My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over my Passion and entered most deeply into My spirit. They are living images of My Compassionate Heart. These souls will sine with a special brightness in the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death.”

Most Merciful Jesus, whose Heart is Love Itself, receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who particularly extol and venerate the greatness of Your Mercy. These souls are mighty with the very power of God Himself. In the midst of all afflictions and adversities they go forward, confident in Your Mercy; and united to You, O Jesus, they carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls will not be judged severely, but Your Mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify and venerate Your greatest attribute, that of Your fathomless mercy, and who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls are a living Gospel; their hands are full of deeds of mercy and their hearts, overflowing with joy, sing a canticle of mercy to You, O Most High! I beg You O God: Show them Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have placed in You. Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus, who said to them that during their life, but especially at the hour of death, the souls who will venerate this fathomless mercy of His, He Himself, will defend as His glory. Amen.

Day Eight: “Today bring to Me The Souls who are Detained in Purgatory and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only know the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice.”

Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of Purgatory, that there, too, the power of Your mercy may be celebrated.

Eternal Father, turn Your most merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded, manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen.

Day Nine: “Today bring to Me The Souls who have become Lukewarm and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: ‘Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will’. For them the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy.”

Most Compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love let these tepid souls, who, like corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of Your love; and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy. Amen.

Week 5-Lenten Exercise “Lord Grant Us Perseverence”

The Bride must resemble her betrothed...

The Lord has asked me to slow down for this week, as there are many who are struggling with being able to keep up with this exercise. DO NOT GIVE UP, PRESS ON ALL THE MORE AND KEEP YOUR FOCUS. For this reason the gift we will work on is the gfit of Fortitude and the strength to carry the cross all the way to calvary.

Living the life of Jesus and the way of the cross is not easy, but it comes with a triumph in the end. If we do not believe this, then meditate on the death and passion of the Lord. He has risen and is fully alive today and in our midst. But we must see with the eyes of faith, and firmly believe that Jesus makes all things new!

We are coming to the end of this Lenten journey in just a mere couple of weeks. Review and look back to see how far you have come. Where are the areas of growth for you and reflect about what you have experienced thus far with this walk through the desert with Jesus and Mary, and what gift of grace the Lord has prepared for you. Keep your focus on the vision of the plan of God for you. Do not be dismayed if this plan is not exactly the way you imagined it would be, for all too often we put our human expectations and emotions in the plan.

God seeks only our salvation. And His plan will acheive that end in its perfection, and is contrary to our own way of thinking. IF YOU HAVE NOT MADE IT TO CONFESSION YET THIS MONTH, DO SO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO PREPARE YOUR HEART FOR THE RISEN LORD TO ENTER.

Throughout this week pray for a deep gift of fortitude to continue the journey.

REMEMBER PRAY TO THE HOLY SPIRIT BEFORE WORKING ON THE DAILY EXERCISES

Daily Meditation:

“Dear children! I invite you to reflect about your future. You are creating a new world without God, only with your own strength and that is why you are unsatisfied and without joy in the heart. This time is my time and that is why, little children, I invite you again to pray. When you find unity with God, you will feel hunger for the Word of God and your heart, little children, will overflow with joy. You will witness God’s love wherever you are. I bless you and I repeat to you that I am with you to help you. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (1/25/97)

Day 1
“Dear children! Also today I am with you and I again call all of you to come closer to me through your prayers. In a special way I call you to renunciation in this time of grace. Little children, meditate on and live, through your little sacrifices, the passion and death of Jesus for each of you…” (2/25/98)

“My daughter, I am always with you. I have given you the opportunity to practice deeds of mercy which you will perform according to obedience. You will give me much pleasure if each evening you will speak to me especially about this task.” (Jesus – Diary #1267)

Jn. 10:17-18, Jn. 15:5, Rom. 8:29, 1 Jn. 4:18

Day 2
“…Only if you come closer to Jesus will you comprehend the immeasurable love He has for each of you. Through prayer and your renunciation you will become more open to the gift of faith and love toward the Church and the people who are around you. I love you and bless you. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (2/25/98)

“…suffering will be a sign to you that I am with you…” (Jesus-Diary #869)

Is. 40:31, Ps. 18:1-2, Mt. 27:39-42

Day 3
“Dear children! Also today I call you to fasting and renunciation. Little children, renounce that which hinders you from being closer to Jesus. In a special way I call you; pray, because only through prayer will you be able to overcome your will and discover the Will of God even in the smallest things. By your daily life, little children, you will become an example and witness that you live for Jesus or against Him and His will.” (3/25/98)

