Thursday, May 26, 2016

The ROSARY


The ROSARY, though clearly Marian in character, is at heart a Christocentric prayer. In the sobriety of its elements, it has ALL the depth of the Gospel message in its entirety, of which it can be said to be a compendium.(2) It is an ECHO of the prayer of Mary, her perennial Magnificat for the work of the redemptive Incarnation which began in her virginal womb. With the Rosary, the Christian people sits at the school of Mary and is led to contemplate the beauty on the face of Christ and to experience the DEPTHS of his love. Through the Rosary the faithful receive ABUNDANT GRACE, as though from the very hands of the Mother of the Redeemer”Supreme Pontiff John Paul II (2002) Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Libreria Editrice Vaticana
 
 
JMJ

 Redeemed by Christ, and ever more received through the Hands of Mary, children of the Living God have been embraced with INCONCEIVABLE GOODNESS by a God who is SO INFINITELY GOOD that He brings to LIFE the very DEPTHS of the GOSPEL MESSAGE through the SACRED and AWESOME compendium of the HOLY ROSARY!  At the very HEART of Mary, we see with a GLORIOUS DEPTH that the very essence of LIFE is an imitation and a reflection of the INCARNATE WORD made flesh!  We are here PRESENT and ever more fully ALIVE in the school of the HOLY ROSARY that reflects within the depths of the HEART of the ETERNAL FATHER the story of the Only Begotten Son of God!  A STORY that not only REECHOS the Heart of the Father, but also reechos within our own LIVES the Mysteries of the ordinary towards that which is EXTRAORDINARY!  EVERY ASPECT of LIFE in this journey towards the Kingdom, we realize that the Incarnate WORD continues to reflect within us another INCARNATION of GOODNESS that continues to reecho the GOSPEL of LIFE!  An incarnation that ELEVATES the SOUL towards a REDEMPTION that brings to CONTEMPLATION the LIVING CHRIST here present among us.  The very DEPTHS of Christ LOVE reiterates to Man that the very circumstances and concerns placed in the HEART of Mary are the very source that LEADS to an ABUNDANT REALIZATION of GRACE upon GRACE!

 Created in His Image and Likeness the REALITY of our own NATURE becomes elevated at every Hail Mary and BEAD of EXULTATION to the Mother of GOD!  Contemplating the LIFE OF CHRIST through the hand of the Mother of the REDEEMER, we are constantly being taught by the very hand of Mary and receive from her very HEART an abundance of DIVINE GRACE!  GRACE that elevates the soul towards what is ETERNAL seeing with FULL VISION that every aspect of LIFE in this journey of DIVINE LOVE, MAN becomes FULL in the NATURE of GRACE to realize that the ordinary is TRULY the SOURCE that LEADS towards something GREATER than HIMSELF!  For it is in NATURE that GRACE ABOUNDS ALL THE MORE!

 Reechoing the HEART of the FATHER, the love of HIS ETERNAL GOODNESS brings to LIFE a CONTEMPLATION of the WORD made FLESH in every Mystery that is PROCLAIMED in every DECADE of the HEART of CHRIST!  Resting at her BOSOM, the beat of the Immaculate HEART through every Hail Mary becomes a RHYTHM of DIVINE CHARITY transforming the VISION OF THIS JOURNEY towards that of ETERNAL PEACE!  Man is elevated towards a DIGNITY that reiterates and constantly reminds him of the AWESOME SPLENDOUR of HIS CALLING as a CHILD of the LIVING GOD!  There in this ACT of DIVINE FAITH, we bring to her HEART the very concerns we hold dear and place it at the throne of His Mercy and we are EVER MORE EMBRACED by the Mother of REDEMPTION!  Redeemed by His LOVE, the POWER of the HOLY ROSARY REECHOS the continual INTERVENTION of the Most Holy TRINITY in the life and journey of every Baptized CHRISTIAN!  O Mother of the Holy Rosary, how may EXPOUND OF the GRATITUDE I hold in this TOOL of DIVINE GRACE!  Your HAND is the HAND I hold as every BEAD exults your MOST IMMACULATE GOODNESS, Grace is handed to me and I know that I am not ALONE!  For you, O MOTHER, confidently entrust to me your Divine Son as I contemplate Him in every MYSTERY of the INCARNATE WORD!  Holding your HAND, O Divine Mother, I am led EVER DEEPER to the HEART of the ETERNAL FATHER and enfolded with a CONFIDENCE that all that is petitioned through the Most Holy Rosary is HEARD and embraced through the Immaculate HEART of His Mother!  Confident in your never ending embrace, I place this CAUSE in your HAND through the POWER and MAGNIFICENT SPLENDOUR of the Most Holy ROSARY!
 
