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AFROCENTRIC PROPHECY MEDITATIONS

Black Saints of the day—From the Black Saints reference book, 456 pages, paperback, 1000 lines of Black and African Saints in the Latin Rite, Coptic and Orthodox branches of the Mystical Body of Christ (all Christianity combined) to year 599 A.D. Order from BarnesandNobles.com, Ingram Book Group internationally, Amazon, wherever online books are sold, or quickly from www.booklocker.com/books/3088.html

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PROPHECY MEDITATIONS TODAY

Test! Discern The Spirit! Accept what speaks to YOUR SOUL/SPIRIT. Disregard the rest!

from such as Seers, OLOE, ERA OF PEACE, J.Leary, and Fr. Doucette, Anne Hidden Lay Apostle, Sharon Fitzpatrick, Lousie Tomkiel, Carol Ameche, and others. Fair use, educational and religious purposes, 17 U.S.C. for those in the African Historic and Geologic Diaspora who would otherwise not be exposed to such,

Our Lady's message for December 2, 2010, given through Mirjana:

December 3, 2010

Dear Family of Mary!

Our Lady's message for December 2, 2010, given through Mirjana:

"Dear children! Today I am praying here with you that you may gather the strength to open your hearts and thus to become aware of the mighty love of the suffering God. Through this His love, goodness and meekness, I am also with you. I invite you for this special time of preparation to be a time of prayer, penance and conversion. My children, you need God. You cannot go forward without my Son. When you comprehend and accept this, what was promised to you will be realized. Through the Holy Spirit the Kingdom of Heaven will be born in your hearts. I am leading you to this. Thank you."

In Jesus and Mary!

The Rev. Fr. Melvin Doucette,

Friday, December 03, 2010

"Be My loyal friend"

Dear Friends,

The Gift and Call of God

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time. In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of (your) faith, the salvation of your souls.

Concerning this salvation, prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and investigated it, investigating the time and circumstances that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the glories to follow them. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you with regard to the things that have now been announced to you by those who preached the good news to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels longed to look. (First Letter of St. Peter 1:3–12)

Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Joseph Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,

"In blessing you, My brother Joseph Melvin, I also bless all My brothers and sisters, and I strengthen you Joseph Melvin for the Healing Mass this evening. I will be present and I will heal many.

My dear friends, you do not fully realize what is waiting for you if you believe in Me and have a close and intimate relationship with Me. Your inheritance is a life that will never have an end. Your joy will be full when you enter into the fullness of the Kingdom in heaven. Yes, what I have prepared for you, you cannot imagine and no prophet can describe it fully. Indeed your happiness will be complete and it will last for all eternity.

However, while you are still on earth, you will have your share of suffering so that you may be made perfect as if you were tested by fire. So carry your cross and follow Me for I carried My cross to Calvary and I was nailed to it to atone for all your sins. I am now raised from the dead never to die again and I sit at the right hand of My Father in heaven as your ruler and King. Be My loyal friend."

Father Melvin

Thursday, December 02, 2010

"I fill you all with My peace"

Dear Friends,

Conversion of Sinners

My brothers, if anyone among you should stray from the truth and someone bring him back, he should know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. (James 5:19-20)

Below you will find the short message of Our Lord and Savior given to Joseph Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,

"I bless you Joseph Melvin, My brother, and all My brothers and sisters living in the world. I especially call you to repent of all your sins. I am merciful and always ready to take away all your sins if you are sorry for them. Also if you see someone following the wrong path, it is your duty as My friend to let that person know that he or she is not following the right path and to call him or her to follow Me. If you bring back one sinner, I assure you that you will be saved and your sins will be forgiven. Remember I want the salvation of every person in the world. Pray for all sinners and help them so that they be converted. I fill you all with My peace."

Father Melvin

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

"Ask and you shall receive"

Dear Friends,

Anointing, Confession and Intercession

Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint (him) with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful. Elijah was a human being like us; yet he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain upon the land. Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the earth produced its fruit. (Letter of James 5:13-18)

Last evening I was at the Church of the Immaculate Conception for one hour of Eucharist Adoration. I received a word from Jesus saying, "I am sending you out two by two to visit all the homes in the parish and go and speak to the people about Me, your Savior and theirs." All the parishes should follow this call.

Below is the message of Our Lord and Redeemer given to Joseph Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,

"I bless you, Joseph Melvin, and all My brothers and sisters who believe in Me. I would like all of you to ask Me to increase your faith because it is written, 'Ask and you shall receive.'

It is written in the Bible that you should call the presbyters, the priests of the church, if there is someone who is seriously sick. The priest will come and anoint the sick person in My name and his sins will be forgiven. If that person should die soon after, he will be saved. It is also important to confess your sins especially to a priest in order to be forgiven. All priests have the power to forgive sins in My name. I call upon you too to intercede for those who are in need. If you have faith, your prayer will be powerful to help the sick person. I am always ready to help if you pray for what you need. I especially want you to ask for an increase of spiritual gifts especially an increase of faith, love and peace. These I give to all those who ask. You know that I healed many people when I was on earth and I continue this work today. If you pray with someone and lay your hand on his head, I will touch that person. You are all My brothers and sisters and I love you."

Father Melvin

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

"I love you all"

Dear Friends,

Patience and Oaths

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You too must be patient. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not complain, brothers, about one another, that you may not be judged. Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates.

Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Indeed we call blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of the perseverance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, because "the Lord is compassionate and merciful." But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your "Yes" mean "Yes" and your "No" mean "No," that you may not incur condemnation. (Letter of James 5:7-12)

People have been telling me that those people they have enrolled in the Book of Remembrance have been touched by the Lord. Some have been healed, others who were not going to church have started going to church on Sunday and many other good things have happened.

Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Joseph Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,

"Joseph Melvin, My companion and friend, I bless you and I also bless all My dear brothers and sisters living throughout the world. You are now in Advent, a season to prepare for My great feastday: Christmas. Prepare your souls by asking pardon for your sins, by going to church more often and by praying every day.

How I wish that you could contemplate every day. This prayer, which is the prayer I like, helps you to have a deep and personal relationship with Me, your friend and Savior. I am the object of contemplative prayer and what you have to do is to open your heart fully to Me so I can do with you what I wish. I want to make of each one of you a saint and you know that a saint is a masterpiece of My own doing. The best way to bring this about is by contemplative prayer. Join Joseph Melvin every day for a half an hour of contemplation. Get his book and learn all about it. In this way you will truly be My beloved brother or sister and you will be blessed. You all need to have the virtue of patience in order to have good relations with your family and friends. I love you all."

Father Melvin

Thursday, November 25, 2010

"Come imitate Me"

Dear Friends,

Power of the Tongue

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you realize that we will be judged more strictly, for we all fall short in many respects. If anyone does not fall short in speech, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body also. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide their whole bodies. It is the same with ships: even though they are so large and driven by fierce winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot's inclination wishes. In the same way the tongue is a small member and yet has great pretensions.

Consider how small a fire can set a huge forest ablaze. The tongue is also a fire. It exists among our members as a world of malice, defiling the whole body and setting the entire course of our lives on fire, itself set on fire by Gehenna. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. This need not be so, my brothers. Does a spring gush forth from the same opening both pure and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a grapevine figs? Neither can salt water yield fresh. (Letter of St. James 3:1-12)

Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Joseph Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,

"I greet you Joseph Melvin, My brother, and all My brothers and sisters who believe in Me.

Every person, except those who are unable to speak, has received a tongue and is able to speak. This is a gift from the Father for He wants you to be able to communicate with others. This gift can be used in a very good manner but so many times it is used to commit evil. Every person should have control over his or her tongue. You cannot bless God one second and curse a person the next. All should use their tongue to tell the truth and never lies. You must not insult people or shame them with half-truths. Every evening you should examine how you have used your tongue during the day. You need to correct any mistake and repent of every sin you have committed. Come imitate Me."

Father Melvin

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

"Please listen to My word"

Dear Friends,

Temptation

Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him. No one experiencing temptation should say, "I am being tempted by God"; for God is not subject to temptation to evil, and he himself tempts no one. Rather, each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire conceives and brings forth sin, and when sin reaches maturity it gives birth to death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers: all good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change. He willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (Letter of St. James 1:12-18)

Below you will find the message of Our Lord Jesus given to Joseph Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,

"I love you Joseph Melvin, My brother, and all My brothers and sisters living in every part of the word. I shower you all every day with all the graces you need. Open your hearts to receive these gifts and to cooperate with these graces. Everyone who is passed the age of reason will be tempted by the evil one. You can also be tempted by the world and by the flesh. Many are carried away by the allurements of the world and the temptation of the flesh.

My dear friends, I wish to show you an excellent way how you can better cope with the temptations of the present day. I want all My friends to form strong Catholic and Religious Communities where you meet often to be enlightened and to pray. You all need the good examples of others to be able to do the same. Many who have nothing else to do watch immoral movies on television or on their computers. Some even watch pornography and are taken by the sins of the flesh.

Their minds are filled with false ideas such as euthanasia is good or there is nothing wrong with abortion. They are given all kinds of false reasons to believe in these horrible acts. If they met together often and they would pray intently every evening, they would not spend time watching these things. You need strong communities to build up your Christian life. Please listen to My word."

Father Melvin

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

"Come with a clean heart" Dear Friends,

Heavenly Priesthood of Jesus

The main point of what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle that the Lord, not man, set up. Now every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus the necessity for this one also to have something to offer. If then he were on earth, he would not be a priest, since there are those who offer gifts according to the law. They worship in a copy and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary, as Moses was warned when he was about to erect the tabernacle. For he says, "See that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain." Now he has obtained so much more excellent a ministry as he is mediator of a better covenant, enacted on better promises. (Letter to the Hebrews 8:1-6)

Below you will find the message of Our Lord Jesus Christ given to Joseph Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,

"I bless you Joseph Melvin, My brother who shares in My priesthood. I also bless all My brothers and sisters who accept Me as their High Priest. My priesthood is heavenly as I sit now at the right hand of the Father's throne. I am your High Priest forever and all those who are ordained share in My priesthood that will last forever.

