The devil may not get your soul, but he will use every means possible to decrease your degree of glory in the kingdom. He will watch, and wait, and determine your weakest point, and then he will work on that. This is the strategy of the enemy.
We are in a battle, and when you are in a battle you have to have at least a suspicion about where your enemy is going next.
Edited and with additional material by Raymond Arroyo. Mother Angelica’s Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality. New York: Doubleday. Copyright (c) 2007. Page 152.
MY CHILD, do you wish to know the secret of My saints? Would you like to understand how they could suffer so many things in peace, and even with joy? They meditated often on My trials and sufferings. By burying themselves in My life, they drew strengths for many trials. They placed their hearts within Mine and were filled with a love which could bear all things for My sake.
Come to Me and enter into My heart. You will find strength and comfort in your daily trials and sufferings. You will no longer mind being slighted and neglected by people. You will face evil tongues and bad will with a calm and peaceful soul.
All this will you do because you know Me and understand My life. I, too, was despised by men in My earthly life. In My hour of greatest need, while My enemies mocked and insulted Me, I was abandoned by My friends. For love of you I consented to be despised and to suffer an untold agony. Will you, then, dare to complain when you have to bear similar things? I had enemies who said many evil things against Me. Can you, then, grieve because you do not enjoy the friendship and good will of everyone? How can you be a true follower of Mine, if you will not carry My cross? Those who wish to reign with Me, must suffer and fight with Me.
THINK
This is the secret of the saints. They were so deeply in love with Jesus that they wished to share His life. They wanted to be His friends not merely in His glory, but also in His battles and trials. If I want to be a friend of Jesus, I too must be with Him in suffering and in trials. I must not feel sorry for myself, nor even consider myself. This I can do in my daily life. I need not consider the people who make my life harder. I should see only a glorious opportunity to suffer something for the love of Jesus.
PRAY
My loving Saviour, I desire to be a true friend of yours as You have been, and are, my truest and best friend. Let me drink Your bitter Chalice as You drank it for my sake. I wish to forget self and leave all consolation in Your hands. For myself I ask only that I may carefully bear whatever trials and sufferings come to me this day. You deserve all that I can bear, and more. Nor will I forget that the sufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to come. Let me offer you all of my heart. It is little enough! Amen.
Taken from My Daily Bread: A Summary of The Spiritual Life. Authored by Anthony J. Paone, S.J. Brooklyn: Confraternity of the Precious Blood. Page 258-260. Copyright (c) 1954.
Imprimi Potest: John J. McMahon, S.J., Provincial, New York Province
Nihil Obstat: Martin J. Healy, S.T.D., Censor Librorum
Imprimatur: +Thomas Edmundus Molloy, S.T.D., Archiepiscopus-Episcopus, Brooklyniensis
As you begin your retreat, pause for a few moments and allow yourself to grow still. Let go of any distracting thoughts. Take several slow, deep breaths. Feel God’s loving gaze upon you.
“He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” -Matthew 22:37
Salvation is not reserved for the clever. God made the rules simple enough that all people might have the opportunity to be saved. Jesus makes the Ten Commandments even more concise. In response to a test posed by the intellectual elite, Jesus summarizes all of the law as love of God and love of neighbor. Living a moral life is about living in a loving way. Jesus not only spoke about love, he lived it, embracing sinners and giving his life for our salvation.
What can I do today to live more like Jesus in the way I love God and neighbor?
How have I made growing in love of God more complicated than it needs to be?
(Ask God for the grace to be more loving towards your neighbors, using the prayer below or one of your own).
God of abundant love, cultivate in me a heart committed to loving you and my neighbor. May my words and actions reflect your grace alive in the world.
With the Civil Unions Issue here settled here (for now) in Hawaii…we can breathe a sigh of relief. I would like to emphasize, though, that although the Catholic Church, as well as many other Christian Churches, Jews, and other faiths, oppose civil unions, and that the acts of homosexuals are condemned, all of us needs to remember…that those with homosexual orientation, that they are still human beings, and that they are still loved UNCONDITIONALLY by our Almighty God. They are still God’s sons and daughters, and they are still our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are called to echo God’s love to those who suffer from these tendencies.
