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Give Your YES This Lent to Our Lady

As a new Catholic convert in 2010, I didn’t yet grasp that I was stepping into a journey—the journey—of the soul. Though I had been baptized and had spent over a decade attending Sunday Mass with my husband and children, actively participating in the liturgy, I hadn’t reached a point of true surrender. I hadn’t fully reconciled that my life was no longer my own. It wasn’t until my Confirmation that I began to understand: I had been ransomed, purchased by the boundless love of Jesus Christ, so that through the gift of Baptism, I’m adopted—fully chosen—into His family. Looking back, I see that time of conversion as a kind of honeymoon phase, alive with the same vibrancy and excitement I felt in my marriage. How generous God is to reveal His life to us through the sacrament of Holy Matrimony.

Something truly striking occurred during the “honeymoon” phase of my conversion. While I was in adoration, basking in the newness of my faith, the Lord quietly spoke to my heart. He invited me to deepen my love for Him by turning to His Mother. I was kneeling in adoration, the Blessed Sacrament glowing softly before me, when a whisper brushed my heart: “Learn to love Me more.” How? I would plead… “go ask my Mother.”

Now, as a newbie Catholic, this threw me for a loop. Mary? I’d seen those pious folks clutching their rosaries, eyes misty with devotion, and—forgive me—I’d judged them. Out of ignorance, of course. I didn’t get it. So, I ignored that whisper for months. I was too busy savoring my shiny new sacramental life, fresh out of RCIA, and this nudge felt like a chore I didn’t sign up for. What did Jesus even want me to do with it?

Then, one day, while gazing at the Blessed Sacrament in adoration, I gave in with a quiet, simple “yes” .

That YES plunged me into something indescribable… it gave me a new perspective, another side of the God’s Merciful Love, which gave me another side of myself, my identity. My YES to Mary allowed me to look at the hard stuff, the ugly stuff in my life that needed maternal tenderness. Jesus knows we need a mother, and so the first place he wanted to take me was to Her. That single word, YES, has since transformed my entire life. Why? Because God’s plan can unfold in our souls when we surrender our will. Who better to give everything to than the one who gave us everything!

This quiet whispering YES started small with the Pilgrim Queen Visits. Picture this: Our Lady of Guadalupe home shrine (we also have a Flame of Love Traveling Queen), coming to our house each month like a royal guest. My family gathered—awkwardly at first—rosaries in hand, praying to honor Jesus and His Mother. Those visits lit a spark in our domestic church, warming our hearts to something bigger. But the real game-changer? Marian Consecration. That same day I whispered my yes in adoration, Jesus made it crystal clear: This is what I want for you. Not just a casual nod to Mary, but a full-on, heart-in-hands surrender.

Marian Consecration cracked me open. It wasn’t easy. In fact it took me three years—three years!—of wrestling, praying, and leaning into Her before I could hand over everything, my marriage, my children, my life. It taught me to love more sacrificially then ever before. Giving Mary my hurts and battles allowed me to give without counting the cost. I knew that now, my meager offerings were mighty in the hands of Mother Mary and i wanted to do more and more to serve and “offer it up”.

All this is not just reserved for me, Mary is your Mother too! Mary is the Mother of all humanity and as the dispenser of grace, all people of goodwill may consecrate their lives to Mary, just as all are invite to receive the Flame of Love!

“Our entire perfection consists in being conformed, united and consecrated to Jesus Christ. Hence the most perfect of all devotions is undoubtedly that which conforms, unites and consecrates us most perfectly to Jesus Christ. Now, since Mary is of all creatures the one most conformed to Jesus Christ, it follows that among all devotions that which most consecrates and conforms a soul to our Lord is devotion to Mary, his Holy Mother, and that the more a soul is consecrated to her the more it will be consecrated to Jesus Christ.” St Louis de Montfort

Following Marian Consecration, I received the Flame of Love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. If Marian Consecration was the door, this was the fire inside! It’s Jesus Himself, blazing out from Mary’s heart, a gift so simple yet so torrential as it’s meant for every soul—Baptized or not. She obtained this grace to blind Satan, to pull hearts back to her Son, to knit us all together. It’s not complicated, but it’s everything. Grace helps us desire virtue and to love one another with family or familial love as children of God. This level of love will magnify the urgency in a soul to spread the Flame of Love even more! Constantly invoking Mary’s Maternal Flame into everyone and everything, spreading it heart to heart.

Anthony Mullen, First US National Coordinator of the Flame of Love IHM and founder of Children of the Father, writes;

“The reality is that we regularly fail to see our dear Lord in each person, especially those who are different or whom we do not connect with, or those who have traits which turn us off or displease us. But Charity is the essential Virtue, it is the whole key to the spiritual life and the transforming union we seek!”

Anthony was an international advocate of Marion Consecration and his foundation was instrumental in leading not thousands, but over a million souls to Jesus through Mary! Unfortunately, his website is no longer active, but I encourage you to read his blog. I often consult his writing and ask his intercession for us, may he rest in peace.

Through Marian Consecration and the Flame of Love IHM we ask Mary to extinguish sin and darkness from our lives and that’s exactly what She does! On March 25th,  Holy Mother Church honors Our Lady’s YES on the Solemnity of the Annunciation of Our Lord. This solemnity is perfectly placed at the half way point of Lent this year and I can’t help but think that this echoes consolation right from Mary’s heart, saying YES… KEEP GOING TOWARDS MY SON. And so, I say yes again and invite you this Lent to join me and many others on this journey of Marian Consecration through the method of St. Louis de Montfort and Elizabeth Kindelmann. FIAT!

Thank you for your dedication in spreading the Flame of Love Immaculate Heart of Mary. Praying for and with you all.

Jill Metz

USA National Director

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SET ABLAZE the FULLNESS of GRACE!

THIS LENT, JOIN US for TOTAL CONSECRATION to MARY

SET ABLAZE the FULLNESS of GRACE!

Starting March 11th and ending on Palm Sunday, April 13th –Anniversary date that Elizabeth Kindelmann was given the Flame of Love

As Lent approaches, we invite you to TOTAL CONSECRATION to Jesus through Mary in the Flame of Love—a perfect renewal of our Baptismal vows. Accompanied by St. Louis de Montfort’s “Total Consecration,” we walk with Elizabeth Kindelmann as we witness her journey toward spiritual maturity. Marian Consecration and the Flame of Love are intertwined because consecration gives Mother Mary our fiat to form Christ, within us. The Flame of Love, Jesus coming from Her Immaculate Heart, blinds satan and brings the Triumph of her Immaculate Heart.

This is Heaven’s gift. Are you ready to receive it?