“…It is in My Passion that you must seek light and strength…Fear nothing, I am with you.” (Jesus – Diary #654-55)

1 Cor. 13:4-8, Jn. 19:26, Mt. 16:21, Jn 13:37

Day 4
“….Little children, I desire that you become apostles of love. By loving, little children, it will be recognized that you are mine. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (3/25/98)

“Do not fear anything. I am with you. These matters are in My hands and I will bring them to fruition according to My mercy, for nothing can oppose my will…I am always in your heart; not only when you receive Me in holy Communion, but always.” (Jesus-Diary #573, 575)

Jn. 21:18, Jn. 21:19, Jn. 20:19, Acts 4:29-31

Day 5

“Dear children! Today I invite you to come still closer to me through prayer. Little children, I am your mother, I love you and I desire that each of you be saved and thus be with me in Heaven. That is why little children, pray, pray, pray until your life becomes prayer. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (8/25/98)

“…My delight is to be united with you. With great desire, I wait and long for the time when I shall take up My residence sacramentally in your convent. My spirit will rest in that convent and I will bless its neighborhood in a special way. Out of love for you all, I will avert any punishments which are rightly meted out by My Father’s justice…I have inclined my heart to your requests…” (Jesus – Diary #570)

Ex. 14:13-14, Eph. 6:11-13, Lk. 4:18, 2 Cor. 1:22

Day 6
“Dear children! Today I call you to become my witnesses by living the faith of your fathers. Little children, you seek signs and messages and do not see that with every morning sunrise, God calls you to convert and to return to the way of truth and salvation. You speak much little children, but you work little on your conversion. That is why, convert and start to live my messages, not with your words but with your life. In this way, little children you will have the strength to decide for the true conversion of the heart. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (9/25/98)

“…Your assignment and duty here on earth is to beg for mercy for the whole world. No soul will be justified until it turns with confidence to My mercy, and this is why the first Sunday after Easter is to be the Feast of Mercy. On that day, priests are to tell everyone about My great and unfathomable mercy….tell the confessor that the Image is to be on view in the church and not within the enclosure in that convent. By means of this image I shall be granting many graces to souls; so let every soul have access to it.” (Jesus – Diary 570)

Is. 53:5-6, Jn. 16:33, Rev. 2:10-11, Mt. 7:13

Day 7 – Review

Week 3-Forty Days in the Desert-An Oasis of Peace

Through prayer become friends with Jesus

It’s been a little harder this week to get this post out. Seems there have been some technical difficulties taking place with the host company. There must be some good fruit coming. I hope the Lord is touching your hearts as He is with us and our family.

The beauty of this is to see my children dialoging with the Lord and the scriptures. Not only do we encourage relationships and build unity in the family, but we encourage them to have a heart to heart relationship with their eternal family.

Remember the Holy Spirit is the author of the Word. Never begin your prayer without the help of the Holy Spirit.

Also be sure to make a conscious effor to get to the sacrament of reconciliation during this time to fortify your strength for the continued journey and refresh your soul in the ocean of mercy. Remember our Lady just said, it is through the priests that she will triumph. Really ponder these words for her purpose for coming into the world.

Catechism of the Catholic Church References: 737-741, 797-98, 1472-74, 1502

Daily Reflection:

“Dear children, tonight your Mother is happy, joyful together with you. I would like to extend happiness to you. I would like to give you love, so you can bring this love and spread it to others. I would like to give you peace, so you can give this peace to others, so you can give this peace especially to families where hatred exists. I would like you, dear children to renew the family prayer, all of you. I would like you to encourage others to renew this prayer. Your Mother will help you.” (10/17/88)

Day 1

“Dear children, with motherly perseverance and love I am brining you the light of life to destroy the darkness of death in you. Do not reject me, my children. Stop and look within yourselves and see how sinful you are. Be aware of your sins and pray for forgiveness…” (11/2/10)

“…It should be of no concern to you how anyone else acts; you are to be My living reflection through love and mercy.” (St. Faustina replied, ‘Lord but they often take advantage of my goodness.’) “That makes no difference, My daughter. That is no concern of yours. As for you, be always merciful toward other people, and especially toward sinners.” (Diary 1446)

Jn. 11:1-4, Mt. 10:8, Mk. 14:12-15, Jn. 20:20-23

Day 2

“…My children you do not desire to accept that you are weak and little, but you can be strong and great by doing God’s will. Give me your cleansed hearts that I may illuminate them with the light of life, my Son. Thank you.” (11/2/10)

