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Prepare for Him a Manger in Our Hearts.

Jesus: “My light permeates you and surrounds you. Through Me, you enlighten in the obscure Advent these souls awaiting Me. The sacrifices of your life, united with My merits, will be light for them. I said, ‘You are the light of the world’ to those whom I filled with the special light of My grace. You and others must give light to the dark parts of the earth which are in the shadow of sin, such that My divine light attracts toward the true road those souls teetering in the shadow of sin and death.”

          Today, I meditated all day on the Lord’s words, and I thought especially of these: “The sacrifices of your life, united with My merits, will be light for them.”

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God is always trying to prepare us for Himself, not just during Advent, but from the moment we are created in our mother’s womb, God is preparing us for Heaven.

Advent is a time that we are able to enter into the deepest yearning for which we were created and prepare our souls for God, who came to us as The Adorable Jesus at Christmas, and will come again at His Second Coming.

The Adored King always seeks to find rest in the manger of our hearts but due to the daily demands of the world, temptations, and our general inclination to sin, we may think that Mary and Joseph will take one look at our “Manger” and quickly make their way to the inn next door! “ Why do you let us wander, O Lord, from Your ways, and harden our hearts so that we fear you not?” Often our hearts are hard, or anxious, or sad and can seem more like a cold, dark graveyard vs. a warm and safe resting place.

But we believe and are reminded in the passage from the Diary that it’s Jesus who brings the light! Outside of Him, we are and will always be in darkness, anxious, afraid. And we simply can’t give the Light that we ourselves have not yet received. The Light, the Flame, that we long to receive, embrace, and share is Jesus Christ!  “LORD, make us turn to You; let us see Your face and we shall be saved.”

This Light was first given to us through the Virginal Womb of Mary, and Jesus was totally dependent on Mary and Joseph. He is showing us the way, illuminating our path to holiness, so that we too may learn to become dependent.

Today, in this time and torrent of Grace, the Flame of Love is given to us through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The graces from the Flame of Love and the partaking of the Sacramental life, help us to detach from sin and become filled with the Fire of Divine Love to bring about a transformation which allows us to join deeply in the life of Christ so that we actually become “little Christs”, little sparks of Light, to blind satan.  

The season of Advent reflects perfectly the heart of a Christian that is open and empty, in other words a soul with a receptive heart. When we pray the Unity Prayer we are asking Jesus to make us one with Him, to fill our hearts, (our mangers) with HIS life so completely that we have no room left for sin.

I pray that the only thing that Jesus finds when He visits us this Christmas is a receptive heart filled by the straw of our sacrifices. The fruit of sacrifice and suffering is JOY! In accord we pray the Joyful Mysteries throughout the season.

“Be watchful! Be alert! ” always! And spread the Flame of Love which is a gift of pure grace for every soul! United, we will blind satan with the little sparks of His Divine Light and illuminate the path to Heaven for the many souls who are in the obscure Advent of waiting and wanting.

Elizabeth: Today, I meditated all day on the Lord’s words, and I thought especially of these: “The sacrifices of your life, united with My merits, will be light for them.”

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Mother Mary… pray for us!

Jill Metz

US National Director

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Welcoming Mary Into Our Home

Submitted by Dr. Chris Wroe

Mary is a mother.  She gave birth to a son, Jesus.  Jesus entrusted John with the responsibility for her care at the foot of the cross.  Now, we are asked to welcome His mother into our homes and into our hearts as our Mother.  Like all mothers, she knows the joy and pain of motherhood.  We should never forget that Mary, “Queen of Heaven and Earth” is also our Heavenly Mother and feels our happiness and our pain.  As she says to Elizabeth Kindelmann, her suffering did not end with the death of Jesus, it continues for all her children (including you and me), whom she sees being deceived by Satan and whose souls could be lost forever.  Mary is our Mother, and she asks for our help.

Mary asks us, through Elizabeth, to help her to spread her “flame of love” throughout the world, starting in the home, family by family.  We cannot ignore the constant downgrading of the Christian model of ‘family’ with the growing acceptance within society for people living together without marrying; same gender unions; people having several sexual partners and loose definitions of morality.  In short, society is increasingly keen to embrace whatever form of relationship you decide will work best for you and reaffirms it is no-one else’s business.  In a world where belief in God is steadily declining how can we expect any moral code to be taken seriously that impinges on individual choice’?  Consequently, notions of ‘family’ and ‘morality’ are relentlessly under challenge, particularly in the more developed societies,

Mary is The Ark’.  She wants Elizabeth, and us, to join her in praying for all her children to know they do belong to a very special family, the family of God.  She mentions, with affection, Joseph, her husband, and tells Elizabeth to ask for his help every day.  She recalls how while he worked in the evening, she would be praying and invites Elizabeth to join them on their nightly walks – it speaks of her loving respect and devotion to her husband, parents to Jesus, “the Holy Family” in the gospel of Matthew.  Mary longs to protect us from the snares of Satan and this is why she is bestowing this wonderful grace of “the flame of love” upon her children, blinding the demons so they can be freed from the confusion and evil influences surrounding their choices to see God’s love for them and the true beauty of His creation for them.

