Shepherds of Christ  
       Daily Writing        
 

July 9, 2010

July 10th Holy Spirit Novena
Scripture selection is Day 5 Period I.

The Novena Rosary Mysteries  
for July 10th are Luminous.

 

China Retreat 10th-13th

July 10th - begins 10:30am

Please tune in.

 

Available $10.00 plus shipping

1-888-211-3041

Call Doris

 

 

We need postage to send

Cycle C to priests in Michigan,
Wisconsin, Arizona, and Missouri.
They are done and ready to go.

Please help us.

Call Doris

1-888-211-3041   

 

 

 

 

 

July 9, 2010

                Today's Readings
 

Hosea 14: 2-10

Israel, come back to Yahweh your God
your guilt was the cause of your downfall.
Provide yourself with words
and come back to Yahweh.
Say to him, ‘Take all guilt away
and give us what is good,
instead of bulls we will dedicate to you
    our lips.
Assyria cannot save us,
we will not ride horses any more,
or say, “Our God!”
    to our own handiwork,
for you are the one
    in whom orphans find compassion.’

I shall cure them of their disloyalty,
I shall love them with all my heart,
for my anger has turned away from them.
I shall fall like dew on Israel,
he will bloom like the lily
and thrust out roots
    like the cedar of Lebanon;
he will put out new shoots,
he will have the beauty of the olive tree
and the fragrance of Lebanon.
They will come back to live in my shade;
they will grow wheat again,
they will make the vine flourish,
their wine will be as famous as Lebanon’s.
What has Ephraim to do with idols
    any more
when I hear him and watch over him?
I am like an evergreen cypress,
you owe your fruitfulness to me.

Concluding admonition

Let the wise understand these words,
let the intelligent grasp their meaning,
for Yahweh’s ways are straight
and the upright will walk in them,
but sinners will stumble.

 

Psalm 51: 3-4, 8-9, 12-14, 17

For I am well aware of my offences,
my sin is constantly in mind.
Against you, you alone, I have sinned,
I have done what you see to be wrong.

that you may show your saving justice when you pass sentence, 
and your victory may appear when you give judgement, 

Let me hear the sound of joy and gladness, 
and the bones you have crushed will dance. 
Turn away your face from my sins, 
and wipe away all my guilt. 

Give me back the joy of your salvation, 
sustain in me a generous spirit. 
I shall teach the wicked your paths, 
and sinners will return to you. 

Deliver me from bloodshed, God, God of my salvation, 
and my tongue will acclaim your saving justice. 

Sacrifice to God is a broken spirit,
a broken, contrite heart you never scorn.

 

Matthew 10: 16-23
 

Look, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be cunning as snakes and yet innocent as doves. 

‘Be prepared for people to hand you over to sanhedrins and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, as evidence to them and to the gentiles. But when you are handed over, do not worry about how to speak or what to say; what you are to say will be given to you when the time comes, because it is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you.

    ‘Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will come forward against their parents and have them put to death. You will be universally hated on account of my name; but anyone who stands firm to the end will be saved. If they persecute you in one town, take refuge in the next; and if they persecute you in that, take refuge in another. In truth I tell you, you will not have gone the round of the towns of Israel before the Son of man comes.

    


 

                In the Hosea readings:

                God's promises to those who are faithful
                    to God —
                    they will prosper —
                    message of hope —
                    blessing if you change —
                    Hosea told them they must change —

                They hated the voice of the prophet
                    and would not change —

                A critical time of God's people —

                They go into exile —

                Jesus tells us in the Gospel —
                    It won't be wonderful —
                    They will be beaten —
                    Sent into wolves —

                Even close family ties will be destroyed —
                This was so important to that culture —
                Brothers will turn over brothers —
                Will you really have faith and follow
                    this preacher —

                Or will you try to hold onto what
                    you have — not move —

                The prophet that can bring you to
                    a place if you listen —

                The devil wants to make those
                    suffer who are doing God's
                    will and promoting God's Kingdom —

                God we pray the prayers — May
                    Your will be done and don't
                    give into satan who wants us to
                    oppose - God's will —

                We offer up the bread and wine at Mass —
                    We want to make reparation for our
                        sins and the sins of the world —

                We are to offer the sacrifice with
                    a holy heart

                Holy Spirit help us to be holy —

                We offer up ourselves at Mass —

                We give God praise and thanks and adoration —

                We love You, God.
                We love You, God.

   

Luke 22: 19-20

Then he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ He did the same with the cup after supper, and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood poured out for you.

   

                We want unity dear Holy Spirit
                We want to be as a body — growing in love —
                Serving You —

                Oh God we worship You —
                Oh God we love You —

                Say the Our Father
 

The Our Father

    Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

   

 

Lamb of God

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

   

   

 

   

                Oh Lord I am not worthy that Thou
                    should come to me
                    say only the words and I will be healed.

 

Matthew 28-30

‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’

   

 

Psalm 23: 1-6

Yahweh is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 
In grassy meadows he lets me lie. 

By tranquil streams he leads me 
    to restore my spirit. 
He guides me in paths of saving justice 
    as befits his name. 

Even were I to walk in a ravine as dark as death 
I should fear no danger, for you are at my side. 
Your staff and your crook are there to soothe me. 

You prepare a table for me 
    under the eyes of my enemies; 
you anoint my head with oil; 
    my cup brims over. 

Kindness and faithful love pursue me 
    every day of my life. 
I make my home in the house of Yahweh 
    for all time to come.

   

 

Psalm 23: 4

                    Even were I to walk in a ravine as dark as death 
                    I should fear no danger, for you are at my side. 
                    Your staff and your crook are there to soothe me. 

     

                Jesus: Let My light penetrate your soul —
                    I am light and
                    In me there is no darkness at all —
                    I call you —
                    You have a choice if you respond
                        or not —
                    To not respond is a choice —
                    The fallen angels said "I will not serve
                        God" —
                    They rebelled against God —

                R. Look at the successors of the
                    Apostles today —

                We are sent out among people,
                    many who do not believe in God —
                    who fight us who are trying
                    to build God's Kingdom
                    and do His will —

                Darkness —

                Think of people and how they look at nuns —

                We live in an era where
                    Sheep are among wolves —

 

 

Given July 8, 2010

                    To be recited before every prayer
                    service morning, noon, and night.

                    Retreat Prayer

                    When I see all the blessings
                God has given to me it
                seems that I would not let
                others who are filled with
                darkness and anger affect
                me, but when one wants
                to hurt another and acts
                for satan blocking and
                blocking then it behooves
                me to tell God I am sorry
                for the sins I commit in
                their anger acted out on me —

                I can become a royal pain
                in the end to God for all
                the blessings and gifts He has
                given and signs and love He
                has outpoured continuously
                to me —

                    It would be the worst if
                I would walk in pride and
                not tell God I am sorry for
                my offenses against Him —

                    I can never take back
                my actions and Our Lord
                and God suffered for my
                sins —

                    Yes, it was I who through
                unkindness and selfishness
                whipped Him at the pillar
                and crowned Him with thorns —

                It was I who put the
                nails in His hands and
                feet — It was I who turned
                away at the crucifixion —
                Why am I so weak —
                Because of pride —
                Because of lack of trust —
                Because of fear —
                Because I am not truthful
                    to myself about
                    His gifts to me —

                I am ungrateful when
                    I am so richly blessed —

                Oh God forgive my sins
                    of anger, jealousy,
                    pride, control,
                    lust, possessiveness,
                    hatred

                Oh God grant Your mercy
                    to me and forgive me please

                Thank You God for Your
                    goodness to me —

                Let me never offend
                    Thee again

                It is I who drag
                    myself down by
                    negative thinking and
                    judging others —

                Help me Lord to look at my
                    sins — lest I be
                    judged as I have judged
                    others —
                I be punished as I have
                    punished others —

                I am made to wait without
                    any compassion as I
                    have made others wait
                    for me without
                    compassion and respect —

                Oh God help me always to
                    judge my actions by
                    doing Your will in
                    love and not give into
                    temptation —

                Temptation to sin by the
                    7 deadly sins

 pride, greed, envy, wrath,
 lust, gluttony, sloth
  

Prayer for Union with Jesus

Come to me, Lord, and possess my soul. Come into my heart and permeate my soul. Help me to sit in silence with You and let You work in my heart.

