Wednesday of the Second Week of
Easter
They
assured Joshua, “The Lord has given all this land into our power; indeed, all
the inhabitants of the land tremble with FEAR
because of us.”
Secularist
and pagans still tremble with fear because of God. Why? People fear what they
do not understand or have to compete with. Every person is born with the spirit
of God within them; it is the spirit of truth which they have lost or
suppressed. Christ referred to this when he told the parable of the sower. The
seed is the spirit of truth (spirit of God) that the sower sows. Christ tells
us, “A sower went out to sow. and as he
sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on
rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil
was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack
of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it.
But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or
thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear.” (Mt. 13:3-9)
What
do you think would have happened to the pagan inhabitants of Jericho if it had
responded to the truth of God and had opened the gates to Israel before the
fall? I would think it would have been spared like the city of Nineveh when it
listened to the spirit of truth.
Jonah then
left the city for a place to the east of it, where he built himself a hut and
waited under it in the shade, to see what would happen to the city. And when
the LORD God provided a gourd plant that grew up over Jonah’s head, giving
shade that relieved him of any discomfort, Jonah was very happy over the plant.
But the next morning at dawn God sent a worm that attacked the plant, so that
it withered. And when the sun arose, God sent a burning east wind; and the sun
beat upon Jonah’s head till he became faint. Then Jonah asked for death,
saying, “I would be better off dead than alive.” But God said to Jonah, “Have
you reason to be angry over the plant?” “I have reason to be angry,” Jonah
answered, “angry enough to die.” Then the LORD said,
“You are concerned over the plant which cost you no
labor and which you did not raise; it came up in one night and in one night it
perished. And should I not be concerned over Nineveh, the great city, in which
there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot
distinguish their right hand from their left, not to mention the many cattle?” (Jon 4:5-11)
Let
us remember that we are sowers of the Lord’s truth and not be angered but take
on the spirit of Christ at the crucifixion when he said, “Father,
forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Lk: 23:34)
Whether it’s a Navy SEAL or a Saint, we admire those who put it all on the line — go “all in!” — Those who are totally dedicated to the mission … and God admires them too. Throughout salvation history, we have seen how God responds to this resolute and determined kind of prayer, just as Jesus taught His disciples. It was in Nineveh that the entire city turned back to God and did all that they could, through prayer and penance, to “demonstrate to” God that they were absolutely resolute in this “turning.” God saw how “serious” they were about this, and He was moved (Jonah 3:3-10). This is yet another story that demonstrates how God – a perfect Father – compels His children to be truly resolute and quite serious when calling out to Him.
St. Bernard of
Clairvaux wrote,
“Timid prayer does not pierce heaven, because immoderate fear binds the soul so that prayer, far from flying upward, cannot even come out. Being lukewarm, it grows weak in its flight and falls because it has no strength. Prayer that is faithful, humble, and fervent will undoubtedly pierce heaven and it will certainly not return fruitless.”
The time is now for us to marshal everything we’ve got to see this through. Prayer Warriors (those who join) will be challenged to enter into a period of prayer and mortification. “Mortification,” at its essence, means to “die to yourself.” This will be our time to let go of bad and sinful habits and to embrace better and healthier and Godly habits.
The research in the behavioral sciences says that 90 days is about the time needed to change bad habits. We will also be using some of the tried and true very powerful supernatural elements. Namely, the Brown Scapular, 54 Day Rosary Novena, and the 33 Day Preparation for Marian Consecration.
We believe supernatural strength increases to the degree we are detached from worldliness. “He must increase, but I must decrease” was the call of St. John the Baptist. This is our time to “make straight a path for the Lord.” To put aside everything that stands in the way of Christ to fill us up completely with His Divine Life. THIS is the way we become “strong in the Lord and in His mighty power!” God will surely hear and answer this throng of tens of thousands detached from the world and resolute in our plea to end the culture of death. I am certain of it!
Nineveh 90 – Ten Elements
For these 90
days, resolve to let go of repetitive sin you struggle with (e.g., acts of
impurity, over-eating, alcohol, etc.)