Mary is on our side in the battle between good and evil that many fail to recognize is happening. She is ‘ The Ark’ we need to embrace, the bringer of ‘The Flame of Love’ (that is Jesus), to set our hearts on fire with love for God, our Father, when we see the greatness of His love for us.  Mary, Mother most loving, wants all of us, her children, to find our way ‘home’, to Heaven.  So, like the apostle John, let our hearts be ready to welcome the Mother of Jesus, our Lord and our God, in praise and thanksgiving.  Mary’s heart, bursting with love, is bringing Jesus into our world again!

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Spread the Flame of Love by Praying the Rosary

Pope Francis has asked all Catholics to pray the rosary daily during the month of October. We pray asking Mary and St. Michael the Archangel to intercede for the protection of the Church and family life in a moment of “spiritual turbulence.” Pope Francis affirmed that the Rosary “is the weapon against the Great Accuser who ‘goes around the world seeking to accuse.’ Only prayer can defeat him.” By praying and living the Mysteries of the Rosary, we develop a more intimate relationship with Jesus and Mary. Filled with peace and joy, we want to share our gift with those we love and serve.

Saint Francis de Sales teaches us: “The measure of love is to love without measure.” The Flame of Love is the burning love radiating from our loving Father, merciful Son and God’s Powerful Spirit (GPS). To repair the effects of Original Sin, Jesus pays our debt on the cross and Mary becomes our Spiritual Mother. The best way we can enjoy this gift of freedom is by becoming a Missionary Disciple of Jesus through Mary’s example and intercession.

Praising God overcomes sin and frees us to see the face of God in all that we love and serve. Jesus became one of us to show us the way and the truth and to have faith and hope in eternal life. Our destiny is to rejoice always and join the Communion of the Saints. The Holy Spirit consecrates us to be a channel of peace, while the devil condemns us for our sins. By trusting in the infinite love and Mercy of Jesus, He enables us to forgive others as God forgives us.

Elizabeth Kindelmann experienced suffering and rejection in promoting the Flame of Love. By praying to our Blessed Mother, Elizabeth rejoiced in the birth of Jesus, embraced his wounds, offered her life and shared the glory of our Risen Lord. By sharing her writings, Elizabeth kindles the fire of the Flame of Love in many restless souls. Saint John Paul II and Elizabeth challenge us to become an Apostle of Light to blind Satan and promote the Gospel of Joy heart-to-heart.

We are all sinners striving to be saints. Christian witnesses forgive others as God forgives us. As we repent and reconcile with the Lord in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, so we must forgive one another heart-to-heart. As precious children of God, we must obey his will and plan for us in good times and bad. By embracing our crucified Savior, we transform our human love into divine love. The glory of God is that we become the best version of our self. True love is willing the good of others. Our Mission is to inspire new disciples of Jesus and Mary. As we pass on the Flame of Love in our hearts, we ignite restless hearts to rest in the peace and joy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Remember, each time we receive Holy Communion, we become who we receive the Body of Christ. By trusting in His Will, we can encourage our family and friends to build a culture of life and love. Is Jesus and Mary calling you to pray and live the Mysteries of the Rosary with the graces flowing from the Flame of Love?

Love and prayers,
Monsignor Ralph J. Chieffo
National Spiritual Director of the Flame of Love

Wednesday, December 6, 2023 Week One Of Advent

Multiplied Blessings (Mt 15:29-37)

Prayer:

 O Jesus, let me hunger for your food.

Imagination:

Picture Jesus and his disciples with the hungry crowds.

Context:

                The multiplication of food is the only miracle told in all four gospels. It is preceded by multiple healings. These stories highlight the Advent season when we await the Lord who comes with countless blessings, distributed freely to those who await him.

Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.)

                Large crowds came to Jesus, bringing with them the cripples, the deformed, the blind, the mute and many others besides. They laid them at his feet and he cured them. The crowds marveled to see the mute speaking and the deformed made whole, cripples walking about and the blind seeing. They glorified the God of Israel.