    I am Yours to possess. I am Yours to use. I want to be selfless and only exist in You. Help me to spoon out all that is me and be an empty vessel ready to be filled by You. Help me to die to myself and live only for You. Use me as You will. Let me never draw my attention back to myself. I only want to operate as You do, dwelling within me.

    I am Yours, Lord. I want to have my life in You. I want to do the will of the Father. Give me the strength to put aside the world and let You operate my very being. Help me to act as You desire. Strengthen me against the distractions of the devil to take me from Your work.

    When I worry, I have taken my focus off of You and placed it on myself. Help me not to give in to the promptings of others to change what in my heart You are making very clear to me. I worship You, I adore You and I love You. Come and dwell in me now.

-God's Blue Book, January 17, 1994

  

                    It is spiritual
                pride that I give into
                when I think I have
                no evil in me —

                    We are all sinners
                and it drives me
                from Jesus and loving
                and growing when
                I raise myself above
                my fellow human
                beings as one superior —
                It is a mask to hide
                how I have been
                wronged by others
                and act like it
                never hurt me when I
                because of spiritual
                pride, do worse to others
                by years of daily
                hatred, anger and
                combatal ways —

                    Do I not think I will
                not be judged for my sins —
                Who do I fool —
                God knows everything —
                Lying to God whom I
                offend, Jesus who
                was beaten and died
                for my lies —

                    Who am I kidding —
                Spiritual pride is
                a rotten root —
                where one sees themselves
                as perfect and looks down
                on all others —

                    Be real — admit your
                fears and don't act out
                hatred toward others
                to cover them up —
                Hatred acted out
                because I lie to
                myself that I am
                perfect —

                    Hating shows my
                impurity and robs the
                world of love —

                    Get real don't
                waste your life
                trying to prove
                your sins are not there —

                Grow in spiritual
                    humility like Mary
                    loving —

                Your misery is from
                    choices to isolate
                    and give into the
                    deadly sins —

                    The deadly sins
                rob you of life

                 pride, greed, envy, wrath,
                 lust, gluttony, sloth

                Saying what is wrong is
                    right
                    IS from satan

   

 

 

For Sunday July 11, 2010

 

   

Call Doris

1-888-211-3041

$10.00 plus shipping

 

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Deuteronomy 30: 10-14

 if you obey the voice of Yahweh your God, by keeping his commandments and decrees written in the book of this Law, and if you return to Yahweh your God with all your heart and soul. For this Law which I am laying down for you today is neither obscure for you nor beyond your reach. It is not in heaven, so that you need to wonder, Who will go up to heaven for us and bring it down to us, so that we can hear and practise it? Nor is it beyond the seas, so that you need to wonder, Who will cross the seas for us and bring it back to us, so that we can hear and practise it?* No, the word is very near to you, it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to put into practice.

 

Psalm 69: 14, 17 , 30-31, 33-34, 36

Rescue me from the mire before I sink in;
    so I shall be saved from those who hate me,
    from the watery depths.
 
not turn away from your servant,
be quick to answer me, for I am in trouble.

I will praise God’s name in song, 
I will extol him by thanksgiving, 
for this will please Yahweh more than an ox, 
than a bullock horned and hoofed.

For God listens to the poor,
he has never scorned his captive people.
Let heaven and earth and seas,
and all that stirs in them, acclaim him!

the descendants of his servants will inherit it,
and those who love his name will dwell there.

 
 

Colossians 1: 15-20

He is the image of the unseen God, the first–born of all creation, for in him were created all things in heaven and on earth: everything visible and everything invisible, thrones, ruling forces, sovereignties, powers—all things were created through him and for him. He exists before all things and in him all things hold together, and he is the Head of the Body, that is, the Church. He is the Beginning, the first–born from the dead, so that he should be supreme in every way; because God wanted all fullness to be found in him and through him to reconcile all things to him, everything in heaven and everything on earth, by making peace through his death on the cross.

 

Luke 10: 25-37  

And now a lawyer stood up and, to test him, asked, ‘Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the Law? What is your reading of it?’ He replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.’ Jesus said to him, ‘You have answered right, do this and life is yours.’

But the man was anxious to justify himself and said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ In answer Jesus said, ‘A man was once on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of bandits; they stripped him, beat him and then made off, leaving him half dead. Now a priest happened to be travelling down the same road, but when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite who came to the place saw him, and passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan traveller who came on him was moved with compassion when he saw him. He went up to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. He then lifted him onto his own mount and took him to an inn and looked after him. Next day, he took out two denarii and handed them to the innkeeper and said, "Look after him, and on my way back I will make good any extra expense you have." Which of these three, do you think, proved himself a neighbour to the man who fell into the bandits’ hands?’ He replied, ‘The one who showed pity towards him.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go, and do the same yourself.’

 

July 15, 2007

INTRODUCTION: The Book of Deuteronomy is a series of sermons addressed to the people of Israel by Moses right before they were to enter the Promised Land. Moses had led them from the slavery of Egypt and was with them for many years as they traveled through the Sinai desert. You might remember Moses knew he would die before the people could enter their Promised Land, so he is in a sense giving them some last words of wisdom before he would have to leave them. Today’s first reading begins with an incomplete sentence: “If only you would heed the voice of the Lord…” The sentence presupposes a thought such as: “God will bless you, if only you would heed the voice of the Lord…” The passage goes on to stress that what God wants from his people is no hidden mystery. God has been very clear as to how he wants us to live. This concept connects with today’s gospel when a scholar of the law asks Jesus to interpret for him what God wants of any of us. Jesus’ reply to the man’s question shows that he already had the answer he was looking for. Almost instinctively, we all know what God wants of all of us. Knowing it is not the problem, but living it is.


HOMILY: I have two confessions to make. The first one is not exactly relevant to today’s readings, but I thought you might enjoy it. While I was working on my sermon Friday afternoon, I was reading over old sermons I had preached in past years looking for ideas and I almost put myself to sleep. So if anyone nods off, I won’t be offended.
The second confession I have to make is about Jesus’ parable. In the early days of my priesthood, I didn’t like to have to read this gospel. I thought it always gave priests a bad rap. Priests are supposed to be good, caring, always willing to help others. We all know, unfortunately, they are not always that way. I have to humbly confess there were times when I’ve been like the priest or Levite in the story. I’ve turned people down who were looking for help. I’ve been taken by all kinds of people, even people I’ve trusted, and I’ve been taken big time, and I’m not just talking about a few hundred dollars! I have to admit I’ve grown less trusting as I’ve gotten older. Love is not just a matter of reaching out to help someone, it’s also a matter of how much you are willing to risk being hurt or letting someone use you or take advantage of you. I think this is one of the hard lessons in today’s gospel.
You know, the Jewish man was a victim of robbers could have been dead. If so, it would have disqualified the priest and Levite from participation in Jewish worship for several days, because contact with a dead person made a Jew ritually unclean according to the Law. I remember a few years ago a rabbi doing a funeral service for a friend of mine, and the rabbi stood outside on the porch of the funeral home saying the prayers and giving the sermon. By law he could not even enter the funeral home. If the victim in Jesus’ story were dead, the priest and Levite were doing what the Jewish law required of them if they were going to participate in any religious service. On the other hand, what if he were a decoy. The robbers could have been hiding nearby, waiting for someone to try to help this poor man, then they would have one more person they could pounce on. Being a good Samaritan is risky business, and that’s what love is. It is risky business too. Our Lord is telling us in today’s gospel love demands we sometimes stick our necks out and take the risk of being hurt or being used or taken advantage of.  
When Jesus said the two greatest commandments were about love: love of God and love of neighbor, the Jewish scholar asked Jesus another question: “And who is my neighbor?” You might recall that there was great animosity between Jews and Samaritans, so in introducing a Samaritan into the story, Jesus shows us “neighbor” could be anyone, even someone we despise.
There is another question I wish the Jewish scholar had asked. I wish he had asked Jesus “And what is love.” In our modern culture love is such a fuzzy concept and is equated in most people’s minds with something that makes me feel good. I think if I pray and I feel good, I am loving God. If I pray and I feel as if I’m not getting anything out of it, I feel like I’m wasting my time. If I do something for someone else and I feel good, I think I’ve been a loving person. If I do something for someone and they don’t say thanks or don’t seem to appreciate it or just take me for granted, I don’t feel good and decide it wasn’t worth it. Modern culture has taught us to measure every loving act by our feelings, our reward, our payback. Sure sometimes we pray and feel good and sometimes we do something for someone and feel good about it. But sometimes we don’t. Love is measured by what we give, (to God, worship and praise, to others what good things we do for them); it’s not measured by the good we get out of what we do. The Good Samaritan may have felt good doing what he did, or he may felt burdened by the extra stress and inconvenience this put on him. Jesus doesn’t tell us how the Samaritan felt. He tells us of the good thing he did.
While we speak of the Good Samaritan, I might point out our Good Samaritan window. But our best example of love is right here at Mass. Jesus came to us and was willing to give all to save us. We were the person needing to be rescued from ignorance, sin and death and he came along as the Good Samaritan and gave his life for us. We not only have his example of love in this Eucharist, but we are united with him so that we can be empowered to love others in the same way. In our Eucharist (a Greek word which means “thanksgiving”) we thank God for all he has done for us in Jesus and we ask his help to become more loving as he has taught us. Amen.