Join us for a transformative 33-day TOTAL CONSECRATION to Jesus through Mary in the Flame of Love from March 11th to April 13th (Palm Sunday, the anniversary of Elizabeth Kindelmann receiving the Flame of Love). This promises to be unlike any other, SETTING ABLAZE the FULLNESS OF GRACE within us.

  “As all perfection consists in our being conformed, united and consecrated to Jesus, it naturally follows that the most perfect of all devotions is that which conforms, unites and consecrates us most completely to Jesus.  Now of all God’s creatures, Mary is the most conformed to Jesus.  It therefore follows that of all devotions, devotion to her makes for the most effective consecration and conformity to Him.  The more one is consecrated to Mary, the more one is consecrated to Jesus.  That is why perfect consecration to Jesus is but a perfect and complete consecration of oneself to the Blessed Virgin, which is the devotion I teach; or in other words, it is the perfect renewal of the vows and promises of Holy Baptism.” St. Louis de Montfort

OPTIONAL/ You may READ the Daily Consecration & Prayers – St . Louis de Montfort

* Having a book is not necessary to join us for Marian Consecration because you may listen to the readings each day. SKIP TO LISTEN if you have no book>>>>

Choose any of the following books to accompany the Diary.

Flame of Love Spiritual Diary of Elizabeth Kindelmann

+ Preparation for Total Consecration Paperback – January 1, 2008 by St. Louis Marie de Montfort (Author)

+ Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary: The 33 Day Method of Prayer & Meditation According to St. Louis de Montfort Hardcover – May 20, 2019 by Louis de Montfort (Author)

+ Preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus Christ Through Mary: According to St. Louis DeMontfort by Fr. Hugh Gillespie SMM (Author)

If you find listening more effective than reading, use this PDF file to access FREE YouTube video links to the Daily Readings. Reflections and Prayers according to St. Louis de Montfort.

YOUTUBE PLAYLIST of the 33 Day Preparation to Consecration
Click the calendar and then the day of the month to listen to the audio of the daily prayers and reading of St Louis de Montfort, Total Consecration.

Be sure to subscribe today to Facebook for Daily Posts , Instagram, and YouTube for Weekly Series so you can join us! These daily reflections will highlight the passages and messages from the Spiritual Diary of Elizabeth Kindelmann. *If you are not subscribed to FACEBOOK or INSTAGRAM, unfortunately you will not be able to access the daily reflections.

WATCH ON YOUTUBE, SUNDAYS OF LENT 7pm ET!

Together, let us embrace these Flame of Love practices this Lent, it will water the soil of our hearts so it may grow and bear fruit toward a stronger and loving relationship with Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother.

In the Spiritual Diary of Elizabeth Kindlemann, Jesus and Mary teach us how to amend our lives through reparation and of course, a lot of grace!

Perhaps you are just learning about the Flame of Love, or you have not yet put into practice some of the devotional elements. Lent is the perfect time to fan the Flame and incorporate these practices.

Flame of Love Devotional Practices and Prayers:

1. Memorize the Unity Prayer and pray it throughout the day.

Jesus said, “Through this prayer, Satan will be blind and souls will not be led into sin.“

Page 25 of the Full Diary

The Unity Prayer illuminates the path to Calvary. Praying it, we unite with Jesus and share His cross. Let us learn this prayer that allows us to blind Satan and save souls.

2. Enter into the Weekly Agenda

Jesus: “My daughter, I’m now going to specify how each day of the week should be allocated. . . . Come, if you have time. If you have plenty of it, tell Me. The decision is yours. I respect your free will completely. You flatter Me if you abandon it spontaneously to Me.“

Page 24 Full Diary

Have you considered how you spend your days in light of Jesus and Mary’s call in the diary? Now is the perfect time to start! Even small steps, like dedicating one day a week, can make a difference

3. Pray with others in a Cenacle of Reparation

There are many opportunities to join us in prayer during Lent and the entire year. We have on-line virtual prayer groups and in-person groups though out the entire world! When we come together to pray, Mary pours out Her Flame of Love Graces over all of humanity and satan is blinded.

Find a Cenacle that you can attend during Lent.

Join Us for our Monthly National Cenacle.

4. Pray a Night Vigil in the Perpetual Vigil Room

A night prayer vigil can be offered for 5 minutes or 5 hours! Some people set their alarms to wake in the night, others awaken on their own. There is no right or wrong way to pray in a night vigil. All that is needed is our desire to do so for the sake of love.

Pray for guidance on how to offer your Lenten sacrifices. Ask for the grace to discern what you can do in your current circumstances. If you’re thinking about fasting, the Weekly Agenda can offer helpful suggestions.

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2025 Global Theme is Announced

International Director Announces 2025 Theme…

As I write, most of you will have passed into 2025. Here in New York, we are still keeping vigil for the great Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – an utterly astounding title. Yes, I never cease to be astounded by the first chapter of both the Gospel of Saint John and his first letter. The depth of love, of condescension, of humility is incomprehensible.

This love is so poignantly portrayed in Saint Paul’s words to Timothy when he tells is that God “desires all men to be saved.” (I Timothy 2:4) Yet we know that, like the Pharisees in Luke 7:30, man in his freedom can frustrate the plan of God since, for love to be perfect, it must be free.

And this same poignant and powerful proclamation of love is echoed in the heart and cry of our Blessed Mother in the first words she speaks when she gives the Flame of Love of her Immaculate Heart for the first time on April 13, 1962 and which provides our theme for this new year: “There is so much sin in the country. Help me to save it!” Yes, “HELP ME SAVE THE COUNTRY!”

I hear this cry in my ears every morning when I awaken. Each night, I need to answer Jesus: “Take part in My redeeming work without ceasing. Don’t ask how. Desire that My Kingdom come for you and for every soul. When you go to retire for the night, look over your entire day: What have you done for the coming of My Kingdom?” April 20, 1962

My dearest brothers and sisters, we are compelled by this same love (II Cor 5:14). What a sublime calling! I feel very strongly and I know that Győző feels the same, that the most important thing we can do right now to answer our Blessed Mother’s call to “Help me save the country” is to ensure all of our people, all of our cenacles, understand the scope and the purpose of the Flame of Love – “Help me save the COUNTRY”.

If our people believe that the goal is to create prayer groups for a new prayer devotion or that the goal is to enhance our own spirituality, that is exactly what we will do and we will have a rapidly growing, spiritually powerful prayer devotion. That’s not “Help me save the country”. Please don’t misunderstand me. Our prayer cenacles are important and powerful. Our family cenacles are even more important but they are the matches and not the fire. They are the tools and not the goal. If we only focus on the tool, we will not achieve the goal.

