Burning Love

THE BURNING LOVE OF GOD "The bush, though on fire, was not consumed." —Exodus 3:2

Consider a burning candle. The flame on the candle eventually burns out when the wax is all consumed. In Jesus, however, we are not like candles which burn out, but rather like the burning bush, which is neither burned out nor consumed (Ex 3:2). Some people are afraid to receive God's love. They fear that the fire of God's love will consume them and they will never be the same. Immersed in God's love, they know they'll have to repent and be dedicated to holiness (Ex 3:5). Yet just as Moses was drawn to the burning bush by the awesomeness of the sight, God's love attracts people despite their fears.God's burning love is a Trinity-love, the fire of love which perpetually arcs between the Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit. God pours this burning Trinity-love, consuming but not destructive, into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Nothing can separate us from this love. Be like Moses. Walk toward God, not away from Him. Remove not only your sandals, but any love for the things of the world. Don't be afraid of the overpowering love of God. Many have been hurt by failed human love, but the love of God never fails. Abandon yourself to God's love. Your entire life has been a search for His love. Be true to yourself and true to God. Live in His love. The Lord secures justice, and the rights of all the oppressed." —St. Bonaventure advised: "Look not to the light but rather to the raging fire that carries the soul to God with intense fervor and glowing love."

The Vision Sister Briege McKenna Recieved in 1981

The vision that Sr. Briege McKenna got for Fr. Tomislav Vlasic during a conference in Rome one month before the apparitions in Medjugorje began. Sr. Briege saw a white church with two towers -- and inside the church she saw Fr. Tomislav sitting in the chair of the main celebrant. Living water was flowing from the chair, thousands of people came and drank from the water, and then hurried outside to bring their friends, too.
Neither Sr. Briege nor Fr. Tomislav could identify the church, but only four months later Fr. Tomislav was assistant pastor of Medjugorje, immediately recognizing the church of Sr. Briege's vision when he first saw St. James Church.

Aborting the Future- The mother of Moses disobeyed the unjust law.

ABORTING THE FUTURE"Pharaoh then commanded all his subjects, 'Throw into the river every boy that is born to the Hebrews, but you may let all the girls live.' " —Exodus 1:22 Today many babies are aborted just because they're girls, or black, or handicapped, or whatever might be the abiding prejudice of the moment. In the days when the Israelites were in Egypt, the government decreed that baby boys were to be thrown into the river. Moses' mother disobeyed this unjust law, and through a series of miracles her son became the leader that would set the nation free from slavery. Could it be that babies saved from abortion today will grow up to be among the greatest leaders in human history? When we save a baby's life by praying in front of an abortion chamber, we may be saving the life of a new Moses and thereby saving the lives of millions. We may be saving the lives of a whole nation. The Lord promised a reward to those who give a cup of cold water to a lowly one (Mt 10:42). How much greater is the reward for those who save the lives of the lowly ones in the womb? Moses' mother, Jochebed (Nm 26:59), is one of the most important people in history because she resisted an unjust law that condemned her baby to death. Go and do likewise (Lk 10:37). Prayer: Father, may I be willing to give my life to save the lives of children in the womb. Promise: "He who seeks only himself brings himself to ruin, whereas he who brings himself to nought for Me discovers who he is." —Mt 10:39- St. Henry wrote: "Present glory is fleeting and meaningless, while it is possessed, unless in it we can glimpse something of heaven's eternity."

Body of Christ Prayer Meeting

Body of Christ Prayer Meeting, Saint Charles Church, Providence, Rhode Island.

WORD OF KNOWLEDGE RECIEVED

My Little Children,
I am placing my arms around all of you. I am lifting you and placing you into my heart. I want to fill you with a new anointing. I want to fan the flames. I want to bring you to a place of worship. My commend to you is to rejoice. Rejoice for near is the day when your tears will be wiped away and your souls shall dance, and your hearts shall be at peace.
That day is coming and when it does may it find you living your lives in praise and worship.
For that will be the key that unlocks the gates to my Kingdom.

Darleen

Bethany Night with musician John Polce and Fr. John Randall

John Polce & Guest,- Bethany Nights, July 31, 2009 at 7:30 pm, " A place to begin again." Special guest speaker, Father John Randall, author of "No Spirit, No Church.

National Shrine of Our Lady of LaSalette, 947 Park Street, Attleboro, Ma

508-222-5410

Servants to the World

http://www.servantstotheworld.com/recent-releases.html

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Recent video releases from Medjugorje

Da Mihi Animas: Get prayed up!#links#links

Da Mihi Animas: Get prayed up!#links#links
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Matthew Ch. 10 I'm sending you like sheep in the mist of wolves.

You will be like sheep among wolves

MARTYR"

You will be brought to trial before rulers and kings, to give witness before them and before the Gentiles on My account." —Matthew 10:18 Jesus is the Truth the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth. He does not conceal from us the more difficult realities of following Him. He bluntly states we are sent out "like sheep among wolves" (Mt 10:16).

The government will bring us to trial; the religious leaders will flog us; even our families will turn us over to the police because of our Christian witness. We "will be hated by all" on account of Jesus. We are followers of Jesus, not because we don't know any better, but because we love Him. Naturally, we don't want to suffer or be rejected. Nonetheless, our love for Jesus is stronger than our love of self or our fear of pain. We want to be with our Lord, even at the foot of the cross. We prefer to die with Jesus rather than live without Him. We love Him "for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health."Even death will never separate us from Him, for love is stronger than death. Jesus, the Bridegroom, I love You; I live for You.

Jesus, if it be Your will, may I die a martyr's death for love of You.

Sarah Palin, A women of Faith and Courage

A Message to Sarah Palin.

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You will know if you are a Christian if the world hates you.

If you are living the gospel message you will be presecuted.

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See John Ch. 15 Verse 18

Betania 2 Marian Community

http://betania2.org/about.html

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The story of how God lead Sister Margaret Catherine Sims to start the spiritual community Betania II in Medway, Massachusetts.

Marie Esperanza was the spiritual director of Sister Sims.

Father Manlio speaks on Medjugorje

FROM THE ECHO OF MEDJUGORJE: MARY, OUR 'SHEPHERDESS' FOR THE LAST 28 YEARS
[The Echo of Medjugorje in Italy]

Every year thousands of priests fill the presbytery of the Parish of Medjugorje to directly draw from the grace that is abundantly flowing forth from that blessed site. Many bear witness to how their priesthood is constantly renewed by their meeting with Gospa, the Mother of the Church and the mediatrix of grace. With the approach of the twenty-eighth anniversary of the apparitions, we interviewed a priest from Italy’s Marche region, Father Manlio, who is an assiduous visitor to the Shrine.
1. What is Medjugorje for you?
Beginning from what I have read and from the readings and reflections made, Medjugorje is the final point and the completion of the message of Fatima. John Paul II even went so far as to say that today Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world, although he did not officially speak about this, in order to avoid compromising himself and to avoid compromising a phenomenon that is still ongoing.
Our Lady appeared a total of three times in Fatima; in Medjugorje Our Lady has been coming down from Heaven every day for 28 years!
2. Why such prolonged apparitions?
Because the situation of Christianity is very critical and Our Lady is working to change it.People still do not want to accept conversion of the heart. Mary prays for this and she urges people to pray; she wants to save the Church, the family, couples, young people, she wants to save the whole world! She has been appearing for such a long time because she wants to create a model of a Christian community that might know how to welcome her messages and transform them into life!
*3. Why does Medjugorje continue to encounter opposition?
Because so many bishops and priests are not informed, they have failed to take an interest in this phenomenon from the beginning and therefore they are indifferent and apathetic, as though it were a fact of devotionism.
4. What is most surprising about Medjugorje?
The rediscovery of faith, conversion. Those who confess, personally touch this reawakening. There people touch the miracle in various moments, under various forms. Many people who pray and convert, countless prayer groups and charitable associations that were founded there, the expansion of the message everywhere. It is a continuous miracle! The Church will have to deal with this miracle. Medjugorje is the last step in the work that Mary is doing in order to prepare the coming of Jesus; because the triumph of Mary will be the conclusion and it will come about through the preparation of the Kingdom of Christ.
5. Is it right to return often to that place?
Yes, it is right, because we need to recharge ourselves and enrich ourselves spiritually. Nowadays life is rife with problems and if we do not refuel with graces that come to us from Mar, it will be difficult for us to face up to the burdens of everyday life. It is known that the Church is currently undergoing a serious crisis from the point of view of vocations, while many vocations come about in Medjugorje from a living meeting with the Lord.
6. Do you think that this is meaningful?
Certainly! After the conversion of hearts, vocations vocations represent one of the best fruits. One of the criticisms that these apparitions often come up against is that Our Lady speaks too much.
7. In the Gospel Mary limited herself to contemplation, saying very few words, how can weexplain so many messages today?
I have my own opinion on this point. I had also prepared an article in reference to the synod of bishops which took place last October on the Word of God. I compared the theme of the Word of God with the word of Mary.
8. Why does Our Lady speak so much?
In all the latest apparitions,Our Lady has done nothing other than represent the Gospel to us. This insistence has a precise significance: Mary’s intention is to bring us back to the essential, she wants to re-evangelize the Church of today and I believe that She is the personbest suited for the job! This is why the Word of God is not understood and accepted today; it is as though people have become accustomed to it: people think they already know everything! I am convinced that Our Lady, as our Mother, wanted to say to us that the Word as it is communicated to us, is monotonous, cold, stale, a Word that no longer touches our hearts. We need a warmer Word, a Word that comes from our Mother’s heart. Our Lady wants to be today’s catechist. First of all, she listened, she assimilated, as saint Luke wrote. Mary listened, observed and kept…This is because the moment was to come when she would unveil the casket in which she concealed God’s Word. Within the family the father has one role and the mother has another: she is more affectionate, she is more capable of being understood and of sensing the needs of her children. Our Lady wants to give this help to the Church of today.
There is a title that Our Lady attributes to herself during these times: she defines herself as the Divine Shepherdess. If Christ is the Shepherd, Mary is She who continues Christ’s work. Our Lady has many titles!
9. How do Mary’s monthly messages enrich your life as a priest?
I believe that we need to read them, meditate on them, screen them better and make them an exegesis to come to an understanding of the logic that connects them. They would appear to be the same, almost monotonous. But there is something deeper that cannot always be understood, like for example the concept that it is only though prayer that we can come to know God and His Will as regards us. I refuse to say that they are simply repetitive; they are as repetitive as the extent to which we are unable to welcome them and experience them!
I hope that the day will come when all these messages that Our Lady gave in Lourdes, Fatima and Medjugorje are welcomed and become the object of a more in-depth study; I hope that an international committee might be established on these messages, because Our Lady cannot speak heedlessly, and up to now she has not been given the attention she deserves.
10. Jesus was "a sign of contradiction so that the secrets of many hearts might be unveiled." Is this the case for Mary today?
This goes without saying, there is no need to be surprised about this! It is good that nowadays there are some generous souls who diffuse her messages and who have welcomed the invitation to be Mary’s witnesses.
11. What is the future of Medjugorje?
The time will come in which the Church will have to make a stance…

Tongue Tied

TONGUE-TIED"

Some people brought Him a mute who was possessed by a demon." —Matthew 9:32

In Matthew's Gospel, we go with Jesus on a miracle and healing tour (Mt 8 and 9). Matthew saves the best till last when Jesus looses the tongue of a mute by expelling a demon (Mt 9:33). Three chapters later, Matthew recounts the healing and deliverance of another mute.