 

 

 

 

Mysteries of Light

                Baptism of Jesus

                (1) John the Baptist preached
                    "Repent"

                    Sing: "A Voice Cries Out"

                (2) Matthew 3: 13-17

Then Jesus appeared: he came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. John tried to dissuade him, with the words, ‘It is I who need baptism from you, and yet you come to me!’ But Jesus replied, ‘Leave it like this for the time being; it is fitting that we should, in this way, do all that uprightness demands.’ Then John gave in to him. And when Jesus had been baptised he at once came up from the water, and suddenly the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him.

And suddenly there was a voice from heaven, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him.’ 
 


 

                (3) Isaiah 42: 1-4, 6-7

Here is my servant whom I uphold, 
my chosen one 
    in whom my soul delights. 
I have sent my spirit upon him, 
he will bring fair judgement to the nations. 
He does not cry out or raise his voice, 
his voice is not heard in the street; 
he does not break the crushed reed 
or snuff the faltering wick. 
Faithfully he presents fair judgement; 
he will not grow faint, 
    he will not be crushed 
until he has established 
    fair judgement on earth, 
and the coasts and islands 
    are waiting for his instruction.  

I, Yahweh, have called you 
    in saving justice, 
I have grasped you by the hand 
    and shaped you; 
I have made you a covenant of the people 
and light to the nations, 
to open the eyes of the blind, 
to free captives from prison, 
and those who live in darkness 
    from the dungeon. 

 

Acts 10: 34-38

Then Peter addressed them, ‘I now really understand’, he said, ‘that God has no favourites, but that anybody of any nationality who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

    ‘God sent his word to the people of Israel, and it was to them that the good news of peace was brought by Jesus Christ—he is the Lord of all. You know what happened all over Judaea, how Jesus of Nazareth began in Galilee, after John had been preaching baptism. God had anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and because God was with him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil.

                (4)

$10.00 plus shipping

Call Doris

1-888-211-3041

 

Baptism of the Lord

January 8, 2007 

INTRODUCTION: Today’s first reading is closely connected with Jesus’ baptism.  This first reading was written over 500 years before Christ.  It is a mysterious passage in that scholars do not know who the prophet was writing about.  But in hindsight, we can see how perfectly Jesus fulfilled this description of God's servant.  The words that introduce our first reading are directly connected with the account of Jesus’ baptism.  In our first reading God introduces his servant in this way: “Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am well pleased.”  And it is on this servant that God has put his spirit.  God's words at Jesus’ baptism are almost exactly the same except for one word that is changed.  At Jesus’ baptism,  God speaks of Jesus as his Son.  And upon Jesus God the Father sends the Spirit.  We have here something more than just an introduction of God's Son to the world and his being empowered by the Spirit.  The words of the Father also gave direction to Jesus’ future work.  Jesus was being called for the victory of justice.  He was to be a covenant of the people, a light for the nations as described in this servant passage from Isaiah.   

HOMILY: The baptism of John the Baptist was a baptism of repentance.  Jesus was God's Son, human like us in every way, except he was without sin.  Why would he present himself for baptism by John?  If you are confused about the baptism of Jesus you are in good company.  The early Church was confused and somewhat uncomfortable about it.  St. Matthew reports John saying to Jesus “I ought to be baptized by you, yet you come to me.”  St. Luke, as we heard in today’s gospel, hardly mentions the baptism itself.  And St. John in his gospel makes only an indirect reference to it.  Yet all the gospels as well as the Acts of the Apostles know that it happened, but they struggled to understand it. 

Jesus did not have sin to repent of, so John’s baptism had no relevance in this regard.  One approach to understanding this event is to see it as a clarification of who Jesus is.  He is God's Son, his beloved, with whom the Father is well pleased.  There would be no question about Jesus’ identity.   Jesus’ identity had already been revealed to us in Luke’s gospel when the angel told Mary at the annunciation that she would conceive her child through the power of the Holy Spirit and he would be holy and would be called Son of God.  Jesus’ identity was also revealed when Jesus was lost in the temple for three days and when he was found he said to his parents:  “why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know I must be in my Father’s house?”  But his identity was hidden from everyone around them.  It was only when Jesus was baptized and God announced to the world “This is my beloved Son” and the Spirit came down upon him that the world was to know who he was. 

Our baptism gives us our identity too.  It tells us: we are God's child, sharing God's life, beloved by the Father and called to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to our heavenly Father.  So often we forget who we are and that we are God's beloved.  The advertising media is constantly telling us we don’t measure up, we’re not worthwhile.  We’re not as beautiful, as shapely, as energetic, as stylish, as popular, as successful, as wonderful, as happy as we should be.  But do not despair!  The ads tell us the product they happen to be promoting will make everything better.  It will solve our problems and make us over into someone worthwhile.

God has already made us someone worthwhile.  He first made us in his image and likeness.  More than that he has given us his life.  He has made us his beloved son or daughter.  Archbishop Tutu, the Anglican bishop from South Africa, says he always preaches one message to his people there.  His message is simple and he repeats it over and over again.  It is that “God loves you.”  “I tell them that,” he says, “because the entire culture tells them that they are unlovable, and I have to give them the message of who they really are, because God loves them.” 

Through baptism we have been defined forever as God's children and the only one who can deface or destroy that dignity that has been given to us is we, ourselves.   

But, Jesus’ baptism not only clarified for all the world who Jesus was, but it also gave Jesus his mission.  He was to be a covenant of the people and a light for the nations.  Especially he was called to establish justice on the earth.  Justice here means “righteousness,” fidelity to God, goodness, living up to what we know God wants of us.  Who we are should define how we live .  If a person is a policeman, he or she is to work to uphold the law.  If a person is a doctor, he or she has a concern about people’s health.  If a person is a teacher, he or she is oriented toward helping people grow in wisdom and knowledge.  If we are God's child, we are called to live up to that dignity.  And in trying to live up to that dignity, who better could we imitate than the perfect Son of God, with whom the Father was well pleased.    

As we celebrate Jesus’ baptism, may we at the same time celebrate our own.  May we rejoice in God's gift of love and life given to us, and may we live up to the high dignity with which God has blessed us. 

                (5) Sing: Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria,
                            Ave, Ave, Ave Maria

                (6) Sing: Come Holy Spirit fill our hearts
                                enkindle in us the
                                fire of God's love

                    Sing again

                (7) Sing: A Song from Jesus

                (8) Sing: I Love You Jesus

                (9) Sing: Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria,
                            Ave, Ave, Ave Maria

                (10) Sing: Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria,
                            Ave, Ave, Ave Maria

  

                Marriage at Cana

                (1) John 2: 1-10  

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited. And they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the feast had all been used, and the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ Jesus said, ‘Woman, what do you want from me? My hour has not come yet.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’  There were six stone water jars standing there, meant for the ablutions that are customary among the Jews: each could hold twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water,’ and they filled them to the brim. Then he said to them, ‘Draw some out now and take it to the president of the feast.’ They did this; the president tasted the water, and it had turned into wine. Having no idea where it came from—though the servants who had drawn the water knew—the president of the feast called the bridegroom and said, ‘Everyone serves good wine first and the worse wine when the guests are well wined; but you have kept the best wine till now.’ 

                (2) Jesus' first public miracle —
                    Mary says
                    "Do whatever He tells you"
                    Jesus changed water into wine —

                (3) Sing: I Am the Bread of Life

                (4)

A Prayer for Intimacy with the Lamb, the Bridegroom of the Soul

     Oh Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, come and act on my soul most intimately. I surrender myself, as I ask for the grace to let go, to just be as I exist in You and You act most intimately on my soul. You are the Initiator. I am the soul waiting Your favors as You act in me. I love You. I adore You. I worship You. Come and possess my soul with Your Divine Grace, as I experience You most intimately.