“…Oh how painful it is to me that souls so seldom unite themselves to Me in holy Communion. I wait for souls and they are indifferent toward Me. I love them tenderly and sincerely, and they distrust Me. I want to lavish my graces on them, and they do not want to accept them. They treat me as a dead object, whereas my Heart is full of love and mercy. In order that you may know at least some of my pain, imagine the most tender of mothers who has great love for her children, while those children spurn her love. Consider her pain. No one is in a position to console her. This is but a feeble image and likeness of my love.” (Diary 1447)

2 Cor. 10:3-6, Rev. 21:2-4, Acts 3:16-23, 4:10-12

Day 3

“Dear children! Today I call you to come closer to my Immaculate Heart…” (10/25/98)

“…Tell souls where they are to look for solace; that is in the Tribunal of Mercy. (Sacrament of Reconciliation). There the greatest miracles take place and are incessantly repeated. To avail oneself of this miracle, it is not necessary to go on a great pilgrimage or to carry out some external ceremony; it suffices to come with faith to the feet of My representative and to reveal to him one’s misery, and the miracle of Divine Mercy will be fully demonstrated. Were a soul like a decaying corpse so that from a human standpoint, there would be no restoration and everything would have already be lost. It is not so with God. The miracle of Divine Mercy restores that souls in full. Oh how miserable are those who do not take advantage of the miracle of God’s mercy. You will call out in vain, but it will be too late…” (Diary 1448)

Lk. 8:43-47, Prov. 3:1-12, Ez. 36:26, Act 4:16-20

Day 4

“….I call you to renew in your families the fervor of the first days when I called you to fasting, prayer and conversion. Little children, you accepted my messages with open hearts, although you did not know what prayer was. Today, I call you to open yourselves completely to me so that I may transform you and lead you to the heart of my Son Jesus, so that He can fill you with His love. Only in this way, little children, will you find true peace – the peace that only God gives you. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (10/25/98)

“…First, do not fight against a temptation by yourself, but disclose it to the confessor at once, and then the temptation will lose all its force. Second, during these ordeals do not lose you peace; live in My presence; ask My Mother and the Saints for help. Third, have the certitude that I am looking at you and supporting you. Fourth do not fear either struggles of the soul or any temptation because I am supporting you; if only you are willing to fight, know that the victory is always on your side. Fifth, know that by fighting bravely you give Me great glory and amass merits for yourself. Temptation gives you a change to show Me your fidelity.” (Diary 1560)

Mt. 26:35, Lk. 22:33-34, Gal 2:20, Ps. 46, Jn 11:39-40

Day 5

“Dear children! Also today I am with you in a special way contemplating and living the passion of Jesus in my heart. Little children, open your hearts and give me everything that is in them; joys, sorrows, and even the smallest pain that I may offer them to Jesus; so that with His immeasurable love, He may burn and transform your sorrows into the joy of His resurrection…” (2/25/99)

“…I remind you my daughter, that as often as you heart the clock strike the third hour, immerse yourself completely in My mercy, adoring and glorifying it; invoke its omnipotence for the whole world, and particularly for poor sinners; for at that moment mercy was opened wide for every soul. In this hour you can obtain everything for yourself and for others for the asking. It was the hour of grace for the whole world – mercy triumphed over justice. (Diary 1572)

Jn. 11:44, Is. 55:8-9, Jn. 2:5, Lk. 23:43

Day 6

“…I now call you in a special way, little children for your hearts to open to prayer, so that through prayer you may become friends of Jesus. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (2/25/99)

“…My daughter, try your best to make the Stations of the Cross in this hour, provided that your duties permit it; and if you are not able to make the Stations of the Cross, then at least step into the chapel for a moment and adore in the Blessed Sacrament, My heart, which is full of mercy; and should you be unable to step into the chapel, immerse yourself in prayer there where you happen to be, if only for a very brief instant, I claim veneration for my mercy from every creature, but above all from you, since it is to you that I have given the most profound understanding of this mystery.” (Diary 1572)

Jn. 15:11-17, Heb. 11:8-11, Jn. 10:27-29, Rev. 7:14-17

Day 7 Review

Week 2-Spiritual Exercise-Food for the Journey

"Open yourselves to God the Creator..."

Our journey has begun with Jesus and Mary in the desert. As with most journey’s we need to make sure we have enough food and water to make the journey. In this case spiritual food (the Eucharist) and water (the waters of the baptism graces that we received from this past week).

I am already experiencing the movements of the Holy Spirit as certain areas in my heart are being broken open, in the way the Lord is going to do a deeper healing in my heart. I hope you are all witnessing the same. As I mentioned, we are in this journey together.