Many of you have seen my entries, one being in defense of marriage between man and woman, and another talking about the Health Risks of Gay Sex. I do not do this because to ostracize those who have these tendencies. I do it because it is vital that I let everyone know what the risks are in these actions. We live in a time where people do whatever they wish with their bodies. And in doing so, they find themselves having serious diseases, suffering mental disorders, etc etc. So I would like to post a document here that the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops have put out:
So everyone…please pray hard for our brothers and sisters that have this inclination. It is a very difficult cross that they bear but I talked to a man on the phone in New York who also has a homosexual orientation. He joyfully and happily lives his Catholic faith. He struggles with his orientation but he knows that Jesus Christ loves him unconditionally, and that he receives the Eucharist regularly. God bless.
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8: “In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.”
2nd Reading – 1 Corinthians 15:1-11: “So we preached and so we believe.”
Gospel Reading – Luke 5:1-11: “They left everything and followed Jesus.”
Thoughts on Giving
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?’ ‘Here I am,’ I said, ‘send me!’” – Isaiah 6:8
Every day – in little ways and in big ways – God asks, “Whom shall I send?” Whether it is someone to take on a new ministry or just someone to open a door for an overburdened stranger, God constantly looks to see if we are willing to respond with the eagerness that Isaiah showed when he answered, “Here I am, send me!”.
“They left everything and followed Jesus.” If you are seeking greater simplicity of life and a closer following of the Lord in prayer and action, consider that He may be calling you to the priesthood, diaconate or consecrated life. If you feel that you are called, please contact your parish priest so that they may help you discern your vocation.
Pope John Paul II wrote the following words to all women who have had abortions: “The Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To the same Father and to his mercy you can with sure hope entrust your child. With the friendly and expert help and advice of other people, and as a result of your own painful experience, you can be among the most eloquent defenders of everyone’s right to life. Through your commitment to life, whether by accepting the birth of other children or by welcoming and caring for those most in need of someone to be close to them, you will become promoters of a new way of looking at human life.” (The Gospel of Life, n.99)
Greetings brothers and sisters in Christ. Today, we celebrate the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time. In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells Simon Peter to lower your nets for a catch. Simon Peter replies that they have done this all night but have gotten nothing with their efforts, but Simon Peter lowers his nets anyway. To their great astonishment, a great deal of fish was caught in their nets. When Simon Peter comes to shore, he falls at the feet of Jesus and begs Jesus, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”
Peter wasn’t overjoyed at all. He wasn’t jumping up and down at the great number of fish. Instead, he acknowledges his sinfulness and calls Jesus Lord. Peter, and the other fishermen (James and John among them) acknowledged that this great accomplishment was not of their doing, but from divine origin. Peter realized that he was in the presence of Someone. In that presence, Peter humbled himself and acknowledges his weakness and his sinfulness. And Jesus already knows of Peter’s faults and his failings. But regardless of Peter’s faults, his failings, his denial of Jesus three times during the Passion, Peter became the first Pope of our beloved Catholic Church.
We, as brothers and sisters in Christ, need to realize that we, too, are sinful. Many of us can honestly say that they have committed acts that they are ashamed about. Many of us can honestly say that they fell prey to the temptations of the flesh and of the world, such as sexual acts outside and before marriage, drugs, laziness, greed, etc. There was probably a nagging voice in the back of your head, or a feeling in your heart, that gave you guilt, or told you what you were doing was wrong. So we are sinners. We know that. So what now?
First off, we need to realize that sin does nothing good for our well-being. The more we sin, the more miserable we are. Sure, you can say that it gave you temporary happiness or pleasure. But please note…this pleasure was only TEMPORARY. After it disappears, an empty feeling comes back. Pretty soon, you try to fill up that empty feeling with the commission of more sinful acts. This, my brothers and sisters, is called addiction, which is not healthy for you, physically, mentally, emotionally, psychologically, or spiritually. So what can we do to fill up that emptiness? Acknowledge that you are a sinner and realize that you NEED God. Without God, we are nothing. Look at the term Christian. Take out “Christ” from Christian. What does it spell? I-A-N, which stands for I Am Nothing. (And yes, to you jokers out there, I KNOW it spells out my name so be silent =) ) .