The deliverance of the mute is very important to Matthew because he knows that all of us are tongue-tied by the devil in some way. We may not be able to spontaneously pray, enthusiastically praise, or boldly evangelize. We are like Zechariah during the nine months John was in the womb. The devil's got our tongues. If he controls our tongues, he controls our entire bodies.

The Holy Spirit is poured out to free our tongues so we can pray and praise both in our native language and in foreign tongues (Acts 2:4). Either the Spirit looses our tongues and the devil is tied, or our tongues are tied and the devil set free. Our sword against the evil one is the Holy Spirit using our tongues to wield the prophetic word of God. Let's unsheath our tongues and attack the gates of hell.

Holy Spirit, use my tongue for warfare against Satan.

Holy Cards For Your Inspiration: Independence Day..........July 4#links

Holy Cards For Your Inspiration: Independence Day..........July 4#links

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"If My people,
which are called by My name,
shall humble themselves,
and pray, and seek My face,
and turn from their wicked ways;
then will I hear from heaven,
and will forgive their sin,
and will heal their land."

Medjugorje: Our Lady's Message to Mirjana of July 2, 2009

Here is the message given to the Medjugorje visionary Mirjana when Our Lady appeared to her at the Blue Cross at the base of Apparition Hill this morning.

Dear children! I am calling you because I need you. I need hearts ready for immeasurable love; hearts that are not burdened by vanity; hearts that are ready to love as my Son loved; that are ready to sacrifice themselves as my Son sacrificed himself. I need you. In order to come with me, forgive yourselves, forgive others and adore my Son. Adore him also for those who have not come to know him, those who do not love him. Therefore, I need you; therefore, I call you. Thank you. July 2, 2009

Medjugorje: Mirjana speaks of Pope John Paul's Shoes

Question and Answer with Mirjana

*Question: We went on a pilgrimage and we were blessed to stay at your house once and we noticed the Pope’s shoes are in a little display at your house. Can you tell us how Pope John Paul II’s shoes arrived there?
*Answer: I am the only one of 6 visionaries who was lucky enough, had the honor, to encounter Pope John Paul II. You can imagine how the other 5 are jealous of me. [laughter] Jakov always says, “Oh, yea, you have been with Pope.”
I was in the Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica, with an Italian priest. Holy Father was walking by and he was blessing us. When he approached me, he blessed me and he just continued to walk. However, this Italian priest loudly said to him, “Holy Father, this is Mirjana from Medjugorje.” He came back and blessed me again and he set out. And I said to the priest, “ He just thinks I need a double blessing.” But then after, he received a note, an invitation to Castle Gandolfo, close to Rome, in order to encounter the Pope. I couldn’t sleep all night because I really loved him and I respected him and I could really feel his love for Our Lady.
So the next day when he and I met alone, I was just crying. I couldn’t say a word out of excitement. He noticed that I was excited. I think he tried to talk to me in Polish because he thought in the Slavic languages there are things in common. I didn’t understand a word! But I finally had enough strength and courage, I asked him, “What are you trying to tell me?” Then we talked. Among other things he said to me, “I know everything about Medjugorje. I’ve been following Medjugorje. Ask pilgrims to pray for my intentions, to keep, to take good care of Medjugorje, because Medjugorje is hope for the entire world. And if I were not Pope, I would have been in Medjugorje a long time ago.”
So recently on the Mount of Apparitions, I saw a pair of shoes of the Pope in front of me, and after the apparition, this gentleman who brought these shoes ( he didn’t introduce himself), he said, “It was the Pope’s desire for a long time to come to Medjugorje. I said, ‘If you do not go, I will take your shoes.’ And that is how I brought his shoes, so they may be present during the apparition.”
Now I have a pair of his shoes in my home. But what is funniest in this, a man who made the shoes for the Pope, an Italian from Rome, he heard that I have a pair of the Pope’s shoes, and imagine, he wouldn’t believe it. He made two pairs of Pope’s shoes for me. My number’s 38 [in the US, size 7].

Medjugorje: The Holy Mass must be in the first place in your lives.

Excerpt from visionary Marija Lunetti’s talk in Medjugorje on June 23, 2009

All you who have been invited to come here to Medjugorje are invited to go to Confession. Through Holy Confession Our Lady invited us to attend Holy Mass. And without Confession, we are not ready to attend Holy Mass. There are many people who think that instead of attending Holy Mass they can instead visit somebody who is lonely or sick, or maybe do good deeds, but Our Lady says you cannot exchange with anything the Holy Mass.

Holy Mass must be in the first place in your lives and, if it is possible, Our Lady wants us to attend Holy Mass everyday. I recall what the first Christians said: “Without Holy Mass it is impossible to live.” So Our Lady wants us to attend Holy Mass and to let the Holy Spirit guide us so that afterwards we are able to do good deeds.

Eucharistic Adoration in Medjugorje, So Beautiful

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eU6jRR2SNUM

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Adoration in Medjugorje Part# 6

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I can think of anything more beautiful than The Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration in Medjugorje. E.S.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4Z8XbWmhfc&feature=related

Medjugorje: Our Lady's Anniversary Message of June 25, 2009

Message of June 25, 2009-Be My Extended Hands.

"Dear children! Rejoice with me, convert in joy and give thanks to God for the gift of my presence among you. Pray that, in your hearts, God may be in the center of your life and with your life witness, little children, so that every creature may feel God’s love. BE MY EXTENDED HANDS for every creature, so that it may draw closer to the God of love. I bless you with my motherly blessing. Thank you for having responded to my call."

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Our Lady speaks about the 10th Secret on 28th Anniversary June 25th, 2009, began as a cool, sunny day in Medjugorje. As the village swelled with jubilant pilgrims celebrating the 28th anniversary of the apparitions, however, dark storm clouds began to form on the horizon. Soon, Medjugorje was being pelted with heavy rain, strong winds and lightning. Our Lady graced Medjugorje with several messages for the anniversary, first appearing to Ivanka Ivankovic-Elez for her regular annual apparition. Ivanka had the apparition at home in the presence of her family. Ivanka said the following about her apparition today:“Our Lady remained with me for 10 minutes and spoke to me of the tenth secret. Our Lady said: ‘Dear children, I call you to be apostles of peace. Peace, peace, peace.'"Today's apparition was certainly interesting in that Our Lady spoke about the tenth secret. In fact, she has spoken to Ivanka about the secrets in many of her recent annual apparitions. A striking sequence stands out when one looks at the accounts of her most recent apparitions.

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Reflection by (Sr. Isabel) Twenty-eight years ago, Our Lady reportedly appeared to six young children in the parish of Medjugorje. Today, 28 years later, she is still appearing to three of them and she is still asking for our conversion. Her love for her children is beyond explanation, but it is very real. I trust you will pray through the message and take it to heart. Our Mother is calling us to be witnesses of love. She wants us to be her extended hands. What an awesome request!Our Lady rejoices in coming to visit her children and wants us to give thank to God, our heavenly Father, for the gift of her presence among us. If you have ever gone to Medjugorje, you know the blessings of peace and joy that are experienced there. With God as the center of our lives and with hearts open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, we can be the witnesses Our Lady is requesting. Of ourselves we are not able to do so, but with God's grace, the Holy Spirit and Mary's intercession, it is possible. In these days, we need faithful witnesses of God's love and His presence among us. Happy Anniversary! Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us!

Best Selling Spanish Author Maria Vallejo Nagera speaks of her new book Mala Tierra

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgFSj-k4ovg

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Spanish Author Maria Vallejo Nagera, speaks of her new book Mala Tierra

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It is a powerful story of the early years of the life of Sister Anne Sophie,
It touches your heart.
Maria is so open in her heart - is transparent ----sincere.

Friend, Maggie

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Her last novel MALA TIERRA (BAD EARTH) is about a lady that had an abortion years back and is now a nun in Texas...It is very good! I hope it is the translated to the English language for all to read. Peace and Good, Friend, Mary

* * Video is in Spanish. **

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http://www.mariavallejonagera.com/

Interview with Little Audrey Santo's Mother

http://www.catholictv.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=72&videoID=639

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*Interview with Audrey's Mother begins at 7 minutes and 25 seconds into the program.

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Little Audrey Santo of Worcester, Massachusetts passed away on April 14, 2007. According to Little Audrey’s official website (http://www.littleaudreysanto.org/), she has been declared a Servant of God and the cause for her canonization has begun. Father John Foley, a priest of the Diocese of Worcester, served as Little Audrey’s pastor, and is the President of the Foundation. Numerous miracles have been associated with Little Audrey. It has also been claimed that Audrey sometimes bore the stigmata. The observed experiences in Audrey’s home included icons weeping blood or oil, a bleeding statue of Jesus, consecrated hosts bleeding, blood appearing spontaneously in a tabernacle, and others miracles as well. Many miraculous healings were attributed to Audrey as well. Many people with various diseases or injuries claim to have been cured either by visiting Audrey’s house or by intercessory prayer offered by others at Audrey’s house.

Author Alberta Sequeira's new book, Someone stop this Merry-go-Round

Someone Stop This Merry-Go-Round: An Alcoholic Family in Crisis Enter behind closed doors of a family’s private life of hardships and struggles with alcohol abuse. Witness the constant confusion, disappointments, broken promises and fear. It leaves a trail of heartbreak. read more by Alberta H. Sequeira ~ 0-7414-5415-7 ©2009 Price: $18.95

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Someone Stop This Merry-Go-Round: An Alcoholic Family in Crisis
by