Feel free to share your thoughts in this post with others. You do not need to include your name, but only your experiences through your prayer, and journaling with the Lord through His Word, and the messages given.

Pray for a greater understanding of the presence of the Lord in the Eucharist, and to remain in the love of God.

REMEMBER TO PRAY TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, FOR YOU MUST GO TO THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR TO UNDERSTAND HIS WORDS. COME HOLY SPIRIT…

Pay very close attention to how the Lord is moving in your heart with open eyes and hearts to understand the areas in your life where you may be experiencing troubles, or of constant conflicts over the same issues. The Lord may be getting your attention to these areas that are in need of healing, reconciliation, or to be used in a way for spiritual growth…Keep asking the Holy Spirit to reveal these areas if you are unsure.

Brief opening reflection….
(From Dialogue of St. Catherine of Sienna with the Father, “How God grieves over the Christian people, and particularly over His ministers, and touches on the subject of the Sacrament of Christ’s body and the benefit of the Incarnation”)

“…See how my spouse has defiled her face, and become leprous on account of her filthiness and self love, and swollen with the pride and avarice of those who feed on their own sin, what I say of the universal body and the mystical body of the Holy Church, I also say of my ministers, who stand and feed at the breasts of the Holy Church …

…Wishing however to restore man, who was enfeebled and could not satisfy for the above reasons my justice, the sins committed against Me, who am the Infinite good, I sent My Word, My own Son, clothed in your own very nature the corrupted clay of Adam, in order that He might endure suffering in the self same nature in which man had offended, suffering in His body even to the opprobitious death of the cross, and so He satisfied my justice and My divine mercy. For My mercy willed to make satisfaction for the sin of man and to dispose him to the good for which I had created him. This human nature joined with the Divine nature was sufficient to satisfy for the whole human race, not only on account of the pain which it sustained in its finite nature, but by virtue of the eternal Deity, the Divine and infinite nature joined to it…”

Catechism of the Catholic Church – CCC 1434 – 1460

Weekly Reflection:

“Dear children! Today I invite you in a special way to open yourselves to God the Creator and to become active. I invite you little children to see at this time who needs your spiritual or material help. By your example, little children you will be the extended hands of God, which mankind is called to witness and to become joyful carriers of God’s Word and of His love. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (2/25/97)

Day 1

“Dear children, at this time, do not only think of rest for your body but, little children seek time also for the soul. In silence may the Holy Spirit speak to you and permit Him to convert and change you. I am with you and before God I intercede for each of you. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (7/25/06)

“…strengthen yourself for combat” (Diary #145 – In reference to when the soul displeases the Lord in sin. St. Faustina was running away from the Lord in facing certain things within her. In what way am I running from the Lord and not wanting to defeat the sin in me?)

Eph. 4:23-24, Prov. 4:1-7, Luke 22:19, Isaiah 41:10, Rev. 5:11-14

Day 2

“…today as never before I invite you to live my messages and put them into practice in your life. I have come to you to help you and therefore I invite you to change your life because you have taken a path of misery, a path of ruin. When I told you, ‘convert, pray, fast, be reconciled,’ you took these messages superficially. You started to live them and then you stopped, because it was difficult for you. No dear children when something is good, you have to persevere in the good and not think, “God does not see me, He is not listening, He is not helping.” And so you have gone away from God and from me because of your miserable interest…” (3/25/92 in part)

“…Be not afraid of you Savior O sinful soul, I make the first move to come to you, for I know that by yourself you are unable to lift yourself to me. Child, do not run away from your Father; be willing to talk openly with your God of mercy who wants to speak words of pardon and lavish his graces on you. How dear your soul is to Me! I have inscribed your name upon My hand; you are engraved as a deep wound in My heart…” (Diary 1485)

Eph. 2:19-22, 6:16, 1 Thes. 5:8, John 14:23-27, Isaiah 45:3

Day 3

“…I wanted to create of you an oasis of peace, love and goodness. God wanted you with your love and with His help to do miracles and thus give an example. Therefore, here is what I say to you, ‘satan is playing with you and with your souls and I cannot help you because you are far from my heart. Therefore, pray, live my messages and then you will see the miracles of God’s love in your every day life. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (3/25/92 in part)

“…I am your strength, I will help you in the struggle. My child, do you fear the God of mercy? My holiness does not prevent Me from being merciful. Behold, for you I have established a throne of mercy on earth – the tabernacle; and from this throne I desire to enter into your heart. I am surrounded by a retinue of guards. You can come to me at any moment, at any time; I want to speak to you and desire to grant you grace…” (Diary 1485)