Once you acknowledge your sinfulness and unworthiness before God, it is important to examine your conscience. We are approaching the season of Lent and it is important to see where we are on our spiritual journey. I will be emphasizing the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) very often during this Lenten season. To examine your conscience, please read this document: A Guide to Confession.
After examining your conscience, be sure to take advantage of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which is most likely offered every Saturday at your local parish. You can also make an appointment with your parish priest; that way, you will be able to talk with your priest regarding certain issues and receive thorough spiritual counseling and direction, not to mention, the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I will personally say, that the Sacrament of Reconciliation is awesome. It is a Sacrament of Healing (the other Sacrament of Healing is the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick) and you receive the grace of God to avoid sin in the future.
Confession is done. What next? Mass time. The Mass…is the most highest form of praise and worship we can give our Lord God. We receive the Word of God in the Liturgy of the Word, and we receive Jesus’ body and blood, soul and divinity, in the most Holy Eucharist. We ask forgiveness for our sins, we give give glory to God, and all the angels and the saints participate with us in the Mass, regardless of whatever location you are in. After Mass, what next? We are told at the ending of Mass…”The celebration has ended. Let us go forth to love and serve the Lord and one another.” The sending forth.
We need to ask ourselves this question: How is the Lord calling us to follow Him? How is He calling us to serve Him? Many of us are called to reflect the relationship that Jesus Christ and His Church as husbands and wives. Some men are called to be married to His Church as religious brothers and monks. Some women are called to be brides of Christ as religious sisters and nuns. And we still have other men…who are called to share in Christ’s priesthood, who are called, to become priests, either diocesan or religious priests. There are men and women, single or married, who are called to live a certain charism of a religious order, either as Third Order religious. Then there are certain men and women who are called to live a life of blessed singleness, content with being single for the rest of their lives but living the Gospel joyfully. All of us have our strengths and weaknesses. All of us have different gifts but we all have the same Lord. You can be a pharmacist, be married or single, or even be a religious. There are a variety of paths you can choose but it’s up to you. Our Lord calls each one of us to serve Him and our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in a different way. Although one person may seem insignificant to the world’s population, that one person can make a huge difference in the world.
Have you ever heard the expression, “There is no ‘I’ in ‘we’”? You hear that in sports. The same concept applies to all of us. We are one body in Christ. We are many parts but all one body. When each part of the body cooperates and collaborates with each other, the entire body is able to move as one. But when the different parts do not collaborate with one another, the entire body will be struggling to move forward.
I attended a Youth Mass at St. Stephen’s Church located in Nuuanu area on Pali Drive. The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Marvin Bearis, a Capuchin Friar priest who was just ordained seven months ago. One thing that stuck out to me was the way St. Therese of Liseiux, also known as the Little Flower, lived her life. St. Therese of Lisieux is known for her “little way” to God – a way that everyone can follow, doing the smallest things in love as a way to God. I looked up on Catholic.org and saw this line: ”This is reminder to all of us who feel we can do nothing, that it is the little things that keep God’s kingdom growing.” Brothers and sisters in Christ, although we may feel like we are praying for nothing at all, you may never know. God will be answering your prayers by giving the needs of an impoverished family halfway across the world.
One thing for sure is: as Christians, as men and women of God, are PRIMARY call is to live of a life of holiness. We are ALL called to become saints. A saint is basically all those who are in heaven. We won’t care in heaven if we are canonized or beautified by the Catholic Church because we will be enjoying eternity in eternal joy and bliss. Being holy is not about praying 20 Rosaries a day, mortifying yourselves with a whip and eating bread and water alone. No, being holy, is living the Gospel truth, and sharing it with our brothers and sisters in Christ who do not know Christ or whose faith is weak and needs a little encouragement. Being holy is living the Gospel not just through our words, but through our actions. THAT is EVERYONE’S PRIMARY call to following Jesus. How Jesus wants you to follow him is something you have to determine on your own and with the help and counsel of a spiritual director and trusted confidants. So before you decide what you want to do in your life, ask Jesus how He wants you to follow Him.
Let’s say Jesus IMed you on Facebook, IM, Yahoo Messenger, etc. You are absolutely overjoyed (and probably perplexed why would Jesus IM you because he can just send an angel like *snap*). You are happily telling Him of what’s going on in your life and what has transpired. You also know that He knows of the bad things you did recently and You ask Him forgiveness.