 

                (5)

Prayer for Union with Jesus

Come to me, Lord, and possess my soul. Come into my heart and permeate my soul. Help me to sit in silence with You and let You work in my heart.

    I am Yours to possess. I am Yours to use. I want to be selfless and only exist in You. Help me to spoon out all that is me and be an empty vessel ready to be filled by You. Help me to die to myself and live only for You. Use me as You will. Let me never draw my attention back to myself. I only want to operate as You do, dwelling within me.

    I am Yours, Lord. I want to have my life in You. I want to do the will of the Father. Give me the strength to put aside the world and let You operate my very being. Help me to act as You desire. Strengthen me against the distractions of the devil to take me from Your work.

    When I worry, I have taken my focus off of You and placed it on myself. Help me not to give in to the promptings of others to change what in my heart You are making very clear to me. I worship You, I adore You and I love You. Come and dwell in me now.

-God's Blue Book, January 17, 1994

                (6)

A Prayer before the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

    Let me be a holy sacrifice and unite with God in the sacrament of His greatest love.

    I want to be one in Him in this act of love, where He gives Himself to me and I give myself as a sacrifice to Him. Let me be a holy sacrifice as I become one with Him in this my act of greatest love to Him.

    Let me unite with Him more, that I may more deeply love Him. May I help make reparation to His adorable Heart and the heart of His Mother, Mary. With greatest love, I offer myself to You and pray that You will accept my sacrifice of greatest love. I give myself to You and unite in Your gift of Yourself to me. Come and possess my soul.

    Cleanse me, strengthen me, heal me. Dear Holy Spirit act in the heart of Mary to make me more and more like Jesus.

    Father, I offer this my sacrifice, myself united to Jesus in the Holy Spirit to You. Help me to love God more deeply in this act of my greatest love.

    Give me the grace to grow in my knowledge, love and service of You and for this to be my greatest participation in the Mass. Give me the greatest graces to love You so deeply in this Mass, You who are so worthy of my love.

-Mass Book, December 27, 1995

 

                (7) Miracles of Jesus

                    The 10 leapers were healed
                    Jesus healed the centurion's servant
                    Peter's mother-in-law was cured

                (8) Miracles

                    A cripple was healed.
                    The devils were cast out.
                    The blind were cured.
                    The lame were cured.
                    The dumb were cured.
                    Jesus fed the multitude.
                    Catch of many fish
                    (He gave them a big catch)
                    (He fed the multitude)

                (9) Miracles

                    The ear was put back —
                    (He can heal our deafness —)
                    (He can heal our blindness)
                    Man at the pool of Bethsaida
                    Lazarus raised from the dead.

                (10) Jesus walked on the water.
                    A man with a withered hand
                    Jairus' daughter raised

                    Hemorrhaging woman cured.
                    The storm at sea calmed.
 

 

 

                Proclamation of the Kingdom of God

                (1) Sing: City of God

                (2) 2 Samuel 5: 1-3

David is anointed king of Israel

All the tribes of Israel then came to David at Hebron and said, 'Look, we are your own flesh and bone. In days past when Saul was our king, it was you who led Israel on its campaigns, and to you it was that Yahweh promised, "You are to shepherd my people Israel and be leader of Israel." 'So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a pact with them in Yahweh's presence at Hebron, and they anointed David as king of Israel.

                (3) Colossians 1: 12-20

giving thanks with joy to the Father who has made you able to share the lot of God’s holy people and with them to inherit the light. 

    Because that is what he has done. It is he who has rescued us from the ruling force of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son that he loves, and in him we enjoy our freedom, the forgiveness of sin.

I: FORMAL INSTRUCTION

Christ is the head of all creation

He is the image of the unseen God, 
the first–born of all creation, 
for in him were created all things 
in heaven and on earth: 
everything visible 
    and everything invisible, 
thrones, ruling forces, 
    sovereignties, powers—
all things were created through him 
    and for him. 
He exists before all things 
and in him all things hold together, 
and he is the Head of the Body, 
that is, the Church. 

He is the Beginning, 
the first–born from the dead, 
so that he should be supreme in every way; 
because God wanted all fullness 
    to be found in him 
and through him 
    to reconcile all things to him, 
everything in heaven 
    and everything on earth, 
by making peace through his death 
    on the cross.

                (4) Luke 23: 35-43

The people stayed there watching.  As for the leaders, they jeered at him with the words, 'He saved others, let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.'  The soldiers mocked him too, coming up to him, offering him vinegar, and saying, 'If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.'  Above him there was an inscription: 'This is the King of the Jews'.

One of the criminals hanging there abused him: 'Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us as well.'  But the other spoke up and rebuked him.  'Have you no fear of God at all?' he said.  'You got the same sentence as he did, but in our case we deserved it: we are paying for what we did.  But this man has done nothing wrong.'  Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'  He answered him, 'In truth I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.'   

                (5)

$10.00 plus shipping

Call Doris

1-888-211-3041

  

Christ the King

November 25, 2007

INTRODUCTION
When the first king of Israel, King Saul, was killed in battle, the southern part of Israel chose David as their king. The northern part chose Ishbaal, King Saul’s son, to be their king. Ishbaal was inept and after seven years of chaos, the northern tribes turned to David and asked him to rule them also. This is where our first reading comes in. David was a successful leader and, in spite of some serious misbehavior, was viewed throughout Jewish history as an ideal king. The Jews always hoped for another king like him. When a king assumed his office, he was anointed and thus the ideal king the Jews longed for was often referred to as “the anointed one.” The Hebrew word for this is “Mashiah,” or as we say it: “Messiah.” When Mashiah is translated into Greek we have “Χριστός.” So when we call Jesus “Christ” we are in effect saying Jesus, the King. Christ’s kingdom is not an earthly one, as St. Paul tells us, but it is eternal and a sharing in God’s own authority and power.

HOMILY
This will be my last homily for this year. Before everyone cheers or wonders whether I am taking an extended vacation, I should tell you I’m talking about the liturgical year -otherwise known as the Church year. Next Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent, and we begin again a new Church year, preparing ourselves to celebrate Christ’s birth. Before we know it, we’re into Ash Wednesday, and it is especially early this year. The last time Lent came so early in the spring (and that’s because Easter is early) was 89 years ago. Starting next Sunday, then, we begin to recall the major events of Jesus life: his birth, his death, resurrection, ascension and his sending of the Holy Spirit. After Pentecost, as usual, we hear about his miracles and his teaching as presented to us in St. Matthew’s gospel. And as usual, at the end of the liturgical year, we will again celebrate the feast of Christ the King.

The feast of Christ the King was established in 1925 by Pope Pius XI. You might wonder, didn’t Pius XI know kings are not so popular any more? But what else could we call Christ? Should we call him instead a president, a prime minister, the chairman of the board, a dictator, president for life? The title “King” is most fitting for Christ. But he is not the same as any other king. His power is absolute and eternal. He has received his authority and power from God the Father and that will never change.

When we think of kings, it is automatic to associate them with castles and crowns, royal robes, jewelry, servants, armies and various symbols of wealth and power. Today Jesus, our king, is pictured hanging on the cross, his crown a crown of thorns. His small group of followers is nowhere to be found except for his mother, one faithful Apostle, and a couple of women. No rings were on his fingers, just nails in his hands and feet. No royal robes, instead he was most likely stripped naked as was the Roman custom. Later centuries have covered him over with a loin cloth for modesty. No one is cheering him or praising him. His enemies are outdoing each other mocking him. After three years working to establish a kingdom of love, he is condemned as a criminal, tortured and executed. He warned his followers some of them would suffer in a similar fashion. It’s a wonder he had any followers at all.

I am always impressed when I think of what Jesus did in three years. Moses labored for 40 years, Buddha 45 years, and Muhammad 23. The carpenter on the cross, with the sign above his head, Jesus Christ, king of the Jews, who came from a politically and religiously insignificant part of an insignificant country, influenced this world more than any human being that ever lived. After two thousand years a billion people, including ourselves, call him our king! If some of his followers reflected his teachings more faithfully, there might be six billion who now follow him. Jesus is a king who does not parade around in worldly glory or demonstrate worldly power. However, he is greater than any king who ever lived, for he is “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”

Our king does not rule by arms and weapons. Arms and weapons get people’s attention. Without having someone to stand over us with a club or a gun, we are tempted to feel “why do I have to do what they tell me?” A lot of people feel that about Jesus. The people who put him on a cross felt that way, except for his few friends and the thief who asked to be remembered when Jesus entered his kingdom. The Jewish leaders thought they would be rid of this troublemaker, this bossy person who went around telling people how they should live. They didn’t understand the power that he lived by and taught by, the power of love. He will always be a king who rules with love, but whether or not he is king in our lives and in our hearts is up to us. If we respond to him in love, it will lead us into his kingdom of new life.