Not everyone in the world will join a Flame of Love cenacle nor every person in the Church – there are many other jobs to be done in the Church besides participating in a Flame of Love cenacle. But everyone in the Church and in the world needs The Flame of Love! “You must strive for the blinding of Satan, which we will accomplish with the coordinated strength of the whole world.” November 27, 1963

When we all start pulling together in the same direction – through prayer, sacrifice, desire, and, where we can, labor for the Flame of Love to light in all hearts, (“So line up side by side, because the flame burning by hellish hatred will break on the power of sacrifice and prayer. The evil ones will be driven back more and more, their flame burning by hatred will go out, and the light of my Flame of Love will fill every part of the world.” December 6, 1964), then we can help our Blessed Mother “light in the entire country the flame full of grace, which I have given you from my Heart. This will be the miracle which catches fire and will blind Satan.” April 13, 1962.

So please help every one of our people in each one of your countries understand and work toward the goal – not just to pray, sacrifice, and desire that people join our prayer cenacles but to pray, sacrifice, and desire that the Flame of Love light in all hearts in our countries. With all our being, let us answer our Blessed Mother’s cry: “HELP ME SAVE THE COUNTRY!” That is our theme for 2025.

In case you find it helpful, I have posted the above portion of this email to https://www.flameoflove.info/posts/help-me-save-the-country/

John Sullivan

International Director

Flame of Love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

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Calling all FIRE STARTERS!

VIRTUAL Inquiry Meeting for National Volunteers

Calling All Fire Starters!

Tuesday, November 12th @ 8:00 pm ET  

or

Saturday, November 16th @ 11:00 am ET

We are offering this inquiry meeting to share information about the growth of the movement in the US and looking to connect with those of you who may have a calling in their hearts to offer MORE, but are not sure where to start. Unite with us to help spread the Flame!

“Try to serve Me even better. Don’t forget. There should not be even one hair between us. There is much to do and few laborers. With all your strength, remain continually in My redeeming work. You will not be paid less because you came later than those who arrived early. But, naturally, from you I require surrender and faithfulness that must last unto death, because it is the only way you can help from up there also. There, our hands will gather in unity.” Jesus to Elizabeth 

REGISTER
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JESUS LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

In 2024, we have been blessed by the tremendous growth of the Flame of Love IHM throughout the nation! As we approach Fall and begin considering events and materials for 2025, it has become clear that we have hit a critical need for donations.

Monsignor Ralph Chieffo, US Board President and former National Spiritual Advisor, encourages us to be cheerful givers as the Flame of Love IHM Movement ignites across the United States.

“I praise God the Father for sending us Jesus conceived in the womb of Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit.  This outpouring of divine love and mercy blesses us with the gift of salvation and a share in our divine call to be saints.  Living a sacramental life unites us to Christ and his Mother, the Church.  The gift we receive in his Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity is the gift we give to those hungering for meaning and purpose for their life.  Like our Blessed Mother, we can enkindle in others the Flame of Love, heart-to-heart. 

Elizabeth Kindelmann discovered that when she prayed for God’s plan for her life, Jesus blessed her with his divine presence in the Eucharist to grace and guide her to grow in faith, hope and love. In adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, she developed trust in clergy and laity to believe that our Lord chose her to receive and promote the messages of the Flame of Love.”

“Saint Paul encourages all disciples of Jesus Christ to rejoice in the Lord always and be a cheerful giver.  Only by offering to others the presence, power and peace flowing from the effects of the grace of the Flame of Love in our hearts can we be Missionary Disciples of Jesus and Mary.

As our membership grows, we need everyone to pray, share and financially support the rising cost of prayer cards, books and events to promote the Flame of Love.  Take time before the Blessed Sacrament to thank God for the blessings you have received and ask our Lord how you can spiritually and financially give back with a “cheerful spirit.”

“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

+++

The Flame of Love IHM Apostolate is World Wide and is 100% volunteer run! This is an incredible testimony of the Blessed Mother’s Cause for souls, as we witness the dedication of our leaders and all those who spread this great grace. The need for formation materials is mounting and our participation in larger National events is requested, yet extremely costly. If we want to continue to see the Flame of Love spread, we need your help and support. When you donate to the Flame of Love, you will ensure that this Flame continues to burn throughout our country by helping us to provide the resources for parishes and families.

What ever you can offer is greatly appreciated! If it is possible for you to offer a monthly donation, we humbly ask that you would consider this option. Having your committed support allows us to better plan for our future.

Please visit our DONATION page and THANK YOU for spreading the Flame of Love.

Dear Lord Jesus, everything that we have, was given to us from the abundance of Your Love so that we may share freely, never counting the cost. Thank you for taking care of us, Your little children, with great generosity. Amen.

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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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FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2026 – SECOND WEEK OF EASTER


FEEDING THE FIVE THOUSAND (Jn 6:1-15))

Prayer:


Come, Holy Spirit. Multiply your gifts within me.

Imagination:


Picture Jesus feeding the crowds.

Context:.

This multiplication of food is very important and is told in all four gospels. The Early Church loved this miracle because it prefigures Jesus’ gift of Eucharist. Why is this story told in Easter time? The miracle is a manifestation and at Easter Jesus is manifesting himself.

Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)

When Jesus looked up and saw the vast crowd, he asked Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for all to eat?” He said this to try him because he knew what he was going to do.
Philip replied, “Two hundred days’ wages is not enough to feed all these.” Andrew said, “A boy here has five barley loaves and two fishes, but what is that among so many?”
Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” He took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to the disciples. He did the same with the fish. When all had eaten, he told the disciples to gather up the fragments, which filled twelve baskets.
Realizing that they would try to make him King, Jesus fled to the mountain alone.

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

  1. Jesus is concerned about the crowd’s hunger.
  2. He decides what to do, but he allows the apostles to cooperate.
  3. Once they bring the loaves and fishes, Jesus can multiply them.
  4. Jesus looks up to heaven, blesses the food and breaks it. He will do these same actions again at the Last Supper. This miracle is a preview.
  5. Jesus brings all to completion. The people have their fill and twelve baskets are gathered up for us.

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

  • Jesus, I am your sheep, part of your flock.
  • O Lord, stay with me.
  • O Jesus, you care for all of my needs.
  • You bless me to overflowing.
  • Every day, you multiply the bread from heaven. Help me to love the Eucharist.
  • You are my King.
  • Take me to the mountain with you, Jesus.

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

+ Today, I will thank Jesus for his abundance.
+ My heart will seek the Bread of Life.

Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)

Seeing the vast crowd, Jesus wanted to feed them.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2026 – SECOND WEEK OF EASTER


NO RATIONING OF THE SPIRIT (Jn 3:31-36)

Prayer:


O Jesus pour out the fullness of your Spirit.

Imagination:


Picture Jesus teaching his disciples.

Context:.

John the Baptist was a great preacher but he knew only earthly truths. Jesus knows heaven and can speak about what he has seen in heaven. Jesus is not just an earthly Messiah. He “comes from above” and brings heavenly life.

Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)

The One who comes from above is above all. Whoever comes from earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. Whoever comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is truthful. The one whom God has sent speaks the words of God and God does not ration the Spirit.
The Father loves the Son and has given everything over into his hands. Whoever believes in the Son, has everlasting life. Whoever does not believe in the Son, will not see life because the wrath of God abides in him.

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

  1. Having come from heaven, Jesus brings all of heaven’s riches.
  2. Jesus has seen the Father. Having seen, he can testify.
  3. Jesus’ frustration is that no one believes his testimony.
  4. If people believed, the Father would pour out the Holy Spirit abundantly upon them.
  5. Believing in Jesus bestows eternal life.
  6. Not believing in Jesus closes the door to eternal life. God’s wrath is not removed.

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

  • Tell me about heaven, Jesus.
  • Bring me all of heaven’s treasures.
  • Pour out your fire. Do not ration your Holy Spirit.
  • You alone can give me eternal life.
  • O Jesus, bring me into the Father’s love. Remove me from his wrath.

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

+ I will think of the uniqueness of Jesus Christ.
+ I will open my heart today to a complete infilling of the Spirit.

Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)

God does not ration the Holy Spirit.

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The Spirit Is Never Rationed

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

Thursday of the Second Week of Easter

The Spirit Is Never Rationed

Jesus: “Do you see My hand begging for help, My little sister? Many turn their eyes away so they do not have to bear the sad look in My eyes. I am the One who draws close to them. But they just keep walking stubbornly the path of darkness. (Jesus)April 12, 1965)

Today’s Readings: Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.
For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.
He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.
The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,
but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life,
but the wrath of God remains upon him. (John 3)

Prayer Meditation- Lord when times are difficult it seems You are so far away and that You don’t see our struggles. And yet it is You Lord that always desires to draw close to us even as we walk in darkness. Lord Jesus, You were sent to Earth to bring us to The Father and Eternal Life. Lord, You ask us to believe, to trust and to obey even when it is really hard to see You in our pain. Lord, help us trust in You because You are trustworthy- You are close to the brokenhearted and the crushed in spirit You save (Psalm 34) because Your Spirit is never rationed but poured out in abundance to those who believe in Your Goodness.

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2026 – SECOND WEEK OF EASTER


SENT INTO THE WORLD (Jn 3:16-21)

Prayer:


O Jesus, you were lifted up on the cross to save me.

Imagination:


Picture Jesus teaching Nicodemus.

Context:.

This gospel contains the famous John 3:16 verse about God so loving the world. It explains that God’s motive was to save, not to condemn. However, anyone who rejects this light is subject to God’s judgment.

Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)

Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up so that whoever believes in him may not perish, but may have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in him may not perish but may have everlasting life. God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved by him.
Whoever believes in him, will not be condemned but whoever does not believe in him is already condemned because he does not believe in the name of God’s only Son.
The Judgment is this. The light came into the world and men loved the darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who practices evil hates the light. He does not come near it so his deeds are not exposed. But whoever acts in truth comes into the light so his works can be clearly seen as done in the light.

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

  1. When the Israelites in the desert disobeyed God, they grew sick from a serpent’s bite.
  2. God provided the remedy. When Moses nailed a bronze serpent to a cross, whoever gazed on it was saved. (Numbers C21)
  3. This story prefigured Jesus being lifted up on the cross to save us.
  4. God sent Jesus because “he so loved the world”.
  5. Through faith in Jesus, all can be saved.
  6. Jesus is the eternal light.
  7. Evil people do not want this light. It reveals their deeds.
  8. Good people rejoice to have their deeds revealed. They act in truth.

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

  • Jesus, you were lifted up on the cross for me.
  • Only your cross can save me from eternal death.
  • Father, loving me so much, you sacrificed your Son to save me.
  • I believe. I accept you, Jesus. You are the Father’s only begotten Son.
  • Come Jesus. Reveal my heart. Make me a child of light.
  • Open my heart to light and truth.

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

+ I will thank Jesus for dying on the cross.
+ I will bring all my sins into Jesus’ light.

Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.

image Meditations

For God So Loved The World

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

Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter


For God So Loved The World


“My little one, I want that not one soul be damned. You should want this together with me. For this purpose, I place in your hands a beam of light that is the Flame of Love of my heart.” (Mary) (January 15, 1964)


Today’s Readings:

 For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. (John 3)


Prayer Meditation: O Lord ,You so loved us and still love us that You have given everything for us so that we will have eternal life. Your love does not change and today is the time of mercy- let us not miss the time of our visitation and let us pray and sacrifice for those who feel so lost right now. May all know that You have loved the world and that those who believe will not be condemned but have eternal life! Lord Jesus, we pray for conversion of hearts and souls!

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TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2026 – SECOND WEEK OF EASTER


THE QUESTIONING NICODEMUS (Jn 3:7-15)

Prayer:


O Jesus, let me come to you for wisdom.

Imagination:


Picture Jesus teaching Nicodemus.

Context:.

Nicodemus is a trained Jewish scholar. His questions to Jesus contrast the Jewish faith with the mysteries of Christ. His questions allow Jesus to explain these truths. If Nicodemus cannot understand the mystery of the Holy Spirit, how can he understand the Trinity.

Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)

Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Do not be surprised that I said to you that you must be born again. The spirit breathes where he will and you hear his voice but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone born of the spirit.
Nicodemus asked, “How can this happen?” Jesus said, “Are you a teacher in Israel and you do not know these things?” Amen, amen, I say to you. We speak what we know and we testify to what we have seen but you do not receive our testimony. If I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe when I speak to you about heavenly things?
No one has ascended into heaven except the one who has descended from heaven, the Son of Man who is in heaven. Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up so that whoever believes in him may not perish but may have everlasting life.”

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

  1. “Being born from above” is receiving the Holy Spirit in Baptism.
  2. After Baptism, the Spirit leads the believer wherever he chooses, (like the wind blowing).
  3. Nicodemus is confused because these Christian truths go far beyond the Jewish faith.
  4. The early Church easily understands them and gladly explains them to the world.
  5. Jesus’ heavenly role as Son of Man goes beyond Baptism and the Spirit’s indwelling.
  6. Jesus even describes his own death which will bestow eternal life.

