Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures
Fourth Sunday of Easter
We Are His
Understand the ardent longing of My Divinity that I want to calm down here with you. I delight to be with you because I feel that every beating of your heart is Mine. I am with you all day. (Jesus) (February 25, 1964)
Today’s Readings: I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. (John 10)
Prayer Meditation- Lord, You know us and You call to us- we know Your Voice, the One who loves us and will never leave us. The One who lays down His life for us, the sheep! It is hard to comprehend this kind of Love let alone feel worthy of it. Because it is not about what we have done, but what has been done for us! Lord, today, let us give You our everything, no matter how unworthy we feel so that You can give us Your everything in return- only You can make us whole!
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.)
Mark recounts Jesus’ appearances so we believe.
Everyone who saw Jesus told the story to the disciples.
The evidence mounts up, but they refuse to open their minds.
Finally, Jesus has to come. He loves the disciples and wants them to have faith.
At the same time, he must confront their hard hearts which continually stayed closed.
In spite of this, Jesus chooses them to be his messengers to all the world.
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.
Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures
Feast of Saint Mark, Evangelist
Casting Our Cares On Him
I, your Master, will care for you. I will free you from every worry. I only want to be everything to you so that nothing ties you to the earth. You can see by My solving your problem, your heavenly Father knows what you need.” (Jesus) (April 20, 1964)
Today’s Readings: So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5)
Prayer Meditation- O Jesus, You free us from all of our fears and worries if only we cast our cares on You! You want to be our everything so that we are not tied to the Earth. You want us to abide in You! And You promise us in Elizabeth’s Diary and in Scripture that the Heavenly Father knows what we need before we even tell Him! (Matthew 6:8). O Lord let us with humility and joy make You our everything- let nothing keep us from You because You are bigger than all of our fears! Jesus, we trust in You!
O Jesus, may I eat your flesh and drink your blood every day of my life.
Imagination:
Picture Jesus teaching to the crowds.
Context:.
These are among the most important verses in the New Testament because they provide a clear teaching on the power of the Eucharist to give eternal life. These are verses dear to all Catholics because they teach that Holy Communion Jesus’ body and blood.
Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)
Jesus said, “If anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” The Jews asked, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” Jesus said, “Amen, Amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you shall have no life in you. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has everlasting life and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him. As the living Father has sent me and I live by the Father, so, whoever eats of me will have life because of me. This is the bread come down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” Jesus said these things while teaching in Capernaum.
Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)
The words are strikingly clear. This “bread from heaven” is Jesus’ flesh and blood.
Jesus gives an unconditional promise. Whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood has everlasting life. Jesus will raise them up on the last day.
Jesus also gives a warning. Unless the person eats his flesh and drinks his blood they will have no life.
Jesus explains. By eating his body and drinking his blood, the person abides in Jesus just as Jesus abides in the Father.
Five times, Jesus teaches that His flesh and blood are the food come down from heaven and that whoever eats will live forever.
The message is important. His disciples remember that he taught this at Capernaum.
Affections. (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)
Jesus, what could be clearer? The Eucharist is your flesh and blood, and I am invited to the table.
By your Eucharist, give me eternal life.
Jesus, Raise me up or else I will perish forever.
Abide with me. Live in me. Give me your life. I will live forever.
You warn me O Jesus. Your warning is very serious.
If I do not I eat this food, I will have no life with you.
Draw me to your table. I want to live with you forever.
Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)
+ I will try to receive Eucharist every day. + I will cherish this sacrament as the food of eternal life.
Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood will live forever.
Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures
Friday of the Third Week of Easter
Blinded By The Light
My soul, in God’s peace, was filled with thoughts about the good God. I did not even remember my blindness of this morning, and had completely forgotten it. (Elizabeth) (1977)
Today’s Readings: Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you came, that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. (Acts 9)
Prayer Meditation: O Lord, we go through life with scales on our eyes blind to Your goodness- each going our own way until we sink into darkness. Yet You never give up on us! If we need to be knocked down and blinded by life to finally see You it will be allowed- that is how much You love us! Because all You want is us- You do not want to lose a single one of us! For You wound us and then Your Hands Heal us (Job 5:18). That sickness, that loss of a loved one, those reversals of fortune, our own faults and failures, all allowed by You yet You never leave us but pursue us so that we would surrender to Your Love and Mercy! And all things come together for good for those who love You (Romans 8:28)- our blindness, our weakness, our sickness, and even our sins if we repent radically reorienting ourselves to You! Let us forget our former blindness and let the scales fall off of our eyes and begin again in You!
Jesus continues to speak about the Israelites in the desert. Just as they murmured against Moses, Jesus’ audience is murmuring against him. Yet, Jesus is the bread of life, ensuring that we will live forever.
Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)
Many murmured because Jesus said, “I am the bread come down from heaven.” Jesus said, “Do not murmur. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him up on the last day. Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him, comes to me. No one has seen the Father except the one who is of God. He has seen the Father. Whoever believes in me has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate manna in the desert and died. This is the bread come down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will never die. I am the living bread come down from heaven.
Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)
Before receiving the manna, their ancestors murmured.
This crowd also murmurs because they cannot believe what Jesus promises.
Their minds do not grasp this mystery and they refuse to listen.
They do not believe that Jesus has seen the Father and speaks his word.
These listeners are helpless – unable to grasp and unwilling to learn.
The heavenly bread will do them no good.
Affections. (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)
Jesus, how patient you are with me when I murmur.
O Father, instruct me. My own intellect cannot absorb this mystery.
Jesus, draw me to the Father.
O Jesus, you have seen the Father and you reveal him to me.
Jesus, raise me up on the last day.
Nourish me, O Bread of Life, and I will live forever.
Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)
+ I will receive Holy Communion as often as possible. + I will let the Father draw me into this mystery.
Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures
Thursday of the Third Week of Easter
Meeting Us On The Way
Do not be surprised by what I am going to say or the way I will express it. Just so you understand the meaning of My words, I must use expressions that are familiar to you: Both in quantity and in quality, you have responded to the Divine Demands.” (Jesus) (October 23-24 1963)
Today’s Readings:
Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” He replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” (Acts 8)
Prayer Meditation- O Lord, You open up the Scriptures to us through the Daily Readings and the teaching authority of Your Church as well as through The Holy Spirit who whispers into our hearts as we meditate on Your Word. Jesus, open our eyes and meet us where we are so that we can respond to Your Grace just like the Ethiopian official- let us skip along the road with joy today as You touch us in Word and Sacrament!
Written by Fr. Eugene Wehner “of the Eucharist”, O.C.D.
The same Flame of Love that lived in the Immaculate Heart and womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary lived in the heart of Elizabeth Kindelmann and lives in the Eucharist. To let the Flame of Love reign in our hearts, we need to frequently participate in the Eucharist.
