Saturday, January 31, 2015

Jeremiah, Chapter 5, verse 22:

²² Should you not fear me—oracle of the LORD—should you not tremble before me?  I made the sandy shore the sea’s limit, which by eternal decree it may not overstep. Toss though it may, it is to no avail; though its billows roar, they cannot overstep.

Announce the Second Joyful Mystery
THE VISITATIONDesired Spiritual Fruit: Love of Neighbor
1.    Now Mary went into the hill country. And she entered the house of Zachary and saluted Elizabeth. (Luke 1:39-40)
2.    When Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe in her womb leapt. And she was filled with the Holy Spirit. (Luke 1:41)
3.    And she cried out, "Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb!" (Luke 1:42)
4.    "And blessed is she who has believed, because the things promised her by the Lord shall be accomplished." (Luke 1:45)
5.    And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior; for He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid." (Luke 1:46-48)
6.    "For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed; for He who is mighty has done great things for me." (Luke 1:48-49)
7.    "And holy is His name: and His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear Him." (Luke 1:49-50)
8.    "He has shown might with His arm, He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart." (Luke 1:51)
9.    "He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly." (Luke 1:52)
10.                       "He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.  He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever. (Luke 1:53-55)

Friday, January 30, 2015

Jeremiah, Chapter 2, verse 19:

¹⁹ Your own wickedness chastises you, your own infidelities punish you.  Know then, and see, how evil and bitter is your forsaking the LORD, your God, And your showing no fear of me, oracle of the Lord, the GOD of hosts.

The Second Sorrowful Mystery

THE SCOURGING AT THE PILLAR

Desired Spiritual Fruit: Mortification of the senses

1.      They bound Jesus and delivered Him to Pilate. And Pilate asked Him, "Art thou the king of the Jews?" (Mark 15:1-2)

2.      Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world.  But thou sayest it; I am a king." (John 18:36-37)

3.      "This is why I was born, and why I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth." (John 18:37)

4.      Then Pilate said, “I find no guilt in this man. I will therefore chastise Him and release Him." (Luke 23:4, 16)

5.      Pilate then took Jesus and had Him scourged. (John 19:1)

6.      Oppressed and condemned, He was taken away, a man of suffering. (Isa. 53:8, 3)

7.      Though He was harshly treated, He submitted, like a lamb led to the slaughter. (Isa. 53:7)

8.      He was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins. (Isa. 53:5)

9.      It was our infirmities that He bore, our sufferings, that He endured.  (Isa. 53:4)

10.  Upon Him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by His stripes we are healed. (Isa. 53:5)

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Jeremiah, Chapter 1, verse 8:

⁸ Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you—oracle of the LORD.

The Luminous Mysteries

Announce the First Luminous Mystery

THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD

Desired Spiritual Fruit: Gratitude for the gift of Faith

1.      In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt. 3:1-2)

2.      Then people from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him.  They were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. (Matt. 3:5-6)

3.      “I indeed baptize you with water for repentance.” But he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to bear.” (Matt. 3:11)

4.      “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matt. 3:11)

5.      Then Jesus came from Galilee to John, at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. (Matt. 3:13)

6.      But John would have hindered him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?” (Matt. 3:14)

7.      But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him. (Matt. 3:15)

8.      Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. (Matt. 3:16)

9.      He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him.  (Matt. 3:16)

10.  A voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matt. 3:17)

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Isaiah, Chapter 66, verse 4-5:

⁴ I in turn will choose affliction for them and bring upon them what they fear. Because when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, no one listened. Because they did what was evil in my sight, and things I do not delight in they chose, ⁵ hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at his word! Your kin who hate you and cast you out because of my name say, “May the LORD show his glory, that we may see your joy”; but they shall be put to shame.

