 clickable | | Waiting Requires Patience The waiting requires our patience and learning patience requires that we wait. It is the spinning of a holy circle with you and God together at the center; it is the creation of an upper room. You cannot postpone this waiting until you have nothing else to do. You must visit your holy space; you must ground yourself so all your other actions emerge from your deep heart's core. If you are grounded in the holy, then the Creator's promise can come to fullness in you and be expressed by you wherever you are. —from the book A Retreat with Saint Anthony: Finding Our Way, by Carol Ann Morrow |  MorningOffering.com | †Saint Quote
"Patience smooths away lots of difficulties."
— St. John Bosco † MEDITATION OF THE DAY
"In this valley of tears, every man is born to weep, and all must suffer, by enduring the evils that take place every day. But how much greater would be the misery of life, if we also knew the future evils that await us! 'Unfortunate, indeed, would be the situation of someone who knows the future', says the pagan Roman philosopher Seneca; 'he would have to suffer everything by anticipation'. Our Lord shows us this mercy. He conceals the trials that await us so that, whatever they may be, we may endure them only once. But he didn't show Mary this compassion. God willed her to be the Queen of Sorrows, and in all things like his Son. So she always had to see before her eyes, and continually to suffer, all the torments that awaited her. And these were the sufferings of the passion and death of her beloved Jesus. For in the temple, St. Simeon, having received the divine Child in his arms, foretold to her that her Son would be a sign for all the persecutions and oppositions of men. ... Jesus our King and his most holy mother didn't refuse, for love of us, to suffer such cruel pains throughout their lives. So it's reasonable that we, at least, should not complain if we have to suffer something."
— St. Alphonsus Liguori, p. 222
AN EXCERPT FROM
A Year with Mary TODAY'S FEAST DAY OUR LADY OF SORROWS
Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows became widespread in the Church around the 14th century. It was revealed to St. Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373) that devotion to Our Lady's Seven Sorrows would bring great graces. Mary, in a unique way, willingly suffered alongside her Divine Son as he gave his life to save the world, and she felt the bitterness of his passion as only a mother can. This devotion is especially remembered during September, the Month of Our Lady of Sorrows, and during the season of Lent. The Seven Sorrows of Mary are the Prophecy of Simeon, the Flight into Egypt, the Loss of Jesus for Three Days, the Carrying of the Cross, the Crucifixion of Jesus, Jesus Being Taken Down from the Cross, and Jesus Laid in the Tomb. The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is September 15th.
See More About Today's Feast > † VERSE OF THE DAY
"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good tidings, who publishes peace, who brings good tidings of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns.'"
Isaiah 52:7 |  click to read more | | Our Lady of Sorrows Saint of the Day for September 15 For a while there were two feasts in honor of the Sorrowful Mother: one going back to the 15th century, the other to the 17th century. For a while both were celebrated by the universal Church: one on the Friday before Palm Sunday, the other in September. The principal biblical references to Mary's sorrows are in Luke 2:35 and John 19:26-27. The Lucan passage is Simeon's prediction about a sword piercing Mary's soul; the Johannine passage relates Jesus' words from the cross to Mary and to the beloved disciple. Many early Church writers interpret the sword as Mary's sorrows, especially as she saw Jesus die on the cross. Thus, the two passages are brought together as prediction and fulfillment. Saint Ambrose in particular sees Mary as a sorrowful yet powerful figure at the cross. Mary stood fearlessly at the cross while others fled. Mary looked on her Son's wounds with pity, but saw in them the salvation of the world. As Jesus hung on the cross, Mary did not fear to be killed, but offered herself to her persecutors.