                Jesus called together his disciples, “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me three days with nothing to eat. I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint on the way.” The disciples answered, “Where can we find so many loaves in this deserted place to feed so many? Jesus asked, “How many loaves do you have? They said, “Seven and a few little fishes.”

                He commanded the crowd to sit down, and taking the seven loaves and the fishes, giving thanks, he broke and gave to his disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and had their fill, and seven baskets of fragments were left over.

Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)

  1. Each person has a need. Some are sick. Some are hungry. Jesus takes care of them all.
  2. The crowds show great faith. They take extraordinary efforts to bring the crippled and the blind to this deserted place.
  3. They know the source of the healings. They place their sick at Jesus’ feet.
  4. The crowds do not complain of their hunger. They have freely chosen to stay three days.
  5. Seeing their fatigue, Jesus initiates the multiplication. The scene is like the Last Supper. Jesus takes bread, blesses, breaks and gives to the disciples.
  6. An abundance results. All are satisfied. The seven baskets left over are meant for us.

Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)

  • O Jesus, when will I learn to place all my needs at your feet?
  • My faith draws me to you. Nothing will keep me back.
  • Your power is unlimited, going forth to whomever draws near.
  • You are thoughtful, Jesus. Even when I do not ask, you provide.
  • Your Eucharist is every day. I will come to the table.
  • Jesus, I will gather up all your blessings. None will go to waste.

Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)

+  Today, I will bring my greatest need to Jesus. It is Advent and I must believe.

+  I will receive Holy Communion as often as possible during this season.

Thought For The Day: (To recall your meditation.)

The crowd marveled to see the mute speaking and the cripples walking.

Pity For The Crowd

Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures

Wednesday of the First Week of Advent

Pity For The Crowd

“How good of You to come! Truly, You do not despise me. Because I am a sinner, You double Your strength in me. What goodness, what limitless compassion You have for a repentant sinner.” For a long time, I gave thanks for His infinite mercy. (Elizabeth) (November 22, 1962)

Today’s Readings: Jesus summoned his disciples and said,
“My heart is moved with pity for the crowd,
for they have been with me now for three days
and have nothing to eat.
I do not want to send them away hungry,
for fear they may collapse on the way.” (Matthew 15)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, today we are reminded that You indeed have pity on us. There is nothing that escapes Your Loving Gaze into our hearts. There is no need that You do not understand and want to fill. You have true loving concern for us in every moment of our lives! What goodness, what limitless compassion You have for those who love You and what mercy is awaiting those who do not yet know Your Love! Lord Jesus, be born in our hearts this Advent season and in the hearts of those we love and bring to You every day in prayer!

Tuesday, December 5, 2023 Week One Of Advent

Revealed To The Children (Lk 10:21-24)

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, give me a humble and accepting heart.

Imagination:

 Imagine Jesus reprimanding his disciples.

Context:

                Jesus sent out 72 disciples to proclaim the Kingdom. They have just returned with all the good news of their successes. This text is filled with rejoicing. Advent, unlike Lent, is a time to rejoice because “The Lord is near.”

Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.)

Jesus cried out, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and prudent, you have revealed them to the little ones. This has seemed good in your sight.

                All things have been given over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, but the Father. And no one knows the Father, except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)

  1. Jesus rejoices because the disciples are understanding the Kingdom.
  2. This understanding is withheld from the worldly wise and prudent.
  3. Jesus credits his heavenly Father, who has revealed these mysteries to the little ones.
  4. Jesus has the power to reveal even the Father himself.
  5. Jesus will reveal these mysteries to all. First, they must become his disciple.

Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)

  • Jesus, reveal to me the mysteries of the Kingdom.
  • Even more, reveal the Father himself.
  • As my heart is caught up with the Father, You will rejoice in me.
  • When I was wise and prudent, you could not do this. Now, I am your little one.
  • O Jesus, all that is yours is to become mine. What a mystery!

Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own).

+  I will find time for solitude, so Jesus can reveal the Father.

+  I will cherish the mysteries of Jesus’ Kingdom.

Thought For The Day: (To recall your meditation.)

The Son reveals the Father to whomever he wishes.

To The Childlike

Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures

Tuesday of the First Week of Advent

To The Childlike

Jesus: “Do you know why I make you write about the different events in your life? Because these are reflections of My graces in your soul that you – I know it well – would never tell others. In this manner, I oblige you to write so all will see the Divine Work that I have done in your soul since your childhood. (Jesus) (July 24, 1965)

Today’s Readings: Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said,
“I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike. (Luke 10)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, sometimes we can make things so complicated. We want to know everything but the reality is that You reveal Yourself to the childlike and the humble who turn to You in faith and trust. To them, and hopefully that is us, You have revealed the Kingdom of Heaven. You have been working in our souls since our baptism and You want us to remain Your little children totally dependent on You. Maybe this Advent it is time to strip any complexities from our lives, especially our faith lives, and go back to basics. Instead of piling on devotion after devotion, spiritual book after spiritual book, why don’t we read a chapter a day from the Gospels and pray the Rosary from the heart. Let us do it every day and help us to keep our eyes on You and our hand in Mary’s Hand as we await Your birth into our hearts anew this Advent.