Lk. 24:13-16, Lk 24:30-35, Is. 40:31, Mt. 13:1-9
(Ask the Lord in a special way to open your eyes to see, and your ears to hear for a greater knowledge and understanding of the Word He speaks here today for you personally. Write down what comes to your heart)

Day 4

“Dear children, today I invite you to prayer. Only by prayer and fasting can war be stopped. Therefore my dear little children pray and by your life give witness that you are mine and that you belong to me, because satan wishes in these turbulent days to seduce as many souls as possible. Therefore, I invite you to decide for God and He will protect you and show you what you should do and which path to take….” (4/25/92)

“…My mercy is greater than your sins and those of the entire world. Who can measure the extent of my goodness? For you I descended from heaven to earth; for you I allowed myself to be nailed to the cross, for you I let my Sacred Heart be pierced with a lance, thus opening wide the source of mercy for you. Come then with trust to draw graces from this fountain. I never reject a contrite heart. Your misery has disappeared in the depths of My mercy. Do not argue with me about your wretchedness. You will give me pleasure if you hand over to me all your troubles and grief. I shall heap upon you the treasures of My grace…” (Diary 1485)

(Meditate on the wounds of Jesus)

Mt. 13:10-17, Lk. 24:32, 2 Cor. 5:7, Ps. 36:6-13, Mt. 7:24-29

Day 5

“…I invite all those who have said, ‘yes’ to me to renew their consecration to my Son Jesus and to His heart and to me so we can take you more intensely as instruments of peace in this unpeaceful world…(4/25/92)

“Child speak no more of your misery; it is already forgotten. Listen My child to what I desire to tell you. Come close to my wounds and draw from the Fountain of Life whatever your heart desires. Drink copiously from the Fountain of Life and you will not weary on your journey. Look at the splendors of my mercy and do not fear the enemies of your salvation. Glorify My mercy…” (Diary 1485)

Mt. 10:24-26, Acts 8:26-40, Is. 53:7-12, Ps. 33:10-22

Day 6

“…Medjugorje is a sign to all of you and a call to pray and live the days of grace that God is giving you. Therefore, dear children, accept the call to prayer with seriousness. I am with you and your suffering is also mine. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (4/25/92)

“…My daughter tell souls that I am giving them My mercy as a defense. I Myself am fighting for them and am bearing the just anger of My Father. (Diary 1516) I have opened my heart as a living fountain of mercy. Let all souls draw from it. Let them approach this sea of mercy with great trust. Sinners will attain justification and the just will be confirmed in good. Whoever places his trust in My mercy will be filled with My divine peace at the hour of death.” (Diary 1520)

Jn. 10:10-15, Jn. 10:16-18, Jn. 4:23-24, Jn. 1:11-14, 1 Cor. 2:9-16

Day 7

Review

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he gained us in the beloved…” (Eph. 1:3-6)

Week 1 – Lenten Exercise; Setting out on the Journey

FORTY DAYS IN THE DESERT

Try to Begin on Ash Wednesday. This exercise will continue through the GREAT FEAST OF DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY!

Do not begin this exercise without the help of the Holy Spirit. Pray every day for the Holy Spirit to come with His gifts, especially for the Spirit of Truth, that the Word spoken is taken into the heart in fullness of truth.

We will post these exercises week by week.

Remember we are walking with Jesus and Mary in the desert and with several hundred others who are joining us. You are not alone.

Each day you will find short scriptures to reflect with, along with the words of Jesus through Divine Mercy and Our Lady. Use these reflections as if both Jesus and Mary are speaking to you in the present moment as you would with Sacred Scripture.

It is best to record and dialog with the Lord and/or Blessed Mother with each reflection and scripture. And review at the end of the week what has come out of your thoughts and your heart. Begin to focus on areas that are repeated often, or things the Lord may reveal about you, or himself. God always speaks in repetition when He is conveying His Word, and what He desires to accomplish.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph(s) are provided for your reference to seek a deeper understanding of the faith and can be used at any time during this week.

This exercise may also be put to use with your family prayer and/or prayer groups. A member of the family or prayer group may keep a log of the family’s sharing time with the reflections and the scriptures given. This is an excellent way to see how the Holy Spirit is moving in your domestic church or within your parish.

Please remember, we are all on this journey together in this walk of faith with God. Feel free to share your experience through these exercises on this post, so that others can see that they are not alone on this journey through the desert. You may experience things or hear a Word from God that may inspire another soul. As the psalmist says, “Encourage each other daily while it is still today…”

Tips to help you in your journey when you thirst through the desert….

Keep a balanced diet each day of your Lenten sacrficies and time with God. No time given to God is ever wasted, even if it were just for a few moments of the day. The Lord can multiply the grace of time as He desire for you.