Reflection John's account of Jesus' death is highly symbolic. When Jesus gives the beloved disciple to Mary, we are invited to appreciate Mary's role in the Church: She symbolizes the Church; the beloved disciple represents all believers. As Mary mothered Jesus, she is now mother to all his followers. Furthermore, as Jesus died, he handed over his Spirit. Mary and the Spirit cooperate in begetting new children of God—almost an echo of Luke's account of Jesus' conception. Christians can trust that they will continue to experience the caring presence of Mary and Jesus' Spirit throughout their lives and throughout history. | ST. CATHERINE OF GENOA St. Catherine (1447–1510) was born into an aristocratic family in Genoa, Italy. She was a quiet, obedient, physically beautiful, and holy child who devoted herself to prayer and penance. At the age of 13 she made an attempt to enter a convent, but was rejected. At the age of 16 she consented to a marriage arranged by her family for political and financial gain. Her husband was faithless and violent, and their marriage was miserable. Catherine did not bear any children, and for the first five years lived as a hermit in her fine home. After this time, upon her family's rebuke of her solitude, she began to engage in the kind of social activity expected for her state in life. This only increased her weariness and depression, and led to the loss of her religious fervor. Catherine prayed earnestly for assistance in her trouble. Taking the advice of her sister, who was a nun, Catherine went to confession, and through the sacrament had a profound mystical experience in which she clearly saw the depth of her sinfulness contrasted with the depth of God's love. From that point on she renewed her commitment to rigorous prayer, penance, and works of mercy, and God continued to favor her with mystical visions. Catherine later won the conversion of her husband, and they were received into the Third Order of St. Francis. Together they cared for the poor and sick in the Genoa hospital, over which Catherine became administrator. St. Catherine's mystical visions were recorded by her confessor toward the end of her life, the most famous being her Treatise of Purgatory. Her feast day is celebrated on September 15th. | ______________________________________ Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows • Readings for the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows Reading 1 1 COR 12:12-14, 27-31A Brothers and sisters:
As a body is one though it has many parts,
and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,
so also Christ.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body,
whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons,
and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.
Now the body is not a single part, but many.
Now you are Christ's Body, and individually parts of it.
Some people God has designated in the Church
to be, first, Apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers;
then, mighty deeds;
then gifts of healing, assistance, administration,
and varieties of tongues.
Are all Apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?
Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing?
Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts. Responsorial Psalm PS 100:1B-2, 3, 4, 5 R. (3) We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise;
Give thanks to him; bless his name.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
For he is good, the LORD,
whose kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock. Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary;
without dying you won the Martyr's crown
beneath the Cross of the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel JN 19:25-27 Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother
and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,
and Mary Magdalene.
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved
he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son."
Then he said to the disciple,
"Behold, your mother."
And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
or Lk 2:33-35 Jesus' father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
"Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
and you yourself a sword will pierce
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
| Daily Meditation: John 19:25-27 Behold, your mother. (John 19:27) Television shows and movies love to portray characters who experience great challenges and tragedies but who find a way to keep going and reach goals that seemed unimaginable. Stories like these can be very inspiring. Today's feast of Our Lady of Sorrows can connect with us in the same way. As a young woman, Mary agreed to be mother to the Son of God. From the moment she accepted this mission, she endured great hardship and sorrow but succeeded in fulfilling all that God had planned for her to do. It's hard to imagine how painful her experience must have been, especially as she watched her only son endure torture and the agony of crucifixion. After his death and resurrection, no one would have blamed her if she had decided to go back home to her relatives to rest and heal her wounded soul. But she didn't do that. Instead, she stayed with the disciples. She was there when the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles at Pentecost, and she became a vital part of the new Church the Spirit brought to life. Mary's role after Jesus' resurrection reflects Paul's words in today's first reading: "All the parts of the body, though many, are one body" (1 Corinthians 12:12). Each of us is an integral part of the body of Christ. We all have gifts and talents that build up the Church. But like Mary, we also experience times of pain, doubt, and suffering. Reflecting on Mary's reaction to her sufferings can encourage us to stay close to the Lord through them all. Mary encountered many sorrows, but she never stopped caring for the people around her, the people who would one day make up the Church. Today, as we meditate on Mary as Our Lady of Sorrows, we can also honor her for continuing to say yes to God despite the difficulties she faced—and the difficulties that were still awaiting her. We can also make a commitment to imitate Mary while undergoing our own sufferings and continue to care for the people around us. "Holy Mary, Mother of God, accompany me in my sufferings and help me be more like you." 1 Corinthians 12:12-14
Psalm 100:1-5 |  clickable | There are men who think that God is so great that He disdains to look down upon us, our doings and our fortunes. But He who did not find it beneath His Majesty to make us, does not think it beneath Him to observe and to visit us.
— John Henry Newman
from Prayers, Verses, and Devotions | my2cents:
"Now the body is not a single part, but many." Take it from a man who was persecuting many and having them locked up and condemned, Saul, turned into Paul. He knew very well what this meant, because our Lord said "why are you persecuting ME?". Christ is in the body of the Church, with that said, He is everywhere. | We prayed today: "For he is good, the LORD, whose kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
We are his people: the sheep of his flock."