1. Wear Brown
Scapular (Scapular
Medal allowed) – Akin to Sackcloth
2. Daily Mass
(If you are able)
3. Confession
(at least once a month … immediately following grave sin)
4. Support System: Create
or join a “Nineveh 90 Squad” of 3+ people. Maybe create a Facebook group. Also,
try to join together with an “Accountability Buddy.”
5. Daily Prayer
(Developing a quality Catholic Prayer Life)
7. Angelus (6, Noon,6)
8. Rosary
9. Holy Hour (or at
least 20 minutes of quiet prayerful reflection time. Does not need to be before
the Blessed Sacrament. This is normally done at home or your favorite prayer
space … maybe create a “God Cave” in your home)
10. Bedtime Prayers
For 90
Days, Commit to …
·
Regular
and challenging exercise
·
Seven
hours of sleep is essential
·
No alcohol
·
No desserts & sweets
·
No soda or sweetened drinks
·
Limit television or movies (news allowed)
·
Only music that lifts the soul to God
·
Limit televised sports (maybe one per week)
·
Limit recreational computer time (only use for personal needs and
fulfillment. May be needed for Nineveh 90 too)
·
54 Day
Rosary Novena (Basic
Training in Holiness)
o Prayer
Intentions for 54 Day Rosary Novena:
§
End to abortion
§
Personal holiness
§
For the conversion of loved ones.
· 33 Day Preparation for Consecration
Sundays and Solemnities: May be a day of relaxed discipline, but not abandoned. (Sleep in an extra hour, cream in your coffee, a dessert, a beer, etc.)
Fasting: Wednesdays and
Fridays (Water/Juice and bread only, if medically allowed, otherwise as
is outlined
by the USCCB)
Novena for the Poor Souls[2]
O Mother most
merciful, pray for the souls in Purgatory!
PRAYER OF ST.
GERTRUDE THE GREAT O 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 and for sinners everywhere— for
sinners in the Universal Church, for those in my own home and for those within
my family. Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE
DYING O Most Merciful Jesus, lover of souls, I pray Thee, by the agony of Thy
most Sacred Heart, and by the sorrows of Thine Immaculate Mother, to wash in
Thy Most Precious Blood the sinners of the whole world who are now in their
agony and who will die today. Heart of Jesus, once in agony, have mercy on the
dying! Amen.
ON EVERY DAY OF
THE NOVENA V. O Lord, hear my prayer, R. And let my cry come unto Thee. O God,
the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant unto the souls of Thy servants
and handmaids the remission of all their sins, that through our devout
supplications they may obtain the pardon they have always desired, Who livest
and reignest world without end. Amen.
WEDNESDAY O
Lord God Almighty, I beseech Thee by the Precious Blood of Thy divine Son Jesus
that was shed in the streets of Jerusalem, whilst He carried on His sacred
shoulders the heavy burden of the Cross, deliver the souls in Purgatory, and
especially that one which is richest in merits in Thy sight, so that, having soon
attained the high place in glory to which it is destined, it may praise Thee
triumphantly and bless Thee forever. Amen. Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Every Wednesday is
Dedicated to St. Joseph
The Italian culture has
always had a close association with St. Joseph perhaps you could make
Wednesdays centered around Jesus’s Papa. Plan an Italian dinner of pizza or
spaghetti after attending Mass as most parishes have a Wednesday evening Mass.
You could even do carry out to help restaurants. If you are adventurous, you
could do the Universal Man Plan: St. Joseph style. Make the evening a family
night perhaps it could be a game night. Whatever you do make the day special.
·
Devotion to the 7 Joys and Sorrows of St.
Joseph
·
Do the St.
Joseph Universal Man Plan.
Daily
Devotions
·
Litany of the Most
Precious Blood of Jesus
·
Total Consecration
to St. Joseph Day 16
·
Manhood of
the Master-week 9 day 1
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Make
reparations to the Holy Face
[2]Schouppe S.J., Rev. Fr. F. X..
Purgatory Explained
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