As Elizabeth was growing deeper in love of our Lord, around the time of the Feast of Corpus Christi in 1962, she wrote: “The sweet Savior filled my soul with such an attraction for His Sacred Body and Precious Blood that for weeks I could only meditate on the Eucharist. It was His desire that He and I penetrate deeply into these inexhaustibly profound words: ‘He who eats My Body and drinks My Blood remains in Me and I in him.’” (page 56)
Remaining in Jesus includes uniting our sufferings with His during his Passion and even being grateful that we can “fill up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ.” Eucharist, which means “thanksgiving,” is the renewal of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus. On August 16, 1962, Jesus questioned her: “Do you not trust the value of sufferings? I give value to your sufferings and it causes Me sorrow if you do not appreciate them. I would think that you are not accepting them with love.” (page 72)
All that we experience, Jesus wants us to accept even sufferings with love. Sufferings unite us more intimately to Him in His Paschal Mystery. He said to her on September 15, 1962: “Our hearts beat in unison. May our glances profoundly penetrate one another.” (page 82)
On Christmas night of 1962, after complaining to Jesus about her feeling of abandonment by others, he said: “I also suffer being abandoned. You know what? Let us suffer together. This will be easier for you and Me.” (page 128)
Our union with Jesus is strongest when we unite our sufferings with his as we worthily receive Holy Communion. After receiving Communion on November 22, 1962, Elizabeth described her experience: “He inundated my soul with the sublime feeling of His presence. Without any words, He poured into my consciousness a feeling of peace…. He poured out His grace and permitted me to understand clearly the reasons of these great disturbances and sufferings.” (page 109)
Later the Blessed Virgin Mary explained to her: “
If you attend Holy Mass while under no obligation to do so and you are in the state of grace before God, during that time I will pour out the Flame of Love of my heart and blind Satan. My graces will flow abundantly to the souls for whom you offer the Holy Mass, because when Satan is blinded and devoid of his power, he is unable to do anything. The participation in the Holy Mass is what helps the most to blind Satan. Tormented and breathing out terrible vengeance, he wages a ferocious battle for souls since he feels the impending coming of his blindness.” (page 110)
When Satan cannot see is way forward, he is helpless against us. We are secure and our sufferings have a redemptive purpose.
The Blessed Virgin Mary said to Elizabeth on November 30, 1962: “Throughout the day, you should offer me your daily chores for the glory of God. Such offering, made in a state of grace, also contributes to blind Satan. Live in accordance with my graces so that Satan will be blinded even more and in an increasingly large range of action. Take advantage of the abundant graces to make a multitude of souls live a holier life.” (page 113) With these words, we can grasp the fact that our whole lives are for the purpose of the salvation of souls.
Returning now to the messages regarding the Eucharist itself, Jesus told Elizabeth on September 24, 1963: “Whoever eats My Body and drinks My Blood remains in Me and I in him. He in whom God dwells will be divinized. Permeate yourself with this grace so great.” (page 170) To be divinized means not to become God but to become like Him in our love for all. Then the Flame of Love within us will leap out like a fire setting a forest of souls ablaze. The Blessed Virgin Mary confided to Elizabeth:
I can no longer hold back my Flame of Love in my heart. Let it leap out into all of you. Make all the preparations to set out…. My Flame of Love will
sweep away with uproar the distrust of souls. Encountering no resistance, the Flame will illumine souls with a gentle light. Those accepting the Flame
of Love will be intoxicated by the abundance of graces and they will proclaim everywhere … that such a
torrent of grace has never been granted since the
Word became Flesh. (page 175) The Flame of Love is most ignited in us when we receive the Eucharistic Presence of Jesus. Then the torrent of grace within us has the power to transform the world. May we be bold in proclaiming this truth, as the Blessed Virgin Mary was with Elizabeth Kindelmann.
In the debate with Jesus, the crowd talks about the great sign of manna. In the desert, God promised Moses that he would send “bread from heaven” (Ex. 16:4). Jesus explains that the manna came from his Father.
Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)
Jesus said to them, “Amen, Amen, I say to you, Moses did not give you bread from heaven. My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. The bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. They said to him, “Lord, give us this bread always”. Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall not hunger. He who believes in me shall never thirst. But I told you that although you have seen me, you do not believe. All that the Father gives me shall come to me, and whoever comes to me, I will not cast out. I came down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. This is the Father’s will. That I should lose nothing but raise it up again on the last day.
Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)
In the desert, the Father gave earthly food which sustained human life for a short time.
Now, the Father will give his Son, (the Word made Flesh), which sustains us forever.
Although the crowd asks for this heavenly bread, they do not understand the gift.
First they must believe in Jesus and come to him.
To whomever comes, Jesus gives everlasting life. This is the Father’s plan.
Affections. (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)
Jesus, you provide for every need.
Father, I hunger for the true bread.
Father, your greatest gift is your only-begotten Son.
Jesus, you are the bread of life. I seek nothing else.
O Jesus, I believe that you hold me in your hands.
Call me and I will come. Keep me and I will never wander.
Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)
+ I will not delay any longer. This day, I will come to Jesus. + I will let him hold me. I will not walk away from his grasp.
Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)
“I will lose nothing but will raise him up on the last day.”
Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures
Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter
Uniting Our Wills To The Will of The Father
“May our lips beg our heavenly Father, together, to obtain mercy.” (Jesus) (October 11, 1962)
Today’s Readings:
For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.” (John 6)
Prayer Meditation: O Lord, Your Divine Will is that all will be saved so that all will have eternal life. Your Promises are true! Let us unite our prayers to the prayer of Jesus who intercedes for us without ceasing for the salvation of the world no matter how little you may think you are!
After Jesus multiplies the food and the people seek him out, he gives a lengthy teaching on heavenly bread. This heavenly bread is both his teaching and the Eucharist, his flesh and blood.
Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)
The crowds said to him, “What sign do you give us that we might see and believe? What work do you do? Our fathers ate manna in the desert, as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat’”. Jesus said, “Amen, Amen, I say to you, Moses did not give you bread from heaven but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. The bread of God is what comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. Therefore, they said to him, “Lord, give us this bread always.” Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me shall not hunger and whoever believes in me shall not thirst.”
Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)
The crowd wants more signs.
Jesus has already given them enough signs.
So, he demands that they have faith in him.
They want earthly bread, like the father provided for the Israelites.
Now, the Father has sent Jesus, the true heavenly bread.
Finally, the crowds seek the right bread, “Give us this bread always.”
This bread is already given. Jesus is here.
Affections. (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)
O Jesus, I do not need signs. I need only you.
You will provide my daily bread. Why am I anxious?
You have come down from heaven, a gift of the Holy Spirit through the Virgin Mary.
O Jesus, give me always the bread of your presence.
I will come to you and will never hunger again.
Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)
+ I will go to mass every day possible. + I will trust God for my daily bread.
Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures
Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter
Jesus- The Bread of Life
Then I humbly hid Myself under a common appearance so as to be more accessible to you, so that you would not fear Me. I hid Myself in the white Host like a child wrapped up in swaddling clothes.When I enter your heart, make sure that the robe of your soul is freefrom any stain or tear, because no father has made greater sacrificesto acquire a suit for his child. (Jesus) (May 1962))
Today’s Readings:
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” (John 6)
Prayer Meditation- O Jesus, let us come to You today as little children ready to receive the Bread of Life and let us hunger and thirst only for You! You are the hidden God- hidden so that we would worship You without fear and that You would make us holy and righteous in Your sight all the days of our lives (Canticle of Zechariah). So let us make sure we are disposed to receive You because You have given You all that we would be free from our chains of sin and death! We love You Lord Jesus- May our hearts beat in unison!
O Jesus, let me seek the Bread of life everlasting.
Imagination:
O Jesus, let me seek the Bread of life everlasting.
Context:.
After Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes, he prays alone on the mountain. Meanwhile, his disciples cross the Sea of Galilee to Caparnaum and Jesus walks on the water to rescue them. In this gospel, the crowd finds him at Capernaum, obviously wanting Jesus to multiply food again.
Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)
The crowds searched for Jesus and when they found him, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you. You do not seek me because you see miracles, but because you have eaten and been filled with the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him, the Father has set his seal. They asked, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answered, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom God has sent.”
Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)
The crowds make extraordinary efforts to be with Jesus.
They want his miracles.
The miracles are signs of the Kingdom.
Jesus wants them to seek the Kingdom, not the signs.
Jesus has a special food which they should seek. It will give eternal life.
The crowds have an excellent question. How do they accomplish the works of God?”
Jesus gives a direct answer. The “work of God” is “to believe in him.”
Affections. (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)
Jesus, I will do everything possible to find you.
You welcome me and rejoice that I have come.
Jesus, you give me signs so I keep searching.
I will search for the food that gives eternal life.
With all my heart, I ask, “What works can I do for you, Jesus?”
“Just believe in me”, you reply.
Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)
+ Today, I will seek Jesus with all my heart. + I will hunger and thirst for Holy Communion.
Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures
Monday of the Third Week of Easter
Working With Jesus
The time that you devote to Me is never lost. It is saved for an eternity of infinite value. You will easily render an accounting for time dedicated to God. Why not do everything for Me? This is so easy. (Jesus) (October 9, 1964)
Today’s Readings:
So they said to him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.” (John 6)
Prayer Meditation- O Lord we spin our wheels trying to work for You in our own power but Your yoke is easy and Your burden light. What You are really looking for is our hearts- what is our intention in each act- are our minds on You and You alone or our own self -interest even in the holy things? Lord help us to spend time with You each day and offer everything to You today- the good, the bad, and the ugly knowing that You are the One who is doing the work though us and You are faithful to complete it- we are nothing and You are all!
TWO DISCIPLES LEAVING JERUSALEM TO EMMAUS (Lk 24:13-35)
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.)
This story highlights the human dilemma. Without God, our happiness depends upon events outside of our control.
Now that Jesus is dead, these two disciples see only one possibility. They should leave Jerusalem and abandon their dream.
In their despair, they cannot even recognize Jesus.
They can talk only about these sad and depressing events.
Cleopas is even annoyed that this stranger doesn’t know what happened.
The whole story seemingly ends in confusion. The tomb is empty. Angels have spoken to the women but no one has seen Jesus.
Affections. (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)
Jesus, do not let external events take command over me. May you control my life.
Jesus, if I walk away from 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.
O Jesus, help me when the storms of life become too strong.
Context:.
Multiplying food is a powerful miracle but walking on the sea is even greater. Jesus is much more than a miracle-worker. He is God and has power over the sea.
Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)
When evening came, the disciples went to the sea, intending to embark to Capernaum. It was dark and Jesus was not with them. Moreover, with a strong wind blowing, the sea was becoming rough. When they had rowed three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking upon the sea and approaching their boat. They were afraid. Jesus said to them, “I am. Do not be afraid.” They wanted to take him into the boat, but suddenly it came aground on the shore where they were going.
Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)
The disciples make a mistake. They try to cross the sea without Jesus.
They think that they can overcome the darkness and the wind.
The conditions are too much. They find themselves miles from shore and helpless.
Suddenly, Jesus appears and chooses to approach their boat.
Why do they grow afraid? Because they do not know who it is.
“I am” says Jesus. The Father spoke those same words to Moses.
The disciples want to take Jesus into their boat.
God works yet another miracle. The boat arrives safely with Jesus at their side.
Affections. (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)
Jesus, do not let me face my trials without you.
If I use only my own talents, I will always fail.
With your power, I will always succeed.
O Jesus, how difficult life can be.
Come to me, Jesus. The waves are very high.
You are “I Am”. You always existed. You created me.
Suddenly, I will reach the shore. Life will be over and I will be in heaven.
Stay with me, Jesus. It is night.
Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)
+ I will never trust my own strength. + I will ask Jesus to accompany me.
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.)
Jesus is concerned about the crowd’s hunger.
He decides what to do, but he allows the apostles to cooperate.
Once they bring the loaves and fishes, Jesus can multiply them.
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.
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.
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.)
Having come from heaven, Jesus brings all of heaven’s riches.
Jesus has seen the Father. Having seen, he can testify.
Jesus’ frustration is that no one believes his testimony.
If people believed, the Father would pour out the Holy Spirit abundantly upon them.
Believing in Jesus bestows eternal life.
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.
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.
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.)
When the Israelites in the desert disobeyed God, they grew sick from a serpent’s bite.
God provided the remedy. When Moses nailed a bronze serpent to a cross, whoever gazed on it was saved. (Numbers C21)
This story prefigured Jesus being lifted up on the cross to save us.
God sent Jesus because “he so loved the world”.
Through faith in Jesus, all can be saved.
Jesus is the eternal light.
Evil people do not want this light. It reveals their deeds.
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.