A cartoon in the New Yorker showed two fellows walking to lunch one day and the one was complaining to the other: “my boss keeps telling me what to do.” Authority is not popular, we like to make our own rules, even with regard to God. The new age theology, which is really a return to paganism, views Christ as a nice guy who overlooks our bad behavior and is going to reward all of us in the end, no matter how we’ve lived. He will forgive us if we turn to him. Notice his words of forgiveness were directed only to one of the two crucified with him. We cannot take our salvation lightly. The cross was not a joy ride for Jesus. Salvation is serious business and Jesus suffered in order to win salvation for us. But he can only save us if we do not forget that he is always our king, not just in an abstract way but in our concrete, everyday lives. Amen.

                (6) Sing: The King of Glory

                (7) Sing: To Jesus Christ Our Sovereign King

                (8) Sing: A Song from Jesus

                (9) Sing: I Love You Jesus

                (10) Sing: The Rosary Song

 

  

                Transfiguration

                (1) Matthew 17: 1-8

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There in their presence he was transfigured: his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as dazzling as light. And suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with him. Then Peter spoke to Jesus. ‘Lord,’ he said, ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; if you want me to, I will make three shelters here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud covered them with shadow, and suddenly from the cloud there came a voice which said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.’ When they heard this, the disciples fell on their faces, overcome with fear. But Jesus came up and touched them, saying, ‘Stand up, do not be afraid.’ And when they raised their eyes they saw no one but Jesus.

                (2) Jesus talks with Moses and Elijah.

                (3) Matthew 17: 5

                        ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.’

                (4) From the Apostles Manual p. 250-251

February 23, 1997 

Sacrifice

R. When I go to Mass I offer a sacrifice. God wants our all. He wants to be first in our life. He asked Abraham to sacrifice his son.

Gen. 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18:

It happened some time later that God put Abraham to the test. 'Abraham, Abraham!' he called. 'Here I am,' he replied. God said, 'Take your son, your only son, your beloved Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, where you are to offer him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I shall point out to you. '

When they arrived at the place which God had indicated to him, Abraham built an altar there, and arranged the wood. Then he bound his son and put him on the altar on top of the wood. Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to kill his son.

But the angel of Yahweh called to him from heaven. 'Abraham, Abraham!' he said. 'Here I am,' he replied. 'Do not raise your hand against the boy,' the angel said. 'Do not harm him, for now I know you fear God. You have not refused me your own beloved son.' Then looking up, Abraham saw a ram caught by its horns in a bush. Abraham took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son.

The angel of Yahweh called Abraham a second time from heaven. 'I swear by my own self, Yahweh declares, that because you have done this, because you have not refused me your own beloved son, I will shower blessings on you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars of heaven and the grains of sand on the seashore. Your descendants will gain possession of the gates of their enemies. All nations on earth will bless themselves by your descendants, because you have obeyed my command.'

R. The Father gave His Son for us. This is how great the Father's love is for us.

When we go to the altar many times we are suffering. We want something really bad, but we know we love God the most. What the Father asks for us is to offer that which we are so attached to as a sacrifice, united to the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. If we offer this sacrifice to Him, the Father will pour out blessings that will be divine blessings, greater than anything we could have here on earth.

The Mass is the perfect sacrifice we offer to the Father, in which God pours out His blessings and we are one with Him and with all others in a profound expression of love. God shares His divine love with us and we partake in an intense way in His divine loving capacity. In order to become one in Him and to feel His love like this, we must surrender ourselves and be open.

He told Abraham to offer his son. God gave him his son back. He wanted Abraham to love God above all things and people.

Jesus offered Himself as a sacrifice to the Father. This is the most pleasing sacrifice to the Father. If He gave His Son Who died for love of us, will He deny us when we unite our petitions with Jesus and offer these at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?

He took them to the highest mountain and He was transfigured before them in the greatest light.

                (5) From the Apostles Manual - February 23, 1997 continues, p. 251-252

Mark 9:2-10:

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain on their own by themselves. There in their presence he was transfigured: his clothes became brilliantly white, whiter than any earthly bleacher could make them. Elijah appeared to them with Moses; and they were talking to Jesus. Then Peter spoke to Jesus, 'Rabbi,' he said, 'it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three shelters, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.' He did not know what to say; they were so frightened. And a cloud came, covering them in shadow; and from the cloud there came a voice, 'This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.' Then suddenly, when they looked round, they saw no one with them any more but only Jesus.

As they were coming down from the mountain he warned them to tell no one what they had seen, until after the Son of man had risen from the dead. They observed the warning faithfully, though among themselves they discussed what 'rising from the dead' could mean.

R. We go to the altar of sacrifice. The mountain to come, in which so many graces will flow, is the altar of sacrifice where the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered through the hands of consecrated priests.

We hear the Father say, "This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, listen to Him." He is speaking to us. He is the Word. He is speaking in these messages. He is unveiling the Scriptures and speaking to us in plain talk. This is a great gift He is giving to us.

We are transformed in the Mass. We unite with the greatest sacrifice offered in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. We have the most perfect sacrifice to offer to the Father when we offer this sacrifice. He gives us great blessings. We die to ourselves, we become white.

We must unite all of our sacrifices to this Holy Sacrifice of the Mass being said all over the world. This is the greatest way to magnify all of our offerings - by uniting everything we do as an offering, a sacrifice to the Father in union with His Son.

end of February 23, 1997

                (6)

Picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

A City on a Hill Shines to the World

February 23, 1994 5:30 a.m.

Jesus: I am the light of the world. A city on a hill will shine to the world. You at the Center will be this city when you are filled to the brim with the love of Jesus. What power, what might, to have each person a personal spouse of Jesus Christ! This is the light to the darkened world. The love of Jesus radiates from the very being of those who love Him. What light when all together are lifted by His love abounding deep within their breasts!

    I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. My life is the life inside that cannot be contained. It is bursting and budding forth. My life is the real life. To possess the life of Christ within your breast! Such power! I am the city set on a hill that will stand united and shine to this world. You at this Center will be this city. You will be the true Center that places the mark on this world.

    The love of Christ, abounding deep within the breasts of all, will be the power and the might. Pray the Prayer for Union with Jesus. I will operate in the hearts of all there and minister to My sick world. I am the Heart of Jesus. I am on fire with love of each and every soul. When My love is found in all the hearts there, the light of God will shine to this world!

    You are the city, set on a hill, that shines to the darkened world. I will light the world with the love of Jesus that shines in the hearts of those who are fed there. My light is so bright. My power is endless. You are the light to the dark world. You contain the mighty medicine to bring My sick ones to Me. You will bring so many back to Me and My intense love, burning so brightly for all!

    I am the power. I am the might. He who abides in Me will have the light of life. I give Myself to you that you will live. You will radiate My presence from your very being. My light is the brightest light. I will live in the hearts of all who come to you for their feeding. Enkindle in them the love for My most Sacred Heart. It is on fire for love of you. It cannot be contained. It will live in all hearts who come to you to be fed.

    You are the key to enkindle this burning love of Jesus in the hearts of so many. Many will know Jesus through your love of Me. Read these letters every day for I am truly speaking to you here. I love each child so dearly and want to have an intimate union with that child. Teach all about the burning love of Jesus. Read My messages with your heart on fire so you can tell all of My ardent love for them.

    I long to be close to them. I am a person. I am God, on fire for love of My people. Bring all to the ardent love of Jesus. Mary is by My side constantly. Where I am, she is there. She wants all to be led to My ardent, longing love. Teach all about My love. Fill them so they are overflowing in their hearts. This is the mighty medicine. It is My letter of intense, ardent love for My people.

    I am truly here, little ones. I am Jesus, Son of the Living God. I will live strongly in the hearts of all who come to you. You will be the key. Focus on your intense love of Me. Read My letters as a cookbook for intimacy with Me. My love waits for each person and I tell you here how to be close to Me. I am the Sacred Heart of Jesus on fire for love of you. I am longing for you to come and be with Me in silence. I will give you all you need.