Alberta H. Sequeira "EXCERPT"
Suddenly, he grabbed my hair and pulled me down to my knees near the armchair. “What are you doing?” I screamed trying to get my hair out of his fingers. He was so close to my face that I could feel his hot, liquor-soaked breath on me. His eyes were bloodshot, and his stale breath turned my stomach. “Stop, Richie. You don’t know what you’re doing,” I pleaded realizing that he was in a blackout. There was no reasoning with him. He had a death grip on my hair. It felt like every root came loose from my scalp. He started to bang my head against the armchair repeatedly. My head felt like it exploded; my stomach churned and I felt nausea well up in my throat. My surroundings became fuzzy. His voice seemed far off, and I was on the verge of passing out. Words couldn’t come out of my mouth. I felt like a rag doll being thrown back and forth. Suddenly, he let go of me and I fell down onto the rug. Instead of waiting for me to lift myself up, he left me there. He turned and went into the bedroom.I was stunned and unable to move. The pain shot up into my head, and I couldn’t function. I was shocked that he physically hurt me so badly. My fear rose, knowing that he was now capable of killing me. It took me three days before I could get myself off the chair without pain. I knew deep down that I had a concussion. I started hating myself more and more for putting up with his abuse. Still, I couldn’t make the decision to leave him. I must have been insane and weaker than I thought. I was innocently being an abusive mother, letting our children witness all the fights. Years ago, I never would have pictured him turning violent. His drinking now caused him to go into drunken rages. He looked for excuses, not only to verbally, but also physically abuse me as well. He was always unhappy or angry. Nothing I did pleased him. We weren’t together long enough when he wasn’t drinking to have a healthy relationship. Years ago, he swore never to drink like his mother or sister, yet he was on that same road without seeing it, and I did nothing about it. I ignored all the advice from Al-Anon. He lost the drive to accomplish the things he talked about when we first married. Now all that faced me at night was a sick man who was killing himself. He smelled of liquor every morning when he went to work. I was embarrassed for him knowing he couldn’t hide it from his clients. He lost customers and work dwindled. Richie was no longer a proud man. About a month later, he came in well after midnight, smashed. I heard him bang against the hall wall as he stumbled. Suddenly, the sheets were pulled off me in one swing. Then with a strong grip, he grabbed the right sleeve to my nightgown in an attempt to lift me. “Wake up!” he shouted, as he pulled me to the edge of the bed. Without looking at him, I headed for the couch in front of the large bay window. “I’m going to sleep here tonight, you go to bed.” I didn’t look at him as I started to lie down. I felt nauseated from holding back my anger. I wanted him to disappear out of my sight and life. He came toward me. “I’m going to throw you through the picture window.” As he tried to lift me, everything inside me erupted. Something in me snapped. I hit him full force with my closed fist right between his mouth and nose. I put every ounce of strength I had into the swing. I tried to block out the pain in my hand from the connection with his face.“!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” I yelled as loud as I could. My fists pounded into his face again and again. I kept repeating vulgar, filthy swear words that I’d never used in my life. “You will never lay another hand on me as long as I live; never, never, never. DO YOU HEAR ME?” My screams came from deep within me. I wanted to beat him into the ground. The more I hurt him, the more satisfaction it gave me. He kept stumbling backwards, desperately trying to get away from me. Being drunk, he had no control and moved unsteadily. I continued to pound him. His arms were up trying to protect his face. His eyes bulged in fear as he fell backwards. I kept swearing, as I attacked him. I went at him like a madwoman. From that moment, he lost control of me and the situation. He wasn’t seeing me as a weak, frightened wife anymore. I watched him become weak and wondered why I waited so many years to stand up to him? Is this all that it took to end this nightmare? A punch in the face was probably too much, but it would have saved us all from living these years of hell. I realized at that moment that the abuse went on because I allowed it. There’s a time to make demands on someone and to refuse to live in any way which is unhealthy. The first time it happened was when I should have kicked him out until he got help, not fourteen years later. My children needed me to give them a safe life, and I didn’t. Instead of protecting Richie, I should have been protecting my children. I used every excuse to stay; I was Catholic or my children needed him. I didn’t want anyone to know about his drinking, yet everyone did. Why was he so blind to what he had become? Didn’t he have any guilt about how he was treating us? http://www.ahealingheart.net/

Pray for Priests: A Priest is not born of an Angel

Priest not born of an Angel
says Fr Jozo Zovko ofm

“A priest is not born of an angel but of
a mother. He is chosen from amongst the
people, is anointed with the Sacrament of
Priesthood and returned back to the people,
to the Church – into their care, their prayer
and their love. The priest is a sign of the
omnipotence of our God. Pray for priests.
Love them. Support them. Help them to be
holy. We are weak and fragile. If your knees
are not bent in prayer for us, we stumble and
fall. We need your prayer.” - Fr. Jozo Zovko ofm
Pictured in the photo's "left to right" are Fr. Edward Sousa Jr, Fr. John Randall, and Fr. Jozo Zovko of Medjugorje.

Thoughts for this Father's Day Weekend,- Unless the Lord builds the House'

During this week I have been reading from Psalm 127. I want to share
some thoughts with you for this Father's Day weekend.

The message is this, "Unless the Lord builds the house, its
builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the
watchman stand guard in vain" (Psalm 127:1).






We can give our children the best education, the best material
things, and the best opportunities, but if the Lord does not build
and watch over their homes, they will be unable to withstand the
horrendous pressure and the temptations that life brings.






The psalmist continues in verse two to say that all of the frantic
work, financial planning, and social positioning mean nothing if the
Lord is not at the center. Our country shows signs that it is
crumbling from within -- our children are not suffering attack from
invading armies but from godless legislation and curriculum. Do we
trust the political system or schools to save our children? No. We
trust God. We must go to God. We must call on Him. We may be called
to take a political stand at some point, but the political system is
not our hope or our salvation. Jesus is the only Way, the only Truth
and the only Life. We must cry out to Him on behalf of the next
generation. The enemy will do everything he can to destroy the moral
and biblical convictions of our children because he knows that is the
fastest way to destroy a nation. He has experience doing it. We need
to call upon the Lord for our homes, our cities, our nation, and the
world.






As parents we have incredible power through prayer to impact future
generations. If you look down through history, every great man or
woman of God -- like Saint Augustine or the Wesley brothers -- had
someone praying for them. If we cry to God on behalf of the next
generation, I believe with all my heart that we can reverse the
trends we see in our culture. However, it will take a commitment from
us to live for God, to walk with God, and to spend time in intimacy
with God.






This Father's Day, cry out to God for the next generation. You may
not see the answer to those prayers firsthand but they will be heard
and answered because our God is faithful.

Greg Sousa
Chief Photographer
Goldsboro News-Argus
Goldsboro, N.C. 27534

Above All Video

http://www.medjugorje.net/content/view/328/


Above all - video


This video was put to my attention, it is a song but not any kind of a song this song says it all. Relax and listen.