I wish to stress that it is necessary for My Church to have priests, who work in My Name. They do what I have told them to do. The most important role of the priests is to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass doing what I did at the Last Supper. I took bread and wine and pronounced the words of consecration and in so doing I changed the bread and wine into My Body and Blood. Then I gave the Holy Eucharist to My Apostles and they all took part except Judas. This is the greatest gift I could give you, the Holy Eucharist, which is My very Body and Blood. I am truly present in the Eucharist and when you receive the hosts, you receive Me alive as I live now in heaven. I call you, all you who believe in Me, to receive Me in the Eucharist as often as you can. However, come with a clean heart. I love you all and I want to live in your heart."

Father Melvin

Monday, November 22, 2010

"Come to Me every day in prayer"

Dear Friends,

God's Promise Immutable

When God made the promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, "he swore by himself," and said, "I will indeed bless you and multiply" you. And so, after patient waiting, he obtained the promise. Human beings swear by someone greater than themselves; for them an oath serves as a guarantee and puts an end to all argument. So when God wanted to give the heirs of his promise an even clearer demonstration of the immutability of his purpose, he intervened with an oath, so that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to hold fast to the hope that lies before us. This we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm, which reaches into the interior behind the veil, where Jesus has entered on our behalf as forerunner, becoming high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. (Letter to the Hebrews 6:13-20)

Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Redeemer given to Joseph Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,

"You bring Me great joy and I bless you Joseph Melvin, My brother, and also all My brothers and sisters living in the world who put Me first in their lives. You indeed are the great joy of your Lord and Savior.

I have promised you many things now that I have given My life for your salvation. If you follow Me you will indeed be saved. I promise you that when the time is ripe, I will come and get you and bring you to heaven. If you have a deep relationship with Me especially through Contemplative Prayer, I will give you many gifts and graces. You will have your cross to carry but if you are united with Me, you will have the strength and the courage to carry it without much difficulty. Do not forget that you have a battle to wage every day against the temptations of the evil one. If your faith is strong and you have a deep love for Me, your Savior, then you do not need to be afraid of the evil one. You will have the power to stand up to him and he will flee. I never gave in to Satan and I want you to do the same with My help. Rely on My promises I made to you in the Bible, and you will succeed. Come to Me every day in prayer and you will never be disappointed."

Father Melvin

Sunday, November 21, 2010

"I love you"

Dear Friends,

Exhortation to Spiritual Renewal

About this we have much to say, and it is difficult to explain, for you have become sluggish in hearing. Although you should be teachers by this time, you need to have someone teach you again the basic elements of the utterances of God. You need milk, and not solid food. Everyone who lives on milk lacks experience of the word of righteousness, for he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties are trained by practice to discern good and evil. Therefore, let us leave behind the basic teaching about Christ and advance to maturity, without laying the foundation all over again: repentance from dead works and faith in God, instruction about baptisms and laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. And we shall do this, if only God permits.

For it is impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened and tasted the heavenly gift and shared in the holy Spirit and tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to bring them to repentance again, since they are recrucifying the Son of God for themselves and holding him up to contempt. (Letter to the Hebrews 5:11-6:6)

Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Redeemer given to Joseph Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,

"It is a joy for Me to dwell in your heart, Joseph Melvin, and in the hearts of all My brothers and sisters who are free of mortal sin. I want you all to renew your heart by removing everything that does not come from Me so I can fill you with My peace and love. You can always advance in your personal relationship with Me.

Some people have been My friends for many years, then out of pride or the attraction of the world they reject Me and no longer walk with Me. This is a great sorrow for Me. It brings Me back to My Passion when the people beat Me and crucified Me on the cross. How I desire that all those who have turned their backs to Me would come back and renew their love for Me. Even if you should leave, I never stop loving you and forever call you back. If you reject Me then you will never enter heaven; you will suffer for all eternity in that horrible place. I do not want you to go there, I want to save you all and bring you to your home in heaven, which I have prepared for you. Many have left Me during these years so pray that they will open their hearts to accept me again. I love you."

Father Melvin

How can you be my friend,

if you kill the child for whom I died to save?

"Jesus, King of our altars and Sovereign of souls, come and establish Your royal authority in our hearts. Be the guest not for a day, but remain as our Father and our Brother. Do not come as a pilgrim, but a consoling Redeemer and ever-blessed Lord. Come! If sin is unceasing, the homage of our humble reparation will be even more constant" (Fr. Mateo Crawley-Boevey).

Mother Teresa -

Lord Jesus, We want to imitate you, who told us: " I am meek and humble of heart. " We ask you that, day by day, you lead us in this path. We wish to bring you, dear Christ, to others.

Meditations by Padre Pio - Make Christian use of your money and savings and then so much misery will disappear and so many suffering bodies and afflicted beings will find relief and comfort.

MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY

These thoughts for a day are taken from a daily meditation book based on the Messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje by Father Richard J. Beyer, Ave Maria Press. Nov 10 - ST. LEO THE GREAT

Concerning the Pope, Our Lady once said:

Have him consider himself the father of all mankind and not only of Christians. Have him spread untiringly and with courage the message of peace and love to all mankind (First Year September 26, 1982).

Pope or bishop, lay or religious we are all part of one Church and one Lord, all sharing in the manifold graces of God for the good of one another. As Paul writes:

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God appointed in the Church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues (1 Cor 12:27-28).

Reflection:

Taking up this theme of many members per one body, St. Leo wrote:

Although the universal Church of God is constituted of distinct orders of members, still, in spite of the many parts of its holy body, the Church subsists as an integral whole, just as the Apostle says: " We are all one in Christ, " nor is anyone separated from the office of another in such a way that a lower group has no connection with the head. In the unity of faith and baptism, our community is then undivided.

Leo the Great was elected Pope in the year 440 and guided the Church through a very difficult period of its history. We know little of his personal life, but through his writing and preaching he made many lasting contributions. The introductory note in the Liturgy of the Hours states: " He was a true pastor and father of souls. He labored strenuously to safeguard the integrity of the faith and vigorously defended the unity of the Church. He pushed back or at least softened the onrush of the barbarians. He has deservedly won the title `the Great.' "

Application:

Our Lady often asks for prayers for the Pope and all the leaders of the church. Make this, then, one of your daily prayer intentions.

Medjugorje Day By Day Nov 11 - OPEN YOURSELVES MORE TO GOD

"Acts of private devotion [adoration] are quite necessary if we are to receive in abundance the supernatural treasures in which the Eucharist is so rich, and to pour them out upon others, according to our powers, in order that Christ our Lord may reach the fullness of His power in the souls of all" (Pope Pius XII, Mediator Dei).

"Come unto Me, you who are mourning, who weep the loss of a son, a mother, a spouse, a brother . . . . Come, without delay, to My Tabernacle, all you whose dwelling has been marked by the cross of death and tears . . . "Come lift up your hearts, for time is only a passing shadow, and heaven is eternal; arise, then, with courage and take the living Bread, My Eucharist, to fortify you in the struggle; come and I will reward you in the Paradise of My Heart which loves you!" (From the reflection 'Come Away With Me and Rest Awhile,' in the book Praying in the Presence of Our Lord for the Holy Souls).

Mother Teresa - It is a wonderful thing that God Himself loves us tenderly. Knowing this should give us courage and joy for living.

Meditations by Padre Pio - I see that all the seasons of the year can be found in your souls. Sometimes you feel the winter of much sterility, distractions, restlessness and boredom; sometimes the dews of the month of May with the perfume of holy little flowers [penance]; sometimes the heat of the desire to please our divine Spouse. Nothing remains but the autumn in which you don't see much fruit, but it often happens that when the grain is threshed and the grapes crushed, there is a bigger harvest than the harvesting promised.

MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY

These thoughts for a day are taken from a daily meditation book based on the Messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje by Father Richard J. Beyer, Ave Maria Press.

Nov 11 - OPEN YOURSELVES MORE TO GOD

Today Our Lady invites us to a special openness:

Dear children, today I call you to open yourselves more to God so that he can work through you. The more you open yourselves, the more abundantly you will receive of his fruits. I also wish to call you again to prayer (Weekly Message March 6, 1986).

And in Luke's gospel, an invitation from Christ:

Then Jesus said to him, " Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, `Come; for everything is ready now' " (Lk 14:16-17).

Reflection:

We are those whom Jesus has invited to come to his banquet. The feast he beckons us to is the Kingdom, and all is ready: the table is set and the food is prepared. " Come to the table, dine! " we are urged. To wait or hold back is needless.

The call of Christ is to come to a festive and joyous feast, and Our Lady echoes that call in her message to open ourselves. But what is it that keeps us from such a celebration? Perhaps somewhere we didn't hear or receive the invitation. Perhaps we did not really believe that the Kingdom would be joyous. Whatever the reason, we have a new invitation now. Medjugorje has helped us to feel our hunger and thirst. Surely we now know we need to be fed, and most surely we could use some joy and celebration.

God is patient and tireless in summoning us, and his call is forever in the present. The feast never grows cold; he is never unprepared. If we hold back out of fear, guilt, or indifference, we can miss out entirely. But we need not keep missing out. All we need to do is stop excusing ourselves and enter the banquet hall.

Application:

A prayer for today:

Gracious Lord, rouse me to accept your invitation. Remove my laziness, dissolve my excuses, calm my fear. With a new openness to you and Our Lady, I shall take my place at your table. Amen

Medjugorje Day By Day Nov 12 - WITHSTAND EVERY TRIAL

"If you wish to strengthen your faith, you must nourish yourself with the blessed Eucharist, which is the 'Mystery of Faith' and fortifies faith" (Francis Xavier Cardinal Nguyen Van Thaun).

Mother Cabrini, and her sisters, made several Holy Hours of Adoration before the Sacred Eucharistic Heart of Jesus every day, despite their very demanding schedule. She said, "Pray always with Jesus, always remembering that a soul united with Jesus can do everything."

Mother Teresa - It is a wonderful thing that God Himself loves us tenderly. Knowing this should give us courage and joy for living.

Meditations by Padre Pio - I beseech you, for the love of God, do not fear God, because He doesn't want to do you any harm at all. Love Him a great deal because He wants to do you a great deal of good. Walk simply, with certainty in your resolutions, and reject the reflections of spirits concerning your suffering, treating them as cruel temptations.

MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY

These thoughts for a day are taken from a daily meditation book based on the Messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje by Father Richard J. Beyer, Ave Maria Press. To order email soroka@... or 1-866-726-5865

Nov 12 - WITHSTAND EVERY TRIAL

Speaking of trials, the Madonna once said in a weekly message:

Dear children, today I wish to tell you that God wants to send you trials which you can overcome by prayer. God is testing you through daily difficulties. Thus, pray to peacefully withstand every trial. From God's testing you will emerge more open and loving (Weekly Message August 22, 1985).

And from Peter's first letter:

Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear his name (1 Pt 45:16).

Reflection:

There is a legend about a monk who was walking in a monastery garden alone, thinking of the Passion of Christ. It was Holy Week. As he slowly paced along, he saw something lying in the path, and picked it up. The voice of Christ told him it was the crown of thorns that he had worn. He reverently placed it on the altar. Needless to say, never had Holy Week been so meaningful, for the sight of that crown of thorns made the monks realize the sufferings and love of Christ more than they had ever done before.

As Easter Sunday dawned, the monk rose early for his Easter prayers of thanksgiving, and came into the chapel. As the sun shone through the window, it played upon the altar and rested on the crown of thorns, but something miraculous had happened. There in the Easter sunlight the thorns had blossomed into a rainbow of budding flowers.

There are thorns of sufferings and trials in every life, and it seems that only a spirit of acceptance can bring peace in these situations, acceptance, and turning to Christ for solutions and healing, as the Virgin recommends today. Running in circles or complaining rarely helps. But recourse to the Lord of Peace always will.

Application: Today, offer this prayer for times of trial: Dear Lord, please help me to accept my trials and seek the serenity of your grace so that I might triumph over them, and not wear yourself out by straining or complaining. Amen. Medjugorje Day By Day Nov 13 - ST. FRANCES XAVIER CABRINI "Our Father Who are in Heaven in the heaven of the Eucharist . . . may we in all humility and zeal make You known, loved and adored by all men in the Holy Eucharist . . . Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Eucharistic Kingdom. Rule Thou alone forever over us for Your greater glory through the power of your love" (St. Peter Julian Eymard). Mother Teresa - Jesus offers His lifelong, faithful, and personal friendship, embracing us in tenderness and love.

Meditations by Padre Pio - Be totally resigned in the hands of our Lord, giving Him your remaining years, and begging Him always, to fill them with preparations for a life which is pleasing to Him. Don't worry about useless promises of tranquility, enjoyment or merits, but present your hearts to your divine Spouse, totally emptying it of all other affections, except His chaste love. And beseech Him to fill it purely and simply with actions, desires and a will which pertains to His love, so that your hearts, like mother of pearl, do not conceive anything, except with the dew of Heaven and not with the water of the world.

MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY

These thoughts for a day are taken from a daily meditation book based on the Messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje by Father Richard J. Beyer, Ave Maria Press.

Nov 13 - ST. FRANCES XAVIER CABRINI

The Blessed Virgin speaks of humility today:

Your humility must be proud. Your pride should be humble. If you have received a gift from God, you must be proud, but do not say that is yours. Say, rather, that it is God's.

Our example of humility is Christ himself; as St. Paul writes:

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself (Phil 2:5-7).

Reflection:

The American saint, Frances Xavier Cabrini, was originally from Italy; she founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart in 1880, and in the United States established schools, hospitals, and orphanages for the care especially of immigrants and children. She died in 1917 and was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1946.

Her life and writings exemplified the humility of which Our Lady and St. Paul speak of in today's readings.

Application:

The following Prayer for Humility, written by St. Frances Cabrini, would be appropriate to offer today:

Lord Jesus Christ, I pray that you may fortify me with the grace of your Holy Spirit, and give your peace to my soul, that I may be free from all needless anxiety and worry. Help me to desire always that which is pleasing and acceptable to you, so that your will may be my will.

Grant that I may be free of unholy desires and that, for your love, I may remain obscure and unknown in this world, to be known only to you.

Do not permit me to attribute to myself the good that you perform in me and through me, but rather, referring all honor to you, may I admit only to my infirmities, so that renouncing sincerely all vainglory which comes from the world, I may aspire to that true and lasting glory which comes from you. Amen.

Medjugorje Day By Day Nov 15 - EVERY BARRIER WILL DISAPPEAR

"Acts of private devotion [adoration] are quite necessary if we are to receive in abundance the supernatural treasures in which the Eucharist is so rich, and to pour them out upon others, according to our powers, in order that Christ our Lord may reach the fullness of His power in the souls of all" (Pope Pius XII, Mediator Dei).

St. Gertrude the Great: "Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. AMEN." (Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great)

Mother Teresa - The fruit of our work, as well as the ability to carry it out, comes from prayer. The work that we accomplish is the fruit of our union with Christ. We have been called to give Jesus to the peoples of the world, so that they can look at Him and discover His love, His compassion, and His humility in action.

Meditations by Padre Pio - In family life have strong convictions, smile in the face of self-denial and in the constant sacrifice of your whole self.

MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY

These thoughts for a day are taken from a daily meditation book based on the Messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje by Father Richard J. Beyer, Ave Maria Press.

Nov 15 - EVERY BARRIER WILL DISAPPEAR

In this weekly message from 1986, the Blessed Mother spoke of conversion and reconciliation:

Dear children, again I call you to prayer with the heart. If you pray with the heart, dear children, the ice of your brothers' hearts will melt and every barrier will disappear. Conversion will be easy for all who want to accept it. You must obtain this gift for your neighbor through prayer (Weekly Message January 23, 1986).

And from Paul's second letter to the Corinthians:

We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. In return I speak as to children with wide open hearts also (2 Cor 8:11-13).

Reflection:

In the second century, a Christian priest of Antioch, named Sulpicius, had steadfastly refused to sacrifice to the pagan gods, even under torture, and was being led away to be beheaded. This was the age of relentless persecution of Christians.

On the way, a secret Christian named Nicephorus ran up to him. He had quarreled bitterly with Sulpicius and now sought reconciliation. "Martyr of Christ!" he said, on his knees, "Forgive me, for I have wronged thee."

But Sulpicius refused to speak to him, even at the place of execution. But when the moment came to kneel under the executioner's sword, he turned pale. " No, no! I will obey the Emperor. I will sacrifice to the gods. " Again Nicephorus ran up to him and implored him not to lose his martyr's crown at this last moment. But it was in vain, and Sulpicius went off to sacrifice. " Then I will take his place, " said Nicephorus. "Tell the Governor I am a Christian. " And so Nicephorus won the martyr's crown and Sulpicius turned coward, and all the Christians said it was because he would not forgive.

It is hard to know Christ if we cannot forgive and let go of the hatred and resentment we hold toward others. Pardon and peace go hand in hand. In life, little serenity is possible without the beauty of forgiveness.

Application:

Today, pray that Our Lady may teach you to forgive and forget the hurts and bitterness of the past, that you may experience the fullness of Christ's peace.

Medjugorje Day By Day Nov 14 - THEY ADORE IDOLS

On October 15, while leading 100,000 First Communicants and others in Eucharistic Adoration, Pope Benedict explained that to adore "is to recognize that Jesus is the Lord, the center of our lives. To pray is to say: Jesus, I am Yours, I never want to lose this friendship, this communion with You."

"My soul, if you wish to be intimate with Mary, let yourself be carried between her arms and nourished with her blood . . . . Let this ineffable, chaste thought accompany you to the Banquet of God and you will find in the Blood of the Son the nourishment of the Mother" (St. Albert the Great).

Mother Teresa - Lord Jesus,

We know that you became poor for our sake. We ask that you make us to be poor in spirit, to imitate your own confident dependence on your Father.

Padre Pio - May the Lord bless you and render the family yoke less heavy for you. Always be good. Remember that there are difficult duties in wedlock that only divine grace can facilitate. Always be worthy of this grace and the Lord will preserve you unto the third and fourth generation.

MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY

These thoughts for a day are taken from a daily meditation book based on the Messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje by Father Richard J. Beyer, Ave Maria Press.

Nov 14 - THEY ADORE IDOLS

The following was given to Jelena, the locutionist:

Pray, pray! So many have followed other beliefs or sects and have abandoned Jesus Christ! They create their own gods, they adore idols. How that hurts me! If only they could be converted! There are so many unbelievers!! But that can change only if you help me with your prayers (Locutionists Jelena & Mirijana February 9, 1984).

And from Paul's letter to the Romans:

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God what is good and acceptable and perfect (Rom 12:1-2).

Reflection:

Human beings instinctively worship. We bow down and devote our energy and loyalty to something. It is our nature to believe in some important cause, ideal, or person. The tragedy is that we sometimes choose such false and unreliable gods. The first commandment of the law is " Thou shalt have no other gods before me. " Only the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, only the God and Father our Lord Jesus Christ is worthy of worship. Only the creator, redeemer, and sanctifier the only God is worthy of our devotion.

Only he can heal us. Wealth, fame, pleasure, power, or knowledge cannot substitute for Christ. These things may come our way, but not by worshiping any of them. Christ has said: " Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours besides. " (Mt 6:33).

Application:

Our Lady has said that some of her children " create their own gods, they adore idols. How that hurts me! " She also gives the means to help: " That can change only if you help me with your prayers. " Today, then, dedicate your prayers to this intention.

Medjugorje Day By Day Nov 16 - HERE YOU RECEIVE BLESSINGS

Mother Teresa - Your vocation, as well as mine, can be summed up this way: to belong to Jesus, to love with the conviction that nothing and no one can ever separate us from the love of Christ.

Meditations by Padre Pio - The principal self-denial takes place in the home.

at any given moment."

MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY These thoughts for a day are taken from a daily meditation book based on the Messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje by Father Richard J. Beyer, Ave Maria Press.

Nov 16 - HERE YOU RECEIVE BLESSINGS

The following was given to Marija and Ivan when they were on Mt. Krizevac with their prayer group:

You are on a Mt. Tabor. Here you receive blessings, strength and love. Carry them into your families and into your homes. To each one of you, I grant a special blessing. Continue in joy, prayer, and reconciliation (Visionary Prayer Group June 24, 1986).

And from John's gospel:

Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing (Jn 15:4-5).

Reflection:

One of the finest things about our church is the care and concern we often have for one another. In a real sense, we all brothers and sisters. We have a stake in each other's salvation, and we have learned from the gospel to value and strengthen each other. Our church becomes our family, our fortress, and our refuge.