In your fasting and penances, make note of your successes and failures as you see yourself in growth with the Spirit. It will help encourage you when the journey in the desert feels taxing and your are quenched with thirst. Let God love you as the gift you are!

Most important make time for Eucharistic Adoration a minimum of 1 hour a week; more if possible; and holy mass daily if possible as your schedule permits. Frequent the Sacrament of Reconciliation as often as you feel called…there is no limit to God’s Mercy for a soul that is open to His mercy.

Week 1 – Setting out on the Journey

Passing through Your Baptismal Gifts – CCC 538-550

This week pray for the gifts of your baptismal graces to be renewed in your heart, and to experience the love of God for you.

Week 1 – Daily Meditation:

“Dear children! Today I call you to unite with Jesus in prayer. Open your heart to Him and give Him everything that is in it; joy, sorrows, and illnesses. May this be a time of grace for you. Pray, little children, and may every moment belong to Jesus. I am with you and I intercede for you. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (3/25/02)

Day 1

“…today again I invite you to pray, so that through prayer, fasting and small sacrifices you may prepare yourself for the coming of Jesus…” (11/25/96)

“My daughter, be always like a little child toward those who represent Me, otherwise you will not benefit from the graces I bestow on you through them.” (Diary 1260)

Matt. 13:17, 1 Cor. 6:19, Gal. 4:6, John 17:22-23, 1 Pet. 1:3

Day 2

“…May this time, little children be a time of grace for you. Use every moment and do good for only in this way will you feel the birth of Jesus in your hearts…” (11/25/96)

“…You see my daughter that my will must be done and that which I had promised you, I shall do. Through him I spread comfort to suffering and careworn souls. Through him it pleased me to proclaim the worship of my mercy. And through this work of mercy more souls will come close to me than otherwise would have even if he had kept giving absolution day and night for the rest of his life, because by so doing he would have labored only for as long as he lived; whereas, thanks to this work of mercy, he will be laboring till the end of the world…” (Diary 1256)

Luke 11:2-4, Matt. 18:3, Rom. 5:2-5, Col. 1:24-27

Day 3

“…If with your life you give an example and become a sign of God’s love, joy will prevail in the hearts of men. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (11/25/96)

“…I desire to unite myself with human souls: My greatest delight is to unite Myself with souls…” (Diary 1385)

1 Peter 3:15-17, Ps. 119:49, Ps. 119:81, Matt. 17:5, John 6:63-69

Day 4

“Dear children! Today I am with you in a special way, holding little Jesus in my lap and I invite you, little children to open yourselves to His call. He calls you to joy. Little children, joyfully live the messages of the Gospel, which I am repeating in the time since I am with you…” (12/25/96)

“…Know my daughter, that when I come to a human heart in holy Communion, my hands are full of all kinds of graces which I want to give to the soul. But souls do not even pay any attention to me; they leave me to myself and busy themselves with other things. Oh how sad I am that souls do not recognize Love! They treat me like a dead object…” (Diary 1385)

John 15:9-10, John 16:13, Eph. 1:16-18, John 8:27-29, John 7:37-39

Day 5

“…Little children, I am your Mother and I desire to reveal to you the God of love and the God of peace. I do not desire for your life to be in sadness but that it be realized in joy for eternity, according to the Gospel. Only in this way will your life have meaning. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (12/25/96)

“…as you are united with me in life, so will you be united at the moment of death…” (Diary 1552)

Ex. 34:29-30, John 10:29-30, Matt. 5:3-9, Rom. 12:9-18

Day 6

“Today in a special way, I invite you to take the cross in the hands and to meditate on the wounds of Jesus. Ask of Jesus to heal your wounds, which you dear children during your life sustained because of your sins or the sins of your parents. Only in this way, dear children will you understand that the world is in need of healing of faith in God the Creator. By Jesus’ passion and death on the cross, you will understand that only through prayer you too can become true apostles of faith, when in simplicity and pray, you live faith which is a gift. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (3/25/97)

“Write down everything that occurs to you regarding my goodness…” (Diary 1605)

Phil. 4:11-14, 1 John 3:2, Isaiah 43:1-4, Jer. 29:11-13, Matt. 28:19-20

Day 7 Review

Medj. Message of 3/2/11-They are walking to eternal perdition…

Do not walk the path to perdition...