 

Saturday, May 21, 2016

The SACRED PRIESTHOOD

How AWESOME a BEAUTY, to be PRESENT at the Ordination of SIX NEW PRIESTS!  I stood amidst a crowd of BELIEVERS applauding and ENCOURAGED by this SACRED WITNESS of six men who have become a NEW CREATION for a world in GREAT NEED of the SACRAMENTS!  Consoled by the LOVE of GOD, the faithful are ever more ASSURED of the CONTINUED WORK of GOD'S REDEEMING LOVE!
 
KNEELING in ADORATION, invoked by the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT, all DREW ever NEARER to the INTIMACY of the DIVINE CREATOR and LOVER of SOULS!  FOR it is in His SACRED PRIESTHOOD, that we are FED and NOURISHED the GIFT and DIVINE GRACE of ETERNAL SALVATION. Love of ALL LOVES, draws the SOUL ever NEARER to the UNION of the MOST HOLY and DIVINE LOVER and creates ANEW a HOPE for what is to COME!

INVOKING His DIVINE NAME, LOVE of ALL LOVES has brought to the CHURCH a NEW DIMENSION of  HIS ULTIMATE SACRIFICE; for through the CALLING OF NEW PRIESTS, HE BRINGS FORTH a NEW BIRTH and a NEW BEGINNING!

Monday, May 9, 2016

Mary, Model of CONTEMPLATION


Mary, model of contemplation

The contemplation of Christ has an incomparable model in Mary. In a unique way the face of the Son BELONGS to Mary. It was in her womb that Christ was formed, receiving from her a human resemblance which points to an even greater spiritual closeness. No one has ever devoted himself to the CONTEMPLATION of the face of Christ as faithfully as Mary. The eyes of her heart already turned to him at the Annunciation, when she conceived him by the power of the Holy Spirit. In the months that followed she began to sense his presence and to picture his features. When at last she gave birth to him in Bethlehem, her eyes were able to gaze tenderly on the face of her Son, as she “wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger” (Lk2:7).

Thereafter MARY’S GAZE, ever filled with adoration and wonder, would never leave him. At times it would be a questioning look, as in the episode of the finding in the Temple: “Son, why have you treated us so?” (Lk 2:48); it would always be a penetrating gaze, one capable of DEEPLE UNDERSTANDING JESUS, even to the point of perceiving his hidden feelings and anticipating his decisions, as at Cana (cf. Jn 2:5). At other times it would be a look of sorrow, especially beneath the Cross, where her vision would still be that of a mother giving birth, for Mary not only shared the passion and death of her Son, she also received the new son given to her in the beloved disciple (cf. Jn 19:26-27). On the morning of Easter hers would be a GAZE RADIENT with the joy of the Resurrection, and finally, on the day of Pentecost, a GAZE AFIRE with the outpouring of the Spirit (cf. Acts 1:14).  Saint Pope John Paul II

JMJ

How AWESOME a WONDER is the FACE of CHRIST seen through the EYES of MARY!  She is HIS MOTHER!  A MOTHER who KNOWS HER SON!  Through the EYES of the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, we are evermore embraced with a REFLECTION of HIS ETERNAL WISDOM when in the FACE of TRIAL we are at the GAZE of the ETERNAL FATHER AND ARE UNITED with the IMMACULATE MOTHER to ever KNOW the ONLY BEGOTTEN SON of the TRIUNE GOD!  How are we to ever KNOW the FACE of THE GOD OF WISDOM, unless we are ever brought to our KNEES in ADORATION, CONTEMPLATING through Mary the FACE of CHRIST, the BELOVED!  Brought to an EVER DEEPER KNOWLEDGE of HIS ETERNAL WISDOM, the Mother of my LORD speaks to the HEART of her CHILD and shares with her a DEPTH and KNOWLEDGE of GOD beyond BOUND!  Penetrating into HER HEART an INFINITE SPLENDOUR of LOVE that beholds the FACE of the SON of GOD! 

How Good is our GOD, so TENDERLY He looks upon HIS CHILD and in turn she RETURNS THE GAZE AFLAMED with THE DIVINE FIRE OF CHARITY so CONSUMED with LOVE FOR HIM that she is brought to an ETERNAL REDEMPTION of GOODNESS to ever KNOW of the JOY of the RESURRECTION!