Let's read this again:
We are. And there's more. Read on:
We are His. This means the world to us.
We are His people. This means He is with us. This means we can find assurance and comfort in Him. Trust. | Our Lord said, as He was dying on the cross: "Behold, your mother."
Please behold. He said, as if to say "I'm dying, yes, but I can't watch my Mother dying inside." He witnessed a sword piercing her soul. Be holding her through this. And as we hold her, we hold the most precious jewel from Heaven. | Simeon's prophecy is an unruly one. It contradicts everything we'd expect from the Messiah. ""Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel", isn't He supposed to unify everybody? Isn't He supposed to be the prince of peace
Yet He continues on "and to be a sign that will be contradicted". He is going to be a contradicting sign? What is the sign? Our Lord even contradicted the sign of the cross, what was meant to be shame, turned into Glory for God. This is what happens when you crucify righteousness.
Yet Simeon goes on to Mother Mary:
"and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
Well now. I wonder how that made Mother Mary feel? How did a sword to the heart feel? Have you seen the movie Fatima? It was, amazingly, made by a protestant. I remember one scene (sorry spoiler) she opens her dress veil and unveils a bleeding heart, the sorrows she carries within. Ok, that's all I will say, go see the movie, it is interesting, doesn't really give ALL the details of the true story, but has many. Her heart is bleeding still? I don't like the thought. And you wouldn't either if you love Mother truly. Same with our Lord Jesus our Lord, once you love Him, pains to Him become your pains. Like the scourging. Did you know that Fatima, and Faustina says that impurity causes those lashings? That is, all this lust, all this pornography, all this impurity has unfurled an onslaught onto the unblemished lamb. That is, every time you have a sinful thought, entertained, and actually sin, these are scourging onto the body of Christ. Ahh, and now we are back to the body of Christ. Your sins hurt us my friend. My sins hurt you too. Your private sins hurt me. My private sins hurt you. And so I carry a heavy burden, until I confess. You now, confess too. And our Lord takes the burden, for His yoke is easy.
I am going to post a very special pic for you today as today ends my 9 day Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows. It is a picture of a statue in my backyard, a statue of the Blessed Mother. I noticed last year, in the early spring, that the statue had imprints of tears from her eyes. Fast forward to this year in the spring, I can understand her tears a little bit. She knew what was coming. Many would get sick, many would lose faith, hope. She knew that people would get sad. She knew many would get mad. For the first few months, I tried to adorn her spot with fresh flowers in the spring. But the tears remained. Sounds silly right? This statue had the head broke off before the tears imprinted. And we hear of how many statues are getting vandalized, decapitated during this time of despondence. It is a sign of what evil desires. Death. Death to life and death to faith. How can you console the weeping Mother? That's what God wanted on the cross. Was it a mistake to make such a jewel and make it suffer? Was it a mistake to make a Holy Son of God and make Him suffer? If you listen to the wrong, to the world, they say yes, it is a mistake, suffering is a mistake. In the name of saving from suffering, doctors offer abortions to a possible mistake baby. More often than not are they completely wrong. Death to life though.
So how can we console Momma? Behold. Hold Momma. Hers became an eternal suffering and offering. And she would have it no other way. She knew baby was going to suffer and die, and she decided she would suffer and die with Him too. Nobody could understand this love, because only two spotless victims could. These two created something for the world that is incomprehensible. The new Adam, the new Eve. A Love of God was created that was never witnessed in the world before. Sacrificial love. Momma weeps. I just moved her from my backyard this weekend to the front yard entrance. I want her weeping face to join us every day now. No more hiding, but let the world see what great sin causes...great suffering. Mother of Sorrows, Immaculate Momma, I can't go on sinning, we can't, we need consolation too. We are in a world of suffering, surely from Heaven you can bestow grace on us, hear our prayers, our petitions, and ask that we may become a holy race, a holy race of grace for the world to see that purity is beautiful, and is to be cherished...because we cherish you Mother... | Random Bible verse from online generator: Romans 5:3-5
3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit my website Going4th.com, surely you'll find me there. God Bless You! Share the Word. Share this, share what is good | |
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