    I am the Alpha. I am the Omega. I am your all. I am God, one, true and magnificent, and I come to you with ardent love in Holy Communion and in the tabernacle. I am present, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. I am waiting. Our love affair waits and it depends on you. I am there and I am waiting. You keep us apart.

    Tell them how I long for them and have all they need. The love of Christ will light their city. You will stand as the lighted city in darkness. My love will be that by which you light this dark world. Oh, such power, such might! The love of God will reign in the hearts of all you touch. You are My vessel to draw this world to the love of Jesus.

    Read and study My letters and be taught about My ardent love. I am Jesus Christ and I am teaching you about My love on fire for all. Come and be powered by the hand of God. My love will rock the world off its rocker when it reigns in the hearts of those who come to you. I love you so! You are My beloved. I will use you to light My dark world. You will shine as candles in the darkest night and you will be the instruments I use to light their wicks. I am God and I love them so dearly!

    This is My love for all. Power and might will shine forth on the land. I am the brightest light. Look into the light for the light. Look into the arms of Jesus. I will light this world through you. Alleluia. And the angels sang and the choirs of heaven were heard for the earth proclaimed the Love of Jesus. Alleluia

end of  February 23, 1994 

 

February 23, 1994 - I Died For You (excerpt)

Jesus: I am God. I am God. I died. Spread My love now! Now! Now! Now! Now! I am begging you not to hold back! Read these letters now, read and learn about My love. I beckon you to speak of My love. Shout it from the high roof. Proclaim it in the cities. Jesus Christ died for love of you and He is risen! I am He Who is God and I died for you!

Listen and preach My love and emotion here. Priests will create little cities, little cities in each church to spread the light of Christ to this sick world. Each priest can create his own little city, a powerhouse of God's love. God has all the power. His power is endless. It never runs out. It is might. You have no power except through Him. Churches filled with the intimate love of Jesus will be powerhouses.

I am God, My little ones. God can do all things. I can make your cities light up the darkness. I am the Way, the Truth, the Life. I am the light of life. I am God! I can do all things. I want to act in you. You need to be in constant union with Me. My priests, you need to be selfless. My soul and yours are one. I want to act in you.

Hold not back. Pray the Prayer for Union with Me.

end of excerpt

                (7)

$10.00 plus shipping

1-888-211-3041

Call Doris

From Tell My People

Age of the Two Hearts

Jesus:  "My beloved priest-companion, I have allowed you to experience in extraordinary fashion the riches contained in My Heart and My Mother's Heart. I desire that you tell all My people about these riches. I desire that My people consecrate themselves to My Sacred Heart and to Mary's Immaculate Heart. My people are living in the beginnings of the age of the Two Hearts.

    "After the time of the purification is completed, this new era of the Church and the world will become firmly established. This era will be characterized by the triumph of the Immaculate Heart and the reign of My Sacred Heart. All those who consecrate themselves to My Heart and to My Mother's Heart will help to establish this glorious new age. I am Lord and Master. Please listen to My urgent request. Within Our Hearts you will experience the love and security, the peace and the joy, which you all desire. I love My people with a tremendous love, and in My love I give them this message!"

 


 

                (8) Psalm 67: 2-3, 5, 7

Then the earth will acknowledge your ways,
and all nations your power to save.

Let the nations praise you,
God, let all the nations praise you.

Let the nations praise you, God,
let all the nations praise you.

May God continue to bless us,
and be revered by the whole wide world.

                (9) Psalm 32: 11, 19

   Rejoice in Yahweh, exult all you upright, shout for joy, you honest of heart.

to rescue them from death and keep them alive in famine.

                (10) Romans 5: 5; 8: 11

and a hope which will not let us down, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.

and if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead has made his home in you, then he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your own mortal bodies through his Spirit living in you.

 

 

 

                Institution of the Eucharist

                (1) Mark 14: 22-25

And as they were eating he took bread, and when he had said the blessing he broke it and gave it to them. ‘Take it,’ he said, ‘this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he handed it to them, and all drank from it, and he said to them, ‘This is my blood, the blood of the covenant, poured out for many. In truth I tell you, I shall never drink wine any more until the day I drink the new wine in the kingdom of God.’

                (2) John 6: 58

This is the bread
   which has come down from heaven;
it is not like the bread our ancestors ate:
they are dead,
but anyone who eats this bread
   will live for ever.

                (3) John 17: 21-22

May they all be one,
just as, Father, you are in me
   and I am in you,
so that they also may be in us,
so that the world may believe
it was you who sent me.
I have given them the glory
   you gave to me,
that they may be one as we are one.

                (4) From the Mass Book by Rita Ring, pp. 1-4

January 2, 1997

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen."

"The grace of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

God pours out His grace in this Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is the greatest gift when God gives Himself to us.

We share with God His life, given to us abundantly in the Mass.

He gives Himself to us and we give ourselves to Him. The great love affair between God and man: His Holy Mass.

The priest is another Christ to us. It is Christ present, through the priest, celebrating the Mass. We must see Christ in the priest, see Him celebrate the Mass, see His beautiful brown hair, His gentle face, see Him, our Savior. This Jesus Christ that came was born an infant and gave Himself to His death on the cross that we would share His life. See Him now in the Mass, giving Himself in the greatest gift of all. He gives us His divine love and His divine life.

Oh, we thank You for Your life. We know Jesus died and rose and gave us a sharing in His holy life. His life is now abundantly poured, as a fountain to us, especially in the Mass.

Then we hear His word. Let the word of God penetrate our being. Let us feel this Living Word of God. As a two-edged sword, it comes forth with such conviction and love and it penetrates the souls of the faithful with such love. It is food indeed, food for our soul.

He is the Good Shepherd. He speaks to us. He gives us all we want. "Yahweh is my shepherd, I lack nothing." (Ps. 23:1)

He gives us green pastures, and His water pours out and refreshes us. He outpours His grace as a fountain to feed us with His life.

He is a just God, good and kind, all loving, for He is Love. We want for nothing for He outpours His love and His life to us in the Mass. We feast on His Body and Blood and are fed with His Word. We become one in Him and He shares Himself with us.

It is through the Mass celebrated by the hands of a holy priest that we will experience the Mass the way Christ intends. These writings are insights which hopefully will help lead you to the spring of life-giving water, the fountain of love and life He outpours in the Mass.

There will be a new earth when men will see with the light of seven suns. They will know God. A people walking in darkness will see a great light. They will no longer be blind, they will be enlightened, they will love God with the greatest love in the Mass. They will feast on His Body and Blood and will be united as one body in His holy Church through His life given to us in the Eucharist.

We will drink copiously from the fountain of grace which He pours out in the Mass. We will be filled with His love, absorbed with the love of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and feasting on His divine life.

We see with the vision of God. We partake in such a union with God. We see with the light the Spirit gives to us. The priest celebrates the Mass and we know God with such an intense knowing in this union. We are saturated with His life flowing from the hands of His consecrated priest.

And I look at Him, the priest, and I see Jesus there. I see Him giving Himself to Me. I see the new and Holy City. I see with such clarity the great gift that God gives to us in the Mass!

We learn how to love in the Mass, for we unite to God. He gives us such an intimate sharing in His divine love that we carry His love out to the world. In this union we know His loving to an intense degree and we carry this love out to others. We share in an intense way in His divine act of loving. He, Who is love, gives Himself to us and we are absorbed in His love and we know intensely how God loves. We are filled with love for God and for each other, for, in the oneness He is loving through us. He gives us lights into His loving capacity and we know His loving power in an intensity we did not know before.

We then pray. We offer up our intentions for this Mass. It is now we who intercede to Him to outpour His grace on us and help us with these intentions.

We pray for this reign of peace when the Sacred Heart of Jesus will reign and the Immaculate Heart of Mary will triumph and men will fervently love and adore God with burning love. We pray for all souls and the Church and we beg for His help, His love, His grace.

We offer ourselves as a sacrifice. We offer the bread that will become the bread of life.

The priest mixes the water and the wine and we realize how His Divinity mixes with our humanity.

We offer the wine that will become our spiritual drink-His blood.

I give myself to Him and I beg to be cleansed of my sins with the washing of the hands.

"May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of His name, for our good and the good of all His Church."