Monday, December 4, 2023 Week One Of Advent

A Centurion With Great Faith (Mt 8:5-11)

Prayer:

 O Jesus, fill me with faith in your power.

Imagination:

Picture Jesus with the Centurion.

Context:

                Advent is a time of faith and the church selects the Gentile centurion as the first model. He believed that Jesus could heal at a distance (unheard of in Judaism). Even Jesus proclaims his extraordinary faith.

Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.)

                When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him saying, “Lord, my servant is at home in bed paralyzed suffering painfully.” Jesus said, “I will come and heal him. The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but say but the word and my servant shall be healed. I also am a man subject to authority, having soldiers under me. I say to this one, ‘Go’ and he goes. To another, ‘Come’ and he comes. To my servant ‘Do this’ and he does it.”

                Hearing this, Jesus was amazed and said to the crowd who followed him. “Amen I say to you that I have not found such great faith in Israel. Many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of heaven, while the natural heirs will be cast out into the dark.”

Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)

  1. The centurion has complete and total faith in Jesus’ power to heal.
  2. Jesus is totally aware of his own powers. He proclaims “I will come and heal him.”
  3. The centurion is extraordinary for his great humility (I am not worthy) and for his faith (that Jesus could heal at a distance).
  4. Jesus proclaims that he has never seen Jewish people with that level of belief.
  5. Jesus predicts that many Gentiles will enter the Kingdom by having the same faith.

Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)

  • Jesus, I will come to you in all my needs.
  • O Jesus, your power can accomplish all things, anywhere and anytime.
  • Nothing limits your power.
  • Jesus, I am not worthy but you will act in my soul.
  • Your Kingdom is open to all. The whole world is invited.
  • Just speak your word, Jesus and I will be healed.
  • O Jesus, place great faith in my heart.

Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)

+  Today I will bring to Jesus all that needs to be healed – my body, my soul, my relationships, my memories.

 +  I will have great desires to be at Jesus’ banquet.

Thought For The Day: (To recall your meditation.)

I have not found such great faith in all of Israel.

Only Say The Word

Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures

Monday of the First Week of Advent

Only Say The Word

“I tell you and I promise with My Divine Word that whenever you pray for someone, you will never be refused, because the drops of oil of your sacrifices not only fall on the lamps of souls, but also upon My wounds which burn with fever. (Jesus) (April 12, 1965)

Today’s Readings: The centurion said in reply,
“Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof;
only say the word and my servant will be healed. (Matthew 8)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, today we meet the centurion who like us is totally unworthy to receive You but who hopefully like us has faith that You can heal by just one Word! Because one drop of Your Favor is all that it takes to turn any situation around. So let us pray boldly and with confidence, unworthy though we are, because You want our healing and the healing of our loved ones more than we do! Lord I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof but only say the Word and my soul will be healed!

Sunday, December 3, 2023 First Sunday Of Advent (Year B)

The Watchman at the Gate (Mk 13:33-37)

Prayer:

O Lord, let me be ready to welcome you.

Imagination:

Picture Jesus teaching his disciples in the temple area.

Context:

With these words, Jesus concludes a long speech that spoke of Jerusalem’s destruction, persecutions and the end of the world.  His final advice uses the image of a gatekeeper who must always be ready for the master to return, (a fitting gospel to begin the Advent season).

Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.)

Jesus said to his disciples, “Be constantly on watch!  Stay awake!  For you do not know when the appointed time will come.  It is like a man who leaves his house for a far country and places his servants in charge.  Each has his own task and he tells the man at the gate to watch.

Be aware.  You do not know the hour when the master of the house will return, whether at twilight, or midnight or at the cock’s crow or at dawn.  Do not let him come suddenly and find you sleeping.  What I say to you, I say to all, Watch.”

Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)

  1. The master returning at an unknown hour was common in Palestine.
  2. The master gives each servant a job.
  3. Jesus specifically mentions the gatekeeper.  He can never complete his task and must always be watching.
  4. His task is the most difficult because the master has no scheduled hour for a return.
  5. The parable lists four times for his return.  All are inconvenient.
  6. Being constantly on watch is the basic duty of a disciple. This parable sharpens that command.

Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)

  • O Jesus, I am so caught up in earthly concerns that I forget to think of you.
  • You come at any time, and expect me to be watching.
  • You have given me a task in the Kingdom.  How lucky I am.
  • You station me at the gate and tell me to await you, the King of Kings.
  • You do not tell me when you are coming, but I love you so much that it does not matter.
  • Whenever you come, I will be watching.  This is what you told me to do.

Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)

+  During advent, I will give more time to prayer.

+  I will be attentive to Jesus’ inspirations.

Thought For The Day: (To recall your meditation.)

Be constantly on watch! Stay awake!

Mindful Of You In All Of Our Ways

Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures

First Sunday of Advent

Mindful of You In All Of Our Ways

Jesus: “You know, the great sin of the world is to ignore My inspirations. It is because of that and lukewarm consecrated souls that the world is walking in darkness. They could help Me, but they are not even aware how dangerous their tepidity is.(Jesus) (First Sunday of January 1964)

Today’s Readings: No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen, any God but you
doing such deeds for those who wait for him.
Would that you might meet us doing right,
that we were mindful of you in our ways. (Isaiah 63)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, how we have ignored Your Inspirations. How we have turned from You and gone each of us in our own way (Isaiah 53), the way that for so long may have seemed right to us (Proverbs 14:12). And we see now in the darkness of this world that we are utterly helpless. Lord, would that even now, we would be mindful of You in all of our ways. Would that we were waiting right here and right now for deliverance from whatever is obstructing Grace and not allowing us to even hear Your inspirations. Because You are the God who saw us in our misery and came to Earth to redeem us not counting the cost and in an excess of love never before seen. And You still see us and walk with us in all of our pains and sorrows. So, let us open our hearts Lord! Empty them of whatever is burdening us in this long hard year that we would be ready to be filled by the Fountain of Your Holy Will which is Love and Mercy itself!

Saturday, December 2, 2023 Week Thirty-Four Of Ordinary Time

Final Words Of Advice (Lk 21:34-36)

Prayer:

 O Jesus, teach me to watch and to pray constantly.

Imagination:

Picture Jesus in the temple teaching his disciples.

Context:

                 Jesus is worried. He will not be returning to earth soon and the disciples will wonder why he delays. So, he exhorts them not to grow indulgent, not to give up prayer or their high moral standards. These final words before the Last Supper are an important reminder. Whether it is sooner or later, all the world will stand before him.

Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.)

                Jesus said to his disciples, “Be on guard, lest your spirits become bloated with indulgence and drunkenness and worldly cares, and that day come upon you suddenly, like a trap. That day will come upon the whole earth.

                Watch, therefore. Pray at all times, so you may have the strength to escape what will happen and to stand secure before the Son of Man.”

Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)

  1. “That day,” means the moment when all will be judged by Jesus.
  2. Because Jesus’ Second Coming didn’t happen right away, some disciples abandoned their devout life and their watchfulness.
  3. They became indifferent, drunk and involved with worldly cares.
  4. They fell into a trap which entangles everyone who abandons Jesus’ Kingdom. Inevitably they will be trapped by something.
  5. Jesus explains the remedy. They must watch their conduct and pray constantly.
  6. Jesus’ coming is inevitable. History will end in this way. All must seek one thing – to stand secure before the Son of Man.
  7. These are Jesus’ final words. Remember them.

Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)

  • O Jesus, what a day that will be, when every human person will stand before you.
  • O Lord, how quickly my life will pass. Do not let me fall into indulgence or give my heart to worldly cares.
  • I will watch with you. That is what you ask of me.
  • Teach me to pray. Teach me to pray constantly.
  • How will I be secure on that day, Jesus? I know. I will live always in your hands.

Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)

+  When am I indulgent and entangled in worldly cares? I will take action.

+  I will pray mentally every day.

Thought For The Day: (To recall your meditation.)

Pray constantly for the strength to stand before the Son of Man.

Sadness Or Euphoria

Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures

Saturday of the Thirty Fourth Week of Ordinary Time

Sadness or Euphoria

While attending morning Holy Mass, a great anxiety took possession of my soul. An infuriating battle arose within: these arguments are nothing but counter-arguments invented by my lies with which I blind myself. (Elizabeth) (June 18, 1965)

Today’s Readings: Jesus said to his disciples:

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.(Luke 21)

Prayer Meditation- Lord it seems like life is just one big round of sadness or euphoria. We then try to self- medicate- it could be eating or drinking too much, social media, TV, you name it. And when we are not trying to run away from ourselves we are stuck in anxiety, fear, worry about the circumstances of our lives. We are trapped by our emotions and we blind ourselves with the lie that we have forever to work this all out. But Lord, You do not want us taken by surprise- You have come to set us free from the cycle of our bad habits and self- absorption- our stinking thinking not at some future point, but today! So let us respond while it is still “today” (Hebrews 3:13) to Your loving invitation to follow You completely. Let’s not let anything that would make our heart drowsy get in the way!