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

  • O Jesus, help me to be born again.
  • Pour out your Holy Spirit.
  • I will let your Spirit lead me wherever he wishes.
  • You are lifted up on the cross. You died for me.
  • You have ascended to heaven so I can ascend with you.
  • Without you, I perish. With you, I have everlasting life.

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

+ I will ask to receive the Holy Spirit today.
+ I will think of Jesus in heavenly glory and ask for eternal life.

Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)

We speak what we know and we testify to what we have seen.

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MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2026 – SECOND WEEK OF EASTER


NICODEMUS (Jn 3:1-13)

Prayer:


O Jesus, help me to grow in faith.

Imagination:


Picture Nicodemus speaking with Jesus.

Context:.

Nicodemus appears in three different stories in John’s gospel. In this meditation, we will use all three because they show his growth into discipleship.

Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)

Scene One (Jn 3:1-10): Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.” Jesus said, “No one can see the Kingdom of God without being born from above.” Since Nicodemus did not understand, Jesus went on, “No one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of the water and the Spirit.” Nicodemus answered, “How can this happen?” Jesus responded, “You are a teacher is Israel and you do not understand this?”

Scene Two (Jn 7:50-56): The Pharisees were accusing Jesus. Nicodemus, who had come to him earlier, said to them, “Does our law condemn a person before it first hears him and find out what he is doing?” They said, “You are not from Galilee also, are you?”

Scene Three (Jn 19:38-39): Joseph of Arimathea, secretly a disciple of Jesus, came and took Jesus’ body down from the cross. Nicodemus, the one who had first come to him at night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighing about a hundred pounds.”

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

  1. Fearful about what others might think, Nicodemus comes secretly at night.
  2. He does not have a full understanding of Jesus. He calls him a “Rabbi” and knows only that he is a teacher who performs some signs.
  3. This first meeting seemingly has no results. Nicodemus makes no act of faith and does not become a disciple.
  4. In the second scene, he gains some boldness. He confronts the Pharisees and speaks in Jesus’ defense.
  5. In the final scene, Nicodemus casts off all his fears and publicly shows that he loves Jesus.
  6. He is now a disciple and an important help in Jesus’ burial.

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

  • Jesus, I do not know you fully.
  • My natural powers cannot comprehend you.
  • I am filled with fears, but I desire to come to You.
  • Still my heart and reveal yourself.
  • Plant your seeds of conversion within me.
  • Claim my thoughts and feelings for yourself.
  • As your presence grows, I will become bold.
  • Some day, I will openly tell the world that I am Your disciple.

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

+ I will pay attention to God’s inner stirrings.
+ I will grow in discipleship, even if it is hidden from others.

Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)

The one who came only at night, later joined Jesus at His cross.

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SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2026 – SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER, DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY


JESUS BESTOWS THE SPIRIT (Jn 20:19-23)

Prayer:


O Jesus, breathe upon me and anoint me with your Spirit.

Imagination:


Picture Jesus appearing to his disciples in the Upper Room.

Context:.

This vision occurs on Easter Sunday evening and reveals many truths. By coming through a closed door, Jesus clearly shows that he has a risen, glorified body. Showing his hands and his side proves that he is the crucified Jesus, born of Mary. His final action of bestowing the Spirit is really a Pentecost. Instead of bestowing the gift of tongues, the Spirit gives the greater power of forgiving sins.

Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)

On the first day of the week, when the disciples were gathered in the upper room, the doors were locked for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

He said to them again, “Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Having said this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you shall forgive are forgiven them. Whose sins you shall retain are retained.”

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

  1. In his mortal life, Jesus never came through locked doors. His glorified body has greater powers.
  2. Seeing his hands and side, the disciples rejoice immediately. They know who Jesus is.
  3. Before anything else, Jesus gives the disciples inner stillness, “Peace be with you”.
  4. Filled with peace, they are ready to receive the Holy Spirit.
  5. This is Pentecost! Jesus breathes on them and pours out the Holy Spirit of forgiveness.
  6. This power to forgive will remain in the Church until the end of time.

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

  • O Jesus, how fearful I am.
  • Come quickly, Jesus, even though my doors are closed.
  • Fill me with your stillness of peace.
  • Joy! I experience joy when you come.
  • Breathe on me. Send the Spirit into my heart.
  • O Jesus, your forgiveness is your greatest gift to me.

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

+ I will ask Jesus to send me His Spirit.
+ I will seek forgiveness in the sacrament.

Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)

The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

image Meditations

Amazing Grace-How Can It Be?

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

Divine Mercy Sunday

Amazing Grace How Can It Be?

This is an immense grace. How can I receive it? The grave doubt concerning this grace granted to me and my companion weighs upon my soul. Is this coming from my pride? At other times, it seems that the Blessed Virgin said nothing at all. In one word, I really do not understand. Maybe I doubt because my pride does not allow me to believe. “There is no need to believe everything.” (Elizabeth) (September 7-8, 1962)

Today’s Readings: Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” (John 20)

Prayer Meditation- O Lord, today is Divine Mercy Sunday. We thank You, we bless You, we adore You and we glorify You! Because today if we have gone to confession and have repented of our sins, receive You in a state of Grace today, venerate Your Divine Mercy image and completely trust in You all our sins will not only be forgiven but even the temporal punishment due to our sins is removed. Are we hearing You Lord- our sins will be totally gone! Gone as if we had a new baptism! And You will never remember them again! (Isaiah 43:25). And yet despite this extraordinary Gift and Grace, how many really receive it in love for the Love that never gives up and never lets go! How many bring our doubts, our fears, our anxieties and hang ups that stop us from really believing that this is true. Or worse, those that remain indifferent and say “we do not have to believe everything”. How many sadly still do not know what Divine Mercy is all about? O Lord, as You told Saint Faustina, Oh, how much I am hurt by a soul’s distrust! Such a soul professes that I am Holy and Just, but does not believe that I am Mercy and does not trust in My Goodness.  O Lord, we pray that all who take part in Divine Mercy Sunday tomorrow receive what You have to pour into our souls, Your Divine Mercy, with thanksgiving and love not only for ourselves but as if all received You pleading mercy, salvation, and sanctification of all souls! Jesus we trust in You and we cannot thank You enough!

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Happy Easter from International Spiritual Advisor

Dear brothers and sisters of the Movement of the Flame of Love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. May the peace of Our Risen Lord be with you all.Imagine the scene described in the Gospel of Matthew 28:1–10. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary walk toward the tomb at the first light of dawn.

They go with heavy hearts, wrapped in sadness and pain, expecting to find death. However, suddenly the earth trembles, an angel descends, and the large stone is rolled away.