A GAZE AFIRED and enflamed with LOVE for HIM, the CONSUMATION of HIS LOVE for her brings forth an ABUNDANCE of DIVINE GRACE towards ALL she wishes to embrace within the ETERNAL KINGDOM of REDEMPTION!  For it is in HIS BRIDE, through the Hands of HIS IMMACULATE MOTHER, that she is GRANTED A MERIT of DIVINE LOVE consumed for the LOVE of the INIFINITE and AWESOME OMNIPOTENT AND TRIUNE GOD!  O Eternal GAZE of the FATHER, you look upon your CHILD with such TENDERNESS and she is CONSUMED with LOVE for YOU and the ONLY BEGOTTEN SON!  She is CONSUMED with LOVE for the ETERNAL and TRIUNE GOD!  So CONSUMED that it is the LOVE of the FATHER that draws her ever nearer to the Son of the Father!  The Mother of my Lord, has come to me to REVEAL to me the HEART of Her SON!

How often I have looked and GAZED at YOUR ETERNAL BOSOM and I am FILLED with INFINITE GRATITUDE for YOUR ETERNAL GOODNESS to me!  The GAZE of YOUR ETERNAL SON has looked upon HIS BRIDE with FAVOR and she IS CONSUMED with LOVE!  So very CONSUMED and set AFLAME with LOVE for HIS ETERNAL GAZE!  O VISION of DIVINE LOVE, consume my HEART towards the INFINITE LOVE of YOUR ETERNAL GOODNESS!  So GOOD and INFINITELY HUMBLE is our Divine SAVIOR that HE HAS SEALED within HIS CHILD a REFLECTION of HIS MOST HUMBLE and RADIANT GAZE of GOODNESS!

O ETERNAL GAZE of the Father, LIFT up this child of YOUR INFINITE GOODNESS and bring forth an ABUNDANCE of DIVINE GRACE towards the many SOULS I have placed under the MATERNAL MANTLE of the IMMACULATE MOTHER!  Prepare her well for the ETERNAL GIFT of YOUR DIVINE GOODNESS, so that in ALL of HIS INFINITE SPLENDOUR she may be a GLORY and HONOR to YOUR ETERNAL NAME, MOST HIGH and INFINITE GOD, Father, Son and Holy Spirit!  Three in ONE!  Divine and HOLY!  AWESOME and OMNIPOTENT!  TRIUNE and UNDIVIDED TRINITY!

Mother of the Most Holy Trinity, pray for me your child and RESPLENDANT BRIDE of the ETERNAL KING!


 

The JOYFUL Song of Mary

Mary lived with HER EYES FIXED ON CHRIST, treasuring his every word: “She kept all these things, pondering them in her heart” (Lk 2:19; cf. 2:51). The memories of Jesus, impressed upon her HEART, were always with her, leading her to reflect on the various moments of her life at her Son's side. In a way those memories were to be the “rosary” which she recited uninterruptedly throughout her earthly life.

Even now, amid the JOYFUL SONGS OF THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM, the reasons for her THANKSGIVING and PRAISE remain unchanged. They inspire her maternal concern for the pilgrim Church, in which she continues to relate her personal account of the Gospel. Mary constantly sets before the faithful the “mysteries” of her Son, with the desire that the CONTEMPLATION of those mysteries will release all their SAVING POWER. In the recitation of the ROSARY, the Christian community enters into contact with the memories and the contemplative gaze of Mary. Supreme Pontiff John Paul II (2002)  Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae.  Libreria Editrice Vaticana

JMJ

The SAVING POWER of GOD will forever RESOUND in the HEARTS of those who ponder the WORD of GOD, Eternal Begotten Son of the Father; for it is in this SAVING POWER that the JOYFUL SONG of MARY brings forth the abundant GLORY of the HEAVENLY JERUSALEM!  In Mary, we find the Maternal Care of a Mother who knows all and sees all that the Eternal Father has planned in the Eternal Salvation of Mankind.  For it is in her that the Gospel of Christ speaks to the hearts of children who SEEK the PRAISE and GLORY of the Most Omnipotent Creator of all the Earth!  For in the HEART of the IMMACULATE, we find the pondering of the ETERNAL WORD made Flesh and are ever more UNITED to the LIVING REALITY of HIS MEMORY recited uninterruptedly in the EXULTATION of the MOST HOLY ROSARY!  A contemplation of the Divine Gifts HIDDEN in the HEART of MARY who REJOICES in GOD her SAVIOR! 