We ask Him to accept the gifts we want to give Him, we give Him thanks, we lift up our hearts in thanks and praise and we sing out:

"Holy, Holy God, of power and might…" we sing Him praise and thank Him-oh, God we love Thee so much."

My heart is so filled with such awe. I cry because I love Him so much.

Every word in the Mass, I love. The priest consecrates the host and changes it into the Body and Blood of Christ.

Oh, it makes me cry for I am so struck with awe at what happens at the Consecration. I unite in the oneness with the priest, with Christ and with all present, with heaven and earth. I am one in that moment, united in the sacrifice of Christ giving Himself to the Father.

This is the moment when I unite in such oneness with Christ in the purity of Mary's heart. I give myself as a sacrifice. I offer myself to the Father.

The Father looks down and He sees us united to His Son's Sacrifice. It is in this oneness that His grace is outpoured on us, that we die to that which is not like Him and that the Holy Spirit works in the heart of Mary and fills us with His life.

I am in ecstasy as I realize more and more the great gift of love that God gives us in His holy Mass. I am taken to such heights, being wrapped in the presence of God. It is rapture, this Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

It is a great gift, experiencing this intense presence of the Almighty God: Through Him, With Him, and In Him.

We pray to the Father the prayer as Jesus taught us and beg, "thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

We pray: "For the Kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and forever."

We beg for peace in our hearts. We share this peace with one another. Then we beg of the Lamb of God. I want to get down to the ground and beg for His grace, mercy and forgiveness for our sins.

Please, God, I see us as a sinful people. I want the grace and mercy to flow abundantly.

He raises the Host and says: "This is the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world, happy are those who are called to His supper."

We respond: "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed."

I receive the Almighty God in Communion. All I want is Him. Oh, God, I want you, I adore you, I worship you, I love you.

Oh, for this moment when God gives Himself to me. Oh, God, words do not express this time-this intense presence of You within my being. Oh, sweet Savior, I love You!

You share Yourself so intimately with me. You imprint on my soul a knowing of Your Divine Being that is so intimate in this Communion when You give Yourself to me.

Oh, let our hearts be open to His grace that we may know this great gift more, that we will partake more fully in this greatest act of love with Divinity.

He shares Himself with us, the Almighty God, in such oneness. This is the greatest way to bind us with each other, to unite with each other in the Mass and Communion.

And so I sing the love of God, the love of His Mass. I beg you to pray for the grace that He can teach you in these writings about His most intimate love affair with man, the gift of Himself-the gift He gives us in the Mass.

The Holy Sacrifice, the sacrifice of Calvary, sacramentally-made-present in the Mass when He gives Himself to us with the greatest love!

And what does He ask in return? He asks that we love one another, that we give Him the glory, the thanksgiving, the adoration that is His due as the Almighty God.

He sends us forth with His blessing to share His most intimate love with all. We go forth as other Christs in the world. For He is alive this day and He lives in us and He gives His love to others through us. We act as channels of His life to one another.

The Mass is the richest source of His life. His life flows through the body, the Church, especially through the Sacraments and the Mass.

Oh Jesus, from the fountain of life that pours forth from Your pierced Heart, give us holy priests whose hearts are consecrated to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary to celebrate the Mass-that there is such oneness between the priest and Christ that His grace will flow copiously.

We thirst for the fountain of life pouring forth from the pierced Heart of Christ. It is His life we seek and find in the Church. It is His love we want and we experience the greatest love affair with God in the Mass.

These books on the Mass are accounts of my intimate love affair with our Almighty God. Many experiences were enlightenments I received in the Mass.

I strongly advise all to pray, to say the Holy Spirit Prayer, the Consecration Prayers, and the Prayer before the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, before Mass. (These prayers follow this message).

This book is the journey into the red room, the inner chamber of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, through the gateway, the pure and Immaculate Heart of His Mother.

It is in the Mass we give ourselves in such love to our Holy God. He gives Himself to us and we give ourselves to Him.

 

                (5) Sing: I Love You Jesus

                (6) Sing: His Presence Pervades My Soul

                (7) Sing: A Priest is a Gift from God

                (8) From the Mass Book

December 27, 1995

LET US LOVE THE TWO HEARTS OF JESUS AND MARY
IN THE RECEPTION OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST.

HE GAVE HIMSELF TO US ON THE CROSS. HE GIVES HIMSELF TO US IN THE EUCHARIST.

How great was the act of love, God gave to this world, when He gave Himself and died on the cross. He gives Himself to us this day in the Holy Eucharist.

The greatest commandment is that we must love God with our whole heart, our whole soul, and our whole being. This is a commandment. If we are to enter heaven, we must follow the commandments. They are commands given by God for us to follow.

The greatest act we can do on this earth is an act of loving God. The reason for our existence is to love God. In the sacrament of His greatest love, He gives Himself to us. This is an act of love on His part. We are called to respond by giving ourselves in love to Him.

This is the purpose of the Holy Eucharist: to unite in such oneness with our Holy, Loving God. Our all consuming passion should be that of loving God. How many go to the Eucharist with the sole purpose of giving great love to God? He wants us to love Him. He wants souls to tell Him how much they truly love Him. This is the most intimate act of love when Jesus gives Himself-Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity to man. If it is such an act of love, how are we receiving Him in Communion? We should beg God, in this most intimate union with Him, to help us to love Him with greatest love.

Jesus is a Person. He wants our love. The Holy Spirit wants such intimacy with us. Our Father wants us to love Him. In the Eucharist, we unite with God. In this intimate act of uniting with our beloved God, with Divinity, we must pour out our love to God. We must pour out our heart to the most adorable Heart of Jesus. Jesus is so unjustly treated by many of His beloved souls He loves so much. Let us help make reparation to the Almighty God by loving God with our whole heart, our whole soul, and our whole being in the sacrament of His greatest love. This is the Gift of Himself.

Think of how it is to love someone and give your all for that person, to pour out your heart to him or her and then be treated with coldness and neglect. It hurts our heart so much more when we deeply love someone to be rejected by that person. Jesus loves us with the deepest love. We cannot fully comprehend this love. Let us love Him with the deepest love. Let us love Mary and her Immaculate Heart. Let us love her as the Mother of God. Let us love her as the virgin who bore the Son of God. May we, in the reception of the Eucharist pour out our love to Him, to this adorable Heart. May we pour out our love to His Holy Mother.

Mary said at Fatima that Jesus wants His Heart venerated next to the heart of His Mother. Let us love these two Hearts as we receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Then we are so deeply united with God. We see Their two Hearts surrounded with thorns for the injustices against Their Hearts. Let us help make reparation daily as we receive Him in the Eucharist. This is a special time to help make reparation to Their wounded Hearts.

Let us remember how He poured His love out to us on the cross and how He pours out His love to us now when He gives us Himself in the Eucharist, the Eucharist which contains His Heart of burning love. His Heart was pierced with a lance. Her heart was invisibly pierced with a sword. As the wounds in Their Hearts are deep, so too is Their love so deep.

He does not want "surface love". He wants hearts filled with deep burning love.

end of December 27, 1995

   

                (9) Sing Song: God's Love

                (10) Sing: A Song from Jesus

 

 

 

 

Give a gift that lasts.

        

             

$10.00 each plus shipping

 Call 1-888-211-3041

Shepherds of Christ

 

 

We can send Fr. Joe's

homily book to a priest for 75¢.

Can you please help us get

these homilies to the priests?
 

Please help us with your donation.