The angel delivers the news that would change the entire history of humanity: “He is not here, for He has risen.” That message transforms their deep fear into overflowing joy.

Dear friends, as they hurry to bring the news to the apostles, the risen Jesus himself comes out to meet them. He appears before them, alive and glorious.

His first words to them are a balm of comfort and strength: “Rejoice!” and “Do not be afraid.” Jesus dispels the darkness from their hearts with the brilliant light of his presence.

This transformative encounter with the living Christ is not merely a beautiful historical memory. It is precisely the intimate experience the Lord desires us to have in our lives today.

Brothers and sisters, the tradition of our Church teaches us how to live this through the revelations given to Elizabeth Kindelmann, the humble mother and widow from Hungary.

In her “Spiritual Diary,” Elizabeth recorded the words of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. They revealed to her the immense spiritual gift of the Flame of Love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Our heavenly Mother explained to her that this “Flame of Love” is not an abstract idea. The Flame of Love is Jesus Christ Himself, the Risen Lord who desires to burn within us.

The purpose of this divine flame is to blind Satan, pour abundant graces upon humanity, and give us the courage necessary to live the Gospel every day.

Just as Jesus comforted the women in the Gospel, He also said to Elizabeth in the midst of her enormous difficulties: “Do not be afraid. My Sacred Heart will be your refuge.”

My friends, we too often walk toward the tomb of our daily worries. We are weighed down by family problems, the uncertainty of the future, and the evils of the modern world.

Sometimes we feel that darkness is winning the battle in our society. But the Risen Lord comes out to meet us today in the midst of life’s difficult path.

He says to each of us: “Do not be afraid.” He asks us to allow the Flame of His Love, which comes through Mary, to ignite our weary hearts.

Dear family, the mission that Jesus gave to the women that Easter morning is now our own mission. He told them clearly: “Go and tell my brothers.”
We too are called to pass on this Flame of Love in our homes. We cannot hide our faith or keep the saving grace of the Resurrection only for ourselves.

And where do we find the strength and grace to be these messengers of light? We find it at the sacred altar before us during Holy Mass.

Where the bread and wine will be transformed into the glorious Christ Himself. The Eucharist is Jesus truly alive, the very One who embraced the women along the way.

When we receive Holy Communion, we are directly receiving the pure fire of His Flame of Love. He enters within us to strengthen us, console us, and heal our wounds.

My brothers and sisters, as we approach the Eucharistic table in our parishes, let us leave all our anxieties behind. Let us receive Jesus with the same deep adoration and joy as those women on the first Easter.

May His divine light dispel all fear from our lives forever. Let us go forth ablaze with love, ready to proclaim to the world that He has truly risen. Amen.
HAPPY EASTER!

Fr. Jorge

International Spiritual Advisor Flame of Love IHM Movement

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SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2026 – SATURDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER


REBUKING THE DISCIPLES (Mk 16:9-15)

Prayer:


O Jesus, heal my lack of faith.

Imagination:


Picture Jesus gathered with his disciples at table.

Context:.

Mark summarizes the Easter visions. Jesus rose and appeared to Mary Magdalen. She told the disciples. He appeared to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. They, too, announced the good news but the other disciples did not believe. When Jesus comes, he has to rebuke them for lack of faith.

Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)

Jesus rose from the dead early on the first day of the week, appearing first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. She went and told his disciples who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that he was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe. Later on, as two disciples were walking in the country, he appeared to them, totally changed in appearance. They told the disciples also, but they did not believe them either.
Finally, he appeared to the eleven as they were at table. He rebuked them for their lack of faith and hardness of heart because they did not believe those who had seen him after he had risen. He said to them, “Go into the whole world and preach the gospel to every creature.”

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

  1. Mark recounts Jesus’ appearances so we believe.
  2. Everyone who saw Jesus told the story to the disciples.
  3. The evidence mounts up, but they refuse to open their minds.
  4. Finally, Jesus has to come. He loves the disciples and wants them to have faith.
  5. At the same time, he must confront their hard hearts which continually stayed closed.
  6. In spite of this, Jesus chooses them to be his messengers to all the world.
  7. Their great success in preaching justifies Jesus’ faith in them.

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

  • O Jesus, I know the stories of your rising. The evidence overwhelms me.
  • Thank you, Jesus, for dying and rising for me.
  • You come to me. You sit at table. You give me your Body and your Blood.
  • You commission me. You send me. You say “Tell the whole world.”
  • I will preach. I will witness. I will tell everyone. Certainly, some will believe.
  • Come, Lord Jesus, come soon.

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

+ I will thank Jesus for the abundant evidence that he rose from the dead.
+ I will also study his many more apparitions, (Sacred Heart and Divine mercy).

Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)

While they were at table, Jesus was revealed to the Eleven.

image Meditations

Until The Whole World Hears

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

Saturday in the Octave of Easter

Until The Whole World Hears

 “With this Flame full of graces that I give you from my heart, ignite all the hearts in the entire country. Let this Flame go from heart to heart. This is the miracle becoming the blaze whose dazzling light will blind Satan. This is the fire of love of union which I obtained from the heavenly Father through the merits of the wounds of my Divine Son.” (Mary) (April 13, 1962)

Today’s Readings:

He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16)


Prayer Meditation- Lord, You have commissioned us to go out and preach the Gospel to every creature. In this time of present darkness, You have given us even more abundant grace through the Flame of Love Devotion- may the Flame in our hearts become a fire so that every heart will be open to receiving Your Divine Mercy which is the heart of the Gospel! Come Lord Jesus!

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FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2026 – FRIDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER


VISION AT THE SEA OF GALILEE (Jn 21:1-14)

Prayer:


O Jesus, make me aware of your presence.

Imagination:


Picture Jesus standing on the shore at the Sea of Galilee.

Context:.

Jesus had appeared to the apostles in Jerusalem on Easter Sunday and then to the doubting Thomas. This is the third recorded vision in John’s gospel. Since Jesus had promised to appear also in Galilee, the apostles return there and resume fishing. John carefully records the seven apostles who see the risen Jesus.

Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)

Jesus showed himself again at the Sea of Galilee. Simon Peter said to Thomas, Nathanael of Cana, the sons of Zebedee and two others, “I am going fishing.” They replied “We will come with you.” However, all night they caught nothing.
In the morning, Jesus stood on the shore. However, they did not recognize him. He called out to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” “No” they answered. “Throw your nets to the right side of the boat and you will find something.” When they did, they caught so many fish that they could not pull them in.
The disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When he heard it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment (he was lightly clad) and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the ship dragging the net with their fishes.