How Does God Speak

HOW DOES GOD SPEAK?
I went to a Life in the Spirit Seminar the other night and the speaker was telling about a time when she had sold her house and had certain plans for the money but her ex-husband’s parents wanted her to do something else with it. She said when she brought the matter to prayer the Lord told her “Honor your father and your mother.” She told the Lord she didn’t think he understood — these were not her parents, these were in-laws. She had children and she had to provide for them and they needed a home, etc., etc. And the Lord said, “I love your children more than you do.” She heeded the voice and things have worked out well.
Time and time again when someone gives witness to a remarkable turnaround or rescue or healing they will say, “God said…” and I wish I could collar them and ask “exactly how” did God speak. “Did you hear an actual voice or was it just a feeling in your gut? Exactly how did Godtell you? ”
Long ago, in my early days in a prayer group, I was freed from my agoraphobia. I was ever so grateful and felt I had to witness to that wonderful healing but I hated, hated, hated speaking in public. I “just happened” to read in Sirach 4:31: “Do not let your hand be stretched out to receive and closed when it is time to give.” This really spoke to my heart and impelled me to speak up in the group and tell what God had done for me. So God ‘kinda’ spoke to me but that’s not what I understand when someone says “God told me…..”
Here was my opportunity. I had available a Godly woman, teaching about the workings of the Holy Spirit, saying that ‘God told her…’. I expected truth from her. So, of course, I asked, “Just how did God tell you? Did you hear a voice?” She explained that she had heard no voice, the words had just sort of come into her mind. This I completely understand as I have written previously about a similar experience of my own. But I would believe that God sometimes actually speaks in words to some people if I had never had a similar experience myself. There is just too much testimony to this from many trustworthy people, both in the bible and over the years of Christian history.
God called Samuel three times and Samuel thought it was Eli calling. On the third try, he said “Speak Lord I’m listening.”
In the New Testament God spoke to Peter while he was on the roof waiting for lunch. God said, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” (Acts 10:15)
In my copy of the “Notebooks” of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska the words of Jesus are in bold type. The text of her “Notebooks” is over 600 pages long and almost every page contains words in bold type. Jesus had a lot to explain to her about his mercy, and the portrait he wanted tohave painted depicting his mercy.
Consider Christ Otto who writes: “Three weeks ago I was doing my usual routine of prayer, Bible study, and quietly listening to God. Usually I begin the day with ‘Lord, what’s on your agenda today?’” he explained. “That day, my mind wandered a little, and I imagined hundreds of red envelopes in the mail room of the White House. On the back, a simple message stating that each envelope represented an innocent life lost. I took that idea, and sent it in an email to my 120 ministry supporters. They in turn, sent it to their friends.” The rest, as they say, is history. President Obama received thousands of red envelopes at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in February of this year.
How does one discern God’s will if there are no words and no visions? Wayne Jacobsen of Windblown Media which brought us the best seller, The Shack writes:
I have a running conversation with him about everything in my life and express my desire to follow his will at every turn. I immerse myself in the story of Scripture, learning how he thinks and acts. I have a steady diet of what God is showing others by what I read and listen to, and the conversations I have with others on this journey.
So how do I sort out his nudges from my own thoughts? Most nudges I get from his Spirit are simple ways of loving and serving people around me. I am not too worried about getting those wrong. There aren’t many downsides to serving others. But to have some measure of confidence to step out in a larger action he may be asking of me, I look for four things to to come into agreement:
1. An intuitive, growing conviction of his leading over time.
2. Affirmation in the truth and example of Scripture that this is how God works.
3. Confirmation from other brothers and sisters as I discuss it with them.
4. And the reality of unfolding circumstances.
When those voices are in synch, I have greater confidence that I am following him. But you know what? Sometimes all of these line up and I still get it wrong. That’s why people born of the Spirit rarely use language like, “God told me to…”, and will instead talk in terms of what they sense…..And while I’m willing to pay the consequences for being wrong, I also know he can weave my mistakes into his purposes.
How does God speak to us? He has spoken throughout the ages through his prophets. God spoke by sending his Word, when the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. He inspired the words of scripture and established a church to protect and interpret these words. He speaks through prophecy, dreams and visions. (Acts 2:17) He leads us through signs and coincidences. He speaks through the saints. He speaks through the testimony or ordinary people. He can speak through an actual voice, or an interior voice, or an inner feeling. The heavens themselves proclaim the glory of God. He even spoke to Balaam through an ass! (Numbers 22:28-30)
LISTEN.
~~~
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. — John 10:27.
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. — Psalm 95.

http://www.musingsat85.com/myblog/ The writing of Dorothy Vining

Beware of the New Compassion

Beware the New Compassion
By Jennifer Hartline6/12/2009
Catholic Online
The new 'compassion' says that we must include and accept everyone, regardless of opinions, lifestyles, beliefs, actions or choices. I sense a growing weariness among Christians in the fierce cultural battles currently being waged, such as abortion and gay “marriage.” Does it seem like life would be so much easier if we stopped making a big deal about things and just let people do what they wanted? Live and let live, right? Isn’t that the compassionate attitude?

The accusation goes like this: if you dare to call something wrong or immoral, or if you insist that some things are inherently good and others are inherently evil and therefore should not be allowed, then you are being exclusive and insensitive, judgmental and without compassion. If you have the temerity to actually call something a sin, well, that’s the new capital offense. With regard to the most serious moral and social issues of our day, those with an anti-Christian agenda are trying to redefine compassion -- they equate compassion with tolerance and acceptance, and it just ain’t so. Beware the new “compassion.”

The new “compassion” says that we must include and accept everyone, regardless of their opinions or lifestyles, actions, beliefs or choices. We should simply agree to disagree, and stop being so critical. After all, doesn’t Jesus welcome everyone with open arms? It sounds good. It sounds kind and sympathetic. It sounds loving, even. It sounds pretty convincing. But I’m not convinced. Yes, Jesus surely did stretch His arms open wide and die for the salvation of all mankind, and absolutely no one was excluded from that sacrifice. It is for everyone who accepts it. Accepting the sacrifice means we accept the reason it was necessary in the first place: sin. Sin is a big deal! It’s deadly, serious stuff. So deadly that only God Himself could save us from it. Let’s not forget, though, that we are still accountable for the part we can do – we have to turn our backs on sin. We are supposed to “go and sin no more.” In a word, we have to repent. God calls us to repentance, as proof of His great compassion.

Imagine how hopeless we would all be if God had merely been sympathetic toward us instead of compassionate? We would still be lost if He had been tolerant and accepting. What if He had left us to be doomed to our eternal death without any hope? After all, the screw-up was ours. He was under no obligation to rescue us from our disobedience and pride. Yet, He is a loving Father, and His children were being devoured by the beast we shook hands with. He could not simply look on us with a sad sigh, accepting our sinfulness with tolerance. God is unchanging; holy and perfect. Sin can never stand in His presence, and He loves us far too much to ever tolerate anything that would keep us from Him. I am unutterably grateful that God is not tolerating and accepting! This is what makes our Father so amazing! Sin was killing us, and watering it down wasn’t the answer.

God dealt with sin not by making allowances for it, or making excuses for us. He didn’t lower His standards or adjust His expectations one iota. In His perfect justice He showed us compassion, and He met His own demands on our behalf. Christ died to set us all free from sin, but we will not be free if we remain slaves to it. “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey – whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” Romans 6:16-18 Our freedom comes through repentance. That’s the point – we can’t stay where we are, making allowances, making excuses for ourselves and others, trying to be tolerant. That’s not compassion. It’s a death sentence.

This new “compassion” is a cunning trick that says each of us can decide for ourselves what is right and wrong, but don’t be fooled. It is a lie from the pit of hell because it deceives us into tolerating sin and calling evil good. “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” Isaiah 5:20 We’re not doing anyone any favors by denying or “fudging” the reality of sin. God tells us quite specifically that certain things are sinful, whether we like it or not. And that’s precisely the problem – a lot of people don’t like it. The modern motto is that people should be able to live as they please without moral “imposition” from anyone else. I even hear Catholics saying the Church has no right to impose its beliefs or morality on anyone else. I strongly disagree – with the premise and the wording. The Church has every right, and more importantly, every obligation, to tell mankind of the danger of sin and the deadly consequences of indulging in it. That’s not “imposing morality.” It is the greatest demonstration of compassion. God desires that not one of His children be lost for eternity, and His people are charged with the mission of telling the world that each of us has a choice to make. “I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live…” Deut 30: 19

We must be motivated by the same love and compassion that compelled Christ to die for us. We cannot be afraid to call sin what it is. We will be scorned and called every name in the book for insisting that some things are wrong and sinful. We’ll be labeled judgmental, self-righteous and hateful. But consider this: do you leave your door unlocked and welcome the criminal who would rob your house and maybe even kill you? Satan is just such a thief. He comes to kill and destroy our souls and sin is his weapon. How, then, is it compassionate to welcome and tolerate the sin that threatens to kill? ----- Jennifer Hartline is a Catholic Army wife and stay-at-home mother of three precious kids who writes frequently on topics of Catholic faith and daily living. She is a contributing writer for Catholic Online.

Billy Graham's Prayer

Billy Graham's Prayer For Our Nation

THIS MAN SURE HAS A GOOD VIEW OF WHAT'S HAPPENING TO OUR COUNTRY!

'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.. We have killed our unborn and called it choice.. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics.. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!'

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, 'The Rest of the Story,' and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called 'One nation under God..'

To Sing, To Praise the Lord, is to Pray Twice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBGChEkuC7E&feature=PlayList&p=B4478AE6332ACFE3&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=6

The Holy Spirit Speaks through the Darkness

Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur, Touched By Grace
The Holy Spirit Speaks through the Darkness
It never ceases to amaze me how the Holy Spirit can speak to us if only we are open to it. We might open a book and find just the passage we need to answer a question that has been bothering us or a friend might call at the moment when life is falling apart and offer the encouragement that is desperately needed. Somehow, God provides what we need when we need it. As a former spiritual director of mine was fond of saying, “There are no coincidences, only God-incidences.” I had an experience like that just this past week.
Wednesday morning, I had the strong feeling that I should go to morning Mass. It was 7:50 a.m. My local Church has an 8:15 mass. My children were occupied and my husband was home so I could go; I hadn’t eaten yet so I knew I could go to communion. There was nothing standing in my way, so I decided to heed the call and go.
The first reading was from the book of Tobit (Tobit 3:1-11). It told the story of two people begging for death. The first was Tobit who had been blind for four years. He felt like a burden to his family. As Tobit states, “be pleased to take my life from me; so that I may be delivered from earth and become earth again. Better death than life for me, for I have endured groundless insult and am in deepest sorrow.”
The second suffering soul was Sarah. She had been married seven times, yet each time her husband died before the marriage could be consummated. For this, she was taunted by her father’s serving girls. She decided that life was no longer worth living. She made the decision to hang herself, but then she thought better of it, knowing that such an action would only bring shame to her father. She decides, “I should do better not to hang myself, but to beg the Lord to let me die and not live to hear any more insults.” Ultimately, the Lord would take pity on both Tobit, who would eventually be healed of his blindness, and Sarah, who would be married to Tobias and live happily with him for many years.
The homily that morning focused on trusting in God even in our darkest hour, trusting that God has a plan that will come to fruition in God’s time, not ours. This was a message I desperately needed to hear. Yes, it is something that I am well aware of, but sometimes one does need a reminder. Both Tobit and Sarah had good reasons for feeling discouraged. As someone who has suffered from depression for over twenty years, discouragement often seems like my constant companion and darkness often prevails. I can be fine for a while, and then I will wake up one morning and feel like I was hit by a two by four during the night. It is like a dark curtain has fallen and life seems meaningless.