Latest Special Medjugorje Message, March 2, 2011 – Our Lady’s apparitions to Mirjana

“Dear children; My motherly heart suffers tremendously as I look at my children who persistently put what is human before what is of God; at my children who, despite everything that surrounds them and despite all the signs that are sent to them, think that they can walk without my Son. They cannot! They are walking to eternal perdition. That is why I am gathering you, who are ready to open your heart to me, you who are ready to be apostles of my love, to help me; so that by living God’s love you may be an example to those who do not know it. May fasting and prayer give you strength in that and I bless you with motherly blessing in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Thank you. ”

Our Lady was very sad.

Prepare this Lent to defeat Sin

My soul longs for thee my God...

God the Father said to St. Catherine of Sienna, “Dost thou not know dear daughter that all the suffering which the soul endures or can endure in this life are insufficient to punish one smallest fault, because the offense being done to Me who am the infinite Good, calls for infinite satisfaction? However, I wish that though should know, that not all the pains that are given to men in this life are given as a punishment but as corrections, in order to chastise a son when he offends; though it is true that both the guilt and the penalty can be expiated by the desire of the soul, that is by true contrition, not through the finite pain endured but through the infinite desire; because God who is infinite wishes for infinite love and infinite grief…” (The Dialogue of St. Catherine of Sienna)

Can the human heart refrain from partaking in His pain of the savior crucified?

Can we avoid or resist from uniting our suffering with Jesus? We can try to avoid all we want, but suffering is going to come in our life.

According to the Father our suffering alone is of no avail, and is not sufficient to atone the offenses of sin that is committed to God eternal. He said that our suffering must be united with the eternal, that is the one whose suffering was the only acceptable sacrifice pleasing to the Father, the Son Jesus Christ crucified.

When I read these great words of wisdom spoken by the Father to his servant St. Catherine saying that “not all pains that are given to men in this life are given as punishment, but as corrections, in order to chastise a son when he offends…” I was led to the following scripture as St. Paul said;

“As to the extraordinary revelations in order that I might not become conceited I was given a thorn in the flesh, an angel of satan to beat me and keep me from getting proud. Three times I begged the Lord that this might leave me. He said to me, ‘my grace is enough for you, for in weakness power reaches perfection.’ And so I willingly boast of my weakness instead that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I am content with weakness, with mistreatment, with distress, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ; for when I am powerless, it is then that I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

I gave great thought to these words, reflecting on the passion of Jesus, and with this great doctor of the Church St. Catherine of Sienna who suffered the stigmata; or the wounds of Christ in her body.

Be weary dear friends of those who boast in the gifts given from God as someone too special, and lifting and raising them to high esteem. No one could comprehend the workings of God in the human soul, and for what reason such extraordinary events come to certain souls.

Our Lady has said on many occasions when the visionaries of Mejugorje have asked, why did she come to them. Her response alone is filled with wisdom as she said, “she does not always choose the best.” It is the very least likely souls that God will choose, which often is through children who are innocent before becoming too seasoned and tainted by the world.

So let’s understand in truth that many would think of these extraordinary events as one who has become special and chosen in the eyes of God…yes this it true. But to remind the reader, if one has been given much, much is expected, and this soul is called to severe judgment if the grace given is not upheld in humility.

But what about to the one who bears the wounds of Christ in the body?

Has anyone ever given thought to why the Lord has permitted such afflictions on the body of a particular soul? Yes, of course for the Lord to manifest His power, but satan can also deceive in this extraordinary event as well. So we have to think more with great prudence in such suffering.

St. Catherine asked the Lord to suffer for the sins of humanity yes, but in order for her not to boast in her heroic deed, she suffered affliction in many ways to keep her humble. In reality when someone is in agony, it is hard to be so proud in these moments. It is a humble and contrite heart that pleases the Lord.

As I reflect on this mystery in my own life, and looking at a quick glimpse of my life review and the experiences I have encountered, I am in awe for I recognize the inflated pride in my own soul, knowing that this pride, my stubbornness, my selfishness had to go at whatever cost for the sake of saving my soul.

My friends, the battle was and is still fierce within me. The words of St. Paul who said, “he learned obedience through what he suffered…” rings oh so true to the depth of this soul, this one who is speaking to you. So much so, in the spirit of Fear of the Lord, that is the fear of offending my God, I shrink at the thought of getting a divine spanking from God for my behavior and my own actions when I disobey. I am the worst of the sinners.

When you have experienced the Love of God in truth, and see who you are in fullness of truth from the beginning of your existence through today, that is I mean by saying, where I was at one time in my life, in wasting my human life, to passing through the fiery furnace and coming out as gold being refined in the fire, that no one could comprehend the depth and the length and the breathe of God which passes through the human soul. And I know after 24 years of working on my conversion, I am not done yet!