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

  1. Peter is the leader. The other six are blessed by going with him.
  2. The Beloved Disciple (who wrote this gospel), is a witness to this event.
  3. Their natural knowledge and skill profit nothing. The nets are empty.
  4. Although they do not recognize this mysterious figure on the shore, they obey his words.
  5. This miracle reveals to the Beloved Disciple that “it is the Lord.”
  6. Peter believes the Beloved Disciple and plunges into the sea.
  7. Although the others arrive in a more conventional way, they, also experience Jesus’ third appearance.

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

  • O Jesus, keep me united with Peter and the Church. This is how I will be blessed.
  • Make me of one mind and heart with your other disciples.
  • Speak to me, Lord. Show me where to fish.
  • You stand on the shore and get my attention. O Jesus, you see all my difficulties.
  • Give me the sensitive faith of the Beloved Disciple.
  • Fill me with the enthusiasm of Peter.
  • May I always experience your presence.

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

+ I will join with others who search for Jesus.
+ I will listen to Jesus’ words.

Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)

“Have you caught anything to eat? Throw your nets to the right side.”

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THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2026 – THURSDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER


JESUS IN THE UPPER ROOM (Lk 35:48)

Prayer:


O Jesus, flood my soul with faith.

Imagination:


Picture Jesus in the Upper Room with his disciples.

Context:.

The disciples have heard the news about Jesus’ rising, but when Jesus actually comes, they experience fear and even disbelief. Slowly, he proves to them that he is truly risen. The skepticism of the disciples in these resurrection stories shows that they needed proof to believe. This helps our own faith.

Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)

While all the disciples were still speaking, Jesus appeared in their midst and said, “Peace be to you. It is I, do not be afraid.” However, they were troubled and fearful, thinking that they saw a ghost.
He asked, “Why are you troubled and why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet. See that it is I myself. Touch and see. A ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” Saying this, he showed them his hands and feet.
They were still incredulous because of joy and were amazed. He asked, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him some broiled fish which he ate in their midst. He said, “I told you, while I was with you, that everything written in the law of Moses, in the prophets and in the psalms concerning me had to be fulfilled.” He opened their minds to understand the scriptures.

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

  1. The disciples take a step backward. Before Jesus appears, they were talking about his rising. Now, they grow fearful and troubled.
  2. Jesus is patient and gives them signs.
  3. He repeats his plea “See that it is I myself.”
  4. This is too good to be true. Jesus has to show them his hands and his feet.
  5. He eats food so they know he is not a ghost.
  6. He reminds them of all the fulfilled prophecies.
  7. Jesus battles for their minds and hearts.
  8. He loves them and chose them to carry the message to the world.

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

  • Jesus, you can come to me at anytime.
  • You are so patient with my slowness to believe.
  • Do not let anxieties destroy my faith.
  • Your rising from the dead is no myth. You are flesh and blood.
  • O Jesus, you are always concerned, always asking, “Why are you troubled?”
  • Jesus, You are risen. Almost too good to be true!

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

+ I will ponder the remarkable truth that Jesus of Nazareth has risen from the dead.
+ I will believe that he will raise me up to glory.

Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)

Why do questions arise in your heart?

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2026 – WEDNESDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER


TWO DISCIPLES LEAVING JERUSALEM TO EMMAUS (Lk 24:13)

Prayer:


O Jesus, restore my hope.

Imagination:


Picture Jesus with these two disciples.

Context:.

This is the longest story of any Easter vision and presents a model for Christian initiation. In this first part we see the disciples’ sadness and dejection. They are walking away from being disciples.

Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)

Two disciples left Jerusalem to go to Emmaus, discussing all that had happened. Jesus joined them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
“What are you discussing?” Jesus asked. Cleopas responded, “Are you the only one in Jerusalem who does not know the things that happened?” “What things?” Jesus asked.
“Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a prophet powerful in word and deed, before God and all the people. Our chief priests and rulers delivered him to death and crucified him. We were hoping that he would redeem all Israel.
Also, this is the third day and some women of our group astounded us. Before dawn, they were at the tomb. They did not find the body but said they had seen angels who said he was alive. Some of our number went to the tomb. They found it just as the women said, but did not find him.”

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

  1. Without God, our happiness depends upon events that are outside of our control.
  2. These two disciples see only one choice. They leave Jerusalem and abandon their dream.
  3. In their despair, they cannot recognize Jesus. They can only talk about these events.
  4. Cleopas is even annoyed that this stranger doesn’t know what happened.
  5. The whole story seemingly ends in confusion.  The tomb is empty.  Angels have spoken.  Some have seen the empty tomb but no one has seen Jesus.

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

  • O Jesus, do not let external events control my life.
  • Jesus, if I lose you, I will lose my dream.
  • Draw near, Lord Jesus. My life is in shambles and all is in confusion.
  • Stay with me, even if I do not recognize you.
  • When life crushes all my dreams, you are my only hope.

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

+ I will place all my hope in the Risen Jesus.
+ I will not abandon the dreams which Jesus has given me.

Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)

We were hoping that he would redeem all Israel.

image Meditations

Were Not Our Hearts Burning Within Us

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

Wednesday in the Octave of Easter

Were Not Our Hearts Burning Within Us

What would I not give to you? Ask! Just ask! I will make up royally for your lunch. I offer the stream of My Heart’s love to all who discover My hand asking for help. (He confided so much about what concerned me.) Now I fill your heart with the feeling of My Divinity. Oh, that we might gather together as much as possible. (Jesus) (October 18, 1962)

Today’s Readings: Were not our hearts burning within us while He spoke on the way and opened the Scriptures to us? (Luke 24)


Prayer Meditation: O Lord as we walk the road with You may You come along beside us and open the Scriptures to us! Even when we don’t recognize You, You are always speaking to us and knocking on the door of our hearts (Revelation 3). But are we listening or are we stuck in whatever is in our heads- our grief, our fears, our anxieties and our own ideas about You? May You open our hearts to Your Word and may we always recognize You in the breaking of the bread! O Lord our hearts burn within us with the fire of Your Love!

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TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2026 – TUESDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER


MAGDALEN SEES JESUS (Jn 20:11-18)

Prayer:


Jesus, fill me with Magdalen’s love and devotion to you.

Imagination:


Picture Magdalen at the tomb with Jesus.

Context:.

This is a very rich text, containing many teachings for both devotion and doctrine. Magdalen stays at the empty tomb, thinking the body has been stolen. Jesus appears and reveals who he is. She grasps Jesus but Jesus tells her not to hold him because he is ascending to the Father. A new relationship now exists. Jesus is preparing the way to heaven.

Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)

After the disciples left, Magdalene remained at the tomb, weeping. When she looked into the tomb, she saw two angels dressed in white, one at the head and the other at the feet where the body of Jesus had been. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said, “Because they have taken away my Lord and I do not know where they have placed him.”
Turning around, she saw Jesus standing there, but did not know it was he. Jesus said, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for? Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have taken him, tell me where you have put him and I will take him away.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary”. She replied, “Rabboni (meaning “Master”). Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father. Go to my brothers and tell them, “I am ascending to my Father and to your Father, to my God and your God.” Mary went and told the disciples, “I have seen the Lord and these are the things he has told me.”

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

  1. Magdalen’s love is greater than the two apostles. She alone stays at the tomb.
  2. She listens to her heart, not to her head.
  3. She acts quite irrationally.  She sees angels but doesn’t question why they are standing in the tomb.
  4. She sees a man and asks him to return the body (if he has stolen it.)
  5. Her physical eyes do not recognize Jesus because his glorified body has been transformed.
  6. However, she recognizes his voice.  Jesus, the good Shepherd, calls her by name.
  7. She embraces Jesus as if nothing has changed, but he is ascending to the Father.
  8. Everything is new.  The disciples are now Jesus’ brothers and sisters, and God is their Father.
  9. Magdalen becomes the Apostle to the Apostles – telling them that she had seen the Lord.

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

  • Where are you, Lord?
  • I am searching for you with all my heart.
  • I embrace you, Jesus.
  • You are ascending so that I can ascend with you.
  • Let my tears prepare for your coming.
  • Jesus, call me by name.
  • O Jesus, you have made God my Father.
  • Make me an apostle.  I will tell all my friends about your rising.

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

+ I will ask Jesus for Magdalene’s generosity.
+ I will listen for Jesus to call me by name.

Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)

They have taken away my Lord and I do not know where they have placed him.

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MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2026 – MONDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER


THE GOOD NEWS (Mt 28:8-15)

Prayer:


O Jesus, I will carry the good news to the whole world.

Imagination:


Picture the two women meeting Jesus.

Context:.

This gospel has 2 quite different scenes. The women meet Jesus and he tells them to bring the good news to his disciples. In the second scene, a cover-up takes place. Bribes are paid so this good news remains hidden from the people. This battle will go on until the end of time. Only then will all see that Jesus is truly risen from the dead.

Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)

The women left the tomb quickly, filled with both fear and great joy, running to tell the disciples. Then, Jesus stood before them and said, “Peace.” They came up, took hold of his feet and adored him. Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers that they are to go to Galilee. There they shall see me.”
As they were going, some of the guards came into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. They assembled with the elders to decide what to do. They gave a great sum of money to the soldiers and said, “You are to say that the disciples came at night and stole the body while we were asleep. If the Procurator should hear of this, we will settle it and keep you out of trouble.” They took the money and did as they were told. This is the story that circulates among the Jews even to this day.

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

  1. The women are overwhelmed with joy.
  2. They see an angel and then they experience the Risen Jesus.
  3. They are prepared to be messengers, the first to know and to tell the story.
  4. Many more visions will follow. Jesus will appear for forty days to prepare the disciples.
  5. The guards, too, had this experience. They could have become evangelists.
  6. They sell out. They take the money and close the door to truth.
  7. How many did they deprive of eternal life, themselves included?
  8. Lies can blunt the power of the gospel.

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

  • O Jesus, I experience great joy at this story.
  • Prepare me to be your evangelist. Come to me often.
  • Remove all fear so I can follow you.
  • O Jesus, you called even the guards to preach you, but the soldiers lost their vocation.
  • Do not let me sell you out, no matter what the cost.
  • O Jesus, I will tell your story to everyone.

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

+ I will try to find moments of quiet, so Jesus can come to me.
+ I will be totally committed to the truth.

Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)

They took the money and did as they were told.

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SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2026 – EASTER SUNDAY


THE DISCIPLES AT THE TOMB (Jn 20:1-8)

Prayer:


Come, Holy Spirit. Give me the faith to seek the risen Christ.

Imagination:


Picture the disciples at the empty tomb.

Context:.

If Jesus has risen from the dead, then his tomb must be empty. All four gospels begin their Easter stories with visits to the empty tomb and with descriptions of the disciples’ reactions.

Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)

When it was still dark on the first day of the week, Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been taken away. She ran to Peter and to the disciple whom Jesus loved and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord from the tomb and we do not know where they have placed him.” Then, Peter and the other disciple went out to the tomb. They both ran together but the other disciple outran Peter and came first to the tomb. When he bent down, he saw the linen cloth lying there, but he did not go in. When Peter arrived, he went into the tomb and saw the linen clothes. The cloth that had been around his head was not lying with the linen clothes, but was wrapped together in another place. Then, the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in. He saw and believed. As yet they did not understand the scripture that he must rise from the dead. The disciples left and went home, but Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping.

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

  1. The Beloved Disciple is the author of John’s gospel.  All of the many details, (about the various linens, where they were placed, and who arrived first), are memories of his personal experiences.
  2. Notice the readiness of these three disciples.  Magdalen comes as early as possible, while Peter and the Beloved Disciple run to the tomb.
  3. Although experiencing the empty tomb, the disciples still do not know that Jesus is risen.  
  4. Peter seems totally confused.  The Beloved Disciple believes, but does not understand the full story. Magdalen is weeping.
  5. This is God’s first stirring.  The full gift will soon come.  At least, they are searching.
  6. The two disciples return home.  Magdalen’s great love, however, takes her in a more important direction. She stays at the tomb.

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

  • O Lord, thank you for these eyewitnesses.  My faith in your resurrection is based on their witness.
  • All this evidence captures my intellect. The stone is rolled away.  The body is not there.  The linens are in various places. 
  • My heart is ready to believe.  
  • Let me run.  Let me hurry quickly.  I must find you.
  • Give me the heart of Magdalen.  I don’t want to return home to the empty world.

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

+ I will renew my faith in the risen Jesus.
+ I will study the scriptures

Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)

Magdalen ran to the apostles. Peter and the Beloved Disciple ran to the tomb.

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We Sing Alleluia- Because He Lives!

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

The Resurrection of the Lord

We Sing Alleluia- Because He Lives

Why do you think that I am far away, in the heights above you? Really, I am standing right now next to you. (Jesus) (April 7, 1965)


Today’s Readings-

Brothers and sisters: If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3)


Prayer Meditation- O Lord we are Easter people and we sing Alleluia! Let us fix our eyes above on You. the Risen One, who is not distant from us and has never left us or forsaken us but who walks with us every day! Because You Live O Lord- we can face tomorrow!

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