Anyone who thinks that people choose to be depressed has never truly experienced depression. I have been in that place where I have begged for death more times than I care to admit. As a teenager, I was suicidal. Only my fear of hell kept me alive. As an adult, I have more perspective. I know the curtain will eventually lift, although sometimes it can take months. I have learned how to function in spite of my feelings so that even those closest to me are unaware of what I am going through. Only my faith carries me through until the light eventually comes again. Yes, I know what it is to suffer in the darkness and throw myself on God’s mercy. This message of trusting in God was one that I needed to be reminded of. I need to believe that God has a plan. The Holy Spirit reached out and spoke to me through the darkness. For that, I am incredibly grateful.

Spiritual Laws of Sowing and Reaping

DO NOT BE DECEIVED, GOD IS NOT MOCKED, FOR WHATEVER A MAN SOWS, THAT HE WILL ALSO REAP. - (Galatians 6:7

Spiritual Laws
God has decreed certain laws to govern the physical world, such as gravity, inertia, and relativity. These laws will not bend, break, or buckle. The same holds true in the spiritual world. Certain spiritual laws will always remain constant and consistent, such as the law of sowing and reaping. Absolutely no one is exempt from this law, not even King David.
The Bible tells us that as he was looking over the city from his palace one evening, he noticed a woman taking a bath. A quick inquiry confirmed that the woman was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, a soldier serving in the king’s army. Inflamed with lust, David had her brought to the palace and committed adultery with her. Then David went on with his life . . until Bathsheba shared that she was pregnant (2 Samuel 11:1-5).
In an attempt to cover his tracks, David arranged for her husband to return from battle so he would sleep with his wife. When Uriah wouldn’t do it, David sent him back to the battlefront with a set of secret orders to engage the enemy and pull back from Uriah so the enemy could easily pick him off. Everything went according to plan. Uriah was killed and David married Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:6-27).
Everything seemed fine at first, but by sowing these sins, David would soon reap God’s rebuke. The Lord sent the prophet Nathan to confront and call David to repentance (2 Samuel 12:11).
David wasn’t exempt and neither are we. We need to put down whatever sins we’re entertaining in our private lives. If we don’t, we’re sure to suffer the consequences according to the spiritual law of sowing and reaping. " Think of what God's laws are of sowing and reaping."
How will you use David’s mistake to your advantage?

Living in the Light of Jesus

LIVING IN THE LIGHT OF JESUS"

A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." —Matthew 5:14

Once we commit our lives to Jesus and let our light shine publicly, there's no turning back. Our lives can no longer be hidden once we step out in faith as witnesses for Jesus on the job, in the neighborhood, in the public arena, etc.

When we come into the light to let the world know that we live in Jesus the Truth (Jn 3:21; 14:6), people are now watching us to see whether we will falter or stay faithful to Jesus. If we let our light shine before men, and then turn away from following Jesus and turn back to a worldly lifestyle, we are "unfit" to give glory to the kingdom of God.

The public credibility of the kingdom of God is at stake, and we are on display. We are vulnerable. We have put ourselves in a position where we desperately need the Holy Spirit day by day, moment by moment, to keep us "set aflame and burning bright. Satan will tempt us to take a "breather" by stepping out of the hot lights into the darkness (see Jn 3:19); however, stepping away from Jesus is the devil's trap. We must continually come to Jesus and never move away from Him. Jesus will always give us light. We must fix our eyes on Jesus the Light of the World. "Walk in light, as He is in the light."

Father, let the light of Your face shine on me that I may shine before men so that they may see my good works, and give praise to You.

"It is He Who anointed us and has sealed us, thereby depositing the first payment, the Spirit, in our hearts." —2 Cor 1:21-22

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MKDVx6oiKc&feature=PlayList&p=3EEFD09A373E82AE&index=0&playnext=1

Description of Heaven as seen by the Medjugorje Visionaries

Description of Heaven
All six of the Medjugorje visionaries have seen Heaven. They all have said that there are no words to describe the beauty of Heaven and if we knew what awaits us in Heaven, there are no difficulties or trials that we experience that won’t be worth eternal life in Heaven. The following description is of Heaven, through the words of the Medjugorje visionaries:
Vicka:
In describing Heaven in an interview with Fr. Livio for Radio Maria, Vicka explained that when they arrived at Heaven, there was a great big wooden door. She said that the door was closed, but when they arrived Our Lady opened it and they entered into Heaven. She said St. Peter was standing at the right of the door. Vicka said, “I immediately understood that it was him. With a key, rather small, with the beard, a little sturdy, with hair.”1
Fr. Bubalo asked Vicka to describe Heaven. She responded:
“…it can’t be described. That is something beyond description. It is filled with some sort of beautiful light…people…flowers…angels…All is filled with some indescribable joy. Your heart stands still when you look at it.”2
The following is taken from another interview with Vicka:
Question: “Vicka, tell us about Heaven
Vicka: “Heaven is a vast space, and it has a brilliant light which does not leave it. It is a life which we do not know here on earth. We saw people dressed in gray, pink, and yellow robes. They were walking, praying, and singing. Small angels were flying above them. The Blessed Mother showed us how happy these people are.
Question: How could you tell they were happy?
Vicka: “You can see it on their faces. But it is impossible to describe with words the great happiness I saw in Heaven…In Paradise, when the Blessed Mother passed, everybody responded to Her, and She to them. There was a recognition between them…They were standing there communicating with Her, like in a tunnel, only it wasn’t exactly like a tunnel, but a tunnel is the closest comparison. People were praying, they were singing, they were looking…People in Heaven know the absolute fullness of a created being.
Question: “How long were you there?
Vicka: “Maybe twenty minutes.
Question: “…Did the people talk to you?
Vicka: “It was very unusual. They were speaking, but I could not understand them…The people were in small groups. I was with Jakov and the Blessed Mother. We spoke to each other, but there was no communication with anyone else. About the people there, the Blessed Mother only said to us, ‘You see how people who are in Heaven are happy?’”3

.
Mirjana didn’t physically go to Heaven, but saw Heaven during an apparition. The following is her description of what she saw:
Mirjana: “I saw Heaven as if it were a movie. The first thing I noticed was the faces of the people there; they were radiating a type of inner light which showed how immensely happy they were.
Question: “Is Heaven an actual place?
Mirjana: “Yes. The trees, the meadows, the sky are totally different from anything we know on the earth. And the light is much more brilliant. Heaven is beautiful beyond any possible comparison with anything I know of on the earth.
Question: “Did the people you saw have bodies?
Mirjana: “Yes.
Question: “What ages were they?
Mirjana: “They were different from what we are like now. Perhaps they were all around 30 years of age…They were walking in a beautiful park. They have everything. They need or want nothing. They are totally full…They were dressed in the types of clothing that Jesus wore.”4
Mirjana was asked why Our Lady showed her Heaven. Mirjana answered:
“She told me many people on earth today do not believe Heaven exists. She said God has chosen us six visionaries to be instruments of His love and mercy. I have personally seen Heaven. It exists! I’ve seen it! Those who stay faithful to God to the end will see Heaven as a reward for their faithfulness.”5

.
Ivanka shared the following:
Question: “Did you see Heaven, hell, and Purgatory, Ivanka?
Ivanka: “I saw Purgatory and Heaven as a picture. I told the Blessed Mother I did not want to see hell.
Question: “What did Heaven look like?
Ivanka: “It is a place that is very, very beautiful. Most beautiful…Everyone I saw was filled with a happiness I can’t explain – and I can’t forget.
Question: “Do you long for that happiness yourself?
Ivanka: “I know some of that happiness when I am with the Blessed Mother, and when I pray.
Question: “Can you tell us more about Heaven?
Ivanka: “God made us for Heaven. If you pray, you will know that.”6

Marija states:
Question: “Were you taken to Heaven or were you shown a vision of Heaven?
Marija: “I had a vision of Heaven, but Jakov and Vicka were actually taken there.
Question: “When you saw the vision, were you in the rectory room? Or where?
Marija: “It was in the house of Jakov…It was like you watch a movie on screen or looking out a window. I saw a vision. I wasn’t actually there like the other visionaries…I have never seen such a picture before; no one can even begin to imagine how it looks…the people were around the flowers. They were all the same age. No one in Heaven is older than the age of Christ. People in Heaven were full of joy and all of them are giving thanks for the gifts given to them of God. Every day they realize how much love God has for them…There was a multitude of people.”7

Ivan, when asked about Heaven, stated:

“Heaven is worth any cost! Jesus showed us that, with His death on the Cross. His death was not the end. He rose from the dead, glorified to put an end to death forever for God’s children. People in Heaven are happy. They live in the fullness of God.”8

Jakov was the other visionary, along with Vicka, that was physically taken up to Heaven. He was only 11-years-old at the time. The following are from a series of interviews:
Question: “Will you tell us about Heaven.
Jakov: “When you get there, then you will see how it is.
Question: “You have said that the reason the Blessed Mother took you there was to show you what it would be like for those who remain faithful to God – would you tell us anymore?
Jakov: “If I thought about it too much – I would die of loneliness.”9
Question: “Tell us your understanding of Heaven.
Jakov: “I have been there. It is difficult for me to talk about it.
Question: “Is it difficult to live on earth once you have been in Heaven?
Jakov: “That is an understatement.
Question: “Jakov, you said that if you thought about Heaven too much, you would die of loneliness. How do you handle the memories of Heaven, hell, and Purgatory?
Jakov: “The Blessed Mother asks us to be careful of the problem of the tyranny of memories.
Question: “What does that mean?
Jakov: “She asks us to trust God’s love to make all things well. She asks us to surrender the past to Her maternal care and to remember only in the light of God’s love.”10

Description of Purgatory as seen by the Visionaries of Medjugorje.

Description of Purgatory




After the Medjugorje visionaries’ experiences with Purgatory, the responsibility of praying for the souls in Purgatory was placed very strongly in their hearts. Our Lady showed them how much the souls in Purgatory suffer and how much they depend upon our prayers. The following is their description of Purgatory.
Vicka was deeply upset by what she experienced in Purgatory. Seeing the sufferings of the souls in Purgatory that were abandoned, who had no one to pray for them, caused her great anguish. Vicka went to Our Lady and asked Her if she could help the poor souls in some way. Our Lady spoke to Vicka about the seriousness of what she was asking. Our Lady told Vicka before she would accept her request, she was to go to her spiritual director and confessor, Fr. Janko Bubalo, and talked to him about it. Fr. Bubalo asked Vicka to pray and fast for three days so that she might have the strength and perseverance to accept whatever suffering or sacrifice she might be given to help the poor suffering souls in Purgatory. After praying and fasting for three days, Fr. Bubalo gave Vicka permission to sacrifice for the suffering souls. Almost immediately after Vicka spoke to Our Lady about this, she was strickened down with a brain tumor, suffering greatly with severe pain, lapsing into deep comas that would last for hours. Vicka accepted this sickness and suffering with great joy, knowing that she was helping the souls in Purgatory that were suffering so greatly and in need of our prayers to get to Heaven. Documentation, multiple medical exams, x-rays, etc. showed unequivocal evidence of an inoperable brain cyst. Nothing could be done. Vicka did not even want to go to the doctors. At one point, doctors wanted her to go to the hospital in Zagreb for further testing and to see if something could be done. Vicka did not want to go and only went when Jakov asked Our Lady if she should go. Our Lady said:

November 15, 1982
“It is necessary to send Vicka to Zagreb.”

This amounted to more testing and more irrefutable evidence of a medical condition that could not be cured, a brain cyst in a part of her brain that would kill her if they tried to remove it.
The suffering she fasted for and asked for was so debilitating that Our Lady eventually told her a date she would be miraculously cured from the miraculous affliction for souls in Purgatory. Our Lady gave the exact date of her healing 6 months before it was to occur.1 Click here for Vicka’s healing. After reading Vicka’s description of Purgatory, you will understand why she sacrificed and went through immense, terrible suffering for souls in Purgatory. The harshness of her suffering was so severe that Our Lady took away the pain from Her for a 40 day period. This period, however, was a more difficult suffering for Vicka, as she had no apparitions for the entire period. It seems Our Lady knew the severity of how Vicka’s suffering needed a reprieve. But after the forty day period, Vicka missed the apparitions so much, she prayed and yearned to accept the miraculous affliction’s pain back with the apparitions. The following comes from the book Words From Heaven, which describes when Our Lady gave Vicka this choice.
Undated
“For several years the visionary, Vicka, had been suffering from an inoperable brain cyst which caused her terrible headaches. During the course of her illness, Our Lady continued to appear to her and once, on her way to the hospital in Zagreb, Our Lady offered her two choices, saying
‘I will give you health with no apparitions or I will give you your cross with apparitions.’
“Because she had been suffering so tremendously she chose health but later regretted it. After forty days of not having apparitions, Our Lady appeared to her and gave her the offer once again. She joyfully took her cross back.”2
Vicka says it is a joy to suffer for these souls in Purgatory.
