Tag Archives: prayer

Advent: The Season of Waiting

Advent Wreath                                                                             Advent Wreath

The period of four weeks before Christmas is called Advent. It is a period of anticipation and hope. In today’s culture it is a busy time, filled with shopping and socializing. However, in ages past, it was a quiet and sacred time of prayer and waiting… anticipating the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflecting on the birth of Jesus, we look with hope to our salvation. Jesus was born of Mary. He became man to redeem us. By the cross, we are saved from our sins and have the hope of eternal life. What a tremendous mystery! How can a little baby be both human and divine?

The omnipotence of God is shown by his humbling himself and becoming a man. His humble beginnings, being born in a manger, tells us of his connection to the poor and lowly. He was not the type of king the Jewish people were expecting. The kingdom of God is an important thing to reflect on during the Christmas Season. Are we trying to follow the teachings of Jesus…to love not only our neighbor but our enemies? Are we helping the poor and downtrodden?

God is love. When we look at a little baby it is easy to define love. However, we need to be loving our neighbor at all times. Celebrating the incarnation (God becoming Man) this year, let’s try not to lose sight of the spiritual nature of Christmas. Waiting helps us to slow down. Hopefully, we will be spending time in prayer… sharing with God our hopes, difficulties, fears and love.

 

A soul enkindled with love is a gentle, meek, humble, and patient soul.

Quote of St. John of the Cross

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Quotes and Reflection on the Sacred Heart of Jesus

 

June is the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is celebrated on Friday, 19 days after Pentecost. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is very popular…it touches our hearts in many ways.

When I ponder on the mystery of the Sacred Heart, I see the image and marvel at the wounds of Jesus. He suffered and died for our many sins. The art shows Jesus’ heart on fire for His love of all of us. It shows His heart wounded by the crown of thorns and the lance that pierced His side. I see the rays of light coming forth from His heart, showing that He is the Light of the World! The suffering of the world (the cross) is supported by His heart…His love for us. The wounded heart of Jesus supports each of us if we turn to Him for mercy and love.

God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. (John 3:16)

The following quotes from the saints are inspirational and helpful for meditating on the Mystery of the Sacred Heart.

Love overcomes, Love delights, those who love the Sacred heart rejoice!

St. Bernadette Sorbirous

Do not let the past disturb you, just leave everything in the Sacred Heart and begin again with joy.

St. Teresa of Calcutta

Let the soul who is desirous of advancing in perfection hasten to my Sacred Heart.

St. Gertrude

Consider often that it is only the humble of Heart that can enter into the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ and converse with Him, Love Him and be Loved by Him.

St. Margaret Mary

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, teach me an entire forgetfulness of myself, since that is the only way one can find entrance into You.

St. Claude La Columbiere

Behold the Heart which has so loved men that it has spared nothing.

St. Margaret Mary

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, fountain of eternal life, Your Heart is a glowing furnace of Love. You are my refuge and my sanctuary.

St. Gertrude

No matter what my sufferings may be, I will never complain and if I have to undergo any humiliation, I will seek refuge in the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

St. Alphonsas

Oh, how good and pleasing a thing it is to dwell in the Heart of Jeus! Who is there that does not love a heart so wounded? Who can refuse a return of love to a heart so loving?

St. Bernard

Most merciful Heart, pitying heart, loving heart of my Father and Savior, refuse not your help to my needy heart.

St. Margaret Mary

To suffer without complaining, to bring comfort to others and to drown my own sufferings in the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

St. Faustina

 

 

 

 

 

 

JESUS I TRUST IN YOU!!!

 

 

 

JUNE IS THE MONTH OF THE SACRED HEART


 

 

 

Quotes and Reflection on the Sacred Heart of Jesus

 

June is the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is celebrated on Friday, 19 days after Pentecost. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is very popular…it touches our hearts in many ways.