There is a wedding prayer that says, "Now our joys are doubled, because the happiness of one is also the happiness of the other. Now our burdens are cut in half, since when we share them we divide the load." As members of the universal as well as the church, we double our burdens in half. We become a family, the Body of Christ, instead of isolated individuals.

Application:

Today, resolve in prayer to do what Our Lady asks of us in her message: to bring blessings, strength, and love into our families, homes and church.

Medjugorje Day By Day Nov 17 - GIVE ME ALL YOUR HARDSHIPS

St. Teresa of Avila, Carmelite & Church Doctor (1515-1582), Spain—Oct. 15 She wrote, "I am quite sure that if we could but once approach the Most Holy Sacrament with great faith and love, it would suffice to make us rich. How much more so if we approach it often!"

Mother Teresa - The Scriptures tell us, "I have called you by name. You belong to me. You are precious to me. I love you." God Himself declares that we are precious to Him. He loves us, and He wants us to respond to His love.

Meditations by Padre Pio - There is nothing more nauseating than a woman, especially if she is married, who is fickle, frivolous and haughty.

The Christian wife must be a woman of sound piety towards God, an angel of peace in the family, dignified and pleasant towards others.

MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY

These thoughts for a day are taken from a daily meditation book based on the Messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje by Father Richard J. Beyer, Ave Maria Press. Nov 17 - GIVE ME ALL YOUR HARDSHIPS The following was given to Ivan's prayer group in 1990: Dear children, your Mother invites you to joy. Your Mother asks you to begin to live tonight's message. Again tonight, your Mother asks you to give me all your problems and all your hardships. Thank you, dear children, for continuing to live in prayer all that I have said to you (Visionary Prayer Group June 26,1990).

And from Paul's second letter to the Corinthians:

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, than I am strong (2 Cor 12:9-12).

Reflection:

Abraham Lincoln once said, "I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go." Most of us know the truth of Lincoln's words. There is hope in the fact that when we do sink to our knees, we then have something to support us. When we finally exhaust our own power, we can depend on the power of God.

We know that one of the best things that could happen to us, in experiencing a low point in life, is to reach out like St. Paul, who found God most powerfully when he was the weakest.

Application:

A prayer for today: Most loving Lord, thank you for being there at the lowest points of my life. Continue to take my hand and pull me up. Amen

Medjugorje Day By Day Nov 18 - DO NOT GIVE IN

St. Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr (d. 107), Syria—Oct. 17 "Be careful, therefore, to take part only in the one Eucharist; for there is only one Flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ and one cup to unite us with His Blood."

Mother Teresa - We need to work for Christ with a humble heart, with the humility of Christ. He comes and uses us to be His love and compassion in the world in spite of our weaknesses and frailties.

Meditations by Padre Pio - Jesus and your soul must cultivate the vineyard together. It is for you to pick up and carry away the stones, to pull out the thorn bushes. It is the task of Jesus to sow, plant, cultivate, to water.

MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY

These thoughts for a day are taken from a daily meditation book based on the Messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje by Father Richard J. Beyer, Ave Maria Press.

Nov 18 - DO NOT GIVE IN

Early in the apparitions, the Virgin spoke to the visionaries of endurance:

Do not give in. Keep your faith. I will accompany you at every step (First Years November 10, 1981).

Paul also speaks of endurance:

Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. The saying is sure:

If we have died with him, We will also live with him; If we endure, we will also reign with him (2 Tm 2:10-12).

Reflection:

Many years ago two men were on board a sailing ship, going back to their home on a far-off Pacific island, when one of them noticed a little grain of corn at his feet. He picked it up and examined it. "It's a grain of corn," he said. "If it were a sackful it might be of some use!! And he threw it away again carelessly.

But the other man picked it up, put it in his pocket and treasured it until they reached their island home. Then he sowed it. It grew into a plant, and yielded a tiny crop, so small as to be laughable. But he planted that in turn, and the next time the result was enough to give a few grains to each of his many friends. So the crop grew, and in the end it yielded an abundant harvest. The little seed was the means of introducing corn to the Pacific islands.

When the seed of faith first comes into our lives with its love and power and we feel its great energy, we treat it with great reverence. As time goes by, however, we may begin to take it for granted. We can get lazy, tired, and careless. When that begins to happen, we are in danger of sliding into lukewarmness. And so Our Lady says today, "Do not give in. Keep your faith;" and in Revelation: "[This] is a call for endurance and the faith of the saints."

One of the great values of the Medjugorje messages is that they renew and energize our faith, guarding us from lethargy. As long as we heed the messages, our faith cannot help but deepen and bear an abundant harvest.

Application:

Simply offer the following prayer today: Mother Mary, your messages have meant new life to me. They have given me healing and hope, deepening my faith. Please keep me attentive and truly careful about what I hold most dear. Amen

Medjugorje Day By Day Nov 19 - WHEN YOU NEED ME, CALL ME

"Do not, therefore, regard the bread and wine as simply that, for they are, according to the Master's declaration, the body and blood of Christ" (St. Cyril of Jerusalem).

"If we truly understand the Eucharist; if we make the Eucharist the central focus of our lives; if we feed our lives with the Eucharist, we will not find it difficult to discover Christ, to love him, and to serve him in the poor" (Bl. Teresa of Calcutta).

Mother Teresa - This is a sign of the joy of loving God: sharing that love with others.

Meditations by Padre Pio - May God's blessing accompany, sustain and guide you! Form a Christian family if you want a little bit of peace in this life. May the Lord give you children and then the grace to direct them on the way to Heaven.

MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY

These thoughts for a day are taken from a daily meditation book based on the Messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje by Father Richard J. Beyer, Ave Maria Press. -

Nov 19 - WHEN YOU NEED ME, CALL ME

In the first weeks of the apparitions, the Blessed Mother told the visionaries:

Pray, my angels, for these people. My children, I give you strength. I will always give it to you. When you need me call me. (First Years August 23, 1981).

And from Luke's gospel:

When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost" (Lk 15:5-6).

Reflection:

One of the most popular stories of recent years is called "Footprints in the Sand." It is the Reflection of a person who is puzzled that, although Christ's footprints normally appear next to his own in the sand, as they walk together through life, yet when he is in special need or trouble only one set of prints can be seen. And so he asks, "Where were you, Lord, when I needed you most?" To which Jesus replies: "Ah, but there were only one set of footprints because it was then that I carried you!"

This is a thought of great comfort, and yet to be picked up and carried is difficult for many of us to accept. Thoughts like, "I'm too heavy," "I'm too embarrassed," "I'm not helpless," or "I'm not worthy," fill our minds. But eventually we have to admit: "I am too tired; I am too sick," or "I am too scared." To surrender and submit to the strong arms of a Savior humiliates the proud but brings joy to the weary. What keeps us from being helped is our fierce self-sufficiency.

Application:

Today, surrender yourself to the Good Shepherd in prayer. Be alert to others around you that need to be carried for a while in your own arms

Medjugorje Day By Day Nov 20 - WHEN MY SON WAS DYING

"Has the tender love of a father or the liberality of a king toward its subjects ever reached as far as the love of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament?" (St. John Vianney).

Sunday, Eve of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary As a small child, Mary was presented to the Lord in the temple by her parents, Sts. Anne and Joachim. Pray "that from this Year of the Eucharist, they [priests] may draw the fruit of a renewed Love for the Sacrament they celebrate.

Through the intercession of the Virgin Mother of God, may they always live and bear witness to the mystery that is put in their hands for the saving of the world" (Pope Benedict XVI, Sept. 18, 2005).

Read and meditate on the following. Then whenever hardships arise just say

"Praise God" "Thank you Lord"

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

It is always astounding to people of small imagination that their ancestors could hate, persecute and kill saints. We imagine that we are 2000 years smarter than the people who put Jesus to death. We think ourselves wiser than the people who despised Lincoln, or St. Thomas Aquinas, or Joan of Arc.

But the reality is that saints often come to us in very repulsive forms, challenging our deepest and most cherished bigotries. They are antidotes to the popular poisons of the age. And because they are antidotes they are often mistaken for poison and hated for it. Jesus endured just such hatred. He and His followers were assured by all the leading authorities that His lot was with the wicked and that anyone who followed Him would share His fate among the "accursed" who hung from the tree of the Cross.

But God had an altogether different opinion. He called Jesus His Beloved Son and gave Him kingship, not only over heaven, but over the whole universe as well. We shall share in that kingship, if we remain with Him. And the paradoxical sign of our share in that kingship will be our share in His sufferings and the hatred of the enemies we are called to love and forgive. Even such hate cannot touch our union with Him.

"When we come back in the evening we have one hour of adoration before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and [at] this you will be surprised: We have not had to cut down our work for the poor. The one hour of adoration is the greatest gift God could give a community because . . . we love the poor with greater and deeper faith and love" Bl. Teresa of Calcutta

Mother Teresa - Each one of us is what he is in the eyes of God.

Meditations by Padre Pio - Courage, courage, children are not nails.

MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY

These thoughts for a day are taken from a daily meditation book based on the Messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje by Father Richard J. Beyer, Ave Maria Press. To

Nov 20 - WHEN MY SON WAS DYING

On Good Friday in 1990, the Virgin gave this message to the visionary's prayer group:

Dear children, I am happy to see you tonight. You know, dear children, that when my Son was dying I was alone with him with only a few other women, but tonight I am happy that so many of you are with me. Tonight, when you return home, pray a rosary in front of your crucifix and be thankful (Visionary Prayer Group April 13, 1990).

Speaking of the crucifixion, St. Luke writes:

And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood, at a distance, watching these things (Lk 23:48-49).

Reflection:

In the end, nothing is more beautiful than love. Yet as beautiful as it is, love is more practical than pretty. Real love deals with the real world, where there's no prettiness. Yet there is beauty.

The sight of Jesus bowing under the weight of the cross, his stumbling, bruising falls on the road, his cries from the cross, his sweat, his blood, his dying breath. None is a pretty sight. Yet how beautiful! Men have tried for centuries to capture the beauty in that ugliness. Some of the greatest works of art have tried to portray the crucified yet beautiful Savior.

Here is God in our flesh, cruelly betrayed, tortured, and nailed to the cross.

What could be uglier?