Call Shepherds of Christ

1-888-211-3041

 

   

 

 

 

Prayer Cards available

     
Holy Spirit Prayer Act of Consecration to
Immaculate Heart of Mary
Act of Consecration to
Sacred Heart of Jesus
Prayer for Priests

 

Prayer before the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
 

Prayer for Union with Jesus

Available for .25¢ each plus postage

Call Shepherds of Christ

1-888-211-3041

 

 

 

Prayer Card  4" x 6"

.5 each plus postage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

size 5 1/2" x 8 1/2"
$1.00 plus postage

 

 

 

 

 

  Statues  

     

Sacred Heart of Jesus w/glass - 18

Our Lady-Guadalupe w/glass - 12
Limpias - 8
     

Immaculate Heart w/glass - 18

I Heart - Ivory w/glass - 18

Our Lady of Grace w/glass - 18

     
Our Lady-Mt. Carmel w/glass - 18

Our Lady of Lourdes w/glass - 18

Infant of Prague w/glass - 24

     

Sacred Heart of Jesus w/glass - 24

Sacred Heart -Blessing w/glass - 24

Sorrowful Mother w/glass - 24

 

 

 

I Heart - Ivory w/glass - 24

I Heart of Mary w/glass - 24

Our Lady of Lourdes w/glass - 24
   

 

  

 

Our Lady-Guadalupe w/glass - 28

Our Lady of Grace w/glass - 24

Our Lady-Mt. Carmel w/glass - 24
     

Fatima w/glass - 11

Pilgrim Virgin w/glass - 12

Pilgrim Virgin w/glass - 15

 

  

 

Fatima w/glass - 18

Pilgrim Virgin w/glass - 18

 

Pilgrim Virgin w/glass - 27

St. Padre Pio

St. Joseph

St. Therese

   

 

 

St. Francis

St. Anthony

St. Claire

 

  

 

Limpias

St. Jude
 

Divine Mercy

 

  

 

Holy Family

Angel

St. Philomena

 

 

 

Pieta - Marble

Pieta - Color

Holy Family

 

  

 

St. Anthony - 18

St. Francis - 18

St. Joseph - 18

 

 

 

St. Therese - 18

St. Rita - 18

St. Clare - 12
 
     
     

St. Rita - 12

St. Padre Pio - 12

ivine Mercy - 12

St. Michael - 11

         

 


Shepherds of Christ Ministries
P. O. Box 627
China, IN  47250

 

Toll free - 1-888-211-3041
Local - 1-812-273-8405
fax - 1-812-273-3182
web: www.sofc.org
e-mail: info@sofc.org

 

  Size Price Quantity   

 Holy Family

 24"

$180

 

 Limpias

 24"

$125

 

 St. Anthony

 24"

$125

 

 St. Claire

 24"

$125

 

 St. Francis

 24"

$125

 

 St. Joseph

 24"

$125

 

 St. Jude

 24"

$125

 

 St. Padre Pio

 24"

$125

 

 St. Therese

 24"

$125

 
 Divine Mercy

22"

$125  
 Angel

22"

$100  
 St. Philomena

20"

$100  
 St. Philomena

16"

$65  
 St. Joseph

18"

$65  
 St. Francis

18"

$65  
 St. Anthony

18"

$65  
 St. Rita

18"

$65  
 St. Therese

18"

$65  
 Pieta - Color 15" $75  
 Pieta - Marble 15" $75  
 Holy Family

12"

$60  
 St. Padre Pio - standing

12"

$40  
 St. Padre Pio - sitting

8"

$50  
 St. Michael

11"

$40  
 St. Rita

12"

$40  

 Divine Mercy

12"

$40  
 St. Claire

12"

$40  
 Limpias

8"

$25  
 Our Lady of Guadalupe w/glass

28"

$500  
 Our Lady of Mt. Carmel w/glass

24"

$500  

 Immaculate Heart of Mary w/glass

 24"

$500  

 Immaculate Heart - Ivory w/glass

 24"

$500  

 Infant of Prague w/glass

 24"

$500  

 Our Lady of Grace w/glass

 24"

$500  

 Our Lady of Lourdes w/glass  

 24"

$500  
 Sacred Heart of Jesus w/glass

 24"

$500  
 Sacred Heart -Blessing w/glass

 24"

$500  

 Sorrowful Mother w/glass

 24"

$500  
 Immaculate Heart of Mary w/glass

18"

$300  
 Immaculate Heart - Ivory w/glass

18"

$300  
 Sacred Heart of Jesus w/glass

18"

$300  
 Our Lady of Lourdes w/glass  

18"

$300  
 Our Lady of Grace w/glass

18"

$300  

 Our Lady of Mt. Carmel w/glass

18" $300  
 Our Lady of Guadalupe w/glass

12"

$200  

 Fatima w/glass

11"

$150  

 Fatima w/glass

 18"

$250  
 Pilgrim Virgin w/glass

 12"

$160  
 Pilgrim Virgin w/glass 15" $200  
 Pilgrim Virgin w/glass 18" $250  
 Pilgrim Virgin w/glass

27"

$450  


Call for Shipping Price (1-888-211-3041)
 

  Name
   
 Sub-Total
  Address
         
 IN Tax (7%)
  City
  
 Shipping
  State                                            Zip
  
 Donation
  Telephone
   
 Order Total

 

Shepherds of Christ  
P. O. Box 627
China, IN  47250

1-888-211-3041

 

Fr. Joe's Homily Books  

Guiding Light - Cycle A
The Word Alive in Our Hearts

$10.00


Guiding Light - Cycle B
Focusing on the Word

$10.00
 

Guiding Light - Cycle C
Feed My Soul

$10.00

 

Fr. Carter's Books

Priestly Newsletter Book I

12 Newsletters
July 1994 - June 1996

$12.00


Priestly Newsletter Book 2

17 Newsletters
1996 - 1999

$12.00
 

Priestly Newsletter Book 3

4 Newsletters & Prayers
2000

$12.00


 

Response to God's Love



$10.00


Messages given
by Jesus and Mary 1994

Tell My People
$10.00
 


The Pain and the Joy

$10.00

Synopsis of the Spiritual Life

Spirituality Handbook
$3.00

 


Priestly Newsletter on CD
2000 - Issue 1

$10.00


Priestly Newsletter on CD
2000 - Issue 2

$10.00


 

 

 

Fr. Pasquini's Books

 

Authenticity


 
Prayers and Meditations

$10.00

In Imitation of Two Hearts

For those suffering or
in Nursing Homes
 
$10.00

Light, Happiness and Peace

Journeying through traditional
Catholic Spirituality

$10.00

Medicine of Immortality

Prayers and Meditations - will assist the reader in growth toward a deeper understanding of the mystery of the Eucharist

$10.00


Ecce Fides - Pillar of Truth

Ideal for RCIA, Adult & Youth Bible Study, Homeschooling, Catholic
Identity Studies

$10.00

Shepherds of Christ Newsletters
9 Newsletters
2006 - 2008

$36.00

  

DVDs and CDs by Fr. Pasquini
 


 

Authenticity DVD
Prayers on the Ocean

$10.00
 

Nursing Home Mass DVD

$10.00

Consolation DVD

$10.00

Medicine of Immortality
Read by Rita Ring

2 CDs - $17.00

In Imitation of Two Hearts DVD

$10.00


 

Consolation CD
by Fr. John

$8.00
 


 

Nursing Home Mass CD

$8.00
 

Holy Spirit Novena DVD

$10.00 

Divine Mercy Chaplet DVD

$10.00 

 

 

 

God’s Blue Books

God’s Blue Book 1
Teachings to Lift You Up

    $10.00


God’s Blue Book 4
The Love of the Hearts of
Jesus and Mary

$5.00
 


God’s Blue Book 2
The Fire of His Love

$10.00
 

God’s Blue Book 5
So Deep Is the Love of His Heart

$5.00


God’s Blue Book 3
Love God, Love One Another

(Fr. Carter's favorite)
$10.00
 


God’s Blue Book 6
He Calls Us to Action

$10.00
 

  

 

Rosary Books
 


Rosaries from the
Hearts of Jesus and Mary

$10.00
 

Rosaries from the
Hearts of Jesus and Mary

$12.00

Rosary Meditations for
Parents and Children's

$10.00


Mysteries of Light 1

$5.00
 

Mysteries of Light 2

$5.00


Little People & Elderly Rosary Book

$10.00

Coloring Book
$5.00 each


Coloring Book
$5.00 each

 

Coloring Book
$5.00 each

Coloring Book
$5.00 each

Coloring Book
$5.00 each


Coloring Book
$5.00 each

 

   

 

 


 

The China Church is over 140 years old

and we pray in there 24 hours a day.

It needs stucco and so does

the community building.

Can you please help us?

Call Shepherds of Christ

 1-888-211-3041

 

Likewise the priest house

is 150 years old.

Jesus told us to repair it

which we have been doing.

We need $13,000.00 for this work.

 

 

Crucifix — hand carved by Felix

   

Available for $750.00

      

 

Brand New Internet Store

 

 

Click picture

   

 


Table of Contents


Main Shepherds of Christ Page


SofC LogoCopyright © 2008 Shepherds of Christ.
Rights for non—commercial reproduction granted:
May be copied in its entirety, but neither re—typed nor edited.
Translations are welcome but they must be reviewed for moral and 
theological accuracy by a source approved by Shepherds of Christ Ministries 
before any distribution takes place. Please contact us for more information.