When I ponder on the mystery of the Sacred Heart, I see the image and marvel at the wounds of Jesus. He suffered and died for our many sins. The art shows Jesus’ heart on fire for His love of all of us. It shows His heart wounded by the crown of thorns and the lance that pierced His side. I see the rays of light coming forth from His heart, showing that He is the Light of the World! The suffering of the world (the cross) is supported by His heart…His love for us. The wounded heart of Jesus supports each of us if we turn to Him for mercy and love.

God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. (John 3:16)

The following quotes from the saints are inspirational and helpful for meditating on the Mystery of the Sacred Heart.

Love overcomes, Love delights, those who love the Sacred heart rejoice!

St. Bernadette Sorbirous

Do not let the past disturb you, just leave everything in the Sacred Heart and begin again with joy.

St. Teresa of Calcutta

Let the soul who is desirous of advancing in perfection hasten to my Sacred Heart.

St. Gertrude

Consider often that it is only the humble of Heart that can enter into the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ and converse with Him, Love Him and be Loved by Him.

St. Margaret Mary

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, teach me an entire forgetfulness of myself, since that is the only way one can find entrance into You.

St. Claude La Columbiere

Behold the Heart which has so loved men that it has spared nothing.

St. Margaret Mary

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, fountain of eternal life, Your Heart is a glowing furnace of Love. You are my refuge and my sanctuary.

St. Gertrude

No matter what my sufferings may be, I will never complain and if I have to undergo any humiliation, I will seek refuge in the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

St. Alphonsas

Oh, how good and pleasing a thing it is to dwell in the Heart of Jeus! Who is there that does not love a heart so wounded? Who can refuse a return of love to a heart so loving?

St. Bernard

Most merciful Heart, pitying heart, loving heart of my Father and Savior, refuse not your help to my needy heart.

St. Margaret Mary

To suffer without complaining, to bring comfort to others and to drown my own sufferings in the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

St. Faustina

 

 

 

 

 

 

JESUS I TRUST IN YOU!!!

 

 

 

JUNE IS THE MONTH OF THE SACRED HEART

 

 

Quotes and Reflection on the Sacred Heart of Jesus

 

June is the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  It is celebrated on Friday, 19 days after Pentecost.  Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is very popular…it touches our hearts in many ways.

When I ponder on the mystery of the Sacred Heart, I see the image and marvel at the wounds of Jesus.  He suffered and died for our many sins.  The art shows Jesus’ heart on fire for His love of all of us.  It shows His heart wounded by the crown of thorns and the lance that pierced His side.  I see the rays of light coming forth from His heart, showing that He is the Light of the World!  The suffering of the world (the cross) is supported by His heart…His love for us.    The wounded heart of Jesus supports each of us if we turn to Him for mercy and love.

God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.  (John 3:16)

The following quotes from the saints are inspirational and helpful for meditating on the Mystery of the Sacred Heart.

Love overcomes, Love delights, those who love the Sacred heart rejoice!

St. Bernadette Sorbirous

Do not let the past disturb you, just leave everything in the Sacred Heart and begin again with joy.

St. Teresa of Calcutta

Let the soul who is desirous of advancing in perfection hasten to my Sacred Heart.

St. Gertrude

Consider often that it is only the humble of Heart that can enter into the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ and converse with Him, Love Him and be Loved by Him.

St. Margaret Mary

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, teach me an entire forgetfulness of myself, since that is the only way one can find entrance into You.

St. Claude La Columbiere

Behold the Heart which has so loved men that it has spared nothing.

St. Margaret Mary

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, fountain of eternal life, Your Heart is a glowing furnace of Love.  You are my refuge and my sanctuary.

St. Gertrude

No matter what my sufferings may be, I will never complain and if I have to undergo any humiliation, I will seek refuge in the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

St. Alphonsas

Oh, how good and pleasing a thing it is to dwell in the Heart of Jeus!  Who is there that does not love a heart so wounded?  Who can refuse a return of love to a heart so loving?