REJOICE, O Virgin Mary, REJOICE!  For your SAVIOR has brought forth the ETERNAL SALVATION of those who have been elected to share in His ETERNAL GLORY!  For through You, O Mary, we FIND our REFUGE as the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION who bore the ETERNAL WORD made FLESH for all HUMANITY to adore and embrace with the HEART and FAITH of Your MOST CONTEMPLATIVE HEART!  A heart so UNITED to YOUR ETERNAL FATHER that the Most HOLY and OMNIPOTENT GOD dwelleth with thee in the womb of YOUR MATERNAL BOSOM contemplating the and gazing upon the FACE of CHRIST, the Only Begotten Son of the Father!

REJOICE, O Virgin Mary, REJOICE!  For the SAVING POWER of the Eternal Word made Flesh has been released upon those who reflect on the MYSTERIES of your Divine Son trusting with CONFIDENT HOPE, the exultation of the Most Holy Rosary brings forth a PRAISE and THANKSGIVING to the Eternal Father; a GLORIFICATION of the Most Holy and TRIUNE GOD!  A power that BRINGS FORTH an ABUNDANCE of DIVINE GRACE to heal the brokenhearted and grant hope to the downtrodden.  For the ETERNAL WORD, contemplated into being through the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost we are evermore UNITED to the JOYFUL SONGS of the HEAVENLY JERUSALEM!  For the JOY we find in CHRIST is a POWER that illuminates the HEART towards that of the ETERNAL GLORY made for the Sons of God!  Glory and Praise to the Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost!

O Mother Immaculate, having CONTEMPLATED the mysteries of Your Divine Son we are more in the KNOWLEDGE of a GOD so humble and yet SO GRAND that no EYE can see and EAR can hear what God has planned for those who love HIM!  The JOY of the Heavenly Jerusalem beckons the hearts of your children ever UNITED to your Immaculate Heart through the GLORIOUS MYSTERIES of the Most Holy Rosary!  REJOICING in these Divine MYSTERIES we place the hopes of our longing HEARTS and contemplate ever more the pondering of your Immaculate Heart through the Power of the UNENDING RECITATION of the HAIL MARY!  FIXING our EYES on the Eternal Word made Flesh, we renew our LOVE for YOU, O Mary, for in you we find the INDWELLING of the Only Begotten Son, the SAVIOR and SALVATION of All Mankind.  REJOICE, O Virgin Mary, REJOICE!

Mother of the Eternal Word, pray for us who have recourse to thee.  Amen. 

Friday, May 6, 2016

The Face of a MYSTIC


JMJ


In the dimension of man there is a capacity to live in accordance with God’s Divine will.  In this union a relationship is deepened through the acceptance and willingness of the heart to surrender to the Providence of His Divine Hand.  In this surrender, a maturity of the soul begins to develop and the heart begins to soften according to the Hand of God’s loving formation of the soul.  When one begins to truly love, prayer is automatic; for one can not help but spend time with the Beloved.  In this dialogue, a sharing in the passion of Christ begins to embrace the soul and the intimacy between Man and God becomes a reality.  In this reality, love is the ultimate end.  Love is the driving factor that draws the soul towards His Creator and Eternal Father.  The intimacy is so great that love is encountered in its deepest essence and love is the motivation that fills the soul to continue to serve according to the Plan of God.  Love is only conveyed and witnessed in every action.  Love is the only answer to the dilemma! Love can only be the face that will heal, the hand that will give and receive, the eyes that will see that in every heart the face of God is hidden and longing to be enveloped in a soul that is destined to be with Him forever.  We must not undermine the power of love conveyed in the power of prayer.  The love between God and a soul can do wonders in the dimension of mankind and the salvation of souls.  We are indebted to Our Eternal Father for sending us His Only Begotten Son to reveal to the whole of humanity the meaning of love.  And we can only encounter this in prayer; a dialogue between the soul and his Beloved.  The closer we draw near to our Beloved, the closer we come to the depths of His Abounding love for all mankind. 

Eternal Word of the Father, I am in love with You and long to be with You in Eternity forever.  May my prayer be as deep as the love that is hidden in the very depths and recesses of my very being.  May the intimacy I hold in Your Divine Plan be forever a moment of grace and witness to the intimacy You desire for every soul created in Your Image and Likeness.  We have been broken and hurt by the deceits of this world and culture.  We have been diminished and our dignity has need of restoration and we can only do this with Your Most Precious Blood washed over us.  O Divine Saviour, how great is Your love for Man that You came down to become one of us.  In Your Incarnation, You have revealed to man the capacity and value that we have been called and destined to fulfill.  Make white what has been distained.  Make pure what has been blemished.  Make love the driving factor of every human heart so that all of mankind may continue to encounter Your Abounding Love through the souls You have chosen to continue Your Saving Work and Power.  O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not our petitions, but in Your Mercy hear and answer us.  Amen.