“Purgatory is an endless space of ashy color. It was quite dark. I could feel people strangling and suffering there. The Blessed Mother told us we should be praying for souls stranded in Purgatory. She said only our prayers and sacrifices can release them from that place…The people there are helpless. They are really suffering. We can be like Jesus a little bit if we just do some voluntary penance for the souls on Purgatory, especially for the ones who are abandoned by their families on earth…I am aware of their suffering. I know some of their torment. I know how desperately they need our prayers. They are so lonely that it is almost sickening to remember those moments I was there. It is really a great joy to do penance for the poor souls because I know how much it helps them…And many of our family members who have died desperately need our prayers. The Blessed Mother says we must pray courageously for them so that they might go to Heaven. They are powerless to help themselves.

Mirjana’s description of Purgatory:
“There are several levels in Purgatory. The more you pray on earth, the higher your level in Purgatory will be…The lowest level is the closest to hell, where the suffering is the most intense. The highest level is closest to Heaven, and there the suffering is the least. What level you are on depends on the state of purity of your soul. The lower the level the people are on in Purgatory, the less they are able to pray and the more they suffer. The higher the level a person is in Purgatory, the easier it is for him to pray, the more he enjoys praying and the less he suffers…The Blessed Mother has asked us to pray for the souls in Purgatory. They are helpless to pray for themselves. Through prayer, we on earth can do much to help them. The Blessed Mother told me that when souls leave Purgatory and go to Heaven most go on Christmas Day.”4
“Many people were there. They were suffering immensely…They were normal people, all kinds. There was much physical suffering…I could see the people shivering, thrashing, and writhing in pain…I saw this place for a short time…The Blessed Mother was with me (during the vision). She explained to me that She wanted me to see Purgatory. She said so many people on earth today do not even know about Purgatory…I could not hear them. I only saw them. The Blessed Mother said so many people who die are quite abandoned by their loved ones. They cannot help themselves in Purgatory. They are totally dependent on the prayers and sacrifices of the generous people on earth who remember them. Our Blessed Mother hopes Her own children will help the souls in Purgatory by prayer and fasting and various penance for the poor souls to make restitution for them…Those who have died no longer have free will as they had on earth. They no longer have a body. It is no longer possible for them to make up for the things that they did when they had their body that hurt and harmed themselves and others. On July 24, 1982, the Blessed Mother said:‘We go to Heaven in full conscious of the separation of the body and soul. It is false to teach people that we are reborn many times and that we pass to different bodies. One is born only once. The body, drawn from the earth, decomposes after death. It never comes back to life again. Man receives a transfigured body. Whoever has done very much evil during his life can go straight to Heaven if he confesses, is truly sorry for what he has done, and receives Communion at the end of his life.’ Our Lady said that the souls in Purgatory can see their loved ones during those moments when we pray for them by name.”5

Ivanka was asked why did the Blessed Mother show her Heaven and Purgatory:

Ivanka: “She wants to remind Her children of the results of their choices here on earth.

Marija, through several interviews, describes Purgatory:

“Purgatory is a large place.. It is foggy. It is ash gray. It is misty. You cannot see people there. It is as if they are immersed in deep clouds. You can feel that the people in the mist are traveling, hitting each other. They can pray for us but not for themselves. They are desperately in need of our prayers. The Blessed Mother asks us to pray for the poor souls in Purgatory, because during their life here, one moment they thought there was no God, then they recognized Him, then they went to Purgatory where they saw there is a God, and now they need our prayers. With our prayers we can send them to Heaven. The biggest suffering that souls in Purgatory have is that they see there is a God, but they did not accept Him here on earth. Now they long so much to come close to God. Now they suffer so intensely, because they recognize how much they have hurt God, how many chances they had on earth, and how many times they disregarded God

Ivan speaks very little about his experiences in seeing Heaven, hell, and Purgatory. When asked about Purgatory, he shared the following:

“The Blessed Mother told me that those who go to Purgatory are those who prayed and believed only occasionally – that they were filled with doubt, that they were not certain that God exists. They did not know how to pray while on earth, or if they did know how, they did not pray…Souls in Purgatory suffer. If no one prays for them, they suffer even more.”8

Description of Hell as seen by four of the Medjugorje Visionaries

MEDJUGORJE

Description of hell
Only four of the six visionaries saw hell. Our Lady gave Mirjana and Ivanka the choice whether or not to see hell and they chose against it. Ivan and Marija both saw a vision of hell and all that Ivan will state is that he prefers not to discuss it. Vicka and Jakov were physically taken to hell by Our Lady. The following, through several interviews of the visionaries, is a detailed description of hell.

Vicka: “We saw many people in hell. Many are there already, and many more will go there when they die…The Blessed Mother says that those people who are in hell are there because they chose to go there. They wanted to go to hell…We all know that there are persons on this earth who simply don’t admit that God exists, even though He helps them, gives them life and sun and rain and food. He always tries to nudge them onto the path of holiness. They just say they don’t believe, and they deny Him. They deny Him, even when it is time to die. And they continue to deny Him, after they are dead. It is their choice. It is their will that they go to hell. They choose hell.
Question: “Describe hell as you remember it.
Vicka: “In the center of this place is a great fire, like an ocean of raging flames. We could see people before they went into the fire, and then we could see them coming out of the fire. Before they go into the fire, they look like normal people. The more they are against God’s will, the deeper they enter into the fire, and the deeper they go, the more they rage against Him. When they come out of the fire, they don’t have human shape anymore; they are more like grotesque animals, but unlike anything on earth. It’s as if they were never human beings before…They were horrible. Ugly. Angry. And each was different; no two looked alike…When they came out, they were raging and smashing everything around and hissing and gnashing and screeching.
Question: “Has seeing hell changed how you pray?
Vicka: “”Oh, yes! Now I pray for the conversion of sinners! I know what awaits them if they refuse to convert.”

Vicka: “People turn away from God by choices they make. In this way they choose to enter the fire of hell where they burn away all connection to God. That’s why they can never get back to God. It takes God’s mercy to get back to Him. In hell, they no longer have access to God’s mercy…They choose to destroy their beauty and goodness. They choose to be ugly and horrible. People do this all the time. Each choice that is against God, God’s Commandments, God’s Will, singes God’s image in us…They become one with hell even while they have their body. At death they go on as they were when they had a body.”2
The following is what Marija has shared about hell:

Question: “Marija, have you ever seen hell?
Marija: “Yes, it’s a large space with a big sea of fire in the middle. There are many people there. I particularly noticed a beautiful young girl. But when she came near the fire, she was no longer beautiful. She came out of the fire like an animal; she was no longer human. The Blessed Mother told me that God gives us all choices. Everyone responds to these choices. Everyone can choose if he wants to go to hell or not. Anyone who goes to hell chooses hell.
Question: “Marija, how and why does a soul choose hell for himself for all eternity?
Marija: “In the moment of death, God gives us the light to see ourselves as we really are. God gives freedom of choice to everybody during his life on earth. The one who lives in sin on earth can see what he has done and recognize himself as he really is. When he sees himself and his life, the only possible place for him is hell. He chooses hell, because that is what he is. That is where he fits. It is his own wish. God does not make the choice. God condemns no one. We condemn ourselves. Every individual has free choice. God gave us freedom.
Question: “Marija, what about people who grow up spiritually deceived, people who have been told that God does not exist, that there is no God?
Marija: “People, as they grow up, can think. Everyone knows and can recognize what is good and what is bad by the time they grow up. God gives us freedom of choice. We can choose good or bad. Everybody chooses here in this life whether he goes to Heaven or hell.
Question: “How do we choose Heaven or hell or Purgatory for ourselves?
Marija: “At the moment of death, God gives everyone the grace to see his whole life, to see what he has done, to recognize the results of his choices on earth. And each person, when he sees himself in the divine light of reality, chooses for himself where he belongs. Every individual chooses for himself what he personally deserves for all eternity.

.

Question: “Jakov, did you see hell? Jakov: “Yes. Question: “Can you tell us about it? Jakov: “Very seldom do I talk about hell…I choose not to think about hell. The self-chosen suffering there is beyond your ability to comprehend.Question: “Does it cause you pain? Jakov: “More than you can understand…Because no one needs to go to hell. It is the ultimate waste. Question: “What can people do to keep from going to hell? Jakov: “Believe in God, no matter what happens in a lifetime.

.
COMMENT: I decided to post this article today because most of us don't want to think about Hell, much less speak about it. Many people today do not believe that Hell exist. But wether you believe it or not,- it does not change the fact that it does exist. God in his love, wisdom, and mercy gave us His Commandants which are Life to those who embrace them. He also gave us free will to choose the path we wish to follow. We have the choice of Fire or Water, Heaven or Hell. Eternal life, or Eternal death. It is good for us to reflect upon this Truth while there is still time for us to repent and change our ways. Our Lady has said many times in her messages in Medjugorje, "Choose life" and Decide for God.

I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh

And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh
- (Joel 2:28
The prophecy above was delivered by the prophet Joel sometime around 800 B.C. It’s a prophecy packed with a promise that was almost unthinkable at the time: God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh-men and women, young and old.
This was amazing because, up until that time, God’s Spirit had only come upon certain people for certain situations, such as Moses’ elders (Numbers 11:25) and Samson (Judges 14:19). It had been like that for many centuries until God’s Spirit was poured out upon the early church:

Suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:2-4

Bystanders couldn’t figure out what was happening and assumed that the first disciples were drunk.- Peter stood up and set the record straight:
"But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ’And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. . . . I will pour out My Spirit in those days . . . .’" (Acts 2:16-18

Joel’s prophecy had been fulfilled and continues to be fulfilled as we who comprise the Christian church are filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). True to His Word, God has poured out His Spirit on all flesh-men and women, young and old, Jew and Gentile. Anyone from anywhere can experience the blessing of God’s Spirit if he or she is in Christ (Galatians 3:28).
Have you experienced the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy in your life?
If not, ask the Lord to pour out His Spirit upon you.

O Holy Spirit of greatest power, Come down upon us and subdue us; From Thy glorious mansion in the heavens, Thy light effulgent shed on us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeP8R68p8uo&feature=related

Living in the Word of God

Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
- (Proverbs 4:23

The book of Proverbs places a strong emphasis on the human heart. This is reflected in the fact that the word ’heart’ appears 81 times amid the 31 chapters in this book. The reason for this is revealed in the verse above, which admonishes us to guard our hearts because the issues of life spring from them. I appreciate how this reads in a more contemporary translation:
More than any other part of your body, your heart dictates what you do. For this reason, Solomon said to guard it. Guard it against what? Against its own natural tendency to move away from the standard of God’s Word.
Jeremiah 17:9 tells us that the heart is desperately wicked (literally, fraudulent) above all things. If you’re not grounded in the Word, your heart can deceive you by telling you that you’re right when you’re actually wrong.
Christians who have made poor choices with their lives’choices that were so blatantly wrong when compared to God’s Word.
’But we were in love. It felt so right inside. My heart was telling me to pick up the phone and invite her over.’ That’s what the heart will do when we aren’t on guard against its tendency to tell us that we’re right when we’re wrong.
The only way you’ll know you’re wrong is by consistently being in God’s Word and submitting to it as the standard for what’s wrong and what’s right. When you allow the Scriptures to have preeminent authority over your life, you’re also guarding your most pivotal part’your heart.
What are you to guard your heart against? How will you do this?
When has your heart told you that you were right when you were actually wrong?

Pray to the Holy Spirit, ask him to sent you His Spirit of Truth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2j5Ve0_rTg

The poor widow gave all she had.

"I want you to observe that this poor widow contributed more than all the others who donated to the treasury. They gave from their surplus wealth, but she gave from her want, all that she had to live on." —Mark 12:43-44

Who makes the greatest contributions to the building of God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven? It's not the official religious leaders who give from their surplus, but the little people — the widows and the poor — who give their all to the Lord. When little poor people give their small all, Jesus multiplies that all to feed the masses and renew the face of the earth.