Let’s say that Jesus asks you this question: ”My brother/sister, what are your plans?”
You reply, “Oh Lord, I am planning to go to school for four years, get my degree, get a job, marry, and have lots of kids.”
Jesus: ”Wonderful, is that it?”
You: “Well, I have to raise my kids and watch them have their own kids, etc. etc.”
Jesus: ”Wonderful my son/daughter! Is that it?”
You: ”Errrr…I guess…until You are ready to take me back home.”
You: ”What’s so funny Lord? I mean, I go to Church and try to follow the Commandments everyday. I try to go to confession regularly. I even go to daily Mass. Am I doing something wrong?”
Jesus: ”No, no, no…my son/daughter…your plans are wonderful and I love you UNCONDITIONALLY…I am well pleased that you are doing your best to follow your Commandments, that you try to partake of my body and blood daily, and that you do your best to repent of your sins through Confession…it’s just that…these plans are good…but what I have in store for you is MUCH BETTER. Why don’t you drop what you are doing and follow Me?
You: ”Lord! No offense, I love You too but I can’t just drop everything…I have loans and bills to pay…I love my girlfriend…and the career path that I’m taking is my dreams.”
Jesus: ”I know, but I have something MUCH BETTER for you. Something that you will never regret for the rest of your life. All you have to do is trust in Me, and follow Me. I can do all things because everything with Me is possible. You will have difficulties in either path you choose but I promise you this, if you choose to follow Me and trust in Me, I will give you all what your heart desires and needs. You will never regret it.”
Let us go back to the Gospel. Note how Peter and the other fishermen left everything and followed Him. I urge all of you, as a brother in Christ, to ask the Lord, what does He ask of you to do. I wish all of you a very blessed week, and HAPPY SUPERBOWL SUNDAY!
Media Reflections
This Sunday’s Gospel is the famous “Fishers of Men”. This Sunday is also the World Day of Consecrated Life. In honor of all the priests, consecrated religious, and all those who have left everything to follow Jesus, I will be posting up the Fishers of Men video. We need priests in the world. The more priests, the more available everyone around the world will receive the Sacraments.
Also posted here are videos from the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate and from the Vatican in relation to today’s readings.
Who will you be rooting for this Sunday during the Superbowl? Will you be cheering for the Indianapolis Colts? Or the New Orleans Saints? Personally, I will be rooting for the New Orleans Saints. I always cheer for the underdog. This is the Sunday where everyone has a party and a great time, BBQing, drinking beer, watch the hilarious commercials, etc.
I came across two articles regarding the two teams. One of the articles was titled “Super Bowl Chaplains Help Both Teams Prepare for Sunday“. Each team as a Catholic priest assigned as chaplains to the roster. To be honest, I never knew that priests can be chaplains to NFL teams. I like how the priests celebrate Mass for the Catholic players, and provide spiritual direction to the players. It provides a spiritual aspect to the game. Applying the Catholic faith to football. One message I saw that I liked is to “stay focused on the game alone, and to avoid the surrounding distractions and temptations.” I know football games have much distractions. Fans can get a little carried away in the stands. Let’s also not forget the temptations. There will probably be beautiful women in the stands which will most likely catch the eye of many men.
Regarding the message though, I can see that applied to our everyday lives as well. Stay focused on the game can be compared to our spiritual journey to heaven. However, there are many distractions and temptations that will attempt to sway us away from the “game”. These distractions and temptations are the sins and temptations of the devil, the world, and the flesh. These will constantly nip at us and we will have a difficult time staying focused on our “game”. The goal for all of us in our “game” in life, is not to be successful in this world, but to get to heaven.
We hear coaches tell their players: ”You are all winners regardless of the outcome” (or something similar to that). And this can be applied to our daily lives as well. Players are taught to have good sportsmanship on and off the field, to persevere even when it looks hopeless and to walk away with dignity, win or lose. Apply it to your daily lives. Persevere even in the midst of obstacles and even if a certain career or whatever you were trying to shoot for wasn’t meant for you in the beginning…walk with dignity and tell yourself, “At least I tried.” Jesus Christ did the same thing. He persevered despite being abandoned in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was nearly whipped and beaten to death. He persevered with what little strength he had and carried that cross to Calvary, while being whipped, mocked, taunted, beaten, and he accomplished His mission. He died on the cross, and rose again. He died for our transgressions so that we may inherit eternal life.