The Glorious Mysteries

Announce the First Glorious Mystery

THE RESURRECTION

Desired Spiritual Fruit: Faith

1.      "Amen, amen, I say to you, that you shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy." (John 16:20)

2.      "For I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one shall take from you."  (John 16:22)

3.      At early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared.  (Luke 24:1)

4.      And behold, an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, and drawing near rolled back the stone. (Matt. 28:2)

5.      "Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus, who was crucified." (Matt. 28:5)

6.      "He is not here, but has risen. Behold the place where they laid Him."  (Luke 24:6; Mark 16:6)

7.      "And behold, He goes before you into Galilee; there you shall see Him." (Matt. 28:7)

8.      And they departed quickly from the tomb in fear and great joy.  (Matt. 28:8)

9.      "I am the Resurrection and the Life; he who believes in Me, even if he die, shall live." (John 11:25)

10.  "And whoever believes in Me shall never die." (John 11:26)

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Isaiah, Chapter 59, verse 19:

¹⁹ Those in the west shall fear the name of the LORD, and those in the east, his glory, Coming like a pent-up stream driven on by the breath of the LORD.

Chapter 59 of Isaiah is about the effects of sin and how it delays our salvation.  God is faithful because once we acknowledge the nature of our transgressions; God provides the divine intervention needed to save us.  The proud (those from the West) fear the name of the Lord for they in order to be saved must acknowledge Him as King of heaven and earth rather than themselves. On the other hand, those from the East must acknowledge his glory or His teachings on justice and mercy given to His disciples being careful to avoid complacency.

 

Another version of the bible puts this verse differently; “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him”.  By comparing these two versions of the bible we can learn that the enemy to our spiritual progress may sometimes be our pride and complacency.

The Sorrowful Mysteries

Announce the First Sorrowful Mystery

THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN

Desired Spiritual Fruit: God's will be done

1.      Jesus came with them to Gethsemane and He began to be saddened and exceedingly troubled. (Matt. 26:36-37)

2.      Then He said to them, "My soul is sad, even unto death. Wait here and watch with Me." (Matt. 6:38)

3.      And going forward a little, He fell on the ground and began to pray.  (Mark 14:35)

4.      "Father, if Thou art willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will but Thine be done." (Luke 22:42)

5.      And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven to strengthen Him.  (Luke 22:43)

6.      And falling into an agony He prayed the more earnestly. (Luke 22:43)

7.      And His sweat became as drops of blood running down upon the ground. (Luke 22:44)

8.      Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And He said, "Could you not, then, watch one hour with me?" (Matt. 26:40)

9.      "Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation." (Matt. 26:41)

10.  "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Matt. 26:41)

Monday, January 26,2015

1Timothy, Chapter 5, verse 20:

²⁰ Reprimand publicly those who do sin, so that the rest also will be afraid.

I selected a verse from 1Timothy since today is the feast of Timothy and Titus.  As you can see here there is nothing timid about Timothy.  He goes for the throat.  However, this verse is directed toward the Presbyters of the Church: in other words our priests and religious. 

How many of our proclaimed catholic brothers and sisters who hold public offices, are also in favor of pro-choice rights, thus promulgating the destruction of the unborn go unchallenged. Are not these public sinners? Should are presbyters reprimand them publicly or are they the ones who are afraid?

Yesterday ended our Churches 9 day coming together in prayer to pray for a culture of life for the end of the Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal throughout the U.S. and on January 22 our nation marked the 42nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

Since that tragic decision, more than 56 million children's lives have been lost to abortion.  We as a church have suffered that loss -- often in silence: a silence that is hopefully ending with the next generation of Catholics.[1]

For those whom the Holy Spirit speaks might I suggest doing a decade of the rosary daily for the conversion of those who are pro-choice Catholics.

The Joyful Mysteries

Announce the First Joyful Mystery

THE ANNUNCIATION

Desired Spiritual Fruit: Humility

1.      The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a virgin, and the virgin's name was Mary (Luke 1: 26,27)

2.      "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women." (Luke 1:28)

3.      When she heard him she was troubled at his word, and kept pondering what manner of greeting this might be. (Luke 1:29)

4.      And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid Mary for you have found grace with God." (Luke 1:30)

5.      "Behold, you shall conceive in your womb and shall bring forth a son, and you shall call His name Jesus." (Luke 1:31)

6.      "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and of His kingdom there shall be no end." (Luke 1:32-33)

7.      But Mary said to the angel, "How shall this happen, since I do not know man?" (Luke 1:34)

8.      "The Holy Spirit shall come upon you and the power of the Most High shall overshadow you." (Luke 1:35)

9.      "And therefore the Holy One to be born shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35)

10.  "Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it done to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38)

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[1] https://www.facebook.com/peopleoflife

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Isaiah, Chapter 57, verse 11:

¹⁷ Whom did you dread and fear, that you told lies, And me you did not remember nor take to heart? Am I to keep silent and conceal, while you show no fear of me?