"God chose those whom the world considers absurd to shame the wise; He singled out the weak of this world to shame the strong. He chose the world's lowborn and despised, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who were something" (1 Cor 1:27-28). The Lord continues to choose the small to the present day. He still chooses teenage girls from villages like Nazareth to change the world. He still takes broken, blind men like Tobit and turns all things to the good for those who love Him (Rm 8:28).

Like Job, you may be crushed by tragedies. If you give your all to the Lord, you will bear much fruit for the Kingdom (Jn 12:24). Jesus made Himself small by emptying Himself in the Incarnation, and He gave His all by dying on the cross. Let us follow in His footsteps.

Father, I love You with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind, and all my strength.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for me.

St. Norbert was once known for his pleasure-seeking lifestyle. He was touched by the Living God, gave all that he had to the poor, and led a life of penance.

Come Holy Spirit and teach me Your ways.

Pope Benedict echoes the Messages of Medjugorje

By Stephen K. Ryan
Yesterday, Pope Benedict XVI surprisingly echoes the "Messages" of Medjugorje in a short speech to the faithful.
After the Solemnity of Pentecost Mass that he presided over yesterday in St. Peter's Basilica, the Holy Father appeared at the widow of his study to pray the Regina Coeli (or “Queen of Heaven,” an ancient Latin Marian Hymn) with faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square. He also had some interesting words to say about the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Pope Benedict XVI spoke of “Our Lady's” special role as the intercessor and a powerful reinforcement from the Holy Spirit. He said "Let us, in Mary's school, learn to recognise the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, to listen to His inspiration and humbly to follow it".
But echoes of Medjugorje in Pope Benedict XVI homily?
We think so.
First, it is important to understand the Holy Father is quite familiar with Medjugorje and the alleged apparitions of the Virgin Mary that have taken place there. Some even claim this Pope has been instrumental in allowing the fruits of Medjugorje to continue to grow. During the late 90s, as Cardinal Schonbornof Austria was visiting Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI0 in Rome, he told Cardinal Ratzinger: “If one day you close down Medjugorje, I'll have to close down my Seminary in Vienna because the great majority of my seminarians received their calling through Medjugorje.” Cardinal Ratzinger replied immediately: "We have no plan to close down Medjugorje!"
We find it significant that the Pope spoke of "Mary's School" and he talked about her "Teachings" and in this context it seemed that many of his points came straight from the "messages" of Medjugorje.
The Pope first spoke of the importance of prayer to our spiritual life. In fact he says "she teaches us this"
The Pope calls for "for the Church to be less preoccupied with activities and more dedicated to prayer." "Mary Most Holy, the Mother of the Church and Bride of the Holy Spirit, teaches us this, Explaining the importance of this celebration, the Pope noted that "what air is for biological life, the Holy Spirit is for the spiritual life." He continued, "As there is air pollution, that poisons the environment and living things, there is also pollution of the heart and the spirit that mortifies and poisons spiritual existence." The Holy Father encouraged his listeners to not be complacent "about that which corrupts the spirit."
Now from the "Messages" from Medjugorje, messages given to the world by the Queen of Peace on the importance of prayer to our spiritual life. These words, her "teachings" if you will, seem to echo the words of the Pope:
Please, do not let my heart weep with tears of blood because of the souls who are lost in sin. Therefore, dear children, pray, pray, pray! ... I invite you to surrender to God. In this season I specially want you to renounce all the things to which you are attached but which are hurting your spiritual life. Therefore, little children, decide completely for God, and do not allow Satan to come into your life through those things that hurt both you and your spiritual life...Pray for the Holy Spirit to inspire you with the spirit of prayer, so you will pray more. I, your Mother, tell you that you are praying little.
The Holy Father in his speech yesterday, then talked about the importance of Listening to God in silence
"If we do not want Pentecost to be reduced to a mere ritual or to a suggestive commemoration," he said, in order that it can become a "real event of salvation," we must "predispose ourselves to God's gift in religious openness" through a "humble and silent listening to God's Word."
Messages from Medjugorje on Listening to God in silence :
Therefore, from today, decide to consecrate a time in the day only for an encounter with God in silence. In that way you will be able, with God, to witness my presence here.
The Pope on Humans acting as if they our their own Creators:
Today, the Pope asserted, "human beings seem to claim themselves as gods and want to transform the world excluding, putting aside or simply rejecting the Creator of the universe."
"Man no longer wants to be the image of God," he said, "but the image of himself; he declares himself autonomous, free, adult."
"Obviously that reveals an inauthentic relationship with God, the consequence of a false image that has been constructed of him," the Pontiff affirmed.
The Messages from Medjugorje on humans acting as if they our their own Creators:Dear children! I invite you to reflect about your future. You are creating a new world without God, only with your own strength and that is why you are unsatisfied and without joy in the heart. Civilization progress has been made , but without God, as if they were their own creators."
The Pope on Fear and Love:
Speaking of the story of the first Pentecost, in which the Apostles were given the courage to preach the Gospel, the Holy Father noted that "the Holy Spirit overcomes fear."
After Pentecost, the Apostles "had no fear, because they felt that they were in stronger hands," he said.
Benedict XVI continued: "Where the Spirit of God enters, he chases out fear; he makes us know and feel that we are in the hands of an Omnipotence of love: whatever happens, his infinite love will not abandon us.
Message from Medjugorje on Love and Fear:
Love and don't be afraid, my children, because there is no fear in love. If your hearts are open to the Father and if they are full of love toward him, then why any fear of what is to come? Those who are afraid are the ones who do not love because they are waiting for punishments and because they know how empty and hard they are. Children, I am leading you to love, to the dear Father. I am leading you to eternal life. Eternal life is my Son. Receive him and you have received love. ”
The Pope's speech about the importance of "Our Lady's" teachings for our spiritual health seemed to us very heartfelt, and we sense that the "Queen of Peace" was somewhere in his thoughts. We also wonder if the Pope indeed believes Medjugorje is in fact "Mary's School".

Fr. Danko's Commentary on Our Lady's Message of May 25, 2009

Fr. Danko's commentary on Our Lady's May 25, 2009 message to the world as provided by the Information Center in Medjugorje.

PRAY FOR THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT" Dear children! In this time, I call you all to pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit upon every baptized creature, so that the Holy Spirit may renew you all and lead you on the way of witnessing your faith – you and all those who are far from God and His love. I am with you and intercede for you before the Most High. Thank you for having responded to my call." Message of May 25, 2009

Before his Ascension Jesus told his disciples not to leave Jerusalem , but to wait for the promise given by his Father that they would receive the strength of the Holy Spirit and would be His witnesses not only in Jerusalem , but to the ends of the earth. After he said this, he was taken up to his Father (cf. Acts 1:4-9). The disciples and apostles were preparing for this coming through prayer. They were not alone. Mary, the Mother of Jesus, was with them. Among those present she was the only one who had the fullness of the Holy Spirit that had come upon her at the conception of Jesus. She must have encouraged the disciples to abandon fear and to take practice of fervent prayer.

Before the coming of the Holy Spirit the apostles and disciples were timid, fearful. When the Holy Spirit came upon them, they changed. From timid disciples they were transformed into fearless witnesses of Christ. They witnessed what they had seen and heard when they were with Jesus. The flame of love and truth lit inside them encouraged them to immediately start announcing the Joyful News. In her message of 25 May 2009 Our Lady calls us also to pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit upon every baptized creature. We have become the children of God through baptism and have entered into communion with Jesus and his act of redemption.

Our Lady calls us to pray because prayer is a means that opens our hearts so that the Spirit of God can operate in it. Opening up to the Holy Spirit leads to a renewal of spiritual life encouraging us to bear witness to our faith. We, Christians, have been called to be carriers of the message of God in this world, of the Word of God and to spread the acts of the love of God. Mary, our mother and intercessor, the teacher of prayer to the Holy Spirit helps us to do this. Together with Mary we pray that the Spirit of the Truth and Love operates in us and around us, that it teaches us and makes us stronger in order for us to live a new life doing the will of God. Fr.Danko Perutina -Medugorje 26/05/2009

Medjugorje: Our Lady's June 2nd message to Mirjana

Dear children!

My love seeks your complete and unconditional love, which will not leave you the same as you are, instead it will change you and teach you to trust in my Son. My children, with my love I am saving you and making you true witnesses of the goodness of my Son. Therefore, my children, do not be afraid to witness love in the name of my Son. Thank you. June 2, 2009

Baptized in the Holy Spirit--Pray and Ask and it shall be given to You.

BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
by Harold Cohen, S.J.
Prior to His ascension Jesus told His apostles, "Before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit." He added, "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses" (Acts 1:5-8). The Apostles prayed for the coming of the Holy Spirit with Mary, the mother of Jesus, aand a group of about one hundred and twenty. On Pentecost they were "baptized with the Holy Spirit" and were transformed into new creatures, bold witnesses for Christ.
Pentecost comes to each of us in the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. In Baptism we receive the Holy Spirit and become God�s children and members of the body of Christ. In Confirmation we receive a new fullness of the Spirit and are empowered to serve the Church and bear witness to Jesus.
Often we do not allow the Spirit we have received to be as active in us as He wants to be. To use an analogy, He is like chocolate syrup poured into a glass of milk--it goes to the bottom of the glass until stirred up. But when it is stirred up, it permeates the milk and transforms it into something new. We can learn how to "stir up" the Spirit--and how to receive more of Him--from Jesus in the Gospels:
"If anyone thirst, let him come to Me, let him drink who believes in Me. As the scripture has said, �Out of His heart shall flow rivers of living water.� Now He said this about the Spirit which those who believed in Him were to receive" (John 7:37-39). "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luke 11:13)
The Lord teaches us that first we must thirst for God; we must desire more and more of His Spirit. Then we must believe that Jesus is faithful to His promises and will indeed give us His Holy Spirit. Finally, we must ask God for the Holy Spirit. We must pray with perseverance, asking, seeking, knocking, believing that "everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened" (Luke 11:10). We can follow the example of the early Church by praying for the Spirit in union with Mary and the apostles as they did at the first Pentecost (see Acts 1:12-14).
What can we expect when we are "Baptized with the Holy Spirit" ? We can expect an immediate or gradual experience of deeper union with God, our loving Father and with Jesus, our Lord and Friend; a fresh appreciation of Scripture; a greater love for others and a desire for Christian fellowship; the fuller presence in our lives of the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience and more (see Galatians 5:22-23); the receptions of one or more of the Charismatic gifts of the Spirit such as discernment, service, prophecy, praying in tongues, healing (see 1 Corinthians 12-14). This gift of a new fullness of the Holy Spirit is, I believe, the grace of our age.

"Ask and it will be given to you!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiRq0yh8_t0&feature=PlayList&p=7F57990C8F6522C7&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=42

What is the Holy Spirit Saying

WHAT IS THE SPIRIT SAYING?

Ralph Martin recalls a meeting with John Paul II Because of my role in lay renewal movements I have had many opportunities to be with the Pope over the years and it has always been a source of inspiration and strength. I recall in the mid - 1990s, a very special moment after a morning Mass celebrated by the Pope in his private chapel. I had the opportunity to give him a copy of a new book I had written, The Catholic Church at the End of the Age: What is the Spirit Saying? The Pope took it, looked at the cover and said "I've already read it." And then he asked me:"What is the Spirit saying to the Church today?" I knew he didn't want the whole 300 page answer and I felt that the Spirit gave me one word to say in response to his question. "Holy Father I think what the Spirit is saying to the Church today is 'Jesus.'" He took my hand and simply said in response, "Jesus." It wasn't a question or even a statement, but seemed to be a prayer an affirmation, a cry a hope. And then I simply said in response, "Jesus." And then he said again, "Jesus." And for a few minutes we stood there together holding hands, saying the holy name of Jesus together in adoration, in thanksgiving, in communion, in proclamation, in intercession. Thanks be to God for the ministry of Pope John Paul II. May we continue to plumb the depths of the direction in which he has pointed us!
This account appeared in the March/April 2003 edition of Good News

Today is the great feast day of Pentecost:- Come, Holy Spirit

THE GREATEST PENTECOST" - All were filled with the Holy Spirit." —Acts 2:4