Nothing. Unless something more beautiful than beauty was there on that hill. Unless the ugly horror was transcended and transformed, made holy. And it was. Each time we kneel at the foot of the cross, as we gaze in wonder upon the suffering Servant, no beauty can compare. The glory is overwhelming.

Application:

Today, simply heed Our Lady's request in her message: "Pray the rosary in front of your crucifix with great thankfulness."

Medjugorje Day By Day Nov 21 - THE PRESENTATION OF MARY

As a small child, Mary was presented to the Lord in the temple by her parents, Sts. Anne and Joachim. Pray "that from this Year of the Eucharist, they [priests] may draw the fruit of a renewed Love for the Sacrament they celebrate. Through the intercession of the Virgin Mother of God, may they always live and bear witness to the mystery that is put in their hands for the saving of the world" (Pope Benedict XVI, Sept. 18, 2005).

"When I am before the Tabernacle, I can say only one thing to Our Lord: 'My God, you know that I love you.' And I feel my prayer does not tire Jesus; knowing the helplessness of His poor little spouse, He is content with her good will" (St. Therese, The Little Flower).

Pope John Paul II -

The Archbishop Kwangju said to the Pope: "In Korea, in the town of Nadju, Our Lady cries..." The Pope answered "There are bishops, like in Yugoslavia for example who are against this...., but it's important to look at the great number of people who are answering invitations, the amount of conversions... All this is underlined in the Gospel , all these facts have to be seriously investigated." (L`Homme Nouveau, 3. February 1991.) http://www.medjugorje.org/pope.htm Mother Teresa - We should realize that poverty doesn't only consist in being hungry for bread, but rather it is a tremendous hunger for human dignity. We need to love and to be somebody for someone else. Meditations by Padre Pio - Take comfort then, my dear lady, take comfort, because the sustaining arm of the Lord has not been shortened. Oh yes, He is the Father of all, but He is more so for the unhappy and even more so for you who are a widow, and a widowed mother.

MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY

These thoughts for a day are taken from a daily meditation book based on the Messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje by Father Richard J. Beyer, Ave Maria Press. Nov 21 - THE PRESENTATION OF MARY

On this day when Mary was presented, or consecrated, to God at the Temple in Jerusalem, she calls each of us to a consecration as well:

Dear children, today I am happy because many of you want to consecrate yourselves to me. Thank you. You are not mistaken, my Son, Jesus Christ wishes, through my intercession, to bestow very special graces on you. He rejoices in your consecration to him (Weekly Message May 17, 1984).

When we are consecrated to God and Our Lady, we are given a mission as well.

From Isaiah:

The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me:

He has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn. Isaiah 61 :1-2

Reflection:

Our Lady once recommended to the visionaries that they read an account of her life entitled The Poem of the Man-God by the mystical writer Maria Valtorta (1897-1961). In chapter 8 of this work, Valtorta describes her vision of Mary's presentation at the age of three.

As background: Having been childless, Joachim and Ann had vowed that if they were blessed with a child, they would consecrate her to God at childhood, when she would then reside at the Temple with other consecrated souls, to pray and glorify the Lord in a cloistered setting, until she reached maturity.

In this scene from the book, the child Mary and her parents are at the entrance of the Temple, where the high priest has come to receive her:

The high priest looks at the little girl and smiles. Then, he beckons to Mary. And she departs from her mother and father, and as if fascinated, climbs the steps. And she smiles. She smiles in the shade of the Temple, where the precious veil is hanging. She is now at the top of the steps, at the feet of the high priest, who imposes his hand on her head. The victim has been accepted. Which purer victim had the Temple ever received?

Then he turns around and holding his hand on her shoulder as if he were leading the immaculate little lamb to the altar, he takes her to the Temple door.

Before letting her in, he asks her: "Mary of David, are you aware of your vow?"

When she replies "Yes" in her silvery voice, he cries out: "Go in, then. Walk in my presence and be perfect."

Application:

"Today I am very happy," Our Lady says, "because there are many who want to consecrate themselves to me. Thank you." Today, in the spirit of the Presentation, consecrate yourself again to the Blessed Mother, using either your own words or the prayer found for November 24.

Medjugorje Day By Day Nov 22 - CONTINUE TO GROW

Jesus Christ the King: "Has the tender love of a father or the liberality of a king toward its subjects ever reached as far as the love of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament?" (St. John Vianney).

"How I hate this folly of not believing in the Eucharist, etc.! If the gospel be true, if Jesus Christ be God, what difficulty is there?" (Pascal).

Mother Teresa - We are all called to be saints. We all have been created in the image of God to love and to be loved.

Meditations by Padre Pio - Place all your worries in God alone, because He has the greatest care of you, and those three angelic children with whom he has blessed you. By their conduct, these children will be a consolation to you during your lifetime. Take care, not so much of their scientific as of their moral education. And you should take this very seriously, and guard it as the pupil of your eye. As you educate their mind with good studies, assure the education of their hearts, along with that of our holy religion; one without the other causes a mortal wound to the human heart.

MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY

Nov 22 - CONTINUE TO GROW

The following was given to the young Locutionists for their prayer group:

Each member of the group is like a flower; and if someone tries to crush you, you will grow and continue to grow even more. If someone puts you down even a little, you will recover. And if someone pulls a petal, you will continue to grow as though you were complete (Locutionists Jelena & Mirijana June 21, 1984).

And from Paul's letter to the Galatians:

So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up (Gal 6:9).

Reflection:

Sometimes we are lamps without light, extinguished, but with possibilities not realized. Well, I have come to light a flame in your hearts, should the disappointments you have suffered, the expectations that have not come true, have put it out. I want to say to each of you that you have capacities, often unsuspected, sometimes made even greater and more vigorous by hard experience.

These words of hope form Pope John Paul II speak of a great truth that hope , far from being some vague, ethereal virtue, is instead a product of practical, learned experience.

Experience is not just the best teacher; it is the only teacher. As we look back at our trials and hardships, we realize that, rather than being tragic and destructive, our difficulties have given us endurance, resilience, and patience. This is the direct outcome of going through trials. This is where hope comes from. This is where God sheds his love right where we always need him the most. It is why we have "unsuspected capacities," as the Holy Father says, why we have hope.

Application:

Today the Mother of God gives us a message of profound hope: in times of trial or suffering, we will not be crushed, but will recover even stronger "and continue to grow more and more." Today, give over to her any present difficulties, trusting in her help.

Medjugorje Day By Day Nov 23 - I CALL YOU TO OFFER SACRIFICES

St. Monica, Wife, Mother, North Africa, (332-387), Feast, Aug. 27 Wife of a pagan and mother of three, one a prodigal son. Through her devotion and intercessory prayer to Jesus in the Eucharist, her husband converted shortly before he died. Her wayward son became St. Augustine, due to her faithful perseverance in prayer.

Mother Teresa -

Love, tenderness, and compassion are real justice. Justice without love is not justice. Love without justice is not love.

Meditations by Padre Pio - Why is there evil in the world? Listen carefully. There is a mother who is embroidering. Her son sitting on a low stool sees her work, but upside down. He sees the knots of the embroidery; the tangled threads, and says: "Mother, what are you doing? Your work is not at all clear?"

Then the mother lowers the embroidery frame and shows the right side of her work. Each color is in its place and the variety of threads form a harmonious design.

So, we are seeing the reverse side of the embroidery. We are sitting on the low stool. MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY

These thoughts for a day are taken from a daily meditation book based on the Messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje by Father Richard J. Beyer, Ave Maria Press.

Nov 23 - I CALL YOU TO OFFER SACRIFICES

Today Our Lady speaks of one of the core virtues of Christian life:

Dear children, today I thank you again for everything that you have accomplished for me during these past days. I thank you especially, dear children, for the sacrifices you have offered this last week. Dear children, do not forget that I desire sacrifices from you so I can help you and keep Satan at a distance. And so I call you again to offer sacrifices in special reverence toward God (Weekly Message September 18, 1986).

In Hebrews, Paul speaks of the effects of the greatest sacrifice:

But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, "he sat down at the right hand of God," and since then has been waiting "until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet." For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified (Heb 10:12-14).

Reflection:

In Pompeii the body of a crippled boy was found with his lame foot. Round his body was a woman's arm, bejeweled. The great stream of fire suddenly issuing from the volcano had driven a terror stricken crowd for refuge. The woman had evidently taken pity on the cripple. Only the arm outstretched to save was saved itself. The arm of the Lord protects his people. He draws us to himself to save all of us. We are never too insignificant for his rescue. A saying goes: "If you were the only person left on earth, Christ would die for you alone." Every soul is priceless in the sight of God. Each of us belongs to the creator, we are his flesh and blood. His salvation is directed to every one of us. No one is left out. As St. Paul writes: "For as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ" (1Cor 15:22). Application: With the sacrifice of Christ as our great example, let us try to live Our Lady's message today: "And so I call you again to offer your sacrifices in special reverence to God." Medjugorje Day By Day Nov 24 - CONSECRATION TO THE IMMACULATE HEART Come to the foot of the altar. Here graces will be showered upon all, great and little, who ask for them. Graces will especially be showered upon those who ask for them." (Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal to St. Catherine Laboure).

"Medjugorje is the continuation and fulfillment of Fatima." Pope John Paul II

Quote from "Medjugorje and the Church" page 19 by Sr Emmanuel and Denis Nolan. The Holy Father said this to Bishop Hnilica

Two Frogs - Be Special To Others

A group of frogs were traveling through the woods when two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead. The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all their might.

The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died.

The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, "Did you not hear us?" The frog communicated to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.

This story teaches two lessons:

1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.

2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill them. Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross your path.

The power of words ... it is sometimes hard to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times. Special is the individual who will take the time to encourage another.

Mother Teresa - Jesus knows the countless hungers of man, and He gives of Himself. What a gift! What proof of His love! What assurance for us!

Padre Pio -

I hate sin! Our country would be fortunate if, as mother of our rights, it would perfect the laws and customs in the light of honesty and Christian principles.

is also a denial of freedom."

MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY

These thoughts for a day are taken from a daily meditation book based on the Messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje by Father Richard J. Beyer, Ave Maria Press.