Friday, December 1, 2023 Week Thirty Four – Ordinary Time

The Events Are Near (Lk 21:29-33)

Prayer:

 O Jesus, help me to act now. So much is about to happen.

Imagination:

 Picture Jesus teaching his disciples.

Context:

                Jesus has just predicted the fall of Jerusalem and declared that, at a given moment, he will come on clouds of glory. Because people think that this cosmic event is far off, they push the warning aside. So, Jesus must add this image of the fig tree which says that summer is near.

Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.)

                Jesus told his disciples a parable, “Look at the fig tree and all the other trees. When you see them sending forth their shoots, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things happen, know that the Kingdom of God is at hand. ‘Amen,’ I say to you, the present generation will not pass away until all these things take place. The heavens and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)

  1. Jesus knows that delay wears down his disciples. His words lose their effectiveness.
  2. The fig tree is a perfect example. In winter, no tree looks more dead. Yet, so quickly, it comes alive, surprising everyone.
  3. No one needs special knowledge. When trees blossom, everyone knows that summer is close.
  4. Jesus has an important conclusion. When persecution comes and when the Kingdom seems to have lost its power, that is the moment of closeness.
  5. The Kingdom is always near. God’s reign is always at hand. Suddenly and surprisingly, the moment of Jesus’ presence comes upon those gathered in faith.
  6. Someday the whole world will disappear but Jesus’ words will never lose their power.

Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)

  • O Jesus, when I grow tired, weary and discouraged, give me new life.
  • Let your Spirit breathe upon me and his fire leap up.
  • You are always coming to me. Your Kingdom is always at hand.
  • Just when I am losing life, you surprise me. Your Spirit suddenly stirs within.
  • You whisper to me, “I am never far away. I am always near.”
  • You are my hope. You will never pass away. Never fail me. Never abandon me.

Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)

+  I will live in great hope today that the Kingdom is at hand.

+  I will recall my favorite words of Jesus.

Thought For The Day: (To recall your meditation.)

Know that the Kingdom of God is at hand.

His Word Will Never Pass Away

Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures

Friday of the Thirty Fourth Week of Ordinary Time

His Word Will Never Pass Away

And the Word became Flesh. Penetrate and live in this sublime mystery, which signifies the Redemption of the world.” Even though I meditated on these words, I am incapable of expressing them. (Jesus/Elizabeth) (October 15, 1962)

Today’s Readings: Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away.” (Luke 21)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, all things are passing. Only Your Word remains. You are the Word made Flesh- in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. (John 1). It is hard for us to wrap our heads around it but someday all that we will know will be gone or changed forever. We came from You and we are meant to return to You (exitus-reditus- St. Thomas Aquinas). Lord, let us today just meditate on the God who loves  us so much that You became flesh just so that we would live with You forever. Let us walk with You now in trust and surrender knowing all will be well because our redemption is at hand (Luke 21).

Thursday, November 30, 2023 Week Thirty-Four Of Ordinary Time

St. Andrew, Apostle (Mt 4:18-22)

Prayer:

 Lord Jesus, invite me today to be your disciple.

Imagination:

Picture Jesus calling his first disciples along the Sea of Galilee.

Context:

                This gospel text begins “After John was arrested” and it records Jesus’ first homily of his public ministry.  He repeats John’s teaching that the reign of God has come and gathers his four most important helpers.

Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.)

                After John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God, saying, “This is the time of fulfillment.  The Kingdom of God is at hand.  Repent and believe the gospel.

                Passing by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother, Andrew, casting nets into the sea, for they were fishermen.  Jesus said to them, “Come after me and I will make you fishers of men.”  Immediately, they left their net and followed him.

                Going a little farther, he saw James, the son of Zebedee and his brother, John.  They were mending their nets in the ship.  He called them, also.  They left Zebedee in the ship with his hired men and followed him.

Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)

1      Jesus follows his heavenly Father’s timetable.  While John is preaching, he remains silent.  When John is arrested, Jesus knows to begin.

2      These are the most important years in world history, as Jesus begins to save all mankind.

3      Jesus says that the Kingdom is at hand. God’s power will break into human history.

4      Everyone must be ready.  So, Jesus tells everyone to turn away from evil and believe in him.

5      The two sets of brother are the first to hear the message. They respond immediately.

6      Peter and Andrew leave their boats behind.  James and John leave their father and friends.  These four are perfect models for all believers.

Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words in prayer.)

  • Heavenly Father, what is your timetable for my life?  When is the time for me to act?
  • Jesus, I believe.  This is the hour, the time of fulfillment.  I will not delay.
  • I believe.  I accept your Kingdom. I repent. I turn to you and hear your voice.
  • Jesus, you want to come into my heart.
  • I hear your call. I will follow you, forever and ever.
  • O Jesus, You are the gift of the Father.  What else compares with your friendship?  I will leave everything to be your friend.

Resolutions: (Use one of these or make your own.)

+ I will learn God’s timetable.  What does he expect today?

+ When Jesus invites me today, I will answer immediately.

Thought For The Day: (To recall your meditation.)

Come after me and I will make you fishers of men.

Fishers Of Men

Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures

Feast of Saint Andrew

Fishers of Men

“My daughter, your repentance has brought you closer to Me. Seek this profound repentance for a great number of souls. I call many souls to follow Me, but few come.” (Jesus) (April 17, 1962)

Today’s Readings: “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
At once they left their nets and followed him. (Matthew 4)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, today is the Feast of Saint Andrew, the Apostle that told his brother Saint Peter that he had found the Messiah. We do not hear a lot about Andrew as compared to his brother Peter but it was likely that it was his quiet witness that prepared his brother to pick up and follow You when You called. Today Lord, You are asking us to pray and sacrifice and to witness discipleship with our lives. You call everyone but it seems few come. But then how can they come if they have not heard? (Romans 10). Let us pray for our priests and for vocations so that many more will come because of our prayers and lives of penance. Saint Andrew, pray for us!

Wednesday, November 29, 2023 Week Thirty-Four Of Ordinary Time

The Trials Of A Disciple (Lk 21:12-19)

Prayer:

 O Jesus, help me in the moments of my trials.

Imagination:

 Picture Jesus explaining to the disciples their future difficulties.

Context:

                After discussing all the wars and famines and earthquakes that will occur, Jesus turns to two other difficulties. The disciples will find themselves hauled into court. Also, their family and friends will turn on them. Only patient endurance will win the victory.

Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.)

                Jesus said to his disciples, “Before all these things happen, they will lay hands on you. They will persecute you, bringing you to synagogues and prisons, dragging you before kings and governors for my name’s sake. You will be brought there so you can give witness.

                Do not think ahead of time what you are to say for I will give you words and a wisdom which your adversaries cannot resist or refute.

                You will be betrayed by your parents and your brothers, relatives and friends. Some of you will be put to death and you shall be hated by all for my name’s sake. By patient endurance you shall save your lives.”

Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)

  1. The problems will begin when the disciples witness to Jesus.
  2. The synagogue will reject them and this will lead to prison.
  3. They will be brought before the highest authorities – governors and kings.
  4. These arrests serve God’s purpose. The disciples will speak of Jesus to all who attend their trial.
  5. Jesus, himself, promises to be there, prompting them what to say.
  6. Even family members will not want the disciple to join this new Jesus Movement.
  7. The consequence will be dire. Some will die. Jesus will not miraculously save them.
  8. By dying, they will “save their life,” their eternal life that really matters.

Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)

  • Jesus, to be persecuted for you is my greatest privilege.
  • I will not be silent. I will speak about your name.
  • Many need to hear the gospel. At least, some will listen.
  • Kings and governors have limited power. You, Jesus, and your disciples hold all authority.
  • You will be there. You will give me the words. You will be my lawyer.
  • No one will intimidate me or change my decision. You are my king and my governor.
  • Jesus, give me patient endurance.

Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)

+ I will ask for the gift of Fortitude.

+ I will not let hatred and anger of others to silence me.

Thought For The Day: (To recall your meditation.)

By patient endurance, you will save your lives.

Giving Testimony

Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures

Wednesday of the Thirty Fourth Week of Ordinary Time

Giving Testimony

“Speech is a gift of God, and one day, we must give an account of our words. Through words, souls communicate with one another. Also, through words, people get to know us. Therefore, we have no right to wrap ourselves in silence. (Jesus) (July 26, 1971)

Today’s Readings: It will lead to your giving testimony.
Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking
that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. (Luke 21)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, in these secular times, it has become more and more difficult to discuss matters of faith. As the world turns increasingly away from the truths of the Gospel there will times where, whether we like it or not, we will need to speak. Lord, so often, we do this outside of Your grace and fall down on our faces. Please help us Lord- give us the gift of wisdom in speaking through the Holy Spirit, not to win an argument, but to sow the seeds that will bring others to You and to Your Church especially as we head into what the world calls “ the holiday season” when we will be spending time with the ones we love and so want to save.