St. Bernard

Most merciful Heart, pitying heart, loving heart of my Father and Savior, refuse not your help to my needy heart.

St. Margaret Mary

To suffer without complaining, to bring comfort to others and to drown my own sufferings in the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

St. Faustina

 

 

 

 

 

 

JESUS I TRUST IN YOU!!!

 

 

 

JUNE IS THE MONTH OF THE SACRED HEART

 

Catholic Church Celebrates its Birthday on Pentecost Sunday

Pentecost
Public Domain Image

 

Many people falsely believe the church began when Christ rose from the dead. However, the official beginning of the church is celebrated on Pentecost Sunday.

 

Fifty days after the crucifixion, the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles. They were transfigured from frightened, confused disciples of Jesus to men of courage and conviction. Their confusion was removed by the Holy Spirit, or as Jesus called him…The Advocate.

 

The Holy Spirit is one of the three persons of the Trinity. As Catholics, we believe in One God, manifest by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Belief in the trinity was passed on through church traditions. Before every prayer, we begin with the sign of the cross, praying in the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit.

 

The mystery of the cross (suffering) is important to our faith. Without suffering, we cannot come close to Jesus on the cross. Jesus told the Apostles He would not leave them orphaned. He would send them the Advocate, to lead and guide them. Today, we call the Advocate the Holy Spirit.

Just as each of us has more than one type of relationship (mother, daughter, sister) God also shows Himself to us in different ways; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Father is the creator of everything, Jesus is the Son, sent to redeem the world from the slavery of sin, and the Holy Spirit is the Advocate sent to guide and show us the way to the Father and Son.

The most important part of prayer is actually listening in quiet for guidance from God. Sharing with him our pain, joy and needs is important, but we must also ask him to lead us by His Holy Spirit, so that we may know His will in our life.

The symbols of the Holy Spirit are the Dove, the wind, and the fire. God speaks to us in many ways. Listen for him in the silence.

As Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said,

“In the silence of the heart God speaks.”

When you hear God in the silence of your heart, you are experiencing Pentecost…..the birth of your faith.

The Mystery of Easter Joy

Doubting Thomas by Caravaggio

What does Easter mean to You?

When I think of Easter, I think of the surprise those who loved Jesus expressed.  Mary Magdalene exclaimed, “I have seen the Lord!”  When Jesus appeared to the apostles while Thomas was absent, Thomas declared his disbelief saying he needed to “see with his own eyes the wounds of the Lord”

To me, Easter means Hope.  Easter means new life.  Easter means new beginnings.  Most of all, Easter means Joy!  Joy that Jesus is alive in our life.  Jesus takes away our fear and doubt.  Jesus leads us in a mysterious way to new beginnings and gives us joy at the same time.

When we are hurting and depressed it  is easy to lose hope, and we can lose our faith.  If everything Jesus tells us is true, than there is a heaven, and it is possible that in spite of my sins I will inherit everlasting life!  How we deal with suffering defines who we are as Christians.   The saints were all willing to suffer for their faith.  They seemed to understand the value of suffering more than those of us in the modern world.

Jesus died on the cross for MY sins.  He died on the cross for YOUR sins.  If we turn to him in faith for guidance, he will lead us home…to heaven.

Lead me Lord is one of my favorite prayers.  It tells the Lord that I do not know the future.  I need His guidance.  If I am quiet and listen,  He will lead me to know His will.  What a difference my life would be if all my prayers had been answered YES!  I heard once that God  has only two answers to our prayers…Yes or …I have a better plan!  I ask God to help me discover what His plan is for me.

Thank you, Jesus, for dying for my sins.

Help me to know your will and to follow it.

Help me to never be discouraged or to give up hope.

Help me to share my joy that I feel knowing that you love me.

May I joyfully serve you always.

Lead me Lord!

Candle
Christ Be My Light!