NOV 24 - CONSECRATION TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

Given to the young locutionists, Jelena and Mirijana:

I give you my heart. Accept it! I do not wish to distress you, nor to stop talking to you, but know that I cannot stay always with you. You must realize this. In the meantime, I wish to be constantly with you, with the heart. It is necessary to pray a great deal, and not to say, "If we have not prayed today, it is nothing serious" (Locutionists Jelena & Mirijana October 29, 1983).

And from Luke's gospel:

But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart (Lk 2:19).

Reflection:

Our Lady had spoken of her heart and her love for us many times in Medjugorje. "Consecrate yourself to the Immaculate Heart," she said in August of 1983. And in December of the same year: "Tomorrow [Feast of the Immaculate Conception] will be a truly blessed day for you, if every moment is consecrated to my Immaculate Heart." "My heart is full of grace and love. My heart is the gift I give you," she said in June of 1987. There is great peace as well as great power in the consecration, for as we give our hearts and lives to the Blessed Mother, she gives her own life and all that this entails to us.

Application:

Putting Our Lady's words into action, let us now consecrate ourselves to the Immaculate Heart, using the prayer she dictated to Jelena for that purpose:

O Immaculate Heart of Mary, overflowing with goodness, show us your love. May the flame of your heart, O Mary, descend upon all people. We love you so very much. Impress true love in our hearts. May our hearts yearn for you. O Mary, sweet and humble of heart. Remember us even when we sin. You know that we are all sinners. Through your most sacred and motherly heart, heal us of every spiritual illness. Make us capable of realizing the beauty of your maternal heart, and in this way, may we be converted by the flame of your heart. Amen

Medjugorje Day By Day Nov 25 - CONSECRATION TO THE HEART OF JESUS

Message, 25. November 2010

"Dear children! I look at you and I see in your heart death without hope, restlessness and hunger. There is no prayer or trust in God, that is why the Most High permits me to bring you hope and joy. Open yourselves. Open your hearts to God's mercy and He will give you everything you need and will fill your hearts with peace, because He is peace and your hope. Thank you for having responded to my call."

"Hail, sacred tabernacles, where Thou, O Lord, dost descend at the voice of a mortal! Hail, mysterious altar, where faith comes to receive its immortal food! Oh, I love Thy temple! It is an island of peace in the ocean of the world, a beacon of immortality! Thou art near to hear us.... O happy Church! Truly in thee is a hidden God, an infinite treasure, a copious redemption, an everlasting safety. Human eye sees not, nor can any finite intelligence penetrate that ineffable, mysterious presence of Heaven's great Lord." (St. Paul of the Cross)

Mother Teresa - Vocation, for a Christian, is Jesus. Our means, how we spend our time, may be different, but it is still our love for Jesus in action. Meditations by Padre Pio - The Lord points out and calls, but we do not want to see and answer because we prefer our own interests. It also sometimes happens that because the voice is always audible, we no longer hear it; but the Lord enlightens and calls. It is man who puts himself in the position of no longer being able to hear.

MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY

These thoughts for a day are taken from a daily meditation book based on the Messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje by Father Richard J. Beyer, Ave Maria Press.

Nov 25 - CONSECRATION TO THE HEART OF JESUS

The following message was given to Jelena for the parish:

Devote five minutes to the Sacred Heart. Each family is an image of it (Locutionists Jelena & Mirijana July 2, 1983).

And from John's gospel, a prayer of Jesus to the Father:

Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and those know that you have sent me. I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them (Jn 17:25-26).

Reflection:

The love of Christ is symbolized by his heart. To be consecrated to the Sacred Heart is to be consecrated to the Lord's love, pledged and dedicated to it. Our Lord's love, pledged and dedicated to it. Our Lady emphasizes this in her messages. From October, 1988: "I am calling you today to the prayer of consecration to Jesus, my dear Son, so that each of your hearts may be his." And in Nov of 1983: "Place an image of the hearts of Jesus and Mary in your homes." In April, 1984: "I pray that you especially venerate the Heart of my Son." And last, in October of 1983: "May all families consecrate themselves to the Sacred Heart each day."

Application:

Today, let us live these messages of the Blessed Virgin by consecrating ourselves to the Sacred Heart, using the prayer she dictated to Jelena for that purpose:

O Jesus, we know that you are gentle, that you have given your heart for us, crowned with the thorns of our sins. We know well that today you still pray for us so that we will not be lost.

Jesus, remember us if we fall into sin. Through your most Sacred Heart, enable us to love one another, that hatred may disappear from among men. Show us your love, we love you and wish that you protect us with the heart of the Good Shepherd.

Enter into each heart, Lord Jesus! Knock on the door of our hearts with patience and persistence. We are still locked within ourselves for we have not understood your will. O Jesus, continue to knock, that our hearts may open to you, especially when we remember the passion which you suffered for us. Amen.

Medjugorje Day By Day Nov 26 - SURRENDER YOURSELVES TO ME

Message of November 25, 2006

"Dear children! Also today I call you to pray, pray, pray. Little children, when you pray you are close to God and He gives you the desire for eternity. This is a time when you can speak more about God and do more for God. Therefore, little children, do not resist but permit Him to lead you, to change you and to enter into your life. Do not forget that you are travelers on the way toward eternity. Therefore, little children, permit God to lead you as a shepherd leads his flock. Thank you for having responded to my call."

"The whole world" should "come together to venerate and adore Christ the King hidden under the Sacramental species. Thus by sermons preached, by public adoration of the Blessed Sacrament exposed and by solemn processions, men unite in paying homage to Christ, whom God has given them for their King." "When once men recognize, both in private and in public life, that Christ is King, society will at last receive the great blessings of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, peace and harmony" (Pope Pius XI).

Honor in Mary, at the foot of the Tabernacle, all the mysteries of her life, for all these were stations, as it were, leading to the Cenacle. In Mary's life there you will find the model and the consolation of your own life. In the Cenacle, this august Queen kneels as adoratrix and servant of the Most Blessed Sacrament: kneel at your Mother's side and pray with her, and in so doing, you will continue her Eucharistic Life on earth." (St. Peter Julian Eymard)

Mother Teresa - Who is the church? You and I. The church are those who follow Jesus.

Meditations by Padre Pio - There are such sublime joys and such deep sufferings that words cannot express them. Silence is the last resort of the soul in ineffable joy as in extreme oppression.

MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY These thoughts for a day are taken from a daily meditation book based on the Messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje by Father Richard J. Beyer, Ave Maria Press.

Nov 26 - SURRENDER YOURSELVES TO ME

Today Our Lady speaks of one of the primary messages of Medjugorje:

Dear children, I wish to tell you that I have chosen this parish. I guard it in my hands like a little flower that does not want to die.

I beseech you to surrender yourselves to me so that I can present you as a gift to God, fresh and without sin. Satan has destroyed part of my plan and wants to possess all of it. Pray that he does not succeed, for I wish you for myself so that I may continue offering you to God (Weekly Message August 1, 1985).

And from Paul's first letter to the Corinthians:

For whoever was called in the Lord as a slave is a freed person belonging to the Lord, just as whoever was free when called is a slave of Christ (1 Cor 7:22).

Reflection:

There is glory and joy in surrender to God. When we surrender to other masters we are crushed, shamed, and defeated. But when we give our lives over to God, we are glorified and find victory. An unknown poet knew the honor in this submission: "Make me a captive, Lord, and then I shall be free."

When we abandon ourselves totally to God, we stand before him with nothing: nothing more, nothing less, and nothing other than his Divine Will. Richard Baxter, a great religious writer, died with these words on his lips: "Lord, what you will, where you will, and when you will."

When we submit to God's complete and total control, we become "God-intoxicated", filled with his own life. There is no other way but the way of abandonment and surrender, as the Virgin emphasizes today. It can be hard, but it is essential to a fulfilled life.

Application:

In prayer today, live Our Lady's message: "I beseech you to surrender yourselves your selves to me, so that I can present you a gift to God."

Medjugorje Day By Day Nov 27 - 27 YOU ARE MINE

Message of November 25, 2005

"Dear children! Also today I call you to pray, pray, pray until prayer becomes life for you. Little children, at this time, in a special way, I pray before God to give you the gift of faith. Only in faith will you discover the joy of the gift of life that God has given you. Your heart will be joyful thinking of eternity. I am with you and love you with a tender love. Thank you for having responded to my call."

"The devotion to the Eucharist is the most noble because it has God as its object; it is the most profitable for salvation, because It gives us the Author of Grace; it is the sweetest, because the Lord is Sweetness Itself." (Pope St. Pius X)

Mother Teresa - Through prayer I become one in love with Christ. I realize that praying to Him is loving Him. For me, prayer means being united to the will of God twenty four hours a day, to live for Him, through Him, and with Him.

Meditations by Padre Pio - We must become accustomed to the sufferings which Jesus will be pleased to send us. Jesus, who cannot bear to keep you in a state of affliction at length, will come to help and comfort you, by instilling new courage in your spirit.

MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY These thoughts for a day are taken from a daily meditation book based on the Messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje by Father Richard J. Beyer, Ave Maria Press.

NOV - 27 YOU ARE MINE

Our Lady gave this message of warmth to the two young locutionists:

I hold all of you in my arms. You are mine. I need your prayers so that you may be all mine. I desire to be all yours and for you to be all mine. I receive all your prayers. I receive them with joy (Locutionists Jelena & Mirijana February 23, 1984).

And from Psalm 4:

I will both lie down and sleep in peace; For you alone, O Lord, made me lie down in safety. Psalm 4:8

Reflection:

The Blessed Mother gives such assurance. She will place bread in our hands tonight. It will be there tomorrow. What we have to hold onto is her Son. We can be at peace. In Psalm 23 we hear, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." Other translations say, "The Lord is my shepherd, therefore I shall lack nothing." Our faith is based upon trusting the Shepherd, resting in his arms, and knowing that we will be nourished and fed. We are safe with the bread of trust in our hands. Application: "I hold all of you in my arms," the Mother of God says today. "You are mine. I need your prayers so that you may be all mine." Today, offer all your prayers to Mary for her intentions.

Medjugorje Day By Day Nov 28 - FIND SOLACE IN PRAYER

St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot and Doctor "The Eucharist is that love which surpasses all loves in Heaven and on earth." (St. Bernard) Mother Teresa

I believe that God has created each soul, that that soul belongs to God, and that each soul has to find God in its own lifetime and enter into His life. That is what is important. All of us need to seek God and find Him.