The distractions and temptations of this life tells us to be successful in this world, make the big bucks, indulge in worldly pleasures (sex, riches, do whatever you like). Our objective, as Christians, is to be holy. Whatever career you pursue in life, your primary objective is to live a life of holiness. You CAN be successful in this world and make the big bucks, but our primary objective is to become saints…that is…live a life of holiness. Live your life according to the Gospel, through your words and actions. Pray. Do good works. God, after all, wants us to be happy in our lives, not miserable. So in order to please Him, follow His ways. Hard? Yes. Impossible? No. God will give you the grace, the strength to move forward. He will guide you and help you out when you ask for His help. The angels and saints, and of course…the Blessed Virgin Mary, will pray for you and help you out. Jesus will help you carry your cross. Whatever you choose to do in your life…your primary objective is to live a life of holiness and preach the Gospel through words and deeds.
Whoever you’re rooting for…awesome. But here’s my cheer…GO SAINTS!
Enjoy your Superbowl Sunday…AND DON’T FORGET TO GO TO MASS! IT IS A HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION.
God can use suffering to prevent us from committing sin, from making errors in judgment, from becoming worldly or proud. He at times will bless us with disappointment and frustration to direct us toward His path. This suffering prevents us from making the wrong choices and keeps us away from danger and evil, though we are often unaware of it as it is happening.
Corrective Suffering
When a person violates the law of God, the Commandments for instance, untold suffering follows. We cannot blame this suffering on God. It is the inevitable result of disobedience. Still, God loves us, and His love brings good out of every mistake we make. The suffering incurred by disobedience can be used to purify the very weakness that produced it. He uses the suffering to correct us and to return us to His ways.
Repentant Suffering
The suffering heart, broken over its infidelities, broken out of love for so great and good a God, is a sacrifice that rises to heaven and is accepted by God more than many good works.
Repentant suffering cleanses our souls, brings down upon us the compassion of God, and enables us to begin anew.
Edited and with additional material by Raymond Arroyo. Mother Angelica’s Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality. New York: Doubleday. Copyright (c) 2007. Page 110-111.
MY CHILD, there is one thing that stops many from making spiritual progress and keeps them from improving themselves. It is a fear of the difficulties or of the work required by their effort. The people who rise highest in holiness are those who are brave enough to fight against whatever holds them back from Me, no matter how hard or disagreeable the effort may be. The more you try to master your feelings and blind desires, the greater are the graces which I offer to you. If you keep on trying, you will gain as much success as I desire of you.
Different men have to face different obstacles. Yet, a diligent and zealous person will make greater progress in virtue, even though he may have to fight more defects than others. Some people have fewer defects to overcome, and still they do not advance in holiness because they are less fervent in the pursuit of virtues.
THINK
Many are frightened by the though of changing their ways in daily life. Yet the way can be quite simplified if only they will make the effort. First, they need a spiritual director to guide them along and to help them see themselves without prejudice or fear. Second, they must be honest in striving for the virtues opposed to their main faults. Third, they must realize that their feelings and blind desires will go on rebelling and making their daily efforts more difficult. Lastly, they must learn to gain spiritual profit from all occasions, imitating the virtues which they see in others and avoiding the defects of their neighbors.
PRAY
O Holy Spirit, my God and Sanctifier, grant me the light to see what a glorious opportunity I now have of beginning a better life. Help me to take whatever steps are necessary to purify my soul by a sincere daily effort. You will not deny me the strength which I need, if only I will try to develop the virtues which I need most, in my daily life. Amen.
Taken from My Daily Bread: A Summary of The Spiritual Life. Authored by Anthony J. Paone, S.J. Brooklyn: Confraternity of the Precious Blood. Page 66-67. Copyright (c) 1954.
Imprimi Potest: John J. McMahon, S.J., Provincial, New York Province
Nihil Obstat: Martin J. Healy, S.T.D., Censor Librorum
Imprimatur: +Thomas Edmundus Molloy, S.T.D., Archiepiscopus-Episcopus, Brooklyniensis