Today is Pentecost. It is not merely a reminder of a past event, but a continuation of the Spirit renewing the face of the earth (Ps 104:30). Today's Pentecost will not be a shadow of the first Pentecost, rather the first Pentecost is a shadow of today's Pentecost. God's grace is abounding all the more (see Rm 5:20). The Spirit is not diminishing His work in our world, but increasing it. It will not be only thousands who come to Jesus today (see Acts 2:41), but millions. The waters of the Spirit become deeper as they flow further around the world and into history.

Totally surrender your life to Jesus. Renounce Satan and all His works. Repent of sin. Ask for the Spirit. Ask Spirit-filled believers to lay hands on you. Receive the Spirit. As you receive prayers for the Spirit, express your love for the Lord by praising Him in your native language and in other languages. Go out and tell others about your love for Jesus. Pentecost begins by taking little steps of repentance, prayer, praise, and evangelization. If you obey the Lord, you won't stifle the Spirit. Pentecost is now. The greatest Pentecost is now. Come, Holy Spirit!

Father, give me the gifts to praise You in tongues, to prophesy, and to evangelize.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbsheBwT7YY

The 1975 Rome Prophecies

Pope Jonh Paul with Ralph Martin

Prophecies Given At St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome, Italy
During the Closing Eucharistic Celebrations (Pentecost Monday 1975)
of the International Conference of the
Catholic Charismatic Renewal


"Because I love you I want to show you what I am doing in the world today. I want to prepare you for what is to come. Days of darkness are coming on the world, days of tribulation… Buildings that are now standing will not be standing. Supports that are there for my people will not be there. I want you to be prepared, My people, to know only me and to cleave to me and to have me in a way deeper than ever before. I will lead you into the desert…. I will strip you of everything that you are depending on now, so you depend just on me. A time of darkness is coming on the world, but a time of glory is coming for my church, a time of glory is coming for my people. I will pour out on you all the gifts of My Spirit. I will prepare you for spiritual combat; I will prepare you for a time of evangelism that the world has never seen. And when you have nothing but Me, you will have everything: land, fields, homes and brothers and sisters and love and joy and peace more than ever before. Be ready, my people, I want to prepare you…"
"I speak to you of the dawn of a 'new age' for My church. I speak to you of a day that has not been seen before...Prepare yourselves for the action that I begin now, because things that you see around you will change; the combat that you must enter now is different; it is new. You need wisdom from Me that you do not yet have."
"You need the power of my Holy Spirit in a way that you have not possessed it; you need an understanding of My will and of the ways that I work that you do not yet have. Open your eyes, open your hearts to prepare yourselves for Me and for the day that I have now begun. My church will be different; My people will be different; difficulties and trials will come upon you. The comfort that you know now will be far from you, but the comfort that you will have is the comfort of My Holy Spirit. They will send for you, to take your life, but I will support you. Come to Me. Band yourselves together, around Me. Prepare, for I proclaim a new day, a day of victory and of triumph for your God. Behold, It is begun."
"...I will renew my Church. I will renew my people. I will make My people one. I am calling you to turn away from the pleasure of the world. I am calling you to turn away from seeking the approval of the world in your lives. I want to transform your lives...I have word for My church. I am sounding My call. I am forming a mighty army...My power is upon them. They will follow My chosen shepherd(s)..."
"Be the shepherds I have called you to be...I am renewing My church. I will free the world."
"Know that I, your God, brought Peter and Paul to Rome to witness to My glory. I have chosen you also and have brought you to Rome to bear witness to My glory, confirmed now by your shepherd. Go forth to the healing of the nations. Know that I am with you; and though you may pass through tribulation and trial, I will be with you even to the end. I am preparing a place for you in glory. Look to Me and I will deliver you from the power of the evil one. Behold I am with you now, all days, even till the end of time.
"...You have know the truth these days. You have experienced the truth these days. It is clear to you at this moment what the truth is. It is the truth of My kingdom, My kingdom that will prevail...I want you to take that truth, to rest in that truth, to believe in that truth, not to compromise it, not to lose it in confusions, not to be timid about it, but to stand simply, in love, firmly rooted in the truth as foundation stones upon which My church can have new life and new power." ( Prophecy recieved by Ralph Martin)

Pope Benedict XVI releases a Dove during visit to Holy Spirit Cathedral in Turkey

We need a new Pentecost more than ever, and Pope Benedict XVI invoked his authority as successor of St. Peter to call down the Holy Spirit on America last year.

In Washington, Benedict said:
“In the excercise of my ministry as the Sucessor of Peter, I have come to America to confirm you, my brothers and sisters ... and to implore from the Lord a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Church in this country.”
At the first Pentecost, Apostles went from hiding and discouraged to courageous and hope-filled. History changed.
The same thing can happen in America.
A new springtime is more than possible. It’s to be expected ... “IF,” as Pope John Paul II used to say, if Catholics cooperate with the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is preparing our Hearts

The Holy Spirit has been warning me." —Acts 20:23

We are halfway through the Pentecost Novena. By this time in the novena, the Holy Spirit has been quite active. The Holy Spirit has been working on preparing our hearts for Pentecost. The Spirit has been consoling us, instructing us (Jn 14:26), leading us to the truth (Jn 16:13), and warning us about repentance and other changes we must make (Acts 20:23).

As the novena continues, the Spirit will be helping us pray, for we know not how to pray as we ought (Rm 8:26). The Spirit will fight against our sinful flesh (Gal 5:17), prompting us to repent more deeply and giving us a greater desire to be holy. The Holy Spirit will give us a greater thirst for Jesus (Jn 7:37-39).

Then Jesus will pour out the Spirit in ever greater abundance on us, for "He does not ration His gift of the Spirit" (Jn 3:34). In turn, the Spirit will lead us to the Father, inspiring us to "cry out, 'Abba!' (that is, 'Father')" (Rm 8:15).

Then the Father will pour out His love "in our hearts through the Holy Spirit" (Rm 5:5) and Jesus will Baptize us anew in the Holy Spirit (Mk 1:8). As Pentecost approaches, we should be so immersed in Trinitarian love that we will literally be "filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:4).

In five days, the Holy Spirit will be poured out anew at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit is warning you (Acts 20:23) to prepare for an outpouring beyond anything you can ask for or imagine (Eph 3:20). "Follow the Spirit's lead" (Gal 5:25).

Prayer: Father, I set my heart on the gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor 14:1).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2j5Ve0_rTg

Our Lady's Medjugorje message of May 25, 2009--Pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Message of May 25, 2009
Dear children! In this time, I call you all to pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit upon every baptized creature, so that the Holy Spirit may renew you all and lead you on the way of witnessing your faith – you and all those who are far from God and His love. I am with you and intercede for you before the Most High. Thank you for having responded to my call.

*A Reflection (by Sr. Isabel)*
There is a time and a season for everything. This is the time and the season during which we pray for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Our Lady invites us to pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit anew in the life of every baptized person. We received the Holy Spirit at our baptism and were strengthened in the Holy Spirit at our Confirmation. But, every day we need new strength and new wisdom of the Holy Spirit. With Pentecost on Sunday, we have time to pray fervently for the gifts of the Holy Spirit that we need to be the witnesses of our faith in our daily lives. We probably won't be called to any heroic kind of witness such as martyrdom, but we are called daily to live our lives in such a way that we radiate the Holy Spirit. Our Lady is the Spouse of the Holy Spirit and the Help of all Christians. If we ask her, she will intercede for us and assist us in responding to the Holy Spirit each day..

Within a few days you will be Baptized in the Holy Spirit.

No sooner had He said this than He was lifted up before their eyes in a cloud which took Him from their sight." —Acts 1:9

When the Holy Spirit is mentioned, the evil spirit tries to change the subject. Jesus promised: "Within a few days you will be Baptized with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1:5).

The apostles responded by asking: "Lord, are You going to restore the rule to Israel now?" When the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the people responded: "They have had too much new wine!" (Acts 2:13)

When Jesus mentioned the Holy Spirit for the final time, He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:8-9). This may have been Jesus' way of indelibly impressing on us His last reference to the Spirit. When someone ascends into heaven, we have the tendency to remember their final words. Thus, the disciples took to heart Jesus' last reference to the Spirit. They waited and prayed for the coming of the Spirit.

The Holy Day celebration of Jesus' ascension serves to help us fix our eyes on Jesus. When we, with the eyes of faith, see Him ascend, we keep our attention on the Holy Spirit and receive the Spirit in power (see 2 Kgs 2:9-10; Sir 48:11-12). When we are baptized in, immersed in, preoccupied with Jesus, we don't change the subject; we let the Spirit change us.

Prayer: Father, may I refuse to take my eyes off of the ascended Jesus. May I soon receive the Spirit in a new way.

Promise: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes down on you." —Acts 1:8

Praise You, risen and ascended Jesus, for sending Your Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit! Alleluia!

Prayers to the Holy Spirit:- Come, Sweet Holy Spirit

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, "Speak Lord for Your servant heareth." Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vlrn7mVqrw&feature=PlayList&p=C4222DE1B1CDF1D3&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=13

Ray of Light: Father John Randall said, When the Holy Spirit is in the Church, he makes Jesus come alive in the Church.

RAY OF LIGHT: Father John F. Randall’s goal of illuminating the importance of the Holy Spirit in Catholics’ lives inspired him to write the book “No Spirit, No Church.” Father Randall said “When the Holy Spirit is in the Church, he makes Jesus come alive in the Church.”

Priest’s new book offers insight on Holy Spirit’s gifts
Posted May 21, 2009
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BY LAURA KILGUS, Staff Writer
PROVIDENCE, R. I. - Rhode Island Catholic Magazine

A new book written by Father John F. Randall offers theological and practical examination of the gift of the Holy Spirit in the Church, and aims to help people see the importance of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Father Randall, pastor emeritus at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Providence, explained that the title of his book, “No Spirit, No Church,” comes from his early experience hearing the phrase "the poor and forgotten Holy Spirit."
"We knew the Father and Jesus fairly well, but we were not that well acquainted with the Holy Spirit," Father Randall wrote in the preface. "In 1962, Blessed Pope John XXIII called the second Vatican Council on, as he said ‘an inspiration of the Holy Spirit.' He wanted to open the windows and let a fresh wind of the Holy Spirit blow through the Church."
Father Randall said that the pope had delegated Western theologians to develop a first draft of “the Constitution on the Church.”
"When the Council opened, bishops from the East, who always had a living devotion to the Holy Spirit, read the draft and were horrified — there was little not mention of the Holy Spirit in it," said Father Randall "They said, 'No Spirit, no church!’ and rejected the document. Subsequently, the Council fathers came up with the new version giving the Holy Spirit his due — the beautiful ‘Dogmatic Constitution on the Church: Lumen Gentium.’”
Father Randall explained that “Lumen Gentium” paved the way for a "mass infusion" of the Holy Spirit into the life of the Catholic Church.
“Lumen Gentium” states that, “When the work which the Father gave the Son to do on earth was accomplished, the Holy Spirit was sent on the day of Pentecost in order that he might continually sanctify the Church, and thus, all those who believe would have access through Christ in one Spirit to the Father.”
Father Randall began writing his book on the vigil of Pentecost three years ago, in 2006. He was recovering from hip replacement surgery and was watching EWTN when he saw Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square with 400,000 young people from different Holy Spirit movements.
“I thought to myself, ‘Wow, the Holy Spirit is at the heart of the Church.’"
Father Randall explained that his spirit "had fallen to the cellar," the next day, on Pentecost Sunday, when he did not hear or see a single reference to the Holy Spirit.
"My sister Mary, a Sister of St. Joseph, asked me, 'What are you going to do about it?’" Father Randall recalled. "I've seen what the Spirit can do and what happens when he is present and I have seen what happens when he is not present."
Father Randall says that his goal was not to write a book, but to give the Holy Spirit his due in the Church.
Ralph Martin, president of Renewal Ministries and the host of the weekly television program, “The Choices We Face,” said that he is grateful that Father Randall put a “lifetime of experience and wisdom into his new book.”
“It is truly a gift for the Church,” Martin said.
Father Randall expressed how pleased he was with how the book came out, released just in time for Pentecost — and as the well-known priest added — "in God's timing."
"The Holy Spirit makes things blossom and bloom," Father Randall said. "Where it is not, things die and wither. What the Holy Spirit does in the Church is the same thing he did to Mary. He implanted the Son of God into her womb so that Jesus come alive in her. When the Holy Spirit is in the Church, he makes Jesus come alive in the Church."
“No Spirit, No Church,” is available at all local Catholic bookstores in Rhode Island, as well as at the La Salette Shrine in North Attleboro, Mass.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbsheBwT7YY