Meditations by Padre Pio

All human ideas, from wherever they come, can be both good and bad. One must learn to assimilate all the good and offer it to God, eliminating the bad.

MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY

These thoughts for a day are taken from a daily meditation book based on the Messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje by Father Richard J. Beyer, Ave Maria Press. Nov 28 - FIND SOLACE IN PRAYER

A Message to Jelena and Mirijana :

Pray! It may seem strange to you that I always speak of prayer, and yet I say again, pray! Why do you hesitate? In sacred scripture you have heard it said : " Do not worry about tomorrow, for each day has worries enough of its own. " And so do not worry about other days. Find solace in prayer. I, your Mother, will take care of the rest (Locutionists Jelena & Mirjana February 29, 1984).

And in John's gospel. Assurance from Christ : I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world (Jn 16 :33).

Reflection :

Application :

Today, spend several minutes in silence, repeating only the names of Jesus and Mary. Let every anxiety be calmed by their power.

Medjugorje Day By Day Nov 29 - DO NOT BE PREOCCUPIED

The true gift of the Son of God is the gift of the Incarnation, in which He gave Himself to us, and which remains with us in the Eucharist, in His Word, every day until the end of history" (Pope Benedict, Nov. 16, 2005, General Audience).

"You should adore our Lord Jesus Christ, who makes himself present to us on the altar, so that we might offer him the homage and adoration we owe." (St. John Eudes)

Mother Teresa - God has His own ways of working in the hearts of men, and we do not know how close He is to each one.

Meditations by Padre Pio - It is a great grace to be able to serve this good God when youth renders one susceptible to everything. Oh how this offering, by which one offers the first fruits of the tree, is appreciated. And what can restrain you from making a total offering of your entire self to the good God, by deciding, once and for all, to give the world, the devil and the flesh a kick, as our god-parents did for us in a determined manner when they held us at Baptism? Perhaps the Lord does not deserve this further sacrifice from you?

MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY

These thoughts for a day are taken from a daily meditation book based on the Messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje by Father Richard J. Beyer, Ave Maria Press.

Nov 29 - DO NOT BE PREOCCUPIED

Our Lady asks us to empty ourselves before we begin to pray :

You must not be preoccupied during prayer. In praying, do not concern yourselves with your sins. Sins must be left behind (First Years March 1985)

And from Jesus : " Peace! Be still! "…and there was a dead calm (Mk 4 :39).

Reflection :

At the foot of a cliff, under the windows of the Castle of Miramar, at a depth of eighty feet below the surface of the clear waters of the Adriatic, there was, years ago, a kind of cage fashioned by divers in the face of the rock. In that cage were some of the most magnificent pearls in existence. They belonged to the Archduchess Rainer.

Having been unworn for a long time, the gems lost their color and the experts were unanimous in declaring that the only means by which they could be restored to their original brilliancy was by submitting them to a prolonged immersion in the depths of the sea. For some years they were kept lying in the crystal depths, and gradually regained their unrivalled beauty and splendor.

The only secret of regaining the lost luster of the inner life, of spirituality and faith, is to get back again to those blessed depths from which the soul first received its bright touch of the divine and holy.

Application :

Today, spend some time being still, silent, and sensitive to the soft voice of the Spirit within.

Medjugorje Day By Day Nov 30- A GREAT WHIRLPOOL

Advent Prayer: O Jesus, little child, come into my heart on Christmas morn, to wash away my sins and remain there in eternally. O Mary, Mother of my Savior, prepare for Jesus a cradle in my heart. Amen. O Come Let Us Adore Him in The Eucharist!

Prayer: Most holy Virgin, I am now going to receive Jesus, thy beloved Son, my God and Redeemer. Thou, my Mother, prepare my heart to receive Him. Make me a fitting tabernacle of the Most High. I ask this favor of thee for love of thy own pure and Immaculate Heart, and through the intercession of all the Saints. Amen.

Mother Teresa - Then suffering comes to us, we should accept it with a smile, because it is the greatest gift that God gives us. It is a gift to have the courage to accept everything that He sends us.

Meditations by Padre Pio - Remember that God is in us when we are in the state of grace and outside of us, so to speak, when we are in a state of sin; but His angel never abandons us. He is our most sincere and faithful friend when we do not make the mistake of saddening Him with our wicked conduct.

MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY

These thoughts for a day are taken from a daily meditation book based on the Messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje by Father Richard J. Beyer, Ave Maria Press.

Nov 30 - A GREAT WHIRLPOOL

Given to the locutionists, Jelena and Mirijana :

My children, pray! The world has been drawn into a great whirlpool. It does not know what it is doing. It does not realize in what sin it is sinking. It needs your prayers so that I can pull it out of this danger (Locutionist Jelena & Mirjana February 17, 1984).

In Luke's gospel, Peter is confronted with a miracle at the hands of Christ :

But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, " Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man! " (Lk 5 :8).

Reflection :

We sometimes hear that we need to get rid of our hang-ups, or guilt; we hear that guilt and shame are wrong and destructive. But this is not entirely true. Only false guilt arising from mistaken and misplaced judgment is wrong. Only imposed shame and coercive put-downs that are unjust and unfair are destructive. True guilt and honest shame are essential to your moral fiber. Guilt is an acknowledgment of sin, while shame is what we feel when we know the judgment of guilt is correct. Guilt tells us we were wrong; shame is what makes us blush by appealing to our conscience. In the end, without acknowledging our guilt and confessing our sin we cannot receive the Lord's forgiveness and the grace of healing.

Application :

A simple prayer for today;

O Lord, when the occasion warrants, help me to realize my sin and guilt, that I may amend my life through your hearing forgiveness. Amen.

Medjugorje Day By Day Dec 01 – SACRIFICE

During Advent "we will contemplate with particular fervor the face of Christ present in the Eucharist. Jesus, Incarnate Word, dead and risen, is the center of history.

The Church adores him and discovers in him the ultimate and unifying meaning of all the mysteries of faith: the love of God that gives life" (Pope John Paul II, Address, November 28, 2004).

Mother Teresa - Suffering is a sign of love, because it was chosen by the Father to show us that He loved the world when He gave up His Son to die for us. In that way, through Christ's life, suffering proved to be a gift, the greatest gift of love, because through His suffering our sins were atoned for.

Meditations by Padre Pio - Take no notice, my son, let them publish what they like, I fear God's judgment and not that of men. Only sin is to be feared because it offends God and dishonors us.

MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY

These thoughts for a day are taken from a daily meditation book based on the Messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje by Father Richard J. Beyer, Ave Maria Press.

Dec 1 - SACRIFICE

Today the Blessed Mother advises us on how to begin Advent:

Prepare yourselves spiritually and mentally for Christmas. In your prayers, offer one especially for my intentions. Sacrifice something that you like the most (Visionary Prayer Group Dec 15, 1989).

St. Peter also speaks of spiritual preparations:

Rid your selves, therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation (1 Pt 2: 1-2).

Reflection:

During Advent of 1989, Our Lady asked Jelena's prayer group (and by extension all of us), to prepare spiritually for Christmas through prayer and sacrifice.

These two activities build on one another in several ways. First, sacrifice amplifies the power of prayer many times over. Second, Mary knows well that actions speak louder than words. She calls us to the specific action of making a special sacrifice for Advent, which will demonstrate our love for God in a concrete manner. Third, sacrifice will help us to develop a healthy self-discipline, so that we will not jump at every stray impulse that comes our way. And last, the spiritual merit of any act of self denial will last for eternity.

The spiritual preparation for Christmas will clearly help in our growth toward holiness. This is a special time when we can sort out virtues form vices, as Peter recommends today: " Strip away everything deceitful pretenses, jealousies, and disparaging remarks of any kind. "

In the end, of course, Christmas will be meaningful and joyous for us to the extent that we have prepared ourselves spiritually for it, as Mary encourages us today.

Application:

With reference to Our Lady's message decide today what sacrifice you can offer to God during Advent. In what way can you deepen your prayer life during these four weeks? Medjugorje Day By Day Dec 02 - LIVE THE MESSAGES

"The whole world" should "come together to venerate and adore Christ the King hidden under the Sacramental species. Thus by sermons preached, by public adoration of the Blessed Sacrament exposed and by solemn processions, men unite in paying homage to Christ, whom God has given them for their King." "When once men recognize, both in private and in public life, that Christ is King, society will at last receive the great blessings of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, peace and harmony" (Pope Pius XI).

"I reminded the entire Church of the central and irreplaceable nature of the Eucharist in Christian life, in order be faithful to the vocation to sanctity . . . . Make the Blessed Sacrament the pinnacle of spiritual life and an inspiration for every missionary and apostolic project. In effect, in the Blessed Sacrament we encounter Christ, and therefore, it is a privileged point of encounter for souls in love with Him." "Live the just-begun Year of the Eucharist as an intense time of encounters with Christ," "discover in this incomparable treasure that Jesus left us the joy and goodness of the loving presence of the Savior" (Pope John Paul II, November 9, 2004).

Mother Teresa - Suffering in and of itself is useless, but suffering which is a share in the passion of Christ is a marvelous gift for human life. This is what people expect from us: that we fully live out our Christianity.

Meditations by Padre Pio - Divine Goodness not only does not reject repentant souls, but even goes in search of obstinate ones

MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY

These thoughts for a day are taken from a daily meditation book based on the Messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje by Father Richard J. Beyer, Ave Maria Press.

Dec 2 - LIVE THE MESSAGES

In October of 1990, Our Lady gave the following message to Ivan and Marija's prayer group: Dear children, tonight I invite you to pray for peace. Dear children, I want to give you new messages. I am your Mother. I wish always to teach you something new, but first of all you must live the messages I have already given you. Then I can give you new messages (Visionary Prayer Group October 15, 1990).

And from John's gospel:

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come (Jn 16: 13).

Reflection:

One of the most beautiful and inspiring hymns ever written is a source of constant faith for many. "

Lead, Kindly Light " was composed by Cardinal John Henry Newman, and was the favorite of both Franklin Roosevelt and Mahatma Gandhi. The words go like this

Lead, kindly light, amid the encircling gloom, Lead thou me on;

The night is dark, and I am far from home;

Lead thou me on.