Our Lady has given me this message for my personal life on many occasions. It has come at the height of the greatest trials in my life. She said,

“Dear children, today I am calling you to the love which is loyal and pleasing to God. Little children, love bears everything bitter and difficult for the sake of Jesus Who is love. Therefore, dear children, pray God to come to your aid, not however according to your desires but according to His love. Surrender yourselves to God so that He may heal you, console you, and forgive everything inside you which is a hindrance on the way of love. Dear children, glorify God with the canticle of love so that God’s love may be able to grow in you day by day to its fullness. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (6/25/88)

Again dear friends united with Our Lady, I ask you to again take the crucifix in your hands and meditate on the wounds of Jesus. Here in this way you are now looking at the love that is loyal and pleasing to God.

Look at Jesus crucified Who in His love bears everything for you. The suffering and death of Jesus was most bitter, most loathful, most painful, in agonizing grief, and He endured it with great difficulty for yours and my sake. This is love my friends. There is no greater love that ever came to mankind than Divine Love.

I recently wrote that Our Lady is leading us to her Son by the way of the Cross. Here we are on the cusp of Lent, with Ash Wednesday just around the corner.

How are you preparing yourself for this coming Lent?

Are you asking Jesus what sin He wants to put to death in you?

You will need to spend the time in the desert facing this sin that He wants to defeat in you. And you will be tempted and tried in many ways and wrestle with it in the darkest moments, to put it to the sword, because the enemy has the stronghold on you in this sin, and it will not let it go without a fight in you. It will be your will against God’s will for you.

Our Lady says in this message…

“…Therefore, dear children, pray God to come to your aid, not however according to your desires but according to His love. Surrender yourselves to God so that He may heal you, console you, and forgive everything inside you which is a hindrance on the way of love…”

In these moments, call out to God as you ask in the Lord’s prayer, ‘lead us not into temptation, deliver us from evil…’ Beg the Father to come in the way He desires for you, for He knows what is best for you, according to the love He has for you. Take the correction with joy, knowing what affliction He imposes on you is for your own good, and surrender as Our Lady and Jesus did saying, “thy will be done in me!”

This way, even in the midst of the pain, God will either heal you, console you, and forgive you for every darkness inside of you that blocks you from loving in perfect love. The trial is worst when we suffer alone, and we find ourselves locked up in our own self pity and pride, and then satan begins to work on us, as we find ourselves blaming others for our misery.

Our Lady says accept everything that comes from God with love. Here is where the grace will come. And the burden you carry will be lighter.

Our Lady then says to do as she did with St. Joseph and the apostles,

“….Dear children, glorify God with the canticle of love so that God’s love may be able to grow in you day by day to its fullness…”

Sing! Rejoice in your suffering and in your weakness. Joy is the sign of God’s presence in the soul. Sing as she sang her canticle of love in her Magnificat, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord!!!” Give all glory to God and thank HIM.

You are going through the fire because the Lord wills the life of your soul! For no other reason, but to share in the divine life with Him, and come to a deeper knowledge of His omnipotence. Your consolation is the taste of heaven and a greater love and appreciation for the profoundness of the suffering and death of Jesus Christ crucified.

Do not rely on your feelings in the desert says the Lord to St. Faustina. Your feelings are not in your control, and are powered by your human emotions.

How many times I have heard, “I FEEL CALLED to such and such…” Life with God is not based on feelings, but it is the desire of the eternal who moves the heart to act in such a way as it does.

TEST EVERYTHING, and do not be deceived by false human consolations that only feed to your pride all the more.

Thy Kingdom come we pray! Pray for the triumphant victory of Jesus in you. Surrender to Him that He may triumph in your heart and in the hearts of those surrounding you! Surrender and lay down your sin in humble submission to the King, and pay Him homage that is due to a righteous King and defeat satan’s angel in your sin so that it has no more power over you.

May the eyes of your heart be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you to and what are the riches of His glory in His saints, to come to know His immeasurable power and His greatness for those of us who believe according to the works of His great might, for remembering that He said, “I will draw all men to myself…” (Eph. 1)

Jesus will draw all men to Himself. It is not men who draw men to themselves in the name of the Lord. These are those who are seeking the light for themsleves and blinded by their own light, lost in their imaginations and sin. Only the Lord will lead us to the cross for His glory, not ours. Keep your pride in check my friends, and seek no honor from men, but let your merit be only known by the Almight above.

We are all united as one body suffering with the One Lord Jesus Christ, as one Church, one God, one faith, one truth. May we all remain united in prayer for each other, and give Him the absolute glory due to Him!

Ave Maria!

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