Tuesday, November 28, 2023 Week Thirty-Four Of Ordinary Time

Not Yet The End (Lk 21:5-11)

Prayer:

 O Jesus, let me persevere until the end.

Imagination:

 Picture Jesus teaching his disciples.

Context:

                In teaching about his Second Coming, Jesus keeps putting it off, always speaking of events that must happen first. The “coming” is always “later.” He stresses perseverance so the disciple does not think that the road is short.     

Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.)

                Some were speaking about the temple, which was adorned with precious stones and offerings. Jesus said, “These things which you see. The days will come when one stone will not be left upon another. All will be torn down. They asked him, “Master, when will this be?” and “What shall be the sign that it is going to happen?”

He said, “Be careful not to be led astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he’ and ‘the time is at hand’ but do not follow them. When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be disturbed. These things must first happen but the end is not yet. Nations shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There shall be earthquakes, plagues and famines in various places. Even in the sky, there will be portents and signs.”

Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)

  1. Nothing seemed more lasting than the newly built temple.
  2. Forth years after Jesus died, the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the temple (just as Jesus predicted).
  3. In asking for a sign, the disciples are misguided. Jesus’ word is the daily guide.
  4. Jesus lists so many happenings (wars, earthquakes, plagues and famines). Yet, none is a sign.
  5. Jesus wants the disciples to stay on his path (even if there are cosmic events).
  6. They have his true teaching. They must just be good disciples.

Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)

  • Jesus, nothing remains. Only you are eternal.
  • I need no sign, only your presence guiding me.
  • Your teaching is in my heart. I will cling to that.
  • I know you will come for me. I await you in faith.
  • O Jesus, what a world! We live with wars and famines and earthquakes! Stay with me!
  • Help me to stay on your path, Jesus. The end is not near. I have many miles to go.

Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)

+ I will use Jesus’ words to guide my day.

+ I will detach myself from material possessions by little sacrifices.

Thought For The Day: (To recall your meditation.)

These things will happen but the end will not follow immediately.

When You Hear Of Wars

Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures

Tuesday of the Thirty Fourth Week of Ordinary Time

When You Hear of Wars

Following the devastation of the war, I was able to survive with my children only by bartering our possessions. The closets were being emptied and almost all our belongings changed ownership. (Elizabeth) (Biography)

Today’s Readings: When you hear of wars and insurrections,
do not be terrified; for such things must happen first. (Luke 21)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, today we begin the readings in the Gospel that refer to the “end times” We all may like to speculate about all that but the truth is in our lives, we will have our own individual end time. We were made for eternity but we are still mortal in our earthly bodies. And we will go through trials and tribulations, “wars” if you will in this life. Lord, You assure us not to be terrified, to be not afraid when we hear bad news- to not give into anxiety and fear but to surrender in total trust to Your Loving Providence. Jesus we trust in You!

Monday, November 27, 2023 Week Thirty-Four Of Ordinary Time

The Widow’s Mite (Mk 12:38-44)

Prayer:

O Jesus, to you I give all I have.

Imagination:

Picture Jesus in the temple with his disciples.

Context:

                This gospel joins two different people, linked by the word widow. The scribes want everyone to see their goodness while secretly they steal widow’s money. The widow, on the contrary, gives her money in secret. She is the saving hope of Israel.

Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.)

                Looking up, Jesus saw rich men putting their gifts into the treasury. He also saw a poor widow putting in two coins. He said, “Truly, I tell you that this widow has put in more than all the others. The others have given from their abundance but she has given all that she had to live on.”

Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)

  1. Jesus sees deeper than the surface actions.
  2. He knows what happens in each one’s heart.
  3. The rich give from abundance. Their hearts are still attached to their wealth.
  4. The widow is different. She is attached only to God. She empties herself, and trusts in God.
  5. She is an image of Jesus. In a few days, he will lay down his life for the world.

Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)

  • Jesus, do not let my heart grow hardened.
  • Do not allow money to rob me of your Kingdom.
  • Remove my hypocrisy. Purify my inmost desires.
  • Give me an inner truth, always loyal and generous to you.
  • Detach me from my wealth. Let me not cling to my possessions. Empty me.
  • I give you everything. Nothing will come between us.

Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)

+ I will examine my use of money.

+ I will be totally honest and sincere in all my financial dealings.

Thought For The Day: (To recall your meditation.)

She has given from her need. All she had to live on.