Christ in today's gospel is calling us to ignore the lies the world and those who are cool and to repent.  Our Gods love is so strong that he will no longer allow us continue in our sinfulness.  He wants and demands we get with the program.  “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)

Bishop Fulton Sheen is one of his weekly addresses in February 1999 entitled "Truth - Forgotten Ideal"  stated:

Submission is one of the deepest needs of the human heart. After a century and a half of false liberalism, in which it was denied that anything is true, and that it makes no difference what you believe, the world reacted to totalitarianism. It grew tired of its freedom, just as children in progressive schools grow tired of their license to do whatever they please. Freedom fatigues those who want to shirk responsibility. Then it is they look for some false god into whose hands they can throw themselves, so they will never have to think or make decisions for themselves. Nazism, Fascism, and Communism came into being during the twentieth century, as a reaction against false liberalism.  

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Isaiah, Chapter 54, verse 14:

¹⁷ In justice shall you be established, far from oppression, you shall not fear, from destruction, it cannot come near.

Friday, January 23, 2015

Psalm, Chapter 85, verse 10:

¹⁰ Near indeed is his salvation for those who fear him; glory will dwell in our land.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Isaiah, Chapter 54, verse 4:

⁴ Do not fear, you shall not be put to shame; do not be discouraged, you shall not be disgraced. For the shame of your youth you shall forget, the reproach of your widowhood no longer remember.

Isaiah here is speaking of the Eternal Covenant of Peace from God.  Our shame was that we as a people by our transgressions killed Christ, who was the messiah and our spiritual spouse, thus becoming widows, as a people.  Isaiah tells us in advance that God in his love will no longer remember our reproaches.  He will make us free, He will give us peace.

The next verse of Isaiah makes this clear, “For your husband is your Maker; the LORD of hosts is his name, Your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, called God of all the earth.”

Today the Holy Roman Catholic Church is calling for a day of prayer for the legal protection of unborn children.  Does our nation not realize that if we are the spouse of the God of all the earth, that we are committing murder of God’s own spiritual children through the legalization of abortion?  

Our Holy Father states that peace can only come when we confront the truth.[1] 

Jesus declared “I am the truth” (John 14: 6) and told Pontius Pilate “For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth” (John 18: 37). Because he is the Son of God, Jesus is the truth about who God is, and, because he is fully human, he is the truth about the human person.

What is that truth? First, that God is Love, love that is willing to give all, even life itself, for the good of the beloved. Second, that the human person is precious to God, precious enough to die for.

When this truth is denied, the human person becomes subhuman, an object, or a threat. It becomes easy to destroy a mass of cells viewed as a threat. The human person may seem like a cancer on humanity and be treated as such, rather than as an individual for whom Jesus suffered and died.

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[1] http://www.apostleshipofprayer.org/reflectionsmonthly.html

Wednesday, 21 January, 2015

Isaiah, Chapter 51, verse 7:

⁷ Hear me, you who know justice, you people who have my teaching at heart: Do not fear the reproach of others; remain firm at their reviling’s.

What is God’s justice and what teaching should we have at heart?

The Old Testament established the seven laws of Noah, or the Noahide Laws which were given by God as binding on all of humanity.  Any person who adheres to these is regarded as righteous and is assured a place in the world to come.

These laws are:

1.      Do Not Deny God

2.      Do Not Blaspheme God

3.      Do Not Murder

4.      Do Not Engage in Incestuous, Adulterous or Homosexual Relationships.

5.      Do Not Steal

6.      Do Not Eat of a Live Animal

7.      Establish Functioning Courts of Law