Keep thou my feet, I do not ask to see The distant scene; one step enough for me.

As we live Our Lady's messages, our spiritual journey depends on taking one step at a time, one day at a time. This hymn could very well be our daily prayer. We don't need to do everything at once. The visionaries themselves were gradually led by the Virgin in living her messages. For instance, she initially asked them to pray the Creed and five Our Fathers, Hail Mary's and Glory Bes. Years later they graduated to three hours of prayer daily, including the Mass and full rosary.

What we need most is to keep our feet on the path, trust God, and keep making one step, and then another, as Our Lady leads us.

Application:

Today, pray that you may not become stymied in living the Virgin's messages, but continue to heed her urgings to move ahead one step at a time.

Medjugorje Day By Day Dec 03 - THEIR OWN CREATORS

"I understand that, each time we contemplate with desire and devotion the Host in which is hidden Christ's Eucharistic Body, we increase our merits in heaven and secure special joys to be ours later in the beatific vision of God." (St. Gertrude)

A four-year-old child, whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman, who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.

When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy just said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry."

Mother Teresa - Christians are the light for everyone else, for the whole world. If we are Christians, we must look like Christ. We must be like Him.

Meditations by Padre Pio - When you are in a state of abjection imitate the kingfishers who build their nests on the masts of ships, which are raised above the earth. Raise your hearts and your thoughts to God who alone can console you and give you the strength to sustain your trials in a holy way.

MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY

These thoughts for a day are taken from a daily meditation book based on the Messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje by Father Richard J. Beyer, Ave Maria Press.

DEC 3 - THEIR OWN CREATORS

The following was given to the visionaries in the first weeks of the apparitions :

The Russian people will be the people who will glorify God the most. The West has made civilization progress, but without God, as if they were their own creators ( First Years October 1981)

Of the persecuted and the humble, Christ said :

Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you… Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven (Lk 6 :22-23). Reflection :

We have all heard statements like : " He's only a jail-bird, " or " She's only a waitress. " Some people have a bag full of " onlys " those who live in slums, maids, street cleaners, the foreigners in our land. All can be looked upon as being " only " or " just " or " merely. " It is an arrogance that goes against the grain of a lived faith, and it sadly marks not only individuals but even nations.

As followers of Christ and Our Lady, who especially love the poor and the humble, we are called to eliminate the tendency to see any human being as " only " anything. If we need to label or tag anyone, let is be as brother or sister, friend or colleague. The gospel does not recognize rank. We are all equally important to God and to each other. We have all heard statements like : " He's only a jail-bird, " or " She's only a waitress. " Some people have a bag full of " onlys " those who live in slums, maids, street cleaners, the foreigners in our land. All can be looked upon as being " only " or " just " or " merely. " It is an arrogance that goes against the grain of a lived faith, and it sadly marks not only individuals but even nations.

As followers of Christ and Our Lady, who especially love the poor and the humble, we are called to eliminate the tendency to see any human being as " only " anything. If we need to label or tag anyone, let is be as brother or sister, friend or colleague. The gospel does not recognize rank. We are all equally important to God and to each other.

Application :

In your prayer today, reflect on whether you have the tendency to put down certain people or groups as " only " or " merely " including yourself. Ask for the heart of Christ to see all people as belonging to the family of God.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Part I

https://www.angelfire.com/realm/blackcatholics/blog/13_StationsoftheCrossI-VII_Artist_Album.mp3"

Part II

https://www.angelfire.com/realm/blackcatholics/blog/14_StationsoftheCrossVIII-End_Artist_Album.mp3"

For further information: BLACK CHRISTIANITY’S AFRICAN BEGINNINGS

https://www.angelfire.com/realm/blackcatholics/

BLACK CATHOLICS BLOG

http://blackcatholicsprophecymeditations.blogspot.com

Black, African Saints

www.angelfire.com/realm/blackcatholics/BlackSaintsMysticHoly.html

Black and African Catholics Prophecy Meditations

www.angelfire.com/realm/blackcatholics/recentmeditations.html

https://www.angelfire.com/realm/blackcatholics/blog/

Black African Catholics Coptic, Latin rite, Orthodox Prophecies Meditations

https://www.angelfire.com/realm/blackcatholics/blog/

Black Saints Videos https://www.angelfire.com/realm/blackcatholics/BlackSaintsVideos.html Black Saints Videos

Black Saints Videos Part I

LINKS

YouTube, Yahoo, MySpace, Google, DailyMotion, Blip.tv, Veoh, Stupid Videos, Sclipo, Viddler and Howcast

Part II

https://www.youtube.com/watchv=jMnYwZEfBg4

LINKS

YouTube, Yahoo, MySpace, Google, Revver, DailyMotion, Blip.tv, Veoh, Stupid Videos, Sclipo, Viddler and Howcast

DEVOTIONS Sunday- Glorious Mysteries Rosary Afrocentric Glorious Mysteries

MONDAY AND SATURDAY- JOYFUL MYSTERIES ROSARY

< a href="http://www.live365.com/stations/283424”> BLACK CATHOLIC GOSPEL RADIO (Afrocentric Rosary, Stations of Cross, Chaplet of Divine Mercy)

Joyful Mysteries

TUESDAY-AFROCENTRIC SORROWFUL MYSTERIES ROSARY, STATIONS OF CROSS

 Afrocentric Sorrowful Mysteries Rosary Pt I

 Afrocentric Sorrowful Mysteries Rosary Pt II

 Afrocentric Stations Cross Pt. I

Afrocentric Stations Cross Pt. I I

Wednesday- Glorious Mysteries Rosary Afrocentric Glorious Mysteries

Thursday-Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary

First Luminous Mystery

Third Section Luminous Mysteries

Fifth Section Luminous Mysteries

FRIDAY-AFROCENTRIC SORROWFUL MYSTERIES ROSARY, STATIONS OF CROSS

 Afrocentric Sorrowful Mysteries Rosary Pt I

 Afrocentric Sorrowful Mysteries Rosary Pt II

 Afrocentric Stations Cross Pt. I

Afrocentric Stations Cross Pt. I I

< a href="http://www.live365.com/stations/283424”> BLACK CATHOLIC GOSPEL RADIO (Afrocentric Rosary, Stations of Cross, Chaplet of Divine Mercy)

Joyful Mysteries

Afrocentric Chaplets Divine Mercy moderated by James Wesly Smith,

Daily Afrocentric Chaplet Divine Mercy PT I

Daily Afrocentric Chaplet Divine Mercy PT II

Daily Afrocentric Chaplet Divine Mercy PT II

Daily Afrocentric Chaplet Divine Mercy PTlII

Divine Office

Pray by listening to the Divine Office (Full Liturgy of the Hours)

FULL LITURGY OF THE HOURS AND DIVINE OFFICE

Paste in your browser:

http://divineoffice.org:80/

< a href="http://www.live365.com/stations/283424”> BLACK CATHOLIC GOSPEL RADIO (Afrocentric Rosary, Stations of Cross, Chaplet of Divine Mercy)

Joyful Mysteries

Afrocentric Glorious Mysteries

CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY

Daily Afrocentric Chaplet Divine Mercy PT I

Daily Afrocentric Chaplet Divine Mercy PT II

Daily Afrocentric Chaplet Divine Mercy PTlII

The Divine Office (Full Daily Liturgy of the Hours) Daily prayer by listening!

FULL LITURGY OF THE HOURS AND DIVINE OFFICE

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BLACK CATHOLIC WEB SITES TO KNOW BLACK CATHOLIC AFRICAN GENESIS OF THE CHURCH

BLACK CATHOLIC AFRICAN GENESIS OF THE CHURCH, PART II

BLACK CATHOLIC AFRICAN GENESIS OF THE CHURCH, PART III

AFROCENTRIC PRAYERS AND PROPHECIES MEDITATIONS

AFROCENTRIC JOYFUL GLORIOUS LUMINOUS MYSTERIES DISCUSSION

BLACK CCD DISCUSSION

BLACK RCIA DISCUSSION

BLACK SAINTS BOOK INFORMATION

EARLY BLACK SAINTS PRECIS I

EARLY BLACK SAINTS PRÉCIS II

EARLY BLACK SAINTS PRÉCIS III

EARLY BLACK SAINTS PRÉCIS IV

EARLY BLACK SAINTS PRÉCIS V

BLACK SAINTS VIDEO INFORMATION

BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST DISCUSSION

BLACK CATHOLIC FILM INFORMATION

MASS AND EUCHARIST DISCUSSION

CHURCH AND EUCHARIST DISCUSSION

EARLY BLACK SAINTS DISCUSSION I

GOOD FRIDAY DISCUSSION

BLACK CATHOLIC PRAYERS, PROMISES OF MARYAM AND YESHUA, NOVENAS

AFROCENTRIC STATIONS OF CROSS, CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY WITH SPEAKING DRUMS

MEDITATIONS ON THE CHURCH I

MEDITATIONS ON THE CHURCH V

MEDITATIONS ON THE CHURCH VI

BLACK CATHOLIC GOSPEL RADIO (Afrocentric Rosary, Stations of Cross, Chaplet of Divine Mercy)

MORE BLACK CATHOLIC GOSPEL RADIO

DEVOTIONS, PRAYERS FOR THE LITURGICAL CHURCHES AND ALL OTHER CHRISTIANS WHO SO DESIRE (INCLUDING LUTHERAN, EPISCOPALIAN, ANGLICAN, AND OTHER MEMBERS IN THE MYSTICAL BODY OF CHRIST –ALL CHRISTIANITY COMBINED):

SAID YOUR ROSARY, OR CHAPLET DIVINE MERCY TODAY? YOU CAN, HERE…

Afrocentric Rosary Mysteries by the Los Angeles St. Brigid Traditional Choir. Afrocentric Chaplets Divine Mercy moderated by James Wesly Smith

Pray the Joyful Mysteries on Monday and Saturday, the Luminous Mysteries on Thursday, the Sorrowful Mysteries on Tuesday and Friday, and the Glorious Mysteries on Wednesday and Sunday (with this exception: Sundays of Christmas season - The Joyful; Sundays of Lent – Sorrowful. Mysteries/Meditations are events in the Life of Yeshua(Jesus)!

See: HOW TO PRAY THE ROSARY DEVOTIONS MEMORY OF OUR LORD’S LIFE